The newly renovated Central Park at Mill Creek is the site of the Faire at the Park on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2010, as well as a farmers’ market every Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Photo by Jennifer Baldwin

Editor’s Note: Bakersfield Express welcomes its newest columnist, Cheryl Huff, whose column “Downtown Buzz” keeps us up on the latest news of downtown Bakersfield. As a volunteer for the Downtown Business & Property Owners Association and the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, she is in-the-know when it comes to what’s happening downtown.

By Cheryl Huff

Beat the heat under the shade of central park

Outdoor fun is becoming more synonymous with downtown Bakersfield – and the summer heat does not dissuade. The Downtown Business and Property Owner’s Association (DBA) announces Downtown Faire in the Park on Tuesday, August 17^t from 6 to 10 p.m. The Faire takes place at Central Park along Mill Creek at R at 21st streets. While the monthly summer faire has been held on Chester Avenue, this time it’s been moved to the newly renovated park just a few blocks east.

“The Central Park event will celebrate the new Mill Creek development and support the city Recreation and Parks Department’s Farmers’ Market held on Tuesday afternoons at the park,” said Bob Bell, the DBA chairman.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend and up to 35 organizations will set up shop for the evening. Key sponsors include KERO 23 and Azteca America 42. Choices abound with many family friendly activities including: ride a horse-drawn wagon for $1; experience downtown with a free Trolley Tour narrated by actors from the Gaslight Melodrama; visit Bakersfield Museum of Art for $1; listen to music by the Luther Davis Band; play a game in the Children’s Corner; buy a bag of fresh vegetables and fruit; and create art and crafts. There will also be food and beverage vendors.

Cathy Butler, president of the DBA, says the event is expected to raise about $4,000 for other downtown activities and projects.

The Farmers’ Market starts early at 4 p.m. and continues to 8 p.m. More information about the Downtown Faire at the Park can be found at www.bakersfielddba.net.

Bakersfield West Rotary sponsored a star on the sidewalk in front of the Fox Theater in honor of local legendary country music star Buck Owens. The star was unveiled on Aug. 11, 2010. Photo courtesy of Buck Owens Productions

Country music legend gets a star at the Fox

On Aug. 11, Bakersfield welcomed a special star onto the Fox Theater’s Walk of Stars in celebration of the theater’s 80^th birthday.  The new star honors Bakersfield’s country music legend, Buck Owens. The theater is located at the corner of H and 20^th streets.

Owens’ family, including sons Johnny and Kike, and nephew Mel were there to celebrate the larger than life Bakersfield music legend. Later that evening, the Crystal Palace kicked off a “birthday bash” for Owens’ birthday with country music headliner Darryl Worley.

Bakersfield West Rotary, led by Jim Darling, sponsored the star. Darling wanted to support both the Fox, where he serves as the Theater Foundation’s president, and honor Buck Owens. The Walk of Stars Program was created in the late 1990s to help the Fox raise funds for ongoing renovation projects and to offset mortgage expenses. To pay for the star, Darling says that West Rotary members will sell a unique calendar featuring vintage post cards of Bakersfield and recently discovered publicity photos of the Fox Theater. The calendar will be available at select retailers in early September. The club hopes to raise $10,000 to support the theater.

Sidewalk stars are made of stainless steel measuring 14 or 16 inches in width.  Plaques are permanently placed in the sidewalk around the theater.  Of the original 67 stars, 13 have been placed on the walk.

For the right price, anyone can buy a star.  The buyer determines the inscription and location of the star. Buyers can choose from three levels of participation with location determining the cost. Cathy Butler, president of the Downtown Business and Property Owners Association, said Peggy Darling and other Fox board members birthed the idea of selling stars to local people, organizations, and businesses. Butler was honored with her own star in 2005 that reads “Queen of the Fox” for her work rescuing the landmark theater from destruction. The walk is dotted with other locals like Farmer Bill “Tiger” Destefani, Flying Tiger Farms; Scott Fieber noted as “King of the Fox,” and Tejon Ranch. Also, Bakersfield Express reported in February on a star unveiled for the now-late FLICS International Film Society treasurer, David Kosakowski.

For more information about the Fox Theater, visit www.foxtheateronline.com.

Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) honored Debbie Moreno, president and CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, as Woman of the Year on July 29, 2010. Photo courtesy of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce

Chamber leader honored as ‘Woman of the Year’

On July 29, Debbie L. Moreno was honored as the 18^th Senate District 2009-2010 Woman of the Year. Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) recognized Moreno in front of family, friends, and colleagues. Moreno has been the president and CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce for six years. All total, she has been a significant influence in the chamber for the past 21 years and served as vice president of operations before stepping into the lead role.

She also serves as chair of the Western Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board of Directors and as a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce Committee 100. The latter group includes the top 100 chamber executives active in public policy throughout the U.S.

The celebration attracted more than 100 people including some notable members of the community: Ray Dezember, Wells Fargo; Sheryl Chalupa, Goodwill Industries; Greg Bynum, Gregory D. Bynum & Assoc.; Susan Hersberger, Aera Energy; Rick Kreiser, Carney’s Business Technology Center; Barry Zoeller, Tejon Ranch; and Bernie Herman, Bakersfield Museum of Art.

Ashburn was impressed with the crowd and said, “If I had known Debbie Moreno could draw such a crowd, I would have asked her to be part of all my events in my years as a senator.”

In 1987, the Women’s Caucus began the annual “Woman of the Year” ceremony as a celebration of remarkable women throughout California. State legislators honor a woman from their district for contributions and continued service to her community. Ashburn has been participating in the celebrations since 1997 as a member of the state Assembly, followed by the Senate.

Moreno joins good company. The 18^th District also honored Wendy Wayne of Bakersfield as another recipient of the 2009-2010 Woman of the Year Award. Wayne is described as the “Mother Theresa of Bakersfield,” in recognition of her decade’s worth of humanitarian work in the community and overseas. (Read this story about Wayne’s keynote speech at the United Way of Kern’s conference for nonprofit professionals in March 2010.) In 2008, Ashburn recognized Bakersfield volunteer Billie Jo Medders as the Woman of the Year and in 2007, San Joaquin Valley radio personality Inga Barks received the award.

Cheryl Huff is a marketing communications professional.  She volunteers for the Downtown Business & Property Owners Association and the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.