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By Barrington M. Salmon, O g ce re rt ra ta ss O er n n se iv ti ffi g y, s d o e e o s ce ef n Jo D C in n w s. o r Thomas sh o u h th re th the hospital on Saturday and launching a search for “D u ri o u e n co n e m w a ty p N g u er so o o R A ld have bee his murder Register he four ving to liti l Left meone’s pet Contributing Writer,guThe Final Call ed th n HispaneicWhite. He later teysten said he saw solve the Rytesting should imm initially th trial, pro suspects, ca authorities Fsaid. when the ca at Coand oper Congressional eb F President Donald leaders se u . en ifi . ed rt 1 cu ed k 9 h ia RyenTrump il t ca . to er led husban tely take pThe party, happening amid statewide stay-at-home darted in fr that they Chiang sa se and fin , their 10-y stimulus d and wifers successfully ar- an named Diacomplicating the pro lace to reont announced the $2nei trillion package— ear-old dau M cGspread uire sayof that DNA id during the campally ensure just g or economic Doug and P na Roper ca secutions’ cl orders intended to th slow the the coronavirus, g ic b h Christ s el te e w o r is h n ev Je ai e the Coronavirus Aid,hbRelief, and Economic Security en g se g an ssica and an eggy id me forward ing to her fo opher Hug aims, a wom n rv en h im . e ed “N ce al g ,” b o o ca may have gone unnoticed until frantic witnesses called w u t t t testing in out to as bigger th n help law only is it p hes. Police of 11-year-old inal. She tu with blood rm (CARES) Act to great fanfare, touting the deliverables Anim enfo this an acomplex rovafter foun y en midnight rned the ever boyfriend who w shortly from house cat.chec al Can ontrapartment t solv o to as a violencltothing is Even thoughcaNse would come atrcnemen911 l idence over o an e different aspects of the provisions and their belief in its d the bloodied destroyed it. ffi cr ce an im rs im Sheriff’s Lt. Cesa Ollague es Kern County in toBakersfield, o st cr bold, he is ew to the poli the state.”, trauma. al hospital, where itrushed the blee African Am ability to slow the economic tsunami exacerbated by the treading casom’s decision in co ce, but thim said. issue that C was ericans, His th ey re e fu C ll o y o al novel coronavirus pandemic. One of the major selling p o Dr. Kto er case panics and it came end,” he said. diagnose watching. ifornia voters acro n a potentially p“Unfortunately ristai bad K ra o th u sh se er H e expects th , a vsaid olarizing who responded ss e politi points is a $1,200 one-time payment to adults. e is keepin minorities Deputies toe the thearparty eterin ian, te liv- Contin g his focuth 11-pscene speclarge, bac oknow und (5 trum Ollague k inbut The pandemic has cut a wide and deadly swathe said, hee w didn’t exactly s on fairncaeslwas to ued on p ar -k th e ilo how lls the il d a s andpeople ge A2 through communities across the country, overwhelmed many McGuire v after it regainsgstram) cat to justicewere in attendance. isited thand rength at if he seone The victims, th including the medical infrastructures of places like New York City, e bofive bcaadults, es itjuvenile t ontoFrid.ay againwere , he’ll expected suffered gunshot wounds but they Detroit and New Orleans, and brought much of America’s . issue a tick et for ja survive, he said. economic activity to a standstill. At press time the grisly Investigators found 94 shell cases and three live tally in the U.S. stood at 356,942 confirmed cases and rounds at the scene. more than 10,524 deaths. New York is still the epicenter The partygoers reported seeing four men driving with more than 122,031 confirmed cases and almost 4,159 away in a white car, the lieutenant said, and investigators deaths. were trying to determine whether they attended the party In a desperate effort to blunt the spread of Covid-19, or were participants of a drive-by shooting. state governors have ordered as many as 230 million people Since March 19, California’s social distancing order to stay home, which has brought commerce to a virtual has banned nonessential gatherings of any number of standstill. Along with the sudden and brutal decline of the people. The state’s 40 million residents are told to only much vaunted, record-setting stock market, the economy leave their homes for “essential” reasons, such as to get began a freefall dragging with it jobs, businesses—large and medications, shop for groceries and supplies, care for small—and the destinies and fortunes of tens of millions of family members and exercise outdoors.

American workers.

The state has more than 21,000 confirmed Compared to other small business owners, African COVID-19 cases and nearly 600 deaths, according to Americans have generally had to face more daunting data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. challenges such as smaller cash reserves to draw from, difficulty in securing bank loans and other financing and being sole proprietors or “mom and pop” establishments that are ineligible for most small business loans.

Businesses, big and small, have been savaged, with the hardest hit sectors being the travel and hospitality Compared to other small business owners, African Americans have generally had to face more daunting challenges such as smaller cash reserves to draw from, difficulty in securing bank loans and other financing industries and the retail sector.

Financial planner and wealth manager Ivory J. and being sole proprietors or “mom and pop” establishments that are ineligible for most small business Johnson acknowledged that Covid-19 has shaken up U.S. loans. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) businesses and hit Black customers hard.

Mr. Johnson, who for the past two decades has helped “It’s having a tremendous effect,” he said. “Cash flow businesses. You have to figure what you need to do now.”

He characterized the relief package as, “keep the light families and small businesses create and protect wealth, just stops. Ten percent retail, 10 percent of restaurants, 20 percent of the population just stopped. This is the end of on money,” likened the U.S. economy to a Ponzi scheme and who has guided them to see the benefits of developing the business cycle, we’re at peak employment where wages with the U.S. government printing money “out of thin a financial game-plan. “Nobody ever shoots Santa. People go up, corporate money gets squeezed and they fire Bob,” air,” and said now that corporations—who are carrying don’t care and weren’t complaining when they were making between $4 trillion and $10 trillion worth of debt—face money.”

WHAT: FREE Virtual Health-A-Thon he explained.

Mr. Johnson said the Covid-19 pandemic merely WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 2020 9:30 am – 2 pm “People didn’t have time to pivot. For Black business, an economic reckoning, the realization is dawning that the accelerated what has been happening to the economy, just (PT) access to capital may not be there and Black customers are way they’ve been doing business is untenable.

“They are now seeing that this isn’t sustainable,” said Continued on page A2 WHERE: ZOOM, YouTube Live (register at www. going to be hit very hard. It’s going to be a challenge for all Amplify.Love)

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Black Businesses Matter, But Will They Get Fair Share Of COVID-19 Aid Money?

Bobcat Re 6 Hospitalized cove A f t er Being H After Shooting i Policat Breaks Out e Car Bakersfield Party

“Catching Our Breath” Black Folks Thriving in the Age of COVID-19

Stimulus Checks Begin to Arrive, What Should You Expect?

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Payments from the $2.3 trillion federal coronavirus stimulus package have begun hitting individual bank accounts.

In a memo, IRS Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the first round of payments were sent on Thursday, April 9, and should arrive in bank accounts beginning no later than Tuesday, April 14.

Most Americans are eligible for and will receive stimulus payments, except for those who owe back child support payments.

Single-filers who make less than $75,000 will receive $1,200, while married couples making less than $150,000 are scheduled to get $2,400. An additional $500 payment will be provided to households for each child under 17.

The IRS will base the payments on the adjusted gross income of taxpayers’ 2019 return. If a 2019 return hasn’t been filed (the deadline has been extended for two months), the IRS will use information from the 2018 return. If the return doesn’t contain direct deposit

information, or if the IRS doesn’t have returns from 2018 or 2019, a paper check will be issued later.

Electronic payments also will go out to those receiving Social Security and disability, even if recipients don’t typically file a tax return.

For those who haven’t provided the IRS with bank account information, paper checks are expected to begin reaching households in May, but, in some cases, recipients won’t receive payment until September.

“If we have your bank information, you’ll get it within two weeks,” Mnuchin said. “Social Security, you’ll get it very quickly after that. If we don’t have your information, you’ll have a simple web portal, we’ll upload it. If we don’t have that, we’ll send you checks in the mail.”

Treasury officials said they expect 50 million to 70 million Americans to have received directly deposited payments by April 15, which is one day later than what the IRS said it expects the deposits to become available.

The IRS does plan to set up a portal on its website where filers can enter direct deposit information if the agency doesn’t already have those details. Those who have

provided bank information on their 2018 or 2019 returns don’t have to do anything unless their information has changed.

As for paper checks, the Washington Post reported that the IRS plan would distribute those to the lowestincome Americans first, prioritizing payments for individual taxpayers with incomes of $10,000 or less on April 24.

Checks for earners of $20,000 or less would be in the mail May 1, followed by those with incomes of $30,000 on May 8, $40,000 on May 15, and continuing in income increments of $10,000 each week, according to the plan. The IRS plans to issue about 5 million checks each week.

