Aaron Mandel of Meta Housing, second from left receives a certificate of appreciation presented to him by Senior Field Representative Sheila Futch on behalf of Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter as Mayor Pat Morris, and Ward 6 Council Member Rikke Van Johnson watch.
Left to right): Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. turn over the first shovels of dirt at a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(Left to right): Pastor Ray Turner, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, Emil Marzullo-Executive Director of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. dig in to start construction of a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan
8992: (left to right): Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Pastor Ray Turner, Milo Victoria-CEO/General Manager, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Mayor Pat Morris, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, John Huskey- Meta Housing at the Magnolia at Highland groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Residents in the City of San Bernardino will soon have affordable luxury living available on the west side of town, for individuals age 62 and older, courtesy of The Magnolia at Highland Project.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, City of San Bernardino Mayor, Patrick Morris, San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, along with a host of city officials and dignitaries, came together at a recent ground breaking for this luxury senior citizen housing complex.
“This day signals the beginning of a transformation of what was once a blighted automotive site, into a high quality residential community for one of our most treasured resources – our seniors,” said Mayor Morris.
Located on the South West corner of Highland and Medical Center Drive, the project is declared to be a milestone for the City of San Bernardino and was the result of a study conducted in 2008 that revealed the city was approximately 1,000 units below what is needed for an aging population in the form of affordable senior housing.
“This is one more great project for the city of San Bernardino. I am always here to support projects such as this,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.
Scheduled for a January 2012 opening, the community will have an on-site community advisor, offering seniors multiple educational and social activities. If that is not enough, a luxury resort level setting, with a choice of three separate floor plans, will also surround them.
The first floor plan is a one-bedroom unit of approximately 589 square feet with a patio or balcony. The two other plans consist of 2-bedroom units of approximately 828 square feet and 971 square feet, also with patios or balconies.
An outdoor patio area with shade trees, a fountain, barbecue grills, a swimming pool and adequate areas for relaxed seating will enhance the exterior of the facility. A walking path around the perimeter of the building will allow residents the opportunity for exercise while at the same time providing them with a sense of security as the path will be within a decorative 6-foot wrought iron fence that surrounds the project.
“This is the culmination of several years of hard work,” said Carey Jenkins, San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s Housing and Community Development Director. “It is exciting to move forward with a project that has an immediate benefit to the residents and the city, while we continue our efforts to revitalize the west side of San Bernardino.”
Carrying a total development cost of $19 million, the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency partnered with Optimus Construction, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Chase, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Western Community Housing Management and Meta Housing to reach their goal.
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s agreed upon subsidy for the project is $7 million from its redevelopment low and moderate income housing funds. These funds are for housing only and cannot be used for city’s general fund.
The project has also retained a one-acre parcel of land for future sale or development opportunities, and creates a future stream of income that can be used for developments including senior or single-family housing.
“This was the easiest city we ever worked with,” said John Huskey of Meta Housing, Inc. “They were very responsive and really made the effort to provide us with the input we needed, in a timely fashion, which enabled us to provide them with what they really wanted.”
For more information on this project call Carey Jenkins at the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency at (909) 663-1044.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and i will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
The Salvation Army recently conducted its Fall Fundraiser, one of its largest fund-raising efforts of the year. The $40,000 raised there is short of its annual goal of $50,000 for this event, which may require the Army to cut back on its services offered, if other donations do not replace the shortfall. The Fall Fundraiser recognized donors of $1,000 or more with a luncheon, and gave special recognition to those who gave $5,000 or more. Shown here are major donors, and representatives of the Salvation Army. Left to right: Capt. Stephen Ball (Corps officer), donor Sara Cain (on behalf of Stater Bros.), donor Jack Carlson, donor and Salvation Advisory Board Member Kristen Scott (on behalf of The Gas Company), donor and Salvation Army Advisory Board President Tom Brickley, Salvation Army, Inland Empire Resource Development Director Nancy Tortorelli, donor Pat Fisher, donor Bill Lemann, donor Royce Merrymim (on behalf of Saint Bernadine’s Medical Center), and Capt. Nancy Ball (Corps officer.) Photo by Chris Sloan
Corps Officer, Capt. Stephen Ball with Bill Turner, who told guests at the Fall Fundraiser luncheon how the Salvation Army’s program Path to Prosperity, helped him get his life back together after overcoming drug addiction. Photo by Chris Sloan
Corps Officer, Capt. Nancy Ball (left) and Roosevelt Carroll (right), encourage Kelly Silvestri as she tells guests at the Fall Fundraiser luncheon how the Hospitality House supported her after she lost the home she had lived in most of her life. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) A recent effort encouraging wealthy San Bernardino-area residents to donate at least $1,000 to the Salvation Army raised almost $40,000 – but that’s down from previous years and only a small portion of what the Salvation Army needs to provide an array of services to those less fortunate.
