Nike Basketball 3 ON 3 Tournament @ LA Live

The largest basketball tournament, the Nike Basketball 3 ON 3 August 3-5 2012 in the Southland ends with its thrilling fanfare while NBC 4 continues with its live coverage of the Olympics. Parking lots, street corners, major streets had been turned to basketball courts with closures of Chick Hearn Court on Figueroa and 11th Street at LA Live.

2012 NBC 4 Olympic Games Village @ LA Live: The Elite Games of Nike Basketball 3 ON 3 Women Tournament between TBA and National. Teams from a group of friends in wheelchairs to series of ladies from the West Coast compete in several divisions for an array of prizes, including cash. Date: Sunday, August 05, 2012. Location: LA Live, Downtown Los Angeles. Image: Ehirim Files Images.

Attempting a free throw in one of the parking lot turned Nike Basketball Tournament court.

Scene at the NBC 4 Olympic Village Sunday, August 05, 2012, which brought in thousands of amateur hoopsters and spectators from all around the country for the Nike Basketball 3 ON 3 Tournament to vie for bragging rights and cash prizes. Image: Ehirim Files Images

The Schwarzenegger Policy Think Tank

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commits $20 million Wednesday, August 1, 2012, for the Schwarzenegger Policy Think Tank in partnership with the University of Southern California. The Schwarzenegger Institute will be housed at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger will chair the institute's Board of Advisors and will hold an appointment as the Gov. Downey Professor of State and Global Policy at USC, named after John Downey, an Irish immigrant who in 1860 became California's first foreign-born governor. Downey also helped found USC. Image: Ehirim Files Images.

Brightlife Music Hosts Single Release Party For Hip-Hop Sensation "Emaculent"

For Immediate Release Victoria Ihenacho, NICOCUSA 468 North Camden Drive 2nd Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Email:info@nicocusa.com

Brightlife Music Hosts Single Release Party for Hip-Hop Sensation "Emaculent"

Los Angeles, C.A. (July 28, 2012) Bright "L.A. Bright" Enabulele, a Los Angeles based Nigerian music mogul and the President and CEO of Brightlife Music, will debut his headline Artist, Hip-Hop sensation Emaculent aka Emac and host the highly anticipated Single Release party of his hit single "Roll Up" from his upcoming album "15 Min To E", on July 31st 2012 at Café Entourage in Hollywood.Brightlife. Musics latest musical phenom Emaculent, has taken the music industry by storm with his hard pressing lyrics and silky-smooth delivery. Emaculent has worked with legendary artists such as Ray J, E40, and Lazy Bone. "Roll Up" the single, is exclusively distributed by Bungalo/Universal Music Group and will be available for download on Amazon and iTunes on July 31st, 2012. Emaculent is also slated to embark on a worldwide tour to promote "15 Min To E".

About the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce USA (NICOCUSA):

The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce-USA (NICOCUSA)is a US based business league founded in 2002, which serves as a liaison between business communities and their interests in the United States and Nigeria. Each year, NICOCUSA facilitates lucrative partnerships and contracts between businesses here in the United States and Nigeria, which have created jobs and literally changed the lives of thousands of people all over Nigeria.

The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce-USA 468 North Camden Drive 2nd Floor Beverly Hills California 90210 United States

Paz de la Huerta Going Places

Paz de la Huerta who appeared in Alexis Lloyd's "30 Beats," a story of where a young woman asks a man to help her in losing her virginity which would lead to a psychic who would had an encounter with a bike messenger as the story and its list goes on and on and on, was raised with older sister Rafaela de la Paz (born November 5, 1981) in the Lower Manhattan, New York City neighborhood of SoHo by her parents Iñigo de la Huerta y Ozores (born November 17, 1944; San Sebastián, Spain) and Judith Bruce (born October 23, 1946; Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States). She attended private Saint Ann's School in the New York City borough of Brooklyn with fellow student and future fashion designer Zac Posen for whom she has since modeled. She also attended the performing arts camp Buck's Rock.

Scientists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles Identify Mechanism Critical to Lung Formation and Regeneration

PRESS RELEASE

Eya1 phosphatase acts to maintain barrier integrity in the lung

(LOS ANGELES, Jul 02, 2012 BUSINESS WIRE) -- Scientists have provided the first evidence that an enzyme called Eya1 protein phosphatase is a critical regulator of lung function and that this may have broad implications for sufferers of a variety of pulmonary diseases. "Identification of the role of Eya1 in establishing pulmonary tight junction and barrier integrity could have a significant impact on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory distress syndrome, all diseases characterized with disruptions in permeability," said Ahmed El-Hashash, PhD, investigator at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine.

