IE African-American Chamber Launches Business Friendly Website

Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce, addresses a crowd attending a recent reception sponsored by the Chamber for new San Bernardino City Manager Charles McNeely. Helping minority Inland Empire business owners to work with their government leaders is one goal of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce; another is to help them do business with each other.


(San Bernardino, Calif.) – The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce has created a new website that makes it easier to find and support African-American owned businesses.

The new website, www.IEAfricanAmericanChamber.com includes an interactive business directory. Visitors to the website can add information about their business, even if they aren’t Chamber of Commerce members.

As businesses upload their information, it creates a directory of business services that consumers can use when seeking a business with a particular specialty, such as dry cleaning, advertising, engineering or computer consultants.

“It is a way for minority business owners to make contact with new customers or other resources,” said Carl Dameron president of the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce. “If you are not a member, you will be able to upload very basic information. If you are a member you will be able to upload complete information.”

New members can join the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce through this website. The website also will soon contain listings of upcoming events, such as conferences, concerts and activities of interest to the African-American community.

About The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce
The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote the economic and professional development of African American-owned businesses, thus enhancing the quality of life in our community. For more information, call (909) 888-0017.

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The EDA will not be removing residents from their homes

Dear Editor:

Please understand that the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency (“EDA”) will not be removing residents from their homes in the area commonly referred to as 19^th and Sunrise based on the actions recently taken by the Community Development Commission (“CDC”).

The actions of the CDC on Monday, July 20, 2009, to approve an agreement with Mary Erickson Community Housing, a non-profit corporation, are focused on utilizing the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (“NSP”) funds that are presently available from the federal government.

The NSP funds can only be used for the acquisition of foreclosed properties directly from lenders who have completed the entire foreclosure process on a property. If a property is presently in foreclosure or if the owner is delinquent in making mortgage payments to the lender, the NSP funds cannot be used to acquire those housing units.

Our experiences have shown that virtually each of the properties on the foreclosed list within the City and which are thereby eligible for use of the NSP funds are vacant and typically in need of substantial rehabilitation.

Utilizing the NSP funds, the EDA through its non-profit partners is attempting to provide benefits to the various communities where there are a significant numbers of foreclosed properties that are continuing to deteriorate and cause further blighting effects on adjacent properties.

The use of these grant funds will allow the EDA and its non-profit partners to fix-up and rehabilitate these run-down properties and to provide better screening of tenants to assure that good citizens become our neighbors.

The other source of funds for acquisition of housing units in the 19^th and Sunrise area is the EDA’s low and moderate-income housing fund.

As housing units become available on the open market for sale at the option of each property owner, the EDA does intend either directly or through its non-profit partners to acquire these properties as well. The NSP funds cannot be used for this purpose.

We recognize that there are some responsible property owners in the 19^th and Sunrise area who should be considered role models for all landlords. After hearing the numerous complaints by residents at the July 20, 2009, CDC meeting, it appears obvious that those “slum landlords” who continue to acquire and resell the 4-plexes in the 19^th and Sunrise area do not maintain the properties to acceptable standards but merely collect rents and fail to make any repairs or improvements to their properties.

It is the goal of the EDA to break this cycle of “slum landlords” who seek a quick and easy profit at the expense of the residents and impact other City services. The EDA is attempting to provide for responsible ownership and professional management of 4-plexes in the 19^th and Sunrise area.

The goal of the EDA is to address issues with the blighted and foreclosed properties and convert them into a combination of quality affordable apartments, senior housing and single-family homes.

Residents will have additional resources through responsible owners to create a safe neighborhood. As the redevelopment of this area progresses, the residents will have an opportunity that does not currently exist to rent the repaired and upgraded apartments as they become available.

As was stated at the July 20, 2009, CDC meeting by several speakers, doing nothing is not an option. If the EDA does nothing, then the speculators and slum-lords will purchase the 4-plexes once again and repeat the same cycle that has occurred several times over the past 20 years.

There are many steps that need to be taken before the entire project is complete. Whatever degree of accomplishments we achieve in the future will provide better living conditions than what is currently found in the 19^th and Sunrise area today.

If you have any questions please call the EDA representative for this project Samuel Hughes at (909) 963-5020.

Sincerely,

Carey K. Jenkins

Director of Housing and Community Development

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Time for Back-To-School Immunizations

Shaila Dameron, eight-years-old from Rialto, has her immunizations up-to-date and is ready for the third grade. Keep your children happy and healthy by making sure they’re current with their childhood immunizations. With many Inland Empire schools beginning a new year in August, it’s not too soon to make an appointment. LaSalle Medical Associates offers low-cost immunizations and also accepts most insurance. Photo by Carl Dameron.

Keep your children happy and healthy by making sure they’re up-to-date on their childhood immunizations. With many Inland Empire schools beginning a new year in August, it’s not too soon to make an appointment. LaSalle Medical Associates offers low-cost immunizations and also accepts most insurance. Photo courtsey of Carl Dameron.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Whether your child is starting kindergarten or a senior in high school, visiting the pediatrician for immunizations should, for many students, be an important part of the back-to-school preparations.

And with many schools starting in August, it’s not too soon to make that appointment.

