Local

WHO: Omnitrans, the public transit agency serving the San Bernardino Valley Event Partners: VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (host), San Bernardino County Department of Veterans Affairs, 211-Vetlink

WHAT: New Veterans Fare offers a 50% discount to US retired military personnel with ID. This includes those who served in the US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Approximately 79,000 Veterans live in the San Bernardino Valley served by Omnitrans. Additionally Omnitrans will offer FREE rides to uniformed active duty military members, police and firefighters. Veteran Opportunities at Event:

• FREE 1-day Veteran Bus Pass for anyone with San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs ID.
• Contest Drawing for a 31-day Veteran bus pass for any Veteran with ID from San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.
• Veteran ID Applications taken on site by San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs, FREE.
• Information on Veterans resources from event partners.

WHEN: Monday, January 5, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Ceremony approximately 30 minutes; event continues until 4 pm with information and giveaways.

WHERE: Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center, Loma Linda, California 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354 (map link) Main entrance; Parking on site.

The Anaheim Ducks Donate $20,000 to Loma Linda University Health to Support Cancer Services. Pictured (L to R) from the Anaheim Ducks organization are Christian Young, Corporate Partnership Activation Coordinator, and Graham Siderius, Corporate Partnership Director. Joining them from the Loma Linda University Cancer Center are Judy Chatigny, Executive Director; Dr. Mark Reeves, Medical Director; and Lexine Thall, Director of Patient Care.

LOMA LINDA, CA- As part of an ongoing partnership, the Anaheim Ducks presented Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) with a $20,000 donation on Dec. 17 to support patient services provided by the Loma Linda University Cancer Center (LLUCC).  The funds were raised by the National Hockey League (NHL) club, Anaheim Ducks players, and fans through “Hockey Fights Cancer” night on Oct. 22, which included the sale of miniature hockey sticks signed by players and an in-game auction of Ducks memorabilia.

“We are thankful to the Anaheim Ducks for its continuing help in raising cancer awareness and providing valuable funding that will augment our efforts to provide quality and compassionate care to our cancer patients,” said Judy Chatigny, Executive Director of the LLUCC.  “We value our partnership with the Ducks and hope it will continue for many more years.”

The “Hockey Fights Cancer” night is part of the NHL’s ongoing initiative to raise support and awareness for one of hockey’s most important fights.

With lavender serving as the official “Hockey Fights Cancer” color (representing awareness for all types of cancers), the first 3,000 fans that arrived at the Oct. 22 game received lavender ribbons to wear for the game.  Fans also had the opportunity to obtain “I Fight For” cards, which they used to fill in the name of loved ones who have been affected by cancer.  During the game, there was a special moment of recognition, in which attendees held up their “I Fight For” cards to honor the person they knew battling the disease.

“Virtually everyone has been touched by cancer or knows someone who has been affected by it,” said Graham Siderius, Corporate Partnership Director for the Anaheim Ducks.  “We know about the outstanding clinical and support services delivered by the Loma Linda University Cancer Center.  The center has challenging work, and it is an indispensible resource for stricken patients.  The Ducks and its fans are pleased to do our part to assist the effort.”

COLTON, CA- As part of its commitment to creating a healthy environment for patients, visitors and employees, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) becomes tobacco free January 2, 2015. The tobacco-free initiative will be implemented throughout the entire campus including parking lots, sidewalks, and streets.

The policy prohibits tobacco use of any kind as well as e-cigarettes, and will apply to employees, volunteers, students, patients, visitors, vendors, contractors and other individuals who visit the hospital campus.

“We are in the business of providing quality health care and have a special responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue,” said ARMC Director, William T. Foley. “As health care professionals we are committed to setting a positive example in the community.”

The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors approved the non-smoking ordinance in November, and a task force was created at ARMC to help plan and implement the new tobacco-free policy.

Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than five million deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers.

Kicking the habit can be challenging, but ARMC has smoking cessation classes and other resources already in place. Call the hospital’s Quit Clinic at 909-580-6167, or visit ARMC’s website at www.arrowheadmedcenter.org and click on the  “Let’s Clear the Air” link to learn more about what you can do to be tobacco free.

