WSSN Stories

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, striking approximately 165,000 men each year with about 30,000 dying of the disease, making it second only to lung cancer as the deadliest cancer in men.

Caught early, prostate cancer can be treated, usually successfully, but remember, in early stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms, so don’t wait for “something bad” to happen to Get It Checked.

For almost 30 years, doctors have had a powerful weapon in their arsenal for detecting prostate cancer. In addition to the DRE (a physical exam allowing the doctor to feel the prostate), patients can have a simple blood test called a PSA (which stands for prostate specific antigen) that will detect a majority of prostate problems early. Since the PSA has been used, prostate cancer deaths have declined and the number of successfully treated prostate cancer cases has risen.

During September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Men’s Health Network is urging men to talk to their healthcare providers about prostate cancer.  They also encourage women to get involved and urge their husbands, fathers, brothers, and other loved ones to talk to their healthcare provider about prostate screening, including the PSA and DRE tests. 

Let others know about the risks of prostate cancer and the potential benefits of screening.  Posters, fact sheets, and a social media tool kit, for use at your place of worship, where your work, and for your fraternity or sorority, can all be downloaded for free at the www.ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.com web site.

A federally staffed panel of experts, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), makes recommendations about screenings that healthcare providers look to for guidance.  At its meeting in May of this year, the Task Force recommended that men age 55-69 should speak to their healthcare provider about using the PSA test to screen for prostate cancer.  But Men’s Health Network, many other patient advocate organizations, and many healthcare providers don’t think that goes far enough.

Men’s Heath Network urges the following men to talk to their healthcare provider about routine prostate cancer screening:

• All men over age 50, and at age 40 for African Americans
• Men with a family history of prostate cancer
• Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and
• Men exposed to pesticides and certain other chemicals.

If you are on Medicare, prostate cancer screening is a part of your Welcome to Medicare physical, the free comprehensive physical exam you receive in your first year of eligibility. But you may have to ask for the “Welcome” physical since many healthcare providers don’t seem to know about it. And, Medicare continues to cover prostate cancer screening in following years.

For younger men, over 30 states require that insurance companies offering health insurance in their state provide coverage for prostate cancer tests.  Insurance companies may offer prostate cancer screening in the remaining states, but are not required to do so.

And, know your numbers! When you receive your PSA test results, ask the healthcare provider what your PSA number is, write it down, and compare it against future tests.  If the number goes up in future tests, talk to your healthcare provider.

The bottom line?  Having an annual prostate exam, including a PSA test, just might save your life. No matter what age you are, that annual PSA test creates a benchmark to judge future tests against.

And ladies, if the men in your life don’t want to make an appointment, do it for them – and drive them to the healthcare provider’s office if you have to.

No insurance and limited funds?  Watch for free screenings in your area.  Many healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and health fairs offer free prostate screenings in September and at other times during the year.

Take any opportunity you can to Get It Checked (www.GetItChecked.com).

Resources:

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month:  www.ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.com

Prostate Health Guide:  www.ProstateHealthGuide.com

Get It Checked (screening guidelines for men and for women): www.GetItChecked.com

Men’s Health Network:  www.MensHealthNetwork.org

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Video Shoot for Rap Artist Mack Pepperboy is What it Do! This Sunday in the beautiful city of Lake Elsinore it will be a movie. The making of Mack Peppperboy’s new hit single, “Right There,” featuring R&B Singer Yung Muusik will take place.

The shoot will also star the beautiful and sexy Coffee Brown of Coffee Brown Entertainment. There will also be special appearances by Tresunda De La Cruz, Lue Productions’ BBW Queen; Riisha Shelby of Diva Outlaw; The Bourne’s; Comedian Mac Rome; L.P. model Porscha Dillard; Jonathan Fields of Ambiance Magazine; James McCoy a.k.a. OJ; Jasmine Hall; Essence Johnson; Mrs. Perris and Mrs. California.

The videographer for the shoot will be Nycee Dreams and we’ll be on set with Ilondon Fog Studios. Our management team at LUE Productions/LPM is excited and happy for our artist. It’s been a moment due to him being in hibernation working diligently on his new project titled, “It’s The Pepperboy”, which will drop at a later date.

