August 2010
13 people to watch A look at local standouts ready to make a splash
GUYS IN THE POOL
Swimming a passion for these four men
CREATIVE VIBES Four artists share their views on the Red Couch
GET GRILLING Larry Reider shares his barbecue tips
www.bakersfieldlife.com
Chloe would like to remind you to enjoy the DOG DAYS of SUMMER and don’t fo forget to...dress responsibly!
(661) 283-4500 www.hwalkers.com
f
Become a Fan of H. Walker's on Facebook
Front & Rear Door Parking - Across from Uricchio’s - H.Walker’s, family owned since 1971
“TOO MUCH SUN MADE ME SELF CONSCIOUS” LAURA, ACTUAL PATIENT
“I love the sun, but it didn’t love me. After years of sun damage I wanted to turn back time without surgery. When I heard about Dr. Milan Shah at Beautologie and the success he had with non-surgical procedures, I knew he was the doctor for me.
He suggested I try laser resurfacing, skin lightening treatments, BOTOX® Cosmetic and now I’m on a great skin care product too. Obagi is wonderful and helps brighten and even out my skin tones everyday. My skin looks younger and healthier than it has in years and it is thanks to Dr. Milan Shah”.
DYSPORTTM ONLY $4 PER UNIT! The Newest Wrinkle Relaxer for laugh lines, frown lines and forehead creases. Qualify for a $75 rebate this month from DysportTM Cosmetic.
HOUR OF BLISS $80
Indulge in a full hour of Bliss with a Luxury Essential Oil Massage Only $80 or combine 1/2 hour massage with an indulging 1/2 hour facial.
Milan R. Shah, M.D. DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ANTI AGING MEDICINE LASER RESURFACING, PHOTOFACIALS, LASER HAIR REMOVAL, BOTOX® COSMETIC
Putting the MD in MeDispa
302-4724 • beautologie.com Discounts cannot be combined. Applied on future visits only. Physician will consult with you to determine the best treatment plan prior. Offers expire August 31, 2010.
A U G U S T
2 0 1 0
F E AT U R E S
Extraordinary Pizza and No Compromise Photo by Tanya X. Leonzo
Visit Our New Location
“Tony’s Pizza really piles it on!” -Pete Tittl
2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
4750 Coffee Road (661) 588-4700
20
Tech Watch In our new feature about our growing infatuation with technology, we ask Roberto Rodriguez, CHP public information officer for the Bakersfield area, how technology has become part of his everyday life and what he can’t live without.
(661) 325-4717
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10AM – 10PM
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Barbecue success
Grill master and longtime educator Larry Reider shares his 10 tips for barbecue greatness.
34
4130 California Ave
46
People to watch
Bakersfield will always be a small town at heart. Even as we grow, we still cling to our roots as a community where we know our neighbors. You may not know all of the people profiled in this month's feature, but you’ll want to meet them after reading it. From agriculture to the arts, they’re making sure that our city stays strong in every area of development.
51
Back to school
As the summer nears its end, parents and students alike look ahead to the upcoming school year. We help you prepare, whether the kids are back in local schools or headed off to college.
TM
A U G U S T
2 0 1 0
D E PA R T M E N T S 16 Real People
Bakersfield Blaze manager Bill Haselman has a long history with professional baseball.
18 History
Three leaders — George Hay, Wallace Morgan and Thomas Metcalf — who helped shape Bakersfield.
22 Food and Wine
The humble and delicious grape gets the gourmet treatment with a trio of recipes.
24 Dining Divas
The ladies are no strangers to Luigi’s, but the staff at the lunchtime hot spot still has a few tricks up its sleeve.
28 Going Green
New air conditioning advances offered locally are better on your wallet and the environment.
30 On the Red Couch Local artists share what they love about the Bakersfield arts scene. 56 Entertainment
What’s hotter than a Bakersfield summer? Dining outside with friends in the (cooler) evening.
58 It’s a Guy Thing
We got our “guys” off the green and out doing the things they love. This month, we netted four swimmers.
62 Community Forget the polls, we’re a patriotic town that’s got Old Glory proudly on display. 64 Personality
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital’s Gary Frazier is settling into local life.
66 Home & Garden
The folks at Bill Ray Tile share the latest in home tiling trends.
68 Why I Live Here
David Torres tells us why his family loves living in Rancho Palm Estates.
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
72 SNAP!
Bakersfield Life’s cameras were at some of the city’s top events recently. Check out who was snapped there
80 Last Word
Bakersfield Association of Realtors President Gail Malouf shares her weekend lunch spot and favorite getaway.
TM
EDITOR’S NOTE
Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine
Bakersfield Life™ magazine is published by The Bakersfield Californian. The magazine is inserted into The Bakersfield Californian on the last Saturday of every month. To subscribe, please call 392-5777. Publisher Ginger Moorhouse President/CEO Richard Beene Vice President Sales, Marketing, Circulation & Operations John Wells Advertising Director Bryan Fahsbender Editor Olivia Garcia Assistant Editor Stefani Dias Art direction Glenn Hammett Photography Felix Adamo Henry A. Barrios Richard Beene Jeff Carter Casey Christie Jessica Frey Tanya X. Leonzo Michael Lopez Cheryl Mestmaker Greg Nichols Martin Ramirez Jan St. Pierre Sean Work Contributing writers Natalie Erlendson Lisa Kimble Dana Martin Jeff Nickell Gabriel Ramirez Interns Allie Castro Lauren Antongiovanni Advertising Lupe Carabajal lcarabajal@bakersfield.com 395-7563 Reader inquiries Bakersfield Life magazine P.O. Bin 440 Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440 BakersfieldLife@bakersfield.com 395-7492 On the cover Vikki Cruz, new curator at the Bakersfield Museum of Art, is just one of our 13 local people to watch. Photo by Jessica Frey
10
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
All eyes on this year’s local People to Watch Thirteen is a special number for Bakersfield Life this month. It captures the number of talented, driven and caring people who are leading our community to a better path. Inside, we feature 13 Bakersfield leaders to watch. We covered a variety of categories from agriculture to oil to nonprofits and the arts. It will be interesting to see how these people shine over the next year with their goals. Vikki Cruz, for instance, is the new curator for the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Lorelei Oviatt is the recently selected director for the Kern County Planning Department with a long history of working for the county. Then there’s Capt. Hajir Nuriddin, the first female captain for the Bakersfield Police Department who has worked in every department with the agency. Dreyer’s Ice Cream’s Jay Tamsi, who has volunteered for so many nonprofit groups, will be stepping in as the new chair of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in about six months. Matt Clark, the youngest partner at Chain, Cohn, Stiles, is in the spotlight as well. I could go on, but I encourage you to find out about these neat people for yourself by turning the page. Also in this issue, I’d like to introduce you to a new page called “Tech Watch.” Here is where we’ll chat with local community leaders and “celebrities” and explore how technology plays a role in their lives. Many of us rely on technology in some form or another. Hopefully, through this section, we’ll discover some new technological gadgets, apps
or tips to managing our lives easier from fellow subjects. There’s also another feature in our issue that is replacing the “Guys on the Green” section. The new section is called “It’s a Guy Thing.” As part of this spotlight, we’ll showcase guys doing something they love, whether it’s shooting, swimming, riding, or playing hockey. You’ve probably heard of the phrase, “Work hard, play hard.” Our goal is to discover what sports or other hobbies drives many of our local guys to excellence. To kick off our new feature, we highlighted four local professionals — Jan Meyer, Derek Robinson, Brian Busacca, and Stan Eschner — who are avid swimmers. Speaking of hobbies, we asked the wonderful Larry Reider, who retired as Kern County Superintendent of Schools, about his barbecue skills, and he graciously offered to share some of his secrets with our readers. Love your neighborhood? Then tell us why. Send me an email at bakersfieldlife@ bakersfield.com In this issue, we featured attorney David Torres and his family who love living in their Rancho Palm Estates neighborhood, and he builds a pretty strong case. Be sure to check out our Snap! photo galleries as well. Enjoy. Photo by Tanya X. Leonzo
August 2010 / Vol. 4 / Issue 11
Olivia Garcia Editor 395-7487 ogarcia@bakersfield.com
WE’RE ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT YOU
We get it. Staying fit and healthy at every stage of your life isn’t easy. You might even be tempted to let things go. To put off healthy habits till “tomorrow.” Like exercising, eating right, controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar. But the truth is, your health is precious. If you don’t take care of it, you can lose it. That’s why at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, we’re always thinking about you…and ways we can be your partner in staying healthy. With health fairs and screenings where we can check your risk factors for heart
disease and diabetes. Our Five-Ton Weight Loss Challenge, helping Kern County residents slim down. Our Healthy Promotions Dental Program, providing dental care to those in need. Our Homemaker Care Program, which allows older residents with limited incomes to manage their health, maintain their dignity and live independently. As well as countless other programs to keep Kern County healthy. This community built our hospital back in the 1950s—and we’re committed to being here for you. Doing our best to keep you healthy. Every minute, every day. So even if you don’t want to think about how to stay fit, it’s OK. We will.
KNOW GOOD HEALTH?
Play the “Memorial Game of Life” at www.ItsOKBakersfield.com You could win some great prizes!
420 34th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 327- 4647 | www.BakersfieldMemorial.org
Become a fan on Facebook
HAPPENINGS
Wed. 4
Thurs. 5 Fri. 6
Los Lonely Boys, with The Delgado Brothers, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $29.50 to $49.50. vallitix.com or 3241369.
CSUB Young Alumni Program networking mixer, appetizers will be served, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Lengthwise Brewery. Call Morgan Essert at 654-2726.
WEEK 3
WEEK 2
WEEK 1
Can’t-miss events in August
Mento Buru, Concerts by the Fountain, 7 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.
WEEK 5
WEEK 4
Thur. 26
12
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
First Friday, featuring live music, art openings and more, 6 to 8 p.m., Downtown Arts District.
Find more community events at BakersfieldLife.com or Bakersfield.com/calendar.
7, 14 & 28 Twilight at CALM, 5:30 to 8 p.m., 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-2256 or calmzoo.org.
Sat. 7 Team In Training Memorial Run, registration 6:30 a.m., race at 7:30, Beach Park. $25. 665-9503.
Thur. 12
13-16
Splish Splash Summer Fun Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kern County Museum, $3. 852-5050.
Bakersfield Blaze vs. Visalia Rawhide, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Sam Lynn Ballpark, $5 to $9. bakersfieldblaze.com or 716-HITS.
20-22
Sat. 21
“Once Upon a Mattress,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre. 1931 Chester Ave. 325-6100. Also Aug. 27-29.
Bud Light Comedy Jam with Darren Carter and guests. 7 p.m., Fox Theatre, 2001 H St. $24.50 to $34.50. vallitix.com or 324-1369.
UUPP FRONT FRONT
It’s Named After
By Lisa Kimble
Competitive swimming in Bakersfield has come a long way in 30 years, when neither Cal State nor Bakersfield College boasted championship facilities, and the McMurtrey Aquatic Center downtown had yet to be built. That changed though in April of 1983 with the dedication of the John S. Hillman Memorial Aquatic Center on the Cal State campus behind the school’s gymnasium. The pool honors John Hillman, a local swimming enthusiast who was considered destined for Olympic greatness before his life was cut short in an oil field accident. The Hillman family lived in the Westchester area of Bakersfield. Popular and well-liked, Hillman attended Bakersfield High School and graduated in 1977 as a standout athlete who lettered in swimming. He attended Whittier College and had just completed his second year of college when he died in May of 1979. After his untimely death, Hillman’s father, Mike, and friends collected money and pledges of labor and material to bring the community’s dream of an aquatic center to reality on the CSUB campus. They raised $800,000 and the state of California provided the remainder of the money needed to finish the project – a fete in itself, as the state was rarely approving pool projects and only green-lighted 25-yard pools at the time. The Hillman Aquatic Center remains the only 50-meter Olympic pool in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. It boasts an eight-lane
The Pulse:
Photo by Xxxxxx Xxxxx
CSUB HILLMAN AQUATIC CENTER
competition pool with a 10-lane short course and a separate six-lane, three-feet deep training pool. There are also two diving boards, and the pool is heated year-round. Cal State’s first swim team was formed in 1984. BHS continues to honor the young athlete with the John Hillman Memorial Scholarship, given each year to a graduating swimmer who excels in academics and athletics.
What’s hot and what’s not this month in Bakersfield
WHAT’S HOT
WHAT’S NOT
Rising waters
Our quality of life
With the Kern River running at more than 111 percent of “normal,” the rush of water means an extended rafting season and more recreation on the lower Kern.
According to Portfolio.com, Bakersfield ranked dead last on a “quality of life” list ranking the nation’s 67 largest markets on factors like education, income, unemployment and homeownership.
Korn in the field
Making another list we don’t like
Korn debuted its secret concert last month filmed in a local farmer’s field with specially crafted crop circles.
Treatment closer to home
The Aera Clinic-Grossman Burn Center celebrated just over a year in operation, allowing families to remain in Kern County for outpatient treatment.
Courthouse breaks ground
Officials broke ground last month on the federal courthouse, which is expected to create scores of short-term local construction jobs for locals over the next two years.
Our quality of life may be affected by our dismal education performance. A report by the Brookings Institution found that Bakersfield ranks last in bachelor’s and graduate degree attainment and 99th in high school diploma attainment in a study of 100 large metropolitan cities in the U.S.
The heat is on
A lovely spring turned into a typically hot Bakersfield summer. More days topping 100 are expected through the month.
Trashing our town
With more people out enjoying our local parks, there’s been more trash left behind. Don’t make other people deal with your mess.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
13
UP FRONT
Short Takes
“
I’m from Bakersfield. I don’t know nothing else, so this is my home. I’m happy being comfortable here in my own city, my own hometown.
”
— Joey Porter, Bakersfield native and linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, who's proud to call Bakersfield home.
It’s Twilight time at California Living Museum. Much like their human neighbors, the animals at CALM know that it’s much cooler to hang out when the summer sun is low in the sky, and you’re invited to stroll the grounds when the wildlife is most active at dusk. Bring
the family (and a picnic) and make an evening of it with a wildlife presentation and scavenger hunt. Regular admission applies for the Saturday event running 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7, 14 and 28. For more information, call 872-2256 or visit calmzoo.org.
