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LA Sparks in a Storm Lose Home Opener

Photo credit: Nick Koza

Photo credit: Nick Koza

By Johnni Matthews

Home openers for the Los Angeles Sparks bring back a lot of memories at Staples Center over the past 18 years of coverage.

The Sparks just as many WNBA teams are rebuilding their organizations to maintain their role as one of the marquee summer attractions for female professional sports.

Photo credit: Nick Koza

Photo credit: Nick Koza

The LA Sparks had great fan support for the 2015 Home opener against the Seattle Storm at Staples Center.  Owner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and his wife, Cookie were sitting courtside with another Laker legend, Kobe Bryant at Staples Center to support the LA Sparks.

Season ticket holder, Producer/Actress Vivica Fox was also at courtside supporting the LA Sparks in the home opener against the Seattle Storm.

The Sparks started the game with a lot of energy feeding off of the Staples Center fans.  New Head Coach, Brian Agler who was the Storm’s Head Coach for seven WNBA seasons is very familiar with the players, but was unable to get a victory against his former team dropping the second game in eight days 60-54 to them.

Playing without star player, Nneka Ogwumike, and welcoming back home veteran, Temeka Johnson a former LA Spark fan favorite and feisty point guard!

With all the new faces on the Sparks team, it may take a few more games before the team gels the way Coach Agler expects.

The Sparks were in control of the game most of the first half shooting nearly fifty percent from the field while the Storm shot a low 33% from the field.  The Sparks took a ten point lead into halftime while holding Seattle Storm’s All-Star, Sue Bird scoreless.  The 34-24 halftime lead dwindled in the third quarter as the Sparks began to turn the ball over and take tough shots leading to a poor second half performance.

Photo credit: Nick Koza

Photo credit: Nick Koza

The Sparks finished the game shooting 38.6% while the Storm didn’t burn the nets shot 38.9% from the field.  The slight field goal percentage in the second half proved to be enough to squeak out the 60-54 victory.

Sue Bird didn’t score until 6:50 seconds left in the game, but she was able to bring the Storm within two points before taking the lead at 4:43 mark on back to back baskets by Abby Bishop who led the Storm with 18 points and the team was able to secure the victory.

Veteran, Alana Beard said, “We just lost our focus in the second half and we came up short tonight.”  Beard also noted there were several positive times the team executed properly and stuck to the scouting reports, so there are things to build on and correct in order for the team to be better the next game.

Sparks forward, Jantel Lavender led the team in scoring with 12 points while Alana Beard and Erin Phillips added 10 each.

Well, the next game is a short turn-around when the Sparks welcome the Minnesota Lynx to Staples Center on Tuesday, June 16th.  The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.

 

25th Year Anniversary of the Pomona Valley Juneteenth Family Gospel & Jazz Arts Festival

POMONA, CA- The City of Pomona and Trudy Coleman, Founder/CEO, of Juneteenth Education Technology Mobile Arts, (J.E.T.M.A.C.), Co-founder of the California National Juneteenth Freedom Day Holiday Observance Bill sponsored by Juneteenth America, Inc. This bill signed by Governor Gray Davis in 2002, states that “Juneteenth” is to be celebrated every June 19, and every third Saturday in June. We are inviting you to come celebrate at the “25th Yr. Anniversary of Pomona Valley Juneteenth Family Gospel & Jazz Arts Festival, on June 20, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Ganesha Park, 1575 White N. Ave.  Event is Free and Open to the Public.

June is also Black Music Month/African American Jazz Heritage Month, World Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness month.  It is also the 150th year anniversary of Juneteenth (June 1865 – June 2015), representing when the last slaves in Texas were freed 2 1/2 yrs. after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. There is also a National Campaign to have President Obama sign the Resolution to have Juneteenth on the National Calendar.

There will be a variety of Gospel Performances, a Jazz Zone – African American Jazz, Cuban Jazz, Poetry, guest performance by Jay Jackson & Lou Rawls Revue, Mel Cole, the Las Vegas Al Green Impersonator, and Denise Lyle-Cook “Oracle”, spiritual poetic, and Songstress Amore, and many more. There will be Multicultural Food Vendors, Arts & Crafts Vendors, swimming pool will be open, and other fun activities for the kids. Bring your blankets and lounge chairs and enjoy one of Pomona must beautiful parks.  In honor of the Ancestors, there will also be a Healthy Living 5K Run/Walk in the morning, meet-up time is 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., to pre-register, Walk/run kick-off at 9:00am, in Ganesha Park. For the 5K Walk/Run pre-registration information, please call Dr. Bettye Anderson at (323) 737-2323.