Money raised by this campaign assists with operational costs, as the Salvation Army continues its ongoing effort to help families struggling to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and utilities, as well as additional supportive services like counseling and spiritual care. “People will always have needs,” said Corps Officer, Capt. Stephen Ball. “The Salvation Army has met those needs, through the power that God has for all of us. We have been in San Bernardino for 123 years, and we will fight to help those in need until the very end.”
The fight the Salvation Army wages takes money. Its annual Fall Fundraiser campaign focuses on raising funds to operate the many programs of the Salvation Army, and the goal for that campaign is $50,000.
“Without the extra $10,000, we can’t pay all our bills and we will have to cut back on the services we offer,” Capt. Ball said. “It will be hard, because we already have a bare-bones staff.”
Tom Brickley, president of the Salvation Army’s advisory board, agreed.
“Last year, we raised more than $60,000. This year, times are tough and we only raised $40,000,” Brickley said. “All of this is for operating expenses of the services that are so critical in our community. We will have to lay people off and cut services if we don’t make up this shortfall.”
The Fall Fundraiser campaign is one of the Salvation Army’s largest fundraisers each year.
“The Red Kettle donation program nets us about $65,000 each year,” Capt. Ball said. “Most of that pays for the extra expenses the Salvation Army faces in November and December as we add services to make sure everyone has a good Thanksgiving and Christmas season. If there is any money left over after the holidays, it can be added to the operating budget for the following year.”
“The needs in the community are far greater than the resources available to help women, children and men in our community,” said Brian Cronin, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board’s Fund Development Committee. One beneficiary of the funds is the Path to Prosperity. This residential program helps men focus on obtaining the skills they need to become financially independent and support themselves after completing an alcohol and drug abuse recovery program at the organization’s rehabilitation center.
This two-year education and job training initiative, combines on-site transitional housing, daily classes and peer group support in a 5,500-square foot center with living space for 28 and classroom space for 52.
At a luncheon the Salvation Army put on for its major donors, guests heard from Bill Turner, who found the strength at Path to Prosperity to move on with life after overcoming a 30-year drug addiction. He will graduate in May 2011 from San Bernardino Valley College with what is currently a 4.0 grade point average.
“The Salvation Army has saved my life, sincerely,” Turner said.
The guests also heard from Kelly Silvestri, who in less than a decade, went from high school cheerleader to homeless woman. Along the way, she coped with her mother’s death, her own divorce, the loss of her children, and losing the home in which she had spent most of her life.
Silvestri was one of the first residents of the Salvation Army’s Hospitality House emergency family shelter when it moved to its new location on Tenth Street this year. She began her stay at the Hospitality House while it was still at the Headquarters Building on Fifth Street, which offered considerably less privacy than the current building.
“I walked into a room filled with 40 people sleeping on mats on the floor,” Silvestri said. “And I had never felt more safe. Nobody looked down on me. They just showed me compassion and kindness.”
Silvestri, who demonstrated a passion for working with children while she lived at the Hospitality House and has continued that passion since then, now heads the programs the Salvation Army offers to school-age children. These programs provide the youth with spiritual and social development, recreation and opportunities for travel many of them couldn’t otherwise afford. While the $40,000 raised through the Fall Fundraiser campaign is greatly appreciated, more is needed to pay for the services of Path to Prosperity, Hospitality House, the youth programs, daily meals and many other Salvation Army programs serving the communities of San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Grand Terrace and Bloomington. The Salvation Army is therefore encouraging everyone to give what he or she can.
Online giving, which can be directed specifically to the San Bernardino Corps, is possible at any time by going to www.salvationarmy.usa.org <http://www.salvationarmy.usa.org> .
In addition, anyone shopping at Stater Bros. stores within the city limits of San Bernardino can help the Corps by participating in the grocery chain’s “Harvesting Hope” which will run throughout November and part of December.
Stater Bros. will give the donations of non-perishable food items it receives at those specific stores to the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps. Stater Bros. will give donations it receives in other cities’ stores to other local charities, including the Redlands and Riverside corps of the Salvation Army.
As in years past, from mid-November through December 24, donors can also give to the Salvation Army through the Red Kettle Drive, a holiday tradition the Army has relied on for more than 100 years. Look for red kettles accompanied by bellringers at locations throughout the Inland Empire. All donations collected at a Red Kettle stay within the community where they were received.
“Donations of time are also highly needed. For one, The Salvation Army wants to increase the volunteer bellringer force and we also need volunteers for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinner,” said Ball.
With holiday shopping on most people’s minds already, The Salvation Army hopes people will shop for their poorest neighbors too. Gifts of food and toys are needed for about 750 familiesrelying on the San Bernardino Corps to have any kind of Christmas celebration at all this year.
