By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

In third world countries – let’s take Nigeria and Haiti as examples – electricity blackouts are routine.

Power outages sometimes last for more than a week in Haiti, where only about 25 percent of the Caribbean nation’s 10.9 million people are connected to the power grid.

And in Nigeria, a country more than 200 million people call home, power companies provide electricity to only 45 percent of households. Losing power about once a day in the West African nation is the norm.

But in the United States, 100 percent of households have access to electricity. More than 95 percent of power outages are weather-related – and they only last, on average, between 4 to 7 hours, according to the United States Department of Energy.

That’s one reason, the recent massive, pre-planned Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) blackout two weeks ago in California, the wealthiest state in the nation, was not only upsetting to most people, but also hard to accept and widely criticized.

 “For years, PG&E has done a poor job on maintenance and tree clearing, and they’re still not even close to where they need to be,” said Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), whose district was impacted by the blackout. “That fact, along with breakdowns in communication, are unacceptable. Sadly, poor performance by PG&E is par for the course, so it’s not surprising.”

The company is the largest electricity and natural gas power provider in the state serving some 16 million people from Santa Barbara and Kern counties in the South, up north to the Oregon state line, and east to the Nevada and Arizona borders.  

The P&G power outage, which lasted from Oct. 9 through Oct. 12, has been linked to three deaths. It affected more than 700,000 Californians in 35 counties and cost residents, businesses and the public sector over $2 billion dollars.

The blackout, the seventh scheduled one this year, impacted 39 hospitals, too.

PG&E resorted to cutting power, company spokespeople and executives explain, in designated areas of the state. Because the National Weather Service predicted heavy winds, high temperatures and dry air, the company feared those conditions would lead to disastrous wildfires if power lines – many of them supported by aging, worn-out transmission towers – were downed. They could spark, setting the dry vegetation ablaze, which could result in deaths and the destruction of property.

Last week, Gov. Newsom called the power outage “unacceptable.”

“Californians should not pay the price for decades of PG&E’s greed and neglect,” said Governor Newsom last week, slamming the investor-owned utility. “We will continue to hold PG&E accountable to make radical changes – prioritizing the safety of Californians and modernizing its equipment.”

Even as the utility company, one of the largest in the country, faces sharp criticism from state officials, it is defending its decision to cut power as a safety measure. PG&E also cautions that it may have to schedule rolling blackouts for the next 10 years while it updates equipment.

In a hearing before the California Utilities Commission (CUP) Friday, PG&E CEO Bill Johnson, along with nine other company executives, admitted the company’s shortcomings  during the blackout and apologized for them. They also assured state officials that PG&E is taking measures – including updating its equipment, using technology to limit the target area of future blackouts and trimming trees near transmission towers –  to minimize outages and prevent wildfires.

“We recognize the hardship that the recent public safety power shutoff event caused for millions of people and want to continue working with all key shareholders to lessen this burden going forward,” Johnson wrote in a letter to the PUC. “At the same time, we ask our customers, their families, and our local and state leaders to keep in mind that statistic that matters most: there were no catastrophic wildfires.”

PG&E is currently facing a number of uphill battles in California.

The utility provider is taking steps to emerge from bankruptcy after facing more than $30 billion in liabilities for wildfires (far more than its total revenue in 2017, which was $17.4 billion). The worst was last year’s Camp Fire, the deadliest in the state’s history, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people, gutted more than 18,000 buildings and ravaged more than 150,000 acres of land, including the town of Paradise in Butte County.

Under California’s Inverse Condemnation rule, utility providers like PG&E are held fully liable for wildfires or other public or personal damage their equipment may cause whether that company acts negligently or not. And if a power company tries to share the burden of its liability with customers through rate increases, it must prove under California Public Utilities Code 463 that it did not incur those costs because of an “unreasonable error” in its planning, construction or operation.  

Then, two weeks ago, a California judge ruled that PG&E will no longer have exclusive control over its bankruptcy process, a decision that caused the price of its shares to tank by about 32 percent. In January, when it filed bankruptcy, stocks dropped by about 52 percent.

Since the blackout began, Gov. Newsom, state officials and customers have continued to express frustration with how much the blackout has cost customers. In fact, the governor is urging the company to pay each of its residential customers $100 and each small business $250 through automatic credits or rebates.

Critics are also blasting the utility company for the way it handled not only the disruption of service but also its customer service response and public relations activity related to the blackout.