This multicultural celebration of American Unity is coordinated by the Southern California Juneteenth Committee.  For vendor and sponsor opportunities information, ask for Trudy Coleman at (909) 418-8530 or (909) 989-4844, or by email: at trudycoleman@jetmacinc.com. You may also visit www.jetmacinc.com.

Assemblymember Brown to Recognize the Founder of the Original Mommie Helen’s Bakery during California Small Business Day

Dorothy Pryor Rose and daughters Tekesha and Tedra

Dorothy Pryor Rose and daughters Tekesha and Tedra

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is proud to recognize Mrs. Dorothy Pryor Rose, founder of Mommie Helen’s Bakery, as her Small Business person of the Year. Mrs. Pryor Rose will be acknowledged with an award during the annual California Small Business Day hosted by the California Small Business Association on Wednesday, June 10, in Sacramento.

Mrs. Pryor Rose’s business has been in the Inland Empire for nearly 15 years. Her menu consists of: Sweet potato pie, pecan pie, rose berry pie, peach cobbler, apple cobbler, lemon cake, 7-up cake, sock-it-to-me cake, red velvet cake, and a variety of cookies, all made from scratch.

Her cakes and pies are enjoyed by people around the world, especially by renowned celebrities. Her list of celebrity clientele include: Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, NFL players Ronnie Lott  and Willie Gault,  NBA player Dr. J, and her regular customer, NBA legend Magic Johnson, to name a few. One of her most notable achievements include baking and serving 250 peach cobbler pies for the wedding of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and his wife Shaunie O’Neal. Additionally, every year, she participates in the annual Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by NFL player Marcus Allen.

“Her passion, love and dedication to this community led me to select her as my Small Business person of the Year.  Although other cities have tried to lure her away, she chose to stay here and bring a positive influence to our area. Despite adversity, she is a constant source of inspiration,” said Assemblymember Brown.

In 2000, Mrs. Pryor Rose established Mommie Helen’s Bakery in the city of Colton.

She credits her mother as her inspiration for starting her business.

“My mom’s baking inspired me. She was a very good cook,” said Mrs. Pryor Rose. “As I was praying to the Lord, as I regularly do, He instructed me to open up a bakery. I told him, I don’t know the first thing about running a bakery, but I trusted Him and He directed me.”

She said the most rewarding aspect of her job is witnessing the expressions on the faces of her customers. “Some of our clients are brought to tears when they taste the pies. They say it reminds them of the pies they enjoyed as youngsters.  Many of them no longer have the experience of enjoying the cakes and pies made by their loved ones because they’ve passed on.  It’s wonderful to know that people are satisfied with our products. We put a lot of love into our work,”  said Mrs. Pryor-Rose.

Currently, she serves as a consultant to the business while her daughters, the second generation of family-owned business entrepreneurs, manage the bakery.

Mrs. Pryor Rose and her husband Bobbie currently reside in San Bernardino and have two children, Tedra and Tekesha.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

 

