Kevin Agra, the last winner of the Best Teen Chef of the Inland Empire, creates culinary masterpieces at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. Photo by Robert Swapp.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) — High school seniors, and maybe the next generation of Emerils, Rachaels and Bobbys are getting ready to chop, dice and deglaze their way to winning The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes’ Best Teen Chef 2009 competition www.artinstitutes.edu/btc.
The premier culinary event for aspiring teen chefs, The Best Teen Chef 2009 competition is set for Saturday, May 9 at The International Culinary School of America at The Art Institute of Charlotte, NC. At stake is a full-tuition scholarship worth more than $40,000 and the prestigious title Best Teen Chef.
But to get there, students must first win a local competition on March 14. In the Inland Empire this competition takes place at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire.
“We are gratified that in the nine years we have sponsored Best Teen Chef, the quantity and quality of the students entering increases,” said Chef Michael Nenes, Assistant Vice President of Culinary Arts for The Art Institutes.
That’s certainly true at The International Culinary School of The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, which is gearing up for its third year as host of a local competition. In 2008, it had six times as many competitors as the year before.
“Culinary Arts and Culinary Management are popular in the Inland Empire,” said Chef Eyad Joseph, academic director of the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. “There is a growing appreciation for good food here, and many young people see the value of turning their passion for cooking into a career.”
Hundreds of students from the U.S. and Canada enter the competition each year in hopes of snagging the grand prize and, more importantly, an opportunity to launch their education with a degree in culinary arts.
Kevin Agra, of Alta Loma, the winner of the Best Teen Chef Inland Empire 2008 competition, took advantage of the $3,000 scholarship he received as the local winner, and is now enrolled in the International Culinary School of America at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. Agra is a 2008 graduate of Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga.
“I have always loved to cook,” he said. “Now, with the help of my scholarship to The International Culinary School, I will soon work as a chef in a restaurant.”
Agra added that participating in the Best Teen Chef event was in itself a learning experience, especially when he went to the national competition in Las Vegas, where he was pitted against the best teen chefs in the nation.
The Best Teen Chef event is a timed-competition. Student competitors are provided the same ingredients and recipes, and prepare their entries using identical equipment.
Student competitors are judged on organization, taste and presentation. In all, more than $250,000 in tuition scholarships will be awarded.
For more information on Best Teen Chef 2009, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/btc or call (909) 915-2100 or 1-800-353-0812.
The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Retail Management, and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.
The Art Institute of California-Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 40 educational institutions located throughout North America.
For more information or tour, call The Art Institute of California–Inland Empire at 1-800-353-0812 or (909) 915-2100, or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.
Urban Dreams Filmworks Festival creator Erick Benson Ontario Mayor Paul Leon
(ONTARIO, Calif.) “The Urban Dreams Filmworks Festival has been a dream of mine for two years,” explains Ontario’s producer, playwright and author Erick Benson. “There’s more than enough talent in the Inland Empire to easily embrace such a project.”
Benson, the founder of Urban Dreams Filmworks and creator of the film festival, is no newcomer to the entertainment industry. He is a playwright with four stage productions under his belt, a TV producer and an author with his fourth crime story book due soon. Additionally, he and writing partner Anthony Herron created Ben-Her Entertainment and have collaborated on numerous writing projects for film and television.
A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and, subsequently, a master’s in Creative Writing, Benson went on to join the staff of TV’s popular “Family Feud” and, later, “Love Connection.” Currently, he is the creator of “First Cousins,” a television pilot starring Sherman Hemsley, the veteran of “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” Also under consideration by producers are four reality shows and a feature film.
“I created Urban Dreams Filmworks,” the writer/producer says, “as a cutting-edge film company to write and produce quality films with positive messages. Our goal is to expose the world to stories that can change lives and create tomorrow’s horizons today.”
And his March film festival is considered by entertainment professionals a perfect example.
The Urban Dreams Filmworks Festival will give aspiring writers, directors and producers around the country the opportunity to present their creative works of art, organizers say. “There’ll be five categories,” adds Benson. “We’ll have Short Films of 20 minutes or less; TV samples of reality, drama or comedy shows up to 10 minutes in length; Documentaries may also be 10 minutes or less; there’ll be Music Video entries of no more than seven minutes; an animation category and a new section for festivals, Spoken Word In View, of five minutes or less.”
Festival judges will include such industry leaders as ABC/ Sony/Columbia alumnus and longtime actor Anthony Herron who will also teach a screenwriting class.