Those interested in donating time or toys should call the San Bernardino Corps at (909) 888-1336. After Thanksgiving, toys can also be donated through the Giving Tree programs at the Inland Center Mall, the Ontario Mills Mall, the Montclair Plaza and the Redlands Wal-Mart. 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 <http://www.salvationarmyusa.org> or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY.
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Media: If you would like any of the photos in the slide show below please send an email to Chris@DameronCommunications.com with the photo id number and I will have it to you within 24 hours. If you require the photo sooner please call Chris Sloan at (909) 888-0017.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Late October’s cooler, rainy weather gave homeless men and women a new shelter option for the fall and winter months.
The Salvation Army has opened its cold weather Shelter, which operates within the Hospitality House, 925 W. Tenth Street, San Bernardino.
“The cold weather shelter is to give men and women a place to stay when it’s rainy and cold,” said Roosevelt Carroll, director of Hospitality House. “Some recent nights, it has below 46 degrees, and it gets even colder in winter. We expect to keep the cold weather shelter open until April, when the weather is consistently warm again.”
Up to 28 men can stay; they will be sleeping on mats in the dining room. Between nine and 15 women can stay; they will be given a bed in one the bedrooms for the night.
“We will keep three rooms, with three beds apiece, open for single women who want to stay in the cold weather shelter,” Carroll said. “Nine women can stay in those rooms, and if we have another room or two available when they’re not needed by the family shelter, three to six more women can stay in them.”
People who want to stay at the cold weather shelter should check in at 7 p.m. on weekdays, or 8:30 p.m. on weekends. Dinner is not served to cold weather shelter guests, but breakfast is.
“For dinner, they can attend our community dinners at 4:45 p.m. each night in the Headquarters Building at 746 W. Fifth Street,” Carroll said
Women, whether single or married, also have the option of staying at The Salvation Army for up to three months until they find permanent housing, as a resident of its year-round emergency family shelter. The Salvation Army provides assistance in these women’s efforts to create a more stable housing situation for themselves and their families.
Only the family shelter accepts children. Families enrolled in family shelter’s program each are assigned to a bedroom, where they can keep their belongings during the day, and have privacy at night.
For local help, 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.
San Bernardino-area members of the Boy Scouts have a history of community service, such as volunteering at a Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner. In 2010, they will further assist the Salvation Army by conducting Scouting for Food on Saturday, Nov. 13. This is a nationwide event for the Boy Scouts of America. Donations collected by San Bernardino, Highland, Colton, Rialto and Bloomington Boy Scouts will go to the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army’s hunger relief efforts. Photo by Ricardo Tombac.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On Saturday, Nov. 13 local Boy Scout troops will do a good deed for the Salvation Army and its efforts to feed hungry people.
“We will be going door-to-door collecting food,” said the Boy Scouts Arrowhead District Commander Major Russell Fritz. “We also will be collecting food in front of some of the Stater Brothers stores in the San Bernardino area.”
Boy Scouts from San Bernardino, Rialto, Colton, Highland and Bloomington will help collect food for the Salvation Army. Major Fritz estimates this to be about 65 troops, ranging in size from 5 to 40 boys.
They are participating in a nationwide event the Boy Scouts of America calls Scouting for Food.
“All of the Boy Scout troops in San Bernardino and Riverside counties have been invited to participate in Scouting for Food,” Major Fritz said. “We want to help as many local charities as we can.”
Each Scouting for Food drive benefits a local charity. For instance, other troops within the Arrowhead District serve the San Bernardino County mountain communities, and will take their food to a shelter in Blue Jay.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps hosts a Thanksgiving Dinner that often brings in 700 to 900 people. Although much of the food served at that dinner is fresh, some of the non-perishable items the Boy Scouts collect may be included.
In December, the San Bernardino Corps assembles holiday food baskets for more than 700 local families. The donations it receives from the Boy Scouts will be included in those baskets.
The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House homeless shelter. Up to 75 family members can stay in its emergency family shelter, and another 25 or so people sleep in the cold weather shelter, which recently opened for the fall and winter 2010-11 cold season.
It also needs food for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week. 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.
Stater Bros. is a major supporter of the Salvation Army. In October, Sara Cain, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities, presented the Salvation Army’s San Bernardino Corps Officer Capt. Stephen Ball and its Inland Empire Resource Development Director Nancy Tortorelli with a $10,000 check for the San Bernardino Corps. In November and December, it will conduct its annual “Harvesting Hope” food drive at all of its grocery stores, and will donate all food collected at its six San Bernardino stores to the San Bernardino Corps. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Starting Monday, Nov. 1, shoppers at San Bernardino Stater Bros. grocery stores can help the Salvation Army feed the hungry.
