What it do with Lue

What It Do With the LUE: Bernice Celeste

Bernice Celeste

Bernice Celeste

What up my I.E. peeps and everybody! Singing Sensation Bernice Celeste is What It Do with the LUE this week. When it comes to raw talent, this young lady has it hands down. I was mesmerized the first time I heard Bernice sing and play. You can’t help but to fall in love with her angelic voice. So here’s more on my girl. Enjoy!

Bernice Celeste is a 21 year old singer/songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. At the age of 10 her family relocated to the States where they lived in New Mexico, Texas, and South Carolina. Along the way her passion for singing grew immensely that the time came when she asked her parents to relocate back to Los Angeles in order to pursue her dream. As an independent artist, Bernice is progressing to be the next big solo artist in the industry. The songs she writes about are either life experiences or events witnessed throughout her life. Bernice first started singing at age 7; throughout her school years she was involved in choir. She began playing the guitar at age 14 which she self-taught and at a later time she took guitar lessons. By taking lessons, it helped her to write her own lyrics.

Her unique sound is that of a mixture of Pop/Acoustic. Growing up her music influences were given by her parents and grandparents who listen to music like R&B, Oldies, Motown, Beatles, Classic Rock and 80’s Pop. During her middle and high school years she was influenced by Alternative Rock, Folk and what was popular on the top 40’s. For the last 6 years she has been performing throughout the Los Angeles, Orange and Inland Empire counties. She has also performed in venues like The Cinespace, The Roxy, The House of Blues, Aqua Lounge and The Pomona Fox Theater Lounge. She had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem for the Inland Empire 66ers Minor League baseball that is in her hometown.

Bernice has performed at community events and foundations from The Britticares for the CHLA foundation, to one’s that deal with cancer awareness, battered woman, and underprivileged young girls, to feeding the homeless in her own community. Bernice has featured as a special guest on several internet radio stations including, The 3 Guys Rant, David Alcarez Talent show, CGD Live Radio, The Heart Of, and Monivision Live. She recently was contacted and is having her new single, “Falling Fast” in rotation at the Coyote Radio which is one of the biggest internet radios in Southern California and country!

You can catch her performing live for the kids Tuesday, December 22 at Ribs located at 2360 Sterling Avenue in San Bernardino at 2 p.m. for LUE Productions and Drac Entertainments special event, “THE GIFT of GIVING”. Keep an eye out for this up and coming artist you won’t regret it!! Until next week – SAN BERNARDINO STRONG & L’z!

Letter to the Editor: My Condolences to San Bernardino From China

Penny Li

Penny Li

By Penny Li, ??

My condolences go out to the victims’ family of the December 2, 2015 horrific incident.  I am from China and I have come to San Bernardino for two weeks for the purposes of requesting for the City of San Bernardino to Re-instate the Sister City program for China.  This trip was planned much before the horrific incident.

The December 2 act of cowardice could not deter our motivation to build a bridge between our two cultures.  We propose for the city to reinstate the Sister City Program for China, allow international exchange participants to volunteer for the city of San Bernardino to help share the language and culture, and for San Bernardino to support the newly created International Business Expo, which has been initiated by Keith McCarter of McCarter University for the purposes of encouraging cooperation between our Chinese company participants and your local businesses.

I and a few of my colleagues will be speaking at the December 21 city council meeting to request for the city to place these items on the agenda.  These plans were submitted to the city far before December 2 and we believe that now, more than ever, is a good time for the city to consider making positive international connections to create positive international programs to enhance the future prospect of success for the companies and citizenry here within.

We wish to invite all members of the public to come listen to our short presentation and feel free to offer your support of our plans and project.  Lastly, unlike many other proposed programs, this program will not cost the city one red cent, but it has the potential of bringing elevated profits to the city directly, indirectly and to its businesses.  We will appreciate your support and again, we wish to offer our condolences to the victims of December 2.

 

 

KhyKel Music Enterprises and the Beat Series Present the “Music is a Part of Everyday Life” Toy Drive

LOS ANGELES, CA- Music is a part of everyday life! We hear it on TV, radio, even the sounds of traffic produce music. With music all around us, Torrey Adams, founder of KhyKel Music Enterprises and The Beat Series, has started an initiative to expose children to the positivity of music by way of the “Music is a Part of Everyday Life” Campaign.

On Tuesday, December 22, they will contribute to the initiative with a toy drive giving to non-profit organizations, which include House Full of Toys, the Boys and Girls Club of Carson, the Fernando Pullum Community Center and Christ Centered Community Church. Not only will the event tie music to everyday life, but it will also show children the importance of philanthropy.

Held at the Carson Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the first annual “Music is a Part of Everyday Life” Toy Drive will include engaging elements such as a talent contest, a photo booth, live performances and more. All attendees are urged to participate in the philanthropic efforts by bringing an unwrapped toy, canned goods, or used musical instrument(s) and/or equipment to donate to any of the participating non-profit organizations.

