Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Castaway

 

Celebrate New Years’ Eve in the elegant surroundings of the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center.

 

Sous Chef  Chris Renno and Executive Chef Francisco Roman prepare a tantalizing glaze in the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center kitchen. They and the other chefs will create more delectable cuisine for a New Years’ Eve party open to all.


(San Bernardino, Calif) “For those in the mood for a big party, don’t miss the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center New Year’s Eve Celebration.  Ring in 2010 and enjoy a fabulous and elegant dinner buffet, dancing to a live band, and toasting friends and family with champagne while overlooking the twinkling lights of the valley below.” said General Manager Robert Solgan.

This celebration begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. The price is just $150 per couple or $170 per couple for VIP seating.

Solgan says partygoers should be prepared for an elegant evening with a delicious menu featuring an array of delectable foods from traditional favorites to the delights created by the Castaway’s Executive Chef Francisco Roman and his culinary team.

The menu includes a prime rib carving station, Shrimp Scampi and Shrimp Diablo pasta stations, tenderloin medallions with sauce Béarnaise, fresh baked seafood medley in a lemon beurre blanc, grilled chicken with an artichoke-mushroom white wine cream sauce; and tantalizing desserts all prepared just for the occasion.

For more information or to make a holiday reservation, please call (909) 881-1502, or visit www.CastawayRestaurant.com.

About the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center
The Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center has an endless selection of fine cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Francisco Roman from prime rib and filet mignon to salmon, scallops and fine seafood creations to delectable desserts. It’s the perfect place for enchanting moments for everyone from couples, families and friends, to large business gatherings and weddings.

Ideally situated in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, with spectacular scenic views the Castaway Restaurant is distinctively heralded as a popular tradition for its ambiance, mouth-watering menus, superb service, and breathtaking views overlooking the valley. Guests enjoy comfortable seating, oversized booths, complimentary valet parking, and a full-service bar.

Claremont And Other Cities Have More Ways To Help Disabled Residents

 

Claremont Council Member Larry Schroeder, Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay, Dr. Lee Nattress, executive director of Services Center for Independent Living and Assembly Member Anthony Adams cut the ribbon in front of Services Center for Independent Living’s new location, 107 Spring St. in Claremont. Photo by Chris Sloan

“I’m armed,” says Angela Nwokike, who is legally blind but works as the systems change advocate for Services Center for Independent Living. She demonstrates to Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay and Claremont City Council Member Larry Schroeder one of the tools she’s armed with, software that converts text to voice.  Photo by Chris Sloan

(CLAREMONT, Calif.) Getting to work and back for Angela Nwokike of Fontana requires travel by four buses and two trains. She can’t drive because she’s legally blind.

Every day, Nwokike must read email, mail and other text to do her job at the Services Center for Independent Living in Claremont. Since she’s blind she relies on a program called JAWS For Windows® (software that translates text to voice, called JAWS because it provides Job Access With Speech) to read them for her.

She also speaks to government officials in her job, and this requires traveling to various city halls and board rooms, often at night.  There she must navigate floor plans between the seats and the speakers’ podium and, as required of everyone, fill out a “request to speak” card.

For that, a personal attendant comes in handy.

As the systems change advocate for Services Center for Independent Living in Claremont Nwokike is familiar with the extra help she needs to have an independent life and a career, despite being robbed of her eyesight nine years ago through glaucoma.

For many others who are blind or suffer from another type of disability, knowing how to live an independent life is more of a challenge. Services Center for Independent Living’s mission is to help residents of the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys meet those challenges head-on.

After 30 years in business, this Claremont non-profit agency became better able to meet the needs of the people it serves by moving to a larger location at 107 Spring St. It hosted a Grand Reopening to show the community, including local elected officials Assembly Member Anthony Adams and members of the Claremont City Council, how the center helps disabled people live full, independent lives.

“We are honored to see how they provide these services to our residents that need them,” said Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay. “We’re excited for the many more things they will now be able to do for them.”

Besides Claremont, Services Center for Independent Living also helps residents of Arcadia, Azusa, Bradbury, Baldwin Park, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, Industry, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, Walnut and West Covina.

As a blind person, Nwokike continues to have a successful career. She’s armed with the right tools and an understanding of how to work with government agencies to educate them about what she needs.

As the systems change advocate at Services Center for Independent Living, Nwokike teaches others how to work with those same government agencies to bring about the changes they need. She also educates clients on ways they may not know of to use the resources they already have.

Different disabilities bring about different needs. For instance, as a blind person, Nwokike has had some scary moments when a bus was late and she waited by herself at a bus stop, not knowing if she was truly alone or in the presence of people who could harm her.

“I am armed,” she said. “I keep my cell phone close at hand, with my finger on the speed dial for 911.”

If a person is mobility impaired instead of blind, they would not have Nwokike’s difficulty in seeing what’s around her. But frequently, what they see are situations they cannot navigate.

In Claremont, not far from Services Center for Independent Living, there are sidewalk curbs that don’t have the proper cutouts for wheelchair access, Nwokike said. She’s going to ask the Claremont City Council to fix that soon, but at the Grand Opening, she already had sympathetic ears from the mayor and two city council members

Another disabled employee of this center, Corinne Garcia, serves as the assistive technology manager, helping them find the tools they need, such as Angela’s JAWS software.

“A person with severe muscle spasms might not be able to eat with regular plates and silverware,” Garcia said. “However, there are plates with lips and silverware with wide handles that can be twisted to different angles that will give spastic people the control they need to feed themselves.’

Children who don’t have fine muscle coordination might not be able to lift traditional crayons with their fingers, but Services Center for Independent Living has paperless crayons shaped like stars, leaves and pieces of fruit. All a child needs to do with these crayons is push them against the paper.

“We believe in helping people to live independently,” said Garcia. “If all you do is feed someone they aren’t independent. But given the right tools, they can be!”

There are other staff members who help the disabled people, which Services Center for Independent Living calls “consumers,” find their way around the building. Some of them meet one on one with the clientele, helping them to come up with a plan for their own independence.

Overseeing all of Services Center for Independent Living is Dr. Lee Nattress, executive director. Dr. Nattress has more than 60 years experience working in health care, beginning with the development and fitting of artificial limbs.

His past experience includes coordinating extension programs at the then newly-established University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine in the 1950s, executive director for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics in Chicago, and a consulting business that helped many universities around the country strengthen their medical programs.

He “retired” from a position as the director of the Office of Education and Research in the Department of Family Medicine at Loma Linda University in 1997, but has since then managed or directed several community-based organizations that help disabled people. He’s been the executive director of Services Center for Independent Living since 2007, and since then has strived to make government leaders and business people aware of the services this center provides.

