Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown

By Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino)

How many times have we heard the phrase that “our budget is a reflection of our values; or a society is judged by how it treats its elderly, sick and disabled members?”  Well, it’s high time to reflect on our values and to be judged.  Until we restore the cuts to our seniors and disabled, we are guilty of abandoning our ethical principles to care for those who are helpless.

On May 7, 2015, AB 474, a bill that would restore recession-era cuts made to the SSI/SSP program to balance the State’s budget, which helps seniors and disabled adults, was the victim of the California Legislature’s latest budget procedure.  The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation placed the bill on its suspense file.  This procedure of a bill being placed on an Assembly Budget Subcommittee’s suspense file was unusual to me because normally fiscal bills go to the Appropriations’ suspense file.

By placing AB 474 on a suspense file, relief for seniors and disabled adults being forced to live below the federal poverty level will not happen this year.  I have a problem with that; especially, when the state has continuously taken $1.4 billion from the seniors beginning in 2008.  For me, this is unacceptable, and I will not be silent and allow this injustice to continue.

The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) helps 1.3 million low-income seniors and people with disabilities in California pay for housing, food, and other basic living expenses.    It is funded with both federal (SSI) and state (SSP) dollars.  SSI/SSP provides modest income support to the most impoverished seniors and disabled adults.  At a minimum, this allows many to avoid total destitution and homelessness.

In 2007, the Legislature took those funds by cutting the state’s SSP portion for both individuals and couples to the minimum levels allowed by federal law to help close budget shortfalls that emerged as a result of the Great Recession.  In addition, we suspended the state cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for SSI/SSP several times prior to 2010-11 and then we totally eliminated it.  You would think there would be some urgency to restore those funds; however, due to these cuts, state spending for SSI/SSP dropped from $3.9 billion in 2007-08 to $2.5 billion and has not changed despite the fact that the recession ended several years ago.  These devastating cuts to seniors and our disabled should be moved to the top of the California Legislature’s agenda; especially with an anticipated surplus in this years’ budget.  We do it for other constituencies but for some reason we have abandon these senior citizens.

AB 474 is the first step to restoring our moral responsibility to care for our most vulnerable citizens and prioritize our seniors and disabled constituents.  I for one cannot in good conscience accept a raise we have just been awarded while our seniors and disabled are left without a solution because it will cost too much.  I will accept the raise and donate it to those in my district who are helping seniors and disabled adults eat nutritiously; because if I don’t, it’ll be used to fund other state priorities.  I will be lobbying my colleagues to do the same in their districts.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Art Institute of California- Inland Empire is launching “Aspire” an alluring fashion show event for a wide range audience on Saturday, June 13. Aspire will be held at the Downtown Riverside Main Street mall. The event starts at 7 p.m., followed by the start of the Fashion Show at 8 p.m. Student Designers will be showcasing their collections that correlate with the “Then, Now and Always” theme.

The Aspire Fashion Show “Then, Now and Always” is an inclusive theme that incorporates a wide range of designs inspired by different fashion eras. Art Institute students have developed their collections using their knowledge of fashion history and blending them with the most current trends. Their collections are not just for show, but to influence future fashion fads. In addition to the fashion show a unique opportunity will be given to local high schools to show off their talents as well. Local high school participants can win scholarship grants provided by The Art Institute.

The Art Institute Inland Empire campus provides an Associates and Bachelor’s degrees Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design Founded in 2006, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is part of The Art Institutes, a system of over 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing students with career- oriented curricula in areas of culinary arts, and various programs in design and media arts.

For more information please contact aspiretheshow@gmail.com, or call (909) 915-2189.

Bertha Chatman

Bertha Mae Chatman was born on March 30, 1930 and was called to rest on May 2, 2015. She was preceded in death by her Father George Johnson, her Mother Mittie Lee Jones, her Husbands (Limmie Poole’, Lee Carter, Willie Fort, Lee Nettles and Joshua Chatman), her Sister Mary Lee Luckey and her Son Lonnie Poole’.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory with her sister Queen Esther Jackson, her Children Freda Samuel, (Robert Samuel), Jacqueline Banks (Dwight Banks Sr.), and Andre’ Poole’, her Daughter-in-law Alesia James-Poole’ (Late Lonnie Poole’), 33 Grandchildren, 61 Great-Grandchildren, a host of Family, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

The wake for Mrs. Chatman will be held on Thursday, May 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Colton Funeral Home located at 1275 N. La Cadena Drive in Colton. The Home Going celebration will be held on Friday, May 22 promptly at 10 a.m. at Life Changing Ministries Church located at 5395 North “F” Street in San Bernardino. The Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 21300 Via Verde Drive in Covina.

