WSSN Stories

www.josephfilippiwinery.com

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- With the holiday season in full effect, it’s that perfect time to acknowledge some of the local wineries that are in and around Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The first winery that I would like to highlight is Joseph Filippi Vintner’s Wine Club, 12467 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739. Since 1995, the winery has expanded to several new acres of vineyard plantings and revitalization projects in the Etiwanda area of Rancho Cucamonga. These vineyards include premium red grape vines such as Petite Sirah, Grenache Noir, Tannat, Mourvedre, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, Tempranillo and Syrah.

Adult guests who visit the winery may partake in the winery’s tasting areas where they can sample reserve barrel-aged releases and award winners that are available for purchase exclusively at the winery.

On Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. winery staff will be hosting a wine pairing event with their very own award winning wine maker, Kristina Filippi. She will be sampling several special wines paired with light appetizers to compliment each wine. The event is limited to an eight person capacity. Those who are interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. The cost is $55 for wine club members and $70 for the general public.

The winery is closed on Mondays, open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, please visit www.josephfilippiwinery.com. (Written by Naomi Bonman, editor).

For Colored Girls Premieres Live

LONG BEACH, CA- For Colored Girls is a series of 20 poems, collectively called a “choreopoem”. Its poetry expresses many struggles and obstacles that African American women face throughout their lives. It is performed by a cast of seven women characters, each of whom is known only by a color. On Sunday, November 10, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., will be presenting the theatrical performance of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enough”. Throughout the evening there will be a series of activities starting with a Jazz Reception and Silent Auction at 5 p.m., the play at 6:30 p.m. and a Dessert Chat with the cast at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 with proceeds supporting the host chapter of Steering Committee for the Farwest Regional Conference. The play will be held at the Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804.  For more information please call 877-625-3452 ext. 2205 or email farwestRC2014@lbadst.org.

The Bra Lady

UPLAND, CA-  The Bra Lady, a custom fitted bra boutique in Upland, is in the business of “supporting” women.  They take that support to a whole different level when it comes to women battling breast cancer. Their customers come into The Bra Lady at different stages of their battle.  Some women visit before their surgery to purchase post-surgery products such as zip-up camisoles with drain pockets, front hook bras or scar reduction sheets. Others come afterwards looking for forms and pocketed mastectomy bras. All women seem to share the common appreciation of having somewhere to shop in a warm and inviting environment where the staff is friendly, compassionate and knowledgeable.
When The Bra Lady owner, Lisa Goodman, became aware of women who could not afford quality mastectomy products she found a unique way to support them.  She developed the “Support”,  a Survivor campaign which provides gift cards to the boutique to women in need.  Donations for the campaign are collected through fundraising events and from their own boutique customers.  “Support” a Survivor gift cards can also be purchased for friends and family. A recent customer said, “I’m always asking my friend what I can do to help.  This gift card is the answer.”  She went on to say, “I know my friend will be treated with the same friendly customer service I get when purchasing my undergarments here.”
The Bra Lady also supports breast cancer causes by participating in community events throughout the year. They form teams for cancer walks, host fundraising events in their boutique, speak at breast cancer support groups and health fair events, donate mastectomy products to local organizations, and so much more.
The Bra Lady is located at 958 N. Central Avenue, Upland, CA 91786. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Susie Rowan at 909-981-1741.

Da’ Hip-Hop Wizard’

CORONA, CA- First it was “Wizard of Oz”, then we had “The Wiz”, now get ready for “Da Hip-Hop Wizard of Oz.”
LaQuette Milner,  director of LQ’s Performing Arts Center and “Da’ Hip-Hop Wizard of Oz”, states the old saying, “Never forget where you came from.” This is what strives Milner to contiune to live her life by, and is  why she is bringing “Da’ Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz” to her hometown, the Inland Empire. LQ’s is set to bring “Da’ Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz” to Corona’s Historic Civic Center Theatre, 815 Sixth Street,  Corona, CA 92882 on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Show times are Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
“Da’ Hip-Hop Wizzard of Oz” sheds new light and brings outstanding creativity to an old idea. This show has a wonderful storyline and is able to captivate the audience with its powerful messages, entertaining songs and high energy dancing. This production is a “family-friendly” event and is appropriate for all ages.
I would like to invite you, your surrounding community and your staff to come out and support this wonderful redemption of the classic “Wizard of Oz.” I promise you, you’ll have a wonderful time. Admission Prices are “Early Bird Special” starting at $10 in advance per person, $20 per person at the door and kids ages two and under are free. (By Lue Dowdy)

Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) will be hosting its 8th gala, “An Artful Evening at CAAM” on Saturday, October 12. The gala will include reception entertainment, a silent auction, bar, post dinner dancing, music and complimentary valet parking. This year CAAM will be honoring legendary entertainers Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business, Real Estate and Philanthropy; and visual artist Phoebe Beasley with the Lifetime Achieve Award for Visual Art.
Husband and wife Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade are two very successful dancers and actors. Holder, a Trinidad native is also a painter and has had his art showcased in several major international exhibitions. Holder won two Tony Awards for his direction and costume design for the hit Broadway musical The Wiz. In addition, he has designed and choreographed ballets for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Pennsylvania Ballet. Holder was featured in several films including the James Bond film “Live and Let Die” and in a major 7UP commercial campaign as the “UnCola Man.”  Holder is also known for his radio voiceovers, bearing his deep baritone voice.
As a dancer, choreographer, stage and film actress, de Lavallade studied other art forms including painting, set design, music and more. De Lavallade received her inspiration from her cousin, dancer Janet Collins, who was among the few of Blacks of her time that were classically trained dancers.  It was with Holder that de Lavallade choreographed her signature solo, Come Sunday.  A documentary entitled Carmen & Geoffrey chronicles their careers, life and marriage.
The gala is an elegant, black-tie affair and is CAAM’s largest fundraiser of the year benefiting CAAM’s Mentoring Generations program, an umbrella program that provides innovative cross-cultural programming servicing K-12 students and families with children. Major components of the Mentoring Generations program are: Young Docent internship program, Young Docent After-Hours, Buses and Docents, and Young Voices at CAAM.
Visual artist Phoebe Beasley is the only artist to receive the presidential seal twice for her artwork under two different presidents. Beasley’s work is collected extensively and is included in CAAM’s permanent collection. In addition, Beasley was the first African American female president on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Beasley received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Ohio University and has worked with Victoria Rowell and Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan to help students achieve self-esteem through their artwork.
For more information, call 213-744-2060, email gala2013@caamuseum.org or visit www.caamuseum.org/gala.

Healthy Family

RIVERSIDE, CA- Fall is in the air and on Saturday, October 12, Parkview Hospital and the NAACP-Riverside Branch will present its 1st annual ‘Healthy Harvest Festival’ family event. The fun filled autumn celebration will focus on physical activity and healthy eating which will be presented at information booths on hand. These festive booths will not only showcase the importance of keeping active and eating healthy diets in our everyday lives, but will engage visitors to join in the fun by participating in an activity or simply listening and observing to learn. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Parkview Community Hospital Founders Center located at 3865 Jackson Street in Riverside. The information booths at the festival will be manned by agencies and organizations that offer “NO COST” to “LOW COST” services such as: Molina Health Care, Southern California Witness Project (information about free mammogram screenings), Covered California (information on Affordable Healthcare Act), Healthy Heritage Movement Inc., Riverside Diabetes Collaborative, Riverside Community Health Foundation and Dubois Institute just to name a few. Free Health Screenings (Blood Pressure and Glucose) will be available to all visitors. Children of all ages will especially delight in the colorful activities on hand such as the Art Corner which features an opportunity for everyone to have their faces painted in fun designs of various selections. There’s nothing like a Harvest Festival to embrace good clean living and fun! It is the perfect time to incorporate healthy living while embracing the beauty of autumn. For more information, call Terri Akens at 951-732-3428.

Pastor Robert Fairley

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- New Hope will be hosting its 21st Appreciation Service for Dr. Robert L. Fairley, Pastor, and First Lady Mary A. Fairley. The celebration will take place on Sunday, October 13 during the 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. services. All are welcomed to attend. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is located at 1575 West 17th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411. For more information call 909-887-2526.

Fashion show model

ONTARIO, CA- Eta Nu Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., San Bernardino-Riverside chapter, will present a new, different and diverse fashion show production on Sunday, October 13 at 5 p.m., at Ontario’s Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom, 2200 East Holt Blvd.  The show entitled “SophistAKAed  Fashions with Timeless Service,” combines the experienced fashion and beauty expertise of  Franzine Beauty, Onlave Signature Productions and Nikol Talent Group, all of whom represent Los Angeles’ best in the fashion entertainment  industry.  The model casting will showcase a group of talented children, youth, male, female, full-figured and mature models.   The audience should be prepared to “expect the unexpected” as the models grace the runway in an array of beauty featuring all shapes, sizes and colors.  The featured commentators are the dynamic duo of Lauren Venise LaGrone and David Briggs.
This fashion event is a benefit for the sorority’s scholarship and community service programs.  In addition to the show, guest will be served Hor D’oeuvres, a chance to win a vast selection of door and raffle prizes, and enjoy shopping at a variety of vendors.  Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased online at www.etanuomegafashionshow.eventbrite.com.

