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        <title>Recent Posts : KernLife.com</title>
        <link>http://www.kernlife.com</link>
        <description>Recent Posts on http://www.kernlife.com</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
                    <item>
                <title>Vocational schools</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/70111</link>
                <description>
                  
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield Adult School&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus&lt;br /&gt;
501 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
835-1855&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kernhigh.org/bas&quot;&gt;www.kernhigh.org/bas&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Principla/Bakersfield campus director: &lt;/b&gt;Susan Handy&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs:&lt;/b&gt; Medical Training, Computer Education, Business Education, Auto Body, and Welding.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost: &lt;/b&gt;Varies by program; contact an admissions advisor for costs and financial assistance for specific programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;DeVry University Bakersfield&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus&lt;br /&gt;
3000 Ming Ave., Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
866-726-9388&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.devry.edu&quot;&gt;www.devry.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Center Dean: &lt;/b&gt;Barry Bailey&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs: &lt;/b&gt;The college offers Associated Degree programs in Accounting, Electronics &amp;amp; Computer Technology, Health Information Technology, Network Systems Administration and Web Graphic Design. The college also offers Bachelor Degree programs with Business Administration with emphasis in various fields (see website for the complete list of Business fields). Master Degree programs and certificates are available in Educational Tech., (MSET), Education Tech., (Certificate), Electrical Engineering (MSEE), and Keller Graduate School of Management. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost: &lt;/b&gt;Varies by program; contact an admissions advisor for costs and financial assistance for specific programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;John William University-School of Law&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus &lt;br /&gt;
1527 19th St. #400, Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
326-9500&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.johnwilliamuniversity.org&quot;&gt;www.johnwilliamuniversity.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Administrator/Public Relations: &lt;/b&gt;Sharon Kinney&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs: &lt;/b&gt;The university has a Paralegal Progam and a four-year program which offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree. In addition to the degree, students will meet all requirements that are needed to take the Bar Exam to become licensed and practice law in the state of California. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost: &lt;/b&gt;Tuition is $5,500 per year. Other expenses include books and materials which run between $300 to $500 per year. There is no student aid office at John William University and no student aid is offered or available. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Maric College&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus&lt;br /&gt;
1914 Wible Rd., Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
836-6300&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.mariccollege.edu&quot;&gt;www.mariccollege.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield campus director: &lt;/b&gt;Becky Anderson&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs: &lt;/b&gt;The college offers programs in Art &amp;amp; Design, Computer, Health Care, and Legal studies. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost:&lt;/b&gt; Varies by program; contact an admissions advisor for costs and financial assistance for specific programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Santa Barbara Business College&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus&lt;br /&gt;
211 S. Real Rd., Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
835-1100 &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sbbcollege.edu&quot;&gt;www.sbbcollege.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield campus director:&lt;/b&gt; Cory Doxey&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs: &lt;/b&gt;Medical, Legal, Business, Wellness and Technical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost:&amp;nbsp; &lt;/b&gt;Varies by program; contact an admissions advisor for costs and financial assistance for specific programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
San Joaquin Valley College&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Campus&lt;br /&gt;
201 New Stine Road, Bakersfield&lt;br /&gt;
834-0126&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sjvc.edu&quot;&gt;www.sjvc.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;President: &lt;/b&gt;Mark A. Perry&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield campus director: &lt;/b&gt;Nick Gomez&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Programs:&lt;/b&gt; The college offers health, business and technical programs. The Bakersfield campus offers associate of science degrees in medical assisting, dental assisting, surgical technology, pharmacy technology, respiratory therapy, health care insurance specialist, corrections, refrigeration and air conditioning, business administration and emergency services and safety management. Online programs are available. For information on available programs, call 877-FOR-SJVC (367-7582).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Cost:&lt;/b&gt; Varies by program; contact an admissions advisor for costs and financial assistance for specific programs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Boxing</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/25570</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/271712/0/0/" width="100" height="66" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bakersfieldpal.org&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Police Activities League&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;: PAL Youth Center, 301 E. 4th St., 283-8880. The PAL-sponsored program is year-round and open to anyone between the ages of 8 and 17. Beginners train from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the summer and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. the rest of the year. Advanced boxers train from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the summer and 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. PAL sponsors an annual boxing show &amp;mdash; the Mid-State Slugfest &amp;mdash; the last weekend in July. Participants are from the western United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bakersfieldmma.com&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Eric Nolan&amp;rsquo;s Xtreme Martial Arts and Kickboxing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;: Two locations: 4510 Stine Road and 4000 Fruitvale Ave., Suites 10-11. Offers cardio kickboxing, kids&amp;rsquo; kickboxing, kids&amp;rsquo; kung fu, Brazilian kiu jitsu and free weights. Ages 4 and up. 833-3367, 588-KICK(5425).&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br type=&quot;_moz&quot; /&gt;
