Professor Audrey Matthews

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Audrey Mathews, professor emerita at California State University, San Bernardino, received the Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Service by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) during their annual conference in New Orleans in March.  The organization honored Mathews for dedicating more than 35 years to public service in local and state governments as a professor, budget director, planning commissioner and consultant.

“Professor Mathews is a role model for all of us for her outstanding commitment to public service through higher education and government,” said CSUSB President Tomás Morales. “The university community is proud of her accomplishments and remarkable dedication.”

“I am grateful and humbled that I would even be considered in the same category of those who have been recognized for this award before me,” Mathews said.

“I have dedicated my life to helping those in need in the communities where I live, work and play, never thinking my life’s dedication to the public service as something remarkable,” she said. “I’m just doing what I was born to do: mentor and provide a helping hand to those in need of my services.”

Mathews taught full time in CSUSB’s College of Business and Public Administration from 1996 to 2006, developing curriculum on diversity management, economic development, and budget and finance. She currently teaches courses on diversity in public organizations and organizational roles in multicultural societies as the CEO of Mathews and Associates, her consulting firm based in Los Angeles.

A 2007 National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, Matthews has also written numerous chapters in textbooks, journal articles and technical reports on topics of diversity, mentoring and urban governance. Professor Mathews received her doctor of public administration from the University of Southern California and a master of public administration from California State University, Northridge.

“I am so impressed with the ongoing dedication and commitment of Dr. Mathews to public service,” said Jonathan Anderson, chair of CSUSB’s public administration department.  “From her years of service as CSUSB faculty, including chair of the department of public administration, to her ongoing positions as a member of the San Bernardino County’s Planning Commission and Workforce Investment Board, Audrey is an outstanding public manager who continues to contribute to the San Bernardino community,” he added.

Lue Dowdy

<h2>By Lue Dowdy,SAN BERNARDINO, CA— What a busy week – so much is happening in the community.  Please check out this week’s featured artist and entertainment happenings. I hope you’ll enjoy!</h2>

Jayavana Rose Herbert

Artist Review: I’ve been blessed to work with all walks of life when it comes to artists. I’m happy to featu

re in this week’s artist review, Jayavana Rose Herbert an anointed young lady that’s blessed with the gift of dance. I’ve watched this talented teen grow into an amazing dancer for the LORD. The way she’s able to tell a story and deliver a message through dance, is truly a site to behold.

Jayavana Rose Sarai Herbert was born to the parents of Bishop Wallace and Dr. Janice Herbert on July 18, 1995, at St. Bernardine Hospital. She was born premature, 1 lb. 15 oz. Her parents were told she would not be able to live a normal life. She had club feet and a heart murmur. Her parents were informed that she would not be able to walk or do the things that most normal children do, through the faith of her parents, by leaning and depending on God. God supernaturally healed her “for such a time as this” to dance for His Glory in Jesus Name.

Never looking back or caring what her peers thought, Jayavana has managed to keep her focus on her calling. This young lady has performed at several community churches and community events throughout San Bernardino. Be on the lookout for Praise Dancer, Jayavana Rose Herbert, member of Servant Branch Ministries.

Psalms 107:20-21 says: “He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”       

The HourGlass Wine Art Gallery

Entertainment Happenings: This is for all my art and wine lovers. You must check out The HourGlass Art & Wine Gallery located in the beautiful city of Rancho Cucamonga. At this eye catching venue you are able to purchase exquisite art, and sip on your favorite wine, while enjoying a show. The ambiance is warm and friendly.

The mission of The HourGlass Art Gallery is to promote the understanding and appreciation of the Arts through educational and exceptional exhibition which engage and educate the community within a unique network and cultural partnership. The Gallery is committed to inspire, inform and exhibit local, national, and international artists through showcasing their works of art throughout the year. The HourGlass Art Gallery, located at 8200 Haven Ave # 103 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, is also available for benefit events, lectures, readings and exhibits by non-profit organizations whose mission reflects the objectives of the gallery, along with gallery talks, panel discussions, workshops, and art demonstrations. For more information on events at The HourGlass Art & Wine Gallery, visit online at www.hourglassartgallery.com, or call 909-941-9300.