Stimulus checks would be issued on Sept. 4 to joint taxpayers earning $198,000, the maximum allowed under the stimulus. All others would be sent on Sept.

11, in most cases, because the IRS did not have prior tax information for them, and they need to apply for the checks.

California Sets Bail to Zero for Misdemeanors and Some Felonies

The Chief Justice is the leader of the state’s third branch of government, the Judicial Branch. In addition to her role on the California Supreme Court, her constitutional duties include serving as chair of the Judicial Council and chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments. (Courtesy Photo)

Antonio Ray Harvey California BlackMedia In an effort to protect the safety and health of the citizens of California, the state’s Judicial Council set bail to zero for non-violent crimes. The new rule is one among 11 the council has adapted to avoid filling up jails during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Certain lower-level felonies and misdemeanors will get temporary 90-day reprieves in order to shield attorneys, court staff, judges, law enforcement agents, employees and incarcerated inmates in jail facilities from the deadly effects of the coronavirus.

The action by the policy-making body of the courts was called to help control the spread of the virus among inmates and reduce the number of prisoners from lock-up.

The city of Los Angeles first enacted a zero-bail initiative a couple of weeks ago.

Now, the measure is statewide.

California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the chairperson of the Judicial Council, said the measure received a lot of input and considerations before approval to reduce the jail population.

We listened to suggestions from our justice system partners, the public, and the courts, and we greatly appreciate all of the input,” said Cantil-Sakauye in a written statement. “Working with our stakeholders, I’m confident we can preserve the rule of law and protect the right of the victims, the accused, litigants, families and children, and all who seek justice. It’s truly a team effort.”

In mostly overcrowded conditions, African Americans are over-represented in California’s prison population.

Nearly 29 percent of the state’s male inmates were Black in 2017, the Public Policy Institute of California reported.

Social justice advocates up and down the state have been pressuring officials about the welfare of inmates in jails and prisons since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

Across the state, many inmates as well as California prison officials have been diagnosed with the virus.

Advocates believe releasing inmates will solve the solution to prevent the spreading of the virus and save lives.

Jamilia Land is an African-American community activist and member of California Families United 4 Justice, a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that supports families impacted by police-involved shootings and violence. She said the cancellation of bail is a “wonderful idea,” but it is something that should have taken place long before the pandemic.

“It’s something that been needed to happen,” Land told California Black Media. “Unfortunately, when we look at the demographic of people who are incarcerated and overpopulating the jails in general, they look like us.

They are Black and Brown people. Also, bail is feeding a lobster that is known as mass incarceration. We need to end it.”

In 2018, when Gov. Gavin Newsom was lieutenant governor in Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration, California passed Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). It was landmark legislation that abolished the cash money bail system for defendants waiting for trial, and also gave judges more discretion to determine who will be sent to jail or not – based on risk.

California was the first state in the nation to do so.

But the bail industry and other opponents of SB 10 rallied against the bill and collected more than 400,000 signatures, preventing the legislation from becoming state law the following year.

Now, it is up for a statewide referendum vote on the California ballot in November 2020.

As the number of U.S. COVID cases and death continue to rise, the data is clearly showing that African Americans are disproportionately affected. The reasons are multi-factorial and include, structural racism, multigenerational households, public facing service jobs, and chronic preexisting diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, smoking/vaping, and diabetes.

The Black community has been inundated with bad news about the pandemic, now it’s time to take a communal moment to catch our breath. Catching Our Breath Health-a-Thon is an online virtual event hosted by the AATCLC, AMPLIFY! and The URSA Institute, a conglomeration of health empowerment and advocacy organizations working towards better health in the global African Diaspora. Catching Our Breath will provide support, direction, guidance, and unity to Black people as they navigate these challenging times.

The event will take place on Saturday April 18th, 2020 from 9:30 am to 2 pm (virtual doors open at 9:00 am with a musical interlude) California time!. It will be broadcast via zoom to virtual attendees in all 50 states.

The goal of the event is to provide people the Black community with a day of family friendly, intergenerational entertainment and information while encouraging them to be healthy and educating them about the particular risk COVID-19 poses to Black people.

Registration Link: At www.Amplify.Love or https:// bit.ly/3c7V1Xx

Assault Charge for Man Accused of Coughing on Clerk DEBARY, Fla. (AP) – A Florida man was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly coughing on a cashier and claiming that social distancing precautions for the coronavirus pandemic are “getting out of hand,” according to a police report.

Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Christopher Canfora, 49, of DeBary, on Tuesday.

The cashier at Harbor Freight Tools in Orange City told investigators that Canfora approached her at the cash register and criticized the store’s social distancing measures, which include floor tape marking where customers should stay six feet (two meters) apart.

The employee said Canfora intentionally coughed on her and her register, saying he does the same thing when he sees people wearing masks, and would go later go to a grocery store to cough there.

Canfora told deputies that he works in emergency medical services, though the arrest report didn’t say where. He also denied coughing on anyone and said he does not have any symptoms related to the virus. He said he didn’t expect anyone to understand his sense of humor.

Jail records didn’t list an attorney for him.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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Black Businesses Matter, News Observer But Will They Get Fair Share Of COVID-19 Aid Money?

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at a slower rate.

“Here’s the reality: what happened is that they are creating money out of thin air, buying assets, feeding the Ponzi scheme,” he said. “They were rigging earnings, stripmining stocks and buying back stocks, while the Federal Reserve pushed down interest rates and have been buying bonds and assets.”

Mr. Johnson, who founded Delancey Wealth Management. LLC in 2012, said 35 percent of small businesses couldn’t sustain a three-month shutdown, while 70 percent wouldn’t survive past six months.

He said the country is staring at the abyss. The unemployment rate during the Great Depression was 25 percent and financial experts are predicting that unemployment figures could reach that figure before all this is done. In late March and early April, about 10 million Americans filed for unemployment. The next jobs figures are expected to be considerably higher.

Veteran labor organizer Bill Fletcher, Jr. said there are a couple of layers to consider when contemplating the effect coronavirus will have on African Americans.

“One is the question of the impact of the crisis on Black America and Black businesses. One of the things that we’re going to have to deal with in this country, irrespective of race, is going to be trauma,” he said. “I think that it will have a particular type of impact on Black America— looking at illnesses and a further elimination of wealth, along the lines of 2008 crash,” added Mr. Fletcher.

“African Americans never really recovered from the housing crash and economic meltdown and that reality is going to be a very important factor for Black people, especially since the U.S. may be going into some form of depression,” said Mr. Fletcher, former president of TransAfrica Forum and a senior scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies. “I saw a report last week that shows the Washington metropolitan area could lose 35 percent of small businesses. Add a layer of race onto that—lower savings rates and profit margins and most small biz not able to sustain themselves for three months and the problem becomes clear.”

What comes out of this crisis will be equivalent to the aftermath of a war, he said.

“It’s not like coming out of a recession with the infrastructure intact. Even if the number of people who die isn’t as high, we’re looking at high levels of devastation economically,” Mr. Fletcher explained.

Marc Morial is one of a number of critics who don’t believe the package goes far enough and said he and others in the Civil Rights and business communities will have to push just as hard as they have to ensure that more is done for African American businesses. He said he doesn’t have to look too far to see the impact of the pandemic on small Black businesses owners in New York, where he lives.

“My barber is closed down. That’s where three people work. It’s their livelihood,” he said soberly. “Every barber shop, every hair salon has been closed down.”

Mr. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said he, other Civil Rights organizations and their allies fought fiercely to ensure that Congress wouldn’t pass a bill that completely ignored African American businesses at perhaps their time of greatest need.

“The $2.2 trillion recovery relief plan is a down payment,” Mr. Morial told The Final Call. “In the best case scenario, it will offer two months relief for small business owners and four months relief for unemployed worker.

There is a need for them to go back. We fought hard in discussions, along with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), to ensure, for example that lending platforms would be open to non-profits, sole proprietors and mom and pop stores.”

“The language is broad and inclusive, and the execution may take a while. We have to lean in on this opportunity hard. African American business owners shouldn’t sit around and wonder if they should apply. Apply! We have to put pressure on the process for it to serve us.”

Mr. Morial said, “There will definitely be a need for more money and we’re working with Rep. Karen Bass to see what the next package will look like.” President Trump signed the bill March 27.

Ron Busby, President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), played a similar role as Mr. Morial pressing lawmakers to include provisions favorable to African American businesses.

“I want readers to understand that in the 700-plus page bill, nowhere was the word, ‘Black,’” said Mr. Busby, who serves on the Pfizer Small Business Council, National Newspapers Publishers Association Foundation Board of Directors, and White House African American Leadership Council. “It is a race-neutral bill, has nothing to do with Black people. The U.S. Chamber advocated to keep it race neutral to ensure that the bill would get support. Congress felt it would be easier to get passed that way.”