Photo by Casey Christie
OVERHEARD
Twilight at CALM
chamber’s summer social For big fun (and big hair), you need look no further than the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce’s summer social on Aug. 26. The “Crazy ’80s” will take over the Kern County Fairgrounds from 6 to 10 p.m. at the chamber’s annual fundraiser.
Your ticket buys you a night of food, dancing and prizes. Rock out to the best ’80s rock anthems and power ballads from a live band or bust out the robot while a DJ covers the decade’s techno hits. Hodel’s will provide a barbecue dinner, and there will be a full bar (for those who actually lived through the ’80s!). In addition to the silent auction items, prizes will also be given out. Tickets are $30 presale, $50 at the door. For more information or to buy tickets, call 327-4421.
Got something to say? Letters to the editors can be e-mailed to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com or by mail, Olivia Garcia, Bakersfield Life Magazine, PO Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and space.
14
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
By the numbers: Bakersfield Blaze
27 22.63 71 150
average age of a Blaze player
hours the team will have spent on a bus by season’s end
home games this season
7,400
Photo by Casey Christie
players on roster (Justin Miller is the one player who’s from Bakersfield)
miles traveled per season
Source: bakersfieldblaze.com
So You Want To ...
Make your kid’s first year away in college memorable Help make their dorm room feel like home Sometimes students just want to go somewhere that feels homier than the typical cramped quarters most of them face in the dorms. Consider adding a few items that might belong in a real house to make your child more comfortable. Boys may appreciate a TV stand to hold the inevitable flat-screen TV and gaming systems. Girls would like throw pillows and wall hangings. Framed family photos are also a nice touch. And everyone should try Glade PlugIns to keep the place fresh.
Celebrate their birthday College kids are good at celebrating on their own, but it’s nice to have some of the birthday staples (like a cake and balloons)
that might be overlooked. Check with your child’s school to see if you can have them delivered to their dorm through an on-campus provider, or order from a local bakery.
Master the art of the care package This is the ultimate must-have to make your college kid’s transition a good one. Things like candy, soup, drink mixes (try Crystal Light’s On The Go packets), mac and cheese and, of course, those homemade cookies work great either as a surprise or as an anticipated treat. Personalized touches — like a favorite candy — are always appreciated and let your kid know you miss them. These are especially great during final exams.
Consider Skype Video chats with friends or family can be a great relief for students away from home for the first time, especially if regular visits aren’t possible. (It’s also nice for parents, too!) The best part about chatting via Skype is that it’s free. Consider a scheduled video date once every week or two. www.BakersfieldLife.com
15
Photo by Felix Adamo
REAL PEOPLE
Bakersfield Blaze manager Bill Haselman.
In his blood Manager Bill Haselman talks baseball, Blaze By Dana Martin
T
o say that Bill Haselman has been around professional baseball is an understatement. Before he became a professional manager, he had spent the majority of his life immersed in sports (he was even a NCAA Division I quarterback behind Troy Aikman at UCLA). As a junior in college at UCLA, Haselman was picked in the first-round of teh draft by the Texas Rangers in 1987 and then eventually signed contracts to play for the Mariners, the Red Sox, the Tigers and the Rangers again before hanging up his catcher’s mitt in 2004. In the three years that followed, he stood on the other side of the diamond, working as a coach for the Boston Red Sox. New for 2010, Haselman is the skipper for the Bakersfield Blaze, the high-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. In the off-season he is a resident of Seattle, but for the rest of the year, Haselman says his life is a bit more boring than most people think. He gets 16
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
up, reads the paper, works out, and heads to the field around noon to get ready for the day’s game — preparations that include making the lineup and scouting the other team. “You sort of lose track of days,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of days off, but it’s only a five month season, too.” As a minor league manager, Haselman knows he has a very specific job and that he may or may not make an impression on the players who come through the system. “As a player, I remember my minor league coaches and some of the things they taught me. They are like elementary school teachers that way. But how much you learn depends on the player. “The biggest challenge is wanting to win. In college, the coaches want to win, but (in the minor leagues) you’re here to develop players to play at higher levels. In college, you won’t lose players; here, you are sent certain players and they move on every year. If someone doesn’t pan out, doesn’t work hard and has to
play catch-up, they learn pretty quickly that the person behind you is going to pass you up.” Although Haselman has been to “the show,” he still sees the charm and is passionate about the minor leagues of professional baseball. “The minor leagues are great. The nice thing is that you’re so close to the players on the field. At a major league game, it’s tough to get close to the players. And the thing here is that, whether it’s on our team or theirs, they are future superstars out there. It’s kind of cool to say you saw them in the development stage.” Seeing future superstars up close at Sam Lynn Ballpark may not be a luxury local baseball fans can take for granted much longer, as the facility is considered one of the worst in professional baseball. But to Haselman, the ballpark isn’t an issue. “The stadium has been here a long time. I don’t care too much about stadiums. Do we need a new stadium? Yes, probably. It’s pretty outdated, but it’s fun and is what you make of it as individuals.” Baseball is life for the Haselman family. Son Tyler, 12, is the batboy for the Blaze and even shadowed his dad on the Red Sox field during the three years Haselman coached in Boston. Wife Tracy and daughter Koko, 9, traveled from Seattle, as well, to spend their summer in Bakersfield and be close to Haselman, who, after playing the game for so many years, has found that managing a team is about the best way there is to stay connected to the sport. “Baseball is great. It gets in your blood,” said Hasselman. “It’s a tough game to walk away from.”
FORECLOSURE SPECIALISTS We will pre-qualify you for FREE and show you properties 7 days a week.
Three generations of excellence in real estate... We specialize in: HUD’s • VA’s • Bank Foreclosures • Short Sales SE HABLA ESPANOL
#1 in Sales Consistently Since 1990!
DROP BY FOR A VISIT! When living at home is no longer the best option for your loved ones, visit the private homes of Gables Residential Care. In these elegant, family-style homes, you will find: • Comforts of home in a beautiful surrounding • Caring and competent staff on duty and awake 24 hours a day • Only six residents in each home; companionship with others • Personal assistance with activities of daily living—bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, medication supervision, transportation— whatever is needed. • Delicious, home-cooked meals and snacks • Locations in central and northwest Bakersfield • Enjoyable activities schedule
Th e
Gables • 903 Spirit Lake RCF 27 E No. 1 55801279 • 213-39
Providing homes exclusively for women for more than 15 years.
661.631.2036
www.BakersfieldLife.com
17
HISTORY
George Hay’s Bakersfield Abstract and Title Company was located in the Haberfelde Building on Chester Avenue at 19th Street before relocating some years later.
A trio of leaders
By Jeff Nickell, Director, Kern County Museum Photos courtesy of the Kern County Museum
H
istorically, when speaking of influential people in Bakersfield, there are countless individuals who end up overlooked, With so many people responsible for making our city what it is today, it is easy to understand how some people are better known that others. But with this in mind, let's take a look at some of these lesser-known folks whose accomplishments helped make Bakersfield what it is today.
George Hay The man who helped set the foundation for the Oleander 18
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
neighborhood, George Hay, can trace his roots to Scotland, which he family emigrated from in the first half of the 1800s. His grandfather, James Hay, settled in Delaware, and the family moved to Indiana when George’s father, John, was only 3 years old. George, born on on April 15, 1869, was the sixth of 11 children born to John and Mary Hay. He began his work career as a laborer but earned a teacher’s certificate by the age of 17. He saved up enough money to enroll in Valparaiso University studying science and eventually graduated from the Terre Haute Business College. In May 1892, he came to Bakersfield with $5 to his name and a strong work ethic. He first found work on a Rosedale ranch but later, along with his brother-in-law, raised cattle and hogs on the Kern George Hay River for about three years. It was at that point he began working for Bender and Hewett Abstract Company and learning the business. For the next several years, George worked as deputy county assessor, deputy tax collector, and deputy treasurer, taking control of that office during the during a three-year absence by the treasurer.
Wallace Morgan
In 1903, Hay formed Bakersfield Abstract Company with J. B. Batz and J.H. Jordan. One year later, they took over Bender and Hewett. According to the "History of Kern County" by Wallace Morgan (more about him below), the company embraced “the ownership of books and documents constituting a complete record of all transfers, changes of ownership, subdivisions, and incumbrances covering all real estate from government entry to date.” The company was also in the insurance business. Hay was an original stockholder in the Security Trust Bank and had an interest in several oil companies. But, the lasting effect he had on Bakersfield is seen via the West Park Tract on Oleander. It was under his guidance that 33 acres was subdivided and “lots were placed on sale with building restrictions that made this one of the finest resident sections of Bakersfield.” In addition, he served on the Board of Trade and the Board of Education, only to name a couple.
Wallace Morgan Wallace Morgan, the author of the “the bible of Kern County History,” was born in Johnson County, Kan. on April 21, 1868. His family’s history in the United States dates all the way back to 1620 in the New York and New England regions. He was educated with some college but also learned the value of hard work through a number of jobs, including farming, rock quarrying and carpentry (especially making wagon wheels). But a bad economy and bad crops in Kansas (wow, does that sound familiar?) caused Morgan to move west, and he purchased a train ticket to Bakersfield. Once in Bakersfield, he worked on a raisin ranch in the Rosedale area and then homesteaded property near Delano where he grew crops and raised livestock. In 1902, Morgan went into the publishing business purchasing the Delano Record. After a few months running the Delano paper, Morgan moved to Bakersfield to take a job at the Morning Echo. He served in various capacities for the Echo, including news gatherer until he became its city editor, which included writing the paper’s editorials for a number of years. Morgan's main claim to fame is as the
Thomas Metcalf
author of "History of Kern County," published in 1914. I call this “the bible of Kern County history” as it is chock-full of accounts that detail our community with biographies, research results and firsthand accounts of some of the first people to settle in Bakersfield. I cite his work often as it is a treasure trove for local historians.
Thomas Metcalf Though many know the story of his daughter Modena (or Maude), who was an an early teacher in this area and a president of the Bakersfield Woman’s Club, it is Thomas Metcalf's legacy that is worth noting. A charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic in Bakersfield, he helped establish the Memorial Hall within the Kern County Courthouse building and built at home — originally at Dracena and C streets — which still stands today at the Kern County Museum. Metcalf was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, in 1844, but his family moved to Illinois when he was 12. In 1863, he joined Company B 45th Infantry and eventually participated in some of the most crucial battles of the Civil War, including Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, the Siege of Atlanta and Gen. Sherman’s March to the Sea. After the war, Metcalf was a schoolteacher and later a railroad agent. In 1883, he moved to Bakersfield where he became a contractor and builder being partly responsible for the “early upbuilding of this community.” Upon the death of brother-in-law Simon Wile he began overseeing his estate, even taking numerous trips to Alaska to check on mining interests. Memorial Hall at the Kern County Courthouse, which Metcalf helped bring about, was said to be the “grandest in all of California if not the whole Union.” www.BakersfieldLife.com
19
T E C H WATC H
Roberto Rodriguez
Photo by Henry A. Barrios
Public information officer for the Bakersfield area CHP
How has technology made your life easier? My job is all about being able to communicate with people. Prior to this position, I periodically checked e-mails and voicemails. Now it's essential that I do that every chance I get. I would say that I'm able to communicate with the "peeps" at a much faster rate. What is one piece of technology you can't do without? I hate to say it, but it's my cell phone. Do you have any technology routines you do daily? The first thing I do when I enter my office is turn on all the equipment necessary to give my traffic report — computer, camera, transmitter and receiver. The Highway Patrol has this neat feature where we can view with detail any traffic incidents that are going on throughout the state. 20
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
The most positive thing that has come out of all the technology we have today? Information superhighway! With the Internet, Twitter, Facebook and Myspace, information on any topic is just a mouse click or phone call away. It’s also about convenience. There are several places around town that offer Wi-Fi, where you can access the Internet and check e-mail. I don't have one yet, but I hear you can even access the Web and e-mails from your iPhone or Blackberry. I know, I need to get with it, I’m behind the times! Downside to technology? One word, crash! What to do if all systems crash? How many times has your phone or computer crashed, and you didn't know what to do? It's like your world has come to a complete halt or maybe just peace and quiet.
FOOD AND WINE
Grapes go
gourmet! Locally grown gems sure to add a sweet touch to summer meals
By Natalie Erlendson
S
ummer is upon us and with it, the opportunity to enjoy easy-to-prepare and hard-not-to-enjoy meals made with in-season produce grown right here in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Grapes are the second highest contributor to Kern County’s agricultural value, and August is the prime time to support your local farmers – not to mention, add a sweet, unique touch to your summer meals. At only 90 calories per 1.5 cup serving, grapes are the perfect healthy snack, as well as a delectable addition to appetizers, salads and main dishes. Never thought of cooking with grapes before? Locally based grape grower Sun World International is sharing with Bakersfield Life three quick, easy and delicious ways to incorporate grapes into mealtime.
22
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Appetizer
Proscuitto Wrapped Midnight Beauty Grape Skewers with Baby Mozzarella and Basil Serves 4 Ingredients 24 Midnight Beauty grapes 12 oz. sliced proscuitto 16 baby mozzarella balls 16 basil leaves 8 skewers 6 inch length 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Preparation • Wrap proscuitto around each grape but leave the top and bottom of each grape uncovered. • Place a wrapped grape onto each skewer and move down to one inch from the bottom of the skewer. • Follow with a baby mozzarella, a basil leaf, a wrapped grape, a baby mozzarella, a basil leaf and a wrapped grape for each skewer. • Place two finished skewers on each plate and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the oil and vinegar droplets.
Salad
Superior Seedless Green Grape Salad with Bacon, Goat Cheese, Apple and Honeyed White Wine Vinaigrette Serves 4 Vinaigrette 3 tbsp. white wine vinegar ¼ cup olive oil 1 tbsp. honey 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Salad 8 pieces crispy bacon, broken up into half-inch pieces 10 Superior Seedless green grapes, halved lengthwise 1 Fuji apple, cut into 12 slices without core and seeds 10 oz. mixed baby greens 3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled Preparation • To prepare the vinaigrette, blend vinegar, oil, honey salt, and pepper in a blender. • In a large bowl toss mixed greens with ¼ cup vinaigrette and goat cheese. • Gently mold four mounds of salad in middle of four large plates. Place three apple slices around each salad. Place five each lengthwise halved grapes skin side up. Sprinkle bacon over each salad.
