Census time and Vision 2020 update

CENSUS time: By now, many of you may have received your Census 2010 form in the mail. Make sure you complete the information and return it. Collecting your information will help give the government process the most accurate population data and other figures for Kern County. Those numbers will help determine what kind of funding our county will receive for services, such as roads, schools and hospitals.

Many civic, faith and educational groups are joining in the get-the-word-out drive by planning Census activities. Ruscel Reader, principal at Cesar Chavez School, recently told me of Census campus plans. Chavez is a science magnet school and receives students from a lot of the elementary schools in the Bakersfield City School District. Today at 1:30 p.m., Chavez School will sponsor a Census 2010 Assembly.

"The purpose of the activity is to teach students about the importance of the nation's Census and to underscore how a complete count benefits their families, neighbors and community," she said, adding that the school is a 2010 Census Partner. As a partner, the school has organized Census 2010 T-shirt art design and essay contest.

"Chavez School mirrors the community and state as far as student demographics are concerned," Reader told me. "What better place to spread the word about the importance of the Census, especially as it relates to educational services for all?"

Vision 2020 update: I had the opportunity to catch up with Brooke Antonioni. She is a member of the Greater Bakersfield Vision 2020, and she and few other members are currently working on a halfway update of the community improvement plan.

Vision 2020 volunteers are conducting the second "quarterly" -- or mid-course -- review of what's transpired since the Vision was adopted (more than 10 years ago). The review is to identify and inventory what's been accomplished, what's left to do, and what's changed.

The summary of findings will be released to the community. Antonioni expects that will happen in a few months.

"The volunteers contributing to this process have spent a great deal of time reaching out to the community to gain feedback and attending other community meetings & events," Antonioni said. "This has been a chance to capture achievements that fall in line with the Vision 2020 minds."

To learn more about Vision 2020, visit www.bakersfieldvision2020.com.

Texas Hold'em: Any good card players out there? You might want to check out this event. The Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation will be holding a "Texas Hold'em Night" 5 p.m., April 17th, at the 420 Club, 3910 Alfred Harrell Highway. A steak dinner will be provided prior to the tournament, which starts at 6 p.m. For those just interested in the dinner, the cost is $20 per ticket. Those participating in the tournament are asked to make a donation of $100.

Money raised from the event will be used to send the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard Team to the national police memorial planned in a few months in Washington, D.C., said Sofie Zimmermann, a foundation member. For more information, contact Zimmermann at 342-1532.

SAL awards highlight youth, volunteers

If you want to learn a thing or two about dedication, talk to Bryan Lopez. He may be 12 years old, but he’s already got a lot of heart. So much that he’d walk two or three miles to and from home just so he could be a part of activities run by the East Bakersfield Sheriff’s Activities League. Never once did he complain or ask for help, so it took awhile for staff and volunteers to discover his long journey. Of course, they began giving him rides, but such was an example of Bryan’s commitment to SAL and defiance of the street life that never seems to rest. His dedication is what earned him Outstanding Boy of the Year Award. 

Bryan joined a group of honorees — youth, volunteers and businesses — recently recognized for their involvement in the SAL programs of East Bakersfield, Kern Valley, Lamont and Wasco.

Other East Bakersfield SAL honorees were: Frances Alvarez, Outstanding Girl of the Year; Aera Energy, Sponsor of the Year; and Sgt. Dan Edgerle, who earned the Volunteer of the Year, for coaching the co-ed football team and leading it to an undefeated victory for the third year in a row.
Derek Brannan, a senior deputy and SAL coordinator, said SAL programs are one of the best tools to fighting crime.

Pointing to the youth, Sheriff Donny Youngblood added, “We need to work more with people this tall,” before thanking the volunteers who’ve made a difference.

Several residents from Kern Valley drove to Bakersfield for the event to praise their SAL program, which began two years ago. Their honorees were: Ronnie Lail, Outstanding Boy of the Year; Nicole Sutton, Outstanding Girl of the Year; Kern River Motors, Sponsor of the Year; and Bill and Sandra Adkins, Volunteer of the Year.