At Friday’s hearing, Marybel Batjer, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, echoed the governor’s irritation.

“You guys failed on so many levels on pretty simple stuff,” Batjer said, pointing out that the company’s website, which many of its customers were relying on for information pertaining to the blackouts, crashed.

“What we saw play out by PG&E last week cannot be repeated,” she said. “The loss of power endangers lives.”

Many PG&E customers who lost power say the lack of updates from the company was appalling, and they are now worried that blackouts could be more frequent in the state.

“I’m not happy with PG&E at all,” Santa Cruz County resident Satya Orion told local KSBW TV News. “We did not get notified after the first warning. What if someone has a medical device that needs to keep running?”

PALM SPRINGS, CA –  American street artist Tysen Knight launched his latest collection of paintings and drawings today at www.RobertJamesGallery.com  The works are part of Knight’s new Masterpiece Mash-Up series where he re-imagines paintings from the great masters including Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci and Grant Wood.

Knight, who grew up during the peak of the street art movement, says he was inspired by the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol.  He uses those influences along with the styles of great classic artists to create unique pop culture graffiti pieces that hang in private and public collections around the world.  “I like to blur the lines between street art and fine art to create something new that I hope captivates and inspires people from all walks of life,” says Knight.

According to the co-curators of RobertJamesGallery.com, Robert Byhre and James Hollenbeck,  “We’ve been fans of Tysen for several years and we asked him to create the Masterpiece Mash-Up collection exclusively for our online gallery.  The pieces listed on the site are the first in an ever-expanding series of original works on paper and canvas that we feel will best represent Tysen’s vibrant colorful whimsical style.”

In addition to his art, Knight has worked in many different forms of media including acting in feature films and music videos, modeling, and even directing his own full-length film, “The Art of the Hustle: Street Art Documentary,” which is getting critical acclaim at film festivals internationally.

To see this new collection by Tysen Knight, visit www.RobertJamesGallery.com  To learn more about Tysen Knight and his career visit www.TysenKnight.com 

National Teen Driver Safety Week is Oct. 20-26

This week, October 20-26 is National Teen Driver Safety Week and it is a great time for California teenagers and parents to talk to one another about how teenagers can travel safely on the roads, streets and highways. Parents are encouraged to talk to their teenagers about the importance of good safety habits when operating a vehicle. Self-reported surveys show that teens whose parents set firm rules for driving typically engage in less risky driving behaviors and are involved in fewer crashes.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), in partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is reminding all young motorists to focus on the road to help increase safety for everyone.

The greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol consumption, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and driving with passengers in the vehicle.Throughout the week (Oct. 20-26), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) offers tips to parents and caregivers on how to talk to teens about the consequences of making dangerous and illegal choices behind the wheel.

According to OTS

• The number of California teen motor vehicle fatalities (age 16-19) increased 2.7 percent from 219 in 2015 to 225 in 2016.
• The number of California teen driver fatalities (age 16-19) increased 12.3 percent from 98 in 2015 to 110 in 2016.

“All of us can play a role in helping to bring these tragic numbers down by encouraging teens to practice safe driving habits and really focus on the road,” says ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith. “ABC Agents are doing their part by conducting compliance checks at ABC licensed establishments throughout California in the effort to reduce youth access to alcohol.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old in the United States. In 2017, there were 2,247 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15 to 18 years old) and an estimated 93,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Parents can help protect their teen drivers by talking with them about these risks.

To help reduce the risks for teen drivers follow these basic rules:

1. Impaired Driving: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol. However, nationally in 2017, 15 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system. 
2. Seat Belt Safety: Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle. Yet too many teens aren’t buckling up. In fact, there were 539 passengers killed in passenger vehicles driven by teen drivers, and more than half (60 percent) of those passengers who died were NOT buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.
3. Distracted Driving: Cell phone use while driving is more than just illegal, but also risky — it can be deadly. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.
4. Speed Limits: Speeding is a critical issue for all drivers, especially for teens. In 2017, more than one-quarter (27 percent) of all teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.
5. Passengers: The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.

Whether it’s impaired driving, not wearing a seat belt, speeding, driving distracted or with friends in the car, it’s important for parents to let their teen know that driving is not a right, but a privilege. It can be taken away when they don’t follow the rules. For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and to learn safe driving tips to share with your teens, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) was infected by a malicious ransomware attack over the weekend. Ransomware is a type of malware that locks data with threats to perpetually block access unless a ransom is paid.

