(Riverside, CA) It was all about cupcakes in downtown Riverside recently, when IEShineOn.com hosted the second annual Inland Empire Cupcake Fair “Cupcakes for a Cause” at the Riverside Convention Center.
“Last year, we learned some things, and this year put on an even better event,” organizer Su Pak of IEShineOn.com said. “I appreciate all the bakers, vendors, volunteers and our sponsor California Cake Decorations & Supply Co. It shows there is support for this type of event. I also want to thank the organizations I worked with, California Riverside Ballet and Community Connect.” The two organizations received a portion of the proceeds from this event.
IEShineOn.com has announced the winners of this year’s Cupcake Fair. Cupcakes were judged in amateur and professional categories, with awards for the best overall and for the most unique ingredients.
The Inland Empire Cupcake Fair had two contests whose winners were determined by event guests. “Most Popular Cupcake,” went to [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes, whose Buffalo Chicken cupcake was voted the best. “Best Decorated Booth” went to Dreamy Little Cupcakes.
Most Popular Cupcake voted by event guests – Buffalo Chicken from [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes
In the professional category, the first place Most Unique Ingredient winner was Viva Los Cupcakes, which won with their “Tamal con Mole” cupcake, which is a corn cake with mole frosting topped with a corn (tamal) shell. The Los Angeles-based cupcake baker Karina Jiminez, sells her products primarily at festivals throughout southern California.
Professional Most Unique Ingredient winners (left to right: Viva los Cupcakes, Simply Fancy Cuisine, KML Events)
Viva Los Cupcakes also took second place for Professional Best Overall for its Margarita cupcake.
Second place in the Most Unique Ingredient category was Simply Fancy Cuisine’s Hummingbird Cupcake, which is a southern-style cupcake topped with coconut and pineapple flowers. Simply Fancy Cuisine sells cupcakes and other bakery treats at the Redlands City Farmers’ Market and at the Grove Charter School Farmer’s Market, both of which take place in Redlands on Saturdays.
Buffalo Chicken & Blueberry French Toast cupcakes from [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes
Third place in the Most Unique Ingredient category was KML Event’s Lemon Lavender Cupcake. KML Events is a mother-daughter events planning and catering team in Ontario, which also sells cupcakes on special orders and at various community festivals.
The Professional first place Best Overall winner was Queen Sin’s Cupcakes Caramel Macchiato cupcake. Queen Sin’s Cupcakes are available for purchase on an almost daily basis at Everything Sweet Cake and Candy Supplies, 1235 Indiana Ct., Suite 102 in Redlands, and can also be special ordered.
Third place professional best overall was MyCuppyLittleCake’s “Carrot Cuppycake.”
Professional Best Overall Cupcake winners (left to right: Queen Sin’s Cupcakes, My Cuppy Little Cake, Viva los Cupcakes)
In the Amateur competition Cup2myCakes, is the Amateur Best Overall winner with her “Sock It To Me” cupcake. Her “Brown Sugar Kahlua” cupcakes took the prize for the Most Unique Ingredient cupcake
Second place Amateur Best Overall winner was Blukat Sugar Art, with “Double Chocolate cupcakes.” The winner described these cupcakes as made with double chocolate, dipped in chocolate ganache, frosted with chocolate whip cream frosting and topped with a chocolate covered strawberry.
The third place Amateur Best Overall was Jamie’s Cakes, which won with “Vanilla Coke” cupcakes.
Amateur Best Overall Cupcake winners (left to right: Cup2myCakes, Jamie’s Cakes, BluKat Sugar Art)
“A tasty time was had by all,” said Pak.
For information on the next The Inland Empire Cupcake Fair “Cupcakes for a Call” call Su Pak at (909) 257-8862 or go email hello@ieshineon.com
Anne Metu says she is thankful to the Salvation Army for giving her a platform and encouraging her to pursue her passion for helping people. However, Metu points out that she receives assistance from many areas to make lives better for the San Bernardino underserved through in-kind donations. Metu celebrates her third anniversary as the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House Shelter Director in June.
