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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Flu expected in three waves

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Inland Empire Needy Families Come Together To Give Thanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Art Institute Grads to Display Portfolios

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s not too late to start a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin Jan. 11, 2010 and classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students.

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

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

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200 Years of Faith in San Bernardino

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Salvation Army

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


About JCPenney

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

About FedEx Ground

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

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Black Barbershops Reach Out For Men's Health

Edward Brantley, owner of Uncle Ron’s Barbershop in Redlands is the Black Barbershop Team Captain for the San Bernardino Area. He coordinated the program at Da Spot in San Bernardino.






 Phyllis Clark, CEO of the Healthy Heritage Movement, Inc. is the coordinator for the Southern Inland Region for the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program. She is standing with John Jefferson, owner of Cold Cutz Barbershop in Riverside.

 (RIVERSIDE, Calif.)  Black men throughout southern California learned how to maintain good health while making a trip to their local barbershop on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The men and their barbershops, including 10 in the Inland Empire, took part in the Black Barbershop Los Angeles Area Health Outreach Program, a nationwide effort to help Black men take control of their health.

Working directly in participating barbershops, a team of nurses, physicians and volunteers provide health information, diabetes and hypertension screenings and referrals to no or low-cost primary care providers.

 “I am thrilled with the results of this event,” said Phyllis Clark, founder and president of the Healthy Heritage Movement, which helped the 10 Inland Empire barbershops participate in this event. My goal was to screen 100 Black men in the Inland Empire, and I believe I more than reached my goal.”

Clark made a quick survey of two of the participating barbershops, Cold Cutz in Riverside and DaSpot in San Bernardino, and found almost 50 men had taken part at those two shops alone.

The other eight shops were in the West San Bernardino Valley and High Desert areas of San Bernardino County.

Clark added she hopes more barbershops will participate in what is expected to become an annual event.

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RAY FULLER AND OLETA ADAMS IN CONCERT AT THE CASTAWAY

Catch Guitarist Ray Fuller's in a 'Rare Intimate Live Jazz /Gospel Concert' featuring an 'unplugged' appearance by Oleta Adams this Sunday at 7pm at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center.

Oleta Adams joins Guitarist Ray Fuller's The Weeper's Friends CARES 2010 Arts & Advocacy Outreach Project in a 'Rare Intimate Live Jazz /Gospel Concert  this Sunday at 7 pm at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center.

(San Bernardino, CA)  Guitarist Ray Fuller The Weeper's Friends CARES 2010 Arts & Advocacy Outreach Project presents Ray 'The Weeper' Fuller in a 'Rare Intimate Live Jazz /Gospel Concert' featuring an 'unplugged' appearance by Oleta Adams this Sunday at the Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center.

The concert is Sunday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. at The Castaway, San Bernardino, 670 Kendall Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92407.

Concert tickets are $60 for premium reserved seats and $50 general concert seating.  Receive priority seating with pre-show dinner at the Castaway Restaurant.  

For tickets call  (909) 697-9565 for dinner reservations call (909) 881-1502.

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GETTING YOUR CUSTOMERS BACK

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) “In tough economic times too many companies stop advertising their business, or they cut their marketing budget because its easier than cutting people,” says Carl M. Dameron, founder and Creative Director of Dameron Communications, (www.DameronCommunications.com) a Southern California public relations and advertising agency.

“The problem is when you stop asking for business you stop getting business. When sales fall because new customers aren’t coming in the door companies have to cut more expenses. They often reduce the marketing budget and then spiral into business failure. That puts more people out of work than if they had just found a new way to ask for more business.”

“We must never lose sight of the fact we are all products, and keep selling ourselves and our companies’ products,” says Dameron, adding, “However, a great campaign does not stop there. It takes hard work, knowledge and creativity to bridge the gap between the vision of success and actual profit.”

A new free brochure from Dameron Communications, Effective Advertising & Public Relations, outlines a step-by-step program to effectively reach a company’s target market, create a positive image of the business and entice their target market to use their products and services.

According to Dameron the solution to increasing business in a changing economy is to change your advertising strategy. “When people had lots of money from constant home refinancing, they bought lots of things they wanted but didn’t need,” he notes. “Now the re-fi money is gone. People also feel poorer because their home values are declining and their mortgage payments are up. Many consumers are recovering from the hangover of big spending. Buyers are redefining their purchases based on what they need, not just want.

Dameron says the solution is to change your approach. “Car dealers understand this. They increase advertising in slow times. They are often the first to notice a change in buyer attitudes and adjust their message to consumers.

“One strategy is to lower prices and offer zero down and low interest rates to increase traffic and sales. There are also other ways. Why? Because there are always buyers, if properly motivated to buy. As the Creative Director of Dameron Communications, my job is find the new way to motivate customers to buy,” he says.

