Eric Carthen

OXNARD, CA- Eric Carthen is from the Inland Empire and is a junior at California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand Oaks, California. He was one of the students from CLU to be honored at the Ventura County’s 29^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day event.  The theme for this year’s event was “Celebrating Voting & Civil Rights—Today!”  The event was held on Monday, January 19, 2015 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Theater in Oxnard, CA. The keynote speaker was Mr. Gerald C. Rivers who spoke on the topic of “The Voice of Dr. King.”  This event was sponsored by: Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Ventura County, The City of Oxnard.

(left to right) Hattie Inge, President of Rialto Black History Committee; Myron Hester Sr., Master of Ceremonies; Joanne Gilbert, Community Service Award Recipient; Elvis Brown, Minister; Sup. Gonzales, Dr. Joel McCloud, Chancellor; Valerie Singleton, Psalmist; Pastor Chuck Singleton, Community Service Award recipient; Assemblymember Cheryl Brown; Congressman Pete Aguilar; and Mike Story, City of Rialto Administrator at Rialto Black History Committee, Inc. 30th Annual Dr. MLK Luncheon.

FONTANA, CA- Residents throughout the County of San Bernardino gathered over the weekend to honor one of the most inspiring and influential activists in United States history. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a testament to how the strength and service of one individual can uplift a community and collectively change the world,” Supervisor Josie Gonzales stated. “I was honored to join friends and colleagues at the Rialto Black History Committee, Inland Empire Concern African American Churches, and Bethel AME Church in Fontana to celebrate the life of such a historically iconic individual.”

King High School senior Brooke Tolson with her parents Andamo and Gayla at the Posse Foundation awards event.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Brooke Tolson, a senior at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, was awarded the highly acclaimed Posse Foundation scholarship in Los Angeles on January 7. The Posse Foundation founded in 1989 identifies the best and brightest multicultural students from public high schools with exceptional academic and leadership potential. These students are awarded a four-year full tuition scholarship to attend one of 51 top colleges and universities in the nation. The Posse model is rooted in the belief that a small diverse group of talented students, a Posse, carefully selected and trained can serve as a catalyst increased individual and community development. For 25 years, Posse has awarded $668 million scholarship awards. Over 2400 students were nominated out of Los Angeles for the 100 scholarships that were awarded.

Brooke is in the top 10 percent of her graduating class and has a 4.33 GPA. She is involved in Cheer, Link Crew, BSU, the Adventure Club, California Scholastic Federation and National Honor Society, while having perfect attendance at King High School. She is a tutor at Mathnasium and has traveled to Haiti with Vacation Bible School to teach English. Brooke will be attending Pepperdine University in the fall to study elementary education with career aspirations of becoming a teacher. Brooke is the daughter of Gayla and Andamo Tolson and the sister of Enrico and Austin Tolson.

Dr. James L. Snyder

By Dr. James L. Snyder

I must confess I do have some old-fashioned biases. I would be the first to admit I’m not up to date on the latest fad or trend.

I come from that era that believed the well-dressed man is one that doesn’t stand out from everybody else. I’ve tried to keep to that all these years. I certainly don’t want to stand out and have people recognize me or point their finger at me and whispered to each other.

For years, I’ve been very careful about that. Now, it seems that because I try to dress like a well-dressed man and not stand out I am in fact standing out. Nobody, except me and two other people, really care about being well-dressed.

This has never been an issue with me and it even now is not an issue. But reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the year before me, I have to take some calculations. According to my calculation, I no longer fit into that “well-dressed man” category, because the term “well-dressed man” does not mean what it used to mean.

I hate it when something outlasts its definition.

To be a well-dressed man today, according to the latest fads and trends I have noticed, I need to throw away my belt and let my trousers drop all the way down to my knees.

Let me go on record as saying, never in a million years will that happen.

Then there is the issue about a necktie. Am I the last person on planet earth wearing a necktie?

Very few people today know how to tie a necktie. Well, I do and I will until they put me in a casket and then I hope I’m still wearing a tie. So if you come to my funeral and look at me in the casket and I’m not wearing a tie, complain to someone for me.

The latest trends and fads have no interest to me whatsoever.

This came to my attention recently when I had to sign some legal papers for something to do with the church. I had to sign here, initial there, sign the next page, initial three pages and it went on and on until I ran out of ink.

I’m one of those old-fashioned guys that use a fountain pen and all that signing and initialing drained all of the ink out of my fountain pen. Before I finished, I was on the verge of carpal tunnel.

