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By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Every year CNBC releases a “Top States for Business” ranking.

The network evaluated all 50 states on 86 metrics across 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category was weighted based on how frequently states used it as a selling point to attract potential residents and businesses. The metrics were scored on a scale of 2,500 points and the states with the highest scores made the list.

California gained top rankings in ‘Access to Capital’ and ‘Technology & Innovation’. However, the state received F rankings in ‘Business Friendliness’ and ‘Cost of Living’. Overall, California ranked number 25 in the study.

“Our overall ranking should come as no surprise to the governor and Legislature, who continue to push higher taxes, fees, and expensive regulations onto businesses,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable.

“The governor and Legislature’s policies continue to give clear signals that California is not a friendly place to expand or grow jobs,” Lapsley added.

Inland Empire students can use their creativity to compete for prizes in a film competition. Youth in Riverside and San Bernardino counties can enter Cinema Culturas’ 2023 International Storytelling, Film & Music K12 Student Competition. The theme is “How adversity helps you grow.” The contest aims to “encourage students to thrive by turning challenges into learning experiences.”

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade can submit a short film/story in English or Spanish that explores a science or artistic theme. They can also create original music for their entry.

The winners and finalists will have their work posted online as part of the Cinema Culturas Film Festival in fall. Winning stories will also be screened at a red-carpet reception. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

The entry deadline is Tuesday, August 1. For more information, please visit cinemaculturas.com.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

On July 13, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) unanimously elected Karim Webb as the group’s President.

Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist and CEO of 4thMVMT, a Los Angeles-based firm that partners with individuals from underserved communities to own and operate competitive retail businesses.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as President of Board of Airport Commissioners,” said Webb. “An extraordinarily talented group of Commissioners have been assembled to ensure the benefits of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) are realized equitably across our region.

“Collectively, we’ll work to support the LAWA team complete the transformation of LAX while centering the interests of all Angelinos in all we do,” said Webb, who is the son of Reggie Webb, a philanthropist and owner of McDonald’s franchises in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass congratulated Webb on his election to BOAC President.

“I am confident that LAWA will continue to innovate and grow its impact in the region under the leadership of President Karim Webb and Vice President Matt M. Johnson.”

Bass also congratulated Courtney La Bau and Victor Narro on their appointments as new commissioners of BOAC.

By Lou K Coleman

The sirens are sounding, blaring, warning that catastrophic impact is about to take place. Wake up! Because there is a storm on the horizon, that will come suddenly, and unexpectedly. This is a storm that cannot be compared to any storm of nature in its power and intensity. This storm will be the greatest storm to every hit mankind since Creation.  This storm, the approaching storm of the wrath of God will bring judgment upon the heart of every man and woman remaining in the earth and none will escape its power. I ask you; can you hear what I hear? The sirens are blaring, that catastrophic impact is about to take place.

Please don’t wait until the storm falls on you. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, for He is the only source of refuge from this coming storm. As [Zephaniah 1:14-18] tells us, “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly… a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. A day when I, the Lord, will bring distress upon you, that you shall walk like blind men, because you have sinned against Me: your blood shall be poured out as dust, and your flesh as the dung. For neither your silver nor your gold shall be able to deliver you in the day of My wrath; for the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of My jealousy: for I, the Lord shall make even a speedy riddance of all you that dwell in the land.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Therefore, take ye heed, watch and pray for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”  Be sober, be on guard, keep awake! [Mark 13:28-37].

God has promised that the storm is coming. [John 3:36, Romans 2:5, the whole book of Revelation]. Hasten your escape from the windy storm and tempest before it is too late [Psalms 55:8] knowing that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness. [2 Peter 3:9]. For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [1 Thessalonians 5:3].

Why should you die? Heed the warnings and obey the call. Don’t sit idly by and be caught unaware and unprepared.  You’ve Been Warned! Repent before it’s too late!

By Fielding Buck | The Press Enterprise

Ontario’s long wait for a Norms Restaurant ended on June 27, when the chain’s 22nd location opened its doors. Since then, the restaurant has been opened 24 hours a day, but there will be one more wait for diners on Tuesday, July 25, the day of its grand opening ceremonies.

