Members of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce Koffee Klatch listen to San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Interim Director Emil Marzullo present the Agency’s reasons for seeking to lease the downtown San Bernardino theater to Regal Entertainment Group. Photo by Carl Dameron
San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Interim Director Emil Marzullo explains to members of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce Koffee Klatch why he believes Regal Entertainment Group will bring the best economic development to San Bernardino of any theater operator chain from which the Agency received proposals for operating the downtown San Bernardino theater. The Agency staff believes Regal Entertainment Group will attract additional development to the downtown area. Photo by Carl Dameron
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is giving a series of presentations to explain why it seeks to lease the downtown San Bernardino theater to Regal Entertainment Group, owner of Edwards Cinemas, Regal Cinemas and United Artist cinemas. The first of these was to the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce Koffee Klatch on Dec. 22, 2010. Photo by Carl Dameron
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is holding a series of community presentations to explain why it’s seeking a lease with Regal Entertainment Group, owner of 540 multi-screen theater chains including six Edwards Cinemas with a total of 98 screens in the Inland Empire.
San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Interim Director Emil Marzullo leads these presentations, which have been given to business and community leaders.
The first of these presentations was to the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce Koffee Klatch, at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2010.
Marzullo has been with the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency since 2008. When he began working there, it had leased the theater to Cinemastar, a now defunct theater chain that had also operated theaters in other Inland Empire locations.
“When I came to the agency, Cinemastar was in its final meltdown phase, going out of business,” Marzullo said. “They weren’t cleaning the carpets. Their late movie ended before 9 p.m. They were doing all the things they should do if they wanted to go out of business.”
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency obtained a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan to assist in financing a portion of the construction project. This costs the Agency $60,000 a month, but would be paid by a theater operator.
After the theater was built in 1999, the developer was experiencing financial problems, and transferred the theater ownership to the Economic Development Agency.
Cinemastar originally made the payments on the loan. But for two years before the theater closed in 2008, the Economic Development Agency had a forbearance agreement in place with Cinemastar, which allowed them to defer half of the payment.
“When the forbearance agreement ended, Cinemastar closed its doors,” Marzullo said.
A short time later, the San Bernardino City Council approved the theater’s outright sale to Maya Cinemas, which operates theaters in Bakersfield and Salinas.
“Maya Cinemas’ owners said all the right things, like we don’t need your money, we want to do this on our own dime,” Marzullo said. “Eighteen months later, they still couldn’t pull off the deal.”
The Economic Development Agency then marketed the vacant theater building to mid-size and large theater chains, and received proposals from Regal Entertainment Group and seven other theater operators.
Regal Entertainment Group’s proposal was one of four the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency selected for further analysis. Two operators, including Regal Entertainment Group, sought to lease the theater and the other two sought to purchase.
The other theater proposals analyzed are from Cinema West, which operates 12 multi-screen theaters in northern California; Brenden Theaters, which has six theaters, four in California and two in Nevada, with a total of 86 screens; and United Entertainment Corporation, which has 15 multi-screen theaters in eight states, including one in Lake Elsinore.
“Regal doesn’t own theaters, they lease them,” Marzullo said. “But this isn’t a real estate deal. It’s a theater deal with economic development at its core.”
“Since we announced our intent to enter into a lease with Regal Entertainment Group, we have had several inquiries from other nationally known retail companies who are interested in locations in downtown San Bernardino,” Marzullo said.
“We clearly did not want a real estate deal, because that’s what we had with Cinemastar,” Marzullo said. “We had a real estate deal with a low-profile theater chain that could not sustain itself over time.”
“The real question is ‘will they be here 10 years from now?’” Marzullo said. “If a company can be in place, and not only survive, but thrive, they become a springboard for additional private development.”
“San Bernardino does not have all the money needed to develop downtown,” Marzullo said. “We have to bring in business that will attract other businesses.”
Although the Economic Development Agency staff has formally recommended the Agency enter into a lease with Regal Entertainment Group, theater operator Cinema West is still requesting the Agency give consideration to its proposal to buy the theater.
