Bako Bits: local gal Kimberly Keathley conquers the annual Climb to Kaiser bike race and two county workers prevent a fire from spreading along Highway 58

* ... KUDOS: Kudos to two county workers whose actions could have prevented a fire along Highway 58 from raging out of control. Jayne Hotchkiss was driving down the Bealeville Road near the Caliente exit last week when she saw a cloud of smoke. Two county workers had stopped their dump truck, grabbed a couple of shovels and battled a grass fire until fire crews arrived. "I stopped, talked to one of the men and called 911," she said. "After 15 minutes one of the men came up to my truck and said, 'I need some help!' Just then a Kern County Fire helicopter flew overhead and the fire crews arrived. Kudos for these country workers! I wish I had gotten their named. They deserve a huge pat on the back."

 * ... WENDY: The celebration of life for the late community activist Wendy Wayne will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Fox Theater. The outpouring of love for Wendy and her surviving husband Gene Tackett has been impressive, so expect standing room only for this tribute. I am told it will last about an hour and is being coordinated by the couple's sons, Larkin and Benji.

* ... HIGH ACHIEVER: Mackenzie Carter is the daughter of Doug Carter and granddaughter of the late Warren and Lenore Carter, who have passed on but meant so much to our community. Mackenzie just finished her freshman year at Cal Poly where she is a member of the women's volleyball program. Said her proud father: "She redshirted this last year due to shoulder surgery in September. She made the dean's list her fall and spring quarters.. and she was asked to be a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars." As if that's enough, she was also on the organizing committee for the Cal Poly Relay for Life event that was held in May. This summer she is interning with Assemblywoman Shannon Grove having just finished a week in Sacramento.

 * ... KEATHLEY: Speaking of achievements by young people, hats off to 23-year-old Kimberly Keathley who was the first woman finisher in one of the hardest bicycle races in the country. Kim conquered the annual "Climb to Kaiser," a punishing 155-mile ride with 14,000 feet of climbing. Not only was she the first woman at the top, but she also finished 26th overall out of some 400 riders. The ride goes through Shaver Lake, Big Creek, Huntington Lake and the Kaiser Pass at 9,200 feet. And, she did this on her birthday. The daughter of Duane and Corey Keathley, Kim is a graduate of both Stockdale High School and Point Loma Nazarene University. She currently is working as a aide at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI). (Photos courtesy of Jim Quaschnick- www.allactionshots.com) 

* ... BOCK: Another Bock has been appointed a partner at the local tax and auditing firm of Daniells Phillips Vaughan and Bock, CPAs and Advisors. Joel Bock, 37-year-old son of managing partner Jim Bock,  joined the firm in 2004 as a tax supervisor after moving to Bakersfield from Fresno and quickly was promoted to manager and then senior manager.  Joel previously worked at the accounting firm of Noell Deetz Agnew and Morse in Fresno. He is a graduate of Fresno State and earned his master's in tax at Golden State University.