Send us information today on your latest life events such as new email, births, deaths, marriages, location, relocation, academic achievements, career news, retirement, travel, and hobbies to arvinalumni@arvinalumni.org. Be sure to include your name and your class. If you have pictures (remember this is a family page), send them along to so we can post them with your message.
Disclaimer
The Arvin High Alumni Association (AHAA) routinely allows messages from alumni and alumni association members to be posted on this site. The posting of items here should not be viewed as an 'endorsement or sponsorship' by the AHAA. The AHAA reserves the right to refuse to post, edit, and/or delete postings found to be in violation of AHAA policies. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the AHAA has to be very careful that its activities, and the various media it uses to communicate those activities with supporters and the community at large not be construed as violating the non-profit statutes that empower the organization.
Farrell Neeley, Webmaster
BREAKING NEWS
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09/05/08 Ruthie 'Ramos' Tafoya (Class of 1988) Writes: I am living in Bakersfield with my husband, Gene; son, Cris (14 years old) and daughter, Jackie (12 years old). Currently I am finishing up Master’s Degree from CSU Dominguez Hills and working for UC Davis. I would love to catch up with old classmates! My email address is rbtafoya@ucdavis.edu . |
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08/29/08 Class of 1998 10th Reunion: I received an email from Norma Castro informing me that the Class of 1998 will be holding its 10th reunion at the Camino Real (formerly El Cazador) on the Truxtun Extension, on Saturday, October 4, 2008. For more information, contact Norma Castro at morma7@yahoo.com or phone her at 661-303-4228. They also plan to have a presence at the homecoming game on October 3, 2008, so make plans now to attend both events... |
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08/29/08 "Bad News On The Doorstep..." So goes a line from 'American Pie'. I have been away for a few days and am just stunned with how many emails I got while I was gone regarding deaths of classmates from across the years at Arvin High School. Here goes: Pat Toles (Class 1954); Patricia 'Sue' (McClellan) Olds (Class of 1953) http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000116241689X; Birdalee Weber (Class of 1953); Twila (Harris) Cota (Class of 1971) http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000116408227X; and Barbara (Watkins) Taylor (Class of 1955) http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000116408219X. Our sincerest condolences to their families and friends. |
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08/20/08 Linda Fay 'Dozier' Leon (Class of 1961): When I posted the names of deceased classmates on the 17th, I was not able at that time to get a class year for Linda 'Dozier' Leon. Today I have reason to believe that she was a member of the Class of 1961 and I am posting it here accordingly. If any of you have information to the contrary, I'd be glad to post a correction. Until then we will at least honor her memory with this posting. |
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08/18/08
Sue 'McClellan' Olds (Class
of 1953):
(Mary Durham sent us this email last week.) Sue's husband
just called me to let me know that she passed away early Wednesday
morning (08/13/08) from cancer. Please let all her classmates
know. I am sending e-mails to all of them that I have e-mail
addresses for. For those of you that don't or didn't know Sue, she
was in the class of 1953 and she lived in the big white house directly
across the street from Arvin High School. She married Dick Horner
right out of high school. They later divorced and she and her second
husband "Doc" have lived in Meadville AZ for the past 10 years.