Meanwhile, Lamont SAL shared that their Outstanding Boy of the Year, Erik Perez, was recently selected to serve on the California Police Activities League Youth Directors Council. He is the youngest of the appointed six youths who will participate on the statewide council, representing the 400,000 children who are a part of these programs, said Senior Deputy John Money. 
Other Lamont winners were: Maria Negrette, Outstanding Girl of the Year; Gotta Go Bail Bonds, Sponsor of the Year; and Raul Rocha, Volunteer of the Year.

Deputy Martin Barron said the boxing program at the Wasco SAL sparked an interest in many youth. One boy in particular, Ricky Samarripas, asked Barron if the boxing program would really become a reality. That’s the hope, Barron told him, but he needed his help. Sixteen-year-old Ricky “took it to heart,” giving time and serving as an inspiration for other Wasco SAL youth. He was the Outstanding Boy of the Year.
Other Wasco SAL awards went to: Gabby Medina, Outstanding Girl of the Year; JMAS Custom Welding, Sponsor of the Year; and Robbie Villanueva, Volunteer of the Year.

Olympic lessons
About a dozen local figure skaters, ages four to 18, hit the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center rink at 5 a.m. Sunday for special lessons provided by two guest coaches, Olympian Ivan Dinev and Angela Nikodinov, 2000 Four Continents champion.

“They thought the kids worked hard, but they also picked out some points on practice skills,” said Lisa Jimenez, a Bakersfield parent who helped introduce the professional figure skaters to the Bakersfield youth talent pool.

“These kids are figure skaters who compete statewide, but their training ground is Bakersfield.”

Jimenez has three children: Noelle, 10, Cristian, 9, and Justine, 8, who figure skate. She and her husband, Jose, who owns Jose Jimenez & Associates, take turns traveling three or four times a week to L.A. for coaching lessons from Dinev and Nikodinov.
On Sunday, Nikodinov specialized in spin and footwork on the ice while Dinev gave lessons on jumps and transitions.

“The kids were in awe,” Jimenez said. “Some have been taking lessons for years, but they were taken aback by the style. The coaches — they’re Olympian — so naturally it was going to be very different from the training the children are used to.”

The hope is to bring the coaches to the Bakersfield rink twice a month.

Running for his class

Some people run for health and fitness.
Others to set a personal record.

Caleb Schroeder runs for his AP calculus students.
The Rosamond High School teacher was in town this past weekend to run the Bakersfield Track Club half marathon as a part of a fund-raising effort for his students who want to take the AP Calculus AB Exam May 5 but can't afford to cover the $86 cost.
He ran 13.1 miles in one hour and 42 minutes even though he was recovering from a respiratory infection. He couldn't skip out, he says, because his class was depending on it. And it paid off to a tune of $477. The goal is to raise $1,704.

“I have 26 students in my AP calculus class and 14 of them are below the poverty line that qualifies them for aid so their test fee is only $48,” the Lancaster resident told me. “The other 12 have to pay the full test fee of $86.”

The exam covers only calculus. But if students pass, they get the equivalent of one semester of college credit.

“For many of my students, passing the AP Calculus Exam really motivates them to complete their college education,” he said. “This is going to be my eighth year teaching this class and so far, my students have averaged a 3 for their score, which is the minimum needed to get credit at most California State Universities and private colleges.”

Some of his former students have followed careers in math and science fields after college. “As a math educator, I recognize that this is a major need in our society, and I want to do everything I can to fill in those career fields where numbers are dwindling,” he said.
Here’s wishing the best for Schroeder and his class. If you would like to help, email him at cschroeder@skusd.k12.ca.us or contact Rosamond High School.

Real estate expertise
Are you in the market of buying, selling or fixing up a home for re-sale? Then, I'd encourage you to attend the Home Buyer and Seller Expo 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Feb. 27 at the Bakersfield Marriott.

Organized by The Bakersfield Californian, the expo is free and will draw many real estate experts who want to help consumers on a variety of issues. Get tips on issues, such as short sales, foreclosures, tax incentives, fixing up a home for a quick sale and more. The expo will feature more than 40 booths, and the likes of agents, brokers, new homebuilders, insurance agents, and home improvement companies will be on hand, said Rob Meszaros, The Californian's Marketing Manager.

