Bakersfield Magazine • 28-4 • Relocation • After Hours by Bakersfield Magazine

New! Ideas from a Fearless Fashionista

Robots in Business Adapting to Change

VOL. 28 NO. 4

Things That Go Bump in the Night

YOUR CITY. YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE.

Recipes for a Western Roundup

fall 2011

3.95

Stay &Play Arts & Parks come alive!

pg.56

After Hours It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

pg.47

PLUS...

21st Annual Special Feature

BakersfieldMagazine.net We’re everywhere you are.

Corporate Relocation

Cancer Care is Close to Home

BFGC-IBI Group Architecture Planning

SJCH has brought many innovative “firsts” to Kern County, always with the purpose of improving the local health care scene. The comprehensive, hospital-based cancer program at SJCH is yet another “first” that will forever change health care in Kern County.

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4 Bakersfield Magazine

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 5

eing able to have trust in my bank’s leadership has given me a strong sense of security. Kevin Small CEO/President, KS Industries, LP KS Industries, LP (KSI) is a leading provider of engineering, fabrication, integrated maintenance and construction services. Since its founding in 1960, KSI (formerly known as Ken Small Construction, Inc.) has grown to where it is today by understanding safety, productivity, cost control and quality, surrounding itself with outstanding people who share these same principles. “Our relationship with Valley Republic Bank began because of our confidence in their leadership. That relationship continues to thrive because we know we are secure in their commitment to us.”

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8 Bakersfield Magazine

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FALL 201 1

Contents

f e at u r e s

— and —

Items that caught our eye and struck our fancy Stuff We Like.....................22 A local firefighter opens up with his top ten Can’t Live Without.................25

he Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center cordially invites you to attend the inaugural Golf Classic benefitting United Way of Kern County. The Tournament will be held on Friday, November 4th at Riverlakes Golf Course, 5201 Riverlakes Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93312 with Shotgun start at 11:30am.

The Ghosts of Bakersfield are on the prowl Bump in the Night....................34

Erica George & Chernell Smith explore the Bakersfield Museum of Art Downtown is alive with the arts

Cultural Journey Bakersfield heats up when the sun goes down

After hours

nual 21st An

With faith and friends, anything is possible Paying it Forward...............113 An organization making beautiful music Nonprofit Spotlight.............117

e t a r o p Cor ocation Rel The mission of United Way of “ Kern County is to mobilize donors, volunteers, and advocates to improve lives in Kern County.

”

We look forward to your attendance and participation. Contact Jeff Hayward at:

661-565-9309

All proceeds will go towards United Way of Kern County 10 Bakersfield Magazine

What really makes people want to live here? Stay and Play.....................56 How culture impacts the value of our city Advant ages....................59 Big water means big things to Bakersfield Liquid Assets..................61 A new type of workforce has come to Kern

EMBRACING THE robots

Why Kern County is coming out on top Dynamics.......................69

Over 140 Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Choices Suited for Everyone Banana Republic Express

Bare Escentuals

G by Guess

Sephora

Gap

Target

The Children’s Place

JCPenney

Tilly’s

Macy’s

Victoria’s Secret

Coach

Old Navy

Sears

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What brings you today?

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www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 11

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FALL 201 1

Contents

D E P ART M E N TS The rise and demise of Midnight Fantasy Letter from the Editor............17 What’s going on behind the county’s curtains? Kern Facts............................19 Fall colors! It’s time to dress for Autumn The Bakersfield Look..............31 A man who puts the tonk back in honky-tonk Citizen Kern.....................33 Your “happy hour” actions affect everyone Human Resources..................38

Forget the baker, be a candlestick maker

HOME & GARDEN

The poignancy of planting pretty poppies Gardening with Mrs. P.........89

Come on. Don’t be a chicken in the kitchen Quick Bites...........................92 Rediscovering flavors at a local favorite What’s Cookin’.....................93 Lasso yourself a great Wild West party Entertaining the Bakersfield Way...97

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LOCAL AND NATIONAL

BUY / SELL

ANY TICKET ANY TIME

He’s made a business getting you tickets

KERN RISKTAKERS

Visit a “city on the hill” in Simi Valley Great Getaways....................79

Head north to skip the fall crowds in Paso

Life is a cabernet

Forget plain champagne. Toast with this! Bottoms Up........................ 104 New! Easy ways to go from day to night

Fearless Fashionista 12 Bakersfield Magazine

101

Say cheese. Where did we spot you? Party Chatter...................... 126 A “sign” of the times stays true today Bakersfield’s Sound.............. 130

The Deal Makers.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS

MEDICAL PROFILES Medical Profiles................83

home & Garden resources

Home & Garden.................85

Kern Health Resource Guide....94

Religious Schools & Worship Services Directory Worship Directory..............96

Fine Men’s Clothing

The Dining Guide

Since 1988

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The Dining Guide.............106

Snead’s for Men

community partners Community Partners.........111

I have the

solution

Shoppers Bazaar..............122

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Education Directory...........124

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14 Bakersfield Magazine

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Keeping on top of your investment properties

remembering

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Fall 2011

Publisher Les Corum Executive Editor Mike Corum Assistant Editor Anika Henrikson Garden Editor Lynn Pitts Wine & Food Editor Mike Stepanovich Creative Director Chuck Barnes Graphic Artist Laura Turner Systems/Production Ryan Turner Sales & Marketing Lisa Corum, Shay Muñoz Douglas “Dale” Heflin Photography/Editorial Assistant Isabel Alvarez Staff Writer Kali Campbell Contributing Writers Judy Bentivegna, Charlie Durgin Tracie Grimes, Jason Gutierrez Gordon Lull, Robin Paggi Juliane Torczon, Tom Xavier Accounting/Human Resources Melissa Galvan Distribution/Circulation Brigit Ayers Cover Photo David Karnowski Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. 1601 New Stine Road, Suite 200 Bakersfield, CA 93309

Office (661) 834-4126 Fax (661) 834-5495 Email: marketing@bakersfieldmagazine.net website: bakersfieldmagazine.net

Bakersfield Magazine is published bi-monthly by Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2011 by Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of Bakersfield Magazine is strictly prohibited. Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photographs, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in Bakersfield Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Bakersfield Magazine management or owner. Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made by advertisers. Subscription rate is $14.95 for 1 year, $21.95 for 2 years.

Secure PayPal Gift Subscriptions BakersfieldMagazine.net

Letter from the Editor

The Rise and Demise of Midnight Fantasy –The BAND– Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good” was playing on the 8-track. I had just turned 16. I had a car and I had my band. And after months of preparation, we had just gotten the call that we were being booked to play the Kern County Fair Main Entrance Stage...life was good. I met Steve a few months before school let out while waiting for the bus. He introduced himself by asking “You play?” And with an ever-so-slight nod of the head, I gestured “Yeah, you?” A band was born. His stepdad had taught him a few licks on guitar and an old neighbor was giving him lessons on occasion; I was a bit more “seasoned” having been playing drums for a good six or seven years already in bands such as The Munsters, Trapped in Space, and Trash and the Family Garbage (same band, same basement). Our practice schedule was grueling—during that summer we sweated away in my garage rehearsing for hours. We added bass, synthesizer, and vocals. We even developed some regular, ahem, fans...every time we’d start to play, Bakersfield’s finest showed up to “shut us down.” When we weren’t practicing, we were busy dreaming of how things would be once we were “discovered.” Limos, mansions, lear jets, and, of course, groupies. We ordered custom matching stage outfits: black Angel Flight pants and black shirts with our logo emblazoned in silver glitter. Hey, it was the ‘70s. In true rock-n-roll form, tragedy struck. Not the mysterious spontaneous combustion kind that plagued Spinal Tap throughout the ‘80s, but almost as devastating. Our bass player had been grounded for life! Just days away from our first gig and now this. In a last ditch effort to save the show, management (Mom and Dad) suggested we teach my brother to play the bass parts. Being typical teenagers, we scoffed at the idea. He was just a little kid, barely eleven! “He’ll just be in the way (...of the groupies).” Management had a way of persuading us. After all, they owned our practice space. The night of the show, we took to the

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stage and from the very first note, something magical happened. Literally hundreds of people swarmed the stage; the applause was overwhelming. It was as if we could do no wrong...well, except for several missed notes, out-of-key vocals, sloppy endings. But the crowd was going crazy! We were on fire! And, for that brief moment, we were Rock Stars! When we finished our set and tore down our equipment, the truth became strangely clear. As people were walking past us, telling us what a good show we put on, they proceeded to mob the cute little boy who’d been playing guitar. Even the groupies abandoned us and were swooning over our youngest member. With our egos bruised, it was decided the band would split up; there would be no official announcement, just a silent pact not to mention this incident again. Bakersfield is home to a considerable number of local bands and live music venues and that’s one of the reasons why we decided to put together our first ever After Hours feature (pg. 47). If you’ve ever asked yourself “What’s there to do in this town after 5?” this is a must-read, filled with everything from live music and dancing, to comedy and more. After Hours is a rundown of some of the daily goings-on this city has to offer...and man, it offers a lot! It’s also our 21st Annual Corporate Relocation issue (pg. 55) and we are unveiling some new regular features as well, including a great fashion story (pg. 81). Another fantastic issue, packed with all the things you love about your city—enjoy! I went on to play the fair several more times throughout the years and in several different bands (even a couple with my brother). I just waited until he wasn’t so damn cute. Mike Corum comments@bakersfieldmagazine.net

14001 Yokuts Ln. • $1,550,000 Castle on the Kern River! Stunning French Tudor architecture, 1.76 acres of double-gated privacy, spectacular views! Pool, spa, lovely gardens, 5 bdrms, 5 baths.

14009 Yokuts• $1,395,000 $1 million under original price. Rancheria River Estates. Privacy gated community of exclusive riverfront custom homes on big lots. Unique, contemporary rebuild: 6,000 sq. ft. + guest house, 1.3 acres of serenity! Extensive stacked slate, hardwood floors and ceilings. 5-car garage.

2205 Norwich Way• $1,175,000 Golf course/lake, incredible views! Over 5,800 sq. ft. Grand staircase/marble entry, Great Room w/two story high windows, granite double island kitchen. 5 bdrms, 4.5 baths, 3 fireplaces, 3rd level game room. Master suite w/balcony. Pool/spa, bbq. Big cul-de-sac lot.

4000 Country Club Dr. •$1,450,000 1.9 acre estate. Resort-style grounds by Charlie Harwell. Tennis court, multi-level pool, outdoor kitchen, Japanese gardens. 5 bdrms, game room, office/library, Great Room. Hardwood, marble floors, 2 large wetbars, 3 fireplaces. Luxurious private Master Suite w/balcony, exquisite bath!

Signature Properties, Signature Service! www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 17

18 Bakersfield Magazine

Kern Facts

People • Places • Events

This hilarious couple keeps the magic alive no matter what they’re doing, be it managing Snead’s For Men or spending time with their friends and family.

HIS

& Hers

in step with:

Mark and Laurie Price

What was the first thing you thought when you met your future spouse for the first time? Laurie: We met for lunch on a blind date. Mark was wearing a black suit and a black mock turtleneck. He wouldn’t tell me what he did for a living and I thought, “Well, he’s either a mortician or a minister...do I want to date either of those?” Mark: After spotting Laurie outside the restaurant for the first time, I immediately tried to figure out how I could extend my lunch hour. What is the funniest thing that happened while you two were dating? Laurie: It is hard to pick out any one thing because Mark really is the fun-

What is your spouse’s biggest phobia? Laurie: Without a doubt, it’s needles. He gets all woozy at the sight of them in real life or on screen. He’s a big baby about needles! Mark: The unfounded fear that I may “do-in” her dogs. Who’s the first one to admit when they’re wrong? Laurie: I am, because he’s always right—don’t you know? Mark: Laurie is always the first one to admit I’m wrong! What is your spouse most passionate about? Laurie: He is passionately proud of our son Miles, who serves as a Warrant Officer in the Army, and

tics I would be homeless right now. What is the craziest thing your spouse has ever done for you? Laurie: Well, his proposal was crazy. He proposed to me in the middle of a magic trick (I was his assistant) in front of a large crowd of strangers. He was making me pick a card as part of a trick, and he kept yelling at me “Are you saying you want a diamond, are you saying you need a diamond?” and when I said yes, the ace of diamonds, along with a diamond solitaire ring, was lowered down from the ceiling and he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! Mark: When she agreed to marry me I began to suspect she was cer-

to go antiquing or junking, and I love to eat at Great Castle Restaurant. And all of these things I love to do with Mark. Mark: Spending a wonderful day at Snead’s helping and visiting with our truly eclectic group of customers. Then heading over to Great Castle Restaurant for some walnut shrimp and pot stickers. Then home to figure out how I can “do- in” those damn dogs! What is your least favorite thing about your spouse and most favorite thing? Laurie: Least favorite—How he thinks he’s always right. Most favorite—Mark is so smart and funny, and we laugh a lot. Life is never dull with this man! Mark: Least favorite—Her collection of homemade taxidermy critters that she

niest person I know. He makes me laugh every day. I mean, he’s a magician, a comedian, a hypnotist, an actor, and a local business owner. There’s a lot of comic fodder out there. Mark: We once double-dated with Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie and, during dinner, Angie started to get a little flirty with me and Laurie threw a plate of rigatoni at her.

passionately crazy about his darling grandson Deegan, who is his very best friend. He is passionate about our business, as well as government and politics. And, of course, he loves me passionately! Mark: Without a doubt our grandson. The kid has thrown-up on her, peed on her, and turned the garden hose on her. If I tried any one of those an-

tifiably crazy. And when I discovered that she wanted to get married at a Star Trek convention, that pretty much solidified the notion she may not be shuffling from the top of the deck. What’s your favorite thing to do in Bakersfield? Laurie: Attending live theater or working on a show in any capacity—acting, directing, stage managing, props. I like

insists on showcasing in every room in our home. They creep me out. But she loves to surround herself with them and pet them while watching Wheel of Fortune every night! Most favorite— Laurie’s genuine concern and interest in other people constantly intrigues me. I love how she has so much love for others. She is a beautiful person with not a mean bone in her body.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 19

Kern Facts

By the Numbers

19 Citizens that make up the Kern County Grand Jury 170 Number of active members in the county’s Sheriff’s Reserve Organization

2,420 Bakersfield residents per square mile as of 2010 (population density)

22,500 Number of lunches served by the Bakersfield City School District every school day

141,551 Visitors to McMurtrey Aquatics Center in 2008 675,000 Total number of square feet that’s been cleaned of

ugly graffiti since the county created the Graffiti-off program in August 2000

Sources: bakersfieldcity.us; www.co.kern.ca.us; kernsheriff.com; bcsd.com

©istockphoto.com/maszas

Bon Appétit

List extra

y can nger hunt? Sure, the ver been on a scave ally rm no u yo kind of prizes do be kind of fun, but what u yo if at Wh t. thing lame, no doub ur yo get for winning? Some as i's att t certificate to Frug could claim a $100 gif a neighbortead of running around prize? And what if, ins names and of was look through a list hood, all you had to do e on our Au'r ted yours? Well, if yo see if we randomly selec e to email on t me below, be the firs List and you see your na be gou'll yo d magazine.net* an Mrs. us at alist@bakersfield old k as to ithout ever having t on ing to Frugatti's on us...w no e u'r yo If a roll of toilet paper. ay. Nelson if she'll give you tod up n sig eldmagazine.net and the A-List, visit bakersfi Janine Ortgies Robert Gandara Amber Goeller Cindy Bell ven Barnes Alan Christensen Ste Mike Niemann Tod Denison Lorena Alderete Sarah Shields

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20 Bakersfield Magazine

who have not won a prize

in the

In & Around B•Town

LET’S GET WILD i

photo courtesy brendan.lally

n case you weren’t already aware, the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (F.A.C.T.) at CSUB is a local wildlife rescue, conservation, and education project with a special focus on birds of prey and endangered species. The program has been helping rehabilitate native animals since 1975. Injured and baby birds are brought in by local residents, wildlife biologists, and veterinarians. F.A.C.T. is staffed by biology majors working for course credit, which affords them the unique experience of working closely with government-protected species. Friends of F.A.C.T., Farmer John Eggs, the Kern Wildlife Resources Commission, Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital, and the Red Tailed California Department of Fish and Game Hawk all contribute to make the F.A.C.T. program successful in helping these animals, but you can help, too! Head out to one of their monthly open houses to see wild birds of prey in the Kestrel or Golden Eagle display. See a Great Horned Owl close up! The open houses also feature Golden a wide variety of native wild animals like Eagle lizards, gophers, butterflies, and more. CSUB students and staff give demonstrations and tours for an afternoon of wildlife fun. During the open houses, anyone can take a walk on the nature trail, touch a bird, even dissect an owl pellet. Open houses take place on the first Saturday of each month of the school year from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Environmental Studies Area on the Great southeast side of campus. Admission and Horned Owl parking are free so you can load up on educational gifts and souvenirs...and all the money helps support this great local program! Visit csub.edu/fact/ for more information.

Did you Know?

he original Beale Memorial Library was dedicated on June 2, 1900, a gift to the city of Bakersfield by Mrs. Mary E. Beale and her son Truxtun in memory of her husband and his father, General Edward Fitzgerald Beale. That building was unfortunately destroyed in the 1952 earthquake but a second Beale Library was completed in 1957; the library moved to the present location in April 1988. Source: KernCountyLibrary.org

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 21

Kern Facts Flower Arrangement $70, Flower Bar 13043 Stockdale Hwy. Suite 400 (661) 587-6181

Complete Tux Rental starting at $79.95 Fino’s Menswear & Tuxedo 3900 Coffee Rd., Suite 14 (661) 588-3344

6 ct. Green Oval Amethyst Ring, $1,000 Robson Eilers Jewelers 9000 Ming Ave., Suite H5 (661) 665-0411

stuff we like

LYDC London Overnight bag $69.95 La Petit Poulette 5301 Office Park Dr. (661) 323-7700

Baby Walker, $109.98 JM’s Just For Children 930 Wible Road (661) 834-7277

Robert Graham Collection Sport Shirt, $198-$398 H. Walker’s Men’s Clothing Co. 1700 K St., Suite 100 (661) 283-4500

22 Bakersfield Magazine

Become B-Town Famous!

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People • Places • Events

hey, hey... we’re on The Today Show!

few months back, Today Show anchor Al Roker caught up with kitschy ‘60s group The Monkees when they stopped by the Fox Theater as part of their recent tour. Roker even donned a wig and performed with them on stage. The clip, showing Roker wearing far too much polyester, also had the funny anchorman standing in front of the Fox as he prepped for his cue. Visit today.msnbc.msn.com Rockin’ Roker and check out the video.

Winning isn’t everything

eah right. That’s why, when we give away tickets to events, gift certificates, and other goodies, we like to put a little icing on the cake for our winners by putting their names and faces in each issue. Here are some big winners from the last two months. And if you want to see your own name and face below, make sure you’re on the lookout for our upcoming contests. Visit bakersfieldmagazine.net for more information.

Village Fest Lisa Little Tim Claiborne Fermin Juarez A-List Winner Pam Blacklock

Pam Blacklo

Structural Tubing Wire Coils

Fencing

Fermin Juarez

T-Posts

e Shari Georg

Stuff We Like Audrey Polanco Little White Dress Samantha Olea Unique Pet Design Cynthia Claiborne Tickled Pink Shari George The Bra Shoppe Ana Bradford Maria’s Bridal Elizabeth Ann Dean Floyd’s Office Solutions Sandy Bye El Portal

Kern County’s Oldest Steel Company

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Pop Quiz Winner Craig Holland www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 23

Kern Facts

There’s Mexican food and then there’s

Gourmet to Go

iranda and Theo Morris have found a way to cook up a successful little business in this fast food economy. Culinary Creations is the result of two young chefs, a marriage, and a truck. Both just 28 years old, the Morrises have proven they have the right ingredients to attract a foodie following. They knew in this troubled economy that a loan for a brick and mortar restaurant was highly unlikely, so the young couple bought a mobile catering truck that Miranda describes as a, “mini restaurant with low overhead.” Culinary Creations started parking and serving up gourmet on the go in November of 2010. With the food truck phenomenon of Los Angeles and The Great Food Truck Race on TV, Miranda and Open Faced Alaskan Salmon Sandwich

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Theo thought it would be a great time to introduce this type of dining experience to Bakersfield. While parked at the Garces Circle, Culinary Creations generated a loyal following cooking up what Miranda calls New American. “We use everything that we’ve learned,” she added. With spices from all types of cuisine, the couple incorporates compelling flavor into American food. “We like to change [the menu] frequently to keep it fresh

Miranda and Theo Morris of Culinary Creations

and new and it keeps the job fun for us.” Favorites like the tri-tip mexi-melt sandwich, sweet potato fries with ancho citrus ketchup, or the tempura asparagus with lemon aioli have earned a regular spot on the menu. Everything at Culinary Creations is made-to-order. “What sets us apart from other places here in town is that we want to give people an option for really good food on the go,” said Miranda. The mobile kitchen provides an alternate option to typical fast food by ofWatermelon Salad fering delicious, fresh food on the fly, while also being an affordable alternative to a sit-down restaurant. With a brand new kitchen at McMurphy’s Irish Pub, the Morrises seized the opportunity to feed their fans outside of the truck (at least during summer) and expand to a second location. But the mobile kitchen is back in action in the shopping center at 3001 Calloway Road Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Splish-Splash

e were overwhelmed with responses to last issue’s Pop Quiz! There’s no more stumping you guys. Let’s see if you can figure out where we took this photo. Here’s a hint: we had to time it just right to be able to take this picture and not get wet. Think you’ve got the answer? Email us at comments@bakersfieldmagazine.net and if you’re right, your name will be put into a random drawing for $30 in gift certificates to Russo’s Books. Good luck! Last issue’s answer: Mannequins outside Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace

TOP

People Places •B•Town Events In &• Around

Can’t Live Without

Stephen Elrod, a firefighter with the Bakersfield City Fire Department, tells us the ten things he could never part with.

Surfing

Along with my faith, family, and friends, having fun is a big part of my life. Lately, surfing is my #1 fun thing to do.

Water

I use a bright green 32 oz. Nalgene that goes with me everywhere.

Glow by Donavon Frankenreiter

My Job

Bakersfield City Fire Department rocks! My job and the people I work with have done a lot for me. I love what I do and am stoked for the opportunity to work and have fun!

Stephen Elrod

Bakersfield City Firefighter

There’s never a moment of silence in my world—music is either playing on my stereo or in my head! This album is stuck on repeat on my iPod.

6 3

My new iPhone

I’m hopelessly addicted and a technology moron like me can even write this list on it!

“The Man, The Myth & The Legend” Oncologist Dr. Allen Cartmell. I literally can’t live without him and his staff.

8 Our new Subaru Forester

The ultimate all-purpose, all-fun, all-wheel drive machine!

San Clemente, CA

I’d call it my home away from home. The most beautiful and kicked-back beach town. I’d go bonkers if I was never able to get down there!

5 My Rainbow Sandals

Made right in the heart of San Clemente and the most glorious sandals my feet have ever touched! I don’t leave home without them.

7 Saigon Restaurant

On the corner of Oak St. & Chester Ln. If you’re in the mood for some good Vietnamese, go get yourself a good ol’ special #8 with vermicelli! www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 25

Kern Facts

Photo courtesy nick strObel

...and Let Me Play Among the Stars

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ver wanted to travel through time and space? It’s possible...though not in the way you might think. If you haven’t been out to the Bakersfield College William M. Thomas Planetarium, there’s no time like the present. Each year since 1962, the BC planetarium has provided shows for not only the public, but nearly 4,500 K-12 students in addition to serving as a unique learning environment for BC courses. With individual seating for 72 people, the dome is 36 feet in diameter (it’s the largest dome in the Central Valley). It utilizes two types of projectors. One is the Chronos Star Projector, which produces a “super-crisp view of the sky from any point in history from over 4,000 BC to over 4,000 AD from any point on Earth,” explained Nick Strobel, planetarium director. The other is an all-dome projector for showing immersive scientific films. Evening shows take place on a given

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Thursday each month during the semester, starting in September. “With every show, I give a live tour of the evening sky, telling what constellations and planets are visible to the naked eye,” added Strobel. It’s an experience not to be missed. And since pricing is so reasonable ($6.50 adults; $4.50 seniors+children), bring the whole family. Plus, the planetarium can be reserved for group shows during the fall and spring semesters. Tickets are available at the BC ticket office or by calling (661) 395-4326. Upcoming shows: October 20 “Dawn of the Space Age” 7:30-8:45 p.m. November 17 “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” 7:30-8:45 p.m. December 1 & 8 “Season of Light” 7:30-8:45 p.m.

Tehachapi Film Festival

ights, camera, action! October 14th through 16th are the dates of the first annual Tehachapi Film & Screenplay Performing Arts Festival. The brainchild of award-winning director David Heavener, this three-day event includes screenings, seminars, and awards. There will also be an online competition concurrent with the festival. And celebrity guests like director/producer Jim Fargo and Academy Award Winner Martin Landau will offer valuable advice and entertainment for attendees. Heavener explained that the hope for the inaugural festival is, “to give awareness of the arts and film” to our area. For more information, visit tickettohollywood.org.

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Did You Know?

etween 1942 and 1946, a large-scale grow operation of guayule took place on Arvin and Lamont-area farms for use during World War II. Guayule is a silver-leaved Mexican shrub of the daisy family that yields large amounts of latex, which can be used as a rubber substitute. Source: Historic Chronology of Kern County

Whoops! Last issue, we incorrectly labeled the Joey Porter Golf Tournament as the BARC Golf Tournament in our Party Chatter pages. Joey has been a big supporter of BARC for years and the tournament was a great success! Sorry about the mistake, Joey.

