City of San Bernardino Seeks Community Input for Chief of Police Selection

The City of San Bernardino City Manager’s office is recruiting for a Chief of Police and has selected the firm of Koff & Associates to conduct the search. As part of the recruitment process the city is seeking input from the community and will offer an on-line video forum on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

According to members of the City Manager, “It’s important for the City Manager and our elected officials to know what qualities our citizens believe a Chief of Police must possess to best serve the interests of our city and our community. What we hear will bear heavily in our selection process.”

Appointed by the City Manager, the Chief of Police plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the overall public safety program of the City in the enforcement of law and order and in the prevention of crime; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies. This includes ensuring the department provides courteous and expedient customer service to the general public and City department staff and assumes full management responsibility for all department services and activities.

To gain access to this forum, please click on the following video link, or call on the associated number: To gain access to this forum, please click on the following video link, or call on the associated number:

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81622535366?pwd=MUxOcHZMZTB5dGJvK2VVbXhLMUEzZz09  

Or Dial in: (720) 707-2699 * Passcode: 751450

Grieve Your Way

By Camile Jene

I still remember losing my grandmother when I was 11. I was no stranger to funerals. I have an older family so by that point I had already been to 6 funerals. But this one was different. Gommie was my best friend. 

Profound grief.

Sadness overtook me. I cried so many tears and I let myself feel everything. I grieved how my mind knew how to at that young age. I think it helped me that I helped take care of her on her death bed. I helped bathe her, dress her, comb her hair, and I was able to see her in so much pain and honestly exhausted and ready to be free. So, though it hurt, I understood.

And fond memories help too. I still remember shopping with her on Wednesdays at this factory she would buy wholesale clothing from (and resale to her friends. She operated a “clothing store” from her garage). We’d finish up her purchases Thrifty’s (known now as RiteAid) to get her prescription and for a scoop of ice cream. She usually got strawberry. I got some off-the-wall flavor like confetti-bubble gum. 

When she got sick, I remember telling her I loved her every chance I could. I didn’t know what else to say. We could no longer chat like usual. And though she couldn’t say much, she would respond, “I love you, Camile.”

I will always miss her. 

I’ve written about grief before. When my mother first died, I was devastated and lost. Well… lost is an understatement. She passed away unexpectedly, and she died just 7 days before my son was born. Imagine losing your mother on Saturday and the very next Saturday you give birth to the son she was just as excited about! Yes, that pain was deep.

Profound grief.

I remember the strong suit my mother attempted to wear when she lost her mother. She tried to hold her tears and sadness so we couldn’t see her pain. She wanted to protect us but she needed to grieve and soon enough, she could no longer hold back and when she gave in to the grief, the floodgates opened. For many months she would just cry and cry. All the time… I remember her crying so much I thought, “Is Mommy broken?” I wondered if she would ever feel better. 

When I lost my mom, I understood her grief. Yes, I had a broken heart over losing Gommie but my mother’s heart shattered at the loss. As much as my grandmother was my best friend in the way a granddaughter looks up to her grandmother, she was my mom’s best friend, safe space, advocate, and so much more. And in addition to losing my mother, she lost her first true love in the same few weeks for the second time (a failed reuniting). Double heartbreak. A person can only take so much at a time.

Profound grief.

Mommy was my best friend. No one will ever love me as she did. No one will fight for and advocate for me as she did. 

When she passed, I let myself feel. Just like I was 11-year-old Camile. I cried so many tears. I didn’t shy away from any feeling that came up whether it be anger, regret, sadness, or defeat.

Three years out and I can say I am okay. No, life will never be the same but I’m at peace. I allowed myself to truly tap into the profound loss of my mom. I went to grief therapy and I did my best not to get lost or hide. 

 I will always miss her. 

As I see people around me losing loved ones, I want to encourage you to feel all your feelings. Cry, scream, rage, write, journal, go to therapy, shop, recognize patterns you want to eliminate, evaluate your life and how you’ll live even greater than before in remembrance of your loved one. Do not let this turn into an unhealthy infatuation with carrying on their legacy or projects though. You will need to find your sweet spot and then establish self-boundaries. 

