(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.
(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.
(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.
(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
(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.
(San Bernardino, Calf.) Across the globe, regular immunizations against otherwise ravishing diseases are helping the world’s population live longer, healthier lives, says Dr. Albert Arteaga, founder of the Inland Empire’s LaSalle Medical Associates.
Back-to-school time is rapidly approaching, and just as school attendance is mandatory, Arteaga wishes immunizations were just as mandatory. But, as yet they aren’t. “Parents do realize how important the shots are to the welfare of their children, but still we will see 80% of our patients in the last two weeks before school starts,” he notes.
Immunizations, often combined in a single injection, help prevent such diseases as pneumonia, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis and meningitis.
“Children are usually afraid of their perceived pain of the immunizations,” Arteaga says, “but that brief, tiny pain is nothing compared to the alarming, often lifelong, impact of the diseases they prevent.”
Parents should plan ahead for their children’s immunizations, he adds. “They need to break the barrier of ‘no time’,” he says. “They simply need to think ahead, and say, ‘Today is a good one for the shots’.”
There’s an important phrase in the medical profession when it comes to immunizations: “herd immunity.” “That’s where we can all be human barriers to these common but serious diseases,” he explains. “When we’re around people who are immunized, they protect the rest of us. And we can all help each other by being protected ourselves.”
While immunizations are routinely up to date only 30% of the time, LaSalle patients, at Arteaga’s urging, are 70% up to date. “Our patients are really good about that,” he says, “but so much more can be done. The problem is that with immunizations nothing seems wrong with kids, and so the parents too often simply put them off until the time is more convenient. You ought to hear the creative excuses we get.” Under nearly all circumstances, immunizations are free to families, being subsidized by the Federal government for children.
LaSalle welcomes childhood immunizations at all five of their Inland Empire clinics: 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana; 1505 Seventh Street and 565 North Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino; 16455 Main St. in Hesperia; and 31762 Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore.
Appointments aren’t required, but are recommended by calling 909/890-0407. Usually the immunizations last only 30 minutes.
“A half hour,” Dr. Arteaga says, “can save potentially years of devastating illness.”
Attendees of a previous Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair fill out job applications. The Fire and Police Job Fair on July 30 is geared towards recruiting more Blacks, Latinos and Asians into area fire and law enforcement agencies.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Fire service and law enforcement can be lucrative careers. However these are careers which many Blacks, Latinos and Asians have not considered. Carl Dameron, producer of the Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair (http://www.iejobfair.com), said the Fire and Police Job Fair, on July 30, is geared towards increasing the numbers of people from ethnic groups in both of these fields. The Diversity Career and Job Fair is held at the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club, located at 1180 W. 9th St. in San Bernardino, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Fire departments have not hired as many persons from ethnic groups as other places,” Dameron said. “Fire departments seems to have a problem finding applicants who can complete the application process.” Applicants for fire and police jobs must be American citizens, or permanent residents who are eligible to apply for citizenship, and have to pass a rigorous background check. They must also meet certain physical and psychological standards. “Our goal is to help them find Blacks, Latinos and Asians who can complete the process required for a career in fire services and law enforcement,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce. Armstead said area law enforcement agencies are facing a huge increase in demand for their services as the population of the Inland Empire soars. “All of these police departments are looking for diverse recruits,” she said. “The goal of the Job Fair is to help these agencies find those people who are looking for careers in law enforcement and fire service.” Armstead also said that Inland Empire police departments are not the only ones looking for recruits. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department also recruit new employees from the Inland Empire. She said careers in law enforcement often have lucrative pay and benefit packages. The Riverside Police Department is currently offering a $5,000 signing fee for new officers and $1,000 referral fee. Riverside police offers start at $56,000 per year. Starting pay for San Bernardino Police officers is more than $50,000. For more information about the Inland Empire Diversity Fire and Police Job Fair call (909) 888-0017 or go to http://www.iejobfair.com.