“You won't be able to find all of the top real estate players in town in another convenient and casual spot,” Meszaros tells me.

For more information, people can log onto Bakersfield.com/expo. Look in Saturday's paper for a special section on the Expo.

Mardi Gras Gala planned this Friday; Lamont recognizes its honorees, leaders

Wendy Armijo caught up with me recently to share news of an upcoming Mardi Gras Gala fundraiser for the Bakersfield Art Association. The nonprofit group, dedicated to the enrichment of local artists, will be celebrating 65 years. It sponsors a variety of activities, including workshops, exhibits and art shows.
The Mardi Gras Gala will be held Friday, Feb. 19, at the Bell Tower Club, 1200 Truxtun Ave.

“The association helps to ensure that our local youth and adults have the opportunity to recognize their artistic potential and that they are given the opportunities and the skills necessary to evolve self expression through art,” Wendy tells me.

Also, a portion of the funds raised by the association is distributed as scholarships to elementary, high school and college art students on an annual basis.
And that’s a good reason to support the association’s Mardi Gras Gala, which will showcase an art show of original artwork and hand-painted masks that will be offered for sale. Other highlights include a silent auction, music by Southside Chicago Seven and Cajun hors d’oeuvres.
Attire is dressy/cocktail or costume. A prize will be offered for the best costume. Masks will be available at the door, or buy one at the gala.   
Tickets are $75 per person and available online at www.mardigrasgala.com or at the Bakersfield Art Association Gallery in the East Hills Mall and at Kathy Schilling Art Studio, 5630 District Blvd., Bakersfield.
Lamont leaders
Joe Serrano, a board member of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, recently invited me to attend the Lamont Chamber of Commerce installation and awards dinner. Joe is a director on the Lamont board. I accepted and glad I had the opportunity to hear some great stories behind the honorees that night. Among them was Earl Shelton, who received the Deryl Stine Award, aka the Hell Raiser Award.
I met Earl several years ago when I wrote stories on the Dust Bowl generation, particularly those who, as children, lived at the well-known federal migrant camp, Weedpatch. Earl once took me through the camp, detailing many of his childhood stories. He continues to give tours of the camp, and last Friday, he was honored with an award, named after a well-respected businessman in Lamont.

Other honorees that night included: Lamont resident Raul Rocha, who received the Special Recognition Award, for his anti-graffiti efforts and Sheriff’s Senior Deputy John Money who earned the President’s Award for running a successful SAL (Sheriff’s Activities League) youth program there. Father John Schmoll and Labetta Glenn were honored as the Man and Woman of the Year while two Lamont businesses, Subway and Short Stop Liquor Store, tied for the Cres Stine Award, aka the Most Improved Business recognition.
The 2010 Lamont Chamber of Commerce officers were installed and noted as the following: Miguel Sanchez, president; Cheryl McConaughey, vice president; Eva Rodriguez, secretary; and the ever-polite Frank Sloan, treasurer. Its board of directors are: Louis Simpson, Jose Gonzalez, John Von Flue, Alberta Dougherty, Joe Serrano and Jerome Kresha.

Churches, nonprofits rally to back Census

More than 100 people, particularly those representing local faith organizations and nonprofits, gathered Mt. Zion's Baptist Church in central Bakersfield to rally its members and urged the media to raise awareness about Census 2010 efforts.
The event drew community leaders, such as the Rev. Hiawatha T. Calhoun of Mt. Zion; Devender Singh Bains of the Sikh Community Radio; Andrae Gonzales of Faith in Action, Kern County; and David Villarino of the nonprofit Farmworker Institute for Education and Leadership Development.

"Some people are afraid of the Census," Bains said. "It's fear of the unknown. It's all about education.

"We need to educate at least 100 people and ask these people to educate another 100 people."

