2008 AUTISM AWARENESS CONFERENCE

On February 29, 2008, the Kern Autism Network will hold its twelfth annual Autism Awareness Conference at the Holiday Inn Select in Bakersfield. Featured speakers are Dr. Robert Koegel and Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel of the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Dr. Robert Koegel is an international authority in autism, specializing in language intervention, family support, and school integration. He is the Director of the UCSB Koegel Autism Center, a Professor of Clinical Psychology, and a Professor of Special Education. Models of his procedures have been used in public schools and in parent education programs throughout the United States and other countries.

Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel, Clinical Director of Autism Services in the UCSB Koegel Autism Center, has developed programs to improve communication in children with autism, including the development of first words, development of grammatical structures, and pragmatics. She has published procedures and field manuals in self-management and functional analysis that are used in school districts throughout the United States, as well as translated in most major languages used throughout the world.

The Koegels have published books and articles in the area of communication and language development. They co-authored the groundbreaking new book Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: Communication, Social, and Academic Development.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 150 children is affected by autism. Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).

The conference begins at 7 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. Vendors with materials geared toward special needs will be available during the day. For more information, contact Ramona Puget at 661 588-4235 or 342-6566, or Carl Twisselman at 661 762-7528 or 747-4379.

The Kern Autism Network provides support, awareness, information and education to families, professionals and the public throughout Kern County. They work towards cooperation, coordination and the creation of services between all individuals and agencies working with people with autism. Their website is www.kernautism.org.

AKA at Amigos Cantina 9 1 07

I must say right off, this band is very pro, They know what it is they're doing. From the moment I first saw them I knew they have been around, And the musicianship was apparent, and they shined, like a Diamond in a dark cave. All the songs were great, in tune, no mistakes, and they had a great banter with the people watching, Yes they are good and if ever get a chance to see them do it, just for me.

Being together now for 5 years, we have Sharon Gleason on everything, guitar, lead voice, keys, she even dances with people as she plays and sings, then there's Jim Robinson, a very talented pro player on guitar and lead voice, they're all pro, Dan Topping on lead guitar and he cooks, Roger Holnacki on drums and he sings as well and even finds the time to run the mixer, and Mark Bazzini on bass, One of the best bass players I think I've seen for a long time, They gell like grape jelly. They shouldn't be missed.

They showed great professionalism,, With simply great bass playing, Great singing, with great harmonies, most bands, if you get one guy singing it's a good thing but these guys have the vocal part done very well.They also have a great stage show with jokes and they even talk to the audience, I liked that, In fact I looked down at my drink and when I looked up, the lead guitarist was in front of me riffing to me, it was really good. , A great set of songs, a great Rhym section and leads, make this band one of the best in recent memory for me and I really enjoyed them.

The songs I really dug were, Gold Dust Woman , Sledge Hammer, Evil Ways cooked, Don't Speak, Stelly Dan's, Peg was great, Use Me Up, was also excellent. this band gets kudos from me. if you can, try to see them, if you like nice music and a good party band. The beer was good too. Angie was there serving up drinks and she had her hands full, make sure to tip her cuz she does a great job!

Well, see you next week

Vincent

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1197163

www.myspace.com/vincentleedsmusic

Of Catastrophic Proportion

I have reoccurring nightmares of becoming an old “cat woman.” There is nothing I can do about the old part… that’s in God’s hands, but you can help with the cat part. You know who you are. You pick up a precious little bundle of kitten fluff and coo over how cute it is and what a wonderful pet it will make. You buy all the right food and toys and for a while everything is wonderful.

Then the dreadful happens; you kitten grows up. For some reason, the very things you thought were so cute are now an annoyance and one day you decide you’ve had enough. But instead of doing the humane thing and trying to find a new home for your pet, you just put it out to fend for itself. Your little sweetheart wanders neighborhoods, dodging cars and dogs, pawing through horrible places for a scrap of something to eat. If it’s lucky, it will find someone who will take it in, someone who will love the now, somewhat thinner and less attractive animal.

That someone might just be me. Oh, we already have enough cats of our own, some by choice, others by chance. They come to our apartment, led by their little noses to the food that we keep on the back porch for our own babies. They find shelter from the elements under the cover of the large table umbrella and eventually, companionship in their new cat family.

