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Monthly Archives: May 2015
Sheep to Shawl at the County Museum on May 30
San Bernardino County Museum visitors will enjoy hands-on learning about textiles at “Sheep to Shawl: Creating Textiles” on Saturday, May 30 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the County Museum in Redlands. The program is based on the museum’s current special exhibit, “Spider Woman’s Legacy: Navajo Rugs and Textiles,” and this exhibit and all program activities are included with paid museum admission.
Textiles are based on fibers, whether fleece, fur, hair, or plant. During Sheep to Shawl, visitors will be able to see raw materials processed into fibers, spun into yarn, dyed, and woven into cloth. Hands-on opportunities to touch fleeces, dye, spin, design, and weave will be offered along with demonstrations by skilled artisans from the Western Textile Center Association. Visitors can walk through the museum’s ethnobotany and native plant gardens to see sources of plant fibers used by Native Americans. Activities are suitable for all ages.
“Participating in Sheep to Shawl activities will be fun for everyone,” said Jolene Redvale, the museum’s curator of education. “They will also give visitors a new way to look at the wonderful Navajo rugs we have on exhibit, both in terms of technique and design. Did you ever stop to think about why Navajo rugs never have circular elements? After you create your own weaving pattern, you’ll understand why!”
Sheep to Shawl, Spider Woman’s Legacy, and the County Museum’s other exciting events and exhibits reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors. Sheep to Shawl and Spider Woman’s Legacy are supported in part by the San Bernardino County Museum Association.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (children ages 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Outreach to homeless in Victorville
Homeless and low-income individuals and families can access a variety of supportive services and information during the Project Connect outreach event on June 3, hosted by the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership and collaborative partners.
The event will provide free dental and medical screenings, hygiene products, legal services, employment services, housing support services, child care information and services and more. Additional information regarding other county services and resources will also be provided.
“The homeless and those at-risk of becoming homeless often lack transportation and access to mainstream services,” said Office of Homeless Services Manager Tom Hernandez. “This is what makes the Project Connect event, and other events that bring together providers and those seeking services to one location, so vital to these individuals and the community.”
Project Connect will be held on Wednesday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 15512 Sixth Street in Victorville.
Project Connect outreach events are held periodically throughout San Bernardino County to provide a centralized service delivery location where non-profit medical and social service providers can collaborate to best serve those in need.
For additional information on this or subsequent Project Connect outreach events, contact Deanna Luttrell at (909) 386-8225 or 7-1-1 for TTY users.
First 5 San Bernardino seeks applicants for preschool coach
AmeriCorps, a National Service Program dedicated to serving the needs of local communities, partners with First 5 San Bernardino to make a commitment to serve San Bernardino County’s youngest population.
For an AmeriCorps volunteer’s time as a Preschool Coach with First 5 San Bernardino, the volunteer will receive an allowance to offset their living expenses while they are serving their community.
Upon completion of their commitment, an AmeriCorps volunteer is also qualified for an Education Award that can be used to pay for college expenses.
Individuals who possess a minimum of 12 units in human services, health services or early education fields and are interested in expanding their professional opportunities to include working with preschool-aged children, are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be subject to eligibility verification, fingerprinting and background clearance.
If you are interested in making a difference in your community as an AmeriCorps volunteer, ensuring that children are ready to enter and succeed in school, call Mary Alvarez (909) 386-7706 or visit our website at www.first5sanbernardino.org for more information.
Deadline to apply is Friday, June 15, 2015 by 4 p.m. Click here for more information.
County offices closed on Memorial Day
A majority of County offices are closed on Monday, May 25, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.
We wish you and your family and friends a safe holiday.
County offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
Frank Guevara appointed new director of Veterans Affairs
A retired colonel with more than 36 years in the United States Army has been appointed as San Bernardino County’s Veterans Affairs Director.
Frank Guevara, who retired from the Army in May 2013, will begin his new role on June 1, 2015.
“I’m excited to join Veterans Affairs and look forward to serving our veterans and their families,” Guevara said.
Guevara has been an application development manager for San Bernardino County’s Information Services Department since 1989. He has a BS in Computer Information Systems from Cal Poly Pomona and an MBA from the University of La Verne.
“We are pleased that Frank Guevara is San Bernardino County’s incoming Veterans Affairs Director,” said Linda Haugan, San Bernardino County Assistant Executive Officer. “Frank is a veteran with more than three decades of service to our country and we look forward to all that he will do for San Bernardino County’s veterans and their families.”
He is actively involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. During his time in the service, he held various positions of increased responsibility, including Officer in Charge of the Intelligence and Security Command, where he was in charge of 5,400 military and civilian personnel, providing intelligence personnel and equipment to US and NATO forces throughout Afghanistan. He was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia during his service.
