Local

Lula McMorris Thomas

Lula McMorris Thomas, a native of Columbus, Ohio and a resident of San Bernardino County for 55 years, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at St. Bernardine’s Hospital in San Bernardino, CA. She was 89-years-old.

Funeral services will be held at Harrison Ross Mortuary located at 738 E. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 11 a.m., with visitation on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the same address.

She leaves to cherish her memory to her children: Marcus Thomas, Philip-Michael Thomas, Michelle Roby, Karen Thomas Robinson, Anita Haynes, George Thomas, Crystal Thomas, and her Grandson, Forrest Darnell Thomas she raised as a son; thirty-five (35) grandchildren, thirty-seven (37) great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.

Burial will be Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd., in Riverside, CA.

Roxanne Williams

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino Six Ward voters will elect a new representative to the San Bernardino City Council at a special election on Tuesday, February 2. Bessine Littlefield-Richard and Roxanne Williams are knocking on doors throughout the Sixth Ward seeking voter support as they compete for the City Council seat.

Both candidates ran strong passionate campaigns for the leadership position. The question asked by many is, “Will the voters be as passionate about choosing leadership and get out to vote?  The general election in November drew only a small percentage of eligible voters, despite the fact that the City is transitioning out of bankruptcy and needs competent leaders.

Bessine Littlefield-Richard

The candidates will meet to debate their qualifications and platforms for the City Council seat on Monday, January 11 at the Ingram Community Center located at 2050 N. Mt Vernon Avenue beginning at 6 p.m. The Forum is sponsored by the Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee.   The candidates have been sent some questions in advance so that they will have time to research their responses as needed. The audience will also be able to present questions to the candidates. The candidates will also be given the opportunity to comment on any item or issue that is not included on the question list.

The candidates have been sent the following questions: What is your vision for Mt Vernon Ave and what is your plan? What is the status of the State Street Extension and your thoughts/plan to complete it? What do you know about the City’s Receivership Program… Does it allow for San Bernardino 6^th ward residents to participate as investors? Should it? What will you do to make that program work for 6^th Ward Residents?

The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, hosts the 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast to be held on January 18^th at 7:30am at California State University Coussoulis Arena, in San Bernardino. We invite the entire city to join us at our new location, Cal State University San Bernardino, come out and help us salute a man’s whose legacy continues to thrive in our hearts as we work together to build a better world.

This year we are asking all to join us in a spectacular reenactment of a “Civil Rights Freedom Ride” to City Hall on Omni Trans SBX bus for our after breakfast festivities and our “March’ around the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue located in front of San Bernardino City Hall. Guided by our own 6^th Ward Council member Rikke Van Johnson. Omni-Trans has so graciously provided coupons to travel from Cal State University San Bernardino, to City Hall and back, to culminate our celebration activities as we traditionally do in a final “March” around the statue. This year’s program feature includes, Patrick Hewitt renowned artist, who will tell you short stories about Dr. Rosa Parks and her contribution to the civil rights era and also his endeavor to commemorate her memory. Mrs. Vickie Lee-Nichols will render and explosive drama rendition depicting the periods of which the civil rights and recent tragedies have given us hope!

Please contact our office at 909-474-7036 to purchase a ticket or table for the breakfast, to obtain a coupon for the “Civil Rights Freedom Ride”.  We are still accepting sponsorship especially tables to be provided for youth.  This is an educational opportunity event you will not want to miss, your youth, or family to lose out on. A generational experience, to treasure for years to come!

The bus route map can be found on the back of our fliers, and coupons can be received with a ticket purchase, or prior notification by contacting the office.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- At approximately 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino Police Department received a 911 text from a woman having a heart attack and was able to dispatch fire personnel to her in time to save her life.

The text came from a 52-year-old woman who lives alone in her San Bernardino home and is hearing impaired. With this new system, which was officially rolled out just two weeks ago on December 10, the woman was able to summon immediate assistance and fire personnel transported her to St. Bernadine’s Medical Center where she is expected to make a full recovery

“This is a huge step toward ensuring the safety of the speech and hearing impaired residents of our communities and also represents a vital mechanism toward getting help to those whose safety would be further jeopardized by audibly calling 911,” said San Bernardino Police Department Lieutenant Mike Madden.  “The ‘Call when you can – Text when you can’t.’ Text-to-911 technology possibly helped in saving a life today.   We are also immensely thankful to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for spearheading this project and making our region the driving force in the Western United States in text-to-911.”

The San Bernardino County law enforcement agencies that can accept the 911 texts are Barstow, Chino, CHP Barstow and Inland Empire, Colton, Cal State San Bernardino, Fontana, Mon       tclair, Ontario, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino City, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Valley and Desert Dispatch Centers, and Upland.

PALM SPRINGS, CA- Gearing up for another outstanding season of cultural festivities, the Palm Springs Black History Committee invites members of the community to participate in its yearly ceremonial Gospel Fest. The event, which heralds the official kickoff of the year’s Black History Month celebrations, is scheduled to take place Sunday, January 31, 2016.

Promising to be an afternoon rooted in culture and tradition, the Gospel Fest will set the pace for the 2016 Black History Month theme “Hallowed Grounds of African American History.”  It aims to highlight the rich cultural legacy upon which the Palm Springs African American community has forged here in the desert region.

