SB American News Weed Ending 1/8/20

Vol. 50 No. 37

January 2, 2020 -January 8, 2020

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or words or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)

The High Desert Community Mourns The Loss Of Friend Jimmie Lee Veal

Publisher’s Corner Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com Clifton Harris Editor in Chief Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News

Trump's proposed Social Security disability cuts could end benefits for thousands. What to know Political/GovernmentNews

Community News Jimmie Lee Veal, age 85, passed away on December 15, 2019. Born April 23, 1934 in Doddsville, Mississippi, he was the youngest of eleven sons born to Mingo and Healena Veal. Mr. Veal attended school in a country school in Doddsville, Mississippi and received his High School from Okolona College in Okolona, Mississippi which was added to the National Register of Historical Places on August 9, 2002. Upon graduation, he left to join the military, serving in the United States Air Force. He met the love of his life, Hazel Wells, while on military break in Drew, Mississippi. They corresponded by mail until the young private returned to Mississippi and asked her to be his wife. They wed, started their family and began their journey as a military family. Jimmie served in the Air Force for 20 years, attaining the rank of Master Sargent (MSgt.). He was stationed on military bases throughout the world including temporary duty at Chateauroux Air Force Base (AFB) in France, and Landstuhl Medical Center Army in Germany, Mather AFB in Sacramento, California, Amarillo AFB in Texas, Tripoli AFB in Libya, Africa and The US Logistics Group (TUSLOG) in Ankara, Turkey. After multiple moves with his growing young family of four children, MSgt. Veal completed his tour of duty at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California where he served until his retirement in 1973. He took a series of training courses at every opportunity and also matriculated

Jimmie Lee Veal in college courses through the University of Maryland. MSgt. Veal trained service personnel and provided Tactical Air Command training services to the Combat Support Group at George Air Force. During his service he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. Even before his retirement, MSgt. Veal laid the groundwork in 1968 for his post-retirement career by opening the first African American-owned business in the Victor Valley area and his first

Restaurant Waitress “Blessed” With $1,200 Tip From Happy Customers National News

car lot, properly named Veal’s Auto Sales in Adelanto. He understood what the service personnel needed - a clean, reliable car that was affordable on a military paycheck. After the success of the car lot he invested further in the Adelanto community by providing an entertainment alternative, Bo’s Lounge, complete with good music, affordable food and ready company on any given night. Jimmie sought to be the consummate provider to his family and even while operating two in-

dependent businesses took his natural penchant for sales and became an insurance salesman with Prudential Insurance Company. His calming and honest approach to sales, allowed him to earn the honor of Top Salesman each and every year that he worked with the company. He often told stories of the many families that called to thank him for providing them access to the means for their comfort after the loss of a loved one. MSgt. Veal continued to engage in car sales eventually relocating to Victorville and renaming the business J & H Auto Sales. His love for car sales and the art of conversation that comes with ascertaining ones need, led him to work part time at Sunrise Ford in Fontana. Working only part time, he was still their Best Salesman and relished in training the younger, less experienced salesmen in the art of the trade. Msgt. Veal was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers and Rams. Msgt. Veal was preceded in death by his parents, Mingo and Healena and nine of his ten siblings Clifton, Charlie, Artie Palmer, Mingo, Ira, Lawrence, Joe, Percy, and Luther. He is survived by his lone brother, James, his wife Hazel Veal, four children Patricia Veal, Steven Veal, Carolyn Veal-Hunter (Dale) and Bonita Veal, four grandchildren, Candice, Jennifer, Sydney and Jordan, two great grandchildren Nolan and Evan and a host of nieces and nephews.

Restaurant Waitress “Blessed” With $1,200 Tip From Happy Customers...continued “What a wonderful day with friends as we celebrate our 1st Annual 100 dollar breakfast. We all gave our waitress Janet a $1200.00 tip.” Ballard was thankful for her answered prayer as she was able to pay her taxes and also make her car payment early to improve her credit score. Moreover, Ballard was also inspired to give back to others. After work, she ate at a seafood

lunch wherein she also “blessed” her server with a large tip. She then treated herself to a pedicure wherein she also gave a large tip to the manicurist even before her appointment started. “Because of the gift of love and caring and sharing I’m able to not only be a better Janet, but I am able to be an example for people this time of year who don’t have hope,” Ballard said

Janet Ballard Dublin, GA — Janet Ballard, a 53-year old mother of two who works as a restaurant waitress in Georgia, says she was recently “blessed” by a group of 12 generous customers who left her a $1,200 tip for her good service. Thankful for the blessing, she decided to also pay it forward. Ballard has been working at Cracker Barrel in Dublin, Georgia for over a decade now. Earlier this week, she went to work thinking it was just an ordinary day until lunchtime where she was assigned to a table of 12 who had planned to change her life. “I connected with them immediately,” Ballard told TODAY Food. “I’m a people person. I start with greeting them and finding out what needs they have, if they have allergies or whether they’re vegan. Everything that they can possibly need or want I try to hone in on those things when I’m taking that individual order.” At the end of their meal, the

group handed her a greeting card. She thought it was just a simple greeting card, but she was surprised when she unfolded it and saw it was filled with cash. “Counting the money, I got so choked up by the time I got to $400. They wanted me to count out loud. By the time I got to $400 I was like ‘oh my goodness this is really happening,'” Ballard said. “I got so emotional and I don’t really like to cry with a camera in my face, but I didn’t even care at this point,” she continued. “I had 12 total strangers saying, ‘Hey, we care enough about you because of how you made us feel while we were dining and we want to be a blessing to you and your family.'” James Deal, one member of the group that gifted Ballard with cash, said that he and his friends each contributed $100 because they felt it was the right thing to do. He wrote on Facebook, (continued in next 2 columns)

Applications Now Being Accepted For The San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury SB County News SAN BERNARDINO, CA?Applications for the San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury are being accepted. Successful applicants will serve as Grand Jurors for the fiscal year period beginning on July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. The Civil Grand Jury is charged by the California Penal Code to investigate all aspects of the county, including cities and special districts, and also potentially hear information on certain criminal investigations. All communications to the Grand Jury are confidential and every signed citizen complaint is responded to after investigated. Service as a Grand Juror involves an average of three to five full working days per week, which is

compensated at $60 per day with appropriate mileage. The regular Grand Jury meeting place is located in the City of San Bernardino. To be eligible for selection, a person must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen, and a resident of the County of San Bernardino for at least one year prior to appointment. Other requirements include: sufficient knowledge of the English language, possession of natural faculties, of ordinary intelligence, sound judgment, and good character. By law, elected public officials are not eligible. Interested citizens are encouraged to apply on-line http:/ /www.sbcounty.gov/GrandJury/ ( continued on page 3)

Alan Chrisman holds medical bills and records near the McDonald's where he worked at as a maintenance employee before being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. This photo has been altered to blur the address on the envelope.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Trump Administration is proposing new rules for the nation's safety net program for people with disabilities that could end benefits for tens of thousands of people. The rules would require more frequent paperwork checks of people getting Social Security disability payments in a process known as a "continuing disability review." The proposed new rules have alarmed some advocates for people with disabilities, who call it a "backdoor way" to cut people from a program already under scrutiny for taking years to review disability claims and wrongly denying benefits. Social Security Administration officials say the plan would "enhance program integrity and ensure that only those who continue to qualify for benefits will receive them." Whose Social Security disability benefits would be impacted? More than 16 million adults and children currently receive disability benefits, but the Social Security Administration isn't saying how many people the new rules would affect. The agency has said it expects to conduct 4.4 million more continuing disability reviews over ten years if the rules take effect. The reviews would add $1.6 billion in administrative costs, but save $2.8 billion in benefits when people are cut from the program. Using those figures, national advocates for people with disabilities estimate tens of thousands of people stand to lose disability benefits each year. Alan Chrisman holds medical bills and records near the McDonald's where he worked at as a maintenance employee before being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. This photo has been altered to blur the address on the envelope. What is Social Security disability? The Social Security Administration is best known for retirement benefits, but it also oversees two programs for people living with disabilities: Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is for low-income individuals without a work history. The maximum payment

for an individual is $783 a month beginning in January. Social Security Disability Insurance is for workers who become disabled. Payment amounts depend on past earning. In 2019, the average payment was $1,234 per month. To qualify for either, individuals must show they have a long-term medical, psychological or intellectual impairment that prevent them for working. Children who are blind or have severe functional limitations expected to last at least a year or result in death also qualify. Tennesseean investigation: How some Tennessee doctors earn big money denying disability claims The fine print on disability reviews Once on disability, adults and children are subject to "continuing disability reviews" by Social Security staff. The reviews require recipients to submit medical, income and asset records as well as documentation of living arrangements. Social Security staff then decide whether someone still qualifies for benefits. How frequently anyone is required to go through a review depends on which of three categories Social Security has placed them in. Individuals whose conditions are expected to improve — babies born prematurely, for example — are in a category called "medical improvement expected" and reviewed every six to 18 months. Victory for disability advocates: Supreme Court won't hear Domino's Pizza accessibility case People with debilitating or terminal conditions are in a "medical improvement not expected" category, reviewed every five to seven years. Those in the "medical improvement possible" category are reviewed every three years. Social Security officials are proposing a fourth category, "medical improvement likely," to be reviewed every two years. Children would also be automatically reassessed at age 6 and 12. The Social Security Administration would also change some of the criteria for deciding in which category to place individuals.

Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.

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PAGE 2

January 2, 2020

COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/ADVERTISING

Betsy DeVos: the billionaire Republican destroying public A Statement on the Passing of ESPN's Edward Aschoff education Community Education News

Cuts, attacks, rollbacks – the education secretary’s campaign to dismantle America’s public system has continued unabated Educational News

Betsy DeVos has proposed a requirement that colleges allow cross-examination of sexual assault and harassment accusers. Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP Betsy DeVos has become accustomed to hostile audiences. The House of Representatives’ education committee earlier this month was no exception. “When you approach a public school, you are protested,” the Democratic congresswoman Frederica Wilson told the education secretary. “When you enter, you are booed. You are the most unpopular person in our government. Millions will register to vote in 2020. Many will vote to remove you more than to remove the president.” Why did this US governor pardon child rapists and brutal killers? It was a rare moment of clarity in the constant swirl of drama in Washington – border wall, Russia, partisan warfare, media bashing, tweets, impeachment – that seems to provide cover for Donald Trump’s cabinet secretaries to escape scrutiny. Chief among them is DeVos who, critics say, is quietly and insidiously destroying public education in America. DeVos’s record is proof, they argue, that when the smoke of the Trump presidency finally clears, the substance of his legacy on policy, deregulation and stacking the courts will remain – and take far longer to repair.“We’ve had plenty of Republican as well as Democratic secretaries of education but none of them, even those who believed in alternatives to public education, actually tried to eviscerate public education,” said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. “Here is someone who in her first budget tried to eliminate every single summer school programme, every single after-school programme, and who has done everything in her power to try to make it harder for us to strengthen public [sector] schools.”A billionaire philanthropist, DeVos, 61, attended a private Christian school in Michigan and sent most of her children to private Christian schools; she has had little exposure to public education. She became a champion of privately

run, publicly funded charter schools and vouchers that enable families to take tax dollars from the public education system to the private sector. Since taking office, she has proposed billions of dollars in cuts to her own department, hitting class size reductions, afterschool programmes, full-service community schools and student loan forgiveness. Even Trump overruled her on plans to gut the Special Olympics, and she has recently run into opposition from the Democratic-controlled House, which passed significant budget increases. Weingarten commented: “Here you have someone whose job it is to help students, 90% of whom go to public schools in America, and to help students in higher education navigate through their student debt or try to mitigate it. She’s failed on both accounts. Instead, she’s tried to defund and dismantle public education and make it harder for us to help kids in public education.” DeVos is currently attacking a programme, known as “borrower defense to repayment”, intended to forgive federal loans for students whose colleges misrepresent the quality of their education or otherwise commit fraud. The programme was expanded under Barack Obama but DeVos has been accused of stalling it for more than a year while she altered the rules and made it harder for students to get loan relief, resulting in a large backlog. Last month, a federal judge held DeVos in contempt for violating an order to stop collecting loan payments from former Corinthian Colleges students, a for-profit college chain that collapsed in 2015 amid allegations that it lied about the successof its graduates in order to get students to enroll. Weingarten commented: “I’m not surprised that a judge held her in contempt because, just like her boss, she mocks the rule of law. Her rule is: she’s rich and she’s a believer in her ideology and that should drive it, not her oath of office, not that this is democracy, not that she is the secretary of education. So the mood [among teachers] is: we told you so, we knew she’d be like this.”In addition, the 11th education secretary is seeking to

