Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.

If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about becoming a foster or foster-adopt parent, join us on June 15th from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. for an English online virtual orientation. To sign up, visit https://www.all4kids.org/foster-care-and-adoption-inquiry-form/ or call 661-289-4231 or 833-983-2837, or email Rfrecruitment@all4kids.org and a link to the meeting will be sent to you.

A Spanish Zoom Orientation is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 20th for those who prefer Spanish.

Children’s Bureau partners with over 200 foster-adoptive families annually to help at-risk youth by giving them a home that is nearby and inclusive to their foster siblings. Lisa and Michael began their foster-adoptive journey by providing a stable home to a sibling set of three, two girls and a boy. They worked to keep the family together and have experienced a bond like no other. “If adoption is in your future, there is no need to look any further than our surrounding county. So many local children need a family. If you are wanting to “make a difference” with your life, consider adopting from foster care. You could be saving generations,” said Lisa.

In the 1940’s, Children’s Bureau opened adoption services and found homes for refugee children orphans from World War II. The agency continues to meet the needs by offering a wide array of programs in areas related to adoption such as foster care, prevention, and mental health. Children’s Bureau has multiple locations operating throughout Southern California.

“Right now, children in San Bernardino County who have experienced trauma and have been separated from their birth family need our help,” says Leslie Oropeza, Children’s Bureau Director of Foster Care and Adoption. “We are looking for families who can open their homes and hearts to these children. Families who have extra space and the willingness to keep them together. Statistics show siblings kept together in foster care and adoption do better later in life.

They heal quicker from their trauma, have better attachments, and develop healthy self-images,” she adds.

Children’s Bureau welcomes all individuals regardless of race, age, religion, disability, marital status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression to become a resource for children. Qualifying families receive training and support throughout their journey. Foster Care and Adoption Programs are available in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties.

For information about Children’s Bureau and the other critical services the agency provides , visit all4kids.org. To stay connected with Family Foster Care and Adoption services, visit www.all4kids.org/foster.

The City of San Bernardino has received the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Sustainability Award for Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure for its Zero Emission First – Clean Fleet Policy. The City was recognized at SCAG’s regional conference, held in Palm Desert. Mayor Helen Tran and Council Member Damon Alexander were on hand to receive the award.

“We are pleased and honored to be recognized by SCAG for our Clean Fleet Policy,” said San Bernardino Council Member Damon Alexander, who also sits on the SCAG Regional Council. “It not only speaks to San Bernardino’s commitment to sustainability but is a roadmap to make a difference.”

The award was one of seven sustainability awards presented by SCAG recognizing excellence and innovation to improve mobility, livability, prosperity, and sustainability. SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, encompassing six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura), 191 cities, and 19 million people in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles.

San Bernardino’s Clean Fleet Policy was unanimously adopted by the City Council on December 7, 2022. It serves as the City’s first initiative to reduce emissions from its daily operations. The policy establishes a framework for transitioning the City’s fleet from gas powered vehicles to zero to low-emission vehicles. The policy represents San Bernardino’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

The core objectives of San Bernardino’s Clean Fleet Policy include:

• Procure new and replace existing fleet vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles, with a focus on procuring all electric vehicles.
• Optimize the fleet size by eliminating unused or underused vehicles through review and evaluation of vehicle utilization and redundancy reports.
• Limit the procurement of gasoline and/or diesel-powered vehicles.
• Execute a plan to expand the network of charging stations city-wide.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants through the elimination of fossil fuel combustion.
• Decrease costs associated with fleet vehicle operations, which can be reinvested into the community.

The Clean Fleet Policy is the first of a series of strategies and initiatives the San Bernardino intends to pursue to support the City’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions in its operations.

First location for the restaurant and entertainment chain in Coachella Valley to open in in the third quarter of 2023

CBRE announced Dave & Buster’s has signed a 22,982-square-foot lease at The River at Rancho Mirage, a premier retail shopping center in Rancho Mirage, California, and will open the location in the third quarter of 2023.

CBRE’s Marco Rossetti and Walter Pagel represent the landlord, CL Investment Group. CBRE’s Scott Riddles, Derek Fitch and Rob Crumly represented Dave & Busters.

Located at 71800 Highway 11 at the intersection of Bob Hope Drive in Riverside County, The River is a 227,000-square-foot premier lifestyle and entertainment center that serves as a shopping, dining and entertainment hub for the Rancho Mirage community. The intersection attracts over 67,500 daily. In addition, the property is centrally located within the Coachella Valley, an area that attracts an estimated 3.1 million visitors annually.

“The River’s award-winning design creates a one-of-a-kind ambiance in the heart of the Coachella Valley,” said Marco Rossetti, Vice President with CBRE. “Dave & Buster’s will bring in a different demographic than the typical retail shopper at The River.”

The River features a 1,100-foot, 1.7 million gallon “river” water feature, public sitting areas and walkways, and a 100-seat outdoor amphitheater. The River’s anchor tenants include a 15-screen, stadium-style Century Theatre cinema and seven full-service restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, and Yard House. In addition, The River has approximately 20,000 square feet of premium office space.

“Activity in the desert has significantly ramped up filling the community with patrons drawn to sports and entertainment. Dave & Buster’s will be a fantastic addition to The River, serving the corporate client, the vacationer, and the strong residential community within the desert,” said Walter Pagel, Senior Vice President with CBRE.

The Coachella Valley attracts various annual events, including the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, BNP Paribas Open, and Stagecoach Music Festival. The area has over 1,900 hotel rooms nearby including the Ritz Carlton, Westin Mission Hills and Marriott Rancho Las Palmas.