Local

By Tony Grant

Tony Grant

Was he the right man at the right time with the right message for America? I believe he was!

By Mildred Henry

Maria says in the musical, The Sound of Music, “When the Lord closes a door, He opens a window”.  The window opened and, yippee! my book is finished!

The book, “From the Ashes I Rise, dare to do the Impossible”, by Dr. Mildred Dalton Hampton-Henry will be uploaded on Amazon the week of January 10, 2022 and available for purchase thereafter. You can purchase and the book will be mailed to you.  My birthday is February 4th.  What a birthday present – to have my book published!

Thank You for continually asking me, “How is the book coming?”  You “kept my feet to the fire” and the book is completed.

The title “From the Ashes I Rise” refers to the Dalton Farm in Arkansas, which was burned by the Ku Klux Klan, but from those ashes I rose and determined to “Dare to do the Impossible” in California.

Thank you for your motivating encouragement and together we did it!  Be informed and enjoy!

Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken every step available to keep schools safely open for full-time, in-person instruction. These efforts have resulted in 96% of schools open in-person in January 2022, up from 46% of schools in January 2021. Students have sacrificed so much over the course of the pandemic, and the President has been clear in his words and his actions that his Administration will do all that it can to keep schools safely open for all students.

Today the Biden-Harris Administration is doubling down on our commitment to keeping all schools safely open for full-time in-person learning by taking new action to increase access to COVID-19 testing in schools. Through these new initiatives, the Administration will increase the number of COVID-19 tests available to schools by 10 million per month. These additional tests will help schools safely remain open and implement screening testing and test to stay programs. With the additional ten million tests per month, we will make available to schools more than double the volume of testing that took place in schools across the nation in November 2021 (the most recent data available).

We know how to keep students and staff safely in school—including through vaccinations and boosters, implementing universal indoor masking, maintaining physical distancing, improving ventilation, and performing COVID-19 screening testing. Over the past year, the Biden-Harris Administration has provided historic funding and extensive resources to states and school districts across the country to make sure schools reopen and remain open – including $130 billion in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund to safely reopen schools and address students’ academic and mental health needs, and $10 billion in the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement to support COVID-19 testing for students and staff.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is increasing COVID-19 testing for schools by:

• Sending 5 Million No-Cost Point-of-Care Tests Per Month to Schools. The Administration will distribute 5 million free, rapid tests to schools each month to help K-12 schools stay open and to implement and sustain screening testing and test to stay programs in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This new allocation builds on the CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program, which distributed $10 billion in resources to states to support COVID-19 testing in schools. CDC will work with states who can submit requests to receive additional tests for high-need school districts that can put these tests immediately to use. After states submit initial requests, the first shipments will be delivered later this month.
• Providing 5 Million Additional Lab-Based PCR Tests for Free to Schools Per Month: The Administration is making available lab capacity to support an additional 5 million PCR tests per month for schools to perform individual and pooled testing in classrooms nationwide. The additional testing will be delivered through the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Operation Expanded Testing (ET) program, funded by the American Rescue Plan to provide free PCR testing at schools nationwide. Three federally funded regional providers offer testing materials, supplies, and lab results and reporting at no direct cost to recipients through four regional hubs. Schools can immediately gain access to this free lab-based testing.
• Deploying Federal Surge Testing Units to Support Free Testing Access for Students, School Staff, and Families at Community Testing Sites. HHS and FEMA are working with state, territorial, and tribal partners to address testing needs in communities and stand up federal testing sites. These surge testing sites are focused on ensuring hardest-hit and highest-risk communities have equitable access to free and convenient testing. Effective immediately, as the agencies review state, territorial, and tribal requests, they will consider how these sites can support the safe operations of K-12 schools. Opportunities to support K-12 schools may include locating federal testing units on or near school grounds; establishing specific operating hours for students, their families, and school staff; or dedicating a specific portion of daily testing to school communities. By incorporating school needs, state leaders can more effectively build school testing into their requests and planning while surge test sites continue to provide robust access to communities with greatest need.
• Connecting Schools with COVID-19 Testing Providers to Set Up School Testing Programs using American Rescue Plan Funds. In addition to $10 billion for states to set up K-12 testing programs in the ELC program, the American Rescue Plan included $130 billion in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund to safely reopen schools, which may be used to support school-based COVID-19 testing. To support schools that want to set up COVID-19 testing programs, the Department of Education (ED) and CDC will work with states and outside organizations to help schools make connections to testing providers that are available in their state. This includes connecting local school districts with the testing providers contracted by their states to set up COVID-19 testing in school using ELC funding. While programs vary by state, these arrangements allow schools to access testing resources quickly and coordinated with statewide activities, including accessing test supply and administration. Schools should contact their jurisdiction to join existing state efforts funded by ELC. CDC and ED will also engage schools to help them learn how to set up testing programs and how they can use their American Rescue Plan funds to support them
• New Training, Resources, and Materials for Implementing Test to Stay in Schools. Last month, CDC released guidance on “test to stay,” an approach that allows students to remain safely in the classroom during their quarantine period as long as they wear masks and test at least two times in the seven days following an exposure. Test to stay programs are an effective approach for identifying and containing infection at school, and help enable schools to minimize and avoid interruptions to in-person instruction. Later this week, CDC will release additional materials for schools on how to implement test to stay programs, including a school checklist and frequently asked questions and answers. Additionally, ED and CDC will continue to provide additional opportunities for states and school districts to learn about test to stay and how to effectively implement test to stay approaches in school.

