User Posts : The Southwest Voice

Happy 1st birthday!

Happy first birthday to our sweet Caitlin! You make us smile everyday! We love you very much!

— Dad, Mom, and Big Sis Nicole

Ask a Wine-Know: A big, hearty Syrah worth savoring

“I’ve enjoyed reading about Pinot Noir in your last columns, but what about Syrah? What can you tell us about it? We need to know something since it’s the wine of choice all over the Paso Robles area where most of us go for winery visits.”

Ahhh! A perfect question for all of us right now since this wine has indeed become the new big hit in California vino circles.

Syrah is the most prominent red grape in the area known as the Rhone in southern France. It is regarded as one of the “noble” wines or vines of the world, in the class with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. It can often be identified by a hint of black or white pepper in a mouthful. It is one of the darkest red wines and should impart a big, hearty taste as you savor it.

The grape was taken to Australia in the 1830s and became the backbone of their wine industry as Shiraz. You’ve probably heard of that wine. It is Syrah. But a wine we call “Petite Sirah” (notice the difference in the spelling) is not. It is an entirely different varietal.

Name droppers alert! The great French Syrahs bear names such as Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the greatest Shiraz is Penfold’s Grange.

Now let’s return to California. I first encountered Syrah in Napa in the ’70s. I think Joe Phelps was growing a bit of the Rhones, if I remember right. Randall Grahm, and his wines from Bonny Doon, was the most active early pioneer and in the ’80s, I tasted Bob Lindquist’s Qupe (which exists today) from the Santa Ynez area in Santa Barbara County. I was impressed. Then later, I visited a new grower, John Alban, in the Edna Valley East of San Luis Obispo, and I was very interested in his early plantings of Syrah and other Rhone varietals, especially Viognier. Today, Alban’s Reva is one of California’s great wines. Grab it if you see it anywhere!

Syrah is a warm-weather seeker. Just right for our Paso area. The Perrin Family from Rhone (Chateau de Beaucastel) established a base and cultivated Rhone varietals in the chalky hills west of the city. Their winery is Tablas Creek. I love their wine called Panoplie. Definitely put that winery down as a must-see on your Central Coast visits, along with L’Adventure, Linne Calodo, and Four Vines. Buy anything you encounter from a winery named Saxum! And tell me where you found it!

There was an explosion of Syrah plantings in the late ’90s that continues heavily today. And the other Rhone varietals came right along with it — red grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Cournoise, and Cinsaut, and white grapes led by Viognier, Marsanne, and Rousanne.

Don’t shy away from the many offerings of Syrahs you will find. Try them all. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts! Twenty or so of my wine buddies sat down to dinner recently with 15 world class Syrahs — several hours of pleasure and great wines. Most of the wines I’ve mentioned above were there, along with a sumptuous 2002 Syrah named Ascent from a winery in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County (Domaine de la Terre Rouge).

— Comments? Questions? E-mail Ann at: acierley@etcrier.net

Southwest Voice Newsletter & reminder

Hello again, Southwest neighbors!

It's that time again! Time for us to make another great issue of your paper, The Southwest Voice.

The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, July 15 at 9:00 p.m.

(One reminder: When you see our Voice on newsstands or receive it in the mail, we are already preparing the next issue, so the following Tuesday is another deadline.)

Have you seen the new issue? Check it out!!

BAM! It's the new issue!

We were LUCKY to get some excellent submissions for this issue. Some of them are:

BAM! Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind is one step closer to becoming a reality on CSUB's campus!
Unleashed!! There's a secret society of special pups at the Kroll Way off-leash dog park (shhh...there's even a dog city government!)
It's "Seuss" and so much more! Community contributor Liane Whitson shares a special event from the Civic Dance Theater.
Hey, Dad advice columnist Dwayne Ardis finds a similarity in teens today with teens of the 1950s.

If you haven't seen this issue, please get a copy today and fill out the subscription card inside so that you don't miss an issue. Hey!...and we will even pay the postage! (Or just click here and subscribe online).

Also, as always, please forward this email newsletter to anyone in the Southwest you know who doesn't currently receive it. This bi-weekly email from me is a great way to remember deadlines and learn about our upcoming stories. It's also great because it's how I notify you when I have FREE TICKETS to give away (Jazz Festival, Sesame Street Live, Condors... just to name a few). If you aren't a subscriber (to the newsletter), then you don't get the announcements.

