California plastic bag ban put on hold for almost 2 years

A ban on single-use plastic bags from pharmacies, grocery, convenience, and liquor stores that was to have taken effect in July of this year was put on hold with an announcement yesterday from California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Opponents of the measure, known to many as SB-270, successfully gathered enough signatures on a petition for a referendum on the new law. As a result, the referendum will be put on the November 8, 2016 election ballot.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/california-plastic-bag-ban-put-on-hold-for-almost-2-years

The Lost Trio to give free clinic/concert at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop

The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop will be presenting another in its series of clinics/concerts tomorrow, February 18, with the appearance of The Lost Trio. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, the group is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a West Coast tour to promote its latest recording, MONKWORK. Consisting entirely of tunes by Thelonious Monk, the new album presents a fresh interpretation of one of the genre's greatest composers.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-lost-trio-to-give-free-clinic-concert-at-the-bakersfield-jazz-workshop

SJVAPCD proposing major fee increases for farmers, industry, and others

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is proposing major fee increases in an effort to generate more revenues to pay for its ongoing programs. Some of the fee increases will be a little less than a 5% increase each of the next two years, however, other fee increases will be significantly higher and some new fees will also be adopted.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/sjvapcd-proposing-major-fee-increases-for-farmers-industry-and-others

Lens wipe manufacturer fined $400,000 by ARB for air quality violations

Failure to pay attention to labeling details and California air regulations has cost a Naples, Florida company $400,000 in fines from the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The state air pollution control agency yesterday announced it had issued the fine to Apothecary Products Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of consumer health care products and pharmacy supplies.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/lens-wipe-manufacturer-fined-400-000-by-arb-for-air-quality-violations

Premier Performance LLC fined $515,000 for violating air regulations

Another automotive parts company has been penalized for running afoul of California air pollution regulations. Premier Performance LLC of Rexburg, Idaho, has agreed to a $515,000 settlement with the California Air Resources Board (ARB) according to an announcement made yesterday by the agency.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/premier-performance-llc-fined-515-000-for-violating-air-regulations

MTD Southwest fined $435,000 for selling illegal lawn and garden equipment

A Tempe, Arizona manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for lawns and gardens has agreed to pay $435,000 as a settlement for violations of California laws related to emissions from off-road engines.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/mtd-southwest-fined-435-000-for-selling-illegal-lawn-and-garden-equipment

Yoshimura fined $90,000 for offering illegal “Cherry Bomb” aftermarket parts

 The California Air Resources Board recently announced that it has reached a $90,000 settlement with Yoshimura Research & Development of America, Inc. for offering illegal off-road aftermarket parts for sale in California. Known as "Cherry Bombs," the devices are performance programmers for pollution controlled all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/yoshimura-fined-90-000-for-offering-illegal-cherry-bomb-aftermarket-parts

Wadada Leo Smith to appear at Bakersfield College

The Bakersfield College Jazz Program will be presenting a special lecture and solo performance Monday evening, February 9 by famed trumpeter, composer, and educator Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith. Known for his work in avant-garde jazz and free improvisation, Smith recently retired from The Herb Alpert School of Music at the California Institute of the Arts, after a more than 20 year teaching career.


Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/wadada-leo-smith-to-appear-at-bakersfield-college

Photo by Tom Beetz @ http://home.hetnet.nl/~tbeetz/index.html - Wadada Leo Smith

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