Harris is a candidate for San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner.
Harris is a candidate for San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner. The campaign is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Idle Spurs Steakhouse, 690 Old Highway 58 in Barstow (92311).
Katt Williams
He’s been gone for a minute, but now he’s officially back in action. Acclaimed comedian, Katt Williams, made a comeback at the Los Angeles Forum this past New Years Eve. Now he is making his way to the Inland Empire and will be making people fall out of their seats in laughter on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. at the Citizens Bank Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m, and parking is included in ticket fees. Tickets range from $29 to $109. A group of four is $100 plus fees. This is a show you don’t want to miss! So get your tickets while you still can. Visit www.cbbankarena.com/events/detail/katt-williams to purchase your tickets today!
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Emmanuel United Methodist Church will host a FREE HEALTH FAIR on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3310 North “G” Street in San Bernardino. Join in for free health screenings, giveaways, and activities to get you moving like line dancing, Zumba, and hula hoop contests! For more information call (909) 882-0011 or email sbeumc@verizon.net.
Lou Coleman
By Lou Coleman
“Why don’t you practice what you preach?” Have you ever said those words? Maybe someone has said them to you. Hypocrites are people who pretend to be something they are not. They may say one thing and then do the opposite. They may act one way in a certain setting and then act another way in a different setting. It is very important that as Christians, we follow the example of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter where we are or who we are with. The words we speak and the things we do should always reflect our faith. Sometimes we are good at telling other people what they should do and how they should live, but we fail to follow our own instructions. We need to, as the saying goes, “walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
Listen carefully to Jesus’ feelings that are boiling and roiling against the Pharisees in Matthew 23. “They preach but they do not practice. They lay burdens on others shoulders but they do not lift a finger to help. They do all their deeds to be seen by men. They love the places of honor at feasts and greetings in the market places and being called rabbi.”
Then the gospel text switches from “they” to “you.” (Note that in both English and Greek, there is emphasis on the “you” in each of these statements.) Talk about being in your face. Talk about calling a spade a spade. Talk about boiling and roiling. A person can hear the “you” that drip with sarcastic indictment. “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees for you shut the kingdom of heaven. You do not enter the kingdom and you prevent others from entering it. Woe to you Pharisees, you blind guides, you blind men. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you tithe on the trivia but you neglect the weightier issues of law, justice, mercy and faith. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for outwardly you appear beautiful but inwardly you are full of dead men’s bones. You are the sons of those who have murdered the prophets. You serpents and brood of vipers how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”
If anyone was a religious fake, it was the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They pretended to be genuinely religious but it was all a sham, a charade. It was a deceit, a deception. Like any good actor, they were all “make believe.” Jesus was deeply offended by the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a bunch of phonies who did not do what they preached. So it is with many people of faith: on the outside and the showy parts of their lives, they give a good performance of being a Christian, but it is all “a front.” Inside, their hearts are far from the love of God/Jesus and neighbor. They talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.
Why is it important to practice what we preach? The most basic reason is the integrity of our faith; we are the body of Christ for the world. We are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People should be attracted by the light of the way we live and the words we speak. Whether we like it or not, people are watching us and seeing how we respond to the ups and downs of everyday life. Children watch adults and then imitate what they see and repeat what they hear. Are our words and actions something we want repeated by our children? Our friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members, and classmates are watching us. What evidence do we offer of our profession of faith? Are our responses any different from those of persons who don’t profess to know Christ? Not only are nonbelievers watching us, but so are other Christians. Do our words and actions encourage and build up other Christians?
How do we practice what we preach? One way is to be careful about the words we speak. You can tell a lot about a person by the words they use. You can tell even more by the words they use when they are distressed, angry, or threatened. James tells us the tongue is very dangerous. It can set a great forest ablaze. We can tame all kinds of animals, but we cannot tame the tongue (James 3:3-6). People are listening to the words we speak. Do our words build people up or cut them down? Do our words bring peace and calm to a situation or do they add fuel to the fire? The words we speak should match the person we claim to be. If we profess that we are followers of Christ, then our words should be a reflection of that relationship.
We practice what we preach when we live our lives as reflections of the life of Christ. The way we act at work should be the same way we act at home, at church, around other Christians, in the supermarket, or waiting for a bus. When people see us, they should see a reflection of Christ. Can I tell you that, Jesus is pulling the masks off the hypocrites. It is His job! {Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged.} And can I just add that if you are sincere in your walk with Jesus, don’t let hypocrites keep you from being the real thing.
As Christians, all glory, honor, and praise belong to Christ. We must check ourselves because pride sneaks up when we least expect it to wag its ugly head in our lives. We are but His servants sent into the world as salt and light, and as ambassadors of His kingdom. May He find us to be faithful, humble servants. Greatness is not found in being served, but in serving others. Walk the talk!
LOS ANGELES, CA- On Saturday, May 17, Inside Out Community Arts, a local non-profit, will be presenting ‘What’s On Our Minds, Spring 2014’, a showcase of six original plays written and performed by students from three middle schools, which consist of John Adams (LAUSD, South LA), Washington Irving (LAUSD, Glassell Park), and Whaley (CUSD, Compton). The performance is performed twice a year and is free to the public at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre located at 244 S. San Pedro Street in Los Angeles (90012). The show starts at 7 p.m., and suggested parking is locates at Joe’s at 350 East 2nd Street (Los Angeles. 90012) for $5. To RSVP please contact RSVP@insideoutca.org.