People • Places • Events

Local

expressions

When he was a child, Todd Robinett's family took a trip to Pismo Beach. While in a shop, Robinett noticed a small carving of a sea captain. He was fascinated by the craftsmanship and his parents bought him the miniature seafarer. “I was amazed at how someone could use a knife and carve something out of wood, and make it look so detailed,” said Robinett. “I guess it was then that I had the desire to carve wood.” Bakersfield born and raised, Robinett married in 1986 and moved to the coast. When he moved back in 1991, his late wife bought him eight woodcarving lessons from a man at the fair, knowing he would appreciate them. She was right. “I was on my way to an addiction,” he added with a chuckle. On the inside of his left forearm is a tattoo of a cowboy, and on the right is a Native American. His love for western themes is also evident in his carvings (Robinett's first was a cowboy holding a rifle). In 1999, a move to the corn cob pipe capital of the world, Washington, Missouri, would inspire him to work in the medium of western folk art caricatures. Hillbillies, cowboys, Native Americans; all are part of the humorously exaggerated aesthetic of Robinett's creations. While living in Missouri, Robinett entered his work in the Washington Town and Country Fair. He took home several prizes including best of

show and a few first places. He eventually moved back to Bakersfield and, in 2005, he lost his wife to cancer. He continued carving and on

Robinett is not only a romantic, but a proud father of the couple's combined six children that range from 16 to 24 years old. A heavy equipment operator

his first date with the woman he would eventually marry in 2009, he brought her a single rose carved from wood and painted red. Debie Robinett takes great interest and pride in her husband's woodwork and she loves to give him ideas. “I want him to make me a whole bouquet,” she laughed.

by day, Robinett spends about 10-15 hours a week carving, depending on what he's working on. One piece can take him about 12 hours. “It's calming, you can sit and think and make a mess.” Many of his carvings end up on a shelf, or on display in his house, but Robinett also

enjoys doing carvings for his friends, especially walking sticks made from Diamond Willow. The ornate detail he includes makes the simple sticks beautiful works of art. “His hillbilly faces are so funny,” added Debie, referring to a walking stick with a series of hilarious bearded faces wrapping around it. Each face was created around small branches growing out that Robinett whittled into noses. On a recent trip to Hearst Castle, Robinett noticed Italian relief carvings in the ceiling and he was inspired to try that medium himself. He has been working on a few and plans to enter a detailed relief carving into the Kern County Fair this year. It looks like wood carving will always be part of Robinett's life. Having sold a few pieces, he plans to begin selling his work online, and eventually combine leather and metal work with the wood as well to make western-style furniture. And because he would eventually like to start making money doing what he loves, Robinett recently applied for his business license to start his company, Whittle Me This Wood Products. For now, this local carves simply because he loves it. His intricate works of art are whimsical and it's impossible not to smile when you see one. “Part of the pleasure I get from carving is the looks on people's faces when they first see them. If I see a smile on their face, it makes my day.”

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 27

Kern Facts

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he contest for the removal of the county seat from Havilah to Bakersfield, preliminary skirmishes of which had been taking place occasionally for years before, assumed final, serious form in January, 1873, when, in response to a petition signed by upward of one-third of the registered voters of the county, the supervisors called an election for February 15th to determine the question. “F. W. Craig, who was one of the supervisors at the time and who fought hard for the retention of the county seat at Havilah, says that the Havilah partisans did not hope to keep the county seat permanently, but they objected to its going to Bakersfield because they considered the place unsuited on account of its low and swampy character. They believed that, with the building of the railroad, a new and more permanent town would be founded somewhere on higher ground than Bakersfield, and their fight was to keep the county offices at Havilah until the expected new town could develop and assert its claim to the seat of government... “Mr. Craig, who afterward was county clerk, came down to the valley perforce, but he took up his residence in Sumner (now East Bakersfield), and still maintains that there is more ozone in the air east of Union Avenue than west of it. Bakersfield people contented themselves with pointing to the mortality tables and making fun of the contention of Havilah that Bakersfield was not a “fit place for a gentleman to live,” but to the complaint that it would cost the county a large sum of money to erect the necessary new buildings which a change in the county seat would entail, they presented a more material answer. Morris Jacoby gave a bond, with F. A.

Tracy and Solomon Jewett as sureties, that he would build a brick jail and lease it to the county for five years free of cost if the election resulted in moving the county seat. Julius Chester signed a lease to the county at $1 per year for a one-story brick building to be used to house the county offices. On the same terms, John Howlett and Julius Chester, as trustees, leased to the county the town hall for a court room... “A vote was canvased...the returns as finally canvassed on January 26, 1874, gave Bakersfield a majority of twenty-two votes and stood, according to precincts, as follows: Havilah–Havilah, 97; Bakersfield, 0 South Fork–Havilah, 33; Bakersfield, 1 Hudson-Rosemyer–Havilah, 0; Bakersfield, 14 Kern Island–Havilah, 5; Bakersfield, 265 Long Tom–Havilah, 0; Bakersfield, 10 Tehachapi–Havilah, 40; Bakersfield, 18 Bear Valley–Havilah, 4; Bakersfield, 22 Sageland–Havilah, 22; Bakersfield, 1 Linn’s Valley–Havilah, 38; Bakersfield, 23 Kernville–Havilah, 72; Bakersfield, 0 Claraville–Havilah, 21 ; Bakersfield, 0 Totals–Havilah, 332; Bakersfield, 354

“No election was held in Alpine precinct, and for some reason the vote of Walker’s Basin was never included in the official count. “For a short time the seat of government was transferred to the town hall in Bakersfield, located on the present site of the Beale Memorial [L] ibrary. But preparations at once were made for more permanent quarters.” Source: History of Kern County, California by Wallace M. Morgan. Historic Record Company, Los Angles, California, 1914.

Skilled Hands

Rock Man

gan when a protege of Kells took a job at the L.A. National Cemetery. He called Kells out to see if he could fix some headstones— Save Our Stones was born. Most military headstones are made of white marble and many are falling apart with degradation from well water irrigation, riding mowers, vandalism, and the use of improper chemicals, like bleach, to clean the stone. Kells is the only person in the world authorized to fix and clean up U.S. military memorials.

TO HO SY RTE COU

LLS N KE JOH

ohn Kells is an ambitious man who has found himself in a whirlwind. With a deal developing a new patented system and starting a nonprofit that he has equal passion for, Kells is poised to not only make a big difference in his industry, but to inspire his fellow Americans. Kells grew up everywhere from California to Kentucky. “I was nomadic; I guess it matches my work now,” said Kells with a chuckle. While in his early20s and fresh out of the Marine Corps, Kells’ friend introduced him to the artificial rock industry. Here, Kells found art and passion while working with his hands, saying he finds satisfaction in “relating a vision in my mind to reality with my hands as medium.” So he started his career with di Giacomo, the premier artificial rock builder, where he apprenticed and learned the business from the ground up. “It was a Jackof-all-trades kind of deal,” explained Kells, adding, “it comes down to a lot of different art forms all in one.” He eventually moved to Bakersfield and, in 2002, Kells began Advanced ART (Artificial Rock Technology) International. Advanced ART can build anything to look like the natural world and does work for resorts, high-end private residences, and wine cellars just to name a few. Along with doing groundbreaking work in his industry, Kells’ puts equal passion into a project to bring renewed honor to America’s fallen heroes. It be-

Advanced Artificial Rock Technology

While it is painstaking work, he uses standard masonry tools to work with the headstones, like trowels and brushes. Kells also employs sanding and grinding techniques and uses various bonding and cleaning materials to re-build, fill dents and scratches, and clean the stones. After fixing and cleaning, he makes sure the lines of headstones are straight and will realign and level as necessary to preserve the rows. This kind of work can’t happen overnight.

Projects can take several weeks. “I’m a rock man, I’m an artist; my scattered mind sees it all. And I thought, ‘where do I center it, where do I start?’ ” Save Our Stones has begun restoration in national cemeteries all over the country with the support of federal funding from the Recovery Act. But there are millions of headstones in need of cleaning and repair, and many of them are located in private cemeteries which rely on private donations. Save Our Stones hopes to fill that gap with fundraising. And Kells isn’t working alone. He teaches, trains, and employs veterans. His vision for Save Our Stones is that he will be able to offer a veteran who’s lost a limb an

Photo by austin irwin

John Kells

honorable and high-paying job. The organization will truly kick off this fall when Kells fixes a civil war soldier’s headstone at Camp Pendleton for the local media. “It all starts with one stone,” said Kells, who endearingly calls it the “cornerstone” due to a missing corner piece. So why does he do it? “Being a former marine, it’s the most honorable thing that I can do. To pass on the knowledge and passion I have for rock,” he explained. He also explained that it’s not just for the memory of our fallen heroes, but as a part of this country’s historical preservation. John Kells is a good ol’ fashioned hardworking American (and Bakersfieldian) who not only uses his hands for his trade, but also to honor his country.

“It’s not just for the memory of our fallen heroes, www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 29 but as a part of this country’s historical preservation.” —John Kells

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LaMeka Ross, 37 Occupation: Organizational Capability Resource Advisor Are you a Bakersfield Native? No, I am from Louisiana.

Is there a style product that you absolutely can’t live without? I love my MAC cosmetics, especially my Girl’s Delight Dazzleglass. Also, my Awesome hair products.

Do you think Bakersfield has a style? I don’t think Bakersfield has a particular style. Because of the diverse group of people who live here, I see a mix of different styles in town. Describe your personal style. Casually chic, but very versatile depending on where I am going and what I am doing.

How long does it usually take you to get ready in the morning? One hour.

Is there a celebrity or person in your life that you get your style from? I love Michelle Obama’s style. Whether she is working out in the community or attending a dinner, she has a great sense of style and always looks fabulous. What are you wearing? I am wearing a Tory Burch top and dark denim jeans.

FASHION TIP: Find out what looks good on you and ROCK it.

Does your style change when you are not at work? Yes. Because I am a mom of two, I like to wear jeans and a tee when not at work. If I am going out with friends, I love to dress up and put on a cute dress.

How do you personalize your ‘business’ look? I love to wear bright, colorful tops to work. They exude happy and fun, which matches my personality. What are your favorite places to shop in Bakersfield? Two of my favorite places to shop in Bakersfield are Christine’s and Victoria’s Boutique. What is your favorite item of clothing? Jeans. You can dress them up or down and always look good.

What is the biggest fashion mistake you have made? The biggest fashion mistake I have made is trying to wear what is trendy. I have learned over the years what looks best on me and what I am most comfortable in. Are you a bargain hound? I wouldn’t classify myself as a bargain hound, but I do love a good sale!

What mistakes do you think women make when they dress? Every style or trend is not for every woman. Find what looks good on you and what compliments your body type, and ROCK it!

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 31

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CITIZEN KERN

Country Meets Community

Personal Stats: Name: Rockwell Age: 44 Birthplace: Sonora, CA Title: President & CEO of Rockwell’s

His favorite part of the industry: You wouldn’t think it would get any better than seeing Red Simpson and other Bakersfield Sound pioneers play every night, performing onstage with guitar greats (like Brian Lonbeck) as part of the Blackboard Playboys, or spending time with amazing honky tonk artists day in and day out, but Rockwell loves being able to support the community any way he can. He invites nonprofits to host charity events at Trout’s (free of charge) and he’s also a proponent of giving a local artist or band a chance to shine onstage.

‘‘

Rockwell

Musician Bobby Durham influenced me. He gave me examples of what to do and what not to do.

His heroes: It would be a little strange if someone in this industry didn’t mention Buck Owens and his sister Dorothy as influences, but it’s true. Musician Bobby Durham also influenced Rockwell. “He gave me examples of what to do and what not to do.” First and foremost, though, this Bakersfield Sound-promoting guy’s biggest hero is his 7th grade wood shop teacher.

‘‘

Career highlights: During one of his trips to Texas, Rockwell decided to drive (rather than fly) and asked a filmmaker/photographer from Hectic Films to tag along as he lined up dozens of artists and asked them to perform. The road trip garnered major attention and upon arriving home, Rockwell was greeted by the crew from County Music Television (CMT) and Mark McGraw wanting the scoop.

meet

How he got started: This community-minded businessman has been running companies since he was a teenager, starting with a video cassette rental store. While he did his fair share of country dancing at Trout’s in the early ‘90s it wasn’t until 1999 that Rockwell officially came on board to work with Vern Hoover to give Trout’s a shot in the arm. Even though he produces and co-hosts numerous shows and RFD-TV’s TruCountry (currently filmed in Texas), he puts the Trout’s community, including musicians and longtime patrons, first.

Photos Courtesy of david karnowski.com (rockwell); Country music television (cmt logo).

Trout’s Blackboard; Entrepreneur

What he’d still like to accomplish: Rockwell consistently turns a spotlight on Trout’s and the local country music scene with the Rockwell OPRY, a weekly TV program he produces that airs on Bright House Networks, but he’ll be turning that into a TV network later this fall. When all is said and done, he yearns to get more people involved in our community and enforce upon them the importance of supporting local history, culture, and business.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 33

By Charlie Durgin Tales of ghoulish apparitions, creaky houses, and floating spirits are about as prevalent during the month of October as chocolate is on Valentine’s Day. After all, people like to be spooked—that rush of adrenaline is addictive. It’s the reason we watch scary movies and go into the “house of horror” at the county fair. But we don’t really

respectable people claim to have been haunted or stumbled upon a ghost. We’re predisposed to believe in ghosts because of our belief in souls—our belief that inside each person is something that has nothing to do with their corporeal body. When we die, where does that go? It’s plagued scholars and, yes, fans of the su-

Bakersfield ghost stories? Oh yeah...we got ‘em! Lots of people can tell you any number of local stories that have circulated through the years. believe in any of the things we see within those supposedly haunted walls or on the big screen. We are just caught up in the season. Or are we? If you stop and ask someone on the street if they believe in ghosts, they’ll probably tell you they don’t. However, if you ask

pernatural for years. Ghosts are a part of our culture. Think about Shakespearean plays like Hamlet and Macbeth in which characters are haunted by the ghosts of the recently deceased; the Headless Horseman in Washington Irving’s classic spooky tale; Casper.

A haunted spot: Kern County Hospital, 1896

putting on what will undoubtedly be a fun and frightening tour of some of Bakersfield’s biggest haunts in celebration of the “spooky season.” With the help of a file marked “Paranormal” in Beale Memorial Library’s Jack Maguire Local History Room, we could do some ghost hunting. But in assembling a history of the Ghosts of Bakersfield, a discernible pattern develops: most of the ghost sightings are in central Bakersfield, and most of the legendary ones occurred prior to World War II.

Central Park at 21st and R streets: While it’s had a huge facelift as part of the Mill Creek Project, this park is home to a haunting that dates back almost a hundred years and repeatedly shows up in oral histories and different texts on Bakersfield hauntings. A woman is allegedly seen walking the park in a flowing robe. The scary part? Years ago, a woman’s bullet-riddled skeletal remains were found buried in a foundry that was across the street from the park.

In The Californian building: Over the years, numerous people have reported seeing the ghost of newspaper publisher Alfred Harrell, as well as the ghost of a German Shepherd. photo courtesy kern county library

them about any downtown Bakersfield ghost stories, they’ll be able to tell you any number of stories that have circulated through the years. And none of those stories have anything to do with Halloween. Our oral history is filled with hearsay about incidents in which 34 Bakersfield Magazine

Here in Bakersfield, we have our own ghost stories and haunted houses that have somewhat survived the modern, cynical, technology-dependent age we live in now. Haunted hospital wings, office buildings, you name it. In fact, later this month, Bakersfield College is

A house in the 2300 block of 18th Street where a woman’s face is reportedly seen in an upstairs window. A psychic who visited the home claims the apparition does not like male energy.

W.W. Kelly Home: This house was supposed to be full of nasty

Ghoulish apparitions; creaky, creepy houses;apparitions; and floatingcreaky, spirits Ghoulish may be closerhouses; than you creepy andthink. floating spirits may be closer than you think. spirits and apparitions. It was originally at 1305 Eye Street, but was later moved to 231 South Real Road where it was damaged by fire.

20th and Oak: Ghosts of children who died of scarlet fever (or another now extinct illness depending on the source) have been seen here. It was once the location of a hospital.

K Street: Otherworldly firefighters from the past have been seen crossing K Street where, legend has it, a brothel burned to the ground and firefighters may have perished while rescuing the madams.

700 Block of Niles Street: A house where Methias B. Warren, father of the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren was bludgeoned to death in 1938 with a piece of pipe. The murder was never solved. A psychic claimed to have seen the image of the senior Warren chewing on his pipe and rocking in a chair. The psychic later learned she was at the wrong address and claimed to have heard the house moved. The Haberfelde boiler room looks like a stellar place for spooks.

Does the Father Garces statue really move?

Union Cemetery: This 135year-old cemetery is the home of numerous stories from the beyond. It’s the final resting place of Col. Thomas Baker, and the spook factor is very high.

Father Garces Statue in Garces Circle: It is said that the statue mumbles prayers or moves its hands before deadly accidents.

T he Haberfelde Building: Over the years tenants have claimed to hear windows open, people laughing when the building was empty, and many other tales that don’t involve actually seeing ghosts, but hearing things that shouldn’t be heard. What do these stories have in common? Plenty. Most of them occurred within a few miles of each other, and they had their birth in a different time when people lived in an entirely different manner. The Haberfelde Building is essentially a hub for paranormal activity. John Sarad has owned the Haberfelde Building for 19 years, and he’s heard every ghost story told about his building in that time, and he’s also well-read in the history of downtown Bakersfield. The Haberfelde Building was the place to be for professionals >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 35

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8/23/11 12:33 PM

Yes!

Things that Go Bump in the Night in 1927. Many prominent doctors and lawyers called it home, and the Tejon Pharmacy was down on the corner. By Sarad’s account, it was quite a wild place. “The building is oozing with the juices of life, and the life people lived then was much more...colorful! We’ve got too many laws, rules, and regulations now that didn’t exist in the past. They enjoyed life, and they drank a lot. There were a lot of brothels downtown, and there were money lenders, and when the laborers would come into town from the hills, things would get lively,” Sarad said. And it was in this era that many of the best ghost stories were born. Before 1936, pharmacies and drug stores sold “patent medicines” over the counter and without a prescription that you’d

Central Park is home to a haunting that dates back almost a hundred years!

have a hard time getting WITH a prescription today. Common ingredients were coca (the raw ingredient in cocaine) and morphine (the base of heroin) to name a few, and those ingredients came in cures for everything from bad breath to menstrual cramps, and they were taken liberally by many. If you couple that with the high consumption of alcohol that was the norm in that era, throw in a touch of the Tule Fog, it becomes quite clear how they could’ve seen so many

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John Sarad, current Haberfelde Building owner, has heard many colorful ghost stories about his building.

ghosts. They were literally and metaphorically in a ghostly fog. Of course, that’s only one theory. People are prone to suggestion, after all. The famed illusionist “The Amazing Kreskin” said this is why people cry when watching a sad film even though they know “it’s only a movie.” Sarad suggested this idea himself when he said, “If you bring these [stories] up, people will start thinking they are seeing them again,” especially with the girl whose body was found buried in the foundry across from Central Park. It might be for these reasons that most ghost stories are old. They very well may be a relic of an age past. Today’s teens don’t gather around the campfire to tell ghost stories, instead they gather in movie theaters and internet chatrooms to obsess over good-looking immortal vampires and their seemingly indestructible werewolf counterparts. If you don’t put yourself in the frame of mind to see them as the old residents of the Haberfelde did in the drafty antique building, or go for late night walks in dark foggy parks, you may never see a ghost. That doesn’t mean you can’t still believe. It’s, as they say, a sign of the times. There’s nothing like hearing a good ghost story, laughing it off as an old legend of Bakersfield, and then sleeping with the light on and your head under the covers. v

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❖

HUMAN RESOURCES ❖

Work and Play

You’ve put in a hard day in hell. A statement released at work and now it’s time to by the hospital after James’ play. Be careful though, betermination stated that “We cause what you do outside of all have a legal and ethical work could hurt you back on responsibility to put our the job if: personal opinions aside It’s illegal. Visiting a loand provide the care recal watering hole, having too quired for any patient who much to drink, and getting a has entrusted us with their DUI on the drive home can health.” Additionally, the cost you your job. According statement said that, “All of By Robin Paggi to employment attorney Jay our employees are trained Rosenlieb, “Courts will allow employers and expected to protect patient informato get involved in an employee’s off-duty tion. This means keeping details conficonduct when that conduct is illegal.” In dential that might make it easy to identify addition to drunk driving, examples of ille- a patient even if his or her name has not gal behavior that people sometimes engage been revealed.” in while having fun include such things as It affects your ability to do your job. getting into fights (battery), dining and Too much playing outside of work could dashing (theft), and unwelcome sexual ad- lead to such things as excessive tardivances (sexual harassment or assault). ness or absences, hangovers or intoxicaIt poses a conflict of interest for your tion at work, sleeping on the job, or poor employer. According to Rosenlieb, work performance. According to Rosen“Employers may not take adverse ac- lieb, “Employers have a legitimate busition against an employee based on law- ness reason to address performance isful conduct that occurs away from work sues, even when those issues are caused during off-duty time, except when that by off-duty conduct.” conduct poses a conflict of interest for the For employers who are now all set to employer.” For example, Brian Quinn, fire employees for their off-duty cona Florida sheriff’s deputy, was fired af- duct, know this: ter it was discovered that his profile on • Focus on the impact of the behavior on MySpace listed his favorite things in- the company and not on the behavior itself. cluding female breasts, swimming naked, • Establish a legitimate business reason and drinking heavily and often. Quinn’s for why the discipline is appropriate. profile also included a picture of him in • Employees have the statutory right to his sheriff’s uniform and some statements engage in off-duty conduct or comments that he made about putting people in jail. that relate to the conditions of their emIn an article on the story by www.wesh. ployment without fear of retaliation. com, Sheriff Ed Dean is quoted as say- Therefore, it is generally unlawful to fire ing, “His statement about putting people someone for making comments that they in jail, his statement of swimming without are underpaid, overworked, and the like. his clothes on, things like that are totally Train your employees on the company’s inappropriate. Even if they were in jest, expectations of professionalism. Assumeven if he didn’t mean it, it still is not rep- ing that everyone has the same idea of resentative of the sheriff’s office.” what professionalism looks and sounds It violates company policy. Employee like leads to disappointment on both sides. Cheryl James was fired from Oakwood Expectations that are communicated are Hospital & Medical Center in Dearborn, more likely to be met. Michigan for violating HIPAA rules and So, you’ve put in a hard day at work and disseminating protected health informa- now it’s time to play. Be careful so that tion by making remarks about a patient you’ll still have a job when it’s time to go on Facebook. According to an article on back to work. the story on www.fiercehealthcare.com, James posted that she had come face-to- Contact Robin Paggi MA, SPHR-CA, CPLP at face with a cop killer and hoped he rotted KDG HR Solutions. (661) 328-5267

R I S K T A K E R S

FANtastic Ventures n 2003, Pete Kennedy was settled into his job as a claims service assistant at Bakersfield’s State Farm office, looking forward to beginning his climb on the corporate ladder. “I remember being so excited when I started working at State Farm,” Pete recalls. “I had been working in the restaurant business where I didn’t know what my schedule was from week to week and started this great job that had the same hours every day, didn’t have to work weekends or nights...I thought, ‘This is IT!’ ” Then Metallica rocked his world. “I had an extra pair of tickets to a Metallica concert that I decided to put up for sale,” recalled Kennedy, leaning back in his chair and smoothing his trademark long goatee which is bound at intervals with rubber bands. “I had messages from a couple of guys who were interested in buying them, so I returned their calls during my lunch hour. They started this unbelievable bidding war that just blew me away! First $300, then $350, then $370...I couldn’t believe the numbers they were throwing at me! “I ended up selling the tickets to the guy who gave me the highest final bid and called the other guy back to tell him where he could buy the tickets because I didn’t want him to go away empty-handed. Then I realized that I had sold an extra pair of tickets I wasn’t going to use anyway for enough money to pay for my own trip to the concert. I could pay for my tickets, my gas, hotel, and even a beer or two.” The lightbulb went off over Kennedy's head and a new business was born. He founded Pete’s Seats, and quickly realized that

By Tracie Grimes

he had tapped into something not only lucrative, but worthwhile. He would run a business that was based on putting himself in the shoes of his clients to create a service that would give people an experience of a lifetime. The goal is to be the go-to service for anyone who’s ever dreamed about seeing their favorite performer up close and personal, Kennedy explains. “Once you’ve sat in the first 10 or 15 rows and watched a person you’ve idolized for practically your whole life, it changes your whole perspective of going to a concert. It’s an experience like no other. I mean, when you’re sitting there so close to someone like Justin Timberlake that you can see the beads of sweat on his forehead, or reach out for a handshake...there’s just nothing like it.” And the value of his service goes beyond what his clients experience at a concert. “When I was selling those first Metallica tickets, I asked the guys why they just didn’t go and buy the tickets the same way I did. One guy told me that he was working so many hours as an auto mechanic, came home so exhausted, he just didn’t have the time or energy it would take to find tickets like these (they were great seats). I saw >> Pete’s Seats Pete Kennedy

Best Seat in the House www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 39