The campaign was kicked-off last month with a music workshop hosted at Imperial Square Music Studios in Santa Fe Springs, CA. The workshop educated the attendees on the behind-the-scenes magic that happens during the music-making process. All in attendance learned about music terminology, the dynamics of the studio (from its geometric layout to the placement of the instruments) and participated in a live recording session. The next workshop is scheduled to resume early 2016.

Bringing Love to Mourning Families for the Holidays

VICTORVILLE, CA- On Sunday, December 20, Recording Artist Justified and Men of Faith In Action, will be teaming up with non-profit organization Living Life After Death, which out to Families who are in mourning after losing a loved one.

“It’s rough during these holidays without my wife,” Justified stated. “I know my kids go through it, and I just want to be a blessing to this charity and help them raise money so they can continue to bless other families going through what I’m going through.”

Together, Justified and Living Life After Death, will be hosting a Holiday Giveaway at the High Desert Performing Arts Center located at 15615 8th Street in Victorville. They are excepting the community to get involved and come out with unwrapped blessings to bless the less fortunate. Although this is typically a toy drive, Justified and partner Terry Boykins, CEO of Street Positive, want to encourage people to bring out a blessing that can bless other households during this season, these items include the basic necessities, such as toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, baby supplies, and more.

During the event tickets will be sold for the “Dinner with Dad” event that will be held on Thursday, January 7 at Hometown Buffet located at 14689 Valley Center Drive in Victorville from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Street Positive has agreed to pay for up to 100 children’s meals for “Dinner with Dad”. For each ticket sold at the holiday giveaway event, up to four children’s meals will be covered accompanied by the adult with the dinner ticket. Justified has a strong faith that the community will come out and support both of these events and be a blessing to the City of Victorville.

 

Our Friend, Our Brother, Our Village Chief…Your Trees Yield Much Fruit!

Ratibu

Ratibu

Obituary Written By Carl Dameron

Ratibu Shadidi (William Henry Jacocks) joined his ancestors on Thursday evening, December 10 at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana.  Ratibu is survived by his wife, Wilmer Amina Carter of nearly 35 years.  They were joined as one in 1984 and reaffirmed their marriage in 1994.

Jacocks is remembered for his vision and passion, which will continue through his wife Amina, his children, Anye Imani; Malaika Jacocks Dameron (Kamau); Jamala Shaw (Rubani) and eight grandchildren:  Tariki (Shani), Daima (Shiane), Amina 2 (Darian), Shaila, Akiba (Tayah), Halisi (Darius) Nia, and Miadi (Braelynn).  His brother, James; sisters: Jean, Catherine, Odessa and many other loving relatives.

Ratibu was the co-owner of Elegant Floors and Creative Businesses Services with Amina. Ratibu was also an entrepreneur, author, lobbyist and political consultant. He is a published author of “Incidents, Struggles, and Devine Intervention: Memoirs of Ratibu Jacocks.”

Ratibu was also a community activist, Sunday School Teacher for more than 30 years; Chair, Inland Area Kwanzaa Group; Treasurer, Westside Action Group; Distinguished Toastmaster; Life Member – National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Longtime Travelers Aid Volunteer, Ontario Airport; Member – Black History Parade Committee; Member – Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee; Black Student Union Advisor  at Bloomington High School; attended the 1995 Million Man March; Tumanini Teacher at San Bernardino Valley College and coordinated Saturday Morning Speakers – a youth speaking club.

Ratibu is predeceased by his Parents, James Alfred and Annie Mae Jacocks. The services are at new Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday December 17.  New Hope is located at 1575 west 17th Street in San Bernardino.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wilmer Amina Carter Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 332, Rialto CA 92377.

 

“A House is Not a Home!”

Lou Coleman

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t get it twisted!  Don’t fool yourself and don’t be fooled. Unless your house is built by wisdom and established by understanding, your house is not a home. [Proverbs 24:3] And just so that we are on the same page, I want you to know that I’m not talking about your physical house, I’m talking about your spiritual house. You see in [Matthew 7:24–27] Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. One man built his house on the sand while the other built his house on the Rock. In this context, building on the sand speaks of people who hear the Gospel, but instead of believing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement. They are driven by outward, religious appearances and faith in themselves, rather than faith in Jesus. People who build their house on the sand hear the Gospel and believe its general message, but they choose to follow God on their own terms. To them, His Word is open to interpretation. If He commands them to do something they will obey if they choose to. If they don’t like it they won’t do it. People who build their house on the sand they build the house of their lives on self-will, self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness. Theirs is a works based religion that has the appearance of being right but that lacks the power to save the soul. As [2 Timothy 3:5] says, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof…” People who build their house on the sand believe they can pray a prayer, sign a card, join a church, and all will be well. People who build their house on the sand can turn it on and off like flipping a switch. They can be in today and out tomorrow.

