A Tough Day

It was a tough day. It started with me losing my patience with our pool contractor. A pipe had broken, the pool was losing its recently filled water, he let us know that completion was going take two extra weeks on top of the eight we had contracted for, and I was just plum tired of being nice about it all. I told my husband that he needed to deal with them, while I retreated to my computer to respond to some e-mails.

That’s when I noticed that the computer wouldn’t even turn on. After attempting to fix it myself, I reluctantly found myself standing in the repair line at Best Buy for thirty-five minutes with my toddler, Ethan, and my oversized computer tower. When I finally found myself talking to a member of the Geek Squad, (their term, not mine, and he definitely looked the part with his pasty white skin, half-inch thick round-rimmed glasses, his 110 lb., 6’4” tall frame, and a perfectly but unfortunately placed white-head smack in between his eyebrows), I started to cheer up because he was definitely excited about providing me with excellent customer service.

He opened up the side of the tower and Ethan quickly said, “The fan doesn’t work, the fan doesn’t work, the fan doesn’t work.” He was right, the fan didn’t work. He repeated his observation a few more times and I followed by telling the technician Ethan kept repeating this because he had overheard me say it earlier when I was trying to diagnose the problem myself. But, as I finished my explanation, Ethan put up his little right index finger in the manner of a thought occurring to him and said, “Oh, but really, Mommy said ‘you fricking computer’ and started to punch it a lot. And then she said the fan doesn’t work when I asked her why she was punching the computer.”

I raised my eyes to the ceiling as I could hear the technician and other strangers around me chuckle at my son’s candidness and offered myself a mental note: even at three, he hears, sees and understands ALL! Unwilling to spend five hundred dollars on a five year old computer, I took my broken computer tower back home. I walked in the door and saw a note left by my husband: I haven’t collected the sample yet. You’ll have to do it.

What sample you ask? A stool sample from Ethan. He had been having stomach problems over the last week and the doctor ordered a stool sample. I had picked up the kit from the lab the previous day and was praying that Ethan’s crowning moment of the day would occur on Daddy’s watch, not mine. But alas, today was my tough day. In anticipation of this eventual moment, I tried to pontificate, how does one collect a stool sample? I mean, there have been times in my past where my own doctors have requested a stool sample from me; specifically, the time I came back from Mexico still feeling ill after I ate an uncharacteristically warm mango-on-a-stick from a beach vendor when I was twenty. I recall that despite the doctor’s orders, the sheer thought of fishing in the toilet for a sample made me want to take my chances of getting better without knowing exactly why I was sick to begin with.

But, as all parents already know, what we won’t do for ourselves, we will do for our children. So, back to the sample. It was nearing two o’clock and I had finally come up with my best idea on how to receive Ethan’s not so tiny turds; a paper plate held in the bowl by yours truly while Ethan did his business. At exactly 4:07 p.m., Ethan ran up to me and said he had to go to the bathroom. As I positioned the plate in the toilet and told Ethan to sit down and go, he said, “I don’t want to poop on a plate! We eat on plates! I’m not hungry!”

“Do it!” I commanded. “This is not for food, it’s for the doctor.” He was a trooper and lay what he called “a snake” on the plate and I quickly ushered him out of the bathroom and locked the door behind him. I didn’t want him to witness Mommy playing with a plate of poopie and giving him a whole new set of ideas of what can be done with his feces. I began to divide Ethan’s sample between the three different containers given to me by the lab.

Each container was sealed with a lid that had a miniature spork attached to the bottom of the lid. That’s right, a spork. And it was when I was staring at that little poop smeared spork, that I figured my day couldn’t get any worse. To know that the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that a spork was the perfect instrument for school lunches and stool samples alike, and that I, myself, was seeing the rational behind providing sporks for this very purpose, I realized that I was engulfed in a world that I didn’t want to know anything about and had finally given up on my day getting any better.

But, God’s grace can sometimes be found in His humor. As I was driving down to the lab to drop off the sample, I miraculously began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yeah, my day had gotten the best of me but the thought of the lab staff that had to handle the sample after I dropped it off made me smile. As an attorney by trade I definitely have to peddle a lot of crap during the day but, at least, I don’t actually have to sift through it for a living. And with that realization, I could end my day on a higher note. I had passed the poop forward.

Highway joining Bakersfield and Santa Maria to see long-awaited widening, resurfacing

Cuyama Valley residents and people traveling from Kern County to the coast cities will see major improvements on highway 166 starting late summer or early fall, according to a Cal-Trans spokesperson. The construction will take place along a 15-mile stretch of "the Maricopa highway," starting just east of Cottonwood Canyon Road and extending past the Cuyama River Bridge.

The improvements, which include widened lanes and shoulders, a resurfacing of the road, and several new passing lanes are something Cuyama Valley residents have awaited for nearly a decade.

The dangerous stretch of 166 first caught the attention of Cal-Trans and residents of Kern, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties in 1998 when California Highway Patrol officers Rick Stovall and Britt Irvine were tragically killed after being swept away in their patrol car by the Cuyama River, which had taken out a section of the roadway during a rainstorm. In 1999 Cal-Trans made the highway part of their safety corridor program, a program that assigns task forces to make recommendations on ways to improve safety along high-collision roadways. The task force immediately targeted the stretch of road for rehab due to the high degree of deterioration that had taken place on the asphalt surface.

Since then more than 30 people have died in traffic accidents on 166, and the Cuyama Joint Unified School District has fought vigorously to see turning lanes constructed in the areas where motorists waiting to make left turns often send unsuspecting drivers to a screeching halt. According to New Cuyama Valley High School Principal Mike Funkhouser the turning lanes are a necessity for school busses not only at the high school but at Cuyama Valley Elementary School as well.

“These turning lanes are something we’ve wanted to see for years,” said Funkhouser, who is also a former Cuyama Joint Unified School District board member. “I’m thrilled to hear they’re finally going to become a reality.”

Cuyama resident Lee Smith takes the 166 highway to and from his business in Taft during the week, and is also applauding the advent of the turning lanes.

“I’ve been stuck behind those school buses on the way home from work and it’s a nightmare,” said Smith. “Your only choice is to either come to a dead stop on the highway or hit the dirt.”

While Cal-Trans has not yet selected a contractor for the job, project manager Amy Donatello says the $22.5 million for the project has been allocated and will be paid for by the State Highway Operational Program (SHOPP), a state-funded program that pays for much of the roadwork along state highways throughout California.

Contractors are expected to begin bidding on the job some time in the next few weeks, with construction to start sometime in late September or early October, after the summer driving season has passed.

According to a statement from Donatello, "The project consists of an asphalt concrete pavement overlay and the installation of two new left turn lanes--one at New Cuyama Valley High School and one at Cuyama Elementary School--and a two way left turn lane through New Cuyama from Perkins Road to the Hubbard Avenue intersections. The existing shoulders and lanes will be widened to four feet and 12 feet, respectively, and the Branch Canyon and Salisbury Canyon Bridges will be widened to accommodate the wider lanes and shoulder. The project also includes drainage and cluvert improvements associated with the sholder widening and turn lane installations."

Donatello says the project will take a minimum of 11 months to complete, however bad weather during the winter months could prolong the job to over a year.

“I don’t care how long it takes,” said Lee Smith. “It will be well worth the wait.”

Congratulations Lauren

One of the great joys of parenting is staying up late with your child. Sewing up that costume she just has to have for school tomorrow. Helping with another algebra lesson. Or watching a scary movie together. Tonight it's a little different. She is off to her senior prom. She looked beautiful. And I'm sure she'll have a great time. But it's still tough to let go.

Eighteen years ago, God answered our prayers and our little "miracle baby" was born. She grew up running and kicking, laughing and dancing, jumping and reaching. Some-time honor student, part-time angel, full-time goofball, Lauren has been a constant source of amazement to her mother and me. She could talk her mom into rebounding while she worked on her jumpshot. She could con me into a game of Candyland (and beat me every time). But time flies.

Laurent grew up tall and strong with her older brothers Larry, Eric and Joe to lead the way. She started as a Bobcat, then a Bulldog, then a Warrior. Now she takes that first giant step toward adulthood. She'll be attending Cal State Bakersfield and playing volleyball for the Runners. If you see her on the court or meet her on the campus, get to know her and get to know a young woman who is sweet, kind, bright and beautiful. We did, and we love her more than she'll ever know.

David and Barbara Shacklock
Tehachapi, CA

My best shot

This photo was taken near Cottage Grove, Wisconsin on June 3, 2007.

BAKERSFIELD GROUP VISITS BUCHEON, SOUTH KOREA

A Bakersfield group of twenty-one people, led by Mayor Harvey Hall, recently made a visit to Bakersfield’s sister city of Bucheon, Korea. Mayor Hall was responding to an invitation from Bucheon’s mayor Gun Pyo Hong.

Members of the Bakersfield delegation were able to develop friendships with the Bucheon mayor, vice mayor, city councilmen and many other Bucheon citizens. Topics discussed were programs for exchanges for students and teachers, home visitations in the sister city, intensive language training and a culture exchange program possibly involving children’s art work and also performances.

Bakersfield Sister City Project Board Member Frank Tripicchio spearheaded the plans for the visit. Cal State Bakersfield employees Dr. Unjah Park, Dr. Stanley E. Clark, Karen Hurley, Gary Hurley and Cathy Bloxham were active participants working on programs for student visits and intensive language training. Ken Mettler, Bernard Barmann, Beatrice Barmann and Tom Lewis also added to the diversity of the group.

