Events: The Southwest Voice

DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT

DODGE THE BADGE - Law Enforcement Dodge Ball Tournament - November 15 & 16 at The Zone 4039 Well Tech Way. The format is 6 per side with a 12 person roster. A portion of the proceeds go to the top 3 finishers' favorite charities.

A " Lofty Evening" at 1612 City Lofts

Looking for a unique night out? What about an evening of inspiring art, delicious wine and great food? Begin the evening at the Metro Galleries with wine from the cellar of a prominent local wine collector. The featured artist will be on hand to provide a private art tour. The night continues upstairs where Don Martin will give a detailed tour of the new 1612 City Lofts Condominium Project and the history of the Hay Building. While touring enjoy a selection of wines and hors d’oeuvres from the Noble Bistro. Then, before heading back downstairs, take a moment to enjoy the view from Martin’s loft overlooking the Fox Theater and Downtown Bakersfield. End your unique night out with a delectable dessert and glass of port along with organic coffee in the new Metro Wine Lounge.

Contact Robin Valdes at the CASA office to make your reservations today!!!

A " Lofty Evening" at 1612 City Lofts

Contact Robin Valdes at the CASA office to make your reservations today!!!

Today's Healthy Christian Woman

"Energizing Your Life, God's Way," is the general topic of the "Healthy Christian Woman " all day meeting. Just a few of the topics that will be covered are: Chocolate is Food Group, Is it Hot in Here, The Battle of The Bulge, The Great American Supermarket Show, Oteoporosis Update and The Bible Diet.

Guest speaker, David L. Meinz, author of "Eating By the Book," and "What the Bible Says About Food, Fat, Fitness and Faith," promises to make the day a fun-filled learning opportunity. He is a frequent guest on "The 700 Club" and on the radio show, "Focus on the Family." The event begins at 8:00 am and will end at approximately 4:30 pm.

Lunch, door prizes, snacks, CEU's, and a one year subscription to Cooking Light magazine are all included in the $49.00 fee.

Call 661-872-6375 or e-mail THCW@live.com for further information.

Today's Healthy Christian Woman

Lunch, door prizes, snacks, CEU's, and a one year subscription to Cooking Light magazine are all included in the $49.00 fee. The event begins at 8:00 am and will end at approximately 4:30 pm.

Call 661-872-6375 or e-mail THCW@live.com for further information.

Sierra Club Breakfast & Program

Three Sierra Club leaders will offer an issues update for members and the public as we resume first Saturday of the month Breakfast Meetings on September 6, 8:30 a.m., at Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun, just west of Oak Street in Bakersfield.

Programs feature speakers on environmental topics of interest to anyone who cares about enjoying, exploring and protecting our planet. The setting is informal and all are welcome.

The September program features three members of Sierra Club's Kern-Kaweah Chapter Executive Committee.

Sequoia: Straight Talk About our Forests with Ara Marderosian, Exec.Dir. of Sequoia ForestKeeper
Tejon: an Update with Lorraine Unger
Looking Ahead with Arthur Unger

The program is free. The public is invited. Breakfast is available for $7.50 (tax & tip included).

An RSVP will help us plan seating but is not required. Phone Isabel at 246-6195.

Soccer Site Registration for FUN SPORTS Fall program

FUN SPORTS is having a site registration on Saturday Sept. 6th at Westbrook Chapel from 8:30 -12:00. There are three practice site to choose from NW, Sw or NE. No waiting list and no tryouts every child will play. For more information go to www.myfunsports.com or call us at 378-2749. Season Starts Sept. 8.

KIRKIN’ O’ THE TARTAN

The Scottish Society of Central California presents its annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. This is a century-old traditional ceremony that honors Scottish heritage. Each clan is called forward to place their tartan on the altar rail for the blessing of the tartans. The blessings praise the faith and fortitude of the clan fathers, and honor the noble tradition that Scots proudly share. Following the service, everyone is invited to enjoy a variety of light refreshments. LOCATION: Holy Family Episcopal Church, 1135 E. Alluvial Ave. (E. of N. Millbrook Ave.), Fresno, CA 93720. TIME: Registration 9:30 a.m., Service 10:00 a.m. INFORMATION: Mary Anderson at (559) 227-8169 or Mmmmary@aol.com, Bill McLeod at (559) 439-8922, or Society’s website, www.scottishsociety.org.

