WSSN Stories

By Wanda Hukares, Inland Empire Resident

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the me that I should bring my own grocery bag because plastic bags are not good for the environment. I apologized to the young girl and explained, “We didn’t have this ‘green thing’ back in my earlier days.”

The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.”

I said that she was right — our generation didn’t have the “green thing” in its day. I went on to explain:

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the “green thing” back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things. Most memorable besides household garbage bags was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But, too bad we didn’t do the “green thing” back then.

We walked up the stairs because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.

But she was right. We didn’t have the “green thing” in our day.

Back then we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts. Wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn’t have the “green thing” back in our day.

Back then we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she’s right; we didn’t have the “green thing” back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blade in a  razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn’t have the “green thing” back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family’s $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the”green thing.” We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Author Bonita BoSweets Miree-Likely is What it Do! Please take a moment to read all about another brave Cancer survivor. The beautiful and talented, Bonita Miree-Likely. They call her BoSweets!

BoSweets has been on a writer’s journey for over 20 years. Currently she resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She was raised in California where she attended Cajon High School in San Bernardino. This is where she was first introduced to the arts and developed a passion for oil painting and poetry writing.

She’s the Published Author of “Louder Than A Quiet Storm”, “She Writes & Secrets of The Soul”, and “Shattered Pieces Made Whole”. Her work is being described as tear jerking reality, full of action, uplifting, conducive, thrill feeling, and powerful!

One writer says, “This was written for my soul”! This honest and heartfelt writing can be found in the St. Petersburg, Flordia Public Library, order at your local bookstore or Amazon.

BoSweets’ passion for writing was a way of dealing with life’s issues and coping in urban communities of Southern California. At first it was escaping, releasing bottled feelings and private thoughts. She later learned of cafés with the same passion as hers and began sharing with others.

Tapping into another passion, she taught and counseled at risk teens in supported living and foster care settings identifying areas of need, volunteered with youth through Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Beech Acres Family Services, My Sister My Friend, as well as in the community.

Since relocating in Saint Petersburg, Flordia, BoSweets continues to be an instrument in the community through volunteering motivational speaking skills in groups of 6th to 9th grade students in distressed middle school.

Please remember that education is vital not just for women but for men as well. It’s important to get checkups regularly. Mammograms are needed to detect early signs of breast cancer. Mammograms can spot breast cancer before a lump can be felt. Please take care of your health and get tested.

Until next week L’s!

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to recognize a true ‘shero’ of mine who is an extended family member, or as we now use the term ‘framily’. Niya Santos was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, at the young age of 24 and right before her 25th birthday.

Some may say, “Wow, so young!” According to American Cancer Society, women should start routine checks for breast cancer by the age of 40. Instead, they should start as early as possible because breast cancer sees no age. Despite being so young and a mother to three awesome, handsome and intelligent sons, Niya never gave up.

Finding her purpose.

Upon being diagnosed, Niya explained how she had found her purpose, which was to inspire the community. Her purpose grew even more after she was diagnosed with again with a harsher form of breast cancer.

On April 26, 2018, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer; it had also spread to her lungs. However, that still didn’t stop the fight. She fought harder and continued to live her best life and to continue fulfilling her God given purpose.

Niya lived out the purpose of telling others about God’s grace. She inspired many to get to know Him for themselves and to grow even closer to Him. She prayed for a countless number of people—no matter how she was feeling at the time, she would say a prayer for others. As we we’re praying and fighting the fight alongside her, she was praying for others as well.  She was living the testament of an unselfish life.

Niya gained her wings on July 16, 2018 at the age of 26. So, in honor of Niya the others that we have lost to the disease, as well as the breast cancer survivors, ladies let’s get our mammograms and educate others about breast cancer awareness. #NiyaStrong

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— It’s easy to fall into the same rut in which the world runs. It’s easy to go with the flow and do as the unconverted world around us does. It is easy to adopt the attitude of Ambrose of Milan when he said, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Many Christians do just that. We adopt the ways of the world. We adopt their fashions, their speech, their standards, their entertainment, and nearly everything else they do. All the while, the Lord tells us that we are to be different from them in every way. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing…”[2 Corinthians 6:17].

