Ronald Coleman, O G Ron C is  R.E.A.L                       ( Sun Photo/Oney)

Lonal Robinson
The Houston Sun

It’s 2010 and there are a number of activities/events you need to consider attending during the summer in Houston, Texas. Why? … Because we as Houstonians need to start or continue supporting what’s in our own backyard. First in order to bring the opportunities to our city that you want to help mold a better future for all us that are in business. The Houston Sun newspaper has supported numerous events and people throughout our city for the past twenty-seven years and even though the passing of the guard is happening where I (Lonal X. Robinson) the younger generation am invited by the new city leaders in the fields of business, politics, community, and entertainment to cover, network, or participate with. I try to attend because I might be the only Mainstream Press that shows up when they are not anything grand in the eyes of the other forms of media.

I believe in supporting black businesses because I know in turn they will support The Houston Sun newspaper. Well I hope they will (laughing). This leads me to this article about O G Ron C’s R.E.A.L. Music Conference that will be in its fourth year this summer of 2010. Yes, I am asking you to support Houston’s summer music conference because you need the knowledge. You need to meet and greet Houston’s insiders. You need to learn the business side of the music industry, and networking goes a long way if you are truly about your success in the entertainment industry in the fourth largest city of America.

I know and this is for those of you who are pursuing a career in the music industry have read about the hundreds, if not thousands that have been screwed because that little piece of paper many have signed their John Hancock to have lost their lives because they were more excited to being signed instead of being educated before they are signed. Knowledge is power plain and simple and if you want that money, money, then you had better get up on some of that O G Ron C R.E.A.L. Music Conference knowledge, knowledge this summer 2010.

Ronald Coleman has provided the public with over twenty years of entertainment in the music industry starting way, way back in 1987. He originated the Chopped & Screwed sounds while still giving the proper credit to the man who created the Screwed Up sounds DJ Screw. He first learned how to make a track when he was at a partna’s (slang for friend) house and was like d--n, I want to learn how to do that. Do that he did, which gave him huge popularity with the Chopped and Screwed sound throughout Houston in the early 1990’s. He was given a two-hour radio slot on one of Houston’s local radio stations and he produced the very successful mix tapes ‘(Obscenity) F- Action’ (stop think about it there, there you go that’s its true name but out of respect for our elders I won’t write the word.) Those mix tapes are classics -- really a part of not only Houston’s music scene but music’s ever-changing history. You must understand he had created a new sound that is now widely used in all forms of mainstream music. Since DJ Screw is the Originator of the Screwed-up sound then Ronald Coleman (O G Ron C) has to be considered as the Godfather of the Chopped and Screwed sound.

Coleman is also known by his peers and fans alike as O G Ron C. O G Ron C said “the O G Ron C R.E.A.L. Music Conference was created to help develop the unsigned hype for those who are from Texas and Louisiana.” When I was in attendance in 2009 those who had heard about the O G Ron C Music Conference came as far as Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for the three-day business, networking, and entertainment weekend. “I want to show people how to get into the music industry and from my city, how to get their music out,” stated O G Ron C.

The conference consists of town hall panels set at different times and places around Houston where several notable Houston celebs in the area of artists, DJs, producers, label heads, promoters, radio program etc… to answer questions from the audience. There is a fee for attendance but with this fee you obtain an insider’s plethora of information from those who have lived the life of their respective area of work. They have also introduced an award show to honor those who have put Houston on the map. The first label they have honored is none other than Rap-A-Lot records and J. Prince is the Founder/CEO of that label. The others they have honored are Mike Jones, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, UGK, Scarface, and a host of Houston DJ’s.

The acronym R.E.A.L. stands for Resources, Education, Accessibility, and Longevity. “I felt like artist weren’t being educated about the longevity of the industry. I felt that others didn’t provide that educational moment between raising to fame from their first hit” stated O G Ron C. “The number of attendance for the conference has been increasing for the past three years and I plan to keep it based in Houston, Texas” O G Ron C expressed.

“I hooked up with the CEO of the Go DJ’s DJ Hi-C in 2006. In 2007 we developed a better business structure and form for the conference” O G Ron C mentioned. “We decided to have a week of activities and named it the ‘Go DJ’s Week’ and that allowed us to set up a formula for each of the seven days of that week leading up to our closeout” said O G Ron C.

