Can you feel, see, and smell the holiday season?

Last Sunday, Chabad of Bakersfield lit the community menorah for the first night of Chanukah.

Bakersfield held its Christmas Parade on Thursday night – returning to an in-person event after last year’s virtual parade.

The Student Government of Cerro Coso hosted a festive movie night on Friday, showing “The Santa Clause” in the gym. BCSGA also hosted a movie night on Friday – a Drive-In showing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in the student parking lot.

Porterville’s Children’s Christmas Parade is from 10 am to noon today.

Let’s sink into the magic of the season.

Good morning, friends…
It is December 4, 2021.
The sun shines bright over KCCD.

This week, the Pirates, the Coyotes, and the Renegades continue to 
#DareMightyThings

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Porterville College

Event to spread Holiday Cheer and the COVID-19 vaccine

Supporting vaccination efforts through partnerships with fellow community organizations is a strategic approach to increasing first and second-dose vaccinations and booster doses in Tulare County.

On November 29, 2021, the CDC strengthened their recommendation on booster doses to include everyone 18 years or older.

As many holiday and end-of-year celebrations approach, vaccination continues to be an important tool in any individual’s or family’s toolkit to prevent serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19.

To this end, Porterville College is once again partnering with Sierra View Medical Center, Imperial Ambulance, the City of Porterville, and the Parenting Network to spread holiday cheer (and hot cocoa) to support continuing vaccination efforts in Tulare County with a Christmas Polar Express Drive-Thru on Saturday, December 11^th from 11 am to 2 pm on the PC campus. This event will provide vaccinations and boosters for the community. Gift cards for $100 will be provided by the City of Porterville for everyone 12 and older who receives a vaccination or booster at the event (Federally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)). Special gifts will be provided for children, including $25 gift cards courtesy of community partner donations, free resources from community partners, food boxes, turkeys, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, face masks, and more.

PC Faculty hosts art exhibition on campus

The PC Art Gallery welcomed the public to see the artwork of the Porterville College Art Faculty from November 8 – December 2, 2021.

The exhibition, which included works from professors Jim Entz, Glenn Hill, Tom Howell, Diran Lyons, and Edwin Macaraeg, revealed a broad range of approaches to making art. The artists/faculty members have all exhibited their work regionally, and some nationally. They themselves were educated at a variety of colleges, from Art Center College of Design to Otis Art Institute, to UC Santa Barbara, to UC Irvine, and to Fresno State.

Entz explained his approach to making his sculptural paintings, “I like to make things–unusual objects that exist somewhere between painting and sculpture. The making of these objects is a process of building and excavation.”

Howell, through photographs, drawings, and sculpture, shows a range of approaches to the making of his art, “I’m a ‘Process Artist’… someone that focuses on the Act of making something more than the finished product.”

Hill, a realist painter, sees himself in the role of the storyteller.  He says, “There are moments in our lives that we may never speak of, but they live, even so, in our memories — an endless feast for the senses, with streams of vivid color and light, resonating with the music of our soul. We remember them when we share our common stories. The goal of a storyteller is to capture these shared moments that reveal the magic in everyday events.”

Lyons illustrated the context for his multi-media photographs, saying, “In 1995 and 1996, I worked as the gardener of a summer camp in Sierra National Forest. I encountered a certain type of quiet there, bordering on silence, when isolated in a grove of Sequoia trees. While visiting Converse Basin in 2019, I experienced it again as I surveyed the graveyard of Sequoias. However, this time it was accompanied by strong sentiments of disappointment and anger. Borrowing from the paradigms of landscape, natural, documentary, and pictorialist photography, I would like to encourage an audience to consider more radical – in this case ecosophical – positions beyond the aesthetic ambitions of these historical precedents.”

Macaraeg discussed his paintings in the show that are part of a larger series titled, The Disambiguation of Asian-American History. “My experience as an Asian-American has led to my investigations of how and why misconceptions and other social patterns can be traced to particular historical events.  By conducting personal interviews of families directly affected and involved, finding articles written from multiple sources, and researching U.S. history books, I discovered that the aftermath of such calamities creates anxiety amidst the immigrants that have endured the harshness of cultural identity and politics. In these works, I have manipulated images of key moments from the heritage of the Asian-American experience from the perspective of a contemporary Asian-American, creating layers of information to redefine significant events critical to the development of our history as a nation.  I intuitively create visual reinterpretations through my use of marks; these experiences are metamorphosed into individualized visual transliterations.

Spirit of holiday giving alive on campus

PC’s Christmas tree is up in the lobby and the Donation boxes are set around campus to help spread the giving spirit. The Porterville College Rotaract Club is spearheading a donation effort throughout campus and the community as part of their community project for this semester. They are asking for toys, diapers, and baby wipes to help local families in need.

