THE SAN BERNARDINO
Scan QR Code to visit our Website
AMERICAN
“A Man In Debt is So Far A Slave” -Emerson
NEWSPAPER A Community Newspaper Serving San Bernardino, Riverside & Los Angeles Counties Volume 51 No. 33
Mailing: P.O. Box 837, Victorville, CA 92393
December 3, 2020 - December 9, 2020 Office: (909) 889-7677
Email: Mary @Sb-American.com
Website: www.SB-American.com
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 with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance those of whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)
Jehovah’s Witnesses Initiate Global Campaign Reaching Elected Officials, Businesses NNPA NEWSWIRE — Jehovah’s Witnesses have launched a worldwide plan to distribute an issue of the Watchtower magazine, titled “What is God’s Kingdom?” Robert Hendricks, the national spokesman for the religious organization, told BlackPressUSA that the answer to that question had captivated people’s attention from many different faiths for centuries. By Stacy M. Brown
While distributing the campaign, Witnesses will proceed using methods following local health protocols With more than 150 million Americans casting their votes in the November General Election, about 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States, and more than 8.5 million globally, embarked on a campaign to reach hundreds of millions of people – included those in office and those running. Jehovah’s Witnesses have launched a worldwide plan to distribute an issue of the Watchtower magazine, titled “What is God’s Kingdom?” Robert Hendriks, the national spokesman for the religious organization, told BlackPressUSA that the answer to that question had captivated people’s attention from many different faiths for centuries.
“Many people pray for God’s Kingdom to come. But they often wonder what that kingdom is when it will come, and what it will do,” Hendriks relayed. “This magazine explains how the answers to these questions can readily be found in the Bible. We are confident that the Bible’s promises about God’s Kingdom will bring readers comfort and hope for a world free of pain and suffering.” Hendriks noted that the Lord’s Prayer, found in the King James Bible at Matthew chapter 6, beginning at verse 9, states: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” “Think about that,” Hendriks
declared. “God’s will being done. God’s kingdom coming. Many people don’t understand that God’s kingdom is a real government under the messianic King Jesus Christ, and he has already proven right here on earth that he has the desire, the power, and the wisdom to be the only leader leading the only government that can solve mankind’s problems.” The organization plans to reach as many governments and court officials, businesses, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide, Hendriks said. W hile distributing the campaign, Witnesses will proceed using methods following local health protocols, Hendriks stated. “This may include distributing the magazine and making visits
via electronic means,” he added. An electronic copy in over 300 languages is available on the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, jw.org. (Look under LIBRARY > MAGAZINES.) “God did not design us to rule over each other,” Hendriks said of human rulerships. “We don’t have the power; we don’t have the wisdom. Mankind has ruled over each other for thousands of years and haven’t found solutions to sickness and death. They haven’t been able to do it, and it’s unlikely they’ll make any progress that would demonstrably make any changes for people’s lives. There is a government that will do that. It’s called God’s Kingdom.”
President-Elect Biden Names All-Women Senior Communications Staff Fills out Staff with Women of Color; Black Men Nominated for Key Posts By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent It isn’t often a politician running for office keeps h is ca mpaig n prom ise. Since defeating Donald Trump, Joe Biden has so far lived up to his promise of a diverse senior staff and cabinet. The Democrat, who openly has recognized the critical role African Americans and women played in helping him to garner a record of more than 80 million votes, on Monday, November 30, 2020, named an-all women senior communications staff – including three Black women. O n Mo n d ay, D a r r el l Blocker appeared on his way
The Democrat, who openly has recognized the critical role African Americans and women played in helping him to garner a record of more than 80 million votes, on Monday, November 30, 2020, named an-all women senior communications staff – including three Black women. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) to being nominated by Biden
as the nation’s first African
A mer ican CI A director. “I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women. These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better,” Biden said in a statement. Symone Sanders, an African American and a senior Biden campaign adviser will serve as a senior adviser and chief spokesperson for the vice president. continued in next 2 columns
President-Elect Biden Names All-Women Senior Communications Staff...continued Ashley Etienne, an African American and senior adviser on the Biden campaign, will serve as communications director for VicePresident-Elect Kamala Harris. Karine Jean-Pierre, a senior adviser on the Biden campaign who later served as chief of staff to Harris and who is also Black, will serve as principal deput y press secret a r y. For mer Barack Obama White House communications director Jen Psaki will serve as press secretary, while Kate Bedingfield, who served as deputy campaign manager and communications director for the campaign, will be White House communications director. Pili Tobar, who served as the communications director for coalitions on the campaign, will serve as deputy White House communications director. A d d i t i o n a l l y, Biden was said to learn toward a nomination of Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo to serve as Deputy Treasury Secretary. If confirmed, Adeyemo, the current president of the Obama Foundation in Chicago, would be the first Black person to hold that powerful position. The Biden/Harris team has also selected Cecilia Rouse to lead the Council of Economic Advisers. This appointment would make Rouse the first woman of color to chair the council. In what could be another historic nomination, many believe that Biden is set to name Darrell Blocker the first African American CIA director. Blocker has spent about 30 years at the CIA, so experience isn’t a question. He started as an analyst with the Air Force before joining the CIA, taking on various undercover assignments. “My clandestine activities were enhanced by being viewed as a singer, because who would ever think that one could be both?’ Blocker told ABC News in a 2019 interview. “That is a leap too far for most, and I honestly feel that it kept me safer by being in plain sight.” Biden and Harris also announced they are forming a Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to organize activities surrounding their swearing-in on January 20, 2021, announcing the initial senior leadership team who will lead PIC and unveiling its online presence.
The selections, which include two African Americans, and all individuals of color include: Tony Allen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer The President of Delaware State Universit y (DSU), one of the nation’s premiere public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Before being appointed President, Dr. Allen served as Executive Vice President and Provost at DSU and previously led Ban k of A mer ica’s corporate reputation group. He is also the Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and co-Founder of Public Allies Delaware. In the 90’s, Allen worked in thenSenator Biden’s office as a Special Assistant and Speechwriter. Maju Varghese, Executive Director Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor on the BidenHarris campaign from the primaries through the general, overseeing the campaign’s day-to-day operations and leading the entire campaign through an unprecedented shift to remote working. Varghese previously served in the Obama White House in various roles, including Assistant to the President for Management and Administration and Deputy Director of Advance. He has also worked as the Chief Operating Officer at The Hub Project and a Senior Advisor at the law firm Dentons. Erin Wilson, Deputy Executive Director Wilson served as the BidenHarris campaign’s National Political Director throughout the primary and general elections, the senior staff member responsible for relationships with hundreds of elected officials and leaders across the country. Previously, Wilson was a senior aide in Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s office, most recently serving as his State Director and Senior Advisor to his 2018 reelection. She is also a Hillary for America and Democratic National Committee alumna.
