Californians Urged to Apply by August 19

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— The California State Auditor recently reminded Californians that there are only five days left to submit an initial application for the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission. With less than a week left before the August 19 deadline, to date 17,791 people have applied to serve on the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, of which 15,110 are tentatively eligible.

“Now is the time to apply,” said California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle. “The deadline for the initial application period is Monday, August 19, and we are asking eligible applicants not to delay any longer. I urge you to take up this once in a decade opportunity to be part of one of California’s most important processes – redrawing the lines of California’s congressional and state electoral districts.”

The initial application takes about ten minutes to complete. Applicants must submit an application online at shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov during the initial application period, which ends this Monday, August 19 at 5:00 p.m. 

Information requested through the initial application is used to determine tentative eligibility and is a required first step in the application and selection process for becoming a member of the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission. A supplementary application will be made available at the end of the initial application period to the applicants who are tentatively eligible. The supplemental application period begins Wednesday, August 21, and runs through

September 20, 2019.

For information about eligibility requirements and to apply, please visit shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov or call (833) 421–7550. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @ShapeCAFuture.

About the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission

Every ten years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts.

In 2008, California voters passed the Voters FIRST Act authorizing the creation of an independent Commission comprised of 14 members. The 2020 Commission will include five Democrats, five Republicans, and four who are either registered without, or “independent” of, any political party (decline-to-state or no party preference) or with another party. The Commission is responsible for drawing the lines of each district. The open application period for new Commission members began June 10, 2019, and will run through August 19, 2019. 

The California State Auditor’s Office is a state entity that is independent of the executive branch and legislative control. The purpose of the California State Auditor’s Office is to improve California government by assuring the performance, accountability, and transparency that its citizens deserve. For more information on the State Auditor’s Office, please visit www.Auditor.ca.gov.

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The California State Auditor is tracking applicant demographic data on a daily basis and it is available to the public at https://applications.shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov/.

By Lou Yeboah

I don’t know about you, but when I think about that phrase, “This far and no more!” it becomes  an “Aah” moment for me! You see, knowing that God watches over you, working things out for you, and blocking the assault of the enemy against you, can’t be but an “Aah” moment! “This far and no more,” means the enemy can only come but so far and then he must stop. For He said, “thus far and no father will you come.”  I don’t know about you, but that an “Aah” moment for me!

You see, when God got behind Israel, He put a separation between them and the enemy. The Egyptians, who sought to attack them from behind, were neutralized. God blocked the attack. I want you to know that, you don’t have to run away from the enemy, be intimidated, or fearful, because God  got your back. He is your defense.  That’s why what the devil  tries won’t work!

As Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Place your hope, confidence and trust in the Lord who defends you.  Don’t panic! Don’t fear.  God has you covered and has the enemy blocked. Know that He’s blocking the attack on your family. He’s blocking the attack in every area of your life where Satan has tried to stop you from possessing the promises of God.

I tell you, when the devil and his imps are waging war in your life, don’t worry, be happy! Because the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.  God got your back! The same God who showed Himself strong on Hezekiah’s behalf is showing Himself strong on your behalf. Top of FormBottom of FormNo weapon formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. [Isaiah 54:17]

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, God preserve my life, He stretch out His hands against the wrath of my enemies, and His right hand delivered me….[Psalms 138:1-8].

As David said, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield…” [Psalm 33:20-22]

Potential homebuyers turned out in droves to receive know-how, financial assistance through landmark program

While statistics may paint a grim picture of Black homeownership, a recent event in Baltimore laid out a clear path for turning those numbers around across the country.

Anyone questioning whether the Black community is primed to join the ranks of homeowners need only look to an innovative event in Baltimore that took place June 22. Nearly 700 people came away with the inspiration, education and motivation to make the goal of homeownership a reality when HomeFree-USA launched its Step Into Your Power: Prepare for Success Through Homeownership initiative to an enthusiastic audience of African American homebuyers in Baltimore City. 

