San Bernardinos Cultural Center Cultural Events Revived

Renovations are beginning at a historic San Bernardino building where various cultural experiences will be provided and volunteers are needed in these efforts. Renovations to the building at 1130 North E Street in San Bernardino will include the replacement of the electrical system which had been completely vandalized in the last few years. The work is being carried out by the San Bernardino Valley Concert Association, which has leased the historic building for a an annual $1 lease from the San Bernardino City water department, authorized in December 2014. Once revived, the Cultural Center will help the Association continue providing various cultural experiences to San Bernardino and surrounding communities in the Inland Empire, officials said. Ernie Garcia of the SBVCA said, "Our thanks go to the water department general manager Stacey R. Alstadt, chair of the board Toni Callicott and to the members of the board for recognizing an option of demolition of the building." Founded over 80 years ago, the SBVCA became a cultural partner of the San Bernardino Symphony and the two groups worked to bring concerts and other musical performances to the city for several years. Later, the Civic Light Opera and the Inland Dance Company also joined to bring various cultural events to the area. Early members of the SBVCA included noted conductor and Sun Telegram publisher James K. Guthrie and singer and voice teacher Gwendolyn Roberts, who also conducted local auditions for the Metropolitan Opera. The organization also partnered with the National Community Concert Association to provide organizational and programming assistance. Garcia said, "During those years, the programming was extraordinary and included concert and dance groups from major U. S. cities and Europe. Frank Plash was the leader of the program committee for many years during the partnership with National Community Concerts. Many people have contributed to the success of SBVCA over its 80 years of providing cultural performances. Lynda Kuehn began attending performances as a teenager and years later, she and her husband, Klaus, were active when she served as president. Hugh and Linda Daniels, Millie McKim, Bill Lemann, Toni Collins and many others have been instrumental in keeping SBVCA alive in this community." The Association's board of directors was downsized to five members in 2006, with a decision to spend remaining funds on concerts for children. When longtime member Frank Plash passed away, his estate included a contribution to the SBVCA and one last concert season was dedicated to Plash's work. In 2010, the board of directors adopted new objectives: to sponsor, promote and sustain the arts. Since 2011, 20 groups have been invited to perform at the Sturges Center for the Fine Arts, with costs paid by the SBVCA and funding was kept by the groups to sustain their organizations. "Now, in a new day, the Association, through its longterm lease of the historic building at 1130 North E Street, will renovate the facility to serve again as a cultural center for the people of San Bernardino," Garcia said. Volunteers interested in contributing to the renovation may send inquiries to the SBVCA at P.O. Box 377, San Bernardino, CA 92402.