Happily Divorced And After

SAN BERNARDINO, CA –Carolina Beltran steps down as Miss Cardinal City on Saturday, September 20, when the new Miss Cardinal City is crowned. Miss Cardinal City, along with reigning Mr. Cardinal City, will represent San Bernardino High School at school and community functions throughout the year. According to pageant director and Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios, the goals for Miss Cardinal City are to develop students’ confidence, raise community awareness and pride in the school and community, and make people aware that San Bernardino High School is also a chartered city.

During the two-hour pageant, Miss Cardinal City contestants will be ranked by a panel of judges in on-stage categories, including sportswear, evening gown, and on-stage question. Off-stage rankings, tabulated before the pageant, include grades, attendance, and personal interviews.

The pageant begins at 6 p.m. at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 1850 North E Street in San Bernardino. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Jamie Rios at (909) 881-8217.

Aaron Swift

So, who will it be this week folks! Ya’ girl is back and Aaron Swift is What It Do! The first time I heard him spit, I was like, okay then. His style and flavor is definitely UNFORGETTABLE and UNTOUCHABLE.

Aaron Block, known as Swift, was born in 1982 at Gardena memorial. This talented artist grew up listening to artists such as Ice cube, Digital Underground, and other well-known legends in the industry. Swift developed the talent for writing poetry before ever knowing how to write music. After the passing of his beautiful mother Jean Shaneatha Hall in 1991, Swift found a new way to express himself which was putting his poetry into bars and making Hip-Hop music.

Since then he has developed in every aspect and is known for his witty metaphors and catchy hooks.  In 1999, Swift was fully confident in his delivery and decided he was going to let the world know what he is capable of, but some were still skeptical as to how versatile he was, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing dreams.  Skipping a couple rough patches and shady deals with record labels and management, Swift has come into his own, working with artists which include Tony Touch, Westside Bugg, Sylk-E-Fyne, Dirty Birdy, Way2Much, and many others. Swift is currently running a full studio production company called Swifts Production and is currently the CEO of an upcoming filming company called OnMyMama.tv. Please check out his music on face book and YouTube. Till next time, Peace & Blessings!

T’ana and daughter reading Bratty Tatty

SAN BERARDINO, CA- SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, September 20 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Littlefield/Shultis Park located at 2525 Kendall Way in San Bernardino, local author and philanthropist T’ana Phelice will be hosting “Love & Literacy Block Party,” to amp the release of her latest book, “Bratty Tatty.”

In efforts to promote literacy in a fun and engaging way, ‘Bratty Tatty’ serves as a multicultural book that engages parents and their little ones ages 3 to 7 with raps and riddles inspired by Phelice’s 8-year-old daughter, Tanai. This colorful tale is an educator that parents can use to weapon against naughty behavior by teaching children accountability.

“I’ve fashioned a reputation for my fictional short stories and poetry for the more mature crowd”, Phelice states. “But my child’s outbursts and right on time tantrums every time I’d drop her off to head-start triggered the creative youngster in me. I decided to write something fun, something our kids can identify with, and something they can actually learn from.”

This is a free event for the community to come out and enjoy a family oriented day filled with activities ranging from live performances, a live DJ, a jumper, food, prizes and more! In addition, each person that purchases a book they will receive a free popcorn or cotton candy.

Television personality, author and motivational speaker Lauren Lake takes her seat on the bench this Monday, September 22 as the presiding judge of LAUREN LAKE’S PATERNITY COURT, as it returns for a second season. The show, named the #1 new courtroom series of the year, recently moved production to Atlanta, GA and features Lake, a former attorney and legal expert, who helps families come together to sort out complicated relationships and find resolution in their lives.

In the courtroom series, the sharp-witted Lake helps litigants resolve legal issues involving paternity using DNA results. Lake is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned her law degree at Wayne State University. She is a member of the New York, New Jersey and Michigan bars with concentrations in family, criminal, entertainment law. A multi-faceted television personality, Lake regularly contributes her no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is advice and analysis to some of today’s most popular television programs, including “The View,” “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “CBS This Morning,” “Access Hollywood Live,” “Dr. Phil” and “Dr Drew” and has been featured in articles in various publications, such as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and Time Magazine; she has served as moderator and contributor on panels dedicated to women, relationships, empowerment and family. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Lake is a dedicated wife and mother who is committed to encouraging and inspiring ordinary people to live extraordinary lives.

LAUREN LAKE’S PATERNITY COURT is produced by 79^th & York Entertainment and distributed by Orion TV Productions (Orion Television), a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

For more information, please visit the official PATERNITY COURT WITH LAUREN LAKE Facebook page atwww.Facebook.com/PaternityCourt, and follow the show on Twitter, @PaternityCourt, using the hashtag #PaternityCourt, as well as on Instagram, @PaternityCourtTV.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

When you get an understanding,  understand that it’s not your job to figure out how God is going to do what He said He would do. The Word of God is true, pure ,tried and it has already been settled in the heavens,  never to be changed. So, if God speaks, that settles it, Period!

