Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce 2011 Beautiful Bakersfield Award Recipients

On Saturday evening, June 4 at 7:00 p.m., the 2011 Beautiful Bakersfield Awards was broadcast before a live audience of over 400 from the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton on KGET TV-17. The Beautiful Bakersfield Crystal Camellia awards are presented to local businesses, groups and citizens who helped to improve the image and quality of life in our community during 2010.

The evening celebration began with a hosted reception honoring all nominees and featuring visual displays of the many people and projects nominated for this year’s awards. The climax of the event was the live broadcast and announcement of winners in each of the 14 categories. A special Chairman’s Award was presented at the end of the evening to honor one nominee from among the entire list of 82 nominations for overall excellence, not specific to the criteria of any individual category.

Arts – Individual - Excellence or achievement by an individual in any of the following: visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), dance, literature, music, theater.
Jennifer Shrader: Bakersfield in the 1950s is fetchingly captured in a calendar created by Jennifer Shrader. Thirteen collage-style paintings celebrate our town, bringing smiles to those who remember and perhaps an “Oh, wow” from those who weren’t there to see and experience those memorable places and pieces of history that are part of our heritage.

Arts – Group - Excellence or achievement by a group in any of the following: visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture, etc.), dance, literature, music, theater.
A Grand Affair of the Heart: In celebration of the hospital’s 100th anniversary, San Joaquin Community Hospital Foundation, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Kern, created a unique project for local artists and the community. Metal hearts ranging from painted to mosaic were displayed and auctioned as fundraiser items demonstrating that Bakersfield really does have the “biggest heart.”

Architecture - The completion of a new design integrating the environment with space and materials.
California Living Museum Cats of California Exhibit: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. Paul Dhanens, Inc. and Van H. Gilbert, Architects; Bakersfield’s Valley Steel Construction, Contractor; Porter & Associates, Project Engineer.

All-America City Tradition – Civic/Nonprofit - The coordination of efforts that have enhanced the quality of life in Bakersfield.
KRC Foundation – Meet Your Neighbors: Hosting a series of year-round events, this on-going community outreach campaign links our community with the developmentally and physically disabled population, emphasizing the need to understand, include, accept and value the many abilities and significant contributions of those who are disabled.

Commercial Remodel - The completion of a renovated design that upgrades an existing structure and/or incorporates the use of landscaping to enhance the aesthetic value of the property.
The Norman Levan Center for the Humanities: 1801 Panorama Drive. Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc., Architect/Designer; S.C. Anderson, Contractor; Bakersfield College, Owner.

Education - Efforts that promote or benefit education in our city at all levels.
Dr. Julio Blanco: Dr. Blanco was instrumental in securing funding for California State University Bakersfield’s newest major offering -- Computer Engineering. With the goal of educating 21st century students who are capable of 21st century computer solutions, the program will expand and enhance opportunities as well as produce students who are capable of excelling in one of today’s highest-demand job markets.

Environmental - An individual, group or organization that promotes preservation and conservation of our local environment.
Bakersfield College Photovoltaic Field: Using renewable energy and cleaning the air, BC’s solar parking lot canopy is a state-of-the-art green-technology, power-generating facility. Stretching taxpayer dollars and creating about 1/3 of the college’s annual energy needs, the structure also displaces more than 2.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide – equivalent to removing nearly 6,000 cars from California roads. Good for the environment. Good for Bakersfield.

Health - An individual, group or organization that has made a significant contribution toward healthy living in Bakersfield through education, prevention or medical services.
Mercy and Memorial Hospitals’ Community Wellness Program: Taking health education and preventive health services directly to underserved neighborhoods and communities throughout the area, the Community Wellness Program provides no-cost, on-site screenings, wellness classes and self-management health tools that are part of the continuum of care that is available to and improves the quality of life in our community.

Humanitarian – Individual - An individual whose personal effort has contributed to the community as a whole.
Milt Younger: Worked year-round, dedicated to raising money, providing connections, consul and leadership, to support and assist the arts, healthcare, social organizations and education. Milt also supports Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Arts Council of Kern, Clinica Sierra Vista, Child Guidance Clinic, the Weill Foundation and M.A.D.D.

Humanitarian – Group - A group whose combined efforts has contributed to the community as a whole.
Klassen Corporation: Supports their more than 60 employees who collectively donated 2800 hours of their own time to community service organizations, including CSUB Alumni Association, Bakersfield College, Kern County Animal Shelter, CASA, and Bakersfield Rescue Mission. Klassen employees reached 135% of their goal in 2010.

Public/Private Partnership - The use of public/private funds in a partnership effort to enhance the quality of life in our community.
First 5 Kern – Ready to Start: Ensuring that four-year-olds with little or no preschool experience enter kindergarten “ready to learn,” the Ready to Start program created by Aera Energy and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools prepares students for academic and social success during a five-week session that effectively raises the educational bar and enhances the learning experience for children throughout Kern County.

Seniors - An individual or group over age 55 who exemplifies the contributions, strengths and commitment of senior citizens.
Darlyn Baker: Recognizing the value offered by active retirees, Darlyn Baker discovered employee recruitment nirvana at a local senior center and subsequently implemented Interim Healthcare’s on-going Retire to Hire program. Placed with clients who need help with daily living activities, senior workers provide care and companionship, derive a renewed sense of purpose while contributing to a win-win situation that benefits the quality of life for everyone.

Youth – Individual - An individual under age 21 who, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the call of good citizenship.
James O’Rourke: With first-hand awareness of his own mother’s limitations brought on by multiple sclerosis, James O’Rourke organized and implemented efforts to provide assistance to area residents who also are living with the disease. Aided by Troop 484, James’s vision for MS Service Day resulted in repairs and improvements for nine homeowners. His Eagle Scout project was recognized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which hopes to make his project an annual one.

Youth – Group - A group under age 21 that, through personal involvement and endeavors, has answered the call of good citizenship.
Stockdale High School: Participating in a wide range of community service projects, including Random Acts of Kindness, Interact, Achieve, Adopt-a-Star, Socks to Troops and a variety of clothing and food drives, Stockdale High students work year-round to help others by improving the quality of life for those in need throughout the community and beyond.

Chairman’s Award - Selected from all nominations submitted for exemplary actions that demonstrate the true meaning of Bakersfield: Life As It Should Be.
Assistance League of Bakersfield: Provides service to the community through philanthropic programs including Operation School Bell, Operation Opportunity, Operation Hugs, Operation Share, Operation Seniors and the Assistance League Scholarship Fund, all of which are achieved through volunteer participation.