Volunteering: Bakersfield.com

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.

Habitat for Humanity Unveils Kern County’s 42nd Home This Weekend in East Bakersfield

This Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m. a local East Bakersfield Family will be ready to move into their band new home, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire. This will mark the 42^nd home the local nonprofit agency has provided to families in need. However, there’s something different about this house.

Most Habitat homes are built from the ground up with work from volunteers and the family receiving the home, this home was purchased at a discount from Wells Fargo bank after it had been foreclosed upon and vandalized.

Habitat volunteers worked on repairing the damage caused by vandals and to replace the electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems along with the roof.

"We anticipate that the acquisition and rehabilitation of foreclosed homes will be our primary way to provide homes for low income working families for the next few years", said Dennis Wallace, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire, "As long as existing homes are so plentiful and inexpensive in Kern County, it makes sense for us to use this existing resource rather than construct new homes.”

This new “green” building method will allow Habitat to provide more families who reach the qualifications with safe and comfortable homes. This home will go to Paul and Paula Munoz and their four children.

Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire used funds earned at its ReStore to purchase the home, as well as donations from first United Methodist Church and the Francis Alford Living Trust.

The event will be held on Sunday November 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. The location of the home is 812 Wallace Street. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire or to become involved as a volunteer or a house sponsor call 661-861-8449.

Gaslight Melodrama to host fundraiser for Bakersfield Swill Club

The Gaslight Melodrama will be hosting a fund raising show for the Bakersfield Swim Club on Thursday, Oct 8th for the Premier of The Skylight Zone followed by Auntie Teenie Weenies Oildale Halloween Hoedown. All ticket sales will go toward the Bakersfield Swim Club, Bakersfield's oldest swim club since 1972. From infants to Olympians, the Bakersfield Swim Club is a non profit swim team, affiliated with USA Swimming and Central Californian Swimming. Kieth Moore is the head coach and has coached a number of Olympic swimmers including Gabe Woodward, winner of the silver and bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil.

Proceeds from this event will go toward pool rentals, uniforms and the hosting of the 2010 Jr. Olympics in Bakersfield in February 2010. The Jr. Olympics draw qualifying athletes, in all age groups from all over Central California.

Tickets for this fund raising event is $30.00

CallBakersfieldSwimSchool for reservations at 637-1403

Bakersfield Swim Club Contact- Ricardo Izquiero at 477-6659

Melodrama contact- Linda Larma 587-3377

Tickets for this fund raising event is $30.00

CallBakersfieldSwimSchool for reservations at 637-1403

Bakersfield Swim Club Contact- Ricardo Izquiero at 477-6659

Melodrama contact- Linda Larma 587-3377

Korean's website in Bakersfield

It is very troubling and scarcely to come to a new place as a new immigrant. When I came to in Bakersfield 3 years ago, I felt worried and anxious about living in a new country. Fortunately, I met many nice and kind people who are missionaries of the American Korean Church. This helps me set up my life in a strange place without many mistakes and errors. As a new immigrant who comes to Bakersfield, I needed information about real life. Additionally, most immigrations are not good at English, and everything is new to them. Especially, because Korean’s are minor ethnicity, and the supported system from California is very weak. For example, when I came to Bakersfield for the first time, it was very difficult to find information about living here. Because Bakersfield was a small city and there was a small quantity of Korean residents. After I made mistakes about living in a foreign country, I realized that we needed the Internet website for Korean in Bakersfield. I made a new website, and I uploaded all my information. Also, as a Bakersfield College student, I posted all the process of enroll in and other information in Korean language. It works very well. A few students who transferred from other states to BC get information from this website. They could enroll without mistakes and errors. Sometimes I get Email from Korea, asking questions about BC and CSUB. Also I added a life section, education, real estate, and job section in this website. This information will help others who do not know how to set up a new life in a strange place. I strongly suggest that the Bakersfield Californian ask for advertising on this website for local Korean people. As a local newspaper, I am also asking you to help. I hope that Korean’s who came to Bakersfield or have been living here will get good and helpful information from this website. (http://cafe.daum.net/BakersfieldKorean )

Gaslight Melodrama Bowls for Charities

The cast from the Gaslight Melodrama's newest production of Westchester Finest turned out in costume to bowl for their favorite charity. The event took place on Wednesday, September 9th, at Westchester Bowl, 1819 30th Street. The bowl a thon raised over $1000.00 and will be donated to The Kern County Alliance Against Family Violence, The American Cancer Society and The Childrens Heart Foundation

Chat And Do

CHAT AND DO

Every Tuesday on the third floor of Glenwood Gardens a group of women gather together. They come by wheelchair, by walker, with friends and alone. Some bring armloads of fabric or bags of fiberfill. Others come empty-handed but ready to work. They all look forward to the conversation. "That's where the ‘chat' comes in," says Marilyn Wietzke, an 87 year old resident, and the lone member of the group's telephone committee. "We wanted to get the residents out of their rooms and acquainted with other people."

What began as "The Quilting Group" evolved into crocheting, knitting and embroidery. It happened out of necessity - poor eyesight, shaky hands and a lack of sewing machines made quilting a difficult undertaking. Yarn work was the focus for a while, so the group changed their name to "Needle and I." Then, after deciding that the name was inappropriate since many of them no longer had the dexterity to push a piece of thread through the eye of a needle, they switched to "Chat and Do." It was Maddie Turners idea. Lynda Sweigart says it suits the group.

The "Chat and Do" girls also began to branch out into other crafts, like making Nutcrackers out of flower pots and necklace clips to hold napkins in place during meals. Soon Maddie had the group helping with a project called "Angel Babies" and the women began sewing gowns, hats and blankets for babies born too early to survive. The group then switched their focus and decided to use their skills to help others. That's when Optimal Hospice got involved.

"We have enough stuff but not enough things to do, so we decided to call Karen (the Volunteer Coordinator Assistant with Optimal Hospice)," says Lynda. Several of the ladies had used Optimal Hospice during the final phase of their loved ones life. They know first hand the grief associated with death, as well as Optimal's commitment to continuing support for the families after their loved one passes. Wilma Guenther came up with an original doll pattern, several women went shopping for soft fabric with small patterns that won't fray, some fiberfill and all-cotton thread. Once the necessities were procured, the group was in business. The dolls they make provide comfort to children who are losing or have already lost someone they love.

"We like to volunteer," says Lynda Sweigart, certified teacher, daughter of Marilyn and acknowledged ‘leader of the pack.'

Judging from the kind-hearted and sharp-witted women in the room, volunteerism is a perfect fit. They just donated several fabric dolls to Optimal Hospice's Bereavement Program. Maybe "Chat and Do" should change their name to "Chat and Do Good."

For more information, please contact Karen Budnick in our Volunteer Department at 661-716-4000 or kbudnick@optimalcares.com.

The Aftermath of the Active 20-30 Club's 2009 FESTIVAL OF BEERS

July 16, 2009; Bakersfield, CA: April 25th felt a lot more like August this year as the stifling heat of summer had already begun to press down the day of the annual “Festival of Beers” at Stramler Park in downtown Bakersfield. The winds were merciless but the crowd of more than 3,000 party goers put to use the complimentary souvenir cups and wine glasses provided, sampling over 125 domestic and imported beers and wines provided by local distributors while indulging in food samples provided by local restaurants.

This important fundraiser is held every year to raise money to help local children’s charities like The Boys & Girls Club. The unique characteristic of the Active 20-30 Club is that after their Board of Directors votes on which charities will receive the money 100% of all donations collected each year goes directly to the designated charities. Not a single penny of the money raised by the Active 20-30 Club is ever spent on administrative costs and it doesn’t take these guys long to turn the money over to those who need it most, either. The “Check Giveaway” dinner and award ceremony was held at the local Boy’s & Girl’s club on June 26th, and $50,000.00 in checks were presented to the various local children’s charities. Thanks to everyone who donated their time, efforts, and most importantly their money, the 2009 Festival Of Beers was the highest grossing, and most successful fundraiser to date for the local Active 20-30 Club. Everyone who contributed was honored with a commemorative plaque and a great dinner from Champs BBQ.

Amongst the charities that benefited from this years event included the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic for at risk children, Camp Country Jamboree, which offers children ages 5-14 who have cancer a chance to go to camp, the local chapter of M.A.R.E. a therapeutic riding center serving children and adults with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges, and the Police Activities League (P.A.L.) volunteer police officers and other community members who give their time as coaches, mentors, role models, and friends to at risk youth.

One of those honored for his contributions this year was "Rockwell" of Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages, pictured below, who not only provided the “Tent” & the “Ticket” sponsorships but, at his own expense, Rockwell, who has dedicated himself to preserving the history of the “Bakersfield Sound” and to supporting/promoting the music scene in Bakersfield, immersed himself in the creation and production of the official “Summer Of Love” T-shirt’s commemorating the event.

So it seems that there are a lot of people out there doing a lot of good in the community, but no one really ever hears about any of the positive things happening in our community. The Active 20-30 Club and Rockwell are prime examples of what it means to give of yourself for the greater good. To do something, anything, for others without expecting compensation, recognition or even a simple ‘thank you”. People like these guys deserve a lot more recognition, and support from this community, than they currently receive, no doubt about it.

For more information on any of the above listed organizations, please visit their websites.

Website for the Active 20-30 Club is www.active2030.org

Website for Rockwell’s Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages is www.troutsblackboard.com

OR www.myspace.com/troutsblackboard

Website for M.A.R.E is www.mareridingcenter.com

Website for Camp Country Jamboree is www.countrycampjamboree.org

Website for the local P.A.L is www.bakersfieldpal.org

Website for the Boys & Girls Club of Bakersfield is www.bgclubsofkerncounty.org

Website for the Henrietta Weill Center is www.hwmcgc.org

Optimal Hospice Care offers Pet Therapy to Animal-Loving Patients! Join the CarePals Team!

Jacqueline, or “Jackie” for short, knows she’s beautiful. She fully expects everyone to tell her so, and if you don’t, she’ll squint at you until you do. She has a knack for ingratiating herself with people. Twice a month, she has a good bath, gets her nails done, puts on her red scarf and heads to the convalescent home. She takes her owner, Sue Roeser, with her. This tall, white, princess of a Standard Poodle is a pretty special dog.

Jackie has been working miracles as a therapy dog in convalescent homes, schools and libraries for seven years. “Jackie is very spiritual. Put her in a room full of people and she’ll go to the one who needs her most,” says Sue. She is the perfect height for laying her head upon the lap of someone in a wheelchair. They can just reach over and scratch her fluffy, white ears. “We spread smiles and joy,” says Sue. “The dog lets you get into so many places that you wouldn’t get into if you didn’t have the dog. It really enriches your life and gives you such a depth of understanding for other things when you can just chat with people. There’s a lot of history in those convalescent homes.”

Sue began visiting convalescent homes as a hospice volunteer in 1980. She has been volunteering for Optimal Hospice Care since 2003. Optimal Hospice is an organization dedicated to helping people in the end stages of life to remain independent and to live each day as fully and comfortably as possible. Optimal Hospice is excited to add the new pet therapy, CarePals, as a unique and special part of the volunteer services they offer the patients under their care. “As any pet lover knows, there is nothing more comforting than receiving unconditional love from a cuddly animal. We are very excited to bring this kind of care to our families. Optimal is currently searching for other certified/licensed/insured pet therapy teams who are interested in becoming part of our volunteer program. We are also encouraging our current volunteers to get certified with their pets so they can become part of the CarePals program. There can never be too many teams – we have a lot of people who could use the love,” says Rhonda Frankhouser, Volunteer Coordinator.

