Happily Divorced And After

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- WSS News intern, Noelle Lilley, recently interviewed Rancho Cucamonga native Joshua Robinson, 32, who is competing for $10,000 on CMT’s ‘Steve Austin’s The Broken Skull’. Robinson is a youth athletic trainer with plans of buying top of the line equipment for his youth training program if he wins.

“Slow feet, don’t eat, that’s why we compete, and I’ll be damned if I fall victim to defeat”, is the motto that Mr. Robinson lives by for the show.

During the interview, Robinson discussed how he got into sports, his future endeavors and what inspired him to get apply to be on the show. For those that are interested in watching an episode or two, Broken Skull Challenge comes on each Sunday at 8 p.m. on CMT.

To view the interview, click here.

Faulty pool lighting and bad wiring are the greatest electrical threats to safety, but can easily be eliminated by regular inspection, maintenance and adherence to local and national codes.

By Paul Netter

Don’t swim with shocks.

It’s a nice play on words in a Consumer Product Safety Commission fact sheet, but there’s nothing nice about the hidden dangers it warns of in and around swimming pools with the summer in full swing. The spring electrocution of a 7-year-old boy in his family’s Miami swimming pool is a tragic worst-case example, but another non-fatal Miami accident where three children were badly shocked is instructive as well.

Faulty pool lighting and bad wiring, respectively, are suspected in both accidents. In fact,underwater lights and their wiring are the greatest potential electrical hazards inside a pool since it can’t be said enough that water and electricity don’t mix. A pane of glass and a rubber seal are often swimmers’ only protection from electrical wiring.

Any water inside the underwater light fixture — the presence of mold or rust, buzzing noises or flickering lights is a tip-off — is very dangerous, but so is a power system that is not well-grounded and aging or corroded wires. These risks are only heightened if lighting and circuits aren’t protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). And older pools may not only have degraded lighting fixtures, but also may not have GFCIs on underwater lighting circuits. If these issues exist, they should be updated immediately.

“People should have a qualified electrician inspect their underwater lights to make sure that junction boxes and wiring connections are properly and safely installed,” said Don Neal, director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety at Southern California Edison (SCE), which also offers a pool-pump rebate program to assist customers. “In addition to fixing any problems, that electrician should upgrade your pool, as well as your hot tub or spa, in accordance with local codes and the National Electrical Code.”

GFCIs should also be used on pumps and electrical equipment, such as heaters, used with pools, spas and hot tubs and on all outlets within 20 feet of the water’s edge to protect people from shocks.

These are all very important steps because there have been 60 electrocutions and nearly 50 serious electrical shocks in and around swimming pools in the U.S. since 1990, according to the safety commission. The commission said some of the deaths and shocks occurred during attempted rescues of shock victims because the rescuers were unaware of the electrical hazards.

Another safe move is to have an electrician downgrade pool lighting from a potentially deadly 120 volts to 12 volts. The 120-volt lighting systems are particularly prevalent in older pools and GFCIs are recommended on any lighting system 15 volts or greater.

“The lower voltage is simply less dangerous,” said Neal “In case of a broken glass or leakage into an underwater light, you should avoid having 120 volts introduced into your water. Landscape lighting should also be powered by a low-voltage system to prevent shocks on a rain-soaked lawn.”

A well-ground power system is also very important since it adds critical protection by guaranteeing that if something goes wrong, the power flows to the ground and not to those in the pool.

“Pool owners should also make sure that electrical wires and junction boxes are a minimum of five feet away from water, as also required by the National Electrical Code,” said Neal.

As for other hazards outside the water, a permanent or storable pool should never be built or set up underneath power lines (if this exists, there are clearance requirements, but pool owners should consult their local inspection agency). Long-handled cleaning tools also should be used away from power lines and electrical cords should be kept at least five feet away from the pool.

Neal offers an additional warning on the electrical cords, suggesting that, “When possible, people should use battery-operated appliances and not cord-connected ones in and around a pool, spa or hot tub.”

Meanwhile, pool owners should always have an emergency plan within view of pool users and power switches should be labeled for pool, hot tub and spa equipment and lighting so they can be turned off quickly during an electrical emergency. In addition, a fiberglass Shepherd’s crook should be used to remove any victims from the water, CPR should be administered and 911 should be called.

As for rescuers not taking these precautions, they risk serious injury if they touch a conductive fixture or enter the water before the current is stopped.

“Pool electrical accidents are easily prevented,” said Neal. “But pool owners must follow state-mandated codes, conduct proper inspection and maintenance and use qualified electricians to achieve that prevention.”

UCLA Bruins football players Aaron Sharp (left) and Jordan Lasley (right) play with patients Kaiden Cressy, 2, (left) and Jhordan Moncrief, 2 on Thursday, July 31.

