RAY FULLER AND OLETA ADAMS IN CONCERT AT THE CASTAWAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GETTING YOUR CUSTOMERS BACK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The program consists of four major components:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ART INSTITUTE NAMES NEW DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BLACK BUSINESS EXPO COMES TO MORENO VALLEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BLACK BARBERSHOPS REACHING OUT FOR MEN’S HEALTH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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STEVE POIZNER TALKS TO RIVERSIDE BUSINESS LEADERS

 

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

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

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

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

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

# # #

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

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

  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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JOB CORPS BEGINS SEASON OF GIVING TO SALVATION ARMY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Support American Lung Association at Ontario Reign Hockey Games

(Ontario, Calif.) Inland Empire residents can enjoy a professional sporting event while at the same time helping the American Lung Association in California.

The Inland Empire chapter has partnered with the Ontario Reign to raise money.  The Ontario Reign will donate a portion of the proceeds to the chapter for tickets ordered for either the Friday, Oct. 30 home opener or the Saturday, Oct. 31 “Go Green Night” through a special promotion.

“Ontario Reign games are great fun for the whole family, and for that reason, many of us at the American Lung Association in California have been supporting them since their first season last year,” said Terry Roberts, director of the Inland Empire chapter. “Now they’re helping us. By working together, we can have fun and help the Inland Empire to breathe better.”

To receive tickets that are part of the fundraiser, call Gregory R. Mejia at (909) 941-7838. The tickets Mejia is making available will be the regular admission price of $12, but anyone who orders through him will not have to pay a $3 per ticket surcharge that is levied on tickets bought at Citizens’ Business Bank Arena, the home of the Ontario Reign.

The American Lung Association was established in 1904 and was instrumental in its first 52 years in nearly eradicating tuberculosis. In 1956, it expanded its mission to fight all forms of lung disease. In its last five decades, it has also strived to reduce tobacco use and air pollution, both of which are serious threats to lung health.

What is low-income housing?

An example of low income housing in the city of San Bernardino.


(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  "There are many myths about low in come and affordable housing. Many people think they know what it means but they really don't," said Emil Marzullo, interim executive director of the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency.

The truth is the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) says that a family of four with a total annual household income between $33,000 to $53,000, which is 50 percent to 80 percent of the Inland Empire area’s median income, is considered low-income.

“That defines a lot of people in the Inland Empire," Marzullo said.

Here are more definitions.

What is the average income of the residents of the City of San Bernardino?
The average annual income of residents in the City of San Bernardino is $28,741.   However, this not the income calculation used to determine housing income for federal or state funding or rental purposes. The income used is the Metropolitan Service Area or MSA data. San Bernardino’s area is defined as the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area, where the annual median income for a family of four is $64,500. 

So, when the City of San Bernardino talks about low income, it is using the federally defined annual median income for a family of four of $64,500.

What are Annual Income and Median Income and how do they work?
Annual income is the total household income for everyone working for one year. The income calculation used to determine housing income for federal or state funding or rental purposes is the Metropolitan Service Area or MSA, created by The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for comparison of income and other reasons.

The Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area consists of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Because of higher income, cost of living (including the cost of housing) is higher in some parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

Cities with a higher cost of living include: Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Redlands, Upland, Montclair, Chino, Chino Hills, Corona, Menifee and Temecula.

What is low-income housing?
Monthly rent or housing payments of up to $1,334 for a family of four qualifies as low-income housing in the Riverside-Ontario-San Bernardino Metropolitan Service Area.

What does affordable housing mean?
Affordable Housing" is defined as housing for low to moderate-income households.
Moderate-income households are defined, as households having annual incomes between 80 percent and 120 percent of the Metropolitan Service Area’s median income. For our area that is an annual income of $53,000 to $79,920 for a family of four.

Who are low-income households?
A family of four with a total annual household income from $33,000 to $53,000 is considered low-income.
 
People with low income include: about 30,000 local university and college students, butchers, bakers, executive secretaries, truck drivers, teachers, cashiers, administrative assistants, restaurant servers, hosts, dishwashers, psychiatric aides, house cleaners, telemarketers, file clerks, gaming dealers, bartenders and 347 job categories of skilled, semi-skilled and professional workers. 

"Low income people are our friends and neighbors," said Marzullo.

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EDA Set to demolish up to 184 apartments

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)  "The 19th and Sunrise area has a history of police and code enforcement involvement and is a blighting influence on the surrounding community," said Emil Marzullo, interim executive director of the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency.

A major problem with the area is that it has changed owners over the years. When it was built there was one owner of the 61 multifamily fourplexes.  The owner had the resources to maintain the properties in good condition, rent to good people and evict those who were not," said Marzullo.