Main course
Pan Roasted Chicken Breasts with Superior Seedless Grapes and Tarragon Serves 4 Ingredients 4 boneless chicken breasts 2 tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 3 tbsp. olive oil 2 tbsp. chopped shallots 10 Superior Seedless grapes halved lengthwise ¼ cup dry white wine 3 tbsp. chopped tarragon 1½ tsp. chopped Italian parsley ½ cup whipping cream ½ tbsp. honey 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Preparation • Heat oven to 400 degrees. • Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. • Get a sauté pan hot with medium-high fire and add oil. When oil starts to lightly smoke, place chicken breasts in pan skin side down. • When skin is golden brown on edges, gently turn each breast over and place pan in oven. Cook until firm about 8 to 10 minutes. • With a glove, remove hot pan from oven and set aside chicken breasts on a plate. Place pan on the burner over medium heat and sauté shallots till golden and deglaze with wine for one minute. • Add grapes, tarragon, parsley, cream, honey, salt and pepper. Reduce until slightly thick and remove from heat. • Place chicken breast skin side up in the center of each plate. Spoon a little sauce and grapes over each piece of chicken.
Save Money With The Only Locally Owned Closet & Garage
Easy to move and rearrange to handle your work needs!
Pantry • Home Office Free In Home We Are Your Only Comprehensive One-Stop Resource For Closet and Garage Storage!
6732 Charity Ave, Bakersfield, CA
choose your
favorite places to work.
Steelcase campfire
TM
5300 District Blvd. 661.397.5300 Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm
www.floydsos.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
23
D I N I N G D I VA S
Luigi’s
The Valpredos — Gino, Lanette and Tonia — pose with Divas Whitney Rector, Aimee Williamson, Wendy Horack and Lori Ritchie in Luigi's deli. 24
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Lunch at Luigi’s
Bruschetta
The Divas thought they knew all about this local favorite ... until they got the deluxe meal with wine pairings and off-the-menu treats Photos by Greg Nichols
Longtime fans
Aimee: Luigi’s is one of my favorite places in Bakersfield. If you have never visited the restaurant, you must have been living under a rock or just moved to town! The Lemucchi and Valpredo families have been running the Bakersfield landmark since 1910! As the times change, this family-run restaurant just gets better and better. I have spent many lunch dates, birthday parties and social events at Luigi’s and am passing the love of the restaurant to my children. Wendy: Luigi’s is a restaurant like no other. It has stood the test of time even in the worst of times. Their passion for incredible Italian cuisine has been passed down generation after generation. They have mastered authentic Italian cuisine. I know that my family will continue to dine at Luigi’s for generations to come. I’m a huge fan. (So much so my husband held my 40th birthday party in the dining room at Luigi’s. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.) I’ve been going to Luigi’s for lunch since I was a teenager way back when West High School had a off-campus lunch hour. I’m a “regular.”
Atmosphere
Lori: The atmosphere definitely draws you to this iconic restaurant. When you enter the restaurant or the bar or even the deli, you feel like you are walking into history with all the memorabilia on the walls. The walls are covered in local sports memorabilia from Bakersfield College and local high schools, and it really makes you feel at home. It has an authentic Italian feel complete with long tables covered in red-and-white-checkered tablecloths to
enjoy your lunch “family style.” This is the place to lunch in town, so be sure to get there early or grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the scene while you wait. Aimee: Luigi’s has a causal friendly vibe. The restaurant walls are filled with pictures that tell the many stories of the fabulous people in Bakersfield who have done great things in all areas of life. It makes me proud to live in Bakersfield. When my kids were younger, they loved to find the pictures of their grandpa when he played football at BC and hear the stories I had about some of the people in other pictures (Don’t worry, Mike Ariey … I didn’t tell them any stories about you!) Whitney: I was so excited when I heard that we were going to Luigi’s for our next dining experience! I’ve been going to lunch on Thursdays with my girlfriends for years, and it’s always a great time. We walked in and, like everyone who dines at Luigi’s, we were met with a smile from Tonia Valpredo, third-generation family member and owner of the restaurant.
Shrimp and scallop pasta
New York steak and steak with Gorgonzola cheese
Drinks
Lori: Today we were in for a surprise — no ordering off the menu. Gino surprised us with our food and Lanette chose the wines for us to drink. Whitney: After going over the menu with Gino, Lanette explained we would be enjoying Italian wines that she hand-picked to go with our meal. I’m not very familiar with Italian wines, but it all sounded fantastic to me. Continued on page 26 www.BakersfieldLife.com
25
Signature Properties, Signature Service
Continued from page 25
Mary Christenson Specializing in Luxury Homes, Estate Properties and Golf Course Communities
Celebrating 29 years of local real estate excellence to both buyers and sellers. Working with you to achieve your real estate goals with professional, personal service.
• LISTING • SELLING • NEW CONSTRUCTION • RELOCATION • HOME STAGING See 50 photo visual tours of property listings, and search for homes at:
www. MaryCrealtor.com Direct Cell
301-MARY (301-6279)
K BA
E RS
FIELD CALIF OR
2010
N
N IA
TH E
2010 California State Governor
FAVORITE RE
26
Bakersfield Life
AD
E R S’
C HOI CE
August 2010
PO
LL
Gino then began the parade of food and Lanette starting uncorking the wines. Aimee: Luigi’s has a great selection of wine. You can enjoy a glass or two with lunch and then head over to the deli and pick up a bottle of your favorite for later! We had the opportunity to taste a variety of Italian wines! Wow, what an experience. From the light and bubbly sparkling wine to the sweet dessert wine, it all was fantastic. I would definitely recommend the Italian wine with all the fantastic food at Luigi’s! Wendy: When we arrived Lanette Valpredo had our table covered in wine glasses. The look on Whitney’s face was priceless! Lanette just became a sommelier, and we planned to take full advantage of her excitement to treat us! This experience was like a quick trip to Italy. Everything Italian! If you are ever offered a glass of sparkling wine from Italy to cleanse your palette, do it! It’s like wiping your slate clean!
Appetizers
Whitney: Gino started us off with bruschetta, which is a wonderful way to capture the flavors of ripe summer tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic. Keeping it all in the family, these tomatoes were fresh from Gino’s Uncle Don’s garden. It was to die for! Our second appetizer was Gorgonzola cheese and honey on a baguette. It’s simple and flavorful and was gone is 60 seconds once the platter was on our table. The girls went crazy over it! Lanette served Bella Vista Franciacorta, an Italian sparkling wine to complement our appetizer, and it put a smile on our face. (I bought a bottle.) Aimee: The bruschetta was to die for: a light and crunchy toasted bread with homegrown tomatoes and basil. It was so fresh and just melted in your mouth. Then we had a treat I had never experienced. It was light and crunchy bread topped with cheese and honey. Now I know it sounds odd, but the honey made it so delicious. I have eaten at Luigi’s many times, but this was a first for me ... and it won’t be my last!
Lunch
Aimee: We started off with a Giovanna salad. It is a perfect way to start your meal. Next came the beef! They knew they had to satisfy the meat eater in Wendy! We had the steak two ways, plain
and with Gorgonzola cheese. Just to get a reaction out of Wendy, Lori and I grabbed all the pieces with cheese and watched Wendy's head spin! The steak was perfectly cooked and the cheese just added more flavor to the already spectacular meat! It is a must-have Friday favorite. Whitney: Gino fixed a New York steak for us two different ways. One with melted Gorgonzola cheese and the other, the regular, standard, fantastic Luigi’s way. I’ve never had a New York with Gorgonzola cheese. I’m sold on it! The steak melted in your mouth and the cheese added something special to it. We also had a special that isn’t on the menu but it should be: pasta with scallops, shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes all in a creamy garlic sauce. Huge scallops were perfectly cooked alongside the shrimp, and, with every mouthful, I found chunks of garlic that further enhanced all the flavors going on in this dish. I’m a nut about sun-dried tomatoes, so this dish was a complete winner to me. Lanette served a Brunello di Montalcino, a Sangiovese wine with a hint of earthiness and not boldly fruity. (I bought a bottle.) Lori: We all were so excited when they brought out their New York steak — delicious. I think Luigi’s has the best New York steak in town, and we had a glass of red wine with this entrée. Wendy: Our next dish was a buttery cream pasta (there’s those words again) with shrimp and scallops. It was fabulous! Step aside New York steak, shrimp and scallops just became my new Friday favorite! I’m speechless at this point. Lanette brought out a bottle of Planeta Chardonnay di Sicilia. The chardonnay paired nicely with the pasta. Lanette explained that although the chardonnay is usually paired with fish, this particular chardonnay goes well with steak, too.
Dessert
Aimee: I love Butterfinger pie, and Luigi’s makes a great one. I usually don’t have enough room for dessert, but today I made room! Not only did I make room, but I had my own piece. Some things are not made for sharing and the Butterfinger pie is one of them! Whitney: Our sweet server brought two huge pieces of Butterfinger pie and a slice of homemade cheesecake for dessert. Butterfinger pie is the dessert at Luigi’s. Wonderful chunks of Butterfinger
Luigi's does a bustling lunch business five days a week.
and ice cream in a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream. Wendy put her fork in the middle of the pie claiming it as hers. She’s beyond rude. Lanette finished off our pairings with a dessert wine, which was a Vin Santo Del Chianti Classico. This is a sipping wine, but I think Aimee drank it like it was water. She loved it. (She bought a bottle.) Lori: You can’t skip dessert here. The Butterfinger pie is amazing, you should be required to eat it, it’s that good! Yum!! To complement the dessert, we had a magnificent dessert wine. The best part is you can go next door to the deli and take a one home for the family to enjoy too.
Deli and catering, oh my!
Aimee: Luigi’s also offers a fantastic deli! You can get all the great dressing, sauces, pasta, meat and cheese to go! If you bring some home, your family will not be mad if they didn’t get to have lunch that day. They also have some great gift items and a fantastic wine selection. Luigi’s also does catering! They are a great choice for any event; I have personally used their catering services for work events and have always had great service and food! Luigi’s is not only a fantastic family-run restaurant, but a place that truly cares about the community they live in. They are very generous to many of the nonprofit organizations, schools and charities in Bakersfield. They not only serve great food, they give back to the community to make Bakersfield a better place to live! Wendy: At Luigi’s, I have a routine: lunch, then over to the deli. I always get two bottles of Luigi’s seasoning and dinner for the family. If you’ve never tried the seasoning you better hightail it over to the deli and get some because your barbecue isn’t great without it! And while you’re there you need to pick up a jar of the meat sauce. It’s great on any pasta. There are a variety of
fresh/frozen pastas in the deli along with a fabulous selection of wines.
Daily specials
Wendy: Luigi’s has several specials daily. My favorite days are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Thursday’s special is the Italian dip sandwich. The Italian dip at Luigi’s is not like any dip sandwich you’ve ever had. It is sliced roasted tri-tip, cheese and rings of onions all piled on a Pyrenees roll and the beef dipping broth is to die for! There is a secret ingredient. There has to be because as simple as it looks you wouldn’t think it could taste that good but it does. And it’s been bringing me back to Luigi’s for years. Lori: Thursday, Friday and Saturday are my favorite days to go to Luigi’s. On Thursday the specials being Italian dip sandwich and the stuffed shells Florentine, with the Italian dip being my absolute favorite. Friday is clam linguini, R&R (baby back ribs and rigatoni pasta) and the New York steak with pasta. On Friday, I order the steak with white pasta and eat every bite of it no matter how full I am; it’s absolutely the best steak in town. Saturday is also another day the New York steak and pasta is a special, all three of these days are my favorite specials, not saying there isn’t other amazing food on the menu, but I just can’t pass up these specials.
Luigi’s 725 E 19th St. 322-0926. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., bar open 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., deli open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.BakersfieldLife.com
27
Photo by Henry A. Barrios
GOING GREEN
Econo Air’s Gary Flanagan recommends energy-efficient American Standard air conditioning units.
Staying cool
and energy efficient By Gabriel Ramirez
A
s temperatures continue to soar above the century mark, many Bakersfield residents have to make the choice of whether to turn on their air conditioner and pay the price or find alternate methods to beat the heat. But with new air conditioning technologies and methods of decreasing the amount of energy your AC wastes, staying cool no longer has to mean breaking the bank.
28
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
“Units are up to 50 percent cheaper to operate than existing 20year-old units,” said Greg Flanagan, general manager of Econo Air Inc. So what are the ways to choose the right unit? According to Flanagan, you should invest your money in an American Standard unit. “Important features of this model are two-stage cooling, twostage heating and variable speed, all of which are energy-saving
features,” Flanagan said. “American Standard has numerous features and components that are superior to their competitors.” According to Scott Ryan, general manager of Bland Solar & Air Inc., the Allegiance20 by American Standard is known as a “smart AC system,” and it is the premier product sold by Bland. “For instance, if your home is only two degrees warmer than your desired setting, the unit will run at a reduced power stage to save energy versus running at full capacity when set 10 degrees below the current temperature,” Ryan said. “The thermostat we install with them can also be adjusted remotely from the Internet, PDA or an iPhone.” If you are looking for a new AC but maybe can’t spare the cash, you might want to look into the dual pack AC units with a minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 14 and split systems with a minimum SEER of 16, both of which qualify for a $1,500 tax credit. “The tax credit is a credit not a deduction, so you qualify for the full $1,500 as long as you are paying that much in federal taxes, and I believe that the credit can be carried over,” Flanagan said. “The tax
credit is part of last year’s stimulus package but the equipment has to be purchased before Dec. 6.” If you already have an AC unit, Flanagan recommends an upgrade every 15 to 20 years. If you are not quite there yet, there are a few things you can do to ensure your AC unit lasts and is more efficient. “According to PG&E, approximately 75 percent of electrical usage in summer is from an AC without a pool and approximately 70 percent if the user has a pool,” Flanagan said. “Customers should call a qualified contractor to perform each service, which can reduce operating cost and prevent breakdowns.” Flanagan recommends two services per year. One service and cleaning should be done on the heating portion of the unit prior to winter and another should be done on the cooling portion of the system prior to the summer. “Servicing the unit is one of the only ways to maintain the efficiency of an existing system,” Flanagan said. “The simplest way to increase efficiency is to improve air flow by reducing restriction with a better filtration method.” The objective of filtration systems is to eliminate particulates in the air. However, Flanagan said that a good filtration system could also protect the system’s efficiency. “Air restrictions can increase operating cost by as much as 30 percent,” Flanagan said. “We have some of the worst air quality in the nation and indoor quality is always three to five times worse because particulates get trapped in the home. We have filters that can eliminate 99 percent of particles down to one micron.” For more information on AC units call Econo Air at 832-1700 or Bland Solar & Air at 836-3880.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
29
ON THE RED COUCH
Creative culture The arts are alive and well in Bakersfield if these four ladies have something to say about it. They share their passion for the craft and cultivating the local arts scene with us. Susan Reep
Freelance photographer/artist, Susan Reep Photo Art
What is the most satisfying part of being an artist? Betty: The best part is seeing a piece find the perfect home with someone who feels a strong connection to it. I once received an appreciative letter from someone a year after they purchased a small gourd with a smiling human face. They assured me it had a good home and included a photograph showing where they displayed the gourd in their home surrounded by their other favorite treasures. It doesn’t get any better than that! The most satisfying part of being a gourd artist is watching and listening to the delighted reactions of people young and old when they look at a gourd sculpture for the first time. Susan: The best part is that I can do what I want and not be dependent upon a certain income to support a family. I have total control. In other words, I’m “retired” from teaching and our kids have families of their own. I would like to make enough money, however, to pay for materials — ink is expensive, good photo paper costs, and paints, canvas, and so on cost too — and it can’t be all outflow. Need some income, too. I don’t think I chose a profitable post-retirement career, however. I never was very practical. Juliana: Sharing my enthusiasm and to be part of something that can only grow and get better. The sky is the limit. Barbara: Nothing is more rewarding than creating from your soul. 30
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Barbara Reid Artist
Photos by Felix Adamo
Juliana Bernier Dooley
Director/owner Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery and Living Well Health Bar & Patio
What do you like about the Bakersfield art scene? Betty: My favorite part of the art scene in Bakersfield is the way art has become the cornerstone of First Friday where people flock downtown for a good time in the galleries, restaurants and pubs. Susan: We have a vibrant art scene now. What’s my favorite part about it? First, people: I give a lot of credit to Don Martin and Jeanette Richardson. Don is a relentless energy machine – he makes things happen by hard work and force of will. He’s given us a first-class gallery in Metro Galleries. Jeanette has our Arts Council going in a million different directions,
all of them exciting and well-executed. BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists) deserves credit also. Next, First Fridays have made downtown fun. I love how inclusive the art scene here is. No snobbism at all.
