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Community News

Bill paves way for Rosedale facelift
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that will allow the city and county to improve and expand Rosedale Highway.

Authored by Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, the bill will pave the way for the construction of a vital congestion relief project.

“With more and more people choosing to live and work in Bakersfield and Kern County, we simply cannot afford to wait any longer to improve our local roads and highways,” McCarthy said in a prepared statement.

Under Assembly Bill 1858, the portion of Highway 58 that runs between Highway 99 and Enos Lane is transferred from the state to the county and city and will be expanded to three lanes each way.

“Bakersfield is such a hub of trucks and traffic congestion now. By relinquishing the roads to the city and county, they can get construction going faster,” said Julie Sauls, McCarthy’s chief of staff.

The construction will be paid for by the city, county, state and federal money secured by U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas, R-California, for local roads improvement.

Folklorico group seeks softball players
A group that connects Latinos, mostly youth, with the art of folklorico dancing is holding a softball tournanment to raise money for its program.

The public is invited to support the tournament, which  will be held Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Northwest Fields (Greenacres and Jewetta).

Games begin at 8 a.m. This will be a co-ed slow-pitch tournament.

For participants, each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games. There will be a four-team playoff with a championship game  and 3rd/4th place game.

The cost is $225 per softball team with a $50 deposit at sign-up. Proceeds from the tournament will help Grupo Escuelas Unidas purchase new costumes and pay fee for annual performance.

For more info., call  Jesus Cardenas at 205-7793.

In addition, the group is seeking new dancers.

Practices are every Monday at Thorner Elementary. The younger children/beginners start at 5:30 p.m., and the young adults begin at 6:30 p.m.  Attend Monday’s pratice for sign ups.

For more info., please call Silvia Guzman at 872-6067 or Nayeli Cardenas at 205-7791.

Student exchange set with sister city
California State Bakersfield is working with Bakersfield’s sister city of Querétaro, Mexico for a student exchange program.

An agreement between CSUB and the two universities was signed in July. Both schools hope to have a group of students for spring of 2007.

The exchange will open the door to new possibilities, said Cal State political science professor Mark Martinez.

“If they’re prepared, they will also be eligible for internships in Querétaro. The idea is to get them language skills and work experience,” he said, adding that students will gain a multicultural experience and be prepared to work in the global economy.

One of the schools is a business school, but through the other university in Querétaro, students from all majors that are interested in studying abroad can participate, Martinez said.

Students interested in the program can contact Martinez at 654-2352.

— Compiled from staff and wire reports