I sighed rather deeply, looked at the gentleman (I think he was a gentleman because he was dressed like a gentleman), and said kind of sarcastically, “Do you remember the old-fashioned handshake?”

He looked at me without smiling and then said, “Here are some more papers for you to sign.”

I thought I was signing my life away, but in reality, I was just signing my ink away.

I do remember when a handshake really meant something. Just about everything was sealed with a handshake and both parties were as good as their word. It would take a lot of undoing to undo that handshake. Now, you’re only as good as the word on a piece of paper over your signature. Then, some lawyer can finagle it around to mean something other than what you really meant it in the first place. So what’s the purpose of all this?

I know you’re not supposed to say this, but I will, I sure long for the good old days when a handshake was all you needed. I get tired of the rigmarole passing as business these days. I get tired of paperwork that’s piled higher than the tallest tree in the forest.

Of course, if we go back to that handshake scenario, it will put many lawyers out of business. What would these people do for a living? I have some ideas, but I’m going to keep that to myself.

Trust has gone out of our culture today because everybody is only after what they can get for themselves and they don’t care how they get it.

A handshake met something in “the day.” In fact, I believe it was more binding than all of the paperwork and signed documents and legalese we have today. It’s hard to sue a handshake!

What I want to know is simply this. When we replaced the good old-fashioned handshake with all of this legalese stuff, are we better off? Have we simplified everything and covered all of the bases?

The answer is a loud no.

A man’s word used to be his bond and something he would never go back on.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I have lived on that marital philosophy all of our married life. I know in the marriage ceremony there is no “handshake.” But the philosophy of that handshake is right there. When I said “I do,” and she responded by another “I do,” we were shaking hands and saying to everybody around us but particularly to one another, “We do.”

I think James shook the right hand when he wrote, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation” (James 5:12).

I’m all for getting back to the good old days when a handshake was all you needed.

Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net or website www.jamessnyderministries.com.

Cheese Chisholm and young fans

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will bring their unrivaled family show to the Greater Los Angeles Area for nine games at six different arenas from Friday, Feb. 6 through Monday, Feb. 16.  The 2015 “Washington Generals Revenge Tour” will entertain the Southland during the following schedule:

Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Ontario, CA Citizens Business Bank

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Galen Center Los Angeles, CA

Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Saddleback College Gym Mission Viejo, CA

Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7p.m. UCSB Events Center Santa Barbara, CA

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Honda Center Anaheim, CA

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Honda Center Anaheim, CA

Sunday, Feb. 15 at 12:30 p.m. STAPLES Center Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5:45 p.m. STAPLES Center Los Angeles, CA

Monday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Honda Center Anaheim, CA

The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters.  The Generals are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win.  They plan to evoke a new strategy that is sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money, despite the Globetrotters’ 98.7 winning percentage and over 25,000 wins since 1926.

The Generals are the master mind of the late Louis “Red” Klotz, who passed on July 12, 2014.  The last time one of Klotz’s teams beat the Globetrotters was on Jan. 5, 1971, thanks to a last-second basket by Klotz in Martin, Tenn.

Bull Bullard

Known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, the Globetrotters will honor a “Hometown Hero” at each of their 310-plus games in North America.  The team is searching for active, wounded or retired members of the military who have made their community proud with their brave service and exemplary character.  Fans can nominate “Hometown Heroes” at harlemglobetrotters.com.  The Globetrotters will also play a portion of each game with a camouflage basketball as a sign of respect to all who protect our freedom.

With a star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard, Firefly Fisher and Moose Weekes,  plus female stars TNT Maddox, T-Time Brawner and Sweet J Ekworomadu* – the Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment. With incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

Tickets are now available at harlemglobetrotters.com and the respective arena box offices.  Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at harlemglobetrotters.com. A partnership with Metro allows riders to receive a $7 discount on select seats by showing their Metro transit receipt/pass at the box office or by using the promo code METRO when purchasing online.

Greetings, from Trudy Coleman, Founder of Juneteenth Education Technology Mobile Arts Center, Inc., (J.ET.M.A.C), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, We invite you to the “14^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Unity Breakfast and Tribute”, on Monday, January 19, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast and Program, Discussion Panels from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..   This is event is to celebrate the life, struggle, and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his dream for equality, justice, and freedom for all. This year we are working to encourage the youth to get prepared for leadership roles, how to become economically prepared for the future, and be a part of improving America.

