By Lue Dowdy

Date Night at Zorbas Lounge is WHAT It Do!

Back by Popular demand, and we brought friends (Talon Networks and the Mac Rome Show), is the LUE Productions LATE NIGHT! SPOTLIGHT (L.N.S.)!

Let’s get intimate once again! This is a grown and sexy event. Come out and network with likeminded individuals. Please join us Saturday, April 28 for the comeback. You will not be disappointed! It will be an evening of comedy hosted by Comedian Mac Rome. There will be live interviews and performances hosted by Queen Lue, as well as a mini fashion show sponsored by Diva Outlaw.

The L.N.S. was created in the Inland Empire in an underground location a few years back. The event took place in the late nights leading into the early mornings featuring some of the most talented individuals from the I.E. The word got out and artists from other cities began to join in. The goal is to provide platforms for aspiring artists while creating entertaining shows for all to enjoy.

The show will take place at Zorbas Lounge located at 4360 N. Sierra Way in San Bernardino. We have presale tickets for $10. They’ll be $20 at the door. Please text us at (909) 567-1000, (909) 567-0932 or (909) 556-7637. Tickets can also be purchase through the Talon Network and Chef Music Studio. We want you there!

There will be special appearances by NofacE Shadowmen (funk master), West Tantrum, and Mack Pepperboy. Comedy will be provided by The Diva Rodriguez, Dennis Wilson, Here is Larry, Bigg Wheezy, Hostile Takeover and Dennis Wilson. Performances will include Marie Popenz, Johara Dante, Tydee Bone, Ipyani Lockhert and Lil Jack. There will also be model representation by Jasmine Hill, Krystal Yvonne, December Red, Porscha Dillard, Essence Johnson, Lola Lestrange, Chondra Smith and Lil Kiki. Vendors that will be on site include: ChaChe Designs, Chef Music, Lue Productions, Diva Outlaw, Paparazzi Accessories and the Talon networks.

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

This week we relive the agony generated by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!  Many proclamations and declarations will be made about how far we have come or about the progress that has or has not been made. Much of the comparison will speak to the anticipated conduct of white people, especially the white people and institutions that have historically and traditionally impeded our progress.

This is to encourage that we, Black people and non-Blacks of conscious, involve ourselves in supporting two institutions that Dr. King suggested are paramount and critical to our development. He said that we should all get a life insurance policy from a Black Owned Insurance Company and that our churches should be depositing Sunday tithes and offerings into Black owned and operated banks and or credit unions!

I submit that when we decide to put our money in institutions that are focused on developing our communities, it will matter less about the anticipated/expected/desired conduct of people and institutions that we know are preying upon us as well as praying against us!

For information about supporting Black owned and operated Insurance and banking institutions, feel free to call and leave me a message at (909) 384-8131. I will return your call with specific information!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, April 7, 15 young men will walk across the stage at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts in downtown San Bernardino as part of the Mr. Cardinal City Pageant.

At first glance, the pageant may appear to be a high school popularity contest, but the contestants know it’s an experience that teaches them professionalism and good etiquette, requires high academic achievement, and shapes their perspective on community service.

This year, the students are using the event as a way to shed light on the #NeverAgain movement. Pageant coordinator and founder, Jamie Rios, confirmed the 15th Annual Mr. Cardinal City Pageant will be dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place in Parkland, Florida on February 14.

“This could happen to anyone,” Rios said. “We have to be there to support others in need.”

Rios added that Mr. Cardinal empowers participants to develop interpersonal skills and a strong sense of community.

The 2017-2018 Mr. Cardinal contestants are: Aldo Ramirez, Alfonso Sanchez, Alonzo Sanchez, Anthony Valencia, Benito Fregoso, Bryan Rosales, Daniel Cardenas, Daniel Villegas, Hervin Labandaria, Jedn Corona, Jeremy Barrios, Omar Santana, Roman Camarena, Samuel Herrera, and Yair Alcantara.