“Gospel music has always been important to our community,” says Linda Gray, Gospel Fest committee chairperson and long time Palm Springs resident. “It has been a means by which we gather and communicate to express our spirituality along with our connection to each other.”

According to Gray, the Gospel Fest has traditionally held a very significant role in the Black History Month celebrations. It first started out as an all community choir made up of desert residents from across the Coachella valley.  The choir, which sung at the grand opening celebration, became the official launch to the season’s programming.  This tradition soon evolved into an event all within itself allowing the Gospel Fest to garner the position as the official opening of Black History Month for the Desert residents. It serves as a catalyst to gather the community and set the tone for the festivities to come.

Members of the community of all ages are invited to participate as we gather to celebrate and share the vast talent represented in our region. The event is scheduled to take place United Methodist Church 1555 E. Alejo Road in Palm Springs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission to the general public is $2. The deadline for talent to apply is Friday, January 15, 2016. For more information contact Linda.gray@palmspringsca.gov or visit www.Palmspringsblackhistory.org

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Sunday, December 20, the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. held its annual “Shop with a Kappa” gift giving event for Riverside County children.  The shopping extravaganza was held in partnership with the Riverside Wal-Mart on Canyon Springs Parkway, where children and their families shopped the aisles for much needed items.

“Giving to families and enhancing the lives of children is what Christmas is truly about,” says Polemarch Demarius Carmichael.  “I think our fraternity members had as much fun giving as the children had receiving.”

Each child received a $100 store gift certificate from a Kappa sponsor, which enabled him or her to purchase toys and essentials.  Upon checking out, the Wal-Mart management team greeted children with goodie bags and snacks.

“The children seemed very excited about the event,” says parent Angela Coggs, whose son Yonathan is a youth Kappa League member.  “Many of them were selfless and wanted to select gifts that would not only benefit them, but their entire families.”

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international Greek Letter fraternity that was founded in 1911.  It has more than 150,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters.  The Riverside Alumni Chapter is actively involved in community service and youth mentoring.  Its annual scholarship fundraisers and charitable events, which include an annual Thanksgiving food drive and Shop with a Kappa, enable families to receive much needed support.

To learn more about the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and its programs, please visit www.rackapsi.com.

Youth Performers and Community Youth at the Event

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- This year, Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown proudly supported Young Visionaries’ 10th Annual Toy Giveaway and Resource Fair at Living Way Church in Fontana.

Nearly 1,500 residents attended the event, which included a turkey and toy giveaway, free shoes, coats, socks, and a Prop 47 workshop hosted by the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office. Items were donated by Young Visionaries; Assemblymember Brown,  47th District; Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren; Walmart; Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County; New Life Christian Church; Living Way Church; Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE); One Body; Firefighters’ Spark of Love Toy Drive; Kappa Alpha Psi; and the United Auto Workers.

“Thanks to Terrance Stone, his staff and the generosity of others, this year’s event was an overwhelming success,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “This was my 3rd Annual Toy Drive, and I’m very proud to have worked with Terrance Stone. I look forward to supporting next year’s giveaway.”

According to event staff, local residents started lining up outside the church at 2:30 a.m. Once the event began at 9 a.m., families were directed to various sites to pick up their items. They were also given an opportunity for a chance to win a bicycle. Special remarks were given by Congresswoman Norma Torres, 35th District, and entertainment was provided by Creating Hopeful Opportunities and Resilience by Developing Skills (C.H.O.R.D.S.) Enrichment Youth Program.

“This was our 10th Annual Toy Drive in the County of San Bernardino, and it was our largest one to date,” stated Terrance Stone, Founder and CEO of Young Visionaries. “We’re celebrating a decade of giving, and hopefully we can leave a legacy behind for the next generation. It’s an honor to be a blessing to others.”

In addition to the giveaways, a diversity of community-based organizations and government entities distributed literature and other helpful information during the resource fair. Approximately 30 vendors participated; among them were Covered California, the African American Mental Health Alliance, El Sol, and the Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce.

“It was a great pleasure to see the parents and their children as they received their gifts with joy, excitement and appreciation,” concluded Assemblymember Brown. “It’s truly an honor to give back to the communities that I serve.”

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

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of San Bernardino provided food bags for gifting to community members.  Over two hundred bags of food were assembled and given away. Pictured above, left to right, Ward Young, Deacon Frank Bell, Anita Dimery Riley, Harold White, Anthony Bell

Come and spend New Year’s Eve with me! I am celebrating my birthday and my special guest for the evening is a great band that we have all enjoyed. Our entertainment for the evening is LAKESIDE, a group that has given us many great tunes, including a song that is a hit all over the world. We have all been moved by that funky classic, “Fantastic Voyage.”  We are gathering at the newly renovated Arrowhead Elks Lodge, 1073 N. Mt Vernon Ave in San Bernardino.

Tickets are only $35 in advance ($45 at the door) which includes food by Master Chef “AW” and party favors. Please call me, Lynn Paul, at (909) 258-0254 for more information and your reservation.

Join me for a great New Year’s Eve. It is my 50^th birthday and I can promise, you will have a FANTASTIC JOURNEY!

Pres. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama step down from Air Force One after landing at the San Bernardino International Airport Friday night

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Friday, December 18, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama flew into the San Bernardino International Airport to comfort the victims of the Inland Regional Center shooting which occurred a couple weeks ago. The First Family were on their way to their annual family vacation prior to stopping in San Bernardino.