spin off the Federal Student Aid office – which provides more than $150bn a year in federal grants, loans and work-study funds to college students – into a new agency. She says the office is an “untamed beast” in “distress”; critics regard the proposal as a waste of time and resources. The long charge sheet against DeVos also includes the withdrawal of federal guidance, developed under the Obama administration, that spelled out protections for transgender students under title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. DeVos has also proposed a requirement that colleges allow cross-examination of sexual assault and harassment accusers. Activists argue this would discourage victims from coming forward. Former vice-president Joe Biden has promised to reverse the guidance if he becomes president. Weingarten said: “She’s unwound any number of protections that kids have in education because the Department of Education is supposed to be the civil rights agency for children. And when it comes to higher education, she really has betrayed the aspirations of kids who need and have student loans in order to make their aspirations real in p o s t s e c o n d a r y education.”DeVos’s job appears safe as long as Trumpis president. But she has been sharply criticised by Democratic 2020 candidates, including moderates. Pete Buttigieg has vowed that, should he reach the White House, he would appoint a secretary who actually believes in public education. Senator Amy Klobuchar has promised to fire DeVos immediately. John Delaney, the first Democrat to jump into the race, joined the condemnation. “If we were grading her on a report card, I would give her very low grades if not a failing grade,” he said by phone from Iowa. “The reason I think she has not been a successful secretary of education was obvious from the day she was given the job, which is she doesn’t believe in the public education system in this country. She would voucherise the whole system if she could.” But for now, DeVos and other cabinet secretaries seem relatively safe from the spotlight as Trump’s flame-throwing, attention-grabbing antics intensify. Delaney warned: “We have to be careful not to be so preoccupied with every single ridiculous thing the president does because, to some extent, it

might be a strategy to distract us from the bad policy that’s actually getting done. Obviously the things he did with Ukraine deserve this attention they’re getting. But in some ways he’s the bright, shiny light and every little tweet causes people to just be incredibly preoccupied. “Meanwhile, environmental regulations are getting rolled back. Ethanol waivers are being granted. There are proposals to spin off the entire student loan portfolio of the Department of Education. The list goes on and on and on of real policies that are happening that deserve much more attention. She has largely kept her head down and gone about her business, which I think is ideologically driven andhasn’t attracted that much attention.” DeVos – whose brother, Erik Prince, is the founder of Blackwater, a private security contractor notorious for its operations in Iraq – is the former chair of the Michigan Republican party. Critics say she used her wealth to push legislators to defund public education in favour of for-profit charter schools in the state, and students’ test results have suffered badly as a consequence. Neil Sroka, a progressive activist based in Detroit, Michigan, said: “In the state of Michigan, ‘DeVos’ is a one-word epithet for everything broken in our education system. Michigan was a Petri dish and the future is now. DeVos pushed her policies on state schools and the chickens have come home to roost in Michigan.” Sroka, spokesman for the political action committee Democracy for America, added: “It’s hard to say in administration like Donald Trump’s who the biggest villain is. The Trump administration has been a rogues’ gallery but Betsy DeVos, from the sheer lack of expertise to her defence of rapists and attempted rapists to her attack on any effort for students to throw off the yoke of student debt in their lifetime, ticks all the boxes. “The scion of wealth and privilege has never had a real job but made it her life’s work to attack public schools, teachers and students. She only escapes scrutiny because so much incompetence, grief and evil comes out of this administration that she’s been able to ride out the storm. But she’s made it much more likely we’ll get a Democratic education secretary who’s a real champion for teachers.” The Department of Education did not respond to requests for an interview with DeVos.

SBVC Foundation Inducts Newest Alumni & Athletics 'Hall of Famers' Educational News

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. San Bernardino Valley College is proud to usher in distinguished graduates to the Alumni Association and Athletics Halls of Fame, each recognized for their prize-winning accomplishments and service to the community. SBVC Foundation Board President Beverly Powell said the Foundation is honored to partner with the Athletics department to laud the achievements of SBVC alumni and former studentathletes. "The opportunity to showcase some of Valley College's best 'success stories' not only helps the Foundation raise funds necessary to help students achieve their dreams - but events highlighting our alumni also help inspire our current SBVC students to envision their own success and believe their own dreams are possible," she said. Inducted into the SBVC Alumni Association Hall of Fame is Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez, interim dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Riverside. He received recognition for being a catalyst for many academic initiatives to benefit the community. He also serves as Bank of America chair in Educational Leadership, Policy,

and Practice in the UCR Graduate School of Education. Among numerous awards and various posts, Dr. Rodriguez is also the Founding Director of the Center for Educational Transformation at UCR. His educational foundation began at SBVC. Later transferred to California State San Bernardino, where, as a McNair Scholar, he focused on research to help historically marginalized students. From there, Dr. Rodriguez became a high school math teacher, and holds two master's degrees, along with a Ph.D in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. With his first years at SBVC campus, he recalls the indelible impact of a caring guidance counselor, Laura Gomez. He feels the primary objective for all students is to make the most of their academic goals, while never forgetting about what's most important in life. "Students, know who you are, identify a mentor, get connected to programs, dream big, surround yourself with excellence, and be a leader. After you graduate from SBVC, always find ways to give back to your community," says

Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez. Inducted into the SBVC Athletics Hall of Fame are Kenneth Blumenthal, Michael Sola, Stan Sanchez, Eric Swanson, and 1982 SBVC Championship Football Team. Each of these athletes are acknowledged for both dedicating themselves to excellence in their sport, and also for their impact on the community and students. Former San Bernardino Valley College coach Kenneth Blumenthal has run the ball from the early days as captain of the Eisenhower High School football team in Rialto, and later as a student-athlete at San Bernardino Valley College. Through his journey, Blumenthal credits close friends, colleagues and faith for support through his remarkable athletic career at SBVC, where, under Head Coach Bob Smith, he set an unrivaled three-decade record for the most tackles in one season. Following great success at the local campus, a football scholarship paved the way to Long Beach State, where Blumenthal earned his bachelor's in recreation, and another Bachelor's in kinesiology. He also holds a teaching credential from

California State University, San Bernardino. Among his many posts, Blumenthal served at Rialto Frisbee Junior High and his alma mater Eisenhower High School. He also holds a Master's degree from Azusa Pacific University, and coached track in 1988 until he became full-time Defensive Coordinator/Head Track Coach in 1990. He is unmatched for conference championships. No other head coach has taken home as many wins as Blumenthal at SBVC, to which he acknowledges colleagues and coaches that have backed him along the way. "The reason Valley College has produced so many championships is because, for the most part, our athletes are just plain tougher than most of our competition," said Blumenthal. "Many of the student-athletes who come to Valley have faced tough times, but they are overcomers. They are thankful, respectful and proud to be here. I loved working to help them make their dreams come true." To read the current list of SBVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcathletics.com. For a list of current Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcalumni.org/HOF.

Edward Aschoff The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) offers its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Edward Aschoff. Edward was an ESPN college football reporter and considered a "rising star" in sports journalism. He was respected as a powerful storyteller on camera and as a writer. Sadly, Edward passed on Christmas Eve, on his 34th birthday. Through what his colleagues at ESPN describe as a "bright smile and radiant disposition," Edward not only made his mark at the network but also on the lives of others. "Edward was known as a mentor, friend and inspiration to many in the NABJ family and beyond. His bright personality and strong work ethic were celebrated among his colleagues.

His presence will be missed among the journalism community, and those who knew him are proud of what he was able to accomplish so early in his career," said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. The NABJ Sports Task Force shared the following statement: "We are saddened by the untimely passing of Edward Aschoff, a rising star in our industry. The NABJ Sports Task Force offers its heartfelt condolences to the Aschoff family, his fiancée, Katy, as well as his ESPN colleagues." According to the network, Aschoff joined ESPN in 2011 as part of the SEC blog network, where he covered recruiting and Florida football for The Gainesville Sun. He was a graduate of the University of Florida.

Denzel Washington At 65: The One Decision That Changed HIs Life Community Education News

(Photo credit: Facebook.com) If you were to ask a random person what their favorite Denzel Washington film was, many will be quick to spew out a list of Hollywood’s biggest films. Anything from Glory, to Mo’ Better Blues or even Training Day , Equalizer and Fences, it’s always a list of some of the best films . Whatever the choice is, it’s easy to see that Denzel has made it to Hollywood’s elite. But how he made it there is a series of calculated moves and decisions that helped shape his life. Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Denzel Hayes Washington, Sr., was an ordained Pentecostal minister, and also worked for the Water Department and at a local department store. His mother, Lennis “Lynne” (née Lowe), was a beauty parlor owner and operator born in Georgia and partly raised in Harlem. Washington attended Pennington-Grimes Elementary School in Mount Vernon until 1968. When he was 14, his parents broke up, and his mother sent him to a private preparatory school, Oakland Military Academy in New Windsor, New York. It was that change in his surrounds that opened up his eyes and mind that there could be more for his life. “That decision changed my life,” Washington later said, “because I wouldn’t have survived in the direction I was going. The guys I was hanging out with at the time, my running buddies, have now done maybe 40 years combined in the

penitentiary. They were nice guys, but the streets got them.” Washington is a devout Christian and has considered becoming a preacher. He stated in 1999, “A part of me still says, ‘Maybe, Denzel, you’re supposed to preach. Maybe you’re still compromising.’ I’ve had an opportunity to play great men and, through their words, to preach. I take what talent I’ve been given seriously, and I want to use it for good.” In an interview with Bishop T.D. Jakes on his daytime talk show, Washington explained why, at this point in his career, he’s focusing on serving others. “I’m in the service business now, I’m fine. I’ve done well,” Washington said on the “TD Jakes Show.” “I don’t need any watches and all of that. So I’m here to serve God, here to serve my family.” Although he doesn’t read much, he studies the Bible daily and says he goes over Psalm 56: “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; the fighting daily oppresseth me.” Back in 2012, rumors surfaced alleging that Oscar winner Denzel Washington underwent 2 weeks of detox after a month of excessive alcohol consumption while aboard a yacht with his wife. TMZ first mentioned the story saying, “Washington recently left an Orange County residence where he was staying for more (continued on page 6)

The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Staff Samuel Martin Sr.-Founder Clifton Harris/Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter Mary Martin-Harris/Editor Clifton B. Harris/Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising & Sales (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 8,1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 153913 by the Superior Court, of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News, a division of Don Roberto Group, Inc. is published every Thursday by Mary Martin-Harris and Clifton Harris P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393, Telephone (909)889-7677, Emails: msbamericannews@gmail.com sbamericannews@gmail.com The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN New is committed to serving its readers by presenting news, unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing strive to achieve a united community. News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.

Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com

PAGE 3

January 2, 2020

WORLD GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ADVERTISING

Medical Students Viral Photo On Slave Plantation “We Are Our Ancestors Wildest Dreams”

Simone Biles Named Female Athlete Of The Year World/Business News

World/Business News

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: @_botttt twitter) As a medical student, getting your white coat is a pretty big deal. But now, a group of Black medical students have taken it further by showcasing their achievement was brought about by our ancestors. Now that photo has gone viral. Altogether, there were 16 members of Tulane University’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) who made a 50-mile trek from New Orleans to a plantation to make the nowviral image possible. As of Thursday, a single tweet of the photo had been liked more than 75,000 times and retweeted more than 17,000 times. The students planned the photo to inspire other young black people to honor where they come

from. Slave quarters like the Whitney Plantation once was a symbol of struggle, strife and death. But now, because of ancestors looked forward to where they could be, Sydney Labat and others are now standing tall as a symbol of life and success. “We are truly our ancestors’ wildest dreams. ? As physicians in training, we stood on the steps of what was once slave quarters for our ancestors. This was such a powerful experience, and it honestly brought me to tears. For Black people [pursuing] a career in medicine, keep going. For our entire community, keep striving. Resilience is in our DNA,” Sydney Labat, a med student at the Tennessee University, wrote

in a caption on Instagram over the weekend. Labat and 14 of her classmates planned a trip to Wallace to take a series of photos at the plantation last week.“Seeing that many black students in training in one photo was striking. In a place that was dedicated to our ancestors and their struggles,” Labat, 24, said. “We knew this photo was going to make people stop … and really think. I can say for myself, I definitely got emotional throughout this experience.” Russell Ledet, a second-year medical student who helped plan the photo, first visited the site with his daughter during the summer, he said. “I came back and talked about it with Sydney and

the classmates. I said, ‘We should… go in all black and our white coats.’ Everybody was on board,” Ledet said. Ladet told People Magazine that his daughters comments from the plantation visit is what really sparked the idea. She saw the breath and depth of our rich history and said something profound. “My 8-year-old daughter was like, ‘Dad, it means a lot to be a black doctor in America. If you think about where we started… we made it pretty far,’” he explains. “I was like ‘You’re right, I think more of us should see this.’” Thank you Ladet. We stand on the shoulders of many who came before us. Continue to build further, higher and longer.

Applications Now Being Accepted For The San California Writers, Photogs Sue State Over New Bernardino County Civil Grand Law That Chokes Freelance Journalism...continued Jury...continued from page 1 CTS/GeneralInformation. Applications can also be submitted in-person by downloading http:// wp.sbcounty.gov/grandjury/wpcontent/uploads/sites/15/2018/ 12/SB-County-Civil-Grand-JuryApplication.pdf, sent by mail, or picked- up in-person at 172 West Third Street, Second Floor, San Bernardino, CA. The application deadline is February 29, 2020.

Please refer to the http:// wp.sbcounty.gov/grandjury/wpcontent/uploads/sites/15/2018/ 01/2020-2021-Timeline.pdf for important dates and information. For further questions or comments, please visit the Grand Jury's website at http:// wp.sbcounty.gov/grandjury/ or contact the Grand Jury Assistant at (909) 387-9120.

California Writers, Photogs Sue State Over New Law That Chokes Freelance Journalism Tanu Henry | California Black Media When he’s not studying, Aldon Thomas Stiles, 25, a senior at Cal State Bernardino, writes freelance articles to help pay his way through college and assist his parents with the bills at home in Fontana. The Fontana Herald, Screen Rant, Westside Story News and several African-American newspapers around the state have published Stiles’ articles in the past. Most of his work focuses on educating Californians about state policy or bringing light to unreported Inland Empire stories that, he says, people should know about.. “Freelancing is an incredibly convenient work opportunity,” says Stiles, who is African American. “It has helped me hone my skills as a journalist at my own pace and work on stories I’m passionate about - all from home.” Stiles says the money he makes freelancing helps him keep a roof over his head while in school and that his schedule would have prevented him from working as a fulltime writer while he pursued his degree in Criminal Justice. Now, AB 5, a new California law that takes effect Jan. 1, 2020 threatens the livelihood of California freelance journalists like Stiles, critics argue, calling the legislation “unconstitutional.” The legislation that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September and takes effect Jan. 1, 2020, limits the number of freelance articles journalists in California like

Stiles can write for any one publication to 35 per year. For budding writers like Stiles who can get paid, on average, about $100 per article, that adds up to only about $3,500 a year. Last week, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc., (ASJA), a national professional organization that represents independent non-fiction authors, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the state of California to prevent AB 5 from impacting its members. “We have no choice but to go to court to protect the rights of independent writers and freelance journalists as a whole,” said Milton C. Toby, president of ASJA. “The stakes are too high, and we cannot stand by as our members and our colleagues face ill-conceived and potentially career-ending legislation.” ASJA, which represents about 1,100 freelance writers across the country – with about 120 of its members living in California – is joined by the National Press Photographers Association as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. The Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian non-profit with offices in Sacramento, is representing the groups pro bono. “This law as written, even if it has good intentions, sadly, is an affront to first ammendment constitutional protections,” says Regina Wilson, Executive Editor of California Black Media. “It’s (continued in next 2 columns)

unfair and inconsistent, too. How can you allow freelancers who write marketing copy and press releases to work unrestricted while taking food off the table of freelance journalists who are writers and photographers? Their words and images contribute to our national historical record and they provide critical information to the public.” “It will no doubt hurt the bottom lines of small ethnic-owned media businesses in the state. They already lag behind their mainstream counterparts,” Wilson added. “We have to do something about this.” Supporters of AB 5, introduced by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), praise the legislation for closing loopholes, they say, employers use to underpay workers and deny them benefits like health insurance, minimum wage, paid parental leave, etc., that state law requires for full-time employees. “Big businesses shouldn’t be able to pass their costs on to taxpayers while depriving workers of the labor law protections they are rightfully entitled to,” said Gonzalez in May when the Assembly voted 59-15 to pass AB 5. AB 5 writes into law a 2018 California Supreme Court ruling that instructed businesses in the state to apply an “ABC” test to determine whether a worker is a freelancer or employee. For a worker to be classified as a freelancer, employers would have to prove that the person is (A) not under the contracting company’s control, (B) is doing work that is not central to the company’s business, and (C) has an independent business providing a service. If freelancers or contractors don’t meet those requirements, companies would have to employ them and provide all the pay and benefits required under California labor laws. It’s still too early to gauge exactly how AB 5 will impact freelancers in California, but some moves in the media industry, for a while now, have been sending early signals. Last week, Vox Media, parent company of popular niche websites, including Vox, SB

Nation, Eater and Curbed, announced that it is laying off hundreds of freelancers in California. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Times hired 30 of its freelancers as full time employees after the Supreme Court decision last year, according to that publication. “First, this states the company had been contemplating the switch for 2 years,” Gonzalez wrote in a tweet that was widely criticized on social media for coming off as insensitive. She was responding to Vox Media’s freelancer layoffs last week. “Second, it clearly states that those contracted jobs are being converted to full & part time jobs,” the Assemblymember’s tweet went on. “I understand a contractor who doesn’t want a job being upset, but that’s certainly not all bad.” Laid-off Vox freelancers who have spoken out publicly about their loss of work fired back at Gonzales, pointing out that the company transitioned only about 15 journalists to full-time positions while cutting hundreds of freelance gigs. “The government cannot single out journalists,” said Jim Manley, a Pacific Legal Foundation attorney, in a statement about the lawsuit. Last week, news about the lawsuit lifted the hopes of many California-based freelancers who fear that employers outside the state might blacklist them while California-based companies might replace them with peers living in other states. “Freelance journalism is a whole different ballgame and this law ignoring that is a travesty,” said Antonio Ray Harvey, a Sacramento-based African-American writer who has, for more than 17 years now, wholly earned his living freelancing. He covers sports, politics, current events, and other beats, for the Associated Press, NBC sports Radio, California Black Media and the Sacramento Observer. “Its not like there are a lot of journalism jobs out there nowadays,” said Harvey. “We have to maintain ou (continued in next 2 columns)

Simone Biles, you know the name. Maybe you know of the 25 world championship medals by the young lady who has the most medals by any gymnast ever. Or maybe you know her being named the greatest gymnast of all time. And now, the Associated Press has named her Female Athlete of the Year 2019. All in all, the 22-year-old has made quite a name for herself already. “I realize now with the platform I have it will be powerful if I speak up and speak for what I believe in,” Biles told The Associated Press. “It’s an honor to speak for those that are less fortunate. So if I can be a voice for them in a positive manner, then of course I’m going to do whatever I can.” Her triple-twisting double-flip (the “triple double”) at the end of her first tumbling pass on floor exercise is a wondrous blur. Her double-twisting double-flip beam dismount (the “double double”) is so tough the International Gymnastics Federation made the unusual decision to downplay its value in an effort to deter other gymnasts from even trying it. Biles has become well aware over the last three years that her every word and action carries far greater weight than she ever imagined. Her most impactful moment of 2019 might not have come during a meet but sitting for an interview on the eve of winning her record sixth national title, when she fought back tears while talking about how USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the FBI failed

to protect athletes during an investigation into Nassar ’s abusive behavior. “I’m starting to realize it’s not just the ‘gymternet’ anymore,” Biles said, using the term for her sport’s dedicated fans. “It’s an overall thing. It’s weird to get that kind of attention, but at the end of the day, I feel gymnastics has been overlooked in non-Olympic years. Yeah, it puts pressure on me. But I’m not trying to think about all the attention from the outside world.” But her road to stardom and the history books was paved with hardship. Simone’s mom struggled with drug and alcohol abuse after she was born and her father was never there. So at the age of three, Simone was in foster care. Ronald Biles, Simone’s biological grandfather received a call that changed his and Simone’s life forever. “I got a call from a social worker that said Simone and her sister were in foster care. So I said without hesitation, ‘send them to me,'” he recalls. So Ronald moved them down to…Houston and soon after he and his wife Nellie, adopted them. “She was so tiny and jumping off everything. I was so scared,” says Nellie. “But Simone, she wasn’t afraid one bit.” The couple says that they had no choice but to put her in gymnastics where she flourished. Her room is a testament to that with gold medals, trophies and winning ribbons from tons of competitions. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Disability Rights California Recognizes Senator Portantino State/Government News

Sacramento, California – State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) has accepted Disability Rights California’s legislative award for his continued work to promote greater rights and protections for Californians with disabilities. The Senator is thankful that Disability Rights California has recognized his passion to fight for marginalized members of California and looks forward to continuing to work to advance common goals. This award was presented to the Senator for his work on SB 695 and for the Senator’s past work to advance the rights of those with disabilities. “Some organizations and people just make you smile and feel good about what we do -Disability Rights California and the Californians it advocates for are clearly in that category. I am extremely grateful to be presented with this legislative award. I strongly believe that the state has a responsibility to help people who need our help and Disability Rights California is at the forefront of that effort. I am confident going forward we will continue to improve the lives of Californians with disabilities,” commented Senator Portantino. This award was presented to Senator Portantino in part for his work on SB 695, which was sponsored by Disability Rights California. SB 695 would have required a local educational agency (LEA), upon a parent’s

request, to translate the student’s individualized education program (IEP) and other related documents in the native language of the parent with 30 days of the IEP team meeting. The IEP process can be very overwhelming and intimidating for someone who is not familiar with the process or the terminology, and is even more daunting if that person’s primary language is not English. The lack of having a timely and accurately translated IEP does a great disservice to both the parents and the student. The goal of this bill was so that parents would have meaningful participation in the IEP process, which is required by current law, and also to provide parents with translated copy of the IEP within a certain timeframe. While the bill was vetoed, this is an important issue to the Senator and he is going to continue to advance the goals of the bill. “Disability Rights California and its Board are very pleased to recognize Senator Portantino as one of our legislators of the year. He has been a strong and reliable supporter for the rights of persons with disabilities and has championed important legislation on special education, health care, mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and suicide prevention. We look forward to continuing our work with him,” said Catherine Blakemore, executive director, DRC.

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January 2, 2020

HEALTH/FITNESS/SENIOR NEWS

DJ Tryfe’s Inaugural VIRIBUS Ball Hopes To Raise Awareness In the Black Community About Mental Illness and Donate Funds to Taraji P. Henson’s Foundation Health/Fitness News

New Health Laws for 2020 to Start on Jan. 1, Including Requirement That Californians Have Health Insurance...continued Californians to become insured. (AB 1309, Bauer-Kahan, Chapter 828, Statutes of 2019.)

Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 67, Statutes of 2019.)

AB 5 limits California companies’ use of workers as independent contractors rather than as employees. This bill may affect the provision of health insurance to these employees. (AB5, Gonzalez, Chapter 296, Statutes of 2019.)

SB 276 standardized the provision of medical exemptions for vaccination by requiring the California Department of Public Health to develop a statewide electronic request form, tracking school immunization levels and addressing physicians who submit an unusually high number of medical exemption forms. (SB 276, Pan, Chapter 278, Statutes of 2019.)

