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    NEW DEAN HELPS STUDENTS SUCCEED

    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Riverside resident Thomas Bustamante has been promoted to Dean of Student Affairs, a new position at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire). He previously served as the Director of Student Affairs.

    The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, in San Bernardino, offers degrees in such creative careers as Graphic Design, Interior Design, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Interactive Media Design, Media Arts & Animation and Game Art & Design.

    “The Art Institute helps students find careers in fields which they are passionate about,” says President Byron Chung. “We want our students to succeed in the classroom as well as in their personal and professional lives.”

    As Dean of Student Affairs, Bustamante, with a staff of three, oversees student personal development, behavior and adaptation issues, student leadership, time management, housing, student clubs, campus activities and even carpools.

    Bustamante has a bachelor’s degree in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine and a master’s degree in Urban Planning, with a focus in Social Policy and Community Development, from the University of Southern California, (USC). Bustamante is currently working on a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from USC.

    He previously worked for USC in the Greek Life office and with the Graduate and Professional Student Senate. He joined The Art Institute in February 2006.

    Bustamante said he is excited to take on the new challenge of being Dean of Student Affairs. “We have more than 700 students here,” he says. “It’s our vision to develop a feeling of community and belonging at The Art Institute. We have students from Barstow to Temecula and beyond, and the Student Affairs task is to bring them all together in a unified, almost family, environment.”

    He adds, “Our students are unique; in most respects they’re artists, and in more traditional academic situations they often will be overlooked. Not here.”

    For more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100.

    It is not too late to start classes at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire. The Winter Quarter starts on January 7, 2008. Classes are offered in the day, evening and on weekends for new and reentry students. For more information of a personal tour call the campus at (909) 915-2100 or go online to www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

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    The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), with 34 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. For more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100 or visit www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire.

    MAKING MYSPACE WORK

    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Carl Dameron, Creative Director of Dameron Communications, a public relations and advertising company in San Bernardino, says that his firm frequently uses sites such as MySpace, Craig’s List and Topix.net to inform the public about upcoming events. Dameron Communications has clients in the education, political and non-profit fields.

    “We use MySpace events to publicize seminars and open houses organized by our clients, Argosy University/Orange County in Santa Ana and The Art Institute of California in San Bernardino,” he says. “Thousands of eyeballs see the posts on these Websites and we need to use every resource to get to the public.”
    Dameron also says sites like MySpace are a great way to target the younger audience.
    “More and more older people are also going to MySpace to gather information,” he adds.

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    About Dameron Communications
    Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of  potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

    THOM SALISBURY NEW ART DIRECTOR


    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Thom Salisbury has joined Dameron Communications as its new art director.
    “As one of the Inland Empire’s leading public relations and advertising firms, we are proud to have Thom Salisbury join us to deliver the innovative, creative art direction our clients need to win in this completive environment,” says Carl Dameron, president of Dameron Communications.
    Salisbury has 25 years experience as an art director and artist. Earlier in 2006, he started his own graphic design firm, Nebulous Studios.
    Salisbury will keep Nebulous Studios active while working for Dameron Communications. Other Nebulous Studios clients include the City of Redlands Redevelopment Agency, the Downtown Redlands Business Association and 1st Valley Credit Union.
    Previously, he was the senior art director for Pacific Coast Sportfishing, a national full-color monthly magazine focusing on sport fishing on the West Coast, including Alaska and Mexico.
    “I helped make Pacific Coast Sportfishing a first-rate magazine,” he says. “I exercise a great deal of passion and enthusiasm when it comes to providing real value to people who trust me with their message and image, or the media I’ve worked with.”
    Thom was also creative director for The Sun newspaper of San Bernardino County. His creative expertise was brought to bear on accounts including San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland, and the former Harris Department Store. He also served as assistant design supervisor for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and worked with Donrey Outdoor Media in Las Vegas.
    Salisbury has a degree in fine art from Saddleback College, and also studied art at University of Nevada Las Vegas and California State University Long Beach.
    Dameron Communications has been one of Nebulous Studios’ major clients this year. With Dameron Communication’s growing client list, and the start-up of new business 909Models.com, an art director with Thom’s creative prowess and energy was needed.
    “I pride myself on providing creative that emphasizes branding, and effectively reaches the clients’ customers and encourages them to buy products or services,” he says.
    “Solid design is essential on any sort of advertising materials, from 1-inch by 1-inch ads to trade show exhibit booths,” Salisbury points out. “I thoroughly enjoy making every aspect of visual promotion powerful and effective.”
    About Dameron Communications
    Since 1989 Dameron Communications has creatively met the needs of our diverse client base locally, regionally and nationally. We are an award-winning agency that creates integrated marketing solutions to increase sales and profits, win elections, inform the public or gain acceptance of potentially controversial issues. We use our 20 years of communications knowledge and experience to advance our clients’ objectives.