Proper formation of lung epithelium is essential to life. The normal growth and functioning of the lung depends on the formation of tight junctions between adjacent cells making up the alveolar epithelial sheet, a thin layer of tissue separating neighboring alveoli. Alveoli are the site of gas exchange between the lung and blood vessels. Loss of these tight junctions alters the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Permeability dysfunction has been implicated in both acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening lung condition that prevents adequate oxygen from getting from the lungs and into the blood.

Until now, very little has been known about the basic regulatory mechanisms underlying permeability barrier formation and integrity of the lung epithelium. David Warburton, MD, director of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine at The Saban Research Institute, and El-Hashash provided the first evidence that the enzyme Eya1 protein phosphatase controls tight junction and permeability barrier formation in the lung epithelium. They have also provided the first evidence that Eya1 enzyme coordinates a complex network of other cellular proteins and molecules that are essential for epithelial barrier integrity, and are therefore critical to optimal lung function. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that interfering with Eya1 phosphatase function resulted in defective formation of tight junctions and the permeability barrier.

"These findings identify a novel therapeutic option for lung diseases like COPD and ARDS," said Warburton. "Our discovery of Eya1 enzyme control of pulmonary barrier integrity suggests that influencing alveolar epithelial junction formation by manipulating the activity of enzymes has the potential to identify future targets for the treatment of lung injury and may provide solutions to the problems concerning regeneration of lung tissue for restoration of functional alveoli."

Results of the study will be published in the Journal of Cell Science.

About Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children's hospital in California and among the top five in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious US News & World Report Honor Roll. Children's Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States, is one of America's premier teaching hospitals and has been affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932.

SOURCE: Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Inside St Sophia's Orthodox Church in L.A.'s Greek Neighborhood

Little is known of the few Greek immigrants who came to Los Angeles prior to the 1890s. The majority were single males, working on the railroads, in mines and doing other labor-intensive work. Most remained bachelors, married non-Greeks or returned to Greece.

Many of the first Greeks became railroad workers on the transcontinental railroad that united the East to the West. Others were hired as miners and suffered many hardships while working the mines of Colorado and Utah before coming to Los Angeles. Greek seamen and fishermen with limited English were hired to work in the port and at other labor-intensive jobs that employed immigrants. The Los Angeles Gas and Electric Company was the first major industry to hire immigrant Greeks to dig ditches and lay lines across the Los Angeles area. The Alexandria Hotel became an early foothold for entry-level jobs where one could learn to bus tables, polish silver or wash dishes. As the young Greeks learned English, many went on to become waiters in such distinctive spots as the Brown Derby, the Ambassador Hotel, and the famous Coconut Grove nightclub. Some took these skills and opened their own restaurants and cafes.

Another group of early Greeks worked independently as bootblacks or trade peddlers of vegetables, fruits, candies, nuts and flowers. Many sold their fruits and vegetables near Alameda Street and were called the "Greek Fleet" by the locals. Twelve-hour days, seven days a week were the norm, as they gathered small nest eggs that allowed them to expand from vegetable carts to small grocery stores. In addition, smaller pastry and flower shops multiplied. Some Greeks moved from the urban area and started farms and citrus groves in Palomar, Huntington Park, San Gabriel, and San Fernando.

Like other immigrant groups, the "padrone" system came into being when a number of early pioneers sponsored some of their fellow patriots to come to Los Angeles and later work off the cost of their transportation. It was limited to a few in the agricultural, flower and farming trades. Although only small numbers of Greeks came to Los Angeles prior to 1900, by the beginning of the First World War, it is estimated that nearly 1000 Greeks, of whom 95 percent were male, made Los Angeles their home.

By the late 1890s, there was a small cluster of Greeks living in the Boyle Heights area, along with other immigrant groups including Russians, Syrians, Armenians, and East European Jews. The first known Greek owned grocery store in the area opened in 1896. Within a few years, several hundred Greeks settled in the area.

The influx of heavy Greek immigration and settlement in Los Angeles roughly corresponds to a chaotic time in Greek history. At the turn of the century Greece was involved in two Balkan wars, an economic crisis and the First World War. This period of domestic turmoil and international warfare created severe economic hardships in Greece. In addition, the Ottoman Empire no longer exempted Greeks from military service during the Balkan Wars, which resulted in an increased number of Greeks emigrating from areas of "unredeemed Greece" in the Ottoman territories.

The period of greatest immigration to America took place between the years 1900 to 1930 when over 350,000 Greeks arrived. Over 30,000 settled in New York and Chicago. The more adventurous Greeks continued by railroad to the West. By 1930, California Census data listed 10,457 "Greek people" in the state. Of these, some 6,488 resided in Los Angeles County. Church membership, however, listed no more than 1500 during the same time period.

As the threat of war in Greece loomed, many Greek immigrants were eager to help their beloved homeland. Before the United States entered the First World War and it appeared that Greece was in need, 140 Greeks in Los Angeles, formed the "Greek American Military Company of Volunteers," bought their own uniforms and began to train. Their goal was to prepare to return to Greece if war was declared in the Balkans. This regiment trained for two hours a day after work in Elysian Park. On the weekends additional training was held. On October 26, 1912, their diligence and preparedness was recognized when they marched in the local Preparedness Parade, on Fourth and Los Angeles Streets, and were awarded the grand prize.

