WSSN Stories

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon, was officially named by godmother Queen Latifah in a ceremony in New York recently that showcased the talented young artists from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital whose artwork adorns the Dreamscape, a stunning three-deck-high LED sculpture in the ship’s atrium.

Following the ceremony, Latifah squared off against Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott in Lip Sync Battle: Horizon modeled after the hit Paramount Network TV series and rolling out across the Carnival fleet.

Latifah rocked the house with her incredible interpretation of the Weather Girls classic “It’s Raining Men,” while Elliott had a chance to live out his rock star fantasies performing Whitesnake’s arena anthem “Here I Go Again,” all performed with back-up dancers from Carnival Horizon’s Playlist Productions to a packed house in the Liquid Lounge.

But the big winner was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which received a $100,000 donation from Carnival representing monies raised from various fundraisers, both onboard and ashore.  The funds continue the line’s ongoing support of St. Jude with more than $16 million raised in the fight against childhood cancer since the partnership began in 2010.

“Carnival Horizon’s naming ceremony was one of our best yet, with Queen Latifah carrying out her duties as godmother then battling it out with Super Bowl champion Jake Elliott of my hometown Philadelphia Eagles in an entertaining Lip Sync Battle,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We were also delighted to showcase the wonderfully talented children from St. Jude whose artwork on the Dreamscape will be forever associated with this spectacular ship,” she added.

Added Latifah, “My time aboard Carnival Horizon was nothing short of incredible.  In addition to having the honor of serving as the ship’s godmother, meeting the amazing kids from St. Jude and their families and squaring off against Jake in an all-out Lip Sync Battle is certainly something I will always cherish.”

“This is an absolute thrill for our patients and their families to have their artwork featured as a permanent display on this magnificent ship,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The ongoing support of Carnival team members and their customers around the globe for our lifesaving mission plays a critical role in advancing research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

As the newest ship in the fleet, Carnival Horizon introduces several innovations, including the first-ever Dr. Seuss water park, a new teppanyaki venue, and Smokehouse Brewhouse, a unique dining concept that combines real deal BBQ favorites created by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, along with four craft beers brewed on board by brewmaster Colin Presby.   

The second in the line’s Vista-class series, Carnival Horizon also includes features like SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, a Havana section with its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, and Family Harbor with extra-roomy staterooms and the Family Harbor Lounge.

Carnival Horizon kicks off a summer schedule from New York with a four-day cruise to Bermuda departing later today.  The ship will operate four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from New York through September then reposition to Miami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning later that month. 

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line or to make a reservation, visit Carnival.com, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or contact any travel agent.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Listen, Jesus was not into the business of wasting time. Therefore, to all you pretense and treachery God’s chosen people; God says, “You have the brazen look of a prostitute… and because you refuse to be ashamed,” you too like Israel, the northern ten tribes, will be judged and destroyed for the sins of idolatry, immorality, greed, violence, and abuse of the poor [Jeremiah chapter 3]. You will be indicted of two evils:  Forsaking the fountain of living waters and hewing for yourself cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. For you have deliberately forsaken the Lord and have chosen to worship false gods – God calls that spiritual adultery, fornication, and you have been caught in the act!

I want you to know that as the Lord sent Amos and Hosea to warn Israel of the coming judgment and he sent Isaiah and Micah to warn Judah, he has sent me to warn you that if you do not repent, and if you persist in your rebellion you will be taken into captivity for you are committing all the same sins Israel and Judah committed, with far less excuse. You are sinning against a far greater light.

“Woeunto you, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of Me.” [Isaiah 30:1]  “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites…” [Matthew 23:14]. “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how shall ye escape the damnation of Hell?” [Matthew 23:33]… Know that the end has come upon you, and I will send My anger against you saith the Lord; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will repay you for all your abominations.  My eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity; but I will repay your ways, and your abominations will be in your midst, then you shall know that I am the LORD [Ezekiel 7:3-8]. Therefore, consider how far you have fallen and repent. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place [Revelation2:5].