Dameron offers more solutions to energize or create and implement an Effective Advertising & Public Relations strategy.

The program consists of four major components:

Research. The first step in an effective advertising campaign is research. A company must know how much they should invest in their marketing campaign, who the target market is, what media those consumers use and what they want!

Ad Development. The creativity of an ad campaign is spurred during ad development. Generally, the information obtained through research will be used to generate a campaign theme that will grab the target market’s attention and increase traffic.

Media Planning and Placement. Selective media placement ensures the target market knows about the company’s products and services. It is imperative that follow-up research is done to fine tune the media, to maximize budget effectiveness and capture the largest audience.

While a successful campaign fulfills all four components, a combination of effective planning and consistency is also required to be effective.

Additionally, Dameron’s guide gives information on developing effective Public Relations, Government Relations and Community Relations strategies.

Dameron goes one step further. “If your business needs help sorting out your media options or creating a new message, we will provide you a free one-hour consultation on your advertising, public relations, crisis communications, government relations and/or community relations issues,” says Dameron.

For a free copy of Effective Advertising & Public Relations e-mail your request to Info@DameronCommunications.com or call Carl Dameron at (909) 888-0321.

Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of its clients locally, regionally and nationally. They are an award-winning communications agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. They use advertising, public relations, government relations and community relations to advance their clients’ objectives. The web site is www.DameronCommunications.com.

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ART INSTITUTE NAMES NEW DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Jonathan DeAscentis as its new Dean of Academic Affairs at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has appointed Jonathan DeAscentis as its new Dean of Academic Affairs.

“We welcome Jon to our campus,” said President Emam El-Hout. “His experience in the creative fields of interactive media, communications and liberal studies will be an asset to our own highly creative students. With the success he’s had in bringing growth to two other schools within The Art Institutes system, we believe our campus, which has rapidly increased the number of students served in its first four years, will grow by even greater numbers under his innovative leadership.”

DeAscentis began his career with The Art Institutes more than nine years ago. He spent nearly seven years with The Art Institute of California – Orange County, where he served as Registrar, faculty member, and academic department director for Interactive Media Design and Liberal Studies. Among his many accomplishments at the Orange County campus, DeAscentis was instrumental in bringing online registration to The Art Institutes schools, as well as growing the Interactive Media Design department.

After completing his Master of Fine Arts degree, he transferred to The Art Institute of California – Los Angeles to move into an administrative role, where he helped develop the Registrar’s office and Academic Advising team before moving into the role of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

As Associate Dean, DeAscentis was responsible for managing the Registrar’s office and the library. In addition to taking on the role of Director of Institutional Effectiveness, DeAscentis helped create a successful registration campaign.

DeAscentis has a Bachelor’s degree in English, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in addition to his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

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

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

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

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

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

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HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GET GRAPHICALLY CREATIVE FOR POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION 2010 AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA - INLAND EMPIRE

Photo Caption: Alurra Hughes, a senior at Redlands High School, won the 2008 “Life is Better with Art in it” Poster Design Competition held at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. 

Hughes won a $3,000 scholarship in the competition.

[SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.] – For high school seniors interested in pursuing a creative arts education, The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire announces The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, a program which awards up to a full-tuition scholarship to study at a participating Art Institutes school. 

In partnership with the not-for-profit organization Americans for the Arts, The Art Institutes annual Poster Design Competition is an opportunity for talented young artists at the high school level to study graphic design and earn a degree in the creative arts.

The competition is open to high school seniors in the U.S., Canada (excluding Quebec), and Puerto Rico.  Contestants will be asked to create original poster artwork that expresses the slogan, “Life is Better With Art In It.”

Deadline for entries into the competition is February 5, 2010. Full entry requirements can be downloaded at www.artinstitutes.edu/poster.

According to Emam El-Hout, President of The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire, “For those whose outlet involves artistic creativity, it is The Art Institutes’ pleasure to be able to sponsor the Poster Design Competition for talented high school seniors. The competition allows them to demonstrate their creative perspectives and presents them the opportunity to have an education in a field that they are passionate about.” 

Now in its seventh year, the competition is a way to encourage and reward exceptional young artistic talent and nurture it in a formal, academic setting he adds.

Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said “Each year since Americans for the Arts has been working with The Art Institutes, we have been amazed at the skill level of high school students who enter the competition.  The students’ ability to channel their creativity and love of the visual arts reflects the importance that art plays in the lives of everyone.”

To learn more about The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/poster or contact [insert contact name, number, email address and website] at The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire. 

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

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

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

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

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

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, and 49 years of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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BLACK BUSINESS EXPO COMES TO MORENO VALLEY

Black Business Expo producer Jerry L. Green with University of California at Riverside Gary Kuzas.