“We asked Cinema West if they would sign a 10-year operating covenant, and they would not,” Marzullo said. “That tells me they are coming in to buy it at the lowest price, put in a tenant and sell it in three years. Then we would be right where we were with Cinemastar, which was a low-name theater operator that can’t compete in this market. That’s why we propose Regal as the tenant.”
For more information on the Regal/Edwards Cinema project, call Deputy Agency Director Don Gee at (909) 663-1044.
About the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency
The City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is a focused, diversified organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating jobs, eliminating physical and social blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing a balanced mix of quality housing, along with attracting and assisting businesses both independent and through public-private partnerships.
Bear seems happy to be part of a great team of Salvation Army volunteers, along with Kathy Brown, Phillip Nash and Mike Hernandez. Hernandez is the dog’s caretaker, but Bear belongs to everyone at the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps and serves as source of comfort to guests of the Hospitality House emergency family shelter. Photo by Chris Sloan
Volunteers Kathy Brown, Phillip Nash, Mike Hernandez and mascot Bear are the faces guests of the San Bernardino Hospitality House will most likely become familiar with during their stay. The Salvation Army adopted Bear because, not unlike human guests, he decided he liked it at The Salvation Army. He hung out there for six months while shelter workers tried unsuccessfully to find his previous owner. Photo by Chris Sloan
Hospitality House volunteer Kathy Brown pets Bear, who is ready for a walk. Bear lives at, and serves as the official mascot of, the Salvation Army Hospitality House emergency family shelter in San Bernardino. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Like many he meets at the Salvation Army’s Hospitality House emergency family shelter, Bear previously called the streets of San Bernardino “home.”
Now this terrier mix makes the shelter feel more like home. Bear is a stray, taken in by the shelter’s live-in caretaker Mike Hernandez, after being officially adopted by the Salvation Army.
“The kids love him,” Hernandez said. “He is the shelter’s mascot and the perfect pet.”
Although Bear is gentle around the children, Hernandez said, he’s also a good watch dog, letting the shelter’s volunteers and staff know when someone comes to the door.
“Before we adopted him, he had been hanging around the shelter for about six months,” Hernandez said. “We don’t know where he came from.”
“He just wandered into the homeless shelter, not unlike many of the humans who have stayed there,” said Brian Cronin, treasurer of the Salvation Army advisory board and president of Animals R First (ARF), a non-profit organization that helps find homes for abandoned dogs and cats.
For six months before The Salvation Army adopted Bear, the Hospitality House workers asked everyone who lived nearby if they knew to whom the dog belonged. No one knew.
The Hospitality House staff told Cronin about Bear, because as the director of the San Bernardino County Animal Control Department, president of ARF, and genuine animal lover, they knew he could help finalize the adoption.
ARF paid for Bear’s neutering, vaccinations and grooming just before the adoption was made official.
“There are so many homeless animals living in the streets,” Cronin said. “This dog we knew would have a quality home by living at the Hospitality House. Besides, dogs can be a great comfort in times of distress, and guests of the Hospitality House often need that comfort. We felt it was a perfect match” About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY
For local help call (909) 888-1336.
A theater like the Edwards Cinema in Corona could possibly occupy 450 E Street in San Bernardino in the near future. The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is negotiating a lease with Regal Entertainment Group, owner of Edwards Cinemas, Regal Cinemas and United Artists theaters.
450 E Street is an empty building today, but in 2011 could be home to a new Regal or Edwards cinema. The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is negotiating a lease with Regal Entertainment Group, owner of Edwards Cinemas, Regal Cinemas and United Artists theaters. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On January 10, 2011 the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency will give a progress report on a proposed lease of its downtown movie theater to the Regal Entertainment Group.
Regal Entertainment Group operates Edwards Cinemas, United Artists, and Regal Cinemas. It is negotiating with the city to open a 14-screen theater at 450 North E Street.
