WSSN Stories

Vernell Taylor
Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager
Union Bank, N.A.

By Vernell Taylor

Spring is here and many of us are busy cleaning out closets and dusting the cobwebs that may have accumulated during the winter. While you are taking on spring cleaning projects, consider taking a fresh look at your finances.

Following are a few tips to help with your financial spring cleaning:

Revisit your budget

Review your household budget and look for areas where you might be spending more than you should, or budgeting more than you might need, and then adjust your budget accordingly. Use this time to revisit your short- and long-term goals for expenses, such as college, purchasing a home, or retirement, and make sure you are setting aside enough in savings. Look for ways to pay down debt and contribute more to savings and investments on a regular basis.

Automate
Talk to your banker about technology and services that your bank may offer to help simplify your finances. Take advantage of direct deposit, online banking, and automatic payments for recurring bills, and set up regular automatic transfers to savings, investment and retirement accounts.

Look for ways to cut expenses

If you carry a balance on your credit cards, call your credit card company and ask for a lower interest rate, or seek alternatives elsewhere. If you notice that mortgage rates have dropped two or more points than what you are paying, consider refinancing your home mortgage at a lower interest rate. Compare home and auto insurance plans and contact your insurance agent and ask if you can reduce your rate. Contact your utility company to inquire about possible ways to save on your bill.  Consider adjusting your withholding so you get as much money as possible in your paycheck versus a large refund when you file taxes.

Review important financial documents and policies

Pull copies of your will and/or living trust, and other important documents and review them to make sure they are up to date. Obtain a copy of your credit report and correct any errors. To get a free credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting bureaus, go to annualcreditreport.com. Review insurance policies to make sure you have adequate coverage and a designated beneficiary of your choosing.

Consolidate accounts

If you have multiple 401k accounts, consider rolling them into a single IRA account to allow for streamlined control of your investments and to help reduce the paperwork of multiple accounts. Reduce your monthly bills by consolidating debts or loans into as few accounts as possible, and simplify even more by bundling services such as cable, internet and phone.

Control the clutter

Set up a simple filing system, and use it consistently.  Assign folders, binders, or other receptacles to gather pending bills, statements, receipts and important financial documents, and store them in a safe place. Shred unnecessary paper, such as old sales receipts that have no tax purpose, or utility bills that can be accessed online. Consider creating digital files by scanning documents and filing them on your computer, but be sure to have that information backed up on a CD, flash drive or back up service. Inquire about paperless billing options to reduce the amount of paper waste and clutter.

Update your calendar 
Set up a calendar to remind you when bills are due, policies are up for renewal, tax deadlines and other important financial dates to avoid late fees and penalties. Don’t forget to include reminders for things like year-end charitable contributions, and regular meetings with your banker or investment advisor to review your holdings and take into consideration any changing goals or circumstances.

The foregoing article is intended to provide general information about financial spring cleaning and is not considered financial or tax advice. Please consult your financial or tax advisor.

Herbie Hancock

Internationally renowned pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock, will deliver this year’s commencement address for the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Commencement takes place at 4 pm at Dickson Court North (Perloff Quad) on the UCLA Campus.

A 14-time Grammy Award winner and Professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Hancock has been an integral part of every jazz movement since the 1960s. Born in Chicago, he began playing piano at age seven. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, Hancock became one of the pioneers of modern jazz improvisation. His recordings during the ’70s combined electric jazz with funk and rock sounds in an innovative style that influenced an entire decade of music. In 1983, “Rockit,” from the platinum-selling Future Shock album, won Hancock a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental. He received an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Score, honoring his work on Round Midnight and in 2007, Hancock became the first jazz musician in 44 years to receive a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his 47^th studio release, River: The Joni Letters. As UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, he established and co-chairs International Jazz Day, which is celebrated in every country around the world each April 30. Hancock also serves as Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

“We are absolutely delighted and deeply honored that the great Herbie Hancock will be our commencement speaker this year, ” says Daniel M. Neuman, Interim Director, Herb Alpert School of Music (former Dean of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost).

This year’s graduating class includes 386 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from across the School’s six academic units: Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design Media Arts, Ethnomusicology, Music and World Arts and Cultures / Dance. The ceremony is open to the public.

