What it do with Lue

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

SACRAMENTO — A compromise school-funding formula at the heart of this week’s state budget deal includes more money for suburban and wealthier districts, addressing complaints that an earlier Brown administration plan was unfair.

There will still be extra money targeted at English learners, students receiving free meals, and foster children. But it will comprise a smaller piece of the funding pie than what Brown wanted when he warned his plan’s critics in April that they were in for “the battle of their lives.”

“It’s an improvement, definitely, but we’re still waiting to get all of the details,” said Lori Ordway-Peck, assistant superintendent for business support services at Temecula Valley Unified School District, where officials had raised concerns about the Local Control Funding Formula the governor unveiled in January.

Supporters say the compromise plan will increase funding for schools by about $23 billion over eight years, making up for past cuts while simplifying the state’s school-funding system and helping disadvantaged students close the achievement gap.

Under this week’s agreement, more money will go into base grants for all pupils. The Temecula district, for example, would get a per-pupil increase of more than $3,000, to about $9,400, by 2020-21, according to Department of Finance estimates.

Brown’s formula would have phased in a year earlier, which prevents direct comparisons to the compromise plan.

In seven years, though, Temecula Valley’s per-pupil funding would have increased by only $2,100, based on February estimates by the finance department.

Stacy Coleman, assistant superintendent for business services for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, said he’s also waiting for more specifics on the proposal.

Murrieta Valley, where about a third of the students are disadvantaged, would receive about $3,000 more in per-pupil funding, to $9,500, by 2020-21. The governor’s earlier plan estimated that the district would receive $9,000 by 2019-20.

Additional base funding is good, Coleman said. He cautioned, though, that the additions could come at the expense of cuts elsewhere. The final result may not be much gain over what the district had expected under existing law, he said.

Disadvantaged districts

Inland districts with large percentages of disadvantaged students, such as Fontana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified and Val Verde Unified, would get almost twice as much in per-pupil funding by the time this week’s compromise takes full effect.

Dale Marsden, superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified, said the compromise formula is just as good for his district as the governor’s January proposal.

“There are no losers,” Marsden said. “Everybody’s base has gone up. But we still have a long way to go.”

This week’s agreement includes “supplemental” payments to districts. Those will be equal to 20 percent of the base grant for every disadvantaged student. Brown had wanted 35 percent.

And districts will qualify for extra “concentration” funding when 55 percent of their students are disadvantaged, up from a 50-percent threshold in the governor’s approach.

Some districts also will get an “economic recovery payment” to restore them to 2007-08 revenue levels.

“What we have here is a final agreement that has the same essential architecture as the governor’s proposal, with some changes,” Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer said Wednesday.

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, whose district includes the Fontana and San Bernardino districts, was an early backer of the governor’s plan.

“I’m here with members who are from suburbia,” Brown, D-San Bernardino, said. “They were really concerned they were being short-changed. The way this has turned out, no one is short-changed. Those who need more, will get more.”

Governor’s plan

Some Inland school officials, though, said the governor’s plan would have been better for districts with mid-range percentages of disadvantaged students.

Mike Fine, Riverside Unified’s deputy superintendent for business services, said the district will receive about $1,000 less per pupil in supplemental money under the compromise. About two-thirds of the district’s 40,000 pupils are disadvantaged.

Brown’s acceptance of this week’s deal, Fine said, “was a little shocking to me. I think it goes against some of the governor’s principles.”

The approach to distribute the concentration money, Fine added, fails to recognize that some districts — such as Riverside Unified and Corona-Norco Unified — are short of the 55 percent threshold but have schools that meet it. Senate Democrats had voiced similar complaints about the governor’s plan but signed on to the compromise.

Assembly President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, praised the agreement. It gets more money to all districts, he said, while maintaining the essence of the governor’s “progressive proposal.”

BY JIM MILLER AND

MICHELLE KLAMPESTAFF WRITERS

June 12, 2013

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) has selected La Pasta Italia as the 47^th District’s Small Business of the Year. La Pasta Italia, located in Grand Terrace, is owned and operated by the current Grand Terrace mayor, Walt Stanckiewitz, and his wife, Monique Stanckiewitz.

“I’m so excited to acknowledge and select La Pasta Italia as my Small Business of the Year. La Pasta Italia has been providing quality food to the restaurant industry and the community for several years now. They have a statewide reach and an excellent reputation in my district. They’ve come so far and I’m so proud of them,” said Assemblymember Brown.

Prior to the establishment of their restaurant, the Stanckiewitzes developed a reputation for providing a variety of fine pasta products to upscale restaurants throughout the Inland Empire including Mario’s Place, New York Grill, Ciao Bella, Café Allegro, Lake Arrowhead Resort, and the iconic Mission Inn.

