Good morning, Bakersfield! It’s a beautiful Friday! We hope you’re ready for a fun and relaxing weekend. If you haven’t made plans yet, be sure to check out the events section for some great ideas!

Today’s brief includes:

• 🌍 Earthquake Update

• 🛣️ Road Closures

• 🌹Fun Fact Friday

• 📆 Upcoming Events

• 💌 Christmas Poll - Results

Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

Friday - 63°☀️ | Saturday - 65°☀️ | Sunday - 63°☀️

Brief Update…

Magnitude 7 Earthquake Update

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Petrolia, California, on Thursday morning, originating in the Mendocino Triple Junction. A tsunami warning was issued and later canceled. Over 39 aftershocks followed, and power outages affected 10,000 residents in Humboldt County. The quake caused shaking felt as far as San Francisco, though no significant damage or tsunami was reported. The USGS forecasted continued aftershocks, with potential economic losses estimated up to $100 million.

source: msn.com

Road Closures

Kern County Public Works announced overnight road closures for construction, running from 9pm to 5am through December 7. Affected areas include 7th Standard Road, Olive Drive, South Union Avenue, Laval Road, Niles Street, and Wofford Boulevard. Lane closures will impact both directions on various stretches, with drivers advised to adjust morning commutes.

source: bakersfieldnow.com

Christmas Card Poll

Do you send Christmas cards?

80% of voters said 🥁🥁 Yes, to everyone I know!!!

Thank you for participating!

Fun Fact Friday

California is the top poinsettia-producing state, and the colorful red part isn’t a flower, it’s a modified leaf.

source: ffa.org

Annual Bakersfield AIDS Walk

Bakersfield's AIDS Project will host its free Annual AIDS Walk this Saturday at Cal State Bakersfield, featuring a 3-mile walk to honor those lost to AIDS, support those living with it, and promote HIV education. Kern County's HIV rates are rising, with over 200 cases recorded in 2022. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the all-volunteer organization, with proceeds supporting community services. Attendance is recovering post-pandemic, but the walk's impact remains significant. The walk will start at 9am.

source: bakersfield.com

Lightning in a Bottle Tickets

Tickets for the 2025 Lightning in a Bottle festival go on sale Friday, 12/6, at noon. The four-day electronic dance music festival will run from May 21 to May 25, 2025, at Buena Vista Lake, featuring artists like John Summit, Subtronics, and TroyBoi. Fans can register for Tier 3 pricing and a chance at VIP upgrades.

Get your tickets

Events

• Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra - 12/6 - Mechanics Bank Arena

• Holly Jolly Holiday - 12/6 - The Eligon Social Collective (7pm)

• Drive-in Movie Nights - 12/6-12/7 - Cherry Acres ($20 per car/reservations required)

• Chez Noel (Holiday Home Tour) - 12/6-12/7 - starts at the Bargain Box 1924 Q St. ($40 ticket; tour starts at 10am)

• Holiday Pop Up Shop - 12/7 - Buena Vista Rd & Bolthouse Dr. (9am-2pm)

• Annual AIDS Walk - 12/7 - CSUB (9am-12pm)

• Holiday Bazaar - 12/7 - 14525 Plumeria Ct (5pm-8:30pm)

• Holiday Lamplight Tours - 12/7 - Kern County Museum (5pm-9pm; $10 ages 3 & up)

• Southwest Christmas Market - 12/7 - Stockdale High School (5:30pm-9:30pm)

  • Santa is coming for pictures!

• Christmas on the Farm - 12/7-12/8 - Cherry Acres (9am-5pm)

Christmas Events All Month

• CALM Holiday Lights - all month - CALM (purchase tickets)

• Bakersfield Christmas Town - all month - Kern County Fairgrounds (admission fee)

• Family Holiday Skate - all month - Valley Children’s Ice Center
  

2025:

• Boots in the Park - 3/7/25 - Bakersfield Sports Village

• Bakersfield Marathon - 3/30/25 - Kern County Museum

• Mud Factor - 4/26/25 - Kern County Raceway Park

• Lightning in a Bottle - 5/21-5/25 - Buena Vista Lake

Let us know about events coming up!

Kid Brief

• Bakersfield Christmas Market - Hobby Lobby parking lot

  • Free Kids Christmas Crafts Ornaments - 12/6 - (3pm-6pm)

  • Kids Christmas Crafts Wreath making - 12/7 - (2pm-5pm)

• Kids Night Out (Santa’s Workshop) - 12/6 - Color Me Mine

• Santa - 12/7 - Frosty’s Forest (12pm-2pm; Brimhall/Coffee)

• Santa Letters Express - 12/2-12/16 -Riverlakes Community Center (and other participating locations)

  • Write and send a letter to Santa and receive a letter back

• Santa Home Visits - 12/2-12/19 - call to book

Sports

Scoreboard

Thursday Night Football (NFL):

• Detroit Lions defeated Green Bay Packers 34 to 31

Food Brief

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth

• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 1-1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, drained, divided

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• Optional: sliced jalapeno pepper, sour cream and crispy tortilla strips

Directions:

1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chicken and onion in oil until lightly browned. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, chiles, cumin, oregano and cayenne; bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash 1 can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender.

3. Top each serving with cheese and, if desired, jalapeno pepper, sour cream and tortilla strips.

Full recipe: tasteofhome.com

Future Holiday Reminders

• 19 Days until Christmas

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