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Valley Viewpoint - Susan DeLong
It is time for the general public and Sun readers to know the facts about “Skilled Nursing” as it has had so much publicity. I am not a hospital board member or paid employee; for 15 years I have been a loyal volunteer and member of the Kern Valley Hospital Auxiliary “pink ladies and blue men.” Many work at our Thrift Store; only a few work in Skilled Nursing. The public has been getting much negative news about one of the cleanest and most attractive long-term facilities in the state.
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The Apprentice: Marketing the Kern River
Tina Terrell, Forest Supervisor
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Valley Viewpoint: Here’s to brighter days and darker nights
In the natural order of the heavens; the three brightest objects in the sky are, The Sun, The Moon, and The planet Venus. Yet many of us have neighbors and businesses who unwittingly are challenging this law of nature every night.
More of this storyCongressman Kevin McCarthy
More of this storyI would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the services you have provided to me and to my family during the years I have lived in the valley.
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High-speed debt of gratitude
I read in the Kern Valley Sun last week that our valley communities has received funding that will bring high-speed Internet broadband for the first time to 9,179 unserved households. I would like to acknowledge a member of our valley community that labored unselfishly to bring this fiber optic cable right to our front door, Richard Rowe.
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Being appreciated by your community
My sister and I on Labor Day weekend had decided to go fishing for the day. All was closed on that Monday except for a few food places as Subway. We decided to get a foot long for our fishing day and owner/managers ‘Balram’ was working that day and his credit card machine did not work at that time. He had to refuse a few customers and insisted cash only and noticed that most of us did not have cash available on hand. So he decided to go out of his way and use the neighboring credit machine at Little Caesars to accommodate all the rest of the customers waiting to be served. We would like to thank Mr. Balram for making this gesture. We were able to enjoy our Subway lunch with a great day fishing.
More of this storyAs with our ER and hospital here in the Kern River Valley, I can find nothing but praise for the people at Skilled Nursing Facilities that within two months restored me to the point I could return home. There were so many “Attending Angels” like those of Hoffmann Hospice, all the nurses and aides at SNF that treated me day and night, to these I can only tender a hearty “Thank You!” though you all deserve so much more than that as do those like the friends that visited and so many praying for me together with those that gave so much of themselves and their time and helped me physically to be here in my small cottage in Bodfish writing once more.
More of this storyMy water bill is seven times as much as it was in the year 2000 for the same amount of water. If you think this is not possible do the math. It cost now almost $50 before I use a drop. All my neighbors agree this is too much. When will it stop? Is Cal Water getting the water from China?
More of this storyAre you a responsible pet owner (cats), or are you one of those who feel sorry for the stray cats and feed them? Do you consider yourself a kind, caring person by feeding the strays, allowing them to breed and increase the stray cat population in the neighborhood?
More of this storyThank you everyone who helped make a great success of the recent Sierra Performing Arts performance, One-Act Bash. The three one act plays were a huge success and the hors d’oeuvers were very well received. Thanks to all the performers, the excellent crew, and the receptive audiences. And, a very special thanks to Mandy of Reel Cinema for making this endeavor the great success it was.
More of this storyI so enjoyed the Rubber Ducky Races. What a wonderful turn out. The voluteers did a great job of organizing and working the event. The only thing that was disturbing to me was the people who went into the middle of the river and diverted some of the ducks. This happened two or three times before the voluteers were able to get them out. What a shame there has to be such inconsideration of rules. Thanks to the people who relentlessly worked to keep them out. This was the first time I had attended but there will be a next time.
More of this storyKern Valley Hospital, what is it and why are we always asked to fund it out of the property taxes? First let me say I’ve had the fortune or misfortune to have had to use it exactly once and will never again. They overcharged me (corrected upon my insistance) and charged many times the normal and customary fee my Insurance Company pays for Emergency Treatment. They don't accept most insurance payments as payment in full, thus the patient can be left with a hefty bill if not on Welfare and Medical.