In Claremont, at least three city council members and one assembly member are impressed with what Dr. Nattress and the rest of the Services Center for Independent Living are doing to make life better for the disabled.

“Our city feels responsible for meeting the needs of all of our residents,” said Council Member Peter Yao. “It is important for us as council members to be able to know as much as we can about our city’s organizations that can help. Now that we have seen what Services Center for Independent Living can do, we will promote its programs.”

Services Center for Independent Living is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 1980 to meet the needs of east San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley disabled residents. Services include training in independent living skills, advocacy, helping to acquire tools to assist with mobility and other basic needs and providing information and referrals.

For more information, call (909) 621-6722.  Disabled users of videophones or teletype phones may call (909) 445-0726.

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Share The Joy of Christmas With A Child

 Volunteers are again manning a Christmas “Sharing Tree” at Inland Center Mall. Purchasing a gift for one of the children “tagged” on this tree is one of several ways to help The Salvation Army bring joy to needy children this holiday season.
 
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Local Salvation Army Corps and several businesses have joined forces to make this holiday season one the needy children of the Inland Empire will never forget.

In San Bernardino, this program is known as “Sharing Trees.” However, many other corps of The Salvation Army refer to the program as “Angel Giving Trees.”

In San Bernardino County, these programs revolve around actual Christmas trees. These trees were set up in local malls the day after Thanksgiving.

Attached to branches of the tree are cards with names of children whose families simply cannot afford to buy gifts, as much as they would love to. Shoppers who want to take part by helping disadvantaged children simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree, read the child’s name and wish list, then head for the appropriate store for a little sharing of their own.

“Why not start a tradition with your family and select a gift for a needy child together,” Capt. Ball said.

San Bernardino Corps put its Sharing Tree in the Inland Center Mall (500 Inland Center Drive, San Bernardino) in front of the old Gottschalks location.

The Ontario Corps put trees in Ontario Mills Mall (1 Mills Circle, Ontario) in front of JC Penney’s and Montclair Plaza (5060 E. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair) inside the Macy’s store. The Redlands Corps put a tree at Wal-Mart (2050 W. Redlands Blvd., Redlands).

However, not all corps have actual trees. The Riverside Corps asks shoppers to call (951) 784-4490, ext. 114 to obtain the name of and requests of more than 2,000 children on its “Angel” list.

Shoppers helping the Riverside children should take their gifts to a warehouse the Riverside Corps has established at 3695 First Street, Riverside.

For the first time this year, JC Penney’s shoppers can also shop online for any Salvation Army Corps’ needy children. The website jcp.com/angel allows online shoppers to select children in their local area, order a gift for them from Penney’s online catalog, and let Penney’s handle shipping it to the appropriate Salvation Army Corps.

The Salvation Army also is looking for other businesses in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, who would like to have a tree at their place of business for employees and/or customers.

“This is a great way for business owners and managers to help the community this Christmas,” Capt. Ball said.

“Soccer balls, dolls and clothes are just a few items on each child’s wish list,” Capt. Ball said. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list.”

Salvation Army volunteers make sure the presents are earmarked for the specific child.

To help, make a donation, or for more information please call The Salvation Army at (888) 725-2769.

About the Salvations 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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Donate a Pillow and Blanket to new Salvation Army Shelter with Target

The  Salvation Army’s emergency family shelter, Hospitality House, is seeking sheets like these, in white, along with mattress pads, pillows and cases, and blankets. It asks the public to visit a Target store gift registry and ask for List ID: 012018800000074 or use Target’s online gift registry to donate the linens. The  Salvation Army needs 100 of each type of bed linen to prepare for its move to a new location on January 15th, where the shelter’s guests will sleep on beds instead of mats.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps has registered at Target to help provide pillows, blankets and other bedding for its new shelter, a building under remodel on Tenth Street.

This will allow anyone the opportunity to shop for a housewarming gift for the Salvation Army, which hopes to move into the new shelter in early January. It needs new bedding because at its current location, shelter residents sleep on mats but in the new location they will sleep on beds.

“We will be treating them with much more dignity than the current conditions allow,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, executive director of the San Bernardino Corps. “But we’re going to need a lot of help. A family just getting started in a new house may need linens for three or four beds, but we’re going to need 100 of almost everything. We need the help of the community to provide even those most basic bedding needs.”

The Target Foundation allows non-profit organizations such as The Salvation Army to create registries so that community members can help donate specific needs. These registries can be printed at Target, in the same way one would print a wedding or baby gift registry, so shoppers can help The Salvation Army while at Target Christmas shopping and ask for List ID: 012018800000074.

Anyone not going to a Target store anytime soon can visit http://www.target.com/lists/2731VI55YOJEH “Salvation Army Hospitality House Homeless Shelter” to find out the needs of the local Salvation Army Corps.  Not all items are available on line.

 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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Community Program Lifting Spirits Up One Family At A Time

The lines of people needing help from The Salvation Army grow longer every year. This year, the San Bernardino Corps will help more than 600 local families. For some of them, it seeks businesses and other groups willing to provide extra help to one family through its “Adopt-A-Family” program.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calf.) The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps seeks volunteers for its Adopt-A-Family program this holiday season. This program provides a way to lift the spirits of needy families by giving them a Christmas they will never forget.  

Each year hundreds of Inland Empire families come to the Salvation Army for help in hopes to be considered as a family “in need”.  In 2009, there are more than 600 families in the San Bernardino area that could potentially benefit from this program.

“The breadwinner may have lost a job; the family may have been forced out of their homes due to foreclosure, someone may have been seriously, and expensively ill; or perhaps the family has faced a debilitating death of one of the parents. No matter the problem that causes the disruption or the ceasing of Christmas plans, the Adopt-A-Family program is here to help,” said Capt. Stephen Ball.

Once a businesses or group chooses to “adopt” a family, The Salvation Army will pair them with a household in special need of blessing. Once the other family or business receives a match they will provide the adopted family with gifts and necessary items making their holiday bright. 

Groups and businesses that adopt often invest thousands or more in a family. Families accepted into the program in the past have received gifts from new clothes for the whole family to much needed home repairs, appliances or tools.

The success of the program comes from the many generous people who pitch in to assist, not overwhelm each needy family. “It’s a matter of “whatever it takes” to aid their selected family to get past the stress of the holidays”.

“Adopting’ a family is to see the specific needs of a particular family and doing what you can to help meet them,” said Capt. Ball. “There are many creative ways to help meet a family’s needs.”


