By Lue Dowdy

LUE Productions out on the town is WHAT IT DO! This time of year you’re guaranteed to find holiday parties, cocktails, fashion, and cheer in every city. Congratulations to LA Live for another successful event.

Our team had the opportunity to attend a red carpet star studded Holiday Toy Drive /Gala held by the Brigade LA. From the time we walked in the door it was snap, snap. Major celebrities were in the building such as actress Christina Millian, former NFL player for the San Diego Chargers Shawne Merriman, NASCAR Driver Jessie Iwuji, Track & Field Olympian Will Claye, and several more.

The evening consisted of a fashion show installation featuring Lights Out Brand by Shawne Merriman and an art exhibit by Michael Farhat and Art Mobb. The music was on point thanks to the sexy female DJ, DJ Sweesh. Guest’s were able to participate in free raffles and receive free giveaways. Complimentary Margaritas were also provided by Gaviata Tequila, along with food samples from Comfort LA an organic catering company and ice cream you deserve by Gresescent.

I’d like to thank Ashley Covarrubias, founder of The Model Experience, for allowing The Westside Story Newspaper and LUE Productions to cover such an amazing event. The Model Experience was launched back in 2012. The Model Experience is a model development firm that focuses on creating unique opportunities and experiences for emerging models. For more information please contact the company via email at info@themodelexpereince.net.

Until next week L’z! (Photographer: F.W. Photography/ Interviewer: Deeveatva Foy / Writer: LUE Dowdy)

The Way World Outreach held its 12th annual Christmas present giveaway at its Hallmark campus on Sunday evening, where over 2,000 youth received a gift of their choosing. Pictured is The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala with Jovonn Taylor, 9. (Photo credit MJ Duncan)

By MJ Duncan

“Sometimes on Christmas morning we get nothing, and then I go into my room and cry,” 11-year-old Polo Dominguez told The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala.

This year Polo and his 10 siblings, along with over 2,000 other children up to age 13, are guaranteed at least one present. The Way held its 12^th annual Christmas present giveaway at its campus in the north end of San Bernardino on Sunday evening that included service and snacks for inner-city children and their families.

For those without transportation four shuttles were transported residents from the downtown campus on Arrowhead and 10^th Street to Hallmark Pkwy. Gifts were organized by age that included skateboards, scooters, action figures, watches, basketballs, boxing sets, dolls, Doc McStuffins, Play-Doh, and much more. Children were escorted ten at a time by two volunteers to pick their present.

“We changed the format this year from handing out wrapped gifts to letting kids pick what they want so they wouldn’t be disappointed to open a present they really didn’t like,” Zavala explained.

Pastor Marco Garcia, Associate Pastor Robert Cuencas, church staff and volunteers shopped for over 3,500 toys at various warehouses in Los Angeles last Thursday; funding came strictly from donations.

“There are so many toys to choose from,” an excited and thrilled Joe Sedono, 8, gushed. “I’ve always wanted a scooter!”

According to Zavala on Christmas Day there will be plenty of toys to give out at the downtown campus for those who were not able to make it to the event.

“We made sure to purchase enough for the community so that no one would be left out this Christmas,” Zavala said. “The way the children’s eyes light up and to witness the joy on their faces is absolutely amazing and so heartwarming.”

Parents and guardians had the opportunity to sit in service with Pastor Cuencas while their little ones enjoyed Christmas messages, activities and snacks.

“This event is so overwhelming, it brings so much joy to be able to give back to the community,” said Pastor Cuencas. “There is nothing more rewarding that to be there for people when they need it the most, and to have a positive impact on them by offering presents during the Christmas season, hope and God’s love.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Christmas is a season of giving; however, no Christmas holiday would be complete without…you guessed it, the jolly old Christmas tree.  On Thursday, December 15, the PAL Charter Academy High School held their 6th Annual Christmas Tree contest.  Students were invited to write essays on “If I Only Had One Wish for Christmas.”

PAL Center CEO, Dwaine Radden Sr. said, “The students’ essays were incredible and heartfelt, you could hear a pin drop.”

He continues, “Their words penetrated to the depths of my core and stirred my spirit.”  

Judged by PAL Staff and Board members, the top three essays received a Christmas tree and gift card.  Thanks to the generous donation of Christmas trees by Northwestern Christmas Trees, who have partnered with the PAL Center for this contest for the past 6 years, the winner Jasmine Moreno, and the runner ups, Kenyatta Deshazior, and Louie Gonzalez went home with a special gift to share with the whole family. Congratulations to all the winners!

Northwestern Christmas Trees is located at 1955 S. Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino.

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Foosball is the most popular 2 player football game of all time, and that is why this sport game was finally ported as online two player game! Welcome to the simple but also challenging and fun tournament of Foosball 2 Player game! Play a single game mode against CPU opponents and attain victory on all 10 Foosball games, or challenge your best friend to an intense action of 2 Player Foosball cup. Either way, the goal of this two player sport game is to score a goal. Player whose team score 5 goals first, wins the current game. Have fun!
Player 1: Use Up, Down Arrow keys to move, Player 2: Use W,S to move. Once the ball comes near a player, he automatically kicks it toward the opponents goal.

Meanwhile, in the backyard, two bored kids are going to play an unusual 2 player game, the Can Fighters game! This time killing game is simple to play, but hard to master. The goal in here is to kick the can and hit your opponent, before he does that to you. There will be 2 items for pain causing, where kicking the can will damage your opponent, but smashing the anvil will hurt your toe and cost you some health. Are you ready? Let the can kicking games begin!
Player 1: A to kick the can, Player 2: Left Arrow key to kick the can.

Brace yourself tank drivers and get ready to travel back in time to the shooting era of classic Tank games!! Face against your enemies alone, or call your best friend to enjoy playing the 2 players game mode, pick the desired difficulty level, get inside the military tanks and rush towards victory! In this new shooting game there can be only one side as winner. Do your best to become a winner, otherwise suffer the consequences of losing the war!
Player 1: WASD keys, H key to shoot. Player 2: Arrow keys, L key to shoot. P to pause.

Cut the rope to feed candy to Om Nom! A mysterious package has arrived, and the little monster inside has only one request? CANDY! Collect gold stars, discover hidden prizes and unlock exciting new levels in this addictively fun, award-winning, physics-based game!

SWEET! Om Nom’s shenanigans continue in Cut the Rope 2 HTML5! With new characters, fresh gameplay elements and tricky missions, candy collecting has never been so fun!Cut the Rope 2 HTML5 brings fresh challenges and unanticipated obstacles to the candy crunching, physics-based phenomenon that has delighted millions of players around the world! If you like Cut the Rope, you’ll love Cut the Rope 2!

TenTrix is easy to play and a pleasurable game for all ages! Simply drag the blocks and fill up all colored grids. Once you start, you will definitely be hooked: this 3D-style game awaits you!