As the director, Metu oversees The Salvation Army and its community partners’ efforts to provide vital services for the Inland Empire’s homeless children and families. In 2014, the shelter at 925 W. Tenth Street, San Bernardino, provides three programs to those in need.
“I keep the community aware of what the Salvation Army is doing,” Metu said. “We cannot help solve the problem of homelessness without community support.”
“Homeless families received 12,464nights of shelter last year. Many supportive services are provided with each night of shelter including: meals, hygiene products, laundry, hot showers, tutoring and case management,” said Metu.
“The people served at The Salvation Army shelter come from all walks of life. The challenges of homelessness touch all ethnic groups and ages. We serve many single parents, families with children, and adult women without children,” said Metu.
The main program offered at Hospitality House is the transitional living program. This allows families and single women for stays up 18 to 24 months while obtaining the life skills necessary for permanent, independent living. With grants from the federal program Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Salvation Army has been able to offer this program since October 2011.
Clients in the transitional living program pay up to 30 percent of their income in rent (this is adjusted based on family size) and save 20 percent to pay for the expenses of securing permanent housing, such as an apartment or a room in someone else’s home.
The 925 W. Tenth Street building also houses the Salvation Army’s original homeless shelter program, an emergency shelter for single women and families. The Salvation Army has been offering this program since the shelter opened in 2010, and did so at other locations for decades before then.
Families can stay up to 90 days in the shelter, provided the adults in the family are actively seeking employment. They must save 75 percent of their income so they have the means to transition to permanent housing as quickly as possible.
“People, for a variety of reasons, come to the shelter with very little,” Metu said. “Many of them need more help than can be provided in 90 days, as such if they qualify, they move to our transitional living program.”
Both shelter programs help the clients with other issues, including developing job skills, resolve legal issues, learn to manage a home budget, and be involved in their child’s education.
Children in both programs have access to tutoring services provided by The San Bernardino County Unified School District. The transitional living program gives the families more time to resolve issues, such as if they need further education or other training to become employable.
In April 2011, the shelter had up to 68 people living there. Of these, about 48 were enrolled in the transitional living program, with the rest enrolled in the emergency shelter program.
The shelter also provides meals to many low-income Inland Empire residents who may not be homeless, but struggle to put food on their own tables. The Salvation Army has provides meals about 200 people on any given day in its long tradition of caring for San Bernardino area residents’ most basic needs.
Providing all of these services is a staff of nine full-time and four part-time employees, which Ms. Metu oversees.
Because the transitional program is financed primarily through HUD grants, there are requirements for reporting how this money is spent. This grant also has to be renewed each year, through a somewhat competitive application process.
The Salvation Army also keeps the San Bernardino area appraised of all its services, primarily through the organization’s Advisory Board, but also through presentations Ms. Metu gives to other organizations in the community. She tells prospective clients what the Salvation Army has to offer.
“I am usually out in the community educating people about what we do. I also pull in clients who I think fit the services we provide.”
The Salvation Army is a member of the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership Network, a coalition established by the County of San Bernardino to coordinate and improve services provided to the homeless. The coalition works with government agencies, the community and faith-based programs to help Hospitality House clients, homeless people in other shelters, and those who live on the streets.
Ms. Metu came to the United States from Nigeria, settling in Houston, Texas in 1997. She came already familiar with helping others and began her American career with the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, where she worked for six years. While there, Ms. Metu decided to become a chemical dependency counselor. She later moved to the Family Drug Treatment Court in Houston as a coordinator.
“Working in Houston, I noticed a lot of families dealing with both substance abuse and homelessness,” said Metu. “Usually only one person in the family comes forward to receive help. My desire grew, wanting to help the entire family heal, not just that one person. I wanted to do whatever it takes to help them live a normal life and function in society.”
Metu wanted to combine Christian counseling with her passion to battle drugs and substance abuse. She did this in Texas prior to moving to be with her family in San Bernardino in 2010, where she first became involved with the Salvation Army as a volunteer.
“I heard that the Salvation Army was looking for someone to become the director of their Hospitality House,” said Metu. “The opportunity seemed perfect for me, being able to utilize my background of helping others through drug counseling, grant management and administration. I decided to apply for the job, and I got it.”
