Bicentennial Railroad Days Focuses on Train History - Ride Historic Engine 3751

Engine 3751, long a familiar sight in San Bernardino, returns to the city for Bicentennial Railroad Days May 8-9.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (April 16, 2010) – Railroads have played a vital role in the growth and development of San Bernardino throughout most of its 200-year history.

The Bicentennial Celebration will honor that history with Railroad Days, May 8-9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the San Bernardino Depot, 1170 W. Third Street.

“The railroads were crucial to San Bernardino,” said Steve Shaw, president of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society, and leader of the group organizing Railroad Days. “The first railroad arrived in San Bernardino in 1883, putting San Bernardino on the map. The city’s population grew by leaps and bounds because of the railroads.”

In current times, the Amtrak Southwest Chief’ stops at the historic San Bernardino Depot every weekday for eastbound and westbound service, and Metrolink trains stop several times a day, weekends included, to provide service to Los Angeles. The depot otherwise sees far less use than in its glory days of the early 20^th Century, when it was one of the busiest railroad depot west of the Mississippi River.

During the Bicentennial Railroad Days, the San Bernardino Depot will be open throughout the day, bringing some of that glory back to life with the historic steam locomotive Engine 3751. This fully-operational locomotive will pull historic railroad “passenger cars, including one “dome car” during Railroad Days, giving participants a chance to experience rail travel as it was when trains were the primary means of travel between cities.

For tickets of $85, or $105 for seats allowing views from the glass domed car and another special car, Railroad Days participants can either ride the special train pulled by Engine 3751 on its journey from Los Angeles on Saturday, May 8 or on its return to Los Angeles on Sunday, May 9.

The ticket price also includes transportation in the opposite direction by a modern, Metrolink train.

“We will time Engine 3751’s return to Los Angeles so that riders can spend the day in Los Angeles, perhaps checking out its historic Olvera Street, have dinner there, and return by Metrolink that night,” Shaw said.

Meanwhile at the San Bernardino Depot during Railroad Days, there will also be historic photographic displays, model trains similar to those used in San Bernardino in the 19^th and 20th centuries, and food and merchandise vendors. Admission is free.

The 1918 Moorish-style San Bernardino Depot was once one of the busiest train depot west of the Mississippi River because Santa Fe Railways used it as a transportation hub.

“At that time, Santa Fe was San Bernardino’s largest employer,” Shaw said. “For part of that time, fully half of the working people in San Bernardino worked for the railroad.”

As train travel decreased in the mid-20^th century, the depot completely shut down in 1972, shortly after Santa Fe transferred ownership of its passenger service to Amtrak.

After Amtrak took over the passenger service, it switched boarding of its Southwest Chief to a smaller outdoor depot west of the historic structure. The Metrolink trains providing service from San Bernardino to Los Angeles since the 1990s have also always used the smaller depot.

In 1992 the San Bernardino Associated Governments (transportation agency for all of San Bernardino County) bought and renovated the San Bernardino Depot, reopening it in 2004.

One of the key attractions at the 2004 Grand Reopening, and again at this year’s Railroad Days, will be Engine 3751. This steam locomotive served Santa Fe Railways from the 1920s through the 1950s. Built in 1926, it was the first of the 484 series owned by Santa Fe Railways and was in active duty for about 30 years.

“In the 1940s and 50s, it served the San Bernardino Depot exclusively,” Shaw said. “It was a “helper” engine for trains that needed to get over Cajon Pass.”

In 1958, Santa Fe sold the locomotive to the City of San Bernardino. It was on public display at Viaduct Park until 1985, when the City sold it to the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society

The San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society restored Engine 3751. Today it is a fully functioning locomotive, but only travels the rails on special occasions like Railroad Days. It is usually kept in storage in Los Angeles.

“This locomotive was a familiar sight in San Bernardino for many years,” Shaw said. “Railroad Days will be the first time it has been seen in San Bernardino in more than six years.”

Other upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events:

On May 1, the San Bernardino Symphony will perform a “Celebrate America” concert at the California Theatre of Performing Arts in honor of the city’s birthday as well as the centennial of the Community Hospital of San Bernardino.

More music will be performed May 7 and 8 with an adaptation of Mozart’s opera “Cossi Fan Tutte” at the California State University San Bernardino’s P.A. Recital Hall.