SB 104 authorizes the provision of full-scope Medi-Cal to adults aged 19-25 regardless of their immigration status. (SB 104,

Calvin 'DJ Tryfe' Seino (Washington, DC) December 26, 2019 – According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 30% of African American adults with mental illness are treated yearly compared to the overall U.S. average of 43%. But there is reason to believe that the numbers are even lower than that. What isn’t debatable is the need for greater awareness and support of mental health wellness in the African American community. Prompted by his own personal experiences with mental illness, Calvin G. Seino, better known as DJ Tryfe, decided to turn his 30th birthday celebration into ‘the VIRIBUS ball’ to raise money and awareness. “I used to struggle with mental illness. So, I always felt if I made it to 30, that I would focus on reaching back as I move forward,” says the sought-after

DJ who has rocked parties for everyone from Venus and Serena Williams to Megan Thee Stallion. Textures: Sequins, Velvet, Feathers, and Fur is the theme of the MET Gala-inspired experience taking place at Highland Theatre, a venue located on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Hillcrest community of Washington, D.C., Sunday, January 19. Hosted by Candiace Dillard from The Real Housewives of Potomoc, for whom he has DJ-ed on the show, tickets are $50, $100 and $1000. The goal is to make a sizeable donation to the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, founded by fellow Howard University alum, actress Taraji P. Henson who started it to help those like her late father who struggled with mental illness. “She already has a foundation with boots on the ground, so it

Candiace Dillard makes a lot more sense to write a check to somebody who's already working instead of starting a foundation as well,” Tryfe explains. “When I started going through my issues, I was scared to go get help or to get on meds or even tell my parents. My parents are preachers, so they wanted to just pray for you,” he shares. The popular DJ, known for his fun affairs throughout the DMV region, found the help he needed while working as a resident advisor at his alma mater. When his supervisor discovered that he battled depression and struggled with suicidal thoughts, he didn’t fire him. Instead, he made a deal with him that he could keep his job only if he went to counseling. Today, he credits that for saving his life and giving him the respect, he currently has for

seeking professional help. “If someone has cancer, yes, you pray for them, but you don't discourage them from going to a doctor or getting chemo or having surgery. And we must look at mental illness the same way,” he says. Choosing Viribus, a Latin word meaning strength, as the name of the ball, DJ Tryfe hopes to deliver that to others. “I really want to fight against the stigma against mental illness in the black community and bring awareness to the fact that even some of the people you may look up to or people who are really successful they struggle as well and we’re getting help so you should too.” For more information about ‘the VIRIBUS ball’, please www.theviribusball.com. For media inquiries, please contact:

New Health Laws for 2020 to Start on Jan. 1, Including Requirement That Californians Have Health Insurance Californians are encouraged to enroll by Jan. 31 or face a penalty if they choose to go without health care coverage in 2020. The penalty, which can be $2,000 or more for a family of four, will be applied starting Jan. 1. The penalty — enacted in state law and administered by the California Franchise Tax Board — remains in place despite the recent U.S. Circuit Court ruling in the federal Affordable Care Act case. There is new financial help available to eligible consumers, including middle-income consumers who previously did not receive any assistance. More than 540,000 people have already been found eligible for the new financial help. Health/Fitness News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While a federal court ruling last week leaves the federal individual mandate in legal limbo, Californians are reminded that a state law will take effect on Jan. 1 requiring all Californians to have health insurance. “Open enrollment is underway right now. That means now is the time to sign up for a quality health plan through Covered California so you are protected in case you get sick or injured, and so you do not have to worry about a possible penalty,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Writing a check to the Franchise Tax Board when you file your 2020 taxes isn’t the real penalty — it’s getting hurt or ill and ending up with $50,000 hospital bill.” California created a new state individual mandate penalty that is similar to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s penalty. It will be administered by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and collected when people file their 2020 taxes starting in 2021. “It’s important that everyone acts now to get health insurance starting in January 2020 to avoid the penalty when filing state tax returns in 2021,” said FTB Executive Officer Selvi Stanislaus. For those facing a penalty, a family of four would pay at least $2,000, and potentially more, for not having health insurance throughout 2020. The return of the penalty was an important element in Covered California’s record-low rate change of 0.8 percent in 2020, meaning consumers have already benefited from the new policy. New Financial Help In addition to the penalty,

California is making new financial help available to eligible consumers to help further lower the cost of their coverage. On average, consumers between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive $21 per household, per month on top of their federal tax credits. Meanwhile, for the first time in the nation, people who earn between 400 and 600 percent of the federal poverty level will be receiving an average of $460 per household, per month. “More than half a million Californians have already found out they will benefit from this new money,” Lee said. “Consumers have through the end of January to see what plans are available to them and whether they qualify for financial help from the federal government, the state, or both.” Gov. Gavin Newsom also reiterated his support of the Affordable Care Act when he joined Covered California during a teleconference last week. “The Affordable Care Act is alive and well here in the state of California,” Newsom said. “We are saving lives, we’re expanding coverage, we’re deepening subsidies, and we’re doubling down on our commitment to fulfill the law’s promise and its potential.” Californians already set to benefit from the state subsidy program include:

Shannon and John, who were surprised when they received the news in the mail that they would be saving more than $1,200 a month because of the new state subsidies. Now they are able to focus on completing a longtime dream. Watch and download Shannon and John’s story. “We do not want people to miss out on this opportunity. We don’t want them to leave money on the table, and we don’t want them to get stuck with a big bill when they pay their taxes in 2021,” Lee said.

Watch and download Yuriana and Hector’s story in Spanish or in English.

Visit www.CoveredCA.com. Get free and confidential inperson assistance, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller. Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free. Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506. California’s open-enrollment period continues through Jan. 31, 2020. New Health Laws for 2020

Recent Court Ruling California’s individual mandate and penalty remain in place as state leaders prepare to respond to the recent ruling by a threejudge panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. On Wednesday, the panel ruled that the individual mandate was unconstitutional, but remanded the case to a lower court. “The court ruling will not impact California and should not deter anyone from signing up during the current open-enrollment period,” Lee said. “The legal battle will continue for the foreseeable future, and Covered California will be working to educate people about the penalty and enroll as many as possible.” Getting Help Enrolling

Yuriana and Hector, who say their daughter is a Covered California miracle because without their health insurance they would not have been able to afford getting pregnant.

Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:

Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage into Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool.

Critical new laws will affect Californians and their health care in 2020. Senate Bill (SB) 106 provides the appropriations for the state subsidy program, along with income eligibility and specified funding allocation by eligibility levels. (SB 106, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 55, Statutes of 2019.) SB 78 is the omnibus health trailer bill that establishes the individual mandate and penalty, as well as the requirements for the state subsidy program. (SB 78, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 38, Statutes of 2019.) Assembly Bill (AB) 1309 expands the individual market open-enrollment period to Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. It sets Feb. 1 as the effectuation date for those who enroll between Dec. 16 and Jan. 31. This will give consumers additional time to sign up for coverage, thereby helping more (continued in next 2 columns)

Addressing The Silent Killer: High Functioning Depression & Suicidality Health/Fitness News

I’ve worked in the mental health field for about five years, and in those five years I’ve worked in different treatment settings, with different populations, and had my fair share of treating and supporting people who suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. In most cases, these clients have had debilitating symptoms that have resulted in multiple hospitalizations or treatment center stays over their lifespan. They often have other co-occurring diagnoses, and/or struggle with substance abuse or other maladaptive behaviors such as self-harming. Their symptoms and behaviors are so unmanageable that they struggle to live a productive or seemingly fulfilling life. They stop going to work or school, they stop hanging out with friends, they appear sad or distressed most of the time, and they lack a general sense of motivation or interest in anything. The people closest to them can usually pick up on the fact that something is wrong or off because their behavior isn’t in alignment with the person they’ve known them to be. The person doesn’t have to come out and say “I’m depressed” or “I’m suicidal”, because they begin to wear their depression and/or suicidality on their sleeve and this allows for their support system to intervene or try and offer help. But what happens when a person wears their mental illness well? What happens when the depression and suicidality is not so easy to spot and you can’t see the downward spiral? How do we support a person when we have no inclination that they are suffering or that they are merely moments or one tough circumstance away from being motivated to check out on life? After all of my experience with depressed and suicidal clients, this year was the first time I was personally affected. In this past year, I’ve known three highly functioning people that have committed suicide. I wasn’t extremely close with any of the three, but from what I knew and could see, they all appeared tohave meaningful and fulfilling lives with support systems that loved and cared about them. The last of the three, a college friend, was in medical school, she was a

social butterfly, traveled the world, and was going to change lives. She took her own life two days before Thanksgiving and her death motivated me to write this piece. It was through experiencing and processing the loss of these people that I realized that there is huge a deficit that exists in addressing what I would consider a silent killer, the combination of high functioning depression and suicidality. I firstly want people to understand that depression is different from general sadness, it’s a combination and criteria of symptoms that lasts a minimum of 2 weeks. Sadness is typically a symptom of depression and other symptoms can include, loss of interest and pleasure in things that once brought joy, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt, significant weight loss or weight gain, excessive sleeping or crying, difficulty concentrating and staying committed to tasks, and loss of energy or recurrent thoughts of death. In the mental health field when people refer to depression, they are usually referring to Major Depressive Disorder. The media has convinced us that depression only looks one way, the sad, gloomy, can’t get out of bed narrative. Over the years people have coined the term “High Functioning Depression” to describe the experience of people who may not meet every criteria of the diagnosis yet still experience intense symptoms of depression. These symptoms can look like going to work or other commitments but isolating, sleeping, or crying immediately after. Spurts of excessive irritability and anger or feelings of inadequacy. Heavily drinking or using substances when not at work or fulfilling other obligations, and/or forcing themselves to participate in social activities. Caretaking for others and putting themselves and their needs last, putting value into others because they don’t see it in themselves. Constantly being in social settings or unhealthy relationships because being alone with themselves is too painful. Feeling tired all of the time even when they get (continued on page 6)

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PAGE 5

January 2, 2020

LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20190014325 Date Filed: 12/10/2019 Filing Expires On: 12/10/2020 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): CUCAMONGA COMMUNITY PHARMACY County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 8237 ROCHESTER AVE. STE. 140 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: ADVANTAGE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC. State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: C3240383 Residence Street Address: 6241 HETTY STREET FONTANA, CA 92336 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: November 11, 2019 Rajnis V. Jasani, President, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 16, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20190014305 Date Filed: 12/10/2019 Filing Expires On: 12/10/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): VAN SANT ELECTRICAL County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 4255 CHOLAME RD. PHELAN, CA 92371 Name of Individual Registrant: AUSTIN C. VAN SANT Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 4255 CHOLAME RD. PHELAN, CA 92371 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Austin Van Sant, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 12, 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20190014248 Date Filed: 12/09/2019 Filing Expires On: 12/09/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): RELIABLE CONCRETE & RENOVATION County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1817 CLEVELAND ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92411 Name of Individual Registrant: IVAN MEDINA RIVERA Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 1817 CLEVELAND ST. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92411 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Ivan Medina, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20190013766 Date Filed: 11/25/2019 Filing Expires On: 11/25/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): EZCARELINK County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 4048 EAST GROVELAND DRIVE ONTARIO, CA 91761 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: JAYLEX LLC State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: 201826910124 Residence Street Address: 4048 EAST GROVELAND DRIVE ONTARIO, CA 91761-2688 This business is/was conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: November 16, 2019 Jayhan Edu, President, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 12, 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 2020.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVVS 1900688 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: AUGUSTINE GALLEGOS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. AUGUSTINE GALLEGOS to Proposed name: b. PAUL AUGUSTINE GALLEGOS THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be

granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 02/14/2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: V15 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, VICTORVILLE DISTRICT 14455 Civic Drive Ste. 100 Victorville, CA 92392 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: December 20, 2019 Carlos M. Cabrera, Judge Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 16, 2020. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVVS 1900636 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: CHRISTMAN SHALOM BOWERS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. CHRISTMAN SHALOM BOWERS to Proposed name: SHALOMYAH DAVEED BOWERS THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 1/15/2020 Time:8:30 a.m. Dept: V15 Superior Court Of California County Of San Bernardino 14455 Civic Drive Victorville, CA 92392 Victorville Branch A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: November 20, 2019 Carlos M. Cabrera, Judge Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 2020. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVVS 1900677 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: LATRICIA ANN HIBBLER filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a LATRICIA ANN HIBBLER to Proposed name: b. LATRICIA ANN TAYLOR THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 02/05/2020 Time:8:30 a.m. Dept: V15 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, VICTORVILLE DISTRICT 14455 Civic Drive Ste. 100 Victorville, CA 92392 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: December 16, 2019 Carlos M. Cabrera Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 16, 2020. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVDS 1936569 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a SHEILA ANN SARKOSH to Proposed name: SHEILA ANN LOZANO b. Present name:SHEILA ANN SWAIN to Proposed name: SHEILA ANN LOZANO THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 1/21/20 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: S17 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, SAN BERNARDINO DISTRICT/CIVIL DIVISION 247 WEST THIRD STREET SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415-0210 A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: December 9, 2019 Lynn M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper December 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 2020.