Do all the things that will help you not get stuck in grieving your loved one in an unhealthy way. When you suffer a deep loss, it takes steps to overcome the profound grief. Take those steps. Immerse yourself in the process instead of stuffing down your grief. This will not help you. You do not want the mention of your loved one to trigger you for the rest of your life. You do not honor them by maintaining life as a walking corpse. Continuously re-memorializing them and living in an unshakable and perpetual state of sadness and depression will never bring them honor. If they lived a life that made you proud, in turn, live a life that will make them even prouder. If their story was still in the making and you feel their life cut too short, use their inspiration to further their legacy, vision, or work. 

Let the rest of your life be an addition to the life they lived. 

*Disclaimer: this is not directed toward parents losing a child. That type of grief if not one I have experience with. I cannot and would not direct someone on how to navigate that pain

Makeda Kumasi the Triple threat is What it do!

By Lue Dowdy

How many of you like poetry or spoken word? I know I do. Freedom of speech and expression is important especially for poets and spoken word artists. I love the word play and how the artist’s makes you feel, like my girl Makeda Kumasi. Makeda has a way of pulling you in. 

I’ve had the pleasure of watching this Queen in action. Not only is she a poetess/spoken word artist but she’s also a dynamic dancer, singer, and actress. Wearing so many entertainment hats she still finds time to be a boss by running and overseeing her very own production company titled, ‘WE 3 PRODUCTIONS’. Her production company is community based and teaches cultural dance and music to the youth, young adults, ad elders within San Bernardino and beyond.

Recently dropping her first Spoken Word Album “A SPOKEN WORD EXPERIENCE”, Makeda is making a name for herself globally. This project in my opinion is ‘THE TRUTH’. On the album you’ll hear heartfelt tacks like “Electricity’, ‘Fly Away Bird’, ‘Mother’, and ‘We Return’ along with 7 other amazing tracks. Performing professionally for years all over Southern California, other States, and Countries many have been touched by her performances. Make sure you get the album, which can be accessed on Spotify. 

Studies have shown that the teaching of Spoken Word  and Poetry is a great way to help students with cortical thinking and it teaches them how to use their powerful voices. Now a days you’ll be able to find poetry slams and spoken word contests located all over the word. It’s also therapeutic and a stress reliver. If you ever feel upset or stressed don’t be afraid to take them words to paper, pick up the pen.

Catch Makeda Kumasi’s next event the ‘Urban Djali Tour’ on YouTube live Friday 9/10. Link reservation through Eventbrite Online Events. Remember it’s ya girl LUE and this is WHAT IT DO, Until next week SNAP, SNAP! 

Aguilar Takes Community Project Funding Tour to San Bernardino Nonprofit

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Rep. Pete Aguilar made the second stop on his Inland Empire Community Project Funding tour at Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc., a San Bernardino-based nonprofit dedicated to helping end the cycle of homelessness in San Bernardino County. The Community Project Funding tour was launched after Aguilar secured funding for seven community-submitted projects in the House-passed fiscal year 2022 government funding package, including for the Mary’s Mercy Center Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) Project. The REACH Project provides skills training and education resources for homeless Inland Empire residents and connects them with resources to find jobs.

“Affordable housing and homelessness are two of the biggest issues facing the Inland Empire, and we need an all-hands-on-deck approach. By investing in local nonprofits like Mary’s Mercy Center, we can empower members of our community to find housing, access to job training and other key resources to help them succeed,” said Aguilar.

“With many of the homeless we serve, we find that medical and socio-emotional support is only part of the equation. The other challenge is finding affordable housing. The REACH program is designed to help our residents enroll in educational and vocational classes to prepare them for a career. We want each resident to have a career path that allows them to earn a good living so they can afford quality housing in the community of their choice,” said Dan Flores, Executive Director of Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc.

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and successfully passed seven Community Project Funding Requests through the House with others still pending. This tour helps underscore the importance of this funding as Congress works to finalize federal funding for fiscal year 2022.