County embarks on first-of-its-kind Countywide Plan
San Bernardino County today launched an effort to go further than any county or city has ever gone with a general plan by creating a web-based comprehensive “complete county” plan.
General plans are almost always strictly rule books for guiding development and growth. San Bernardino County’s General Plan, last updated in 2007, will go well beyond a traditional general plan to become a comprehensive Countywide Plan that complements and informs the Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision, by taking into account all services – not just land-use planning – provided by County Government, and the unique values and priorities of each community. It will serve as a guide for all County decision-making, financial planning, and communications.
The web-based format will provide a wealth of easily accessible data on how the County operates, and allow independent research using County data and information. A development toolkit will guide users to resources that will help them develop priorities in their quest for a complete community.
The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a contract with planning consultants PlaceWorks Inc. to assist the County in creating the Countywide Plan over the next four years. PlaceWorks has assembled a team of subcontractors specializing in economic analysis, transportation and environmental planning, data management, and web design. Redlands-based Esri is part of the consultant team.
“This is a historic and pivotal moment for San Bernardino County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos. “Some counties and cities have made their general plans more comprehensive than before, but no one has set out to create anything like the Countywide Plan, which will address and improve all areas of life in all of our great and diverse communities.”
The Countywide Plan will include:
— A County Policy Plan, which will be an update and expansion of the County’s General Plan and community plans for the unincorporated areas. It will be a new approach to County planning with a Regional Services Plan for social services, healthcare services, public safety, and other regional county services within both incorporated and unincorporated areas.
— A County Business Plan, which will contain governance policies and operational metrics that outline the County’s approach to providing municipal and regional services.
— A Regional Issues Forum, which will be an online resource for sharing information and resources related to issues confronting the County as a whole, including the work of the Countywide Vision element groups.
Community and stakeholder workshops are projected to begin by the end of the year, and final products will be subject to a public hearing process.
The Countywide Plan is one of a series of innovations San Bernardino County is creating and implementing to improve services and save money and time for taxpayers.
This month, San Bernardino County became the first Southern California county to use virtual building inspections to save travel costs and wait times. The County is also instituting a new system to identify and reduce welfare fraud.
During the past four years, the county has claimed more than 100 national and state innovation awards for developing or improving services for county residents and investors.
County employees honored for public service
A commitment to the Countywide Vision and improving the quality of life for San Bernardino County residents was celebrated at the Government Center Thursday during the Public Service Recognition Award for Excellence ceremony. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Officer Gregory C. Devereaux recognized 42 County employees during the annual event that recognizes the everyday work of public servants. One employee from each County department was selected for an Award for Excellence, based on outstanding service to the county and its citizens.
“It is our goal to have a vibrant economy and a skilled workforce. Each of these honorees is a reflection of the Countywide Vision in action,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos. “We thank them for their continued commitment to improving the quality of life for those whom we serve.”
The honoree selection was based on specific criteria including customer service, initiative and leadership, accomplishments, and the commitment to the realization of our Countywide Vision. Following the awards presentation, honorees were recognized with a private reception in the government center rotunda, sponsored by the San Bernardino County Human Resources department.
This year marked the 26th year the County has participated in this national Public Service Recognition event. Public employees in the United States and around the world take part in the annual celebration honoring the men and women serving America as federal, state, and local government employees.
The following County employees were recognized as part of Public Service Recognition Week:
Robert Saldana, Administrative Office – Finance and Administration
Willo Couey, Aging and Adult Services
Paul Sharpe, Agriculture/Weights and Measures
Rikki Vahovick, Airports
Louis Tickemyer, Architecture & Engineering
Staci McClane, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Ed Liou, Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
Joanna De La Cruz, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector
Dr. Gurmit Sekhon, M.D., Department of Behavioral Health
Tina Sides, Department of Child Support Services
Sheila Muir, Children and Family Services
Anne Michelle Ellis, Children’s Network
Michelle Moreno, Clerk of the Board
Kathryn Brann, Community Development and Housing
Angela Rodriguez, County Counsel
Flerida Alarcon, District Attorney
Monique Carter, Economic Development
Dyana Peterson, Facilities Management
Shane Glaze, Fire
Scott McGrath, First 5
Gary Schiele, Fleet Management
Elena Zamuner, Human Resources
Mary Chase, Human Services Administration
Anju Kapoor, Information Services
Larita Manalili, Land Use Services
Michael Jimenez, Library
Craig Putnam, Museum
Joe Prologo, Preschool Services Department
Mark Bradley, Probation
Raymond Bell, Public Defender
Jason Phillippe, Department of Public Health
Richard Cho, Public Works
Debra Kirkpatrick, Purchasing
Michele Cohn, Real Estate Services
Wayne Hartel, Regional Parks
Kamelyta Plimley, Registrar of Voters
Brent Williams, Risk Management
Jassmyn Sanchez, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
Tim Millington, Special Districts
Richard Calles, Transitional Assistance Department
Malinda Hernandez, Veterans Affairs
Madeline Tsang, Workforce Development Department
Wanted: Summer youth volunteers at County Museum
The San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands is seeking youth volunteers, ages 14 through 17, to facilitate family activities during the museum’s Summer Adventures program, which begins June 15 and runs through early August.
