By Arturo Brooks |Staff Writer| Since I was little I wanted to serve my country for glory and the fascination towards war. Thoughts of possible injury and death never crossed my mind then. When I was 19 I decided to make my dream become a reality by becoming U.S. Army 19-Delta Calvary Scout, which was against my parent’s wishes. My father was none too thrilled with 19-D having such a high causality rate. My mother was none too thrilled either. My stepfather at the time was a recruiter for the U.S. Army. He asked me, man to man, if this truly the job I wanted. I proudly expresses that is was truly what I wanted and he supported me. My mother and stepfather both helped me … [Read more...] about Veteran Thoughts: Fighting a War Inside
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San Bernardino County Fair
By Jason Samp |Staff Writer| The San Bernardino County Fair wrapped up this weekend at the fairgrounds in Victorville, after offering rides, food, art, animals, vendors and performers. Although the fair is small in comparison to the Orange County Fair or Los Angeles County Fair, it offered many of the same attractions and even other activities that are not experienced at the larger venues. "It's nice not having to fight through crowds or really wait in any lines while you are here," said fair goer Leonel Perez.The fair had more of a small town feeling to it that was more personal and intimate than the large scale fairs in Southern California. During the daylight hours, the … [Read more...] about San Bernardino County Fair
Visit the Bottle Tree Ranch
By Elizabeth Taylor |Staff Writer| For over 30 years the Bottle Tree Ranch continues to thrive as one of Route 66’s most iconic hot spots. Thousand's are drawn to this artistic desert oasis, to find out what the ranch is all about. The bottle tree oasis, located on a desolate stretch of roadside in Helendale, Ca, glistens and gleams as travelers and locals continue to stop by and check it out. “I found this place on Yelp as one of the destinations to stop at along Route 66 to get to Vegas,” said Joshua Tree resident, Jung Lee. “I just thought I’d stop by, take a few pics and make my way Vegas.” The attraction to the ranch is a non-stop process full of photo ops, but the beauty … [Read more...] about Visit the Bottle Tree Ranch
International Market Night
By Arthur Medrano |Staff Writer| The International Market Night is one of the premier events held each year at CSUSB, which draws crowds with music, diverse cuisines, entertainment and artwork from various ethnic cultures. Market-goers had the entire day to sample dishes from several different countries as they walked around the library lawn. Across the field, flags were showcasing the diverse cultures in attendance while the DJ played music spanning from Spanish pop to Bollywood. As an annual event, the crowds seem to grow in size with students, faculty and the public being able to attend this free event. “[This] event that promotes diversity, cultural awareness and just a … [Read more...] about International Market Night
Art, coffee and the community
By Yesica Gonzalez | Staff Writer| Weekly Open Mic night brought together young art enthusiasts in a Riverside coffee shop on Feb. 6. Every Monday night at 9 p.m., art enthusiasts explore their community through inspirational entertainment. There are various talents of performers such as singers, poets, rappers, writers and more. The Open Mic is located in downtown Riverside in the basement of the coffee shop. "I've been Back to the Grind before, I kind of knew what the ambiance was but I've never been to the open mic before," explained Jerry, a performer. "I still dig it, I'll come back," continued Jerry. On a usual day, Back to the Grind, coffee shop is just a cozy … [Read more...] about Art, coffee and the community
Thousands gather for Festival of Lights
By Veronica Vicente |Staff Writer| The Los Angeles zoo and Botanical Gardens commenced their annual zoo lights festival on Nov.18, which featured thousands of lights and animal installations to spread holiday spirit. The event brought together more than 170,000 visitors and was awarded the Best Choice Travel award by USA today. Among walking inside, there are several lit paths that take you to different exhibitions of the zoo. “The Lair”, which represents for living amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles was the only exhibition open to the public. It contained a giant green snake covered with bright lights on top of the rooftop,greeting the guests as they walked … [Read more...] about Thousands gather for Festival of Lights
Beyond the past
By Tommy McCardle |Staff Writer| Many people have a theory that their past experiences and interactions with others takes a part in shaping their personality traits in the future. There is an old saying, “history is bound to repeat itself if one does not learn from it.” Syd Moore, author of “The Drowning Pool,” offers advice to those that question their past’s influence on who they become in the future. “Disregard for the past will never do us any good as without it we cannot know truly who we are,” said Moore. One’s past not only affects themselves, but it is believed to have an adverse effect on others around them. “I am a child of divorce, so that really screwed me up,” said … [Read more...] about Beyond the past
Super Bowl 50 Celebration
Kaila Morales |Staff Writer| We are just days away from the annual NFL Super Bowl kickoff. Feb. 7, marks the 50th anniversary of football's biggest game, which will take place at the San Francisco 49ers' Levi's Stadium this year. Each year the Super Bowl sets a new record for overall viewers. With last year's ratings at 114.4 million, the ratings are likely to increase for this year's game, according to International Business Times. Before you turn on your T.V. at 3:30 p.m. to CBS, here's what's to expect. Let's start off with who's playing, we have five-time league MVP Peyton Manning leading the Denver Broncos and first time NFC champion Cam Newton with the Carolina … [Read more...] about Super Bowl 50 Celebration
Coyote player of the week: Briana Baker
By Nathaniel Lastrapes |Staff Writer| Most college basketball players have their mind on three things: basketball, school, and more basketball. Some student-athletes lose track of the important things in life but not the starting point guard of the Coyotes women's basketball team, senior, Briana Baker. The 21-year-old was born in Compton, California and was raised in Rancho Cucamonga. She grew up with a passion for basketball and eventually went on to play varsity at Rancho Cucamonga High School. Baker fell in love with the game when she was in fifth grade and credits her father for her love of the game, "he was really passionate about basketball, so I gravitated towards … [Read more...] about Coyote player of the week: Briana Baker
Former High Desert resident arrested
By Yara Del Rio-Dominguez |Staff Writer| Former high desert resident Charles Ray Merritt, 47, was arrested on suspicion of killing family of four. "Investigators received over 250 anonymous tips via e-mail, WeTip, and phone calls," according to San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon "More than 4,500 pages of investigative documents were compiled, 60 search warrants and more than 200 interviews were conducted before Merritt was arrested. According to vvdailypress.com, Merritt had told The Daily Press, his former business partner Joesph McStay had disappeared, leaving undisclosed information about an ongoing project they were working on together for a restaurant at the Green Tree … [Read more...] about Former High Desert resident arrested