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| 08/17/08 The Following Passings Should Be Noted: They were called to my attention this past week either in phone calls, emails, or obituary clippings sent in by many of you; they appear here in no particular order, so please don't take offense and send me angry emails. In some cases I will need your help in getting the class year correct if I wasn't given one. Shirley James (Class of 1978), Sergio Contreras (Class of 1960), Ruby Lee Devin (Class of 1952), Phyllis Barksdale Bolles (Class of 1958), George Leon (Class of 1956), and Carol Leon Garza (Class of 1968). Some of these Bears have passed recently and for others it has been many years. It remains important that we recognize their lives on these pages... |
| 08/16/08 Life Update For Ron Dominguez (Class of 1973): We got a nice email from Ron Dominguez (Class of 1973) letting us know that he is alive and well and living in Bakersfield. Ron is the Manager of a Marketing Division for a Timeshare Corporation (its a world famous company so Ron's being modest I think). At any rate, Ron is well, living in Bakersfield, and the father of two. If you want to get in touch with him, his email is rsd3655@yahoo.com |
| 08/13/08 Football Schedule: The updated 2008 Football schedule is posted on the calendar page if you want to find out who the Bears are taking on this season. If you have an entry for the alumni calendar, drop us a line and we'll get it posted. We welcome information about community events and matters of interest to the alumni of Arvin High School... |
| 08/03/08 Gerald Sanderson (Class of 1956) Writes: "...it's with sadness that I report the passing of Walter V. Tallon, Class of 1957. His death was published in The Bakersfield Californian on April 15, 2008. Is anyone doing a website for the Class of 1956? I have photos I'd like to share if there is a site to send them to, including three class pictures of my Arvin Elementary School class taken in 1946-47, 1947-1948, and 1949-1950. Let me know! Please update my Address: Gerald Sanderson 13198 Kirkwood Lane Neosho, MO 64850 Email: arvin56@live.com |
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07/30/08
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07/05/08 Chuck Jones, Class of 1971 Writes: Hello folks, I'm Chuck Jones. I went to school in Arvin from the second thru tenth grades before my family moved to Arkansas. I was a member of the class of 1971. My dad was pastor of First Baptist Church in Arvin. I grew up at 573 Walnut Drive (when I wasn't at the pool or the park or running the streets with Dennis Bailey or Tommy "Coyote T" Sims). I now live in Wynne, Arkansas and I'm in the panelized housing business. I also work in economic development and affordable housing issues in the Mississippi River Delta. I have 2 older sisters who graduated from Arvin High, Jo Lynn 'Jones' Rowland (1968) and Judy 'Jones' Wilson (1969) who both reside in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tennessee. I have been married for thirty years and have two daughters and one granddaughter. I not only remember the Arvin High Fight song but also the Haven Drive Fight Song (Come join the band, and give a cheer for Haven Drive ...) I can be reached at wallpanels@hotmail.com |
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Class of 1968 Reunion September 27, 2008 Noriega's Restaurant for more info contact Martha Pichardo McGuire or Linda Gonzaga (661) 587-2667 or (661) 845-2678 |
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06/30/08 Class of 1952 & Class of 1958 Classmates Passing: I received emails this week asking me to post a note on bulletin board regarding the passings of Margaret 'Rexroth' McDonald of the class of 1952 and Leo Leach of the class of 1958. I am sure that many of you knew these old Bears. Even for those of us who did not know them, we are diminished by their passings... |
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06/11/08 Class of 2008 Member Anayeli Gomez Writes: "...I would really appreciate it if my friend's name appears on the 'In Memory' list. His name is Luis F. Chavez and he passed away in a car accident on September 15, 2005, during our sophomore year. He would have graduated with us this spring. I do not know how you guys determine whose name is listed, but it makes me feel bad that my friend's name is not being remembered." |
Anayeli...Please consider Luis 'remembered' forever as both an Alumnus of Arvin High School and fellow Bear...
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06/11/08 Class of 1960 Update:
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06/11/08 Class of 1968 Reunion: Arvin High Class of 1968 – 40th Reunion, Looking for classmates - for more information contact:
Martha Pichardo McGuire - (661) 587-2667 marthamcguire@prodigy.net
Linda Gonzaga (661) 845-2678 or (661) 345-5433 gztrck@earthlink.net
Date & Time: TBD |
