INLAND EMPIRE, CA—- The 2020
Wrightwood Arts & Wine Festival is reaching out to local artists from
Southern California to invite participation in its exciting event on Saturday,
September, 19, 2020, from 11 a.m.to 6 p.m. Mountain High Ski Resort has joined
forces with them as their premier sponsor, which means much more event
publicity for artists and their town! More advertising equals more people
attending and more sales. Participating Artists will be provided with a
10’x10’ canopy, one 6’ table, two folding chairs, and 50+ promotional postcards
to send to their constituents. Booth fees range from $125 – $200. Artists will
keep 100% of their sales transactions! Deadline to apply is April 1, 2020.
Artists that are interested may
contact Pat Farrell at 760.249.6709 or festival@wrightwoodarts.com to
be included on the Festival mailing list. Or simply complete the artist
application which is now available at www.wrightwoodarts.com/festival.
SAN
BERNARDINO, CA— The Community block party scheduled at
Ecclesia Christian Fellowship and Hunt Elementary School has been rescheduled
to Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 12 p.m. They will; however still give out food
on Saturday, March 28 at The Way World Outreach located at 1001 N Arrowhead in
San Bernardino from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. If your family is in need, come and grab
a bag of FREE groceries.
For more information Call
909-353-7977 visit our web site to volunteer at any capacity call The Way
909-884-7117. Standing on His Word, to God be the Glory.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) is asking the public to help them keep Food Bank services responsive to the increased need for food as the coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts our communities. The Food Bank, which receives food from a variety of sources including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private food donations, makes food available to those in need through 250 community distribution sites and soup kitchens. In 2019, the program served over 50,000 unduplicated households and 150,000 individuals monthly. More than 15 million pounds of food was provided to meet the needs of San Bernardino County’s food-insecure residents in 2019. Partner soup kitchens served over 400,000 meals during the same year.
But that changed with COVID-19.
Under Governor Newsom’s order that all
California residents stay at home and non-essential businesses close their
doors, the Food Bank remains open as an “essential service.” But they
need help from the communities that depend on them to have enough food and
volunteers. Several distribution sites have closed due to senior volunteers staying
home. As the need for food assistance continues to grow, having distribution
sites stay open with people to staff them will become even more crucial.
“Our Food Bank Program is a vital component in
the health, well-being, and in some cases, the survival of thousands of
residents throughout San Bernardino County,” explained CAPSBC’s President and
CEO Patricia Nickols-Butler. “When distribution sites close and supplies at
soup kitchens run short, people go hungry. It’s that simple and that
devastating for those who depend on the food we provide. We urgently need help
from our communities in order to help us provide food where it’s needed most.”
The Food Bank is asking for assistance in three
ways: through financial donations, food donations, and volunteering,
particularly by groups and organizations.
“We are taking every precaution during this time
to safeguard the health and safety of our volunteers as well as our staff,”
said Food Bank Program Manager Brandon Romano. “I can’t emphasize enough how
critical volunteers are to our operations, especially in a time of crisis.”
Potential volunteers should contact Xiomara
Henriquez-Ortega, Manager of Administrative Support, at 909-723-1525 or
email xhenriquez@capsbc.org for more
information and to sign up.
The San Bernardino Public Library will be temporarily closed to the public through Sunday, April 5.
Patrons who have library cards can utilize various free online resources and information available at our library’s website www.sbpl.org.
Among the various resources:
Overdrive – eBooks and eAudiobooks;
ReferenceUSA – Business and phone directories;
Brainfuse – Live Homework Help offering assistance for elementary, middle school and adult learners in various subjects via chat almost every day of the year;
New York Times – Up to 5 full-text articles a month can be viewed;
Britannica School and Escolar offering information in elementary, middle school and high school modules;
Footsteps2Brilliance offering information to promote early literacy;
R & B Digital Magazines & Audiobooks featuring electronic editions of popular magazines;
America’s News featuring full-text of newspaper articles including the San Bernardino Sun since 2001.