To adopt a family in San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace, Bloomington or Highland, call (909) 888-1336.

To adopt a family in Redlands and other East San Bernardino Valley communities call (909) 792-6868.

To adopt a family in San Bernardino County’s High Desert, call (760) 245-2545.

To adopt a family in Ontario and other West San Bernardino Valley communities, call Envoy Abel Tamez at (909) 509-2503 or Envoy Naomi Tamez at (909) 509-2741.

To adopt a family in the Desert Hot Springs/Coachella Valley areas, contact the Cathedral City Corps at (760) 324-2275.

To adopt a family in Hemet, San Jacinto, Idyllwild and surrounding areas contact the Hemet Corps at (951) 925-7176.

To adopt a family in Moreno Valley, Perris and surrounding areas, call the Moreno Valley Corps at (951) 653-9131.

To adopt a family in Murrieta, Temecula, Canyon Lake, Menifee and surrounding areas, call the Murrieta Corps at (951) 677-1324.

To adopt a family in Riverside, Corona, Norco and surrounding areas, call the Riverside Corps at (951) 784-4490.

About the Salvations 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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Salvation Army Seeks Help For Neediest Families

The Salvation Army needs to fill more boxes with canned goods, which will be used in the holiday gift baskets it’s creating for more than 600 needy families. In the second week of December, it has collected only about half of the food it will need to distribute before Christmas.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino wants to help hundreds of the area’s neediest families have a blessed Christmas season.

“We will be helping more than 600 families this year with food and toys for Christmas,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, director of the San Bernardino Corps. “Right now, we only have enough canned food for half of them.”

While many families are struggling this year, the 600-plus families The Salvation Army has chosen to help this year have exceptionally great needs.

“Some families struggle year-round,” he said. “Others find themselves in unusual need due to a recent job loss or difficult family situation. One family we’re helping was recently living in their car with one child who is autistic and another who has cancer.”

Donations of additional canned food are the greatest need, but donated Stater Brothers gift certificates would also be welcomed, Capt. Ball said.

Each family will receive a Christmas gift basket filled with canned goods and a gift certificate to Stater Brothers, which is selling them to The Salvation Army at a slight discount. These families will also benefit from The Salvation Army’s annual “Christmas Giving Tree,” as the children will receive the toys donated through that program.

In addition, The Salvation Army seeks organizations and businesses that can help some of these families by taking part in its “Adopt-A-Family” program. Participants in this program would be matched with the families with the greatest needs, and would receive additional food and clothing from their benefactors.

The San Bernardino Corps benefits residents of San Bernardino, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto and Bloomington.

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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Training the Next Generation of Great Chefs

 

Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center General Manager Robert Solgan, Sous Chef Chris Renno, Executive Chef Francisco Roman and Sous Chef Keith Gomez enjoy one of the chefs’ culinary masterpieces in the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant’s dining room.

 

Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center Executive Chef Francisco Roman, center with sous chefs Chris Renno and Keith Gomez, add fine dining to the spectacular mountaintop view diners experience at the restaurant.

Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center Executive Chef Francisco Roman plates a fine meal as Sous Chef Keith Gomez watches.
 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – A famous chef once said, “One can become a cook but one can only be born a chef.” Many believe this to be true, and chefs do require intense training to become great. But who is training the next generation of great chefs?

The Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center in San Bernardino is training two of these up-and-coming chefs, under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Francisco Roman.

Chef Roman is known for his imaginative quest in pairing fresh food, seasoning, and cultural influences. He has been head chef at Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center for four years, and has 17 years experience as a chef since his intense training at Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.  The premier culinary training institute in the country and one of the tops in the world.

Chef Roman has a lifelong enthusiasm for cooking. He began cooking as the oldest of nine brothers and sisters.

“My culinary career started as a passion for cooking great food, which my family loved,” said Chef Roman. “With my training, and that of my team, we have learned how to bring together unique flavors to create unforgettable sensory experiences. At Castaway, our culinary team is committed to providing our dining guests with delightful experiences, using the freshest ingredients and food prepared daily.”

Chef Roman heads up a team of some of the finest and most creative young chefs in southern California. He has searched the best culinary schools to find the next generation of passionate tastemakers to share his kitchen, master skills and expertise.

The selected culinary assistants are Sous Chef Chris Renno, a recent graduate of the renowned International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, and Sous Chef Keith Gomez, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena.

“It’s been fantastic working under Chef Roman,” said Sous Chef Renno. “He is so experienced and a superb chef. I’ve been fortunate to bring what I’ve learned from the institute and meld it with his extraordinary culinary skills to help create amazing food. Thanks to his guidance, I feel like I’m well on my way to being a great chef.”

Through hands-on instruction and training, Executive Chef Roman works closely with his emerging top chefs, infusing his refined techniques with modern innovation and global culinary perspectives.  

“You must acquire the skills and knowledge needed to be competitive in the industry,” said Sous Chef Gomez. “Chef Roman is a master of the culinary arts and classic cooking. He has taught me new ways to navigate the kitchen, and to take what I learned in culinary school and apply it in unexpectedly delicious ways. Working with him has taken the foundation of my culinary training to a much higher level while guiding my passion for cooking into a satisfying career.”

Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center General Manager Robert Solgan said, “We are proud of our culinary team, and the results of its fine cuisine are evident in our guest satisfaction and return visits. Chef Roman is the one of the best chefs in the country and also happens to be one of the best trainers for our next generation of great chefs.”

“We invite you to the Castaway Restaurant for a holiday meal that will be an extra-special dining experience” Solgan continued. “Our chefs will present an incredible array of delicious food served in a festive setting. There is no other place like Castaway to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.

“Holiday selections include appetizers, fresh fruits and salads, traditional and unique main courses featuring prime rib, salmon and other choice meats and seafood, and tasty desserts – all at incredibly affordable prices. We invite everyone to join us for the true essence of the season.”

Join the Castaway Restaurant for its holiday buffet luncheons from now through Dec. 30, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  “It’s the affordable way to make merry with friends for lunch and exchange gifts, or gather up your company employees for a holiday celebration at lunchtime.” Solgan said.  Prices are $14.95 for adults, and $5.95 for children ages 3-10 years.

Don’t have the budget for big holiday party? The Castaway Restaurant hosts a “Shared Christmas Party” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 22 at $24.95 per person.

“Join your friends, or meet new ones at our shared holiday celebration,” said Solgan.  “Reserve a table for two or more and enjoy a festive holiday party with out the expense in a beautifully decorated private room with a spectacular view of the twinkling lights of the valley below. It’s the ideal solution for a holiday party that includes dancing to the sounds of a live DJ,” said Solgan.

Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center has a few dates still available for private holiday parties for offices, organizations and other groups.

“Guests may also bring there families for dinner any night, Christmas Day Dinner, or a New Year’s Day Dinner, making it possible for intimate celebrations without the hassle of cooking them yourself,” said Solgan.

“For those in the mood for a big party, don’t miss the Castaway’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Ring in 2010 and enjoy a delicious and elegant dinner buffet, dancing to a live band, and toasting friends and family with endless champagne while overlooking the twinkling lights of the valley below.”

This celebration begins 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31.  The prices are $150 per couples for a group table or $170 per couple for a private table,” said Solgan.

For more information or to make a holiday reservation, please call (909) 881-1502, or visit www.CastawayRestaurant.com.

About the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center
The Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center has an endless selection of fine cuisine from prime rib and filet mignon to salmon, scallops and fine seafood creations to delectable desserts. It’s the perfect place for enchanting moments for everyone from couples, families and friends, to large business gatherings and weddings.

Ideally situated in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, with spectacular scenic views the Castaway Restaurant is distinctively heralded as a popular tradition for its ambiance, mouth-watering menus, superb service, and breathtaking views overlooking the valley. Guests enjoy comfortable seating, oversized booths, complimentary valet parking, and a full-service bar.

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Salvation Army Shares Meat And Dessert After Abundant Donations

The Inland Empire Job Corps donated 300  pies to The Salvation Army's Thanksgiving feast this year. Donating them to Hospitality House Shelter Director Roosevelt Carroll (left) and to Director Capt. Stephen Ball (right) were Job Corps students Michael Covington, Shawn Green and Julian Chavez and Culinary Instructor Michael Gerud.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Salvation Army Corps received so much donated food on Thanksgiving Day and shortly thereafter, it had enough left over to share with other charities.

The recent donations were primarily meats and desserts, which had to be shared with others to prevent them from spoiling.

“We are thankful for this generous support,” said Capt Stephen Ball, director of the San Bernardino Corps.

On and in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the San Bernardino Corps received so much food, it and several other local charities will be able to keep feeding hungry families for a few weeks.

The Hospitality House emergency family shelter served some of this food to the 175 or more people it serves daily, and will be able to continue doing so for a few more days. It shared the rest with the Salvation Army’s Path for Prosperity and Adult Rehabilitation Center’s mens’ programs, Veronica’s House shelter for pregnant women and Mary’s Table, which is another community organization feeding people on a daily basis.

 “This holiday season we have been blessed by everyone throughout our community,” said Roosevelt Carroll, director of the Hospitality House emergency family shelter. “After the holidays, we will really need help.”

The San Bernardino Corps received 300 pies from Inland Empire Job Corps before Thanksgiving. It also received 33 hams from three different donors and close to 200 turkeys this year.”

Carroll noted that 100 of the turkeys were from Costco, which also provided 60 cheesecakes and 60 pecan pies. Those desserts were added to the 100 cherry, 100 apple and 100 pumpkin pies Job Corps had already provided, as well as 80 more pumpkin pies from Arrowhead United Way.

Arrowhead United Way donated 40 turkeys, Jim Campbell donated 25, State Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod donated 15 and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales donated 10.

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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Help a Neighbor - Volunteer to Ring A Silver Bell

Shaila, Shiane, Carl and Malaika Dameron ringing the bell for The Salvation Army.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) –The Salvation Army has started its Christmas tradition of ringing silver bells by shiny red kettles, so that passersby have a trustworthy opportunity to help those less fortunate.

“The Red Kettle fund raiser is our biggest fund raiser of the year,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, co-director of The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps. “We use the funds received to support our programs year-round to provide food, shelter and youth programs to our community.

The Salvation Army will continue ringing bells, Monday through Saturday until Christmas Eve. It seeks volunteer bell-ringers so that it can staff even more locations, more of the time.

For the past several years, Salvation Army of San Bernardino board member, and Dameron Communications founder and creative director, Carl Dameron volunteered with his wife Malaika and two daughters, Shaila and Shiane. The entire Salvation Army of San Bernardino board also volunteered their time to ring silver bells and ask the community for help.

“We receive great satisfaction knowing we had made a difference in our community,” Carl Dameron said. “We also enjoyed spending the time together as a family and teaching our children about the responsibility we have to care for those in our community who are less fortunate.”

Capt. Ball encourages families, groups of friends, community organizations, churches and Sunday school classes to sign up as a “Bell Ringer for A Day.”  The Salvation Army especially seeks groups large enough to work in shifts throughout am eight-hour day, but also welcomes individuals, families and other small groups who could donate a few hours of their time.

“Groups will be especially effective if they bring guitars and/or other musical instruments and sing Christmas carols,” she said. “The Salvation Army has long appreciated the role music plays in putting people into the holiday spirit.”

Each Thanksgiving, Christmas and in some cases Easter, Inland Empire Salvation Army Corps combine to serve more than 1,000 people holiday meals. But, some of these local corps, including San Bernardino serve almost as many meals on a daily basis to those who are homeless and hungry.  Some corps also maintain a food pantry for those who most need help with the cost of groceries.

Feeding the hungry is just one of the ways money donated to The Salvation Army helps. Salvation Army Corps offers lodging for homeless or evicted families; clothing and furniture for burnout victims, those evicted and the homeless; prescriptions; and assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in disasters such as fires.

In San Bernardino, The Hospitality House provides temporary emergency shelter and support in rebuilding the lives of thousands of homeless families. This shelter will be moving to a new, larger location in 2010.

To volunteer as a bellringer in San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace, Bloomington or Highland, call (909) 888-1336.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Redlands and other East San Bernardino Valley communities call (909) 792-6868.

To volunteer as a bellringer in San Bernardino County’s High Desert, call (760) 245-5745 and ask for Margot Barhas.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Ontario and other West San Bernardino Valley communities, call Envoy Abel Tamez at (909) 509-2503 or Envoy Naomi Tamez at (909) 509-2741.

To volunteer as a bellringer in the Desert Hot Springs/Coachella Valley areas, contact the Cathedral City Corps at (760) 324-2275.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Hemet, San Jacinto, Idyllwild and surrounding areas contact the Hemet Corps at (951) 925-7176.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Moreno Valley, Perris and surrounding areas, call the Moreno Valley Corps at (951) 653-9131.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Murrieta, Temecula, Canyon Lake, Menifee and surrounding areas, call the Murrieta Corps at (951) 677-1324.