Risktakers

that I could provide a valuable service, and it was a pretty good feeling. Now I’m in a position to provide that service to people every day.” The opportunity to provide a valuable service to people and the possibility of earning some serious dollars may seem like a nobrainer on the surface, but leaving the security of working for a corporation to open a fledgling company wasn’t a decision Kennedy made lightly. He knew there was a lot of risk; leaving a stable job, giving up a steady paycheck. “Like I said, when I first started at State Farm I thought this corporate job was the be-all, end-all of jobs. But after a couple of weeks lay-offs began and although I didn’t lose my job at the time I knew the honeymoon was over. There really was no stability in a corporate job. And when I looked at the fact that I was pulling $400 every two weeks compared to the fact that I sold two tickets in less than an hour for almost $400, I decided to roll the dice.” Once the die had been cast came the matter of money. “That’s where the real risk came in!” Kennedy laughed. He did what any 20-something fledging entrepreneur with no savings to speak of would do to finance his dream: He took out his credit cards. “I charged $30,000 that first year and made $31,000, but I learned how to play the game. And I’m still here,” he smiled. The “game” isn’t an easy one to learn, Kennedy said, leaning forward as he shared some of the things he’s learned over the years. “There’s always somebody out there that thinks they can do my job by buying tickets and putting them up on Craig’s List. What they don’t realize is that there are times you have to just flush away $20,000 worth of tickets because you couldn’t sell them.” Another thing people don’t know, he explained, is that the venues sell all the junk seats to “Joe Blow Fan” and hold on to the good seats. Then, lotteries are held at the venue, the day the tickets go on sale, to give the illusion that the tickets going on sale are the best. But fans are often sold tickets to the back half of the sections that the venue chooses to make available. “But even though we’re in the lottery we may not have access to buying the best seats because the venue may have blocked them off for organizations like Citibank or the performer’s fan club. Nobody really knows what pre-sale the best seats will be thrown into. You can see how hard that would be for 'Joe Blow Fan' to navigate.” And not only does Kennedy have to keep up with the rules of the game, he often has to deal with the risk of running into legal problems. “I broker tickets, I don’t ‘scalp’ tickets. There’s a big difference and there are a lot of people, including big corporate entities, that try to say I’m breaking the law. But I know the law [brokering is completely legal] and I work right out in the open within the law. I've never tried to hide behind my goatee,” Kennedy said, smiling. Pete's Seats serves such a valuable niche to the people of the Central Valley that after eight years, they continue to thrive. “I have zero brick and mortar competitors! My only competitors are internet websites who 'pay-per-click' to divert searches to their sites. Local buyers end up paying a commission to some out-of-state broker, only to be sent downtown to our office to pick up their tickets. That’s our biggest challenge: educating the general public that a local ticket broker really should be your first call. We have access to every ticket, on every website, every day, and we compile what’s available at the box office and the secondary market to provide the client with all of the options at the time.” The business has grown from a home-based office to two

40 Bakersfield Magazine

©istockphoto.com/dwphotos

“It’s all about the customer. To be successful, I need a whole bunch of happy people who think I’m cool!” —Pete Kennedy

locations; one in Bakersfield (across from Rabobank Arena) and one in Fresno (across from the Save Mart Center). He’s at a point where he can expand on his current staff of three, but he’s a little leery of taking the plunge. “It’s really hard for me to find people I can trust enough to teach them the business. About the only people I can really trust are family and my mother works for me now. My wife [Jennifer] did, but now she’s home with our four kids.” Things may be a bit crazy from time to time with just three employees, especially since he's selling tickets to events all over the world, but under this current business model, Pete’s Seats continues to flourish. “I tell everyone that our job is sixth grade math on steroids: you do the adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing as fast as you can and buy the tickets at x price to come up with the y selling price.” The fruits of Pete’s Seats quick calculations are evident not only in the bottom line (Pete’s Seats boasts six or seven digit revenues most years), but in the stories Kennedy has to tell about his most memorable business experiences. “When I get a chance to go to a concert and see my customers in seats I’ve hand-picked for them with a look of pure joy on their faces, it makes me tear up,” he said softly. “One particularly memorable concert was when a customer called me up and said, ‘It’s my 20th anniversary and my wife loves James Taylor so I’d like the best, best, best tickets.’ I went to the concert and saw the guy’s wife sitting there, right in front of James Taylor, just crying her eyes out. It was such an honor to be a part of that.” And working in the industry means Kennedy can provide some pretty cool experiences for his own family. “My 15-year-old daughter, Zayna, is a huge Michael Bublé fan, so I got to experience that concert with her. Two days later, I took her to her first rock 'n roll show to see Mötley Crüe & Poison!” Making memories, making a good living. Sure, he may have to work a lot of long hours (“I’ve had to leave in the middle of my own kid’s birthday party as he was opening a gift”) while putting together some crazy deals, but this guy wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s all about the customer. To be successful, I need a whole bunch of happy people who think I’m cool!” v www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 41

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Mary Christenson, Realtor®

ary Christenson is well established as Bakersfield's premier luxury home Realtor®, having served the local community for over 30 years. Utilizing a significant online and print media presence, she provides professional expertise to her clients, and has become synonymous with high-end real estate. While growing up in the farming community of Shafter, Christenson learned the value of hard work. She began her 10-year newspaper advertising career at the Shafter Press, then moved to the Bakersfield Californian. Real estate caught her eye, and she earned her real estate license in 1981, quickly finding her passion. She was recruited by Coleman Homes and spent 10 years in new home sales. In 1991, she joined Watson Realty, receiving Top Salesperson of the Year awards for many of the last 20 years. In 2006, she achieved the city's number one MLS ranking with over $41 million in closed volume. She ranks in ERA's top Leaders Circle of 30,000+ agents nationwide. She continues her industry education

42 Bakersfield Magazine

Mary has helped almost 2,000 Bakersfield home buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals over the last 30 years! 2011 District Vice President of Women's Council of Realtors®. She champions causes for the advancement of women through community networking. DRE #00818891 9101 Camino Media Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-301-6279(MARY) www.MaryCRealtor.com

CURRICULUM VITAE

in luxury home marketing, current legislation, and technology. Over the last three decades, Christenson has branded her name through exceptional marketing and networking, as well as her significant community involvement. She says giving back to the community with an attitude of gratitude is a top priority. She contributes her desktop publishing skills to the local Association of Petroleum Wives, a networking/support group that hosts social and fundraising events that contribute to local charities. She serves Women's Council of Realtors®, a nationwide organization, as 2011 State District Vice President. She champions causes for the advancement of women also through the Alliance Against Family Violence, as well as Kern Community Foundation's Women & Girls' Fund. She recently was recognized with the "Bakersfield Woman with a Heart™ award from Garden Pathways. Christenson credits her husband Tom, retired from the oil industry---now a wood artist, for his strength and support. They have four adult children plus six grandchildren.

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Anu Mohan

Chateau d’ Bakersfield-Wellness Program for Special Needs

hy is the Prevention Plan a component of Chateau’®s services? In 2005, Chateau d’®’ Bakersfield adopted a clear proactive philosophy and has since created a wellness center where people with special needs will find a comprehensive health treatment day program. When new clients arrive at Chateau d®’ Bakersfield, they are assessed by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of a Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, LCSW, Social Service Director, Nutritionist, and Therapeutic Activity Director, that creates individualized and attainable goals to work toward each day at the wellness center. A personal schedule is carefully created for each client to address a client®s goals, along with any medical needs and limitations. A day includes physical activities to stimulate cognition, motor skills, and life skills training classes. Other activities include improving social skills and community integration wherein clients gain independence skills. At Chateau, a prevention plan enables in-

“If everyone in a client’®s life works together, things can improve drastically for everyone.” ¤We want to make the client as independent as possible in their situation.¤” “¤At Chateau, we constantly find solutions in an always-changing and uncertain environment.¤

824 18th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-322-4085 ChateauADHC.com

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dividuals to determine their top health risks and receive a customized plan and coaching from the team to lower or eliminate frequencies of ER visits, institutionalization, or further decline of their physical and mental health. Chateau has successfully implemented these prevention plans by striving to identify risk factors for each client and helping make adjustments that will prevent future triggers. General Manager and Program Director Anu Mohan explained that through therapeutic activities, new technology, independence training, and the prevention plan, Chateau can help clients and collaborate with care providers in managing their daily living. Chateau has survived uncertain government funding by careful planning and assistance from Kern Regional Center. Mohan also credits her loyal staff. "We have not let budget cuts impact our services. If you want to make progress, and you are willing to put in the work, then Chateau is for you. That goes for both clients and their families. Community collaboration is the key.¤ www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 43

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Jean Marie Silva, Madonna & Jean Laborde, Madonna Lang, Hollis Laborde (picture)

Jean Laborde

ean Laborde recently celebrated one of the most significant days in his life: his 45th wedding anniversary to wife Madonna. The couple has seen and done it all...and over 800 real estate deals later, the Labordes are still at it. On September 7, 1957 Jean came to McFarland from his hometown of La Puente to work for the Montebello Rose Company. He quickly started his own business harvesting beans. During which time, he came to know Kern and Tulare farmers and territory well. Jean’’®s love for big-scale farming easily translated to buying and selling land, and during a partnership with Hollis B. Roberts, a very successful farmer, he learned the ropes of buying and developing land for sale, and loved it. ¤I have a disease for buying land,¤ Jean joked. Jean left the Roberts partnership in 1970 to pursue his own projects, namely Riverlakes. It was his grand vision to turn his farmland into a whole new community in Bakersfield. After a sudden foreclosure on their loan to 44 Bakersfield Magazine

¤They can take everything, but they can’®t take your knowledge.¤” “¤Real estate was my passion, to put these deals together.¤” It’®s hard-earned knowledge that’®s made him the top commercial Realtor at Watson Realty ERA.

DRE #998649 9101 Camino Media Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-303-3269 JeanLaborde.com

CURRICULUM VITAE

develop the area, the couple was thrust into a harrowing, seven million dollar bankruptcy. They lost everything: house, cars, heirlooms, you name it. But what the bank couldn’’®t take away was their tenacity and knowledge. Although he was no longer involved, Jean still considers the Riverlakes community a major accomplishment because he got the ball rolling and now the area is developed and thriving. Over two decades later, Jean is back on top with hard-earned knowledge that’’®s made him the top commercial Realtor at Watson Realty ERA. ¤I like to work with people, and I like to sell something that they’’®ll be successful in,¤ explained Jean. A lifetime of farming gives Jean the expertise to advise buyers on not only what the land is worth, but to distinguish where and what types of land they need to realize their development goals. It’’®s his and Madonna’’®’s genuine, good nature that has brought them so much success in real estate. Honest hard work is just how Jean does business.

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Ryan Jost, Duane Jost, Troy Jost

Jost Carpet One Floor & Home

he Jost Family floor business has its beginnings in 1946, with brothers Chester and Martin Jost of Hillsboro, Kansas. After serving in the military, they set up their family'â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in Bakersfield. The two army men acquired tools and supplies and taught themselves the hardwood flooring trade. Their business soon expanded up and down the valley. In the '50s, customer demand changed from hardwood flooring to carpet. Always responding to the changing market and customer needs, Jost opened a small, fullservice home design store. By 1970, the store was moved to its current location. Family values and hard work ethics have made Jost Floor a long-standing Bakersfield business. It is their company'â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal to continue to be the reliable floor and home store that the generations of repeat customers come back to for their flooring needs. Duane Jost and his sons, Troy and Ryan, along with their valued employees, are all dedicated to providing the quality products and service

For over 65 years, Jost has been committed to offering quality products and customer satisfaction. Your home is the biggest reflection of the comfort and care you want to provide for your family. They are most proud of the generations of family members who have shaped its core.

320 Oak Street Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-327-7701 JostCarpetOne.com

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you can depend on for years to come. It was in 1990 that Jost joined with Carpet One. Carpet One is the largest flooring co-op marketing groups in the nation that offers the best warranties of the industry. This allowed Jost Carpet One Floor & Home the ability to compete and survive in an everchanging economy. There is nothing that can influence a substantial purchase more than customer service. Jost appreciates your business and has a professional team dedicated to helping you find the flooring solution to your residential or commercial needs of carpet, laminate, ceramic tile, hardwood, vinyl, and window treatments. They deliver value, expert service, and satisfaction beyond the sale. As the business marks the third generation and 65th year, with loyal and dedicated employees, some of whom have been with Jost over 30 years, Jost Carpet One Floor & Home has been able to reach its goal of providing a quality product while taking pride in their service to satisfy customers. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 45

46 Bakersfield Magazine

©istockphoto.com/lisegagne

There is something special about the night. Lights are brighter, music is louder, and laughter is left unchecked. The confines of the workday fall away to reveal a vibrant, energetic time when a cocktail is not out of the question and a meeting with friends is easy to arrange. It’s the time in our day when we relax, kick off our shoes, and unknot our ties. We let down our hair and jump at the chance to stop by our favorite watering hole. You might be the kind of person to plan out your night hour-byhour; you might be the kind of person that allows your evening to unfold as you go. And there’s something pure about the unfettered after hours—a time that is open to every possibility that the city can throw at you. As we all know, nights are better when you’ve got something to do and somewhere to be. Nighttime is more than just a marking on the clock—it’s a frame of mind. The business world might revolve around the progress made during a workday but the social world revolves around that wonderful period between five o’clock and the moment your head hits the pillow; that lively block of hours in which dances are had, music is blasted, and friendships are reinforced over a pitcher of beer and a bowl of guacamole. Here in Bakersfield, we’ve got our own set of rules for when the sun slips past the horizon and the stars come out. As soon as that timecard is punched, we’re ready to hit the dance floor, sing a song in front of strangers, and be entertained by the countless stage performances that happen all across our city. So if you’ve ever wanted to capitalize on your time outside

of the 9-5 grind, you need only look around town. The nights are full of activity. And, no, we’re not talking about vampires. This is by no means a comprehensive list, nor is it our list of “best” places to be...it’s simply a cursory glance at some of the more interesting things to do in Bakersfield after hours. We’ll leave it to you to do the exploring. The Hotel Scene It’s nothing new: high-back chairs, swanky cocktails, business suits. Hotel bars have often been used as an after-hours destination for business, leisure, and pleasure. They are perfect places to sip and unwind with colleagues and friends. But why? Across the nation (and especially in places like New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles), socialites, hipsters, young executives, and party-goers flock to the hot hotel bars for the flashy nightlife...and, let’s be honest here, to be seen. As an example, a 2010 article in New York Magazine explained, “It has been creeping up on us for several years now, but >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 47

48 Bakersfield Magazine

Marriott at the Convention Center nightlife in Bakersfield has changed—especially when it comes to hotels. “It used to be more about dancing in hotel lobbies and lounges. Here [the Marriott] it’s more about atmosphere and a place for people to network.” Hotels have become a place for people to work, play, and let loose. That extends to The Padre, as well. With the remodel in 2009, Bakersfieldians saw new lounge areas to dance, drink, and enjoy good company when the sun goes down. And since then, you’d be hardpressed to find someone who hasn’t visited the hotel to check out Prospect Lounge, Brimstone, or Prairie Fire on the roof. The atmosphere is such that you’ll see folks from around town dressing up in their finest just to spend a few hours in a hotel—they want the classic feel of an upscale hotel lounge in the comfort of their own home. It’s a mini-vacation in your own city. Sing The Loudest Grab a friend and test your pipes on any given night in Bakersfield by attempting the subtle art of karaoke. We say subtle,

Dance, dance, dance

©istockphoto.com/ lisegagne

the transformation is complete: Manhattan’s nightlife is practically synonymous with its hotels...hotels have become, for better or worse, a cultural force in the city again. They are at the forefront of interior design, hire the most celebrated chefs, host the most talked-about parties, and generally loom large in the psyches of tourists and locals alike who feel they must get in to see them.” Here in Bakersfield, our hotel nightlife is a bit more relaxed. But places like The Nines inside the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center and the lounges inside The Padre are still the stomping ground of business mixers, charity events, and the ever-popular “happy hour.” Being in a hotel bar or lobby makes you feel like you’re going somewhere; you’re on vacation for a night. “We’ve gotten very creative with speciality drinks to appeal to the crowds we get here during the week,” said Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center General Manager Carlos Navarro. When Rabobank Arena is hosting a major musical act or event, the Marriott will often create drinks and give them names that correspond with the acts. Hotel bars and lobbies have become a melting pot, Navarro explained. “We cater to a different audience. It’s not the rowdy sports bar, though we do have Monday Night Football on the flat screens, and it’s not the dance clubs,” he said. “But it’s very business-centric and laid back.” For Navarro’s part, he said the reason hotels have become such a successful and busy after-hours hangout is because they offer numerous areas in which to mingle. There’s the lobby, the bar (with an all-day happy hour), the restaurant, the lounge area—on any given night each will have a group of locals and guests. “People come here because they want that midscale ambiance. Those that come for drinks want to be seen but not in an obvious way. Hotel lobbies and lounges are a happy medium between a club and an upscale restaurant.” You don’t want to be bothered by the loud music of a club, but want a laid back professional experience. “You don’t know Marriott Hotel’s who you might be sitting with.” M.I. Greatroom Navarro also said that within the last three years, the

photo courtesy ranzie raroque, events coordinator-the padre hotel

The Padre Hotel

because there are those people who claim that you shouldn’t be a talented singer if you want to attempt karaoke. The more offkey, the better? Maybe. There are various places around town that offer karaoke on differing nights, so you could hit up each and every one and sing your heart out. Hopefully, you’re somewhat vocally talented. If you aren’t, maybe just sit back, relax, and watch other folks hop on stage and live out their childhood fantasies of becoming the next big “singer.” Hit the Bull Shed Bar and Grill for karaoke every Thursday night hosted by Wild West Entertainment. The mike opens up at 8:30 p.m. and you can sing your throat raw until 2:00 a.m. Bull Shed is the kind of bar and grill that relishes in the Western Spirit, so be sure to bring your boots and go eight seconds on Dolly, the mechanical bull. Let ‘er give you a run for your money and your equilibrium. Dolly is one of the only mechanical bulls in Kern County, so jump in that saddle partner!

photo courtesy robert long/cia

The Padre Prairie Fire

Center for Improv Development (CIA)

Laugh the Night Away It’s not all singing and dancing, though. Bakersfield has a burgeoning comedy circuit that has proven itself to be quite entertaining. While comedy groups are nothing new, the frequent use of social networking has helped some underground shows attain bigger and bigger crowds. For instance, did you know you and your pals can check out hilarious CIA Agents? No, not those kind of CIA Agents. These folks are a part of The Center for Improv Advancement (CIA), a group dedicated to the pursuit of improvisation in all forms— short form, long form, even pranking. “Anything can happen at a CIA show!” Robert Long, the CIA’s Executive Director encourages everyone to come out and give the group a shot. Every night is different and even the CIA Agents never know what to expect. “We started in 2008,” Long explained. “The CIA is a comedy club that primarily does improv but we do have local sketch comedy groups come by. And sometimes we have stand-up nights.” Regular improv nights start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, with “mature” improv sketches starting around 10 p.m. Starting in November, Long said he’ll start having a sketch group perform at the 10 p.m. spot. But why did the CIA come into existence? For starters, there’s always room for comedy in this town. Bakersfieldians love to laugh. For another, Long said that students he taught while in high school wanted an outlet outside of school to perfect the art of improv comedy. Long also added that the size of the audience is growing, but it’s often dependent on the season. At a show in April, over 70 people turned up to their current venue (The Ice House) that couldn’t handle a crowd of that size. “People were standing outside open doors and windows watching the show,” Long said with a laugh. All across town there are venues for comedy nights. You can be entertained by Major League Improv (who perform regularly at The Empty Space), The Gaslight Melodrama, Bakersfield Community Theatre, Stars, Spotlight... the performance art world is your oyster. Whether it’s catching laughs at open mike nights or enjoying some improv sketches, there’s many a chuckle to be found here. Take a Guess Question: Do you know where you can challenge your brain on weekday nights in Bakersfield? Answer: Trivia Night. Trivia nights are nothing new, of course. However, over the last >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 49

photo courtesy j. moncrief

50 Bakersfield Magazine

The Crystal Palace good looking and everyone should meet me seven times,” answered Resac. Or maybe just because it is a raucous time to test your knowledge, make new friends, and try something new! And with so many people getting in on the action, it’s a good thing Sandrini’s isn’t the only place in town to offer this activity. The Firehouse on White Lane hosts a trivia night Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Fishlips hosts them for local nonprofit groups (most often, the Ladies Active 20/30 Club) from time to time—and they’re often themed. One, in particular, was geared toward music buffs as the questions were all about song lyrics. Another was Harry Potter-themed questions. So start brushing up on your knowledge and head on down to a trivia night near you. Swing Your Partner Dancing has long been heralded as a great after-hours activity. First and foremost, it’s a way to blow off steam. It’s also a nice

Sandrini’s

©istockphoto.com/digitalproshots

photo courtesy don le

few years, these events have gained in popularity. Why? Maybe it’s because folks in Bakersfield are itching to show off just how much knowledge they have about trivial things like sports, movies, world events, and music. Maybe it’s because these nights give people a natural excuse to sit around a local restaurant and bar, relax with friends, and blow off steam from a workday. Maybe people are just looking for the live version of Trivial Pursuit. Since September of 2008 fun-loving crowds have been taking a trip down the stairs of Sandrini’s every Tuesday to test their knowledge against host Dave Resac’s random trivia questions. Resac describes the atmosphere as “a very hostile group of friends.” Which, when you think about it, is just the right environment for a competitive night of questions and answers. Of course, it’s all in good fun and the competition is friendly. For people looking to break their after hours routine, it’s a new experience that will have you back for more. “It’s a great way to make friends,” said Resac. Make a team or find teammates when you get there. A favorite part for most people is the team name. It’s got to be creative because it can score your team prizes. But some folks say that’s not the best reason to pick a creative name. Think about it, you get to hear the host call out your team name all night long... So what if you are looking for a fun time but you’re not a trivia wiz? Not a problem! There are plenty of ways to prepare and chances for free questions. Every week features a “this day in history” and Urban Dictionary question. And some teams choose to use the “free question for every alcoholic drink your team buys” policy. Of course, there is a limit on that. Resac also Tweets two questions on his Twitter account around 6 p.m. on trivia night. He’ll give followers about 30 minutes to guess and then post the correct answers. What does this mean? Follow him for an easy two points. It’s only $8 for a team to play and every dollar goes back to the teams in the form of prizes. Even the losers come away with a gag gift. So, why should you check out trivia night at Sandrini’s? “Because I am fantastically

Trout’s Dancing

©istockphoto.com/izusek

way to work off all those carmel lattes from the day’s coffee runs. Here in Bakersfield, there’s a style of dancing for everyone. Like to two-step? Feel like a little booty-shaking hip-hop dancing? And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention salsa dancing! Get a little spicy with colleagues and friends by hitting up salsa lessons. The Bakersfield Salseros offer beginning and intermediate classes every Sunday at The Doubletree. “It’s one of Bakersfield’s best kept little secrets,” said TJ “Salsa Mama” Paca, one of the founders of the dance group. The Salseros strive to promote true salsa here in Bakersfield and provide a place for people to learn something new and, best of all, dance. These lessons aren’t for your grandmother, though. “We pattern what we do after the social dancing in L.A. and San Francisco,” explained Paca. So students and dancers can expect something different from the Bakersfield salsa scene. There is no previous experience needed for the lessons, and no partner necessary: just bring comfortable shoes and an adventurous attitude.

Karaoke

Hear it Live Bakersfield is a great place to be if you’re into music...especially live music. Above, we mentioned quite a few places that cater to live music and dancing. That’s great if you’re looking to do the two-step or shake it with a roomful of people. But what if you just want to sit back, enjoy a beer, and listen to some great local band? These are the bar venues that aren’t set up for dancing so much as they are for rocking. That said, they can always accommodate a crowd looking to B Ryders get down for a few songs. For live music every Thursday through Saturday look no further than B Ryders. Off the beaten path, it has been at its White Lane location for the last two years (for the record, it’s been open five). B Ryders’ relaxed atmosphere and open floor plan allows for people to sit and watch and hang out or dance and get into the show. It is a flexible venue that has something for everyone. With reggae, latin, nineties, and today’s music, “it’s >> photo courtesy b ryders

photo courtesy bakersfield salseros

Bakersfield Salseros

Try out your new skills at Latin Night every Friday at The Doubletree’s Club Odyssey. The Salseros bring in two DJs every week to play real salsa music so folks can dance the night away! “It’s all about having fun and socializing,” added Paca. She has seen people make new friends and even spark romances at the lessons and social dancing. If you’re interested in spending your evenings doing something a little spicy, lessons are every Sunday, beginning salsa at 3:00 p.m., intermediate at 4:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., it’s easy intermediate salsa patterns. But remember to stay after lessons for social dancing from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Believe it or not, classes are only five dollars! Across town, get your honky-tonk on at The Crystal Palace with live music and dancing every Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. And The World Famous Buckaroos perform most Friday and Saturday nights between 7:30 and 9:00. After that, Steve Davis and Stampede take the stage from 9:00 to 11:45 p.m. But you can’t forget Trout’s! The longtime Bakersfield bar and venue has grown substantially in the last few years and the dance floors are accommodating increased interest in this iconic Bakersfield Sound hotspot. There are multiple stages on which artists of blues, honky-tonk, jazz, rock, and pop artists will play and plenty of locals looking to dance and have a good time. You can also hit up these locations for great dancing: The Nile Nightclub, Hourglass, Replay, and Toniq Ultra Lounge.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 51

photo courtesy j. moncrief

something different every weekend,” explained manager Shelina Price. With popular touring bands arriving each month, B Ryders packs the house. Over the past year they have seen the turnout grow and, as it has, so have the acts. Local bands also love to play at B Ryders. You can always catch everyone’s favorite local ‘80s cover-band, Glam Cobra, formerly The AfterParty, and other great local musicians on their stage. “When people come in, they’re just looking for a good time,” said Price. You can hit the tail end of their daily happy hour (Monday through Friday from 1 p.m to 6 p.m.) if you stop by after work. Or, head out after dark to enjoy one of their daily specials like Mondo Monday or Wing Wednesday. You can catch a show at Sandrini’s, too. They’re packing the house with local bands Wednesday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Even Old Town Kern bars like Narducci’s are home to bands ready and willing to rock your socks off during the week. Just as impressive are the acts hitting the stage at Trout’s. With multiple stages, there’s always someone to watch. The same can be said for Fishlips. Be there at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday for live music. And every Tuesday night,

B Ryders Fishlips hosts a Songwriters Night starting at 9 p.m. If you’re itching to perform yourself, be there for sign-ups at 8 p.m. Even The Padre is in on the musical action. The Prospect Lounge hosts “Sunday Funday.” Every Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 pm, spice it up with live Latin music. On Tuesdays, check out great jazz from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Live music is everywhere! 52 Bakersfield Magazine

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The New Games Each generation tends to bring with it a few activities that take awhile to take hold. There are the fads that really don’t need much time to take off, though. One after-hours event that caught on like wildfire is beer pong. And at Que Pasa at The Marketplace, beer pong is the activity. After the Monday Night Football crowds have thinned out, two tables are set up to accommodate this growing “sport.” “It’s a very relaxed scene for college students—we really appeal to that crowd. We didn’t want to leave them out,” explained manager Alex Castillo. “We started hosting beer pong about five months ago and it’s taken off.” Monday is often a slow night for bars and restaurants, but Castillo explained that with beer pong, they’ve discovered a fun way to keep people entertained and keep the restaurant full. “We didn’t want to do something that would affect the regular diners, but my employees kept talking about beer pong. I was hesitant at first, but we’ve got a lot of regulars already.” While the tournaments go on, from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Que Pasa’s bar is pumped full of ‘80s music and Spanish rock. And waitresses don referee costumes to man the tables. “It’s very fun, but we never have any problems...it’s a safe environment,” Castillo said. The same can be said for other local bars hosting beer pong nights, including B Ryders, Amestoy’s, and Bull Shed. But beer pong isn’t the only after-hours activity that seems to have found a new crowd. Bowling has never been considered a young person’s game, but add a few black lights to the mix and suddenly you’re booking lanes left and right. Try Extreme Bowling at AMF Southwest and Westchester bowling alleys on Friday and Saturday nights between 10 p.m and 1 a.m. Over at Regency Bowling Center you’ll be Cosmic Bowling on shiny lanes between 9:30 p.m and 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You can even slip on a few glow stick necklaces on Sunday night between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m. What’s really clear at this point is that Bakersfield does not shut down after dark. There’s a bustling city full of fun just waiting for you. Whether you are itching to decompress after a long day at work or hit the town with friends, there’s always something to do any night of the week. So loosen that tie...it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. v

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Corporate Relocation

Bakersfield is a city with one eye on the horizon. As the economy evolves and our community grows, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking out for what the future will bring...namely, new business and new families. And they are coming. After all, ours is an area ripe with the types of amenities that consistently allow us to outshine many other regions. With such a diverse collection of activities and commerce, Bakersfield is on target to shine even brighter in the coming years.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 55

PHOTOs COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

Stay&Play Maybe it was the exhilaration you felt on the swings, or the eagerness with which you climbed up to a slide. Possibly it was the way a jungle gym became a battleship or fabulous mansion. But whatever it was, it’s a feeling or memory only made at a park. Parks play a big role in our lives and seem to always be there for us...but how?