The actions announced today build on more than $10 billion in investments that the Biden-Harris Administration has made in setting up testing programs in K-12 schools. School districts can also take advantage of the below resources immediately, as outlined in a letter Secretary Cardona is sending this week to school officials demonstrating available resources to support COVID-19 testing and urging them to get started today. Supports also include:

• Free Community COVID-19 Testing Sites. Schools may consider referring students, teachers, and staff to community-based testing sites that are supported by federal funding. HHS continues to work with pharmacies and retail companies to accelerate testing for more Americans in communities across the country.

Full Reimbursement for COVID-19 Testing Programs. FEMA’s Public Assistance Program continues to provide federal funding to states, tribal nations, territories and localities to support COVID-19 testing. This includes testing needed to safely open and operate public facilities, including K-12 schools. 100% reimbursement is available for schools and localities to set up diagnostic and screening testing programs. This provides an important way for communities to expand upon federal surge testing sites by providing resources for state and local leaders to open and operate additional testing sites in partnership with schools.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Lydie Gutfeld has joined the City of San Bernardino January 3rd as its Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services.

An experienced professional with over 30 years working in parks, Gutfeld comes to San Bernardino from Mission Viejo, where she served as the Community Services Manager. She also recently served as President of the California Park and Recreation Society, a state association of over 4,000 parks and recreation professionals.

“I am very excited to lead the department and team of amazing professionals in developing a new vision for parks, recreation and community services that will make San Bernardino a better place to live, work and play,” said Gutfeld.

In the role of Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, Gutfeld will oversee youth, adult and senior programs, activities, and sports at San Bernardino’s thirty-three parks that span approximately five hundred acres of open space and developed land, as well as community events such as Operation Splash, Inland Empire Senior Games, the Veteran’s Day Parade, and Winter Wonderland.

“Lydie has a long track record of delivering impactful recreation programs and services in the cities she serves. I look forward to her doing the same for our residents in San Bernardino,” said City Manager Robert Field.

Prior to spending the past six years in Mission Viejo, Gutfeld spent thirteen years with the city of Irvine, as well as time with the city of Beverly Hills. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Helen Pontius National Merit Award, the highest recognition given by the Women in Leisure Services, Chi Kappa Rho, Inc. organization, for her extensive efforts and service to women in the profession. Gutfeld holds a BA In Child and Adolescent Development and Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State Fullerton.

The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB) recently unveiled its newest job center in the heart of the county’s vibrant East Valley, providing greater access to resources, technology and support services for thousands of job seekers and employers.

The 24,000 square-foot facility, at 508 Inland Center Drive, is one of three America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) managed by WDB across the county. It offers approximately 50% more space than the previous East Valley AJCC location, including six training classrooms and a large resource room with enhanced technology for individuals looking for new employment or career opportunities.

At the December 17, 2021, Open House, community leaders said the facility will help advance WDB’s commitment to helping people build their careers while ensuring that employers have qualified workers to meet their business needs.

“Our Workforce Development Department is, quite simply, one of the best there is when it comes to preparing job seekers for 21^st-century career opportunities,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. “With this wonderful new facility, we’re confident that you will be able to do an even better job of fulfilling your mission – and in the process, help to build a stronger economy and a stronger county.”

County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., whose Fifth District includes the new center location, described the timing as critical, coming out of the pandemic. “We hear all the time how tight the labor market is, and we know, here in San Bernardino, that we’ve got a growing population that can fill those jobs,” Baca said. “With the support services that are being offered, every day, within the walls of this impressive new facility, we have an opportunity to help individuals and families fulfill their dreams and, in the process, to uplift the community.”