Sue is uniquely qualified to help with Optimal’s effort to bring pet therapy to their patients. She began her career as a Medical Assistant in a family practice that specialized in Geriatrics. Out of compassion and because there was a need to be filled, Sue would sit with her patients after work. She soon found that helping those facing the end of their lives was a passion of hers. She has been spending time with dying patients for almost thirty years now. Add to that her love of dogs (she has four!) and pet therapy was a natural progression. Sue and Jackie as a team are better able to be of service than just Sue alone. “It is scientifically proven your blood pressure will go down [when you pet an animal],” says Sue. She’s right. According to a study by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration, “In the institutionalized elderly there is evidence that pet therapy may reduce depression and blood pressure, reduce irritability, reduce agitation and increase social interaction.” Sue has witnessed this effect first hand. Several years ago, she was called to visit a man who was dying and very, very angry. He wouldn’t allow anyone in to see him, except his nurses. He was combative, he threw things and for several weeks he refused to talk. A family member who recalled that the gentleman had lost a beloved poodle a few years earlier, suggested Sue and Jackie come for a visit. Out of loneliness for his dog, the man agreed. When Sue and Jackie arrived, he motioned for Jackie to come over. She obliged. The two of them went outside. Then the man did an extraordinary thing. He lifted up Jackie’s ear and began to talk. He talked. And talked. And talked. All the while, Jackie sat quietly and listened. She is excellent at keeping secrets. Two weeks later, the man died peacefully. According to his family, after Sue and Jackie’s visit, he was never angry again.

It’s Jackie’s calm, friendly, non-aggressive behavior that suits her for this line of work. In order to become a therapy dog, Jackie had to pass a test administered by a qualified Tester/Observer. It is a three page test that required Jackie to be under Sue’s control at all times. Jackie had to walk on a loose leash, be able to meet strange dogs, shake hands and many other obedience feats. Then she was observed three times walking room to room in a convalescent home. Of course, Jackie passed the test. She remains up to date on all her shots and tests negative on the fecal check, thereby earning her membership in Therapy Dogs, Inc. As for her owner, Sue is finishing the process of becoming a Tester/Observer herself. “Betty Fillmore started the program in Ridgecrest back in 2002 and we were one of the first ones,” says Sue. It looks like she will also be one of the first ones in the Ridgecrest, Lancaster, and Bakersfield areas qualified to administer the test. In the meantime, Sue is adding two year old Barley to her team. He’s a fluffy, white Bichon who began his work as a therapy dog in September. He’s much shorter than Jackie, but that doesn’t stop him. He’s known for standing on his back legs and putting his paws on the knees of the person in the wheelchair. He loves nothing more than to be petted on his soft, furry head. Jackie and Barley never go to work together since Sue is required to give them her undivided attention when they are on the job. But one can be certain that tall Jackie is teaching young Barley a thing or two at home. You can also bet that Sue is right there in the mix. You see, besides the fact that Sue is a great-grandmother, she has more energy than the average twenty year old. Between tap dancing, acting, stage managing, directing, Beta Sigma Phi, The Red Hat Society and her husband of nineteen years, you might just find Sue and Jackie or Barley happily visiting with your loved one.

For more information about Therapy Dogs Inc., go to www.therapydogs.com. For more information about Optimal Hospice Care or becoming a CarePals Pet Therapy Volunteer for Optimal Hospice Care, contact the volunteer department @ 1-661-716-4000 or email rfrankhouser@optimalcares.com.

For the Love of Cats - DO GOOD - HAVE FUN!

With kids home from school and everyone busy with summer activities our volunteer rate has dropped drastically. Summer is kitten season and the need for foster pet parents is critical. Adoptions are way down and our system is overloaded and overflowing. All of our kittens are current on shot, have had vet checks and been spayed or neutered (if old enough) and treated for fleas.

Please wont you volunteer to be a foster pet parent? If you are not able to foster a kitty right now please go to our website at www.thecatpeople.org and help support our rescue efforts. The Cat People are a volunteer organization so 100% of your donation goes to support our rescues, fund our spay and neuter programs and help special cats in need AND your contribution is tax deductible.

DO GOOD - HAVE FUN!

Neda

http://weareallneda.com/

Let your voices be heard.

Quilts of Valor Across America

The call went out in late January - we need 1200 quilts by late May. I remember thinking there's no way we can get that many quilts made! I volunteer with Quilts of Valor Foundation making quilts for wounded soldiers. The goal of the organization is to support our wounded in the War on Terror by creating tangible gifts of love which will remind them of home.

Gail Belmont, head of Operations in Quilts of Valor came up with the idea of driving across the country picking up the quilts as she travelled and delivering them to Camp Lejeune, NC to present to the wounded Marines and Navy Corpsmen of Company 3/8, returning from Afghanistan.

Gail left Valley Springs, CA June 5th in a double cab pickup towing a trailer emblazoned with the logo "Quilts of Valor Across America." She had 200+ quilts from Washington, Oregon and California, including four that I made.

She and her team, her mom and dad, had pick up destinations in Salt Lake City, Denver, Lincoln, Kansas City , Warrenton, St. Louis and Knoxville Tennessee. In Denver, Catherine Roberts, the founder of Quilts of Valor, joined them.

They met people along their route delivering quilts, attended several quilt guilds and luncheons, were escorted by honor guards of veterans and had a police escort in Tennessee. They reached North Carolina June 12th. There will be a ceremony Monday, June 15th, honoring the returned troops, when the quilts will be presented.

I write about this because I want people to know about one of the many ways people are making a difference in the lives of others. I especially think we cannot do enough to honor our servicemen and women . Later this summer the Cottonpatch Quilt Guild will be presenting quilts to local wounded service personnel.

For the Love of Cats!

The Cat People of Bakersfield in their own quiet way have taken on the huge responsibility of monitoring, controlling and feeding homeless cats in designated areas. In this current economic crisis with people abandoning their pets, this need is greater than ever. As one can well imagine, donations and cat adoptions are down but rescue costs keep skyrocketing.

The Cat People have several fundraisers. The next one is on Saturday June 6th between 12 noon and 11PM. Panda Express at Mt Vernon and 178 will donate 20% of your purchase to the Cat People if you bring in the flier available at http://thecatpeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/panda-express-1-640x414.jpg or at Pawsitively Cats at 602 18th Street.

If you are not able to to join us at Panda Express there are many other ways to help. The Cat People cookbook will be coming out just in time for Christmas. All animal lovers are welcome to submit their favorite recipes to psames@hotmail.com . What a cool way to surprise your friends!

Check out the website at www.thecatpeople.org for volunteer opportunities, to donate catfood and other much needed supplies, and to make a donation via paypal. With so many cats and kittens being adandoned your help is desperately needed to provide care for so many innocent animals that are literally thrown away by their former owners.

The kittens in the pictures were found by a volunteer in a local park, taped up in a box, only a few hours old. No one knows what happened to the mothercat. Weeks of painstakingly bottlefeeding and nuturing paid off; they are healthy, happy and now ready for their forever home. These kittens and other adoptable cats can be seen Saturdays at Petco on Rosedale between 10AM and 3PM.

NEW COMMITEE FORMED TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC Stability

A new committee has been formed to promote economic reform and stability. Their goal is to create policies that promote and create a stable economy that will provide the opportunities for people to be able to provide for themselves and their families. To create a financial system that provides a stable means of exchange. That the value of the currency can be relied upon to provide a safe storage of value, thereby creating the basis for people to be able to make long term commitments and plans. Promote a society that promotes personal responsibility and the freedom to succeed or fail. Promotes a government that creates a level field of competition; that guides but does not control.

The committee is currantly seeking additional dedicated members with all types of skills to carry the word of knowledge into the area of battle. E-mail the Chairman Leonard C. Tekaat at leonardc@earthlink.net or call 661-619-4858.

One person with the correct idea can bring an army to its knees or change history. Go back in history and you will find many examples of this. Remember Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Nicholas Copernicus! Our cause is a good cause. We will save the Republic

COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC REFORM AND A BETTER ECONOMIC FUTURE

We are the Rebels…Reforming Economic Betterment Empowering Legislative Solutions

We endorse the following:

1. Our purpose is to save the Republic of the United States of America by strengthening its economy, by enacting policies that will create economic opportunity for all the citizens of this great nation.

2. Defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

3. Our guiding light is the US Constitution and all its amendments.

4. Our Code of Ethics is the ten commands and the golden rule.

5. We believe in less government intrusion in our lives and retaining our personal responsibility.

6. We believe that freedom cannot be maintained without sacrifice, national and personal responsibility.

7. We believe that the government and our representatives are empowered by the people, to serve the people. That the people have the power to empower and change the government's policies and laws, by peaceful means, for the betterment of the people.

8. Americans enjoy their freedom and want to earn a living without government interference. But with freedom comes responsibility for the citizens and the government. The citizens must learn about credit, both its benefits and dangers. The government must also learn that credit use has its benefits and dangers. The government must govern intelligently and with foresight.

9. We are a nation of free people. We are responsible. The last four letters in American are: I Can. We can do this together and as a Nation of free people. We are responsible for how our economy is guided and what laws are enacted.

Hi my name is Leonard C.Tekaat, Chairman of the Committee For Economic Reform And A Better Economic Future. I am a retired Economic Analyst, Financier, Businessman, investor, author and former candidate for California Congress.

I have over forty years in the financial and business world. For 28yrs I have been saying that there is a major flaw in our economic policies. There is too much debt being created in the inflation economic cycle, which leads to a recession or depression. When a recession is created, the government repeats the same mistake of creating a huge deficit, to stimulate the economy, that leads to inflation and another recession.

The currant economic crisis could have been prevented if the changes I have been proposing would have been enacted 28yrs ago. By using the income tax to discourage excessive credit use during the inflation cycle, to maintain a balanced economy, will help eliminate the endless cycles of inflation and recession. The currant recession can be corrected without the government creating a huge deficit. By using the policies outlined in the Alternative Economic Stimulus Plan to stimulate the economy, it will end the recession without creating another inflation cycle.

On our Federal Reserve notes is printed IN GOD WE TRUST it should read IN THE FED WE TRUST. The government gave its power over the money supply to the Federal Reserve. The Fed with its interest rate policies and the government’s misguiding tax policies are the people’s agencies that created the currant economic crisis. They were helped by people that did not understand the dangers of credit. Add in greed and you have a perfect storm, heading for a major economic crisis.

I have posted the policies that our committee endorses on the web. Please read the economic policy papers that outline the changes that need to be enacted. I hope that we can agree that our philosophies are very close and that the weapon (plan) that we need to win this battle, to reduce deficits and improve our economy, is close at hand.

When the economy is correctly guided and is maintained in balance, it will produce more tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments without raising taxes, as the California Congress has done. As more and more people are able to take care of them-selves, and the enterprise system provides the necessary services that are needed to make our economy more efficient, the government can be reduced in size and taxes can be lowered.

Please read the economic policy paper by the author: 1.Zero Inflation Taxation Policy 2.Alternative Economic Stimulus Plan 3.Repeating The Mistakes Of The Great Depression 4.How To Reduce Oil Imports Without Cap And Trade 5.Stimulate The Economy Without A Huge Deficit 6.Letter To US Treasurer Timathy Geithner 7.Stabilize The Value Of Your Home 8. Reforming the Health Care Market System Please read the others articles also.
These articles are posted on http://www.economysflaw.wordpress.com/ Be sure you read the other articles and comments at http://www.americansolutions.com/ put my stage name in the search box, happyashell

The book INFLATION THE ECONOMY KILLER by Leonard Tekaat is available at Amazon.com or call the author at 661-619-4858 e-mail economysflaw@yahoo.com/

Evening Rotary Club Gains Approval

May 15, 2009

Organizers of the new Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight learned today of its application for charter membership had been approved by Rotary International (Evanston, Illinios), according to Brad Henderson, Special Representative of Rotary District 5240 Governor, Anil Garg.

An announcement was made at the beginning of the May 13 Provisional Club meeting at T.L. Maxwell’s Restaurant, 1421 17^th Place, Bakersfield CA, (its regular meeting place) that the application was accepted by Rotary International Club and District Support Coordinator, Tom Woods (Rotarian), and all was in order. It was a surprise to all new members of how fast the approval process occurred. On May 20^th, the second meeting will be in session and all visiting Rotarians in the area or passing through are invited to attend (including guests of club members).