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SUMMONS SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): CIVDS1909446 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): HOWARD FINK YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, 247 West Third St, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): REESE LAW GROUP, Golnaz Heidari, Esq., (Bar #317574), 3168 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010; 760/8425850 (File No. 560832) DATE (Fecha): MAR 25 2019 Clerk (Secretario), by Daniel Vargas, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served 1. as an individual defendant. 12/19, 12/26/19, 1/2, 1/9/20 CNS-3323721# THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN

PETITION/PROBATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE (Probate-Decedents’ Estates) Notice Of Petition to Administer Estate Of: SAMUEL HOWARD JOHNSON Case Number: PROPS 1901065 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: SAMUEL

JOHNSON aka SAMUEL HOWARD JOHNSON aka SAMUEL H. JOHNSON A Petition for Probate has been filed by: SONYA HOWARD JOHNSON in the Superior Court of California, County of: SAN BERNARDINO The Petition for Probate requests that: SONYA HOWARD JOHNSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless

an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 01/07/2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept:: S36 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, 247 W. THIRD STREET SAN BERNARDINO SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415-0212 PROBATE DIVISION If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner: Sonya H. Johnson 1298 N. Pico Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92411 Telephone: (909)889-4029 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 2020.

should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: January 29, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept:: S35 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, 247 W. 3RD STREET SAN BERNARDINO SAN BERNARDINO, CA 924150210 SAN BERNARDINO BRANCH If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: Aruna P. Rodrigo 3350 Shelby Street, Suite 345 Ontario, CA 91764 Telephone: (909)212-0320 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 2020.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE (Probate-Decedents’ Estates)

TO

Notice Of Petition to Administer Estate Of: LUIS ROMAN CARLOS Case Number: PROPS 1900519 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: LUIS ROMAN

CARLOS A Petition for Probate has been filed by: VIRGINIA HERRERA in the Superior Court of California, County of: SAN BERNARDINO The Petition for Probate requests that VIRGINIA HERRERA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: January 23, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept:: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, 247 W. 3RD STREET SAN BERNARDINO SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92415CIVIL/PROBATE DIVISION If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner: Virginia Herrera 13593 1st Ave. Victorville, CA 92395 Telephone: (760)793-2830 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 19, 26, 2019, January 2, 2020.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE (Probate-Decedents’ Estates) Notice Of Petition to Administer Estate Of: JOSEPH G. PARRA aka

JOSEPH I. PARRA, JOSE I. PARRA, JOSE PARRA Case Number: PROPS 1900392 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: JOSEPH G.

PARRA aka JOSEPH I. PARRA, JOSE I. PARRA, JOSE PARRA A Petition for Probate has been filed by: RALPH PARRA in the Superior Court of California, County of: SAN BERNARDINO The Petition for Probate requests that RALPH PARRA be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court

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NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE (Probate-Decedents’ Estates) NOTICE OF ADMINISTER

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SHARON K. ABBOTT Case Number: PROPS 1901202 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: SHARON K.

ABBOTT A Petition for Probate has been filed by: JUDITH G. HOLCOMBE in the Superior Court of California, County of: SAN BERNARDINO The Petition for Probate requests that: JUDITH G. HOLCOMBE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action). The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why, the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: January 29, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept:: S35 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, County Of San Bernardino, 247 W. Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 -0212 San Bernardino Justice Center-Probate Division Main/Central If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: Guay P. Wilson 14 N. Eighth Street, Redlands, CA 92373 (909 ) 793-2044 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper December 26, 2019, January 2, 9, 2020.

Aguilar Issues End of Year Report to Constituents San Bernardino, CA—Today, Rep. Aguilar issued a report to residents of California’s 31st Congressional District to review his work on behalf of Inland Empire families in 2019. Reflecting on the past year, Aguilar commented: “This year marked the beginning of the 116th Congress, the most diverse in our nation’s history. Since then, I’ve joined my colleagues in working to create a fairer economy, fighting to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs, standing up for our veterans and seniors, and rooting out corruption in Washington. I’m proud of the work I’ve done to introduce thoughtful legislation that addresses the priorities of Inland Empire families, and even more proud of the work my team and I have done to provide resources to people in our community. I look forward to another year of serving the Inland Empire, the community my family has called home for four generations.” In 2019, Rep. Aguilar has: Resolved 355 cases constituents had with federal agencies such as Social Security, Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Helped return nearly $600,000 that the federal government owed to residents of the 31st Congressional District. Announced over $71 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including over $1 million in terrorism preparedness funding and over $1 million for local fire departments. Hosted a Job Fair to connect high school students with good-paying technical career opportunities in the Inland Empire after graduation. Hosted a Citizenship and Naturalization Fair to help immigrant families in our community become naturalized citizens. Hosted a Veterans Resource Fair to connect Inland Empire veterans with local resources on health care, housing, employment and assistance with VA claims. Hosted a Senior Fair to provide Inland Empire seniors with free health screenings and help them obtain information on local food programs, health services, and Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits. Hosted two events to provide Inland Empire students with information about the US Military Service Academy nomination process. Hosted 18 events and meetings to help connect local agencies with federal grant opportunities. Participated in 140 meetings, tours and events with CA-31 residents. Worked five different jobs throughout the Inland Empire as part of his “Job for a Day” tour of the Inland Empire. Held three events to connect Inland Empire residents with jobs through the 2020 Census and to promote the importance of the census. Secured $10 million for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, which benefits students at California State University San Bernardino, through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. Passed legislation that would increase home ownership rates in San Bernardino County by adjusting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits through an appropriations bill signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. Passed legislation to provide opportunities for DACA recipients by protecting them from deportation and making them eligible for federal employment. Passed the Santa Ana Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, a bill to conserve habitat for endangered species and spur over $47 million of investments into the San Bernardino County economy, which was signed into law by President Trump on March 12, 2019. Introduced three bills which are pending before the House: The REPORT Act, a bill to require the federal government to report on the causes of domestic terrorist attacks to help prevent future attacks. The PREVENT Act, a bill to provide local law enforcement with additional resources to identify and respond to extremist threats. The JOBS Act, a bill to connect Inland Empire Job seekers with local employment resources. Authored seven amendments which were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which has been passed by both the House and the Senate and will be signed into law by President Trump. An amendment to expand the types of education military spouses can pursue using the tuition benefits offered under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account to include Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees as well as technical and vocational training. An amendment to ensure military service members are debriefed on how to file claims and where to send the necessary documents to receive veterans’ benefits as they transition to civilian life. An amendment to prohibit the Department of Defense from participating in the deportation of service members or honorably discharged veterans with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). An amendment that directs the Department of Defense to provide guidance on how to apply for citizenship to immigrants who serve in the US Military and are transitioning to civilian life. An amendment to allow students attending one or two-year certificate programs to qualify for the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program. An amendment to require a feasibility study on the use of FBI databases for the Department of Defense to screen for extremists who seek to enlist in the US military. An amendment calling for budget experts to be present at Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to ensure costs are considered when decisions are made regarding the United States’ nuclear weapons programs. Served on the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee that negotiated the 2019 Homeland Security funding deal to end the longest government shutdown in US History. In addition to the legislation he’s introduced and authored, Rep. Aguilar has helped the House pass more than 275 bipartisan bills. These include bills to end unfair taxes on military families, raise wages for working Americans, drastically lower the prices of prescription drugs and health care, implement background checks on all firearm purchases, and stand up for the rights of Dreamers and the LGBTQ community. Rep. Aguilar has represented California’s 31st Congressional District since 2015. In the 116th Congress he sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves as Vice Chair, and on the Committee on House Administration. Rep. Aguilar was selected by his colleagues to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House Democratic Caucus, as a Member of the Steering & Policy Committee, and as Whip of the New Democrat Coalition.

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January 2, 2020

LEGALS/ LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS

This Man From Alabama is in Prison For Life For Stealing $9 in 1982 Local/National News

Escambia County, AL — Willie Simmons, a 62-year old Black man from Alabama, has been behind bars for the last 38 years for stealing $9. He was convicted of 1st-degree robbery and was sentenced to life without parole in 1982 due to Alabama’s Habitual Offender law. He already had 3 prior convictions. Beth Shelburne, a reporter from WBRC, shared Simmons’ ordeals

in a thread on Twitter after having a conversation with him. Shelburne said Simmons, an Army veteran who became addicted to drugs while assigned overseas, was 25-years old when the state “said he should die in prison.” Since 2005, he hasn’t had a visitor after his sister passed away. Now at the age of 62, he has been incarcerated in Holman

Denzel Washington At 65: The One Decision That Changed HIs Life...continued from page 2 than 2 weeks to detox after a wild, alcohol-fueled, gluttonous month-long vacation.” WRONG. Dead wrong. Those who know Washington is that he had long given up binge drinking and partying. In a statement that dates back to the late 80’s, Denzel said, “I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together,” he said at the time. “And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me — spiritually and financially.” Washington’s publicist spoke out to Entertainment Tonight disputing the recent reports. “He does this health cleanse every time he’s about to go back to work and start his conditioning and… nutritional program. Always cleans up after the family vacation in prep for work. Nothing new.” In fact, many celebrities do various kinds of detox diets to prepare for a role. Some of them include: Organ detoxes, which focus on cleansing and building different organs. You might also do a detox to

focus on removing accumulations of heavy metals from your system. Other detox types include those that work to eliminate specific organisms from your body, such as candida and parasites. You may also want to detox by eliminating a specific substance that is troublesome, such as sugar, milk, or wheat. Finally, there are detox diets that focus on flushing fat from the body. Each detox type has its own specific purpose and benefits, but all benefit the body by eliminating toxins and helping your body to create new, healthier tissue. Denzel will be promoting The Equalizer on a worldwide tour. In this film, Denzel plays the role of Robert McCall, a former black ops commando who faked own his death to live a quiet Boston life. He will come out of retirement to rescue a young girl and face Russian gangsters. For more info on all the different kinds of detoxing foods, click here.https://blackdoctor.org/ 240969/the-best-detox-foods/

Black News Channel Network Launch Fulfills Lifelong Dream of JC Watts By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Washington, DC — On January 6, 2020, the Black News Channel (BNC) will become the nation’s only 24-hour news and information television network focused primarily on African Americans. The historic launch of the BNC will fulfill the business dream and vision of J.C. Watts, Jr., a nationally known entrepreneur and former U.S. Congressman, Representing Oklahoma’s Fourth District. Programming will include special news features on topics that most affect the quality of life of communities of color – like Sickle Cell Disease and hypertension – that generally aren’t given much attention to by other news outlets. The BNC has also established a news-content alliance with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, via 225 African American-owned newspapers and digital companies throughout the United States. The Tallahassee, Florida-based BNC counts as the brainchild of J.C. Watts, Jr., who is described by Tommy Ross, the network’s director of communications, as “a father, husband, grandfather, business owner, entrepreneur, author, elected official at the state and federal level, a pastor, and a rancher who grew up in a small town in Oklahoma.” In reality, Watts appears as much more, and those who know him, understand that he’s a Republican conservative whose accomplishments crosses party lines. Watts is also a former AllStar quarterback who played college football in Oklahoma and