Juliana: In the last two years, we have seen many art galleries open, and sadly a few have closed. The Bakersfield art scene is growing and art enthusiasts are more and more buying locally. Barbara: It’s a tight-knit community and everyone contributes. I am lucky to be associated with Don Martin and Metro Galleries, the Bakersfield Museum of Art, and lately “Creating Community — Artists and their Visions,” associated with the Arts Council.
What would you change? Betty Finch
Artist, author, retired deputy sheriff sergeant
Betty: I would like to add a similar Third Thursday East exclusively for the galleries, antique stores, restaurants and pubs east of Chester Avenue. Susan: I’d have more people participate in First Fridays, come to galleries and theater and symphonies, and support artists by purchasing art. Juliana: For now only a handful of artists are making a living selling their art; that is what I’d like to improve. Barbara: If I could change one thing, it would be to widen the arts opportunities for children of school age. Art allow kids to dream and gives them an outlet for stress. Continued on page 32 www.BakersfieldLife.com
31
Continued from page 31
When did you start pursuing art? Betty: It is in my blood. My parents were artists. I started drawing, painting, and sculpting toys from natural materials when I was very young. My brain seems “hard-wired” for sculpture. In grade school, I admired and mimicked the horticulture experiments of Louis Pasteur, and as an adult discovered I could combine my passions by manipulating young gourds to use as a sculpting medium. My law enforcement career included attending the FBI National Academy to study facial reconstruction. Now instead of reconstructing a human face on a skull I create a whimsical face on a gourd. Susan: I think it was always in me — I grew up with artists. My dad, Ed Reep, is a well-known watercolor and World War II artist, and my mom, Pat Reep, is an accomplished quilter. When I retired from teaching seventh grade, I was surprised to realize I’d been taking photos my entire life and most early family images, back to the 1950s, were shot by me. I was surprised to realize just how much I’d learned from years of photography. The impetus to turn photography into another art form was a trip to China. I was obsessed with lanterns and took as many lantern photos as I could. One day I was looking at a stack of vintage labels I had, thinking about lantern photos, and I had a “what if …” moment, and the Chinese Lantern Series was born. It sort of exploded from there. Art is a strange thing — it’s percolating inside and comes forth when it’s ready. It’s almost a subconscious process until the execution. Juliana: I started sculpting when I was 7 years old. In my 30s, I discovered the endless potential of glass and started doing stainedglass windows, which soon became three-dimensional. I have worked in fused and cast glass, silk screening as well as learned to pour bronze and aluminum. Barbara: I won art awards in school but never considered pursuing it as a career. I did consider writing and photography (journal-
Bernier Dooley 32
Bakersfield Life
Finch August 2010
ism) because that seemed marketable. I ended up in business and worked in finance for 20 years. In late 1999, my teen son relapsed with cancer and I quit my job as a hospital CFO to care for him. I took my first painting class in 2000.
Who is your favorite local artist and why? Betty: I have favorites in different mediums. Cherice Hatton is my favorite watercolorist because of her skill; look closely at how amazingly she reproduces the translucent wing of a dragonfly. Juliana Bernier Dooley’s leaded glass lamps are like three-dimensional paintings that warm my heart with an internal glow when I visualize them in my home. I admire David Gordon’s ability to transform a few palm trees in a bleak setting into an obviously good painting, and Nicole Saint-John’s comical fantasies are just plain fun to look at. Susan: I guess I could answer this by whose work have I purchased. Alberto Herrera is a favorite of mine — I respond to his vibrant colors and sometimes-angular images as well as the Latin magical realism feel. I very much like Linda Brown’s collages, and I recently purchased something of Barbara Reid’s. Juliana: Mike Barker’s enamel epoxy resin technique is very unique and has a glass feel to it and I love that. Barbara: Some of my best friends are a part of the local arts scene, so it is difficult to pick just one. Right now I most enjoy watching emerging artists and my favorite is Becky Osterdock. I have watched her blossom over the past five to six years. She is an oil painter, slow and deliberate and her work is beautiful. I sponsor her each year at Via Arte where she has been a winner multiple times.
Reep
Reid
people THIRTEEN TO WATCH
Ken Beurmann 34
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Local community standouts have big plans for 2011
I
By Dana Martin Photos by Jessica Frey
f it takes a village to raise a child, what does it take to raise a village? The answer might be in the heart of the cogs, in the gears that protect our streets, teach our children, buoy our poor and homeless, defend our defenseless, grow our food, heal the unwell, and speak for those without a voice. Bakersfield may be bigger than a village, but nestled between the mountains and the ocean, settled in the valley of “Sun, Fun, Stay, and Play,” are people whose jobs turn the crank on our local economy and work to make this metropolis of 450,000 feel more like a friendly village than the bustling bull’s-eye of California. Bakersfield Life tips its hat to local people who work tirelessly in their field to improve their “village” and ensure that all its citizens thrive.
C O M M U N I T Y Ken Beurmann Vice president of business development, Goodwill Industries of South Central California Ken Beurmann knows where he’s going and seems quite efficient about how to get there. It took him just three years to earn his undergraduate degree from CSUB, and then — at 21 years, 10 months old — he became the youngest student to earn his master’s degree from USC’s communications management program. Beurmann married his wife, scored his first job with Terrio Therapy Fitness, had a set of twins and a new job at Goodwill Industries — all before he was 23 years old. Efficient? He is if his track record means anything. Hired by Terrio Therapy Fitness out of college, Beurmann served as the research and development manager and was responsible for opening the first Terrio clinics outside of Kern County. Leaping ahead, Beurmann took a job with Goodwill Industries in October 2009 and transitioned from the private sector to a nonprofit. At just 24, he oversees 11 retail stores and about 240 employees and is responsible for market research in communities where Goodwill would like to expand. “Right now, I foresee us being in four other stores in three years. I want to expand north – Hanford, Tulare, Porterville and Lemoore,” said Beurmann, who will explore the communities in the cities Goodwill hasn’t touched before to discover what each
town needs. To Beurmann, towns need a Goodwill store. “People forget we’re a nonprofit. In the private sector, the bottom line is to make money; for a nonprofit, the bottom line is helping people. At Goodwill, we’re helping people get back on their feet and back to work.”
F A I T H Kim Albers Director of Bakersfield Flood Ministries Kim Albers realizes that the name of her ministry might be a little deceiving. By design, the ministry doesn’t specifically offer relief efforts to people displaced by floods — but by faith, they certainly would if asked. Bakersfield Flood Ministries is a faith organization designed to “flood” people with love — particularly people down on their luck, homeless, or about to be homeless. Often, negative life circumstances leave vulnerable members of the community feeling hopeless. That’s where Albers and the ministry step in. “We want them to feel so engulfed, immersed in a new way of looking at life by flooding them with love. We just want to love on people,” said Albers. The ministry provides Saturday night outreach at the Garden Community Center in downtown Bakersfield to establish meaningContinued on page 36 www.BakersfieldLife.com
35
Kim Albers
Continued from page 35
ful relationships with the most hurting and hungry members of the community. This is Albers’ full-time job. Married and a mother of two, a graduate of UC Riverside and PTA president, she said she felt called to this group of people in 2006 and now works more than 40 hours a week in dedication to the cause. A faith-based organization, Bakersfield Flood Ministry branched from Jesus Shack in 2008 and includes worship services with their Saturday night meal for anyone in need. “We do offer (faith services) before the meal, but it’s not required. We know that lives will be transformed when Christ is moving within them. But we think that building relationships and being a stronger witness rather than forcing them. “We let them see that maybe there’s something else out there.”
H E A L T H
Tim Terrio
Tim Terrio Founder and CEO, Terrio Therapy Fitness Tim Terrio is busy. Between working the largest privately held, family-owned physical therapy company in the Central Valley to creating sports leagues for children with disabilities, the Terrio name has become synonymous with hard work and altruism. And it all starts at the top. Terrio received degrees from Montana State, Indiana State and the University of Long Beach, where all together he earned his bachelor’s degrees in physical education and physical therapy, and his certification as an athletic trainer. That’s not all. “I actually have a World Series ring from 1988,” said Terrio, 36
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
who accepted a job as the athletic trainer in Great Falls, Mont., for the rookie league Dodgers, the organization responsible for bringing Terrio to Bakersfield in 1989. In 1998, he opened Terrio Therapy with one employee. Today, the Terrio network consists of 170 employees and has expanded to Fresno. In 2011, he plans to grow again. “We’re building the largest physical therapy clinic in Fresno — a 24,000-square-foot sports training facility that’s three times the size of The Edge (in Bakersfield).” Terrio is also finalizing a new field for “Field of Dreams,” a baseball league for children with disabilities.
“Kids are still kids and deserve the same chance to be in a league,” said Terrio of the baseball and basketball leagues that offer opening day ceremonies, jerseys, hats, photo packages and trophies. Currently, the Terrio team is writing grants and raising money, and Terrio predicts he will have the $150,000 needed to build the all-purpose field before next year’s opening day.
L A W Matt Clark Attorney at Chain, Cohn, Stiles A graduate of Garces Memorial High School, Matt Clark attended Loyola Marymount to get a degree in film and TV production. After discovering the grim reality of fickle Hollywood employment, Clark took the LSAT exam on a whim and decided to enter law school. Today, at 34 years old, Clark is the youngest partner at one of the oldest law firms in Bakersfield. “I was recently made partner, and it’s a very nice thing. If you’re loyal and stick with a firm for a long time, prove to them to be indispensible, it happens. It doesn’t make me unique in Bakersfield, but (making partner) just happens over time with loyalty,” said Clark. Clark is a plaintiff personal injury attorney,
Matt Clark
Continued on page 38
Bakersfield Museum of Art presents Summer Exhibitions
Best of the West: Bakersfield Collects Aron Wiesenfeld: Paintings and Drawings Masterworks of Western Art June 10 - August 22, 2010
1930 R St.
Open Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Saturday Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m. Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-323-7219 www.bmoa.org www.BakersfieldLife.com
37
Blanca Cavazos Continued from page 37
who favors litigation and the constantly changing environment of his job. “I like interaction with clients and, funny as it sounds, with opposing counsel. I’m not generally tied to a desk every day. I have new clients all the time.” Clark is married, has one child, and is an avid cyclist. He has served as a judge in Teen Court, a program run through the probation department for first-time offenders. He’s also on the board of directors for Clinica Sierra Vista, the largest provider of rural medical care in Kern County. And he’s forthright about his generation’s failings. “One thing my generation is lacking is loyalty. You have to put in the time and show interest — not just in yourself but in the firm as a whole. Any lawyer in this town who’s a partner has shown that type of loyalty and commitment.”
E D U C A T I O N
degrees and her teaching credential at CSUB. During her tenure at Arvin, Cavazos and her staff implemented “professional learning communities,” a form of assessment that utilizes a team of teachers teaching at the same grade level, teaching the same subjects, looking at the same data and adjusting their curriculum accordingly,” said Cavazos. “It’s a move away from focusing on ‘teaching,’ and a move instead to focus on ‘learning.’” Arvin has found success using this method, and Cavazos credits shared decision-making for the achievements. “It’s not ‘top down’ administration, but (instead), working with the staff as a team.” The Kern High School District created a new position for Cavazos so she could share Arvin’s methods with the other area high schools. Accepting the position, though, means leaving a campus she’s grown to love. When asked how she feels, Cavazos groans. “I’m in mourning!” she says. “It’s hard to leave as principal, but I’m pleased with the appointment of the new principal.”
