As state lawmakers tussle over how to boost California’s dwindling water supply, black consumers cope with rising prices caused by the shortage.

BY OLU ALEMORU | CALIFORNIA BLACK MEDIA

Despite the prolonged and severe drought in California, it seems the political divide in Sacramento has torpedoed any consensus on how to manage a resource that one non-partisan advocate calls the state’s “lifeblood.”

Last month, legislation authored by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to create a $10.5 billion water bond failed to gain the required two-thirds majority; 22 Democrats voted for, nine Republicans opposed it and nine lawmakers didn’t vote.

If passed, Wolk’s bill, SB 848, would have replaced an $11.9 billion bond slated to appear on the statewide ballot in November. According to Wolk and her Democratic colleagues, that measure is doomed to failure because it includes a Republican-supported demand to build two tunnels underneath the California Delta in order to divert water to farming interests in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

Rejection of her legislation “was a missed opportunity,” said Wolk. “It was especially disappointing to see my Republican colleagues from Northern California tie their horses to the Delta Tunnels and support the current bond written in 2009 rather than the tunnel neutral approach in SB 848 that was before them. The 2009 bond promotes the tunnels and is doomed to be rejected by the voters. We are in a drought. The voters want real solutions, not the tunnels.

She added: “There is no better time than now to act. SB 848 includes water solutions for every region of the state that reflect local needs and priorities. This bond doesn’t hurt any region and, critically, it avoids investments in controversial projects like the Delta Tunnels that will result in opposition at the ballot. SB 848 is the only proposal that doesn’t provoke a North-South water war and meets Republican core demand for surface storage.”

However, Sen. Andy Vidak (R-Hanford), sees the matter much differently. “This water bond proposal leaves the Valley behind,” he said. “It’s pointless to store water if you can’t move it to where it’s needed. I can’t support a water bond that is worse than the 2009 … bond that’s already on this November’s ballot.”

With the clock ticking, time to replace the bond is not on lawmakers’ side. As for whether any viable bond proposal can be completed within the next three months before the session ends Aug. 31, Wolk sounded hopeful.

“Yes, a proposal could move forward,” she said. “However, many groups are threatening to kill any bond measure that does not meet their narrow interests, despite the good a bond might do for the entire state.

“If the Legislature does not act, the current water bond will remain on the ballot. As mentioned before, that bond is extremely divisive, and extremely unpopular with voters. It is unlikely to pass. If the polls are correct, and the bond fails, we will miss an opportunity to provide necessary funding for hundreds of necessary water projects throughout the state.”

Meanwhile, the importance of water to California cannot be overstated.

The non-partisan non-profit California Water Alliance notes that California is the nation’s leading agricultural producer, providing 1.1 million jobs, and generating estimated annual sales of $36 billion and another $100 billion in economic activity. It also takes into account the state’s enormous tourist and recreational industries and how a safe, reliable water supply is critical to the environmental health of every Californian.

“Water is the lifeblood of California,” said Bettencourt, the Alliance’s executive director. “Los Angeles became Los Angeles because of the availability of water to that area. It’s the reason we have the different cities and different industries. That was the brilliance of our forefathers. We have rain and snow in the Sierras that is able to be captured and moved throughout the state and raise up what is now the ninth largest economy in the world.

“So it’s the basic essential of life in southern California. Whether it’s the shipping industry in Long Beach and San Pedro, laundries, hotels and the tourist industry. It’s all available because of the ability of reliable, clean water.”

In terms of the pending legislation, Bettencourt urged lawmakers to grasp the nettle.

“The failing of Sen. Wolk’s bill is a great example of the long, hard, and often complicated work by representatives of all types of water users — [agricultural], urban and environmental — that goes into developing a truly comprehensive water bond package,” she said. “Years of work went into developing the 2009 water bond package to ensure that it addressed the challenges and planned for future needs of all water users and the environment statewide. As such, the 2009 package passed the state legislature and was signed by the governor. What we see today is all part of the democratic process; the long, hard work of sifting through ideas and proposals with the goal of developing one that best addresses the state’s water needs.”

Bettencourt added: “The water bonds are there to primarily address issues that have been left un-checked for a while. California hasn’t developed any new water infrastructure for our growing base of people since the 60s. Basically, we need to increase the size of the bucket for California. We need water to provide for those 38 million people and the environment.”

Two of those millions include South Los Angeles-area couple Naomi and Randy McSwain, who are part of the growing trend of green-fingered urbanites who like to grow their own food — in this case, in their well-tended Inglewood garden

The McSwains — Naomi runs a children’s nonprofit, Randy is an artist — have definitely noticed an increase in their grocery bill and have tried to accommodate that by shopping around.

