Mae Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama on October 17, 1956 to Charlie and Dorothy Jemison. She was the youngest of three children, with both an older brother and sister. Jemison was only three years old when her family moved to Chicago; which she considers her home. Jemison’s parents thought that there would be better opportunities there, especially regarding education. Little did her family know that, one day, Mae would be the first African American woman in space.

Jemison’s inspiration for joining NASA was Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. As a kid, she was highly interested in anthropology, astronomy, and archeology. Jemison has been quoted as saying:

I thought, by now, we’d be going into space like you were going to work.

Jemison was highly academic and engaged. Her academic honors led her to Stanford at the age of only sixteen; and she received degrees in both Chemical Engineering as well as African American Studies. Eventually, she completed a medical degree at Cornell University too.

After graduation, Jemison joined the Peace Corps; working in West Africa. “Once while serving as a doctor for the Peace Corps, a volunteer got sick and another doctor was diagnosed with malaria. The volunteer got progressively worse and Jemison was sure it was meningitis with life-threatening complications that could not be treated in Sierra Leone. Jemison called for an Air Force hospital plane based in Germany for a military medical evacuation at a cost of $80,000. The embassy questioned whether Jemison had the authority to give such an order but she told them she didn’t need anyone’s permission for a medical decision. By the time the plane reached Germany with Jemison and the volunteer on board, she had been up with the patient for 56 hours. The patient survived.” Via

Like many people, Jemison didn’t achieve her dream right away. On her first application to NASA, Jemison was, sadly, turned down. It wasn’t until 1987 that they called to ask if she was still interested. Of course, she was! Jemison then became the very first African American woman to ever be accepted into the space program.  “After more than a year of training, she became an astronaut with the title of science mission specialist, a job which would make her responsible for conducting crew related scientific experiments on the space shuttle. On September 12, 1992, Jemison finally flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the Endeavour on mission STS47. During her eight days in space, she conducted experiments on weightlessness and motion sickness on the crew and herself.” Via

Mae Jemison eventually left NASA to explore other interests, regarding technology. She also appeared in an episode of Star Trek The Next Generation; just like her childhood hero Nichelle Nichols.

Further reading on Mae Jemison and Other African American Heroes

• Dr. Mae
• Find Where the Wind Goes
• Meet a Super Scientist: Mae Jemison
• Mae Jemison
• The Untold Story of the First African American Gold Medalist
• Unsung Heroes
• Overlooked African American Heroes
• Unsung Heroes of Black History

The Corona-Norco UNITY (United Neighbors Involving Today’s Youth) Coalition was formed in 1996 as an outgrowth of a ‘National Issues Forum’ on youth violence held at the Corona Public Library and a “Youth Summit” sponsored by Supervisor John Tavaglione in the desert. It was established after a Town Hall meeting on youth and violence after a local incident of violence. Over a hundred people showed up to the Town Hall at the library and it was decided some of the members wanted to continue to meet.   John Z became the President of the Board.

Original members of the coalition included representatives from the Corona and Norco City Councils, Corona Library, Law Enforcement and City employees, local government and CNUSD employees, and community organizations such as the Corona-Norco Family YMCA and the American Association of University Women.

UNITY’s Mission is to promote full community involvement in the positive development of children, youth and families of the greater Corona-Norco area.  It was apparent during the early history of UNITY that there were no youth-focused collaboratives existing in the community. It was also learned that people needed to listen to the youth and encourage them to be an active voice.

Accomplishments have include increased networking among agencies, community youth asset assessment, and identifying youth service agencies that would benefit and develop the coalition to help share resources. Both the General and Board Meetings include youth representatives from local high schools and Norco College.

General meeting are held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month (dark in the summer).  This time is used to network with agencies working with youth and families; and usually to have two or more of these agencies speak.

The invaluable benefit of UNITY is the diverse network that it gives service organizations, agencies, schools, and individuals access to. At any general meeting, you are able to sit in one room with professionals who bring such a wide variety of expertise and perspectives to youth issues that it’s always an enlightening experience as they demonstrate how many various facets of an issue there are. It’s also extremely helpful to learn about what resources and programs are already in place to help the youth in our community.