While SBCUSD computer servers are currently inaccessible due to the cyberattack, student data and related family data is secure. Almost all student and family data is hosted on a third-party platform with its own servers, and those servers were not impacted.

“It’s true that there are significant challenges to access the District network because the District systems are down,” said District Safety/Emergency Manager Eric Vetere. “However, student data has not been compromised.”

School phones and student meals are not impacted by the cyberattack. Telephone systems for the Transportation Department, which coordinates student busing services with Durham School Services, were briefly affected, but Durham transported students without interruption. Transportation phone systems are now up and running. Lighting and air conditioning systems are not directly impacted by the ransomware.

“We are committed to doing all we can to continue serving our families and to strengthening our systems so something like this doesn’t happen again,” Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden said.

SBCUSD is working with law enforcement and a third-party expert to restore the network. At this point, there is no estimated time for restoration of services. As part of the ongoing investigation, SBCUSD cannot disclose the ransom demands.

Families are encouraged to follow SBCUSD on Twitter @SB_CitySchools, on Instagram @sbcusd, and at www.facebook.com/SanBernardinoUSD for updates.

On Friday, October 18, the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub “The Black Hub” launched the My Black Counts campaign, an outreach, education, and communications initiative to target Black hard-to-count communities in preparation for the 2020 state census and redistricting process. Time for Change Foundation is participating in the Black Hub to lift up the voices of those we serve and make sure our communities are represented in the upcoming census. Together, we encourage greater participation among Black, Latinx and immigrant populations in six key regions throughout the state, dispel myths and help ease fears about the 2020 census process.

My Black Counts is an educational awareness and persuasion campaign designed to help explain how government officials use census data to allocate federal funding for the state of California. The Black Hub is a growing alliance of 30 grassroots community-based organizations that includes a coalition of groups such as Alliance San Diego, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Community Coalition (CoCo), Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), LA Community Action Network (LACAN), Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), andTime for Change Foundation.

Time for Change Foundation has been on the frontlines, since our inception in 2002, to lead advocacy and civic engagement activities that address the disenfranchisement of black and brown communities. For far too long our communities have been underrepresented and underserved which is why TFCF makes it a point to engage our base. They support women of color during the process of re-entering their communities and reuniting with their children after incarceration.

“If we don’t get an accurate count of the Black population, we will be misrepresented in our political representation,” stated Sereeta Reid, Policy Advocate at Time for Change. “It is critically important for our communities to be counted so that we receive adequate funding for our areas.”

Since 1980, Black and immigrant populations have had below-average participation in the census. More than 1 million residents in California live in non-traditional homes, lack access to the internet or have been formerly incarcerated, which My Black Counts categorizes as hard-to-count communities. The My Black Counts campaign wants to make a point that Black is not a monolith, and all representations of the Black count matter, especially during the 2020 Census survey.

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.myBlackCounts.org or visit our social media pages at Facebook.com/myBlackcounts and Twitter and Instagram @myBlackCounts.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Medical billing and coding are making a strong comeback in the employment market, and San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) is welcoming students to get ready for the many well-paying opportunities ahead.

This semester, the campus has launched classes for students to earn a medical billing and coding certificate.

In the past, similar certificates have been available, including office technology certificates, but SBVC’s Dr. Stephanie Lewis said this is the first year the college is specifically offering the medical billing and coding certificate.

“It’s a wonderful program. It’s the first step to either work in the front office or back office for physicians offices or in the hospital setting or areas that specifically deal with billing in the medical field,” said Dr. Lewis, Dean of Mathematics, Business & Computer Technology.

Students carrying a full load of courses can realistically expect to finish the certificate within two to three semesters, depending on how they build their classes within their schedule, she said.

The field is in high demand, and pays well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last year the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $40,350. Going forward, the demand for health information technician jobs is expected to increase as the population ages. Growth projections are 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. According to Salary.com, medical and billing technicians can earn between $38,666 and $46,963.

Students are required to take the core courses, including biology as an introduction to anatomy and physiology. They will take keyboarding, business English and medical terminology. Also, medical insurance billing and coding along with an introduction to electronic health records and personal computers.

The certificate is also attractive to students that are pursuing nursing, pharmacy technician or other related health fields.

“Sometimes, they’ll take these courses just to broaden their background in the medical field in general,” she said.

