Local

By Neil Ford

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has unveiled its new electrification program, under which it will invest 12 billion dollars over the next five years.

The funds will support its New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aims to achieve universal access to electricity in Africa by 2025. The plan was born out of the Energy Week conference held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire at the end of March, which brought stakeholders together to discuss methods of improving energy access.

Until relatively recently, the AfDB and other organizations regarded off-grid power provision as a stop-gap measure, designed to provide electricity to people until their homes were connected to the grid; however, the global boom in renewable energy technologies and the growing attraction of energy self-sufficiency in the West has changed the way the concept is viewed. The process is likely to accelerate when battery storage becomes cheaper and more efficient.

The scale of the off-grid ambition is demonstrated by the fact that the Bank has set a target of providing “decentralised solar technologies” – in other words, off-grid solar PV – to 75m households and businesses over the next five years. The change of heart is largely a function of the falling cost of off-grid solar [link to the piece I wrote on this previously, in relation to West Africa]. On-grid electrification has been a very slow process and the AfDB has recognised that off-grid solar PV kits are proving far more effective.

At present, solar panels, batteries and other components are manufactured elsewhere in the world, predominantly in Asia. They are imported in Africa, mainly in East Africa, by companies who sell them on to customers. Small weekly or monthly payments are made, often by mobile phone, until the solar kit is paid off.

It is likely to sound like a gross exaggeration to many readers, but it seems likely that almost all Africans will have access to electricity within the next decade.  This is because individual solar PV kits in East Africa are now as cheap as kerosene as a source of energy. They will not yet provide sufficient electricity to power the appliances to give a Western-style standard of living, but the cost of fridges, washing machines and other appliances is still out of the reach of most African families in any case. Yet they will provide enough energy for electric light and the ability to charge mobile phones.  It is often argued that the first kilowatt-hour is the most important.

AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina said: “Africa’s energy potential is as enormous as its electricity deficit. We must move quickly to unlock this energy potential. We must be smart, efficient, sustainable and quick in our actions…Although we can employ a mix of approaches, off-grid solutions must be at the core of our approach to achieve the ambitious electricity access targets that we have set.”

Bright Future

The AfDB is keen to see decentralised solar PV take off in the rest of the continent, beyond East Africa, and is keen to use its financial muscle to support long-term integrated planning and hedging tools to mitigate foreign exchange risks. It can also play a role in encouraging skills development and in the longer term possibly also component manufacturing within Africa.

Yet the private sector has taken the lead on off-grid electrification to date, so the process will take place with or without large-scale financing because of the economics of the technology. Looking further ahead, there will be increasing pressure to integrate on- and off-grid power provision so that people with multiple solar panels can sell electricity to others, as well as tapping into grid supplies when they need more power, or require back-up.

The big question is whether this process will be centred on national grids or far more localised mini-grids, perhaps covering just single villages. This issue was discussed in meetings on the sidelines of Energy Week but will surely become a more central concern in the future. The latter seems more likely in the short term, but in the long term the former may become more important, turning power utilities into infrastructure operators and power trading platforms more than generators in their own right.

It wasn’t too long ago that Fathers Incorporated, a leading national nonprofit for the promotion of Responsible Fatherhood, launched its new initiative, Real Dads Read (RDR), in Atlanta, GA. The initial project objective was to create literacy centers in barbershops with the goal of encouraging father-child involvement through reading and improving literacy for young children. Today, with help from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, RDR has established 26 libraries in barbershops around metro Atlanta and 9 in Columbus, GA. In addition, 45 barbershops and partners engaged in a citywide book drive, collecting 2,245 books, which included a large donation from the Atlanta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi.

“We are encouraged that so many organizations have come on board to celebrate and support the effort of Real Dads Read,” says Kenneth Braswell, Executive Director of Fathers Incorporated. “The inquires to bring the project to other cities around the country are overwhelming. We have had to temper the excitement because we are still building our capacity to meet the tremendous need and requests for RDR,” Braswell continues. “Fathers Incorporated is now working on building the RDR infrastructure to support broader and more intentional programmatic activities.” Currently, RDR has a pilot site in Columbus, GA with its partner, Chattahoochee Valley Parent 2 Parent.