More than 500 homebuyers participated in a live event at the Reginald Lewis Museum, while an additional 166 participated via live stream and a second event that was held to accommodate the overflow crowd.

Homeownership is the number one wealth indicator and accounts for 92 percent of Black wealth. Yet, the Great Recession of 2008 wiped out 48 percent of that homeownership wealth and African Americans are continuing to fall even further behind in homeownership compared to other segments. In fact, the Black homeownership rate has fallen to the lowest level ever as of the first quarter of 2019, according to Census data.

With Black Americans making up 63.3 percent of Baltimore’s population, the decline in Black homeownership poses a particular threat to Charm City. Step Into Your Power is a groundbreaking way to turn those homeownership numbers around and the kickoff event showed that many Baltimore residents agree. 

HomeFree-USA Founder Marcia Griffin welcomed attendees and talked candidly about the crisis in the Black community around the wealth gap, sharing how homeownership can help Black Americans improve their financial standing. HomeFree-USA also shared that homebuyers may be able to take advantage of up to $42,000 in financial assistance.

Some attendees pointed to the gentrification that has taken place in Washington, DC in the last few years and expressed their belief that Baltimore may realize the same fate. As a result, several attendees saw buying in Baltimore as an opportunity to both stop gentrification from pushing people from the city they love and a chance to be a homeowner in the city where they were born and raised.

Other attendees expressed their desire to buy a home so they can pass it down to their children and grandchildren.

Attendees also learned that organizations like HomeFree-USA can provide them with the financial education and the know-how to make their dream of homeownership a reality.

HomeFree-USA will host a series of Step Into Your Power events in Baltimore over the next 5 months designed to guide, educate, and coach first-time Baltimore City homebuyers to mortgage readiness, default resistance and homeownership. Upon success in Baltimore, the initiative will be launched in other cities with a significant number of African American residents. One goal of the Step Into Your Power program is to get 10,000 African American families mortgage-ready around the country by the end of 2020.

Entrepreneur and educator Stedman Graham, author of the recently released book, Identity Leadership, delivered the keynote address in Baltimore and spoke about how one must learn to lead oneself before one can lead others. Graham has been teaching self-actualization principles that help people discover who they can be, and he brought those insights to energize Baltimore residents as they prepare for success.

Strong partnerships underscore the strength of the initiative and were highlighted at the event.

“Step into Your Power: prepare for success through homeownership is a terrific example of working together to make a positive impact toward boosting Baltimore City homeownership,” said Lisa Thomlinson, program manager with Wells Fargo Housing Philanthropy.

Wells Fargo showed its commitment to Baltimore by offering qualified homebuyers up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs through a program called NeighborhoodLIFT.  “Just as in many communities across the country, far too many families struggle with housing affordability in Baltimore,” Thomlinson says. “That’s why Wells Fargo teamed-up with HomeFree-USA and Stedman Graham to make a concerted effort to bring our business expertise forward and combine it with available resources including NeighborhoodLIFT Home Ownership Counseling grants for interested homebuyers.”

Freddie Mac is also providing financial support to ensure that Step Into Your Power reaches as many potential homebuyers as possible.

Step Into Your Power is a means for increasing the homeownership rate among African Americans and reducing the wealth gap in America. It also is designed to help Black Americans break the cycle of renting and begin to make homeownership an achievement that is passed down from generation to generation.

“This event marks the revival of the spirit to buy in Baltimore,” says Milan Griffin, Vice President of Marketing and Outreach for HomeFree-USA. “Thanks to Step Into Your Power, Baltimore residents see the opportunity homeownership presents and have a pathway to get there.”

Learn more about Step Into Your Power here, https://www.homefreeusa.org/company_news

(SAN BERNARDINO, CA)— Assemblyman James Ramos delivers a $3 million check to Mayor John Valdivia and City Councilman Juan Figuroa of San Bernardino. The state of California issued the check as a result of Ramos’ advocacy! The money is earmarked for updating the City Plan for San Bernardino. Mayor Valdivia also presented The Assemblyman with a Resolution thanking him for his support. A series of community meetings will occur to facilitate creating the development document. Call the San Bernardino City Clerk for more information.