Metu says she is thankful to the Salvation Army for giving her a platform and encouraging her to pursue her passion for helping people. However, Metu points out that she receives assistance from many areas to make lives better for the San Bernardino underserved through in-kind donations.
“So many people have come together, providing the support we need to do what we can for others,” said Metu.
She is especially grateful for the help of Ms. Brenda Dowdy, homeless education services coordinator for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
“The children receive tutoring from the San Bernardino County Unified School District,” Metu explained. “But Brenda Dowdy provides much more than that. I don’t know what we would do without her services.”
Ms. Dowdy coordinates the tutors’ schedules, provides the homeless students with school supplies, and makes sure these children are able to take part in field trips and other fun outings. She also organizes monthly Resource workshops, in which organizations that can provide services to the families (such as jobs, job training, health care or even free cell phones) come to the shelter to tell the clients about what’s available to them.
“If we have a problem with a child – for instance, or if a child doesn’t have shoes to wear to school – she will take care of that as well,” Metu said.
Other organizations that help meet the needs of the Hospitality House clients include Inland Counties Legal Services, Project Home Again, the Second Harvest Food Bank, Community Action Partnership, Arrowhead United Way, the San Bernardino Women’s Club, Stater Bros Charities, San Manuel Band of Indian Missions, The Soroptimists of San Bernardino, Victory Community Outreach and medical students outreach teams from Loma Linda University.
“This is really a community effort,” says Metu. “I feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful team that is dedicated to helping improve the lives of those who are less fortunate and going through a difficult time.”
For more information call the San Bernardino Hospitality House at (909) 888-4880. Donations can always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY or (909) 888-1336.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY or (909) 888-1336.
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Photo Caption: Anne Metu says she is thankful to the Salvation Army for giving her a platform and encouraging her to pursue her passion for helping people. However, Metu points out that she receives assistance from many areas to make lives better for the San Bernardino underserved through in-kind donations. Metu celebrates her third anniversary as the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps’ Hospitality House Shelter Director in June.
Carl M. Dameron Founder and Creative Director of Dameron Communications interviewed on KVCR.
Dameron Communications
Published On : 2/19/2014
By : Ken Vincent
From : KVCR
Categories : Local, Business
KVCR commemorates African-American history month by hearing about the history of trying to get nonprofit government and other small groups with small budgets to realize the importance of public relations. KVCR’s Ken Vincent talks with San Bernardino PR pro, Carl M. Dameron.
Listen to Podcast http://kvcr.org/News/Stories/2014/February/0219_Dameron_Communications
Dr. Judy White, superintendent of the Moreno Valley Unified School District
Published On : 2/26/2014 7:30 AM
By : Ken Vincent
From : KVCR
Categories : A few years ago, the Moreno Valley schools were in trouble. However, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Judy White, the Moreno Valley Unified School District has dramatically turned around, and now has received applause from state education officials, the state teachers’ union, local businesses, and parents of kids who attend Moreno Valley schools. KVCR’s Ken Vincent has a conversation with Superintendent White about how she and the community have pulled together the elements of success in the Moreno Valley School District.
Listen to Podcast http://kvcr.org/News/Stories/2014/February/0226_Superintendent_Brings_Success_to_Moreno_Valley_Schools
The LaGrant Foundation selected Carl M. Dameron, founder and creative director of Dameron Communications to host its first Inland Empire career development workshop for students interested in pursuing a career in advertising or public relations. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority cosponsors the workshop. Photo by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB
(San Bernardino, CA) Looking for a great speaker on advertising and public relations? Choose Carl Dameron, Creative Director of Dameron Communications. He is funny, direct and delivers actionable information you can put to work right away! Carl has more than 30 years of successful experience driving national and regional advertising and public relations.
Carl is available to speak on several advertising and public relations topics including:
Advertising – How to create Advertising that works from flyers to TV commercials and everything in between
Public Relations – How to get media coverage and increase the positive perception of your organization
Government Relations – How to get elected officials to listen and how to leverage their network
Community Relations – How get the community to support your goals and objectives
Reaching out to faith based communities Dr. Kathleen Henry attended the ground breaking for the new Salvation Army Corps location in San Bernardino. Left to right: Salvation Army Board member Tom Brickley, new Corps leaders Captain Anya Henderson, Major Dan Henderson and Dr. Kathleen Henry.
