Breaking News

#valeriewardlaw

No Preview
EntertainmentMusicNews (Entertainment)

Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition Crowns 2015 Vocal Winner Jazzmeia Horn and Honors Quincy Jones

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterNovember 18, 2015

What do you give Quincy Jones; a man whose life personifies all that is good about music, the arts, and is intent on making the world a better place for everyone? For starters, you give him great musical performances of his work from some of the best musicians on the planet as a tribute and that is exactly what the Thelonious Monk Institute did on last night at its annual International Jazz Gala at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.   The Thelonious Monk Institute awarded the Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award to the legendary Quincy Jones. The award recognizes an individual

No Preview
MusicNews (Entertainment)

Kirk Franklin Releases New Music, “Losing My Religion”

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterNovember 13, 2015

It’s been almost five years since we’ve heard from the prolific and visionary artist, Kirk Franklin and it was well worth the wait. Losing My Religion, is Franklin’s 11th studio album and its chock full of feelings of love, hope, and goodness. “God loaned me some incredible songs for this album,” Franklin said. Losing My Religion is definitely food for the soul or as Franklin says, “one stop-shopping for your soul”. It’s raw, personal, loving, and invites everyone to partake in its sumptuous feast. The title alone will have fans wondering if Franklin has left the Church…just the type of

No Preview
EntertainmentMusicNews (Entertainment)

Six-time Grammy Nominee KASHIF Performs Live at Catalina Jazz Club

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterNovember 9, 2015

  Producer/songwriter/director/author/singer Kashif makes his first live appearance at the Catalina Jazz Club on Thursday, November 12.  Billed as an “Intimate Evening with Kashif,” his rare performance celebrates the release of TV One’s “Unsung/Kashif.” Radio personalities Melanie Comarcho and Adai Lamar of KJLH will host the event. Kashif, who has a 40 plus-year history in the music industry said, “It’s really exciting to play in front of my fans, to be on stage doing my thing.” When asked what the audience can expect from his Catalina performance, Kashif said, “we are going to do a 11-song set, it will be a mixture

No Preview
EntertainmentMusicNews (Entertainment)Uncategorized

Grammy Winner Lalah Hathaway Releases Seventh Album

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterNovember 8, 2015

Two-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway wants to take us on a musical train ride. Hathaway released her seventh studio album, “Lalah Hathaway Live” and she could not be more excited. “I grew up listening to live albums and I wanted to create something for this generation of fans, to create a moment,” Hathaway said. “Music is like a wonderful train ride…you can loose yourself in the music, in your thoughts and that’s what I hope listeners will do with this album.” It’s hard to believe that Hathaway has been in the business for 25 years but she has. “I can’t

No Preview
FootballNews (Sports)SportsUncategorized

USC Powers Its Rushing Game to Beat Cal, 27-21

November 4, 2015

The USC Trojans pounded the Cal Bears with an aggressive ground game, rushing 186 yards on Saturday, October 3, at Kabam Field, Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. The Trojans won their second consecutive game keeping their Pac-12 South title hopes alive and it was the 12th times they defeated the Bears. The Trojans ran the ball 50 times compared to 45 times against the Utes. USC’s running backs Tre Madden, Justin Davis and Ronald Jones combined for 189 yards on the grounds scoring two rushing touchdowns, one each from Ronald Jones and Tre Madden. Jones had 11 carries for 80 yards,

No Preview
BasketballNews (Sports)Sports

LA Clippers Beat Phoenix Suns for Eighth Straight Time, 102-96

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Sports WriterNovember 3, 2015

The Clippers are off to a 4-0 start for the fourth time in franchise history as they beat the Phoenix Suns for the eighth straight time on Monday, November 2 at the Staples Center. “It’s good to start the season like this,” center DeAndre Jordan said. “Four – and- 0 is a pretty good start. But we’ve got to be able to keep it going and improve with every game, find out which rotations work the best and which units work the best.” Forward Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Point Guard Chris Paul finished

No Preview
BasketballNews (Sports)SportsUncategorized

Los Angeles Clippers Win Home Opener, Beating the Dallas Mavericks, 104-88

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Sports WriterOctober 31, 2015

The Los Angeles Clippers won its home opener, beating the Dallas Mavericks, 104-88, to the delight of Clipper Nation and to the chagrin of Maverick fans still smarting from the Jordan deal gone bad. What deal you ask….here is a quick recap: Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (aka DJ) as a free-agent verbally agreed to a four-year $80 million contract with the Mavericks only renege on it after a visit from Clippers coach Doc Rivers, and Clipper teammates Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and JJ Reddick. At the end of their visit, DJ was a Maverick no more opting to remain a

No Preview
BasketballNews (Sports)Sports

Clippers Win Season Opener Against Sacramento Kings, 111-104

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterOctober 29, 2015

The Los Angeles Clippers narrowly escaped a Sacramento Kings fourth-quarter rally to win their season opener, 111-104 last night at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. The Sacramento Kings fought their way back from a 15-point deficit to take the lead in the final minutes of the game but the Clippers executed down the stretch despite committing careless turnovers in the fourth quarter.   With 2 minutes and 21 seconds left on the clock, forward Paul Pierce’s launched a 10-foot jumper preventing what would have been a massive disappointment for Clipper nation, breaking 100-100 tie. “I thought we did a

No Preview
FootballNews (Sports)Sports

USC Handles No. 3 Utah, 42 -24

By Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterOctober 27, 2015

The USC Trojans handed the Utah Utes its first loss of the season and they have freshmen linebacker Cameron Smith to thank for it. Smith, a true freshman, intercepted three passes from Utah quarterback Travis Wilson, returning one for a Trojan touchdown. Smith’s interceptions accounted for 17 of the 42 Trojan points. “Any time a big play happens, the whole team feels it,” Smith said. “We piggyback on each other and make more big plays.” The Trojans played smarter and faster on Saturday night, rushing for 115 yards and four touchdowns. Although USC entered the game as a 3-point favorite,

No Preview
LocalNews

Pasadena Tournament of Roses Selects 2016 Rose Queen

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterOctober 26, 2015

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses chose Erika Karen Winter, a 17-year old senior at Flintridge Preparatory School as its 98th Rose Queen on Thursday, October 22 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Completing the 2016 Royal Court are: Rose Princesses Bryce Marie Bakewell, Flintridge Sacerd Heart Academy; Natalie Breanne Hernandez-Barber, Alverno High School; Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu, San Marino High School; Donaly Elizabeth Marquez, Blair High School; Regina Marché Pullens, Maranatha High School; and Sarah Sumiko Shaklan, La Canada High School. Chosen from over 900 young ladies and 39 finalists, princesses for the Royal Court were selected based on academic achievement,

No Preview
FootballSports

Raiders Cornerback Charles Woodson Sure Can Ball

Dr. Valerie Wardlaw, Contributing WriterOctober 13, 2015

The Raiders didn’t beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 10, in Oakland but despite the loss, Raider cornerback and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson reminded us, in case we forgot, that he can absolutely ball. For the first time in his long career, Woodson intercepted passes thrown by Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, not once but twice; at the end of the first half and again in the third quarter. His performance ties him with Ed Reed for sixth place on the all-time NFL list for interceptions. It is his fourth interception this season so far… Not too shabby