Bakersfield Magazine • 29-2 • MAN Issue

Boom Goes the Dynamite Flight of Honor Bakersfield Falcons Health Scare Local TV Sportscasters WWII Vets Reflect It’s Crunch Time Survivors VOL. 29 NO. 2

YOUR CITY. YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE.

work hard, but...

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SUMMER 2012

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SUPE SPORTS R MEN Russell K u David W hns ells Don & Ryan Ku hns (L-R)

Harder MAN ISSUE MID -YEAR HEALTH FEATURE

Medical Specialties

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SUMMER 201 2

Try The Nines Restaurant for lunch.

Over 20 items to choose from for under $10.00

Contents

f e at u r e s

You could win a few of our favorite things Stuff We Like........................ 20 The rise and fall of the Tenderloin District Behind Closed Doors.............. 34 Page 39

Why Be Happy for Just One Hour?

Enjoy your favorite drinks, signature cocktails and tasty appetizers all day long in the M.I. Greatroom.

Happy Hour specials are $3 Drafts and $5 Well and Wine drinks.

A small tribute to those who gave so much

Honor Flight

53

Law enforcement tackling more than crime

Crunch Time

40

Improving lives, one patient at a time

Mending Minds

Bakersfield Marriott

When only the best will do!

661.565.9319 801 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA bakersfieldmarriott.com 8 Bakersfield Magazine

He’s Turning passion into opportunity

Love it?

Do it

43

New owners hit one out of the ballpark Hot Times.............................47 The stories behind the men with the sports Can We Talk?........................ 49

59

He’s an Autism advocate of all trades Dream Bigger.......................63 Using their hardship to help out others Living With Series..................67 Preserving history with a modern flair Community Partners............101 Athletes and kids building a community Nonprofit Spotlight............104

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 9

v

SUMMER 201 2

Contents

D E P ART M E N TS The making of a cover and other true lies Letter from the Editor............15

©istockphoto.com/OlgaMiltsova

DRE Lic.00818891

Tidbits to get you cozy with the county

2205 Norwich Way• $999,000 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.

17

Kern Facts

She knows how to create her own style The Bakersfield Look..............31

A tropical paradise in your own backyard

Gardening With mrs. p

85

A new take on crepes, just for you readers Quick Bites...........................88

This local man is a shot above the rest Citizen Kern..........................33 The fine line of sports in the workplace Human Resources..................36

6701 Kane Way • $549,500 OLDE STOCKDALE SPANISH VILLA! Faces golf course.

Newer custom home with Great Room for big family gatherings/entertaining. High ceilings, many windows!

Granite island, Swedish hardwood floors, plantation shutters, First floor Master Suite w/his/her walk-ins, jetted bath, steam shower/gym. Large laundry/office/project room. Two upstairs guest bdrms. Low maintenance.

It’s not just noodles—it’s an experience

Photo provided by rockmebabyclothing.com

Oh, baby! You’ll love these cool threads

2120 Wedgemont Pl. • $645,000

SEVEN OAKS on golf course with lake views! N/S facing on cul de sac. Custom home w/granite island, new cabinetry/appliances. Great views! Bamboo hardwood floors!

First floor guest bdrm, Master Suite w/his/hers, jetted tub.

Upstairs game room/office. Guest bdrm/bath/balcony.

Signature Properties, Signature Service!

10 Bakersfield Magazine

Kern Risktakers

37

What’s Cookin’

89

The forecast is stormy with a chance of fun Bottoms Up..........................92

When in Rhone: A risk that became a legacy Life is a Cabernet..................93

Exploring the four faces of Yosemite Great Getaways....................80

Bakersfield can throw a party, just look Party Chatter...................... 110

Order in the Man Cave! A studly how-to Home & Garden....................83

Birthday suits and catfish, only on the Kern!

Bakersfield’s Sound.............. 114

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

I

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 500 Old River Road, Ste. 205 Bakersfield, CA 93311 (661) 414-9100 (661) 367-9782 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.

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 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS

Muhammad Ashraf-Alim MD, FCCP, FAASM

Critical Care Medicine • Sleep Medicine • Pulmonary Disease • Fellow American College of Chest Physicians • Fellow American Academy of Sleep Medicine • Diplomat of the American Boards of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine

MEDICAL PROFILES Medical Profiles...............75

home & Garden resources

We specialize in the treatment of asthma, COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, valley fever, pneumonia, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension.

Home & Garden.................82

Evaluation and treatment of adults and children (more than 5 years) with various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, nightmares, and enuresis.

The Dining Guide............96

Breathe Easier...

The Dining Guide community partners Community Partners.........100

We are moving July 1st, to our new location: 6001A Truxtun Ave, Ste. 100., 1 block east of our current location.

6401 Truxtun Avenue • (661) 377-0091

www.lungandsleepdisordercenter.com Solder & Repair

Religious Schools & Worship Services Directory Worship Directory.............107

everafters...

Precision Craftsmanship Extraordinary Technical Know-How Over 35 Years Experience

Weddings......................108

66i-324-099i Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm

Shoppers Bazaar..............106

5466 California Ave. at Lennox

Sat 9am-1pm

2012 Dream Homes

Extraordinary Pizza and no compromise

Named Bakersfield’s Favorite Pizza in The Californian’s 2011 Readers Survey

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Sizzlinn’gles Si

ri A

SHAFTER 300 East Lerdo Hwy. 661-746-9244

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CENTRAL 4130 California Ave. 661-325-4717

plus

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NORTHWEST 4750 Coffee Road 661-588-4700

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NORTHEAST 3615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 661-871-3556

©

g in m UST o C UG 12 A 20

Stressed?

Everyone these days are specialists. Call Kern County’s expert for over 20 years!

Don’t get the “run around” from your mortgage company. Call Launi FIRST! As one of California’s leading short-sale real estate expert, licensed member of the National Association of Realtors and the California Department of Real Estate, and government certified, Launi has the most upto-date knowledge of laws to help you.

Launi began working with homeowners who had fallen behind on their mortgages — whether due to a job loss or loss of a loved one, an adjustable rate reset or other financial hardship. She’s learned what it takes to negotiate with the lenders and keep homes from being lost to foreclosure. Launi also has developed strategies to prevent credit damage to families who simply are in over their heads.

If you are finding yourself underwater on your current mortgage or are facing eminent foreclosure, you should call Launi immediately!

LauniHunt Abbot & Associates Inc. SHORT-SALE SPECIALIST 661-864-7867 (STOP)

2501 F ST., Bakersfield, CA 93301 C: 661-332-9112 • F: 626-608-6534 www.LAUNIHUNT.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 13

remembering

Donna Louise Corum founder . visionary . friend

Vol. 29 No. 2

Summer 2012

Publisher Les Corum Executive Editor Mike Corum 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 MuĂąoz Lesley Reneau Photography/Editorial Assistant Isabel Alvarez Staff Writer Maryann Kopp Contributing Writers Gilbert Gia Tracie Grimes David Nigel Lloyd Matthew Martz, Naomi Moss Becky Orfilia, Judy Salamacha Jessica Shillings Accounting/Human Resources Melissa Galvan Distribution/Circulation Brigit Ayers Cover Photo Michael Duffy 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. ŠCopyright 2012 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 14 Bakersfield Magazine

Letter from the Editor

The Making of a Cover Of all the pieces and parts that go into the magazine each issue, the cover is by far the most difficult. It’s a painstaking process that requires the talents of many to bring together a representative image of the current theme.

On a typical issue, we start the cover selection process months in advance, from generating ideas, taking sample photos, mocking up roughs, and writing headlines to speaking with agents, auditioning models, gathering props, scheduling photographers, and the rare Murphy's Law-inspired weather delay. Of course, we can't forget arranging for on-location air conditioned luxury trailers and fancy white-glove catering for the day of the shoot—because you know how demanding talent can be. We then consult with a roving gypsy named Vinchenzo on the upcoming seasons color palettes. (It's funny how many times he’s predicted red as the next “it” color.) And, finally, it's on to the focus groups, where we invite a crosssection from the community to come in and view the potential cover inside our secret underground “newsstand” lab, which is located deep within the Mojave Desert. There, we corral the subjects in single-file past multiple images and record their most intimate opinions using an advanced, highly scientific, patent-pending process similar to the Facebook “Like” button. Just one “dislike” and we start the whole process over...

Ok, so maybe that's not really how we go about producing the cover, but, it is a lot of work, regardless. Unless, of course, we're talking about the Man Issue cover.

For the past two years the Man Issue cover has taken on a life of its own, thanks in part to Global Family. Global Family is a Bakersfield-based nonprofit and their Daughter Project is an international program whose goal is to prevent girl child trafficking in high-risk communities in India and Nepal.

Once again, they asked us if we would be willing to donate the cover for them to auction off at their Best of Bakersfield event held in May. Well, of course we said yes and are happy to announce that the cover was the big item of the night (again) among the many other fabulous items being auctioned. And, not surprisingly, after a heated bidding battle, last year's cover auction winner, Don Kuhns, of Heartland Insurance Services, was the highest bidder. It was a memorable evening and together we raised a lot of money.

Then the real fun began. With only three

©istockphoto.com/Studio-Annika

(and other true lies)

days to make it happen, and with the only restriction being it had to be “man” related, Don was the man and helped us pull it all together by enlisting his family for a fun mid-week afternoon photo shoot.

Usually at this point I like to tell you about some of my favorite articles featured in the issue (trust me, in this issue, they're ALL good!); instead, I’d like to use this space to give a big shout-out of appreciation to our cover guys and introduce them and their sport of choice (L to R:) Russell Kuhns—Cyclist—Don's Son; He's into cycling and enjoys biking all around, especially up Breckenridge Road (which is 18 miles uphill).

David Wells­­—Golfer—Don's Son-inlaw; A weekend golfer who enjoys the recreation of the game. He’s currently teaching his kids to play.

Don Kuhns—Motorcyclist—He loves riding bikes of all kinds, from his dirt bikes to his Harley (featured on last year's cover).

He has been riding since high school.

Ryan Kuhns—Marksman—Don's Son; He is into wilderness preparedness. Ryan enjoys utilizing a variety of firearms, including his Daniel Defense AR15 (as shown in the picture).

It’s another extraordinary issue, and most important, there were no diva meltdowns in the making of this cover...Just a bunch of great guys representing what they love to do. Enjoy!

For more information on Global Family and the Daughter Project please log-on to myglobalfamily.org

Mike Corum comments@bakersfieldmagazine.net www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 15

16 Bakersfield Magazine

Kern Facts

People • Places • Events

He’s Chairman of the Board for Golden Empire Gleaners and she’s a volunteer for and past president of the Assistance League of Bakersfield, but this couple is passionate about more than just their community...

HIS

& Hers in step with:

Ron & Betty Eaves

What is the craziest thing your spouse has ever done for you?

Ron: She brought home a puppy after we moved here. We had been without any pets for over 10 years and had previously decided not to have any more.

Betty: Ron had an opportunity to travel Europe for three weeks.

I asked him to bring me back something, but he didn’t. On Christmas Eve, he handed me a little box and inside was a diamond. He had visited a diamond merchant shop and picked out the diamond for my wedding ring.

What was the first thing you thought when you met your future spouse for the first time?

Ron: What a beauty! She was a blonde bombshell. We were introduced by friends on a blind date December 13, 1978. That day I had received a telegram offering me an 18-month appointment as a visiting professor teaching in Hong Kong—which I immediately accepted.

Betty: We met on a blind date and it truly was “love at first sight.” He said that he had accepted an 18-month teaching position in Hong Kong. My heart sank. But we wrote to each other every day and I spent the summer and Christmas vacation with him and his children. When he returned, we were married and we just celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary.

Betty: My pet peeve— not putting the toilet lid down! My most favorite thing—he is kind, loving, and generous.

What is your spouse’s biggest phobia?

Ron: Heights.

Betty: He really doesn’t have any. He doesn’t like squash of any kind—is that a phobia?

What is your spouse most passionate about and why?

Ron: Volunteering at the Assistance League of Bakersfield.

Betty: Volunteering for the Golden Empire Gleaners, Bakersfield Fire Department, and a “PAL” for Assistance League of Bakersfield.

What is your least favorite thing about your spouse and most favorite thing?

Ron: My most favorite thing is that she cares so much about people. Least favorite is that sometimes she apologizes too quickly for the most minor things that happen.

Who’s the first one to admit when they’re wrong?

Ron: She is. Sometimes I am impatient so she tries to keep me cool.

Betty: I am the first to admit when I am wrong and I always say I am sorry—even when I am not wrong.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Bakersfield and why?

Ron: We like to dine out at our favorite restaurants with friends.

Betty is also a great cook and she loves to entertain.

Betty: We love to try new restaurants, entertaining, and being with our close friends.

“We met on a blind date and it truly was ‘love at first sight.’” —Betty Eaves

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 17

Locally owned for over 25 years!

Kern Facts Bakersfield Dining in Illinois Say What?

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knowledgeable staff will help with your pool care needs. Large inventory of parts for your pool pumps, filter, automatic pool cleaner, & more. See our selection of

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Our team of experienced technicians provide pool repairs and maintenance done right!

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7440 District Blvd. Bakersfield, CA 93313

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Nandakumar Ravi, M.D.

Board Certified in Digestive, Liver, & Nutritional Diseases

www.bakersfieldgi.com Nandakumar Ravi, M.D. is dedicated to providing stateof-the-art diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

We treat each patient as a partner and make patient education a central component of medical care. Sensitivity and discretion are used in handling all of our patients’ concerns.

Dr. Ravi specializes in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and the biliary system.

• Colonoscopy • Endoscopy • Video Capsule Endoscopy • ERCP

• Esophageal pH & Motility Study • Treatment of Liver Diseases • Cancer Screening • On-site endoscopy center 9870 Brimhall Rd. #100 Bakersfield, CA 93312

20041 Hwy 202, Valley Blvd, Unit 4 Tehachapi, CA 93561 (661)

822-0377 Fax (661) 588-8749

18 Bakersfield Magazine

(661)

588-8725 Fax (661) 588-8749

R

esidents of Kern County can’t seem to get enough of our local restaurants, and nonlocal restaurants can’t seem to get enough of us! Another eatery bearing our city’s name has shown up in Westmont, Illinois, and it has been getting rave reviews. It opened on May 1st, and two of the four owners are actually from Bakersfield and used to work in our extensive produce industry.

Unlike other restaurants with the same name, this is an upscale place that isn’t at all based upon the Bakersfield Sound or our connection to country music. The atmosphere is posh, the drinks and food are reviewed as being phenomenal, and the plates are white with one word printed on them: Bakersfield.

Did You Know?

N

orth High School has a defunct underground shooting range beneath the cafeteria.

Closed just a few years ago, it was originally designed to be a bomb shelter and later turned into a shooting range used

by North High’s Marine ROTC program.

It measures about 50 feet by 50 feet!

In & Around B•Town

A

List extra

I

f there is one thing that our A-Listers should know by now, it is tha t we love to shower them with gifts and special prizes you wo n’t get anywhere else. Tak e right now, for example: we have a $1 00 Gift Certificate to Ur icchio’s Trattoria exclusively for one of our lucky A-List members listed below. If your name appear s as one of the 12, be the firs t to email us at alist@bakersfieldmagazin e.net and it’s yours.* If you’re not on our A-List, then stop missing out!

Our contests are simple, and the rewards are many.

Go to bakersfieldmaga zine.net and sign up.

Shams Hasan Esther Shelton Magali Lewis Kelsey Barrie Matt Hampton Au dra Stevens Rebeca Morfin Maxine Pierce Ja red Salvo Jay Manibo Wendy Armijo Kelly Colson *co ntest eligibility for A-List mem

bers who have not won in

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Mike George “Exceeding Customer Satisfaction” 661-331-3900 mikegeorge@agapemtgco.com

Movie Theaters 36 70

160 1845 8,755 427,295

Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA & HomePath • FHA Streamline Refinance without Appraisal • Residential Purchase & Refinance Vacation & 2nd Homes Rental & Investment Properties Commercial Property

the last three months

By the Numbers in Bakersfield

We Are Your Local Mortgage Banker For All Of Your Mortgage Needs!

©istockphoto.com/stphillips

Number of feet in the dome of the William M. Thomas Planetarium at Bakersfield College Number of camp sites at Greenhorn Mountain Park

661-324-2427 5001 California Ave., Suite 200 Bakersfield, CA

www.agapemtgco.com

Acres at the Kern County Fairgrounds Year of the expedition by Edward Kern and John C. Fremont that led to the naming of the Kern River.

Number of the highest elevation in Kern County, measured in feet

NMLS# 226626 Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act License #8171169 Branch NMLS #354349

Gallons of gas used annually by county fleet services

www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/planetarium, www.co.kern.ca.us/parks/, www. kerncountyfair.com/kcf/aboutus/our_history.asp, www.co.kern.ca.us/gsd/ numbers.asp, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kern_County,_California

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 19

Kern Facts

stuff we like

Nixon Raide Women’s Watch, $350

Hoggz Surf Shop

8200 Stockdale Hwy. (661) 865-5200

Become B-Town Famous!

Beso Summer Dress, $38

Simply Me Boutique

4021 Calloway Dr. (661) 588-2775

Be the envy of friends and family!

Impress your neighbors and co-workers!

Get your name in your city magazine and your photo on the world-wide web... best of all

WIN $75 gift certificates

from these featured local merchants!

Log on to BakersfieldMagazine.net for details and entry form.

Good Luck!

Club Chair, $2,310

Red Door Interior

2300 Eye St. (661) 327-9999 Hello Kitty The Veronica Sandal, $30

Forever Me Boutique

1660 Oak St. (661) 633-1901

Silver Bangles, $210 each

Stockdale Jewelers 5466 California Ave. (661) 322-5951

Moxie & Mabel Orchard Dress, $78

Shabby Girls

12641 Rosedale Hwy. (661) 588-1881 Josh Petty Intuition Legend Shirt With Matching Poster, $25

Intuition Skate

705 18th St. (661) 323-6293 20 Bakersfield Magazine

People • Places • Events

A Work in Progress:

When you’d like to buy or sell Real Estate, contact your local expert...

Debbie Banducci

Image courtesy of William J. Saunders

F

ilmmaker William J. Saunders has made a niche for himself in the documentary business. He has worked for NFL Films and has made “quirkier” productions about sports and their eclectic fan base. He has done short films and narratives of all kinds, but his latest project is something that means much more to him than any other project he has done—and it will bear more meaning for the Bakersfield community, as well.

Billy Mize and The Bakersfield Sound is currently in the works and follows the local country legend, how he shaped the Bakersfield Sound, and his struggle with the industry. It also captures the trials within his personal life, from the loss of his two sons to suffering a stroke and other “random acts of life which stripped away everything that he had.” And, ultimately, how he came back singing!

To many, Mize is a country music legend. To Saunders, he is a grandfather.

“I don’t remember this, but there are pictures of me as a child, dressed up as a cowboy on stage with Grandpa,” Saunders recalls. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that he has always been about family. He sacrificed his career in music because he

refused to travel to promote his albums. He wanted to be home with his family, and that is what I wanted to focus on.”

Saunders was able to talk to the people who have known Mize best, from other country legends like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Bobby Durham, and Red Simpson to his own mother, aunt, and grandmother. For the first time, Mize’s full story will be told, and all as seen from an intimate angle.

Saunders reports that the documentary is about 80% complete, and he is currently looking into different avenues to help fund the project, because

www.DebbieBanducci.com

661-832-2355

License #01083331

“He wanted to be home with his family, and that is what I wanted to focus on.”

—William Saunders

he knows it ain’t over till the country boy sings. Everything from grants to Kickstarter will be utilized for this project to reach fruition, and donations can be tax deductible if made through their 501(c)3 sponsor.

More information about Billy Mize and The Bakersfield Sound—including a trailer that is music to any viewer’s ears—can be found at www. billymizemovie.com. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 21

Kern Facts

E

WORDS for the WIS

to different le exposes children tt ba of rt so t ha a team, and ches them to work as tea , ure rat lite of les sty Books! unty? Battle of the tland, and was started in Kern Co na l librarian, Er Wen oo sch al loc a by ted Initia -style event en, this Family Feud ev St n, so r he by n t is recognow ru onal phenomena tha ati ern int an o int n rying ages has grow ngress. Students of va Co of ary br Li the nized by ng to desigof questions pertaini s rie se a gh ou thr compete er organizations their schools or oth gh ou thr s ok bo nated ttle. involved with the Ba tie Feldstein local chapter, email Ka the t ou ab re mo t ou d To fin rth@gmail.com. at battleofthebooksno

W

W

hilst we may not be able to answer Hamlet’s famous question, “To be, or not to be?” we can tell you where to be between June 21st and July 21st if you want to catch some incredible local talent featuring the plays of history’s favorite Bard.

The Mountain Shakespeare Festival began in the summer of 2006 as a means to not only bring some of the most legendary stories to life, but also as a way to

inform the public, as they provide educational seminars and programs that coincide with the plays.

This year, the festival will be offering multiple showings of Enchanted April and The Tempest in Pine Mountain Club in the Commercial Center Gazebo. Everyone is welcome and greatly encouraged to attend—especially those who enjoy great theater put on by a wide array of professional actors of all ages.

Tickets can be purchased online through their website, www.mountainshakes.org.

What Say Ye? 22 Bakersfield Magazine

TOP

10

People PlacesB•Town • Events In & •Around

Can’t Live Without

Isabel Navarro, a full time student at CSUB and volunteer for the Valley Achievement Center, takes a break to share what she simply can’t live without.

Black Pumps

10

My go-to heels.

1

Sunday Last day for a funday

Most people love Fridays, but for me, Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I could not function without it.

2 My favorite Jeans

9

When all else fails, I know I will always look good in these.

Girl Scout Cookies (Peanut Butter Patties) My new favorite cookie.

Sorry Chips Ahoy!

5 Eyelashes

3

8

Gatorade

Yes they are fake, but faaaabulous!

Water is good, but Gatorade is way better.

Pink Baby Cocktail Sexy and refreshing

4

In-N-Out

Number One, Protein Style, Animal Style, extra lettuce, cheese, fries, pink lemonade, and a Neapolitan shake, please and thank you. No, I’m not on a diet, I just like my burger with no buns.

6

Backpack

When you’re at school, a backpack is way cooler than a big purse.

My blue wallet

Treasured item I bought on a trip to Chicago in 2009.

I just can’t seem to let it go or find a better one. It’s old, faded, and at the same time, perfect.

7

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 23

Kern Facts

C

Bakersfield’s #1 Real Estate Family

Batter Up!

alling all baseball fans! Major League Baseball is alive and well in Bakersfield in a very philanthropic way. The WANNA PLAY? Program through the MLB provides grants to chapters of the Boys and Girls Clubs, and local children are reaping the benefits. The grant provided helps kids to develop their baseball skills while improving their physical fitness through supervised training sessions. It also gives the participating kids a chance to go see a real life baseball game where they can see the training they’re receiving in action. That game will be bringing more to these kids than a good time.