&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Special Olympics</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/25814</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/269248/0/0/" width="100" height="66" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.sosc.org&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Special Olympics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; offers year-round training and competition opportunities for individuals with disabilities ages 8 and older. Sports include swimming, bowling, volleyball, floor hockey, soccer, softball, basketball, gymnastics, bocce, tennis, golf, track and field, roller skating and cycling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
For more information, call 322-7598, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mailing address, P.O. Box 2544, Bakersfield, 93303; fax, 322-7599; e-mail &lt;a href=&quot;http://dmurphy@sosc.org&quot;&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Bakersfield Libraries</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/69529</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/268639/0/0/" width="74" height="100" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Library System&lt;br type=&quot;_moz&quot; /&gt;
&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;868-0700&lt;br type=&quot;_moz&quot; /&gt;
&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kerncountylibrary.org&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;www.kerncountylibrary.org&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Kern County library system has more than two dozen branches, plus two bookmobiles. The system offers more than 1 million volumes and borrows books from other libraries nationwide. Services include microfilm and microfiche, duplicating, typewriters, databases and other electronic reference, audiovisual material, computers, Internet access, books on tape and CD, DVDs and audiovisual listening stations. Web site offers library catalog, databases member accounts, magazines and newspapers. Library cards are free to county residents. Late fee for books is 25 cents per book per day. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Main Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Beale Memorial Library&lt;br /&gt;
701 Truxtun Ave.&lt;br /&gt;
868-0701 &lt;br /&gt;
The county&amp;rsquo;s main branch features an auditorium, atrium and two meeting rooms. It also has a computer training lab and rooms on local history, genealogy, geology, mining and petroleum. &lt;br /&gt;
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. and Tue.; noon to 9 p.m. Wed. and Thu.; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Baker Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
1400 Baker St.&lt;br /&gt;
861-2390 &lt;br /&gt;
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Holloway-Gonzalez Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
506 E. Brundage Lane&lt;br /&gt;
861-2083&lt;br /&gt;
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue. and Thu.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Olive Drive Fire Research Center&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
5642 Victor St.&lt;br /&gt;
391-7106&lt;br /&gt;
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Northeast Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
3725 Columbus St.&lt;br /&gt;
871-9017&lt;br /&gt;
Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rathbun Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
200 W. China Grade Loop&lt;br /&gt;
393-6431 &lt;br /&gt;
Noon to 8 p.m. Mon. and Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Southwest Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
8301 Ming Ave.&lt;br /&gt;
664-7716&lt;br /&gt;
Noon to 9 p.m. Mon. and Tue.; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wed. and Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri. and Sat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wilson Branch&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
1901 Wilson Road&lt;br /&gt;
834-4044&lt;br /&gt;
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. and Thu.; noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. &lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>County Library Branches</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/8211</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/268638/0/0/" width="100" height="63" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Arvin Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 201 Campus Drive, 854-5934. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed, Thu. and Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Boron Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 26967 20 Mule Team Road, 760-762-5606. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Wed. and Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Buttonwillow Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 116 S. Buttonwillow Drive, 764-5337. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Wed. and Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;California City Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 9507 California City Blvd., 760-373-4757. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Delano Branch: &lt;/b&gt;925 10th Ave., 725-1078. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Frazier Park Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 3015 Mount Pinos Way, 245-1267. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. through Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;McFarland Branch/Clara M. Jackson Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 500 W. Kern Ave., 792-2318. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Thu. and Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Kern River Valley Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 7054 Lake Isabella Blvd., 760-549-2083. