Healthy Seniors Can Live Long Lives

Dr. Ghaly checks the vital statistics of Beatrice Cuellar, who plans a long and healthy life by following her physician's recommendations for staying healthy.

(LOS ANGELES) – Age 65 may be the official beginning of life as a senior citizen, but those who pay good attention to their health can live 20, 30 or more years after they reach that milestone.

The keys to a long life are paying careful attention to the medications one takes, and maintaining a healthy diet, said Dr. Azmy Ghaly, owner of Senior Care Clinic in East Los Angeles. Exercise can also go a long ways in boosting longevity.

“Seniors are living longer because if we diagnose early, there are medications and new technologies that can cure their diseases,” Dr. Ghaly explained. “But we still have bad habits that need to be addressed.”

Senior Care Clinic, a practice specializing in senior citizens, works with its patients to help them make choices that will lead to long, healthy lives. Whether this is by using the latest advances in medications and technology, advising them on healthy lifestyle choices, or simply caring for each patient as an individual, Senior Care Clinic is held in high regard by the senior citizens who already rely on it for medical care.

“We love it here,” said Carlos and Beatrice Cuellar, who have been patients at Senior Care Clinic for six years. “The doctors, the service, everything here is fantastic.”

Besides providing friendly service and expertise in the latest medical breakthroughs, doctors at Senior Care Clinic make sure they have complete medical histories for their patients. This includes keeping inventory of medications their patients are taking.

“Taking the right medications is crucial,” said Dr. Ghaly. “At Senior Care Clinic, doctors encourage their patients to bring ALL medications they take to every appointment. That way, the doctor can evaluate which ones are necessary, which ones aren’t, which ones might cause harmful interactions with others, and which ones are not helpful.”

“Sometimes it is necessary for a patient to take three or four medications for diabetes, and five or six for high blood pressure,” he added. “But as doctors, we should not assume things, so bring in the medications every time.”

“It is also important to watch your diet as you get older,” Dr. Ghaly said. “Most senior citizens need 1,800 calories, those with diabetes only need 1,500. Seniors (and others) should eat three balanced meals each day, low in sodium and cholesterol. Senior women should have a high-calcium diet, as this reduces their risk for osteoporosis.”

Exercise is not as essential as proper medication and a healthy diet, according to Dr. Ghaly, but for most seniors, it will greatly improve their quality of life.

“Exercise can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes,” he said. “And if you have arthritis, it can help your joints to feel better. It also can help a senior’s mental well-being, as seniors who walk are less dependent on others for their needs.”

With proper medical care, diet and physical activity, seniors will live well into their golden years.

Senior Care Clinic was established in East Los Angeles in 1994, and is affiliated with nearby White Memorial Medical Center. A staff of four physicians, headed by Dr. Azmy Ghaly, handles all geriatric health care needs. Physicians are fluent in Spanish and several other foreign languages.

Appointments are welcome, but not necessary. For more information about Senior Care Clinic, call (323) 307-0800.

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Robert Byrd

Gary Jeandron

(PALM SPRINGS, Calif.) Robert Byrd, Riverside County Auditor-Controller and local business leader Toyin Dawudo will host a “Meet the Candidate” reception for 80th Assembly District candidate Gary Jeandron.

This reception takes place at the Courtyard by Marriott in Palm Springs, 1300 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. Donations are appreciated, but not required.

“I want to make sure that business owners and community leaders have a chance to meet Gary Jeandron. He is passionate about helping those who live, work and raise families in the Coachella and Imperial valleys to enjoy the good life the region is known for,” Byrd said. “He is willing to work on both sides of the aisle in Sacramento to make that happen.”

Jeandron is the former Chief of Police for the City of Palm Springs and is a licensed marriage, family and child therapist. He also serves as a governing board member for the Palm Springs Unified School District.

He received the 2006 Jefferson Award Gold Medallion in Washington D.C. for his service to people in the Palm Springs area. The award was established by the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard, who has chaired programs for each of the last seven presidents of the United States.

Monday’s reception is an opportunity for constituents, business owners and community leaders to meet Jeandron and ask him questions about issues affecting their businesses and communities.

“My experience in law enforcement, counseling and as a member a local school district governing board gives me a sound understanding of the issues facing all of our communities,” Jeandron said. “I look forward to representing the deserts’ families and businesses in Sacramento.”

Current 80th District Assembly Member Bonnie Garcia, and dozens of other current and former elected officials in the desert have endorsed Jeandron.

To RSVP for the reception or for more information, call Eddie Catoe at (909) 888-0017.

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Dr. Albert Arteaga finalist in Spirit of Entrepreneur Awards

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, is a finalist in the sixth annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino.

He will be honored during a black-tie awards ceremony at the Riverside Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12. This event begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, with a dinner and awards ceremony at 7 p.m.

Dr. Arteaga is one of three finalists in the Corporate Entrepreneur Category, which recognizes the top entrepreneurs in medium to large-size companies. The award also honors local business people who have overcome challenges and given back to their community.

“I am honored to be named a finalist,” he said. “I’ve always thought that putting the needs of my patients first is a good way to do business. This award recognizes LaSalle Medical Associates as among the best in the Inland Empire, so that tells me my fellow business people also recognize it as a good business practice too.”

When Dr. Arteaga first opened LaSalle Medical Associates in 1984, he set out to not just aid those in need, but to change patients’ perception of “going to the doctor.” He explained, “I want everyone to feel that going to the doctor is no more intimidating than going to the grocery store.”

Dr. Arteaga started out as a pediatrician. Now, as the CEO of four medical clinics, his practice serves more than 100,000 people each year, from babies to seniors. He also owns an Independent Physicians’ Association serving 115 doctors.

Many of his patients are on Medi-Cal, and with a growing number of elderly patients, many on Medicare. Some have no health insurance at all. But with a strong belief that everyone deserves quality health care, Dr. Arteaga has parlayed this commitment into a business that last year made more than $40 million.

Dr. Arteaga has practiced a different approach to health care since the beginning. He models his practice after the way his father, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, ran the churches of which he was in charge.

“It seemed to me my father had a good way of running his business, which was churches,” Dr. Arteaga said. “He welcomed anyone who even approached the door of the church. And if the people weren’t good Christians, he still accepted them, knowing that in time, most of them would change their ways.So I said, my clinics are going to be run like churches. We don’t exclude patients. We welcome all who come in.”

That was 24 years ago. On the first day, Dr. Arteaga and his wife Maria, then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant, saw two patients. Last year, Dr. Arteaga’s five medical clinics had 108,061 visits, and grossed a little more than $40 million.
Michael Stull, director for the Inland Center for Entrepreneurship, started this recognition program soon after coming to CSUSB in 2002.

Stull said this program not only promotes awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship, but also provides role models to CSUSB students and local individuals interested in starting their own business.

“The Center for Entrepreneurship provides our students with solid instruction in how to be successful, which new businesses have a great need for in these economic times,” Stull said. And the businesses we are recognizing have been doing great things for awhile, which should serve as a motivation to anyone just starting out.”

Sponsors this year include The Business Press, Inland Empire Magazine, 951 Magazine, the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency, the Riverside County Economic Development Agency, the City of Riverside, Best, Best & Krieger, Citi, Quick Caption, Varner & Brandt, Citizens Business Bank and Tech Coast Angels, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and the Small Business Development Center.

