NEW YORK, NY- The golf and beverage businesses will never be the same. The men behind DRIVEN Global, Mark Thierry and Greshaun Fulgham are single handedly shifting the landscape and trajectory of the world of golf and fine beverages. Under the DRIVEN Global umbrella lies the first ever African-American-owned golf brand, DRIVEN Golf and wine brand, DESTINY Moscato through Red Styxx Beverage.

It all began when Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television and America’s first African-American billionaire, introduced the two self-made millionaires Mark Thierry and Greshaun Fulgham. What resulted from this pairing, not only is an inspiring business partnership, but an incredibly strong friendship. Mark Thierry is an award winning entrepreneur from Texas with a successful career in sales, medical diagnostics and federal contracting. Greshaun Fulgham, from Washington DC, is international financier and real estate mogul. Opposites attract, yet their synergy is contagious. Where Thierry thrives off risk-taking, Fulgham masters structure. When Thierry was thinking national, Fulgham was going global. What binds them together is the dream.

Both Thierry and Fulgham want to de-mystify the perception of black men, to show the world, that with hard work, drive and intellect, African-American men can succeed, be dedicated fathers and husbands, collaborate and build successful partnerships, uplift their communities and change the world. With DRIVEN Global, change comes with one golf club and wine glass at a time. Their mutual core values of family, diligence, sacrifice, social responsibility and sustainable leadership are evident in all aspects of DRIVEN Global. For the partners, it’s all about dreaming big. Thierry stated: “The Dream involves the awareness that everyone has more to this life that they can strive for. The Dream that a golf club, or anything for that matter, can be a metaphor for someone making the best of themselves.”

The launch of DRIVEN Golf this Fall 2014 will be the first minority-owned golf brand dedicated to inspiring first-time golfers of color and urban socialites to jump into the game. Destiny Moscato is their exquisite-tasting aspirational American Sparkling Moscato, of Red Styxx Beverage, a subsidiary of DRIVEN Global. The Destiny Moscato launch will be taking place in Houston, Texas from October 2-4, 2014.

The fearless, collaborative drive of Mark Thierry and Greshaun Fulgham is the foundation of DRIVEN Global’s, multi-platform taste making brands. The two best friends, brought together by the visionary Robert Johnson, plan to follow in their mentors footsteps. “Our goal is to build a billion dollar business,” states Thierry. “We are starting a new legacy.” They have the perfect tagline…“Are you driven?” For more information check out drivengroupllc.com, driven-golf.com and DestinyMoscato.com. For all press inquiries, contact Theodore Palmer of Creative Edge PR at tpalmer@creativeedgepr.com.

This fall, every high school student athlete in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will be eligible to receive a free head and heart Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. PUSD has partnered with the Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) to conduct a cutting-edge research program focused on diagnosis and prevention of sudden cardiac death and traumatic brain injury in student athletes.  This program is motivated by increased public recognition of traumatic brain injuries by the National Football League and others and the deaths of students across the country due to sudden cardiac death. This study is a first for Pasadena high school athletes.

“I am extremely excited to partner with the Huntington Research Institute to provide this service to PUSD students and I believe this program is beneficial for our athletes,” said PUSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.  “As someone who witnessed the sudden heart related death of a childhood friend immediately after a soccer game, I understand the importance of preventative care to protect our student athletes.  We are grateful to the HMRI for their willingness to include us in this important endeavor.”

Student athletes will be eligible to receive a free cardiac MRI designed to identify an inherited heart condition that predisposes a student to sudden cardiac death (SCD), a non-traumatic, non-violent, unexpected event resulting from the cessation of the heart beating within six hours of a previously witnessed state of normal health.  People at risk for SCD are usually without symptoms and unaware that they have a predisposing condition. An Altadena resident and former PUSD student who was attending Harvard-Westlake succumbed to SCD last year. Devastating events such as this could potentially be prevented by the simple scan offered to PUSD athletes.

“I am excited to be able to offer this new benefit to our PUSD athletes,” said Ann Rector, PUSD Coordinator of Health Programs. “This study has the potential of not only saving a life, but also helping researchers understand sports-related trauma.”

