Bakersfield Jazz Workshop accepting applications for scholarships

The Bakersfield Jazz Workshop has just announced that it will be accepting scholarship applications from eligible jazz students once again. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has been issuing these awards to talented individuals in the area since 2007, despite funding shortfalls at times due to its limited budget. The awards fit the BJW's mission, which is to support jazz education and performance in the Bakersfield area.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/bakersfield-jazz-workshop-accepting-applications-for-scholarships

Jazz musicians who have also starred in movies

If one were to write a list of all of the excellent jazz musicians who have mastered this great American art form, then one would quickly find that the list had grown to the size of an encyclopedia. However, there is another list, much shorter but significant all the same, of jazz musicians who have crossed over into another art form, cinema.

Here is a list of several very talented and famous people who made their mark playing jazz and also succeeded as actors in the movies. These weren’t bit parts, cameos, nor simply roles in which they appeared as themselves either. These were meaty, important roles, crucial to the success of the movie. Many of the performances were critically acclaimed, even resulting in an Academy Award for the actor.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/jazz-musicians-who-have-also-starred-in-movies-46457

Alon refinery gets APCD permits; is Bakken crude now heading for Bakersfield?

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD) announced yesterday its final approval of construction permits for the Alon refinery, located alongside Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield. As a result, the (rail)road is now paved for the facility to receive crude oil deliveries by rail car, including, but not limited to, controversial shipments of Bakken crude from North Dakota.

Read more at the link below:

 http://www.examiner.com/article/alon-refinery-gets-apcd-permits-is-bakken-crude-now-heading-for-bakersfield

El Twanguero to appear at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop

According to an announcement that raised more than a few eyebrows of local jazz fans, the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop will be holding another of its free clinic/concerts on Wednesday, this time featuring world renowned guitarist and composer, Diego Garcia. The news should please and excite Bakersfield Hispanic audiences as well as fans of Spanish guitar, American roots music, flamenco, tango, and, of course, his unique Latino "twang" sound for which he received his nickname, El Twanguero.

Read more at the link below:

http://m.axs.com/el-twanguero-to-appear-at-the-bakersfield-jazz-workshop-45701

HECA fights back against Sierra Club

In a fiery response yesterday to recent efforts by the Sierra Club and others to force the California Energy Commission to terminate its permit application, legal counsel for the Hydrogen Energy California (HECA) project said that almost all of the objections were irrelevant and presented several reasons why the termination request is unjustified.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/heca-fights-back-against-sierra-club

CaHSRA announces workshop for small businesses

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) has just announced a free, small business certification workshop for those hoping to get involved with the massive state transportation project. The workshop will be held on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Kern County Builders' Exchange, 1121 Baker Street, Bakersfield.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/cahsra-announces-workshop-for-small-businesses

CEC gives two local dairies $8 million for manure to energy projects

Two local dairies will benefit from California Energy Commission (CEC) grants totaling $8 million for the development of manure to energy projects. The CEC announced on Wednesday that American Biogas Electric Company was awarded two grants of $4 million each for projects at Bakersfield's Lakeview Farms Dairy and Buttonwillow's West Star North Dairy.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/cec-gives-two-local-dairies-8-million-for-manure-to-energy-projects

Sierra Club formally asks CEC to terminate HECA permit application

The troubled Hydrogen Energy California project (HECA) sustained another blow to its chances of becoming a reality today as a result of actions by environmental opponents. In a March 3, 2015, letter to the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (commonly referred to as the CEC), the Sierra Club and two local citizen's groups formally requested that the agency terminate the application for the project. According to the Sierra Club, the project applicant, SCS Energy California LLC (SCS), has failed to diligently follow through with several tasks and submit requested documentation for over 18 months.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/sierra-club-formally-asks-cec-to-terminate-heca-permit-application