Some of these men returned to Greece and fought bravely in the Balkan Wars. When the United States entered World War I, over 60,000 Greek males, representing 25 percent of all Greeks in America, enlisted in the U.S. Army. That was the record for all immigrant groups. Those men were told that serving in the U.S. Army would exempt them from their Greek military obligation as well as gaining them American citizenship. After the war, a few returned to Greece only to discover that the exemption held only for men naturalized before January 15, 1914. For the vast majority, however, their much-coveted American citizenship was granted.
Source: Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Oprah Winfrey To Appear In "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"

With all that media frenzy and speculations, it has now been confirmed that Oprah Winfrey will be appearing in an upcoming episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Talks are that after Oprahs heated confrontation with Khloe Kardashianin the talk show host interview, the talk show mogul agreed to appear on the Kardashians show.

Los Angeles: 1928 'S Type Mercedes Benz'

This unrestored S Type Mercedes from 1928 is expected to sell for more than £1.5million at auction. Capable of more than 100mph, the 'S' was first seen at the Nurburgring in 1927, where it won in the 5-Litre class and recorded the fastest time of the day at the hands of ace driver Rudy Carraciola. The supercharged S Type Mercedes, that has had just one owner, will be sold this autumn. According to auction house Bonhams, the 'lost' car is one of the greatest and most important motor car finds of the last decade and will be offered at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale on Saturday 15th September 2012. The legendary 'Kompressor' (Supercharger in German) Mercedes' 'S' series of the 1920s - with its distinctive scream - reestablished Mercedes' reputation for building fast, luxurious and high quality motorcars. Ferdinand Porsche designed the supercharged 6.8-litre engine which was set in a low-slung chassis frame and adorned with the now iconic Mercedes 'V' radiator grille. Pictured: S Type Mercedes from 1928. Image: Splash.

The Rick Olson Group Jazz Party

In one of the summer jams and concert series all around the Southland, The Rick Olson Quartet, premier jazz group in Los Angeles performs at the Julian Dixon Community Center of the Baldwin Hills Branch, Los Angeles City Public Library. Thursday June 21, 2012 as part of rehearsals and jam sessions for upcoming summer gigs in Los Angeles. The quartet entertained guests with Monk, Davis, Gillespie, Morgan classics. (L-R): David Weaver (Guitar), Max Acosts-Rubio (Drums), Michael Saucier (Bass) and Rick Olson (Keyboards). A community gathering and the groups CD Release. It was an evening of volunteer and collaboration for the community.

A Place Nd'Igbo Conducted Business Becomes Kaiser Permanente

At a time, it was called the Santa Barbara Plaza sitting on the four square Mid-City streets - Santa Barbara Boulevard, Marlton Avenue, Santa Rosalia Drive and Hillcrest Drive. Santa Barbara Blvd. had been renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in honor of the Civil Rights leader.

Now Marlton Square and once the hub of small businesses run by Igbo entrepreneurs and other Los Angeles area local merchants, and going through a lot of changes by way of ownership and management over the last twenty years, coupled with ups and downs in the plaza's business-related affairs and the city's engagements, the plaza, Marlton Square, finally reached its destination.

Before this new development, Victor Ahaiwe ran a discount store in the complex while reaching an encroachment deal, capitalized and relocated. Felicia Okereke ran a church ministry and rented her spot for Igbo-related gatherings and parties - wake-keepings, wedding receptions, graduation parties, baby showers, bachelor night parties, Igbo community conventions, money-making related errands, Friday and Sunday night prayer meetings, and the list goes on and on, and on - before she was also settled and relocated. Charles Anyadike operated a counselling church helping folks to renew their lives. Leo Uzoka once ran a tax and accounting offices in the complex. Justine Ezeanioma owned a book club (African Book Club) which he leased for a series of Igbo-related parties and conventions.

Also, still sitting there are: Jerry's Flying Fox Lounge, a soul food restaurant and blues night club; Joy Gene's Personal Touch Hair Styling Salon; Affordable Black Art; Oran's International Studios, The Oran Z Pan African Black Facts & Wax Museum; Black History Arts & Culture Center, offices and other small businesses that had served the community in the last three decades.

In my interview with Oran Z who owns the Oran Z chains of franchises about four years ago, he wasn't sure when his settlement would be finally reached in order for him to relocate since the encroachment did not meet to his demands. Oran Z is still in the facility while half of the complex has been demolished.