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed. through Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Kernville Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 48 Tobias St., 760-376-6180. Noon to 6 p.m. Mon. and Wed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Lamont Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 8304 Segrue Road, 845-3471. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu., Fri., and Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Mojave Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 16916 1/2 Highway 14, 824-2243. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Wed. and Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Ridgecrest Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 131 E. Las Flores Ave., 760-384-5870. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu. and Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Rosamond Branch/Wanda Kirk Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 3611 Rosamond Blvd., 256-3236. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu., Fri. and Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Shafter Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 236 James St., 746-2156. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Taft Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 27 Emmons Park Drive, 763-3294. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Fri. and Sat.; noon to 8 p.m. Wed. and Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Tehachapi Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 1001 W. Tehachapi Blvd., Suite A-400, 822-4938. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu. and Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Wasco Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 1102 Seventh St., 758-2114. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Wofford Heights Branch:&lt;/b&gt; 6400-B Wofford Heights Blvd., 760-376-6160. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue. and Thu.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bookmobiles&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Visit &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kerncountylibrary.org&quot;&gt;www.kerncountylibrary.org&lt;/a&gt; for latest routes and schedules, which can change seasonally.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bookmobile 1:&lt;/b&gt; Bakersfield area, 868-0755&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Bookmobile 2:&lt;/b&gt; Kern River Valley area, 760-549-2083&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Kern County Veterans Services</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/8318</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/268637/0/0/" width="67" height="100" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;&quot;&gt;Kern County Veterans Service Department&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(35, 31, 32);&quot;&gt;1120 Golden State Ave.&lt;br /&gt;
868-7300&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans&quot;&gt;www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(35, 31, 32);&quot;&gt;Provides veterans and dependents with referrals for educational and employment benefits and assistance with filing for service-related disability, pension and burial benefits.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(35, 31, 32);&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Senior Volunteer Program</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/8320</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/11299/0/0/" width="100" height="98" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 255);&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;&quot;&gt;Retired and Senior Volunteer Program &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;&quot;&gt;(RSVP):&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(35, 31, 32);&quot;&gt; 1400 Chester Ave., Suite J, 395-9787, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.volunteercenter.info&quot;&gt;www.volunteercenter.info&lt;/a&gt;. Program by the Volunteer Center of Kern County provides opportunities for adults 55 and older to offer service to the community. Various sites are available to place senior volunteers in governmental, nonprofit and health-care agencies.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Oleander Neighborhood</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/23310</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/268636/0/0/" width="100" height="69" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://homes.point2.com/Neighborhood/US/California/Kern-County/Bakersfield/Oleander-Demographics.aspx&quot;&gt;Demographics, Crime Rate &amp;amp; More&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Beale Park&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In 1908, Truxtun Beale, the only son of Tejon Ranch owner Lt. Edward F. Beale and wife Mary E. (Edwards) Beale, donated five acres of land on Oleander Avenue for the building of the first park in the City of Bakersfield. Truxtun Beale also donated the materials for all of the landscaping and for the building of the Greek Theater and a swimming pool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;For almost one hundred years now this park has been a mainstay within our city. During the summer evenings, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra performs concerts from the Greek Theater for residents to enjoy. Their beautiful music has been a tradition which has brought generation after generation of families together for relaxing, tranquil evenings in the park.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;Although the pool, after almost one hundred years of use, needed to be removed, the park still offers a water amenity in the spray park recently constructed to allow people in the neighborhood to cool off during the hot days of summer and fall.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;Beale Park also offers two group picnic areas, which can be reserved for your family or organizations functions, along with numerous individual picnic areas for smaller outings to the park. There are also three lighted tennis courts, four lighted horseshoe pits, one lighted basketball court, a turf volleyball area, and a softball backstop available on a first-come-first-serve basis.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;There is a sandlot style playground area for children, with plenty of toys for them to enjoy their adventure to the park! They are sure to find their favorite toy within this fantastic playground.