(MORENO VALLEY, Calif.) Consumers can learn more about an array of goods and services offered by a wide range of local businesses and at least one national corporation at the Southern California Black Business Expo on Saturday, Nov. 7.

“All of the exhibitors will showcase the goods and services they have available here in the Inland Empire,” said Black Business Expo producer Jerry L. Green. “They will also provide information for people who want to join their franchise opportunities, multi-level marketing associations and other ways of creating new business.”

The Expo takes place Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Moreno Valley Holiday Inn Express, 24630 Sunnymead Blvd, between Indian Street and Perris Boulevard.

Booths in the Black Business Expo include Ameriprise Financial Services, Prepaid Legal Services, Temptations Parties, Just Corps, Costco, Kimi Rochelle Public Relations, Ardyss and Print 4 Success, Inc. 

Print 4 Success, Inc will have Black Inventors calendars and playing cards for sale at the Expo, Green said, and Ardyss may sell its body shapers, however the rest of the companies taking part will mostly be presenting information about their companies.

“Both Ardyss and Temptations Parties primarily sell through home parties,” Green noted. “Temptations Parties’ goods are on the risqué side, and can spice up your relationship.”

Costco will have information about membership, which is required to visit its retail showrooms. Costco has these showrooms in Moreno Valley and other Inland Empire locations, and throughout the world.

The other companies taking part offer various services, such as financial, legal, business consultations and public relations. They will provide information about these at the Expo.

As of a few days before the Expo, booths were still available. Whatever goods or services a business sells, the Black Business Expo is an opportunity to build up a customer base.

“I will hold these four times each year,” Green said. “By participating, businesses will have a new way to continuously market that isn’t available at a traditional business expo held only once a year.”

Green encourages people who are looking for new job to attend, so they can learn if starting a business is for them.

“In these tough economic times, many people need to either go back to school to get a skill set or start their own business,” he said. “ At the Black Business Expo they will learn about business opportunities and see if running their own business is something they would like to do.”

Future Black Business Expos are already scheduled for March 20, 2010; June 26, 2010; Sept. 11, 2010: Dec. 11, 2010 and March 19, 2011.

Admission is $10. To purchase tickets, or find out more about being a vendor, visit www.scblackbusinessexpo.com or call Green at (951) 313-1919.

Sponsors are the Black Business Resource and Networking Directory, PQ Enterprises, TheUltimateProfessional.com Sales Training, Westside Story Newspaper, The Black Voice News, Inland Empire Community Calendar and Cultural Events, Urban Lyfestyles, the Holiday Inn Express, the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, and Dameron Communications.

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BLACK BARBERSHOPS REACHING OUT FOR MEN’S HEALTH

Phyllis Clark, who as the founder of Healthy Heritage Wellness Movement, is working with owners of Inland Empire Black barbershops to provide this outreach effort. “The program will use these barbershops as platforms to disseminate health education information and give screenings to Black men, who exhibit poorer health outcomes than any other racial group in America.”

(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP) will launch its Los Angeles Initiative in more than 100 barbershops across southern California on Saturday, Nov. 7.

The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, a nationwide initiative, highlights the need for African American men to adopt healthier lifestyles, and promotes awareness and early detection of diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer. It was founded by and Charles Drew University Associate Professor Dr. Bill J. Releford, DPM.

“The program grew out of recognizing the barbershop as a centralized gathering place for Black men, and that barbers can link other men to health resources,” said Phyllis Clark, who as the founder of Healthy Heritage Wellness Movement, is working with owners of Inland Empire Black barbershops to provide this outreach effort. “The program will use these barbershops as platforms to disseminate health education information and give screenings to Black men, who exhibit poorer health outcomes than any other racial group in America.”

Working directly in participating barbershops, a team of nurses, physicians and volunteers provide health information, diabetes and hypertension screenings and referrals to no or low-cost primary care providers. The southern California outreach efforts beginning Saturday will also include Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program’s new initiative, “PEP Talk,” the Prostate Education Project, designed to help African American men discuss the subject of prostate cancer.

To learn more about the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, visit http://www.blackbarbershop.org

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STEVE POIZNER TALKS TO RIVERSIDE BUSINESS LEADERS

 

RIVERSIDE, CA – California Insurance Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner is scheduled to address the business community on November 16, 2009, 11:30 am at the Riverside Convention Center, confirmed the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce. Poizner is the second candidate to keynote the Chamber-hosted California Gubernatorial Candidate Series, kicked-off by former e-Bay President Meg Whitman.

“Our local businesses want to hear what the next governor will do to tackle the issues facing our region and state,” commented Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Cindy Roth. “That is why the Chamber is inviting all of the candidates so that they can talk directly to our employers and business leaders about their plans for solutions.”

