SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Patrons of the San Bernardino Public Library are now able to pick up books placed on hold at Rowe Branch, 108 E. Marshall Blvd. Book pick up continues at the lobby of Feldheym Central Library at 555 W. Sixth St. Books may be picked up Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Patrons may place books on hold via the online catalog at SBPL’s website at www.sbpl.org or by calling 381-8201 Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reference Librarians will also be available via phone during those hours to answer patrons’ reference questions. Rowe staff can be reached directly at 883-3411 during its service hours Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Mary Nichols, an influential California attorney known and respected in environmental policy circles across the United States, is finding herself at the center of racial storm brewing at home.  

Black employees say racism is widespread at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the organization Nichols chairs.  

In September, African American employees hit CARB with a 13-page letter alleging that they have been experiencing racism – widespread, routine and systemic, they point out – at the air-pollution and climate agency.? 

The “Concerned Black Employees at CARB (CBE CARB),” the Black group that submitted the letter, says its members have been the target of cynical comments at the organization and that they have been excluded from promotions, and have had to face other atrocities because of the color of their skin. 

The letter details discriminatory hiring practices, incidents of intimidation, low representation of Black employees, and a general lack of support. CARB, the letter alleges, has a total of 1627 employees and only 73 of them are Black. Only one African American has held an executive position with the organization.

“You will find a compilation of Black stories about our experiences at CARB along with messages we received from those experiences,” CBE CARB stated in the introduction of the document. Although these stories are first person accounts of experiences, we believe that most of them apply (or have applied) to all Black employees at some point and time at CARB.” 

The state of California charges CARB with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change. Founded in 1967, the Sacramento-based organization also sets air quality standards, oversee automakers’ emissions compliance, conducts research on air pollution, measures reductions of air pollutants and promotes public health, among other functions.  

In July, Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), who is African American, called out Nichols online after she posted a message that drew parallels between the lack of clean air the death of George Floyd.

“How dare you use a dying man’s plea for help as a way to discuss your agenda. Have you no shame?” Cooper reacted to Nichols’ tweet.  

Floyd died when a Minneapolis police officer pinned his knee on the unarmed Black man’s neck for nearly nine minutes in late May. The shocking incident caught on video a bystander caught was shared millions of time, sparking anti-Black racism protests across the globe.  

On June 1, Nichols posted, “‘I can’t breathe’ speaks to police violence, but it also applies to the struggle for clean air. Environmental racism is just one form of racism. It’s all toxic. Government needs to clean it up in word and deed.” 

Nichols later issued an apology via Twitter, stating “I apologize for speaking at the wrong time about the wrong topic. Racism comes in many forms and I believe we must fight every instance of it in our society.” 

Nichols has served on the CARB Board under Gov. Jerry Brown (1975–82 and 2010–18), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (2007–2010), and Gov. Gavin Newsom (2019–present).? 

She also served as California’s Secretary for Natural Resources (1999–2003), appointed by Gov. Gray Davis. Her term under Newsom ends Dec. 31. There is speculation in Sacramento political circles that Nichols, 75, could be in line for a job as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency should Joe Biden win the presidency. 

Published reports say CARB’s Executive Director Richard Corey forwarded CBE CARB’s letter to the air CARB’s staff about a week after he obtained it. The 13-page document is dated Sept. 4. 

CARB’s board, which the governor appoints and the Senate confirms, consists of 14 voting members with two lawmakers in non-voting roles. The board does not have any Asian American or African American members.  

“There is no doubt the letter eloquently describes a history of poor treatment, lost potential, and deep-seated pain,” Corey wrote in a memo to his staff, according to Politico. “But, when I consider the courage it took to write and submit the letter, I have a sense of optimism as I know that change begins with the ability to openly acknowledge and discuss issues.” 

CBE CARB also stated that its only intent is to “shine a light on areas where CARB can improve” and asked the air pollution and climate agency to move forward and be “part of the solution.”? 