If you already receive this newsletter, you don't need to do anything. But for people to whom you have forwarded this email, the following instructions are for them:

In order to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, you must be a registered user on our site (that is different from being a subscriber to the magazine). All you do is:

   1. Log on to www.swvoice.com
   2. Click on the red button "Register now"
   3. Fill in the pertinent info.
   4. Wait about 20 seconds for email verification
   5. You're done!

If nothing else, you are helping to build our online community and are becoming a part of the future of citizen journalism.

Looking for some ideas on what to submit? We are looking for:

Blogs, thoughts, random expression about politics, gas prices, the economy, your wine excursions, food (recipes!), travel
Your "Voice on Vacation" photos!
Articles (amateur...remember, this is community journalism!) on sports teams, parenting, cycling, bike paths, pet adoption
Educator and Athlete of the Month nominations
Advertiser mania: Log on to www.swvoice.com and write a short paragraph about how you used one of our SW Voice advertisers, and you could win a Southwest Voice t-shirt!

Please submit your articles to our Web site by Tuesday at 9 p.m.

As always, thank you for making my job so fun. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, that's what I'm here for! Please send me email any time.

All good things,

Dana

Editor’s note

A few weeks ago, a former CSUB professor of mine, Victor Lasseter, suggested a story on the Kroll Way dog park that he frequents with his Old English sheepdog, O’Malley. What a great idea!

Upon his urging, I paid a visit to the park and took our 8-year old Labrador retriever, Wyatt Earp. The people were so nice, and it was a pleasure to watch the different breeds, many of which are rescue dogs. I hope you enjoy the story and remember our animal shelters if you are looking for a pet. There are many rescued animals waiting for good homes.

Just as we were finalizing this issue, I received this Letter to the Editor that I had to share with our local firefighters:

On behalf of Butte College, I’d like to thank those in your fire department who responded to the Humboldt Fire in Butte County. They not only saved Butte College from serious and devastating destruction, but they protected our communities we all live in. Without their great efforts, many more people would not have homes to return to, and much of our campus would not be available for providing education to those in our community. We’re very grateful for all of their help … they’re the greatest!

Sincerely,
Diana Van Der Ploeg
Butte College President

Our firefighters make us proud!

BAM! Proposed children’s museum moves forward with plans

Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind (BAM), a proposed public/private partnership for the Cal State Bakersfield campus, takes another step forward with a successful market feasibility study projecting 140,000 visitors annually at the envisioned educational 32,000-square-foot town square.

BAM is envisioned as a hands-on, interactive museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits focused primarily on the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) for children ages up to 12. BAM will provide activities and exhibits for families with younger children as well as an early childhood development area. It will also encourage junior high, high school and college students to participate in exhibit designs and docent experiences.

Jillian Fritch-Stump leads a large, diverse group of community leaders in planning the museum. The board includes heads of non-profit groups, educational administrators, teachers, doctors, business leaders, and representatives of age groups involved in the museum such as students, parents, and grandparents. BAM will be unique to California and will be the first youth museum located on a California State University campus.

ConsultEcon, Inc., an economic research and management consulting firm based in Massachusetts, recently completed a very favorable market feasibility study indicating that Bakersfield and the surrounding area of Kern County show great potential for the success of BAM. The firm researched the site of the museum for accessibility, visibility, parking, site size and quality, adjacent and nearby uses, and venue program to determine that the area location indicators were all favorable to the selection of the site. They also compared the project to similar museums and the Bakersfield market to similar markets to conclude the annual projected attendance of 140,000 visitors to support BAM. They also commented that most cities that are the size of Bakersfield provide facilities that meet the needs that will be addressed by BAM. The board was very encouraged by the results of the study and voted to move forward with the funding feasibility study in the near future.

The market feasibility report stated that “at BAM, the exhibits and programs would support growth in critical thinking, creativity and exploration. The combination of science, math, technology, and the arts in the interactive exhibits ranging from space, agriculture, wellness, fitness, and other rotating themes will be designed to draw on both the wonder of young visitors and the young at heart.”

The proposed site on the university campus will now be close to the proposed new baseball stadium, Bynum office buildings and possible future hotel/convention center, and bike path. The proposed bike path would be a connecting route leading to the larger city-wide cycling path.

“The new proposed location on the CSUB campus couldn’t be better with the bike path, neighboring facilities and the corporate neighbors that exist on the parameter of the campus,” said Fritch-Stump.