Dedrick Muhammad Sr

By Dedrick Muhammad, Sr. — Economic recovery is evading our most struggling populations with African American and Latino unemployment still nearly twice the national average. But, with the recent anniversary of Earth Day, now is a fitting time to highlight how the emerging green sector can bridge our communities to economic opportunity.

Green jobs help improve the environment and lessen the destructive impact that we have on our planet, and are steadily on the rise.  Nearly 3 million people are employed in the green sector ranging from manufacturing and construction to research, design, planning and development.

Green jobs are located in many of our communities, and urban centers account for 64 percent of all green jobs, and are highly concentrated in the West and Southern regions of the U.S. The vast amount of opportunities in the green sector explains the popular phrase, “green jobs equals good jobs.”  Green economy workers’ wages are 13 percent higher than average median wages; and green economy workers are more likely to report greater career mobility and advancement.

For those who want the right skills to qualify for a green job, training opportunities are endless with hundreds of programs available that provide green certifications and licenses.

Budding entrepreneurs should also consider starting a green business. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of our environment. In one study, near half of the respondents wanted to see finance companies provide monetary or investment incentives to businesses that are creating new clean energy technologies or promoting innovative environmental policies and practices. The study highlights a growing trend of consumers employing more social responsibility when deciding where and how they spend their money.

So, if you never thought about securing a green job and/or starting a green business, now is the time. There are a variety of resources available to assist you in a green career, green training, or a green business.

Career One Stop (www.careeronestop.org) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and it’s Green Careers section provides an outline of green careers in today’s changing workplaces, and offers a job database to search for green jobs nationwide.

Green Programs, Certificates, & Workforce Development Training: The Advanced Technology and Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) created a database to help you identify listings of environmental and energy technology programs in the nation’s two-year colleges, high schools, and workforce training organizations at http://ateec.org.

The Small Business Administration (sba.gov) provides numerous resources for entrepreneurs interested in starting a green business. Resources range from how to find your niche in the green economy to how to become certified and differentiate your product or service as environmentally sound.

(Dedrick Muhammad, Sr. is the Director of the NAACP Economic Department.  The complete column was originally published on BET.com)

Over 70% of California’s Small Businesses are Eligible for Health Care Tax Credits

By Herb K. Schultz and Elizabeth Echols — For years, we had a health insurance market that was broken for small businesses. With less bargaining power, small businesses paid an average of 18% more for the same health insurance plan offered to bigger businesses, and their premiums could skyrocket if a single employee got sick.

But because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), California’s small businesses and their employees are getting better choices, with new protections that limit the outrageous rate hikes small business owners faced in the past.

Beginning in 2014, California’s small business owners will have access to a new Health Insurance Marketplace, Connect for Health California—which opens for enrollment on October 1,2013. This allows them to make side-by-side comparisons to find a plan that fits their budget and is right for their businesses and employees.

Small businesses also save with new tax credits that help them cover their employees. Many small businesses with 25 or fewer employees have already received a tax credit of up to 35% of their health insurance costs. And beginning in 2014, this tax credit will go up to 50%. According to the Small Business Majority, 375,310 small businesses in California which employ 2.5 million people will be eligible for an average credit of $752 per worker.

Additionally, insurance companies must now also publicly justify every rate increase of 10% or more, leading to a sharp decline in double-digit rate hikes.  Insurers must also spend at least 80% of small employer premium dollars on employees’ actual health benefits. These limits have already resulted in over $1 billion being returned to small business owners and other consumers.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and create two-thirds of jobs. Owners and employers deserve a health insurance market with fairer prices, better choices and greater certainty.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees – that’s 96% of small businesses – are not required to purchase insurance, but qualify for tax credits if they do. Most small businesses over 50 employees (4%) already provide insurance. So the number of businesses that will have to begin offering employee health insurance or pay a penalty is minimal.

No business owner wants to drop coverage for their employees, and health insurance is critical to attracting the kind of workers they need to succeed. By making the health insurance market work better for California’s small businesses, the law is letting them focus on what they do best: delivering great products and services, creating jobs, and growing our economy.

To receive information and sign up for updates, California small business owners can visit healthcare.gov. (Herb K. Schultz is the Regional Director of U.S. Health and Human Service and Elizabeth Echols is the Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration)