Native American Day

Thanks to a grant from Chevron, Kindergarteners at Owens Primary School experienced Native American Day with a wealth of exciting activities: buffalo hunting and beef jerky, cranberry gathering and cranberry sauce, fish spearing and fish crackers, story time at the tepee, buffalo skin painting, clay pot sculpting, and tortilla tepee building. Dressed in their headbands and macaroni patterned necklaces, 120 students rotated to each learning station to learn about customs and arts with a fun kindergarten touch! Most importantly, students were stimulated to be creative and imaginative as they integrated fundamental standards in Language Arts (sequencing, speaking in sentences, describing, illustrating) and Math (counting, patterning). In the spirit of Thanksgiving, teachers and students are grateful for the opportunity and freedom to learn in such exciting, meaningful activities.

THANKSGIVING

   I started writing this because I was upset and wanted to go on a tirade. I was upset
about some Christian conservative on talk radio who had never served in the military saying
how the United States was founded as a Christian nation when it wasn’t.
   I was going to support my tirade with quotes from the founding fathers, like Jefferson’s comment in a letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper that “Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law” or Thomas Paine, who said “All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.”
   I was then going to throw in some Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said “Politics are not the task of a Christian,” and some Isaac Backus, who said “Religious matters are to be
separated from the jurisdiction of the state not because they are beneath the interests of the state, but, quite to the contrary, because they are too high and holy and thus are
beyond the competence of the state,” and a variety of other quotes.
   However, in the middle of this, I was stopped by an Arlo Guthrie comment. You see, years after doing the anti-war song ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ in 1969, Arlo went back and bought that old church mentioned in the song. He then turned it into a foundation to help people, whether they were old, needy, poor, homeless, addicted, or whatever.
   One night, while Arlo was cleaning the place up, the Pastor from another church down the road stopped by. He pointedly asked “What kind of church is this, Arlo?” Arlo
replied that it was a “Bring your own God sort of Church.”
   When I remembered this quote, I realized   that the debate about religion was secondary. It occurred to me how lucky we all were to be living in a country in which we can be having this debate in the first place - a country in which we can agree to disagree and (for the most part anyway) not resort to killing and torturing each other (an intrinsic part of religious conversations for centuries).
   Then my mind jumped to Presidents, and I realized how fortunate we were to live somewhere where John Kennedy (war hero), Milhous Nixon (used car salesman), GH Bush (war hero), Bill Clinton (anti-war protester), GW Bush (who served in the National Guard to avoid Vietnam then went AWOL), and Barack Obama (apparently, none of the above) could all serve as president. Our presidents are all different personalities and stripes, and eventually we’ll throw them out for some other pretender to the American throne.
   My mind then jumped to music, and my personal aggravation that today is not like the 40s, 50s, 60s, or 70s, where we had nationwide hit songs that everyone knew and loved, or had great folk classics which brought everyone together. Now, everyone has their own music, and if you overhear someone else’s, you’re often hearing something you never heard before. Usually, this appalls me, because we’ve lost something of beauty and a part of our unity; however, if I look beyond my own prejudices, isn’t it great that we can live somewhere where rock and roll, country, punk, rap, blues, and a thousand variations can all exist and vie for their place in the world.
   Even the Internet, which brings a host of lies and half-truths to the world, gives us views and opinions we may have never heard - and we live in a place where we’ve allowed to check out any of them, not a country where access is blocked or things are routinely removed.
   I personally hate right-wing pseudo cowards like Rush Limbaugh who wear a cross and wrap themselves in a flag after never having served. However, I have to appreciate
living in a place where they’re free to spout their evil and I’m free to shut them off and listen to NPR.
   I guess all of this reminds me of the line from the song ‘total eclipse of the heart’ that
we’re “living in a powder keg and giving off sparks.”   I mean, think of it. We’ve been pushing each other’s buttons for over two and a quarter centuries, and have yet to explode. America allows us to push it to the limit, to agree to disagree, and (for the most part) keeps us from killing ourselves in the process.
   Anyway, its almost thanksgiving, 2009, and I know what I’m thankful for - I’m thankful for America.

Flavored tea and its importance

To know all about flavored tea, one must first gain some background information about tea processing. As a matter of fact, tea processing plays a central role in producing different kinds of tea. Tea processing traditionally consists of the following steps:

The topmost leaves and buds on the tea plant are manually picked.
The plucked leaves are left to wither for 24 hours.
The withered tea leaves are crushed between metal rollers to blend the naturally occurring chemicals inside.
The tea leaves, thus rolled, are allowed to oxidize in the open air for several hours.
Finally, the oxidized leaves are heated to remove any remaining moisture.