They Mock and Laugh at the Idea of Future Judgment!

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Asking, “Where is this God?” “Where is the Promise of His coming?” All that talk about judgment day and the coming of the Lord is just preaching, just so many words. These people mock the idea of the Second Coming of Christ and the end of the world [2 Peter 3:3] however, they aren’t just so many words, they are truth and it’s God’s promise! And it doesn’t matter whether you believe it are not. God Word shall not return void! [Isaiah 55:11].

These scoffing hypocrites won’t examine the evidence. They don’t read the Bible. They don’t want to know the truth. They are scoffers, walking after their own lusts! So, they reject what the Bible teaches about the judgment of God! But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men [2 Peter 3:3-7].

And pretty soon things are going to get ominous, and the little rumbling is going to become a big rumbling. And then, out of nowhere a loud boom of thunder. A few seconds later the lightning will zing across the sky in the distance. Then suddenly the wind will begin to blow hard out of nowhere and the rain will begin to spatter, marking just the beginning of the full fury. Believe it or not! The Book of Revelation reveals the awfulness of God’s wrath. “He [who worships the beast] also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb” [Revelation 14:10].

“So, the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nation’s fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath” [Revelation 16:19-20].

“From [Christ’s] mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. [Revelation 19:15.

Listen, Ezekiel was called to do a job that required him to speak only when God told him to speak. God has conveyed that He is finished with disobedience and hard hearts. Enough was enough, and He was ready to judge and punish His people for their rebellious spirit and actions. [Ezekiel chapters 4 to 7].

A crisis lurking around the corner! Plagues and bloodshed are coming. Bones are going to be scattered, towns laid waste, and the high places of idolatry are going to be demolished. [Ezekiel 7:1-4]. I myself will shave you. I will not look on you with pity or spare you.  [Ezekiel 5:11b]. Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, bear now the punishment of your lewdness and your harlotries.” [Ezekiel 23:35].

Flee from the wrath to come [Luke 3:7].

“Except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved”, [Matthew 13:20].

Yet, “they did not repent… [Revelation 9:21].

But “They Mock and Laugh at the Idea of Future Judgment!” Woe, Woe, Woe, to the inhabitants on the earth… [Revelation 8:3].

Statement From Sister of Michael K. Williams on His Death

Compton Councilmember Michelle Chambers and sister of actor Michael K. Williams released the following statement on the death of her brother:

“Our family has been shaken to the core of the loss of our Mike. Thank you to everyone who contacted us, flooded us with love, and more importantly, prayers. I will miss my brother, my best friend and birthday partner in this realm, but I know he will continue to watch over me and our family in heaven as he did on earth.”

13-Year-Old Allanah Mouton Headed to College

RIALTO, CA—- While most of her middle school contemporaries are headed to high school, Allanah Mouton, is now attending Cal State L.A. to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. Accepted through the University’s Early Entrance Program (EEP), Allanah Mouton was admitted to Cal State L.A. at the age of 12. She is now on track to graduate summa cum laude in less than 4 years.

Cal State L.A.’s EEP admits extraordinarily gifted youngsters—some as young as 11—directly into college, providing the early entrants with monitored evaluation, regular counseling sessions, and the opportunity to study with like-minded peers. For Allanah the process for applying to EEP CSULA included a year-long competitive interview which began with portfolio submissions, essay responses, individual and family interviews, several mandatory orientations and information sessions, and ended with a five-week summer session in which Allanah completed three college level workshops across various disciplines (calculus, social science, and natural science). While the program began on a zoom call with over 100 applicants only 21 applicants, including Allanah were granted admission to EEP through the Honor College.

Allanah said, “I’m excited about the opportunity, and of course, I have concerns about making the transition from middle school directly to a university, but the support from my family, especially, my mom has made me confident in my decision.”