Lou Coleman

Recently I got back from one of the most life-changing experience of my life. Ghana, a beautiful place on the West Coast of Africa. It was eye opening, enriching, challenging, and amazing all in one.
As I traveled out of the United States for the first time in my life, I had no idea what to expect, but I was not expecting the gift I was about to receive.
When I first arrived, the scenery wasn’t what I first pictured. It was indeed a culture shock!  It wasn’t America. The city was busy. People were selling all kinds of goods on the streets. Traffic was overly crowded, but there was much freedom. Some parts of the city were underdeveloped. Roads were poor, and it was hard considering that the City was growing so fast generally. There were electricity and water in some areas, not all areas. But every day brought something new. It was as if the whole world had changed for me. Actually it was the other way around, as I started to see things differently.
The Ghanaians celebrate life. They appreciate life. There is so much beauty and peace in the day-to-day lives of the people. From the start I was welcomed with open arms and became very spoiled by the kindness of the people, their attention and appreciative present-tense way of living. It’s just an entirely different mindset than what I am used to, and it was a breath of fresh air.
I went to Ghana with the Founder of Behind the Veil Intercessory Prayer, Ms. Eva Appenteng. Our mission was to provide a borehole/water pump system that would provide clean water to the people who lived in the Fawoman Village outside of Kumasi. I am happy to announce, mission accomplished!  Not only did we complete the water project, but electricity was installed. The laying of foundation to build a school was also being poured. (Special thanks to Pastor Jim Colye and the entire Sunrise Church family in Rialto, CA who provided the resources to be a blessing to God’s people). We are excited about what God has done and continue to do. Our next project is to begin construction for the school. If you would like to be a part of this great ministry for God and His people, please call (909) 649-8148.

Ghana

Of course, I can’t conclude without mentioning my experience at the “Beautiful Gate Church” where Pastor Richard Yeboah is Senior Pastor. Talking about praising and worshiping God, as I stood in the sanctuary I felt like I was standing on sacred ground. Often times we can sense the Spirit’s presence. On some occasions His presence is so real, so obvious, it’s almost as though we can touch Him. We become sensitive, motivated, and spiritually alive. We find ourselves lost in wonder, love and praise. We catch a glimpse of the Lord as Isaiah saw Him: “high and exalted”. This extra glimpse of God we crave; we want it, we need to feel it, to sense it, to experience it, to taste it, and to touch it. And when we do, like the paralytic, we will forever be changed. The Beautiful Gate Church, God inhabited their praise, and the dedication was marvelous! It’s time to bring back this God-given expression of adoration.
I could go on and on, but really to understand what I am trying to say you would really need to experience Ghana first hand. It’s a beautiful place that has not forgotten its roots; one of the oldest and most traditional cultures is still in its most pure form even in these very modern times. My experience in Ghana will never be forgotten!

Chastity

RIVERSIDE, CA- OneNation Media Services, Inc., a producing partner with the Independent Television Service (leader in independent public media), is pleased to announce the return of Community Cinema to the Inland Empire. The largest public interest outreach program in public or commercial television, Community Cinema features sneak peeks of documentaries set to broadcast on the award-winning PBS series ‘Independent Lens.’ OneNation Media Services will launch the 2013-14 season with the free public screening of “The Graduates/Los Graduados.”      Independently produced by Bernardo Ruiz, “The Graduates/Los Graduados” explores pressing issues in education today through the eyes of a diverse array of Latino and Latina adolescents from across the United States in an eye-opening documentary on the challenges facing both, the students, their families, educators and community leaders.  The screening will be held Sunday, September 29 at 2 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring community-based organizations and special guest speakers.  The screening is free to attend; however, registration is encouraged as seating is limited.  To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/event/7858851035.
OneNation Media Services will screen six different films this season, including “The Trials of Muhammad Ali,” which tells the story of the famed boxer’s toughest bout of all: his battle to overturn the prison sentence he received for refusing U.S. military service. The complete list of films scheduled for screening during 2013-14 season may be downloaded from www.onenationmedia.org. To inquire about a particular film or appear as a guest speaker, contact OneNation Media Services at 909-657-0578, ext. 1.