The Bakersfield Blaze will be playing against the Lake Elsinore Storm on June 15th— and there’s a catch. When you go online to purchase tickets and enter the special offer code BGC, half of the purchase will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County.

All of the proceeds will go toward placing children into their summer day camp. The camp offers activities like arts, crafts, cooking, sports, performing arts, field trips, and even the WANNA PLAY? program, all which teach the kids life skills while providing a safe environment in which to do so. There will also be a fireworks display after the game, and Boys and Girls Clubs employees will be offering WANNA PLAY? activities at the ballpark’s Kid Zone, so be sure to prepare for a fun night that will not only be entertaining, but will also help to enrich the lives of local kids!

Go to http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t423 and get your tickets today.

Did You Know?

Dre. Loc. Number 01766835

661.330.9863

www.WigleyTeam.com 24 Bakersfield Magazine

akersfield’s bike friendly streets reach a total of 100 miles of bike lanes and paths. ten This means that almost of les mi al tot percent of the are y cit the n streets withi safe for biking.

B

image©Istockphoto.com/kzenon

Sources: www.bakersfieldcity.us/edcd/about_new.htm

People • Places • Events

Local

expressions

“I

f there’s a vacuum, I’ll fill it,” laughs actor/ director Brian J. Sivesind.

Aptly enough, the Empty Space which Sivesind fills is the theater by that name which he created on Oak Street behind a pizzeria a decade ago. “It was named after a famous book on theater by Peter Brooks,” Sivesind explains.

Born in Bakersfield in 1973, Sivesind was discovered working at McDonald’s by Michael Flachmann of Bakersfield College. “You need to be in my honors theater program.”

Flachmann told him. Sivesind showed up and did as he was told. “I never thought I was going to be an actor or a director. He inspired us to think we could do something.”

The Empty Space began in 2002 in that spirit. By then a high school drama teacher, himself, Sivesind was out to overturn Bakersfield’s theater community in what he called his spare time. Starting with Chris Durang’s Laughing Wild, they produced adventurous and dangerous plays that sometimes fell flat on their faces, but more than often were inspired and inspiring. They were produced on proverbial shoestrings and cost audience members nothing. The Empty Space has almost militantly insisted on “Setting Theater Free.” Admission has always been by donation.

The theater’s artistic vision did not change when Sivesind

enrolled in UC Irvine’s masters in theater program. He had thoughts, he admits, of treading the boards of the world’s more renowned stages.

“Some people go to school to find out what they want to do,” Sivesind discovered. “Some people go to school to find out

once again Executive Director at the Empty Space.

Two nights before the opening of this April’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, he led his cast through a kind of rehearsal called a “speed runthrough.” Everyone delivered their lines quickly, partly for

what they don’t want to do.” It was an invaluable revelation.

“I learned a lot about what we were doing right and what we were doing wrong. And I felt a responsibility to come back and share all that.” He teaches language arts at Mountain View Middle School in Lamont (“A great gig,” he calls it) and is

pacing and memory reinforcement and partly to erode the sense of preciousness that assails even professionals when delivering the lines of the Immortal Bard.

As director, Sivesind had given his actors a sturdy production with blocking [where the actor actually stands] that

By David Nigel Lloyd

supported intuitive acting. He had brought them into a more comfortable time frame by beginning the story on a Mediterranean cruise ship about to run aground if not amok.

Sivesind gave his introduction to the empty seats. Presently, the empty flat black theater with its three sided thrust stage filled with language, magic sounds, music and the elements themselves—earth, wind, water, and fire—dancing.

There was a large monster and, of course, a wise magician setting his affairs in order before breaking his magic staff in two.

“The Tempest is about art itself,” says Sivesind.

“We’re so eclectic,” he laughs. Each Christmas they produce Artistic Director Bob Kempf’s hilarious musical romp, Hurry Up Santa. Now, the notorious musical Avenue Q is just finishing its run. Their upcoming production is Reckless, Craig Lucas’s 1985 dark cross-country comedy which became a film starring Mia Farrow in 1995.

“Here’s what’s brilliant about the Empty Space,” Sivesind concludes. Among the theater’s long-time supporters, he explains, are an older couple.

“They’re very conservative.

Very religious. There are things we produce that they are not going to come see. But they won’t stop supporting the theater just because we do those shows. That’s beautiful. That’s why we belong here.”

“Some people go to school to find out what they want to do,” Sivesind discovered. “Some people go to school to find out what they don’t want to do.” www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 25

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(661) 871-5787 redpepperrestaurant.net 26 Bakersfield Magazine

BEGINNINGS

ne of the most colorful, yet unfamiliar, pioneers is Colonel Thomas Baker, the namesake of Bakersfield.

A trio comprised of journalist Judy Salamacha, author Sandra Mittelsteadt, and local historian Chris Brewer (who is also the great, great grandson of Baker) joined together to write a book which would convey his character, simply reflected in Baker’s own words, “Time will always justify a man who means to do right.” The book also offers an entertaining historical interpretation of the life and times of the American pioneer family while delving into what they term “family-lore,” or tales and perspective of Baker that only Brewer could provide. But the book isn’t the only story they have to tell.

It could be said that the stars aligned in bringing them all together to collaborate on their book, Colonel Baker’s Field. Salamacha and Mittelsteadt had been doing projects together for some time, but it was a lunch meeting three years ago that put the wagon wheels into motion. According to Salamacha, “Sandra said, ‘I like to research and I’m published, you’re a writer—let’s do a book together.’ I said, ‘Sure!’” After a visit to the Kern County Museum, the two discovered that there wasn’t a children’s book about Colonel Baker. They immediately set out to fill that niche.

Career obligations and life, in general, caused them to put the book on the back burner for a while. Little did they know that this break would bring another twist of fate which would take their project to a new and unexpected level. Mittelsteadt had written another book and had brought it to Brewer for him to format, edit, and publish through his company, Bear State Books. When she mentioned her project with Salamacha to him, he offered to provide any research, photography, or artifacts necessary, along with his own insight and guidance. The book started to morph from pure fiction into a mixture of fact and fiction, or, in Mittelstead’s words, “Faction.”

The work encompasses not only a tale of local settlers, but highlights Baker’s quest to find a home for his family and Brewer’s lifelong journey to tell the story of his great, great grandfather in a light that only kin could provide. His tale of discovering his ancestry and understanding the historical ethic that builds the character of a family and a community intertwined with Baker’s intention to establish a community perfectly.

Photo by jody salamacha-hollister

image©Istockphoto.com/fotoMonkee

Kern Facts

The result of the three coming together to bring storytelling and local history together is Colonel Baker’s Field, which is due to come out July 29. It features 29 chapters and is full of historical pictures, both in their original form or as altered by their illustrator, Jody Salamacha-Hollier.

Aside from bringing much-needed local history to our community from a fresh perspective, the group strives to demonstrate that one’s positive endeavors and consideration for others ultimately invites personal success—a point clearly made through Baker and the life he chose in Kern County’s earliest days.

In & Around B•Town

it’s bad and that’s

GOOD S

image©Istockphoto.com/JohnPeacock

ure, if you’re a diehard barbecue connoisseur, you already know about Bakersfield’s Biggest Baddest BBQ. You may even know that the proceeds of this annual event, which just took place in May, go to benefit the Mendiburu Magic Foundation and other local charities. But did you know just how seriously they take the judging to

ensure that meat lovers from all over are experiencing the best barbecue—and why?

The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, and as such, a KCBS certified judge instructor (with a certified barbecuer in tow)

comes all the way out to Bakersfield to train locals on how to pick the best selection. The five-hour Certified BBQ Judge Class is both educational and hands-on, with the instructor teaching the how-to while the barbecuer makes winning samples so that the trainees can decipher the best appearance, texture, and taste effectively.

In this local competition, the judges are as serious as the entrants and the rules and guidelines are very strict. But there is a reason why the expectations are so high—and why only the baddest survive. The winner of the competition received an invitation to participate in the prestigious World Food Finals in Las Vegas this November!

Looking UP

POP Quiz

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od. it: you guys are go we can admit good. But that You guys are really we aren’t going doesn’t mean that t the best of to stop trying to ge Just try to guess you savvy locals! out this nifty bit where we scoped ail us your of architecture. Em ments@ best guess at com azine.net. bakersfieldmag u will be entered If you’re correct, yo re we randomly into a drawing whe a $30 gift card select the winner of oks! from Russo’s Bo ll of the : Painting on the wa er sw an ’s ue iss st La on 19th Street.

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www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 27

Kern Facts Monday - Saturday 11am - 1:30am Sundays 10am - 8pm

Calendar Of Events June

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6 Metalachi Drink Specials 7 UFC 14 Dizzy Wright $2.50 Domestic Bottles 20 Dub Seed $3.50 Imported Bottles 21 Mento Buru Mid Summer Jam $3.00 Well Drinks • $4.00 Call Drinks Anniversary Party $4.00 Domestic Mondos 27 Meditated Assault & Slow Forward 28 Members Only $5.00 Imported Mondos

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Look Who’s Winning!

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra Tickets Winners Janet Brandon • Sandy Spray Tracy Hanson • Chach English Alan Dakak • Frank Ramirez Ruth Jacobs • Angie Yee Bakersfield’s Biggest Baddest BBQ Ticket Winners Amy Raddatz • David Perkins

Stuff We Like Contest Winners Laura Bailey Woodland Furniture

Carol Holley

House of Flowers

Bree Alvarez La Coquette

Teena Carlile

Bella’s at the Marketplace

Pamela Valdez House of Color

A-List Contest Winner Vanessa Emo

Bree Alvarez

r Aaron Salaza

ez

Frank Ramir

Sandy Spray

Third Thursday Winners Charles Barefield • Pam Padilla Annette Valladares • Leo Jenkins –Firehouse Vicki Klohn –John’s Burgers Henry Morales –Prime Cut

Stephanie Mongemery • Jehaya Ward Too Fat Sandwiches Crystal Jenkins –Frugatti’s

Jennifer Matlock • Jennie Green –Los Hermanos

28 Bakersfield Magazine

Skilled Hands

It all began with a peculiar sound overheard by one very curious child one evening.

glub, glub, glub...

Photo courtesy Arnold Johanson

Arnold Johanson, then just in grade school, couldn’t quell his curiosity. He jumped over the fence that separated him from his neighbors yard—and the source of that odd noise—to behold what would turn into a lifelong passion.

Johanson, the current president and CEO of H.M. Holloway, Inc., recalls his first encounter with a mahogany boat. “My neighbor had borrowed his brother’s boat.

It was a 1964 Chris-Craft, and he had it running. I fell in love with the sound it made and I wanted one since.” This small incident left a remarkable impression on Johanson, and decades later, he is still heavily engaged in what he calls a labor of love: the restoration of vintage wooden boats.

Years following that fateful night, as a Senior in high school, Johanson stopped at a local boat shop to see what sort of boats they had. What caught his eye was an unfinished 14foot mahogany plywood boat, a runabout. There was the body of the boat, but little else. Says Johanson, “I drooled over it. But I didn’t have much money and I didn’t have a way to get it home.

I spoke with the owner and, without talking to my dad, bought the boat and the owner delivered it to my house!” That same business

owner also offered to teach him how to finish the boat.

Much like raising a child, it takes a village to restore a boat.

With the help from a neighbor, his father, his uncle, and some other friends from the neighborhood, his first boat was ready in roughly eight months.

“The length of time it takes to restore a wood boat depends on the condition it’s in,” Johanson affirms.

“When I bought a 1964 ChrisCraft, both the engine and transmission were burned up. It took me two years to complete that.”

“I love life,” he says with a smile. “I love people. And these activities brought me into contact with more people.”

The Chris-Craft was quite the herculean undertaking, but it actually isn’t all that unusual when dealing with the restoration of older boats. To start, Johanson had to pull out both the engine and the transmission. He removed all of the hardware, including the gauges, wiring, and gaskets.

Then the seats and the floorboards had to be taken out, as well—all while trying to preserve as much of the original wood as possible.

Arnold Johanson

Vintage Boat Restorations Even after the removal, the boat still weighed between 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. Luckily for him, Johanson was singing in a barbershop quartet at the time, and his fellow crooners had no problem helping him flip the heavy boat over with a hoist, dropping it onto a mattress that they had placed on the ground next to it. The next step involved taking the bottom of the boat off completely so that the frame could be mended. After putting the bottom back in place, he then put fiberglass on it and went right to stripping the side and the transom to bare wood.

Staining and varnishing a boat is a beast, in itself. With two people involved, it can take three to four hours to stain. The body must be sanded, vacuumed, and

tacked, so that no dust remains. A hose is used to flood the floor before it is even ready to varnish (which takes about eight to 10 hours per coat, not including the dry time of 24 to 46 hours). Most boats have between 12 to 14 coats to achieve that beautiful, glassy look that restoration enthusiasts seek.

“After all of that was done,” says Johanson, without flinching, “I was able to start the process of installing the engine, transmission, the wiring, upholstery, the gas tank, and hardware. Then see if it would float!”

To date, Johanson has bought and restored several boats, including extremely rare, prewar Gar Wood boats, one from 1932 and the other from 1936, for which he was featured in a boating magazine. He has won numerous awards at the Lake Tahoe Concourse d’Elegance and he’s also on the International Board of Directors for the ACBS. Johanson does all this for the love of using his hands and the people he has met along the way.

“I love life,” he says with a smile. “I love people. And these activities brought me into contact with more people.” Those are words you can definitely sail on.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 29

30 Bakersfield Magazine

Lieane Burgess, 42 Occupation: Commercial Insurance/ Marketing Specialist Are you a Bakersfield Native?

My family and I moved out here from Minnesota when I was 8.

Is there a beauty product that you absolutely can’t live without?

My mascara. No matter how tired I am, it always does the trick.

Do you think Bakersfield has a style?

I don’t think Bakersfield has any particular style. There is such a diverse group of people with many different styles. That is what I love about Bakersfield.

Describe your personal style.

Cute and girly, but classy.

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

About an hour….that’s after my coffee.

Is there a celebrity or person in your life that you get your style from?

No, I like to create my own sense of style.

FASHION TIP Saggy pants and shorts are positively out.

(Sorry guys)

What are you wearing?

INC blouse with Ralph Lauren Capris, Brighton Jewelry and Franco Sarto Shoes.

Does your style change when you are not at work?

Definitely more casual.

I love to wear my jeans and shorts.

How do you personalize your ‘business’ look?

Professional, but young and trendy.

A lot of black. Whether it be a skirt or slacks, you can mix and match with bright colors and accessories.

What are your favorite places to shop in Bakersfield?

Christine’s, Apricot Lane and LaTiDa Salon & Boutique, Macys, Forever 21.

What is your favorite item of clothing?

My Lucky Jeans. I can dress them up or down to fit any occasion.

What is the biggest fashion mistake you have made?

The big hair in the 80’s.

I don’t know what I was thinking.

Are you a bargain hound?

Yes, there is nothing like finding the perfect outfit at a bargain price.

What mistakes do you think men make when they dress?

The saggy pants and shorts.

No one wants to see their undergarments!

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 31

32 Bakersfield Magazine

!

CITIZEN KERN

How he got started: Growing up on a potato farm and working at a crop dusting air strip, Thomé knew the importance of pest control.

Recognizing that guns were essential in maintaining precious crops (because Raid can’t handle all pests), he started selling firearms to farmers and friends after obtaining his federal firearms license to sell at age 21. Not to mention, he was in his first shooting competition at the age of 12! But it wasn’t all fun and guns. He is also a musician who professes that music is his life, and it’s taken him from the Crystal Palace to the historic Ryman Auditorium.

Thomé, Jr.

‘‘

Thomé admires anyone who loves what they do, works hard, and gives back to the community.

His favorite part of the industry: Dealing in what he loves has brought him lasting friendships with the likes of R. Lee Ermey, and Charles Napier. These are people that he has been able to learn valuable lessons from, like how to conduct himself and become a better person.

His heroes: Aside from greats like Merle Haggard, Ronald Reagan, Red Simpson, Buck Owens, Ted Nugent, and Charlton Heston, Thomé admires anyone who loves what they do, works hard, and gives back to the community. The two that are a shot above the rest? His parents.

‘‘

Career highlights: Not only was Thomé named the 2010 Kern County Sportsman of the Year, but he has also had the privilege of bringing world class shooters like Tim Bradley to Kern County for events he hosts. On the musical end, he has received a red, white, and blue guitar from Buck Owens and the Buckaroos and was invited to the grand opening of the Bakersfield Sound Exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.

meet

Gene

Photos Courtesy of Gene Thomé (Ryman, sportsman of the year, Charles napier), National Archives and Records Administration (heston), ©istockphoto.com/pLoReX (target)

Name: Gene Thomé, Jr. Age: 48 Birthplace: Bakersfield, Ca Title: Owner, Bear Mountain Sports; Musician

What he’d still like to accomplish: Thomé has expansion in his crosshairs! A project is in the works for developing a range that caters to a family environment for shooting sports where all ages feel welcome. We are thinking that, for someone who has been so successful in his endeavors, this isn’t a long shot.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 33

da d

car

in

There was a time in Bakersfield’s history that was pleasures. For all the places one could stop in for a

©istockph

oto.

com

/e

l

Behind Prior to women’s suffrage, there were few titles a woman could hold—and few occupations she could have to support herself. But there was one role, in particular, and it’s long been touted as one of the oldest professions in the world: prostitute.

Every city has a relatively sordid past, and Bakersfield, with its numerous brothels and madams, is no

exception. But with prohibition and the illegalization of prostitution still a few years away, the first decade of the 20th Century was spent giving into carnal lust—which gave rise to Bakersfield’s own “Red Light District.”

Various local scholars and historians have explored just what went on during this period in our area’s past and the stories are exactly what you’d expect. Tales of strong-minded madams out to earn a living, boozing, gambling, and law enforcement…or lack thereof.

In Gilbert Gia’s research, he discovered that early newspapers (circa 1892) talked of a committee that had formed in order to uphold morality. This committee petitioned

1880 photo of some of the “ ladies” hiding from the camera.

ur

Photo co

kern tesy of

county

museum

34 Bakersfield Magazine

In the 1890s, a committee petitioned the Kern County Board of Supervisors to try and curb immoral behavior that was being flaunted on Chester Avenue, an area known as the Tenderloin.

defined not by constant advances in technology, but by simple people and simple whiskey, there were just as many places one could stop in to have another need sated.

Closed Doors women would stay at female boarding houses, cribs, parlour houses, and hotels that allowed prostitutes to conduct their business.

It was a rough trade. Many women relied on drugs, specifically opiates, to get through a shift.

Orfila’s research led her to Rush Maxwell Blodget: a man who moved to Bakersfield at age three. “According to Blodget, the expression ‘down the line’ meant the region around ‘Twentieth and L’ and included ‘Chinatown, the dance halls, the brewery, and the quarters of the Magdalenes.’ To be seen ‘down the line’ was to be classed with the lowest of the low, unless one was intentionally slumming. The border land was Nineteenth between Chester

morality was always on the minds of “upstanding” families in the community.

“There were about fifteen cribs in one block,” Orfila wrote. “And the crib girls charged about a dollar a visit, but three dollars was the fee at the exclusive ‘parlour houses.’ The walls of the small structure were thin, and furnishings were spare. Rent for the space ran from $10 to $20 a week.

Profit was based on volume.”

Naturally, there were constant attempts to ban prostitution. The Board of Supervisors realized the connection between saloons and brothels

/ o.com ©istockphot

Photo courtesy of kern county museum

the Kern County Board of Supervisors to try and curb the immoral behavior that was being flaunted on Chester Avenue, an area known as the Tenderloin. As valid as their petition was, laws and regulations regarding prostitution would not come into effect until roughly 20 years later.

Between the late 1880s and the time of prohibition, “saloons opened early and stayed open late.” According to local historian and writer Rebecca Orfila, “…horses and mules pulled wagons and streetcars, and people talked or yelled, depending on their level of intoxication or economic ambition. Of interest to the residents was who had newly arrived to the Tenderloin, who was lately gone (sometimes dead), and who had banked a roll at the previous evening’s biggest pot.”

Orfila’s research uncovered numerous writings about the time. “Until 1914, the state of California had on its books a law that provided for the establishment of red light districts in its cities and towns.

The term ‘red light’ was derived from early railroad days in Kansas City, when a railroad brakeman, who carried a red lantern signal lamp, would hang it outside the brothel while engaged inside. Similarly, the term ‘tenderloin’ refers to a city district known for its vice and high crime rate.”

The 1880 Federal Census of the Fifth Precinct of Bakersfield had 30 women listed as “Prostitutes.” These

One of the last brothels in Bakersfield at 21st and K streets during the 1920s. Each door lead to a “crib.” This picture was taken in the 1950s.

and M Street. ‘The girls’ came as far as the post office.”

These were the girls that wore rouge on their cheeks and bright red lipstick on their lips.

Children were told to stay away from this district as

and began to crack down hard on proprietors, raising the license for a saloon from $100 to $300 a year in 1907. Moral reform was the “hot button issue” in 1908.

It was early that same year that the St. Clair Ordinance,

1 gh0

named for board member Everett St. Clair, passed in March 1908 (though record shows that the Bakersfield City Council did not immediately act on St. Clair’s proposal). Once passed, the ordinance “officially closed public dance halls and the side and rear entrances of saloons.”

Ultimately, government pressure, religious bodies, reformists, and committees made up of concerned council members would oversee the closure of the Bakersfield Tenderloin; a district that, to this day, continues to carry certain lore. Because however beneficial the illegalization of prostitution was for our nation as a whole, and our city specifically, the time period when madams, brothels, and “painted ladies” populated certain corners of downtown remains one we won’t soon forget. v

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 35

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36 Bakersfield Magazine

HUMAN RESOURCES ❖

Men, Sports, and Work

tional when sports talking?

A study of Harvard BusiAccording to Peter West on ness School graduates rewww.manhood.com, “Sport vealed that 85 percent of is seen as a place in which the time, men are the ones men are allowed to show who initiate sports talk. No almost any emotion…Sport big revelation there, but as is such an important outlet a facilitator of communicafor men’s emotions because tion workshops, my interest it provides an avenue of rewas piqued and I wondered: lease, sometimes the only why do some men talk about release, acceptable to men.” sports at great length and West was referring to men in such depth, why do it

By Robin Paggi playing sports, but the sentiat work, and why do they sometimes get highly emotional while ment holds true for those observing and talking sports? While these might appear talking about sports as well.

All of this makes perfect sense; howto be frivolous questions, the answers are ever, there are a few drawbacks to talking quite deep.

In his article, “The Sanctity of Sunday about sports at work.

