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Following the sudden death of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, the city’s President of the Board of Supervisors, London Breed, made history when she became the city’s first Black female mayor. The 43-year old will carry on in the role until a citywide mayoral election is held in the summer of 2018.

Breed is also only the second woman to be mayor of the city, as the only other woman to be mayor was Mayor Dianne Feinstein from 1978 to 1988. In addition, Breed is also only the second Black person to take the job. The first was Mayor Willie Brown, who served from 1996 to 2004.

But aside from inheriting her role as mayor, she is also planning to actually run for mayor in the 2018 election. She told reporters, “I do feel strongly that I’m qualified and I’m prepared to do this job.”

Born and raised in San Francisco, Breed earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis in 1997 and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco in 2012.

In 2002, Breed became the executive director of the African American Art & Culture Complex, where she raised over $2.5 million to renovate the complex’s 34,000 square foot space. She was named to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Commission in 2004, and in 2010, she was appointed to the San Francisco Fire Commission.

For more details about the San Franciso Mayor’s office, visit www.sfmayor.org.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Harleys and motorcycles of every caliber came out to Quaid Harley-Davidson for the 25th annual toy ride benefiting Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) on Sunday, December 17.

Dealer co-owners and uncle-nephew duo Glenn and Brandon Quaid both acknowledged the importance of the event while addressing the crowd of hundreds of people in attendance.

“It’s important for us to be here and show the kids some love,” said Brandon Quaid.

Over $7,000 was raised for the hospital through ride registrations and independent donations. Additionally, new, unwrapped toys were donated by riders and event attendees, filling a box truck with goodies for patients at LLUCH.

“Once again, our bikers have come together for a great cause,” said Glenn Quaid.

Loma Linda Fire Department was also on hand with a fire truck for photo ops before they led the leather-clad riders through the streets of the city toward the hospital.

Children received free bicycles as Christmas presents on Tuesday, December 19 at an event in Perris. Riverside County’s Community Action Partnership and Bicycles for Children, a non-profit based in Corona, is teaming up this year to provide 75 bicycles to children across the county who met the agencies’ gift guidelines.

RIVERSIDE, CA-Few things will light up a child’s eyes at Christmastime more than a shiny new bicycle.

On Tuesday, December 19, Community Action Partnership (CAP) and a Corona-based non-profit organization, surprised 75 Riverside County children who will be riding a new bike just in time for the holidays. The Holiday Bike Giveaway is handing out the bicycles this week to children from each of the county’s five supervisorial districts.

“It is such a wonderful feeling to see the smiles and laughter when the kids ride the bicycles for the first time knowing they will be able to take the bikes home,” said Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington.

The first batch of bikes was handed out on Tuesday in Perris and others will be given out Wednesday, December 20 in Palm Desert and Thursday, December 21 in Riverside.

“The holidays are a special time of year for our children and families. I am pleased to join with Community Action Partnership of Riverside County to put a smile on the faces of so many children during the holidays,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

The children were selected by a committee made up of CAP staff after being recommended by parents, community members and others. Financial need is a key factor in the selection, CAP officials said. CAP is part of Riverside University Health System-Public Health.

The CAP program started in 2015 and scores of bicycles have been given out over the years. Bicycles for Children, a non-profit based in Corona, was a key partner, and John White, peer assistance and leadership teacher at El Cerrito Middle School, is the program coordinator, said Brenda Salas Freeman, executive director for CAP.

“The program continues to grow which shows there is a need in the community,” said Salas Freeman. “It is worth it to see the joy the bicycles bring to the children.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Stater Bros., in conjunction with its charitable arm Stater Bros. Charities, presented a check for $20,000 to Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County Food Bank to help local families struggling with hunger.

Throughout the months of November and December, all 171 Stater Bros. supermarket locations participated in their annual “Harvesting Hope Campaign” providing convenient ways for customers and employees to help their friends and neighbors in need this holiday season. 

“Stater Bros. is proud of our longstanding relationship with Community Action Partnership,” said Stater Bros. Charities Chairman and President Nancy Negrette.   “We are honored to provide support to an organization that is committed to promoting healthy communities and eliminating hunger.” 

“Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County is honored to be chosen as one of the many worthy non-profits of the Harvesting Hope funds.  Our deepest appreciation to Stater Bros. Markets, Stater Bros. Charities and Stater Bros’ customers for their generosity and support of our mission to help those in need.  We value our longstanding partnership with Stater Bros. over the past thirty-three years which has resulted in over 33 millions of pounds of food being distributed to nearly 400,000 individuals and families annually who are food insecure” stated Patricia Nickols-Butler, President and CEO of CAPSBC.

If you would like to make a donation to CAPSBC to further support the mission to help people and change lives, please make a check payable to CAPSBC, and mail to: CAPSBC, Attn: Administration, 696 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA. 92408, or a secure donation can be made on our website at www.capsbc.org/donate.  If you would like to volunteer at CAPSBC, please fill out an interest form at www.capsbc.org/volunteer.