As part of his regular updates to city dwellers, Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, 8th District, whose job development programs leads the city in job creations, has over the months been sending information through his Twitter and Facebook accounts including newspapers within and around the City of Los Angeles on his office' newer projects by way of bringing development to the community. Parks, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency and Commercial Mortgage Managers and only owner still standing while previous owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson missed the opportunity for redevelopment with the development group Capital Vision Equities, the square has been going through stages of construction starting from the demolition process which was begun in the summer of 2011.

So, as it has happened through consultations and related surveys carried out by the area's university students (UCLA, USC, Loyola Marymount, Charles Drew University, etc.) on the possibilities of a healthcare facility in the community, Parks, last Thursday, announced a new tenant - Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser closing escrow at the 4000 block of Marlton Avenue will be opening outpatient medical office buildings.

"When we talked to Kaiser, the said the reason this site was so important for them is because it is in the heart of their membership pool and it is also in the heart of the community, which needs medical insurance," Parks said signalling a sign of relief. Also, there were remarks by former Congresswoman Diane Watson; Commissioner Valerie Shaw; Jamie Brooks who played a significant role in securing Kaiser as a tenant and other guests.

Finally, with all the speculations of Magic building one of his empires at Marlton Square and after missed opportunities though, Councilmember Bernard Parks Community Projects to create more jobs has kicked off and Kaiser Permanente is the new tenant on the 4000 block of Marlton Avenue.

Los Angeles Greater Tomorrow Drummers

Siblings brought by their mother display their developing talents beating drum at the Drum Church Circle LPV Art Walk on Sunday, May 27, 2012 after procession through the village. Fela Kuti's protege and founder of the Drum Church Circle Najite Agindotan commences drumming by splashing water on the circles as parts of rituals and callings of Olokun Prophesy. Distinguishing surrounding features: World Stage Performing Arts Gallery, Eso-Won Book Store, Buckingham University administrative offices, KAOS Networks, The Vision Theater, Adassa Jamaican Restaurant, African Treasures Gallery, Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, Zambezi African Antiques, Lucy Florence Institute, and much more; and an exhibition on the last Sunday of every month by local artists, whose work are found in every spot. Ehirim Files Images.

The Ambrose Ehirim - Ogor Winnie Okoye Q & A Interview

Ogor Winnie Okoye, a music aficionado and lover of people, earned a Bachelor's Degree in law from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and a Juris Doctorate from the Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a trial attorney and founder of the law firm BOS Legal, LLC. She is an avid writer and blogger who has published several articles on positive living and related topics. She currently resides with her husband and children in Massachusetts. In this interview she talks about her book and what inspired it, her journey in life's endeavors and a whole lot of other stuff.

EXCERPTS:

Tell me a little bit about yourself

My name is Ogor Winnie Okoye. I am a married to man I absolutely adore, Victor ( I call him my Bubu); I have four lovely children, I am a trial attorney and the founder of BOS Legal, LLC, a firm specializing in criminal and immigration laws; I love writing and blogging; I am a lover of LOVE and a lover of life! I am extremely bubbly and I love people! Music is my first love. I also sing and record my own songs.

I must admit, “Awaken And Unleash Your Victor: Uncover the Path to Your Magnificent Destiny” is a well-written book. In what environment did you start putting your thoughts together on this book into perspective?

Ambrose, When I started getting in touch with my spirituality and asking questions about life generally and my life specifically, I began this journey that led me ultimately to uncover the greatest, most positive and most potent force of all - LOVE! After that encounter, I found that the application of the principles that I shared in the book gave my life a whole new meaning and made me encounter joy and peace like I never felt before. That was the precise moment that I started writing. My husband had also encouraged me to make this collection of my thoughts into a book. I knew that I definitely wanted to share this with the world! I knew that lives would be improved and enriched through the message! The actual writing of the book was not something that comes all of the time. It is really difficult to explain but I do get random thoughts and inspiration only when I am in harmony with the force of LOVE! I cannot write jack, no matter how hard I try if I am out of sync, meaning, not at a very healthy and positive frequency! I can only write when I am at a positive and joyful place! That is when those motivational and inspirational thoughts start streaming and I can sit down for hours and just lose every sense of time and place! it is beautiful when that happens!

For years now, I have been jotting down my thoughts into publishing a book, telling different kind of stories, and up till now, I am no where done and yet to publish. What’s the key to publishing within a time frame?

Personally, I think it comes from really enjoying the penning process. Ambrose, you are a natural already and so might not need this advice but I find that when you really enjoy the writing process, again, it is going back to powering the force of LOVE, it is a lot more seamless and it will automatically flow from within. So, I guess the key to publishing within a time frame is finding the process enjoyable and not merely writing to publish because you will write effortlessly when you are in harmony and find the process really enjoyable.

You are trained as a lawyer, and one would expect you’d be writing a book on law reviews and things like that. What generated the book you have just written instead of thoughts relating to your area of specialty?