She said the course also gives students a good understanding of the depth and breadth of the field. Within the certificate, there are three medical type courses, including medical insurance billing and coding, electronic health records, along with medical terminology. Conversational Spanish along with medical office procedures are recommended courses.

Students will also gain a broad mix of adjacent skills.

“They have to be able to use the keyboard and to write and speak well, that’s the Business English course,” she said. “The total units for this is 22, so a student could finish this within two semesters if they went full time.”

Currently, there is a national movement to get medical records digitized and accessible. The field is open for healthy employment prospects, and earnings potential for years to come. She said they recently brought on two new adjunct faculty members to better serve the growing interest and student needs.

“We are pleased to have them on board. We’re pretty excited about it,” she said.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media 

On October 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 539. The legislation puts restrictions on predatory lending practices in California he says “creates debt traps for families already struggling financially.”

Critics say lenders who offer these high-interest loans target disadvantaged people, large numbers of them Black and Brown consumers living in some of the most underserved census tracts in the state. These are Californians who are typically denied traditional bank loans because of poor credit or lack of collateral. However, the high interest rates on these loans can be crippling. 

According to documents provided to California Black Media, a LoanMe Inc. loan for around $5,000 would require a payback of $42,000 over seven years at a 115 percent annual percentage rate! Tacking interest rates on loans as high as 200 percent sometimes,  in addition to hidden fees, predatory lenders, critics tell us, typically structure their loans in ways that force people who sign up for them to constantly re-borrow money to pay off the mounting debts they already owe. 

“Many Californians living paycheck to paycheck are exploited by predatory lending practices each year,” said Newsom.  “Defaulting on high-cost, high-interest rate installment loans push families further into poverty instead of pulling them out. These families deserve better, and this industry must be held to account.”

The new legislation restricts the amount of interest that can be levied on loans ranging from $2,500-10,000 to 36 percent, plus the federal funds rate. 

“Gov. Newsom’s signature on AB 539 sends a strong message that California will not allow lenders to thrive on high-cost loans that often leave consumers worse off than when they started,” said Assemblymember Monique Lim?n (D-Santa Barbara,) co-author of the bill. “I am grateful to the broad coalition of community groups, faith leaders, local governments, and responsible lenders who supported this historic achievement and helped us achieve strong bipartisan support of this legislation.”

Limon has been campaigning for the passage of AB 539 for more than two years now. She is also a champion for financial education that informs consumers about the dangers of high-interest loans. 

Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord), a co-author of the bill, says the governor signing the bill signals the end of the worst kinds of abusive loans in the state.

“Californians deserve real access to capital, not exploitative loans that trap them in perpetual payments and compounding debt,” said Grayson. “We must do more to protect financially vulnerable, hardworking families from predatory lenders who profit off their devastation.”

Figures from the California Department of Business Oversight (CBO) reveal that in 2016 the total dollar amount for payday loans in the state was $3.14 billion. The CBO also stated that seniors now represent the largest group taking out payday loans and more than 400,000 consumers in the state took out 10 payday loans in 2016. A third of those high-cost loans ended up in default. 

Not everyone is cheering the passage of AB 539. Those opponents say the bill is restrictive and undermines the values of free-market capitalism. 

The California-Hawaii chapter of the NAACP  opposed the bill, arguing that it limits options for poor African Americans who need to borrow money in emergencies.

“We are deeply concerned about the impact AB 539 will have on small businesses and consumers. As proposed, AB 539 will limit lenders’ ability to provide a variety of short-term credit options to borrowers in need.” said the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in an interview with California Globe. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Members of the San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated invite the community to join them this December in the celebration of its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. Since the Chapter’s charter on December 6, 1959, the sisterhood has served communities throughout the Inland Empire to improve economic and educational development, enhance physical and mental health, and to broaden political and international awareness as well as involvement.

This fundraising celebratory event will help support the Chapter’s annual scholarship awards, programs, and activities that: mentor school-aged youth; increase voter education and registration; advocate against domestic violence and human trafficking; support health-based groups such as the American Diabetes Association and the March of Dimes; and help youth as well as adults become more financially resilient.

WHAT: Celebrating Our Diamond Jubilee Anniversary: 60 Years of Community Service

WHO: San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Guest Host, Comedian Angel Gaines

WHEN: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 6:00PM – Midnight

WHERE: Doubletree Hotel, 285 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92408.

