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Valley Voices: A windsurfer's lament
Picture a sports venue so perfect that people regularly drive four hours on a Friday night and then again four hours on Sunday night just to enjoy it for a weekend; that if you mention it amongst other enthusiasts as far away as Europe, they know of it and just how great it is.
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A decade of new wind energy investment will grow jobs and renewable energy
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
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What every taxpayer should known right now
Victor Omelczenko
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Field Media Relations Specialist
IRS, Los AngelesDoes our opinion page have any relevance and worth to the community? Absolutely!
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Letters
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Elect those who support working class
Our representative to the National Congressional House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, voted against taxing the bonuses of AIG personnel. Thus he has no problem paying 165 million tax payer dollars to the very AIG executives that crafted the financial collapse.
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Open letter to Chris Sanders, re:Travel Plan
The attraction of Isabella Lake is the open access and ability to park next to the lakeshore to fish, camp,windsurf or boat. Yet if the proposed Forest Plan is adopted that will no longer be possible, which will devastate the local economy, tourism and way of life. The Sequoia Forest should designate the entire area surrounding the lake for continued motorized access and camping.
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Anyone investigate impact of restricted access?
As a health care professional, I feel it is my obligation to express my concern regarding Forestry’s plan to ban public access to most of our lake shore. Has there been a thorough investigation about the possible impact the restricted access will have in the event of an injury or illness at the lake shore? These are varied and include hypothermia, serious lacerations, seizures with injury or loss of consciousness, heart attacks, strokes, watercraft accidents, fractures, etc., effecting the patient and without immediate vehicular access, precious time would be lost getting medical attention and treatment. As an RN at our local emergency room, I have a deep concern that the above matter should be considered prior to closure of our lake access.
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Restricting lake access is wrong
Growing up in Kernville and having unencumbered access to Lake Isabella was not only a wonderful adventure as a young boy and teenager; it was the life’s blood and survivability of my parents’ business, Pala Ranches Motel.
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Sequoia National Forest tactics sneaky
In typical fashion with the current mentality of the U.S. Forest Service, trying to sneak something through without allowing anyone to comment. The truth this could have devastating impact to all that live in the Kern Valley or have ever visited the beautiful location.
More of this storyThe Kern River Valley HeadStart Preschool is in jeopardy of being closed down and turned into a home base center. The current center has been a part of this community for many years; it would be devastating to children and parents alike to lose this center. The Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) started enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year on March 2. Under the impression their children would be attending preschool, 20 plus children have been enrolled and six are continuing from the previous year. At a recent parent meeting we were told by representatives from CAPK that we won’t even have a center -- and home base only serves 11 children. We went to the Family Resource Center and received a copy of the statistics. There are 73 children ages 3-5 years that this center can serve.
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Is the state in a financial bind?
When we as taxpayers get in a bind, we cut back on all spending that is not absolutely necessary, but not the state. They proceed as if the need to cut back doesn’t exist.
More of this storySo let’s deny gays civil rights but celebrate the practice of human sacrifice! THINK about it! Time for Christians to celebrate that pagan ritual of human sacrifice. Isn’’t part of “Easter” thanking the Christian God for his sacrificing a human (presumably his “son” - nevertheless “human” –if not “human” then the sacrificial act becomes non-sacrificial)? Don’t most of us consider human sacrifice as “barbaric” – not done in “civilized” societies? But Christians keep celebrating human sacrifice - some think they eat the sacrificed body and drink the sacrificed blood - and very few, except persons like myself, question such a barbaric custom. Some Christian buildings have crosses, a punishment device, proudly displayed–most with nothing hanging on them (to symbolize “resurrection” but nevertheless devices of torture), but some do have a human figure hanging on them - glory be to that God who could not think of any other way to “save” humans from “sin” and everlasting punishment except by using a practice that is considered barbaric by most humankind–how insane are we humans?
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Taxation without representation
The highly insulting issue of strangers being arrogant enough to think they should vote on the marriage of law abiding citizens aside, there is a practical issue staring us in the face at this tax time. Married same sex couples can enjoy a state tax break but have to file as “single” on federal forms, missing out on a HUGE tax break. No wonder some heterosexuals want to keep this marriage thing all to themselves! What magical metamorphosis happens to make married people worthy of such a tax break? This tax law discriminates against singles of every category as well as committed Gay couples. But that’s a whole other letter.