“Our intent in sharing this Letter and Action Plan is not to shame or belittle CARB, or to assign blame. We enjoy the work we do at CARB and want to do all we can to improve CARB for the future, and our future careers with the agency,” CBE CARB stated in conclusion of the letter.??

Two young sibling entrepreneurs had a master plan and stuck to it. Billy Wright II and his sister, Bree Wright recently opened Plenty of Fish Seafood, their first restaurant in a chain of seafood eateries, in Lancaster, CA, the heart of the Antelope Valley’s high desert! The astute young visionaries are promising a winning combination of good customer service, fresh food and a squeaky-clean environment that they hope will keep customers coming back for more. The millennial duo was determined not to let the challenges and constrictions of the coronavirus undermine their hopes, plans and dreams and have so far succeeded. 

LANCASTER, CA— The dry and arid Antelope Valley region, located right outside of bustling Los Angeles, is not a locale that makes one think of mouthwatering seafood meals. Add the current pandemic to the equation, and the odds seem even more unbeatable. However, two young sibling entrepreneurs had a master plan and stuck to it. Billy Wright II and his sister, Bree Wright recently opened Plenty of Fish Seafood, their first restaurant in a chain of seafood eateries, in Lancaster, CA, the heart of the valley’s high desert! The astute young visionaries are promising a winning combination of good customer service, fresh food and a squeaky-clean environment that they hope will keep customers coming back for more. The millennial duo was determined not to let the challenges and constrictions of the coronavirus undermine their hopes, plans and dreams and have so far succeeded.  

Billy, 24 and Bree, 25, both attended Palmdale High School in the Antelope Valley and share a strong commitment to the region. They reside outside of the area now but wanted to return and create a Black business to serve their former community. Plenty of Fish Seafood will be a licensing and franchise operation, with the Lancaster/Palmdale location serving as home base. The restaurant will feature an outside dining area per current Covid compliance and will focus heavily on takeout and delivery servicing.  

Plenty of Fish Seafood is designed to operate beyond the typical “you buy we fry” establishments, and will present a wide variety of comfort cuisine, including enticing seafood, both fried and grilled, along with delicious seafood-based salads. In an effort to support the economy with domestic based employment, all the seafood will be nationally sourced and not imported. A host of delectable signature side dishes will also grace the menu, including collard greens, potato salad, mouthwatering red beans and rice and an assortment of homemade desserts. The brother and sister team believe that what sets their diner apart from all the rest, however, is their signature batter, a secret recipe mixture handed down from both of their grandmothers, one from Oklahoma and the other from Louisiana!

“Our dad is my biggest inspiration in this venture. I had been working closely with him in a restaurant chain he was involved in, and I made great suggestions that were successfully implemented. Finally, one day he told me that my ideas were too good to be giving away and I should put my money where my mouth was and come up with my own concept and do things my way! I heeded his advice, got my sister on board and went to work on conceptualizing Plenty of Fish Seafood,” explains Billy.  

“Our dad eventually left the operation he was working with and came to work with us. So, Plenty of Fish Seafood is a family infused business, all the way from the food to the day to day operations,” adds Bree. “With so much craziness going on in the world, we feel blessed to have had so much love and support around us during these trying times. Things often seemed bleak, but our Dad remained a stronghold with his wisdom and guidance.”  

Billy and Bree have their eyes set on the bigger picture. Once Plenty of Fish Seafood in Lancaster is self-sustaining, they will begin licensing other locations throughout targeted cities across the country. For now, they are busy with duties that include managerial tasks to overseeing marketing and advertising for the flagship shop.  

“This is a great time for millennial entrepreneurs,” adds Billy Wright II. “We were already planning beyond the traditional brick and mortar restaurant even before Covid. My sister and I were already thinking about how far technology will go in the quick service industry. Right now, Plenty of Fish Seafood will be utilizing all the local delivery services, but I believe delivery drones and self-driving cars are the wave of our future and food servicing will be at the forefront of this change.”  

“In addition, health and wellness is an even more essential concern now,” cites Bree. “So, we will eventually offer CBD infused dishes for its healing components.”  