PUSD athletes can also receive brain scans designed to diagnosis and prevent brain injuries resulting from a concussion.  Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can lead to chronic cognitive and neurobehavioral difficulties especially if the concussions are recurrent. Although the majority of athletes who experience a concussion are likely to recover, an unknown number of these individuals may experience difficulties related to recurrent injury, commonly referred to as Post-Concussion Syndrome.

Two MRI head screening exams, an initial screening early in the school year and a follow-up at the end of the school year, are available to student athletes free of charge.  Any athlete who experiences a concussion while participating in a PUSD sporting event will also receive a follow-up scan to see how the injury has affected the brain.  Participation in both the brain and heart scans is optional and will supplement the annual physical exam that athletes receive. An MRI does not involve radiation exposure and the scans are very safe.

“HMRI’s expertise in non-invasive imaging is an important resource for PUSD and we are pleased to offer these normally expensive studies to young athletes at no cost to the student or the district,” said HMRI’s Chief Scientific Officer, Marie Csete MD, PhD. “HMRI scientists will also benefit from studying students because there is insufficient data about the incidence of cardiac abnormalities that could lead to SCD.  Importantly, HMRI is at the forefront of understanding how imaging can be used to diagnose and follow patients after they sustain a head injury, but we have focused on older patients to date, so important information about trauma to young brains can help fill in the scientific picture and, we hope, help future athletes.”

For more information about these programs, contact Ann Rector at rector.ann@pusd.us.

“Three Feet for Safety Act” Takes Effect September 16, 2014

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is alerting drivers about a new law that requires them to give bicyclists, traveling in the same direction, three feet of clearance when passing. The Three Feet for Safety Act takes effect September 16, 2014.

According to the new law (AB1371, Bradford), signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on September 23, 2013, if traffic or roadway conditions prevent motorists from giving cyclists three feet of space, drivers must “slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent” and only pass when a cyclist will not be in danger.  Violations are punishable by a $35 fine.  Motorists who collide with cyclists and injure them while violating the Three Feet for Safety Act can be subject to a $220 fine.  Under the previous law, a vehicle was simply required to pass to the left at a “safe distance.”

Each year in California, more than 100 people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions. Some bicycle related crashes are connected to the bicyclist’s behavior, while others are due to the motorist’s lack of attention.

• Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules.
• Motorists must look carefully for bicyclists before turning left or right, merging into bicycle lanes, and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with you.

California is among 24 states that require motorists to give bicyclists three feet of clearance while passing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

For more information about safely sharing the road, check out these helpful DMV resources:

Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Motorists, Bicycle Resources, and an Informational Video.

Save Time, Go Online! Doing business with the DMV has never been easier. The DMV offers an array of services to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through its Website(www.dmv.ca.gov), including online advance appointments for written and drive tests; vehicle registration and driver license renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions. Customers can also effect transactions by calling DMV customer service at (800) 777–0133. The DMV is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – This academic year, students throughout San Bernardino County will take part in academic competitions and musical performances in events organized by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office.

Events range from the Academic Decathlon to the Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino (RIMS) Inland Science and Engineering Fair with events running from November through May. Below is a description of student events and their dates.

Academic Decathlon: About 40 high schools from the county are expected to compete this year for the team championship, which follows with state and national competitions. The 32nd annual event will be held over two weekends – Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 2015 – at Redlands East Valley High School. The awards banquet will be held Feb. 12 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The winning team and other qualifiers will represent San Bernardino County at the state competition in Sacramento in March.

History Day: This program for individuals in grades 4-12 will be held on March 14. History Day encourages students to research and prepare papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, websites and posters on an annual historic theme. County winners advance to the state finals in Riverside in May and nationals in College Park, Md., in June.

Mock Trial: Held in collaboration with the District Attorney’s office, Mock Trial is a team competition where high school students gain a working knowledge of legal institutions and the

judicial system. Each year, students research a case developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. The first round of competition is Nov. 4. The finals will be held at the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga on Dec. 13. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 15 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The winning county team will advance to the state competition in San Jose in March.

