PASADENA, CA- The Pasadena Playhouse announced that they will present the hit production of Gabrielle Pina’s LETTERS FROM ZORA, in association with One Pearl and a Sphinx. The production, which returns by popular demand, will play a limited engagement of eight performances and stars Vanessa Bell Calloway. LETTERS FROM ZORA is directed by Anita Dashiell-Sparks with original music composed by Ron McCurdy. Performances run May 10 to the May 18 with a press opening on Sunday, May 11 at 2 p.m. Single ticket prices range from $40.00 to $100.00. Limited VIP Packages including premium seating, post-show meet and greet with Gabrielle Pina, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Anita Dashiell-Sparks and light reception is available for $150.00 per ticket. VIP Packages are available only on the following performances: Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, May 15 at 8:00 p.m.; Friday, May 16 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena (91101). The performance schedule is Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at (626) 356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. during non-performance dates. For more information, visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – April 25, 2014 – High school students nationwide can now apply at www.disneydreamersacademy.com to be among 100 selected to participate in the 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine, the innovative, outside-the-classroom, educational mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort.

Entering the search for its eighth class, Disney Dreamers Academy continues to hold true to its mission to inspire and fuel the dreams of teens, help them discover a world of possibilities and help them prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, full-immersion workshops related to a bevy of career paths, ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills such as communication techniques and networking strategies.

It all takes place in a magical setting: the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Both on stage and behind the scenes, the parks become vibrant ‘classrooms,’ leading to career discoveries, the pursuit of dreams and fun memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Motivational speakers and celebrities share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG. Dreamers have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other students from across the nation while they gain first-hand knowledge from Disney experts and world-renowned entrepreneurs and executives.

Applicants must answer three essay questions about their personal stories, the people who are most influential in their lives and their dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including a strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. Nearly 10,000 students submitted an application in 2014.

Participants and a parent or guardian will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where they will engage in life-changing sessions and enjoy Disney’s magical theme parks. The 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy will take place March 5 to 8.

“Disney Dreamers Academy gives us the honor each year to motivate, educate and uplift 100 exceptional students ready to unlock their potential,” said Disney Vice President of Global Initiatives and Integrations/Disney Dreamers Academy Executive Champion, Tracey D. Powell. “Disney is proud to once again partner with Steve Harvey and Essence Communications to deliver a program that impacts lives every year.”

Steve Harvey, syndicated radio and television personality, along with ESSENCE Magazine and Walt Disney World Resort will host the selected Dreamers during their four-day power packed career and educational exploration. Harvey, speaking on the program, says, “Disney Dreamers Academy gives hope and inspiration and exposes youth to a world of possibilities. We are excited about another opportunity to transform lives and give students an inside look at what their future can hold.

ESSENCE Communications President Michelle Ebanks added, “We are excited about the eighth Disney Dreamers Academy. This program transcends the normal classroom setting, taking learning to the next level. This year we plan to go above and beyond to encourage Dreamers. Our valued partnership with Disney Parks and Steve Harvey represents our commitment to the leaders of tomorrow.”

Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, until Oct. 31, 2014. A distinguished panel of leaders representing the best in their fields will judge the applications in November and winners will be announced in December 2014.

For more information visit www.disneydreamersacademy.com, www.facebook.com/disneydreamersacademy or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dreamersacademy.

McDonalds Mural

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the public is invited to see the progress on the two murals being painted on the outside of the museum which sits on the historic spot of the original McDonald’s Restaurant. This first “Meet-Up at the Museums” was inspired by veteran motorcyclist Paul Busser from San Diego County. His friends have invited bikers from all over the area to come out and enjoy the Inland Empire Military Museum next door to The McDonald’s Museum. Music, models and the muralists will be on hand for this event at 1398 N. “E” Street in San Bernardino.

“We hope to get a few classic cars out for this event and make this a regular activity throughout the year,” principle artist Phil Yeh said. “This is the first meet-up, but I can see this growing over the years as we continue to add more details to these murals. Our plan is to paint even more murals on this spot and also to open a bookstore and art gallery in the future”.

