Local

By Lou Yeboah

As we celebrate Black History Month recognition is given to the mighty men and women of valour who paved the way for all of us. We recognize them for their heroic courage, dedication, commitment, and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, intimidation, and even death… all for the equity for people of color.

Black History Month! A time to think about what it means to be an African American. Black History Month! The story of God’s action in the United States. Black History Month! The story of good beating evil, of liberation, of freedom. Black History Month! Remembering the great heroes of the faith who faced horrible suffering and great temptation to sin, yet they persevered spiritually because they looked to Jesus. [Hebrews 12:1-3].

Black History Month… a time of reflection, rejoicing, and recommitting.

Starting with Reflection. One of the things that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., believed more than anything else is that we as a people need to come together and stop hating on each other. “United We Stand, Divide We Fall.” He believed that the only way we can stand strong in our families, churches and communities is when we walk in unity and guard against division and strife. If we want God’s blessing, power and presence, we need to walk in unity: In our homes, in our churches, workplaces, schools and communities.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the disciple Paul urged us to be in agreement and that there be no divisions among us, but that we be united in the same mind and with the same purpose. For when we lack unity, our credibility is worthless. Our testimony is useless. [Ecclesiastes 4:12], says that, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” There is strength and unity in numbers, and if we desire to impact our community, our city, our world, than we need to stand together. Christ gave us even greater insight when He said in [Matthew 12:25] a house divided, a city divided and a nation divided cannot stand. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” [Psalms 133:1].

You know in [Genesis 11:6] concerning the tower of Babel, God said because of their unity there is nothing they couldn’t accomplish if they put their minds to it. Now these were ungodly people without the prophetic purpose of God at heart. What could this mean to a people fulfilling the call of God on their lives and pursuing the purposes of God’s Kingdom? I’m afraid as Malcolm X said; we have been bamboozled, hoodwinked, and led astray. We are divided and separated over insignificant issues. It is a trick of our enemy to bring such contradictory structure into our lives. We fight over issues already settled in God’s Word. The problems are so many and yet the answer begins with one simple step, repentance and reconciliation. We must forgive each other and return to God’s purpose. We cannot do it alone. God never intended it. Divided we fall short of God’s intent. United we stand ready to see the completion of the world harvest God has set before us.

Who Is Responsible? We are all responsible in the body of Christ to see true reconciliation. We are all given the ministry of bringing a lost world to Christ. If not us, then who? If not now, then when? If not in the church, then where? We must love not in word only but in deed and truth. It is time to recognize the need, repent of our sins and reconcile the family of God. Then and only then will we have validity to speak prophetically to our nation and our world.

Black History! As we take time to celebrate this notable occasion we remember how God has delivered His people. We remember the way God led His people through trials. We remember the victories God has given, and we remember the blessings God has bestowed. Why do we remember? We remember so that we can keep in mind the great price paid for our freedom and for our salvation. For it is that memory that connects us and brings our histories and lives together in ways that are life renewing and life giving. So remember the story by recalling the story. Remember the story by making the story your story. Remember the story by doing the story, and remember the story by being the story. Black History Month — A time of reflection, rejoicing, and recommitting!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University School of Dentistry dental hygiene students will be providing free tooth cleanings and faculty dentists will provide free visual exams during the month of February. Both services are for children between the ages of five and 12  on the following Friday mornings: February 1, February 15, February 22 and March 8. Faculty dentists will provide this free service between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m..

A parent or guardian must accompany the child and bring a list of any medications the child may be taking.

The free cleanings will be provided in the dental hygiene clinic at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, 11092 Anderson Street, Loma Linda. 

 For appointments, parents can call the Dental Hygiene Clinic at 909-558-9417.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) — SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Pastors United are scheduled to meet with Fontana Pastors on Saturday, February 1, at 11 A.M. at Loveland Church. The purpose of the meeting is to invite all Fontana Pastors to establish Fontana Pastors United in the city of Fontana. 

The Fontana Pastors met on January 4th and 18th, they are community leaders, representing for organizations, overwhelming elected to move forward with SBPU protocols that were presented. However, it was determined to have a second meeting to have other churches, denominations, and community leaders to weigh in.

For the meeting on Saturday, they need all churches, pastors in the Fontana area to be a part of this process. Loveland Church is located at 17977 W Merrill Ave in the City of Fontana.

They hope to move forward to finalize the birthing process, determine lead organizations and committees, and determine another date to meet to implement engagement activities.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Let us continue to pray and cover one another. For more information, feel free to contact them at 909-353-7977.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- SEIU 2015, California’s long term care union representing 385,000 nursing home and home care workers, and the Agua Caliente Clippers partnered to host Caregiver Night on Saturday, January 19 when the Agua Caliente Clippers played the Stockton Kings at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

The event was the first time SEIU 2015 partnered with the Clippers Organization to bring attention to the important work that caregivers do.

Over 3,200 people attended Caregiver Night, including over 500 seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

There was also a jersey raffle the night of the game and all proceeds went to Sova Program Center in Ontario. Sova offers services such as utility and rental assistance to families and individuals in need.

