UPLAND, CA– Keisha Harris, an educator in the Rialto Unified School District, took a leap of faith when she decided to embark on a new journey to publish her first children’s book.

“Giving children a voice has always been  been my mission as a writer.  I want to give life to their adventures,”  Keisha Harris states.

“Beware of the Common Core” is a comical adventure about a boisterous six year who will be entering the world of first grade.  She’s excited about starting school this year until she receives a suspicious letter in the mail about some strange “common core” that has invaded her school over the summer.  Convinced it must be a contagious virus, she tries to devise a plan to send it back to Washington only to discover the true meaning of the Common Core.

This is the first book released in the Alley Petes series.  Each book concentrates on a core standard and introduces new strategies and techniques to help children comprehend new concepts in language arts and math.  The book’s comical flare is designed to captive a young audience while incorporating literacy and language skills. The concept behind the Alley Petes series is to create a series of short stories that demonstrates a child ability to overcome her struggles with mastering complex standards.  The use of humor is a guaranteed motivator to encourage children to read.  “Beware of the Common Core” will keep young readers engaged and wanting to read more about Alley’s adventures.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Friday, February 14, the Post 14 will be hosting a Valentines Love Affair at the Legion Post located at 863 N. “D” Street in San Bernardino. The affair starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until 2 a.m. There will be drink specials through out the night. So if you don’t have plans for Valentines Day, then come down and party with Fernando Harkless and DJ Richie Rich. The cost is just $10, and Legionaries are free! For more information, please call 909-885-4090. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  The San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) is offering free tax preparation and e-filing services for qualifying low to moderate income taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Services are available to those who earned less than $52,000 in 2013. Tax returns are filed electronically, for both California and federal taxes. Taxpayers can call to make appointments and there are extended hours and Saturday appointments available. Walk-ins are also welcome. Bilingual tax preparation services are available. Refunds are received in as few as 7 days after acceptance. In addition to locations at TAD offices, there are several  VITA Mobile Tax Locations for San Bernardino County residents to visit. It is the ninth year that TAD has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free, accurate, certified tax preparation services through the VITA program. The VITA campaign is focused on increasing awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, which most VITA qualified taxpayers are eligible to receive. This credit was developed to help assist those who are in financial need as well as to reward employment. Every year, thousands of families miss out on this tax credit; money that could be used to help meet their families’ basic needs. The additional money that taxpayers receive from the EITC has proven to help boost the local economy. In 2013, TAD provided tax preparation services to more than 7,700 taxpayers in our local communities and processed more than $15.2 million in combined federal and state refunds; of this, $7.2 million was a direct result of TAD’s efforts in increasing families’ access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refundable credits. “For those who are eligible to receive this free service, it can provide life changing outcomes,” said Nancy Swanson, Director of Transitional Assistance. “The earned income credit can be a much needed financial boost for taxpaying individuals and families in our local community and we are proud to be partnering, once again, with the IRS on the VITA program.” For further information regarding VITA program eligibility requirements, please visit our VITA website at hs.sbcounty.gov/VITA or call 909-252-4903.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA- The renowned Harlem Globetrotters will take fan interaction to a new level when the 2014 “Fans Rule” World Tour comes to the Southland for games at Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.;  the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 16 at 12:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; and Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on Monday, February 17 at 2 p.m. Online voting is now open at harlemglobetrotters.com/rule, where all fans can choose which new game-changing rules they want to see in their hometown.

The Globetrotters were the first organization in sports and entertainment to let fans vote on rules when the team introduced the concept last year.  Since the fan response was so overwhelming, the team is doing it again – but with a major twist. Tickets are also available at harlemglobetrotters.com and each respective arena box office.  Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at harlemglobetrotters.com. A collaboration with METRO allows riders to save $5 on select tickets by showing their valid TAP card, Metro employee ID at the box office, or use the promo code: METRO when purchasing tickets online.

2014 Mr Cardinal group07

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On April 5, thirteen young men from San Bernardino High School (SBHS) will attempt to demonstrate that they have the Cardinal City virtues of justice, fortitude, school spirit, and charity. The contestants, all SBHS juniors, will take to the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, 780 North E Street in San Bernardino, stage at 6 p.m. to compete for the title of Mr. Cardinal City 2014-2015. Mr. Cardinal represents the high school at local events with co-royalty Miss Cardinal City. The pageants were named to honor San Bernardino High’s status as a chartered city, Cardinal City. Local businesses and community groups interested in supporting the event should contact Jamie Rios, bilingual school outreach worker, by phone at 909-881-8217 or by email at jamie.rios@sbcusd.com. Mr. Cardinal City 2013-2014 sponsors included Stater Bros. Markets, Trophy House, San Bernardino High Class of 1952, The Sun newspaper, Toyota of San Bernardino, D’Arca Formal Wear, Angel’s Closets, San Bernardino City Unified School District, Virginia Marquez, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hickey, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Arellano, Miss Corina Borsuk, and San Bernardino High School Associated Student Body. Tickets for the April 5 Mr. Cardinal City pageant are $7 pre-sale and $10 at the door. Tickets are available from any contestant and Jamie Rios.

Joe Smith

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- To promote awareness and education about mental awareness in the African American community, the Department of Behavioral Health’s African American sub-committee in partnership with the African American Coalition and San Bernardino Valley College will be presenting a day honoring African American Mental Health Awareness week on Tuesday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Library of San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410.

