Basketball Tournament Shows 5 Teens Fun & Camraderie

 The 2010 Salvation Army Basketball Team includes (front row) Sarai Napp and Devion Cleveland, (back row) Capt. Stephen Ball (coach), Roosevelt Carroll Jr., Suemae Rodriguez, Adell Sims and Richard Tafolla (coach).

(San BERNARDINO, Calif.) A Salvation Army basketball tournament gave five San Bernardino-area teens a taste of the great Northwest, and provided a challenge to their athletic skills.

The team traveled to Portland, Ore. recently for this annual tournament and youth conference. The tournament, held for the 13^th time in 2010, was hosted by the Portland Moore Street Corps of The Salvation Army.

“They played hard but did not win any of their games,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, co-director of the San Bernardino Corps. “They were good sports, and for the second time, earned the Sportsmanship Trophy.”

The old adage “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game,” is appropriate at this tournament.

And, in this case, “the game” extends beyond the three sessions on the court.

 “Basketball is the third most important thing at this tournament,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, co-director of the San Bernardino Corps. “It focuses on worship, fellowship and a little basketball.”

All of the 18 participating teams also were able to hear a motivational speech by Seth Franco, a former member of the Harlem Globetrotters and Michael Harper, a former NBA player.

The San Bernardino Corps has sent a team to this basketball tournament for three years now.

This year, for the first time, the team included two young women, Sarai Napp and Suemae Rodriquez. They’re joined with team veterans Devion Cleveland, Roosevelt Carroll Jr., and Adell Sims.

Traveling with them were Capt. Stephen Ball and Coach Richard Tafolla.

The players, ages 17-19, have not seen many places outside their own community. So, the trip to Oregon was also for sight seeing.

“We visited the Kroc Corps Community Center in Salem, Ore. where we swam in their beautiful pools,” Capt. Stephen Ball said. “One of them was a family-oriented swimming pool with a slide enclosed in a lighthouse, and an all-access area that looks like a beach but is actually a spongy surface.”

“Next to it is an Olympic sized pool for competitive events,” he said. “We were able to swim in both.”

The Salvation Army is building Kroc Community Centers in selected locations throughout the United States with a $1.5 billion donation from Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s Corporation founder Ray Kroc, upon her death in 2003. These centers offer athletic facilities and other community recreational services. A Kroc Community Center is not planned for San Bernardino.

The San Bernardino Corps contingent also visited the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore., where they were able to climb aboard the Spruce Goose.

The Spruce Goose is a football field-sized seaplane, developed by the Hughes Corporation during World War II to transport troops over air and water, but not completed in time to serve in that war and never put into military or commercial use. After its test flight in 1947, it spent the next 32 years in storage in Long Beach, Calif., then about 10 years on public display at the Spruce Goose Dome there.

It was dismantled and moved to its new home in McMinnville, Ore. in 1993. Evergreen Aviation spent seven years putting the Spruce Goose back together in Oregon before opening the museum in 2000.

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps

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

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

For local help, call the San Bernardino Corps headquarters at (909) 888-1337.

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Shannan Gonzales Joins Dameron Communications as Public Relations Coordinator

Shannan Gonzales, at work as a public relations coordinator for Dameron Communications. Photo by Chris Sloan

 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Shannan Gonzales started at Dameron Communications in January 2009 as an extern while attending United Education Institute (UEI). After the completion of her extern, she was hired as public relations coordinator at Dameron Communications.

“Shannan is the hub of our office,” said Carl Dameron, owner and creative director of Dameron Communications. “She works with clients and the team to make sure projects get done on time.”

Her duties include maintaining client and company press books, updating the Master Contacts database with more than 92,000 contacts, clerical work, paying company bills and analyzing the value of press received.

“I enjoy the positive and friendly office environment and the opportunity to assist others,” said Gonzales.

After hours she returns to her most important life calling, being a mother to her 2-year-old son Marcos. Everyday she enjoys the blessings her son brings, from a simple smile to a goodbye hug when dropping him off at preschool.

“Marcos is my top priority,” said Gonzales. “His birth motivated me to focus on my professional career and set a good example for my son.”

Gonzales is a graduate of UEI with a degree in Business Administration. After graduating from Redlands East Valley High School in 2002, she began working for Office Depot as a copy center representative for three years. She also worked for Stater Bros Market as a courtesy clerk, replenished inventory and as a deli representative.