“It is important not to wait until the last minute,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, President of LaSalle Medical Associates. “As we get closer to September, more schools will be opening for a new year, and we will become even busier.”

There are four vaccinations all kindergarteners must have before entering school for the first time, said Dr. Cheryl Emoto, Medical Director for LaSalle Medical Associates. And, as they grow older, children need additional immunizations.

“Children entering kindergarten should receive boosters for DTap (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), polio, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and Varicella (chicken pox), she said.

If parents have kept up with their child’s immunizations from birth, only booster immunizations for the above diseases are needed. However, they should have also received vaccinations for these and several other diseases prior to age 2, and as kindergarteners may need several doses of immunizations if not “caught up.”

When children turn 11, they can and should receive the meningitis vaccine for the first time, Dr. Emoto said. The Center for Disease Control also recommends children this age receive a tetanus (Tdap) booster, she noted.

Parents can schedule these vaccines shortly after the child’s 11th birthday, but they can also can be part of a back-to-school immunization routine for any student, even those over 18.

“Children older than 11 who have not received these vaccines should also come in to get them,” she said. “And if you have a teenager who is enrolling in college, planning to live in a dormitory, and hasn’t been vaccinated for meningitis, they should be vaccinated now.”

Girls age 9 and older, and young women up to age 26 can receive the vaccine against the human papiolloma (HPV) virus. While giving this vaccine to girls in elementary school is not without controversy, many doctors, including those at LaSalle Medical Associates, are highly in favor.

“The HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer,” Emoto explained. “It is important that a girl receive three doses, which are given over a six-month period, before her first sexual encounter in order for the vaccine to be fully effective.”

One vaccination not available during the back-to-school season is the flu shot. These are given in fall, when the vaccine is available from manufacturers.

“We depend on when the vaccine is shipped,” Emoto said. “We may have flu vaccines in September this year, but in past years it wasn’t until October that we received the vaccine. Once we receive it, we encourage all children six months to 18 years to receive an annual flu vaccine.”

Children younger than 8 who are being immunized against flu for the first time receive a two-part vaccine, she said. The second dose is given four to six weeks after the first.

“Healthy children 2 years of age and older also have the option of receiving the vaccination as a nasal spray instead of as an injection,” Emoto said. “The nasal spray is just as effective.”

As it stands now, the flu vaccines that will be given in 2009 won’t protect against the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu. But that could change by the time traditional flu season arrives.

Emoto noted that several manufacturers are working to develop an H1N1 vaccine, When vaccines are available, she said, LaSalle Medical Associates will rely on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control as to who should receive that immunization and when.

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

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Ride Praise Party Bus to Stop Cancer

Dr. Gerald T. Hightower, senior pastor of Purpose Center International Ministries in Perris, is passionate about cancer prevention. He is shown here emceeing the 2008 Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, a job he will have again when the conference returns to California Baptist University on Aug. 1. This year, Purpose Center International Ministries is also sponsoring a “Praise Party Bus” to take Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference participants to the Chino Relay for Life, where they can enroll in a long-term study conducted by the American Cancer Society, to find ways of preventing cancer. Photo by Chris Sloan

(CHINO Calif.) Immediately following the fifth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference in Riverside, participants can join sponsor Purpose Center International Ministries on their next step to good health.

After the conference ends, Purpose Center International Ministries will provide round trip transportation by the Praise Party Bus to the Chino Relay for Life at Ayala Park, 14201 Central Ave. Chino. At this event, conference participants have an opportunity to enroll in the American Cancer Society’s CPS-3 (Cancer Prevention Study #3).

To reserve a seat on the Praise Party Bus, call (951) 300-1223. Music and free refreshments will be provided.

The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, which helps African-Americans and others develop strategies for healthier living, takes place at California Baptist University, from 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. The bus leaves the California Baptist University parking lot for Chino at 5 p.m. and returns to Riverside at approximately 8 p.m.

For Dr. Gerald T. Hightower, senior pastor of Purpose Center International Ministries, preventing cancer is personal. His mom is a cancer survivor.

“My mom had a very serious bout with cancer two years ago, and required a mastectomy,” he said. “Fortunately, after her mastectomy and a lot of prayer, she recovered and is healed! Cancer prevention is my passion now, and that’s why I want to encourage all the pastors to have their congregations come and participate in the CPS -3 Enrollment Event at the Chino Relay for Life.”

“CPS-3 is a research study to help bring about a cancer-free tomorrow,” said Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference founder and organizer Phyllis Clark. “The American Cancer Society needs more African-Americans to participate. The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference and Purpose Center International Ministries, both of which serve primarily African-Americans, are supporting by recruiting participants and providing transportation.”

Since otherwise willing participants can enroll immediately following the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, by providing transportation, it takes away the excuses conference participants might have of not having transportation outside the area served by Riverside County’s bus service, or not wanting to drive their own cars to and from a city more than 20 miles away.

“The Chino Relay for Life is the only opportunity in our area for people to enroll in this study. It is really important for African-Americans to enroll, so I don’t want them to use transportation as an excuse,” Clark said. “If African-Americans cannot participate, we cannot study the links between their lifestyle and cancer. I encourage all the community leaders and pastors to reach out and challenge African-Americans to join in this study and save lives.”

