Danyelle Ridley

By Chief Petty Officer Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach

A 2013 Pacific High School graduate and San Bernadino, California native is serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron that flies one of the Navy’s newest and most technologically-advanced aircraft, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Danyielle Ridley is an aviation structural mechanic with the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 “Super Hornets”, stationed in Lemoore, California. The squadron is currently training at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

As an aviation structural mechanic, Ridley is responsible for repairing the structure the jet aircraft and changing the hydraulic components.

“I enjoy anything with hydraulics,” said Ridley. “I think it’s interesting how it works. I never knew anything about hydraulics until I joined the Navy.”

The F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, it is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support, according to Navy sources.

The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day or night precision strike. Compared to the original aircraft, according to Navy officials, Super Hornet has longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increased survivability and improved carrier suitability.

“I like that this is a training command—it gives us lots of room to learn,” said Ridley.

As a member of one of the Navy’s squadrons with the newest aircraft platforms, Ridley and other VFA-122 sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied at VFA-122, according to Navy officials. Since the squadron is the 10^th largest in the world, with over 100 aircraft operating, sailors must make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft. 

Serving in the Navy, Ridley is learning about being a more responsible leader, sailor and citizen through handling numerous responsibilities.

“I first joined the Navy just to get education, but something about it makes me want to do it forever,” Ridley added. “It’s never boring at work, it’s not repetitive. Jets are exciting.”

This week GWAAP is What It Do! They will be dropping EP, “F.R.O.M.” on 9/1/17! Keep your eyes and ears on the lookout. Be sure to follow them at facebook.com/gwaapfam and www.facebook.com/lueproductions.

Until next week, L’z!

Although we are half way through summer, the kiddos are still trying to enjoy their last few days before it’s time to hit the books again, and not to mention the days are still hot and just getting hotter! Whether you spend these hot days outside having picnics or enjoying that dip in the ocean or pool, it is important to stay safe. The American Red Cross offers these 15 safety tips to make sure your summer fun stays safe, fun and stress free.

HEAT SAFETY.

1. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
2. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors – they absorb the sun’s rays.
3. Slow down, stay indoors. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
4. Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
5. Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. 

WATER SAFETY.

1. Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
2. Actively supervise children by staying within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers.
3. Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.
4. Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and close adult supervision.
5. Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.

GRILLING SAFETY.

1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
2. Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
3. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
5. Use long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

The Red Cross Emergency App can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The Red Cross First Aid App gives instant access to expert guidance on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Sunday, June 11, the Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. through its charitable arm, The Inland Ivy Foundation, presented scholarships to six young women from the Inland Empire who have demonstrated high scholastic achievements and outstanding character.  The recipients are Brooklynn Brumley of Rancho Verde High School, Celeste Gaynair of Sultana High School, Raylene Graham of Arroyo Valley High School, Kalaya Hill of Arroyo Valley High School, Wendy Osorio of Ramona High School, and Jenna Owens of Rancho Verde High School.  These High School Seniors are all college bound and were selected from a pool of candidates with stellar grades and strong records of community service.

On Wednesday, June 21, Eta Nu Omega continued its Summer of Giving by “Painting for a Purpose” at Phearless Art Studio in Moreno Valley raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day campaign.  Held annually on the summer solstice, this sunrise to sunset event recognizes the challenging journey faced by those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers.  The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. used this day to call attention to the 47 million people around the world that are impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease.  In addition to individual donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Phearless Art Studio donated a portion of the proceeds collected from Eta Nu Omega’s Paint Night to the Alzheimer’s Association.

On Saturday, July 22, Eta Nu Omega co-hosted a “Concert Under the Stars” at the beautiful Hafif Estate in La Verne, CA to raise additional money for special projects such as support to a local domestic violence shelter, academic enrichment and personal development programs for high school and middle school students in Grand Terrace (ASCEND) and Fontana (Emerging Young Leaders).

Eta Nu Omega raises funds throughout the year through its Inland Ivy Foundation for scholarships and other charitable activities geared towards enriching the lives of men, women and children in the Inland Empire. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest female Greek letter organization for college educated women founded in 1908.

 Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Going around doing things you know you have no business doing; all because you want to fit in! Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God [James 4:4]. You need to have a realization in your heart, that you are now a child of God, and you don’t have any business fooling with the things of the world. As Christians, we have to be ever so careful who we associate ourselves with. We have to be careful who we allow to be in our space. Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. Avoid the company of fools and you will save yourself harm! Walk with the wise and you will become wise!

[Romans 12:2] says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Ephesians 5:15-16] says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” So come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning … I say this to your shame” [1 Corinthians 15:33-34]. Listen, [Psalm 1:1] says, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. What a simple rule for wisdom and life! Get rid of foolish friends, and choose the wise for friends. You will grow in wisdom and avoid much trouble in life.  

The Bible declares, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” [I Corinthians 15:33]. The warning about deception is to save you. I ask you, How did Lot, Abraham’s nephew, end up in a cave with nothing but his two daughters pregnant by his incest? He moved toward Sodom and made friends in that wicked city [Genesis 13:12]. What a disaster it turned out to be for him, his wife, and five daughters. Be not deceived!  Fools cannot be real friends to a child of God. It is impossible, for they are incompatible by nature. They have nothing of value to offer. I tell you, if you lie down with the dogs, you will rise up with fleas. Do not go in their direction [Psalms 1:1; Proverbs 1:10, 15; 4:15; 9:6), and have no fellowship with them [Proverbs 14:7; Amos 3:3; Ephesians 5:11-12]. The clincher of Jehoshaphat’s story in [2 Chronicles] is the devastating effect that his compromise with the world had on his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and on the whole southern kingdom. In [Chapters 21 and 22] we read that after Jehoshaphat’s death, his son Jehoram [married to Athaliah] slaughtered all his brothers and then turned the nation to idolatry [see 21:6]. God struck him with a terrible disease of the bowels and he died after eight years in office. His son Ahaziah became king and lasted one year before he was murdered [see 22:3-4]. Ahaziah’s wicked mother Athaliah then slew all his sons [her own grandsons] except for Joash [a one-year-old] who was rescued and hidden from her. The Davidic kingly line from which Christ was descended came that close to being snuffed out! And then the wicked Athaliah ruled the land for six years. All this was the result of Jehoshaphat’s compromise with the wicked Ahab! Do not be deceived. He who lie down with dogs, will rise up with fleas!

My aim is to walk with God, to follow His Word of truth, and to help you do the same.

By Naomi K. Bonman 

Summer time is the time for good food, good company, and good music. This is the experience that many are hopeful for when attending the LA Soul Fest. After a successful year, last year during the 1st annual LA Soul Fest, concert goers were amped for this year’s show and line-up. Despite Sunday’s cancellation, many still made the most of the first two-days.

This year the festival was held at a new location closer to Downtown Los Angeles at Exposition Park, and with a new location came several changes. The first change was within the staffing. There seemed to be miscommunication between event staff, the public relations crew, and the promotion company, Airborne Tickets. For press, checking-in was a bit confusing on Friday where some of us kept getting the run around prior to picking up credentials. Guests also said stated that they had difficulties when claiming their VIP, The passes at the “box office”. 

“Friday and Saturday for us Florida tourist was nice,” Tanya Hurt explains. “I’m very disappointed they canceled Sunday’s show…well I guess seeing how they were disorganized with VIP tickets on Friday should have been a foreshadow of what was to come.” 

Despite the confusion with check-in everything seemed to run smoothly on Friday, even regarding some of the talent skipping the red carpet due to not getting their full pay. Each artist performed and put on a great show in order not to disappoint fans.

Saturday night was a different story. The evening was more hectic with artists not showing up due to no payment. Tyrese went on a rampage via social media about his pay. He was supposed to close out Saturday night’s show as the main headliner. BJ the Chicago Kid was due to open the show, but he dropped as well. However, Anthony Hamilton and Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh saved the show by doing extended sets. 

