Corona, CA: Registered sex offender arrested in Corona on felony charges

On Thursday, January 27, 2011, shortly after 7:00 AM, members of Riverside County’s multi-agency Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force served a search warrant at a residence located in the 1000 block of Circle City Dr., Corona, following a several-months-long investigation into the activities of Corona-area registered sex offender Albert Stephenson, age 30. SAFE Task Force officers subsequently booked Stephenson at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Robert Presley Detention Center on felony charges related to his failure to properly register his address of residence with the Corona Police Department.

Lengthy investigation leading up to Stephenson’s arrest revealed his true Corona residence despite his having falsely registered a residential address in the City of Orange with the Orange Police Department.

The SAFE Task Force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from agencies spanning Riverside County, all focused on reducing incidents of sexual assault County-wide by means of comprehensive registered sex offender monitoring and enforcement. Inquiries regarding this incident can be referred to the SAFE Task Force Director, Commander Jose Rodriguez of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office (Bureau of Investigation), at (951) 955-0057. For more information on the SAFE Task Force mission and its operations, visit www.rivcosafe.org.

Corona, CA: Answer Racing Signs Mike Mason for 2011


Corona, CA: Answer Racing is pleased to announce the signing of FMX pro Mike Mason to our team for 2011. Mason brings a whole host of excitement, energy and liveliness to the Answer team.

“I’m really excited about partnering up with Answer! I’ve always been a fan of the program and now to be apart of it is awesome,” states Mason. Mike will be representing Answer at all of the FMX contest and shows he will attend this year. So make sure to be on the look out for Mike at up coming Nuclear Cowboy stops and numerous contests around the world.

2011 looks to be a great year for Answer Racing as Mason is added to an already stacked crew consisting of James Stewart, JDR KTM, Todd Potter, Myles Richmond and Destin Cantrell. As always check out our website and gear at Answerracing.com. As well as find us on our social sites: Facebook.com/Answerracing or twitter.com/Answerracing to have a chance at winning some cool swag!

About Answer Racing

Answer Racing was started in 1976 with a vision to provide hardcore MX enthusiasts with products they can trust. Many years have passed since then, but Answer Racing has not lost site of the original goal. Whether you are a diehard racer, or a weekend warrior, Answer Racing has you covered. At Answer Racing, we believe that protection and looking like a pro are one in the same.

Corona, CA: Dos Lagos in Motion 2/3

Bring family and friends to join the City of Corona and the 100 Mile Club® every Thursday for a fitness walk at The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos. Children and adults are invited to boost their fitness program at the weekly walk, which begins near Ben Bridge Jewelers every Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Norco, CA: PRVCY Couture, Inc. Enters Into a Distribution Agreement for Korea

Omni Ventures, Inc. is proud to announce that along with its wholly owned subsidiary PRVCY Couture, Inc. it has entered into an exclusive Distributor Agreement with Fashion Forward International, LLC (FFI) granting that company the rights to distribute its products under PRVCY trademarks in the territory of Korea. The principals of FFI represent years of experience in various manufacturing, distribution and financial businesses and are known for their close business affiliation with several of the largest department store chains in Korea.

Dan Reardon, the CEO of Omni Ventures stated, "Development of international sales has always been one of the important items on our 'to-do list' after the acquisition of assets of the PRVCY fashion label. It is common knowledge that a lot of denim trends originate in Asia and we are very happy to make Korea our first international distributorship venue. The Korean market has warmly received the legacy line of PRVCY products and we are looking forward to possible significant sales in that region. We are confident that in cooperation with our newly appointed distributor we will not only continue the success of the core products associated with PRVCY Premium label but will successfully test the waters for our new collection, which is currently under works and which will distinguish us from multiple other US denim brands trying to penetrate the important Korean market. Historically, the PRVCY label has worked with Korean apparel manufacturers producing high quality and competitively priced garments. In cooperation with FFI we are planning to further develop our manufacturing affiliations in the region, in particular in respect to the upcoming resurrection of our PRVCYWear brand."

About Omni Ventures

Omni Ventures, Inc. is a Kansas, USA, holding, brand development and management corporation developing and/or offering products and services in various consumer goods industries to the customers world-wide. We are working on acquiring and growing versatile well-established and upcoming brands of consumer goods as well as developing significant online direct merchandising venues and traditional retail sales networks for our products. The common denominator between those various businesses is a vertically integrated and professionally managed core holding infrastructure, which provides for well-coordinated brand development, targeted investment and expansion strategy and execution. Our management believes investment in these types of projects appropriately addresses the market need regarding new economic realities. For further information, please visit www.omve.net.

About PRVCY Couture

PRVCY Couture, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omni Ventures, Inc., a Nevada, USA, corporation with offices in Norco, CA specializing in design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of casual couture products under PRVCY Premium and PRVCYWear labels. For further information, please visit www.prvcypremium.com.

Riverside, CA: ActionCOACH Business Coach Announces New Office Location in Riverside, California

Riverside and Corona Business Coach Bernie Powers is moving his office to a more centralized location.

Riverside, CA: Bernie Powers, business coach with ActionCOACH, the world’s leading business and executive coaching firm in the world, today announced moving his office to a new location in Riverside, California. The new address will be 11801 Pierce Street, Suite #200, Riverside, CA 92505.

