James L. Mulvihill

By Keith McCarter, B.S., J.D.

During a heated campaign last November for the 7^th Ward City Council Seat of San Bernardino City, James L. Mulvihill, placed first with over 6 percent more votes than the next highest vote getter.  There were five candidates, but yet he received the lion’s share of the votes.  I must say, this was quite impressive.

Some went so far as to blame Mr. Mulvihill for all of the city problems.  This was a bit absurd taking into consideration there are seven council people and one mayor who also has a say in the direction of the city’s agenda, but none the less, some swore up and down that Mr. Mulvihill, who has been sitting in his current council seat for only two  years, was apparently the problem for all the problems of the city which has been developing for well over 15 years.

Despite the tenor of the Campaign leading up to the November 2015 election, after receiving the highest number of votes, Mr. Mulvihill reached out to those who did not win the election.  Not only did he reach out, but he offered to make at least one of his previous competitors a part of the city‘s political structure by appointing him to the San Bernardino Police Commission.  Now this police commission appointee can continue his interest in making San Bernardino a safe place for us all.  This act of civility shows that Mr. Mulvihill is genuinely concerned about making San Bernardino City better by placing highly qualified and motivated competitors in key positions of the city’s structure.

Mr. Mulvihill appointed Mr. Damon Alexander to the San Bernardino City Police Commission.  Mr Alexander is the first federal law enforcement officer on the commission.

Many say you can measure the success of a person by the depth of his character.  The character of Mr. Mulvihill dictates that his success as councilman shall be predestined.  Now we see that Mr. Mulvihill’s true color is not that of gloating nor selfishness but that of teamwork and a true commitment to the betterment of our city.

LOS ANGELES, CA-Celebrating 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will bring their unrivaled family show to the Los Angeles area, during their 90^th Anniversary World Tour. The Globetrotters’ Southland game schedule follows:

Anaheim at Honda Center on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m., and 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at 2 p.m.; Mission Viejo at the Saddleback College Gym on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.; Santa Barbara at the UCSB Events Center on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7pm.; Ontario at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.; and  Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, at 12:30 p.m., and 5:45 p.m.

On the court, the Globetrotters’ 90-year celebration will feature some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet. With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm– plus female stars TNT Maddox and Sweet J Ekworomadu* – the Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. Every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

Tickets for the southland shows can be accessed at harlemglobetrotters.com.

Wiz Khalifa

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- HIGH TIMES is returning for the 2016 HIGH TIMES SoCal Medical Cannabis Cup—and this time, they’re  bringing you TWO weekends of amazing music, cultural and lifestyle exhibitors, exclusive VIP experiences, and tons of seminars—all surrounded by high-quality cannabis products.  The cup will take place on Saturday, January 30 to Sunday, February 7 from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the National Orange Show Events Center (NOS) in San Bernardino. The line-up will consist of high-flying global music sensations, which include The Roots and De La Soul on January 30, Wiz Khalifa on February 5, and Method and Redman on February 6.

The HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup is the world’s leading marijuana trade show, celebrating the world of ganja through competitions, instructional seminars, expositions, celebrity appearances, concerts and product showcases. Hosted in states that have legalized medical and recreational marijuana, the Cannabis Cup stands as the foremost gathering place for the cannabis community to network and celebrate.

Going strong for nearly three decades, the HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup is the most established and trusted cannabis competition in the marijuana industry, continually fighting for political liberation, equality and patient’s rights for cultivators and consumers of the plant.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit hightimes.com.

Marques Houston

UNITY JAM presented by Involved Records this Friday is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE!

R&B singer Marques Houston and rapper Knoc Turn’AL will be live this Friday in the Santa Monica at Club Dragon Fly. There will be performances from other talented artists including LUE Productions very own GWAAP FAM; hosted by Comedian Anthony Stone!

Tickets are only $10.00. This will be a red carpet event so please come dressed to impress.  Doors open at 8:30 we hope to see you there. Until next week San Bernardino Strong and L’s! For tickets contact LUE at (909) 567-1000.

By Naomi K. Bonman

In the music world, especially the Hip-Hop, Rap world, we don’t hear about too many female bosses running things. We hear about the Diddy’s, the Jay-Z’s, the Tyrese’s, and the list of top male bosses in the game goes on. But not too many can name or know of that many women bosses in the industry, so whenever I come across one or meet one, I have to salute and give them their props, and recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Toi.