As the High Desert’s ultimate destination for down home inspired, scrumptious seafood dining, Plenty of Fish Seafood represents a positive ray of hope for the community during these pandemic times!  

Plenty of Fish Seafood is located at 43937 15th Street West Lancaster, CA 93534. Go fishing and follow them on Facebook at @Plenty of Fish Seafood and on Instagram at @PlentyofFishSeafood. Order your plate online at (661) 471-9620.

Nurse and activist Cori Bush garnered a commanding 84 percent of the vote in Missouri’s 1st District to become the state’s first Black woman representative in the United States Congress.

“This is definitely a night to remember,” Bush told supporters during her acceptance speech. “This has been a historic day from the beginning to the end.”

To quote the New York Post: Bush had the backing of the Justice Democrats — who helped propel Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to her first upset victory over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley.

In her August Democratic primary, Bush had her own upset victory, defeating longtime incumbent, Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay.

Bush got involved with the Black Lives Mattermovement in 2014, when Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, was shot and killed by a white police officer in Ferguson.

She joined the protests that erupted in the wake of the shooting and soon began leading the protests in her Missouri district.

Bush has remained engaged in protest work ever since, getting heavily involved in the recent protests surrounding the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

To read more: https://www.vox.com/2020/11/4/21538719/cori-bush-ritchie-torres-jamaal-bowman-election-results

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Saturday, November 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County in collaboration with Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy and San Bernardino Valley College will be hosting their annual turkey giveaway at San Bernardino Valley College located at 701 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. 

Due to COVID, there are some restrictions. The restrictions include: Must pre-register online to attend; must be a resident of San Bernardino County; and one vehicle per household may participate. Please register at: https://annualturkey.eventbrite.com. Entrance begins at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue at Esperanza Street. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— A number of residents have asked what County leaders are doing to persuade Gov. Gavin Newsom and other State officials to offer more flexibility on COVID-related restrictions and allow more businesses to reopen. Make no mistake, the County has been hard at work on a daily basis throughout the pandemic trying to influence leaders in Sacramento.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman says he and other County officials and staff are in contact with federal, State and local officials on a daily basis. Much of this effort focuses on requesting alterations in State guidelines and securing additional pandemic-related resources for the county.

These efforts have delivered some notable results. Specifically, we have worked with the State to resume business activities serving communities in Purple Tier counties such as ours. Some of these specific businesses and activities we have fought to open include:

• Personal care services
• Campgrounds and outdoor recreation (with modifications)
• Hotels and lodging (with modifications)
• Libraries, retailers and shopping malls (25% capacity)
• Youth sports
• Allowing for in-person worship in churches and places of worship with restrictions. 

We have also secured commitments from the State for additional testing and critical financial resources, as well as:

• Waivers that have allowed 100 schools in the county to open for in-person instruction
• More than $13 million to help provide temporary and permanent housing for the county’s homeless residents
• More than $50 million in federal CARES Act funding for a variety of services associated with combating COVID-19
• Almost $40 million to help backfill revenue losses associated with the pandemic

Our efforts to relax state mandates

While the County’s efforts have resulted in the State’s providing of additional resources, Chairman Hagman says convincing the governor to relax many of the State’s pandemic-related mandates has been a much harder sell.

Specifically, San Bernardino County has pushed hard for the state to recognize our county’s unique characteristics (primarily our immense geography), that would allow less populated rural areas to be treated differently than densely populated urban areas.

“We not only are the largest county in the lower 48 states, but we also have remote communities that have experienced literally zero infections,” Chairman Hagman said. “So we’ve been asking the State to allow us to adjust requirements based on things like population and infection rates. We’ve also emphasized a variety of practical challenges — such as requiring churches in desert communities to hold worship services outdoors when temperatures approach and exceed 100 degrees.”

He believes Governor Newsom is concerned about setting precedents for counties that don’t share San Bernardino’s unique conditions, but will nevertheless demand similar accommodations. Still, Chairman Hagman emphasizes that the County has no intention of easing up on its efforts.