12th Annual SHRM Symposium & Expo - HR Is So Much More

The 12th Annual SHRM Symposium & Expo will address many of the responsibilities that business owners and HR professionals juggle every day. As the HR profession progresses the juggling becomes more involved. To assist with these added responsibilities, we will provide you with current information from national speakers and local experts on a range of critical topics, from background checks and internet searches, to safety and security issues, to handling harassment complaints. That’s not all! Let’s add a little fun to the workplace with tips from Craig Zablocki.

CELTIC CONCERT

The Scottish Society of Central California presents its annual Celtic Concert featuring Ed Miller & John Taylor, Molly’s Revenge, Golden Bough, and the Fresno Stag and Thistle Pipe Band. Proceeds support the Society’s Scholarship Fund. LOCATION: Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium, 453 Hughes Ave. at 4^th St., Clovis, CA 93612. TIME: 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. ADMISSION: General $15, Students/Military (with ID) $10. INFORMATION: Kenneth Bain at (559) 439-5553 or klbain@sbcglobal.net, or Society’s website, www.scottishsociety.org. ADVANCED TICKETS: Send check payable to Scottish Society of Central California with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Robert Curington, (559) 891-7571, 1398 Northhill St., Selma, CA 93662-4506, or pay using PayPal on the Society’s website, www.scottishsociety.org.

SPONSORSHIPS are tax deductible under I.R.C. § 501(c)(3).

Up the Yangtze

FLICS presents Up the Yangtze

Join the party as FLICS celebrates its new season. Take a cruise up the Yangtze in China. Doors at the Majestic Fox Theater open at 6:30 pm.

Dir: Yung Chang, Canada, 2008, 93 min, PG

In China, it is simply known as 'The River.' But the Yangtze and all of the life that surrounds it is undergoing an astonishing transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history, the Three Gorges Dam. Chinese-Canadian director Yung Chang returns to the gorgeous, now-disappearing landscape of his grandfathers youth to trace the surreal life of a farewell cruise that traverses the gargantuan waterway. With a humanist gaze and wry wit Chang’s Upstairs Downstairs approach captures the microcosmic society of the luxury liner. Below deck: a bewildered young girl trains as a dishwasher sent to work by her peasant family, who is on the verge of relocation from the encroaching flood waters. Above deck: wealthy international tourists set sail to catch a last glance of a country in dramatic flux. The teenage employees who serve and entertain them tagged with new Westernized names like Cindy and Jerry by upper management warily grasp at the prospect of a better future. "Up the Yangtze" gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large.

In English, Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles

Visit www.flics.org for more information.

31st Annual FRESNO HIGHLAND GATHERING AND GAMES

The Scottish Society of Central California presents its 31st Annual Fresno Highland Gathering and Games. Step into the atmosphere of a Scottish village with pipers, drummers, singers, Highland dancers, storytellers, sheep dogs, kilted athletes, and hearty Scottish food. Enjoy Scottish and Celtic music featuring Ed Miller & John Taylor, Molly’s Revenge, Golden Bough, Pipe on the Hob, and Harps at Play. Thrill to the sounds of the City of Sacramento Pipe Band, Callanish Pipe Band, Tehachapi Mountain Pipes and Drums, Stanislaus County Irish Pipe Band, and the Fresno Stag and Thistle Pipe Band. Visit with the Clan of your heritage. Meet Scottish legends in literature and fame at the Living History Stage. Take home a Celtic memento purchased in Vendor Village. LOCATION: Roeding Park, Fresno, CA 93728. TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony begins at noon with the "Massing of the Pipe Bands" and "March of the Clans". ADMISSION: General $15, Seniors (Age 60+)/Military $10, Children (Age 6-12) $5, and Children under Age 6 Free. Advanced General Admission is $13 through 6 September 2008. POVERELLO HOUSE FOOD DRIVE: Bring a can or other non-perishable food item to benefit the Poverello House and receive $1 off one admission ticket. Only one discount per ticket. INFORMATION: Robyn Gutierrez at (559) 250-1758 or robynxgutierrez@aol.com, or Society’s website www.scottishsociety.org. ADVANCED TICKETS: Send check payable to Scottish Society of Central California with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Robert Curington, (559) 891-7571, 1398 Northhill St., Selma, CA 93662-4506, or pay using PayPal on the Society’s website, www.scottishsociety.org.