Customers will have the opportunity to line up for a free meal until after a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m. After that, the first 75 people in line will get a free value combo, according to a news release.

Choices include a half sandwich with soup, salad and a beverage or a quarter-pound cheeseburger with fries and a beverage.

Norms is at 4551 Mills Circle, a street that wraps around the parking lot for Ontario Mills, an enclosed shopping center. The building used to be the home of Chevys Fresh Mex, which closed in the winter of 2019. Norms announced plans give it a makeover a year later.

Fielding Buck has reported throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles. His beats have included, business, dining, entertainment, and Southern California theme parks. He’s also been a section editor and copy editor for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs. He has a master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Rick L. Callender, President of the California/Hawaii Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (CAL/HI NAACP), has announced that the organization is offering free legal advice and consultations to public and private sector employees in California who have been targets of racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

“It is a legal redress clinic for folks who have contacted our branch and believe they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin or harassed because of the color of their skins,” Callender told California Black Media (CBM).

“We are providing legal service for our people because sometimes they try to get an attorney to listen to them, but the attorney will tell them they are busy. What we have is two (legal) firms that have contracted with us to allow people to come and get free advice,” he continued.

Local NAACP branches across California will have the authority to determine if a complaint is appropriate for the legal redress consultations after affected employees submit a Legal Redress Complaint Form.

However, the CAL/HI NAACP points out that completing the form does not constitute filing an official complaint with a legal authority.

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, workplace discrimination complaints are based on race, color, ancestry, religion, age (40 and over), disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, or national origin (including language restrictions).

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) established the Discrimination Complaint Tracking System (DCTS), which enables the collection of data on

complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and denial of reasonable accommodation in state agencies, according to its “2020 Annual Report of Discrimination Complaint Activity in California State Civil Service.”

The 27-page report stated that the five highest statewide categories of complaints in 2020 were Race, Retaliation, Disability, Sexual Harassment, and Sex/Gender.

According to the report, the categories ranked as follows: Sexual Harassment (44%), Race (23%), Sex/Gender (16%), Disability (9%), and Sexual Orientation (7%).

On May 4, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a joint investigation into allegations of employment discrimination and a hostile work environment at the National Football League (NFL).

The NFL has offices in New York and California with more than 1,000 employees. If discrimination and harassment are taking place at these workplaces it should not be tolerated whether the complaint is lodged with the NAACP or the California Department of Justice, Bonta stated.

“California will not tolerate any form of discrimination,” Bonta stated. “We have serious concerns about the NFL’s role in creating an extremely hostile and detrimental work environment. No company is too big or popular to avoid being held responsible for their actions.”

California employees have the right to speak to representatives of the California Labor Commissioner’s Office or any other government or law enforcement agency about any issues affecting their working conditions in California.

For those seeking assistance for workplace discrimination and harassment, the NAACP offers the first step in the process of filing a claim that could eventually become a case against the accused violator or violators. The free, legal redress advice and consultation offered by CAL/HI NAACP is funded through the Stop the Hate (STH) Program. The grant – administered by California Department of Social Services – comprises three components: Legal Redress, Youth Development, and Working with Ethnic Media.

The program awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families and facilitate hate incident or hate crime prevention measures.

Funded support includes direct services for victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families, including mental and complementary health services; wellness and community healing; legal services; navigation, case management, and referrals.

Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP was formed in response to the horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. It is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.

The NAACP has more than 500,000 members and supporters throughout the United States, serving as premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

The ability to have a program that intends to seek legal redress for workplace discrimination, retaliation, and harassment is an effective tool “to protect employees’ rights,” Callender said.

“We first received ‘Stop the Hate’ funding for the Legal Redress program in January 2023,” Callender told CBM. “This is a necessary program, and we are looking forward to receiving more funding for legal redress in three more years.”

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Stay hydrated and safe from the heat this summer

SACRAMENTO, CA— High temperatures during summer are typical, but as the planet continues to become hotter and drier, Californians should be prepared to feel record temperatures and experience extreme heat events. Extreme heat is characterized as two or more days of hotter temperatures that are well above normal conditions for an area, with no relief or cooling off at night. Extreme heat can pose significant health risks, worsen California’s drought conditions, and increase the likelihood of wildfires.