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- FONTANA, CA—- The Fontana Boxing Club will hold the Ring of Champs Boxing Show on August 10, 2019, at 1 p.m., in the Jessie Turner Center in Fontana, CA. This event is scheduled to hold 20 bouts of young amateur boxers and will showcase the work of the Fontana Boxing Club and the young boxers that are learning boxing skills, training in building self-confidence and self-discipline.

City Pride Magazine is partnering with the Fontana Boxing Club and Fighting 4 the Tatas to help promote the Ring of Champs Boxing Show. We are providing advertisement and media promotion and providing a special issue of City Pride Magazine that will be a souvenir program for the Ring of Champs Boxing show. This special edition will feature stories about the activities at the Fontana Boxing Club and the young people that they are helping to grow into champions. This edition will also feature Fighting 4 The Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness Organization and the work they are doing to alert the community of this dangerous health threat. We will also cover other important events and news in Fontana and the Inland Empire. 

We are offering business, community leaders and individuals an opportunity to join us and be a part of this great event. We are offering pages in the magazine/program where businesses can advertise and show their support for what these community organizations are doing. The advertisement will help support the activities of the Fontana Boxing Club and Fighting 4 The Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness Organization. 

Join us by getting a full-page ad for only $200 and ½ page ad for only $100. Cover page ads for front and back page is only $500. Please join us in our efforts to make this event successful and continue to provide these great services to our communities. Call City Pride Magazine at (424) 222-2296 or email citypridemag@gmail.com for more information on how you can participate. 

The Ring of Champs Boxing Show will be a great event for the entire community.. The cost is only $10 General, $20 Ringside and part of the proceeds will go toward Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Awareness. For more info on Fontana Boxing Club visit at 7893 Sierra Ave. Fontana CA or call (909) 997- 5724 or view www.fontanaboxing club.com

By John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK)—- REDLANDS, CA— Special  members of the public were invited to join officials who represent federal, state, county, local communities and business interests in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the extension of the passenger rail service to, and eventually through Redlands. The ceremony was held on July 20, 2019.

For the period necessary for the ceremony, Redlands traffic was diverted from Stuart Street between Texas Street and Orange Street in Redlands. A small number of residents from the area were also in attendance. The event was covered by local, regional and electronic media.

The Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP) describes itself as an advanced regional transportation project designed to connect residents, businesses and visitors to a variety of leisure, education, healthcare and other destinations. The nine-mile rail project provides new transportation choices through the implementation of a new rail service that integrates conveniently with other transportation modes such as auto, bus and bicycle.

The route starts at it’s national and Metrolink rail services base located at the Santa Fe Depot near Downtown San Bernardino then it proceeds locally to the San Bernardino Transit Center where it connects with the (non-rail) Omnitrans, Mountain Transit, Pass Transit, Victor Valley Transit systems and the SB/X route that flows from north of CSUSB to the Loma Linda University and Medical Center and to the VA Medical Center. 

The Redlands Passenger Rail Project proceeds through the SBTransit Center, jogs south and east to cross the Santa Ana River, stops at the to-be-built new Tippecanoe Ave Station, runs along-side the 10 freeway and Redlands Blvd to the to-be built station at ESRI , on to the under- construction Redlands Train Station, & University (of Redlands)  station.

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Aviation Electronics Mate 2nd Class Vinh Nguyen, from Orange County, Calif., right, and Aviation Electronics Mate 3rd Class Andrew Cancino, from San Bernardino, Calif., use a multimeter on an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115). Rafael Peralta is conducting routine operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs/Released)

By Dr. John Chang, senior medical director, UnitedHealthcare of California

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— August marks back-to-school season, an ideal time for parents in California to help improve their children’s health. Before schedules become packed with classes, homework and extracurricular activities, here’s a back-to-school “health checklist” to help give children a better chance to succeed inside and outside the classroom:

Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam

About 80 percent of what children learn is through their eyes. With that in mind, a child’s first comprehensive eye exam should occur before age 1, again at age 3 and before entering school. If no vision issues are detected, school-aged children should have an exam at least once every two years. Also, a school’s vision screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam, as screenings can miss conditions such as poor eye alignment, focusing issues and farsightedness.