Materials can be returned to book drops at the libraries. Patrons can also renew materials that are already checked out to them at the library website. Fees will be not charged for materials due starting March 17 until the libraries re-open.
Listen… If you think the “Corona-virus” is something—I tell you, but,
Nay, except you REPENT… ALL of you will likewise perish… That’s right…
I’M FED UP… I’m sick of your sin and disobedience. I’m sick of your
rejection, your injustice, and your complaining. Think you can flaunt your sin
in My face and nothing happens. Think you can continually take My Grace for
granted and nothing happens… I tell you what….Yield yourselves to Me, and
serve Me, ONLY THEN, will I let you live and not bring on you any of the
diseases which I put on the Egyptians.
Because from the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to
this place, you have rebelled against Me, so much so, that I am ready to
destroy you. I tell you, IF YOU DO NOT
REPENT, All of you will likewise perish! I have for along time held my peace; I
have been still, and restrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman;
I will destroy and devour at once… No more will I relent if you do not
repent! You have been warned, says the Lord.”
I want you to know that both the Old and New Testaments display a God who
doesn’t tolerate sin, he punished it. A
few stories from the Old Testament: The Garden: God didn’t tolerate Adam
and Eve’s sin. He didn’t accept their lifestyle choice to eat from the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil. He banished them from Eden and left an angel
with flaming swords to guard the entrance so they couldn’t return. Noah and
the Flood: His anger was provoked against the sin of Noah’s day and He
brought on the flood that changed the face of the world. Uzzah: One of
the most uncomfortable accounts of divine intolerance found in [2 Samuel 6].
This story recounts Uzzah’s attempt to steady the ark of the Lord after an oxen
stumbled on the journey back to Israel. When he reached out and touched the
ark, Uzzah’s instinctive response was met with God’s intense anger, and Uzzah
was immediately struck down. I could go on and on throughout the Old Testament,
considering Achan, Korah, Aaron’s sons, the Canaanites, and the inhabitants of
Sodom and Gomorrah, just to name a few. All perished by the very hand of God.
He did not tolerate their sin; he punished it.
I tell you, God is very patient and loving with us. He gives us many
chances to repent and turn from our wickedness. One day, however, His
toleration of sin will cease. That is the lesson of the Old Testament, that God
waits, longing for people to repent. However, He will not delay punishment
forever and when it does arrive, it will be without recourse. The lesson to
humanity today is to repent while there is time.
“The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on
sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them… The king made
proclamation… “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence
which is in his hands.” [Jonah 3:5, 7-9]
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing. So choose life, so that you
and your descendants may live, 20and that you may love the LORD your God, obey
Him, and hold fast to Him…” [Deuteronomy 30:19].
By Chida Rebecca | Editor-in-Chief, Black Lifestyle Magazine
The idea of working from home has always been a glamorized one. Rolling out of bed whenever you’d like, sitting poolside with your favorite drink at noon. Man! That sounds like a day anyone would enjoy. Especially if you find yourself working for a company that you may not particularly like physically going to. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen corporations big and small come to a major halt due to COVID-19. Businesses have essentially locked their doors and are requiring employees to work from home. While some may have been excited, others are realizing that working from home is not for everyone.
I grew up in a family business and was accustomed to working for long hours at my desk. I had an innate discipline that helped me stay glued to my seat and maybe a little too much. But as times changed and opportunities arose for me to work from home, I realized that I had to implement some different habits at home than that of my former office space. For those of you that are new to “working from home,” here are a few tips I’ll share with you to help you in your transition.