Workers load e-waste onto a truck as part of a recycling effort organized by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Goodwill Industries and SuCasa, a domestic violence shelter, in March. Leonard Robinson, chief deputy director of the DTSC will be honored for his efforts to encourage the recycling and proper disposal of e-waste items such as outdated electronics, fluorescent light bulbs and alkaline batteries, by 8th District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich on July 17.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Riverside’s Leonard Robinson, appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the chief deputy director for the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), was honored Tuesday, July 17, by 8th District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich. On March 10, DTSC’s partnered with Goodwill Industries and SuCasa, the domestic violence shelter, to collect e-waste in the North Long Beach area, and collect they did – 8.8 tons of old computers, discarded television sets, cell phones and other electronic waste that otherwise would go into city landfills. The Long Beach City Council Recognition award will be presented to Robinson that evening at 5 p.m. during the city council meeting at 333 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach. Says Jonathan Kraus, aide to Councilwoman Gabelich, “These nearly nine tons of otherwise hazardous waste will first have the hazardous elements removed, the rest being recycled as possible. All of this is being diverted from our landfills.” “It’s that time of year,” said Gabelich, “when I present my recognition awards to people who have done something outstanding for the Eighth District and given of themselves for the good of the community.” DTSC Chief Deputy Director Robinson goes throughout the state lecturing on the proper management of used residential: fluorescent light, batteries, cell phones, computers and other household electronic devices (Universal Wastes). As a part of the California Take It Back! Partnership, he forms partnerships with businesses, utilities, retail stores and non-profit organizations to provide free, local and convenient locations for California residents to take their Universal Wastes. These items, if improperly disposed can contaminate drinking water and soil with heavy metals and other toxic substances. Reduction of solid and toxic wastes is an element of the Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Environmental Action Plan.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Ratibu Shadidi, entrepreneur, veteran of the Civil Rights movement and activist for African American cultural heritage, is the guest speaker at the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (www.ieaacc.com)’s meeting from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, July 24. The meeting is held in the conference room of Dameron Communications located at 255 N. D. Street in San Bernardino. Shadidi, also known as Bill Jacocks, talks about his two-year struggle to write and publish his new book “Ratibu Shadidi: Incidents, Struggles and Divine Interventions.” The book details Shadidi’s life from a small boy in Virginia to a successful business owner in California. Shadidi was active in the Civil Rights movement and has encouraged African Americans to get in touch with their African roots through cultural events such as Kwanzaa. A community leader for more than 20 years, Shadidi is owner of Elegant Floors, a carpet store, and a former field representative for California State Sen. Ruben Ayala. He is married to California State Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto). “Ratibu’s story serves as inspiration to our members,” said Delores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (IEAACC.) “He has seen it all, from the Civil Rights struggle to the modern-day movement to teach African Americans their true heritage.” Founded in 1990, the IEAACC helps African American businesses, families and professionals succeed in the Inland Empire. For more information about the IEAACC call (909) 888-5223 or go online to www.ieaacc.com.
(San Bernardino, Calif.) Dr. Albert Arteaga, President and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, was recently awarded the San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Merlin Hendrickson, M.D. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Arteaga is recognized for his efforts to provide health services to Inland Empire children.
The award was presented during the San Bernardino County Medical Association’s Installation of Officers and Outstanding Awards dinner at the Mission Inn, in Riverside.
“I accept this award not just for me but for the team of doctors, nurses, and staff at LaSalle’s five clinics. This is recognition of the entire companies dedication to our patients and our communities we serve,” said Arteaga.
“The award represents an endorsement by the medical society of the work we have been doing,” Arteaga said. “It shows we are appreciated and well regarded by our peers.” Arteaga has offered free health care for Hurricane Katrina survivors, donated funds to local pastors towards hurricane relief and served as Commissioner for First 5 Children and Families Commission and the Latino Health Collaborative.
Born in San Diego, Arteaga grew up in various locations following his father, a Seventh-day Adventist minister. Arteaga’s family also lived in Argentina while his father was doing missionary work. Arteaga spent over four years in northern Mexico. Arteaga is dedicated to providing the best healthcare possible for his patients. He also demands his staff, from the receptionist to the doctors, treat people with dignity, compassion and respect.
“It has always been our policy to help families in need. Since I have been in practice we have never turned away a patient because they could not pay. As the son of an Adventist minister I know that I have an obligation to help whenever I can. That is what we do,” Arteaga said.
This is not the first time LaSalle Medical Associates has been honored by local healthy agencies. The clinics are also recognized for their quality of service. LaSalle Medical Associates was selected by Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) as one of Riverside and San Bernardino’s best healthcare provider.
The African American Health Initiative also selected LaSalle as a model provider in a two-year study of Black healthcare in San Bernardino County. LaSalle has also been the number one enroller in the state of California for Healthy Families, an insurance program for children from low to mid-income families. The program provides medical, dental and vision coverage for children without insurance.
The father of three children, Arteaga lives in Grand Terrace with his wife, Maria, one son and two daughters. For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates contact (909) 890-0407, or go to www.lasallemedical.com.