We are to believe what He says, and  trust Him even when we don’t understand what is going on!  Can I tell you that trust requires us to have unanswered questions?  You need to get “comfortable – not knowing.”  Stop trying to figure everything out!  Stop “staring” at your circumstances and fix your eyes on Jesus, “the Author & Finisher of your faith.”  Mediate on His track record for He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Focus on the unlimited supply of the God we serve, the God of more than enough!

I tell you, it is important that you do not try to figure out, calculate, or reason how God is going to heal, deliver, set free, meet your needs, etc… rather you must just believe. When you try to figure out in your mind how God is going to do something, then you are not trusting. God never told us that faith required us to figure it out; rather faith requires us to rely on the truth and integrity of His Word. Can I help somebody right now. I know your figuring it out, is your back up plan, just in case God does not come through. But  I want you to know that anytime that you have a backup plan for God, then you are not believing Him.

You must begin to believe God first, and not require Him to prove that He can do it. God must become your salvation in all things. You are not to try to figure out how He is going to do what He promised to do. That’s His job.  Your job is to release your faith. You must release it and trust God. Psalms 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” So stop trying to figure everything out! Put it away and raise your hands in Praise, thus saying “I trust you God, and I give it to you.” And when you pray, thank Him and expect Him to honor His Word, for  “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hearth us.” Don’t try and figure it out any more, just let go and let God. It may not make sense right now, but one day when God’s whole plan unfolds you’ll see what God was up to.

LOMA LINDA, CA-Breast cancer survivors will show current styles and fashions, while specialists will present the latest medical information and advances, as Loma Linda University Health System Department of Plastic Surgery presents the 6^th annual “The Pink Runway” Breast Cancer Reconstruction Seminar and Fashion Show on Sunday, September 28.

The event starts at noon at Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th St, Riverside, Calif. Tickets are from $35 to $45 each and may be purchased online at www.ThePinkRunway.com.

Building on success over the years, organizers promise a day of inspiration and empowerment with an all-new format. There will be exciting educational seminars preceding the inspiring fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors as the models showcasing apparel provided by Chico’s.

“We are very proud to ensure all women are educated on their reconstructive options post-mastectomy, which is the main goal of the Pink Runway event,” said Dr. Subhas Gupta, chairman of Loma Linda University Health System Department of Plastic Surgery.

“We believe it is critical to educate women with breast cancer about their reconstructive surgery options because of the positive impact of reconstructive surgery on them. I am very pleased to report that research supported by the Pink Runway and my department has found a 41 percent increase in the rate of breast cancer reconstruction in our Inland Empire community over the past 5 years since we began holding this educational event,” he said.

The agenda for the event includes “Pink Carpet” arrivals and photos, silent auction, opportunity drawings, video tribute to breast cancer survivors, delicious cancer-fighting food samples, and prizes.

The event will also feature Daniel and Shawna Head, owners and instructors of The Yoga Room, who will present exercise, yoga, and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue; and Robin Allen, founder of The Necessary Nutrition Academy, who will lead a session entitled “Key Nutrition Secrets and Superfoods Revealed!”

For more information please call (909) 558-5566.

Diana Wehbe

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) in conjunction with the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 1^st Community Wellness Event and Lupus Awareness Walk at the Community Medical Center Plaza Parking Lot located at 1800 Medical Center Drive in San Bernardino.

This is a FREE community. The theme for the day is “A Healthy Me” with special guest speaker Diana Wehbe, 99.1 KGGI Radio Personality and author. Other activities of the day include music, vendors, food, raffles, and community fun. There are also a limited number of Omnitrans Day Passes available. Free registration/sign-ups for teams can be completed by emailing ywefoundation@gmail.com.

BOTTOM LINE… Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

Water districts throughout California are reacting to the drought by offering a variety of rebates and incentives for residents to remove and replace the grass in their yards.  The goal is to replace grass with natural California desert loving plants that do not require as much water to survive.  Jennifer Aires, Water Resource Manager of the Yucaipa Valley Water District, was a guest on this past Sunday’s EMPIRE TALKS BACK radio program where she discussed the importance of saving water and some methods for doing so, which included removing grass from your yard.  She explained that some cities’ water districts are offering as much as $2.00 per square foot as incentive for residents to remove their grass.  The incentives must be arranged prior to the removal. Contact your water district to determine the process for qualifying to participate in the program.  Do not remove and replace your yard grass until your approval is made or you will probably not qualify for the rebate.