(Redlands, CA) Habitat for Humanity of San Bernardino is revitalizing its efforts to work with faith-based organizations, which will help it to provide greater service to the community it serves.
It will bring about these cooperative ventures through the newly renamed Faith Based Committee, which had previously been known as the Church Relations Committee. This committee reaches out to the faith-based organizations in its community to procure donations of construction supplies, volunteer construction crews, meals and prayers.
“Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization,” said Dr. Kathleen Henry, one of the directors of the Habitat for Humanity board and a member of the Faith Based Committee. “The Faith Committee is reaching out to other faith based organizations, to form coalitions that will help with our common goal, which is to provide people with homes.”
Since the committee is newly reorganized, Habitat for Humanity wants to add additional people as soon as possible. From this additional membership, the committee will select a chairperson and other officers soon, and in 2014 begin its community outreach campaign.
“We will meet with other faith-based organizations and find out what their resources and needs are,” Henry said. “They may know people who can help with their expertise, they may know of families in need, or they may know of property owners who want to donate property,” she said.
“We will meet with other faith-based organizations and find out what their resources and needs are,” Habitat for Humanity Faith Committee Chair Kathleen Henry said. “They may know people who can help with their expertise, they may know of families in need, or they may know of property owners who want to donate property,” she said.
The people who want to help may have specific expertise, such as construction or environmental review, or they may simply be volunteers willing to help in any way the organization needs.
The new name better reflects the committee’s purpose, bringing together all faith-based organizations to help with Habitat for Humanity’s goals of eliminating poverty and providing affordable homes.
“The faith community has been an important part of our organization since this chapter was founded in 1992,” said Executive Director Dennis Baxter. “A faith-based committee has for most of this time worked to develop relationships between Habitat for Humanity and other faith-based organizations, but for some reason the committee has not been active in the last six or seven years. Our board now wants to bring this committee back.”
The new name is one that many southern California chapters of Habitat for Humanity use to better reflect the many types of faith-based groups in their cities.
“We have temples, synagogues, mosques and many other types of places where people have faith,” Baxter said. “While Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization, we want to engage with organizations representing all faiths. We all have the same purpose of eliminating poverty and providing low-income housing through home ownership.”
It is an honor to have Dr. Kathleen Henry lead the reorganization of the Faith Based Committee. She is a great organizer with dedication to serving our community.
Dr. Henry’s community contribution includes: an elected trustee of the San Bernardino Community College District, Member Steering Committee for the Women’s Leadership Council of Arrowhead United Way, Chairperson for the Scholarship Committee of the Highland Woman’s Club, member/past Chair of Youth Services and K-Kids at Kiwanis Club of Highland, and she serves as an Ambassador for the Highland Chamber of Commerce.
Families work with Habitat for Humanity staff and community volunteers to construct the homes, although the projects are managed and supervised by licensed general contractor Tim Garcia. Since it has volunteer labor, and often uses donated supplies, Habitat for Humanity constructs homes for less cost than typical construction.
The San Bernardino chapter serves San Bernardino County communities between Fontana and Yucaipa, as well as the Mountain Communities of Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, and Crestline, and the Upper Desert towns of Hesperia, Apple Valley and Victorville.
The agency currently has plans to build seven homes in San Bernardino and Grand Terrace. All will be three-bedroom, two-bath homes with attached two-car garages. The homeowners will be able to add their personal touches on these homes by choosing paint colors and carpeting.
To join the Faith Based Committee or for more information, go online to www.habitatsb.org, or call Habitat for Humanity, Executive Director Dennis Baxter at (909) 478-1176.
About Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a faith-based nonprofit organization that works in partnership with families to strengthen communities and transform lives by building new homes, rehabilitating existing homes, and making affordable home ownership a reality for community members in need.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a deep discounted home improvement store that sells building materials, appliances, home accessories, and furniture. The ReStore accepts donated goods, which are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price. All proceeds are used to fund the administration and rehabilitation or construction of Habitat for Humanity homes.