But then while one man built his house on the sand, the other dug deep. He dug until he reached the bedrock and built his house on the Rock. The Rock does not move. It is unchanging and stable. Building on the Rock speaks of people who hear the Gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it. People who build their house on the Rock understand that Jesus alone has the power to save their souls. People who build their house on the Rock hear God’s Word and they conforms their lives to it. People who build their house on the Rock, they hear the truth about Jesus and they believe it. They embrace it. They yield to it. The message changes their lives. What God tells them to do in His Word, they do. What God warns them not to do, they avoid. They pay any price, walk any path, and do anything the Lord tells them to do. They love Him, honor Him, and obey Him. I’m talking about people who build their house on the Rock.

I want you to know that the parable tells us that the rain came, the flood followed, and the wind of destruction blew. This image is not just about some storm in life. This is the image of judgment. In the end both houses were subjected to a terrible storm of judgment. One house stood, the other was totally destroyed. The house that was built on the sand could not face the withering judgment of God, and it collapsed. Jesus said, “And great was the fall of it.” This means that the house was utterly destroyed. There was nothing left to show for the life lived within it. Everything was destroyed and swept away as if it had never existed. But as far as the house that was built on the Rock. It experienced the same storm. The rain, the flood and the wind “beat upon” the house. This house was battered, but it stood against the storm that was thrown against it. This house was shaken, but it did not fall. It stood on a firm foundation, and it weathered the storm. I want you to know that there is a storm coming; a day of judgment; a day when every person will face God.  I ask you, how is your foundation? If you haven’t built your house on the Rock, today is today. What is your life; but a vapor that appears for a while, and then disappear. Establish your firm foundation today!

 

Come Celebrate the Holidays During Target Sundays at CAAM: Holiday Remix, Kwanzaa Thaaang

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) is pleased to announce Target Sundays at CAAM – Holiday Remix & Kwanzaa Thaaang! The event will take place Sunday, December 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Enjoy classic standards reimagined, with a host of great talent to warm the holidays.  Co-hosted by Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, Target Sundays at CAAM will include live performances, a free art workshop and holiday shopping.

The holiday fete will include performances on CAAM’s main stage from singers Peggi Blu, AEJAYE, Harlem Lee and Ileana Garcia, as well as the Long Beach Dance Academy: Movers & Shakers.  Also, get some holiday shopping done at the Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa marketplace.  Local educator and artist Teresa Tolliver will host a free art workshop where participants can make their own holiday gift for that special someone.  The art workshop is open to all ages and supplies are provided by CAAM.

CAAM encourages all to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Los Angeles Food Bank. This event is free and open to the public. CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. Parking is $10 and located at 39th and Figueroa Streets.  Take Los Angeles Metro’s Expo Line and exit the Expo Park/USC stop.  For more information on CAAM visit www.caamuseum.org or call (213) 744-7432.

Ritchie Elected New President of County Board Of Education

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Alen Ritchie was elected as the new president of the San Bernardino County Board of Education during its meeting on December 7.

Ritchie, who was the vice president of the Board, takes over the presidency from Mark Sumpter, who held the position for the past year. In addition, Sherman Garnett was elected vice president of the Board.

Ritchie has served on the Board since 2008. He represents Trustee Area E, which includes the districts of Bear Valley, Colton, Morongo, Redlands and Yucaipa-Calimesa.

Garnett, who was elected to the Board in 2014, represents Trustee Area B, which includes the districts of Alta Loma, Central, portions of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy, Ontario-Montclair and Upland.

The Board establishes policy, adopts an annual budget, approves building plans and hears student expulsion, inter-district transfer and charter school appeals. The Board meets monthly, regularly the first Monday of the month.

Obituary: Terence Larae McGee

Terence Larae McGee

Terence Larae McGee

Terence Larae McGee went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the age of 50.   Terence was born to Betty Jean Johnson and Harrell McGee on January 11, 1965 in San Bernardino, California.  Terence graduated from Cajon High School in 1983 and was a third generation member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino where he served on many ministries over the years, which included Evangelism, Men’s Choir and Layman.  Terence had a strong, bold faith in the Lord and he shared the goodness of Jesus Christ with those who crossed his path.  Terence believed his life’s purpose was to be the love and protection of family and he spent countless years serving up spiritual encouragement weekly to those who are sick and in long-term care centers.

Terence is survived by his daughters Colibri McGee and Satyn Bailey; his grandson, Titan Bailey; his Father John Funderburk; his brother Courtney McGee and wife Cheryl McGee and their children Tyne McGee, Patrick St. Louis, Courtney McGee Jr., and Kestin McGee; his sister Regina Winston and husband Delbert Winston and their daughter Faith Winston; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1575 W. 17th Street in San Bernardino on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 10 a.m.  Repast will also be held at New Hope Church immediately following interment.  Harrison-Ross Mortuary will be assisting the family.

For more information, please contact New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at (909) 887-2526.

Congratulations, Damon Alexander

Damon Alexander

Damon Alexander

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Damon Alexander accepted the 7th Ward seat on San Bernardino’s Board of Police Commissioners. With his Federal law enforcement background, that includes participation in San Bernardino’s recent violence, and his leadership in community organizations, including the American Legion, he will improve and expand the Board’s effectiveness in fighting crime in San Bernardino.