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;In addition to the people amenities, there is something at this park for people who like to bird watch. Since approximately 1977, during the horrible windstorm that struck Bakersfield and Kern County, there has been a population of Rose-ringed Parakeets who first settled in Beale Park, and later also settled in Beach Park and Hart Park. The two original breeding pairs escaped when the roof was torn off of the Happy Bird Aviary during the storm. Since that time, through natural breeding and other unintentional releases of additional parakeets, Beale Park has become the primary home to a large naturalized population during the daytime hours. The birds roost at night in the tall palm trees along Union Avenue and California Avenue. The Rose-ringed Parakeets&amp;rsquo; population in greater Bakersfield is the largest naturalization of this species in the world! When at Beale Park, just look up into the trees, these birds are bright green with a very loud call (sounding like &amp;ldquo;kee ep&amp;rdquo;). They have a natural lifespan of approximately 20 years, so we are sure to be able to enjoy their company for a long time.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#000000&quot;&gt;Come and visit Beale Park, located on Oleander Avenue between Dracena and Palm, and enjoy the legacy left to the citizens of the City of Bakersfield by Truxtun Beale&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                                    <geo:lat>35.332259</geo:lat>
                    <geo:long>-119.022458</geo:long>
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                <title>Oildale</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/23311</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/268634/0/0/" width="100" height="62" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;It is an unincorporated town just north of &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield&quot; title=&quot;Bakersfield&quot;&gt;Bakersfield&lt;/a&gt; across the Kern River, west of the Kern River Oilfield, and east of Highway 99. The amount of land area in Oildale is 6.4 sq. miles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Most of the original &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_U-2&quot; title=&quot;Lockheed U-2&quot;&gt;U-2&lt;/a&gt; spy planes flown out of &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51&quot; title=&quot;Area 51&quot;&gt;Groom Lake&lt;/a&gt; were built at a secret factory in Oildale disguised as a tire factory.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;It is the hometown of musician &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_Haggard&quot; title=&quot;Merle Haggard&quot;&gt;Merle Haggard&lt;/a&gt; and writer &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Haslam&quot; title=&quot;Gerald Haslam&quot;&gt;Gerald Haslam&lt;/a&gt;, both of whom are often claimed by nearby Bakersfield. Haggard&#039;s famous boxcar boyhood home is still lived in today.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Buck Owens&#039; recording studio, used in the 60&#039;s, 70&#039;s, &amp;amp; 80&#039;s to record most of his hits and also served as the home to radio stations KUZZ and KKXX, was converted from an old movie theatre on North Chester Avenue just south of Norris Road across the street from Standard School. Today it serves as a recording studio that has been used by bands such as Bakersfield-born Korn.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Oildale is home to the Bakersfield Speedway, a 1/3 mile banked clay oval that was built just after World War II. Buck Owens&#039; song, &amp;quot;Beer Can Hill&amp;quot; is about him hanging out with race fans on a hill overlooking the track.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;In the movie, &amp;quot;The Grapes of Wrath,&amp;quot; the scene when the Joad family first enters into the &amp;quot;Hooverville&amp;quot; and are appalled at what they see...this scene is based on the Hooverville that existed along the Kern River in Oildale near Beardsley Avenue.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Daytona 500 winner and NASCAR Busch Series champion &lt;a href=&quot;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Harvick&quot; title=&quot;Kevin Harvick&quot;&gt;Kevin Harvick&lt;/a&gt; grew up in Oildale near his dad&#039;s fire station just off North Chester Avenue and attended nearby North High School.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                                    <geo:lat>35.373405</geo:lat>
                    <geo:long>-119.018911</geo:long>
                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Bakersfield&#039;s Helping Agencies</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/26435</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/43811/0/0/" width="99" height="100" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot;&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Helping agencies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Alliance Against Family Violence &amp;amp; Sexual Assault: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
1921 19th St., 322-0931, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kernalliance.org&quot;&gt;www.kernalliance.org&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
24-hour domestic violence/rape hotline, 327-1091 or 800-273-7713&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;American Red Cross, Kern Chapter:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;br /&gt;
5035 Gilmore Ave., 324-6427, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.KernRedCross.org&quot;&gt;www.KernRedCross.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC): &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
2240 S. Union Ave., 834-BARC (2272),&lt;a href=&quot;http:// www.barc-inc.org&quot;&gt; www.barc-inc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Bakersfield Homeless Center, operated by Bethany Services:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;br /&gt;
1600 E. Truxtun Ave., 322-9199, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bakhc.com&quot;&gt;www.bakhc.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield Rescue Mission:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
816 E. 21st St., 325-0863,&lt;a href=&quot;http:// www.thebrm.org&quot;&gt; www.thebrm.org&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community Action Partnership of Kern: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
