-- Mary Maneewongwathana

William Flinders Petrie (1853-1942) is among the greatest. Known as the father of modern archaeology, he combed the tombs, temples and villages of Egypt for more than five decades.

For the first time in history, a portion of his extraordinary findings have come to the United States in "Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology." So far, the exhibit has traveled to such venues as the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, the New Mexico Museum of Art and Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami.

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum at Cal State San Bernardino will host the Petrie collection starting Nov. 22. As the only venue on the West Coast for the exhibit, the show is also the Fullerton Art Museum's first international exhibition ever.

Running through Feb. 15, 2009, the exhibit will feature more than 220 objects portraying the daily life and burial of the ancient Egyptians. The world's earliest surviving dress (cir. 2800 B.C.), jewelry, mummy masks and royal art from King Akhenaten's palace city of Amarna are among the treasures included in the exhibit.

A reception for the exhibit will be held Nov. 22 in the museum from 5-7 p.m.

The Petrie Museum, at University College London, houses the most extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world, outside of Egypt itself. With more than 80,000 objects, Petrie, the museum's namesake, excavated a large part of the collection himself, initiating the major archaeological movement at the turn of the 20th century.

"Excavating Egypt" is the first major exhibit to arrive at the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum since its accreditation in March 2008. Of the more than 17,500 museums in the United States, the American Association of Museums has accredited only 4 percent.

The RVF Art Museum continues to offer the Inland Empire and its surrounding regions world-class art and culture. After showing at the RVF, "Excavating Egypt" travels to The University of Kentucky Art Museum and then back home to England.

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum is home to the largest display of ancient Egyptian antiquities west of the Mississippi River. Established in 1996, the RVF Art Museum has accumulated a collection of nearly 1,200 objects focusing on Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art.

Admission for exhibits at the Fullerton Art Museum is free. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Phone: (909) 537-7373.

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum will be dark through Sept. 24. It reopens Oct. 4 with original photographs by Andy Warhol, and two accompanying exhibits, "DIVAS: A Group Exhibition of Immodest Photography" and the artwork of new CSUSB faculty member Beth Steffel.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university's Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit http://news.csusb.edu.

--Cal State San Bernardino

The original musical performances, put on by area children from ages 6-18, are free and open to the public. All performances will take place at the amphitheater at the lakes at Dos Lagos, exit Dos Lagos Drive off Interstate 15.

Performances begin on Sunday.

"This Just In: Paradise Found" - at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 and 21

"Foolish Fuelers' Day Out" - at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 and 18

"Meet the Greens" - In January (times and dates to be announced)

"Paradise Found," performed two days in September, tells the story of Southern California kids visiting a news station in the Amazon Rain Forest, where they learn about the dangers facing this natural wonder and relay it to the audience through song and dance.

"Foolish Fuelers' Day Out," performed two days in October, focuses on alternative fuels and renewable energy and highlights the many steps individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

"Meet the Greens," to be performed in January, demonstrates ways that local families can be sustainable by taking a few simple measures at home.

GIVE is a nonprofit organization established in 2006 to promote balance in the way people live, how their choices impact the environment and others in their community. GIVE hosts events and initiatives, and sponsors college campus chapters to educate the public on issues related to sustainability, a term used to describe this social, economic and environmental balance. For information, visit: www.giveforthefuture.org

CAT is an after-school theater and visual arts education program located in Corona, which focuses on teaching moral and traditional values through excellence in theater and performing arts. Visit www.catcorona.org

-- Green Institute for Village Empowerment

City staff is working closely with J.D. Diffenbaugh, Inc. and HMC Architects to complete this project, which is located in Orangecrest at Orange Terrace Parkway and Hopseed Circle. The Center offers programs for families that include a teen zone, dance area, gymnasium and a public access computer center that will provide wireless Internet access throughout the park area.

This project will feature energy-efficient architecture and will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building. In conjunction with this project, the Park has been expanded with the addition of two ball fields and extended turf area.---from (www.riversiderenaissance.org)) the Orange Terrace Community Center had their grand opening on Sat. 9/13/08. This community center provides a fun place to go for families, but more importantly provides low-cost school readiness programs for children 3.5-5. With a lack of options in this area, nearby programs make early learning very costly and in today's economy single income families are at a disadvantage.

Orange Terrace Community Center is providing classes through College Bound Kidz for young kids at a rate of under $50 per week with morning and afternoon sessions available. Their curriculum is guided by California State Kindergarten standards and include comprehensive instruction in phonics, science/social studies, math, and art. This is school readiness for everyone.

-- Kimberly Mendiola

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

The name, Soroptimist, means "best for women," and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

-- Shawn Dredla

Tech Trek, an AAUW state program, is a math/science camp designed to develop interests, excitement and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in math, science and related fields. All sleeping, eating, instructional and recreational facilities are located on a university where the camps are held. Over 2,000 girls have attended Tech Trek since the first camp at Stanford University was held in 1998. This past summer camps were held at California State University at Fresno, Mills College, UC Santa Barbara, Whittier College, Stanford, and UC San Diego.

For further information, or to make reservations, call Lisa Newhall at (951) 686-3477

In the spirit of leading by example, the Art Institute of California -Inland Empire is hosting an artists' workshop on Saturday, October 18, from 1-5 p.m.

This workshop gives local artists a chance to try their hand at life drawing and will be held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire free charge to the public.

"Many artists are greatly creative but lack focus," Santosh Oommen, Academic Director of Media Arts & Animation. "Our goal is to help make better artists. Offering workshops give these artists a chance to focus their raw creative talent."

Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available for each class. The workshop is open to the public; the only requirement is that you are 15 years old or above and that you bring your own pencils and drawing paper.

"Our commitment is to helping artist in the Inland Empire improve their talents. This workshop, for artists as young as 15 years old, will help them to further their development of with the skills they need." Said Oommen, academic director of media artist animation of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire.

The workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

--The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire