Shooting for the Stars: Frank Rodgers Unveils ‘‘The Ice Cream Shooter’’ – An Inspiring Tale of Friendship and Dreams!
Portsmouth, Virginia Nov 21, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - Get ready for a heartwarming adventure as Frank Rodgers announces the release of his new childrens book, "The Ice Cream Shooter." This delightful story invites readers to join a seven-year-old boy named Ice Cream, whose incredible talent for basketball free throws leads him on a journey of friendship, dreams, and the pursuit of greatness.In "The Ice Cream Shooter," young Ice Cream struggles to focus on his schoolwork, his mind always drifting to the basketball court. Using crumpled notebook paper as makeshift basketballs, he begins shooting for the trash can during class, capturing the attention of his classmatesFats, Range, and Deep. Inspired by Ice Creams talent, the group of friends embarks on a journey filled with laughter, teamwork, and shared aspirations. Together, they navigate the ups and downs of childhood, from classroom antics to practices on local courts, eventually aspiring to become the top professional free throw shooters for the United States Free Throw Olympic Team.Frank Rodgers himself has expressed a desire to adapt The Ice Cream Shooter into a feature film, with a talented cast including: Frank "Hot Shot" Rodgers as Lead Actor "Ice Cream" Mark Scott as Range Justin Brown as the Ice Cream Shooter Rebounder Devante Brincefield as Deep Timesha McFayden as Set Shot Nyaijah Gray, Barry Thompson, Trenton Holland, and Leigh Alvarez as Ice Cream Shooter ReboundersFrank would like to extend a special thanks to: Dion Langley (Drum Artist / Studio Music Producer Manager, DP Media Group) Harold Tynes (Bass Guitar Player) Clarence Nimmo (Warehouse Supervisor/Entertainment Manager) Emani Langley (College Basketball Player) Jeremiah Langley (Basketball Player) Major Hillard Library Crew in Chesapeake, Virginia Joel Parks Jr. (JJ, God's Boyz, Barber Shop: 4 His Glory Unisex) Steven Parks (Reformed) Preston Wayne Bouldin (Bass Guitar PlayerDont miss the action! Check out Frank Rodgers' YouTube channel for exciting videos of his workouts with Coach Jones at Old Dominion University (ODU): https://www.youtube.com/@theicecreamshooter8087. Get inspired and see the hard work behind the dream!"The Ice Cream Shooter" is a must-read for its inspiring themes that beautifully illustrate the power of friendship, perseverance, and following ones dreams, resonating with readers of all ages. The relatable characters reflect the challenges and joys of childhood, making the narrative both engaging and inspiring. With vibrant, dynamic illustrations, the book brings the characters and their life adventures, captivating young readers from start to finish. Additionally, it is designed for reading aloud, making it an ideal choice for family story time and fostering discussions about dreams and teamwork."The Ice Cream Shooter" is now available at major bookstores and online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Dont miss out on this inspiring journey that captures the spirit of childhood dreams and the magic of friendship!About the Author:Frank "Hot Shot" Rodgers was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in the Bowling Park neighborhood. As a child, he discovered his love for basketball, playing with friends after school. After moving to Portsmouth, Frank faced challenges but thrived in high school basketball, contributing to an undefeated season. Drawing from his experiences, he created "The Ice Cream Shooter" to inspire kids to pursue their dreams and embrace teamwork, blending humor and heart in his storytelling.Media ContactParchment Global Publishingedraydones@parchmentglobalpublishing.com1-888-266-0922info@parchmentglobalpublishing.comhttp://www.parchmentglobalpublishing.com Source :Parchment Global PublishingThis article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
A Global Joint Statement Condemns Cancellation of International Religious Event in South Korea
Melbourne, Victoria Dec 2, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - An administrative decision by a South Korean government agency sparked international controversy, raising concerns about religious freedom. On November 27, religious leaders and opinion leaders delivered a joint protest statement to the Government of the Republic of Korea condemning the cancellation of the venue rental on October 29th as an act of biased religious oppression through public power. Signed by 402 organizations, 758 religious representatives, and 977 individuals across the globe, totaling 1,735 signatories, the statement emphasized the psychological and financial damage caused to the international participants and highlighted the need for accountability. On October 30 the Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony, a joint initiative by two prominent religious organizations, was set to take place in Paju, South Korea. The event was expected to draw over 30,000 participants from 78 countries, including 1,000 religious leaders representing Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. However, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO), a public entity under Gyeonggi Province, abruptly canceled the venue rental at 11 pm on the morning of the event, when preparations were already underway. This decision, made without prior notice, has resulted in significant financial damage to the international event and its organizers. As The first clause of Article 20 of the South Korean Constitution states: "All citizens shall enjoy freedom of religion.", they argue that the cancellation constitutes an unconstitutional act of discrimination against a specific religion, violating religious freedom, human rights, and due process of law and an act that divides the people and divides the country into two. The Joint Protest Statement demands accountability for this situation and calls for an official apology from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization to both domestic and international religious organizations and the global community. It also requires the government to take appropriate disciplinary actions against the officials responsible for handling this matter and to strengthen fair and transparent venue reservation procedures and preliminary consultation systems. Over 88 global leaders including international law experts, religious leaders, education experts, heads of organizations, journalists from around the world sent official documents and protest letters to the Republic of Korea upon hearing the news of the cancellation of the event, expressing shock and disappointment at this administrative action and demanding prompt and appropriate measures. In particular, international law experts from around the world, including those with experience as prime ministers, vice ministers of justice, chief justices of the Supreme Court, presidents of the Constitutional Court, lawyers, and professors of international law, pointed out that the cancellation of the event on this day was an act that violated the Constitution, and religious leaders expressed concern that it was a biased decision and an anti-peaceful act that infringed on religious freedom. Since November 15, Religious leaders and members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus have held rallies outside the Gyeonggi Provincial Office and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, condemning the biased cancellation urging the government to address the issue and take measures to prevent recurrence. Timeline of Events Leading to the Cancellation July 22: Notification of approval for the rental from 29th to 31st October by GTO. October 2: Full payment of the rental fee. October 16: A working-level meeting was held to discuss the events size, arrangements, safety plans, and special effects. The GTO reviewed all details and completed a safety inspection. While Paju City was designated a danger zone due to potential North Korean provocations, officials assured organizers that this designation would not impact the event. October 23 & 28: Officials confirmed twice that "there are no plans to cancel the rental." October 28: A rally was hosted by SUGICHONG, a Christian council of the capital area of Korea urging the cancellation of a venue rental. October 29: At 11 o'clock on the day of the rental while the event was being set up, the Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon unilaterally notified the cancellation, citing security concerns related to recent North Korean actions and activities by a North Korean defector group. Organizers allege that pressure from opposing groups, including vested religious interests, influenced the decision. October 19-20, November 4: Notably, other events in the same area proceeded without disruption. Media ContactSCJ [email protected] 233 46720 Mt Alexandre Rdhttp://www.shincheonji.kr Source :ShincheonjiThis article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