First, it can make other people feel Football: Why Men Love Sports,” sociology professor Douglas Hartmann says left out, particularly women. In her artithat, “men love playing, watching, and cle “How to do Workplace Sports Talk,” talking sports because sports…provide a Penelope Trunk says, “For those of you unique place for men to think about and who cannot shut up about this weekend’s develop their masculinity, to make them- [game], think about your impact on the selves men, or at least one specific kind workplace atmosphere…Those who initiof man.” Hartmann goes on to say that, ate sports talk at work alienate people who “Sports’ most vital social function with do not follow sports.”

Second, it can cause hard feelings respect to masculinity is to provide a separate space for men to discuss – often among those who do follow sports. Dieindirectly, through evaluations of favorite hard fans (derived from the word “fanatplayers or controversial incidents – what ic”) often denigrate other teams as part of it is to be a real man.” Gender studies pro- their sports talk, which sometimes creates fessor Hugo Schwyzer agrees. In his ar- tension instead of fun.

Finally, it can make the sports-talker ticle “Men, Masculinity, and Sports Talk: A Reflection on the ESPN News Ads,” look silly. In a discussion on the topic Schwyzer says that, “Being able to dis- on City-Data.com, one male contributor cuss [sports] knowledgeably is surely one wrote, “I guess what I really hated about of the most ubiquitous markers of mascu- the sports talk was that it was some sort of merit badge, rank, or indication of your linity in contemporary society.”

So, sports talk helps some men to feel qualifications; the more trivia you knew manly, but why the need to talk about about an athlete or team, the louder you sports at work? According to Schwyzer, got about it, then the ‘more’ of a man you “sports talk becomes a social lubricant so obviously were.”

Enthusiasm can work both for and for an extraordinary variety of men…In contemporary American culture, is there against you, especially in the workplace. any topic that so quickly binds and unites When engaging in sports talk, rememmen…than an enthusiastic discussion of ber that you still have an obligation to be sports?” Additionally, in his article “For respectful of the people around you, rethe Ladies: How to Talk Sports at Work,” gardless of who their favorite team may Perry Liss states that career advancement be. Talking about sports in an open and is “as much about building relationships friendly manner can be a great way to conas it is about work ethic,” and suggests nect with others—just be sure that you’re that being able to talk sports with the boss on the positive end of things. helps people get remembered when a promotion is available.

Contact Robin Paggi MA, SPHR-CA, CPLP at Finally, why do some men get so emo- KDG HR Solutions. (661) 328-5267

R I SKTAKERS

By Tracie Grimes

L

A Stitch inTime Christie Ludwick’s passion for fashion started early in life, and it began with a best friend, a couple of parakeets, and a wedding that was for the birds.

udwick and her best friend Anna were ahead of their time, playing their own version of Design Star and creating the hippest haute couture for birds on the block. “I would get an idea and Anna would draw the picture because I couldn’t—still can’t—draw it myself. Daizy Clothing was the name of our line because we loved daisies, and we had a blast designing clothes,” Ludwick smiles.

It was the start of something big, but Ludwick had no idea that those days spent designing clothes with her BFF would in turn help her become known for outfitting some of Bakersfield’s best dressed kids.

Rock Me Baby is Ludwick’s Bakersfield-based children’s original clothing business which started four and a half years ago while she was pregnant with her son, Luke.

“I had had so much fun dressing our daughter Breanna who was five at the time, but I just couldn’t find anything ‘cool’ for baby boys,” Ludwick explains. “I thought, ‘I’m going to start tie-dying some onesies to make him look a little more ‘rockin.’”

The colors of that first onesie weren’t too hard to pick out; Ludwick’s husband, Steve, is a

huge Green Bay Packers fan, so green it was. “[Luke] was so unbelievably cute, rockin’ his little Packers onesie,” she said, remembering how every time Luke wore that onesie he’d practically stop traffic. “I had so many people stop me and ask me, ‘Where did you get that outfit?’ Then people I knew started calling me and asking me to make onesies either for them or as a shower gift. I started getting more and more requests for these tiedye onesie— it really became a big thing.”

It turned out to be one of the biggest things in the lives of the entire Ludwick family. She decided to turn her eye for fashion into a career.

It was an incredible gamble; a risk that involved her whole family and a lot of start-up dollars. But it wasn’t long before Ludwick began selling her creations hand-overfist, with ideas for new clothing lines continually filling her head. >>

christie Ludwick rock me baby clothing

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 37

Risktakers­

There was just one thing stopping her: she didn’t know how to sew. That’s where Ludwick’s mom (Diane Henry) came to the rescue. “My mom is quite the seamstress so I asked her to teach me to sew. I spent a few hours a day with Mom for a few weeks and learned the ins and outs of sewing.”

Once she learned how to make a pattern, cut out the material, and sew the piece together, the sky was the limit.

Her first collection was called Aniston, after the young girl who inspired it. “Her [Aniston’s] mom called me and wanted me to design a dress for a special occasion. I was sweating it out for what seemed like an eternity trying to come up with something unique. The night before I was supposed to deliver the finished piece I had an inspiration and ended up making the cutest dress.

I was so happy with it that I named it after the girl who inspired it. That’s what I do every time I have a great inspiration now— I name it after the child who inspired me.”

Inspiration is fleeting and still isn’t an easy thing to come by, but Ludwick believes that her strong faith is a large part of what helps move her. “I pray before every order, but I [still] can’t make anything until I am inspired because it never works out. It seems every time I have a deadline, inspiration won’t come until two days before or even the night before the order is due. This has happened with almost every custom order that I am given full reign by the customer to ‘just be creative.’ When there are time restrictions, it can be really frustrating.”

Her muses are the children she designs for, her children in particular. “My inspiration comes from the personality of my children. I have a line named after each of my children that reflects who they are and what they like. Luke (3) wants to be a cowboy; Landon (6) is my little golfer preppy guy; Breanna (10) is a girly girl; and Bella (2) is spicy and tomboyish. I’ve had the most fun designing clothes for my kids that reflect their personalities, and they really love wearing my designs.”

Textiles are another thing that gets Ludwick’s creative juices flowing; a piece of calico, a dynamic floral, and a cool geometrical—textiles motivate her like nothing else. “I have to sit and think for a while and search for fabric first. I usually always start with the fabric that jumps out at me and screams ‘pick me!’”

Now that Ludwick has walked the children’s fashion runway for almost five years, 38 Bakersfield Magazine

she understands that inspiration will only get you halfway down the cat walk. For the rest of the journey, you need a little industry know-how.

“I’ve learned a lot over the years,” she says, sitting back and letting out a long, heavy sigh. “It’s been a long process and an uphill struggle for me. If I would have known even just some of the stuff I’ve struggled the most with over the years, I think I would have taken off much earlier.”

Buying wholesale is one of the biggest lessons Ludwick’s learned. “Before I knew the joy of walking into places like F & M Fabrics [a discount fabric store on Niles

“My inspiration comes from the

personality of my children. I have a line named after each of my children that reflects who they are and what they like.”

—Christie Ludwick

Street], I would pay full retail price for all my materials. I lost a lot of money during those early days because my first stab at a creation wouldn’t turn out the way I had envisioned and I’d have to toss the whole thing. That got really expensive when you’re paying $10 or $15 per yard!”

She also experienced a bit of a problem with an expensive dye she bought. “I didn’t know anything about dyes in the beginning. I thought ‘The more expensive, the better quality.’ Well, let’s just say that I learned this isn’t necessarily the case after I turned a child blue,” she laughs. “I used this very expensive dye on her outfit and she actually turned blue! Thank goodness her mom was cool about it. Her mom is so cool, in fact, that this little girl is now my

guinea pig. I try new designs, dyes, fabrics, and so forth out on her and have her mom wash them over and over to see if they’re the quality I’m looking for.

“It’s all about cuteness and quality in my business,” Ludwick emphasizes. “I remember buying the cutest little ruffled romper at a local department store for my daughter, Bella. It was so uncomfortable that she refused to wear it. I decided to design one of my own using softer materials and making sure kids are comfortable in it and it’s become one of my biggest hits.”

Her commitment to quality and flair for children’s fashion is putting Rock Me Baby on the map alongside some of the titans of children’s couture. Her lines (15 and growing) can be found not only on her website, but in the local Divaz Desirez Boutique.

“Roseanne and Keith [owners of Divaz Desirez] have really helped launch Rock Me Baby.”

And Rock Me Baby’s take off continues to gather momentum. She’s reached a turning point in her career, one that will change the way she does business for good.

“I’ve been contacted by 10 stores all over the world and a big clothing line retailer is very interested in carrying my lines. It’s a very exciting time for me,” Ludwick says, adding that it’s a little scary, too.

“Growth like this means I have to find a manufacturer because while I can make 10 or 20 of each line, I can’t make 500 by myself. It’s a scary thing for me because for a minute I hired other people but it got too confusing. It was easier for me to just do it.”

The prospect of this type of growth opportunity also forced Ludwick to sit down and prioritize. “I realized that at this moment I’m not prepared; I have a lot of obstacles to overcome. I really want to grow, so I sat down with my husband, brothers, Mom, and Dad (I could have never even come this far if it hadn’t been for their support) and asked them to help me prioritize.

We decided that I have to look for a manufacturer, and I’m going to stick with what I have the most fun with—designing funky, creative clothes and doing whatever comes to my mind.”

She never thought it would go this far, this childhood fantasy played out by two girls on the block. But Anna’s not here to see the business that grew thanks to those parakeet fashions she drew. Anna passed away after high school, but as Ludwick puts the finishing touches on her “Anna Michelle” line, she knows Anna would be proud to see their dreams come to life. v

doing it.

©i sto ckp hot o.c om /ch icty pe

It’s that time, Kern County. The time where we here at Bakersfield Magazine celebrate being a guy in our annual Man Issue! And we aren’t just throwing shrimp on your barby—this section is all about doing what fuels you, and what makes manhood fun.

Whether you’re the biggest sports fan you know or the best hunter in the land, this is our salute to you for not just preaching it, but for actually doing it.

So grab a cold one, kick up your feet, and sink into the Man Issue.

Because it’s good to be a guy.

MAN ISSUE

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 39

MAN ISSUE After a long day of keeping the cities and institutions of Kern County safe and sound, a small group of public safety officers are tackling more than crime. They’re tackling each other.

crunch time Story and Photos by Matt Martz

rading in their badges, fire hoses, and guns for shoulder pads and football helmets, the Bakersfield Falcons are giving a whole new meaning to the term “Protect and Serve”.

Today, the Falcons (a semi-professional football team composed entirely of police officers, fire fighters, and corrections officers) will “protect” their quarterback, who will be the prime target for the visiting five-time champion Houston Gunners of the New York-based National Public Safety Football League.

However, for Carlos Caudillo, being pursued by a pack of towering linebackers isn’t anything new, as he enters his second season under center with the Falcons.

The 24-year-old juvenile correctional officer for the Kern County Probation Crossroads Facility is no rookie when it comes to the rigorous demands and dangers of serious football competition, playing three years at Ridgeview High School before returning after four years pursuing a criminal justice degree at Cal Sate University, Bakersfield, to

help coach two seasons under current Wolf Pack coach Dennis Manning.

“I missed football a lot, so after college I went back to coach and then came out here,” he says. “I love to play, I love the whole sport, and the entire aspect and mindset about it.

“It’s like a big chess game.”

As the May afternoon sun shines golden on the white-striped green gridiron, and the smell of nachos and hot dogs begins to fill the air in preparation for the arrival of friends, family, and die-hard football fans, Caudillo leads his team of nearly 20 players through pre-game

warm-up drills under the watchful eye of head coach Leonard Castaneda.

Castaneda, a 47-year-old risk assessment officer for California State Parole, is not only the general of this motley bunch but is also the oldest player on the team, filling in when needed on special teams.

Although he played just one season of football at Bell High School in the suburbs of Los Angeles, and one year in the United States Marine Corps, it wasn’t long after Castaneda began working for the California prison system that he felt the desire to once again pick up the pigskin.

“Once I started playing from the prison team, me and a few other guys wanted to play more so we joined a team in Los Angeles,” says Castaneda, “But we eventually got tired of driving back and forth, so in 2007, we decided we were going to form our own team here in Bakersfield.”

Bakersfield Falcons Erik Manzanalez grinds out another couple of yards.

quitting is NOT an option 40 Bakersfield Magazine

of the others on the team, plays an Ironman style football at both running back and linebacker.

Lucas played football all four years as a defensive end for Bakersfield High School, where he graduated in 1997, then spent one season at Bakersfield College before going off to Humboldt State where his college funds ran out after one game with the Lumberjacks.

“It’s not like you get depressed, but there is always something, no matter if it’s after high school or college, where you want to keep playing,” says Lucas, who hadn’t picked up a football competitively for 10 years prior to joining the Falcons in 2007.

“I guess why I did it was I just always loved playing, and I saw an opportunity to do something a lot of guys always want to do.

“Nobody wants to just quit.”

A word that just isn’t in these players’ vocabulary, as they drag their fatigued and wounded bodies into the locker room, leading Houston 12-0 at halftime.

The mood is intense as it saturates the atmosphere inside the

Falcons quarterback Carlos Caudillo scrambles out of the pocket for another pass.

Since then, the Falcons have had their share of ups and downs, compiling an overall record of 10-14 in the NPSFL’s 12-team Division II bracket, with their best season coming in 2009 when they went 4-1 en route to becoming DII Champions.

Much like the team’s seasons, the disparities among the players are also vast. The oldest player being 25 years older than the youngest player, while the heaviest player tops 350 pounds, more than double the weight of the lightest player.

The same goes for experience, with many players stepping onto the football field for the first time ever, and some for the first time in years. However, despite all its differences, the team was focused and organized during their bout with Houston.

Like 32-year-old Aaron Lucas, who shakes off the idea of injuries and heads into the huddle with his teammates to call the next play.

A correctional officer for Wasco State Prison who, like most

“Ironman” Aaron Lucas charges through the defensive line for more yardage.

McFarland High School gym where the Falcons play all of their home games. And with only 30 minutes left to wage war with the Gunners, Bakersfield is looking to improve its record to over .500 for the first time in three years.

“Obviously this is all for a good cause,” says Lucas who took part in the Falcons’ 2009 title run, “but we still want to win.”

And they did, as the Falcons turned up the heat in the second half, fending off any of Houston’s attempts to gain momentum in the fourth quarter to cruise to a 24-6 win. >>

“ Sure, I take my share of lumps and knocks, and everyone thinks I am crazy because I keep coming out, but

Risk assessment officer and head coach Leonard Castaneda leads the mighty Falcons.

I love it.”

—Aaron Lucas

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 41

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Though their games are physical and competitive, the league is not only about bumps, bruises, and bragging rights.

After the dust settles and the high-fives and cheers from the crowd subside, the friendship that these public safety officers have with co-workers extends beyond the football field, and are not limited to just their own teammates.

“The whole intent of the league is to have fun, but once the game is over it’s time to go back to work and solve crimes,” says Castaneda, whose Falcons have just improved their record to 2-1 and their chances for another DII title.

“You bond with players from other teams, and network those connections to help you on cases maybe later down the road.

“It’s game time on the field, but off the field it’s all about brotherhood.”

A welcome change for law enforcement agencies, which usually only come together for crime scenes and funerals.

But as enticing as it may be to relive the glory of your football days, help raise money for charity, or to build solidarity with fellow firstline defenders, concerns about injuries has discouraged some players from joining the league.

The level of competition exceeds what one might typically associate with an intramuraltype contest, with 95 percent of the players having played college football, and a few participants having played for the NFL in past lives.

“It was a different experience just getting back on the field and playing with guys at different levels,” says Caudillo. “It was much different than the high school level play that I was used to.”

Rob Quezada leaps high above defenders.

Needless to say, that type of high-level talent brings bone crushing hits, and injuries are not uncommon in an abbreviated four-game season.

“Work doesn’t cover you out here,” Castaneda says, “You’re on your own.”

So with so little glory and the risk of severe or even careerending injuries, why do they do it?

“Sure, I take my share of lumps and knocks, and everyone thinks I am crazy because I keep coming out here,” says Lucas, “But I love it.”

“I want to do this as long as my body holds up,” adds Caudillo as he walks away from his sweaty, slightly aching teammate. “I love the sport so much, I will risk it all just to come out here and play.”

MAN ISSUE If you have an insatiable passion for the great outdoors, then what are you waiting for? Wade out there and show ‘em what you’re made of.

love it? do it

all photos courtesy of Lennis Janzen

or as long as he can remember, Lennis Janzen always had a love of nature and for being in the midst of the great outdoors. Having grown up on Tejon Ranch—a huge cattle ranch in Kern County—where his father, Jack, was a cattle foreman for 40 years, he had always been in the thick of it. Little did he know that spending his childhood wrangling cattle and exploring the wilderness which surrounded him would lead to a fulfilling career as the owner and founder of Crooked Horn Outfitters, a Tehachapi-based store specializing in hunting and adventure gear for the outdoorsman. Nor did he realize that his knack for inventing items that made his hunting excursions easier would bring him worldwide recognition.

“What a great place to grow up!” Janzen intimated about his days on the ranch.

Lennis Janzen knew at a very young age that he loved outdoor activities at work and play.

“I grew up knowing a cowboy’s job is never done. There was always plenty of chores for a kid to do before and after school, which included most weekends.

At six years old I was helpful in opening ranch gates. At age eight, I learned how to work cattle on horse back, and by the age of twelve I had learned how to do most of the jobs on the ranch, including driving a truck, so the cowboys could feed hay to the cattle as well as complete all of the daily jobs required.”

Every day was a new adventure for Janzen working on the ranch, and he was regularly taken out of school to help with branding, shipping, and receiving cattle.

None of this bothered him, though. “I didn’t mind my time away from school because working with the cowboys and

veterinarians was what I enjoyed most.

I can remember more than once getting bucked off or injured and having ol’ Dr. Acherman, our local vet, bandage me up and get me back to work,” Janzen recalled. “Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t all work! Besides school sports, hunting was always my number one passion, and I was always anticipating the opening day of dove, deer, and quail seasons, which is what we hunted on the ranch.” >>

it’s not ALWAYS about work

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 43

love it? do it After high school, he attended Bakersfield College and then continued his education at Chico State, where he majored in Forestry. However, even though he loved the great outdoors, he had discovered he had quite the creative streak in wood shop during high school and at BC, and he eventually started his own cabinet shop in Tehachapi. For 10 years Janzen would build just about anything, from cabinets to furniture. On his 30th birthday, however, he decided it was time for a career change. Following his love for the outdoors, he started his own business—one that would allow him to combine his creativity with his adoration for being out with the wild. And thus Crooked Horn Outfitters was born.

From the inception, Janzen started putting his ingenuity where his mouth was. The first product he designed for Crooked Horn was a custom daypack, which proved to be a very strong start for the new company. But what really put them on the global map was the Slide & Flex Bino-System, which replaced the traditional neck strap used for binoculars. Its unique crossoverthe-shoulder design keeps binoculars tight to the chest, relieving all neck pain while preventing them from swinging around.

After about five years, their products were becoming very popular in the hunting industry and the Bino-System was being used by outdoor enthusiasts all over the world. Twenty years later, it remains the top solution for effectively carrying heavy binoculars and it is still the number one seller for the company.

However, that was just the beginning of the genius that would help shape the company’s reputation. In recent years, their backpack trail light was another hit and is considered a product that anyone could use, whether it be out hunting in the country or roaming city streets. The trail light is a compact yet powerful hands-free light that can easily lock onto any one-inch webbing. What this means is that you can attach this useful device to backpacks, suspenders, purse straps, or just clip it anywhere you would need a light.

It keeps the light below eye level, making obstacles visible while protecting night vision.

Considering its versatility, it can be used for everything from fishing to jogging.

Crooked Horn’s original business goals were to create a line of hunting essentials that would be “must have gear” for most outdoor activities. Their philosophy surrounding this idea is that no matter the activity, you have to be able to rely on the gear you have with The product that really put Janzen’s company on the map was the Slide & Flex Bino-System, which replaced the traditional neck strap.

44 Bakersfield Magazine

you—sometimes even for survival, as many can attest to, including Janzen, himself. Situations can change drastically, especially in the wilderness where a person can be particularly vulnerable, and it is easy to be unprepared. Field tested in remote areas, such as Alaska, their line of equipment includes waterproof backpacks that will keep equipment dry and ready to use. Such details are crucial, and considering their equipment is made right here in the United States by a military manufacturer, nature lovers can rest assured that the products won’t fail when they’re needed the most.

The company made a business decision of providing American-made products 20 years ago. Janzen admits that it hasn’t always been easy, but asserts, “If we were going to build the best products in the world, we would need to build them in the strongest country. Just like any profession or sport, having the right equipment makes the task at hand more efficient. Our goal is to design the ultimate line of equipment that will make a hunter more confident in their outdoor abilities and more successful at harvesting trophy-class animals.”

On how this ultimate line is made possible, persistency matters above all. “Reinventing the wheel can sometimes be tough or right under your nose. We had been asked for years to build something that will carry binoculars and rangefinders at the same time, and until 2012 we had struggled with it.

But sticking to it, we came up with the RF Hook Up Series.

This has been a breakthrough product for the hunting industry, as well as for archery tournaments. It allows you to use your rangefinder and binoculars simultaneously.”

Crooked Horn Outfitters wants their equipment to take an average outdoor adventure to the next level, assisting people to turn any apprehension they have into exhilaration by using their clever and world-class products. Ingenuity has obviously helped propel the store into international recognition. Understanding the fervor that lies behind what motivates people to go out and hunt has also assisted in making Janzen a natural in the business.

“Hunting and fishing make me so happy and I am truly blessed and passionate about every moment I spend in the outdoors,” said Janzen. “I want to share the message that anyone can have a passion in something they love, no matter what the sport is.

I live for the thrill of the outdoors. When I hear the sound of a bugling elk or the silence of a crafty old buck bounding away, it triggers a switch in my brain to hunt harder and walk farther, from daylight to dark, until the last light of the last night of hunting season.”

His love of fishing, hunting, and inventing aren’t the only things that keep him active in the wild, though. He often “hunts”

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46 Bakersfield Magazine

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MAN ISSUE It was 1941 when Sam Lynn decided it was, to borrow a phrase from John Fogerty, “time to give this game a ride.” Baseball was the game and some 70 years later, almost 200 major league players have hit Sam Lynn’s field of dreams, the Sam Lynn Ballpark.

By Tracie Grimes

you want to attract to your business.

And although buying a baseball franchise wouldn’t have been in the cards had you asked either man about it three years ago, Hathaway and Voiland know a thing or two about jumping in on an opportunity and turning it into a success. Voiland, retired president of Aera Energy, current chairman of Valley Republic Bank and

didn’t hesitate. “I know Gene well enough to know that if he thinks there’s a chance for success, you can bet all the ducks are in a row. So I jumped on board.”