Brad Henderson, an assistant governor of Rotary District 5240, was assigned to help get the club up and running. More than 20 businesspeople, community leaders, business professionals, educators and fellow Rotarians from other clubs attended the first meeting May 13. Cecil Martin, Incoming President, expressed the goals of the club “to attract civic-minded residents who spend much of their day out of the community or whose schedules make it impossible to attend a morning or mid-day Rotary club meeting.”

The goal is to create an environment where volunteers can discuss a range of community service projects and activities over wine and hors d'oeuvres. Buying drinks is not a requirement at the meeting, which begins at 5:30 pm. with a social mixer and the meeting starting at 6:00 pm Wednesdays.

The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Twilight will be celebrating their chartered organization on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the DoubleTree Hotel on Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield CA. Invitations are being prepared to invite other local club and District 5240 club members. The District Governor for the 2008-2009 Rotary Year, Anil Garg will be presenting the Charter document at this time.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL is a worldwide service organization that seeks to foster humanitarian projects, and support international goals of developing leaders who can address the humanitarian needs of the world and local communities. In addition to thousands of volunteer hours, each year Rotary clubs contribute thousands of dollars in humanitarian aid and relief within the Bakersfield area, funds educational and vocational scholarships and provides leadership training for local young adults.

CSUB graduate publishes his first book, Gino the Minnow

Scott Wolford graduated from California State University Bakersfield in 1989 with a bachelors degree in Physical Education. He swam for the Roadrunners. He enjoyed the local lakes and headed for the coast to enjoy California’s water areas whenever possible. After graduated, he earned his masters in Physical Education in 1990 at Florida International University in Miami. Upon graduating he worked in California and St. Augustine for over six years at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind as the recreation manager for the visually impaired. He was raised in the Indiana Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan for the beaches that are close by. He worked as a lifeguard on Lake Michigan and spent numerous hours on the beach. Scott grew up with a love for nature and continues to share this love with a series of children's books that encourage us all to do our part in helping keep the environment clean.

Gino the Minnow, is Scott's first published book and it focuses on clean water areas. The hardcover book is beautifully illustrated and shows how one little fish can make a world of difference. His next two books will discuss ways to cleaner land and air qualities and what we can all do to help. $1 will be donated to non-profit organizations who focus on cleaner environments.
Thousands upon thousands of miles of coastal and water masses enrich this beautiful nation of ours. Water is one of the most important natural resources that we have. Here in California we all should be truly grateful having such beautiful beaches near by to enrich our lives. All of us need to take care of our water. Not only for ourselves, but for wildlife and future generations to enjoy. Millions of tons of trash are thrown into the water areas each and every year. This trash can take years to decompose, if ever.

A few facts on the time it takes for some materials to fully decompose:
Paper: 2-8 months, Plastic Coated Cartons: 5 years, Plastic Bags: 10-20 years,
Cigarette Butts: up to 12 years, Tin Cans: 50-100 years,
Aluminum Cans:80-100 years, Batteries: 100 years,
Plastic Six Pack Holder Rings: 450 years, Glass Bottles: 1 million years
Plastic Soda Bottles: Forever

As you can see, it takes some materials a very, very long time to decompose, some last forever. Some people may think that it is much easier to simply toss the trash wherever they are, instead of disposing of it properly. Improper disposal of trash has many bad side effects: harm to wildlife. Some creatures eat the litter thinking it is food. The litter causes damages to the creatures' digestive systems. Also, litter can get tangled in the fins or legs of various animal life, which can cut off circulation or other damage to the their tissues. Fishing line and plastic six pack holder rings are the main culprit in these types of damage to wildlife. Numerous injuries on human life are experienced each year as well. Broken glass bottles, aluminum cans, and other forms of litter can cause havoc on ones' body. The water can be contaminated from litter tossed into the water areas, which makes the water harmful to consume or to swim in for humans and wildlife.
Do you want to see the same trash at your favorite water spot, year after year? What can you do about this problem of litter in our water areas? When you go to the water areas pack for the outing as light as possible. Carry with you as few amounts of future trash items as possible. Several suggestions include using cloth napkins, clean towels and rags, stainless steel silverware, glass or pottery dishes and cups, rechargeable batteries, and a thermos for beverages. Bring a garbage bag with you for all of your trash items, as there may not be any trash cans in the location that you will be going or it may already be filled. Dispose of all of your trash properly. Used fishing line should be recycled. If you see trash left behind by others, please do your part in cleaning up the water areas, by picking it up. Be careful when picking up trash. You should wear proper gloves.
Go for a nice walk along the water. Bring a garbage bag with you, to allow you to pick up any trash that you may see along the way. You’ll get some great exercise, see some beautiful sights, spend quality time with those special to you, and leave a clean water area, which everyone can enjoy. Join an organized beach cleanup group. Start your own beach cleanup group. Do your own beach cleanup each and every time you visit your favorite water area.
Especially with the high price of gas, why not stay close to home and enjoy your local beaches? For more information on ordering his book, Gino the Minnow or helping keep the water areas clean, please look on www.ginotheminnow.com. Scott would like to hear from his friends and others who share a devotion to our environment.

E-Waste Conquered in Kern County on Earth Day

Kaiser Permanente and Goodwill Industries Lend a “Green” Helping Hand

April 22, otherwise known as Earth Day, is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than by participating in Kaiser Permanente’s second annual E-Waste Collection Day, held in partnership with Goodwill Industries.

Last year, Kern County raised over 19,000 tons of E-waste during the nine-hour E-waste drive – the most E-waste to be raised by Kaiser Permanente throughout Southern California.

What is E-waste you might ask? It is unusable, broken or outdated electronics, or anything that has a plug or uses batteries such as, broken, old and unusable computers, monitors, TV sets, digital cameras, cell phones, printers, fax machines, clocks, phones, radios and DVD/CD/VHS players.

By partnering with Goodwill, the community will be able to quickly and conveniently drop off their personal e-waste from home at our Goodwill-staffed curbside collection station on the day of the event. Goodwill Industries of Southern California has a well-established e-waste collection program, which properly disposes of, recycles, or reuses e-waste through its community education, training, and job replacement services for people with disabilities.

Earth Day is an international day of celebrating the environmental gains that have been made globally, and a reminder that we need to accelerate environmental progress. For over three decades, Earth Day has been gaining momentum and is a perfect time to unite people around new actions to protect our communities, the environment, and the planet.

Kaiser Permanente believes in quality health care and quality living and working environments to further aid its vision. The focus of several major projects that demonstrate Kaiser Permanente’s local commitment to environmental stewardship include: green building practices; education for future environmentally sensitive architectural designs and construction; the formation of The Global Health and Safety Initiative and lowering emissions from our courier vehicles.

E-waste drop off sites will be hosted at Kaiser’s Ming Medical Office Building, facing Haggin Oaks Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Kaiser’s East Hill’s medical office building on the north side of the building from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For media inquires contact Jason Gutierrez at 661-334-2027 or jason.p.gutierrez@kp.org.

Teen Court of Kern County - Submitted by Beth Rumbo

Teen Court of Kern County

Teen Court was established in October 1993. Since the beginning, Teen Court has maintained a 90 percent success rate of minors not re-entering the formal Juvenile Justice system. Teen Court is funded by grants, court fines and private and corporate donations.

In Teen Court, young people between the ages of 10 and 17 years, who are first time misdemeanor offenders with no previous formal involvement with the Juvenile Justice system, can be referred by the Kern County Probation Department to this alternative diversion court.

The must admit guilt of the offense and voluntarily agree to appear with his/her parents in Teen Court for sentencing by a jury of his/her peers.

The Teen Court program utilizes many adult volunteers: local attorneys serve as judges and paralegals from the Kern County Paralegal Association (KCPA) prepare the contracts and other required forms. Other adult volunteers serve as integral staff in the court process.

Teen Court juries are composed of minors serving their Teen Court sentences as well as student volunteers from our local Junior High and High Schools, who also serve as court bailiffs. Some of the student volunteers are returning graduates of the Teen Court program. The jury members come to realize that it is possible to think before you act and through this, learn to make better decisions when faced with life’s temptations.

After testimony, questioning and deliberation, the sentence given by a jury of peers includes mandatory fines and community service hours in addition to jury service. Other sentencing possibilities are written essays, letters of apology to victims and graffiti clean up. The volunteer attorney serving as judge signs the Jury Report Form. The teen presents the Jury Report Form to the volunteer paralegal from KCPA who completes the contract for the teen and parent to sign.

Upon completion of the sentence (within 90 days), the case file is destroyed and charges are dismissed at the Kern County Probation Department.

Chinese American Association Announces 2009 Board of Directors

The Chinese American Association of Kern County (CAAKC) is pleased to announce its 2009 board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for the organization’s fiscal stability, membership recruitment, event planning and coordination of efforts with other local Chinese organizations.

The largest event planned by the CAAKC is the annual Chinese New Year dinner and performance, which is held each year around Chinese New Year. Upcoming events include a talent show, Fourth of July barbecue and a trip to the Huntington Museum.

President - Jialan Su, Audit Manager, Brown Armstrong CPAs

Vice President and Membership Chair - Mark Lewis, Business Manager, Kern County Library

Treasurer - Li Kang Liu, Professor, Bakersfield College

Secretary - Ed Joe, Accountant III, Kern Medical Center and Treasurer, Bakersfield Chinese Christian Church

Director of Public Relations and Events Chair - Amber Chiang, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Bakersfield College

Past President and Advisor - Quon Louey, Chief Technology Officer, The Centennial Group

Past President and Advisor - Patrick Leung, MD, Allergist & Immunologist

Past President and Advisor - Young Trieu, Realtor, REMAX Golden Empire

Board Member - Catherine Godges, Occupational Therapy, Mercy Hospital, Past President, Bakersfield Chinese Women’s Club

Board Member - Maria Leung, President, Bakersfield Chinese Women’s Club

Board Member - Ling Liang, Reservoir Engineer, Chevron and Principal, Bakersfield Chinese School

CAAKC can be found online at www.caakc.com or at 804 18^th Street, 93301.

The Chinese American Association of Kern County (CAAKC), was founded in 1992 to provide cultural, educational, and recreational programs, foster fellowship, and promote the Chinese heritage in the community.

New Babies

Several weeks ago, just before we moved into our new house, a friend of mine asked for a favor. She had been feeding a young cat who was the sole survivor of a litter that some heartless cretin had thrown into the creek behind her house. She noticed that this kitty, smaller than the other ferals she was feeding, seemed to be picked on quite a bit by the other cats. She also seemed more tame, and my friend was able to coax her into being touched. "Can you take this kitty and find a home for her?" my friend asked. I said I would try, and the next day she brought the kitty to my office. The first thing I noticed about the kitty was that she was absolutely gorgeous, with fluffy, solid black fur and huge gold eyes. The next thing I noticed, a short time later, was that my new rescue kitty was pregnant.

It is possible to spay a pregnant queen, but I just can't bring myself to do it. And so we watched as the kitty got bigger every week. We named her Snoopy, since she never met a cabinet or closet that did not need exploring. Snoopy's little belly grew to the point that it nearly brushed the floor, and it had to be as big around as she was long. I began to worry, since she is a small kitty and I have had petite queens who had difficulty delivering their kittens. But I underestimated this kitty.

Saturday night, Snoopy started acting like she was ready to deliver. She meowed frequently, and her meows had a different quality than her usual soft voice. She tried desperately to open the closet door in my dressing room. Ready for a long night, I took a pillow and blanket into the dressing room and prepared for a kittening vigil. I managed to stay awake until four a.m., but nothing had happened yet, and I fell asleep. It was seven thirty when I jolted up, looking for Snoopy. I found her in my closet, two kittens nursing, and a third, still encased in the amniotic sac, cold as ice. I was devastated; I had left her, and a kitten had died as a result. I picked up the cold kitten, wrapped it in a wash cloth and held it, with the intention of burying it later. But to my shock, the dead kitty let out a meow! I pulled the membranes away and ran a sink of warm water, and then immersed the cold kitten in the water up to its neck. After a couple minutes in the warm water, the kitty began to move. I dried him and placed him with his mother, who started licking his face, as if to say, "Oh, I thought you were gone! Glad to see you, son!"