Other Korean-Americans from Bakersfield taking part in the visit were Jae Myong Shin, Kim Young Don, Young Park, John King and Simon Bay.

The delegation was formed by Tripicchio, representing the Bakersfield Sister City Project Corp. working with Sunglim (Steven) Koo, representing the Bucheon Sister City Office. Their goal is to establish guidelines for future exchanges of teachers, students, members of performing arts, such as artists, traditional singers and dancers, visits by organized sports teams, etc. Sunglim Koo was instrumental in the success of the mission.

During the stay in Bucheon the Bakersfield delegation was treated to a number of memorable, native Korean lunches and dinners at private homes and at restaurants.
Bus transportation was provided by the City of Bucheon for group visits to the Robot Museum, an evening concert by the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, and a visit to Sangdong Park, where a section of the park is being designated as City of Bakersfield Park.

Other visits included a visit to Sang Il Elementary School, Aiinsworld theme park with 109 replicas of famous structures from twenty-five different countries, Icheon City World Ceramic Biennale, K-13 Airbase at Suwon and Kyeongbok Palace in Seoul.

The K-13 Airbase in Suwon houses the ROK Air Force 10^th Fighter Wing under the leadership of Brig. General Lee Kwang Je. The base also has a small group of American Air Force personnel and about 500 U.S. Army personnel maintaining and manning patriot missiles on the base. The base is kept in readiness by the U.S. and The Republic of Korea for the defense of Korea and is capable of being fully activated in a short time.

Sister City leaders Frank Tripicchio and Bucheon representative Sunglim (Steven) Koo were both pleased with the visit in Bucheon and with the plans made to continue to draw both cities closer together with future cultural and educational exchanges. In October there will be a visit to Bakersfield of about thirty Korean traditional musicians and dancers. They will entertain the residents of Bakersfield, performing on two separate occasions. Bakersfield will host the Korean group during their four-day visit.

To support the October event the Bakersfield-Bucheon Sister City subcommittee is planning a fundraising event on Saturday, June 23^rd.

An exchange trip in July of about fifteen teenagers (13-16 years old) from Bakersfield is being planned. The teenagers will be hosted by families in Bucheon.

Little People Road Trip

This Father’s Day was a great one for Henry Gonzales, owner of Service First Collision Center.

Not only were his two sons, Cisco and Ricky, home visiting him and his wife Alma, but he also had company from Hillsboro, Ore.

Five members of the Roloff family, stars of the TLC show “Little People, Big World,” rolled through Bakersfield for a visit.

The Roloffs were on their way home from a road trip to San Diego, when they decided to stop off — film crew and all — to visit the auto shop and check in on their Volkswagen Bug that Henry is restoring for them.

How is it that this TV family’s Bug ended up in a Bakersfield auto shop?

That’s where we come in.

Henry’s family and my family are big fans of the show. We were watching the show in March and, in the episode, Jeremy and his father Matt decided to make a project out of repairing the VW Bug (nicknamed Old Yeller). So they towed it up to the barn.

On the way there, Zach said to his father that it was a ridiculous idea, it was impossible to repair the car, and it would be just another project started and not finished.

So we sent an e-mail to Matt Roloff stating that not only was the car repairable, but we would like to be the ones to repair it.

Henry has always said we live in a throw-away society. We throw away cans, bottles, pets, and even people sometimes. Henry said he would like to have a chance to show Zach what could be done.

It wasn’t long before we got a call from Matt Roloff. He offered to fly us up to Oregon and rent a truck for us to tow the car back to Bakersfield.

My brother-in-law, my wife and I picked up the car at the Roloff family’s farm in Oregon on March 11. While we were there, they gave us a tour of the 34-acre farm on the “mule” — their all-terrain vehicle. There were cameramen everywhere, following this family around.

Now, at Henry’s shop, we are in the middle of the repair on the VW Bug. Sunday, we got a surprise call that the Roloffs would be here around 5 or 6 p.m. to see how “Old Yeller” was doing. Five members of the family stopped by: Matt and his wife Amy, and their children Zach, Molly and Jacob. Their son Jeremy was with soccer buddies in San Francisco.

Matt and Henry hit it off. We learned that the Bug has been in the family for 40 years. Matt’s dad bought it in 1967 with only 500 miles on it. The car became Matt’s when he was old enough to drive. As a little person, Matt required pedal extensions on the car, which are still there. (Matt’s dad is of average size.) Once the car is restored, the whole family will share the car. Though, at almost 17, twins Zach and Jeremy will be the first of the children to drive it.

The Roloffs visited for about two hours and promised to return again. From what I understand, the first episode featuring the Bug will air on TLC at 8 p.m. on July 18. You can check out more pictures at our Web site, www.service1cc.com.