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    DIVERSITY JOB FAIR BRINGS BUSINESS TO THE PEOPLE

    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair gets underway Sept. 5 in San Bernardino, bringing together more than a dozen major area businesses that want to meet minorities, looking for the best Inland Empire employees.

    From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Bernardino Boys & Girls Club, 1180 West 9th St., company representatives will be at tables, waiting to meet serious potential workers looking for local openings instead of having to dread that miserable daily commute to Los Angeles or Orange County.

    Companies such as Lowe’s, The University of Phoenix and Patton State Hospital will be on hand to meet and greet hundreds of potential employees. They’ll personally discuss their firms’ needs, what they look for in staff members and review attendees’ backgrounds and resumes.

    The Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair is the perfect place for those needing jobs to let companies know why they’d fit in and how they could contribute their skills and experience.

    Attendees are urged to dress the part and bring detailed, updated resumes to hand out to those firms that interest them.

    Job Fair sponsors supporting the effort include the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, KOLA radio 99.9, The NAUA, 909models.com, Hispanic Connect, The Black Voice News, The Precinct Reporter, El Chicano and Dameron Communications.

    BIOS

    Carl Dameron
    Agency Principal

    • Carl is the founder and owner of Dameron Communications a full service advertising and public relations agency. The company’s former and current clients include: Argosy University/ Inland Empire, Argosy University/Orange County, Education Management Corporation, California Portland Cement Company, LaSalle Medical Associates, The African American Health Initiative, The Inland Empire Diversity Career & Job Fair, Jose Gonzales for Supervisor, Bill Beatty for Moreno Valley City Councilman, the County of San Bernardino, the County of Riverside, the City of Colton, the City of San Bernardino, the State of California, The Salvation Army, 909Models.com, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Tri-County South Tobacco Free Coalition.

    • Carl’s experience include: editor of a weekly newspaper the Black Voice News, marketing director for KFRG/KOOJ radio, vice president of Communications for Dukes-Dukes & Associates, a real estate developer, marketing director for AutoSound an electronics retailer and as a media relations executive for the nations leading financial relations firm, the Financial Relations Board.

    • Carl is a resident of San Bernardino and is active in several local community organizations such as Miracles in Recovery, an organization that helps pregnant women with substance abuse problem, get their lives back together and give birth to healthy babies, The Salvation Army, the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and the Victor Valley African America Chamber of Commerce.

    • Carl graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1985. He studied electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, psychology, computer science, economics, oceanography, public relations, radio, journalism, television and print production graduating with a bachelor of science degree in Communications.

    Jim Crockett
    Senior Writer

    • Jim has worked in advertising, public relations and journalism since 1958. He has written thousands of articles, five books and is currently working on a screenplay about the first female jazz band.
    • Jim has written for The Livermore Independent, The Caymainan Compass Daily and The Antelope Valley Press Daily. He was also CEO of GPI publications for 19 years where he oversaw Guitar Player magazine.
    • Jim has taught broadcasting and public speaking at the University of Idaho and International College of The Cayman Islands.
    • An accomplished auto racer and scuba diver, Jim has also appeared on The Today Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Nashville Now, MTV, CBS Tonight and CNN.
    • He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Stockton.