Stater Bros. begins its annual “Harvesting Hope” food drive on Monday, and in San Bernardino, it has designated all of the proceeds to go to the local Salvation Army Corps.
Stater Bros. will have bins in front of its stores where shoppers can place any non-perishable food. It doesn’t have to even be purchased at Stater Brothers.
“Everyone does spring cleaning,” said Sara Cain, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities. “This year they might want to do fall cleaning as well. They can clean out their food pantry of all their unwanted non-perishable food, and then stock up at Stater Brothers on the food they will need for the holidays.”
“Two things that I always have too much of are beans and rice,” Cain said. “Some families would love to have more beans and rice!”
It will collect food from Monday through Dec. 13, then turn the food over to the Salvation Army.
“This donation is huge for us,” said Nancy Tortorelli, director of resource development for the Inland Empire corps of the Salvation Army. “We will be able to help more people because of it.”
In December, the San Bernardino Corps assembles holiday food baskets for more than 700 local families. The donations it receives from Stater Bros. will be included in those baskets.
The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House homeless shelter. Up to 75 family members can stay in its emergency family shelter, and another 25 or so people sleep in the cold weather shelter, which recently opened for the fall and winter 2010-11 cold season.
It also needs food for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week.
The Stater Bros. stores where donations will benefit the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army are:
648 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino
444 E. Baseline St., San Bernardino
1085 W. Highland Ave., San Bernardino
1522 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino
161 E. 40th St., San Bernardino
977 Kendall Drive, San Bernardino
Stater Bros. will give donations it receives in other cities’ stores to other local charities, including the Redlands and Riverside corps of the Salvation Army. 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.
Joann Gilbert helped save the Rialto Unified School District hundreds of thousands of dollars when she voted to award former superintendent Edna Davis Herring the previously negotiated severance package. Had the board not done so, Herring could have taken the district to court to force it to honor her contract.
(Rialto, Calif) When Rialto Unified School Board member Joanne Gilbert learned that then Rialto Superintendent of Schools Edna Davis-Herring was resigning and asking for her contractually obligated severance pay, she was not surprised.
“It was 2009 and the three newly elected board members had run on a platform to get rid of Edna,” said Gilbert.
“It was clear that three new board members did not want her to be their superintendent. I thought it was quite courageous of Edna to save the district from a long and potentially continuous fight with newly elected school board members and resign,” said Gilbert.
When appointed heads of major government organizations, such as a school district, city managers or county chief administrative officer are hired it is customary for them to negotiate and receive a severance package that outlines what they receive if they are fired or they resign.
“The best time to negotiate your exit strategy is before you get hired. Edna knew that and we agreed to what we believed was a good contract,” said Gilbert.
Gilbert says the board accepted her resignation and paid her severance package to prevent a prolonged legal fight. She had a legally binding agreement, “If we denied Edna’s board approved severance package she could have sued and won. Then we would have been obligated to pay her plus damages and legal fees.”
Herring’s contract included a compensation package that paid $189,000 a year plus benefits. Her severance package was for 18 months of pay and benefits totaling about $300,000.
A recent mailer sent to district residents accuses Gilbert of “squandering tax dollars with a gift to her friend.”
“That could not be further from the truth,” said Gilbert.
“If the district fought the severance, Edna could have filed a lawsuit and the district could have easily spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and kept the district embroiled in controversy for years,” said Gilbert.
She added, “Three other board members and I chose to spare the district the cost and heartache and accept our contractual agreement. We did the right thing for the district and the students.”
There are many Rialto residents who agree with her and support her re-election.
Gilbert’s supporters include: RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Harold Cebrun; RUSD Board President Joseph Martinez; San Bernardino Valley Community College Trustees: John Longville and James Ramos; The San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee; John Wall, Chairman of the San Bernardino Democratic Committee; AFL-CIO; United Food & Commercial Workers; Rialto City Councilmember Deborah Robinson; San Bernardino City Councilmember Rikke Van Johnson and California State Assemblymember, Wilmer Amina Carter, to name a few. (A complete list of endorsers is listed below.)
“I know first-hand of the type of commitment trustee Gilbert has to the success of our student educational goals. When dealing with issues and concerns not sufficiently addressed by school administration, not only does she ensure that the matter is addressed, but works diligently to discover alternative ways to maintain the primary objective of keeping our students in school,” said Rialto City Councilmember Deborah Robertson.
“I ask the people of Rialto for their vote on Tuesday, November 2 and allow me to help this generation of Rialto children earn a great education,” said Gilbert.
About Joanne Gilbert
Joanne has been on the Rialto School Board for 9 years. Prior to that, she was a teacher and educator in public education for 29 years teaching classes in all grades from middle school to adult education.
