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Southwest Voice Newsletter - Feb. 6, 2008

Greetings readers! First things first:

Have you missed an issue yet of The Southwest Voice? Do you find yourself wondering why you aren't getting The Voice on your driveway anymore? There's an easy solution to that problem! The SWV has gone to a SUBSCRIPTION ONLY publication. It's still FREE (yay!), but now you have to WANT IT to get it! Subscribing is easy. Just go to www.swvoice.com, and click the little Subscribe button at the top of the home page, fill out your info, then voila! In about a week, you'll start receiving your beloved Southwest Voice once again!

Moving on!

My name is Dana Martin, and I am your new and excited editor of Southwest Voice! This is officially my first issue as the new editor, but I am definitely not new to this publication or to Bakersfield.

I am very excited to be a part of a project I have loved from the moment I picked up my first issue. Where else can you learn about a local soccer team’s success, see winter formal photos, find out about opera performances and other events that are unique to Southwest Bakersfield?

Our paper is as special as the contributions that go into it. For it to be successful, we rely on moms, dads, teachers, teens, pastors, neighbors and kids to POST their successes, stories, photos and events on our Web site at: www.swvoice.com. Without our community’s efforts, we would not be the paper we are today!

Feel free to call me, e-mail me, or otherwise REACH OUT to me! I am available to you if you have concerns, ideas, or just want to share with me how UNBELIEVABLE The Southwest Voice is!

Our next issue is awesome! Stockdale High has a new football coach!!! Check out my interview with Coach Snow. Also, it's PHOTO CONTEST TIME! Send in those snapshots of your sleeping baby for a chance at a $25 gift certificate to Baby Me!

Rock-a-bye baby photo contest!

Snow in forecast for Stockdale

Coach Snow is movin' on up! Frontier's loss is Stockdale's gain. Read about Mike Snow's dedication to his football players and the intensity with which he runs his program.

Educator of the Month: Lindsay Haney

This teacher is greatly appreciated! This student says, “Miss Haney is a very smart and intelligent person, she is very nice and has taught me a lot.”

Send in your own Educator of the Month nominations. It's easy, just go to www.swvoice.com and click "Post Something." You fill out the form, and let US do the rest!

Husbands, wives and retirement

Financial columnist John Border offers great advice on how to prepare for your future - come what may!

Stockdale High School's winter formal

Stockdale High School students shared their winter formal photos - check out the fun night they had!

Ridgeview... Bakersfield Christian...West high schools.... were are your winter formal pics??? It isn't too late to send them now!!!

Ok, like I have told some of you already, we are having a bunch of PHOTO CONTESTS coming up, and the first one is:

Rock-a-Bye Baby!!

I know you took those pictures, now send them!! We want to see baby or toddler sleeping with the dog, on a hammock, with grandpa, on a skateboard (it happens!), in the high chair, on top of a stuffed animal---ANYWHERE!

BUT HURRY! YOU HAVE ONLY A WEEK!!!

Entries must be received by Tuesday, February 12 to be considered the winning entry!

To enter, simply click on the post something link at the left side of the home page and upload your favorite photo!

I'll join in the fun if YOU will! Check back soon to see my own kidlets sleeping oh-so-sweetly (ha!)

Southwest Voice staff members have started the ball rolling! Check out these cute kids....then...SUBMIT YOUR OWN!

Youth Athlete of the Month: Kyle Alexander Ochoa

Kyle Alexander Ochoa has been playing soccer nearly nonstop for the past 13 years. From participating in AYSO and a variety of club teams, and finally with the Stockdale High School soccer team, Kyle has never lost his love for the game. When he is not playing for Stockdale High, he gives all of his attention back to his club team Alliance. Kyle’s love and dedication to the sport is admirable. His family and friends are all very proud of him and are enjoying watching him play his second, and senior, year on varsity. Kyle’s leadership as captain helps keep his team together and has helped lead Stockdale High to many victories. Kyle has proven himself not only to be a well-rounded athlete, but also and outstanding person in everyday life.