The men’s first step toward success meant making a long-term commitment to our community and to the Reds baseball team, both looking for a nice, safe place to watch Blaze players develop into major league stars. It also meant making improvements to the 70-yearold ballpark, and it would take more than just a few dollars.

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“We’ve invested close to a quarter of a million dollars in Sam Lynn Ballpark,” Voiland says. “Because by creating a better atmosphere we create more opportunities to grow our community fan base. We want to provide things the community values, like crisp, clean concession stands where the waiting time is ten minutes or less.”

©i

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ich in baseball tradition, Sam Lynn Ballpark is a charter member of the California League, and has played host to such minor league ball clubs as the Boosters, Bears, Mariners, the Dodgers, and currently the Bakersfield Blaze (affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds). But these days it’s a whole new ballgame.

“Things are very different from the way they were when Sam Lynn was built,” explains Gene Voiland, who, along with Chad Hathaway, purchased the Blaze franchise, thus taking over the park. “I never really ‘got’ why you needed to have a bounce house at a ballpark before I started really looking into buying the team, but now I know that it’s a different world from the one in the 40s. Fans are coming out for different reasons; showing up for more than just to watch a ballgame.

They want to be entertained.”

And they’re making sure there’s something for everyone.

Not only will you find a bounce house, but come out on Fridays and you’ll see a fireworks show. There are Taco Tuesdays and Kids Club Sundays give the littlest fans a chance to feel what it’s like to be a part of the show.

“Blaze team members are also getting out in the community, going to the schools, interacting more with the kids, because that’s really how you start a good fan base; get the kids interested and excited about the game,” Voiland notes.

It’s like running any other kind of business, Hathaway comments. You find out what people want, go into action, and meet the needs of the people

s to ckp h

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hot times

principle owner of Voiland Enterprises, LLC, says he’s always looking for business opportunities.

“I saw this one, thought I could do something good for the community, spent a good two and a half years in negotiations, and then asked Chad if he’d like to come on board.”

Hathaway, president of Hathaway LLC and Payzone Directional Services LLC,

The county has really stepped up to do their part in cleaning up Sam Lynn, too, Voiland adds, referring to the partnership between the county and The Bakersfield Sports Group (Hathaway and Voiland’s company that operates the Bakersfield Blaze). “It’s been a great partnership. They know that we want to give the community something we can all benefit from and they’ve really helped out by taking care of things like re-paving the parking lot, taking out trees, and tearing down unsafe structures. We’re very appreciative of our ‘landlord’ [BSG leases Sam Lynn Ballpark from the county].” >>

and SWINGING hard

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 47

hot times

Changes in concessions are one thing, but there are challenges in the layout of the ballpark itself the men are just trying to do their best with. The fact that it was built facing the setting sun and has what may just be the shallowest centerfield porch in professional baseball (just 352 feet) means there’s only so much they can do to improve the park for the players. But Voiland and Hathaway are confident that there’s nothing they can’t overcome.

“The changes have been an amazing whirlwind,” says Dan Besbris, Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting for the Blaze. “Gene and Chad were announced as owners on March first, and with just thirty-six days until we hosted a game, embarked on an ambitious renovation plan. It led to a combination of extraordinarily long days and nights of work in a time that is already the most hectic, but the results are already evident. Attendance for the first two home games was up almost forty percent” The changes have been great, but one can’t discount the talent in the Blaze organization when it comes to bringing in the fans.

Men like Billy Hamilton, Donald Lutz, Tucker Barnhart,

“ I feel like the

dog that caught the school bus. This has been like a lot of the businesses I’ve been in: you work hard, concentrate on getting the job done, and then one day you wake up and think,

now I’ve got it! ” —Gene Voiland

Chad Hathaway (left), who, along with Gene Voiland (right), purchased the Blaze franchise recently and have already made sweeping new improvements to Sam Lynn Ballpark.

“It [Sam Lynn Ballpark] hadn’t been touched in years and it was time for a ‘facelift’,” says Hathaway. “We decided to improve what we’d inherited, to treat this historic ballpark with a lot of TLC as a way of showing our commitment to our city.”

Looking for specific ways to improve what they’d inherited, the two looked to family, friends, and each other. “I sent my wife into the woman’s restrooms and said, ‘OK Linda: what do we need to do?’” Voiland smiles.

“Gene preaches all the time that you ‘don’t stand around staring at the trees…get up and look at the forest,’” Hathaway adds.

So the pair started looking over their “forest” at Sam Lynn and came up with ways to streamline concessions.

Kiosks providing more points of sale, redesigned concessions that cut down on wasted motion, and more entertainment-type activities are all part of the changes they have put in place.

“I learned a lot in the oil business about making a process work better,” says Voiland.

48 Bakersfield Magazine

Tony Cingrani, Kyle Lotzkar, and Josh Smith keep fans rooting for the home team.

“And sitting atop this mountain of talent, manager Ken Griffey Sr. might be the greatest strength of all,” Besbris adds.

“Big names are great, but you always have the ‘sleepers’,” Voiland mentions. “There are other great players on the team that are just emerging.”

“We became the official owners of the team on April 5 (opening day) and had only owned the team for six hours before the gates opened for our first game,” Voiland says. “That first day wasn’t borderline chaos, it was chaos. But most of us were moving in the same direction so we survived.”

“I remember serving beer that opening night when reality sunk in. ‘I own a ballpark!’ I thought as I was pouring. That was very cool!” Hathaway recalls.

“I feel kind of like the dog that caught the school bus,” Voiland smiles. “This has been like a lot of the businesses I’ve been in: you work hard, concentrate on getting the job done, and then one day you wake up and think, ‘Now I’ve got it!’ I never in my life thought I’d own a ball team, but now—boom!—I’ve got it.”

So now with Sam Lynn born again, with new grass on the field, and some powerful players on the team and behind the scenes, Hathaway and Voiland are living a dream.

And we’re all hoping they’ve hit one out of the ballpark.

MAN ISSUE

There’s no denying it—Bakersfield is a huge sports town. And when it comes to covering the neighborhood athletic landscape, our local television sports anchors are more than just a handsome face.

can we talk?

by Matt Martz

hese guys really know their stuff.

One part news reporter and one part storyteller, each and every day these journalistic juggernauts transmit into our homes, bringing us the complete rundown of what’s burning in the sports world. But just what does it take for a sportscaster to go from third string to the starting lineup?

Well, first you have to be articulate, have great locks, and look like a Hollister model on camera, right?

Well, not quite, but being determined

and sometimes a little zany can go a very long way.

Like an athlete builds a resume for eventual entry into the Hall of Fame, almost every sportscaster begins their journey in a small market and has to climb the so-called ‘market ladder’. But not everyone has the stomach to start their career in Boring, Oregon, then

slowly move up to Normal, Illinois, then maybe Last Chance, Idaho.

It takes resolve, confidence, and hard work to finally reach a top 100 market, and the best sportscasters are extremely passionate about their subject matter, and have the personality to connect with an audience and their subjects on a human level.

Something KBAK Channel 29 veteran sports anchor Greg Kerr knows plenty about.

If it involves a ball, or you can hit it or drive it, you can bet your sweet life that Kerr will show it to you. >>

MARK HAAS

KGET CHANNEL 17 SPORTS DIRECTOR

PRESTON MITCHELL KERO CHANNEL 23 SPORTS ANCHOR

GREG KERR

KBAK CHANNEL 29 SPORTS ANCHOR

this is the WAY it is

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 49

can we talk?

A military brat, a young Kerr traveled around the globe, eventually graduating from high school in Springfield, Virginia and then attending Virginia Commonwealth University where he played baseball while earning his degree in Mass Communication.

After a brief 13-month stretch at a TV station in Billings, Montana, and another in Greenville, North Carolina, Kerr rolled into Bakersfield in 1987, and set out to give the community its own identity through its vibrant sports culture. Something he knew ESPN and other national media outlets couldn’t duplicate.

Since then, he has shown how vital it is to connect with the local community by developing a list of relationships as long as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s list of NBA records, meeting with the people, then telling their stories.

Something that Kerr was preordained to do, as his love of sports and sportscasting began at an early age, announcing imaginary baseball games in his backyard—complete with the singing of the national anthem, cheering crowds, and air horn sound effects.

“Once I realized I wasn’t talented enough to play beyond the collegiate level, I decided I wanted to stay close to the action and the choices were either coaching, teaching, or sportscasting, which had always been a dream of mine,” he said.

After 25 years in Bakersfield, Kerr is still doing it his way, and it’s a slam dunk.

Across town, KERO Channel 23 sports anchor Preston Mitchell’s road to the show was much more like the rise of a blue-chip prospect through the bus leagues of minor league baseball.

Moving through the newsroom like a shark, Mitchell prepares to take his place on the set, where anchors Todd Karli and Jackie Parks have been delivering the first 20 minutes of the evening news.

After 25 years in Bakersfield, Greg Kerr, of KBAK-29, is still doing it his way, and it’s a slam dunk.

50 Bakersfield Magazine

Preston Mitchell, of KERO-23, has done it all from producing, shooting, editing, writing, and even hosting shows.

He has just enough time to clip on his microphone before launching into his three-minute sports montage, which begins with a highlight or two from the professional sports world, and ends with a clip that Mitchell shot just a few hours before of the gamewinning walk-off home run from a local college baseball game.

Originally from Los Angeles, Mitchell took some unlikely detours along the highway to on-air broadcasting, first stopping to acquire a law degree, then embarking on a 14-year career as a special education teacher and administrator.

It wasn’t until age 30 that Mitchell made the decision to pursue a career in broadcasting, but with a gritty determination, the stylish sports pundit with a keen sense for statistics and analytics found

producing, shooting, editing, writing, and even hosting the show.

“I learned a lot in my time there.”

After a short stint as a sports writer for the Amarillo GlobeNews, Mitchell was back in front of the camera working as sports director for a CBS affiliate in Illinois before eventually ending up in Bakersfield in the summer of 2011.

Just like the budget constraints and pressure that is put on local sports franchises to provide a larger than life fan experience, so too is the increased burden on sports anchors, who are often expected to shoot and edit their own videos as well as report, script, produce, and deliver the final product that audiences see during the evening broadcast.

But the idea that just anyone can pick up a camera and point and shoot like a pro is like saying that because you drive fast on the highway, you could be a NASCAR driver. It’s just not realistic. Telling a story with video is a craft that takes years of experience.

There’s a lot of things to do behind the scenes, too, and possessing the technical savvy to pull it off is unique in itself.

In fact, most of the stuff sports anchors do is never seen by the viewers, and as KGET Channel 17 Sports Director Mark Haas says, “I spend ten hours a day to produce nine minutes of ‘on-air’ product.”

The 28-year old USC graduate from Fort Collins, Colorado begins his day by usually collecting footage, and after several hours in a confined 5-by-10 editing bay, is finally ready to head to the studio for his three-minute five o’clock newscast.

“ Once I realized I wasn’t

talented enough to play beyond the collegiate level, I decided I wanted to stay close to the action and the choices were either coaching, teaching, or

Mark Hass, of KGET-17 often spends 10 hours a day to produce nine minutes of ‘on-air’ product.

sportscasting.”

—Greg Kerr

himself gainfully employed at Los Angeles’ CBS 2 as a production assistant on legendary broadcaster Jim Hill’s “Sports Central”.

From there it was onto Casper, Wyoming as the sports director for the local CBS and Fox affiliate before moving to Amarillo, Texas to take on the role hosting a weekly sports show for West Texas A&M. “I traveled around the county with the football, basketball, and occasionally the baseball teams,” said Mitchell, “I did it all from

Then after perfecting his performance at 6 o’clock, Haas scrambles out of the studio to catch a few clips of the winning fade-way jumper at a local basketball game, or the playoff-clinching goal from a high school soccer match, before returning to the studio to edit and repeat for the 11 o’ clock news.

With that type of to-do list, one has to wonder how Haas stays fresh.

Well, when it comes to reporting, Haas turns off the SportsCenter clichés and spews the sports news with his own style. >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 51

can we talk?

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52 Bakersfield Magazine

He’s young, hip, and he doesn’t mind making fun of himself— something TV people aren’t by and large known to do.

“I don’t take myself very seriously, so I like going out and being somewhat of a goofball,” says Haas as he recalls some of his most memorable on-air moments, which includes participating in a vigorous water aerobics class with a group of 70-year old ladies, a staged minor league baseball tryout, a series of CALM Zoo animal Super Bowl picks, and the more recent March Madness Bracket picks with Mayor Harvey Hall, a Bakersfield firefighter, a catholic priest, a dancing granny, and a Carnac-like four-year old prognosticator.

Haas also seems to recognize that the world doesn’t orbit around sports, but still understands how important it is to the fans.

“You need to know about world events and weather for your life, but not necessarily sports,” says Hass, “so I hope that people are more than anything, just entertained.”

Haas, like Kerr and Mitchell, is intrigued by the sports scene in Bakersfield, and admits that football is his favorite sport to watch in his spare time, but wouldn’t comment on his favorite Bakersfield high school football team, stating with a smile, “I like them all.”

As for Mitchell, he says he loves football, and adds, “It’s the most work during the season, but I enjoy it.”

Finally, Kerr adds that Bakersfield’s fishbowl effect creates a very unique perspective for sports.

“We have eighteen schools that are within throwing distance from each other; and three minor league teams; it’s pretty awesome.”

He also said that although he has come to grow and appreciate every sport he covers, his favorite is the sport in season, and the changes through the year are a welcome time to refresh.

“Every day is different, which is one of the things I really enjoy,” says Kerr. “I don’t work hard, I work often, and I am blessed because I have a passion for what I do.”

The essence of Kerr’s job is apparent, yet personal. “I get great joy out of watching people celebrate, but I probably learn great lessons from people that lose with dignity. I am much more into human observation than the final score.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Honor Flight

American Pride “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.

It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.”

—General George S. Patton

J

photo by michael duffy

ust a few short years after General said 89-year-old Stanley Schwartz, a New war who didn’t make it home. All in all, he George S. Patton spoke those words, the York native and a top turret gunner on a was looking forward to moving on and takentire world was at war. Over sixty years B-52 for the Army Air Corps during the ing in the full experience the Honor Flight later, local World War II veterans gathered war. “I just told my children that I was even afforded him. He said with a slight laugh, at American Sound Recording Studios in in the war about twelve years ago. My old- “You know, I do the best I can.” Taking such Bakersfield to record their own stories— est son got mad, but what was I supposed big steps to make amends with his past at many of which they had never uttered until to tell them? Talking about all of the dirty nearly 90 years of age is doing better than that day. As part of the local chapter of the things that happened, it would do no good. most could hope for in life.

Honor Flight Network (a nonprofit organiIt had to get done one way or another, and Though it was a hard battle, not everyone zation that flies WWII vets out to visit their so it got done. Life goes on, as they say.” in the war had to be out on the front lines. monument,the Richard G. Kaschak WWII Memojoined the war rial in Washingwhen he was 17 ton, D.C., several and right out of times a year), the high school. He men who so went into the bravely protected Army Infantry, our country from but, due to his test the likes of Hitscores and the fact ler all had a turn that he could type with the micro45 wpm, he was phone to vocalize quickly placed at what it was that the Regimental they heard, saw, Headquarters and lived durin Gorizia, Italy Participants of the Honor Flight gather to tell their war stories at American Sound Recording Studios in Bakersfield. ing their service. under the 349 Throughout the recordings, many of the Admitting to being a little bitter—express- Infantry Regiment. “The man upstairs vets present were heard saying, “This is the ing shared sentiments of his fellow vets—af- was watching over me,” Kaschak said, first time anyone has heard this story—I ter coming home from a war to immediately excitedly, “and I have lived a good life.”

Typing up orders was a very important have never spoken about this before...” Still, going back to work as though nothing had they all came together to finally share what ever happened, he did say that getting to tell job in the war, he asserted, because “nothmany considered a darker side of their past. his story in full helped him. “I think talking ing moves without the right paperwork!”

They not only experienced becoming a part about it helped a little, and it did help me As a huge part of history, he was more than of recorded history, but something that was come to terms with a few things, though I happy to share such an important part of more unexpected: resolution and a peace had partly done so years ago.” He also shared himself for all to hear. “I enjoyed every minthat he was excited to go on the Honor ute of it. A veteran will talk to a veteran— with what had happened so many years ago.

Flight to see some of his friends from the they will tell them things they won’t >> “We don’t like talking about this stuff,”

hhh

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 53

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even tell their families. This was a place where we could empty our souls. We were able to say things we held in our hearts for many years.”

Though it has been a very long time to hold onto so much, the recording session opened up new opportunities for some. David Weingarden was present at the Battle of the Bulge, and he will be taking his Honor Flight trip in October. Since learning of the program and being involved in the recording, he revealed that his wife said he had “perked up since the experience. I guess I was feeling a little down before then. It was a positive thing for me.”

James Skilling joined the United States Navy in 1942, just days after Independence Day, and acknowledged that, while he did see his share of significant happenings, so many other soldiers had it worse.

“The experiences going on around my ship were pretty terrific compared to what we were going through,” he said. “We saw our sister ship get blown up early one morning not too far away from us—it was a huge fireball, and we couldn’t save most of the men.

We were simply trying to stay alive, and we did.”

Skilling sees his time served as a period of great learning as well as a work out. “I was just a kid growing up in it, and when I got out of the service, I went to school and learned a lot to develop my abiliphoto by michael duffy

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Some of the war stories WWII vets talked about had never been verbalized before.

ties for life afterward.” Regardless, Skilling was grateful that he was able to participate because, as he has discovered through his own trials of trying to reconnect with friends from the war, a lot of them don’t have nearly as sharp a recollection as he and the others who recorded do. “Their memory is fading,” he said. “That is strange to me. They don’t remember who I am or what had happened.”

Luckily, there were plenty of men who did remember and were willing to share. Chair and founder of the local chapter of the Honor Flight, Lili Marsh, reiterated how positive the afternoon at ASR was for the men. “It was totally healing. These men were gone for five or six years—they were just stuck out there. Then when they came home, it was business as usual. There wasn’t a period of healing for them. This helped to provide closure, and it is why the Honor Flight is so important and going to the monument is so significant. The monument wasn’t there when they were young enough to travel. This is all going to help them come to terms with what happened so long ago.”

As with many aspects in life, closure is key, and the Honor Flight is bringing that to many of our local WWII veterans. But these planes can’t fly without funding. To get involved or to see what you can do to keep this program flying, visit www.honorflight.org to assist these brave veterans in completing a remarkable chapter in U.S.—as well as their personal—history. v 54 Bakersfield Magazine

MAN ISSUE

Premier Equipment Rental

Lynn Gudmundson

3217 Patton Way • 661-615-6120 www.website.com For Bakersfield native Lynn Gudmundson, business has been good over the years.

Prior to partnering with Stan Ellis in 1999 to form Premier Equipment Rental, Inc., Gudmundson spent a number of years working in the automotive repair business.

First, he worked for a small transmission shop. “Between that shop and doing side jobs, I learned enough to open up a small automotive shop of my own called Lynn’s Fleet Service and Quality Transmission in Kernville,” Gudmundson explained. It wasn’t long before his reputation for quality service got around and he started doing automotive work for a few large fleets in town. “Eventually, I bought a tow truck to tow those fleets to my shop when needed.”

That single tow truck turned into seven and a very busy side business, Fleet Services Towing Division.

It was in 1989 that Gudmundson began working with Stan Ellis in the petrochemical field as an employee and contractor. Just 10 years later, they teamed up to create a thriving company.

“Over the years, Premier has evolved from a general equipment rental yard to an oilfield specialty rental including trucking and hydrocrane service in California and Colorado.”

Then, in 2007, Premier Equipment Rental branched out to form Premier Crane & Transportation, Inc.

Still, Gudmundson’s skills have allowed him to venture into different industries. He’s currently a partner in Tire Empire & Auto Center, Hytech Energy, Premier Oilfield Services, and Pros, Inc. “Building relationships with customers and vendors, and the satisfaction of seeing customers around town and being able to hold my head high is enough to keep me passionate about my work.”

No surprise, Gudmundson is always looking to expand his business to meet customer needs in our community. That also extends to fellow Bakersfield business owners. “I love that local business owners seem to want to work together and keep things in the community. It’s great working with people who have a passion for what they do.”

In many ways, Gudmundson and Premier Equipment give back by partnering with various local charities, including Relay for Life, API, St. Jude and the Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault to help raise money and awareness. It’s Gudmundson’s way of giving back. “I’ve been a hard worker since I was nine years old and I haven’t stopped. I’ve been self-employed since age 20. I struggled in the early years but never gave up on my dream. I’ve taken some risks, some failed and some successes, but that’s part of achieving your dreams.” www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 55

MAN ISSUE CTB Commercial Trade, Inc. 5330 Office Center Ct. • 661-864-2336 www.website.com

Gilbert Juarez & Chris Keeler For over 45 years, Commercial Trade, Inc. has achieved “outstanding success in the collection industry.” Since 1967, when C.T.B. was founded, the business has grown and expanded to cover not only commercial collections, but also medical and healthcare collections.

Today, C.T.B. is one of the most respected collection agencies in California with membership in the California Association of Collectors and the American Collectors Association.

That kind of a reputation wouldn’t be possible without talented employees like Gilbert Juarez, an account executive, and Chris Keeler, the Systems Administrator.

Juarez was born in Torrance, California, but his family moved to Bakersfield when he was six years old.

“I’ve done a lot of marketing and sales over the last 10 years and most of my education is hands-on,” said Juarez.

Since December of 2011, Juarez has been with C.T.B., but had been doing a similar job for a different company in the years prior. “This company is a lot stronger and it is a phenomenal organization. I’m honored to be here; everyone treats each other just like family.”

Juarez’s role at C.T.B. involves building a great rapport with individuals and businesses. “You have to listen to the client and hear them out. There’s a lot of energy that you have to put into the work, and you have to do it correctly.” As part of his role with the company, Juarez works to help maintain a client’s bottom line through account recovery.

He handles wholesale, retail, medical, dental, and commercial assignments. In his spare time, Juarez loves to dance, golf, and he does mixed martial arts.

For his part, Chris Keeler loves that he’s working in the family business. He is the grandson of founders Ed and Carol Moss.

“We try to keep everything in-house,” Keeler said of the company and their behind-the-scene processes. He works with the company computers, keeping programs up to date, and ensures that the company is also up to date with new laws.

When he first joined the company, he was just 14. He 56 Bakersfield Magazine

Gilbert Juarez & Chris Keeler

returned later to truly get involved with the business.

What keeps him passionate about his work, however, is that it’s a family business.

“We like to keep tight control on what goes on. The entire Board of Directors is family.”