Submission Deadline for press releases and advertising Monday by 5 pm Please email to Mary@sb-american.com or msbamericannews@gmail.com
Page 2
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/ADVERTISING
Student Loan Debt Widens Racial Wealth Gap
Publisher’s Corner
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
President-elect Joe Biden wants to immediately erase student loan debt, a move that could prove more meaningful for African American students who, on average, owe much more than anyone. With the freeze placed on student loan repayments set to end December 31, Biden has gotten behind the Democrat-led House’s HEROES Act, which calls on the federal government to pay off up to $10,000 in private, nonfederal student loans for economically distressed bor rowers. “People having to make choices between paying their student loan and paying the rent … debt relief should be done immediately,” Biden stated during a news conference on Monday, November 16. NPR reported that Senate Democrats also are pushing for much more debt relief. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) co-authored
a resolution in September with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) calling for the next president to cancel up to $50,000 of outstanding federal student loans per borrower. According to data from the U.S. College Board, that would mean erasing all debt for more than three-quarters of borrowers. Andrew Pentis, the student loan debt policy expert at Student Loan Hero, pointed to an analysis published by his company, which shows student loan portfolios now total $1.67 trillion. Further, the data shows that debt distribution is more massive among borrowers of color, particularly Black students. Nearly 9 in 10 Black students take out federal student loans to pay for college, compared with 7 in 10 white students. African American students are far more likely to have large student debt than their white, Hispanic or Asian
classmates, with 59.5 percent of African American students borrowing more than $29,500. Pentis noted that the Black borrowers are more than twice as likely as white borrowers to default on their student loans, which he said is a by-product of a U.S. median household income that’s about $25,000 less for Black families than whites. The end of the federal loan morator iu m would disproportionately impact Black and brown borrowers, Pentis warned. “Student loans have long been seen as a tool to make the wealth gap in this country better,” Pentis said. “We are seeing that those loans are actually making the racial wealth gap worse because the loans become a burden on families that are already disadvantaged in terms of having a lower household income, having a lower net worth, and student loans can be
a hindrance for families trying to achieve financial goals like buying a house instead of helping those families sort of climb the social ladder and increase their financial wherewithal.” Student Loan Hero’s student loan debt analysis also revealed that large amounts of debt could act as a roadblock to completing college on time. Data showed that while 42.6 percent of students in the Class of 2017 graduated in four years or less. However, that number drops to 28.8 percent among Black students and 29.7 percent among Hispanic students. For white and Asian students, Student Loan Hero said the rates were higher than average at 46.7 percent and 48.5 percent, respectively. Conversely, more Black students – 40.7 percent – took over six years to graduate college, compared with 35.2 percent for Hispanic students, 25.3 percent for white students, and 19.7 percent for Asian students. “It’s proven that earning degrees allows students to earn more income,” Pentis remarked. “So, if you have students not able to graduate, they’re carrying debt into careers that may not be able to pay for it. Black students are borrowing at higher amounts because of the racial wealth gap in this country. “Ty pically, wh ite and Hispanic students might borrow at relatively high rates, but they’re not borrowing as much.”
Clifton Harris Editor in Chief Investigative Reporter sbamericannews@gmail.com Mary Martin-Harris / Editor Clifton B. Harris / Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 6, 1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 15313 by the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News 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.
TIME WISE
Private Investigations
“On Time, Just in Time” License Number 25694
Clifton Harris, BA, MLS Private Investigator Retired Law Enforcement Officer P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393
Telephone (760) 514-8310 Fax: (909) 889-2882 E-mail: timewisepi968@gmail.com
Here Are Four More Exceptional Black-Owned Businesses That You Can Find On The Black Directory Community News
T he Bla ck D i r e c t or y represents the largest directory of Black businesses in the world, with more than 100,000 Black businesses in the United States, Africa, Caribbean Islands, Canada, and in Europe. Tarik Nasir of Iron Flame Technologies, who accessed a business opportunity with another Black Directory member in Nashville says, "I wanted to send you a quick note thanking you for connecting my firm with a business opportunity in Nashville, TN. The partner you connected us with has already accepted our teaming agreement and we are pushing forward to leveraging your business connection into a 100year contracting opportunity. If it wasn’t for your Black Directory, we would have never made this transformative connection. Thank you for all that you do." As Brian Morse, the founder of Black Directory says, “at the Black Directory, we do not compete with each other. We believe in creating partnerships and opportunities where every Black business can grow together.” Here A re Fou r More Exceptional Black-Owned Businesses That You Can Find On The Black Directory Symphony Chips Featured on Good Morning America and Tabitha Brown, Symphony Chips is a fast-rising Black-owned gourmet potato chips brand that is steadily capturing the imagination (and appetites) of Americans. Everyone that has tasted Symphony Chips agrees on one
thing – it’s a perfect harmony of crunchy, tasty chips sautéed in a heavenly blend of 28 spices and herbs. Or quite simply in the words of Tabitha Brown, “… the best potato chips ever!” The company’s chips are sourced from all-natural materials, non-GMO, no-MSG and vegan friendly, ensuring they’re both healthy and tasty. Pedilicious Pedilicious Footwear is the brainchild of CEO and Founder, Premise Martin. The company is a fast growing wellness brand with a thriving line of natural skin care products and the immensely popular Pedilicious sandal. The Pedilicious sandal is comfortable and durable, relieving the heels and toes of the stress brought on by high heels. Yet, the sandals are classy and beautifully finished, providing faultless protection for pedicures, and ensuring women can look as great as they feel. “Many women state that they are so fashionable that they opt to wear them for the rest of the day after their pedicure,” says Stephanie Dawkins, assistant to Premise Martin. The sandals also have seven U.S. Patents. Diva By Cindy Diva By Cindy hair care products include a range of shampoos, moisturizers, growth creams, conditioners and detangling creams that stimulate the scalp and encourages hair growth while keeping your hair silky, shiny and bouncy. Diva By Cindy hair care products are
especially loved and preferred for their extraordinary detangling ability, which means, instead of being stuck on a comb, more of your hair can remain in place. The company recently became the first natural hair care brand to own automated vending machines in malls and in an airport. Diva By Cindy is now available at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, meaning even on a short stay in Baltimore, you can still grab one of Cindy’s excellent hair care products before you leave. Bamenda Coffee If you have ever wondered what exotic, full-bodied, 100% organic coffee tastes like, you’re probably thinking about Bamenda Coffee. The company sources all of its coffee entirely fresh, directly from smallholder farmers in the highlands of Bamenda, Cameroon in West/Central Africa. Bamenda Coffee is a highly social company with tangible ties to its community. According to the father and daughter management team, Felix and Angel Leshey, “our coffee is organic and fair trade. We want our customers to have high-quality coffee and we want the farmers we work with to be paid reasonably”. The company established the Leshey Foundation to help growers and their families access better education and steady incomes, thereby helping to improve and diversify the output of these communities.