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06/03/08 The Passing of an Arvin High School Icon: The Barle family informed us this afternoon that Mr. Frank Barle – for whom our stadium is named – passed away this morning at 10 a.m. Mr. Barle taught, coached and served as athletic director at AHS. He was a member of the 49ers – the group of staff members that were the first teachers at Arvin High. Mr. Barle attended our football games regularly. He never forgot a name and could identify a student even 50 years after they had been in his class. He was a true gentleman and a Bear through and through. We will miss his gentle presence and keen sense of humor. The family will notify us of funeral arrangements which we will share with you. Blanca G. Cavazos, Principal
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06/03/08 AHAA Can Now Accept Online Donations: As of June 3rd we are set up to receive donations online through any of your accounts through PayPal, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, and by Bank Transfer. This will allow you to donate, pay membership dues, and eventually buy merchandise from the alumni association that we can only offer now at local events. I encourage you to be generous and when we have some worthy cause we are promoting, I'll include a link to the "Giving To AHAA" page so you can take part instantly. Thanks for all your past support and all the future support you'll send now that it's so much easier. |
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06/02/08 New Names On The Class of 1958 Memorial Page: I have added the following names to the Class of 1958 'In Memory' Page. They had not previously been listed. I am uncertain when they passed, but certainly want to let their friends know that they have gone. They are Leo Colbert, Elsie 'Stout' Meyer, Gaylord Patton, Earl Armstrong, and Harold George. Thanks to Winnie Royal for the information... |
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06/02/08 Class of 1958 50th Reunion Committee: I received an email from Winnie Royal of the Class of 1958 letting me know that they have formed a 50th Reunion Committee. The Committee has selected October 17 and 18, 2008 as the reunion dates. The contact information remains the same. The class web site is located at www.arvinhs1958.com for further information... |
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06/02/08 David Alcaraz Class of 1964 Dropped us an Email: "...I was looking through the list of people in my class (1964) who are now dead, and I saw that Rick Maltone’s name was not on the list. I was informed by Phyllis Guevarra (nee) a mutual friend, that Rick passed on in November of 2007." Thanks David for the update, I'll get the word out... |
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06/02/08 Waylan Harris AKA Waylan Peaker Class of 1952: I got a forwarded email message from Rosa 'Peaker' Marcich regarding the passing of her father Waylan. Waylan died of cancer, a few days after his 74th birthday at his home in Mexico, where he had lived for many years. Rosa wanted his old classmates to know that their will be a memorial service on June 21st in Madrid, New Mexico. Waylan owned and operated a trading post/art gallery for many years before he retired to Mexico. For more information she suggested the following link...http://www.visitmadridnm.com |
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05/19/08
Wendy 'Reiswig' Bailey (Class of 1972) Writes:
"...I'm looking for a current address for Karen
Flescher. My brother Randy called me a couple of months ago with the news
that she is now up in Washington State, not too far from a house and boat we
own up there. Of course, I wrote down her new last name and
number on.....something.....which I can't find anymore. I'm going up
in July and would love to see her. I think she's living in Friday
Harbor, which is where we'll be staying on Neil Young's boat, Ragland. (not
with Neil, however, lol!)" If anyone has a current address or
email you can reach Wendy at
kbailey@mcn.org |
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05/09/08 Martha 'Reyes' Moreno, Class of 1995: Hello I am a graduate from Arvin High School Class of 95’. My student Name was Martha Reyes, now it’s Martha A Moreno. Wow, little bit of me. I married my high school sweet heart, Arturo Moreno and we had 2 children; 1 boy he's 10 yrs and 1 girl, she is 3 now. I went to College and have a certificate for Accounting which I’m planning to go back to school to get my AA Degree. Arturo Graduated from Bakersfield College and has a degree in Child Development but he's working right now for Bright House Networks has a supervisor for the installation department. I’m working for Grimmway Farms in the Accounting department. My email address is mmoreno@grimmway.com for my fellow classmates to keep in touch with me. |
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05/09/08
Rosie Villalobos, Class of 1980:
I graduated in 1980 AKA Rosie Villalobos. I am currently trying to locate
Simon Baeza Class of 1979 and Wendell Parks Class of 1981. If you have or
know of any information for them please let me know. My email is
rosie@ncinternet.net
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Arvin Alumni Band Raffle - Scholarship Fundraiser www.arvinhighalumniband.org
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Advertising on Arvin High Alumni Band website
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Advertising on Arvin High Alumni Band Newsletter coming June 2008