Allanah has always been exceptional, she tested out of 4th grade, placing well into high school but at the time, her mother decided to only allow her to skip one grade level. She had concerns about opportunities for social and emotional growth. Having earned a 4.0 grade point average throughout elementary and middle school, and after her grandmother saw a news story on CBS about CSULA’s early entrance program. Allanah developed an interest in pursuing early college enrollment

As a part of the EEP program select students are waived the high school A-G requirements which allows them to enroll in the University under a special exemption. The program chooses students whom they feel have the skills necessary to be successful in the program. Allanah’s reading, writing, mathematical skills, and capacity for logical thinking were heavily criticized and tested as a part of the 5-week workshops she completed during the interview process.

Allanah Mouton is a resident of Rialto. She loves to draw, plays several instruments including the drums and saxophone. She enjoys practicing her skateboard and baking in her spare time. She also volunteers at the family’s nonprofit organization which provides residential care facilities to mentally ill adults. She has dreams of working with NASA and contributing solutions to the global climate change crisis. For now, plans after college graduation include applying to graduate school with Stanford as her number one choice and getting her driver’s license!

Let’s Keep the Youth Healthy This September, for National Family Hydration Awareness Month

By Merilee Kern

As we head into fall and are now back to school, it is more important than ever to carry on with healthy hydration habits from the long, hot days of summer. The human body is made up of 50% water, in order to achieve peak hydration needs, kids (ages 4-8) require five cups of water per day and kids (ages 8+) require 7-8 cups per day. 

“Unfortunately, water is not the most tasty or easy to drink liquid so often we substitute it with other things such as milk, sports drinks, orange juice or fruit concentrates,” says James Mayo, Co-Founder and CEO of SOS Hydration. “These substitutions offer some hydration benefits, but also come with excessive amounts of sugar and high calories that kids don’t need. Just take a peek at the nutrition panels the next time you reach for one of these beverages. Many of these drinks disguise their contents on the front by clever marketing or small pack sizes but look at the truth panel on the side to see the number of calories and also in many cases the amount of artificial ingredients. A carton of orange or apple juice can have 100 calories and a fruit concentrate pouch can have 60 with some cartons that call themselves honest still having a heaping of 40 calories and excessive sugar.”

The next option for hydration you might consider are the water enhancing powders. Many of these products tout ultra-hydration but, again, one would be wise to visit the nutrition panels first as they are often loaded with artificial ingredients.  “Some electrolyte drink options for kids on the marketplace lead people astray with their ‘organic’ ingredients or ‘physician recommended’ but be wary of sugar, which is not the ideal product for kid’s hydration,” James warns.

These realities led SOS Hydration to launch its first annual September “National Family Hydration Awareness Month” initiative, during which the public is invited to learn about the physical, cognitive and emotional benefits of pre-hydrating to avoid becoming dehydrated. Throughout National Family Hydration Awareness Month families will enjoy an assortment of activities and benefits aimed to help them become, and remain, hydration minded as the new school and business year kicks into gear. From its web site at www.SOSKidsHydration.com, families can learn more about the science of hydration and see the full line of SOS Hydration products for both adults and children.

Also starting this month, children across America can enjoy SOS Hydration’s healthier and more effective alternative to the mass-market sugary drinks targeted to children. The company’s new child–specific, low sugar electrolyte drink mix formula—SOS Kids, featuring PAW Patrol—is now available online at SOSHydration.comWalmart.com starting September 11 and, also this September, will be exclusively available on shelves in every Walmart store throughout the United States.

“As a dad of two young girls I wanted a better-for-you lunch box alternative to the high sugar, unhealthy beverages marketed at children…plus I understand the power of PAW Patrol,” said James Mayo, Co-Founder and CEO of SOS Hydration. “My girls love the pups and I love what they stand for. With our company having formulated the first kids-specific electrolyte, vitamin and mineral drink, my wife and I felt the PAW Patrol franchise was a perfect partner since their values mirror our own. The pups now grace the packaging of our SOS Kids line that not only tastes great, but also gives children that boost of hydration—all without the artificial ‘nasties’ and high sugar content of other so-called solutions on the market.”