Redman & Johnni

By Johnni Matthews

Ain’t no party like a Patslegacy.com party!  That was exactly the vibe felt by thousands of music lovers and cannabis supporters at the first Blaze N Glory Festival held in San Bernardino on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16.

The two day festival covered the musical spectrum from hip hop, reggae and rock. Hip Hop icons, Redman and Method Man vowed to reunite with the Wu-Tang Clan, irie reggae sounds came from Rebelution and the Bermuda sensation, Collie Buddz, while Ballyhoo rocked hard!  Several other outstanding bands entertained on two stages on the grounds of the San Manuel Amphitheater.

Rebelution @ BlazeNGlory Fest 2015

John Whinnery, founder of Patsleagacy.com, delivered a great event as the Blaze N Glory title sponsor. John Reese of SGE and Live Nation’s Rich Best are the co-producers of the Blaze N Glory Festival. Moore Media also did an outstanding job working with media representatives from nearly 100 media outlets covering the festival.

The festival engaged the attendees with a village market square filled with unique merchandise from vendors, a carnival arcade area, plus an appetizing food and beverage court making the Blaze N Glory Festival one of the top entertaining venues in Southern California this past weekend!

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Easter Seals Southern California (ESSC) Head Start Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Home-Based Head Start Programs in Montclair, Upland, Ontario and Valley View are now enrolling for fall 2015. These Head Start programs are free for children from three to five years old from income-eligible families.

Easter Seals’ CDCs and Home-Based Programs provide hands-on learning that promotes a child’s natural development, preparing them for success in Kindergarten and beyond. Featuring state-of-the-art tools and programs, nutritional services, individualized learning plans and highly qualified teachers, these programs are for children with or without disabilities.

Enrollment for fall 2015 is now open and slots are available until filled.

To learn more about the new Head Start programs in the Inland Empire, please visit http://www.easterseals.com/southerncal/our-programs/childrens-services/ or call the Easter Seals Child Development Services administrative office at (909) 605-2709.

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) will host a free event for children with special celebrity book readings, writing workshops, art and more. Heads Are Turning, Children Are Learning Literacy Day will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at CAAM from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Actor Donis Leonard Jr. from Showtime’s House of Lies will serve as the host.

The youth literary event will feature local Los Angeles authors including Valerie Woods author of Katrin’s Chronicles: The Canon of Jacqulene Dyanne Vol. 1, a young adult mystery novel set in 1968 Southside Chicago. Dawn Comer Jefferson and Rosanne Welch will present their book The Promise, a 1850s slave narrative based on a true story. Amiekoleh Usafi will be reading her children’s parable Gladstone. Yasmeen Christian is bringing Ava Had a Bad Hair Day, a children’s book with fun illustrations.

Heads Are Turning, Children Are Learning will have writing workshops for children lead by featured authors. Youth and chaperones can also have their books signed by their favorite authors, participate in arts and crafts activities, listen to kid-friendly music and receive free books.  Food will also be available for purchase from a delicious food truck.

“Literacy Day will be a refreshing break for children and families from recent news and civil unrest.” said Program Organizer Babe Evans. “Attendees will create positive, creative and fun memories with CAAM and leave with a renewed appreciation for literary art.”

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to join CAAM for Literacy Day. CAAM’s events, programs and exhibitions are free for the public to attend. CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Mondays.  Parking is $10 in the lot adjacent to CAAM at 39^th and Figueroa streets.  For more information about CAAM and its exhibitions, programs and events, please visit: http://www.caamuseum.org or call (213) 744-7432.  Follow CAAM on Twitter and Facebook: @CAAMinLA.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Gang Resistance Intervention Partnership (GRIP), in partnership with the San Bernardino City Unified School District, hosted a graduation ceremony for second and fifth grade students from Hunt Elementary School in San Bernardino today.

“This is a proactive partnership between our educators and students that allows us to make a positive impact in the lives our children,” District Attorney Ramos said. “By effectively using time and resources today to teach our students, we can steer them away from the dangers and influences of gangs tomorrow.”