Awards participants handing out the beautiful and well-earned plaques number Ontario Mayor Paul Leon and Greg Devereaux, along with a few of Benson’s industry friends: “Gus Blackman, a Warner Bros. 30-year veteran and producer of television’s ‘Judge Mathis’ show, and Ken Dickson, a Warner executive producer with an acting background in stage, TV and film productions, are a couple of powerful Warner Bros. executives,” he notes. “And we’ll have Stacey McLain-Fields. She’s been a head writer for ‘The Parkers’ sitcom, a screenwriter of a B.E.T. Movie of the Week and a story editor for a decade or more. Stacey will be an award presenter and will hold a seminar on Writing for Television.”
As Paul Leon, Ontario’s mayor, says, “The Urban Dreams Filmworks Festival is an exciting new festival which will bring the best and brightest filmmakers to Ontario, the entertainment center of the Inland Empire. The festival will add to the growing culture and quality of life that Ontario is becoming.”
Festival organizers are adhering strictly to the event’s Mission Statement, according to Benson. He says, “All of us are involved … to provide an opportunity for independent filmmakers to present their works of art in an open setting to gain industry exposure that can possibly provide marketing avenues for their projects.’”
Benson is taking his festival a step further, too. He’s bringing in Hollywood pros for seminars in scriptwriting, choosing actors, music video production and even financing, the last conducted by Terrell Hickman, a prominent financial planner for entertainers.
“On Day 1, March 28th,” Benson says, “we’ll have the classes and films running all day, plus film/television/industry vendor booths. Day 2, the 29th, will be the same, but with the evening’s concluding awards banquet gala.” All film screenings are open to the public and free.
Students fascinated by film and video haven’t been overlooked, either. In fact, Benson has created two competition categories exclusively for high school seniors as part of “The Student Writing & Video Challenge.”
“Contest #1,” Benson explains, “gives young people the chance to illustrate their writing skills by submitting a1- to 3-page synopsis for a television show or feature film. Contest #2 is where the seniors can demonstrate their creative skills by making their own video project in comedy, drama, reality, action or documentary categories.” Winning students in each contest will be honored at the awards banquet and receive special prizes from Ontario Mayor Leon.
Benson says “I discussed the idea with Ontario’s City Manager, Greg Devereaux, who convinced me the festival would be such a powerful and successful project that it ought to be in the city’s Convention Center.” And so it will, March 28 and 29 of 2009.
For further information on festival events, submission guidelines and fees, student entries, seminar offerings and more, go on line to www.urbandreamsfilmworks.com or phone (909) 268-5303.
About Urban Dreams Filmworks The founder of Claremont, California’s Urban Dreams Filmworks Inc., Erick Benson, has said, “I created Urban Dreams Filmworks as a cutting-edge film company to write and produce quality films with positive messages. Our goal is to expose the world to stories that can change lives and create tomorrow’s horizons today.”
Oscar Shearer, with a wall of photos and newspaper clippings in the lobby of Riverside City Gym, showing the building’s history as the Riverside YMCA.
(RIVERSIDE, Calif.) – Unexpectedly located in the basement of the historic Life Arts Center, Riverside City Gym has answered the health and fitness needs of downtown Riverside since 1998.
The gym serves as a reminder of the building’s heyday, a sixty-year stretch of time from 1909 until 1969, when it housed the city’s YMCA. With its centenary rapidly approaching, the gym’s new owner and proprietor, Oscar J Shearer, has made extensive improvements and renovations with new and used commercial gym equipment, each carefully designed to enhance the experience of the gym’s members as well as remaining true to the building’s unique character.
Most notably, Shearer has updated the air conditioning system to one that can cool the weight-room floor on a 115-degree day; and also he has refurbished the locker rooms with new carpeting and tile-work; has replaced and rebuilt several walls; has painted and cleaned extensively; and has added ceramic tile floors throughout the hallways and restrooms.
On the gym floor itself, Shearer added three new Hammer Strength Machines, bringing the gym’s total number of these machines to 18. Riverside City Gym is the only gym in greater Riverside certified as an official Hammer Strength Training Center. Hammer Strength Machines, such as this one demonstrated by Oscar Shearer, are considered the Mercedes-Benzes of weight machines. Riverside City Gym is the only gym in or near Riverside that has Hammer Strength Machines. “Hammer Strength is the Mercedes Benz of fitness machines, and because of their ergonomic and sturdy design they are probably the industry’s most innovative strength-training equipment” Shearer said. “We pride ourselves in being one of only a few fitness centers in the Inland Empire with this selection of quality equipment.”