To volunteer as a bellringer in Riverside, Corona, Norco and surrounding areas, call the Riverside Corps at (951) 784-4490.

In addition, one may donate to The Salvation Army online, through the website www.salvationarmyusa.org. Donors may specify to which branch of The Salvation Army the money should be sent.

How the Bell Ringer campaign began:
Capt. Joseph McFee, serving with the San Francisco Salvation Army Corps back in 1891, wanted to serve Christmas dinner to the poor in his neighborhood. But he didn’t have money to do so.

Mc Fee remembered as a sailor in Liverpool, England, seeing people on the docks throw money into a large kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” to help the poor. He decided this might work in California, too.

He set up a kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing, which operated a ferry that was, in those days, the only way across San Francisco Bay. He put a sign on the kettle saying, “Keep the Pot Boiling” and raised enough money to serve the Christmas dinner.

His idea spread quickly, and by 1897 Salvation Army Corps nationwide were collecting money in kettles to serve the needy in their communities. Among The Salvation Army Corps collecting money this way before the turn of the 20th Century was The Salvation Army of San Bernardino, which formed in 1887.

About The Salvation Army
Emergency services include: food, lodging for homeless or evicted families; clothing and furniture for burnout victims, evicted and the homeless; prescriptions, assistance with rent/mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in disasters such 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, supporting those in need without discrimination.  Donations can always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org, or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

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MHM & Associates Secures $5.2 Million In Grants for Non-Profits

 Members of Upland’s California Community Development  Coalition were all smiles after receiving a $707,500 grant from the California Department of Education to assist in starting Marshall All Star Academy at Marshall Middle School in Pomona. The program now provides students help with math, English and study skills, and teaches parents how to help their children succeed and prepare for college.

(RIVERSIDE Calif.) For nonprofit organizations, there are millions of dollars available in grants from government and corporate sources. They just need to know how to find them.

A Riverside company, M.H.M. & Associates, has helped hundreds of organizations better their communities through grants. Just this year, they secured $5.2 million in grants.

Over its 15 years in business, M.H.M & Associates has a 67 percent success rate in obtaining the grants it applies for, compared with an 11 percent success rate for all grant applications nationwide, and a 13 percent success rate for grant applications originating in California.

“It is our passion to help organizations that are doing all these wonderful and marvelous things to make their communities a better place to live,” said President Luvina Beckley of M.H.M. & Associates. “What they lack most of the time is funds.”

Many of the organizations’ leaders are not familiar with how to pursue grants, Beckley explained. M.H.M. & Associates helps in two ways – by putting on free workshops to review the process of applying for and securing grants, and secondly, by writing quality grant applications for their clients.

Grants are one of three ways non-profit organizations can raise money, Beckley said. The others are through donations and fund-raising.

“A fundraiser may raise enough money to sustain an organization for several months,” Beckley said. “Grants can sustain an organization for several years.”

Recently, M.H.M. & Associates tracked down $3.2 million for a single organization. That money enabled the organization to create after-school and Saturday programs for middle school students, emphasizing healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

The grants M.H.M. & Associates secured will help fund this program through 2013. They are:
•    $3.1 million from the California Department of Education
•    $592,440 for three years from the U.S. Department of Education.

Other recent grants M.H.M. & Associates has helped organizations secure are:

•    $338,711 for Colton Church of the Nazarene, from the California Department of Education to develop a program that provides effective and culturally appropriate instruction to infants through 5-year-old children.

•    $20,000 from Verizon for Libreria del Pueblo to provide language and computer skills training to limited- and non-English speaking Hispanic adults.

These skills help them to receive further training at San Bernardino Valley College, vocational schools and other educational institutions said Father Patricio Guillen, director of Libreria del Pueblo.  They also help Hispanic, limited English-speaking parents help their children with homework.

“We want to help these families move up in society,” Father Guillen said.

•    $707,500 to the Upland-based California Community Development Coalition from the California Department of Education, to help it start Marshall All Star Academy, a program to help students at Marshall Middle School in Pomona Unified School District with math, English and study skills. The program also teaches parents how to work with the school district to help their children succeed, and how to help their children prepare for college.

•    $79,356 to Pasadena Development Corporation from the U.S. Treasury Department, to help it continue its 32-year history of providing loans to small businesses in San Gabriel Valley.

“This grant helps us develop small businesses,” said Keith Rogers, Executive Director of the Pasadena Development Corporation. “It will help us offer better programs and services, and receive more support in the future for our non-profit organization.”

For more information, go online to www.MHMandAssociates.com or call (951) 682-4646.


About M.H.M. & Associates:
M.H.M. & Associates Enterprise, Inc. has served Southern California nonprofits since 1994. The company’s seven primary areas of focus are: agriculture, arts and culture, criminal justice, economic and rural development, health/ and human services, environmental and education.  M.H.M & Associates has generated nearly $30 million in grant funds for its clients.

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Culinary Students Bring Smiles To Hospital's Kids

Jeanne Durbin, a.k.a. Mrs. Claus, puts a completed gingerbread house into the Gingerbread Village that will be on display all of December at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

Jessica Jones, a Culinary Arts student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, helps Jessica Smith, 12, who receives outpatient chemotherapy at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, in putting the finishing touches on a gingerbread house on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Jessica Smith’s house is one of 100 created by children at the hospital, now on display in the lobby.

 Bradley Mandapat, a Culinary Arts student at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire helps Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Patient Nicholas Iraheta, 6, decorate a gingerbread house at the hospital, one of 100 created by patients like him and other children who came to the hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Jim Durbin, who as Santa Claus delights patients and other young hospital visitors alike, prepares to place a newly-completed gingerbread house in the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Gingerbread Village.

 (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Culinary Arts students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire lent their artistic flair on Tuesday, Dec. 1 to help seriously ill children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital create beautiful and unique gingerbread homes.

 “The children are just delighted,” said Eloise Habekost, president of Big Hearts for Little Hearts, a service organization for the children’s hospital and the organizer of this annual event. “They are thrilled to have this distraction from their usual hospital routines.”

In addition, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire donated 50 of the gingerbread houses created by the children. Big Hearts for Little Hearts, donated another 50, and its member Dottie Rice donated candy to use for decoration.

“She spends the entire year collecting this candy,” said Habekost.

Jessica Smith, 12, spent two months not long ago at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital battling cancer. She still must return frequently for chemotherapy, and at the end of her Dec. 1 treatment, a hospital worker suggested she join other children in the hospital lobby to decorate one of the gingerbread houses.

For two hours, Jessica and her mother Teresa Aripez worked on an elaborate gingerbread house together. Then, to Aripez’s relief, six students from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire arrived ready to help and encourage Jessica and the other sick children.

