• The City of Bakersfield has entered into a contractual agreement with Fresno Community Development Financial Institution, DBA Access Plus Capital a California nonprofit, publicbenefit corporation (SUBRECIPIENT) to administer a loan to grant program ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The loan to grant program is available to for-profit small businesses impacted by COVID-19, physically located and operating in the City of Bakersfield. The loan fund available for this program is $1,900,000. Applications will be accepted for calendar period from March 15, 2021 through November 30, 2021 or until loan funds are fully deployed. Applications must be submitted online at www.accesspluscapital.com • Now accepting artist applications for BMoA's Visual Arts Festival. This biannual juried exhibition of small works has been a BMoA tradition since 1989. This year's theme: Self / Society. Requirements: Open to artists age 18+, Artist must live in California, Application fee: $40 application for members / $50 for nonmembers, Application deadline is April 1, 2021., Due to the pandemic, this years VAF will be an online exhibition. Visit bmoa.org/visual-artsfestival for more information and to apply. • Our iconic property was originally built in 1952, at a time when our dining room sung with live piano music, our bar bustled with games and activity, and our pool was enjoyed by travelers soaking in the desert sun. At Cuyama Buckhorn, we are bringing these glory days back with a new glistening pool to splash into, a jacuzzi to warm up in on cool desert nights, and a sauna to take in our stunning sunsets! Come and discover The Hidden Valley of Enchantment of our resort retreat! https://www.cuyamabuckhorn.com/ stay
• COVID-19’s impacts on the economy have been widely reported. But there are still many who are eligible for Medi-Cal that need guidance. A generous grant from Health Net’s 2021 Community & Infrastructure Investment Program will ensure that our community partners can work on getting more individuals and families that are eligible for Medi-Cal signed up, as we continue to bridge the gap and pave the way for better access to health care for all Californians. Learn more: https://www.healthnet. com/content/healthnet/en_us/newscenter/news-releases/2021-02-15community-organizations-receivenew-funding-to-help-californians.html. • Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) offered energy savings tips and tools to help customers save money on their utility bills. During cold weather, like we’ve experienced over the last several weeks, it is possible to use three to seven times more natural gas than in summer months as your home heater responds to your thermostat settings and your water heater works harder to keep water hot. SoCalGas works to secure the best prices for the natural gas it supplies to customers. The cost customers pay for natural gas is what the utility pays. The utility also offers customer assistance programs that help people with bill discounts and provide free home improvements that help conserve energy and save money. To learn more about SoCalGas' energy-saving programs and services or for more information on how to more efficiently manage natural gas usage and possibly reduce monthly natural gas bills, customers with questions about their winter bill can go to socalgas.com or call 800-427-2200.
• The Guild House is now offering limited outdoor seating. They will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Menus can be viewed at www.guildhousebakersfield.org. • League of Dreams is having an in-person gala on Saturday, March 20! The event will be at the Salty's BBQ Event Center located at 6720 Schirra Ct. They are taking precautions, limiting the amount of tickets and spacing tables farther apart. They want to make sure that when they are able, they can get their athletes back on the field and to do so, they will fundraise! For those who cannot attend, the silent auction will go live online one week prior, so you still have a great chance to support League of Dreams and win some fun items! Some sponsorships are still available and event tickets are first-come, first-serve. Don't wait! Get your tickets now! For more information, visit https://www.ourleagueofdreams. com/events.php. • The Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference decided to move their 2021 conference to a fully online, virtual experience that will take place on Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29. They are excited that a virtual event makes it possible to broaden not only our learning and engagement opportunities, but the audience beyond Bakersfield as well. Attendees will have access to more conference sessions than ever before! In addition to their celebrity keynote speakers, attendees can now partake in as many BWBC workshops as they’d like (30+ options!) with early access starting Monday, April 26. Ticket registration is now open: http://bakersfieldwomen.org/.
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