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Put on your Calendar April 18th, 2009 - 1st Annual Arvin Alumni Band Calvin Wren Memorial Golf Tournament |
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05/09/08 A New Stout Baby: Robert and I wanted to let you all know that our baby girl was born on April 27, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. Her name is Ava Greer Stout. She weighed 5 pounds and 9 ounces and was 18 inched long. Our three older daughters are in love with her and so are we. Esmeralda Stout, Class of 1994. |
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05/01/08 Class of 1964 Memorial Additions: Sharon 'Risner' Garrison of the Class of 1964 wrote in and asked me to add the following names to the memorial list for the class of 1964. I am always happy to be able to honor classmates who have passed on in this way. Thanks Sharon, here they are...........Alvin Bozarth, Roy Carlos, Diann McGhee, Jim Salie, Larry Shadden, and Floyd Williams...We are all diminished by their passings! |
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04/15/08 Class of '78 Reunion Planning Underway: I received this short email from Angela 'Vietti' Bracken yesterday and wanted to get it up ASAP. "...Please post that the Arvin High Class of 1978 is in the tentative planning stages for a 30 year class reunion. Tentative date is September 2008. All 1978 alumni can contact me at abracken@umsproducts.com
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04/14/08 Help Me Out Here: I occasionally receive email that comes to me from this website requesting an email change or offering some tidbit of information. A problem sometimes arises from the fact that the links that are here come to me blind and if I don't get some cue, I am not sure which of the web sites I work on that it comes from. I volunteer to keep these pages updated, just as I volunteer the keep the pages of some other non-profits updated as well. AHS has easily 20,000 people who have attended there at one time or another. I didn't even know all the kids in my own class of 300+, so understand that your name won't necessarily ring any bells or help me know which web site your message came from. Please give me, (1) some clue that you are emailing about Arvin High School, (2) your actual name and, (3) your class year. That will help me 'dial in' exactly who you are, where you're from, and what year your information should be listed under. THANKS!!! |
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04/13/08 Mary 'Oxford' McRee (Class of 1956): I believe that Mary was a staff member at AHS when I was first a student there in the fall of 1968. I have her listed on the www.arvinhigh1972.net web site as a member of the faculty. I also recall that she was a Lifetime Member of the Arvin High Alumni Association. I received an email notifying me that she had passed away recently. If any of you have more information, I'd be glad to post it. RIP Mary... |
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04/13/08 Elsie 'Stout' Meyer (Class of 1958): I got an email reporting the passing of Elsie 'Stout' Meyer from the Class of 1958. Elsie was a friend of one of my older sisters and attended the same small Baptist church we did when I was a kid. As far as I know, Elsie lived out her life here in Kern County, the last time I saw her was in 1974 and she was living in East Bakersfield. RIP Elsie... |
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04/13/08
Shirley Gibson Vanderpool (Class of 1953):
Our
mother, Shirly Gibson Vanderpool was an Arvin High graduate from 1953 and
she passed away this year. Please add her to the In Memory page for the
alumni. Thank you, Katrina (Vanderpool) Mitchell & Kimberly
(Vanderpool) Tanner... |
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04/09/08 Note of Passings of Old Bears: I write myself notes on sticky pads whenever I come across written information or get an email regarding the death of any alumni. Recently I've written down notes on the passing of Jimmie Lee Salie (Class of 1964) and Dennis Bramlett Schultz aka Dennis Bramlett (Class of 1960). As always, if you knew them, news of their passing comes as a shock. If you didn't know them, the ranks of the Bears are diminished by their passings nonetheless... |
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04/06/08 Nancy (Liz) 'Embrey' James (Class of 1973) Sent us This Update: We have another addition to our family! Carolyn Joy James was born March 28, 2008 at 1:38 AM in Bakersfield to Brad and Jacqueline James. CJ is Brad and Jackie's first child, and grandchild number SIX to Liz (Nancy Embrey) James (class 73). Born three weeks early, she weighed in at 6 lbs 5 oz and 20 in. Brad and Jackie met at USC where they both graduated in 2000. Brad teaches PE at Sunset Middle School and is Freshman Football Head Coach at Arvin High School, from which he graduated with the class of '95. Jackie teaches Special Ed at Thompson Middle School in Bakersfield. CJ was welcomed by uncle Jared James (class of 92) and his children Katelyn,13.. Kyle,11.. and Kody,10.. and aunt Jenifer James Griffin (class 99) and her children Landon, 2.. and Ryleigh, 10 months.. and grandfather Mike James (class 71). Welcome CJ!!!
