I am just a little upset right now after talking to my sons teacher today. A week ago we had a PTA meeting about a school carnival. I was trying to get involved with the PTA for awhile but after 3 trys I gave up. Then they called me one day out of the blue (1 yr later) to ask me to come to a meeting about a carnival. I went, and found that some teachers were sponsoring booths. My sons teacher wasn't. Knowing that she was a new teacher I thought she just needed help. I came up with a booth and came to her about the Idea. She said she would help and every thing was good. she called me a week after to tell me shes to overwelmed and she can't do it with me. Im upset because the schools in Bakersfiel already need help were ever they can get it. She said she would help but now shes backing out!! All she has to do is show her face and I would do everything else. Maybe its just a stupid carnival to some but to me its a chance to raise money for our school to socialize with parent and give them a way to be involved. I'm so fed up with trying to care it makes me just want to leave and say FUCK Bakersfield!!! I try to understand because I dont feel like she has alot of support .The office and teachers never know whats what between eachother. I hate this because I feel like I am trying to help and getting no where!!!! What do I got to do to help the PTA its not rocket science....OR is it?

This is something I found while trying to figure out what I can do about the divers that come through my "Hood" like its a 9 to 5.

Q: What are my options concerning these people who tear through the neighborhood trash cans? I realize that once I put my can at the curb on pick-up day I have legally given up all rights to its contents, but I'm talking about the people who come right up to the side of the house in broad daylight several days before collection. They don't seem to care if we're home or not. I have caught them many times tearing our trash bags open and tossing the contents onto our lawn and driveway. When I confront them they don't even look up but continue to throw trash everywhere and then walk slowly back to their shopping carts. I appreciate their plight but isn't this trespassing and vandalism? I don't want to bother the BPD, and chasing these people down with a water hose just seems so juvenile. It's infuriating and scares our son.
-- Paula Rodenburg

A: "People who collect or scatter trash from a resident's trash container are in violation of Bakersfield Municipal Code 8.32.110(b), Bakersfield police Detective Greg Terry said.

A conviction for a first offense is punishable by a fine of not less than $50, a second conviction by a fine of at least $100, and fines of $200 for three or more convictions. As a substitute to a fine, the court could order the person to pick up trash for at least four hours for a first conviction, and at least eight hours for two or more offenses.

Anyone doing what Rodenburg describes could also be guilty of littering, Terry said. Police would respond to a call for service for this type of complaint."

So maybe we should be posting this as a sign on our trash cans or something. I am sick of seeing bums and Meth heads ravaging through my things. If I wanted to give it away I would have put a free sign on it at the curb. Ive already started collecting my own cans and taking them in myself. What little it does when you share a dumpster with others and the entire nieghborhood is in the same boat.

7. Support local business. Local business people make an enormous and positive contribution to the quality of life in our community. Local businesses create good jobs, and they boost the local tax base, which in turn improves our schools, our parks, and the quality of life in our town. Most importantly, local businesses are invested in our community. If you look behind the scenes at any civic activity that contributes to the common well being of the community, you are likely to find a local business person, giving their time, and often their money, to the common good. The service provided by the voluntary efforts of people who care about our community could not be replaced by any amount of government assistance or tax money. Local business people are the unsung heroes of our community. They are the leaders, the ambitious, hard working people who have ideas and act on them.


6. Go for a run in your 'hood - Running, or for that matter, walking or biking through your neighborhood gives you a perspective of your 'hood you just don't get zooming down your street in your car. You get to know who takes care of their house, who doesn't, who is home a lot, who isn't. It's like a neighborhood watch and a workout all in one. You'll actually get to talk to your neighbors this way too. After I run, I always end up collecting up some errant trash, a cigarette carton or soda bottle on my street and throwing it out when I get home - give a hoot don't pollute.



5. Come Back - If you're reading this blog from some outpost other than Bakersfield, then you obviously are interested in Bakersfield and Bakerfield's well being. Bakersfield needs people like you so come back home. We are only a few hours away from LA, The Pacific Coast, Las Vegas and San Fransisco. we have the Kern River, a remarkably inexpensive cost of living and hey you can contribute to the revolution.

Conversely, if you're reading the WoM blog from a study, bedroom or kitchen in Bakersfield then you defintely are interested in Bakersfield and Bakersfield's well being. So stay. We need you and your care and your passion about Bakersfield, California. Don't give up. We have just begun the revolution.




4. Find out who lives next door - the more you know the safer you are. Have a great neighbor - perfect! Have a slumlord neighbor - call him, write him, shame him into keeping up his property - it will ultimately improve the value of your property.

I have mailed by neighbors with suggested improvements to their homes and reminders that their lack of upkeep of their property will affect the value of all properties on the street. I have even sent grass cutting services to cut a neighbor's lawn. And guess what - it worked, they get the message and pay attention to their property. It's worth being tenacious and a pain. It's your property and your investment at stake.


Find out who owns what at the Kern County Auditor's website.



3. Rehab a home in Bakersfield - There are many, many foreclosures in Bakersfield. Buy a property for $40,000 or $50,000, fix it up and rent or sell it, it will be an investment for you and a nice place to live for someone else - everyone wins. Improve Bakersfield one property at a time.
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2. Bank Locally - If you have a mortgage through a local financial institution like BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION or San Joaquin Bank the interest you pay will more than likely be plowed back into the local community. Ditto for any service fees for accounts that you keep. Every financial institution is going to be competitive with lending rates so why not use your economic muscle to help increase the economic muscle of the city you live in.



And the Number 1 way to help Bakersfield in 2007
(Drum roll please…..)


1. Have a Voice - email city leaders - get in their heads, write to The Bakersfield Californian, VOTE, comment at the Bakersfield Blog. Let people know you are paying attention and that you care what happens to YOUR city.