Ms. Toi is back on the scene with her new album I Am A Warrior, brought to you by the production of Mr. Payback of Heat Makaz Production. This dynamic duo has brought together some of the West Coast Greatest emcees such as, “Original Gangsta” featuring E-40 or “Green Like That Green” featuring Ice Cube and Yuk Mouth, even “Don’t Call Me” featuring Lil’ Wayne and the great late Tupac Shakur. I Am A Warrior captures the raw essence of females in Hip-Hop like the first song called “Set It Off” featuring Yo-Yo, Suga T and Sylk E Fyne. This song makes you want to go see the movie again and again with this playing in the background. Other producers who gave great assistance on this incredible album are Mike from Starrlab Productions who did the title song, “I Am a Warrior” that bangs in the club and overseas giving you her hardcore edge through Ms. Toi’s lyrical delivery.

In addition to being an emcee, Ms. Toi is the CEO of G.O. Entertainment, LLC. In the video interview below, Ms. Toi chats on her upcoming projects, how she got started in the industry, and she introduces one of her artists on the label that is ready to take the industry to new heights!

Top left: Jackie Robinson, Courtesy of Hulton Archive Getty Images; Top right: Misty Copeland, Courtesy of Urban Romances, Inc; Bottom left: MERCY STREET’s Aurelia Johnson (Shalita Grant), Courtesy of Antony Platt/PBS; Bottom right: THE BLACK PANTHERS Eldridge Cleaver, Berkeley, Courtesy of Jeffrey Blankfort

PBS is highlighting the African-American experience through content on air on PBS member stations, online through the PBS Black Culture Connection and through a series of community conversations that will engage viewers in an exploration of African-American history and culture. In addition to documentaries airing in February featuring those who helped influence integration and inclusion, throughout 2016 PBS will also feature programs about moments in history that helped shape race relations today. Please visit PBS.org for more information.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Jesus said, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” [Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:15] What part of that do you not understand? Running around like a chicken with your head cut-off!  What’s wrong with you? You are threading on dangerous grounds! Make up your mind! God wants wholehearted dedication or nothing! I tell you, in our foolishness we prove what we treasure the most; delight in the most; and what we desire more than anything. We gather and gather but we become more and more foolish. Time out for foolishness!

Listen, God is NOT SLACK! We MUST understand that! He WILL PERFORM His good work, and WILL bring His Word to pass! And He says that He does not want ANY of us to perish, but that we should ALL come to REPENTANCE! “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise men, redeeming the time…” [Ephesians 5:16]. The good news for us is that God just didn’t let his people go into sin [2 Chronicles 36:15] He sent messenger after messenger, prophet after prophet, judge after judge, king after king—to warn them. And He is still sending warnings. Let him that has an ear hear what the Spirit is saying. Warning comes before destruction!

You know, I believe that our world has just about reached the limit of God’s mercy and forbearance. Man’s pride and arrogance, his greed and selfishness, his violence and brutality have reached a level which is intolerable. Surely, the end must come soon. God, of course, will not destroy this world without first warning us of the impending doom, which most of us will ignore the warnings, just as they did in Noah’s time. Noah preached to the people for 120 years, trying to warn them of what was going to happen, but none would listen. They mocked and ridiculed as he gave the warning that rain would fall to such an extent that the whole world would be flooded. They laughed and insulted as he constructed the ark which carried him and his family safely through the flood. The people would not believe Noah because it had never rained on the earth before. Rain was an utter impossibility, they said; and the people continued the evil and violence so detestable to God. I want you to know that the decisions you make in this life will have consequences later. I want you to know that the decisions you make in this life will affect not only you but others close to us.

One thing that Joshua wanted to make clear [Joshua 24] to the people of God; there was no room for compromise or divided loyalties!  The Israelites could serve the Lord or they could choose to serve the false gods of Mesopotamia or Canaan; but they couldn’t do both!  Joshua said to the people, “If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” Joshua’s message had come from a God who could see in their tents the various idols that they were already keeping in their possession; but in addition He could see into their hearts and know that they were “inclined” in another direction.  Thus they needed the call not only to choose, but a call to commit. Joshua urged them to declare their choice by making anew their covenant with God to serve Him only.  Joshua’s challenge is still a valid one [Joshua 24:14-28]. You need to make up your mind! Choose this day Whom you will serve! You say you want to go to heaven; but you want to live like the world. You can’t do both! Understand that continued faith in God would bring abundant blessings from Him; but rejection of God would bring all the harsh consequences of punishment God has already decreed (Matthew 25:46).

