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.
Crossroads Rotary will present Christmas in October on Oct. 31 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the San Bernardino Corps of the Salvation Army. They will give away 1,000 pairs of free shoes, toys and a meal. File photo courtesy of Dameron Communications.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) San Bernardino’s Crossroads Rotary has teamed with the local Salvation Army and Loma Linda Medical Center to bring some Christmas spirit and plenty of goodies to Inland Empire’s disadvantaged youth and their families.
“The Jubilee Committee and Family Services,” notes Rotary event chairman and Jubilee Chief Executive Officer Kirk Dunbar, “as a recent part of Rotary, has come up with 1,000 pairs of free shoes for our expected huge turnout. This will be our second year doing this, but our first partnering with the San Bernardino Salvation Army. We certainly hope this project will become an annual team effort.”
Dunbar estimates more than a thousand people will attend the October event, appropriately titled “Christmas in October.” He adds, “There will be all those shoes for kids ages 5-19, of course, but we’ll also have clothes along with toys and a huge free meal.”
The Christmas in October Festival will actually be the 31st of the month, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army’s 5th Street facility.
There will be even more. “We’ll have doctors and chiropractors available, too,” Dunbar says. “Loma Linda is sending the medical staff who will provide free checkups as well as referrals to needed specialists.”
According to Dunbar, “San Bernardino County is one of the hardest hit areas in California with a disproportionate rate of unemployment, and thousands of youth are having severe economic hardship.”
“We will all help to ease that hardship going into the Christmas season,” Dunbar adds. “Some of our friends and neighbors are having a particularly tough time, through no fault of their own, and we want to do everything we can to give them a well-deserved hand.”
The Salvation Army Corps’ office is at 746 W. Fifth Street in San Bernardino. Call (909) 888-1336 for more information, or for help. 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. For help, call (909) 888-1336.
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 Council Member Rikke Van Johnson, second from left, welcomes Taylion Virtual Academy Principal Anthony Davis, left, and founders Shannon Smith and Tim Smith to San Bernardino. Taylion is open to serve in San Bernardino with home school and independent study programs modeled after highly successful schools in Phoenix. Photo by Chris Sloan
A large crowd helped San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson and Taylion Virtual Academy Principal Anthony Davis cut the ribbon to Taylion Virtual Academy, which is now serving San Bernardino and other parts of southern California with home school and independent study programs as a charter school of the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Taylion Virtual Academy held its grand opening recently, to promote awareness of this new education option for southern California families.
Taylion Virtual Academy was previously known as Carden Virtual Academy.
“In our planning, we decided it was important to focus on our core values,” said Shannon Smith, co-founder of the school with her husband Tim. “”These are Trust, Acceptance, Youth, Leadership, Optimism, Integrity and Nurturing.”
“I would like to welcome Taylion Virtual Academy to the City of San Bernardino, and to California,” said San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson at the Friday, Sept. 24 grand opening. “This is its founders’ first school in California.”
Founders Tim and Shannon Smith have other successful charter schools in the Phoenix, Ariz. Area. The Arizona schools have an 85 to 100 percent graduation rate, and score in the 80th percentile and above on standardized tests for their state.
Taylion Virtual Academy, a charter school approved as Carden Virtual Academy by the San Bernardino City Unified School District, provides most of its education through online and home schooling programs. Its core operations, and an independent study program where students meet face to face with teachers twice weekly, operate at 1184 W. Second Street, San Bernardino.
This address is a suite of offices in a new commercial building near the historic San Bernardino Depot. A few retail businesses occupy other suites in the building, and city leaders hope Taylion Virtual Academy’s presence will bring even more business to the area in west San Bernardino.
“I am glad to see a school in this business center because choices in education are the key to having an educated work force in our city,” Johnson said. “An educated work force is the key to developing new business in this city, which will allow us to better serve the residents of San Bernardino.”
Judi Penman, representing both the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce as its executive director, and the San Bernardino City Unified School District as one of the governing board members who voted in favor of Carden Virtual Academy’s charter petition, also welcomed the new school to San Bernardino.