Powers, who provides business help to small and medium business owners located in Riverside and the Greater Inland Empire in California will be moving into the heart of the business district in Riverside so he can work with his clients from this more central location.

The decision to move accommodates growth and will also allow Powers to provide better services to his clients.

“There was a clear need for a more efficient office in a central location to meet the needs of my clients based in Riverside, Corona, and the Inland Empire,” Powers said. “I will now be able to provide business coaching services to a larger number of business owners through better availability, thereby helping them save time so they can focus on further improving their profitability.”

Among other things, Powers selected this business complex as it will potentially help him build connections with about 97 other business owners who also operate from the same complex and use these connections to further help his clients. Furthermore, the new location is strategically positioned and allows for easy access.”

“I look forward to starting the New Year in a new working environment and will welcome my clients and contacts very soon in my new office,” Powers said. “The decision further strengthens my long-term commitment of providing business help through proven business coaching methods to businesses in the greater Inland Empire.”

ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business and executive coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 32 countries. To learn more, contact Bernie Powers at berniepowers@actioncoach.com.

Riverside, CA: In California, a Proposed Cut Angers Local Officials


Nobody around here doubts that the pie is getting smaller. With the state facing a $25 billion budget gap, cuts have to come from somewhere.

So in the two weeks since the newly installed Gov. Jerry Brown released his budget proposal, the howls of complaints have come from nearly every corner. But perhaps the loudest protests have come from city and county officials, who say that after years of slashing local budgets, Mr. Brown’s cuts could cripple them.

Most significant, the governor is proposing to eliminate local redevelopment agencies, which funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to real estate projects meant to improve struggling areas. Such projects, he argues, cannot be immune to cuts while other basic services, like education and health care, are trimmed yet again.

“You’re all riled up,” Mr. Brown said recently at a meeting with city leaders from across the state. As a former mayor himself, Mr. Brown says he is empathetic to their concerns, but he has not backed off his own demands. “I look all across it, and none of it looks good,” he said. “But tell me where else to draw the lines. It’s a zero-sum game right now.”

Redevelopment agencies were created in the 1940s as a way to revitalize blighted areas. Now, city and county officials say that such projects have sharply improved once-sagging neighborhoods, but critics say they are simply a gift to private developers. Mr. Brown said eliminating the agencies would save the state $1.7 billion this year.

City officials across the state argue that gutting the agencies will kill the state’s most important economic development program. Chris McKenzie, the executive director of the California League of Cities, which is leading the push against the cuts, said the projects created by the agencies generate $2 billion in tax revenue and 300,000 jobs annually.

“Right now, this is the only way we are creating anything that will give people affordable housing and jobs,” Mr. McKenzie said. “For the state to get rid of that is unthinkable. It’s like a farmer eating his seed corn. Why would you destroy the very thing that is going to protect jobs in the future, year after year?”

“Cities have been far, far ahead of the state in making the tough decisions,” he added, “and they all think this is something worth keeping.”

The way redevelopment money is used varies widely, from fire stations in one city to sports stadiums in another. In Riverside County, one of the areas hardest hit in the downturn, officials say they have primarily used the money to build fire stations and libraries in particularly poor parts of the county. San Diego officials relied on its redevelopment funds to overhaul downtown, creating the Gaslamp Quarter, a prime tourist attraction, and a nearby baseball stadium.

“Downtown was a really tough place, and now it’s one of the most vibrant downtowns anywhere,” Mayor Jerry Sanders said. “We stand to lose that, and that’s the very thing that is keeping residents in a place like downtown. We need the tax base to stay there if we are going to keep what we have.”

The same redevelopment agency is now trying to create a football stadium just east of downtown, but critics say there is little evidence that the project is worth the public money.

“The problem is, once an area is declared blighted, that distinction never goes away,” said Christopher Sutton, a lawyer who is involved in a lawsuit against San Diego over their redevelopment money. “Why should we have this pool of money cordoned off? It can’t be touched at all for other government services. If we’re in such a terrible budget situation, why should this be exempt?”

After meeting with mayors of the state’s largest cities last week, Mr. Brown referred to the redevelopment money as a “piggy bank” that should be opened to pay for other local needs.

The state controller, John Chiang, said he planned to review the spending of 18 redevelopment agencies to examine how the money is spent and whether projects are “engines of local economic and job growth or are simply scams providing windfalls to political cronies.”

In recent days, several cities have rushed to transfer money from their redevelopment agencies to specific projects, in an effort to make an end-run around the governor’s proposal. The Los Angeles City Council allocated $52 million for a new art museum downtown created by the philanthropist Eli Broad.

The state is also pushing to transfer the cost of many services from the state to county governments, requiring them, for example, to provide all mental health services for the poor and to run their own parole programs.

While many county officials say they would welcome the autonomy, they are skeptical that the state will provide enough money for them to do so. The current proposal includes a tax stream for the next five years, but John Tavaglione, the president of the California State Association of Counties, said many worry that the money is not guaranteed in the long term.

“If they shift without funding for the future, we are going to be in an even bigger mess,” said Mr. Tavaglione, who is also a supervisor in Riverside County. “This is the worst any of us has seen since the Great Depression, and I don’t see it getting any better. The difference between the local governments and the state is that we’ve all bitten the bullet and been cutting. The state is only starting to do that now.”