Listen, if we are going to emulate anyone, let it be the Lord. If we are looking for an example to follow, let us look no farther than the Lord God Almighty. As Christians we are told by the Bible to live holy lives that reflect the nature of God. We are to separate ourselves from actions, influences, or people that will hinder our service to God. We should be like a thermostat that regulates the temperature around us rather than a thermometer that merely records the temperature. Ought not Christian to be different? Ought not we to be distinct, separate, not the same, out of the ordinary, unusual? Christ was distinct, separate, out of the ordinary, and he called his followers to be like him. Listen, Holiness is not an option. It is mandatory.

Know that everything we say, and everything we do, must be governed by who’s we are, and by who we are. Granted, there was a time in our lives when we were no different from the world around us. We were lost like them. We lived like them. We acted like them. We talked like them. We did so because we were them. But when Jesus saved us by His grace, He transformed us, by His power, through the new birth, into a new creature, [2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:23]. He delivered us from the bondage of the old life. Now, we do not have to live like the world lives. We do not have to act, talk, walk, or be like them in any way. We have the capacity, through Christ, to live new lives that glorify and honor God. The warnings are clear. The Bible says in [Romans 12:2] “Do not be conformed to this world.”

The whole point here is that God expects His people to live a certain way. He has reasons for what He demands, and there are consequences for those who disobey. If we want the blessings of God to be on our lives, then we must live holy, clean lives to His glory. If we don’t, we will certainly face His chastisement. An important teaching in the Bible is about believers being separated from sin and the ungodly activities of the world as much as possible.  It is taught all throughout the Old Testament.   God’s people, particularly Israel, were to keep their distance from the heathen so they would not be exposed or tempted by the ungodly involvement in sin. For centuries, separation from sin and even the “… appearance of evil …” (I Thessalonians 5:22) were preached from most pulpits and practiced by most people. Christians lived differently.  They spoke differently. They dressed differently. They believed differently.  They acted and thought differently.  They were ashamed, as were their families, when they were involved in sin or even imitated the lifestyles of the unsaved. God has not changed one bit since He had the words penned in [Lev. 20:7].

With a clear command from the Lord, we are commanded not to partake of the world’s ways.  The world has one pattern of living; we who know the Lord have another. We are not to live like them on any level. We have to live among them, but we do not have to live like them.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children,” [Eph. 5:1].  “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked,” [1 John 2:6].

In the World, But Not of It!

As the late Billy Graham once said, “Christians are like the Gulf Stream, which is in the ocean and yet not part of it. This mysterious current defies the mighty Atlantic, ignores its tides, and flows steadily upon its course. Its color is different, being a deeper blue. Its temperature is different, being warmer. Its direction is different, being from south to north. It is in the ocean, and yet it is not part of it.

…”You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [1 peter 2Z:9-

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Thessalonians 5:23].

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen IV

My brother/uncle/nephew/son, be careful! The chickens are coming home to roost!  We have sometimes/often/always miss-treated the women in our lives! Notice that I did not say, “our” women! I did not use the term “our” because that is the road to miss-treatment!  The women in our lives do not belong to us… They are not our property!

However, there is an attitude that prevails among some men, a secret society of “We Who Stand 2P” that regards “Those Who Sit 2P” as a slave-gender! The membership of that secret society ranges from the very rich and powerful to the poor and weak.

Their mistreatment of women is the common thread. Many men have paid mistreatment dues to the society and now, thanks to social media, the books have been hacked and all of the receipts reflecting payment to the club are becoming public knowledge.

The time/era that overtly embraced sexism has passed but the memory/damages of that treatment is in our world-face.  The last ditch stand to legitimize the society is being led by President Donald P-Grabbing Trump!

My brother/uncle/nephew/son, you are being solicited every day to maintain your membership in WWS2P!   President P-Grabber wants you to believe that sexism is alive and well… Don’t! Our war is not the boys against the girls… It is/should-be about good vs evil!

By Aubry Stone, California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- One of the great advantages of Proposition 64 – the 2016 ballot initiative that legalized adult use cannabis – was the idea that it could start to address the disproportionately negative impact of marijuana arrests among communities of color. This disparity is well documented. Just a few years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union reported that African Americans were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than whites, even though use of the drug was roughly equal among both populations.