Under Joanne Gilbert’s tenure, the Board has returned to a strong emphasis on visual and performing arts being part of the classroom curriculum, and rebuilding music programs. In fact, several schools have made great strides in improving their Academic Performance Index (API) scores, with some exceeding the 800 point level, including Trapp, Myers and Fitzgerald Elementary School being named as California Distinguished Schools.
Joann is committed to Rialto school district students excel academically.
Endorsement List for Joanne Gilbert
1. Assemblymember, Wilmer Amina Carter
2. John Wall, Chair San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee
3. John Longville, San Bernardino Community College Trustee
4. James Ramos, San Bernardino Community College Trustee
5. Joseph Martinez, RUSD Board President
6. Dr. Harold Cebrun, RUSD Superintendent
7. Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, San Bernardino, Riverside Counties
8. Brian Townsend, The Precinct Reporter
9. The Black Voice News
10. United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)
11. Westside Action Group
12. Citizens of the Inland Empire PAC
13. Walter Jarman
14. The Original Rialto Democratic Club
15. Deborah Robertson, Rialto City Councilmember
16. Midge Zupanic, President Rialto Chamber of Commerce
17. Ernie Mitchell, Retired Fire Chief
18. Alton Garrett, Garrett Management Enterprises
19. Lillie Houston, Farmers Insurance Broker
20. Phillip Ewell, Santa Monica City Manager, Retired
21. Richard Grandos, East Rialto Kiwanis
22. John Brockhouse, Accountant
23. Rosie Jazwiec, Health Care
24. Artist Gilbert, Retired L.A.P.D.
25. Abraham Mubashshir, Teacher
26. Daren Gilbert, Teacher
27. Barbara Govan, Corrections Officer
28. Ethel McAfee, Retired
29. Dr. Mildred Henry, CEO The PAL Center
30. Margaret Hill, Assist. Supt., San Bernardino County Schools
31. Teddy Harris, Rialto Unified School District Parent
32. Gwendolyn Nelson, San Bernardino County
33. Reverend Raymond Turner
34. Marge Mendoza-Ware, Colton School Board
35. Kent Taylor, Colton School Board
36. Acquanetta Warren, Fontana City Council
37. R.J. Thomas, Retired, US Air Force
38. Marcus Houston, Retired, US Air Force
39. Hattie Inge, Retired
40. Barbara Horzen, Parent
41. Julie Dawoodjee, RENTECH, Inc.
42. Dennis Mobley, San Bernardino County Schools
43. Walter Hawkins, Westside Action Group
44. Monique Conway, Principal
45. Shelia Futch, CA State Assembly Representative
46. Stan Futch, Retired Fire Chief
47. Van Howard, Photographer
48. Willie Anderson, Corrections Officer
49. Alayna Gilbert, Teacher
50. Vernon and Odessa Braggs, retired
51. Larry Davis, East Rialto Kiwanis
52. Joan Davis, Bank of America
53. Eric Witherspoon, Principal
54. Pauline Tidler, East Rialto Kiwanis
55. Max Tidler, East Rialto Kiwanis
56. Alphonso Twine, Retired
57. Rikke Van Johnson, San Bernardino City Council
58. Dale Estvander, East Rialto Kiwanis
59. Dr. Willie Roberts, San Bernardino Valley College, Retired
60. Ann Porter, Retired
61. John Longville, Sr., Retired
62. Donna Longville, Retired
63. Linda Wilson Gomez, City of San Bernardino
Joanne Gilbert was an educator in the public school system for 29 years prior to her successful election to the RUSD Governing Board in 2000. She actively worked with students directly and helped become successful learners and resolving academic issues that ranged from middle school to adult education.
(RIALTO, Calif.) Before voters cast their ballots to elect members to the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) School Board on Nov. 2 Joanne Gilbert wants them to know that more than 62 area leaders in education, business and the community endorse her.
A resident of Rialto for 24 years, Joanne Gilbert is one of the two trustees seeking re-election on the ballot, and has earned endorsements from a many of education, community and business leaders throughout the region.
Gilbert’s supporters include: RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Harold Cebrun; RUSD Board President Joseph Martinez; San Bernardino Valley Community College Trustees: John Longville and James Ramos; The San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee; John Wall, Chairman of the San Bernardino Democratic Committee; AFL-CIO; United Food & Commercial Workers; Rialto City Councilmember Deborah Robinson; San Bernardino City Councilmember Rikke Van Johnson and California State Assemblymember, Wilmer Amina Carter, to name a few. (A complete list of endorsers is listed below.)
Joanne Gilbert was an educator in the public school system for 29 years prior to her successful election to the RUSD Governing Board in 2000. She actively worked with students directly and helped become successful learners and resolving academic issues that ranged from middle school to adult education.
“Children family and community have always been of the utmost importance to me,” said Gilbert. “The Rialto school board has really focused on this as well. We have made some wonderful strides and we have become transparent and open to parents, students, teacher and employees and have developed a great team.”