One RDR program objective is the creation of a national engagement day. Fathers Incorporated is pleased to announce its inaugural National Real Dads Read Day on June 9, 2017. This day is designed to encourage individuals, groups, businesses, etc. to plan reading activities in support of fathers/male caregivers and their children. “This day supports all our program outcomes for children,” says Lamont Jones, co-partner of RDR and CEO of Furthering Fathering. While RDR is designed to encourage all fathers to read to their children, there is a focus on children of color, particularly in low-income communities.

Real Dads Read is aimed at elementary and middle school aged children (K-8) and their fathers/male caregivers with the goals of 1) encouraging children to develop a love of reading, 2) improving children’s literacy skills and educational outcomes, and 3) strengthening bonds between fathers/caregivers and their children.

National Real Dads Read Day will take place each year on the 2nd Friday of June. “This isn’t complicated; children do better on a host of measures, including reading, when fathers are actively involved in their care, so we simply want to earmark this day to encourage reading among dads and their children and remind the public of the important roles fathers play in the lives of their children. We encourage whatever you can do as a dad, individual, group, business, or organization to help achieve this outcome. Let us know about your efforts and plans so we can let others know,” says Braswell. RDR is planning a twitter chat (@RealDadsRead), social media contest (#2017NATRDR), and other fun activities to support National Real Dads Read Day on June 9, 2017.

Fathers Incorporated has submitted several requests to cities to proclaim June 9th as National Real Dads Read Day, including Atlanta and Columbus.

For tips on engaging fathers, barbershops, planning events and more information on National Real Dads Read Day visit their website at www.realdadsread.org, email us at fathers incorporated@gmail.com, or call our office at 770-804-9800.

This season, Omnitrans riders have the chance to root for the Inland Empire 66ers at any Wednesday home game, for FREE!

We have partnered with our local minor league baseball team to sponsor Winning Wednesdays. Present your Omnitrans bus pass or receipt at any Wednesday home game and get two FREE tickets to the game!

To view this season’s IE66ers schedule, click here.

Sharon Nevins, a licensed social worker with a wealth of knowledge and experience, has been appointed as Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services.

Nevins has been the interim director of the department, which includes the Office of the Public Guardian, since October 2016. As the sworn Public Guardian, Nevins manages the affairs of people deemed by a judge to be unable to properly care for themselves or their finances. 

“I am honored to be able to serve our County’s seniors and adults in this new position and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our state, county, and community stakeholders to improve the quality of life of those we serve,” said Nevins.  

Nevins began her career with San Bernardino County in 2012 as a deputy director for the Department of Behavioral Health following a 22-year career with the California Department of Mental Health. While with County Behavioral Health, she authored, implemented and managed more than $30-million in grant-funded programs with various agencies and stakeholders. Additionally, she led the design, development and implementation of several innovative National Association of Counties award-winning programs.

Nevins is a licensed clinical social worker and holds dual master’s degrees in social work and public administration from Ohio State University.  During her tenure at the state, Nevins promoted from social worker to clinical administrator for Patton State Hospital and, more recently, served as the executive director of Metropolitan State Hospital. 

“Sharon brings with her nearly three decades of experience in the field of social work and health care services administration,” said CaSonya Thomas, Assistant Executive Officer, Human Services. “For the past six months, she has led the staff of Aging and Adult Services and serving as our County’s Public Guardian. We look forward to her continued service.”

By Manny Otiko, California Black Media

With the current national focus on law and order, some statewide organizations and lawmakers are working on what they say are solutions that promote investment in young people and reduce California’s privately-owned prison population. Assemblymember Tony Thurmond has sponsored AB 43, a bill that would levy a 10 percent tax on “private prisons and prison-related services.”

The bill is aimed at what experts call the Prison Industrial Complex, a process where the correctional system turns inmates and their families into sources of revenue. Inmates and their families have complained about exorbitant fees charged for making calls to and from prison. Also, some privately-owned companies have contracts with states to employ inmates. However, inmates are often paid way below minimum wage, allowing firms to maximize their profits. 

Thurmond said the Prison Industrial Complex is a “modern form of slavery.” He was motivated to sponsor the legislation after watching Ava Duvernay’s documentary “13th.”

“We want the state to switch from investing in prisons to investing in schools,” said Thurmond, a former social worker who is also running for state superintendent of public instruction.

