JAMIE BUTOW: Classes aim to demystify social media
By Jamie Butow
One of the most frequent requests I receive from readers is to help them understand social media and how they can and should use it.Good news, folks: The Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning at Bakersfield College has a class you want to be aware of.
Its Social Media and Networking focuses on the basics of programs such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flikr, YouTube and blogging.
It's taught by my friend Jennifer Burger, a public affairs coordinator at Cal State Bakersfield with a deep background in social media.
During the four-night class, you'll get hands on experience with these programs in a computer lab, learn about privacy settings, how to share photos and video, how to set up and post to a blog, and more.
The upcoming class runs 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 7-28. Fee: $25.
To sign up, contact the Levan Institute at 395-4431 or mvalenzu@bakersfieldcollege.edu. For the complete catalog of courses and online registration, visit BakersfieldCollege.edu/levaninstitute.
Server contest
Several months in the making, it's now your chance to vote in Eye Street's Best Server in Bakersfield contest.
Nominations were collected and 10 finalists chosen. Their profiles have appeared in The Californian's Eye Street section over the past few weeks.
Now they are posted online as Notes on our Facebook page. Take a gander and Like your favorite server.
The best sever in Bakersfield will win four passes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a $50 gift card to Goose Loonies.
Voting will remain open until March 2.
Army on Pinterest
Pinterest, the social image-sharing site, has a popular pinner: the U.S. Army.
Yes, you read that right. The Army.
The Army's Pinterest boards include topics such as "Goodwill," "Humanitarian Relief" and "HOOAH!" -- all designed to show some aspect of Army life and the Army's mission or to connect with families.
According to Mashable, Juanita Chang, director of the U.S. Army's online and social media division, says, "It's important for the Army to be on different platforms so it can reach people it can't find anywhere else."
Yes, it is. Good job, soliders.
Radio appearance
On Wednesday I'll be hosting "Californian Radio" on 1180 AM KERN. I have a fantastic special guest joining me: local blogger Christine Saldivar.
Christine hosts, writes and posts at TalkaliciousOnline.com. Her podcast topics rage from being a bridesmaid in her 40s, flirting and having "the talk" with her kids.
Check out her site at TalkaliciousOnline.com and tune in to "Californian Radio" at 9 a.m. Wednesday on KERN Radio 1180, call in at 842-KERN, and stream the show live at www.KernRadio.com.
Jamie Butow is the community engagement coordinator at Bakersfield.com, and the mom of an active 7-year-old boy. Email her at JButow@Bakersfield.com. Follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/JamieButow2, Twitter @JamieButow, on Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Seriously, she's not that hard to track down.
Most CommentedMost Popular
Measure G is not, technically, a ban on medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives in unincorporated Kern County. Practically, it comes very close to being one.
Q: Why are "motorized scooters" (two-wheeled, no seat) allowed on the streets? To my knowledge, they are not licensed, tagged, insured. They have NO lights, horns or other safety items.
The Kern County Republican Central Committee is set to decide Monday whether to revoke the charter of a local black Republicans group for endorsing a Democrat for elected office.
Many of the United Farm Workers of America's leaders and foot soldiers remain with the organization decades after its founding 50 years ago, but some have transitioned to other positions in business, government and advocacy.
A Bakersfield mother of two who took up competitive cycling nine months ago after an injury ended her marathoning career died Sunday while competing in a bicycle race outside Yosemite National Park.
A prostitution sting netted 15 arrests Wednesday. Three female Bakersfield Police officers and one female investigator for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) pretended to be prostitutes at a motel located near three ABC licensed establishments, according to an ABC news release.
A Bakersfield police officer shot and killed a man who was armed with a gun in a northwest Bakersfield apartment Monday morning.
Two sisters were arrested on suspicion of breaking into a business with five children in tow Saturday night.