Mr. Busby said while $2 trillion seems like a great deal of money, $349 million will go towards the Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program (PPP).

“That also seems like a great deal of money but it’s not enough funding,” he said. “It will be very difficult for Black and small businesses. We fought for small, Black-owned businesses, fought for a couple of things—to ensure that businesses wouldn’t be cancelled because of supply chain issues and problems with developing products and widgets because of the epidemic. We also fought to get a ‘front-pay’ program where businesses would get paid in the next 15 days.”

“The federal government is notorious for slow payments of 60, 90, 120 days— and most Black-owned businesses are more interested in and dependent on cashflow. They (negotiators) pulled it out at the last minute but they said they will continue to pay businesses through the disruption.”

Mr. Busby and other observers say most Black businesses have small payrolls and use what is called 1099 workers and contract employees, but if business owners apply for the PPP, it will pay 100 percent of their payroll for the next three months. Some aspects of the plan are still vague, saying he’s not sure how the wording will be received at banks, he added.

Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Rep. Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania told The Final Call that the good news is that small businesses including those who work as 1099 employees, beauty and nail salons, painters and others who are self-employed will have an opportunity to participate.

“April is when they can first apply,” she said. “The good news is that dollars are available. It’s first come, first serve. It was important for us to make sure that individuals who work as contractors weren’t left out. We can’t make a commitment that everyone will get in but people should prepare their packages, go to the Treasury website and download the application package.”

Rep. Beatty, who is vice chairman of the Small Business Committee and serves on the Committee on Financial Services and the Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions subcommittee among others, said she has worked very closely with Chairman Nadya Velasquez and other committee members.

“CBC members have stepped up. We’re teaming up and working together but there are a lot of devils in the details, especially those not in the traditional SBA,” said Rep. Beatty, who has served in Congress since 2013.

She said she and some of her colleagues met with Civil Rights leaders and will continue to do so as all of them try to stay ahead of this crisis. Congressman Evans said providing economic distress loans, the PPP and $10 million for minority development agencies is very important and underscores the importance of small businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and it’s very important in terms of what these programs will mean,” he said. “We will probably need more money and jobs as ways to build wealth. Closing the income and wage gap and stabilizing and building Black businesses is a priority for Rep. Karen Bass.”

Rep. Beatty agreed with Mr. Morial and Mr. Busby that there’s much more that needs to be done to make sure that African Americans have a safety net during these calamitous times.

“The old adage is that when America gets a cold, African Americans get pneumonia,” she said. “What’s happening with coronavirus has exposed so many disparities. Disparities are being shown by the media.

In Detroit, for example, 14 percent of the population is African American but 40 percent of those dying are African American. The increasing numbers of people who are incarcerated, homeless. We need to look at the total picture of disparities.”

Zeville Preston, a member of New York City’s Black Business Empowerment Committee (BBE) was scathing in her criticism of the relief package.

“This bill is D.O.A. (dead on arrival). We need something of value. Black blood and bodies built this country and as usual, once again, we find ourselves at the back of the line,” she said. “We’re 22 percent of New York City’s population but we are less than two percent of business and get less than two percent of the contracts, numbers which have declined over a five-year period. Black businesses dying on the vine and the governor cares not at all.”

“This is to put CBC on notice. They want people to think they did something, and they did nothing.”

A March 20, 2020 letter sent to the CBC points to 94 proposals to help African Americans that the body sent to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with only three speaking directly to Black people and only money allocated to Historically Black Universities and Minority Serving Institutions has a dollar amount attached to it: $450 billion. In their letter, the BBE expresses frustration and dismay: “The CBC’s 94 initiatives totaling $459 million basically leaves the Black business community with nothing, especially in New York state where all other ethnic groups and Whitewomen’s participation far exceeds Black participation,” it states. “BBE is most disappointed that the CBC saw fit to argue the case for minorities, women and small businesses while neglecting to propose funding specifically for Black businesses. Harlem’s BBE finds this unacceptable!”

Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation August 11, 1980, Kern County Superior Court Decree, Case No. 16964, Government Code 6023.

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Published By Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Corporate Office 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 324-9466.

Member of The National Newspapers Publishers Association, Associated Press, and The Better Business Bureau

President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey

Credo-The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back.

The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

Los Angeles News Observer Bakersfield News Observer Valley s News Observer 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, Ca 93301 Mailing Address P.O. Box 2341 Bakersfield, CA 93303 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX. (661) 324-9472 Emails and general info: observernews@gmail.com, Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Available online: www.ognsc.com Ms. Preston said BBE is reaching out across American cities to see if business owners and others in the Black community are having the same issues.

“We’re figuring strategically to speak in one voice,” she said.

14 of 17 COVID-19 Deaths in St. Louis Are African American BNC’s Kelly Wright Set to Air Exclusive Sobering Facts

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent When National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. appeared on the Kelly Wright Show two weeks ago, Chavis told Wright that the novel coronavirus would hit African Americans the hardest.

“Tragically, the warnings have all proven to be true,” Wright stated today.

“The public health data reveals that COVID-19 is

having a devastating impact on African Americans in Chicago, Milwaukee, New Orleans, and other major cities.”

But nowhere else has the African American community felt the wrath of the coronavirus like St. Louis, where nearly every person that has died from the virus is Black.

The first non-African American to die was a Latino woman in her 50s. She died on Friday, April 10.

A white male in his 90s also died on Friday, April 10.

But, in a city where just 24 percent of the population

Comcast Launches Xfinity Education Destination for K-12 Comcast has made nearly 2,000 hours of programming and thousands of free titles available to Xfinity video customers to give children and their parents quick and easy access to educational programming by grade level, as part of the company’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The collection is a joint effort with “Common Sense Media,” the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families whose trusted age-based ratings and reviews are integrated into Xfinity on Demand.

“Xfinity is making thousands of hours of educational programming and resources available to our customers through Xfinity on Demand as we know how challenging it is for families right now who are suddenly homeschooling young children — many with both parents working, as well,” said Rebecca Heap, Comcast senior vice president of video and entertainment. “The programming selected in partnership with Common Sense Media is available in one comprehensive destination organized by grade level to make it as easy as possible for parents to find what is most relevant to their family.”

Xfinity customers with X1 or Flex can say “Education” or, if their voice search language is set to Spanish, “Educación,” into the Xfinity Voice Remote to access content available to them by grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and also for all ages currently including:

• Free programs from subscription video on demand services (SVODS) Bluprint, CuriosityStream, The Great Courses Signature Collection, Grokker Yoga Fitness, History Vault, Kids Room and The Reading Corner.

• Additional free adult continuing education programming from these SVODS focused on the “Mind,” “Body,” and “Soul” spanning biographies; podcasts on a range of topics including technology and business; yoga; dance; food and cooking; fitness; wellness; ballets and operas; and gardening.

• Educational series from networks and streaming services including Animal Planet, History, Nick Jr., PBS Kids, Smithsonian Channel and more.

• Spanish language programming available from networks including CBeebies, Discovery Familia and Kids Central.

• Firsthand interviews and historical narratives from Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, Comcast’s signature commemorative programming initiative honoring the impact and legacy of the movement.

Comcast has also enlisted the guidance of Natascha Crandall, a psychologist and educator, to program the content across English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies based on grade-appropriate guidelines aligned with the current U.S. school curriculum.

is Black, a whopping 55 percent of the confirmed cases are African American.

White account for 68.2 percent of St. Louis’ population, and 36.6 percent of coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, the death toll continues to mount in the Black community.

In a major and exclusive interview scheduled to air on Monday, April 13, Wright will discuss the grim breaking news with St. Louis Urban League President Michael McMillan.

In a transcript of the interview obtained by NNPA Newswire, McMillan revealed the devastating facts.

“In St. Louis, if you look at the number of zip codes that have the highest number of cases, they are in the African American community. So, this disease is impacting us and even in a more significant way,” McMillan tells Wright during the riveting discussion.

He stated that some of the Urban League’s partners and top African American commanders in the history of the Police Department have died.

“Pastors we work with who is on the front lines in terms of mediating the disputes between gang members to keep them from killing each other have died. And the first person to die in the region was a health care worker, an African American nurse,” McMillan says.

The devastating losses suffered within St. Louis’ African American community are compounded by the well-documented health disparities that already exist for many Black Americans nationwide, according to the Urban League.

Public Health data in virtually every major urban area has documented the overwhelming cases of Blacks experiencing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more chronic illness that weaken their immune systems.

All of which make them susceptible and vulnerable to the Coronavirus, McMillan noted.

Beyond the health problems of the community, McMillan also acknowledged the economic and employment issues that plague the community.

“So, as you look at this devastation, the other thing, of course, is that so many African Americans have jobs that they cannot work from home at,” he told Wright.