The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department is the organization that knows the importance of play and they strive to give us beautiful places to do that every day. Along with the planning and landscaping of all the roadsides and medians, “We really are the face of the city,” said Recreation and Parks Director Dianne Hoover. The department employs 147 full-time employees that work seven days a week to maintain the beauty of the 58 parks and the 137 miles of streetscapes. They have also been able to work very closely with the Economic and Community De-

velopment Department on the Central Park and Mill Creek projects. How do these purveyors of play generate funding for so many community enriching projects? It is collected, saved, and budgeted by the department. Through general tax roll and residential park fees, the Recreation and Parks Department generates a majority of the funding for their

wireless hotspots in the parks and San Joaquin Community Hospital helped continue the Movies in the Park Program after it had to be cut from the department’s budget. The Recreation and Parks Department also offers numerous outdoor education programs. They have created programs for the disabled community to learn and play sports like tennis, softball, and basketball. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

Greystone Park

Centennial Park Recreation and Parks Director

Dianne Hoover

56 Bakersfield Magazine

projects. The Recreation and Parks Department also occasionally receives state grants to revitalize property that the city already owns, like they did for the Mesa Marin and Kern River Uplands projects. Another way that the department funds its projects and programs is through large corporate sponsorships. Sponsors like Bright House Networks have been key in creating

People can even take classes in kayaking and fly fishing at McMurtrey Aquatics Center that include trips out to the Kern River to apply their newly-developed skills. “We even are offering Zumba,” said Hoover, adding, “if it’s a craze and it’s out there, we will try to include it.” Children have countless opportunities, year-round, to benefit from the de-

©istockphoto.com/rbfried

Mesa Marin Softball Complex

offers a unique outlet for recreation here in our city. The path has brought about countless running, walking, and bike clubs. The department is also proud to have opened several new parks this year. On June 1, the new softball complex at Mesa Marin was unveiled and it features four lighted PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

THE FUN NEVER ENDS

Bright House Amphitheatre partment’s programming with a range of after-school activities like the Children’s Garden and Build-A-Bike programs. The community garden at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center teaches kids about the environment and healthy eating, as they adopt a plant and eventually harvest and learn how to prepare it. The Build-A-Bike program teaches children how to repair and maintain a bicycle while also learning about bicycle safety. The Bakersfield Police Department donates recovered bicycles and when the child has demonstrated all their new skills, “they get to keep the bicycle, it becomes theirs,” explained Hoover. You may recall the excitement of wait-

ing in line for the diving board at the public pool or how “adult swim” felt like hours, but you cannon-balled right back in after the whistle, and yet again the Recreation and Parks Department is behind that, too. Although the spray parks and pools are only open from May to September, McMurtrey Aquatic Center’s lap pool is open year-round offering programs like the 100 Mile Club, Aqua Conditioning, Jr. Life Guarding, and many more. As much as people love to swim, the bike path is probably the most extensive (yet simplest) facility of the department. And by recent survey, it is by far the most used amenity in the entire city of Bakersfield. The bike path is 32 miles long and

softball diamonds with concessions, restrooms, and shaded bleachers. “Coming down the hill from 178, it’s a sea of green,” said Hoover. The Amateur Softball Association of America has already scheduled a national tournament for 2012.

Parks and recreational amenities add a great deal of value to the city and are a tremendous boon not only for residents, but for people making the decision to relocate here.

Another major park completion was the Kern River Uplands project. It can be accessed from Chester Avenue or from the bike path, and is located next to Sam Lynn >>

McMurtrey Aquatics Center

Corporate Relocation

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 57

Stay&Play Ballpark. With a bridge across the canal, visitors can walk over from the ballpark to find six different overlooks that feature information about the wildlife and plant life, as well as fun facts about the railroad, canal, and river. The department plans to add QR codes to the information displays so kids and adults can access more information with their smartphones. That information will change with the seasons. Because nature isn’t static, they want “to combine technology with the outdoor world,” explained Hoover. By creating more natural parks like the Kern River Uplands, the Recreation and Parks Department hopes to make nature interactive and fun. And accessing information with a QR code will be faster than you think because many of the new parks, and a growing number of established ones, are being enabled with Wi-Fi powered by Bright House Networks. It’s another way that this department has paid close attention to what people in Bakersfield want and need from their parks.

Our Recreation and Parks Department goes above and beyond for the people of Bakersfield. It has received National Accreditation in which 156 different standards were reviewed against industry best practices and this department is only one of two in California that has been able to complete that process. Parks and recreational amenities add a great deal of value to the city and are a tremendous boon not only for residents, but for people making the decision to relocate here. “This is very much a family town,” said Hoover, explaining that families look for things they can do together when judging prospective cities. She also discussed the ways in which children learn leadership and social skills at parks through programs and “by just playing on a playground [children learn] sharing, imagination, and important lessons that come during childhood.” Darin Budak, Assistant Director of the Recreation and Parks Department, added, “It’s about building community. We touch people through their entire life, whether it’s senior programs or peewee sports or stroller clubs for mothers.” He explained that parks have historically been a place people go for solace. “It’s a place they feel comfortable; a place they can reconnect.” And in these trying economic times, city parks ofPHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARKS DEPT.

which will, in turn, provide tremendous financial support to our area as businesses seek to set up shop in such a highly-trafficked area.

University Park With so many large park openings this year, the Recreation and Parks Department’s plan for the near future is to focus on completing more streetscapes and landscapes, as well as completing more work at Central Park and Mill Creek as new homes and businesses are built. Part of that work will be to redo the playground at Central Park, develop the Sister Cities gardens, and design and build small pocket parks around the new buildings. One of the most exciting things that the department has been working on and will continue with is the building of the Sports Village. Eight lighted soccer fields have been completed with eight more on the way. This mammoth-sized sports park will also feature numerous softball diamonds, a stadium for both soccer and football, and that’s in addition to a well-designed park area, picnic shelters, walking paths, and a lake. The lake will feature water from the nearby stateof-the-art water treatment plant and serve to irrigate the many fields. “The unique thing about the Sports Village is that it’s not a soccer complex; it’s not a football complex. It’s a sports village, so [people] will have the opportunity, when it’s completely built out, to have year-round, high-end use with multiple leagues or multiple large tournaments going on at any given time.” The Sports Village is being built in phases, when funding becomes available, so the project needs sponsorships to be completed. AYSO has already shown interest in holding a state tournament with the possibility of a national tournament someday. Its convenient location is right off Taft Highway, in between I-5 and the 99 Freeway and is accessible from either direction. So the complex has the ability to bring in a lot of tourism from families traveling for sports, 58 Bakersfield Magazine

Patriots Park fer free activities and are easily accessible and fun for the whole family. There are numerous outlets for recreation and relaxation within the city limits. And if residents are happy, they become our city’s best promoters, telling friends and family from out of town how wonderful life in Bakersfield is. These parks have additional economic benefits. From a financial standpoint, Hoover explained that parks help to stimulate economic development. “Properties around a well-maintained park have higher values than those [with no park in the proximity].” And 2011 has also welcomed two new residential parks at Greystone and City in the Hills that will bring added value to the homes in those areas. “To me [parks and recreation] is the life blood of the community,” said Hoover. “This city really supports its parks, and they really use their parks.” Visit your neighborhood park...you won’t disagree.

Downtown Bakersfield Bank of America Building

Advantages

Why are some cities more attractive to new residents and businesses? Is it because they have fancy slogans? Slick marketing campaigns? Lower taxes?

uch has been written on why people and firms choose the cities they do. While there are different thoughts on what approach may be more effective, the research in the field can be traced back to Charles Tiebout. In 1956, Mr. Tiebout theorized that people and firms â&#x20AC;&#x153;vote with their feet.â&#x20AC;? That means that consumers, whether they are residents or firms, can choose where they want to live. Because people are different, they will have different ideas of what they think is important in a city. Those with children, for example, may be very interested in the quality of schools. Those interested in outdoor activities may focus on places with varied recreational opportunities. Retired people may find the existence of public transportation, medical facilities, and travel opportunities to be important. Regardless of what type of businesses exist in a city, they will not be able to attract new workers, or keep existing workers, if the workers will not live there, which brings us to how cities can compete for those workers.

THE VALUE OF ARTS AND PARKS By Mayor Harvey L. Hall Everyone likes to live in a nice place. Bakersfield continues to work hard to make this city one in which everyone can take pride. One such effort is our embracing of the arts. Our burgeoning Arts District has sky-rocketed, with new galleries opening and the popular First Friday event attracting thousands of people to our central city on a regular basis. We are seeing an increase in public art around Bakersfield. There also is a greater focus on our galleries and museums and the wonderful work they do to bring the arts into our lives, often into the lives of those who need them most but often have the least access to them.

In addition to the arts, Bakersfield has a tremendous parks system. In 2011, Bakersfield opened four new parks: Greystone Park, Uplands of the Kern River Park, Mesa Marin Sports Complex, and Phase I of Bakersfield Sports Village (see the special story on the Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department on page 56 for more exciting details). This brings the total number of Bakersfield city parks to 53. Each one is different, but all provide open space and variety of features for nearby residents. Parks enhance property values which, in turn, provide more revenue to local government to provide more services. To show just how much some people want a park in their neighborhood, look no further than the recent opening of Greystone Park. According to newspaper stories, the residents nearby could not wait for the park to open and the official opening was a crowded affair, as neighbors were finally able to take advantage of the park they had watched being developed. Our sports parks, like Mesa Marin and Sports Village, attract sporting >>

Corporate Relocation

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 59

Advantages

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The Park at Riverwalk events. Mesa Marin, for example, is located on 15 acres and includes four lighted softball fields. These fields provide Bakersfield with a distinct competitive advantage when trying to attract sporting events. Those events attract athletes whose stay in hotel rooms and spend money. What many may not know is that youth sporting events attract more people and bring in more spending. Why? Because not only do youth athletes come to

I am proud to point to our many amenities, like our local arts scene and our vibrant parks, that make our community special.

20110461(03/11)

–Mayor Harvey L. Hall

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town, they also bring their parents and often other family members, meaning more visitors to Bakersfield and more visitor spending. Sporting events, like people and firms, vote with their feet, and organizers of these events go through a complex decision making process to select the cities that will host them. While the specifics of a sports venue are important, the host city also needs to be able to provide amenities and activities for the athletes and their families for the times they are not on the field. Bakersfield’s tag line “More to Explore” captures our ability to do just that. As Mayor, I am always proud to say that one of Bakersfield’s best assets is its people. Yet I am also proud to point to our many amenities, like our local arts scene and our vibrant parks, that make our community special. After all, as California’s ninth largest city, there must be reasons why so many people have voted with their feet to call Bakersfield “home.”

60 Bakersfield Magazine

Dancing fountains in the plaza that fronts the Rabobank Arena. The sounds of rushing water along the new Mill Creek Linear Park. The Kern River actually flowing with water.

Liquid Assets

In each instance, the presence of water is seen as a way to enhance our quality of life in Bakersfield.

T WATER EQUALS GROWTH

By Alan Tandy, City Manager

he numerous parks interspersed throughout our neighborhoods and enjoyed by our citizens yearround are also another important component to our local quality of life. Water, again, plays a major role, as there are visible water elements within many of our parks, combining two recreational elements in one location. Eight City parks boast “spray pads,” which are very popular with our citizens. If you drive by any of the spray pads during the summer season, you will be greeted by the sights and sounds of children thoroughly enjoying themselves, surrounded by parents sitting in the cool shade. Bakersfield’s new downtown Mill Creek Linear Park includes several water features. In addition to a large new lagoon between 19th and 21st streets, there are spray fountains in the waterway along the 1.5 mile park. Mill Creek also features a number of weirs that create the sound of falling water as it cascades over these barriers. Simply stand on the banks of Mill Creek at 19th Street or California Avenue, or walk over the pedestrian crossing at 17th Street, and experience the cooling, refreshing sounds of water. A more subdued use of water is the Veterans’ Memorial at Truxtun Avenue and S Street, where the names of local veterans surround a bubbling fountain. Just a few yards away, the kugle at the east entrance of the Amtrak Station provides unique entertainment for visitors to easily maneuver a large granite globe that appears to be dancing on a thin sheet of water. Also at the Amtrak Station is the arrival fountain that shoots water high into the air to announce each of the six incoming trains on the San Joaquin route from the north. >>

Corporate Relocation

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 61

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Liquid Assets The Bright House Amphitheatre at the Park at Riverwalk is a wonderful venue to gather with friends for the outdoor concert series. The Kern River water flowing in front of the stage area provides a unique and calming feature to the events that take place there. Yet, how can there be so much water if we live in a semi-arid climate with less than six inches of rain a year? The answer is simple: good planning and forward thinking. In 1976, the City of Bakersfield purchased the Kern River assets of Tenneco West, Inc. Through this purchase, the City was able to acquire a substantial quantity of Kern River water, and the majority share of the historic “first point” Kern River water rights. This included a number of items: water storage rights in

How can there be so much water if we live in a semi-arid climate with less than six inches of rain a year? The answer is simple: good planning and forward thinking. Lake Isabella, water rights to various utility canals, a majority of riverbed from Allen Road to Manor Street, water control structures on the river, a 2,800 acre water recharge facility, and a domestic water system. The purchase enabled the City to secure a safe, clean, and reliable long-term water supply for its residents. The cost of this purchase was financed by a Kern River Water Bond, known as Measure “B” when it was approved by Bakersfield City voters on November 2, 1976. This $15,500,000 bond was financed through 35-year contracts with various agricultural water districts. The City entered into the longterm agreements with the agricultural districts not just to finance the acquisition, but also because the City did not have

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an immediate need for all of the water it purchased in 1976. That action was a very forward thinking and creative strategy on the part of the City. It not only ensured that the water would be used locally by area farmers until it was needed by the City, it also secured a steady source of funding for the pur-

chase of the water. North Kern Water Storage District, one of the agricultural water districts, had a total contracted amount of 700,000 acre-feet of water to be delivered over 35 years. The final amount of 10,000 acre-feet of water was delivered to them on August 11, 2011. This is an important step in the completion of the historic and significant purchase of the City’s long-term Kern River water strategy. There is no doubt that water is a valuable commodity and

Behind The Park at Riverwalk it is no secret that there are various parties, including the City of Bakersfield, who are interested in controlling what happens with the Kern River water. It is apportioned out among the various parties, including the City, that hold rights to certain amounts of the water. The City, as well as several agricultural

water districts, has petitioned the State Water Resources Control Board for some of the water that has been declared “unappropriated.” As the majority owners of the Kern River water rights, the City wants the rights to the additional water. Realistically, it will be a lengthy and complicated process before there is a final legal determination as to who should get the rights to that extra water. However, we are moving closer than ever to having water in the Kern River

Truxtun Lake year-round. The citizens of Bakersfield will continue to enjoy the various water elements in our City parks and other places throughout Bakersfield, but they should also be able to enjoy it where one would most logically expect it—in the Kern River.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 63

64 Bakersfield Magazine

Transitions Automation and the Future of Jobs in Kern County

By Gordon F. Lull

©istockphoto.com/ThomasVogel

arning: robots ahead. Exercise caution. And, just in case, polish up that resume. Once only futuristic elements of popular culture, robotics and cutting edge automation are now welcomed realities in the American economy. For employers, that is. But what will be their effect upon jobs? Some fear workers will be sacrificed on the altar of efficiency, replaced with quieter, subservient, more diligent units which don’t start unions, clock in late, file workers’ comp claims, or take vacations. “…we are about to see a seismic shift in our American workforce,” predicts writer/entrepreneur Marshall Brain in his seminal essay, “Robotic Nation.” “As a nation, we have no way to understand or handle the level of unemployment that we will see…over the next several decades.” In a recent interview, forecaster Harry S. Dent Jr. similarly predicted that the unemployment rate could soon rise to 25 percent.

EMBRACING THE ROBOTS And a recent Los Angeles Times article reported on Buttonwillow, California farmer Mike Young’s transition from crops demanding human labor to the more profitable almond trees which can be harvested by robot forklifts. There’s another reason for abandoning row crops: Employees are a headache. Automation means Young no longer needs large crews of farmworkers to plant or harvest—and no more worrying about status, pay, or benefits. [December 17, 2010, Alana Semuels, “Automation is increasingly reducing U.S. workforces,” Los Angeles Times] The signs of automation gobbling up job opportunities are ubiquitous. Self-service kiosks have popped up at McDonald’s and Jack-in-the-Box; shoppers avoid long lines and master personal checkout stations at groceries and “Big box” stores such as Home Depot; virtual office operations can serve multiple businesses and scale down their clients’ need for on-site workers; robots now load and unload product pallets with scientific precision at warehouse distribution centers. The result? Increased efficiency, lower employment costs, and, in many cases, consumer satisfaction. The wonders in this brave new world of automation hurtle us onward toward Star Trek and Tomorrowland at warp speed.

Consider this… n Anyone driving Highway 1 between Los Angeles and San Francisco recently may well have passed a Toyota Prius with a strange triangular contraption on the roof. The vehicle carried no human driver. Sophisticated intelligence software, sensing objects in the Prius’ path and replicating driver decisions, guided the car, without mishap, during its 800-mile round trip. n Ms. HRP, the so-called “Diva Bot,” is one of the newest YouTube sensations. The Japanese “fembot” imitates human singing, performing without backstage flare-ups or wardrobe malfunctions. Scientists installed breath analysis and mouth/jaw-movement software in fashioning the robot. n “Earl,” short for Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher, may not sing but he sure can bowl. The one-armed mechanical robot imitates with startling exaction the same precise “shot” every single time. [Note: Nevertheless, in a June 2010 match-up, professional bowler Chris Barnes defeated Earl, thereby providing a bit of temporary “job security” for human bowlers everywhere.] >>

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www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 65

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spectrum. Add to this the Central Valley’s politically-induced crises in water and agriculture, and what some see as a Damoclean sword hanging over public benefits systems throughout California. The picture can seem grim. Increased efficiency and cost savings can also mean fewer grocery employees, fewer warehouse workers, smaller staffs at fast food restaurants, and, in general, dwindling numbers of job opportunities for students, low-wage workers looking for advancement, and a growing army of the unemployed. What’s up with these robots, anyway? Are the fruits of our technological genius planting land mines in our economy? Not so, according to several surveyors of the economic landscape in Kern County. They are quietly working on the front lines to reap opportunities from the turbulent present. For them—we have in mind people like businessman, consultant and developer Barry Hibbard, and economic development professionals Richard Chapman and Melinda Brown, both of Kern Economic Development Corporation—all dreary prophecies aside, positive features embedded into Kern County’s

photos courtesy kern edc

Famous Footwear land and people may well have positioned it for a bright economic future if, that is, some critical opportunities are seized. Automation Primer Every regional economy has its diamond in the rough. According to some, logistics, distribution, and sophisticated automation technologies offer bright hope. Few are in a better position to judge this than developer and consultant Barry Hibbard. Hibbard owns Central Valley Investments and is the former vice president of commercial development for Tejon Ranch. He managed the marketing, development, sale, and leasing of the 1,450-acre Tejon Industrial Complex. “We are positioned to be a critical intersection between a growing supply chain and industrial storage and distribution,” Hibbard told us, “and that’s why we have been successful in attracting some worldclass manufacturing and distribution facilities, such as IKEA, Famous Footwear, and some of these other really sophisticated operations.” He ought to know. Hibbard was responsible for leading a team that successfully developed hundreds of acres for commercial and retail activity near Tejon, and attracted a number of hightech distribution facilities. This, he believes, is part of the key to providing future jobs in Kern County. “I’ve thought a lot about this,” he said, “and I’m convinced that Kern County is in a great position to attract and keep these kinds of operations.” By “these kinds of operations,” Hibbard means the kinds of distribution centers which have embraced innovative automation. He cites Famous Footwear, Target, Frito-Lay, Carquest, Dreyer’s, and IKEA. The traditional warehouse model involved product arriving by rail or truck,

being unloaded and placed on pallets by workers, and then shipped out for distribution. The supply chain was held together by a combination of savvy logistics scheduling and brute labor. Today, there is less need for physical labor. Computers dominate. Barcodes on incoming supplies determine precise destinations which, in turn, are served by complicated conveyor operations. Often, the loading and unloading of shipments—this is sometimes referred to as “palletization” and “de-palletization”— is undertaken by robots. “But that doesn’t mean a reduction in employment, at least in the long term,” Hibbard insisted. “What it means is that

Richard Chapman these companies create core jobs, at higher pay, and those jobs, unlike service jobs, exert a greater multiplier effect upon the economy at large.” Myth-Busting and the EDC Richard Chapman is president and CEO of the Kern EDC. He and Melinda Brown, Kern EDC’s director of business development, agree that much of their recruitment time involves dispelling misconceptions

some businesses have about Kern County. “Melinda has brought developers up here and, once they are here and see what we have and have their psychological preconceived notions debunked, Bakersfield begins to look great to them,” said Chapman. What myths? Bakersfield is too far away, all the way on the other side of the Grapevine (L.A. businesses often analyze distances in terms of L.A. drive time, which is significantly higher than Kern County drive times). The labor force is spread out too far and is unwilling to drive far to get to work (just the opposite, according to the Kern EDC, is borne out by its figures). “The good news is that although the requirements are rising for skills on the job, wage levels are higher,” Chapman said. “You can train people up. The people we speak with in logistics, ag, and manufacturing are all telling us the same thing. We need people who understand computers, not people who can carry boxes.” “We’re going to have higher-paying jobs and that’s what you want in this economy,” Brown said. “The downside is it’s going to take awhile to create these jobs. All industries are turning to technology and these new automated operations

Melinda Brown will increase volume and increased volume will mean a need for more workers. We’ve got to make sure that our workforce is ready, on the basics and in terms of these new technologies. “If we would take more of our funds and train our students for these new technologies, we would achieve much higher levels of employment,” Brown insisted. “We’ve got to get our workforce training up to speed.” >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 67

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Transitions

The Windshield View In Barry Hibbard’s view, Kern County has two fundamental advantages which equip it for fabulous growth ahead. First, he argued, are the ports of Long Beach and L.A. “The commerce passing through those ports dwarfs other areas of the country,” he said. “That’s a billion dollar a day engine that will only get bigger. We’re perfectly positioned on the I-5 corridor to service that engine.” Second, he asked rhetorically, who has the land we do? What we lack, according to Hibbard, is a comprehensive plan to assure that Kern County’s labor force is equipped and ready. How can we make the good thing happen (create solid well-paying jobs) and who is responsible for making sure that the opportunity doesn’t slip away? Private employers? Educators? Government? “All of the components are here to make this happen,” said Hibbard, “but it’s not clear to me that there is any one group that can make it happen alone. You’ve got a great bunch of people over there at the Kern EDC. They get it. Economic success requires a strong public-private coalition. You have the Career Services Cen-

Things you may not have known about Kern’s economy Ranked #1 lowest vacancy rate (suburban Bakersfield market) nationwide. –Collier’s International, 4th Quarter 2010

Ranked #2 (out of 100) metro markets for private sector job growth during last decade. –Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010

Ranked #1 metro area in U.S. (out of top 100) for manufacturing job growth during last decade. –Business First, 2010

Ranked #1 metro area in U.S. (out of top 100) for real GDP growth 2001-2009. –Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011 A Family Tradition Since 1948

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ter, our schools and universities, private industry, and some visionary people on the Board of Supervisors and the CAO’s office. But, to tell the truth, I don’t think bureaucrats can do it. In the very nature of things, most politicians look in the rearview mirror. You need to look through the windshield.” Three guys walk into a bar: a lobbyist, a politician, and a robot. The bartender asks the lobbyist what he wants to drink. “One bottle of your best whiskey for the three of us and it’s on me,” says the lobbyist. He asks the same question of the politician. “Two bottles of your best whiskey,” the politician responds, “and the lobbyist is paying for all three!” Finally the barkeep poses the same question to the robot. “Nothing, thank you, sir,” the robot says. “You see, I’m working tomorrow and it looks like I’ll be handling three jobs.” Losing a few politicians and lobbyists hardly makes a tragedy. Losing a generation of American workers might bring an apocalypse. According to Hibbard, Brown, Chapman, and others, it need not be so. All we have to do is make sure that we prepare well to be the masters of automation and not its slaves. The human, not the dog. Embrace your robot. Then make him beg, lie down, and rollover.

