Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) held their monthly Community Meeting last Wednesday, June 3, to discuss local current events and topics.

Kern Community Foundation Fred Drew, new CEO of the Kern Community Foundation (KCF), gave a brief presentation about the foundation’s works, employees, and strategic planning process. Drew explained that the KCF gives to a variety of non-profit organizations throughout Kern County through different programs, including re-granting monies from three larger national foundations in areas such as community response, arts and culture, and rural health, for which the Kernville Union School District Family Resource Center recently received $15,000 for dental screening for low-income clients. They also administer the Women’s and Girls’ Fund of Kern County, from which the Kernville Family Resource Center recently received $9,000 to begin a program that mentors at-risk middle school girls. To learn more, visit www.kernfoundation.org.

Keep Camp KEEP

The Keep Camp KEEP committee was a strong presence at the meeting, with Steve Anderson, Pam Alten, and Shellie Tito giving a presentation about the recent efforts of parents, businesses, and individuals in the Kern Valley working to ensure that 6th grade Wallace Middle School students will be able to attend the camp next year, even though funding was eliminated by the KUSD board. Thus far, the group has already raised more than $10,000 of the $26,000 needed to send the kids to camp; organizers are actively trying to find a way to secure the rest of the money before the last eight available slots are filled. Wallace Middle School has been sending its sixth graders to Camp KEEP for 34 years. It is a tradition that has impacted the lives and learning of Kern Valley students since it began. The committee asks the community to please give what they can to ensure that this important tradition in the lives of our youth is not broken. Donations cans are being placed in businesses throughout the valley. Donations can be sent payable to Colt Booster Membership, Attn: Heather Berry, PO Box 1807, Kernville, CA 93238.

Land Sought for Sports Complex in Lake Isabella

Susan Hughes and Avis Chadwick told the group that they are part of a committee that is planning to build a 20-acre facility that would encompass soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, and a football practice area for the youth of the Kern Valley, with walking exercise track for all residents. They are seeking a piece of property that is at least 20 acres and “relatively flat.” AYSO has approximately $6,000 to develop fields that it would be willing to put in to the development of the Sports Complex and Special District.

Fish Stocking Issue

Jim Hunt, who has spearheaded the effort to ensure that the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) continues to stock trout in the Kern River, gave a brief overview of the situation, saying that the DFG is meeting with the plaintiffs in the lawsuit which banned the stocking of non-native fish in the Kern River next month. They will be requesting that several of the rivers that were listed in the suit be exempted from the non-stocking requirement, but unfortunately, the Kern River will not be included in their request. Hunt then stated that he will be resigning as President of the Friends of the Hatchery when his term ends, and has yet to find anyone to replace him.

Camp Owen Needs Funding

Jeanette Rogers announced that Camp Erwin Owen, the probation camp for young men located in Riverkern, is losing funding. Those involved with the camp are attempting to find creative ways to keep this beneficial program, and one way that they are trying is corporate membership. Businesses can pay $250 annually for such a membership as part of the probation foundation, and donations are tax deductible. In addition to the general quality work and school programs that the camp offers, two programs that Rogers said have made a very strong and successful impact on the young men are the take away tattoo program, which allows former gang members to return to work in mainstream society, and the parenting program, which teaches these teenaged boys with children how to be fathers. Most of the programs offered at the camp are run by local volunteers, and have shown great success through the years. To learn more, contact Camp Owen at 376-2844.

Letters of Support Sought for Gazebo in Circle Park

Cheryl Borthick, President of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber is in need of letters of support for the placement of a gazebo in Circle Park in Kernville from community. The plans for the gazebo have been drawn up, and the materials and labor donated. The gazebo would be used for summer concerts, programs, and more.

For more information or to view a sample letter, stop by the Kernville Chamber of Commerce building or call them at 376-2629.

KRVR meets the first Wednesday of every month, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 1, at 9 a.m. at the Kernville Chamber Building. For more information, visit www.krvr.org.