Bakersfield Magagzine • 30-1 • Generations

Movers, Shakers & Scoundrels They All Made a Difference VOL. 30 NO. 1

Your Sweet Tooth Will Sing Yummy Quick Bites Recipe

Rockets, Lions & Jazz...Really!

Kern County Insiders Guide

YOUR CITY. YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE.

www.BakersfieldMagazine.net

History 1880s Fourth of July parade as it traveled down 19th Street at the corner of Chester Avenue in front of the Southern Hotel.

spring 2013

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Contents

D E PA R T M E N T S Grab your party hat, it’s time to celebrate Letter from the Editor.............15 Who’s behind the stuff you’re readin’?

Featured Voices......................16

Stately Petit House in Heritage Square.

Explore the wonders of this coastal gem

Great Getaways

Happy Hour 11am-7pm Daily Hand-crafted Signature Cocktails Local stories that are short and sweet

Kern Facts

19

It’s time to flaunt those bright colors The Bakersfield Look...............33 Her tiny pigtails draw national attention Citizen Kern......................35

71

From junk to treasure: a re-purposed yard!

Home & Garden......................75 Now’s the time to plant summer blooms Gardening with Mrs. P............77 A surprising drink with “absolut” class Bottoms Up...........................81 There’s always cause for a slice of cake Quick Bites............................82

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the exotic

Bakersfield Marriott When only the best will do!

661-565-9319 801 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA bakersfieldmarriott.com 8 Bakersfield Magazine

Turning an art form into a blooming business

Kern Risktakers

37

The dos and the don’ts of work parties Human Resources..................40

entertaining the Bakersfield Way

83

Savory steaks are the norm at this place What’s Cookin’.......................85 Mysterious bones beneath Bakersfield High Bakersfield’s Sound..............114

Introducing

Up to THE ALL NEW 40 MPG

2014 MAZDA 6

THE ALL NEW 2013 MAZDA CX5 BEST HIGHWAY MPG OF ANY SUV IN Up to AMERICA - INCLUDING HYBRIDS* 32 MPG

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 9

FIELD MAG RS

SPRING 201 3

Contents

UN

TN

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BAKE

INE AZ

COM M

v

IT Y PA

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f eat u res

Fantastic local finds that caught our eyes Stuff We Like....................22

3RD Annual

KERN COUNTY Generations Remarkable men forged an incredible town

Converging spirits

47

All the things you never knew about Kern

insiders guide

41 Six feet under and still kicking up dust

movers, shakers, & Scoundrels

51

% Generations Profile Listing %

Experience something delicious tonight!

Discovering Local Flavors

92

Local women promoting local causes Nonprofit Spotlight................99 A home for one family–a cure for another For the Children.....................101 10 Bakersfield Magazine

Tejon Ranch.................................56 Luigi’s...................................58 Kern County Builders’ Exchange.......60 Wall’s Hearing Aid Center, Inc..........61 Price Environmental Services..........62 Kern Radiology............................63 Bill Wright Toyota.......................64 Golden Empire Transit...................65 California Keyboards Music Center....66 Carney’s Business Technology Center...67 Valley Institute of Prosthetics & Orthotics..68 Bakersfield Magazine......................69 Total Woman Fitness Centers.............70

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS

ONE MINUTE BUSINESS BRIEF Curriculum Vitae.................36

home & Garden resources

Home & Garden.................75

The Dining Guide The Dining Guide...............88

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

MEDICAL PROFILES Medical Profiles.................97

community partners Community Partners.......98

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

661-852-0493

MOVING Soon!

Like Us on Facebook & follow our move!

New Location in SW Bakersfield Facebook.com/caminoed 4501 Stine Road

everafters...

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

The Mon-Sat • 10am-10pm • Bar Open Late

We hope you enjoy our family favorites from my mother’s kitchen to our unique culinary creations. Expand your taste buds, close your eyes and capture the essence of Camino Real.

Visit us online at: www.Caminoed.com 12 Bakersfield Magazine

Issue plus

Medical Specialties g in m e Co Jun 13 20

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 13

remembering

Donna Louise Corum founder . visionary . friend

Vol. 30 No. 1

Spring 2013

Publisher Les Corum Executive Editor Mike Corum Assistant Editor Anika Henrikson Garden Editor Lynn Pitts Wine & Food Editor Mike Stepanovich Creative Director Chuck Barnes Graphic Artist Laura Turner Systems/Production Ryan Turner Sales & Marketing Lisa Corum Erica Lindquist Lisa Villegas Wilson Photography/Editorial Assistant Isabel Alvarez Photography/Parties Tara Ralston Staff Writer Maryann Kopp Contributing Writers Tracie Grimes, David Nigel Lloyd Gordon Lull, Donna McCrohan Rosenthal Robin Paggi, Shelby Parker, Yana Todorova Accounting/Human Resources Melissa Galvan Distribution/Circulation Brigit Ayers Cover Photo Courtesy of Chris Brewer Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. 1601 New Stine Road, Suite 200 Bakersfield, CA 93309 Office (661) 834-4126 Fax (661) 834-5495 marketing@bakersfieldmagazine.net www.bakersfieldmagazine.net Bakersfield Magazine is published bi-monthly by Bakersfield Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. ŠCopyright 2013 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

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Anniversary

Insiders Guide The 2012 countrywide Mensa Culture Quest champs (the high IQ guys and gals) is comprised of Kern County residents.

Page 41

Movers, Shakers, & Scoundrels That Union Cemetery was the final resting place for many of Bakersfield's early pioneers.

Page 51

Flavors of Kern The difference between a Yanagi, a Deba, and a Usaba and what they're used for.

Page 92

WOW! The Big 3-0...30 years...1,560 weeks...10,950 days...262,800 hours...15,768,000 minutes—and we've loved every second of it. Well maybe not every second, but you get the idea...

Back in 1983, no one could have imagined what was born as a “project” to feature some of the finer merchants in town would evolve into becoming Bakersfield's City Magazine, featuring the best of life and business in Bakersfield and Kern County.

For the past 30 years, true to our founder (and my mom) Donna's passion for our city, the magazine has always strived to present the positive; shining a spotlight on the people, places, and things that make our city great.

“The media already focuses enough on the doom and gloom,” Donna would say, and she proved that no matter what was happening in the world, all we had to do was look around us to find the joy in living in this community.

The magazine is consistent proof that despite negative national surveys or the latest late-night monologues, we live and work in a very special place.

And not by coincidence, this is also our third annual Generations Issue (pg. 45) where we again explore the names that built our city. We are also pleased to once again present our Generations profiles (pg. 56), showcasing more of the local, long-standing, and family-owned businesses in our area also celebrating anniversaries.

We have all of our regular features from Gardening with Mrs. P (pg. 77) to our newly expanded Food Section (pg. 79).

I'm truly lucky to have this opportunity to help carry on Donna's vision and want to thank all our readers, our advertisers, and our very dedicated staff, from the bottom of my heart. If it wasn’t for all of you, I might just have to get a real job. Bakersfield is our secret, but we're more than happy to share. Enjoy!

Mike Corum comments@BakersfieldMagazine.net

Best made plans...To commemorate our 30th year, we included a Generations profile on Bakersfield Magazine (pg. 69), but in all of the excitement to get the issue off to press, we forgot to identify the staff in the caption, so I'd a f j like to use this space to put names with faces. m k h (a) Chuck Barnes (b) Isabel Alvarez (c) Laura Turner c d l e (d) Brigit Ayers (e) Melissa Galvan (f) Erica Lindquist g i b (g) Lisa Wilson (h) Ryan Turner (i) Maryann Kopp (j) Mike Corum (k) Lisa Corum (l) Les Corum (m) Anika Henrikson

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*Featured Voices

Donna McCrohan Rosenthal Donna, a journalist and columnist who writes for newspapers in California as well as Bakersfield Magazine, has authored over a dozen books that have preserved popular culture and oral history.

She has appeared on A&E Biography and Oprah, and her speaking engagements have included the Smithsonian Institution.

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Insiders Guide Page 41 Favorite fact discovered while writing Insiders Guide: The story behind the Maturango Mountain Lion in Ridgecrest reads like an epic saga, beginning with the poor animal being killed on the road to years in the freezer awaiting legislation to a unanimous vote that made national news.

The most interesting person you’ve met: I’m privileged to know Dr. Charles Wiseman of Los Angeles, a brilliant oncologist whose vaccine therapy has shown remarkable results against several cancers. There’s something absolutely heroic about the commitment and sacrifice required to pursue medical research today.

Shelby Parker At 21, Shelby is a lover of writing, traveling, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. She recently received her AA in communications/liberal arts from Taft College, and is transferring to CSUB in the fall to get her Bachelor’s.

CSUB Brains Page 29 What is your favorite book?

I really love anything

by Nicholas Sparks, because I love his messages of love and faith, and the simple way of living in his North Carolina settings.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a co-anchor on E! News or to have my own editorial column in a magazine someday!

What do you love about writing?

Anything is possible.

It’s fun for me to have an idea in my mind or to have experienced something in my personal life, and to capture the feelings and memories on paper. It makes my daydreams come alive. I’m not always the most outspoken person, but I can say everything I need to when I write.

Gordon Lull “He was a quiet man.

He seemed nice.

You read about these things but you never think they’ll happen in our neighborhood...”

Converging Spirits Page 47 What are your favorite types of stories to write?

Homicide. It’s as old as Eden and usually revelatory.

Best advice you’ve ever received: “Don’t immanentize the Eschaton.”

- Eric Voegelin Favorite book, movie, and song: Book: Love in the Ruins by Walker Percy; Movie: Braveheart; Song: “The Girl from Ipanema.”

What is the coolest fact in Kern County history?

What everyone else who studies it knew long before I, which is that the Last Outlaw, Jim McKinney, killed two Kern County lawmen in cold blood, that the son of one of those victims became a world famous opera star, and that a young boy who was to later become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Earl Warren, witnessed the aftermath of the Joss House shooting.

Anika Henrikson A native of Idaho, and longtime Oregon resident, Anika never thought she’d grow to enjoy a city in California as much as she enjoys Bakersfield. When she’s not on the clock for Bakersfield Magazine, she can be found reading, writing romance novels under an asof-yet undetermined alias, and boycotting the recent Hipster Movement.

Movers, Shakers, & Scoundrels Page 51 What’s something important you’ve learned at the magazine?

Always deliver bad news to Mike with a packet of Peeps in your hand.

Favorite word and least favorite word: “Quirky” and “cupcakes.” But I’m not saying which is which.

Your favorite interview: One of my favorites in recent history was with local artist Beverly Carrick. That woman has so much sass that it’s easy to get inspired by her tenacious personality.

She still picks up a paint brush every day because she’s doing what she loves.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 17

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18 Bakersfield Magazine

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Kern Facts

People • Places • Events

HIS

& Hers

With her busy days as the managing partner of Outback Steakhouse and his early-morning gig as anchor and reporter for KERO’s Good Morning Kern County, this couple’s schedule is crazy—but they always make time for family.

Be honest—what was the first thing you thought when you met your future spouse for the first time?

Lori: I thought he was funny and a lot of fun, but we met in a bar and everyone seems funny after a few drinks. You don’t marry people you meet in a bar.

At least that’s what I thought then…

Mike: I knew my wife’s brother for a full year before I knew he had a sister.

We were out at Al Polowski’s and he told me he wanted to introduce me to his sister, and I said no at first, then saw who he was pointing at and said, “Yes, introduce me.”

What is the funniest thing that happened while you two were dating?

Lori: The first time I met Mike’s grandfather. He was sick at the time, and he whispered in my ear that I had his blessing to marry his grandson.

Mike: I introduced Lori to my mom’s dad after we had been dating a while.

He was sick at the time and was staying in a senior care center. He took her by the hand and said, “You have my permission to marry my grandson.” I looked at him and he started laughing.

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

Lori: Staying up all night, after working a full shift, and driving our family (including kids, my parents, two horses, and one dog) to the U.S. National Arabian Horse Championships in Al-

buquerque, NM, through a nasty lightning storm and pouring rain. He drove the whole way, a total of 16 hours.

Mike: I was shopping for a Mustang convertible several years ago. As the son of a car dealer, I had a specific year and amount I was looking for and wanted to spend. We found one, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted, and Lori couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t just get it. So she got it and surprised me on Christmas. Needless to say, she was right!

What is your spouse’s biggest phobia?

Lori: Putting down the remote!

Mike: The spotlight, she can’t stand it! Also singing—she has never sung “Happy Birthday” to me!

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

Lori: He is, of course!

Mike: I do, because I always am.

What is your spouse most passionate about?

Lori: Spending time as a family despite our completely opposite schedules. Mike grew up in a family that moved every two to three years, and his father worked extremely long hours, so he cherishes family time.

Mike: Spare time, because we don’t get much of it. She loves to show Arabian horses and we go to several shows every year.

in step with:

Mike & Lori Hart What’s your favorite thing to do in Bakersfield?

Lori: We enjoy venturing out to other local restaurants to experience different and new tastes.

Mike: Announcing for the Bakersfield Condors! It’s a blast! I love connecting with the crowd and getting people into the game. I look at it this way, I’m there to inform, entertain, and cheerlead, and if the fans leave the building, win or lose, and want to come back, I’ve done my job.

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

Lori: He falls asleep with the TV on, remote in his hand, his glasses on and iPad on his chest. My favorite thing is his support for our family, my career, and passion with horses.

Mike: She’s very “specific” when it comes to ordering food, while I’m more of the “give me the No. 4” kind of guy. Favorite thing? There’s not enough room on the page…from her smile, to her generosity to others, she’s amazing!

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 19

Kern Facts Winning is Sweet

A

h, the glory that comes with winning! Many of our readers are well aware of that feeling, and we love making it possible. Nearly every week, we are giving out tickets to swanky events and items like gift certificates to restaurants and fun local shops. We love showing our winners off almost as much as we love awarding them! This could be you; all you have to do is be on the look out for our contests and be sure to enter!

Stuff We Like Shimmer Mary Ann Reed Mt. Vernon Florist Monica Bonilla Sugardaddy’s Candace Freeman Premier Soccer Plus Daniel Volpini A-List Winner El Portal Jana Barton

Candace Freeman

Go Red Gift Basket Winner Gloria Escovar

Pop Quiz Winner Russo’s Books Frank J. Domingo Society for Disabled Children’s Easter Basket Eggstravaganza Tickets Rosanne Gephart Janet Becker Elizabeth Lehr

?

DidYou Know

I

t was way back in 1834 that Joseph R. Walker, a mountain man and scout, first traversed the Southern Sierra as part of the Bonneville Expedition.

Little is known about Walker’s life, but he is forever immortalized thanks to Walker’s Pass, named by explorer John C. Fremont after he used the pass and suggested Walker be its namesake.

20 Bakersfield Magazine

PHOTO BY MATTHEW BRADY

Jana Barton

In & Around B•Town

Let’s Eat!

A

L i st e x tra

W

ho’s in the mood for something scrumptious?

How about something free? That’s exactly what you’ll get if you win our A-List Contest! We’re giving away a $100 gift card to Café Med to the lucky winner. That’s correct— amazing Mediterranean food is at your fingertips.

All you have to do is look for your name in the randomly compiled list below. If you spot it, email us at alist@bakersfieldmagazine.net!

All entries received by April 26 will be part of a random drawing for the gift card! If you’re not on our A-List, visit bakersfieldmagazine.net and sign up—for free!

Connie Guerrero Sonia Alvarez Tony Moreno Carl Elliott

Ronald Cortez Amanda Eastep Betty Shelton Marshell Freeborn

Matt Ornelaz Peter Decker Mimi Perez Audrey Polanco

*contest eligibility for A-List members who have not won in the last three months

Houston, we have a problem. ell, not really a problem, per se, but maybe some confusion. And paperwork.

But a little bit of confusion is a small price to pay to honor a man that’s been a household name since 1969 and who contributed to Kern County’s involvement in NASA’s space program.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy) that would redesignate the NASA aeronautics facility we know as Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base to Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center. A year after graduating with his B.A. from Purdue in 1955, Armstrong found himself at Edwards working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ High Speed Flight Station. As a trained test pilot, he was involved in over 50 types of experimental aircraft test flights, logging over 2,400 hours of air time.

Armstrong achieved speeds of

Mach 5.74 (4,000 m.p.h.) and altitudes of 207,500 feet while working at Edwards! And it’s also been alluded that other “nonengineering” pilots like Chuck Yeager and Pete Knight criticized his flying technique.

So it makes perfect sense that the House would pass the measure 404-0. All that’s left is to wait for the Senate to act and approve the name change…then the folks at Edwards can get to the fun part: replacing all that letterhead. photo courtesy of NASA

Sources: SpaceFlightNow.com

W

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Kern Facts

stuff we like

Become B-Town Famous!

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

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

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Brazilian Blowout, $150 Hair Design by Brandy Merritt (661) 496-8426

Hobo Accessories, $298 (bag) $128 (wallet) Apricot Lane Boutique 9000 Ming Ave. (661) 665-8774 22 Bakersfield Magazine

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People • Places • Events

POP QUIZ

Mon-Fri 10am-9pm Sat-Sun 10am-7pm

t t’s time to pu ing ink th r u o on y t to test cap—we’re abou of our fair city. your knowledge Pop Quiz time.

That’s right! It’s of a random We take a photo sfield and ask location in Baker hat we you to identify w d where it is. photographed an rrect answer to If you send the co net rsfieldmagazine. comments@bake me into a we’ll put your na for a random drawing rd.

Russo’s gift ca So, if you Pretty neat, aye? took this know where we ur guesses picture, email yo ce to win. in now for a chan er: Last issue’s answ ouse! ure at the Ice H The iron sculpt

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stroke of genius

N

ell Baker, the daughter of our city’s founder, may not be as well known a painter as Picasso or Rembrandt, but the woman had talent, and she’s considered to be the first artist that officially lived in Kern County. If you want to get an up close and personal look at her art, just take a visit to the Kern County

Museum, where they’ve got a painting of Nell’s on display. “It was donated by a woman who inherited the painting from her father,” explained Lori Wear, the Museum’s chief curator.

“It’s a still life,” Wear added. The painting is oil on cardboard and it depicts a champagne bottle, bananas, apples, and a corkscrew, among other items.

The painting was even on display in a gallery for a time, as part of a C.L. Clark exhibition called “A Century of Art: Bakersfield 1898-1998.” “Clark estimated that it was done in the late Nineteenth Century or early Twentieth Century,” Wear said. That makes it over 100 years old!

Source: firstwomenofkern.org www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 23

Kern Facts

Dinosaurs!

F

art by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal

ed up with letting Bill Nye have all the fun, the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History (BVMNH) has teamed up with local businesses, experts within our community, and a number of science-minded citizens to deliver more excitement than a beaker full of vinegar and baking soda.

BVMNH is known for hosting events that are filled with interesting, educational, and interactive activities that cover an impressive number of subjects. And Saturday, April 13, will be no different, as local geologist Tim Elam will be taking Bakersfieldians on a special journey to the time of the dinosaurs! Aptly named “DINOSAURS!,” this event will delve into the depths of what we know about these prehistoric creatures, challenge what is typically seen in the media (Jurassic Park got Can you dig it? Yep! some things wrong!), and also exGrab your hat and plore aspects of various fossils disdigging tools...head played in the Museum. out to a Kern county Koral Hancharick, executive Paleo-Dig and dig away. director of BVMNH, explained that because dinosaurs remain an active subject of scientific research, and incredible discoveries are made each year, it’s important to hear new twists on the leading theories about how these “terrible reptiles” lived.

To expand upon that notion, Elam, an expert in the field, is going to cover topics that include where fossils can be found, how they’re classified, and more about the creatures (some that were around over 200 million years ago) in general, from T-Rex to Barney!

Still, this is just another engaging program in a long list of BVMNH events, like the Spectacular World of Science, a day of fun featuring tons of hands-on science-themed activities, and monthly Paleo-Digs, which involve venturing out into the hills of Kern County to find pieces of our past. The best part, besides the fact that these exciting events inspire everyone to grab a lab coat or their digging tools and start learning, is that all proceeds raised will benefit the Museum’s programs! Visit sharktoothhill.org to learn more about the Museum’s calendar of events.

5 20

1,000 1983 17,400

Number of public swimming pools in Bakersfield Cost to get a copy of your birth certificate from the County Recorder’s Office Number of bales created per day when the Kern Delta-Weedpatch Cotton Gin began operation Year the City Council created the Bakersfield Historical Preservation Commission Square footage of the Bakersfield Museum of Art

12,164,000 Dollars (est.) total

economic impact of Condors hockey, annually, on the City of Bakersfield

24 Bakersfield Magazine

Sources: visitbakersfield.com; co.kern. ca.us; Historic Chronology of Kern County; bmoa.org; bakersfieldcondors.com

courtesy bakersfield condors

987654321By the Numbers123456789

TOP

10

In & Around B•Town

Can’t Live Without

We asked Dora Garza, a 35-year-old youth mentor with Garden Pathways, to divulge her big 10.

1

10 Perfume

Nivea C-Q10 body lotion

I feel like I’m not fully dressed without it.

It’s the first thing I reach for after a shower— moisturized skin is a must for me.

9 Starbuck’s Blonde

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

My life serum/ go-go juice.

The best part of waking up!

My weapon to wipe away germs!

2 In-Shape gym membership

Nail polish

5

Glitter and polish make me happy and puts an instant smile on my face.

Earrings

8

The perfect feminine accessory—I feel naked without them.

3 6

Beach trips

The beach breeze heals and resets me.

A must! I can release stress and going is an instant therapy session.

4 Makeup

(mascara & blush) All I need. They are the building blocks to my look.

Sunglasses

The best accessory that’ll block out rays with style, but doubles as wrinkle prevention.

7

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 25

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661-330-9863

Kyle@wigleyteam.com

www.WigleyTeam.com

Kern Facts

Madness in the Air!

H

i-de-ho, all you hep cats and kittens! Are you ready for a day full of action, excitement, and nonstop killer-diller thrills that’s more fun than dancing the jitterbug? The guys and dolls out at Minter Field are bringing back an old-time tradition and, while Captain America might not be there, the affair will bring out the patriot in anyone.

This is because Kern County is sure to have a ball at the inaugural Madness Over Minter Air Show this May! Sandy Worley, general manager of the Minter Field Airport District, explained that this festive day will be an absolute gas

Expect twists, turns, loops, flying upside down and sideways ...even parachutists hitting the silk in style. for everyone while reviving an exciting part of history. “With Madness Over Minter, we are bringing back the old air shows with acrobatics and World War II planes,” said Worley. She expressed that they are not only excited because they’re bringing something so thrilling back to Kern County, but also that all of the proceeds will go to local charities. Three, to be exact.

“The Wounded Heroes Fund, the Honor Flight, and the Kern

County Firefighters Burn Survivors Trust will all benefit from what we gain from putting this show on.” Not only were the nonprofits chosen because they are all local, but they also tie into the inevitable patriotic theme that air shows embrace.

So far, nine world-class performers (such as Skip Stewart and Team Chambliss) will honor the past while gammin’ it up with twists, turns, loops, flying upside down and sideways, and even delivering some parachuters safely down to earth as they hit the silk in style. Vendors will be present with food, drinks, and an assortment of fun wares.

Even children will have an area all of their own with crafts, face painting, and a bounce house to make the day the cat’s pajamas.

Art work will be displayed, and it is rumored that military jets will also make a special appearance!

“We have wonderful acts that include jets and antique planes, alike,” Worley detailed, excitedly. “Our opening ceremony is sure to bring tears to more than just a few people’s eyes, and there will be plenty of action going on throughout the entire day.”

If you think this fundraiser is something you might dig, visit the website at www.minterairshow.com for tickets and vending information.

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S 26 Bakersfield Magazine

expressions

Local

People • Places • Events

By David Nigel Lloyd

“We knew there were people who knew How often do Bakersfieldians sit around reminiscing fondly about guitars who would be looking at our work. the glory days of local guitar-making? Perhaps not that often.

Beyond our city limits, however, musicians and music aficionados still whisper the names of Bakersfield-made guitars with a reverence that does not stop at the checkbook. Mosrite Guitars made here between 1959 and 1968, for example, can sell on eBay for tens of thousands of dollars.

On February 2, the Arts Council of Kern unveiled its plan to tell the story of our musical past. Bakersfield got its first glimpse of Home Grown, a downtown mural honoring these masterpieces of electric lutherie [guitar making].

“Local artists Al Mendez and Sebastian Muralles,” stated Congressman Keven McCarthy recently, “have beautifully celebrated the history of Bakersfield guitarmaking in their three-panel mural showcasing Mosrites, Hallmarks, and Gruggetts in the agricultural landscape of Kern County.

It’s a fitting tribute to see their work featured on the wall of Front Porch Music in downtown Bakersfield for our community to enjoy and to serve as inspiration to all aspiring artists.”

The story of Home Grown begins, in fact, with Artie Neisen, owner of Front Porch Music. “I have had the idea for a mural of some sort for many years,” he said.

Because city planning regulations prohibit public art that promotes a business, the project was a non-starter until Neisen approached Cathy Butler of the Downtown Business Association late in 2011.

Butler brought the Arts Council of Kern into the picture. According to Arts Council Executive Director Dr. Michael Millar, he and consultant Laura Lollar-Wolfe got a downtown beautification package together from The Bakersfield Californian and the City. Meanwhile Jill Egland, then director of Special Projects, recommended Muralles and Mendez for the job. She also brought in internationally known muralist Eloy Torrez from Los Angeles as an advisor.

“At some point,” Torrez recalled, “I suggested that Sebastian and Al look at

[the work of surrealist Rene] Magritte.

