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.

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. 17^th 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.

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.

By Keith McCarte

I have traveled around the world to at least 27 different countries.  I have actually lived in 4 different countries for extended periods of time.  I must say, that since before December 2, 2015, San Bernardino has had the highest per capita number of people who loved and cared for their community than any other place I have been.   A close second is Basel, Switzerland where most people speak at least four languages.  In Basil, they learn and study the language of culture.  Whereas here in San Bernardino we live, eat and breathe culture on a daily basis.

With this cultural aspect comes several groups of people who feel very strongly about how to better their community.  We have battled issues such as homelessness, education, employment and economic bolstering during a sagging global economy.  Even though each sect of the community has varying opinions as to how to better our community, each group is intensely motivated to make our community better as a whole and they do so by having a common respect for parallel or opposing opinions.

This is the reason I rank the citizens of San Bernardino number one when it comes to love and care for their community.

Now we have been saddled with a calamity of the first order-the horrific shooting incident of December 2, 2015.  San Bernardino has not been weakened.  On the contrary, we have become stronger and will continue to become even stronger.

We continue to love and care for our community but now we do so with one voice.  Now our voice resonates beyond city boundaries.  It now resonates nationally and internationally.  The whole world is watching and we have stepped up to the plate to become leaders as a city and as a community.  We have shown the world a good example of having love and respect for each other, love and respect for the victims and love and respect for our country.  Have you noticed that our leaders and the citizens within has focused on expressing love and condolences, opposed to the alternative?  We are no longer, Black, White, Latino, African American, Mexican or Asian.  We are San Bernadinians.  We are no longer conservative or liberal, we are San Bernardinians first and foremost.

Out of respect for the victims who have lost their lives, were injured or traumatized we must hold dear to our core values and continue to speak these values to the world as one voice.  We will speak as San Bernardinians.  We must become even closer to our neighbors and friends.  This closeness is not for the purpose of spying on their lives but for the purposes of showing our love and support to each other in times of need.  Let us continue to set good examples in our everyday lives.  Remember…we are San Bernardinians and we speak as one voice.

Yawnie

Yawnie, Yawnie, Yawnie is What It Do with the LUE this week. When I think of the word multitask, the artist Yawnie comes to mind. I met this talented lady a year ago at an event and had to book her immediately for one of my own. The energy that she gives during her sets is absolutely refreshing. When Yawnie steps to the MIC the crowd defiantly goes hype.

Kenya Jasnae Garrett, known as Ywanie, knew at a young age she wanted her name in lights. Born in Lynwood, California but now an Inland Empire resident, Yawnie is making a name for herself in the music game. Releasing her first album back in 2012 under the label MEDICI/Interscope Records, Yawnie was inspired by artists such as Keyshia Cole, Eminem, and Trina. By studying them, she was able to develop her own unique sound. She has been performing all over Southern California with big names in the industry. I truly admire her drive and ambition to make it to the top.

Being a rapper isn’t the only thing on Yawnie’s list. Her skills range from hosting, to photography, to acting, writing, DJing, and event coordination. Yep, she does it all! So please do me a favor and check this talent artist out. Catch her live on Thursday, December 10 in Santa Ana at Jaspers Bar and Grill. Prepare yourself for the thrill. You can locate her music on Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud under “Yawni Mami”. Her songs “Respect My Gangsta”, “Made A Star”, and “It’s a Celebration”, go hard!

Please follow LUE Productions on Twitter and Facebook for more reviews. Until next week peeps, stay STRONG & L’z!

Newman Leadership Academy

By Naomi Riggins

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- It was only a short six-mile bus ride Thursday morning of December 3 from their school to downtown San Bernardino, but for about 60 third, fourth, fifth and sixth-graders from Newman Leadership Academy in San Bernardino were excited to be going on a field trip to the California Theatre of Performing Arts to see the Inland Dance Theatres, Inc.’s 40th Anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet.

The Inland Dance Theatre has presented the Tchaikovsky’s Ballet to estimated 225,000 children from throughout the Inland Empire. Newman Leadership Academy’s Principle, Mrs. Payne stated, “It was an awe of discovery for many of the students. It was like watching the lights come on and opening their minds to a whole new adventure and opportunity in San Bernardino”. For those that want to see “The Nutcracker”, visit www.californiatheatre.net for times and ticket prices.

After spending the first half of the day at the ballet, the students were loaded onto the bus and headed to Norman Fedhelym Library for lunch and a tour of the facility. The library provided each of the 60 students with library card application. Just in time for the school’s Winter Break Reading Challenge (hoping each student will read at least 30 books during Christmas Break).

In the cash-strapped San Bernardino County Unified School District, the time-honored tradition of class field trips have been dramatically cut back.  Newman Leadership Academy is looking for additional funding and donations in order to be able to continue to leave the confines of their classrooms and continue to build onto the school’s library and resources.  To find out more about Newman Leadership Academy, please visit the website www.newmanleadership.org.

Community residents gather in San Bernardino during a previous candle light vigil for the victims of last Wednesday’s attack. (Photo courtesy of NBC News).