The historic launch of the BNC will fulfill the business dream and vision of a nationally known entrepreneur and former Oklahoma Representative to the United States Congress, J.C. Watts, Jr

pro ball in Canada. His congressional accomplishments and living legacy are noteworthy, including: Helped Black farmers get some justice on a discrimination suit against the United States Department of Agriculture. Helped push through legislation for the African American Museum of History and Culture. Sponsored HBCU summits to establish relationships and better understanding between students and Republican policymakers. Sponsored anti-poverty legislation (community renewal/ new markets tax credits). Led Congress in highlighting minority health care disparities. Led on the Republican side against sentencing disparities between crack/powder cocaine. Led in getting funding to fight malaria in West Africa. Sponsored Africa growth and opportunity legislation. “We’ve done a lot as African Americans,” Watts stated before referencing a recent statue unveiling that took place in (continued in next 2 columns)

Correctional Facility in Escambia County, Alabama which is considered one of the “most violent prisons in the country.” Despite that, he is studying for his GED, trying to “stay away from the wild bunch.” Simmons is not denying the crime he committed that landed him in prison for life. He admitted he was “high on drugs” when he wrestled a man to the ground and stole his wallet that contained $9, as he said he was “trying to get a quick fix.” Simmons recalled his trial which lasted about 25 minutes. He said his appointed attorney didn’t call on any witness and the prosecutors didn’t offer a plea deal although his prior offenses were non-violent. “They kept saying we’ll do our best to keep you off the streets for good,” he said. Over the years, he has filed for

several appeals even without an attorney and those were all denied. He said, “In a place like this, it can feel like you’re standing all alone. I ain’t got nobody on the outside to call and talk to. Sometimes I feel like I’m lost in outer space.” Lawmakers in 2014 have since removed the last avenue of appeal for those serving life without parole under the habitual offender law like Simmons. However, Simmons is hoping his cruel sentence could be reconsidered. “Yes, I’ve been hoping and praying on it,” he said. “I ain’t giving up.” Moreover, Simmons still dreams someday he will be free and live a normal life. “My hope is to get out of here, settle down with a woman and do God’s will,” he said. “I’d like to tell people about how bad drugs are.”

Black News Channel Network Launch Fulfills Lifelong Dream of JC Watts...continued Richmond, Virginia, earlier this month. “Rumors of War,” a statue by artist Kehinde Wiley, was unveiled on December 10 during a ceremony at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The figure depicts an African American man dressed in contemporary clothing riding a horse, echoing the equestrian sculptures of Confederate soldiers. “Rumors of War” was reportedly Wiley’s response to the Confederate monuments that

pepper the U.S. and the South in particular. The new memorial arrived amid an ongoing debate across the country about what do with Confederate imagery. “This was history,” Watts said of the statue. “Because, if we talk about the slave owner, how can we ignore the slave? African Americans contributed mightily to the United States, and you don’t see enough statues of (continued on page 7)

Eddie Murphy 'SNL' Joke Sparks Bill Cosby Feud: 'Who's America's Dad Now?' By Kasey Fox

Actor Eddie Murphy is pictured Nov. 6, 2019. Photo: AFP/Angela Weiss Eddie Murphy made a joke at the expense of Bill Cosby during his return to "Saturday Night Live" this past weekend that didn’t sit well with the latter’s spokesperson. The spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, reminded Murphy and viewers of Cosby’s comedy career. Murphy’s "SNL" joke poked fun at the obvious subversion of expectations, where Cosby was once seen as one of the most wholesome family-oriented comedians of his time, prior to the surfacing sexual assault allegations. He even had the nickname of “America’s dad.” “If you would have told me 30 years ago that I would be this boring, stay-at-home house dad and Bill Cosby would be in jail, even I would have took that bet," Murphy said in his "SNL" opening monologue. Murphy finished his joke off with an accurate Cosby impression, stating: “Who is America’s dad now?” yatt didn’t take too kindly to the

statement, deciding to inform Murphy that Cosby "broke color barriers in the Entertainment Industry," according to CNN. Cosby is currently serving three to 10 years in prison on three counts of indecent aggravated assault. He was found guilty in April 2018 and in a Pennsylvania court recently, his conviction was upheld. Meanwhile, Murphy has recently come back to Hollywood following a several year hiatus. Not only has he returned to "SNL" to host, but he also returned to the spotlight to star in films like “Dolemite Is My Name and “Coming 2 America.” Wyatt’s statement commented on Murphy’s return: "One would think that Mr. Murphy was given his freedom to leave the plantation, so that he could make his own decisions; but he decided to sell himself back to being a Hollywood Slave." Murphy’s representatives had yet to respond to Wyatt's comments at press time.

Addressing The Silent Killer: High Functioning Depression & Suicidality...continued from page 4 adequate amounts of rest, gaining or losing weight unintentionally, doing regular tasks feels like a huge chore, and feelings of happiness are usually fleeting and don’t last long. They can be so emotionally drained from having to be “normal” and functioning in public that often times other parts of their life are being unkempt or falling apart. When counselors or social workers are taught in their grad school programs how to go about diagnosing, we learn early on that there are levels of severity when it comes to a diagnosis, mild, moderate, and severe. Following a diagnostic criteria strictly by the DSM-V isn’t always a full proof science however. A person could meet only a few of the criteria (which is where the high functioning part comes in), be diagnosed as having mild or moderate depression and still have intense moments or phases of severity associated with emotional dysregulation and suicidal thoughts. When people suffer from depression but are highly functional, they can even minimize what they are experiencing by passing it off as “going through a funk or phase” or just being tired. People may tell them, “Oh you’re just going through a rough patch” or “you’ll be alright”, further emphasizing that what they’re experiencing will just pass. But depression in any form doesn’t just pass, a person has to learn to manage it. What makes the combination of high functioning depression and suicidal ideation so lethal is the fact that being high functioning creates such an illusion to others that everything is ok, that when a person acts ontaking their own life, there is overwhelming shock and confusion that follows. When a person takes their own life, people often refer to their death as “they died from suicide” and that actually isn’t the case. People don’t die of suicide they die of depression. Suicide is the action urge to solve the problems that come with depression because the symptoms are too painful and discomforting to bear. When a person takes their own life, there are usually a lot of questions that exist for the people closest to them. They often say, “I never would’ve known” or “how could we not see that coming” and the truth is the person more than likely doesn’t want others to know or see it. People with high functioning depression that commit suicide can be high achievers in many aspects of their life while

internally struggling with emotional distress for a long time. They put on a brave and happy face for the sole purpose of convincing others that things are fine, especially when they’ve made up their mind already about what they want to do. Don’t be mistaken however, all suicides aren’t planned, many are impulsive, an act of making a permanent decision driven by overwhelming and debilitating emotions at the time. It’s the impulsive suicides with no preparation (such as giving away belongings), a suicide note, or explanation left behind that can be an indication that the thought had existed in the person for a while and they just finally reached a place of developing true intent. When people commit suicide the first thing then people closest to them do is make it about themselves, “how didn’t I know”, “why didn’t you come to me”. Although it is normal for people to harbor guilt associated with losing someone from suicide, I’m here to tell you that suicide has nothing to do with other people. It ultimately doesn’t matter how happy we’ve perceived the person to be. The pain and agony of living becomes stronger than the will to live. Their needs are just no longer being met with external factors and so they make the choice to not have to wake up every day feeling the heaviness of living life. When someone becomes committed to this, unless they are in treatment there’s nothing you could’ve done to stop them. You’d be surprised by the number of people who have passive suicidal thoughts like “I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up”, or “maybe the world would be a better place if I wasn’t around”. Many people would tell you that they would never actually kill themselves but the option of being able to check out on life has crossed their minds in times of struggle or being emotionally overwhelmed. Most people would never openly discuss having these thoughts with others due to potential judgement and stigma or being deemed “crazy”, but the reality is by not having a safe space to discuss these thoughts we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to receive support or intervention. We’ve just begun to make the conversation around mental health speakable and normalized but there is still a lot of stigmatization that exists within the African American community

around this topic. Many Black people have been met with the “What you got to be depressed about?” approach to their expression of their problems. Narratives such as the “strong Black woman” have kept us from seeking help for decades, convinced that we are supposed to carry life’s problems all by ourselves. In our community, celebrities come forth and speak on having mental health issues and people are all “Mental health matters” until the person behaves in a way they don’t understand or don’t like and then they’re being dragged or made fun of on the internet. If many of us don’t have a safe space to discuss struggles with mental health, God forbid we ever talk about wanting to rid ourselves of it all. We’d be met with cliché’s like “Just go to church and pray on it”, or “stay strong” and even though the people telling us these things are doing so with good intentions, these phrases are just not enough to instill hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. In my experience, a lot of people spit out a cliché when someone is venting to them about struggling mentally or emotionally because they really don’t know what else to say. They don’t know how to support someone who is in pain or struggling to see the value in life. They can’t relate to being in a place of extreme hopelessness or running out of resiliency. They don’t realize that just sitting and listening to what the person is saying and validating their feelings is enough. There are steps we can all take to be of better support to those around us. The first thing we can do is listen. We all need to do a better job of genuinely checking in with our loved ones, actively listening to them, and creating a safe space for them so they know they can be vulnerable with us. Check on everyone, not just people you perceive to be strong. Get out of the habit of using social media as a means to check on people. People only show you what they want you to see and they’re not going to post “I’m dying inside”. And honestly, we’re so conditioned to skim past posts, if someone was posting cries for help, it’s likely that we wouldn’t notice them until it is too late. If you suspect someone is struggling mentally or emotionally, support them in finding treatment or a therapist. Depression can cause people to be so unmotivated that the person can’t find the resources on their

own, so ask them if they need help finding a professional and follow up with them about it. Understand that a person being on medication is never enough. Anybody’s primary care physician can prescribe an antidepressant. Medication only helps with the chemical imbalances in the brain, it will not teach someone the proper skills to help manage their depression or suicidality. Lastly health professionals and providers we have to step up and advocate for systemic changes. There are so many people who need help and who seek help but do not have access to resources due to not having the best of the best insurance. Medicaid and Medicare insurance holders, government assisted insurance holders, are falling through the cracks especially when it comes to quality and accessible mental health services. Don’t just write a script when told that someone is struggling with depression, research and educate them on the treatment options available to them. People with high functioning depression wear a mask that is extremely hard to see behind. If you’ve lost someone from them taking their own life, do not allow guilt to consume you because that weight is not yours to carry. People have different ways of achieving peace and we have to learn to accept that even when we don’t understand it. We just have to remember that just because a person carries their mental illness well, doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. If you struggle with any sort of mental health issue just know that help exists. Your doctor, your job, your insurance provider, the internet are all resources available to get you connected with a mental health p r o f e s s i o n a l . Therapyforblackgirls.com and melaninandmentalhealth.com are also great websites that connect people with clinicians of color all across the country. Therapy and treatment can be life changing and it can also save a life. Let’s continue to work to remove the stigma associated with going to therapy and we can do that by going ourselves and speaking openly to others about the benefits of our experience. I am a therapist that has a therapist and I am proud to share that with others. For more information on mental health from a millennial therapist perspective, please visit my YouTube channel “Keeping It A Buck W/ B”.

