Living: KernLife.com

Bakersfield Libraries

Kern County Library System

868-0700

www.kerncountylibrary.org

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.

Main Branch
Beale Memorial Library
701 Truxtun Ave.
868-0701
The county’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.
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.

Baker Branch
1400 Baker St.
861-2390
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat.

Holloway-Gonzalez Branch
506 E. Brundage Lane
861-2083
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue. and Thu.

Olive Drive Fire Research Center
5642 Victor St.
391-7106
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. through Fri.

Northeast Branch
3725 Columbus St.
871-9017
Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat.

Rathbun Branch
200 W. China Grade Loop
393-6431
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.

Southwest Branch
8301 Ming Ave.
664-7716
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.

Wilson Branch
1901 Wilson Road
834-4044
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.

County Library Branches

Arvin Branch: 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.

Boron Branch: 26967 20 Mule Team Road, 760-762-5606. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Wed. and Thu.

Buttonwillow Branch: 116 S. Buttonwillow Drive, 764-5337. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Wed. and Thu.

California City Branch: 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.

Delano Branch: 925 10th Ave., 725-1078. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat.

Frazier Park Branch: 3015 Mount Pinos Way, 245-1267. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. through Sat.

McFarland Branch/Clara M. Jackson Branch: 500 W. Kern Ave., 792-2318. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tue., Thu. and Sat.

Kern River Valley Branch: 7054 Lake Isabella Blvd., 760-549-2083. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed. through Sat.

Kernville Branch: 48 Tobias St., 760-376-6180. Noon to 6 p.m. Mon. and Wed.

Lamont Branch: 8304 Segrue Road, 845-3471. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu., Fri., and Sat.

Mojave Branch: 16916 1/2 Highway 14, 824-2243. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Wed. and Sat.

Ridgecrest Branch: 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.

Rosamond Branch/Wanda Kirk Branch: 3611 Rosamond Blvd., 256-3236. Noon to 8 p.m. Tue. and Wed.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thu., Fri. and Sat.

Shafter Branch: 236 James St., 746-2156. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.

Taft Branch: 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.

Tehachapi Branch: 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.

Wasco Branch: 1102 Seventh St., 758-2114. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thu.

Wofford Heights Branch: 6400-B Wofford Heights Blvd., 760-376-6160. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue. and Thu.

Bookmobiles

Visit www.kerncountylibrary.org for latest routes and schedules, which can change seasonally.

Bookmobile 1: Bakersfield area, 868-0755
Bookmobile 2: Kern River Valley area, 760-549-2083

Bakersfield's Helping Agencies

Helping agencies

Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault:
1921 19th St., 322-0931, www.kernalliance.org.
24-hour domestic violence/rape hotline, 327-1091 or 800-273-7713

American Red Cross, Kern Chapter:
5035 Gilmore Ave., 324-6427, www.KernRedCross.org

Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC):
2240 S. Union Ave., 834-BARC (2272), www.barc-inc.org

The Bakersfield Homeless Center, operated by Bethany Services:
1600 E. Truxtun Ave., 322-9199, www.bakhc.com

Bakersfield Rescue Mission:
816 E. 21st St., 325-0863, www.thebrm.org

Community Action Partnership of Kern:
300 19th St., 336-5236, 888-445-0090, www.capk.org.

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).

Ebony Counseling Center:
1301 California Ave., 324-4756

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc.:
615 California Ave., 325-5943, www.gbla.org.
Legal services for eligible low-income people.

211 HelpLine:
dial 211, 336-5200, 800-273-2275, TTY 800-551-1868, www.capk.org.

The county'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.

Kern Adult Literacy Council:
331 18th St., 324-3213, www.kernalc.org

Kern County Network for Children:
2000 K St., third floor, 636-4488, www.kcnc.org.
Mailing address: 1300 17th St., US 3, Bakersfield, 93301

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation:
2001 28th St., 336-6826, www.maof.org

PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays):
P.O. Box 42135, Bakersfield, 93384, 632-2510, www.pflag.org.

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.

The Salvation Army:
4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, 836-8487.

Community center provides spiritual and social services, including emergency and disaster services, programs for families, children and senior citizens and those in financial need.

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center:
200 19th St., 325-8626, www.satruck.com.
To schedule a donation pickup, call 800-SATRUCK (728-7825).