Blanca Cavazos Task force administrator, Kern High School District Office of Instruction Up until July, Blanca Cavazos was one of the veteran principals in the Kern High School District —13 years at Arvin High School. At the close of the 2010 school year, however, Cavazos accepted a new challenge to help lead the district in an innovative and creative approach to learning. Born in Mexico, Cavazos moved to the United States when she was 3 years old and grew up in Arvin/Lamont. She graduated from Arvin High School (never imagining, at the time, that she would return as its principal) and received her bachelor’s and master’s 38
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
N O N P R O F I T S Kelli Gruszka President-elect, Junior League of Bakersfield Born in Kankakee, Ill., Kelli Gruszka has both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but says she was blessed to stay home and raise her children rather than work a traditional job. After living in St. Louis and Barcelona, Spain, the family moved to Bakersfield when Gruszka’s husband, Phil, took a job with Grimmway Farms. Continued on page 40
Kelli Gruszka Continued from page 38
While she always knew about the Junior League, Gruszka didn’t have time to participate in it while she was raising children. But after she’d lived in Bakersfield for a year, she said, “the organization re-entered my radar zone as a fabulous way to get to know people. We didn’t have friends here and I found myself twiddling my thumbs. So I joined Junior League,” an organization designed to help their community through voluntarism. Gruszka will become Junior League president for 2011. “I sure didn’t go into this thinking I was going to be president!” she said, smiling. “I am humbled by the people around me, helping me. The other women have really encouraged me to step up and take over.” As president-elect, Gruszka says she will learn as much as she can and prepare herself to be the best president she can when she takes office next June, and part of her preparation is to work with the “Girls Achieve” program, which meets the needs of foster youth to prepare them as they near the age of emancipation. “I want to see that program take off — and I would like to increase community awareness of our organization, how dedicated we are to the community.” 40
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Hajir Nuriddin P U B L I C
S A F E T Y
Hajir Nuriddin Captain, Bakersfield Police Department If the goal in any command staff is to foster trust and understand each other’s goals, then the Bakersfield Police Department has a great boot in the door with one-time motorcycle officerturned first female captain, Hajir Nuriddin. Born in Bakersfield, Nuriddin earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at CSUB. She started working for the Bakersfield Police Department in 1985 and, after working in every department, was promoted to captain this year. “Our command staff is made up of native Bakersfieldians. We understand the community. We have 21-year-old young people
enter this profession, and our objective is to make sure they understand the nobility of this profession and what it means to be a police officer, to wear a badge. What it means to this community.” Nuriddin says she hopes to encourage more women to think about law enforcement, too. “My goal is to be a role model and encourage other women to enter this profession and not to let stereotypes discourage them; it’s not what you look like, but what you believe in and what you’re passionate about.” Over the next year, Nuriddin (who has already trained in the FBI international academy in Africa) will continue serving her community in the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club and encourage women and others to “go out on the skinny branches in life.” Failure, she says, doesn’t mean to stop. She urges people to have a hungry brain; find out what your God-given talent is; and speak up for people who can’t speak for themselves.
O I L Ed Ganzinotti CEO of ELCO Inc. and ELCO Middle East, LLC
Ed Ganzinotti
In 1991, Ed Ganzinotti started ELCO Inc. from scratch with four employees and a modest, 2,000-square-foot facility. Sure, he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the oil business or wellhead production; he began working in a family oil field equipment company in 1979 and slowly gained enough experience to feel comfortable striking out on his own. Today, it’s fair to say Ganzinotti found success. Besides employing 200 people, he also has a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing Continued on page 42
The Villas At Scenic River
Move in by 08/31/10 and RECEIVE
• 32” Flat Screen TV • Designer Accent Wall
Moving Allowance
$400
to the first 2 New Move Ins for August**
866-565-0118 www.VillasAtScenicRiver.com
4015 Scenic River Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93308 ** Apply on or after August 1, 2010. 1 or 2 Bdrm apts with a 12 month lease and must sign lease agreement to qualify. Limited availability. 1 coupon per lease.
BRAND NEW RESIDENCES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS
AND BETTER www.BakersfieldLife.com
41
“Your Family’s Partner for Home Care” Our Quality Home Care Services Include:
“We offer Med-Alert Systems”
• Personal Care • Terminal Care • Companions • Light Housekeeping • Meal Prep • Shopping • Transportation Specializing in 12 & 24 hour shifts. Employees are screened, bonded and insured.
Serving the Greater Bakersfield Valley AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK
All Services Guaranteed Proud Member of
(661) 323-0001 (888) 663-0454 31 H. St Suite 1
Bakersfield, CA 93309 www.all-homecare.com 42
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Lorelei Oviatt
Continued from page 41
facility and a 20,000-square-foot building in Bakersfield on seven acres. Ganzinotti also acquired another wellhead business, Shaffer Oil Tool, and made it a part of the ELCO group, which now has operations in Rio Vista and Fontana, and plans to expand to Texas and Colorado, as well. Ganzinotti, born in Bakersfield but raised in Fresno, has worldwide goals. “We’ve become a presence in Bakersfield, but we’ve expanded internationally, as well.” He’s talking about ELCO Middle East, LLC, a division of the company that recently opened a location in Oman, and ELCO’s sales office in Cairo, Egypt. “We started one of the first U.S.-owned Omani corporations, in Oman, owned by Americans, prior to the free trade agreement with the United States that allowed us to form an Omani corporation.” ELCO sells and services wellheads worldwide but plans to expand internationally into Kuwait and other countries in the United Arab Emirates. And it all started with their worldwide headquarters in Bakersfield. “We had four employees, and one of them was me,” said Ganzinotti. “And we just grew from there.”
G O V E R N M E N T Lorelei Oviatt Kern County Planning and Community Development director Lorelei Oviatt has worked for the Kern County Planning Department for 14 years. Four months ago, she was promoted to the
Adam Icardo
top and is now accountable for the entire department. And that’s OK with her. She’s had plenty of practice. Born in Hollywood, Fla., Oviatt is married with four children and two grandchildren. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUB and has been a professional planner for 30 years. She’s also the director of the Southern Section of the Central Division of AICP, the American Institute of Certified Planners. In Kern County, she is responsible for quality of life issues the community and land use planning for 8,000 square miles, a job she seems born to do. Her plans for her new role are to encourage new business growth and provide homeowners with methods to reduce energy costs. “We will continue the work we’re doing in conjunction with the city of Bakersfield, encouraging people to bring in new business, ensuring that we have parks, walking paths, trails — the kinds of things people want in their community that already make Bakersfield a great place to live.” Oviatt is encouraged by Bakersfield’s reputation as the center of green energy for California. “We want to continue to have more innovative green projects and supplemental things homeowners can do to lower energy costs, and that we can continue to create a community that can be sustainable into the future.”
A G R I C U L T U R E Adam Icardo Co-owner, Gary Icardo Farms The name Icardo in Bakersfield is synonymous with integrity and farming. Adam Icardo is carrying on that family tradition by learning everything he can from his father, Gary, and remembering the lessons he learned from his grandfather — the late Jimmie
Icardo, after whom CSUB's Icardo Center is named. A Garces Memorial High School graduate, Icardo attended Cal Poly for ag business. Although he said he had “ideas of grandeur” to be a doctor or a lawyer, he knew all along that farming was in his blood. “I’m an only child, but Dad said to do what I want to do. He also said you have to be a jack of all trades to be in farming, and now I really understand what he meant!” said Icardo, 36. While traditional harvests of Icardo Farms are vegetables and melons, the newest crop is almonds. This season, the almond orchard will be in its first full production. “Almonds are becoming very popular and a very healthy item. We’ve gotten in at a pretty good time,” he said. Icardo said that while his family will continue to farm their staple crops, he says they need to change with the times if they are to stay viable. “Looking to make life and yourself better, you can’t become stagnant. You’ve got to change yourself and take a few intelligent risks. So many things are changing in the world that put a strain on certain areas of your operation. We need to change with the times.”
S P O R T S Megan Langenfeld UCLA, Pac-10 Player of the Year Megan Langenfeld has been playing softball for 14 years. With determination and tireless practice, she dreamed of playing for a Pac-10 university team. It happened. Langenfeld, now 22, is finishing her senior year at UCLA, where she led the 2010 team to their 11th national softball Continued on page 44 www.BakersfieldLife.com
43
Jay Tamsi “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Langenfeld, whose brother flew in from Hawaii to attend with her. And even though she didn't win, she enjoyed a night out on the town with her brother and looked ahead to the upcoming World Cup her U.S. Futures team faced later that month.
B U S I N E S S Megan Langenfeld Continued from page 43
title, the university’s 106th championship. Playing first base and pitcher, Langenfeld rounded out her senior season with a few distinctions. “I was Pac-10 Player of the Year, 1st Team All American, 1st Team All West Region, and at the World Series, I was the Most Outstanding Player,” Langenfeld said. She also made the National Futures Team, a team similar to the Olympic team if this were an Olympic year. Langenfeld graduated from Centennial High in 2006 and comes from a tightly woven family. Her parents split their time between her softball games and brother Matt’s baseball games, often driving (or flying) different directions in the same week. At UCLA, Megan will finish her bachelor’s degree in economics in March. After that, she has a choice to make. “I could be playing in Japan for the Japanese league (for a big paycheck) or stay close to L.A. and work with the UCLA softball team during the spring quarter.” But before all that — an outstanding honor: Langenfeld was one of four college women nominated for an ESPY Award (the sporting world’s equivalent to the Academy Awards) in the “Best Collegiate Female Athlete” category. 44
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Jay Tamsi Chairman-elect, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce At 31 years old, Jay Tamsi has already donated more time to service organizations, boards, and nonprofit events than most people will in a lifetime. On a short list, Tamsi is on 10 boards and works with nine civic organizations at present, and he finds time to participate in at least a dozen more nonprofit events throughout the year. “I believe it’s important to give back to the community and especially get involved in the political process that affects the city you live in,” he said. “There is no greater feeling than helping others and making a difference in the lives of those that surround us.” It isn’t that Tamsi has more free time than others do. To the contrary, Tamsi has a full-time job with Dreyer’s Ice Cream as a senior formulations specialist. He’s a graduate of CSUB and plans to begin his master’s classes in 2011. But perhaps the most exciting position for Tamsi next year will be as the chairman of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the largest Hispanic business organization in the region. “My plan for next year is to create innovative and influential business classes, programs and opportunities that will assist our members and boost economic development in Kern County. I also want to expand membership to create a larger networking environment,” said Tamsi, who isn’t discounting the possibility of becoming a public servant one day. “I plan to continue to take on leadership positions in Kern County and, who knows down the road —maybe a political career.”
A R T Vikki Cruz Curator, Bakersfield Museum of Art While painting may be taking a back seat in Vikki Cruz’s life for a while, never fear. This prominent local artist –– known both for her artwork and co-ownership of the former Surface Gallery –– isn’t leaving the Bakersfield art scene altogether. She’s found another way to promote what she loves. Cruz was recently announced as the curator for the Bakersfield Museum of Art. She says the opportunity will allow her to expand on a more behind-the-scenes form of artistic passion — setting up and installing exhibits for other artists. Growing up in Bakersfield, Cruz’s penchant for all things artistic was fostered by her mother, who was a preschool teacher. “We always had art supplies readily available so I was always creating and making things with my mom’s encouragement,” says Cruz. It’s no surprise then, that after graduating from Garces and BC, she took her talents to UC Berkeley where she majored in art. With such a passion, one might ask why an artist would be willing to reprioritize, as Cruz is doing. Though the artform of installing exhibits often goes unnoticed to gallery viewers, perhaps that’s the mark of greatness in this field. Cruz’s mission is to set up a gallery in a way that enhances the artwork. This means that in order to provide that magically seamless viewing experience, “People had to think about the lighting, the tagging, the color choice for the wall, how you’re going to have pedestals or movable walls,” says Cruz, who will be showcasing these abilities in the Eye Gallery exhibit this fall, as well as in the museum for the foreseeable future.
Vikki Cruz
Cruz's goal as museum curator will be to work on bringing as many exciting new exhibits to Bakersfield as she can. As for the Bakersfield art scene, Cruz’s greatest hope is “that the art community can maintain [its] momentum” and “continue to flourish.” — Allie Castro, Bakersfield Life
Summer Specials Facial with Glycolic Peel
only
65
$
www.BakersfieldLife.com
45
Larry Reider, former Kern County superintendent of schools, has been barbecuing for nearly 35 years. 46
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Larry Reider’s
Barbecue secrets to
Success By Bakersfield Life
M
any may know Larry Reider as the popular and former Kern County superintendent of schools, but there’s another best-kept secret about him. Reider loves to cook, and he’s good at it — especially when it comes to barbecuing. He’s been known to host barbecue parties for friends and loved ones. “As long as I have been barbecuing, I have loved it,” he said. “I enjoy trying new marinades, smoking woods and recipes from other countries.” His love of cooking could be credited to his mother and siblings, all great cooks. “I started barbecuing regularly when my daughter was growing up,” he says. “She was a very ‘particular’ eater and taking her beyond her ‘limited’ menu
Photos by Tanya X. Leonzo
took some doing. I started barbecuing things like lamb chops, which she loved. I then expanded to other items like salmon, and soon, I was barbecuing everything.” The longtime educator has been barbecuing for almost 35 years. “At first, it was pretty much your basic, hot dogs, hamburgers or chuck steak,” he said. “Over the years, I have expanded menu items and cooking methods. “Barbecuing to me, means I am going to have a good time with family and/or friends over a good meal (and at times, good wine).” Because it is the summer and grilling is definitely on many of our minds, Bakersfield Life asked Reider to provide readers with some great barbecue tips so that we can all enjoy a great meal with those we love. Continued on page 46 www.BakersfieldLife.com
47
Dry rubs made of herbs and spices impart deep crusty flavor to meats.
Continued from page 47
1. If possible, use local, fresh ingredients. Good ingredients are the secret to a successful barbecue. 2. Use the right grill. Reider uses a charcoal or gas grill, or a smoker, depending upon what is being grilled and how much time he has. 3. Use dry rubs made of spices and herbs to impart a deep, crusty flavor to meats. Make your own or use one of many fine commercial rubs available. 4. Use different woods, or chips, to flavor meats. Alder is good for fish; apple for chicken, pork or game; hickory for pork and beef; maple for pork or poultry; mesquite for beef; and oak is good for fish, poultry and beef. Grapevines also work well for some meat. 5. Cook large pieces of meat indirectly. Use an aluminum drip pan under the meat to catch drippings and/or to hold water, beer or wine to keep food moist while cooking. 6. Rub the grill before cooking with olive oil. This keeps meat from sticking. 7. Turn, don’t stab meat on the grill. This keeps the meat moist. 8. Remember, just about anything can be grilled. Reider grills vegetables frequently. Some fruits grill well; and he often throw fresh herbs right on the fire to impart their flavor to meat while cooking. 9. Use marinades or bastes. They flavor meats and add moisture. 10. Consider grilling with wine or beer (and sometimes it actually goes on the meat)! 48
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Local, fresh ingredients like tomatoes can make all the difference.
