Happily Divorced And After

Youth Performers and Community Youth at the Event

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- This year, Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown proudly supported Young Visionaries’ 10th Annual Toy Giveaway and Resource Fair at Living Way Church in Fontana.

Nearly 1,500 residents attended the event, which included a turkey and toy giveaway, free shoes, coats, socks, and a Prop 47 workshop hosted by the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office. Items were donated by Young Visionaries; Assemblymember Brown,  47th District; Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren; Walmart; Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County; New Life Christian Church; Living Way Church; Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE); One Body; Firefighters’ Spark of Love Toy Drive; Kappa Alpha Psi; and the United Auto Workers.

“Thanks to Terrance Stone, his staff and the generosity of others, this year’s event was an overwhelming success,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “This was my 3rd Annual Toy Drive, and I’m very proud to have worked with Terrance Stone. I look forward to supporting next year’s giveaway.”

According to event staff, local residents started lining up outside the church at 2:30 a.m. Once the event began at 9 a.m., families were directed to various sites to pick up their items. They were also given an opportunity for a chance to win a bicycle. Special remarks were given by Congresswoman Norma Torres, 35th District, and entertainment was provided by Creating Hopeful Opportunities and Resilience by Developing Skills (C.H.O.R.D.S.) Enrichment Youth Program.

“This was our 10th Annual Toy Drive in the County of San Bernardino, and it was our largest one to date,” stated Terrance Stone, Founder and CEO of Young Visionaries. “We’re celebrating a decade of giving, and hopefully we can leave a legacy behind for the next generation. It’s an honor to be a blessing to others.”

In addition to the giveaways, a diversity of community-based organizations and government entities distributed literature and other helpful information during the resource fair. Approximately 30 vendors participated; among them were Covered California, the African American Mental Health Alliance, El Sol, and the Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce.

“It was a great pleasure to see the parents and their children as they received their gifts with joy, excitement and appreciation,” concluded Assemblymember Brown. “It’s truly an honor to give back to the communities that I serve.”

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of San Bernardino provided food bags for gifting to community members.  Over two hundred bags of food were assembled and given away. Pictured above, left to right, Ward Young, Deacon Frank Bell, Anita Dimery Riley, Harold White, Anthony Bell

“Medical cannabis advocates need tools and training to talk with their local lawmakers about medical marijuana,” said ASA California Director Don Duncan. “This project is all about supporting and empowering those local advocates to make a difference in their hometown.” ASA’s new Local Access Project (LAP) is a web portal with links to documents and online training that medical marijuana supporters can use to talk with their representatives on the City Council or County Board of Supervisors.

Credit: EarthMed.com

While California voters led the nation in legalizing medical marijuana in 1996, the state has lagged behind other medical marijuana states in adopting a statewide regulatory scheme. Cities and counties have adopted a patchwork of regulations and bans in the nineteen years since voters approved Proposition 215.  Governor Brown signed a historic trio of bills known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) to license and regulate commercial medical marijuana at the state level on October 9.

“The deadline for local licensing of commercial medical cannabis in March has caused some cities to overreact,” said Duncan. “In some cases, local governments are even banning marijuana cultivation by individual patients. That was never the intent of the law.” ASA hopes the LAP will give patients and other advocates tools to talk to lawmakers about alternative to banning medical marijuana cultivation. “I believe that, given the choice, some cities and counties will opt to protect legal patient and the community at large by adopting a local licensing ordinance instead of a ban.”

Come and spend New Year’s Eve with me! I am celebrating my birthday and my special guest for the evening is a great band that we have all enjoyed. Our entertainment for the evening is LAKESIDE, a group that has given us many great tunes, including a song that is a hit all over the world. We have all been moved by that funky classic, “Fantastic Voyage.”  We are gathering at the newly renovated Arrowhead Elks Lodge, 1073 N. Mt Vernon Ave in San Bernardino.