During the graduation celebration, 200 students received certificates and a GRIP backpack filled with supplies. After the graduation, students were treated to a surprise visit and photo session with Inland Empire 66ers mascot Bernie. Each graduating student received two complimentary baseball tickets donated by the Inland Empire 66ers organization.

The second grade students who participated in the program successfully completed a 7-week course, while the fifth grade students completed a 9-week course. Both curriculums—which focus on the dangers of gangs and drugs, positive choices and respect for others and property—were instructed by school security officers with the San Bernardino Unified School District.

“We are pleased to partner with the San Bernardino County District Attorney and San Bernardino City Unified School District in preventive efforts that focus students on positive behaviors and keep them engaged in school and their communities,” County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said. “The GRIP program has had great success and is making a positive impact in the lives of students and families.”

The GRIP Program is now in its fifth year and has graduated over 4,500 students.

“We need to be proactive, and intervention and prevention is the best way to get the job done,” District Attorney Ramos said.

Nick Cannon Red Nose Day

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA- Multifaceted entertainer Nick Cannon will kick off the festivities for NBC’s broadcast of “Red Nose Day” with “Red Nose Day Danceathon with Nick Cannon,” streaming live on NBC.com beginning Wednesday, May 20. “America’s Got Talent” host Nick Cannon will attempt to dance non-stop for 24 hours in honor of the inaugural Red Nose Day celebration in the United States, leading into the “Red Nose Day” telecast on Thursday, May 21 (8-11 p.m. ET) on NBC.

Streamed live from the NBC Experience Store at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the day of dance will be filled with guest DJs and musicians, celebrity drop-ins, and a variety of dance acts and troupes. Viewers can support Cannon’s endeavor through sponsorship and donation.

“Red Nose Day,” a live three-hour entertainment event, will feature sketch comedy, parodies, videos produced by Funny Or Die, live musical performances and short appeals films that shed light on those in need. With a focus on having fun, raising money and changing lives, the star-studded event will raise money for Red Nose Day to help lift children and young people out of poverty in the U.S. and in some of the poorest communities in the world.

People from all walks of life are encouraged to have fun and raise money through buying red noses (sold exclusively at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores nationwide), organizing fundraising events and watching and donating during the television special. See www.rednosedayusa.com for more info.

The money raised during Red Nose Day will fund programs that address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Today Show Supports Red Nose Day

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

The rule is simple: “If you play with fire, you will get burned.” “If you court trouble, trouble you will find.” “Make your bed and you have to sleep in it.” “Whatever you sow, you shall reap.”  So do not lie to yourself.  God will not be mocked. If you compromise His rules you will suffer horribly for it… You better know that you know!

Yeah, it might feel real good while you are indulging, but the long-term consequences will crush and grind that little pleasure into oblivion. You will never remember the pleasure when the horrible consequences of your folly burst into flames because sin brings misery with and after it.  If you don’t believe me just ask Samson, Judges 16. Samson thought he could walk on sexual coals, but Delilah stole his strength and left him blinded and chained to grind for the Philistines. David did not think he would be burned either, but his short tryst with Bathsheba cost him dearly for the rest of his life. Profane Ammon craved his sister, but the event horribly disappointed him and cost him his life. Now Joseph, Joseph is a hero, for when he saw and felt the fire, he ran as far and as fast as he could, Genesis 39:12. He knew that even though Potiphar’s wife greatly desired him there would be hell to pay with God and men. He chose the certainty of a false accusation rather than the lying promise of stolen pleasure.  Proverbs 22:3 tells us that, “the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” You cannot walk with God and hold hands with the devil!

Samson and Delilah story… love lies and loss. A story, that should, be read, studied, and taken to heart. Their story does not teach us lessons about genuine love and romance, but about the dangers of getting too close to the enemy. Their story is a story of deception, greed, lust and destruction. Their story stands as a constant warning to those who would trifle with sin. Their story is a reminder to us all that sin is deceptive and that it is deadly. There may be “pleasure in sin for a season,” but the end of sin is never worth the pleasure it provides.