More of this storyLike many in this valley, I too cannot understand how and why Cal Water charges are so horrific. If I stand on my deck on my tiptoes, I can see where much of my water comes from. I do understand that it must be captured, treated, and pumped up to me, for which Cal Water does a fine job, but their costs are getting close to where I can hire some local kids with buckets to bring water up to me for less than Cal Water does. For the little bit I personally use, I can add a dash of chlorine, and for the rest of it, which mostly goes for landscaping and laundry, I don’t even have to do that. And now, arrogantly and boldly in a time of great recession, Cal Water wants to increase our rates another 35 percent, with the excuse that they have to replace some main lines somewhere. As I recall, infrastructure upgrades were also cited as one of the reasons for one of their many previous rate increases. A justification for another recent increase was to fund a loan for some water quality equipment, yet they have yet to tell us how much was being borrowed, when that loan might be paid, and when that particular increase might be rescinded. Don’t they put any money aside for anything? The next time they ask for an increase, I wonder if it might be for “replacing toilet paper in the employee restrooms.” It seems, after much public outcry, our legislators are looking into another public utility’s charging practices—Edison and their “smart meters.” Maybe it is time they take a look at Cal Water’s business practices. It seems we can expect no oversight from our Public Utilities Commission, so we, as Cal Water customers, must wake up and make waves before we drown in their overpriced water.
More of this storyAs some of you know there was a 40-year class reunion on Sept 26. The blast to the past started off great. I have to thank Mike and Linda Thomas for their earlier party get-together. It made us feel like family..all hugs and smiles. It made the dinner gathering even more enjoyable. I think some, like myself were excited but apprehensive at first, but are so thankful for all the work involved. Luanna (Coker) Banducci did a fine job and everyone that helped her. This 40th WAS the finest and most memorable reunion I have attended.
More of this storyI have a question I would like answered and a steatment to make! Back on 9/18/2009 I son who is sixteen years old was given a ticket for not wearing a helment while he was skateboarding. Okay if it is the law (and it is) then he should have the ticket, my question herein lies, If you the police, are going to give out such tickets then why are there so many other children riding their boards and bikes right past you and you not handing out ‘VC212121(A) No helmet minor on stakeboard’ tickets to these children? All I am saying is if you are going to select one for this ticket then I feel as a parent and concerned adult that these other children need to have their heads protected in the same way. I understand it is only a ‘fix it’ ticket but it is the moral of the whole thing. What is good for one is surely good for all. Let’s get it together and either stop harshing on child or start giving them out to all who are with out helmets.
More of this storyI totally agree with Albert Morgan’s letter dated 9/30/09. We need a petition drive! I would then send the petitions to Attorney General Jerry Brown, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and to the PUC. We need to let them know just how unfair these constant requests for rate increases are for the average residents of the Kern River Valley, especially for low-income workers and social security recipients.
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Let your voice be heard by Nov. 9
The final suggested rules for traveling in the Sequoia National Forest and around Lake Isabella has been released, and you only have until Nov. 9 to look at it and do anything about it. The Forest Service is in favor of Alternate 3 as the way they want to go, with some changes made to the original Alternate 3 regarding condor roosts and lake access. At first glance it seems like a good choice, with the Alternate 3 final map showing the access we are all demanding to the lake be kept. But this Alternative does close roads, trails, and places in the area covered, including the Piutes and Greenhorns, and anyone who uses the Forest should look at the final version of Alternate 3 and make sure it’s what you agree with. If you don’t agree, you only have until Nov. 9 to be heard - contact the Forest Supervisor’s office in Porterville.
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72 minutes, 72 hours, 72 days, it makes no difference
The recent plea by our congressman, Kevin McCarthy, for 72 hours to inspect a congressional bill, prior to voting on it, sounds reasonable, especially for hefty bills that would give some a hernia to lift into the trunk of their car. Even though the same House rules that have allowed the current House of Representatives to push legislation forward were in place and extensively utilized when the Republicans were in the majority, now they are crying foul! More importantly, what would Representative McCarthy and his Republican colleagues do if they had the 72 hours, or even 72 days, other than continue their rant against fabricated illusions such as “government takeover of health care” that are in no way intended or likely consequences of the health care bill? Obstructionist tactics and anti- government ranting have been the order of the day for the Republican minority in the House. They seem convinced that government activity, by itself, even when well crafted to help the public to live healthier lives free of the tyranny of Big Pharma and the unscrupulous health care corporations, somehow undermines their liberty. We need to elect Representatives who genuinely care about us! If they are Republicans, we can expect them to vote for what is best for America, not for an anti-government ideology such as they hear echoes of at town hall meetings.