Riverside, he said, has eliminated 2,000 positions in county government in the last two years, even as more and more residents are reliant on county services like public health clinics and work placement programs.

In Los Angeles County, officials estimate that they will absorb more than $1.2 billion in costs from the state. County officials across the state also worry that the changes will further overwhelm their already overcrowded county jails.

None of the complaints seem to surprise the governor, who has taken on the task of balancing the budget with a sort of missionary glee.

“The hallways are going to be crowded in the coming months with people who say, please keep the money coming. And my message is, the money is not there,” Mr. Brown told reporters last week. “My message is, if not you, who?”

Corona, CA: GREAT Picture of the wild life at Dos Lagos


Corona, CA: GREAT Picture of the wild life at Dos Lagos

Corona, CA: National Signing Day 2011: ASU Commits Are Still Weighing Options


Uncertainty, wavering between decisions and intense anxiety are now at their peak.

With one week left before national signing day, coaching staffs are putting the finishing touches on their respective recruiting classes.

The wavering has not gone unnoticed in Tempe, AZ. as some of Arizona State’s most coveted recruits have rethought their status with the Sun Devils.

More importantly, these highly-regarded prospects are seeking better and a higher potential for success with other schools by switching their verbal commitments.

Originally, the Sun Devils were players in the Christian Westerman sweepstakes. Westerman, from Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ), is ranked as the No. 1 offensive guard (Scout.com).

However, even as a local product, the Sun Devils were a long shot to land the All-American.

Auburn, just like many other out of state football programs, won the recruiting battle for a big-time offensive lineman.

Thus far, the Sun Devils have watched not only Westerman, but four other highly-ranked offensive linemen, commit to foreign schools.

For Dennis Erickson, uncertainty surrounds Cyrus Hobbi from Saguaro High School (Scottsdale, AZ), who is now considering both USC and UCLA over the hometown Devils.

Cyrus Hobbi has long been coveted by Erickson and ASU, but recently, USC and UCLA have taken the lead.

With in-home visits scheduled for next Tuesday, Lane Kiffin and Rick Neuheisel will have one final push to persuade Hobbi to come to LA.

Hobbi’s head coach at Saguaro, John Sanders, stated "They've been relentless," referring to UCLA and USC. When asked whether he thought ASU was losing ground as other schools pushed the envelope, Sanders replied "I think they are."

That is when the anxiety heightens.

After losing out on countless big-name, in-state offensive linemen this recruiting cycle, ASU needs to land Hobbi. Ranked as the sixth-best offensive guard (Scout.com), Hobbi will host a press conference Friday at 1 pm to announce which college he will attend.

In the meantime, the focus shifts to Erickson’s two highest ranked verbal commits. Both Dillon Van Der Wal and Michael Eubank are considering jumping ship and taking their talents elsewhere.

Van Der Wal, ranked as the 12th-best tight end (Scout.com), is preferred as a defensive end by Erickson and ASU recruiting coordinator, Grady Stretz, but has not ruled out a role on the offensive side either.

Van Der Wal visited Arkansas over the weekend and is expected to visit Vanderbilt this upcoming weekend. Both schools are interested in the Oaks Christian tight end as just that—a tight end.

Quite possibly the most surprising prospect wavering on his verbal commitment is quarterback Michael Eubank. Eubank comes from ASU’s most valuable recruiting pipeline, Corona Centennial High School (Corona, CA).

With Eubank’s verbal commitment in December, the Sun Devils were looking at signing at least one Corona Centennial Husky for the past four years, including, most notably, middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

Now, with Eubank weighing his options, the Sun Devils’ recruiting class could take a significant hit. Eubank is considering Utah, a fellow Pacific 12 South Division foe, and Vanderbilt.

Utah might seem intriguing for Eubank, especially after the Utes named offensive mastermind Norm Chow as offensive coordinator this past week. As for Vanderbilt, Eubank and Van Der Wal will be visiting Nashville the same weekend.

Perhaps both will take their talents to the Southeast, or maybe both Sun Devil “soft verbals” will realize what ASU has to offer compared to Vanderbilt, and Utah.

Currently, ASU has 12 verbal commitments. Both Eubank and Van Der Wal are the jewels of this recruiting class to date. If one, or even both Eubank and Van Der Wal ditch the Sun Devils for greener pastures, Erickson’s recruiting efforts will have come up short for the first time in Tempe.

Although, if both prospects are retained through next Wednesday’s signing day, then recruiting will be deemed a success.

As for Cyrus Hobbi, well, if the big Saguaro lineman announces that he will be a Sun Devil rather than a Trojan or Bruin, jubilation will break out in the ASU Athletic Department.

For now, the ASU coaches have a lot of phone calls and in-home visits to make to persuade their commits to stay committed.

Corona, CA: DUNLOP OPENS TWO NEW OFFROAD RACING TIRE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS


It takes a village to get tires into the hands of pro racers when you are supplying tires to 90 per ent of the Supercross and National field

Dunlop has announced that it is adding to its offroad tire distribution centers by putting distribution centers in Grove City, Pennsylvania, and Corona, California. These two new facilities will allow Dunlop to blanket the entire country in support of Dunlop’s professional racing efforts, as well as the Dunlop’s amateur racing efforts through the Team Dunlop/HookIt support program. With two distribution centers in full swing, Dunlop offroad racing tire support system will help speed shipments as well as reduce shipping costs. The new Corona center will be in full swing this week.

