Community Comes Together During Film Premiere of ‘San Bernardino Strong’ by Briana Pastorino - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Community Comes Together During Film Premiere of ‘San Bernardino Strong’

By Briana Pastorino, Community Writer
December 21, 2016 at 01:21pm. Views: 121

LOMA LINDA>> On Dec. 5 2016, Loma Linda University Health held a public event at the Loma Linda University (LLU) Church in memory of the Dec. 2 terrorist attack. Roughly 900 community members attended the event where the film “San Bernardino Strong” premiered. A documentary about a community wanting to find hope in a time of tragedy, “San Bernardino Strong” took filmgoers back to that dreaded day just over one year ago when terror struck San Bernardino. Fourteen lives were lost, 22 were injured and countless lives were forever changed. Julie Swann-Paez, a 51-year-old wife and mother of three as well as a survivor of the shooting, chose to share her story with the Loma Linda University Health advancement films team. After being shot multiple times, Swann-Paez was rushed to LLU Medical Center, where she nearly lost her life. After 29 days in the hospital she returned home. She has since had four surgeries; physical therapy sessions and said she will never be 100 percent. Through this whole experience, Swann-Paez said she does not want to be considered a victim or a survivor. “I’m a prevailer,” she said after the film during a Q & A session with Pastor Randy Roberts, senior pastor at LLU Church. Swann-Paez agreed to be a part of the documentary in hope of bringing something good out of such a horrific event. She welcomed the advancement films team into her life for six months as she went through the physical and emotional recovery process. Following the film, guests were invited to sign banners of hope that would be sent to those agencies who first responded to the Inland Regional Center on Dec. 2. Additionally, guests had the opportunity to paint Stars of Hope, which would be sent to other victims of tragedy – a practice that Swann-Paez participates in regularly as part of the healing process. “It’s cathartic,” she said as she painted Stars of Hope with her family in the film. “I’m in a good place now, and it’s because of gratitude. There are 14 people that never came home from work that day, and I am living in honor of them.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Dr. April Clay

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 787

“When we support parents, we support children,” says Dr. April Clay, LMFT.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 1272

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: Colton Joint Unified School District

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 607

Music students at Colton High School will soon enjoy a larger space with more storage, practice rooms, better acoustics and better space for creating, learning and performing. Construction on the Buildings is Set to Start in 2027

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:05am. Views: 1261

State, Local Education Leaders Highlight Nearly $162 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships Available to San Bernardino County Students.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 947

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:28pm. Views: 1034

San Bernardino Drug Take Back Day 2026, prescription medication disposal, San Bernardino Police Department, October 24, medication safety, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community collection efforts offer families a convenient way to remove unwanted prescription drugs from their homes while promoting public safety and protecting the environment.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:24pm. Views: 532

Long before modern freeways reshaped the Inland Empire, the railroad helped establish San Bernardino as a transportation center. Trains brought passengers, goods, workers and new business opportunities into the region, connecting a growing Southern California community with destinations across the country.

Photo Courtesy of: California Historical Society Collection, USC Libraries Special Collections.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:22pm. Views: 657

As Redlands continues to grow, its surviving citrus groves offer a living connection to the industry that shaped the city's neighborhoods, economy and identity. Orange trees heavy with fruit line a grove in Redlands around 1900, with snow-covered Mount San Bernardino visible in the distance. The photograph documents the citrus industry that played a central role in the city's early development.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:19pm. Views: 1268

The City of Redlands will host Plane-or-Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport on October 25, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment and family activities. An AI-generated illustration

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 916

Festive University of Redlands Homecoming celebration, with alumni, students, and families gathered on campus wearing maroon Bulldogs apparel. A bulldog mascot greets attendees while cheerleaders and a marching band perform near decorated tents and balloons, with university buildings and mountains in the background.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 578

Moreno Valley is preparing to celebrate one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural traditions with an evening dedicated to remembrance, family and community.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 554

Moreno Valley Unified School District is continuing its parent education efforts with an October workshop focused on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and bullying prevention.

--> -->