May 15th current and former residents join together at an elegant gala at the National Orange Show Events Center, with the 16th capped by a Bicentennial Mayor’s Run and Youth Safety Expo at Arrowhead Credit Union Park and a Festival of Faiths at the Western Region Little League Stadium.

There will be a Centennial Monument rededication as well as a Bicentennial Monument dedication on May 20 at Inland Center Drive and “I” Street with a reception to follow at the California Welcome Center – San Bernardino.

The Bicentennial Parade will start at 7^th and E Street, ending at Meadowbrook Park, on May 22 focusing on San Bernardino from its beginnings as a Native American settlement centuries ago, to the present and future.

The Bicentennial festivities continue on July 4th at the 66ers Stadium in the Arrowhead Credit Union Park, the 4^th of July Extravaganza with a fireworks display unlike any the city has previously seen.

The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous, the Western Regional Little League Tournament and other events taking place in the latter part of 2010 will also feature a tie-in to San Bernardino’s Bicentennial, keeping the celebration alive throughout the year.

Rabbi Hillel 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 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), Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee.) and John Valdivia. The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.

Additional community volunteers who have taken on leadership of other committees are: Rev. Malleis-Sternberg (Festival of Faiths), Edward Martinez (Leadership Cabinet), Peggi Hazlett (Mayor’s Run), Dr. Charles “Skip” Herbert (Coloring Books for Schools), Karen Blanco (Media) and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (Design).

For additional details, contact Erin Brinker at (951) 323-9337 or go to http://sanbernardino200.org

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Audition For San Bernardino's Got Talent

Young people who can sing, dance or play a musical instrument are encouraged to audition for San Bernardino's Got Talent, taking place as part of the city's Bicentennial Celebration. Photo by Yeekong Yang.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (April 14, 2010) - Talented young San Bernardino residents ages 5-25 are invited to audition for San Bernardino’s Got Talent, a variety show honoring San Bernardino’s Bicentennial.

The Bicentennial Celebration Committee will award monetary prizes in this talent show. Age category 18 – 25 years will be awarded three prizes: First place wins $1,000, second place wins $500 and third place wins $300. The Bicentennial Celebration Committee will award one first place prize of $300 for  ages 14 – 17 and one first place prize of $200 for  ages 5 – 13 years,

“We are looking for a variety of talent acts,” said Charmaine Murphy, organizer of San Bernardino’s Got Talent. “They can focus on any theme suitable for a family audience.”

“The motto of the Bicentennial Celebration is ‘San Bernardino: A Rich History. A Bright Future’,” she said. “San Bernardino’s Got Talent focuses on the future, and the wealth of entertaining talent our youngest residents will bring to that future.”

Auditions take place at the Norman F. Feldheym Library, 555 W. Sixth Street, San Bernardino, on Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Monday, April 26 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The show itself takes place Saturday, June 19 at the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts located at 780 North “E” Street in San Bernardino. Admission is free.

Entrants are encouraged to register before the auditions. An application is available on the Bicentennial Celebration’s website, www.sanbernardino200.org. Entrants may also register during the auditions.

Categories include Male or Female Vocalists: and Band/Group Performers; all types of Dancing ; Spoken Word, Poetry, Rap Music and Comedy; Inspirational  Music and Instrumentalists (must supply own instrument.)

For more information and complete rules, visit www.sanbernardino200.org and click on San Bernardino’s Got Talent.

Other upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events:

On May 1, the San Bernardino Symphony will perform a “Celebrate America” concert at the California Theatre of Performing Arts in honor of the city’s birthday as well as the centennial of the Community Hospital of San Bernardino.

More music will be performed May 7 and 8 with an adaptation of Mozart’s opera “Cossi Fan Tutte” at the University’s P.A. Recital Hall.

May 8 and 9, the celebration debuts Railroad Days at the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum at the historic Depot.  The historic Santa Fe # 3751 steam locomotive will be brought to San Bernardino for this event.

May 15th current and former residents join together at an elegant gala at the National Orange Show Events Center, with the 16th capped by a Bicentennial Mayor’s Run and Youth Safety Expo at Arrowhead Credit Union Park and a Festival of Faiths at the Western Region Little League Stadium.