Then everything came together. They knew what to do then.”

“We decided to paint guitars growing off the ground representing their birth in this area,” said Muralles. “They are ascending to the skies to be used by guitarists, famous musicians, and others. The guitar necks in the hills represent the wind mills we see going towards Tehachapi.

I also wanted to add silhouettes of people with guitar cutouts representing that music lives inside people.”

According to Mendez, getting the details right on the instruments was one of the hardest tasks. “Artie determined which guitars were to be used,” he said.

They all came from his extensive personal collection housed in Front Porch.

Dana Moseley [daughter of Semie who, to this day, slowly and painstakingly creates unique and superb electric guitars and basses here in Bakersfield…just like her father taught her] saw it on the night of the ribbon cutting,” said Mendez. “She said her dad would have been very pleased.”

“Eventually we intend to put up a diagram to show what guitar is what,” said ACK’s Millar. “People who look at the mural say: ‘I had no idea!’” he explained.

“In years to come when a group of people walks by, there will be at least one of them that knows the story. And that way it will get told.”

Have you seen it?

Local artists Al Mendez and Sebastian Muralles have beautifully celebrated the history of Bakersfield guitar-making in their three-panel mural. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 27

Dennis Fox

Kern Facts

Your Central Coast Specialist

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ou don’t have to travel to distant lands to experience the adventure and beauty of the road less traveled! We’ve got 95 miles of it here in Kern County that’s just waiting to be explored...and it’s all along Highway 178.

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leads curious travelers through an ecologically diverse area of the world that’s right here in our own backyard.

Running alongside this colorful highway, the corridor connects five incredible bioregions: the Mojave Desert, Central Valley Grasslands, Sierran Forest, California Chaparral, and the Great Basin. That’s right, Four Corners: eat your heart out! The sights to behold along the 178 run the gamut of history, geography, biology, and ecology.

Take in some of the rarest forms of wildflowers around; gaze upon the colorful rocks of Artist’s Drive; warm

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up your clubs on the Devil’s Golf Course, made completely from salt blocks that expanded and shrank due to temperature changes over the years; or check out the Trona Pinnacles—a place where tufa towers elicit an outof-this-world feel which Planet of the Apes and Star Trek filmmakers certainly appreciated. Truly, the sheer amount of activity surrounding this stretch of earth will leave anyone reeling.

The hardest part may be deciding what to do out of the plethora of activities available along the corridor. Consider white water rafting after checking out some of the 2,000+ species of plants.

Marvel at Mt. Whitney and some of the world’s biggest trees at Giant Sequoia National Monument. China Lake Naval Weapons Museum, and the Maturango Museum are also close by. In fact, there are many sights and sounds to engage with that you won’t find anywhere else, like the five top places to bird watch within the entire United States.

Is there any question as to where you should plan your next day trip this spring or summer? For exciting Kern County adventures, check out an off-the-beatenpath place that’s actually been paved for you. Visit tour178.com to see how you can get started on a journey of your own.

Can you quote the dialogue of every Seinfeld episode?

I

©istockphoto.com/Henrik5000

Do you know when the Gettysburg Address was delivered?

CSUB

Brains

By Shelby Parker

f you answered “yes” to either of these, then you’re probably well-versed in trivia. And if that’s the case, then look no further…the Brains of Bakersfield event is just around the corner.

For the past seven years, CSUB has held this cerebral competition in order to raise money for a number of local organizations (including nearly $15,000 for the CSUB men’s soccer team).

Still, the B.O.B. (as the cool kids call it) is not your typical fundraiser; it’s set up like a game of Jeopardy. Only instead of three contestants, there are teams of between eight and 10 people (anyone in the community can join) that battle it out to discover which team knows the most about TV, movies, music, sports, history, and a host of other topics. According to Simon Tobin, the event’s organizer, it’s a really fun way to get the community to come together and help a great cause.

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Winning team Gray Matter Envy, which has won first place four out of the seven times the event has been held.

The excitement has continued to grow, too. The last several years, between 20 and 30 teams have entered the arena to test their knowledge.

So, if you are looking to show off your vast knowledge, and enjoy a few cocktails and a delicious dinner, round up your most intelligent friends and mark your calendar for May 18. The cost per team is $350, but it’s a small price to pay to prove you’ve got the biggest brains in Bakersfield.

If you’d like more information or would like to enter a team, contact Simon Tobin at stobin@csub.edu.

Bakersfield Magazine is working to preserve the history of Kern County through stories of its proud and fascinating past!

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661-829-4204 | www.shootinghelp.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 29

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Kern Facts

We’re Crackin’!

W

hat do Paramount Farms, the CIA, Mr. Bill, and The Simpsons have in common? They’re all nuts about pistachios, and Paramount’s Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin’ campaign has rallied them together. Many of us have already seen at least one

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30 Bakersfield Magazine

of the hilarious, “nutty” commercials that have aired promoting the many different ways to crack a pistachio, including the Super Bowl commercial featuring Korean pop star Psy. “The United States is the largest producer of pistachios in the world,” began Andy Ansaldo, general manager of grower relations for Paramount Farms. “California produces ninety-eight percent of the nation’s crop, and Kern is the state’s top producing county of the hearthealthy nut. Paramount Farms has taken an innovative approach to [increase the demand to meet the supply]. A few years ago, the company introduced the world to its irreverent ‘Get Crackin’’ advertising and marketing campaign.”

Paramount has put more than $100 million into the effort over the past three years. So the big question is whether or not all of their hard work is paying off. The answer is a resounding yes! “The results to date have been nothing short of spectacular,” Ansaldo beamed. “Pistachios have surged as one of America’s favorite healthy snacks, with sales spiking by more than forty percent of overall snack nuts. In fact, for the first time ever, Wonderful Pistachios has cracked the top ten in the salty snack category.”

The commercials, alone, have garnered over 12 million views on YouTube. What can we say? Changing the world is just something we Kern County residents do—one nut at a time!

photo courtesy of Roll Global

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Skilled Hands

Unleashing

W

hile it might be considered a novelty for someone to say that Shakespeare changed their life, for Erick Main, that’s the literal truth. “I was ten years old and my mom was attending Chico State to do makeup. They were showing the play Macbeth at the school, and she took me with her to see it,” said Main.

However, it wasn’t the bard’s Monster Maker prose that won his young heart— Erick Main actually, that was the furthest thing from his mind. a nasal bulb syringe and “I got to go backstage and I surgica he starts to make a hard plaster l tubing. I decided saw these guys preparing special tha cast on the back of the head. t’s what I wanted to effects makeup for the show,” do, He brushes the front of the right then.”

Main recalled. “I had never wall with petroleum jelly after Thus began the start of a very seen anything like it before! long it dries, and then does the same and interesting journey for My mom introduced me Mai thin g on the other side. n. His first problem was and they showed me how actu He removes the plaster from ally figuring out how to go to make fake blood squirt abou the clay and armature, cleans it, t making his vision become out of a ‘wound’ by using a and, as he simply stated, “You’re reality, as the secrets to doing ready to cast with the latex.” anything concerning special efFor the final casting, both of the fects were highly guarded, parside s are put together (joined by ticularly for creating masks— “keyholes” that are made in the something that Main was highly with an oil-based clay and sculpts plaster cast) and interested in. “For making the roug “ h shape of what he wants is filled with latexthen the inside monster masks, there were to . Twenty-four create, building up layers. hours later, it’s ready. “You put no books out, no how-to Whe n that’s formed, he starts to some pow der in it so that the laguides. It was a mystery wor k out the fine details of the tex does n’t attach to itself, then kept by the companies in mas k, using everything from den- stuff it with trash bags, and rethe industry that actually tal tools and clay rakes to tools move it from the plaster.” produced the masks. I saw that he constructed, himself. He Incredibly, the process isn’t interviews with other people defin es the eyes, nose, and per- quite don e yet, as he still has who worked in special effects, fects the end result by removing to airbrush paint the mask, add and they all just used whatever exce ss bits of clay, fingerprints, teeth (he makes them separate, they had available.” or anything else that may com- and what’s a goblin or an Orc Having to get creative only prom ise the quality of the mask. without big, sharp teeth?) or helped to fuel Main’s passion, This takes anywhere from eight other acce ssories, which range and the work that he creates to- to 28 hours of sculpting. from eye patches to earrings day is a testament to how far he’s Once he’s happy with what and beards. come. Main currently owns The he’s fashioned, he sprays the Mai n is currently expanding Iron Goblin Masks, where he de- clay with several coats of a clear his line to also include weapsigns and creates fantasy-themed glos s. Main then builds a wall ons and background stories for masks completely from scratch. out of water-based clay that all of the characters he has creThe making of these masks is a runs right around the middle of ated. Reg ardless of what he monster of a task, in itself. the mask, framing it. He flips doe s, his skill is undeniThe process begins with an ar- the mas k face-down and starts able, mak ing one thing cermature, or the mold of a head on to drip ULTRACAL 30 Gyp- tain: it will take some otherwhich the mask is initially built sum Cement on the back. Using worldly power to take down around. Main covers the mold the cement and strips of burlap, this Iron Goblin. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 31

32 Bakersfield Magazine

Ruby E. Godinez, 30 Occupation: Store Manager, Bebe Stores Are you a Bakersfield native?

I am not a Bakersfield native.

I moved here six years ago and absolutely love it!

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

It would definitely be mascara— I have to have it.

Do you think Bakersfield has a style? I think Bakersfield’s style varies with every person. Most women can have a fun, flirty, sexy look during special evening outings, but, overall, I think we are more of a casual city.

Describe your personal style. My personal style can be described as: classic, sophisticated, fun, and sometimes sexy!

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

It takes me just about 30 to 40 minutes to get ready every day.

Is there a celebrity or person in your life that you get your style from? I love so many celebrities and their styles, but I’d have to say my all-time favorite is celebrity stylist Monica Rose. She styles so many amazing people and her overall fashion sense is beyond amazing.

She’s so chic and classy.

What are you wearing? I am wearing Bebe shoes, dress, and handbag; accessories are from Francesca’s Collections and Forever 21.

Does your style change when you are not at work? My style does change a bit when I’m not at work.

I’m a mother of two young children, so I dress a little more comfy and casual. Flats are a must when the little ones are on the scene.

How do you personalize your “business” look? With statement jewelry—unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Where are your favorite places to shop in Bakersfield?

My Favorite places to shop are Bebe, Kaur Boutique, Forever 21, and Francesca’s Collections.

What is your favorite item of clothing? My leggings. Rain or shine, they’re amazing!

What’s the biggest fashion mistake you have made? It would have to be my high school days and going for trends that did not flatter my body type.

Are you a bargain hound? I love a bargain but I can’t live without quality.

What mistakes do you think men make when they dress? They tend to wear the same thing and think we don’t notice.

FASHION TIP:

Try statement jewelry— one-of-a-kind pieces.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 33

M

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The Epilepsy Society of Kern County

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BAKE

INE AZ

FIELD MAG RS

IT Y PA

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21st

MUD VOLLEYBALL

ANNUAL

Saturday, June 22, 2013 Begins at 8:30am • STRAMLER PARK Get ready, get set, and mark your calendars for the The Epilepsy Society of Kern County’s 21st Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament.

Your City. Your Life. Your Magazine.

Bakersfield v

Enjoy the great outdoors and bright sunshine at Stramler Park (just north of the Kern County Museum).

Your participation in this event will help support the programs and services offered by the epilepsy society to the clients we serve here in Kern County each year.

Epilepsy Society of Kern County 5117 Office Park Drive Bakersfield, CA 93309 661-634-9810 Fax 661-634-9814 eskc20@aol.com epilepsysocietyofkern.org

34 Bakersfield Magazine

!

CITIZEN KERN

Name: Melanie Cruz Age: 30 Birthplace: Bakersfield, Ca Occupation: Owner of Bebe Doos Perfect Ponies and Co-Owner of Dream Innovators

Her heroes: Cruz’s parents instilled within her a strong belief that she could succeed, no matter what. She got her entrepreneurial spirit from her father and inventive nature from her mother, thus making them her greatest heroes. With that combination, it’s no surprise that Cruz is finding such success (or why she’s now in talks with Conair for more product licensing). Cruz also credits her mother for being the main force behind Dream Innovators, a family business that involves inventing products for varying companies, depending on need.

meet

Melanie

‘‘

Cruz

I feel like I’m just getting started reaching my goals. I can’t wait to see my products from both Bebe Doos and Dream Innovators on the market.

Career Highlights: With the business growing so quickly, it’s been unreal to see just how much exposure Perfect Ponies has received. Her relationship with Duggar has meant that her product has not only been spotted in the show and on the DVD covers numerous times (which has prompted lots of orders) but also featured on The Today Show.

‘‘

Her favorite part of the industry: “The creativity is the most fun part for me.

Thinking up products and forming ideas and running with it. I also love receiving emails from people who say they love their Perfect Ponies and say it’s their favorite gift.” Communicating with people has helped expand her image, too, since one of her happy customers is Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting fame.

PHOTOS COURTESY REVLON, TLC, CONAIR, NBC.COM, AND TARGET

How she got started: What started out as a joke soon became a lucrative business venture for Cruz. “My sister and I both had daughters five weeks apart from each other,” she said. “My daughter was born with a ton of hair and my sister’s baby didn’t have any!

I decided to make her a headband with little pigtails attached so that it looked like she had hair. It got so many compliments that we decided to expand the line and make them available for purchase.” Smart thinking! She’s recently licensed her patent rights to Revlon.

What she’d still like to accomplish: “I feel like I’m just getting started reaching my goals,” Cruz affirmed. “I can’t wait to see my products from both Bebe Doos and Dream Innovators on the market.” Cruz disclosed that she’ll also be meeting up with major retail outlets this year, including Target, so that more stores can carry the product line. “So we haven’t even reached our high point yet.”

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 35

3 0 - s e c o n d B U S I NESS B R I E F

3 0 - s e c o n d B U S I NESS B R I E F

DRE#998649

Jean Laborde Commercial Real Estate

W

hen it comes to real estate in Kern County, few people know the business quite as well as Jean Laborde does. He has been on the Top Producer List for Sales from 2000 to 2011 with Watson Realty and has over 50 years of experience in the industry. And, according to him, farming real estate is booming locally.

“Farmers aren’t just growing anymore: they’re also getting into marketing,” Laborde explained. “They are big on exporting to other countries, as well. This means that the cost of farmland has gone up rather significantly recently.”

This may sound like a negative thing, at first, but Laborde assures that it is actually doing wonders for our county. “Farmers are making more money, so they’re spending more money,” he said, citing examples like the Super Bowl commercial that Paramount released to promote their pistachios this year.

If there is any question as to whether or not investing in farmland is a wise move, the fact that Laborde is growing pistachios on his own land should say something. Could this be a bubble that is certain to burst? He has his doubts.

“Those interested in farming wouldn’t purchase land if they weren’t going to be making any money off of it,” he reassured.

For your farms, ranches, sales, or listings, consider Jean Laborde: one of the best in the industry.

9101 Camino Media Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-303-3269 www.JeanLaborde.com 36 Bakersfield Magazine

CURRICULUM VITAE

Innovative Eye Care Optometric Corporation

T

he team at Innovative Eye Care abides by some very fundamental but important principles: to provide the best possible personalized eye care while striving to improve their patients’ overall quality of life and vision wellness. The warm, friendly staff is led by optometrist Dr. Cheree Wilhelmsen and together, they aim to make sure that everyone who walks through their doors sees better when they walk out.

“Our goal is to provide quality care and establish longterm relationships with patients by providing education and outstanding customer service,” said Dr. Wilhelmsen, who has been in the industry for 19 years. “We also treat patients of all ages, from children to adults.”

Optimal treatment is to be expected at Innovative Eye Care. Specializing in complete eye exams; fittings for both glasses and contacts; eye health evaluations; and even diabetic and dry eye exams, the options are vast and comprehensive. LASIK (a form of refractive surgery) testing is also available for those who are seeking an alternative to eyewear. They can refer you to a good surgeon and also handle any necessary post-operative care.

Your vision is important, and should be trusted to the best in the industry. At Innovative Eye Care, you will receive personalized care beyond compare in a calm and comfortable environment.

4903 Calloway Drive, Suite 101 Bakersfield, CA 93312 661-213-3310 www.innovativeec.com CURRICULUM VITAE

R ISK T A K E R S

From Zen gardens to custom floral arrangements for any spectacular event, turning visions of grandeur into reality is a serious business for Oleta Collins.

C

ollins, the creative artiste behind Flourishing Art Event Design and Custom Florals, sums up her special event design, production, and custom floral company’s ethos as a belief in “imagining the spectacular and bringing it to fruition.”

That mindset, plus the years of experience and training Collins and her team have behind them, has propelled Flourishing Art’s growth into one of Bakersfield’s top event florists.

“I’ve been working in the business since I was twelve,” Collins said, reminiscing about the days she spent working in a family-owned flower shop here in Bakersfield as a young girl. “By the time I was twentyone, I not only owned and operated a wellknown floral and gift shop, but handled all floral and décor applications for Borton & Petrini's Bakersfield Business Conference, and that’s when it was huge!”

Her visions not only wowed the crowd, her designs impressed some of the captains of industry down in the mecca of spectacular visions, Los Angeles. After getting offer after offer from many of the vendors she worked with on the Business Conference,

the spectacular

By Tracie Grimes

Collins decided it was time to take a risk; time to step out of her comfort zone. She decided to set her sights on the southland, becoming the manager of LA’s largest design studio where she operated and oversaw seven different floral companies.

“It was an amazing, exciting experience. I was doing a lot of set design for Sony Music and TV, learning every detail in set design, event design, as well as event production. I also met the love of my life—my husband, Sean.”

She felt like she had arrived, so to speak.

She was in love; working hard in an in-

“I’m so glad I took the risk and came back home. I was scared to death that I wouldn’t be accepted, but here I am all these years later. It just goes to show that if you do something well for one person, the doors will open to another, and that’s really how you grow this kind of business.”

—Oleta Collins

dustry she loved; and hob-knobbing with names like Tommy Bahama; Shaquille O’Neal; Ben and Jerry Stiller; and Gucci.

But life in LA was missing something.

That’s when the Collinses decided to take another risk. It was time to get back to Oleta’s roots and move back to Bakersfield.

“It was actually Sean’s idea,” she noted.

“We’d been coming back for visits and he fell in love with the community. We realized that’s what we were missing, the whole sense of community. Sure, LA has a lot to offer and I do miss watching Laker games from Shaq’s box, but Bakersfield feels more like home.”

So back to Bakersfield they came, starting Flourishing Art out very small by renting a room in the Noriega house. It was an exhausting start, Collins remembers, because to keep the business afloat while they built a local clientele she had to drive to LA every day.

“It’s a very different business we have and not one that grew overnight,” Collins explained. “We don’t have a traditional flower shop where people can just stop in and pick up an arrange-

>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 37

Risktakers­

ment or a plant; we pretty much have to shop for our clients.”

It wasn’t long before word got around and Flourishing Art was on its way. The company moved to 19th Street, eventually expanding into the entire building. One might think that Collins’ risk-taking days were behind her, but though Flourishing Art was, well, flourishing, risk is part of her daily routine of doing business.

“When you have a small business you pay everyone else first and then you pay yourself—and there’s always a risk that there won’t be anything left after you pay everyone else,” Collins pointed out.

“And, like I said before, we’re not like your typical floral shop. We don’t have a store where people can just come in and make a few purchases. Our clients are planning big events that we have to start planning months, a year, or even a year and a half out, so we don’t always have a steady base of income we can rely on.”

But what’s a little risk when you get to make dreams come true?

“This business is perfect for me because it lets me take off in directions I never imagined. To be able to take that little idea to its full fruition, from making sure the tables look perfect to getting the guests home safely and planning every little detail in between—it’s a hoot!”

Though she says each event she’s had a hand in is like a child, each one carrying a special memory, there is one event that stands out in Collins’ mind. It was a dream event from start to finish, she said thinking back on a gala she planned for the Critic’s Choice Awards. “I brought in a ton [literally one ton] of sand in to the Beverly Hills Hotel ballroom, transforming it into a Zen garden. Each table was unique and we had water features throughout the ballroom complete with water lilies…it was fantastic!”

As fantastic as making dreams come true can be, it isn’t all fun

Striving to deliver moments that will be cherished for a lifetime; that’s what Flourishing Art is all about.

and games, Collins said, thinking back on an event that gave her more than a few moments of panic.

“I had this huge event for one of my favorite customers here in Bakersfield in which I was bringing in Oprah’s favorite party band. As luck would have it, a big storm hit and the grapevine closed. I must have aged fifty years when that happened. Here I had planned this fantastic event, making sure every napkin was folded the right way, that each fork was in its right place, and a

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

Debbie Banducci www.DebbieBanducci.com

661-832-2355

License #01787804

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38 Bakersfield Magazine

half an hour before the party started it looked like the very heart of the party, this six-piece band we were counting on being here, couldn’t get here. I was on one line with the band, telling them how to get here by taking [another route], and on another line trying to find a piano player to play some background music [the original piano player couldn’t make it, either] while checking off other party details as I was scrambling to make sure the show still went on. We were able to get a piano player and three-piece band to play until the actual band got there and managed to make it appear seamless, like we had planned it that way all along. The client never knew there was a problem, and that’s why you want to hire a great event planner. Clients don’t want to know where the place cards or flowers come from, they want me to pay attention to these kinds of details and pull them all together to make it a great party. I may, on occasion, get thirty new wrinkles on my face from the stress of it all, but Flourishing Art is a team effort and we will work tirelessly together to get the job done. We know what it takes to pull off a perfect event and even find a way to thrive on the mayhem that goes on behind the scenes.”

And what’s a few wrinkles when it means you’ve made a friend for life, Collins reasons. “I value the personal contact we have with all our clients. Bakersfield is a very large small town, meaning that if you follow through and do what you say you’re going to do, you’ve made a friend for life. And there’s no better friend to have in the world than one from Bakersfield.

“I’m so glad I took the risk and came back home. I was scared to death that I wouldn’t be accepted, but here I am all these years later. It just goes to show that if you do something well for one

I think one of the biggest risks I have to face is expansion. I’ve been traveling a lot lately with clients to the central coast and to San Diego, but I can’t just open up a place so far from home. person, the doors will open to another, and that’s really how you grow this kind of business.”

Now that Flourishing Art has set its roots deep in the community, growth is the next big risk Collins has to face.

“I think one of the biggest risks I have to face is expansion. I’ve been traveling a lot lately with clients to the central coast and to San Diego, but I can’t just open up a place so far from home. There is only one me. Flourishing Art is my brain and my vision and I can’t just let anyone step in to run it. Thinking about growing my business is very hard for me: deciding where I’m going to spend my time… where to put my efforts. I love Bakersfield and I’ve poured my heart and soul into the business. I take care of my clients, helping them mark every important event of their lives—from bridal showers to babies to weddings to funerals.”

Striving to deliver moments that will be cherished for a lifetime; that’s what Flourishing Art is all about. And while Collins will never be finished taking risks, never sure what is coming around the next corner for her flourishing business, there is one thing she knows for sure: she and her talented team know what it takes to deliver a gorgeous, well-orchestrated event from beginning to end.

“We will always go above and beyond to create a day that will be tailored to our client’s style and filled with wonderful sights, smells, and sounds.” v

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 39

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5558 California Ave Suite# 100 Kimberly@DirectSourceLending.com 40 Bakersfield Magazine

❖

HUMAN RESOURCES ❖

The No-Regrets Guide to Partying with Your Co-Workers After a couple of years of unwanted sexual advances.

If you are an employee belt-tightening, company attending the shindig, you parties have returned in many should: organizations. Indeed, severGo. Blowing off a comal recent surveys of HR propany event makes you look fessionals have demonstrated bad (think about how you that your company will most feel when people don’t show likely have some kind of gathup to your party). ering sometime this year. If Mingle. Don’t just hang so, here are a few tips on how out with co-workers that you to party with your co-workknow. Instead, use the comers, be it at a company picnic pany event as an opportunity or a holiday event, without

By Robin Paggi to network and build profesregretting it the next day.

If you are an employer throwing the sional connections. shindig, you should: Engage in small talk. You definitely Have the event at a third-party loca- don’t want to talk shop at a company partion that has its own liquor license and ty, including gossiping about co-workers. crew. Parties at your workplace (or at your Stay away from talking about sex, politics, home) will more than likely make you the and religion as well.

Dress and act appropriately. Rememresponsible party if there is any type of incident. Also, it’s best not to make employ- ber that company parties are work events. ees work at the party (set-up, clean-up, The dress with the plunging neckline etc.) because, if they are hourly employ- probably is not the best wardrobe choice ees, you’ll need to pay them for their time and dirty dancing is probably not in your best interest. (including overtime pay if appropriate).

Refrain from getting plowed. Have Emphasize that attendance is voluntary. If the party is mandatory, you could a good time, but remain cognizant of the be liable for wages, third-party claims, fact that inappropriate behavior, whether and workers’ compensation. If employ- fueled by alcohol or not, can and probably ees are even “expected” to attend, it will will be used against you when the party likely be deemed a mandatory function. is over.

Act like you’re having fun. The comPay attention to employee communications (e.g. “We expect to see everyone pany get-together is not the time to be at the company picnic on Saturday”) and a party pooper. Regardless of whether eliminate the expectation of compensation you’re in a spat with your spouse, you’re upset because you didn’t get that promofor attendance.

Allow employees to bring guests, as tion you were vying for, or the party is their presence usually encourages em- just plain boring, look like you’re having ployees to be on their best behavior. a good time.