Most people, however, think that they can control their sin. In truth, but for the grace of God, sin controls us, and it will be our master if we allow it a foothold in our lives. Only God’s grace keeps us from the wolf’s fate. Instead of playing with sin you should be like Joseph and put as much distance as you can between your temptation and yourself, Genesis 39:7-12. I tell you, you might not face the same thing Samson did, but you will pay a price for indulging in sin. You will sacrifice your intimacy with God. You will sacrifice His power. You will endanger the relationships that matter most in your life. One thing is certain – sin always pays back both believers and unbelievers with boredom, guilt, shame, loneliness, confusion, emptiness, loss of purpose, and loss of rewards. The problem I earnestly believe is that we do not know how powerful sin in. We do not know – we have no idea – it’s a term we toss around – and talk about – in a gleeful tone. But let me say something to you, we have under estimated its power, its grip and its hold on us. I submit to you that we have been bamboozled, hoodwink, fooled, brain washed, and beguiled.

You know the word for Sin in the Greek language is “amartia” (ha-mar-tia). It means “to miss the mark.” Every time we sin we do miss the mark because every sin we commit is an offense to God, and God cannot be in the presence of sin. That is why if you choose to keep committing the same sins without repentance you will stop feeling His presence in your life. The Holy Spirit will stop speaking to you if you refuse to repent. I want you to know that sin has many consequences; more than I have mentioned, and it is always destructive, but repentance is always constructive. For great sin, there is great grace.

You know, I’ve always been intrigued by the point of no return above waterfalls. For example, if you’re in a canoe above Niagara Falls drifting downriver there’s a point that if you go by it, you can’t save yourself. It’s the point of no return. If you’re up river far enough, you’re able to paddle to shore. But if you go past the point of no return, the current will take you over the falls and there’s nothing you can do about it. No matter how hard you paddle, you can’t save yourself. The point of no return is an invisible line above the falls, on one side of it you can save yourself, on the other, you can’t. Repentance can be like that. A lot of people think that they have lots of time to repent. They think that they will have until the moment of their death to repent. And that is true of some people. Consider the criminal who was crucified with Jesus. It was not until his death was very imminent that he repented and turned to Jesus. But that is not true with all people. God gives only a certain time to repent, and after that point, it’s too late. Jezebel, God said, “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling…”  Revelation 2:21-23… The Bible is full of examples of people given time to repent but they refused: Genesis 4; Jeremiah 5:3, Amos 4:6, Zephaniah 3:2, and Zechariah 7:1, to name just a few. 2Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is patient towards us. He is not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” That’s God’s heart. He wants us to repent. That why He gives us time to repent. That’s why He pleads with us to repent. That’s why He sends people; ministers, preachers, friends, family members who beg us to repent. Jezebel was not ignorant of her sin. She knew what she was doing, and she refused to repent.  Therefore it became too late for her to repent – not because God wouldn’t pardon her, but because she had hardened her heart. Jezebel had been confronted, she’s resisted, and she refused to repent. Don’t be a Jezebel. The door of repentance is still open. There’s still hope, but not forever.… Hebrews 12:17… That Day is fast approaching.

I can hear the thundering cry of Jeremiah. Oh that the church will wake up and see that they are being warned by the Word of God that there are wicked men that lay wait hiding in the bushes and setting a snare for the unwary. Setting a snare for those who are not yielded to God, still living by unbridled lusts in the very depths of their soul, they are halting between two opinions. As in the Old Testament times, God’s willingness to spare and bless the nation and spare and bless individuals who repent still stands. But equally true, as Paul said, there will come a day when His righteous judgment will be revealed. I can’t imagine how it will be for those who have heard but who have consciously and willfully rejected Him. Don’t Wait Too Late…Repent!

Tee Babie

By Naomi K. Bonman

From the “You’re a b—h, you’re a ho, you’re a thot”, as ladies and respectful men, we can attest that there needs to be a change in the way our women are viewed within the lyrics of hip hop, and music in general. These mainstream male rappers are most likely accustomed to a certain type of female that they only “glorify” one type of women—the type that makes the rest look bad.

This where more women come in to give a voice to modern day women. Rising rapper and singer, Tee Babie, is that positive, powerful, and dynamitic force that is filling the void in a positive woman movement in music.

Hailing from St. Louis, MO, but born and raised out of West Covina, CA, Tee Babie has had music instilled and planted in her veins since the tender age of three. As her mother recalls, Tee would sing around the house to the late Whitney Houston. By the age of 18, as most young adults, Tee decided to spread her wings and experience life on the East Coast. While on the East Coast, the aspiring star took a keen to live music and also started developing her style. She stayed in Maryland, VA for 2 years before making the move to Las Vegas, NV.