There will be a Centennial Monument rededication as well as a Bicentennial Monument dedication on May 20 at Inland Center Drive and “I” Street with a reception to follow at the California Welcome Center – San Bernardino.

The Bicentennial festivities continue on July 4th at the 66ers Stadium in the Arrowhead Credit Union Park, the 4^th of July Extravaganza with a fireworks display unlike any the city has previously seen.

The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous, the Western Regional Little League Tournament and other events taking place in the latter part of 2010 will also feature a tie-in to San Bernardino’s Bicentennial, keeping the celebration alive throughout the year.

Rabbi Hillel 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 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), Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee.) and John Valdivia. The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.

Additional community volunteers who have taken on leadership of other committees are: Rev. Malleis-Sternberg (Festival of Faiths), Edward Martinez (Leadership Cabinet), Peggi Hazlett (Mayor’s Run), Dr. Charles “Skip” Herbert (Coloring Books for Schools), Karen Blanco (Media) and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (Design).

For additional details, contact Erin Brinker at (951) 323-9337 or go to http://sanbernardino200.org

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Become A Dameron Communications Fan

The Dameron Communications team: Brenda Erickson, Chris Sloan, Shannan Gonzales, Carl Dameron, Sharti Goings, Matt Sloan, Ellen Porter, Yeekong Yang.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dameron Communications has launched a fan page on Facebook.

Through the fan page, Dameron Communications will be able to post photo albums, staff biographies and information about the team of employees.

Carl Dameron of Dameron Communications says, “Facebook is an opportunity for Dameron Communications to share who we are and what we do with you. We have a great team who produces outstanding advertising and public relations. This is an occasion for you to learn more about our firm, our team and what we do. We invite you to become a fan and join us on our journey!”

You can view the Dameron Communications Facebook fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/DameronCommunications/322023047635.

To become a fan, simply click on the “become a fan” button to the right of Dameron Communications.

About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.

Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.  

Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, CNNfn, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press and many more.

For more information go to: http://www.DameronCommunications.com/ or call (909) 888-0017.

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LaSalle Clinics Helping Seniors Get Healthcare Coverage

 

Medicare Advantage helps senior citizens like Carlos and Beatrice Cuellar obtain the specialized medical care they need. LaSalle Medical Associates can help anyone eligible for Medicare sign up for this program. Photo by Carl Dameron

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Seniors and other Medicare recipients who lost specialized benefits such as vision and dental last year can get that coverage back through Medicare Advantage.

 
“Many of our patients are dually enrolled in both Medicare and Medi-Cal. Last July Medi-Cal dropped senior coverage for vision, dental, podiatry, psychological services and many other forms of health care” explains Susan De Frates a 13-year veteran with LaSalle Medical Associates, now as a patient relation specialist.

“With Medicare Advantage, they get those the benefits back,” she said.

LaSalle began this program in December of 2009 for both seniors and disabled patients, who are the two categories of people eligible for Medicare. Enrollment is growing rapidly.

“Dr. Albert Arteaga,” De Frates says of LaSalle’s founder and President, “has spearheaded our move into greater assistance for the disabled and elderly. He’s always thinking of the patients above all else.”

 “We want to treat all our patients, regardless of age or condition, with courtesy and respect, and provide all the needed medical help if possible,” Dr. Albert Arteaga said.

LaSalle Medical Associates offers this program to all eligible seniors and disabled.

“We are an information center,” said De Frates. “If we don’t offer the services they need, we can find a clinic for them within our network. We can even call and make the appointment for them.”

De Frates and four patient relation specialists serve LaSalle senior citizens at its Mt. Vernon and Hesperia clinics. De Frates heads up the senior program at the Mt. Vernon clinic and Wendy Dubon oversees the program in Hesperia.

LaSalle Medical Associates is the only Independent Practice Association member (IPA) in the Inland Empire that has staff dedicated to helping patients enroll in Medicare Advantage, and one of only a few throughout southern California, according to Augusto Salas, an independent broker with whom LaSalle works to enroll patients in the program.

“People are very happy with the service LaSalle provides,” he said.


About LaSalle Medical Associates
LaSalle’s philosophy is that everyone deserves quality health care, and to be treated by his or her physician with dignity and respect. La Salle Medical Associates clinics welcome low income, elderly and disabled patients. They accept most insurance.