Hearts, Liz |
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04/04/08 Carlos Royal (Class of 1958) Sent us This Update:
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03/26/08 AHAA Donations 2007: The final tally is in and tax receipts are going out in the mail. Total giving from all sources to the Arvin High Alumni Association in 2007 reached $41,448. Those donations were used for Academic scholarships, Constitution Team support, and other worthwhile projects going on at Arvin High School. Our goal in 2008 is to raise even more support so we can award more scholarships, fund programs, and support the kids coming out of Arvin High School who then become parts of "the long red line" that stretches from 1949 into infinity...THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!! |
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03/24/08 Contact Update: Jayne Deaver, Class of 1972, wrote in to let us know that she is living and working in Bakersfield, CA. Jayne has four kids and works in graphic design, webmastering, and she designs and manufactures her own line of jewelry. Jayne can be emailed at valkyrie@bak.rr.com |
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03/10/08 Contact Update: Class of 1989, Email Address: marcos.a.armendariz@fritolay.com Marcos Antonio Armendariz, Tortilla Chip Business Unit Leader, Kern Site, 661-328-5904 |
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03/07/08 Carol 'Hogan' Sanders Writes: Just wanted all to know that Carol (Hogan) Sanders is alive and well living in the Bakersfield area. Just found out I will be a grandmother for the third time. I am a Cafeteria Manager at an elementary school in the Panama Buena Vista School District. Its funny how many alumni work for the same district some I encounter on a regular basis. Sandy Davis twice widowed is still my closest and dearest friend. We have cried together and laughed together. I am now looking forward in the near future of retiring, but alas I am a workaholic. I also have a second job I enjoy a lot. If any of my 1973 classmates frequent the Mexican establishment that starts with a C and ends with an E and is on the same side of the street as the 'In and Out' burger place on Stockdale highway and California Avenue, look me up and say hi. |
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02/26/08 Old Okie With Cannon AE-1 35MM SLR: My kids tell me that I need to get a new digital camera and they may be right. In any event, I was at the High School this morning to talk some alumni business with the Associate Principal, Robert Moore, and the Athletic Director, Ralph Gonzales, (both fine men) and they were kind enough to let me shoot a roll of film while I was there. My eye is blurry and my hands shake more than they used to, but I think you can make out most of the images well enough to get a feel for how she is aging...click here to see the shots (p.s. don't throw away your old cameras, 'they' conned us into throwing away our vinyl 78s, 45s, and LPs and buying CDs, now the vinyl is prized by collectors for its fidelity...) |
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02/25/08
Larry Watson (Class of 1958) Writes:
I am in the process of retiring to take care of
my wife who is bedridden. Since graduating I went to BC for one year
then spent four and a half years in the Marines. I got out just before
Vietnam. I worked as a computer operator for 10 years and in the process
went back to college and graduated from California Baptist College, now
California Baptist University, in 1970. I also worked as a Security Officer
for 30 years, holding various positions with several companies. If any
"old" classmates or friends desire, my e-mail address is
WLarryWatson@gmail.com.
I now live in Muskogee, Oklahoma and yes there is such
a place beyond the song. |
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02/21/08 Are You Forming A Reunion Committee: If you are forming a reunion committee, and many of you should be, drop me a line and I will send you information on how to get the word out for free without breaking your pocketbook. Fully 67% of AHS Alumni still reside in Kern County! Most of that number are within a thirty-mile radius of Bakersfield. Don't get scammed by groups charging you online to advertise your reunion when you have free resources in the local area to tap into first. Reunion Planning Information! |
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02/21/08
In Her Own Words:
My name is Ruby Mae 'Williams' Schekel
and I Married Vernon Schekel, Arvin High Class of 1965. His email
address is
vernon1306@sbcglobal.net
and we still live in Bakersfield. We have a
daughter; Lenore, a son-in-law; John Lewis, and two granddaughters; Melissa
12, and Jennifer 8....They live in Porterville, Ca. My email is
rubylives@sbcglobal.net
I Wish You Enough; Ruby Mae Schekel. |
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02/21/08 Reunion Resources Page: As promised some months back, we have begun adding companies and phone numbers to our reunions resources page. As they come in, we will be adding other names and website information. Many of you who want to put on reunions are getting busy right now and our hope is that the information we offer will make it a little easier to find venues, caterers, banquet facilities, entertainment, and rental companies. We have a link to send in information and comments about where to go and what not to do so we need to hear from you to keep the info alive and current. Follow this link to see the new page! |