God appealed to Judah, [Jermiah 3:22] and with all my heart, I appeal to you to return to the Lord and let him heal your faithlessness.

David said, “Yet as surely as the LORD lives and you live, there is about one step between you and death!” [1 Samuel 20:3]

“So why do you endanger yourself every hour?” Repent and be converted!” [1 Corinthians 15:30-31]

By Jerome Horton, California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- If Senate Bill 822 (Weiner) passes in its current form, your internet rates will increase. 

States around the country are rushing to restore the net neutrality rules developed under President Obama and rolled back by the Trump Administration.  However, as they say, “the devil is in the details.”   

Senator Weiner’s legislation, SB 822, would attempt to restore internet connection safeguards for Californians that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reversed, but would do so at your expense by shifting the cost from wealthy internet providers to consumers.  This is particularly concerning because it hurts those who can least afford an increase in their internet bills, expands the current wealth inequity, and impedes access to technology.  

The original goal of “net neutrality” was that internet service providers and governments would treat all data on the internet equally and not discriminate or charge differently based on the user, services, website, application, or device – in other words, it would provide an open internet.

However, one of the bill’s provisions would ban popular free data offers, like streaming movies and music that do not count against data plans. These free data plans, also known as zero-rated plans, are discounts used by millions of consumers to stream popular online content like video or music.  Data shows that this act disproportionately hurts poor to middle-income earners who have a significantly higher reliance their smartphone as their only form of internet access. 

These consumers will get hit with higher monthly costs when they exceed their data caps, or they’ll have to throttle their own internet use. The problem is that consumers rely on their internet access to get jobs and healthcare information and whether consumers pay an extra $10, $15, or $20 per month, it’s not affordable for many low-income people. This amounts to a regressive tax, which wasn’t in the Obama net neutrality rules.

So, who does benefit?  If you scratch the surface of the net neutrality issue, you’ll see that it’s also a business-to-business issue. The bill appears to be written to favor very large “edge providers” – massive internet companies who generate so much traffic that infrastructure needs to be built around them, thus giving them a free ride (at our expense) when it comes to funding their equally massive infrastructure needs. That will shift all the costs onto ordinary consumers.

Although budding entrepreneurs and small businesses with limited financial resources would still be allowed to build an online presence for little to no additional cost, all public entities would be required to comply with procurement restrictions that would delay the deployment of critical new services. Yet with the right amendments, and political will, we can protect the little guys and the consumer. 

Net-neutrality is necessary, but not at the expense of poor to middle-income earners, as this goes beyond the Obama net neutrality policy and hurts California consumers in the process. Remember one of the greatest tricks the devil ever played was convincing the people he does not exist.  Believe in the devil or not, we need to amend this bill and protect consumers and small businesses before the cost of living goes to hell.  Individually our voice has meaning; collectively it has power. Consider calling your legislator today to get their perspective – because “silence grants consent.”

Re-elected in 2014, Member Jerome E. Horton is the Third District Member of the California State Board of Equalization, representing more than 9.5 million residents in Los Angeles, a portion of San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. He was first elected to the Board of Equalization in 2010. Member Horton also serves as the Board of Equalization’s Property Tax Committee Chair. He is the first to serve on the Board of Equalization with more than 21 years of experience at the BOE. Horton previously served as an Assembly Member of the California State Assembly from 2000-2006.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board that serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes.

By Dr. Margaret Hill

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- When you think of reading with a child, maybe your son, daughter or grandchild, it’s a happy thing. Perhaps it’s the bedtime story, maybe it’s a favorite book they want to read again and again. But maybe you didn’t know how much more it is than just a fun moment to share together. This is the cognitive foundation for future success. It is especially crucial for children in disadvantaged homes where experiences in elementary school years can impact whether they earn a high school diploma and continue to college.