1. Pick a Designated Work Area
When I started working from home, I thought I could sit on my bed, spread out documents and my laptop and have at it. Well, I soon found that I would start off sitting up, legs crossed and attentive, then progressively move into a slouched position, followed by a full-on fetal position with complete attention on the television while my computer and papers were strewn off to the edge of the bed. Talk about a reality check. After being in denial about the obvious distractions, I opted to get an actual desk with a chair and sit there. I went from papers all over the house to everything being in one central location. The desk and chair in a designated part of the house started me off with the structure I need to work efficiently.
2. Structure Your Time
This is a must. Try to keep the same hours you had when you were physically going to work. Working from home can be one of the biggest distractions there is. From the television to the kitchen to the laundry and even YOUR BED! These are all things that will beg for your attention during the times you should be working. When I first started working from home, my house seemed magical. It just had a different feeling on Wednesday at 11 am than a Saturday or Sunday at 11 am did. If you don’t structure your time you won’t get anything done. The great thing about going to work is that your office was, for the most part, a space designated purely for work. It pretty much shaped how you worked and to what degree. Your home is usually considered a place for rest and relaxation – a place you escape to. So, understand your brain is going to need some slight rewiring and some patience.
3. Take Your Breaks
‘In the workforce, breaks are mandated. According to Psychology Today, “A ‘break’ is a brief cessation of work, physical exertion, or activity. You decide to give it a rest with the intention of getting back to your task within a reasonable amount of time.” Did you know that sitting for long periods of time is said to put you at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity? Simply stepping away from your desk and taking a walk, stretching or some form of activity can reduce the negative effects of too much sitting. If you have other individuals in the house, taking breaks affords you the opportunity to connect with them and shift your mind from any stressful thinking you may be engaged in.
4. Create an End Time
Knowing when to start working is just as important as knowing when to stop. When I initially started working from home, I found that when I got into a good flow, it was hard to stop. So, I wouldn’t. I would sit from 7 am until 11 pm at times with minimal breaks. I was determined to ride out the wave of productivity, sometimes working beyond midnight. My dad would always encourage me not to work past the midnight hour because I was cheating myself out of the next day. He was right. Pushing yourself beyond an established cut off point can lead to burnout quickly. Ultimately, it’s about setting boundaries with yourself. Give it your all within the time allotted and then stop. Put all your focus and energy into the hours you set, the same way you did when you physically clocked in at work. When you’re done – then you’re done. Save work for the next day. There will ALWAYS be something to do. Time is the one thing we cannot replace. Remember to unplug and regroup.
Chida Rebecca is the Editor-in-Chief is San Diego’s only digital Black lifestyle magazine called “Black & Magazine”. www.blackandmagazine.com
LOS ANGELES, CA— The Diaspora Dialogues is an unmatched platform and space founded and Executive Produced by Koshie Mills, to bridge the gap and connect Africans in the continent with its global descendants in the diaspora. The power of excellence was displayed in the entertainment quality and program. Illustrious women of power and inspiration came from Africa, West Indies, UK and other parts of the globe to attend the event. The diversity of black women in the room created a magical environment of inclusion, hosted by veteran Author, Comedian, Co-Host of “The Real”, Loni Love.
The star-studded event commenced with an Ancestral Welcome and Affirmation led by the illustrious Host Loni Love. The declarations and sounds of “I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE SOIL….I AM A SON OF THE SOIL permeated the air and set the tone for the palpable love, camaraderie and positive energy in the ballroom. The standing room only crowd was a testament to the need and the reason why Founder Koshie Mills created a space where black women can connect and see each other as a global force.
The elegant, afternoon affair featured its Signature Throne Room, Cultural dancers from the Congo, Spoken word Artist, Actress, Author, Jamaican Born Jozanne Marie, Musical performance from Fox “American Idol” finalist and First generation Nigerian, Adanna Duru and the Afrobeats sounds curated by the DJ further punctuated the culturally fragrant atmosphere. Spontaneous dancing from attendees erupted at intermission which further underscored our similarities and love of African music.