To purchase tickets, contact any Mr. Cardinal contestant or pageant coordinator Jamie Rios at jamie.rios@sbcusd.com or call (909) 881-8217. Red carpet event starts at 5 p.m. and the pageant begins at 6 p.m. at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts located at 780 North E Street in San Bernardino.

Local associates read books to students on Dr. MLK Jr,’s Legacy at Fontana Unified School District Elementary Schools as part of national service effort

FONTANA, CA- Wednesday, April 4 marked 50 years since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his message and values of dignity, equality, justice and service still inspire and motivate millions of people. To honor Dr. King’s legacy and commitment to service, local Walmart leadership and or associates in Fontana hosted and participated in a book reading on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy starting at Dorothy Grant Elementary School.

“Dr. King’s lessons have stood the test of time and continue to unite our communities, bridge differences and bring us together as a people,” said Walmart Market Manager Jondolon Bush. “We encourage everyone to volunteer in an act of service – no matter how big or small – to honor the legacy of Dr. King this week and beyond.” 

As part of this event, Walmart donated 1,000 copies of Brad Meltzer’s book, “I Am Martin Luther King Jr.” to students across 10 Fontana USD elementary schools. Students were challenged to think critically about Dr. King’s message of equality, service, and leadership, and given an activity to illustrate what they want their positive impact in the community to be. Walmart presented the Fontana USD with a $1,500 donation.

“The Fontana Unified School District is proud to partner with Walmart on this day of American history to share with the students of Fontana the values Dr. King preached,” said Fontana USD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett. “We hope that Dr. King’s messages of service, justice, and equality resonate with students today.”

Today’s act of service is part of Walmart’s national effort to honor Dr. King and his legacy. Among several activities planned, fifty Walmart leaders across the country and at least 50 stores nationally are participating in, and encouraging others to engage in, acts of service in their local communities.

Along with the acts of service, the Walmart Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million to 12 nonprofit organizations working to help promote access, equity and inclusion among diverse populations.

The grand opening of the “Stuffe ‘D’ Soul & Cajun” Fine Dining Restaurant is just in time for Easter! The restaurant is open from 2 Pm  for dinner until 10 p.m. located at 1566 Orange Street in Redlands, the theme and motif is Mardi Gras, and the food is authentic Soul and Cajun, and it features a full bar.

The proprietor, Amanda Ferguson, is a graduate of East Redlands high School. She interned for two years at Edwards Mansion and was chef at the Waikiki Beach Hilton Hotel. She makes her own desserts and guarantees satisfaction!

Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The phone number is (909) 335-5895. Reservations may be helpful!

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say or do can and WILL be used against you in a court of law. You who are living in sin, you who are refusing the Savior, you who are delaying the time of repentance, you who have backslidden, and those of you who are opposing the gospel: “The Word of the Lord is against you.” For thus saith the Lord, “I will destroy you, and none will be left.” [Zephaniah 2:5]. There it stands, bearing testimony against you, who, in due time, unless you become partakers of the grace of the Lord, shall be overwhelmed, and destroyed without remedy.  Oh, that God may help me to speak so that your life may be changed, and that the Word of God may be against you no longer!

O sinner man! Consider the fearful danger you are in!  You have made God your enemy, what a terrible thing this is. For thus saith the Lord, “Therefore will I also deal in fury; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them” [Ezekiel 8:18]. Talking about the wrath of God, there is no other way to put it, it is infinitely dreadful.  

Listen, God stands ready to pity you. This is a day of mercy; but once the day of mercy is past, your most pitiful and sad cries and screams will be in vain. God will have no other use to put you to, but to suffer misery; for you will be a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction. God will be so far from pitying you when you cry to him, that it is said he will only “laugh and mock, [Proverbs 1:25-26]. Today however, you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice therefore, let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. Let everyone fly out of Sodom: “Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2] Don’t wait until it’s too late. Tomorrow isn’t promised. The only time you have is right now. God says, “Now”, “Today”, not “Tomorrow.”