“My prior experience working at Stater Bros and Office Depot helped guide me to the career choice of business administration, for I quickly learned that I have a deep passion for assisting others,” said Gonzales “And I am now able to do this with our clients on a daily basis.”

About Dameron Communications
Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. It is an award-winning agency that creates integrated advertising and public relations solutions to increase clients’ sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues.
Dameron Communications creates advertising for television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations.  
Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, CNNfn, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press and many more.
For more information go to: http://www.DameronCommunications.com/ or call (909) 888-0017.

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Volunteers Needed For New Computer Lab

Community support was overwhelming when the new Hospitality House held a grand opening in January. Volunteers are now needed to help children in the shelter’s computer lab and media center. Photo by Chris Sloan

 

Salvation Army Cadets Ryan and Marjorie Miller explain the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ plans for the new computer lab at its Hospitality House shelter. Among those hearing the plans, in background, are Assistant County Superintendent of Schools Margaret Hill and Brenda Doughty, who directs the tutoring program at Hospitality House for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Photo by Chris Sloan 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army Hospitality House seeks volunteers to work with children in its shelter’s media center and computer lab.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who likes working with children, and who could give one or two hours of their time, one, two or three times a week,” said San Bernardino Corps Co-Director Capt. Nancy Ball.

“They would not need to teach or even tutor the children, as we have had a tutoring program with San Bernardino City Unified School District for many years,” she said. “The volunteers would simply help the children with their school work.”

“We also could use donations of wholesome literature books that elementary school students would enjoy reading,” Capt. Ball said. “We have many books already to read to younger children, but we want to encourage those who can already read by providing them with books geared to their age group.”

Hospitality House, the Salvation Army’s emergency family shelter, moved to its new location on Tenth Street on Feb. 1, after operating for more than two years in the San Bernardino Corps’ headquarters building, and for about 50 years prior to that at a now-demolished location on Kingman Street.

The media center and computer lab provides the children staying at Hospitality House a place to study. It is also the new home of the on-site tutoring program the San Bernardino City Unified School District has offered to children in the Hospitality House for many years, dating back to when the shelter was on Kingman Street.

These two rooms of the new Hospitality House received special attention during the remodeling of the building on Tenth Street, as Target had donated a $25,000 grant to help The Salvation Army promote children’s literacy. With the grant, it purchased the computers, a television for viewing educational videos and programs, study tables for young and older children, lighting and colorful touches, including a large mural.

To volunteer, call the San Bernardino Corps headquarters at (909) 888-1336 or email nancy.ball@usw.salvationarmy.org

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

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

 

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Mayor's Run Celebrates Bicentennial

Peggi Hazlett, far right, calls “Go” as children begin running a past Mayor’s Mile at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (May 5, 2010) –This year’s annual Mayor’s Run celebrates San Bernardino’s 200th birthday.

The Mayor’s Run is in its eighth year, and has traditionally been held on the third Sunday in May.   Check in begins at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 16 at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, 280 S. E Street.

That happens to be just four days before San Bernardino’s 200th birthday. The Bicentennial Celebration commemorates the naming of San Bernardino on May 20, 1810 by Father Francisco Dumetz.

“This year, runners can celebrate the Bicentennial with the Mayor’s Run,” said Peggi Hazlett, assistant to Mayor Patrick Morris, and the organizer of this year’s run. “It’s a fun race that takes place annually in the beautiful Arrowhead Credit Union Park, and this year, it will be even better!”

The Mayor’s Run includes 5K and 10K races, and a “Mayor’s Mile” fun run for children 14 and younger.  All start at the stadium, and finish at home plate.  The 5K and 10K races are sanctioned by the USTAF (USA Track & Field).

Arrowhead Credit Union Park is home to the Inland Empire 66ers, San Bernardino’s minor league professional baseball team.

The 5K race, which begins at 8:00 a.m. takes runners up E Street to Fifth Street, where they will then loop around several blocks of the downtown area, including San Bernardino City Hall, before returning to Arrowhead Credit Union stadium for a final lap to home plate. The 10k race, which begins at 8:30 a.m., makes the same loop twice before entering the stadium.
First, second and third place winners in each age group will receive awards. Age groups range from 14 and under to 70 and over, with all others divided by 5-year increments.


At 8:45 a.m., children begin running the “Mayor’s Mile” in several age divisions (5 and under, 6-7, 8-10, 11-14). Depending on the age division, this run consists of one, two or three laps inside the stadium.