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02/07/08 Spoofing The AHAA Website: It has been a remarkable 24 hours! I have received more than 1,200 bounced emails back to my personal email account from America on Line. The problem stems from a practice called 'spoofing' where people who do these things send out a barrage of email identifying it as coming from a website they don't own, control, or have any right to use. The 1,200 that bounced back to me and shut down my personal email account does not account for the 300+ that appear to have reached somebody. If you got an add for Cialis, Viagra, Extend, or Adobe software, it didn't come from arvinalumni.org. I apologize for any inconvenience or embarrassment to you and if you placed an order, God bless you anyway...The good news is that it should pass like a storm if you don't respond. The web site is 'reasonably secure', I say this noting that I once had a corporate website with three fulltime computer-geek employees that experienced the same thing. Bear with us and this too shall pass...Farrell Neeley, Class of 1972, AHAA Webmaster. |
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02/04/08 Class of 1982 Passing: I got an email from a classmate this week about a passing of a Class of 1982 Alumna that I had seen earlier in the week on The Bakersfield Californian. Carol 'Cortez' Gutierrez passed away on January 25, 2008. She leaves behind many friends and loved ones and we note her untimely passing here today...Our hearts go out to Rueben, her kids, and her grandkids. |
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01/29/08 Life Update From Texas: My name is Erica Gonzalez, but my maiden name is Erica Salinas. I graduated in class of 1997. I am currently living in Houston Texas, and have been for the past 8yrs now. I married Daniel Gonzalez, also an Arvin High School Alumni, from class of 1994. We have been married for 10 years now and have two beautiful children. A boy, Daniel Gonzalez Jr, who is now 6 yrs old and a girl, Yanesli Arlene Gonzalez who just turned 4. Daniel is a Certified Journeyman Electrician, and I am a Supervisor in the dispatch department at night for a major trucking company. We still remember our home town and we just wanted to keep in touch with some of our old friends. If you wish to email me you can at erica_gonzalez@emtl.com. Hope to hear from some of you soon.!!!
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01/28/08
Reynold Armstrong (Class of 1968)
Writes:
My name is Reynold Armstrong, Class of 1968, currently living in El Cajon,
California. I have lived in the San Diego area for the past 35 years. I
retired two years ago after 27 years as a police officer. My wife and
I now travel as much as possible. My e-mail is
lorrey@cox.net
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01/27/08 Lidia 'Benavides' Garza writes: I'm e-mailing to inform you that on your website my younger brother is not listed as deceased alumni. His name is Jorge P. Benavides, he graduated Class of 1995. Today is 4 years since he was murdered by a drunk driver. It is still a great sorrow to our family not to have him here with us. My sister and 5 brothers and I all grew up in Arvin and we all graduated from Arvin High. My sister Gregoria (Class of 1984), my brothers: Lucio (Class of 1985), Virgilio (Class of 1986), Luis (Class of 1988), myself (Class of 1990), and Victoriano (Class of 1994) would appreciate it if you could add our baby brother to the list of students that have passed away. It would also inform any of his friends that moved away before he passed of his untimely death. Thank you for your time...The Benavides Family |
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01/22/08 Shirley Mae 'Carter' Robinson (Class of 1958): Once again today The Bakersfield Californian carried news of the loss of another AHS alumna. Shirley graduated with the AHS Class of 1958 and was also a graduate of CSU Fresno and Pepperdine University. Shirley started teaching in the Bakersfield School District and had been a school teacher in the local area for 35 years. Many local children learned to read, write, and do arithmetic from this lady while she taught in the Lamont School District from 1969-2004. Once again, there is a large local group of family and friends who'll miss her presence, but they will never forget the joy she brought to each of their lives. |
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01/21/08 Vera Mae 'Duke' Williams (Class of 1955): I noticed in The Bakersfield Californian today the passing of a member of the AHS Class of 1955, Vera Mae 'Duke' Williams. Vera was born in Bakersfield, but raised and educated in Arvin. She graduated with the Class of 1955. If my math is correct, Vera would have been 72 years of age at her next birthday. The obituary notes a large group of family and friends is left to cherish her memory. Rest in Peace Vera! |
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01/15/08 James Kennedy (Class of 1964): We got a nice email from James Kennedy (Class of 1964) this week wanting to make sure that old friends knew he was alive and well and living in Portland, Oregon for the past 35 years. James made note of the fact that he visits family here in the local area a couple of times a year, so a chance to see him in the flesh is for real. If you want to follow up with an email to re-establish contact, his email address is jearl43@hotmail.com |