I watched and helped, when I could, as Snoopy delivered two more kittens. I had been concerned about her young age and inexperience, but she cared for her babies expertly, as if she were an older, more experienced queen. I was thankful that I'd acquired her early, and that she'd had time to know me. She trusted me completely, and only became agitated when anyone other than myself or my husband entered the dressing room.

As I write, the kittens are two days old and thriving. Snoopy dislikes the isolation, having become accustomed to sleeping with us at night and having a morning cuddle before we left for work. She is a wonderful mama, and her babies promise to be every bit as beautiful as she is. When they are old enough, they will be up for adoption, as will Snoopy. Alas, I can't keep them all, and when they are adopted, I will be doing a lot of crying. But that is part of pet rescue. As a rescuer, we go into it knowing that we cannot keep every foster that we care for, and that with every one who is adopted goes a little piece of our heart. But still, we do it, always with the hope that the families who adopt our babies will love them as much as we do.

Stay tuned for updates, and more photos of Snoopy and her babies.

Bakersfield Chapter DAR Members Attend State Conference in Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara, CA

The Santa Clara Marriott Hotel welcomed Bakersfield DAR Chapter Regent Linda Adams and Chapter Treasurer Mary Ann Claxton to the California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution to their 101st State Conference held on Thursday, March 12, through Sunday, March 15. On opening night, State Regent Leonora Branca gave a warm greeting to the over 400 members who attended the conference. After the colors were presented by the Naval Reserve Center San Jose Color Guard, greetings and a proclamation were given by Patricia M. Mahan, Mayor of the City of Santa Clara. State awards were presented for community service and good citizenship among others. The purpose of the conference is to present awards and receive annual reports from California’s hard-working chapters and committees.

The California State Society was organized in 1891 and it’s more than
8,000 members comprising 116 chapters remain dedicated to furthering the National Society DAR goals of patriotism, education and historical preservation. In the spirit of hospitality, the California Daughters actively seek new members!

Other highlights of the conference included the National Defense Luncheon and the Debutante Presentation and Banquet. The speaker at the luncheon was Michael P.C. Carns, General U.S. Air Force (Retired). The General is a command pilot with more than 6,400 flying hours. His numerous military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak cluster, Distinguished Service Medal and Silver Star Legion of Merit with three oak clusters.

Saturday evening’s Debutante Presentation served to introduce the young women who are eligible to become DAR junior members to the members of the California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Holly Jamison, a junior vocal performance major at the University of the Pacific, entertained with brio.

The slogan for 2008-2010 is “California DAR goes Green”. Under the
Leadership of State Regent Leonora Branca, California daughters now receive their newsletter over the internet. Also, DAR members may be seen carrying their new green bags, the proceeds from the sale of which are going to purchase eco-boxes --- self-guided audio tours to be located in the new Condor Country at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

“Condors are important, they are endangered, but they are making a comeback”, says Leonora Branca. DAR has supported conservation projects for almost 100 years.

The National Society DAR was founded in 1890. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American Independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations.

To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit Bakersfield Chapter's website at www.californiadar.org/chapters/bakersfield/bakersfield.htm

Churches leave buildings to do good in the community

Instead of meeting in a church building this past Sunday, local church community Kaleo Fellowship, along with Life Journey Christian Church and a group from Yadah, went out into the community for volunteer work.

It was part of “Gone 4 Good,” a regular event in which churches partner with different organizations to serve the community. The goal is to “tangibly express and demonstrate God's love.” It is caring for those in need: the lonely, the poor, the sick, the lost, or the disabled.

This Gone 4 Good was centered on the launch of the League of Dreams baseball season. The League of Dreams is a local youth sports league created for those with disabilities. It gives every child the chance to play who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate due to their mild to severe disabilities. The League of Dreams event was sponsored by Terrio Therapy-Fitness and supported by the Gone 4 Good churches.

The church bodies helped out by grilling and serving lunch, running carnival activities, playing games with the children, helping keep things clean and supporting the workers and families at the event. Much of the church stuck around to cheer on the children and their families during the first round of games.

Mary Leighton, who organized the event, sees serving this way: “We can hide behind the church walls or we can go out and be the church. We're not wearing the name of our church but we are wearing the name of Christ.”

The idea for Gone 4 Good was formed by Kaleo Fellowship's leadership long before the church planted its roots in Bakersfield. When they dreamed what their new church should look like, they wondered how it would look if they focused on serving others as much as Jesus did. The answer made them evaluate how church communities live out their faith together and the idea was born.

In Gone 4 Good, churches look for opportunities to serve where there is great need. In the past, they've partnered with the city and cleaned up an alley packed with garbage. They also partnered with Ricky's Retreat to help support people living with AIDS.

Caleb Mizell, a teenage church member who has served at several Gone 4 Good events, said, “It's cool to see the look on people’s faces when you give and don't expect anything back.”

For more information on Gone 4 Good, visit http://web.me.com/sbcole/G4G_Bakersfield/Home.html. The new Web site at www.goneforgood.cc should be up soon.

Easter Basket Eggstravaganza Sends Disabled Kids to Camp

Easter is just around the corner and the Society for Disabled Children is contributing to the excitement by hosting its 15th Annual Easter Basket Eggstravaganza.

The Eggstravaganza will feature over fifty Easter Baskets with a beginning value of $100.00, a fashion show and luncheon. The highlight of the afternoon is the opportunity drawing for each of the beautiful baskets. Tickets for the drawing may be purchased for $1.00 each or 12 for $10.00 at the event.

All proceeds from the event will support Camp Blue Jay, the Society’s summer camp program for disabled children. The Society is a local non-profit organization providing services to disabled children throughout Kern County. Services provided by the Society include; speech therapy, camp, financial assistance to attend medical appointments, social activities and medical equipment on a case-by-case basis.

The fun begins at 11:00am on April 4, 2009 at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Avenue. Tickets for the event are $25.00 each or $250.00 for a table of ten and may be purchased in advance at the Society for Disabled Children’s office located at 1819 Brundage Lane. For additional information please call 661-322-5595, 9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday.

LQ’s Performing Arts Center’s “Giving BACK to the Community” Weekend

LQ’s Performing Arts Center’s “Giving BACK to the Community” Weekend

LQ’s Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit group which dedicates itself to empowering and enriching the lives of the youth in Kern County, will place themselves in the position of giving back to the community it serves. On May 15^th- 17^th, LQ’s has scheduled a set of events to incorporate their act of GIVING BACK. All are set to be located at LQ’s Performing Arts Center (1300 19^th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301).
On Friday, May 15^th, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will host their 1^st Ever Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony @ 10a to ignite their Grand Re-Opening. The invited guest include: Mayor Harvey Hall, Irma Carson, Sue Benham, Ken Weir, David Couch, Harold Hanson, Jacquie Sullivan, Zack Scrivner, Jon McQuiston, Don Maben, Mike Maggard, Ray Watson, Michael J. Rubio, Kevin McCarthy, Jim Costa, and other prominent members of the Kern County area. The community is invited to attend a day of celebration, recognition, raffle prizes, dance/music/poetry presentations, and fun.
Later on that day, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will host a Business Mixer, starting at 6p. Local business owners will be given the opportunity to network and socialize with other business owners, professionals, and corporate and community leaders in an upscale, business-casual, energetic, and fun environment. With a twist of hospitality, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will provide their guest with gourmet appetizers, chocolate, wine, spirits, live music and entertainment, and an opportunity to NETWORK.
On Saturday, May 16^th, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will offer a full day of fun for the Community with FREE Performing Arts Classes (Hip-Hop, Cheer, Ballet, Tap, Vocal, Gymnastics, Vocal, Acting, and Yoga), Face Painting, Magicians, Performances, and Prizes. This will give the community an opportunity to experience LQ’s; “Free of Charge.”
On Sunday, May 17^th, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will host a partial viewing of the Heart Gallery. The Heart Gallery is an exhibit of portraits displaying the foster kids of Kern County. The hope is that the viewers will be able to get information about how to adopt the featured individuals. LQ’s will open its doors for viewing at 6 p.m.

Any further questions, please direct them to LaQuette Milner at 661-343-0442

LQ’s Performing Arts Center

P.O. Box 1724

Bakersfield, CA 93302

Phone: 661-343-0442

Fax: 661-872-2418

E-mail: laquettelala2002@yahoo.com

LQ’s Performing Arts Center will perform at the Police Activities League

LQ’s Performing Arts Center will perform at the BPAL (Bakersfield Police Activities League)

LQ’s Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit group which dedicates itself to empowering and enriching the lives of the youth in Kern County, will put on a show for the students who attend the Bakersfield Police Activities League program on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 4 p.m.

It was agreed upon by LQ’s Director, LaQuette Milner, and BPAL’s Head Boxing Coach, Mike Dallas, that their two programs would continue to help each other out throughout the year.

On January 31, the pair teamed up to bring Kern County the first ever Boxing Exhibition & Dance Event. This fundraiser helped raise money to fund the campaign to “Save LQ’s for 2009”. In return, LQ’s Performing Arts Center will volunteer their time at BPAL Center to help encourage and motivate the youth to participate in the Performing Arts.

Any further questions, please direct them to LaQuette Milner at 661-343-0442.

LQ’s Performing Arts Center

P.O. Box 1724

Bakersfield, CA 93302

Phone: 661-343-0442

Fax: 661-872-2418

E-mail:

laquettelala2002@yahoo.com

Local Churches are Gone for Good

Local churches partner with League of Dreams this Sunday.

In place of meeting at a church building, local churches Kaleo Fellowship and Life Journey Christian Church will be the church by partnering with the League of Dreams.

Gone 4 Good, which happens nearly every month, partners with different local organizations to serve the community. Gone 4 Good means the congregation is love in action, caring for those in need: the lonely, the poor, the sick, the lost, or the disabled.

This particular Gone 4 Good Sunday the churches are partnering for the second time with the League of Dreams. The League of Dreams is a sports league in Bakersfield created for those with disabilities. This league gives “every child the chance to play” games and events they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to participate in due to their mild to severe disabilities.

The League of Dreams baseball season event will be at Fruitvale and Norris Park . The church bodies will be around the field from 11am to 2pm helping with cooking, setting up for lunch, manning booths (for carnival type activities), helping keep things clean and supporting the workers and families at the event.

In doing Gone 4 Good, the churches look specifically for opportunities to serve others where there aren't many too quick to volunteer. In the past, they've partnered with the city and cleaned up a filthy, untouchable alley. They also partnered with Ricky's Retreat to help support and serve people living with AIDS.

It is an opportunity for the churches to love their neighbors and to be the church that God intended.

Why Host an AYUSA International Exchange Student

Dear Bakersfield and Surrounding Community Familes,

We are delighted to announce a very special program in your community!

AYUSA International (Academic Year in the USA) is a high school foreign exchange student organization. We welcome teenagers from over 70 countries worldwide and provide host family placement and ongoing supervision for 10-month academic programs. Our central goal is to provide young people with learning experiences that foster cultural appreciation, insight and meaningful friendship.

We invite you to participate in this unique and rewarding adventure by opening your heart and home to an exchange student.

AYUSA students are 16-18 years old.

Students will attend high school daily, participate in extra-curricular activities

and complete a community service project.

They look forward to a warm bond of friendship with your family and a rewarding cultural exchange.

Natural parents pay all program fees, health insurance and provide students with a spending allowance.

Host families are asked to provide food on the table and a bedroom either shared or private.

A professionally trained AYUSA Community Representative will explain all program details, help you select a student and provide ongoing support throughout the program.

All across the world, AYUSA students are eagerly awaiting their host family placement. Please call today and begin the adventure of a lifetime!

CR Name: Rayleen Jackson

CR Phone: (661) 745-3041 – ayusawesternregion@hotmail.com

AYUSA Website: http://www.ayusa.org

Make a World of Difference for Global Youth!