For more information, visit UCLA Arts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Joyce Fairman (wearing white, center) and Members, Hearts of Color, Inc, Board of Directors.

By John Coleman

Following near-fatal, ‘unusual-to-rare’ heart disorder, Joyce Fairman determined to find out everything possible about what went wrong with her heart; what complicated her surgery and other treatments;  and what information is now available to help people to be as heart healthy as possible.  She founded Hearts of Color, Inc. to help publicize availability of information, support,  and other resources for people  before and after experiencing heart disease.

Although focusing on the special needs and risks affecting women of color’s heart and  other health conditions, Ms Fairman’s web site includes men’s health issues as well.

To fund it’s program, Hearts of Color, Inc. recently held it’s monthly fund-raiser breakfast at the Applebees Restaurant in Highland.

Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod with the 2014 35th Congressional District “Public Safety Officer of the Year” honorees.

MONTCLAIR, CA – Today, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Montclair) recognized public safety personnel throughout the 35th Congressional District at her annual “Public Safety Officer of the Year” event in the city of Montclair.

“The purpose of this event was to identify and award those who work every day in keeping California’s 35^thCongressional District safe,” said Rep. Negrete McLeod.  “They are sworn police officers, firefighters or supporting staff who have one thing in common which is all those honored have made a commitment in serving  their communities. “

Nominations were submitted to Rep. Negrete McLeod’s office by local police and fire chiefs, administrative staff, and members of the community.  The public safety personnel selected for this award were:

Silviane Canaff Evans
Management Analyst
Chino Police Department

Officer Alex Courtney
Chino Police Department

Lieutenant Orbelio “Obie” Rodriguez
Fontana Police Department

Officer Eric Ruziecki
Montclair Police Department

Pamela Martinez
Nurse Administrator
Ontario Fire Department

Corporal Larry Bonomo
Ontario Police Department

Steven R. Chavez
Firefighter Paramedic
Los Angeles County Fire Department

Angela Haddad
Emergency Dispatch Supervisor
Rialto Police Department

Corporal Gregory Marquez
Rialto Police Department

Deputy Corey Reveles
San Bernardino County
Sheriff’s Department

Kellie Hoverman
Firefighter Engineer and Paramedic
San Bernardino County Fire Department

“I applaud their service, dedication and hard work in our community,” concluded Rep. Negrete McLeod.

University of California Riverside (UCR) Black Grad
(Photo Credit: John Coleman)

Photo and Write Up by John Coleman

RIVERSIDE, CA- For several years the African Student Programs office at the University of California Riverside have arranged a graduation ceremony for graduating seniors, their families, friends, and several others who have contributed to their academic success. The ‘Black Graduation’ ceremony is held prior to the campus-wide commencement celebration.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t you see what the enemy is doing in your life?  He has you so bound up that you think that the way it is, is the way it will always be. “To Hell with the Devil!”  Understand that the mission of the devil is to kill, steal and destroy. He doesn’t care anything about you, he just wants to try to abort God’s plan for you. He wants to keep you bound, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually because He knows that if you ever realize the potential God has placed in you, and if you ever wake up from your slumber,   you will turn this world upside down and he does not want that.

I stand up in front of people all the time and see different ones that are so bound that it is a wonder that they are even able to move and breathe, and the only reason that they are bound and are suffering is because they are “allowing it,” and thinking that they can’t do anything about it. They think that that’s just the way it is. That is a lie from the pit of Hell, and Satan is selling you a bunch of crap, and you are buying it hook, line, and sinker. “To Hell with the Devil!”

Satan is a liar and deceiver and uses deception as his weapon to gain advantage over those who are ignorant of the limitations of his power. When Jesus gave His life on the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world, He also redeemed us from Satan’s power and dominion over us. {Col. 2:15}.  Satan is already a defeated enemy! His legal authority was neutralized by the finished work of Christ on the cross. So take your stand and tell the Devil, “To Hell with You!”

As a believer, you need not fear Satan, but realize and exercise the authority which God has given you over him. You have the right to use the authority of the name of Jesus to repel and drive Satan out of your territory and to break his grip over spiritual strongholds {2 Cor. 10:4}. Just as Jesus and the early apostles did, command Satan to leave {Mark 16:17}. Slam the door in his face! Let him know that he has been given a pink slip and his termination date is on the calendar when he will once-and-for-all be cast down to the most intense of judgments.  Do not give place to the devil!

