Friday, December 12, 2008

Chef George Tucker Celebrates 51 Years In Industry

Gard Manager is the art of preparing foods served cold, such as this beef salad. Advanced students in the Gard Manager course taught by Certified Executive Chef George Tucker at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will serve a variety of Gard Manager style dishes at a Grand Buffet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the school’s Seasons Restaurant. The Grand Buffet also celebrates Chef Tucker’s 51 years in the culinary industry.



(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Chef George Tucker of Highland has worked as a professional chef since December, 1957 when he became an apprentice chef at La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, which was on University Avenue in downtown Riverside.

Since then, Tucker has worked throughout the Inland Empire at some of its finest restaurants, hotels, country clubs, casinos, a hospital and most recently, as a culinary instructor at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

For much of the last 25 years he has worked as an executive chef, holding this position at Sobaba Casino in San Jacinto, Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Castaway Restaurant and the Radisson Hotel, both in San Bernardino, T.B Scott’s Seafood Landing in Corona, Branihan’s Restaurant in Pomona and Crushed Grape Restaurant in West Covina. He also owns the company “Extraordinary Sculpturing,” which creates sculptures from ice, vegetables and other foods.

Today, a chef needs much more education than he or she can receive on-the-job says Chef Tucker.

“I started out as a dishwasher, and worked my way up,” Chef Tucker said. “Six months after I started my job I signed on as an apprentice chef, and when the head chef at La Paloma left a year later, I got the job.”

“There is a lot more that culinary students need to know today,” he said. “For one thing, everything is computerized. If you need to know something, you look it up on the computer and it’s right there.”

Computer skills aren’t the only thing chefs need to know before coming to their first job says Chef Tucker. They also need to know how to find and prepare the many more types of food that are available, now that technology allows a chef to order food from anywhere in the world.

“In the past, some foods were only available seasonally and some not at all in the United States,” he said. “Now, it may cost more, but you can get anything that’s available anywhere, and at any time.”

For most of 2008, Chef Tucker has done his part to pass on the vast knowledge a modern chef needs before starting a career by working as an instructor at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. There he teaches Product Identification, American Regional Cooking, Latin Cooking and Gard Manager.

The Gard Manager course, which is French for “Cold Kitchen,” is an advanced course that focuses on food served cold. Sometimes these foods are cooked first, but then must be chilled before serving.

“These students will have an opportunity to display for the public what they have learned on Tuesday, Dec. 16 when we host a Grand Buffet starting at 9 a.m.,” Chef Tucker said. “They will have appetizers from different regions of the world.”

The cold appetizer sampling features treats from France, Italy, Germany and the Middle East. Tables at the International Culinary School’s on-campus Seasons Restaurant will each feature appetizers from a different one of these regions.

Chef Tucker has been a member of the American Culinary Federation since 1971, and this organization named him a certified executive chef in 1990. He is also a member of Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, which is the world’s largest and oldest culinary association.

He is a former Chef of the Year for the Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association, which is a chapter of the American Culinary Federation, and has won numerous regional and national awards for culinary arts and ice carving.

He is the past Chairman and Culinary Director of the Cooks Apprenticeship program for the Southern California Inland Empire Chefs & Cooks Association. His own training has been with chefs throughout the world, including France, Poland, Hungary, Spain and the Netherlands.


The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Culinary Management, Web Design & Interactive Media, Fashion & Retail Management, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation; A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design and Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts.

It’s not too late to start the new year at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 12 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, call The Art Institute at (909) 915-2100.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire), a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. For more information, call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.

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Carl Dameron member of American Lung Association Leadership Council


Carl Dameron is a new member of the Leadership Council for the American Lung Association of California.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, has been named a member of the Leadership Council for the American Lung Association of California.

This is Dameron’s second time serving this organization. He previously served on a governing board from 1997 through 2000.

“I am pleased to serve my community through the American Lung Association,” Dameron said. “I am particularly interested in helping asthma sufferers find the help they need to breathe easier.”

Through work with clients such as San Bernardino Tobacco Use Reduction Now, In The Zone Tobacco Free Project, African-American Health Institute of San Bernardino County, La Salle Medical Associates and even California Portland Cement Company, Dameron has gained a thorough understanding of how to preserve, promote and improve respiratory health. As a volunteer, he will use this expertise to help the American Lung Association of California reach its goal.

“Carl Dameron is committed to making the Inland Empire a healthier place, and we appreciate his willingness to work with the American Lung Association of California in our efforts,” said Area Director Terry Roberts. “His knowledge of the issues affecting respiratory health in our two-county area, and of how to promote good causes, will go a long ways in reducing lung disease here.”


About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of a potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Dancer Moves to the PR World

Brenda Erickson is learning about event coordination and public relations through an internship at Dameron Communications. Photo by Noe Melon


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Brenda Erickson joined Dameron Communications (www.DameronCommunications.com) in the fall quarter as a public relations intern. She looks to gain experience and networking in a creative environment that allows her to expand her knowledge while growing as an event coordinator and public relations professional.

“This is a great opportunity for me to learn the true business of public relations. It is one thing to learn the definition of PR in the classroom, it’s another to actually understand and create work in the field of communications,” says Erickson.

Erickson is a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she is obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a public relations emphasis. She will be graduating in December 2008.

Some of her duties at Dameron Communications include writing press releases, inviting community members to political fundraisers, organizing and catering for special events, creating social networking accounts for clients, Web updates, writing and editing, evaluating stories and commercials to put out into the media and filing clips.

Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is mentoring Erickson to give her the knowledge and experience needed to compete in today’s workforce.

He explains why he accepted Erickson as an intern for Dameron Communications by saying, “Interns bring a fresh perspective, making us look at why we do things a certain way. They bring new techniques and new visions for getting things done. Brenda has experience in event organization and motivating people, and I felt these strengths would be an asset.

“Brenda continues to surprise me with her grasp and understanding of concepts in PR and her ability to ask the right questions at the right time, and she has the tenaciousness and motivation to complete tasks on time; ours is a deadline business. It’s a pleasure working with Brenda,” adds Dameron.

Erickson also has a passion for dance. She has acquired much of her responsibility, organization and social skills through dance practices, performances, competitions and community outreach.

Erickson was a dance team director and coach with San Dimas High School for six years. There she gained responsibility, accountability, leadership skills and the ability to communicate with all personalities. She says, “Being responsible for a team definitely prepared me for the real world workplace.”

About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

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France Sends Graphic Artist to San Bernardino

Noé Melon of Paris, France has spent the past three months in the USA learning about graphic design and American-style advertising through an internship at Dameron Communications. He returns to France next week, but not before Dameron Communications holds a party in his honor on Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 255 N. D Street, Suite 303, San Bernardino, CA 92401.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Noé Melon joined Dameron Communications (www.Dameroncommunications.com) in the fall semester, as a Graphic Design Intern. He looks to better his creativity in graphic design and learn the American style of advertising while studying abroad in the United States.

Melon is a student at Istitu de Préparation à l'Administration et à la Gestion in Paris, France, where he is working on his marketing degree. He has been in college for three years and has two more with the marketing program. Melon says, “I like graphics in general; I like the arts, designing and working on the computer.”

Melon obtained this internship through KD Conseil, which is a cross-cultural firm in Paris. He indicated he wanted to do an internship at an American company. Kathleen Dameron, head of KD Conseil, was able to set that up, being that her brother, Carl, owns Dameron Communications, an advertising and PR firm in Southern California.

Melon’s hometown is Paris. Growing up, he loved the sport of fencing, graphic design and playing the guitar.

He previously worked for Dell Computers in France as an intern in marketing and graphic design. He was also a representative for a music festival, obtaining sponsors and donations.

Melon will finish this internship with Dameron Communications this month and will return to Paris. He explains what he has learned thus far from working at Dameron Communications by saying, “I have learned to use Quark Express 8; I worked in InDesign in France. My main focus here has been to perfect my skills in graphics and learn the English language.”

Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is mentoring Melon and encouraging him to use his creative abilities in a work environment. Dameron gives him the opportunity to work independently and create designs that Melon feels are most appropriate for the client.

“Noé brought a fresh and different perspective to the firm,” says Carl Dameron. “His European upbringing gives us a new look at everything we do. His European sensibility gives us a fresh, new perspective on our work projects. Fresh, new perspectives are critical to making sure we deliver to our clients the highest and best creativity possible.”