 After 13 years of providing quality service to area restaurants, the Stanckiewitzes established La Pasta Italia, on Barton Road, in the city of Grand Terrace in June 2003. In keeping with Walt’s Italian roots, the Stanckiewitzes prepare each dish with love.

 In honor of his mother, Walt’s signature sandwich is the Da Riccio. Inspired from her Naples background, the ingredients include: prosciutto, sopressata, parmesan cheese, red onion, pepperoncini, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on an Italian roll.

 The Stanckiewitzes will be honored at a ceremony in Sacramento on Monday, June 10.

 Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, the southwest parts of San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The 20th Annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB)will be held this Saturday, which will take place on Saturday, June 8 at CSUSB’s Coussoulis Arena at 7 p.m.  Embracing African American culture, the ceremony celebrates the graduates’ success, and the student can dress in graduation attire and receive symbolic kente stoles. Guests are welcomed to dress in African American traditional cultural clothing.
The theme for the event is “Closer to my Dreams.” CSUSB students Lee Moore and Jeremy Young speak at the event. Moore, a first-generation college graduate and will receive her B.A. in psychology, and plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical social work at the University of Nevada. Young will graduate with a degree in information systems and technology, and is the current president of the student group Enrichment Through Action, a community service-based CSUSB organization at CSUSB.
Thomasina Hill, a San Bernardino native, will graduate with distinction with a B.A. in English with a concentration in Literature, and will perform an original poem at the ceremony. Thomasina has applied for a dual Master’s program in English Composition and Literature.
Danny Tillman, a 2003 CSUSB alumnus with a B.B. in business administration with a concentration in information technology. He works as an Information Systems administrator for the County of San Bernardino, serves on the Board of Trustees for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and is a candidate for California’s 31st Congressional District seat.
Jenise Bush, co-founder of the CSUSB Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, and a CSUSB alumna who earned three credentials and two degrees, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of La Verne, will emcee the event. Children Performers from Dare to Dream Arts Academy will dance at the event.
Tickets are $50, and can be purchased in the Santos Manuel Student Union’s Student Leadership and Development office, Room 204. Students who purchase tickets can have an unlimited number of guests that can attend the event with them. Parking is $5.  For more information, contact Doreen Hatcher at 909-537-5234, dhatcher@csusb.edu, or Misty Levingston at 909-537-7198, mlevings@csusb.edu.

By Lue Dowdy, SAN BERNARDINO, CA— This week’s artist selected for my review is the beautiful Krystal Yvonne.  Krystal Yvonne is an innovative and talented public relations professional, model, host and interviewer. Her communication style is straightforward, genuine, and savvy.
Krystal’s passion for what she does drives her to apply her knowledge in a creative, yet methodical manner. Krystal has a keen understanding of the cultural sensitivities that rule the business marketplace and knows how to command the media’s attention. A current student of Cal State University San Bernardino, Krystal, also works for the popular Hip Hop Magazine, “Street Motivation” as Host/Interviewer.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this tiny powerhouse in action. Recently crowned, LUE Productions 2013 Urban Fashion Show Top Model, Krystal ripped the runway like nobody’s business. Standing only 4 feet and some inches high compared to her competitors, she wowed the judges with her speech on why she should be selected top model.
Krystal is enthusiastic, professionally committed, and responsible. She’s a poised and competent team builder and natural leader. Please check her out on Facebook under Krystal Yvonne.
Congratulations, Krystal! (Photos of the fashion show and crowning , as well as the hip hop show,,can be seen on our LUE Productions Facebook page and at wssn.com.)

By Lue Dowdy,

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— It’s ya girl LUE with my Artist Review and Entertainment Happenings in the IE and surrounding cities.
Attention! Attention! Erykah Badu “Showed Up & Showed Out”
Ladies and Gentlemen, last Thursday, I witnessed if not the best, definitely one of the best concerts of 2013 thus far. The house was packed!  If I’m not mistaken the concert was sold out or close to it.
Erykah Badu, Lyfe Jennings, and Bobby Valintino aka Bobby V, gave a magnificent performance. Each one of them not only sung, but played an instrument as well showcasing their other talents.
Bobby V, opened the show performing a few of his hits like, “Slow Down” and “Tell Me”. He had the ladies up in arms, the moment he took off his shirt showing all his oily muscles. Let’s just say it was getting pretty HOT!
Lyfe Jennings, a favorite of mine came out and smashed it. He performed his hits, “Stick up Kid; “It must Be Nice”; “S.E.X.”, and a few more. The last song Lyfe sung moved the crowd. He told his story of his incarceration and how GOD spoke to him in his darkest hour. I was really touched how he wasn’t afraid to praise the Lord.