“The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, current owner of the theater property, seeks to enter into this lease because the caliber of theaters operated by Regal Entertainment Group will likely attract additional development to the downtown area. Once this development occurs, it is the Agency’s intent to sell the theater property at a higher price than it now could,” said San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris.
“Our residents deserve a quality downtown theater where they can go enjoy dinner and a movie,” Interim Economic Development Agency Executive Director Emil Marzullo said. “Our businesses need this too, because with a flourishing downtown, we will be better able to strengthen our local economy and bring more people to spend money with businesses already here.”
The Economic Development Agency’s plan is not without critics. Proposed alternatives are to sell the theater property immediately to another company, which then may or may not reopen the theater or attract other development to the downtown area.
As Marzullo sees it, allowing a quality theater to open and bring in additional development far outweighs the benefits of a quick sale.
“If San Bernardino is to reopen the downtown movie theater, the only measure of success should be whether the reopening of the movie theater spurs additional private investment and business in downtown restaurants, shops, and entertainment,” Marzullo said.
“Merely reopening the movie theater and hoping it stays open would not be a success. That would simply repeat the failures of the past.”
“Historically, public investment in downtown San Bernardino, though intended to create economic growth, has often failed to produce results, Marzullo said. “Past public investments have been made with insufficient plans to ensure they encouraged private investment.”
Marzullo cited the original development of this movie theater and the Inland Empire 66ers baseball stadium built during the mid-1990s as examples.
“Neither public investment was tied to plans for additional private investment,” Marzullo explained. “As a result, both have sat for 15 years in isolation doing very little to spur private investment and economic growth.”
“Let’s make sure this time around our efforts result in spurring other economic development around the theater,” Marzullo said.
Previously, to ensure this project’s success, the Economic Development Agency retained several expert consultants to evaluate eight proposals it has received for the theater property. These consultants determined that Regal Entertainment Group not only created the greatest return on investment of the public dollars, but also had the greatest chance of attracting additional private investment and business in and around the movie theater complex.
“In fact, once it became known the Agency was negotiating with Regal Entertainment Group, development groups and businesses began contacting us regarding the opportunities adjacent to the Regal-operated movie theater, Besides, what city would not want a Regal/Edwards theater in their community?” Marzullo said.
One of the expert consultants is The Fransen Company, Inc. of Newport Beach, which has helped cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to analyze and plan projects that brought economic growth. In California, these projects include Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and the Olympic Training Center in San Diego.
“In my opinion, the Regal/Edwards lease proposal will produce the best economic returns for San Bernardino, compared to the other proposals received,” said Fransen Company, Inc. President John Fransen. “Once the lease with Regal is completed, it will fill an empty cinema building with a best-of-kind theater operator. The building can then be sold with a credible tenant in place versus selling an empty building at a discount to a low bidder.”
Fransen noted that Regal Entertainment Company operates 6,705 screens in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Almost 100 of these screens are at six Edwards Cinemas located in the Inland Empire. Other proposals were from much smaller theater companies that do not have any theaters in the San Bernardino area.
“Regal Entertainment Group has the marketing power, the market share and the economic strength to support the new cinema in downtown San Bernardino,” Fransen said. “The risk associated with a smaller cinema operator trying to enter this competitive market is a major consideration.”
“Regal/Edwards Cinemas is a known commodity that other investors trust,” Marzullo said. “Since Regal Entertainment Group believes there is a good market in downtown San Bernardino, and is willing to stake its national brand name, goodwill and money, this encourages other businesses to make their own investment.”
Marzullo compared Regal/Edwards Cinemas to an “anchor tenant” in a shopping center. “The type of anchor tenant largely dictates what secondary tenants sign leases,” he said. “If you attract a strong anchor, you attract strong secondary tenants.”
“Other theater operators could certainly operate the cinema,” Marzullo said. “Merely reopening the movie theater is absolutely the wrong measure of success. Success will only be achieved by movie theaters that attract additional private investment and business into downtown. These are basic principles of commercial real estate and economic development.”
