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Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- … Was the best thing I’ve ever done!  You see, I used to think that love was just a fairy tale until I experienced God’s love; and then suddenly life had new meaning to me. When you fall in love with Jesus, everything changes. You come to know what it is to treasure Him, delight in Him, and be satisfied in Him. When you fall in love with Jesus, it’s a groaning of the Holy Spirit deep inside of your heart. It is an emotion that is so profound there are no words to express it. When you fall in love with Jesus, it is a yearning that says I long for more of You. It’s a love that expresses that Jesus is the only happiness there is in this world. It’s the kind of love that says, I want all of You and I want You to have all of me. Walk with me – take control of my life. Empty me of all selfishness and fill me with Yourself. For You are all I need and there’s no place I’d rather be.

I’m talking about when you fall in love with Jesus. A love that is immeasurable, unmistakable, and unending. A love that can’t be understood until you experience it! A love that can’t be understood until you actually possess it! A love that no one can fully describe the wonders of! I tell you, I woke up and suddenly I was in love. Because when you love God, He responds in a beautiful way. In [Psalms 91:14-16], the writer says that, “Because I have loved Him [Jesus], therefore He will deliver me; He will set me securely on high, because I have known His name. He says, I will call upon Him, and He will answer me; He says, that He will be with me in trouble and that He will rescue me, and honor me. With a long life He will satisfy me, and let me behold His salvation.” I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Now, if you understand the Old Testament, the great commandment was to love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the sum of all that God requires, and your neighbor as yourself. But it starts with loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; loving God comprehensively, totally, completely. Now if that’s the sum of the law, then that has to be the sum of the relationship. That can’t be altered when it comes to loving Him. It is still the purpose of God that we would love the Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Loving Him so much that you we would want to know him, exalt him, please him, serve him, be with him, and tell others about Him. I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Go back to that moment when you first met Jesus. Remember the love you felt, the stirring in your heart, the adoration you had for the Savior? Do you remember how grateful you were for the forgiveness of sins? Do you remember how at that moment nothing else mattered, only Jesus?

Today, God wants you to go back and remember that moment in time. And having that in your memory He wants you to return. He wants you to come back to Him; to come back to your first love, to the place and time in your life to where He was everything to you.

I ask you, “How much do [you] owe for all the things, [Christ] have done and for every victory, that [you] have won. How much do [you] owe the Lord, for the price He paid on the cross so that you wouldn’t be lost? How much do [you] owe, somebody tell me, how much do [you] owe….?  [You] owe Him [your] life.  [You] owe Him [your] praise. [You] owe Him your service for the rest of [your] days. [You] owe Him all, for waking [you] up, early this morning. [You] owe, Him for letting [you] see, a brand new dawning. [You] owe Him for holding [you], in the heart of [His] hand.  [You] owe, Him all, and all…” [Georgia Mass Choir – How Much Do I Owe lyrics – emphasis mine].

Yes, we all need a greater revelation of God’s unconditional love for us! A revelation of God’s unconditional love for me is what turned my life around years ago and it’s still impacting me today. These teachings reveal the things God showed me about His love. I believe that if you open up your heart, the Lord will grant you at least as much revelation on this as He has granted me, and it will change your life. I tell you, falling in love with Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Breast Cancer Organization Now Centrally Located in Two-County Region

RIVERSIDE, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, the region’s leading funding source for breast cancer detection, support and education awareness, is hosting a grand opening of its new Riverside office Thursday, May 17.

The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with a ribbon cutting and speeches by survivors and local dignitaries, followed by a reception until 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside the office suite. Parking is free at the location, 7177 Brockton Avenue, Suite 108 in Riverside.

“Komen Inland Empire serves breast cancer patients and their families throughout our entire region, and we’re proud to welcome the community to our new office,” said Komen President Dr. Sandra Finestone, a survivor and representative of the Association of Cancer Patient Educators. “We hope supporters will join us in celebrating this important step in our efforts to meet the needs of this rapidly growing region.”

The local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a national non-profit organization, recently moved its headquarters from Temecula to Riverside in an effort to be more centrally located in its territory. Komen Inland Empire covers all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Komen Inland Empire funds breast cancer detection, support and educational awareness through grants raised at the annual Race for the Cure and other fundraising efforts. Since its first race in 1999, Komen Inland Empire has invested more than $6.5 million in local breast health agencies and organizations and $2.5 million toward groundbreaking research.

Thousands of runners and walkers, including 250 breast cancer survivors, turned out in October for the 19th annual Susan G. Komen IE Race for the Cure, the affiliate’s signature fundraising event. This year the race will be Sunday, October 14 at Town Square Park in Murrieta.

