Foreign exchange students in need of host families

Rebecca Herrera may be a mother of four, but this summer, she’ll be looking after more than 100 teens hoping to spend a couple of weeks in Bakersfield.

Herrera is a local program leader for the EF Educational Homestay Program, which connects foreign exchange students as they learn about the English language and American culture with host families.

We don’t teach them “American history because let me guarantee you, they will school us on American history, ” said Herrera, who is among a group of local EF program leaders. “Many of these students speak English well. You have students who have been studying for 5 to 7 years.”

Herrera got involved five years ago as a host family.
These days, however, she’s been busy looking for local families willing to open their doors to students who are from Austria and Spain.
In July, two groups of about 30 Spaniard teens will be looking to stay with host families in Bakersfield for four weeks.

One group will attend classes during the weekdays while the other will be immersion group, requiring a family or couple that has more time to spend with the student.
The third group will involve about 50 Austrian teens. They’ll also be attending classes.
So far, Herrera said she’s been able to locate a number of host participants but she needs more.

"We've definitely been working very hard to place everyone but, of course, the economy hasn't been the greatest,” said Herrera. She and her husband, a project manager for a construction company, have two daughters, 10 and 20 and two sons, 16 and soon-to-be 18.

There is no cost to host a foreign exchange student, but the host is responsible for providing three meals a day and a room for sleeping and privacy. The student can even share a room with a son or daughter of the host family as long as there's no more than a three-year age difference, she said.

Bakersfield resident Martha Garcia said she, her husband, Johnny, and their three sons served as a host family to three Spaniard and three Italian teens last summer. They still keep in touch through Facebook, and their oldest son, 17-year-old Nick, will be traveling to Italy this summer to visit one of his new found friends.

"I didn't think I was going to fall in love with these kids but I did. We cried when they left." said Garcia, noting that one of her host students sent her a Mother's Day card this year.

He wrote, "Happy Mother's Day. I consider you my second mom."

Garcia said they will be a host family again — this time, for one Spaniard and two Austrian teens.

Host families must complete an application, be interviewed and screened by the organization’s Boston office. Those interested can contact Herrera at 661-477-9882 or email: rsherrera@aol.com

"To have an American family, it’s such a big deal for them,” said Herrera.

Training program for small business

As small businesses adjust to the current economic times, it's exciting to hear of a program that is arming entrepreneurs with the right skills to success.

A group of three entities has joined forces to run an entrepreneurial training program, "How to Write a Business Plan," for 35 business owners or future entrepreneurs. The partners are the Mission Community Services Corporation and the Women’s Business Partners Program, in conjunction with the City of Arvin.

About 15-20 must be Arvin residents while the rest can be from other parts of the county, said Ross Griego who is part of the project.

The 10-week program will take place at the Adobe Plaza in Arvin.

The weekly training program begins June 1. Graduation is scheduled for July 27.
Class topics include: business entities, permits and business licenses, market research and analysis, competition, operations management and financial statements.

“The entrepreneurial training program is designed to assist the community’s business owners become more successful in their daily operations and management of their businesses,” Mike Kuntz, Development Associate of the City of Arvin.

Mission Community Services Corporation and the Women’s Business Partners Program, MCSC/WBP provides training, technical assistance, loans and support to low-moderate income individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations to expand opportunities to own, manage or operate business enterprises.

Wasco native takes UOP post in Stockton

Local Wasco product, Anthony Bernal II, has been appointed to serve on the University of the Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors in Stockton.
Anthony is the son of Tony and Connie Bernal of Wasco and a graduate of the Wasco High and University of the Pacific (UOP/Pacific) in Stockton, CA .
“My parents have always instilled that it’s not what we have but rather what we give that makes life fulfilling," Anthony told me in an e-mail "I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to serve the more than 60,000 Pacific Alumni both locally and internationally."
Bill Coen, Executive Director for Pacific’s Alumni Association, expressed pleasure in knowing that Bernal will serve on the board.
"He is a true leader that has the passion, commitment, and integrity which our University searches for when selecting alumni to serve our university,” he says.
The 30 member Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors is working with more than 300 volunteers who are involved on Pacific Club Steering committees, Class and Affinity Reunion committees and Association committees. The Alumni Association and its Pacific Clubs host more than 150 programs and events each year.

Paramount awards local students with scholarships

Always great to hear of companies that are helping young college kids attain their goals.

This Friday May 15, a group of local college-bound students -- children of Paramount Agricultural Companies -- will be recognized with scholarships. The 2009 College Bound Scholarship Awards Banquet will be held at the Doubletree Hotel. A similar event was held the previous week.