About the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency
The City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency is a focused, diversified organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of San Bernardino by creating jobs, eliminating physical and social blight, supporting culture and the arts, developing a balanced mix of quality housing, along with attracting and assisting businesses both independent and through public-private partnerships.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.)—Priority registration ends Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 for California State University San Bernardino’s Behavioral Health Summit, featuring keynote speaker Jack Calhoun of the U.S Department of Justice and a panel of local behavioral health experts.
Registration until Friday, Jan. 7 is $125. From then through Feb 18, 2011, the day of the conference, it is $150.
“The keynote speaker, Jack Calhoun is a national figure,” said Dr. Mark Agars, professor in the Psychology Department at CSUSB and chair of the summit organizing committee.” He and several of local experts will discuss cutting-edge approaches to child behavioral health.”
“We have purposefully kept the cost of registration as low as possible for this conference, because we believe no Inland Empire behavioral health professional should miss out on the opportunity to attend,” Dr. Agars said.
The Behavioral Health Summit is sponsored by CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. With Calhoun as the keynote speaker, professionals from mental health, psychology, social work, law enforcement and health will discuss topics related to “Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Children and Their Families: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Treatment.”
This is the first Behavioral Health Summit in the Inland Empire dedicated to solving the mental health care needs of children and their families. The event will take place at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union.
“Children and their families impacted by mental health problems have multiple risk factors including family violence, substance abuse, health issues and poverty which contribute to family dysfunction,” said Kent Paxton, director of the San Bernardino Mayor’s Office of Community Safety and Violence Prevention, and one of the conference organizers.
Jamal Nassar, dean of the CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, points to the summit’s impact on the community. According to Nassar, “The Behavioral Health Summit is an opportunity for CSUSB to continue its support of the community by providing professionals in San Bernardino and Riverside counties with access to leading-edge practices in addressing child mental health.”
Local guest speakers will include:
Allan Rowland, director of the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health;
Xiomara Flores-Holguin from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services;
Clare Matney, assistant professor of pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine;
Karen Bell of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s;
Donald Kurth, former mayor, Rancho Cucamonga.
Speakers and an expert panel will discuss the value of a multidisciplinary team approach to addressing mental health problems. In afternoon presentations, real-world applications of the multidisciplinary approach to addressing mental health problems will be presented by noted researchers and scholars including CSUSB professors Teresa Morris, Laura Kamptner, Faith McClure and Kent Paxton, chair of the Development Council at CSUSB’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Additionally, health providers and organizations will be on hand displaying their products, services and literature to Summit attendees.
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) offers programs that explore a wide range of human issues. It is dedicated to the growth and support of undergraduate and graduate education, research, public service, and professional development.
The Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino recently received a $10,000 grant from Sempra Energy Foundation, which brought the total for its annual Fall Fundraiser event over its goal of $50,000. The fund raising event and the recently concluded Bell Ringer campaign are the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ largest fundraisers of the year. Kristine Scott (second from right), Inland Empire community affairs director for Sempra-owned Southern California Gas Company, presented the check to Corps Officer Capt. Stephen Ball, advisory board members Carl Dameron (left) and advisory board President Tom Brickley (right). Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Salvation Army has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant from the Sempra Energy Foundation as part of its “Helping People In Need Initiative.”
“This initiative represents the Sempra Energy Foundation and the Sempra Energy family of companies continuing commitment to help families in need,” said Kristine Scott, public affairs manager for Sempra-owned Southern California Gas Company.
In addition to matching employee donations to selected non-profits that provide food, shelter, and other related assistance, Sempra identified key agencies such as The Salvation Army to receive funding.
“The Salvation Army plays a critical role in helping to meet the growing needs in our Southern California communities,” Scott said. “This grant is intended to recognize the important work The Salvation Army does in the local community.