To see full article : Tea flavors, vanilla flavor, flavored coffee

Manny Needs A Home for the Holidays!

Hi! My name is Manny and I am ready to find my new forever family! I am a male, gray and white, domestic short hair mix. I am approximately two years old and I will be neutered before I can go to my new home. My friends at the shelter think that I would make a great fit for just about any family. I am very sweet and affectionate – I love attention and love to be with people. I seem to do well with other cats and I am very laid back and easy going. Please come visit me at the Kern County Animal Shelter in Bakersfield. Don’t forget to mention my ID number – 777941!

This Pet May Be Adopted Quickly! Please Visit The KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER At 201 S Mount Vernon Avenue To See All Of Our Adoptable Pets. For More Information, Call 661-868-7144 Or Visit Our Website at www.co.kern.ca.us/acd.

Here Comes Dasher!

Hi! My name is Dasher and I can’t wait to meet my new forever family today! I am a three month old, neutered male, red Long Haired Dachshund mix. I came to the shelter as a stray, but my friends here think that I would make a great fit for just about any family. I am a very friendly, affectionate little guy that loves to be with people. I seem to get along well with other similar sized dogs and I love to play with toys and eat yummy treats. Please come visit me at the Kern County Animal Shelter in Bakersfield. Don’t forget to mention my ID number – 785418!

AT&T Announces Campaign to Support PADRES Contra el Cancer

AT&T Joins With PADRES, National Spokeswoman Eva Longoria Parker and Designer Louis Verdad for Fourth Annual Fundraiser to Support Young Cancer Patients in the Greater Los Angeles Area

AT&T Announces Goal to Reach $1 Million Total Donation Since 2007

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2009 — AT&T* today announced that it will launch the fourth annual campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer and collect donations to support PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children who are battling the disease, beginning November 22. AT&T set a goal of raising $300,000 this year, which would mean a total donation of $1 million to PADRES since the campaign’s inception in 2007.

Throughout the six-week program, donations will be collected at more than 130 AT&T retail locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. AT&T is also offering a promotion throughout the duration of the campaign. When customers purchase an LG phone, AT&T will donate $20 to PADRES and the customer will receive a free LOUVER by Louis Verdad designer cap.

“AT&T has been a faithful partner in its commitment to PADRES, the Latino community and in its support of families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer,” said Eva Longoria Parker, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “We’re thrilled to launch this year’s campaign and eager to reach the $1 million mark. We hope that the community will come together to help us reach that goal.”

Cancer strikes approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50 percent of those affected are Latino. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 15 years old and is second only to accidents in most age groups.[1]

“In times like this it’s more important than ever to support organizations such as PADRES that address vital community needs,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles Area. “AT&T is pleased to hold the campaign again this year and applaud PADRES and its supporters for championing this cause, which has given hope to so many families."

During the 2008 campaign, AT&T donated $200,000 to PADRES to aid in the organization’s mission. To date, AT&T has donated approximately $700,000 to PADRES.

For more information about PADRES, visit www.IAmHOPE.org.

Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.

Find More Information Online:

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AT&T Web Site

AT&T Corporate Social Responsibility

PADRES Contra El Cáncer Web Site

AT&T Receives Top Honors for Commitment to Hispanics

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Fundraising, Latino Children, Cancer, Eva Longoria, Los Angeles, PADRES, Childhood Cancer

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

ABOUT PADRES

PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES) is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. PADRES programs, activities and services, while primarily oriented to the Latino community, serve childhood cancer patients from all races and ethnic origins. No family is turned away. Celebrating more than 20 years of service, PADRES brings together children, families, healthcare professionals and community leaders to promote a comprehensive understanding of childhood cancer and other blood disorders, as well as effective methods for treatment. Since March 2005, actress Eva Longoria Parker has served as the organization’s national spokesperson, along with Fernando Del Rincon, PADRES’ spokesperson. To learn more about PADRES, visit http://IAamHope.org.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^SM and AT&T │DIRECTV^SM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

[1] California Cancer Registry (CCR) and American Cancer Society, California Facts and Figures, 2008

The Magic Began at Russo's Books with The Nutcracker!

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra previews The Nutcracker Ballet at Russo’s Books!

Mice, toy soldiers and ballerinas. A piano, a flute and a clarinet. Dancers dancing, music playing… This is a book store? No, not just any bookstore… This is Russo’s Books in The Marketplace.

Russo’s Books hosted The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra for their preview of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet with children in full costume, parents in full video mode and shoppers watching with smiles on their faces.