Beth Winokur, a writer as well as one of the muralists, is writing a brand new book about the murals. The book will explain the details and background of the subjects on the murals in addition to showing the images. The south side of the mural was finished early last year and depicts San Bernardino?s rich history. Many noted people were born in the city and many graduated from high school there including Edith Head, who won eight Academy Awards; Gene Hackman, who won two; Hoyt Curtain, the composer of classic animated theme songs including The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Top Cat; and Chester Carlson, who invented dry copying in 1937. His invention helped create the Xerox Corporation. San Bernardino was also the site of the last appearance of Will Rogers in 1935 and the very first U.S. appearance of The Rolling Stones in 1965.

The north side mural depicts all of Route 66 in California from the end of the highway in Santa Monica all the way through San Bernardino County. This second mural was started in March 2013. This side of the building is being painted in exacting detail and will take another year to finish. Rory Murray, who painted on both sides, has been adding classic cars from all makes on the north side. Yeh, himself a motorcyclist in his youth, has made this north side a tribute to his late friend Hal Robinson, the original cartoonist of Easyriders magazine.

“We are painting bikes riding west to Santa Monica on the mural. Rory and I have also painted some bigger motorcycles in the foreground. I was inspired to draw by looking at Hal?s cartoons while in high school in the early „70s. We became friends shortly before he passed away of cancer in the 80s. Hal really had a great style, but when we met he told me he never rode a motorcycle,” added Yeh.

Many artists have contributed to this mural including guest artist Mark Nelson who came out from Houston, Texas in January. Nelson is best known for his work on the Aliens comic book series. Jan Windhausen has added colorful details to the plants, rocks and sky; and Anna Lambert, who recently turned 14, has added some great fantasy elements as well. Yeh?s eldest son, Rob Valentine, came down from San Francisco to paint some amazing detail as well.

“Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, was the very first cartoonist to endorse our tour in 1985. He believed that the power of humor could really increase our literacy rate. His widow, Jeannie, gave us permission to paint Spike, Snoopy’s brother, in the Needles section on the right side of the north wall. Schulz lived in this Route 66 town briefly as a child and paid tribute to it in his comic strip. I have painted Spike in front of the mountains in a Chinese brush style. Rory Murray added the Needles covered wagon sign,” said Yeh from his Running Springs studio.

“The whole San Bernardino mural project started when I painted a MIA-POW logo on the Inland Empire Military Museum a couple of years ago sponsored by my friend Jim Valdez, a veteran himself. Since both this museum and the McDonalds Museum are owned by Albert Okura, we got to talking about painting a more detailed work of art on the side of his building; something that truly celebrates the many accomplishments that took place in this city,” said Yeh.

“The portraits on the south wall were done by Sandy Fischer Cvar, who went to Los Alamitos High School with me more than 40 years ago. We also have an original Dan Romero metal sculpture of palm tree leaves on the roof,” continued Yeh.

Sponsors for the San Bernardino County side include Loma Linda University & Hospital; Arrowhead Medical Center; Redlands Paint Company; San Bernardino Paint Company; Sherwin Williams Paint Company; Millcreek Cattle Company; Dale Brothers Brewery; Tofurkey; Beanfield Chips; Two Guys Pizza & Pasta; Mattel Toys; The Ontario Airport; Speedball Art Supplies; The Los Angeles Athletic Club; and Country Inn & Suites in Redlands.

Yeh, who founded Cartoonists Across America & The World in 1985, is on the 29th year of his world tour. Yeh also speaks to students of all ages about the importance of reading and the power of art to fuel your creativity in all fields. First Lady Barbara Bush wrote three introductions to his books and painted a mural with his group in the Library of Congress.

Yeh’s full color hardcover book, Dinosaurs Across America published by New York publisher NBM. School Library Journal recommends Dinosaurs Across America as one of the most outstanding 25 graphic novels for kids. Dinosaurs Across America also won a 2008 Children’s Choice Award from the Children’s Book Council and the International Reading Association. This book is the fun way to learn a little about U.S. history and geography and is one of several books using Yeh’s dinosaurs and a little rabbit called Patrick to teach kids of all ages about various places around the world.

Yeh, often called the Godfather of the Modern American Graphic Novel, will be issuing an updated version of his comic book Dinosaurs Across Route 66 later this year. Since 1985, Yeh and Cartoonists Across America & The World have painted more than 1800 colorful cartoon murals promoting literacy, creativity and the arts in 49 U.S. states and 15 foreign countries. These murals have covered school, library, and community walls as well as being painted on portable lightweight form core board, city buses, bookmobiles, and billboards all around the world.

Yeh continues to speak in schools, libraries and communities about creativity and the arts. His talks are for all ages. To see a bit more of his tour and books go to www.wingedtiger.com.

