“Men may have landed on the moon, but it is the hidden ‘human computers,’ the women in STEM, like Katherine Johnson, who charted the path for their safe landing and back. They may be invisible at times but they have an impeccable impact. There are many such women in STEM and they are critical for our future discoveries. Let’s make such role models visible,” Sastry Pantula, Dean, College of Natural Sciences, CSUSB Women have participated in scientific breakthrough developments throughout history and in many instances, milestones have been made and women were nameless working behind the scenes. One prominent example is Katherine Johnson, who passed away February 24, 2020, at 101, and … [Read more...] about WANTED: More Women in STEM
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
The holidays are now in the rear-view mirror and the new decade seems to be heading down the fast lane. Many people are thinking about their next big adventure. Perhaps, a local road trip to learn more about a piece of Americana, right here in San Bernardino County’s backyard, is the ticket – a day trip down Route 66. This well-traveled road began in 1926 when this first highway was developed to bring Americans west from Chicago. From Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 has many motels and restaurants, as it is one of the top ten most famous roads in the world. It is also known as America’s Mother Road and many people today may know of it because of the animated Disney … [Read more...] about Get Your Kicks on Route 66
SB to LV in 90: hop on the train!
Many people enjoy taking a weekend trip with friends and family to the Las Vegas area. Soon, they will be able to travel from Victorville to Las Vegas in 90 minutes without the additional burden of parking a vehicle for several days, or the traffic concerns of the return drive back to Southern California on the I-15 with all the other weekend travelers. On October 23, the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank approved $3.25 billion in bonds to begin building a fully electric high-speed train between Victor Valley and Las Vegas. Private institutional investors will acquire bonds that will create the funds to support this enterprise which will be implemented by … [Read more...] about SB to LV in 90: hop on the train!
Bringing a Palestinian refugee camp reality to CSUSB
On November 13, the Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (CIMES) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) hosted a special screening of the award-winning animated film, The Tower, along with a question and answer period with its Norwegian director, Mats Grorud. This event was originally scheduled for October 31 including a live Q&A session with the director, but due to the power outage was canceled. The CIMES director, Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb, also a professor of communications studies at CSUSB, found a way to make this screening and Q&A happen via Zoom, since Grorud had gone back to his home in Norway. Grorud's mother grew up in Lebanon, so as a small … [Read more...] about Bringing a Palestinian refugee camp reality to CSUSB
State 60 weekend closures and the impact on local businesses
As we head toward the end of November, we are nearing the completion of the 17-week closures of State 60 (alternating between Eastbound and Westbound sides) due to the replacement of deteriorated pavement over an 18-mile stretch. If you actively drive the Inland Empire freeway system, more than likely you’ve encountered the challenges of working around the “60 Swarm" as it has been coined by Caltrans. The 60 Swarm affects the weekend traffic on the 60 freeway between Riverside and Ontario – a highly traveled freeway system with many businesses along this route. "The swarm is the compilation of multiple projects taking place over the same time over the next two-and-a-half, to … [Read more...] about State 60 weekend closures and the impact on local businesses
New study shows black carbon crosses placenta to fetus
Recent research has confirmed that toxic air pollution is affecting all of us – from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes, but black carbon (BC) has been found to have crossed the placental wall of pregnant mothers, which affects the fetus at its earliest stage of life. When CSUSB student, Mallory Bedney, heard about the impact of pollution on pregnant women she said, "I was shocked, as I’m quite concerned for the future of our air quality and climate. I can see the toll it has taken on our health, and the fact that people may be born with health issues due to pollution and poor air quality is a real and legitimate concern.” This discovery was in a study which was done in … [Read more...] about New study shows black carbon crosses placenta to fetus
RAFFMA: An insider’s look at California artists
Imagine being face to face with artists you revere and having the opportunity to memorialize their artistry for all time. That was the experience that launched art photographer, Wayne Shimabukuro, on a unique trajectory that is celebrated in RAFFMA’s powerful exhibit, “Made in California: Art + Photographic Portraits of Artists by Shimabukuro,” now on display. The exhibit, which launched on October 5, at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) features close to 40 iconic California artists photographed by Shimabukuro in his trademark style. The artists are photographed with their work, or in some cases, their three-dimensional work is alongside their portrait in the … [Read more...] about RAFFMA: An insider’s look at California artists
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
For six weeks every holiday season the Riverside Mission Inn lights up the town with close to 5-million lights and decorations that create a fairyland-like atmosphere that is enjoyed by visitors from around the world. The celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving with the official Switch-On ceremony in the evening setting the downtown Riverside area aglow. The evening begins early at 4:30 p.m. and continues until midnight on Friday, Nov. 23rd, but to get a good space, you should be there early as parking fills up and the crowd gets dense. The Switch-On happens at 5:00 p.m. when the inn turns on the switch for all the lights and a fireworks display creates a spectacular … [Read more...] about Mission Inn Festival of Lights
The Real ID: the driver’s license you will need to fly
After 9/11, the Federal Government made the decision to implement a new all-encompassing form of identification in each state to streamline air travel throughout the United States. The Real ID, which will replace a regular California driver’s license, has slowly been implemented in the United States over the last 15 years even though the deadline with the federal government for full compliance for all 50 states is October 1, 2020. As of October of this year, 37 states and territories were compliant, 19 have been granted extensions and California just began offering this enhanced ID on January 22, 2018. According to KFI AM radio hosts, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of the John and … [Read more...] about The Real ID: the driver’s license you will need to fly
#ShowMeYourSlate campaign to expose deceptive political mailers
Oct. is the time of year when political advertising makes its way to voters by the bushel. Some political advertising is fairly transparent, however, slate mailers can be disturbingly deceptive. Slate mailers are any mailer recommending a “slate” of candidates and/or propositions for the purpose of influencing a voter recipient. Some mailers, like Election Digest and Educate Your Vote, actually solicit payments from campaigns to have their favored candidates and propositions listed on their slate, through a “pay-to-play” arrangement which is typically not apparent to voters. Dr. Thomas Corrigan, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at California State University, San Bernardino … [Read more...] about #ShowMeYourSlate campaign to expose deceptive political mailers