Several years before he bought the gym, Shearer entered the business as a personal trainer. He was attracted to this particular gym because – as an award-winning Over-50 Body Builder – he believed that the high-quality equipment and no-nonsense work-ethic of the gym’s regulars formed the perfect place to prepare for his competition at the national championships. Shortly afterwards, he began introducing his own clients to the gym that was coming to mean so much to him.
“Before I bought City Gym, it was – in a sense – already my gym,” Shearer said. “But it was getting old; it was becoming run-down and was getting side-lined by the competition. I really wanted to make the gym I love so much become an integral part of downtown Riverside, a place where anyone who is committed to getting in better shape or improving their health can do so comfortably, enjoyably and effectively.”
New members receive one free consultation with a trainer, which provides an orientation to the equipment and services provided by the gym, and how to best use them. The consultation would most likely also include the adjustable weights dumbbells and an advice on maintaining a healthy diet, or establishing a fitness routine.
New members may also purchase an “assisted training package,” for $150 in which they receive six weekly sessions with a trainer, with “homework” to do during the rest of the week. This is heavily discounted from the regular per hour price. After these six weeks members can design their own routines.
Advanced trainees can choose between several discounted training packages. For those who are comfortably established in a fitness routine, and don’t need regular guidance from a trainer, advice is still free.
Fewer than five percent of City Gym’s membership participates in competitive bodybuilding. One of them is Karl Marshall, who turned 80 on Oct. 28. Six years ago, Shearer began working with him to help him to improve what was already a long successful history in competition. In 2004 Karl competed in what is considered his best shape ever at the Master’s National Championships in Philadelphia with an unprecedented full standing ovation.
“I have trained 14 bodybuilders – 12 men and two women – over the last seven years,” Shearer said. “All of them have received first place in their events, but none of those victories were as sweet as Karl’s standing ovation. In this sport, that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Another notable gym member is Eleanora Palagi, a talented sculptress and businesswoman who created Mario’s Place, a five-star restaurant also located in downtown Riverside. Mrs. Palagi has turned the daily operation of the restaurant over to her children, and now spends three mornings a week at the gym, under Shearer’s personal guidance.
Although these notable members are in their 70s, the gym’s patrons span the generations from middle-aged to teenaged. Of course, adults of any age may join, but Riverside City Gym also welcomes teens 16 and older with written parental consent. Shearer has maintained his New Year Special membership prices during the on-going renovations. But make no mistake: This gym is a place for working hard and achieving real and measurable results.
“Riverside City Gym isn’t a place for people to flirt or socialize. Those who do will be strongly encouraged to finish their workouts and move on,” Shearer said. “But if you want results, this is the place to be. We are dedicated to helping people reach their physical goals, and with this ideal in mind, I firmly believe that City Gym’s best years are still to come.”
Shearer has also added services that weren’t previously offered. These are also available without joining the gym, but members receive discounts.
Licensed massage therapists Tom Mishler and Reiki Master Wellington Porter now provide an extensive menu of massage services within the precincts of Riverside City Gym. Among their specialties are the relaxing Swedish-American Massage, Deep Tissue Sports Massage, Hot- and Cold-Stone Work, Energy Work, and Pregnancy Massage. Hour-long sessions are available to members and non-members alike, though members receive deep discounts on a variety of massage packages. Half-hour massages are also available, but the therapists recommend their clients take the full hour.
“Massage is important as part of an overall fitness routine,” Mishler said. “When muscles are tight and knotted, it’s difficult to ha
ve effective, productive workouts and overall muscle health.” Stair climbers are one of many cardio machines at Riverside City Gym.
Especially – and exclusively – for women, there is an unusual class called Pole Fitness available. Pole Fitness is an aerobic-oriented version of the sensual pole dancing seen in some bars and clubs. “The ladies have a blast with this,” Jennifer Hawkins said. “It’s very fun, and no-one has ever walked away not having had a great time.”
Additionally, on Thursday evenings Riverside City Gym hosts a belly-dancing class taught by Marika, a talented and innovative dancer and instructor. Ladies – and men! – of all shapes and sizes can enjoy this unusual physical and cultural activity set to Middle-Eastern influenced music.
Members have full access to the gym from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Current special pricing is $99 for a three-month membership or $336 for a one-year membership, with no initiation fee.
For more information, pricing or a tour, call (951) 788-6115 or email membership@riversidecitygym.com. Information is also available at www.riversidecitygym.com
(CORONA, Calif.) “Corona has the potential to be a shining star in western Riverside County.” Speaking of his goal for his city, City Council challenger Louis Davis goes on to spell out the how and why of his campaign leading to the November 4 election.
“For years Council members have focused on high-end shops and restaurants,” he says. “But these are things that only appeal to a small part of our population. We have to make sure that we have someone on the city council that focuses on everyone.”
