By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— What’s wrong with you? Vengenance is mine saith the Lord! “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;  and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.   Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Matthew 5:28-38]

Yes, it is hard not to desire retaliation when someone has wronged you. It is hard to “let it go” and move on or “forgive and forget.” But you have Me [Jesus] as your example. When I was “reviled, I did not revile in return; when I suffered, I did not threaten” because I trusted completely in My Father, [God], who is the One that can righteously seek vengeance [1 Peter 2:23]. Therefore, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. And if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” [Romans 12:17-21]. No more Tic for Tac! Because violence that begets more violence will not eventually end in peace. It will ultimately end in full destruction of all parties involved. 

So, the next time the serpent’s seed of revenge tries to implant itself in your soul, rebuke it in My name J[esus’] and pray for the one who is persecuting you. It will be healing to your soul, a balm to your heart, and a light to the world. No more Tic for Tac! Vengenance is Mine!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Six veterans — who served in the military and had their high school completion interrupted — will receive their high school diplomas during a graduation ceremony on November 6.

This will be the 11th graduation class for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, which is held in partnership between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the County Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 280 veterans — from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War — have been recognized since the first graduation ceremony in 2009. This year’s ceremony will be held at Serrano High School in the Snowline Joint Unified School District on November 6. The school is located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan.

Veterans in this year’s graduating class are:

• Steve Sanchez Bustos of Ontario, Vietnam War, Marines;
• Steven James Meadows of Hesperia, Vietnam War, Marines;
• Edward Alvin Molina of Chino, Vietnam War, Army;
• Richard Donald Simpson of Apple Valley, Vietnam War, Navy;
• Robert C. Standon of Ontario; Vietnam War, Navy;
• James Michael Whitmore of Twentynine Palms, Vietnam War, Marines.

Following the graduation ceremony, veterans and their guests will be honored at the 25th annual Veterans Dinner taking place in the Serrano High gymnasium hosted by the Snowline Joint Unified School District, Tri-Community Kiwanis and Victorville Motors.       Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project provides veterans and internees, who were unable to complete high school due to military service or internment, the opportunity to receive a high school diploma, according to the state education code. Veterans who served in and received an honorable discharge from World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War; or individuals who were interned in a Japanese American relocation camp and are San Bernardino County residents are eligible to participate.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The Victor Valley Museum is proud to host a remarkable conversation featuring Richard Allen Collins Diggs and Hardy Brown II, two historians with powerful stories about different aspects of the African American experience. The presentation takes place this Saturday, Oct. 19, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Victor Valley Museum, 11873 Apple Valley Rd, Apple Valley.

The emergence of a family bible in 1985 led Richard Diggs to the discovery of 150 years of documents — birth, marriage and death records — to piece together the pre- and post-slave experiences of the Collins family, from Africa to the Americas. Beginning in 1618, Diggs recounts the remarkable family trajectory including the first people to be taken as indentured servants until 1720 when they were forced into chattel slavery. The Collins family bible is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.

Hardy Brown II is the Executive Director of the Black Voice Foundation and Curator of Footsteps to You: Chattel Slavery, Objects from the Gore Collection. This award-winning exhibit tells the story of chattel slavery in America through the objects collected by Jerry Gore, a historian whose lifelong goal was to expose the horrors of slavery so that visitors to his hometown of Maysville, Kentucky could appreciate the daily perils experienced by enslaved people as well as the strength it required to fight for their freedom. The collection is now owned and stewarded by the Black Voice Foundation, and will be exhibited at Victor Valley Museum thought December 22.

Event ticket includes a reception of light hors d’oeuvres and tour of the exhibit Footsteps to You: Chattel Slavery.

The Victor Valley Museum and the County Museum’s other exciting events and exhibits reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating the arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The Victor Valley Museum is a branch of the San Bernardino County Museum located at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. Regular museum days and hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the talk is included with general admission: $5 (adult), $4 (senior or military), and $2.50 (student), EBT cardholders are $1. Children under 5 and the San Bernardino County Museum Association members are free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Norco’s Horse Town Brew n’ Que Festival has gone international.

NORCO, CA—- Norco resident, Debbie Yopp and Perth, Australia resident, Jason joined forces to present Brew n Que Australia, the first jointly produced International barbeque competition sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society. The event held October 5, had professional barbeque chefs from Australia and the United States turn the Ascot Race Course in Perth, Australia into barbeque nirvana in this first-time venture.  Australian teams Big Smoke BBQ took home Grand Champion and Tavoli Customs held down Reserve Grand Champion. with US team, Burnin’ n Lootin’ followed a close third in the overall competition as this unique competition opened new avenues in professional cook offs. 30 barbeque teams from Australia and the United states vied for cash, prizes and most importantly, bragging rights. Big Smoke BBQ will represent the Australia event as they compete in the 2020 Norco Brew n Que Festival. Norco representative, Jerry Aguilar of Burnin’ n Lootin‘ faced some of Australia’s most seasoned smokers to include top rated pit master Lance Rosen‘s of Big Boys BBQ from Melbourne, Rib Racks and Ribs ‘n’ Pigs BBQ from Perth.  The festival highlighted food demonstrations, classes, live entertainment and craft beer tastings from Australia’s top brewers.

The event also hosted a VIP Texas Experience lead by award winning pit master and restaurateur, Bill Dumas from Austin, Texas and United States expat, Joel Romo from Australia’s Gold Coast. Winner of Season One television show Barbeque Pitmaster and Master Chef, Harry Soo, presented his award-winning tips during a sold-out cooking class. Phillip Dell, winner of Food Network’s television show Chopped, lead creative cooking demonstrations that illustrated regional cooking styles which included tips for cooking kangaroo. Also included was a Kids Que for youth under 15 overseen by US pit master, Donna Fong.

Norco organizer and co-producer, Debbie Yopp, saw the event as a means to exchange ideas and develop better barbeque cooking skills. “It was wonderful to see teams exchanging rubs, sauces and cooking techniques with each other. “The event is a true ambassador program. Moreover, they are also developing relationships and gained a better understanding of Americans and our country,” said Yopp. “The Perth and Norco events are now an international showcase and an arena that allows us to learn from each other,” she added.

“The event moved competition barbeque in Australia to another level,” noted Jason Linto, president of BBQ Events Australia and an owner in the company presenting the event. It was exciting joining forces with the Norco barbeque contest to present this event. They are an all-American city. We have so much to share with each other and the unique arena makes this a great opportunity for all,” he added.  “We want to present the best that barbeque has to offer and we were thrilled to bring this experience to Australia,” he added.

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.