For more information, go to www.inlandspiritawards.com or call Stull at (909) 537-3708.

LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 17th St. and 565 North Mount Vernon in San Bernardino and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.

For an appointment or more information call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.

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100 Minority-Owned Businesses Expected at Weekend Expo

ACQUIRE Learning Center will host the Minority Business Expo in its 9,000 square foot ballroom on Saturday, March 14.


(RIALTO, Calif.) – Set your calendars! Consumers will have an opportunity to shop for goods and services offered by the region’s diverse ethnically-owned businesses at the Inland Empire Minority Business Expo.

The Expo will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rialto Events Center located at 1188 W. Leiske Dr., Rialto. The Expo will feature displays and merchandise offered by more than 100 minority-owned businesses from throughout the Inland Empire. The event will also host a teen fashion show.

The Rialto Events Center encompasses a 9,000 square foot ballroom where the Expo will take place. It’s one of several rooms available for events.

“There have been successful Black, Hispanic and Asian expos in Los Angeles for more than a decade,” said Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications. “Now, with this great location in Rialto, we are bringing the idea to the Inland Empire, only ours will bring together enterprises from ALL minorities in our ethnically diverse Inland Empire.”

ACQUIRE Educational Services, Inc., Dameron Communications and the Cultural Alliance are sponsoring this event. Admission is free.

The Cultural Alliance is an informal alliance of all ethnic chambers of commerce in the Inland Empire, coming together for the common cause of improving relationships, business and our economic base.

Businesses owned by all races, ethnicities and genders can purchase 10 x 10 booths at the Expo for $125 each. The Expo will be attended by several hundred seeking your goods and services.

“This expo is an excellent opportunity for ethnically-owned businesses,” said Dolores Armstead vice president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. Many people want to support these businesses, but don’t know they are out there. I urge all minority enterprises to register for this fantastic opportunity to showcase your business.”

“The Inland Empire has a rich diversity of businesses,” she added. “But often, we don’t know each other, when we should be working together to support each others’ business endeavors.

Dameron Communications is a Black-owned business that has successfully marketed its clients to an ethnically diverse customer base for almost 20 years. ACQUIRE Educational Services, Inc. is a Black- and Asian-owned business, offering its building for private parties and business functions.

“We are proud to host the Minority Business Expo at our new Rialto Events Center,” said Suzy Aguillard. ”It is an exciting opportunity for participants to learn more about and support all the great businesses owned by minorities in the Inland Empire.”

The Rialto Events Center ballroom can hold up to 600 people for a banquet or party, and up to 1,500 for a concert or presentation. It also has meeting rooms available for groups as small as 10 people, or as large as 100. For leasing information, call (909) 875-3356.

To learn more about the Inland Empire Minority Business Expo, or to find out the many ways Dameron Communications can help you market your business, call Sabrina Martinez at (909) 888-0017.

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Disabilities Expo features Dr. Edna Arteaga-Hernandez

Guests at a previous Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO visit the Inland Empire Health Plan booth.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dr. Edna Arteaga-Hernandez will highlight October’s Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO. The free event is slated for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday Oct. 23rd at the Loma Linda University Medical Center.

She will speak on “Getting the Most from Doctor Visits and Medications,” topics of paramount importance to today’s patients.

Exhibits and workshops at the EXPO will explore health, housing, transportation, advocacy, employment, assistive technology and education.

Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez is the president and CEO of the Inland Empire’s Arther Medical Corporation.

Over four consecutive years she has received the coveted Polaris Award of Excellence in Public Relations Community Service for her radio talk show, “Cita con su Medici.” Additionally, Arteaga-Hernandez has aided students in various medical departments at Loma Linda’s School of Medicine and at Western University of Health Sciences.

The EXPO is presented by the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative, a group of
70-plus organizations serving people with disabilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. “We dedicate our efforts,” say the Collaborative’s leaders, “ to promoting equal opportunity, universal access and full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.”

The Inland Empire Disability Resources EXPO is set for Thursday, October 23 from 9-2 at Loma Linda University Medical Center, 25040 Stewart Street in Loma Linda. For details on this free event call (909) 890-5833 or (909) 890-1623 TTY. On line you may write to iedisabilitiescollaborative@gmail.com.

For more information about Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez and other community doctors, call LaSalle Medical Associates at (909) 890-0407.

Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez is a member of the LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. Independent Physicians Association. (IPA.)


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L.A. Senior Doctor Makes House Calls

Dr. Azmy Ghaly, in front of photos of his three sons.

Dr. Francisco Quijas converses with his patient, Beatrice Cuellar and her husband, Carlos Cuellar. The staff at Senior Care Clinic takes time to get to know each of its patients as individuals.


(LOS ANGELES) – Dr. Azmy Ghaly and his staff at East Los Angeles’ Senior Care Clinic do whatever it takes to make sure their patients receive quality health care – even if they have to make a house call.

Many patients will see Dr. Ghaly, or one of the other three Senior Care Clinic physicians at their office in White Memorial Medical Building, 1700 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, Suite 3900. The other physicians are Dr. Francisco Quijas, Dr. Angelina Espinoza and Dr. Aung Mang.

But they also see patients at nearby White Memorial Medical Center itself, or in many of the board and care homes, and convalescent hospitals in East Los Angeles and nearby communities. Seniors who still live independently can also have a house call, if they’re too sick to travel, but not sick enough for hospitalization.

“If there is no other way, we will make a house call,” Dr. Ghaly said.

Senior Care Clinic primarily serves East Los Angeles. The website www.city-data.com says East Los Angeles is 96.8 percent Hispanic, and has a median income of $31,915, with 26.4 percent of the population living in poverty.

“These demographics put patients at a higher risk of contracting certain diseases,” says Dr. Ghaly. “This is partly because low income Hispanics typically have a high-fat diet with lots of lard, and partly because Hispanics from all walks of life are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, hypertension and other diseases.”

As a geriatric or senior health care specialist, naturally patients are elderly, and many rely on either public transportation or senior housing shuttles to get to the doctors’ office.

Dr. Ghaly has tailored his practice to meet these unique needs.

For one thing, although the Egyptian-born physician came to the United States in 1991 fluent in two languages (Arabic and English), he quickly learned to speak Spanish after opening his clinic in 1994. Later two more doctors (Dr. Quijas and Dr. Espinoza), who were born in Mexico, joined the practice.

The fourth member of the practice, Dr. Maung, is from Myanmar (formerly Burma), and speaks Cantonese and Burmese. After Hispanics, the largest ethnic group in East Los Angeles is the growing Asian population, according to Dr. Ghaly.

Whatever their financial situation, patients won’t have to worry about the expense of health care. Since all Senior Care Clinic patients are at least 65 years old, they’re eligible for Medicare, and the employees of the clinic can help them apply if they haven’t already done so.

For those with insurance, Senior Care Clinic will usually charge only $75 for an initial office visit, and $40 to $45 for subsequent visits.

“Sometimes we will even see patients for free,” Dr. Ghaly said. “If a patient comes in with no money, what can you do? We have a heart here.”

For instance, while Dr. Ghaly encourages patients to apply for Medicare as soon as they are eligible, some newly retired senior citizens have lost coverage under their group plans at their last job, yet are still awaiting Medicare approval. If they need medical attention during that transition, Senior Care Clinic can help.