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January 2, 2020

LIFESTYLE NEWS/ADVERTISING/RELIGION

THE BLERD BINDER: A letter to the haters of HBO’s “Watchmen” How is “Watchmen” so far? By Noah Washington

Episode Three introduces use to an older version of one of the original comic book characters, Laurie Blake a/k/a Silk Spectre. Laurie has become an FBI agent on the Anti-Vigilante task force The Blerd Binder covers nerdy news for the Black nerds of the world. We welcome all as we talk about subjects ranging from Movies to Music and Tech to Toys. Exciting, insightful, and incredibly strange. Those are the words I choose to describe HBO’s “Watchmen” series. HBO made the right decision in picking this material to adapt. Comic book- and graphic novel-based material has shifted from campy and bright one-off stories to prestigious complicated narratives that take hard looks into our society. This is in part due to writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbon’s original “Watchmen” graphic novel. This version of “Watchmen” has been adapted into a TV show set years after the original events of the graphic novel. When the HBO series first aired, I wrote a commentary on it and what I thought. Now, we are a little more than halfway through the series. We now know more about Watchmen’s created world and have heard more reactions to the series so far. I will go through the highlights of the episodes as well as my thoughts on them. (NOTE: If you haven’t seen Watchmen, there are spoilers ahead for what has happened in the series so far through episode 5. You have been warned). I am going to begin by addressing the hate that the show has gotten. Generally, reviews of HBO’s “Watchmen” have been great, but certain fans of the original series have review bombed the show by leaving a one-star rating on the show’s Rotten Tomatoes website. This is in part due to the heavy

racially motivated nature of the show. With this said, I’ll remind you, the reader, that the original comic was set during the cold war and looks at superheroes as “fascist dictators.” The original “Watchmen” series was also a reflection of the then current nature of society. The reason that these viewers are upset is that the HBO show has decided to focus at least a part of the series on a marginalized group: African Americans. I was talking with a White, colleague and he told why he believes some viewers don’t like the current adaptation of the material. “White people are tired of being reminded of all the shitty things that they have done,” he said. I have a few feelings on this quote. I can empathize, because I wouldn’t want to be reminded of every bad thing that my ancestors have done. However, I amazed at how people can be so oblivious to the [racist] actions that are still occurring in today’s society. So, please be open-minded to where creator, Damon Lindelof is taking the series. After all, he created “Lost” and “The Leftovers” so the series is in safe hands with him. I have one thing to say to the haters of the show that coincides with the feelings marginalized people have whenever anything is created by us and marketed to the masses: “If You Don’t Like My Story, Then Write Your Own.” (Also the title of episode 4 in the series.) Moving on to the actual look back on the episodes so far, we begin with Ep. 2, “Martial Feats

of Comanche Horsemanship.” The episode title is a reference the 19th-century painting by George Catlin which is seen near the end of the episode. This can be seen as an allusion to the fact that there is an unsuspecting “war” happening in Tulsa. The episode begins during WWI with the German army dropping propaganda for the “colored” soldiers, suggesting that they should question why they are fighting for the American military when they are blatantly treated so horribly. They suggest that if they were in Germany, they would be treated with the same respect as everybody else. Episode Three introduces use to an older version of one of the original comic book characters, Laurie Blake a/k/a Silk Spectre. Laurie has become an FBI agent on the Anti-Vigilante task force. The opening scene is her taking down a Batman-like vigilante by staging a robbery. This could be seen as a, “What if Batman existed in the world of Watchmen?” The lore of the show grows in this episode as it is revealed that Nite Owl is in prison and that Laurie kept her time as a vigilante low key to her FBI colleagues and her relationship with Dr. Manhattan a secret. This also shows how emotionally compromised Laurie has become as she picks a rookie FBI agent to accompany her just because she wants to sleep with him. A very unheroic decision. We now go back to episode four, “If You Don’t Like My Story, Then Write Your Own.” We are introduced to Lady Trieu, a trillionaire geneticist who is building a giant clock.

She buys a farm from a married couple with a baby that she genetically engineered. It is such a tension-filled scene that you could scrape it off the walls. An object then proceeds to land at the farm. This scene is then connected to Adrian Veidt, played sadistically and brilliantly by Jeremy Irons. Veidt is also using clones on the uninhabited island that he seems to be trapped on (more on that later). The episode also contains a mysterious masked man called “Lube Man” as he slathers himself in an oily liquid and then proceeds to slide down a rain vent. Episode Five, “Little Fear of Lightning” begins with Wade, a young zealot. It’s 1985 and Wade is trying to convince people to repent as the world is going to end at midnight. This is the same night as the original attack on New York by the giant squid in the comic book. This traumatizes Wade into his adult life as he now counsils people who were affected by that night. This shows a side of superhero movies that has more recently been explored in superhero mediums like “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Captain America: Civil War,” How do the actions of Superheroes affect the lives of everyday people they’ve pledged to protect? As the episode plays out, we get a sense of the larger conspiracy as it is revealed that Senator Joe Keen is a member of the white supremacist group The 7th Calvary. Senator Keen shows Wade a video revealing that Adrian Veidt was the one responsible for the attack on New York and proceeds to reveal his plan (which the audience doesn’t get to see). This prompts Wade to assist Keen by setting up Angela to be arrested. Is this a way for us to see an older Nite Owl? There is so much more that happens in the series that I am not going to get into, here. If you have access to HBO, I strongly implore each of you to watch the series for yourself. The series’ history lessons alone will make the viewing worth it, in addition to the fact that it will be a very entertaining hour of your life spent.

Black News Channel Network Launch Fulfills Lifelong Dream of JC Watts...continued...continued froom page 6 African Americans.” “Think about what Rosa Parks contributed, Harriet Tubman’s sacrifice, Martin Luther King’s sacrifice, and Frederick Douglass. Their contribution was to raise the conscious level of America to say that you know, we are all human and, and all created by the same God,” Watts emphasized. He said the BNC would highlight the contributions of African Americans. And, to successfully accomplish that mission, Watts said it was essential to partner with NNPA. “NNPA already has people in the trenches that report on African American life, whether it’s Chicago, Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit or Oklahoma City, they report on African American life every day,” Watts stated. “I don’t know if I can put into words how important that partnership will be, and that’s just in terms of content. When I was in politics, we used a strategy where you’ve got people knocking on doors and leaving literature, and that’s your ground game,” Watts continued. “But you also need an air attack to augment that ground game, so with NNPA being on the ground and giving us information and data, and us being able to launch an air attack, it’s critical,” he stated. Watts believes that a significant component of the BNC is providing knowledge to a community that’s starved for information. “Our viewers will be able to find out more about Sickle Cell and

Black men and Black women’s health,” Watts stated. “They will also be reminded that Black history isn’t just about Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, which was extremely important, but it isn’t the only part of our history. We are going to take a deeper dive and have a deeper relationship with our community.” Watts’s background as a Republican and a conservative has often been a topic of both his supporters and detractors. However, Watts refuses to allow stereotypes and presumptions to define him. “Conservative means many things to different people. To me, it means living the way my grandmama taught me,” Watts stated. “She taught me to treat people the way that I want to be treated. In a Black home, you rarely saw people leaving their lights on at night because grandmama taught that it was a waste of electricity. If the lights were on, you knew that something pretty serious was happening.” Watts continued: “The bottom line about being a conservative is that you treat people with respect, and you don’t believe in wasting things. That’s important. And, another primary place that I get my conservative values is the Bible. I was thought that I shouldn’t just be concerned about Oklahoma University, my alma mater, but I should also be concerned about Morehouse. That’s why I sponsored anti-

poverty legislation because sometimes you have to put extra resources into different communities to give them the infrastructure to attract industry and jobs.” “My biblical principles drove me much more than the Republican party. Look, the National Football League recognized that having successful teams in every market would benefit everyone, and that’s why the team with the worst record gets the top pick in the draft. They know that if the Cincinnati Bengals perform better, everybody wins because you would have more advertising and a better television contract for everyone. So, I feel the same way about underserved communities. If we can help them to be stronger and create more opportunities within those communities, then that’s good for all communities.” Conservative values also sparked Watts’s desire for criminal justice reform, he stated. “When I talk about conservative principles, you know you don’t waste money,” Watts stated. “So, why should we spend $28,000 a year to incarcerate someone for a lowlevel, nonviolent drug offense? “You can spend significantly less on community service. And, when you look at the facts, the sentencing disparities were big. People on Wall Street were using powder cocaine just like people on Main Street, or people in poor communities, but the sentencing

disparities were off the charts. I voted my conscience when on this when I was in Congress,” Watts stated. With the launch of the BNC just only weeks away, Watts hopes that viewers will get a similar feeling to what he experienced after recently taking his daughter to dinner to celebrate her birthday. “My daughter recommended the restaurant, I’d never been there before,” Watts stated, “After dinner, she asked me what did I think of the restaurant? I said, ‘I’d come back to tomorrow. And I think that’s our mission with the BNC, not just to grab the imagination and the attention of the nation, but especially our demographic and to have them come back. I think it’ll be a mission accomplished.” Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, a progressive Democrat and President and CEO of the NNPA without any reservations asserted, “The launch of the Black News Channel (BNC) is very timely at the beginning of 2020. This is good news for all in Black America. The BNC transcends the current partisan divide in the United States. The interests of African Americans, as well as all other people of color and all of humanity who cry out for freedom, justice and equality will be more effectively addressed as direct result of the daily 24/7 diverse and news-packed broadcasts of BNC in the U.S. and throughout the world.”

Temple Missionary Baptist Church Announcement Church News Temple M.B. Church will celebrate our 82nd Church Anniversary Sunday, January 12, 2020, at 3:30p.m. Our guest speaker is Pastor C.R. Jones, St. Reed M.B. Church, Los Angeles, CA. We are inviting all local churches to come celebrate with

us! T.M.B.C. is located at 1583 W. Union Street, San Bernardino. Dr. Raymond W. Turner, Senior Pastor. For more information call the church office at (909) 8802038, or visit our website at: templemissionarybaptistchurch.org.

“He Who Was Seated On the Throne Said… I Am Making All Things New in 2020… But!” By: Lou Yeboah ‘My new is not what people think.’ Then he said. “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Tell my people that they are entering a season in which they will be challenged to make the decision as to whether they want to live or die. They have to make up their minds and they have to make it up now because time is running out! Tell them that they must experience that once for all conversion because then, and only then, will they have the happy, grateful, meaningful life that I have in store for them. And tell them that I am more willing and anxious to do My part - but they must be willing to do their part. So as 2019 end, and they prepare themselves to enter into 2020, they should turn their attention to change, to transformation, and a new life. See I am coming back for a Bride that will be without spot or blemish and I am warning them once again to get their act together. And let them know that if they become willful and stubborn, and not do their part, they will die like dogs. I have spoken says the Lord!” [Isaiah 1: 16-20]. Last but not least, let them know that this call to repentance and faith should not be looked upon and considered as a threat but as an invitation. I tell you, when you understand God’s purpose for your life, it should give you a sense of urgency that motivates you to change - not later, not tomorrow, not sometimes, but immediately! Understand that God wants you to dedicate yourself to HIm and to His work. He does not want you trying to live for Him on the one hand and the gods

Lou Yeboah of Canaan on the other. He wants wholehearted dedication or nothing! That is the clear message of today. If the Lord be God then serve Him. If He isn’t then go ahead and serve whatever has your heart. Whatever you do, stop trying to have the best of both worlds! As Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign Gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.” [Genesis 35:2]. For, “This is not a time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” [Martin Luther King, Jr.] Because the call is now so loud, and so clear; REPENT! Cast aside all idols! Purify your hearts and your hands! Know that there is a promised curse coming upon those who are not taking the things of God to heart. As the prophet Malachi warns, “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart...” [Malachi 2:1-4]. 2020…. Our allegiance to God is being challenged. Will you renew your Vow to Him today and pledge your allegiance? Beng confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ [Philipipians 1:6]

Witness For Justice #975

Breaking the Silence Trayce Potter Minister for Youth and Young Adult Engagement I grew up in what many would call the traditional black church. Worship lasted hours, children were relegated to speaking only during the holiday pageants, men were in places of leadership, and the women wore big hats. Looking back at those early years of formation, I am grateful for the foundations. At the same time, I now realize there were many things the church and my faith did not prepare me to deal with in the real world. You see, I can think theologically, I have preached to the masses, I have planned worship for thousands, but I wasn’t fully prepared for the depth of pain that so many colleagues, Christians, and neighbors live with chronically. There was recently a news story about a small university in New Jersey that experienced its third suicide this semester. Since then the school has come under scrutiny and criticism for not doing enough to support students dealing with mental health issues, including and especially mental health concerns that may lead to self-harm. Studies show that suicide and attempted suicide have risen exponentially over the last sixteen years. For all the ways that are available to us today for connection, there’s still a

disconnect between us. Youth and young adults, specifically, reference not having someone they can personally count on for support in times of trouble. Unfortunately, this is true in the church as well. People are suffering and in desperate need for help and support but have few places to turn. In my work I see the pain our young people are living with, and as a young adult I can say I have been there, consistently. The gospel calls us to care for those who are hurting without judgment or shame. I want to take a moment to uplift the work of my colleague, Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice. She has been integral in starting conversations in many of our churches and wider settings around best practices and ways to support those who are hurting. It is time for us to end the shame and stigma attached to depression, anxiety, and mental health challenges, so we can live into creating the beloved community where all are welcome and cared for. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Trayce Potter is Minister for Youth and Young Adult Engagement for the United Church of Christ.