[laughter!] I am a trained lawyer both here in the U.S and also back in Nigeria! I love the law and my clients but I found that the topic that I explored in my book is such a fundamental and compelling topic that spans across people of all races, religion, creed, background, etc. Almost everyone on earth is searching for answers and wondering about life generally and what their purpose or destinies might be. This is a journey everyone will attempt to make at one point or another and it actually is the impetus for every religion and ideology out there. People have always searched and are still searching for answers and so, i delved into a topic that I believe if and when you eventually grasp it, almost every other facet of your life will begin to make sense and your life will become a lot more seamless. At least, that is what I found in my personal life after I embarked on my individual journey!

You are a practicing attorney, a mother of four children and happily married. With a handful of these responsibilities, how did you find time to writing this book?

Ambrose, personally for me, life is almost always about balance. If you are truly determined to do anything whatsoever, you will not only make time, but you will also make a concerted effort towards making it happen! I write only when I am in sync with the force and if that happens when I am driving, I have had to pull over to pen that thought down, I write sitting down in court and waiting for my case to be called; I write when the kids are sleeping! I just love writing!

I read about how “stress” and “worry” took a toll on your life, and, on a variety of troubling issues. What did you do to overcome that predicament?

Ambrose, that is a great question! Thank you! Before I began this journey, I was so stressed and trying to find that balance that we just talked about! I was working very hard and yet felt really unfulfilled. I knew that there was something lacking in the whole story of my life and decided to search. When I encountered the force that I spoke about in the book, I understood that I was charting the course of my destiny through the thoughts, words, actions and inactions that I had taken thus far in my life and decided at that point that I needed to change course. Changing course through the victor-driven principles that I shared in my book gave me the precise antidote for the stress and worry, all of which It just evaporated and I look back at those wasted years and just feel so sorry for my poor little self. Worrying and stress are both negative emotions and diametrically opposed to the most powerful and positive force of all!

On Page 86, you wrote: “Each time we condemn, criticize or coerce another to change, we further widen the gap towards our self improvement and miss out on yet another opportunity to evolve into our highest good possible. The journey of change must start not from others but from self.” From around what time did you start realizing that change must start from you?

Ambrose, that quote is to me what everyone of us needs to embrace and imbibe in our dealing with one another! Imagine what would happen when we each acknowledge our own flaws, blemishes and short-comings and begin working on eliminating those. Life would be blissful for everyone! As beautiful as it was meant to be, I have tried to change people in my life by condemnation, criticism, even coercion and the result has been nothing but a colossal failure. You just cannot change anyone. Try changing a man and you will end up being the most miserable person on earth. I am talking from experience and I am sure most people can attest to this. [ laughter] But seriously, people can only change when they truly desire to change on their own. They become resentful when you try to do it and who the heck are you to try to change another when you have so many blemishes yourself. When I realized that people step up to your level when you become an example of what you attempt to make of them was a defining moment for me. Just like Ghandi said, "be the change you want to see in the world". Utilize the most powerful and positive force of all as your constant ally to become the person that you want your spouse, family, friend, children, and acquaintances to be and they instantly would step it up to your level.

You cited Thomas Kempis, Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Camus, Melodie Beattie, Sophocles, Ralph Waldo Emerson, among others on social related problems around us. Are there any Africans you admire who should have fallen in that category of thinkers and who have done things worthy of mention?

I love Nelson Mandela! I love M. I. Okpala, even though I never met him, he has a compelling legacy of selfless public service!

Like face-to-face emotional interactions, was this book the way to express your feelings in what you went through?

Yeaah. . .it was Ambrose! "Awaken and Unleash your Victor" is my individual journey and the convictions and conclusions that I reached during the journey. It also has a lot of time-tested principles including Biblical quotes that embrace the same principles that I attempted to share with the world.

What was the inspiration behind “Role of Prayer, Faith and Religion in Unleashing” and “You, Yourself and You” in the last two chapters of the book?

That chapter on prayer for me stressed the point regarding the huge difference between spirituality and religiosity. They are not even remotely the same and when we become more spiritual as opposed to more religious, we find that we begin to experience a lot more answered prayers because spirituality envisages that you are in tune with LOVE which is really God! I gave the example of the reason why the reception (answers to our prayers) is usually poor even for the people who are very religious. Reception is poor because in reality the transmission is clogged with negative and toxic emotions which are very far from the force of LOVE! You begin to receive better transmission the moment you embrace the force!

The last chapter on "You, yourself and you" was an attempt to reiterate the enormous power that we each wield as individuals; sort of, like putting a ring on the whole process as Beyonce will say! You must be a willing participant and open to embarking on this individual journey towards awakening and unleashing your own Victor before your life assumes this incredible new dimension! You do not have to force others to start with you; you are single-handedly behind the wheels of your destiny and when you embrace the force, backed by your own faith and unequivocal belief in a particular outcome, success for you becomes inevitable! Your journey or destiny is really not tied to any one person or thing and it is yours and yours alone to make! Other people cannot and should not determine your destiny for you unless you let them! I want everyone to recognize how stupendously powerful they can become when they start practicing being in harmony with the force!

