Events

Register at KeepBakersfieldBeautiful.us or contact Jennifer Yamauchi.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kern County (CASA) has announced its new executive director is Bakersfield native Ashley Vorhees

Previously, Vorhees was the executive director of the American Heart and Stroke Association and site director for Catholic Charities in Bakersfield for
several years.

Most recently, she was Vice President of Fundraising and Communications at Girls Scouts of Central California South.

Vorhees will lead CASA’s efforts in recruiting and training volunteers to act as court appointed special advocates to children who have been removed from
their homes and placed in foster care.

Supervisory Special Agent | Federal Law Enforcement | Criminal Investigations | Security Professional

Experienced DEA Special Agent with over two decades of dedicated service in various capacities. Starting as an NYPD officer, I’ve built a robust career in law enforcement, specializing in drug enforcement and international operations. With a track record of success across multiple regions and roles, I am dedicated to reducing quality of life crimes that affect local communities.

Looking forward to connecting with professionals and organizations where my background in law enforcement and strategic leadership can add value!

Jimmy Yee serves as president of Yankee Communications, Inc. with over two decades of local and national experience managing government relations and public affairs issues.

Prior to founding Yankee Communications, he served as Chief of Staff in the California State Assembly and in various roles with U.S. Congressman Bill Thomas, past Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.

As president of Yankee Communications, Jimmy specializes in communication and political risk at the federal, state and local levels of government. He represents a diverse field of companies and associations including oil and gas, real estate, agriculture, health care, waste management and public utilities. His experience and hands-on approach enable his clients to traverse the challenging intersection between business and government. Jimmy’s strengths are in managing public opinion while balancing and monitoring political risk – a challenge in today’s economic environment.

EDUCATION
California State University, Bakersfield, B.A. Political Science

Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club members and dozens of community volunteers are placing 1,000 flags in The Park at River Walk on Saturday morning, May 24, 2025, for the eleventh presentation of Thousand Flags.

The visually stunning, emotional Thousand Flags display honors and remembers those who have died serving our country. The community can view this magnificent display beginning at noon on Saturday. The Memorial Weekend Thousand Flags event will also feature a military band concert Saturday evening in the amphitheater and a Thousand Flags Fun Run on Sunday morning. Memorial Day will feature a patriotic vendors fair, hosting dozens of organizations that serve our veterans. At noon, Breakfast Rotary will host a short, patriotic program which will feature the presentation of donations to local military organizations and will end with a spectacular parachute jump by paratroopers from Comrades in Canopies.

Join this family-friendly 5k and run through Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary’s annual Thousand Flags Memorial Day weekend display. This awe-inspiring annual event showcases over 1,000 American flags on display at The Park at River Walk to honor those we have lost.

here will be a 5k course and a one-mile memorial walk. The 5k course winds its way through the scenic flag adorned park and down the multi-use trail adjacent to the park, and is suitable for both runners and walkers.

Proceeds will support the Thousand Flags event and other Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary community projects.

The events will be timed and awards will be given for the top three 5k finishers in each category.

Register by April 15, 2025 to ensure you receive a Thousand Flags T-shirt and medal. All veterans participating in the event will be recognized with a complimentary Thousand Flags pin.

https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/