“I am self motivated and I was raised up in the church and God gave me the music. I would like to show my appreciation for J. Prince…the king of music around here. If it wasn’t for his struggles we wouldn’t have our struggles” O G Ron C said. “We don’t get that much respect music wise because mainstream radio never worried about us but now East Coast has fell off and only now we are getting our just deserts” exclaimed O G Ron C! “I have been and will always uphold the inventor of the Screwed Up sound to keep the music going and trying to get it on to an international scale. I could say the screw music saved my whole DJ career and throughout the years has provided me with plenty if not many of opportunities” stated O G Ron C.

In the end, we have a fairly young man who has set goals for himself and achieved them. Now he has not only created an atmosphere for summers in Houston with the R.E.A.L. O G Ron C Music Conference for others with dreams, but is also keeping another man’s legacy alive. You have to support that. You have to if you are in the Houston music industry or getting your foot wet acknowledge that this is important. It is an authentic gesture of the heart to recognize, yes I have done many great things for myself, but it is because of those who have supported me, all has become possible.

That is deep ladies and gentlemen and that is all. If anybody asked whether  anyone of you like it, shout it to the heavens. And if you don’t like it, share your criticism to make it better. Support us because “us” is all we have in the end and you never know when Ronald Coleman also known as the Legendary O G Ron C may support you or your business.
(O G Ron C would like you to get ready for the O G Ron C Music Conference this summer 2010 starts June 25-26th. He would also like for you to checkout his website…www.chopnotslop.com. Thanks T. Nitty, Go DJ’s, Gizzle TV, M. Watts CEO of SwisherHouse, my 2,500 plus subscribers on the site ChopnotSlop.com, and everybody in H-Town.)

By Larry Lucas
NNPA  Columnist

(NNPA) - As Americans struggle to make ends meet in today’s weak economy, they are forced to make sacrifices. For the lucky ones, this may only mean skipping luxuries like dining out, a new TV or expensive clothes.

Unfortunately, too many others are forced to make graver sacrifices: their health and the health of their families. Since the recession began in 2007, nearly 8.4 million American jobs have been lost. Without the help of an employer’s financial contribution to cover medical expenses, countless patients aren’t able to access the health care they need, including their prescription medicines.
Access to quality care is vital to overall health and wellness, and health insurance plays a key role. When people don’t have any or enough health insurance, they are more likely to delay or forgo doctors’ visits, prescription medications and other treatments, even when they have chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Without regular access to treatment, these conditions can become debilitating and even life threatening. The perfect storm created by chronic conditions and lack of proper health care hits the African-American community the hardest; more than 48 percent of African-American adults suffer from a chronic disease, and just under one in five are uninsured, according to a 2008 Commonwealth Fund study.
It’s not just adults that are feeling the pain. Uninsured children are 20 percent to 30 percent more likely to lack immunizations, prescription medications, asthma care and basic dental care, according to the Institute of Medicine. Uninsured children are also more likely to miss school due to health problems and to experience preventable hospitalizations.

Understanding the acute need to help the uninsured, five years ago America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies launched the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a nationwide effort to help patients who lack prescription coverage access information about more than 475 available patient assistance programs. The response has been remarkable: Since it began in April 2005, PPA has helped connect more than 6.5 million people to patient assistance programs that provide free or nearly free medicines.
PPA is an important lifeline to patients coping with financial hardship, particularly during this difficult economy. Now more than ever, the services that PPA provides are crucial to the growing number of uninsured and underinsured Americans. That’s why America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are launching the next phase of PPA. This new initiative will employ the latest technology in order to expand the ways the program is able to help the people who need assistance the most.

Specifically, the next generation of PPA, called “PPA 2.0,” focuses on expanding community partnerships and enhancing PPA’s mobile and online presence to make it even easier to get information about patient assistance programs. In an effort to utilize technology to reach more people in more places, PPA 2.0 will include a text hotline and smart phone application, in addition to the existing toll-free hotline and Web site, to ensure 24/7 access to information about the programs offered through PPA.

No one should have to go without their medicines because they can’t afford them. As our country continues on the long road to economic recovery, programs like PPA are providing real relief for some of America’s most vulnerable patients and those struggling to lead healthy lives after losing their jobs and benefits.

Larry Lucas is a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

By Laura Cohn

You can deep-six most of your documents and go digital with the rest.
Worried about pitching documents that they may need at some point, many people decorate a spare bedroom with boxes or large file cabinets stuffed with old bank statements, tax returns and pay stubs. (Okay, if the stash isn’t in a spare bedroom, perhaps it resides in the attic, basement or garage.) After you finish up your tax return this year, take the opportunity to clean house. With a few key exceptions -- mainly tax-related documents -- you don’t need to keep all those papers. And if you’re willing to use online banking and create a digital archive of crucial records, you may even be able to go paper-free.