Thurmond’s legislation would raise funds that would go to prison prevention programs and universal preschool. Funds would be deposited in the State Incarceration Prevention Fund. 

There have been some policies that have been said to contribute to the rise in prison population. From The War on Drugs to California’s “Three Strikes” law policies have all been said to have caused overcrowding situation that led to a Federal judge ordering a decrease in the state’s prison population. 

According to the bill, California currently spends about $4.5 billion per year on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Some of that money also trickles down to companies that provide services to inmates. According to an article in the East Bay Times, CoreCivic, a company that owns several private facilities in the state, has received $2 billion from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  

“Companies continue to profit as a result of high state incarceration rates. These for-profit companies provide necessary goods and services to state facilities, often at a markup. In effect, taxpayers are stuck footing the bill, enabling companies to see large profits for goods and services due to California’s prison population,” says the proposed bill.

AB 43 is supported by the California Teachers Association, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, California Nurses Association, Californians for Justice, and First 5 Association of California. The bill will be voted on later this month. 

Thurmond and supporters of the bill say that investing in early education and prison prevention programs are key to stopping the School-to-Prison pipeline. 

“Children who start kindergarten behind, are more likely to stay behind – a trend that feeds into the school-to-prison pipeline,” said Moira Kenney, executive director of the First 5 Association of California. “Early interventions like quality child care and preschool can break this cycle and put children on a path that leads to success in school and in life.”

But not everyone is happy about AB 43. 

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB/CA) said the bill would harm small companies who want to do business with the state. NFIB/CA placed AB 43 on it’s “The Good, The Bad and Ugly” list. According to NFIB/CA State Communications Director Shawn Lewis, the list tracks bills that could negatively impact small business. 

“Imposing a tax on a business that has been awarded a state contract is punitive and counterproductive to the goals of keeping costs down and creating jobs,” said Ken DeVore, NFIB legislative director, in a letter to Thurmond. “Such a tax serves no purpose for the state, and will only hurt small business.” 

Find My Everything Inc. is excited to announce today the release of its practical and exceptionally functional tracking apparatus that will enable users to locate misplaced or stolen personal items no matter where they are. Company founder and CEO, Taylor Baloney is the smart young inventor of ‘Gotcha’ GPS Tracking Device. Using a downloaded smartphone application, the device will help track and find anything, including purses, backpacks, luggage, and even kids. Available in variety of styles, designs, and colors to appeal to consumers of all ages, the tracking device will be about the size of a keychain, which can be attached to handbags, wallets, pets, and other essential items with a small clip.

The tracking device will be linked to an app on a smartphone or tablet to aid when needing to locate misplaced or stolen items. Consumers will be able to locate items using the GPS map on their screens. The app will also activate a beeping sound from the tracking device, so the closer the user is to the missing item, the louder the sound. Users can input multiple trackers onto the app, and each one will have a different little picture or name on the GPS map. The locator service—which functions anywhere in the U.S. that has cellular coverage – will run on the cloud, and data transmitted from the tracking device to the user’s smartphone or tablet.

As currently designed in the technical drawings and 3-D models, the invention has unique features not presently available in the marketplace.

* View a message from the tracking device inventor
* Be among the first to order your watch tracking device at a special pre-order discounted price at www.findmyeverything.org/products.

Today’s society is always seeking new ways to make our lives more convenient and less stressful. Baloney agrees, which is precisely why she developed this product. “I have a passionate sense of pride about this concept,” said inventor Taylor Baloney. “I believe that it deserves vigilant attention and consideration. A great many markets exist for such an innovative concept like ‘Find My Everything’ GPS Tracking Device as consumers everywhere will appreciate the benefits and convenience this product provides. General supply stores like Wal-Mart and Target; retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens; and specialized stores like Best Buy and Office Depot would be logical retailers for both products.”

GOTCHA’ GPS WATCH TRACKER REVIEW:

Google Security and Privacy Product Manager, Michee Smith, tested the Gotcha GPS Tracking Device by having her kindergartner wear the watch tracker during the day for a week. “I found the device is extremely accurate! On my mobile app, I was able to view everywhere she went,” Smith said. “And my daughter had the ability to send an emergency call to me and a message.” The computer engineer continued, “The app has a cool feature that allows the user to replay the location over a couple of days. I also like that the device has a step counter, so it incorporates a bit of health awareness as well. The watch is well designed for kids in that it doesn’t have games, so my child didn’t get distracted while at school. All in all, I think it’s a great product, especially for a mom like me that wants the peace to know my children are safe and in the place where they’re supposed to be.”