“This program is run entirely by volunteers,” said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. “Our youth volunteers participate in training, and learn communication, organization and leadership skills during the program.” Youth who volunteer over the summer will be eligible to participate in on-going leadership volunteer corps programs in the fall and throughout the next school year, Redvale said. Summer activities for families include art making, games, participation activities, and a good dose of unplugged family time.
“We rely on our volunteers to make all of our public programs viable,” said Redvale. “They are essential to the museum visitor experience. Summer programs draw thousands of visitors. During the year, our popular Santa’s Pajama Party, family fun days, Train Days and Insect Festival events cannot happen without our dedicated volunteers.”
Program volunteers must plan to attend a mandatory training workshop on May 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are required to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours during the program.
Youth may submit a volunteer application on the museum website, www.sbcountymuseum.org. Applications are due by May 27. When received, staff will send a confirmation by email. Applicants should plan to attend the training even regardless of receipt of confirmation. For more information, contact sbcmreservations@sbcm.sbcountymuseum.gov or 909-798-8608.
Summer Adventures and the County Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors. Summer Adventures are supported in part by a contribution from Johnnie Ann Ralph.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Fiscal overview shows progress, but tough times ahead
The economic recovery will allow the County to start restoring some levels of service that were reduced during the recession. However, the County is still looking at many more years of tight budgeting in response to projected shortfalls.
The Board of Supervisors today received the County’s annual fiscal overview, which projects $4.7 billion in revenue to address $4.7 billion in expenses for the fiscal year that begins July 1, including modest increases to community and fiscal oversight services that were cut to the bone during the recent economic downturn. It also includes prudent investment in basic County operating systems and infrastructure.
“The fiscal overview presented today shows that the County is continuing to focus on fiscal responsibility while slowly restoring service levels to where they were before the recession,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos.
Projections show a modest $10.8 million budget surplus for the fiscal year that begins July 1. However, those same projections show a shortfall of $17.7 million to $40.8 million by 2020 when the cost of possible employee pay and benefit increases are factored in.
“We have been able to provide more to our hard-working County employees, who make public service possible, in areas where recruitment and retention have become challenges,” Chairman Ramos said. “But we must be extremely cautious going forward. Putting the County on stable fiscal footing, and restoring and maintaining vital public service levels, have to remain the County’s top priority.”
Rather than using funding and going into debt to pay for flashy new projects, the County is concentrating on restoring funding that was previously cut and investing in infrastructure to avoid higher costs later. This includes repairing roads, replacing antiquated emergency communications and fiscal systems, making the best use of existing space instead of building or leasing new space, and gradually restoring drastic cuts made to parks, museums, elections, and the Auditor-Controller.
Rebuilding the Auditor-Controller function will help the County keep even greater control of spending and collecting.
The County is also focusing on innovations that save money and time for taxpayers. San Bernardino County is the first Southern California county to use virtual building inspections to save travel costs and wait times. The County is also instituting a new system to identify and reduce welfare fraud.
During the past four years, the County has claimed more than 100 national and state innovation awards for developing or improving services for county residents and investors.
Hundreds of pets waiting for you at adoption event
Hundreds of pets in need of loving homes will be available for adoption during the Homeward Bound Mega Pet Adoption Event on May 16 and 17 at Yucaipa Regional Park.
Animal rescue groups from throughout the county will have dogs and cats of all ages, sizes and breeds available for adoption at the two day event.
San Bernardino County’s Animal Care and Control (ACC), the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley (HSSBV) and Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS) will be hosting the event, now in its fourth year.
Parking will be at the Rick McCown Soccer Complex, which is directly adjacent to the area within Yucaipa Regional Park. The Soccer Complex has a distinct separate entrance from the park. Admission is free to the public. Gates will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hundreds of adoptable pets will be available to adopt. Low-cost vaccinations and micro chipping will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, please call the San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control Program at 1-800-472-5609 or visit www.sbcounty.gov/acc.