Exchange students from Germany, Taiwan, Brazil and other countries will be arriving in Bakersfield this Fall to participate in an Academic Year in the U.S.A. (AYUSA). AYUSA International, a non-profit youth exchange organization, is seeking families in the area who are interested in hosting an outstanding student embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

AYUSA students are carefully selected according to their maturity and flexibility, academic and extracurricular achievements and a dedication to both international and civic responsibility. AYUSA students will arrive in Bakersfield at the end of August, equipped with medical insurance, spending money, a firm command of English and a strong commitment to becoming a member of the local community and your family.

Bakersfield host families are asked only to treat their student as one of their own, providing food, a bed (not necessarily in a private room), and a loving family environment. Families interested in hosting will have the opportunity to broaden their horizons, provide a unique contribution to their community and make a positive impact on global youth. You will work with a Regional Director that has experience hosting many students from different cultures.

Youth volunteers can ask their own family to host, or can help Regional Director look for quality families in their own school community.

Host parent must be at least 25 years of age. A single person should plan on hosting two students of their gender. English must be the first language spoken in the home.

This opportunity is sponsored by: AYUSA Global Youth Exchange

The Student Conservation Association's Desert Restoration Corps

For eight months out of the year, for the past seven years, the deserts of southern California have had an unacknowledged advocate.

Braving extreme daytime heat, the freezing temperatures of the winter night and the constant threat of unseen cacti, the Student Conservation Association has sent into the desert four crews of environmentally-minded young people as part of the Desert Restoration Corps, hoping to harbor the energy of the young to help restore areas of critical environmental concern in regions stretching all the way from the Northern Sonoran to the greater Mojave.

The Student Conservation Association is a nation-wide non-profit devoted to cultivating environmental leadership in individuals 18 and up, and employs crews and interns throughout the country on projects as varied as trail-building and educational outreach.
The Desert Restoration Corps is one of the organization’s most unique programs, contracted through the Bureau of Land Management, it places 4-9 people together on a crew, who then must live and work together, camping out in the desert for 10 day “Hitches” throughout the months between October and May. Corps members work nine hour days and in return for their service they gain a crucial awareness of the delicate desert ecosystem, health-care coverage, and are offered an optional Ameri Corps Education Award ($2,700), which can be used to pay off loans or attend future educational opportunities.

One of these Desert Restoration crews is currently working in the Jawbone/Butterbredt region of the Western Mojave, located outside Ridgecrest, CA a mere two hours from Bakersfield.
The Jawbone crew is made up of individuals who have come from places as varied as Colorado, Maine, and Florida, and who range in ages from 18 to 27.
Besides fencing off designated wilderness areas and spots with a high-populace of the endangered desert Tortoise, the Jawbone crew concentrates a great deal of its time on restoring off-road tracks and “incursions” that cut swaths through the desert. Using techniques such as vertical and horizontal mulching, seed pitting and live transplants it hopes to restore the aesthetic and life-supporting qualities of the Desert's natural state.
When not doing direct conservation work, the crew performs various forms of community outreach, educating the public about the importance of environmental awareness and the impact each individual has on the integrity of their land.
The Jawbone crew talks with off-highway vehicle users and other recreational users of the desert about how they can enjoy the beauty and excitement of the desert with the utmost responsibility, diminishing damage to the desert while helping maintain its natural integrity for the enjoyment of future generations.

If you would like further information regarding the work of the Desert Restoration Corps, or about the Student Conservation Association as a whole please visit us on the web at:
www.thesca.org

If you are interested in volunteering with the Jawbone Crew, please contact us through the Ridgecrest Bureau of Land Management at 760-384-5400.

Mentoring helps woman turn her life around

Mary Wayner had every reason to give up. She had surrendered her body to drugs, her children to CPS and her life to hopelessness.
Drug-free today, Wayner has been reunited with her children and she has a job and a house. “I’m doing fantastic,” she tells her mentor, Patricia Mitchell. This month, the two are celebrating Wayner’s 45th birthday together, and National Mentoring Month.
Wayner, placed in foster care as a young child, began using marijuana and methamphetamine at age 11. Like her birth parents, she became an addict and eventually ended up on the streets with her children.
“My life was a mess,” Wayner says. “You’re done, you’re tired, and you know that there is something more to life than this. I knew I had to make a change before I lost what meant the most to me — my children.”
Early in 2007, Wayner made a change. She voluntarily turned over her two youngest children to Child Protective Services, and then turned herself into probation.
Through substance abuse treatment, Wayner was able to get off drugs. But she recalls that she needed more. “The classes showed me how to get clean,” Wayner says. “But I realized that it wasn’t just quitting dope; there’s a whole lot more to learning how to live.”
Guided by a referral from the Kern County Department of Human Services, Wayner enrolled in Garden Pathways’ Family to Family Mentoring program in September 2007.
She engaged in group mentoring, received job search guidance and was matched with Mitchell as her mentor. Within weeks, Wayner had found a job. A house soon followed, and then transportation.
Wayner tells the Garden Pathways team, “You didn't hand me a job or a house, you gave me the courage to take steps to get a job and a house.” She pauses, and then beams with pride. “My boss tells me that I’m an asset at work. My job loves me so much, they come to pick me up and drop me home.”
When Mitchell began to mentor Wayner, she first guided her to focus on her strengths. “She had the will, the right attitude, but lacked confidence,” Mitchell recalls. “She needed someone to care and encourage her. We were able to share our faith together.”
In the summer of 2008, Wayner joyously celebrated the return of her children, Corrie, 14, and Dustin, 15. However, the family soon encountered the challenges of the extended separation.
During this transitional period, Wayner garnered support from Mitchell in learning how to communicate effectively with her teens and how to establish boundaries and consequences.
“She showed me how to be a mom,” says Wayner.
Both children entered Garden Pathways’ youth mentoring program. Corrie now has the additional support of her mentor, Bre Carlson. With Carlson’s guidance, the 14-year-old is making major strides in communication and anger management. Wayner reports that family dynamics have improved tremendously. “Change is scary, but it’s awesome,” she says.
What happened this Christmas would have been unimaginable to Wayner a year ago. TIC, The Industrial Co., adopted the Wayner family and generously showered them with gifts.
But the best was yet to come: presents from Wayner’s two grown children. Her eldest son, 28, shared the first surprise. He informed Wayner that he had recently given up drugs: “If you could do it, Mom, so could I.”
Then Wayner’s 24-year-old son called from out of state after nine years of silence. At age 6, he had been removed from Wayner. Mother and son had spoken once in 18 years. Since Christmas, they have been talking almost every night.
Mitchell, a project manager with McIntosh & Associates, had initial reservations in becoming a mentor. She remembers asking herself, “Do I really have the time?” A year later Mitchell says, “I’m surprised that mentoring is a lot easier than I thought it would be. I expected it to be more work and harder than it is. It’s amazing how little we have to give someone else for it to be so valuable.”

Kern County is in dire need of mentors to guide and encourage at-risk youth and adults. The investment of a mentor can change the future of a family forever.
You can become a mentor or volunteer through Garden Pathways to help your community in one of the following ways:
Attend training to become a mentor and be willing to commit one hour a week of your time for one year to mentor at-risk youth or adults one-on-one, as a group, or as part of a team.
Commit to becoming a “mentoring consultant” to train or support mentoring participants or mentors in your field of expertise.
Sponsor a mentoring event or enrichment experience for at-risk youth.
Donate financially to support mentoring.
Other local organizations also offer opportunities for mentoring. For information on how to get involved, contact:
Garden Pathways Inc. (Family to Family Mentoring): Karen Goh, Executive Director; 661-633-9133; www.gardenpathways.org
Stay Focused (Reach 4 Greatness Mentoring): Manuel Carrizalez, Founder/President; 661-322-4673; www.stayfocused.org
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central California: Gerardo Marquez, Program Manager; 661-900-1222; www.bigs.org.
MENTOR: www.mentoring.org

Social Event to Benefit WarmLine on its 30th Anniversary

WarmLine, a local non-profit parenting organization, is celebrating 30 years by launching its “1st Annual Luau and Silent Auction”. The event is a fundraiser and all proceeds will help WarmLine continue to provide a free telephone support service for parents of young children, 0 to 6 years of age. The funds will also help make parenting education materials available to those families experiencing the common challenges of raising infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

WarmLine was founded in 1979 by Margaret Gannon and Mary Lee Hutson, local Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors. The inspiration for WarmLine came from a similar program operated out of Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. They learned of the services offered in Los Angeles and felt is was something that would benefit the Bakersfield community as well. Although the Bakersfield WarmLine maintains a close resemblance of the WarmLine in Los Angeles, it is unique in the use of parents as volunteers and the two groups are not affiliated.

Today, the organization is run by local parent volunteers, generally sponsored for membership by a past or present member of WarmLine. After completion of a six-month training, volunteers serve on WarmLine’s Executive Board and start taking calls, offering parenting guidance to anyone who needs it. WarmLine believes that parenting is a difficult and challenging job, and understands that parents often feel isolated with their questions and concerns about their children. The organization’s primary concern is for the emotional well being and self-esteem of young children ages birth to 6 years and their families.

If you would like to support WarmLine and/or learn more about this non-profit organization, please join us at our “1^st Annual Luau and Silent Auction” to be held at Coconut Joe’s Private Beach Club (4000 Easton Drive) from 6:30pm to 10:30pm on Friday, February 13, 2009. The event includes dinner, drinks, live entertainment, raffle and silent auction. Some of the donors are: American Jewelers, Essentials Day Spa, Café Med, Fresno Chaffer Zoo, Legoland, Action Sports, Chico’s and many more. Event tickets are $30 per person or $300 per table of 10. For tickets and/or table sponsorship please contact Patty Reis at 203-4817 or warmline@earthlink.net. Those who are unable to attend can mail their tax-deductible donation to: WarmLine 4101 Union Avenue, Suite 3, Bakersfield, California 93305.

For parenting support, please call 323-3531, M-F 8:30am to 4:30pm (excluding holidays) or go to www.e-warmline.org.

Boy Scouts Do Their Good Turn

Since 1910, the ideals of Scouting have guided young men to perform "service to others and to the community." Responding to the plight of America's poor and hungry is a traditional Scouting "good turn." During World War I, Boy Scouts planted vegetable gardens to provide food for the hungry; President Roosevelt called on Scouts to collect food for the needy during the Great Depression, and planting Victory Gardens were the Scouting "good turns" organized during World War II. Today, Boy Scouts continue their Good Turn efforts in community stewardship through Scouting for Food.

“We definitely see the need to feed the hungry in our own communities as evidenced by comments we get from local food banks of markedly increased demands on their resources,” according to John Wagner, District Director of the Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America. “We in Scouting are proud to do our part to help feed those in need through our partnership with these agencies,” Wagner notes.

Many local food pantries are proud to note that Scouting for Food is the single largest donation they receive each year, and the community is a key part of the success. This year the need for community support is greater than ever.

"In 2008, the food bank was over whelmed by people, a 90 percent increase, in need of food… many people that have never needed help before." Partnership Food Bank Manager, Gary Romriell, stated.“This need for food will continue to increase in this coming year."

In Scouting for Food, Scouts deliver empty shopping bags to homes in

their neighborhoods, residents then fill those bags with non-perishable

foods to be picked up by the Scouts and delivered to the drop off location.

This year, the Southern Sierra Council is beginning their Scouting for

Food efforts with shopping bags being delivered to homes on Saturday,

January 31^st with Scouts returning the following Saturday to pick up the

food and deliver it to a drop off location.

If you do not receive a bag at your home you can still participate in the food drive. All city and county fire stations are accepting food donations now through Saturday, February 7th, or bring your canned goods to the Rosedale Wal-mart parking lot on February 7th between 11:30am and 3pm.

For information on Scouting in your area please contact the Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America at 661-325-9036.

Caring Brings Tears

The Christmas season brought tears to many Bakersfield families. Tears of joy, tears of hope, and tears of thankfulness flowed as families in need received an outpouring of caring from the community. Through the generosity of diverse local organizations, families who otherwise would not have had Christmas gifts were showered with presents for their children, as well as with food baskets and household furnishings.