Find My Everything Inc. is committed to becoming one of the world’s premier technologies (solutions) to locate certain items, which seem to frequently disappear. The Company specializes in locating items that tend to disappear frequently. “This viable solution will provide the utmost quality, value, and effectiveness in achieving the optimal performance and desired results,” Baloney commented. “As revered business professionals and community advocates, we are focused on achieving our goal by taking actions in the present that will create a sustainable and bright future.”

About Find My Everything Inc.
Founded in 2016 by CEO, Taylor Baloney, Find My Everything Inc. is a company she launched to create and develop her product—the ‘Gotcha’ GPS Tracking Device. Baloney conceived the idea to develop the product after having lost and recovered her iPhone using Apple’s ‘Find My iPhone’ app. The inventor teamed up for the development of this project with Idea Design Studio, and together they used their collaborative experience to transform this idea into a marketable platform.

Combining new school technology with old school customer service, “Find My Everything Inc.” is dedicated to ensuring that its products are designed with innovative and creative technology, while delivering excellent service to its consumers. (www.FindMyEverything.org)

From creating the latest smartphones to making self-driving cars, tech jobs are among the highest paying and fastest growing in the U.S. economy. There are currently 500,000 open jobs in computing, but the number of computer science graduates falls short—just 50,000 each year, and, of those, only one in five are women.

A new program created by the University of California, Riverside and Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) aims to introduce coding and computer science to local high school students and promote diversity, and notably female participation, in these fields. The program is inspired by CS For All, an initiative developed by the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education to empower all American students to become active citizens in our technology-driven world. The program will launch this summer, providing free one-week courses to 80 high school students from RUSD. The intensive courses will run twice, from June 19-23 and from June 26-30. Applications are due by April 26 and students can apply online or by calling 951-790-2633 (English speakers) or 951-878-0411 (Spanish speakers).

Angelov Farooq, founding director of the UCR Center for Economic Development and Innovation in the Office of Research and Economic Development and a member of the RUSD Board of Education, is leading the effort. He said similar programs in other parts of the country have been shown to increase the number of students, particularly girls and underrepresented minorities, who study computer science and go on to earn undergraduate degrees in the field.

“We have to emphasize technology and coding as an attainable career path for all students and encourage diversity in these fields because these are future-proof fields that will continue to grow and offer a wide spectrum of fulfilling and high-paying jobs,” Farooq said.

Farooq said he is particularly concerned about the lack of women from underrepresented and low-income families in the technology industry, a loss that would be acute in the Inland Empire. Today, less than 5 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in computer science are awarded to minority women.

During the program, attendees will get a hands-on, intensive programming experience, including building apps from scratch, touring engineering labs, and meeting with computer science professors in UCR’s Bourns College of Engineering.

“This is especially a great opportunity for girls to learn a new skill, be introduced to different fields in computer science, and make new friends, all in a comfortable environment,” said Kelly Downey, a computer science lecturer and lead instructor at the camp. “I am excited to teach the next generation of problem solvers computer programming skills that they can use in inventive and creative ways.”

Downey said at the end of the week, participants will walk away with new programming skills, a portfolio of apps they made, and an excitement for what can be done in the field of computer science. For more information, visit the CS For All website.

Loma Linda University Health is now meeting a medical need in neighboring Nevada.

Loma Linda University Transplantation Institute recently opened a satellite clinic in Las Vegas for comprehensive liver disease management to care for patients.

The state of Nevada does not currently have a liver transplant program, according to Juan Ramirez Jr., director of referral and business development for the Transplantation Institute. 

He said, “Many Loma Linda patients reside in Nevada and drive to Loma Linda for their regular clinic appointments, and we wanted to find a way to provide care to these patients in their own community.”

The Transplantation Institute serves adult and pediatric patients not only from the Inland Empire and Southern California, but also Central California, Las Vegas and beyond. The institute performs heart, kidney, liver and pancreas transplants.

The Las Vegas liver clinic opened its doors in February, allowing patients the opportunity to see their hepatology care team in their own community, ultimately decreasing the number of trips they make to Loma Linda.

