FONTANA, CA- The City of Rialto will be hosting its 15th Annual Family Festival on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will be taking place at Rialto City Hall, 150 S. Palm Avenue. The 20th Annual Pollution Prevention Fair and its 6th Annual Fitness Day will also be held in conjunction with the Family Festival. The festival was developed by the Human Relations Commission of the City of Rialto to celebrate the diversity of the community. Throughout the day there will be free games and entertainment, which include a community garden, recycled art contest, energy saving ideas, children’s crafts, exotic animals and insects, 3-on-3 youth basketball, let’s move/champions for change, fitness activities, rock climbing, Tot Fun Spot, information/vendor booths, Home Depot Kids Workshop and Staples school supplies. For more information, please contact the Rialto City Clerk’s office at 909-820-2519.

FONTANA, CA- Ephesians New Testament Church invites you to come and join them in the celebration of their 28th church anniversary on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. On Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. the church will be hosting its 19th Annual Awards Breakfast where they will be honoring 47th District Assemblymember  Cheryl Brown and Fontana Police Chief Rod Jones for their significant contribution and service to the community. The awards will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 10543 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, CA 92337. Tickets are $25 per person.
On Sunday, September 22 at 4 p.m., Bishop Philip Powell, The Centre at Highland,  will be speaking at the church. The highlight of the day will be the dedication and grand opening of the United Christian College West Coast Campus where several elected officials and dignitaries will be present. The church is located at 16380 Merrill Avenue in Fontana. For more information contact the church office at 909-823-2310.

POMONA, CA- The local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Eta Omega, will be hosting their Second Annual Health and Fitness Fair in collaboration with The City of Pomona, Pomona Unified School District, Western University and The City of Hope on Saturday, September 21. The event will begin with a walk-a-thon, followed by free health screenings, which will include screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, stroke assessment, dental, vision, body mass index and more. In addition to the screenings, there will be health discussions led by professionals on topics ranging from Asthma Prevention and Management, Hypertension, Diabetes, Oral Health, Cataracts, Nutrition and Breast and Colon Cancers.
The objectives are to increase health awareness; motivate participants to make positive health behavior changes; teach self-care practices; and increase awareness of city, state, and national health services and resources. Other daily event activities will include a health scavenger hunt, various demonstrations; live electrifying music, displays and give-a-ways. Health care providers, sponsors, supporters, and others interested in this event should email elfarrow@earthlink.net or call 909-973-4791 for more information. For more information on Epsilon Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) programs and activities go to www.Epsilon-Eta-Omega.com.

Photo of Sunrise taken in Loreto, BCS Mexico

This week I am highlighting Freddie Washington, photographer extraordinaire. Some may not realize that photography is an art and hard work.  I can’t stand it when I see a photo of myself and I look a hot mess because the photographer didn’t care or fully understand that photography is more than just pointing and clicking a camera.
Currently working with Nikon Pro staff, I first met Mr. Washington at an event in the Inland Empire where he was taking photos of artists performing. I noticed how professional and serious he was about his craft, due to the sweat pouring down his face and the expensive equipment used. Once finished, I approached Mr. Washington and asked if he could do some work for our production company, LUE Productions. I was so impressed with the finished product that I knew at that moment he had to be a part of our LUE Productions team. Mr. Washington is now our full-time photographer. Some of his photos have already appeared in the Westside Story Newspaper. When I go out on location on behalf of the paper, Mr. Washington is with me.
Photography is the result of combining several technical discoveries. His ability to choose a subject and compose it effectively is amazing. He’s worked with several models, venues and organizations throughout the Inland Empire and surrounding cities. When you’re in need of a professional photographer for your next photo shoot or special event, please contact FWPhotography at 714-833-3196 or email fw4photo@yahoo.com .You can also look his work up on Facebook under FWPhotography. He provides Quality work at affordable rates. Mention this article and receive a discount. Remember photographs can say a thousand words. Until next week! (By Lue Dowdy) Photo of Sunrise taken in Loreto, BCS Mexico

Dr. Kodjoe and Akosuah Sumney

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Dr. Kodjoe and Akosuah Sumney would like to invite the community to attend the annual Mission African 2000 Inc., ‘Bridging The Gap’ Empowerment Conference and Banquet on Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m. Come out and be empowered with vision for building support and humanitarian relief for the people in Ghana, West Africa. There will be African music, African attire and an African empowerment experience with testimonies and witnesses from Global Dominion for Christ. Special guests include Dr. J Gueste, Pastor C. Campbell, Dr. Reginald Woods, Mrs. V. Cunningham, Bishop Philip Powell and the Mission Africa global partners. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 951-500-2609 or 909-238-6891. The conference will be held at City of Rancho Cucamonga Central Park, 11200 Baseline Road in Rancho Cucamonga.

Queen Latifah

CULVER CITY, CA –- Sony Pictures Television is proud to announce an All-Star line-up for the debut of The Queen Latifah Show, the new multi-topic, daytime talk-variety show hosted by global entertainment icon, Queen Latifah, premiering Monday, September 16. Among the celebrity guests who will appear during the first week of the show are Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe-winner, John Travolta; Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-Winner, Jamie Foxx; Oscar nominee and Golden Globe-winner, Sharon Stone; Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Oscar & Golden Globe nominated actor, Grammy Award-winning musician and executive producer of The Queen Latifah Show, Will Smith.

