Kernville Freedom Festival October 25, 2008

The Kernville Freedom Festival hosted several speakers whose subject matter will be pertinent for the coming months. Take a look at these CNN IReport videos:

Iraq War and Iran Nuclear Proliferation
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-130505

Electronic Voting Machines
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-130485

5 minute 30 second Festival overview with speaker SOT's
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-130223

The economy and climate change
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-130407

Homeless Veterans, PTSD and American World Service Corps
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-130521

Take a look, enjoy, get informed.

August 15 Sequoia Forest Service meeting with the Kern River Valley Revitalization, Inc..

On August 5 the Bakersfield Californian announced that the Forest Service is set to increase recreation fees in the Lake Isabella watershed in September. Opposition to the fees was raised at a Town Hall Meeting on July 15 and audio files are posted here of the entire meeting. Yesterday, August 15, the Forest Service met with the Kern River Valley Revitalization, Inc.. Forest Service personnel were Tina Terrell, Rick Larson and Brenda Ehlman. An audio file (minus the first half hour) of that meeting is posted here. The Forest Service also met with the Kern River Valley Revitalization, Inc. (KRVR) on July 15. The Minutes of that meeting are posted here and can also be found on the KRVR website at this link:
KRVR DOCUMENTS PAGE
http://krvr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=30

National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest - Post #3

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States.

The complete meeting was recorded.
The Town Hall introduction by Carol Rutledge (video) is on Post *1 for this topic. Post #2 provides audio files for speakers Peter Wiechers, Ron Benoit and Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. This Post #3 provides audio files of the Question and Answer session where audience members ask questions and the speakers respond. There are three parts to the Q & A session.

Please visit this link: http://kernvalley.googlepages.com/home for updated information on this topic and how you can voice your concern.


Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part One
23 Minutes

Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part Two
28 Minutes

Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part Three
28 Minutes

National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest - Post #2

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States. The complete meeting was recorded; the introduction video is on my earlier post today. This followup shows videos two, three and four of seven: the presentations of the three invited speakers - Peter Wiechers, Ron Benoit and Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell.


Peter Wiechers: Kayaker, History and Science Teacher


Audio from Peter Wiechers, Speaker One


Ron Benoit: Former President, Property Owners Association



Audio from Ron Benoit, Speaker Two


Tina Terrell: Sequoia National Forest Supervisor
Audio from Tina Terrell, Speaker Three

National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States. The complete meeting was recorded; this is part one of seven. The Town Hall Introduction is conducted by Carol Rutledge.


Property Owners Association President, Carol Rutledge


Video of the beginning of the meeting


Former Property Owners Association President, Ron Benoit

Lake Isabella and Kern River PROPOSED FEE AREAS

To all my friends who recreate in the Lake Isabella and Kern River, California area:

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing FEE AREAS in a contiguous region
surrounding Lake Isabella and north to the Johnsondale Bridge. Please
look at the maps posted here to see the areas involved. You have an
opportunity to write to the Congressional Committee in Washington, DC
that has the authority to STOP THE FEE HIKE. JULY 2, 2008 is the DEADLINE
to send your comments. To learn how to send your letter by EMAIL or FAX
please go to the Western Slope No Fee website link below to read the
particulars.

http://westernslopenofee.org/index2.php?display=yes&pageid=22

SYNERGY CSUB Todd Madigan Gallery

The Todd Madigan Gallery at CSU Bakersfield hosts "SYNERGY" thru June 7, 2008. Watch video from the opening reception May 22nd. This exhibit features work from Senior Art Students who will be graduating in June. Gallery hours are Wed. thru Sat., Noon to 6pm.

Alyssum, Iris, Poppies and Sweet Peas

Every April we open our home for the Kern Valley Art Tour. Since we feature outdoor sculpture I’ve been working to discover the flowers that will bloom as a backdrop to the artwork. This year it turned out to be sweet alyssum, iris, poppies and sweet peas. I will be taking photographs each month to develop a timetable for this elevation and climate zone. A few of the images are included here for your enjoyment.

Kayaking in Kernville, CA

The last two weekends showcased events that always seem to kick off the summer tourism season: The Kern River Whitewater Races and the Kern River Valley Open Studio and Gallery Tour. I am including some video I shot in Kernville on Sat. April 19. The Mini Cooper club was in town, in force and paddlers were practicing for the first race in the Sierra Cup Slalom Series. Check out the paddlers website for more events throughout California. The next Kern River race will be held August 23 and 24.
( http://www.kernfestival.org/sierracup.htm )

La dérivée

Today I am reminded of the many ways that mountain living brings me closer to nature. It has been in the high 60's some days; several fruit trees have blossomed yet only a few bees have emerged to enjoy the sun. This morning the reason is clear; overnight it was 31 degrees and at sunrise I needed a cup of coffee to ignore the fact that it was still trying to break 40. At 35N 118W with an elevation of 2667 feet the moon is bright against a clear blue sky. An aimless walk promises to provide many wonderful discoveries. First of all I notice the strawberries are holding a reminder of the overnight frost. A glistening spider's web makes me pause and the volunteer sweetpeas are already a foot and a half tall. The white iris' have pushed their blooms, beans are fragrant and lovely, the fennel is lush and the snow peas are ready for tonights salad. The birds are singing as they move between the manzanita, pine and oaks. That inviting sound leads the way to wild cucumbers, owl's clover and much more. It is truly a glorious day to be out exploring and capturing a few images to share. Before I know it, two hours have disappeared. Ah...the satisfaction of la derive...an aimless walk on a lovely day.