Before you dig into those piles of records and statements, invest in a shredder to guard against identity theft. And don’t skimp on the shredder, or you’ll defeat the purpose of having one. Ribbon-cut models produce bands that can be taped back together. So shell out the money for a cross-cut or confetti model. We like the Fellowes Powershred DS-2 (about $100 online) for its sharp look and munching capability.

What to Keep
The most important documents to hang on to are your annual tax returns. You should keep the actual returns forever, but you can get rid of the supporting documents after three years. That’s how long the IRS has to initiate an audit. Once the time elapses, toss the records -- and shred any that reveal your Social Security number or other personal information.

Other papers to save for at least three years include thank-you letters from charities and year-end investment statements. You don’t need to save your monthly mutual fund reports forever. But before you toss them, wait for the year-end statements and make sure they match up. Also be sure to keep records that show the initial purchase price for stocks and mutual funds so you can calculate your basis when you sell them. After that, you can shred the documents once the three- or six-year IRS window draws to a close.

You also need to save records pertaining to your house as long as you live in it. Records showing your purchase price, and what you spent on improvements, may come in handy when you’re trying to prove the value of your home to potential buyers. Another reason to keep these papers: If you sell your house at a hefty profit (more than $500,000 for couples filing a joint return or $250,000 for single filers), certain expenses can be used to lower your tax bill. After you sell the house, keep the documents for three years.

Finally, hold on to records showing how much money went into and came out of IRAs and 401(k)s -- especially if you’ve made any nondeductible contributions -- so you don’t overpay taxes when you withdraw the money. Keep any 8606 forms on which you reported nondeductible contributions to traditional IRAs.

What to Toss
So what can you unload? ATM receipts, bank withdrawal and deposit slips, and credit-card receipts can go through the shredder after you’ve checked them against your monthly statements. Rebecca Eddy, founder of Eddy & Schein In-Home Administrators for Seniors, says one client kept every single pay stub she had ever received. That’s overkill. Just keep them until you get your Form W-2. You can also get rid of paper copies of most monthly bills -- for credit cards, utilities and cable TV -- unless you need them for tax purposes.

If you need help sorting through the clutter, consider hiring a daily money manager. Daily money managers tend to have a background in accounting, finance or law, and they make house calls. You can find one in your area by checking with the American Association of Daily Money Managers. Typical cost: up to $150 an hour.

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

Fiya and Kandi Photo by: Lonal X. Robinson, The Houston Sun


Fiya aka Ms. Core Dj aka Dj Fat Alberta" CEO, Fiyaworks Entertainment Whoever said a "Big Girl" could not be talented, skilled, and beautiful all at the same time probably never met Fiya aka Fat Alberta, whose birth name is Keir Sylvester.  She is titled as Da Crunkest and Most Phamous Phat Girl of Da south.  Audiences are drawn to her because of her non-stereotypical manifestation for mainstream comedy and rap performances.

This New Orleans born and breed natural show stopper discovered a hidden talent and became fascinated when she and her friends began beat-boxing and rhyming to a beat while hosting teen parties after bible class.  At the age of 15, she realized that rapping, comedy, hip-hop and its culture was definitely born in her.  While performing in an array of acting and singing gigs in high school, she envisioned her dreams could be attained without a college degree. she knew this life path was not for everyone.

Her opportunities fostered her creativity.  Therefore, her life and the rewards were ultimately left up to her abilities and the higher power she so believed in.  From there, the sky was the limit! Fiya has entertained audiences across the nation performing in gospel musicals; TV shows; the Arena in Houston sharing the stage with mega-comic Bruce-Bruce; BET’s Comic View in which her dramatic performance sanctioned her to receive a standing ovation.  While in Belize, she was the featured comic on the Carnival Cruise Lines.

Fiya is currently serving as a producer and creative director of several TV shows and music videos in addition to her personalized TV show, Fiya House Videos.

The show is uniquely fashioned from her vigorous mold of raw uncut comedy.  In addition to her persona, viewers tune-in to see trendy music videos and celebrity interviews.  Fiya also has her own internet radio show on www.street933.com titled "street 93.3 - home of the Concrete hits."  This avenue helps Fiya introduce new, fresh, faces of the hip hop culture.  Just ring the alarm!  There will be no stopping on the brakes now.  Fiya aka Fat Alberta has her heart and soul set on taking over in the male-dominated entertainment industry.