“When they got here, my energy and patience were running low,” Aripez noted. “They came in with new ideas and a lot of patience. Jessica loved it.”

Jessica Smith immediately bonded with Culinary Arts student Jessica Jones because of their shared first name. Jessica Jones recalled that the only other time she had ever decorated a gingerbread house was when she was 12, the same age as her new friend is now.

For almost another hour, the two Jessicas continued working on the gingerbread house, which now features several candy trees and two well-decorated gingerbread people.

Meanwhile, fellow Culinary Arts student Bradley Mandapat entertained both Jessicas with jokes, until more children arrived needing his expertise on their gingerbread houses.

Habekost noted that many children are involved in creating these homes. They include patients, children like Jessica who come for outpatient services, and in some cases, children simply visiting the hospital.

“Some of them are in isolation because they have swine flu,” she said. “They work on the gingerbread houses in their rooms, wearing gloves to prevent contamination. Other children come here to receive kidney dialysis, and work on these during their treatment to pass the time.”

The finished houses are on public display in the hospital lobby where they’ll be shown through the middle of January.

Habekost says that people come from all over the Inland Empire just to see what the young patients have come up with.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, Culinary Management and Media Arts & Animation. It offers associate’s degree programs in Graphic Design, Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design.

Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

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

For more information or a tour of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or go on line to artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire .

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu ), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley Disabled Residents Gain Resources for Independent Living

Services Center for Independent Living serves many disabled adults in the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. By moving to a larger location, it will be able to offer them more resources.

Dr. Lee Nattress, executive director of Services Center for Independent Living

(CLAREMONT, Calif.) Disabled residents of the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, including veterans, senior citizens and children, have greater resources to help them live independently, as the Services Center for Independent Living moves to new offices in Claremont.

Services Center for Independent Living invites the public to its grand opening at its new offices Friday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  It is moving to a new, larger suite in the Spring Street Center in Claremont, 107 Spring St.

“Our new location has a community room that will allow us to hold group trainings, meetings, and discussions,” said Dr. Lee Nattress, executive director of the Services Center for Independent Living. “In addition, our staff will have private offices where they can meet with our consumers.”

To attend the grand opening, call Lorraine Mercado at (909) 621-6722.  Disabled users of videophones or teletype phones may call (909) 445-0726.

Services Center for Independent Living consumers also have access to four computer terminals at this new location, instead of a single terminal at the old location. Additionally, the new location has a large laboratory where the organization provides hands-on demonstrations of various tools for living the organization assists the disabled to acquire.

Services Center for Independent Living provides free resources to people with disabilities. Primarily, it provides them with a “safety net,” to make sure they are connected to the programs and services that can help them live productive and independent lives.

“We focus on the needs of the disabled,” Dr. Nattress said. “We, together with each disabled person we serve, determine goals for independence, whatever that means to each individual, and develop a plan to achieve them. We also help families, significant others, and the community to assist the disabled in achieving their goals.”

Services Center for Independent Living offers workshops on a wide variety of disability-related topics for consumers, schools, businesses, and other community organizations.  Topics range from life skills to sensitivity issues; accessible housing to accessible transportation; Social Security eligibility to health care.  

In addition, Services Center for Independent Living maintains a registry of in-home attendant care providers, a list of affordable and handicap-accessible housing, and referrals to other agencies that can help with disabled people’s various needs.

It also assists consumers to obtain wheelchairs, prosthetics, specially programmed computers, and items that make it easier to perform basic tasks like eating and bathing.

Services Center for Independent Living also can help disabled people obtain free cell phones for use in emergencies, It works with another agency that accepts donations of used cell phones, refurbishes them and redistributes them to give to the disabled.

Since the phones do not have service contracts, they can only be used to call 911 for help during an emergency, and 211, which provides referrals to non-emergency public services.

“Calls made to 911 by persons with disabilities achieve the same results as those made to 911 by others.” said Dr. Nattress. “The ability to quickly summon help during an emergency can make the difference between independent living and reliance on others.“

The disabilities Services Center for Independent Living consumers live with are wide-ranging, including deaf, blind, brain injured, amputees, learning disabled, diabetic, obese, paraplegic, auto immune compromised, and recovering from mental illness.

Services Center for Independent Living is a non-profit organization, primarily serving the cities of Arcadia, Azusa, Bradbury, Baldwin Park, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, Industry, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, Walnut and West Covina. It is one of 29 resource centers for the disabled in California, including six others in Los Angeles County.

More than half of Service Center for Independent Living’s staff and board of directors are adults with significant disabilities. The 12-member board of directors includes four disabled

young adults (ages 18-35), two of whom are college students and two who are established in careers.

On the nine-member staff, two are deaf, two are recovering from mental illness, one is blind, one is learning disabled and two, while not disabled, are senior citizens. One of the seniors is Dr. Nattress, who has more than 60 years experience in health care management, in both non-profit and educational settings at the national, state and local levels.

Many of the disabled staff members are specially trained to provide peer support. They also carry out Services Center for Independent Living’s advocacy programs, which currently include advocating against cutbacks to the state In Home Support Services program that is crucial to many disabled people’s ability to live independently.

Also, disabled youth who are transitioning from school to employment can work at internships with the Services Center for Independent Living, where they learn skills transferable to other jobs, and where the disabled adults who work there can mentor them.

Services Center for Independent Living is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, established in 1980 to meet the needs of San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley disabled residents. Services include training in independent living skills, advocacy, helping to acquire tools to assist with mobility and other basic needs and providing information and referrals.

For more information, call (909) 621-6722.  Disabled users of videophones or teletype phones may call (909) 445-0726.

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Flu expected in three waves

You don’t want to sit in a doctor’s office while you are sick! Avoid seasonal flu by getting your flu shot. Children six months to 18 years old, and adults who either work in health care, infant care or essential community services such as police and fire protection can also receive a vaccine for H1N1 (a.k.a. “swine flu). Carl Dameron Photo

(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) Flu season is attacking with a double punch this year.

There is flu. And there is H1N1, also known as “swine flu.”

Together, they’re making lots of people sick enough to warrant medical attention. A few are sick enough to need hospitalization, and because of the H1N1 flu, deaths have been reported in the Inland Empire this year.

Flu outbreaks come in three waves, said Dr. Albert Arteaga, President of LaSalle Medical Associates. Fall and winter waves are usually more severe than spring, because virus strains (including H1N1) can become more aggressive.

But there’s a way to put a stop to it, says Dr. Arteaga. If everyone received a flu shot, he points out, there would be no flu.

“Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated,” Dr. Arteaga said. “But even if half of the population is immunized, there will be significant protection. That half of the population may prevent their neighbors from getting the flu as well. And if 75 percent of the population is immunized, we can stop the flu dead in its tracks.”

Dr. Arteaga urges parents to have their children (and themselves, if they’re eligible) vaccinated against the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses.

“Children are especially at risk, because they have more opportunities to be exposed to the virus,” he said.

Even though adults may be at somewhat less risk, almost everyone would benefit from a seasonal flu vaccine, Dr. Arteaga said. Those who imply flu vaccines are unnecessary and harmful, he said, are irresponsibly making light of the subject.

“The benefit of flu vaccines has been proven over and over.”

“The danger posed by the flu is real,” he continued. “Most strains of influenza, including H1N1 can cause body aches, coughs, sore throats, fevers above 100 degrees, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. We have sometimes seen more serious consequences, even death with H1N1, but other types of flu can be equally dangerous.”

Seasonal flu vaccines became available mid-October in somewhat limited quantity, with few limitations on who can receive these. On the other hand, the newly developed H1N1 vaccine is currently in very limited quantity, because vaccine manufacturers have not yet been able to grow a large enough culture to provide immunizations to all

Therefore, county public health departments have each made their own recommendations as to who can receive the vaccine.

In San Bernardino County, healthy children 2 through 18 years of age can receive the H1N1 vaccine. Also eligible are those ages 2 through 49 who have a baby 6 months or younger in their household and no medical conditions.

An injectible form of the vaccine is available for health care and essential service providers such as police and firefighters who are ages 49 and younger and healthy. 

The seasonal flu vaccine is available in two forms. The most common is the flu shot, an injected vaccine. A nasal spray, similar to that now offered for H1N1, is available as an alternative for most people ages 49 and younger.

To limit the spread of flu, Dr. Arteaga urges anyone with symptoms to stay home from school and work until they are well, and limit contact with others. They also should contact a health care provider, especially if worried about the symptoms.

Everyone should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, he said. Also, healthy people should to the extent possible, avoid contact with those who have flu symptoms.

“Every time we wash our hands, and take precautions when we cough, there is less flu to go around,” Dr. Arteaga said.

For more information about all types of flu, contact the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov. or by calling 1-800-236-4636, or the California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov or 1-888-865-0564.

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department also can provide information on its toll-free number, 1-800-782-4264, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to founder Dr. Arteaga, the primary mission of LaSalle’s clinics is “to offer high quality medical care to the whole family with courtesy and respect.”
The LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia
For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to www.lasallemedical.com.

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Inland Empire Needy Families Come Together To Give Thanks

 For many years, The Salvation Army has included pies baked by students from Inland Empire Job Corps on its Thanksgiving menu. Other volunteers work on Thanksgiving Day to serve a meal of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables and, of course, pie.

The Salvation Army of San Bernardino will serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds on Thursday, Nov. 26. Hospitality House Shelter Director Roosevelt Carroll received 15 donated turkeys from State Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod. San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales also donated turkeys.

The Inland Empire Job Corps donated 300  pies to The Salvation Army's Thanksgiving feast this year. Donating them to Hospitality House Shelter Director Roosevelt Carroll (left) and to Director Capt. Stephen Ball (right) were Job Corps students Michael Covington, Shawn Green and Julian Chavez and Culinary Instructor Michael Gerud.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) This holiday season the San Bernardino and Riverside Salvation Army Corps both plan Thanksgiving dinners to help the needy families of the Inland Empire.

The San Bernardino Corps will serve dinner from 11 am to 2 pm on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, at its Corps headquarters building, 746 W. Fifth St.

“We’re serving a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables and pie,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, co-director of the San Bernardino Corps.

San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales has donated 10 of the turkeys, although it could use more, as the crowd can typically go through 20 turkeys and 20 sliced hams. The Inland Empire Job Corps is donating 300 pies created by its culinary students – 100 pumpkin, 100 apple and 100 cherry.

The Riverside Thanksgiving dinner takes place Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most of the food for this event will come through donations the Riverside Corps acquires via KOLA radio station’s “Fill the Van” event, which took place Friday, Nov. 20.

The annual Thanksgiving meals bring in hundreds of families and individuals who do not have the means to provide themselves a Thanksgiving dinner. People come from all parts of the Inland Empire for the celebrations. The San Bernardino event alone has served close to 900 people in one year.

At both Corps, the hungry families are joined by hundreds of volunteers for the day who help prepare the food and serve meals to the families. An estimated 125 volunteers helped the San Bernardino Corps in 2008.

“Thanksgiving should be a special day for everyone not just for those who can afford it,” says Capt. Ball.

To receive information about the dates and times for the dinners at other corps besides San Bernardino and Riverside, or to volunteer, give them a call at 1800-SAL-ARMY or 1-800-725-2769.

About the Salvations 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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Art Institute Grads to Display Portfolios

Tracy O' Bannon, a March 2009 graduate of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, displays her Interior Design portfolio at a previous Graduate Portfolio Review Show.
             
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Students set to graduate from The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will showcase the best of their work when the school hosts its Graduate Portfolio Show on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Riverside Art Museum.

“We have our graduate portfolio shows at the Riverside Art Museum because the works that will be on display are on par with other professional shows. We focus on Graphic Design, Animation, Web Design, Interior Design and Culinary Arts.  The hors d’oeuvres created by our Culinary Arts graduates taste as great as they look,” said Cindy Jones, director of Career Services for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

“We also celebrate this important milestone with our students and honor them as they begin their journey into professional lives.”

Employers looking for talented, newly graduated professionals in the fields of Interior Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Culinary Arts and Media Arts & Animation are invited to attend this reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside. They’re asked to RSVP with Brenda Medina at (909) 915-2192.

From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the party continues its focus on the graduates, but the guests joining them during this portion of the event will be their own friends and family. This portion is also open to the public.

The International Culinary School will serve hors d’ouvres and beverages, some of which are being created by the new graduates of the Culinary Arts program.

The Graduate Portfolio Show is now a quarterly tradition for The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. It began holding this event in December 2008, and has had a growing number of students complete their degrees since then.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion & Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. It offers an Associate degree program in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Fashion Design.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate degree program in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree program in Culinary Management. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 11, 2010 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 of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/InlandEmpire.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu/), a system of over 40 education locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, and culinary arts professionals.