SOS Kids was specially-formulated for daily hydration by SOS Hydration Co-Founder and board certified Internal Medicine physician Dr. Blanca Lizaola-Mayo to help keep children optimally hydrated, and actually avoid becoming dehydrated in the first place—a condition that compromises the body and mind in a variety of ways. SOS Kids has only three grams of sugar; is boosted with Vitamins A and C, minerals Zinc and Magnesium; and contains no artificial additives—all designed to keep kids ahead of their hydration needs so they can perform better and get more from their days. “The first sign of thirst means you are dehydrated,” notes Dr. Lizaola-Mayo. “SOS helps the body absorb water two to three times faster than drinking water alone and provides a better alternative for children over juices, powders and other sports drinks laden with unnecessary sugar, calories, carbohydrates and additives.”

Mayo added, “SOS Kids is a valuable addition to our popular adult hydration line that is based off independent and 3rd party research for maximum advocacy,” Mayo said. “We’ve also put our product formulas up for independent research so that we can base our claims on fact rather than self-promotional rhetoric. One need only review the ‘How does SOS Compare’ page of our web site to appreciate the comprehensive suite of reasons putting our formula in a scientific league of its own. We want consumers to fully vet us against our competitors as well as published scientific standards so they can truly understand appreciate what sets up apart and makes our product worthy of their hard-earned dollars.”


Forbes Business Council Member Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand analyst, strategist and futurist who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the  “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReports / Twitter www.Twitter.com/LuxeListReports / Facebook www.Facebook.com/LuxeListReports / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

Aguilar to Launch Community Project Funding Tour

First Stop at San Bernardino International Airport

San Bernardino, CA— On Wednesday, September 1st, Rep. Aguilar will kick off a tour to highlight federal funding needs for key community projects in the Inland Empire. The tour stops will feature projects for which Rep. Aguilar secured financial support in the House-passed fiscal year 2022 government funding bills. Aguilar is launching the tour to highlight the urgent need for the Senate to approve the funding to create good-paying jobs, expand access to affordable health care and housing, and support Inland Empire children and veterans. The tour’s first stop will be the San Bernardino International Airport. The House funding bills included $1,000,000 for the airport’s Runway Improvement Project.

“I’m working to secure funding for these projects because the Inland Empire deserves real federal investments. These types of investments create good-paying jobs, revitalize our infrastructure and help ensure families from our region have a chance to succeed. The San Bernardino International Airport is a potential engine for major economic growth in our region, and I’m proud to have advocated for funding that can help realize that potential,” said Aguilar.

Of the ten projects submitted by Aguilar, seven were included for funding when the House passed H.R. 4502 on July 29, 2021. Funding for these projects will become available when the bill is signed into law. The bill is currently pending action in the Senate.

Reporters interested in attending this or any other stop on the Community Projects tour should contact parker.dorrough@mail.house.gov.

Councilman Damon L. Alexander Partners with DMV to Provide Services to the City of San Bernardino Unhoused Population

From the Office of Councilman Damon L. Alexander, Ward 7, it gives us great pleasure to announce the collaboration with California State DMV to provide State identification cards and other DMV services to our unhoused population.

San Bernardino City DMV has set aside specific dates and times for local city organizations to take their unhoused population to the local office to be served. The DMV will provide California State identification along with all other services they deliver during these allotted times.

“While working in the field with Mental Health Systems they mentioned to me how vital identification is to the unhoused to begin the path back into mainstream society. I was told that they had to travel miles to another city for specific appointed dates and times for services for their clients. They wished the DMV located in the city would do the same. Today, we got it done. DMV will provide all services needed to our unhoused population right here in the City of San Bernardino during specific dates and times. I want to thank the DMV for making such a fantastic and much needed service materialize without a glitch. I also want to thank the local organizations that are working so hard to help the City’s unhoused population.”

If you are a local City organization that works with the unhoused population, please contact Renea Wickman at 909.708.4585 for more information how to get your organization involved.

Councilman Damon L. Alexander was recently elected to the 7th Ward in the November 2021 election. Councilman Alexander is married with a blended family of 5 children and 4 grandchildren. He has lived in the City of San Bernardino for over 30 years where he raised his children. The Councilman is a retired Marine and worked 29 years as a Federal Law Enforcement Agent.