By Michael Forbes, MD, FAAP, Director of Clinical Research and Outcomes Analysis, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio

There are an alarming number of preterm births in the U.S., with more than a half million babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation) each year. For reasons unknown, African Americans experience the highest rate of prematurity at 17.1 percent, which is dramatically higher than the national average of 12 percent. In fact, the risk of preterm birth for African-American women is approximately 1.5 times the rate seen in Caucasian women.

Because they were not able to fully develop in their mother’s womb, preemies have unique health needs, often requiring specialized medical attention. Preemies often have underdeveloped lungs and immature immune systems, putting them at increased risk of developing a serious infection from a common respiratory virus known as respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV). RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations for babies during the first year of life, and affects nearly all babies by age two.

Premature infants:

• Are two times as likely to be admitted to the hospital for RSV-related symptoms compared with infants born at full term
• May stay two times longer in the hospital than infants born at full term who are hospitalized for severe RSV disease

Parents of all babies, particularly preemies, should be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of severe RSV disease:

• Coughing or wheezing that does not stop
• Fast or troubled breathing
• Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe
• Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
• Fever (especially if it is over 100.4°F in infants under 3 months of age)

Parents of babies who may be at high risk for severe RSV disease should talk to their doctor to learn all the ways to help protect their baby.

Visit www.rsvprotection.com for more information.

The Know Your Food short film series continues to premiere this season on PBS Food. One film will be released every Thursday until June 19, 2014. Click here to watch!

Please share with your network, and help us bring transparency to the food we eat

POMONA, CA- On Sunday, April 13, The Nile Garden Bookstore located inside the African American Museum of Beginnings (AAMB) and the Institute of MAAT cordially invites you to attend their grand opening celebration  from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The museum is located at 1460 East Holt Avenue, Suite #188 in Pomona (91767). Special guest speaker Queen Mother Yeyefini and performance poet Arkay Evans will empower audiences with presentations that motivate, scintillate and inspire.

Queen Mother (Iyalode) Yeyefini Efunbolade (www.yeyefini.com) is the author of ‘Meaningful Mondays’ and an inspiring charismatic speaker who has brought joy and meaning to lives of thousands of people through her commitment and passion as a spiritual coach, priestess, renown diviner cultural consultant, life coach and President of Yeyefini.com/Balanced Living Inc. She was ordained as a Yoruba/Ifa/Lucumi Priest in 1971, teaches and performs rituals and ceremonies in the West African tradition. She organizes and hosts spiritual retreats and pilgrimages throughout the United States, Caribbean and the world through the International Institute of African Studies and Knowledge (IIASK. Inc), which she founded.

ONTARIO, CA- Ontario, CA – An amazing 238 youth and their families came to Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park for the annual Trout Derby for Kids on Saturday, March 29. The event was organized by San Bernardino County’s Regional Park Department along with Friends of Regional Parks and Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga. This event was a great opportunity for young fishing enthusiast to show off their skills and try to catch the biggest fish in the lake. However this derby also offered a prize for the smallest trout caught.

Just about every participant caught something with over 250 trout getting weighed in. An excited 13 year old Lathan Mallory from Bloomington reeled in the winning trout that came in at an impressive 1.05 pounds. Lathan took home a wagon full of fishing supplies and a trophy for his worthy performance. The smallest trout was rewarded to Raychel Leal of La Quinta who caught a whopping 2 oz. beast. It was a great day of fishing and fun for the families that came out for the derby. Congrats to Lathan and Raychel for their great work! For more information on our other events, visit http://www.sbcounty.gov/parks

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

God has called me to teach His Word, and I have to teach it the way it is. I hear the rest of I Corinthians 13 telling me to love, but how many of you know that love must be exercised within the confines of the truth. God wants to take you to another level, but as long as you keep trying to please people and not Him, you’ll never make it.  I’m afraid most of us spend more time trying to please others than pleasing God.  How different would our lives be and look like if our focus was on pleasing our Heavenly Father and not others?  When we please our Heavenly Father we will give and love others sacrificially. We need to long to hear from God, “Well done my good and faithful servant”, instead of the praise from men and women.  Remember who is living in you and through you.  You love others not through your own strength and power, but through the power of Jesus Christ.