Sophia Stewart


This little known story has met a just conclusion, as Sophia Stewart, African American author of The Matrix will finally receive her just due from the copyright infringement of her original work!!!

A six-year dispute has ended involving Sophia Stewart, the Wachowski Brothers, Joel Silver and Warner Brothers. Stewart's allegations, involving copyright infringement and racketeering, were received and acknowledged by the Central District of California, Judge Margaret Morrow presiding.

Stewart, a New Yorker who has resided in Salt Lake City for the past five years, will recover damages from the films, The Matrix I, II and III, as well as The Terminator and its sequels.  She will soon receive one of the biggest payoffs in the history of Hollywood , as the gross receipts of both films and their sequels total over 2.5 billion dollars.  Stewart filed her case in 1999, after viewing the Matrix, which she felt had been based on her manuscript, 'The Third Eye,' copyrighted in 1981. In the mid-80s Stewart had submitted her manuscript to an ad placed by the Wachowski Brothers, requesting new sci-fi works.  According to court documentation, an FBI investigation discovered that more than thirty minutes had been edited from the original film, in an attempt to avoid penalties for copyright infringement.  The investigation also stated that 'credible witnesses employed at Warner Brothers came forward, claiming that the executives and lawyers had full knowledge that the work in question did not belong to the Wachowski Brothers.'  These witnesses claimed to have seen Stewart's original work and that it had been 'often used during preparation of the motion pictures.'  The defendants tried, on several occasions,
to have Stewart's case dismissed, without success.

Stewart has confronted skepticism on all sides, much of which comes from Matrix fans, who are strangely loyal to the Wachowski Brothers. One on-line forum, entitled Matrix Explained has an entire section devoted to Stewart. Some who have researched her history and writings are open to her story.  Others are suspicious and mocking. 'It doesn't bother me,' said Stewart in a phone interview last week, 'I always knew what was true.'

Some fans, are unaware of the case or they question its legitimacy, due to the fact that it has received little to no media coverage.  Though the case was not made public until October of 2003, Stewart has her own explanation, as quoted at aghettotymz.
com:

"The reason you have not seen any of this in the media is because Warner Brothers parent company is AOL-Time Warner ... this GIANT owns 95 percent of the media ... let me give you a clue as to what they own in the media business ... New York Times papers/magazines, LA Times papers/magazines, People Magazine, CNN news, Extra, Celebrity Justice, Entertainment, Tonight, HBO, New Line Cinema,
DreamWorks, Newsweek, Village Roadshow and many, many more!  They are not going to report on themselves.  They have been suppressing my case for years."

Fans who have taken Stewart's allegations seriously, have found eerie mythological parallels, which seem significant in a case that revolves around the highly metaphorical and symbolic Matrix series.  Sophia, the Greek goddess of wisdom has been referenced many times in speculation about Stewart. In one book about the Goddess Sophia, it reads, 'The black goddess is the mistress of web creation spun in her divine matrix.'

Although there have been outside implications as to racial injustice (Stewart is African American), she does not feel that this is the case. 'This is all about the Benjamins,' said Stewart. 'It's not about money with me. It's about justice.'

Stewart's future plans involve a record label, entitled Popsilk Records, and a motion picture production company,  All Eyez On Me, in reference to God. 'I wrote The Third Eye to wake people up, to remind them why God put them here.  There's more to life than money,' said Stewart.  'My whole to the world is about God and good and about choice, about spirituality over 'technocracy'.'

If Stewart represents spirituality, then she truly has prevailed over the 'technocracy' represented in both the Terminator and the Matrix, and now, ironically, by their supposed creators.

Stewart is currently having discussions with CBS about a possible exclusive story and has several media engagements in the near future to nationally publicize her victory.  June 13th 2004. Sophia Stewart's press release read: 'The Matrix & Terminator movie franchises have made world history and have ultimately changed the way people view movies and how Hollywood does business, yet the real truth about the creator and creation of these films continue to elude the masses because the hidden secret of the matter is that these films were created and written by a Black woman ... a Black woman named Sophia Stewart.  But Hollywood does not want you to know this fact simply because it would change history.  Also it would encourage our Black children to realize a dream and that is ... nothing is impossible for them to achieve!'

- Greg Thomas, Editor

NOVI, Mich. (AP) _ Week by week, the wives of NFL players watch their husbands take their lumps in the fight for a win.  This week, Detroit Lions wives and other members of the group Off The Field go shopping to make sure lumps of coal don't greet needy children this holiday season.