Together let’s clear the air!

ARMC, a university-affiliated teaching hospital, is a state-of-the-art acute care facility with a full range of inpatient and outpatient services including a Level II trauma center, mobile medical clinic, primary stroke center, and a regional burn center. For more information about ARMC, go to: www.arrowheadmedcenter.org.

Hakim Hazim

“Justice is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger.” -Thrasymachus

 By Hakim Hazim

The grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York should not surprise us. Justice is in the eyes of the beholder and the criminal justice system is not blind. It derives its power from the larger societal framework that simply has many preconceived ideas about Black males. We must work relentlessly to change this and hold the system accountable. We must also support the people who are doing that and exercise patience in the process. Keep in mind the two chief law enforcement officers in this nation are Black: Barack Obama and Eric Holder, and racial tensions are at an all time high. To their credit they are doing quite a bit, but they face an uphill struggle. We should follow their lead on criminal justice reform and we should do everything we can for the young Black men around us before and after tragedy strikes. We should also consistently deplore what we are doing to one another; it’s senseless not too. All of these things reinforce the notion, “Black Blood is cheap.”

Current law enforcement approaches toward us as a people and the tacit societal approval behind it must change. Society inherently nurtures the belief that justice is nothing more than the interest and the sustained advantage of the stronger, and it has played out that way for centuries. The rationale is, “If they did things the right way, they would get what I have and so would their children.”  Such self-righteousness obscures reality.  The fact is people do all they can to give their descendants an advantage in the system and they tilt the scales to their advantage. It’s true with race, power and wealth and gender. It’s simply a human trait of passing the best of your efforts, lessons and acquisitions to your children, but you also pass your biases on as well.

When we first arrived, justice was never considered for us as a people. It was an elusive concept for which we prayed, fought, bled and died for. To this very day, she seems a distant stranger to many of our people still in terms of access, resources, familial ties and fair treatment in terms of the criminal justice system. Although all black people have felt the sting of injustice, poor black folks feel it the most. Having little to bargain with or offer they are viewed as inferior, unworthy and an unnecessary, troublesome burden by many—even middle class and upper class blacks. Our inner cities are filled with Black-on-Black crime, fatherlessness and substandard schools. This fertile ground of dysfunction produces young men who think that they or their peers have little value. Feeling powerless, they prey on one another and lash out at the larger system. This crab in a bucket mentality is celebrated in the music of popular culture. The sad fact is this, many of us have not learn to value one another the way we should and King’s Dream falls on deaf ears to many of the younger generation.

Let’s face the facts: statistics show young people who do well often succeed because of the systems and programs that strengthen them. Things like a solid family structure and access to education, faith-based organizations, mentoring agencies, activity, athletic and interest development organizations and employment services, give young people a fighting chance. If not, their doomed from the womb. The deaths of so many young black males or own the hands of many. The Black-on- Black gang wars, stand your ground advocates and law enforcement officers have all contributed to this. Passivity is not an option. Let your voice be heard, or remain entrenched in hypocrisy. The choice is yours.

Hakim Hazim is the founder of Relevant Now and co-founder of Freedom Squared. He is a nationally recognized expert in decision analysis, criminality and security.

Left to right: Salvation Army Major Daniel Henderson, Captain Anya Henderson; Tom Brickley, Salvation Army Advisory Board Chairman; Mindy Silva, Program Officer- Health & Economic Development, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Attorney Wilfrid Lemann, Partner Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP .

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- A $30,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians helps the San Bernardino area Salvation Army serve the needs of thousands of hungry, homeless and hopeless people in San Bernardino, Highland, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington.

In bow tie -Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Polemarch with Richard Stewart
in red jacket- both are Chapter members. They are pictured with Carla Stone.