Prop 64 not only promised to reduce or expunge certain past convictions, it also presented employment opportunities in the newly legalized cannabis industry as a gateway to the middle class for many underserved communities.

As the head of a statewide organization that supports many minority-owned cannabis businesses, I know firsthand that communities of color are not seeing the promised opportunities of this new marketplace being realized.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Breast Cancer Survivor, Quaneisha La-Faye Beavers is What It Do!

What up IE and everybody! As we all know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Last year I did a call out for models. I was so moved when Quaneisha La-Faye Beavers reached out to me to be featured in my column. She currently resides in San Bernardino, California but was born and raised in Merced, California.

Not allowing her circumstances to get the best of her, she decided to take charge and bring awareness to younger women about the importance of regular checkups. Quaneisha linked up with photographer, David Silvermoon and made magic in the studio. She wanted to show the world that it’s okay and you’re not alone.

This beautiful woman is truly an inspiration. Education is vital not just for women, but for men as well. It’s important to get checkups regularly. Mammograms are needed to detect early signs of breast cancer. Mammograms can spot breast cancer before a lump can be felt. Please take care of your health and get tested.

Until next week L’s!

More about Queen Quaneisha La-Faye Beavers:

Her hobbies include camping with her children, horseback riding and event planning. She currently works in the Medical Field, and her measurements are a 38 bust, 40 waist and hip 40. You can follow her on Instagram @pumpkin_pie31.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— I want you to know that as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be constantly aware that the devil is out to destroy us. Revelation tells us Satan has declared all-out war on God’s saints. [Revelation 12:12]. While many Christians slumber at this midnight hour, just as Jesus predicted, the devil is working ferociously, making preparation for war. He is keenly aware of the short time he has to accomplish his evil purposes, so he gives his eyes no rest. That’s why Peter gives us this warning: Be sober, be diligent, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour [1 Peter 5:8].

Listen, the devil knows he has only a short time left to work on you, and he’s going to try everything he can to keep you from answering God’s call! The gospel of Luke tells us of a father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. Christ told the father, Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and seized him [Luke 9:41-42].

This young man was coming to Christ about to be set free, translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. The devil saw he was about to lose another victim. So, in a rage, he threw the young man to the ground in one last, violent attack. He wanted to kill him and take his soul before Jesus could deliver him!

Satan will try to do the same thing to you today. The moment you move toward Christ, he’ll attempt one last devouring attack. But let me remind you: The instant you move toward Jesus, the devil is rendered helpless. He can’t stop anyone who’s headed to Christ! He couldn’t keep the demon-possessed young man from reaching Jesus.

You can be free today. You can say to Satan, when I finish reading this message, I’m going to be a free person. Jesus is my Savior and he’s going to deliver me. Yes, I tell you, if you want to send Hell into a panic…. Give your life to Jesus.  You see from the moment the devil hears that knock on the door of your heart, until the time you open and receive Christ, all of Hell goes into a panic! Go ahead and make Hell tremble! Line up with God’s Word and will for your life. Let the Anointing of Jesus go forth from within you. All of Hell will tremble. And you will never be quite the same again. Be like Peter, one day that rock of a man struck fear in Satan’s kingdom! Why want you strike fear in Satan’s kingdom and give your life to Christ today…..Whatcha say?

And to those who are reading this- We must realize God has given us weapons to employ in the battle. We don’t have to stand by helplessly when our friends and loved ones are threatened or taken captive by the enemy. No, we are equipped to tear down the gates of Hell and bring them out. Jude tells us to “convince some who doubt; save some by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” [Jude 22, 23, KJV]

Understand it is our job to do the snatching. Christ has shed His blood and He intercedes on our behalf incessantly. Our part is to pick up our weapons and go out against the powers of darkness and drive them off the land. Christ bought us with His own blood — we belong to Him. And so, by the same token, do all men. John said that Jesus “is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” [I John 2.2] No person is exempt from Christ’s work of salvation. What remains is for us to work with God — to fight the good fight that loosens Satan’s hold on lost men and women and compels them to come into the banquet hall.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [1 John 3:8]

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CA— Live Nation and the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, announced the fall 2018 dates for Michelle Obama’s live U.S. book tour events in support of her highly anticipated memoir, BECOMING.