Tickets are only $35 in advance ($45 at the door) which includes food by Master Chef “AW” and party favors. Please call me, Lynn Paul, at (909) 258-0254 for more information and your reservation.

Join me for a great New Year’s Eve. It is my 50^th birthday and I can promise, you will have a FANTASTIC JOURNEY!

Annyett Royale

SOULFUL SOUNDS is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE! What happen to that feel good music that bump and grind music, that make you wanna go half on a baby music. I can tell ya’ what happened, it disappeared. R&B has changed! So when I come across a singer that puts me in that mind set I get all warm and fuzzy inside. LOL! So now I need for you to check out Miss Royale. Singer, Songwriter, and Soulful Sensual, a musical tour-de-force, ladies and gents please allow me to introduce Annyett Royale.

As a child at the age of 4, parents Melba Warren and Keyle Glinsey Sr., knew their daughter was a star and out of six of her father’s children she was the only one that inherited the ability to move people vocally with the same powerful, yet sultry voice that her father had. She would wow her grandmother at the young age of 7, singing Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” as if she knew what love was and if she had written it, hitting notes that blew her grandma away. In school she became part of the school choir and at the age of 15 she entered her first talent show winning first place singing Mary J. Blige’s “Real love”. She again, sung with the conviction and emotion of someone way beyond her tender age.

In 1998, she caught the attention of Snoop Dogg’s father Papa Snoop, who then introduced her to Master P, CEO of No Limit Records, on the set of his movie, “I Got the Hook Up.” She sang on set and wowed him. He signed her to his label two weeks later. After taking a leave of absence from the entertainment business to go into management for banking and real estate, she soon realized what her heart truly yearned for and decided to make a big return to music.

She’s back, bigger than ever and taking the music industry by storm, singing her way into the hearts and souls of all who hear her! Heavily influenced by R&B, Gospel, Reggae, Hip Hop, Alternative music and vocal power houses such as: Patti La belle, Aretha Franklin, Tina Marie, Anita Baker, Lauryn Hill, Marsha Ambrosias, Keke Wyatt, Faith Evans, Adele, Fantasia, and Jazmine Sullivan. Annyett wants to bring back what she feels went missing in the industry and should have never left. That REAL heartfelt music that her children and grandchildren could appreciate now and for years to come, that real music, always relevant and never out dated.

With a powerful voice reminiscent of R&B greats Aretha Franklin and Tina Marie and a songwriting style that’s all her own, she has never shied away from a challenge and her powerhouse voice shows it!

Until next week my peeps and remember SAN BERNARDINO STRONG. L’z!

Pres. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama step down from Air Force One after landing at the San Bernardino International Airport Friday night

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Friday, December 18, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama flew into the San Bernardino International Airport to comfort the victims of the Inland Regional Center shooting which occurred a couple weeks ago. The First Family were on their way to their annual family vacation prior to stopping in San Bernardino.

Loved ones and community members came out to support the family and legacy of William Henry Jacocks, also known as Ratibu, on Thursday, December 17 at New Hope Baptist Church in San Bernardino. (Photos by John Coleman).

By John Coleman

 SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Hundreds came out to pay tribute to the legacy and life lived of William Henry Jacocks, also known to some as Bill or Ratibu. Those that were present at the memorial included members and officials of the State, County, Regional, and Local offices. There were leaders of every walk of life from family to friends of Ratibu. The memorial service was held on Thursday, December 17 at New Hope Baptist Church in San Bernardino.

The memorial service reflected and paid tribute to prominent moments of Ratibu’s life and influence. He was a US Army infantryman, operator of a local ‘small business’, missionary promoting entrepreneurship among the community, and leader of the Inland Area Kwanza Group. He was a strong supporter and advocate of Kwanzaa Consciousness, civic engagement, including a leadership role in the Westside Action Group, and evidenced by the dozens of officials who stood to acknowledge his role in their success and of course his love for his family.