Listen, you don’t have to people-please any more.  You don’t have to live up to anybody’s expectations anymore.  You don’t have to fail any more. Just please God and stop trying to fit in with everybody else.  I just stop by to speak deliverance into your life, to break chains, and break yokes, so that people may be set free!   I dare you to say “After today I will no longer be subject to other people’s expectations.  I’ll no longer be held captive by somebody else’s standards.  No one but God has power over me.  I AM SOMEBODY and I REFUSE to live under a lie and a fantasy anymore just to fulfill someone else standards, I’M FREE!”

There are two great deliverances that you can experience in life. One is from people, the other is from you.  Can I help somebody right now? Listen, God wants to take you to another level, but as long as you keep trying to please people and not God, you’ll never make it!  However, I believe that after today somebody is going to be delivered from people pleasing.  Somebody is going to be released from the bondage of others.  Somebody is going to have a new outlook on life, and the things that used to matter just won’t matter no more.  Somebody is going to be delivered from them.  I dare you to bless the Lord right now. You’re free and whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

Lou Coleman has been ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ since 2001, and she has a degree in Psychology/Counseling, amongst under doctrine certifications.

It’s ya’ girl Ms. LUE and this week this is “What It Do”! I would like to highlight an important event happening in our city this Saturday, April 12. Blaim Society Nation presents: “The Give Back”.  A local community event giving back to the city of San Bernardino, hosted by Slappers on Deck, Heartbreak, and Roc Star BBZ.

In light of all the recent killings, community members young and old are fed up! Several entities have come together to take a stand against VIOLENCE through the sound of music. The event will take place this Saturday, April 12 at Wildwood Park on the corner of 40th street and Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Event coordinator, professional boxer and Mixed Martial Arts Fighter, Trevaugn Moore stated that, “A great community event featuring a positive movement for the city of San Bernardino including all ages from the past, present, and future is needed. Too much negativity has been spread throughout our city long enough. It’s now time for something positive to come about. This is a start to stop the violence, killings, and corruption in our city.”

The day will consist of performances from local artists and artists from surrounding cities. Families will be able to participate in the free activities, food, and fun. There will be special appearances by professional UFC Fighters, World Class Boxing coaches, and Boxers. Please jump in the fight and help promote and bring PEACE to the City of San Bernardino. Until next time take care and let someone know how much you care. The world needs more LOVE!

President, Annette Wealthington graciously receives the certificate of recognition on behalf of the Eta Nu Omega Chapter.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Sunday, April 6, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter of the Inland Empire was among several organizations recognized and honored with a certificate of recognition by Rev. Marrix D. Seymore, Pastor at Amos Temple Methodist Episcopal Church in Riverside. The sorority was acknowledged during morning worship for providing excellent community service for those in need. Members of organization are known for serving beyond themselves as they provide service to all mankind. Women of A.K.A. addressed concerns of people in need through various community service projects recognizing that people would live better if they could. For upcoming community service events, please visit www.etanuomega.org.

Reggie Webb (right), Webb Family Enterprises, presents A. Majadi (left), President of the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino, with a check for $5000 for the program.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Each Monday for the last 42 years the Westside Action Group has met at noon. This past Monday the group met at Stones & Chins Jamaica Restaurant, 763 west Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.  It is like taking a quick, inexpensive trip to Jamaica, from the atmosphere to the food. We first came here as part of WAG’s commitment to support Black Owned Businesses. Now we come because Georgette Chin, owner, runs a great restaurant and has become a real benefit to the community. She is providing, as well as giving to various community based groups, such as the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino.

There were about 25 attendees participating in the meeting and the buffet. During the meeting, A. Majadi, President of the San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club, was presented a check for the club in the amount of $5000 from Restaurateur Reggie Webb, representing Webb Family Enterprises.

“Reggie Webb is a blessing to this community. This check is a symbol of the support and dedication that he has to balancing the playing field for our youth,” Majadi said in response to the gift. “He is a good man and I truly thank him that”. (Written by By Wha-Lee; photos by Photos By NewHawk).