More of this storyOur valley is in need of a shuttle bus to travel from Bodfish Canyon Rd. to the Library at the other end of town throughout the day. With it, people could shop anywhere on the boulevard. They could grocery shop, visit the welfare office, library, go to doctors appointments, thrift stores and banks.
More of this storyOn Saturday, 10/17, just like third Saturday of every month, a group drove around the area collecting food to be distributed to The Food Pantry, God’s Storehouse, and The Salvation Army. This was the thirteenth monthly Compassion Caravan – collecting about 15 pickup trucks of food over the thirteen months. Thanks to Brian Polston and all the compassionate members of the Family Life Center (Wofford Heights) for all that food! Thanks, also, to the compassionate persons who used the collection barrels at the Southlake Sierra Gateway Market and Mt. Mesa Market and the collection container at Von’s – and now there is a collection container at Lake Isabella Market thanks to Shawn Gilbert of Kernvalleywired.com. To all the compassionate people in the KR Valley who are donating to all the care giving organizations – thanks! Let’s hear from you – tell us what you’re doing – share your compassion!


More of this storyOver the years the automobile has been greatly improved and roads are much better than in past years, so why are we still stuck with speed limits from the 1940s and 1950s? For example the best stretch of highway in the valley is between Wofford Heights and Kernville and it has the lowest speed limit - why?
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Cutting edge cancer treatments
My husband would have celebrated his 61st birthday this Saturday, but I lost him to colon cancer two years ago. He died entirely too young and I miss him. Nonetheless, I’m forever grateful to his oncologist, Dr. Charles Wiseman in Los Angeles, whose vaccine therapy extended his life by several years. These were not just years but good, strong years; we climbed remote pyramids in the Yucatan doing research in Mayan archaeoastronomy and we visited the polar bears on the tundra in Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Wiseman has just resumed a vaccine therapy clinical trial for late stage breast cancer. Particularly this month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I urge people to check out the website www.wisemanresearch.com if they or anybody they know has late stage breast cancer. Dr. Wiseman has already had remarkable results with this treatment.
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Columns
Talkin’ Trash: Why Should I Recycle?
Sheri Bowyer
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Give John Bardo's Lemon Bar a try
Brandon Muncy
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In Amish Country outsiders called "English"
Barrie Mann
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Special to the SunDaniel Pope
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Talkin’ Trash: Amazing Aluminum
Sheri Bowyer
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Talkin' Trash: Plastics anyone?
Sheri BowyerÂ
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Take the night off and enjoy some spaghetti
Brandon Muncy
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Eh! Meaning is all in the delivery
Marsha Smith
More of this storySusan Barr
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Marsha Smith
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John Pair has a great new recipe for you to try
Brandon Muncy
More of this storyMost of the riders ordered through Western or Bloocher Boot Companies, where their measurements were kept on record. Some of the men wore a small silk scarf around their neck. When water had to be carried from the creek, heated on a wood stove, and clothes hand scrubbed, shirts were not changed every time a bit of mud got on them. The Levi pants seldom got as much washing as other articles of clothing. Some of the younger cowboys actually preferred to wear them without washing until they were almost completely worn out. They could step out of them, and the pants would stand up themselves. As long as they didn't try to walk off by themselves, they were not considered too dirty. Although seldom washed, they were "dry cleaned" almost daily. This consisted of scraping off everything, including corral dirt, with one's pocket knife. More than one young bride found herself in hot water by deciding her cowboy husband needed to have all his Levis washed.
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Just when you think your world is over
Marsha Smith
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Talkin’ Trash: Living in a Box
Sheri Bowyer
More of this storyDaniel Pope
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