Paramount's College Bound Scholarship Program began in 1994, and the farming company, with operations in Kern and other parts of the San Joaquin Valley, has invested more than $1.5 million in Paramount employee children bound for college.

Local honorees include:

Cassandra Arguelles
Employee: Juana Arguelles
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.42
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,575
Psychology ~ CSUN
Recognized Teacher: Arturo Gonzalez

Melinda Baldelomar
Employee: Leonila Baldelomar
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.21
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,250
Psychology ~ CSUSB
Recognized Teacher: Nagib Obeid

Ymorjay Borja
Employee: Luzviminda Borja
Delano High School, GPA: 2.80
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Nursing ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Aaron Estrada

Alfonso Cisneros
Employee: Leobardo Cisneros
McFarland High School, GPA: 3.66
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000 + Computer
History ~ CSUC
Recognized Teacher: Kim Whealy

Christina Ramirez
Employee: Ernesto Ramirez
Garces Memorial High School, GPA: 2.86
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,350
Nursing ~ CSUB
Recognized Teacher: Kathleen Bears

Fabiola Sanchez Employee: Martin Sanchez
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.00
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Nursing ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Balbina Sanchez

Bruno Reyes
Employee: Jacoba Reyes Perez
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 2.83
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Criminal Justice ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Alma Aceves-Torres

Cynthia Mejia
Employee: Gabriel Mejia
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 2.89
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,500
Medicine ~ CSUB
Recognized Teacher: Arturo Navarrete

Jaime Pina
Employee: Avelino Pina
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 2.80
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Computer Engineer ~ San Jose State Univ.
Recognized Teacher: Darryl Bellis

Carolina Pimentel
Employee: Angelina H. Pimentel
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.00
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Criminology ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Patricia Salinas

Brianda Ponce
Employee: Maria Ponce
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.44
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,225
Education ~ CSUB
Recognized Teacher: Balbina Sanchez

Elizabeth Garcia
Employee: Juan Garcia
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.03
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,250
Nursing ~ Pacific Union College
Recognized Teacher: Evelyn Gutierrez

Neil Granada
Employee: Magdalena Granada
Delano High School, GPA: 2.80
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Culinary Arts & Fashion Design ~ COS
Recognized Teacher: Ernest Ruiz

Jesus Gonzalez
Employee: Carmencita Francia Gonzalez
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.00
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,350
Computer Engineer ~ UC Merced
Recognized Teacher: Geno Garza

Rocelyn Macabuag
Employee: Jocelyn Macabuag
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.11
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Undecided ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Nagib Obeid

Liset Rivera
Employee: Bertha Montes
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.88
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,150 + Computer
Engineering ~ UC Santa Barbara
Recognized Teacher: Nagib Obeid

Nathan Ketelhut
Employee: Brian Ketelhut
North High School, GPA: 4.28
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,600 + Computer
Exercise Biology and Nutrition ~ UC Davis
Recognized Teacher: Aaron Dutto

Lori Morales
Employee: Ramon Morales
Delano High School, GPA: 3.01
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Psychology ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Steve Bsharah

Griselda Rivera
Employee: Bertha Montes
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.79
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,150 + Computer
Environmental Engineer ~ UC Davis
Recognized Teacher: Nagib Obeid

Sergio Rodriguez
Employee: Sergio Rodriguez
Foothill High School, GPA: 3.34
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,250
History ~ CSUB
Recognized Teacher: Gordon Shuppert

Lizbeth Fuentes
Employee: Luis Fuentes
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 2.88
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Nursing ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Irma Prado

Rosa Castillo
Employee: Reyna Acosta
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.00
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,525
Pediatrician ~ CSUB
Recognized Teacher: Balbina Sanchez

Haley Clark
Employee: Alfred Carter
North High School, GPA: 3.25
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Speech Pathologist ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Robert Polski


These star kids were honored May 8 in Visalia:

Leidi Felix
Delano High School, GPA: 3.68
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Accounting ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Elias Renteria

Cecilia Gomez
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 4.34
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3000
Mathematics ~ UC Los Angeles
Recognized Teacher: Joanna Campbell

Nathalie Gomez
Shafter High School, GPA: 3.61
4-Yr Schoalrship ~ $3,000
Education ~ CSU Fresno
Recognized Teacher: Martha Gomez

Gustavo Morfin
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.68
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Human Biology ~ UC Merced
Recognized Teacher: Merrilee Desatoff

Miguel Ceja
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 4.00
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3000
Pre-Medicine/Biology ~ USC
Recognized Teacher: Alex Gonzales

