A Look Back at the Local History Lecture Series May 2009

The Inaugural Local History Lecture Series is, as they say, in the books. It was a great experience and all those who attended came away with a richer knowledge of Kern County and California History. I know I certainly did.

Some have asked me where I came up with this idea. The idea didn't just hit me...well, not right away anyway. The seed was planted when I was asked to contact Mark Arax about having him come to the Beale Memorial Library to speak about his book West of the West. I took down his phone number and called him and the rest is history.

Now that I had booked my first big author, I started brainstorming ideas. Then it came to me. While I was working on my B.A. and M.A. in History at California State University Bakersfield I frequently attended the "History Forum" sponsored by the CSUB History Department. The topics as well as the speakers varied and I always came away satisfied with some new found knowledge. I wanted to recreate this experience for those in our community who are interested in Local History. Instead of having only one speaker per year as CSUB did I thought I would expand it to include four speakers in a month and make it an annual event.

At this point I set out to find people to present. Because I serve as a liaison to the Kern County Historical Society I thought I would look there to fill the venue. I contacted Camille Gavin, Gilbert Gia, and Jeff Nickell who, as you know, agreed.

So, for those who missed any or all of the presentations I offer some brief summaries:

Jeff Nickell, Chronicles of Kern County: Jeff gave a very interesting talk about the Curtis Darling Post Card Collection. His presentation allowed us to see a different image of Bakersfield and Kern County and how the city has changed over the years. He also shared with us a little about the forthcoming book about the Bakersfield Sound.

Gilbert Gia, Steve Strelich Boxing Promoter: Gilbert Gia is currently President of the Kern County Historical Society. As Gilbert noted, Steve Strelich was a very colorful individual. It was his love of wrestling that made Strelich a successful promoter here in Bakersfield. Gilbert's manuscript is based on interviews with Strelich.

Mark Arax, The Last Okie of Lamont: Mark's book, West of the West, is illustrates the story of California. His stories take place all over California "but what holds them together," he notes, "is my own family." The book is about the dream of California, but while the dream is the same, Mark points out, the promise has changed. Mark kept the audience thoroughly engaged with readings from West of the West and In My Father's Name and stories about J.G. Boswell, Stuart Resnick, and California in general. When asked what the single theme was in West of the West he replied "the myth and reality of the California Dream."

Camille Gavin, Dear Cora: Camille's presentation was a great way to end this year's Local History Lecture Series. Before her presentation we had a few minutes to talk. I asked her how long it too her to research and write this book. She revealed that she had began her research in 1989 at the urging of Harland Boyd. Camille shared her memories of her grandmother Cora Bender and the letters her grandfather wrote to Cora beginning in 1888. The book is a must read for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of Bakersfield during the last part of the nineteenth century.

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Local History Authors Lecture Series

Join us on Thursday May 28 @ 7pm for Camille Gavin as she presents Dear Cora: A Personal History of Bakersfield's Early Days.

Formerly a children's librarian, Camille Gavin has been a professional journalist since 1974 and currently writes a weekly column for The Bakersfield Californian. Ms. Gavin has taught journalism and public relations at CSUB and is the author of numerous books: Biddy Mason: A Place of Her Own; Dear Cora: A Personal History of Bakersfield's Early Days; How Roadrunner Got His Red Spots; Yokuts Uses of Native Plants; and Kern's Movers and Shakers.

The Kern County Library Presents a Local Author Book Fair to be held at the Beale Memorial Library Auditorium, Saturday May 23, 2009 at 1pm.

The Kern County Library is excited to announce its inaugural Local Author Book Fair to be held Saturday May 23, 2009 at 1pm in the Beale Memorial Library Auditorium. The fair will highlight local authors and will include a display of their books and book sale.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet Kern County Authors Nick Belardes—Lords, Part One, Sarah Burns— Daughters of Juno, Chronicle I, Matilda of Argyll, Alicia Carrillo—Commo convertise en proveedor de ciuado de ninos y tener exito, Jim Magwood— Sanction, Jeff Nickell— Chronicles of Kern County, Rich Van Horne—Friday Night Heroes: 100 Years of Driller Football, and others.

Come and learn things that their books don’t reveal. Meet us at the Beale Memorial Library Auditorium for a great time!

For more information, call Chris Livingston at (661) 868-0745

Local History Authors Lecture Series

Mark Arax

The Kern County Library is proud to present award winning author Mark Arax Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Beale Memorial Library Auditorium. The program will feature the chapter "Last Okie of Lamont" from his latest book West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in the Golden State. The lecture will be the third in the Local History Authors Lecture Series.

Mr. Arax became a journalist in order to acquire the skills to investigate his father's unsolved murder, the subject of his 1996 book, In My Father's Name.

He is a Fresno native and has written for the Los Angeles Times covering many aspects of the Central Valley including Bakersfield. He also is the author of The King of California.