All children participating in the “Mayor’s Mile” receive a commemorative finisher’s award, regardless of place.

Everyone participating receives a t-shirt at check-in, which begins at 7 a.m. This year’s t-shirt features the Bicentennial Celebration logo.

“It’s fun for the whole family,” Hazlett said. “Plus it benefits local youth activities, and helps you stay fit and healthy.”

Entry fees are $5 for the Mayor’s Mile and $20 for either the 5K or 10K. Teams of five can enter the 5K race for $90. After May 10, the entry fees for the 5K and 10K races are $25, or $100 for a five-member team.

The Mayor’s Run also includes a youth health and safety expo.

Participants may enter by going to http://sanbernardino200.org <http://sanbernardino200.org> to download race applications. One race application per participant, plus a check, should be mailed to City of San Bernardino Mayor’s Youth Council, 1350 S. E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408.

For more information about the runs, participants should contact Mitch Assumma at (909) 384-5233.
Other upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events:
Music will highlight May 7 and 8 with an adaptation of Mozart’s opera “Cosi Fan Tutte” at the University’s P.A. Recital Hall.
May 8 and 9, the celebration debuts Railroad Days at the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum at the historic Depot.  The historic Santa Fe 3751 steam locomotive will be brought to San Bernardino for this event which takes place 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.
May 15 current and former residents join together at an elegant gala at the National Orange Show Events Center.  Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with food and entertainment continuing throughout the evening.
The Mayor’s Run is one of two Bicentennial Celebration events taking place on May 16. From 3 p.m to 5:45 p.m., the Festival of Faiths will be celebrated at the Little League Western Regional Stadium with various faith groups expressing their traditions and history in San Bernardino, and food booths to sample traditional foods of their community

There will be a Centennial Monument rededication as well as a Bicentennial Monument dedication on May 20 at Inland Center Drive and “I” Street beginning at 10:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following at the California Welcome Center, 1955 Hunts Lane, San Bernardino.

The fun continues at the Bicentennial Parade and Festival Celebration on May 22 beginning in Meadowbrook Park at noon. Throughout the day there will be food, merchandise vendors and a mini-carnival.  After the parade, floats will be on display.  The Parade begins at 4:00 p.m. at 7th and “E” Street and festivities will continue in Meadowbrook Park until 9:00 p.m.

Join the contestants at the San Bernardino’s Got Talent Show on June 19 at the Sturges Center of Performing Arts at 6 p.m. when the finalists will perform their acts.  Winners will be announced at this event.
The Bicentennial festivities on July 4th at the 66ers Stadium in the Arrowhead Credit Union Park will have live entertainment, food and a fireworks display unlike any the city has previously seen.

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

Rabbi Hillel Cohn is the chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee, and Erin Brinker is the chair of its Public Relations & Marketing and Independence Day Extravaganza committees. Other Bicentennial Celebration Committee members are Jim Smith (chair of the Community Engagement committee), Cheryl Brown (chair of the Youth Council, Intergovernmental and Arts committees), Beverly Bird (chair of the Legend of the Arrowhead committee), Steven Shaw (chair of the History committee), David Smith (chair of the Finance committee), Jane Sneddon (chair of the Parade committee), Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee) and John Valdivia.  The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.

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

For more information, contact Erin Brinker at (951) 323-9337 or go to http://sanbernardino200.org <http://sanbernardino200.org>

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Slide show of phots from the Mayor's Bicentennial Run

Media:  If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours.  If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.

Party Like It's 200!

 Local dignitaries, including San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris and San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, were on hand to celebrate San Bernardino's 199th birthday last year. All current and former residents, their friends and families, are invited to celebrate the 200th birthday of San Bernardino at a gala on Saturday, May 15.

Mayor Patrick Morris leads "Happy Birthday" at a celebration of San Bernardino's 199th birthday last year. Celebrate the 200th birthday at a gala on Saturday, May 16.


SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (May 7, 2010) – Current and former residents of San Bernardino, and all of their friends and family, are invited to a gala celebration of the city’s Bicentennial on Saturday, May 15 at the National Orange Show Events Center.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a social hour, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. There will be live music including strings and Mariachis, dancing with music by the Cal State (San Bernardino) Jazz band, and entertainment.