Educator of the Month: Lindsay Haney

My daughter and I would like to nominate Lindsay Haney of Buena Vista Elementary School. My daughter Shaylan had Miss Haney for first grade last year and was lucky to have her again this year for second grade. Shaylan has excelled in all of her subjects, especially reading, in which she currently reads at a fourth-grade level. Miss Haney is always entering the students’ work in local contests — so many other teachers don’t take the time. This year, Shaylan was lucky enough to win first place for second-graders in the art portion of the Kern Family “What my Family Means to Me” contest — thanks, of course, to Miss Haney. Shaylan loves school and looks forward to seeing her teacher every day. Shaylan says, “Miss Haney is a very smart and intelligent person, she is very nice and has taught me a lot.”

CSU extends application period for first-time freshmen to March 1

The office of the chancellor has amended the original plan of closing all 23 CSU campuses to first-time freshman applications on Feb. 1. Now seven campuses, including Cal State Bakersfield, will be allowed to remain open to new first-time freshmen applicants until March 1.

This change was made after detailed analyses of application trends suggested that there would be a severe negative impact on access for local students.

Prospective freshmen wishing to attend CSUB in the fall quarter must have their application submitted no later than March 1. The application deadline does not apply to fully eligible upper division transfer students, international students and non-resident students.

“We are pleased the deadline has been extended slightly, but students wishing to attend CSUB in the fall will need to act quickly,” said CSUB President Horace Mitchell. “We will continue our all-out effort to be in the high schools and to offer assistance with the application process. We cannot stress enough the importance of submitting an application to a CSU campus prior to the March 1st deadline.”

CSUB will be holding on-site admission sessions at many local high schools. School counselors have the details for each campus. Applications may also be submitted online at www.csumentor.edu.

The decision to stop accepting applications for the fall term is in response to the $386.1 million shortfall in state funding to the CSU as proposed in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2008-09 state budget. This funding gap will mean that 10,000 eligible students will not have access to the CSU this fall. The CSU along with faculty, staff and student groups will seek legislative support for the full CSU budget proposal.

For more information, call the admissions and records office at 654-3036.

La Cucina di Betty: The ultimate tiramisu for your Valentine

The most wonderful ending to our traditional family Christmas dinner was the tiramisu my daughter made for dessert.

There is no doubt that tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert known worldwide, but you will never taste a better one than one prepared with love in the home kitchen.

Tiramisu, which has taken off in many fine restaurants in the past 15 to 20 years, is believed to have been invented in the town of Treviso in Northern Italy.

A dialectical expression from the Veneto region, it means to “pick me up” — to regain your strength or re-energize. The meaning becomes apparent when you realize what ingredients go into this dessert: mascarpone cheese, Marsala wine, Savoiardi cookies (also known as ladyfingers), espresso coffee and a sprinkle of chocolate.

Why is tiramisu so popular? The answer is simple — when done properly, it is delicious! You are taking a combination of flavors, and when components are perfectly blended, you have something decadent and appealing to your taste buds.
In order to prepare it, the following ingredients are needed:

Mascarpone cheese: A soft Italian cream cheese often used in the same fashion as whipped cream.

Marsala wine: A sweet Italian wine that adds a special flavor to desserts and meat dishes.

Savoiardi cookies: Also known as ladyfingers, they are light and sweet sponge cakes shaped like a large, fat finger.

Espresso coffee: A concentrated coffee brewed by forcing very hot water through coffee that has been ground to a fine powder. I prefer to use instant espresso coffee.

Trader Joe’s carries all ingredients necessary to make The Ultimate Tiramisu.

Tiramisu
• 6 eggs, separated
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pound fresh mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 2 cups (instant) espresso coffee, cooled*
• Marsala wine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 packages Savoiardi cookies
• Semi-sweet chocolate, finely grated
• Semi-sweet chocolate shavings

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until mixture is very creamy and pale yellow in color. Add mascarpone cheese and blend until smooth. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites together with mascarpone mixture until well blended and smooth.