The father of four is very concerned about Corona’s families and its youth. “Corona is populated by families, yet there are no family-oriented facilities for them. And we have thriving youth football programs with no football field.”
Davis has pointed out that young athletes have to practice football on 6th Avenue where it isn’t safe for children. “We have fine facilities for baseball and soccer, but not even a goal post for footballers.”
Davis has long noted a lack of what he calls “an anchor” to downtown. “As in anchor, I’m talking about a performing arts center, an educational facility, a convention center, even a sports complex. And all these would generate significant income for the city’s General Fund.”
He adds, “We just can’t continue building new homes, new offices and retail space, then hope for the best. We’ve got to look ‘outside the box’ and plan in a big way for our future. Otherwise, 20-25 years down the road, we’ll be right where we are now.”
It has been estimated, he says, that by the year 2030, two million people will have moved into Riverside County, “with many of them choosing Corona,” Davis adds. “This isn’t Mayberry,” he says, referring to the old “Andy Griffith Show.” “Corona has the third largest population in western Riverside County. It’s time to act like it. Someone has to dream the big dream, and that’s me; and someone has to see these projects through, and that’s also me.”
Although he is a registered Democrat, he believes that he shares many common and conservative values with his neighbors. “People who know me,” he says, “know I would serve everyone regardless of political affiliation. If I were to be elected to the Corona City Council, every resident will have a true servant to work with.”
While this is Davis’ first bid for a major political office, he’s certainly not new to working in the community. Now a Region Manager for Local Public Affairs with Southern California Edison, he’s also a board member of the Norco Family YMCA and the Riverside Community College Foundation, along with being a member of the Corona Circle City Rotary and on the Board of Trustees of the Corona Library. In addition, Davis has been endorsed by the Central Labor Council of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Davis urges all Corona residents to get to the polls November 4, saying “Given a chance on the City Council, I can help make Corona a leading Southern California city.”
About Louis Davis This active member of Faith Fellowship Bible Church has a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Redlands. Before joining Southern California Edison in 2004, Davis spent 25 years with San Diego Gas & Electric including more than a decade as an Environmental Lab Technician then an Environmental Specialist.
On November 4, voters willing, Davis will begin initiating three major programs for Corona: “I want to bring us venues that will generate revenues for our General Fund; I plan to bring prominent universities and colleges to the city; and I’ll work hard to guide Corona to prepare for our future by bringing in a diverse business base with high end jobs and institutions that will survive any more economic downturns.”
For further information, or to contribute to the Louis Davis Campaign, go on line to www.leaveittolouis.com. -end-
Architectural renderings and a site plan for apartments The Salvation Army of San Bernardino plans to build on 10th Street.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – Female veterans and their families who have struggled with homelessness will have a new place to live, thanks to a grant The Salvation Army received recently.
The $150,000 grant is on top of a $1 million zero-interest loan already received from the California Department of Housing &; Community Development in July. Together, they will enable The Salvation Army to build eight to ten apartments near 925 Tenth Street, and to remodel an existing shelter there.
A few of the apartments will be reserved for veterans and their families. Since the Salvation Army of San Bernardino shelter primarily serves women and children, the apartments will be for female veterans.
“Building these apartments has been a goal of the Salvation Army for a long time,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino. “The zero-interest loan from the state has helped us realize that dream, and the grant from the Veterans Administration allows us to reach out to a few more women, who have sacrificed for their country and now need our help to get back to normal lives.”
The Salvation Army of San Bernardino offers shelter to women and their husbands and children, usually for up to three months. It plans to offer the apartments to women with families who are living in the shelter, but need to rely longer on the services its ministry provides before making independent living arrangements.
The remodeling to the shelter itself will benefit all who rely on this service.
The shelter is currently operated by Adult Rehabilitation Services, another branch of The Salvation Army, which works with homeless men. Adult Rehabilitation Services is building a larger shelter on Doolittle Street, and should be able to move there in October 2008.
Once Adult Rehabilitation Services moves into their new facility, The Salvation Army of San Bernardino plans to modernize the shelter and to convert some of the area into dormitory-style apartments for single women who stay longer.
“The San Bernardino City Unified School District counted 1,700 homeless children in the district,” said Kent Paxton, director of Operation Phoenix, and leader in the city’s effort to assist The Salvation Army through the approval process. “Those children belong to families, some of whom will benefit from these apartments.”
The California Department of Housing & Community Development loan is zero interest for 10 years, and then won’t have to be repaid if The Salvation Army completes construction of the shelter, said Adriana Mattox, a funding consultant with Hill & Associates, a firm that helped The Salvation Army obtain both sources of funding.