What would be your advise to young and aspiring writers who have read your inspirational book and what path they should follow?

Always follow your bliss! Make LOVE your primary guiding principle while putting in your earnest and best efforts and success would have no choice but to come to you!

Anything we should know about what you are working on, right now?

Bubu and I are doing a collaboration on relationships! Kind of like, love, sex, and marriage. I am also putting my quotes together for a possible sequel of more inspiration.

Thank you very much Ambrose and the opportunity for this interview. It was a pleasure!

Los Angeles Greater Tomorrow Drummers

Siblings brought by their mother display their developing talents beating drum at the Drum Church Circle Leimert Park Village Art Walk in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 27, 2012 after procession through the village. Fela Kuti's boy and founder of the Drum Church Circle Najite Agindotan commences drumming by splashing water on the circles as parts of rituals and callings of Olokun Prophesy. Distinguishing surrounding features: World Stage Performing Arts Gallery, Eso-Won Book Store, Buckingham University administrative offices, KAOS Networks, The Vision Theater, Adassa Jamaican Restaurant, African Treasures Gallery, Barbara Morrison Performing Arts, Zambezi African Antiques and much more; and an exhibition on the last Sunday of every month by local artists, whose work are found in every spot. Ehirim Files Images.

Disco Diva Donna Summer Dead At 63

Paul Jabara, holding his Oscar for Best Original Song ("Let's Dance"), poses with singer Donna Summer, who sang the song at the Academy Awards show. Date: April 09, 1979. Location: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles.

Donna Summer was an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She had a mezzo-soprano vocal range, and was a five-time Grammy Award winner. Summer was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach number one on the US Billboard chart, and she also charted four number-one singles in the United States within a 13-month period. Summer died on May 17, 2012. AP reports that she died in the morning at her home in Key West, Florida at age 63 following a battle with breast cancer and lung cancer.

Donna Summer's Walk of Fame Star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Conversations With Nina Fabunmi

Date of Face-2-Face Conversations: February 16, 2012 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

I had walked up to my appointment with Los Angeles filmmaker Bill Wynn on the arrangements to meet with filmmaker Al Thompson whose movie "Odessa", about a man and his daughter on the run from the mysterious shadow program that bestowed them with psychokinetic abilities in which they must avoid capture at all cost or be used as living weapons when I bumped into Nigerian-born creative artist, Nina Fabunmi's exhibition on display at the 20th Anniversay of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival on the complex of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles.

I had seen the sign and her work but wasn't sure if I knew her well and her work. She was gone running the events related errands when I arrived. I had asked her caretaker when would be timely to catch up with Nina, as I would like to know more of her work and what got her into the world of creative art. I was told she'd be back the next day. I came the next day at the exact time I was told she'd be there. I met her and we spoke briefly requesting an interview which she granted. We scheduled the interview for Sunday, February 16, 2012; and I came, from my other related assignments.

Nina Fabunmi was born in Nigeria. She studied Estate Management at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, but chose to take on the arts for the passion she had in it even though her parents did not want her ending up an artist. On why she chose to study arts in the United States, she said, "I'm here in the US because of the system hoping for the opportunity in learning the arts because art has no limit."

On Nina's interest besides arts, she's into Fashion Designing & Modeling, Sports (Taekwando, Basket Ball, and Swimming), Music, Photography, Reading, Writing Poetry and short stories and Creativity in general.

On Nina's passion for arts, she notes;

"My earliest memories are memories of me making art. I was born an artist and have grown in it. In this life , I have ventured into other vocations, but they all always lead me to my hearts desires! Art. With an MFA at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, I am tightening my skills and striving to be the best that I can be at what I do best, Art!"

From the Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles held February 9-20, 2012 where she had an exhibition, Nina had exhibited at the following events: Art exhibition at Zozi’s Loft , 235 9th Street, San Francisco, 17th November 2011.Art Exhibition to Send forth Dr. Renee Sanders (Outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery Lekki, 8th Aug 2010. ETA Fyne Art’diction Art Exhibition, Southern Sun Hotel, ikoyi, December 2009. Vlisco Fashion Show, 1st November 2009,– One of the Top 15 Finalist for Fashion Art Competition organized by AAF (African Artists Foundation) and exhibited at the Civic Center. October rain October 2009 National Museum Onikan, organized by Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA Lagos Chapter). Vason Open House Exhibition, Mydrim Gallery Ikoyi, September 2009. “Rencontre Avec les Artists, Aquarelles et Peinture a Huile, Besancon vu par Nina et Adejumo 20-24th Juillet , CLA (Centre de linguistique Appliquee), Universite De Franche-Comte. Naijazz 2008, NAIJART Art Exhibition, Studio 868, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street V/I, Dec 2008. “Lagos Hot on Artists” Art Exhibition and documentary, 23rd May 2009, Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, Lagos. Exhibited at Eden Fashion Show, Didi Museum. 12th Dec 2008. Serendipity by ITA (Association of Informally Trained Artists) 6-11th Dec 2008 Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos. Experience Nigeria 2008 Art Show organized by AARC (African Art Resource Center), Theme: Nigerians at Work 22nd- 28th Nov 2008; Beyond Imagination: 8th -14th November National Theatre Iganmu , organized by Multimedia Association of Artists (MFA). October Rain : 18-24th October 2008 National Museum Onikan, organized by Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA Lagos Chapter).