Research shows there continues to be a literacy and academic achievement gap between children in poverty and their more affluent peers. However, when children in low-income homes have resources for reading, and reading is a priority in the home, they do better academically.

The nationwide problem of differences in learning levels for economically disadvantaged children has been referred to as the “30 million-word gap.” By the age of 3, children born into low-income families hear roughly 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers. Researchers, psychologists, educators and early childhood development specialists have found that to equalize differences in children’s development, a greater effort must be made to increase children’s cognitive experiences. Reading together is a perfect way to do it. 

With summer just around the corner, we believe this is a great time to think about how much learning can be lost over the summer when kids are out of school. This is known as the “Summer Slide” – the time when knowledge gained in school is lost because of the decreased academic engagement over the summer break. Two months of learning loss results in major summer brain drain. For example, summer learning loss accounts for two-thirds of ninth grade achievement gaps in reading. Disadvantaged children often fall behind their peers who continue to steadily build their skills over the summer months. Because we care about all children in our communities and their future well-being, we are compelled to take action to promote literacy resources.

Here are three tips for parents: 

1. Set a goal to have your kids read six (6) age appropriate books over the summer. 
2. Let children select appropriate reading materials for themselves. 
3. Read out-loud together and gently correct mistakes.

We hope parents will consider bringing their children to our free book giveaway at Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The event is called Summer Book Fest 2018 and Resource Fair. We were generously granted books by the Molina Foundation as part of their Launch Into Reading initiative, and we are happy that we can give away thousands of these brand new books for children of all ages. New books are often not financially feasible for parents to provide and we are here to help. And parents, we are having a resource fair at the Book Fest event with over 20 agencies on-site to provide information, goods and services to help families.

Thank you parents, grandparents, care-givers, and other adults who encourage children to read. Your efforts make a difference in the lives of youth in our communities.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- It’s coming back! LUE Productions 2nd Annual ‘Show it Off’ Youth Competition scheduled for October. We’re looking for talented youth to audition for FREE on Saturday, June 30 in San Bernardino at the Feldhym Library from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Our goal is to provide platforms for aspiring artists and quality shows for the community to enjoy.

If you know of a talented youth that can sing, dance, rap, recite poetry or spoken word, play in a band or any sort of unique gifts please send them our way. In order to participate you must reside in the Inland Empire and you must be 19 years if age or under.

Our team is looking to award the 1st place winner $500, the 2nd place winner with $100 and 3rd place winner will with $50 in cash along with trophies. All music or performances must be clean. If selected more details about the show will be given.

Get on the priority audition list by texting your name and contact number to (909) 567-1000 or emailing Lue.info@yahoo.com. Let’s keep positive events such as this going for our youth. Until next week L’s!

Los Angeles joins Chicago and Atlanta to host fitness-focused scholarship fundraiser

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- LOS ANGELES, CA- With successful 5K run fundraisers in place in Chicago and Atlanta, the Divine Nine 5K Race Series is pleased to announce its West Coast expansion with the addition of Los Angeles as the next location.

Launched in 2015 by fitness enthusiast Neecy Roney, the Divine Nine 5K Race set an early goal of bringing the community together for fitness, fellowship and fun.  The first event took place in Chicago in 2015 with 500 participants.  In 2016, the race expanded to Atlanta, where the inaugural race attracted nearly 600 participants.  Both events are organized in collaboration with the local National Pan-Hellenic Councils (NPHC) and raise funds for the Council’s scholarship and community programs.

Recognizing the Divine Nine 5K’s positive impact on the community, organizers made plans to strategically expand to other locations.  From a list of other major cities, Los Angeles was selected based on its location, strong NPHC council and the community’s interest in fitness and track record of supporting unique fundraising activities.

“We’re pleased to join the Divine Nine 5K family,” said Jacqueline Sparrow, President, Los Angeles NPHC.  “The event will provide a unique opportunity for NPHC- Los Angeles to bring the community together in the name of fitness and scholarship.” 