Say thanks. Few people thank the boss However, because employees often act differently out of the traditional work en- for throwing the party. Doing so will let vironment, it’s a good idea to clearly com- your employer know that you have manmunicate expectations of behavior and at- ners.

Ask before posting pictures from the tire for them as well as their guests.

Ensure that plenty of non-alcoholic party online. It’s common knowledge that beverages are available. Additionally, what is posted on social networking sites have guests buy their own drinks from can come back to bite people, so always paid bartenders who can monitor their ask first.

All of this might sound like it takes all of consumption (and refuse to serve them if they’re underage or have had too much the fun out of the event; however, followto drink). Consider having only beer and ing these guidelines can help employers wine available and order plenty of food to and employees be regret-free when the party is over and everyone goes back to work. help slow the absorption of alcohol.

Promptly deal with inappropriate behavior, such as excessive drinking, in- Robin Paggi is the Training Coordinator at subordination, employee disagreements, Worklogic HR Legal Solutions and can be reached inappropriate discussions, and reports of at rpaggi@worklogiclegal.com or (661) 695-5168.

photo courtesy of chris bfrewer

DISCOVER

By Donna McCrohan Rosenthal There are so many amazing things to discover about Kern County that we’re just waiting for the day when we run out of tidbits! Thankfully, longtime freelance writer Donna McCrohan Rosenthal continues to unearth fascinating facts about our past, present, and future that we are excited to share year after year.

Air-cooled hotel Bakersfield’s El Tejon was the world’s first.

Borders Kern County shares borders with seven counties: Inyo, Kings, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, and Ventura.

Chub Med The Mohave Tui Chub, a federal and state-listed endangered species indigenous to the region but dwindling in numbers, has a new home.

When channels at the Lark Seep System at NAWS China Lake went dry, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Cali-

nty museum

photo courtesy kern cou

fire

Dust Bowl Days Annual festival in Weedpatch, commemorates the hardships and sacrifices of the migrant laborers who came west to escape horrific Dust Bowl conditions in the Midwest during the Great Depression.

El Camino Viejo Spanish for “The Old

buses

photo courtesy emporium western store

Buses In the 1930s, the Kern County High School District had the nation’s largest bus system.

fornia Department of Fish and Game trapped and moved them to a spot closer to the headwaters and dubbed it “Chub Med.”

Emporium western store

Road,” ran from Los Angeles to Oakland. According to legend, a pair of young lovers took the trail before anyone else when they eloped from Chile in 1822 with the bride’s furious father in hot pursuit.

Emporium Western Store Opened for business in 1909.

Isaac Rubin bought it in 1928 and it remains in the family to this day. The now block-long enterprise has supplied rodeo champs and other celebrities,

among them Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Tony Curtis, and Kiefer Sutherland.

FACT (Facility for Animal Care and Treatment) Located within the Environmental Studies Area of the California State University Bakersfield campus, FACT cares for injured and orphaned raptors and carnivores, promoting the conservation of wildlife through the rehabilitation of non-game species of native animals and through education with a major emphasis on endangered or protected species, particularly birds of prey.

Fire Devastated 15 city blocks in Bakersfield on July 7, 1889, leaving 1,500 residents homeless.

Gordon’s Ferry Essential to the Butterfield Overland Mail that connected >>

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INSIDERS GUIDE www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 41

River, called his community “Havilah,” which means “Stretch of Sand.” The name derives from a Bible verse about “the land of Havilah, where there is gold.”

Hobo Hot Springs a.k.a. Miracle Hot Springs, Air Compressor Springs, and Compressor Hot Springs, acquired the “hobo” designation when Borel Power Plant workers went on strike. The arbitrator sent to settle the dispute declared them a “bunch of hoboes” for camping out there.

jazz state-registered landmark, dedicated on January 17, 1937.

IQ Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds, a team of Bakersfield and Ridgecrest Mensans, competes in the annual countrywide Mensa Culture Quest, a high-IQ, highbrow trivia contest. The

night with the elk 42 Bakersfield Magazine

Tumbleweeds finished second in 2010, fourth in 2011, and first in 2012.

um acquired a dead mountain lion, killed on the road. The staff put it in their freezer for storing salvaged animals and requested California Department of Fish and Game’s permission to have it taxidermied.

They received word in 2011 that they could not proceed without state legislation to allow educational entities to possess dead mountain lions.

Jazz Cal State’s annual twoday Bakersfield Jazz Festival presents well-known headliners and local performers. At Cal State Bakersfield Student Union’s Jazz Coffeehouse, intimate concerts feature CSUB students and guest artists.

KernCounty Generations.com From pioneers and sheepherders to roughnecks, entertainers, and entrepreneurs—“folks with nothing to lose and everything to prove”—this extensive, indepth website chronicles Kern County’s family-owned and longstanding businesses.

Lawrence, Caroline Descended from pioneers, teamsters, and newspapermen, she grew up in Bakersfield, taught in England, then entered the field of mystery writing for children. She went on to pen 20 books in The Roman Mysteries series plus a second series about 12-year-old P.K. Pinkerton, a detective in 1862 Virginia City, Nevada.

photo courtesy yathin s. krishnappa

Harpending, Asbury A Southern sympathizer in the Civil War who came west to advance the cause and wound up discovering gold on the Kern

Insect Lore Bugseum & Visitor Center In Shafter, offers butterfly and ladybug learning, live insect exhibits, and hands-on activities…and admission is free.

osprey

Maturango Mountain Lion In 2008, Ridgecrest’s Maturango Muse-

photo courtesy of nestle

photo by Jaime Cancio

St. Louis and San Francisco in the 1800s, Aneas B. Gordon’s flat-bottomed boat with an overhead cable crossed one of the few places on the Kern River not blocked by thick swamps. The ferry has gone but a marker still stands. It was the first

photo by psylexic/wikipedia

DISCOVER

toll house The resulting SB 769 passed both houses of the State Legislature unanimously. When Gov. Jerry Brown signed it and expressed the wish “that the same energetic bipartisan spirit could be applied to creating clean energy jobs and ending tax laws that send jobs out of state,” the saga made national news.

Night with the Elk At Tule Elk State National Reserve, the event became possible for the first time last October when California State Parks opened the grounds to camping and after-dark programs.

Plane Crazy Every third Saturday at Mojave Airport, combines aerospace-oriented art and collectibles with aircraft displays and the opportunity to meet famous pilots.

Quartzburg Founded in 1863, flourished during the gold rush in the Kern River Valley.

photo courtesy u.s.navy

Red Rock Canyon state Park 25 miles northeast of Mojave on Highway 14, it greets motorists, off-roaders, and others with stunning cliffs, buttes, and geological formations where the El Paso Range and southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converge.

Submersible on the desert

UXS “Romantic Cities of California” 1939 travelogue by Hildegarde Hawthorne—esteemed poet, essayist, biographer, and granddaughter of the literary giant Nathaniel Hawthorne—describes Bakersfield as “thoroughly wellto-do…and the shopping district has none of the silly advertising blah-blah that spoils so many in the Californian scene.”

Submersible on the Desert Conceived and directed

by Dr. William B. McLean at U.S. Navy’s China Lake research facility, the Moray was a small manned underwater fighter developed in the 1960s.

Tehachapi’s Murals They recount the city’s milestones in an impressive array of subjects that include “People of the Mountains,” “Tehachapi Loop,” “1915 Street Dance,” and many more.

photo courtesy kern county museum

kerncountygenerations.com Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches A Kern County connection: Dreyer’s Ice Cream Plant in Bakersfield produced the ice cream inside.

Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park Nestled on a ridge in the Tehachapi Mountains, this site of an ancient Kawaiisu Native American settlement has extensive rock art. Visitors can only see it if escorted by a trained volunteer or ranger on spring and fall weekends.

accolade “party of the year” thanks to unlimited food samples, multiple stages with simultaneous live music, dozens of breweries and wineries, and 16 acres of fun.

Visitor spending In Kern County, it topped the $1 billion mark for a sixth consecutive year in 2010, supporting 12,900 jobs. Most tourist dollars go to fuel, food, retail, lodging, and recreation. >>

insect lore

UxS China Lake’s unmanned systems program, specializes in drones that can relieve personnel of dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks; gather critical information and use it to strike the enemy; and defend against threats posed by unmanned systems.

“Venice” Nickname bestowed on Bakersfield in the late 1800s owing to its many canals.

Village Fest The event has earned the

©istockphoto.com/marekuliasz(type)/Liliboas(butterfly)

Osprey From the Latin word for “bonebreaker,” Kern County’s “fishing eagle” hovers over the water and dives feet first to snatch its meals, spends winters in the valley, and resides year-round on Isabella Reservoir.

Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society -Located in Frazier Park with a 1920s gas station replica, showcases the history of the mountain area north of Castaic and south of Bakersfield and spans the centuries from Native Americans and missions to Fort Tejon, the catastrophic 1857 earthquake, ranchers, miners, and homesteaders up to the 21st century. photo courtesy of www.chinalaketechnologies.org

Nut Festival This spring, Kern County will observe its first, honoring the culinary delights and health advantages of almonds, pistachios, and walnuts—some of our leading agricultural crops—June 14 & 15 at the Kern County Museum.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 43

©istockphoto.com/dima266f

Windsurfing & parasailing Two of the most popular sports on (and over) Lake Isabella, windsurfing and parasailing benefit from afternoon winds that sweep across the southern portion of one of California’s largest bodies of water.

windsurfing

44 Bakersfield Magazine

Whiskey Flat Jumping Frog Contest A favorite event of Kernville’s Whiskey Flat Days, hearkens back to Mark Twain’s tale about the “Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

Pie Ala Toad, Claim Jumper, Sir Richtoad, and Kermitt have figured prominently in past lineups of competitors.

XCOR The Mojavebased propulsion manufacturer can put you into suborbital space aboard the Lynx for $95,000. The Lynx carries two people, the pilot-astronaut and you, both in the front seat witnessing the action.

photo courtesy xcor aerospace

DISCOVER

XCOR Yates, William Chip Broke the world record for speed in an electric aircraft in 2012 at Inyokern Airport. He built it at IYK in two months for less than $100,000, and his 202 m.p.h. speed beat the previous 175 by a healthy margin. By 2014, he wants to be the first to fly Lindberg’s transatlantic route in an electric plane.

Zalvidea & Moraga expeditions Explored what would become Kern County in 1806: Zalvidea from Santa Barbara and Moraga from the north. v

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INSIDERS GUIDE

KERN COUNTY

An Ongoing Chronicle Of Our Rich History The amazing thing about Kern County is that there is always something new to discover about our past. And we at Bakersfield Magazine strive to find out everything we can about Kern’s history; about those gold miners, pioneers, sheepherders, and businessmen that built this community. After all, it’s that entrepreneurial spirit that lives on in the generations of local families and businesses still around today. This is our 3rd annual and ongoing chronicle of the people, both famous and infamous, that have deep roots in Bakersfield and Kern County.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 45

46 Bakersfield Magazine

Photo courtesy Kern County Museum

“Destiny itself is like a wide tapestry in which every thread is guided by an unspeakably tender hand, placed beside another thread and held and carried by a hundred others.”

Kern Valley Bank, circa 1900

Converging Spirits was pretty much into everything in Bakersfield. Left behind was Benjamin Brundage, more the quiet, scholarly type than the wheeler-dealer. An officer of the court, his involvement might have involved a conflict of interest.

They knocked on the door of every bank in San Francisco and every banker said, “No!” The insurance companies, which had paid pittances for the fire’s damage, refused to extend

is, they spied a sign which read, “Daniel Meyer, Money Lender.”

In James Curran’s account, related to Richard Bailey in Inside Historic Kern, the bankers’ snub was not forgotten. Many years later, a group of San Francisco leaders arrived in Bakersfield soliciting business.

“Toward the close,” wrote Bailey, “Alphonse Weill got up and reminded them of the experience of local businessmen after the fire of ’89 when no bank or

Photo courtesy Kern County museum

ot everyone agrees where or how the Great Fire started but much evidence points to a stove at the Kelsey residence, near 20th Street and Chester, when Mrs. Kelsey’s Sunday dinner transmogrified into a city-wide inferno.

By 1889, Bakersfield had begun to shine like a jewel.

Now the county seat of Kern, its future, pregnant with promise, seemed assured, as did the coming fortunes of its elite. The hungry fire had turned all that to soot. Most of its downtown businesses were now smoldering rubble, and refugees were already fanning out to find new dreams. It had been historical magic, of a sort, which had conjured up, out of windswept prairies, fetid marshes, and tangled jungles of tule reeds, the city that now lay in ruins.

Almost before the last smoke ascended, several men arrived in San Francisco on a desperate mission. They sought magic of another kind: cold, hard cash to rebuild the city.

Henry Jastro, Solomon Jewett, and Hugh Blodget aimed to exploit financial contacts, many of whom had already made good money off the Central Valley. Solomon Jewett, President of Kern Valley Bank, and Blodget, the young oil man, were in business together. Jewett came because he had proven skills as an entrepreneur and had conquered adversities at business (the flood of 1867 had swept away the Jewett ranch); Jastro came because, well, he

Photo courtesy Kern County museum

N

—Rainer Maria Rilke

Solomon Jewett credit. Jewett and Jastro vowed to remember them. But as they walked down the sidewalk in the Financial District, the vibrant bustle and commerce of the City by the Bay must have taunted them. Until, that

Philo Jewett insurance company would lend money to help rebuild our city.”

Meyer’s money helped start that rebuilding. Mission accomplished, Jewett, Jastro, and old Benjamin Brundage went back to work.

By Gordon Lull

The Brothers Jewett

What sort of men would walk 2,000 miles for an opportunity?

Little suggested that the brothers, Solomon and Philo D. Jewett, would prosper except for their indomitable spirits, hunger for adventure, and willingness to harness their lofty goals to concrete plans of action.

The brothers were sons of a Vermont sheep-raiser. In 1859, bright dreams of fortune, clarified by news of gold discoveries in the West, convinced Solomon and Philo to drive a herd of cattle and oxen from New England across the frontier to California.

At the foot of the Beale Memorial Clock Tower, at the Kern County Museum, a simple metal marker summarizes the Jewett brothers’ achievements: the introduction of Merino sheep to the San Joaquin Valley’s sheepraising industry (early 1860s); the first store in Bakersfield (1865); raised the first sale commercial cotton crop in the Kern Valley (1865); organized the Kern Valley Bank (1874); produced the first oil well in Kern; constructed the Sunset Railroad to the County’s Westside oil fields in Taft (1901-1908). >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 47

Photo courtesy Kern County museum

According to the plaque, their sister, Louisa Jewett Crites, became Kern County’s first woman schoolteacher.

But the Jewett roots go deeper in time than 19th Century Vermont.

America’s early settlers included members of the Jewett family. They came to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620; Solomon and Philo’s ancestors later moved to the Green Mountain State and one of the descendants, Solomon Wright Jewett, became a famous breeder of sheep, passing on the art and science to his sons. According to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Learning Center website, Solomon, born in 1835, took a particular interest in stock and, at the ripe age of eight, drove a herd from Vermont to Albany, New York (http://kcsos.kern.org/tlc_history/stories/ storyReader$21). Brother Philo, two years younger, also learned the business and, along with Solomon, became enraptured with stories of gold found at Pike’s Peak.

The two, with a small herd of cattle and eight oxen, struck out for California in 1874.

ers. In 1867 swollen waters from the “Rio Bravo” swept away all the original buildings at the ranch. In response, the brothers built on higher ground. W. Harland Boyd’s account in Inside Historic Kern quotes the words of a local editor who wrote that he was “handsomely entertained” and wondered at the “charming mountain scenery,” “fine growth of vegetation,” and “the style of the accomplished eastern farmer” evident at the ranch.

In 1874, the brothers Jewett sold Rio Bravo Ranch and purchased homes along what is now Jewett Lane near Bakersfield.

The end of their mountain ranching did not mean the end of their business ventures.

Solomon continued his breeding operations and also started Kern Valley Bank, through which the post-1889 fire rebuilding was funded (thanks to Mr. Meyer). He gained a solid reputation as a banker, breeder, entrepreneur, and oil developer. One of his legacies involves the development of asphalt as a material for paving city streets. He remained in Kern County until his death on the day after Christmas in 1905. His son, S. Wright Jewett, also became a prominent citizen in Bakersfield’s history.

Philo moved to San Francisco. His son, Hugh S. Jewett, established large agricultural holdings in the Arvin (Kern County) area.

Henry Alexander Jastro:

Rio Bravo Ranch Their plans changed, according to the website, when the two “were discouraged by the stories told to them by [a] traveler,” left their stock in Nevada, and proceeded west, walking from the Missouri River to Kern County. Solomon went to work on the Tejon Ranch and, several years later, formed a partnership with Philo to raise sheep. They established their ranch on the banks of the Kern River and named it after the river’s Spanish name, Rio Bravo Ranch.

After the Civil War—the Jewetts had sold a great deal of wool to the Union Army during the conflict—Philo avoided an assassination attempt by The Bushwhackers, a group of violent Confederate sympathiz48 Bakersfield Magazine

“From Cowboy to Commodore” If the Jewett brothers were men of action, the best words to describe Henry Alexander Jastro may be “man of ambition.”

Hunger for power hung about Jastro like an unrung bell, impelling him on, usually in several directions at once. The result was an enduring legacy upon Kern County which appears as conflicted as the man himself. Divided within, moving roughly between profit and principle, Jastro proved to be the quintessential networker.

Some sources indicate Jastro was born in Prussia, others Austria, still others in Germany, circa 1850. Historian Gilbert Gia’s research, however, shows that the most likely birthplace was in Posen, Poland, in 1848 (cf. Gia, “Commodore of Kern County,” p. 6, www.gilbertgia.com). Working from numerous documents, including immigration and ship passenger records, Gia

Photo courtesy Kern County museum

Converging Spirits

Henry Jastro further concludes that Jastro came to the United States in December 1859 and lived (consistent with what Jastro himself indicated in a Los Angeles Times interview) for several years in Los Island. In the same LAT interview Gia cites, Jastro said he then became a trail boss on cattle drives to Arizona, Nevada, and the San Joaquin Valley.

Always aware that his thick accent set him apart, Jastro may have felt that even if you did not understand his words, his work would carry the message very well. The message was: “Give me a shot and what you hand me will be handed back better than I received it.”

The record reflects an enduring list of achievements.

For more than two decades he was the unofficial de facto boss of Kern County government: he served as Chairman for the Board of Supervisors (BOS) from 1893 to 1916; he was Bakersfield Mayor from 18921893; for fifty years he managed the Kern County Land Company (KCLC); under his leadership at KCLC, the first hydroelectric plant was built in the Kern River Canyon, and KCLC bought and expanded Bakersfield’s water system; he was a director for two Bakersfield banks; he raised (according to John W. Sward, in Inside Historic Kern) the county’s first large cotton crop; he also served on the Western Cattlemen’s Association, the California State Fair Association, the National Livestock Association; and he testified before Congress re-

gun to decline. Although he continued many of his business and public policy interests, he resigned from the Board of Supervisors in 1916. On New Year’s Day 1925 he suffered a heart attack. He died four months later.

His was an age when immigration was building the country, not dividing it, and Jastro played his large, flamboyant, and conflicted role in building Kern County.

Did his ambition ever take him to a place where he was at peace?

The tribute of one contemporary, H. Guy Hughes, may provide a clue: “…I would sometimes meet him… [and] Jastro would greet me by name, know my neighbors, ask as to their welfare, and how their cattle were doing. To the very last, he was a cow man, heart and soul (cited in Gia, “Commodore of Kern County”).”

Photo courtesy Kern County museum

garding agricultural policy, international trade, and conservation (he was an ardent advocate of reforestation).

He arrived to Kern County circa 1870, his resume listing little more than experience with cattle and sheep herding. He made the right connections. Soon after coming to Kern Island, he went into business with Col. Thomas Baker, establishing a brewery. Baker died two years later. Jastro married Baker’s 17-year-old stepdaughter, Mary Whalen (who died, at age 34, in 1894).

According to Gia’s article, William B. Carr (of Haggin and Carr, a land company), observed of him and his character during this period, “One of those smart fellows is Jastro. He always knows what I am going to do a day or two ahead of time...” And several days later Carr returned to the subject in a letter: “Jastro…has the name of being tricky and not perfectly reliable.” Nevertheless, “tricky” was a marketable commodity.

Richard C. Bailey, writing in Heart of the Golden Empire, observed that KCLC owners “decided they were tired of paying out money to promote the colonies. The directors fired S.W. Ferguson and made Henry A. Jastro manager.” Jastro, heavy-handed as he may have been in some decisions, began to turn a profit for the business. He remained at the helm for a half-century.

Jastro’s skills in business were clearly transferable to politics, and he was a dominant force in Kern County’s Democratic Party for decades. But as former Mayor and City Council member Alfred Siemon contended, the dominating force in Kern County politics during the early days was the KCLC “and the superintendent (Jastro) was the ‘boss.’ His henchmen were the keepers of saloons, houses of prostitution, and the city machine…”

However nefarious some of his tactics and associations may have been, no one could accuse Jastro of not being one of Bakersfield’s foremost cheerleaders.

In his recollection (in Lawrence Weill’s Bakersfield, 1984), Weill writes that after his father had spent some time in Havilah, “Alphonse Weill—My Papa, he met a very smart salesman, Henry Jastro, who pointed out that the mines were giving out and the town was declining. Now it was Bakersfield…that had a very bright future.”

As Gia notes, the apex of Jastro’s influence and power coincided with Theodore Roosevelt’s landslide Presidential election in 1904.

But by 1912, his influence and health had be-

Benjamin Brundage Benjamin A. Brundage:

“The Power of Reserve” Two seminal events marked the life of Benjamin Brundage. The first followed the sudden eclipse of the county seat where Brundage was an attorney. The second became a landmark legal case in the area of California’s land and water rights.

Brundage family origins in America began when three brothers from England settled, early in the 18th Century, in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. One descendant of the New York line, Thomas Brundage, moved his family to the state of Ohio.

One of his sons, Benjamin, studied the law and carved out a successful career as a teach-

er and, later, an attorney in Sandusky, Ohio.

After service as a private in the Union Army during the Civil War, in the spring of 1865, Benjamin Brundage set out for California.

After working as an insurance agent in San Francisco, he moved south to Kern County. The studious young man was no miner, no lawman, and not a builder of railroads. But gold had been discovered in Havilah, California in 1864. Brundage knew that with prosperity would come a growing population and thriving businesses. And with that growth would come the inevitable conflicts over land, debt, and contracts, real or imagined. He would be there in the county seat to bring established law to bear upon those conflicts. After all, Brundage, himself, in his Early History and Reminiscences, called Havilah “the most populous precinct in the county” and “the liveliest mining town in the state.”

Three years after opening his law practice (1869-70), however, conflict and opportunity presented themselves to Brundage.

A number of prominent Bakersfield citizens hired him to represent that city, formerly called Kern Island, before the California State Legislature. They sought to win the title of county seat from Havilah. In Wallace Morgan’s words (History of Kern County), “[this] task he engineered to a successful and satisfactory consummation.”

A year-long battle ensued during which the BOS attempted to ignore a vote in favor of removal by discounting votes from Bear Valley and Cummings Valley. But Brundage persisted and the BOS was forced to accept the vote. “Within thirty hours after I obtained the writ I had all of the county records on wheels rolling over the Baker road toward Bakersfield.”

By virtue of these efforts, Brundage’s star rose. In 1870 he married Mary B. Lively in Sacramento, a Kentucky native and pioneer in her own right. The two settled in Bakersfield where Brundage had relocated his practice. On May 7, 1879, a new Constitution (replacing the pre-statehood document) was ratified. Brundage was elected the first Superior Court Judge. In this role, he was to gain notoriety from the second major involvement of his career.

The Kern River Valley’s climate and geography have, throughout history, made irrigation a practical necessity. And the availability of water, as well as its ownership, has ignited numerous legal conflicts, the most famous of which was >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 49

Photo courtesy Kern County library

Converging Spirits

Ben Brundage on small bridge, 1910.

arguably Haggin & Carr v. Miller & Lux. At the heart of the issue was a clash over landowner rights (known as riparian rights in English Common Law) and the appropriative rights of individuals, businesses, or public entities which diverted water for larger, common purposes (such as agriculture, mining, and land development). After a twoyear court battle (1879-81), Brundage came down on the side of appropriative rights, ruling in favor of the Kern County Land and Canal Company and against the German immigrant ranchers whose land had dried up from diversion. Three years after the decision, Miller and Lux appealed to the Supreme Court, which ultimately reversed Brundage’s finding. The case became a landmark decision regarding state water rights and is foundational still for disputes over riparian and appropriative water issues.

Brundage returned to private practice after one term on the court. He died, at the age of 77, on January 29, 1911.

The streets named for these men, Brundage Lane, Jastro Avenue, and Jewett Lane, have no common point of intersection.

Jewett runs south from Merlin Lane; Jastro drops south from Padre Street and just a few blocks to Belle Terrace. And Brundage, just out of reach from Jastro, weaves a straight and stately line from Edison Highway to Stockdale. So also these men, different in so many ways, with distinct characters, passions, and aims, occasionally drew near to one other but fundamentally followed separate threads, partly woven for them, partly of their own weaving.

“A true man never frets about his place in the world,” wrote Edwin Hubbel Chapin, “but just slides into it by the gravitation of his nature, and swings there as easily as a star.”

50 Bakersfield Magazine

“ Union Cemetery is very much a part of the story of Kern County and Bakersfield. The cemetery doesn’t just contain the souls of those long-departed founders and influencers, it is physical history.”