Dallas McKinnon

By Dallas McKinnon, In conjunction with Lincoln Financial Advisors/Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor.

You have an estate plan; you probably even remember creating it—making the decisions and pulling together the documents was probably a time-consuming and tedious effort. The initial process of creating an estate plan can be so painful and involved that people may avoid reviewing it again for years.

But your estate plan does not exist in a vacuum. Life events such as marriage, separation, divorce, births, deaths, relocations and tax law changes all impact your estate planning needs. By revisiting key elements of your estate plan annually, you can correct errors, make adjustments for life changes and guarantee that your current wishes are known. Here are some items to review:

Friends & Family

• Beneficiary designations. Be sure that life changes make your beneficiary designation selections relevant and that they still reflect your current desires.
• Legal roles. Are your powers of attorney and estate executor(s) still competent and can they represent you? Have either of you relocated, causing you to consider if someone living locally could carry out the responsibilities more efficiently? Some states have updated their forms and require a redrafting of your power of attorney; talk to your financial planner about your situation.
• Long-term care insurance. Every person moving toward retirement or working in their sunset years should consider long-term care insurance. All you have to do is the math on the economic impact to a family of a nursing home stay. Long term care insurance can be an inexpensive alternative if the right policy is purchased at the right time.

Review of Assets

• Property titles. Have you established ownership and survivorship in the way you intended? Is it supported by current state titling laws?
• Business succession plans. A significant number of buy-sell agreements call for annual revaluation of the business that most people forget about. Not having an updated appraisal presents two concerns: You don’t have a current figure for the value of your business for your own planning, and in the event an owner or partner dies, an arbitrator without a true sense of the business will negotiate the reappraisal.
• Life insurance. Do you still need your current policy; do you need a different policy? Is the policy performing as originally illustrated? Policies are affected by interest rates and the investment options. If you expect the policy to provide for a particular need, it is important to review its performance annually.

Legacy Instructions

• Will. Your will is less likely to be contested as outdated if you have updated it every few years with your attorney.
• Ethical will/letter of instruction. Does the letter you have drafted still reflect the message that you want to leave your heirs? Have there been changes to your will or estate planning that you want to explain or emphasize.

Staying Current

• Tax law changes. Talk to your financial planner and accountant at least three months before the end of the year to see if tax law changes will negatively impact your current plan, you will have time to make any necessary adjustments.

Organization Eases the Task

Though it can be time consuming, it’s worth organizing your legal documents in a way that makes them easy to review and update. Be sure to keep these documents in a safe or fire-proof cabinet:

• Document finder. Lists your legal documents and where they are stored. If access requires a key or password, include instructions on how to find them.
• Estate planning summary. Includes a list of professional advisors and passwords for each account (including Web access). Adding the dates the documents were created can help prompt you to keep wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies up-to-date.
• Net worth statement. Describes every asset, including account numbers, titling, beneficiaries and current value. This statement identifies areas for in-depth review and serves as an overview for your estate executor.

These documents ease the access of information for those who—in the event of an emergency, or if you become incapacitated—will need to know where to find your estate plan and the legal documents that will guide them in support of your wishes. Creating an estate plan is just the first part of managing your future; keeping it up to date is essential for the long-run.

Do It Right, Do It Now

Dallas McKinnon is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and President of McKinnon & Associates Private Wealth Services in Redlands.  He has lived in Redlands and helped his clients in the Inland Empire for over 20 years.  You can reach him at 909 363-4026 or at www.McKinnonandAssociates.com

Local Students to Gather at Harvey Mudd College for a Day of Learning and Mentorship from Top Technology Leaders. Academic Scholarships Sponsored by Southern California Edison 

POMONA, CA –Transcendence, an Inland Empire-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of under-served youth through collaborative endeavors, is pleased to announce the Inspire Technology Summit for high school students. Sponsored by Edison International, the Summit will take place Saturday, May 10 on the campus of Claremont’s prestigious Harvey Mudd College. The full-day Summit is designed to inspire the next generation of Information Technology leaders and to identify paths for increasing diversity in technology career fields.

“We have a tremendous responsibility to increase the numbers of women and minority groups in technology and math related careers,” said Michael D. Lacy, Board President for Transcendence. “We believe direct engagement between the youth in our community and technology leaders from the corporate world will be a catalyst to enhance opportunities for under-served students.”