“On this project you will be able to hear the difference and the growth in his writing skills. He’s connected with other talented and unique artists in order to bring forth a new sound,” Deeveatva Bourne, Core member of LUE Productions Management Team, stated.

Please be on the lookout for this fiery artist based right here in the Inland Empire. The video shoot will be wrapped up that evening in Riverside. You can catch his performance live at Status Night Club for Legendary Entertainment’s artist spotlight. Doors open at 9 p.m. The event will be hosted be KG. Early arrival is strongly suggested.

Until next week L’s!

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen 

Nike has voted! The Nike 30^th Anniversary advertising campaign features Colin Kaepernick and the phrase “Just Do It!”  The signature Nike theme phrase implies much more than accomplishing a sports goal! Colin Kaepernick’s image widens the context to include protesting injustice and inequality!

Please register so you can vote! Ask your friends, real and virtual, to verify their registration and reregister if need be!  You can register via your computer. You can register at your County Registrar of Voters/ Elections Office. You can help others register via your computer.

Once registered you can then vote your conscience. I hope that you will vote with me and with Nike as we seek justice and equal access in this great country that our forefathers/mothers have vested their lives to create!

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen

If you are a jazz, wine or a have-a-good-time connoisseur, join me this Saturday at the IE Jazz Experience.  WssNews is proud to be one of the sponsors of the PHAT X production of the 2018 Inland Empire (IE) Jazz Experience in Rancho Cucamonga, on the intimate grounds of the Mountain Vista Winery.  Come and experience a day of great live jazz music and bands, great wines, a selection of food vendors and a marketplace!

Our Artist lineup for this year: Jason Weber, Michael Haggins, Vaughn Fahie, Jazz Zone and more… Just added we will be featuring a Paint n Sip experience throughout the festival for those that want to learn how to paint and sip on some great wine. In our tasting room, sample great wines, various wine demonstrations, fun lectures, live entertainment, and workshops.

The Mountain Vista Winery is at 10013  8^th Street Rancho Cucamonga. Gates open at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 general and $100 VIP. For more information, visit IEJazzExperience.com   or call (909) 657 204-6249. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-REDLANDS, CA– The City of Redlands invites individuals to apply for positions on the Airport Advisory Board. Members are appointed by the City Council.

The Airport Advisory Board acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the administration, operation, development, improvement and maintenance of the Redlands Municipal Airport. The Airport Advisory Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Applications for this position will be accepted until all vacant seats are filled.

Residents interested in applying for the non-salaried position may request an application form from the City Manager’s Office, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, Suite 200,  Phone:  798-7510, or by downloading an application from the City’s website at http://cityofredlands.org/city-hall/commissions___boards.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA —- Earlier this month in celebration of Back to School, Active Ride Shop announced its commitment of $100,000 cash to four Southern California high schools to help support school athletics. With less than two weeks left to enter for a chance to win, students, sports teams and even busloads of kids from area high schools are pouring into Active Ride Shops across the state. Votes will be collected through September 3 with the top schools in each of four regions winning $25,000 for their school sports program.

Thousands of votes have already come in, but there’s still plenty of time to get in on the action. Schools like West Covina High School have sent busloads of students into the West Covina store. Don Lugo High School in Chino announced the contest at their football game last Friday night every quarter throughout the game encouraging students to visit the Chino store and vote. Schools throughout the state that are just going back to school have been encouraging participation in the hopes that a $25,000 influx can help refresh uniforms, equipment, facilities and transportation for their sports teams.

The contest is divided into four regions:  Los Angeles County (Santa Monica, El Segundo, Long Beach, Downey, Burbank), Inland Empire (Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Riverside, Redlands, Chino Hills, Chino, Menifee), San Gabriel Valley/Santa Clarita Valley/Ventura County/Kern County (West Covina, San Dimas, Bakersfield, Valencia, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks), Orange County/North County (Aliso Viejo, Orange, Irvine, Brea, Tustin, Escondido)

Active Ride Shop conceived the giveaway in an effort to give back to the communities in which it serves. School budgets are stretched thin and athletics programs often bear the brunt of funding cuts and are faced with filling the gap with fundraising. The Active 4 Schools campaign aims to help alleviate some of this budget shortfall for four schools.