Four women who are Innovators and Change Agents from various industries were honored; Afro Latina Musical Artist, Actress and Cultural Activist, Amara La Negra was the Goddess Beauty Honoree. Shine on Sierra Leone
Founder, Tiffany Persons, was The Diaspora Dialogues Honoree, Media Maven Kimberly Paige was awarded with the Lionheart Business Honoree and finally Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, received the Entertainment ROAR Honoree.
Actress Ryan Michelle Bathe presented the Entertainment ROAR Award to Actress Yvette Nicole Brown. Google Executive Annie Jean Baptiste presented The Lionheart Business Award, sponsored by BET Networks to Media Maven Kimberly Paige CMO of BET Networks. Cree Summer presented to “Shine On Sierra Leone” Founder Tiffany Persons with The Diaspora Dialogues Sankofa Award and Actress/Director Nana Ghana presented to Afro-Latino Musical Artist Amara La Negra with the Goddess Beauty DUAFE Award.
VIP guests in attendance include; Actress Monique Coleman (High School Musical), Actor Kwame Boateng (The Plug), Actor Kwesi Boakye (Claws) Actress Stacy Dash (Clueless), Erica Peeples (All American), (BET Plus, Ruthless Young), Nzinga Blake (Influencer and Red Carpet Host), Actress/Artist V. Bozeman (Empire).
Koshie Mills Founder of The Diaspora Dialogues 3rd Annual International Women Of Power
Photo by Bobby Quillard, Courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
L-R Founder Koshie Mills and Husband Kwame Boakye
The Diaspora Dialogues 3rd Annual International Women Of Power
Photo by Von Thomas, Images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
Host Loni Love for The Diaspora Dialogues 3rd Annual International Women Of Power
Photo by Bobby Quillard, Images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
AMARA LA NEGRA GODDESS BEAUTY HONOREE
Photo by Bobby Quillard, Images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
TIFFANY PERSONS THE DIASPORA DIALOGUES HONOREE
(Shine Sierra on Leone)
Photo by Akwasi Frimpong, images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
KIMBERLY PAIGE, LIONHEART BUSINESS HONOREE
Photo by Bobby Quillard, images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
Yvette Nicole Brown, ENTERTAINMENT ROAR HONOREE
Photo by Bobby Quillard, images courtesy of The Diaspora Dialogues
SOME QUOTES FROM PRESENT AND PAST HONOREES
“I feel the bridge coming together and this event that Koshie Mills has created is the EPICENTER. Please never let the Dialogues Dialogues die, It Is a necessary platform”. – Tiffany Persons, Founder Shine On Sierra Leone
“Koshie and I had a real conversation and that is the UNLOCK for us, it leads to easier collaboration”. – Kimberly Paige, CMO BET Networks
“Women are the Backbone and the Future, That is why we need THIS!” – Actress Ryan Michelle Bathe
“I’m so excited and honored to host this event. We need to take the time to break bread, that’s
why it’s a great event and congrats Koshie You are doing a wonderful job!”. – Comedian, Author and Co-Host of The Real, Loni Love
“I’ve always felt like an African living in America. I believe we are sisters by bloodline and that makes us family”.
– Actress Yvette Nicole Brown.
“The Cross Pollination is long overdue.” Actress Nomzamo Mbatha
“I left the event feeling Euphoric and Empowered.” – Guest, Natalie Beasneal
To help protect your health and reduce the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Omnitrans has decided to make temporary adjustments to our bus boarding procedures.
EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020 – SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020:
Customers must board and exit the bus using the REAR DOOR.
Customers with mobility devices will continue to board and exit through the front door.
NO FARES will be collected on Omnitrans buses.
As always, we advise you to do your part to protect yourself and those around you and follow recommended preventative actions, listed here. We will continue our precautionary, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of buses and facilities. We thank you for riding Omnitrans and understand your need for essential transportation during this time. For the latest information, please text OMNI19 to 333-777, follow us on social media @Omnitrans on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call us at 1-800-966-6428 during regular office hours.
