🌧️ Rain, carrots, and country.

Welcome to your weekly Bakersfield update! Today is Thursday, November 14, 2024.

In this week’s Bako Weekly:

• 🪕 Bluegrass

• 🎛️ A rave

• 🌮 Free tacos

Get your umbrellas, jackets, and windshield wipers ready for Friday’s rain—and don’t forget to take your vitamin C!

Did you hear a loud boom Friday night? It was most likely the sonic boom from the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch in Lompoc. Check out future scheduled launches here.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

News

🚓 The Bakersfield Police Department has launched a new free community crime database. The Community Crime Dashboard, updated regularly, allows residents to search historical crime data across the city, with filters for crime type, location, and time frame.

🔥 A massive warehouse fire in southeast Bakersfield erupted Saturday morning, sending thick clouds of black smoke visible across central Kern County. The fire, which involved two 10,000-square-foot warehouses filled with plastic drip irrigation materials, required a large firefighting effort.

🚸 A $490,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety will help the Bakersfield Police Department enhance road safety efforts. The funding will support DUI checkpoints, distracted driving enforcement, and operations targeting speeding and dangerous driving behaviors.

📦️ CAPK (Community Action Partnership of Kern) is enhancing its efforts to combat hunger in Kern County by investing in senior programs and food distribution sites. The Senior Food Box program provides 5,800 food boxes to low-income seniors each month, while other initiatives support families and homeless individuals.

💨 A dust storm that started in Fresno County swept down to Bakersfield, knocking out power lines and causing accidents. Health officials are now concerned about the potential increase in Valley Fever cases due to the disturbed dust and spores in the air.

Food and Drinks

☕️ Jittery Geeks Coffee Shop celebrated the grand opening of its new coffee trailer on Tuesday! Stop by and check it out at the corner of Brundage and H. Open Monday through Friday. 7 AM to 4 PM. 

🌮 Vatos Tacos (Northeast) is celebrating its 5th anniversary and thanking the community with a special event. The first 150 diners will receive free tacos and more (dine-in only). Enjoy live music, a live DJ, raffles, giveaways, and Vatos Tacos t-shirts! Saturday, November 16. 10 AM to 5 PM.

🤝 Community Outreach Free Food Giveaway (Oildale): Community event on the third Saturday of every month, offering free food and resources to individuals and families. First come, first serve. Saturday, November 16. 10 AM to 12 PM.

Bakersfield Weekend Weather

Things to Do

😂 Josh Wolf (Downtown): Comedian coming to The Nile Theater. Thursday, November 14. Doors 6 PM. Show 7 PM.

🎤 Becky G (Downtown): Performing at the Mechanics Bank Theater. Friday, November 15. Doors 7 PM. Show 8 PM.

🍄 Psychadelica (Downtown): Rave at The Nile Theater. Global | House | Techno | Bass. 18+ event. Friday, November 15. Doors 8 PM. Show 9 PM.

☕️ Coffee & Creatives (Shafter): Pop-up event featuring 30+ vendors. Enjoy food and coffee while shopping. Saturday, November 16. 9 AM to 2 PM.

🤠 The Westerner Grand Re-Opening (Kernville): Say ‘Howdy!’ and get your western swag on at this grand re-opening event. Saturday, November 16. 10 AM to 5 PM.

🌴 Fest Fest 2024 (Northwest): Get your tickets to see over 40 local bands and artists performing across multiple genres at Temblor Brewing! Enjoy local craft vendors, plus food and drink specials all day. Saturday, November 16. 11 AM to midnight.

🥕 Carrot Festival (Southwest): Eh… what’s up, doc? Head to CSUB for a day celebrating all things carrot-themed! Saturday, November 16. 1 PM to 4 PM.

🎨 Dude & Friends Art Show (Northwest): Dive into the creative underground with over 50 established artists! Saturday, November 16. 1 PM to 7 PM.

🪴 The Secret Garden at Jerry’s (Downtown): Calling all plant enthusiasts! Join Jerry’s Pizza for a plant pop-up featuring multiple vendors with plants, pots, and more. Enjoy food and drink specials. Saturday, November 16. 1 PM to 3 PM.

🪕 Weekly Jam at Dagny’s (Downtown): Enjoy the weekly bluegrass jam at Dagny’s Coffee. Saturday, November 16. 2 PM to 4 PM.

🎸 Sobredosis de Soda (East): Argentine tribute band honoring legendary Latin American rock band Soda Stereo. A must-see event for fans of Latin rock history! Saturday, November 16. 9 PM.

🏎️ Haddad Dodge Ram Night (Kern Raceway): Don’t miss Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway season finale! Enjoy a thrilling night of racing, destruction, and a fireworks finale. Saturday, November 16. Gates 4 PM. Opening ceremonies 6 PM.

🤠 Bakersfield Country Music Awards (Downtown): Celebrate Bakersfield's country roots with local musicians and national artists honored for their role in the Bakersfield Sound! Sunday, November 17. Doors 12:30 PM. Show 2 PM.

👻 Ghost Tours (Downtown): Explore the haunted halls of The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, The Nile Theater, and The Padre Hotel. Armed with ghost-hunting gear, you’ll explore dark, mysterious corridors and experience the supernatural up close. Monday, November 18. Tours are approx. 2.5 hours. Tours run at every half hour starting at 5 PM. Last tour 10 PM. Adults only after 8 PM.

Local Markets

• The Campus Vendors Market (Southwest): 912 New Stine Rd. Friday, November 15. 5 PM to 9 PM.

• F Street Farmers Market (Downtown): Behind 2819 F St. Saturday, November 16. 7:45 AM to 12 PM.

• Riverlakes Farmers Market (Northwest): 8601 Hageman Rd. Saturday, November 16. 9 AM to 1 PM.

• Bako Market (Downtown): 1001 Truxtun Ave. Saturday, November 16. 10 AM to 3 PM

• The Southwest Market (Southwest): 2800 Buena Vista Rd. Saturday, November 16. 6 PM to 10 PM.

• Haggin Oaks Farmers Market (Southwest): 8800 Ming Ave. Sunday, November 17. 9 AM to 2 PM.

Volunteer

🐺 Wind Wolves Preserve needs volunteers for various projects throughout November
– 🥾 Trail work: Friday, November 15. 8:30 AM.
– 🌱 Seed broadcasting & cactus planting: Sunday, November 17. 9 AM.

GoFundMe Locals

🕊️ Correctional Officer Christopher Martinez tragically lost his life in a fatal traffic accident on the 99 early Saturday morning. He is survived by his wife and 9-month-old child. Consider helping Christopher’s family during this difficult time by donating and/or sharing.

🕊️ 15-year-old Prince Michael Banner tragically lost his life to gun violence at The Marketplace on Sunday night. Consider helping Prince’s family during this difficult time by donating and/or sharing.

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See you next week!

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