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Government hinders, doesn’t help people
With our new president going on four months in the White House, I’m seeing many changes. People on Social Security will no longer receive cost of living raises. They are the ones who really need it with their little fixed incomes. Also Medicare is costing more on their paychecks but the Feds cut what it will pay for on Medicare needs. Other big changes I see is Socialized Medicare which means that there will be so many people at the forced medical clinics that will die waiting for Medicare to approve for their medical needs. Nice going Feds, lets get rid of those costly old people that have been forced into paying Social Security deductions all their lives. That way the Feds can use their money.
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Shotgun approach to economy - the bailouts
The President is using the last $100 billion from the $700 billion bailout for banks to continue to loan money to them, and he desires an option for another $250 billion. The optional $250 billion should not be approved and the $100 billion in loans should have significant restrictions.
More of this storyI am totally outraged with the Forest Service with regards to not charging day and overnight use at the lake during the fishing derby. This free overnight and day use camping lost thousands of dollars worth of lost revenue for the Forest Service. Instead the Forest Service wants you and me to pay the bill. They keep saying we need more money and raise our day use and overnight camping fees and they still say they can’t pay the bills. Then why did they let the derby camping go free. They turned around and let over 8,000 people camp and day use for free. I don’t think they should get away with this. How about a town hall meeting to stand up for our rights.
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Sign-snatcher is one lucky thief
To the thief that stole the “McCain – Palin” sign from the front of my property on Lake Isabella Blvd. You are not only a thief but a very lucky person that I didn’t see you.
More of this storyThe Kern Valley and American right wing is calling Obama a Socialist.” Obama is suggesting that we raise taxes on the rich to ten percent LESS than Ronald Reagan had them. Reagan and both Bushes increased our democracy’s entire historical debt 40 plus percent while Clinton only raised it three percent. Ninety-five percent of those raises are in the form of Treasury bills we now must pay off with interest. And these right wing darling presidents sold them to Communist China. (Who now hold the second largest amount of our T-Bills.) Of course, Communist China is not Socialist, it's Communist.
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Budget cuts at Kern Valley High School
When school programs have to be eliminated to meet a reduced budget it is always controversial which one comes under the ax. If I was the person who had to make that decision an incident that occurred to me this week at one of the valley stores would influence my choice. I required 20 foot of re-bar cut into five pieces each four foot long. I told the young lady, obviously a recent school leaver, my requirements. She informed me that there would be a 35-cent charge for each cut. When I looked at my receipt I noticed she had charged me for five cuts. I attempted to put her right but finally accepted the charge as I was not getting through to her.
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Volunteers Responsible for Derby’s Success
Another Derby has come and gone. It was a huge success thanks to the many volunteers that gave their time to be sure it would be the best ever. Before the fish arrived last November, folks were repairing and installing the four huge nets at French Gulch Marina. The fish feeders fed them every day, twice a day, and others made sure the fish food was hauled from the storage tanks to the docks twice a week. Every time a load of fish arrived a crew assembled to get them loaded from the truck into the nets. Folks volunteered their pontoon boats and time.
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Out-of-town media shun Fishing Derby
I am writing this letter to voice my displeasure will all of the Bakersfield News Media in their NON-COVERAGE of one of the largest events in Kern County this year. On April 4,5, and 6, the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce held it’s 20th annual fishing derby on Isabella Lake. We had a total of over $200,000 in prizes available for the over 8,800 participants. Two Kern County residents, one from Bodfish and the other from Bakersfield won $10,000 each, and a woman from Delano won $1,000 for catching the longest trout in the tournament. The event drew over 10,000 people to the Kern River Valley filling up all the Motels, Restaurants, and Businesses.
More of this storyI would like to comment on the new signs posted by a local plumber along the off-ramp into Lake Isabella off of 178 from the east. First why is there so many? I am reminded of signs of the past that advertised a roadside attraction. They were tacky then and they are tacky now! Please do us all a favor and advertise in the paper or on the radio and not along our beautiful landscape. What used to be a gorgeous meadow is now an ugly roadside advertisement.