BEFORE
• Full Service Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels • Custom Cabinetry for Every Room • Cabinet Refacing “From small changes to complete renovations, we are here to help you LOVE your space.”
“Women know what Women want!”
Michele Waugh
Annette Mercado
CALL TODAY FOR FREE CONSULTATION 588-8481 Showroom inside Artistic Surfaces, 120 Union Avenue BRCKitchenBath.com
B A C K T O S C H O O L
Shop like a
PRO
Miss Holiday on Brimhall.
Whether you’re looking for clothes or school supplies, it’s easy to get your student ready for the upcoming year
L
ike any type of shopping, back to school shopping can be a huge headache. Finding those exact school supplies, perfect clothes, and making sure that your hair is cut just right can be difficult and stressful especially when it’s happening at the last minute. When coming back to school, students — whether they admit it or not — want to impress their old and new friends. Whether returning to their local school or starting their first day of college, clothes can make a lasting impression on their fellow students. Fortunately, we are lucky enough to have some of our very own original boutiques that offer “dress to impress” clothing for our girls: La Coquette, Kaur, Lolo’s, House of Talula, Tangerine and more. These beautiful boutiques will offer just the ticket in making your daughter’s first day a memorable one this school year. For those parents worried about price, don’t worry too much: Boutiques such as Bella, Miss Holiday, Bellisima and Lolo’s hold annual sales throughout the summer to offer great clothes at a great price (of course that may mean that you just buy more!). As for back to school shopping for your little ones, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for coupons and discounts in the Sunday Californian. There are often deals on the basics like pens, pencils, paper, binders, etc. Also, buy in bulk! This will help whether you have one child or five. Being able to use the excess items later in the year will
Kelsi Dagger shoes from Kaur Boutique at The Marketplace. certainly help when your child “all of a sudden” needs a binder for a project due tomorrow. For students bound to colleges close to home, it’s worth it to hit the stores in town before you send your student off for their first year. Stores in big college towns such as San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Diego seem to get picked over easily due to the high volume of incoming students. Picking up your items in BakersContinued on page 52 www.BakersfieldLife.com
51
Continued from page 51
field will allow your student more time to settle in and save you the stress of running from department store to department store looking for things to help settle them into their new dorm. If your new college student is headed to a far-off school and worried about the details, retail stores have made it easier to shop for supplies. Stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Office Depot have made finding these places in these new towns even easier. Just log onto the computer and locate the nearest store on their website. Whether planning ahead or if your student arrives needing that second pillow, finding the right store is just a click away. Now, why can’t everything be that easy?
Music School Last Chance For Summer Music Lessons!! Voted Best Music Lessons by 97.7 The Breeze Radio Moms Choice Awards Enroll Online or Call Us Today! • Music & Movement Classes (Ages 16m-4)
• Group Piano Classes
(PreK-12 Years)
(661) 665-8228
5381 Truxtun Ave.
In Your
LIFORNIA N’ S
AD
Y
ERS’ CHOI
O
8
E
N COUNT
P
9
R
LL
OF
K
E
C
� �
�A �
�
�
�
�
�
1�
FALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
CA
E
ER
19
LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE
TH
(1 block East of Mohawk St.) www.HARMONYROADBAKERSFIELD.com
C� �� ��C� � �
Preschool • Pre-Kindergarten
TH
ol
l
Y
CA
E
P
Designer Label and Vintage Fashions & Accessories
05
L I F O R NI A S OF
N COUNT
l
Y
ER
de
ol
a
rs’ C h oice
P
DE
O R S’ C H O I C E P
21,000 Square Foot Showroom
L
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:30pm
52
Bakersfield Life
Lic. #153001609
August 2010
E
BA
RE
KE
RSFIELD CALIF OR N
2009
AD
ERS
O ’ C H O IC E P
N IA
Lic. #153001611
588-2227 4601 Fruitvale Ave.
TH
TWO LOCATIONS
324-5774 4601 California Ave.
Juicy Couture, Prada, Nanette Lepour, True Religion, Seven, Gucci, Sweet Pea, Louis Vuitton, Douny Bourke, Coach AND also Name Brand Kids Clothes, Toddler to Preteen, & Much More.
Buy – Sell – Consign
L
EB
N COUNT
r s’ C h oi c e
N’
TH
ER
de
20
Re
R
EA
S
a
K
2010
03
L IFORNIA
OF
e
SFIELD CALIF OR
CA
AN NI
A
R KE
E
N’
TH
20
R
Best Day Care Facility
Dreams
ANTIQUES & CONSIGNMENTS
K
State Licensed • Phonics • Science • Reading • Music/Art • Writing • Computer • New Math • Spanish • Social Studies • Sign Language
Wildest
LL
(661) 324-6484 1723 18th Street, Bakersfield (Corner of G)
B A C K T O S C H O O L
Liven up their lunches
I
t’s not easy to keep things creative and healthy when it comes to school lunches, but it’s not impossible! Making the perfect school lunch for your child on a budget, satisfying both you and your child has never been so easy! First things first, no more brown paper bags. It’s finally time to invest in an insulated lunch bag for your child. Insulated bags offer freezer compartments to keep lunch cold, are more durable and — because they’re reusable — better for the environment than the standard brown paper bag. Now onto the core of the lunch: the sandwich. Options include tuna with light mayo; peanut butter with no-sugar added jelly or honey; light turkey and more. While
making these on whole wheat bread is a healthier, some kids may balk at being denied their white bread, so try cutting sandwiches into shapes to up the fun and cut the complaints. With your child’s new insulated lunch bag, what child wouldn’t enjoy a bowl for cold fresh fruit with their lunch? The fresh fruit can be placed in this container and taken home at the end of the day to reuse. So ditch the artificial sugar snack packs and send some fresh fruit to school with your child! For a side, skip the chips and go for a dip. Every child likes to dip their foods, so make it fun for them! Try serving veggies like carrots and celery with a side of ranch Continued on page 54 www.BakersfieldLife.com
53
Continued from page 53
dressing or hummus. When it comes to the drink, don’t give in to the easy sugary beverage. Those boxed juice boxes are filled with unneeded sugars that will ruin this nutritious lunch. Some kids like milk, but you can’t go wrong with a water bottle. And packing that is just as easy as the juice box! Though nutrition is important, fats, oils and sweets also make a tiny fraction of the good ol’ food pyramid! With that said, it’s OK add a little sweet in their every once in a while such as a homemade chocolate chip cookie, brownie, etc. Just make sure you present the dessert as a special treat rather than an everyday occurrence.
We’re open 7 days a week. Monday - Saturday 10-6pm and Sunday 12-5
5466 California Ave. Bakersfield, Ca 93309
• Converse • Bebe • Guess • Candies • Christian Dior
• Rampage • Cazel • Prada • Oakley • Dolce & Gabbana
All Single Vision Lenses
Included in kids & teens sports packages Hours M-F 9-5:30 • SAT 9-1
661-324-0991
54
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Be Yourself...Only Better!
3 PATHS TO WELLNESS
• Bio-Identical Hormones • Hyperbaric Oxygen Rx • Detoxification • Autism / ADHD • IV Chelation, Myers, C • Weight Loss & Nutrition • Ozone Infrared Sauna • Chronic Fatigue • PMS / Menopause • Cancer Support • Reverse Aging & more
��������� ���������������
Nutrition Detoxification Hormonal Optimization
661.325.7452 4000 Stockdale Hwy, Ste D
www.DrDeol.com Diplomate, Am. Board of Anti-Aging Medicine
We are turning THREE! To Celebrate, we are giving away THREE FREE dresses!* From August 3rd to September 29th *Call or come by the store for more information
Sample Sale coming August 30th to September 4th
Everything in store on SALE!
������������������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������
Ask about our Rooftop Parties for your special occasion.
Photography by Lorie Chambless
661.633.2318 1800 21st Street Littlewhitedressbridal.com
���������������������������������������������������� �������������������������
������������ www.BakersfieldLife.com
55
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Prarie Fire at the Padre Hotel
Dining al fresco Photos by Michael Lopez
As fall draws nearer, we dream of spending time outdoors when the temperature doesn't hit triple digits. But even in the heat of summer, dining al fresco is still possible in the early evening thanks to strategic shade, misters and other tricks of the restaurant trade. Of course, a glass of wine or a cocktail also helps Bakersfield diners overlook the weather.
56
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Mauricio’s Mexican Restaurant
Cafe Med
Mama Tosca’s
SAVE $500* TO TAHITI
SALES & INSTALLATION • Natural Stone • Jeffrey Court • CTM • Royalty Carpet • Mohawk Wood • Mohawk & Aladdin Carpets
TAHITI 7 nights from
$1,949** per person
(includes $500 per booking discount) Travel select dates: November 1 - December 10, 2010
Ask about rates for other travel dates! AAA Member Benefit:
Save an additional $40 per person
Vacation includes: Roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, Travel Protection Plan, $500 per booking savings, accommodations, daily breakfast for two, inter-island transportation and all applicable transfers. To make a reservation contact your AAA Travel Agent
661.664.0274 • 8503 Crippin St. Bakersfield CA 93311 (Behind Sam’s Club & Kohls on Gosford Rd.)
1500 Commercial Way, Bakersfield 661-852-4070
**Rates, terms, conditions, availability and itinerary are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions may apply. AAA members must make advance reservations through AAA Travel to obtain Members Benefits and savings. Not responsible for errors or omissions.The Automobile Club of Southern California acts as an agent for Pleasant Holidays. CTR #1016202-80
www.BakersfieldLife.com
57
I T ’ S A G U Y T H I N G
In the swim of things We’ve got our “guys” off the green and out doing the hobbies they love. This month, we’ve netted four local swimmers keeping their cool this summer.
Derek Robinson
Jan Meyer
Fire captain, Kern County Fire Department
Owner, ACE Hardware Stores and Valley Welding and Industrial Supply
Q
What does your ideal day look like training at the pool?
Jan: Watching the sun come up during workouts. Going to work after some hard workouts allows me to deal with the stresses of the day. Derek: I try to get an hour in about three to four times a week. The intensity, sometimes, depends on who else shows up. We motivate each other to work harder. Stan: Swimming various drills from 6 to 6:40 a.m., then home to breakfast and off to work. Brian: I average approximately 2,500 yards per practice (three to four times a week depending upon the season) and focus on short distance sets of 100 yards or less typically. 58
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Q
How long have you been swimming? Where did you compete?
Jan: I’ve been swimming for 55 years. I competed in age group swimming when I was 7 years old. I competed at Bakersfield High School and then at the University of Southern California. Later I competed in Masters Swimming. I swim now just for fitness. Derek: I started swimming when I was 6. We had a pool in the backyard and I had to take swim lessons so I would be safe in the water. I haven’t stopped swimming since then. I swam at CSUB and still compete in a few Masters events. Stan: Most of my life. I competed at UCLA in the early 1950s, swimming and water polo. Brian: I began Masters Swimming in June 2006. The last competitive meet was the short-course nationals in Atlanta in May.
Photos by Felix Adamo
Brian Busacca Chief financial officer, Jaco Oil Company
Stan Eschner Chairman, Trio Petroleum LLC
Q
What is your favorite swimming memory?
Jan: Being ranked 10th in the nation in the 200-yard individual medley when I was in college. Derek: The first time I qualified for nationals, in the 100-yard backstroke, when I was swimming at CSUB. My “reward” was a trip to Buffalo, N.Y., in the middle of winter! Stan: Swimming with Gold Wave Masters at UCLA meet in 2004. Brian: At nationals I swam in the final 50-free event (age group 50 to 54) against Rowdy Gaines, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and announcer for the Olympic swimming broadcasts. Needless to say, Rowdy is still the fastest man in the nation in this event in our age group.
Q
What makes you swim still today?
Jan: Fitness and friends. Derek: It’s great exercise and I would much rather swim than run in this heat! Stan: A great exercise to keep the parts going Brian: Primarily for the exercise and health benefits of swimming but not insignificantly is the camaraderie with other like-minded swimmers whose support and encouragement is motivating. Continued on page 60 www.BakersfieldLife.com
59
Continued from page 59
Q
People might think that swimming is more laid-back since you spend all your time in the water. What makes swimming harder than other sports?
Jan: If you’re not hanging on the wall, there is no rest. You have to work just to stay afloat. Derek: We swim, not float. There isn’t a barbecue grilling by this pool. It’s a full-body workout; your arms and legs are working at the same time. Stan: It is not harder than other sports, but requires the same dedication and acquisition of skill through hard work. Brian: Swimming is challenging and unique. In swimming there is less resistance and more drag experienced in water compared with land sports. Water allows much less force to be exerted lessening the ability to propel a swimmer forward and is 1,000 times more dense than air. As to harder, every athlete has an opinion.
Brian Busacca 60
Bakersfield Life
Stan Eschner August 2010
Q
What has been your biggest swimming accomplishment?
Jan: Third place in Pacific 10 Championship in the 200-yard individual medley in 1968. Derek: Helping CSUB win four national championships. It’s always nice to go swim out there and see all of those championships listed on the board. It brings back so many good memories. Stan: Probably winning the Cal Tech Pentathlon event in my age group in 2000 or maybe beating Stanford in water polo in 1953 while at UCLA. Brian: I’ve been fortunate enough to be in the top 10 nationally in the 50-free short-course yards and short course meters for my age group this past year.
Jan Meyer
Derek Robinson
MORE AIR For Your Money
“She’s made great improvements in various areas. Chateau is a good program for people like Keria”. - Yvette (Mom)
Call Today For Details
“I love working with Keria because she makes tremendous efforts”. - Erica (Staff )
CA Lic #297547
You could receive up to
Proudly serving the local community for over 40 years.
$3000 322-COOL by upgrading to a new unit now!
*Incentives based on select systems.
(661-322-2665) www.322cool.com
▪ Financing OAC ▪ Credit Cards Welcome
Estamos Aqui Para Servirle ▪ Locally Owned & Operated
Wellness Health Day Program (ADHC) for Adults* with Special Needs (*Adult is 18 and over)
Schedule a tour by calling 322-4085 to see how we can help...