During an office visit, physicians at Senior Care Clinic spend the time each patient need. An initial visit, during which physicians give their patients a complete physical, takes about 30 minutes.

“We always take time with our patients to sit down and explain things,” Dr. Ghaly said. “For our Hispanic patients, sitting and chatting is part of their culture. If you stand up and talk to patients for 15 to 20 minutes, that is perceived as the worst care. If you sit down and talk with a patient for five minutes, it seems like an hour.”

Senior Care Clinic doctors ask their patients to bring every medication they’re taking with them to an appointment, especially the first meeting. That’s so they can make sure any medications they’re now taking or would be prescribed for their current ailment don’t cause harmful interactions.

“Some patients are taking 30 bottles of medication,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We review their medications with them, and make sure they’re not taking something that would hurt them.”

And if a new medication is necessary, Dr. Ghaly’s staff will assist by phoning the prescription to the pharmacy ahead of time. Pharmacies often verify prescriptions with a doctor’s office, he said, so calling ahead saves the patient from having to wait at the pharmacy while this step is completed

Appointments for office visits are encouraged, but patients are welcome to come in without them.

“If you are sick, and need to see a doctor right away, that’s why we are here,” Dr. Ghaly said. “We’re very flexible. “We try to have patients see the same doctor each time, so they can develop a relationship with that doctor. Still, we know almost all of each others’ patients.”

Since there are four physicians, the clinic can accommodate patients who didn’t make appointments by having at least one doctor available, in the office, whenever it’s open. That doctor can see his or her scheduled patients for the day, as well as any who come in without appointments.

Senior Care Clinic has a relationship with the East Los Angeles senior citizen community that goes beyond taking care of their medical needs. The staff participates in community health fairs and events for senior citizens, and the physicians serve as guest lecturers for schools and community groups.

In addition, Senior Care Clinic is helping The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) to develop affordable housing for senior citizens. TELACU is a non-profit organization founded 40 years ago to improve the economic vitality of East Los Angeles and other southern California neighborhoods.

Senior Care Clinic was established in East Los Angeles in 1994, and is affiliated with nearby White Memorial Medical Center. A staff of four physicians, headed by Dr. Azmy Ghaly, handles all geriatric health care needs. Dr. Ghaly speaks Arabic, English and Spanish. Dr. Angelina Lopez and Dr. Francisco Quijas speak Spanish and English. Dr. Aung Maung speaks Burmese, Chinese and English.

For more information about Senior Care Clinic, call (323) 307-0800.

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Taste of Korea celebrates rich history

Han Bok-Ryeo is a highly renowned chef in South Korea, and an important link to the country's rich culinary history.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Taste of Korea event the Korean Agro-Trade Center brings to downtown San Bernardino’s Court Street Square on Saturday is a celebration of history dating back more than 4,000 years.

“Today is Korea’s founding day,” said Sihwan Lee, assistant manager of the Korean Agro-Trade Center on Friday. “We have been celebrating all week and it will end with the Taste of Korea in San Bernardino.”

This year is also the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea. This nation formed on Aug. 15, 1948.

South Korea celebrates the founding of historic Korea 4,341 years ago. National Foundation Day, known in Korea as Gaechon-Jeol or “The Opening of Sky/Heavan: has been celebrated annually on Oct. 3 for most of the past 100 years.

Back in 2333 B.C., on about Oct. 3,. Dangun Wanggeom founded Gojoseon, the first kingdom of Korea. To this day Dangum Wanggeom is recognized as the founder of Korea.

And no sooner than Dangun Wanggeom became the first king of Korea, he had royal chefs to prepare his meals. That lasted all the way through the Joseon Dynasty and the rule of King Sunjong, Korea’s last king.

Han Bok-Ryeo is coming to San Bernardino to cook a meal that would have been fit for Dangun Wanggeom, King Sunjong or any of the kings in between. This highly-renowned Korean chef, the president of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, had a direct link to one of the last Korean royal chefs.

That chef was Hee-Sun Han, who began working in the Korean Royal Court in 1904, when she was 13 years old. In 1942, Hee-Sun Han was still cooking for Queen Yunbi and other members of the last royal family, and befriended a young professor, Hae-Seong Hwang.

Through this friendship Hae-Seong Hwang learned about and documented many of the Korean Royal Cuisine recipes and began writing a book about them.

In the mid 20th-Century, the Korean government also developed an interest in preserving Korean tradition, and declared many aspects of it to be “intangible cultural assets.”

In 1971, after much lobbying by Hae-seong Hwang, the government added Korean Royal Cuisine to the list of “intangible cultural assets.” As the last surviving gungnyeo (royal chef), Hee-Sun Han was the only person with first-hand knowledge of the Korean Royal Cuisine. Thus the Korean government declared her to be the first-generation skill holder, which was in and of itself a special honor.

That same year, Hae-seong Hwang founded the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, which trains professional chefs in the art of preparing this cuisine and works to promote it worldwide through education and exhibits. One of its early graduates, training there while Hee-Sun Han was still alive, is current president Han Bok-ryeo.

Hae-seong Hwang, now 88 years old, is herself recognized as an “intangible cultural asset,” for her role in preserving the Korean Royal Cuisine, according to the Institute’s Website. Her protégée Han Bok-ryeo will inherit this title from Hae-seong Hwang upon her death.

“Han Bok-Ryeo keeps alive a rich history the Koreans are celebrating this week,” Sihwan Lee said. “We are thrilled to have such an important link to Korea’s past join us in the Taste of Korea celebration.”

The Korea Agro-Trade Center is an agency of the Korean government and its purpose is to promote Korean agriculture. It has done this by holding cooking festivals in the Los Angeles area, but this is its first time the Taste of Korea will be held in the Inland Empire.


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Meet Candidates at Legislative Summit

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Inland Empire Culture Alliance and Arrowhead Credit Union will host a legislative summit Thursday Oct. 23 at California State University, San Bernardino.

This summit, which will take place from 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m. in the Lower Commons, Pine Room, is an opportunity to meet candidates from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties who are running for office at all levels from local school boards to United States Congress.

“The Inland Empire Cultural Alliance is an informal alliance of the ethnic Chambers of Commerce throughout the Inland Empire,“ said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. “We have formed the Alliance to provide a format for our communities to meet their future legislators and to be heard.”

All candidates who appear on ballots in San Bernardino or Riverside counties have been invited. They will provide campaign materials and answer questions in a one-on-one setting with constituents.

The Alliance will provide refreshments. For more information, call (909) 888-5223 or email info@ieaacc.com.

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Free Art Classes, Drawing Dreams

(SAN BERNADINO, Calif.) Being able to draw a live human model is an important skill for any artist, however, not all artists have the chance to practice this type of drawing.

In the spirit of leading by example, the Art Institute of California –Inland Empire is hosting an artists’ workshop on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1-5 p.m.

This workshop gives local artists a chance to try their hand at life drawing and will be held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire free charge to the public.

“Many artists are greatly creative but lack focus,” Santosh Oommen, Academic Director of Media Arts & Animation. “Our goal is to help make better artists. Offering workshops give these artists a chance to focus their raw creative talent.”

Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available for each class. The workshop is open to the public; the only requirement is that you are 15 years old or above and that you bring your own pencils and drawing paper.

“Our commitment is to helping artist in the Inland Empire improve their talents. This workshop, for artists as young as 15 years old, will help them to further their development of with the skills they need.” Said Oommen, academic director of media artist animation of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

The workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.


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

Dameron Communications Has Moved

Dameron Communications has moved to the third floor of 255 N. D Street.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Dameron Communications has moved to a new suite within the offices of 255 N. D Street, San Bernardino.

This move from Suite 210 to Suite 303 became necessary when Luxor Properties Inc., the new owner of the 255 N. D Street building, leased most of the second floor to the San Bernardino County Public Defenders’ Office. This required all but a few tenants on the floor to relocate their offices.

Luxor Properties Inc. was able to offer Dameron Communications great incentives on another suite within the same building. This not only allowed Dameron Communications a much easier move than if it had to relocate to another office building, it also gave the agency the added benefit of more space.

The new office is about 2,200 square feet, approximately 1,000 square feet larger than the old office.

“Since Dameron Communications expanded its staff a few months ago, we needed more space,” said Carl Dameron, founder and creative director. “We therefore were pleased to work with Luxor Properties to bring in the Public Defenders’ Office, which we know will be a good neighbor for all of the businesses at 255 N. D Street.”

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

Animator for Transformers 2 Coming to Art Institute

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire will host an award-winning animator who has worked on the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Eagle Eye films, as well as other projects.

Hock Hian Wong will visit Room 154 of The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire on Saturday, Sept. 27at 12:30 p.m.

“He'll talk about his experience working with producers and directors like Michael Bay and Roland Emmerich and also his experience directing cinematics and doing animation for games and films,” said Santosh Oomen, academic director for the Media Arts & Animation department at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

Bay is the producer of Transformers and its 2009 sequel, Pearl Harbor and other films. Emmerich directed Independence Day, Godzilla and other films.

Besides animation, Wong is also an expert in pre-visualization, a concept used by many producers to create scenes before they begin shooting a film. This process can be as simple as filming the “story board” and as complex as creating 3-D renditions that might be used to create the film’s scenes and characters.

Wong created pre-visualization for both Transformers 2 and Eagle Eye, as well as for a Harry Potter ride at a theme park. He’s now working with Emmerich on the film 2012, which will be released next year.

As a freelance animator, Wong primarily works with film producers and directors, but his clients also produce both shows and commercials on television.

Prior to becoming a freelance animator last year, Wong worked in the cinematics department of Sony Computer Entertainment, where he supervised animation of such games as Warhawk, Lair, Killzone, Socom and many others.

Wong’s visit is combined with an end-of-quarter party for The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, so visitors can also enjoy a pizza lunch while there.

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Council Challenger Louis Davis Up To Task

Louis Davis

(CORONA, Calif.) Louis Davis heads into the November 4 Corona City Council elections excited and ready for the challenge. He knows the council’s recent history well, having attended virtually every meeting for the past four years. He knows their frustrations, thinking and their limitations.

His bid for a seat on the Corona City Council is Davis’ first outing toward a major political office, but it isn’t his first outing into being a community leader. He’s been a member of the Corona Circle City Rotary, the Corona Library Trustee Board, the Norco Family YMCA Board and the board of the Riverside Community College Foundation. Early in 2004, Davis joined Southern California Edison, and currently serves as a Region Manager for Local Public Affairs serving unincorporated Riverside County, Norco and the City of Riverside.

“To be a member of the Corona City Council,” he says, “would be an honor and a privilege.” Our city needs to be able to sustain itself regardless of the difficult economic times. Corona has spent too many years being responsive to conditions; it’s time to be proactive to aid the community and businesses. We’re the third largest city in western Riverside County. It’s time we showcased Corona’s uniqueness and it ability to be driving force in Riverside County.”

Davis, however, doesn’t envision much happening for Corona with the present City Council makeup. “I just don’t see any long-range planning for our city’s future. Corona simply cannot be stuck in neutral for the next 20 to 25 years. Our city council is in need of a jolt of energy, and some fresh blood to take on this challenge. I am that fresh blood.”

A “challenge” is something he’s certainly accustomed to.

For 20 years Davis has lived with fused vertebrae in his neck plus damaged ones in his back, making some movements impossible and painful. By his late 20s Davis was paying for years of strenuous athletics including baseball and primarily football – “It was a matter of moving guys a lot bigger then me,” he says today.

Then, 21 years ago this very physical man was in the middle of his normal weight training routine in his regular gym when something went wrong, seriously wrong, with his neck vertebrae. Today the 49-year-old Corona resident walks slightly bent and can’t turn his head flexibly. “I just accept the pain,” he explains, “but I still get regular exercise.”

The father of four has refused to let the pain and discomforts affect his ability to raise his children or work to provide for his family. And it is with that same determination he is willing to take on the challenge to make Corona the model city for Riverside County.

“Given the chance on the City Council,” he states, “I can help take Corona where it ought to be, a leading Southern California community.”

About Louis Davis
On November 4, voters willing, Louis Davis will begin initiating three major programs for Corona: “I want to bring us venues that will generate revenues for our General Fund; I plan to bring prominent educational institutions to the city; and I’ll work hard to guide Corona to prepare for our future by bringing in high tech businesses with high end jobs, institutions that will survive economic downturns.”

For further information, or to contribute to the Louis Davis Campaign, go on line to www.leaveittolouis.com.

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Auditor-Controller helps build better financial officers

Robert Byrd


(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) For more than five years Robert E. Byrd, Riverside County’s elected Auditor-Controller, has sponsored an educational teleconference for financial professionals to review the past year’s developments affecting accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments.

For the past 13 years The Government Finance Officers Association has offered its Annual Governmental GAAP Update teleconference to educate accounting and auditing professionals of changes, and on Thursday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., more than 3,000 accountants and auditors will participate from sites across the U.S.

The GAAP Update will offer a comprehensive and practical overview of all of the major developments in accounting and financial reporting during the past year that affect state and local governments, with special emphasis on the activities of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

The Inland Empire site for the GAAP Update teleconference is in Moreno Valley at the Riverside County DPSS Training Center at 22690 Cactus Ave., Suite 100.

The term GAAP, or "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles," has a specific meaning for accountants and auditors. GAAP is the basis for preparing all financial statements so that financial professionals and investors can trust the results.

Specific topics that will be addressed at this year’s teleconference include:

1. Components of fund balance and definitions of governmental fund types (new GASB statement)
2. Derivatives (new GASB statement)
3. Recognition and measurement attributes (active GASB project)
4. Implementation guidance (recent changes to the GASB’s Comprehensive Implementation Guide)
5. Common reporting deficiencies and practice clarifications (based on experience in the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program)
6. Best practices in accounting and financial reporting (GFOA recommended practices)
7. GASB Technical Plan
8. Service efforts and accomplishments (SEA) reporting (amendments to GASB concepts statement and proposed guidelines for voluntary reporting)
9. COSO Update (new guidance on monitoring internal control)

Other topics include: emphasis on the activities of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, along with a look at governmental funding types, recognition and measurement systems and recent changes in the board’s Comprehensive Implementation Guide.