LOMA LINDA, CA – Members of the UCLA Bruins football team visited patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital on Thursday, July 31. Four freshman players played video games, puzzles and chatted up with kids on the hematology/oncology unit at the hospital.

“The kids were eager and excited to have the Bruins visit,” said Dorothy Brooks from LLUCH’s child life services. “Spending just a couple of hours with the players was a treat that will be treasured for a long time by our patients. It was so good to hear the laughter in the playroom during this visit.”

Players who came out were Jordan Lasley, wide receiver; Aaron Sharp, quarterback; Dwight Williams, linebacker; and Kenny Young, linebacker. They were in preparation to begin open training camp, which started on Monday, Aug. 4 at California State University, San Bernardino. This is the third year CSUSB has hosted Bruins football for training, with support from Stater Bros. Markets.

“Stater Bros. truly believes in giving back to the communities that we serve,” stated Susan Atkinson, vice president, corporate affairs for Stater Bros. Markets. “As strong supporters of both the UCLA football training camp and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, we are especially proud to provide an opportunity to brighten a child’s day.”           

UCLA’s 2014 football season will kick off when the Bruins take on University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va on Saturday, August 30.  

COLTON, CA – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is conducting a Purple Ribbon Campaign during August to help raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children  unattended in cars. The campaign features purple ribbons, fliers, signs and posters that will be  displayed inside and outside of the Medical Center. Purple Ribbon Month is held each year in  memory of children who have lost their lives because of vehicular heatstroke.

“I was a nursing student and had just left class when a mother in distress approached me and  urged me to break her car window to get her infant, who had accidentally been locked in the car,”  said ARMC Trauma Coordinator, Richard Vara. “We got her child out in time. I reacted as a  concerned parent, and I hope that other people would do the same when they see children who are left in cars.”

As of July 2014, at least 19 U.S. children have died because of vehicular heatstroke, according to  Kids And Cars, a nonprofit child safety organization dedicated to preventing injuries and death to  children in or around motor vehicles. Last year, 44 children died of vehicular heatstroke in the  U.S.

“Heatstroke-related injuries and deaths are preventable,” said Vara. “It is important to be vigilant  about checking inside your vehicle before locking up and walking away.”

A child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s. Leaving the car  windows partially down does not significantly slow the heating process in the vehicle. Reduce the  number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT:

• Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car.
• Keep your car locked when you are not in it so children do not get in the car on their own.
• Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
• Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Sources: Kids And Cars; Safercar.gov; Safe Kids Worldwide
California state law makes it illegal to leave a child 6 years of age or younger unattended inside a  motor vehicle without the supervision of someone who is at least 12 years old.

For more information about ARMC visit www.arrowheadmedcenter.org.

Karen Bass

LOS ANGELES, CA – United States Congresswoman Karen Bass, now in her second term representing California’s 37th Congressional District, will continue her steadfast support for innovative job creation and economic development in both the U.S. and Africa, when she delivers a keynote address to a historic assemblage of African business leaders, bankers, entrepreneurs, investors, high-level government leaders and regulatory officials, along with their American counterparts, at the African Global Economic and Development Summit (AGED Summit), which will be hosted by Global Green Development Group (GGDG) at the University of Southern California (USC) from August 7 through August 9, 2014.

Experts agree that Africa is on the brink of an expansive economic growth period.  In recognition of this, the AGED Summit returns for its 2nd year at USC by welcoming Rep. Bass to participate in a unique three-day gathering among a diverse and synergistic group of stakeholders in African economic development, which is profoundly impacting the prospects for job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities in California and elsewhere in the U.S.   As Rep. Bass notes, “Africa is currently home to 6 out of the 7 fastest growing economies in the world and is viewed by investors from Europe, Malaysia, China, India, Turkey and Brazil as a priority region for investment.”  She went on to say that investment in Africa helps Americans as well.  As the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Rep. Bass recognizes that U.S. trade agreements with Africa, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), are “critically important for many reasons. First it supports jobs across the continent. There are some 300,000 jobs attached to AGOA and many of those are jobs that go to African women. If you count the jobs that are indirectly linked to AGOA that number rapidly approaches one million or more jobs.”  Regarding the impact of AGOA in the U.S., Rep. Bass pointed out that, “AGOA can only serve to facilitate greater trade and investment with the United States.  It can be a win-win for both African nations and the U.S. if we truly recognize and seize the opportunity.”

Unique among forums on Africa, the AGED Summit presents an enabling environment, which demystifies the process of doing business in Africa by bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, financiers, investment guarantors and other necessary linkages in order to actually position transactions to be structured and completed in a manner that maximizes safety without compromising profitability. “Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a small entrepreneur, everything required to put together a business deal with Africa will be available through the AGED Summit”, says Mary Flowers, CEO of GGDG. This year’s theme is “Walking the Talk”.