Our most recent addition was purposely deserted when its family moved away, taking one cat, but leaving the other. Funny how the one they took was the male; the less troublesome of the two, because of course, the female is now pregnant.

Therein begins the building of the second story of my soapbox. If you make the decision to take home a little darling, do the responsible thing and have it spayed or neutered. Very few cats are money-makers, yet they are allowed to breed, unchecked, thus causing the circle to swing around, time after time. When the next homeless cat pokes its nose under my gate looking for sustenance, I will at first try and shoo it out, just in case it has only temporarily lost its way. When it becomes evident, though, that he or she has nowhere else to go, I will take it in, feed it, love it and, yes, spay or neuter it. Our latest count is six… three of ours and three of yours.

***

The above story was published in the SW Voice in June of this year.

Update... This precious, young Momma cat, knowing no better, had three beautiful kittens in the litter box on our porch. Thank Heaven the weather was cooler then. These darlings are now eight weeks old, weaned, box trained and in need of good homes. I am awaiting a voucher from the Cat People to have the Momma spayed. She is also in need of a home.

Taft may follow Shafter in expanding Jessica's Law

Taft may soon use Jessica’s Law to help keep sex offenders from migrating from urban areas to more rural settings.

Proposition 83 or Jessica’s Law, passed by California voters last year, is a law that puts stiffer penalties on sex offenders in an effort to reduce their ability to re-offend.

Jessica’s Law states, among other things, that sex registrants are not allowed to live within 2000 feet of a school. Critics, including state assemblyman Mark Leno (D – San Francisco) said this could push sex offenders from urban to rural areas.

But Jessica’s Law also enables local governments to make more restrictive laws if they choose, and the City of Shafter recently took advantage of this by passing an expansion of Jessica’s Law that says sex offender registrants cannot only live within 2000 feet of a school, but they also cannot live within 2000 feet of areas where children congregate, such as parks and playgrounds. It also says sex offender registrants can’t loiter within 300 feet of schools or other areas children congregate.

Taft will also look at passing the Shafter resolution, according to Councilman Cliff Thompson, at the next meeting of the City Council.

"I think it’s important to keep potential predators from seeing Taft’s quiet settings as an attractive place to nest," said Thompson. "I intend to fully support this resolution."

Shafter is one of the first rural areas to pass a resolution that expands Jessica’s Law.

"We are happy to see other cities following our lead," says Shafter City Manager John Quinn, "and we encourage more cities to consider this as Taft has."

West vs. BHS 8/24/07

Foothill vs. Arvin 8/31/07

BC vs. Reedley 9/1/07

Highland vs. Paso Robles 8/31/07

North vs. Fresno-Edison 8/31/07

Ridgeview vs. Taft 8/31/07

Frontier vs. Visalia-El Diamante 8/31/07

East vs. Stockdale 8/31/07

Peace, Love and Poison?

We all live upon the planet Earth. We all live underneath the same sun, witness the beauty of the same moon, and gaze upon the very same stars that soar through the brilliant night skies. We breathe the same air, dream, and embrace as though there's no tomorrow. We bear the right to sing, the right to smile, and the right to carry out our dreams to the fullest. We possess a remarkable gift called 'freedom': a treasure that was bestowed upon us by our Holy Father. We walk upon the planet our Father gave us, blissfully aware of the treasures we have been given. Our children, families, friends and lovers enjoy life with us as the days pass, sharing the unbridled right to freedom with us. But how would you feel if those rights were taken away from you? How would you feel if you could no longer breathe, wish or hope for the sun to rise? Would you be happy living inside of a cage?

Let me ask you another question. Did you know that there are cockroaches with two legs? That's right-two legs. They're the ones locked inside of cages, but do you know what they look like? You might be surprised to find out that they look JUST LIKE US. That's right, ladies and gentlemen! They look just like humans, with all of the necessary equipment for human life! Despite this, most of them spend their time trying to avoid cans of Raid. Sure, some of them are able to fight against the enormous waves of opposition, but a few roaches can only do so much against the larger forces.