For CPS-3, the American Cancer Society seeks 500,000 adults from the United States and Puerto Rico. They should be between 30 and 65 years old, and have never been diagnosed with cancer. They also must be willing to make a long-term commitment, as participation requires follow-up studies every few years for the next 10 to 20 years.

At the Chino Relay for Life, they will read and sign a consent form, complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement and a small blood sample drawn by a certified phlebotomist. In about four weeks, they will receive an in-depth survey in the mail. Upon completion and return of this survey, Clark said, they are officially enrolled in the CPS-3 study, and should expect to receive more in-depth surveys over the years.

The American Cancer Society has conducted two previous cancer prevention studies, the first in 1950.

“These studies have played a major role in cancer prevention and legislation since then,” Clark said. “The first study showed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. This prompted the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning on cigarette package. These studies also showed a link between obesity and cancer, which has helped us develop prevention strategies.”

Relays for Life are events the American Cancer Society holds throughout the nation to raise money for cancer research. Teams of eight to 15 members participate by raising a minimum of $10 per team member in donations, then run or walk laps on a track throughout the 24-hour duration of the Relay for Life event.

While the American Cancer Society holds relays in hundreds of other cities throughout each year, only a few of them include an opportunity to enroll in the CPS-3 study. The only other opportunity to register in the Inland Empire was at a relay that took place in April in Yucca Valley.

For more information about the CPS-3 study, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call (888) 604-5888.

Besides speakers, workshops and Praise Party Bus transportation to Chino Relay for Life, participants in the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference will be able to obtain information from local health care providers, and receive basic health screenings and referrals for other free or low-cost preventive health care services.

The 2009 conference is limited to 200 people, so advance registration is necessary. For more information or make a reservation to attend the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 288-4375 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com

Sponsorships for this year’s conference are still available. They include The American Cancer Society, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Purpose Center International Ministries, City of Hope, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, Inland Agency, Abbott Vascular, and Dameron Communications.

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The Art Insitute of California - Inland Empire approved to offer Baking & Pastry degree

The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire already supplies custom-designed cakes for community events, such as these Executive Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director, presented on San Bernardino’s 199th birthday to Mayor Pat Morris. It will have more opportunity to do so now that The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire has been authorized to offer a degree in Baking and Pastry. Photo by Matt Sloan

(San Bernardino, CA) The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire has received approval to begin offering an Associate of Science degree in Baking and Pastry in its three state of the industry kitchens.

Approval was announced July 10 by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology in Arlington, Virginia. ACCSCT is the national regulatory agency that approves all academic programs offered by the local college as well as many of its 42 campuses nationwide.

According to Jerry Foust, Dean of Academic Affairs at the college, baking and pastry is a popular academic major. “We are excited that our application has been approved and expect that this degree will help a large number of students throughout the Inland Empire follow their hearts into a wonderful culinary career focused on baking and pastry.”

Foust said that students who are interested in the new degree can begin taking classes on August 20. “This summer would be a great time for students to start working on their Baking and Pastry degree. By starting in August students can complete their first quarter in a little over five weeks and then move into their second quarter, which is the standard 11 weeks, in October.”

The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is located at 630 E. Brier Drive, San Bernardino, in the Hospitality Lane area. For more information, call (909) 915-2185.

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 of Science 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 of Science 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 Aug. 20 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 institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Former Actor Leon Isaac Kennedy to speak at Temple Missionary Baptist Church

Former actor Leon Isaac Kennedy will speak at all three services of Temple Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, July 19.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Leon Isaac Kennedy, former actor, writer and producer and now a minister of the gospel, will deliver the message at all three services of Temple Missionary Baptist Church: 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 am on Sunday, July 19, 2009.
Temple Missionary Baptist Church’s address is 1583 Union St., San Bernardino, CA 92411.
Kennedy is best known for the 1979 movie Penitentiary, which propelled him into Hollywood stardom in the 1980's. He went on to produce and star in several other movies; however, at the top of his career, he walked away from the industry. He spent his time instead speaking, visiting detention centers, drug rehab centers, homes for unwed mothers, churches and hundreds of prisons. On his website, kennedyhealingloveministries.com, he explains, "The Hollywood film business and movie making process has always been one of my great loves. However, positively impacting the lives of others is far more significant than winning any Hollywood trophy, and the only way I can significantly help someone is through Jesus!."
*Kennedy reaches out to Christians through his ministry headquarters in Burbank, CA, his website and "The Success Show," sharing a biblical perspective on financial freedom, healthy lifestyles, and entrepreneurship.

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Free mammograms offered to women over 40

In 2008, the keynote speaker for the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, Nikia Hammonds-Blakely, then 29, told her story of surviving breast cancer as a teenager. During the 2009 conference, taking place Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at California Baptist University in Riverside, low-income, uninsured women over 40 can receive free mammograms, even if they do not attend the conference itself. Photo by Chris Sloan


(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) Women 40 years of age and older, who are low income and have no medical coverage, can obtain free mammograms on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The Southern California Witness Project has arranged to provide mammogram screening in a specially equipped mobile clinic at the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference at California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave. in Riverside.

“Many women who are over 40 and uninsured are not getting mammogram screening,” said Edith Nevins, Southern California Witness Project program coordinator. “We press on to educate and offer this program. Our motto is breast cancer is not a death sentence.”

