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.