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 KU
OR 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.
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.” The Applied Surveys 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 Sa
n 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.
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.
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 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.
(San Bernardino, CA) Floyd E. Norman, a pioneer cartoonist and animator who worked with Walt Disney in the early days of animation, will speak at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 1 at the San Bernardino campus. The event is open to the public at no cost.
Santosh Ooomen, Academic Director for Game Art & Animation at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, said, “We are very fortunate to bring such an important artist to our campus. Floyd Norman is truly a legend in comic animation and this is a unique opportunity to share his experience with the community.”
Norman worked on animated features Sleeping Beauty, The Sword and the Stone and Jungle Book in the late 50’s and early 60’s. After Walt Disney’s death in 1966, Norman left Disney Studios to co-found the AfroKids animation studio where he developed the original Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Fat Albert TV special which aired on NBC in 1969.
He later returned to Disney where he worked on Robin Hood and films Toy Story 2, Monsters, Dinosaur and the Hunchback of Notre Dame for Walt Disney Animation. He has also worked on projects for Pixar and Mulan.
Norman has published several books of cartoons, inspired by his lifetime of experiences in the animation industry, including Faster! Cheaper!, Son of Faster, Cheaper! and How the Grinch Stole Disney.
His is currently a columnist for the websites JimHillMedia.com and AfroKids.com and was named a Disney Legend in 2007. He appeared as a Guest of Honor at Anthrocon 2008 and at Comic-Con International, the annual conference for the comic book industry where he received an Inkpot Award the same year.
The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is located at 630 E. Brier Drive, San Bernardino, in the Hospitalilty 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 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.
For just over a month, the LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. clinics were only flu treatment centers to cope with the public’s concern about swine flu. Now, business is back to normal at LaSalle clinics. La Salle President Dr. Alebert Arteaga and his associates focus on providing quality affordable health care, as in this photo where he is overseeing signups for low-cost prescription programs.Photo by Carl Dameron
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) A month ago, many were panicking as a newly-discovered, sometimes deadly strain of influenza, known as “swine flu,” made its way from Mexico to the United States.
To deal with the concerns of its patients, LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. temporarily converted its medical clinics to “Flu Treatment and Prevention Centers” and saw more than 300 people a day with flu symptoms. Less than four weeks later, as the spread of this flu strain waned, LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. returned to business as normal.
Still, swine flu, officially known as “novel H1N1 influenza A” hasn’t gone away. In May, San Bernardino County recorded its first death from swine flu, also the first death in the state, although the patient had other serious health issues as well.
Medical experts warn there could be many new cases when the flu season returns this fall.
“Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, so the illness may become more widespread and severe as a result,” said Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare, San Bernardino County Health Officer.
It’s possible to contract swine flu and other types of influenza at any time of year, even in summer. So, LaSalle Medical Associates and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health work together to educate people about preventing spread of this virus.
“Swine flu is a Type A strain of influenza that can cause body aches, coughs, sore throats, fevers above 100 degrees, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea,” Dr. Arteaga explained. “As with all strains of influenza, there are other potential more serious complications, possibly even death.”
To limit the spread of swine flu, Dr. Arteaga urges anyone with the above symptoms to stay home from school and work until they are well, and limit contact with others. They also should contact a health care provider, especially if worried about the symptoms.
Everyone should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, wash hands frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitizer, and avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Also, healthy people should to the extent possible, avoid contact with those who have flu symptoms and avoid large gatherings.
According to founder Dr. Arteaga, the primary mission of LaSalle’s clinics is “to offer high quality medical care to the whole family with courtesy and respect.” LaSalle accepts most insurance, and is also an affordable option for many without health care coverage.
As of early June, there were 114 cases of swine flu in San Bernardino County.
This strain of flu is resistant to flu vaccines that have been developed so far. However, flu vaccines are modified every year to include new strains.
For more information about swine flu, contact the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or by calling 1-800-236-4636, or the California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov or 1-888-865-0564. The state health department also maintains www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov with additional information.
The San Bernardino County Public Health Department also can provide information on its toll-free number, 1-800-782-4264, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its website is www.sbcounty.gov/dph.
The LaSalle medical clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino, and 16455 Main St. in Hesperia.
For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407 or go on line to www.lasallemedical.com.
Carl Dameron has recently been named a member of the Inland Empire Advisory Board for Goodwill Southern California. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications, has been named a member of the Inland Empire Advisory Board for Goodwill Southern California.