Jesus Corona
Delano High School, GPA: 3.81
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Mathematics ~ UC Riverside
Recognized Teacher: Jose Maldonado

Jose Gomez
Shafter High School, GPA: 3.56
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Chemistry ~ CSU Fresno
Recognized Teacher: Kevin Ellis

Guadalupe Rios Cortes
McFarland High School, GPA: 3.43
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Spanish ~ UC Santa Cruz
Recognized Teacher: Terry Nugent

Astrid Zamora
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 3.77
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Nutritional Sciences ~ UC Davis
Recgonized Teacher: Jennifer Aufforth

Andrew Zaninovich-Cavalli
McFarland High School, GPA: 3.20
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Political Science ~ UC Santa Cruz
Recognized Teacher: Kim Whealy

Vanessa Ocampo
Wasco Union High School, GPA: 4.18
4-Yr Scholarship ~ $3,000
Pediatrician ~ Los Angeles
Recognized Teacher: Darryl Bellis

Brenda Rivera
Cesar Chavez High School, GPA: 3.35
2-Yr Scholarship ~ $1,250
Child Development ~ Bakersfield College
Recognized Teacher: Joanna Campbell

Person Jesus Gonzalez

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County sheriff's honor guard picked to do 21-gun salute at Capitol's peace officers memorial

Every year, law enforcement agencies throughout the state apply to perform the 21-gun salute during the California Peace Officers' Memorial ceremonies at the Capitol.

Only one agency per year is the rule.

Kern County was picked to carry out the duty Friday May 8 at the Memorial Monument in Sacramento, something that doesn't come quite often with so many agencies seeking the opportunity.

"We're very honored to do it," said Lt. Ed Komin, referring to the Honor Guard of the Kern County Sheriff's Department. Only 8 Honor Guard members - the rifle team - will participate in Friday's ceremonies. The department has 25 Honor Guard members. "We wanted to do it every year, and this year is our chance."

I know how much of a big deal this is. My husband, Julio, is a sheriff's deputy, and he's been on the Honor Guard for a couple of years.

He's posted colors of our flag at academy graduations. He's stood guard at agency events. He's performed the 21-gun salute at memorial ceremonies and at one too many law enforcement funerals.

Memorial ceremonies put on the by nonprofit foundation, honoring fallen officers and supporting survivors, actually began today, but among the highlighted events is the Enrollment Ceremony on Friday. It will begin with the ‘Walk of Honor’ from the State Capitol to the Memorial Monument at 10th Street and Capitol Mall, followed by a number of messages. The ceremony concludes with a 21-gun salute, taps, and retiring of the colors.

Ten police officers who died last year will be honored. Among them will be the late sheriff's deputy James E. Throne.

"It's a very moving ceremony," Komin tells me. "We stand at the monument at center."

The Bakersfield Police Department says six members of its Honor Guard will be going the memorial ceremony.

BPD's Greg Terry said they will be present with the officers from all over the state but will not be directly participating in the service itself.

"We believe it is important to recognize the sacrifice of officers who have given their lives in service to their community and our state," Terry said. "It is equally important to also acknowledge the sacrifice of the officers families and the tremendous loss of their husband, wife, son, daughter, sister or brother. A memorial ceremony like this is a great time to do just that."

Remembering fallen officers in Kern County

She reads their names one after the other.

Joseph F. English; Lansing Warren; Ray Mallory; Donald Hodges; James Edward Throne.
In all, there were about 30 men whose names were called by Kern County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy RoseMary Wahl as part of the agency's peace officer memorial Wednesday.

"May time never erase the sacrifices they made," said chaplain Luis Bustillo.

The ceremony was held at the Sheriff's Department memorial area on Norris Road and drew plenty of local deputies, police officers, military police personnel and highway patrol officers, academy students, and loved ones of those in the field, past and present. Even former law enforcement personnel, former Sheriff Carl Sparks, were there.

"This isn't a day for us just to mourn," Sheriff Donny Youngblood told the attendees. "This is a day to celebrate as well."

Celebrating, he said, the late deputy Richard McHale aka the prankster (he was shot during a family disturbance call March 3, 1969); or the quite deputy James Lee Williams (died Oct. 19, 1991 in a traffic accident); and let's not forget the smiling, youthful deputy William "Joe" Hudnall (a victim of another traffic accident Nov. 14, 2006).

"If you look around and keep your eyes closed, you could her the laughter of (Deputy Daniel Lee) Archuleta," Youngblood said. Archuleta did from a single vehicle accident Sept. 12, 2004.