    Thomas Salisbury
    Art Director
    • Thomas has 25 years experience as an art director and artist. Previously, he was the senior art director for Pacific Coast Sportfishing, a national full-color monthly magazine focusing on sport fishing on the West Coast, including Alaska and Mexico.
    • He has also worked for The San Bernardino Sun, The Long Beach Press-Telegram and Donrey Outdoor Media of Las Vegas. At The Sun Thomas’ used his creative talents on major accounts including San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland, and the former Harris Department Store.
    • Thomas prides himself in providing creative work that emphasizes branding and effectively reaches the client’s customer and encourages them to buy products or services.
    • Thomas has a degree in fine art from Saddelback College and also studied art at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and California State University, Long Beach.

    Carlos Trujilo
    Graphic Artist/Web Programmer
    Carlos grew up in Colton and is a graduate Cal State University, San Bernardino. He also has a master’s degree from the University of Redlands. Carlos has more than seven years experience in web development, programming and graphic design. Previously employed by Imageway Digital Media, Carlos lives in San Bernardino.

    Ebony Stewart
    Executive Assistant
    Ebony grew up in Fontana and Alta Loma and is a graduate of Valley View High School in Ontario, Calif. She also attended Chaffey College. She has previously worked in the real estate and mortgage business. Before joining Dameron Communications she worked at United Title Co. in Riverside. She currently resides in San Bernardino.

    AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HONORS LOCAL ACTIVIST

    (San Bernardino, Calif.) Phyllis Clark, founder and director of the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, has received statewide recognition for her efforts to fight cancer in the Black and Latino community.
    Clark will receive the Harold P. Freeman Outreach Award from the American Cancer Society California Division at a luncheon in Oakland, Thursday, June 28. She is one of three people in California who will receive the honor.
    The award honors individuals for exemplary achievement in bringing cancer awareness activities to diverse and medically underserved populations.
    Clark has been fighting cancer for 20 years since she lost her mother to colon cancer. She has channeled her energy into raising awareness about cancer, and other health issues, in the African American community. Clark is also corporate partners and events manager for the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
    “I’m honored and humbled to receive this award because I feel am doing what I was called to do since I lost my mother,” Clark said. “I’m trying to do whatever I can to eliminate cancer. Receiving this award confirms I am doing something right and touching lives.”
    Clark is also the founder of the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference, an interactive Afrocentric health fair. Currently in its third year, the next conference is at California Baptist University, located at 8432 Magnolia in Riverside, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, July 28.
    Clark said the goal of the conference is to encourage African Americans to lead healthier lifestyles.
    “Many of the diseases that African Americans suffer from are lifestyle related,” Clark said. “If we change our behavior, and change the behavior of the next generation, we can prevent many of these life-shortening health problems. The goal of this conference is to provide African Americans with the tools to make better lifestyles choices.”
    “Although the information is targeted at the African American community, the conference is open to all nationalities,” Clark said.
    For more information about the Healthy Heritage Wellness Conference call (951) 565-4431 or e-mail hhwcmovement@yahoo.com.

    ART INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS HELP IE STUDENTS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It might be the dog days of summer, but it is time for many young people to start thinking about how to pay for college.

    Recognizing that many Inland Empire residents are the first in their families to attend college, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire) has awarded $130,000 in tuition scholarships toward undergraduate degrees. Thirteen area students will receive the awards.
    The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, located in San Bernardino, is a private university which offers degrees in such creative careers as graphic design, interior design, culinary arts, culinary management, interactive media design, media arts & animation and game art & design.

    “The Art Institute of Californian – Inland Empire feels that if people have the talent and drive, then paying for their education should not be an obstacle,” says President Byron Chung. “The scholarships will help many Inland Empire students receive an education that can help them pursue careers they love.” Chung says the scholarships range from $5,000 to $15,000.

    In Culinary Arts, Lizeth Talavera-Benitez of Phelan received two scholarships, one of $15,000 and another of $3,000 as Best Teen Chef. She says, “These will cover fully half of my tuition for the first year at the university. It meant a lot to me,” she adds, “My parents didn’t have much money to pay for college. I was really excited when I found out I got the scholarship. My parents are very happy, too.”
    She says the funding goes a long way toward helping her pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant.

    Phillip Bosco, a graduate of Faith Community Christian School in Victorville, said his $10,000 scholarship for first in Media Arts & Animation will be an important aid in paying back student loans. “It really takes a big load off,” he says, adding, “It really takes a big load off. The scholarship works out to be several months, if not a full year, of loan payments.”