Screening is also available for women younger than 40 who already have a history of breast cancer, but lack resources to pay for medical care.

To avoid long lines, women should register in advance by calling The Witness Project, (951) 485-9334. Ask for Helen, Mrs. Nevins or Deborah. Spanish speakers should ask for Susanna List, the program coordinator for Esperanza Y Vida.

Nevins, who is a retired nurse, and a team of volunteers take information to wherever attentive groups of women may be gathered. Their organization is part of the Quinn Community Outreach Corp in Moreno Valley, which also sponsors a similar Spanish-language program called Esperanza Y Vida.

“We have had community presentations in English and Spanish, at churches and schools, wherever we could speak to more than five people,” Nevins said. “We work to educate women seven days a week, in the evenings and on weekends. We attend health fairs, wherever we can go.”

Although the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference itself is geared primarily to African-Americans, women of all ethnicities are encouraged to register for the mammogram screenings. It is not necessary to attend the conference to receive a mammogram screening.

Southern California Witness Project especially targets African-Americans, and Esperanza Y Vida targets all Latinas. Studies have found these two ethnic groups are 70 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasians.

One reason is because a type of tumor known as triple negative is much more prevalent among Blacks and Hispanic than among white women, according to information from the American Cancer Society.

In fact, 39 percent of Black women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer before reaching menopause have this type of tumor, which is harder to cure than other forms of breast cancer. In the general population, only 14 percent of all breast cancer patients have this type of tumor. New medications have been developed this year that show promise to increase survival rates for women with this type of cancer, but as with all forms of breast cancer, early detection is crucial.

Clark encourages Black women who qualify for the free mammograms to register for both events. She also noted that since many African-American women have health insurance and do not meet the guidelines for “low income,” they may prefer to make arrangements with their own physicians to schedule a mammogram.

However, low-income Spanish-speaking women are often not insured, so this may be an ideal opportunity for them to have this potentially life-saving screening.

Another reason for Spanish-speaking women to participate, Nevins said, is they will not face a language barrier at this screening. The Esperanza Y Vida program will provide bilingual women to assist with the exam, tell their own stories of breast cancer survival and provide Spanish-language information about breast self-exams.

Quinn Community Outreach Corporation is an affiliate ministry of Quinn African Methodist Episcopal Church in Moreno Valley. The Riverside Community Health Foundation, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of the Inland Empire and the Avon Foundation, also sponsor the Witness Project and Esperanza Y Vida.

The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, designed to help African-Americans and others develop strategies for healthier living, takes place at California Baptist University, from 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Participants in the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference will be able to obtain information from local health care providers, and receive basic health screenings and referrals for other free or low-cost preventive health care services.

The 2009 conference is limited to 200 people, so advance registration is necessary. For more information or make a reservation to attend the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 288-4375 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com

Sponsorships for this year’s conference are still available. They include The American Cancer Society, Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), The Purpose Center, City of Hope, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, Inland Agency, Abbott, and Dameron Communications.



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Learn How To Prevent Disease At Fifth Annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference

Preventive Care specialist, Dr. Ruth Tanyi, is the keynote speaker for the fifth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, Aug. 1 at California Baptist University in Riverside.


(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) Preventing disease through positive attitude and healthy living is the focus of the fifth annual Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference August 1 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at California Baptist University in Riverside.

“The Healthy Heritage Movement (www.healthyheritagemovement.com) mission is to eliminate health disparities in the Black community by providing cultural relevant resources, peer navigation, and advocacy training,” said conference founder and organizer Phyllis Clark. “Now that we have a federal administration that supports wellness, we as a community must be proactive and diligent about accessing the prevention resources and opportunities that will be available.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Ruth Tanyi, who produces a weekly television show “Lifestyle and Preventive Care,” and is a lifestyle consultant for people who wish to learn skills to prevent disease and stay healthy.

“I will address the role of preventive care, positive emotions, nutrition and overall lifestyle in preventing and maintaining diseases,” she said.

“Dr. Ruth is a lifestyle and preventive care expert,” Clark said. “She will focus on how to manage stress so it does not affect our organs negatively, so it causes disease. Disease means dis-ease, because stress puts your body into dis-ease.

According to Clark, Dr, Tanyi’s presentation illustrates the physiological effects of stress, explaining how stress leads to not sleeping or eating right, and how that leads to disease.”

Dr. Tanyi lives in Loma Linda, where she is a doctoral program graduate of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health, with a specialization in preventive health care. She has Master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing, as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

She developed an interest in health care and medical journalism while working as a health care aide while studying journalism in college.

Tanyi is also a certified family nurse practitioner, a certified health and fitness specialist and a certified nutrition specialist. She has written scientific papers for internationally known academic and medical journals, such as Journal of Advanced Nursing and American Journal of Nephrology Nursing.

Her television show airs is broadcast through Loma Linda Broadcast Network (www.llbn.tv), which is available on the internet and through Dish Network.

The other speakers also will emphasize ways a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of disease, Clark said.

The featured speaker Dr. Romeo Brooks, PhD., will present “Transform Your Language, Transform Your Life,” which focuses on the impact of the emotional language we have internalized. He will illustrate how thoughts affect our health.

