Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) held their monthly Community Meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 7, to discuss local current events and topics.

USDA Rural Development Grants and Loans Available Dan Johnson and Mike Carnes, Area Directors with the USDA Rural Development Division, gave a presentation about different programs that are available to businesses and organizations in the Kern Valley. The Rural Development Division works with rural areas to improve economic activities and quality of life in rural areas by giving loans and grants for housing, business, health clinics, and public services such as fire and police departments. Their guaranteed loan program creates incentives for business lending that saves and creates jobs by guaranteeing business loans made by banks. Businesses can apply early next year if they are seeking a loan of $1 million or more. Their Rural Business Enterprise Grant supports economic development programs created by nonprofit economic development groups, tribes, and public bodies that assist small businesses. Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000. Due to the onslaught of new efficient green energy systems, the USDA is also offering grants of up to $20,000 to provide renewable energy or energy efficiency improvements for farms or small businesses. The grant must cover no more than 25 percent of the project costs. For more information, visit their website at www.rurdev.usda.cov/ca.

Retirement Celebration for Dr. Eleanor Frasier

Jeanette Rogers announced that the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation will be holding a reception at the Kern Valley Hospital Cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate 24 years of Dr. Eleanor Frasier’s service to the facility as she retires. Hors d’ouvres will be served. The community is invited to come and show their appreciation to Dr. Frasier for her many years of dedicated services. In her honor, the Hospital Auxiliary donated the funds for state-of-the-art equipment which will allow doctors to send x-rays via email.

Help Local Wildlife at the Kern River Preserve Work Day

Alison Sheehey, Outreach Coordinator for Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve, announced that they will be holding a volunteer work day on Sat., Oct. 17, from 8 a.m.-noon at the Preserve headquarters in Weldon. Volunteers will help remove interior fences and help replace exterior fences. This project is to remove barriers to wildlife and reinforce livestock fences for areas where we allow seasonal grazing. Bring gloves, wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy shoes/boots and safety glasses if you have them. For more information, or to volunteer, call 417-1149.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy License Plates Available

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has created a license plate to help fund programs to protect and preserve the communities and resources within the Sierra Nevada for future generations. The cost of the plate is $50 for a new 6-digit number, or $98 for conversion of an exiting personalized plate or new personalized plate. For more information, call (530) 823-4680 or visit their website at www.sierralicenseplate.org.

Living Green Kickoff Film Festival

Richard Rowe, Living Green Festival Coordinator, announced that Living Green will be holding its first event, a green film festival, on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Reel Cinema in Wofford Heights. The films shown will be “Flow,” about water issues; “Food, Inc.,” about where our food comes from and how it has been tainted by corporations; and “Trash,” about landfills and where our trash goes. For more information, visit krvr.org and click on Living Green.

Freedom Festival Coming Soon

KVPAC will be holding their 4th annual Kern Valley Progressive Freedom Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Frandy Park in Kernville from noon-8 p.m., and will feature music, positive speakers, and children’s events. Famous singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark will be headlining the event. Tickets are only $10 per adult, and free for children 12 and under with a paying adult. For more information, go to www.kvfreedomfestival.com.

World Polio Day Event

Also on Saturday, Oct. 24, the Kern Valley Rotary Club will be hosting the movie “Push” at 2 p.m. at the Reel Cinema in Wofford Heights in honor of World Polio Day. The film is about Rotary International’s work to eradicate the last 2% of the polio cases still found in the third world.

Kernville Elementary to Host Fall Fun Festival

Kernville Elementary School will be holding their annual PTC Fall Fun Fest on Friday, Oct. 30, from 4-7 p.m.  There will be a wide variety of fun games and activities for all.  Bring a cake to enter into the cake decorating contest and kids who come in costume can enter the costume contest. Admission is free, and tickets for the games may be purchased at the door.  Bring your entire family for a fun time!

Kernville Chamber Seeking Whiskey Flat Mayoral Candidates

The Kernville Chamber of Commerce encourages anyone interested in raising money for their school or non-profit organization to consider running for Whiskey Flat Mayor in 2010! Doing so not only brings money to causes, but also community awareness and fun! For more information, or to throw your hat into the ring, stop by the Kernville Chamber office or call them at 376-2629.

Upcoming Meetings

Think Local First will be holding their next meeting today, Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce Community Room. Anyone who owns a small business in the Kern Valley is invited to attend to brainstorm ideas to support local business and learn what the group is doing to promote local residents buying from local businesses.

Wofford Heights Community Association will be holding their next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakeshore Lodge in Wofford Heights.

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, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. at the Kernville Chamber Building. For more information, visit www.krvr.org.