Keeler’s grandmother is CEO Carol Moss (she’s semi-retired), Uncle Hal is President and COO, his mother is bookkeeper and corporate secretary Danette Keeler, his dad is on the board, two of his cousins are collectors, and his sister is the receptionist.

“Our ultimate goal is to treat everyone with respect, from the clients to the members of the community that they deal with,” said Keeler, a newlywed rebuilding a ’69 Bronco in his spare time.

What sets this company apart from other collection agencies is that the entire staff, including guys like Gilbert Juarez and Chris Keeler, goes out of its way to make the clients happy and to ensure that C.T.B. can add value to the bottom line and maximize returns for every single client.

MAN ISSUE

Frank Bejarano, Andrew Smith, Oscar Garcia, Claire Compton, Kiyoshi Valerio, Jerry Marion, Harold F. Raymond, Ken Kay The Raymond Factories, Inc. dba:

A Sign Factory & Graphic Shop 6225 District Blvd. • 661-834-7335 www.a-signfactory.com A Sign Factory & Graphic Shop lives by their motto: We don’t want to be the biggest—we want to be the best.

Countless customers can attest to the statement.

Owner Harold Raymond had been in a few different businesses before he opened one of Bakersfield’s most beloved companies in 2006. He is a New Hampshire native, where he served as a police officer. In 1989, he came to Bakersfield and since then he owned a few different businesses and works as a private investigator on the side. But a simple enough fascination of his is what led him to the industry in which he currently dominates.

“I have always liked graphic arts and, when it came to business, I always wanted to talk the talk and walk the walk,” Raymond revealed. “So I would have shirts specially embroidered for different purposes.”

It was visiting a garment show with Oscar, the shop manager, in January 2006 that would bring his love of such things and his business sense together. At the end of the day, they had purchased enough equipment to start their own business, and that is exactly what they did. The project started in Raymond’s garage, and within three months, they needed more space. They set up at their current location, growing up to 5,000 square-feet while anticipating future expansion.

Harold F. Raymond Ca. Lic. #971588

But the square footage isn’t the only thing that has grown over the years. A Sign Factory & Graphic Shop has also established itself well within the local community.

Offering services for signs of all kinds (with custom made electrical and LED signs being a specialty), embroidery, screen printing, offset printing, and large format printing has made the demand for their work high and far-reaching. Vehicle wrapping is a highly specialized trait at A Sign Factory, as well. They can embroider hats and garments, screen print images on everything from tents to flags, create menus and business cards, as well as design banners and billboards.

“We’re people friendly, and very customer friendly,” said Raymond, who is Chairman for Hometown Heroes for 2012 and on the Board of Directors for PAL. “We treat all customers with respect and we do everything we can to create a fair timeline for every job.” It is that very friendliness that has brought the company to donate to several charities in Bakersfield. They make special projects for fundraisers all over town and sponsor various youth groups.

Part of what makes this team so strong is their consideration and passion for what they do—and with so many satisfied customers, that much is evident. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 57

58 Bakersfield Magazine

MIND

©istockphoto.com/agsandrew

a state of

Since 1980, the Centre for Neuro Skills has been bringing the best in care to those who have suffered from brain injuries in Bakersfield.

K

By Naomi Moss

eeping up with their ever-evolving field, they may have experienced upgrades in their approach to care and therapy, but their core values for providing treatment in an environment conducive with their patients’ typical living situation has stayed the same. Through careful review and constant followup, they have made exciting developments that greatly enhance the lives of their patients in Bakersfield as well as those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas.

Although they focus on the care and rehabilitation once patients are discharged from a hospital, they also participate in clinical trials and research to better the understanding of brain injuries on not only accident victims, but of stroke and tumor sufferers, as well. With three levels of care (inpatient, day treatment, and outpatient), CNS is able to distinctively treat each patient and see the effects of specific brain trauma up close. Some people need around the clock care while others’ injuries are not

Medical

so intense. While each case can be new territory and research is done every step of the way, CNS wants to learn about brain trauma and the effects on the body so they can treat patients better over time. Through the specific treatment of close to 100 patients a year in Bakersfield alone, they are in a unique position to further research brain injuries more often than the average hospital.

While most might think the idea of research is confined to hospital gowns and laboratories, that isn’t the only way it can be done. CNS takes the philosophy, “Research helps us” quite seriously. Dr. Lisa Kreber, Director of Research, explains this concept, “The clinical process helps us in the circle of research.” By treating patients, they are able to observe the outcome thereof. For example, an MRI is a standard test when patients arrive at the facility. “Centre for Neuro Skills is able to use the MRI to not only diagnose and specify injuries upon arrival, but also see the relationship of the injury and predict certain cognitive behaviors,” said Kreber. >>

Specialties www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 59

mind PHOTOS COURTESY OF CENTre FOR NEURO SKILLS

A STATE OF

“Quest Imaging provides the service for us and they are wonderful.”

The MRI may be standard for treatment, but they also offer patients a chance to participate in special cognitive testing on arrival. “This is for traumatic brain injuries, not strokes or tumors. With permission, we test patients’ cognitive abilities, depression, and other things.” Then they compare test results with the MRI. “If all patients have a

With three levels of care—inpatient, day treatment, and outpatient—CNS is able to distinctively treat each patient and see the effects of specific brain trauma up close.

bad portion of the testing, then we can look and see if it’s a pattern in the MRI.” This MRI/cognitive testing is partnered with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, but it is not the only one. Kreber details, “We are finding that seventy percent of patients we get have some hormone deficiency.” As 60 Bakersfield Magazine

a result, patients are now tested in the hospital before they arrive. The hormone study gives CNS a better understanding of what is going on inside a patient and how that brain trauma affected his/her body. “We do a full hormone panel that tests thyroid, reproductive, and growth hormone levels in patients.” With some brain injuries, the pituitary gland and/or other organs may be affected and result in low or lacking hormones in patients.

Vice President John Schultz adds, “When hormone levels are out of whack, it can lead into other areas.” For example, a lack of growth hormones in a young child due to a traumatic brain injury could have dire consequences later in life.

The hormone study is a one year commitment from patients. Participants take the hormone or placebo for six months, and then stop. In another six months, they do a follow up with the same tests.

While treating the patient, cognitive functions are monitored through basic cognitive testing before, during, and after the six months of treatment. This particular study is a double blind study, where the researchers and patients do not know who has the hormone

and who does not. Kreber shares, “This allows me to test and treat all patients equally.

I won’t have a biased opinion when they aren’t performing well. It’s exciting to see the results in the end, although sometimes it can be frustrating [not knowing].”

Through all research Kreber cautions, “We have a clinical protocol on every patient.”

Thus, they can see what happens when one person is treated and another is not. The centre also goes through rigorous approval on research of patients. Not only does the University of Texas Southwestern Medical have to approve the study, the centre also has a review board go over patient liability to ensure they are treated ethically. They have to renew the study approval each year

universities unnecessary. Since their patients are a very specific group, current students of psychology or allied health fields sometimes inquire about studying them for their own educational purposes.

Patricia Wright, who is working toward her doctorate in clinical psychology, asked CNS to help her understand the effects of coping with brain injuries. “When the frontal lobe is damaged, a patient can look and act fine physically, but their personality can be changed.” Wright’s research tests not only the patients’ idea of how they are coping with a brain injury, but will ask the same questions of family members to get a clear picture of what is really going on.

“Sometimes the patient will say, ‘Yes! I’m doing great!’

Keeping Care in Healthcare

and sometimes things change along the way.

The centre has been conducting research for years, but it doesn’t all stay within their facilities. They have partnered with different groups for the edification of the industry, as a whole. Past partnerships have included UCLA, Southern Illinois University, and individual student research. CNS often conducts sleep studies, making the use of several larger

and the family says, ‘No! He’s crying all the time.’ We call it Impaired Awareness: patients are unaware of how they have changed.” Such patients are not able to accurately assess themselves psychologically.

Wright’s motivation toward cognitive research is due to the fact that these can be lifelong injuries. Anger, insensitivity, or extreme depression can be permanent side effects to a brain trauma. “I found there is a >>

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Located at: 9300 Stockdale Highway, Suite 200 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 61

mind PHOTOS COURTESY OF CENTre FOR NEURO SKILLS

A STATE OF

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gap in how to treat patients once rehabilitation is done.”

The damage is not physical, but emotional. For patients willing to participate in this research, they fill out an assessment form, as do family members. “I want to find a way to do treatment with family,” Wright says. “It needs to focus on long-term care to help

apy and rehabilitation is working. Kerber says, “It allows us to keep track of what we are doing and see the progression of patients. We look at it and ask ourselves, ‘Is there a way to do this better?’” Another advantage to keeping track of data is to show insurance companies that their methods work and quality of life is improved.

patients.” Once she collects data from patients at CNS, Wright is hopeful it will lead to Dialectical Behavior Therapy for brain trauma sufferers.

The sheer volume of brain injuries they treat allows CNS to see what works and what doesn’t. Through helping patients around the clock, doctors and staff get to know them inside and out. At the centre, there is documentation at every step so there is proof the ther-

Over 30 years have passed since CNS opened their doors locally to assist those with potentially life altering injuries.

As a result of their research and commitment to the betterment of their patients, they have grown and continue to be a world leader in their field. More importantly, we can be certain that, should we ever need it, the best in care for brain trauma is right around the corner.

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“What planet are you from?”

These are words meant to hurt and harm; words no child wants to hear.

DREAM

B Loren Presley

Robot Inventor, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Animator, Publisher, and Motivational Speaker

BIGGER

By Naomi Moss

ut for one local boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, these words would propel an already active imagination into another world…one filled with published novels and robots.

Though he wasn’t diagnosed until age 14, Loren Presley had long felt that he was a little different from the other kids he knew. He was misunderstood and would later come to realize that it was because he was missing certain social cues and jokes. Oftentimes, he was laughed at, though he was unaware of the reason.

But no matter what these kids said, Presley said, “I knew I was somebody, even though they said I was a nobody.”

As harsh as the words of children were, the tenacious and intelligent boy could not be put down…or kept down.

Now 24, Presley is preparing for his third book to be published (slated to come out this summer). His illustrations grace not only his books, but those of other authors; he owns Dolphin Star, an illustration and publishing company; and somehow finds time to work on his robot, NINA. So how does a young man lost in a world of social pressure become a successful author and aspiring animator? By writing about what is close to him and sharing his struggles through writing. His writes about a dolphin lost in another world, a character that parallels his own struggles in a world filled with social norms that he often misunderstands.

Using the dolphin in a story, and as a business name and logo, it is more than a cute character. “It’s a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, bringing the dead back to life. I want others to see it and know they can be well and rise above all that keeps you down,” Presley said.

That’s one of the reasons why he speaks on behalf of those with autism and/or Asperger’s and explains plainly what >>

Medical

Specialties

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 63

dream bigger

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64 Bakersfield Magazine

they feel and how they think.

Presley reaches out and meets others in order to encourage them with their own inner struggles.

“My parents attended a [large adult support group]. And from that, an individual started another group for children. We enjoyed each other’s company.

We didn’t necessarily talk about autism; they were friends. We laughed and had fun.”

When the previous leader stepped down, Presley stepped up to the plate.

“I want all those who attend to know they mean something!

They are important!”

So even though new members may be introverted, each person is invited to share his or her talent.

Through his outreach to those with autism and Asperger’s, Presley is making a difference. He recounted one story of a young man who thought there was nothing to smile about. Presley spoke excitedly about this young man’s transformation.

“I told him to persevere and fight for his happiness. Years later, you could see him smile. He was sharing his skills and happiness with us.”

Presley made such an impact on him that when this young man wrote his own book, he dedicated it to Presley. “That was such an honor to me,” he said.

For a young man who supposedly misses social cues, his thoughtfulness and dedication toward others is a pleasant surprise. While he is pursuing a degree in animation from the Academy of Art University, he is working on a project to create a cartoon to educate parents and schools on what autism and Asperger’s is actually like. He uses common social situations and enlightens the viewers to what an individual with Asperger’s sees in that particular situation: things are taken at face value and common expressions are taken literally.

Even with such a creative

mind, cartoons and faraway stories aren’t the only way Presley is able to shine light on autism and Asperger’s. He’s created a prototype for an autism therapy robot, NINA. He is excited to provide another useful tool to help those who may otherwise not understand social cues. People with autism or Asperger’s have a hard time understanding facial expressions, body language, and social demeanor in people. Because of that, NINA has simpler expressions that show basic human emotions.

It will also pick up on people’s emotions and simulate appropriate human responses. The robot makes it easy to interpret facial expressions and will encourage owners to speak accordingly.

“This robot will be a transition between robot-to-human interactions,” Presley continued. “It will let children practice social cues and responses.”

He knows the struggles of growing up with Asperger’s, although he didn’t have a name for it at the time. When diagnosed, Presley said, “It intrigued me. I now had a name for what made me different. I wanted to learn about it and find out how to get accommodations for it.”

The diagnosis, which came in junior high, was a relief, but high school provided a rough transition. It was during Presley’s freshman year that depression struck. It amplified his symptoms.

“Depression and Asperger’s mixed well—in a negative way!”

The depression was caused by a constant battle with surroundings. “It was loud, crude. I didn’t seek any friends during that time.” During the time that consisted of questioning the world around him, Presley’s book The Anastasia Project breathed life into him. “It kept me going through that depression. It was a reminder of my content and happy childhood. It’s a story of hope and discovering answers.”

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The Anastasia Project was published in 2007, just as the depression was waning. The idea first hatched when Presley was 11 and continued to grow even during his darkest days.

Presley would get lost in his imagination and turn those images into stories and art. He started writing stories at age six. During grade school, his grandfather’s typewriter became his tool and he produced his first short story, which would eventually turn into his book, The Underling, due out this summer. “It’s a story of friends, enemies, and self discovery,” Presley shared. “That one is inspired by my childhood. Childhood is an adventure!”

His second book, Starship One, was written for his support group. He would share parts each week and it became something that each and every member looked forward to.

“That was a fun story to write.

It was fun to read. It was fun to share—just a fun story!”

Presley’s imagination wasn’t limited to written stories either.

When his imagination would get the best of him, he would ask for his parent’s help in describing his idea.

“I would ask my parents to draw a picture of this! Draw a picture of that!” Not long after, he was putting the pictures in his head onto paper. In sixth grade, Presley had a school assignment that taught him to draw a certain way. “It opened my observation skill. I could draw what I could

see, just by observing.” Through this “right brain” skill development, Presley was better able to express his characters. “Not only could I better render characters in my stories, I could just draw pictures. Who knows, it could inspire more stories,” he said with a lighthearted grin.

The process of seeking a business license and setting up marketing practices and ordering business cards, let alone designing a logo, can be daunting. Business Builders helped Presley along the way. “They help people with developmental disabilities start businesses.”

Indeed, the Business Builders has helped Presley turn from an artistic dreamer into a successful illustrator, graphic designer, animator, publisher, motivational speaker, and robot inventor.

Presley’s humbleness wins over everyone he meets. His desire to help others and quickly note the gracious people who helped him along his way is foremost in his thoughts. A young man who claims to not notice social cues certainly notices the important things in people. His ambition to help others overcome the effects of autism or Asperger’s Syndrome is genuine. Their success stays with him as if it were his own and he turns that into more ambition.

It’s plain to see, the world would be a better place if it had a few more Loren Presleys in it.

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66 Bakersfield Magazine

There’s no denying that, in the medical world, patients make the best advocates.

I know

exactly

how you feel

By Jessica Shillings

Al De Risio

Triple-Bypass Patient

or starters, they have first-hand knowledge of what other patients are going through. Then there’s the fact that they make for good listeners, lending a sympathetic ear to a fellow human being undergoing a similar experience. They can answer questions that family and friends may not be able to, and they’re more accessible than physicians, who have busy schedules.

Many people who suffer from either a chronic or short-term illness feel a need to volunteer their time and energy to people currently suffering from the same ailments they endure. They want to connect.

That is certainly the case for these three Bakersfield residents, all of whom have turned a deaf ear on wallowing over illness, and, instead, champion for others fighting the same medical battles.

It’s been 17 years since Al De Risio underwent triplebypass surgery, but his passion for reaching out to patients preparing for similar procedures hasn’t waned.

De Risio, who will turn 78 this month, is still as active as ever in the local chapter of Mended Hearts. As an accredited visitor for this national organization for well over a decade, De Risio spends his days visiting heart disease patients at Memorial Hospital, San Joaquin Community Hospital, and Bakersfield Heart Hospital. To date, he has visited over 1,100 heart surgery patients to share his message of hope.

According to its website, Mended Hearts “offers the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families, and caregivers,” by connecting current patients with those who have undergone similar procedures before. >>

Medical

Specialties

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 67

George M. Wahba, M.D. Harvard-Trained Spine Surgeon Specialized in Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Spine Surgery Spinal Stenosis, Disc Herniations, Sciatica/Leg Pain/Arm Pain, Spinal Deformity/Scoliosis, Spinal Trauma, Spinal Tumors, Revision Surgeries

Dr. Wahba is locally-based in Bakersfield, and he is excited to be providing world-class care to Kern County and surrounding communities.

Complete Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Wahba obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated Summa Cum Laude with College Honors. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, which is consistently ranked as one of the top medical schools in the country.

Dr. Wahba graduated from UCSF at the top of his class, as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors

Mercy Orthopedic, Spine, & Hand Center

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(661) 663-6550

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68 Bakersfield Magazine

Society. He completed a 5-year residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

At that point, Dr. Wahba decided to expand his expertise by completing a prestigious fellowship in Spine Surgery from Harvard Medical School. During that time, he trained at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, two of the most renowned medical centers in the world.

I know

exactly how you feel

De Risio invites patients, and their families, to call him anytime with the questions that are on their mind. He can’t give medical advice, he tells them, but he can share experiences.

Despite the years that have passed, De Risio said he has never forgotten what being the patient felt like. His presence 17 years later confirms the fact that, “There is a life after heart surgery,” he added.

In the 1990s, De Risio had just retired from his career of almost 39 years with Rockwell International and moved to Bakersfield at his son’s suggestion when he found that he simply couldn’t ignore the signs of heart trouble any longer. This was despite the fact that the Los Angeles native had always prided himself on carefully managing his health.

He often ran, even on his lunch hours. Despite these good habits, he would soon learn that a triple-bypass was necessary.

Immediately before and after his surgery, De Risio himself was visited by a Mended Hearts volunteer. This made a lasting impact that ultimately inspired him to get involved.

These days, De Risio, who has held a number of elected offices in the chapter, said the

“Sometimes, it helps to talk to someone who has walked in your shoes.”

Sofia Gonzalez-Post

brief visits that he makes to patients continue to inspire him.

They are, in fact, “What keeps me going.”

When he isn’t visiting patients, De Risio golfs twice a week with a group of friends who call themselves the Seven Oaks Golf and Yacht Club, or the “SOGGYS”.

Both the national Mended Hearts organization, as well as the Bakersfield chapter (77), are

celebrating significant anniversaries this year—60 years and 40 years of service, respectively.

The local chapter meets on the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Memorial Hospital. The group continues to look for new members, and new visitors. The visitors must have had heart surgery themselves so that they can relate to the patients they serve.

That is the case for any type of patient-volunteer relationship, not just those suffering from heart disease.

Since she was diagnosed with breast cancer almost one year ago, Sofia Gonzalez-Post said her world has turned upside down—becoming a whirlwind of chemotherapy treatments and doctor appointments.

At this point, the Tehachapi resident and San Joaquin Community Hospital nurse seems to be making progress, albeit more slowly than she would like. She has recovered from two rounds of chemotherapy as well as a double mastectomy, is healthy enough to return to modified duty at work, and is even planning a trip to Greece next October.

The official diagnosis, delivered last April, came as a shock according to the San Diego County native, despite warning signs: a lump that immediately concerned her OB/GYN and other medical professionals she sought help from.

“I never knew a patient that was a nurse,” Gonzalez-Post said. “Even as a nurse I didn’t know what to expect.” As a result, when she was diagnosed, “I was afraid to do too much research. It [research] can be your best friend or your worst enemy.”

Now that she is again caring for patients, Gonzalez-Post said that the experience has had a profound effect on how she does her job.

“I believe that going through this ordeal has not only made me a better person, but a better

Sofia Gonzalez-Post Breast Cancer Patient

nurse,” she remarked. “It has helped me view the hospital and medical world from a patient’s perspective.”

This means, “I think and I hope I can relate better to my patients and their families.”

In a recent experience, Gonzalez-Post said she met a patient’s spouse who had just finished her own round of therapy.

“Her husband was her strongest supporter through her ‘journey’ and now she was his support during his stay at the hospital,” she recounted. “I remember her saying we were sisters and I believe in a sense all women who

go through this are sisters. I encouraged her to take care of herself so she could continue to be a support for her husband.”

Gonzalez-Post also relied on a strong support system. Even as a nurse, she said she simply trusted the expertise of her medical team, who she credits most of all for maintaining a true personal relationship with her.

Her husband, Dwayne, and son, Robert, 24, a student at Cal Poly Pamona, as well as her large extended family, were there for her, too. They reached out to her in large and small ways, she said, including her son >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 69

I know

exactly how you feel

and nephews’ decision to shave their heads when she lost her hair.

Gonzalez-Post said she has also taken refuge in her faith. A Catholic who has attended Tehachapi’s St. Malachy Church for years, Gonzalez-Post reported that eventually, “I got to the point where I was ready to accept whatever God wanted for me.”

Now that she is back at work and seeing tentative progress, Gonzalez-Post wants to share her own story, experiences, and knowledge with others who might be facing similar situations.

In her words, “Sometimes, it helps to talk to someone who has walked in your shoes.”

But that can also apply to driving around in someone else’s shoes.

At 17, Bakersfield native Ryan Reed moved across the country to follow his long-time dream of becoming a professional NASCAR driver. That was in 2011; also the year he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. More than a year af-

Individuals who have gone through treatment for a serious disease can inspire hope, offer support and suggestions, and truly connect with someone in a unique and beneficial way. ter receiving the news, Reed reported he hasn’t let his diabetes stop him from pursuing the winner’s circle.

Reed’s racing career began when he was four. In 2009, at the age of 15, Reed became the Legends Division Track Champion at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. He backed up his championship the following year at the same speedway by becoming the 2010 Rookie of the Year in the Super Late Model Division.

70 Bakersfield Magazine

Just as he was nearing adulthood, the goal Reed had worked so hard for seemed finally to be within his grasp. It wasn’t easy, but he decided that moving was necessary to take his career to the next level. However, just months after the then 17-yearold Reed moved from Bakersfield to Moorseville, NC, he received some devastating news

Kimball who was himself diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2007. Reed quickly contacted Dr. Anne Peters, MD, of USC Clinical Diabetes Program in California, the doctor who had worked with Kimball himself.

