Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Eta Nu Omega Chapter were among the “Divine Nine (9)” being honored on Sunday, July 20 at Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church by Pastor La Quetta Simmons, Pastor Kelvin Simmons and Minister Jenise Bush.

The “Divine Nine (9)” includes Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Founded 1908, Howard University; Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Founded 1914, Howard University; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Founded 1922, Butler University; and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Founded 1963, Morgan State University. Collectively, these organizations make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

These organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families with a strong spiritual faith with a connection to “Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.”   The “Divine Nine (9)” history is known for having a long tradition of benevolent, forefront of civic action, community service and philanthropy, including such trail blazers as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coretta Scott King, Thurgood Marshall, Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Toni Morrison, Arthur Ashe, Lena Horne, Rosa Parks, Hattie McDaniel, Johnnie Cochran, Tavis Smiley, Harry Belafonte and George Washington Carver to name a few.

Members of these organizations take great pride in the sacrifices that the great men and women before them made through the grace of God that provided their current prominence as strong African American fraternities and sororities with a solid, achievement-based history and ongoing tradition of excellence in “servicing all mankind.”

Applications are now being accepted for an intensive program of workshops, business planning and business counseling for women who want to start their own businesses.

“It’s Your Time: An Entrepreneurial Training Series for Women,” is offered by the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and sponsored by Citibank.

The workshops offer women the opportunity to receive education, counseling and individual support to help develop a workable business idea. Participants chosen for the program must attend a minimum of 12 workshops, work individually with a business counselor for at least two hours, and write a business plan to complete the program.

Three graduating participants will be selected to receive an award to help launch their new ventures.

Applications for “It’s Your Time” are available at the IEWBC website and must be completed and submitted by Monday, July 21, at 5 p.m.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Program orientation for qualified participants will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, and participants will have until November to complete the program requirements.

Located at 3780 Market St. in Riverside, the IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.

The center’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. For more information, visit the IEWBC website or contact Nicole Kinney at (909) 890-1242.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino.  Located in the College of Business and Public Administration, IECE, which administers the program in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is Inland Southern California’s leading organization dedicated to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.

As California faces its most severe drought in recent history, 15 water agencies and city governments from around the Inland Empire will launch iEfficient, a coordinated multimedia public outreach campaign to urge water conservation.

A dynamic advertising campaign including freeway billboards, social media engagement and a kickoff event at the Inland Empire 66ers game on July 22 will support this effort and ask thousands of local residents and businesses to do their part to end water waste in the Inland Empire.

“By collaborating we are able to reach more people with the message that they are a vital part of the solution,” said Bob Tincher, manager of water resources, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. “We’re partnering with other agencies, but most importantly we’re partnering with the community to conserve. It is time for the IE to show the rest of the state that we take water
conservation seriously.”

iEfficient.com connects customers to existing tools and provides information on how to put those resources to work protecting local water resources. The site, and a mobile app under development, marries the knowledge and experience of 15 water agencies and local governments, making water efficiency convenient for residents and businesses alike.

iEfficient is one way local agencies are meeting the state mandate to cut water use 20 percent by 2020. Due to historic drought conditions, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency and asked all Californians to cut their water use by 20 percent. Real impacts are being felt across the state and the Inland Empire is no exception. These dry conditions mean that regions like ours are at increased risk for wildfires and must learn to live without imported water from Northern California.

“This drought is not going away any time soon,” said Amanda Kasten, water conservation coordinator for West Valley Water District. “By making conservation a way of life we can secure our water resources now and in the future.”

Together with the public’s support, the Inland Empire will serve as a model of regional cooperation and set an example for the rest of the state.

Participating agencies and governments include: City of Redlands, City of Loma Linda, City of Colton, City of Rialto, City of Riverside, City of Corona, Jurupa Community Services District, Yucaipa Valley Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, Riverside Highland Water Company, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, West Valley Water District, Western Municipal Water District, and East Valley Water District.

To learn more about iEfficient and to do your part to end water waste today, visit iEfficient.com.

Chief Moreno

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- After 24 years of dedicated service to the United States Navy and years of helping to preserve our freedom, Chief Victor Hugo Moreno, 42, will retire on Friday, July 18. Moreno dedicated his life to the service at the young age of 18, and due to being away for work he missed the birth of his four children, their first steps, their first day of school, and the birth of his first grandchild; however, he will not get to spend time with them, who are all now adults.

Prior to his military days, Moreno and his family moved to California from Mexico in 1976 and settled in San Bernardino in 1984. He then graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1990, and from there he joined the Navy. After his basic training he went home and married his wife the former Conna A. Turner.

During his years of service he served as a Logistics Specialist where he completed two Western Pacific Deployments (WESTPAC) “91-92” and “93”. In October of 1994, he transferred to his first Shore Duty at Naval Sub Base Pt. Loma, San Diego.  Picked up SK2 during this time, but more importantly his youngest son, Emmanuel A. Moreno, was born.