Some of many services include: • • • • • • • • •
Medical Monitoring Occupational and Physical Therapy Weight loss Life Skill Training ADL Training Nutritional Education Fun social activities Community Integration Program Volunteer Program For More Information Visit our website
COACH CHRISTIAN DIOR PRADA EMPORIO ARMANI BEBE JUICY COUTURE VALENTINO JOSEPH ABBOUD TOMMY BAHAMA
www.ChateauADHC.com 661-322-4085 P 323-1059 F 824 18th Street ,Bakersfield, CA 93301 Funded by Medi-Cal, Kern Regional Center or Private Pay
661.213.3000 9820 BRIMHALL ROAD MON-THUR 9AM-6PM FRI 7AM-4PM BAKERSFIELDEYEDOC.COM
LI & LIAO OPTOMETRY www.BakersfieldLife.com 61
COMMUNITY
True colors Photos by Michael Lopez
Although Bakersfield was recently named the 84th most patriotic city in the nation, you’d never think that based on a drive through downtown Bakersfield. Patriotism is apparent on almost every corner as homeowners proudly display Old Glory. Here are just a few of the flags waving in the summer breeze.
62
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
• Homemaker Services • Personal Care • Employees Screened Bonded and Insured • Dementia Care
• End of Life Care • Hospital Personal Care Attendant Serving The Community Since 1990
“Everyday is a blessing for my mother, and I am beholden to the great caregivers from Alternative Care.” – Howard Silver
(661) 631-2036
2029 21st Street • Bakersfield, CA 93301 www.BakersfieldLife.com 63
Photo by Michael Lopez
P E R S O N A L I T Y
Gary Frazier, vice president of strategy and business development for Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, jokes around.
I Gary
Keeping in tune with
Frazier Memorial Hospital executive relishes life in Bakersfield 64
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
By Lisa Kimble
t has been a year since Bakersfield Memorial Hospital’s Gary Frazier joined the health care provider as vice president of strategy and business development. It’s been an even longer 12 months since the 35-year-old has lived with his entire family under the same roof in Long Beach. That changes this month when the Fraziers, at long last, are reunited, together again as a full-time family – this time in Kern County. The move brought them just two hours to the north, but a world away from Gary’s hardscrabble upbringing in the hoods of South Central Los Angeles and the rap music industry that kept him from being derailed as a young man. Through it all, the familiar chord of rhymes has been family. At times bad, good or indifferent, it ties him to the present in a profound way. Gary Frazier was born in Compton to unwed teen parents. Being raised by a single mother, moving from apartment to apartment, left a lasting impression on him.
“I went to 10 different schools by the time I graduated from high school,” he said. Yet he enjoyed immense support from two large extended families. “Those two families were my village. I was so young I needed the village.” Going from school to school and neighborhood to neighborhood the way most kids his age greeted the changing seasons, Frazier quickly became adept at recognizing and avoiding the perils of an unsettled life. “The same things and environment that made me who I am today are the same things that made guys I knew who are in prison and gangs,” he said. “I’ve seen it all in the ‘hood. We all make different decisions and receive different support.” Gary had also been blessed with an ear for music and a way with rhymes. “When I was nine I started rapping,” he said. He wrote and performed rap music from elementary school through his sophomore year of college. “Music was an outlet and a lot of fun.” His talent caught the attention of music executives with a label under Sony Records, and he had a record deal, he says. “Imagine a kid in high school spending every hour with a dictionary and a thesaurus,” he asks rhetorically, referring to the early days of the music genre considered more like poetry back in the 1980s. Building his knowledge, however, would pay off for another career. “Rap, in a strange way, was unique in that it helped me out and gave me a skill set.” Who knows what might have been, had Frazier and his sweetheart, Ayanna Holmes, not found themselves at the threshold of unplanned parenthood their freshman year in college. “Neither one of us came from a traditional home. My wife was raised by her grandmother, and we were both lacking that traditional background we wanted,” he added. The couple eloped as young college freshmen, and his musical aspirations went on the back burner. “My focus changed and I realized I can’t support a family doing that.” Odds and statistics were stacked against the young couple determined to not have history repeat itself with their own pending family. “You are gambling at that juncture,” he said. “We do everything we can to improve the probability of their [children] success, and it starts with a mother and a father. You grow up watching 'The Cosby Show' and 'The Brady Bunch,' and I wished I could wake up with a mom and dad in the home, with mom cooking breakfast.” Today, it serves as a cautionary tale for their children: Elijah, 16, Noah, 14 and Jurnee, 10. “Don’t try this at home,” he laughs with a hint of providence. “And stay in college!” He says Ayanna wanted to quit, but Gary feared had she done so, she’d never return. “I didn’t want to destroy her dreams.” Gary became the first in his family to graduate from college when he earned a degree in marketing from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He received his MBA at UC Irvine and has worked in the health care industry since 2005. His wife went on to build a career in social work, later receiving her law degree. This December, the couple will cel-
ebrate 17 years of marriage. Their new life in Bakersfield could not be more melodic. “I know people who move out of the state to find places that are a throwback to the days when neighbors were actually neighborly and traffic jams were rare occurrences,” he said. “I only had to move a mere two hours away and I found that here. I really love the fact that I can take the dog for a stroll at 9 at night and the whole neighborhood is a peaceful, quiet place in contrast to Long Beach.” With his freshman year at Memorial — which included the opening of a new patient tower, neonatal ICU and the new Ronald McDonald House — and — Gary Frazier on living in weekend commutes to Long Beach behind him, Gary Bakersfield Frazier is settling into his cozy office in the administrative wing of the hospital, surrounded by photographs and momentos of his family. “If there is one thing Bakersfield Memorial has it is a culture of kindness.” It is all part of the rap soundtrack of his life.
“I really love the fact that I can take the dog for a stroll at 9 at night and the whole neighborhood is a peaceful, quiet place in contrast to Long Beach.”
www.BakersfieldLife.com 65
HOME & GARDEN
Bill Ray, owner of Bill Ray Tile walks past a selection of larger-size floor tiles in his store on East Brundage Lane.
Selecting the right tile By Gabriel Ramirez
L
ooking for a change in tile to brighten up your home? Or maybe you are looking to get rid of the allergen-absorbing carpet in your living room? Tiling certain areas of your home can breathe some new life into your residence. But what’s the right color or style? We asked the experts at Bill Ray Tile, located at 6301 E. Brundage Lane, to share some advice. Bill Ray Tile has been providing tile to businesses and homes in Bakersfield for more than 50 years. “I have been buying tile from them for a long time,” said Hellen Houck. “They are very honest and trustworthy, and they help you determine what works in the area you are working with.”
66
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Photos by Casey Christie Bill Ray Tile offers an assortment of ceramic tile, porcelain tile, marble and granite. According to Humberto Ray Quiroz, vice president of Bill Ray Tile, the newest in tile is glass and stone mosaics. “The latest trend in tile is using larger-size tiles on the countertops, shower walls and floors for easier maintenance,” Quiroz said. “Also textile looks and contemporary colors of tile are popular.” Although the cost of tile installation does range depending on what type of installation you are looking for, if you are looking to save some cash you might want to try ceramic and porcelain floor tiles, which Quiroz says are the best economical choice. Quiroz said tile is definitely the way to go. In comparison to carpet and vinyl flooring, tile is easier to
• Steel Service Center • New & Used Pipe • Livestock Equipment
T-Posts
Dog Kennels
Serving Kern County for 50 Years
• Vineyard & Orchard Supplies • Agricultural Fencing
Steel Service Center
Authorized Dealer of
3530 BUCK OWENS BLVD 661.324.6514 • 800.423.8016 WWW.JIMSSUPPLY .COM
repair, clean and will last for many years if properly maintained. “Before going to shop for tile, people should know the colors they are trying to coordinate to the tile they are choosing. For example, paint color, cabinet color and carpet color,” Quiroz said. “People should talk to others that have had tile work done so they can properly prepare themselves for the job being done. For example, you could be without a shower or kitchen for a few days.” Proper installation and choosing the right material for the job is the key to long-lasting tile. “Not using the proper underlayments for the floors and walls to ensure proper adhesion and durability of the tile products is a common mistake people make,” Quiroz said. “Another mistake is using colored grout in shower areas because the hard water and soap will discolor the grout. Also using a gloss finish tile for outside applications or putting a glossy finish on their unglazed outdoor tiles should not be done.” Customer Carlos Rangel decided to work directly with Bill Ray Tile for his installation project. “I am very specific…. They did an amazing job,” Rangel said. “They guided me in making my selection and helped me coordinate based on the colors I was working with.” Rangel put tile in his chiropractic office over a year ago and has gotten compliments from patients and other businesses. “My office looks stunning,” Rangel said. “Bill Ray Tile really goes the extra mile.” For more information, call Bill Ray Tile at 366-3255.
BAKERSFIELD PAINT & WALLPAPER 3500 WIBLE RD. 661-847-8431 www.bakersfieldpaint.benmoorepaints.com
www.BakersfieldLife.com 67
W H Y I L I V E H E R E
The Torres family Rancho Palm Estates
Photo by Casey Christie
The Torres family, from left: Ivana (seated), Bianca, Erica, David, Angie and David. Their fourth daughter, Alekxia, is not pictured.
There’s so much to love about our town. From Rio Bravo to Rosedale, each neighborhood has its supporters. This month, Bakersfield Life asks David Torres about the Rancho Palm Estates neighborhood where he lives with his family. Three words describing neighborhood: Quiet, clean, colorful Favorite neighborhood memory: The time it snowed in Bakersfield. All the children in the neighborhood came out to play in the cul-de-sac, built snowmen and had snowball fights. What attracted me to neighborhood: The ability to build a reasonably sized family home on a large lot. What is the best thing about your home: It has six bedrooms. Everyone gets their own room. Oh, and the builder, Donovan Judkins, was top-notch. 68
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
What I like about my neighbors: Everyone is friendly and considerate. The neighborhood children are very respectful. Anything I would change: Absolutely nothing. This is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Why someone should move here: We live in an area with excellent schools, safe streets, and caring neighbors. Best-kept secret: If we told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore! Anything else: Everyone keeps an eye out for each other. The issue of maintaining a safe and sound neighborhood is a mutual concern. We were lucky to find this place 16 years ago.
*Call for a FREE in home measurement
Actual Completed Remodel
FULL SERVICE REMODELING COMPANY
BAKERSFIELD’S ONLY CERTIFIED KITCHEN DESIGNER & GENERAL CONTRACTOR
BEST OF BAKERSFIELD 2009 & 2010 *US COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
661-834-3333
4500 Shepard St., Ste. B-2 www.stockdalecabinetry.com Actual Completed Remodel
Rick Sorci CKD
General Contractor #940909
PRODUCTS AROUND TOWN
Leslie VoVilla Everything a woman needs
Lashes & Mustaches has everything that today’s woman needs! Want GREAT makeup? Try bareMinerals and skin care by MD Formulations. For GREAT hair, try these products: Redken, Kenra, Nioxin, Aguage, Sexy Hair, Keratin Complex, Matrix, Enjoy and Joico. Remember the best place in town to shop is Lashes & Mustaches. 5060 California Ave #100, in the Stockdale Tower 836-9775.
Art Express at the Curiosity Shop is featuring Leslie VoVilla, photographic artist, in August. Leslie received several awards for her photographs of Central Coast elephant seals. You can see more of her work inside Art Express at 1607 19th St., open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kathy and Charles Davis, owners of the Art Express, invite you to visit their gallery, where they carry unique and vintage art and design pieces to fit many styles.
Art Express
Lashes & Mustaches
ELLE Collection
The ELLE Jewelry Collection in a brand extension to the largest fashion publication in the world, ELLE Magazine. ELLE Jewelry is a highly polished sterling silver, rhodium-plated collection. Each piece is complimented with a genuine ruby signature logo. Exclusively at Jane’s Jewelers, at the corner of Calloway and Hageman, 587-6242, janesjewelers.com.
Jane’s Jewelers
WubbaNub Infant Pacifier
Juicy Couture
New Juicy Couture Carriers for your pet have arrived! Hit the town with your dog in a stylish and comfortable pet carrier. They look just like a handbag, but are much better! The black carrier retails for $278 and the red carrier is $298. We have carriers for all budgets, prices start at $25. Come in and see our new products for your fourlegged loved one! Biscuit Boutique and Doggy Spa, 1617 19th St., 321-9602, biscuitboutique.com.
Biscuit Boutique 70
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Over the past 10 years, WubbaNub Infant Pacifier has been soothing baby's "fussy time." Created from a loving mother's desire to soothe her crying baby, the WubbaNub starts with a Soothie premium pacifier, made of latex-free grade silicone. Our pacifier is then permanently attached to our adorable line of plush characters. This innovative, patented design prevents the pacifier from being lost, dropped or even forgotten! The plush animal provides maximum comfort for babies and makes it easy for them to grasp and manipulate the pacifier themselves. It’s available at JM’s Just for Children, located at 930 Wible Road in Bakersfield. Visit JM’s online at jmsjustforchildren.com or call them at 634-7277.
JM’s Just for Children
THE PROMENADE Designer Florals • Framed Art • Home Accessories
Newcomers Club of Bakersfield A social club for women who are new to Bakersfield. Offering monthly luncheons and lots of activities including Bunco, Bridge, Book Club and Mah Jong.
EXCESS INVENTORY SALE
40
For more information, please contact:
% Off
Phyllis Hansen at 587-8292
Selected Items
Or email us at bakersfieldnewcomers@yahoo.com
Expires 8/31/2010
6801 White Ln. Ste. B-2
833-1650 • Open Tues-Sat 10-5:30
19th & N Street, Downtown Bakersfield (661) 325-8476
Or visit our website at www.bakersfieldnewcomersclub.com
To advertise here, call:
Ross Priest
395-7237
NORCAL HEALTH CARE, Inc. UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Michael D. Caplan, M.D.
MEDICAL CANNABIS EVALUATIONS Continuity of care to the men and women of our communities with over ten years of continued service ARCATA (707) 822-5244
BAKERSFIELD (661) 322-4258
OAKLAND (510) 839-0723
UKIAH (707) 468-7400
www.norcalmedics.com Comprehensi ve • Confidential • Compassionate www.BakersfieldLife.com
71
Wine Fest June 12, 2010 Held at Kern County Museum Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com
Yolanda Bennett, Anita Love, Angie Semback, Debbie Halfpenny and Sandi Simons
Greg McGill and Suzi Jianuzzi
Darlene Kalan and John Segerstrom
We take anything on trade!
John and Susan Guerard
Carol Schaefer and Jim Varley
Roy Hernandez and Cynthia Bauder
Ron and Christina White
RV PEDDLER 661-392-7400 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.