“Based in Southern California, we know schools are underfunded and it’s important to Active that we help our communities with funding for youth programs,” said Active President Jenner Heller. “Kids are passionate about the activities they participate in and we want to do our part in enabling them to live an Active lifestyle.”

Active has long been committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Last year alone, the brand raised more than $125,000 for local schools, after school programs, sports teams and various charities through its Perfect Pair sock program.

For complete details, visit www.activerideshop.com or stop into their local store. #Active4Schools

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Congratulations to our 2018 BBW/Plus Size Queen the very beautiful, Tresunda De La Cruz. She came ready to slay! LUE Productions is super excited to have her as our new Queen. Full Bio coming soon. Please follow us on all social media sites for future competitions, shows, auditions and artist’s updates. Until Next week L’s!

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN— God’s Warning to a Doomed Generation – “The Greatest Prophecy in the Bible”–soon to be fulfilled. You see, Jesus made a promise. He said, “I will come again.” [Matthew 24:36], “But of that day and hour knoweth no man; not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” But He says we can know when the end is near. Jesus gave signs concerning His coming and we are seeing those things and hearing those things today. Whole chapters of God’s Holy Word deal almost exclusively with signs regarding the end of time. Matthew 24 is one of those; Revelation 6 is another; Luke 21 is another. “Ah”, but you say, “People have been talking about the coming of Jesus for generation after generation after generation. If it’s really going to happen, why hasn’t He already come?” I’ll tell you why. The Bible says in [2 Peter 3:9], “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” You see, God is so merciful and so good, and He loves us so desperately that He refuses to punish the guilty without giving them sufficient warning and offering them an alternative, a way out of damnation.

I want you to know that God has always sent a warning message to each doomed generation. When you look back in your Bible you will see that there was a time when the whole earth was going to be destroyed by water. God sent a preacher who preached his heart out for one hundred and twenty years. His name was Noah. In spite of all his preaching, only eight people were saved. Then there were the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. God said to Abraham, “I`m going to destroy those cities. And Abraham pleaded with God and said, “Lord, if I find fifty people, would You spare it?” And the Lord said, “Yes.” And when he couldn’t find them he said, “Lord, if I could find…” and he came all the way down to ten! But he couldn’t even find ten people in two whole cities. That ought to startle us. For the Bible records that only four people left those two wicked cities before God’s judgment fell, and one of those left her affections there, turned back, and became a pillar of salt. Only three people lived out of two whole cities! The rest thought they could live on in their wickedness, and their immorality and their decadence, and ignore the warning message of God. But the time of judgment came. Jesus said, “As it was in the days of Noah, and as it was in the days of Lot, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” [Matthew 24:37, Luke 17:26-28].

I tell you, we had better listen to the warning message of God before it is eternally too late, because the handwriting of God’s judgment is on the wall: mene, tekel, upharsin… Mene meaning the time has run out. Finished! Over! No more opportunities! No more second chances! Your number is up! You’re finished! And that’s the way it happens. Suddenly! The finger of God writes on our wall the word mene when we least expect it, when we seem to be at rest and flourishing and partying through life. And then, it’s over. Finished! The Bible says, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” The Bible challenges us” to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Next is the word Tekel meaning weighed. If you never receive Christ as your personal Savior you’ll be weighed on the scales of God by your own life and your own merits. Then the final word written on the wall – Upharsin. A noun from a verb meaning “to break in two,” to separate, to divide… Divide the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares. Make no mistake about it the handwriting is on the wall! The Bible says, “Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh” [Matthew 24:44]. He came to Sodom and Gomorrah when the people did not expect Him. He came in the days of Noah when they didn’t think He would come. And it happened in Babylon, when they were having a good time. They didn’t think it would happen. But I tell you today, the handwriting is on the wall—something is about to take place very soon. Prophecy is being fulfilled on every hand. Jesus is getting ready to come back for His people, for His church and the signs are all about us.

Bible prophecy tells us that there will only be two groups at that time. One group will cry for the rocks to fall on them and destroy them; they are not ready. The other group will look up with joy and say, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us” [Isaiah 25:9]. I want to be part of that group that’s ready when Jesus comes. How about you?