“This was a very unexpected, yet pleasant surprise,” said Captain Stephen Ball, Salvation Army Corps officer. “With the down economy, we were faced with a shortfall from our annual fundraising efforts. This donation really helped us to make up the difference. These funds will go directly to support the operating cost for housing and feeding the homeless.” Helping People In Need Initiative:
Sempra Energy and the Sempra Foundation donated $850,000 in direct grants and matching funds in support of this initiative.
This donation and employee matching grant-program is about giving to the community at a time when many are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Sempra employees want to support causes that are helping families during these times.
As part of this initiative, the Sempra Energy Foundation awarded more than 100 grants to local agencies in the communities served by Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas and Electric, Sempra Energy utilities. These agencies represent and serve a wide range of needs in the local communities, but generally provide food, shelter, and other related needs.
The Sempra Energy Foundation is the 501(c)(3) private foundation of Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
Jason Hulsey, a Salvation Army volunteer, loads gift boxes onto a dolly so that he can give them to recipients. Photo by Chris Sloan
San Bernardino Salvation Army Corps Officer Capt. Nancy Ball and volunteer Tara Murphy give gift cards to a recipient of one of 600 holiday gift boxes distributed Tuesday, Dec. 21. Photo by Chris Sloan
A line of needy families awaits distribution of gift boxes by the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army provided 600 families with food and toys for their children in a distribution that took place Tuesday, Dec. 21 at First Christian Church of San Bernardino.
“This is the happiest day of the year for me,” said Capt. Stephen Ball, corps officer. “It means the hard work we have done over the past few months comes to an end with families being blessed. It also gives me an opportunity to share the Christmas story with them.”
Since the Salvation Army is as much a church as it is a humanitarian organization, the story of Jesus’ coming is what motivates all of its officers and volunteers to help others all year. However, from before Thanksgiving to Christmas, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps steps up its efforts with:
Christmas Sharing Trees, manned by Salvation Army volunteers most of the hours Inland Center Mall is open. These gave opportunities for mall shoppers to buy toys for the children in the 600 families in need.
“This is the only gift my daughter will be getting this Christmas,” said one recipient after she received her child’s gift on Tuesday.
A food drive to fill gift boxes handed out to these families. The boxes contain mixtures of pasta, rice, beans, canned fruits and vegetables and other non-perishable food items. A major donor this year was the Arrowhead District of the Boy Scouts of America, whose San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace and Highland troops worked with Salvation Army volunteers to collect 12,000 lbs. of food this year.
The Boy Scouts collected most of that food by requesting donations in front of area Stater Bros. stores in November. Stater Bros. itself also donated some of the food.
Bell Ringers, at multiple locations in San Bernardino, Colton, Highland, Grand Terrace and Rialto, who carried on the Salvation Army’s long-standing and international tradition of ringing silver bells in front of red kettles. This tradition started back in 1891 to raise money for a Christmas dinner; today in San Bernardino it helps pay for grocery store gift cards that are handed out with the food boxes given out Tuesday, as well as a major portion of the expenses associated with feeding 200 to 300 people daily, and sheltering as many as 100 of them each night. It is one of the Salvation Army’s chief means of raising money.
A Thanksgiving dinner that fed about 450 people this year, and a Christmas dinner that is expected to feed about 300. Both of these dinners rely mainly on donated food, but Bell Ringers’ contributions and other financial donations may also be used.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help call (909) 888-1336.
Photo caption: Arlene and Priscilla Delgado, ages 4 and 8, each used their savings to purchase Christmas toys for a less fortunate child through the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corp’s Giving Tree program at Inland Center Mall. Help the Salvation Army obtain more toys for children in need by going to the Giving Tree near the mall’s Food Court by Dec. 20. Photo by Kelly Silvestri-Raabe
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calf.) Arlene Delgado, age 4, and her sister, Priscilla, age 8, have some fantastic Christmas plans. They ‘re leaving a few days before the holiday to spend an entire month with their mom’s sister in Indiana.
The girls have also made sure two other children have a fantastic Christmas. They did so by purchasing gifts through the Salvation Army Giving Tree set up near the food court of Inland Center Mall. These gifts will go to children ages 0-12 whom the Salvation Army has identified as members of some of the neediest families in our area.
