EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 48
September 18, 2025
San Bernardino Redeems Itself With Clean California Designation Weeks After “Dirtiest City” Report
IECN.com
Police Mask Restrictions and Protester Bans Face Constitutional Challenges Pg. 3
Inland Empire PRISM Collective to Host Lavender Gala, Seeks Sponsors to Strengthen LGBTQ+ Advocacy
PHOTO REALICORE Realicore Real Estate co-founder David Friedman, Mayor Helen Tran, Councilman Mario Flores, and Duan Kellum of Creative Grounds join volunteers during a downtown San Bernardino cleanup.
hree weeks after a national study ranked San Bernardino the dirtiest city in America, the city has earned a Clean California Community designation, marking a sharp turnaround fueled by grassroots collaboration.
T
designation two months ago and rallying 20 downtown organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Together, they hosted community cleanups, created anti-littering strategies, and organized educational workshops. The city will soon contribute by installing additional trash cans downtown and in area parking garages.
Realicore Real Estate co-founder David Friedman led the effort, applying for the
“If you pledge to be a clean community you have first dibs on grants, resources,
By Manny Sandoval
and tools,” Friedman said. “And we were one of the first 30 cities in California to be designated.” Launched as a statewide initiative to remove litter, create jobs, and beautify public spaces, Clean California has invested more than $1 billion in litter collection, education, and community engagement Clean Calif., cont. on next pg.
Triumphant Inland Film Fest Empowers Filmmakers to Own Their Narrative, Right On! Wins Top Award
Pg. 4
Inland Volunteers Needed Empire Community Sept. 20 at Riverside’s Newspapers Martha McLean-Anza Office: (909) 381-9898 Narrowsiecn1@mac.com Park for Editorial: Cleanup Advertising: sales@iecn.com
Pg. 4
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Phase 3 celebrating right before “The Insight” Best of screening on September 13th at Regal San Bernardino.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he Inland Film Fest returned in triumph September 13–14, drawing nearly 1,000 attendees to Regal San Bernardino and the University of Redlands’ Orton Center for two days of screenings and celebration of Inland Empire voices. More than 65 short films were presented across categories ranging from live-action and documentary to animation, experimen-
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL The “Best Of” panel featured filmmakers such as Sophia Figueroa (center), director of “The Warehouse Empire” (which also won an Emmy) and “Off the Rails.”
tal, and student films. With 80 percent of selections highlighting San Bernardino and Riverside County filmmakers, the festival reinforced its role as both a showcase and a workforce initiative, equipping artists with the training and resources to expand their craft. Founded in 2023 with support from the Creative Corps Grant and originally organized by the Garcia Center for the Arts, the festival is now led by Arts Connection – The Arts Council of San Bernardino
County. Under new stewardship, it has quickly become a centerpiece of the region’s creative economy, spotlighting local narratives that are too often overlooked by mainstream media. ‘Telling Our Own Stories’ At the festival’s opening outside Regal San Bernardino on Saturday, Arts Connection Executive Director Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez welcomed audiences by highlighting the breadth of talent on disInland Film Fest, Cont. on next pg.