Kids Discover Music is a much anticipated event where classically trained musicians make their way to the bookstore stage to play beautiful music, read a story and let the kids learn up close and personally about the music, the instrument they play and the history behind the instrument.

On November 21^st, some members of the orchestra came out to perform a preview of their yearly holiday presentation of The Nutcracker, complete with children dressed as mice, toy soldiers, ballerinas and Russian dancers! Children waited on the sidelines to twirl, leap and pirouette for the masses. The Mouse King battled with the Nutcracker, Russians danced and snowflakes waltzed… Oh, and that's not all! Two families won two family four-packs to The Nutcracker performance at Rabobank Arena! The whole thing was very lovely. It meant, to me, that Christmas is just around the corner.

Russo’s Books along with Valley Public Television and The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra will present Kids Discover Music on the third Saturday of every month at 11:00 AM (except December), and will return with Tom Meyer on strings January 16, 2010.

The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet on December 11^th, 12^th and 13^th at Rabobank Arena. Tickets are available at the box-office and through Ticketmaster.

From the children dancing and Tchaikovsky’s music filling the air, it doesn’t get any better than this. I urge all of you to mark this date in your calendar to attend this lovely (and free) monthly event exclusively at Russo’s Books!

Call Thomas G. Robinson at 665.1643 for more information.

San Miguel Commemorative Grove Gets A Facelift

Melissa Iger, director of the Tree Foundation of Kern, hopes that someday the San Miguel Commemorative Grove will be a destination place to study indigenous plant science for students of all ages. “Our goal is to create a botanical garden that features native plant life,” says Iger. Once completed the Grove will be a local field trip opportunity for kindergarten through twelfth grade students and a place where students from Bakersfield College have the opportunity to study plant science in a natural setting. “The hope is to raise money and depend on volunteerism to make the botanical garden a reality,” says Iger.

On Saturday, November 21, volunteers from across Kern County came out to rake, pile and haul away trash, sticks and other debris from the San Miguel Commemorative Grove. Daniel Hipsher, Liberty High School student and future Marine, feels that it is important to volunteer. “ Community service helps the community grow and look better,” says Hipsher. Volunteer Chris Jabonillo claims that, “you need to give your time to help others and not just focus on your self.” Julia Cruz found out about the project through her church. She insists that getting out and working hard for the community is good for her spirit. She was vigorously cleaning up piles of leaves and sticks from the center of the park. “It makes me feel good to do some hard work,” says Cruz.

The City of Bakersfield has partnered with the Tree Foundation of Kern in order to maintain the Grove during this time of budget cuts and diminishing revenues. The city is counting on volunteers to keep the indigenous tree grove located on The Kern River Parkway looking beautiful. Hope 4 Kern volunteers found two large shopping carts and mounds of trash in the canal that parallels the grove. Liberty High School student, Henry Palacios believes that more people should volunteer. Palacious plans to study criminal justice next year at one of the CSU campuses.

More information about the San Miguel Commemorative Grove and the botanical garden project can be found at www.urbanforest.org.

Chess Returns to Foothill

Twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, and 2 high schools gathered at Foothill High School for the November Scholastic Chess Tournament. Over 75 students participated in the event. The competition was fierce in every section of this five round, thirty minutes per round chess tournament.

In the K-3 section, American Elementary School took first place team trophy with Oak Hills Elementary (2nd), and Thorner Elementary placing third. The top individuals in that section were Ben Hartley and Justin Carver, both had a perfect score of five wins.

The 4-6 section was the most competitive with over 35 students. The top team was Morningside Elementary School from Delano. American Elementary came in second and Thorner came in third. Not only did Morningside Elementary win the first place team trophy, they also had the top player, Mark Aguinaldo, a new unrated player with no loses for the tournament.

With over twenty students in the 7-12 section, winning more than three games was a real challenge for some of the players. But in the end, a new player emerged with a perfect score, Rigoberto Garcia. His team mate, Sinitia Andrade also won five games but Rigoberto beat her in the tie breaks. Foothill High School also took the first place team trophy. Rosedale Middle School was second with LeConte Middle School coming in third.

It was a good day to play chess and everyone from Delano to Santa Clarita enjoyed coming to Foothill again to play chess. The next tournament will be in December.

MEET YOUR SPECIAL NEIGHBORS PROJECT – “THE BLACK BALLOON” – AUTISM AWARENESS

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, the Autism Society-Kern Autism Network presented “The Black Balloon” at the Majestic Fox Theater in recognition of "Autism Awareness" and the "Meet Your Special Neighbors Project.”