Let’s not wait for “The Hand Writing On The Wall” to tell us it is too late, that judgment has been passed and the sentence is final.

Let’s instead heed “The Hand That Wrote On The Ground” [i.e., Jesus, John 8:6, 8]; while there is still time for mercy and forgiveness…

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN— Listen, life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow [James 4:13-14]. The Bible urges us to get right with God today [Luke 12:40]. God illustrated the importance of being prepared for His coming in [Matthew 25:1-13]. This message is a reminder, a word of warning or caution for those who are so busy living from day to day they forget how completely fragile and uncertain life is. Simply stated by James, our lives are only a mist, a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Here today and gone tomorrow; here one minute and gone the next. In the Bible, Paul writes, for He [God] says: “… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” [2 Corinthians 6:2].  If you do not know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, I beg you today to give your life to Jesus. No one has a guarantee that they’ll live another day. Life is short. Eternity is long.  Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of Salvation.” [Isaiah 49:8].

Don’t be like Lot …When it was Time for Decisive Action, Lot lingered…When Heavenly Messengers Were Urging Him to Go, Lot lingered…When Judgment was Imminent, Lot lingered! Lot was highly favored, and in the midst of a general destruction angels were sent to take care of him. He had received a warning which many had not heard – and he had felt the terror that warning would excite. Lot stood in the condition of one who knew that he must leave the city, for it was about to be destroyed. He intended to hurry, but he hesitated. Being slow to move when fully aware that judgment is swift to overtake is very dangerous. Had Lot hastened as the Lord desired him to, his wife would not have become a pillar of salt. Lot had too much of a lingering spirit. Let us not be like him. The same voice that warned Lot to leave Sodom bids us, repent while it is still day! For neither time, nor death, nor judgment linger. Decide for Christ before it is too late. Escape for your life! [Genesis 19:17] Remember Lot’s wife,” as a fearful warning, says the Lord. She became cold, careless, and disobedient. Finally the judgments of God fell upon her, and she became a pillar of salt.

There is a warning that the patience of God with unbelievers and unrepentant people will one day come to an end. It is a warning both for the people of God and for the world. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” [Ephesians 5:15-17]. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while He is near” [Isaiah 55:6]… the Son of Man will come at an hour when we least expect Him.” [Matthew 24:44] God warns each one of us to be ready.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death… Now choose life…” [Deuteronomy 30:15-20]

By Naomi K. Bonman

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- When an artist can make themselves known all over the world, that is true artistry because they have the gift of drawing in crowds from different demographics. Music Artist Jaclyn Bradley is that artist.

Bradley is an indie-singer songwriter and a published board-certified music therapist with a master’s degree in music therapy. She studies the effect of music on surgery patients and is a published music in medicine author. Her research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Music Therapy Perspectives. She conducted the largest music therapy study in history to employ the use of live music in the surgical arena.

Jaclyn was the only participant from America as a contestant on the 8th Season of ‘The Voice of Holland’. Palmer currently resides in the Netherlands and is a native of Lorain, Ohio and resided in West Hollywood for five years.

Palmer’s music was featured on MTV, BRAVO’s “The Rachel Zoe Project”, VH1’s, ‘Breaking Bonaduce’, and ‘Random Acts of Music’ where she helped create a 12-episode voice lesson series.  Palmer was Danny Bonaduce’s personal assistant. Her music was also featured on TLC’s “The Hipsters” (starring Joan Rivers), and HGTV’s House Hunter’s International. She also completed her documentary ‘Made of Gold,’ which she made as a tribute to those who died in the USS Indianapolis in World War II.

I recently interviewed the international icon where she chatted on her inspirations and accomplishments. Check it out below:

How were you chosen to be a contestant on ‘The Voice of Holland’? Can You describe your experience with that?

When “The Voice of Holland” called me to audition last year, I was experiencing a creative resurgence from living in Europe- a dream I had always had since childhood. I had just released an album called, “The Dutch Sessions” and filmed “A Loaded Gun,” a musical film confronting gun violence which was an official selection at the Orlando Film Festival. 