SALES SERVICE • PARTS ACCESSORIES
We’re here for all of your RV needs.
8730 Golden State Hwy • 392-7400 72
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Katie and Jeff Nickell and Greg and Pam Sanders
Mikella’s Magical Evening May 14, 2010 Held at Stockdale Country Club Photos by Jeff Carter View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com Michelle Chavez, Pam Hornbuckle, Tami Mlcoch, Renee Pair, Christa McAuley, Susan Greer, Debbie Wilson, Brenda Brown, Jan Glinn, Paula Maxwell and Becky Pruitt
Lori Marion, Tony Marion and Angela Montijo
Megan Raymond, Katie Cooksey and Mackenzie Carter
Jan Glinn and Greg and Aimee Williamson
Cruzita Stewart, Mike Ryan, Rick Stewart, Kelly Ryan and Christa and Mike McAuley
www.BakersfieldLife.com
73
Westchester 4th of July Parade July 4, 2010 Held in the Westchester neighborhood Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com
Judy and Jim Ryan, Linda Sullenger, Chris Morrison, Mark Cantrell and Darren Powers
Bella, Christie, Steve, Luke, Landon and Brenna Ludwick
Jon Paul and Betty Lafever and Parker Allen
• • • • •
Warren and April Hopkins, with Rosanne Lafever
Jeff and Jan Lemucchi and Liz Minghetti
Kalai Catani and Margaret Ann Shropshire
Ed Flickinger, Ilya Merzlyakov and Yulia Cherkasova
Sinaloa
Parade Carnival Vendors Live Entertainment And More!
NT RESTAURA MEXICAN
910 20th St. Downtown
327-5231
(661) 431-8260
FrazierFiestaDays.com 74
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
1-5 to Frazier Mountain Park Road, west 4 miles
Open Tues. - Sun. at 11:15 am
Painting by Charlotte White
CLOSED MONDAYS
Ronald McDonald House Walk for Kids
Mike Allen with his grandson
Bob Lewy and Ronald McDonald
Ronald McDonald with Scarlett Sabin
Amy Carter and Cris Jacobs
June 5, 2010 Held at California Living Museum Photos by Cheryl Mestmaker View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com
Brandon Hall, event chairman Neil Sawyer and Kathryn Shaffer
IN-HOUSE FINANCING
Good Cars Front row: Steve, Katelyn and Monique Johnson and Marybeth Dragoun. Back row: Tom and Fran Johnson, Michelle and Colette Gustafson, Judy Cox and Ronald McDonald
starting at only
2,999
$$
978-5621
Jimmy Wiener, John Cummings, Allie Wiener, Jordyn Martin, Dana Martin, Jaisyn Martin, Laura Wiener, Dottie Wiener and Alan Wiener
23rd and Chester Ave. MICHAEL STUART 661-978-5621
(Downtown)
JERRY HERNANDEZ 661-331-5952 Hablo Espa単ol
www.BakersfieldLife.com
75
Community Action Partnership of Kern Humanitarian Banquet May 14, 2010 Held at DoubleTree Hotel Photos by Martin Ramirez View these photos and more
Amberly Haney, Brianne Mortensen, Salvador Melendez and Ian Anderson
Jerry Mead, Abby Tomlinson and Jenifer Filippi
Laura Solorio and Shannon McQueen
Julie Richards and Robert Lira
Jose Benavidez, Charlie Rodriguez and Veronica Benavidez
Celebrating 10 Years! Same Owners. Same Great Food.
Join us for
Breakfast or Lunch 7 days a week 6:00am to 2:30pm 2805 F Street 325-1219 www.villagegrillbakersfield.com
76
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Bakersfield’s Favorite Breakfast and Lunch since 2000!
Grand Hollywood Premier Gala July 10, 2010 Organized by the American Cancer Society of Kern County Held at Stockdale Country Club Photos by Jan St. Pierre
Seated: Brian, Tammy, Mimi and Derek Chernow. Standing: Cindy Chernow, Randy Schultz, Tuija Wayne, Ira Reiner and Adam Wayne
Wendy Wayne and Gene Tackett
Michael Haddad and Danette Hall
Heather Abbott, Dan Sliter and Bobbi Grigg
Robin Mangarin and Jarad McNaughton
Bruce and Cherryl Biggar and Donna and Jim Bell
Jonathan Allen and Jason Gutierrez
Ghina Itani 549-5886 Special Services Include: • Colonoscopy • Endoscopy • Video Capsule Endoscopy • ERCP • Cancer Screening Esophageal pH & Motility Study • Treatment fo Liver Diseases • Ambulatory Endoscopy Center 9870 Brimhall Rd. #100 Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661)588-8725 Fax (661)588-8749
20041 Hwy 202, Valley Blvd., Unit 3, Tehachapi, Ca 93561 (661) 822-0377 Fax (661) 588-8749
www.bakersfieldgi.com
ItaniDC.com • Interior Design Services • Remodeling • Turnkey Lic#933275
ITANI DESIGN CONCEPTS
Commercial & Residential www.BakersfieldLife.com
77
Grand Jury Summer Social July 15, 2010 Held at the home of Stan Harper Photos by Sean Work View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com
Harry and Judith Waters, Lillian Maloney and Lee Koehn
Larry Walker and Tony Noce
Millie and Glenn Crabtree
Partial List of Featured Artists SAMUEL MICHLAP DAN MEIDUCH TOM HILL TAL WALTON JOHN MOYERS MIGUEL MARTINEZ
Jordan Kaufman, Jackie Danny and Steve Perez
Cynthia Tonkin and Barbara Gardiner
Scouting Party - 30” x 40” Carl Hantman
2031 H Street • Bakersfield CA 93301 • 661-323-0742 78
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
5725 Knudsen Drive www.autospaexpresswash.com
Stan Harper and John Mainland
Gayland Smith and Dory Kline
All Washes Include: Power Dry & FREE Self Service Vacuums For more info call 661-387-1104
Larry Jason’s “Bakersfield Icons” opening July 15, 2010 Held at Padre Hotel's Farmacy coffee shop Photos by Richard Beene View these photos and more online at BakersfieldLife.com
Gene Tackett and Wendy Wayne
OF
45
‘
ALIVE!
CELEBRATING VETERANS
AND
THEIR STORIES
OF
SERVICE
AK
ER
SFIELD CALIF OR
2010
EA
R
SPIRIT
The Spirit of ’45:
AN NI
KEEP THE
Fire Chief Ron Fraze and Larry Jason
L
L
Barbara Reid and Robin Noble
EB
Katy and John Glentzer
TH
Liz Netherton, Steve Wilkinson and Gina Young
DE
O R S’ C H O I C E P
Return to the days of the USO and the sounds of the big bands. Veterans…we want you! Come share your memories of the war’s end, August 14, 1945 as part of a nationwide movement to honor your Stories of Service. Local students will be on hand to record your stories for the Spirit of ’45 website that is being shared with the entire country. Enjoy live entertainment by The Mercy Sisters and the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop who will entertain us with Big Band Music. There’s no better way to celebrate the Spirit of ‘45!
Saturday, August 14 • 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Complimentary admission, refreshments and entertainment
For reservations and information, please call Shel Schultz at (661) 587-0221 by August 11. Independent Living Personalized Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Exceptional Experiences Every DaySM 350 Calloway Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93312 RCFE # 157203395 Exceptional Experiences Every Day is a Service Mark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA.
17910-ROP01-0810
www.BakersfieldLife.com
79
THE LAST WORD
Gail Malouf President of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors and broker associate for Coldwell Banker Preferred Favorite part of your job: As president, it would be the involvement with the California and National Association of Realtors, along with working side by side with the members and staff of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors to meet the challenges of our ever-changing profession. As a Realtor, I thoroughly enjoy meeting and helping buyers and sellers achieve their dreams. Greatest piece of advice: Listen. Best piece of real estate advice: Always use a Realtor. Something about you that few people know: I used to ride dirt bikes and horses. What’s on your bookshelf? A wide variety of books, including real estate-related books and history. Your first job: Secretary to the manager of a stock brokerage firm in Bakersfield Favorite getaway: Santa Barbara What does Bakersfield need more of? Higher-end stores would be nice. What does Bakersfield need less of? Foreclosures Place you could be found having lunch on the weekend: I am pretty much a homebody for lunch on weekends. Luigi’s is always fun if I have the time.
Photo by Casey Christie
Three things that define Bakersfield to you: Friendliness, generosity, affordability
80
Bakersfield Life
August 2010
Favorite neighborhood/area of town: Picking a favorite is difficult. I love all parts of Bakersfield for many different reasons. I like the southwest, as I own a few homes there and I enjoy the shopping and restaurants. I grew up in the northeast and live in the Bakersfield Country Club area, so I will always have a fondness for the rolling hills and closeness to the mountains. I have favorite restaurants in the downtown area, northeast and northwest as well. I am excited about all the changes that are happening in all areas of town.
������������������ By Alex Lechtman, M.D., F.A.C.S. Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
The wonders of science and a wonderful new you... • Tummy Tuck • Ultrasonic Liposuction ALSO ASK ABOUT… • Breast Augmentation • Breast Lift • Breast Reduction • Browlift/Facelift • Eyelid Surgery • Laser Resurfacing • Botox, Radiesse, Juvederm and Sculptra • Lip Enhancement • Complete Skin Care Line
Be Well
Visalia Medical Clinic The Aesthetic Center alechtman@vmchealth.com 800-4VMCDOC | 5530 Avenida De Los Robles, Visalia (Hwy. 198 to Akers off-ramp, north)
Bakersfield’s own Dr. Russell Stokes is referring his patients into the skilled hands of Dr. Alex Lechtman, F.A.C.S. Dr. Lechtman, a trusted colleague, practices at The Aesthetic Center of the Visalia Medical Clinic. ASPS CareCredit Financing accepted.
Adoree Roberson – Owner/Manager
Joe Roberson – Owner/Broker
Diana Aronson
Penny Boeman
Lois Brehmer
Terri L. Brown
Marvin Bush
Lea Bush
Lezlie Chaffin
Ronda Chaffin
Sang Dang
Louie Gregorio
Gayle Hafenstein
Joyce Hanson
Stacy Harrison
Kathy Keener
Rhonda Lewis
Bob Levesque
Leann Newfield
Robin Noble
Kym Plivelich
Jackie Putman
Amy Short
Sonia Sides
Michelle Church
Jeanie Gray
$215,000 5515 View Crest
Beautiful home in the SW. This home features 4 bdrms, 2.5 baths, granite counters in kitchen, lots of storage, beautiful den / TV area upstairs. This home shows pride of ownership.
Leeanne McCracken
Eva Martinez
$337,950 11908 Walden Park
Dottie Patterson
Cathie Paulovitz
Fantastic home, Fantastic schools, Fantastic shopping. Beautiful palisades neighborhood built by Lennar homes in 1999. Cul-de-sac lot, tile entryway, oversized combination formal living & formal dining, large family room & split wing design. Beautiful front & back yard landscaping. Fantastic Park & bike path within the neighborhood.
$595,000 12708 Clay Creek
Debi Roberson
Froehlich Grand Cayman Plan with tons of upgrades. This home features 3997 sq ft with 4 bdrms, 2.75 baths, formal living room, sep family room, formal dining room, office great back yard with pool & large patio. 4 car garage & RV parking. A must see!!!
Kamri Roberson
3977 Coffee Road, Ste. C, 661.588.6600 Behind Chicago Title Judy Smith
Michelle Tucker
Karen Vanderhurst
Pete Yackley
0.9% APR
for the first time ever…
*
for
60 Months on New 2010 Hondas!
Accord
Civic
Sedan, Coupe, Crosstour
Coupe, Sedan, Si, Hybrid
it’s back!
Zero due at $ lease signing
Lease the New 2010 Civic VP AT
210 FA1F3AEW
$
/mo*
36 month lease
FEATURED SPECIAL LEASE: Closed-end lease for 2010 Civic Sedan 5 Speed Automatic VP (Model FA1F3AEW) for $210.00 per month for 36 months with a no capitalized cost reduction available to customers who qualify for the HFS Super Preferred or Preferred credit tier. Other rates/tiers are available under this offer. $0 due at lease signing ($0 first month’s payment and no capitalized cost reduction with no security deposit; total net capitalized cost and base monthly payment does not include tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Not all buyers may qualify. $0 due at lease signing offer requires dealer contribution, which could affect final negotiated transaction.
0
down payment
$
0
security deposit
Fit, Insight Ridgeline
$
Lease the New 2010 Accord LX AT
270
$
0
due at lease signing
Lease the New 2010 Accord Crosstour
CP2F3AEW
$
0
first-month payment
380 TF1H3AJW
/mo*
$
36 month lease
FEATURED SPECIAL LEASE: Closed-end lease for 2010 Accord Sedan 5 Speed Automatic LX (Model CP2F3AEW) for $270.00 per month for 36 months with a no capitalized cost reduction available to customers who qualify for the HFS Super Preferred or Preferred credit tier. Other rates/tiers are available under this offer. $0 due at lease signing ($0 first month’s payment and no capitalized cost reduction with no security deposit; total net capitalized cost and base monthly payment does not include tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Not all buyers may qualify. $0 due at lease signing offer requires dealer contribution, which could affect final negotiated transaction.
/mo*
36 month lease
FEATURED SPECIAL LEASE: Closed-end lease for 2010 Accord Crosstour 5 Speed Automatic 2WD EX V-6 (Model TF1H3AJW) for $380.00 per month for 36 months with a no capitalized cost reduction available to customers who qualify for the HFS Super Preferred or Preferred credit tier. Other rates/tiers are available under this offer. $0 due at lease signing ($0 first month’s payment and no capitalized cost reduction with no security deposit; total net capitalized cost and base monthly payment does not include tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Not all buyers may qualify. $0 due at lease signing offer requires dealer contribution, which could affect final negotiated transaction.
Also Available on Civic Sedan LX, Fit, and Accord Coupe! 4500 Wible Road
at the Entrance to Bakersfield Automall
834-6632
55
���������������� �����������
Se Habla Español
barberhonda.com 0.9% APR for 24-60 months. Valid from 7/1/2010 through 9/7/2010. Available to customers who qualify for HFS Super Preferred or Preferred credit tier. Available on selected Models. See dealer for details. Not all buyers may qualify. Monthly prices based on 60 mos-super preferred credit tier thru AHFC $17.04 per $1000.00 financed. Subject to prior sale.