“We are very happy to be able to increase our racing support through the coordination of these two distribution centers,” said Dunlop’s Amateur Motocross Support Manager Primo Marotto. “No other tire company matches our commitment to motocross and off-road racing. Increasing our efficiency was the next step in delivering the best support possible for Dunlop riders.”

Corona, CA: Shady Grove At Dos Lagos In Corona Offers Move-in-ready Home That Has It All

CORONA, CA: Right now, Taylor Morrison's Shady Grove at Dos Lagos in Corona is featuring one very special move-in-ready home that has it all: upgraded designer tile and carpet throughout, two-inch wood window blinds and a complete appliance package that includes a refrigerator, washer and dryer.

Located close to Shady Grove's own recreation center and pool area, this Plan 1 home sets the scene for resort-style living year-round, and it's priced at only $150,232. Plus Taylor Morrison is offering additional incentives. See a sales associate for details.

“This residence is absolutely turnkey, and it's sure to sell quickly,” stated Steve Wolpin, vice president of sales and marketing for Taylor Morrison Homes. “Not only is it full of fine appointments and ideally situated, but it comes with the privacy of a gated community and the convenience of shopping, dining and entertainment all within walking distance. Act now to make this great home your own.”

Designed exclusively for active adults who are 55 and better, the Shady Grove lifestyle is filled with opportunities for leisure-time enjoyment. Right next door to Shady Grove, The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos features stores, restaurants and movie theaters as well as free concerts and a variety of other activities during the summer. For close-to-home recreation, there's swimming or soaking up the sun at Shady Grove's private pool and recreation center or playing a round of golf at Dos Lagos' own 18-hole public course.

The complete Shady Grove collection includes distinctive one- and two-story attached homes measuring up to 1,858 square feet of living space, including one to three bedrooms and up to two and one-half baths plus a one- or two-car garage.

The residents of Shady grove will enjoy the impressive appointments that extend throughout the homes. Heading the list are gourmet kitchens with white designer tile countertops and black GE® appliances, luxurious master suites with walk-in closets, central heating and air conditioning systems and complete front-yard landscaping. Adding to the convenience of Shady Grove, front-yard landscaping is maintained by the homeowners' association, which enhances the residents' leisurely lifestyle.

As part of the master-planned community of Dos Lagos, Shady Grove rewards residents with a unique environment that strikes a harmonious balance between nature and community. That balance is evident along the network of pedestrian pathways that criss-cross Dos Lagos, making it easy to walk from the residential neighborhoods, past the community's two signature lakes and adjoining gardens, to The Promenade Shops, where such well-known names as Trader Joe's, Chico’s, Z Gallerie, Sur La Table, Wood Ranch BBQ and T.G.I.Friday's are joined by a 15-screen movie theater. In addition, Shady Grove's proximity to freeways and metro areas makes this seemingly rural spot much closer to the city than it appears. It is also a perfect place for active adults who have family in the Corona area and want to live nearby.

To see the move-in-ready Plan 1 home at Shady Grove at Dos Lagos, exit Interstate 15 at Cajalco Road, travel east and turn right on Temescal Canyon Road. Follow the signs to the community. Decorated models are open Saturday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. The Sales Gallery is closed Thursday and Friday. Additional information is available by calling 951-277-8390.

Taylor Morrison is the No. 1 private homebuilder in the United States, according to Builder magazine, building a wide range of product for discerning home buyers across the country. With more than 150 communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Texas, Taylor Morrison offers first-time, mid-market and mid-to-upscale housing in both master-planned communities and urban infill neighborhoods. The company also operates under the Monarch brand in Ontario, Canada, where it builds single-family homes and high-rise condominiums. Taylor Morrison, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Taylor Wimpey plc (LON: TW), a home building company with 125 years of experience and operations in the United Kingdom, North America and Spain. For more information, visit http://taylormorrison.com.

Corona, CA: Pro Taper Signs Lance Coury


Corona, CA: Up and coming Freestyle Motocross star Lance Coury has chosen to rely on Pro Taper products to help propel him to the next level in 2011. The 20 year old has been a loyal Pro Taper rider for years and the two have finally decided to make the relationship official. Pro Taper joins a long list of prominent sponsors that believe Lance is the next big thing in FMX.

Pro Taper Marketing Manager Charles Castloo had this to say. “Lance is the perfect example of what can be accomplished with hard work on and off the bike. He is making a huge name for himself by not only continuing to step his riding game up, but also working his butt off away from the track marketing the products that he truly believes in. I look forward to our relationship and his image growing tremendously over the next few years.”

“I’m definitely excited to continue using Pro Taper bars, grips, sprockets, chains and footpegs for another season. I’m really picky about my bike setup and refuse to take chances on questionable equipment. I know every time I go ride that I’ve got the best products available on my bike and I couldn’t do it without Pro Taper.” Added Lance.