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January 2, 2020

NEWS/ AD VER TISING ADVER VERTISING

Trump retweets post naming alleged whistleblower By DARLENE SUPERVILLE and DAVID KLEPPER

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump retweeted a post that included the alleged name of the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment by the House. Just before midnight Friday, Trump retweeted a message from Twitter user @Surfermom77, an account that claims to be a woman named Sophia who lives in California. The account shows some indications of automation, including an unusually high amount of activity and profile pictures featuring stock images from the internet. By Saturday morning, the post seemed to have disappeared on many users’ feeds, suggesting Trump had deleted it, though it could still be found in other ways, including on a website that logs every presidential tweet. The retweet then reappeared Saturday night. Twitter told The Associated Press that an outage with one of its systems caused tweets on some accounts, including Trump’s, to be visible to some but not others. Trump has repeatedly backed efforts to unmask the whistleblower. But his Friday night retweet marks the first time he has directly sent the alleged name into the Twitter feed of his 68 million followers. Unmasking the whistleblower, who works in the intelligence field, could violate federal protection laws that have historically been supported by both parties. The whistleblower filed a complaint in August about one of Trump’s telephone conversations with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other dealings with the

Eastern European nation. The complaint prompted House Democrats to launch a probe that ended with Trump’s impeachment earlier this month. The matter now heads to the Senate, where the Republican majority is expected to acquit the president. The central points from the whistleblower’s complaint were confirmed during the House impeachment hearings by a string of diplomats and other career officials, many of whom testified in public. The White House also released a transcript of Trump’s July 25 phone call with Zelenskiy, in which he asks for help investigating former Vice President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee. Speculation about the whistleblower’s identity has been circulating in conservative media and on social media for months. U.S. whistleblower laws exist to protect the identity and careers of people who bring forward accusations of wrongdoing by government officials. The Associated Press typically does not reveal the identity of whistleblowers. Trump insists he did nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and has asserted that the whistleblower made up the complaint, despite its corroboration by other officials. Trump also argues that he has a right to face his accuser and has called on the whistleblower to step forward. For months, an array of rightwing personalities, amateur proTrump internet sleuths and some conservative news outlets have published what they claim to be details about the whistleblower, including name and career history. The president himself has

Kanye Gifts Daughter With Jacket Once Owned By Michael Jackson

garment at an auction, but she did not disclose how much money they had to bid on it. She also shard photos of Jackson rocking the jacket during Taylor’s 1997 birthday party. “We had it tacked up so she can wear it and the sleeves are half tacked-up so when she gets older, we can untack the sleeve and it can grow with her and she can have this for her whole life,” Kim said. “She is so grateful and so excited.

Allee Willis, Songwriter of Earth, Wind and Fire’s 'September,' Has Died Chante Griffin

Songwriter Allee Willis Photo: Getty Images Allee Willis, the prolific songwriter who penned Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” and the Broadway musical, The Color Purple, has died at age 72. Her longtime partner Prudence Fenton broke the news on her Instagram account, writing “Rest In Boogie Wonderland Nov 10,1947-December 24, 2019.” Willis experienced cardiac arrest and died just after 6p.m. on Christmas Eve, The Independent reports. Whether you knew Willis’ name, you’ve undoubtedly heard and

posts that name the alleged whistleblower. But Twitter, which doesn’t have such a rule, has not removed the tweet from Supermom77 or tweets from others who have named the alleged whistleblower. “The Tweet you referenced is not a violation of the Twitter Rules,” the company wrote in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. Some details about the whistleblower that have been published online by Trump’s supporters have been inaccurate or misrepresented. For example, a photo shared widely on social media last month was circulated by Facebook, Reddit and Twitter users who wrongly claimed it showed the whistleblower with Obama’s staffers outside the White House as Trump moved in. The individual in the photo actually was R. David Edelman, a former special assistant to Obama on economic and tech policy. Edelman debunked the claim on his Twitter account and told the AP he received threats online as a result of the false claims. Michael German, an FBI whistleblower who left the agency after reporting allegations of mismanagement in counterterrorism cases, said outing government whistleblowers not only puts them at personal risk but also discourages other government officials from stepping forward to expose possible wrongdoing. German, now a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, said the ease with which the alleged whistleblower’s identity has been spread online shows the need for greater legal protections for whistleblowers. He added that it’s “completely inappropriate for the president of the United States to be engaged in any type of behavior that could harm a whistleblower.” Keppler reported from Providence, R.I. Associated Press writer Amanda Seitz in Chicago contributed to this report.

A huge spotlight has recently been put on the Capital City Country Club, in Tallahassee, Fla., after it was discovered that the seventh fairway of its golf course sits on top of at least 40 graves of long-deceased victims of American slavery. According to an article published by the Associated Press, “The rumors swirled for decades: a dark history long lay buried under the grassy knolls and manicured lawns of a country club in Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee.” The discovery was made thanks to the combined efforts of park service archaeologist Jeffrey Shanks, who uncovered the gravesite location, and the immediate past president of the Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP, Delaitre Hollinger, who did research on the plot of land and the rumors regarding its history. Hollinger discovered an old newspaper article that talked about the site and contacted city officials for help uncovering the graves. Hollinger had this to say to the AP while visiting the site: “When I stand here on a cemetery for slaves, it makes me thoughtful and pensive. They deserve much better than this, and they deserved much better than what occurred in that era.” Indeed, they do. So now there’s a big discussion on how best to memorialize the site and the African-American bodies laid to rest there. To some, this may be a complicated issue requiring a nuanced conversation, but for me, it’s quite simple: just stop playing golf there.

Photo: Cliff Hawkins (Getty Images)

I understand it would probably take loads of effort and manpower to remove an entire section of a golf course and put it somewhere else. And in a country where “plantation weddings” continue to be a thing, many people will resent that such a big fuss is being made at all. But I’d like to think people might keep the same energy they’d have if people were golfing over Ground Zero or some Holocaust memorial; because its very much the same thing. Shanks called the discovery of these graves a significant historical find because so many slave cemeteries are unaccounted for. “It’s a really serious problem,” Shanks said. “It’s not just a Florida problem. It’s really a problem across the south-east.” This should give us an idea of the importance of preserving these rediscovered burial grounds and how much work there is to be done. As for Hollinger, who leads the push to properly memorialize the grounds, he wants to reroute golf carts and fence off the area. In addition, he’s proposed a small memorial that will tell the story of the property—including how it profited from the labor of slaves. Honestly, that’s the least that can be done.

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6 Healthy Winter Teas To Try Today Health/Fitness News

NY Magee, EURweb.com

Kanye West’s wife, Kim Kardashian, announced over the holiday that they gave their 6year-old daughter, North, a jacket once owned by the late-great Michael Jackson. “For Christmas, Kanye and I gave North this jacket. And this was Michael Jackson’s jacket that he wore with Elizabeth Taylor,” Kim said in her IG Story. “And North is a really big Michael Jackson fan and we knew she would love this.” Kim and Kanye won the

also been inching closer to outing the individual; earlier this week, Trump shared a tweet linking to a Washington Examiner article that included the alleged name. Surfermom77, the Twitter handle on the post Trump retweeted, describes herself as a “100%Trump Supporter” and California resident. The account had nearly 79,000 followers as of Saturday afternoon. Some of its previous posts have denounced Islam and sharply criticized former President Barack Obama and other Democrats. Surfermom77 has displayed some hallmarks of a Twitter bot, an automated account. A recent profile picture on the account, for instance, is a stock photo of a woman in business attire that is available for use online. That photo was removed Saturday and replaced with an image of Trump. A deeper look at Surfermom77’s account shows the user previously used two other stock photos as profile pictures, including one of a model wearing an orange hat used by a hat retailer. Surfermom77 has also tweeted far more than typical users, more than 170,000 times since the account was activated in 2013. Surfermom77 has posted, on average, 72 tweets a day, according to Nir Hauser, chief technology officer at VineSight, a technology firm that tracks online misinformation. “That’s not something most humans are doing,” Hauser said. While many bots only repost benign information like cat photos, others have been used to spread disinformation or polarizing claims, as Russian bots did in the lead up to the 2016 election. In past years, Surfermom77 has described herself as a teacher, historian, documentary author and model. Attempts to reach the person behind the account by telephone on Saturday were unsuccessful. An email address could not be found. Facebook has a policy banning

Slave Cemetery Discovered Under Florida Golf Club. So How About Stop Playing Golf There? Zack Linly

grooved to her songs. In 2018 she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for songs like Patti LaBelle’s “Lead Me On,” Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland,” and “You’re the Best” from The Karate Kid. (This was the song that’s playing when an injured Daniel Son (Ralph Macchio) kicks his opponent’s face in the final fight scene.) Willis also wrote “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, which became the theme song for NBC’s sitcom Friends. As if this wasn’t enough, Willis also won Grammy awards for the soundtrack for Beverly Hills Cop and The Color Purple Broadway musical. In short, she was a living legend, and her songs will resound in our hearts and soundtracks for years to come.

Winter is the perfect time to snuggle up to a cup of tea. Not just any tea, a delicious healthy winter tea. What makes a winter tea healthy, you ask? A tea that is full of germ-fighting power and tastes like a snow daydream. It’s a tea that can do a lot more than make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It can knock out a cold and bring balance to your bodily functions too! Check out these 6 healthy winter teas:

1. Garlic Honey Tea The combination of honey and garlic can lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels in the body. Plus, they can be beneficial in fighting with cold and flu. What you need: -3 cloves of garlic, crushed -1 cup of boiling water -Juice from 1/2 a lemon -Honey, to taste 2. Golden Milk Tea It’s raved in high reviews for its many health benefits and often

used as an alternative remedy to boost immunity and ward off illness. It has strong antiinflammatory properties that may reduce inflammation and joint pain. Packed with antioxidants, you can drink this to fight off diseases and infections.

What you need: -2-4 thin slices of fresh ginger -2-4 thin slices of fresh turmeric (if using powder, 2 tsp.) -1 1/2 cup boiling almond milk -1 dash of black pepper -1 dash ofcayenne pepper -1 dash of cinnamon -Honey, to taste 3. Lavender Tea Some studies suggest that consuming lavender as a tea can help digestive issues such as vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal swelling. In addition to helping with digestive problems, lavender can also be used to help relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores. What you need:

-1 tbsp of fresh lavender or 1 lavender tea bag -1/2 cup boiling almond milk (optional) -1 cup boiling water -Honey, to taste

cold and flu while reducing fever. The cooling effects of menthol in the peppermint help to soothe an upset stomach in several different ways. What you need:

4. Ginger Chai Tea Chai tea is a fragrant, spicy tea that may help boost heart health, reduce blood sugar levels, aid digestion and help withweight loss. The ginger in this tea gives it that extra kick to clear out sinuses, cold and phlegm. What you need: -2-4 thin slices of fresh ginger -1 tbsp of fresh chai or 1 chai tea bag -1/2 cup boiling almond milk -1/2 cup boiling water -1 dash of cinnamon -Honey, to taste

5. Thyme Mint Tea A combination of thyme and peppermint leaves helps to alleviate coughing and other symptoms of acute bronchitis. The thyme combats the common

-2-4 fresh mint leaves -1 stem offresh thyme -1 cup boiling water -Honey, to taste 6. Lemon Ginger Tea With its high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, ginger root is extremely beneficial for health. Stay hydrated and give your immune system a gentle boost with this naturally soothing, anti-inflammatory tea that can help to aid in digestion, improve the appearance of your skin, and help you get back to feeling like yourself in no time.

What you need: -2-4 thin slices of fresh ginger -1 cup boiling water -Juice from 1/2 a lemon -Honey, to taste