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01/13/08 Roberto Jiminez Rangel (Class of 1973): Roberto is reporting that he is alive and well after leaving Lamont in 1974 to make a career in the United States Navy. Since 1974 he has lived in Hawaii, Minnesota, Colorado, and most recently in North Carolina. Roberto is close to retiring and hopes to move back to Bakersfield in the next two years. If Richard Gardea, Carlos Blanco, Terry Mancera, or Joe Soza are out there, he would love to hear from you or anyone else who cares to email. The email is osomex47@yahoo.com |
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01/07/08 Email Address Correction: I somehow managed to misspell Chuck Ethridge's (Class of 1988) name on his email address with too many 'Es' in the name. Here is the corrected address for any of you wanting to get in touch with Chuck. chuck.ethridge@gmail.com |
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01/06/08 Gerald 'Pigeon' Heath (Class of 1971): Once again it falls upon me to make you aware of the passing of another classmate. Often I do not know those classmates and so the emotion of it doesn't hit me quite so hard. This past week I ran into Sharrell 'Heath' Levingston (Class of 1972) and among the items she shared with me, were the death of her brother Gerald, last year. I met Gerald when I was a freshman in the Fall of 68' and knew him throughout high school. We called him 'Pigeon', because he raised racing pigeons as a hobby. Gerald was from 'Hilltop', spent his adult life working in the Kern County oilfields, raising a family, and more or less surviving just like the rest of us. I remember him as being a nice guy and speaking very quietly...RIP Gerald! |
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01/01/08 Marcia 'Barry' Conroy (Class of 1973): Someone asked me the other day if I knew what happened to Marcia Barry or where she was living. In one of those 'twilight zone moments' we all have in life, I got an email from her with an email address a couple of days later. I don't recall who asked about Marcia, but if you want to make contact with her, the email is happy3@sti.net |
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01/01/08 Great Pictures: I got some really great pictures at Christmas time of Robert (Class of 93) & Esmeralda "Espinoza' Stout (Class of 94), their daughters Alyssa, Eliana, and Olivia, and a sonograph of their coming new daughter. Unfortunately, I am not smart enough to figure out how to de-embed the pictures from a Word document for posting, so you'll just have to take my word for how cute their kids are until I get that sorted out... |
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01/01/08 Reposted Due To Email Error: We have a growing problem here on the AHAA website and I can only say that I will do my best to address each case as it arises. The other day I got this very nice email from some fellow claiming to be Phillip E. Allen, Professor Emeritus, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. He claimed to have once been the AHS Student Body President, and a member of the Class of 1957. This troubled me deeply because if you look at this website on a regular basis, you know that Phillip Edward Allen (Class of 1957) is dead. Do the math, this guy would be at least 68 years old; that is almost ancient. Furthermore, I know that he must be deceased because it says so in our 'Memorials' section and here at the AHAA website we are 'almost' never wrong about anything...However, out of a fear of lawsuits, I am going to remove that name from the Class of 1957 Memorials. If any of you want to email this Phillip E. Allen person and try to mend fences for us, his email address is pallen@ece.gatech.edu |
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12/18/07 Why Are We Now Listing Ourselves As "The Official WebSite of The Arvin High Alumni Association":
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12/16/07 Reunion Planning Resources: Based on your requests, we have begun construction of a reunion resources page that will offer a listing of web pages, phone numbers, and people contacts for a bunch of Kern County area businesses that can be of service in bringing off a successful reunion. The links will include, venues, lodging, rentals, restaurants, caterers, and entertainment. If you have recently 'put on' a reunion, fundraiser, goat roping, square dance, or Bar Mitzvah and want to tell us about your 'picks and pans' with regard to available services, we'd like to hear about that too... |
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12/16/07 Arvin Alumni Association Invests In The Future: At the most recent AHAA meeting the board voted to invest a total of $30,000 into interest-bearing time-limited certificates of deposit. $13,000 of that money is from the Rocky Handy Memorial Scholarship Fund Endowment, $5,000 of that money is from the AHAA General Endowment, and the remaining $12,000 are general funds earmarked for scholarships and association operations during the next 12 months. This first ever investment by the AHAA is earmarked to mature in 120 days so that funds required for the funding of scholarships, come spring-time, are unencumbered and can be disbursed accordingly. The Handy Endowment and the AHAA General Endowment funds will be re-invested in April into some similar 'low-risk' financial instrument. Your alumni association is working hard to secure both the organization's present and its future, with your help...Please consider various methods by which you could donate. Follow this link for more information Giving To AHAA |
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12/11/07 Bears Passing This Way: I got an email tonight from James 'Weasel' Williams (Class of 1972) asking if I was aware of the passing of Sherry Ross (Class |