—Dave Hepburn

Movers, Shakers, & Scoundrels!

W

hen Colonel Thomas Baker’s bones were laid to rest in 1872, they were placed in a very specific location. That’s because Baker, himself, selected the site for his eternal resting place.

But this plot of land would turn out to be more than just the final destination for Baker—his grave marked the site of what would become Historic Union Cemetery.

As the oldest cemetery in Bakersfield, the plots have been filled with a veritable

much a part of the story of Kern County and Bakersfield,” explained General Manager Dave Hepburn. The cemetery doesn’t just contain the souls of those long-departed founders and influencers, it is physical history.

That’s because the County of Kern purchased the 40acre site that included Baker’s grave shortly after he was buried—and the county actually held a dedication ceremony on April 26, 1878.

“Colonel Baker specifically

Grave markers range from simple wooden planks to very elaborate memorials.

who’s who of Kern County movers and shakers. For example, it’s the final resting place for pioneer Simon Wible and Bakersfield’s first postmaster, George Chester…and everyone in between.

“Union Cemetery is very

looked at this property in the late 1860s and said, ‘Here, at last, I have found a resting place and here I expect to lay my bones,’ ” Hepburn continued. So he must have thought it was something special.

“And it has become

Colonel Thomas Baker selected what would become Bakersfield’s Union Cemetery.

the final resting place of famous Bakersfield notables whose names are on city street signs; of veterans of the American Civil War; of judges, politicians, and historic heroes; and, of course, of some of the more ‘colorful’ characters who were on the wrong side of the law.”

For this very reason, the “Pioneer’s Section” of Historic Union Cemetery has been declared a Historic Place by the Bakersfield Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Bakersfield.

And it’s the reason why the cemetery is open to tours by local residents and visitors, alike.

The goal is to help people >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 51

Movers, Shakers, & Scoundrels! discover the joys of local history, not just those folks buried six feet under, but even the history of the cemetery itself “The name ‘Union Cemetery’ is believed to be derived from the numerous associations, fraternities, and lodges that first took up parcels of property for their members,” Hepburn relayed.

“Today, you will see many sections belonging to the Masons, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Pythias, and others. The main thoroughfare to our west, Union Avenue, is so-named for the parades and funeral processions that led from the center of town down to the cemetery in the early days.”

For over a century-and-a-half, the cemetery has been the burial site for thousands of other Kern County pioneers and settlers, prominent local families, cowboys, farmers, bankers and builders, soldiers—men and women who have shaped our community’s history. So someone has to take care of the land, right?

Currently, Historic Union Cemetery is owned and managed by the Union Cemetery Association, a nonprofit organization that has cared for this property continuously since 1904, and it ensures that historic grave markers are taken care of and the property is maintained.

But, obviously, more research is needed to unearth the pasts of the folks buried on the grounds, and the Association helps with that, too.

And thanks to Cemetery Historian John Codd, a number of those folks’ histories are presented on the selfguided walking tour of Historic Union Cemetery.

“I have been involved with the cemetery as a volunteer for about ten years,” Codd said. “Mainly doing research and giving tours of the historic part of the cemetery.”

You could say that Codd has an appreciation for history, but that wouldn’t be giving him enough credit. For starters, he’s single-handedly compiled a book about the first 35 years of the cemetery, chronicling the years between Colonel Baker’s burial in 1872 through 1907. And 52 Bakersfield Magazine

Volunteer cemetery historian John Codd dusts the marker for Bakersfield’s first postmaster, George Chester.

Simon William Wible, one of the early pioneers of Bakersfield and namesake of Wible Road.

for another, he’s helped to construct the biographies of some of the cemetery’s most interesting “long-term residents.”

“For anyone who loves local history or just wants to walk the grounds of a beautiful, old cemetery, this is a fasci-

Thomas Sears, a rogue gunfighter and gambler who was killed by Jim McKinney in 1900 and buried here.

Percy Douglas, an all-around ‘bad guy’ and a drunk, who was shot by Edwin Willow in 1897, also rests here.”

Benjamin Brundage helped make Bakersfield a political power center in the 1870s.

Elisha Stephens brought the first immigrant wagon train over the Sierra Nevada in 1844.

nating place to visit,” Hepburn added.

On tours of the cemetery, Codd (and other volunteers) will tell the history of Union Cemetery as well as divulging fascinating facts about some of the impressive folks buried there while showing grave locations and markers.

And by taking the tour, people will discover details about the lives of our early heroes, but, as Codd explained, they’ll also have a chance to learn about the villains, too. Alright, maybe not villains, but as anyone who’s ever looked at our county’s history can tell you, we’ve had some very unsavory characters walking our streets—and now they’re entombed here forever!

“There’s Alfred Wood ‘Al’ Hulse,” Codd said. “He was a part of the Joss House shootout and killed himself in his jail cell in 1906. And then there’s

Then there’s everyone’s favorite Madame, Marie-Terese Brignaudy, who ran brothels downtown. She’s called Union Cemetery home since 1933. And there are many more rogues to be discovered.

Still, the tour highlights the more redeeming figures for obvious reasons.

Because Bakersfield was home to Grand Army of the Republic Hurlbut Post 127, a number of Civil War veterans are buried here—including over 90 Union soldiers and 17 Confederate soldiers.

But the list goes on. Captain Elisha Stephens, a frontiersman who was first to guide a wagon train safely over the treacherous Sierra Nevada mountains, opening Northern California to overland migration; Faustino Noriega, a leader of Bakersfield’s Basque community and founder of a famous Bakers-

field hotel…they’re both buried here.

In addition to Colonel Baker, Benjamin Brundage, Solomon Jewett, and George B. Chester, there’s also Alexis Godey, a guide and scout; pioneer businessman Paul Galtes; Henry Jastro, manager of the Kern County Land Company; Charles Barlow, an early congressman and oil tycoon; and J.J. Lopez, a majordomo of Tejon Ranch.

But Historic Union Cemetery also recognizes some of the lesser-known names from Kern County’s past.

“Boot Hill” features the few remaining wooden markers that haven’t eroded or been destroyed over the years.

Early grave markers were made of wood or other easily-weathered materials, so, naturally, a great number of them have disappeared. These graves don’t belong to anyone with a street named after them, but are a part of our history nonetheless.

Touring the cemetery is an excellent way to expose yourself to a little local history. Sure, there are old buildings that dot the downtown Bakersfield streetscape that help remind us of Kern County’s past, and there are a number of benches, streets, and parks that bear the name of those pioneers, so it’s easy to see that our history surrounds us. But until you’ve strolled along the Historic Union Cemetery grounds and learned

“Boot Hill” features the remaining wooden markers that haven’t eroded or been destroyed over the years.

more about the people forever resting under your feet, it’s hard to fully appreciate those who came before us—people who built the community we live in today.

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54 Bakersfield Magazine

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 55

Tejon Ranch

F

or more than 150 years, Tejon Ranch Company has been dedicated to preserving the beauty and integrity of the near 270,000 acres of land it manages. Indeed, the commitment by the Ranch to “preserve California’s legacy” is as real and vibrant today as it’s ever been.

Its well-known history is just a small part of what makes Tejon Ranch special, though. The past, present, and future plans of Tejon Ranch are all cause to celebrate what this amazing organization has and will bring to Kern County residents.

There are over two centuries of history associated with the land that is referred to as Tejon Ranch. It has been ascertained that the land was originally occupied by five different Native American

At the Tejon Ranch, over a century of progress and landmark events prove that everyone at the Ranch takes the commitment of preserving California’s past while providing for its future seriously. tribes before 1800, and they occupied land from Castac Lake (also referred to as Tejon Lake) to the Antelope Valley and present-day Tehachapi.

The ranch received its name from Lt. Francisco Ruiz, who named the area El Tejon, Spanish for badger, as he and his soldiers found a dead badger at the mouth of the canyon.

In 1843, the Ranch was founded from a Mexican land grant, growing in size as the years progressed and founder

56 Bakersfield Magazine

General Edward Fitzgerald Beale purchased additional land grants. By that time, the 422 square miles that Beale purchased had already seen many historically significant occurrences. Kit Carson rode along the ranges of Tejon Ranch, where he scouted the area and trapped beaver.

French trapper Peter Lebec was killed by a bear in the area where Fort Tejon was located.

Built in 1854 and manned by the First Dragoons, Fort Tejon was once home to 225 troops and 15 buildings. The area is so expansive that it is rife with historical happenings. After all, the Ranch was established years before California was admitted as the 31st state. However, some of the most incredible situations have taken place in the more recent years. Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing Barry Zoeller confirmed that the Ranch will

continue to have a substantial and positive impact on our county. One example is the recently developed Tejon Ranch Commerce Center. “The Commerce Center is a real hub for distribution facilities, and just last year two major companies opened warehouses there. We now have Ikea, Famous Footwear, Dollar General, and Caterpillar, Inc., established in the area.” Roughly 1,500 jobs have been created as a result

of the Commerce Center, and that’s just the start. “By the time we are done with all that we have planned, we expect to have created a total of six to seven thousand jobs.”

The Ranch, in partnership with The Rockefeller Group, is also working to bring an upscale outlet center, named The Outlets at Tejon Ranch, to Kern County. With hopes of opening up in the spring of 2014, this fabulous shopping mecca will boast more than 70

4436 Lebec Road, Tejon Ranch, CA n 661-248-3000 www.tejonranch.com

The past, present, and future plans of Tejon Ranch are all cause to celebrate what this amazing organization has and will bring to Kern County residents. upscale stores and is expected to generate anywhere between 800 to 1,000 jobs. Tejon Ranch will also be developing the mountain resort community of Tejon Mountain Village and the landmark new town of Centennial, which is planned for the southernmost part of the Ranch. Such things can be expected from Tejon, which is the only publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange headquartered in Kern County.

However grand the plans may be, for many, the best part about all of the development that Tejon Ranch is experiencing is that it only makes up for 10 percent of the total land. Incredibly, the other 90 percent of the Ranch will never be developed. “As we see it,” Zoeller continued, “this is an appropriate and balanced approach. We get to preserve a great history, the land, and use a small portion of our property to create jobs, housing, economic opportunities, and wonderful places for people to visit.”

That doesn’t mean that the public will not still have their share of fun and excitement in the wilder areas, though.

It’s just a completely different kind of fun! As part of the wildlife management program that Tejon Ranch offers, there are quite a few options for those who enjoy the great outdoors on a number of levels.

There’s wildlife to observe all over the Ranch, from Rocky Mountain elk to quail. Recognized by the California Department of Fish and Game for its “outstanding contributions to the promotion of California’s rich hunting heritage,” Tejon’s

Beale Adobe

Tejon Vaqueros

Ranch Barn wildlife management division offers a number of hunting memberships to choose from.

There is also a public access community hiking program run by the Tejon Ranch

Conservancy. This organization hosts hikes (which range in difficulty) and historical tours on the land. A schedule is maintained and there are limitations on how many peo-

ple can participate in these fun activities, so a visit to TejonConservancy.org prior to making any plans is a must.

While preservation of the land and the history surrounding it are of utmost importance to the passionate people who operate Tejon Ranch, they clearly aren’t just focused on tending the land these days. In fact, in addition to everything else that they have going on, they’ve developed a men’s clothing line that bears that legendary name.

Fine men’s shirts and pants are available both online at TejonClothing.com, as well as at Snead’s for Men in Bakersfield. What is even more exciting, Zoeller detailed, is those who are interested specifically in the historical aspects of the Ranch can find a plethora of pictures and a historical narrative in the coffee table book Tejon Ranch: Preserving the Legacy of a California Treasure, which was recently published and is available at TejonRanchStore.com.

The mission statement for Tejon Ranch is to preserve California’s past while providing for its future. With a clothing line, book, multiple locations to film, and countless activities to engage the public, it is evident that the folks out at the Ranch take their mission seriously. For the hundred-plus years of history that they are protecting and for the centuries to come, this is a commitment not to be taken lightly. If the past or present is any indication of whether or not they will be successful in protecting a legacy, it is safe to assume that success is a given.

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YEARS & GROWING

Established 1843 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 57

Luigi’s

W

hen Joe Lemucchi came to California from Lucca, Italy, in 1906, he had no idea that the business he was about to open would become a Bakersfield icon.

Joe originally opened his café on Sumner Street. Then he married Emilia Degiuli and, in 1910, the couple moved the business to its current location on 19th.

That original shop, which featured a grocery, a café, a bakery, and a gasoline station, actually had family quarters in the back where the couple’s four children were born. Louis, Lena, Harry, and Helen were literally born into the business.

Joe was a family man who loved the people of the community. As such, he began catering to the many Italian immigrant families that had

Luigi’s and Lemucchi’s Grocery has been at its present location since 1910 and is one of Bakersfield’s oldest continuous familyoperated businesses. come to Kern County in the early 1900s. Some of these families lived in the immediate neighborhood while others were living outside of town, farming and ranching, and they would have to drive into town to get their groceries.

Locals love the fact that you can enjoy a delicious Italian lunch and then walk a few feet into the deli and pick up pasta, sauces, wines, snacks, desserts, and more. That aspect of the Luigi’s legacy has been around since the begin-

58 Bakersfield Magazine

ia Valpredo, Valpredo, Anton Sacco no Gi & y nd Sa , hn Monte Valpredo do, Monica Valpredo, and Jo Lanette Valpre

ning as the grocery store featured not only domestic goods, but also imported favorites.

Always wanting to support the community in any way he could, Joe also constructed several small apartments in the rear of the store and he rented them out to bachelor Italian immigrants.

The grape arbor, located in between those apartments and the store, became the place where groups of local Italians would meet and discuss the world around them.

As a result, the café and grocery store were always exciting, energetic places—where shopping was sometimes less about purchasing weekly food supplies and more about engaging in a little social banter with fellow countrymen and women.

This was also the time that the now famous Luigi sandwich was born. Created by

Joe and Emilia to serve the always hungry customers, the sandwich is always recommended to first-timers dining at Luigi’s. But the couple also had fresh stew, pasta sauce, and minestrone on the stove for those who sat down at the café to chat.

When Joe passed away, Emilia and her son, Louis (Luigi), continued the business.

They added a bar next to the old store and the restaurant expanded into the building to the east, giving them more room to serve the customers.

The new expanded bar and restaurant were named

Emilia and Joe Lemucchi

725 E 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA n 661-322-0926 www.shopluigis.com

Luigi was an incessant collector of photos and sports memorabilia, covering the walls of his business with photos of local athletes spanning more than seven decades.

“Luigi’s.” Luigi was an incessant collector of photos and sports memorabilia, covering the walls of his business with photos of local athletes spanning more than seven decades. Anyone who’s walked through the doors at Luigi’s recognizes that. Even so, the photos displayed on the walls actually make up only a small portion of Luigi’s entire collection.

Those pictures are a constant attraction for multiple generations of locals and visitors alike, who return frequently to view a favored photo with a friend, relative, or member of a new generation. After the death of Luigi in 1989, the store and restaurant has been operated by the third and fourth generations of the Lemucchi family: Antonia Valpredo and her children (Monica, Lanette, and Gino).

Today, Gino makes sure that customers are treated as they have been for over a century.

“We want to give them the great experience from when they walk in to when they walk out,” he said. “Our goal is always to be consistent every meal, every hour, every day.”

As Gino explained it, Luigi’s has been a tradition for many generations of Bakersfieldians, so his family aims to make sure that when someone comes in for pasta once a week or more, that pasta tastes the same every time.

“I hear several times a day from people who are visiting from out of town. And they tell me that Luigi’s is always one of their stops, when they visit,” Gino added. “That’s something we take very se-

Old Deli

Antonia & Monte Valpredo and Children

Hanging outside the store in the early days riously, because we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like family.”

Whether guests are coming in to have lunch or requesting that Luigi’s cater a party, it’s

a part of their day and their lives—so Gino doesn’t mess around.

“We’ve still got the name and the tradition that comes along with being around for

generations of local diners and families. I would never want to be the one to let anyone down and hear people say, ‘Oh, as soon as he took over, things went south.’ That’s why I’m going to keep it consistent to keep people happy.”

Consistency is just one element to the Luigi’s motto.

“It’s about customer service and it always has been, all the way back to Joe. And it’s about team work. We are providing food and service to the people in this community—and Bakersfield is like a big family, so it seems to be a great relationship.”

For Gino, the biggest hurdle the family business has seen in its history has been growing too fast. “We outgrew our space so face that we can’t always take care of the people that we want to take care of all the time,” he added.

Obviously, with a 100-year history, there are a number of great stories. But Gino said that the ones he loves the most are the ones that come up around Christmastime, when Luigi’s is roughly threetimes busier than normal.

“It’s the time of year when it can get overwhelming, but it’s also the time of year that we are able to be a part of so many families’ Christmas traditions…so many of the same families come to us year after year and tell us that we are a part of their holiday—that Luigi’s is a part of their family holiday. So, yes we get tired, and yes, we get stressed, but we also realize that we are a big part of people’s lives in Bakersfield… and we always have been.

That’s a great feeling.”

103

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1910 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 59

WN

Kern County Builder’s Exchange, Inc.

ot many businesses can say that they have been an integral part of our community for 84 years; braving the many challenges that have been presented over the decades only to be just as relevant today as they were at their inception. Kern County Builders’ Exchange, Inc., has had a great impact on the formation of our city, and it is still the spot where countless builders, contractors, subcontractors, and even the general public go to begin their building plans. Throughout our local history, the Exchange has truly lived up to its slogan, “All Great Projects Start Here.”

The largest Exchange in all of California is right here in Bakersfield, still proudly stating that “All Great Projects Start Here.”

Mikin McClanahan, the current executive director and the first woman to serve as such for the organization, asserted that the Exchange has always been the go-to place for all construction projects.

“Kern County’s building history is rooted right here,” she began. “When it was first created in 1929, everything was done through the Exchange.

We are currently the largest Exchange in all of California due to being centrally located, which makes it a very valuable resource.”

The Builders’ Exchange truly is the place to go for

60 Bakersfield Magazine

all kinds of projects. Being a member of the Exchange takes the guesswork out of almost everything concerning the “who” of construction.

Members include those who specialize in all levels of construction (from plumbers and electricians to home builders) and even range to people who are involved in aspects that some people may not consider, like lawyers—who are current on different codes and regulations. That’s essential information for anyone seeking to build. The Plan Room is now

KCBEX staff an d

16 of the 26 boar

Original location on R Street, downtown

1982 Board of Directors online and is an essential database for contractors in every sector of the industry.

“In our original building, we had a Plan Room, and that was about it,” Robert Moss, a longstanding member of 44 years, recalled. They experienced their greatest shift when they moved buildings in 1985 to

the current location on Baker Street. “One of our members, Jimmy Stewart, bought the building because he had so much faith in what we were doing,” affirmed Tom Hartnett, another current director.

“And his faith was well placed, because we paid him back as soon as we could.”

1121 Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA n 661-324-4921 www.KCBEX.com

d members

Members can not only peruse all of the plans available online, but the Exchange is also currently working on an app to assist members, as well.

This is all just a part of the Exchange’s efforts to stay up-todate and offer their members the best possible service.

President David Spalinger and board member Dan Boyance both agreed that there was one element that was most important. “The best thing about our members is that you wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of them to people seeking out the work they do,” Boyance stated.

With a history of reliability almost spanning an entire century, Kern County Builders’ Exchange is a veritable mecca for all things construction in Kern County, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Now that’s something strong to build upon.

84

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1929

WA

Wall’s Hearing Aid Center, Inc.

family-run operation that started out in the living room of a Columbus Street home has been bringing better hearing to the folks of Bakersfield—and people around the world—for 67 years now. At Wall’s Hearing Aid Center, Inc., you are sure to get unsurpassed attention and care when it comes to your hearing needs. As second-generation owner Kenneth Wall stated, “I don’t sell hearing aids, I sell hearing.”

Kenneth’s father, Vernon, was a counselor at the School for the Deaf in Berkeley, CA

for quite some time. “My siblings and I were always helping,” he recalled. “Whether it was sweeping the floors or making change, we were all a part of the business.” It was then that they also learned how to treat customers respectfully, as well.

These customer-oriented principles are still upheld by the company, which has come a long way since its humble beginnings on Columbus.

When Vernon retired at the age of 89, Kenneth stepped up to fill his shoes, as he had

Kenneth Wall

The friendly service, commitment to excellence, and cutting-edge technology make a visit to this 67-yearold local company feel like music to your ears. before he served in the Navy as a corpsman during World War II. He was later transferred to Philadelphia Naval Hospital where he spent his days testing and providing hearing aids to the servicemen who needed them. “He liked it so much,” Kenneth said, “that when his service was through, he came back to California and opened up Wall’s Hearing Aid Center in 1946—a business that was run out of our living room.”

Told that he was part of the PR department, since he was just a young child when Wall’s had its start, Kenneth has known the ins and outs of the hearing aid business

John Wall, Kenneth Wall, Vernon Wall been working with the company full time since 1973, acquiring his license shortly thereafter. The Center is currently not only busy servicing the hearing needs of our local community, but, through its association with Starkey—its hearing aid provider—is also branching out to help those

with similar needs who are less fortunate all throughout the world. “For every hearing aid that I sell, I purchase one to donate to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, whose motto is ‘So the World May Hear,’” he disclosed.

Starkey—a leader in the industry—provides ongoing

4800 Easton Drive, Suite 102, Bakersfield, CA www.WHACI.com

n

training, which Kenneth attends many times throughout the year. Its products are top-of-the-line and computer-based, but what truly sets it apart is the Foundation, which sends representatives all over the world to provide hearing tests and aids for those with hearing problems who are less fortunate. Supporting this cause is something that everyone working at Wall’s feels immense pride in.

“I’ve maintained my father’s philosophies,” Kenneth said. “These are: the customer is always right; the customer is important; and the customer is the number one reason why we are here.” These principles guide everything that Wall’s Hearing Aid Center, Inc., does, and that’s why so many people in the community have come to trust their hearing health to Wall’s.

661-323-1612

67

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1946 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 61

E

Price Environmental Services

lmer Sr. and Virginia started the Price family legacy of public service in April 1947 when they opened Southside Sanitation in south Bakersfield. Elmer’s motto was simple: “One Man, One Truck, One Route.” So, with his trusty 1929 Ford Model A, Elmer set to work building a business. He said he simply wanted to work hard and provide for his family.

Elmer’s standard of integrity and customer service is at the core of how Price Disposal and the Price family continue to operate today.

Walter Price, Elmer Price Jr., Wanda Price-England, and now third generation Price employee Jon Price continue

Kern County, the City of Bakersfield, City of Arvin, Los Angeles County, and Ventura County.

Being innovative has been at the core of the Price business strategy.

The Price family was the first local hauler to purchase a packer truck (1959), frontloader truck (1965), Jon Price, Walte r Price, Wanda England-Price, roll-off truck Elmer J. Price, Jr. (1972), and fully automated side loader truck The heart of the Price fam(1992). ily’s community service has In 2006, Price Disposal’s always been focused on the “Classroom Recycling Conlocal youth.

Giving back to tainer Program” began with

For over six decades, the Price family has been dedicated to providing quality disposal services to the entire Kern County area.

Elmer Sr.’s standards and uphold the philosophy that has carried the Price’s business for over 60 years.

The operation today is managed under that philosophy of: “Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.”

Today, the one-truck, oneman route has turned into a fleet of 57 collection trucks servicing seven franchise areas with over 34,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The service area covers over 1,200 square miles which includes

62 Bakersfield Magazine

Elmer & Virginia Price opened for business in 1947 the Arvin Union School District, which has resulted in 2010 & 2011 “Waste Minimization” Trophy from Keep California Beautiful. In 2009, the Arvin Green Arts Festival was created. It was the first Recycled Material Arts Festival in the State of California.

In addition, companies like Nestle (Dreyers) have utilized Price’s specially fabricated equipment to help compost/ recycle millions of pounds of material every month.

the youth will help the whole community benefit in the future. In 2008, the Price family started donating towards the AVID Scholarships for Arvin School District students. The AVID program helps finance, prepare, and encourage students for their college days ahead. These ongoing community programs helped Price Disposal and the Price family to be recognized as the 2013 Arvin Business of the Year.

The Price family, along

with the other local haulers of metro Bakersfield area and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, created the Greater Bakersfield Green Expo. The Expo is the only high school recycled material arts competition in the state. The collaborative group also helped initiate McDonald’s E-Waste events that benefits Bakersfield’s local Ronald McDonald House Charities that serve the families of sick children.

The local haulers also service many community events such as the Bakersfield Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s largest event.

The Price family is forever grateful for the opportunity to serve Kern County. Giving back to the community through scholarships, community programs, and innovative service opportunities is an effort to show their customers how much they appreciate being able to serve them.

8665 South Union Avenue, Bakersfield, CA n 661-831-2653 www.kernrefuse.com/companies/price-environmental

66

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1947

WK

ern Radiology is extremely proud of its Kern County heritage and its commitment to not only the physicians but also the residents of this great county.

Kern Radiology was established by local Radiologists as the first outpatient radiology practice in 1968. Prior to that point, most radiology services were provided in hospitals.

The Radiologists who established Kern Radiology believed they could provide more convenient access to improved radiology services in a more patient-friendly environment.

And 45 years later, the

Kern Radiology Tomography unit (CT) to Bakersfield. Technology of that time was extremely limited, permitting only the scanning of the head. The multi-slice technology of today’s CTs have truly changed medicine and surgery practice by providing detailed images. The San Joaquin Valley’s first Ultrasound unit was introduced to Bakersfield in 1974. That same year, Kern Radiology launched the first non-hospital based Nuclear Medicine Department. Those introductions were quickly followed by

San Dimas Loca

While some of Kern Radiology’s owners have changed over the decades, the vision, compassion, and dedication to care for people are still thriving. company’s vision for the community continues to evolve.