“Californians are growing older and living longer and the support of home care workers, nursing home workers, and long term care programs is critical to ensure the well-being of our loved ones,” said Kim Evon, Executive Vice President of SEIU 2015. “This game was in honor of the vital role the over 26,000 caregivers in San Bernardino County play in our communities. It was honor to partner with the Agua Caliente Clippers to make this game happen.”

Thousands of solar panels have been installed at 10 campuses in the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).

The project began in July 2018 and was completed in December 2018. The District is projected to save up to $20 million over the next 20 years while also conserving natural resources. The panels were installed at no cost to the District under a power purchase agreement with PFMG Solar, LLC.

At San Gorgonio High School alone, more than 2,000 solar panels were installed atop new parking lot shelters, making it possible for the school to consume about 35 percent less power from the grid. The entire project will generate about seven million kilowatt hours per year.

Other District campuses that also have new solar panels include Cajon, Arroyo Valley, Indian Springs, Middle College, and Pacific High Schools; Curtis, Del Vallejo, and Chavez Middle Schools; and Barton Elementary School. Schools were selected based on their high electricity consumption and available space.

The installation of solar panels is part of the District’s longstanding commitment to clean energy. Other initiatives include recent energy-saving upgrades at various schools across the District, like the installation of new LED lighting and new air conditioning units. In addition, most SBCUSD schools have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Energy Star campuses.

“This project will allow us to reduce energy costs and also reduce our carbon footprint,” said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden. “That’s a win-win for our District and our community.”

Photos by John Coleman, Community Photographer

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA—   The San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting a film festival in celebration of Black History Month in February.  These screenings will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 PM in the Bing Wong Auditorium at the Feldheym Central Library, 555 W. 6^th Street.

The series includes films that cover a wide range of stories and cultures. Due to our public performance license, we are unable to list the titles of the movies. 

• Tuesday, Feb. 5: A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee. Starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
• Thursday, Feb. 7: The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Starring Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer.
• Tuesday, Feb. 19: A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. Starring David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo.
• Thursday, Feb. 21: A working class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950’s, while coming to terms with the events of his life. Starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
• Tuesday, Feb. 26: A passionate coach helps inner-city kids overcome the racist attitudes around them and become Philadelphia’s first African-American swim team. Starring Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.
• Thursday, Feb. 28: The heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda must step forward to lead his people into a new future. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o.

These films are free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 909-381-8235 or visit or visit www.sbpl.org,https://twitter.com/SBCityLibrary, or https://www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The new Makerspace at the San Bernardino Public Library will be offering a 3D Printing Workshop on Thursday, January 31, 2019. It will be held from 2 – 5:30 PM inthe Jack L. Hill Lifelong Learning Center on the 2^nd floor of the Feldheym Central Library, at 555 W. 6^th Street.

Learn the basics of Tinkercad and make a personalized keychain. This workshop is Part 1.  Participants will return in late February for  part 2, to come back and “print” their keychain. This free workshop is open to the public, ages 13 and up.

What is a Makerspace?  It’s a place for people, including kids, to work together and make and review projects together. Making can happen anywhere—on a kitchen table or living room rug or garage. It’s an opportunity to Dream, Design and Create. 

The San Bernardino Public Library was recently chosen as 1 of 10 public libraries to participate in a California State Library project – “Developing Makerspaces in Libraries throughout California”.  A small $10,000 Planning and Implementation grant was provided to accomplish a program for Makerspace activities. The project has involved such projects as De-constructing a computer, A Virtual Reality experience, A Cardboard Challenge, and other projects to follow. The library will be providing patrons with opportunities to use new technology such as a 3D printing and Virtual Reality (VR) and other projects as the space develops.

For more information call the Feldheym Central Library at 909-381-8205, or visit www.sbpl.org, https://twitter.com/SBCityLibrary, or https://www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—-SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Ephesians New Testament Church will host the Central Pacific District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America on Tuesday, February 5 to Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. The event will be held at Good Samaritan Christian Center located at 17220 Merrill Avenue in Fontana.

The special guest on Wednesday, February 6 will be Dr. Edward V. Hill, Jr. of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angles, California. There will be great preaching and singing each night. The public is invited to come and be blessed in fellowship; Bishop Emory B. James, President.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Without a car of her own, Army Veteran Melissa Hooper of Riverside has been heroically juggling a full-tine job with a full-time course load in her goal to set an example by becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.

Relief in in sight. Hooper and her four-year-old daughter received on Tuesday the priceless gift of independence and freedom when they were presented with keys to a newly refurbished car from Caliber Collision and Encompass Insurance as a thank for her military service.

“(As a) first generation Mexican-American and the first in my family to go to college, I am emboldened to show my family that their work ethic, their love, and their support helped change my life,” said Hooper. 

Hooper has earned four Associates of Science degrees from Riverside Community College and was recently accepted into California State Polytechnic University, majoring in Management and Human Resources.  In addition to her academics, Hooper was president of the Student Veterans Association, helping to win a $10,000 grant to revamp the Veterans Resource Center. Her hundreds of hours of volunteer service earned her the Riverside Community College Student of The Year Award in 2016. 

The car donation from Encompass and Caliber is part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program in which collision industry businesses team up to repair and donate cars to individuals in need of reliable transportation. 

Over the past six years, Caliber Collision and its industry partners have repaired and donated nearly300 cars valued at over $4 million to individuals in need of reliable transportation.