On a fast-pace degenerating Nigeria state, Nina said she wished the country had been more organized with its abundant natural resources and the brain drain in it's human capital, and totally felt disappointed while visiting Nigeria last December. Acoording to Nina, "nothing works with a filthy Murtala Muhammad International Airport."

Asking Nina what was her experience, she said "all had to be learned anew", which was the culture shock. For instance, learning how to use the bus lines, applying for library cards, transactions at the post office and things like that she appreciates because of a working system that brings in hope and lots of opportunities in how one could go pursuing his or her dreams.

Nina is also involved in volunteer work in the San Francisco Bay Area museum where she now calls home. Currently at the museum, she is on projects on African Diaspora and book on "Igbo Women's War."

A Man's Mind By Nina Fabunmi

Conversations With Devin Bly

"How're you doing today," Devin would throw at me while his girl wraps around him with the "what's up" kinda look. The hard working 24-year-old in da hood kinda hip-hopper swinging in Los Angeles ain't playing in the world of Hip Hop and determined to be the next sure thing happening to Hip-Hop.

Born on May 27, 1987, Devin wants to take Hip-Hop to another level since his joint master-tape release with J-Nug The Boss called "That's Us." Devin was inspired by Lil wayne, working now on his solo mixtape due to be released before the Summer gigs begins of which he is no new comer, featuring in several gigs in the Los Angeles-Hollywood area pubs. Swag, dope and da music -- Devin wants to shake Los Angeles with his new approach on how to direct Hip Hop, whether it's underground or straight out of the master's voice - the dimension is gloomy and the time to rock LA full time is coming with a new mixtape. There is nothing about life now to hate for Devin - he's been working hard ever since he played that opening slot in a Hollywood gig and the duo mixtape with The Boss. On "That's Us" Devin explains he'd come up with something big while going solo and a mixtape that is about to be released within the summer. While we are at it, Devin says he couldn't wait after Capitol Records executives listened to his tape, and when I asked him about it, he said they all liked it and now waits on the next line of action. For his birthday, Devin drove to Las Vegas to treat himself before heading back to the studio for his upcoming release; and the Cream video is sure bet he's taken that step to rock Los Angeles in every way it flows and the next big blast at Samaka Studios. THE CREAM VIDEO

Portrait: Nudity As Art

Actress Debrah Farentino topless.


On the set of La Belle Noiseuse: French actors Michel Piccoli and Emmanuelle Beart on the set of La Belle Noiseuse, directed and writen by Jacques Rivette. Image: Moure Jamet


On the Set of "La Femme publique" French actors Valérie Kaprisky and Roger Dumas on the set of "La Femme publique" (The Public Woman), directed by Andrzej Zulawski. Image: Etienne George

Conversations With Filmmaker Tim Greene

We talked about this interview earlier than I had the chance to meet Philly native and independent filmmaker, Tim Greene. The 20th Anniversary of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival had just begun at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles and filmmakers were in touch for the anniversary when I had checked out the base camp of the festival’s related events. Tim sat quietly on the front porch while we exchanged greetings and informing him of my futile attempts to locate him over the months. Soft spoken and humble, Tim had told me about his overwhelming tour dates all across the United States which he wrapped up arriving Los Angeles.

Tim wants to get on his programs differently when he outlined the ideals behind the “Lil Homeez” project when he was back to Charlotte, North Carolina to edit his documentary, “From Tragedy To Triumph,” a story about a community that took an abandoned empty supermarket in their crime infested neighborhood and turned it into a productive community center to better their community from around which kids in the community in a sudden 180-degrees turn started improving in their grades from D’s to straight As.

Tim who has starred in movies along side Jamie Fox, Terrence Howard, Chris Rock, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey and several others, wants to provide the opportunities for kids and inner city youths who have been less privileged in creating some kind of impacts, but talented in a variety of discipline, had started Hop For A Better World Motion Pictures- Hollywood to help these kids develop their talents and work towards a better future; and recently he joined “Engineering the World,” flying in from Los Angeles for a film-making workshop in a conference for minority students held at the CNN Studios. In that endeavor, over 200 students from the 6th to 12th grade toured the CNN Studios at Time Warner Center as the National Society of Black Engineers (Alumni Extension/New York and Central Jersey Chapter) and the Black Professionals at Turner put together the “Engineering the Worlds” conference. The all day conference was totally free for any minority student from around the country to attend in an effort to build the foundation to impact, revitalize and empower the youths and future leaders of tomorrow. Participants toured the CNN Studios and did a simulated show production with an opportunity for the students to get behind the cameras on a real CNN set learning a variety of skills including camera operator, lighting, graphics, editing and audio with the CNN staffers who donated their time for the conference. The students also learned how they could prepare themselves for a career in engineering and broadcasting.