There will be a special message by guest speaker, Joseph Smith, former Los Angeles Lakers player. Smith, born and raised in Norfolk, Virgina, played power forward with the Lakers. He was the College Player of the Year at Maryland in 1996 and the umber 1 draft pick of that season;’s draft. Smith has created an Independent Record Label, novaunitrecords.com, signing his first Latino artist Dino Durand, Smith is intent with breaking boundaries, and bridging gaps between all nationalities. Alter ego “Joe Beast” enjoys writing, rapping, and performing, and has braced many stages through–?out the U.S. Joe Smith continues to participate in several charitable events per year, and enjoys motivational speaking to youth all across the country. For more info email: lynlaneliaison@gmail.com

Honorees with their awards posing with PAFF Founders Ja’Net DuBoise(left) and Ayuko Babu (right)

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Saturday, February 1, the Pan African Film Festival kicked off its’ festivities with ‘A Night of Tribute’ where they honored legendary icons Charles Dutton, Roz Stevenson, Jeff Clanagan, Emayatzy Corinedaldi and Tequan Richmond for their achievements in the film industry.

Hakim Hazim

It’s lamentable when I turn on the radio and hear many young men talking about what they have, did or will do. This show and tell false bravado seems to permeate the air waves.  Attention-seeking behavior rarely appreciates the level of appreciation it receives. It’s never enough. Modern day hip-hop culture has helped to norm this approach to life for many of our young. Now this begs a question about a certain segment of our culture, the poor and marginalized youth who seem to use self-glorification as a way to build their persona due to the fact that most visible means of support are missing from their lives, and the question is this: why? Why do so many feel compelled to act in this manner? Dr. Ryan T Howell hits the nail on the head when he wrote this article “What Drives Us to Get Our Bling On?” (Psychology Today):

“According to the urban dictionary, the term bling came in to the modern vocabulary in the 1990s, possibly imported from Jamaica by American rappers, and meant to indicate either the imagined play of light bouncing off shiny jewelry, or the sound of the metally bits of jewelry “blinging” against itself.

Whatever the specifics of its origin, it turns out to be no accident that a term meant to describe and draw attention to shiny, expensive possessions grew out of low-income, inner-city environments. As a new study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology demonstrated, the ostentatious display of expensive personal adornments is most likely to be practiced by people who perceive themselves to be of low status.”

As a black male raised in an athletics-oriented family, I remember a gnawing desire to distinguish myself and be good at something. Muhammad Ali was my idol so I learned to talk trash, play the dozens and stay witty. Most of this was fun, but some of it was insecurity and false bravado. Fortunately I had a strong father who curbed a lot of this. I learned from his example that self hype was meaningless. He said, “Let someone else toot your horn. If you are really worth something they will.” Sadly, many of our youth don’t have a strong male figure in their lives to curb the excessive showmanship that constantly competes with peers in the form of possessions, women and trash talk. Stuck in a state of perpetual adolescence, the music reflects the wounds of children screaming for affirmation, even when they are well into adulthood.

This social commentary is about a chronic insecurity that has caused many of our young, disadvantaged youth of today to substitute gimmickry, fashion, sexual prowess, material possessions and catch phrases in the place of substance and gravitas. The unfortunate thing is this: once that behavior sets in it proves difficult to change and continues well into adulthood. The cries for attention can be concealed in religiosity, business, sports, entertainment, athletics and just about every other platform. Sadly, no amount of applause, bling or recognition can fill that void. Bling is to fool’s gold what character is to a good name. This is what we need to teach. This is what we need to live.

The 3rd Annual State of Black Male/Female Relationships Conference will take place Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Western University of Health Sciences 701 East 2nd Street Health Education Center in Pomona. ATTENDANCE FEE is $10 for adults  and $5 for teens. Fee includes lunch. Pre-register now at www.pvacdst.org, but remember space is limited! On-Site Registration is available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at $15/Adults  and $5/Teens. Please note that on-site registration is limited and based on space availability. Couples, singles, and teens are all welcomed.

L to R 1st Row: Mrytle Foster, Ruth Harris, Annette Weathington (President), Rev. Paul S. Munford, Darnetta Duncan, Twillea Evans-Carthen, Harriet Moore, Joni Wright; 2nd Row L to R: Devorlynn Celestine, Carol, Yvonne Ashe, Geri Fox-All Kater, Earnestine Warren, Alice LaTouche, Olivia Taylor-Smith, Lorraine Melbourne)

RIVERSIDE, CA- Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter of San Bernardino-Riverside chapter celebrated the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.106 years of “Service to All Mankind” on Sunday, January 26 at New Joy Baptist Church in Riverside.  The ladies were the guest of golden member, Ms. Darnetta Duncan who has been a member of the sorority for over 50 years and a current member of Eta Nu Omega Chapter.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is known for being an international, community service organization of college women founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by 16 courageous young women. It is the first Greek letter sorority for black college women with over 260,000 members in more than 900 chapters around the world. It is an organization whose mission is to provide “Service to All Mankind.” The sorority implements this through its many service projects such as the Emerging Young Leaders Program for middle school girls, which benefits the Inland Empire.  Happy Founders’ Day! For future events, please visit www.etanuomega.org