Wonderful Inland Southern California

Amazing but true: Stories from the Pass
and Inland Southern California
Explore odd, surprising, and amazing stories of Inland Southern California with a special added focus on Banning. Larry Burns of Riverside will lead a fun session on Monday, June 10, 2019, guiding you to the weird, wonderful, and obscure in the Inland Empire region, including family-friendly places to visit, little-known history, and just plain wonderful trivia, such as who from the Inland area invented flaming hot cheetos, or the white line in the middle of all highways. 

Burns will share and sign his new book, Secret Inland Empire, which spills secrets that give the communities of Riverside and San Bernardino counties their wonder and uniqueness. 

In the session that starts at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 10, at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., in Banning, also learn from local historians a few surprising recently discovered twists in Banning history and about efforts to save and cherish historic landmarks of the San Gorgonio Pass. And, you might also learn how to call a dragonfly with a local Native American song, and your open heart.

Your $5 helps the nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center save and share Southern California’s Native American cultures, languages, history, and arts.

“Coming Alive Through Story:” Free workshops start Friday

Explore the power of ancient Native American stories and discover how they apply in healing ways to contemporary living. 

Dr. Renda Dionne Madrigal, Luke Madrigal, and family will lead "Coming Alive Through Story," four free workshops starting Friday, June 7, at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 127 San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA.

The sessions are scheduled from 7:30-9 p.m. on June 7, June 14, June 28, and July 12, at the nonprofit Center, which saves and shares Southern California's Native American cultures, languages, history, and arts.

These workshops are free and are for adults and older teen-agers; all are welcome. Please RSVP.

Dr. Renda Madrigal is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Temecula who combines mindfulness and story in her work. Her heritage as Turtle Mountain Chippewa informs her focus on the importance of respect, balance, and connection for well-being. 
Luke Madrigal is a Cahuilla culture bearer and has worked for years on Indian child welfare issues.

Their daughter, Isabella Madrigal (Cahuilla/Chippewa), recently wrote, directed, and produced a play performed at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, "Menil and her Heart," which explores the healing powers of Native American stories. 
The play earned 16-year-old Isabella her gold level in Girl Scouts, the highest achievement level. She and her sister, Sophia, 15, have won a $5,000 grant from Dragon Kim Foundation to continue the work in cultural revitalization through Native storytelling.