“About 20 years ago that company sold the multiplexes and now we have many different owners with many different standards for renting,” he added. “Some have no regard for their properties and have allowed them to decline into unlivable conditions. A number of the properties are rented to people who cannot rent anywhere else.  Some are forced to pay first class rents of $1,200 or more a month for very poor quality housing.”

The redevelopment agency and the San Bernardino City Council have agreed the time is right to immediately stabilize the area of the city adversely affected by this poorly maintained and operated residential housing complex.

The agency’s plan is to use a non-profit housing developer to purchase and rehabilitate 100 units of apartments for rent.  The agency is purchasing the remaining 46 four-plex buildings, with up to 184 apartments set for demolition.

The vacant land will be used to build new single family housing and senior housing in the next few years as the housing market improves.

There are currently 244 low-income apartment units within 61 fourplexes and 10 vacant lots at the 19th and Sunrise project area.

When complete the 19th Street and Sunrise area will have:
•    100 units of rental apartments for families of four that make up to $53,300 a year.
•    40 – 55 single family homes for sale to families of four who make up to $77,400 a year.
•    65 units of senior apartments for rent to households that make up to $42,650 a year for a family of two. 

The end result will deliver 205 to 215 units of housing – 144 fewer apartments and 31 to 41 fewer housing units than when the agency started.

Agency staff has determined the best method for acquiring, rehabilitating and operating apartments for rent would be through a non-profit company that could perform all of these functions on the agency’s behalf. The agency selected Mary Erickson Community Housing through a competitive application process.

Mary Erickson Community Housing is a non-profit agency specializing in housing, with greater capacity than the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency for rehabilitating and professionally managing apartments for low to moderate-income families.

Mary Erickson Community Housing was founded in 1991. Its namesake was a retired schoolteacher who was devoted to the principals of community participation and well being. The company established its first affordable housing complex in San Clemente and has since grown to include multiple properties serving hundreds of diverse, hard working, low income families in Southern California including: Moreno Valley, Corona, Loma Linda, Riverside and now San Bernardino.
Preventing future multiple owners
To make sure the rental apartments can never be sold to multiple owners and create unsafe and unregulated conditions again, as the properties are purchased the deeds will be changed to make them each one parcel.
• 15 separate apartment complexes on the north side of 19th Street will become one complete parcel.
• 10 fourplexes on the south side of Sunrise Lane will become one complete parcel.

Current and Future Residents
Current residents will be asked to apply to live in the newly renovated apartments. Mary Erickson Community Housing will have active on site management, new rental agreements and new rules designed to keep the neighborhood safe and attractive.

Mary Erickson Community Housing also provides life skills education to help all residents gain skills to better manage their families and finances.

Phase 1
Currently, Mary Erickson Community Housing is purchasing the vacant, foreclosed and boarded up properties in the19th and Sunrise area.

Mary Erickson Community Housing has already acquired three properties and expects to begin construction in the coming weeks to rehabilitate those apartments. Phase 1 is complete when the 15 separate apartment complexes on the north side of 19th street and the 10 fourplexes on the south side of Sunrise Lane are acquired and rehabilitated. 

For its investment with Mary Erickson Community Housing for the apartments, the agency will receive half (50 percent) of any “surplus cash flow” after all operating expenses and debt service payments have been made on each property acquired, rehabilitated and placed into service by Mary Erickson Community Housing.

Phase 2
Concurrently, the agency is also purchasing properties in the area bounded by 19th Street to the north, Sunrise Lane to the south, Guthrie to the east and Argyle to the west. These properties will be acquired and demolished. The initial cost to the agency is $1.6 million.

Phase 3
When cleared and available the agency will prepare 12 parcels of the land for senior housing and issue a request for proposal to build 65 units of senior apartments. The project will be funded from future agency and developer funds.

Phase 4
In the future as housing demand returns the agency will issue a request for proposals to build 40 – 55 single family homes. The project will be funded from future agency and developer funds. The number of homes depends on the lot size for the homes.

For more information on this project call the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency at (909) 963-5020 and ask for Sam Hughes.

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AAHI Celebrates Seven Years of Progress

AAHI Committee members Patricia Green, president of BASIA; unknown community member; Jose Marquez, formerly with the California Endowment; Linda Hart, community member

AAHI Committee members from 2004 left to right: Dr. Robert Fick, representative for the Elks; Kim Carter, president Time for Change; Joyce Fairman, and Carl Dameron, president Dameron Communications with Diane Woods in the back row.