As families enjoy the summer, it is critical for individuals to recognize the urgent need to protect themselves, their communities, and the environment. California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications’ “Heat Ready CA” campaign aims to help prevent the worst effects of extreme heat emergencies and ensure the well-being of all, especially those in vulnerable communities. The goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and encourage Californians to create extreme heat plans to stay cool, hydrated and ultimately keep individuals and their loved ones safer.

“Summer heat waves can be dangerous, especially for young children, older adults, people with chronic diseases and disabilities, outdoor workers, people who are unhoused and those who are pregnant,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “It’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones by checking in on friends and family who may need assistance, monitoring weather forecasts, staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors, and visiting cooling centers.”

The top three tips to beat the heat this summer and prevent heat-related illness include:

• staying hydrated,
• visiting air-conditioned spaces, and
• knowing the signs of heat illness.

Those at greater risk of heat illness include young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Californians living in areas with limited access to shade or air conditioning are also at risk. Stay alert to headaches, fatigue, and dizziness, which may be signs of heat illness, such as dehydration, and can be avoided by drinking at least 2 cups of water every hour.

As part of California’s commitment to promote proper hydration during extreme heat, Heat Ready CA and Cal Fresh encourage individuals to explore ways to add flavor to water for a more refreshing taste, and are sharing a delicious watermelon and strawberry infused water recipe that makes staying hydrated during hot summer days a refreshing experience:

WATERMELON AND STRAWBERRY WATER RECIPE:

Ingredients:

1 cup watermelon, cut into small pieces (1-2 inches)

10 strawberries, tops removed and sliced into small pieces

2 quarts of cold still drinking water

Preparation:

1. Wash all produce by dunking in a bowl of water.
2. Collect, slice, and measure all ingredients before starting to prepare the recipe.
3. Add all ingredients plus enough cold water to fill a 2-quart pitcher. Chill overnight in the refrigerator for the most flavor, and store in the refrigerator until ready to drink. The fruit will stay fresh in the water for up to 48 hours after being prepared.
4. After you drink the water, you can eat the fruit or blend it into a smoothie.

With rising temperatures and more expected extreme heat events, Californians must stay informed and discover new ways to ensure their safety during extreme heat events, such as infused water recipes. For more Cal Fresh water recipes, visit Calfreshhealthyliving.cdph.ca.gov. To find more information about Heat Ready CA and resources to create an extreme heat plan, go to HeatReadyCA.com.

About Heat Ready CA

Heat Ready CA is a multi-ethnic public education campaign led by the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications. It aims to educate Californians about the potential dangers of extreme heat, how to stay safer and what to do if they suspect they are experiencing heat illness. The campaign engages media, meteorologists, and influencers, collaborating with trusted, community-based organizations and statewide partners to reach vulnerable populations. With agency partners including the California Office of Emergency Services, CalEPA, and the California Department of Public Health, Heat Ready CA is part of the state’s comprehensive commitment to ensuring Californians’ safety during the summer and supporting at-risk communities during extreme heat events. For more tips and resources, please visit HeatReadyCA.com or CuidateDelCalorCA.com.

Citrus Valley High School alumna Clare E. Groninger has been selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship Program. She is one of just 38 students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2023 summer program. The Foundation’s annual Internship Program provides eight-week paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies to college students nationwide.

Groninger, a senior this fall at California State University, Northridge majoring in television production-narrative, will be a physical production/business management intern this summer at Xpedition Media, a production and consulting agency based in Los Angeles (Table Wars; Pasta Grannies).

“I am deeply honored to be selected for the 2023 Television Academy Foundation Summer Intern class,” said Groninger. “To have my potential recognized by the country’s most successful television professionals is not only reassuring but motivating to continue pursuing my television aspirations.”

The Internship Program also provides professional development sessions with leaders in the television industry and customized seminars covering personal brand-building and navigating the job market ahead for participating students. Interns also become lifelong members of the Foundation’s alumni family, giving them access to events and networking opportunities as they build their careers in the industry.

The Television Academy Foundation shapes the art of creating television by engaging and educating the next generation of television professionals, providing essential resources that help them discover their voices, refine their skills and forge rewarding careers in every sector of the television industry. The Internship Program annually provides 50 students from across the nation with hands-on work experience, mentorships, and opportunities for accelerated career development in more than 30 industry disciplines.