Unprecedented advances in medicine and technology have changed the field of radiology, but not the heart and soul of Kern Radiology.

Kern Radiology has a long tradition of medical “firsts” in Kern County. In 1969, during the organization’s second year in existence, Kern Radiology played a key role in the formation of the Radiologic Technologist Program at Bakersfield College, which has trained hundreds of technologists for the community.

Then, in 1971, Kern Radiology introduced the first Computed

Bahamas Location

New Location at Riverwalk the first Mammography unit in Kern County.

Kern Radiology is proud to be American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited in all imaging services provided which include Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography, Nuclear

Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Ultrasound. Kern Radiology is also the only imaging center in Kern County to be awarded the special accreditation of Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BIOCE). This accreditation covers several breast health services such

tion

as Mammography, Ultrasound, and multiple methods of breast biopsy procedures.

This month, Kern Radiology has opened a third modern, patient friendly facility in the Riverwalk / CSUB area at 9330 Stockdale Highway. The Stockdale location features the most technologically advanced MRI unit available in the San Joaquin Valley; the GE MR 750. This MRI unit produces incredibly detailed images on the highest strength MRI unit currently available. The other two facilities are 2301 Bahamas Drive and 3838 San Dimas Street.

Kern Radiology is extremely proud of its staff of 180 that tirelessly serve the residents of this community.

While some of Kern Radiology’s owners have changed over the decades, the vision, compassion, and dedication to care for people are still thriving.

45

YEARS &

GROWING 2301 Bahamas Drive, Bakersfield, CA n 661-326-9600 Established 1968 www.KernRadiology.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 63

Bill Wright Toyota

B

ill Wright Toyota opened for business in December of 1969. Originally, John Barber and Bill Wright were partners in the franchise when it opened. In 1974, Mr. Wright purchased Mr. Barber’s shares and became the sole owner of the dealership. That same year, Jack Weimer joined Bill Wright Toyota. In his 35 years of service, Weimer stated that, “Mr. Wright knew no strangers. He had a charismatic personality and was driven to provide the Bakersfield community with an unprecedented level of service. Mr. Wright would always say, ‘If you have a problem, tell me. If you love the expe-

The demands of consumers have changed over the past 40 years, and Bill Wright Toyota has grown to accommodate those wishes and the changing automotive industry. rience, tell the world!’ ” The company was built on this hands-on approach to customer satisfaction.

“The biggest challenge in the early ‘70s was overcoming the stigma of being a Japanese made car,” Weimer explained. He added that Toyota, Honda, and Datsun (later Nissan) all faced the same stereotype of being analogous with inexpensive Japanese electronics. “At the time, Toyota made a very dependable car that got great gas mileage,” he said. “The only problem was gas wasn’t

64 Bakersfield Magazine

an issue. Prices were cheap, comparatively, and the American consumer wanted power and luxury.” As always, in the spirit of Kaizen, Toyota’s motto of on-going, continuous improvement, they quickly built cars for the American market without compromising their focus on quality and the low cost of ownership.

Obviously, Wright triumphed in his goal to create a service-based dealership.

More and more consumers appreciated his focus and they experienced the differ-

Bill Wright Toyo

Bill Wright ence. As a result, the company grew and became a cornerstone of the Bakersfield community.

In 1998, Bill Wright unexpectedly passed away. The company was subsequently purchased by Steve Downs, his son-in-law. “Without Steve’s vision and his aggressive approach to business, we never would have attained the level of success that the dealership enjoys today,” Weimer, who retired in 2009, added. After Mr. Downs took the helm, he did a complete renovation of the dealership by adding show-

Steve Downs room space, expanding the service bays, modernizing the infrastructure, and investing in a sweeping capital-improvement campaign.

Through his vision, Bill Wright Toyota was postured to address the demands of a new millennium.

As anticipated, the car industry changed at lightspeed. Advancements in technology fueled a whole new approach to customer service and the car-buying experience. But Downs embraced these changes and transformed the culture of Bill Wright Toyota, along

5100 Gasoline Alley Dr., Bakersfield, CA www.BillWright.com

n

661-398-8697

ta

with General Manager Larry Puryear, to react progressively to a growing population of digitally connected, computer savvy consumers.

In the same breath, one thing never changed: Bill Wright’s founding vision of being personally connected with each and every customer.

In 2008, Downs expanded his operations by opening North Bakersfield Toyota. His goal was to offer a convenient alternative for Bakersfield residents living north of Rosedale Highway. Both Toyota dealerships employ over 250 people and support countless vendors throughout the community. And despite the economic downturn in 2009 and 2010, North Bakersfield Toyota has flourished under the direction and vision of both Downs and Puryear.

Today, Bill Wright Toyota is guided by two principles: Continuous Improvement and Respect for People.

43

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1969

A

lthough Golden Empire Transit District was officially created in 1973, Bakersfield was served by public transit as early as 1874. That year, Southern Pacific Railroad informed the city that the railroad company would not serve Bakersfield unless it was granted two blocks of land on either side of the tracks. The city refused. The train station was built two miles to the east of the city at what is now the corner of Baker Street and Sumner Street.

This situation caused a problem for travelers and a profit for stage drivers who charged $1 per trip between Bakersfield and the train station. Today the fare for a single trip on a GET bus is $1.25 so $1 was a considerable fee for a single ride in 1874.

Public transit was provided by private companies until the

Golden Empire Transit District’s mission is to consistently provide safe, accessible, reliable, and affordable public transportation to diverse customers in the greater Bakersfield area. mid-1950s when the popularity of the automobile caused a significant drop in ridership and revenues. The city took over operations of the public transit system and in 1965 created a transit authority.

In 1972, voters within the proposed transit district boundaries approved the formation of the district by a 2-to-1 margin. A board of directors was appointed in September, 1972. In 1973, the District started operation and was named the Golden Em-

Golden Empire Transit pire Transit District.

Over the next five years, GET acquired 25 air conditioned buses, established 300 stops and developed a new system of routes. Ridership increased 167 percent. The base fare was 25 cents.

In November, 1979, GET initiated a curb-to-curb service called GET-A-Lift. GETA-Lift provides service to customers unable to use the fixed route service due to disabilities.

In an effort to improve air quality, GET purchased the first

Today’s environm

entally friendly

natural gas GET-A-Lift buses.

In 2010, GET introduced a new logo and new blue and greens colors to emphasize

Early street cars in Bakersfield compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in 1998. In addition, a CNG fueling station was built at GET. By March, 2006, GET’s entire fleet of buses was converted to compressed natural gas.

Today, GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET services 16 routes, seven days a week. More than six million passengers are transported each year in the fixed route buses. In addition GET operates 19 compressed

GET buses

the District’s commitment to improving air quality. The District’s sustainability pledge says GET is committed to environmental wellness. Sustainability practices are integrated into all aspects of its operations through clean technologies, renewable resources and recycling. It is the organization’s goal to preserve the health of our planet and the well-being of our community.

In October 2012, GET implemented a new system of

1830 Golden State Avenue, Bakersfield, CA www.getbus.org

n

routes designed to provide faster, more efficient service.

In addition, all the routes now operate on weekends. GET also added trip planning to its web site—getbus.org.

Golden Empire Transit District’s mission is to consistently provide safe, accessible, reliable, and affordable public transportation to diverse customers in the greater Bakersfield area. GET also introduced a new values statement: the District is committed to a consistent level of quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement in everything we do. GET’s next large project in 2013 will be to introduce new software which will provide audible announcements at stops and allow customers to use their smart phones to determine how soon buses will arrive at stops.

This year, GET is celebrating 40 years of providing public transit service to the community!

661-324-9874

40

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1973 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 65

D

California Keyboards Music Center

on and Beverly Wade made a big decision in 1976. The local couple jumped into business in a big way when they opened a store dedicated to the sale of pianos and organs, as well as a music lesson center.

At the time, the company, known today as California Keyboards Music Center, was small but efficient. The Wades’ store was also the first store to be an official Yamaha dealer in the Kern County area. They were always looking for ways to set the business apart from other stores in town and, to this

Over the years, California Keyboards has added a variety of products and services in order to better serve the musicians in our fair city. It’s not just pianos and keyboards that the store carries; everything one needs to learn and play an instrument is available, including reeds, strings for all stringed instruments, mouthpieces, music stands, instrument cases and bags, cleaning and maintenance supplies, metronomes and tuners—just to name a few.

Fittingly, California Keyboards also carries an extensive line of sheet music. Be-

Ed Tomlinson

Though it’s been over 36 years since California Keyboards opened its doors, the store continues to bring music and education to the Kern County community. day, that attitude holds true.

Since that day over 30 years ago, the philosophy has never changed—offer customers from Kern County, southern California, and beyond, the best selection in musical instruments.

Originally located in East Bakersfield, the store moved to Ming Avenue for a brief period before setting up shop on Oak Street. The moves were necessary to accommodate the growth of not only the business, but also the growing community’s desire for pianos.

66 Bakersfield Magazine

Don & Beverly Wade, founders cause the knowledgable staff can also tune and restore most instruments, it’s easy to see how it has become the largest ‘full-service’ music store in town.

Some of that has to do with Ed Tomlinson’s vision for growing the company. Tomlinson bought California Keyboards in 2000 and, early on, had the help of his grandparents, Carlene and Ronald.

Tomlinson is a master piano restoration expert (he’s currently restoring an 1877 Steinway semi-concert grand

with original ivory and rosewood finish).

Tomlinson says he cannot take all the credit for the success. He has assembled the best staff and is proud to have a fantastic team working for him. The entire staff works to bring music to Kern County by keeping California Keyboards involved in numerous local organizations.

The business has donated the use of pianos for the Bakersfield Symphony community concerts, the Bakersfield Jazz Festival, The Master-

100 Oak Street, Bakersfield, CA n 661-327-5397 www.CaliforniaKeyboards.com

works Chorale, and they’ve even hosted booths at local marching band and drumline competitions for free band instrument repairs during competition. And because music appreciation starts young, there is also a full-time staff member who ensures local schools have the musical supplies they need.

It is so important to Tomlinson and California Keyboards that children have access to education that the business was adamant about forming a music school. It started with 45 students in 2000 and today boasts nearly 500 students weekly, learning piano, guitar, brass, strings, and voice.

Thanks to values like these, it’s easy to see that California Keyboards will be bringing music to our community for many years to come.

37

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1976

I

Carney’s Business Technology Center

n a fast-paced industry, the best any company can do is to progress with the changes. With 35 years in the books, Carney’s Business Technology Center has become a company upon which other businesses can rely. According to company president, Rick Kreiser, this has been the way they’ve run the organization from the beginning.

Technology changes every day. That wasn’t always the case, though—especially when Carney’s got its start back in 1978. “Bob Carney had been in the industry for sixteen years before he made the decision to give it a go for himself,” Kreiser recalled

they were soon in an established office.

The two were quick to realize each other’s strengths in growing the business.

Carney had excellent people skills, solid community connections, and a strong reputation for great customer service. Bob was also handy with finances, so as he tended to that important end of the business, Rick was able to pick up the ‘product skills’ they would need.

In fact, Kreiser once re-

Rick Kreiser, Ch

ris Kreiser, Jeff

clients. This spirit has been guiding the company since.

Eventually, Rick’s sons, Chris and Jeff, joined the

Celebrating over three decades of being “Kern County’s preferred business partner,” Carney’s Business Technology Center is your total IT service provider. about the company’s founder.

“He started his dream with a couple of typewriters, a copy machine, a ‘68 Ford pickup, and the spare bedroom of his east Bakersfield home.”

Shortly after, Carney approached son-in-law, Kreiser, about joining his business. At the time, Rick and his wife, Kris, lived at the coast and weren’t immediately interested in coming back home.

That sentiment only lasted for a matter of hours, though.

“We became excited by the possibilities,” said Kreiser, “and were back in Bakersfield the next month.” Needless to say, the bedroom Kris grew up in didn’t accommodate them for too long, and

Red LeCain, Kris Kreiser, Rick Kreiser, Bob Carney–1978 ceived a call from a customer regarding a word processor they had seen. He asked Rick, point blank, “Are you going to sell me one, or am I going to have to get it from someone else?” It was then that Kreiser realized that, if they were to sustain themselves, they would have to keep moving with the times. As typewriters gave way to word processors, and calculators to spreadsheets, Carney’s supported only the best brands for their

Kreiser

company to serve as vice president and director of client services, respectively. Today, they specialize in design, installation, and support of business networks. Naturally, their service and commitment to excellence is what keeps their clients happy. “You can go anywhere and buy software or equipment…and everything works perfectly when you’re reading about it on the web,” Kreiser mused. “But then it’s up to you to ensure it delivers

2001 Westwind Drive, Bakersfield, CA www.carneys.com

n

661-327-0030

the results you expected. It basically takes you away from your business and what you should be focusing on.” When a company employs Carney’s services, their technology investment is maximized. “It’s really no different than seeking any professional assistance when you have to get it right the first time.

“We are proud of our company’s progress, but even prouder of the relationships we have forged with our clients throughout the years,” stated Kreiser. “There are a number of clients who have been with us for the majority of our thirty-five years and we thank them for their confidence and loyal support. Kern County is a wonderful place to do business—and to give back to. We have also been blessed with a great team of people who have helped make Carney’s a leader. Looking ahead, we see a bright future for our company.”

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YEARS & GROWING

Established 1978 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 67

Valley Institute of Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

W

hen brothers Barry and Jeff Townsend decided to create their own prosthetic and orthotic practice 32 years ago, their aim was to bring the best in the industry to local patients. Little did they know that, not only would their business go from a 1,800 square-foot facility to one that was 7,600 squarefeet, but it would also be the largest and most advanced provider for prosthetics and orthotics within the entire southern San Joaquin Valley.

What is now a local legacy, Valley Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. (VIPO)

at the forefront, and, fortunately, there was family and other professionals to take the helm. Barry’s son, Trevor, grew as the company did, working summers during high school and college and learning the ins and outs of the business. He and James Bernardino—a practitioner who has been with the company since the early ‘90s— both currently serve as owning partners and Certified Prosthetists Orthotists of the company. Though the owners may have changed, the

Trevor Townsen

d and James Be

At VIPO, you can be sure that you will receive the best possible service so that you can live the most comfortable and productive life possible. is going stronger than ever.

The brothers brought innovation to their field. Jeff designed what came to be known as the Townsend Knee Brace and began a separate company by the name of Townsend Design. While this was a great accomplishment, it meant that he was unable to continue his work with VIPO. He wasn’t the only inventive one in the duo, though. After years of running the company, Barry invented a prosthetic foot. When he completed that task, he, too, had to leave the company and went on to create BioQuest Prosthetics.

VIPO needed new people

68 Bakersfield Magazine

Barry Townsend fitting a KAFO level of quality, integrity, and customer service has not.

“We work very closely with the doctors and the patients they refer to us,” Bernardino said. “We make sure that the entire healthcare team is trying to make the right choices with the patient for the most optimal outcome.” This not

only means that the patient is certain to get the best possible device to fit their individual needs, but also that VIPO carries the most current technological developments available on the market to better serve their clientele.

“We fight for our patients, and will step up to any chal-

1524 21st Street, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA www.vipoinc.com

n

661-322-1005

rnardino

lenge to advocate for their well-being. We also have the latest in technology available, and are the only local company that offers cranial remolding helmets,” Trevor stated, revealing that his father developed a brace that was the precursor to the helmet to help treat Trevor’s condition as a child: congenital muscular torticollis.

VIPO also serves as a teaching facility where people in the industry complete their residencies.

Over the years, many things have changed. VIPO went from offering products made of leather, wood, and metal to using computer technology for fittings, fabrication, and other necessary components. The full staff of professionals—many of which are American Board Certified practitioners—are proud to be part of a tradition that has revolutionized the industry, and it shows.

32

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1981

Bakersfield Magazine

I

n the three decades that Bakersfield Magazine has been churning out issues, the landscape of Bakersfield has done some changing, and the magazine has evolved along with it.

But name changes aside, the goal of Bakersfield Magazine has always been to bring positive stories to the community.

Interestingly, the magazine’s founders, Les and the late Donna Corum, had no intention of becoming publishers of a city magazine. They were content owning and operating a local advertising agency. That is, until they recognized a need in the Bakersfield area for a new kind of targeted advertising.

“We decided to utilize a magazine format to feature our clients’ products,” Les

this was in a time before Photoshop and iMacs. Still, the Corums persevered, and Le Connoisseur Elegant landed in the mailboxes of 2,500 homes.

Their advertisers, impressed with the success of the campaign, asked that more issues follow. A year later, the first Les (foregroun d) and the wha cky Bakersfiel editorial feature d Magazine bu nch profiled the Assistant League’s showcase zine in the early ‘90s. home, and the reaction by But with the explosive readers was overwhelming. growth the city experienced in So the Corums decided to fo- the ‘90s and early 2000s, the cus their efforts on building need for a true city magazine

For 30 years, Bakersfield Magazine has been bringing readers the Best of Life & Business in Bakersfield and Kern County. explained. So he and Donna pitched a 48-page, high-gloss direct mail wish book, and advertisers quickly signed on.

But the work didn’t end there. “Donna realized that we’d need to formulate a list of houses for the publication to be mailed to,” Les said.

“So, being as tenacious as she was, she drove up and down streets to collect addresses of homes valued in excess of $200,000 [a hefty price in 1983].”

Then came the tedious work of actually putting together the magazine. And

Les, Donna, & Mike Corum, 1983 a social publication worthy of the great city of Bakersfield.

The magazine began featuring elegant parties and weddings, homes, the arts, collections, and other aspects of fine living. It also went through a few name changes to adapt to the changing direction of the magazine and the growth of the community.

Panache Magazine became Bakersfield Panache Magazine before the Corums finally settled on Bakersfield Maga-

became apparent; a magazine that was still geared toward those that could appreciate and afford the finer things in life, but also appealed to a wider audience. Donna was up for that challenge.

“Her passion for the community dictated everything she did with the magazine,” Les said. “She wanted to show people just how incredible a city Bakersfield is. So we began including stories about nonprofit organizations, fas-

1601 New Stine Rd., Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA www.BakersfieldMagazine.net

n

cinating stories on notable local people, and family-run businesses that represented the spirit of the city. It was her dream to have the magazine be a source of positive, local stories for our area.”

Today, with the second generation of Corums taking the helm, the magazine continues to promote Donna’s vision of presenting the Best of Life & Business in Bakersfield and Kern County, thanks to a highly talented staff that shares her passion.

“Donna wanted the magazine to be accessible to everyone, a source of pride for our community, and something that readers would turn to when they wanted to learn and be entertained,” Les added. “And we’ll make sure that we carry that passion of hers into the future as we continue to feature the amazing people, events, and companies that make our city great.”

661-834-4126

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YEARS & GROWING

Established 1983 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 69

A

Total Woman Fitness Centers

local mainstay for women’s fitness for a quarter of a century is still flexing its muscles and changing lives for the better, one woman at a time! Total Woman Fitness Center began during a period when gyms were a pretty scarce sight, and all-women gyms were all but nonexistent. Today, however, Total Woman has countless group fitness classes going on every day, a large pool, the most current machines and nutritional supplements available, and several fitness rooms that accommodate an assortment of different workouts, from spinning to GRAVITY training.

Owner Leigh Pozas has been with Total Women for over a decade, not just as member but also a critical part of its growth over the years.

she had to share, so she began recruiting friends to join. And her dedication, and those new memberships, caught the eye of the people who ran the gym at the time. They offered her a job and she accepted! Soon after, she became a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor, filling in for other instructors, as needed.

As the years progressed, Pozas naturally moved up the ranks (after just one year of being there, she was

Leigh Pozas remodels since.”

Ever since Pozas became a prominent part of the Total Woman picture, things have steadily improved. A

At Total Woman, you will find a supportive community in a warm environment with tons of options available to improve your health and overall sense of well-being.

at which members can enjoy this supportive atmosphere.

Pozas has even trained people for Volkslauf, something which has inspired her deeply.

“That started out as something that I casually posted about at the gym and I was surprised when a handful of people really wanted to be a part of it.

We had only six weeks, but the transformation I saw in everyone who participated was astounding. It changed lives.

I have never seen anything like that. Now, it has grown to where I help train hundreds of people for it.”

Pozas continues to change lives for the better with her work, training people every day. “I live here!” she said of the gym. Luckily for women who are seeking life-changing results and improved physical well-being, Pozas wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I joined the gym in 1990 after I had my kids. My body just felt different after that, so I spoke with my brother-in-law who is a personal trainer. He showed me some exercises and told me to join a gym, so that is where it all started.” What Pozas couldn’t have imagined at the time would be that her desire to improve her physique would turn into a lifelong passion— and a great business venture.

“I became very interested in training. I was addicted to working out!” she revealed.

Her passion was something

promoted to manager). Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy owned the gym at the time, and she eventually partnered up with them and ended up taking over. They introduced her to David Hill. The two hit it off and decided to become partners. That’s when things really started to take off.

“We turned the gym around immediately,” she said. “We purchased new equipment, expanded the space that we had, and also have had four

70 Bakersfield Magazine

5329 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA n 661-325-0208 9901 Hageman Rd., #900, Bakersfield, CA n 661-588-8931 www.twfitness.com

variety of classes can be taken, including Les Mills Classes, which covers Body Pump, Body Step, Body Combat, Body Flow, and Shabam.

There are also classes that are exclusive only to privateor semi-private training, educational classes available on fitness and nutrition, gymhosted luncheons, and there are even bible studies offered. It has become more of a community than a gym, and there are now two locations

25

YEARS & GROWING

Established 1988

G E TAWAY S

photos by Jeff Greenberg

G R E AT

Stately Petit House in Heritage Square.

J

ust a half century after Columbus landed his ships in an undiscovered America, a Portuguese sailor named Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into Point Mugu Lagoon. There he found a beautiful area covered with grass huts throughout, as it was occupied by the Chumash Indians. He deemed that lovely coastal area “the land of endless summers,� and thus, the beautiful city now known as Oxnard was discovered.

Located in Ventura County, this gorgeous beach spot is just 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and a mere 118 miles southwest of Bakersfield. Oxnard boasts a Mediterranean-like climate, which means that the weather is mild and comfortable year-round. Of the 42 miles of beaches in Ventura County, you can find a pleasantly uncrowded seven miles of them in Oxnard.

But whether you're into cruising around the harbor or just love checking out a myriad of fabulous festivals, this charming vacation destination is sure to satiate your craving to have fun and relax.

Oxnard

Explore Your Horizons

It's a given that Oxnard offers a plethora of activities, so there truly is something for everyone, regardless of what your idea of fun may be.

For those looking for something unique Enjoying a lazy day along the coast is a perfect way to unwind.

and adventurous to do, then consider booking a tour of the area. But we don't mean a casual stroll through town. If you book with Channel Islands Helicopters, you can choose from a number of tours that range from hovering above specified areas to those that focus on certain activities, like whale watching, all from the oneof-a-kind view you get from a helicopter!

The Nature Conservancy also offers bimonthly hiking tours through the dunes of Ormond Beach and the protected coastal wetlands. These hikes are educational, entertaining, free of charge, and offer a unique and active way to take in the full experience of Oxnard.

Visitors who are interested in more cultural experiences can find plenty to do all over this fair town. Enjoy over 3,000 years of maritime history at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, where you will not only get to see works by artists like Bonaventura Peeters and Willem van de Velde, but also one of two of the largest collections of Napoleonic

>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 71

Great Getaways

antique prisoner of war sailing ship models in the entire United States. Similarly, the Carnegie Art Museum has a number of ongoing family-friendly events. View beautiful artwork, attend a poetry reading from some of the best modern poets, or check out their Free Family Days, which happen once a month.

Got a big group going and want to take your trip to the next level? Nothing screams special quite like booking a paddlewheel riverboat like the Scarlett Belle! Located in the Channel Islands Harbor and able to accommodate up to 150 people, this is truly the most stylish, special way to celebrate a milestone event or just to have an unforgettable experience with loved ones.

It’s Party Time!

Maybe it's the fabulous weather or the simple fact that Oxnard locals just know how to have a good time, but there are countless events that run the gamut taking place in this seaside city that can be enjoyed throughout the entire year.

March brings two annual festivals that are a must-see. The first is the Celebration of the Whales Festival, which honors the migration of the Pacific Gray Whale. Held in the Channel Islands Harbor, the day features live entertainment, barbeque, children's activities, arts, crafts, and, naturally, whale watching. The second celebration hails none other than the humble—and delicious—strawberry! The California Strawberry Festival has been ranked as one of the nation's top festivals and includes concerts, 250 booths with fine arts and crafts, Strawberry Land for Kids, a strawberry pie eating contest, live music, a strawberry tart toss, and more!

72 Bakersfield Magazine

Get your music fix by attending either the Heritage Square Summer Concerts that take place from June through August, or the Concerts by the Sea, which run through July and August.

Looking to add a little spice to your life? Then the Oxnard Salsa Festival in July or the Oxnard Tamale Festival in December may be just what you're looking for. One thing is for certain, though: you won't be short on fun!

Chow Down and Get Some Shut Eye

There are 40 different restaurants to choose from in the downtown area, alone, and the area also offers world-class lodging.

You've got your choices cut out for you in Oxnard!