“When these girls brought their gifts to the Giving Tree, they wanted to make sure they would go to the children who had asked for them,” said Kelly Silvestri-Raabe, who was volunteering at the tree the night the girls went shopping. “It turned out they had emptied their piggy banks to buy these presents.”
“That’s what the spirit of Christmas is all about, “ Silvestri-Raabe added. “Two little girls gave all they had.”
Priscilla Delgado, who turns 9 on Dec. 27, had been saving her money all year, according to her mother Regina Delgado. Arlene had saved a smaller amount.
Meanwhile, the family was planning to give Priscilla one Christmas/birthday gift, a trip to Disneyland.
But, when their aunt invited the family to stay with them for the girls’ entire Christmas break, that was even more exciting. The trip to Disneyland would have cost even more money than staying with family in Indiana.
“We decided to use our Disneyland money to buy something for other people,” Regina Delgado said. “I encouraged my girls to do this, because our family believes it is more important to give than to receive. We will be spending our Christmas with family, and that is the best gift of all.”
The Giving Tree is a way used by Salvation Army corps worldwide to help less fortunate children receive at least one gift on their Christmas wish lists. From Thanksgiving until a few days before Christmas, trees are set up in local malls and other shopping areas.
Attached to branches of the tree are cards with names of children whose families simply cannot afford to buy gifts, as much as they would love to. Shoppers who want to take part by helping disadvantaged children simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree, read the child’s name and wish list, then head for the appropriate store for a little sharing of their own.
Shoppers don’t even have to stay in the mall where they found the Giving Tree. After obtaining the information for their gift tree recipients, the Delgado family purchased gifts at Target.
Others have taken advantage of a partnership the Salvation Army has formed with JCPenny for the Giving Tree program. Online shoppers can go to JCPenny.com/Angel and search for children (and in some places senior citizens) in any ZIP Code.
The website allows online shoppers to order a gift from Penney’s online catalog, and gives them the choice of dropping the gift off at their local Salvation Army’s collection center, or of having UPS ship it, at no charge, to that collection center.
It is not too late to be matched with a child either at Inland Center Mall or through JCPenny.com
Salvation Army volunteers make sure the presents are earmarked for the specific child.
To help, or for more information, call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvations Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, call (909) 888-1336.
Kathleen Dameron, president, KD Conseil helps multi-national firms understand different cultures within their organization. Recently, it conducted a training session for a worldwide technology such as being the leader with more than 70,000 employees in 165 countries.
(MIAMI, Fla.) How does the worldwide leader in computer conductivity guarantor loans technology overcome the cultural communications challenges of its 70,000 employees in 165 countries, and keep them working together productively? They call on KD Conseil (KDConseil.com).
KD Conseil is a training and coaching firm that specializes in assisting companies “seeking to improve the intercontinental communication skills of employees who work in an international environment.”
An international leader in intercultural business training based in Paris, France, KD Conseil recently completed a two-day workshop in Miami for high-level leaders in Internet networking.
KD Conseil president and founder Kathleen Dameron, along with training coach Caroline Obolensky conducted the team-building session for the owners of the company managers promoting different products starting with electric razor for men and so on – each from a different country in North America, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
“They all spoke English, but with varying understandings of word usage,” notes Obolensky. “They represented many different cultures, different technology backgrounds and were operating out of numerous time zones. Some also had never met before. Particular challenges involved how information is best passed along and how you can learn to trust a person you’ve never even seen – especially while partnering across the globe.”
Working together “virtually” has problems of its own. KD Conseil was charged with addressing this complex issue for the business. Members were asked to exchange ideas that would get them to have a better understanding of each other and discover the best ways to work together from vast distances, spanning greatly differing cultures.
“The purpose,” Obolensky explains, “was basically to get this team together in one place for them to get to know each other, to share common experiences, to work on real issues face to face and to bond as a team.”