Volunteer Center of Kern County Inc.:
1400 Chester Ave., 395-9787, www.volunteercenter.info

Animal Control Services

The following agencies provide animal control services within the County of
Kern:

Kern County Animal Control Department
Animal control: 868-7100
Bakersfield shelter: 868-7125, 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave. Photos of lost pets and adoptable animals can be viewed at www.co.kern.ca.us/acd.

City of Bakersfield
Animal Control
Business phone: 326-3647
Emergency calls: 327-7111
The city of Bakersfield shares the Kern County Animal Shelter at 201 S. Mount Vernon Ave., www.bakersfieldcity.us/acsd.

Arvin Animal Control: P.O. Box 156, Arvin, 93203, 854-5583.
California City Animal Control: 5000 Lindbergh Blvd., California City, 93505, 760-373-8606.

Delano Animal Control: 1300 W. Cecil Ave., Delano, 93215, 721-3377, ext. 450.
Lake Isabella Animal Shelter: 14891 Highway 178, Southlake, Lake Isabella, 93240, 760-378-1131, animal control 760-549-0180.

Mojave Animal Shelter: 923 Poole St., Mojave, 93501, 824-1030.
Ridgecrest Animal Shelter: 411 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, 93555, 760-499-5190.

Shafter Animal Control: 201 Central Valley Highway, Shafter, 93263, 746-6341.
Taft Animal Shelter: 1080 E Ash, Taft, 93268, 763-1227.

Wasco Animal Control: 5409 Seventh St., Wasco, 93280, 758-7240.

Aid and rescue groups

The following groups and agencies aid or rescue animals in Kern County:

ALPHA Canine Sanctuary: P.O. Box 5517, Bakersfield, 93388, 391-8212, www.alphacanine.org. Provides rescue, adoptions, care for life and spay/neuter assistance. No animal control services.

Bakersfield Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 3000 Gibson St., Bakersfield, 93308, 323-8353, www.bakersfieldspca.org.

California Living Museum: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, 93306, 872-2256, www.calmzoo.org. Call for emergency wildlife referrals and assistance for California native animals only.

The Cat People: 602 18th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301, 327-4706, www.thecatpeople.org. Spay/neuter program, gift shop, seniors assistance. No animal control or veterinary services.

Department of Fish and Game: 1234 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, 559-243-4005, ext. 151, www.dfg.ca.gov.

FACT, Facility for Animal Care and Treatment: Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway, 93311, 654-3167, rescue line 654-BIRD (2473), www.csub.edu/FACT. Provides wildlife education, rescue of injured or orphaned birds of prey. E-mail: fact@csub.edu.

Kern Humane Society: 900 21st St., Bakersfield, 93301, 325-2589.

Tehachapi Humane Society: P.O. Box 922, Tehachapi, 93581; 21600 Golden Star Blvd., Tehachapi, CA 93561, 823-0699, wud1.com/tehachapihumane.

Senior Resources

Senior resources

Adult Protective Services: 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.

Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County: 5500 Olive Drive, Building 1, 393-8871, www.alzheimersassn.org.
Mission is to maintain and enhance the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Adult day services include light breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Prices vary depending on income.

Entertainment programs include music, dancing, exercise, education, leisure and games. Activities are created to increase socialization, group activities and individual development and awareness.

Kern County Aging and Adult Services: 5357 Truxtun Ave., 868-1000 or 800-510-2020, www.co.kern.ca.us/aas.
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.

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.

Service provider listings include senior nutrition sites, homemaker programs, housing, legal services, nursing facilities, residential care facilities and handyman services that provide discounts.

Kern County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 615 California Ave., 323-7884, www.gbla.org. The program'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.

Kern County Veterans Service Department: 1120 Golden State Ave., 868-7300, www.co.kern.ca.us/veterans. Provides veterans and dependents with referrals for educational and employment benefits and assistance with filing for service-related disability, pension and burial benefits.

North of the River Recreation and Park District: Provides transportation, home-delivered meals, homemaker and recreation programs for seniors. Information available from Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane, 392-2030, www.norfun.org

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): 1400 Chester Ave., Suite J, 395-9787, www.volunteercenter.info. 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.

Senior Brown Bag Program: 398-4520, www.capk.org. Coordinated by the Community Action Partnership of Kern's Partnership Food Bank, with pantries and commodity sites throughout the county.

Senior Citizens Information and Referral Program: 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.

Seniors Law Center: 615 California Ave., 325-5943, www.gbla.org.

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.

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.

Ambulances

For emergencies, call 911.

