Worth Noting: Community news and events
| Friday, Feb 26 2010 04:26 PM
Last Updated Friday, Feb 26 2010 04:36 PM
Houchin Community Blood Bank will hold a blood drive and bone marrow registry for Kevin "Bubba" Maxwell from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Stockdale Moose Lodge, 905 Stine Road.
Maxwell is a 37-year-old local truck driver who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October. He is hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai and is being kept alive on increasing amounts of blood and platelet transfusions.
Donors who are unable to attend the day of the event can stop by Houchin's Truxtun location at 5901 Truxtun Ave. and make a blood donation in the name of Kevin Maxwell. Call 323-4222 for blood bank hours.
The Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank will welcome Food Forward, a volunteer grassroots group from Los Angeles, that will arrive in Bakersfield March 6 to glean local fruit from an orchard.
A group of 40 volunteers will meet at the property of Les and Susan DenHerder, owners of HPS Mechanical, have offered to donate fruit from their citrus trees.
Food Forward travels to different properties they have been invited to in order to gather fruit that would otherwise rot in the sun. The produce is 100 percent donated to local food pantries.
For information about Food Forward, visit www.foodforward.org or for information about this local event, contact Ian Anderson at the Partnership Food Bank at 398-4520.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is being celebrated nationwide March 8-14. During this week, many events are taking place around Kern County to help make a difference in the lives of the 2,400 people who live with MS in the San Joaquin Valley.
Events include a balloon release at noon March 8. Mayor Harvey Hall will make a formal proclamation declaring the national week in the city of Bakersfield in front of the Liberty Bell outside the courthouse.
On March 9 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Bakersfield's BJ's Restaurant, located at 10750 Stockdale Highway, will donate 15 percent of a party's bill (excluding happy hour specials and alcoholic beverages) with a redemption flier. For information, call Christine Grontkowski at 321-9512 or e-mail christine.grontkowski@nmss.org to receive the flier.
If you are interested in the other events or ways to show support, call San Joaquin Valley director Kim Kotrla at 321-9512 or visit www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/CAL/chapter-news/ms-awareness-week/san-joaquin-valley/index.aspx.
Community Action Partnership of Kern-Shafter Youth Center will host the 10th Annual Boys' Summit and Basketball Tournament March 13. This is a free event for boys ages 11 to 18.
The Boys' Summit will present workshops on decision making, communication, youth health, self-esteem and goal setting. There will also be a 3 on 3 basketball tournament where participants will learn the importance of team work, develop sportsmanship, experience the rewards of hard work and build self-confidence. The top three winners will receive trophies.
Lunch will be provided and transportation to and from the event is available for participants on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in participating, register by March 10. Registration and transportation forms can be picked up at the Shafter Youth Center, 455 E. Euclid Ave. Call 746-8235.
Help give local young women an opportunity to attend a memorable prom night with their friends. You can donate gently used or new prom dresses with the Give Love, Get Joy Foundation in conjunction with Noriega House. Drop off dresses by March 12 at 1325 Baker St. For more details, call Noriega House at 633-9016 or visit www.noriegahouse.com.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County are having a dodgeball tournament to raise funds that will allow more children to participate in after-school activities at no cost to their families.
The tournament will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27 at the Armstrong Youth Center, 801 Niles St. Dodgeball teams consist of a six-person team, and each team costs $150 to play. Participants need to be 13 years or older. The winning team will win a golden trophy.
For information and to sign up your team, call 325-3730 because the tournament is expected to sell out.
Community Action Partnership of Kern's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will help Kern County residents and the elderly by providing free tax preparation by trained volunteers for local citizens with low or moderate incomes.
The volunteer income office is located at 1002 Wible Road, Suite J and will be open through April 15 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. After April 15, hours will return to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday for the rest of the year.
Also, the program will offer food stamp application assistance and tax assistance will be available at the Shafter Youth Center from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday through April 1. The Shafter Youth Center is at 455 E. Euclid Ave.
For information, contact Sandi Truman, program manager, at 834-1724 and appointments can be made by e-mailing vita@capk.org with your requested appointment time.
The Rotary Club of East Bakersfield is having its 16th annual dinner fundraiser. The 2010 Festa di Pasta event will be heldfrom 6-10 p.m. April 30 at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The night will consist of a full steak and pasta dinner, dancing, door prizes and a silent auction.
The club will have a drawing to win a $10,000 travel voucher.
Tickets for the dinner cost $50 each and the tickets for the drawing are $100 each. Aside from purchasing tickets, the Rotary Club accepts sponsorships that will be represented in signage at the event as well as listed in the evening's program.
For information contact Carole Cohen at 496-4882 or by e-mail at caroleforyou2004@yahoo.com