    He plans to study Media Arts & Animation at the Art Institute. He said his major can open doors to a job as a 3-D forensic artist for crime investigations, a special effects artist or a storyboard artist.

    Bosco’s future plan is to work in visual effects in the movie industry, and eventually be directing his own films. “I’ve always had a passion for film and directing,” he says.

    Other well-earned scholarships are $15,000 for Logan Feliciano of Pomona, first in Game Art & Design; Jacob Webber of Grand Terrace, $10,000 for second in Game Art & Design; Colton’s John Escobar received a $15,000 funding for placing first in Graphic Design with Matthew Morales of Redlands garnering $10,000 for second.

    Victorville’s Amanda Kibler was granted a $15,000 scholarship for first in Interior Design while Allison Williams of Alta Loma received a $10,000 aid for second place; LaTosha Banks of Rialto was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for first in Culinary Arts; Upland’s Ryan Wardlow received a $10,000 honor for first in Game Art & Design while Jonathan Ortiz was presented a $5,000 scholarship for second.

    A poster design competition yielded $3,000 in school funds for Daniel Gonzalez of Garden Grove, and a $2,000 award to Moreno Valley’s Therisa Anderson.

    For further information about the programs at the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, call (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.

    The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire Offers Life Drawing Classes for Public

    (SAN BERNADINO, Calif.) Ever wondered what drawing from a live human model is like? The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire will show attendees of its new Life Drawing workshop on Saturday, August 8, 2007, from 1 – 5 p.m. The workshop will be open at no charge.

    Byron Chung, president of The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, says, “We created these classes to give budding young artists the instruction they need to draw better. We are committed to helping artists in the Inland Empire improve their talents.”

    The Life Drawing workshops are usually offered on the third Saturday of every month. There are 21 seats available in each class. Students must bring their own pencils and drawing papers. The workshop is open to the public to those 15 years old or above, and the classes are offered at no charge.

    “Many people have great creative talents,” Chung says. “The workshop offers people a chance to focus that raw creative talent into directed creativity. Our goal is to help make better artists.”

    Santosh Oommen, academic director of animation at the school, says the workshop involves drawing from a live figure and covers topics such as anatomy and gestures. To sign up for the Life Drawing workshop, or for more information, call The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire at (909) 915-2100.

    Art Institute Scholarships Help IE Residents Follow Their Dreams

    (SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It might be the dog days of summer, but it is time for many young people to start thinking about how to pay for college in the fall.

    Recognizing that many Inland Empire residents are the first in their families to go to college, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire (http://www.artinstitutes.edu/inlandempire) has awarded $130,000 in scholarships for undergraduate degrees. Thirteen area students will receive the awards.

    The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, located in San Bernardino, is a private university, which offers degrees in creative careers such as graphic design, interior design, culinary arts, culinary management, interactive media design, media arts & animation and game art & design.

    “The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire feels that if people have the talent and drive, then paying for education should not be an obstacle,” said President Byron Chung. “The scholarships will help many Inland Empire residents receive an education that can help them pursue careers that they love.”

    Chung said the scholarships include awards of $15,000 – 5,000 and 50 percent tuition reductions. The scholarships can only be used for tuition at The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire.

    Lizeth Talavera-Benitez of Phelan, a recipient of two scholarships, said the awards covers half of her tuition for the first year of college. “It meant a lot to me,” said Talavera-Benitez, who is the first in her family to go to college. “My parents didn’t have much money to pay for college.”

    “I was really excited when I found out I got the scholarship,” she said. “My parents are happy too.”

    Talavera-Benitez said the scholarship award goes a long way to helping her pursue her dream of owning her own restaurant. She also received a scholarship for winning The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef local competition. The Art Institutes organizes the contest, which is a showcase for local budding chefs.

    Phillip Bosco, a graduate of Faith Community Christian School in Victorville, said his $10,000 scholarship will go a long way to paying back student loans. “It really takes a big load off,” he said. “The scholarship works out to be several months, if not a year, of loan payments.”