Page 3
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
STATE/GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS
Google News Initiative Ad Transformation Lab Provides Needed Support for Black, Latino Media
New Report Calls on Community Choice Aggregators & Other Energy Stakeholders to Rise Above Systemic Inequities in Energy Sector...continued
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
but also leave us ill-equipped to deal with the full scale of the climate crisis. Community Choice Aggregators represent one piece of CEJA’s vision for a more just and equitable California,” said Jose Torres, CEJA Energy Equity Manager. “The Building a Just Energy Future report prov ide s c om mon- se n se recommendations for county and city-level decision makers, regional utilities, energy advocates and lawmakers to improve relationships with community members and incorporate frontline expertise into state-wide policy recommendations.” More than 10 million residents will likely fall within the jurisdiction of CCAs in upcoming years. Many CCAs are lowering bills for customers and exceeding the California Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) targets. As the state phases in more clean and renewable energy to comply with our SB 100 energy commitments, CCAs will be a critical piece of the energy transition. Building A Just Energy Future was developed by CEJA in consultation with CCA representatives and other environmental and communitybased organizations. The full report and executive summary are accessible online:
In the Google News Initiative Labs, news organizations’ cohorts come together over several months to tackle specific business problems, with support from Google and industry experts. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) Google has announced a partnership for its Google News Initiative (GNI) Ad Transformation Lab, a program designed to help advance the digital transformation and advertising aspects of Black and Latino-owned news providers in the United States and Canada. The tech giant rolled out the plan on Thursday, Nov 19, with a blog post by National Newspaper Publishers Association President (NNPA) and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. In addition to the more than 230-member NNPA, the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), and the Association of Alternative News Media also are included in the initiative. “The NNPA is pleased to join with NAHP and the Association of Alternative News Media as national trade associations dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of our member publishers, respectively,” Chavis remarked. “The Google News Initiative Ad Transformation Lab is a timely opportunity for us to acquire best practices that will increase financial profitability in the expanding digital media space.” To support the GNI program, Google has sponsored a new position for the NNPA. The association will hire a
Digital Specialist, who will collaborate between the Press Association Partners and GNI, as well as advancing the digital capabilities of NNPA’s members and the NNPA Digital Network. In a job posting on November 18, 2020, the NNPA noted that it’s looking for a candidate with a strong knowledge of digital tools and a track record of working in a decision-making business role at a digitally forward news organization. “In partnering with the NAHP, whose members span the country, with a concentration in areas of large Latino populations, we’ve seen a need to bring this type of support to our communities,” NAHP President Fanny Miller commented. “And they say it’s crucial to provide professional development that focuses on adopting new advertising technology. Increased digital revenue will help expand audiences, build capacity and further the recognition and usage of Latino publications.” Nathalie Sajous, Google’s Director of News and Publishing, Global Partnerships, said its relationship with the media associations dates back a while. “There was a common challenge that many Black
and Latinx publishers were fa ci ng,” Sajou s a dde d . “The businesses were not set up to take advantage of digital advertising at scale. We wanted to make sure we drive systemic change.” She continued: “It came through conversations and the recognition of patterns. There was a specific need we wanted to address. The Google News Initiative has many programs – specific needs we wanted to address with this audience, with respect to advertising. That’s the focus.” Sajous noted that Google has numerous programs to support the digital space. Those programs include: GNI Innovation Challenge: A global fund to kickstart innovation in news organizations on locally relevant issues. In North America, we announced funding for projects focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in journalism. Su p p or t L o c a l News campaign: In partnership with Local Media Association and Local Media Consortium, we launched a marketing campaign
in June to “Support Local News.” This program delivered funding to thousands of local news outlets in the U.S. and Canada, including Black- and Latino-owned publishers, and reached tens of millions of people with our call to action to subscribe, donate and advertise. Google Marketing: Google’s CMO recently shared four ways we’re supporting news publishers with our own marketing campaigns, including a $100M global marketing commitment to spend with the news category, including Blackand Latino- owned publishers. In the Google News Initiative Labs, news organizations’ cohorts come together over several months to tackle specific business problems, with support from Google and industry experts. Participants from each news organization receive customized consulting, learn from peers who face similar business problems, and implement specific steps to advance their goals. Additional partners of the GNI Ad Transformation Lab include digital consultant 10up and the Local Media Association, which will serve as an advisory to the program. Along with Google, these industry organizations will bring the publishers expertise in acquiring digital advertising t rai n i ng a nd upg rad i ng tech nolog y platfor ms to accelerate effective, efficient, and engaging digital advertising and programmatic strategies. “The way users are consuming news today is online,” Sajous remarked. “They come to Google, and they are expecting to find information that they can trust. Quality journalism matters, and it’s essential to people around the world. The goal of the Google News Initiative is to make sure that all have a voice. Our goal is to ensure that there is sustainability in Black and Latinx newspapers.”
CADEM to Implement Changes to the New Report Calls on Community 2021 ADEM Elections Process, Here’s Choice Aggregators & Other Energy Stakeholders to Rise Above Systemic What You Should Expect Inequities in Energy Sector
State/Government News SACRAMENTO, CA – Amidst the global pandemic, the California Democratic Party (CADEM) will implement changes to the 2021 Assembly District Elections Meeting (ADEM) process. Prioritizing the health and safety of all Californians, the ADEM Elections is traditionally a meeting that is held in each of the 80 Assembly Districts in January of each odd-number year to elect representatives to CADEM’s State Central Committee (DSCC) and a representative to the Executive Board. “California Democrats voted for a system of online registration and vote-by-mail only,” said CADEM Chair Rusty Hicks. “As we move through the holiday season and into 2021, CADEM will implement changes to the 2021 ADEM Elections process. Our priority is to protect the health of communities across the state and nation. We hope to continue encouraging California Democrats to stay engaged while keeping a safe distance, wearing a mask and
adhering to the recommendations of health e x p e r t s .” The changes to the process for the 2021 ADEM Elections includes: All California Democrats interested can run to be an Assembly District Delegate and must file and submit their candidacy with the State Party by 5 pm PST on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Elimination of all in-person vot i ng A deadline to request a voteby-mail application by Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST All voters must apply for a voteby-mail ballot by registering to vote or applying to run via an online form at https://adem.cadem.org/ If a person does not have the ability to request a vote-by-mail ballot online, they can request a ballot by emailing adem@cadem. org or by calling the Sacramento CADEM HQ at (916) 442-5707. Those who are interested in more information about the 2021 ADEM elections, please visit https://adem.cadem.org/.
Report Provides Key Recommendations for CCAs and Energy Utility Companies to Prioritize Energy Equity and Democracy in Communities of Color, Households with Low Income
Building a Just Energy Future: A Framework For Community Choice Aggregators To Power Equity and Democracy In California Executive Summary The strategies laid out in the report offer CCAs and other energy stakeholders key pathways that can help address inequities in communities that lack access to clean energy, and are already overburdened by power plants and other sources of pollution. “My brother and I have suffered from moving closer to a power plant twelve years ago. We both developed asthma, and he has suffered from multiple asthma attacks since then. The Mandalay Generating Station is the closest power plant, but it’s not the only one in the city. Because of these power plants, my community is unable to breathe clean air and end up with respiratory issues.” — Kimberly Garcia, Oxnard Resident The report highlights the rapid emergence of CCAs across
California as an opportunity to redesign the energy system with far-reaching benefits for customers, ratepayers, and environmental justice communities. Unlike investorowned utilities (IOUs) which are private companies operated in large part by shareholders, CCAs are formed by local city and county governments and governed by boards of elected officials who are supposed to engage communities and allow them to lead. However, this is not guaranteed. Building a Just Energy Future offers key local and state recommendations for CCAs and energy utilities to therefore commit to centering equity and democracy. “Accountability can only happen when communitybased environmental justice organizations have a seat at the table in advancing energy equity and energy democracy. In a recent example for us in San Francisco, People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights (PODER) coled a multi-stakeholder process to come up with strategies and actions to advance the city’s residential building electrification efforts,” said Antonio Diaz, Organizational Director. “We cocreated the process, co-facilitated a series of meetings, assisted in synthesizing the stakeholder feedback, and co-wrote the strategies and actions. Providing opportunities to participate is an important first step. Having meaningful collaboration ensures accountability.” “Energy is not a commodity— access to energy is a human right. All communities have the right to power their homes in a regenerative and ecologically just manner. Community Choice Aggregators have a unique opportunity to guide the just energy transition - so long as the right mechanisms and practices are in place that let EJ communities lead,” said Alexis Sutterman, CEJA Program Associate. “Right now, we should explore legislation that would provide statewide environmental justice oversight to energy utilities and CCAs. As California recovers from the COVID-19 economic recession, we must prioritize energy equity, and help coordinate utilities and CCAs to create a diverse, balanced portfolio of energy resources that center needs of environmental justice communities.”