I want you to know that the devil can be brought into subjection and commanded to go when authority is taken over him using the name of Jesus Christ as a realm of authority. He has to obey!

Think on these things—look them up in the Bible…. Study them…. Believe them….and know that God is the victor! Decide today to deal the death blow to an enemy that has been plaguing your life, breathing down your neck, making your life miserable. Decide today to put something that has been over your head, under your feet. “To Hell with the Devil!”

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“For I heard the Lord tell Jehoshaphat in 2 Chron. 20:17 “You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD….”  In other words, the “solution” is already on the premises. God is on the scene, Hallelujah!

Many times we find ourselves in situations that we just don’t understand. In these times we often find ourselves asking, “WHY Lord?” Can I just tell you that it is in these times that we are called upon to exercise our faith and just TRUST in the LORD.  I know that it’s not always easy for us to give our cares to God and trust Him completely, but when life presents itself with ever-changing variables, we have to realize that we serve a God who is stationary in His Goodness.

So many times we look all over for folks to have our back, but during my sojourn on this Christian walk, I have discovered some things about folks, discovered some disheartening and discouraging news about folks, found out that folks will fade away when the fire gets too hot, and discovered that family and friends will forsake you when times get hard, but I heard the Lord say; “I will never leave you, nor forsake you…”  I tell you, it’s good to know that “God got your back!”

You may be in a situation that looks hopeless, it may look like the end is near and it’s time to give up. It may look like you’ve lost the battle, but I want you to know that it doesn’t matter what it looks like, “God got your back!” Don’t lean to your own understanding and think that just because it looks like it’s over, that it’s over. It’s not over until God says it’s over. So don’t throw in the towel, don’t pull the plug, don’t surrender, and don’t give up. Others may even count you out and the enemy may tell you you’ve lost and the chance for victory may look impossible, but know that God has everything under control, even when life seems to be out of control.

I want you to consider “The Source,” God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, so what you are experiencing, “It too shall pass.” Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, and by all means, don’t let the devil fool you into believing that you’re taking a step backwards in life or that you’ll never make it out of your situation because you will.  What you’re going through is temporary, so stop stressing yourself out,  losing sleep, being weary, anxious, worried, depressed and sad, “God got your back!”

Choose to trust God! He has brought you through and has done great things. He is forever faithful and true. Choose to walk by faith, believing that “With GOD ALL Things Are Possible.” Choose to believe for your miracle. Choose to believe for your breakthrough. Choose to walk by faith and not by fear.

The truth I want to give to you is simple but profound, “God has it all under control!“ It does not matter the situation, God has the solution. It does not matter the hurt, God can heal. It does not matter the desperation, God has the deliverance. It does not matter the sin, God is the soul-ution. It does not matter the Hell, God is the Help. Encourage yourself in the Lord daily, read His word, pray without ceasing and seek His face; and the next time you find yourself in a position where you are stressed and worried about what God is doing in your life remember to, “Consider the Source.”

Lou Coleman

“You cannot serve both God and riches.” {Mt. 6:24}.  You cannot live a double life and have a fulfilling spiritual life.  Have you forgotten that whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap? Serve God and reap eternal glory, or serve the world and the devil and reap eternal death. The choice is yours, but “Don’t Fool Yourself!”

God says, “He know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. He wishes you were either one or the other! But, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold—He is going to spit you out of His mouth.” {Rev. 3:14-16} There is no hiding or pretending before God. Open your eyes! Jesus asked the Laodicea’s to make a firm decision not to be lukewarm, and He is asking you the same thing today. Choose Whom This Day You Will Serve… God or the Devil, for there is no middle ground.

God is not satisfied with knowing you on a superficial level, but wants to become intimate with you. He doesn’t want your relationship to be lukewarm, because the nature of the relationship does not allow for that. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Him will find it.”