Produced by Live Nation, the 10-city U.S. tour will kick off in Mrs. Obama’s home town of Chicago on Tuesday, November 13, and will feature intimate and honest conversations between Mrs. Obama and a selection of to-be-announced moderators, reflective of the extraordinary stories shared in the wide-ranging chapters of her deeply personal book.

Simultaneous to this announcement, Mrs. Obama released a video over her social media channels.

Attendees will hear firsthand Mrs. Obama’s intimate reflections on the experiences and events, both public and private, that have shaped her, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her years spent at the most famous address in the world. Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America – the first African-American to serve in that role – she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world.

In candidly recounting moments from her own extraordinary journey, Mrs. Obama will also share life lessons learned and inspire people to become the very best version of themselves.

Michelle Obama and Live Nation will also be donating 10 percent of every show’s tickets to various organizations including, but not limited to, local charities, schools, and community groups in each city the tour visits. Those fans will receive free admission to the tour stop in their city.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Friday, September 21 at 10 a.m. local time at BecomingMichelleObama.com. To ensure tickets get in to the hands of fans and not scalpers or bots, the tour will utilize Ticketmaster’s Verified FanÒ platform. Fans can register now through Tuesday, September 18 at 10 p.m. PT HERE for free access to the Ticketmaster Verified FanÒ pre-sale, which will allow registered fans to purchase tickets before the general public on Thursday, September 20 from 10 a.m. local time to 10 p.m. local time. A limited number of VIP meet and greet packages with former First Lady Michelle Obama will be available at Ticketmaster.com.

“I’ve spent the last year and a half reflecting on my story as deeply and honestly as I could, and now I’m thrilled to travel the country and do the same with readers this fall,” said Michelle Obama about her upcoming tour. “I hope that this tour will inspire others to reflect upon and share their own stories—all the joys and sorrows, all the scars and renewals—so that together, we can better recognize that each of us, in our own way, is in a constant process of becoming.”

“We are honored to be part of these special events with former First Lady Michelle Obama,” said Tara Traub, Senior Vice President of Live Nation Touring. “Hearing her share her story in person will be a memorable life experience for attendees of the Becoming tour and one that will help encourage people to find their own voice and pursue their dreams for a better future—for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

BECOMING will be released on November 13 in the U.S. and Canada by the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, as well as in 28 languages around the world. An audio edition of the book, read by Mrs. Obama, will be simultaneously issued in digital and physical formats by Penguin Random House Audio.

BECOMING: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH MICHELLE OBAMA DATES:

• Los Angeles, CA-The Forum Saturday, November 17th
• Washington, DC Capital One Arena Saturday, November 24th
• Boston, MA TD Garden, Thursday, November 29
• Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center Saturday, December 1
• Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center Tuesday, December 11
• Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena Thursday, December 13
• Denver, CO Pepsi Center Arena Friday, December 14
• San Jose, CA SAP Center Monday, December 17
• Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

Husband and wife duo of Ultimate West, Eazy and Queen Vee

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Couples in the industry is What It Do! These days I’m seeing more couples putting it down together in the music industry. How awesome it is to be able to be married to the one you love while building an empire!

This week I am happy to feature my friends Hip-Hop Group Ultimate West. I just love how they work so well together. The music that they bring to the game is refreshing. Please learn more about this Hip-Hop couple below.

Ultimate West consist of members Eazy and Queen Vee. Eazy is from San Bernardino, California and Queen Vee is from West Covina, California.

Eazy is an artist, producer, featured DJ and owner of Ultimate West Entertainment for the group. Queen Vee is an artist, owner of Exqusite Moments Photobooth, graphic designer and owner of Ultimate West Entertainment.

They formed 2013 and since have performed in different states and cities in California, Nevada, New York and Baja, California (Mexico). The duo puts out great Techno and Hip Hop that all ages can dance to. It does not have any explicit content.

When the duo hits the stage, it really excites people. They have opened up and met several celebrities throughout their music career.

“Its’ all about being different from other artists and groups,” the dup states. “Before we perform on stage, we always praise our God in front of everybody. We had made a promise to God and to ourselves that we will be humble to our families, friends, fans and supporters.”

Google Ultimate West Entertainment and all of their social media handles will come up. They thank our God for all his blessings that he has given to them!

For business inquires, contact them at (424) 281-9817 or email them at ultimatewestent.01@gmail.com.