WSSN Stories

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen IV

Judge Kavanaugh’s schoolmates have declared that while in high school he was drunk enough to puke his guts several times with witnesses… Judge Kavanaugh says he does not remember being drunk as stated. He has additionally stated that he did not attempt to forcefully disrobe Dr. Ford at a party while they were both drunk.  The judge has indicated that he was never drunk while in high school. However, Judge Kavanaugh and his classmates have exposed their affection for wild drinking parties in their yearbook, casual and income generating writings and in recent conversations… Enough has been said about their drunken conduct to suggest that someone is lying… Either the judge when he says he did not get drunk at all, or his classmates when they say that he did. If all of the classmates are lying, we need to know!  If the judge is lying, is he qualified to sit on the highest court in the land?…

What if the judge is lying? At this point that seems to be a serious possibility!  I think that the drunken acts of high school students should not be held against them for life… However, lying about  things that seriously affect and effect other people is extremely serious, especially if the lying one is being considered for a lifetime job that depends on that person’s honesty as well as their passion for the law and their compassion for the good of our country!  

There needs to be an independent investigation of each of the charges of sexual abuse regarding Judge Kavanaugh. The endorsement of Judge Kavanaugh by President Donald P-Grabbing Trump adds to my concern!

6th Annual Women’s Wellness Conference was a success!

By Angela M. Coggs

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— On Saturday, September 8, Young Women Empowerment Foundation (YWE) hosted their sixth Annual Women’s Wellness Conference at San Bernardino Community Hospital in the Henderson Auditorium located at 1805 Western Avenue in San Bernardino from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. YWE invited family, friends, faith-based organizations, students and community supporters to their augural event that focused on emotional and physical health and wellness. It was a free event for women in the Inland Empire, although there were several men in attendance.

1. Gwen Rodgers (YWE Founder and CEO) and Eloise Gómez Reyes (California’s 47th Assembly District)

This year’s theme was Tragedies to Triumph. It refers to recovery and resiliency. When horrific things happen, how a person responds can make a difference in the rest of one’s life. During the wellness conference attendees learned how some individuals triumphed in the face of unspeakable tragedies. Another component of the event was acknowledging the importance of self-care.

The featured speakers included Spring Eatmon, Nina Torres, Tina Darling, Patricia A. Gonzales (Natural Health Educator) and Wendy Whitmore (LMFT/ Clinical Life Coach/CEO Truth Healing Evolution Counseling). The diverse group of speakers provided the perfect combination of knowledge and resiliency. They represented the most effective group of women who could deliver their message with compassion and decorum. Each speaker allowed time for questions at the end of their segments and they did not disappoint.

2. Speaker Spring Eatmon and Gwen Rodgers (YWE Founder and CEO)

Vickie Lee and Madeline Freeman performed an emotional and riveting dialogue that centered on a real-to-life situation regarding health issues and grief and loss. Lee’s performance brought many of the attendees to tears because so many resonated with her familiar story. It took the engaged audience into a deep and personal look inside a medical issue that is preventable yet so many of us ignore the warning signs.

“Their stories were so impactful. Sadly, I’ve experience both,” exclaimed one of the attendees at the conference.

It was an eventful and interactive conference. The women in attendance had the opportunity to participate in interactive demonstrations and hear life changing testimonials from other women about self-care, tragedies, and triumphs.

3. Attendee Tamika Casey and Dr. Margaret Hill, San Bernardino City Unified School District Board Member

In addition to providing useful self-care and wellness information at the conference, the attendees was also invited to get physical during the live line dance demonstrations by Heart and Soul’s Linda Gibbs. The line dance demonstrations has been a huge success for the past three years and this year was no different. Gibbs energetic personality match her energetic performance. Everyone participated in the dancing segment and enjoyed the heart pumping activity.

The event was sponsored by San Bernardino Community Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. Special acknowledgement to The San Bernardino Symphony for donating several sets of tickets to the eager audience and Crown Wigs & Beauty Supply for donating several big gift baskets filled with hair accessories and products for raffle prizes. Nebu & Co. raffled off a beautiful wig to an excited and thankful attendee. Additionally, gift cards and the beautiful centerpieces from each table were also given out as raffle prizes.