“So, since we have positions that put us on the front lines so often, they are not executive positions that one can do from home. So, individuals are really out there and

risking their lives in order to take care of themselves and their families are even more at risk, which contributes to an increase in numbers of African Americans here in St. Louis and across the country.”

When asked what the Urban League is doing to mitigate the risk amid the virus already making a full assault on the African American community, McMillan responded: “When you look at the unemployment numbers, unfortunately, African American men ages 18-24 have been the highest percentage in general before the crisis. Now that 16 million-plus people have filed for unemployment in the past three weeks, our community has been devastated by that, so we have seen a huge need in terms of basic necessities for individuals just to survive. Food, housing, utility assistance, toiletries, diapers, formulas, things that people need to make it every single day.”

He adds: “Then there’s the fear of infecting themselves and their families by being out for those that do still have jobs and do have to go and take care of other people. So, we’ve been able to provide over 2,500 sets of food, and we’ve been giving away these large distributions now.”

The Urban League also just completed its second food and supplies distribution for those living in urban areas.

The League served more 1,500 residents and has helped more than 1,000 receive food and other necessities like hand sanitizers.

“We’re trying to do it on a multi-faceted level.

Obviously, we are doing it while focusing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines about the distancing, wearing the gloves and the masks when we’re out there,” McMillan stated.

He says the Urban League chapter in St. Louis is the largest in the United States. “The Urban League was created to serve African Americans and those that are in need in major urban areas across this country,” McMillan told Wright.

“We must provide resources for those that need it most. The need is overwhelming. When you look at this tragedy and all the illnesses it has created, it has been devastating. And it’s going to be that way for some time.

But by coming together as Americans and showing the best side of ourselves. I believe we will be able to help provide all of the hope and opportunity to get through this together.”

The collection is a joint effort with “Common Sense Media,” the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families whose trusted age-based ratings and reviews are integrated into Xfinity on Demand.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

Black PBS Newshour Reporter Questions Surgeon General’s “Big Mama” Remark Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media “Don’t wash your dirty laundry in the street,” goes the centuries-old African-American adage. The saying is a warning to Black people: Don’t get into spats with other Black people about racial differences while “in mixed company.” That’s code for White people.

But at a White House Coronavirus Task Force press conference last week things got a little heated. An exchange between a Black Journalist and the country’s first AfricanAmerican Surgeon General went there — touching on African-American culture and racial stereotypes in a very public way. Big Mama may not have approved.

At the briefing held to update Americans about the global Coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who is African American, probably didn’t think he would set off a controversy when he said people of color should avoid drugs, tobacco and alcohol as a safety precaution against the coronavirus.

“We need you to do this, if not for yourself, then do it for your Abuela. Do it for your Grandaddy. Do it for your Big Mama. Do it for your Pop Pop,” said America’s top doctor, who is tasked with advancing the health of Americans, to journalists gathered at the White House.

Moments later, Yamiche Léone Alcindor, a Black White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, fired a pointed question at Adams. She asked him if his comment was an attack on African Americans.

“There are some people online who are already offended by that language and the idea that behaviors may be leading to these high death rates,” Alcindor told Adams.

Adams apologized, but he said that he used language he uses around his family.

But Alcindor continued pressing Adams, “Could you, I guess, have a response to those who might be offended by the language you used?”

“Some will find this language offensive after Adams stressed that behavior was not the issue for why more black [people] are dying,” Alcindor tweeted from the press conference.

“We need targeted outreach to the African-American community,” Adams responded to Alcindor. “I used the language that I used in my family. I have a Puerto Rican brother-in-law. I call my grandaddy, ‘granddaddy.’ I have relatives who call their grandparents Big Mama. So that was not to be offensive.”

Adams is the 20th U.S. Surgeon General. He oversees 6,500 uniformed officers who serve almost 800 locations around the globe charged with promoting, protecting, and advancing the health and safety of the United States.

Adams, 45, received his bachelor’s degree in both biochemistry and psychology from the University of Maryland, master of public health degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine.

Adams grew up on a farm in Maryland, the Baltimore Sun reported in 2017. He assumed the office of Surgeon

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. (Courtesy Photo)

General of the United States on Sept. 5, 2017.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the leading experts on infectious diseases and a member of the task force, defended

Adams’ remarks.

“I know Jerome personally,” Fauci said. “I can testify that he made no — not a hint of being offensive at all with

that comment.”

COVID-19 Financial Warning: Consumers and Banks Should Stay Away from Payday Loans Zeroing in on the economic impacts of the crisis, people everywhere are struggling with competing needs in their lives. When living costs exceed available financial resources, tough times lead to tough decisions about how to feed families, keep a home to live in, ways to keep utilities working and a myriad of other day-to-day needs.

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Newswire Contributor For the foreseeable future, ‘normal’ life will be indefinitely suspended due to the global pandemic known as the coronavirus.

Record-breaking employment layoffs in the month of March resulted in the Department of Labor reporting that 10.4 million consumers lost their jobs and filed for unemployment compensation. As medical experts continue to track the virus, the New York Times reported at least 214,461 known infections and at least 4,800 related deaths.

Beyond these statistics, untold numbers of additional school and retail closures, and an expanding army of people working from home have also been directly affected by the virus.

Consumers both young and old have passed as the virus continues to spread across the country. Its viral wrath has spawned hot spots from the Pacific Northwest’s Seattle, to the Gulf Coast’s New Orleans, the Midwest’s Detroit and the nation’s largest urban metropolis, New York City.

Zeroing in on the economic impacts of the crisis, people everywhere are struggling with competing needs in their lives. When living costs exceed available financial resources, tough times lead to tough decisions about how to feed families, keep a home to live in, ways to keep utilities working and a myriad of other day-to-day needs.

Despite a $2 trillion federal rescue enacted with bipartisan support, checks of $1,200 promised to taxpayers, along with an additional $500 per child will arrive too late for first of the month April payments for bills like mortgages and rental payments. Many leaders also warn that despite its size or range of areas addressed, the legislation was not enough.

In a March 27 House floor statement, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee warned colleagues that their job was not yet complete. “[I] must make clear that the legislation is far from comprehensive, and that there are issues it leaves unaddressed and areas where it falls short…The American people need help now and this bill represents a down payment on that relief,” said Waters.

A similar reaction came from AARP chief executive Jo Ann Jenkins.

“Older Americans face the one-two punch of coronavirus’s health and economic consequences, and many need immediate relief and ongoing help and support to cope with the pandemic,” noted Jenkins. “Those needs are only set to grow in the weeks and months ahead.”

What can really make a difference between life’s success and failure is not just what leaders do but also what they didn’t do when they had the chance. The recent legislative package was silent on interest rates, as well as forgiveness of federal student loans, negative credit reports or bans on private evictions for late rental payments.

As the cost of living has risen faster and higher than most consumer incomes for more than a decade, the likelihood of a savings account large enough to cover

household expenses for a month or more is slim to none.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency tasked with protecting consumers from unscrupulous lenders has been conspicuously subdued.

Instead of forceful and timely agency alerts via multi-media communications warning consumers about opportunistic scam artists, CFPB has offered a modest tip sheet on how consumers – not government – can protect themselves.

Fortunately, as the viral saga unfolds, some news outlets are reporting on the potential harms of consumers turning to payday and car-title loans.

A joint response by five federal regulars - Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) – came on March 26 in a statement that encouraged banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to offer “responsible small dollar loans” to consumers and small businesses during the pandemic.

According to the regulators, “responsible small-dollar loans can play an important role in meeting customers’ credit needs because of temporary cash-flow imbalances, unexpected expenses, or income disruptions during periods of economic stress or disaster recoveries.”

Without any specifics defining “reasonable small dollar loans”, the regulators’ statement could be an inducement to join triple-digit lenders’ financial exploitation.

For Black America and other communities of color, predatory short-term loans of $500 or less began decades ago when payday and car-title storefronts took prominent residence in our neighborhoods across the country.

Loans that were marketed as quick fixes for millions of consumers morphed into long-term financial nightmares that deepened debt with every renewal. In many cases, the interest paid on these loans was often double or triple the amount of principal borrowed.

A coalition of civil and consumer rights organizations released a joint statement warning of the possible spike in high-cost lending by the nation’s depository institutions – banks, credit unions and savings and loans.

“This is the worst possible time for banks to make predatory payday loans,” said Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, the Center for Responsible Lending, Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, National Consumer Law Center.

“Around the time of the last recession, a handful of banks issued ‘deposit advances’ that put borrowers in an average of 19 loans a year at over 200% annual interest,” continued the leaders. “These bank payday loans disproportionately harmed the financially vulnerable and badly damaged banks’ reputations. Since 2013 when regulatory guidance warned against this form of credit, banks have mostly stayed away. We trust that they will continue to do so as they do not want to repeat mistakes of the past.”

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene. crowell@responsiblelending.org.