Leonard X. Hernandez, San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer, described the new one-stop center as another important step forward in fulfilling the Countywide Vision – a key element of which is the development of a skilled workforce that attracts employers and contributes to a vibrant local economy.

“The location is outstanding, and will provide greater access than ever for individuals who are looking for a job or would like to advance their careers,” Hernandez said. “In the process, we’re able to support business growth, attract more jobs and provide a pathway toward even greater countywide prosperity.”

Among the benefits of the new AJCC is the opportunity to hold two job fairs per year within the adjacent Inland Center Mall.

“Businesses are only as successful as their people,” said WDB Chair Phil Cothran, a Fontana business owner. “We have a unique opportunity here in San Bernardino County. Companies and industries are bringing good jobs into our community, and it’s up to us, working together, to make sure we’ve got the talent pool to fill those jobs.”

In addition to the new East Valley center, WDB operates AJCCs in the West Valley – 9650 9^th St., Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga – and the High Desert – 17310 Bear Valley Road, Suite 109, Victorville.

By Lou Yeboah

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.  [Daniel 7:1-8]

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by and asked him the truth of all this. So, he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth.

Thus, he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart. [Daniel 7: 17-28].

Let the reader understand, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains . . . “for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.” The next three and a half years will be more terrible than anything that had ever occurred before. [Matthew 24:21].

Listen, “Prophecy” is revealed to men to change their perspective, to urge them to see things as God sees them rather than as they appear to the human eye. This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand. [Revelation 1:3].

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Two organizations have made commitments to invest in local Black-owned media in California.

Last year, The California Endowment, a foundation dedicated to promoting environments that support healthy living in the state, committed $300,000 to California Black Media (CBM) for the next two years. The money will be used to expand a program that provides direct grants to support the local news reporting capacity of Black media news outlets across the states.

“Information is as important as the air that we breathe and the water we drink,” says Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media. “Supporting our Black Media Sustainability Initiative (BMSI) helps our partners across the state continue the work we do to empower the public with information and news that are vital to the decisions Black Californians make and it determines how – and how well — we live,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of CBM.

Last week, Experian, one of the country’s top credit and information services companies, also donated 75,000 to CBM to support the program. The gift is part of a broader global initiative the company is undertaking to “empower vulnerable people to improve their financial health through education and action.”

Experian supported three other nonprofit organizations that serve Black communities across the United States: The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the National Newspaper Publisher Association (NNPA), and the LaGrant Foundation (TLF).

Experian donated a total of $375,000 to the organizations.

“Nonprofits have been a critical resource for underserved communities and continue to be resilient in the face of the health and financial crises caused by the pandemic,” said Abigail Lovell, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Experian. Globally, the company employs 20,000 people in 44 countries.

“In addition to our work together and reaching out with the message of financial inclusion for all, this is an opportunity to provide real support with their general operating expenses. We hope the funds will enable them to strengthen their impact in the communities that need help the most and lessen the wealth gap in society,” Lovell said.

Experian says the company’s donation to the four nonprofit organizations will directly support African American communities at a time when so many people are recovering from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be used to cover operating expenses and to contribute to the development of innovative programs that improve the lives of people in those communities.

CBM’s BMSI program currently supports local news reporting at four Black-owned-and-operated news publishers across the state, including the Sacramento Observer, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Inglewood Today and the Inland Valley News. Over the last six months, local news reporting at media outlets participating in the program has increased by more than 90 %. More than 130 original news stories have been published.

Wilson says this year she expects to regrant money to more news publishers to support their local news reporting.

“When we began raising money to support the Black Press about 10 years ago, pitching the idea of how important it is to help sustain strong and accountable local media — and Black local media in particular — was a much harder sell than it is today,” says Wilson.“

There is so much more interest and understanding of how critical those things are to the strength of our communities and democracy now,” Wilson added. “We look forward to working with more organizations to continue to do this work to strengthen journalism that serves the public interest.”

Omnitrans will be holding a job fair! The job fair will be held Saturday January 29, 9 AM to 2 PM at its main offices, located at 1700 W. Fifth Street, San Bernardino. Interviews will be conducted on-sight with contingent offers made to qualified candidates! Open positions include Coach Operators, Stops and Stations Workers and Vehicle Service Workers. A signing bonus of up to $1,000 will be offered!