The GAAP Update will also review common reporting deficiencies, best practices in accounting and financial reporting and new guidance on monitoring internal controls.

To register for the GAAP Update, association members may go on line at www.gfoa.org. The registration fee is $135.00 for active members and $185.00 for nonmembers or other accounting professionals in the private sector. These costs are for registration prior to October 3, 2008. After that date, the fees will be $185.00 for active members and $235.00 for nonmembers.

“I believe in Riverside County,” Byrd says, “and I want the entire area to be better informed and knowledgeable. I am willing to contribute wherever I might be of benefit.”

Sponsoring the Annual Governmental GAAP Update teleconference is a natural contribution to financial professionals involved in state and local governments for Byrd. “The more we all train, learn and share knowledge,” he explains, “the better we can help our communities. This teleconference goes a long way toward that objective.”

The Government Finance Officers Association Director of Technical Services, Stephen Gauthier, will host the event. Gauthier is an instructor at the association’s national training seminars and is the author of numerous association publications including “Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting.”

In 2002, Robert Byrd became the county’s elected Auditor-Controller with more votes cast than in the entire history of the office. In so doing, he was the California’s first African American elected to that office. He was subsequently re-elected to a second four-year term in June of 2006.

Byrd virtually revolutionized the office of the county’s Auditor-Controller by restructuring it to provide optimum customer service while improving the quality and flow of information to the county’s management. He adds, “We refocused Riverside County’s audit function to not only serve its regulatory mandates, but also to incorporate flexibility to audit proactively,” thus bringing fresh standards to the county’s processes and functionality.

He sees his professional contributions as going beyond what’s expected of his office, however. He has been chair of the Riverside County Employee Campaign and Legislative Chair for the State Association of County Auditors. Additionally, Byrd has been a commissioner on the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission, and members of the Society of Municipal Finance Officers, the Government Finance Officer’s Association and the State Association of County Auditors.

Committed to his community, he’s a member of Riverside Rotary, board member of the Next of Kin Registry, is on the International Relations Council for Riverside and performs as Finance Chairperson for La Sierra Academy’s Board of Trustees.
For details on the Riverside County Auditor-Controller's office call (951) 955-3800.

The Office of the Auditor-Controller is headed by Robert E. Byrd, CGFM, who is elected by the voters of Riverside County. The Auditor-Controller staff and management teams are dedicated to providing sound financial accounting, auditing, and reporting in order to serve the citizens of Riverside County. More information is available on the Web at http://www.auditorcontroller.org.

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Black Culture Foundation to honor eight heroes

The Black Culture Foundation of San Bernardino will honor eight local heroes Friday, Sept. 26. They are, from top to bottom: Commitment To Service Award Winner Pastor Gwendolyn Rose, Humanitarian Award Winner James McCombs and Black Rose Award winners Velda Griffin, Terrence Stone, Roy Mabry, Lea Michelle Cash, Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds and Beulah Pitts.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation will honor eight local heroes Friday, Sept. 26 at the 19th Annual Black Rose Awards.

The Black Rose Awards program presents three types of awards: Humanitarian Award, which will be given to James McCombs this year, the Commitment To Service Award to be received by Pastor Gwendolyn Rose, and Black Roses for Lea Michelle Cash, Beulah Pitts, Roy Mabry, Terrance Stone, Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds and Velda Griffin.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the National Orange Show - Valencia Room, 689 South E Street, San Bernardino. It starts with a social hour, followed by dinner and the ceremony at 7 p.m.

Each award recognizes the recipient has given significant service to the local Black community.

The Humanitarian Award recognizes the person whom the selection committee feels has gone farthest beyond the call of duty to show kindness to others. His fellow members of the Inland Center Kiwanis Club estimate McCombs spends about 30 hours a week volunteering.

“James McCombs epitomizes the role of a true Kiwanian,” said his nomination, which was sent in by a fellow Kiwanian on behalf of the entire chapter. “He’s dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.”

McCombs does this as a mentor to the Key Club at Cajon High School, where he teaches community services and leadership skills to students. The Key Club is a student-run organization affiliated with Kiwanis International, and mentoring these youth is one of many duties McCombs performs as a Kiwanian.

McCombs also is chairman of the scholarship committee for Inland Center Kiwanis, and in this role visits nine high schools and middle schools to seek applicants for Kiwanis scholarships. He reviews these applications, selects recipients and presents them to graduating seniors during their commencement ceremonies.

When he’s not working with high school students, McCombs keeps busy helping a much younger group. For the past 18 years, he has served as a member of the steering committee with the March of Dimes/Walk for Babies and has served as a coordinator and facilitator, overseeing registration for this event.

Mc Combs has also volunteered his time over the past fifteen years to support the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House, by collecting “pull tabs” from aluminum cans and turning them in for cash to a recycling center. This effort has generated thousands of dollars for the Ronald McDonald House.

Another committee on which McCombs serves each year counts the relays ran during the Relay for Kids run held at Sylvan Park in Redlands. He also participates in the relay.

McCombs frequently volunteers at the Center for Individual Development’s annual Harvest Fair. The Center for Individual Development is a recreation center for children and adults with disabilities.

Every holiday season, McCombs volunteers at the Giving Tree, which the Salvation Army of San Bernardino mans at the Inland Center Mall from Thanksgiving to mid-December. This project allows Inland Center Mall shoppers to purchase gifts for area children whose families can’t afford presents.

“He can be found almost anyplace lending a helping hand to any organization that supports children and disadvantaged adults,” his nomination read. The nomination also pointed out that despite volunteering on a regular basis and until recently, working as a United States Post Office employee, McCombs finds time to help and encourage his wife, three daughters and grandchildren, and to take part in ministries at Traditional Community Fellowship Chapel.

The Commitment to Service Award honors the person the selection committee believes has given the most of anyone through a community service organization.

This year’s winner, Pastor Gwendolyn Rose, opened Rescue Team Ministries in 2002 as a place where people in unexpected difficult situations could find solutions and keep their dignity.

Since its opening, Rescue Team Ministries has given thousands of dollars to victims of fires, evictions, and to those who have recently had a death in their family. It has sent hundreds of pounds of clothes, shoes and books to Africa to help educate and clothe people on that continent, and Gwendolyn’s husband Don Rose has traveled to African villages to give Christian messages.

“When Pastor Rose is not rescuing victims from the street, you can find her in the prison system ministering the word of God and fighting in Sacramento for the rights of those incarcerated,” her nomination read. “She can be seen evangelizing to those in need on skid row or sharing God’s love in convalescent homes.

Gwendolyn Rose recently received her Master’s Degree from Cal State, San Bernardino and now teaches special education students for the County Schools of San Bernardino. She and her husband are the parents of six children.

The Black Rose Award winners are others whom the selection committee believes have done exceptional things for the Black community over the past year.

It has given this award to different people, and sometimes to organizations, over each of the previous 18 Black Rose Award ceremonies. This year’s winners join an ever-enlarging group of Inland Empire residents who are making a difference in their community.

Lea Michelle Cash raised her four grown children as a single mom. At the same time she has served in various volunteer capacities in southern California for more than 18 years.

When her children were school-age she volunteered as a PTA mom. She also volunteered with the now closed Los Angeles County Maclaren Hall for abused and abandoned youth, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS/Inland Empire Health Underwriters, San Bernardino’s National Night Out and as Rialto’s team captain for Revlon’s Breast Cancer Run/Walk.