General hepatology care, such as treatment of viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is offered in addition to serving liver transplant patients. Patients who may need a liver transplant will still make periodic visits to Loma Linda, including for the operation itself.

The 2,182-square-foot clinic offers five exam rooms and is staffed five days a week, by nurse practitioner Inna Goldvarg, APRN, who brings years of experience in hepatology care. Michael Volk, MD, medical director for liver care at LLU Transplantation Institute, supervises the clinic and cares for patients weekly via videoconference and monthly in person.

Located at 2020 Goldring Ave., Suite 506, Las Vegas, the clinic can be called at 702-823-0004.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

You see concerning His own Word, God said: ” So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: IT SHALL NOT… RETURN UNTO ME VOID….” [Isaiah 55:11]. I want you to know that this is absolute authority speaking. There are no conditions attached, no restrictions and no limitations. This statement indicates the sovereignty of the One who spoke the Word and the absolute perfection of the Word spoken. And He said that, “The Wages of Sin is Death!”  Now what part of Sin equals Death do you not understand that you continue to sin? Paul asks, “What shall [you] say then? Shall [you] continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid… [Romans 6:1-2]

Now I know some of you have said, “I’m so sick of her talking about Sin, Hell and Repentance, it just makes me sick.” Well you might as well just vomit, because God has entrusted me with a ministry where there are, “No Corners Cut, No Round-About Way and No Pacifying! Rebuke, Correction and then Hope,  in that order exactly. Besides, if I don’t [teach] on “Sin, Hell or Repentance”, then I’m not [teaching] the whole counsel of God – [Acts 20:27]. That means the whole truth – the Woes along with the Blessings [Romans 11:22]. If I don’t [teach] on Hell, I will go to Hell! If anyone in the five-fold ministry neglects to warn, then according to [Ezekiel 3:17-21] then the sinner’s blood is on [their] hands, and I be doggone if your blood will be on my hands! David understood this – [Psalm 51:14]. Paul lived by this principle – [Acts 20:26-27] and James warned about the responsibility – [James 3:1].  If I don’t [teach] on Hell, you may go there! I want you to know that a message on Sin, Hell and Repentance is a “signpost.” It is an opportunity for you to consider where you are going and to change direction if necessary. While the words Hell, Sin and Repentance may have been dropped out of some pulpits, they have not dropped out of the Word of God. 

The Mandate for Repentance – The first sermon Jesus preached was one of repentance: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” [Matthew 4:17]. And in the last message He gave to the church in [Revelation 3:19]. And in [Luke 13:1-5] Jesus again preached a message of Repentance. Twice in this passage Jesus stated emphatically: “I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” You see, the same Scriptures that call for us to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, advises us to repent or else we shall die.” Make no mistake about it… “If you do not repent, God will sharpen his sword bend His bow and made it ready.” [Psalm 7:12] For it [His Word] is written and settled in Heaven. [Psalms 119:89.] So do not delude yourself. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me.” [Hebrews 3:8-9]. I tell you, you may never have another day to repent in. Therefore, says the voice of wisdom, “repent now.” Jesus says, “Come now, let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” [Isaiah 1:18].

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.  Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” [Proverbs 8:32-36].

By Naomi K. Bonman

I love great energy and people that possess it. There were nothing but great and positive vibes during my recent interview with Ezina. Ezina is an author, musician, yogi, filmmaker, and a philanthropic humanitarian. She is also the great niece of the legendary Bobby Womack, and yes she is just as talented as her late great uncle. But as they say, talent sure does run the family.

When you listen to Ezina’s music, you can take it with you in just about any atmosphere because her melodies fuse together Neo Soul, Reggae, Alternative Rock, and Pop. You can vibe to it over a candle lit dinner with your honey, dance to it at a local bar with a group of friends, mediate to it during a yoga session, or simply just relax to it on a nice, sunny afternoon or gloomy, rainy day.

In addition to her music, she also has several books that she has written and one that she is currently working on. Her books, like her music, also provide healing as well as thought provoking messages. Thus, coinciding with her mission to use her music and books to inspire and bring people together and to use the tools of yoga to help others thrive.

To and learn more about Mrs. Ezina and her current projects and endeavors, please check out the interview below.