“Let’s make this a great reunion of people who love San Bernardino,” said Martha Pinckney, chair of the Bicentennial Celebration Gala. “Its purpose is to celebrate the bicentennial of our city. It’s a party that has been in the making for 200 years.”

Tickets for the Bicentennial Celebration Gala are $100 per person. To order tickets, go to http://sanbernardino200.org or call 909.886.2528.

Although the Bicentennial Celebration is taking place throughout 2010, the Bicentennial Celebration Gala kicks off eight days of concentrated events.

Other events taking place in the week to follow are:
• The Mayor’s Run May 16 at Arrowhead Credit Union Park. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., the first race at 8:00 a.m. Call Mitch Assumma at (909) 384-5233 for an application or visit http://sanbernardino200.org.
• The Festival of Faiths 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. May 16 at Little League Western Regional Stadium. Call the Rev. Petra Malleis-Steinberg at (909) 886-4911 if your church wishes to take part.
• A Bicentennial Celebration monument dedication and Centennial Celebration monument rededication at Inland Center Drive and I Street, 10:00 a.m. May 20 with a reception immediately following at the California Welcome Center, 1955 Hunts Lane, San Bernardino.
• A parade through downtown and a festival celebration before and after at Meadowbrook Park on May 22. The parade begins at 4:00 p.m., the festival celebration at 12 noon.

Other upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events:

Music will highlight May 7 and 8 with an adaptation of Mozart’s opera “Cosi Fan Tutte” at the University’s P.A. Recital Hall.

May 8 and 9, the celebration debuts Railroad Days at the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum at the historic Depot. The historic Santa Fe 3751 steam locomotive will be brought to San Bernardino for this event which takes place 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day.

Join the contestants at the San Bernardino’s Got Talent Show on June 19 at the Sturges Center of Performing Arts at 7:00 p.m. when the finalists will perform their acts. Winners will be announced at this event.

The Bicentennial festivities on July 4th at the 66ers Stadium in the Arrowhead Credit Union Park will have live entertainment, food and a fireworks display unlike any the city has previously seen.

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

Rabbi Hillel Cohn is the chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee, and Erin Brinker is the chair of its Public Relations & Marketing and Independence Day Extravaganza committees. Other Bicentennial Celebration Committee members are Jim Smith (chair of the Community Engagement committee), Cheryl Brown (chair of the Youth Council, Intergovernmental and Arts committees), Beverly Bird (chair of the Legend of the Arrowhead committee), Steven Shaw (chair of the History committee), David Smith (chair of the Finance committee), Jane Sneddon (chair of the Parade committee), Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee) and John Valdivia. The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.

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

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

Thom Salisbury New Senior Art Director

Thom Salisbury is the new senior art director of Dameron Communications. He brings more than 30 years expertise in creative design. Photo by Chris Sloan

Thom Salisbury works on an advertisement as the new senior art director of Dameron Communications. He brings more than 30 years expertise in creative design.  Photo by Chris Sloan

 (SAN BERNARDINO, CA) Thom Salisbury has been named Dameron Communications senior art director.

“As one of the Inland Empire’s leading public relations and advertising firms, we are proud to have Thom Salisbury lead our team to deliver the innovative, creative art direction our clients need to win in this competitive environment,” said Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications. ”

Salisbury has more than 30 years experience as an art director and artist. Recent work has included projects for the City of Redlands Redevelopment Agency, 1^st Valley Credit Union and the Redlands Symphony.

Previously, he was the senior art director for Pacific Coast Sportfishing, a national full-color monthly magazine focusing on sportfishing on the West Coast, including Alaska and Mexico.

“”It requires a great deal of passion and enthusiasm when it comes to providing real value to people who trust me with their message and image, or the media I’ve worked with,” Salisbury said.

“Design is much more than making something pretty,” Salisbury added. “It requires God-given talent along with a bucket load of skills, not to even mention years of practice. These commodities are nearly extinct in today’s environment.”

Salisbury was also creative director for The Sun of San Bernardino County. His creative expertise was brought to bear on accounts including San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland, and the former Harris Department Store. He also served as assistant design supervisor for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and worked with Donrey Outdoor Media in Las Vegas.

Salisbury has a degree in fine art from Saddleback College, and also studied art at University of Nevada – Las Vegas and California State University, Long Beach.

“Solid design is essential, from one-time 1-inch by 1-inch relatively low-cost ads, to an expensive sign or vehicle wrap that will be around for years,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoy making every aspect of visual promotion powerful and effective, but most importantly cost-effective.