Before my audition, I learned that “The Voice of Holland” was the original The Voice show, created by the media mogul who also created Big Brother, Deal or no Deal and Fear Factor. I had no idea that all these programs had originated in Holland, but I figured it would be an incredible production company to work with- and it was. I was initially a bit nervous about the language barrier, but it was an incredible experience. I made great friends, had a blast, and being the only American on the show, they gave me subtitles!

You currently reside overseas but have lived in West Hollywood. How different is the music culture out there? What are some of the pros and cons?

Music is a great connector of human spirit, uncompliant to borders and blind to geography. In today’s global world, I find that music culture is, at its core, similar no matter where you travel. With music as my first language, I always find amazing people and connections.  In both LA and Holland, I found a tribe of musicians to perform, record and write with, and because of that, I have always felt at home. 

The main difference in Europe, at least in Holland, is that the audience really is more respectful in club and concert venues, quietly listening and fully absorbing the musical experience.  Holland is also a freer culture overall, and that translates to music where there is never censorship of words or ideas on television or radio.  Since Dutch is not my native tongue, I thought that might hinder me here, but everyone listens to American/British music in Europe and because of that, even the Dutch singer/songwriters mostly write and perform in English. 

 Your music has been featured on a variety of shows on both MTV and VH1. How was your song selected? 

While living in L.A., I was hired by Partridge Family alum, Danny Bonaduce to be his personal assistant. Gretchen Bonaduce (his wife at the time) is a singer and I quickly became her friend and assistant, too.  It was a great job full of adventure and lots of music.  Danny played bass at my first CD release party and Gretchen and I sang live performances of my songs, “Goodnight” and “Lost Angeles” on episodes of Vh1’s “Breaking Bonaduce.”   From that opportunity, I got to know the Vh1 music supervisor who used my songs on Bravo’s “The Rachel Zoe Project” and TLC’s “The King of the Crown.”   My voice and music have also been featured on MTV’s “Date My Mom” and HGTV’s “Househunters International.”

Are you currently working on any new projects?

I have a Christmas Album, called “December” due out December 1.  It is crazy to be absorbed in Holiday music in the middle of a heat wave summer, but I am really excited about it!

Do you have any upcoming shows?

I plan to perform my “December” album in live performance venues and in living room concerts.

What notable artists/people have you worked with and/or are currently working with?

I have many friends collaborating with me on the new album, including Dutch Broadway star, Jeroen Robben who was my teammate on The Voice of Holland.  Through the show, I worked with several notable Dutch musicians including Sanne Hans, Ali B and Kira Dekker.  In the States, I have sung with Terri Nunn (Berlin), Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), Ty Stone (Atlantic Records), Michael Satrazemis (The Walking Dead) and Gretchen Bonaduce whose book will be released in August… and I’m proud to be mentioned in it!

What are some of your other accomplishments, as far as awards, etc?

As a filmmaker, the documentary I directed, Made of Gold, won the “Award of Recognition” at the Hollywood International Independent Film festival.  My latest music video, “Love the Bodies We’re in” was named official selection at the Dances with Films festival and premiered at the famed Chinese Theater in Hollywood this past June. 

In 2016, Cleveland Magazine recognized me as one of the city’s “most interesting people,” and most recently, my hometown, Lorain, Ohio, inducted me into the inaugural class of distinguished alumni.  I shared the recognition with Saturday Night Live legend, Don Novello aka “Father Guido Sarducci”, which was quite an honor for me.

But my greatest achievement is something else. It is helping others through music.  I am a board-certified music therapist and have worked for years with patients in hospitals. I led the largest study in history to bring live music therapy into the operating room.  This research was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2015 and we helped hundreds of women facing breast cancer.  Helping others through music is my greatest joy, but it doesn’t just have to happen in the hospital. Last month, at the Dances with Films festival, a tearful girl came up to me after my screening and told me she was going through a hard time but that my music video had given her hope. To know something, I created with my heart, guitar and a pen, in a quiet room, was able to reach a major venue and touch the heart of another is a privilege that I’m so grateful for.  

How can people follow your music? Are you on social? Do you have a website? 

I am active on Facebook and Insta. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch my music videos and to view regularly uploaded singing/performance tips.  My website is at www.jaclynbradleypalmer.com