Place the espresso coffee in a deep bowl, add Marsala wine, vanilla and mix. Dip one ladyfinger cookie at a time very quickly into the espresso mixture, turning to coat on both sides (Soaking too long will give you a soggy dessert). Arrange the cookies in a single layer in the bottom of a 10- by 15-inch glass dish. Pour half of mascarpone cheese mixture over the ladyfingers, spreading evenly. Sprinkle top with chocolate.

Repeat the process with remaining ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture. Sift remaining chocolate over the top then sprinkle with the chocolate shavings.

Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving. Best if prepared one day ahead. Serve directly from the refrigerator. Cut into squares and serve. Can also be made in individual serving cups or small ramekins. Serves 12.

*To make espresso coffee, dissolve 8 teaspoons instant espresso powder with 2 cups of hot water.

Reader shares patriotic poetry

February is the birthdays of two of America’s great presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. So I have written this poem:

America is Beautiful
America has everything!
It’s beautiful and grand
From borderlands to coastal seas,
From plain to desert sand.

America has little towns,
Great mountains towering high,
Metropolis and countryside
Beneath a heavenly sky.

America’s United States
Has citizens all free.
From Maine to California
A land of liberty.

Husbands, wives and retirement

Retirement the dream: After a lifetime of hard work — raising kids, sweating out bills, and building a stable and secure life — you and your spouse will be able to enjoy your golden years doing the things you’ve always dreamed about.

Retirement the reality: It might be years of fun and leisure, but retirement can also be a time of financial difficulties compounded by illness and loneliness.

An overly harsh view? Perhaps, but it’s prudent to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. That’s why married couples need to arrange for their own (and each other’s) retirement security as early as possible. Much of this preparation has to do with recognizing the need to “send money ahead” to fund a comfortable retirement. But there’s more. Couples of all ages need to map out an understanding of the three possible stages of retirement.

Three Stages of Retirement
Stage 1: Life as a healthy, retired couple. This is the ideal time — the retirement dream that most couples envision. If they’ve planned well, they’ll have money to do everything they’ve dreamed about doing. Unfortunately, “dreaming” is about as far as retirement planning goes for too many people.

Stage 2: Living with a prolonged illness, possibly a series of issues, as health deteriorates in later years. When one partner’s health begins to fail, the other becomes a caregiver. Worse, medical bills begin to soar. Without adequate medical insurance, the financial strain can be devastating.

Stage 3: One partner dies, possibly leaving the survivor in a financially threatened position, unless proper plans have been made.

Planning Is the Key

The key to coping with the potential financial difficulties of retirement is early planning. If you and your spouse are aware of and prepared for these three stages of retirement, you shouldn’t run the risk of outliving your retirement funds. When the two of you consider retirement, also consider financial aspects. Whether you’re just starting out on a life together or shopping for that perfect condo on the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Draft a will with your attorney and keep it current. It’s the starting point for all retirement planning.

• Take time to map out a retirement game plan together. Identify common goals and determine the methods for achieving them. The closer you are to retirement, the more specific your plans should be.

• Share information and responsibilities. Make sure both of you know where all the financial records are and how to access them.

• Send dollars ahead. Know the benefits of your pension, retirement plans and Social Security. Then begin to build up a supplemental fund of your own. Take charge of your own retirement — a large portion of retirement funds may need to come from personal savings.

• Plan to properly conserve your estate. A will can only go so far. Estate taxes may erode a substantial part of your lifetime legacy - plan ahead to make sure your heirs receive what they deserve.

• Prepare for all possibilities. Life insurance, long-term care insurance and disability insurance (during working years) can be excellent ways to protect the retirement dreams you have.

• Have trusted professionals. It’s important to develop relationships with experts in several areas — legal, tax, insurance and financial professionals are the people who can help you map out and fund your retirement plan.

Questions? Comments? Send John Border e-mail at jborder@ft.newyorklife.com

Knowledge House: January activity inventory

About 12 days into Christmas vacation I finally was able to put my feet up and pull out a great novel. Suddenly — like a wind storm — Jan. 7 arrived forcing our family back to scheduled days. Christmas holidays are only a teaser for long, relaxed summer days with plenty of time to read and daydream. It is a time when schedules are thrown out the window and life is able to ebb and flow at a pace that allows for work and play. Two days of relaxing after holiday celebrations didn’t fill up my cup. I wish I felt more enthusiastic about venturing into the second semester.