In addition at UNITY meetings, service organizations have the ability to request assistance for everything from volunteers to supplies to information. Every time I’ve witnessed these requests made, there has always been a tremendous response in terms of multiple offers and/or “leads” to other organizations that might be able to help. I think these outpourings of support for other groups and organizations, embodies the type of cooperation, community spirit, and general caring that exists in the Corona community. ~ Lana Y. Yoshimura

This year’s UNITY Awards were given to 4 adults and 4 students: 

UNITY Founder’s Award
John Zickefoose

Outstanding Educator
Reggie Thompkins

Exemplary Community Service (Adults)
Judy Flynn
Jim Schlosser

Exemplary Community Service (Students)
Megan Cota
Sabrina Dellacca
Hannah DeRose
Stratton Lee

What is your fitness goal? Walk one mile? Run 100 miles? Whatever your goal, you can experience success at The 100 Mile Club®’s 5th Annual Run4Kids and PTA Health & Safety Fair on March 17th at Auburndale Intermediate School. Run4Kids 2012 is a glorious day where you may run or walk for 100 Mile Club® Credit, meet new friends, explore our community, and enjoy a gorgeous day in celebration of Fitness and Wellness. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will offer a chance to run or walk for 100 Mile Club® Credit and raise much-needed funds for the award-winning fitness organization and participating schools.

Now in its fifth year, The 100 Mile Club®’s Run4Kids has partnered with The Corona-Norco Unified School District PTA Council to create a comprehensive Health & Safety Fair along with its signature walk/jog-a-thon and Family Festival. Registration is just $5 and all registered runners will receive a keepsake medal with their total miles completed on the back. There are also fabulous prizes for raising pledges or donations beyond the nominal registration fee, including a limited edition Run4Kids t-shirt, and a chance and silent auction.
“We are having a blast planning Run 4 Kids this year”, says Kara Lubin, Founder of The 100 Mile Club®. “It is our goal to create a unifying and enjoyable day for all of our runners. It’s the one day each year we all come together to celebrate our kids commitment to being fit, happy, healthy, and connected. It’s awesome!”

Vendor opportunities are available and The 100 Mile Club® is accepting donations of auction items for the event. For more information or to register as a runner online, visit us!

RUN 4 Kids 2012
Walk/Jog-a-thon and Community Festival
PLUS PTA Health & Safety Fair!

Saturday, March 17, 2012
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Auburndale Intermediate School
1255 River Road
Corona, CA 92880
[MAP]

Are you aware that you’re required by law to have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home? The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act was passed by the State Legislature in May 2010 making approved carbon monoxide alarms (CO alarms) mandatory for all California residents.

As of July 1, 2011, all single-family dwelling units with an attached garage or a gas heater should have installed a Carbon Monoxide alarm within the home and all other dwelling units have until January 1, 2013 to comply. What is the definition of a dwelling unit? Generally, a dwelling unit is where you sleep! It is a single-family dwelling, duplex, lodging house, dormitory, or dwelling unit in a multiple-unit dwelling unit building meaning any place where people live is covered under the law.

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)? Known as the “silent killer”, this colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas kills approximately 500 people and sends nearly 20,000 more to the hospital each year. CO is naturally produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices when fuels burn incompletely,  which is why proper ventilation is imperative when using these devices. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is avoidable and preventable if each home takes the necessary procedures and remembers these keys to safety: Inspect, protect, and detect.

• Inspect your fuel-burning appliances at home such as furnaces, hot water heaters, and stoves that require yearly maintenance.
• Protect your family by obeying the law and purchasing an approved Carbon Monoxide alarm. Alarms that are approved by the State Fire Marshal can be found at: www.osfm.fire.ca.gov.
• Detect! If your alarm detects any sign of Carbon Monoxide immediately escape outside with your family and dial 9-1-1.

Carbon Monoxide alarms should be installed outside the sleeping area in a dwelling to alert occupants in an emergency. Smoke alarms/detectors and Carbon Monoxide devices are required by law and should be inspected regularly.

For more information regarding the new Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, visit the State Fire Marshal’s website, or contact the Corona Fire Department at (951) 736-2220. Take steps to avoid the “silent killer” and ensure the safety of your family by installing a carbon monoxide alarm today.

For Your Information
With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant is easy to grow as well as benefiting its owner with its ability to absorb benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.

During the London season, HONK! became a stand-out by winning the 2000 Olivier Award (the British equivalent of the Tony® Award) for Best New Musical. Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Dubbed:

The brightest hopes for the future of the British musical by The London Daily Telegraph

HONK! is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated fro m the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms.

