Events

Sept. 16, 11 a.m. One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern kickoff of "Burro Genius" community read and National Hispanic Heritage Month with speakers and entertainment, Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, free   In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, all of Kern County is invited to join the next community read organized by One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern. The book, "Burro Genius," by Victor Villaseñor ("Rain of Gold," "Macho!") is a memoir of the author's experience as the child of Mexican immigrants growing up in Southern California during the 1940s and '50s. It is as much a commentary on the education system that discriminated against Spanish speakers – and failed to recognize the author's severe dyslexia that made him seem like a "stupid Mexican" – as it is a story of family, culture, heritage and coming of age. Lead partners Kern County Library and CSU Bakersfield have organized two months of programming related to the community read, starting with a kickoff on Sept. 16 (Mexican Independence Day) at the Beale Memorial Library, and culminating with the author himself giving a free talk at CSUB on Nov. 9. One Book, One Bakersfield, One Kern encourages all community members, young and old, to read the book, hold book discussions, and participate in the many events related to National Hispanic Heritage Month this fall. According to www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov, this year's theme "recognizes the strength and hard work of Hispanic Americans, whose zeal for family and country has helped shape society" – a very fitting theme for a community read of "Burro Genius."