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hose of us who live and work in Kern County know just how dynamic this area is. Sure, we’ve long been heralded as a leader in the oil and agriculture markets, but our county is home to a diverse group of industries that has grown to include renewable natural resources, logistics, corporate headquarters, food processing, and healthcare services. When it comes to economic development and growth, we outshine most counties in California. Even Fresno County, once thought of as the Central Valley’s powerhouse, falls short of our impressive gross domestic product (GDP). We actually surpassed them back in 2008 and with a GDP of $30

Dynamics

million we’ve solidified our place as the largest economy in the Valley. In addition, Kern County had the fastest-growing GDP (of the Top 100 metropolitan areas) over the last 10 years. Indeed, large corporations are taking note of what Kern County has to offer thanks, in part, to the diligence of organizations like the Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC). “Nothing can be done by one business or one person,” said Kern EDC Board Chair Rick Kreiser. “It’s beneficial for an area to have a unified force, a public-private partnership.” Kreiser, along with his business technology company, Carney’s, has been involved

with Kern EDC for over a decade but in June of 2010, he stepped up to be the chairman of the board. “That combination [a public-private partnership] of a rule-making body and people who will benefit from the tax revenues is what works,” Kreiser added. “We’ve got the sun, wind, dirt, and oil...the natural resources are going to bring industry here. But natural resources aside, why do people come here? It’s the people. It doesn’t have a lot to do with commerce itself,” he said, but the quality of life and the community itself are the key. And those elements form an attractive environment for businesses and people to invest in. >>

Kern County is home to a diverse group of industries that’s grown to include renewable natural resources, logistics, corporate headquarters, food processing, and healthcare services.

Kern EDC President and CEO Richard Chapman and Board Chair Rick Kreiser. (L-R)

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For a majority of Kern’s history, you could get an entrylevel position in the oil and agriculture industry right out of high school. “We’re finding that we could have a role in providing encouragement to the workforce of the future,” said Chapman. “That’s why we started the Kern Economic Development Foundation and its mentoring program.” The industry ©istockphoto.com/tomczykbartek

ntly Each Office is Independe d. rate Ope Owned and

“A significant portion of our client portfolio is composed of local companies that are looking to expand,” explained Richard Chapman, president and CEO of the Kern EDC. “But we also have a good share of new businesses contacting us. We showcase to them the strong work ethic of the local work force and the relative affordability of doing business in Kern County.” In the past, Chapman said, most regions were striving to bring in the high-end white collar jobs, assuming that blue collar jobs were going to be shipped to low-cost manufacturing countries like China and Mexico. What occurred in the interim was the creation of the “light blue collar” job. These are careers or jobs that incorporate a high-tech element, computer understanding, or some machinery operation. Job requirements have increased. So while there isn’t a need for PhDs or master’s degree candidates, there is a desire for a skilled, or at least semi-skilled, workforce. “It brings to mind the kind of vocational training that used to be prevalent here and throughout the U.S. There is a definite need for more high school-level training. However, there are still places like Westec, the Bakersfield Adult School, and regional community colleges that offer industry-specific programs.”

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Logistics needed to communicate to students that if you want to work in energy (even oil), you’ll need a degree. “But for so long the industry didn’t require it, so people came right out of high school wanting to go into the field. Of course, the opposite is also true. In places like Seattle, if you’ve got a bachelor’s degree, the half-true joke is that you can’t even work as a barista because those jobs are already taken by PhDs.” Education aside, our location has always been tempting to big companies and corporations looking to grow, and these last two years have seen our numbers rebound from a brief slump. “Kern County is in that sweet spot because of our proximity to the Ports of Long Beach of Los Angeles, which annually conduct over $300 billion of trade activity.

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Companies want to be within a twohour drive of the largest container port system in the U.S., and Kern County perfectly suits that requirement,” Chapman said. However, for a while, Riverside and San Bernardino counties had the edge because prices bottomed out and vacancy rates were up. We couldn’t compete; their prices were too low. Once the larger spaces were snatched up, there was nowhere else to go and rates jumped back up. “Sure, they had twenty percent vacancies two years ago, but now most of that has been absorbed. Not to mention, they don’t have the significant opportunity sites that we do in Kern and their employee turnover rates are several times greater,” Chapman continued. “We’re growing as a region because of what we have to offer.” Still, there has been some widespread fear that companies are leaving California. What Chapman and the Kern EDC staff have discovered is that these businesses are merely moving from highcost markets like L.A. and San Francisco to sites in adjacent counties. “It comes down to a perception issue. We have to communicate with the people in these areas and let them know we’re a viable option.” “The Kern EDC can’t change tax codes or make the EPA go away,” Kreiser explained with a chuckle. “What we can do is take the time to talk to people and companies selecting sites for relocation.” It adds a personal touch to “big business.” After all, someone has to be there to tell them about the availabilities, amenities, and affordability of Kern County. >>

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And numerous manufacturing companies have heard the call. In addition to oil and agricultural growth, the 2010-2011 period has seen more logistics companies coming to town. There is also the draw for “local” companies like State Farm, which recently relocated more than 175 staff members to the Bakersfield regional office. “These are businesses that want and need the ‘California footprint’ and they can come to, or expand in, Kern,” Chapman explained. And it’s always at a lower cost than in places like L.A., where not only is the cost of doing business higher (according to Moody’s, the cost-of-doing-business in Kern County is 88 percent of the U.S. average), but the permitting process takes significantly more time. Whereas a company may have to wait years to finalize business permits in L.A., San Francisco, or San Diego, Chapman said that the County and many local jurisdictions can process permits in as little as a few months or weeks. The backlog and bureaucracy isn’t here. It’s just one of the reasons companies like Califia Farms in Shafter and Paramount Farms in Delano chose this area. We’ve also got the ample and available developable land. That’s why Terra-Gen chose Tehachapi as the location for its $1.5 billion wind farm, why Rosamond is being put on the map as a viable spot for 300 MW Sempra Energy’s Rosamond Solar project, and why enXco’s $325 million Pacific Wind project is taking off in Antelope Valley. There will be a labor demand, too. “Toward the fall of 2011, there will be a rush for construction jobs at these

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Dynamics

projects,” Chapman predicted. “Not to mention that Golden Queen [mining] will be hiring about 150 people soon.” That, in turn, creates more money for our area. Think of real estate sales and additional taxes. Think of food and recreational purchases. “You have to attract people to the area. And having a nice community is a by-product of valuable businessto-business commerce,” Kreiser concluded. It’s cyclical. “With more profitable commerce, more people will realize the benefits of living and working in Kern County. The more people praise living and working in Kern County, the more big business will come our way.” That’s a bottom line we can all live with.

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Let’s take a Walk!

he Arts Council of Kern does so much to foster the arts in our area that we wanted to help them highlight cultural hotspots in downtown Bakersfield with this handy walking map. A quick jaunt up and down these painted streets will give you a dose of civic pride; ours is truly a city full of artistic beauty! Colorful Arts District banners mark the area where galleries, theaters, and artists of all ages gather to support creativity and expressionism. Let this map be your guide.

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ounding area 19th Street and surr ay id Fr —Home of First , ay of each month On the First Frid us rio va d an gs enin there are art show op ed late. It is a great en op e ar s op nearby sh the fine restaurants time to eat at one of the numerous arts and then discover e our downtown a venues which mak great place to visit. ounding area Mill Creek and surr sday ur —Home of Third Th of the Mill Creek With the completion from Mill Creek at corridor that runs California Avenue, Central Park south to t district was born. a new entertainmen siness Association The Downtown Bu sday in Spring 2011 created Third Thur for summer Street as a replacement them to make it a Faires, and success led April to December. monthly event from dba.net for more See www.bakersfield (661) 325-5892. information or call

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8 Metro Gallery 61) 634-9598 r te ea Th 1604 19th St. (6 1 Rabobank alleries.com Ave. www.themetrog 1001 Truxtun eld kersfi r Theatre Home of the Ba 9 STARS Dinne (661) 323-7928 a str he rc at 20th St. O y Av on ph Sym 1931 Chester e. rg y.o on ph m sy www.bmtstars.com www.bakersfield (661) 325-6100 ena of Kern 1 Rabobank Ar 10 Arts Council 7777 285 ) 61 (6 e. Av n 110 1001 Truxtu 2000 K St., Suite om a.c en rnarts.org ar nk ba ) 324-9000 www.ke www.rabo 61 (6 en rd ry and Sculpture Ga 20th St. 2 Younger Galle Art Stop Shop 1221 11 5 10 ite Su Ave., useum of Art 1430 Truxtun 12 Bakersfield M w.kernarts.org ww 00 90 432 ) 61 (6 (661) 323-1791 ) 324-1639 1930 R St. 61 (6 . St H 01 20 r g 3 Fox Theate www.bmoa.or ronline.com chives Ar www.foxtheate 13 Adobe Krow tre ea Th ) 633-2736 61 ht (6 lig . 4 Spot 430 18th St 92 06 463 ) 61 1622 19th St. (6 www.aankc.org eatre.com tth gh tli po es th w. ry ww 14 Juliana’s Galle t Association ) 327-7507 61 (6 . St th 18 5 Bakersfied Ar 1 50 20 23 986 ) allery.com 61 (6 . St w.julianasartstudiog 1817 Eye ww g or n. tio cia artasso t Collection www.bakersfield Beale Librar y Ar 15 s 01 es pr Ex rt /A Q St. (661) 868-07 6 Curiosity Shop 701Truxtun at L/ 12 71 TM 4H g/ 32 ) .or 61 ry tylibra 1607 19th St. (6 www.kerncoun x.html th St. about/bea/inde 7 Kuka’s 1609 19 om t.c ar lk sfo ka ku w. ww (661) 325-0000 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 73

Majestic Roofing, Inc. Francis Giangrossi, President/CEO

When it comes to his business, Majestic Roofing, Inc., Francis

“It’s an integrated style,” Giangrossi explained. “I make a

Giangrossi is a quiet, no-nonsense kind of guy. He has spent

special metal so that the panel can lay flat on the roof and

his entire adult life, and some of his youth,

not stand out.”

working in the roofing and contracting in-

This invention is a perfect example

dustry, so he knows just how important it

of what sets Majestic Roofing apart.

is to be levelheaded and put quality and

Giangrossi and his contractors are not

efficiency ahead of everything else.

just meeting manufacturer and state

But it’s not as if Giangrossi doesn’t

guidelines, they’re going above and

know how to have fun. Talk to him about

beyond the manufacturers guidelines

working with clients, his staff of 16, and

and what the client expects. Whether

his community and he becomes in-

residential or commercial, the client will

stantly more relaxed. It’s that ability to

come away not only satisfied with the

put customer needs first, while support-

job, but happy. And to make sure that

ing our community, that has allowed Ma-

each job is held to the highest stan-

jestic Roofing to make a name for itself.

dards, Giangrossi gets in his truck sev-

Giangrossi came to Bakersfield with

eral times a week to check on all the

his family some 35 years ago and, im-

projects that Majestic Roofing is a part

mediately, he entered into the roofing business. But he was

of to personally inspect the quality of work.

far from a novice. After all, he was only 15 years old when he

While the attention that Giangrossi and his staff give to

began working with his grandfather, a contractor and painter,

clients is a solid business strategy, what’s most admirable

in New York. So while he’s been in the Bakersfield roofing in-

about this company and its owner is the community connec-

dustry, specifically, for three decades, it was 20 years ago that

tion. Majestic Roofing has worked on the last seven homes

he decided to start his own business. This is an industry that

for the Bakersfield St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, helped

Giangrossi knows inside and out, so there was little hesitation.

construct a home for Houses for Humanity, and one for the

“I do love it,” he said of the type of work he’s been doing all

local Homes for our Troops organization. And it’s not just

his life. He’d have to, right?

houses that Giangrossi works on. He’ll even sponsor 4H kids

“There are changes and advances in the types of roofing materials and style trends that keep the work fresh. So we keep

that come into the office looking to raise animals for the Kern County Fair.

up with all the newest products so that they are available to

Though he’s not a Bakersfield native, Giangrossi exempli-

customers,” he added. And with the green movement that sur-

fies the hardworking entrepreneurial spirit of this area—and he

faced years ago, Giangrossi jumped on the bandwagon early.

pours his heart and soul into the business.

Since more and more people are looking to go green, it was a smart business move.

“I don’t think I could ever retire from this,” he said with a smile.

3124 Patton Way | 661.588.6120 Lic. # 871395

74 Bakersfield Magazine

Steve Skiba, Roofing Supervisor; Francis Giangrossi, President/CEO; Andy Christman, Re-roof Estimator www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 75

Corporate Relocation

P R O F I L E S

Terry Bedford Concrete Construction, Inc. Terry Bedford, President 12625 Jomani Drive • (661)589-0674

Terry Bedford, Jennifer Chaffin, Matt McDowell & Jeff Graves When Terry Bedford joined Local 191 in 1976, he was just 18 locally-run company, no job is too big or too small to handle. Terry Bedford, Jennifer Chaffin, Matt McDowell & Jeff Graves years old and looking to get his feet wet in the concrete business. In the past, the company has helmed large-scale jobs such as Bedford apprenticed for four years with the group, gleaning shopping centers, schools, and public works buildings. Today, the knowledge from seasoned contractors and masons. He also gained Bedford Concrete team is busier than ever, continuing to tackle the kind of experience he’d need to open his own concrete business. each and every job that comes their way. And so he did in 1986. With only two employees, Bedford Bedford’s positive attitude and solid reputation in the operated out of his house during those early years, taking any community have helped the company continue to grow even job that came across his desk so that he could build his business’s during the rough economic times that we find ourselves in. reputation as a quality concrete company. Bedford Concrete adapted with the times to handle more and Today, that same company has over 50 employees, several of more specialized concrete jobs, including those for patios and pool which have been with Bedford for more than 10 years. Yet even decks, where stamping and staining come into play. with that kind of growth, Bedford’s attitude toward his employees The company has been able to thrive because of Bedford’s and his business hasn’t changed. He puts clients and his employees straight-forward, solid business attitude. And with business first—ensuring that people who work with him are taken care of booming, Bedford has had more time to stand back and watch and people who choose his company for a job are happy. what he’s created. He’s spending more time golfing, hunting, and “My employees are number one and I wouldn’t be where I am visiting his ranch in Colorado and trusting his dedicated staff to today without all the hard work and dedication they’ve given handle the daily business. throughout the years.” Still, Terry Bedford is the kind of guy that knows just how It’s through his relationships with employees and satisfied clients important supporting his community is. He continues to support that he cemented his place in the Bakersfield concrete industry local children any way he can, usually by sponsoring baseball and and he has always recognized that. racing teams or donating to 4H kids looking to raise an animal And that attitude extends to every project Bedford Concrete for the Kern County Fair. He gives back to our community, and handles. Everything from a small driveway extension to a large in turn, the community has been good to him—helping Bedford commercial tilt-up building or apartment complex is completed Concrete become a integral cog in the construction business in to the highest standards for quality and service. For this our area. 76 Bakersfield Magazine

Corporate Relocation

P R O F I L E S

Howard Financial & Wealth Management, Inc. Lance Howard, President & Founder 5401 Business Park South, Suite 112 • (661)322-5192 • www.lancehowardfinancial.com Howard Financial & Wealth Management offers the best in estate and retirement planning. Their services also include comprehensive benefits packages for local businesses and individual insurance plans via Howard Financial & Insurance Services. President and Founder Lance R. Howard obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, holds a California Life and Health License and a Series 65 Investment Advisor License. But it is his 20 years of experience in the business that allows him to help clients preserve assets. He places an emphasis on income planning as a key part of successful retirement planning. Howard is also actively involved in the financial planning community. As a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a network of leading financial professionals, he was ranked Top of the Table in 2008 and 2011, in the company of the top 1 percent of advisors, and made Court of the Table in both 2009 and 2010. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, both the California and Kern Associations of Health Underwriters, and the National Ethics Bureau. Senior Market Advisor Magazine recently announced Howard as a 2011 Advisor of the Year finalist naming him one of the top 5 advisors nationwide. Sharing his experience and knowledge is important to Howard as he is also a nationally-known educator and mentor in the financial industry. A California native, Howard spends as much time with his family as he can. They enjoy traveling and exploring new destinations together. A job equally as important as being an investment advisor is being a hands-on parent. Howard coaches his son’s baseball team and supports his daughter in the Bakersfield Symphony’s production of The Nutcracker. He and his family take active roles in the Dustin’s Diner program, which benefits the Bakersfield Homeless Center. He also is active in the community through the YMCA and projects like Gradient Gives Back, which is designed to help veterans transitioning into civilian life. In his own office he coordinates an annual holiday toy drive for children at the Bakersfield Homeless Center. This is a man who is deeply dedicated to working with seniors with about 90 percent of his clients either being seniors or near retirement. When Howard realized how poorly prepared his own grandmother was for her retirement and eventual healthcare and financial needs, he saw the gaps in financial protection for the aging population. He found that he could help an underserved market in the community and give them the tools to protect themselves in retirement. Howard has said, “What I’ve experienced

in my own business is a great gratitude. What I love about the senior market is that people are thankful for what you have done for them. “My personal approach is simple, and it is the same for my company. My clients are the priority. Define their needs and what needs to be done to meet those needs.” He believes that a complete advisor must be able to examine and address every aspect of a client’s financial outlook from spending habits to income planning and taxes. He explained further, “being a complete advisor means being able to do everything possible to ensure my clients’ financial security. That is our goal.” And he aims to do that every day. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 77

Photo by nyfotography

(l-r) Michelle Barron, Elizabeth Lehr, Darlene Denison, Danielle Plotner, Sandy Reynolds

Darlene Denison

Owner/Agent, Denison Agency/State Farm Insurance t How long have you been in the business?

My State Farm Agency opened January 1, 2008.

t How long have you been in the profession?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in the business of helping people my entire career. Prior to becoming a State Farm Agent, I worked in the private ambulance industry behind the scenes with insurance companies and healthcare organizations and recognize the importance of being an advocate for customers.

t What services does your company offer?

We provide auto, home, and renterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insurance. We also offer life insurance, health insurance, long term care insurance, education savings plans, and individual retirement plans. I specialize in helping small business owners with business insurance such as business liability insurance, workers compensation, commercial auto, and business retirement plansSEP, SIMPLE and 401(k) plans.

t What education and special training do you have?

I earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Administration. I am licensed with the Department of Insurance as a Health Agent, Fire and Casualty Broker, and Life Agent. I am also licensed with FINRA as a Registered Representative to offer Securities Products.

t What hobbies and outside interests do you have?

My husband and I enjoy traveling and camping and I love to read. I have two grown children and my first grandchild, but I also have a ten-year-old surprise child, John, who keeps me young.

t What do you want people to know about you and your company? State Farm Founder, G.J. Mecherle, sold his first auto policy for $11.17 in 1922. We now insure more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S. and are ranked 34th on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. I love being a local State Farm Agent and having the opportunity to help my customers protect their assets and financial future.

4903 Calloway Dr. #103, Bakersfield, CA

661.588.6070

denisonagency.com 78 Bakersfield Magazine

GR E AT

G E TA W AY S

the oval office President Ronald Reaganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Western-themed office.

living the

ost in the clutter of TV pundits screaming about debt ceilings and who should marry who is the seemingly quaint idea of the American Dream. Does it still live from sea to shining sea? One place it certainly lives is just under two hours from Bakersfield in Simi Valley at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. You won't find books at this library, but you will find the American Dream, spoken loud and clear by Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of these United States, and fondly remembered as the Great Communicator. Upon entering the library, you'll have

Photos courtesy Ronald Reagan Library

American Dream By Charlie Durgin

the opportunity to rent an iPod which gives an audio tour of the library, synched up to each exhibit. I would recommend against the rental because it might obscure the different speech excerpts that play when you walk through the library's vast exhibits. The highlight is Air Force One Pavilion, complete with the famed presidential jet and Marine One, the President's official helicopter. There's also a limousine he used and the original O'Farrell's pub from Ballyporeen in the Republic of Ireland that President and Mrs. Reagan visited in June 1984, now called the Ronald Reagan Pub. You can whet your whistle if you choose to. Guinness is on tap, and you can also order sandwiches and other snacks.

Air Force One Pavilion is complete with the famed presidential jet and Marine One, the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official helicopter.

Ronald Reagan was known as the Great Communicator.

The plane itself is surprisingly claustrophobic. It's restored to the Reagan-era condition and the docents helpfully point out that Reagan was one of the most welltravelled American presidents. But despite all of his logged airtime, he rarely slept on the plane, choosing instead to make use of the humble letter desk in his quarters, complete with a lone oak cup holder. For many, the office of the President is larger than life. Visiting the library brings the presidency and all of its trappings down to eye-level. The recreation of the Oval Office also helps drive this point home. As the docents explain, each president is responsible for choosing the decorations of the Oval Office during his presidency. The attention to detail was very impressive. Reagan's Oval Office contains many Westernthemed decorations, and everything

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 79

from the rugs to the doorknobs is as it was when Reagan used the office. The requisite jar of jellybeans was there, but so was the several inch addition to the bottom of the desk to accommodate Reagan's rangy frame. He was among the tallest U.S. presidents. While you aren't allowed to actually sit behind the desk, you are allowed to get close enough to realize it isn't even that big of an office! Chances are, the conference room at your place of employment is bigger than the Oval Office. The tour of Air Force One is amazing, and it is justifiably billed as the main draw. But the entire library experience is the real reason to visit. It reminds you that Reagan believed in the idea of the “City on the Hill,” a place where all men and women have worthwhile dreams that are attainable in this country. Regardless of your political affiliation, it's hard to leave the museum without loving our country a little more. Reagan himself embodied the American Dream. As the museum shows, he

Reagan came from humble beginnings in Illinois, and took an unlikely career path that ended with him becoming the leader of the free world.

pitch changed, and GE was wary of him becoming too political. The change was an organic one, as he wanted to remind the employees that they mattered, and that their dreams and aspirations were just as important as the dreams Hollywood sold. Sure enough, through the tour, you start to believe anything is possible. It isn't all a romanticization, though. Newsreel clips of Reagan as Governor of California deviate from the image of him as a kindly old grandfather who just happened

A huge replicated section of the Berlin Wall that he implored Mr. Gorbachev to tear down.

came from humble beginnings in Illinois, and took an unlikely career path that ended with him becoming the leader of the free world. He started out as a radio announcer, made his way to a young Hollywood where he made films co-starring a chimpanzee, and then became a public relations man of sorts for General Electric. Each phase of Reagan's life is thoroughly detailed. GE hired him to visit different factories and lift employee spirits by serving as a sort of pre-runner to celebrity gossip websites. He was supposed to visit the factories and share real Hollywood stories with them. Ultimately, Reagan's 80 Bakersfield Magazine

to be our president. During the college riots, Reagan angrily confronts the media in one clip and says that if people want to make change in society, they have to behave like adults. If they want to behave like hooligans, they'll be treated as such. The tour also shows the blood-stained suit Reagan wore during the assassination attempt at the hands of John Hinckley, Jr. There is a sign outside the exhibit warning that there is violent footage, and it is one of the most somber aspects of the library. The only moment of levity is provided by Reagan himself, who was quoted by the surgeons attending to

Photos courtesy Ronald Reagan Library

Great Getaways

him as saying “I hope you are all Republicans.” One surgeon replied, “Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans.” The amazing library will give you the same sentiment. The year 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Reagan's birth, and that makes it a great time to visit. One of the exhibits is a scale reproduction of the White House. The husband-wife team who created it make aesthetic changes according to who is in office. They recently changed it to include flatscreen TVs and painstakingly hooked tiny rugs to replicate the ones chosen by the Obama family. It's another exhibit that brings the presidency to scale. You learn through the model that the White House Press Room, with its signature navy blue background, is right next to his residence, as is the room where he meets with his cabinet. The presidents' professional and personal lives are very closely connected on the same piece of real estate. At the end of the tour, and after you’ve seen Reagan’s amazing belt buckle collection, a huge replicated section of the Berlin Wall that he implored Mr. Gorbachev to tear down, garments worn by Nancy Reagan, and gifts from foreign leaders, you are suddenly at Reagan’s final resting place. It comes upon you as a bit of a surprise, overlooking a beautiful valley, and giving you a chill as you recollect Reagan's vision of “The City on the Hill.” Whatever “side of the aisle” you claim, there is quite a bit of American history just over the hill in Simi Valley. The drive is beautiful and, on most days, you'll completely miss the traffic that plagues most of the L.A. area. Show up early for the best parking, and be prepared to be infused with a lot of patriotism in a current climate that challenges it at every turn. v

fearlessfashionista

after 5

injust 5 By Juliane Torczon

PHOTO BY J. MONCRIEF

Where do I start? I’m a Bakersfield native and style-obsessed shopaholic, writing to share my superficial obsession with you. Fashion isn’t something that came to me at a very young age. In fact, one could say I had absolutely no fashion sense at all for a very long while! However, I’ve always had a fascination and a love for it. I still remember when I received my first Vogue and Vanity Fair magazines. My aunt would give me her magazines as soon as she got done reading them. I became enthralled—I didn’t know what it was about the magazines, but I would tear out pages that drew my attention. Whether it was the way the model posed, the makeup she was wearing, the clothes that were perfectly placed on her body, a bracelet she was wearing, or a chair she was sitting on, I would hold onto that picture and place it in an ever-growing folder. Since that point, I have replaced the random folder that had zero organization and created fashion scrapbooks (these make great coffee table books, by the way). During junior high all my friends got to shop at the “cool stores” like Charlotte Russe, Contempo, Miller’s Outpost, and Forever 21 because they were fitting into the junior sizes. I still had to shop in the kids section because I couldn’t fit into those sizes yet. I started altering my clothes to fit in with trends that were not yet available to me. Once, I saw an eye-catching pair of acid-wash jeans in Teen Vogue. Of course, all of the stores I shopped at didn’t have them, so I was forced to figure out how to make them myself. I took a pair of jeans and put what seemed like a gallon of

Juliane Torczon is a marketing consultant and avid fashion blogger. You can check out more of her fashion and beauty advice on her website, myemptycloset.com.

bleach into the washing machine. Next, I put red dye into the washer (sorry again, Mom) and voilà—my very own pair of purple acid-wash jeans. Purple? I wore them anyway, very proudly I might add. That began my “I don’t care what people think about my fashion” attitude. I have since refined my style from acid-wash jeans and pink rain boots (another story for another time) to what I like to call simple, monochromatic, modern classic style. I gravitate toward black, white, and gray—my closet is color-coordinated and those three sections are abundantly filled. I really have to step out of my comfort zone when I buy colors. Just recently, however, I fully dove into this year’s trend color: honeysuckle. Seriously, this color looks great on every skin tone! I digress. I do have some fashion tips. 1. Never underestimate what a good pair of heels and beautiful, but not necessarily pricey, jewelry can do for any outfit. 2. There’s nothing better than finding a great fitting t-shirt and pair of jeans. 3. When building a wardrobe, begin with musthave basics (leather jacket, a black blazer, black heels, etc.) before you go crazy and buy a hot pink dress that you will wear only once. 4. Mix and match! Right now is a fun time in fashion. Fashionistas everywhere are mixing different patterns, different eras of fashion, and so on, which brings me to the next tip. 5. Weed your closet as often as you can. Throw away that vest that you keep hoping is going >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 81

fearlessfashionista

by day or night

to come back in style. Yes, it is true styles are cyclical; however, they never come back in the same way. Each time a certain look comes back, it’s reinvented. Holding on to those items might get you a spot on the next Hoarders episode. For my first article, I wanted to do something that women everywhere can relate to. And that’s the “utilitarian” movement. People are reveling in the fact that you can wear one article of clothing many different ways and throughout many seasons. The most versatile articles of clothing are “body conscious” aka “bandage” dresses and skirts. These dresses and skirts are essentially made to look good on every figure, from those that are more curvy like Kim Kardashian, to those that are more slender like Kate Moss. With the correct styling, “body con” skirts can be worn during the day or to the office. This time I chose to pair my skirt with a loose-fitting top to balance out the look and give it a more casual feel. I then decided to wear light-colored heels that made the look a daytime one. If you wore this look to the office you might want to try a cargo jacket or a fitted blazer with a loose fitting t-shirt. The extreme opposites of a t-shirt and a blazer neutralizes the

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” —Coco Chanel

IN JUST 5

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look so it’s not too dressy or too casual. I used minimal jewelry to play down the look so it wouldn’t be so formal. To add in the pop of color, I am using this bright hand bag to finish the look. Now, with a few swift changes we can make this outfit into a sexy one for a night out. It’s time to show off that figure! First we switch out the bohemian (boho) loosefitting top into a tight-fitting tank. One of this year’s hottest colors is a muted pink... and pink and grey look really great together. Body con dresses/skirts are made to show off the body, so you don’t want to wear anything too flashy that distracts from that. That’s why I chose this necklace that has muted-down colors: gold, pink, and grey. Next, to accentuate the waist, I used a black belt. With this black belt, I can now tie in my black suede pumps. I then trade out my big, colorful bag for a clutch. And done! With five small changes, you are now ready to take on the town without having to spend time picking out a completely new outfit. n

Hoffmann Hospice Lauri Langwell

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Nurse Practitioner and Compliance Officer

When it comes to healthcare regulations, Hoffmann holds to the highest standards, which is why it brought Lauri Langwell on board as its new nurse practitioner and compliance officer. When not making home visits, Langwell will keep Hoffmann running straight on the compliance track. “This job is still a new frontier, but the road is getting smoother,” Langwell said. “Hospice is in my heart.”