More than a year after his diagnosis, Reed said that despite his initial fears, he is still racing. In fact, in the 2011 season,

the last year. He also formed a nonprofit organization, Ryan’s Mission, “to help build awareness, become a role model, and positively touch the lives of so many that have already been affected by the disease.”

Reed’s organization has even partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help raise funding for their ef-

Reed raced in many different series, racing surfaces, tracks, and cars, including the Pro Allstars Series, NASCAR Whelen All American, and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He still trains hard every day, even while managing his insulin and blood sugar.

According to Reed, “Things are really coming together. I feel very blessed and fortunate.”

Both professionally and personally, “I’ve grown so much since then [the diagnosis],” he added.

Reed has focused on more than just his racing career over

forts. He is in fact a celebrity advocate for JDRF. To learn about Reed and “Ryan’s Mission,” visit ryansmission.org/mission/.

Whatever the outcome, individuals who have gone through treatment for a serious disease have the ability to speak directly to current patients fighting a similar battle—they can inspire hope, offer support and suggestions, and truly connect with someone in a unique and beneficial way. And isn’t that what we’re all hoping for when we find we’re in our darkest hour?

Ryan Reed

Type 1 Diabetes Patient

that would change his life forever. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in February 2011.

“I was devastated,” Reed, now 18, said of his initial reaction to the news. “I thought everything I had worked so hard for was a waste.”

This was something that both doctors, as well as Reed’s own research seemed to confirm— that he wouldn’t be able to pursue racing at the level he had always dreamed. While most of his internet research confirmed his worst fears, Reed did happen across one success story: a biography of racer Charlie

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 71

medical

Specialties

Optimal Hospice 1675 Chester Avenue, Suite 401, Bakersfield, CA (661) 716-4000 www.optimalcares.com It’s difficult to watch a loved one suffer—it’s even more difficult to watch them during the last hours of their life. That’s why the caring and compassionate staff at Optimal Hospice have created a program that seeks to provide comfort to a patient and his or her family in that 11th hour, when help is needed most.

“The 11th Hour Volunteer Program is a unique program that gives our volunteers an opportunity to make a true difference in the lives of those facing one of the most difficult experiences families will ever face,” explained Bakersfield Volunteer Coordinator Rhonda Frankhouser. “We find that they come away from their 11th Hour experiences feeling a true sense of purpose.”

All the volunteers are specially trained to provide compassionate companionship by working closely with both the patient and their family. In addition to giving personal attention to the patient, they help reduce stress and anxiety by providing information and support to family caregivers.

“No one should die without a personal touch and calming words,” explained 11th Hour Volunteer Cindy Eggert. Eggert has been a volunteer with Optimal Hospice for over 12 years. “It is a wonderful organization,” she added. Eggert was one of the first volunteers to provide 11th Hour service, even before Optimal had created a program. On one occasion, she had spent time with a patient every week for nine months and when Eggert got the call that it would be any time, she was asked to be with the family.

“It was my first real experience being with someone when they died,” she said. “I felt so honored and so blessed to be there and help her to the other side. Some families want the volunteers to be there because they don’t want to be by themselves while it happens. People ask me ‘How can you do it?’ and I always say ‘How can I not?’ ” For all the 11th Hour Volunteers, the fact that they can be a support system for the patient and their family is something to be cherished. The families feel such a sense of relief to know that they have another person they can rely on. They can share things with the volunteers that they can’t with others.

Evie Isle is another volunteer that takes pride in her work.

“You’re giving relief to the caregiver so they can refresh and do the things they need to [without feeling guilty that they’re leaving a loved one alone]. I volunteer as payback for when my husband was ill. This kind of support was a lifesaver for me.” Isle loves being a part of making somebody’s life happier. “I don’t think of hospice as ‘I’m going to watch these people die.’ Rather, I am going to make them feel happier and better and get the most out of their remaining days. It’s nice to know that you meet a need in someone’s life.”

“Some people think that what I do with the dying is a blessing to the patient,” explained Wanda Whiteside, “but I think of it quite differently. The gifts that the patients give to me cannot be 72 Bakersfield Magazine

Tony Bernal, Evie Isle, Lennis Wafford, Wanda Whiteside, Cindy Eggert, Bonnie Barnett, Richard Berquist (Not Pictured: Terri Campbell, John Grovers, Paul Glassmaker, Sally Tanus)

measured or contained. It is a privilege and an honor to do 11th Hour Volunteering.”

For Lennis Wafford, volunteering with the 11th Hour program has been very wonderful and fulfilling. “We were trained,” Wafford said, “but it’s a different feel when you go out and have to visit different people. You approach them from different angles. A lot of the patients don’t have anyone, so you’re rewarded knowing you’re there during someone’s time of need. It’s comforting to sit and read scriptures with them. And it is inspiring to sit with patients and families and answer questions that they may be unaware of.” Wafford said that it’s liberating that you can educate people on such an important and emotional part of life. “The people I have seen that have relatives, they were glad a hospice volunteer was with them because they don’t know what to expect.

We are there to reassure them, and even counsel them when to let go and let them know that they’ll be okay.”

Optimal Hospice’s philosophy is grounded in the fact that we come into this world surrounded by love, nurturing, and acceptance. We all deserve to transition out of this world with the same dignity, compassion, and caring.

medical

Chateau d’Bakersfield–CBAS www.chateauAdHC.com

Specialties

Chateau d’ Bakersfield

Chateau provides Community Based Adult Services for individuals with mental and physical disabilities in need of rehab and respite care services. Other services include occupational therapy, physical therapy maintenance, medical/medication monitoring, and social services.

“As a health provider, we strive to improve and prevent any future issues that can trigger further decline in our clients,” said Anu Mohan, General Manager and Program Director. “We encourage involved parties to collaborate with our program to ensure that clients are well-informed of their condition.” At Chateau, education is emphasized to prevent ER visits and high costs of treatment.

Individuals needing less assistance can attend Chateau’s Health Day Program several times a week until they are ready to transition to more independence.

Along with sharing information between agencies, a strong support system can do miracles for an individual’s progress and Chateau wants to help every client succeed with their goals. “Our staff stays in constant touch with our clients so that we can monitor progress and support them.” That staff includes Dorothy Jones, who coordinates clients with health and physical impairment; Ana Montoya, who works with clients with mental disabilities; Sherrie Richardson, who develops goals and works with clients with moderate to severe cognitive impairment; and Carlos Aguilar, who works with those clients with minor physical or mental challenges.

“At Chateau, we constantly change to find better solutions in an always changing environment,” Mohan added.

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Dorothy Jones, Sherrie Richardson, Ana Montoya, Carlos Aguilar

Peter H. Ashjian, M.D. Dr. Peter Ashjian has been changing the lives of people in Bakersfield for five years now at the California Institute of Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery. He was trained at New York University and the University of California, Los Angeles, and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

“My specialty is in general plastic surgery and all facets of cosmetic surgery for the face and body,” Ashjian explained, “I do a lot of reconstructive microsurgery as well. Specifically, for women who have had mastectomies due to breast cancer.”

Over the years, he has seen great changes take place in the local medical field, and it is one of the reasons why he loves working here. “This is a vibrant community, and whatsoever the citizens may need, the community provides,” he said. “The hospitals and physicians see a need for state-of-the-art services, and they bring those services here. It is a comprehensive team approach.”

An active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ashjian specializes in reconstructive and plastic surgery and offers services such as rhinoplasty, mommy makeovers, tummy tucks, and liposuction, breast cosmetic surgery, as well as the most medically advanced reconstructive procedures available.

And, while there are many reasons why he keeps an active practice in Bakersfield in addition to his Los Angeles location, he cites the care offered here as the most important. “There is a huge commitment to the residents from the hospitals. That is what excites me the most about working here.”

Dr. Peter H. Ashjian

2901 Sillect Avenue, Suite 201 • (661) 327-2101

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 73

medical

Specialties

Hoffmann Hospice www.hoffmannhospice.org Having the hospice talk with a patient is tough for any physician, but for Dr. Todd Farrer, Hoffmann Hospice Medical Director, starting the discussion is vital to ensuring the quality end-of-life experience that most people want.

“Yes, it’s a hard conversation, but through interaction with the family I can determine when they’re ready for the topic of hospice,” Farrer said. “When I bring up hospice, the family sometimes thinks we’re giving up on their loved one, but we’re not—it’s simply another level of care.”

It’s a level of comfort care that most families are deeply grateful for once their loved one is on service, said Farrer, who joined Hoffmann Hospice in February of 2007. As a medical director, Farrer performs in-home assessments of hospice clients and is responsible for the quality of patient care. He operates a family practice in Bakersfield where care of the elderly, particularly those in skilled nursing facilities, make up the bulk of his practice.

Dying is part of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s all gloom and doom, said Farrer, who finds great fulfillment in alleviating the suffering of the terminally ill and in supporting families on their journey through loss. While many families initially resist hospice, he said, the vast majority are happy with the care their loved ones receive while on the service.

“Most families, after a hospice experience, are truly appreciative,” Farrer said.

“They come through with a better understanding of hospice and often wonder how they would have made it without it.”

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MEDICAL PROFILES

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76 Bakersfield Magazine

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Lance R. Howard

Howard Financial & Wealth Management, Inc.

W

ith a company tagline like “Protecting Your Future,” Howard Financial & Wealth Management, Inc. aims to ensure that all clients are not only economically secure, but also advised of all their financial options for the future. Lead by founder and president Lance R. Howard, the company takes pride in providing comprehensive financial planning services; retirement planning strategies; review of wills, estate plan/trusts, investments, taxes, and insurance. The goal is always to act within a client’s best interest. As a result of his protective nature over his clients, Lance stays abreast of shifts and changes in the economy potentially affecting his clientele. Protection is the top priority at Howard Financial.

“Due to the continued attacks on senior citizens from scam artists, we feel compelled to get the word out not only to our clientele, but also the rest of the community. As a result, we have added a fraud alert section to our company’s website. My hope is that I can bring the attention of our

Lance Howard is active in our community, contributing to Dustin’s Diner, The Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, and Gradient Gives Back, a program designed to help local families in need.

The company’s goal is to ensure all clients are financially protected, now and in the future.

Howard Financial & Wealth Management’s staff provides for a care-free retirement and multigenerational wealth.

5401 Business Park South #112 Bakersfield, CA 93309 661-322-5192 www.lancehowardfinancial.com CURRICULUM VITAE

community to this matter, and stop people from being victimized,” says Lance Howard – ‘The Protector’. But this type of client dedication is not new for Howard and the staff. Howard, a staple in the financial services industry in Bakersfield for nearly 20 years, has been nationally recognized as one of the top five Advisors for 2011 by Senior Market Advisor Magazine, in addition to qualifying for the exclusive “Top of the Table” of the Million Dollar Round Table this year. Recently, Howard was honored with his fifth year of recognition as a Gold Eagle member with American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company.

This coming fall, Howard Financial & Wealth Management plan to launch a radio show, a weekly, one-hour informative program touching upon retirement strategies and key issues facing the economy. It is one more way of helping the community with their fiscal needs, and that’s something that the entire staff takes pride in.

For more information, visit www.lancehowardfinancial.com. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 77

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

David Coodey, Trent Maas, Arthur Amaral, Rowena Paterno, Randy Faiman, Stephanie Erickson, Ryan Avila, Tim Delagarza, Dan Brazier

Hillcrest Air Conditioning & Sheet Metal Inc.

H

illcrest Air Conditioning & Sheet Metal Inc. has been serving the Bakersfield community since 1950. Originally named for the area in which it was located, this busy business has seen many changes throughout the years, from location to owners, but what has remained the same is their commitment to their customers.

Hillcrest is the company to go to when you need residential or commercial air conditioning or heating installation, repair, service, or maintenance. They service all makes and models, so no job is too problematic. They take great pride in their service as well as their community, and it shows.

“For our residential clients, we make sure that we tend to the elderly or families with small children as a priority,” said Accounting Manager, Rowena Paterno. “If it is going to take a few days to get a part, we try to provide temporary cooling for them.”

Not only are they a part of the Chamber of Commerce, but they have helped to support CSUB’s wrestling team by donating units for the past two years. They have do-

78 Bakersfield Magazine

Hillcrest: Build it.

Power it. Service it.

They are the largest union shop in the San Joaquin Valley, employing more union workers than any other HVAC contractor in the area.

From the central coast to the central valley, Hillcrest Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal Inc. has the honesty, integrity, and quality workmanship to get the job done right.

2324 Perseus Court Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-335-1500 www.hillcrest-ac.com CURRICULUM VITAE

nated a unit to Habitat for Humanity and St. Francis and St. Philip’s churches are both part of their clientele. As members of the Air Conditioning Refrigeration and Mechanical Contractors Association, you can be certain that you are dealing with professionals who have the most up-to-date information regarding their industry.

Project Manager and Superintendent, Trent Maas, has been with the company since 1999, and has been an active part in some very interesting projects. “We removed the antiquated boiler system from the Fox Theater and installed a state-ofthe-art system which uses 40 percent less energy. We also installed the HVAC at the Bakersfield Californian printing facility and in the Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Keene.”

While the entire company loves their work for many reasons, one factor remains true for everyone involved: some of the friendliest customers are from right here in Bakersfield, even though they have statewide affiliates.

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF

Danny Hudson, Julie Hudson, Shelley Hudson, Dan Hudson Jr.

Hudson Tile

W

hen Bakersfield native Danny Hudson started working for Jim Vido in 1978, while in high school, he couldn’t have imagined that, less than a decade later, he would be branching out on his own.

Not only that, but Hudson’s own company would be so busy at times that he would be managing over 40 different projects.

Hudson was trained by journeymen at that time, and was always motivated to start his own business. “I continue to have a lot of pride in the fact that I’m hiring and keeping these employees going. It feels good to supply a job for these guys and their families,” Hudson explained. And keep his employees busy he has. Over the past four years, Hudson Tile has been able to keep anywhere from 12 to 22 projects going at a time.

“We are ceramic tile installers and granite fabricators,” Hudson continued. “And we have done thousands of homes, pools, and commercial projects in our area.” For instance, Hudson Tile completed jobs at Dewar’s on Calloway Drive, John’s Incredible Pizza, and most grocery stores in town, not

Hudson Tile has donated much to the St. Jude program over the years, as well as the Bakersfield Homeless Center.

For Danny Hudson, his business is a hands-on endeavor because “the clients appreciate seeing my face every day.”

1801 Art Street Bakersfield, CA 93312 661-589-5803 CURRICULUM VITAE

to mention fast food restaurants like Burger King, McDonald’s, Denny’s, and Taco Bell.

While the company doesn’t perform complete remodels, they add quality and style to the part of the job that they do handle, including granite fabrication—a service they started offering in 2004.

The company is very much a family affair, with Hudson’s wife (bookkeeping), sister-in-law (scheduling and bidding), and son working hard to help the business grow.

Dan Jr. was raised in the trade and, when he graduated high school in 2001, he’s worked for Hudson Tile every day since, starting out as a helper before graduating to tile setter, granite fabricator, installer, and foreman.

What sets this company apart isn’t the trade itself, but the quality service that comes from every employee. “It’s about customer service and making a schedule and keeping it,” Dan Jr. said. “Doing things right and not cutting corners, and going above and beyond to ensure the customers are happy. We’ve had so many positive experiences working in Bakersfield.” www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 79

g

the four faces of yosemite

By Donna McCrohan Rosenthal

photo courtesy of DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

See it–Snap it

80 Bakersfield Magazine

The National Park Service does not just make it easy to take in the most popular sights; they encourage it with valley floor tours and free shuttles, particularly during summer months when cars all but choke the roads. Additionally, YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit System) has buses in and out of the park, from Merced and Mariposa through Yosemite and, in summer, to Mammoth Lakes and the eastern Sierra.

For a first stop, try the Visitors Center in Yosemite Village. The free movie The Spirit of Yosemite, various displays, and a helpful staff explain options and opportunities.

Photographers rarely have to do much to achieve good pictures, but the best images capture magic—a full moon event or shadows on the snow. According to Los Angeles Times photographer Mark Boster, author of "Four Seasons of Yosemite," who revisited the same tree on three different weekends to catch the turning leaves precisely as he envisioned them, "You have to watch and wait, go back and photograph familiar things over and over again."

Go for it

Sports enthusiasts love Yosemite and surrounding terrain for its hiking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, boating, kayaking, guided spelunking, rock climb-

ing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Backpackers have to have permits to stay the night or hike the Half Dome cables area, and the permits—obtained through a lottery—vanish fast, although a new two-day advance lottery by phone or online gives last-minute planners a second chance.

Rock climbers don't need permits; they do wear helmets to protect themselves from falling debris. If you'd like to climb but don't know how, Yosemite Mountaineering can teach you; the "Girls on Granite" program operates exclusively for women. Some avid fans don't climb but instead relax with picnic lunches on the valley floor and observe as others scale the heights.

Bicycles are allowed on paved paths but not trails. Dirt bikes and off-road vehicles are forbidden. Street-legal motorcycles

Four Diamond Ahwahnee Hotel

may go anywhere an automobile can go.

You can fly through the air and pan for gold at Ziplines and Adventure Park between Yosemite and Mariposa.

Calling all Artists

The incomparable beauty that attracted Ansel Adams continues to draw artists and photographers. They stay, share their talents, and ensure a culturally rich community, with the result that Mariposa, southwest of the park, has a community theater, active amphitheater, Mariposa Symphony Orchestra, "Music on the Green" every Friday night during the summer, and a lengthy roster of festivals. On Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day during peak hours, a free trolley around town enhances the Mariposa Experience while relieving the pressure on Yosemite Park.

photo courtesy of Kenny Karst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

laciers carved Yosemite's magnificent geologic features about one and a half million years ago. President Abraham Lincoln set it aside as federal land in 1864. Naturalist, conservationist, advocate, and author, John Muir, eloquently argued to preserve it for future generations in the late 1800s.

From El Capitan, the largest granite monolith in the world, to Yosemite Falls, the highest in North America, to its pines, cedars, giant sequoias, lush meadows, and abundant wildlife, Yosemite's 1,889 glorious square miles in the heart of the Sierra Nevada prove that Muir had the right idea.

The valley accounts for about 7% of the park. It plus Tuolumne and the high country appeal on many levels. Do you like sightseeing and photography? Sports? Art? Food? Then read on. Yosemite offers all that and more.

G REAT

G ETA W AYS

photo courtesy of Kenny Karst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

You can eat well, from affordably to elegantly, both inside and outside the park, with the greatest selection available during the summer. Yosemite Lodge has a food court and restaurant. Degnan's Deli and the Village Grill are within walking distance of the Yosemite Village Visitors Center. The Ahwahnee Hotel serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a sumptuous Sunday brunch.

Its Vintners’ Holidays in November includes seminars, meetings with winemakers, and a gala dinner; the Chef's Holiday in January culminates with another gala dinner, and the utterly unique seven-course Bracebridge Dinners in December combine an extraordinary feast with a stunning pageant. Outside the park, the rustic Bug Resort always has at least some vegan and vegetarian dishes. Mariposa's upscale Sa-

Tenaya Lodge near the Mariposa Grove

voury's pleases palates with Steak Diane and other favorites.

Yosemite lodging ranges from camping and heated and unheated cabins to the upscale Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and the AAA four-diamond Ahwahnee. The fourstar Tenaya Lodge is located in Fish Camp

outside the south gate by the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. The rustic Bug Resort, formerly a Boy Scout Camp, has dorms, private rooms, tent cabins, house rentals, and a spa.

Pick your Season

Whether for bus frequency, adventures, or dining choices, much depends on the season. Horsetail Fall on El Capitan looks like cascading fire when the sun sets during a two-week period in February. The dogwoods begin to bloom in late March and early April. Wildflowers generally follow in March, April, and May. From late spring to early autumn, show up at the back porch of The Ahwahnee for twilight strolls. In the summer, raptors fill the skies, admired by throngs of tourists in the valley below (although the high country tends to escape summer crowding); temperatures often reach the 90s, prices rise, and rooms become scarce. Many falls dry up in the summer during low-water years. Summer full moons mean wondrous Moonlight Tours.

Closed buses traverse the valley floor in the in the fall, winter, and spring but are open-air in summer months. To avoid summer traffic hassles, ride a bus, or go in the evening or early morning.

Extremely time-sensitive: The California State Mining Museum in Mariposa might soon succumb to state budget cuts. If it does, the official collection of the State of California and the largest state mineral collection in the U.S. will go into storage. To the west of Yosemite, in Jamestown, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park—home of the "Movie Star Locomotive" that appeared in hundreds of movies, TV shows, and commercials—faces state-budget-cut closure as well. Both will probably be spared, but to play it safe, see them while you can.

photo courtesy of DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

Tummy time–Sleepy time

Mariposa’s dazzling display of wildflowers

Whitewater rafting

trouble. On the other hand, don't approach them. They're not pets.

Getting There

By car, drive the 99 to the 140 to arrive by way of Mariposa, or the 99 to the 41 to enter through Oakhurst. Or ride the Amtrak train to Merced, then transfer to a YARTS bus. Park admission is $20 per vehicle, good for seven days, or free for YARTS passengers, bicyclists, and walk-ins.

For more information, rules about pets, and to schedule visits to hard-to-reach places, check out nps.gov/yose or phone 209-372-0200, TTY 209-372-4726. v

photo courtesy of Kenny Karst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

Another spectacular Yosemite winter sunset

photo courtesy of Kenny Karst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

photo courtesy of Kenny Karst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

Checklist

If you brave the wilderness, find out exactly what tools and supplies you require to be prepared. For less challenging situations, don't forget mosquito repellant and water. For cold weather, have tire chains in case it snows. For your camera, bring a tripod, and unless you travel with a cleaver or circular saw, remove your extra memory card from its nearly impenetrable packaging before you head out.

You might encounter one or more of the park's 300-500 black bears. If you store food properly in bear boxes (not merely locked in your car), you should have no

The Falls in upper Yosemite Park

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 81

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home & Garden

NO GIRLS ALLOWED

Ah, the man cave—

the adult (and much more sophisticated) version of the familiar “no girls allowed” clubhouse.

©istockphoto.com/schlol/berichood

A place where a dude can just be a dude which features some of the best aspects of manhood.

But what do you do when all of those good times start to accumulate into more than just cool moments you share with your buddies? You may be able to hide from your wife and troubles in these testosteronefilled getaways, but how much can you really appreciate it when some of the most crucial elements therein are getting in the way of your good times? That’s right: even man caves need some careful upkeep, lest your man cave become a man dump.

It happens to all of us in every room, but such a sacred spot should be treated accordingly. Here, we are going to explore some very cool—and every manly—ways to keep your cave as awesome as ever, particularly for those man caves that are themed around working with your hands. You won’t find any colorcoordinated Tupperware® here.

The suggestions we have will not only get your “guyness” going full throttle, but some of these tips even involve some of your favorite tools just to make them a possibility. Yes, when you are done organizing the man’s way, you will feel proud that you just used your brains as well as your brawn.