In addition, Cash has worked as a freelance entertainment reporter, for the Black Voice News for two years, and previously for the Precinct Reporter for 16 years.

Three years ago, Cash started a nonprofit organization called The Brightest Star, Inc., thus embarking on her dream of building self-esteem and self-worth in children who are abused, neglected and abandoned to live in residential treatment facilities (orphanages) and foster homes. The Brightest Star, Inc. recruits and works with celebrities in the fields of art, television, music, sports, politics, motion pictures, radio, theater, education, community service and business.

Los Angeles County 5th District Michael Antonovich and former Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamonte have both participated in and awarded proclamations to Brightest Star, Inc. She also recently received an Honor Award from the Los Angeles Foster Care Awareness Campaign for outstanding contribution to children in the Los Angeles County foster care system.

Beulah Pitts has been a member of St. Paul AME Church for 40 years, and a deaconess there for many of them. She is a one-woman “sick committee” visiting sick people from her church at least three times a week, one of whom lives in Perris.

Two women in her church are disabled, and Pitts helps them by visiting at least once a week to pay their bills, shop for their groceries, take them to doctor’s appointments and run other errands for them as needed. She also makes telephone calls and sends get well cards to the sick and shut-in worshippers at her church, as well as birthday cards to members who are celebrating another year.

The first Friday of each month is Prayer warrior time at St. Paul, and Pitts is there before 6 a.m. to prepare and serve breakfast to all participants. She also shops for the food and cleans the reception hall.

Pitts also trained volunteers at the Westside Community Center, which was part of her job when she worked for the City of San Bernardino. She’s now retired.

Roy Mabry has extensive experience with the California Department of Corrections, where he achieved the level of Lieutenant. As former President for twelve years of the Association of Black Correctional Workers (ABCW), Mabry helped to provide training for law enforcement officers throughout the state of California and throughout the country.

Although he is now retired he continues to volunteer with and speak to the law enforcement community and the public at large about prison issues. He also speaks at schools, encouraging youth to stay away from drugs and violence and to get involved in community service.

Through his leadership he sponsors a variety of awards and scholarships for deserving high school students as well as funds for programs that cater to underprivileged children.

“As important as good law enforcement is to the community, without community involvement, it would be difficult for law enforcement officers to perform their duties to the desired effect,” said those nominating Mabry. “True leaders recognize the importance of community and do everything possible to involve the community in a positive manner.”

Mabry has volunteered since he was a young man living in the Deep South region of the United States, working with a local chapter of the YMCA. He continued with the YMCA when he moved to California. His involvement with a group of abused children from the Phoenix House enabled them to attend activities sponsored by the Association of Black Correctional Workers.

Also, as the developer of the African American achievement calendar, he assists a variety of organizations educate others in African American history. The Pomona Valley Delta sorority uses the calendar to provide scholarships to numerous recipients. Many branches of the NAACP have also participated in fundraising events using this historical calendar.

During the past two years, he designed what he describes as the key to understanding Black history, the African-American Heritage flag. This flag depicts thirteen days in each year that are significant to Black history and culture.

Mabry is also the founder of a national youth group called Continuing The Dream, and chairman of the newly formed African American Correctional Employees Association, both established in 2007.

Terrance Stone is the founder of Young Visionaries, a non-profit agency solely dedicated to eradication of youth gangs in San Bernardino County. Young Visionaries provides mentoring, after school tutoring, community outreach, arts therapy, youth violence prevention, leadership, youth employment development, and youth advocacy training.

Stone has established anti-gang programs throughout the county, especially in the desert regions. Additionally, he serves as an executive board member of the San Bernardino County Gangs and Drugs Task Force, a volunteer position that requires collaboration of numerous non-profit agencies in San Bernardino County and law enforcement.

Stone recently has helped to form a Gangs and Drugs Task Force sub-committee to deal solely with gang and drugs issues in the High Desert. He also has trained High Desert residents about the many facets of the gang and drug subculture, resulting in a better awareness and in programs designed to address the issues in the High Desert.

Stone has been invited to the Bahamas and Australia to assist with their gang prevention programs. He has partnered wit the San Bernardino Police Association to provide sports program for the youth of the community, and has been a speaker at assemblies motivating students in the San Bernardino City and Rialto school districts. He has been involved in banquets honoring community members and providing scholarships to students.

“There is no other individual in this county who has taken the steps to personalize the eradication of the gang element in this county,” read his nomination. “Mr. Stone has experienced first-hand the negative effects of this subculture and is truly making an impact in this county at the most basic level, the individual child.”

Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, a San Bernardino native and daughter of Hardy and Cheryl Brown, is the managing partner of BPC Media Works, LLC; Co-Publisher of The Black Voice News and Executive Director of California Black Media.

She serves her community through activities that promote diversity, cultural pride, and political and economic awareness through media, arts and education.

One project she worked on was to collaborate with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office to develop an outreach program that by creating videos, encouraged family storytelling and strengthens students’ computer and writing skills. The project also brought diverse cultures together to facilitate better understanding and sensitivity. The 10-week project culminated in a celebration where six videos were screened, and participants told how the project taught them new skills and provided an opportunity to learn more about the people in their community.

Again with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Browns-Hind produced the “Footsteps To Freedom Underground Railroad Tour,” an educational project designed to teach educators, students and community members about the plight of enslaved African-Americans. She has helped conduct tours with more than 300 teachers, students and community members who travel from Kentucky to Canada to trace the steps of the Underground Railroad. She partnered with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, California State University, San Bernardino and the Riverside County Office of Education, to arrange the tours

Brown-Hinds is an accomplished writer, publisher and lecturer who has received many personal honors and awards.

Her former principal at San Bernardino High School, where she was president of the Associated Student Body, nominated her for this award.

For the last six years, Velda Griffin has been the Executive Director at Option House, an agency that works to prevent domestic violence and assist its victims. Under her leadership, the agency has expanded services to include teen violence prevention, workshops and training for men and more transitional housing for those clients who are further along in their goals of healthy lifestyles.

The agency has never been well supported with public funds, so during her leadership Griffin has put together a board to assist in raising private donations.



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Taste of Korea Coming to the Inland Empire

Visitors enjoy a previous Taste of Korea in southern California.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – A taste of ancient Korean culture is coming to downtown San Bernardino’s Court Street on Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Taste of Korea is designed to acquaint Inland Empire residents with Korean culture.

Events will focus on Korean Royal Cuisine, food of kings and queens of ancient Korea. Largely through the efforts of Hwang Hae-seong, founder and director of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, these ancient recipes have been kept alive and passed onto the public, first in Korea and now throughout the world.

The Korean General Consulate of Los Angeles and the Korea Agro-Trade Center of Los Angeles are sponsoring this event, along with the Art Institute of California - Inland Empire and the City of San Bernardino.

“The Korean sponsors want to make people aware of Korean food,” said Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire. “There are no festivals like this in the Inland Empire and there isn’t much awareness about Korean food here, yet kimchi, a staple of the Korean diet, is becoming one of the most popular Asian foods worldwide.

“We at the International Culinary School want people to know a lot more about Korean food as well,” Chef Joseph added.