It's the third year for the charity project called Dream Drive, sponsored by the Salvation Army and the Sam's Club retail chain, part of Benton, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

In southeastern Michigan, the shopping event takes place Thursday at a Sam's Club in Novi.
The Salvation Army is choosing about 10 Detroit-area families for aid. Other NFL cities participating in Dream Drive are Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami and Phoenix.

Al Spinks goes from businessman to minister to author


Lonal X. Robinson
The Houston Sun

It is not often you speak with a stranger and they make an impact on your life.  They say the right words to you and you take a step back and quietly thank G-d for sending the messenger.  Life is beautiful and even better when you decide if you decide to have a relationship with the higher power. some days I get it; and other days I am just as lost as the next person, but my mother taught me that I can always rely on God.  I know He is called by many names and I write this with no disrespect to any other religions.  My readers may be, but trust me, it is all about the message.

I have interviewed many people in my young tenure but none has quite moved me to want to revaluate my personal oh so personal relationship with G-d.  I mean after I hung up the phone with a Mr. Al spinks I called my mother and told her that G-d knew what I needed to hear and this interview about Spinks’ newly published book, “The 3 R’s of spiritual Growth: How To Walk The spiritual Truth” was right on time.

Spinks has been an united states Marine Corps officer, a naval Flight officer eA-e6 Intruder (flew dozens of aircraft carrier based missions), us navy aboard nuclear submarines, and earned a Bs in Aerospace from the University of Texas in Austin.  He worked for IBM as a marketing representative, for Mainframe Computers, as an entrepreneur for 20+ years of Raynor, Inc. which was included in the 1995 Inc. Magazine 500 fastest growing companies.  Spinks was Chairman of the Board of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.  He is also a motivational speaker and a licensed minister.  In his personal life, he been married and divorced and remarried, now a self-published author, who has accomplished all this plus more at the tender age of sixty-one.

The Chicago native has been living in Houston since 1978.  He gives his successes, struggles, and praises to God.  He is a Christian, not by trade, but by faith and is not only sharing but teaching individuals how to have a better relationship with G-d through his book.  The 3R’s of spiritual Growth: How to Walk the spiritual Truth is only a 150 pages long and can be found at www.barnes&nobles.com, www.amazon.com, and on his site www.asapresents.com.

(Story continues below …)


“I want the readers of my book to learn how to rely on God and develop a relationship with him because it will help in other relationships with people from a day to day life” expressed Spinks.  “I expect them to understand no matter where they are in life, being a CEO or in prison, they can live a life with more abundance, with peace, power, and purpose.”  He continued, "I wrote The 3 R’s of spiritual Growth: How to Walk the spiritual Truth because I had to learn how to develop a relationship with God and it has increased my joy, happiness, wellness, spiritual understanding, and knowledge about things I can change and what I cannot change”.  “It is not about any particular religion, but I am a Christian,” said Spinks.

“I didn’t write this book to tell people how to live their life, but to help them keep a deeper connection with God,” said Spinks.  “Take John 10:10- 11 one of favorite scriptures says, “'The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full'.  And it goes on to say, “'I am a good shepherd. The good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep,'” stated Spinks.  “This is for those who were brought up in the church and those who have not been brought up in the church. I believe I have some wisdom because I have had many exceptionally different life experiences from being at the lowest to knowing what success is.  If you make God number one in your life, he will take care of all your light work,” said Spinks.

With those words, you pretty much get the gist of what The 3 R’s of spiritual Growth: How to Walk the spiritual Truth is about. I haven’t received my autographed copy just yet for my online preview.  The 3 R’s are: Recognizing God’s presence in your life, Reconciling your life to Him, and Reconnecting with every area of your life as you rely on your faith in Him.  Spinks has a degree in theology from the College of Biblical studies in Houston, Texas and two of his other favorite scriptures are Matthew 34 and Psalms 139.  He volunteers at the star of Hope Mission and is a minister of Greater St. Matthews in Hitchcock, Texas. Rev. L. Williams Randle is the pastor of the church.

All in all, I believe the book The 3 R’s of spiritual Growth: How to Walk the spiritual Truth would be a perfect little stocking stuffer for your loved ones from what I have read.  The retail price is $12.99 and it is in print, but you must first order from one of those websites stated in the article to get a copy.  The message is plain, clear, and simple.  Spinks has lived a pretty complete life and is giving back some of the messages he has received from God through his book while living, achieving and failing in life while keeping God the head of his life.  He was kind of enough to write it down in a brief easy read so that you may one day, who knows become the messenger.