Yearly Archives: 2013

Local Business Finds Ways to “Support” Breast Cancer Survivors

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.

King of the Cage Coming to San Manuel on Halloween Night

KING OF THE CAGE

KING OF THE CAGE

HIGHLAND, CA- Here’s a ghoulish treat for your Halloween enjoyment, an evening of colorfully, tatted, caged warriors engaged in hand-to-hand, foot-to-body, and all manor of something-to-something combat. Those who love a good fight, will have to be at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino on Thursday, October 31 to see what gets bumped in the night as the men of King of the Cage make a special Halloween visit that promises to be filled with all sorts of tricks and treats. Tickets range from $40 to $75, and are on sale now through www.sanmanuel.com.

Riverside Chosen as Finalist to Host the 38th Annual Association of African American Museum Conference in 2016

AAAM

AAAM

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is in final negotiations with the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the 38th AAAM conference in downtown Riverside in August 2016. The conference will be held for three days, attracting more than 1,000 curators, historians, librarians, museum professionals and cultural leaders from 200 museums, libraries and institutes from around the globe. The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African American art, history and culture. Riverside is the host city and the Dora Nelson African American Art and History Museum in Perris, is the host museum in collaboration with Riverside African American Historical Society, The Black Voice Foundation and the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau.  To take advantage of hosting world’s foremost authorities in the preservation and promotion of African-American Culture to downtown Riverside, the Riverside African-American Festival Committee is planning to host a week long African-American Cultural Celebration to coincide with the conference.  Previous AAAM conferences were held in major eastern cities including Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Tallahassee, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri and the farthest west, Denver, Colorado. The Riverside AAAM Conference 2016 is charged with raising the funds to host the conference.  The initial fundraising goal is $15,000, with a third of the funds already committed.  The committee is looking for business and community organizations, along with local leaders for sponsorships and advertising at the conference. For more information on sponsorships, advertising and promotions contact Carl M. Dameron at 909-534-9500.

Newly Appointed Inland Center Kiwanis (Ick) Club Officers ‘Super Hero’s Of Service’

KIWANIS SB3

KIWANIS SB3

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Up, up and away went the laughter, fun and words of appreciation. On September 21, Cal-Nev-Ha/Division 36 Lt. Governor Diane deBourguignon proudly pinned the newly appointed “Super Hero’s of Service” officer’s of ICK Club of San Bernardino. The club’s immediate past president, Wilbur Wilson, thanked former  promoted officers and the new officers put on their super hero mask, dawned their super sabers and accepted their mission. Special guests who were in attendance included former Lt. Governor Elect Don Orosco, former First Lady Carolyn, Banning Mayor Debbie Franklin (also a member of Banning/Division 6 Kiwanis), and Lt. Governor Elect Reyes “Rocket” Rios (IC Kiwanis Club Member). Over 40 family, friends, community partners and members attended the affair. For those who would like to join Inland Center Kiwanis (ICK), they meet every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 702 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404. For more information, visit ickiwanis.webs.com or email pamickiwanis@yahoo.com.

4th Annual Walk to Remember at Cal State San Bernardino

Danielle Simone Photography

Danielle Simone Photography

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- “We walk the steps our babies will never take.” That will most likely be the mantra of the participants of the 4th annual Walk to Remember-Inland Empire on Saturday, October 19 at Cal State San Bernardino. The remembrance walk commemorates the lives of families affected by the passing of a baby, through pregnancy lost, stillbirth or infancy loss of any kind. Registration to participate is $20 and check-in begins at 8 a.m. The ceremony will start at 9 a.m. The walk is sponsored by the CSUSB Institute for Child Development and Family Relations. Two Cal State San Bernardino graduates, Amanda Balderrama (B.S. nursing, 2003) and Sarah Miles (B.A. human development, 2006), founded the non-profit organization, Walk to Remember-IE, in January 2010 after experiencing their own tragedies; each lost a son. Last year, more than 600 participants remembered and honored the memories of 104 babies. The walk raised more than $11,000.  These funds were able to help with a broad range of projects.  The funds raised by the 2012 Walk to Remember also provided supplies for a local peer support group to create keepsakes for the members’ babies and to celebrate their motherhood on the International Bereaved

Free Community Event: Heart Health and Lifestyle Changes

exercising woman

exercising woman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Ladies come out and learn how to treat your heart and about other issues that affect woman of color. Heart of Color will be presenting a ‘Heart Health and Lifestyle Change’ community event on Saturday, October 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Henderson Auditorium at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino, 1805 Medical Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92411. Cheyenne English, of the American Heart Association and Healthy Heritage, will be the guest speaker for the event. Registration and a continental breakfast will be held at 830 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. For those who are interested in attending, please RSVP by Thursday, October 17 because seating is limited. To RSVP please call Joyce Fairman at 909-746-6153, Dolores Armstead at 909-214-6274, Jean Barron at 909-936-1718 or Alice Anderson at 909-717-9448, or visit http://www.heartsofcolor.org.

‘Da’ Hip-Hop Wizard’ of Oz Comes to Corona

Da' Hip-Hop Wizard'

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)

CAAM’S Annual Gala Honors Legendary Entertainers

Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade

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.

WHAT IT DO WITH LUE – Artist Review: Jennifer Holmes (J Boss)

Jennifer Holmes (J Boss)

Jennifer Holmes (J Boss)

This week I am happy to highlight businesswoman Jennifer Holmes, also known as J Boss of J Boss Entertainment. It feels good to not be the only female out here in the game. Women are really stepping up their game.
Jennifer Holmes, CEO of J Boss Entertainment, and Don Colman, CEO of Flipside Entertainment, have linked up to provide a platform for artists every Tuesday night at Seville’s Night Club in the beautiful city of Riverside. Several local artists are given an opportunity to showcase their talents at “Taco Tuesday Night” held at Seville’s Night Club starting at 8 p.m..     “The goal is to bring Hollywood to the IE while providing an upscale atmosphere,” Jennifer stated.
Holmes and Colman are currently working to bring headliners such as, R&B sensation Ray J, Young Sam, Problem, Joe Moses and many more to the City. Last week Glasses Malone took the stage and gave an awesome performance along with local acts, which included, Speaker Junkiez ENT, Kolby Cordell and Young Stress. On October 8, Paul Douglas will bless the mic.
Colman and Holmes do more than provide entertainment. They also go above and beyond to give back to their community.  The dynamic duo is coordinating a blanket and jacket drive. The fundraiser will take place on October 22. Entry into Seville’s that night will be free until 11 p.m. with a donated item. For more information on how to support the mission or to perform, please contact J Boss at 760-486-3111.

Parkview Hospital and NAACP-Riverside Branch Present 1st Annual Healthy Harvest Festival

Healthy Family

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.