Inspire is designed as an active response to data indicating that many minority groups and females are dramatically underrepresented in technology related fields and corresponding leadership positions. The summit will provide inspiration from leaders in technology roles, networking opportunities and resources necessary to excel in technology-driven careers. According to data compiled at Georgia Tech’s College of Computing, in 2013 only 22 percent of  California students taking the Advanced Placement exam in computer science were girls, 1.5 percent were Black, and 8 percent were Hispanic.

Harvey Mudd College (HMC) a private, liberal arts institution of math, science and engineering is the appropriate setting for the leadership summit. HMC educates engineers, scientist and mathematicians to become leaders in their fields and have a clear understanding of the impact their work has on society.

“Diverse teams produce better solutions and given the importance of technology in solving the major problems facing the world, we especially need diversity in tech careers,” said Harvey Mudd President Maria Klawe in stating why promoting technology diversity is important to HMC.

Edison International partnered with Transcendence to be Inspire’s presenting sponsor. Their grant also provides financial scholarships to be awarded to several exception high school students.

“Edison International is proud to partner with Transcendence for the Inspire Technology Summit because our philosophy of giving is that all people should have opportunities to do well,” said Tammy Tumbling, director of Philanthropy & Community Investment for SCE.  “STEM education is a major focus for us because as an energy company, we recognize the skills needed for our future workforce and our country. For that reason, we partner with organizations that promote the inclusion of minority, low-income and underrepresented students in STEM fields.”

Students may register to attend the summit or apply for a scholarship by visitingwww.WeAreTranscendence.org or by calling (909) 300-5428.  The summit will start at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m. on May 10.  All high school students are welcomed to participate. Minority students, female students, first generation college candidates, and students from local under-served communities are especially encouraged to attend.

Alvin Crawford (center) and the cast of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray. Directed by Diane Paulus, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” previews at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre April 22 and opens April 23. Performances continue through June 1, 2014. For tickets and information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org or call (213) 972-4400.
Photo by Michael J. Lutch

The Tony Award-winning musical “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” makes its  triumphant debut at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, opening Wednesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Performances continue through June 1, 2014. (Preview April 22.)

“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy  Heyward and Ira Gershwin, features one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams, led  by Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (“Pippin,” “Hair”), Pulitzer Prize-winning
playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (“Topdog/Underdog”), and two-time Obie Award-winning  composer Diedre L. Murray (“Running Man”).

The cast, which includes Nathaniel Stampley and Alicia Hall Moran as Porgy and Bess  (respectively), also features Alvin Crawford as Crown, Kingsley Leggs as Sporting Life, Sumayya Ali as Clara, Denisha Ballew as Serena, Danielle Lee Greaves as Mariah and David  Hughey as Jake.

In addition, the cast includes Dan Barnhill, Vanjah Boikai, Adrianna M. Cleveland, Roosevelt André Credit, Cicily Dainels, Dwelvan David, Nkrumah Gatling, Tamar Greene, Nicole Adell Johnson, James Earl Jones II, Quentin Oliver Lee, Cheryse McLeod Lewis,
Sarita Rachelle Lilly, Kent Overshown, Chauncey Packer, Lindsay Roberts, Fred Rose and  Soara-Joye Ross.

This new adaptation of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” was specifically created for Broadway and features a revised book in a musical theatre format and jazz-oriented musical arrangements. The classic story is set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, where the beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the courageous Porgy. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sporting Life, Porgy and Bess’ relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theatre’s most exhilarating love stories. Based on DuBose Heyward’s novel “Porgy” and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife, Dorothy Heyward, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” includes such legendary songs such as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “I Got Plenty of
Nothing.”

The creative team also includes choreographer Ronald K. Brown, set designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Esosa, lighting designer Christopher Akerlind, sound designer ACME Sound Partners, music supervisor Constantine Kitsopoulous and music director/conductor Dale Rieling.

The revival of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” had its world premiere at Harvard University’s American Repertory Theater during its 2011/12 season. The production moved to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway for a limited engagement with an official opening on January 12, 2012. “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” closed on September 23, 2012, after 322 performances, making it the longest running production of “Porgy and Bess” to ever play Broadway.

Tickets for “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or in person at the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.