“We heard that the drought was affecting prices, so we’ve been adding new vendors,” Naomi told CBM. “We started going to Superior Markets and we’ve returned to the 99 Cent Stores. We also use Amazon Fresh. In the last six months my husband has planted new items because he said the prices were just getting ridiculous.

“However, we then noticed a big increase in our water bills and he had to start cutting back. It’s kind of a Catch-22 situation. We started doing more gardening because of the high grocery bills and then had water issues and wondered if it was worth it.”

CHICAGO, IL — Today, Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), launched its new JET magazine app.  The app replaces the printed edition of the magazine.  The new digital magazine app will add fresh content on a weekly basis, every Friday.  Readers will be entertained by 3D images, video interviews, enhanced digital maps, audio content and photography from the JPC archives.

The app will be available on all tablet and mobile platforms.  There will be a free introductory offer of 30 days for all subscribers.

Actress Keke Palmer, the youngest talk show TV host of her new show “Just Keke,” is featured on the cover.  Inside the issue, the actress discusses what it was like growing up on camera, her talk show idols, and dealing with social media drama.

“This is such an honor,” said Keke Palmer.  “JET Magazine was always on the table in my family’s home and it’s great to be their first cover as they enter into the digital age.”

“I am excited to carry the torch of the iconic JET brand into the digital realm,” said Kyra Kyles, the newly appointed editorial director of both JET magazine app and JETmag.com.  “I am confident that we can keep the legacy of the magazine for generations.”

The first JET magazine app will offer:

• The first 360-degree view of the JET Beauty, with enhanced interaction with the model
• An exclusive viewing of Black&Sexy TV’s RoomieLoverFriends debut episode of season three – available only to JET app subscribers until July 6
• A chance to win a VIP experience to the largest house music event in the country – the 25th Annual Chosen Few Picnic (2015) in Chicago
• Featured celebrities – Stacey Dash, Anthony Anderson, Trey Songz and Taraji P. Henson

Instructions on how to download the new app can be found at JETMag.com and Ebony.com.

YAP AmeriCorp Graduates, staff and Elected Official Dignitaries Photo by Naomi K. Bonman

Written by Naomi K.  Bonman

Joesph Williams being presented with a from Bank of America

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, June 26, the Youth Action Project (YAP) held its 2013-2014 AmeriCorps Members Graduation ceremony. The ceremony was held at the San Bernardino Adult School. The brief ceremony featured a light meal as guests gathered in before the ceremony followed by a welcome from YAP Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joesph Williams. YAP AmeriCorps Alumni Shonda Hutton was the keynote speaker for the evening where she spoke on “Self-Love and Knowing Who You Are”. She explained the four steps to success which were:

1. Defining your purpose
2. Knowing Your role. You don’t know everything. Make sure to value teamwork because ‘Teamwork makes the Dream work”.
3. Involve yourself around those who are succeeding and doing what you desire to do. Take notes and have them take you under their wings as their mentee.
4. Cultivate your relationships. Serve with those that you become involved with. Thank them often.

Proceeding Hutton, Alfred Arguello of Bank America presented YAP with a check for their dedication and commitment to everything that do in the community.  Kimberly Scott, YAP Program Assistant; and Tremanine Mitchell, Director of Operations, then recognized each graduated and presented them with their certificates and acknowledgments from elected officials throughout San Bernardino County and State District.

2014 community supporters included  Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, 47th District; San Bernardino Mayor, Carey R. Davis; Senator Mike Morrell, 23rd District; Fontana City Mayor, Acquanetta Warren; San Bernardino City Unified School District; San Bernardino  Employment Training Agency; California Volunteers, AmeriCorps; and Corporation for National and Community Service.

The three partner sites were Arroyo Valley High School, San Gorgonio High School, and San Bernardino Adult Education.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) registered nurse Cheryl Meis, holds her Woman of Distinction award, which was presented to Meis at the 2014 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony held recently at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The annual event recognizes women from throughout the region who demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities.

COLTON, CA – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) registered nurse Cheryl Meis, of Highland, was honored at the 2014 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony held recently at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. Meis was one of 75 women recognized for making a positive difference in the community.

“Cheryl always goes above and beyond her regular duties,” said ARMC Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle Sayre. “Her dedication to patients and their families is an inspiration to all of us.”

Meis, an employee at the hospital since 1980, said she wanted to be a nurse since she was a little girl. She took a step toward that goal in high school by taking a hospital services class. Meis began her medical career as a nursing attendant in the Medical Center’s emergency department. After earning her nursing degree, Meis worked in the hospital’s burn center for about 12 years and in other areas including the intensive care unit, emergency department and ARMC’s Family Health Centers.

“I feel very humbled to receive this award,” said Meis, who is a critical care nurse. “I never expected to be honored for doing what I love to do, but it is a wonderful surprise.”

The Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony, held each year by state Sen. Mike Morrell, honors women from throughout the region who demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the awards.

ARMC is a state-of-the-art acute care facility with a full range of inpatient and outpatient services including a Level II trauma center, 24/7 emergency department, mobile medical clinic, primary stroke center, and a regional burn center. For more information, visit: www.arrowheadmedcenter.org.

Ms. Carolyn in front of her new home

After raising her four children and putting them through college, Ms. Carolyn, at her 64 young years of age and disabled can finally call herself a homeowner. After living in an affordable senior housing complex, she recently moved into her newly renovated home in the City of San Bernardino. Aside from assistance from Housing Authority staff, partners such as the City Lift Program through Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire, Community Housing Trust Program through Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, and the City of San Bernardino HOME Program helped make her long awaited dream a reality.

“A home provides a stable environment and I’m so honored and pleased to finally be a homeowner,” expresses Ms. Carolyn. “I’m excited every day to be here. I can finally spend more time with my grandchildren who can visit freely unlike when I lived in the senior community. This means a lot to me” continued Ms. Carolyn.

At a young age she aspired to attend college and eventually buy a home. However, she put her dreams aside to raise her children alone after her divorce. She spent her time nurturing, educating, and pushing her children towards a path of success. Now that they are all grown up and independent, she is focusing on her personal goals. “Everything is perfect,” emphasized Ms. Carolyn as she gleams with joy!  Good luck Ms. Carolyn in achieving your next endeavors and congratulations again!

The 20^th annual National HIV Testing Day is Friday, June 27, 2014.  With an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV and one in six are unaware of their infection in the United States, this testing initiative’s message “Take the Test, Take Control” is a giant step in the right direction toward an AIDS free generation. The County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health Clinic Operations is hosting its annual free HIV testing event on Friday, June 27^th 2014. The event will be at the corner of Baseline Avenue and “F” Street, in the City of San Bernardino from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

One of the goals of President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy is to reduce new HIV infection rates by 25% by the year 2015. This will take a combination of strategies: increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention efforts in our communities, and increasing the number of people living with HIV who know their status. Although great strides have been made in the prevention of the spread of HIV, according to the 2010 AIDS Surveillance Report by the California Office of AIDS, there are up to 7,000 new cases of HIV in the state each year.

“Early HIV diagnosis is critical, so people who are infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments,” said Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D., County of San Bernardino Health Officer. “Finding out whether you are infected with HIV is the first step to improving your health, and the health of your community.”

On June 27, 2014 HIV Testing counselors will be available to provide free testing and prizes, as well as answer any questions regarding HIV to community members who would like to know their HIV status. The Department’s Clinic Operations section provides conventional HIV antibody testing at all public health clinic locations.  Additionally, rapid HIV testing which provides results in 20 minutes is offered via a mobile testing unit at various alternative testing sites throughout the County of San Bernardino.

For more information on National HIV Testing Day events or about HIV/AIDS and testing, call the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, AIDS program at (800) 255-6560, or Clinic Operations at (800) 722-4777.

Interest rates and fees rise, subsidized loans won’t accrue interest during grace period

Oakland, CA – July 1 is when most changes to federal student aid go into effect for the coming school year.  Several are lined up for 2014-15, including higher interest rates on new student loans for undergraduates, graduate students, and parents. The Institute on College Access & Success’ (TICAS) Project on Student Debt has created a new easy-to-read chart with interest rates, loan amounts, and other useful information about federal loans issued in 2014-15.

In 2013, Congress changed the interest-rate rules for federal student loans. Rates for new loans are now set each year based on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note rate in the spring of that year plus a fixed percentage that varies based on the loan type. Those rates are then fixed for the life of the loans.

“Federal student loans are still the safest way to borrow for college, with fixed rates, flexible repayment options like income-based repayment, and consumer protections like discharges when schools close,” said Lauren Asher, TICAS president. “But with interest rates on the rise, federal loans are expected to cost students and families more over time than if Congress had simply left them alone last year. Without clear information about the benefits of federal loans, news of rising rates may lead more borrowers to take on much riskier private loans instead.”

The rates for new loans this year are lower than if Congress had let the old rules stand, but beginning next July, the rates on some loans are expected to be higher than under prior law.  According to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections, rates for new loans will rise substantially over the next decade and generate $127 billion in government profits at borrowers’ expense.  Under prior law, interest rates would have consistently been 6.8% for all Stafford loans and 7.9% for PLUS loans. Under currentlaw, CBO projects rates for undergraduates to exceed 6.8% by 2017, and rates for graduate students and parents to top their old levels in 2015, just one year from now.