“We are always looking for alternatives to support the education of children in San Bernardino,” she said. “I am especially pleased to see a school in a highly visible business center, as we can hope it will bring even more business to this center.”
Taylion Virtual Academy will provide education options for all families with children in kindergarten through high school, residing in San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, Kern or Inyo counties. These options include home schooling and independent study.
Taylion Virtual Academy offers independent study for grades 9-12 and home schooling assistance for grades kindergarten through 12th grade. It is an option for families who wish to be directly involved in their children’s education, for teens who seek an accelerated schedule to begin college early, and for teens needing to catch up on credits to graduate with their classmates.
For more information, or a campus tour, call Taylion Virtual Academy at (909) 256-0449, or 1-800 438-2273 or go to taylion.com
The San Bernardino Branch of the NAACP will hold their Freedom Fund Dinner on October 28, 2010, 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel in San Bernardino. The guest speaker will be Kenny Morris, the great- great grandson of Booker T. Washington and the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass.
The theme for the evening is “Education is the Bridge to Success”. Honorees will include those from the local education community. The dinner sponsorships have already been secured from Southern California Gas and others are being solicited.
In making the selection of the theme, dinner chair Pat Small said the reason she chose it was because, “the workplace is different, for jobs in the future you need an education and because of that urgency students are at risk; we must shine a light on the good things going on in our community and keep the focus on the importance of education.”
There will be a silent auction and information on educational institutions in our community. There is an opportunity to place ads in the program, sponsor a table or become a gold, silver or bronze sponsor. Tickets are $75. Call 909.888-5040 for more information and to reserve your table.
A master plan adopted by the City of Rialto shows the new amenities coming to Fergusson Park over the next 12 months.
Hank and Olga Vasquez walk their dogs along a walking path in Fergusson Park in Rialto. Visible to the right of the Vasquezes is a portion of the 10 acres that will be transformed into other recreational amenities over the coming year. Photo by Chris Sloan
(RIALTO, Calif.) A $6 million upgrade, including two new football fields, begins at Alec Fergusson Park on Oct. 11. The city of Rialto intends to complete this upgrade in October 2011. Fergusson Park is at 2395 W. Sunrise, near West Casa Grande Avenue and North Alder Street. “We will be more than doubling the usable area of Fergusson Park,” said Recreation and Community Services Director Larry Thornburg. Eight acres of this 18-acre park were previously developed. This project develops the remaining 10 acres.” Besides the football fields, new amenities for Fergusson Park include a skateboard area, playground, picnic areas, additional parking lot, an additional basketball court, and a snack bar/restroom building.
Rialto contractor Robert Clapper Construction submitted the successful bid for this project. “We at R.C. Construction are very excited at the opportunity to provide construction services for our ‘home town’ here in the City of Rialto,” said Company President Robert Clapper. “Our corporate headquarters are located less then a mile from the park so that gives us a great chance to pay special attention to the project. We hope residents will enjoy this park for years to come.” Funds for this park are from a $6.3 million community improvement bond the Rialto Redevelopment Agency obtained in 2008. Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed. The other Rialto City Parks are:
Andreson Park features a playground, walking track, three large picnic shelters and a basketball court.
Andreson Park, 726 S. Lilac: Features here include a quarter-mile walking track, a basketball court, playground equipment for small children and three large picnic shelters.
Bud Bender Park features Little League and Pony League baseball fields, a T-Ball field and picnic areas. Photo by Chris Sloan
Youth baseball lovers of all ages will enjoy the amenities at Bud Bender Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan
Bud Bender Park, 300 N. Lilac Ave., which has Little League and Pony League baseball fields, and a T-Ball field. It also has a picnic area.
Birdsall Park in Rialto features Little League and T-ball fields, picnic areas and a children’s playground. Photo by Chris Sloan
Baseball and basketball are available at Birdsall Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan
Roger Birdsall Park, 2611 N. Linden Ave., has two Little League ball fields and one for T-Ball. It also offers a picnic area and a children’s playground.