So whether they're on the streets or in their homes, they're inside of cages. Constantly under attack by the forces of scorn. As you might have guessed, these roaches aren't any ordinary roaches. They're the weakest kind, forced to submit to large cans of poison. What kind of roaches are these, you're wondering? Well, they're what many Christians would call 'sinners'. They're members of the homosexual community, incessantly condemned by those that stick to their faith. Regardless of whether homosexuals believe in the Lord or not, they're incessantly under attack by those that act as though they possess immunity to all wickedness. They feel as though their faith gives them the right to oppress others, sending them to the deepest bowels of torment without a second thought.

The Holy Father has promised us eternal love. He is Love itself. He blessed us with love even before we came to be on this planet of ours. He blesses us with warmth, peace and happiness, letting us know that we have an invaluable friend, Father and hero. Unfortunately, throughout the course of time, thousands of people have used His name to justify violence and oppression. Women were oppressed during the earliest stages of America, prevented from voting and almost every other right known to man. Slavery was able to survive for many years on the behalf of those that used God's name to justify the captivity of the African Americans. Even today women and people of certain races are falling under fire, all in 'God's name'.

There have been an explosion of events concerning a certain community. The topic of marriage within that community, coupled with rights in general, have been discussed by thousands-many of which oppose every single one of those operations. Religion is constantly used as a weapon to prove points, basically condemning the homosexual community to an eternity of darkness through 'God's name'. I find it excruciatingly difficult to believe that our Holy Father wants His children to harm anyone, let alone kill-regardless of what they are. We are not perfect ourselves, and for one to say that they possess 'perfection' would be foolish. We, as humans, have committed many wrongs ourselves. Are those wrongs enough to prevent us from entering God's arms? As long as we carry pure hearts, isn't our love-our faith-in the Holy Father enough? And can we possibly believe that our Father would happily justify violence against the homosexual community-or any community in general?

Many of you might know of a politician that is under fire today. He was caught in the middle of an intricate web, wrapped up in sexual innuendo with an undercover cop. One would think that the mere thought of sexual games would be disgusting, but I fail to believe that's the piece of the large scheme. The media is hardly concerned with the fact that he toyed around. They're only upset because he could quite possibly be gay, due to the fact that he toyed around with another man-not woman. If it had been a woman, the media most likely would have either brushed off the topic or found it comical. He hasn't been the first homosexual politician to fall under the fire of homophobia, though, and he won't be the last. And because of his latest peril, opposition against the homosexual community is probably growing. As soon as someone steps out of line, an entire world of abnormal people is automatically condemned to punishment. I'll bet every dime in my wallet that people all over our nation-including Christians-are either laughing or stick their tongues out in disgrace, claiming that the entire homosexual community is capable of nothing but misfortune and agony.

Don't mistake my intentions. I am not in support of a particular politician's games. I refuse to support anyone that dampens a relationship with a loved one, hetereosexual or homosexual. I just can't cope with the fact that he's being targeted because of his possible orientation. If someone plays around with a member of the opposite gender, then its either a humorous situation or a common, run-of-the-mill, 'oh, everyone does it' event. So we all might live on the same Earth, but we're actually separated into two worlds.

I'm not saying that everyone should embrace the culture and lifestyle of gays. I'm not saying that people should be supported all because they kiss another member of the same sex, just for meaningless sex games. I'm not asking for people to become comfortable with the real roaches that take over our homes. All I wish for is the unity of the human race, so we can all be enabled with the enjoyment of God's planet. All I ask for is peace, love and tranquility-things that should be enjoyed by all humans, not those that feel superior because of their faith in the Lord. The Lord's name should not be used to justify evil against any living being, regardless of who they are, what they are, and their lives.

I find it extraordinarily difficult to believe that the all-loving, benevolent, wise Father would condone the death, violence and oppression of His children.

Is there something I'm missing?

Congressman McCarthy tours Westside, authors letter in support of Hwy 119 safety grant

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R – 22^nd District) toured Taft and Kern County’s Westside Wednesday, August 29, making stops at the Taft Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting, Taft Union High School, and the Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

This was one of the last local stops for McCarthy before he returns to Washington next week, following congress’ month-long August break.