There were several vendors at the event that provided samples, information, as well as products for purchase, as the attendees visited the booths thought out the conference. The vendors included:

• Shalikah Skeete- Mindful Complexions
• Dorothy Jarmon- Artistic Flow (jewelry and clothing)
• Ipyani Lockert- Motivational Realizations/ Mama’s Tea Cakes
• County of San Bernardino Workforce and Employment
• Ceara Holloway- Riverside/San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc.
• Staci Leak- Nebu & Co.  
• Valley Star Counseling Services
• William Long – Option House San Bernardino
• Brenda Sutton- Paparazzi Jewelry/ Sutton Insurance Services

YWE serves to strengthen the character of young women of high school age in the San Bernardino City region of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Young Women’s Empowerment was founded by CEO Gwendolyn Dowdy- Rodgers. The mission of our program is to empower these young women to achieve at their highest potential, particularly in education, and to instill in them a commitment to return to their community as leaders and mentors.

The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) is dedicated to strengthening the self-esteem, character, integrity and capacity of young women ages 12-21 so that they may achieve their highest potential. YWE accomplishes its purpose through strategic partnerships with other organizations. YWE is guided by ethics and principles which exhibit respect for cultural diversity.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— As unpopular as it may be, it behooves us to take heed to the message. You see, despite the fact that the people mocked Jeremiah and God because it seemed that Jeremiah brought nothing but God’s sad news of condemnation. This sad news was the truth. Jeremiah may have been tempted to leave out the parts that would turn his audience against him, would sound too harsh, or would make him sound like a traitor. But by God’s command, he was not to delete parts of God’s message to suit himself, his audience, or the circumstances in which he found himself. [Jeremiah 26:2]. I tell you, there is a danger in missing the message!

Early in the reign of Jehoiakim/son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the Lord. “This is what the Lord says: Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen, and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. Say to them, “This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again [though you have not listen], then I will make your house like Shiloh and your city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth…” Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. [Jeremiah 26:1-6; 13]

I tell you God is still merciful and patient, and will always give warning to His people before He performs His mighty acts. Know that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [2 Peter 3:3-5]… God is not slack! We must under that! He will perform His good work, and will bring His word to pass! And He says that He does not want any of us to perish, but that we should all come to repentance! God’s Word is full of warning for His people, if we will only heed.

In [Matthew 24:32-35] Jesus said that when we see world events now occurring, we are to know that this end is very near. Yet of the day and hour we cannot know. Yet when it strikes it will strike suddenly, unexpectedly, like a trap that springs shut on a hapless rat without warning. So the message today for God’s people and nations, is to Wake up! Be reminded and become aware of these things which will soon affect every single one of us! Time will not just “continue on” the way it has, so says the Bible. But before all this happens, and even as it begins to happen, God is faithful, and His Word says that someone will see [Ezekiel 33:3] the sword coming upon the land, and this someone is commanded to give warning or indeed lose his own life also!

Listen, God invited Noah and his family aboard the ark with the words, “Enter the ark.” [Genesis 7:1]. That’s His invitation to you today. God has not yet closed the door of salvation. At the end of the Bible, after warning of the judgment to come, God’s final appeal is, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” [Revelation 22:17]. But lest you put it off, the Bible goes on in the next to the last verse to warn, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly” [Revelation 22:20].

 I tell you, Jesus is coming to judge the earth; He invites you to come aboard before He comes to close the door. Come to Christ now! A call of mercy before judgment!  Jesus said in [Genesis 6], “My spirit shall not always strive with man…. Will you heed the warning?

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eight person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly.” [2 Peter 2:4-6] do you see what the Lord is telling us here. It is a warning to us that we should not follow in their footsteps by practicing the same sins, Otherwise, we will be destroyed too when Jesus returns. “I tell you… There is a Danger in Missing the Message!”

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…..” [Deuteronomy 30:19]

Official deadline extended to September 30, 2018

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-LOS ANGELES, CA—- The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the US, is accepting film submissions – narratives, documentaries, features, shorts, live action and animation. The Official Submission deadline has been extended to September 30, 2018. Enter today at www.paff.org/festivals/paff-la/submissions/ or on Film Freeway.

Now in its 27th year, The Pan African Film Festival will be held February 7 to February 18, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. As always, it will be an amazing showcase of more than 170 films made by and/or about people of African descent, from the U.S., Africa and its Diaspora. PAFF also includes informative panel discussions, workshops, special screenings, guest speakers, red carpets and other festivities.

PAFF has served as a launchpad for some of today’s most successful and relevant filmmakers. Directors Malcolm Lee, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Ava Duvernay had early films in the festival. Actors David Oyelowo and Nate Parker have been actively involved. “Think Like a Man” and Bill Duke’s “Dark Girls” premiered at PAFF. Celebrity sightings are not unusual at PAFF.