There appears to be plenty of evidence in support of this success, as the Board has returned to a strong emphasis on math, science, rebuilding music programs and putting the visual and performing arts back into the classroom curriculum.
In fact, several schools have made great strides in improving their Academic Performance Index (API) scores, with some exceeding the 800 point level, including Trapp, Myers and Fitzgerald Elementary Schools being named a California Distinguished School.
If re-elected, Gilbert pledges to continue working on the real issues facing RUSD every day. Some of the improvements to the district since she came to the board include higher test scores, the addition of four new schools, which have greatly reduced overcrowded classrooms and the use of portable classrooms throughout the district.
“I know first hand of the type of commitment trustee Gilbert has to the success of our student educational goals. Not only does she address issues head-on, she works diligently to discover alternative ways to maintain the primary objective of keeping our students in school,” said Rialto City Councilmember Deborah Robertson.
Teddy Harris, a RUSD parent and founder of Mothers Who Care, an organization developed to resolve issues on behalf of parents says, “I know Joanne Gilbert is extremely dedicated to the improvement of children in all areas.”
“Whenever I need action, she is the first one I call, and she always responds. There has not been a single time that she has not investigated and taken care of a problem. She really believes in our kids and their future,” said Harris.
“I ask the people of Rialto for their vote on Tuesday, November 2 and allow me to help this generation of Rialto children earn a great education,” said Gilbert. About Joanne Gilbert
Joanne has been on the Rialto School Board for 9 years. Prior to that, she was a teacher and educator in public education for 29 years teaching classes in all grades from middle school to adult education.
Under Joanne Gilbert’s tenure, the Board has returned to a strong emphasis on math, science, rebuilding music programs and putting the visual and performing arts back into the classroom curriculum. In fact, several schools have made great strides in improving their Academic Performance Index (API) scores, with some exceeding the 800 point level, including Trapp, Myers and Fitzgerald Elementary School being named as California Distinguished Schools.
Joanne Gilbert is committed to helping the Rialto Unified School District’s students excel academically, she asks for your vote on Tuesday, November 2.
Endorsement List for Joanne Gilbert
Assemblymember, Wilmer Amina Carter
John Wall, Chair San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee
John Longville, San Bernardino Valley Community College District Trustee
James Ramos, San Bernardino Valley Community College District Trustee
Joseph Martinez, RUSD Board President
Dr. Harold Cebrun, RUSD superintendent
Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, San Bernardino, Riverside Counties
The Black Voice News
United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)
Westside Action Group
Citizens of the Inland Empire PAC
Walter Jarman, NAACP
The Original Rialto Democratic Club
Deborah Robertson, Rialto City Council
Midge Zupanic, President Rialto Chamber of Commerce
Ernie Mitchell, Retired Fire Chief
Alton Garrett, Garrett Management Enterprises
Lillie Houston, Farmers Insurance Broker
Phillip Ewell, Santa Monica City Manager, Retired
Richard Grandos, East Rialto Kiwanis
John Brockhouse, Accountant
Rosie Jazwiec, Health Care
Artist Gilbert, Retired L.A.P.D.
Abraham Mubashshir, teacher
Daren Gilbert, teacher
Barbara Govan, Corrections Officer
Ethel McAfee, retired
Dr. Mildred Henry, CEO The PAL Center
Margaret Hill, Assistant Superintendent of Schools San Bernardino County Schools
A musical tribute to Daz Patterson takes place at the Sturges Center in San Bernardino on Friday, Nov. 5. Daz, a contemporary gospel singer, will perform.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— When people gather next month on Friday, November 5, 2010 for the “Musical Tribute to Daz Patterson” at the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts they will be treated to performances by some of the top national and local gospel artists, view the premier of Daz’s new movie “For the Sake of Love” and have a chance to meet and greet this phenomenal singer, producer, director, and writer as she signs copies of her new book “Through the Storm and Rain.”
Well known for her musical plays including “Talk is Cheap” and “Somebody Say Amen” Dazrene “Daz” Patterson is a native of Victoria, Texas, who relocated to the Inland Empire and graduated from California State University at San Bernardino. Her natural gift of a seven-octave range singing voice provided her entry into the entertainment industry, where she performed popular and R&B music before finding her place in gospel. She has composed, written, and arranged over 300 gospel songs. She has always had a love and concern for people, and before launching her writing and directing career served several years as a juvenile hall counselor and then as a probation officer.
This special tribute will feature the Grammy and Stellar nominated performer Douglas Miller, whose song “My Soul Has Been Anchored” has enraptured many an audience, and whose albums include “Living on the Top” and “Unspeakable Joy” Mr. Miller will travel from his home in Akron, Ohio for this special tribute. He and Daz toured together in Delilah Williams’ hit musical play “God’s Trying to tell you Something.” You can see him and hear his magnificent voice on YouTube where fans have posted him in live concert.
