Sep 25, 2025
The Kern County Young Democrat Leaders, alongside other local Democratic club leaders, came together in support of the Planz Park adoption. The event was followed by a park clean-up, with participation from all attendees. Photo courtesy Kern County Young Democrat Leaders
Young leaders from the Kern County Young Democrat Leaders (KCYDL) became the first youth-led political organization in Bakersfield to formally adopt a city park. This significant milestone shows the group’s ongoing commitment to grassroots civic engagement and community empowerment.
Through this adoption, KCYDL will take an active role in maintaining and beautifying Planz Park, while also using the space to host voter education events, community clean-ups, youth workshops, and forums that promote political literacy and civic participation.
“This is about more than just adopting a park – it’s about young people taking ownership of their neighborhoods and showing that civic engagement starts at the local level,” says Jacqueline Aguilar, President of KCYDL. “We’re proud to lead by example and create visible, positive change in our community.”
Founded to empower young adults across Kern County, KCYDL is a partisan civic leadership group focused on political education, advocacy, and community service. The organization welcomes individuals aged 18-35 who are passionate about equity, representation, and making a positive impact in local government.
For more information, please email jacquelineaguilar030@gmail.com.
Actor BD Wong to Headline CSUB’s Kegley Institute’s Fall Lecture
Award-winning actor and activist BD Wong will be the featured speaker of the California State University, Bakersfield’s Keigley Institute of Ethics’ Fall Lecture. The free event, titled “An Evening with Actor BD Wong: From Exclusion to Inclusion,” will be held on November 5 at 6 pm in the Dore Theatre. Wong will speak about the challenges he has overcome in the entertainment industry as a gay Asian American and how he came to embrace his identity.
Known for his roles in four of the “Jurassic Park” films, the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and Disney’s 1998 animated film “Mulan,” Wong has worked for more than three decades in the entertainment industry.
For more information, please visit https://news.csub.edu/actor-bd-wong-to-headline-kegley-institutes-fall-lecture.
Kern County Library Unveils New Library Card Designs
Kern County Library (KCL) recently unveiled its newest collection of library card designs and encouraged the community to sign up for all the free resources that come with each card. KCL’s cards invite patrons to choose a design that reflects their personality, interests, or aspirations. Whether you see yourself in the Gothic Library, dream inside a Fairytale Library, or prefer the classic look of the Leather Card, this year’s collection highlights how every library card can tell its own story.
No matter which card design you choose, it’s an all-access pass to many free resources and fun experiences. Patrons can stream and download instantly with free access to eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and comics, and learn through dozens of databases that cover language learning, workforce development, test preparation, auto repair, and more. You can also connect with the community at KCL’s 22 branches across the County with programs, workshops, and cultural events for every age.
Community members can browse all the designs and sign up for a library card or swap out their current one at any branch or bookmobile.
For a list of library hours and locations, please visit www.kernlibrary.org/locations or call 661-868-0701.
The Kern County Library (KCL) recently celebrated the reopening of its Rosamond Branch Library with a Grand Reopening Celebration complete with community leaders, festivities, and an all-ages magic show by Magic Napoleon. Back to business, the branch remains a hub for connection, discovery, and lifelong learning. With expanded resources, technology, and engaging programs for children, teens, and adults, the branch is ready to welcome the community back to everything the library has to offer.
For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit www.kernlibrary.org/events.
CSUB Receives $1 Million to Support Underrepresented Students
California State University, Bakersfield, has received $1 million in new funding to provide additional support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. The CSU is allocating $1 million over five years to the university as part of its AAHHPI Student Achievement Program.
The goal of the funding is to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students from this population. With this new allocation, CSUB will be able to provide more events and programming tailored to AANHPI students, new and expanded course offerings, peer mentorship, and more.
“I’m very excited about us receiving this funding. It provides an amazing opportunity for us to really bolster our efforts to ensure our students’ needs are met so that they have a great experience at CSUB,” says Dr. Shaylyn Marks, who helped secure the funding through her role as the president’s faculty associate for campus belonging. “We are excited to have the opportunity to provide more culturally responsible opportunities for our AAHNPI students as well as the greater community campus.”
For more information, please visit https://news.csub.edu/csub-receives-1-million-to-support-underrepresented-students
California Living Museum (CALM) wants your extra fish! CALM residents love fresh fish and would enjoy your extra store-bought frozen fish or shrimp and/or legally caught fish from anglers with a valid fishing license issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
To donate, freeze your extra catch with NO seasonings or salt (must be within a year and cannot be refrozen). When you are ready to deliver, call 661-546-8940.