After Saturday night’s disappointments, it was excepted that Sunday would run much smoother, but due to unforeseen circumstances the show was pulled. The news came at the last minute when guests was already lined up waiting for the gates to open. Several traveled distances and booked hotel fares for the festival, and felt as if they wasted money and that their vacation turned into a disaster. Guests were told via email that they would receive full refunds for Sunday’s show, although some also believed that they should also receive a partial refund for Saturday night since some of the artists did not perform as hoped for.

“Thank you for your support and patronage over the last two years,” Mark Douglas, CEO of Airborne Tickets/Director of LA Soul Fest, explained. “We apologize for your experience regarding Sunday’s event cancellation. We did everything in our power to make this show a success, but fell short financially. We ask for your patience in this matter, as we work to deliver the best possible service to all our customers during these circumstances.”

This is one of those unfortunate situations where you just scratch your head and ask, “Now how do we recover from this?” Hopefully in the future the promoters can rethink and re-manage things to have a successful event like the first year. They may have to go back to the original venue and layout plan, and invest in acquiring sponsors because vendors alone can’t cover all the expenses and payouts of an event that is this massive with A-list talent. 

Photos by Kristina Dixon/11:One Visuals 

LOMA LINDA, CA- Members from the Orange County Inland Empire Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Palm Springs Subaru dealership stopped by the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) Hematology/Oncology Clinic Friday, July 7 to brighten the kids’ day. They delivered blankets and craft kits to the clinic.

Although over 100 degrees outside, kids could find comfort in the blankets and use them while receiving treatment.

Gaven Hamrick, 9, of San Bernardino, was just one patient at the LLUCH clinic to receive a blanket and craft kit from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Subaru San Bernardino. 

“I can definitely use this stuff with my sister,” the fourth grader said of the crayons, markers and clay found in the craft kit. Hamrick was extremely appreciative of his new blanket saying he likes it cold in his room so he can get cozy under blankets.

The blanket donation is part of the LLS of Orange County Inland Empire Chapter and Palm Springs Subaru participation in the national Subaru Loves to Care Campaign. Through the campaign, LLS and Subaru intend to spread hope, love and warmth to cancer patients through small gestures by donating over 38,000 blankets across the country.

The LLUCH Hematology/Oncology clinic cares for patients with childhood cancers and blood disorders such as aplastic anemia.

By Manny Otiko, California Black Media

People getting busted for hosting parties based on racial stereotypes is nothing new. But it’s not something that you expect from a legal organization that’s supposed to stand for impartiality in the law. But that’s what happened when photos leaked of a Halloween party thrown by the Judicial Council of California. The Judicial Council is the policymaking arm of the California courts. Its goal is to be an independent and impartial administration of justice.

According to a report from the San Francisco ABC affiliate, the party featured stereotypical images of people of color depicted as prisoners. Some of the male staff members dressed as a transgender character from the TV show, “Orange is the New Black.”

News of the Judicial Council’s party has sparked a political uproar from Black organizations and legislators.

“I am deeply disturbed by the reprehensible, racist and poor judgment the Judicial Council displayed at a Halloween party last year,” said Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D- Carson), a member of Legislative Black Caucus and Chair of Democratic Caucus.  “For a public policymaking body that is equipped with the responsibility of fair access to the courts, it is highly disappointing that a group of judicial staff members would put down a race simply to win a contest. It is never okay to engage in stereotypical behavior or homophobic mockery, all while distributing offensive photos over a public server for ridicule.”

“I stand with the NAACP and am calling on the Judicial Council for a sincere public apology and an immediate reprimand of these senseless actions.  This is demeaning, discriminatory, and sends the negative message that black people and members of the LGBTQ community are bad people.Although the damage is done and the seed is planted, and quite possibly for years to come, we will not tolerate bias from a department whose responsibility is that of justice for all. This action will not go unchallenged,” said Gipson.

The California Capitol Black Staff Association released a statement condemning the images.

“As public servants who work for a public body created to provide equitable access to California’s courts, it is shameful that these individuals chose to engage, on state time, in a type of hate speech that depicts dangerous stereotypes that have haunted the Black population in America since slavery,” said the California Capitol Black Staff Association.

According to the ABC report, Michael Roosevelt, an employee of the Judicial Council, said the images make a mockery of the organization’s goals.