Salisbury also serves as the 2009-10 president of the San Bernardino Sunset Rotary Club, and the co-director of its Tinman Triathlon & 5K, and kid’s Triathlon & Tricycle Race.

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

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

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

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

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Swimming Pool Safety: More Than Fun In The Sun

 (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  Look at it this way: Swimming pools are 14 times more likely than motor vehicles to be the cause of deaths of children four and under, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. 

The Center for Disease Control says three of 10 people who drown are younger than five years old.

But drowning deaths are not just limited to small children.  According to the Center For Disease Control, there are about 411 senior drowning deaths every year nationwide. Eight out of 10 of the victims were between the ages of 65-84 and about two out of 10 were 85 or over.

Seniors can over exercise and quickly become more tired than they think they are.  “If that happens in the deep end of the pool tragedy can happen,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates.

The Consumer Products Agency says that approximately 260 children under the age of five years old drown in America’s pools every year.  On top of that, they estimate there to be nearly 3,000 Emergency Department-treated pool injuries to children under five years old annually.

Yet, think of a home with a pool and what comes to mind but serenity, beauty and fun.

“Swimming pools can be deceptive,” notes Barbara Graber, the Audit & Education Coordinator for LaSalle Medical Associates. “We can forget just how potentially dangerous they can be, especially to very young children and seniors.”

As we enter spring and it gets warmer, then hotter into summer, it becomes Southern California’s “pool season”. Graber, who’s been with LaSalle for almost 10 years, knows what that means to families.

“Our Clinic Safety Committee has each of our four clinics display posters listing tips for pool safety awareness.”

Recommendations include:

•       Designate a responsible adult to watch young children and seniors while swimming or playing in or around water.

•       Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.

•       Never let older children be in charge of younger children in the pool area.

•       Put a fence around your pool or spa with a gate that can be locked. Keep the gate closed and locked.

•       Never swim alone no matter what your age.  Always have an adult buddy there to help in an emergency.

•       Don’t keep furniture near the fence, because children can climb on them and get over the fence.

•       Keep a cordless, water-resistant phone in the pool area so calls to 911 can be quickly made in the event of an emergency.

•       Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming or using a hot tub. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.

While most attention regarding swimming pool danger centers around drowning accidents, another danger, especially during the upcoming hot, sunny days, is the sun.

“More time in the pool,” says Graber, “means more time in the sun, and the sun can cause serious sunburns,” even possibly leading to various levels of skin cancer later in life.

There are nearly nine million private pools in America, says Market Research.com.  So most of us, naturally, don’t know a family that has experienced a pool-related death.

In the United States there are 1.6 drowning deaths of children per million population.

According to the World Health Organization, America ranks as high as 4^th in pool deaths per million, behind the Bahamas, Malta and Cuba, yet ahead of Australia, 9^th, Canada, 19^th, and Mexico, 31^st.

Many people feel a certain sense of safety in avoiding private swimming pools altogether in favor of taking their families to public facilities with lifeguards, yet, experts say, this can cause a certain relaxation in parental alertness and concern.

After all, public pools have all the safeguards in place, and lifeguards are trained in spotting water problems, rescuing swimmers in trouble and immediately administering emergency aid.

However, the Drowning Prevention Foundation has pointed out that fully one of every five drowning deaths of America’s children occur in public pools with lifeguards in attendance.

“Public pools are more crowded than home pools, naturally,” notes a spokesman, “so the numbers of swimmers per lifeguard can become alarming on hot days, especially weekends and summer vacations.”

“It’s for reasons like this,” says LaSalle’s founder Dr. Albert Arteaga, “we all must stay attuned and alert to swimming pool and spa safety issues, knowing how to prevent problems and what to do if something still goes wrong.”

Pick us a free pool safety poster that included these important safety tips for children and seniors at any of LaSalle’s Inland Empire clinics. Two are in San Bernardino at 1505 West 17^th Street and 565 North Mt. Vernon Avenue, the Fontana facility at 17577 Arrow Boulevard and Hesperia’s at 16455 Main Street.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (909) 890-0407.

About LaSalle Medical Associates

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

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

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Bicentennial Beautification Winners Announced

Ron and Shirley White won the Single Family Category for the improvements to their home. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

Luis Campos is the winner of the Multi-Family category in the Neighborhood Beautification contest, for improvements he made to this apartment complex. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration.