Music festivals and clinics: Choirs, bands and orchestras for elementary, middle and high schools are held throughout the academic year. The basin honor band (San Bernardino Valley) will perform in February, as will the High Desert honor band for elementary, middle and high schools. The honor orchestra will perform in the late winters as well.

RIMS Inland Science and Engineering Fair: This annual individual competition for grades 4-12 promotes science projects designed, developed and displayed by students from schools in Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. The event, which is held at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, will be held April 6-7. Winners (grades 6-12) advance to the state competition in Los Angeles on April 27.

In addition, there will be events such as academic pentathlon for middle schools, a family reading rally in mid-April and senior recognition for Advancement Via Individual Determination students in May.

For more information about student events, contact David Maya in Student Activities at County Schools at (909) 386-2640.

With above average temperatures expected, the County of San Bernardino Health Officer Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare has issued a heat advisory for residents. High temperature above 100^°F forecasted for the inland valleys, mountains and desert regions are expected to continue into early next week. Residents are urged to take precautions that will help prevent heat-related illness.

High or unusually hot temperatures can affect your health. Most vulnerable are the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or poor, and people with chronic medical conditions.

Take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke by following the tips below.

Stay cool

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings.
• Find an air-conditioned Cooling Center open to the public by dialing the United Way’s toll-free resource telephone line at 2-1-1, or online at www.coolingsb.org
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
• Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day.

Stay hydrated

• Drink more than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough water.

For more information on the extreme heat visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website athttp://www.sbcounty.gov/dph/publichealth/ph_divisions/preparedness_response/natural_disasters.asp

Or visit the California Department of Public Health website at:http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/BeInformed/NaturalDisasters/ExtremeHeat/Pages/ExtremeHeat.aspx

LOS ANGELES, CA- On Saturday, September 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at South West College, Dr. Niama Malachi will be presenting a discussion on her latest book “A Hip Hop State of Mind.” The discussion is a launching pad for the release of the book, which is a catalyst for social change. The release will entail a round table panel discussion that includes Kevyn Jerome Nelson, Managing Editor of Blende Magazine; Dr. Donald E. Grant Jr., Executive Director of Mindful Training Solutions, LLC; Darrel Andrews, Director of Music Partnerships and Acquisitions at OmniaMedia, Inc.; and several others.

“A Hip Hop State of Mind” is a creatively crafted manuscript that details Dr. Malachi’s astonishing journey through Hip Hop. It gives readers an in depth look at the honest nature of the Hip Hop culture, while illuminating ways that Hip Hop can be used as a catalyst for positive social change.

Southwest College is located at 1600 W. Imperial Highway in Los Angeles (West Athens area).

Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood will join Cicely Tyson in the critically acclaimed, Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Horton Foote’s American masterpiece “The Trip to Bountiful,” which will be presented in the exclusive Center Theatre Group engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre, September 17 through November 2, 2014. The opening is set for September 26.

Tyson and Williams appeared together in the 2013 Broadway production of “The Trip to Bountiful,” while Tyson, Williams and Underwood all starred in the Lifetime TV version that aired in March.

Directed by Michael Wilson, “The Trip to Bountiful” tells the story of Mother Watts, played by Tyson. She is an elderly woman forced to live with her overprotective son, played by Underwood, and domineering daughter-in-law (Williams). Mother Watts’ dream is to return for one last time to her small hometown of Bountiful, Texas. Her journey becomes a heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming and inspiring tale that examines the fragility of memory and celebrates the enduring power of hope, faith and family.

Tyson, who received an Academy Award nomination for “Sounder” and two Emmy Awards for “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” returned to Broadway in 2013 for the first time in over 30 years to star in “The Trip to Bountiful.” She received every major theatrical award including the Tony Award for Best Actress, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for her tour-de-force performance as Carrie Watts. Vanessa Williams, one of the most multi-faceted performers in entertainment today, has achieved critical acclaim as an actress on stage, in film and on television, and she has sold millions of albums worldwide. In addition to “The Trip to Bountiful,” in which her performance Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood Set for “The Trip to Bountiful” at Ahmanson as the bossy daughter-in-law was called “wickedly funny” by Entertainment Weekly, Williams’ other stage credits include Broadway’s “After Midnight,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Into the Woods” (for which she received a Tony Award nomination) and “Sondheim on Sondheim,” as well as “St. Louis Woman” for City Center’s Encores! As a recording artist, she has garnered 11 Grammy nominations, and she is also known for her three-time Emmy-nominated performance as Wilhelmina Slater in “Ugly Betty” and for her performance as Renee Perry in “Desperate Housewives.”