In his outreach program to kids and why he had chosen to motivate kids and be better assets in the future when his “Discover Your Greatness 20 City Tour” rewarded kids in underprivileged areas with great grades in school with free workshops, prizes and CDs that will teach kids and parents how to be more focused in being future business owners and entrepreneurs. Asked about the ideology, Tim said:

“I also have a new generation of very young kids pledge to use the new “B-word” when they address females. That new “B-Word” is Beautiful.” When I have the males use the word every females face in the house lit up with happiness. I also have “Make it rain with Greatness parties for the exceptional young ladies at the events. Instead of thinking about making it rain on a female in the club for dancing, grandma and the whole family makes it rain when their daughter brings home good grades from school. Then after I leave each city, it is up to each community to keep the “Make it Rain With Greatness Parties” going on every report card period. I have capacity crowds so far in every city and I make sure that I stay and talk to every single person who comes out to meet me even if it takes until one in the morning as most events have been thus far.”

Asked about filmmaking and the impact he would like to create in the industry, Tim said:

“I knew my next step in film-making was in distribution and building a library of films like any other film studio. There are thousands of independent films that get made every year and only about five percent or less land a distribution deal after screenings on the film festival circuit. I will release the films that I know my target audience will love to see. I will release documentaries, Gospel, drama, action and other types of films, not just Hip Hop. With Will Smith being the number one box office draw in the world and Tyler Perry opening up his own film and television studio, it shows me that the whole universe is open to me and I have to create my own destiny and not just sit around waiting for the phone to ring.”

On the “Lil Homeez” kids movie, a G-rated coupled with Hip Hop products for kids, Tim notes:

“In order to be a little homie you have to stay in school, no cursing, no guns or drugs and you must get good grades. We will have a clothing line, story books, video games and much more for the “Lil Homeez” brand. With rap music lyrics being in the headlines lately kids worldwide needs something positive that they can still relate to and still be considered hip. And being a two time Billboard Top Ten Songwriter, I will put out mind enhancing soundtracks for kids 5-9 years old with hip hop beats.”

OKOTO THE MESSENGER @ The 20TH ANNIVERSARY, PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL

OKOTO THE MESSENGER @ THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL, BALDWIN HILLS CRENSHAW PLAZA, 3650 WEST MARTIN LUTER KING BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90008. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2012 @ 7:50PM, SCREEN #8 & FRIDAY FBRUARY 18, 2012 @ 1:00PM, Screen #15

"Okoto the Messenger tells the story of Okoto Igwe (Pascal Atuma) and his girlfriend Angelina(JJ Bunny),both whom were born and raised ...in Africa, but live in America and are entrenched within the principle “To not forget their roots” thereby operating within the African community in America. Boyfriend and girlfriend, they are a proverbial match made in heaven. They both love to have fun, that is at the expense of “telling it as it is” to their fellow Africans."

Conversations With Patrick H. Johnson On The Pilgrimage To Elixir

Image: VinZula Kara/Ehirim Files Images

"Join us as we walk to Crenshaw/Stocker to dedicate the mural Elixir to the city. The mural will become a sacred place because of our collective agreement."
------------Patrick Henry Johnson, Artist/Painter/Mural Enterpreneur

I had just noticed Patrick H. Johnson, as an artist, on the Summer of 2010 while pulling out from the Starbucks drive-through on the Washington Corridor in one of my mid-day coffee-break-runs; and Patrick was busy doing his thing: A mural he was setting up by the drive-through to discourage vandalism and graffitti that had been the trademark of the entire Los Angeles area.

Earlier on, I had thought he was like any other would assume, the neighborhood guy one bumps into and exchange some "what's up" kind of greetings as it goes in the Los Angeles/Hollywood road and travel ways. Not until the day of that coffee-break-runs did I know a genius was about to be discovered in the City of Angels, the city with its own kind of drama--where anything goes--and where broken dreams continues apace.

So when I talked Patrick into some talks while the Pilgrim To Elixir was about to begun, he noted the pilgrim was about transformation of himself - about exposure - and time to thank all who collectively helped in the process of putting Elixir in place

Johnson's murals can be found in institutions all around the city: The Central Library, Westwood Charter School, Gardener Elementary School, Bancroft Middle School, Crenshaw Blvd. Leirmert Park, and several other places.

Patrick Henry Johnson Public Art and Mural Video