 Boy Scout Troop 434 and the DMV Neighborhood Association joined with St. John’s Episcopal Church to plant drought-tolerant plants, paint the sign and improve the courtyard and recreational facilities at the church. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

Inland Empire Job Corps volunteers pick up trash in Meadowbrook Park as part of a Neighborhood Beautification contest. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

 More than 70 employees of Kohl’s Department Stores helped clean up Little League Field at Waterman and Sixth streets as part of the Neighborhood Beautification contest. They are the winners in the Business Category. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

Inland Empire Job Corps students helped clean up Secombe Lake Park on April 23 as part of the Neighborhood Beautification contest. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

 Inland Empire Job Corps sent a large contingent of students and staff to help clean up Secombe Lake Park. during the Neighborhood Beautification contest. Job Corps also helped clean up Western Regional Little League Park and Meadowbrook Park, removed graffiti in several areas of the city, picked up trash on Cajon Boulevard and planted flowers at Muscoy United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

 Children celebrate after they helped in a neighborhood clean-up at Anne Shirell Park as part of the Neighborhood Beautification contest. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration. 

Participants in a cleanup effort at Ann Shirrel Park pose with Mayor Patrick Morris. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

 

The Rev. Bronica Martindale (front left) and neighborhood children show off the oranges they’ve grown in the Westside Community Garden, which was spruced up by several community groups who participated in the Neighborhood Beautification contest. Photo courtesy of Bicentennial Celebration

 

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)—The San Bernardino Bicentennial Celebration Committee has named several local organizations and residents as winners for their efforts in the recent Neighborhood Beautification Contest.

In the Residence/Neighborhood Block category, Robert  and Shirley White were selected for landscaping completed at their Maywood Avenue home.

In the Multi-Family Dwelling Category, Luis Campos was selected for improvements made to his property on W. 9th Street.

Kohl's Department Stores Distribution Center won in the Business category. More than 70 Kohl’s employees and family members worked at the Little League field at Waterman and 6th Street, fertilizing the field, planting trees, picking up trash, painting the stands and repairing snack bars. They also donated $1,500 to the Little League.

The award for Community Organization projects went to three different groups: Inland Empire Job Corps Center, Boy Scout Troop 434/DMV Neighborhood Association/St. John’s Episcopal Church and a collaboration of organizations working at the Westside Community Garden at Anne Shirrel Park and Temple Learning Center.


“These were true collaborative efforts involving many groups and community members,” Beautification Committee Co-Chair John Traubert explained. “We were so impressed at the number of volunteers involved and the scope of the projects that we wanted to recognize all three groups.”


Hundreds of volunteers took part in the event, which saw residents and volunteers landscaping, weeding and cleaning up the city in preparation for the many Bicentennial events taking place in May and throughout 2010.

Participants submitted "before" and "after" photos of projects they completed, and judges selected the winners in four different categories.

Jean Bulinski and John Traubert chair the Beautification Committee and said they were pleased with the participation.

“We were excited that so many people wanted to get involved and do something to help make our city a better place to live,” Bulinski said.

“A number of the projects had been planned for some time, but as things got rolling we had people calling and asking what they could do to help,” said Traubert. “It was nice to be able to connect those volunteers with projects that needed assistance.”

Inland Empire Job Corps Center sent students, teachers and staff members around the city to work on several projects. They cleaned up debris and cleared flower beds at Secombe Lake and Meadowbrook Park. They cleaned up areas of the Little League Western Regional Headquarters and had teams removing graffiti, picking up debris along Cajon Boulevard and planting trees and flowers at Muscoy Methodist Church.


Boy Scout Troop 434 and the DMV Neighborhood Association joined with St. John’s Episcopal Church to plant drought-tolerant plants, paint the sign and improve the courtyard and recreational facilities at this site, which provides services to many in the community.

Several groups took part in projects at the Westside Community Garden at Anne Shirrel Park and the Temple Learning Center on Baseline. Collaborating on these projects were the Mt. Vernon and Delmann Heights Neighborhood Associations, California Gardens Association, San Bernardino County Nutrition Program, San Bernardino Parks and Recreation Department, Operation Phoenix Foundation, NAACP, San Bernardino Green Alliance, Cub Scout Pack #48, Rio Vista Elementary School C.A.P.S. program, Mardi Gras Restaurant, Inland Orange Conservancy, Temple Learning Center and neighborhood residents.