On Saturday, December 2, Pastor Michael B. Kelly, II, International Speaker and Pastor of the Mt. Rubidoux, SDA Church in Riverside, along with Kevin Carrington, CEO and Founder of Carrington Case, and guest speaker Dina Walker, President and CEO of the BLU Educational Foundation, held #METOO: A Conversation about sexual assault and harassment.  Within the last few months, this hashtag became ubiquitous on all platforms of social media, which sparked the discussion to be held on the church platform.  The hashtag #churchtoo became prevalent, and thus was a must that this discussion take place in a safe environment.

Due to the nature of the content of the discussion, with approximately 90 percent of the participants in the venue being women, during the introduction, Pastor Kelly and Kevin addressed what they called, “the white elephant in the room,” by being two men who were compelled to lead this conversation on behalf of so many women who have endured harassment and assault.  They led the conversation with poise and respect for everyone there who told their truths, in such an open forum.

Per the American Association of University Women, sexual harassment is described as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” The Huffington Post notes that every 1 in 3 women experience sexual harassment or sexual misconduct at work, with 29 percent report such heinous advances, while a whopping 71 percent never report.  During the conversation, Kevin noted that every 98 seconds in America, someone is sexually assaulted and the number of victims are increasing at an alarming rate.

Speaker Dina Walker stated that in an uncomfortable situation, the primary issue that most women have is feeling empowered to say something. She asked the questions, “What happens to your opportunities if you say something?” “What makes you uncomfortable?”  Ms. Walker had experiences in the workplace that she shared, and she also discussed how women need to be alert and cognizant more so than men.

During the question and comment portion of the evening, a few women and a gentleman stood up to speak their story, experience, expertise of sexual assault and harassment.  One comment in particular that stood out to me was

“Traditionally, we are brought up to hug family members whether we want to or not.  Listen to the “uh oh.” We have to teach our children to trust their instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, empower them to say something.” 

Another participant stated how much of a cultural and societal issue sexual assault and harassment really is, particularly being in the entertainment capital of the world.  In addition, another participant provided a solution in that, “We teach people how to treat us by creating strict boundaries for ourselves.”

This will be an ongoing discussion since there are men and children who experience these unspeakable acts as well.  We must be open to hearing one another to come to a consensus on how we can solve these pertinent issues in our society.

You can contact Pastor Michael B. Kelly through the Mt. Rubidoux church secretary’s office at (951) 276-8374 or you may visit www.mtrubidouxsda.org.  Kevin Carrington of Carrington Case at www.carringtoncase.com/contact/.  Dina Walker of BLU Educational Foundation at 909.685.9995 or email, info@bluedfoundation.org or you may visit their website at www.bluedfoundation.org/contact-us

The Mt. Rubidoux SDA church is focused on going beyond the walls of the church to satisfy the needs of the community whether they are members of the church or if they have never stepped foot inside of a church.  The church’s motto is to Love, Grow, and Serve, and impact initiatives, such as the mega-clinic, helps the church to achieve the goals and vision of the pastoral staff along with the members in the congregation.

LOMA LINDA, CA-Patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) got into the holiday spirit this week by creating a gingerbread village display in the hospital lobby.

Both in- and out-patients were invited to visit the hospital lobby on Monday, December 4 to build and decorate a gingerbread house of their own creation. Patients who were unable to leave the units were given everything they needed to make a house in their rooms.

The annual event is made possible by the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild, along with the generosity of two community supporters, Alta Vista Credit Union, which donated $3,200 toward the event; and Costco Wholesale, which donated over 130 gingerbread house kits.

Lynn Sleeth, president of the Loma Linda Guild, enjoyed watching the children assemble the cookie houses and festoon them with white frosting roofs and assorted, colorful candies. Whenever a house was completed, Santa or one of his helpers placed it on a large display structure designed to evoke the shape of a Christmas tree. Patients were also able to take a teddy bear and book of their choice.

Members of the Loma Linda Fire Department also came out for the event to assist patients with building and decorating.

“We are so blessed to have friends who believe in what we are doing for the children

DeNetria  Champ is featured artist in The Soulful Sounds of Christmas Concert along with Host Jammin Jay Lamont from Def Comedy Jam & Comic View

When: Saturday, December 9

Where: Steelworkers Auditorium, 8437 Sierra Avenue, Fontana

Time: 7 p.m.

Tickets: $35 (Advance) $45 (at the door)

Los Angeles native DeNetria Champ has the pipes. Boy, does she have the pipes!

DeNetria Champ is often compared to Aretha Franklin and spent a large amount of her career providing background vocals for James Ingram, Barry White and Patti LaBelle. However, her vocals are so strong and distinctive that it was clear that she would eventually move beyond a backup role to shine as a lead vocalist and solo artist.