Registration is available at www.komenie.org or by calling 951-676-7465.

The Susan G. Komen Inland Empire affiliate keeps 75 percent of its net income in the community to help serve people in Riverside and San Bernardino counties; 25 percent goes toward the national Komen Grants Program, which funds breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

Follow them on Facebook Susan G. Komen Inland Empire and or Twitter.

By Curtis Bunn, Urban News Service

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Not many were on board when Jon McDaniel decided to honor his late father-in-law by…. having his 1950s barber chair restored. Who does that? was the common refrain.

And, then, they saw the finished product. 

“Amazing,” Jon McDaniel, said with a hint of satisfaction. His friends quickly agreed.

McDaniel admired his wife’s father, Dan Stringer—a World War II Navy veteran, who enlisted the day after the Pearl Harbor attacks. A patriot at heart, he joined when the navy had few African-Americans, on shore or at sea. He just knew he would be needed. Stringer learned to be a barber while serving overseas. When he returned to his native Cherokee County, some 40 miles north of Atlanta, he bought a Kohler Presidential barber chair and started cutting hair in his basement. (His day job? County Sheriff.)

With a life story like that, McDaniel knew his father-in-law, who passed away 29 years ago, needed a unique memorial. He weighed many different ideas. Eventually, he thought of discarded, dusty hunk of metal in the basement—Stringer’s old barber chair.

To McDaniel’s surprise, there is a mini-industry devoted to restoring barber chairs. He found Custom Barber Chairs, a three-man company that specialized in resurrecting barber chairs that are older than Sidney Poitier.

A few weeks later after CBC picked up his rusting relic, McDaniel visited their Atlanta-area shop. “The chair was laid out in a million pieces,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh, my god.’”

By the time Sid Tutani, one of CBC’s owners, had worked his magic, McDaniel uttered the same expression, only in a different context.

The restored throne boasted McDaniel’s beloved Georgia Tech logo in the center of the back, chrome and porcelain details, and hydraulics that worked like new. “It was the best thing I could have done,” McDaniel said. “He [his father in law] meant so much to me and did so much for the country. His chair is probably better now than it ever was. When people come to my ‘man cave’ downstairs, it is a showstopper.”

McDaniel paid $5,200 to restore his father-in-law’s legacy. “Worth every penny,” he said.

“When (Stringer’s son), who didn’t want the chair, saw it, he almost had a fit. It’s beautiful.”

McDaniel’s is just one of many, as Custom Barber Chairs has flourished in its unique business niche.

The business began eight years ago, when Kwame Innis noticed a photo of an antique chair in an obscure magazine. Impulsively, he bought a 1930s model for his home, but found it difficult to find someone to refurbish it.

Exasperated, he called friends Tutani in Atlanta and Rohan Balgobin in Houston, fellow photographers and website designers. He hoped they would see his vision and be willing to learn how to teach themselves—through trial and error—to restore vintage barber chairs. “Friends I could really trust because I knew this could take off,” Innis said.

Tutani and Balgobin quickly came onboard.

“I was open to the idea because at the time, I had moved from New York to Texas and things had slowed down,” Balgobin said. “And I was always good with my hands, fixing things and working with my Dad at his mechanics shop. And I liked the idea of us black men doing something with antiques. We carved a space.”

Tutani, however, did not see it that way. Not at first. “I was like, “What? Restore barber chairs? What? But pretty quickly, I got it. It was a unique niche.”

Their story is more fascinating because the men had no training and could not find classes on how to renovate the chairs. So, they taught themselves, learning as they went, and a couple of YouTube videos that gave pointers on a few elements of the unique chairs.

Over time, they perfected the craft.

“There were no formal classes anywhere,” Balgobin, 46, said. “The companies that made the chairs had all closed. We found some schematics on Google Patent, but nothing on how to fix them. We just learned over time.”

Innis, 51, said: “It took us about eight months to restore that first chair. It was trial and error. I probably spent $7,000 on that chair. Knowing what I know now, it probably should have cost about $2,000. But I love the chair.”

Innis explained his motivation. “It took me back to my childhood when my grandfather would take me to the barbershop.”

Now, they have customers from across the globe. They have restored and shipped chairs to Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America as well as many of these United States.

CBC’s restored chairs have been featured in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, the film Barbershop III, and countless photo sessions.

They said, ironically, most of their clients are collectors who desire to have an antique chair in their home or “man cave” instead of the traditional recliner.