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home & Garden By Tom Xavier

Making perfect “scents” Who says you have to spend upwards of 10 bucks for a nicely-colored, scented candle? So, class, today’s topic is: how to make candles at home. it’s easier than you realize. Candles are a source of light that can delight the senses

Tip: Never leave melting wax unattended. It may seem to

and set the mood for a relaxing evening. The best part

take a long time to get the wax to go from solid to liquid, but

of home candle making is that for the cost of one or two

once it has liquefied, the temperature will rise sharply. The flash

CDs, you can make your own supply of candles to last you

point of wax is typically above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but nev-

through many a romantic night or allow you to give multiple

er let it go over 200 degrees. The best temperature is 160. >>

decorative gifts. You will need two pots because you should never melt wax over direct heat. Just like grease, wax of any kind has a low flash point (a point where it will burst into flames)! Whether you are making special colored candles for a particular holiday, preparing a gift for a friend, or stocking up for a disaster (kidding), having a solid idea about what colors and scents you want to use for your candle making will help you create a game plan (and a shopping list). When you’re ready to go, take the larger pot and fill it 3/4 full with water. Put this pot over high heat until it boils, then turn the heat down to a setting between low and medium. Next, take the second pot, the wax pouring pot, and set it on top of the first. This creates a double boiler and gives you a source of heat to melt your wax, but insulates your wax against that evil flash point.

GET POURING! Here’s

what you’ll need to sta

ives) Candle wax (with addit Dyes Scented oil (optional) lids Glass containers with lds or candle mo Wicks (pre-tabbed) Wooden skewers or clothespins r Cooking thermomete Hot glue gun/glue

r Wax pouring containe (melting pot) gh to A single pot big enou t po g ltin me the hold candles©istockphoto.com/pixelfit/gigishots

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 85

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Fill this top pot with the proper amount of wax for the size and number of candles you are preparing. While the wax is melting, you can prepare your containers. Use a hot glue gun to attach the pre-tabbed wicks to the bottom of your glass or ceramic containers. Tie the wick to a wooden skewer (or clothespin) and rest outside the mouth of

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the container to keep the wick straight during pouring. Once the wax is ready (remember, 160 degrees) add in your scents and dyes. There are guides for how much to add on the backs of these products, but it is up to your own nose. Still, ten drop of any fragrance is generally enough. If you want scented oil ideas, cinnamon or baked apple would be nice in the kitchen and rose or lavender are best for the bathroom or a guest room. When you’re ready to pour, keep in mind that wax splashes, so

WAX FACTS Per pound of wax, you will get about 20 ounces of volume. To find how much wax you will need, multiply the number of candles you are making by the amount of wax each container will hold, and then divide that by 20. For example, if you want to make 30 8-ounce candles: 30 (containers) x 8 (ounces per container) = 240 total ounces/20 = 12 pounds of wax needed.

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pour carefully. If it is a container with a lid, remember to fill it only to a level that will leave enough room for the lid to properly fit back on the finished candle. Note: Save about 20 percent of the wax in the pouring pitcher for the next step. Do NOT return it to the heat source. Allow the wax to completely cool before proceeding. This will typically be six or more hours. Slow

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cooling generally provides the best results when it comes to Once your candle has completely cooled, you might notice that the wax has sunken a bit in the middle. With the wax that you saved from the previous step, melt it back down and bring it to a temperature of 185 degrees F. You bring it to a higher temperature for the second pour because it increases the adhesion between layers of wax. Once the candle has cooled completely, you can trim the wick. From there, you can either wrap and start gifting or enjoy these homemade candles yourself! n

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“Columbus “ would have stayed.

GARD E NING W ITH M R S . P

T OL

INC

HEN

/ HS

V RS

Scarlet red poppies and bachelor buttons swaying in the wind.

eparating the holidays of Columbus Day (October 12) and Veteran’s Day (November 11) is Will Rogers' (one of my heroes) birthday on November 4. He once said it was fortunate for Columbus’s subsequent fame to have landed on the Atlantic side of America instead of the Pacific side. If he had landed in California, he never would've gone back home, even to tell the Queen of Spain. Yup, Christopher C. would have happily stayed in our Golden State and nobody would have ever known about him. In any event, Autumn is here and the above holidays are good benchmarks for planting. I've always tried to plant sweet pea flower seeds on Columbus Day. They will be able to germinate while the soil is warm enough and get a head start to be in full bloom by February. Soak the seeds 12 hours in water, then drain; soak no longer or they'll start decaying and won't sprout. If you don't have a trellis for them to climb up, no worries. Plant the short or bush varieties (“Bijou,” “Knee-Hi,” etc.) in large pots, maybe with asparagus fern for an English garden look in spring. The actual flower and later the seed pod of sweet peas look amazingly like regular garden pea plants, hence their name. Their fragrance is unbeatable with a clean, sweet perfume. To prolong their flowering, cut the flowers regularly and remove all seedpods. This is a great time to scatter Bachelor Buttons, Larkspur, Hollyhocks, and all the wildflower seed mixes directly onto damp, wellcultivated soil. Top with a light coating (no more than ¼ inch) of the least expensive potting soil you can find. Tamp down with the flat of your hand to “fix” Larkspur the seeds in place. Lightly mist the planting area with water until they sprout and then normal irrigation from then on will do the trick. Of all the fall planted seeds, poppies are, in Mrs. P’s opinion, the most poignant and touchingly beautiful. Given the enormous sadness our country experienced on September 11, 2001, I would like to propose planting >>

. CO

By Lynn Pitts

F LO W

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www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 89

Gardening with Mrs. P poppy seeds as a fitting 10 year memorial. While there are numerous varieties in different colors and shapes, the scarlet red poppy, known as the Flanders Field Poppy, is the universal symbol of remembrance for all the dead soldiers in two World Wars. No one can say when this flower arrived in Western Europe or North America, as it’s not a native, thus a botanical mystery. It only grows on cultivated land and is not a wildflower (as is our own California poppy, but that’s another story). Evidently, poppy seeds will lie underground for years and bloom if plowed up or, as in the Flanders Field Poppy’s case, the ground was disturbed by the intense shelling and shrapnel during battle. The story of the Flanders Field Poppy is heartrending, if you've not heard it, and tied to Remembrance Day throughout Europe and Great Britain (called Veteran’s Day in the U.S.). World War I ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. My story begins with a Canadian Colonel, a battlefield doctor, who wrote a poem after a battle in France in 1915. Part of it goes: “In Flanders Field the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row...if ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields.” The doctor unfortunately died of war wounds six months before the Armistice was signed. An American woman was so stirred after reading the poem, she started wearing an enameled poppy on her lapel. Then, a French woman took this idea and thought to make up artificial colored

Hollyhocks

also known as Shirley poppies. If you can't find this variety locally, I can recommend Bluestone Garden (www.bluestonegarden. com) as a good source and the shipping is free. All poppy varieties have very tiny seeds and one package may hold hundreds if not thousands. My Big Trick is to put the seed packs into clean, dry, self-closing plastic bags and refrigerate for two weeks. Then, fill a large, empty coffee can with clean sand and add the poppy seeds. Mix well. I use chopsticks. Scatter the contents on a damp, cultivated area and keep lightly moist. Instead of just dumping the seed/sand mixture in one area, try to scatter a handful here, a handful there around your garden. Mix varieties by all means. Save the dried pods in paper bags, shake out the seeds for another year’s planting and use the interesting pods in flower arrangements. I glue them onto wreaths. Other poppies I plant are, naturally, California poppies, the official flower of Kern County as well as the State of California. They are a true native of California and were discovered by a

Let’s plant poppies for those who have sacrificed and to honor those who are returning home...all heroes in our eyes.

Shirley poppies paper poppies which could be sold to help veterans. Next, the British Legion opened a factory employing disabled veterans to make colored paper poppies to sell. Having visited Europe and England several times during Remembrance Day week, I can tell you millions of people from Royalty and Prime Ministers on down sport a paper poppy in their lapel. Our own veterans groups used to sell poppies one week prior to our American Memorial Day which is in May. This is actually when many poppy varieties bloom and what the Canadian Colonel was referring to in his famous poem. In our Bakersfield climate, poppy seeds will rest in the ground through the winter and bloom in early spring. As an aside, this is Mrs. P’s Seed Planting Doctrine: strew many, many more seeds than you think you'll need. Consider it insurance; one never gets 100 percent germination. Extras can be transplanted or given to friends and family. Be sure to share the Flanders Field Poppy story as a memento of their history. Flanders Field poppies are 90 Bakersfield Magazine

German plant explorer in the early 19th century. Their botanic name is Eschscholzia which I understand was the plant explorer’s name (Herr Dockter Eschscholz) and, no, I can't pronounce it either. As a native Californian, one of my first memories as a child was seeing hills covered with bright orange California poppies. Other poppy varieties include Breadbox poppies, whose seed has been used in cooking for thousands of years; Danish Flag poppies, which looks like this Scandinavian country’s flag; and even the St. George’s Cross Poppy, which shows a perfectly-formed black cross inside the bloom. There are poppy varieties in the palest of pastels to vibrant reds, salmon, lilac, and soft blues. As our country has been reflecting upon the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and all that has happened, it is important to remember that to be a gardener is to be optimistic for the future. Who knows what will happen in the world tomorrow. Today, let’s plant poppies for those who have sacrificed and to honor those who are returning home...all heroes in our eyes. v Lynn Pitts, better known as Mrs. P., is a native Californian, master gardener in four counties including Kern, a garden writer, and professional botanical artist. She has been featured on “The Art of Gardening,” on PBS, and has conducted flower workshops throughout California for botanical gardens and arboretums. FLOWERS©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/gardendata/LIANEM

food

Switch on the burner, grease up the skillet, or spark up the coals, it’s time to get eating. It’s not hard to eat a meal fit for a king—we’ve done the research for you. Whether you’re searching for juicy new recipes to thrill dinner guests with or looking for a new, exciting place to dine out with family, our Food Section has all the spice and flavor you’ll need.

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We’ve got reviews, recipes, entertaining tips, and more! This is the place to explore local eateries that have good food and good service, find out which ones cater to your budget and your taste buds, and get culinary inspiration to bring back to your own kitchen. Sumptuous, mouth-watering meals await you whatever your mood— grab your apron and peruse these pages for your favorite recipe. Bon Appétit.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 91

QUICK BITES WITH LOCAL FLAVOR

When we asked the talented folks at Village Grill to create a recipe for readers that would be the perfect appetizer for a fall get-together or even just a flavorful, light dinner, they did not disappoint. This take on classic bruschetta will have you and your guests (if you decide to share, that is) oohing and aahing so much that you’ll be remiss to say anything else. Instead of polite banter and tired anecdotes, you’ll hear the lovely sounds of satisfied eaters. No need to thank us...we’re just the messengers. Kick back and enjoy! n

~Ingredients~

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 eggs) 1/2 cup egg substitute (or ves (4 oz. each), pounded 4 boneless chicken breast hal cheese 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan mbs 1/4 cup dry Panko bread cru ad bre ta bat 4 slices of cia 1 tbsp. butter, melted chopped 2 large tomatoes, seeded and in half ed 12 sweet grape tomatoes, slic 3 tbsp. minced fresh basil garlic, minced 1 tbsp. olive oil • 2 cloves per 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/4 tsp. pep ed slic s, per 3 small bell pep

92 Bakersfield Magazine

bs san cheese with your breadcrum Combine a 1/4 cup of the Parme bs rum flour, eggs, and mixed breadc and salt and pepper. Place the in the the chicken in the flower, then in separate shallow bowls. Dip Cook bs, making sure to coat evenly. eggs, and finally in the breadcrum reads led until a meat thermometer the chicken in a lightly-oiled skil 170 degrees (about 10 minutes). ced your bread by spreading the min Set your oven to broil. Prepare il unt il ce of ciabatta and then bro garlic and butter over each pie browned. n atoes and basil. When the chicke In a small bowl, combine the tom e on the light coating of tomato mixtur and bread are ready, spread a ing n on each piece. Top with remain bread and place a piece of chicke utes or the oven for roughly five min tomato mixture. Put back in aining ted through. Top with the rem until the tomato mixture is hea pe tomatoes and bell peppers. Parmesan cheese and sliced gra

Cuisine: just plain good

WHAT’S COOKIN’

imagine my surprise I’m one of the few long-time Bakersfield residents who was unfamiliar with Great Castle Restaurant. but no more.

By Mike Stepanovich I say “was” because thanks to my editor at Bakersfield Magazine, Anika Henrikson, who assigned me to review this long-time local restaurant, I’ve joined Great Castle’s legion of fans. Yes, I’ve heard the raves over the years, people proclaiming it to be some of the best Chinese cuisine anywhere. It wasn’t that I was avoiding Great Castle; I just hadn’t had much reason to go there. It isn’t near where I work. It isn’t near where I live. I remember going there with some work colleagues back in 1984, but I guess we must have been more focused on work that day because I just don’t recall being wowed. Well thank you, Anika, for getting me there, because now I am wowed! I’ll lump my wife, Carol, in with those unfamiliar with Great Castle’s charms—and she’s almost a native Bakersfieldian—because she was hard pressed to recall when she had last visited Great Castle. Because of our unfamiliarity with the place we set out for dinner with great anticipation. We pulled into the parking lot at the corner of Union Avenue and 4th Street surrounding the white cinder-block building that resembles a small medieval castle. We entered the red door, which brought us to an alcove with a chalkboard listing the day’s specials. Beyond that was the dining room, where a polite server greeted and seated us. The dining room has a certain ambience that I found soothing—depictions of Chinese gardens on the walls, a coffered ceiling, dim lighting, and

Walnut Shrimp no windows. When you come to Great Castle, you enter a different world, where peace and harmony prevail, which helps you relax. The effect is almost instantaneous. The restaurant bills its cuisine as Chinese Mandarin—northern China, as opposed to Cantonese cuisine from the south. My experience with these two styles is that Mandarin is spicier, while Cantonese is blander. Seeing that Great Castle was Mandarin style, I anticipated a more flavorful menu. Right at the top of the menu was the “House Special Moo Shih,” which captured my attention. I remember the first time I had the dish—it’s spelled moo shu in most other restaurants I’m familiar with—and fell in love with it. I lived in Stockton at the time, and thought that was one of >>

Cuisine: a whole new world www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 93

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the best Chinese dishes I’d ever had. I still do. The complexity of flavors—the pork, vegetables, and plum sauce all wrapped in a thin Mandarin pancake—had an instant appeal. Just as I was deciding to order the moo shih ($10.95), Carol exclaimed, “Ah-ha! Walnut Shrimp!” We were both excited to see that because that’s another dish we don’t often see. We first encountered it while vacationing with friends Mike and Linda Rubin in Hawaii. The Rubins, who often vacation at Kailua on Oahu, took us to a fabulous Chinese restaurant in Kaneohe named Pah Ke Chinese Restaurant. Raymond Siu is the owner and chef there, and we have fallen in love with his creations. One is honey-glazed walnut shrimp. Could Great Castle’s walnut shrimp ($13.95) compare? It could...and did! The toasted, candied walnut halves were a perfect complement with the large shrimp coated with a light, crispy batter that wasn’t at all greasy, melded together with a light, sweet sauce. Fabulous! We loved it. And the moo shih pork was every bit as good. It was carefully prepared tableside by our server, who said the plum sauce spread lightly on the Mandarin pancake

es of barbecued pork with the saltiness of the fried rice, with ample vegetables and bits of scrambled egg, were a great combination. We left that first dinner wondering how it was that we hadn’t been there in all those years. I concluded that, like Pah Ke in Hawaii, Great Castle’s success stems from that fact that it is a family-owned restaurant. It was founded in 1979 by Tzu Chun Wang, a Chinese immigrant originally from Tsingtao who came to this country in 1972 from Taiwan where he owned a restaurant. After a few years spent working in Chinese restaurants in Southern California, he came to Bakersfield in 1978 and brought his family from Taiwan. Though he died four years ago, his family continues to run the restaurant, with his daughter Yun-Li as the manager. We met her on our next visit. Yun-Li is clearly one of the keys to Great Castle’s success. She’s downright funny, and if her husband happens to be there, anticipate a comedy routine. She’s the “straight man,” her husband the joker. And then there’s Yun-Li’s sister, Mei-Li. Whereas YunLi’s humor is subtle, Mei-Li is outgoing, warm, and welcoming, greeting guests with a smile and friendly banter.

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Kern Health Resource Guide 94 Bakersfield Magazine

was made at the restaurant. That was an indicator of things to come, as the moo shih was one of the best I’ve ever had. The pancake was wafer thin and freshly made; the shredded pork was tender and flavorful, and the bean sprouts and scallions were fresh and crunchy. The flavors blended wonderfully on our palates. One other dish that caught my eye on that first visit was barbecued pork fried rice ($7.95). I love Chinese barbecued pork and I love fried rice, so this combination seemed almost too good to be true. Actually, it was simply too good. The sweetness of the diced piec-

Yun-Li says that the restaurant’s success is due to the freshness of the food and the care in preparation. Our second visit affirmed that assertion. One of Carol’s favorite Chinese dishes is sweet-andsour pork. I tend to go for the spicy dishes. So we ordered the sweet-and-sour pork ($8.95) and the Kung Pao shrimp ($10.95). We loved both dishes. The chunks of pork were tender and flavorful, not at all tough as is often the case at other restaurants. The Kung Pau shrimp was splendid; the shrimp was cooked perfectly, crunchy peanuts complemented the vegetables, and a

Yun-Li prepares the House Special “Moo Shih” Pork

TIMELESS STYLE

inspired by classic old world design

pleasant spiciness permeated the dish. Even Carol, who is not a fan of spicy, enjoyed it. Mei-Li told us, with a wink and a smile, “Just don’t eat the peppers!”The inchlong red peppers give the dish its punch, and biting down on one of them can be an unpleasant experience. We also enjoyed the pork chow mein ($7.95) with our dinner. This soft-noodle creation was rich and delicious. Carol, not normally a chow mein fan, couldn’t get enough of it. Frankly, neither could I. When I asked Mei-Li if Great Castle was open for lunch, she said jauntily, “We’re open all day.” That’s pretty much true: the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. for lunch, and segues to dinner at 3 p.m. It closes at 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 p.m. Friday. It’s open 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday for dinner. Lunch is also a great experience. For $8.95 you get a fabulous combination plate with your choice of an entrée. Your lunch includes soup, fried rice, egg roll, and fried wonton. I’ve tried both the Hot Spicy chicken Shanghai style and the Mongolian beef. Both are delicious. What I noticed about both was the freshness of the ingredients. The Mongolian beef was particularly noteworthy. The beef was tender and moist, and had clearly been freshly prepared moments before it was served. Service is fast, so if you only have a short time for lunch, you can easily be in and out in time to return to work. Great Castle accepts most major credit cards. For reservations, call (661) 325-3311. n

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Entertaining the Bakersfield Way

western roundup

By Judy Bentivegna

Can you say “yee-haw?” Next time you have the gang over, treat them to a western-inspired hoedown. It’s easy on you and your budget, too. After all, it doesn’t cost a lot of coin to hang a weed out of your mouth. Or to walk around like you just got off a horse–kind of spraddle legged. Ready? Well, let’s get goin’ pardner!

Getting things ready. Be imaginative and creative with decorations but remember that you don’t have to buy everything. Almost everyone has at least one piece of western gear—boots, hats, rope, badge, cactus, or bandanna. Ask around and borrow heavily. Heck, we live so close to the desert you could just open your door and let the tumbleweeds roll right in! But if you must buy, remember the Code of the West: dollar stores have “pert-near” everything. Ambiance? That’s easy, too. Play cowboy love songs. You know—Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and the “singing cowboy” Gene Autry. Give everyone a stick-on mustache and bandanna to wear. Rent some old cowboy silents and project movies on a wall. Coil natural rope here and there. Make a hoosegow (jail) out of a refrigerator box that’s big enough to get inside and look out through the bars. Take lots of pictures and print them out for the pardners. Entertainment! Cowboys loved to play games while on the trail (so I’m told), but you probably want to steer clear of shooting guns, throwing knives, and cracking whips. However, the gang could play “gunslinger poker!” Liven up poker games this way: buy two decks, pull out the aces, kings, and queens from one and add to the other. And who needs the twos, threes, and fours either (talk about loading the deck). Spray small stones gold for gambling “nuggets.” How about a game of horseshoes while the rest of the gang gathers? Drinks are up. Mix up your own version of cactus coolers using ginger ale and your favorite fruit. Try sarsaparilla if you can find it (tastes a little like root beer but milder). Now let’s get on down the trail and make some “grub” sure to please the hungriest cowpoke. Wagon Wheel “Spokes” & Zesty Ranch Dip Medium Zucchinis • Large Carrots Creamy Ranch Dressing • Smoky Paprika Wash and slice your veggies into dipping “spokes,” arrange on a round metallic plate (a charger is perfect) like spokes on a wheel. Mix 1/2 teaspoon smoky paprika per cup of ranch dressing. Put a small dish of dressing in the center. >>

Cuisine: hold the trail dust! www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 97

CUISINE: hold the trail dust! Chuck Wagon Beans 1/2 lb. dry Pinto Beans 1/2 cup chopped deli style Honey Smoked Ham • 1 cup finely-chopped Onion 1 can Tomato Paste (8 oz.) • 1/4 cup packed Brown Sugar 1 1/2 tsp. Smoky Paprika • 1/2 tsp. Salt • 1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard 3 slices thick Bacon, cooked, reserving the grease • 1/2 tsp. Liquid Smoke

Wrangler Steak London Broil Steak (2-3 lb. size) • 6 oz. Creamy Italian Dressing Slice 1/16”-deep crosshatch cuts across steak every 1/2 inch, front and back. Put steak in a gallon size plastic zip bag. Pour dressing into bag and seal. Chill in refrigerator at least four hours. Place steak directly on hot grill. Cook to medium for best taste (140 degrees Fahrenheit—the middle is red with pink surrounding the center). Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Cut steak into 1/8-inch strips against the grain at a 45-degree angle. Happy Trails Salsa 1 lb. Diced Tomatoes • 1 small Red Onion 2 tbsp. fresh Lime Juice 1/4 cup chopped fresh Parsley 1/2 cup chopped fresh Basil 2 cloves Minced Garlic 2 Serrano Chili Peppers, seeded and minced 1 tbsp. Smoky Paprika 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt (or Kosher Salt) Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Use fresh herbs if possible. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours to allow flavors to marry. Serve on the side to dip steak into or drizzle down the middle of slices before serving.