Lance is deep in preparation for the 2011 season, where he is sure to make his mark. To see Lance’s rider profile and check out all of the great Pro Taper products that he puts his trust in every time he swings his leg over a bike, log on to www.protaper.com/athletes/fmx/lance-coury.

Corona, CA: Christian Craig Injury Update Following LA SX


TLD Race Shop - Corona, CA

Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda’s Christian Craig injured his knee while leading the heat race at the L.A. round this past weekend. We just got word today that the injury is not as bad as originally thought.

Christian tore the patella tendon from the bone. He is having surgery to reattach it and is expected to be back on the bike in 6-8 weeks.

Following the race in Los Angeles, Christian had this to say: “I ended up hole shotting the heat race, and somebody crossed over on me when I was in the air. I landed on [him] and went down pretty hard. I hurt my knee pretty bad and that ended my night.”

“I dont know exactly whats wrong with it yet, but hopefully I’m not off the bike too long. I’m going to work really hard to get back out there as soon as I can.”

Look for #144 Christian Craig to be back on the bike for the last couple rounds of Supercross!

Corona, CA: Answer's Simmonds, Marmont and Stewart Shine at Dodger Stadium

Corona, CA- This past weekend at Dodger Stadium, Answer Racing's James Stewart as well as JDR KTM's Tye Simmonds and Ryan Marmont, who were showcasing Answer's new Purple Skullcandy gear, all had great showings at round 3 of the AMA Supercross series. The LA round marked the first time a Supercross race had been held inside of famous Dodger Stadium and the night's action was sure not to disappoint.

After the conclusion of practice, all three of Answer riders had positioned themselves well inside of the top 40 with James setting the fastest time of the day. Coming into the night's Heat races, each rider was able to get good starts and qualify easily into their respective mains. As the Lite's main event got under way, Answer's Ryan Marmont jumped out to a great start and was able to capture a solid 7th at the end of the 15 lap main event.

Now with all eyes glued to the start of the Supercross class, Answer's James Stewart and Tye Simmonds were ready to get things under way. As the gate fell, each ride was able to jumped out to a good start, with James quickly finding the lead on lap 3. It looked like James was well on his way to his second victory of the year, when the front of end James bike washed out going in to a corner on lap 10. Stewart quickly remounted and found himself digging deep as he was able to climb back up to 2nd by the end of the 20 lap main. Not to be left out, Answer's Tye Simmonds, after qualifying for his first main of the year, rode well and was able to come across the line in 15th.

With the LA Supercross now behind us, all three riders now turn their attention to round 4 of the AMA Supercross series in Oakland. Make sure to check out our website to view our up coming Spring line at Answerracing.com and keep your eyes pealed for more leaked photos of our 2012 line. As always find us on our social sites: Facebook.com/Answerracing or twitter.com/Answerracing to have a chance at winning some cool swag and for continued updates on all of our Answer Racing riders as the 2011 Supercross series looks to be one for the ages.

Riverside, CA: Winston Chung Commits to a $10 Million Gift to UC Riverside


Prominent Chinese businessman announces his commitment to provide an endowment supporting UC Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering

RIVERSIDE, CA: The University of California, Riverside announced Monday that Winston Chung, a Chinese battery technology scientist, inventor and entrepreneur, has expressed his intent to give $10 million to support clean battery power, solar energy and sustainable transportation research at the Bourns College of Engineering.

Chung and UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to the gift, which will make Chung the largest individual donor to the campus in UC Riverside history.

Chung is the founder of Winston Global Energy Limited and inventor of the rare earth lithium yttrium battery.

“The University of California, Riverside welcomes Mr. Winston Chung as an integral partner in our educational and research mission,” White said. “His investment in this university will result in generations of students and faculty sharing their knowledge with local and global communities, and in new materials and new energy sources for an energy-hungry world. This gift is a wonderful testimony to the current strengths and aspirational future of the UCR Bourns College of Engineering.”

Reza Abbaschian, dean of the Bourns College of Engineering, said Chung’s work on electric vehicles is a perfect match with the Bourns College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT) and the Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy (SC-RISE) at UC Riverside.

“Mr. Chung has created a clean and efficient energy storage that is an expression of a sustainable future,” Abbaschian said. “We are talking about vehicles that go for 180 miles on a single charge and can be recharged in the time it takes to stop and drink a cup of coffee.” He said he is excited by the prospect of future research collaborations, and by the opportunities the gift would mean for engineering students.

When an endowed fund is created in Chung’s name, UC Riverside will:

• Name the building currently known as Engineering Building II as Winston Chung Hall.

• Support two named professorships in the Bourns College of Engineering: the Winston Chung Professorship in Energy Innovation and the Winston Chung Professorship in Sustainability.

• Establish the Winston Chung Global Energy Center within CE-CERT. The center will initially focus on Life Source Rare Earth Lithium batteries, which Chung invented, bio-inspired technology and the development of clean energy and energy storage.

Since arriving in the United States, Winston Global Energy Ltd. announced it will provide $310 million to MVP RV, which is based in Riverside, to promote motorhome exports to China. Additional money will fund development of all-electric RVs and fast-charging electrical systems.

The deal was one of about 70 between the U.S. and China announced in connection with the official state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao, in what was called a demonstration of cooperation between the two countries.