As a family that chooses to do school at home we convince ourselves that we have a handle on this time thing. I read a book years ago that discussed building a margin into your lives — a time margin. My “relaxed” family schedule includes 25 places to be at specific times every week. It is not uncommon for me to miss one of those events. When I tell the child who missed a music lesson he or she reminds me that I still made 24 out of 25 events. I think that counts as an A!

Soccer, football, basketball, tennis, track, music lessons and book day are a few of our chosen activities. I see great value in each of these ventures. What kind of life have we designed? The American tendency to fill our days with activities ramrods most families. As the new year begins I think it is a great time to take activity inventory. With four kids, how much involvement can our family handle? Do I have time scheduled in for the unplanned? Is activity dominating learning? These are my January thoughts. Being overly busy can actually rob us as we become moving observers instead of participants in the process called life.

Narrowing activities is difficult at best, but I have a few methods that have been helpful through the years. When my kids were very young I avoided all organized sports unless it was a very short-term introduction. You can introduce most of these activities to your children yourself at the park. When my oldest daughter Gabrielle turned 10 she joined her first AYSO team and we finally became a soccer family. The amazing thing is she missed nothing those years we held off and our family had free Saturdays and dinner together instead of evening practice. Today she is playing soccer for Bakersfield High School. Our aggressive, be-the-best culture bullies us into early activity in order to grab a potential college scholarship — when our little ones are only 6 years old. Each activity has a cost for the entire family, and the cost is more than financial — it’s precious time.

In a contrary situation, my son began baseball at 7 with the highlight of his career during fifth grade. After a very competitive sixth grade season he was finished. His team won the championship, yet he had a sour taste in his mouth for the sport. As kids develop physically and mentally they begin to lean into more specific directions of interest. My responsibility is to give them options and introduce many interests rather than limit their scope at an early age. Our family balances sports, music, art and drama. Even with two highschoolers and two young children at home, we make a goal of having dinner as a family three to four nights a week.

Today I will take a hard look at our calendar and make some tough choices for our winter/spring schedule. All the while I will continue the mantra, “Time is precious.”

Stockdale High School Choir gets visit from Santa

The Stockdale High School Choirs put on a fabulous holiday dinner concert on Dec. 16. It was lots of fun and they sang beautifully. The evening started with a great meal served by the choir members under the direction of Susan Trapasso. As family and friends were eating, different small ensembles strolled through the room caroling. There was even a string ensemble providing mood music as guests arrived!

Choir accompanist Joyce King started the concert with a lovely rendition of “O Holy Night.” The variety of songs was most enjoyable. Each choir group sang such tunes as: “Jamaican Noel,” “Eight Nights Eight Lights,” “Coventry Carol,” “La Marche de Rois,” “African Celebration,” “Veni,” “Veni Emanuel” and “Silent Night.”

At one point, while singing, “Grandma got run over by a Reindeer,” Santa arrived with grandma in hot pursuit!

On a more solemn note, the choirs sang a special song, “Bring Them Home for Christmas,” dedicated it to our soldiers and all those around the world who cannot be home for Christmas this year.

The grand finale of the evening included a combined choir of students, parents, guests and even principal Ramon Hendrix singing the hallelujah chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Great job Stockdale choral department! What a great way to usher in the Christmas holiday season!

Third annual Van Horn car show kicks into full drive, asks for local help

Wayne Van Horn Elementary School Parent Club proudly presents the third annual Classic Fun Car/Bike Show and Craft Fair. This is a car show you won’t forget. Judging is done by the students of Van Horn. There will be many special categories and unique awards given. All proceeds will benefit the children of Van Horn Elementary for activities such as sending sixth graders to Camp KEEP, oral language festival, fourth grade California missions trip, awards for kids, an end of the year sixth grade party, a spelling bee, teaching and classroom supplies, a fifth grade trip and much more.

