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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Inland Area Kwanzaa Group with San Bernardino Valley College will host the 50^th Anniversary Kwanzaa Karamu 2016 on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 4 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley, Business Building Room B-100.

The Karamu celebrates family, community and culture with an African feast of fine foods, dance, song and poetry. This year’s event will be held in memory of Ratibu Jacocks, the Kwanzaa Group’s Co-Chair.

Kwanzaa is an African-American Cultural Holiday, celebrating family, community and Culture and is celebrated throughout the world African Community December 26 to January 1. As an African American and Pan African holiday celebration, the ancient and cultural traditions reflect the best in African and African American thought and practice.

To purchase tickets for $10 each and/or reserve a table for ten, please contact Sheila Umbaji Futch at umbaji@me.com (951) 235-5123 or Wilmer Amina Carter at amina@ef-cbs.com (909) 820-4406.

By Lou Coleman

He will ensnare you and destroy your soul [1Peter 5:8] Make no mistake about it! The Devil does not want you to sell out to God. He wants you to sell out to him. And he will give you every reason in the world to justify the things he wants you to do. Then when you have followed him and are out of God’s will and in trouble, he will discard you like a piece of trash and leave you to rot in your sins! He will chew you up and spit you out! You better know that you know! You see [2 Corinthians 2:11] tells us that Satan desires to gain an “advantage” over us and to do this he will use every trick in the book to get us to follow him into failure. Be careful! For [1 Peter 5:8] tells us that the devil wants us. He wants our family. He wants our testimony. He wants our church. If you have it and it’s from the Lord, he wants it, and to get it, he will do anything! “Don’t Compromise with the Devil!” If you do he will get you into such a shape that the Lord cannot bless and use you at all! If you don’t believe me just read about David, the sweet singer of Israel, the man after God’s own heart, what the devil can do to your life. You follow the devil and you, like David might find yourself in a place of prayer begging God just to restore the joy of your heart and life [Psalms. 51:12].

I tell you I wonder: Just what did the devil tell David to get him to sleep with Bathsheba? Just what did the devil tell Cain to get him to kill Abel? Just what did the devil tell Judas to get him to betray Jesus? I wonder: just what has the devil told you? Because sadly, there are many in the church today that live a compromised life. Being too friendly with the enemy! You cannot walk with God and hold hands with the Devil. You better read the story of Lot. Lot started out with Abram and like him enjoyed the blessings of God, but, he exchanged what Abram could offer for what the world could offer and in the end he lost out! You know Jesus said in [Matthew 6:24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. I wonder: Which direction is your tent pitched – toward Bethel [God’s house] or towards Sodom [The world]?

I tell you it is crucial that you take the steps that are necessary to defeat the devil and walk in victory. You do not have to roll over and play dead while the devil molds you to his will. You need to be like Jesus, who when He was tempted turned to the Word of God and confronted Satan with the truth of the Book and caused the devil to have to flee from His presence. General Rule: “Do Not Give the Devil a Foothold” [Ephesians 4:26-27] To Hell with Satan!

By Lou Coleman

I tell you David said sometimes you just got to encourage yourself. Just look back over your life, yesterday, last week, last month, last year, five years ago, you will discover that you have already gone through enough stuff that should have caused you to lose your mind; but you are still standing. There are others who have gone through less than you went through and committed suicide. Given up on life! But you made it through. Still Standing! Although you’ve been lied on, talked about, criticized, misunderstood, mistreated, you are still standing. Hurt, wounded, knocked down, sick spells, buried loved ones, had to say goodbye to acquaintances, left alone, heartbroken… and you are still standing.  Even though the pain hurts, even though your heart is still healing, even though you still have some tender spots, and your memory is still playing tricks on you… you are still standing. Who am I talking too? May not have as much money as you ought to have, may not have as many friends as you think you deserve, but one thing you can say, “I’m still here.”  And by being here that says one thing, you still have a chance.  You still have an opportunity to reach goals that you have not reached. You still have a chance to get closer to God, and let him use you. Hurt but still standing; Misunderstood but still standing. Almost lost your life but survived the attack, still standing. What the devil meant for evil God turned into good. “They said you wouldn’t make it. They said [you] wouldn’t be, here today. They said [you’ll] never amount to anything…But [you’re] still holding on. Holding on to God’s [unchanging hand] [Lyrics Luther Barnes] though the road has been rough and the goings been mighty tough…” You are still standing!

I tell you when you can persevere through something that should have killed you, and still remain standing; when you can go through crises, and still remain standing; when you can weather the storm and still remain standing; Ah…. Perseverance, preserved, kept in the fire, not kept from the fire… Had to cry yourself to sleep, but you’re still standing. I want you to know that the purpose of this message is to encourage you to know that these can be your words of victory as you face whatever comes your way this week, that at the end you can say, “I’m still standing!” Understanding that you have to go through some things to get to where God wants you to be; betrayal, denial, crucifixion – you’ve got to go through it to get new life.