MVP RV expects to export more than 30,000 motorhomes, valued at approximately $5 billion, to China over the next three to four years. The joint venture will push the number jobs at MVP RV from 130 to more than 1,400.

In November, Balqon Corporation, a California developer and manufacturer of zero-emission heavy-duty electric vehicles and drive systems, and Winston Battery jointly showcased their drive systems and battery technologies at The World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition in China. The companies demonstrated the world’s first all-electric recreational vehicle, with a range of 200 km on a single charge. The 45-foot RV can be fully charged within 20 minutes, as compared to 8 hours using traditional methods.

Riverside, CA: Cities Race To Block Redevelopment Funds

Riverside Mayor says eliminating redevelopment agencies would be 'damning'

Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal to eliminate municipal redevelopment agencies and shift a range of services such as firefighting, parole, and court security to the local level got both a thumbs up and a stern warning from an expert on city governance: Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge.

Loveridge, is the immediate past president of the National League of Cities, a national lobbying, advocacy and leadership organization. He says much like mega-states Texas, Illinois and New York, California is struggling with a new normal: huge deficits, a frayed social safety net and a Legislature and electorate in no mood for higher taxes or extending existing ones.

While empowering local governments, the governor would eliminate redevelopment agencies that receive about $1.7 billion a year from local property taxes. The money would go to other local services.

A revolt by city officials from Sacramento to Palm Springs against Brown’s planned elimination has spawn several emergency meetings to discuss transferring billions of dollars from their redevelopment agencies to city control to keep the funds out of state hands.

“Redevelopment has been an economic engine in large and small cities across America. In Riverside it’s provided funds for affordable housing, paid for major expansion projects, given tax breaks to businesses that operate in depressed areas designed as enterprise zones. It’s helped us clean up University Avenue,” he said. “To eliminate redevelopment would be very damning.”

Mayor Loveridge can look out his City Hall window and see a host of the kind of redevelopment projects on Brown’s chopping block, including his ambitious signature downtown Renaissance Initiative.

City Manager Brad Hudson warns an end to redevelopment agencies in California might cost Riverside 72 city jobs and deliver a brutal $8.6 million hit to the city budget.

Loveridge said redevelopment construction at University Avenue and Lime Street would not have happened without redevelopment funding.

Redevelopment money took that area from decades of zero tax base blight to economic vitality.”

Under Brown’s proposal about a dozen functions would be shifted to counties, which would take responsibility for such services as psychiatric hospitals and outpatient mental health treatment. The state's Child Welfare Services, which includes foster care, adoptions and child abuse prevention programs, also would be turned over to counties.

Counties would have to lock up more nonviolent criminals under the governor's plan, and Brown has earmarked more than $740 million for them to house additional prisoners and parolees.

He wants counties to take on some work now done by state firefighters as well. That would free the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from having to respond to an estimated 60,000 medical emergencies each year, and counties would get $250 million annually to fill the gap.

Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione, who leads the statewide county association, worries that the state will saddle local governments with more duties without the money to pay for them. The push eliminating redevelopment in favor of greater local control isn’t likely to get a pass from some civil rights organizations like the NAACP whose leaders fear underserved populations will be left out.

Waudier “Woodie” Rucker Hughes, President of Riverside Branch of NAACP/ Southern Area Chair of NAACP explains Brown’s local control agenda is tantamount to “states rights” “which were put into the hands of local governments during the Civil Rights movement.

African Americans were promptly excluded,” said Rucker Hughes.

“I am reminded of a situation when the last Governor, recognized he needed to reach the hard to reach communities in the Inland Empire, he sent money for advertising local governments. Those funds were diverted to pay for other services. Rucker Hughes said some staffers challenged why the designated funds should be spent in publications in the African American and Hispanic “hard to reach” communities.

Rucker Hughes also cited wide spread mishandling of stimulus dollars intended for underserved communities.

“Contracts continue to go to those that have and the have not’s still did not prosper. We must employ caution and a system of checks and balances,” she said.

“This is zero sum stuff,” said Loveridge. “We can expect a lot of push and pull among interest groups, a lot of people have a stake in Brown’s redesign agenda, but at the end of the day, states must produce a balanced budget. In doing so they must find ways to be rational, transparent, efficient and equitable.”

Corona, CA: Patricia Krenwinkel Denied Parole For 13th Time


Corona, CA: One of Charles Manson's minions convicted in the 1969 slayings of seven people has been denied parole for a 13th time.

The "LA Times" reports Patricia Krenwinkel was denied by the board Thursday, rejecting her arguments she should be set free.

She is eligible to apply again in seven years.

She is serving a life sentence at the women's state prison in Corona.

Krenwinkel was convicted on seven counts of first degree murder in the infamous Tate-LaBianca killings of 1969.

Inland Empire, CA: Kim Kardashian Covers 'Inland Empire' February 2011


Kim Kardashian graces the cover of Inland Empire’s February issue, which features “10 Things You Don’t Know About Her.”

The 30-year-old reality star recently took to her blog to speak out against teen pregnancies.

“It seems that shows like Teen Mom are all of a sudden making teen pregnancy seem cool in the eyes of young girls. The kids from these shows are all over the news, even on the covers of magazines, and have been become almost like celebrities, but girls, these are not people you should idolize!” Kim wrote.