Census takers will be out in neighborhoods soon, asking for household information, but not private data, such as Social Security, driver's license or credit card information.
Attendees included Dolores Huerta; Ruscel Reader, Cesar Chavez School principal; and Kristie Coons of the Kern County Library special projects.
Demographic information from the 1990 Census data helped set aside federal funds, with a local match, for new libraries, Coons said.

"We got wonderful resources that we wouldn't have had," Coons said.

Meanwhile, the Census data can also help others connect with their past family history.
Earlena Morris, whose husband is Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce president Ali Morris, told the crowd that she used Census records to help trace information about her great-grandparents.
Morris, who is Choctaw and African American, said she was able to uncover that her great-grandmother was a freed woman.

"The mere fact that Alex Haley was able to go as far back as he did, that's not common," Morris said. "But for our family, the Census count has been invaluable."

New commander
My congrats to Lt. Kevin Zimmermann, who will be promoted to commander with the Kern County Sheriff's Department Friday. His new rank will take effect Saturday, and he will be assigned to the Lerdo Detentions Bureau.

Zimmermann grew up in Arvin and has been with the department for nearly 20 years. He's worked varied assignments, including SWAT, internal affairs, the Wasco substation and jail. In the past, he's served as a recruit training officer for the sheriff's academy, field training officer for new deputies, a detective in Tehachapi and personnel sergeant. Currently, he is managing the eastern and northeastern county sections of the substation division.
He and his wife, Sofie, are proud parents to eight daughters and one son, and are my youngest son's godparents. He is also a grandparent of three and an active member of St. Francis Church in Bakersfield.
We're very proud of you, Kevin.

Taft College College grows and County Bar Association prepares for new year

Taft College Foundation: Taft Cougars, there’s a new face in town, and she is looking out for you. Her name is Sheri Horn-Bunk, and she is director of the Taft College Foundation, which has been around for a couple of years but up until recently didn’t have someone dedicated to its mission of fundraising full time.

Not anymore and for good reason.

Probably more than ever, college foundations play such a vital role in generating additional dollars from private donors to support the college’s current operations, scholarships and student aid, and special programs and projects.

Taft College may be a bit of a drive from Bakersfield, but these days, Sheri tells me that it is witnessing an increase
in enrollment. Part of that growth is the result of students who are either taking online courses or driving in from nearby communities, such as southwest Bakersfield.

“Education is education, no matter where you get it from,” Sheri, a Fresno City College and Cal State Bakersfield grad, told me Friday. “It leads to better jobs and more opportunities.”

For that, she is driven to raise money and her eye is on the Bernard Osher Scholarship Endowment, a matching program that would result in new scholarship money for Taft students. As part of the endowment, Taft College must raise $110,000 by June 2011. If she is successful, the Bernard Osher Scholarships would establish about 15 awards in the amount of $1,000. The biggest deal is that it would establish Bernard Osher Scholarships at Taft College in perpetuity through the endowment.
This scholarship is designed for second-year students.

“A thousand dollars can go a long way to help a community college student finish their second year,” Sheri said.

To get the ball rolling, Sheri is busy planning for the first Femme Fatales’ of Philanthropy Tea to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at Taft College.
The featured speaker will be Melanie Lundquist, a South Bay philanthropist whose main concentrations are education and health care.

Aside from that, she is searching for successful Taft alumni — she found one, Dante Scarnecchia, a New England Patriots assistant head coach for the offensive line — that can help grow the foundation and college in new ways. Best wishes, Sheri. Your determination and contagious energy will go far.
For more information about the foundation, call Sheri at 763-7936 or e-mail: shornbunk@taft.org

Bar Association 2010: I had the opportunity to attend the Kern County Bar Association installation dinner Thursday. Held at the Bakersfield Country Club, the place was so packed that you practically had to squeeze by each other. I heard that this one was one of their largest turnouts. There was plenty of good company to go around, that’s for sure. My husband, Julio, and I joined the table occupied by our good friend, attorney Larry Fields. It was a good choice as I had the pleasure to catch up with one of the county’s most respected legal eagles, Bernie Barmann, who retired last year. Bernie was the county’s chief attorney for more than two decades. These days, he tells me he stays busy, doing pro bono work for local nonprofits, including Houchin Blood Bank, and participating in Valley Public Radio. Barmann was also a former president of the bar association.