Diane Woods, AAHI president, at AAHI San Bernardino presentation in 2005.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County (AAHI-SBC) will celebrate its last seven years of progress in efforts to reduce health and healthcare disparities in Black communities of the Inland Empire.

The celebration of “Our Past, Present & Future,” takes place in the Henderson Auditorium of San Bernardino Community Hospital, 1800 Western Ave., from 5:30 to 7:30pm., Thursday, October 22. For details call (909) 880-2600 or visit www.AAHI-SBC.org . All are welcomed to attend.

Black churches have had outreach health ministries in the Inland Empire for more than 50 years. Dr. Temetry Lindsey founded the Inland Behavioral Health more than 30 years ago, Dr. V.Diane Woods pointed out. And Gwen Knotts founded Knotts Family Agency shortly after that.

The local branch of the California Black Health Network, in conjunction with the Black newspapers, radio talk shows, and civic organizations, as well as the Inland Empire Black Nurses Association and ethnic physicians of the J W Vines Medical Society have always worked on health issues in the Inland Empire.

More African Americans die from the leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS and other preventable conditions than any other group. Even African American babies die two to three times more often than other babies.

“Simply put African American males die at an average age of 56, and African American females die at an average age of 62,” said Dr. Woods.

Community leaders who were concerned about this disparity organized the African American Health Initiative in 1998, working with the San Bernardino County Medical Society. In 2003, the Medical Society hired Dr. Woods to head a major countywide planning project for the African American Health Initiative (AAHI).

In 2004, the organization held public forums, conducted surveys, town hall meetings, and one-on-one interviews throughout San Bernardino County; gathering data from more than 1,000 local Black residents investigating why people of African ancestry continue to die much earlier than other ethnic groups; and, to identify what will work to reverse this trend.

 “Much has been accomplished since we started the health planning project in 2003,” said Dr. Woods, founding president and CEO of AAHI-SBC. “We are celebrating successful positive milestones in Black community collaboration.”

As a result of the AAHI Planning Project, a comprehensive report was developed in 2004 called Voices of the People: An Afrocentric Plan for Better Health. Nine major recommendations were proposed.

Recommendation #3 was to create a credible collaborative to focus on African American health issues. Afterwards, the African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County (AAHI-SBC) was created and incorporated as a collaborative of concerned stakeholders in January 2006 to combat these issues.

Since then, AAHI-SBC has strongly promoted change in the healthcare system through advocacy, public education, community capacity building, and research.

Since 2006, AAHI-SBC has been awarded more than a million dollars to work on health issues. Two recent awards include the California African American Initiative Statewide: HEROICs from the Department of Managed Care Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) for $149,600; and the California Department of Mental Health Statewide Reducing Disparity Project for African Americans for $411,000.

“The African American community’s most desperate need is capacity,” Dr. Woods explained. “Capacity means having significant funds, dedicated individuals working full-time on complex, multiple problems and solutions, the ability to respond in a timely manner, and suitable facilities and infrastructure to implement appropriate interventions.

“Tremendous efforts on multiple fronts to improve the health delivery system, individual health, and in changing health policies, must be sustained,” said Dr. Woods. “In this era of national change to improve health and healthcare outcomes, seven years seems like an appointed time to celebrate good things done by our local Blacks in our communities. When we remember where we have come from, and celebrate the progress we have made with our eyes steadfast on the future it brings hope. We need a good dose of hope and encouragement every now and then, it’s good for the heart and spirit of a people.”


About the African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County
AAHI-SBC is a community-based resource focused solely on improving health among Americans of African ancestry, the poor and under-represented (URM) ethnic minorities in the Inland Empire. Visit www.AAHI-SBC.org to learn more about what self-help groups and others are doing to improve the condition of Blacks. You will also find the history of AAHI-SBC, an extensive list of partners, and activities underway. 

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Teens Graduate Ready for Life

Explore, Discover, Become was the theme of FHA-HERO during the 2008-09 school year. Every year, students who are enrolled in Consumer & Family Studies, a program offered by Home Economics Careers and Technology, have the opportunity to explore possibilities, discover what interests them and become successful in life by learning skills that will help them to excel.  If they also become involved in FHA-HERO, the career technical student organization affiliated with Home Economics Careers and Technology, they will have an immediate opportunity to put their newly-learned skills into practice. Photo by Carl Dameron

These young ladies are ready to attend a school formal. This one was put on at the California State Leadership Meeting for their organization,  FHA-HERO,which teaches leadership, communication, organization and other skills they'll need to succeed in the adult world. FHA-HERO is a co-curricular student organization for Home Economics Careers and Technology. Through one of HECT's programs, Consumer & Family Studies, thousands of California students are learning these skills in an academic environment. Many of them have an immediate opportunity to put them into practice through their involvement in FHA-HERO. Photo by Carl Dameron

(SACRAMENTO Calif.) – It has been said that life brings about the most change between the ages of 16 and 26.

