Community Corner
🌱 What Kern County residents must do before unsecured tax penalties hit
Coming up: Bakersfield Backyard BBQ Hosted By The Tracy's on the Bakersfield Patch calendar
Good morning Bakersfield! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
- What Kern County residents must do before unsecured tax penalties hit
- What changes will Sgt. Robert Pair bring to county criminal investigations?
- How more trees—and maintenance—could change Bakersfield's hottest, dirtiest streets.
Also on today's calendar: Bakersfield Backyard BBQ Hosted By The Tracy's and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 100 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Hot with periods of sun, temps: high: 103, low: 75.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and very hot, with a high of 107 and low of 75 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Kern County's unsecured property tax deadline is inching closer. Here's what you need to know. (kget.com) — If you own business equipment, farm gear, boats, or similar assets in Kern County, you'll need to pay your unsecured property tax bill by August 31 to avoid a 10% penalty. Officials in Bakersfield say payments can be made online, by mail, or in person, with electronic checks free and card payments carrying a small processing fee. 
2. DA taps Bakersfield Police Sgt. Robert Pair as next Chief of the Bureau of Investigations (bakersfieldnow.com) — Kern County's district attorney has chosen Bakersfield Police Sgt. Robert Pair to lead the DA's Bureau of Investigations, which handles serious cases like homicides. Pair, a longtime BPD leader, will take over from retiring Chief Randall Meyer in early October and oversee a 50-person investigative staff serving Bakersfield and the wider county.
3. Bakersfield residents push for more trees and cleaner air as heat and pollution concerns grow (turnto23.com) — Bakersfield residents are pressing city leaders for more trees, better maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades to combat intense heat and poor air quality. Community members and Council Member Andrae Gonzales describe dead street trees, needed watering systems, and costly sidewalk and irrigation work that could reshape local neighborhoods if the city moves forward.
4. Fight to save the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield (turnto23.com) — Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield faces an uncertain future, including at least one offer that would demolish the landmark venue. Fans, including musician Scotty Crabtree, are rallying with a petition while the Buck Owens Private Foundation and the City of Bakersfield look for a buyer who can reopen and reimagine the space for the community.
5. Bakersfield Fox Theater announces Cults & Classics 2026-2027 season (kget.com) — Bakersfield movie lovers can now grab early-bird season passes for the Fox Theater's 2026–27 Cults & Classics film series, which includes 18 screenings and free popcorn at each show. Discounted $50 passes are available for two weeks before rising to $55, with $5 individual tickets on sale starting August 31.
📸 Around Bakersfield
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bakersfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am - Paraprofessional Testing Date
Greenfield Union Bakersfield, CA 93307
9:00 am - Volleyball Media Day
East Bakersfield High School New Gym
6:00 pm - @Harvey lobby-10th Picture Day
Harvey Auditorium 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304 - Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am - FS Girls Volleyball vs BHS
East Bakersfield High School , 2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield, CA 9
4:00 pm - JV Girls Volleyball vs BHS
East Bakersfield High School , 2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield, CA 9
5:00 pm - Bakersfield Backyard BBQ Hosted By The Tracy's →
Bakersfield, Bakersfield
6:00 pm - Varsity Girls Volleyball vs BHS
East Bakersfield High School , 2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield, CA 9
6:15 pm - Smells Like Nirvana Tribute with Dead Original Live in Concert →
Legends Lounge & Event Center, 7900 Downing Ave, Bakersfield
7:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Thursday September 3
📣 Bakersfield Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- WES Back to School Night
Standard Elementary School District Bakersfield, CA 93308
5:00 pm - HES Back to School Night
Highland Elementary Bakersfield, CA 93308
5:30 pm - Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live →
Mechanics Bank Arena,, 1001 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield
6:30 pm - Dustin Nickerson →
The Well Comedy Club, 1517 18th St, Bakersfield
5:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My long struggle with homelessness, going to school, keeping your grades up, working toward a career, and refusing to give up.
I'll keep it respectful so people understand your point instead of feeling attacked. I normally don't share my whole story, but after reading some… (Nextdoor Legacy / Shiloh) - Our almost 3 year old has been friends with an elderly man in a wheelchair for the last 2 years.
We only know him as grandpa pete, never found out his last name since this hospice is now all of a sudden. His family has met my hubby and our… (Nextdoor Loma)
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for USPS Mail Clerk in Bakersfield. Apply here.
- Yoshinoya America, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Bakersfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bakersfield here.
Ok Bakersfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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