There will also be special appearances by colleagues and friends, including actor/director/producer Sid Burston (Get Thee Behind Me!, Crown Royale, Walk by Faith, Reunion), actress Nei’Ce Knight-Preuitt (Love Ain’t Supposed to Hurt), Ernest Carter, Jay Olegario, Raheem Mitchell (Get Thee Behind Me!) and performances by gospel recording artist and First Lady of Spirit of Love Church Shervonne Wells (Here I Am, Kurt Carr Singers), David Whitfield, Madelyn Patterson-Berry and tributes by special friends Madeline Freeman and Rafael Rawls.
The evening will kick-off with the inspirational gospel concert, followed by the premiere showing of “For the Sake of Love,” produced by PNP Entertainment. According to Daz, “This movie is about spousal abuse and it’s based upon a true story, the experiences of a relative of mine and her relationship with the wrong man.. The film is very intense and very real, with incidents that actually happened.”
Just as with all of her works, Daz’ new movie is spiritually rooted. “The Bible says that when a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing. Too many women are out to get a man instead of letting a man find them. These women should have faith that God will send them the right person.”
The woman in the film takes a significant amount of abuse. Daz states that woman took the abuse and ignored its impact on her because she was obsessed with the idea of being able to say she was the ‘wife’; she took overwhelming abuse as long as she could say she had a ‘husband’. Young people don’t realize older people can see what’s good for them. Her mother begged her not to marry that man. She knew how and what he was, and married him anyway”.
“We want to share this story with all of America, in order to help women be aware. Women need to know that they can’t change a man. Unfortunately, most women feel they can, even with red flags coming up all over the place!” Daz herself is happily married to the ‘right’ man, businessman Norman Patterson and they have three children.
After the movie, guest will be invited to meet Daz at her book signing for “Through the Storm and Rain,” which Daz describes as “a book on Life Lessons, the things I encountered during my illness. I was diagnosed with cancer in 1988. The doctors said they caught it all but the cancer came back in 2001. It seemed to be better after treatment, but in 2003, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer which spread to my liver, back, neck, lymph nodes, legs and arms.”
You know they say that cancer is silent and doesn’t cause pain. That’s just a myth, a lie. My symptoms were that I had a lot of pain, in my side and chest. I believe God allowed me to feel the pain so would seek help and live and not die. He did not allow me to sink into a ‘Woe is Me’ attitude. He helps us to work things out through our suffering, and helps us to see life more fully.”
Daz says the most important lesson people take from her book is “Knowing that no matter what you go through, God will not give you more than you can bear. I want readers to see that there is always rainbow.” DVDs of the movie “For the Sake of Love,” and the book “Through the Storm and Rain” will also be available for sale at the special “Musical Tribute to Daz Patterson.
Sturges Theatre of Performing Arts (www.sturgescenter.com) is located at 780 North “E” Street San Bernardino, CA 92410. Advance tickets are only $15, $20 at the door. Tickets are available at the Westside Story newspaper, 577 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. Call (909) 384-8131, or purchase online at www.wssnews.com. ( Note: Hi Res Photos are attached:
2-Daz Patterson
3-Douglas Miller
4-Shervonne Wells
5-Jay Olegario
6-Full Color Event Poster/Flyer
Two RenDiesel-powered Audi A3’s will tour California Oct. 18-20 to promote the use alternative fuels, stopping in Rialto . Rentech, the manufacturer of RenDiesel, plans to build a manufacturing plant in Rialto.
(RIALTO, Calif.) Two Audi A3 TDI cars, named “2010 Green Car of the Year” will make a stop at Rialto Civic Center, 150 S. Palm Ave., at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 as they wind down a three-day journey from Eureka to San Diego.
Rialto is one of three stops on the journey, which its organizers are calling the Green Car Tour. After leaving Eureka the morning of Oct. 18, the cars will also visit Sacramento that day and San Francisco on Oct. 19, before heading to Rialto and their final tour destination, San Diego, on the last day of the trip.
Rialto’s stop celebrates the city’s future with Rentech which, as one of the Green Car Tour organizers, is supplying the RenDiesel® fuel that will power these Audi A3 TDI cars on their cross-state journey.
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“Rialto will be the only stop in the six-county Southern California Association of Governments region,” said Rialto City Council Member Deborah Robertson, who will emcee a ceremony welcoming the Audi A3 TDI cars and the tour participants to Rialto.
“The organizers could have chosen to drive straight down Interstate 5 from San Francisco to San Diego, but because Rentech is manufacturing this high-quality alternative fuel in Rialto, the Green Car Tour is coming here.” Robertson said.