The inability to see clearly can affect a child’s physical, emotional and social development, which in turn can affect academic and athletic performance. Children often don’t complain if their vision isn’t normal, so it’s important to look for possible signs such as squinting while reading or watching television, difficulty hitting or catching a ball, or headaches when watching 3D movies.

Also, be aware of digital eye strain, which is caused by prolonged use of computers or smartphones. Help your child practice healthy vision habits by keeping computer screens at least 30 inches from their eyes, resting their eyes every 20 minutes and blinking frequently to avoid dry eyes. 

Get a Dental Cleaning

Maintaining proper oral health matters more than just keeping a sparkling smile – it’s also important for good overall health. This is especially true for children, as untreated dental problems may diminish attention, decrease self-esteem and limit a child’s ability to learn at school.

Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet it ranks as the most common chronic disease among children. About 33 percent of young kids (ages 2 to 8) have cavities in their baby teeth, and 20 percent of kids in the same age group have cavities in their adult teeth. With that in mind, parents should schedule regular dental exams every six months, especially at schools that require a back-to-school dental checkup.

For parents with teenagers, it is important to recognize the risks of opioid addiction, especially after wisdom teeth removal. If you or a loved one is prescribed an opioid following a dental or other medical procedure, ask your health care professional if there are alternatives, including over-the-counter pain relievers such as a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.  

Get Recommended Immunizations

Many schools in California require that children are properly immunized before they enter the classroom to help to avoid serious diseases and prevent other students from contracting them. Children’s vaccines are 90% to 99% effectiveand may help protect kids from diseases such as mumps, tetanus and chicken pox. By helping reduce the risk of contracting potentially preventable diseases such as the flu, children may have fewer school absences.

Parents should check with their doctor to determine what immunizations are appropriate based on age. Most shots are given by the time children are 2 years old, but some are administered into the teen years. If your child runs a low-grade fever or has swelling in the shot location after the immunization, these minor side effects typically last a couple days. Apply a cool, wet washcloth on the sore area to help ease discomfort, but check with your doctor about the appropriateness of over-the-counter pain medications.

Back-to-school season is an exciting time for many children and their parents. Consider these guidelines to help encourage your child’s health and success throughout the school year. 

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Well these are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither cold nor hot—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  Be earnest and repent. Talking ’bout you got this!  “I will destroy you, and none will be left.” [Zephaniah 2:5]. Oh, that God may help me to speak so that your life may be changed, and that the Word of God may be against you no longer!

Oh, Sinner Man! Consider the fearful danger you are in!  You have made God your enemy, what a terrible thing this is. For thus saith the Lord, “Therefore will I also deal in fury; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them” [Ezekiel 8:18].  Come NOW, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” [Isaiah 1:18]. Wake up! Stir yourself and don’t be slothful. “Cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Walk properly, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. [Romans 13:11-14]. Be zealous and repent! [Revelation 3:19]. If you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. [Isaiah 1:20].

Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls” [1 Cor. 10:12].

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them [Deuteronomy 30:15-20].

On Saturday, August 3, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation will be hosting its annual backpack giveaway

RIVERSIDE, CA—- (JULY 23, 2019) —- Summer is coming to an end! But before school officially starts, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation will be assisting parents with school supplies by handing out FREE backpacks at its 18^th Annual Backpack giveaway. The giveaway will be held at Castle Park located at 3500 Polk Street in Riverside from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Backpacks are given on a first come, first serve basis to K-12 aged students, so early arrival is highly suggested! This year foundation is partnering with City of Riverside, Riverside Unified School District, Cold Cutz Barbershop, Raceway Ford, Assemblymember Jose Medina, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, Castle Park, Riverside Police Department and Riverside Fire Department.

For more information or to be a sponsor or vendor, please email bhcriverside@hotmail.com.