Over 241 people attended the screening and heard comments from our guest speaker Dr. Stephen Shore.

Starring Toni Collette, “The Black Balloon” is a story about fitting in, discovering love, and accepting your family when you have a loved one with autism. To learn more about this award-winning film, please visit www.theblackballoonmovie.com. The film will be released on DVD in March 2010.

Due to the tremendous positive response to this event, the Autism Society-Kern Autism Network will screen another film with an autism theme on April 1, 2010, at the Majestic Fox Theater for Autism Awareness Month.

After the screening of “The Black Balloon,” Dr. Shore shared personal experiences about what life was like for him as a child diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies.” He talked about disclosure, and described sensory issues which influence his choice of clothing. He provided insight into what those on the autism spectrum want others to know about them.

Dr. Shore presents and consults internationally on adult issues regarding education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure. He teaches courses in special education and autism, training teachers how to work with autistic individuals.

The Autism Society-Kern Autism Network has also invited Dr. Shore to be the opening speaker at our annual conference on Friday, February 12, 2010, at the Marriott. Registration for the conference begins December 1. Visit www.kernautism.org for details.

The Autism Society-Kern Autism Network provides support, awareness, information and education to families, professionals and the public throughout Kern County. We are a chapter of the Autism Society of America.

Autism Society-Kern Autism Network

Phone: 661-588-4235

kernautism@gmail.com

www.kernautism.org

Meet Sady!

Sady is a young female Laborador mix. She is very friendly and playful. She is learning to walk on a leash, but she is coming along. She gets along well with other dogs. Sady will be spayed upon adoption. Please come see Sady and her friends at the Wasco Animal Shelter.

Wasco Animal Shelter, 5409 7th St., 758-7240. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. PetSmart adoptions, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 4100 Ming Ave., Bakersfield.

Mickey

Hello, my name is Mickey and I am a 9 year old chihuahua. I weigh about 4 pounds. I like to be held and I like to be where it is warm. I like other small dogs and I don't mess with cats. I like treats and I like soft wet food. I also like to sleep under the blankets. I am calm, loving and ready for a quiet home to spend my retirement. I am very loyal and I still have a lot of life in me. Please come see me.

Shafter Animal Shelter

661-746-2140

www.shaftercritters.petfinder.com

CALM welcomes Nettie

CALM has become home to Nettie the beaver at the zoo’s northeast Bakersfield location, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway between Lake Ming and Hart Park. Nettie is a two-year-old, North American beaver (Castor Canadensis). She shares an enclosure, outside the Reptile House, with CALM’s American white pelican, herring gull and Canadian goose.

“Nettie has a sweet disposition, as she was hand raised by another facility,” said Zoo Manager Lana Fain. “She may have a slight brain injury affecting her vision and movement a bit. She enjoys the company of humans and loves yams!”

Beavers are nature’s "engineers," building large water habitat for wide varieties of animal life. They often come in conflict with humans in agricultural areas where water flow may be inhibited or trees damaged. Beavers are well known for their tails, which they use as a rudder, to build dams and slap the water surface to warn family of danger.

Beavers are the largest rodent in California and second largest in the world. They once numbered about 60 million but now about 8 million exist.

Don Richardson, curator of animals, said, “Beavers directly from the wild, such as the “Riverlakes Beavers,” are often more difficult to acclimate, but Nettie is appropriate for our enclosure because she was hand raised.”

Non-profit CALM has for 26 years provided residence for injured and abandoned animals that are no longer able to live on their own in the wild. For information, call (661) 872-2256 or visit the Web site, http://www.calmzoo.org.

Meet Chewey!

Hi! My name is Chewey and I can't wait to find a new forever home today! I am a seven year old, male, black and silver AffenPinscher. I am a very unique dog that needs a special home. My friends at the shelter think that I would make a great fit for a family with older children and other small pets, as I prefer quiet areas. I do seem to get along with other smaller sized pets. I am a little shy, but once you get to know me, I promise you will fall in love! Please come visit me at the Kern County Animal Shelter in Bakersfield. Don't forget to mention my ID number - 786909!

Meet Evie!

Hi! My name is Evie and I am available for adoption today! I am a one year old, female, domestic long hair Tortie mix. My friends at the shelter think that I would make a great fit for any family as I love to be with people and I am very affectionate. I also enjoy playing with toys, taking long cat naps and eating yummy treats! I will bring years of love, laughter and joy to my new family. Please come visit me at the Kern County Animal Shelter in Bakersfield. Don’t forget to mention my ID number – 784382!

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