Undersheriff Marty Williamson made reference to the memorial's latest features - new lights and a flagpoles - and he said they'd be used to remind people of the those who died while in the line of duty.
Though the ceremony took on a somber note, Williamson did note that officers deaths are on the decide nationwide.

"People owe a debt to those who gave their lives," he said.

Camp KEEP stirs up memories!

About a week ago, I posted a blog about my worries as a mom. It was about my 6th grade son who just left to Camp KEEP along the Central Coast. He's my oldest boy. My second oldest son tried to appear relieved that his brother would be outta the home for a whole week but he looked sad on the day Diego left. He still tried to play it cool.

"I am not going to see you until Friday," Diego told me, appearing amazed at the thought. He knew he would miss us.

"He's going to leave me with more work," said his younger brother, shaking his head.

"More work," I asked.

"Yeah, household chores," he responded.

"Ohhh," I thought.

When I went to see him off, he soon forgot about mom and ran up to his friends, each sharing stories of what they brought in their travel bags. I gave him a hug and said good-bye, but felt secure in knowing this was going to be an amazing time for him. Plus, his teacher, Mrs. H, was with them. A mother of a son, too, Mrs. H would keep the boys in a line but make sure they'd have a blast along the way.

I'll update you guys on how things go.
In the meantime, here are some great comments my Facebook friends shared with me:

From Denise Ornelas:
Girl, Gabriel had so much fun! When he came back, he said some of the kids were crying on the bus. I asked him, "Why were they sad? Because they missed their familias?" He said, "No, they were crying because THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COME HOME!!! LOL"
Diego will be fine, I promise. You will be the one who has a hard time and tell Julio (my husband, the former Marine) I don't want to see him with his cammies on and weeds in his hair trying to spy on Diego.

From Sofia Ronquillo:
I wanted to go with Lauren, but she didn't want me to go. I guess I wasn't a cool mom. I cried when she left. I got to see her that same night though because her tooth started hurting, and I had to drive all the way up there to take her antibiotics. Anyways, she loved it. I think its a great experience for them.

From Josey Hernandez:
That was seriously one of the best trips of my life. He is gonna love it!

From Christa McAuley:
It's a wonderful experience. Both my boy's went and my daughter just went in December.She had a great time.

Extra steps in light of swine flu cases being taken at Catholic churches

Catholic priests are pretty passionate about the importance of attending Sunday Mass.
But in these days of swine flu concerns, they are urging any adult parionsher or child experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home.
And if you're attending Catholic school and feel any of the following symptoms — fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue (and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) — well, stay home.
As part of directives recently issued by Bishop John Steinbock of the Diocese of Fresno, which includes parishes in Kern County, churches are being asked to take a number of precautionary measures to stem any potential spread of the virus. Although California has reported more than a dozen confirmed cases, none, so far, have been reported in Kern County.
For the time being, the Bishop has issued a set of guideliness for churches to follow. Among the directives:
• The Holy water will not be placed in the fonts
• Parishioners should not shake hands (e.g., greetings and sign of peace) if they have a scratchy throat, the “sniffles,” coughing, or sneezing.
• The chalice, which holds the Blood of Christ, will not be distributed at Mass.
• Parishioners will receive the Communion by hand, not by tongue.
• Eucharistic Ministers must wash their hands before and after the distributing the Eucharist.
"I think it is a very wise and intelligent decision on behalf of the Bishop," Monsignor Robert Wenzinger wrote to me in an e-mail. "I realize that it may be difficult for some who receive Communion on the tongue to accept receiving it in the hand. However, the issue here is that
of public health and safety, not only of the one receiving Communion, but also of everyone else, including the person distributing Communion. As was well pointed out by the Bishop, should a tongue or mouth in general be touched, the reality is that it's not just the next host that becomes
contaminated, but the entire ciboria."
Many locals may know of Wenzinger during his many years of service at St. Joseph's Church in east Bakersfield. I personally know him from baptizing my sons and blessing my marriage. We still keep in touch, and these days, you can find him at St. Anthony of Padua in Fresno, where he oversees his new parish and a school.
"As a pastor of a parish with a school of over 600 children, it is my responsibility to do my best to ensure their health and safety," Wenzinger says. "That is, of course, true for all my parishioners, but especially the children. I need, we all need, to think of them, to put them first. We can do so best by cooperating with the Bishop in this matter."
Some local churches were busy Friday, preparing announcements of the new guideliness to be shared at Mass. The directives also will be posted in their bulletins.
The extra steps can help make a difference.
"So far people have been really good about it," says Wenzinger.