Let me tell you something, in spite of the issues that came my way, I knew that I had enough in me to withstand it all. And when you know that beyond a reasonable doubt you have what you need inside of you, there is a certain confidence that calms your nerves which is why you don’t have to panic and get hysterical. Why should you crumble under the pressure? When the Word says to you, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” So go ahead and declare that you were built for this. You were built to handle whatever life throws your way. Knowing that the devil tried this before, but the last storm that you came through left you with praise. A praise that the devil couldn’t shake, because it was deep in the Rock. Joy that the devil could take, because it was deep in the Rock. Power that the devil couldn’t defeat, because it was deep in the Rock. And when you’re built on the Rock, Hell can’t move you. Water can’t drown you. Hallelujah! Can I get a witness?

Tom Friend

By Earl Heath

Lt. Col Robert J. Friend is the ultimate Veteran having served his country during WWII. A brief overview of his life goes like this:

Robert J. Friend was born in Columbia, South Carolina on February 28, 1920.  In 1939, he became a student at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he earned a private pilot certificate in the Civilian Pilot Training Program.  In 1942, Mr. Friend joined the Air Force and was sent to Tuskegee Institute for pilot training.

After receiving his wings as an Air Force Pilot, Mr. Friend was promoted to a Lieutenant and at that time was assigned to the 332^nd Fighter Group as a pilot under Col. B.O. Davis, Jr.  He was then sent to Schlfridge Air Force Base in Michigan for flight tactical aircraft transition before his combat tour.  In 1943, Lieutenant Friend reported to the European Theatre of War as a member of Tuskegee Airmen’s Distinguished 322^nd Group, which was a Fighter Pilot Organization.  As a skillful pilot of the P47 and P51 single engine planes, Lieutenant Friend flew as the wing man for the Commander of the group, Col. B.O. Davis.  Lt. Col. Friend also served as Combat Operations Officer at the Squadron and Group levels.

Friend in 2015 turning 95 years old, holding the record as one of the oldest living original Tuskegee Airmen. President Barak Obama, former President George W. Bush and General Mark Welsh III of the United States Air Force acknowledged the occasion by sending their personal birthday wishes to Friend.

“On behalf of the men and women of the United States Air Force, happy 95^th birthday! You belong to a treasured generation of selfless Airmen and your service continues to inspire our Airmen today. The Tuskegee Airmen, especially Red Tail pilots, proved time and time again to be among the most courageous trailblazers of America’s “Greatest Generation,” and we celebrate your role in that elite group.”-General Welsh

This year Friend was recognized at A USC  home game a Hero.inf front of 90.000 at the LA Coliseum.t. Col. Friend is a master bridge player who is well known and respected nationally, and often competes in national tournaments in his spare time. 

Lt. Col. Friend resides in Irvine California.  He has 7 children and numerous grand, great-grand, great-great grandchildren.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Elaine Young spent 20 years teaching students with special needs in Los Angeles before she learned an important lesson — that her retirement benefits did not include health insurance.

“Because I worked six hours a day, my position was considered part time, and my 20 years was only equal to eight to 10 years full time,” Young, 62, recalled. While stunned by the revelation, Young was still determined to retire and put her health insurance issues “in God’s hands.”

Her prayers, she said, were answered last June when she enrolled in a health insurance plan through Covered California, the state agency that helps Californians get name-brand coverage through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — commonly known as Obamacare.

“I absolutely love it. And I would highly recommend it to anyone who does not have health insurance,” Young said.

The fourth open-enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act is underway and continues through Jan. 31, 2017. Californians like Young who need health insurance will find new ways to shop for coverage and new ways to save.

It’s this kind of information that Covered California is spreading statewide during its third annual bus tour. The tour will wind its way from San Diego to northern California starting Nov. 12, stopping at 26 locations in 11 counties and 21 cities over eight days.

The message is clear, says Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “California has built a robust marketplace where insurers are competing for consumers and where there is financial help to buy top-quality insurance.”

More than 92 percent of consumers will have three or more health plans to choose from, and none will have fewer than two, Lee said. He called out Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, Sacramento County and the Bay Area as having large African-

American populations who can benefit from increased coverage and services.

Young receives a subsidy that pays for all but $75 of the $500 monthly premium she would normally be charged.

“I didn’t lose any of my benefits,” said Young, whose coverage began in July after her school district-sponsored coverage expired in June. “There was no lapse in coverage. I’m still with Kaiser and I have my same doctor,” she said.

For 2017, most consumers can save up to $55 per urgent care visit and their copays for seeing their primary care doctor will also be lower.

And, for consumers selecting Silver, Gold or Platinum plans, most of their outpatient services like primary care and specialist visits, lab tests, X-rays and imaging are not subject to a deductible. Emergency room visits for these plans are now a flat fee.

Even consumers in Covered California’s most affordable Bronze plans are able to see their doctor or a specialist three times without having to meet their deductible.

These changes for 2017 can help consumers save thousands of dollars.

“We know health care is expensive, so we took steps to make sure consumers who do buy coverage get the care they need without having to first meet their full deductible,” Lee said.

Approximately 1.4 million people, about 2.5 percent whom are African American, now have coverage through Covered California. Meanwhile, tens of thousands more African-Americans in California remain uninsured, yet most are eligible for thousands of dollars in federal subsidies to help them pay their monthly premiums.