At the February 2018 festival, PAFF hosted a special preview screening of “Black Panther.” Its star, Chadwick Boseman, also stopped in at PAFF.

“PAFF is the film festival for serious filmmakers who are passionate about telling their stories,” says PAFF co-founder and Executive Director Ayuko Babu. “PAFF opens doors and connects you to the heart of Hollywood. There is no other festival on earth like the Pan African Film Festival,” he said.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live action and animation short films.

Late submissions are accepted but incur increased fees. Avoid the higher fees and take advantage of the extended deadline. Submit now at www.paff.org/festivals/paff-la/submissions/

The Late Submission deadline is now Oct. 1 – Oct. 15. Extended Late Submission deadline is Oct. 16 – Nov. 5. For submissions after Nov. 5, please contact submissions@paff.org.

Tina Knowles (mother of artist Beyoncé Knowles) chats with
HDIV News Editor Barbara James

By B. James/L. Traiger, HDIV News

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- HIGH DESERT, CA—-‘Ain’t to Proud to Beg’..A powerful and immersive musical experience that is visually stimulating with the cast stepping and harmonizing to the amazing Motown beats. The entire audience is their stage and you are seated in their neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. A seamless flow of memorable soulful music and artistic style will leave you feeling nostalgic–all night long. Therefore, sit back and enjoy a taste of Motown music! 

Aint Too Proud to Beg, My Girl, Heard it through the Grapevine, Just my imagination, The way you do the things you do, I wish it would rain, Get Ready, I’m gonna make you love me, Cloud Nine, Ball of Confusion, I Can’t Get Next to you- All these iconic songs, and more were performed, and many got full on sweaty soul stirring, stunning vocals, and fantastically choreographed production numbers that kept the show moving and the audience dancing in their seats. 

HDIV News Editor Barbara James with Otis Williams-Temptations

Derrick (Otis Williams), starts with the back story and the rise of the most successful crossover R&B group in history, with Derrick (Otis) seamlessly pivoting between fourth wall narrator and being himself in the story as it unfolds. Of course the story weaves through the Temps rise to the top and also interweaves the African American experience in the 60s including violence against the group as they were touring the deep south and their bus being shot at by the KKK, also the racial unrest in Detroit.  Also narrating their experience of the shocking murder of Dr King, singing ‘Oh How I Wish that it Would Rain’. The storyline highlighted their desire to speak up in the late 60s through their songs, while often clashing with their mentor and record producer Berry Gordy. Gordy often expressed that music and politics should be separated.

Motown CEO Barry Gordy with actress
Debbie Allen

The Temptations were among the first black crossover artists to make it big on white Top 40 radio stations and on television, playing “American Bandstand” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the early 1960s – along with girl group mega-act The Supremes (and, yes, we hear “Baby Love”..an astounding rendition of the Supremes memorable top tunes ). The Vietnam War, too, gets riveting  emotional promotion with just the brief number “War.”

Keeping all this song and dance production moving is the impeccable cast led by Derrick Baskin as Temptations patriarch Otis Williams. James Harkness plays baritone and choreographer Paul Williams, whose tragic story plays out in the second act. Jawan Jackson as deep-voiced bass Melvin “Blue” Franklin, plays the peacemaker of the group. As Eddie Kendricks, Jeremy Pope lends his energetic falsetto singing style to the role. Ephraim Sykes, a former Ailey II dancer, gives

Musical artist John Legend attends opening night

David Ruffin, the early standout lead, plenty of flashy dance moves, including James Brown-like jazz splits, and a egotistical attitude. The group is clad in sharply tailored suits and ensembles filled with the vibrant colors, sequins and shiny sharkskin fabrics that made the 1960s and ‘70s such a definitive fashion era. The clothes, in this case, did make the men: image was essential, noted Berry Gordy (Jahi Kearse), who insisted they always appear as clean-cut gentlemen.

Huge kudos to the remarkable orchestra who played on point and played every Motown hit impeccably.

‘Ain’t Too Proud’, reaches for and succeeds in attaining the artistic excellence and entertainment levels of many outstanding musical stage productions. Don’t miss this superb performance playing at the Ahmanson Theatre until September 30, 2018. Visit www.Ahmansontheater.net/events for tickets.