“We have been very vocal in advocating a relaxation of many of the rules associated with reopening businesses, and have been particularly aggressive in seeking accommodations for churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship,” he said. “We’ve seen some success in that area, but are continuing to press our efforts.”

Ignoring the State not a viable option

Though some residents have argued that the county should either simply ignore the State’s directives or take a much more aggressive approach in demanding accommodations, Chairman Hagman said the county’s more cooperative tone has yielded better results — and that defying the State presents a number of unacceptable risks.

“In most of our communications, we have emphasized our willingness to work with the state for the benefit of county residents and others throughout California,” he said. “I am convinced that our cooperative attitude and tone has brought more benefits to San Bernardino County, and that a belligerent attitude would likely backfire.”

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY—- As we await to see will win the Presidential election, we can celebrate on the local side of things. Mayor of Rialto, Deborah Robertson and Assemblymember Eloise Reyes Gomez were among those who were re-elected. So, congratulations to those ladies. They have both been instrumental in bringing about major change to the community. Other good news is that Proposition 17 was passed as well as Proposition 22, and Proposition 20 was rejected. 

Proposition 17 / Free the Vote Act is an amendment to the California constitution restoring the right to vote for people on parole. Now, over 50,000 people on parole in California will be able to vote in the next election. SOI is proud to be a part of the coalition of organizers that worked on the campaign to free the vote. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that phone banked, did voter registration and helped to get out the vote. 

Proposition 20 was a prison spending scam that would have put more people in prison with longer sentences by turning misdemeanors to felonies and reducing parole options. California rejected Prop 20 and returning back to tough on crime policies.

California voters listened to the hundreds of thousands of drivers like you who want to remain independent. Your story, your voice and your support made this possible, and victory for Prop 22 wouldn’t have happened without you. With the passage of Prop 22, you get to keep your flexibility and will gain new historic benefits.

To see the results for San Bernardino County, please click below

Stand Up for APA Urges All Women to Make Sure Their Health Insurance Plans Offer the Best Maternal and Prenatal Care Benefits and Options

SAN DIEGO, CA— As the annual open enrollment period begins for individual health insurance plans, Stand Up for APA, a nonprofit working to ensure that all women in the United States receive access to the most accurate non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) options, today encouraged all women to inquire about the maternal and prenatal benefits offered by health insurers and make sure they have access to the most appropriate insurance coverage for their health care needs. 

All Women Need to Make Sure Their Health Insurance Plans Offer the Best Maternal and Prenatal Care Benefits & Options

Open enrollment – which takes place between November 1 and December 15 in most states – is the time of year when people with private health insurance or government-sponsored health insurance like the Affordable Care Act have the opportunity to enroll in or change their benefit programs. 

“It is critical that pregnant women fully understand their health care benefits, and open enrollment is the perfect time for mothers and expectant mothers to check whether their health insurance plans cover the specific prenatal and maternal needs of their pregnancy,” said Brianna Wetherbe, Director and Board Member of Stand Up for APA. “We strongly believe that all health insurance plans – private and public – need to provide the highest standard of maternal and prenatal care options, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), to all pregnant women regardless of age or baseline risk.”

Here are the top three questions that all expectant mothers should ask this open enrollment period:

1. How does my plan cover costs related to pregnancy and giving birth? Most maternity costs are detailed in a plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage document; make sure to review plan details such as copays, coinsurance rates deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums to ensure that there are no surprise charges during prenatal and maternal services such as labor and delivery, midwife services, medically prescribed c-sections, or neonatal care. 
2. Are my preferred doctors and medical facilities in-network? Check to see if preferred physicians and medical facilities are covered and in-network. Plan details can vary widely if a mother anticipates using infertility treatments, a nurse-midwife, or an independent birth center. 
3. What specific services and procedures does the plan include for prenatal and maternity care? Beyond simply reviewing the costs, make sure to carefully review a health plan’s summary of benefits to see the specific set of prenatal and maternal care services it covers. Most plans will cover “essential services” such as delivery and inpatient hospital services, but other services, such as prenatal services, health screenings, lab work, ultrasounds, and birthing classes may not be covered. For example, a few large health insurers such as United Healthcare and Aetna still refuse to fully cover NIPT for all pregnant women, which goes against the guidance of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other leading physician organizations. 