Directed by ITL Award-winning team: Lori Henebelle, Brianna Lopez and Hollee Hennebelle, HONK! takes a step back into Victorian England for both a very proper and very rollicking good time. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, HONK! will treat you to equal amounts of laughter and tears.  Its charm, humor and message of tolerance is perfect for a family audience and every audience.

HONK! Opens Friday March 2nd and runs for two weekends:

SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Fridays, March 2 and March 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays, March 3rd and March 10th at 2:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m.
Sundays, March 4th and March 11th at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $12 – $16

Book tickets online or by calling the Box Office at (951) 279-2298

Charles Hamilton Houston was born in 1895 to a hairdresser mother, and a father who was a general practice lawyer. They loved Houston very much, and guided him towards intellectual activity—eventually making sure that he was able to attend the first black high school in the United States: M Street High School.

He continued his education and became a teacher of English and “Negro Literature” at Howard University. When World War I began, Houston wished to avoid the draft to the front lines—where African Americans were typically sent. So he enlisted as an officer. Once there, Houston found no end of racism. Everything was segregated from meals to restrooms. Higher ranking officers continuously degraded him; especially to female officers who were warned that he (and other black men like him) was dangerous.

Houston wrote: “I made up my mind that I would never get caught again without knowing my rights; that if luck was with me, and I got through this war, I would study law and use my time fighting for men who could not strike back.”

When he returned from war, he applied and attended Harvard Law School. He then served as the first African American on the editorial board of the Harvard Law Review. Houston soon became the dean of Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C. From this vantage point, he was able to oversee approximately a quarter of African-American lawyers. Houston believed that:

Education is preparation for the competition of life.

He began fighting to end segregation at its root.

Targeting the graduate level of education, Houston launched a systematic attack on the doctrine of “separate but equal.” As many states did not offer graduate education for blacks, the inequality of opportunity was dramatic. Also, the number of people affected by integration at this level was small, and therefore represented less of a threat to the status quo.

Methodically, Houston chipped away at the system. His victories laid the groundwork for subsequent victories by the NAACP. Together with Thurgood Marshall, Houston’s protégé and former student at Howard, the NAACP legal team attacked inequalities in housing, transportation, and education. Via.

Sadly, Houston became ill; suffering multiple heart attacks. He soon died of heart failure. But his legacy did not end there. Houston went on to be known as “The Man Who Killed Jim Crow.” More information on Houston’s posthumous honors may be found here.

Further Reading

• Charles Hamilton Houston – Biography
• Charles Hamilton Houston
• American History
• Trial Heroes
• Cornell
• National Geographic

Get ready! On March 28^th Corona kids team up with The Young Americans to perform for you!

For the last few years, ICON Performing Arts and WBZB Entertainment have presented a series of performing arts educational workshops and events for young people in the Inland area. These programs will continue; but now they will “ramp up” with the resources of The Young Americans.

They’ve already started practicing, and by the end of March they’ll be ready for you with a themed musical-variety performance! You’ll also be treated to a special show by The Young Americans.

One of the things that makes the ICON after-school and summer workshops special is the staff of instructors and directors. The directors and instructors have all had experience teaching, performing and directing internationally as part of The Young Americans International Music Outreach Tours. The Corona students will also have a few of The Young Americans current cast participating in the classes each week.

Bruce Sampson, director and developer for ICON, and an Eastvale resident, has served as an associate director for The Young Americans for the past few years. “We have a chance to do something special that is a long-term investment in our local community. We’re very excited about it.”

As part of this partnership, ICON will also expand its Summer Arts Day Camps at the Young Americans studios in Corona. ICON will expand the number of teachers and programs for its week-long series of summer workshops. These themed summer day camps each last one week and run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students take part in creativity classes and exercises in the mornings and then rotate between acting, voice and dance classes in the afternoons. Each week will culminate in a musical-variety performance for family and friends.

There are so many exciting things in the works and we hope to expand to other cities in the coming year or so, Sampson said. We also hope to involve our students in some community performances and events. We look forward to sharing our special brand of performing arts with the community.

For more information visit ICON and The Young Americans or call (951) 371-5239.

ICON & Young Americans Performance
Date: March 28
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place:  The Young Americans Campus
1128 Olympic Drive, Corona CA [MAP]

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good,
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.