To find out more about Habitat for Humanity, call 909-478-1176 or visit www.HabitatSB.org. We also ask you to LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SBReStore.
Dr. Judy D. White flanked by band members at the State of the District Speech
“We meet regularly to work together on the issues facing our school district,” said Harold Acord, president of the Moreno Valley Educators’ Association. “This is true whether it’s a problem affecting the entire school district, or one individual teacher’s problem.”
(Moreno Valley, CA) In Moreno Valley both the district administration and the teachers’ union have a common goal. They work together to achieve the district’s mission of preparing students to become productive members of society. “We agree on our mission of learning for all,” said Dr. Judy White, superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District. “We collaborate on best practices that increase student achievement.” “We meet regularly to work together on the issues facing our school district,” said Harold Acord, president of the Moreno Valley Educators’ Association. “This is true whether it’s a problem affecting the entire school district, or one individual teacher’s problem.” “We provide support and communication to each one of our teachers, so they know how much they are valued in our school district,” Dr. White said. An issue affecting the entire district is initiatives the state of California is considering regarding school funding. The 2013-2014 state budget significantly changes how public schools are funded, giving most school districts more money to spend flexibly on student programs However, school districts must now provide more accountability to the state for how they are educating students. The standards for this accountability haven’t yet been set, so school districts statewide are weighing in on what they think will work. “In Moreno Valley, the district administration and its teachers stand shoulder to shoulder on state initiatives related to funding,” Dr. White said. “We are also exploring other ways to focus on students’ and teachers’ learning conditions, so we can make sure the state provides funding mechanisms that meet the needs of our students.” School districts also receive federal funding. This, more than ever, is tied to academic performance. In Moreno Valley, the teachers’ union and the District have stepped up to develop a student-centered evaluation pilot program rather than waiting for grant opportunities which may come with mandates. “Together, teachers and administrators have collaborated on an evaluation instrument that includes the California Standards for the Teaching Profession as a rubric of measurement. This is expressed in a format that structures collaborative conversations, support and high expectations between the site administrator and teachers. This was done because it is the right thing to do,” said Dr. White. Besides working together to develop accountability standards and positions on state and federal legislation, the Moreno Valley Educators’ Association and the district administration also collaborate on other projects. Recently, one of these was planning and hosting a regional leadership conference and access to for teachers and administrators, which had was titled “Collaborate, Coach and Connect.”
Moreno Valley Unified School District superintendent of schools Dr. Judy White and California CTA state president Dean Vogel at 2013 Joint Leadership Summit. Vogel spoke well of the direction the district is taking to increase student performance.
“We had several speakers from the California Teachers Association, and the keynote speaker was CTA President Dean Vogel,” said local president Acord. “It was a great success, and we received high evaluations from those who participated.” Since students are the top priority in Moreno Valley Unified School District, recognizing outstanding student achievement is another way the administration and teachers’ union work together. With a third partner, the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce, they provide a “Student of the Month” program to honor and reward one outstanding student each month at each school in the district. They also work jointly with the Chamber to explain how local businesses can support education in Moreno Valley. Even in contract negotiations, the one activity where relationships between school administrations and their teachers unions can be adversarial, they’re not in Moreno Valley Unified School District. Here, the two parties participate in Interest Based Bargaining. In typical negotiations, the teachers’ union asks for as generous a contract as it finds feasible, while the district administration counter offers with something less generous. The contract is successfully negotiated when one or both sides make concessions to the other. But in Interest Based Bargaining, the administration and teachers focus on common interests, and work together to ensure these interests are met. Since attracting and keeping quality teachers is one of their common goals, developing an attractive teachers’ contract becomes a solution.
“We meet regularly to work together on the issues facing our school district,” said Harold Acord, president of the Moreno Valley Educators’ Association. “This is true whether it’s a problem affecting the entire school district, or one individual teacher’s problem.”
