1 year anniversary

One quick note. I was looking to see when I had posted my very 1st newsletter, and on June 18 2025 I officially published 1st issue of TBG to a whole 0 audience! Look how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.

I want to say thank you all for supporting from the bottom of my heart. Do you guys have any suggestions on how we should celebrate?! If you do, email me at [email protected]

Local Business Spotlight

I went to John’s Burgers downtown at 3019 F St, and man I had forgotten how good it is. I used to frequent the River location, but I hadn’t had the F St. in a few years.

If you know John’s Burgers, you know it’s just a tasty good joint. If you’ve never tried it, i’d highly recommend!

People rave about the chili cheese fries here.

City Council Recap

Residents Continue Pushing for Harris Road Safety Improvements
Several residents returned to council chambers to discuss safety concerns at Harris Road and Summer Springs Drive following a recent fatal crash. Neighbors thanked the city for recent striping, signal, and enforcement improvements but urged officials not to lose momentum, saying speeding and failure-to-stop violations remain common. City leaders reiterated that a roadway redesign is planned and committed to continuing work with the neighborhood.

Public Comments Focused on Budget Priorities
During public comment, several speakers urged the city to invest more heavily in affordable housing, youth programs, neighborhood improvements, and community services. Others called for financial assistance programs to help residents cope with recently approved utility rate increases.

Residents Advocate for the Kern River
Community members spoke about the future of the Kern River and Kern River Parkway, encouraging city leaders to support long-term improvements, recreation access, environmental stewardship, and preservation efforts. Speakers emphasized the importance of protecting one of Bakersfield's most recognizable natural assets.

Boys & Girls Club Celebrates 60 Years
The council recognized the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County's 60th anniversary, celebrating an organization that now serves more than 17,000 youth throughout Kern County.

💡 Click the underlined event name for tickets or more info. If it has blue highlighted like this, it’s a reoccurring event.

• Chess Club @ Temblor Brewing (5PM) Weekly community chess meetup open to casual and competitive players.
• Big Angry Booking Presents @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (Doors 6PM) All-ages local metal and hardcore showcase. $10 cover.
• Cruise Night @ Chuy's Baja Grill (6PM) Weekly car show and community cruise night featuring classic cars, vendors, and music.
• FREE Open Mic Night @ The Well Comedy Club (Sign Ups 6PM / Show 7PM) Weekly comedy open mic featuring local comics, first-time performers, and seasoned comedians testing new material. Free to attend.

• Art in Parks Festival @ Tule Elk State Natural Reserve (10AM–2PM) Free arts and crafts festival featuring Tule Elk tours, hands-on activities, and guided reserve tours.
• Ceramics Hand Building Workshop @ Meraki Creative Works (6PM–8PM) Beginner-friendly ceramics workshop with clay and materials provided.
• Movie Night at The Lot: The Sandlot @ The Lot | 7500 Rosedale Hwy(Event 6PM–10PM / Movie 8:15PM) Outdoor movie night featuring The Sandlot. Bring your own chair.
• Mal Hall Comedy Show @ Sonder American Bistro & Craft Cocktails (Dinner 6PM / Show 8PM) Comedy night featuring comedian Mal Hall.
• Matt Stone as Elvis @ The Nile Theater (Doors 6PM / Show 7PM) Live Elvis tribute performance celebrating the music of Elvis Presley.
• Fairfax Grange Friday Night Social Dance @ Fairfax Grange (Practice 6:30PM / Dance 7PM–9PM) Community dance night open to all skill levels.
• Friday Night Magic @ Bakersfield Esports Center (6:30PM) Weekly Magic: The Gathering meetup for casual and competitive players.
• Canvas Clearance Bash @ Corks & Strokes (7PM–9PM) Creative paint night featuring discounted canvas projects.
• Jay Chandrasekhar Live @ The Well Comedy Club (7PM & 9:30PM) Stand-up comedy from the Super Troopers co-creator.
• Mean Girls @ Ovation Theatre (7:30PM) Opening weekend performance of the hit musical comedy.
• The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County @ Bakersfield Community Theatre (7:30PM) Musical written by Stephen King with music and lyrics by John Mellencamp.
• Movies in the Park: Despicable Me 4 @ Bakersfield Sports Village (Dusk) Free outdoor movie night. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
• MADGRRL @ Paradise Palace Event Center (8PM–3AM) Electronic music event featuring MADGRRL. 18+.