Rinse beans. In large saucepan combine beans and four cups water. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer for two minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand one hour. Drain and rinse beans. In same pan combine beans and four cups fresh water. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer about one hour or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally. Drain beans, reserving liquid. Combine beans, ham, bacon, and onion in a quart-size casserole dish. Stir together liquid smoke, brown sugar, smoky paprika, bean liquid, tomato paste, salt, and mustard. Stir into bean mixture. Bake covered in a 325 degree oven about one hour. Uncover and bake another 45 minutes until desired consistency. Hot Dang! It’s the best foot-stomping’ baked beans your cowpokes will ever “et.” Bakersfield Blushing Blueberry Corn Muffins 1/4 cup Butter, softened • 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar se Flour 1/3 cup packed Dark Brown Sugar • 1 Egg • 1 cup all purpo 1/2 cup Cornmeal • 2 tsp. Baking Powder • 1/4 tsp. Salt erries (frozen is fine) 1/4 tsp. Ground Nutmeg • 1/2 cup 2% Milk • 1 cup Blueb well. Combine flour, In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg, mix creamed mixture altercornmeal, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; add to (if using frozen, fold nately with milk just until moistened. Fold in blueberries spray. Idea: Get yourthem in frozen). Coat muffin pan with non-stick cooking hirds full with batter. self a fancy muffin pan. It’ll wow your guests! Fill two-t pick comes out clean. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until tooth done. Cool five minutes Touch top of muffin gently. If it springs back, they’re muffins. before removing. Turn pan over and tap pan to release

98 Bakersfield Magazine

Formerly Jerry Anderson

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Empty peaches and heavy syrup into the bottom of a 13” x 9” pan. Cover with dry yellow cake mix. Pat cake mix down firmly and evenly using the plastic bag the mix came in. Cut cold butter into thin slices and evenly distribute on top of cake mix. (Yes, real butter...we don’t want to make Julia Child angry!) Sprinkle cinnamon liberally on top. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven when top is golden brown, bubbly, and slightly crispy. Do not overcook! If desired, slice up a fresh peach and arrange on top. Whipped topping goes mighty well, too (naturally). It’s the easiest, tastiest, chap-slappingest cobbler ever...darn tootin’! Special note: These dishes are mostly for “lily-livers.” If you want the “smokeoutta-the-ears” versions, try heating up the beans and salsa with liquid smoke and your favorite hot sauce. Sprinkle chili powder on the corn. Or light ‘em up with hot peppers and “horse”radish. Well...then again, you might want to offer these flaming add-ons separately, okie-dokie? You might find yourself in the hoosegow. Happy trails! Now “git along” little doggies! n

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Thank you Cornforth Family for your generous donation to The Cancer Center at SJCH.

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100 Bakersfield Magazine

LIFE IS A CABERNET

change of pace

Add Madera to your list of weekend wine trip destinations. Yes, I can visualize your raised eyebrows. Madera? Why would you want to go up the San Joaquin Valley to Madera to taste wine? Well, perhaps to try something different. Bakersfield folks have

The most important reason to visit Madera is the world-class port

just about worn out Highway 46 on their way to Paso Robles for

that’s made there. Ficklin Vineyards and Quady Winery are simply in a

weekend wine tasting. Yes, there are a couple hundred wineries to

class by themselves when it comes to making sensational dessert wines.

check out in Paso Robles, and only half a dozen wineries in the im-

Their commitment and dedication has rubbed off on the other local vintners, whose table wines taste darn good, too.

©istockphoto.com/astra490

mediate vicinity of Madera, but it’s a pleasant change of pace. And

unlike other areas with concentrations of wineries all producing

Take Tony Kirk of Birdstone Winery, for instance. Not long ago I was

their own version of the same varietal, Madera County’s handful of

in his tasting room off Road 36 a quarter mile or so north of Avenue

wineries for the most part each offer something unique.

9 east of Freeway 99. It’s pretty there, surrounded by vineyards, the

Plus it’s accessible. Like Paso Robles, Madera is only two hours

Sierras rising majestically to the east. Kirk and his wife, Kim, are

away, so it’s perfect for that weekend day-trip. Most of the Madera

dedicated to making wines that are among the best anywhere. >>

tasting rooms open at 11 a.m., so leave Bakersfield at 9, start back at 5, when the tasting rooms close, and you’re home by 7. Easy.

wine: varietal grandeur www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 101

wine: varietal grandeur But they realized—much like vintners in Paso Robles and other parts of the state—if

berries. He handed my wife, Carol, and I a glass of port and invited us to try the

they were to establish an identity, they would need to have wines that set them apart

strawberries. I said something like, no chocolate to go with the strawberries? He

from the rest of the herd. So they’re making Tempranillo, a Spanish varietal; Zinfandel,

just smiled and said, “Try them by themselves.”

Alicante Bouschet, a deep red wine of French origin; Dolcetto, Barbera, and Sangio-

The pairing was, in a word, sublime. I would not have thought that simple, fresh

vese, all Italian varietals; and Tinta Madeira port. They also have a lovely Muscat Canelli.

strawberries could taste so good paired with Ficklin port. To this day that’s how I enjoy

Yes, Birdstone also has Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay; they’re the

them. And every time I do, I recall that first memorable visit to this iconic winery. Our most recent visit was also memorable. We shared some cheeses, salami, a ba-

best-known varietals, and customers demand them. But as vintners elsewhere figphoto Courtesy of ficklin vineyards

guette, and olives with tasting room manager Jeremy Madeiros. Ficklin’s Touriga Rosé was a delightful companion to our food. Interestingly, the Ficklin 10-year Tawny also tasted awfully good with the cheese and salami. A family with as much history in Madera as the Ficklins is the Lasgoity family, whose forebears settled in the area in 1903 after arriving from the Basque region of southwestern France. John and Alyson Lasgoity live in the house built by John’s great-grandparents in 1906. The gnarled old vines that line the driveway to Chateau Lasgoity bear testament to the family’s roots in the area. The family farmed the property and made wine for years for family members and sheepherders in the area. In 2000, John and his sister Michele decided to

ured out awhile back, Napa and Sonoma are the benchmark for those varietals, so when it came to establishing an identity, they focused on something else. As you can tell from the wines Birdstone makes, Madera vintners are doing the same thing. Birdstone’s Tempranillo has a voluptuous nose, and a crisp, clean texture, making it a great food wine. The Muscat is off-dry—not too sweet—with a seductive nose; it’s hard to stop drinking it. The port is excellent, certainly worthy of the

open a commercial winery, expanding the family’s diversified agricultural busi-

photo Courtesy of chateau lasgoity

Peter Ficklin, Ficklin Vineyard’s president, winemaker, and (his words) “ chief bottle washer. ”

standards set by Ficklin Vineyards. Walter Ficklin Sr.’s legacy is the world-class wines that merit a pilgrimage to his namesake winery. The Ficklin family, which began farming their property southwest of Madera in 1918, were pioneers of sorts who put Madera on the map as a venue for

Chateau Lasgoity has been growing grapes commercially since 2000.

fine wines. Up until 1945, the Ficklin family was farming fruit and raisins, but Ficklin became interested in University of California research that showed Portuguese vari-

ness. Their signature Blanc du Val is a white wine made from Madera-area fruit.

etals should do well in the San Joaquin Valley. So in 1945 and 1946, Ficklin and his

They also make Rouge du Val and a Merlot.

sons, Walter Jr., and David, replanted their land to vineyards using only Portuguese varietals: Tinta Madeira, Tinta Cao, Souzao, and Touriga Nacional.

Another winery relatively new to the emerging Madera wine scene is Cru Wine Co. Founded in 2003 as Mariposa Wine Co., Cru has a beautiful winery building and tast-

These four varietals are the traditional port varietals, and in the hands of a

ing room just off Freeway 99 north of Madera. I liked the wines, particularly the pinot

family that has focused all its attention on the production of port wine, the re-

noir. Pinot noir from Madera? Nope. Cru’s website says the winery is centrally located

sults are sensational.

in Madera to source fruit from California’s diverse wine regions. The winery buys grapes

I remember the first time I met Peter Ficklin, the president, winemaker and, as he says, “chief bottle washer,” some years ago when we first visited the winery. Peter and his cousin Steve, the vineyard manager, are the winery’s third generation.

from other regions, then makes them and distributes them from its Madera hub. Quady Winery specializes in dessert wines, and is on par with Ficklin as a world-class producer. Andrew and Laurel Quady left the hustle and bustle of

There’s a vastness to the valley, and neighbors are a ways off. It’s quiet, peaceful.

Southern California to pursue a more rural lifestyle. After Andrew earned a

Peter was waiting for us with a bottle of his Tinta Port and a bowl of fresh straw-

master’s in enology from UC Davis, they settled in Madera, built a small winery

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photo Courtesy of birdstone winery

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Thank you!

To all of our sponsors, volunteers, restaurants, bands, beverage suppliers and most of all- to YOU that attended and for making it, once again, “Bakersfield’s Social Event of the Year”!

Tony Kirk, of Birdstone Winery, is dedicated to making wines that are among the best anywhere. ,

on their property, and began making port in 1977. In 1980 they launched a fortified dessert wine, Essensia, made from the obscure Orange Muscat grape. It was an immediate hit. Serendipitously, four years later they were offered some Black Muscat, which became

Big Time Sponsors

the fortified Elysium, another delectable dessert wine. ❖

Those two varietals routinely win gold medals at competitions where I judge. Simply put, there’s nothing else like them; they’re in a league of their own. They’ve spawned dessert competitions where chefs compete to come up with desserts that pair with the two wines. (For a collection of award-winning recipes, go to the winery’s website, www.quadywinery.com, and click on “Chef Competition & recipes.) Mike Blaylock is Quady’s winemaker and general manager, having joined the company in 1984. His personality—sunny and jovial—is part of every

bottle produced by Quady.

PUMPING AND PORTABLE SERVICES, INC.

You’ll find friendly people, excellent wines, and a unique experience at the Madera County wineries. If you’re looking for unpretentious tasting rooms, and wines that express the passion of the winemakers, then the next time you’re planning a wine day-trip, think Madera. n Mike Stepanovich is an award-winning journalist who has been writing his Life is a Cabernet wine column since 1985, and reviewing restaurants for Bakersfield Magazine since 1997. Stepanovich has taught wine and food pairing classes for many years, and teaches a wine appreciation and history class for Bakersfield College. He began judging wines in 1987, and now judges at major international wine competitions throughout the United States. A home winemaker, Stepanovich resides with his wife, Carol, in Bakersfield.

Bands

Tony O’Brien • The Panorama Steel Drum Band • Thee Majestics • Eddie Munoz & BrushFire • Mento Buru • Fatt Katt & The VonZippers • Soulajar Rick Reno Stevens • The Lawanda Smith Jazz Quartet • Bunky Spurling & Friends • The News Brothers • The Five • ChesterField Kings & the Sultans of Swing • Rough Edges • Fatt Daddy Blues Band • Foster Campbell & Friends • The Beagles

Restaurants Applebee’s • BJ’s Restaurant and Brew House • Brookside Catering • Buck Owens Crystal Palace • Café Med • Caffé Amante • California Pizza Kitchen • Camino Real • Ironhorse Saloon • Coldstone Creamery • Elephant Bar • Jacalito Grill • El Portal Mexican Grill and Cantina • The Firehouse Frugatti’s Italian Eatery The Garden Spot • Goose Loonies Tavern & Grill • Greenhorn Grill • Hooters of Bakersfield • Just Wing It • La Rosa Fruit Bars & Ice Cream • Lengthwise Brewing Company • Mossman’s Catering • Pappy’s Down South BBQ • The Prime Cut • Que Pasa Mexican Café Sandrini’s • Ranch House Inn • Ruben’s Mexican Food • Sugar Me Up • Wood-dale Market

Benefitting

www.CareForKids.org

www.kcmuseum.org

See ya next year at Village Fest! Always the first Saturday after Labor Day. www.BakersfieldVillageFest.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 103

bottoms up!

a tropical splash

By Jason Gutierrez

It seems like just yesterday downtown Bakersfield was welcoming Mama Roomba to the neighborhood, but the locallyowned and -operated restaurant has actually been serving authentic Caribbean fare to hungry diners for five years. Specializing in seafood, tapas, and a plethora of favorites too

If only this concoction from Mama Roomba could be sold in juice

tasty to mention, it’s a cozy place you’ll want to enjoy with friends

boxes to take home. It’s a champagne cocktail quite similar to a

and family. And the drink menu here is expansive and exotic. While

mimosa (concocted of orange juice and champagne), and promi-

the bartenders there say the sangria is to die for, and the mojitos

nently served during Sunday brunch. However, what sets this drink

are out of this world, there’s a new favorite that has been creating

apart is the cuisine and atmosphere of Mama Roomba. Bartenders

some buzz around town: the mango bellini.

say the drink has grown in popularity over the past few months because it’s refreshing and very easy to enjoy. The simple sophistication of the mango bellini allows the drink to pair with anything on the menu. If you like seafood, definitely mix

Mama roomba Quick Facts Year Established: 2007 Located: 1814 Eye Street

Champagne or sparkling wine Mango juice • Sliced mango garnish (optional) Fill a fluted glass, three quarters of the way full, with champagne. Top with mango juice. Garnish with mango slice. Enjoy! this concoction with the ceviche. It also blends well with any of the empanadas, the spinach salad, or Jamaican jerk chicken. Whether you stop in for an afternoon of tapas, a quick dinner before a night on the town, or after-work cocktails to melt the stress away, the mango bellini is the type of sipping drink that goes down smooth and keeps you satisfied. But don’t take my word for it. n

drink: simply “sip-sational” 104 Bakersfield Magazine

You may experience a sudden loss of pressure. Kick back, relax and enjoy breathtaking scenery along your journey to 175+ Amtrak California destinations. Book your trip at AmtrakCalifornia.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. SM

Amtrak is a service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 105

The Crest Bar & Grill

The Dining Guide

If you are looking for one of Bakersfield’s best-kept secrets, you’ve found it. Nestled inside the beautiful Bakersfield RV Resort, The Crest Bar and Grill is the perfect place to relax after a long day, or get a quick bite to power you through the rest of your busy day. Our well-trained staff will ensure that your dining visit with us is memorable. Our kitchen proudly serves quality Chicago Stockyard steaks, delicious pastas, classic sandwiches, and crisp salads with homemade dressings. Tour our new Banquet Facility—it’s media equipped for any presentation desired, catered by The Crest, and has seating for 150 people. Visit us and enjoy what luxury RV living is all about. Hours 7am-9pm daily. Located at 5025 Wible Rd. bakersfieldrvresort.com (661) 833-9998

Flame and Skewers

Since opening in February 2006, Flame and Skewers has impressed Bakersfield diners with authentic Mediterranean cuisine. When you want fresh, natural, flavorful food, this is the place to be. Mediterranean cuisine is rooted in the use of fresh and healthy ingredients. Every item boasts this philosophy—from the delicious and tender lamb kabob to the Shawerma, which is marinated and spiced slices of TriTip Beef or Chicken grilled against an open fire. Diners have a variety of options including savory sandwiches, which are topped with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hommus, and tajini sauce. www.flameandskewers.com. Two locations: 1201 24th St., open Mon-Sat 10:30am-8pm. (661) 325-1500. 5486 California Ave., open Mon-Sat 10:30am-10pm, Sunday 10:30am-7:30pm. (661) 328-0900

El Portal West

We invite you to enjoy our newest Mexican Grill and Cantina, El Portal West. We offer a great selection of appetizers, soups & salads, seafood, and our specialties are chicken, steak and shrimp fajitas. Our full service bar features the best margaritas in town! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3-7pm (bar only), Lunch specials everyday, 11am-2pm. Fabulous Sunday Brunch, 10am-3pm, reservations accepted. 1100 Calloway Drive. (661) 829-2737

Pappy’s “Down South” BBQ & Catering

“Real BBQ cooked slow and low.” You don’t have to head too far south to get a taste of amazing, Southern-style BBQ—just head to Pappy’s. With Championship Brisket, tender tri-tip, pulled pork, hot links, chicken, and ribs, there’s a meat for everyone at this local BBQ joint. In addition to flavorful side dishes like sweet potato fries, potato salad, and chili beans, Pappy’s cooks up some killer “pappytizers,” including fried okra and fried pickles (a southern favorite). Plus, every Thurs-Sat, Pappy’s is serving up 14 oz. ribeyes. Sunday mornings we have breakfast. They also offer catering for your next event, corporate meeting, or social gathering (minimum of 20 people). Call for details. 4725 Panama Ln. D-13. PappysDownSouthBBQ.com. (661) 735-3984

Frugatti’s Italian Wood-Fired Oven

Real Italian by Real Italians! Whether dining in or al fresco on our patio, come in and enjoy our new menu that’s bursting with flavor for lunch, dinner or just dessert. You’ll love our steaks. We use only the highest quality Certified Angus Brand® Beef. You’ll also love our chicken, seafood and pizzas cooked in our imported Italian wood-burning oven. We also offer a wide selection of pasta dishes and other Italian favorites. For dessert try our homemade New York cheesecakes or Tiramisu. Come experience our friendly atmosphere. Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm, Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 11:30am-10pm, Sunday 11:30am-9pm. All major credit cards accepted. 600 Coffee Rd., corner of Truxtun and Coffee. frugattis.com (661) 836-2000

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Bull Shed Bar & Grill

If you’re looking for a great place to hang out, grab a bite to eat, and have a good time, it’s high time you grabbed the bull by the horns...literally! At the locally-owned and operated Bull Shed Bar & Grill, you’ll be able to dig in to great food at great prices, while waiting for your turn to ride “Dolly,” the mechanical bull! Sink your teeth into their Tri-Tip Sandwich, a cowboy roll stuffed with marinated tri-tip, onions, and mayo or test your stomach with the Big Bad Bull Shed Burger—a burger that weighs in at 2.5 pounds and is served with 2.5 pounds of fries. Eat it all in 45 minutes and get it free...plus a Bull Shed shirt! Open Mon-Fri 3pm-2am; Sat & Sun 12pm-2am. 2400 Camino Del Rio. (661) 327-0681

Chalet Basque

A restaurant of distinction. Served family-style, dinners include French bread & butter, soup, pink beans, hot sauce, hors d’oeuvres, vegetables, and french fries, and a variety of entrée choices. For 45 years, locals and visitors alike have savored favorites such as garlic fried chicken, lamb, and hand-cut steaks including filet mignon topped with blackberries and brandy. Chalet Basque offers tasty lunch specials from 11am-3pm and happy hour specials on beer and cocktails all day. The banquet room accommodates up to 180 people, perfect for wedding parties, anniversaries, and retirement dinners. If you’re looking for a spacious banquet room with delectable dining options, they will match any competitor’s price. Open every day from 11am-9:30pm. 200 Oak Street. (661) 327-2915

Valentien Restaurant and Wine Bar

French Cuisine Fused With California Freshness Seafood, Poultry, Beef, Exotic Game, Vegetarian. A welcoming environment in the tradition of a neighborhood bistro. Extensive Wine List and Craft Beer Selection. Coffee Program Featuring Siphon Brewers and Sustainable Sourced Beans. We believe in preparing food from scratch with the freshest ingredients available. We source locally and organically as often as possible. Enjoy the bounty of Kern County’s Agriculture! Open for Lunch: Tue-Fri 11:30am-2:00pm. Open for Dinner: Mon 5:00-8:00pm & Tue-Sat 5:00-9:00pm. All major credit cards are accepted. Reservations recommended but not required. 3310 Truxtun Ave., Ste. 160, 93301 www.valentienrestaurant.com (661) 864-0397

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 107

The Dining Guide

Uricchio’s Trattoria

Now Offering Curb-side To-go Service and free validated parking for lunch guests! Nestled in the heart of Downtown in the historical Haberfelde Building. Steaks, chops, seafood, and classic Italian dishes, complemented by an extensive wine list, have made Uricchio’s a mainstay for over a decade. Uricchio’s San Francisco style setting is family owned and operated, and the perfect spot for a business lunch, or a romantic dining experience. After your meal save room for the fabulous desserts from LaMousse of Beverly Hills. Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner Mon-Thu 5-9pm, Friday & Saturday 5-10pm. Reservations recommended, lunch reservations for large groups only. www.uricchios-trattoria.com. 1400 17th St. Downtown. (661) 326-8870

Cactus Valley Mexican Restaurant

With their award-winning salsa, Cactus Valley Mexican Restaurant is the spot for fine south-of-the-border flavors! The menu includes traditional Mexican dishes like sizzlin’ fajitas, which you can order with lobster, shrimp, steak, or chicken and the San Francisco Bay Enchiladas: surimi and jumbo shrimp sauteed in tomatillo and cilantro sauce stuffed in two flour tortillas, folded and filled with cream cheese! All day breakfast menu includes beef machaca and huevos rancheros. Lunch specials: $4.99 tacos and enchiladas, $7.95 chicken fajita plates. Cactus Valley is home to the best margaritas in town ($2.75 sm/$4 reg all day) and Happy Hour is 4-9pm. Open 11am-9pm Sun-Thu; 10:30am-10pm Fri & Sat. Lunch 11am-2pm. Located at 4215 Rosedale Hwy, just west of Hwy 99. (661) 633-1948

Brookside Riverlakes Market & Deli

The Dining Guide

We are your one-stop shop for great, local flavor! Our goal is to offer more grocery items in the market and more variety in the deli for your convenience. From our highquality meat to our breads, everything is fresh and local. Brookside also prepares our own salads and we have a large selection of wines and local products to choose from including Smith’s Bakery goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth. In addition to our Brookside breakfast and lunch menus, we have a catering menu that will help you celebrate any occasion with ease. Deli hours: Mon-Sat 5am-8pm, Sun 6:30am4pm. 4700 Coffee Road. Store: (661) 588-1338, Deli: (661) 588-2329

Caesar’s Italian Delicatessen

A Bakersfield tradition since 1970, Caesar’s Italian Delicatessens have been serving fine Italian food for over 35 years. Our family owned Delis serve quality Sandwiches, Soups, and Salads. We are a full service deli and carry a wide variety of cheeses, meats, and specialty items. We have a large variety of Salads including our famous Pickled Tongue. Pastas are prepared in house using sauces from Nonna’s (grandma’s) Old Italian Recipes. Come in and pick up a tray to take home. Catering is also available for your next event, small office parties, large events & weddings, and includes Party Trays, Pastas, Sandwiches, Tri-Tip Deep Pit Beef, Chicken, or just Appetizers. Ask for a catering menu. 2828 Niles St. (East Bakersfield) (661) 873-0270, or 9500 Brimhall Rd. #304 (Rosedale area) (661) 588-7004

Camino Real Restaurant & Bar

Mexican Inspired dishes with California love! Camino Real is a breath of fresh air! It has just what you’re looking for in a local restaurant and much more! From the assorted appetizer dishes such as the queso spinach dip, Mexican pizza, & fresh guacamole to the delicious signature entrées with steak, chicken, and various vegetarian options to choose from, we offer a variety of recipes. It’s traditional Mexican dishes infused with what we call California love. Join us for a deliciously prepared margarita or our famous happy day specials daily from 11am-7pm at the bar. Everything is prepared with our freshest ingredients and flavors that can’t be matched! We also offer a lunch buffet and Sunday brunch. Open daily 10am-10pm, bar open till midnight. 3500 Truxtun Ave. Caminoed.com. (661) 852-0493

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Jacalito Grill – Downtown Location

In the mood for authentic Mexican dining? There’s no better place than Jacalito Grill. With three convenient locations, you’ll always discover a reason to drop by for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Let the traditional flavors wow you with each dining experience, whether it be their savory Huevos Rancheros, Chile Verde, Pork Ribs in Salsa Roja, or Enchiladas de Mole. The seafood lover will rejoice at Jacalito Grill where a long list of succulent shrimp and fish dishes await. Everything from Camarones Borrachos (shrimp sauteed in tequila sauce) to their delectable Fish Fajitas. Each of their menu combinations are served with tender rice and beans. Open Sun-Thu, 11am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm. 4803 Panama Ln., (661) 8345834; 10618 Hageman Rd., (661) 679-7920; and 900 Truxtun Ave. (661) 325-2535

Asia Market -Teriyaki Bowl

Asia Market & Teriyaki Bowl carries a wide selection of all Asian foods, including Chinese and Japanese favorites! The best part about our store is that after you have chosen your favorite item, you can either take it home and prepare a meal for yourself, or you can come into our restaurant and have us prepare a delicious meal for you using your selection! We have a full-service store and restaurant, so you can come in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Join us today for excellent food provided by a friendly staff in a great atmosphere! Hours: 9am-9pm daily. 7701 White Lane. (661) 837-0982

Lorene’s Ranch House Coffee Shop

Where Everything’s Homemade! If you’re in the mood for an early morning breakfast, lunch, or a casual evening dinner, stop by Lorene’s for a hearty meal you won’t forget. Our extensive menu includes traditional breakfast skillets, country fresh eggs and omelettes, and a large selection of pancakes and waffles. For lunch or dinner try our South-of-the-Border section or one of our charbroiled burgers. We also serve great steaks and numerous seafood entrées. Stop by today for family-friendly dining. Hours: 6am-9:00pm daily, Visa, MC, AE, DC, accepted. Two locations to serve you: 1531 23rd & Eye St. (661) 322-6887 and 6401 Ming Ave. (661) 831-9250

RedBrick Fire-Roasted Gourmet Pizza

For the ultimate gourmet pizza, you’ve just got to head over to RedBrick Pizza. Every pizza is fresh, fabulous, and fire-roasted in just three minutes inside a 1,000-degree brick oven...an old-world Italian tradition. Start your epicurean adventure with a Chinese Chicken or Greek Chopped Salad, made with heart-healthy ingredients. Then dive into a speciality pizza. They’ve even got gluten-free crust for those on special diets. In the mood for something different? Wrap your mouth around one of their fire-roasted Fhazanis, a savory Italian sandwich topped with chilled greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and house dressing. And don’t forget a bowl of creamy, rich Gelato before you go. Open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm. 9500 Brimhall Road, Ste. 301. (661) 829-1010

Luigi’s Restaurant & Italian Delicatessen

Enjoy an old world Italian delicatessen since 1910 with over 200 wines to complement your lunch. From sandwiches to Pasta Bolognese, you’re sure to find flavorful choices to make everyone happy! Don’t forget to shop the gourmet delicatessen for unique gift ideas, wine and authentic foods. Restaurant Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-2:30pm, Deli Hours: Tue-Sat 8am-4pm. 725 East 19th Street. shopluigis.com (661) 322-0926