The Holiday Spirit is growing at PC!

#PCGivingSpirit #PiratesGiveBack

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Cerro Coso Community College

Pink Ladies Auxiliary Gives Scholarships to Nursing Students

June Wasserman Scholarship Committee Chairwoman of the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, presented Jan Hoagland Vocational Nursing Scholarships to Cerro Coso nursing students (pictured l to r) Jesseca Ledet, Lakana Panergo, Pink Ladies Scholarship Committee Chairwoman June Wasserman, Ladaija Baker, and Intissar Awad.

These graduating Cerro Coso Community College vocational nursing students each received a $400 check from the Pink Ladies Auxiliary. “We only wish we could have awarded one to every nursing student,” said Wasserman.

Founded by Jan Hoagland in 1958, the Pink Ladies Auxiliary raises money to fund these scholarships. Their efforts support Ridgecrest Regional Hospital’s mission to provide outstanding healthcare in our community.

New Spanish Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree

Put yourself ahead of the crowd with Cerro Coso’s new Spanish Language Program!

Cerro Coso Community College is offering a new Spanish Associate of Arts Transfer degree (A.A.-T).  The A.A.-T degree offers students the opportunity to complete a two-year degree with course credits that allow them to transfer as a junior to designated Spanish bachelor’s degree programs at California State universities and gives priority admission consideration to the local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to the community college major. 

The Spanish AA-T degree offers two tracks to choose from, one for Non-Heritage Speakers and another for Heritage Speakers — both guarantees acceptance to the CSU system.  This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. 

This program of study prepares students for transfer to the CSU system to earn a baccalaureate in Spanish language, linguistics, literature, culture, and translation.  Provides students with a strong foundation in fundamental language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) and a better understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. 

The Associate of Arts in Spanish for Transfer degree also serves as supplementary preparation for diverse professional fields such as: healthcare, the legal system, social work, business, customer service, public relations, journalism, hospitality, travel industry, bilingual education, translation and interpretation, and non-profit organizations.  “Employers are seeking marketable skills that help them expand their reach and students can be a leader with an AA-T degree in Spanish,” said Spanish Professor Lucila Gonzalez-Cirre.

The English and Foreign Language department at Cerro Coso offers a rich selection of lower-division courses, from beginning to conversational to Intermediate Spanish.  Experienced instructors lead students to a valuable level of proficiency and cultural understanding in a stimulating and supportive environment.  Learning is enhanced through a communicative approach, multimedia technology, and enriched by the International and Latino clubs at the college. 

Learning Spanish not only provides practical life and career skills, but also gives new perspectives on the world.  Students can use their coursework to satisfy electives and program requirements, cultivate personal interest, and continue on to major or minor in Spanish at a four-year college or university.  All classes are taught online and at the Ridgecrest campus.  Vaccination or exemption required for on campus classes.  Find out more at www.cerrocoso.edu.

Cerro Coso is now registering for Spring 2022 classes.  Register today, pay later.  Call a counselor today at 760-384-6219.   

Cerro Coso Community College – Your Hometown College.

Cerro Coso Welcomes A & R Tech Addy Windsor

Adeline (Addy) Windsor has joined the close knit department of Admissions and Records at the Ridgecrest Campus.  Committed to quality and customer service, as an A & R Technician I, Addy will play a very important roll in assisting students with college applications, registration, processing payments, transcripts, adding and dropping classes, and a host of other vital duties.  Her goal is to help guide students through their journey at Cerro Coso.

Addy lives in Ridgecrest with her spouse and two cats.  She likes to watch anime and talk about it with friends online.  If you see an origami crane sitting around, that’s Addy leaving her mark.  An artist of all kinds, digital and traditional, she started posting some of her art on Instagram during the pandemic, and her skill has improved over the last 18 months.  This inquisitive soul recently took up linocut printing (similar to stamping), and knitting.  She loves to play piano and ukulele and sing.  Growing and stretching her mind – Addy enjoys playing video games in her free time, and likes word games and puzzles that help develop the ability to reason, analyze, sequence, and deduce, enhancing logical thought processes and problem solving skills.     

Her motto for life is “You can’t control your feelings, but you can control what you choose to do about them.”

Adeline holds an Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts and Humanities from Cerro Coso Community College.

Welcome to Cerro Coso Addy!

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Bakersfield College

BC Ethics Bowl Club To Co-Host 2021 California Regional Ethics Bowl

After another unique year of fully virtual competitions, the Bakersfield College Ethics Bowl Club and Philosophy Department will co-host the 2021 California Regional Ethics Bowl along with the Philosophy Department of CSUB and the Kegley Institute of Ethics. This year’s competition will include teams from colleges and universities mostly from California and Arizona, but with the virtual format, teams from further locales such as New York are invited to compete. The finals will be live streamed on YouTube, beginning at 5:45 on December 4^th.