Founded in 1984, LaSalle has 110 employees, and is an Independent Practice Association member serving more than 100 doctors.

LaSalle has four Inland Empire clinics. Two are in San Bernardino at 1505 West 17th Street and 565 North Mt. Vernon Avenue, the Fontana facility at 17577 Arrow Boulevard and Hesperia’s at 16455 Main Street.

For more information or to make an appointment in San Bernardino call (909) 510-5918 or (909) 510-5929 or in Hesperia call (760) 947-2161.
 

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Carden Virtual Academy Approved

The San Bernardino City Unified School District governing board approved Carden Virtual Academy’s charter petition on Tuesday, April 6. The new school is set to open in August. At the dais, Trustee Barbara Flores, Board President Danny Tillman, Superintendent Arturo Delgado, Trustee Judi Penman, Trustee Louis  Ayala, Trustee Linda Savage. Photo by Chris Sloan

 

 Carden Virtual Academy Executive Director Tim Smith addresses the San Bernardino City Unified School District governing board moments before it approved the new charter school. Photo by Chris Sloan

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) A newly approved charter school, Carden Virtual Academy, gives San Bernardino families a new option for their children’s education.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District governing board approved the charter for Carden Virtual Academy on Tuesday, April 6, on a 4-2 vote, with trustees Danny Tillman, Judi Penman, Linda Savage and Louise Ayala in favor.

“The mission of Carden Virtual Academy is to deliver a high quality, high tech, high touch, standards-based, personalized learning environment,” says Tim Smith, executive director of Carden Virtual Academy. “Now that we are approved, we will move forward with that mission.”

Carden Virtual Academy will be set to open in August.

Carden Virtual Academy will provide education options for all families with children in grades K-12 residing in the San Bernardino area. These options include in-class instruction, online instruction and independent study.

“Our highly qualified, certified teachers will work with parents as educational partners to design a personalized learning plan,” Smith said. We strive to help students develop the character, confidence and skills needed for success in the 21^st Century.”

Carden Virtual Academy’s curriculum begins with the state and national educational standards. These put in writing what students are expected to know in any given grade or subject. These standards will be taught by local California certified teachers, most of whom will have already had teaching experience in traditional schools.

Add to that a strong character education program encouraging citizenship, character, responsibility and school and community pride. Carden Virtual Academy also stresses the importance of integrity, gratitude, teamwork, compassion, leadership, parental involvement, patriotism, respect, classical literature, arts and music appreciation, citizenship, self-directed learning, technology literacy, problem solving skills, and time management.

Carden Virtual Academy will develop individualized learning plans, keeping in mind each student’s educational goal. For some students, that will be catching up academically to graduate from high school on time. For others, it might mean getting a head start on college.

“We serve students that may not have had success in a larger comprehensive high school setting,” Smith said. “Students work at their own pace on an individualized learning plan.  If they are behind in credits, we can help them catch up.”

“We are also a good fit for college preparatory students who seek opportunities to learn as much as possible.” Smith said. “They can graduate from high school early if they wish. We can also help them take college courses while they are still in high school,

Elementary and Middle School Educational Philosophy

Carden Virtual Academy provides a comprehensive (all in one classroom) curriculum for grades K-8. Subjects taught in the comprehensive curriculum include language arts, math, science and social studies, physical education and art. 

Students may also choose from elective courses as well, at both the elementary and middle school levels.

The philosophy of Carden Virtual Academy’s elementary and middle school teaching was based on the work of Mae Carden, a 20^th Century educator and author who developed a system of instruction for developing the whole child.  She believed that character played a large part in the role of learning in a school environment.  She believed that “life is a joy and so should be learning.”

Ms. Carden wrote two books, Let’s Bring Them Up Sensibly, which offered advice to parents about working with and educating young people and Quality Teaching, Successful Learning, which offered instructional support and mentoring to teachers and school administrators. 

Many people believed in Ms. Carden’s teachings and asked her to establish her own school.  Many other educators followed suit in the 1960s and many Carden private schools were established. She has since passed away and the Carden Educational Foundation was established to continue her legacy and continue to instruct schools in using her philosophy.

Carden Virtual Academy has partnered with several other programs that deliver research-based, standards aligned curriculum content.  Among these are Carden Traditional Schools, a system of K-8 schools in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Carden Virtual Academy will ultimately work with its sister schools in Arizona to develop curriculum for all of the schools, but will start out with programs Carden Traditional Schools have already found successful.