The synergy created at this location will enhance the museum, offering students and their families a destination for multiple experiences — visiting the museum, touring the campus, and attending a baseball game. The demographics of the community show that the need for such a facility is great. Currently, families desiring to visit a science-focused museum must travel at least two hours to do so. The market feasibility study also stated that BAM would be a center of interest through out the entire San Joaquin Valley.

BAM has received wide support from the educational community and from industries in Kern County including space, public services, and commercial businesses. Cal State Bakersfield President Dr. Horace Mitchell has been a strong supporter of the project. He states, “Education is a partnership between school and family and community. The Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind Museum will strengthen that partnership and open doors for every child. Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind is an outstanding project that will bring an important educational experience to the community and our campus.”

Jean Jenner, a future visitor of the museum, speaks for the community: “I am so excited that Bakersfield Adventures for the Mind has been proposed. As a mother of two boys, I believe Bakersfield is a thriving, family-oriented community that is long overdue for an interactive, science museum. BAM will provide a nurturing fun-filled, intellectually engaging environment for our children, and our city will truly benefit from all of the programs BAM will offer.”

One of the next steps in planning the museum will be meeting with interested groups to design exhibits that reflect the diverse economy and industries of Kern County and will meet the learning standards established by the state. Meeting state standards will assure classroom field trips to the museum will not only be fun, but will also advance learning in areas being evaluated by current testing requirements.

In addition the exhibit planning, the capital campaign to fund the project will begin after Susan Pearce from Phillips and Associates completes a funding feasibility study in the near future. Susan was instrumental in assisting Cal State Bakersfield to raise support for converting into a Division I university.

BAM will enrich the lives of children and their families in our area. It will enhance educational experiences for schools and youth organizations. BAM is committed to involving multiple people and groups in the creation of innovative exhibits and exciting educational programs in the sciences, humanities and arts. Become involved. Your assistance in the planning stages of the museum with ideas for exhibits, assistance with securing funding, or offering your expertise can help create a facility that you will feel connected to and one that will create pride in our community.

To help create BAM, visit: www.bamforkids.org or call 327-KIDS.

Bag the battle over baggy fad

Hey, Dad,
My oldest son came home today wearing his pants halfway down his butt. Needless to say, we got into a big argument about it. My son says that all the guys do it. I told him it looks tacky, but he insists it makes him look cool. What would you suggest I do about it? Is this a battle worth fighting?

— Call me Confused

Dear Confused,

This is really going to date me, but when I was a teenager in the ’60s, I remember there was a big fuss about long hair on boys. Every young man wanted long hair like the Beatles and other rock stars of the day. But you know what? We all survived it.

What you described is called “sagging,” and it is the current fashion fad. Sagging got started in our prison system, supposedly thanks to ill-fitting prison clothing. Belts were not allowed because lifeless bodies were often found hanging from them. It is unfortunate that young men choose to model themselves after prison inmates and “gansta” rap artists instead of famous athletes or other upstanding role models. Some boys need to feel accepted by their peers and this is one way they can achieve it.

Perhaps if you discuss with your son how sagging got started, maybe he will change his attitude. Don’t go to war over it because eventually the pants will go up as he enters the work force or goes off to college. Love your son, support him, and try to look past the sagging pants.

Your relationship with your son is more important than any debate about fashion.

Take care,
Dad

— “Hey, Dad” is written by blogging columnist Dwayne Ardis.

No sense in suspending suspensions

Nearly every child who competed to be an eighth-grade Stonecreek Junior High School graduation speaker mentioned how safe he or she felt on our campus. That’s notable in this world of mass communicated violence at schools and among students. I think the sense of safety is due to our school’s high percentage of drug/violence suspensions. A couple weeks ago Robert Price, associate editorial page editor for The Bakersfield Californian, reported that Panama-Buena Vista Union School District suspension rate comes in at a healthy 12 percent, which tops Kern High School’s 11 percent rate and Bakersfield City School’s 8.5 percent. That does not mean our kids are into drugs and hurting each other more than other areas of town, but it indicates to me a lack of tolerance for that type of behavior. Our administrative team does not put up with much.

On one of his last days at school, a student came up to Vice Principal Brian Malavar and said, “I don’t know why people don’t like you. I think you’re a nice man.”

We all chuckled, but many students at our school dread a call slip from Mr. Malavar. He is a man who doesn’t tolerate gang behavior, rule breaking, or intimidation, and we staffers love him. Principal Darryl Johnson says he would rather sweat the small infractions and communicate to all that our school will not put up with lousy behavior, and that seems to be the philosophy of many PBVUSD administrators. We have had parents pull their children out of our school because of such a tight reign, but the bottom line is that we have kids who feel safe at school when many across our nation live in fear.