Since the grant is from the Veteran’s Administration, five of the apartments will be for homeless female veterans. Three single women will live in the remodeled dormitory-style apartments in the shelter, while two women and their children will live in the nearby apartments.
Adult Rehabilitation Center currently operates the Tenth Street shelter as a residence for men in an addiction recovery program. The Salvation Army of San Bernardino is temporarily operating a shelter at 746 W. Fifth Street, primarily serving homeless women and children, but also married couples.
Sheltering up to 96 homeless people every night is just one of the many ministries The Salvation Army of San Bernardino offers. Other ministries include serving dinners six nights a week to up to 200 people, providing spiritual counseling and training, operating youth mentoring and recreational programs, and working to improve the lives of homeless families in the community.
The Salvation Army San Bernardino Citadel Corps has helped residents of San Bernardino, Rialto, Grand Terrace, Highland, Bloomington and Colton since 1887.
The homeless shelter and meals program is located at 746 W. Fifth St. in San Bernardino. For more information call (909) 888-1336.
About the Salvations Army San Bernardino Corps The Salvation Army’s emergency services include food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) More than a dozen candidates for federal, state, city and school governing board offices will discuss their hopes for the Inland Empire at a legislative summit sponsored by The Inland Empire Culture Alliance and Arrowhead Credit Union on Thursday October 23 at California State University, San Bernardino.
So far, the candidates who have accepted invitations to attend are: • John Roberts, running for 43rd District Representative in the United States Congress • Ameenah Fuller, running for 31st District in the California State Senate • Mark Westwood, running for 63rd District in the California State Assembly • Carl Wood, running for 65th District in the California State Assembly • Alex Perez, running for Colton City Council, District 6 • Randall Ceniceros and Alen Ritchie, running for San Bernardino County Board of Education, Area E • Damon Alexander and Willard Hughes, running for seats on the San Bernardino City Unified School District governing board • Eufracia Boyle, Richard Boyle and John Futch, running for seats on the San Bernardino Community College governing board • Corey Jackson, running for Rialto Unified School District governing board • Jesus Jesse Sandoval, running for Fontana Unified School District governing board
Guests will have an opportunity to meet with these candidates one-on-one and ask them questions during the summit. The summit will take place from 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m. in the Lower Commons, Pine Room at Cal State San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino. The candidates will also provide written material about their campaigns.
All candidates in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were invited.
“The Inland Empire Cultural Alliance is an informal alliance of the ethnic Chambers of Commerce throughout the Inland Empire,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce. “We have formed the alliance to provide a format for our communities to meet their future legislators and to be heard,” she added.
The alliance will provide refreshments. For more information, call (909) 888-5223 or email info@ieaacc.com.
National Restaurant Chain – A prominent nationwide restaurant chain found itself facing a public relations disaster. A customer contracted an e-coli infection from a salad bar in one of the facilities. While the chain was ruled to be free of responsibility, the word soon spread that the operation was somehow negligent in its processes. Customer counts plummeted.
The Result? Media tours of facilities in various restaurants in the chain were conducted by key local media representatives resulting in often front-page coverage. Chain executives welcomed press conference opportunities to explain what happened and who was or was not responsible, yielding exposure in more than 20 national publications. Within just a matter of weeks, business and customer counts were back to normal.
Stillwater Press – The Southern California publisher of the TULIPP Guide, a potentially lifesaving emergency medical foldout, knew how to create it, how to design it, how to get it manufactured. Now, though, they faced the maze of how to get the word out.
The Result? Samples and cover letters were sent to national reviewers and to experts for endorsement comments to be used in later promotion. Among major media results were reviews in Westways magazine from the Auto Club, and the Costco chain’s monthly magazine. The author was interviewed on burgeoning satellite radio and other standard outlets. Media coverage exceeded expectations, and ales ballooned well beyond forcasts.
Riverside County Tobacco Control Project – Our efforts were crucial toward attempting to convince the board of supervisors to not accept tobacco ads at county events.
The Results? A new county ordinance was established to forbid tobacco advertising on any county property.
Jobs Announcements – Dameron’s goal was and is to help Inland Empire residents avoid the long, expensive commutes to other communities for work, by letting them know of local and area employment opportunities. We arranged with the region’s major radio station KOLA – 99.9 to carry at no cost three locally oriented job announcements every weekday morning.
The Result? Over 200 people were hired as a direct result of the in less than six months.
Kevin Agra, the last winner of the Best Teen Chef of the Inland Empire, creates culinary masterpieces at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire. Photo by Robert Swapp.
