Olivia Garcia CALIFORNIAN VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONTENT

Mardi Gras Gala to feature painted masks for sale

endy Armijo caught up with me recently to share news of an upcoming Mardi Gras Gala fundraiser for the Bakersfield Art Association. The nonprofit group, dedicated to the enrichment of local artists, will be celebrating 65 years. It sponsors a variety of activities, including workshops, exhibits and art shows.
The Mardi Gras Gala will be held Friday, Feb. 19, at the Bell Tower Club, 1200 Truxtun Ave. The association helps to ensure that our local youth and adults have the opportunity to recognize their artistic potential and that they are given the opportunities and the skills necessary to evolve self expression through art, Wendy tells me. Also, a portion of the funds raised by the association is distributed as scholarships to elementary, high school and college art students on an annual basis. And thats a good reason to support the associations Mardi Gras Gala, which will showcase an art show of original artwork and hand-painted masks that will be offered for sale. Other highlights include a silent auction, music by Southside Chicago Seven and Cajun hors doeuvres. Attire is dressy/cocktail or costume. A prize will be offered for the best costume. Masks will be available at the door, or buy one at the gala. Tickets are $75 per person and available online at www.mardigrasgala.com or at the Bakersfield Art Association Gallery in the East Hills Mall and at Kathy Schilling Art Studio, 5630 District Blvd., Bakersfield.

Lamont leaders
Joe Serrano, a board member of the Kern County Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce, recently invited me to attend the Lamont Chamber of Commerce installation and awards dinner. Joe is a director on the Lamont board. I accepted and glad I had the opportunity to hear some great stories behind the honorees that night. Among them was Earl Shelton, who received the Deryl Stine Award, aka the Hell Raiser Award. I met Earl several years ago when I wrote stories on the Dust Bowl generation, particularly those who, as children, lived at the well-known federal migrant camp, Weedpatch. Earl once took me through the camp, detailing many of his childhood stories. He continues to give tours of the camp, and last Friday, he was honored with an award, named after a well-respected businessman in Lamont. Other honorees that night included: Lamont

resident Raul Rocha, who received the Special Recognition Award, for his anti-graffiti efforts and Sheriffs Senior Deputy John Money who earned the Presidents Award for running a successful SAL (Sheriffs Activities League) youth program there. Father John Schmoll and Labetta Glenn were honored as the Man and Woman of the Year while two Lamont businesses, Subway and Short Stop Liquor Store, tied for the Cres Stine Award, aka the Most Improved Business recognition. The 2010 Lamont Chamber of Commerce officers were installed and noted as the following: Miguel Sanchez, president; Cheryl McConaughey, vice president; Eva Rodriguez, secretary; and the ever-polite Frank Sloan, treasurer. Its board of directors are: Louis Simpson, Jose Gonzalez, John Von Flue, Alberta Dougherty, Joe Serrano and Jerome Kresha. Olivia Garcia is vice president of content for The Californian and blogs at www.livinbakersfield.com. These are her opinions, not necessarily The Californians.