Got back late last night, transitioning from 64 degrees at Marina Del Rey to 90 degrees here in Bakersfield at 10:30 p.m. Neo immediately rushed to the backyard, something he misses by the beach, and I stood in the backyard with him, enjoying the warm night air …. it was good to be back home.
Good Morning Bakersfield.
It is Saturday, June 27…a great day to be a Renegade.
After my early walk today, here I am on the back porch, blogging before the morning temperatures soar into the nineties. I was struck by the NYTimes piece by Bob Henderson about Angelo Bassi, a theoretical physicist who is attempting to frame the workings of the universe in a more fundamental way than quantum mechanics. “The idea that the universe is simpler than it appears is supported by the way advances in physics, from Newton’s to Einstein’s and beyond, have accounted for more and more phenomena with fewer and fewer equations. ” Thought you might enjoy it too https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/magazine/angelo-bassi-quantum-mechanic.html?smid=tw-share
Juneteenth
KBAK will be airing highlights from our Juneteenth programming in collaboration with Danny Morrison. The show will air Sunday at 4 pm – be sure to tune in!
Thank you Danny for partnering with BC. We say it all in this video…
Every week, I will feature some of the videos from the two-week long #LightACandle event. Let’s hear from three congressman.
BC Jazz Combos: The Quarantine Sessions
The BC Jazz Studies program recently released a digital album featuring eight tracks created by students collaborating online during the campus shutdown.
Kris Tiner, Director of Jazz Studies, described the process.
“In March of 2020, as the global pandemic became a reality and stay-at-home orders went into effect, we found ourselves unable to meet in person to rehearse or hold class as usual. All of our scheduled concerts, including our annual Jazz Day festival, were eventually cancelled. Classes continued to meet online using Zoom, but the limitations of that platform for playing together live were immediately obvious. Doing anything with the music we had been rehearsing for eight weeks was suddenly out of the question. Instead, we began working on these digital collaborations. We used Zoom to chat and share ideas, Google Drive to share charts and files, cell phones and any home recording technology we could get our hands on to capture music that reflected the ups and downs of these strange days we were going through together. Our goal was to let the times guide our creativity, and the result is this album. Please enjoy, and purchase a copy if you have the means. All proceeds benefit the BC Jazz Studies program.”
Listen and download at https://bcjazzstudies.bandcamp.com.
Dr. Fauci addresses COVID-19 spike
On Friday, the nation once again heard from Dr. Anthony Fauci, who provided an important update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “You have an individual responsibility to yourself. But you have a societal responsibility. Because if we want to end this outbreak … we’ve got to realize that we are part of the process.”
“A risk for you is not just isolated to you.”
As cases are again increasing through many parts of the country, California included, it is more important than ever that we each do our part to keep ourselves and each other safe. We must continue social distancing, we must continue to wear our masks, and we must continue to take care of one another.
Dr. Fauci’s urgent message made this post shared by Cindy Collier even more poignant:
Celebrating our Transfer Graduates
We are proud of the following graduates who have recently accepted admission offers from across the nation, and we have created a Transfer Celebration website to share their photos and future plans.
Students may submit their information to be included through August 1, 2020.
This week, I’d like to highlight two of our outstanding transfer students, Leonela Aguilar and Gabriel Diaz.
Spotted in the Community
Jay Tamsi and Mike Turnipseed get Back to Business
Michael Turnipseed, Kern Tax Executive Director, brought Jay Tamsi, CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, on his Conversations that Matter video series to discuss discuss how the Chamber helps boost the local economy.
They also discussed the challenges facing local small business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the Chamber is helping address those issues.
You can check out the video online.
A Deeper Dive with Romeo Agbalog and Keith Wolaridge
Check out this podcast with Romeo Agbalog, from Kern Citizens for Sustainable Government, and Keith Wolaridge, Trustee with the Panama Buena Vista Union School District.
Keith Wolaridge and his daughter 
Romeo Agbalog with Sonya Christian
Fun Social Media
Andrea Thorson, one of our Deans of Instruction, welcomed a new member to her family this week:
“This is Pepper Ann(a) – James is still deciding between Ann and Anna. We are so excited! She is a calm little labradoodle.
“Her name, based on a coin toss, was supposed to be Mimsy. However, upon getting her home, we realized the names “Mimsy” and “Macy” were too close and caused confusion. I’m glad because I like “Pepper” best, but James didn’t love it, so he picks the middle name.”
BC Reference Librarian Sondra Keckley celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary this week.
Her husband had put bouquets of flowers throughout their house as a thoughtful surprise.
“I came home from running errands to the sweetest surprise for our 20th anniversary! The roses and sign would be an awesome gift alone, but then I saw another bouquet of flowers in the family room, and before I knew it I was pleasantly surprised in just about every room!! It felt like a scavenger hunt looking to see where else they might be.”
Congratulations to Sondra and Kurt!
Gloria Dumler from our English department shared this post about an article fellow English professor Paula Parks sent out to the department:
You can check out the article, “Turns Out You Can Build Community in a Zoom Classroom” from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
KCCD leadership — #staysafe #wearmasks
Some photos from my trip to the marina
Closing Week Videos
On Tuesday of Closing Week, Todd Coston continued his Ringmaster role in his backyard with his tiger:
Our Public Safety Meta major Pathway team earned a President’s Leadership Award:
On Thursday, we shared a message about the BC Emergency Student Fund:
Athletics
Celebrating 48 Years of Title IX
On June 23, 1972, Title IX was passed into law stating: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
This June 23 marked 48 years since the beginning of Title IX. This played a huge role for women in many areas in allowing opportunities they previously did not have, and one of the more visible areas came in athletics participation.
While we observe this anniversary and recognize those original trailblazers, we also know that work of equity is a continual and never-ending process.
Memorial Stadium Construction Update
Progress continues this summer with ongoing renovation projects at our beautiful Memorial Stadium. Workers recently finished removing all of the old lights as they prepare to install the new light fixtures. Also happening is the construction of the new HD video scoreboard as well as renovation of restrooms and concessions areas. We can’t wait to see her when all the work is complete!
That’s all for now.
Until next time.
With much Renegade Pride and Collegiality.
sonya –
the luckiest and happiest college president ever