300 19th St., 336-5236, 888-445-0090, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.capk.org. &quot;&gt;www.capk.org. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers skills and resources for people to improve their quality of life and become self-sufficient. More than 100 locations throughout Kern County include programs such as Head Start, the Partnership Food Bank, Home Energy Assistance and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ebony Counseling Center: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
1301 California Ave., 324-4756&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc.: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
615 California Ave., 325-5943, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.gbla.org&quot;&gt;www.gbla.org&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
Legal services for eligible low-income people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;211 HelpLine: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
dial 211, 336-5200, 800-273-2275, TTY 800-551-1868, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.capk.org&quot;&gt;www.capk.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The county&#039;s information and referral service links callers to appropriate service providers. Provides 24-hour 211 service to the county. A program of the Community Action Partnership of Kern.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern Adult Literacy Council: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
331 18th St., 324-3213, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kernalc.org&quot;&gt;www.kernalc.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Network for Children: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
2000 K St., third floor, 636-4488, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.kcnc.org&quot;&gt;www.kcnc.org&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
Mailing address: 1300 17th St., US 3, Bakersfield, 93301&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Mexican American Opportunity Foundation: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
2001 28th St., 336-6826, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.maof.org&quot;&gt;www.maof.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays): &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
P.O. Box 42135, Bakersfield, 93384, 632-2510, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.pflag.org. &quot;&gt;www.pflag.org. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Offers support for loved ones of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Advocates for people in the gay community to foster a safer environment. Meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Salvation Army: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, 836-8487.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Community center provides spiritual and social services, including emergency and disaster services, programs for families, children and senior citizens and those in financial need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
200 19th St., 325-8626, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.satruck.com.&quot;&gt;www.satruck.com.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;br /&gt;
To schedule a donation pickup, call 800-SATRUCK (728-7825).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Volunteer Center of Kern County Inc.: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
1400 Chester Ave., 395-9787, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.volunteercenter.info &quot;&gt;www.volunteercenter.info &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.newtobakersfield.com/3rdparty/editor/editor/www.barc-inc.org&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot; color=&quot;#0000ff&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Animal Control Services</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/26220</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/43231/0/0/" width="100" height="97" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The following agencies provide animal control services within the County of&lt;br /&gt;
Kern: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Animal Control Department&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Animal control: 868-7100&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield shelter: 868-7125, 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Photos of lost pets and adoptable animals can be viewed at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.co.kern.ca.us/acd&quot;&gt;www.co.kern.ca.us/acd&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;City of Bakersfield &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Animal Control&lt;br /&gt;
Business phone: 326-3647&lt;br /&gt;
Emergency calls: 327-7111&lt;br /&gt;
The city of Bakersfield shares the Kern County Animal Shelter at 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave., &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bakersfieldcity.us/acsd&quot;&gt;www.bakersfieldcity.us/acsd&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Arvin Animal Control:&lt;/b&gt; P.O. Box 156, Arvin, 93203, 854-5583. &lt;br /&gt;
California City Animal Control: 5000 Lindbergh Blvd., California City, 93505, 760-373-8606.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Delano Animal Control:&lt;/b&gt; 1300 W. Cecil Ave., Delano, 93215, 721-3377, ext. 450.&lt;br /&gt;
Lake Isabella Animal Shelter: 14891 Highway 178, Southlake, Lake Isabella, 93240, 760-378-1131, animal control 760-549-0180.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Mojave Animal Shelter:&lt;/b&gt; 923 Poole St., Mojave, 93501, 824-1030.&lt;br /&gt;
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter: 411 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, 93555, 760-499-5190.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Shafter Animal Control:&lt;/b&gt; 201 Central Valley Highway, Shafter, 93263, 746-6341.&lt;br /&gt;