In July of 1997 he reported to PCD (Pre Com Detachment) Pearl Harbor and in January of 1998 he went to Avondale, New Orleans along with his crew to take the USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD-52), a Harpers Ferry class Amphibious Assault Ship, from the shipyard. It was there that he completed two more  WESTPAC’s, “00” and “01-02”. He also finished his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification (ESWS) during this time, and was meritoriously promoted to SK1 under the Command Advancement Program (CAP) in Jun of 2001.

Moreno has received several awards for his service, which include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (four awards), Good Conduct Medal (seven awards), and various unit and campaign awards.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino High School is seeking sponsors for its 10th annual Miss Cardinal City pageant, scheduled for Saturday, September 20 at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts. Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios founded the Miss and Mr. Cardinal City pageants to promote school pride and self-esteem among the students. The pageants have blossomed into a chance for students to develop leadership skills and become involved in their community.

Miss Cardinal City contestants, all high school seniors, compete in both on- and off-stage events. A panel of community judges will rank contestants in the September 20 on-stage events, including evening gown, interview, and sportswear. Off-stage rankings include grades and attendance.

Rios hopes local businesses will support the school and young ladies by sponsoring the event with cash or in-kind donations. Miss Cardinal City 2014-2015 will represent San Bernardino High School alongside reigning Mr. Cardinal Samuel Moreno and his court, Rosalio Cruz and Joseph Ortega.

Sponsors for the Mr. Cardinal City 2014-2015 pageant, held in April, included Toyota of San Bernardino, Fairview Ford, D’Arca Formal Wear, San Bernardino Councilwoman Virginia Marquez, Pat Williams of Angels’ Closet Charities, First Presbyterian Church, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hickey, Trophy House, Mr. Jim Smith, The Way World Outreach, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Arellano, The Sun newspaper, Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Lawrence, San Bernardino High Class of 1952, and Stater Bros. Markets.

To sponsor the Miss Cardinal City pageant, contact Jamie Rios at (909) 881-8058.

Rudy Maldonado

By Rudy Maldonado, Vice President and Branch Manager (MUFG Union Bank, N.A.)

Every year, it seems stores start playing holiday music and decorating earlier than the year before.  By mid-summer, most national monthly magazines have already completed their special holiday issues, and many financial advisors agree that this a good time to start saving for the holidays.  Whether you are setting a gift budget, making travel plans or scheduling a holiday party, you’re more likely to have a realistic view of your finances and stay within your budget when you aren’t under the pressure of a tight deadline.  In addition to preventing a post-holiday spending hangover, getting an early start on your financial holiday planning may also allow you more time to enjoy the season. Here are some suggestions to consider:

Make a list and check it twice

Develop a list of the people you usually buy gifts for during the holidays.  Next, make a list of items you normally buy this time of year, such as greeting cards, contributions to charitable organizations, holiday meals and traditions, travel and entertainment.  Take inventory of what you already have – wrapping paper, decorations, stored gifts, etc.  Consider selling surplus items online or at a yard sale for extra cash to add to your holiday budget or savings.

Develop a budget and save

Once you’ve taken inventory, determine the maximum you can spend on each item to help determine your budget and the amount you will need to save over the next few months.  It might be helpful to look through last year’s receipts or billing statements to get an idea of how much you spent.  Developing a spending plan before you begin shopping may also help you avoid impulse buying.

To help boost your holiday savings, establish automatic transfers or have part of your paycheck deposited into a targeted savings account.  You might also consider additional seasonal work to bring in more cash, or cut back on your everyday spending.  If you’re still coming up short, early preparation will allow you time to manage the expectations of your family and friends accordingly.

Shop early and take advantage of sales

We all know that seasoned gift giver who completes his/her holiday shopping by September.  Start comparison shopping now for gifts, and keep an eye out for coupons and online deals.  Look into high-demand items that might be more expensive and difficult to obtain during the holidays, and make those purchases when you have the available cash.  It may also be prudent to take advantage of end-of-summer sales, Thanksgiving or Black Friday specials and other opportunities to save.

Keep track of purchases

Keep your holiday gift list handy by considering a smartphone application such as Santa’s Bag-Christmas Gift List (available through the AppleApp Store^SM) that helps manage gift recipients, shopping and budget lists.  Designate a secure spot in your home or garage where you can store gifts and other items, and if you also get a jump on wrapping, be sure to label each gift for easy identification.

Get crafty

Giving handmade gifts can help save on your holiday budget, and starting now will give you plenty of time to get crafty.  For example, if you have a green thumb, planting an inexpensive bulb in the fall will often provide you with a beautiful blooming plant to give in time for the holidays.  For other DIY ideas, there are numerous resources online.

Book travel early

Fares often increase closer to the holidays, so try to book airline and hotel reservations in advance for potential savings.  You will generally get a lower rate if you purchase at least 21 days in advance, so do some research now.  Check with your employer or organizations you may belong to, such as AAA and AARP, to explore travel discounts, or visit online travel sites that might also help you save.

The foregoing article is intended to provide general information about preparing financially for the holidays and is not considered financial or tax advice.  Please consult your financial or tax advisor.