The student plays will explore topics that include: Hypocrisy, Friendship, Popularity, Romance, Gangs and Finding Support to Make Your Dreams Come True.In a recent interview with an Inside Out student from Whaley Middle School in Compton, a student explained why he and his peers invested in writing a play on the topic of gangs, “There are a lot of issues with gangs, not just here but all over the United States. There are drive-bys, gangs doing drugs and influencing kids to join them.”When asked what he would like to see change he responded, “No gangs. Nothing of violence that would make us feel unsafe when we’re walking from home to school.”
Makayla Johnson
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES- Logistics Specialist Seaman Makayla Johnson, from San Bernardino, CA, heaves a mooring line aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) as the ship departs from Abu Dhabi following a scheduled port visit. Arleigh Burke is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released).
How’s it going Inland Empire! This week I would like to feature one of the most talented groups in the Inland Empire, Hip Hop artist Speaker Junkiez. Are you looking for a Turn UP group? Then look no further. Allow me to introduce “Speaker Junkiez”, one of the BEST Hip-Hop groups in the Inland Empire. From their colorful and unique style, to their catchy lyrics, original beats, and dance moves, they’re always GUARANTEED to get the crowd up on their feet!
With the God given talent of vocals and lyrics they’ve been blessed with, Barbra Martin, also known as Dada Doe, and Nash Collins the III, also known as Big Chew, they became one forming the group known as, “Speaker Junkiez ”. Under management by LUE Productions, the group has been performing all over Southern California.
Both Dada Doe and Big Chew were born in San Bernardino California, where they found their love of music at a young age. Growing up in the streets of San Bernardino with little promise for the future both turned to the ARTS as a way to express their inner self. Holding each other down through good and bad times while making the best out of the worst situation, these two were still able to produce quality music.
The group just released their first video ever for their song “Let’s Party”. Come out and watch them perform it live for LUE Productions/Family First Entertainment Annual Urban Hip-Hop and R&B Fashion Show this Sunday located at 114 S. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino (92408) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can view it on YouTube as well. They are also currently working on their EP and building their fan base, and are looking forward to touring and performing all over the world. With God by their side, this group is truly on the RISE!
Paakuma’ K–8 School Groundbreaking Marks End of Successful Campus Building Program
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino City Unified School District will break ground on its 15th and final new campus on May 16, capping an aggressive construction campaign that started in 2004. Paakuma’ K–8 School, named for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ revered leader Santos Manuel, will break ground at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16 at the campus, located at 17875 Sycamore Creek Loop Parkway near Devore. The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony, which will feature a blessing and bird songs by San Manuel Tribal Member and Santos Manuel’s great-great-grandson Paakuma’ Tawinat and Kim Marcus, member of the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians. Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, great-great-granddaughter of Santos Manuel, will also speak during the ceremony. For more information about or to RSVP for the Paakuma’ K–8 School groundbreaking ceremony, please call the District’s Communications/Community Relations Departmentat (909) 381-1250.
Darryl R. Matthews Sr
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced today the selection of Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. as the new Executive Director of the association, the largest organization of journalists of color worldwide. Matthews had been serving in the role in an interim capacity.
Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the National Medical Association, a national professional organization which represents the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians. He has also served as Executive Director for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was the fraternity’s 32nd General President. Earlier in his career, Matthews was the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Black Accountants, where he helped them achieve their most profitable years, coupled with remarkable growth.
Matthews is a highly respected, effective and successful senior association executive, with experience in federal government operations, association management and consulting.
“Darryl brings more than 30 years of diversified leadership experience in association and non-profit management” said NABJ president Bob Butler. “He is a proven leader in fundraising and grants management with a successful record of increasing an organization’s sponsorship base. He is well connected in the Washington, D.C area and has raised and administered millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts. ”
Members and partners will have an opportunity to formally meet Matthews at NABJ’s 39th Annual Convention & Career Fair, July 31- Aug. 3, 2014 in Boston.
“My vision is to ensure that through effective programs and events we will be the premier membership association of choice for black journalists pursuing excellence in their academic and professional lives,” said Matthews. “I very much look forward to working alongside our members to ensure that they have the tools and resources needed to maximize their potential and rapidly ascend as leaders in their career pursuits.”
Matthews received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Central Missouri.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide. For more information, please visit www.nabj.org.
ROSEMEAD, CA- With a week-long heat wave peaking between today and Friday and triple-digit temperatures in many areas, Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds its customers of the importance of energy conservation. The heavy demand could also cause equipment failure, which could lead to outages for some SCE customers.
Presently the system is performing well and the company anticipates having an adequate supply of electricity. However, with some customers using more energy in the evenings this week, especially air conditioning, the added demand can put a strain on SCE’s equipment. Without the opportunity for SCE’s equipment to cool off, transformers and other equipment could fail.
SCE personnel, which include restoration and repair crews, are responding to outages as they are reported. The company is also taking steps to ensure that crews are available to immediately respond to outages.
SCE has postponed a number of scheduled maintenance outages, but will continue to conduct some that are critical. Conducting these critical maintenance outages helps lessen the possibility of equipment failure, which could lead to repair outages lasting longer and affecting more customers than maintenance outages.
The company offers many programs to help people conserve electricity. SCE’s Summer Discount Plan allows customers to receive bill credits of up to $200 by allowing their central air conditioner to be temporarily turned off or cycled during peak times of the day. The program offers a variety of plans and options, and is completely customizable.
Here are some other important conservation tips to keep in mind during this heat wave:
Safety Tips:
Customers may report outages at 1-800-611-1911, online or through the SCE Outages App. SCE will provide the latest information about outages at its website and Twitter.
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