Our district is not one that fears the suspensions we have on record — we fear kids having to attend class in an environment where they do not feel safe. I like teaching at a school with a high percentage of suspensions because I feel safe, too!

— Peggy Dewane-Pope is a teacher at Stonecreek Junior High School in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. Brian Malavar is the new principal at Panama School, and he (and his suspensions at SJHS) will be missed.

Sports Shorts

Dawggone it, if they didn’t pull it off! The Fresno State Bulldogs shook off the notion that they were too low of a seed and capped their incredible run to the College World Series title with a 6-1 decision over their highly-touted namesakes from the University of Georgia. Ridgeview High School graduate Justin Miller pitched for Fresno State in the Series and was one of the integral parts of a team made up of, well, integral parts! It was a total team effort, as every player on their roster was called upon at some point in time to demonstrate to the nation just how successful you can become as a team, if you cast away individual pride and unselfishly unite with your brethren to achieve the ultimate goal. These ‘Dawgs proved the axiom that there is no “I” in the word team. The plethora of California kids playing for Fresno State spoke well of our great state. Valley pride, indeed!

Stockdale High sophomore Pete Fernandez was recently named high school “Boys Golfer of the Year” as his 70.5 stroke average led the way in the competitive SWYL. Pete was the runner-up at the state high school tournament, which just happened to be the highest finish ever for a Central Section player! Stockdale golf coach Jim Keene was named “Coach of the Year” as well. Along with their recent baseball championship, the Mustangs are riding high as of late.

And it doesn’t end there, as Stockdale’s Jeremy Quiroz, who captured the Central Section singles title, was named high school tennis’ “Singles Player of the Year.”

Bakersfield High School’s tandem of Michael Rodriguez and David Mossman garnered the doubles award as “Doubles Team of the Year” as they completed an undefeated season as doubles partners.

Really folks, this is not the Stockdale Gazette, but our awards assembly continues on as Stockdale High School received All-Area “Coach of the Year” and “Player of the Year” awards in baseball, as Dan Lemon and K.C. Hobson, respectively, earned those honors.

Steven Anderson of BHS was recently named “Coach of the Year” in boys track and field as Anderson led his team to the SWYL title. He also guided the Drillers’ girls team to the same championship!

This columnist can vouch for the fact that vacation time is not overrated!!

Ridgeview’s Phil Dumatrait is currently on the 15-day disabled list with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Phil is sporting a 3-4 win-loss record with a 4.66 earned run average in 75.1 innings pitched. Hopefully, he will be back on the mound soon.

Today’s quote: “Good sports programs prepare the athlete for the game, while the great programs prepare the athlete for life.”

Letter to the Editor: Thank you Bakersfield firefighters

On behalf of Butte College I’d like to thank those in your fire department who responded to the Humboldt Fire in Butte County. They not only saved Butte College from serious and devastating destruction, but they protected our communities we all live in. Without their great efforts many more people would not have homes to return to, and much of our campus would not be available for providing education to those in our community. We’re very grateful for all of their help…they’re the greatest!

Sincerely,

Diana Van Der Ploeg
Butte College President
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
(530)895-2937

4th of July pet safety tips

Pets often become frightened and frantic by the noise and commotion of Independence Day. Pets that become panicked by a combination of cumulative effects from fireworks, excited voices outside and being left alone inside the house are at risk for escaping the safety of their normally tranquil environments in search of more familiar, calm surroundings.

“Each year during holiday celebrations, Kern County Animal Control takes in a number of July 4th dogs — dogs that run off during fireworks celebrations and are rescued by animal control officers or good Samaritans who bring them to the safety of our shelter,” said Denise Haynes, division chief. “This year we would like to see the number of animals that enter the shelter during this time period decrease with simple planning and some basic precautionary measures.”

With some advance planning, you can enjoy the excitement of the Fourth of July and know that your pet is safe, sound and enjoying a bit of peace and quiet.

Loud noises, confusion and fireworks are not the only hazards that pets can face during the holiday. Alcoholic drinks, insect repellents, citronella candles, insect coils, oil products, matches, lighter fluid, and glow jewelry all have the potential to poison, injure and even kill your pets. Pet owners are urged to take precautions when using these items around your pets.

“Pet owners who follow these simple safety measures, will ensure that their pets will remain safe and happy during this Fourth of July,” states Haynes.