Tresunda De La Cruz (Photo Credit: Letha Coughlin)

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Plus Size Model, Tresunda De La Cruz, is What it Do! No surprise that this plus size beauty was born in the state of California due to her shinning personality.

Newness is in the air as new comer Tresunda De La Cruz is making her way into the world of plus size modeling. She captured the attention of many as she took first place and the crown for LUE Productions 2nd Annual BBW/Plus Size Model Competition.

Being given inspiration from her family and iconic models such as Naomi Campbell, has allowed her to take a leap of faith into doing something different. The love for picture taking and fashion came naturally to this newly crowned Queen who claims to be shy. Getting involved in modeling has helped her to overcome shyness and step out of her comfort zone.

Currently, Tresunda is working with photographers building her portfolio. You’ll be seeing a lot more of this talented beauty. For booking please contact management at Lue.info@yahoo.com.

Until next week my IE peeps!

More about Plus Size Model, Tresunda De La Cruz:

Favorite Food: Japanese and Tacos

Favorite Song: “Quit Playing Games With My Heart” –Backstreet Boys

Favorite color: Green

Hobbies: Zumba and she is also a Barbie Collector

Describe yourself with 5 words: Confident, Encouraging, Loving, Honest, Sweet

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Sunday, September 9, Empire Talks Back (ETB) discussed emergency preparedness with guest Debra Williams of “Building Resilient Communities”. She discussed the “Arc of Safety”, the county wide organization of churches that is prepared to provide resources in emergency situations.  ETB is broadcast each Sunday AM at 10 a.m. on KCAA 1050-AM, 102.3 FM and 106.5 FM radio. The podcast of Sunday’s show is available by clicking the “Empire Talks Back” icon on the KCAA Weekly Schedule at http://www.kcaaradio.com.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— “A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace…” [Ecclesiastes 3:1-22].

With that being the case, Paul asks us to consider if there is anything in our lives we would regret not repenting of [1 Thessalonians 5:15] if so, then the time to repent will be now! According to the Bible, “the appointed time has grown very short” [1 Corinthians 7:29]. “The end of all things is at hand….” [1Peter 4:7]. Christ’s return is imminent and his timeline makes it urgent!

 I want you to know that the great themes of [Revelation] have already unfolded and the doors have been opened. The Kingdom has already been ushered in. The Bible says that the Tribulation will be ushered in by a great time of world peace, and the world is screaming for peace. Lawlessness, false religions, devil worship and apostasy are in the heyday and these are signs of the end.

I tell you today is a day of mercy and grace. God is gently calling out to those who are backslidden, those who have grown cold and those who need to make things right with Him. The first call of Jesus is of love and forgiveness. The second call is, “You make a move!” The Bible says, “Today if you hear His voice harden not your heart.” “Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” This is the time for you to get right with God and deal with this mercy. Tomorrow may be too late. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” [Isaiah 55:6].

If you are caught unprepared when Christ returns, you will have no one but yourself to blame, because God’s Word has already given you such ample warning that you have really no excuse! Jesus has already informed us that His coming will take place unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Please do not let that warning go unheeded. Act upon it now.

If there is anyone reading this who is still outside the Lord Jesus Christ, let me urge you not to delay. Jesus wants you to come to Him today. The Lord says ‘now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’ [2 Corinthians 6:2]. Please do not keep putting off this important matter. “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose in Heaven.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA —- Every public school is charged with teaching the adopted standards, but as a free public charter school, Newman Leadership Academy has the flexibility in how they go about changing lives of their young scholars.  

Newman Leadership Academy, located in North San Bernardino, is breaking new ground with the use of technology in the classroom.  Intermediate students used technology as a tool for learning Reading, Writing and Math standards and they almost doubled their test scores.

Mr. Wierzbinski is the fourth, fifth and sixth grade teacher.  Yes, you read that right, and Newman parents are happy about it.  So, why would parents want their children in a multi-grade class, especially in the intermediate grades?   Well, there are several reasons, but the most important reason is that his students are succeeding.

Mr. Wierzbinski joined the Newman staff last year and served as the 5/6 grade teacher.  Ms. Dorner stated that she knew she wanted to hire him, even before the interview.  “He had glowing recommendations and his first Master’s Degree is in Educational Technology.”  

Ms Dorner stated, “All intermediate students’ academic abilities vary widely.  Any intermediate teacher will attest to that fact.  Intermediate students could be advanced, or above grade level, in some standards and below grade level in others.  We have found a way for students to be able to grow academically in both their strengths as well as their weaknesses.”  