“It is supposed to be a win-win situation,” Acord said. “It’s not one side wins, and the other side loses.” Clearly, with everyone working together, there is one big winner in the process. That is Moreno Valley Unified School District students. The Moreno Valley Unified School District’s mission is to prepare all students academically and socially to become productive members of society. For more information on the Moreno Valley Unified School District call the district office at (951) 571-7500 or go to their website at www.MVUSD.net.
Salvation Army Board member Carl Dameron rings the bells with his family. Left to right: Malaika, Carl and Shaila. Salvation Army board members ring the bells every year to support the Salvation Army’s mission. Photo by Ricard Tomboc
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) The “miracle” of Christmas is repeated over and over again through the joy of caring and sharing. The San Bernardino Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org) is seeking volunteers to ring bells in Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino.
The nationally recognized shiny red kettle is an integral part of the Christmas scene, with millions of dollars donated each year to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless, in keeping with the spirit of the season.
“This is a wonderful way to help disadvantaged people in our community, simply by volunteering as bell ringers,” said Major Stephen Ball, commander of The Salvation Army of San Bernardino. “We’re looking for individuals, families and groups to spend a day at one of our more than 30 locations in the San Bernardino area.”
The Salvation Army began ringing its bells this year on Friday, Nov. 16th and continues from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until Christmas Eve.
Anyone who would like to donate a few hours of his or her time can volunteer. However, a parent or guardian must accompany individuals under the age of 16. Most volunteers ring two hours at a time, but groups are asked to provide ringers who can work in shifts for an entire day.
“The more people who volunteer, the fewer people the agency must hire,” said Major Ball “For each volunteer bell ringer we have, it means more money raised in direct support of our services to those families in need.”
This year, the Sierra del Mar Divisional Headquarters of the Salvation Army has already helped its San Bernardino chapter with a “bell-ringing marathon.” Major Butch Soriano, the divisional finance secretary, came to the Colton Wal-Mart on Tuesday, Dec. 3. From 9 a.m. that day until 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, he rang the bell for 105 hours straight, raising a total of $2,696.42 for the San Bernardino Corps.
Salvation Army Major Butch Soriano just set a new world record for the longest continuous hand bell-ringing by an individual but fell $7,000 short of his $10,000 goal.
The Salvation Army was holding a competition amongst its officers and members to see who could ring the bell the longest. Major Soriano ended his service in a three-way tie for first place, along with another Salvation Army officer in Minnesota and a member in Texas.
Major Soriano not only braved the cooler temperatures and on the final day, rain to serve his division. He also began his service by driving more than 100 miles from his office in San Diego to the San Bernardino Corps headquarters.
The divisional officer said he did it to bring attention to a Salvation Army location that’s doing great things that may not be as highly noticed as what corps in larger cities do.
“There tends to be a lot of focus on the metropolitan areas like San Diego and Los Angeles,” Major Soriano said. “But I know San Bernardino does a lot of great things, so I wanted to bring the public awareness of them.”
Where does the money raised by Major Soriano and the hundreds of others ringing bells in San Bernardino go? For Christmas, the Salvation Army creates holiday food baskets for more than 600 local families. On Christmas Day, The Salvation Army of San Bernardino hosts a Christmas Dinner that historically provides a beautiful meal to 300 people. Donations raised by bell ringers help make this possible.
“The San Bernardino Corps also needs food every day for those at its Hospitality House transitional shelter,” said Major Ball. Up to 75 family members stay in its transitional and emergency family shelters.
The Salvation Army also needs food daily for up to 200 people who receive a free dinner served six nights a week. Approximately 40,000 meals are served annually from the Army’s kitchen located at 746 W. 5th Street in San Bernardino.
Feeding the hungry is just one of the ways money donated to The Salvation Army helps. The Salvation Army also helps 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 Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
To volunteer as a bell ringer in Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino, call The Salvation Army at (909) 888-1336.
In addition, one may donate to The Salvation Army online, through the website www.salvationarmyusa.org. Donors may specify to which branch of The Salvation Army the money should be sent.
How the Bell Ringer campaign began:
Captain Joseph McFee, serving with the San Francisco Salvation Army Corps in 1891, wanted to serve Christmas dinner to the poor in his neighborhood. But he didn’t have money to do so.