The Korea Agro-Trade Center is an agency of the Korean government and its purpose is to promote Korean agriculture. It has done this by holding cooking festivals in the Los Angeles area, Chef Joseph said, but this is its first time the Taste of Korea will be held in the Inland Empire.

Han Bok-Ryeo, president of the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine, and 61-year-old protégée of Hwang Hae-seong Hwang, is the featured guest of the Taste of Korea.

She will give a cooking demonstration of Korean Royal Cuisine during the festival, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. She will be accompanied by a team of six additional professional chefs who are highly trained in this cuisine, three from Korea and three from Los Angeles.

The festival begins at 10 a.m. with Korean cultural performances from the Korean Classical Music & Dance Co. This organization is directed by University of California Los Angeles professor Dr. Don Kim, and is comprised mainly of UCLA students, and will give musical demonstrations of traditional Korean dances and drum routines throughout the day.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 12:30 p.m. In addition to the music demonstrations by the Korean Classical Music & Dance Co., the team of chefs assisting in the Korean Royal Cuisine demonstration by Han Bok-Ryeo will prepare other Korean dishes at various times during the day.

A cooking competition is also planned, with eight two-chef teams from the International Culinary School, two from Arroyo High School in San Bernardino and two from Los Angeles-area high schools, representing the Korean Consulate. Students are competing for the chance to win a combined $5,000 scholarship to the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire in San Bernardino.

In this competition, students will prepare kimchi, the pickled vegetable dish that has been a staple of Korean diet for more than 3,000 years. The students will also use kimchi to prepare a fusion dish.

“Fusion is incorporating another culture into the dish,” Chef Joseph explained. “They could make kimchi pizza, kimchi burritos, kimchi sandwiches or anything else they can imagine.”

The third requirement in this timed, Iron Chef style competition, is to use Korean mushrooms to prepare an appetizer. If time permits, the students will also use Asian pears to make a dessert.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Fashion & Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

The Art Institute has the Inland Empire’s only degree programs in Fashion Design, Fashion & Retail Management, Culinary Arts and Culinary Management.

It’s not too late to start classes at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin October 6 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

For more information or a tour, call (909) 915-2100 or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire
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The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Emam El-Hout new president of Art Institute of California-Inland Empire

Emam El-Hout

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Emam El-Hout has been named president of the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

“I am looking forward to great accomplishments with the team already here,” El-Hout said. “The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is an important source for developing the talents of those who want to work in the technology, design, fashion and culinary fields.”

El-Hout was previously the Western Region Vice President for Finance of Educational Management Corporation (EDMC), the parent company for The Art Institutes. In that role, he had spent most of the past year serving as interim president, first at the Art Institute of California-San Francisco, and since April, at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.

Emam joined EDMC in 1997 as a Business Manager and was a member of the start-up team for The Art Institute of California Los Angeles. He became Director of Administrative and Financial Services at the Art Institute of California, Los Angles and helped that school grow to more than 2,000 students in a five-year period.

Prior to joining EDMC he worked with other educational institutions in financial aid, accounting and finance for more than 10 years and was also a senior auditor for the federal government.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire began offering classes three years ago and has already seen great transformations in its curriculum, brought on by the popularity of the college. In less than three years, it has grown to almost 800 students.

Classes started in 2006 with 40 students in Graphic Design, Web Design and Interactive Media, and Interior Design. Programs in Media Arts and Animation and Game Arts and Design were added later in 2006, Culinary Arts and Culinary Management in 2007 and Fashion & Retail Management and Fashion Design in 2008.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire has blossomed into an important community resource during its three years. One of its most recent accomplishments is sending a team of Interior Design students to assist in the design, construction and installation of bathroom and kitchen fixtures and children’s closets for a house built by the Riverside chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire are two of the Art Institutes (artinstitutes.edu) with 40 educational institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

For more information or to arrange a tour of the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, call (909) 915-2100.

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ACQUIRE Learning Center new host of Inland Empire African American Chamber mixers

Suzy and Craig Aguillard

(RIALTO, Calif.) ACQUIRE Learning Center, 1188 West Leiske Drive in Rialto, is the new host of the monthly Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce mixers.

The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce will host a Grand Opening at ACQUIRE Learning Center on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. It will serve refreshments and ACQUIRE Learning Center owners Craig and Suzy Aguillard will offer tours of their building, in which they offer tutoring programs for children in kindergarten through high school.

“We are pleased to offer our ACQUIRE Learning Center to the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce for its monthly mixers,” Craig Aguillard said. “As a community-owned business we look forward to contributing to helping others in this way. We also are excited to be able to show them how ACQUIRE Learning Center is helping our area’s children to succeed, by providing quality supplemental education, after school tutoring in English language arts, math, science and critical thinking.”

The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce previously held its mixers in the conference room of Dameron Communications, which provides public relations for ACQUIRE Learning Center. But Dameron Communications has recently relocated and no longer has a large conference room where it held the mixers.

“We have enjoyed the past year at Dameron Communications, which is unfortunately no longer available,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to our new mixers at the ACQUIRE Learning Center, which is more centrally located for members in Riverside, the West Valley and San Bernardino.”

ACQUIRE Learning Center is located at 1188 West Leiske Drive, Ste. 100 in Rialto, 92376. For more information, call (909) 875-3356 or visit www.Acquire3.net.

Twin college seniors go back to high school

Matt and Chris Sloan speak to students in the journalism class at San Bernardino High School, their alma mater.

(San Bernardino, Calif.,) It’s common for high school students to hear from guest speakers, however, it is rare for them to hear from twin former students who graduated merely five years ago.

California State Polytechnic University in Pomona seniors Christopher and Matthew Sloan are pursuing degrees in public relations.

The twins, interns at Dameron Communications, spoke to two groups: a graphic arts and printing course and a journalism course.

The two San Bernardino High School alumni came expecting to speak to the graphic arts and printing class (a San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools Regional Occupational Program) at San Bernardino High School taught by Lawrence Herrbach. However, upon the request of their former English teacher, Henry Ho, they gladly spoke in his class as well.

The first presentation was on the importance of the graphic arts/printing class and how the basic skills learned in the class can be applied within careers in printing, graphic design and even in photography.

The Sloans stressed that these basic skills could be used as a building block to many careers in life, as well as different career paths in college.

The students had many questions about college, including: student housing, the cost of college, the affordability of college and even questions about college parties.

“The best part of guest speaking was the opportunity to share with students that even if you come from a single family home, you can still go to college. I was shocked to discover that most students did not know that they could receive financial help to attend college, nor that the cost to attend a Cal State is just $3,500 a year,” said Christopher Sloan.

Matthew thought the hardest part of the presentation was trying to convince one student that just because he knows how to build engines, it doesn’t mean he will be hired as an auto mechanic without first being certified. Sloan advised the student to sign up for the high school auto shop program and then upon completion of the course, take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exam.

Their experience with the college newspaper, journalism and photography courses and being photography lab technician/teacher’s assistants, allowed them to give a second presentation on journalism and photography.

“The journalism presentation was a lot different. Students sat at the edge of their seats soaking up any and all advice I could possible give them. Given that no one within the class has prior journalism experience, the quality of the paper they produce is simply amazing,” said Matthew. “They really put in the extra effort to go above and beyond the typical student.”