Among other outstanding agenda items, the AGED Summit will highlight ways for attendees to tap into the U.S. Government’s “Power Africa Initiative” that has committed over $7 billion to add more than 10,000 megawatts of clean, efficient electricity generation capacity to sub-Saharan African countries. The need is tremendous since the installed power capacity of all of sub-Saharan Africa is less than that of Delaware.  Regarding Power Africa, which she has championed since its announcement last year, Rep. Bass says, “Power Africa and Trade Africa, ultimately are aimed at strengthening the capacity of Africa to trade locally, regionally and internationally.”

REDLANDS, CA- The Redlands Police Department and Micah House, with help from local businesses, churches, community groups and City and County agencies, will give away bicycles and backpacks during a Back2School Jam and Community Resource Fair at Sylvan Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 2. There will be free snacks and music provided for the community.

The giveaway is held in conjunction with the Community Clean Up day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, August 1, at a number of neighborhood locations, including Post Street and Brockton Avenue, Cook Street and Cero Court, the Micah House (Oxford Avenue and Brockton), and Second Baptist Church, 420 E. Stuart St. Each participating child or teen giving one hour or more of community service will receive a free backpack and school supplies.

Organizers hope to match last year’s donation of more than 1,200 backpacks and school supplies to children and youth. Donations were funded by various groups including the Redlands Police Officers Association, Trinity Church, Walgreens Stores, Tom McGrath School Supplies, Fox Banquets and Events Inc., Kiwanis Club of Redlands Morning and grants from the Redlands Police Department.  Toyota of Redlands assisted in raising supplies by offering 10 percent discounts on services in exchange for donated school supplies. Sponsors from Music Changing Lives also donated backpacks and school supplies.

Few contemporary albums bare as particular a narrative as The Lagos Music Salon. The new album by the superb chanteuse Somi, finds her breaking new ground with a hybrid style of music that organically integrates the essence of jazz and soul with the musical depth of her African heritage.

The Lagos Music Salon (available Tuesday, August 5^th) marks Somi’s major label debut for Sony’s OKeh Records and features a range of originals that are sublimely melodic, percussively textured.  A socially informed and adventurous vocalist, Somi sings with a soulful beauty about her experiences in Lagos. While there, she kept a journal of her observations and collaborated with a community of musicians, writers and artists who helped her to envision what would become The Lagos Music Salon.

The album covers a broad swath of styles and features a number of carefully matched guest performances. These include a fast-paced groove with Afro-pop sensibilities on the Fela Kuti-inspired “Lady Revisited” with Angelique Kidjo, and a rap-inflected cinematic reflection on Africa’s pollution, “When Rivers Cry,” that features Common.

For more information on Miss Somi, please visit www.somimusic.com.

Monty B. Sharpton a.k.a. Lamont Bonman

TORRENCE, CA- Legends of Motown presents, “Komedy Slamm and Singles Dance”, August 9at 7:30 p.m. This event will be hosted by Monty B. Sharpton from TBN’s Comedy Specials. Featuring comedians from HBO’s Def Comedy Jam; tributes to musical greats like Diana Ross, Al Green, and Lionel Richie; and smooth jazz recording artists from 94.7, this will be a night to remember. Come out to the Alpine Village Center in Torrance, CA as the event will also include free parking! Seating is on first-come, first-serve basis so be early! Dinner is also available and the dance begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for $25 or $35 at the door. The Singles after party dance (couples welcome) are $5 if you purchase now or $10 at door. Bring your dancing shoes and have a night filled with music and laughter! For more information visit www.alpinevillagecenter.com/events.(By Noelle Lilley)

LOS ANGELES, CA-The Los Angeles office of UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) will step out for students at the 32^nd annual UNCF Walk for Education on Saturday, August 2 at Exposition Park (South Menlo and Coliseum) in Los Angeles. The event, which takes the theme “Building Better Futures: The Value of a UNCF Investment,” is a celebration of education that will bring together an estimated 900 community supporters to raise vitally needed funds to help students get to and through college.

Families, teachers and the community at large are invited to participate in the UNCF Walk for Education.  Participants can walk or run a 5k course. Members of the community are invited to support UNCF and its students by forming a Walk for Education team or registering as individuals. UNCF is encouraging everyone to register early.  

A $60 donation will qualify participants for a 2014 UNCF Walk for Education T-shirt and a $25 donation will qualify all students with I.D. for a 2014 UNCF Walk for Education T-shirt.Honorary Co-chair for the Los Angeles UNCF Walk for Education is Tarrance Frierson, Supplier Diversity and Development Program Manager, Southern California Edison.Event sponsors include Title Sponsors Southern California Edison, Superior Grocers, and Tesoro.  Start/Finish Sponsors include Union Bank of California, UPS, and Xerox.

UNCF Walk for Education participants will also enjoy food, music, a Kids Play Zone and more.For more information on the Los Angeles UNCF Walk for Education or for sponsorship packages, please contact UNCF at 213.639.3800, or visit UNCF.org/LAWalk.