Kern County Superior Court Judge John Brownlee introduced this year’s president, H.A. “Beto” Sala, who was accompanied by his wife, Sylvia, and two sons. Sala joins other 2010 officers: David Dixon, vice president; Chad Louie, treasurer, Lisa Holder, secretary; and Paul Welchans, immediate past president. I also ran into other familiar faces, including Kern County Superior Court Judge Steven Katz; Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio; Dr. Rebecca Rivera; Kern County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Avila; and attorney Emilio Huerta, accompanied by his nationally well-known mother, Dolores Huerta.

The night was even more special when they recognized two people, Susan M. Gill, who was recently appointed to a Kern County judgeship by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the late Stan Simrin. Speakers, including Beto and Paul, told Gill that her father would be so proud of her accomplishments. Susan is the daughter of S.B. “Barney” Gill. He was a much admired attorney and stand-up gentleman who died in 1990. Susan followed in her dad’s footsteps with her love for law. She worked with him as an associate and partner from 1983 to 1989. Stan was another good attorney. He once kept me on a case as a juror despite my media connection. But what a well-respected, sharp attorney he was.

Hispanic chamber and Read for Life look to 2010

Celebrating 25 years of success: The first part of the year always brings excitement for the 500-member Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It marks a time when the chamber recognizes its new leadership tasked with growing membership, helping small business owners and preparing for annual events, including the very successful Latino Food Festival and Menudo Cook-Off.

Now in its 25th year, the Hispanic chamber has plenty of reasons to celebrate when it gathers for its annual Installation Banquet and Business Awards at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at the DoubleTree Hotel. Tickets are $60 per person or $500 per table.

More than 300 people are expected to attend. Kern County Superior Court Judge Robert Tafoya is scheduled to conduct the installation of the new board members, including treasurer Jan Bans, secretary David Alanis, chair-elect Jesse Bonales and past chair Joe Jimenez. Ramona Herrera will lead as the new chairwoman.
The Hispanic chamber has benefited from Latino businesses’ growth locally and non-Latino businesses that cater to Hispanics, she said.

“I’m excited about this year’s board and their commitment to help our membership grow and prosper,” Herrera said. “I’m looking forward to 2010 being a strong year for us.”

A highlight of the night will be the 2009 Hispanic Chamber awards, Herrera said.
The honorees are: Bakersfield attorney David A. Torres, Business Man of the Year, and for full disclosure, I’ve been fortunate to be selected as the Business Woman of the Year. I am sincerely grateful.
Other winners are: La Mina Restaurant, Large Business of the Year; Kern Valley Printing, Small Business of the Year; and Chevron, Corporation of the Year. Risto Rubio of Mission Family Mortuary will receive the Community Service Award.
The Chairperson’s Recognition Award will go to Jay Tamsi, 2010’s vice chairman. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Jay on joint projects with MAS Magazine and the Hispanic Chamber, and I’ve always been impressed with his volunteerism, hard work and dedication. Jay is a senior formulations specialist for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and is involved in the Hispanic chamber, the Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation and the Filipino Community of Delano group. Well-deserved award, Jay, well-deserved.
For those wanting information about the installation dinner, please call 633-5495.

Read for Life Gala planning kicks off: Speaking of well-deserving people, the ever-so energetic Donna Hylton, executive director of the Kern Adult Literacy Council, is busy working away at plans for this year’s Read for Life Gala Reception and Auction planned for April 22 at the Bell Tower Club in downtown Bakersfield. Its 2010 Literacy for Life Award recipient is Sandra Serrano, chancellor of the Kern Community College District.

 For those who are not familiar with Donna, she is one amazing lady, very passionate about the council, and will share countless stories of how it has changed many people’s lives. The Read for Life Gala is its main fundraiser of the year and it helps the organization, which relies heavily on volunteers, to continue their mission of educating our community and building strong readers, no matter the age.