By Lue Dowdy, of LUE Productions

SAN BERNARDINIO, CA- This Sunday, December 13, local music artists and community members will come together for a candle light vigil and prayer in honor of the victims that were gunned down in the horrific terrorist attack that occurred on Wednesday, December 2 in San Bernardino at the Inland Regional Behavioral Center.

Don’t be afraid to show your love and support openly. There will be several prominent guest speakers and elected officials that will be present and speaking. They include, but are not limited to Benito J. Barrios, 2^nd Ward Councilmember; Gwen Dowdy-Rogers, newly elected San Bernardino County School Board Member; and Tammy Martin-Ryles, President of the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire.

The Vigil will begin promptly at 5 p.m. on the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road. Please feel free to share your thoughts via social media with the hashtag #sanbernardinostrong.

Did You Know One of The Victims That Were Assassinated ? Please Honor Your Loved Ones by Sharing Your Stories or Pictures with

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Words, Words, Words…  I’m so sick of words, Jesus says.  Don’t tell me you love me…Show me! Talk is cheap! A mere profession is not good enough. Put up or shut up! And let me remind you that “On the day of judgment you will give account for every careless word you speak.” “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” [Matthew 12:36-37]. But if you love me like you say you do, obey my Word; keep my commandments; feed my sheep.” You see action speaks louder than words. Love on the Cross; remember that….I could not have spoken any louder… “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]. It is a fact that loving God is equated with obeying His Word. The two are inseparable. Search your heart and honestly answer the question. Do you love Jesus? Because, to love Jesus, means to put Him first. To love Jesus means to obey Him. To love Jesus means to love one another. To love Jesus means to love God. This would exclude putting anything above Him. Loving God is more than just lip service; it is giving over your ALL: all of your mind; all of your heart; all of your soul; all of your strength.

Yeah, many claim to love God; Many say they love God; Many say they love their neighbor; Many, though, do not really understand what it means to love God with our total being—and to really love our neighbor. You see if you truly loved Christ you could not live in direct opposition of a command that He has given you for your life.  The Scripture says in [Matthew 22:37-40], “Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God” this is not a request or an option; it is a command, an imperative. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Listen, if this is God’s will, our heart must be filled with it. Then, we can say we love God with all our heart. God has given us everything – His whole heart, His life and His mind. However, we still do not fully understand His love, nor do we put it into action. I want you to know that today Jesus is saying remember from where you have fallen; return to your first deeds and life to which you were called in Christ.  Go back to that moment when you first met Jesus. Remember the love you felt, the stirring in your heart, the adoration you had for the Savior? Do you remember how grateful you were for the forgiveness of sins? Do you remember how at that moment nothing else mattered, only Jesus? Today, God wants you and me to go back and remember that moment in time. And having that in our memory He wants us to return. He wants us to come back to Him; to come back to our first love, to the place and time in our lives to where He was everything to us.

I tell you every Christian should be aware of the danger of leaving his first love for the Lord. Long ago, the church in Ephesus was busy doing many things for God, yet Jesus said, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). The Lord commanded them, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). Your love for God should be foremost in your heart, exceeding the bond of any other relationship. If your love for God has grown cold, take steps to renew your relationship with Him. Return to your first love. He waits for you with open arms. Consider some verses about pleasing God and being pleased by Him, the two preceding concepts that help define loving God (Gen 39:9; Job 22:21; Ps 37:4; 44:8; 97:10; 104:34; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Matt 5:48; 6:24; Rom 12:1-2; I Cur 10:31).

Covered California Canvassing Neighborhoods – In an effort to enroll eligible African Americans in affordable health coverage, Covered California is launching an aggressive neighborhood canvassing initiative that includes door-to-door outreach, enrollment events at churches, branded outreach vans and educational materials at barbershops and hair salons in high-priority African American

Submitted by Covered California

An important deadline approaches for Californians who want to start the New Year with the protection of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Open enrollment is underway and consumers who want to be covered on January 1, need to enroll by December 15.

Covered California, the agency that administers the ACA in California, has made African American outreach a priority for the year three of the historic program. Since 2014, more than two million people have gotten insurance through Covered California, including African Americans who make up 5 percent of the state’s population that is eligible to receive financial assistance to help them pay for coverage and medical care. African Americans though have been slow to enroll at a rate that matches their share of the population.

“While we have all worked together to dramatically raise awareness about the new law, we have more work to do,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “We estimate there are still more than two million uninsured people in California who are either eligible for Covered California or qualify for Medi-Cal.”

Through Covered California, consumers can get financial help, or tax subsidy, that can be worth hundreds of dollars per month and bring health care within reach.

They are spotlighting the fact that more than half of those who have enrolled in Covered California — almost 700,000 — pay less than $100 a month, with the balance being covered by the federal tax credit. That is real affordability.

“You can find out if you qualify for financial help, and examine your plan options, by using the “Shop and Compare Tool” at CoveredCA.com,” Lee said.

Going forward Covered California will be spotlighting enrollment events at storefronts, insurance agent offices, community events and other locations. Go to the agency’s website to “find local help.”

This year’s open enrollment period is three months long, and runs until January 31. However, if you qualify for Medi-Cal, you can enroll at any point during the year. If you or someone you know doesn’t have health care coverage right now, this is the opportunity to enroll in Covered California.