Story by Catherine Stachowiak
Sunday, February 4, Galloping Gomez (Robert Gomez) held an Indian Taco feast at Kern Valley Museum Annex, with drummers drumming and other cultural items. There Gomez raffled off a gift basket The Mother Lode antique store provided and items Gomez hand made including walking sticks and Tubatulabal clap sticks.
Looking forward Saturday, February 10, from 12-4 Gomez is holding a meet and greet at The Mother Lode antique store with live Native music on stage. He will be raffling off baskets.
Gomez’s Whiskey Flat mayor campaign is raising support for the Tubatulabal tribe to develop programs, so the Kern Valley community can enjoy their tribe’s new property, and to continue the tribe’s application for Federal Recognition. Those who wish to donate online can do so on the Tubatulabal web page: https://www.tubatulabal.org/
River Rat Ryan’s team held a fundraiser at the Cheryl’s Diner anniversary, Friday January 26 with Karaoke, auction items and free bribes with every meal. They also held a Poker Tournament fundraiser at the Saloon in Kernville, Saturday January 27.
Their team had a cup of Joe event Saturday Feb. 3 at Mother Lode with raffles, baskets and bribes and is now selling tee shirts at the Mother Lode with unique designs to raise funds for their cause, COEP, a club encouraging youth from Camp Erwin Owen to excel in positive character training and serving the community with good deeds.
Powder Packin’ Powers and Mad Miner Zuber showed up at the Kern River Valley Branch Library, to read from one of Power’s grandfather’s books. This was not a fundraiser though it came to light, at the end of the reading, that Powers intends to auction a set of his grandfather’s historical book series, which has his grandfather Bob Powers actual signature in it, at an upcoming fundraiser.
Saturday the Powers team held a line dancing event at the Eagles Lodge to raise money for the Sierra Shared Spaces, a facility Powers wants to open in Lake Isabella to promote the economic development of the Kern Valley.
Sunday the Powers/Zuber team also held a bowling event at Mt. Mesa Lanes.
They invited the public to attend their next event, Friday February 9, at 4pm at Eagles Lodge in Lake Isabella for a Poker Tournament, with $100 buy-in, extra chips for $20 and buy back in for $60 for the first two rounds.
Saturday February 11 at 2:30 the Powers candidate team will hold a fundraiser at Kern River Ceviche Company wherein Mad Miner Zuber might be bribed into taking shots of hot sauce. Sunday they will be holding a “Superb Owl” super bowl at Paradise Cove Lodge and selling squares leading up to game day.
Monday February 12, at 4pm Powers’ team will be holding an axe throwing event and hot dog chow-down at Barber’s Guild, in Lake Isabella.
They also planned a spaghetti dinner at the Masonic Lodge where they’ll auction off a Valentines Day floral arrangement from Designs by Erin, Tuesday February 13 at 5pm, followed by a Valentines Day dinner at Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge with roses from Designs by Erin for purchase that come with a free bribe, February 14 at 5pm.
Then off to a Whiskey Flat Days kick-off party Thursday February 15 at 5pm at the Kern Valley Museum.