EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 07
November 20, 2025
‘Ernie Would Be Ecstatic’: Garcia Center Gala Marks 10 Years, Honors Dotti with Art Gallery Naming
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Aristrong Foundation Scholarships Help Colton, Grand Terrace Teens Chase the High School Future Arianna Never Got to Finish Pg. 2
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL From left, Tim Garcia, Garcia Center Executive Director Michael Segura, honoree Dotti Garcia, Patrick Garcia and a Garcia family member share a moment as Dotti accepts a frog-topped glassblown sculpture during the Garcia Center for the Arts’ 10-year gala.
By Manny Sandoval
O
n a rainy Nov. 14 evening, the Garcia Center for the Arts turned its auditorium into a celebration of legacy and possibility, as its 2nd annual gala marked 10 years of arts advocacy in San Bernardino and raised funds to sustain programming into 2026. Emceed by Miriam Nieto of San
Desert Empire Filmmaker Nonprofit Aims to Make Inland Empire the ‘Hollywood of Indie Film’
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Emcee Miriam Nieto of San Bernardino Generation Now and Garcia Center Executive Director Michael Segura thank attendees and underscore the need for continued arts funding in San Bernardino.
Bernardino Generation Now and hosted by the center’s Executive Director Michael Segura, the 10-year celebration focused squarely on the center’s future — keeping its programs accessible, its historic building maintained and its creative spaces alive for the next generation of artists and youth. Segura told guests that while the center has made strides, significant needs remain behind the scenes.
“We have a lot of infrastructure improvements being made and still many that need to be made,” Segura said. “We also need more staffing, it'd be great to hire more fulltime staff. We are still looking for sponsorships for the gallery and sponsorships for the Mercado 536 (the entrepreneur co-op space), for the makerspace, studios, our ceramics classes, printmaking classes, and a new residency program we are launching in Garcia Center Gala, cont. on next pg.
Sen. Reyes’ 30-under-30 Honors IE Labor’s Alicia Aguayo, Colton PD’s Nilda Campos, KVCR’s Justin Verduzco Among Changemakers
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PHOTO REYES’ OFFICE Inland Empire Labor Institute Senior Marketing & Communications Coordinator Alicia Aguayo, center, arrives with her family to Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes’ 30-under-30 Awards Ceremony on Nov. 13.
By Manny Sandoval
O
n Nov. 13, Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-Colton, honored 30 young leaders from across the Inland Empire at her 9th Annual 30 Under 30 Awards Ceremony, spotlighting organizers, public servants, artists and professionals reshaping the region’s future.
PHOTO REYES’ OFFICE From left, a Colton PD officer, Honoree Nilda Campos, Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, Frank Reyes, and Colton Police Chief Anthony Vega gather for a photo. Campos was honored as a 30-under-30 recipient for her leadership in community policing and digital outreach.
“The long-term success of the Inland Empire depends on the positive impact our young people have on our region,” Reyes said. “I am confident that by elevating today’s leaders, we inspire others to make bold moves that redefine our region as one of innovation and progress. I’m incredibly proud of the young people of Senate District 29, and hope they feel seen and supported.”
Launched in 2017, the 30 Under 30 Awards recognize young changemakers in community activism, business, education, health, art and social entrepreneurship. A few of those honored this year include San Bernardino communications strategist Alicia Aguayo, Colton Police Officer Nilda 30 Under 30, Cont. on next pg.