inland empire community newspapers • january 23, 2014 • page...

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • January 23, 2014 • Page A11

Workforce InvestmentBoard announces 60training places @LIKE

Six months ago the futurelooked bleak for 24-year-old Jeanette Rivali. Jeanette

had three children, and was withouta job. Today, she is working full-time in the medical field and isgoing back to school to further hercareer – all thanks to @LIKE, a no-cost job training program from theCounty of San Bernardino Work-force Investment Board.The @LIKE project, Linking In-novation, Knowledge, and Educa-tion, was launched in February2013 and has already enabled andinspired 66 young adults, ages 18to 24. @LIKE provides resourcesand encourages participants to im-prove career and life skills, attendvocational training programs, pur-sue higher education, and find jobs.Jeanette was provided with train-ing and placed in an @LIKE paidwork experience opportunity at St.Mary’s Medical Center. After com-pleting 125 hours of training, shewas hired permanently. In addi-tion, Jeanette received help withcollege costs, transportation sup-port, and a work clothing al-lowance through @LIKE.The County of San BernardinoWorkforce Investment Board hasannounced 60 openings for 22 to24-year-olds in the @LIKE pro-gram.“We are delighted with the pro-gram’s success so far and are glad

to have the funding for more youngpeople to take part,” said EmilyPetrus of the Workforce InvestmentBoard. The @LIKE initiative is fundedby a $6 million grant, spreadthroughout four counties, from theU.S. Department of Labor Work-force Innovation Fund.In the case of 23-year-old motherof two, Maurilia Alonso, the@LIKE program helped with ob-tainment of a high school diplomaand assisted her to complete na-tional certifications in customerservice and safety. As a result of theprogram she was hired in a retailstore and within a short time wasrecognized as Employee of theMonth. Maurilia is now preparingto study at the College of the Desertfor an Associate of Arts degree inSociology. She plans to become asocial worker.

Sandy Harmsen, Executive Direc-tor of the Workforce InvestmentBoard, believes there are moregreat success stories to come: The@LIKE program is currently seek-ing youth, ages 22-24, that have notbeen in school, employed, or in themilitary for at least 90 days. Formore information call (909) 387-9859 or email epetrus@wdd.sb-county.gov. To apply visitwww.atLIKE4U.com

Thrill-seeking fans gear up for Monster Jam in Anaheim

By Yazmin Alvarez

Redlands’ CharlotteThompson stands at 5-feet-10-inches, has plat-

inum blonde hair and piercing blueeyes. But much like her idol, themonster truck driving “Madusa,”Thompson is “no typical girl.” “You can literally describe us thesame,” said Thompson, 35.“Only difference is she smashescars with a 1,500-horsepower en-gine and I fling dirt with my bike.Either way, we’re both leavingboys in the dust,” said the compet-itive motocross rider as she pulledout a hot pink tutu from her closetfor her daughter, Angela, 8.But the two weren’t preparing fora dance recital. Instead, they were getting outtheir “gear” in preparation to see

Madusa at this weekend’s MonsterJam at Angel Stadium in AnaheimJan. 25.“When that engine revs, man it’san uproaring experience. Thenwatching her pink truck leave theboys in the dust, it’s so great.Madusa—she’s no dainty girl,”Thompson said. “I’m excited weget to see her again.”Madusa, the ex-female wrestlingsuperstar champion, is making herway back to Anaheim after four-years for the event. Her name is aplay on “Made in the USA” and theblonde-haired blue-eyed drivertakes pride in sitting behind thewheel of her hot pink frameadorned with stars and stripes. But don't let her look fool you be-cause the last thing Madusa saidshe wants to be is “treated likesome diva.”“Pink is strong, powerful andmeans you’re a survivor. I came inas the only woman driver in Mon-ster Jam,” Madusa said. “I was outthere working on the truck and get-ting dirty… there were sabotages—nothing was going to stop me. Imade sure that I kept going and Ispit them out every night.”The determination to not belooked at as a “typical girl” is whatThompson said makes Madusa atrue role model.“That’s why I believe in her,”Thompson said. “It’s the reasonwhy my daughter likes her, becauseshe’s not afraid and she’s strong.”For Madusa, true fans likeThompson and her daughter arewhat keep her to strive in the male-dominated sport. “If it wasn't for my fans, I would-n't have the enthusiasm that I do.They make me who I am,” she said.“And I’m gonna blow the doors offthe place and give them the bestshow yet.”

Monster Jam will roar through thestadium in two parts, a racing andfreestyle segment.In the racing portion, drivers willgo head-to-head in a mini-tourna-ment along the course. Drivers willmatch up with lap winners to com-pete in the finals for the ultimaterace winner of the night.But the main event and biggest at-traction of Monster Jam is thefreestyle event. This year’s truck lineup is high-lighted with appearances by Mon-ster Jam powerhouses and WorldFinals Champions “Grave Digger,”driven by Dennis Anderson and“MaxD,” driven by the highestawarded World Champion TomMeents, performing a Max-D truckback-flip for the first time in South-ern California. Crownd can also prepare for“Clash of the Monster Jam Titans”as truck icons Grave Digger andMax-D compete head-to-head forthe first time together in Anaheimfor another show Feb. 8.Making their Anaheim debut ap-pearances will be all-new 2014 sea-son trucks “Cleatus” and “PoliceNEA” plus 2012 World FreestyleChampion “Northern Nightmare,”“Scooby-Doo” along with the fan-selected monstrous looking “Zom-bie” “back from the afterworld” towreck havoc, according to organiz-ers. More fan-favorite trucks featuredat the various Anaheim events in-clude World Champion Madusa, re-turning to Anaheim after four years,“Batman” featuring the return ofveteran driver John Seasock, ElToro Loco and Captain’s Curse, El

Diablo, Son-Uva Digger, MetalMulisha, Monster Mutt, Lucas OilCrusader, Team Hot WheelsFirestorm, Iron Man, Monster En-ergy, Mohawk Warrior, CaptainUSA, Tropical Thunder, Shocker,Devastator, Destroyer, Titan, NitroHornet, Double Trouble, Obses-sion, Time Fly’s and King Krunchto name a few.If fans want to get up-close-and-personal with drivers and their fa-vorite high-rised beasts, theAnaheim events will offer a “Partyin the Pits” preshow. Fans will haveaccess to view trucks up-close,

meet the star drivers for autographsand photos, according to event or-ganizers.Ticker prices for Monster Jam atAngel Stadium, 2000 Gene AutryWay in Anaheim, start at $25 foradults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Performances are scheduledJan. 25 and Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.For ticket information visit mon-sterjam.com.

Yazmin Alvarez is a reporter forInland Empire Community News-papers and can be reached atiecn.yazmin@gmail.gmail.com

COURTESY PHOTO/FELD ENTERTAINMENT

Madusa and monster Jam fans will have two oppotunities tocheck out car smashing thrills at this year’s Monster Jam in Ana-heim Jan. 25 and Feb. 8.

COURTESY PHOTO/MONSTER JAM

“Madusa” is scheduled to per-form this weekend at MonsterJam in Anaheim.