Don’t you know that Jesus loves you and wants to give you true life, but in your heart, you are undecided concerning Him. You are not rejecting Him, but you are not committing your heart to Him either. Because of this, you are in danger of losing your salvation. It is not enough to be aware of God and acknowledge Him mentally. Real Christianity is not just an idea or set of moral principles to abide by. It is an intimate relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Being a Christian is not something you can be complacent about. You cannot afford to fall into that pitfall.  The price is too high. The cost is your soul!  I ask you, was Jesus complacent?  Was He indifferent to our fate? No! He loved us so much that He paid for our sin with His own life. How then can we be lukewarm in our relationship with God? How can our hearts be undecided? Every man should wisely examine their life and determine what assumption they are living.  And by all means, consider the risk/reward of your choice!

Elijah told Israel to stop halting between two opinions and decide on the God they would serve (I Kings 18:21). Why would you choose the temporary and deceiving things of this world, which are here one day and gone the next, when God offers to give you the “Bread of Life?” The gift of God is incomparable to anything you can keep here on earth. It is definitely an offer you shouldn’t refuse. Don’t Fool Yourself!

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” –Maya Angelou

Written by Naomi K. Bonman

Maya Angelou

The world lost another great icon, a legendary voice in literature. According to ABC News, renowned poet, author and civil activist Maya Angelou was called to red on the morning of Wednesday, May 28 in North Carolina. Despite being very frail and having heart problems, Angelou was going strong, finishing a new book.

Miss Angelou came to fame after publishing her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in 1969. The book, which reflected her life, was a success and was nominated for a National Book Award, and from there the rest is history. In acknowledgment of her phenomenal works, she will be honored at the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon.

Her legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

April 4, 1928- May 28, 2014

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrIG9vqZhpY]

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Consider the text God’s warning to anyone who’s “Playing Church!’ I ought to just finish right there with that one statement, for the text says it all. You can fool man, but you can’t fool God! Man is easy to fool because man’s assessment and evaluation of people is based on what man sees “outwardly,” but there is an “unseen eye” that sees all we do and an “unseen ear” that hears all we say. That unseen eye and that unseen ear belong to God, and God sees stuff and knows stuff about you that nobody else knows.

Tares are going to be found among the wheat. Goats will be found among the sheep, but the day will come when the Lord distinguishes between the wheat and tares, the goats and the sheep. In that day there will be no more hiding and masquerading as Christians. The question you must ask yourself is, “What will that day expose about me?” Are you playing Church?

People of God we need to “Stop Playing Church” and “Be the Church.” So many today put on their Sunday best, go to Sunday morning meetings, but have nothing; they are void inside of Christ. They are “Playing Church,” but “Aren’t the Church.” They look like good Church folks; they carry a Bible; they wear a cross, and sometimes they have on a robe, but they are not the real deal. It’s time that we realize that this is not a game, we must take Christ seriously. “Stop Playing Church!” Stop pretending to be living in obedience to God. Stop pretending to truly love God. “Stop Playing Church” the way little children play “house” or “doctor.” Stop Playing with God!

We have to wake up from our slumber and be about our Father’s business. {Galatians 6:7} “Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked) by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.” “For whatever a man sows, that shall he reap.” {1 Peter 4:17-18} For the time has arrived for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news, The Gospel of God?

I believe that Jesus is calling “His Church” to stand up, share the truth, and be a catalyst of change.  God made us for greatness, not pettiness.  God gave us the best and greatest gift of all, His son Jesus.  It’s time to “Stop Playing Church and Be the Church.”  It’s time to get serious about this thing because time is winding up. I don’t know when He’s coming, but this one thing I am sure of, it’s just a matter of time. “Stop Playing Church and Be the Church.”

Warnings are an act of grace. The clearer the warning, the more abounding in the grace of God. God acts graciously when he gives warnings, for by such warnings there is given the opportunity to repent and seek the grace of forgiveness and eternal life in the infinite loving act of God in giving His Only Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We need to take this to heart. If we do not listen and turn from our evil ways, and so suffer awful judgment, then it is not the grace and love of God that is lacking, but the fault of our unrepentant hearts which refuse to heed the revelation of God, and spurn His love. Let us believe God. Let us not deny the truth, but warn people to flee from the wrath to come. Let us make sure that we ourselves have repented and hidden ourselves in Christ alone, so availing ourselves of the one and only escape from God’s wrath, faith in Christ.