Toward this end, Kathleen and Caroline took a few unique paths. For example, the group played volleyball together to break down personality walls and begin fusing a partnership. Another example: the leaders literally started a dance and we observed the influencing process from “the early adaptors” thru to “the laggards” as the team members accepted the challenge to stand up in a meeting room and dance together. We then explored concretely how to get people in the room on board for a new idea.
“Also,” Obolensky adds, “we had them build a ‘village.’ Not a real one, of course, but a model for the dynamics in their team. Within that, they had to make a number of decisions that pointed out their strengths, interests and goals.”
Who was going to be in charge of the project? Who could take on “fund raising” for the “community”? Who might be the workers, the teachers, the retailers and the government officials? “It brought all these diverse managers together,” Obolensky says, “realizing each other’s needs, talents and business obstacles to be overcome.”
“Our experience proves it is possible to adapt to other cultures without having to give up one’s own cultural practices and values,” notes Dameron.
“Let’s look at the Fortune 500 companies in the world in 2010,” she adds. “Three businesses in the Top 20 are in Paris, twenty out of the Top 40 are based in Europe and of the 500, 39 are headquartered in France. So, as an international business person, can you afford to ignore how to deal with those cultures?”
“I have always been fascinated with different cultures and curious about how they can work together.” So in 1992 the U.S.-born and -raised African American woman founded KD Conseil in Paris. Educated in American universities in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communication, then in a French university in Social and Economic Administration, the step to creating her business to aid firms working globally was a natural evolution.
“Our programs,” Dameron says, “target middle to upper management: senior managers of Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Administration and Finance. We know that individuals and teams are best developed through addressing real life business challenges, so our coaching and advisory services are all applied to simulated work sessions.”
KD Conseil’s clients have included such international leaders as 3M, Alcan, France Telecom, MBDA, Pfizer, PSA and Herman Miller. Kathleen Dameron is certified as a business coach by the International Coach Federation (ICF) as well as certified in Team Management Systems, Success Insights, Situational Leadership, Coaching and Modeling plus Self-Relations, and is a Master in neurolinguistic programming. .
“I’ve coached senior executives in one-on-one sessions and have spoken to groups as large as 400,” she says, “in English, of course, but also in French and Spanish.”
The KD Conseil team of senior bicultural consultants includes:
Eveline Bouillon, a coach/trainer with 15 years experience in various capacities in international advertising, speaking English and French. She specializes in developing creativity in marketing and operational teams. Her book in French on how to spark creativity in individuals and teams in the corporate environment will be out in January of 2011.
Ute Drewniak, executive coach, consultant and trainer, focuses on multicultural management, diversity and strategic HR development. A psychologist with a Master’s in Business Coaching from International Mozaik in France, she has more than 15 years of international experience in the financial sector. She conducts her sessions in English, French or German.
Pascale Reinhardt specializes in leadership development in multicultural environments for teams and individuals, in conflict and crisis resolution and in intercultural negotiation. She has worked in China, Southeast Asia and Western Europe as well as North America, and has lived in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, New York, Lausanne and, naturally, Paris. She’s fluent in English and French, and also speaks Mandarin Chinese and German. She co-authored Glocal Working and regularly contributes to the international magazine, “Negotiations.”
Dr. George Simons is the author of Global Teamwork Diversophy and Cultural Detective: Global Teamwork. His focus with KD Conseil is global team management. Simons has developed virtual teams for the likes of Coca Cola, Bosch-Siemens, Shell IEP, Texas Instruments France, Unilever and the Management Development Program of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Though born in the United States, he has worked in more than 40 other countries.
Caroline Obolensky is a Corporate Coach certified in 2003 by the International Coach Federation, possibly the largest of its kind in the world. She is of Greek and German background, and has lived over much of the world, her parents having been diplomats who changed homes every few years. As a result she speaks French, Greek, German and English fluently, and other languages to varying levels. It’s been said she has a gift for communicating what being multi-cultural is all about. Her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations is from American University in Washington, D.C., and her Master’s from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium is in European Administration.