Jobs will be created by this program because of the fact that most people will not be able to do the yard work required for the removal and replacement.  Youth Build Inland Empire has a Landscape Training Program that is very capable of designing and completing a landscape that is water-friendly and that stays in the rebate-budget allowed by your water district.  Inland Empire residents have the opportunity to “save water and money while beautifying their yards and creating jobs and business opportunity at the same time,” by participating in state wide project to save water.

Call your water district to determine what incentives are offered to remove and replace your yard grass. Find out the process for qualifying for those incentives.  If you have the ability to remove and replace with your own resources, do so. If you are inclined to have someone else handle the project labor, I recommend you call I.E. Youth Build to help you at (909) 890-9106 and ask for Felix.

By Audrey Thompson

During this election season I have heard the Democratic Party telling African American voters why we have to get out the vote and vote for the Democrats, but here’s what I have to say about that.

Jobs, jobs, jobs! The unemployment rate for African Americans in the Inland Empire has always been the highest of all races and voting for some of the local Democrats have not changed that fact. Labor Unions and Trades certainly do not employ African Americans to the extent they can and they give the  most money to Democrats running for office. Yet, Democrats come to our community and expect us to vote for them, no questions asked. Democrats are owned by the Unions and will not speak out against the Unions and Labor on our behalf. For Democrats Union money is more important than our vote. Well let’s show them this election how powerful our vote is!

How many times have we had the conversation about driving down the freeway under construction and we see no African American working on that project? How many times have we drove by building and housing construction projects and did not see any African American working on that project?

Why is it that Labor Unions and Trades have Black Labor Unions and Trades divisions? No brainer, if the Unions and Trades were fair to our workers and black leadership representation, we certainly would not need a black division. It is almost impossible for Blacks to get apprenticeship positions in Labor and Trades. Yet again, Labor Union and Trades give the most money to Democrats locally, statewide and nationally. They are so bad out here in the Inland Empire that when it comes time for the Riverside/San Bernardino Central Labor Council Secretary/Treasurer, Laurie Stalnaker,  to interview candidates running for election, they don’t even invite African American candidates who have half a chance. She invites African American candidates who she knows will lose the race or have no competition in a race. CLC, Laurie Stalnaker, will not interview a viable black candidate in a significant powerful elected position. She has to be called on the carpet to interview certain African American candidates for the Union to interview for their endorsement.

And to add insult to injury, Miss Laurie is also a Delegate for the California Democratic party and a Delegate for Pete Aguilar. There have been several complaints against Laurie Stalnaker to the California State Democratic party for her racism and supporting the Republican candidate over the  Democrat candidate. The Democratic party has taken no action against her. Laurie Stalnaker has financed  Republican candidates that helped put the City of San Bernardino into Bankruptcy. However, if an African American Democratic candidate supports a Republican the same Democratic party will use their by-laws to not endorse the African American candidate.  I am telling you what God loves and that is the truth.

Black folk, please be informed. Let’s take a closer look at the candidates coming to our churches and community centers asking for our vote. Democrats know that 80% of African Americans who actually go to the polls and vote will vote for a Democrat no matter who the Democrat is and no questions asked! That is not the case with all other populations of voters. Be informed, hear what both parties have to say. Don’t just take for granted that the Democrat has your best interest at heart. Be informed!

What we need most are jobs and if the Unions Labor and Trades have the most invested in the Democrats who are asking for our vote maybe we should consider the other candidate. The only thing we have is our vote, and the only way to make the Democratic party understand we mean business is to vote for the other guy. How many times are we going to be hoodwinked, bamboozled and duped by our Democratic party?

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Police Department is currently accepting reservations for the next Community Police Academy. This is an eight-week program designed to give participants an inside look at local law enforcement. The program is designed to form a stronger partnership between the community and the Police Department through education. Participants will be exposed to a variety of topics, such as: Criminal investigations; Crime analysis and crime mapping; Gang enforcement; Traffic laws and enforcement; Animal Control; Community Policing and many more. Course material will be presented by Police Department administrators and veteran department staff. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet the Chief of Police, where they are encouraged to ask questions.  Enrollment is limited to 50 students per class. Potential candidates must live or work in the City of San Bernardino.

Classes will meet in the Police Department’s main training room, 710 N. “D” Street, on Wednesday evenings 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for eight consecutive weeks.  Free parking will be provided to the front of the police station as well as on adjoining streets.   The Fall Academy will begin Wednesday, September, 24, and continue through graduation on Wednesday, November 12.

The Citizen’s Academy is a great way to learn about your community, meet nice people, and get to know the men and women of your police department.  For more information, contact Community Affairs at (909) 384-5753 or by e-mail, communityaffairs@sbcity.org.