Even with the challenges of the economy, community residents looked for ways to assist others. Garden Pathways received numerous requests from businesses and other organizations that wanted to help its clients. Chevron, Body Xchange, TIC, Frontier High School’s wrestling team, Kiwanis “Golden K” Club, and friends of Janis Varner were among the groups that assisted over 200 participants in Garden Pathways’ mentoring and child care programs — Family to Family Mentoring, E3 Performing Arts, and The Garden Christian Preschool.

Tears welled up in Monica Gonzales’ eyes when she learned that her family had been adopted by Chevron’s “Warm-a-Heart” program. She couldn’t believe that anyone would want to help her. Gonzales and her five children celebrated with joy when the shiny red dryer arrived. “It’s so beautiful,” Gonzales exclaimed. “I want to leave it in the living room so everyone can see it!” But that was just the beginning. More gifts followed. Soon Gonzales’ bare home was filled with a washer to accompany the dryer, beds and bedding for the children, dressers, and a kitchen table with chairs. The “Warm-a-Heart” team fully stocked the kitchen with dishes, pots and pans, silverware, and other household items; and then came toys for the children, bikes, games, gift certificates, and grocery cards. From the warmth of caring, emerged six hearts full of joy and gratitude.

Just four months earlier, Gonzales and her children were living in an abandoned apartment. Entrapped by substance addiction, depression, and fear, Gonzales saw little hope for her family’s future. Gonzales’ two teenage sons refused to let their mother give up. They sought help for their mom through Garden Pathways. With the encouragement of a mentor, Gonzales entered the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter in August. She fully engaged in its programs and Garden Pathways’ Family to Family Mentoring program. By mid-November, Gonzales had made the positive changes needed to move her family into a four-bedroom house. She is now actively pursuing employment.

When Ede Pacaldo learned of Gonzales’ story, she knew that she wanted to make Christmas extra special for the Gonzales family. She emailed her colleagues at Chevron with a long list of suggested items. Employees and business partners responded in generosity with even more than she had requested. Pacaldo, the “Warm-a-Heart” team leader at Chevron’s Kern River site, has participated in the program for over 15 years. She and fellow employee, Silvia Hurtado, organize fundraisers throughout the year to raise money to adopt families. This Christmas, their “Warm-a-Heart” team adopted the Gonzaleses and another family that has been mentored at Garden Pathways. At Pacaldo’s suggestion, the “Warm-a-Heart” team at Chevron’s Camino Media site also partnered with Garden Pathways to adopt a family. Pacaldo repeatedly expresses thankfulness that Chevron allows its employees to conduct fundraisers for community causes, “I’m so blessed to have a good job and a great company that encourages us to support our community. The program has blessed my whole family and helps us to realize how blessed we are.” Pacaldo, who involves her sons, Zac and Noah, in the charitable initiatives, notes, “These families are working hard to help themselves and they receive ongoing, long-term support from Garden Pathways.”

Body Xchange and T.I.C. (The Industrial Company) also encourage their employees and clients to give back to the community. Under the coordination of Lisa Nelson, director of operations, Body Xchange provided gifts to over 80 at-risk families in Garden Pathways’ mentoring and child care programs. Children and youth, whose names adorned Christmas trees at Body Xchange health clubs, received toys, bikes, MP3 players, dolls, and games through the annual toy drive.

T.I.C. project manager Eddie Berdon personally went grocery shopping so that less fortunate families could have a complete Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Berdon led the effort to ensure that that his T.I.C. team provided ample gifts — carefully chosen for each family member.

Young people and seniors alike gave generously. Frontier High School’s wrestling team continued its tradition of adopting families for Christmas. After assistant wrestling coach Ray Mooney and the Titan team made their delivery of gifts to three appreciative families, one of the coaches wanted to do even more. On Christmas Eve, he took it upon himself to purchase Christmas food baskets and delivered them with a warm greeting to each family.

Sunny Scofield, president of Kiwanis “Golden K” Club, told Garden Pathways that their members wanted to share the joy of the season with children in need. Residents from Rosewood Senior Living Community arrived with a car filled with teddy bears, dogs, lions, and other cuddly creatures. Children of CalWORKs participants at The Garden Christian Preschool beamed from ear to ear as they hugged the menagerie of stuffed animals that the group of caring seniors provided.

For the eighteenth consecutive year, Janis Varner and her friends helped to make Christmas brighter for local families through Varner’s annual Christmas open house. Varner’s friends loaded her home with food and toys — enough for over 100 children and their families. As she does each year, Varner teased her guests, “This is the last year!” But the generosity continues year after year. Their caring hearts cannot stop giving.

Tears flowed at The Garden Community Center as mothers who did not have the means to buy food or gifts picked up their Christmas blessing — their prayers had been answered.

Karen Goh, executive director of Garden Pathways, offers appreciation for the community’s generosity, “We’re very grateful for the many caring community members who have opened their hearts to those in need and have once again shown that Bakersfield is truly a community that cares.” Garden Pathways welcomes volunteers, mentors, and donors throughout the year to invest in lives. Many opportunities are available to impact the future of CalWORKs and CPS participants, youth and their families impacted by gang violence, emancipating and emancipated foster youth, pregnant and parenting youth, and other at-risk youth. For more information, call Karen Goh, executive director, at (661) 633-9133 or visit www.gardenpathways.org.

Donate gently used items to families in reunification

CARENET is collecting gently used and new furniture, which will be distributed to Kern County’s foster children and emancipating foster youth. On Saturday, January 10^th, CARENET staff will be collecting beds, bedding, couches, tables, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and other household necessities. Please bring donations to 1801 Belle Terrace between 8-10AM. Each donor will be provided with a receipt for all donations. Contact Kevin at Covenant Community Services (661/326-8304) for more information.

Covenant Community Services is a faith-based, nonprofit organization serving the public through various social services including: foster care placement, transitional housing, mentoring, mental health and family preservation services. Contact information: http://www.covenantcs.net/ or 661/326-8304.

More about CARENET: CARENET is an outreach program serving children and families by providing resources to insure that a simple resource lack is not a reason for children to remain in an out-of-home placement. CARENET provides goods and services to children and families to build success. CARENET consists of an individual or a group of people in the community who use their talents and resources to help a child and family in need. Plumbers, office workers, retired individuals, families, people with trucks, electricians, business owners, and other friendly people in the community can make a difference in the lives of families. CARENET is a community network designed to build families and enable success. Covenant collects new and gently used household furniture including beds, sofas and dining tables, which are distributed to the families in need. Covenant also recruits people from the community with specific skill sets (i.e. plumbing, electrical) who will volunteer time to assist families in need. The community can help by calling 661-326-8304 to donate items or volunteer time. Donation means so much to families who are desperately trying to heal. With the help of people in our community, CARENET can meet the needs of hurting and hopeless children and families.

Everything coming up roses for Ronald McDonald House float

Bakersfield will soon have it’s own Ronald McDonald House at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. What better way to ring in the New Year than volunteering to help decorate the Ronald McDonald House Rose Parade Float in Pasadena!

Volunteers from all over southern and central California are pitching in to make the Ronald McDonald House of Southern California float a success.

In addition to seeing your handy work glide down Colorado Boulevard New year’s day, the RMHCSC float is housed in the Rose Palace on South Raymond Blvd along with a dozen other terrific float entries to see up close and personal.

Volunteers are needed through New Year’s Eve.

For more information on how you can participate go here and click on the link to rose parade. Flyers are also available at KERO TV, 321 21st Street with float information and directions.

About the author: Jim Darling is Chairman of the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House Committee. The new Ronald McDonald House at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is under construction, and will open late spring 2009.

Isolated and abandoned residents remembered by Santa

Santa missed a lot of names on his list for several years. Bob ( name changed for confidentiality) did not know what to say when asked what he wanted for Christmas. No one had asked him that question for a long time. In his late 70s, living in a cramped residential home and almost blind, he was too embarrassed to admit that perhaps a pack of cigarettes would be sufficient. But that is not the case. The limited Social Security he receives is only sufficient to pay for his board and care fees. The extra $100 that other residents typically receive each month for their personal articles is being deducted by the Department of Treasury for a student loan when he enrolled in a truck driving school some decades ago.

Bob has no family or close friends who visit. So for the past several months, he relies on friends in the facility giving him a cigarette from time to time. The Ombudsman pressed for additional wishes. With a shy smile, Bob said he could use some warm undergarments, socks and even a brand new flannel plaid shirt like the faded blue ones he was wearing. He is tall and wondered if he could have a new pair of jeans as well. His story is repeated 94 more times this Christmas. These are residents who don’t ask for Christmas gifts. They often can’t, like Martha (not her real name) who sat cold in a hallway of a nursing home on Tuesday afternoon because she can’t even verbalize that she needs a long pair of warm socks for her cold, swollen feet. The aides looked for something longer than ankle socks but there was not a single pair in her drawer, Tolentino said.

Isolated, forgotten or abandoned are words that fully describe at least a hundred residents in homes and convalescent hospitals in Kern County that the Long Term Care Ombudsman volunteers visit, said Nona Tolentino, program director. For the last eight years that she has been in this position, she has seen heartbreaking moments as her volunteers report many elderly who have no one other than their caregivers and fellow residents. These are people who have been referred to by the American Bar Association as “unbefriended” in the truest sense. In a research conducted by the Association in the last decade, it is believed that 1 in 4 residents of long term care facilities fit this description. These are people who either have outlived their families, abandoned by children after exploiting them financially, isolated and forgotten because the residents themselves have caused the strained relationships with family when they were younger or simply lived solitary lives and are now in long term care settings.

Thanks to the employees of the County Farm and Home Advisor and the County Agriculture Commissioner’s offices, 94 people were selected by the Ombudsman to receive gifts ranging from a pair of socks to a set of clothing or personal articles this Christmas.

The project started last year when Margaret Johns offered, on behalf of her co-employees, to adopt 25 seniors in long term care facilities. These seniors do not benefit from the other popular gift giving programs that focus on the larger community. The Ombudsmen identify them and recommend them for the program. The response from caregivers was overwhelming and immediately doubled the list of names. It was so successful that when Johns called again this year, ninety residents were immediately identified. The wishes were simple but useful and very basic to their needs. The gifts are getting wrapped by GBLA employees and the anticipation from caregivers for their residents who have no resources has lent excitement in the air. Santa’s list got better this year if simply to add one smile to Bob when he gets his pack of cigarettes and more.

Local foster care agency hosts Christmas party with a visit from "Santa"

The Positive Outlook agency hosted a special Christmas party on Friday night (December 12th) at Johns Incredible Pizza on Rosedale Hwy. The foster children represented by the agency and their "parents" filled all of the special "party rooms" at the popular location and were treated to pizza, ice cream, game tokens, goodie bags, and a surprise visit from Santa that included an enthusiastic Christmas carol sing-a-long. Every child at the restaurant that night had the opportunity to pose for photos and of course tell Santa what they most wanted for Christmas because after the party, "Santa" even meandered through the game room talking to, and taking photos with, all of the other children who were at the restaurant that night. Many thanks to Geri Arnold of Positive Outlook and her staff for hosting the event, and also to local businessman, T. Rockwell for standing in as "Santa" for the kids.

Above: Geri Arnold of Positive Outlook poses with Santa (T. Rockwell of Trout's & The Blackboard Stages).

Below: Smiles were non stop and the older kids had just as much fun as the little ones.

Local nonprofit donates $30,000 to local children and families

The Mendiburu Magic Foundation is a non-profit public benefit organization that is a recognized 501c3 entity, according to the United States Internal Revenue Service. MMF was founded in loving memory of Nancy Ann Mendiburu on June 19, 2000, and is 100% volunteer.

Monday, December 1, 2008 the Mendiburu Magic Foundation announced its expenditure financials for the fiscal year 2008, thus far. “This organization has enthusiastically grown since its inception in 2000, and we are so thrilled to be able to give back to our community in this sort of fashion,” announced Founder & President, Brian Mendiburu this morning. “The organization has an amazing Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board of Directors, led by Dr. Larry Reider as Chairman, that has infused the necessary capacity and leadership that makes this a reality for Kern County children and families.”