“In the teaching of reading, Carden Traditional School teachers and administrators have had much success in working with a McGraw Hill program called Open Court Reading,” Smith said.  “Open Court Reading uses a strong phonics-based approach to reading and writing instruction.  McGraw Hill has most recently launched the 2008 update of Open Court Reading with Imagine It, which has several online tools and resources that supplement the traditional textbook offerings. “

Open Court Reading has many supplemental components that make instruction more effective including:

·      Leveled readers

·      Games and other fun learning tools

·      Cross curricular activities in science, social studies, math and art

·      Resources for English Language Learners

Carden Virtual Academy’s K-8 program will utilize Real Math from McGraw Hill to challenge students in math.  Additionally, units and lessons will be designed around the California state standards.  Real world applications connected to state performance objectives will be emphasized.

Virtual Education

Carden Virtual Academy plans class sizes of no more than 25 students per teacher in all grades. Its staff believes this is the best way to help students graduate with a high school diploma and a grade point average that would not limit their choice of college.

But attending class with 24 other students is not the only option for Carden Virtual Academy students. They can also attend class online, in what is known as a “virtual course.”

For virtual education to work, teamwork between teachers and parents is crucial.

The teacher’s job is to manage each student’s individualized learning plan by developing lessons and assessments.

Teachers also work with the parents and other caring adults in the students’ lives, who serve as “learning coaches,” providing them strategies for teaching the lessons at home. The learning coach’s job is to manage the day-to-day instruction of the student.

“Virtual education offers many benefits to families of children in the K-12 grades including increased parental involvement, flexible options for schooling that can happen anytime, anywhere, and preparation of our youth to develop 21^st century skills,” Smith said.

“In an increasingly competitive global economy, it is not enough for students to acquire subject-level mastery alone,” Smith continued. “Skills such as creativity, problem solving, communication and analytical thinking are necessary for all levels of success, from entry-level jobs to engineering and technical fields.  However the United States K-12 education system as a whole does not yet teach and measure these skills directly.”

Smith offers these sobering statistics:

• Eighty-four percent of employers say K-12 schools are not doing a good job of preparing students for the workplace; 55 percent say schools are deficient in preparing students with basic employability skills (such as attendance, timeliness and work ethic); 51 percent cite math and science deficiencies; and 38 percent cite reading and comprehension deficiencies.

• A very small percentage of U.S. 4^th and 8^th grade students (less than 30 percent) perform at a proficient level in math, while up to 20 percent lack the competence to perform even basic mathematical computations. (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, November 2006)

Virtual schools and online learning are growing rapidly—an estimated 30 percent annually in K-12 education.  Recent research highlights that virtual schools expand access to rigorous academic courses and curriculum; and, training teachers to teach online can improve instruction.  When virtual schools intentionally focus on mastery of 21^st century skills, these schools take full advantage of their strengths. 

“In an online class, the student must learn a host of technical skills such as posting to discussions, attaching documents, and accessing online white boards,” Smith said. “This teaches self sufficiency and basic computer skills regardless of what class they are taking.”

Methods of Assessment

Learning coaches evaluate their students’ work on a daily basis at Carden Virtual Academy.  Certified teachers regularly evaluate tests, quizzes, portfolio samples, and are also responsible for determining grades and making promotional decisions. 

Quizzes are assigned after every few lessons within a given course, and are usually short checks to make sure that students are on track with their understanding of the material.  Unit tests are larger assessments that may also require some teacher review when answers include short or long answers, or even essays.

Other forms of testing, known as benchmark assessments, take place on a quarterly basis to measure overall student progress and mastery of subject matter.  The benchmark assessments act as an additional tool to measure student pacing.

Portfolio samples and other student work are also required.

In a virtual program, students and their learning coaches mail these assessments to the teacher.  These scores are then entered into an online grade book.

Carden Virtual Academy opens in August 2010, and will offer both in-class and online instruction for grades K-12. It is an option for families who wish to be directly involved in their children’s education, for teens who seek an accelerated schedule to begin college early, and for teens needing to catch up on credits to graduate with their classmates.

For more information, call Shannon Brander at (760) 927-5134.

Picture Slide Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I0uCBrXDd0

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