Dameron joins a group of highly influential community leaders on this board. Other members include Bill Carney, president and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership; Pat Downey, senior group leader for the Target Distribution Center in Fontana; Kathleen Dutton, director of Economic Development and Community Education for Chaffey College; Dr. Carolyn Eggleston, dean of administration and graduate programs for California State University San Bernardino; Felicia Flournoy, deputy director of the Riverside County Economic Development Agency; John Husing, a leading authority on economics in the Inland Empire and president and CEO of Economics and Politics in Redlands; Ron Loveridge, mayor of Riverside and John Thornes, CEO of Thornes & Associates.
“I am excited about working with community leaders of this caliber to help Goodwill Southern California improve the lives of so many in our area,” Dameron said.
Dameron serves on several other local advisory boards, including The Salvation Army and The American Lung Association and is President of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. As president of this Chamber, he is leading an effort to help Black and other minority business owners develop strategies to stay strong in 2009’s tough economic times.
“We are honored and privileged to have Carl Dameron join the Goodwill Southern California family as a member of the Inland Empire Advisory Board,” says Lowell King, regional operations officer for Goodwill’s Inland Empire campus. “His experience and knowledge of the concerns and opportunities in the Inland Empire can enhance Goodwill’s ability to serve those in our community.”
About Goodwill of Southern California Since 1916, Goodwill has been turning donations and retail purchases into good jobs that have led to brighter futures for thousands of people with disabilities and vocational challenges. More than 44,000 people benefited from Goodwill Southern California’s (GSC) education, job training and placement programs last year. GSC operates 62 retail stores, 40 attended donation centers, three campuses and 26 community-based career resource centers in the counties of Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino.
About Dameron Communications Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. They are 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 service 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.
Designer Joseph Yoshimura with model wearing his “Midknight Samurai,” at the recent Mood Indigo Fashion Show put on by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center.
Model wears Twisted Love by Adriana Diaz, at right
Designer Sara Vigil, with model wearing “Mademoiselle Coco.”
Model wears Bubble Couture, designed by Isidore Baltazar, at right.
Model wears Midknight Samurai, designed by Joseph Yoshimura.
Model wearing “Militant Tux,” designed by Erica Jennings.
Model wearing “Ode to Holland,” designed by Jennifer Hernandez, not pictured.
(RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.) Fashion Empire 2009 enchanted an Inland Empire crowd at Victoria Gardens recently.
The showcase entertained the crowd with a live DJ, acrobatics from Cirque U.S.A., professional lighting, hot brands, a fashion design gallery, silent auction and VIP section that could stand up to any Vegas lounge.
A first-class runway fashion show wrapped up the evening with a denim-inspired theme titled Mood Indigo. Showcasing fashion from sponsors Miss Me Jeans, Soulful Commandoe, Affliction and student work from the fashion design program at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire created this event to showcase the schools Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Management programs. This non-profit event further supported students by raising funds for scholarships through sponsorships.
Sherry West, Academic Director for Fashion at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire guided the fashion students through a six month period, teaching them how to put together a fashion show – start to finish.
“The students have learned first hand experience of what the industry is all about, said West. “They were able to come up with the design, execute, make corrections and produce quality work in the allotted time.”
“There were many sleepless nights, late hours in the lab, even a couple Sundays of working diligently on the sewing machines,” said West. “This industry expects so much from you; you have to be able to produce and work hard, like it is not a big deal!”
“These students came in with nothing but desire. They are the pioneers of this program. This is how we recruit new students,” said West.
“They are so dedicated to the program, helping each other out, using team work, learning to come up as a united front. The students were willing to do what it takes to get it done,” said West.
“These kids, including myself took a journey together, learning a lot from each other and knowing there is still so much more to learn,” said West. “ By the time these pioneers graduate this program, they are going to be real stars in the fashion industry.”
Susie Culini and Amber Reddii, fire dancers with Cirque USA, performed a choreographed routine that involved props lit on fire and stunts that wowed the audience.
Culini and Redii have been performing together for several years. “It took us four to five hours to choreograph this routine,” said Culini, adding they rehearsed it for several weeks once they had it choreographed.
Twenty-year-old Stefanie Weck from Studio City was the model for the Fashion Empire 2009 program distributed during the event. She also modeled down the runway for the Mood Indigo fashion show; wearing pieces from fashion brands such as Bebe and student work from Sara Vigil.
“It was cool modeling the student work, I was very impressed with the work the first year fashion students put together” said Weck. She is also a fashion major with a passion for creating new fashion and modeling.
Fashion Empire 2009 was produced by Q.Zi Media, a professional fashion show production company owned by Quyenzi Pham.
Other sponsors included Live Fast, ieStyle Magazine, Jade, Smart Water and Red Bull.