The Mendiburu Magic Foundation (MMF) will directly contribute to worthy community need, and in particular:

(1) Ongoing medical research for cancer

(2) Help children and families affected by any catastrophic or life threatening illness

(3) Community impact programs with an emphasis on positive youth development

The organization raised and donated $10,000.00 in each division mentioned ($30,000.00 total) -

Cancer Research-National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson, and City of Hope

Youth Development & Community Asset- Nancy Ann Mendiburu Scholarship Fund for Kern High School District graduating seniors, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Bakersfield City School District Educational Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County, Leaders in Life Youth Conference, MOVE International for Handicapped Children, Bakersfield Firefighter’s Relief Association, East Bakersfield Thanksgiving Give-Back, Joe Lopez Scholarship Fund, Carrie Lomas Scholarship Fund, and St. Francis Catholic Church

Mendiburu Magic Funds (patient assistance funds for Kern County children & families)-Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Central California Children’s Hospital, and Los Angeles Children’s Hospital

“When the organization started in 2000, the operating budget was only $1,200.00 so the growth that we have seen until now is result of many long days and countless volunteer hours on behalf of some wonderful people in this community. This sort of announcement really makes us all feel good about the investment that we can make in the community,” says VP of Public Affairs, Valerie Mendiburu.

For more information about the Mendiburu Magic Foundation, please visit www.mendiburumagic.org

Caravan for Compassion fills 3 trucks for the needy

The Caravan for Compassion traveled the Kern River Valley Saturday collecting food and clothing for the needy.

Al Steuart and Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross organize the monthly effort. Al initiated the call to action when he heard about the crisis at one of the food banks, “The Food Pantry was actually rationing what they gave to the people so they really needed the food and this time the Food Pantry asked us if we would also collect the warm winter clothes.”

Terry Parks, of the Food Pantry, says that the economy is not the only factor exerting pressure on their resources, “We had fires over the summer so we provide emergency food, clothing and stuff like that. So now there’s a bigger need because we got depleted early.”

Pastor Bill Blanton, with the Salvation Army Helping Hands Ministry, says that valley residents below the poverty line really struggle in winter because the main heating source is propane and last year a minimum monthly delivery cost $300, “And if you look at that and say three hundred a month when the average income is under a thousand dollars, they’re paying $550 to seven hundred dollars in rent…it just doesn’t come together.”

Seventh grader, Elijah, is thirteen years old and heard about the Caravan for Compassion at his grandmother’s church. He said it was worth it to spend his Saturday helping the Caravan load food and clothing into three trucks because he wants his neighbors to be more comfortable, “It’s helping people that really need help in the winter and now. It’s really helping them get through it and at least stay warm through the winter.”

The Caravan for Compassion collects donations every third Saturday. It starts the day in Kernville and stops in Wofford Heights, Lake Isabella, Mountain Mesa, Southlake and Southfork. The food and clothing collected on November 22 was split between the Food Pantry and Salvation Army in Lake Isabella, and God’s Storehouse in Weldon.

These Special Olympians have a goal

The Aces are one of three Kern County Special Olympics floor hockey teams and one of 75 teams in Southern California. These athletes come from all over Kern County and some have been playing floor hockey for over 20 years. The athletes range in all levels and ages from 8-80 years old. The individual challenges are as diverse as the environments from where these athletes come from. From Downs Syndrome, Autism, and brain injury, these athletes come from special education school programs, supportive employment, group homes, and traditional family settings.

For those not familiar with floor hockey. It is played in a rink, but the surface is made of wood, concrete, or tile. The teams are composed of six players, including a goalie. The athletes use wooden poles called “slick sticks” which are an adaptation of industrial broom sticks with a felt tip, and the pucks are large felt discs about 10 “ in diameter with an open center. Basic ice hockey rules and penalties apply, with the exception of offsides, and icing. However, hooking, slashing, and roughing will draw you a penalty and some time in the “sin bin”.

As I arrived to practice at the newly constructed hockey rink at Saunders Park, I did not know what to expect. Nonetheless, the familiar sights and sounds of hockey immediately greeted me. This was serious business. Currently the Aces are preparing for an upcoming tournament on November 15^th at the Kern County Fairgrounds. This tournament is hosted by Kern County Special Olympics every year, and generally draws the participation of 300 athletes and coaches from all over Southern California. Like all Special Olympics events, athletes are never charged for participation. However, there is always the cost of facility rental. Grants, fundraising and donations from individuals, companies like Wal-Mart and service groups such as the Kiwanis support and offset these costs.

The Aces upcoming schedule also takes them on the road to compete in tournaments in Santa Maria on December 6^th, and January 16th in San Diego, Ca. Unlike some sports teams, these athletes enjoy playing on the road as much as in front of their hometown fans. However, like all sports travel is expensive. The Aces as well as other Kern County teams are provided transportation free of charge for day trips from BARC (Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens), but longer distances and overnight stays are at an additional expense.

I spent much of my time with Aces Head Coach, Silva Treanor. Coach Treanor first became involved in coaching floor hockey during her time as a Special Education Teacher for the Kern High School District, and has been involved in floor hockey for over 30 years. “Our goal is to provide sports competition and training, for those who want to be Special Olympians.” Treanor stated. She also went on to say that they would like to see more junior athlete participation. Junior athletes are 8-15 years of age. Currently there is a junior basketball team, and opportunity for junior athletes in individual sports, such as tennis and swimming. The lack of junior athletes can be attributed to the lack of education of parents with younger intellectually challenged children. “We are providing a sports mechanism to provide opportunity to these athletes”, said Treanor,” Getting the word out and educating the parents is key to growing our program”.

As our nations economy faces its challenges, so too does the Special Olympics. Fundraisers become harder to operate and donations are harder to come by as companies and individuals tighten their belts. The Kern County Special Olympics has been prudent with their funding, and most if not all the programs will continue to operate even through tough economic times.

The biggest challenge facing the Kern County Special Olympics is not monetary but voluntary. There is a constant need for volunteers as coaches. About one half of Kern Counties Special Olympic coaches are comprised of parents or relatives that have family members involved as athletes. The remaining half is made up of special education teachers, and interested individuals.

In closing, I asked Coach Treanor to describe to me one of the most memorable moments she has experienced in her involvement with Special Olympics over the last 30 years. She took a moment, and then proceeded to tell me a story about an athlete that was killed in a senseless accident a few years back. Although this may seem a tragedy more than what is usually characteristic about a memorable moment that one might have. She expressed with a smile that through their bereavement, the players displayed a strong bond and support. This is the bond and social structures that Special Olympics creates for all that are involved. Lastly she stated, “I get a lot out of it, I feel like I am doing something good. Everyone should try it at least once and experience this feeling”.

For more details or information, contact Special Olympics Southern California Kern County at (661)-322-7598

Not all do-gooders are doing so good.

Another fundraising event occurred this morning on the bike path. It is a good cause, as many are, but once again people representing the organization somehow believe that they can ignore basic common sense and the law in the name of “doing good for the cause”.

Case in point: I was biking, on the bike path, during the setup for the Diabetes walkathon. Traveling eastbound, I was approaching the railroad under crossing, I noticed a westbound car on the bike path. It would slow down occasionally at which time two people would jump off of the hood of the car place signs along the bike path and jump back on the hood of the car so it could proceed to place more signs. As it came closer, I noticed that it was not a city vehicle, security patrol, or any other “authorized” vehicle.

I slowed to a stop and spoke with the man driving and reminded him that motorized vehicles are not allowed on the bike path. He said they were just putting up signs. I asked why they couldn’t walk to place the signs, since all the other participants would be walking during the fundraiser. He told me that the city said he could drive on the bike path to put up the signs.

When I first became aware of this incident the problem was simply another joker driving a vehicle where it legally didn’t belong. As it unfolded, the real problem became apparent; Some people think, in the name of “doing good”, they don’t need to follow basic common sense and laws - the people jumping off and on the moving vehicle’s hood were young teenagers.

Mr. Silver Mustang, you are plenty old enough to realize that a person can benefit a cause and still obey the laws and most importantly see to the safety of our children. You had every opportunity to show those kids, and all the others watching, how to give back to the community and make reasonable, rational, safe choices.

Lastly, Mr. Silver Mustang, your comment to me as I left to “Have a heart.” truly showed your ignorance. I was on my way to participate in the Ron Fontaine Run at CALM. The participants at that cause did it all legally without jeopardizing the safety of children or setting a bad example for them.

Ron's Run this Saturday

Most members at the Bakersfield South Rotary Club could not run for their life, but when it comes to raising money for a good cause, there’s no faster moving feet in town. One of the club’s most popular fundraising events is the Annual Ron Fontaine Memorial Dollars for Scholars Run.

The event, also known as the Ron’s Run for short, is expected to attract at least 300 runners this year. The race, which will be held Saturday at the California Living Museum, includes a 5K, 10K and a one-mile walk. Runners are expected to sign up as early as 7 a.m. and hit the dust by 8:30 a.m.

According to Eric Bradshaw, Ron’s Run fundraising chair, this year’s goal is to raise $28,000 and attract more than 300 runners and walkers. He said last year the club raised over $22,000 – almost 50 percent increase over the previous year – and it had 250 participants. After paying the event costs, the organizations awarded $15,000 to three high school students.

“The main goal of Ron’s Run is specific and unique, but is also far-reaching. Ron’s Run remains the means by which Bakersfield South Rotary raises funds to award scholarships to college-bound students at South, Ridgeview and Stockdale high schools,” he said.

Bradshaw said that a portion of Ron’s Run proceeds also go to the Bakersfield South Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization, as an endowment for the continuing service projects of the Bakersfield South Rotary Club. Those projects have historically included polio eradication and clean water projects worldwide, Spanish-English dictionaries for third graders, books for elementary teachers’ classroom libraries, adult literacy, scholarships for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp in Ojai, co-sponsoring the Rotary-Kern High School District Business Leadership and Ethics Conference, support for the Salvation Army and Kern Bridges Youth Homes, Toys for Tots, youth soccer teams, and more.

The run, which is on its eighth year, was the brain child of Ron Fontaine, a history teacher at South High School who later joined the administration at the Kern High School District.

“He had a passion for helping students and was an all-around great guy and active member of Bakersfield South Rotary,” Bradshaw recalled. “He was also a serious runner.”

Bradshaw said Ron, combining his own interests in students and passion for running, in 1997 conceived the 5K-10K “fun run”—originally known as the “Dollars for Scholars Fun Run”—as a way of supplementing other fundraising activities in which the club was involved. The specific purpose of the run was to award scholarships to college-bound students at the high schools in which Bakersfield South Rotary sponsors Interact clubs (South, Stockdale and Ridgeview high schools).

Ron died in June 2001 during a run, just after he retired. In honor of his memory and his service, the run was re-named “The Ron Fontaine Memorial Dollars for Scholars Run,” or “Ron’s Run” for short.

The Bakersfield South Rotary Club has been awarding scholarships since it was chartered in 1963. Just in the past 10 years alone, the organization has awarded more than $90,000 to over 150 students.

Make Adoption Your First Option & Save A Life Today!

Kern County Animal Control's Monthly Off-Site Adoption Event is scheduled for Saturday, November 1st at the PETCO located at 8220 Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield.

Off-site adoptions involve taking adoptable animals from the shelter and placing them at a location where the public is able to view, interact and ultimately adopt the animal away from the shelter.

“We have many wonderful animals seeking loving forever homes, but not everyone is comfortable coming into a shelter to adopt a pet, even though they want to make adoption their first option,” said Maggie Kalar, Marketing & Promotions Associate for Kern County Animal Control. “These events will allow a portion of the public that may never have been able to step foot into the shelter, the same opportunity to adopt and love a wonderful shelter pet.”

The department has partnered with PETCO to provide a number of dogs available for adoption on the first Saturday of each month. The event will run from 10 am to 3 pm and every adopter will receive a PETCO coupon book, a starter bag of Science Diet food, a leash and a pet related DVD.