“Having a baby is one one of the biggest, and most life-changing decisions a person can make,” she added, “and while I’m not saying that no teen is in the position to raise a child, having a baby so young shouldn’t be seen as the trendy thing to do.”

“Girls, please, think very carefully before you make these kind of decisions. Talk to your family, friends, teachers, and most of all, be careful,” she wrote.

Riverside, CA: MVP RV Inc wins $5 Billion China export order


Riverside, California based MVP RV Inc., in partnership with China-based Winston Global Energy, is to export more than 30,000 Recreational Vehicles (RVs) - worth in excess of $5 billion - to China over the next four years. The agreement was cited by The White House yesterday during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s state visit – his second visit to the US since he became President of the PRC in 2003 -and is being lauded as an important step in the continued development of the recreation vehicle industry in China. “We are delighted to make this announcement, which will have such a positive effect on California’s Inland Empire,” said MVP RV President and CEO Brad Williams.

Under the agreement, Winston Global Energy, owned by Winston Chung, an international entrepreneur and inventor of the rare earth lithium ion battery, will provide $310 million in capital to MVP RV to promote motorhome exports to China. It is expected that MVP RV will export approximately 10,000 Class A motorhomes and 20,000 Class C motorhomes. Additional capital will also be provided for the development of all-electric RVs and fast-charging electrical systems. “This will reinvigorate the industry and create new market opportunities with innovative products and superior customer service that have global appeal. Over the next 12 months, we anticipate hiring approximately 1,300 employees needed to build products for the emerging Chinese market where there is a growing interest in RV travel and camping,” said Williams who indicated that the infusion of capital would further strengthen the company’s production of RVs for the U.S. market where interest has been steadily growing.

In July 2008, MVP RV Acquisition Corporation, an affiliation of former Thor executives, agreed to purchase Moreno Valley based Thor California, Inc. – a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc - and renamed the company “MVP RV.” The company manufactures Coast and Summit travel trailers and Destiny and Jazz fifth wheels along with Envy, Vortex and Impact toy haulers and the Class C Tahoe RV. “The new management team has a visionary strategy for the development of MVP RV,” said President and CEO Brad Williams. “The face of the RV industry is changing dramatically and we plan on having a lasting impact as we chart a new course.” MVP RV, Inc. currently employs 250 people at its 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility and continues to expand its dealer network in the United States and Canada.

Temecula, CA: Girls' coach charged with molesting 4


TEMECULA, CA: A 39-year-old California girls' softball coach was charged with molesting four young girls.

Alex Flores, of Temecula, pleaded not guilty to numerous counts of child molestation and is being held in lieu of $1 million bond, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Wednesday.

The mother of a 13-year-old team member said Jan. 8 she found on her daughter's cellphone hundreds of sexually explicit text messages between the girl and Flores, including a nude photo of the girl. The discovery prompted an investigation of Flores.

"We discovered more than one of the players entered into inappropriate texting relationships with him where he told them they were beautiful and commented on their bodies. ... He talked about making love in explicit terms," Detective Rachel Frost said.

Some of the alleged molestation incidents happened in Flores' home over the past two years and continued until his Jan. 10 arrest.

Another incident allegedly occurred at a Coachella Valley hotel in September when Flores took team members for a softball tournament.

After the girl's mother reported Flores to the Sheriff's Department, investigators, armed with a search warrant, listened while they had the girl phone Flores to tell him her mother knew of the messages.

Flores recommended ways the girl could lie to her mother, such as claiming the nude photo was meant for someone else and saying someone had used her cellphone.

Flores simultaneously texted another girl on the team, telling her to lie on his behalf.

"If your mother could go on the computer and read your text messages, you would have been in trouble a long time ago sweetheart," Flores said to the girl.

Corona, CA: CAST YOUR VOTE for Centennial High School

Corona is currently in 47th place...come on people!!!

Your vote counts! Who do you believe should be the true national champion?

The school with the highest number of votes will receive a $250 donation to their athletic department from HighSchoolSports.net, and the Massey People's Championship Trophy!

Cast your vote for one of the 64 teams competing in our Massey Virtual National Championship.

Corona, CA: Looking at USC’s 2011 Recruiting Class


National Signing Day (February 2) is fast approaching, and the recruiting trail is heating up. Technically, this will be Lane Kiffin’s second class as the head coach at USC, but it will be the first one he has had complete control over. He made some great moves to bolster the 2010 class in the one month he had, and he has done another fantastic job to date with the 2011 class (including spring enrollees).