You’re at higher risk.

If you’re 65 or older, you are at higher risk of getting very sick from the coronavirus. You must take extra care of yourself.

Stay home if you can.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your face.

Disinfect frequently touched objects.

Wash up after being in public spaces.

Stay about six feet away from others.

If you’re sick, stay home and away from others.

If you have symptoms of fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, call your health care provider before going to their office.

We are all at risk, and some more than others. In challenging times, the choices you make are critical. And their impact is significant. Help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Visit coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and information from the CDC.

TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

A4 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): BCL-19-017734 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): ANGELICA M MARQUEZ, an individual; and DOES 1-100, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): CROWN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you.

Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.

If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro.

Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil.

Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Michael Raichelson/SBN-174607, Sarah Jane Reynolds/SBN 299510; Luis Duenas/SBN 271873 PERSOLVE LEGAL GROUP, LLP 9301 Corbin Ave Ste 1600 Northridge, CA 91324 Telephone: (818) 534-3100 Fax: DATE (Fecha): October 15, 2019 TAMARAH HARBER-PICKENS, Clerk (Secretario), by Layton Johnson, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served.

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (PLG) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 Order to Show Cause Hearing is set for 4/15/2020 at 8:30 A.M. in Department 12.

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (PLG) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

�������������������������������

or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250. A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner: DOLLY L. MUNOZ 2515 Berkshire Rd. Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 Telephone: (562) 964-8607 PETITIONER IN PRO PER

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-100573 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Branch: Superior Division PETITION OF: JO G. FLANNIGON FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: JO G. FLANNIGON for a decree changing names as follows: Present name JO G. FLANNIGON Filed a petition with this court Proposed name JO G. BARRICK THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: May 12, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: Feb 28, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Jo G. Flannigon 13809 Via La Maders Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 Phone: (661) 319-6570 E-Mail Address: mobilemejo@gmail.com BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 �������������������������������

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ANNIE DELATORRE aka ANNIE DE LA TORRE aka ANITA DE LA TORRE CASE NUMBER: BPB-20-002080 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ANNIE DELATORRE aka ANNIE DE LA TORRE aka ANITA DE LA TORRE A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by DOLLY L. MUNOZ in the Superior Court of California, County of KERN 1215 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Branch Name: METROPOLITAN DIVISION THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that DOLLY L. MUNOZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Apr 16, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: P Room: located at 1215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 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 deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100.

The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

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 (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 2020 �������������������������������

SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACION (Derecho familiar) NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre) ARCENIO JIMENEZ MEZA You are being sued. Read the information below and on the next page. Lo han demandado. Lea la informacion a continuacion y en la pagina siguiente.

PETITIONER’S NAME: EL NOMBRE DEL DEMANDANTE: SANDRA C. SANCHEZ RUIZ CASE NUMBER (Numero del caso) BFL-20-001494 You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and Petitions are served on you to file a Response (form FL120) at the court and a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, or phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your right to custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay child support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courts. ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www. lawhelpca. Org), or by contacting your local bar association NOTICE-RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: remains in effect against each parent until the petition is dismissed, a judgement is entered, or the court makes further orders. This order is enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of it.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

Tiene 30 dias de calendario despues de habir recibido la entrega legal de esta Ciracion y Peticion para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante.

Una carta o llamada telefonica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

Si no oresebta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar ordenes que afecten la custodia de sus hijos.

La corte tambien le puede ordenar que pague manutencion de los hijos, y honorarios y costos legales.

Para asesoramiento legal, pongase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado, Puede obtener informacion para encontrar un abogado en el Centri de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org), o poniendose en contacto con el colegio de abogasos de su condado.

AVISO-LAS ORDENES DE RESTRICCION SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PAGINA 2: Las ordenes de restriccion estan en vigencia en cuanto a ambos conyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la peticion, se emita un fallo o la corte de otras ordenes. Cualquier agencia del orden publico que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas orden puede hacerla acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

EXENCION DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario un formulario de exencion de cuotas. La corte puedeordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a peticion de usted o del la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the Court is (El nombre y direccion de la corte son:) KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1215 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 2. The name, address, and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney, or petitioner without an attorney, are (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son:) SANDRA C. SANCHEZ RUIZ 623 WELCH AVE. BAKERSFIELD, CA. 93307 Telephone: (661) 348-6433 TOTAL SOLUTIONS ESTHER AGUIRRE, LDA #110, Exp: 7/16/20 PO Box 2261 BAKERSFIELD, CA. 93303 Telephone: (661) 324-4492 Date (Fecha): February 19, 2020 (SEAL) Clerk, By: (Acturio), P. ALLISON, Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (LHC) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1906 2020-B1907 2020-B1908 Doing business as: FLAME & FIRE BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE / FLAME & FIRE CHURRASCARIA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE / FLAME & FIRE at 12814 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 Mailing Address: PO Box 60214, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 County: Kern Full name of registrant: CHAMAS E FOGO BAKERSFIELD LLC., CA, 7920 Honeysuckle Drive, Anchorage, AK. 99502 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: CHRISTOPHE DOLOMBA, MANAGING MEMBER The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 12, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: R EDMIASTON, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 12, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1902 Doing business as: SMALL TOWN XOTICS at 527 Shady Meadow Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93308 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: SHANE LLOYD KELLEY, 527 Shady Meadow Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93308 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: JULIEN ANDRE VEGA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 04/01/2019 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 12, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 12, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1972 Doing business as: GOD POWER TRUCKING at 400 White Lane Apt #79, Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Mailing Address: PO Box 78154, Bakersfield, Ca. 93383 County: Kern Full name of registrant: GURWINDER SINGH, 400 White Lane Apt #79, Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: GURWINDER SINGH The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1957 Doing business as: OUR REEFER at 6200 Straub Ln., Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: DAVID LYNN MAURER, 6200 Straub Ln., Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: DAVID LYNN MAURER The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 �������������������������������

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1959 2020-B1960 Doing business as: ROAD WARRIOR XPRESS / RWX at 414 El Fuerte Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: ROAD WARRIOR XPRESS LLC, CA, 414 El Fuerte Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: HECTOR TORRES, PRESIDENT The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1951 Doing business as: RUBI BEAUTY WIRELESS at 1400 Niles St., Bakersfield, Ca. 93305 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: RUBI VALDES GALLARDO, 1413 Palm Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93305 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: RUBI VALDES GALLARDO The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: R ROBERTS-MARTIN, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2020-B1907 Business Name you wish to abandon: FLAME & FIRE BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE Street address of business: 12814 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 County: Kern Mailing address of business: PO Box 60214, Bakersfield, Ca., 93311 Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: CHAMAS E FOGO BAKERSFIELD, LLC., CA, 7920 Honeysuckle Drive, Anchorage, AK. 99502 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Business was conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: CHRISTOPHE DOLOMBA, MANAGING MEMBER This statement of abandonment filed on: March 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2020-B1908 Business Name you wish to abandon: FLAME & FIRE Street address of business: 12814 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 County: Kern Mailing address of business: PO Box 60214, Bakersfield, Ca., 93311 Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: CHAMAS E FOGO BAKERSFIELD, LLC., CA, 7920 Honeysuckle Drive, Anchorage, AK. 99502 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Business was conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: CHRISTOPHE DOLOMBA, MANAGING MEMBER This statement of abandonment filed on: March 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2020-B0606

PUBLIC NOTICE Business Name you wish to abandon: RUBI BEAUTY WIRELESS Street address of business: 1413 Palm Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93305 County: Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: RUBI VALDES GALLARDO, 1413 Palm Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93305 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Business was conducted by: Individual SIGNED: RUBI VALDES GALLARDO, OWNER This statement of abandonment filed on: March 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: R ROBERTS-MARTIN Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2019-B5781 Business Name you wish to abandon: SMALL TOWN XOTICS Street address of business: 527 Shady Meadow Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93308 County: Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: SHANE LLOYD KELLEY, 527 Shady Meadow Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93308 Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: KELLY COLLEEN KELLEY, 527 Shady Meadow Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93308 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Business was conducted by: Married Couple SIGNED: SHANE LLOYD KELLEY, OWNER This statement of abandonment filed on: March 12, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 2020 ������������������������������� AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-100137 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Branch: Family Law PETITION OF: MARLENA VASQUEZ DOUGLAS FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: MARLENA VASQUEZ DOUGLAS for a decree changing names as follows: Present name a. ANTHONY RAYMOND MORALES JR. b. MARLINA NYIMAH MORALES Filed a petition with this court Proposed name a. ANTHONY RAYMOND DOUGLAS b. MARLINA NYIMAH DOUGLAS THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: May 28, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: March 13, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Marlena Vasquez Douglas 3421 Mona Way Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Phone: (661) 619-9951 IN PRO PER BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1971 Doing business as: BARRINGTON’S JAMAICAN KITCHEN at 4120 Ming Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: BARRINGTON ANTHONY LEWIS, 3600 Ashe Road, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: BARRINGTON ANTHONY LEWIS The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 09/09/2013 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: R ROBERTS-MARTIN, Deputy

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 �������������������������������

referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro.

Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil.

Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN 1415 Truxtun, Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): THE DUNNING LAW FIRM APC Donald T. Dunning (144665) James MacLeod (249145) 4545 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 200 San Diego, Ca. 92123 Telephone: (858) 974-7600 Fax: DATE (Fecha): September 9, 2019 TAMARAH HARBER-PICKENS, Clerk (Secretario), by Layton Johnson, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served.

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (DLF) PUB: Apr 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1962 Doing business as: FIVE C’S FINANCIAL at 3208 Flintridge Drive, Bakersfield, Ca. 93306 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: KENNETH RAY HARMER, 3208 Flintridge Drive, Bakersfield, Ca. 93306 Full name of registrant: MARIANNE BIANCA ODDO HARMER, 3208 Flintridge Drive, Bakersfield, Ca. 93306 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: MARIANNE BIANCA ODDO HARMER The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 10/02/2012 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B1861 Doing business as: DEJA VU SHOWGIRLS at 1524 Golden State Hwy., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Mailing Address: 8252 E. Lansing Rd., Durand, Mi. 48429 County: Kern Full name of registrant: GRAPEVINE ENTERTAINMENT, INC., CA, 1524 Golden State Hwy., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 The business is conducted by: Corporation SIGNED: CHRISTOPHER KRONTZ, PRESIDENT The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 08/01/1990 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Mar 10, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. 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 to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on Mar 10, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Apr 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020 ������������������������������� SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): BCL-19-016745 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): CHARLES W LUNG, an individual; and DOES 1 to 5, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, a National Banking Association NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you.

Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.

If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney

NOTICE OF HEARING GUARDIANSHIP CASE NO: BPB-17-002666 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF KERN 1215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 GUARDIANSHIP of: MADISON FLORETTA GRISSUM, Minor This notice is required by law. This notice does not require you to appear in court, but you may attend the hearing if you wish.

1.NOTICE is given that STELLA ESQUER and JOSEPH MENDEZ (representative capacity, if any): PETITONER has filed (specify): PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN OF THE PERSON 2. You may refer to documents on file in this proceeding for more information (Some documents filed with the court are confidential Under some circumstances you or your attorney may be able to see or receive copies of confidential documents if you file papers in the proceeding or apply to the court.)

4. A HEARING on the matter will be held as follows: Date: July 13, 2020 Time: 8:30 am Dept: P Address of Court Same as noted above BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Apr 15, 22, 29, May 6, 2020 �������������������������������

Get The Bakersfield News Observer Online at www.

OGNSC.COM Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER A5

Entertainment Coronavirus Ravages Storied New Orleans Mardi Gras Group

By REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) – On Fat Tuesday, 51-yearold Cornell Charles was taking part in a storied New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition central to the city's African American community - driving a car in the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's parade.

A month later his wife of three decades was watching him take his last breath, a victim of the coronavirus epidemic raging through the city.

“I talked to him. I told him how much I was going to miss him,” said his wife, Nicole, describing those last minutes on March 24. “He literally took his last breath in front of my face and that was it.”

In a city ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak, members of the Zulu krewe, one of the groups that sponsor Mardi Gras parades and balls, have paid a heavy price. Four of the fraternal organization's members have died from coronavirus-related complications, said Zulu President Elroy A. James. Two others have also died since the pandemic began, though it's not known if their deaths were caused by the virus, he said.

An additional 20 have tested positive. Some are selfquarantining at home, some were hospitalized and released, while others are still hospitalized, James said.

James spends his days on the phone, texting with and calling board members and officers of the roughly 800-member Zulu organization.

“Members are calling every day checking on each other: `How's this member doing? How's this family member doing?”` he said.

It's also taken a financial toll. Many Zulu members work in the hospitality sector and are out of work, James said, a widespread problem in a city with an economy closely tied to the restaurants, bars and nightclubs now largely shuttered due to the statewide stay-at-home order.

“Zulu is really a microcosm of the city of New Orleans,” said state Sen. Troy Carter, a longtime Zulu member. “We're made up of every social and economic background that you can imagine. Our members come from all different walks of life.”

The predominantly African American club is in some ways a reflection of how the disease has affected the black community in Louisiana. More than 70 percent of the state's coronavirus patients who have died are black, according to state data released this week.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild symptoms like fever and a cough that resolve in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, more severe symptoms can occur, including pneumonia, that can lead to death.

For over a century Zulu members have paraded for Mardi Gras in their distinctive grass skirts and black face inspired by a 1909 vaudeville skit, according to a history compiled for the group's 100-year anniversary in 2009.

It was not just a Mardi Gras parade group but one of the benevolent societies that played an important role in African American history by providing life insurance or funeral costs to its dues-paying members.

Over the decades Zulu Mardi Gras parades have featured ever-larger floats, with costumed float riders tossing out beads and trinkets, including the group's hand-decorated coconuts, among the event's most-coveted throws. The most famous man to reign as Zulu king was Louis Armstrong in 1949. Members are also elected to be one of the group's coveted characters, such as Mr. Big Stuff or The Big Shot.

“Nobody has more fun than Zulu,” said Mardi Gras historian, Arthur Hardy. But, he emphasized, there's a lot more to the group than the parade. Zulu is known for it's philanthropic works all year round, including the Junior Zulu program that reaches out to disadvantaged children and an annual Christmas bike giveaway.

That spirit of service is what drew Charles, said his wife, Nicole.

“The brotherhood, what they have given to the community. He loved that. My husband loved parades, so that was definitely an attraction, but he liked what he saw outside of the fun part of it,” she said.

Charles started work every day by 3 a.m. as a courier delivering medication to hospitals and medical facilities.

But his real passion, his wife said, was coaching young people. The football, baseball and basketball practices and games kept “Dickey” as he was often called, busy, but the father of two daughters always made time for family, his wife said.

She has been amazed at the outpouring of support from people telling her how much her husband meant to them. His likely would have been a big funeral with one of the jazz parades often seen in New Orleans funerals, but social distancing guidelines meant only a handful of people

could be there.

Nicole hopes the coronavirus risk will have receded

by June 23 _ his birthday _ so that family and friends can come together for the memorial service he deserves.

Lost opportunities to come together one last time to honor members is being felt keenly. Carter, the state senator, said a Zulu member's service in normal times might include a performance by the organization's gospel choir, a proclamation read by the group's president and a musical procession that begins on a somber note and ends

with a “full fledged energetic celebration of life.”

“I'm not sure if anyone else in the world does it the way New Orleans does,” he said.

The organization plans a large memorial service in the safer future, complete with a “grand second-line,” said James, the group's president, referring to a parade during which onlookers fall in behind the band and mourners, forming a “second line.”

The group has weathered hard times before. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, at least 10 members died, many members' homes were flooded and the group's headquarters on Broad Street was swamped with water. But come Mardi Gras 2006 they paraded, believing it was an important part of the city's rebuilding.

James said he's confident that Zulu will play a role in the city's post-coronavirus resurgence.

“We also need to show the world that the city of New Orleans will return after this pandemic,” he said.

In this undated photo provided by the family of Cornell Charles, in New Orleans, from left to right are Cornell Charles, his wife Nicole Charles, his daughter Bethany Charles, and his brother Jeffrey Charles. In a city ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak, Zulu and its members have paid a heavy price. Multiple members have tested positive and several of the group's members have died from coronavirus-related complications, including Cornell Charles. Nicole Charles said her husband was a longtime coach with kids and was drawn to Zulu's philanthropic mission. (Family of Cornell Charles via AP)

Mrs. America ERA Miniseries Gives Women of Color their Due

This image released by FX shows Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm in a scene from the miniseries “Mrs. America,” an FX original series premiering April 15 on Hulu.

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – “Mrs. America,” which dramatizes the Equal Rights Amendment fight that pitted a surprising and determined opponent against a deep bench of supporters, is a marvel in many ways.

The impressive cast includes Cate Blanchett and Margo Martindale. The miniseries was created by a woman, Dahvi Waller, and largely written and directed by women.

It drills down on how the constitutional amendment was blocked while deftly painting both the broader and finer points of America circa 1970, when a wife, as a jawdropping moment illustrates, needed her husband to cosign for credit.

One more achievement: While the story is driven

by Blanchett's conservative powerhouse Phyllis Schlafly, attention is paid to the women of color who fought for civil rights and to make “second-wave” feminism of the 1960s and '70s - successor to the suffrage movement address the obstacles they alone faced.

Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) and Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman) are among the movement's white luminaries featured in “Mrs. America,” but alongside them are African Americans including trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm and firebrand activist and attorney Florynce “Flo” Kennedy, who are played, respectively, by Uzo Aduba and Niecy Nash.