As a sailor in Liverpool, England, Captain Mcfee saw people on the docks throw money into a large kettle called “Simpson’s Pot” to help the poor. He decided this might work in California too.
Captain Mcfee set up a kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing, which operated a ferry that was, in those days, the only way across San Francisco Bay. He put a sign on the kettle saying, “Keep the Pot Boiling” and raised enough money to serve the Christmas dinner.
His idea spread quickly, and by 1897 Salvation Army Corps nationwide were collecting money in kettles to serve the needy in their communities. Among the Salvation Army Corps collecting money this way before the turn of the Twentieth Century was The Salvation Army of San Bernardino, which formed in 1887.
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 Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers holistic programs for individuals of all. 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. The San Bernardino Corps of The Salvation Army serves Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace, Highland, Rialto, and San Bernardino. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
For more info, check www.abovegroundfun.com.
Project Moving Forward, backed by a $1.9 million federal grant, improved academic scores in two local schools. African American students at Hendrick Ranch Elementary School achieved impressive academic gains, where Academic Performance Index or API scores jumped 51 points
(Moreno Valley, CA) Students in two Moreno Valley elementary schools have become top academic achievers through a simple concept: learning vocabulary the RAP way!
Short for Rehearse, Analyze and Produce, RAP is based on 12 years of research by Dr. Linda Ventriglia-Navarrette, a Harvard educated researcher and professor at National University.
Hendrick Ranch and Armada Elementary schools posted the highest academic scores in their history, becoming the top two achieving elementary schools in 2013 among 23 in the Moreno Valley Unified School District. Both schools are located in low-income neighborhoods where academic achievement has suffered.
African American students at Hendrick Ranch Elementary School achieved impressive academic gains, where Academic Performance Index or API scores jumped 51 points while improvement was up 49 points at Armada. Hispanic students also made significant increases, moving from far below basic skills to proficiency in reading and math.
Based on the recent results, Hendrick Ranch was the only school in the District to achieve the state Academic Performance Index and Annual Yearly Progress scores. Armada was the only school where over 90 percent socially disadvantaged students achieved an academic performance index of 700. Hendrick Ranch achieved a 796 ranking.
How did they do it? By adopting a vocabulary instructional program called RAP, or the Rule of three. Armed with a $1.9 million federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the District created a partnership with National University where teachers learned how to increase student’s academic achievement through vocabulary instruction.
The program provided 60 hours of teacher training and coaching, using the Rule of 3 or RAP as ways to teach words across the curriculum.
Research shows that improving academic vocabulary has the highest correlation with success in school.
Other educators agree. E.D. Hirsch, a widely known academic researcher, says, “The achievement gap between Black and White, rich and poor is not due to lack of money. It largely comes down to a vocabulary gap, because words name things.” Hirsch found that poor children have a massive vocabulary deficit that today’s U.S. education system does not address.
In the RAP program, students rehearse words by clicking out, spelling and saying the letters of the words, including focused conversations about the words. They teach vocabulary words to a partner. Students also analyze word structures and produce their own individual meanings for words in their Power Word books.
Many teachers at Hendrik and Armada elementary schools reported that the RAP program was popular with students. They enjoyed learning new words, which became an exciting part of the school day.
Robert Gordon, who was principal of Hendrick Ranch said, “These vocabulary development strategies made a significant difference in students’ achievements.”
Armada principal Jeff Jones said, “Armada’s teachers improved the delivery of consistent, effective and engaging instructional strategies that addressed the critical areas of vocabulary development and reading comprehension.”
At the district, the performance results were well received. “We are extremely proud of our students at Hendrick and Armada,” said Dr. Judy White, Superintendent of Schools in Moreno Valley. “This program demonstrates how students in economically disadvantaged areas can achieve remarkable academic results by focusing on their learning styles. It captures how students learn.”
For more information on the Moreno Valley Unified School District’s call the District office at (951) 571-7500 or go to the website at MVUSD.net.
About the Moreno Valley Unified School District
Moreno Valley Unified School District, with 3,400 employees and 35,000 students.
Moreno Valley Unified School District’s mission is to prepare all students academically and socially to become productive members of society.