“Come NOW, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” [Isaiah 1:18].  “TODAY if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” [Hebrews 4:7(b)].  “Boast not thyself of TOMORROW; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” [Proverbs 27:1].

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them [Deuteronomy 30:15-20].

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Kingdom Culture Community Development Corporation in partnership with All Nations Worship Assembly San Bernardino, is gearing up to host their largest annual free Egg Hunt in the San Bernardino County.

The “Easter Eggstravaganza” lives up to its name by being a dynamic experience for the community. On March 31st, at 1 p.m., over 2000 San Bernardino County residents will arrive with their families at Indian Spring High School to join in on the fun. The Easter Eggstravaganza allows families to enjoy free food, live entertainment, and 12,000 plastic eggs full of candy and treats.

“We do this Easter Egg Hunt every year because we want to be God’s extension of love to our city. It’s for the smiles on each child’s face when they walk away with eggs full of candy. If we can bring joy what’s deemed a dying city, then we’ve met out goal”, said Senior Pastor, Apostle Sherman Dumas.

Children of all ages will enter age appropriate Egg Hunts and enjoy numerous activity booths. This experience welcomes all residents of the San Bernardino County.

For more information visit AllNationsSBD.com.

FONTANA, CA- Students from several schools around the Inland Empire made their way to Heritage Intermediate School in Fontana, as community service organizations Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. hosted their 29th Annual Oratorical Contest. The event was emceed by local author and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member, Kevin Eastman, and Candra Loftis, Heritage Intermediate School Academic Advisor and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member.

Forty-eight students, in grades two through twelve, delivered speeches on pre-determined topics. The young people took full advantage of the opportunity, impressing the panels of judges with their interpretations of the importance of education, what happens when a person stands up for themselves, and the effects of the modern media on today’s society. Each topic was incorporated into a celebration of Black History Month.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Oh what a majestic evening for the thirteen Knights of the Social Lites, Inc. 51st Beautillion Ball presented to society on Saturday, March 24 at the National Orange Show of San Bernardino.  Over 400 guests witnessed over $45, 000 in scholarships and gifts presented to these young men.  An additional $8,500 was awarded from “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Scholarship sponsored by the Social Lites, Inc.

Sir Knight Malachi Davis of Highland California who attends Citrus Valley High School and a member of Life Changing Ministries received a $9,000 academic scholarship, $800 scholarship from “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Scholarship and various gifts.  Jonathan Moreno was first runner-up and awarded a $7,000 scholarship plus gifts; Tyree Walk was second runner up and awarded $5,500 plus gifts, $6,000 scholarship for winning “The Evan T. Carthen Emerging Leader” Essay Contest in addition to sharing the title Mr. Congeniality with Devin Clay. Kamau Osonduagwuike was third runner up and awarded $3,000 in scholarship plus gifts. Scholarships awarded to all Knights of various amounts to help fulfill their future educational career and gifts.  

LA QUINTA, CA- La Quinta residents and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) laced up their shoes and came together in support of critically ill children and their families at the annual Inland Empire Walk for Kids, a fun, family-friendly 5k (3.1 miles) event that raises funds for the life-changing services provided by the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. The walk took place at a Quinta Civic Center Park.

 This year the fundraising goal was $250,000 with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to serving local families right here in the community, continuing its mission to provide a “home away from home” when it’s needed most – enabling families to stay near their hospitalized child at little to no cost. No eligible family is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

KMIR-TV’s Kitty Alvarado was the emcee of the walk-a-thon this year. Other special guests included The Hernandez Family, La Quinta Walk for Kids Ambassador Family; and Karen Hooper, Executive Director of Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. The Walk had on-site experiences including family-friendly carnival games, activities, Kids Zones, food, music and more.