First and foremost: TOOLS.

Possibly the most essential part to any man cave are the tools that made its greatness possible. No, those stools and shelves didn’t build themselves!

The old toolbox can sometimes be lacking, especially if you have more than a few different kinds of tools.

The good news is that storage solutions for tools are plentiful. The great news is that it can also be a ton of fun.

Let’s start with hand tools, or tools that don’t require power to be operational. Under this wide category, you’ll find your pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, and a host of other tools that are easily misplaced.

The easiest place to store these items is in a good old-fashioned toolbox. You can either go with the classic hard case (try metal over plastic, as it will last you longer) or the tool bags. Both have many compartments for all of your wandering tools. If you’re not wanting to sacrifice any space because you need every square inch to be filled with awesomeness, then consider installing some pegboard on the walls.

Throw in some hooks of varying sizes and these elusive tools will stay put when and where you want them to.

Moving on to bigger and louder things: power tools.

This can be anything from your favorite power drill to a gasolinepowered chainsaw (which you should never store with a >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 83

home & Garden resources

full tank). Again, there are a few options. There is always a trusty tall tool cabinet, or large double door storage boxes that come with sturdy shelves. These can be ideal, but can also run the risk of getting cluttered. Consider these ideas that scream manliness: building shelves on the walls that can withstand heavy items.

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Nothing says “cool” like displaying your favorite power saw for all your buds to envy.

Try installing hooks in the ceiling and hanging your tools from them—voilà, instant coolness. playing your favorite power saw for all of your buds to envy. You can also achieve this by installing hooks into the ceiling—if it is low enough to be practical—and hanging your tools from them.

(What can be manlier than a power drill chandelier?) Looking for some wall art? A reinforced strip of wood like plywood or scrap cedar with some shaker pegs attached to a wall will make an ideal home for your bulkier power tools.

We have covered a lot of ground in terms of what can be achieved by using some very basic materials, but on our search for the coolest, manliest ways to get organized, we also found that a lot of guys take their passion for their man caves to the next level.

If you love welding or carpentry, but don’t have a ton of space to keep a table around for such projects all of the time, then consider attaching the table to a wall where you are most likely to do your handiwork by using heavy duty hinges. Find a table that has folding legs and you can easily collapse the table whenever you aren’t using it. Let your imagination guide you and take that old desk that you’ve been wanting to get rid of and add a functional top of steel or wood to make a unique work bench. Mix and match different materials that you may have lying around to not only spruce up your personal area, but other areas of your home, as well.

Much like when you first started creating your man cave, the options for keeping it intact can be limitless as well as fun.

Just be sure that, amongst all of the hard work that needs to go into it, you stick to what you originally set out to do: have fun being a guy! n Sources:http://tlchowstuffworks.com/home/how-to-organize-tools.html, http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/fuel-economy/ultimategarage-7-most-extreme-mancaves#slide1. saw©istockphoto.com/microstocker

G AR D ENIN G W ITH MRS . P

LET’S GO

g

By Lynn Pitts

arden trends come and go, especially in our central valley, where we haven’t yet settled on an iconic style (Spanish or Asian or English Cottage) and perhaps never will. With our enviable climate and diverse community, Bakersfield gardeners have been exposed to influences from around the world.

©istockphoto.com/moppet/enjoyz

We can—and do—pick from Asian disciplined restraint, English romantic lushness, South African sub-tropical variegation, Mediterranean rugged wildness, and Mexican courtyard intimacy. The tropical plants of Asia and South America migrated into our landscaping language in a big way about 10 years ago. The style was dubbed “Tropicalismo,” and even as other fashions appear, the boldness of banana, cannas, and bamboo remain. So let’s embrace the “trops” this month. It’s Carmen Miranda Time!

Bamboo especially has taken on a major roll

Bird of Paradise

in the trop look. Before you start hysterically screaming and waving your arms, “No, no, no,” let Mrs. P soothe your fears and lighten bamboo’s bad rep. Sure, the running types of bamboo can get out of control. But with Hibiscus committed yet minimal maintenance, this inscrutable plant brings an atmosphere to the garden like no other. From a most effective screen to an exotic stand-alone specimen, bamboo does it all. If you’re still not ready to take the plunge, may I suggest dipping your toe into the large family of well-behaved clumping bamboo?

It stays where it’s put with no argument.

Clumping bamboo is not nearly as tall as running or timber bamboo (which can get 75 feet tall and 4 to 7 inches in diameter). The “clumpers,” which I call them, look more like tall ornamental grasses, although with the typical leaves of large bamboo. They’re called clumping because these plants send up shoots close to the base of the clump and spread out very little.

Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant on the planet. Some will shoot up a foot a day. Other animals besides pandas eat bamboo, including the mountain gorillas of Africa. A grove of bamboo produces up to 35% more oxygen than the same size of hardwood trees and absorbs 4 times as much carbon. Bamboo has greater tensile strength than steel and withstands compression better than concrete. In case you’re interested, tensile strength is the greatest longitudinal stress a substance can bear without tearing apart.

Who else would tell you these things? >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 85

When you purchase a pot of bamboo, forget the rule of never buying root-bound plants. The more crowded the plant is in the container, the faster its growth when planted. Since I’m trying to woo you into trying bamboo, I’ll only focus on the clumpers. The running bamboo we’ll save for another day. Baby steps. Clumpers have, in my opinion, the widest use in our gardens. They require no more space than your basic shrub. Clipped or unclipped into hedges, they will make a fine privacy screen. When grown singly, they display their wafting graceful form. Bamboo need frequent watering when first planted and a feeding of lawn fertilizer to get their growth started. Once established, bamboo will tolerate drought. Most clumpers can take freezing temperatures in the winter, but be sure to check the label when purchasing these bamboos. There are a few clumpers hardy only to 20 to 30 degrees which means you’d have to cover them on chilly winter nights. I’ve had wonderful results growing clumpers in large containers.

With our summer weather heating up, some may even say it’s muy sultry, let’s

Canna

continue the “Tropicalismo” theme and talk about other plants with sizzle. While bamboos have smallish leaves, some “trops” have big macho leaves. Plants like Banana, Rice Paper Plant, Gunnera, Canna, and even Fig have large leaves that will add interest to a tropically inspired garden. Perfumed Gardenias and Star Jasmine will transport you to a tiki hut on a tropical island. Hibiscuses, especially the hardy hibiscus hybrids, are among the showiest flowering plants in a summer garden. Part of the hibiscus family is Rose of Sharon, one of the sweetest plants I’ve ever grown. First spotted when visiting my sister Holly’s garden when she lived in Ohio, I couldn’t wait to plant a Rose of Sharon when I returned 86 Bakersfield Magazine

to Southern California. Not able to find it in any nursery, I ordered one from the catalog of the famous White Flower Farm in Connecticut. It grew very well and bloomed all summer. When I moved to Bakersfield in 1992, one of the first plants to go in my yard was another Rose of Sharon, also ordered by catalog. Today, these deciduous shrubs are more widely available in our local nurseries.

They’re easily trained to a single trunk to resemble a tree or allowed to grow into a bushy shape. They’ll reach 1012 feet tall, but it’s the flowers that will wow you. Depending on the variety, they look like a combination of hollyhocks and hibiscus, all girly ruffles. Choose among white, red, purple, blue, and pink colors. Rose of Sharon is easy to grow, prefers summer heat, and tolerates some drought. The Big Trick in pruning a Rose of Sharon for larger flowers is to cut back the summer season’s growth in the winter down to 2 buds. Who knew a tropical looking plant first seen in a Midwestern garden, ordered from an eastern nursery would thrive in a Bakersfield yard?

A few vines come to mind that will give an over-the-top “trop” feeling.

Naturally, there’s Bougainvillea. Superb against walls, fences, trellises, and arbors, you’d think all their thorns would help them attach to structures, but no, you must tie their stems to supports. The Passiflora or Passionflower vine is the poster child of what I think a tropical vine should look like. The flowers are so perfect, they don’t look real. The variety called P. Caerulea is extremely hardy and is semi-evergreen. The flower parts are said to symbolize elements of the passion of Christ. The crown of the Passionflower represents a halo or crown of thorns; the five stamens, the five wounds, and the ten petal-like segments stand in for the ten faithful apostles.

Lastly, for an evergreen tropical looking plant that produces no litter and can take splashing from the pool, you can’t beat Bird of Paradise. We Californians tend to take the “Birds” for granted, but

Bougainvillea is beautiful against trellises, fences,walls, and arbors.

©istockphoto.com/AskinTulayOver

Gardening with Mrs. P

this South African native punches all the buttons for a dramatic tropical look.

The flowers really do resemble the heads and beaks of crested tropical birds. The leaves are similar to banana leaves arranged fanwise on curving trunks. Birds of Paradise and their leaves make exceptional long-lasting cuttings for flower arrangements. Sure, the plants can’t take really cold winters but if planted near an overhang surrounded by stones or gravel to “catch” the heat, they’ll do ok.

I’m hearing the steel drums starting up and oh my, is that George Clooney bringing me a Blue Scorpion? Well, there’s no telling what a Tropicalismo garden will do for your social life. 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.

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.

©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MARTINH70

©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SHYMAN

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 / Summer 2012 87

QUICK BITES WITH LOCAL FLAVOR

delicious just got better When searching for something truly unique, we were quick to discover that no restaurant in town can compare to the incredible yet simple delicacies offered at Cafe Crepes.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better than the items featured on their daily menu, owner Andres Barragan far exceeded our already high expectations by divulging this crepe just for our readers to prepare and enjoy. The Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce Crepe uses choice ingredients that will turn any lunch or dinner into a true culinary experience. The mixture of seasoned beef, asparagus, creamy peppercorn sauce and, of course, the crepe that ties it all together is enough to tempt even the pickiest eater to have seconds. And we recommend that you do!

ake!

easy to m

pe Filet Mppigerncoonrn SaCre uce with Pe

Your favorite crepe batter on steaks Four 6 to 8 ounce filet mign k) thic h inc 1 ut (each abo pepper ck bla seasoned with salt and bee ned f broth 1 3/4 cups beef stock or can cup chopped shallots 2 tablespoons butter • 1/4 ipping cream 3 cloves of garlic • 1 cup wh ndy 2 tablespoons Cognac or bra ns cor 2 tablespoons pepper ooms 1 cup sliced Portobello mushr 1 lb of medium asparagus 88 Bakersfield Magazine

Prepare four crepes. Cook steaks to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.

Transfer steaks to plate (do not clean skillet). For sauce: Boil beef stock in small saucepan until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 7-8 minutes. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook undisturbed for about one minute, add garlic and shallots and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove from heat. Add reduced beef stock, 1 cup whipping cream, Cognac, and peppercorns. Boil until mixture thickens to sauce consistency, about 6-8 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over steak and serve. Drop asparagus in a large pan of lightly salted boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes, drain. Cool in bowl of ice water.

SERVING IT Slice steak to desired thickness (suggested 1/8”), and place on flat crepe. Add peppercorn sauce, and fold crepe (rectangular fold suggested). Top off with peppercorn sauce and asparagus. n

Cuisine: simple pleasures

WHAT’S COOKIN’

“Drunken Noodles”

with large shrimp

using your noodle

I first became acquainted with Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar last October about six months after it had opened.

Some friends told us about a winemaker dinner that was scheduled there, and asked if we’d like to join them.

oh man, was that a good decision.

By Mike Stepanovich I was intrigued because most new restaurants are still ironing out the meal colored walls. The booth seats are a bronze-colored fabric; lights kinks at that point in their young history, so hosting a winemaker dinner hang over the tables, with large, round red shades. The west wall is that soon after opening suggested that the ownership was both serious adorned with a series of coordinated paintings that are both colorful about and confident in what they were doing. and intriguing; Hansa said they were on loan from the Metro Gallery.

Plus, the winemaker dinner featured a favorite winery of ours, SageAs you might expect for a relatively new restaurant, the winemaker brush Annie’s in Ventucopa, about an hour or so west of Bakersfield in dinner menu put Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar’s best foot forward, featuring the Cuyama Valley. So we said, “Sure, let’s go.” a variety of creations, including fresh shrimp roll with sweet and spicy I’m glad we did! A Thai-themed restaurant, Chef’s Choice Noodle peanut sauce, spicy beef lettuce wrap, Satay chicken, a trio of Thai curBar is downtown at 19th and Eye streets, in a ries, and New York steak. It was all very good. building that longtime Bakersfield residents For a restaurant that was only a few months will recall was once home to Newberry’s, a old at the time, it was impressive. five-and-dime store that closed a few decades Since then, Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar has back. Since then it’s been a restaurant and a become a frequent stop for lunch and ocnightclub, and often just vacant. casionally for dinner. The restaurant recently The owners, Dr. Nick Hansa and his wife, celebrated its one-year anniversary, so we dePom, have gone to great lengths to create an cided to see how it’s progressed since our first inviting atmosphere. The décor is warm and atvisit. My sense from my lunch visits was >> tractive: medium brown acoustical tile ceiling Frozen coconut milk gives way to pumpkin-colored soffits and cornwith jackfruit

Cuisine: chef’s choice says it all

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 89

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90 Bakersfield Magazine

that subtle improvements continued to be made. So when my wife, Carol, and I visited recently, we anticipated a good experience.

That’s exactly what we got, starting with the service. We were greeted by a pleasant young woman, who escorted us to our table, or should I say booth. The restaurant has three rows of booths running parallel the length of the dining room (the banquet room has tables). That makes for an intimate dining experience. The booth-tables are neatly arranged with a stylish white square plate, white napkin and a fork, and a small vase with a flower.

Our waiter, Sean, was courteous and patient. He took the time to explain the different dishes and answer our questions. His pace was perfect: attentive, yet never

One nice thing about Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar is its affordability.

The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, so with a few exceptions, you dine for around 10 bucks. rushed. Once our dinner was served he waited an appropriate amount of time before checking with us, then left us to enjoy the meal.

Something I find especially appealing about Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar is its affordability. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, so with a few exceptions, you dine for around 10 bucks. Of course that doesn’t include added amenities, such as wine, dessert, or tip, but at these prices you can afford an appetizer, a glass of wine, or a dessert.

Another appealing feature is the restaurant’s hours. It’s open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Hansa told us that rather than close between, say, 2 and 5 p.m., it’s just as easy to stay open. And while no one would confuse those three hours with a Friday or Saturday night, he said he was surprised how many people come in during that time for either a late Calamari rings & crab rangoon lunch or an early dinner.

During my lunch forays to Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar I have become addicted to the Drunken Noodles ($9). They’re delicious—wide, flat rice noodles with egg, onions, julienned bell peppers, and Thai basil. For an extra $2 you can add either beef, pork, chicken, large shrimp, or tofu. I usually order it with pork. It comes with a rich, slightly sweet and spicy brown sauce that is addictive. Sean told us it the most popular dish on the menu.

I was determined to break my habit so I ordered the glass noodles ($8, plus $2 for the chicken), while Carol opted for the crab and shrimp miso salad ($12). We also chose a couple of appetizers: the fried calamari and the crab rangoon (both $4).

The appetizers were an indicator of things to come: simply splendid!

For those used to getting a large plate heaped with calamari rings and a dip at other restaurants (essentially an entrée Crab and shrimp on cabbage, with carrots, billed as an appetizer), avocado, edamame, and green onions what you get at Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar is a true appetizer—half a dozen wide calamari rings lightly coated in Thai-spiced batter with two dipping sauces: a sweet-and-sour sauce and a Thai chili sauce, a thick, sweet syrup infused with red chili powder. The calamari was so fresh out of the fryer that we had to let it cool before enjoying it. And enjoy it we did!

As we did the crab rangoon, a triangular shaped puff-pastry shell stuffed with a blue crab-cream cheese mixture, also accompanied by the Thai chili sauce. Delightful!

The glass noodles are translucent thin noodles (about the thickness of angel-hair pasta) made from bean sprouts. They were stirred together with carrots, cherry tomatoes, Napa cabbage, egg, onions, green onions, white pepper, and bean sprouts. Sean, our waiter, suggested I try it with the chicken. Together with the rich, brown sauce, it was divine. I loved it! I also took advantage of the spice rack: four small containers containing three choices of chili sauces and one of dried chili flakes.

Carol enjoyed her crab and shrimp on a bed of Napa and red cabbage, with carrots, avocado, edamame, and green onions (she asked Sean to hold the cilantro). Rather than the miso dressing, she asked for vinaigrette, which she enjoyed very much.

Our dessert was the surprise of the evening. We shared a bowl of “ice milk” with jackfruit, a tropical fruit indigenous to Southeast Asia. The “ice milk” was frozen coconut milk with strips of the green jackfruit. It was lightly sweet, totally refreshing, and a great way to end the evening.

A few days afterward, I returned for lunch with a friend from Los Angeles who’s become a fan of Bakersfield’s dining scene and was eager to try Chef’s Choice.

I chose the green curry, which was excellent. The dish is served on a rectangular plate with a bowl of the curry and your choice of white or brown rice. Spoon the curry over the rice and enjoy! The green curry is, according to the wait staff, the hottest of the restaurant’s curries. It’s pretty spicy, all right, but the heat is tempered by coconut milk, so the sensation is of heat and sweet rolled into one.

My friend, who’s not into spicy, enjoyed the ginger/garlic stir-fry with chicken, red and green julienned peppers, and mushrooms. She was delighted with the dish.

While Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar is principally Thai-themed, it has other Asian dishes as well—Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese. It’s become so popular, especially at lunch, that you should plan on arriving early or late to avoid a wait.

For reservations, call (661) 325-1234. Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar accepts most major credit cards. n

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www.hillcrest-ac.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 91

bottoms up!

wind in your sails

frugatti’s Year Established: 1990

quick facts

Address: 600 Coffee Road

When Bakersfield thinks fresh, authentic Italian food, Frugatti’s is always a top choice. What some may not realize is that the same place that serves up this incredible food also makes a drink that will blow you away!

The Frugatti’s Hurricane was introduced primarily as a featured

With the popularity the drink brought also came a higher

drink for their month-long Mardi Gras celebration. Set to take

demand—one that far surpassed the month timeframe. Sure,

place every February, certain dishes and drinks are available to

there are plenty of different beers (drafts, microbrews, domestics,

enhance the experience of the event, and almost all of them are

and imported) and a slew of wines to choose from, but Frugatti’s is

kept exclusive to that month.

also all about keeping up with the requests of customers.

This wild drink with its sweet, fruity flavor and subtle kick is so

Holding true to their pledge of authenticity—Fruguglietti

smooth and refreshing that customers started asking for it year-

learned how to make their menu items in Italy—this drink is

round, and owner Ralph Fruguglietti was happy to accommodate.

sure to whisk you off to a place where every day is Fat Tuesday!

“We started our Mardi Gras event years ago, and as far as drinks

Especially when you take into consideration that this is a full 24

go, nothing says Mardi Gras more than a hurricane.”

ounce drink.

Paradise isn’t far away, Bakersfield! You can brew your own little storm at home with this simple recipe, as Fruguglietti was willing to share the makings for a perfect hurricane with us. This is one cocktail that is sure to please everyone at your wet bar. n

Frugatti's

4 oz. Orange Juice • 4 oz. Pineapple Juice 1/2 oz. Grenadine • 1/2 oz. Bicardi 151 1 oz. Dark Rum • 1 oz. Light Rum Pour all ingredients into a 24 oz.hurricane glass and fill with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

drink: batten down the hatch!

92 Bakersfield Magazine

LIFE IS A CABERNET

y r t s i t r A in aGlass

h

tepanovic

By Mike S

kp toc ©is

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.co oto

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Craig Jaffurs sensed he was in trouble. His father-in-law was not pleased with him. Craig and his wife, Lee, were new parents, and Craig was planning to chuck his 17-year career as an aerospace cost analyst for the Defense Department to open a winery. A winery, for crying out loud! Had he lost his mind?

“Lee’s dad was not very happy,” Craig said with a sheepish grin.

syrah. “Syrah lit my fire,” he said. More specifically, perhaps, the

“He told me, ‘How can you walk away from a good job with benefits

wines of France’s Rhone River Valley—the northern Rhone—the

for something that risky?’”

Rhone of Tournon sur Rhone, Tain l’Hermitage and Crozes Hermit-

How do you tell your unhappy father-in-law that his daughter— your wife—was the one who inspired you to make the move? Lee

age, towns and villages that are synonymous with syrah. And of Condrieu, synonymous with viognier.

is an award-winning children’s book author with some two dozen

In 1994 he decided to make the plunge. With Lee as not only his

books to her credit. Her creativity was something Craig longed for

life partner but also his business partner, he launched Jaffurs Wine

in his own work.

Cellars. For three years it was his night-and-weekend job. But as his

And he had found an outlet for those pent-up creative juices when he first started dabbling in winemaking in 1989. Now here was something he could really get into! It had science and precision, something

knowledge and confidence grew, so did the desire to make Jaffurs Wine Cellars his full time work.

So he quit, cashed in a 17-year career as a cost analyst in 1997 and risked the wrath of his father-in-

that he knew from his work as a cost analyst. It also had artistry, creating

~Winemaking is Artistry~

something from scratch, taking grapes

It’s about creating something from scratch– taking grapes and converting them into something sublime and expressive.

and converting them into something sublime and expressive. And as the years passed, and he learned more and

law to pursue his dream.

Jaffurs Wine Cellars’ focus was Rhone wines, and Craig and Lee sought out the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County from which to source their

more, he knew this was going to be more than a hobby or a passing

grapes. When they were contemplating launching their winery, “we

fancy. It was a calling.

looked for property, but eventually decided no.” They would pur-

Not only that, Lee was supportive. She saw the excitement in his eyes and heard it in his voice. She recognized the feelings and excitement he was experiencing from what she experienced in her work.

But it wasn’t just any wine that ignited Craig’s passion. It was

chase their fruit from quality local growers, such as Stolpman, Bien Nacido, Thompson, Refugio, and others. >>

wine: a delicious analysis www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 93

Yes!

wine: a delicious analysis

We’ve Got The Best Prime Rib.

But we’re so much more than a

GREAT STEAKHOUSE

Craig made the wine, but then it was a question of what do we do now? “We had wines, but then we asked ourselves, ‘How are we going to sell this stuff?’ So we sent some samples to reviewers.”

One of the reviewers was impressed. “We got a nice review. The reviewer said, ‘Wow! Who are these guys?’ And so sales started.”

Now, 18 years later, Jaffurs Wine Cellars is firmly established as one of the best Rhone-varietal producers in the state, with annual production of about 4,000 cases.

In 2001 they found a commercially zoned property near downtown Santa Bar-

le ailab v A es icat

if

Cert Gift

bara, and built their winery there. When you visit the winery, it appears to be in a mixed neighborhood of commercial and residential properties. Back in the 1920s, Craig said, the neighborhood was a desirable one, with Craftsman houses and California bungalows. Today, some of those old homes still line the street.