Congratulations to those who have successfully completed the Basic Law Enforcement Academy! It is an incredible achievement. Westside Story News wishes all the graduates well as they embark on their careers. Congratulations Class of 23!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— In 2023, the San Bernardino County Library celebrated four distinguished National Association of Counties (NACo) awards for outstanding service to both its staff as well as the general public. Unsurprisingly, the library attributed its drive to the principals outlined in San Bernardino County’s Countywide Vision, a guiding light for its policies, practices, and protocol: CAO Vision – San Bernardino CountyWide Vision (sbcounty.gov).

First, the library received an award for its unique interviewing structure. During the transition into post-pandemic realities, the San Bernardino County Library, as with many employers, saw an increase in the number of vacancies due to resignations, retirements, and other life changes. With retention in mind, the library worked to fill vacancies of varying capacities throughout its 32 library branch locations and administration office. In the past, the library would schedule first interviews on one day, and second or final interviews on a separate day. This scheduling process often led to second interviews that were scheduled one to two weeks following the first interview, at times resulting in losing candidates to other employers. The additional time for the second interview would also delay the completion of onboarding paperwork, background checks, and fingerprinting, which caused the hiring process to be slow and prolonged.

Additionally, the extended interview and onboarding process deterred quality candidates who sought to begin work immediately. To remain competitive with other organizations and move to hire within a shorter timeframe, the San Bernardino County Library implemented a new process of conducting second interviews on the same day as first interviews. The new procedure resulted in the hiring process (application to onboarding) taking two to three months, whereas in the past the process could take four to six months. The implementation of this process has resulted in the hiring of higher quality candidates due to the library’s ability to compete with private sector hiring timelines.

In addition, the library received a NACo award for its orientation program, entitled “Introduction to Library Basics (ILB).” ILB is a training program that focuses on library expectations, operations, and most importantly, customer service. This program offers an additional layer of training to new hires that reinforces what they learn at their training branches. Introduction to Library Basics sets a foundation for new hires to learn County culture, also equipping them with the tools they need to be successful County Library employees.

Moreover, the library received an award for the launch of its Leadership Training Program, a 4-week certificate program which further enhances the knowledge, skills, and abilities of all library staff, both part-time and full-time. Not only does this Leadership Training Program inspire future leaders and boost team morale, it also aligns with part of San Bernardino County’s overarching vision, particularly envisioning “a vibrant economy with a skilled workforce that attracts employers who seize the opportunities presented by the county’s unique advantages and provide the jobs that create countywide prosperity.” Alyssa Lovell, librarian II and Leadership Training alumna, remarked on her experience, “It was great to interact with other library staff, not only learning valuable tips to grow as a manager, but engaging with staff from other branches who have diverse leadership experiences to share.”

Lastly, the library received an award for its implementation of Beanstack, a mobile and web application used to track reading programs for all ages. Since the San Bernardino County Library offered several “Read for Rewards” programs, such as the Summer Reading Program and In-N-Out Cover-to-Cover Program, the utilization of a mobile and web application such as Beanstack is a convenient, easy-to-use way for families to participate, increasing literacy throughout San Bernardino County. With the support of this mobile application, the San Bernardino County Library System circulated over 4 million print and digital items in 2022-2023. Adelia Laguerta, a patron at the Big Bear Lake Branch Library, thanked the staff for its user-friendly interface: “I’m 72 years old and came from the Philippines in the ‘70s. I usually do not feel comfortable with computers, but the staff helped me to become more confident with using technology, including this app. Now, when I bring my grandchildren to the library, I can help them track their reading and earn prizes. I’m a fun Lola!”

Undoubtedly, the San Bernardino County Library continues to provide exemplary services to the community by prioritizing good customer service to both internal and external customers—that is, its staff and patrons. Because the team of over 250 employees continues to collaborate to improve the organization, notable services and projects continue to support over 4 million items circulated and over 150,000 library program attendees. With four new NACo awards to add to their accolades, the San Bernardino County Library is confident that they will continue to epitomize the County’s newest Opportunity Campaign: Opportunity – Welcome to San Bernardino County (sbcounty.gov).