It can take up to six months to complete a thorough job and cost up to $12,000 to restore a chair, Innis said, making it a luxury item, not a need.

“We take the chair apart, fix the upholstery, sand blast the porcelain, polish the metal and rebuild the hydraulics,” he explained. “It’s almost like (the TV show) Pimp My Ride. The work we do depends on what the customer wants.”

They have produced chairs with the Sistine Chapel emblazoned on it, company logos, “just about anything you could want,” Tutani said. “With the right budget, we can do anything imaginable.”

Seventy percent of their clients, Innis said, are individuals, including athletes and artists, who simply want a chair because it is unique. A conversation piece. A nostalgic memento. A comfortable place to the game. It was startling at first to learn there was a demand for antique barber chairs for home use. But then Innis remembered that was how he ultimately was attracted to the business.

“The people who can afford it and who appreciate the work put into it get them,” Innis said. “It’s not a bargain item. It’s a luxury item, a want, not a need. So, we find ourselves doing less work for barber-shop owners and more for collectors.”

 The team find chairs to restore at estate sales, barns, old lots, people’s attics while clients find them through Internet searches.

“There are not many out there doing what we do,” Innis said. “But there are a lot of men with disposable income who appreciate the craftsmanship and want our chairs.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- The Rites of Passage is currently accepting applications. Directed by Dr. Nana Kweku, Rites of Passage is a rigorous male mentoring program entered in traditional African values and history.  It is designed to strengthen, guide and mentor young males between 10-years and 15-years old and to assist young males in developing character, career and life skills.

Come to the ROP Parent Meeting on Wednesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at the Akoma Unity Center located at 1367 N. California Street in San Bernardino. Meet the director, Dr. Nana Kweku and learn more about this life changing Male Mentoring program. Light Refreshments will be served.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Board of Equalization Member Jerome E. Horton is working with Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to introduce legislation that will reduce the housing cost for renters.

A full-fledged housing crisis has gripped California, marked by a severe lack of affordable homes and apartments for seniors and middle-class families – as a result of property values climbing to pre-recession levels.  The median cost of a home in California is now a staggering $500,000, twice the national median cost.

“Living in decent, affordable and reasonably located housing is one of the most important determinants of well–being for every Californian. More than just basic shelter, housing affects our lives in other important ways, determining our access to work, education, recreation, shopping, and quality health care.” said Horton.  “If we don’t fix this, seniors and poor to middle income families will be forced to leave California.”

As the Making Home Affordable Program, (HARP), signed into law by President Obama, is set to expire on December 31, 2018, now is the time for this type of legislation.  HARP helped homeowners refinance their mortgage with an average rate reduction of 2.1 percentage points, saving an average of more than $4,100 in interest during their first 12 months, or about $345 every month. Additionally, homeowners who refinance from 30 year fixed mortgages to 15 year fixed mortgages can save up to $145,000. For more information, visit here.

California has the third-lowest home ownership rate and the fourth highest rent in the country.  The decline in home purchases is generally related to higher rents as it becomes a challenge to save enough for a down payment.  There is a direct relationship between high rents and high home prices.  Additionally, studies find that housing costs are a burden on one’s finances when they surpass 30% of income.  According to a Public Policy Institute of California study, nearly one in three California renter households spends at least half of their income on rent.  While incomes have remained stagnant, rents in California continue to soar, resulting in many low- and middle-income workers cutting essential spending, which also hurts the State’s overall economy.

Even with rent control in cities like Santa Monica and Los Angeles, as of March 2018, the average rent for an apartment in Los Angeles is $2554, which is a 0.16% decrease from last year when the average rent was $2558, and a 1.64% increase from last month when the average rent was $2512.

“The cost of renting an apartment or home in California is as high as it’s ever been.  In fact, many millennials are moving from California because the dream of affordable housing seems so unlikely.  It’s necessary we do something to lower the cost of renting one’s residence in this state,” Horton said.

The average rent in California has increased 60% over the past 20 years.  The flat “renter’s credit” amount has not been adjusted since it was enacted in 1972.

Assembly Member Santiago testified at the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation:  “With the rising cost of rental housing in California, the expansion of the renter’s credit can increase access to housing for low-income families.”  The legislation passed out of the committee with a 9-0 bipartisan vote.  The bill now moves to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations.

This bill will increase the nonrefundable renter’s credit to the greater of $60 allowed under current law or 10 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for individuals and $120 under current law, or 20 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for joint filers, heads of households, and surviving spouses.