State/Government News SACRAMENTO, CA—The California Environmental Justice Alliance (“CEJA”) released a new report today that calls for energy justice to be a central part of energy democracy—through the expansion of community owned energy systems, key measures that strengthen the power of communities in energy decision-making to maximize the health, economic, and energy benefits for environmental justice communities—and a statewide environmental justice oversight body to ensure accountability in the energy sector. The report, “Building a Just Energy Future: A Framework For Community Choice Aggregators To Power Equity and Democracy In California,” provides a framework and best practices for the equitable development of community-owned energy systems for frontline community
members. While the report focuses on CCAs, the recommendations included have broad applicability and can point the way for other players in California’s energy supply. Key areas covered include strategies on: Coordination with local, community-based organizations (CBOs); Accessible information and outreach; Community-driven, local program design; Transparent decision-making; and Local and state accountability. “California is at a crossroads of energy justice in 2020: either we commit to equitable solutions or we leave hundreds of thousands of people behind, which in the long run may not only be more expensive for our energy system continued in next 2 columns
ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON VICTORVILLE On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department went to Eva Dell Park at 15714 1st Street in Victorville regarding an assault investigation. During the investigation, Edward Claude Apodaca, Jr., was arrested... READ MORE......
Search Arrest Records for San Bernardino, Riverside & LA County @ website: sb-american.com
Page 4
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
RELIGION/HEALTH/LIFESTYLE
“I Warn You, As I Warned You Before!” By: Lou Yeboah
Lou Yeboah “I will not put up with sin forever. I am going to open Hell to you, and show you what it is like, maybe that will help you get some get right. You see, I am about to destroy the city, and I’m telling you, if you don’t change your ways, you will perish under the wrath which is SOON TO COME. So, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell...And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.” [Matthew 5:20-30; Mark 9:43-48]. “I warn you, as I warned you before!” Having heard all your life about the grace and mercy of God, you have taken His grace for granted. Woe unto you! Exhibiting the spirit of Esau, in which unfortunately you may well discover his end too. You see, Esau’s life is the story of a man who traded his soul for fleeting pleasure. He sold his birthright, which included not only material benefits and family privileges, but spiritual blessings as well, for a bowl of soup. It says that “he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way” 25:34]. He didn’t have a second thought about what he had done. He did it, it felt good, and only much later did he come to regret it. Esau wanted to repent of his actions, but it was too late. “He found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”[Hebrews 12:17]. Esau sought to reverse the catastrophic outcome of his mistake/decision, but was rejected because he had no further opportunity to repent. The damage was done and there was no turning back. May each of us learn from Esau, and not wait until it is too late to
consider the cost of our decisions and actions. God is good to allow time for us to repent of our sins by delaying His judgment. But don’t think that we have all the time in the world, to repent. Because according to Genesis 6:3-5, it reminds us that the “Lord spirit shall not strive-with man always.” A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” [Proverbs 22:3]. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [Isaiah 55:6]. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. [Romans 11:22]. "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?... Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. [Ezekiel 18:21, 30]. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." [Isaiah 1:18]. "The great day of the Lord is near – near and coming quickly. See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish… In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.” [Isaiah 66:15-16; Zephaniah 1:14-18]. “The great day of the Lord is near ─ near and coming quickly. May the God of heaven give you understanding in all things which concern his glory, and your eternal good.
Witness For Justice#1023
The Gender-Based Violence Pandemic Rebekah Choate Associate for Global Advocacy and Education This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States and, like many, I’m unable to travel to be with my family and celebrate as we’ve done in the past, due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. This will not be the first time I’ve spent Thanksgiving apart from my family, and it probably won’t be the last, but I still grieve the loss of this time with family. Still, I am incredibly privileged to be able to work from home effectively. I do not need to care for anyone other than myself (and my cat). I am living in a safe situation where I don’t fear violence. For many women in the United States and around the world, this is not their reality. Globally, domestic violence has increased during the pandemic; women have left the labor market to care for children or ill family members; women were forced out of the labor market due to job cuts or company closures; and women are a majority of workers we’ve deem essential and have increased their exposure to the virus. Black women, indigenous women,
migrant and refugee women, black trans women, and other women living on the margins have been impacted the most – and yet have the least resources. Beginning on November 25, we join the global “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. Everyone is talking about the health pandemic, but we’ve had a pandemic of gender-based violence since the beginning of our patriarchal societies. Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience violence in their lifetime. No person, no city, no state, no country is immune to this violent pandemic. You probably know a woman who has experienced violence. As I’ve been preparing for the 16 Days of Activism, I think about some of the women who have spoken up and shared their experiences at the cost of retraumatizing themselves. Nadia Murad, a 2018 Nobel Peace laureate and member of the Yazidi ethnic group, told her story of the 2014 capture of her village, continued in next 2 columns
The Gender-Based Violence Pandemic...continued the killing of her family, and the sexual violence she experienced at the hand of Islamic State fighters. She has said, “I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine,” and has worked to end violence and the use of rape as a weapon of war. Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate, who fought and was shot for daring to go to school, has said, “I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls,” and she continues to advocate for girls while completing the education she fought for.
These two women have been recognized for their advocacy work for justice, peace, and equality. There are many more women whose stories we don’t know and will never hear. We made strides recently with the #MeToo movement in sharing stories and speaking up about gender-based violence, but the violence persists. Join the f ight against gender-based violence. The #ThursdaysinBlack campaign and the UCC’s 16 Days of Activism guide offer some ways you can act. A world free of violence is possible.
Tips to help manage holiday stress during COVID-19 By Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N., director of health engagement strategies, UnitedHealthcare Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress levels are rising due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous disruptions in our daily lives. The American Psychological Association recently reported that “we are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.” And it’s not just adults who are feeling it. The report reveals that our children are “facing unprecedented uncertainty, are experiencing elevated stress, and are already reporting symptoms of depression.” Although a modest amount of stress is normal, high levels of stress can be dangerous to your health and may contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression. Therefore, make sure to keep a close eye on your wellbeing and the well-being of your loved ones during the holidays. It’s true, there is no magic bullet to make stress disappear forever, but we can take action to help reduce stress. Here is a list of tips that may reduce your stress and lead to a more enjoyable holiday season. Learn to recognize your holiday stress triggers and relievers. Financial pressures and personal demands are two common triggers. Also, beware of unhealthy stress relievers. Holiday stress may cause some people to fall into bad habits such as smoking, drinking or eating too much. Give yourself a break. While doing things for others, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. If you feel stress building up, take a break for a few minutes. Listening
to calming music, taking time to watch a movie, or just getting away to take a brief walk can give you time to unwind and recharge. Make time for your health. In the holiday rush, don’t let your well-being fall by the wayside. Try to stay on your normal sleep schedule, incorporate healthy foods and get regular exercise. If you can’t find a 30-minute chunk of time for exercise, break it up into three 10-minute sessions spread throughout the day. Check your health plan benefits. Some insurers, such as UnitedHealthcare, offer behavioral health care programs that can range from caring for your mental health to treatment for substance abuse, with a goal of helping improve your overall well-being. For example, Sanvello® offers clinically validated techniques and tools to reduce stress, anxiety and depression within a single app. Sanvello is free to download from the app stores and you can do an instant eligibility check in the app. Enjoy, even if it’s virtually. In the flurry of holiday activities, we sometimes forget what we’re celebrating, so remember to savor the time with people you love. If you or others you know are unable to meet in person, use a phone or set up a Zoom call to celebrate and spend time together. It’s important to minimize any feelings of isolation. Talk to your doctor. If it feels like you’re not able to get a handle on your stress, talk to your doctor. She or he may recommend a counselor who could help you find other ways to help reduce or manage the unhealthy stress in your life. For more health and wellness information, visit UHC.com.