~Erich Fried~

Check out some delights for your loved ones:

Crumbles Cookies

Corona Rose Flowers

The Twisted Gourmet

Citrus City Grille
King’s Fish House
Eagle Glen Golf Course Club House
SGC Japanese Restaurant
Mimi’s Cafe
Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Spring cleaning is around the corner. This year don’t forget to clean up your landscape! Try aerating your lawn and mulching your garden to keep them green and beautiful while saving water and money.

Want a healthier lawn to show off to the neighborhood? Try aeration to get a leg up on a green and beautiful lawn. Effective aeration will reduce water use and keep grass healthier.  Aeration is the process of puncturing the soil to allow air to reach the roots of plants. Oxygen is an essential nutrient for healthy maintenance of grass. Just like us, plants require oxygen!

Over time, soil becomes compacted, destroying air pockets underground. Clay soil (like we have in Corona) is more prone to compaction than sandy soil. Areas with heavy foot traffic will compact quickly; if your lawn is constantly walked on aerating may benefit your lawn.  If soil is compacted, water will just run over the top instead of being soaked into the ground to reach the roots.  You can tell if your lawn needs aeration by digging a spade into the edge of your lawn and removing a small portion of grass. If the roots do not go farther than an inch or two then your lawn can use aeration.

For starters you are probably wondering “How do I aerate?” The best method is core or plug aeration. This method will remove a small clump of soil similar in size to the core of an apple. To find out if aeration equipment is available for rent, go online to find local vendors, contact a professional landscaper, or ask your gardener. Hardware stores often sell or rent lawn aerators if you are in the “DIY” mood.

Warm season turf is best aerated between February and June. When summer hits, the heat will warm the clay soil causing it to expand and fill air pockets. A pre-summer aeration will slow this compaction and let water reach the roots. Don’t forget to fertilize after aeration for a strong “one-two punch” of lawn care.

But remember, turf isn’t the only landscape that may need attention; many of us have planters. Mulching your garden is a great way to keep moisture in the soil, keep soil cool, and act as a beautiful ground covering to keep your garden looking great. Mulch also releases nutrients into the soil, which promotes healthier plants. Cultivate the soil in your planter beds and mix in organic matter like compost. Then spread a 3” layer of mulch in the early spring.

Bark is a very common mulching material. It is used best around trees, shrubs or other areas where you don’t plan on digging very often because bark is difficult to move. Bark is sold in a variety of shades and sizes which can make it work for almost any garden. If used properly it can last up to a year.  Shredded bark works great on slopes because it won’t wash away easily. Large pieces of un-shredded bark look great but could float away with heavy rain.

Be sure to go online or ask a master gardener for recommendations; consider plant material, time of year, and the area to be mulched. For more help or information, click here for our Landscape Partners. Remember to ask our partners about the variety of mulches they offer. Don’t forget that the Corona Department of Water and Power will provide a FREE landscape checkup to its customers to help give you more tips on how to save water. If you are interested please call (951) 736-2234 or visit us online.

When it comes to energy, your house is a system—insulation, air ducts, windows, furnace and air-conditioning—that work together. An energy upgrade makes sure that each piece functions well so your whole house is more efficient.

An energy upgrade can help you: Save energy and lower your bills, make your home more comfortable in all seasons, improve the air quality inside your home, conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gases.

Energy Upgrade California is an unprecedented alliance among California counties, cities, non-profit organizations, the state’s investor-owned utilities (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric Company), and publicly owned utilities. Funding for this effort comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, also known as federal stimulus funds), California utility ratepayers, and private contributions. Energy upgrade rebates are administered by participating utilities.

The goals of this statewide effort are four-fold:

• Help residential and commercial consumers and the building industry become knowledgeable about the many energy and water efficiency programs and financing options that will be available during the next several years including the State Energy Programs, utility company home upgrade programs, local rebates, appliance and renewable energy rebates, and energy financing programs.
• Provide a consistent and clear message regarding how consumers can choose the best energy-efficient measures and the right contractors to provide those services.
• Drive consumers and contractors to a central resource that provides educational information that links all the state energy efficiency upgrade, rebates, and incentive programs.
• Educate the building trades and home improvement industry on jobs, training, and required certifications.

Upgrading your home is easy. If you want to learn about energy-saving projects, participating contractors, and get your rebate; Energy Upgrade California is holding a Free Workshop just for you!

Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall
400 S Vicentia Ave
Corona, CA 92882 [MAP]
1^st floor Multipurpose Room (CH 1405)

Corona Homeowner Workshop contact Drew Henley by email, or call (858) 244-4873
You can also learn more at EnergyUpgradeCA.org