Yolanda Holder at the Boston Marathon

By Yolanda Holder

I grew up watching the Boston Marathon on TV and thought to myself, I will never be able to go to Boston because I’m not a runner and I’m not an athlete. Five years ago for my 50^th birthday I power walked 65 marathons/ultras in 52 weeks which started my journey as a Power Walking Diva. Being a 2x Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Marathons Run in a Calendar Year” has opened up many doors.  I have power walked over 471 marathons which included the LA Marathon, San Francisco , San Diego, Seattle, Honolulu and the New York Marathon just to name a few, but never the Boston Marathon. Losing both my parents to diabetes complications and wanting to honor my mom I founded Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes.  I power walked from Corona to Oakland, 521 miles in 15 days, spreading the word about the benefits of walking and diabetes.  After completing EW4D I was invited to be on a relay team mini “Run for Tomorrow” Ottawa, Canada to New York City Marathon.  Being a member on the R4T team we were invited to run the Boston Marathon.

I had never been to Boston and I was excited for two reasons.  One I’m power walking a marathon in every state and Boston would be state #30 and I’m power walking the Boston Marathon a dream come true!

I arrived at the expo and met for the first time a few of my R4T team members and took lots of pictures with my marathon friends.  What I love about marathoning is that you get to meet people from around the world and you get to travel to places you only dream of and the Boston Marathon was one of my dreams.  The Boston expo had legend runner speakers and I got to hear some of them speak and I met some of my Facebook friends as well.

On the morning of the Marathon, I was  excited and I had been training to set a personal record (PR) at Boston.  My PR for a marathon is 5:26 and my goal was 5:19. I was on pace and feeling good.  I was coming up on mile 20 and I could hear sirens and usually when we hear a siren we say a prayer and hope that the runner is okay, but these sirens didn’t stop and my cell phone started ringing and beeping with texts asking me if I was okay.  I took my brothers call and said, “What do you want? I’m at the Boston Marathon trying to set a PR and you keep calling me!”  My brother said “a bomb went off at the finish line are you near there?”  As I was approaching mile 20 a volunteer approached me and said the race has been cancelled and you need to go inside the medical tent.

There were about 15 of us in the medical tent and we were taken to Newton City Hall.  The Mayor and his staff took very good care of us and kept us safe.  I didn’t know the magnitude of this horrible act of violence until I arrived at my hotel room around 10 p.m. that night and I broke down and cried.  I couldn’t believe that I was that close to the bombing and I felt awful for the families that were affected by this terrible act of terrorism.

I practice what I preach walking 30 minutes a day, but now after the bombing I don’t take my life for granted. Every day is a gift from God and I’m blessed to wake up every morning and able to do what I love, Walking.  I’m headed back to Boston not to set a PR, but to finish with a smile on my face, I’m Boston Strong!

www.yolandaholder.com

Orphan Boy

FONTANA, CA- Bethel AME Church in Fontana will be presenting a Resurrection Play Production entitled “The Boy Who Believed”. This play is about a young orphan boy who wanted to be a part of a real family. The boy who believed was taught and BELIEVED in the Prophecy of Jesus by an old Inn Keeper. The play gives you a sense of awareness of how Jesus suffered from His death to His Resurrection, and what it was like to be a disciple. The play is FREE of charge and everyone is welcome to attend. The show will begin at 6 p.m. Bethel AME Church is located at 16262 Baseline Avenue in Fontana (92336). For more information call (909) 350-9401.

Jessica Reedy

LOS ANGELES, CA- Gospel recording artist Jessica Reedy will perform live at the Kirk Franklin Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues Los Angeles, 8430 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood (90069), on Sunday, April 20 at 1 p.m.  As part of a year-long 20^th anniversary celebration, Reedy was selected by Grammy-Award winning star Kirk Franklin as one of the featured artists to join him in a showcase of gospel and contemporary music spectacular.  Best known for her success as the runner-up on Season 2 of the BET hit show “Sunday Best,” Reedy’s debut album “From the Heart” reached the top of the Billboard Chart at number one.  Reedy is preparing for the release of her second album “Transparent” under her own label Purity Records. Her unique sound is positioning her current single “Better” to become number one on the radio.

A true gospel phenomenon, Reedy has also appeared on The BET Awards, BET’s Celebration of Gospel, CBS’s Christmas Special, The Stellar Awards, Bobby Jones Gospel, BET’s 106 and Park, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s “Divas Simply Singing,” TCT Network, and The Word Network, singing along side of Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurken, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, James Fortune and many other gospel legends.