Holiday precautions to protect your pet:

• Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.

• Do not leave your pet in the car — with only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects — even death — in a few short minutes. It is also against the law.

• Keep your pets indoors, at home, in a sheltered, quiet area — some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed or ingested. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you are away.

• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises, like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before the holiday for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety your pet will experience during the fireworks display.

• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In fear, pets that normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or even death.

• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

• If you plan to go away for the holiday, make sure your pet is properly cared for by a neighbor, relative, or close friend. Make sure that your pet-sitter is aware of these precautions for the holiday as well.

Southwest Voice Newsletter & early deadline!

Happy Independence Day, Southwest friends!

How lucky we are to be living in a free country, and there's nothing like the 4th of July celebrations to shoot off some fireworks (safely, of course) and wish America a happy birthday!

(The Fire Dept. Fireworks Task Force has set up a hotline. Call 868-6070 if you see any illegal fireworks, and help keep our town safe).

Before I get to the fun current issue, let me notify you of The Southwest Voice's early deadline for the next issue. Instead of Tuesday (our regular deadline), I must get your contributions for our July 9th issue by:

Deadline!! Deadline!! Deadline!!

Monday, June 30th! at 9 p.m.

We need:

Blogs, thoughts, ideas, reviews, opinions
Athlete of the Month nominees
Educator of the Month nominees
"Take The Voice on Vacation" contest entries (photos)
Stories about the economy, gas prices, politics, and faith
Celebrations

Now to the FUN stuff!

By the dawn's early light

Happy birthday, America!

This issue is filled with so many great patriotic submissions from our readers that everyone needs a copy!

Help me spread the word about this wonderful magazine, The Southwest Voice. Many of our Southwest neighbors have NO IDEA about us, so they are missing out.

Do you know people living in the Southwest? Please make sure they get a copy of this issue, as it's filled with everything you need to enjoy a fabulous Fourth of July celebration:

What wine goes with cookout food? Columnist Ann Cierley can tell you!
Where can we see fireworks if we don't want to purchase them?
Where does the money go when we purchase fireworks?
And, something not included in the issue, What should I do with my pets this Fourth of July?

Please forward this email to anyone you know who doesn't receive The Voice and encourage them to subscribe! It's easy: They can click on THIS LINK or pick up any issue and fill out the subscription card inside. In either case, they will be entered into a drawing to win an iPod Shuffle!

Finally, please support our advertisers! This issue, I'd like to highlight:

Bright Dental Care, providing a coupon on pg. 11 for FREE TEETH WHITENING -- free?? Yes! Call 588-2772 to make an appointment for your free white smile! But don't forget your coupon!
John Border, New York Life insurance agent. Need life insurance? Long term health care? Give John a call and let him do what he does best--help us plan for our futures. Call 325-8113.
Halle Rose's Fantasy Tea Parties -- Under new, fabulous ownership! Treat your girls like princesses for their birthday. Mention The Voice and enjoy a super special tea party. Call 872-5110 and see more at www.myspace.com/halleroses

**Have you used one of our advertisers?? Send me an email with a short paragraph explaining which advertiser you used and what you did, and you could win a FREE Southwest Voice t-shirt!

As always, thank you for reading, contributing, and this time—for being safe this 4th of July.

All good things,

Dana

Sequoia Sandwich Company expands north

Kern County’s largest independent deli chain, The Sequoia Sandwich Company, is expanding its services to Fresno County as part of the company’s long-term growth plans in the Central Valley.

The first store is scheduled to open June 25 in the Clovis Commons Shopping Center at Herndon and Willow. Target and Best Buy anchor the shopping center, developed by Regency Centers of Los Angeles. Sequoia shares a pad with two other tenants in front of the center facing Herndon Avenue.

Bakersfield-based Sequoia Sandwich Company opened in 1999 and is privately owned. Sequoia Sandwich is not a franchise; the concept was conceived and developed by local owners, Jeff Simpson and Gary Blackburn. Sequoia Sandwich is considered a high-quality, “premium” deli, using top of the line meats and cheeses to make handcrafted fresh sandwiches, in addition to salads, homemade soups, cookies and desserts. Unlike most delis, Sequoia Sandwich provides the operational efficiencies of a quick-service restaurant, in a larger, more upscale environment than the average sub-shop.

Sequoia now serves more than 1,000 guests each day and employs more than 100 people, contributing over $1 million in annual payroll to local economies.