(San Bernardino, CA) “We are all products. Remember that. As an advertising and public relations creative director, my product is problem solving, knowledge and creativity,” said Carl M. Dameron creative director and founder of Dameron Communications.
“I am going to tell you how to develop an advertising and public relations program to effectively reach your target market, create a positive image of a business in the community and entice the market to buy more of your products, goods and/or services,” said Dameron.
This series has been going for several weeks. Go to the website for the entire backlog at
at DameronCommunications.com/blog
This January 2012 ad uses the campaign theme for the Magnolia at Highland – “Affordable Luxury”. We also target seniors by saying, “For ages 62 and better”. The campaign was very successful. The senior apartments have 100+ person waiting list.
Ad development
This is where your research bears fruit. Take the information obtained through your research that tells you who your customer is, what they like, and what they like about your products and services to develop a campaign theme to reach your target market.
This theme must translate well into print, radio, television, your website, billboards, Email, social networks, and direct mail to grab the target’s attention and leave the right impression. If you need help to develop your ads use: and ad agency, freelance artists, university students or talk to your newspaper or radio representative.
You can also call Dameron Communications to help you develop your plan.
Campaign goal
We know the goal is to increase sales and profit:
But of what product ? You want to include all of them but really pick one.
Of what service? Again I know, you want to include all of them, but again pick one.
Where is it? Where are your locations or do you come to me?
When do customers want to buy your stuff? — Winter, spring, summer or fall?
Start by reviewing your sales and promote your most popular product or the thing you are known for.
80 percent of your business comes from 20 percent of your customers. Define who the 20 percent are, what they want and create your campaign to go after more people like them!
For Argosy University they are highly recognized for their Postgraduate degrees in Psychology, Education and Business, that’s their 20 percent. So our goal was to increase enrollment in those programs. They also have bachelors degree completion programs and other offerings.
Slogans – “Campaigns that work!” That’s the Dameron Communications slogan
How do you start? Try creating a quick five-second description of what you do that makes your customer feel better good about buying your product. Then massage it into a slogan.
Here are some examples.
For SpeakerCraft we created the slogan “The Art of Sound”. They sell speakers and high-end stereo equipment. Not just things to make music, but things to make music sound exceptionally great.
For the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health AIDS program the slogan was “Know your Status”. We show multiethnic real people and ask the question: “Are you HIV Positive of Negative?”
Are you HIV Positive of Negative? Do you know? You should know. Take control. Get checked for free at the San Bernardino County Health Department.
For The Magnolia at Highland the slogan is “Affordable Luxury”. This project is a low income senior citizen complex, however it is designed and built like a luxury resort. So we sold it that way. We used the images reserved for luxury spas and luxury resorts, people in the pool, the cabañas and the beautiful entry. Instead of 62 and older we came up with 62 and Better.
The Magnolia at Highland Senior Citizen Apartments’ Grand Opening invitation created for Western Seniors Housing. It clearly shows the luxury features available in the Senior Apartments.
For Argosy University it’s “Education that Works.” This slogan has multiple meanings. Not only does the education help you be a better person, but the reason many people get a post-graduate degree is to get a better job and make more money, so having a degree from Argosy helps to get you more work. The other issue with Universities new to the area is the question of trust. We included the line “quality Education for over 30 years in Psychology, Education and Business” to demonstrate that Argosy was not a new University, just new to the area. This line is to solidify the brand and increase trust. The campaign increase enrollment 450 percent and made the campus the fastest growing start up the history of 22 campus system.
Yes, it does sound like our slogan. Argosy abandoned it and so we picked it up. Waste not, want not.
“Education That Works” was the slogan we created for Argosy University. This is the billboard we created, we also created newspaper ads, plus magazine and radio commercials.
Good luck, and remember the target for your slogan is your customers, not you!
To Be Effective In Advertising, Plan And Be Consistent.
Display your slogan everywhere. This is the email signature for Dameron Communications
Read more
For a free one-hour consultation call Carl M. Dameron at (909) 534-9500.
For a free copy of “Effective Advertising & Public Relations” click here to download: DC-701 Effective advertising-legal 51211.
Effective Advertising & Public Relation prints on legal paper
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