A children’s playground and a picnic shelter are among the amenities of Jerry Eaves Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan
Jerry Eaves park in Rialto is also a great place to play soccer. Photo by Chris Sloan
Jerry Eaves Park, 1485 N. Ayala Ave., has 15 soccer fields, three large picnic shelters and several smaller picnic areas, and a children’s playground.
Flores Park includes a children’s playground, picnic area and walking track. Photo by Chris Sloan
Flores Park, 1020 W. Etiwanda Ave., has a picnic area, children’s playground and a quarter-mile walking track.
Frisbie Park includes three Little League and two girls’ softball fields, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.
Frisbie Park, 19901 N. Acacia Ave., has three Little League fields and three girl’s softball fields, picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.
Margaret Todd Park is the place for skateboarders in Rialto, but they will have another place to skate when the expansion of Fergusson Park is complete in October 2011. Photo by Chris Sloan
Margaret Todd Park includes a skate park for skateboarders and roller skaters, picnic areas and open space. Photo by Chris Sloan
Margaret Todd Park, 201 N. Willow St., has a skate park for skateboarding and roller-skating, picnic areas and open space.
Rialto City Park is the place for football, but an expansion of Fergusson Park will give the city’s youth football players more places to play. Photo by Chris Sloan
Rialto City Park includes baseball fields, a football field, picnic areas and playground equipment.
Rialto City Park, 130 E. San Bernardino Ave., has one football field, one Pony League field and one Little League field. It also has picnic areas, playground equipment and an outdoor stage. 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.
Wilmer Amina Carter is the keynote speaker for a fundraising luncheon The Salvation Army will hold Thursday, October 7 at its headquarters, 746 W. Fifth St.
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Representing the state’s 62nd Assembly District, Wilmer Amina Carter will take time from her busy Sacramento schedule October 7 to address attendees of “Dreams Happen,” the annual fund-raising event of the Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino.
“I am pleased to partner with the Salvation Army Corps, San Bernardino,” says Assembly Member Carter from her Sacramento office. “It continues providing services that take families off the street and provides food and shelter. Those remarkable efforts have continued in San Bernardino for 123 years – since 1887!” This was merely a dozen years after the international organization was founded in London.
Says Salvation Army Capt. Stephen Ball, “This is one of the top ways for us to raise money each year.” The Army relies almost entirely on public donations to support its vast and important community service, which is why it is requesting donations of $1,000 or more from attendees.
Each day the Army helps more than 200 needy people, providing food, clothing, showers and laundry among numerous other services. Additionally, the Corps Headquarters at 746 W. Fifth Street serves as the operations center in times of serious community emergencies.
As if that weren’t helpful enough, San Bernardino’s Salvation Army Corps provides a shelter for up to 75 homeless people each day in their 925 W. Tenth Street building.
And for more than a century the Red Kettle Drive from mid November through December 24th has become as familiar as Santa himself during the holidays. Every dollar the colorful bellringers collect during the popular drive stays within the local communities. Volunteers as bellringers are always welcome by calling (909) 888-1336.
Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter, the honored speaker at the fundraising luncheon, is particularly impressed by the Army’s importance to children. “As a former 16-year school board member, I am especially supportive of the Salvation Army’s outreach to children,” she explains. “Not only do they provide nutritious, hot meals – preventing many health consequences from hunger and poverty – but they minister to the minds and souls of our youth.
“As a legislator,” Carter adds, “my focus is on providing affordable health care, access to education and training in job skills. I direct my efforts to initiatives that promote healthy, livable communities. I work with nonprofits and community organizations because these are the people on the front lines – like the Salvation Army – already successfully delivering services to our community.”
The fundraiser, “Dreams Happen,” begins with a reception at 11:30 Thursday, October 7th at Army headquarters, 746 W. Fifth Street in San Bernardino. A catered lunch will be served at noon. Those planning to attend should R.S.V.P. to Capt. Nancy Ball by calling (909) 888-1336 or by e-mailing nancy.ball@usw.salvationarmy.org. About the Salvation Army Corps, San Bernardino
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food, lodging for homeless or displaced families, assistance with rent, mortgage or transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Radio Network assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and 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 on line at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling (800) SAL-ARMY.