Member Horton encourages you to call your Congressional representatives and ask that they legislate to renew the HARP program, and the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations at (916) 651-4101 to support AB 2833 (Santiago) to increase the renter’s credit.

Andre Anderson

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Navy Ensign Andrew D. Anderson has completed his first semester of study at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Martland and is well on the way to becoming a Navy physician. 

Last summer, Mr. Anderson took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and was commissioned as a Navy ensign in exchange for tuition-free medical education at the Uniformed Services University. Upon completing his course of study, ENS Anderson will go on for additional training in a graduate medical education program followed by seven years of service as an active duty Navy physician.   

Anderson is the son of Felton C. Anderson and Elizabeth A. Kennedy of San Bernardino, California; grandson of Betty D. Anderson of San Bernardino; and nephew of Lynne B. Kennedy of Alta Loma, California.

He graduated in 2009 from Cajon High School, San Bernardino, California, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California. 

ENS Andrew Anderson has completed his first semester of study at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University and is well on the way to becoming a Navy physician. Last summer, Mr. Anderson took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and was commissioned as an ENS in exchange for tuition-free medical education at the Uniformed Services University. Upon completing his course of study, ENS Anderson will go on for additional training in a graduate medical education program followed by seven years of service as an active duty Navy physician.

REDLANDS, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- On Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Israel Beal Park on Riverview Drive off Pioneer, Just East of Citrus Valley High School. The City of Redlands will partner with Unity in the Community in memory of African Americans emancipation from slavery on June 19, 1865.

And why is Juneteenth worth celebrating in Redlands? Every Redlands school child knows about the Smiley Brothers, but few know about Israel Beal, a former slave and African American pioneer who helped build the City of Redlands.

The Juneteenth celebration will have plenty of activities for children, food, entertainment, speakers and opportunities to learn about the city’s history. The theme of the event is, “Safety First, For our Children.”

For more information contact (909) 793-l074, the Second Baptist Church office. Co-chairpersons are Pastor Anthony Green, of the Second Baptist Church of Redlands and Mario Saucedo of North Redlands Visioning Committee.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- What It Do is Nipsey Hussle, Dogg Pound, Mack 10, Mozzy, King Lil G, The Outlawz and several other artist’s.

I’m calling all my Inland Empire rap fans. Don’t miss out! Cabana Life Concerts and Streetwise Clothing presents “Welcome to The West 1st Annual Music Festival” on Saturday, May 26 in Ontario at the Citizens Bank Arena.

This concert is going to be lit’ especially with the lineup hittin’ the stage. Tickets can be purchased online. You can catch me in the building conducting interviews on behalf of LUE Productions and the Westside Story Newspaper. Until next week L’s!

Your story or event should be in my column ‘WHAT IT DO WITH LUE’ in the Westside Story Newspaper! Inbox me on Facebook for details. Make sure to pick up your copy. #WSSP #LUEPRODUCTIONS

Noelle Lilley graduates from Arizona State University

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- A BIG Congratulations to our former intern Noëlle D. Lilley on her graduation from Arizona State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts from the Walter Crocknite School of Journalism and Communication. She graduated with a 3.75 GPA, has two post-grad jobs lined up and she did it in four years!

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- “Life itself is an active abstract interpretation of one’s reality. I won’t be defined.” Those words were spoken by filmmaker and activist, Donisha Predergast, who is also the granddaughter of late Reggae legend, Bob Marley.

Over the last couple of weeks, Donisha has been in countless newspapers, blog sites and news coverage regarding the recent race issue that she and her friends were faced with when checking out of an Air BNB in Rialto, California. Although that issue is of importance within the community, Miss Donisha and her family actually enjoyed bringing the Kaya Fest to the Inland Empire, which she mentioned in a recent interview with me.

I wanted to bring a little bit of positivity and take the light off of the Air BNB situation and focus more on what Prendergast is up to and what she is working on. Before we get into the interview, here’s a little information on who Donisha is for those who only know her as part of the Marley family.

Donisha Rita-Claire Prendergast is an actress, model, dancer and poet. She was born on December 29, 1984. Through the years while in the field, she increasingly developed a love for acting and the theatre. She landed several lead parts for “Jambiz” (Production Company in Jamaica). Her first role came as Karen in “Puppy Love”. Immediately she followed up by playing Cindy Relisha in “Cindy Relisha and the DJ Prince”.  She also has appeared in a number of major promotional ads including the new Ammars spread which appears in newspapers and billboards throughout the Caribbean and parts of the world including the U.S.A. many doors. Donisha aspires to become a Child Psychologist.

Click below to listen to the interview