The MLK program consist of live musical performances from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pastor Brian Kennedy of Ontario, CA, Mt. Sinai Church of God in Christ, Bishop Terrance Rhone, of Pomona, CA, and others. Our special guest recording artist is Mr. Juan Santiago, of Uninhibited Praise from North Carolina, he has had appearances and opening performances with artist such as: Bobby Jones Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Stage Plays “In Times Like These” and “Lord, I’m Coming Home” featuring Karen Clark-Sheard, Vicki Winans, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Tampa, Florida.

As Co-founder and sponsor of the “California National Juneteenth Freedom Day”, A Holiday Observance Bill, originally signed by Governor Gray Davis in June 2002, the dream continues on.  This holiday observance is the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed into law, freeing all people born on American soil, by President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863.  The news of that freedom order did not reach the last slaves in Texas, until June 19, 1865.  This June 19, 2015, will be the 150^th Anniversary of the Juneteenth, and completion of that freedom.

As Co-Chair of the National Education Committee, with the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, (N.J.O.F.), along with Dr. Ronald Myers, Chairman, we are continuing our efforts to make Juneteenth a Holiday Observance across the United States of America and abroad. June is Black Music Month, and June 2015, is the “25^th yr. Anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration in Pomona Valley, the birthplace of the holiday bill for California. An Enshrinement for the Holiday Bill Observance was placed in Ganesha Park, to serve as a reminder of that time in history. I have dedicated my life to keeping Juneteenth alive, and educating our youth, and our communities about its significance. On Saturday, June 27, 2015, will be the “3^rd Annual Emancipation Proclamation Dinner & Phineas Newborn Jr. Music Arts Scholarship Fundraiser”, an Extravaganza musical event, and Juneteenth Student Contest.  Please check website for location announcement. So, save the date and be involved.

Donations are needed, and welcome throughout the year. We are seeking sponsorship for both events.  Deadline is January 15^th for Advanced tickets sales. Donations: $35.00 in Adv, and $40.00 at the Door, VIP $45.00. Tickets can be purchased for the MLK breakfast now online, using Paypal, or go to website: www.jetmacinc.com, and click on Payment/Donate, mail check or money order to mailing address: J.E.T.M.A.C., INC., 7640 Broadmoor Place, Rancho Cucamonga, CA  91730; or call for locations to pick up your tickets.  Please check our website to download sponsorship information, advertising in our program book, or vendor booth, at www.jetmacinc.com.  We look forward to seeing you next year and your goodwill is appreciated. I can be reached at (909) 418-8530,

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman 

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law…” Prosecutor Opening Statement…. Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury; the defendant has been charged with disobedience, backsliding, unbelief, unfaithfulness, breaking of vows, rebellion, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, pride, foolishness, blasphemy, malice, slander, arrogance, idolatry, jealousy, hostility, selfish ambition, division, envy, drunkenness and folly. The evidence I present will prove to you that the defendant is “Guilty as Charged!”…. The event took place in an open air arena beside the Jabbok River as it were with Jacob. In one corner stood the defendant {insert your name} and in the other corner of all people was God Himself… You versus God… You versus Jehovah…  Who would want to take on God, one on one, in a wrestling match…? How could one every hope to win… “How foolish,” you say? Well the truth is that all of us at some point in our journey have taken on God. We have all stepped into the ring with God and wrestled with Him about life. Matter of fact some of you are wrestling with God right now about some situation, some problem, some difficulty or some injustice in your life. It would behoove you though to sit down in your ringside seat and learn the lessons from Jacob’s wrestling match with God. You see God preserved the historical event in Jacob life to teach us lessons concerning our own struggles. Because just like Jacob we all have the tendency to wrestle with life, to take things in our own hands, to set our own agenda, and work things out in our own strength… Your Honor, I would like for this to be marked as People’s Exhibit #1… I will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty as charged and should be convicted. All because you, the defendant wanted to do things your way and not God’s way. The Lord has set this hearing. God is letting you know just what happens to us if we refuse to do things His way. He knows how to get our attention. He knows how to deal with us that we might know we’re not doing it the way He wants us to do it. ”Guilty as Charged!”