Obituary: Remembering Walter Scott Hawkins, Data Researcher, Scholar and Black Students Advocate... continued Recently, Hawkins was a consultant to California Black Media (CBM). He collected the data, analyzed it and produced “Counting Black California” a report that identified population pockets of “hard to count” African Americans to guide groups and organizations focused on increasing Black participation in the 2020 US Census. This data was overlaid with state COVID-19 outbreak data to help the African American Community Empowerment Council secure $2.5 million dollars for testing in the African American community statewide. Hawkins was born in San Angelo, Texas on Oct. 12, 1948. He was the only son of Maiso and Altamae Hawkins. His father was a master sergeant in the US Air Force. As a child, Hawkins lived on military bases in Japan and Germany where he gained familiarity with both languages. After graduating from Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California, he attended San Diego State University on an academic scholarship. While there he played on the football team and ran track and he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Pupil Personnel Service Credential. While living in San Diego, Hawkins worked as the Director of the Black Social Workers Association and was on the staff of the San Diego County Adoption program called Tayari that recruits prospective foster and adoptive parents in the African American community. Hawkins joined the Cal State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) administration in September 1974. His first job was as the director of the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound focuses on identifying qualified youth who are low-income and potential first-generation college students in order to support and encourage them in pursuit of postsecondary enrollment. After that he was appointed director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Under his leadership, EOP grew from two programs in Student Services to a strong Undergraduate Studies office in the Academic Affairs department. Hawkins was recognized for dedication to students as an EOP Trailblazer when the California State Universities celebrated the EOP 50th anniversary in 2019. Current CSUSB EOP Director Veronica Ramirez Amerson
said, “Walter is well loved by our EOP team and his spirit, humor, knowledge and strong advocacy for students and our community will always be remembered.” After EOP, Hawkins became the director of the Research & Policy Analysis Office (RPAO) in Undergraduate Studies. Retired Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies Dr. Milton Clark said, “Walter was just brilliant at looking at data, seeing what programs worked, what programs that didn't work, preparing reports. The help that he provided and the data that he provided was invaluable. I think, as much as anything by example, I learned to be a better leader, because of Walter.” Hawk i ns reti red f rom CSUSB in the spring of 2007. Retirement gave him more time to engage in a variety of volunteer community service programs in the San Bernardino area. He was a Rialto USD School Board member for nine years and he served in an appointed position with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. With the San Bernardino NAACP Branch, he served as the Chair of the Political Action Committee and with the Westside Action Group (WAG), a nonprofit community organization. He was a Second Vice President. Past president of the San Bernardino NAACP and retired Assemblymember (District 47) Cheryl Brown said, “The community has lost another giant. Walter Hawkins was a master data analyst. The information he provided gave depth and context to an issue. He could look at the data and tell the true story. His reports were on target. He mastered the computer and will always be known for his work on what he developed and called the Ebony Triangle, a statistical area where Black people were moving in the latest migration” Alton Garrett, who met Hawkins at the Westside Action Group in 1991 and collaborated with him on a number of political campaigns and policy related projects said, “He was a great person. He’s going to be missed in the community and in the education arena.” Hawkins is survived by his wife Dr. Jean Peacock, a CSUSB professor emeritus of psychology, their children and grandchildren. He was a member of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship Church in San Bernardino and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Hilary Shelton, NAACP: “The bottom line is that we believe that health care is a civil right."
Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN: “Let us make 2021 the year of Black health equity.”
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – D. B. Wright, former head of a non-profit religious organization in Washington, D.C., was well taken care of by his leadership board. He enjoyed an employment
package that included full health care among other benefits. “Being gainfully employed and having one of the best health insurances, I never thought about
Obituary: Remembering Walter Scott Hawkins, Data Researcher, Scholar and Civil Rights Groups Escalate Fight Against Black Students Advocate High Prescription Drug Costs: Sharpton Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media Calls for 2021 to be ‘The Year of Black of Los Angeles, for more than 40 health equity’ By Hazel Trice Edney
Walter Scott Hawkins was a California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) administrator for 33 years where he was a champion of providing minority students the tools they needed to succeed academically. Hawkins passed away on Nov. 18. He was 72 years old. Hawkins was a resident of Rialto, a city in San Bernardino County located about 54 miles east
years. He was active in the African American community serving as President of the Rialto Board of Education and as a member of a variety of community service programs and groups in the San Bernardino area. Respected for his aptitude at collecting and analyzing numerical data, Hawkins was also a University administrator who used his skill to evaluate programs assisting underserved students. In the community, he effectively used data to help elect policy makers that supported the needs of its African American members and to propose actions policy makers needed to take. continued in next 2 columns
continued on page 6
Page 5
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010790 Date Filed: 11/24/2020 Filing Expires On: 11/24/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): 1. RANCHO RV & SELF STORAGE 2. RANCHO CUCAMONGA RV & BOAT STORAGE 3. RANCHO RV & BOAT STORAGE County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business:12050 ARROW ROUTE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91739 Mailing Address: 2042 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 IRVINE, CA 92612 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: GUARDIAN STORAGE CENTERS, LLC State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 2042 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 100 IRVINE, CA 92612 This business is/was conducted by: A Limited Partnership Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 4/16/2004 John Minar, Managing Mem. of Guardian Storage Centers, LLC GP of GSC Rancho I, LP, 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 November 26, December 3, 10, 17, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010085 Date Filed: 10/28/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/28/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PARK VIEW TOWNHOMES County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business:1160 BARSTOW ROAD BARSTOW, CALIFO 92311 Mailing Address: 20350 VIA TARRAGONA YORBA LINDA, CALIFO 92887 Name of Individual Registrant: MATT H. TYNI 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: 20350 VIA TARRAGONA YORBA LINDA, CALIFO 92887 Name of Individual Registrant: JANICE S. TYNI Residence Street Address: 20350 VIA TARRAGONA YORBA LINDA, CALIFO, 92887 This business is/was conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Sep 30, 2020 Matt H. Tyni, Spouse, 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 November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010189 Date Filed: 10/30/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/30/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.):OVO SOUND County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business:11611 VILLA STREET ADELANTO, CA 92301 Name of Individual Registrant: DESIGN D. TROTTER 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: 11611 VILLA STREET ADELANTO, CA 92301 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Aug 19, 2019 Design Trotter, 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 November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200009951 Date Filed: 10/27/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/27/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PIZZA FUEGO County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 171 WEST 40TH STREET SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407 Mailing Address: 3225 MCLEOD DRIVE, UNIT 100 LAS VEGAS, NV 89121 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.:PIZZA FUEGO SAN BERNARDINO, LLC State of Inc./ Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.:202027311008 Residence Street Address: 1008 W. AVENUE M14 SUITE A-D180 PALMDALE, CA 93551 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: Oct 18, 2020 Faraj Mourad, Manager,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 November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010276 Date Filed: 11/04/2020 Filing Expires On: 11/04/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): CORAS NAYARIT County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of B u s i n e s s : 1 4 5 6 0 PA L M D A L E R D . VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 Mailing Address: 15840 CANDLEWOOD DR. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92395 Name of Individual Registrant: EMMA MACIAS SALAZAR 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: 15840 CANDLEWOOD DR. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92395 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Nov 02, 2020 Emma Macias Salazar, 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 November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010276 Date Filed:11/04/ 2020 Filing Expires On: 11/04/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): CORAS NAYARIT County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of B u s i n e s s : 1 4 5 6 0 PA L M D A L E R D . VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 Mailing Address:15840 CANDLEWOOD DR. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92395 Name of Individual Registrant: EMMA MACIAS SALAZAR 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: 15840 CANDLEWOOD DR. SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92395 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Nov 02, 2020 Emma Macias Salazar, 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 November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200009985 Date Filed: 10/27/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/27/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.):1. B LUXE BOUTIQUE 2. MARATHON MANAGEMENT GROUP County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business:16333 GREENTREE BLVD., UNIT 3584 VICTORVILLE, CA 92393 Name of Individual Registrant: BIANCA MCMILLIAN-HOUSTON 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: 16333 GREENTREE BLVD., UNIT 3584 VICTORVILLE, CA 92393 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 Bianca McMillian-Houston, CEO, 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 November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010090 Date Filed: 10/28/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/28/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): GOLDS AND PINKS County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business:15221 CARMELITA AVE. CHINO HILLS, CA 91709 Name of Individual Registrant: CRYSTAL SANCHEZ Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 15221 CARMELITA AVE. CHINO HILLS, CA 91709 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 Crystal Sanchez, 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 November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200010425 Date Filed: 11/12/2020 Filing Expires On: 11/12/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): OPTOMETRIC EYE CARE ASSOCIATES OF SAN BERNARDINO County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 222 NORTH G STREET SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92410 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: DR. MICHAEL K. MORTON OD OPTOMETRIC CORP State of Inc./Org./Reg.:CA Inc./Org./ Reg. No.:3284381 Residence Street Address:1425 LARSEN LN PLACENTIA, CA 92870 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Mar 12, 2010 Michael Morton, 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 November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200009959 Date Filed: 10/27/2020 Filing Expires On: 10/27/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): PIZZA FUEGO County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 805 S. MOUNTAIN AVE. ONTARIO, CA 91762 Mailing Address: 3225 MCLEOD DRIVE, UNIT 100 LAS VEGAS, NV 89121 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: PIZZA FUEGO ONTARIO, LLC State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.:202027311014 Residence Street Address: 1008 W. AVENUE M14 SUITE A-D180 PALMDALE, CA 93551 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: Oct 24, 2020 Faraj Mourad, Manager, 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 November 12, 19, 26, December 3, 2020.
PETITION/PROBATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DONALD CARL VICKERY
CASE NO.: PROPS 2000865 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of: DONALD
CARL VICKERY
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KAY VICKERY in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KAY VICKERY 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: Jan 6, 2021 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept.: S36 Superior Court Of California County Of San Bernardino 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0212 San Bernardino District-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. Attorney for Petitioner: Edward G. Operini 16820 Ivy Avenue Fontana, CA 92335 (909) 822-5041 Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper November 26, Correction December 3, 10, 2020.
CLASSIFIED Acupuncturist Assistant Needed Acupuncturist Assistant: Perform admin. duties Req: BA in Trad. Chinese Med.
REQUEST FOR ORDER
or Ori. Med. Mail resume:
PETITIONER: VIVIAN F. CROOX RESPONDENT: JACINTO R. CROOX REQUEST FOR ORDER: DIVISION OF PETITIONER’S PENSION; APPT. RICHARD MUIR AND PAY ONE-HALF COSTS
Eastao Corp. 9602 Baseline Rd Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
CASE NUMBER: VFLVS 022145 NOTICE OF HEARING TO RESPONDENT: JACINTO R. CROOX A COURT HEARING WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS: DATE: 1/13/21 DEPT. : V11
TIME: 8:30 AM
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 14455 CIVIC DRIVE VICTORVILLE DISTRICT, VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 WARNING to the person served with the Request for Order: The court may make the requested orders without you if you do not file a Responsive Declaration to Request for Order (form FL-320), serve a copy on the others parties at least nine court days before the hearing (unless the court has ordered a shorter period of time), and appear at the hearing. ( See formFL-320-INFO for more information.) Attorney For Petitioner: Christina Ferrante, SBN 80030 10700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 200 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 T: (909) 989-0023 F: (909) 4660318 Date: February 24, 2020 Carlos M. Cabrera JUDICIAL OFFICER Published in The San Bernardino American Newspaper November 26, December 3, 10, 17, 2020.
Submission Deadline For All Legals & Classifieds is 5pm Mondays
Arrest Records for San Bernardino, Riverside and LA County are available to search on our website: sb-american.com Santos Guerrero Rodriguez Charged in Killing of Three-Year-Old Child in San Bernardino The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Santos Guerrero Rodriguez (Age 24 of Desert Hot Springs) for the murder of a three-year-old child in San Bernardino. CASE SYNOPSIS On Saturday, November 21, 2020, police detectives from the San Bernardino Police Department responded to a local hospital regarding a three-yearold who had severe head trauma. The incident which caused the injuries was determined to have occurred in the 500 block of West Victoria Street in the city of San Bernardino. During the investigation, Santos Guerrero Rodriguez was arrested. After reviewing this case, our office has charged Mr. Rodriguez for violating the following sections of the California Penal Code: Penal Code Section 187(a) – Murder of a Human Fetus (Felony) Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought. Penal Code Section 273ab(a) Assault on a Child Causing Death (Felony) Any person, having the care or custody of a child who is under eight years of age, who assaults the child by means of force that to a reasonable person would be likely to produce great bodily injury, resulting in the child’s death, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 25 years to life. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the applicability of subdivision (a) of Section 187 or Section 189. CASE INFORMATION DA Case Number: 2020-00-0053885 Court Case Number: FSB20003944
YOUR CLASSIFIED AD GOES HERE! CALL TODAY (909) 889-7677 or Email: mary@ sb-american.com
For ONLY $40.00 Publish Your FBN Statement with The San Bernardino American News go to sb-american.com to upload Payments are accepted by debit/credit card
Page 6
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
ENTERTAINMENT/LOCAL/ADVERTISING
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Continues to Reach New Milestones By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Singer Michael Jackson live in Lisbon, Portugal on September 26, 1992 as part of his international tour. (Photo: Constru-centro/Wikimedia Commons) Thirty-eight years ago, Michael Jackson released his groundbreaking “Thriller” album, and the music world has never been the same. Jackson himself would never be the same either. The album, which featured such iconic hits as “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and a duet with Paul McCartney on, “The Girl is Mine,” has sold an estimated 66 million copies worldwide and has traded places regularly with the Greatest Hits of the Eagles as the best-selling U.S. album of all-time. “The King of Pop” would go on
to capture the imagination of an entire generation, winning eight Grammy Awards for Thriller, including Record and Album of the Year, and Producer of the Year. A year later, he released the Thriller video, which broke barriers and instantly became the most-watched music video ever. Jackson’s 1983 performance of “Billie Jean,” during the celebration of Motown’s 25th Anniversary, earned him an Emmy nomination and a telephone call from Fred Astaire. “It was the most extraordinary thing, a most special moment,”
Jackson said at the time. Today, artists young and old are still trying to copy Jackson’s blueprint for success, and most still revere him. Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50. This week, Rolling Stone paid homage to Jackson with “12 Thrilling Facts About Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Video.” “In adolescence, youngsters begin to grow hair in unexpected places, and parts of their anatomy swell and grow,” director John Landis explained, regarding the role of the werewolf metaphor in cinematic history. “Everyone
experiences these physical transformations in their bodies and new, unfamiliar, sexual thoughts in their minds. No wonder we readily accept the concept of a literal metamorphosis.” Further, the largest number of people doing the “Thriller” zombie-dance routine, according to the Guinness Book of World Records: “13,597 participants in an event organized by the Instituto de la Juventud del Gobierno del Distrito Federal at the Monumento a la Revolucion, Mexico City, Mexico, on 29 Aug 2009.”