• F Street Farmers Market @ In Your Wildest Dreams Parking Lot (7:45AM–12PM) Local farmers market featuring produce, baked goods, handmade goods, and small businesses.
• Free Smog Repair Event @ Kern County Fairgrounds South Gate (7:45AM–11:45AM) Vehicle emissions assistance event offering up to $500 in free qualifying repairs.
• Free Bulky Item Drop-Off Event @ Riverlakes Ranch Park (8AM–12PM) Free city-sponsored bulky item disposal event for Bakersfield residents.
• Folk's in the Oaks Yard Sale 2026 @ Oaks Neighborhood (8AM–12PM) Community-wide yard sale featuring dozens of participating homes.
• Root & Rise @ Almondale Park (8AM–12PM) Family wellness event featuring seed planting, yoga, creativity activities, and giveaways.
• Riverlakes Farmers Market @ CHS Parking Lot (9AM–1PM) Weekend farmers market featuring local produce, vendors, and food options.
• Summer Social Market @ Tractor Supply Co. | 2749 Calloway Dr (9AM–2PM) Community market featuring local makers, artists, food, drinks, and family-friendly activities.
• Breathe With The Trees @ Hart Park Peacock House (10AM–11AM) Guided heart rhythm meditation session led by Robin Carpenter.
• The Light Market @ Bakersfield First Church (10AM–2PM) Faith-based community market featuring vendors, food, drinks, petting zoo, and family activities.
• Figure Drawing with Jae @ Art with Heart Studio (10AM–11:30AM) Beginner-friendly figure drawing workshop focused on sketching fundamentals.
• Skateboard Contest @ Heritage Park (12PM–1PM) Community skateboard competition featuring cash and merch prizes. Best trick contest!
• Turtle Surf Paint Party @ Corks & Strokes (12PM–1:30PM) Guided beach-themed painting workshop.
• Storytime at the Park @ David Nelson Pocket Park (1PM–3PM) Bilingual reading event featuring activities, water games, and free books.
• BEC Gridiron Gauntlet: Madden 26 @ Bakersfield Esports Center (3PM) Competitive Madden NFL 26 tournament. $20 entry.
• Beautiful Bakersfield Awards 2026 @ Dignity Health Theater & Convention Center (5PM) Bakersfield Chamber event recognizing community leaders and organizations.
• Toros y Alabanzas @ Rancho Los Palominos (Doors 5PM) Faith, culture, and community event featuring bull riding, music, vendors, and family activities.
• CENTER STAGE Drag Benefit Supporting The Center @ The Center (6PM) Fundraiser drag show benefiting The Center Kern County.
• Southwest Night Market @ Independence High School Parking Lot (6PM–10PM) Community night market featuring food, desserts, drinks, crafts, boutiques, collectibles, and vendors.
• Movie Night at The Lot: Sing @ The Lot | 7500 Rosedale Hwy(Event 6PM–10PM / Movie 8:15PM) Outdoor movie night featuring Sing. Bring your own chair.
• School's Out For Summer Race Night @ Bakersfield Speedway (7PM) Race night featuring IMCA divisions, National Dwarfs, and Hobby Stocks.
• Darrell Hammond & Chris Kattan @ The Well Comedy Club (7PM) Live comedy event featuring two Saturday Night Live legends.
• 1/10 Scale Balloon Battle @ The Hobby Gym (7PM) RC car balloon battle competition. Free event.
• Crushed Glass Art Party @ Corks & Strokes (7PM–9PM) Create-and-sip workshop featuring crushed glass artwork.
• Mean Girls @ Ovation Theatre (7:30PM) Weekend performance of the musical comedy.
• The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County @ Bakersfield Community Theatre (7:30PM) Weekend performance of the Stephen King musical.
• The Lovers Rock: Tribute to Sade @ BottleShock Wine & Brew (8PM) Fundraiser concert benefiting STEM education in Kern County.
• Better Off Alone 2000s Dance Rave @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (Doors 8PM) Throwback dance party celebrating early 2000s hits. No cover.
• Lucky Rabbit: Catchmall Rave Experience @ 212 E 18th St (8PM–Late) Multi-genre rave featuring local DJs and performers. 18+.