In Los Angeles, enrollment centers are located on the upper level of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and at Price Chapel AME Church on 4000 W. Slauson Ave. at Alviso Avenue. Visit CoveredCA.com to find more locations.

VICTOR VALLEY, CA- Options for Youth (OFY) Victor Valley Region received the Barona Band of Mission Indians Educational Grant Award on November 1 at the Holiday Inn Victorville.  During the Senior Breakfast, Rebecca Tennison from the 21^stDistrict presented Charles Pak, OFY Director of Instructional Operations, with the grant.

On behalf of the 21^st Senate District, the late state Senator Sharon Runner nominated OFY shortly before her death.  It was the only school Runner’s office recommended for the award this year.  The $5,000 grant is given to help selected schools provide materials, including books and computers, and to promote the academic improvement of students statewide.

“Barona has sought after my recommendation for a deserving school in our district; consequently, we have numerous outstanding schools in need in our district,” Runner, R-Lancaster, said in an official letter to OFY. “However, OFY stood out above the many due to the dedication and commitment displayed by OFY leadership, faculty, and staff, as well as the undeniable challenges overcome by your amazing students.”

Runner said that she and her staff “worked diligently with local schools” this past spring semester to ensure high school seniors were informed of state and federal funds available to them through the Cash for College program.  “This is where we witnessed first-hand the genuine great works and remarkable results of OFY.”

Pak said, “OFY is very grateful for the late Senator Sharon Runner’s nomination for the grant.   We are also thankful for the continued support from loyal community members such as the Barona Band of Mission Indians. This generous grant will be used to help fund materials that promote academic improvement and that will benefit current and future students, including books and computers.”

Submitted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Riverside-San Bernardino Area Alumni Chapter

RIVERSIDE, CA- In the wake of the police shooting of Michael Brown in August 2014, as well as the subsequent protests in Ferguson, Missouri and around the country, there has been a call to mandate the use of body-worn cameras to promote accountability and transparency in police civilian interactions. Their widespread use has the potential to be a win-win, helping protect the public against police misconduct, and at the same time helping protect police against false accusations of abuse.

We, the undersigned African American organizations praise the actions of the Riverside County Sheriff and County Board of Supervisors for securing and committing the resources necessary for additional Sheriff officers to wear a body camera. We now ask that a citizen review committee be established to help in the review of the policies that will govern the use of the cameras and the public availability of its footage. There is no doubt in our minds that working together, the implementation of these cameras will strengthen the trust between the African American community and law enforcement.

We further urge other law enforcement agencies throughout the Inland Empire to follow suit.

This course is an intense 4 hour per day airmen knowledge base training for students wishing to earn their FAA Certified Airmen Certificate with a sUAS rating and become Professional UAS Pilots.  The training will be held each Saturday for eight weeks.

This sUAS Student Pilot Prep course is designed to provide a skill set necessary to safely and effectively operate as the Pilot in Command (PIC) of a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) in the national airspace; and to provide sUAS student pilots with a better than working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 107;preparing them to take and pass the Airmen Knowledge Base Test necessary to earn the FAA Certified Pilots Certificate with a sUAS rating.

The course will include both simulated and practical applications and 16 additional hours of hands on flight training; a total of 56 Training Hours.

This is a high paying career of the future. Become a professional Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot and earn big. Don’t procrastinate and Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. If you enjoy flying drone or are the least bit curious and, looking for a career of the future.

Call them today at (909) 353-2477 to request more info and to register. Your future in UAS Aviation  is waiting for you.

By Lou Coleman

It can be very difficult to work with a Scorpio as a co-worker. Ain’t that right Mr. Allen? LOL… The Scorpio needs to be in charge professionally and does better in those jobs that will allow them flexibility and freedom to be in control. I’m talking about Naomi “The Marketer” Riggins; Lou Coleman, “The Whatever”, Naomi “The Editor” Bonman, and Lucretia “Ain’t No Stopping Me” Dowdy, strong, commanding, intense, passionate and zealous. Driven, dedicated and loyal. Ambitious and security-loving Scorpio women independent and determined individuals. We will only strive to reach high goals, and we will let nothing get in our way of accomplishing these goals. We will do whatever is necessary to meet goals and don’t care whose feet we must step on in order to accomplish those goals. Watch out now!   Even though we as one celebrate our birthday’s this month, we want to send a shout out to all who are November born. Happy Birthday to You! Now as we go and cut the cake be good to yourselves and one another….Leaving the stage singing….Happy Birthday to Us! Happy Birthday!

By Wallace Allen IV

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Experts say that reading to babies and toddlers improves their learning potential. San Bernardino County’s First 5 Program added talking and singing to the formula at last Saturday’s “Talk, Read, Sing Fest” at the Highland Library. At least 100 children visited the event and received access to a variety of activities.

They received free books and piggy banks (No they were not full of money). There was also face painting, a magic show, plus a short concert! In addition to the fun stuff, there was a resource fair that provided valuable information to the many parents in attendance.

The free event was from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call First 5 for information regarding upcoming events being scheduled for young children at (909) 386-7706.