About MUFG Union Bank, N.A

Rudy Maldonado is a vice president and branch manager of MUFG Union Bank, N.A.’s, Coronado Branch.  MUFG Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service bank with offices across the United States.  We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial, retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of customers.  The bank also offers an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for customers, including investment banking, personal trust, capital markets, global treasury management, transaction banking and other services.  With assets of $106.7 billion (USD), as of March 31, 2014, the bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings and capital ratios relative to peer banks.  MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MTU), one of the world’s largest financial organizations with total assets of approximately ¥258 trillion (JPY) or $2.5 trillion (USD)¹, as of March 31, 2014.  MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, the financial holding company and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. have corporate headquarters in New York City.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, July 12 the Devore Animal Shelter received 100 dog beds from Animal Rescue Aid, a non-profit that focuses on helping animals at other non-profits, The beds were delivered and assembled by volunteers of Animal Rescue.

The City of San Bernardino Animal Control is dedicated to providing a wide range of services for people and animals in the cities of San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Colton and Fontana. Services include pet adoption and licensing, spaying and neutering, vaccinations and informing the community about responsible pet ownership.

RIALTO, CA- Rain Mobile Boutique presents, “Ribbon Cutting”, a grand roll-out celebration, Saturday, July 19. A pink carpet affair; come sip, shop, and celebrate at Raquel’s Jazz Lounge located at 134 S. Riverside Drive in Rialto from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., look forward to a lovely evening. (By Noelle Lilley)

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t fall for Satan lies! Satan says, bow to me, turn to the ways of the world, submit to temptation, and I’ll give you whatever you want in this life. The devil is a bold faced LIAR. You bow down to the devil, and no matter what he promised you, even if he could give it to you, it’s a loose, loose situation. He is in the business of deceit and deception, and don’t give a care about you. It is your soul he is after and if he can get you to buy into his lies, your soul he will have and you both will end up in Hell!

So no matter what sweet deal the devil offers you, rebuke him in the name of Jesus…Yell at him like you yell at your kids, (just keeping it real) Get away from me! Get out of here! But know at the same time that even after you done all the yelling, the devil will keep coming. He’ll keep trying. That’s what the devil does. He thinks that maybe, just for a moment, you’ll forget who you are; forgot you belong to Jesus, and fall into his trap. He’ll put you on the slippery slope with little temptations, he’ll play on your pride and your ego, and eventually, when all else fails, just like with Jesus, he’ll offer you the world. But he’s a LIAR, and he won’t follow through and you will have sold you soul for nothing. Jesus remembered who He was and in each of His temptations He quoted from Scripture, and it STOPPED the devil cold. He knew that there was nothing of value the devil could give Him. It was all a trap that led to nowhere.

Anytime the devil hurls something at you, rebuke him in Jesus name. And let me remind you, the devil’s not your friend, he’s not your confidant, he’s your enemy!  Don’t play ball with the devil!  Seek to understand him. If you know what your enemy is like, and what he is apt to do, you can develop a battle plan to defeat him. We as Christians are at war with Satan, but we will never be victorious until we understand the enemy and learn to depend upon our Savior. If we are going to overcome we must adopt a spiritual warfare worldview and put on the whole armor of God, so that we will have the tools necessary to defeat our enemy.

You should understand this fact –. The devil wants to take you out- Period! He wants to murder your purity, he wants to kill your happiness, he wants to destroy your spiritual life, and he wants nothing more than your death. If you are a Christian, your death takes your influence out of this world. If you are not a Christian, your death delivers you into the Devil’s hands. He will tell any lie, and make up any accusation, in order to kill you. Make no mistake about it!

You better hear me now! Once you have heard the truth, you had better respond to it. When you’ve heard God’s message of love spoken to you, respond to it. When you’ve heard the Holy Spirit moving you to change something in your life or to do something for Him, respond to it. Do what He says. Because when you hear the Spirit speaking to you and you ignore it, the Bible tells us that you’re worse off than if you’d never been shown the light. You have no excuse anymore because you know the truth. You know what it takes to get to Heaven. You know what God wants you to do. The mercy of God will extend to great lengths, but God is a gentleman and He won’t keep on pushing you when you keep on ignoring Him. Listen for the voice of God and obey Him when He speaks.

You have been confronted with the truth. And it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do with it. Are you going to respond to it? Or are you going to ignore it? It’s totally up to you. It’s your choice. But I plead with you to respond to it. Because when you stand before God on that final day and you say, “But I didn’t do anything,” His response will be, “I know, that’s just it; you didn’t do anything…Away from me, you evildoers!”

LOS ANGELES, CA- Help make a difference on Saturday, July 19 at the Peace Walk and Peace Talk, sponsored by the Trayvon Martin Foundation. This event will be hosted by Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton with celebrity guests like Nipsey Hustle, Big Boy of Power 106, and more. Be a part of the change in your community as you support this event at Historic Crenshaw High School located at 5010 11th Avenue in Los Angeles. For more information call (305) 600-8810. (By Noelle Lilley).