Reported via The Los Angeles Times

Southern California wildfires raged into an affluent Los Angeles neighborhood on Wednesday, forcing evacuations, threatening multibillion-dollar homes and temporarily shutting a major highway.

The new fire also threatened the hilltop campus of one of the world’s richest museums, even as more than 1,000 firefighters in nearby Ventura County battled the biggest of the wind-fed blazes, which threatened more than 12,000 homes.

A brush fire erupted overnight and quickly spread, creating an alarming spectacle for pre-dawn commuters on the hillsides east of Interstate 405 before the California Highway Patrol closed the heavily traveled freeway.

The Skirball Fire, the newest of several uncontained brush fires that have sprung up in Southern California since Monday, prompted officials to order residents of the hilly, wooded area west of the Bel Air neighborhood out of their homes.

It was not immediately clear how many people were affected by the evacuation order in the area south of scenic Mulholland Drive and north of Sunset Boulevard.

“It would be safe to say there are hundreds of homes in the area,” said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Fire crews in the area were starting to see some structural damage, he added.

The nearby Getty Center museum said it shut down for the day to protect its art collection from smoke damage.

The largest of the fires, known as the Thomas Fire, raged in and around the city of Ventura, some 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Los Angeles, fire officials said. The blaze has charred more than 65,000 acres in Ventura and its foothills, they said.

The entirely uncontained blaze was whipped by intensifying, dry Santa Ana winds blowing westward from the California desert. Gusts were forecast to top out at 70 miles per hour (115 km per hour) on Wednesday and remain strong through the week.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, freeing state funds and resources to assist firefighters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it approved grants to help cover the cost of emergency work for the Thomas Fire and two others.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his thoughts and prayers were with everyone in the path of the wildfires.

“I encourage everyone to heed the advice and orders of local and state officials,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “THANK YOU to all First Responders for your incredible work!”

Although no casualties have been reported, the fires have destroyed at least 150 homes, forced mass evacuations, cancellation of classes of dozens of schools and resulted in the loss of power at more than 250,000 homes in Ventura County.

In the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles, the Creek Fire destroyed at least 30 homes, blackened more than 11,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 2,500 homes and a convalescent center north of Interstate 210 on Tuesday.

Three firefighters were injured and hospitalized in stable condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-     During the weekend of December 2, and 3, 2017, the Social Lites, Inc., Beautillion Knights enjoyed seeing “Port Chicago 50” play at Rialto High School in Rialto, California.  Participants learned or relearned in 1944, segregation in the United Sates was prevalent and World War II was in full swing.  The event takes place in San Francisco, CA.

African American soldiers were being pushed by their commanders to load ammunition and other explosives onto two large ships.” Not one of these men were properly trained to handle dangerous cargo. 

“Explosion after explosion! So, fierce, it shook the ground with the force of an earthquake.  Knocking out windows and shaking buildings as far east as Boulder City, Nevada.  That night Port Chicago was changed forever, as 320 seamen lost their lives.  Not one officer in the higher rank was willing to take responsibility for this tragedy.”

Community leader, Mrs. Marlene Davis, Executive Director of the Bethune Center for the National Council for Negro Women educated Knights and their court on resume writing and interviewing techniques for future employment opportunities. 

Weekly meetings are held on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino.  The 51st Beautillion program will commence on March 24, 2018 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Donna Little-James at 909-528-9793 or co-chairperson, Mrs. Bridgette Shaw at 909-648-6165 or publicity chairperson, Mrs. Twillea Evans-Carthen at tevanscarthen@yahoo.com.

Naomi K. Bonman

LOS ANGELES, CA- Taking the Exquisite Podcast Radio Network to the next level will require demonstrations and leadership from a professional journalist that has been hosting her podcast radio network show “Purposely Awakened Radio” on EPRN. Ms. Naomi K. Bonman is a talented journalist and entrepreneur with an eye for design, ear for entertainment, and she’s committed to bringing insightful news to communities. Bonman is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University.

As President of West Coast Operations for the Exquisite Podcast Radio Network, division of Exquisite Conglomerate Communications LLC, Naomi will be in charge of ramping up the network show lineup along the West Coast. Currently there are 3 network shows that have been activated in California, and with Ms. Bonman’s direction EPRN will be looking to increase that number to more than 25 over the course of the next six to eight months.

The Exquisite Podcast Radio Network is looking to not only launch new shows in California, but they are also looking to reach audiences in Nevada, Washington, Oregon, as well as cities in western Canada. Ms. Bonman’s EPRN show “Purposely Awakened Radio” will be the flagship show for the Exquisite Podcast Radio Network on the West Coast.

EPRN is a unique podcast radio network that trains, develops, markets, and distributes content for aspiring podcasters and radio personalities. Since the 1st quarter of 2017, the network has taken off and can now be heard in more than 250 cities worldwide. Listeners can log onto the Exquisite Podcast Radio Network at www.eprn.us and listen to more than 20 shows with over 300 episodes of original content.