Kern County Animal Control would like to remind potential pet parents that responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into their life; the potential adopter should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal. People bringing a companion animal into their lives need to thoroughly review their lifestyle and their readiness to take responsibility for the animal's care. Kern County Animal Control advises people to consider the following five questions below before they adopt a dog:

· Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for its health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, this could be up to 15 years for dogs.

· Is the animal right for my household? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopt an animal.

· Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.

· Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.

· Am I ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen? A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don't.

"Last month's kick-off event was a success, with three dogs finding new forever homes due to the dedicated Kern County Animal Control Volunteers, added Kalar. "Our off-site adoption program volunteers are essential as Kern County Animal Control simply could not do this program without them. This program provides an opportunity for animal lovers to save lives of shelter animals and help find them loving homes. We invite interested people to contact the Department to find out more about this program."

For more information on the event or to become a volunteer, please call 661-868-7104.

Caravan For Compassion Food Drive around Lake Isabella

Kern River Valley residents have been hard hit by rising fuel and food costs. When Al Steuart heard that the local food banks were almost empty he decided to organize a food drive. The Caravan for Compassion drove around Lake Isabella, stopping in six communities: Kernville, Wofford Heights, Lake Isabella, Mountain Mesa, Southlake and Southfork.

Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross of Mountain Mesa’s Sienna Wellness Institute coordinated the effort: “It was very successful. We filled over a truckload of food for this valley and we can’t wait to do it again. We are committed to making sure that everyone in this valley for Thanksgiving has a meal so the weekend before we are going to do it again.”

The food collected will be split between two non-profits that feed the needy: The Food Pantry in Lake Isabella and God’s Storehouse in Weldon. The Caravan for Compassion will take to the streets again on Saturday, November 22.

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary feeds the homeless

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary provided a hot meal for over 200 homeless people at the CHW Learning Center, 631 E. California Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meets on Wednesdays at 6:45 a.m. in The Petroleum Club - 5060 California Ave. (corner of California Ave. and Mohak St.) For more informaiton please vist www.bbrc.org

BAKERSFIELD RESCUE MISSION FOOD DRIVE

Please join us in our attempt to help feed the less fortunate this Thanksgiving. We are holding our 2nd Food Drive for the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. The food drive lasts through Nov. 26.

Last year was our first Food Drive and somone actually stole the donations that we received. Luckily the public came together and donated more food to make up for what was lost. We collected: 64 cans of peas, 28 cans of yams, 48 cans of corn, 48 cans of green beans, 15 boxes of stuffing, 2 bags of long grain rice, boxes of hot chocolate, 17 boxes of Mac and Cheese, 26 cans of cranberries and 39 misc cans of food. We also received 8 turkeys and 2 hams. The food donations that we receive will help ensure that we will be able to help provide dinner to the many needy and homeless that go to the Rescue Mission during Holiday seasons. They serve 3 meals a day and the number seems to increase during the winter months. Food Drive such as ours will help the Bakersield Rescue Mission feed the homeless and needy from Bakersfield and Kern County. For those who donate food you will receive a raffle ticket for a TV that I am giving away as a special incentive.

You can drop off food at: 5430 Olive Drive Ste. C, right off the 99 freeway in the Vons shopping center. Call Lisa for more info @ 387-1177.

We would like to thank those ahead of time for their donations and may your hearts be warmed this holiday season knowing you helped feed someone in need.

Marine who lost legs in Iraq runs the Volkslauf

I have been hearing about the Volkslauf mud run ever since I joined the
Marines. I used to read about it in the Marine Corps Times, and upon moving
to Bakersfield I often saw the bumper stickers out in town. This year I was
given the chance to be the guest of honor by race director and former Marine
Glen Pruett. Glen invited me out to say a few words and offer my
encouragement to the runners, but having been competing in triathlons for
some time now, I thought that it would look kind of silly if I didn’t at
least try to race, even though Volkslauf is unlike any triathlon out there.

I went out to the course on Saturday morning knowing full well that there
would be some adaptation required for me to complete it. I was planning on
running the course with a specialized running leg on one side, and an
everyday walking leg on the other (the running legs don’t offer a heel to
stand on). The first muddy obstacle filled my walking prosthesis with murky
brown water, causing it to slide off of my leg. From that point on any
running would produce too much inertia and pull the now slimy prosthesis
right off of my leg. So, I had to use a combination of walking, swimming,
and “butt walking” (scooting along on my hands and bottom) to complete all
of the obstacles and finish the race.

Nearly every person who passed me out on the course offered words of
encouragement and praise, a testament to the kind of support that
Bakersfield has for our veterans. I was motivated by watching the speed of
some of the serious competitors out there, and inspired by the heart of some
of the competitors who were really challenging themselves. I plan on
competing again next year, and every year after that that I am up for it. So
if I saw you out there this year, I hope to see you again next year.

KernCorps Plans to ‘Make A Difference’

KernCorps AmeriCorps, administered through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, is teaming up in with the Cesar Chavez Service Learning Club of Mountain View Middle School to host a Make A Difference Day, Lamont Community Cleanup on Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Volunteers will meet at the Lamont Library, 8304 Segrue Road at 8:30 and with supplies from Kern County Waste Management, divide up into clean-up teams of adults and youth to pick up litter throughout the Lamont community.

A designated group of volunteers will research the amount of litter collecting on Main Street in an on-going effort to install community trash cans.

Swearing in ceremonies for 18 new Kern Corps members working in Bakersfield, Delano, Lamont, Shafter and Wasco will take place prior to the clean up effort. KernCorps members commit themselves to a year of tutoring and mentoring; working on school safety, child abuse and child care issues and projects to improve neighborhood environments for children.

Make A Difference Day challenges individuals nationally to spend the fourth Saturday in October “making a difference” in their communities or in the lives of others. Nearly 2.2 million volunteers participate nationally benefiting 25 million people.

If you would like to volunteer in the clean up effort or want some more information, please contact KernCorps Interim Program Manager Michael Figueroa at (661) 636-4487.

Kindergartners Ask the Darndest Questions!

    Getting them to ask a question, not tell a story: that’s the most frustrating part of reading to Kindergartners (Ks). Art Linkletter may have said that “Kids say the darndest things,” but I submit that “Ks ask the darndest questions,” if you can just get them to ask one!

    One of my favorite K teachers, Kathy Gayer (Kathy), explains that Ks are ripe to start asking questions at the age of 5: developmentally, that is when they begin to come out of their own little worlds and see that there’s a lot of “who, what, where, when and whys” to ask. They stop telling stories about themselves, and start asking about others.

Oh and the questions that come from those still mostly naïve but on the edge of curious Ks, when they start their sentence with those most inquisitive words!

    My adventure into the exploratory minds of Ks started with my Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club’s Rolling Reader Program. Each Wednesday, a Rotarian reads a book to Mrs. Merritt’s K class at the Downtown Elementary School.

Enthusiastically signing up, I looked at this as an opportunity to read to the most pleasurable of all ages while costuming up (and hamming it up) to the most believing and adoring of all audiences. I recently added Kathy’s K class at Louden Elementary School to the audience pool.

    I appear three times during the course of the year, book in hand, as three different sisters. Miss Teri (me), an enthusiast of the Olivia the Pig book series, appears in September. I ask the Ks whether I should get a “pig nose job” so I can look more like my “Pig Idol.” Each time the answers have been overwhelmingly yes, even after I emphasize the pain, cost and potential loss of my law job (well, maybe I could work at a Piggy Bank, I say to blank stares)! Nonetheless, it’s a start on the “question asking” learning curve, and the question must be answered yes or no. No question that they certainly get that concept!

    Come October Miss Meri blows in. She’s my younger sister, the “Kind but Ugly Witch.” After reading Pig, Pigger and Piggest, a book about three witches who fall in love with three pigs, Meri disses me for wanting an ugly pig nose. Miss Meri notes that she, being ugly herself, is looking for a boyfriend. One time a couple of Ks, after whispering between themselves, asked the most sensical question: “So what’s your phone number in case we find a boyfriend for you?” Great question, but no quick answer on my part!

    Miss Keri, my identical twin sister, flies into town in December as “Santa’s Helper.” She carefully places her red cell phone in clear sight: the phone that she uses only for Santa calls. The red cell phone delightfully distracts the Ks from the latest in the Olivia the Pig book series that Keri plans to give me for Christmas.

Then the red cell phone rings, and it’s All About Santa! He’s calling in with his Naughty or Nice List. The looks of anticipation of being named to the Nice List (or fear of not) is priceless. And many questions flow about Santa: Where is he now? What is he doing now? When will he leave to come here?

    Two years ago, I added our family pet Cockapoo, Cassie, to the cast: Cassie, Sassie and Lassie, one for each sister. Cassie stole the show from the debut, and she elicited many questions: What does she eat? Where does she sleep? Does she have more sisters?

    And, just as Kathy taught me, as the school year progresses, the Ks start getting onto the three sisters and their three dogs, and their questions, when asked, progress in smartness. Some Ks begin noticing that Meri the Witch, albeit with hairy warts, green hair and missing or rotted teeth, looks like me (to my mortification).

I guess the identical twin story for me and Meri, Santa’s Helper, worked for a bit. But then came the question from a smart young boy to my side: “You’re all the same person, aren’t you?” I pretended not to hear the great question, and quickly changed the subject.

    And then came a real difficult question from a little girl smartie: “Could all three sisters, with their three dogs, come at the same time to see them?” Luckily it was in a follow-up thank you note from Kathy’s class, so I had time to plan my “little white answer” about my sisters’ travels taking them on a slow boat to China. It seemed to work, since the question was not raised at my next visit.

    But back to my proposition that Ks ask the darndest questions. It was one cool December morning when I faced, what is to this day, my favorite dardnest question from a K. As Santa’s Helper, I had pointed out the beautiful (plastic) Santa ring that Santa had given me one Christmas, and the (faux) diamond pin he had given me another.

One little girl asked: “If Santa liked me so much, could I become Mrs. Santa after Mrs. Santa died?” After the momentary shock that this young girl appeared to catch onto my K-rated double entendre, I uncharacteristically came back with a quick-witted response: Mrs. Santa will never die, just like Santa Claus, so that could never happen.

    As the year progresses, one has to be quick on one’s feet with these Ks! Maybe it IS better to let them just tell their stories, rather than to encourage those great lines of questioning that slowly but surely develop during the course of the school year!

    Reading to, and eliciting questions from, Ks is one of the most rewarding tasks that I do. I encourage anyone with a love of reading to donate time to read a book to a K class. You don’t have to costume up! Just be, and tell about, yourself! But be ready to be “Smarter than a Kindergartner!”

    And if you can’t take time to go to a class, just take time to read to a child of that age. It’s fun, and the reward will be as much yours as the K’s.

2nd Annual Masters Golf Tournament Package

Entries are now available for the 2^nd Annual Masters Golf Tournament Package and a chance to win a trip to Augusta, GA. Entries are available at all local golf courses and the Bargain Box, 1924 Q Street. Drawing is to be held in February 2009. Proceeds benefit philanthropic programs of the Assistance League of Bakersfield. For information, call 661-861-9221 or 661-323-0838.

CSUB student group launches Community Service Awareness Week

The Community Service Cooperative, a California State University, Bakersfield student organization, along with the Associated Students, Inc., will be hosting the inaugural Community Service Awareness Week on Monday, Oct. 27.

“Our mission as an organization is to raise awareness among the CSUB student body of the need for community volunteers; to increase participation through coordination of events, and motivation of students and student organizations,” said Mike Butler, student and CSC president.

The Community Service Awareness Week activities are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Runner Park

A student awareness and information day that includes free food and service awareness information.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Café Quad

Over 20 service organizations will be on campus to meet with students and provide information about volunteer opportunities.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m., Student Union multipurpose room

Three showings of the film “American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver” will be presented with free refreshments.

While events are student-oriented, the public is invited to attend. For details, contact Butler at (661) 654-2176.