SPONSORSHIPS are tax deductible under I.R.C. § 501(c)(3).

4th Annual B-Town Blues Fest

World Records presents

The 4th Annual B-Town Blues Fest is on its way! - Saturday, September 13, 3 pm to 10 pm at the CSUB Amphitheater. Elvin Bishop will headline after performances by Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Shana Morrison (I LOVE saying that Van's daughter is playing the blues fest!), Patrick Sweany, the Flying Arvizu Brothers and Paul Perez.  Great food and cool drinks will abound. Once again the show benefits Houchin Blood Bank. Give blood!

        The amphitheater is a wonderful, relaxing venue with terrific acoustics and views. Once the sun is about an hour from setting the amphitheater is an incredible location for a show. Your special someone might even want to sit close as the temperatures drop. But what about the afternoon??  Sorry we had to wait until our 10th amphitheater show to come up with this, but here it is --- We are bringing in a crane to erect a huge panel just west of the amphitheater to throw a big shadow so everyone can enjoy the show from start to finish. And WHAT a show it's going to be!!

(Here's the make-you-squirm part. Welcome to my world!)  We have to sell 1500 tickets to pay for this year's blues fest. Reserved tickets at tables of 6 are $40. Lawn tickets are $30 for adults, Free for kids age 17 and under, and $20 for folks age 18 to 25.  1500 tickets is not a big deal if we get a little help from a lot of people. For starters we need to sell the 100 tables. A table of 6, dinner included is $300. If you have a group of friends or know a business that would want to join the fun please forward this info or let us know whom we should contact. Businesses that help will be featured in the B-Town Blues Fest program.

        Along with the added info about the B-Town Blues Fest that will follow in the coming days, I will include a running list of how the table campaign is going. Please take notice of the folks that are making this happen. It STARTS like this:

1. Rick's Drywall (From EXETER!)
2. Cummings Consultants (Yeah Jack and Jackie!)
3. Action Glass (Yeah Jim and Paula!)
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
etc.

        The B-Town Blues Fest is a great way to hang out, see the wonderful people that enjoy and support community-based music efforts, get some food and drink and live a cool show. Call us at 831-3100 to get tickets, give help or just respond to this email.  Please forward this on to anyone you can. THAT'S a big help.

        HEY! It's obvious now.  GREAT things can happen when you take a chance...with a little help from your friends.

Support live music!

Covenant Community Services: CARENET Furniture Drop-Off Day

Through Covenant CARENET, Covenant Community Services provides goods and services to foster children returning home to their families and foster youth who are emancipating from foster care. The mission of CARENET is providing services and resources to foster children returning to their families and youth leaving the foster care system equipping them for successful transitions. CARENET is a partnership with the Kern County Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court system. This program is supported by the donations of our community and through a grant received from United Way of Kern County.

CARENET is collecting gently used and new furniture, which will be distributed to Kern County’s foster children and emancipating foster youth. On Saturday, September 13^th, CARENET staff will be collecting beds, bedding, couches, tables, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and other household necessities. Please bring donations to 1801 Belle Terrace between 8AM – 1PM. Each donor will be provided with a receipt for all donations. Contact Kevin at Covenant Community Services (661/326-8304) for more information.

Covenant Community Services is a faith-based, nonprofit organization serving the public through various social services including: foster care placement, transitional housing, mentoring, mental health and family preservation services. Contact information: http://www.covenantcs.net/ or 661/326-8304.

More about CARENET: CARENET is an outreach program serving children and families by providing resources to insure that a simple resource lack is not a reason for children to remain in an out-of-home placement. CARENET provides goods and services to children and families to build success. CARENET consists of an individual or a group of people in the community who use their talents and resources to help a child and family in need. Plumbers, office workers, retired individuals, families, people with trucks, electricians, business owners, and other friendly people in the community can make a difference in the lives of families. CARENET is a community network designed to build families and enable success. Covenant collects new and gently used household furniture including beds, sofas and dining tables, which are distributed to the families in need. Covenant also recruits people from the community with specific skill sets (i.e. plumbing, electrical) who will volunteer time to assist families in need. The community can help by calling 661-326-8304 to donate items or volunteer time. Donation means so much to families who are desperately trying to heal. With the help of people in our community, CARENET can meet the needs of hurting and hopeless children and families.

Covenant Community Services: CARENET Furniture Drop Off Day