The Rialto Renewable Energy Center is a plant where it will manufacture RenDiesel® and other synthetic fuels from urban green waste, such as yard clippings.
“The Rialto Renewable Energy Center will create more than 1,000 jobs, which will significantly stimulate the local and state economies. In addition, it will provide renewable fuels and power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to clean the air, said Rentech President and Chief Executive Officer D. Hunt Ramsbottom.
“San Bernardino County provides great economic opportunity and Rialto is an ideal home for our renewable fuels and power manufacturing center,” Ramsbottom continued.
“We would like the opportunity to recognize the efforts of Rialto, San Bernardino County, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to create healthy, sustainable communities and encourage economic investment as well as the success of California’s environmental policies.”
Rialto wants to see many businesses like Rentech come to its city, Robertson said.
“We see Rialto as an ideal location for businesses advancing in green technology applications,” she said. “We recognize the economic benefits they bring to our city and the environmental benefits they bring to our region.”
Other Green Car Tour organizers are Audi and the Green Car Journal, a magazine devoted to informing readers about cars that are better for the environment than most because of better fuel efficiency and less pollution. The official tour sponsor is Robert Bosch LLC, a manufacturer of injectors, fuel pumps and engine controls that help diesel-powered cars achieve high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
The Audi A3 TDI, which can run on RenDiesel® or regular diesel, gets 42 miles per gallon.
After completing the tour in San Diego, the cars will head north on Oct. 21 to the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where an A3 TDI will be added to its alternate power exhibit. Green Car Journal will then announce the nominees for 2011 Green Car of the Year, which will be named in Los Angeles on Nov. 18.
At each stop on the tour, representatives of Audi, Rentech, and the Green Car Journal will meet with elected officials or their staff, members of the media, and business and community leaders.
About Rialto
Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned fitness center, performing arts theater, nine beautiful parks, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.
Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region especially with the Freight to Canada areas. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.
Rialto Council Member Deborah Robertson encourages other residents of the city to receive a free card entitling them to discounts at most of the city’s pharmacies.
(RIALTO, Calif.) Rialto residents are discovering a way to save an average of 20 cents on the dollar for prescription drugs purchased at CVS and other local pharmacies.
Anyone who lives in Rialto can simply pick up a Prescription Discount Card at any of Rialto’s participating pharmacies. The cards can also be printed from www.rialtoca.gov .
The resulting savings vary depending on pharmacy and prescription, but can be significant.
“I personally have used the Prescription Discount Card for a prescription to help someone in my family,” said Rialto City Council Member Deborah Robertson. “The savings on that particular prescription were almost half.”
“Many of our clients need all the help they can get when purchasing prescriptions,” said Alton Quan, pharmacist at the 550 S. Riverside Ave. Wal-Greens. “The Pharmacy Discount Program offers them that help.”
Only one card is needed per family, which can use the card an unlimited number of times. There are no age or income requirements, and no enrollment or membership fees.
Robertson noted that sometimes, prescriptions help people prevent onset of a serious health problem. This card is part of a program the city has called “Healthy Rialto,” which is committed to giving city residents the tools they need to stay healthy.
“Prevention is so important to having a healthy city,” Robertson said. “We want to prevent illness from happening, and we want everyone to have affordable medications so they can get or stay healthy.”
Rialto offers this card through a program of the National League of Cities, which the league created with help from CVS Pharmacy. It is for families and individuals who do not have insurance providing prescription drug coverage.
Participating Rialto pharmacies include:
CVS Pharmacy, 211 W. Baseline Road, (909) 874-8002
Walgreen’s, 1280 W. Foothill (909) 879-0305, 118 E. Baseline Road, (909) 562-0267 or 550 S. Riverside Ave., (909) 874-6700.
Wal-Mart Pharmacy, 1610 S. Riverside Ave., (909) 875-2131
Rialto Vista Pharmacy, 436 S. Riverside Ave. (909) 875-7620
Rite-Aid Pharmacy, 585 S. Riverside (909) 820-7474 or 2020 N. Riverside Ave. (909) 873-2835
ABC Pharmacy, 826 E. Foothill Blvd. (909) 546-1000
Foothill Pharmacy, 1850 N. Riverside Ste. 170, (909) 874-2385
North Rialto Drug, 531 E. Foothill Blvd. (909) 875-2131
Additionally, the cards are available at the city’s Human Resources Office, 290 W. Rialto Ave.; its Utility Billing Office, 150 S. Palm Ave. and its Senior Center, 1411 S. Riverside Ave.
Residents may also call Rialto’s Human Resources Department at (909) 820-2540 and ask for Betty for more information, or call 1-888-620-1749.
Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.
Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.
For more information about Rialto, go to www.ci.rialto.ca.us or call (909) 820-2525.