Mr. Ho challenges his students to write on topics such as conflict, sporting events and pep rallies. He runs the course both as a class and as a high school newspaper.

His class has much to learn about journalism and photography; however, they are off to a great start.

In the spirit of community service, Christopher and Matthew Sloan have decided to volunteer once a week to help advice the staff of the San Bernardino High School newspaper.

“The most important thing I have learned from my mentor Carl Dameron, of Dameron Communications, is that you must find a way to contribute to your community. Right now, I can do this by helping with the high school newspaper and guest speaking on as to why attending college is so important,” said Christopher.
About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award wining agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of a potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

International Culinary School to serve Route 66 Rendezvous VIPs

Students and faculty Chefs from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire will prepare an Italian-themed dinner for the Route 66 Rendezvous VIPs for the entire weekend.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Route 66 Rendezvous taking place this weekend is largely about cars and food, and this year The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire will serve its best to the event’s VIPs.

Student culinarians from The International Culinary School will serve honored guests at the VIP (Very Important People) Tent during the opening day of the Rendezvous from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. Then on Saturday, Sept. 20, Chef Eyad Joseph, director of The International Culinary School, will serve as a judge in the Route 66 Culinary Cook-off.

The VIP tent provides refreshment during the Rendezvous to city officials, council members, event sponsors and other specially invited guests, as well as credentialed members of the media. This year they will enjoy an Italian-themed sit-down dinner.

The menu for this event will include a tossed salad with champagne vinaigrette; a Milanese-style stuffed chicken breast with a filling of four Italian cheeses and spinach, baby zucchini and baby carrots; penne pasta in a Bolognese sauce; and an Italian dessert.

It’s the first year The International Culinary School has served a meal to the VIP guests of the Rendezvous, although they did so for the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau’s inaugural Berdoo Bikes & Blues Festival held in May. In 2007, The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire participated in the Rendezvous by providing information to visitors about its culinary program and the other degrees it offers.

The Culinary Cook-off is a new event sponsored by Stater Brothers. It features teams from the San Bernardino police, fire and development services departments.
“The teams will receive a mystery bag of groceries to cook with,” Chef Joseph said. “They won’t know until the day of the competition what’s in the bag, but it will be based on a Route 66 cookbook that is available in bookstores.”

The team members may have received some hints from department supervisors, and Chef Joseph has assigned an International Culinary School student to each team to act as a consultant.

“The students won’t be allowed to help the teams with the actual cooking, but they can give advice,” Chef Joseph said. “They may make suggestions on menu development, preparation and cooking techniques.”

Other judges in this event are San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris; KTIE radio show host and food critic Allan Borgen, actor Paul Peterson and former Route 66 Hall of Fame recipient JC Agajanian.

Chef Joseph is pleased with the growing involvement The International Culinary School has with San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau events. “We have a great relationship with the Visitors Bureau,” Chef Joseph said. “They have really embraced the International Culinary School and The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.”

“We continue to develop our strong partnership with the Culinary Institute,” said Karen Blanco, director of communications for the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Not only do they provide us with savory food, it also gives the Institute the opportunity to develop their students in a real-life experience while providing the community with a sample of their accomplishments.”

The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire opened in January 2007 and prepares students in Culinary Arts and Culinary Management. Its director, Chef Joseph, is a certified executive chef, certified culinary educator and certified culinary administrator.

The Culinary Arts program, from which some are about to graduate with an associate degree, prepares students to work as entry-level chefs at restaurants, cruise ships and resorts, or to have their own restaurants or catering businesses. The students have won numerous national awards for their culinary skills.


The 19th annual Route 66 Rendezvous takes place Thursday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 21. It celebrates cars, both vintage and new, and San Bernardino’s place in history as one of the key cities on the western edge of Route 66, the “Mother Road” that many took when they first came to California in the early 20th century.

The Art Institute of California–Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

It’s not too late to start classes. Courses begin Oct. 6, offering day, evening and weekend classes for new and reentry students. For details or a tour of the campus call (909) 915-2100, or go on line to www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is only one of more than 40 educational institutions within The Art Institutes system, located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Acquire A Better Education with Acquire

Suzy and Craig Aguillard with Edna Davis-Herring superintendent of Rialto Unified School District. Craig Aguillard graduated from Rialto High School, where Davis-Herring was then principal. The Aguillards operate their Acquire Learning Center in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan.


(RIALTO, Calif.) It’s that time of year again.

Kids are going back to school and homework and book reports are fast approaching. But help is on the way for the Inland Empire. ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc. has opened a new learning center in Rialto to assist students with the challenging demands that come with a new school year.

“We created ACQUIRE Educational Services to not only help students be successful in school, but also to help parents ensure that their students are prepared for graduation and, later, college,” said President and Founder Craig Aguillard.

Aguillard and his wife Suzy founded ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc. in 2001. Three years later they relocated from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire.

“Since then, ACQUIRE Educational Services. has become a leader in educational support and advancement by providing one-on-one and group tutoring assistance, either in-home or at the ACQUIRE Learning Center,” Craig Aguillard said. “ACQUIRE specializes in preparing students in grades K-12 to excel in mathematics, English language arts, science, test preparation and critical thinking.”

ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc.’s programs start by assessing each student on an individual basis. All assessments reflect state standardized tests in style, format and content, based on California state content standards. ACQUIRE then tailors a program to each student’s needs by focusing on known areas of weakness.

Parents come in to discuss students’ needs with the ACQUIRE tutors. They also discuss the anticipated length of tutoring services and gain tips on how to foster education in the home.

“ACQUIRE Educational Services is dedicated to helping students reach proficient levels of education. Once met, ACQUIRE begins to advance each student by introducing them to the more demanding courses they will see in college,” Aguillard explained. “We bring them up to where they are supposed to be, and then we advance them from there. Our whole goal is to prepare students to go to college.”

For instance, high school students might come to ACQUIRE Educational Services because they are struggling with algebra, a skill they need to master in order to pass the California High School Exit Exam. But once the students learn how to do algebra, ACQUIRE will help them as they move on to calculus, a skill they need in order to excel in college.

In June of this year, the California Department of Education recognized and approved ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc. as a Supplemental Educational Services Provider.
With this new title, ACQUIRE is able to offer its services free of charge in the Rialto, San Bernardino City, Colton, Fontana and Upland school districts.

A provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 allows parents to select a qualified Supplemental Educational Services Provider if the school has been designated as a Title 1 Program Improvement School.

For students who don’t meet the requirements of the Supplemental Educational Services Provider, ACQUIRE offers affordable options to parents.

“We are here to provide today's youth and adults an opportunity for success through high quality educational programs, career awareness and independent living skills that will empower them to be a part of today's highly technological work force,” Craig Aguillard said. “Our mission is to help people reach their highest potential by providing the finest supplemental education.”

In addition to working with youth, ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc. also aids adults by providing computer training, English as a Second Language and job and life skills.

The Aguillards have more than 17 years of experience in the educational field, helping to prepare urban students to become college ready. Craig Aguillard is a former math and science teacher, and his wife taught music and art.

ACQUIRE Educational Services Inc. operates its ACQUIRE Learning Center at 1188 West Leiske Drive, Suite 100 in Rialto. For more information, call (909) 875-3356 or visit www.Acquire3.net.

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