The event will be held March 29 at Wayne Van Horn Elementary School, 5501 Kleinpell Ave.

We are looking for sponsors for the event. In return for your support, we want to prominently display your company name at the show as a sponsor. This will be done on banners, fliers, trophies, in goodie bags given to show participants and announced of our PA system throughout the day. We expect over a thousand people to visit or take part in this show.

Additionally, we will send a flier home with every student in our school listing you as a sponsor and encouraging parents to give you their business. If you agree to help us, we want to make it well worth your effort. And besides, sponsorship is also tax deductible. Hopefully we can benefit you as you help us reach our goals in meeting the needs of our students. You can sponsor our school in the following categories:

• VIP Hornet sponsors: By donating $100 or more to sponsor our show, you will be an official Van Horn Hornet, receive a special Van Horn Car Show T-shirt, see your name in large print in promotions, printed on trophies for a class of vehicles, listed as a sponsor in e-mails, on fliers which will be sent home with the students and put in goodie bags, announced over our PA system throughout the day, plus you will receive a certificate as an Honorary Van Horn Hornet. We would be honored if you would present the trophies to the winners in the class you sponsored.

• Prize and gift donators: By donating products and/or gift certificates to our prize drawing, your name will be displayed on our sponsor banner, announced on our PA system during the show, listed on fliers which will be sent home with our students and put in goodie bags given to our show’s participants.

• Individual/family sponsors: By donating a minimum of $25, we will list you or your family as a sponsor of the show. We will put your name on a banner at our even and list you as a sponsor in our goodie bag flier.

• Goodie bag donators: We need items to put in our goodie bags which will be handed out to our show’s participants such as product samples from your business, coupons, items that advertise your business, etc.

Our event will include a wonderful display of all types of cars, trucks and motorcycles. The craft fair will include wood crafts, jewelry, candles and more hand-made items.

Kids are also invited to enter their favorite “ride,” whether it be a bicycle, scooter, wagon, pedal car, electric car, skate board or anything else you can ride that moves on wheels. However, it must be something that can be ridden and not worn, so roller blades are not acceptable. All entries will be displayed on the black top at Van Horn School during the show for everyone to see. While kids are judging cars and motorcycles at the show, all the adult participants in the show will be voting for their favorite kids rides. Winners will be awarded first, second and third place ribbons for each class of vehicles. Everyone will receive an award. What a fun way to show off your favorite ride!

We will be having a raffle, 50/50 drawing, delicious food at breakfast and lunch, bounce houses and other games. Admission is free. Tickets for food, games and drawings can be purchased the day of the show. We are excited about our show and anticipate it to be our best yet, but we need your help and support to make it possible.

If you would like to make a donation, are interested in participating at our event or have any questions or comments, send e-mail to: vhcarshow@att.net or call co-chairpersons Shair Blazer, Jennifer Cable or Steve Jensen at 324-6538.

Area pastor earns doctorate degree from Azusa Pacific University

Pastor Robert Proctor received his doctor of ministries degree from Azusa Pacific University on Dec. 15. Pastor Proctor has pastored at the Southwest Christian Center for the past 22 years.

During the past three years Pastor Proctor attended Azusa Pacific University in the pursuit of his doctoral degree in ministry. He began the program in 2003 and, according to the committee, graduated in record time.

It has been my privilege to know Pastor Proctor since he was 16 years of age and to have served with him for the past nine years. As colleagues in the ministry I have always held him in high regard and chose to serve with him when I semi-retired from pastoral work in 1998.

Proctor has served this community as pastor of Southwest Christian Center. He also serves as a Chaplain for the Bakersfield Fire Department and as a staff chaplain for San Joaquin Community Hospital.

His doctoral thesis is titled “Community Service Chaplaincy Doing God’s Work in God’s World.”

The committee was very complimentary of his work and expressed the fact that he had provided a very informative work for their consideration.

I know that all who know him will want to join with me in saying, “Congratulations Dr. Bob Proctor!”

