By Connie Hinojos, Credit Consultant

Credit scores generally range from the mid 300s to the mid 800s. The following table will give you a general idea of what your score tells lenders, but remember there are no set rules. Different products and lenders use different guidelines for what is an acceptable score.

The Community Action Partnership of Kern recently held a Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony to announce the opening of their newest state-of-the-art child care facility, the PETE H. PARRA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, located at 1825 Feliz Drive, Bakersfield.

The PETE H. PARRA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER will serve 120 preschool children, and 32 infants/toddlers, ranging in age from 0-5 years of age. Under the direction of the Partnership’s Child Education and Development Services (CEDS) division, the PETE H. PARRA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER will offer both full-day/full-year and part-day/part-year Head Start/Early Head Start program options.

In the December 17th edition of the Wall Street Journal, Jonathan Clements, a staff columnist wrote an article entitled "12 Ways to Make Your Children Financially Savvy." It's an excellent article pointing out not only practical ways to teach your children about financial responsibility, but how to get them on their way well beyond your basic care for them. Actually, it amazes me what lengths Clements has gone to establish a promising financial future for his offspring, yet it has been done without handing them a life of ease on a silver platter. He has placed the first few stepping stones in hopes that they will contribute to his efforts and learn from his methods.

On August 8, 2008 several members of the Board of Directors met with Ed Taylor, District Manager with Wells Fargo Bank, and Jesse Bonales, Vice President and Manager of the Downtown Wells Fargo Branch. The group met for lunch at the Bell Tower Club and Mr. Taylor presented the chamber with a check for $10,000

Wells Fargo is a full-service bank that provides excellent service and offers both personal and business checking and savings accounts, personal and business loans and creditlines, and investment accounts. The bank has been a strong supporter of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for many years.

The contribution will be used to continue the chamber's entrepreneurial training programs and technical assistance to small business owners, and for operating expenses for the chamber.