• Haggin Oaks Farmers Market @ 8800 Ming Ave (9AM–2PM) Sunday farmers market featuring produce, artisan vendors, and food options.
• Bakolandia Sunday Picnic Market @ Tractor Supply Co. | 6710 Colony St (10AM–3PM) Family-friendly outdoor market featuring local vendors, treats, shopping, and activities.
• Squishy Swap Social @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (11AM–2PM) Family-friendly fidget and squishy trading event featuring vendors and swap tables.
• House Party Family Day @ Temblor Brewing (12PM–1PM Ages 3–6 / 2PM–3PM Ages 7–12) Children's entertainment event featuring games, songs, dancing, and activities.
• Still Life in Amethyst @ Corks & Strokes (1PM–2:30PM) Guided floral painting workshop.
• Mean Girls @ Ovation Theatre (2PM) Sunday matinee performance.
• 100 Years of Peacocks at Hart Park @ Peacock House (2PM) Historical presentation by Peghi Webb about Hart Park's peacock legacy.
• Richard Deval & Friends Pride Edition @ BottleShock Wine & Brew (2PM–Sunset) Pride celebration featuring DJs, performers, vendors, and drinks.
• BEC Solo Lane Showdown: League of Legends 1v1 @ Bakersfield Esports Center (5PM) Competitive League of Legends tournament. $20 entry.

• Momentum In Motion Community Resource Event @ 712 17th St (11AM–2PM) Free community resource event featuring food, showers, haircuts, clothing, and support services.
• Motown Mondays w/ Kev King @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (6PM–10PM) Weekly Motown night featuring classic hits and downtown vibes.
• Bingo & Beer @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly bingo night.
• Dungeons & Dragons Meetup @ Bakersfield Esports Center (7PM) Weekly tabletop meetup welcoming new and experienced players.

• Neighborhood Clean-Up @ Jefferson Park (5:30PM–6:30PM) Volunteer clean-up event helping beautify the neighborhood.
• Bubbles, Boards & Bingo @ What Kim Craves & Wine Me Up (6PM–8PM) Summer kickoff bingo event featuring bubbly and charcuterie.
• Blacklight Sip & Paint @ BottleShock Wine & Brew (6:30PM) Neon painting experience with wine included.
• Bakersfield Jazz Workshop @ The Phoenix at Sundale Country Club (6:30PM–8:30PM) Community jazz workshop featuring instruction and live performance opportunities.
• Pub Trivia @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly trivia night testing knowledge across multiple categories.

• KERN OIL Documentary Screening @ Studio Movie Grill (1:30PM & 7:10PM) Documentary exploring Kern County's oil industry.
• Stepping Stones Free Guided Art Summer Session @ nX Annex (3PM–5PM) Free guided art session for all ages.
• Family Game Night @ Temblor Brewing (4PM) Weekly family-friendly board game meetup.
• Cornhole Tournament @ Temblor Brewing (5:30PM) Weekly community cornhole tournament.
• Western Wednesdays @ Fairfax Grange (Doors 5:40PM / Lessons 6PM) Weekly western dance night featuring two-step instruction.
• Bingo Night @ BarrelHouse Bakersfield (6PM) Weekly free-to-play bingo night.
• Ceramics Glaze Session @ Meraki Creative Works (6PM–8PM) Glazing session for returning ceramics participants.
• MicroMania Tour @ Legends Event Center (Doors 6PM / Show 7PM) 18+ micro wrestling entertainment show.
• MixxedFit Dance Fitness Class @ My Dance & Fitness Studio (7PM–8PM) High-energy dance fitness class led by Frank.
• Word on the Street Open Mic @ nX Annex (7PM–9PM) Open mic night featuring poets and acoustic performers.
• Emo Karaoke @ Jerry's Pizza & Pub (7PM–Midnight) Weekly emo and pop-punk karaoke night.
• Bingo Night + Live Music w/ Vince Galindo @ Rooster's Honky Tonk (8PM) Weekly bingo paired with live country music.

Me finishing up this issue coming off 0 sleep from my overnight shift

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TBG