Dr. Brooks owns Roots Nutrition and is a holistic healing practitioner. He believes one of the best places to attain and sustain good health is in churches, and has helped many churches create health ministries.

The other speakers will lead workshops during the conference.

• Marcy Duncan of the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center will present a child abuse prevention workshop

• Denise Young of Brighter DAY Enterprises will present a financial health workshop. Young is a certified public accountant and a licensed California real estate broker.

• Gwendolyn Moore, a registered dietician who owns Nutrition by Gwen, will present a nutrition workshop. She offers consultation on nutrition, fitness and healthy attitudes.

• The Rev. Bronica Martindale, who is also a community health leader with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Breanna Houston of Stroller Strides and Mai Brooks of Roots Nutrition’s Jump Rope Boot Camp. form a fitness panel, to present information and demonstrations on the topic of fitness.

The Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, founded in 2005 by Phyllis Clark, addresses health care issues, especially those affecting African-Americans. However, the conference will present relevant information for all ethnicities.

The 2009 conference Master of Ceremony is Pastor Gerald T. Hightower, and focuses on preventive health care, in keeping with President Barack Obama’s goal for the national health care system.

“President Obama’s plan emphasizes that wellness is a shared responsibility,” Clark said. “It will empower Americans by providing resources and making prevention services accessible to all, and we are trying to do that in the Inland Empire”

Besides the keynote speaker and workshops, participants will be able to obtain information from local health care providers, and receive basic health screenings and referrals for other free or low-cost preventive health care services.

The 2009 conference is limited to 200 people, so advance registration is necessary. For more information or make a reservation to attend the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 288-4375 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com

Sponsorships for this year’s conference are still available. They include The American Cancer Society, Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), The Purpose Center, City of Hope, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, Inland Agency, Abbott, and Dameron Communications.

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Group To Learn How Riverside County's $3 Billion is Spent

Riverside County Auditor-Controller Robert Byrd will explain to "The Group" how Riverside County spent $3 billion when "The Group" meets Thursday, Sept. 17 at Coffee Depot in Riverside.

(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) - Riverside County Auditor-Controller Robert Byrd will tell members of “The Group” how the county spent $3 billion in fiscal year 2007-2008.

Byrd will explain how Riverside County spent this money when “The Group” meets 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at Coffee Depot, 3204 Mission Inn Ave. He will also answer questions about county spending.

One of the most important functions of the Auditor-Controller’s office is to audit all of Riverside County’s expenses at the end of each fiscal year. This includes compiling an annual report, which is released about six months later.

The Auditor-Controller’s office also verifies, processes and creates more than 1,000 warrants to vendors each day and processes and drafts more than 40,000 paychecks for county employees each month. It oversees the disbursement of more than $3 billion in tax money each year.

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

Byrd has been chair of the Riverside County Employee Campaign and the Legislative Chair for the State Association of County Auditors. Additionally, Byrd is a commissioner on the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission, and a member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, the Government Finance Officer’s Association and the State Association of County Auditors.

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

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

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Dameron - Local Community Leader Turns 50

Wedding 5/20/07: Carl Dameron and his wife Malaika, along with children Shiane and Shaila, renewed their wedding vows in 2007 at Laguna Beach. They were married July 15, 2000.

Mom & Carl: Carl Dameron at age 2 with his mother, Barbara Dameron. His father died in 1965. Carl Dameron and well-wishers at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Dameron Communications when it first opened a San Bernardino office in 1994. Dameron first established the agency in Riverside in 1989 after running a consulting firm for a year. Carl Dameron and his then-roommate, Henry Portelles, at their graduation from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1985. Carl M. Dameron has one key elected official in his family, Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter. He has developed relationships with many others, including Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

An area of expertise that Carl Dameron has developed is arranging meetings between government officials and key constituents. When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was running for reelection in 2006, Dameron arranged meetings for clients in the Inland Empire, including this one with Toyin Dowodu, president of Guaranteed Investments.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl M. Dameron, founder and president of Dameron Communications, a leading advertising and public relations agency turned 50 years old July 7, 2009. He has been giving his time and talents to the Inland Empire for almost as long.

Dameron first came to the Inland Empire as a teenager, when his mother moved him and five siblings from East St. Louis, Illinois to the Rubidoux area of Riverside County. 

 He graduated from Rubidoux High School in 1977, where he worked on the school newspaper, was captain of the swim team, served in student government, and as part of the Drama Club, was involved in every play Rubidoux High School produced during those years. He also obtained certification as a licensed auto mechanic, welder and auto body painter in high school. 

On Friday nights, when he wasn’t busy with school activities, he frequently accompanied his and his sister Kathleen, then a student at the University of Redlands, as she produced a jazz show for the university’s KUOR radio station. He found both his high school newspaper work and the KUOR radio station especially intriguing. 

“I wrote several hard hitting articles for the school newspaper that pitted me head to head with the school principal, and some different cliques of the student body. I enjoyed journalism,” he said. “Working with my sister, I was at the radio station every Friday night. She taught me to operate some of the equipment and how to write in the logs. She also exposed me to jazz. 

I love radio.” Dameron graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1985. He started out double majoring in engineering and communications, two majors that have very few common course requirements. 