Care Ambulance Service
11345 Kernville Road, Kernville, 760-376-2271

Delano Ambulance Service
403 Main St., Delano, 725-3374

Hall Ambulance Service
2001 O St., Bakersfield, 327-4111

Also serves Arvin, Bear Valley, Boron, California City, Frazier Park, Lamont, Mojave, Pine Mountain Club, Rosamond, Shafter, Taft and Tehachapi. Outlying areas can call 800-924-4882.

Kern Ambulance
2324 Seventh St., Wasco, 758-3200

Liberty Ambulance
1325 W. Ridgecrest Blvd., Ridgecrest, 760-375-6565

Mercy Southwest Hospital

Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield Southwest Campus
400 Old River Road, 663-6000, www.mercybakersfield.org.

A 67-bed, acute care hospital is home to the Family Birth Center, featuring the Labor Delivery Recovery Postpartum Unit (LDRP) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Also includes medical, surgical units, lab and imaging services, a level II emergency department and an ICU. The Breast Center offers mammography services featuring Mammopad and other breast care services. A state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical suite is one of six surgical suites at this location. Mercy Medi Center, an urgent care center, is also located at this site.

Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield Truxtun Campus
2215 Truxtun Ave., 632-5000, www.mercybakersfield.org.

A 142-bed acute care hospital with 20 overflow beds. Includes a Level II Base-Station emergency department, comprehensive surgical, medical, telemetry and intensive care units. It also is home to six surgical suites, skilled nursing, post anesthesia care unit, ambulatory and prep units, outpatient surgery, outpatient GI laboratory, and lab and imaging services. This campus is also home to the Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center, Bakersfield’s only hospital based cancer treatment center.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital:
420 34th St., 327-4647, www.bakersfieldmemorial.org.

A 307-bed, tertiary acute care hospital offering a full range of services including cardiac, vascular, neurological/neurosurgical, orthopedic and general surgery, cardiology, obstetrics, pediatrics, skilled nursing, 24-hour emergency care and outpatient surgery. Operated as part of Catholic Healthcare West, www.chwhealth.org.

Hospitals in Bakersfield and Kern County

Here is your guide to hospitals in Bakersfield and the greater Kern County area:

Bakersfield

Bakersfield Heart Hospital: 3001 Sillect Ave., 316-6000, www.bakersfieldhearthospital.com.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital: 420 34th St., 327-4647, www.bakersfieldmemorial.org.

Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center: 2215 Truxtun Ave., 632-5700.

Good Samaritan Hospital: 901 Olive Drive, 215-7500.

HealthSouth Bakersfield Rehabilitation Hospital: 5001 Commerce Drive, 323-5500, www.healthsouthbakersfield.com.

Kern Medical Center: 1830 Flower St., 326-2000, www.kernmedicalcenter.com.

Satellite clinic: Sagebrush Medical Plaza, 1111 Columbus St., 326-6500.

Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield Truxtun Campus: 2215 Truxtun Ave., 632-5000, www.mercybakersfield.org.

Mercy Hospital of Bakersfield Southwest Campus: 400 Old River Road, 663-6000, www.mercybakersfield.org.

San Joaquin Community Hospital: 2615 Chester Ave., 395-3000, www.sjch.us.

Outlying areas

Delano Regional Medical Center: 1401 Garces Highway, Delano, 725-4800, www.drmc.com.

Kern Valley Healthcare District: 6412 Laurel Ave., Mountain Mesa, 760-379-2681, www.kvhd.org.

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital: 1081 N. China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest, 760-446-3551, www.rrh.org.

Tehachapi Hospital: 115 West E St., Tehachapi, 822-3241, www.tvhd.org.

Mastering Abilities Riding Equines (M.A.R.E.)

M.A.R.E. (Mastering Abilities Riding Equines)
18200 Johnson Road, 589-1877

www.mareridingcenter.com

M.A.R.E. is a therapeutic riding center that provides equine assisted programs to children and adults with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.

Serving Kern County with programs that include sport riding, equestrian vaulting, hippotherapy (services provided by a licensed health professional), carriage driving, and Summer Teen Equestrian Enrichment Program (STEEP). These programs assist in the enhancement of self-esteem and confidence, normalized balance and muscle tone in addition to improvement of cognitive and problem solving skills.

M.A.R.E. is a premier accredited center with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, (NARHA). Its rustic atmosphere is enjoyed by many service groups and corporations for work days and team building service projects.

