American Lung Association 2015 report shows Valley has worst air in the nation.

The American Lung Association released its State of the Air 2015 report yesterday and once again, the news is not good for residents of Bakersfield and other San Joaquin Valley cities. Except for ozone concentrations (Los Angeles/Long Beach was the worst), San Joaquin Valley cities had the top four worst ratings for short-term particle pollution (24-hour PM 2.5) and year-round particle pollution (Annual PM 2.5). As for ozone, Valley cities were the second, third, fourth, and eighth worst in the nation.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/american-lung-association-2015-report-shows-valley-has-worst-air-the-nation

Jerry Brown shakes California up again with a new agressive GHG reduction target

California Governor Jerry Brown shook up the regulated community again today, announcing a new Executive Order that sets a more stringent greenhouse gas reduction target for his state than anywhere else in North America.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/jerry-brown-shakes-california-up-again-with-a-new-agressive-ghg-reduction-target

Kama Ruby to appear at La Foret this Friday

Local actress and jazz vocalist Kama Ruby continues to re-surface at local Bakersfield venues this week with an appearance at La Foret Fine Dining & Lounge on Friday, May 1.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/kama-ruby-to-appear-at-la-foret-this-friday-51260

The Expanders to appear at the Icehouse this Friday

Local world and reggae music fans are in for a treat this week as one of the hardest working reggae bands in the country makes its first appearance in Bakersfield this Friday, May 1.

The Expanders, a band dedicated to recreating authentic, vintage Jamaican reggae as it was traditionally presented in the 1970s will be appearing at Elements Venue at the historic Ice House.

Read more at the link below:
 
http://www.axs.com/the-expanders-to-appear-at-the-icehouse-this-friday-51245

Presidio Brass to appear at Rabobank Theater and Convention Center

The Bakersfield Community Concert Association continues with its 2015-2016 concert series next Monday, May 4, with the appearance of San Diego’s Presidio Brass. The group, consisting of a brass quintet accompanied by piano and percussion, will be performing an eclectic program of pieces that have been used in the movies over the past 100 years.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/presidio-brass-to-appear-at-rabobank-theater-and-convention-center-51238

The Expanders, performer profile

Since the 1990s, one of the more satisfying listening pleasures for many music fans has been the development of Americana music. The genre incorporates elements of country, blues, rock and roll, bluegrass, and R&B to give it a distinctive, original sound. Its proponents developed the music as a reaction to over produced and polished pop and rock music that saturated the airwaves with forgettable material that either felt/sounded the same or lost its way in embracing its historical “roots.”

Similarly, fans of another genre, reggae, longed for a return to the roots and traditions of a rocksteady style of reggae, epitomized by classic 1970s Jamaican bands and singers. One group of musicians also shared that feeling and in 2003 joined together to form one of the hardest working and popular reggae bands in Southern California. That band is The Expanders.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/the-expanders-performer-profile-51230

ARB holding oil and gas industry GHG emission control workshop today

As previously announced, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) will hold the first of two workshops on a proposed new regulation to address the control of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Oil & Gas industry. Today’s workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. in Sacramento and is available via webcast.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-holding-oil-and-gas-industry-ghg-emission-control-workshop-today

Jazz musicians with a higher education

The world of jazz consists of some truly wonderful and outstanding musicians. Some were child prodigies and others were born into families of jazz stars. Many more were classically trained before discovering jazz and still others labored in obscurity for years, honing their art before they got that big break.

Prior to becoming headliners of their genre, many famous jazz musicians from past and present went on to college to study music, kept at it for a year or two, and, because of their skills, attracted the attention of established stars. Recognizing the talent that they saw, these stars often would invite the student to a gig, then a recording session, and then a tour with their bands. As a result, many students chose to forgo their academic life to become professional musicians, using those connections to propel themselves to stardom.

Read more about jazz musicians and their degrees at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/jazz-musicians-with-a-higher-education-50813

The devil is in the details as Bakersfield adopts emergency water ordinance

The Bakersfield City Council adopted an emergency water ordinance at a public hearing last night that restricts the use of water for lawns and landscaping. The effective date of the ordinance (the date the new restrictions become applicable) is today. Residents who violate the new restrictions will be subject to misdemeanors and/or monetary penalties.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-devil-is-the-details-as-bakersfield-adopts-emergency-water-ordinance

EPA Awards $1.3 Million to the Port of Los Angeles for an electric-drive crane

 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it has awarded a $1.3 million grant to the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department. The funds will be used to replace an older, 950-horsepower, diesel cargo crane with a new, zero-emission electric-drive crane. The 110-foot crane will be used to unload and process scrap metal on and off moving containers for overseas shipments.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-awards-1-3-million-to-the-port-of-los-angeles-for-an-electric-drive-crane

The best music videos about the environment

Tomorrow is Earth Day.

Over the years, numerous recording artists have also embraced the environment and created songs that celebrated clean air and water, mourned the loss of same, or warned that action must be taken to ensure a clean environment for present and future generations.