FILM REVIEW: Sound of Metal NNPA NEWSWIRE — Yes, this is Riz Ahmed’s showcase and his ultimate moment, thus far. But, excellent performances abound. Paul Raci, a CODA (Child of Deaf Parents), as the director of the group home builds a portrait of a seasoned counselor who is as transparent and nurturing as he is demanding and disciplined. Lauren Ridloff (TV’s The Walking Dead), a former Miss Deaf America, enlivens the role of Diane, a congenial elementary school teacher. Mathieu Amalric (Munich) as Lou’s dad casts a very paternal shadow. While Oliva Cooke perfectly counterbalances Ahmed. By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire Film Critic
SOUND OF METAL Courtesy of Amazon Studios
It’s a str uggle. Losing one of your senses can be devastating. But that’s the reality a punk-metal drummer faces. Hearing loss. He’s banging drums he can no longer hear. Ruben (R iz A h med, Nightcrawler), a percussionist, and his lover Lou (Olivia Cooke, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), a lead singer and guitarist, form a twoperson metal band. They travel to small clubs and gigs in their RV, like low-budget indie rock stars. The music they play is earsplitting. Even the applause they receive is loud. But more and more for Ruben, everything is muffled. It’s a major adjustment for a recovering heroin addict whose life ambition is music. His ability to understand conversations, decipher low tones and listen to phone calls decreases dramatically. After an alarming test—left ear at 24% capacity, right ear 28%—an audiologist
delivers the harsh news: “The hearing you have lost is not coming back.” With love in her heart, Lou talks Ruben into becoming a resident at sober house for the deaf. Then she’s gone. He’s left to adjust to a progressive program that doesn’t believe deafness is a handicap. He is not so sure. The premise, based on a documentary by Derek Cianfrance about the husbandand-wife American sludge metal duo known as “Jucifer” who is hailed for extreme volume, was developed into a very engrossing script by writer/director Darius Marder. Two mutually dependent, nomadic loving souls barely eking out a living. Solid in their dedication to music, performing and fighting for sobriety. It’s a brave Bohemian existence but noticeably fragile, especially when they encounter a major challenge. It’s no wonder the former addict is mortified and manifests his fear
in angry outbursts and feelings of abandonment. He’s an unlikely protagonist fighting an invisible and seemingly insurmountable adversary. An enemy that forces him to look to others for guidance and within for a solution. Ruben is the kind of highpotential, anti-hero character seasoned actors vie to play. Considering the high stakes, it isn’t evident by Ahmed’s filmography that he could do justice to a role that would be a supreme challenge even for a chameleon like Daniel Day-Lewis. Yet there he is, a British/Pakistani former rapper, now with bleached blonde hair, blanketed with tattoos and trying to convince viewers that Ruben’s struggle is worth their attention. Darius Marder, in an ingenious stroke of creativity and through innovative sound design, lets the audience hear or not hear just like Ruben. The screen goes increasingly silent as his
ears fail. It’s a drummer’s worst nightmare and messing with the audio track adds an authenticity that underlines his desperation. He’s trapped. Not able to go back to the old world, not accepting the new. Then there are moments when you can hear what others can hear, and he cannot. It’s a very profound juxtaposition. Ahmed invests his all in the rebellious but loving drummer, expressing his disappointment and making you feel and experience his disorientation. Ruben’s stubborn attempts to cling to his past life and not accept his future is a paradox he must reconcile. And Ahmed’s deeply emotional, Oscarworthy performance compels you to want to stick with him, through the worst of times, until he has or doesn’t have an epiphany. How despondent is he? Ruben: “What I need is a fu–ing gun in my mouth!” continued in next 2 columns
FILM REVIEW: Sound of Metal...continued Yes, this is Riz Ahmed’s showcase and his ultimate moment, thus far. But, excellent performances abound. Paul Raci, a CODA (Child of Deaf Parents), as the director of the group home builds a portrait of a seasoned counselor who is as transparent and nurturing as he is demanding and disciplined. Lauren Ridloff (TV’s The Walking Dead), a former Miss Deaf America, enlivens the role of Diane, a congenial elementary school teacher. Mathieu Amalric (Munich) as Lou’s dad casts a very paternal shadow. While Oliva Cooke perfectly counterbalances Ahmed. In fact, there are moments when Ahmed and Cooke’s performances are so emotionally raw and primal they rival those of Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb’s in Sid and Nancy. The film’s very simple, cinema verité look comes from Daniël Bouquet’s inobtrusive
yet intimate cinematography, Megan Stark Evans’ authentic costuming, Tara Pavoni and Ruth Peeters’ very informal sets and Jeremy Woodard’s low-key production design. The musical score by Nicolas Becker and Abraham Marder couldn’t be more audacious or subtly perfect and the tight editing by Mikkel E.G. Nielsen makes 2h 10min wiz by like 90 minutes. Innovative filmmaker Darius Marder examines the psychology of deafness, creates indelible characters and molds a totally absorbing atmosphere. But that’s just the beginning. Riz Ahmed is his vessel, muse and interpreter. He’s the soul-searching guide who introduces viewers to a side of life that is too rarely shown. Released in select theaters November 20th, 2020 and available on Prime Video December 4t h, 2020.