    Bosco plans to study media arts & animation at The Art Institute of California- Inland Empire. He said the major can open doors to a job as a 3-D forensic artist for crime investigations, a special effects artist or a storyboard artist.

    Bosco says his future plan is to work in visual effects, in the movie industry, and eventually direct his own films. “I’ve always had a passion for film and directing,” he said.

    For more information about The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire call (909) 915-2100 or (800) 353-0812.

    Scholarship recipients:
    Winners name City Scholarship Amount
    1. Lizeth Talavera-Benitez Phelan $15,000 1st $ 3,000 1st
    2. Logan Feliciano Pomona $15,000 1st
    3. Jacob Webber Grand Terrace $10,000 2nd
    4. John Escobar Colton $15,000 1st
    5. Matthew Morales Redlands $10,000 2nd
    6. Amanda Kibler Victorville $15,000 1st
    7. Allison Williams Alta Loma $10,000 2nd
    8. LaTosha Banks Rialto $10,000 1st
    9. Ryan Wardlow Upland $10,000 1st
    10. Jonathan Ortiz Banning $5,000 2nd
    11. Philip Bosco Victorville $10,000 1st
    12. Daniel Gonzalez Garden Grove $3,000
    13. Therisa Anderson Moreno Valley $2,000

    EARLY MAMMOGRAMS SAVE LIVES

    (San Bernardino, Calif.) Yearly mammograms save women lives. To help more low to moderate income women, LaSalle Medical Associates, will begin mammography at it’s Mt. Vernon Clinic in San Bernardino this August.

    The Department of Health Services now requires mammograms for all women over 40. They are not only simple, quick and risk-free, but are known to lower the chance of fatal breast cancer by 25-35 percent. The tests normally take only five to 10 minutes.

    Dr. Albert Arteaga, the founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates, sees substantial light on the horizon regarding reducing occurrences of breast cancer in Black and Latino women.

    “Fifteen years ago, there was a problem. Our friend’s wives and daughters were highly reluctant to see a doctor about mammograms, personal breast exams or anything else related to breast cancer. It was all too personal for them, sharing such intimate matters with a medical professional.”

    All that has changed, he feels, with so much effort having gone into public awareness programs. “I don’t see that this reluctance is any more prevalent among minority women than whites. In fact, the figures are nearly identical. Public awareness is working. There’s no longer a need to convince women; it’s now a matter of getting them to come in.”

    Sometimes the problem of getting women to come in is a financial one. Low-income Black and Latino women may believe they just can’t afford exams and tests. Women’s health insurance normally covers the expense, though for those without coverage there is that fear of high costs.

    LaSalle can help women without insurance find a program to help pay for their mammography, Dr. Arteaga said. “There are many public assistance programs that the vast majority of low to moderate income women qualify for. We help them apply, and in many cases receive coverage. ”

    LaSalle Medical Associates has two reasons for instituting its new mammography
    program. “On the one hand,” Arteaga says, “there’s an altruistic purpose. We simply want to help the community by helping women remain healthy and catching any potential breast cancer early enough to prevent its growth.”

    ”On the other hand, it’s good business, and if our clinics are to continue helping patients from year to year, they simply must stay in business. So we help our patients get the care they need through state and or federal insurance programs created to help people stay healthy,” Arteaga said.

    Occasionally politicians or special interest group opposes government programs that spend money to help the financially disadvantaged. “But, when we show them that programs like these are heavily utilized and help keep people healthy and we spend less overall on treating sicker people,” he says, “the opposition to them diminishes. The numbers can prove to the naysayers that the state and federal programs are being used, and public funds are actually helping save lives.”

    “We believe that all women in the Inland Empire should have their annual mammogram and we are working hard to help them do so,” says Arteaga. “The more women we see, the more lives we can help save.”

    LaSalle Medical Associates has five clinics in the Inland Empire. Their offices are located in five convenient locations; 17577 Arrow Boulevard in Fontana, 1505 17th Street in San Bernardino, 565 N. Mount Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino, 16455 Main Street in Hesperia and 31762 Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore.
    For more information or to schedule an appointment call LaSalle’s Mount Vernon clinic at (909) 884-9091.