Considering the location, Oxnard is one of the best places to >>

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 73

Great Getaways

photos by Jeff Greenberg

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DENTS

find fresh seafood, and Anaba Sushi is living proof of that. Check out their bento boxes; affordable chicken, beef, and salmon bowls; and don't forget to sample some specialty rolls, like the Awesome Roll or the Dinosaur Roll. Get your fill of fresh lobster or shrimp and scallop fajitas at Fisherman’s Catch and see why visitors and locals, alike, claim this is one of the best eateries around for delectable seafood choices. The amazing selection of grilled fish they have available just might blow your mind.

Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar is a local hit with its inviting ambiance and delicious food. Whether you are stopping by for a burger for lunch or want something a little more special, like their pastas or pear and turnip soup, you can't “beet” the prices—or the flavor. Delight your palate with Moqueca Brazilian Cuisine. This food is about as authentic as you can get. Check out the moquequinha dishes or the anacapa chicken salad for a Brazilian meal that you won't soon forget.

As far as lodging is concerned, there are options galore. The newly remodeled Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach is the only all-suite beachfront resort in all of Southern California. Each suite is adorned with custom features, including mobile desks, specially designed lighting, sleeper sofas, and all of the comforts of home. Just minutes away from the Channel Islands Harbor and beaches sits the Marriott's Courtyard Oxnard Ventura. The

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Herzog Wine Cellars is a “must-see” when visiting.

Plaza Grill Restaurant serves up a complete American buffet for breakfast every single morning and, for those who need it, a selfservice business center is available to guests 24 hours a day.

No matter what time of year it may be or what your idea of a good time is, it's clear that there are fewer places to fulfill the needs of even the most discerning traveler than Oxnard. Take a trip south and let the fun begin! v

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home & Garden One man’s junk is...

Another Man’s Treasure

THIS might be a common saying around junkyards, thrift stores, and garage sales, but it can also be applied to the backyard and garden.

Now, you might be questioning our sanity at this point, because no one in their right mind would want to fill up their lawn with rusty junk, besides someone entering a Sanford and Son contest, that is. (Editor’s Note: I don’t think that really exists, but it should!)

Actually, quite a few people have jumped on the “repurposing” bandwagon (and they sometimes even use old wagons).

In case you’ve never heard of the term, repurposing is finding

Repurposing is about

clever ways to utilize used items of all sorts. And it’s obvious-

finding clever ways to utilize used items of all sorts.

ly a much easier term to swallow than “junk.” But it’s also an easy way to give some character to your yard, as every piece is unique to you.

So, if you’re looking to breathe some new life into your backyard and garden area, head to the nearest thrift store, junkyard, or garage sale, and keep your eyes and your mind open—you never know what you’ll discover.

We scrounged up a few quirky ideas to give you a little inspiration and get your wheels turning. n

Toolbox to Flower Box: This could very well be the cutest

idea ever. Have an old toolbox or even a rusty tackle box sitting in the shed that’s collecting dust? Why not create a flower box with it, lid and all?

Give it a good cleaning to start with, but make sure to leave any rust and markings that give it character. Then, drill a few holes into the bottom for drainage. Fix the hinges connecting the lid to the base so that it stays open (while some experts recommend using hinge pins for a job like this, you can also remove the hinges entirely with a screwdriver Horn

and weld the open lid to the box, itself).

Once the lid is finished, you’ve got to decide how you want to

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Sink or Swim: It’s unlikely that you’ve got an outdated

display your box. If you’re planning on hanging the box up on a

n

wall or fence, affix hanging brackets at this point (it’ll get too

standing sink lying around your house, but if you do (or if you

cumbersome later when it’s full of soil).

find one at a flea market or antique store), here’s a clever idea

Now you’re ready to start planting. Place a few rocks at the bottom of the box to help with drainage and fill with potting soil.

Plant bright-colored petunias, water, and then hang!

for a focal point in your backyard.

Why not transform that sink into a birdbath? Scout out a location in your yard that will be ideal. Maybe in a corner >> www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 75

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birds are messy). n

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of stencil designs at craft stores or, if you fancy yourself an artist, freehand patterns on each with spray paint or any kind of waterproof/weatherproof outdoor paint.

Place randomly to create yard art or lay in a row to create a pathway (to your old

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the drawers, fill with soil, and create a raised planter bed!

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Discover a few antique bricks at a flea market? Take them home, and create herb garden markers by spray painting the brick with the name of each herb and placing it behind or in front of the plant.

Recently replace your fence and find yourself with a pile of old pickets? Nail them together to create works of art that you can hang or stick somewhere on the patio (you can also plant creeping vines below them and allow your art to blend into your luscious landscape).

Or, place them around a garden to keep unwanted pests out.

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Tired of tripping over that old wooden ladder in the garage?

Stick it out in the yard and place planter boxes or singular plants on the steps to create a gorgeous tiered effect. You can even use old instruments as garden décor! The bell of a rusty tuba or French horn makes a great planter!

The possibilities truly are endless. So open your mind and your backyard and imagine what you can do with all that “junk.”

n

G ARDENIN G W ITH MRS . P

Wow! Just smell the morning air, perfumed There are also the evening scents from barbeques as the

with blooming citrus and late spring flowers. weather warms up. We love to barbeque in Bakersfield!

Oh Yes...

It’s Time!

A well-prepared kitchen gardener can help make the most of grilling and roasting outdoors. I keep several bushes of rosemary growing so that I always have skewers handy for shish kebabs. Plant varieties such as “Alba” or “Barbeque” for strong, straight shoots that, when sharpened and used as skewers, will infuse lamb, beef, and chicken with herbal flavor. Pineapple, onions, peppers, and even strawberries are delicious prepared this way. Afterwards the skewers can be tossed on the fire, no cleanup required.

When pruning fruit trees, assess the value of your clippings as skewers or smoke flavor.

Avoid coniferous wood, except maybe for cedar. Conifer resin can produce bitterness.

in sets of 7” by 7” mats. You simply place them in the bottom of your container when planting. Amazingly enough, each mat holds a quart of water. (3) I've had good luck with terra cotta cones. These watering devices go right into the soil. Then you fill an empty wine bottle with water and invert it into the cone. Drinking the wine adds to the joie de vive of the whole procedure! Bottoms Up! To make sure your plants get enough water, use your built-in “moisture meter” (your finger) to check the soil. It’s better than any other moisture measuring tool and it’s free. The soil should feel cool and moist at the root zone.

Along with the warmer days there’s that loathsome chore looming ahead for all of us: hand watering. Mrs. P feels your pain.

Hanging baskets, pots, and window boxes are needier than a newborn, without the cuteness. While most of my larger containers are hooked up to the automatic sprinkler system, there are plenty of others that are not. After much experimentation I can recommend the following watering solutions. (1) Potassiumbased crystals, such as Terra-Sorb, are safe, absorb water, and then release it as needed.

A teaspoon will suffice per gallon of soil and last five years. (2) Moisture mats, such as Hydro-Mats, come in a cut-to-fit roll or

By Lynn Pitts

©IS

TOCK PHOTO.COM/clubfoto

Have you been putting off planting vegetable seeds, thinking it takes too long for the vegetables to mature? Are you planning a late summer vacation and don't want your veggies to ripen while you're gone? While the thought of a sun-ripened tomato picked fresh from your garden is enough to gear up your taste buds, you hesitate. Well, don't.

Avoid the wait and turn your vegetable patch into a fast food nosh. Why wait over three months for ripe tomatoes when in less than 55 days you can relish the sunny flavor of a speedy variety. How about a juicy melon in less than 70 days? You can harvest summer squash while it’s still early summer. Pick a peck of perfect peppers or toss up a cuke salad in less than two months. >>

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 77

Gardening with Mrs. P

PHOTO BY Zualio

Try growing the following varieties: 1. For beans in a snap, “Speedy” (50 days) is a bush bean that is virtually string-less.

2. Most full-size cucumber slicers take up to 70 days, but “Rocky,” “Cool Breeze,” and “Diamant” cukes will be ready in just 45 days.

3. A sweet bell-shaped pepper name “Ace” will amaze you with plenty of peppers in only 50 days.

4. Forget varieties of eggplant that take almost three months to mature. Plant the greatfor-the-grill, non-bitter fruits of “Hansel” (55 days) and “Millionaire” (54 days).

5. Can you believe a zippy zucchini in 49 days? Grow “Tigress” or “Patio Star” which are bred for growing in small spaces or containers. Harvest while still small (no monster baseball bats here, no, siree) for truly succulent and tender zucchini.

6. How about some high-speed tomatoes? From seed to salad in 55 days, plant “Bloody Butcher” or that old stand-by “Early Girl.”

Culinary treats are around the corner when you grow these winning varieties and make the term “fast food” become a reality in your own yard. If you can't find these seeds locally (and I'm pretty sure

The jostaberry, bred by German plant breeder Professor Rudolf Bauer in the 1950s, is a cross between a black currant and a gooseberry.

78 Bakersfield Magazine

you can), go to territorialseed.com, totallytomatoes.com, or johnnyseeds.com. For the best tasting vegetables, plant in the area that gets the most hours of sun a day. Add extra rich compost or aged manure to your soil prior to planting and really dig it in well. You'll be rewarded with healthy fast food.

After firing up the Barbie and tossing rosemary herbed skewers of meat and veggies on to cook, think about the outdoor lighting around your garden. Dining al fresco on our balmy evenings is more of a pleasure if done with a little planning. There’s the aipa letk /vio kind of outdoor lighting which M O TO.C PHO TOCK reminds Mrs. P of eating in a ©IS shopping center parking lot. and disease. Depending how old the plant That’s called “down lighting” and is okay is when you purchase it (I ordered a one if you're loading the trunk of your car year plant) you should have fruit in a few with groceries. “Up lighting,” on the othyears on a bush which will reach three er hand, is far more effective in a home to five feet tall. Did I mention it’s thorngarden than “down lighting” because it less? The berries have one of the highest shows off the beauty of foliage, silhouconcentrations of vitamin C around so ettes, and bark. It brings some showbiz to it’s one of those Good For What Ails You your setting. If you want to use spotlights, plants. The proper botanical name for the use a narrow-angled light, not a full-on in jostaberry is ribes nidigrolaria. your face, no prison breaks going on here If you're interested in viewing more spotlight. Position it so that it shines on about Mrs. P’s latest garden pet, go to the plant at 45 degrees. Play around with youtube.com/watch?v=gxCeg7sgTSw. solar lights. I've recently bought a couple This is a short German video (dubbed into of inexpensive, 22-foot solar rope and am English) and quite entertaining. As with testing their effects around my patio. most German videos, they're more amusing when viewed while enjoying a glass Oh, I almost forgot to share news of of vin ordinaire. Mrs. P hopes you undermy newest plant discovery, the jostastand that her growing collection of wine berry. Pronounced “yust-a-berry,” it’s a bottles is a garden necessity. Gotta keep cross between a black currant and Gerthose terracotta cones filled with empties man gooseberry. Very popular in Austria to water her thirsty plants. Skoal! v and Germany for making pies, jams, and wine, the jostaberry plant is a perennial that goes dormant in winter, and then Lynn Pitts, better known as Mrs. P., is a native Californian, master gardener in bears greenish berries that turn black as four counties including Kern, a garden they ripen. What I really loved discoverwriter, and professional botanical artist.

She has been featured on The Art of ing about this shrub is that it’s self-polliGardening, on PBS, and has conducted nating (hence no need for more than one flower workshops throughout California plant) and practically immune to pests 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.

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

Bon Appétit.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 79

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bottoms up!

get your pasta on

sorella’s Year Established: 1993 Quick Facts Address: 7800 McNair Lane

Nestled in southwest Bakersfield sits a little piece of Italy where people go for the amazing food, friendly service, and delicious drinks. Sorella Italian Ristorante has been a local mainstay for over 20 years, and this lovely spot is all about family.

“We have a lot of regulars, and that’s because we treat everyone

mash their own citrus than rely on sweet and sour mix. “We get a lot of

like family,” said Laurel Swift-Floyd, who is a co-owner, along with

orders for our Sorella Sunrise, which is a delicious and refreshing drink.”

her mother, Cristallo Annunziata, and sister, Lily Larson. In fact,

She wasn’t kidding. This cocktail will make the sun shine, regard-

almost everything at Sorella is family-oriented, right down to the

less of the time of day! It has a smooth and slightly sour taste which

recipes, which come from their own kitchens. The ambiance is cozy,

ends up sweet and mellow when sipped from a sugar-lined martini

comfortable, and lighting is low so that you truly get the full expe-

glass. The light flavor will delight your palate and have you singing,

rience. To make the package complete, there’s live “Sinatra-style”

“That’s amore!”

n

music almost every day of the week.

With all of the entertainment going on, some may forget that the food isn’t the only thing packing a whole lot of flavor: the drinks are pretty incredible, too! “Everything is made fresh, from the food to the drinks,” said bartender Michele Feola, stating that they would rather

nrise sorellona• 2 tbssp.u Sugar 1/2 Lem • 1 oz. Raspberr y Liquor 2 1/2 oz. Absolut Citron garnish Extra sugar and lemon for

er. Pour ker and mash up with a muddl Put lemon and sugar into a sha run a Take a chilled martini class and in the Citron, add ice, and shake. shallow moisten it. Place the rim onto a lemon wedge along the rim to in a ar so that the rim gets covered plate covered with additional sug over the the glass. Take a spoon, hold it line of sugar. Pour mixture into on ry liquor down the back of the spo martini glass, and pour raspber the liquor settle into the bot(the convex side), slowly letting a lemon wedge, stir, and enjoy! tom of the glass. Garnish with

drink: brighten your night www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 81

QUICK BITES WITH LOCAL FLAVOR

your sweet tooth thanks you

When there is cause for celebration, there is cause for cake.

At least that’s what the old wives’ tales tell us, right?

Or is that an Aesop’s Fable we’re thinking of? No matter! We

at Bakersfield Magazine are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th anniversary, so we did the only natural thing: we had to figure out a way to have our cake and eat it, too. So we gave Stephanie Caughell-Fisher, the owner and executive chef of Gimmee Some Sugar, a ring and asked if she would help us with that desire! Not only did she prepare a decadent and beautiful cake (as you can see), but she was also kind enough to provide us with a homecook’s version so you, our readers, can bake this dessert at home the next time you have cause for cake!

Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake

both prepared cake pans. convection and 325 batter evenly between for 275 to oven eat Preh 2 1/2 cups cake flour Place raspberries into each pan of batter using Prepare two, six-inch round s. oven ard stand for r suga d ulate 1 1/2 cups gran es. Place in oven, g spray and clean hands to “dunk” the berri bakin with pans cake re squa or 1 tsp. baking soda • 1 tsp. salt minutes, check cake for doneness with paper to inside bottom of each bake for 25 t men parch add oil table vege 1 1/2 cups remaining baking and remove clean toothpick or skewer. Adjust s errie raspb dry pat and Rinse pan.

1 cup buttermilk • 2 large whole eggs until test stick comes out clean.

Set aside. Prepare any basic time and bake . ones ed spoil any ct extra n lemo tbsp.

2 • 1 tsp. vanilla extract Cool layers completely before removing from the and keep batch le doub a in e recip m rcrea butte zest 2 tbsp. lemon juice • 2 tbsp. lemon pan. Once cooled and removed, trim any dome tops . temp room at ing color food w 1/4 tsp. yello in half to make four l, add sugar, off and set aside. Split both tiers bow ng mixi into flour cake Sift 1 cup fresh raspberries each layer in plastic wrap and salt to sifted flour. Measure equal layers. Wrap and , soda g bakin m rcrea butte k of Double batch place in freezer for at least an hour (“You’ll than remaining ingredients, except raspberries, into k me when it’s time for icing!” she laughed). another bowl or pourable container and whis Take chilled layers out, unwrap. Choose one of together until combined. the bottom layers to be the top and set aside.

Pour a third of the wet mixture into the dry and Fill the cake layers with buttercream, take t start mixer on low using the paddle attachmen the ). bottom layer, flip upside down to become (hand beater is fine too, just use deeper bowl top of the cake. Place cake in fridge to chill for Add another third of the wet mixture, mix until with to 5 minutes. Take out cake and crumb coat combined, stop and scrape the bowl all the way ice r buttercream. Chill for 15 minutes. Take out and the bottom. There may be icky lumps in the batte la cake with remaining buttercream leaving spatu if this step is skipped. Once thoroughly scraped, le or spoon marks for texture. Garnish with a coup restart mixer and add remaining wet mixture. raspberries on top. Enjoy.

Paddle or mix until batter is smooth and combined.

Trust us, Stephanie, we will! n Use scraper to give batter a quick fold/stir, pour

Cuisine: can we lick the beater?

82 Bakersfield Magazine

Entertaining the Bakersfield Way

off the beaten path

Greek-style Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes

By Yana Todorova

We live in Kern County, where a variety of vegetables and fruits grow in abundance. Instead of eating the same food every day (which may become a little boring), we can try something off the beaten path every now and then.

I often experiment with new recipes and ingredients, so dinnertime is always interesting and surprising in our home. You should, too! That’s why I thought it would be fun to let you all in on my favorite ethnic dishes, inspired from the Eastern European meals I ate when I was a child: a great Greek-style salad that is quickly assembled; a vegetarian eggplant side dish that even meat lovers will enjoy; a modern version of the classic Bulgarian moussaka, adapted to our Californian lifestyle; and a scrumptious baklava, made with local ingredients for a true exotic treat.

I had to put my own spin on a traditional Bulgarian salad (“shopska salata”), which I ate all the time during my childhood. When my husband and I went to Greece for our honeymoon, I realized that Greek food is almost the same as Bulgarian (it’s not surprising, since we are neighbors). So, as a tribute to Greece, I added kalamata olives and Greek oregano to my all-time favorite salad. I serve it with homemade whole wheat dinner rolls to soak up the juices from the tomatoes. The red wine vinegar marries the local vegetables to create a unique ethnic starter!

In Eastern Europe, there are many dishes made with eggplant. It is such a versatile vegetable: roasted, fried, grilled, or pureed, it always tastes terrific! Here in Bakersfield, you can buy this Balkans region staple at a farmers’ market and use it to prepare a variety of vegetarian options. Moussaka has always been a favorite of mine! It is a potato-beef casserole, eaten in parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In my country, it is usually prepared with a mixture of ground beef and pork, diced potatoes, and a unique yogurt-based topping. On the other side, Greeks often cook it with slices of eggplant, potatoes, and a béchamelstyle topping. My version uses ground chicken and ground beef (since in California the weather is warmer and we need lighter dishes) and local vegetables. I added local organic carrots and onions and they gave the dish such a unique, sweet taste. I thought of my mother’s moussaka >> Roasted Eggplant with Goat Cheese

Greek-style Salad (serves 4) 4 heirloom tomatoes, sliced 2 roasted bell peppers, peeled and sliced ½ English cucumber, sliced • 2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled 8 kalamata olives, sliced Dressing: red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried oregano Preparation: In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes with the roasted bell peppers and the cucumber. Season the vegetables with three teaspoons olive oil, two teaspoons red wine vinegar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and freshly ground pepper. Toss gently. Transfer the salad to individual salad plates and sprinkle with feta, kalamata olives, and oregano on top. Serve right away.

Cuisine: ahhh-mazing!

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 83

CUISINE: ahhh-mazing!

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and I remembered that my favorite part was the yogurt-based topping. I wanted to jazz it up and give it a good healthy touch, so I used whole wheat pastry flour to thicken it. It came out so soft and delicate, like a crepe. My husband and I ate leftovers during the week after I made it and it was fantastic each and every time.

Baklava is a traditional Eastern European dessert (its origin is often disputed).

It consists of multiple layers of phyllo dough and you can find it everywhere in the Balkans. In Bulgaria, it is mainly prepared with melted butter, walnuts, and sugar. In Greece, you can find it made with olive oil, a mix of walnuts and almonds, spices, and honey. My recipe is an exotic variation on the traditional dessert my grandmother used to make on New Year’s Eve. It uses local honey, local almonds,

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Mouth-watering Moussaka and pistachios (grown right here in Kern), and canola oil (a healthier choice than butter). The dessert is best if prepared one day ahead. It gives the syrup time to penetrate all the layers and thus, all the flavors blend beautifully. You will be surprised at how easy it is to make!

I hope you can try some of these local twists on ethnic favorites. The current trend with Greek food has meant that most of the stores in town now stock phyllo dough (look for it in the freezer section), Greek yogurt, feta cheese, and olives.

Remember, a small change in our eating routine can make our lives a little bit more interesting…and delicious! n Baklava

these recipes and others can be found on our website! www.bakersfieldmagazine.net/home-a-garden 84 Bakersfield Magazine

WHAT’S COOKIN’

By Mike Stepanovich

keeping it simple Shai Gordon chastised me when we saw one another at a recent social event.

“Hey, Mike, we haven’t seen you lately,” the proprietor of Steak & Grape Restaurant said, with a raised eyebrow and slight smile. He was referring, I was sure, to the fact that my wife, Carol, and I had not dined there in a while.

It was true. We have become fans of the trendy restaurant at 4420 Coffee Road in northwest Bakersfield for a couple reasons: one, we like the cuisine, and two, we’re happy to have another good restaurant in the part of town where we live. However, a busy schedule, including travel, had interfered with our normal dining-out habits. I assured Shai, who I’ve known since his days at Café Med, that we would be in soon.

So of course, when we showed up at Steak & Grape not long after that, he wasn’t there! It was a weeknight, so I assume he had the night off.

No matter. We were well-treated by our server, Tommy, who went to great lengths to ensure we had a good dining experience.

We have been enjoying Steak & Grape pretty much since it opened. We like the soft lighting, the simple, black-framed artwork, the woodgrained tables, and the floor to ceiling drapes.

The silverware and dishware have a simple elegance that accentuates the comfortable dining experience. (Do be aware that on weekends the live music can be loud.)

And we’ve developed a fondness for certain dishes. So when we headed for the restaurant, both Carol and I already had in mind what we wanted. That said, we always look for things we haven’t tried, and at Steak & Grape we’ve learned that can be an adventure.

SIGNATURE DISH: Steak & Grape’s New York Sizzle—

Served on a super-heated plate in a pool of sizzling garlic butter.

Because I have a fondness for Southwestern cuisine, on one visit I felt compelled to try Steak & Grape’s version of chili verde ($14.95). The lean pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the green chili used for the sauce was mild and flavorful.

I have also enjoyed the seared bone-in pork chop with roasted apple glaze ($17.95). It’s a thick chop cooked to medium and is especially tasty.

But I was having neither of those on our latest visit. My palate was set for what the >>

Cuisine: good times & tastes www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 85

Cuisine: good times & tastes restaurant bills as its signature dish, “The New York Sizzle.” It’s a New York steak served on a super-heated plate in a pool of sizzling garlic butter. My taste buds were quivering in anticipation.

Carol, from the moment she first tried it, fell in love with Steak & Grape’s prime rib. It’s truly splendid. It’s coated with a garlic-rosemary rub and slow roasted to tender perfection. Carol always orders it very rare.

On this night that was a problem. Our reservations were for 7:30 p.m., and we’re both well aware that the deeper into the evening you get, the less likely that prime rib will be rare. And on this night, we were a little too late. As soon as we were seated, Carol asked Tommy if very rare prime rib was available. He disappeared, and when he returned a couple minutes later, I could tell by the look on his face that very rare wasn’t in the cards. He told Carol that the best he could do was medium rare. That’s fine for me, but Carol likes her beef very rare. “You’re sure?” she asked hopefully. Tommy’s face said it all: he had seen the prime rib, and said that he was sure.

Naturally, Carol was disappointed, but at the same time we both admired Tommy for having the courage

rooms ($8.95)—and since we couldn’t decide which one to try, we ordered one of each.

I perused the wine list, which has a good selection of nearby Central Coast wines, in addition to popular Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines. Expensive wines are always easy to find on wine lists, but Steak & Grape has some great bargains, including the Sextant Wheelhouse Zinfandel ($37), a winery owned

by Craig and Nancy Stoller of Bakersfield. I chose this delicious wine to grace our table in the restaurant’s elegant stemware.

While enjoying our first sips of wine and awaiting our appetizers, Tommy brought a small dish of marinated white beans, a nice touch to whet the appetite.

Our appetizers arrived, and the number of mushrooms in the elongated white dish astonished us. The 18 bite-sized mushrooms had been carefully stuffed with mild Italian sausage and were sitting in a light sherry cream sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Wow! They were delicious. While four or more could easily have enjoyed the mushrooms, we found them irresistible…and ate every one! That they were bite-sized was a detail that impressed us.

Classic New Orleans-style Bananas Foster

Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp

of his convictions regarding the prime rib’s doneness.

We’ve been in restaurants where the server will assure Carol that very rare is no problem only to bring a slice that’s medium rare to medium. So that was a plus.

Also a plus was Tommy’s suggestion that the next time we come in, call ahead and ask that very rare prime rib be held for Carol. I had never heard of a restaurant doing that, and was pleased at the lengths the restaurant would go to accommodate a customer.

While Carol took a few minutes to rethink her entrée, we decided to try some appetizers. Two caught our eye—a whole grilled marinated artichoke with aioli dipping sauce ($8.95), and sausage stuffed mush-

We were likewise impressed with the grilled artichoke. It was a whole ‘choke cut in half with grill marks on the flat side. The aioli sauce was in the middle where the flower had been scooped out, and was topped with broiled cheese. Absolutely delightful!

Carol had ordered the fettuccine Alfredo ($14.95) with shrimp (add $8.95). When she found it a bit bland, Chef John Pilling, one of Bakersfield’s talented new chefs, made every effort to intensify the flavor by adding more butter (Julia Child’s favorite trick) and garlic. It worked.