Tom Thomson is the fleet service manager at Service First Collision Center.

Discover the Life, Struggle, Hope, and Restoration of Rwanda

-“Why Africa? Why not Europe?” was what everyone asks me I tell them I went to Rwanda.

Why Africa?

When I was 14 years old I heard a man talk about ministries in Asia, and I thought it was a good calling for him but not for me. The next couple months the idea of going to Africa as a missionary implanted itself in my mind and would not leave. I asked God everyday if that was seriously what He wanted. I thought He was crazy! Why would I go to Africa? It is dirty, poor, and not to mention far away; I did not want to leave my family. Going to Africa was completely absurd and made no sense to me. I argued with God for a couple of years, but toward the end of high school my calling was confirmed. I was excited about Africa and researched the different countries on the continent. However, I always thought I would go when I was much older.

Events that shaped and prepared me for Rwanda

God provided a way for me to attend California Baptist University (CBU). I could not afford it, and I was afraid to go alone. I prayed everyday of my senior year of high school, and God blessed me more than I could ever imagine: He paid for my first year of college with scholarships and grants and permitted me to go with a friend. I was introduced to a program called ISP (International Service Projects) during the freshman orientation, and I was told a group goes to Rwanda, Africa and I knew this was the reason I was at CBU. I decided to fill out an application, and the professor I asked to write a recommendation for me was one of the professors going to Rwanda. She said she would request me to be on her team; this confirmed Rwanda as my calling. In December I found out I was going to Rwanda with the professor I asked to write me a recommendation.

I started to get to know my team and the more we talked, the more similarities we saw in our backgrounds. Whenever I had a problem I always called one of my team members, and they knew exactly what I was going through, and they always had time to give me a hug and give me an encouraging word. Everything that happened confirmed that I was supposed to go on this trip.

The closer I got to leaving, the more nervous my family and I became. We all learned how to trust God; I have never had so much faith in God as in the days before my trip. Even though Rwanda is a third world country, and is not the place most Americans want to visit, I still had the support of all my friends and family. I constantly reminded them how much I appreciated them and how grateful for them I was. I knew I was suppose to go, but it was difficult for me to get my mind around the idea of going to a HIV/AIDS and Malaria infested area with severe poverty where a genocide occurred 13 years ago; but in my mind the good things out-weighed the bad. My mom, dad, and grandpa were three people who had the hardest time letting me go, but they knew God had a bigger and better plan than anyone of us could dream up. I had to explain to my closest friends and family that I may not be safe, but I am always protected because I committed my life to God, and He only does what is best. I talked to my mom before I left for college and told her I love her, but the ultimate authority of my life is God, and what He says goes. I love and respect her, and she knew that, but she also realized that neither of us was in control, but God was.

Experience in the Country

When we got to the hotel in Butare, Rwanda I wondered what the heck I was doing in Africa. Did I seriously think I can save the world? Was I really here? How was I supposed to be a teacher to people who were five years older than I? My professor from CBU and I took a walk around the hotel compound, and I told her I could not teach. I told her I was scared out of my mind, and there was no way I could stand in front of the class. She told me to get over it, because that was the exact reason I was in Rwanda, and I had no choice. I wanted to cry, because I was so overwhelmed! The only thing I thought to do was pray and read my bible. I started talking to God like He was in the room with me. I was telling Him how overwhelmed I felt, and how unqualified I was, and how unworthy I was to be an authority figure in Rwanda. I also told him I have nothing to offer, and I can not do this alone. God had a good laugh at me. He said very plainly:

“Duh! Of course you can’t do it, why would you think otherwise? You can’t do anything alone, and it has been proven. You are here because I want to use you. You can’t do anything alone, but with my power you can do anything. Do you remember the hard times you went through in high school; well this is the time to share those stories with the people here; to show my power. All things are possible with me, and without me nothing is possible. ”

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). The things I learned and read in The Bible all came back to my memory at this moment and that was the only way I knew previous words were from God.

We worked in association with the National University of Rwanda. Before students began studying in the national university and focusing on their majors they were required to take a year of French and a year of English. The students we had originally spoke Kenyanrwandan or Swahili, then learned French and English; most of my students spoke four languages fluently. Their English teachers were not native English speakers. Their teachers either were learning English alongside their students, or studied the language, but did not speak it regularly.

My group and I were told we were going to be teaching English, but when we arrived we were told our primary goal was to facilitate discussions, to help them use the English they learned. I loved to talk so this was not a big issue.