Because of the natural varying academic abilities in the intermediate grades, Newman invested heavily in technology.  Every student has a Chrome book and instruction is differentiated through the use of Freckle (formally known as Front Row) technology. In a differentiated classroom, every student has the opportunity to work at their own instructional level in a way that is best for them to learn.   For example, students will all read the same article at their individual reading levels.  That is impossible to do with a typical grade level textbook. 

Using this technology allows even more differentiation for students.  They get to pick topics that are of interest to them.   Ms. Dorner stated, “Everyone gives more time, energy, and effort to topics they like.  This is true for adults as well as children.  I know this is stating the obvious, but reading levels go up the fastest for the children who read the most.”   

Students also get to choose how to explore a concept, either by watching a video series, reading articles, participating in a group discussion, or working on a research project.  If a student is stuck in math, they can receive instant support from instructional videos and a built-in peer tutoring component.  And finally, students get to differentiate how they show what they know and how well they understand the materials.    

Ms. Dorner shared that another huge reason why Newman students are successful is our small class sizes in every grade level.  

“Small class sizes allow teachers to give each child the individual attention they need and deserve.  Many of our students have made more than a year’s growth in a school year.

That is huge and is what is needed for our students who are below grade level on one or more standards.”  Mrs. Dominica Jackson, the parent of a Kindergartner and 5th grade student stated, “Newman is like a private school without the cost.  It is meeting both of my girls’ needs.” 

Another key factor in our success is in how we celebrate and accept errors by acknowledging the part of the answer students got right and stating the missing or incorrect part of the answer.  The Newman staff has worked hard to instill a positive culture that nurtures and rewards learners for making attempts. 

“So many of our students were afraid to give a wrong answer.  Some would rather stay quiet and not even attempt to answer a question.”   We ‘celebrate’ errors because it gives the teacher information as to exactly what a student does and doesn’t understand.   Mr. Wierzbinski tells his students, “An error means that you are one step closer to success.”

Newman Leadership Academy is located on 1314 E. Date Street on the Ecclesia Christian Fellowship property.  Newman is enrolling students TK through 6th grade.  Newman offers a full-day kindergarten and a free after-school program.  Come and visit and see what Newman Leadership Academy has to offer. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SACRAMENTO, CA—- On Thursday, September 6, Governor Brown signed AB 2568 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino), a bill that requires county jails to determine a veteran’s status or previous military service when they are processed after an arrest.

The change in processing at jails will connect veterans to Veteran Treatment Courts and other services at the soonest available time. Veteran Treatment Courts are a means of diversion for veterans entering into the criminal justice system and to avoid unnecessary incarceration of Veterans who have developed PTSD and other mental health issues as a result of their service. Veteran Treatment Courts lead to the treatment and counseling for many mentally ill offenders who are veterans of the U.S. military, including those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Military Sexual Trauma, substance abuse, or other mental health problems.

“California has the greatest concentration of veterans in the country and as such, we have a greater duty to serve those who have served our country,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “By inquiring about veteran-designation and military service, we can connect veterans much sooner with required medical treatments and services and potentially find alternative sentencing options that will not require incarceration. We have an extensive network of Veteran Treatment Courts and we will now ensure that our Veterans avail themselves of this option.”

Upon being elected, Assemblymember Reyes formed a Veterans Advisory Committee to discuss the needs of Veterans in the District and throughout California. The committee typically meets quarterly to share their concerns with Assemblymember Reyes.

“During our Veterans Advisory meeting we shared the stories of our veterans who were not given the opportunity to go through Veterans Court. It was wrong. Assemblymember Reyes listened to us and introduced a bill to fix the problem,” said Danny Morales.

Danny Marquez, also a member of the Veteran Advisory Committee was elated to hear of the Governor’s signature on AB 2568.

“From day one Assemblymember Reyes encouraged our Veterans committee to bring forward the most relevant issues and solutions for veterans and their families. She understood the answers were within those who serve the needs of veterans on a daily basis! As a veteran who has worked with our local veterans, I am so glad to know they will be protected. I’m grateful to Assemblymember Reyes for listening to us, believing there was a solution, and acting on it!”

There are currently 33 Veteran Treatment Courts located in 29 different counties throughout the state of California with Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties each having two. Five counties have alternative veteran treatment courts: Amador, Kern, Nevada, Santa Cruz, and Trinity. For more information on AB 2568 or to follow it through the legislative process, click here.