 While Dameron still values the technical expertise he obtained as an auto mechanic and an engineering major, as he studied journalism and built on the foundation that had been laid at the Rubidoux High School newspaper and University of Redlands radio station, communication became his passion. 

 “I thoroughly enjoyed public relations and advertising because I got to work in all communications fields and did not have to pick just one. I enjoyed communications so much that I dropped the engineering major and completed my degree with a Bachelor of Science in communications.” 

 After graduation, Dameron searched for a public relations job, but had not established the necessary contacts to find work in his field. He now recommends college students build these contacts while working as interns, and has offered such positions to many Cal Poly Pomona students, as well as students at other Inland Empire universities and colleges. His first job was as an assistant manager in Kmart’s automotive department, which paid well but didn’t allow him to pursue his passion for communications. 

After six months he quit there and took a job selling advertising in Beaumont and Banning for radio stations KOLA and KGUD. He has worked in communications since then. “I learned fast,” he said. “My sales manager was tough, he taught me how to sell and how to close a sale. I really took the job so that I could write and produce radio commercials. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He also worked as an assistant account manager for Wadsworth and Associates, an advertising agency in Westminster, CA, editor of the Black Voice News newspaper, marketing director for KFROG and KOOJ radio stations, vice president of communications for real estate developer Dukes-Dukes & Associates and marketing director for automotive electronics retailer AutoSound. 

After he was laid off from AutoSound, he again faced another frustrating job search. This ultimately led him to form his own advertising and public relations company, Dameron Communications, in 1989. 

 “In interviews with local agencies we would discuss their current clients and I would make suggestions for campaigns even writing commercials and outlining campaign strategies. I was horrified to hear and see the strategy I developed implemented and they wouldn’t hire me,” he said. 

 “I decided that if I were good enough to steal from but not good enough to hire I would start my own agency. I now have offices in San Bernardino and Newport Beach.” 

The firms former and current clients include: The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, California Home Economics Education Foundation, California Department of Education, Argosy University/ Inland Empire, Argosy University/Orange County, Education Management Corporation, California Portland Cement Company, LaSalle Medical Associates, The African American Health Initiative, The African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County, The Inland Empire Diversity Career & Job Fair, Jose Gonzales for Supervisor, Bill Beatty for Moreno Valley City Council, County of San Bernardino, County of Riverside, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, State of California, The Salvation Army, 909Models.com, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Tri-County South Tobacco Free Coalition. 

Dameron quickly became active in the community and as a member of the existing local Chambers of Commerce. However, as an African-American, he felt more could be done to promote ethnic businesses in the Inland Empire. 

 Thus, he was a founding member of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce shortly after Dameron Communications opened for business. He’s worked with this chamber for 20 years to promote all African-American businesses in the Inland Empire, and this year does so as the organization’s president. 

 “My aggressive community outreach has left me in a position where I know many people in the business, non-profit, Asian, Hispanic, African-American, education, government and regulatory communities,” Dameron said. 

 “This gives me the ability to be very successful in community relations for clients with difficult community problems including crisis management.” 

 Dameron and his staff of six face the same challenges as many small business owners, such as balancing the needs of multiple clients, recruiting and maintaining quality employees, and maintaining a healthy profit. Still, he is successful and look forward to staying in the public relations and advertising business for years to come. 

 “The rewards are great,” he said. “I feel a significant sense of accomplishment when I help a company survive a crisis situation, advance the cause of a non-profit origination or help a company sell more products.” 

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, billboards, web sites, mobile web applications, email and more. Public relations services include press releases, press conferences, media relations, television programs, web sites, opinion editorials, promotions, event creation and management, government relations and community relations. 

 Dameron Communications has earned media coverage for clients from: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CBS MarketWatch; Fox News, CNN, CNNfn, Nightly Business Report; The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Dow Jones News Wire, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press and many more. For more information go to: http://www.DameronCommunications.com/ or call (909) 888-0017.

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LaSalle Celebrates 25 Years In Practice

Dr. Albert Arteaga circa 1995, when La Salle Medical Associates had been open for a little more than a decade.

Dr. Albert Arteaga recently. He is the founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, which recently celebrated 25 years in practice.

LaSalle Medical Associates is one of the top enrollers in the state in the Healthy Families program, which makes health care affordable for children in low and moderate income families. One of the ways LaSalle made people aware of this program is by having employees stand in front of the clinics in costume, as these two women are doing in front of the Mt. Vernon clinic in San Bernardino.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society recognized Dr. Albert Arteaga for outstanding contributions to the community.


Dr. Albert Arteaga, and his wife Maria, with an award he received from the San Bernardino County Medical Society for outstanding contributions to the community.


La Salle Medical Associates held a health fair at its Fontana office, which opened in 1984 as the first in the LaSalle Medical Associates clinics.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On the first day, owner Dr. Albert Arteaga and his wife Maria, then employed as his nurse and still his chief assistant, saw two patients at their clinic in Fontana. Today, La Salle Medical Associates has grown to four clinics and 120 employees, and an Independent Practice Association (IPA) serving more than 100 doctors.

La Salle Medical Associates celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, having seen its first two patients on June 13, 1984.