Taft Animal Shelter: 1080 E Ash, Taft, 93268, 763-1227.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Wasco Animal Control:&lt;/b&gt; 5409 Seventh St., Wasco, 93280, 758-7240.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Aid and rescue groups&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The following groups and agencies aid or rescue animals in Kern County:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;ALPHA Canine Sanctuary:&lt;/b&gt; P.O. Box 5517, Bakersfield, 93388, 391-8212, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.alphacanine.org&quot;&gt;www.alphacanine.org&lt;/a&gt;. Provides rescue, adoptions, care for life and spay/neuter assistance. No animal control services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Bakersfield Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:&lt;/b&gt; 3000 Gibson St., Bakersfield, 93308, 323-8353, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.bakersfieldspca.org&quot;&gt;www.bakersfieldspca.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;California Living Museum:&lt;/b&gt; 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, 93306, 872-2256, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.calmzoo.org&quot;&gt;www.calmzoo.org&lt;/a&gt;. Call for emergency wildlife referrals and assistance for California native animals only.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;The Cat People:&lt;/b&gt; 602 18th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301, 327-4706, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thecatpeople.org&quot;&gt;www.thecatpeople.org&lt;/a&gt;. Spay/neuter program, gift shop, seniors assistance. No animal control or veterinary services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Department of Fish and Game:&lt;/b&gt; 1234 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, 559-243-4005, ext. 151, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dfg.ca.gov&quot;&gt;www.dfg.ca.gov&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
FACT, Facility for Animal Care and Treatment:&lt;/b&gt; Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway, 93311, 654-3167, rescue line 654-BIRD (2473), &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.csub.edu/FACT&quot;&gt;www.csub.edu/FACT&lt;/a&gt;. Provides wildlife education, rescue of injured or orphaned birds of prey. E-mail: &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:fact@csub.edu&quot;&gt;fact@csub.edu&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Kern Humane Society:&lt;/b&gt; 900 21st St., Bakersfield, 93301, 325-2589.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;b&gt;Tehachapi Humane Society:&lt;/b&gt; P.O. Box 922, Tehachapi, 93581; 21600 Golden Star Blvd., Tehachapi, CA 93561, 823-0699, &lt;a href=&quot;http://wud1.com/tehachapihumane&quot;&gt;wud1.com/tehachapihumane&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Senior Resources</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/69313</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/267917/0/0/" width="100" height="67" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: larger;&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;Senior resources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt;Adult Protective Services: &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Part of the Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department, this unit investigates reports of elder or dependent adult abuse. Abuse can be physical or financial, and may include abandonment, isolation, neglect, and self-neglect. 868-1006 or 800-277-7866.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt;Alzheimer&#039;s Disease Association of Kern County: &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;5500 Olive Drive, Building 1, 393-8871, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.alzheimersassn.org&quot;&gt;www.alzheimersassn.org&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
Mission is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer&#039;s disease. Adult day services include light breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Prices vary depending on income.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Entertainment programs include music, dancing, exercise, education, leisure and games. Activities are created to increase socialization, group activities and individual development and awareness.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt;Kern County Aging and Adult Services: &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;5357 Truxtun Ave., 868-1000 or 800-510-2020, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas&quot;&gt;www.co.kern.ca.us/aas&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;
The Information and Referral Program helps adults 60 and older identify programs and services to meet specific needs. Services are free to individuals as well as family members and caregivers of an age-qualified person in the areas of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medi-Cal, transportation, in-home support for aged or blind persons or persons with disabilities, property tax postponement and tax relief for seniors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The program also provides forms assistance in the areas of reduced-fee fishing licenses, SSI recertification, Medi-Cal applications, homeowners/renters assistance, utility rebates and property tax rebates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Service provider listings include senior nutrition sites, homemaker programs, housing, legal services, nursing facilities, residential care facilities and handyman services that provide discounts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt; &lt;/span&gt;615 California Ave., 323-7884, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.gbla.org&quot;&gt;www.gbla.org&lt;/a&gt;. The program&#039;s trained staff and volunteers investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, people living in nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, assisted living or residential care facilities for the elderly. Staff and volunteers investigate reports of abuse and neglect, and advocate for the rights of the residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern County Veterans Service Department: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;1120 Golden State Ave., 868-7300, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans&quot;&gt;www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans&lt;/a&gt;. Provides veterans and dependents with referrals for educational and employment benefits and assistance with filing for service-related disability, pension and burial benefits.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;North of the River Recreation and Park District:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Provides transportation, home-delivered meals, homemaker and recreation programs for seniors. Information available from Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane, 392-2030, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.norfun.org&quot;&gt;www.norfun.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Retired and Senior Volunteer Program &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;(RSVP):&lt;/u&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;1400 Chester Ave., Suite J, 395-9787, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.volunteercenter.info&quot;&gt;www.volunteercenter.info&lt;/a&gt;. Program by the Volunteer Center of Kern County provides opportunities for adults 55 and older to offer service to the community. Various sites are available to place senior volunteers in governmental, nonprofit and health-care agencies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Senior Brown Bag Program: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;398-4520, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.capk.org&quot;&gt;www.capk.org&lt;/a&gt;. Coordinated by the Community Action Partnership of Kern&#039;s Partnership Food Bank, with pantries and commodity sites throughout the county.