ISAH Block by Block Neighborhood Juneteenth Community Celebration

 San Bernardino, CA- When Dr. Deborah Winn gave thought to how her organization WWAM, Inc., could  commemorate the celebration ending slavery in America, Annual Juneteenth Event, she realized that the greatest tribute and challenge was literally right outside her front door. A four year resident of Wall Avenue in San Bernardino, CA, Dr Winn says she and her husband saw past the bleak future confronting many of their neighbors.
She states, “Our greatest concern was our young men, shootings, gang violence, drugs, prostitution, abandoned properties, loitering and seniors afraid to go outside after 5:00 pm.  We knew there had to be hope, given San Bernardino was once one of America’s greatest cities. We know the people in this vary community can be part of making San Bernardino be a great city again beginning with their block first.”
Part of this great effort will take place on Saturday, June 20 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. as WWAM hosts the multicultural, family centered “It Starts At Home (ISAH) Block by Block Neighborhood Community Juneteenth Celebration.”  Featured will be resources for jobs, housing, utility assistance, health services, business development, guest speakers and more.  Additionally, a strong push for voter registration will be a major agenda for the day.  WWAM has already received the forms and will be active in discussing the importance and power of voting with residents.
Additionally, pastors and ministries from local congregations will begin the event with praise and worship, as well as, prayer block-by-block.  Street Positive CEO, Terry Boykins, will be doing a special outreach and engagement with fathers in the community.
Dr. Winn has invited long-time friend and famed community advocate and trailblazer, Dr. “Sweet Alice” Harris (a.k.a. Mother of Watts) to be the keynote speaker.  She comments, “Working together we can rally and return our city to the place people want to call home.  Wall Ave stands ready to do its part for the good.”
Vendor Booth opportunities are still available. Informational booths are $40 and product booths are $100. WWAM is also on the lookout for African vendors that sell African jewelry, art, clothing, and more. For those that are interested in getting a booth, please call (909) 889-9505 or email wwaminc92@yahoo.com to fill out a vendor form

Retired Las Vegas Cop Returns to Southern California with a Lifesaving Message for Kids

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GARDEN GROVE, CA- R. Byron Stringer, a Las Vegas Cop for over 26 years, took the stories he saw on the street and created the Toe Tag Monologues.  He presented the Toe Tag Monologues last weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden Grove.

The Boys and Girls Club hosted their 1st Annual Teen Leadership Conference from May 29 to 31, and was pleased to include Toe Tag Monologues.  This performing troop, coming from Las Vegas, consists of teenagers who performed life changing monologues about Bullying, Teen Suicide, Human Trafficking, Gang Violence, Drug Abuse, Drunk Driving, School Violence and much more.  There is no other program like it in our country!

Stringer, a native of San Bernardino, believes that the rest of America is only a moment away from becoming a Ferguson or Baltimore. The Toe Tag Monologues uses Drama to help kids get through their own Drama.

“We have to do what the City of Garden Grove, California is doing and begin to heal our children.  We can no longer just lecture our kids but we have to learn to listen as well,” Stringer said. “This conference, “Turn Up For Success”, is laying a template for others to follow.”

For more information on the Toe Tag Monologues, please visit byronstringer.com.

SBCCD x SBVC Receive Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Practice of Construction Management for Renovation of Auditorium

Front row: Dr. Gloria Fisher, President of SBVC (holding SBVC award); Nickolas Zoumbos, Trustee; Donna Ferracone, Trustee; Board President John Longville (holding SBCCD award); Board Clerk Joseph Williams; Gloria Macías Harrison, Trustee; and Board Vice President Dr. Kathleen (Katy) Henry. Back row: Dr. Donald Singer, Trustee; Chancellor Bruce Baron; Interim Vice Chancellor, Fiscal and Business Services Jose Torres; and Hussain Agah, Kitchell BRj Senior Campus Manager.

Front row: Dr. Gloria Fisher, President of SBVC (holding SBVC award); Nickolas Zoumbos, Trustee; Donna Ferracone, Trustee; Board President John Longville (holding SBCCD award); Board Clerk Joseph Williams; Gloria Macías Harrison, Trustee; and Board Vice President Dr. Kathleen (Katy) Henry. Back row: Dr. Donald Singer, Trustee; Chancellor Bruce Baron; Interim Vice Chancellor, Fiscal and Business Services Jose Torres; and Hussain Agah, Kitchell BRj Senior Campus Manager.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) and San Bernardino Valley College received the Project Management Award for the renovation of the San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium from the Southern California Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). The award was presented to the SBCCD Board of Trustees at the May 28 board meeting by Hussain Agah, Senior Campus Manager with Kitchell/BRj, which oversaw the construction project.

Chancellor Bruce Baron noted, “The renovation of the Auditorium at San Bernardino Valley College was a complex undertaking of a landmark site and taking into consideration the San Jacinto Fault Zone. Kitchell/BRj was instrumental in the cost-effective, on time, efficient completion of the project. The renewal of this beautiful building resulted in the addition of an elevator tower so the building is now ADA compliant, two outdoor courtyards and the expansion of the restrooms. None of this would have been possible without the support of the community through the Measure M and P bonds. The bonds allow us to maximize our resources as we design a quality learning and working environment for our students and employees.”