Carl has seen Melon’s growth through this experience. He says, “I’ve noticed significant advancement in Noe’s ability to solve problems, ask questions, develop and deliver effective and creative messages.”

Melon’s work includes programs, brochures, newsletters, logos and posters for clients, including Black Rose Awards, Urban Dreams Film Festival and LaSalle Medical Associates.

On Wednesday, December 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dameron Communications will host a holiday party at its offices at 255 North D Street, Suite 303. This provides the public an opportunity to meet Melon and view his work.

The party is also an opportunity for those who have not visited Dameron Communications in the last three months to see the new offices to which it moved in September. RSVP with Nicole Acosta at (909) 888-0321.

About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

More Than 200 People Enjoy Thanksgiving Feast at Salvation Army

Children were among the 96 volunteers who helped at The Salvation Army Corps Thanksgiving Day feast. One of the duties given them was to serve guests slices of pumpkin pie for desert. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc


Capt. Stephen Ball, commander of The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino, with children who took part in the Corps Thanksgiving Day feast. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) More than 200 hungry people braved a Thanksgiving Day storm to enjoy a holiday dinner at The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House.

And almost 100 volunteers were there to serve them.

Capt. Stephen Ball, commander of the San Bernardino Corps, reported that 96 volunteers served 204 meals to hungry guests on Thanksgiving Day. That’s just a few more people than the regular Salvation Army crew serves every day.

“Turnout was light for Thanksgiving,” said Capt. Ball. “In the morning, when it was raining, there weren’t as many people around as there are on a normal day. We eventually served 204 dinners, but we had enough to serve at least 400. I think people must have found other places to go for Thanksgiving, where they could be out of the rain.”

The food didn’t go to waste, though, according to Capt. Ball. Since The Salvation Army serves dinners six days a week, the Thanksgiving leftovers made dinner for the 125 or so people who came to the Corps on Friday and the approximately same number who came on Saturday.

By Monday, the Thanksgiving feast had disappeared, and The Salvation Army was back to feeding people from its normal every day budget. That budget, which must last an entire year, gets its biggest boost in December from The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle/bellringer campaign.

From now through Dec. 24, donors can also give through the Red Kettle Drive, a holiday tradition the Army has relied on for more than 100 years. Look for red kettles accompanied by bellringers at locations throughout the Inland Empire and everywhere else. Everything a Salvation Army bellringer collects stays within the community.

Online giving, which can be directed specifically to the San Bernardino Corps, is possible at any time by going to www.salvationarmy.usa.org.


And, with holiday shopping on most folks’ minds already, The Salvation Army hopes people will shop for their poorest neighbors, too. Gifts of food and toys are needed for about 750 families relying on the San Bernardino Corps to have any kind of Christmas celebration at all this year.

Donations of time are also highly needed. For one, The Salvation Army wants to beef up the volunteer bellringer force. It also needs volunteers to help with assembling, wrapping and distribution of gift baskets and toys for the needy.

Those interested in donating time or presents should call the San Bernardino Corps at (909) 888-1336. Toys can also be donated through the Sharing Tree programs at the Inland Center Mall, the Ontario Mills Mall, the Montclair Plaza and the Redlands Wal-Mart.


About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.

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Monday, December 8, 2008

Carl Dameron president of Inland's Black Chamber




(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, is the new president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce.

We are excited about Carl's taking the lead with the chamber,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the organization. “We are ready to take the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce to the next level, becoming more involved and expanding our service to the small business community of all backgrounds.”

Dameron is a founding member of the Chamber. During 1989, which was Dameron Communication’s first year of business, Carl and other business owners saw benefit to starting an organization that would work specifically for the advancement of Black-owned businesses in the Inland Empire. Over the past 20 years, both Dameron Communications and the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce have seen steady growth.

“This coming year brings hope for many great opportunities for Black-owned businesses, but we will also face the economic struggles facing all businesses,” Dameron said. “It is important that we work together to help each other succeed. That is the goal of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and it is also one of my goals as a business owner. I am pleased to celebrate my own 20 years in business by leading the organization that has helped me all along.”

About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of a potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.