According to his campaign website, Poizner was a co-founder of the California Charter Schools Association. From 2001-02, he served in the White House as the director of Critical Infrastructure Protection in the National Security Council. In 2006, he was elected as a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations – nominated by former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz.

The event is sponsored by: the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce: Gresham Savage Attorneys at law, the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce.

Individual tickets to attend the event are $40 for members of the Riverside Chamber, and $50 for non-members. Program includes lunch. Reserve seats by October 26, 2009 to Governmental Affairs Manager, Angel Rodriguez at (951) 683-7100.

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The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce is committed to building a stronger local economy by actively promoting and supporting our community; by fostering the growth and strength of our member organizations, and by engaging federal, state and local officials on behalf of business interests.

LITERACY PROGRAM TO RECEIVE $50,000 VERIZON FOUNDATION GRANT AT LAKE ELSINORE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

  

Roxanne Petteway, President of The Coalition to Improve Education (www.literacyandvirtues.org), will be presented with a $50,000 grant from The Verizon Foundation on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Lake Elsinore City Council meeting. 

(LAKE ELSINORE, Calif.) Roxanne Petteway, President of The Coalition to Improve Education (www.literacyandvirtues.org), will be presented with a $50,000 grant from The Verizon Foundation on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Lake Elsinore City Council meeting. The presentation is scheduled shortly after the start of the meeting at 7:00 p.m. at The Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St., Lake Elsinore, CA 

"The Verizon Foundation is proud to partner with the Coalition to Improve Education.  The size of the grant itself represents our view of this organization's positive impact on the community and the extent to which it emulates the ideals the Foundation holds dear," said Doug McAllister, Verizon's Director of Government and External Affairs.

“Equipping students with the fundamental skills needed to read, comprehend and critically think in our Leadership & Literacy After-School Program has been our strongest achievement because it changes their lives” Petteway said.  “The Verizon Foundation’s commitment to provide the tools necessary to improve and enhance our communities during this time of economic uncertainty is praiseworthy.  We are honored that Verizon is our Inland Empire Partner and we will continue to use their generous contribution to serve the children in the Lake Elsinore Valley.”

For more information or student registration call (951) 696-0853 or email: literacyandvirtues@verizon.net.

About the Coalition to Improve Education:  Since 2003 the Coalition to Improve Education has helped students in the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino increase their achievement scores by teaching them how to be better readers.  Through an intensive remediation program, the organization provides instruction in English Language Arts, character development, economic literacy, math and history.

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JOB CORPS BEGINS SEASON OF GIVING TO SALVATION ARMY

Inland Empire Job Corps culinary students – Deserie Yescas, Patrick Wolfe and Chef Michael Geurds, culinary instructor at Inland Empire Job Corps deliver their $300 for taking second place in the Route 66 Cook-of to Roosevelt Carroll, director of the San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House emergency family shelter (red jacket). 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Just in time for the 2009 holiday season, the San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army has received a $300 donation from the Inland Empire Job Corps.

A team of Inland Empire Job Corps culinary students – Deserie Yescas, Patrick Wolfe and Shawn Good – won the $300 for taking second place in the Route 66 Cook-off, sponsored by the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors’ Bureau as part of its 20^th annual Route 66 Festival last month.

Winners in the Cook-off were required to donate the prize to their favorite charity. For students at Inland Empire Job Corps, that’s an easy choice. They have been providing community service to The Salvation Army for almost a decade.

“The Salvation Army is the greatest cause,” said Chef Michael Geurds, culinary instructor at Inland Empire Job Corps. “They’re helping the most people.”

Quite often, Inland Empire Job Corps students are among those providing that help. These students have been volunteering at The Salvation Army for at least eight years said Roosevelt Carroll, director of the San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House emergency family shelter.

Culinary students bake hundreds of pies for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner, which has brought as many as 800 people to The Salvation Army.

Last year, they donated a collection of gingerbread homes they had created from scratch as a class project. Besides being eye-catching, they made a good desert for the shelter residents.

Job Corps students are making plans to continue these traditions, first by donating 300 pies to this year’s Thanksgiving dinner (100 each of apple, cherry and pumpkin). In December, they plan to deliver more gingerbread homes to the shelter.

Inland Empire Job Corps’ service goes beyond donations, Carroll said.

They frequently help with the preparation and serving of meals, and the maintenance of the grounds of The Salvation Army’s buildings. They retiled a bathroom at the old Hospitality House emergency family shelter (which was relocated to its headquarters building in 2007) and at the headquarters building, have painted several rooms.

“They are a joy to work with,” Carroll said.

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

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