“Our expansion to Los Angeles confirms that the Divine Nine 5K Race Series is truly a national event.  With locations in the Midwest, South and now Southern California, we’re excited about the opportunity to grow the race series,” added Rooney.

At present, the NPHC-Los Angeles is reviewing possible locations for its inaugural Divine Nine 5K – Los Angeles.  The event is tentatively planned for October 2018.  Additional details will be announced later this month. 

The Atlanta and Chicago 5K races are planned for June 9th and June 16th, respectively.

For additional information about the Divine Nine 5K Race Series, please visit www.divinenine5k.com.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- You fool! There are no guarantees about tomorrow! [Luke 12:16-21.] Life is short and uncertain. Fragile! [Psalms 39:4; James 4:13-17]. Talking ‘bout; “Tomorrow you’ll serve God!” Making plans without taking into account your own mortality and God’s sovereignty. What is your life? A vapor that appears for a little while and then disappears…. [James 4:14]. The only time you have is right now! Whatcha mean tomorrow! CHOOSE whom you will serve! Today!

As Martin Luther King, Jr., once preached “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity… but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, “Too late.”

I tell you there are times in our life when we cannot afford to stay still; to not act on God’s will for our lives. That time is now. Scripture does not permit us to sit still, to wait for God to call to us a second time. Today is the day; this is the hour, the minute, when we say yes to God’s call to us to live. Now is the time. The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the good news.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow…’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.” “You do not know what will happen tomorrow.” [James 4:13-14a].  You don’t even know what will happen ten minutes from now, let alone tomorrow! Arrogantly assuming that you would wake up tomorrow; presuming things about an unknown future that you have no control of and no guarantees about! Whatcha mean Tomorrow!

I want you to know that there are three passages in the [Book of Proverbs] that warns us that we are not to wait too late about making our decision of commitment to Christ and to receive forgiveness for our sins. [Proverbs 1:24-28] is God’s invitation to man to respond to God’s offer of mercy and grace. These verses tell, in part, what will happen to man if he refuses God’s invitation. [Proverbs 27:1] presents to us the man who thinks he has many “tomorrows” to get right with God, but does not realize that, for him, there may not be another “tomorrow.” [Proverbs 29:1] presents a picture of an oxen who has a yoke put about its neck so that the master can lead it in the direction that he wants it to go. But the ox is rebellious and will not go in the right direction. The yoke rubs on the neck until a callous is formed and the animal becomes insensitive to the pulling of the reins by the master. The only thing to do now is to destroy the animal; to put it to death, for it is of no further use to the master. Rather than the ox being useful, it becomes a burden and a problem because of its rebellious nature.

I tell you, God is saying something very important to us. We are not just beast. We are people that He loved, died for, and wants to bring control and direction to our lives. God is saying to us, “Don’t wait too late. Come to Jesus while there is still time.” Wehave known yesterday –the past –and we are experiencing the present, but we have no certainties of tomorrow. To count on tomorrow is to neglect the duty of today!

Listen, “Tomorrow” is the devil’s greatest tool; “Now” is God’s greatest weapon to defeat the devil. Today and not tomorrow is “THE ACCEPTED TIME. “Now” is Mercy’s offer. “Now” is the invitation from God, reaching down from heaven. Tomorrow you may find the door shut. This is your urgent day. [Proverbs 29:1] I tell you, whatever it is that is keeping you away from the Lord, it isn’t worth the price you will have to pay to keep it! Throw it down and cast yourself on Jesus for salvation. The day of grace has its limits. Now is the time to do something. Tomorrow may be too late!

 “I gave you cleanness of teeth by sending you famine and drought so that you would turn back to Me –yet you have not returned to me.  I withheld rain from you so you would return –yet you have not returned to me. I sent blight and mildew and locust –yet you have not returned.” Your young men were killed in battle with a sword –yet you did not return to me. Because you will not return to me, prepare to meet your God. And meet Him without ever turning to Him in life on earth. Meet Him –Condemned. [Amos 4:6-12]

LOMA LINDA, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- Patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) were treated to an afternoon of books, arts and crafts at the annual “Spring Into Reading,” a patient diversionary event sponsored by the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild.