The Bakersfield College Ethics Bowl Club was founded in 2018 by Philosophy faculty Anna Collins and Bryan Russell to prepare students for competitions in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl with both regional and national competitions consisting of moderated and judged head-to-head matches. The students research and prepare for the opportunity to present their analysis of an ethical issue, comment on the opposing analysis, and respond to comments or questions from the opposing team and judges. 

This year, members of BC’s club will participate as organizers, judges, and moderators for the annual event, while also having different members competing.

BC’s club won the 2-year college ethics bowl in November, and has already won a bid to be one of 36 colleges and universities competing in the all-college-and-university finals in Cincinnati between February 26th-27th. 

BC Women’s Volleyball Team Heading to State Playoffs

Bakersfield College women’s volleyball team will be heading back to State Playoffs for the first time since 2018 after having an abbreviated season due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and losing in the second round of the SoCal Regionals to Grossmont College in 2019. The Renegades punched their ticket after sweeping #9 Orange Coast College on Saturday, November 27, 2021.

Auto Tech Renegades earn AERA Certification

While enrolled in their Bakersfield College Automotive classes and earning their Engine Rebuilding and Repair Certificate, 14 Renegades also completed a comprehensive training program from AERA (Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association) that paralleled the content they were receiving here at BC.

AERA certification as a Cylinder Head Machinist and Engine Machinist is the worldwide, engine rebuilding industry standard of excellence. Technicians who successfully earn either certificate will hold proof that they have an elevated understanding of fundamentals of machining, measuring tools, shop safety, fasteners, engine theory, engine diagnosis, and more. Dean of Instruction, Tony Cordova tells me that an AERA certificate of completion proves our students have the skills and practices required in an engine machine shop which elevates their status and chances of hire with prospective employers looking for qualified employees worldwide.

Veterans Resource Center Hosts First Annual Stock the Locker Event

The Veterans Resource Center closed out a month of activities honoring Veterans this week. The staff held the First Annual Stock the Locker – Student Veteran School Supply Drive.

Supporters from the community and BC staff filled the footlocker, and then some! These supplies will provide some relief to our student veterans and they will be encouraged by the outpouring of support.

UMOJA and BC’s Nursing Collaboration

This semester, BC’s Umoja students and Nursing students collaborated to achieve success. Both programs collaborated to give students experience with a hands-on simulation skills lab. This was a collaborative effort led by Dean Carla Gard, Ronnie Knabe, and Paula Parks with participation from Professors Mai and Carmen.

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In the News

PC providing 24/7 well-being care for students

I read in The Porterville Recorder about PC’s TimelyMD program, which provides a 24/7 virtual care to meet students’ medical, mental health and basic needs. PC is one of the first 20 community colleges in the state in the program to tap into federal and state funds to provide for students well-being. Cerro Coso Community College also joined PC as the two Kern Community College District schools are among the first 20 community colleges in the state to participate in the program.

BC Foundation publishes December Panorama Newsletter

The December edition of Panorama, the official newsletter of the Bakersfield College Foundation, is available on the BC Foundation website.

Be sure to check out information about the 14th Sterling Silver, set for March 19, 2022! Honorees include:

• The Contreras Family, Individual Philantropist Award
• Bank of America, Corporate Philanthropist Award
• Assemblymember Rudy Salas, BC Foundation Service Medal
• Congressman William “Bill” Thomas, LIfetime Achievement Award

CCCC Foundation President thanks supporters

I loved this letter from Derrick Hu, CCCC Foundation President, in The Daily Independent of Ridgecrest. He thanked Mac’s International Restaurant, Coldwell Banker Best Realty Ridgecrest, and wine expert Eric Le Barbé for their help in making the wine and Food Pairing Fundraiser a success.

“The turnout was great – we had 41 attendees and we raised more than $7,000 for Cerro Coso students and programs,” said College President Dr. Sean Hancock. “Not bad for our first real event in two years.”

Fun Photos & Spotted on Social Media

From PC Baseball Coach Ike Guerrero.  It might be winter, but it’s never too early to take advantage of a beautiful day and get some hitting practice in!  Here is a link to the video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1466169728158744577

Cerro Coso shared this photo from the Coyote Cupboard holiday bag distribution this week:

BC’s Amalia Calderon competed in the CSUB Digital Marketing and Business Analytics Hackathon:

And a huge congratulations to BC Dean of Students Nicky Damania, who welcomed his baby son Sean this week. Congratulations Nicky and Tom!

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Tagged: #KCCDDaringMightyThings, Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, Kern Community College District, Porterville College, Sonya Christian