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Senior Citizens Information and Referral Program: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;417 W. Drummond Ave., Ridgecrest, 760-375-4322. The Senior Citizens Information help line is available for the elderly who need to find resources for transportation, homemaking help and other services. Offers adult day care and a senior center that prepares nutritious meals. Volunteers are available for transportation and in-home services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: rgb(51, 153, 102);&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Seniors Law Center: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;615 California Ave., 325-5943, &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.gbla.org&quot;&gt;www.gbla.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A program of the Older Americans Act operated by Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc. Provides free legal services in civil matters for Kern County citizens 60 years and older. There is no income test, but preference is given to seniors who demonstrate the greatest economic or social need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Representation is available in areas of public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Medi-Cal, food stamps and general assistance, Social Security (Title II) and Medicare, in-home supportive services and institutional care, subsidized housing, tenant protection, mobile home tenancies and eviction defense, and elder abuse.&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Juliana&#039;s Art Studio &amp; Gallery</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/69387</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/267914/0/0/" width="100" height="70" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;Juliana&#039;s Art Studio &amp;amp; Gallery, 501 18th St., open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays beginning Aug. 4. 327-7507.&lt;/p&gt;
                </description>

                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Where and how to recycle</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/68699</link>
                <description>
                  
                                      &lt;img src="http://www.kernlife.com/file/picture/262790/0/0/" width="100" height="100" border="0"/&gt;
                                    &lt;p&gt;Recycling household trash such as newspapers, cardboard, junk mail, cans, bottles and plastic containers can be done in several ways in Kern County. Curbside recycling is available in some areas of the county. In some cities, curbside collection of recyclables is part of the standard garbage service. In others, like Bakersfield, there&amp;rsquo;s an additional charge for curbside pickup.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Recyclables can also be taken to community drop-off sites, located in church and school parking lots. Or, they can be redeemed for cash at one of the many recycling businesses around town that pay for materials such as metals, paper and beverage containers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Curbside recycling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield:&lt;/b&gt; A curbside recycling program is available to Bakersfield residents living in city and county areas for a fee. Those who sign up for the program receive a blue trash bin that is picked up every other week. Materials accepted include glass, aluminum, tin, steel, cardboard, paper, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, beverage containers and plastics No. 1 and No. 2. The rate for curbside recycling is $12 per quarter for city residents and for county residents living in the Bakersfield metro area.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To sign up for curbside recycling, call:&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division, 326-3114&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Kern County Waste Management, 322-6863&lt;br /&gt;
Arvin, Delano and McFarland: Curbside recycling is part of the regular trash service.&lt;br /&gt;
Eastern Kern County (Tehachapi, Rosamond, Mojave, California City and unincorporated areas): Recyclables can be thrown out with regular trash. Recyclable material is sorted out after collection.&lt;br /&gt;
Western Kern County (Wasco, Shafter and unincorporated parts of western Kern County except metro Bakersfield): No curbside recycling is offered.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Drop-off locations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Recyclables can be taken to large recycling bins located at several churches, schools and parks throughout Kern County. These groups redeem the material and use the money for programs and projects. For drop-off locations in Bakersfield and around the county, see the accompanying map.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Materials accepted at most locations include:&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; glass containers&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; aluminum, tin, steel, bi-metal cans, aluminum foil and pie pans&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; white paper, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, phone books, mixed paper, junk mail&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; plastic (No. 1 and No. 2)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Recycling for cash&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There&amp;rsquo;s money to be made by recycling. Numerous recycling centers throughout the county will pay cash for your cans, bottles, scrap metal, appliances and paper. &lt;br /&gt;
