Nashville songstress heads to Bakersfield for a Sunday concert, more concerns about the drought and a Liberty High graduate punts for the Buffalo Bills

* … CONCERT: Don't forget about a very special concert coming up this Sunday over at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The show features a folk indie band out of Nashville called Nora Jane

Struthers and The Party Line. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. I suspect this may be one of the best shows yet sponsored by a group of friends who formed a group called Passing Through Productions, devoted to bringing live music to out town.

 * … DROUGHT: Diana Nelson is one of a handful of readers who reached out to me about the long drought facing California. "I really don't think people understand how serious it is. My husband and I redid our backyard last winter, replacing all of the thirsty plants and lawn with drought tolerant plants, with the exception of three redwood trees that act as a screen, and a dwarf orange tree. We have not got it perfected yet, but we have gone from watering every day to watering for the most part twice a week during the summer… We are going to work on the front yard this winter. This works for us because we do not have children or grandchildren in the area. Plus we wanted to cut down on the maintenance cost, attract birds, bees, and butterflies, and use less water."

 * … MORE DROUGHT: Patty Orsburn of Tehachapi agrees. "I took my kids to play at North of the River's Polo Community Park and was so sad to see the grass not only well watered but very flooded in many areas! I understand trying to keep the parks somewhat nice, but come on NOR, there are communities running out of water, turn your sprinkler timers down!"

 * … PUNTER: District Attorney Lisa Green is an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills, and last week she flew to Chicago to watch the Bills take on the Chicago Bears. To her surprise, former Liberty High School and UC Davis grad Colton Schmidt had been signed by the Bills as the team's punter just days before. "His family (mom, dad and siblings) lives here. Anyway he had a great game (ESPN punter of  the week). After the game one of my friends who traveled to the game and had seats behind the Bills bench yelled out 'hey Bakersfield'  and Colton came over and talked with my friend for a few minutes. Thought you'd like the story about a Bakersfield kid making it in the pros."

 * … EAST ROTARY: If you treat yourself to one pricey charity event of the year, I'd recommend the upcoming "Elegant Evening of Wine" benefitting the Joe Alexander Scholarship Foundation of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield East. This years event 's planned for Saturday, Oct. 11, at the downtown home of Mark and Sue Ashley. Meir Brown of Cafe Med will be pairing the food and wine as usual, and the Ashley home will provide a beautiful setting. Individual tickets are $175 each and sponsorships are available. Call Vernon Varner for more information at (661) 979-5788.

 * … GOOD FORM: William Goldman is another satisfied customer of Hearing Aids Today and its owner Rick Chesire. "When I moved to Bakersfield,four years ago, I needed a new hearing aid. After calling three places, I knew Rick was the man for me. He goes out of his way for everyone. He's even done emergency repairs for me on weekends."