“I think 25 years shows we have been doing a good thing, and we have been doing it for a long time,” Dr. Arteaga said. “It proves two things. Number One, we are honest. Number two we are reliable. We aren’t here today and gone tomorrow. In the medical field, being solid means being reputable and reliable.”

Dr. Arteaga has built his practice with a philosophy that everyone deserves quality health care, and to be treated by his or her physician with dignity and respect. La Salle Medical Associate clinics welcome low income, elderly and disabled patients. They accept most insurance.

As founder and CEO of LaSalle’s four Inland Empire clinics, Dr. Arteaga set out to not just aid those in need, but to change patients’ perception of “going to the doctor.” He explains, “I want everyone to feel that going to the doctor is no more intimidating than going to the grocery store.”
A recent survey of nearly 300 LaSalle patients showed that fully 100 percent of those surveyed believed their doctor and other staff had listened carefully, explained things and treated them with respect.

In his 25 years in business, Dr. Arteaga has strived not only to be a great physician, but also a good businessman. Treating patients (customers) with respect helped him build a solid customer base, who in turn has recommended LaSalle Medical Associates to their friends and family, and some of who now have chosen LaSalle for their health care needs for three generations.

Dr. Arteaga has also focused on keeping expenses low. And he has helped many patients who might otherwise struggle to pay for even basic medical care to find insurance that will foot the bill.

Since Dr. Arteaga’s practice was pediatrics, La Salle Medical Associates initially focused on serving children of the lower income and disabled. Dr Arteaga quickly realized there were even greater community needs.

With his guidance, LaSalle expanded its service to include family and internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology. All stemming from Arteaga’s “obligation to “help whenever I can.”

Public and professional recognition has not escaped LaSalle Medical Associates and Dr. Arteaga. Earlier this year the California Medical Association awarded him the “Ethnic Physician’s Leadership Award for 2008,” recognizing his contributions to medical care in the Latino community. He also was named one of the top 15 Latino-owned businesses in the Inland Empire by Hispanic Lifestyle magazine.

For his efforts to provide healthcare services to the Inland Empire’s children, Arteaga was awarded the San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Merlin Hendrickson M.D. Award for his outstanding contribution to the community.

Inland Empire Health Plan selected the clinics as Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ best healthcare provider, while the African American Health Initiative selected LaSalle as a “model provider” of Black healthcare in San Bernardino County.

The San Bernardino Board of Supervisors has presented Dr. Arteaga the Resolution Award for his outstanding community efforts, and the Inland Empire Health Plan awarded LaSalle Medical Associates a Proclamation Award in appreciation of outstanding community work and for being the state’s number one enroller of the Healthy Families program, an insurance plan for children of low- to middle-income families.

The LaSalle Medical Associates 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 lasallemedical.com.

Upland Boutique Gets New Look With Help From Students

Dahlia’s Boutique owner Martha Smith and The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Academic Director for Fashion Sherry West watch as the Fashion & Retail Marketing students transform the boutique as part of a class project in the course “Visual Merchandising.” Photo by Robert Swapp


Jenny De La Mora and Jessica Lundy, who are enrolled in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Fashion & Retail Marketing program, turn a lamppost into a clothing display as part of their class project to make over Dahlia’s Boutique in Upland. Photo by Robert Swapp

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) When marketing fashion; presentation means a lot.

Students in The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire’s Fashion & Retail Marketing program learned how much difference a great presentation makes when they took on the job of transforming Dahlia’s Boutique, an upscale and well-stocked clothing boutique in Upland. They spent most of the Spring 2009 term devising plans for this makeover, and completed the work recently.

“It’s an amazing transformation,” said Martha Smith, owner of Dahlia’s Boutique, the next day. “I am pleased with all the creative ideas the students have.”

Fashion & Retail Marketing students enrolled in the Visual Merchandising course took on the job, at the recommendation of Academic Director for Fashion Sherry West. After meeting with Smith earlier this year, she realized the Fashion & Retail Marketing students would have a great hands-on learning opportunity if they worked with Smith to give her boutique a new look.

“It is so wonderful to see the students taking what they have learned out of the classroom and into a project for a real fashion boutique,” West said.

Luis Garcia, the Visual Merchandising instructor, is also pleased with what his students came up with for the final project.

“It was excellent,” he said. “I am amazed with all the ideas they have. These students are in their first year of study now. When they graduate in a few years, the impact they will make on fashion marketing is going to really shake things up.”

Dahlia’s Boutique is now arranged into distinct areas. Up front, a trend shop alerts customers to the latest fashion trends. Other areas focus on clothing, with items now arranged by “color story,” that is in eye-catching color combinations such as purple, lavender and brown. Yet another area focuses on handbags and accessories.

The Fashion & Retail Marketing students also updated the lighting and fixtures. Fixtures take on a new meaning with this transformation, Garcia explained, because the students arranged clothing on unconventional items such as an old armchair.

Students worked in four teams to create the transformation. They democratically elected three students to head the four teams. Garcia assigned other students to work with them.

Adam Cintas, whom Garcia describes as “ a real go-getter,” led the teams “Handbags and Accessories” and “Merchandising,” the team setting up the clothing displays.”