Call for an application and evaluation or to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Bakersfield Pregnancy Center

Bakersfield Pregnancy Center
1801 21st St., Suite 1, Bakersfield, 326-1907
www.wehelpyou.org, www.bpcpartners.org

Services such as:

Free Pregnancy Tests
Sensitive and Confidential Crisis Counseling, in Person or On-Line
Counseling for Sexuality and Relationship Issues
Maternity and Baby Clothes
Baby Furniture
Pregnancy Loss Grief Counseling
Post-Abortion Counseling
Abortion Education and Alternatives
Literature and Videos
Housing Referrals
Education on Pregnancy & Fetal Development
Assistance in Finding Affordable Medical Care
Referrals for Childbirth and Parenting Classes
Referrals for Social Services, Professional Counseling
Other Crisis Pregnancy Centers and Referral Agencies
24-Hour Phone Line: Call us at (661) 326-1907
Abstinence Education
Youth Presentations

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted on a space-available basis.

Bakersfield Office
1801 21st St., Suite 1
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 326-1907

McFarland Office
117 Fifth Street
McFarland, CA 93250, CA 92612
(661) 792-3200

Kern County Mental Health Crisis Line and Stabilization Unit

Kern County Mental Health Crisis Line and Stabilization Unit:
868-8000, 800-991-5272.

Offers 24-hour-a-day crisis intervention and stabilization.

Children & Family Services

Child Development and Family Services

Kern County Superintendent of Schools:
2000 24th St., Bakersfield, 861-5200, kcsos.kern.org/kdfs.

Under this umbrella are:

KCSOS Child Development Services:
1100 Ming Ave., Bakersfield, 835-7284, kcsos.kern.org/childdevelopment.

Operates 16 child development sites, serving 1,200 children under the age of six throughout the county. Programs include half- and full-day preschool, general childcare and employer-sponsored child care. Most programs serve income eligible families with the exception of employer-sponsored child care which is located at The Downtown Child Care Center.

Community Connection for Child Care:
2000 24th St., Suite 100, Bakersfield, 861-5200, 877-861-5200, www.kernchildcare.org.

Free customized referrals and information for all families seeking child care. Partner in the CalWORKs welfare-to-work reform, provides assistance with child-care payments. Also coordinates the county’s child-care waiting eligibility list, trains child care providers, offers a resource and lending library, sponsors children’s concerts and other community events, and participates in other programs benefiting children and families.

Kern County Network for Children:
2000 K St., University Square, third floor, Bakersfield, 636-4488, www.kcnc.org.

Brings together county government, private business, nonprofit service providers, schools and community members to improve the conditions of children in the county. Consists of a governing board and 22 community groups, known as local collaboratives, in Kern County. Provides annual reports on the conditions of children and administers grants for child abuse prevention and treatment and family support.

Other services

Haven Counseling Center:
730 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, 327-4711, www.havencounselingcenter.org.

Goals are to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect in Kern County. Gives information and presentations, supports legislation and more.

Head Start:
336-5236, 800-701-7060, www.capk.org.

Community Action Partnership of Kern has more than 50 early child education and development centers throughout the county.

Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic:
3628 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, 322-1021, www.hwmcgc.org.

A private, non-profit, outpatient mental health center for children and families. Services include parenting education classes, individual, family and group therapy, case management and parent/child support groups.

La Cresta Foundation Counseling Program:
3308 La Cresta Drive, Bakersfield, 323-0055.

Provides support, therapy and counseling to enable parents to interact with their children of all ages. Also a specialized therapeutic nursery school for children.

Organizations for Visitors & Newcomers

City Hostess and Bakersfield Welcome Center: Sharon Martinez, 1005 El Serno Drive, 396-7266, MARTINEZS@bak.rr.com. Tours, lunches, information, relocation information, newcomer’s packet and more.

Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau: 515 Truxtun Ave., 325-5051, www.bakersfieldcvb.org. Free visitor’s guide and information.

Delano City Hostess: Juanita Gallagher, 5121 Belcrest Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93309, 398-1639. Welcome, information and gift books for newcomers.

Frazier Park Visitors Center: 3538 Mt. Pinos Way, Frazier Park, CA 93225, 245-3438, shopoutdoors.com/activities.html. Information, shopping and recreation supplies.

Ridgecrest Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: 139 Balsam St., Suite 1700, Ridgecrest, CA 93555, 800-847-4830, racvb@filmdeserts.com, www.visitdeserts.com. Information and free visitors guide.