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., donated toys to the Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy. Terrance Stone, YVYLA CEO reflected on the need for toys:

“Many of our children suffer the effects of poverty every day, continuously going without, knowing that luxuries like new toys or clothes are simply not available to them. Our children handle this reality with an incredible grace and humility that is truly touching. This is why watching their faces on Christmas morning, is so special for us.”

“We believe we are growing stronger each year and will continue to bring energy, effort, innovation, and commitment to the vital area of community service. This toy drive is key and critical to the face the community sees from our Fraternity and therefore important to our overall efforts in engaging youth, community leadership, and making a difference,” said Carl Willis the Chapter’s Guide Right Chairman.

Members of the Chapter will be a part of The 9th Annual Toy Drive and Resource Fair December 20th 10:00am-2:00pm at 16725 Valencia Ave, in Fontana, CA. Significant supporters include Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, Southern California Edison, Spark of Love, Kaiser Permanente, New York Life, Inland Body and Paint, and Fountain of Youth Apostolic Church

Russell Hicks (center) of Ebony Suns Enterprises is named 1st-place winner in the Cricket Community Stars: Salute to Solopreneurs contest. Hicks is joined by Cricket store staff and supporter Jon McKay during a Small Business Saturday celebration.

Russell Hicks of Ebony Suns Enterprises Named Grand Prize Winner of the Cricket Community Stars: Salute to Solopreneurs Contest

Receives more than $5,000 in cash and mobility prizes,

incl. a Samsung Galaxy S 5

ATLANTA, GA–Cricket Wireless announces Russell Hicks, founder of Ebony Suns Enterprises in Philadelphia as the grand prize winner of its Cricket Community Stars: Salute to Solopreneurs contest. Launched in October of 2014, the contest recognizes solo entrepreneurs who make it a priority to provide positive contributions to the community.

“We are pleased to recognize Russell Hicks as the first Cricket Community Star and congratulate the other finalists who are committed to building both their brand and community,” says Jermaine Spight, Senior Public Relations Manager, Cricket Wireless. “Cricket Wireless is a community brand that supports organizations making a difference in the neighborhoods where our customers live, work and play.”

Through Ebony Suns Enterprises, Hicks provides sustainable business consulting to individuals and organizations, and actively contributes to the community by mentoring urban youth and creating social entrepreneurship programs.  He currently works with more than 75 young entrepreneurs through various green industry sectors including eco-tourism, sustainable real estate, organic apparel design and merchandising. As grand prize winner, Hicks will receive $5,000, and one year of complimentary service on Cricket’s reliable, nationwide 4G LTE network.

Finalists Zondra Hughes, founder of Six Brown Chicks, and Michael Ferrera, founder of Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing were awarded 2^nd– and 3^rd-place prize packages and will respectively receive $2,500 and six months of complimentary service, and $1,000 and three months of complimentary service from Cricket.

Additionally, Hicks, Hughes and Ferrera will each receive a Samsung Galaxy S^® 5 courtesy of Samsung Telecommunications America. The Samsung Galaxy S 5 delivers simplified control and experiences on a brilliant 5.1-inch display, a 16 megapixel rear- facing camera, lightning fast data connections, and health and wellness monitoring to help solopreneurs stay connected to their world, community, friends and family at home or on the go.

“Samsung is proud to join Cricket Wireless in recognizing true community stars,” says Steven Schultz, National Sales Manager, Samsung Telecommunications America. “We hope that the Samsung Galaxy S 5 devices help these entrepreneurs stay connected in business and with their communities.”

The Cricket Community Stars: Salute to Solopreneurs contest was open to residents of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. All entries were reviewed and evaluated by Cricket before being narrowed down to three finalists who recorded video entries which were uploaded to the Cricket YouTube channel for further social media engagement. Finally, a panel of judges reviewed the finalists’ entries and chose Cricket’s 1^st-, 2^nd– and 3^rd-place winners.

About Cricket Wireless

Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract.  The power of Cricket is our fast, reliable, nationwide 4G LTE network; easy and affordable unlimited plans with taxes and fees included; annual loyalty rewards; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About.  Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc.

Samsung and Galaxy S are all trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.