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200 Years of Faith in San Bernardino

Rabbi Hillel Cohn, chairman of San Bernardino’s Bicentennial Celebration Committee, tells a crowd gathered for San Bernardino’s 199th birthday this year about the Bicentennial Celebration Committee’s plans for festivities lasting from January through July 2010. One of events planned is for Rabbi Cohn to give a lecture on 200 years of interfaith cooperation in San Bernardino,  from the Jewish, Christian and Islamic perspectives. Photo by Yeekong Yang

(SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.) California State University, San Bernardino’s 23rd Annual Morrow-McCombs Memorial Lecture will focus on the City of San Bernardino's Bicentennial.

Rabbi Hillel Cohn, chairman of the city’s Bicentennial Committee, and a religious leader in San Bernardino for the past 47 years, will deliver the lecture "Can't We All Get Along? Reflections on 200 years of Religious Life in San Bernardino" at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at the university.

Ray McCombs, a former mayor of Rialto and a life-long student of religion, established the lecture series in 1988 to further relations between Christians and Jews. Lillian Morrow was deeply impressed with McComb's commitment to better relationships between Christians and Jews and also created an endownment to support the series.

After Sept. 11, 2001 the Morrow-McCombs Lecture Series was expanded to include Islam. Over the years some of the most prominent religious thinkers in the country have delivered the lecture including Martin Marty, Rosemary Reuther, Ellis Rivkin and David Saperstein.

The 2010 lecture will focus on successes, failures and challenges in interfaith cooperation in San Bernardino. Dr. Albert Karnig, president of CSUSB, will serve as the moderator.

Rabbi Cohn has served twice as president of the San Bernardino Clergy Association, was one of the founders of Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) and for the past 20 years has been a member of the Priest-Rabbi Dialogue, a project of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. For many years he was a regular participant on "Religion On the Line", a radio talk show on KABC radio in Los Angeles.

For more information on this lecture, call Rabbi Cohn at (909) 888-3666.

Rabbi Cohn is the chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee, and Erin Brinker is the chair of its Public Relations & Marketing and Independence Day Extravaganza committees. Other Bicentennial Celebration Committee members are Art Guerrero (chair of Neighborhood Beautification committee) Jim Smith (chair of the Community Engagement committee), Cheryl Brown (chair of the Youth Council, Intergovernmental and Arts committees), Beverly Bird (chair of the Legend of the Arrowhead committee), Steven Shaw (chair of the History committee), David Smith (chair of the Finance committee), Jane Sneddon (chair of the Parade committee) and Martha Pinkney (chair of the Gala committee.)

These members were appointed by the mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council. Additional community volunteers who have taken on leadership of other committees are: Trudy Freidel (Festival of Faiths), Dr. William Coleman (Leadership Cabinet), Peggi Hazlett (Mayor’s Run), Dr. Charles “Skip” Herbert (Coloring Books for Schools) and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (Design).

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The Salvation Army JC Penny's and FedEx Ground Join Forces For Angel Giving Tree Online

Volunteers from The Salvation Army will appear the day after Thanksgiving at Inland Empire Mall to man a “Giving Tree” there until shortly before Christmas. But, from now until Dec. 14, anyone who prefers to shop online can donate a JC Penny’s gift to the Giving Tree (also known as the Angel Giving Tree) by going to www.jcp.com/angel.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. and FedEx Ground are joining forces this Christmas season to give joy to even more people in need through a grand-scale online Angel Giving Tree program.

Now until December 14, for the first time, customers can adopt and shop online for Angels at www.jcp.com/angel, providing tens of thousands of children and seniors facing hardship in communities across the country with Christmas gifts.

“It is a great privilege to partner with companies that are helping in their communities,” says Captain Nancy Ball, Director of the San Bernardino Salvation Army, Corps.

“We are excited about this new online Angel Giving Tree program with JCPenney that will allow The Salvation Army to build upon a great Christmas tradition by reaching a new online audience,” said Major George Hood, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. 

“With the winter months around the corner, we appreciate this opportunity to inspire the American public to make a better Christmas for the millions of children and seniors living in poverty. One small gift can bring joy to a Salvation Army Angel this Christmas,” said Hood.

The process for adopting an Angel is very simple.  You visit jcp.com/angel to be guided through a short online Angel selection process.  After choosing an Angel online, you will receive an email with all of the necessary details to help your Angel.  Instructions will include the list of needs and wants of the Angel as well as information regarding where to ship or deliver your gifts to local Salvation Army destinations.

“In a year when so many need help, the new online Angel Giving Tree program will extend our reach and make it easier for our customers and Associates to give back this holiday season,” said Mike Boylson, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for JCPenney.

“By leveraging the strength of jcp.com, we are helping to modernize an American tradition - the Angel Tree program – and creating an innovative way to help families in need in our communities across the nation. Launching this program with The Salvation Army allows us to elevate our support for a cause that is extremely important to our customers and Associates, underscoring our focus on the ‘Joy of Giving’ this holiday season.”

The new online Angel Giving Tree program builds on the legacy of The Salvation
Army’s Angel Tree program that has been in operation for more than 40 years.

Created in collaboration with JCPenney partners Razorfish, Akamai Technologies, Sapient and Tata, the online Angel Giving Tree program allows customers to adopt an Angel at jcp.com/angel and conveniently shop for them online at jcp.com, in JCPenney stores or at any location they choose.

In collaboration with FedEx Ground, Angel Giving Tree gifts purchased through jcp.com can be shipped free of charge to any one of the 1,200 Salvation Army collection centers nationwide - putting the entire selection, shopping and delivery process at the customer’s fingertips.

Supporting the online Angel Giving Tree program will be a multimedia marketing campaign including in-store, print, online and e-mail advertising as well as social media initiatives through Facebook Connect.   JCPenney Facebook fans will be able to access the Angel Giving Tree website directly as well as post and share their Angel adoption with their friends.

The online Angel Giving Tree program builds on JCPenney’s legacy of operating in an ethical and socially responsible manner. In 2007, the Company launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative - C.A.R.E.S. - stemming from the vision that JCPenney cares for its Community, Associates, Responsible Sourcing, Environment and Sustainable Products. The Company’s commitment to social responsibility reflects its philosophy that "Every Day Matters" - for its customers, associates, communities, investors and suppliers. Additional information on JCPenney's CSR initiatives can be found at http://www.jcpenney.net/about/social_resp/default.aspx.

About The Salvation Army

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.


About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,109 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands, which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $18.5 billion in 2008 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.

About FedEx Ground

FedEx Ground provides 100-percent coverage to every business address in the United States, with small-package delivery in one to five business days in the continental U.S. and in three to seven business days to Alaska and Hawaii.

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