Listen, God wants to be quick to bless and slow to wrath. He doesn’t want to go to war with you! Solomon said in Proverbs 21:30, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.” In other words, anybody who goes against God is a Fool! What we need to understand is that nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, can stand against God. From the beginning God had standards.  Eve decided to fight it and Adam decided to join the fight and because of that, all of us are cursed. God had a standard for sacrifice. Abel obeyed it and Cain fought it and was cursed. God had a standard for morality. Noah kept it. The rest of the world fought it and drowned. God had a standard for spiritual priority. Jacob bought it; Esau fought it and lost the blessing. Saul went about ravaging the church, seeking to destroy this new sect who followed Jesus Christ. Until of course, Jesus Himself appeared to him, blinded him, pinned him to the ground and said, “Saul, it is hard for you to kick against the goads.” In the end God won and Saul lost. There is no way to fight God and win! True, it mays seem like someone is opposing God and getting away with it temporarily, but when ultimately it spells eternal disaster. The story of Herod exalting himself and how God judges him. Herod and God are prominent in both stories. But in both stories, God comes out the winner, and Herod the loser. You can’t fight God. It does not work! If you go to war with God, you will surely lose. Do you see that it is madness? You lose! God wins every time! Instead of opposing God, His Word, His Law, start surrendering. Because the only way to true happiness, joy, fulfillment and satisfaction is in surrendering completely to God, and allowing His Spirit to live through you. In the end, Jacob did what we all must do. He confronted his failures, his weaknesses, his sins, an all the things that were hurting him, and faced God. Jacob wrestled with God all night. It was an exhausting struggle that left him crippled. But it was only after he came to grips with God and ceased his struggling, realizing that he could not go on without God, that he received God’s blessing (Genesis 32:29).

What we can learn from this remarkable incident in the life of Jacob is that our lives are never meant to be easy. This is especially true when we take it upon ourselves to wrestle with God and His Will for our lives. God wants to put a stop to our old way of living so that we might experience His restoration and know His love just like in Paul’s life, as he was busted, arraigned, convicted, sentenced and finally restored. Jesus wants to arrest you by His love. He wants to get a hold of your life and make something wonderful out of it. Can I tell you that when it was all said and done, Paul saw himself as being under the direct sovereign of God Himself and he understood the truth that God was the Master of all the paths of life? Who’s your Warden today… Will the jury foreperson please stand…Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict… Yes, Your Honor….The jury finds the defendant…. You fill in the blank {guilty/not `guilty} … Court is adjourned!

Jewel Speaks to professionals

By John Coleman

Jewel Taylor

Jewel Diamond Taylor was the ‘trainer’ who addressed the Inland Empire  Non-Profit Resource Development Coalition for it’s monthly meeting last week at the San Bernardino County Dept of Behavioral Health Education Center.    Taylor is a well known and highly regarded motivational speaker who is known for speaking to packed auditoriums. This time she was able to switch gears and focus her attention on this small class of non-profit, public service young professionals.

Jonathan Buffong, Facilitator, IE NPRDC; Jewel Diamond Taylor, (2nd from the left), & Frank Kelly, (3rd from the left), receive a “Certificate of Commendaion” from Assembly Member, Cheryl Brown; & Terrance Stone, CoChair, IE NPRDC.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Music is a business and the artists and production teams behind them grind hard at crafting their perfection and making sure their message reaches the masses. This summer, San Bernardino entertainment and management company, LUE Productions, will be acknowledging music artists within the Inland Empire at the 2015 Inland Empire Indie Award Show, “My Music, My Mic.” Nominations are now being accepted.

The award show will highlight Indie R&B, Rap, and Hip Hop Artists from around the Inland Empire. There will also be special awards given to the hottest music producer, model, battle rapper, Gospel rapper, dance crew, DJ, Urban fashion designer, Internet radio show, publication, graffiti artist, and video production.

If you know an artist out there that has been working hard and making major moves, go to www.Facebook.com/LUEProductions and fill out the 2015 Indie Award Show nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, March 5. The announcement of nominees will be held on April 5 with voting opening that same day until May 31.

The award show is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 7 2015 at 7 p.m. at the National Orange Show Sports Arena in San Bernardino. For more information, please email lue.info@yahoo.com.

About LUE Productions

Launching Unique Entertainment Talent & Production Company, known as LUE Productions, was established in 2005 with the mission of offering a safe and productive venue for artists of all ages to display their talents. They pride themselves in bringing forth unique and entertaining shows for all to enjoy. Their events over the years have provided a public forum for families to enjoy special presentations from our communities most talented. As the organization has expanded, they have held successful shows which allowed artists in the Inland Empire and surrounding cities gain exposure through special events such as Musical Concerts, Talent Shows, Open MIC Nights, and Theatrical Plays. LUE Productions is community-oriented and has committed it’s time and resources to giving back to the community.