Beverage containers (bottles and cans): To find a location, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com and click &amp;ldquo;Where to Recycle.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), paper and appliances: Refer to the Kern County Recycling Guide, found under &amp;ldquo;recycling&amp;rdquo; in the yellow pages of a local AT&amp;amp;T phone book, or on Kern County Waste Management&amp;rsquo;s Web site at www.co.kern.ca.us/wmd. The recycling guide contains names, addresses and phone numbers for local facilities that accept recyclable materials.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Special items&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Household hazardous waste&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The following items are accepted at Kern County Special Waste facilities, in Bakersfield at 4951 Standard St. , and at the Mojave Airport, 17035 Finnin St. The Bakersfield facility is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; the Mojave site is open 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. To contact a facility, call 862-8922. They accept:&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; automotive products&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; batteries &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; fluorescent light bulbs &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; cleaning products, pool chemicals &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; home generated &amp;ldquo;sharps&amp;rdquo; (injection needles)&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; thermometers or other items containing mercury&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; paint and paint products&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; televisions and computer monitors (19&amp;rdquo; or smaller)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Motor oil and oil filters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Accepted at many service stations, auto parts stores, recycling centers and most Kern County landfills. To locate a used oil collection center near you, visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Centers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Appliances (large, nonworking)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Golden State Metals, 2000 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-3559&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Kern County Waste Management Department Disposal Sites, 862-8900 &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Sierra Metals, 1620 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-7073&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Midway Recycle/Western Scrap, 7200 Downing Ave., Bakersfield, 589-5712&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Appliances are accepted at all Kern County landfills and transfer stations. The county will also provide free curbside pickup of these items. Call 322-6863&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Electronic waste&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
In general, this includes computer monitors and CPUs, laptops, computer accessories, televisions, answering machines, camcorders, CD and DVD players, copiers, electric typewriters, electronic games, fax machines, modems, pagers, printers, radios, remote controls, scanners, stereos, tape players, telephones, televisions, two-way radios, VCRs and word processors.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Goodwill Industries (8 stores in Kern County)&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; St. Vincent De Paul (3 stores in Kern County)&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens, 2240 S. Union Ave., Bakersfield, 397-3622&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; Fortune Metals, 19421 Quinn Road, Bakersfield, 387-1100&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;bull; All Kern County landfills and transfer stations (see below), 862-8900&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
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                <title>Private Elementary Schools</title>
                <link>http://www.kernlife.com/home/ViewPost/69297</link>
                <description>
                  
                                    &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Adventist Christian School:&lt;/b&gt; 555 Las Flores Ave., Ridgecrest, &lt;br /&gt;
760-375-8673, &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.ridgecrestsda.org/school&quot;&gt;www.ridgecrestsda.org/school&lt;/a&gt;, 1-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bakersfield Carden School:&lt;/b&gt; 714 Columbus St., Suite A, Bakersfield, 325-2271, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Carden School of Tehachapi:&lt;/b&gt; 20419 Brian Way, Tehachapi, 822-9565, &lt;br /&gt;
K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Heritage Christian Schools:&lt;/b&gt; 2401 Bernard St., Bakersfield, 871-4545, &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.heritageschools.us/&quot;&gt;www.heritageschools.us&lt;/a&gt;, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kern Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School: &lt;/b&gt;30105 Riverside St., Shafter, 746-4467.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New Life Christian School: &lt;/b&gt;4201 Stine Road, Bakersfield, 831-6252, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;North Kern Christian School and Preschool: &lt;/b&gt;710 Peters St., Wasco, 758-5997, age 2-grade 8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Olive Knolls Christian School:&lt;/b&gt; 6201 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield, 393-3566, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Our Lady of Guadalupe School:&lt;/b&gt; 609 E. California Ave., Bakersfield, &lt;br /&gt;
323-6059, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Our Lady of Perpetual Help School:&lt;/b&gt; 124 Columbus St., Bakersfield, &lt;br /&gt;
327-7741, K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;St. Francis Parish School: &lt;/b&gt;2516 Palm St., Bakersfield, 326-7955, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;St. John&amp;rsquo;s School: &lt;/b&gt;929 Broadway St., Wasco, 758-6467, infant-grade 8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;St. John&amp;rsquo;s Lutheran School: &lt;/b&gt;4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, &lt;br /&gt;
664-8090, infant-grade 8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;South San Joaquin Christian School:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt; 2222 9th Ave., Delano, 725-2827, Pre-K-4.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Stockdale Christian School: &lt;/b&gt;4901 California Ave., Bakersfield, &lt;br /&gt;
327-3927, &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.stockdalechristianschool.com/&quot;&gt;www.stockdalechristianschool.com&lt;/a&gt;, Pre-K-8.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Valley Achievement Center: &lt;/b&gt;Private, nonprofit school for autistic youth. 7300 Ming Ave., Bakersfield, 834-8670, &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;http://www.autism-vac.org/&quot;&gt;www.autism-vac.org&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
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