Rest in Peace, Ratibu.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Paul said: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (1 Timothy 6:12). I don’t know what kind of fight you’ve been putting up in the past year, but the Spirit says you have been so overwhelmed at times that you’ve lost your fight. You’ve become a weak, passive soldier of the Cross – discouraged, wounded, and perplexed; but now it’s high time for you to get back up and fight the good fight of faith. I pray that this message from the Holy Spirit will put the fight back in you – that once more you’ll be fearless against the devil’s weapons.

You know when the prophet Hosea wanted to warn Israel about their cowardly spiritual condition, he reminded them of their father Jacob. The crux of his message was, “You’ve become weak, passive. And now the enemy is over-whelming you! You claim to be Jacob’s seed – but I want to show you how far you’ve strayed from his example. I want to show you how Jacob prevailed – how he had power with God!” He told the Israelites this about Jacob: “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;” (Hosea 12:3-4). Hosea’s message to them was very simple: “Here was a man greedy for God, hungry for everything God had for him!” Jacob came out of the womb in a fighting mood, greedy for the blessings of God! Yet it wasn’t the double portion of his father’s wealth that Jacob was after; it wasn’t the promise of the land. No, Jacob wanted something more. He wanted the blessings of God so he could be in the lineage of the Messiah! And he wanted the priestly blessing. This meant not only being priest of the clan – it also meant being able to bless others! [Genesis 27]

I want you to know that Jacob’s hand on Esau’s heel was a powerful statement! It said: “I will not be held by sin’s grip – I am more than a conqueror! I will lay hold of all that is of Satan and resist, fight, and be victorious! I want God’s hand on me!  I want His blessing at any cost.” I tell you Jacob had a made-up mind. He had determined that no one was going to stop him from receiving God’s blessings not even his own brother. I also want you to know that Satan has a plan of destruction for your life and he is not just going to lie down, roll over and let you be what God wants you to be. He is working over-time to distract you and to delay the fulfillment of your promises. He is working over-time to side-line you, to kill, steal and destroy your life [John 10:10]. You need to realize that there are Princes of Persia in the spiritual realm working to prevent you coming into the revelation and reality of your destiny. Therefore, you need to release spiritual warfare and pray. Scripture tells us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but demonic powers and principalities. Know your authority and be vigilant about it.

In closing I want you to know that Jacob spent years fighting to get and keep the blessings of God; and that same desire ought to put the fight back in you. Throw off your passive, defeated countenance. Cast aside all feelings of defeat – and stand up and fight! Right now God is saying, “Come on, and fight!” – Because He loves you! He wants you to claim all His blessings. Rise up in faith and lay hold of His promises. Stand up and fight! You have His strength – use it! It is time that you tell the devil to Hell with you and take back what is your. Proclaim the victory that Jesus has already won for you on the cross. I tell you for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Those are the words of the preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. This is a time for new beginnings, a time to say goodbye to the past year and welcome the new. Don’t you go into another year bruised and battered!

By Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, Founder and President of Be Someone, Inc.

Several years ago I found myself at a crossroads in my life.  If not for a helping hand at just the right time, I might not be here to offer these words of advice and encouragement.  I definitely fit the description of an “at risk” youngster.

I was an inner-city tough guy.  That was my life, my culture.  It defined me.  I wasn’t worried about my future.  Future? Ha!  My future was today, tonight.  Tomorrow was never a sure thing.

So what happened?  How did I escape?  Why am I now preaching against the life that once looked so “cool”?  For this column, let’s just say a very special teacher saw something in me that I didn’t even see.  He taught me the game of chess and with that simple act, he saved my life.  I owe him so much and one way I’m paying him back is by living every day to save other young people who are in trouble or potentially stand to make poor decisions.

We are surrounded by so much pain and heartache.  You can’t turn on the news without being faced with a litany of domestic violence, carjacking, robberies, and kidnappings.  Violence is something that has always plagued this world. It is so important to learn that hostility gains you nothing in life. Peaceful compromises are the way to solve your dilemmas. Why is the world so angry? Perhaps we will never know the answer to that.