The McDonald’s All-American Games is where hype becomes legacy and is the next step in the journey from being a local standout, to five-star recruit, and ultimately to becoming a household name. This year, a new generation is set to leave it all on the court as more than 760 girls and boys high school basketball players from across the country have been nominated for the chance to play in the 45th anniversary McDonald’s All-American Games – including 2 players from Riverside – representing 1 girl player and 1 boy player1. The annual event will return this March to showcase the nation’s rising stars who will go head-to-head at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena.

Players were nominated by a high school coach, athletic director, principal or member of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee, which is comprised of the nation’s most knowledgeable analysts, prep scouts, media and prestigious basketball coaches. The local players nominated for the chance to play in the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Games are:

Londynn Jones, Centennial High School, Corona

Chance Stephens, Riverside Poly High School, Riverside

The new class of nominees joins a legendary group of athletes who, over four decades, have been nominated for a chance to play in the nation’s premiere showcase – including Michael Jordan, Candace Parker, LeBron James, Maya Moore, Trae Young, Breanna Stewart, and many more of your favorite hoopers.

A complete list of 2022 McDonald’s All American Games Nominees is available at mcdaag.com.

The top 24 girls and 24 boys selected to play in the 2022 McDonald’s All American Games will be revealed Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 on ESPN’s “NBA Today” between 3-4 p.m. ET.

Fans can then tune in to the McDonald’s All American Girls Game on Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the Boys Game immediately following on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET. @McDAAG 

Be sure to follow @McDAAG on Twitter and Instagram to receive exclusive access to 2022 McDonald’s All American Games announcements and a behind-the-scenes look at current and past McDonald’s All Americans.

About McDonald’s USA 

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-a-thon: Join us on January 17th as we pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! This year our theme is ‘A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Action’. Our 5K walk will start at Stratton Center and end at the Riverside Main Library with a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Main Street. Free shuttle services back to Stratton Center will be available every half hour beginning at 11 am. Registration will begin at 7:30 AM at Stratton Center. The Walk will begin promptly at 10 AM at the entrance of the Center. Free shuttle service back to Stratton Center will be available every half hour beginning at 11 AM. After the walk join us for a short program (honoring local honorees), booths, entertainment, performances and a contest for the organization with the greatest number of walkers. This year’s Honorees include: Councilmember Erin Edward, Dr. Judy White, Andy Melendrez, Leila Bensaid, and Chani Beeman. Proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit the Riverside African American Historical Society to support: The Civil Rights Institute, Clarke & Grier College Scholarships and for the maintenance and upkeep of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue.

2022 MLK Day of Service-Exchange club of Fontana: Residents of all ages and backgrounds are invited to advance the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 2022 MLK Day of Service on January 21. Join hundreds of volunteers in making it a “day on, not a day off” by completing service projects throughout the community. To volunteer, please register by contacting Brock Champion at bchampion@ofy.org or call (909) 315-9154. Participants will complete a variety of projects such as painting, beautifying schools, serving meals, and more. To make the event a success, local Fontana-area service projects are needed.  Non-profit organizations are invited to submit their (3) hour project requests to Brock Champion at bchampion@ofy.org or call (909) 315-9154.

21st Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast: The MLK Breakfast Tribute will be Monday, January 17, 2022, from 8:30am to 11:00am. Workshops following from 11:30am to 1:00pm. at the Ontario Airport Doubletree Hotel. Sponsors welcome, advertise in our program book. Looking forward to seeing you there. Please RSVP to Trudy Coleman at (909) 418-8530. or Alice Anderson at (909) 717-9448.

City of Inglewood 39th Annual King Fest Celebration: The 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is almost here! The event will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and include a commemorative parade and family festival at the Fabulous Forum. You don’t want to miss the 39th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Masks and proof of vaccination for persons 12 years and older are required by organizer for entry into the festival. For more information on sponsorship, vendor opportunities, and parade participation, contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department: (310) 412-8750.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon: Monday, January 17, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn Victorville located at 12603 Mariposa Road in Victorville. For tickets, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-luncheon-tickets-222073657287

Black Lives Matter Pasadena Martin Luther King Protest: Black Lives Matter Pasadena will be leading a protest beginning at the corner of Raymond Avenue and Holly Street. The protest will be on Monday, January 17, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Corner of Raymond Avenue and Holly Street at 85 E Holly Street in Pasadena.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (Virtual): The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), invites you to the 9th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event will be held virtually via Zoom. This year’s celebration, “Living, Dreaming, believing in a Clean Air Future” focuses on partnering with communities to address air pollution and the inequalities of environmental justice. South Coast AQMD’s partnership with the communities are vital to improving air quality for all residents of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-tickets-214304379167