Upon her move to Las Vegas, Tee met her mentor, King Al Hefner (founder of Beats How You Want Em), who would soon expand her horizon within the music industry. Shortly after, in 2012, King’s Brother RJ II came onto the scene and gave Tee vocal lessons to develop her ear for the music.  King and RJ are Grammy winning producers of the “Misunderstood” by Lil Wayne from the ‘Carter II’ album.

“From there I have just blossomed within these last three years,” Tee said.

In a recent interview with the rising star, she discussed her upcoming projects, her passion for becoming a more positive and strong voice for woman, and what she looks forward to accomplishing in the near future.

What makes you stand out from the rest?

I try to give a more uplifting voice for females. Right now we two types of music when it comes to females, either the “down and out, sad, cheated on, looking for love” or “she’s a ‘ho’, she’s a thot, she’s a ratchet, shake it for a real n—a”.

I’m bringing in a more powerful voice that says, “Hey I am all woman, I am powerful not only that, I am not a thot”. I want to bring out the absurd, confident, but successful and today’s woman. The modern women of today are not miserable, we’re not super sad because we don’t have a dude because most of time we’re juggling multiple or we’re working just as hard if not harder than men.

In my R&B music as well as my rap music, I want to make sure that it’s not only smooth, but relevant.

Being that voice for women, what advice do you have for others that may want to pursue a career in entertainment?

If you want to do it, especially if you have the support, get it, learn it, and study it. To be the best you have to study your craft. It took me a little while to train my ear on what quality sounds like. We think we know, but we don’t until we really study what the difference between what is and is not quality. It’s great if you’re good at something, but to be great at it you really have to emerge your feet in it. It takes time, so perfect your craft, stud it, and be patient. It takes at least 2 to 4 years, just as it does with school to perfect a particular craft, and you just have to be aware of the time frame.

What projects are you currently working on?

This month (May 2015) I will be dropping an EP with Paper Boy Beatz from Detroit called “He Say, She Say”. If you love blues, R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and rap, then you’ll love this EP. There’s something for all on it. We will be distributing it worldwide and it will be available on iTunes and Amazon. We also hope to shop it around to different TV shows and movies for the future.

Do you have any shows coming up?

Yes I do. I’ll be in San Pedro, Hollywood, Ontario, and Vegas. Then from May 24 to May 31 I will have about five shows lined up in Atlanta.

You’re constantly back and forth between Las Vegas and California and you work a full-t

It has been insane! I am blessed and fortunate to be at a secular position that gives me a little bit of freedom. If you’re in a place that can give you a little bit of freedom or an avenue into your craft that will be the best way to go. It is very hard balancing a secular job and doing music as a side gig because it is very time consuming, but you find the balance and have to pace yourself. You also have to make sure that you’re not slipping on your day job and putting in at least above average to a minimum. You just learn to take it day by day.

What are your goals that you would like to accomplish within the next 1 to 2 years?

I’m hoping to work with a lot of mainstream artists as a songwriter, hook specialist, or as a featured artist [on a track]. My ultimate goal is to utilize and share my songwriting abilities with the likes of Beyonce, Kanye West, Jay-Z, T-Pain, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill [and others], so that I can get my voice out there.

Who do you want to work with on a regional level?

AV Compton, he’s my next target! California is huge though and there is a lot of great talent out there that I would love to work with. I am also into the Indie, Rock, Pop, and AC/DC scene a well.

Who would you like to work with on the mainstream level?

Shawna, of course, she is one of my favorites. I get a lot of my swag from her. If I can work with Beyonce, I would know that I made it. Others are Future; Nicki Minaj, I love how influential she is in and how she represents the female movement; Ne-yo; Esther Dean; and so many others.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

Besides being in the studio, I love the beach, traveling, shopping, I love fashion, and kicking it with my best friends and family.

Where have you traveled to so far?

Belize, Mexico, and Mahogany Bay

Where do you want to travel to next?

Dhabi, Panama, Rio, Africa, and Europe

Any last remarks that you want to leave the readers with?

I’m very genuine when it comes to my music. Everything that I sing about is something that I’ve experienced. I work hard to get to reach my goals and I have real and genuine people surrounded around me that I do not want to take for granted.

Life is amazing and very short, so we must use our time productively as possible. Follow your dreams and study your craft, and don’t stop; keep going and pushing through every up and down in life.  

Follow Tee Babie:

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Snapchat: TeeCheriBabie

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