“Here you’ve got the image of people who work for and support the courts who are dressed in prison garb, darkening their faces, depicting a prison setting where disproportionately those people who are incarcerated are people of color,” said Roosevelt.

The Alliance of California Judges said the incident proves the Judicial Council needs to be reformed.

“If the Chief Justice won’t restructure the Judicial Council, so its judicial members are elected by their peers, then it’s high time for the Legislature to take control of the judicial branch funds away from the Judicial Council and place those funds in the hands of a trial budget commission consisting of trial judges elected by their peers,” said the Alliance of California Judges in a press statement.

The pictures were also condemned by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena,) chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus.

“The racist actions of those associated with the Judicial Council are shameful!” said Holden.

Dr. Amos Brown, national board member and president of San Francisco NAACP, who first learned about the incident from a Bay Area reporter said, “This should be a wake-up call for Blacks in this state. Blacks make up 6 percent of the California’s population but 45 to 50 percent of the inmate population.”  Brown suggested an “ignorance of Black history” was the reason these employees could host a party in such poor taste.

Brown said he credited the executive director for the written apology discipline actions that have not been announced, but still feels like the damage has been done.

Third Baptist Church in San Francisco will be meeting with judges from the San Francisco Superior Court area on August 23 to discuss how to work together so the criminal justice systems can embody justice and restorative justice for the African American community and the greater community.

Anaheim Ducks Mascot, Wild Wing, met with patients and offered some healing encouragement during a visit to Loma Linda University Cancer Center on Thursday, June 29.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Patients at Loma Linda University Cancer Center recently received a spirited visit from the Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing, and two of their Power Players. The hockey enthusiasts delivered Ducks paraphernalia and visited with patients undergoing treatment. This was the Ducks’ fourth visit to the Cancer Center since 2013.

The Anaheim Ducks have supported the Cancer Center since October 2013 after they hosted the first Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Honda Center, their home arena in Anaheim. They’ve since hosted two such events at the arena in 2014 and 2015 and have raised nearly $57,000 for the Cancer Center.

By Ysrayl

For the uplifting and encouragements of my people…

I don’t like to speak on subjects of my own thoughts and word opinions. I feel for us, we need the voice of the Word of YAH, so let YAH answer WHY we should return in this day in time, especially since everything has changed so much, since Ancient Days. YAH spoke to Jeremiah and the people were queried why? and He said, through the inspiration of God, [Jer. 3:14-15] “For I am married unto you.” Hebrews, we understand the true meaning of marriage, so I don’t have to go in to that, we all have a spiritual sense about us, because we are Hebrews, that’s what makes us Peculiar and Special! Another reason: YAH will give us leaders which will feed us with knowledge and wisdom, we sure do need that for us as a people and for our little ones’ future so that we can possess those things we need for ourselves; when we produce them, they are ready at hand for us when someone else produces them then we are under their hand. So, we have found the way-out ourselves, that we can escape. YAH has made possible through His Word. Since we are new to this path, not new, but re-introduce we must take it piece meal at a time, until we can look back in our DNA and feel the times of HEBREW YSRAEL AFRICA; this is the only way, through the Spirit. We need cohesiveness together!! In our history, we have this guy name Balak he sent messengers to Balaam, that he might curse the Children of Ysrael. Balaam went to YAH, and YAH said that the people are BLESSED PEOPLE! This passage is valuable to us because it helps us identify ourselves. YAH said we are blessed people, then in Chapter 23 Numbers verses 8-9 this prophet person, a long time ago spoke these words concerning us as a people [Nation State]: “How shall I curse, whom YAH has not cursed…” then in verse 9, the prophet person stands upon one of the hills in Africa and he sees Ysrael; for from the top of the rocks, I see him, and from the hills, I behold him: Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall NOT be reckoned among the Nations.” As we are separated this day, that’s a good thing. We are a people like no other, we look different, we smell different, everybody else has the same strain of hair, we are one in alike, there is not another people, that has any in that we have, we are separated and set apart, sanctified, and made holy by the Father of all Lights. We are the HEBREW PEOPLE, let us step up, and be role models to the rest of our people…Shalom! May YAH bless you and keep you.