I couldn’t have been happier with my New York Sizzle ($30.95 for 12 ounces, $36.95 for 16 ounces). I’ve

86 Bakersfield Magazine

Grilled Marinated Artichoke with Aioli Dipping Sauce

learned to order Steak & Grape’s signature steak one degree of doneness under what I want because the steak keeps cooking on the super-heated plate. By ordering my 12-ounce steak rare, I got it a perfect medium rare.

My steak was very tender, and oh-so flavorful!

The side dishes were excellent as well. The French fries were freshly cut potatoes deep-fried golden, then tossed in seasoned salt. They were crunchy on the outside, soft and steamy on the inside. The mixed vegetables—uncut green beans, chunked zucchini, and crookneck squash with julienned red pepper— were perfectly cooked.

Tommy was happy to box up about half our dinner so that we could have room for dessert. Of the five desserts listed, Bananas Foster ($7.95), that classic New Orleans dessert, caught our eye. We decided to share one.

The Steak & Grape version is simply not to be missed.

While it doesn’t feature the flaming tableside preparation routinely found in New Orleans restaurants, it has its own twist. It has a rich butter-brandy-orange juicebrown sugar sauce that is almost the consistency of honey. The vanilla-bean ice cream and bananas draped in this sauce are topped with crunchy, candied walnuts.

We had anticipated only a couple of bites each because we were pretty full by that point, but it was so good we astonished ourselves and finished the whole thing.

We rolled out—almost literally—thoroughly satisfied. Yes, Shai, we’ll see you again soon.

Steak & Grape is open daily from 11 a.m. to closing, and accepts most major credit cards. For reservations, please call (661) 588-WINE (9463). n

It’s finally here! Enjoy lip-smacking food & fun at the 5th annual UN

TN

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BAKE

INE AZ

FIELD MAG RS

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$

May 17 & 18

plus Prizes & Awards

Kern County Fairgrounds 1142 South P St.

10,500 in Cash

Friday Night: 5-9pm Free Entry & Concert with Mento Buru Saturday: 11am-5pm Adults $10, Kids 12 & Under FREE! Saturday’s activities include: Kansas City Barbecue Society Meat Competition (Chicken, Ribs, Pork, Brisket) California BBQ Association Team of the Year Awards • Live Entertainment • BBQ Tasting Kid’s Zone • Vendors • Much more Benefitting:

BakoBBQ.com bakobbq@yahoo.com

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 87

El Portal West

The Dining Guide

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 every day, 11am-2pm. Fabulous Sunday Brunch, 10am-3pm, reservations accepted. 1100 Calloway Drive. (661) 829-2737

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 Tue-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner Tue-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

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

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Wine Me Up! Wine Bar & Tapas Lounge

Wine Me Up!, in the heart of the northwest, is your new alternative for gatherings with friends or business. Our intimate lounge and patio is the perfect place to enjoy over 30 wines by the glass, craft beers, and savory tapas selections. We also offer live music on Friday nights, daily mixers from 5-7pm for beer and wine, and a knowledgeable staff to assist you with the perfect bottle to enjoy at home. Hours: Mon-Fri, 2pm to Close. Sat, 3:30pm to Close. 3900 Coffee Rd #2, Bakersfield, CA 93308. (661) 588-8556

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

Steak & Grape Restaurant

STEAK & GRAPE RESTAURANT / BAR / CATERING delights the senses as a family friendly, California steakhouse featuring classic steakhouse entrées combined with tantalizing favorite local dishes. Steak & Grape delivers “The Best Steak” in town, complemented by wines for every budget. 50% off! Join our email list on Facebook or website and buy one entrée and receive the second one of equal or lesser value at half price, some restrictions apply. Bar: 10am daily to close. Dining: 11am daily to close. 4420 Coffee Rd. Call for reservations. www.steakandgrape.com (661) 588-9463

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 St. (661) 322-6887 and 6401 Ming Ave. (661) 831-9250

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

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

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 89

The Dining Guide

Chalet Basque

The number one low price leader Basque restaurant in Bakersfield! Lunch starter $7.50. Dinner starter $12. Full bar with $4 well drinks, $3.50 beers, and weekend drinks. Three banquet rooms that accommodate 10-150 people, $8.95 starter. Perfect for wedding parties, anniversaries, and retirement dinners. If you’re looking for a spacious banquet room with delectable options, they will match any competitor’s price. Open all day from 11am-9:30pm. 200 Oak Street. (661) 327-2915

Belvedere Room in the Padre Hotel

Executive Chef Brad Wise offers a distinctive dining experience that marries oldworld style with modern tastes. From ranch raised beef to seafood delicacies, each dish is thoughtfully prepared for your culinary delight. Explore our innovative wine list, or allow us to find you the perfect pairing. Open for dinner nightly with a live pianist on Friday and Saturday nights. 1702 18th Street. www.thepadrehotel.com (661) 427-4900

Voted Best Breakfast in Bakersfield 24th Street Café

The Dining Guide

With a list of daily specials a mile long, we have been a local favorite for over 20 years and continue bringing Bakersfield the good eats. From our classic homemade soups and comfort foods like meatloaf and fried green tomatoes, to our sandwiches, omelets, and salads, we make everything fresh. Wrap your mouth around the tri-tip pasta with mushrooms, green onions, and a creamy garlic sauce. Or better yet, visit us for breakfast and you won’t forget it! We’ve got banana rum crepes, savory Portobello mushroom omelets, cinnamon apple pancakes, and so much more.

But don’t leave without trying our Bloody Mary. It’s good for what ails ‘ya! Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, 6am-2:30pm. 1415 24th Street.

(661) 323-8801

Photo By Miguel Angel Gonzalez

Camino Real Restaurante & Bar

In a town full of Mexican restaurants, take a break and try food that’s Mexican inspired with California love. Check us out at Instagram@caminoed and Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CAMINOED. Open daily from 10am to 10pm.

3500 Truxtun Avenue. caminoed.com (661) 852-0493

Café Med

Café Med has been a Bakersfield tradition for over 20 years. Their diverse menu includes Mediterranean and American cuisine, as well as an extensive wine list, now on iPads! Monthly Wine Tastings are held the last Friday of the month from 5:30-8pm. The $25 cover includes featured wines and sumptuous appetizers. Enjoy live music on both Friday and Saturday evening. Café Med is open 11am to close 7 days a week. Reservations accepted. Visa, MC, AE, DC. Located at 4809 Stockdale Hwy., in the Stockdale Fashion Plaza. Like us on Facebook, or go to Cafemedrestaurant.com (661) 834-4433

Brookside Riverlakes Market & Deli

We welcome you to come enjoy our signature salads, sandwiches, and burgers at your local Brookside Market & Deli. Stop by and try our homemade Fish & Chips with our savory clam chowder every Friday. We also BBQ our own Tri-Tip sandwiches daily! Brookside carries a wide variety of fine wines & market products you may need, including Smith’s Bakery goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth! In addition to our Brookside breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, we also offer a catering menu that will help you celebrate any occasion with ease. Deli hours: Mon-Sat 5am-8pm, Sun 6:30am-4pm. 4700 Coffee Rd. Store: (661) 588-1338, Deli: (661) 588-2329

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! A daily “Afternoon Epicure” $25 prix fixe menu from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Dinner reservations Mon-Sat, 4:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch reservations Friday ONLY 11:30am-2:00pm. All major credit cards are accepted. Reservations recommended but not required. 3310 Truxtun Ave., Ste. 160, 93301 www.valentienrestaurant.com (661) 864-0397

90 Bakersfield Magazine

Noriega Hotel

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

Anita’s Mexican Grill

We would like to welcome you to our newly renovated restaurant and invite you to try our new menu, offering many classic recipes that we have been cooking up since 1988 as well as new veggie and lite options. Visit our lunch buffet during the week and Sunday brunch to sample authentic homestyle recipes made from scratch with fresh and high quality ingredients. Thank you Bakersfield for your continued patronage! Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/anitasmexgrill. Rumba Nights with Salsa & Bachata every Friday. Saturday breakfast special–$4 omelettes, pancakes, french toast, more. Our bar has been extended, come and enjoy Happy Hour M-F 3-7pm. 10pm-2am. 4240 California Ave. (661) 328-0500

The Aviator Casino Bar & Grill

The Aviator Casino – Where fun takes flight! Now offering Catering Services brought to you, for your events or at The Aviator Casino! Open seven days a week, from 10am-4am with Happy Hour All Day! Right off Freeway 99, exit 54. 1225 Airport Drive, Delano, Ca. Visit our website for casino information and our NEW menu. www.theaviatorcasino.com (661) 721-7770

Saigon Restaurant

We invite you to try the best place in town for fresh and traditional Vietnamese cuisine! Since 1998, we have served the absolute healthiest dining options to the people of Bakersfield. From unique appetizers, soups, salads, and vermicelli dishes to Boba drinks and Vietnamese beer, we have everything you crave for a true culinary experience. Our pho, noodle soups, vegetarian dishes, and a la carte items featuring seafood, pork, beef, and chicken will satisfy your craving for traditional Vietnamese food. Lunch Specials from 11am-3pm. Individual Dinner Specials after 4pm. Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm. Closed Sunday. 3113 Chester Ln. www.saigonbakersfield.com (661) 327-8810

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 91

The Dining Guide

Gimmee Some Sugar

Gimmee Some Sugar Cakes was created with a motto that food should be experienced, not just tasted. We proudly stand by the ground rule that all of our products are made with only the best ingredients, like real Madagascar Vanilla Beans, whole sweet cream butter, and fine Callebaut European Chocolate. Our team was built with the love for art, food, and people! With our unique passion, we create the most beautiful wedding and 3D cakes, gourmet sweet tables, and tasty cupcakes in the Central Valley. There is nothing we cannot make and we want to continue to be Bakersfield’s local source for the up and coming cake and cupcake trends.

Hours: Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-12pm (pick up orders only). Closed Sun-Mon. 2100 19th Street Ste D. www.gimmeesomesugar.com (661) 321-9922

Casa Muñoz Mexican Food

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

flavors of Kern

Red Pepper Restaurant

Mexican & Latin Cuisine Camino Real

3500 Truxtun Avenue (661) 852-0493 Bakersfield www.caminoed.com Where you can experience Mexican flavor infused with California love.

Full Bar Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $$

El Portal West

1100 Calloway Drive, #300 (661) 829-2737 Bakersfield When you have a craving for delectable Mexican food, this grill and cantina has you covered.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $

Chef Favorites We love talking to local chefs to dis-

cover fun, time-saving gadgets that are a must in the kitchen.

This time, we sought out something specific: sushi! We know that more than a few of us would like to know just how local sushi gurus make such perfect morsels. Randy Byon—a sushi chef at Izumo Japanese Restaurant & Sushi and owner of Kanpai, a sushi restaurant set to open in April—keyed us in on what it takes to make sushi in the home kitchen.

“In Japanese cuisine, our knives are essential,” Byon revealed.

“Three common knives that are used are yanagi, deba, and usaba.” The yanagi is the most commonly used knife; it is long, skinny, and is used to cut rolls and fish without the fish sticking to the blade. Deba, a very large knife, is used to filet fish and cuts through bones and skin effortlessly. As for the usuba, it’s a “vegetable knife” that’s used for cutting and making decorative veggies. “We also use makisu, or the bamboo mats, to roll our tasty rolls.”

You can find the knives at J & E Restaurant Supply and the bamboo mats at Asian Market or Trader Joe’s.

Our Policy These listings are provided as a free service by Bakersfield Magazine for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your dining establishment to be considered for this listing, send information to editorial@bakersfieldmagazine.net, including your name, the name of the establishment, address, and contact information.

$ Under $10

Entree Pricing $$ Under $17 $$$ Under $24

92 Bakersfield Magazine

$$$$ Over $24

Bernadino’s Restaurant

6601 Inyokern Road (760) 377-4012 Inyokern A choice spot hailed by both locals and hungry travelers, as well.

The food is fresh and amazing!

Beer, Wine, Margaritas Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $$

Casa Muñoz Mexican Food

1736 Union Avenue (661) 861-1625 Bakersfield From Taco Tuesdays to Summer Enchiladas, this is Mexican food you’re sure to love.

Beer & Margaritas Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $

Sinaloa Mexican Restaurant

910 20th Street (661) 327-5231 Bakersfield A mainstay in authentic Mexican cuisine in Bakersfield since 1948.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Anita’s Mexican Grill

4240 California Avenue (661) 328-0500 Bakersfield www.anitasgrill.com Incredible Mexican dishes, a newly extended bar, and a wide variety of vegetarian and lite options.

Full Bar Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

2641 North Oswell Street (661) 871-5787 Bakersfield www.redpepperrestaurant.net Where amazing Mexican and American food meet.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Don Perico Restaurant 9021 Grapevine Road W (661) 248-6903 Lebec Patrons rave about the salsa and the convenient location right off of I-5.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Steakhouses & Grills

Steakhouses and Grills

Steak & Grape Restaurant

4220 Coffee Road (661) 588-9463 Bakersfield www.steakandgrape.com More than just a steakhouse— it’s a true local dining experience.

Full Bar Open Lunch/Dinner $$$$

Hungry Hunter Steakhouse

3580 Rosedale Highway (661) 328-0580 Bakersfield www.hungryhuntersteakhouse.com Steaks, seafood, pasta, and happy hour specials on drinks as well as appetizers.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$

B Ryder’s Sports Bar and Grill

7401 White Lane, #8 (661) 397-7304 Bakersfield www.brydersbakersfield.com Customized drinks, a rockin’ atmosphere, live music, and fabulous food.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $

J&B’s Grill and BBQ

6032 Frazier Mountain Park Road (661) 245-1091 Frazier Park Serving up delicious meats, complemented with unique— and amazing—side dishes.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

T.L. Maxwell’s

1421 17th Place (661) 323-6889 Bakersfield A historic restaurant in a historic building, complete with horseshoe bar. The pesto salmon is to die for!

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$$

Gracian’s Grill

That’s Italian

9 Big Blue Road (760) 376-6020 Kernville A mountain town treasure that’s cozy, authentic, and serves up some seriously delicious food.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Tony’s Pizza

860 E. Tehachapi Boulevard (661) 822-4016 Tehachapi From steaks to chile verde omelettes, this is the place to dine when you want the best.

Beer, Wine, & Margaritas Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

4130 California Avenue (661) 325-4717 Bakersfield www.tonyspizzabakersfield.com Come see why all of the locals are raving for this one-of-a-kind pizza.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $

Italian Cuisine

Basque Cuisine

Frugatti’s

Narducci’s Café

600 Coffee Road (661) 836-2000 Bakersfield www.frugattis.com Wood-fired oven cooked recipes straight from Italy! New Fitness Menu!

Beer, Wine, Some Mixed Drinks Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$

Uricchio’s Trattoria

1400 17th Street (661) 326-8870 Bakersfield www.uricchios-trattoria.com The authentic Italian food is as comforting as the atmosphere.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$

Luigi’s Restaurant & Italian Delicatessen

725 E. 19th Street (661) 322-0926 Bakersfield www.shopluigis.com Grab a gourmet Italian lunch and shop their delicatessen for coffees, sauces, olive oils, and spices.

Extensive Wine List Open for Lunch/Private Dinner Parties $$

Lake Isabella Pizza Factory

5640 Lake Isabella Boulevard #A-1 (760) 379-5605 Lake Isabella www.lakeisabella.pizzafactory.com Pizzas, calzones, and even taco salad: their menu selection will leave you pleasantly surprised.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

In The ‘80s

622 E. 21st Street (661) 324-2961 Bakersfield Traditional Basque with a $10 steak night that leaves patrons raving.

Full Bar, Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$

Noriega Hotel

525 Sumner Street (661) 322-8419 Bakersfield www.noriegahotel.com Basque good enough to win the James Beard Award in the American Classics Category in 2011.

Wine Only Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $$

Chalet Basque

200 Oak Street (661) 327-2915 Bakersfield Everything you love about Basque complemented by some of the best entre'es in town.

Full Bar, Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Mediterranean Cuisine Cuisine

Café Med

4809 Stockdale Highway (661) 834-4433 Bakersfield www.cafemedrestaurant.com Bakersfield’s top pick for Mediterranean food with a wine list available on iPads!

Beer, Wine, Martinis Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$$

When it came to dining, about all you could do with one of these was make reservations.

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 93

Pita House Restaurant

3825 Ming Avenue, Suite B (661) 243-0900 Bakersfield www.pitahousebakersfield.com The freshness of this restaurant will leave you feeling like you’ve had Greek for the first time.

No Alcohol Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

The Grape Leaf

Farmer’s Wife Recipe

Ravelle Icardo-Garone was raised on a farm in Bakersfield and has carried on that legacy not only through her marriage to a farmer, but her line of work, as well! As a Kitchen Teacher with Grimmway Academy’s Edible Schoolyard, she is responsible for teaching local children how to take food right from the garden and then make culinary delights in their own kitchens.

“To watch them get excited about whatever it is we are making, from carrot soup to vegetable curry, is my greatest joy,” she beamed.

Icardo-Garone was kind enough to share one such recipe with us—one that is perfectly cool for spring and summer, features local and seasonal produce, and is simple to prepare.

d Fennela fewSafrola nds reserved)

2 fennel bulbs (with lemon oil • Grated zest of one 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive ega p. champagne vin r 3 tbsp. lemon juice • 2 tbs Shaved Parmesan cheese ck pepper to taste Salt and fresh ground bla can (a izontally as thinly as you Slice the fennel bulbs hor pieces of ll here). Remove the large mandolin would work we a bowl. the core and add slices to lemon isk together the olive oil, wh l, In a separate bow fennel the h wit egar. Toss gently zest, lemon juice, and vin . nel nutes, to soften the fen slices. Let sit for a few mi serving. nel fronds right before Add Parmesan and fen to taste.

Add salt and fresh pepper ick qu t no And if that’s ad enough for you, the sal the h can be made throug days second step up to two ’re in advance so that if you t jus you nt, eve hosting an ve. ser you ore have to toss bef

94 Bakersfield Magazine

901 North Heritage Drive, #102 (888) 243-3806 Ridgecrest www.thegrapeleaf.biz With everything from bagels to dolmas, the selection can't be beat.

No Alcohol Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

Cafés, Diners, & Delis 24th Street Café

1415 24th Street (661) 322-8801 Bakersfield www.24thstreetcafe.com A local favorite for 20 years featuring all-day breakfasts and delicious lunches.

Beer, Wine, Some Mixed Drinks Open for Breakfast/Lunch $

Lorene’s Ranch House Coffee Shop

6401 Ming Avenue (661) 831-9250 Bakersfield With a south-of-the-border section, this is American fare with a fun twist!

Beer & Wine Only Open Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

Gimmee Some Sugar

Moo Creamery

4885 Truxtun Avenue Ste. B (661) 861-1130 Bakersfield www.moocreamery.com Too many awesome specialty items to list, but we’ve got two words for you: candied bacon.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

Wine Me Up! Bar and Lounge

3900 Coffee Road #2 (661) 588-8556 Bakersfield www.winemeupbakersfield.com A great spot to savor fine wines while dining on a variety of tapas. Live music sets the mood every week.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

BYOB Build Your Own Burger

5401 Gasoline Alley Drive (661) 444-4508 Bakersfield Variety is the name of the game at this burger hut, where you can create your own culinary work of art!

No Alcohol Open for Breakfast/Lunch $

Hotels & Casinos The Aviator Casino Bar & Grill

1225 Airport Drive (661) 721-7770 Delano www.theaviatorcasino.com/dining Upscale American cuisine and top notch service make this a great destination!

Full Bar Open Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $$

2100 19th Street, Suite D (661) 321-9922 Bakersfield www.gimmeesomesugar.com Not just for special occasions, satiate your sweet tooth with their grab ‘n’ go goodies.

No Alcohol Grab ‘n’ Go/Cakes $/$$$$

at The Padre Hotel 1702 18th Street (661) 427-4900 Bakersfield www.thepadrehotel.com World-class dining and local legend.

Full Bar, Open for Dinner $$$$

Brookside Riverlakes Market & Deli

The Nines Restaurant at The Marriott

4700 Coffee Road (661) 588-1338 Bakersfield www.brooksidecatering.com A market, a deli, and a Smith’s Bakery all in one!

Beer & Wine Only Open Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

The Belvedere Room

801 Truxtun Avenue (661) 565-9319 Bakersfield www.bakersfieldmarriott.com American fare with an upscale atmosphere and amazing cocktails.

Full Bar Open for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner $

China Garden

Other Ethnic Cuisine Bit of Germany Restaurant 1901 Flower Street (661) 325-8874 Bakersfield Let yourself get whisked away to Germany in this lovely restaurant!

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Taj Mahal Cuisine of India 5416 California Avenue (661) 633-2222 Bakersfield One of the best Indian food buffets in town and a local mainstay for amazing ethnic dishes.

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar

3310 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 160 (661) 864-0397 Bakersfield www.valentienrestaurant.com The only place around where French cuisine meets California freshness.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$$$

Mon Réve

126 Balsam Street (760) 375-3212 Ridgecrest Unmistakably some of the best French food in all of Kern County.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Asian Cuisine Canton Cafe

745 Bear Mountain Boulevard (661) 854-5660 Arvin Hands down, some of the best Chinese food you will find in Arvin.

No Alcohol Open for Lunch/Dinner $

King of Siam Thai Restaurant

760 Tucker Road Ste. B (661) 823-9977 Tehachapi Thai done right with a variety of options, regardless of your diet preferences.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $

206 S. China Lake Boulevard (760) 375-3533 Ridgecrest www.chinagardenridgecrest.com A great place to hit up the buffet or enjoy one of the countless menu items.

No Alcohol Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Enso Japanese Bar

In 2013 Not only can you make reservations, you can also:

1419 19th Street (661) 327-7785 Bakersfield www.ensosushibar.com This sushi is nothing short of fabulous. The California Roll is one of the best in town!

Full Bar Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Izumo Sushi

4212 Ming Avenue (661) 398-0608 Bakersfield The perfect place for sushi, and their lunch specials will leave your stomach and wallet full.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Saigon Restaurant

3113 Chester Lane (661) 327-8810 Bakersfield Authenticity matters at this Vietnamese restaurant.

The pho won’t let you down!

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $

Ichiban Sushi

675 Tucker Road (661) 822-9888 Tehachapi Friendly service and sushi that will wow your taste buds. Whatever you get, you won’t be disappointed.

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Asia Market Teriyaki Bowl

7701 White Lane (661) 837-0982 Bakersfield Order off the menu or get your own ingredients from the store and let them customize a dish!

No Alcohol Open for Lunch/Dinner $

Chinese Cuisine

563 James Street (661) 746-3266 Shafter Scrumptious Chinese food and New York steak? We'll see you there!

Beer & Wine Only Open for Lunch/Dinner $$

Browse what you’re craving, find a great deal, receive exclusive foodie specials, view local chef recipes, get driving directions, and much, much more!!!

The Bakersfield Magazine APP

^

Featuring: Cheap Eats · The Dining Guide Flavors of Kern · Recipes · Coupons Contests · Trivia and More

Available soon for

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 95

Religious Schools & Worship Services Directory

Mass Schedule

Rev. Msgr.

Craig F. Harrison,V.F. Pastor 900 H St.

(1 block south of California Ave.)

661-327-4734 FAX 661-377-0363

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. (Honoring Mary)

5:00 p.m. (Vigil-English)

7:30 p.m. (Vietnamese) Sunday:

6:45 a.m. (English) 8:30 a.m. (English) 10:30 a.m. (Family) 12:00 p.m. (High School) 5:00 p.m. (Spanish) 7:00 p.m. (English)

Got Fundraising Hassles?

Bakersfield Magazine Supports the Community and Can Help Your Nonprofit Organization Raise Money.

For More Information About “Bakersfield Magazine’s Hassle-Free Fundraising” Call 834-4126 or log on to www.bakersfieldmagazine.net

Spread the Good Word For participation in the Religious Schools & Worship Services Directory call:

834-4126

Kern Chapter The American Red Cross strives to provide people with the skills and confidence to act in an emergency at home, in school, and in the workplace.

For more information visit us online:

KernRedCross.org

96 Bakersfield Magazine

Hoffmann Hospice Beth Hoffmann Director of Operations

As Director of Hoffmann Hospice, Beth oversees the day-to-day operations of Kern County’s only locally founded nonprofit hospice. The mission is to celebrate the sanctity of life, provide compassionate end-of-life care, and comfort the grieving. Hospice is a special way of caring for patients, providing comfort care as opposed to heroic measures that provide no real medical benefit.

(661) 410-1010

www.HoffmannHospice.org

Voted “Best Dermatologist” by Los Angeles Magazine Voted A.V.’s “Best Dermatologist” Skin Cancer specialist Laser Specialist • MOHS–Micrographic surgery • Laser hair removal • Tattoo removal • Pre-cancerous growths • Coolsculpt–Laser • Mole checks & removals • Acne/Acne Scarring/Rosacea fat removal • Ultra skin rejuvenation and tightening

(661) 322-2700

5600 California Ave., Suite 101 • Bakersfield, CA 93309

Armi Lynn Walker, M.D. Cary Shakespeare, M.D.

Kern Faculty Medical Group

Diplomate of American Board of QAUR Physicians

Pellevé tm Now Available

Most insurance accepted New patients are welcome

Look Lovely, Feel Refreshed

• • • •

• • •

• Board Certified in Pediatrics • Practices with multi-specialty group at KFMG Professional Societies: • Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics • Los Angeles Pediatric Society • American Academy of Pediatrics

Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility Pregnancy Testing Personalized Prenatal Care and Delivery Complete Gynecological Care, Contraception, Menopausal Issues Minimally Invasive Surgery Urinary Incontinence Testing Comfortable, Relaxing Atmosphere

(661) 633-BABY (2229)

(661) 322-7337

2021 22nd St., Bakersfield, CA 93301

2201 Mt. Vernon Ave., 2nd Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93306

Interim HealthCare

www.interimhealthcare.com People you count on, care you trust by the ONLY RN owned & operated Medicare/Medi-Cal home care provider in the county.