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 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 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
105 year Dorothy Inghram cam out to Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson’s Sixth Ward Town Hall Meeting. Photo by Carl Dameron
More than 100 community members attended Sixth Ward Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson’s Town Hall Meeting. Photo by Carl Dameron
Rikke Van Johnson welcomes US Census Representative Amos Young to his Sixth Ward Town Hall Meeting.Photo by Carl Dameron
Left, Right: Charles McNeely, City Manager for the City of San Bernardino and Marion Black at City Councilmember Rikke Van Johnson’s Sixth Ward Town Hall Meeting.Photo by Carl Dameron
State Street improvement diagrams presented at San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson’s Sixth Ward Town Hall Meeting. Photo by Carl Dameron
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem and Sixth Ward City Council Member Rikke Van Johnson addressed Westside San Bernardino community members at his Town Hall Meeting, Thursday June 18th at the Inghram Community Center where he introduced new San Bernardino City Manager Charles McNeely.
Johnson’s State of the City budget address painted a dismal picture at times as he detailed the impact of the collapse of the financial industry, the steep decline in housing values and skyrocketing foreclosures, which are affecting the community as well as the nation.
There was a somber atmosphere among the residents as Johnson released information on why the city had to cut 177 full time positions, 32 percent of the city’s Parks and Recreation staff, 23 percent of the Information Technology staff and the city libraries budget by $700,000. San Bernardino faces a projected budget deficit of $19 million in 2010.
McNeely, who took office on June 1, was greeted by an audience anxious for a message of optimism from their newest city official. McNeely’s message was simple, to assist the community to meet their goals, by changing the image and perception of the way the city does things.
McNeely encouraged the community to get involved and attend Council meetings to let City Hall know there needs to be change in its standards and behavior. He concluded his presentation by encouraging community interaction with his office stating, “The worst mistake the community can make is not taking advantage of me being here.”
Johnson addressed approximately 100 Sixth Ward residents providing city budget information and how it will impact their neighborhoods. Several city officials and representatives were present, as well as one of the city’s most notable educational pioneers, 104-year-old Dorothy E. Inghram, for whom the center is named.
The Councilman’s presentation was not completely laced with doom and gloom as he cited many positive efforts in revitalizing the community, including the State Street widening project. Still in the design phase is a widening from the 210 Freeway to Foothill Boulevard creating the last major north-south street that can be built in San Bernardino.
Also in the design phase are plans for the Mesa Senior Center Complex, an affordable gated independent senior living facility to be constructed on a 2.4-acre property at the corner of Highland Avenue and Medical Center Drive, boasting a 3,000 sq. ft. community center.”
Johnson was met with a rousing applause from the audience as he announced the demolition of the Meridian Apartments a long time hangout of drug dealers and other criminals. “The city has acquired eight of the 18 unit apartments, with three additional units to be demolished before the end of the month.” Eventually, Johnson says, “the city will acquire and demolish all of the units.”
Additional revitalizing efforts reported by Johnson were the construction of a new gas station on the corner of Fifth Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue, the McDonald’s restaurant on historic Route 66, which is presently the number one store of the restaurant chain in the city.
The collaborative effort with the Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is focusing efforts to improve the historic Route 66 corridor with beautifully constructed facades on the areas businesses, beginning with Ace Barbershop on the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Goodlet Street.
Several presentations were also on the Town Hall agenda. Amos Young Sr., Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce/ Census Bureau was on hand to provide the community with vital information on Census 2010 and the employment potential offering 1500 jobs to the city once the local office is staffed.
Other presentations were provided by Voices 4 Change, a grass roots social action campaign to restore health and safety for residents in San Bernardino County and foster relationships with residents and city and county officials, and The NID Housing Counseling Agency, a HUD approved non-profit agency offering free loan modification information.
Project Pipeline partnering with The Black Voice Foundation announced the grand opening of the Hardy Brown College Prep charter school in San Bernardino in fall 2010.
Johnson was quite pleased with the turnout and content of the meeting. “My main goal is to provide the best living environment for my commun
ity while I am in office,” he said.
Johnson will hold a second Town Hall Meeting & Report at the Inghram Community Center, 2050 N. Mt Vernon Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m. on June 25, 2009 to introduce San Bernardino’s new Chief of Police, Keith Kilmer.
Rikke Van Johnson represents the Sixth Ward on the City Council of San Bernardino, where he has lived for most of his life. He is the manager for Greenwood Bail Bonds, and previously worked for 27 years as a clerk for the United States Postal Service.
For more information about the Town Hall Meeting on June 25th, please contact Rikke Van Johnson at the San Bernardino City Council Office at (909) 384-5188.
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.