Award-winning actor, director and producer Blair Underwood, who will appear as Othello at The Old Globe in San Diego this summer, is equally at home in the worlds of theatre, film and television. He made his Broadway debut as Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire” for which he received a 2012 Drama League Distinguished Performance Award nomination. His many film and TV credits include “Just Cause,” “Deep Impact,” “Something New,” “The Event,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Sex and the City,” “In Treatment” (Golden Globe nomination) and “L.A. Law” (Golden Globe nomination), among many others. He is a Grammy Award-winner for the audiobook of “An Inconvenient Truth.” He made his feature directorial debut with “Bridge to Nowhere.”

“The Trip to Bountiful” was lauded as one of the most distinguished productions on Broadway in 2013. Terry Teachout of the The Wall Street Journal said, “I’ve never been more deeply moved by a theatrical production of any kind. ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ is without flaw!” While Ben Brantley of The New York Times said, “Book the next bus to Bountiful! Cicely Tyson is remarkable.” David Cote from Time Out NY called the show “Soul-stirring and flawless. ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ seems as fresh and vibrant as the day Horton Foote finished it.”

“The Trip to Bountiful” is the first production in the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre’s 2014-2015 season. Tickets for the season are currently available by subscription only. For information and to charge season tickets by phone, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444.
To purchase subscriptions online, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Ahmanson. For information regarding audio description and Project D.A.T.E. (sign language interpreted, open caption and audio description performances) call TDD (213) 680-4017 or voice (213) 972-4444.

What it do I.E. and neighboring cities! Happy to be back again this week to let you know WHAT IT DO! Well, it’s about our young folks. Our community is saturated with talented youth and teens looking for events to showcase their skills. I’ve witnessed children on more than one occasion at several neighborhood events singing, dancing, and rapping. Come on let’s be honest, how many of you have given Lil’ Jon Jon or Sara a dollar or two to perform at the family function because they have amazing talent? I know I’m guilty of it.

Please help us spread the word about our FREE YOUTH auditions. Let’s get them off the streets and on the STAGE! The “Youth Holiday Talent Showcase” is sponsored by LUE Productions, Westside Story Newspaper, Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Cities, Family First Entertainment, Pretty Pockets, Cold Cutz Barber Shop, and Blaim Society. The event will be held on Saturday, December 13th.

We are calling all Gospel acts, singers, singing groups, poets, dancers, rappers, comedians, and more, as well as youth hosts and models. Registration is free to sign up, and if you are selected you must sale tickets. All participants must be 19 and under. Auditions will be held on Sunday, September 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You may send us an audition tape if unable to make the auditions. Please send it to Lue.info@yahoo.com. Please make sure that your footage is no longer than 3 minutes. All final contestants will be contacted by Monday, September 29.

BOTTOM LINE…PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY BY WALLACE J. ALLEN

Dr. Ahmses Maat (left)

Preventing death from the Ebola virus is possible if it is true that the Ebola virus lives about 20 to 29 days, and if it is true, the virus must have high fever heat in order to achieve the deadly stage where the blood erupts from the capillaries. We are not sure the virus needs high fever heat in order to reach this stage, but we do know that high fever heat has been present in each case that death has occurred. Therefore we say “if” the patient can be cooled, MAYBE death will be prevented.

The concept is to ward off the high fever temperature associated with the bleeding out stage. If the patient’s body temperature is kept at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, well below the temperature that accompanies the bleeding out stage, the life-cycle of the virus can possibly complete without killing the patient.

How can patients prevent high fever temperature? We know that modern cooling methods require power and supplies that are not available, nor deliverable to where needed; however, we also know that there is a cooling method that is available to most victims and that it is basically free.