Café Med

NEW LOWER PRICES! For a cozy, intimate setting and fine dining with a unique atmosphere, Café Med is the place to go. Choose a selection from our extensive menu and your taste buds will surely be satisfied. Start off with an appetizer-perhaps you might try our Grilled Shrimp Cocktail or Hummus with Lamb Meat-a house specialty. Then choose from a variety of entrées including Mediterranean salads, steaks or even pasta. An excellent dish to try is our Fisherman’s Pasta-a mix of shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams & the catch of the day sautéed in a tomato, basil and mushroom cream sauce. Come by Café Med today. Open 7 days a week 11am-close. Live music on Friday & Saturday nights. Reservations accepted. Visa, MC, AE, DC. 4809 Stockdale Hwy. cafemedrestaurant.com. (661) 834-4433

Milt’s Coffee Shop

We’re celebrating our 46th anniversary! Join us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you won’t be disappointed. Everything on our menu is made from scratch giving a meal at Milt’s that fresh, homemade taste you can’t find anywhere else. Plus, all our deli sandwiches are served with your choice of soup, salad, fries, potato salad, chips, fresh fruit, or cottage cheese, making the perfect lunch. And the variety doesn’t stop there. Try the Texas Chile Size—a burger loaded with chili and topped with cheese and onions. Dinner is a belt-busting affair with steaks, trout, pork loin, and honey stung fried chicken on the menu. We’ve also got fare for the calorie-conscious. “We are a happy place for hungry people.” Open seven days a week from 6am-10:30pm. 6112 Knudsen Dr. (661) 399-4975

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The Dining Guide

Champs BBQ & Catering

Champs uses only the best ingredients and freshest meats available, using a secret recipe of dry rubs along with apple and citrus woods in our smoker to deliver that award-winning Champs BBQ flavor. We have perfected BBQ’d Tri-Tip, Pit Beef, Pulled Pork, Spare Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Chicken, Turkey, and Hot Links. Our HUGE salads are a must try. Our salad dressings and BBQ sauce are homemade and the recipes are sought-after daily. Check out our daily specials, including Catfish and Jambalaya, Sliders, Wraps, incredible Burgers, Clam Chowder, and Tri-Tip Chili. Try our food and become a Champs fan for life. Voted Kern County’s best. WE CATER! 35315 Merle Haggard Rd., Ste. 110. Open Mon-Fri 10:30am-8pm. Ilovechampsbbq.com. (661) 391-8334

Grandview Asian Cuisine

Take a trip to the Far East in this amazing restaurant located on the corner of Ming and Ashe. Try Grandview’s for a delicious variety of Asian cuisine and a relaxing atmosphere. Dine on some of the best Dim Sum Bakersfield has to offer while listening to the gentle splash of a waterfall. Whether you have a craving for fine Asian dining, or desire a place to unwind after work, Grandview Asian Cuisine provides the perfect place to get away. Hours: 10am-9pm daily. Visa, MC, AE, DC. 2217 Ashe Road, Bakersfield. (661) 832-2288

Benji’s French Basque

The Dining Guide

Benji’s offers something a little different from Bakersfield’s Basque fare. In addition to traditional Basque entrées of lamb, chicken, veal and beef, Benji’s has pan-fried frog legs with garlic lemon sauce, lobster tail, roasted duck, escargots and calf liver. And the beef isn’t just tri-tip; Benji’s serves a scrumptious filet mignon and New York steak with pepper cognac sauce. All dinners are served with the customary Basque family style set-up. Don’t forget Benji’s specialty soufflés flavored with Grand Marnier, raspberry, chocolate or lemon. Basque family owned and operated for 25 years. Banquet facilities available. Conveniently located 2 blocks west of Highway 99 at 4001 Rosedale Hwy. Open daily 11:30am-2pm and 5:30-9:30pm except Tuesdays. Lounge opens 11am. (661) 328-0400

Jake’s Tex-Mex Cafe

After 25 years still going strong, this Bakersfield icon is “Tex Mex Grub” but geared toward loyal “Bako” patrons. Pit style beef is the king here, but the salad choices, Taco Salad, Salad Lites, and, of course, the Famous Chocolate Cake dominate. Known as a lunch joint, but Bako finally getting into dinner. Open Mon-Sat 118pm. Closed Sunday. 1710 Oak St. jakestexmex.com (661) 322-6380

Izumo Japanese Restaurant & Sushi

Variety and style is what you can expect at Izumo. Experience our casual atmosphere where you have your choice of dining experiences. Visit us to enjoy the teppan-yaki, sample the sushi bar, or our more conventional order-off-the-menu setting. The teppan-yaki comes one dish at a time as the chef prepares it in front of you - they will amaze and impress with their skill and expertise. Our relaxed dining gives customers a chance to really enjoy our food and friendly service. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Mon-Sun 5-10pm. Reservations accepted. Visa, MC, AE. 4412 Ming Ave. (661) 398-0608

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The Bakersfield Museum of Art Thanks Our Sponsors for making Presenting Sponsors

Angeli Sponsors

a Success! Benefattori Sponsors Little Italy Restaurant

Melissa Fortune, CPA

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Amici Sponsors

Aera Energy LLC Chevron Chevron Valley Credit Union Clark Pest Control Colombo Construction Company CSUB School of Arts and Humanities Dr. Chris Hamilton, SCOI Gary & Nancy Sampson Marcia and George Giumarra Tejon Ranch Company Walker-Lewis Rents

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While not truly identifying with a specific Christian denomination, the couple had the idea to communicate with and inspire at-risk youth through a music ministry. Their original idea for Jesus Shack has come a long way since 1997, when they held their first concert. It was a venture

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conceived notions. This isn’t a church looking for converts. It’s an organization looking to create a better future for our community with a message of pure positivity. Jesus Shack reaches nearly 100,000 people a year. Through extensive community outreach with street teams,

Jesus Shack reaches nearly 100,000 people a year through extensive community outreach programs and concerts.

concerts, and a mobile medical unit, they hope to leave a lasting impression and encourage action in future generations. Jesus Shack is the brainchild of Voss and his wife Kathy. Prior to forming the nonprofit, Voss was working as a cardiac scrub nurse and watched people and families experience death and devastation every day. He discovered he had a desire to help people beyond physical healing.

PHOTO COURTESY JESUS SHACK, INC.

David Voss is an incredibly charismatic man; he radiates understanding and comfort. He’s also the president of Jesus Shack, Inc. But even without the charisma of Voss, Jesus Shack’s success in our community can be attributed to its clear vision. If you have lived in Bakersfield for any length of time, you’ve heard of this Christianbased organization. But forget any pre-

that cost them $40,000 and a little faith, that is until one of the inaugural event’s volunteers came to Voss with a blank check to ease his financial worries. The Vosses were moved by the volunteer’s timing and generosity and they were able to grow and pay him back in that first year. It began as a grass roots concert production company but Jesus Shack now puts on close to 100 concerts a year. Their downtown location is home to a versatile room for performances and corporate meetings as well as an outdoor loading area that doubles as a stage for larger shows. A concert can bring in anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand people, giving the Vosses and Jesus Shack staff the opportunity to touch a great number of people. They also apply that experience in event production to assist other nonprofits with putting on their respective events without competing, but working together. One of the most tangible and tested outreach programs is the Jesus Shack Street Team. Since 2003, teams go out every second and fourth Saturday of the month and target a zip code that shows a need (any need) and they go door to door offering help and hope. With key corporate sponsorships and generous donations, these volunteers bring cases of Pepsi products, food, clothing, and vital necessities to impoverished neighborhoods. The Street Team was established as a way for a variety of local churches, businesses, and government agencies to become directly involved with helping our hurting communities. Anywhere from 60 to 100 volunteers show up each Saturday (everyone is welcome). Although most of the volunteers are young people, Voss is especially excited to see families come out and serve the community together. The Jesus Shack expression is, “Raise a generation to reach this generation.” A decidedly unique element of the Street Team is that of continuity and frequency. As Voss explained, these FIELD MAG RS groups don’t go out once a year, they are out there every other week reaching M R UN IT Y PA families in need. >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 113

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Pay it Forward

JESUS SHACK • 661-324-0638

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Kathy and David Voss, founders of Jesus Shack, Inc. with the new mobile medical unit.

Pay it Forward

community partners

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The curtain rises with Antonin Dvorak’s festive “Carnival Overture,” followed by Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Van Cliburn competition gold-medal winner Nobuyuki Tsujii brings the concert to a glorious conclusion with Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C-minor.”

Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont” accents revolutionary events of his day, while deeply emotional Norse legends are on display in Sibelius’ “Valse Triste” and “Karelia Suite.” Then Brahms’ imposing “Symphony No. 4,” concludes a concert with power and glory.

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“We’re just trying to connect,” he added. It isn’t about conversion or religious pamphlets, but offering hope and understanding when poverty and addiction becomes discouraging. “Our whole heart is [there] to break down those walls and to show people that you can work past these problems in your life. There are greater things, don’t give up.” Sports are another way that Jesus Shack connects with the community. Run It Back and Hoops Xtreme are outlets for kids and young adults to get out and play for a day. Run It Back is a four-onfour flag football tournament and Hoops Xtreme is a two-day basketball tournament during which kids play ten threeon-three games. There are no referees so the kids can practice good sportsmanship and honesty. The goal of these events is to connect to people and establish a trust between Jesus Shack and communities in need. It serves as a tool for Jesus Shack to say, “Hey, we’re here if you need it,” explained Voss. Recently, Jesus Shack was given the license to provide medical services with

Voss hopes to instill a responsibility in the people they help to pay it forward and understand there is a “value to what they are receiving.” their Mobile Medical Program. A large mobile unit has been converted with great effort into a state-of-the-art medical office that will go into under-served areas to provide much-needed care. With a full scope of medical services, the Mobile Medical Program was created in the hopes of benefitting the community by not only offering healthcare to people who had no prior access, but also to prevent ER drop-ins. Voss explained that if Jesus Shack can change that ER dropin rate by even one percent, it can save Kern taxpayers millions of dollars. The free medical clinic includes two exam rooms, and an area to take blood and lab work as well as wireless connection to access the Electronic Medical Records Systems and the national database. The mobile unit has the potential to set up extra exam rooms when taken out to a

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church or community building as well as a triage unit outside to create a smoother waiting experience. Through a very long fundraising process, the Mobile Medical Program is finally ready to get out and change some lives. While the goal of the program is to provide prevention, medical education, and chronic care, Jesus Shack is “taking the next step, so to speak,” said Voss. The program isn’t there to just throw drugs at a problem one time, or repeatedly provide a quick fix—they want to help guide people to prolonged health by giving them the tools to live a healthy life. “At some point, we want to get your head in the game,” he added. Jesus Shack is quickly becoming a highly-respected philanthropic organization in Bakersfield. And it does so through generous donations of both time and finances. Voss and company rally their volunteers around a message of forgiveness and hope. With its offices fully paid for and little to no overhead, it is an organization that donors and volunteers can see how they have helped with a direct application of money and time. They can even help people seeking employment connect with jobs through their partners, Fastrip and Carl’s Jr. Yet one of the most important elements of Jesus Shack and its community outreach projects is that they aren’t going to serve entitlement, and they will give happily and generously with the return of accountability. “We’re not going to entitle you. You will give back,” said Voss. Whether it’s through helping with the Street Team or volunteering with other charity organizations around town, Voss hopes to instill a responsibility in the people they help to pay it forward and understand there is a “value to what they are receiving.” It isn’t necessary to be Christian to help or be helped by Jesus Shack. “Everyone will be treated the same,” said Voss. It seems more that Jesus Shack wants people to open up their heart to the idea of something bigger than themselves, and in doing that you can truly make an impact in the lives of others. “How do we grow if we don’t move beyond ourselves?” Voss added. n

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DJ Margo Saylor

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Dancing Photo Booth Silent Auction Hors d’oeuvres Costume Contest

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Limited Time! Contact Mikie Barrett at the Lung Association Before November 16th 661-847-4700

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Presents the 16th Annual

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Be Part of a Bakersfield Holiday Tradition!

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October 29, 2011 7:00 p.m. til Midnight $50.00 per person

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NONPROFIT

SPOTLIGHT

Nancy Marvin, manager of the Symphony office.

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of some 60 to 80 members, 70 percent of which reside and work in Bakersfield. “The mission is to provide the best possible performances of great music for the widest possible audience, and provide musical education for the young people of Kern County,” Marvin continued. That mission hasn’t changed.

world-class musicians to Bakersfield, and entertained tens of thousands. Led by music director and conductor John Farrer for the past 37 years, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra consists

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You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who says they dislike music. At the very least, they enjoy a particular genre. Maybe they even have a favorite band or song. We are inundated with music on a daily basis, even the days when we don’t turn on our radios. Commercials, TV shows, and movies are filled with music. You might not know it’s there all the time, playing in the background, but you would sure as heck notice if it wasn’t there. Music enhances our lives. It is a great equalizer. There’s no prerequisite for listening to a song or buying a record; old or young, black or white, single or married. A good piece of music is a good piece of music. Nowhere is that more blatant than at a Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra performance. You’ll see a wonderful cross section of Bakersfield at any given concert. Grandparents with grandchildren, husbands and wives...they all come because they want to be moved through the power of music. And, thankfully, we as a city have had the opportunity to enjoy these performances for 80 years. “The Symphony has been delighting concert-goers since 1932, save for a brief hiatus during World War II,” explained Nancy Marvin, manager of the Symphony office. Our orchestra has performed some of the most beloved pieces of classical music, introduced

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. —Confucius

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Enjoy!

It’s the reason the Symphony puts on specialty concerts, concerts for young students for the purpose of music education, and everyone’s favorite: The Nutcracker, done in conjunction with the Civic Dance Center. It’s an experience that touches the young and the young-at-heart. And through generous donations and sponsors in our community, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra has been able to continue brining music to the masses. But it’s been tough, especially during these times. They’re always in need of more donations, which help them put on their concert series. “We’ve been able to march on,” Marvin said. “But it’s important that the community supports something of this caliber.” After all, who wants to live in a city where we go from work to home and back to work without the option of attending something as culturallydiverse and moving as a symphony performance? “I don’t think people realize just how important music is to the world,” Marvin added. “People want to enrich their lives and music is something that enriches lives. And children who are enrolled in music programs are more likely to succeed.” Not to mention, the fact that classical music is often referred to as an influence by musical artists creating rock, pop, and jazz. “Some people may think that the symphony is too expensive or that it’s exclusive, but that’s not the case.” There is no age limit. There is no required income level. There’s no dress code. The Bakersfield Symphony is here to be enjoyed by all. Opening night for the 80th season happens October 15 with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture, Opus 92 and soloist Nobuyuki Tsujii. Visit bakersfieldsymphony.org or call (661) 323-7928 to FIELD MAG see how you can help the RS Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra continue makM R UN IT Y PA ing beautiful music. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 117

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Photo by Felix Adamo

Bakersfield symphony orchestra

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If you’re like us, you have great memories of learning music in a Bakersfield public school… If you’re like us, you believe every child should have the same opportunity… Second Annual

I’m With the Band

An Event To Fund Music Education In Bakersfield City Public Schools

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Saturday, November 12th, 2011 6-10pm • The Metro Galleries 1604 19th Street, Bakersfield

$40

All proceeds go to BCSD Music Program

Cocktails, Appetizers, Live Music, & Silent Auction For more information call 818.545.0065 or email rachel@chicevent.com

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www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 121

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122 Bakersfield Magazine

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Kern Chapter The American Red Cross strives to provide people with the skills and confidence to act in an emergency at home, in school, and in the workplace. For more information visit us online:

KernRedCross.org

aybe you’re in your first year of college; maybe you’ve gone back to take a few classes required for a promotion. Either way, there’s usually one important aspect of the “college life” package that is forgotten...until you’re at the register, that is. Textbooks can be expensive. Depending on your major, you could be spending upwards of $400 on textbooks for a semester of classes (math, science, and history texts are the most expensive and new editions come out more frequently). Still, there are ways to get around such steep prices. For one thing, on-campus student bookstores usually stock used copies of textbooks that are selected by instructors. That’s a great first start. The other option is to find out what edition the instructor is requiring for the Rule #1

DON’T PAY FULL PRICE FOR TEXTBOOKS class and hit the web! As long as you have the correct ISBN (International Standard Book Number), you can attempt to find cheap, used copies on any used book website, like amazon.com, barnesandnoble. com, ebay.com, and half.com. Even with shipping costs, you can come away with most of your textbooks for much less money. This is especially true for English Lit majors who need to pick up a greater number of texts for one class (in some English classes, you can be required to read up to 10 books per semester). Remember that you’ve got other options when it comes to buying textbooks—it will save you a lot of worry and money. v

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E-mail your wedding photography and information to: comments@bakersfieldmagazine.net

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KCHCC Trade Show

The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce put on its Annual Business Consumer Trade Show with great success! Live music entertained those who arrived at the Kern County Fairgrounds while local businesses shared news about their products and services. Attendees enjoyed performances by a local ballet folklorico and the first 500 kids were given free backpacks and school supplies.

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Guests arriving for this zoo event not only got to enjoy learning about cool animals, but children of all ages got to feast on ice cream, ice cream, and more ice cream! Everyone’s minds and taste buds were in for a treat as they toured the grounds. All the proceeds from this fun and educational event benefit CALM and their programs.

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BakersfieldMagazine.net 126 Bakersfield Magazine

Katie Ashley, Angie & Blake Sembach

Emily, Justin & Aaron Rapley, & Mikael Dufresne

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Congressman McCarthy Breakfast

Locals gathered at the Four Points Sheraton Bistro Ballroom for a forum hosted by the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce with special guest Congressman Kevin McCarthy. Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast before our congressman began to discuss the latest issues, efforts to improve our business environment, and the state of affairs in Washington. It was an informative morning.

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Laborde Anniversary

Family and friends of Jean and Madonna Laborde gathered at Woolgrower’s for a luncheon celebration of the couple’s 45th wedding anniversary. Guests received a warm reception by the Labordes and were treated to live music and stories of the couple of the hour. The Woolgrower’s banquet room was filled with love for one of Bakersfield’s most well-respected businessmen and his proud family.

Madonna and Jean Laborde

Diana Williams & Katy Glentzer

Mary & Tony Costamagna

Doug Kaiser

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Groundbreaking Ceremony

Houchin Community Blood Bank celebrated in a big way with a historic groundbreaking of their new location. With a generous donation from Bolthouse Properties, Houchin’s new building will be located in the all new Seven Oaks Business Park on Buena Vista Road. Mayor Harvey Hall was on-hand as Houchin staff donned red hard hats and sounded air horns to signal the beginning of construction!

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Lois Anderson, Emily Hatton, Douglas Kirk & James Hatton

Stacey Richards, Diane & Bobby Withey

Jody Serban, Veronica Johnson, Ariana Salcido & Shaeri Gonzales

Lyndia Copus & Andrew Tafoya

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Leslie Herdt & Stacey Peake

Debbie Travis & Tina Spurling

The 2011 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s was a huge success for our area. Teams didn’t let the weather dampen their spirit as they turned out in droves (in t-shirts!) to join in the movement to raise funds and awareness for local alzheimer’s care, support, and research. And with $21,887 raised in donations, it was truly a successful morning.

McClane & Julie Fieldgrove, Tina Fregeau

Ashley Shields & Leah Shields

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David Gay, Susan Buck & Dr. Gregory Horn

Glenn & Carol Nakashima, Dave Frickel

BC Alumni Foundation BBQ

Bakersfield College supporters gathered for the Bakersfield College Alumni Association’s 57th annual BBQ. The Tony Ernst Band played as guests enjoyed delicious BBQ prepared by staff and students from the Culinary Arts and Food Services programs. Guests were given a special performance by the BC cheer team and drum line. Proceeds benefit BC students and athletes.

Chris & Ray Maranda

Dr. Michael Tivnon, Jerry & Lauraine Cook

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~Kern’s Basque Tradition since 1945~ NEVER FROZEN, THEN BAKED, OR TRUCKED LONG DISTANCES. FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE GROCERY STORE OR DELI TODAY!

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Paul Beeyo, Robin Cooper & Jerry Wilson

Taft College Casino Night

Stan Klein

Scott Hernandez

This wonderful night, presented by the Taft College Foundation, was held at the JAM Event Center and featured dinner by Cafe Med and casino gaming for guests including poker, roulette, and craps. The proceeds benefit the Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program, which provides a postsecondary educational experience for adults with developmental disabilities.

ANDERSON ACRES Boarding • DAYCARE GROOMING • TRAINING PICK-UP & DELIVERY

Featuring Anderson’s

(661) 845-8955

“WE TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY” LaNell Howell & John Dodson

Jeff Ross

Patty Olson

Dan & Margie Corriea

AndersonAcresOnline.com

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2011 129

bakersfield’s sound

hat words come to mind when you think of Bakersfield? In the 1970s, they were “sun, fun, stay, and play.” These words marked the edges of town at the north and south ends on Highway 99. These bright, old signs harken back to an era when families still took road trips in the car (without a TV and Blu-ray player). Erected to promote passers-through to stop and support local businesses, the mammoth signs were 49 feet tall and 60 feet wide so drivers on the 99 couldn’t help but notice. The signs went up in 1966 and after just 17 years, the city had them taken down as it was thought they’d become tacky and too expensive to keep up. People grew weary of the unsavory messages that teenagers would rearrange the marquee letters to form and upkeep was constant. But for many, the signs were a comforting reminder that they were almost home from a long drive. According to a 2009 article in the Bakersfield Californian, Buck Owens, our local savior of signage, had his people look into what had become of the signs in hopes of procuring them. What they found was that the previous owner of Airport Bus of Bakersfield, Ken Jones, had purchased both signs in 1983 for $1,500. Jones stored one of the signs in one of his company’s yards. The other was stored in the yard of the Fresno-based crane operator that Jones hired to move the signs— it was given as a trade for actually moving the signs. The sign on Jones’ property was unfortunately destroyed in a windstorm. The second sign’s whereabouts are unknown. However, when people’s interest in locating the sign picked up years ago, it was assumed that the sign had been scrapped by that crane operator. Still, it could be out there. Times have changed and different signs welcome visitors and residents to Bakersfield. One can still find images of the old signs online and in archived news stories. Although these retro monuments are long gone, their colorful imprint is still in the minds of many longtime locals. And for the people who live here, Bakersfield will always be a place to enjoy the sun and the fun. It’s why we stay and play.

the story of bakersfield is all around us, you just have to look — and listen. 130 Bakersfield Magazine

BRAIN SURGERY | SPINE SURGERY N AT I O N A L R E C O G N I T I O N | L O C A L R E P U TAT I O N

Mark A. Liker, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Board Certified Neurosurgeon

Sherwin E. Hua, M.D., Ph.D. Board Certified Neurosurgeon

~Patient Testimonial~

“I was suffering for 10 long years. My back had me depressed and nothing helped me; but, thanks to Dr. Hua, I have no more pain. Thanks to God and Dr. Hua, I am living without pain.”—Tesla, Bakersfield

t is increasingly difficult to make sense of the treatment now available to chronic back pain sufferers.

The physicians at the Brain & Spine Center of Bakersfield can provide you with compassionate and knowledgeable care for your chronic back pain. Our neurosurgeons and clinicians will use their expertise to recommend the right treatment for you. Ask your physician to refer you, or call to schedule an appointment with one of our experts! Neurosurgical & Spine Conditions Seen

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Degenerative disorders of the spine Neck pain disorders Back pain disorders Leg pain disorders Traumatic disorders of the spine Head trauma Brain & spine tumors, malignant & benign Trigeminal neuralgia & facial pain Parkinson’s disease Movement disorders Revision spine surgery Spine related arm or leg pain

Surgical Techniques Used • • • • • • • • •

Minimally invasive surgery Complex spinal fusion Non-fusion spinal surgery Artificial disc technology Image guided brain surgery Stereotactic brain surgery Deep brain stimulation (DBS) Spinal cord stimulation Gamma Knife radiosurgery Icon denotes that a doctor, in Castle Connolly’s estimation, is among the top 1% in the nation in his or her specialty. Doctors listed in U.S. News Top Doctors without this icon are estimated to be in the 10% nationally.

Bakersfield 9500 Stockdale Hwy., Ste. 109 Bakersfield, CA 93311 (661) 414-9100 Valencia/Santa Clarita 25751 McBean Parkway, Ste. 305 Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 799-2542 Dr. Mark A. Liker ranked in the top 1% of neurosurgeons nationally. No other neurosurgeon in California was given this prestigious honor. U. S. News & World Report puts Dr. Mark A. Liker on peer-nominated national list.

We proudly accept Medicare & other PPO insurances. Visit us online:

www.brain-spinecenter.com

QUALITY CARE CLOSE TO HOME

Your City. Your Life. Your Magazine.

BakersfieldMagazine 1601 New Stine Road Suite 200

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Bakersfield, CA 93309

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Visit us at bakersfieldmagazine.net

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR SJCH is your home for cardiac and stroke care. Chest Pain Center: When it comes to your heart, what you eat and how you live matters. But did you know your hospital of choice matters too? As an Accredited Chest Pain Center, we have protocols in place that ensure we’re ready for you right when you need us. Don’t play games with your heart: If you’re experiencing chest pain, choose the hospital that’s one step ahead. Choose San Joaquin Community Hospital.

Stroke Center: It’s simple, really. If you’re suffering a stroke, time lost is brain lost. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms – numbness on one side of the body, trouble walking and sudden confusion, for example. Next? Make sure you get care at the hospital that brought Bakersfield its first Nationally Certified Stroke Center: San Joaquin Community Hospital.

And they’re all under one roof! Only one hospital between Los Angeles and San Francisco has both a Nationally Certified Stroke Center and Nationally Accredited Chest Pain Center under one roof. The choice is clear: If you think you’re having a stroke or heart attack, call 911 and tell the ambulance to take you to San Joaquin Community Hospital.

661-395-3000 www.sjch.us