I want you to know that God does not invite us to serve Him “Someday;” the operative word in His invitation is “Today.” I tell you; sometimes we need to be challenged to make a choice!  Sometimes we need to be challenged to make the right choice!  Sometimes we need to be challenged to see the consequences of our choices!  But sometimes we need to be challenged to make the choice now!  Will you make it now?

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live.” [Deuteronomy 30:19].

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- Yes that is Michelle Obama’s voice passengers hear when riding on Omnitrans buses.  Her public service announcement is among messages delivered through an onboard GPS-based audio advertising service recently implemented by Omnitrans.

Through a contract with Commuter Advertising, based in Dayton, Ohio, Omnitrans buses play short audio advertisements which can be delivered at specified times or locations.  For example, a restaurant could advertise a breakfast special between 6 and 8 a.m., or a book store could let passengers know they are located near the next bus stop.  A scrolling onboard LED text message supports the audio advertisement.

This month, Omnitrans audio advertising includes a public service announcement from First Lady Michelle Obama called “Better Make Room.” It’s part of the First Lady’s Reach Higher initiative to inspire every student in America to continue their education past high school.  “You’re about to arrive,” she tells young people. “And the world better make room.” Listen to the PSA.

Omnitrans shares in the revenue generated by paid advertising. “But a greater value to Omnitrans is the ability to use the system to deliver key information to our own customers,” said spokesperson Wendy Williams. “We can inform riders of upcoming service changes, promote our online store, or offer travel tips.  It’s really the most effective way to reach all our customers.”

Since the system taps into Omnitrans existing GPS technology, there is no cost to Omnitrans other than staff time to upload the latest batch of messages.  Commuter Advertising produces the audio files, which are typically 15 seconds long.

Omnitrans is the first transit system on the west coast to offer onboard advertising. Commuter Advertising operates in 11 media markets in the United States.  Founded in 2008, Commuter Advertising sends hyper-targeted digital messages over bus notification systems that inform passengers of products, services and sales at nearby businesses using the vehicles’ GPS technology and software created by the company.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The Select Committee on the Status of Girls and Women of Color, co-chaired by Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), will host a hearing on Friday, January 22 featuring minority business owners and corporate executives in an effort to create a pipeline to corporate America and entrepreneurship for young women of color in California.

“The focus of this Select Committee hearing is to highlight women of color who work in business and corporate America,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “Our speakers will reflect on the paths they have taken and the obstacles they have overcome in their various professions. Our goal is to improve opportunities for women of color.”

Several panelists ranging from California universities to corporate businesses are scheduled to appear and discuss what California can do to increase entrepreneurship and corporate participation among women of color.  

Featured guests include executive administrators from Webb Family Enterprises, Boeing, Lyft, Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Starbucks. Additional panelists include Kimberly Freeman, Assistant Dean for Diversity Initiatives and Community Relations, UCLA; Dr. Adina Sterling, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford University; Dr. Michele Turner, Executive Director of the Black Alumni Association, USC; and more.

Members of the public are welcome to testify during public comment. Those who cannot attend may submit their written testimony by email toShannon.McKinley@asm.ca.gov.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Fontana City Hall, located at 8353 Sierra Avenue.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

RIVERSIDE, CA —”It takes a village to raise a child” is a wise African American proverb and the premise behind the upcoming summit taking place this month. The Riverside Branch NAACP and the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire are joining forces to unite the Black social, professional, faith-based, and fraternal organizations in Riverside County to answer the call of addressing the needs of young Black girls and boys. The Riverside African American Village Summit will take place Saturday, January 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cross Word Christian Church, located at 21401 Box Springs Road in Moreno Valley.

The Riverside African American Village Summit will address nine important priorities:

Advocate for state and local policy (advocacy); Develop youth leaders in Moreno Valley, Perris and Riverside; Groom young men of color for entrepreneurship/circulating Black dollars; Reform school discipline policies; Expose young men of color to professional, technology, and trade careers; Work to fully implement Proposition 47; Teach the importance of the church in addressing issues; Create stable and consistent mentoring programs; and Black parenting.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is the first of a series of summits launched to address these pertinent issues. Partners and sponsors include: Boys and Men of Color Alliance, Moreno Valley Sons and Brothers Coalition, NAACP Riverside Branch #1059, 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire Inc., Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce, Moreno Valley Islamic Center, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, C.O.P.E., and African American Coalition.

The Riverside African American Village Summit is free and open to the public. Join the discussion! All African American’s in Riverside County are encouraged to come. Please register at villagesummit.eventbrite.com.