Ticket cost is $100 per person. The deadline to purchase tickets is November 10, 2019. For purchases contact a Chapter member or go to the Chapter website at www.sbraacdst.org and use the PayPal link.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA—- Join us for an evening of inspiration, for our children, and our community.  This concert is featuring a wide range of performances by young, relevant string players, showcasing the breadth of their craft.  From classical to pop, traditional to experimental, YOU do NOT want to miss it!!!

The purpose of curating this concert is to inspire more youth of color, to participate in the orchestral instruments (violin, viola, cello, string bass).  The concert is also a means to provide a fundraising opportunity to allocate scholarships for private music instruction, so students can build the skills necessary to qualify for college scholarships, join professional orchestras, and/or land professional jobs within the music and entertainment industry.    

Date: Sunday, November 3rd, 2019

Place: La Sierra University Hole Memorial Auditorium

Time: 4:00 PM

Attire: Elegant

Tickets can be purchased online http://musiclifecrescendo.org/concert.  For more information or questions, please call 951-290-8323. 

Crescendo is a musical term which means to increase to a peak or climax. We believe our lives should reflect this progression: constantly growing, striving to reach one’s fullest potential. Many of the qualities needed to crescendo in life are cultivated by studying music. It is our mission to cultivate discipline, determination, tenacity, and build self-esteem, through music education. It means so much to us at Crescendo to be able to directly impact lives in our community. In addition to enhancing academic success and building self-esteem, music also provides tremendous therapeutic relief. As stress levels are through the roof and tension is high, music is such a powerful unifying force. We are extremely humbled and thankful to be a part of a unifying chord. 

Crescendo is Co-founded by brother sister duo Kybra Minisee & Keith Tutt II, along with friend Matthew O’Rane.  They each bring over 30 years plus of experience to the organization.  Kybra serves as Crescendo’s master teacher and musical director; Keith as performing artist & producer, and Matt, as conductor & curriculum specialist.  Crescendo’s students are trained not only to play read music, but to compose as well.

This concert is sponsored by Onyx Star Media and the BEMER Group.

Onyx Star Media, co-founded by Rita and Mirthell, produces family-friendly, comedic videos starring them and their four children. This rapidly-growing multi-media business has drawn a YouTube subscriber following of over three million people and accumulating over one billion views worldwide by living out their motto on camera: “Tell the Story…Feed the Soul…Make them Laugh…Heal the Heart.”

BEMER applications boost the blood flow, thus benefiting the body’s cardiac system, regenerative abilities and even mental acuity. Using BEMER every day in combination with the sleep program is the formula for the best results.  Just two 8-minute sessions per day are needed to improve your circulation. It is that easy to enhance your physical well-being.  Ask your independent BEMER Distributor if you want to know more.

In collaboration with local employers, San Bernardino County Child Support Services is hosting the Fall Job Fair. The job fair will be Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Loma Linda Child Support office at 10417 Mountain View Ave. in  Loma Linda. The job fair highlights the department’s purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of children, supplying employment opportunities to help assist parents in supporting their children and the continued effort to help build stronger, healthier families.

Employers will be filling multiple positions in various fields. Select employers will hire potential candidates on the spot. Employers will be set up outside the Loma Linda child support office court yard.  Interview stations will be available for employers who want to conduct job interviews on-site.  Laptops will be available for candidates to complete applications online. All attendees should bring their resumes and dress for success.

Employment opportunities will be available from TMT Communications Inc., Staffmark, Saladino’s Foodservice, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, California Conservation Corps, County of San Bernardino Real Estate Services, Riverside County Probation Department, FedEx Ground, Majestic Terminal Services, Dignity Memorial, US Census, Stater Bros. Markets, and the US Army.  West Coast University and Chamberlin University will also be providing information about their educational opportunities. 

“Many know us as the collectors of child support, we are much more,” Child Support Services Director Marie Girulat said. “Child support payments provide a measure of financial stability for families and create better outcomes for children. It is our job to help parents meet their medical and financial support and connect them to employment opportunities and other vital services to ensure they can provide for their children.”

San Bernardino County Department of Child Support Services is committed to serving the community by partnering with local employers to provide resources, educational opportunities and improve the quality of life for the customers served.

DCSS assists families by establishing orders for child and medical support, establishing parentage, locating parents, enforcing support orders, and collecting and distributing child support payments. DCSS is focused on helping the whole family with all aspects of services to gain self-sufficiency. DCSS is responsible for a caseload of approximately 106,000 cases with collections of over $189 million last fiscal year.

For questions, please contact Child Support Services at (909) 478-7182.