Winners will be recognized by the San Bernardino City Council for their achievements.

In addition to the volunteers out working, local businesses encouraged participation by contributing prizes for a drawing open to all contest participants. Businesses providing prizes were NAPA Auto Parts, Waterman Car Wash, Burger Express, Bertrand's Music Mart, Inland Center Mall, Inland Empire 66ers, Wicks 'n' Sticks, Earhart Photography, Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs and First Certified Arbor Care.

“It was very rewarding to be part of all this,” said Bulinski. “And we hope the momentum keeps going. There are plenty of opportunities for people to help make our community a better place to live.”

In addition to the beautification contest, April featured a special beautification day coordinated by the Mayor’s office for residents to bring bulky refuse, including electronic waste and tires. Seven sites were set up and staffed by Neighborhood Cluster Associations and other volunteers.

Upcoming Bicentennial Celebration Events:

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

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

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

The fun continues at the Bicentennial Parade and Celebration on May 22 beginning in Meadowbrook Park. Throughout the day there will be food, merchandise vendors and mini-carnival.  After the parade, floats will be on display.  The Parade begins at 4:00 p.m. at 7th and “E” Street.

Join the contestants at the San Bernardino’s Got Talent Show on June 19 at the Sturges Center of Performing Arts where the finalists will perform their acts.  Winners will be announced at this event.

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

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

Rabbi Hillel Cohn is the chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee, and Erin Brinker is the chair of its Public Relations & Marketing and Independence Day Extravaganza committees. Other Bicentennial Celebration Committee members are Jim Smith (chair of the Community Engagement committee), Cheryl Brown (chair of the Youth Council, Intergovernmental and Arts committees), Beverly Bird (chair of the Legend of the Arrowhead committee), Steven Shaw (chair of the History committee), David Smith (chair of the Finance committee), Jane Sneddon (chair of the Parade committee), Martha Pinckney (chair of the Gala committee.) and John Valdivia. The mayor and members of the San Bernardino Common Council appointed these members.

Additional community volunteers who have taken on leadership of other committees are: Rev. Malleis-Sternberg (Festival of Faiths), Edward Martinez (Leadership Cabinet), Peggi Hazlett (Mayor’s Run), Dr. Charles “Skip” Herbert (Coloring Books for Schools), Karen Blanco (Media) and Dameron Communications (Public Relations).

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

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Salvation Army's Needy Get New Shoes

 Adell Sims, Suemae Rodriguez, Roosevelt Carroll Jr., Sarai Napp and Devison Cleveland all love to play basketball and are the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps basketball team. Before participating in a tournament in Portland, Ore. two of them received new shoes, which the Salvation Army bought for them with Foot Locker gift cards that  had been donated by Stater Brothers Charities. Those were the first two of 30 cards, valued at $50 each, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps put to good use. It will give the rest to families in need of new shoes who are staying at the Hospitality House emergency family shelter. Stater Brothers Charities also donated 30 Foot Locker cards to the Salvation Army Cathedral City Corps to help families in the Coachella Valley.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Thirty of San Bernardino’s most needy families will have an opportunity to receive new shoes, courtesy of a donation of Foot Locker gift cards from Stater Brothers Charities.

The San Bernardino-based grocery store chain’s charitable foundation donated 30 Foot Locker gift cards worth $50 each to the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army. It made the same donation to the Cathedral City Corps to help needy families in the Coachella Valley.

The San Bernardino Corps immediately put two of its gift cards to good use.

“Two members of our Salvation Army basketball team needed shoes to compete in a tournament April 30 through May 2 in Portland, Ore.,” said Capt. Nancy Ball, co-director of the San Bernardino Corps. “They were able to purchase these shoes with these gift cards.”

Capt. Ball said Roosevelt Carroll, director of the Hospitality House emergency family shelter, received the other 28 cards and will hand them out to families staying there as needed. She expects Carroll will find families who need the cards fairly quickly.

“Many people come to the Hospitality House wearing nothing more on their feet than a pair of flip-flops,” she said. “Those are the only shoes they have. We will be glad to help them obtain more suitable shoes.”

Sarah Cain, executive director of Stater Brothers Charities, said the grocery store chain and the non-profit organization it founded to help the community are committed to helping all people in the Inland Empire with their basic needs.

“Stater Bros. Charities is committed to caring for the communities we serve even in the most basic ways, like providing shoes to those in need,” she said.

About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps

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

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

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