“This is part of the Loma Linda Guild’s mission to enhance the patient experience for our precious children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital,” said Lynn Sleeth, president of the Loma Linda Guild.

On Monday, May 21, LLUCH patients and young children visiting the hospital were welcomed to the lobby level of the hospital where craft tables were set up alongside a library of books and a table of stuffed animals. Kids were able to take a book and stuffed animal of their choosing to keep.

Tables were strewn with all the supplies needed to make handprint spring lilies bouquets such as construction paper, pipe cleaner, pencils, crayon, ribbons and more.

Alejandra Leyva, 11, from Perris, enjoyed making a pink, white and red bouquet of flowers by tracing her handprint and following the instructions provided by the Guild.

Goodie bags of books and craft materials were taken up to the rooms of patients who were unable to make it down to the lobby for the event.

For more information on the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, please visit lluch.org/guilds.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- A win for the West is What it Do! “Welcome To The West” 1st Music Festival sponsored by 99.1 KGGI was a major success. Congratulations to Streetwise Entertainment and Cabana Life Entertainment for hosting this event here in the Inland Empire.

It was a packed house. People waited anxiously to see the show and headliner Nippsey Hussle. The evening was nonstop with performances from local talent and legends such as: Suga Free, Dogg Pound, The Outlawz, Mack 10 and The Eastsiderz.

It was amazing to see and vibe to artists I grew up on, but it didn’t stop there. The crowd got to see other artists turn up like: Mozzy, Slim 400, Teeflii, Mac Lucci and several others.

The headliner showed us just why he’s the headliner. Nippsey Hussle came out gassing. He performed his hit, “Last Time That I Checked” off his album Victory Lap, and the crowd just lost it.

All of the artists did an outstanding job. The media room was on. They treated us well. We were provided good food, snacks and drinks. It was almost like a reunion. I saw several media folks that I haven’t seen in a while. It was a fun and great night of music and networking.

I’d like to thank my plug for the media hookup and allowing me to be the only Inland Empire REP. Can’t wait till the next one. Do me a favor and hug a loved one today. L’s!

INGLEWOOD, CA- (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- U.S.VETS successfully kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a meaningful day of honor for the women and men that served our country. 

On Friday, May 25, U.S. VETS—the country’s largest non-profit provider of comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk Veterans—celebrated their 25th Anniversary with their rededication of the organization’s first established veteran’s facility. The site was, for the first time, officially dedicated as U.S. VETS—INGLEWOOD.

The event hosted political dignitaries and notable special guests such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA District 43), Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr., Akilah Templeton, Executive Director, U.S. VETS—Inglewood and Stephen J. Peck (President/CEO, U.S. VETS). Additionally, the day included a commemorative ceremony, open-to-the-public community resource fair, live music, special appearance by the Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders, and the inaugural performance of the U.S. VETS-Inglewood InterService Veteran Color Guard. 

Executive Director Akilah Templeton—an Inglewood native, and long-time mental health advocate, who helms U.S.VETS—INGLEWOOD, one of the country’s largest residential sites for homeless veterans, stated that “our collective service and commitment to our veterans will continue, as we have for 25 years, until every last veteran is moved off of our streets and into the proud future they deserve.”

“U.S. VETS is an extremely important organization that is dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for homeless and at-risk veterans here in Inglewood and across the country. I am so pleased to join with them once again to celebrate 25 years of distinguished service, and I look forward to continuing our long and strong partnership of providing housing assistance and services to veterans in our community,” said U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

“On behalf of the City of Inglewood, I am honored to pay tribute to all of the veterans, past, and present, who protect the freedoms and way of life we cherish in America.  Inglewood salutes you,” stated Mayor James T. Butts Jr.