The changes coming on July 1 also include some good news for students and families:

• For new subsidized loans, interest won’t accrue during the six-month grace period before the first payment is due.  (This benefit was temporarily eliminated for subsidized loans issued in 2012-13 and 2013-14.)
• The maximum Pell Grant will increase by $85 to $5,730 (up from $5,645), financed by savings from cutting costly middlemen out of the student loan process back in 2010. However, even with this increase, the maximum Pell Grant will cover less than a third of what it costs to attend a four-year public college, the smallest share since the program began.

And here’s how the higher loan costs break down for federal student loans issued in 2014-15:

• Fixed interest rates
  • Stafford loans for undergraduates: 4.66% (up from 3.86% for loans issued in 2013-14).
  • Stafford loans for graduate students: 6.21% (up from 5.41% for loans issued in 2013-14).
  • Parent and Graduate PLUS loans: 7.21% (up from 6.41% for loans issued in 2013-14).
•  Origination fees
  • Because of budget sequestration enacted by Congress in 2011, origination fees will rise for federal Direct loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2014. For Stafford loans the fee will be 1.073% of the loan principal (up from 1.072%); for PLUS loans it will be 4.292% (up from 4.288%).

TICAS’ 2013 white paper includes detailed recommendations to keep federal student loans affordable, streamline the loan program, and better target benefits, as well as broader reforms to increase college affordability and completion.

For more information on new student loan terms, please see our summary of Federal Student Loan Terms for 2014-15.

1-on-1 Learning with Laptops Tutoring Company is hiring for an Enrollment Representative. 1-on-1 Learning provides free tutoring services to eligible K-12 students, funded through the No Child Left Behind Act and we are looking for people who are passionate about improving children’s lives through education.

The role of the Enrollment Representative is to promote awareness and educate parents about the laptop tutoring program by going door to door in order to inform them about the resources.  Responsibilities include working as a team, distributing flyers, collecting contact information, increasing public awareness, attending local community activities and district events on behalf of the company, administrative duties, and typing/data entry. The requirements for the position includes someone who is bilingual (fluent in Spanish and English a plus), reliable transportation with valid insurance, a smart phone with camera and picture messaging, and sales background experience is a plus.

This is a full-time, seasonal position (40 hours per week), approximately three to four weeks with opportunities available for future projects.  The pay rate is $11 per hour with a monthly cell phone stipend of $25 and bonuses.

For more information, please contact Daniel Flores at (310) 473-0404 or by email at danielf@1on1laptops.com.

Dr. Terri Easley

RIVERSIDE, CA — If you are in the bloom of a new marriage or relationship and want strategies to develop a deeper level of intimacy, or if your marriage has some miles or issues and could use a tune-up, and if you are closer to Divorce Court than the altar and you need a word from the Lord then this roundtable is for you. There is also something for single sisters, whether never married, divorced, widowed or just feeling lonely, invisible, discounted and disrespected with the deepest yearnings to belong; there is something for the “whole” woman.

‘Empowerment for the “Whole” Woman: It’s Our Time’ Roundtable will take place on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Praise Tabernacle Bible Church located at 4550 Eucalyptus Avenue in Chino (91710).  Come hear anointed testimonies and invaluable insight from panelists. The keynote speaker and host is Dr. Terri Easley, author of Seasons of Destiny who will be ministering on “Marriage: A Walk of a Lifetime” (based on Chapter 2 from her book). There will also be leader breakout session led by Dr. Diana White Johnson on “Submission: A Key to a Powerful Godly Marriage”; Linda D. Wright on “Rules of Engagement for Co-parenting (the impact on children)”; and Victoria Menzies on “Singles: The Fear of Losing Control”. There will also be a general session followed by Q&A. Light refreshments will be served. The cost of the conference is $10.00 in advance or $12 at the door. For vendor registration email, lizalight@aol.com. Register today by visiting www.intimeministries.com or calling (951) 710-9608.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) honored outstanding men from the 47th Assembly District at her annual Men of Distinction program on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Terrace Community Center. The recognition event was attended by the honorees and their family members and included special appearances from Mayor Carey Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Virginia Marquez and Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, City of San Bernardino; Mayor Pro Tem Edward Palmer, City of Rialto; City Treasurer Janet Koehler-Brooks, City of Fontana; and Trustee Joseph Williams, San Bernardino Community College District.

The 2014 honorees included: Trustee Randall Ceniceros, Colton Joint Unified School District; Carlos Teran, a longtime community advocate; Alan Dyer, a member of the Board of Directors at the West Valley Water District; Richard Loder, a community volunteer and youth advocate;  Ratibu Jacocks, a consultant and executive board member of the Westside Action Group (WAG); Danny Marquez, founder of Veterans Partnering with Communities, Inc., Kermit Moss, a small business owner; and Matthew Slowik, a planning commissioner for the City of Fontana.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.