EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 61, NO. 50
November 21, 2024
San Bernardino Clears 150 Encampments at Perris Hill Park, Offers Path to New Beginnings
IECN.com
And This Year’s Theme for the Annual 5K Reindeer Run and Rudolph’s DASH is The Holiday Haunt Pg. 4
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Hope the Mission and SBPD’s Peace Team engaging with a homeless woman who is hesitant to step outside of her tent on the morning of the park clearance.
By Manny Sandoval
S
an Bernardino officials completed a two-day operation to clear a homeless encampment at Perris Hill Park, the city’s largest public green space. The initiative, which involved extensive outreach over the past month, engaged 150 unhoused individuals, with over 30 accepting services such as temporary housing and
First 5 San Bernardino Celebrates 25 Years of Stronger Starts and Better Lives for Children Pg. 5
“This has been a priority for our city,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “These past two days have been a big success, and I want to
C
Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com Pg. 8 Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
thank everyone involved. We have compassionately cleared the park and will be restoring it for use by our residents and families.” A Coordinated Effort with Comprehensive Services Months of planning led up to the operation, according to Jeff Kraus, San Bernardino’s Public Information Officer. The city worked closely with its Homeless Outreach Team, contracted service provider Hope the Mission, and the Peace Team—a specialized group including
police officers, mental health workers, paramedics, and support animals. “For the past month, our teams have been out there Monday through Friday, engaging with the encampment,” Kraus said. “We held three outreach events to ensure everyone knew this was coming. Our goal was to document individuals, connect them with services, and provide solutions.” The operation began at 7:40 a.m. on Perris Hill Park cont. on next pg.
Cheech Marin Unveils Bronze Statue at The Cheech, Jokes His Friends Were 'Flabbergasted' Over the Honor By Manny Sandoval
InlandInnovation Empire Community How Propels Newspapers Three Entrepreneurial Office: (909) 381-9898 Businesses
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
SBPD helping a homeless man walk his belongings to an on-site vending social service booth.
heech Marin, the legendary actor, comedian, and champion of Chicano art, unveiled a bronze statue in his likeness on November 19 outside The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in downtown Riverside. The sculpture, titled “Meet Me at The Cheech, 2024,” was created by renowned artist Ignacio Gomez and stands as a tribute to Marin’s lifelong dedication to elevating Chicano art on a global stage. Marin, never one to miss a chance for humor, shared a lighthearted exchange he had with his oldest friend, Kenny, about the statue. “My friends were f**king flabbergasted when they found out I was getting a bronze statue. Kenny said, ‘Bronze statue, huh? Are you going to have hair or no
hair?’ And I told him, ‘Since it’s art, I’m going to have hair down to my a**.’” The crowd erupted in laughter, reflecting the camaraderie and charm that Marin is known for. On a more serious note, Marin expressed his gratitude and vision for the center’s future. “This has been an incredible journey. This collection has such a connection to the community and now to the world. In four years, the Olympics are coming to Los Angeles, and we have to ensure representatives from all around the globe come to The Cheech to see what Chicano art is.” The unveiling, sponsored by JP Morgan Chase, drew an enthusiastic crowd to the front steps of The Cheech at 3581 Mission Inn Avenue. Held at 10 a.m., the event marked a milestone for the center, which has Cheech Sculpture cont. on next pg.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL The legendary Cheech Marin moments after pulling the cover from his sculpture on the morning of November 19, 2024.