The second oldest building on the SBVC campus, the Auditorium is an academic, performance and community space. Its historic architecture created construction issues as all historic buildings do; the original construction documentation was unreliable and the project team was continually uncovering unforeseen conditions. Kitchell/BRj was involved in an exhaustive reconnaissance effort, working with numerous municipal and state agencies to ensure work could proceed on time and according to the budget. The project team also had to be especially resourceful in locating and even fabricating materials to fit the specifications of a 76-year-old building.

Started in July 2013 and completed in August 2014, the project came in under budget (less than $10 million), and included making the building earthquake-safe. The Auditorium is the closest of any building on campus to the San Jacinto Fault zone. A highly valued historic and visual landmark on campus, demolition and replacement was not an option. Due to the fault and folding zones, the new elevator tower was designed to split from the main building if an earthquake were to occur. In addition, a unique solution was utilized to minimize structural intrusion into the existing building. Fiberglass reinforcing was added to several walls to increase their structural capacity, which meant that no columns had to be added to building, which would have cut space and altered the building’s design.

Kitchell was originally tasked with providing Program Management services for the San Bernardino Community College District’s Measure M Bond program. The bond program was passed in 2008 for $500 million, but the SBCCD saw the available bond funds shrink by nearly half in the midst of the economic recession. The SBCCD and Kitchell worked together to eliminate non-essential projects from the Master Plan. Opportunities for the SBCCD to save money and even offset costs were identified so that much needed improvements to the San Bernardino Valley College campus, such as the Auditorium, could be completed.

Book Review: “COLORS” by Tracy Holmes

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Tracy Holmes visits EMPIRE TALKS BACK radio

Review written by Alexis Reaves

This self help book is one of three books in the authors series of “Say it Twice Books”. To begin with, the author introduces the reader to the primary colors in Spanish as well as providing a pronunciation and an illustration of the color on each page. As you read, you will learn not only what each color is in English, but how to say each color using an English guided pronunciation tool. The author proceeds to add learning interaction into the book by  including  a fun quiz for children that  ask them to fill in the correct color on the page. This gives its readers an opportunity to assess their learning and unintentionally helps children to remember what they have learned. Colors works as a tutorial book, teaching children Spanish beginning with the basics. The goal of this book is to educate the youth on different languages, thus increasing the amount of bilingual children. This book is beneficial to children and will work as a start up for Spanish learners in the future.

COLORS is available online from Amazon and Barnes And Nobles. The author of COLORS, Tracy Holmes is scheduled to be at the Montclair Plaza Barnes And Nobles on June 13th for a 2 p.m. book signing.

Tracy was a guest on the April 19, 2015 EMPIRE TALK’S BACK radio program with host Wallace Allen. You can see the video of the show by following this link  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/61303982

 

A Taste of Hollywood

staff photo

staff photo

sax player

sax player

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, May 16, the red carpet was rolled out for student artists who rocked the stage at the UCR Campus Theater in the much anticipated Changing Lives Showcase!

The red carpet extravaganza was presented by Music Changing Lives, (MCL) a non-profit music and art after-school program for at-risk children and youth, which works to inspire kids through performing arts programs to keep them focused on their education and their futures.

The evening was definitely a night to remember. As guests arrived, they walked on to the red carpet to have their photo taken, then were treated to delectable Hor D’oeurves and refreshments as they entered the theater. Then shortly after there was an incredibly entertaining show from students who set the bars high for talent in the Moreno Valley for the fourth year in a row.showcase - boys

Four schools from the Moreno Valley School District, where MCL offers its programs, brought their A-game to compete for the Bruny Awards.  Teens from Vista Del Lago High and Moreno Valley High battled it out, while younger students from Butterfield Elementary and Edgemont Elementary competed against each other.

Participants competed for the Bruny Award in four categories – Musical Instruments, Lyrical Performance, Band, and Visual Arts, while the schools competed for Overall Performance.  The fate of these talented kids rested in the hands of two celebrity guest judges, hip-hop artist L’Marco Smith and singer Joamber Armijo.