Before my partner and I started the group discussions in class we taught our students about purpose and asked them why they were alive; before I left I read Rick Warren’s book, Forty Days of Purpose Driven Life. One of our chapel speakers at CBU proposed and answered four questions from a Faith perspective and from a Secular perspective: Who am I, why am I here, what is wrong with the world, and how can we fix what is wrong with the world? These questions made me wonder why I was alive and what my purpose for living was. I always assumed I was alive because God wanted me alive, but I always thought I would discover my purpose right before my 100^th birthday! When I read Rick Warren’s book for the second time and evaluated my personality traits, my past, my passions, and my education I realized I was created to be a teacher to bring hope to the hopeless student I encounter. I want to show the love of God to everyone I encounter and let them know their future is not determined by their past.

I am the oldest of four. My mom was 16 years old when I was born. My biological father has been absent since I was two years old. I was raised by my mom and step-dad (whom I refer to as dad). My dad struggled with a drug addiction most of his adult life. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness when my mom was pregnant with my youngest sibling, I was 13 years old. My parents divorced my senior year. Even though I had a full load and very involved in high school, I helped with the daily care for my two younger siblings.

Instead of using all of this as a hindrance, I used all the issues I faced as a reason to succeed. My purpose was a direct reflection of my past. I shared my experiences with my students, and they saw how Americans have problems, and how we have faith that we will be stronger in the end. Some of the questions my students had about marriage, family, and friends were answered with my personal testimony. Some of the issues my students faced, I faced as well. During the breaks, my students and I discussed the issues we faced and the possible ways to resolve the issues.

My partner and I asked for a list of issues they face daily then we divided the class into groups and assigned an issue to each group to research and present to the class. Their task was to identify the problem, say why it was a problem, what they personally could do to help solve the problem without the help of the government or the bank, and research what the government was doing about the issue. They had to create a timeline showing how and when they wanted to see their problem resolved.

Some of the issues we discussed in class included: relationships, sex, marriage, education, government, tourism, social inequality, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. The basic things I learned in school and in life were a mystery to them. They were interested in American marriages, the government’s role in educating its students, what poverty and economics are like in America, and the flaws in American businesses.

My students did an excellent job, and I was very impressed by their research and the time they put into their presentations. They were also graded on their use of English and how well they answered questions. After their presentations, I realized the reason I was in Rwanda. Seeing my students present was one of the best moments of my trip. I enjoyed being a positive example in their lives and teaching is one of the most rewarding things I have done.

Reflections

Every time I opened my mouth, the room, for the most part was silent. In no way did I feel credible to explain with authority to my students the answers to their questions, especially questions about business.

Teaching people who are five years older than me, who are from a different country, speak a different language, and who have experienced more life than I have is the most humbling experience I have ever had. I honestly feel like I did nothing to make a difference. The only things I can honestly say I did were: travel to Rwanda, hike in the Rwandan rainforest, and take pictures. I can not take credit for any good thing that happened. I can report and tell people about the awesome and speechless things God did. I am simply an instrument who is willing to be used, like a doctor uses a stethoscope. Do you praise the stethoscope for saving your life, or do you praise the doctor?

Poverty in Rwanda

For those of you who may not have guessed, Rwanda is a third world country. Every day my team and I walked to the market around the corner from our hotel, and everyday we passed street children (orphans/beggars) who had not eaten anything in days and who begged for a drink of water or something to eat. Every time I think about the orphans on the street my heart breaks. When we looked for something to eat in the market, we saw the street children asking us to buy them something. I wanted to cry because we were not allowed to buy them anything. If we gave one child something, we had to give the 100 other people around them something to eat as well. If we gave a child food it either went to their parents (if they are still alive), or someone took it from them. The children fought over an empty water bottle, to the point where if we did not give the other child a water bottle someone was going to get hurt. The only time in my life I did not feel like a Christian was when I passed beggars on the street telling them I could not give them anything. I had $40 with me, a snack and water bottle, but if we gave anyone anything, we would be harassed for more by others on the street. My teammate and I talked about the poverty daily, and we desperately wanted to do something to help because we felt like hypocrites.

Everyday we passed a woman who had a baby who was at least four months old. She also had a cute little boy who was one or two years old and everyday she asked us to give her children something to eat. I started getting tired of seeing her because I wanted to help, but I could not. The last day I tried to give her a couple of rolls for her baby, but there were so many beggars around; they would have hurt her or me for the food.

Since the Rwandese could tell we were Americans they called us rich foreigners. I explained to my students how I am not rich in America, but they still saw me as rich, and why shouldn’t they? In Rwanda hot water is a luxury, they have to boil their water before they use it for anything, the only clean water is bottled water and most people can not afford to buy water, those who can afford it, eat 3 small meals a day. Everyone walks everywhere, and only the wealthy have cars. Their houses were simple, and from what I know, there was no heater or air conditioning. I also do not have to worry about where I will find food to feed my family, nor do I have to worry about my family members dying from AIDS. Everyday one of my students or one of my friends’ students said a family member died of AIDS; most people can not afford to buy medicine. However while I was there I learned about a program President Bush funds that provides medicine to AIDS victims, and free testing for HIV/AIDS, awareness, prevention, and education about the disease.