McCarthy said he wanted to make the stop in Taft, “To continue to stay in contact with this part of the district … also because high school just started and I wanted to get some feedback form the students here in Taft.”

During McCarthy’s speech to the Taft High students he said he remembered being envious of Taft’s sense of community spirit as a student/athlete at East Bakersfield High. “There wasn’t a sense of East Bakersfield community pride, it was just Bakersfield community pride, and out here in Taft there’s really a sense of community pride in this specific little area,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy offered some comic relief in his keynote speech at the Taft Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting, where he approached much of the current political situation in Washington with levity, saying “I was sworn in in January when the opinion polls said thirty-five percent of Americans approved of what congress was doing. Today they say fourteen percent so I must be doing a real great job … It’s been a wonderful month because congress has been shut down all month.”

McCarthy said he doesn’t anticipate much happening in congress upon his return because “It’s all about politics … Washington just needs some adult supervision and it will go a lot further.”

According to McCarthy, other than the Iraq war the major issue in Washington right now is spending. “We had more revenue come in to the treasury than ever before, yet we continue to have a deficit because of appropriation bills,” he said.

McCarthy said a nine percent growth in government has also contributed to the budget deficit, “If we control the growth of government and the revenues continue to go up, we would be out of the deficit.”

McCarthy said he is one of only 14 other congressmen to display his earmark requests on his website. “Others are less transparent, going into hiding with their earmarks,” he said.

While at the Elk Hills Oil Field, McCarthy met with over 120 employees, fielding questions in a townhall format. In addition to questions concerning Iraq, energy, and water, McCarthy also fielded questions on transportation in California, something of particular concern to Elk Hills employees who must use the deadly highway 119 to commute to work.

On Monday, Congressman McCarthy authored a letter to California Highway Patrol (CHP) Central Division representatives Scott Howland and Scott MacGregor, urging them to support a Traffic Safety Grant to establish a CHP Safety Corridor on Highway 119 between Interstate 5 and the City of Taft.

The Grant--which would provide for increased signage, 500-1000 hours of increased CHP presence along the highway and a 24-hour headlight enforcement standard--was applied for by the CHP Buttonwillow office earlier this summer.

According to McCarthy “State Highway 119 is a two-lane road that is the main artery between the City of Taft and the City of Bakersfield … It is reasonable to expect that accidents will increase on the highway as more individuals commute to and from Bakersfield and Taft for work.”

Seven people have died on Highway 119 in 2007, compared to an average of two deaths per year on the road since 2004.

McCarthy said he planned to spend the rest of the day with his wife, to celebrate their fifteenth wedding anniversary which was also Wednesday. He will return to Washington next week.

CONSTITUTION WEEK - SEPTEMBER 17 - 23

Monday, Sept. 17, begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The week-long commemoration of America's most important document is one of our country's least known official observances. Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom and to ensure those unalienable rights to every American.

Celebrating the Constitution has been a time-honored tradition for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside September 17 - 23 annually, changing the previously established Citizenship Day on September 17th into a week-long observance. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it of posterity; (2) inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America's great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and (3) encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.

One of the purposes of the Daughters of the American Revolution is to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence by the promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries.

Everyone is invited to participate in Bells Across America which commences the week-long commemoration on Monday, September 17. Bells are rung for one minute beginning locally at 1 p.m. to coincide with the 4 p.m. bell ringing in Philadelphia where the Constitution was written and first read to the public on September 17,1787. That new outline for the government of the United States was heralded with the ringing of bells throughout the city 220 years ago.

Tomo Kahni Chapter of DAR in Tehachapi is commemorating Constitution Week in several ways. The Chapter will soon be delivering packets to 8th grade teachers in the Tehachapi area. The packets will consist of Posters of the Constitution in its entirety, bookmarks highlighting the Preamble to the Constitution and other related leaflets The Chapter will also be distributing American flags, Pledge of Allegiance Posters and bookmarks to kindergarten classrooms in Tehachapi. Ed Grimes, Mayor of the City of Tehachapi has issued a Proclamation regarding the observance of Constitution Week.

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