More of this storyI want to share my recent experience with our local hospital. When I entered I could hardly lift my head and felt like I’d be leaving feet first. The care of the nurses and doctors was excellent, especially Dr. Matuh who allayed my fears. The respiratory therapy services were excellent and I was able to come home standing up. People in our valley need to know what an excellent hospital we have. The Pink Ladies make the rooms so nice I felt like I was in a hotel. The nurses put me at ease. My mental state was terrible when I went in and now I am smiling. We are fortunate to have our hospital and we need it in our valley. I am very grateful to my Nurse Practitioner, Carol Kendall, who listened to me and sent me to the Emergency Room.
More of this storyThrough the blood, the intense pain, and the shock I see the Deputy Sheriff sprawled over a rock, dead. We tumble over and over again into the dark Kern River, neither of us wearing seatbelts, the sound of the metal crunching makes me believe death was taking to me.
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Letter crossed the line
Re: Celebrating human sacrifice, Letters 4/15/09It’s obvious that your newspaper supports and promotes the liberal and homosexual agenda, but this time you have crossed the line. By allowing your editor, Cathy Perfect, to hand-pick this hate-filled letter and publish it, knowing that it would infuriate the Christians in the Kern River Valley. Well, you got your wish. I, for one, am extremely angry and offended, but I am sure that was your intent. If you think this will sell more newspapers, you are sadly mistaken. It will be just the opposite. You must have forgotten the possibility of backlash from the community, or maybe you just don’t care. Whatever the case, you showed no respect for the vast majority of people in this area, and you surely have no shame. Your paper does not have to apologize because it will not be accepted, but we promise you that your newspaper will suffer the consequences.
More of this storyThe Somali pirates continue to wreak havoc on commercial shipping off the coast of Africa. There are about 20 ships with over 300 hundred hostages currently being held by the pirates for ransom.
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Twisting of facts outrageous
Re: Celebrating human sacrifice, Letters 4/15/09Hate seemed to be oozing out of his words! After my initial outrage over his twisting of facts, I felt a deep sadness; he apparently had something in his past that affected him and he is still lashing out like a rebellious child to his parents. I cannot condone his lifestyle, but because he is still a child of God I pray that he sees how hateful his actions have become and finds another way to address his issues in the public forum. These letters are so intolerant and aggressive that they cannot be considered reasonable by any clear thinking person. Most Christians will feel personally attacked, and yet most of them will never have shown any personal animosity toward the writer.
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Alternative to satellite TV blackout
For all of you whom subscribe to Dish Network TV and have suffered with their refusal to contract with Fisher Communications for two of our favorite channels i.e. Fox Channel 58 and CBS Channel 29, I bring good news to you. You may call “All America Direct,” (not Direct TV) at 1-800-249-1063 and receive both channels 58 and 29 for 6 months for one payment of $39.95, ($3.33 a piece for 6 months.)
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Columns
Detox Dilemma
Jackie Papandrew
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
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Amber Siratt
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this storyKathleen Brown
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Great, mercy and peace be your in abundance!
Pastor Jim Beilstein's Ponderings
More of this storyKathleen Brown
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
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Hydra: Longest, largest constellation
In one Greek myth, Hydra, Corvus, and Crater are all in the same story and are preserved together in our night sky. The story tells us that crows used to be beautiful white birds with beautiful voices and they were the messengers of the gods. Our word ‘cup’ comes from the word crater. Apollo gave Corvus the Crow, the Crater to use to fetch a drink of water from a special spring. While enroute, Corvus spotted a fig tree with not quite ripe fruit. Corvus waited until the fruit was ripe enough to eat and after eating his fill of figs he realized that he had been gone way too long. He needed a story to tell Apollo to account for his delay. Corvus snatched a water snake, Hydra, in his claws and when he returned to Apollo he claimed that the snake had prevented him from returning sooner. Apollo was not fooled and he changed all the crows to black and gave them the voices we hear today. Apollo threw all three into the sky and put the Cup just out of Corvus’ reach so he can never get a drink. I’ve read that crows are the only birds that do not carry water to their young.
More of this storyMarilyn Benoit
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Wedding bells ring for Leanne & Brandon
Amber Siratt
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
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Try Marge’s Lemon Velvet Delight
Brandon Muncy
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