The “Fixtures and Trend Shop” team, led by Shannon Valenzuela created the Trend Shop display near the front of the store and arranged for the unconventional display fixtures, such as the armchair.

Jenny De La Mora headed the “Mannequins and Lighting” team. This group created displays with newly outfitted mannequins, and highlighted them with special lighting.

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 of Science degree in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers an Associate of Science 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 a new term at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Courses begin July 13 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 institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Community Heroes Sought

2008 Black Rose Award Winner Velda Griffin

2008 Black Rose Award Winner Terrence Stone

2008 Black Rose Award Winner Roy Mabry

2008 Commitment to Service Award Winner, the Rev. Gwen Rose

2008 Black Rose Award Winner Leah Cash

2008 Humanitarian of the Year James McCombs

2008 Black Rose Award Winner, Dr. Paulette Brown Hinds

2008 Black Rose Award Winner Beulah Pitts

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Some people have made a career of helping others. And some have done even more than that.

If you know someone whose passion is to help make the community better for others, , the Black Culture Foundation wants to know about them. It is seeking nominations for its Black Rose, Humanitarian of the Year and Community Service awards.

“We are looking for someone whose volunteer efforts go over and above their job related activities,” said Margaret Hill, program chairman of the Black Culture Foundation. “These are unsung heroes, people who volunteer with multiple organizations or give all of their spare time to one. They never seek their own glory, but simply want to make their community a better place to live.”

To nominate someone for this award, contact Hill at marrobhill@aol.com, or call her at (909) 864-3267. Nominations are due Friday, July 31.

Although the awards program focuses on the Black community in San Bernardino, Hill says, an award winner need not be Black, nor a resident of the city. Many community leaders in law enforcement, education and other public venues have been recognized, and people living in places such as Riverside, Chino, Rialto and Fontana have received the awards in honor of work done to benefit the Inland Empire as a whole.

The Foundation is selling tickets to the awards ceremony, which takes place, Friday Sept. 11 at the National Orange Show - Valencia Room, 689 South E Street, San Bernardino.

Tickets purchased before Aug. 14, 2009 are $50 per person, or $500 for a table of 10. Tickets purchased after that date are $60 per person or $600 for a table of 10.

To order tickets or reserve a table, contact Hill at (909) 864-3267.

Meet County Superintendent Gary Thomas

Meet San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Gary Thomas at a reception hosted by the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, July 16 at Castaway Restaurant & Banquet Center.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce hosts a reception for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Thomas on Thursday, July 16.

The reception takes place at Castaway Restaurant & Banquet Center, 670 Kendall Dr., San Bernardino, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. It will allow Black business and community leaders an opportunity to meet their county superintendent and share their concerns about education with him.

Dr. Thomas took over the position of county superintendent in August, 2008 when Dr. Herbert Fisher retired, and is running for election in 2010. He previously had been the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools deputy superintendent.

The Inland Empire African American Chamber will also host a reception for his opponent, San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Arturo Delgado, on July 30.

“In the short time I have known Gary Thomas, I have seen that he cares about children and their future success,” said Carl Dameron, president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. “ This will be an opportunity for him to share his vision for San Bernardino County’s children.”

As the former deputy superintendent for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Thomas oversaw all business, human resources and technology services for the County Schools' office serving 33 K-12 districts, three Regional Occupation Programs and five community colleges. He had responsibilities to plan, implement and evaluate the operations of a $380-million budget.

Dr. Thomas' brought forward the county's first balanced budget in more than seven years and has since kept the budget balanced.
Before he became the deputy superintendent position for County Schools, Dr. Thomas was superintendent of Silver Valley Unified School District for almost three years. There Dr. Thomas directed a staff of more than 300 employees.

Under his leadership, the Silver Valley Unified School District increased state test scores substantially. Dr. Thomas also successfully lobbied the federal government to build a new school for students living on the Fort Irwin National Training Center and developed a stronger budget reserve.

Prior to his leadership position in Silver Valley, Dr. Thomas served as superintendent of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District for almost five years. While in Lucerne Valley, Dr. Thomas oversaw the re-alignment of the district's curriculum to match the state standards in the core subject areas; worked with the district to create an alternative education center to provide independent study, adult education, home/hospital and community day school programs; and entered into a partnership with Victor Valley Community College to provide vocational education programs to high school juniors and seniors.

In addition to his two stints as a district superintendent in the High Desert, Dr. Thomas served as principal, director of elementary education, senior director of instructional services, and assistant superintendent of Business Services for the Hesperia Unified School District over a 10-year period. One of his major accomplishments while in the district was turning around a troubled elementary school and bringing back a sense of pride and respect for the school from the parents, staff, and students it served.

Dr. Thomas has served on and chaired numerous advisory committees and task forces in the county and state to improve the education and well being of students.
In 2008, he was awarded the Business Administrator of the Year Award by the Association of California School Administrators.

Dr. Thomas received his undergraduate degree in psychology and teaching credential from California State University, Los Angeles. He earned his master's degree and doctorate from the University of LaVerne. Dr. Thomas has resided in San Bernardino County's High Desert for the past 22 years. He and his wife Beverly have two daughters, one son, one grandson and one granddaughter.

About The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce
The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote the economic and professional development of African American-owned businesses, thus enhancing the quality of life in our community.