Using the game of chess, I founded an organization several years ago based upon a simple premise:  Be someone, not something. Your actions speak louder than your words, and that is often forgotten. There is no reason in this world why two people cannot sit down with a game of chess or something similar and use their mind power to put hostility and sore feelings behind them. Use creativity and your mind in a unique way to solve your differences. Violence gets you nowhere but behind bars.

Taking someone else’s life is one of the most unholy sins a person can commit. Consider what that family has to go through and what yours will go through knowing that you did this. Did you see the recent story in Chicago?  A beautiful young lady who had recently performed at President Obama’s inauguration in Washington was shot and killed by gang members firing weapons indiscriminately.  Think of the pain and heartbreak.

Remember this simple statement, “Brains before bullets, think it out, don’t shoot it out!”  I teach this and my students are hearing me but I need to reach more young people than those I’m able to meet in my classes.

Everyday lives are taken for no reason at all or for something menial. No matter what it is, a gun is never the answer to solving your problems.

I have dedicated my life to teaching young people that they can succeed.  They can make the right choices that will lead them places they have only dreamed of going if someone can reach them.  I believe God gave me that ability and capability.

This is my message to young people:  Learn how to take charge of your life.  I want to help you do that. I have guided and mentored many young people who others have given up on.  I offer a calm voice and a steady hand that has weathered numerous tests.

I believe every child has the potential to succeed.  That’s what guides my presentations and my classes.  Take my instruction and use it constructively in your everyday life to become that upstanding citizen that you desire to be. Be a success, not a casualty. You can be productive in life, you can go places, and you do have support to help you get there.

So many young people forget that life is beautiful and if your chance to take advantage of all it has to offer is taken away either by your own hand or another’s; you will live with many regrets. Let’s have more successes and challenge your mind, put the guns away!

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson was an at-risk young person growing up in Birmingham, AL, when a teacher taught him the game of chess demonstrating to him that for every move – either on the game board or in the game of life – there are consequences.  It changed his life.  He went on to become an Alabama State Trooper and later founded Be Someone, Inc., an organization devoted to teaching young people there are consequences for their actions and that they can choose to succeed in life.  He not only teaches classes but delivers motivational speeches around the country. Please invite international speaker Orrin Checkmate Hudson to energize your next event by visiting www.besomeone.org.

Written by Naomi K. Bonman

RIALTO, CA- Women go through so much in life, especially our young Black women. With recent movies, such as For Colored Girls, women are now feeling the urge and need to step out of their comfort zones and confront their fears in telling their stories in a means to help other women. This is the premise of why T’ana Phelice started writing The Jaded Diamond series.

Phelice’s second book, Pigs & Pearls under the Jaded Diamonds collection explores the lives, trials and tribulations of five women: Veronica, Precious, Nicki, Tia, and Samantha. They each  are used to beauty and scandalous behavior getting them ahead, but God has other things in mind. Twisted affairs leave a couple of the ladies praying for redemption, while true love leaves one facing tragedy, and another with what she has finally become worthy of. Each of them are at a crossroads that will test their faith, or restore the strength that they didn’t know they had. Some will make reality of their dreams, while others refuse to face reality all together.

Pigs & Pearls is definitely one that will have you laughing, crying, screaming, and chatting it up with your closet girlfriends as you flip through pages and recognizing characters and traits that resemble your own life. In a world where women are bombarded by the false misconceptions of what they should be through media and TV, this book is needed to uplift and give our women encouragement to heal their lives and the lives of those around them.

The book is now available for pre-order via tanaphelice.com and will launch January 2016. There will be a special release celebration and book signing on Saturday, January 30 at Raquel’s Jazz Lounge in Rialto. Raquel’s is located at 134 S. Riverside Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376.

Please RSVP today and pre-order the book for $20. You will be able to have your book signed at the event. RSVPs can be made at www.tanaphelice.com.