Lessons Learned

I learned how to be appreciative for what I have and what I do not have. I do not have everything I want, but since being home, I realized how much I do have, and I am grateful for all the things I have been blessed with. There is so much more to life than collecting junk that sits in the garage our whole lives. When I saw how little the Rwandese had, I started getting mad at myself because I have so much, and they have so little. The missionary we worked with told us not to become bitter at ourselves or our family but to use what we have to help others and to promote the gospel of Christ.

In 1989 and 1994, Rwanda went through a genocide that severely altered their lives. In 1994 alone, 800,000 people were killed. There are three major ethnic groups there: the Hutu, Tutsi, and the Batwa (Twa). The British came in their country and told the Hutu they dominated over the Tutsi; over time this theory became the central idea that began the genocide. In 1994, there were check points everywhere, before passing, every person had to show their identification card proving which ethnicity they were. Family members were forced to kill family members, families were divided, people were tortured, and dead bodies filled the streets; bodies were stacked in trucks to be taken away. When I went through orientation, I was told there were still bones in the streets and bushes because there were so many people who were killed in the genocide that all the human remains have not all been collected; I am grateful I did not see any bones in the streets or bushes. Many of my students told me they were orphaned after the genocide. Most of my students are raising their younger siblings, working, and going to college. I have nothing but respect for my students because they have been through so much and they have so many goals they want to reach; they let nothing stop them. There is so much optimism in my students! They desperately want a better life, and they believe it is possible. They have so much faith that God is taking care of them. What else is there to believe? They are hopeful and confident that something can happen that will reverse the toll poverty has taken on them as well as their country.

They appreciate life and know what is most important; one of the reasons we were created was for relationships. They focus on their relationships with one another, with their families, and with God. They spend each moment like it is their last.

Awareness of World issues

I started researching Rwanda when I found out I was going there; looking at its history, geography, politics, religion, etc. I learned there was genocide in 1994 that killed 800,000 people, as I previously said. This motivated me to learn more about other genocides in the world. I wanted to learn all I could about their genocide but I was told to research American issues so I could tell the Rwandese how we deal with our issues. I always have been interested in learning about the holocaust in Berlin in 1939. This lead me to research the civil rights movement and the different groups involved. I also learned about the genocide that is going on in Darfur right now. Now that I have visited a country that went through genocide and have friends who were orphaned from it, I have a stronger desire to help the victims. Even though the genocide happened 13 years ago and lasted 100 days, they are still reaping the consequences in 2007. Walking down the street I saw blind men, people with disassembled limbs, children who were obviously products of rape during the genocide, and students are raising their siblings because their parents died. Not much has changed since the genocide in 1994, and they still need help recovering from the genocide. The poverty and lack of education I aforementioned are all repercussions of the genocide. There are so many problems in the world far greater than Paris Hilton going to jail, things needing your immediate attention. Since going to Rwanda, I realize how small the world is and how closely connected we all are. Every person I talked to in Rwanda said they see America as heaven on earth. They also see us as immoral and selfish people. They want to come to the USA to study, start a business, and then take their business back to their country to help bring it out of its financial hole. They desperately want help from Americans and Europeans. Get involved in your world. I know America has its own issues we need to address, but anything will help; the world really needs it. I used every excuse there was to not to go to Rwanda. I always thought I was too young, did not have resources to help, not enough money, or the time to help, but third world countries will use anything you send their way. With our differences, we complement one another and each person helps in ways others can not. Going to Rwanda changed my life forever, and I am grateful for the opportunity I had to go. My life goal was to go to Africa to teach and help third world countries; I did it. This shows how small we as people think and how big and global God operates. I will continue working until Jesus comes to take me home, because there is plenty of work to do until then. I reached my number one goal at age 18, imagine the exciting things He has waiting for me.

Anthony Coy, Frontier High School sophomore places first in web page contest

The winner of GET’s second annual web site contest was Anthony Coy from Frontier High School. Coy won an Honorable Mention in 2006 and came back this year with an exciting design that took first place.

Second place was awarded to Jorge Garza and third place was won by Ivana Subia, both of Highland High School.

This year the judges awarded one Honorable Mention to Joseph Greer of Highland High School.

More than 30 teens submitted designs. The winners were announced Saturday June 9 at the Bakersfield Blitz Game. The first through third place winners can be seen on GET’s new teen web site at www.getbus.org.

The goal of the competition is to increase visits to the GET web site. “We want teens to come to our web site and we feel a site designed by teens is more appealing,” said Gina Hayden, Marketing Manager for Golden Empire Transit District.

Golden Empire Transit District (GET) was formed in 1973 and serves the Bakersfield Metropolitan area which is 153 square miles. GET has a fleet of 81 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET services 18 routes, most of which operate 7 days a week and transport more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed route buses. In addition GET operates 14 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses.