Shown below are some of the best music videos that deal with the environment. The videos aren’t ranked from worst to best or presented in a Top Ten format. They touch upon themes of urban sprawl, climate change, air and water pollution, and even nuclear holocaust. This is undoubtedly an incomplete list and some of the videos, in particular those from artists in the 70s, are merely recorded versions of live performances. However, the lyrics and music of all of them have powerful messages for each of us.

Included with each description is a link to a YouTube video of the song. Click on the link below to see if your favorite is listed.

http://www.axs.com/the-best-music-videos-about-the-environment-49943

Earth Day luncheon at CSUB this Wednesday

Kern Green and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the 3rd Annual Earth Day Luncheon this Wednesday, April 22, at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB). The event will have exhibitor booths and a panel discussion in addition to a free lunch. The topic of this year's luncheon is "Celebrating Earth Day, Everyday at Work and Home."

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/earth-day-luncheon-at-csub-this-wednesday

Five things to bring to Stagecoach

So, you're heading to the Stagecoach Country & Western Music Festival in Indio, California, looking forward to a weekend filled with fun and your favorite C&W stars. You probably have already purchased your tickets, made arrangements for hotels or a camping spot, figured out whether you are going to drive your car or take public transportation, and gone over the list of things you aren't allowed to bring. Now, before you think you have everything covered, have you thought about what you need to "bring" to the festival to ensure that you have a great experience?

No? Well here are five things at the link below that you should seriously consider bringing to make your visit comfortable and memorable. If you think of something that isn't shown here, be sure to visit the Stagecoach website for more information.

http://www.axs.com/five-things-to-bring-to-stagecoach-49545

P.S. That's Merle Haggard singing "California Blues" in his living room above. You can see it by clicking the link to the article above.

Best food options at Stagecoach

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival starts in less than a week in Indio, California. Thousands of country & western music fans are about to descend upon the Coachella Valley for three days of musical fun in the desert. From headliners such as Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and Blake Shelton to other acts such as Della Mae, The Swon Brothers, and Lyndsay Lou and the Flatliners, there will be a different C&W taste for everyone.

Speaking of “taste,” three days spent listening to music is sure to stir a powerful hunger for some good eats. Stagecoach is ready for that – you won’t have to worry about leaving the venue to grab a bite and missing some of the action because there are plenty of places on the grounds to get some great food, as detailed at the link below.

http://www.axs.com/best-food-options-at-stagecoach-49477

ARB proposing new greenhouse gas rules for oil and natural gas operations

The California Air Pollution Control Board (ARB) announced this week that it will be holding workshops this month to discuss draft regulations for the oil and natural gas industry. The regulations will focus on the control of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from such operations in order to meet the state's goals in reducing air pollutants that are causing global warming and climate change.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/arb-proposing-new-greenhouse-gas-rules-for-oil-and-natural-gas-operations

Four bands you might not have expected for Stagecoach 2015

In less than two weeks the biggest country music festival in the world takes place in Indio, California. Fans from all over the world will be heading to the Stagecoach Country Music Festival for three days of music and partying to the likes of Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Sturgill Simpson, The Oak Ridge Boys, and that acclaimed C&W hit-maker…ZZ Top? Huh?

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/four-bands-you-might-not-have-expected-for-stagecoach-2015-49145

EPA releases 20th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory

The 20th Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions was released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The latest information is for calendar year 2013 and shows a two percent increase of GHG emissions from 2012 levels. However, the new inventory also shows a nine percent drop from 2005 emissions.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-releases-20th-annual-u-s-greenhouse-gas-inventory

Prohibited items at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival, the country cousin to the recent Coachella Music Festival, takes place April 24 - 26, 2015. Country music fans from around the world will be two-stepping their way to the desert community of Indio, California, for three days of fun and entertainment.
If it’s your first visit to the event or even if you have been there before, there are a few things you want to know about before you arrive. They are all itemized at the festival website, including information on camping, hotels, transportation, general rules, and other specifics to make your stay fun and worry free.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.axs.com/prohibited-items-at-the-stagecoach-country-music-festival-49026

CalEPA awards $500,000 to Environmental Justice groups

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) today announced the award of more than $500,000 in grants for Environmental Justice (EJ) programs across the state. Almost 20 percent, or about $100,000, will find its way to San Joaquin Valley organizations in Kern, Kings, Fresno, and other counties.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/calepa-awards-500-000-to-environmental-justice-groups

Aum Studio Productions to have ribbon cutting ceremony April 16, 2015

A local music, recording, and production studio will be having a grand re-opening celebration at its new location in Bakersfield. Aum Studio Productions, with the help of the Bakersfield Downtown Business Association, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall, followed by an open house party for Aum supporters and those interested in what the studio has to offer. The event will take place this Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/aum-studio-productions-to-have-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-april-16-2015?cid=db_articles

Millions of Californians to share nearly $300M of climate change credits

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) reminded consumers today to look for a credit in their April or May electricity bills. Almost 10.7 million Californian households will see their bills reduced by an average of $27 as a result of provisions in the State’s Cap-and-Trade Program to fight climate change. This will be the third time the credits have been given. In April and October of last year, $736 million was given to consumers via credits. CPUC and ARB estimate that $577 million will be given in 2015.

Read more at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/millions-of-californians-to-share-nearly-300m-of-climate-change-credits