Lobbyists and industry stakeholders are racing around DC asking Congress for virus pandemic funding. Meanwhile, consumer advocates may be the only organizations not begging for money these days in Washington. They are asking for solutions for consumers and ways that will use taxpayer dollars intelligently.
What consumer groups want is improved customer service from airlines. We want this crisis to change the lack of planning ahead and having insurance for major problems that has resulted in the virus pandemic funding issues.
Immediate funding is needed to save jobs. Long-term funding is an opportunity to reset the aviation industry.
While most funding bills take months to develop, this virus pandemic funding has taken on a life of its own. True, Congress needs to fund an immediate response to deal with the pandemic. However, Congress has time to consider “Phase Two” of funding for the longer-term survival of the airline industry.
Before, the second phase of loans are sent to airlines, taxpayers (airline passengers) should be able to get several changes to the current airline/customer relationship. Changes like the following are suggested. After all, according to the airlines, passengers are the lifeblood of their industry. (Today they are also the insurance providers).
No stock buybacks until the loans are paid in full.
No aviation executive bonuses (or increased salaries) until loans are paid in full.
Agreement that passenger safety and health will be prioritized over airline profits.
During the time of the national emergency, passengers should be able to change flights without fees. Rebooking should be done for no extra charges. Call centers should be staffed to handle increased call volume.
After this pandemic crisis, reset the airline/passenger relationship
During the second phase loans, airline should agree to common sense customer service rules that should be included in both airline and ticket agent contracts of carriage.
Restore the use of state and local courts for customer service disputes.
Stop further constraints on passenger seating dimensions.
Allow families to sit together for no extra charges.
Change airline rules that force sick passengers to fly or face exorbitant costs.
Ensure access to all airfare and ancillary fees so that passengers can comparison shop.
Standardize customer service rule across airlines and ticket agents.
None of these are new ideas. They have been debated for decades. However, airline passengers and their representatives in Congress will never again have the financial power to demand that airlines treat passengers humanely. This is the time for a reset to the balance between the aviation industry and its passengers.
It is about time that airlines begin treating passengers like human beings rather than self-loading cargo. This is not too much to ask for $50 billion.
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing $250 million in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older adults. California received a grant for $25,086,381.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020, provided the additional funding for the nutrition services programs authorized by the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965. These programs provide meals to more than 2.4 million older adults each year, both through home delivery and in places like community centers. The need for these services, particularly home-delivered and packaged meals, has increased as community measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed meal sites and have left many family caregivers unable to assist their older loved ones.
“The Trump Administration recognizes that the measures needed to protect older Americans from the serious threat of COVID-19 have been disruptive for many of our most vulnerable,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Getting more funds to community organizations that deliver meals to older adults, such as Meals on Wheels, is another example of the Trump Administration’s whole-of-government, whole-of-America approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addition to meals, Older Americans Act programs provide a wide range of services, such as help with bathing and dressing, rides to doctors’ offices, education on managing chronic illnesses, support for family caregivers, and much more. Provided by a network of community-based organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging, local community and senior centers, faith-based organizations, and other non-profit service providers, these programs work together to help millions of older adults each year stay healthy and continue living independently.
“The network of community-based organizations that provide Older Americans Act services has an exceptional capacity to coordinate services, bring together service providers, and adapt to overcome challenges, and they are employing innovative solutions to continue meal services,” said ACL Administrator Lance Robertson. “This additional funding will help communities across the country provide older adults, especially those at greatest risk, with the healthy meals they need.”
Funding has been provided to states, territories, and tribes for subsequent allocation to local meal providers. Grant amounts are determined based on the population-based formulas defined in the Older Americans Act.
Older adults who need assistance can contact the Eldercare Locator to find services available in their community. The Eldercare Locator can be reached at 1-800-677-1116 or https://eldercare.acl.gov/.
Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