Civil Rights Groups Escalate Fight Against High Prescription Drug Costs: Sharpton Calls for 2021 to be ‘The Year of Black health equity’...continued from page 4 what medicines cost,” he said in a recent interview. But then crisis hit. Following a divorce he moved back to his hometown of Albany, Ga., where he took a job with no benefits, which he eventually lost due to severe illnesses over the past five years. That’s when reality set in. “I had to borrow money from my family and friends in order to get the medication that I needed to treat various issues.” Those issues included surgery to remove a baseball size tumor on his liver, a gall bladder removal and ultimately chronic pancreatitis. In excruciating pain, Wright was prescribed a medicine called Creon to help with his digestion and relieve the pain. It worked wonders in the hospital. But upon discharge, he learned that Creon would cost him $850 a month, well beyond his income of zero except what he could borrow from friends and family. Even with a coupon or pharmacy discount, he said, the price “was still beyond my financial ability.” Also dealing with high blood pressure and suffering through a spinal disorder that rendered him temporarily unable to walk, Wright has resolved what he believed to be the bottom line in America when it comes to prescription drugs. The doctors and pharmacists may be sympathetic, but the medication simply “costs what it costs,” he said. “It was a horrendous experience. And it’s so interesting that you need these medications to survive. It was horrible to go through. You kind of feel like if you don’t have the money, you don’t matter.” The experience of D.B. Wright, who asked to only use his initials to protect his privacy, is among the reasons that civil rights leaders and lawmakers across the nation are now pressing increasingly hard to establish public policies to monitor and help make prescription drug prices affordable. Best known for their efforts to address police misconduct, voting rights protections, racial inequality, and economic injustices, civil right organizations are now escalating their focus on issues in the area of health care - particularly the high cost of prescription drugs. “While there has been much partisan back and forth on these issues in Washington, there has not been enough conversation about reining in the profits and excesses of health insurance companies, which refuse to cover
critical procedures, medicines and services in order to preserve their billions of dollars in profits,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton in an Oct. 30, 2020 letter to Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.) “Let us make 2021 the year of Black health equity.” Sharpton’s letter is part of a growing focus on racial disparities and inequities in health care, partially ignited by findings that people living in predominately Black counties are nearly “three times more likely to die of the COVID-19 than predominately white counties,” he said in his letter. The letter culminates more than a year of efforts by his National Action Network (NAN) and other civil rights and health organizations to deal with the suffering of people who must sometimes risk their lives by choosing to take care of other crucial bills instead of paying for prescription drugs. Similarly focused, the NAACP national board of directors last year passed a resolution calling for Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) in every state, which would “act as a watchdog for the public. It will carefully review drug costs and establish fair and affordable costs for state and local government.” The resolution continues, the “NAACP supports the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in each state to determine how best to make prescription drugs more affordable for their residents, including by examining the entire drug supply chain, including the role of drug manufacturers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), and establishing maximum affordability payment rates for expensive drugs that create significant affordability problems for residents, building upon the tradition of health care cost scrutiny.” The state of Maryland last year became the first state in the nation to successfully create a PDAB with the national and state NAACP chapters “playing a critical role,” as well as dozens of Black faith groups, labor, business and other non-profits, said Vincent DeMarco. DeMarco is president of the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative (MCHI), which led the PDAB initiative in the state. The Maryland board has won accolades from DeMarco. “They are doing a very good job right now of examining what drugs
continued on page 7
Page 7
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
December 3, 2020
COUNTY/POLITICAL NEWS
Charles Lee Stapleton Charged With Charles Lee Stapleton Charged With Domestic Domestic Violence, False Imprisonment Violence, False Imprisonment in Big Bear City... continued in Big Bear City San Bernardino County DA News The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Charles Lee Stapleton (Age 48 of Big Bear City) with domestic violence, false imprisonment, and other crimes. CASE
SYNOPSIS
On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call of a domestic dispute in the 900 block of S. Hemlock Lane in Big Bear City. After an investigation, Charles Lee Stapleton was arrested. After reviewing this case, our office has filed charges against Mr. Stapleton, for violating the following sections of the California Penal Code: Penal Code Section 273.5(a) – Domestic Violence (Felony) Any person who willfully inflicts corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim described in subdivision (b) is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to six thousand dollars ($6,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. Penal Code Section 236 – False Imprisonment (Felony) False imprisonment is the unlawful violation of the personal liberty of another. Penal Code Section 459 – Bu rglar y (Felony) Every person who enters any
house, room, apartment, tenement, shop, warehouse, store, mill, barn, stable, outhouse or other building, tent, vessel, as defined in Section 21 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, floating home, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 18075.55 of the Health and Safety Code, railroad car, locked or sealed cargo container, whether or not mounted on a vehicle, trailer coach, as defined in Section 635 of the Vehicle Code, any house car, as defined in Section 362 of the Vehicle Code, inhabited camper, as defined in Section 243 of the Vehicle Code, vehicle as defined by the Vehicle Code, when the doors are locked, aircraft as defined by Section 21012 of the Public Utilities Code, or mine or any underground portion thereof, with intent to commit grand or petit larceny or any felony is guilty of burglary. As used in this chapter, “inhabited” means currently being used for dwelling purposes, whether occupied or not. A house, trailer, vessel designed for habitation, or portion of a building is currently being used for dwelling purposes if, at the time of the burglary, it was not occupied solely because a natural or other disaster caused the occupants to leave the premises. Penal Code Section 422(a) – Criminal Threats (Felony) Any person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person, with the specific intent that the continued in next 2 columns
statement, made verbally, in writing, or by means of an electronic communication device, is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out, which, on its face and under the circumstances in which it is made, is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person
reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family’s safety, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison. CA SE
I N FOR M AT ION
DA Case Number: 2 0 2 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 53 4 6 4 Cou r t Case Nu mber: F S B 2 0 0 0 3 9 0 7
Civil Rights Groups Escalate Fight Against High Prescription Drug Costs: Sharpton Calls for 2021 to be ‘The Year of Black health equity’...continued from page 6 are really high cost and what would make prescription drugs more affordable for people,” he says. “So, it’s really an exciting new way at the state level to address this problem.” Meanwhile, the national NAACP has continued to press for national solutions. Following up with another resolution in September 2020, the organization continued to press for equity and affordability in prescription drug access. The resolution outlined the harsh realities that people like D.B. Wright have faced. Quoting the 2019 AARP Prescription Drug Survey of likely voters aged 50 and older, the resolution said that of the 463 African-American respondents, “40% believed they might have to limit necessities such as food, electricity and fuel in the future to afford their prescription medication,” the resolution states. Even with state assistance through programs like PDABs, advocates
recognize that prescription drug prices are so out of control that some are still far too expensive. “Ma r yla nd has made considerable gains in ensuring that quality healthcare is more affordable and accessible for residents of our state,” said a statement on the MCHI website. “However, expensive life-saving drugs– some of which are close to six figures for treatment– threaten to derail the progress made in expanding health coverage. To contain rising healthcare costs, we must contain skyrocketing prescr iption d r ug costs.” The struggle to rein in high prescription drug prices has reached the U. S. Congress, but to no avail. U. S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) last year introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability and Access Act, which would have created “an independent agency—the Bureau of Prescription
continued in next 2 columns
Civil Rights Groups Escalate Fight Against High Prescription Drug Costs: Sharpton Calls for 2021 to be ‘The Year of Black health equity’...continued Drug Affordability and Access— tasked with conducting reviews of drug prices and determining an appropriate list price.” However, the bill, S.3166, was sent to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Jan. 8, 2020, but went no further during the 116th Congress. Technically, with only a few weeks before Congress goes to Christmas break, this means the bill will likely die in committee, but can be reintroduced in the 117th Congress when it reconvenes Jan. 3. “In a country as wealthy as ours, it’s downright shameful that people have to choose between taking their medicine or paying for other basic necessities,” Booker lamented in a statement. “Every day, millions of Americans struggle to afford their lifesaving medication while the manufacturers of these drugs profit hand over fist with limited to no oversight. On top of that, many of these drugs were developed through research funding from the federal government. We need systemic change that will meaningfully address the exorbitant, rising cost of prescription drugs and put the focus back on patients, not profits.” Health advocates such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and former senator, now Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris—who co-sponsored the bill with Booker — will likely not give up the fight. And given the incoming new Congress and White House administration the NAACP has said it will support the efforts that Sharpton and Booker, a CBC member, have expended. “Sen. Booker’s bill was an
excellent first step,” said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and vice president for advocacy and policy. “The bottom line is that we believe that health care is a civil right. And that means that the full gamut of what is quality health care is very important. This is one of many issues that still needs to be addressed and improved upon. It’s not the only issue and it’s not stand alone. It’s crucially important in the categories of health care and economics. It’s an important component of a comprehensive health care system that provides high quality health care for all Americans.” The issue is no doubt headed for increased debate in Washington as the civil rights community applies the pressure. But outside of the growing political battle, there are real people waiting and fighting alone, says Wright, who recently received a court ruling allowing him 100 percent disability benefits; plus, Medicaid which now covers the cost of his medicines. “It took four years to get disability insurance or Medicaid,” he said. “I would hope that the government grows a heart and recognize that the least that they can do is care for those who cannot care for themselves. I’m not talking about people who are trying to milk the system. I’m talking about real people who are having real challenges in life.” This article is part of a series on the impact of high prescription drug costs on consumers made possible through the 2020 West Health and Families USA Media Fellowship.
Page 8
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com WORLD NEWS/ADVERTISING
December 3, 2020