I even got wrapped up in her energy and now, you guessed it, I am on the planning committee for the gala event. The committee list is impressive: Kristie Coons, who handles special projects for the Kern County Library; business owner Ann McCright; Tony Russo of Russo’s Books; and local community activist Sheryl Barbich. So expect some neat things to come of this year’s event.

If you are interested in learning more about the council or helping with the gala, please call Donna at 324-3213. She tells me they are currently looking for donated gift certificates or other items that can be auctioned off at the gala. Stay tuned.

Help shape Kern's political landscape, support Census 2010 efforts

Redistricting Forum: Imagine you being asked to determine the political footprint of Kern County and beyond. The opportunity has arrived.

Applications are now being accepted for the new 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission in charge of redrawing the boundaries of political districts throughout the state. This is huge.

Previously, the task was handled by the state Legislature — a process that led to partisan “safe” seats held for each party.

Huh? Just imagine allowing your 10-year-old to create his three-course meals, chore list and sleep schedule for the weekend. I mean, you’d hope he’d make the right, healthy decision but….

Thanks to passage of Prop. 11, the Voters FIRST Act, in 2008, this responsibility now rests in the hands of a citizens commission — 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 independents — and, together, they will redefine the district boundaries for the state Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization.

The deadline to apply is looming — Feb. 12 — and right now, there’s a callout for more women and people of color to apply. Most who have applied are older white men and counties, such as Los Angeles and Sacramento, lead in the number of applicants. Can’t blame them for wanting to participate but we need to be represented.

As a result, advocacy groups like the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund are holding community forums across California to spread the word and encourage minorities to apply, Nancy Ramirez, MALDEF’s western regional counsel, tells me.

She noted that commission guidelines call for a group that is representative of the state’s diversity, but the most underrepresented groups in applicant pool are Latinos, blacks, Asians and Pacific Islanders.

And as of mid-January, only one Latino from Kern County has passed the first phase of the application process, Ramirez tells me.

Still thinking about how you can make difference?

MALDEF, in partnership with MAS Magazine, will hold free redistricting forum on Monday, Feb. 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the University of California, Merced — Bakersfield Center, 2000 K St., Lakes Room.  Panelists include Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president & general counsel, and a representative of the California State Auditor’s office — the agency administering the application process.

Qualified applicants must have voted in at least two of the past three general elections, registered with the same party (or none) for the last five years, and not have donated $2,000 or more to a campaign. Elected officials, lobbyists and legislative staff are ineligible, sorry.

2010 Census: When California Highway Patrol Capt. Brian Smith of Bakersfield submits his department’s staffing budget to the state, he always makes sure he attaches Census data. He knows he will have to compete with the needs of other law enforcement agencies across the state so having the latest population data can justify the local CHP patrol staffing level needs.

“In Kern County, we want what is ours,” Smith said recently at the opening of the Bakersfield Census office.  

Over the next few months, Census 2010 questionnaires will be sent to your homes, asking for private but critical, information. Census takers will follow-up on homes that did not return a questionnaire. Most of us will be diligent about returning those forms, but one of the biggest challenges for census takers will be reaching poor families distrustful of unfamiliar faces, undocumented immigrants, migrant workers, and the elderly.

Kern County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shelly Castaneda encouraged census takers to carry their identification cards at all times and be gentle and patient with elderly residents, who have been preyed upon by scam artists.

“I have worked patrol in several areas of Kern County, and I have seen with my own eyes the plight of the underserved,” Castaneda said.

Every person, documented or not, must be counted in Kern. Federal dollars are at stake. Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on the census data, said Reyna Olaguez, Bakersfield Census office partnership specialist. The new data will be used to figure out locations for schools, hospitals, housing developments… the list goes on.

And just as significant, the 2010 census data is used to outline the congressional, state and local legislative boundaries for our communities.

Do what you can to support this effort.

New president: My congrats to H. A. Sala who will be installed as the new 2010 president of the Kern County Bar Association. The installation will take place 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bakersfield Country Club. Sala is a well-respected attorney and one of the most humble, genuine persons I know. Best of luck, Beto.