Between those ages, students typically graduate from high school, move from their parents’ home to a dorm or apartment, begin a career, and often, marry and have children. That’s a lot happening in the space of a few short years and, tragically, many young adults pass through this decade of life ill-prepared.

A program taught at many California high schools makes sure they are ready. It provides these students with training in personal and family management skills such as parenting, communication and budgeting, and with career preparation skills such as writing resumes, interviewing for jobs and gaining entry-level experience in career fields related to one’s “dream job.”

The program, officially known as Consumer and Family Studies, is taught through Home Economics Careers and Technology, a part of the California Department of Education. The courses within this program are known by different names, such as “Parenting,” “Life Management” and “Economics for Living.”

“I want them to be responsible citizens,” said Tracy Taylor, department chair overseeing the Home Economics Careers and Technology courses at Rowland High School in Rowland Heights. “And I want them to be prepared to have a great home, a great family AND a great career.”

At Rowland High School, as with all of the others offering Consumer and Family Studies programs, the courses serve two purposes. One is to create young adults who are well equipped to handle life’s challenges. The other is to expose them to high-demand, well-paying careers in areas such as education, culinary arts, hospitality & tourism, fashion and interior design and consumer marketing.

At many schools, students who have any interest in taking any courses offered through their Home Economics Careers and Technology department begin with a course often titled “Life Management.” 

The introductory course will give students exposure to more advanced Home Economics Careers and Technology courses the school offers, which is important because a growing number of high schools ask their ninth- or tenth-grade students to select a “pathway,” so that elective study will be focused on a specific career path.

Students in this course typically will learn about nutrition and food preparation skills, selecting and furnishing a residence, selecting apparel, and child development. With that overview, students not only have information they can use in their personal lives, but they’re also equipped to decide if careers along those pathways interest them.

Many Home Economics Careers and Technology programs offer three pathways, one focusing on culinary arts, one focusing on fashion and a third focusing on child development. A few schools also add pathways focusing on hospitality and tourism, interior design, consumer studies, food science and other related career fields.

Many schools offer more intense project-based Consumer & Family Studies courses to juniors and seniors only. The course name and focus vary somewhat, but are designed to help students make the transition from teenager to productive, independent adult.

 At Rowland High School, the course is called “Parenting,” It is a required course in the pathway focusing on child development and education, but open to all students in grades 11 and 12.

And what does “Parenting” entail? The development, care and guidance of children is certainly part of the course, but sometimes, it’s only a small part.

These parenting topics are addressed for two weeks at the end of the first semester. Before then, students will study self-awareness, dating and relationships, marriage preparation, deciding when or if to have kids, and what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth. 

In the second semester, Rowland High’s parenting course focuses on what it’s like to raise a family in the real world. Students will have to develop that real-life scenario in another project, by “finding” jobs and places to live, and putting together budgets for their make-believe households.

“My parenting class is highly popular,” Taylor said. “My students rave over what life lessons I have taught them, some even tell me they share these with their own parents who never knew certain things.  These are life skills used in making daily choices as young adults and one day, as parents and spouses.”

At Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley, a similar course is offered. This course, after a beginning unit on self awareness, starts off by having students consider something they might, as seniors, be doing anyhow – selecting a new city to live in and what college to attend.

They will then learn about finding an apartment and a roommate to share the household expenses. Lessons in interior decoration, budgeting and cooking round out the first semester.

“Our students really like this course,” said Armida Gordon, one of two teachers at Fountain Valley High School who teaches the course. “It teaches them how to move out and live on their own.”

In the second semester, they will learn more about budgeting, goal setting, communication and career planning. A unit on relationships, which touches on marriage and family life, is part of the second-semester curriculum.

Research-based projects accompany each unit, Gordon said. At the end of the year, students have a notebook that can serve as a handy reference manual when they actually move away from their parents’ home and must make personal and household management decisions on their own.

“We have a student teacher this semester in our English department who took the course years ago,” Gordon said. “He says that course and Foods and Nutrition, were two of the most valuable courses he took in high school, because he couldn’t live without them.”

There are more than 750 schools offering the Home Economics Careers and Technology program in California, serving more than 300,000 students. Many of these also offer the co-curricular student leadership and career development program FHA-HERO. For more information, call State Consultant Janice DeBenedetti at (916) 323-5025.

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