To learn more about NIPT access and Stand Up for APA, please visit: standup4apa.org.

By Lou Yeboah

Every action has a reaction, and I tell you, “I Did It My Way” has severe consequences.  You better know that you know!

“All day long, I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” [Romans. 10: 21]. They “walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices.” [Isaiah 65: 2]. But I tell you, they will soon find out the danger in, “doing it their way.”  In Genesis 27, four people sang that same old song, “I did it my way.” In the end they all came up empty and paid a high price for their selfishness. Listen, there is a real danger in the “I did it my way” philosophy. The lie of autonomy seduces us into thinking that we’re independent creatures with the right to do whatever we want with the life that belongs to us. But listen to the song of Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God…” That song is played to a radically different melody. If God was first, our lives have never belonged to us. You and I don’t have the right to think, desire, act and speak as if it does.  If God was, then everything he declares is. That means the universe and everything in it must be seen and understood in a certain way – God’s way.

You know, the last thing Joshua did in the [Book of Judges] was tell the people, “You choose how you are going to live your life” and they did. They did it “their way” and what a mess they made of it.  Over a 350 year period, they went through seven cycles. A cycle would start with the Israelite doing it their way.  As a result, Israel would find herself in slavery. God would then send a leader-a judge-who would bring them out of captivity. Israel would follow for a while. But then another cycle would begin with “doing it their way.” Each cycle was worse than the one before.  God would step in yet again, and for a while peace came over the land. But, overall, the spiraling down of the society continued. I tell you, the danger of “doing it your way” always lead to severe consequences.

For Saul, disobedience in not following God’s instructions had severe consequences. In [1 Samuel 31] Saul was the Lord’s chosen king for the Israelite’s. But rather than trusting that God knew best, Saul’s ego took first place in his heart. When it did, disobedience—doing things his way—became his undoing. Saul lost everything by losing sight of the only thing that mattered: his relationship with the one, true God. Don’t you do! For [Proverbs 14:12] tells us that, “There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death.”

I tell you, “there are some dire consequences when you don’t do things God’s way. You lose out on the blessings that God has for you when you don’t do things God’s way. You lose out on the victory that God has for you when you don’t do things God’s way. Doors of opportunity will be shut in your face when you don’t do things God’s way. Sleep will leave your eyes and you won’t be able to get any rest when you don’t do things God’s way. You will find yourself disappointed, depressed, and sad when you don’t do things God’s way. You will find yourself in bondage and confused when you don’t do things God’s way. You will find yourself broke, disgusted and frustrated when you don’t do things God’s way. You will find yourself in a whole lot of trouble, you will find yourself in a whole lot of mess, and in a whole lot of unnecessary drama when you don’t do things God’s way. You will become weak, and despondent when you don’t do things God’s way. There will be no peace for you and no comfort for you when you don’t do things God’s way. There will be no joy for you and no happiness for you when you don’t do things God’s way.  Not only will you mess yourself up when you don’t do things God’s way, but you will even cause your family, not to be blessed when you don’t do things God’s way. Salvation and eternal life will be out of your reach when you don’t’ do things God’s way because salvation and eternal life is found in Jesus Christ.”

“If you want to be blessed, you have to do things God’s way. If you want the victory, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be successful and prosperous, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be the head and not the tail, you got to do things God’s way. If you want to be blessed in the city and blessed in the field, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be blessed going in and going out, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus, you have to do things God’s way. If you want deliverance, you must do things God’s way. If you want to be healed, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you have to do things God’s way. If you want your home and marriage to be blessed, you have to do things God’s way. If you want to be blessed on your job, at school, in your neighborhood, you have to do things God’s way. You ought to be committed in doing things God’s way.”  [Proverbs 3:5-6,].

I tell you, wisdom is the principal thing, but in all your getting get an understanding.” [Proverbs 4:7].  

“Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail…” [Proverbs 15:22-32].