The Sport of Dog Agility

Maybe you’ve seen it on TV, watched it at a local show or just heard people talking about it, but Agility is definitely jumping!

Dog Agility is a sport in which the handler navigates their dog thru a variety of different obstacles within a given amount of time. It is loosely modeled on equestrian stadium jumping competitions and has evolved with its own obstacles, games, scoring and performance ideals. Agility is never boring! Whether you play agility with your dog for fun or competition, there is always something new to learn, new courses to tackle and new moves to master. The dogs enjoy the exercise, speed and positive rewards, owners enjoy the increased bonding with their dog, the new friends they make, the physical exercise and the challenge of the courses!

The dog learns to be in perfect sync with the handler on the agility course as there is no leash and collar for control. Basic obedience and a desire to follow instructions are important for an agility dog. The order of obstacles on a course is different each time and the pathway between the obstacles has many twists and turns. Dogs and handlers must learn to become a team, communicating with body language and verbal cues.

Almost any dog can do agility. The most popular agility breeds are the dogs that are active, quick on their feet and agile, but almost any dog, including mixed breeds, can learn, and enjoy, agility. Your dog should be healthy, should you have any concerns about your dogs physical condition (overweight or structural problems etc) be sure to discuss your plans with you dogs Veterinarian first. Your dog should not be aggressive towards other dogs or people.

Dogs gain confidence in their abilities as they learn to climb, jump, weave or crawl through agility obstacles. It benefits many dogs who need to boost their confidence and/or come from an unknown background. There is little as satisfying as seeing a dog that is very insecure, become a very confident and capable dog in all aspects of their life, by doing agility. Dogs can do Agility for years as long as they stay in shape and remain willing to play.

Agility is a race against the clock, but accuracy and safety come first. Training for agility should first and foremost be fun! Handlers should learn positive training methods from instructors and never force their dog to perform obstacles. Agility is about becoming a team with your dog – and he/she should be a happy willing partner. Puppies can be started in training as early as 4 months of age with regular walks to build stamina, obedience basics and playing with their handler. Naturally, there are precautions that will be taken with puppies. Young dogs should not jump over formal jumps as landing on immature forelegs and shoulders can cause injuries.

When dogs are old enough to begin working on Agility equipment, they must be taught not to rush the obstacles before they have learned to perform the obstacle properly, as they can injure themselves by falling. Some obstacles on an agility course have yellow contact areas painted across the bottom; dogs must touch these contact areas on the way up and down the ramps to prevent jumping off from too high. Ramps also have slats to provide traction as the dogs scrabble up the incline.

Seniors are in her heart

Elizabeth Bart was shocked to hear that one of the veterans she’d been helping was struck while crossing the street on his motorized scooter and left on the side of the road last month.

Merle Chappell, 87, died a week later due to the injuries he sustained. The 19-year-old driver, Jessica Blevins, has pleaded not guilty to hit-and-run.

Bart, who helped Chappell obtain the scooter, was devastated. She has dedicated her life to aiding the elderly, especially those without spouses or children. “Those are the ones who take my heart away,” she said.

Bart helped Chappell’s sister, Gladys Kline, organize his funeral, and held the wake at her home. “It was too much for her to handle and I had to step in and help,” said Bart.
Chappell was given a full military funeral at Union Cemetery.

Bart, herself, is a veteran, and volunteers her time at the local Disabled American Veterans Association. But she has been reaching out to veterans even before she joined the military.

Many years ago, when she was working at an IHOP in Redondo Beach, she made a friend, and a lifeline.

One of her patrons was a World War II veteran by the name of Frank LaFlamme. Routinely, LaFlamme would visit the IHOP and would make “good conversation,” Bart says. They became good friends.

When Bart joined the Army, she kept in contact with LaFlamme by writing letters. He encouraged her as she dealt with the challenges of adjusting from civilian to military life.
As a matter of fact, it was LaFlamme who drove her to the recruiting office. He was her “role model,” Bart says. LaFlamme had earned a purple heart medal for sustaining a rifle shot to the head during the war.

LaFlamme was a “mentor, pseudo-uncle, and definitely a great friend,” she said.
Bart served in an administrative role from 1984 to 1987. But she had suffered hearing loss to her left ear as a result of the constant firing noise and training of her M-16 rifle at Fort Irwin, Barstow.

She went on inactive reserve status until 1990, when she obtained her Honorable Discharge.

When she was released from active duty, she and LaFlamme became even closer. She wanted to take care of him as he aged.

“LaFlamme was an orphan, never married and he had no one to look after him, so I asked him to move in with me,” Bart said.

Even when Bart was to be married she advised her husband-to-be, William Bart, of her unique accommodation with “Uncle Frank.”