Darlyn Baker, RN

Central Valley Physical Therapy

At Central Valley Physical Therapy our mission is simple: to provide the best care to our community. We are an award winning private practice physical therapy clinic. We boast doctoral educated & specialty certified practitioners.

We love what we do. We love helping people.

We love providing Movement for Life ®.

(661) 827-8959

8200 Stockdale Highway # B1, Bakersfield, CA 93311

• • • •

•

Published in national nursing journals.

Nursing and/or Physical Therapy Non-Medical Care–help with bathing, dressing, errands Senior Placement–when one can no longer live alone Bedside Buddy–We’ll stay with you or your loved one in the hospital

(661) 395-1700

4801 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309 www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 97

MEDICAL PROFILES

The Womens Care Center

Suresh Kumari, MD, FAAP

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“In order to build a better community we first begin by building the best possible community within our organization,” explained Katie Kirschenmann, the current president of Junior League of Bakersfield (JLB). “JLB actively seeks to impact the community through direct service programs. Our projects focus on improving the lives of women and children in the community by providing volunteers, training, and funding to nonprofit organizations in Kern County.”

And that community of dedicated Kern

10 years and spurred on the growing spirit of voluntarism in Bakersfield.

Today, that philanthropic energy is alive and well with the 116 active members of JLB (as well as the 239 sustaining members).

“We are an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers,” Kirschenmann continued. “The Junior League experience is a road to transformation for both individual women and the community at large. And our purpose is

County women has been a wonderful presence in our area for over 60 years, and officially under the Association of Junior Leagues International since 1965.

Before that time, the group was known as the Community League of Kern County, chartered in 1952. Local woman wanted to develop a new form of voluntarism unrelated to schools and churches. The group organized the Camellia Ball, a fundraiser that helped support the many projects, most involving children, of the new Community League. The ball was an annual event for

exclusively educational and charitable. Our collective belief is that women and children should thrive in an environment free of abuse and neglect.”

The tangible efforts of these ladies can be seen all around Kern County. For example, JLB founded the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center in the 1970s, and, as Kirschenmann points out, few people are aware that CASA of Kern County began as a project for JLB. But numerous organizations have been helped by JLB, including Bakersfield

“We are an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.”

—Katie Kirschenmann, Junior League of Bakersfield

Police Activities League, Haven House Counseling Center, The Alliance Against Family Violence and Bethany Services (the Bakersfield Homeless Center).

The group is able to help out so many local organizations thanks to the support of the community at JBL’s annual Wine Fest, an amazing night of wine, food, and fun that not only allows them to help local charities, but it helps them train their members and volunteers, as well as support their own programs.

“Our most notable effort of late is our Girls Achievement Program (GAP), initiated in September of 2009,” Kirschenmann explained of the emancipation preparation skills project developed, staffed, and predominately funded by the JLB. “GAP is making substantial changes in the lives of young women in foster care. The girls enrolled in our program are among the most vulnerable souls in our community. It is because of our mentorship that some of the girls are able to avoid the pitfalls that so often ensnare foster youth, like drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and the horrific rise in human trafficking. We have true success stories that come out of this program.”

The GAP currently accommodates between 15 and 20 young women, ages 15 to 18, and the waiting list to get into the program consists of 40 girls.

But the program can only grow with more community support. So while monetary donations are always valued, Kirschenmann explained that the JLB’s wish list includes women who are interested in becoming well-trained volunteers.

“Our real strength lies in the power we have to transform ourselves. We are the impact. Community change begins and ends with the opportunities given to each of us inside this league. If we take full advantage of what the organization offers to us all, there is no stopping what we can do. It is our responsibility as leaders and members to boost each other up, to recognize and develop our own (and each other’s) potential not only as volunteers, but also the woman within us all.” n If you’d like more information about joining JLB or about GAP visit juniorleagueofbakersfield.org www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 99

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Road to Transformation

Junior League of Bakersfield

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would call a no-brainer: the children. “My wife and I have For over a decade, the Bakersfield community has been a proud participant in the St. been to the St. Jude campus in Memphis five times. You only Jude Dream Home Giveaway, a charity event have to look into the eyes of the children there just once, that benefits the well-known children’s and you’re hooked. There’s no way I couldn’t help, and my hospital. But it’s the fact that local children affected by philosophy in life, in general, is that you help. The expericancer are the ones that will truly benefit from the Giveaway ences I’ve had doing this have been more humbling than anythat makes most folks ready to rally around the cause. In thing.” As a father and grandfather to a number of children, addition to donations and ticket purchases, some local resiCates has never had to do deal with such a devastating health situation with any of them, but feels deeply touched by the dents also help significantly with the actual construction of struggle. “None of us are built to lose our children,” he said, the house, itself. Some of these people have been with the project for years while others have affirming his conviction to the cause.

“My wife and I have been just recently joined, but they all have One particular experience that hapone thing in common: the desire to pened on one of the trips out to Memto the St. Jude campus in create better lives for those kids who phis really struck a chord with the CaMemphis five times. You only need help the most in Kern County. teses. “We were on a flight with Kevin have to look into the eyes of Lenox Homes has been building the McCarthy—who is also a friend of the children there just once, Dream Homes in town for a decade, ours—and he happened to be sitting and you’re hooked. There’s no ever since they were approached to help. by a mother who was going to St. Jude When owner David Cates was asked with her daughter, a recently diagnosed way I couldn’t help, and my how the company initially got involved, philosophy in life, in general, is cancer patient. They were both from the answer was a bit surprising. “I have Bakersfield, too. We had gotten off the that you help. The experiences a friend over at Channel 23, and the plane before they did, and Kevin came I’ve had doing this have been other Dream Home builder couldn’t find off of the plane to flag us down and conmore humbling than anything.” a lot to build on. She knew I had plenty nect us with the two.” The Cateses heard of lots, so she contacted me and asked if their story from the nervous pair, who —David Cates, Lenox Homes we could do it. We built that home [over were given a very grim prognosis. “We the span of about fifty days]. Excluding the year following that made sure that we all got to the campus safely, we let them one, we have been building the homes since. It’s been a total know what to expect, and as soon as we got there, we told the of ten years.” team that greets us to take care of them right away.” The CaEach year presented a new construction challenge for the teses are still in touch with the mother as well as the daughter, team at Lenox Homes, but the reason behind their involvewho has done remarkable under the care of staff at St. Jude. ment from the get-go is what David and his wife, Linda, It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and the >>

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(l-r)David Cates of Lenox Homes and Ron Hashim of Wish I Had That/uDecor in front of 2013 Dream Home.

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Carter’s Walk 4 CURED

Fighting to CURE Eosinophilic Diseases

Saturday, May 18th 2013 7:30-1:00 at Yokuts Park

10K/5K Run, Family Fitness Walk and Family Fun Day

100% of the funds donated will go directly to medical research.

For more information on Carter and this event, please visit:

www.carterswalk4cured.com 102 Bakersfield Magazine

same can be said about how many caring people it takes to really pull off the incredible feats that the Dream Home builders do every year. The Giveaway generated over one million dollars last year, alone, and has been just as successful in the years preceding. (Not to mention, a very beautiful house is created in the process.) This doesn’t come without a lot of hard work from donors and builders, along with help from the community. “We start out by scouting out four to five lots, and we contact the landowners and begin negotiating a price,” Cates started. “After the lot is purchased, we contact other home builders in town to see if they have any custom plans that we can redraw just for the Dream Home at no cost. After that, we start sending the information out to the public to get subcontractors and to scout out donations, as well.”

St. Jude and Lenox Homes alert the media to let the community know that they’re seeking subcontractors and materials with which to build the Dream Home. Companies like Blue River Cabinetry & Construction have stepped up to make the Home something spectacular. FoodMaxx donated a $2,500 gift card, JCPenney doled out a $1,000 gift card, and Ashley Home Furniture HomeStore not only donated a $7,500 gift card, but they also decorated the interior of the house for showing. Another company that was happily involved with the building last year was Wish I Had That/uDecor: a local supplier of architectural décor. Ron Hashim, web marketing manager for both companies, said that they had all been aware of the Giveaway for a while, but the timing was finally right for the business to help complete the project.

“This [2012] was our first year being a part of the construction, and we provided the crown molding, baseboards, and door trim for the Dream Home. The overall experience was giddy,” Hashim said. (Even Cates described choosing the items out of the warehouse as feeling like “a kid in a candy

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store; there were so many options and we got to pick exactly what we wanted.”) “We saw it as our chance to give back to the community,” Hashim continued about their part in creating the $400,000 home. “It was [wonderful] because the people at Lenox were glad that we got involved, and we were glad that they let us.” uDecor provided the supplies through Wish I Had That, and the team was so excited to be contributing that they filmed most of the process and posted the videos on YouTube. “We filmed the instal-

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and the same can be said about how many caring people it takes to really pull off the incredible feats that the Dream Home builders do every year. lation and followed the project that way for a few months. Then we waited for the Home to be finished.” The end results were enough to make everyone involved incredibly proud. So much so that uDecor has already been talking with the people at Lenox Homes and St. Jude to ensure that they will be donating again for years to come. “It was such a positive thing to be a part of,” Hashim concluded. “It felt really good, and we plan to be a part of it as long as we can in Bakersfield.”

Cates spoke with elation when he said that the home turned out beautifully, and that every year, a tremendous amount of well-deserved support manifests from all parts of our local community. “We would love to find someone who may be able to install a pool into a future home, but for now, we are very grateful to have all of these people come out and donate their time and supplies to make the Dream Home a reality year after year.” But just how long does Lenox Homes plan to be involved in this yearly build? “Unless the people at St. Jude ask us not to, we’re going to be here,” Cates said, smiling. v If you’d like to find out more about this year’s St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, visit www.stjude.org/dhbakersfield. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 103

community partners

5th ANNUAL A delicious way to spend Administrative Assistants’ Day!

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Wednesday, April 24 11:30am-1:00pm Doubletree Hotel • 3100 Camino Del Rio Court Fashion Show • Lunch • Prizes • Shopping • Gifts • Tiffany & Co. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind luncheon and fashion show while being served by a local celebrity, politician, or maybe even your own boss! What will the waiter do for a tip?

And...everyone in attendance receives a gift and opportunity to win raffle prizes.

For more information contact: Michelle Garland at 661-834-2272, ext. 278 or visit www.barc-inc.org

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community partners www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 105

Precious Jewelry Design “The Jeweler You Can Trust”

• Specializing in Platinum and Gold Castings • Expertise in Fine Jewelry Design and Repair • Excellence in Gem Setting and Pearl Stringing • Custom Wedding Band Specialist • Antique Ring and Watch Repair

20 Years Experience

661-835-7849 • 7850 White Lane, Ste. H (Albertson’s Shopping Center) Clean & Sanitized

Large Selection

Split Ends FULL SERVICE SALON

Licensed & Insured

Carnivals•Fundraisers Company Picnics•Fairs•Church Events

Hector Barroga 323-4386 KiddieAmusementsInc.com

Eyebrow/Facial Threading

By Mona 661-549-3555 Under NEW Management Walk-ins Welcome

661-324-4247

5428 California Avenue, Bakersfield Thousands of Fabrics to Choose From

b Celebrating 30 Years a

Shari & Heidi

Sugardaddy’s

Ladies Apparel • Shoes • Accessories

5512 Stockdale Hwy. 325-8300 106 Bakersfield Magazine

Hair Extensions & Makeup by “Daniella”

• Furniture Repair • Upholstery • Auto / Marine / RV • Residential • Commercial MON-FRI 8:30am - 5:30pm SAT 9:30am - 1pm Closed SUNDAY

661-327-2386 3406 Getty Street

www.starupholstery.com

35

Now offering Infinity Sun $ Custom Airbrush Spray Tans for

Business Hours

Monday-Thursday | 7:30am-9pm Friday | 7:30am-7pm Saturday | 9am-5pm Sunday | 9am-3pm

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4750 Coffee Road, Suite 103

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Estimates

Family Owned & Operated for Over 30 Years.

We Specialize in Light to Deep Cleaning Service

Move in/out • Organization Grocery shopping • Office Flexible scheduling

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Custom Cookies & Cookies Like Your Grandma Used To Make!

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Birthday Parties Party Trays Cookie Bouquets

By The Dozen Local Delivery

1717 20th Street 661-861-1002 www.thecookiejarbakersfield.com

661-858-8855

SunnyDaysCleaning.com

Real Science.

Real Results.

Jean Laborde “Experience, Integrity, Professionalism”

Ranch, Farm, & Commercial Properties Sales Mineral Rights, Desert Land, & Listing Specialist Helped Clients Make Millions Over 50 Years Experience

Iger Photography

Bakersfield Optical

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

DRE #998649

800.951.1626

www.JeanLaborde.com

Independent Brand Partners

Mike & Jan Kirkwood mikeandjankirkwood.theneriumlook.com 3310 Truxtun Ave.

Suite 140

852-0976

Family Run for over

Fifty Years

Mon-Fri 7:30am to 5pm

661-325-4318 Convenient Downtown Location

2510 “L” St. • Bakersfield, CA www.centralbodyinc.com

1811 Oak Street

Suite 125

323-1168 Waxing • Facials • Makeup • Oxygen Therapy Microdermabrasion • Eyelash Extensions Permanent Makeup • Color Specialists • Perms Hair Extensions • Manicures and Acrylics Pedicure Spa Chair • Massage Therapy

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 107

everafters...

Makeup that matches your dress & style

Jessica Frey Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Chip Nichols (Sherry Hernandez) October 14th, 2012 K Lodge at Painted Rock

Juli Feller Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Adam Starrh (Laura Arnold) March 10th, 2012 K Private Residence

• Beautiful Engagement Rings • Fast Jewelry Repair We Buy • One-of-a-kind Gold Custom Design • Same Day Family Owned Appraisals Since 1978 661-587-9298

9160 Rosedale Highway, Suite 600

661-834-0824 3763 Ming Avenue

Misty Dameron Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Vince Marotta (Katelyn Riley) June 3rd, 2012K Private Residence

Jessica Frey Photography

Mr. & Mrs. David Hernandez (Shereen Najdawi) May 27th, 2012K Seven Oaks Country Club

KLEA Banquet Hall Bakersfield’s best-kept secret!

The perfect venue to host your special day.

Outdoor Patio & Park Setting Bar • Kitchen • Hall • Bridal Room Tables & Chairs • Plus Much More

Juli Feller Photography

For More Information:

661-392-4430 108 Bakersfield Magazine

Abby’s Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Kelly (Brandy Carrizales)

Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Harrison (Adriana Ortiz)

September 29th, 2012 K 4 Points Sheraton

June 9th, 2012 K Padre Hotel

E-mail your wedding photography and information to:

Abby’s Photography

Misty Dameron Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Matt Kirkpartick (Jen Clement)

Mr. & Mrs. Justin Batey (Alexandra Hart)

June 10th, 2012K Kern County Museum

January 5th, 2013 K St. Francis Church

La Dolce Vita Salon & Spa

I do, I do, I do!

Pre Wedding Pampering Airbrush Makeup • Bridal Hair Mani / Pedi • Airbrush Tan Massage • Brazilian Wax / Vajazzle

Your Groom is Sure to Notice on Your Big Day! Artisan Photography

661-861-4900

Lacy’s Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Matt Zimmerman (Sarah Lemucchi)

Mr. & Mrs. Justin Adamson (Kristy Scott)

December 15th, 2012 K Bakersfield Country Club

October 27th, 2012K Private Residence

2100 19th Street

J. Andrew Photography

Jerry Gamez Clothing Expert

Jennifer Williams Photography

Jessica Frey Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Neal (Brittany Hammon)

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Adams (Sharon Boyles)

October 6th, 2012 K Noriega House

October 7th, 2012 K Seven Oaks Country Club

weddings@bakersfieldmagazine.net

661-588-3344

3900 Coffee Road, Suite 14 www.FinosCollection.com www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 109

Your Local Alzheimer’s Disease Support Team

BAKERSFIELD MAGAZINE

Party

CHATTER

For more photos from these parties visit bakersfieldmagazine.net

You’re not alone.

Bob & Jeanne Cathaway

Suzanne & William Beckham, Patti Blystone

Robin Starr & Nada Byrum

The historic Guild House was packed to the antique crown molding as locals gathered to enjoy a savory dinner and support the Guild, which raises money to assist the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic. Guests enjoyed great company, wine, and a tour of the house, followed by a most anticipated dinner.

Stephanie & Jeff Pickering

Guild House Dinner

Working to give you peace of mind and confidence that your loved one will be provided for by one of Kern County’s finest programs, while giving you relief from the extreme dedication of caregiving.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from memory loss, please contact ADAKC for help or information:

Justin & Alexandra Batey

Laura Jones

David Suadi

Rhonda MacDonald

Erinn Suadi

(661) 393-8871 www.ADAKC.org

Dwight Byrum, Tanya Hildebrand, & Tom Alexander

Mark Abernathy & Terry Maxwell

Qualified Professional Music Coaches

Matt & Molly Clark

Shannon Grove, Larry & Susan Moxley

Carole & Ira Cohen

Heidi & Jarrod McNaughton

Mary Van Blake, Dee Slade, & Dorothy Daniels

Madeline Abernathy

Jarrod’s Celebration

661-387-1519  Specialty In-Home Service 

Bryan & Marie Batey

Doug Wade

Danielle Wade

Friends, family, and coworkers gathered at the beautiful Petroleum Club to wish a bittersweet farewell to San Joaquin Community Hospital VP Jarrod McNaughton and his beautiful wife Heidi. The couple, who have made quite an impact in our community, will be starting a new adventure in Ohio. Those who attended enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and great conversations. Good luck, friends!

Music Instruction in Voice and Piano

Family Rates Available

www.gabrielssong.net 110 Bakersfield Magazine

Kim Albers & Sean Battle

Jennifer Jensen

Jeanne & Robert Johnson

Michael Chertok

Karen Goh

BAKERSFIELD MAGAZINE

Party

CHATTER

For more photos from these parties visit bakersfieldmagazine.net

Shari Names Georgego & Sylvia in here.Lozano

Robin Cooper, Gloria Williams, & Cindy Riddle

Realtor®

Jennifer Bowden

Go Red Luncheon

A fantastic group of local women and men wearing all shades of red showed up to support this great cause. Once again the American Heart Association outdid itself with a fun luncheon full of great health information, cooking demonstrations, shopping, delicious food, and an entertaining fashion show

by Macy’s. It was all to encourage heart-health in Kern County women.

Dina Madden & Gina Perez

Kathy Lockridge & Nancy Terraza

Michael Saldana & Stephanie Chavez

Krysta Jaramillo & Cindy Dornan

Outstanding Service Partner Department of Real Estate Award

661-319-6555

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

www.JeanneRadsick.com Alma Navarrete

Joy Invina, Christina Scrivner, & Tracy Hunter

Julie Navarrette & Ernie Popoy

2

YEARS $ FOR ONLY

21.95

Teri Bjorn

Marge Uffelman

Romance was in the air as couples wined, dined, and danced the night away at Stars! While the theater is known for wonderful productions, they also churn out amazing food and ambiance. This special Valentine’s Day event included delectable dinner options and fabulous jazz music from some of the best musicians in town.

Dan & Nancy Marble

Mark Gilbert & Coar Yuzon

Mike & Brenda Gates

Jerry & Barbara Kammel

Erwin & Barbara Icayan

Steve & Kathy Mosby

OVER

Stars Valentine’s Day Dinner

The Cover Price!

Linda & Randy Jelmini

54

Doreen & Buzz Kerwin

%

Virginia Lehnmann Names go &inFrank here. Machaeo

OFF

12 EXCITING ISSUES TO ENJOY!

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Steve & Tanya Sahamara Justice Names go inSchoenheide, here.

Lisa Papac

Shianne & Ryan Nielson

Color Me Rad 5k Run BAKERSFIELD RUBBER STAMP over 60 years local service

Enthusiastic locals with a flair for athletics and bright colors came out to participate in the Color Me Rad 5k Run at the Kern County Fairgrounds. A very large gathering of folks in white t-shirts ready to get color bombed filled the area where the race was being held. All proceeds from this incredibly fun event go to benefit the Campus Programming Department at CSUB.

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112 Bakersfield Magazine

Grace, Abby, & Veronica Hanash

Janiesa Vigil, Manny & Brenda Tijerina

Ada & Izik Medel

Jen & Leslie Woodward

Barry Hopfe & Kim Wallace

Rebecca Simpson & Lauren Cronk

John Puga & David Benson

Micah Brogan & Jason Backstrom

Allen Ballard

Zach Hanes

Steve Eucce

Ken Young

Jeff Kelley

Joey Roland

11th Annual ADAKC Golf Classic

Brad Klein

Ely Orozco

Cody Pruitt

Gary Pruitt

People from all over Bakersfield got their clubs ready and enjoyed an exciting day at the 11th Annual ADAKC Golf Classic. Held at the Bakersfield Country Club, a BBQ lunch and dinner were provided, along with refreshments and goody bags for all participants. The proceeds went to benefit the ADAKC: an organization committed to helping those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

Forest Hagood

Nan Coke

Brian Cott & Damon Francis

BAKERSFIELD MAGAZINE

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n ou o y E V e I R! Se THE R

Kern River's

Londa Mackall & Mary Ann Rodgers

Colleen Dillaway & Sarah Downie

Eagle Rafting

Karen Crawford & Leah Shields

Come join us for the time of your life!

Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Event

Supporters of our beautiful city gathered at the historic Bell Tower for an evening of thanks and celebration. Hors d’ oeuvres, prizes, drinks, live music, and a tasty dinner were all part of this great night that honored the investors, donors, and supporters of the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful campaign, including Mayor Harvey Hall!

Pauline Phelps

Elaine Kerl

Fred Kittredge

Mayor Harvey Hall

1-8oo-375-7395

www.eaglerafting.com

Glen Garland

Debbie Kluge

Sharon Garland

Judy Anderson

&

SPORTS SPIRITS Daily Drink Specials Big Screen Sports Live Music Karaoke Pool • Darts

398-7077 6633 Ming Ave. John Rodgers, Yanette Licon, & Rick Yanez

Celestine Davies

Ginny Kirschenman & Jeanette Richardson

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

Betty Stewart, Cathleen & Carl Guilford

David Stroud, Tony Urzanqui, & Gary Lockhart

717 East 21st St. 322-7159 Dianne Hoover & Dan Burns

Valerie & Steve Lewis

Lauren & Sam Williams

Robbie Burns Dinner

Sandra & Timothy Ryan

The Junior League building was filled with poetry, gentlemen in kilts, and delicious food on this festive night. The Kern County Scottish Society hosted this annual event to celebrate the life of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns. Those who attended were wowed by readings, traditional music, and other facets of Scottish culture. Proceeds benefit the Society’s other events.

For The

Pampered Pooch

In Your Life!

• Carriers • Dog Training • Collars • Clothing • Grooming • Food • Doggy Day Care

Kelly & Ron Palmer

Dustin Mazone & Sylvia Reeves

Cari & David Campbell

1617 19th St. • 321-9602

www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Spring 2013 113

Photo courtesy of Chris Brewer

bakersfield’s sound

kern county high school c.1880s

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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.

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here are certain parts of Bakersfield that carry lesser-known histories that borderline on the macabre and curious. Some bear mysteries that have yet to be solved while others were laid to rest years ago. The current home to Bakersfield High School has a little bit of both, but one chilling discovery and its impact, however brief, is still considered to be a startling occurrence in Bakersfield’s earlier years.

In the late 1800s, the need for a high school became evident in our fair city, and with Henry A. Jastro taking the lead, one was established in 1896. The development of Kern County High School (also known as Kern County Union High School over 20 years later and “Kaycee Hi” by those who first attended well over a century ago; and it even shared the campus with the junior college for a time) was a notable one, and was created before there was even a building for it. According to the 1918 graduation commencement speech of Ogden Reeves, the school initially used two rooms from the Railroad Avenue Grammar School while a building “considered [to be] the most economical first-class building ever put up in Kern County” was being constructed. That is when things got interesting.

As local historian Chris Brewer details in his book, Bakersfield’s Photographic Past, when workers were constructing that very building, they were shocked to unearth human bones while digging a basement in the area that is now called “Elm Grove” on the BHS campus. This sparked a flurry of speculation amongst locals. Who did the bones belong to, and how did they get there? Brewer reported that the most popular rumor was that the site was once the location of an ancient battle, and the remains of the mighty warriors who fought were buried there.

While the prospects were exciting—albeit a little unnerving—the reality was not as glamorous as some may have hoped. As Brewer’s book reveals, “As it turned out, the old county hospital was constructed there in 1873. The bones were the result of amputations and were buried in the area.” Indeed, the theories all came to a sudden halt when people remembered the hospital and the then-acceptable practice of burying body parts.

The building stood for decades until an earthquake left it in ruins. While no more bones were discovered, the campus grew and new buildings were erected to accommodate an ever-changing community. The memory of what had the potential of being a grisly encounter still lives on faintly in our local history as a side note to the beginning of a legacy.

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

114 Bakersfield Magazine

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

Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield – Southwest Campus 400 Old River Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93311

(661) 663-6550

www.BakersfieldSpine.com

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.

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