The competition was fierce, but in the end Butterfield Elementary beat Edgemont Elementary and Moreno Valley High triumphed over Vista Del Lago for the third year in a row! First place winner for the Bruny Award in Musical Instruments was Jose Davalos from MoVal High and Edgemont Piano Group: Albelina Perez, Pilar Ramirez, Carolina Cortez, Yoselinee Barajas and Isidro Quitnero.

showcase - butterfield studentIn the Lyrical Performance Jabri Baqvet from MoVal High and Jalie Leon from Butterfield reigned in first place.

Vista del Lago students: Fernando Barrera, Luke Bythe, Peter Bythe and Justin Allen dominated the Band category and took home the first place Bruny Award.

The very talented Sandy Calero from MoVal High and Maria Lomeli from Butterfield both took home first place in Visual Arts.

Every student who participated also was honored with a certificate from Senator Richard Roth’s office and Assemblymember Jose Medina for their dedication to make a difference in their community.

As students prepared to compete in the showcase they also managed to increase their school performance by volunteering for a minimum of five hours in their community.  Participants were instilled with the message, “Together we can be the change we would like to see in our community.”

The Changing Lives Showcase was sponsored by Music Changing Lives, MVUSD, Wells Fargo Foundation, UC Riverside, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Target, Edison International, Goliath Graffix and Clothes the Deal.

For more information about Music Changing Lives send an email to info@musicchanginglives.com or visit them on the web at www.musicchanginglives.org.

red carpet showcase

Dedication to Helping Others Highlighted at the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County 50th Anniversary Gala

From left:  Dr. Joshua Beckley, CAPSBC Board Chairman, Julie Borlaug, Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture at Texas A&M; Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC Chief Executive Officer; Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District; and James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District.

From left: Dr. Joshua Beckley, CAPSBC Board Chairman, Julie Borlaug, Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture at Texas A&M; Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC Chief Executive Officer; Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District; and James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District.

Fanco Family

Fanco Family

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) held its 50th Anniversary Gala celebration on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  The event was a celebration of five decades of helping low-income residents of San Bernardino County with quality programs designed to help eliminate poverty and empower people to achieve self-reliance and economic stability.

Those in attendance came out in support of CAPSBC and experienced an inspiring evening with a VIP Reception with music by Jazz saxophonist, Vaughn Fahie, an inspiring message from keynote speaker Julie Borlaug from the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M.  Event Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District and Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District.

Frances Grice

Frances Grice

CEO Patricia Nickols-Butler welcomed attendees and stated, “Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) has worked diligently to improve communities and assist residents to achieve economic stability.  We ar­­e proud of our accomplishments and partnerships built over the years.  CAPSBC has created many wonderful community service programs that have had a great impact on the lives of those in need.   50 years ago, we began this ‘War on Poverty.’  Tonight we pledge to continue to do all we can to help our communities and assist our fellow residents in need.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Community Action Legacy Awards by the CAPSBC Board of Directors.  The Venny H. Newman Humanitarian Award was presented to Frances J. Grice outstanding efforts in fighting poverty in San Bernardino County.  Ms. Grice is a long-standing leading advocate for diversity, promoting civil rights and equal opportunity in education, employment, housing, and economic and community development.  She was a member of the San Bernardino grassroots organization known as The League of Mothers for whom diversity and economic opportunity was their mission.  Her work represents our local San Bernardino history in the national movement to address the poverty and its symptoms since the 1960’s.

The Spirit of Hope Achievement award was presented to Luis and Leticia Franco, successful graduates out of CAPSBC’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program.   Through IDA, the family was helped to navigate through the process of saving and buying their first home.  The family of five previously went through very difficult circumstances and were living in a converted garage sharing one set of bunk ­beds.   They spoke in jest about what an adventure it was and how the family really got to know each other during this time.

The Legislative Advocate Award was presented to Assemblymember Cheryl Brown for her dedication to community reform and improvement.  She is an active community leader and a small business champion.  She has worked with numerous community support groups and councils.   Ms. Brown generously presented CAPSBC with a donation of $3,000 in support of the agency’s programs and services.

Also receiving Community Action Legacy Award honors this year were:  Helping People, Changing Lives Award – Amazon; Community Partner Awards –  Kohl’s and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation; Spirit of Hope Achievement Awards – The Fellas and Generation Now.

Gala wide shot

Gala wide shot