While Chisholm is best known, “there are many Shirleys of the world we have never heard of,” Aduba said.

“That's why it's so exciting to see a project like this, telling not only Shirley's story but quite a few of these women that, I would argue, the population at large doesn't know their names.”

Chisholm was the first African American congresswoman, the first major-party black candidate to seek the presidency and the first female Democrat to run. She's heard loud and clear in episode three, which is anchored in the 1972 Democratic convention and the

machinations that pit Chisholm against what should be her sisters-in-arms.

In a revealing scene, Chisholm is pressured to end her bid in favor of eventual Democratic nominee Sen. George McGovern, with New York Rep. Bella Abzug (Martindale) chastising her for failing to get a campaign green light from the power brokers.

Aduba, a two-time Emmy winner for “Orange Is the New Black,” quotes Chisholm's succinct reply: “I didn't get anywhere in this life waiting on someone's permission.”

The first three episodes of the miniseries debut Wednesday on FX on Hulu, the streaming platform's hub offering FX series and exclusive releases such as “Mrs. America.” The remaining six episodes will be out weekly through May 27, with an ensemble cast that includes Sarah Paulson, Elizabeth Banks, John Slattery, James Marsden and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

Nash (“When They See Us,” “Claws”) calls it a blessing to play an “unsung hero.”

Kennedy was “absolutely amazing. And that mouth, man!” said Nash, who watched footage of her in action and used it to shape her performance. “On set, I was like, 'Listen, do you want me to say these words, or do you want me to talk how this woman really spoke? Because she didn't have a filter.”

A wealth of books by Schlafly, Steinem and others was part of the material that helped “craft this highly researched and very clear-eyed view of this time period,” executive producer Stacey Sher said during a Q&A with reporters.

Making the series inclusive, both on screen and off, was never in doubt, said writer-creator Waller (“Mad Men,” “Desperate Housewives”), also an executive producer.

“It was always obvious to me that you can't tell the story of second-wave feminism without telling the story of intersectional feminism, so it was obvious that I would include women of color leaders in the story,” Waller said.

“The question for me was how to do that when your way

into the series is Phyllis Schlafly?”

Schlafly was a defense hawk and a onetime Republican congressional candidate who is introduced in the series as intent on derailing a U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms pact. Then the proposed ERA, approved by Congress with bipartisan support and nearing the required number of state ratifications, caught Schlafly's eye. She argued it would subvert, not secure, women's rights and, if both sexes could be drafted, put national security at risk.

Schlafly proved an astute grassroots organizer and champion for her cause even, as the series depicts, she faced slights by men who underestimated her.

She debated only white opponents, Waller said, so her political arc didn't intersect with that of Chisholm or the other women of color depicted in the series, including young political leader Audrey Rowe Colom (Melissa Joyner) and activist and poet Margaret Sloan-Hunter (Bria Henderson).

With Chisholm, the way in was to tell “the story of Phyllis' world and the story of Shirley's world” and depict their thematic intersection “of women, race and power,” Waller said.

Episode two, titled “Gloria,” is about Steinem but also focuses on Sloan (as she was then known), who was a lesbian, and the pivotal 1977 National Women's Conference held in Houston, Texas. The meeting became a flash point for the “tension between whether to include (issues of ) race and also gay rights in the women's movement,” Waller said.

While she would like to have made more episodes about other leaders of color, she hopes viewers are inspired to further explore their lives and achievements.

That goes for Hollywood, too.

“Mrs. America” did its best to honor overlooked women but is “by no means comprehensive,” she said.

“There could be a whole series just on Flo Kennedy, and I hope there are many biopics of Shirley Chisholm.”

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Wednesday, April 15, 2020

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

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League of Dreams - Two child athletes, one (Photo courtesy of League of Dreams)

of them in a wheelchair, interacting on the basketball course.

League of Dreams

By Jessica Mathews Executive Director Arriving at the ballpark, you would expect to hear all the sounds (cheering, the clank of the bat), smell all the smells (popcorn, peanuts, dirt), and see kids running, hitting and throwing—except you get to the fields and find something unexpected.

The athletes are all in uniforms and they are playing, but there are more people out on the field and in shirts that say “Volunteer,” and some of the athletes are in wheelchairs or walkers, while others have their hands being held.

This is what you would find on a typical spring Sunday afternoon with the League of Dreams, an adaptive sports league providing sports training, team camaraderie and competitive sporting opportunities to very special athletes ages 5 to 22 that typically wouldn’t have a chance to play.

Founded in 2007, the League of Dreams has served over 600 athletes with physical and developmental disabilities in Kern County. The League currently has 6 sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, dance, gymnastics and fencing, and partners with several other local organizations to provide these programs.

For many of the athletes, these sports programs are their only opportunity to participate in organized sports; and for some, it’s their only form of physical activity.

Recently, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the League of Dreams had to cancel a big fundraiser and our 2020 baseball season, as well as postpone our inaugural gymnastics season with American Kids Sports Center.

This year’s Give Big Kern efforts will help League of Dreams to continue to offer these athletic programs for athletes with disabilities, and as well as volunteer opportunities for community members (primarily high school students). The League of Dreams focuses on athletes’ abilities instead of their disability and believes that “Every child should have a chance to play!”

Please donate to us through givebigkern.org!

Kern Alliance of Nonprofits holds a training on Nonprofit Marketing. (Photo courtesy of Louis Medina)

Now Is The Time To GIVE BIG KERN! In this and other upcoming issues of the Bakersfield News Observer, readers will have an opportunity to learn about hardworking Kern County nonprofits that are fundraising through the website GiveBigKern.org, a crowdfunding opportunity hosted

by Kern Community Foundation. Give Big Kern is celebrated as Kern’s own official Day of Giving on May 5, but the website is already open for donations and will remain open till May 6.As you read these agencies’ brief profiles and learn about their needs, please consider donating to them especially now, during the COVID-19 crisis, which has negatively impacted charities in a big way. Just go to GiveBigKern.org, search for an agency by name or cause, find your passion and give. You can also fundraise for a nonprofit you love, and invite your friends, peers and loved ones to donate, too.If you don’t have money to give but would like to pledge volunteer hours—because nonprofits are going to need a lot of help when the statewide shelter-in-place order is lifted—find the Volunteering page on the drop-down menu of GiveBigKern.org. Use the button at the bottom of the page to submit your volunteer pledge.Thank you and we hope you will enjoy reading about local charities and how you can support them through Give Big Kern!

Kern Alliance of Nonprofits

By Louis Medina Communications Committee Chair The Kern Alliance of Nonprofits (KAN) was launched in 2016 by a small group of local nonprofit leaders who care deeply about building the capacity of the nonprofit organizations in Kern County.

KAN’s Vision is…To create a strong community benefit sector that plays a vital role in a healthy, prosperous and vibrant Kern County.

KAN’s original Mission was…To strengthen the Community Benefit Organizations of Kern County.

Following a process that involved stakeholder feedback and strategic planning in the Spring of 2019, KAN’s new, more

fleshed out Mission is…To strengthen the Nonprofit Organizations of Kern County through training, networking and advocacy.

An all-volunteer organization of committed leaders in the nonprofit sector, KAN provides monthly educational workshops from September through April, focusing on diverse aspects of nonprofit work. These workshops are taught by qualified leaders and are free to nonprofits.

Our quarterly social mixers are sponsored by local business partners and designed to bring community-based organizations, for-profit businesses, and their partners and supporters together for strategic networking.

Through a partnership with KGET and Telemundo, we showcase the work of nonprofits to the community on the morning and evening news in English and Spanish via our Strength is Visibility nonprofit showcase series.

The KAN Steering Committee meets monthly at the offices of Kern Community Foundation to guide the Alliance’s work in the areas of strategic planning, education and nonprofit leadership development, communications and outreach, advocacy, membership, and more.

We communicate the needs of the nonprofit community to elected officials as part of our advocacy work.

You can learn more about KAN at kernfoundation.org > KAN. Visit us on Facebook @kernallianceofnonprofits.

We hope that you will donate to us through Give Big Kern so we can continue to strengthen Kern’s hard-working nonprofit sector, especially in light of new COVID-19 needs.

Missing In Action Remembered works to make sure no fallen soldier is ever forgotten. (Photo courtesy of MIA Remembered)

Missing In Action Remembered

By William Potter Co-Founder Missing In Action Remembered (MIA Remembered) is a local nonprofit founded by small business owner and Vietnam veteran Bill Potter and his wife, Denise.

This organization is in need of funding and/or donated services to construct and maintain a Military Dog Tag Memorial, housed in the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery in downtown Bakersfield. The estimated cost for supplies and construction is $50,000. We hope you will consider donating to us through Give Big Kern.