— Community News items compiled by Ebony Villaseñor.

Fire Department’s task force set to issue citations

With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, the Fireworks Task Force would like to encourage families celebrating with fireworks to be safe and responsible to eliminate injuries and any incidents of fire. The Kern County Fire Department’s Arson Investigations Unit along with the Kern County’s Sheriff’s Office operates the Fireworks Task Force through July 3, 4, and 5.

The Task Force assigns nine teams over the three days, increasing to 18 teams on July 4, consisting of one fire fighter and one sheriff’s deputy to administer citations to those possessing illegal fireworks and/or using fireworks outside of the permissible period of use. The fine for the citation issued for using illegal fireworks totals $1,500 and the fine for using fireworks outside of the time allowed is $500.

The manpower for this task force is paid with the fines from the citations. The Fireworks Task Force will have a hotline in operation on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July. The number is 868-6070.

For more information on fireworks safety, log on to: www.fireworksafety.com.

Flag fundraising event a rousing success

Bakersfield High School JROTC and Troop 47 posted American flags at at the headstones of more than 5,000 veterans at Union Cemetery in observation of Memorial Day.

Due to the generosity of the Fruitvale School District, patriotic students, citizens, organizations and businesses in Bakersfield, the BHS JROTC raised enough money in April to buy 3,800 new flags needed to honor all veterans at Union Cemetery.

On May 24, Boy Scout Troop 47 and BHS JROTC assisted Fran Ramirez and Ginny Risner in placing the flags at the headstones of every veteran in Union Cemetery. This was the first year that all veterans in the cemetery were honored with flags.

What a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the men and women who died so that we may be free! Freedom is not free!

4th of July Calendar

July 3
Fireworks Show, 6 p.m., Shafter High School football field, 526 Mannel Ave. FREE.

July 4
Bakersfield
• The 54th annual Red, White and Boom Fireworks Show at 6 p.m. at Bakersfield College Memorial Stadium, 1801 Panorama Drive. $10-$15. Presented by the Bakersfield Firefighters Relief Association with a special concert performances by Sanctus Real and 800 lb. Gorilla. Tickets available at any city fire station and Longs Drug Stores.
• Monty Byrom 50th Birthday Bash with the Monty Byrom Band at Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. $5. Details, visit: www.buckowens.com or call 328-7560.
• Stockdale Country Club barbecue and fireworks with a buffet from 6 to 8 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Call for pricing. Members only. Details, 832-0587.
• Seven Oaks Country Club Celebration Extravaganza: Water maze, rock climbing, food. 5 p.m. $20-$40. Members only. Details, 664-6404.
• Bakersfield Country Club will host a courtyard buffet, carnival games, and fireworks display starting at 5:30 p.m. Members only. $8.50-$14.50. Details, 871-4000.

Out and about
• July 4 — Live music and fireworks after dusk at the annual July Fourth Concert featuring patriotic songs, show-tunes, jazz and light classical music at Coy Burnett Football Field at East Tehachapi Boulevard and Snyder. FREE. Details, 822-5607.
• July 4 — Third annual Fourth of July Parade in California Hot Springs starting at 10 a.m. at Manter Meadow and Pine Flat drives. Parade will be followed by a breakfast burrito and bake sale with games and activities. There are no limits to parade entries, and all proceeds from the bake sale benefit the Pine Flat 4-H Club. Come up in the morning or the night before (tent camping or trailer camping is available). FREE. Details, 548-6120.
• July 4 — Fireworks in Taft at Franklin Field at Cedar Street and Highway 119 starting at 8:30 p.m.
• July 4 — Independence Day Celebration in Ridgecrest at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds, 520 S. Richmond Road, at 8 p.m.
• July 4 — Arial fireworks in Wasco at 8 p.m. at the Babe Ruth Ball Park on the corner of Poplar Avenue and 11th Street.
• July 4 — Arvin arial fireworks, benefiting the Exchange Club, can be viewed at dark at the Arvin High School football field. FREE.

July 5
Delano
Star Spangled Spectacular by Kiwanis Club of Delano at Memorial Park at 5 p.m. $8. The community fireworks display will begin just after dusk and will be fired from the North end of the Delano Municipal Airport. Barbecue participants will be provided a special viewing area for the fireworks show and are encouraged to bring folding chairs, blankets, or shade setups that can be carried. Details, 725-1286.

Lake Isabella
Fireworks spectacular at Isabella Lake at 9 p.m.