“I cannot think of a more talented and fun group of people to share the stage with in celebration of the launch of my new show,” said Queen Latifah. “I am honored to have the support of so many long-time friends and colleagues as I begin this journey, and I look forward to sharing this experience with all of them and with the many new friends I will make along the way.”

In addition to her celebrity guests, Queen Latifah will kick off her premiere season with chart-topping musical guests and surprise performances, some great comedy and everyday heroes who are changing lives in their local communities.

  The Queen Latifah Show is a daytime talk-variety series that showcases Queen Latifah’s extraordinary range of talents as a global entertainment icon. Corin Nelson serves as Executive Producer. The show is produced by Flavor Unit, Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television and is cleared on major station groups around the country, including the CBS Television Stations.

HIGHLAND, CA- The Inland Empire is full of many opportunities for your business to hit the jackpot. California is currently the number one travel destination in the country. In 2011, California saw 208.6 million domestic person trips, 164.4 million of those were leisure trips. From 2011 to 2012 there was a 1.8 percent increase in total domestic and in leisure domestic trips to the state. As a community, we can work and take advantage of the outstanding opportunity that Southern California’s Inland Empire has to capitalize on the travel industry.  Inland Empire Tourism Council will be presenting a DiscoverIE Tourism Summit on Wednesday, September 18 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a post event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. During the summit there will be a variety of speakers who will be discussing the status of the new Southern California Welcome Center; the Inland Empire’s five key regions and potential growth opportunities in those regions; latest details on Visit California programs and co-opportunities; tips and insiders on how to create a Tourism Marketing District in your region; and an organizational year in review. The cost to attend the summit is $20, which includes food. The summit will be held at The Event Center at San Manuel Village, 27923 Highland Avenue, Highland, CA 92346. For more information or to register visit http://discoverie.com/blog/discoverie-tourism-summit.

September11-False-Flag

A statement by Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and top Homeland Security Advisor to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.:
“Today is a reminder that it is our duty to honor and pay tribute to all those we lost and whose lives were forever changed on this day just 12 years ago. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the families and loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people that perished in the appalling acts of terrorism on 9/11. During one of our nation’s darkest moments, we also witnessed countless acts of heroism, bravery and human kindness as the nation worked to recover and rebuild. Since then, thousands of Americans have also sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism and maintaining our cherished freedoms at home and abroad. To all of them, we are forever grateful for their sacrifice.

            Today, I call upon all Californians to pay tribute to all these American heroes, by learning more about disaster preparedness and taking steps to be ready for all emergencies. Just a few simple steps to put together a basic disaster kit and talk to your family to create an emergency plan could make all the difference in the world when disaster strikes. Not only will you be joining the millions of Americans who now stand more resilient after 9/11, but you’ll also send a strong message of hope and inspiration for the next generation of heroes.”
For more information about emergency preparedness, visit www.caloes.ca.gov or www.ready.gov.

Retreat 2013

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, September 7, the California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) and Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS) chapters convened their second annual retreat for incoming and continuing students. SAAS and SAAB are a part of national organizations which offer an evidenced based model for student retention and success. This year the retreat opened with Chief Jimmie Brown and remarks from Dr. Mildred Henry, Professor Emeritus, who shared her story, facts about African American History and called for students to persist and succeed in college and beyond. During breakout sessions, students, faculty and staff facilitated workshops which allowed students to explore the meanings of sisterhood and brotherhood, understand campus data, discuss “who we are”, and prepare to be successful students at CSUSB. This event kicked off a year of powerful programming that will be facilitated collaboratively by students, faculty and staff. In addition, SAAS and SAAB also plan to be more visible on campus and in the community as the school year goes on by engaging in community service and serving as accountability partners to their peers to ensure that as their sister ad brother’s keeper they shall and will rise together.

AA Family Reunion 6

MORENO VALLEY, CA- Over five hundred Moreno Valley residents and approximately 50 vendors attended the First Annual African American Family Reunion event in Celebration Park hosted by the African American Caucus, Region 13.  The purpose of the event was to impact, educate and empower the community with available resources.  The NAACP, Tuskegee Airmen, Riverside Mental Health, Salvation Army, Riverside County Sheriff Department and many other vendors encouraged the community to get out and vote, and participate in education and legislative events.  State Senator Richard Roth opened the event with praises for the group’s leaders who spear headed the day’s events and reminded everyone that it was also the week we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Speech, “I have a Dream.”  61^st District Assemblyman Jose Medina was on hand to greet the participants and also thanked all constituents for coming out.  Jesus Holguin spoke to the group on the outstanding 2012 school year the district had experienced and Dr. Fleming praised the school district for the over 3 million dollars in scholarships that was received by the 2012 senior class.  She also identified the district as an International Baccalaureate (IB) district and spoke to the community regarding the Dual Immersion language program.  The California Democratic Party African American Caucus Chair, Darren Parker, also attended the event.  It was a day full of food, family and fun for all ages.