The walk-through experience will surround visitors with 80,000+ dog tags, each customized with the name, rank, and state of a missing-in-action soldier (from WWII to the present). Loved ones will have the ability to find the exact location of any soldier’s dog tag within the display.

As each solider is located and brought home, their silver dog tag will be changed to gold. They are Never Forgotten!

As of March 25, 2020 there are 81,935 Souls still Missing In Action.

Please visit us at: www.MIARemembered.org and donate to us through our page on www.givebigkern.org.

God Bless our Military and the USA.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER A7

Local

Maxine Waters Wishes Labor Rights Icon Dolores Huerta Happy 90th Birthday LOS ANGELES – On April 10, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) honored labor and civil rights icon, Dolores Huerta, with a certificate of recognition on her 90th birthday, and thanked her for “her tireless work fighting for the rights of workers, children, women, families, immigrants, and the least of these.”

Dolores Huerta is a co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association (now United Farm Workers), a lifelong activist and community organizer, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. In light of nationwide social distancing guidelines, Congresswoman Waters presented Dolores Huerta with her certificate virtually using video conference software.

During the videoconference, Congresswoman Waters and Dolores Huerta expressed their profound gratitude to farmworkers, and discussed the ongoing challenges presented by coronavirus to the nation. They also discussed the importance of the 2020 Census, and potential initiatives to protect working families and children that could be included in the next Congressional relief package.

A video of their chat can seen when using your Observer Interactive App with this story’s photo.

Energy Upgrade California Shares Tips For Smarter Energy Use As Californians Spend Time At Home Residents who are staying at home may use more electricity and natural gas; statewide campaign educates on ways to save and available California Public Utilities Commission programs As millions of California residents do their part by turning their residences into virtual places of business and hubs for online learning, it is important to think about energy use. Whether using energy to power additional appliances and technology or to light, cool or heat their home, this increase in residential energy use could result in higher costs.

Since California’s shelter in place rule went into place last month, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has seen residential electric usage already increase by 15 to 20 percent compared to the same time last year.

Two programs currently exist that may help residents who are feeling the energy burden, including: • The California Climate Credit: California residents will see the California Climate Credit applied to their April bills to help offset higher bills due to increased usage and will vary from $20 to $60 depending on the utility.

• Assistance Programs: The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers a monthly discount of 20% or more on natural gas bills and 30% or more on electric bills. Qualifications are based on the number of people living in your household and your total annual household income or by your household participation in certain public assistance programs. Learn more about assistance programs from your energy provider.

Energy Upgrade California, the statewide initiative

encouraging residents to use energy better, has tips to help Californians think differently about how they use energy at home: • Lower the Heat: On cooler days, set thermostats to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower during the daytime.

• Unplug Devices: You probably have a lot of devices plugged in while you’re at home. Make sure to unplug unused devices or turn off power strips while they’re not in use. This includes everything from toasters and coffee makers in the kitchen to computer monitors and printers in workspaces.

• Dim Your Display: Whether using a computer monitor for work or entertainment, turn down screen brightness and use eco-mode and other energy-saving features. Lowering the brightness on TVs and other computer monitors may help you use up to 20% less energy.

• Open the Blinds: Open blinds and windows on sunny days to light up your space and warm your home naturally. Then, use spotlighting where the sunlight doesn’t reach instead of flipping on ceiling lights to save more energy.

• Fill Up the Dishwasher: If you have a dishwasher in your home or apartment, make sure to fill it all the way before running it – you’ll use less water and energy per dish.

For more information and tips on different ways to use energy better, visitwww.energyupgradeca.org. For information on how the CPUC is supporting communities during these challenging times visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/ covid.

California Black News Brief: Stories to Watch – Week Beginning 4/12/2020 Quinci LeGardye California Black Media

Gig Workers Still Not Clear on Whether They Will Get $600 or Up to $1050 in Unemployment Benefits Each Week Gov. Newsom announced April 9 that California will begin distributing an extra $600 per week of unemployment benefits provided by the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic, Security) Act, which started April 12.

While the announcement may be welcome news to laid off W-2 workers, most independent contractors and gig workers are still unclear on whether they are eligible for the additional unemployment benefit or not.

California’s standard weekly payment to unemployed

contractors to apply for state unemployment benefits.

According to the COVID-19 FAQ section of the website, independent contractors and gig workers can apply if they or their past employer has made contributions to state’s unemployment insurance program. The self-employed and independent contractors are told to list themselves as their last employer. There’s currently no information on whether or not any independent contractors have been approved for standard California unemployment benefits after following these instructions.

However, some independent contractors are concerned that the EDD is encouraging them to apply as independent contractors, considering the fact that the state has already reclassified them as W-2 employees under the state’s new AB-5 law, which took effect January.

The CA_EDD Twitter account received backlash from an April 1 post. “We hear you, [independent contractors]!

We have a process to determine if you’ve been misclassified and eligible for UI benefits. It starts with you filing a claim to get the process going.”

Independent contractors commenting under that post fired back, complaining that they didn’t think they were misclassified. They just want clear guidelines for how selfemployed workers could receive benefits.

Clarity from the state on self-employed workers and their unemployment benefits may take some additional time, but with the extra $600 per week payment ending at the end of July, independent contractors and gig workers are wondering how long they’ll have to wait.

strategies Burke Harris mentioned during the press conference, as well as a self-care template for adults. There is also a companion playbook with tips and tricks for caregivers and kids.

The surgeon general also highlighted the importance of familial and social relationships to mental health. “Safe, stable and nurturing relationships, help to protect our brains and bodies from the harmful effects of stress and adversity.”

Gov. Newsom also gave a message of faith. “We are bigger than anything we face, and so I know that fear and anxiety we all have, but let us have faith. Faith conquers all.

Know that this will pass.”

Both playbooks are available under the “Stress playbooks” tab at covid19.ca.gov. In addition to the playbooks, the website lists the numbers of the 24-hour Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence Hotlines.

There are also California-based hotlines for non-emergency support, including the “Peer-Run Warm Line” for anyone in California seeking emotional support.

California Is Providing Hotel Rooms for Essential Workers 1California has begun offering no-cost and low-cost hotel rooms to doctors, nurses and other critical frontline healthcare workers who test positive for, or have come into

contact with COVID-19. Gov. Newsom announced the new program April 9, and the reservation portal opened through the CalTravelStore website April 10.

The program is designed to help infected healthcare workers avoid spreading the virus by staying in hotel rooms in close proximity to medical facilities after leaving their shifts.

“California is fighting to protect those who are protecting us,” said Governor Newsom during the announcement. “As we ramp up the workforce to meet the demand we are also stepping up to help keep our [health care] workers’ families safe by providing hotels as temporary housing options.”

150 hotels have already opted in to provide discounted rates. The Department of General Services is currently prioritizing hotels in counties with large populations or high amounts of positive test results.

While taking precautions to protect California’s health care workers, the state is also continuing to widen the ranks. 86,516 health care professionals have signed up for the California Health Corps so far, which recruits public health professionals, medical retirees and students, and members of medical disaster response teams to help address the COVID-19 surge in hospitals.

The governor’s office has also partnered with United Airlines to provide free flights for volunteer health care professionals to bring them to areas where they are most needed during the pandemic.

California Surgeon General: Keep Your Stress in Check During COVID-19 Crisis California Unemployment Office Sign. (Courtesy Photo)

workers falls between $40 and $450 a week.

The CARES Act opened up unemployment insurance to self-employed workers through its new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The new program is meant for workers who are unemployed, have had their hours reduced, or are unable to work due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for state unemployment benefits.

However, California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) will have to build a new application system for the federal government program. According to the EDD website, the new program “will likely rival the size of the regular UI [unemployment insurance] program the EDD already administers.”

According to the CARES Act, coverage for independent contractors under the PUA program starts retroactively on Jan. 27. Each individual freelancer will receive a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits.

The EDD has also encouraged independent

On April 7, World Health Day, California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris announced the release of the California Surgeon General’s Playbook on Stress Relief During COVID-19. The playbook includes evidencebased guidelines on how to alleviate stress during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

At a press conference in Sacramento last week, Burke Harris spoke about the importance of mental health during the pandemic. An increase in stress hormones during a time of worry and uncertainty can impact an individual’s physical health, she said.

“During times of heightened stress, our bodies make more stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, and these can affect our health, our behaviors and our emotions” said Burke Harris.

Those effects are of particular concern to African Americans. Some of the health conditions that can be exacerbated by heightened stress include heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes.

“Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, mindfulness like meditation, good sleep hygiene and staying connected to our social supports and getting mental health care, all help to decrease stress hormones and improve our health,” said Burke Harris.

The playbook elaborates on the six stress-busting

California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris. (Courtesy Photo)

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BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

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Wednesday, April 15, 2020