Kern River Valley welcomes Spring

Early March 2008 brought manzanita blooms and lots of insect activity! The rest of the garden came to life as daffodils and grape hyacinths burst forth with color to greet the new season.

Longest Walk 2 Southern Route Sings

All Life is Sacred
Clean Up Mother Earth
Protect Sacred Sites
Walk for the Seventh Generation
Walk for peace, justice and the healing of Mother Earth
Renew your Spirit; walk in the footsteps of our Ancestors

The words above carry all Longest Walk 2 participants across the USA today. The Southern Route enters Flagstaff, Arizona this morning and begins a week of conferences, educational seminars and fundraisers. Please get informed and become involved. Visit the website for more information at: www.longestwalk.org

The Flagstaff, Arizona newsrelease can be found here:
http://longestwalk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=122

The pictures in this post show images of Southern Route singing in Bakersfield, Ca.

March 4 Southern Route heads to last CA overnight

Walkers and runners set a higher goal for Tuesday. Their mission was to cover the distance from Joshua Tree to Needles, CA. Starting around 7am 5 teams of runners stretched out over 140 miles. At 2pm the last runner was finishing their 10 mile leg. Camp was set at the county park on River Road in Needles with the walkers arriving around 4:30pm.

March 3 desert runners head to Joshua Tree, CA

Mondays Longest Walk Southern Route covered more than 60 miles, sharing the distance between a large walking group and several teams of runners. The day started in Apple Valley and ended in Joshua Tree, CA.

Monday Morning, March 3, 2008

At 5am every morning, the Japanese Buddhist Monks lead a morning chant. The balance of the walkers pack up their gear and eat breakfast. Today the desert crossing continues from the Lone Wolf Colony in Apple Valley to Joshua Tree, CA.

Lone Wolf Colony, Sun. March 2, 2008

The Southern Route camped at Lone Wolf Colony in Apple Valley, CA. At the end of Sunday's walk/run, everyone circled up for an end of day council before dinner and laying out their bedrolls.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

The Southern Route left the Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church at sunrise, leaving behind crisp mountain air as they faced steady winds across three counties: Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino. Over 100 miles were covered, approximately 23 miles by walkers and the balance by runners who tackled 5, 10 and 15 mile legs.

Longest Walk 2 group photo at Cesar Chavez La Paz Center

Southern route walkers gather for group photo at Cesar Chavez La Paz Center in Keene, CA.

Bakersfield, CA toward Tehachapi, CA

Longest Walk 2 southern route on February 28, 2008. Walkers traverse the rolling hills between Bakersfield and Tehachapi, CA on their way to the Cesar Chavez La Paz Center in Keene.

Longest Walk 2 49er song, Bakersfield 2/26

Willie Sitting Horse on Longest Walk 2

Willie Sitting Horse - Kirk (chillywilly_541@yahoo.com) dances to West Coast Singers (westcoastguyz@aol.com) Tuesday in Bakersfield.

Dennis Banks speaks during the Longest Walk 2

Today, 2/26/08, the southern route walkers broke for lunch at the American Indian Health Project in Bakersfield, California. Dennis Banks addressed the crowd about the reasons to embark on The Longest Walk 2 now.

Longest Walk 2 - Tuesday February 26

West Coast Singers (westcoastguyz@aol.com) perform the Cousin Song, during lunchbreak on the southern route in Bakersfield, California today.

Whiskey Flat Days 2008, Kernville, CA

The Old West was alive in Kernville this past weekend. Our thanks go out to Mike for the photos we share with you now.

Whiskey Flat Days Parade Theme

The Whiskey Flat Days Parade is Saturday, February 16, 2008. The theme this year is, "Rolling Down the River." Entries check-in at 10am and the show gets rolling at 11am. Arrive early to park close. Contact the Kernville Chamber of Commerce for more info: (760) 376-2629 or email: info@kernvillechamber.org .

Have-A-Smoke

When in the atmosphere of ignorance pass it off as SMOKE!

Shakespeare

To Be Or Not To Be... Therefore Your Not!!!!!

Whiskey Flat Days Newspaper Article

Put this February 2008 event on your calendar! The linked article also has video. This is a family event for anyone who enjoys history, Wild West Reenactment and live-action role-playing. Dress up, or not, there is a cowboy auction on Thursday, February 14th, museum tours and live music starting the 15th, the Parade Saturday morning the 16th and the Rodeo Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Call the Kernville Chamber if these links don't give you the info you need: 760-376-2629

WHISKEY FLAT DAYS video

WHISKEY FLAT DAYS

You are invited to Whiskey Flat Days, February 16-19, in Kernville, CA.