The winery is purposely small—Craig and Lee express no desire to grow be-

Daily Lunch Specials

Happy Hour Mon - Fri 2 - 6pm

Come in Soon - Taste the Difference!

3580 Rosedale Hwy (Next to Costco) 328-0580

yond their current production—so they can maintain their level of craftsmanship.

And craftsmanship is paramount at Jaffurs Wine Cellars. No detail is too small, from the vineyard choices to clonal choices to yeast choices to fermentation practices, it’s all part of the Jaffurs’ effort to bring you the finest expression of Rhone varietals you can find.

The flagship wine is their Santa Barbara County syrah. It’s a blend from six different vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County. It also has three percent petite sirah for added complexity and two percent viognier for added finesse. Suggested retail is $27. One taste and I’m confident you’ll agree with me that it’s a bargain: it’s rich, forward, balanced, harmonious, and complex.

A key to this delicious wine is its clonal selection: five different syrah clones provide fruit for this wine, including the renowned Estrella clone. The Estrella clone was the first syrah commercially grown in California, and draws its name from the now defunct Estrella River Winery (now Meridian Vineyards), cofounded in Paso Robles by Gary Eberle and Cliff Giacobine. Eberle planted syrah budwood in 1975 that he got from UC Davis that was originally obtained from Maison M. Chapoutier’s plantings in the famed l’Hermitage appellation in the heart of the Rhone Valley.

“We don’t set out to make inexpensive syrah,” Craig said. “Our fruit comes from different vines with different [sun] exposure, a certain distance from the ocean. We also use cultured yeasts because we want to control the process as much as we can.”

Most of the wine is whole-cluster fermented, but a small percent is—get this—foot stomped. Yep, Lee and some of her girlfriends hop in a vat and crush the grapes by foot!

Jaffurs also has vineyard-designated syrahs from Bien Nacido Vineyard (Estrella clone), Larner Vineyard, Thompson Vineyard (Estrella clone), Verna’s Vineyard, and Ampelos Vineyard. Other red wines in the Jaffurs portfolio are mourvedre and petite sirah, both from Thompson Vineyard, located in Los Alamos Valley northwest of Los Olivos; and grenache, from three vineyard sources with three clonal selections.

94 Bakersfield Magazine

photo courtesy of Jaffurs Wine Cellers

(L-R) Craig Jaffurs, Shannon Yates, Matt Brady, Chris Bromell, and Dave Yates.

Lee wasn’t so sure about grenache. “I was afraid when he said he wanted to make grenache,” she said. “My experience was in college with grenache as a pink wine [Jaffurs’ is dark red]. Now I love it; it’s my favorite at Thanksgiving.”

“It’s an overlooked varietal,” Craig said. “Ours is a blend of four different clones from two different vineyards…Grenache differs widely, so you have big clusters and small clusters. We drop the yield way down, we limit the clusters per shoot.”

Craig also has two white wines: viognier and grenache blanc.

He and Lee weren’t sure whether to have a viognier. Lee questioned the wine’s marketability. “People don’t know how to pronounce it,” she said.

But “what tipped the balance for me is that I knew viognier from Condrieu [in France],” he said. “It’s one of the few wines that what you taste in the glass is also what you taste in the vineyard.”

That is how it usually works, anyhow. The first time he made some, “we tried it in the kitchen,” Lee said. “It was awful!”

But they also saw promise. “Viognier is harder to make,” Craig said. “It’s quirky, kind of like pinot noir.” He sources his grapes from two different vineyards: Bien Nacido near Santa Maria and Refugio near Santa Ynez. The cooler Bien Nacido gives the wine acid and minerality, while the warmer Refugio Vineyard gives it riper fruit flavors.

So the next time you’re near Santa Barbara, plan to visit Jaffurs Wine Cellars.

The neighborhood has a down-home feeling, you might see surf-boards amidst the barrels (Craig’s an avid surfer), and the wines, thanks to Craig’s attention to all manner of detail, simply taste great.

And Lee’s father? I have a feeling he’s pretty happy the way things turned out. 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. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 95

Casa Muñoz Mexican Food

The Dining Guide

In 1952, the Muñoz family started a legacy in Hispanic style family restaurants in Bakersfield, starting with Sinaloa and culminating in 1990 with the opening of Casa Muñoz. Our first priorities are cleanliness and great service with good food always being the tradition in our family. Whether you order a Margarita, or the Suizas, you can be assured that Casa Muñoz will bring 100% authentic quality to your table. Be sure to try our lunch specials. Enjoy! Happy Hour: 4-7pm $2.50 Margaritas. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Located at 1736 Union Ave. (661) 861-1625

Brookside Riverlakes Market & Deli

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

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

96 Bakersfield Magazine

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-9pm daily, Visa, MC, AE, DC, accepted. Two locations to serve you: 1531 23rd & Eye streets. (661) 322-6887 and 6401 Ming Avenue. (661) 831-9250

Café Med

Café Med is the place to go. Choose a selection from our vast menu and your taste buds will surely be satisfied. Come in and peruse our extensive wine list, now on iPads! For a wonderful and unique experience, join us the last Friday of every month for our wine tasting. It goes from 5:30-8pm and costs only $25, which covers featured wine and appetizers. 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

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

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

Anita’s Mexican Grill

We would like to welcome you to Anita’s Mexican Grill. Our kitchen staff is committed to carefully preparing each dish to your desires and our dining staff will provide you with friendly and quick service to make your dining experience as pleasant as possible. Anita has been serving the city of Bakersfield since 1978 and takes pride in being the first local chef to introduce you to Salvadorean cuisine, a mix of authentic Mexican dishes, and an extensive vegetarian menu. We greatly appreciate your continued patronage. Happy Hour Mon-Fri. Lunch buffet 11am2pm. Sunday brunch 9am-2pm. Open Sun-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-10pm. www.anitasgrill.com. (661) 328-0500

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 / Summer 2012 97

The Dining Guide

Narducci’s Cafe

A fixture in historic Old Town Kern since 1894, Narducci’s Cafe has some of the best food and drinks in town. Come in on Thursdays and try one of our hand-cut steaks on $10 Steak Night. Take in the friendly atmosphere while enjoying a Basque family-style dinner. Plan your next large party here for a memorable family gathering. Have a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa with breakfast, or try a Moscow Mule in the traditional copper cup. For dinner, the lamb chops and pickled tongue are a local favorite. On a weekend night, you might catch Jimmy Narducci on his sax.

Breakfast and lunch served 9am-2:30pm Mon-Sat, dinner served Mon-Tues 5:30pm-9pm, Thu-Sat 5:30pm-10pm. Food served all day on Sun 9am-8pm.

Bar open all day. 622 East 21st Street. (661) 324-2961

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, hummos, 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

Noriega Hotel

The Dining Guide

Since 1893, Noriega Hotel has been bringing some of the best in Basque to Bakersfield. Awarded the James Beard Award in the American Classics category in 2011, this family tradition serves exceptional meals to not only the Basque community, but to the public, as well. Open Tues-Sun. Breakfast is served 7-9am for $10; Lunch is served family style at 12pm for $15 with children $1 per year of age, up to 8 years; dinner, family style at 7pm for $20 with children $1 per year of age, up to 12 years. Reservations are recommended. 525 Sumner Street. www.noriegahotel.com. (661) 322-8419

Sinaloa Mexican Restaurant

Serving traditional Mexican cuisine to Bakersfield residents since 1948. Perfectly situated downtown, just west of Mill Creek Park. Open Tue-Thu 11:15am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11:15am-9pm, and Sunday 11:15am-8pm. Closed on Mondays. Sinaloa is located at 910 20th Street. (661) 327-5231

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

Milt’s Coffee Shop

We’re celebrating our 48th 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

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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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 sizzlin’ fajitas, which you can order with lobster, shrimp, steak, or chicken and the San Francisco Bay Enchiladas: shrimp sauteed in tomatillo and cilantro sauce stuffed in two flour tortillas, 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 ($4 reg all day) and Happy Hour is 4-7pm. Open 10:30am-9:30pm Sun-Thu; 10:30am-10pm Fri & Sat. Located at 4215 Rosedale Hwy, just west of Hwy 99. (661) 633-1948

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

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

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The Dining Guide

Benji’s French Basque

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

The Aviator Casino Bar & Grill

Come into The Aviator Casino Bar & Grill in Delano, where you always arrive to great food and top notch service. We feature upscale American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our Wednesday night special is a 16 oz. sirloin steak for $16.99.

Check out our website for monthly restaurant specials. The Aviator Casino: Where fun takes flight! Open seven days a week, from 7-12am. Happy Hour is served all day. From the 99 Freeway, exit 54 Woollomes Avenue. 1225 Airport Drive www.theaviatorcasino.com (661) 721-7770

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museum relied heavily, had stopped.

While this would seem like a tragic affair to any nonprofit, especially one that is so sacred to our community, the museum has taken the opportunity to create something positive out of their circumstances. They are breathing new life into already established events while creating new ones, bringing in exciting exhibits, and they even have

plans to revamp areas to give this historical site a look more befitting of its importance.

The big changes didn’t come just due to the need for funding. The man behind the movement is Randall Hayes, the new executive director for the Kern County Museum, and he is putting the fun back in fundraising.

Administrative supervisor, Sara Bazan, said, “When we were looking for someone to fill his position, we did a nation-wide search. Randall ended up getting picked, and we are very glad to have him on board. He knows how to run a museum, and he knows exactly how to get things done.”

What does the museum want to get done and how will it affect the over-

all experience of visiting the grounds?

It all, of course, goes back to “causes for the community that will help to preserve local history and to educate children,” according to Bazan. It may sound like your typical day at the museum, but Bazan and Hayes assure us that it will be anything but, and that patrons of all ages are sure to enjoy what they have to offer. (Due to recently expanded hours, people will have more time to take in the new features, as well.)

The look of the front of the museum is going to be one of the many changes.

The chain link fence at the entrance will be history, and with the construction of a new ticket booth in front by the clock tower, so will having to go through the gift shop to enter the grounds.

The Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center is also receiving an upgrade.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition has been removed and the area is currently under construction. In its place will be a room with “a map that will floor you,” which is a map of the U.S.that will be on the floor with unnamed states so kids will have to identify the states as well as be quizzed on distances, as the map will have footprints of varying sizes used as measuring guides.

There will also be a science experiment dealing with light in its different forms, as is seen in colored and frozen shadows. If that doesn’t make your hair stand on end with anticipation, then the new Van de Graaff generator will! >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 101

community partners

over the entire building. Eventually, the Chamber of Commerce had to relocate while the organization continued to acquire more bits and pieces of our county’s history.

Currently, the museum features over 55 historical buildings and exhibits in Pioneer Village, the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center, an exhibit on the Bakersfield Sound, and the $4.5 million Black Gold: The Oil Experience.

Recently, funding upon which the

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Local Legacy The museum features over 55 historical buildings and exhibits in Pioneer Village, the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center, the Bakersfield Sound, and Black Gold: The Oil Experience.

THE HOWELL HOUSE: In 1891, William Howell hired a local carpenter to construct this Queen Anne style Victorian home.

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When Kern County residents think of honoring local history and the preservation thereof, one of the most obvious institutions that comes to mind is the Kern County Museum. Established in 1941, the museum had a mission that was very significant: to “collect, preserve, research, and present the history and culture of Kern County for the education and enjoyment of the public.”

The call for local historical artifacts began in 1929, when a letter from the Bakersfield Lion’s Club was printed in the newspaper appealing to the citizens of Kern County for donations.

The turnout was much bigger than they had anticipated, as countless families stepped forward to begin a legacy.

It wasn’t until 1945 that the museum officially opened its humble doors— located in the basement corner of the Chamber of Commerce building. Before too long, the museum experienced a steady growth which led to it taking

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Director of education and volunteer services, Jackie Brouillette, dished out the details, “We are going to revamp the reading room and put Gus the Buffalo [the stuffed buffalo head previously in another area of the center] in there by a sign that reads ‘Don’t be a Gloomy Gus—read to be happy.’

We are creating a spot where kids can mix science with geography. We can’t fully educate in the short period of time the children are here; our job is ‘pre-learning,’ which means we are trying to get kids excited about learning more about what they see here.”

For the adults, they are trying to make the grounds more accessible for company meetings and private gatherings. A

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FLOUR COST HOW MUCH? The general store is a throwback to simpler times.

new website is also currently being developed where museum merchandise can be purchased. To keep things fresh and interesting, they want to bring in 10 to 15 exhibits every year, all of which would be certain to pique the curiosity of locals. They aim to have one major event every month (like their Swing Time Under the Stars events, which will feature live music and swing dancing) while revamping their annual events.

The next such event that will be far improved than the previous years is their 26th Annual Winefest. Taking place in the evening of June 30th, Hayes’ vision for this year’s Winefest is to produce more of an “Ah” effect from attendees. Being

Check it out: Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center is undergoing exciting new changes.

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the largest wine festival in Kern County, and expecting to bring in around 1,000 wine and food lovers, this is a crucial element.

“We are going to have a brand new setup and different lighting,” Bazan shared.

“This is our biggest fundraiser that we host, and we want to take it to a whole new level. We are looking to better cater to the people that come, and hope that the changes appeal to the masses.”

There will be 15 wineries and 20 local restaurants present to provide a variety of wines and delicious food, and the numbers of those participating are still climbing. At least two bands will be playing at different times throughout the evening. There will be both a live and a silent auction, drawings, and games, making this elegant fundraiser one to be remembered.

The time the actual event begins depends on whether or not you decide

“Life is a mystery to be enjoyed, not a puzzle to be solved. We want people to be able to come here and laugh and have fun.”

—Randall Hayes

to go VIP. The VIP tickets will not only get you in to the event before general admission, but it also comes with VIP parking and special seating. One of the most interesting elements, however, is that there will be a “surprise” at the end of the night, something that Bazan assured “people won’t expect.”

Tickets for this event are available at the museum You can either contact the gift shop at (661) 868-8401 or call Bazan at (661) 868-8414. Dress is business casual and this is sure to be the best Winefest in all of the years that it has been occurring!

Aside from bringing culture and history to the community, Hayes emphasizes that the Kern County Museum is also seeking to bring fun to the facility. “We’re getting too serious in daily life,” said Hayes. “Life is a mystery to be enjoyed, not a puzzle to be solved.

We want people to be able to come here and laugh and have fun.” The plans that are coming to fruition under his guidance are assuring that visitors will be able to do both. n

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE HANGOUT: Bakersfield Jam players Jeremy Wise & Adrian Thomas provide instruction and inspiration.

The Bakersfield Jam players are known for being stellar while on the court, but they are also star examples of community service off the court, as well. The Bakersfield Jam Education Foundation was established in 2009 as a means to help the children of Oildale—a severely underserved population of our community. Since then, it has not only won the highest educational award in Kern County, the Golden Apple Award, but has also made a very positive impact on the children who are participating in the ever-growing programs that the foundation helps to provide.

“We wanted to do an after school program, but we couldn’t due to liability reasons,” said Jam co-owner, David Higdon.

“Larry Rider, the former Kern County Superintendent of Education, was able to introduce us to the Superintendent for the Standard School District, Dr. Kevin Silberberg, who showed us the extreme needs of the children here in Oildale.”

And the need was dire, indeed. According to research statistics provided by Dr. Silberberg, 80 children out of 1,000 are subjected to abuse in Oildale, which is almost seven times the state average. They have a much higher exposure to drug use, as Oildale has the highest number of drug related incidences in all of unincorporated Kern County. Additionally, 44.4 percent of the community is unemployed, which is a stark contrast to the 14.5 percent in Kern County, overall.

With odds like that stacked up against them, the Jam and the Standard School District have a lot of work to do. Said Silberberg, “We approached the Jam with a concept termed ‘Third Place’. This refers to the fact that children in our area have home and school, but they don’t typically have any other place to gather; no third place.

There is no Marketplace or similar safe place for them. We want to help to create well-rounded, responsible individuals, and the idea we had to provide a third place for them would help in achieving that end.”

Every Neighborhood Partnership program, Saturday Sports, provides a spot where children have fun and learn about values.

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NONPROFIT

SPOTLIGHT Bakersfield Jam Education Foundation

Through the help of an organization called Every Neighborhood Partnership (a partnering group that helped connect the Jam and Standard School District with church volunteers in the community), Saturday Sports, the hallmark program thus far, was developed to provide just the right spot where these children could have fun while values and dignity are instilled within them. Twice a month during the school year, the children go to Standard Middle School to engage not only in a myriad of sports, but also in arts, crafts, and “character talks” where they listen to stories from the Bible which illustrate generosity, kindness, forgiveness, and hard work. Lunch is provided and both the kids and their parents help in set up and clean up.

Doug Sala heads the ENP division locally that handles the Saturday Sports program, and he has seen the positive impact that it has had on the lives of the kids who attend. He has even seen a spike in attendance from parents, as well. Being active in every event, he knows how far reaching their efforts are. “At first, the kids would run off and skip helping in cleaning. Now, it’s the opposite. There’s a much greater level of involvement and cooperation.

They’re behaving better at school, too.”

Bakersfield Jam players have gone out to speak with the kids during Saturday Sports, and they have also played with them and helped to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to needy families in Oildale.

The Jam has provided shoes, shirts, sports equipment, and other necessary items to keep the program going strong, and to help the children thrive in the face of difficult circumstances. More can be done, however, and they’re looking to expand their efforts all for the sake of creating a safer, happier space for these children.

“Dr. Silberberg is doing a lot for the kids,” Sala said, optimistically. “There is a lot more to be done, and it will take time, but we have a strong foothold on it.” With fervor coming from everyone involved in the program—from the Jam to the children—they aren’t far off.

If you want information on how to get involved in this program, visit the Jam website at www.bakersfieldjam.com. n

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Bakersfield knows how to clean up their act, and participants in the Greater Bakersfield Green Expo are living proof. As part of the Great American CleanUp, the Green Expo boasted vendors of sustainable, eco-friendly products and services. Artwork made by local students out of recycled materials was on display, making the message clear that being green is the way to go.

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Lisa McIntosh & Kim Albers

Global Family

Global Family held its Annual Fundraiser to Stop Human Trafficking at the Petroleum Club, and locals who are passionate about human rights came out to contribute to the cause. With funds benefitting the Daughter Project, this formal affair included dinner, auctions, and booths with products ranging from henna tattoos to purses and jewelry, handmade from girls who had been saved.

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Clark Jensen

Vincent Bernerd

Cathy Bennett

Tiffany Collins & Micaela Barraza

Elaine Gonzalez & Amber Logsdom

Sonya Llanas & Christina Ochoa

Maricela Ramirez & Alicia Velasquez

Bree Dedmon & Jennifer Jackson

Mayra Martinez & Yuliana Leyva

Womens Business Conference

Elizabeth Gomez & Brenadette Candelaria

Alli Fountain & Kelly Kimmel

It seems like more women get together for this great event that gets bigger and better every year. Those who attended the Bakersfield Women’s Conference were able to shop and check out items from local vendors, as well as attend classes on varying topics. Afterward, everyone enjoyed lunch and had the opportunity to be entertained by keynote speaker, Tyra Banks.

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Kathleen Campbell, Wynda Garrison, & Maryalice Dulan

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St. Jude Dream Home

2000 18th Street • Bakersfield

A few lucky people got the chance to be the first to have a sneak peek of this beautiful home for the tenth annual St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway.

Guests toured the four bedroom, three bath 2,850 square foot home in northwest Bakersfield, valued at $400,000. Proceeds of the drawing will go to help the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Jamie Doniaz & Melissa Lintag

Evelyn Jackson & Betty King

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Haley & Paul Patton

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Ali Bakoo & Veronica Curiel

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Chaka Stokes & Anisha Elam

Sheryl Sikola

Cindi Brannon

Lauren Davis & Susan Hidalgo

Reginaldo Castro & Jeremiah Heitman

Charlotte Stokes & Jaime Patino

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Omar Rincon

Judith Paz

Toni Draeger, Sarah Anderson, Sherrie Anderson, & Hailey Smith

BARC Celebrity Waiters Luncheon

Ladanya Smith & Damaris Gutierrez

BARC’s 4th annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon was the place to be for a delightful afternoon. Those who attended the affair were showered in gifts by local celebrity “waiters” and entertained by a fashion show featuring the newest local trends.

Guests also had the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. Proceeds from this event help support BARC as they continue on a mission for Giving People Purpose.

Megan Long & Jennifer Hartman

Some of the wonderful raffle prizes given away at this year’s luncheon

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2012 113

Kern river wier c.1890

N

We Need More Old Photos!

Have an old photo with back story from Bakersfield’s past?

We want your suggestions for future Bakersfield’s Sounds.

Submit any ideas to editorial@ bakersfieldmagazine.net. If we use your submission, we’ll give you a $50 gift card to a fabulous local restaurant.

N

uring the late 1800’s in our lovely county, the Kern River was the place to be when the summers became too hot to bear. Not only was it a cool spot for swimming (clothing optional), but it was a mecca for fishing—a tradition that is still upheld today. However, the river wasn’t always stocked with enough fish to draw countless fisherman to its banks.

It all began in 1875, when a group that dubbed themselves the Bakersfield Piscatorial Club came together to bring in new fish to unleash into the beautiful waters that coursed through the land. Comprised of Dr. A.C. Bratton as president, A.H. Davies as secretary, and treasurer A. Coons, the trio corresponded with state fish commissioner, simply referred to as Mr. Redding. They left no ground uncovered, discussing not just what type of fish they wanted to swim through the river, but also how they wanted them to propagate. It was decided that the blue catfish was the way to go, and that they would be full grown males and females who would mate naturally, as opposed to planting the eggs into the waters, counting on incubation to do the rest.

That was in September, and in early October of the same year, the fish made their grand arrival. One Dr. Dimock traveled up north to pick up the catfish of the simelodus eattus variety from the commissioner. The fish, deemed “noble” by the experts—and delicious, at that—cost the locals nothing. In fact, the only thing that had to be paid for was the transportation of Dr. Dimock and the 17 fish he brought home with him from the lakes which surrounded Sacramento. (This was a fairly short trek, considering that they were brought to Sacramento from the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania.) The fish were placed into a slough so that they could grow full size and until they could multiply naturally. Then, it was on to releasing them into the mighty Kern as soon as they could fend for themselves, fishermen notwithstanding.

And so began a legacy of fishing and increased enjoyment of what our county’s river had to offer locals and tourists, alike. Since then, other varieties have been successfully introduced and thoroughly loved by fisherfolk. As for swimming, it is still a popular pastime for many locals. However, now it is done safely in swimming pools, and clothing is no longer an option!

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

114 Bakersfield Magazine

Photo courtesy of Chris Brewer

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