Bakersfield Breakaway: Travelers should get passports now before spring rush and security rule chang

Additional passport rules for U.S. citizens are scheduled to take effect this summer and will require American travelers to carry passports on every international trip — even car trips to Mexico or Canada. Travel agents are encouraging clients to get or renew their passports now instead of waiting until spring when a late passport could interfere with travel plans.

Earlier in 2007, the first phase of new passport requirements caused months-long application backlogs at the U.S. State Department and created headaches for many international travelers.

Even travelers who aren’t sure whether or not they’ll be taking an international trip next summer should consider getting their passports now when they’re likely to finish the process relatively quickly — probably within four to six weeks.

Starting this spring, the U.S. State Department is once again likely to be processing unusually high numbers of passport applications because of the new requirements.
As of this year, all U.S. citizens traveling by air are now required to carry a U.S. passport to popular vacation spots that did not previously require them, including Canada, Mexico, Caribbean nations and countries in Central and South America. Beginning next summer (no official date has yet been announced), cruise and vehicle passengers to any country outside the U.S. will also be required to carry passports on their trips. These new passport requirements for 2008 are likely to take some travelers by surprise and could create another backlog of applications as seen last summer with people waiting three months or even more to get their passports.

Passport applications are available for downloading by visiting the State Department’s Web site: www.travel.state.gov or by stopping at any Auto Club office or U.S. Post Office. Citizens who wish to either renew or apply for a new passport must submit passport photos with their application, which can be taken at any Auto Club office for a fee of $8 for members and $15 for non-members plus tax.

First-time passports cost $82 for citizens less than 16 years of age, and $97 for those 16 years old and older. A passport renewal costs $67. For an additional fee, there are services to expedite passport applications and reduce the processing time to three weeks or less. Passport expediting services are available through the Auto Club, the State Department and other private passport services.

First-time applicants for a passport, or those with expired or lost passports, must submit their application in person to a passport processing location, such as a post office, during the hours that service is available.

U.S. passports are valid for 10 years. Non-expired passports can be renewed through the mail by sending a renewal application, your most recent passport and two identical passport photographs to the State Department.

Piano duo to present concert on Feb. 10

Duo pianists Christopher and Johnathon Smith, both piano performance majors at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, are offering a concert on Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. as part of the Fred and Beverly Dukes Memorial Concert Series at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road. The concert is open to the public free of charge.

Highlights of the program will include Poulenc’s “Concerto in D Minor for Two Pianos” and Corrigliano’s “Kaleidoscope,” which helped them win recognition as one of the top three piano duos last March at the prestigious Ellis Duo Piano competition in Spartanburg, S.C. They won first place for best performance of an American Piece award for “Kaleidoscope.”

“The Ellis competition is a really big deal, especially back East,” Christopher said. “Most of the competitors are professionals.”

Applicants submitted a one-hour CD of their best work from which finalists were chosen to perform at the live event.

The piano teachers of both have included Betty Bergman in Shafter and Bonnie Farrer in Bakersfield. They grew up in Shafter where they learned to play several different instruments, graduated from Bakersfield High School, then migrated to Point Loma to pursue their dream of becoming professional musicians. The brothers began giving recitals even before entering grade school. In addition to regular performances at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Shafter, the brothers competed successfully in many venues, including Exchange Club talent contests at Harrah’s in Las Vegas and at the California Music Teachers Convention in Los Angeles.

“It’s important for young musicians to have a purpose for practicing,” their mother Kathie Smith said in a recent interview. “Being in recitals, going to nursing homes as volunteers, making CDs are important motivators for kids.”

She also advocates sitting down with young musicians during instrumental practices. Smith, a music and math major in college, also plays several instruments. She currently teaches math full-time at Bakersfield High School.

Christopher, who has been a regular pianist for Bakersfield Music Theatre and Stars Dinner Theatre while attending Bakersfield College, graduated recently from PLNU and is teaching several students privately as well as playing piano at the La Jolla Community Church. The 25-year-old describes himself as “outgoing, friendly and into lots of things, especially music and drama.”