According to Rivals.com, the Trojans have the fourth best recruiting class in the country. 17 players have committed to USC for Fall 2011:

5-stars

WR George Farmer 6’2″, 192 Gardena, CA (Junipero Serra)

ATH De’Anthony Thomas 5’9″, 160 Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw)

4-stars

DT Antwaun Woods 6’1″, 322 Woodland Hills, CA (Taft)

DE Greg Townsend, Jr. 6’4″, 242 Beverly Hills, CA (Beverly Hills)

LB Anthony Sarao 6’1″, 215 Absecon, NJ (Holy Spirit)

LB Tre Madden 6’1, 215 Mission Viejo, CA (Mission Viejo)

DE Jalen Grimble 6’4″, 255 Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman)

RB Amir Carlisle 5’10″, 181 Sunnyvale, CA (The Kings’ Academy)

WR Victor Blackwell 6’1″, 186 Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei)

3-stars

DE Devante Wilson 6’4″, 230 Corona, CA (Corona)

LB Kent Turene 6’3″, 230 Lauderdale Lakes, FL (Boyd Anderson)

DT Cody Temple 6’3″, 280 Bakersfield, CA (Liberty)

ATH J.R. Tavai 6’2″, 260 Redondo Beach, CA (Mira Costa)

OL Marcus Martin 6’3″, 357 Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw)

DE Steve Dillon 6’3″, 245 Palmdale, CA (Palmdale)

DE Charles Burks 6’1″, 230 Huntington Beach, CA (Edison)

2-stars

K Kris Albarado 6’0″, 180 Lake Charles, LA (St. Louis)

Corona, CA: Los Angeles Blues will open at home May 1

The Los Angeles Blues will open their inaugural USL Pro season with four games in April in the Caribbean to start the season before the first home game at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton on May 1 against Antigua Barracuda FC.

Along with seven games at Cal State Fullerton, the LA Blues will also play four of their 12 home games at Centennial High School in Corona, CA, and one game at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA. The team will visit Santa Clarita on July 17 against River Plate Puerto Rico and is targeting another game in Santa Clarita as part of a doubleheader with its sister club Pali Blues in the USL W-League.

The Blues are part USL PRO’s International Division with four Caribbean teams: Antigua Barracuda FC, Sevilla FC, Puerto Rico United and River Plate Puerto Rico. The Blues will play each team in its division four times, as well as games against Charlotte, Dayton, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Richmond outside of the International Division.

“Our two Caribbean road trips are going to be very important for us this season,” said Blues Vice President Charlie Naimo. “One third of our games will be during two stretches on the road in April and late May so those will be huge tests for us. We will be ready come April 15.”

Playing in Corona allows for the Blues to play two games in one weekend against the same opponent at different venues on several weekends throughout the summer.

“We are glad to have the opportunity to play in Corona and Santa Clarita along with our primary home venue at Titan Stadium. It will allow us to expand our fan base over the course of the season,” said Naimo.

April 2011

Fri Apr 15 TBD at Sevilla (Sevilla FC Stadium)

Sun Apr 17 4:00 PM at Antigua (Sticky Wicket Stadium)

Wed Apr 20 4:00 PM at PR United (Aguada Stadium )

Sat Apr 23 5:00 PM at River Plate (River Plate Stadium)

May 2011

Sun May 1 5:00 PM Antigua (Cal State Fullerton)

Thu May 12 7:30 PM Charlotte ( Centennial HS, Corona)

Sat May 14 7:30 PM Charlotte (Cal State Fullerton)

Fri May 20 4:30 PM at Dayton (Miami Valley South Stadium)

Sun May 22 2:00 PM at Pittsburgh (Chartiers Valley HS)

Fri May 27 5:00 PM at PR United (Aguada Stadium)

Sun May 29 4:00 PM at Antigua (Sticky Wicket Stadium)

June 2011

Wed Jun 1 5:00 PM at River Plate (River Plate Stadium)

Fri Jun 3 TBD at Sevilla (Sevilla FC Stadium)

Fri Jun 24 7:30 PM Harrisburg (Centennial HS, Corona)

Sun Jun 26 5:00 PM Harrisburg (Cal State Fullerton)

July 2011

Sat Jul 2 7:30 PM Antigua (Cal State Fullerton)

Fri Jul 15 7:30 PM River Plate (Cal State Fullerton)

Sun Jul 17 5:00 PM River Plate (College of Canyons, Santa Clarita)

Fri Jul 22 4:00 PM at Richmond (City Stadium)

Sat Jul 23 4:00 PM at Harrisburg (Skyline Sports Complex)

Fri Jul 29 7:30 PM PR United (Cal State Fullerton)

Sun Jul 31 5:00 PM PR United (Centennial HS, Corona)

August 2011

Wed Aug 10 7:30 PM Sevilla (Centennial HS, Corona)

Fri Aug 12 7:30 PM Sevilla (Cal State Fullerton)

Riverside, CA: Husband of US singer Etta James granted money for care


The husband of US blues legend Etta James can use some of her savings to pay for the ailing singer's health care, a judge in California has ruled.

Riverside County superior court judge Thomas Cahraman said the $60,000 (£37,580) granted to Artis Mills should last until 24 February.

Mr Mills is also challenging a claim by James's son, Donto, that his mother gave him power of attorney.

Mr Mills is expected to return to court next month to apply for more funds.

Singer James, known for her hit ballad At Last, has been diagnosed with dementia and is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

Mr Mills claims she has become too sick to manage her own money.

A doctor has also stated the star needs help with eating, dressing and cannot sign her own name.

Donto wrote in his court declaration that he does not object to money being released for his mother's medical care.

But he has requested it to be overseen by a third party "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies".

James has been out of the public eye since January last year when she was admitted to hospital after suffering from various ailments, including a blood infection.

She became ill while in a clinic for treatment to an addiction to painkillers and other medicines.

James is the winner of four Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

In the 2008 film Cadillac Records, she was portrayed by the singer Beyonce Knowles.