So my girl, Erykah Badu, brought the house down! Her performance was an A plus. Two thumbs up for the Queen of Neo Soul. When I say everyone was on their feet, I mean everyone – including the full media row including Reps from the Sun, Press Enterprise, and a few other local papers and of course the Westside Story.
Erykah serenaded the audience with all her classics like, “On and On”; “Next Lifetime”; “Tyrone”; “Apple Tree”; The Other Side of The Game”; “Back In The Day”, and others.  I had folks jumping in front of me and steppin’ on my baby toe, trying to get a better view of the queen. This lady’s talent is extraordinary! I see why Common and Andrea 2000 was so gone over her.
Erykah’s, aura is indescribable. She sang, rapped, b-boxed, scatted, and played the drums. Once she completed her set the audience couldn’t get enough of her. They began to chant her name. The queen responded by coming back on stage, ending with my all-time favorite, “Bag Lady”.
The audience showed mad love to each artist by reciting their songs word for word and illuminating the auditorium with lights reflecting from their phones and lighters.  What a show!

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is proud to announce that her bill, AB 1094, passed out of the Assembly with a bipartisan vote of 77 to 0. AB 1094 will expand the definition of disability-based unearned income to include veteran’s disability compensation and help California’s veterans get the assistance they need to care for their families.

 “There is no reason that a veteran’s benefits should be treated differently than other federal assistance.  Returning veterans are having a difficult time readjusting to life and it is our responsibility to help them in their transition,” said Assemblymember Brown.

California veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now receiving both CalWORKs and other governmental benefits. Current law provides that $225 in disability-based unearned income is disregarded when computing the individual’s CalWORKs benefits. Unfortunately, veterans’ disability compensation is not currently eligible for the disregard due to an oversight in previous legislation. As a result, veterans enrolled in the CalWORKs program receive, on average, $200 less than other disabled recipients. AB 1094 would correct this oversight and allow veteran families to collect their full benefits.

 “California is home to the largest veteran population in the country. The majority of veteran’s benefits are dispersed by the federal government. However, a massive backlog in claims have delayed many California veterans from receiving their benefits. This bill will help ease the financial burdens of veteran families in California. As a member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, I look forward to continuing to find solutions that will help the service members in our state access the benefits they deserve,” concluded Assemblymember Brown.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, the southwest parts of San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/

June 10 marks the 50th anniversary of the federal legislation that required employers to give women and men equal pay for equal work. Newsflash: It’s not working. This golden anniversary is more call for action than cause for celebration because women are still waiting for the Equal Pay Act’s promise to come true.

 But don’t think we’re waiting patiently—or silently. And don’t think you are immune from this pernicious problem. The gender pay gap exists for women in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

 It exists regardless of whether states have pay equity laws in place that supplement the Equal Pay Act, although several states do not have any specific pay equity law whatsoever. Unbelievably, Wisconsin actually just repealed its equal pay law.

 And the pay gap exists in states where governors are doing excellent work on equal pay: Gov. Peter Shumlin in Vermont recently signed stronger equal pay legislation into law, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota issued Equal Pay Day proclamations this year.

 But until the pay gap goes the way of the dodo bird, every state has more to do. That means your governor owes women and families an Equal Pay Act anniversary “present.” And the American Association of University Women has the perfect idea for a gift.

 President Barack Obama recently ordered federal agencies to develop plans to address pay discrepancies among employees in the federal workforce, including evaluating policies for setting starting salaries and looking at how to promote greater transparency in starting salaries. Your governor could—and should—order state agencies to evaluate and take action on their pay practices as well.

 Your governor should do this because equal pay is everyone’s business. Families and communities are economically stronger when there is fair pay. Every day women nationwide work just as hard only to receive less. On average, women make 77 cents to a man’s dollar, and that number is much worse for moms and women of color. The gender pay gap starts right after college and compounds over a woman’s career. Even after accounting for all the factors that affect earnings, AAUW found that women just one year out of college are still paid almost 7 percent less than their male counterparts are paid. That’s nearly a year’s worth of groceries and 1,400 tall Starbucks coffees. Plus, women vote—and we deserve serious action on the issues we care about.

 Statistics tell us that every action available needs to be taken, and the Obama administration has provided a step that governors can take immediately. I’ll leave it up to you as to how you ask your governor for your “present” —Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, letter. But no matter how you decide to do it, I’ll guarantee you one thing. Unlike the Equal Pay Act, the technology you’ll use—even if it’s just a pen and paper—was updated in the last 50 years.

 Technology has changed. The workforce has changed. But the federal legislation designed to ensure women are paid equally to men hasn’t changed—and it isn’t working.

 Someday, women will celebrate the Equal Pay Act anniversary. But we’ll do so when we get what we were promised: equal pay for equal work.

—————-

American Forum 6/2013