“Our message is simple,” summarizes Kathleen Dameron. “KD Conseil’s training will help you be more effective when doing business abroad.”
For further information, KD Conseil may be viewed on the Internet at www.kdconseil.com and contacted at info@kdconseil.com. The phone number in Paris is +33 (0) 1-42-21-00-73 and their fax is +33 (0) 1-42-21-00-26.
About KD Conseil
Established in 1992, KD Conseil helps multi-national firms understand the different cultures within their organization. By understanding and working through cultural differences, KD Conseil helps the firm develop “shared practices” that will be highly efficient ways of delivering their services and products in a global market.
A crew of volunteers serves meals from the kitchen at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Dinner. About 125 volunteers served a free traditional Thanksgiving meal to about 250 guests. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Clarissa Ruiz, 14 and Vanessa Cordero, 21, volunteers with the Rock Church in San Bernardino, serve pumpkin pie to the Salvation Army’s guests at Thanksgiving dinner. Clarissa and Vanessa have both volunteered three years in a row. About 125 people volunteered this year, preparing and serving a free Thanksgiving dinner to 250 guests. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Benjamin Hartnell from the San Bernardino Crossroads Rotary, and Terry Bryan a Scout Master from Troop 110 from Rialto washed pots and pans for several hours during the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Dinner. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Sandy and Mike Rowles hand out cold drinks to guests at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner. The couple came from Fontana to volunteer. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
Jeremy and Shannon Ellsworth and Eric and Stacy Bellinger, all from a Farmers’ Insurance office, relieved other exhausted volunteers at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner. Photo by Ricardo Tombac
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army served a Thanksgiving dinner to about 250 people on Thursday, Nov. 25.
This annual Thanksgiving dinner is a community event involving more than 125 volunteers. Together they provide a traditional dinner of turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetables and pie.
At one table a young family of five quietly enjoyed a full turkey and ham meal with all the trimmings. The father said that “he is working full time, but only makes enough money to pay for the rent; without the Salvation Army, there wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving meal for his family.”
Preparations for the meal start several days before Thanksgiving for kitchen volunteers.
On Thanksgiving Day, more volunteers arrive, and are assigned various jobs and tasks. Kitchen servers work in shifts while dining room crews taken on many responsibilities, such as greeting guests and serving them various courses of the meal.
Among this year’s volunteers were Press-Enterprise editor Maria DeVarenne and her family.
Volunteers Mike and Sandy Rowles went table to table with big pleasant similes, handing out cold drinks, showing their compassion and care. This was their first year volunteering at the Salvation Army.
Mike and Sandy’s children have grown up and are no longer living with them. With their children living out of state, they decided to do something different for Thanksgiving, so they drove from Fontana to help out.
Back in the kitchen, Benjamin Hartnell from the San Bernardino Crossroads Rotary, and Terry Bryan, a Scout Master with Troop 110 from Rialto willingly washed pots and pans non-stop for several hours.
Two hours into this Thanksgiving meal, two couples from a Farmers Insurance office came to relieve some of the exhausted volunteers. Jeremy and Shannon Ellsworth and Eric and Stacy Bellinger, decked out in their white aprons, took their turns serving the meal.
Volunteers like these are already gearing up to do the same thing all over again on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25. As was true at Thanksgiving, anyone who comes to 746 W. Fifth St between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. can enjoy a traditional holiday meal of turkey, ham, stuffing, vegetables and desert.
“Whatever people have on their heart to donate, we will serve,” said Hospitality House Director Roosevelt Carroll, who is coordinating the meal.
At the Salvation Army, it’s not just giving out a meal a few times a year. Corps Officers Stephen and Nancy Ball not only focus on people’s physical needs, but also tend to their spiritual needs every day.
The San Bernardino Salvation Army has been serving the community since 1887 and has fed, sheltered and otherwise helped thousands of people each year.
For help, or for more information, call (909) 888-1336. About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian church and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
For local help, please call (909) 888-1336.