She gave him the nickname because “it was too much information that had to be given out in order for us to explain our relationship, so we kept it short and sweet as Uncle Frank,” she said.

LaFlamme eventually enjoyed another 16 years of life under Bart’s care. He passed away in 2003, at the age of 87, of natural causes. The Barts buried Uncle Frank with full military honors.

After LaFlamme’s death, Bart continued her humanitarian endeavors. She visits senior citizens at nursing facilities for birthdays and poker games and takes them to the Kern County Fair and the Tachi Palace casino in Lemoore.

In 2000, when she worked at Dedicated Dental in Bakersfield, she helped write and manage a grant for a program to teach children how to keep their teeth healthy.

“Elizabeth is a very professional individual, she is extremely dedicated, very kind and very compassionate,” said Bart co-worker from Dedicated Dental, Tami England.

Bart is now the marketing director for Apollonia Dental Center in Bakersfield.

Bart earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts from Bakersfield College and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Cal State Bakersfield.

Most of Bart’s working career after the military has been in the dental industry. However, she has another life ambition.

“I would love to open a senior citizen activity home,” she said. “My heart is there … Senior citizens are often forgotten.”

Michael Nazario is a disabled veteran and local writer.

need help finding obituary of aunt.

I had an aunt Louise Redman. She may have married and we were not aware of married name. My father recieved news in 1989 or 1990 that she had died in an accident on Tehachapi Pass. It seems she was trying to elude police, or trying to run down 2 young men when her vehicle went over the side of the mountain and she was killed.There were 2 storys told. She did serve time in prison in Ca. so either story could be true.We live in Missouri and never had the newspaper account or a death certificate. I have searched the California deaths but have not located any thing. It may be because I am not sure of her last name at time of death or her d.o.b. She was born in Missouri/Scott county. Is there anyone willing to search the old newspapers obituarys for those years and for a story similar to mine? I would really like to find out where she is buried, and the true nature of her death.She would have been near 65 , give or take a year or two.I think she was buried in Bakersfield but after searching the cemeterys I came up a blank there too.

Thanks ,

MissBee

Happy Fathers' Day to All Important Men in My Life

The list of men who gave me guidance, support, and a sense of importance could go on forever. I was fortunate to have had a loving, and caring dad. He could do anything, from playing any instrument by ear, getting down on the floor helping my mother cut out patterns to sew our dance costumes, fix our broken toys, remodel houses, dig wells, write poetry and share his knowlege and philosophy with me as well as encourage me to do and be the best at whatever I tried. He died when I was thirteen.

By the time I was eighteen my mother remarried and Pappy became my second father. Never criticized, bit his tongue at times and didn't interfere, but added to my life with his quiet, patient loyalty, and he was always there for me; my graduations, the birth of my children, and he said his job was to pick up the pieces and set us back on our feet when we fell; which I seemed to do alot. He died several years ago.

But there have been other important men in my life who filled the position of dad at different times. The neighbor across the street who taught me how to drive. In high school my chemistry teacher and English/journalism teacher both gave me dreams, and had high expectations for me. All the fathers of the girls in my Girl Scout Troop who became my father for the Father Daughter banquet where I was to receive first place for the poster which my Dad helped me make before he died. I wasn't going to go to the banquet, because I had no father.

Today, many children do not have their father in their lives, yet there are men who fill in, giving guidance, hopes, dreams, and caring. Teachers, neighbors, friends, coaches, and workers who take the time to give children positive attention and help fill in the important attributes of a dad. To these people Happy Fathers' Day.

TO MY SON ALEX IN IRAQ

Son this year I'll miss your hugs and kiss and specially telling me Happy Father's Day Dad I love you, You were always there for my birthdays and most of all when I was hospitalized you were there every day or calling to see how I was doing. Today I will miss you a lot because you won't be here with me but I understand you have a duty in the U.S. military and I'm proud for you, but despite all the sadness, I won't feel so lonely because I know you will be sending me an email wishing me Happy Father's Day from where you are in Iraq, and that will make the happiest man on earth and always be proud of you as I supported the decision you wanted to do by joining the U.S. Army like they say like daddy like son both military men.

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day and on behalf of you newborn son Jason we send you hugs and kisses to you and we want you to have a great day there in Iraq as I'm proud of you so Jason will be when he grows up.

To your friends there also Happy Father's Day to all U.S. Soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Might God Bless you and protect you where ever you go

I love you Son always and till I die.

Happy Father's Day to you and all parents.

Fathers Day

Shane, I am so lucky to have found you. You are the best husband and father anyone could ask for. Thank you for all that you do for our family day in and day out. Happy Fathers Day from your girls.

Orlando Juarez The Best Friend in The World!!!!
Thanks for being such a great friend and an awesome dad...Happy Father's Day!!

Love:
Orlando Jr.
Lizette
&
Victoria

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