WSSN Stories

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.

MAZE-Featuring-Frankie-Beverly

ONTARIO, CA- While millions of Americans will celebrate Veteran’s Day with parties, barbeques and a day of rest, the Marcus Heart Foundation will charge the communities of Southern California to “get up, remember, give thanks and to love a veteran!” The “Give Love Tour” 2013 is a three day star studded, celebrity filled, politically honored and community supported weekend from November 9th to 11th. The event will start at the Citizens Bank Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway (Lot F) in Ontario, with the Free Family Fun Festival taking place on November 9 from 10 a.m. to  p.m. The festival will include over 100 vendors, live performances, kid zones, a food drive, giveaways and more. All veterans who attend will be honored with a meal and special notes of love from the community on the “wall of love” and they will also receive special thanks from city, state and government officials.
The food drive is a city-wide call to the communities of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties to bring non-perishable food to various business locations from now until the festival. Those who attend the festival are encouraged to bring their food items on the day as well. The donated food will be given to the families of deployed, wounded and fallen heroes, as well as Veterans in need. A list of locations to drop of food will be available at www.givelovetour.com.
The festivities will continue at the same location with a night of remembrance Mega Concert with R&B Songstress Ledisi. The Mega Concert is a charity fundraiser through Marcus Heart  Foundation and a portion of the proceeds go towards various Veterans organizations servicing local areas. Doors to the concert will open at 7 p.m.
The finale concert will take place at the Valley View Casino in San Diego where Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The Whispers, Howard Hewett and many others will be performing. The closing night performance concert is also a charity fundraiser sponsored by the Marcus Heart Foundation. Once again, portions of the proceeds will benefit area Veterans. Doors open at 7pm.
In between the festival and concerts is a Veterans Appreciation Motorcycle Run, which begins Saturday, November 9 in Los Angeles and will travel to the festival at Citizens Bank Arena. On Sunday, November 10, the riders will continue from Ontario to San Diego ending their salute at the Valley View Casino Center.
For more information on how to attend, volunteer opportunities and more visit www.givelovetour.com.

 (LtoR) Andrew Valles, CEO SafeCare Financial Services; Wallace J. Allen, Host Empire Talks Back Radio; Mitchell McDowell Jr., Film Maker; Erik Jones, Film Maker

Film Makers Mitchell McDowell and Erik Jones will return to the “Empire Talks Back radio program this Sunday September 22nd… They will discuss their casting call for “BUCK WILD”, a movie that they plan to film in the IE.  The Casting Call is scheduled for Saturday September 28th at 577  N. “D” Street, in San Bernardino. Empire Talks Back airs on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 on KCAA 1050-AM Radio… ETB is streamed live, audio and video, via www.kcaaradio.com. The toll free call-in line is 888-909-1050.

ONTARIO, CA- An estimated 5,000 Inland Empire residents will lace up their sneakers and make lifesaving strides at this year’s Inland Empire Heart and Stroke Walk. The event aims to build awareness of heart disease and stroke by raising $242,000 to support the American Heart Association’s 2020 goal of improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease by 20 percent. Participants include 4-year-old Ian Atencio, Menifee, whose ongoing battle with heart disease started even before he was born; Anthony Richardson, Riverside, who made changes to improve his health after losing his father to a heart attack; Linda Lawson, Riverside, who beat diabetes and lost 128 pounds by changing her lifestyle and; Steve Irigoyen, Rancho Cucamonga, who’s had seven heart attacks, a stroke and multiple cardiac procedures over the past 10 years.
The Walk will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 8 a.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764. Registration starts at 7 a.m. For more info, visit www.IEHeartWalk.org.