My friend and associate, Dr. Ahmses Maat, (Doctorate of Metaphysics,  Registered Respiratory Therapist, Certified Clinical Perfusionist, President of TaMeri Inc.),  is prescribing a  “Mud Bath Series” that allows the patient to cool as needed, either with the assistance of an aide or without. The ability to determine body temperature during the process is the one thing that may be a problem, thermometers are needed.

Dr. Maat suggests that a hole, two to three feet deep by four feet wide by six to seven feet long, be dug out from the ground. Half of the dirt should be placed back in the hole along with water to make the mud. A plastic liner can be used but is not necessary.  The patient should lay in the mud bath and cool him/her self as needed. This process should be repeated until the fever no longer returns.

We are aware of the social disruption that makes servicing the Ebola victims almost impossible.  It would be great to have 5000 doctors and 20,000 beds and the vaccine and “best practice” procedure to fight this battle, but until that occurs we must submit that reasonable care that does no harm should be afforded the victims.

As usual your comments are important; however, if you are able to communicate this concept to someone on the ground in West Africa, please do so.  We are not trying to “get paid,” we want to save lives.

Ray Rice and Janay Rice

By Jameelah Medina, PhD

We have all heard about (former) NFL player, Ray Rice, receiving a 2-game suspension for a domestic altercation with his former fiancée. Janay Rice, who is now his wife, explained that she was partially at fault for the violence that led to being unconscious in an elevator; however, most did not know the extent of the violence. We all know that it takes a serious amount of force to render someone unconscious, but the recent release of the entire surveillance video showing how she lost consciousness set off a storm. In short, the video shows Mr. Rice reaching for her before they enter the elevator. Once in the elevator, he strikes her. She responds by pushing him, and he hits her again hard enough to knock her to the floor. On her way down, her head hits a handle bar in the elevator. Once on the floor, she does not move; she is unconscious. He is forced to drag her seemingly lifeless body from the elevator and out of the building.

While many were appalled at his violent actions, many chose to focus on  Mrs. Rice. They asked questions like, “Why did she stay with him?” “How could she marry him?” “Why would she lie for him?” “How could she sit at that press conference and support him so publicly?” While it is very easy to judge an abused woman, her behavior and choices; it is actually better to try to understand the psychological nature of abuse and the psychology of the abused and battered.

Relationships hardly ever start out abusive. There is a process of breaking in and breaking down a victim. This process involves possessiveness, isolation, verbal and emotional abuse, and other tactics. Women who have experienced physical, emotional, sexual or other forms of abuse as girls are at greater risk for entering into an abusive relationship. For many, become accustomed to seeing violence as a way in which love is shown. Others may have low self-esteem in general or at least when it comes to romantic relationships. While others see potential in the abuser and believe that they can help the abuser change.

Many women, especially in the African American community, also have an aversion to involving the authorities in domestic disputes; they would rather take the abuse than offer their abusive partner up to the criminal justice system. Within the African American community, there is also the stigma of being seen as weak and the stereotype of “the strong, black woman.” This often keeps African American women silent about the abuse they suffer.

Over 85 percent of domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) is against women, and one in every three women will experience IPV in her lifetime. More than 33% of teenage girls already report experiencing violence in a dating relationship. Abused women are often killed by their abusive partners, and the most dangerous time is when she is leaving or has just left the relationship. Roughly 72% of all murder-suicides are the result of IPV. It also takes roughly 7-8 attempts at leaving before the woman leave for the final time. Many often wonder why these women stay and judge them harshly for doing so. Just because a woman stays with her abuser does not mean that she does not want to end the abuse or leave the relationship. Most times, she has carefully weighed her options and the safest one is remaining where she is. She may remain in hopes of changing the abuser or simply to buy herself more time to plan a safe exit. Most people think of leaving as a one-time event. However, leaving an abusive relationship is a process. Once a woman is committed to leaving the relationship, it may take her months or even years before the process is finalized. And, until the very end, she runs the risk of losing her life to the abuser. If there are children involved, the leaving process is further complicated.

I do not particularly care for the NFL nor do I think they deserve applause for ending Ray Rice’s contract. However, I believe that this case represents an excellent time for our community to openly and honestly discuss DV and IPV, especially with our pre-teen and teen population.