His favorite composers are the romantics. He is also especially fond of Rachmoninoff.

Two years younger than Christopher, Johnathon will graduate this spring with separate degrees, one in piano and another in mathematics. He also started his own software business, Just Make Sense, designing custom software for companies and individuals.

Mrs. Smith describes her younger son as “an unconventional thinker, someone who thinks outside the box. He does many things at once, and being with his brother is a bonus when they make music together.”

Robert Burns dinner to be held Jan. 26

The Kern County Scottish Society invites the public to a most distinctive celebration of the life of Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous bard (or poet) on Jan. 26, marking his 249th birthday. For more than 200 years, Scottish people all over the world have paused to remember the poems and songs of their national hero who immortalized Scottish culture and the common man.

The KCSS Burns dinner, following a traditional format, will be held in the Liberty Room of Hodel’s Restaurant, 5917 Knudson Drive, and will feature not only supper but entertainment provided by the traditional Celtic music of Banshee in the Kitchen and The Tehachapi Mountain Pipes and Drums. Both musical organizations have developed a local following. The Tehachapi Mountain Pipes and Drums can be seen performing in many statewide parades and Highland games. Both groups are dedicated to keeping Scottish and other Celtic traditions alive.

As part of the dinner, Burn’s poem “An Address to the Haggis,” will be given in honor of the Scottish national dish. A special presentation (a toast) is expressed at the haggis, a dish of very humble origins.

The Burns dinner is the most formal Scottish event of the year for the KCSS. Many local Scots will be donning the kilts and family tartan.

Burns was born in 1759 to farming parents, but Burns learned the skill of writing and began writing poems and odes, many of which were put to music. He was recognized for his ability to capture everyday life experiences in a poetic prose. Among his enduring works are “Auld Lang Syne,” “My Love is Like a Red, Red, Rose” and “My Heart’s in the Highlands.” Burns died at 37 from heart disease, but he is still remembered for his heartfelt poems.

The Robert Burns dinner is open to the public, but reservations are required. Cost for the dinner is $40 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. For more information, visit: www.kernscot.com, call 393-6765 or 827-8001 or visit our clubhouse at 1985 Airport Drive.

Cal State Bakersfield names new vice president for university advancement

Beverly Byl, associate vice president of advancement for University of the Pacific, has been named as Cal State Bakersfield’s new vice president for university advancement. Byl replaces W. Michael Chertok, CSUB’s long-time vice president for university advancement who retired late last year. Her appointment will begin on March 31.

Byl brings more than 20 years of experience in fund development, including a year as the interim vice president of advancement at University of the Pacific. She has a proven track record in capital campaigns at both University of the Pacific and Indiana University. Most recently she executed a successful $330 million fundraising campaign that far exceeded the university’s initial goal of $200 million.

“I am extremely pleased to have someone with Beverly’s talents and experience joining our team,” said CSUB President Horace Mitchell. “She is a proven leader in her field and will be an asset not only to the university, but to our community as well. I look forward to having her as part of our management team.”

As a member of the president’s cabinet, Byl will have direct responsibility for the university’s advancement programs, including alumni affairs, community and governmental relations, public affairs and communications, and fundraising and development operations. Additionally, she will serve as the executive director of the CSUB Foundation.

“I am excited to be coming to Bakersfield and meeting the challenges of a new position,” Byl said. “I look forward to working with administrators, staff, alumni and volunteers in advancing the mission, vision and priorities of CSUB. There are so many wonderful opportunities the university provides to students, and I look forward to sharing the CSUB news with the community.”

Vice president of university advancement at University of the Pacific Ted Leland added, “Beverly is the consummate professional. We just completed, for us, an extraordinary $330 million fund raising drive. She was the senior staff person most responsible for this community accomplishment and the linchpin that made the whole thing work. We wish her the best.”

Prior to her tenure at University of the Pacific, Byl served as the executive director of development for university libraries for Indiana University Foundation in Bloomington, Ind. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in art and secondary education from Morehead State University, and a master of science degree in educational psychology from Indiana University.