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January 2016
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Celebrations issue Choosing the right
wedding photographer Cultural New Year’s traditions
The trials and triumphs of Derek Carr
How to perfectly
plan the big day $3.95
Meet the new Dining Divas Ridesharing Uber, Lyft gain traction in Bakersfield
JANUARY 2016
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F E AT U R E S
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January 2016
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Wedding Photography
Planning Your Big Day
New Year’s Traditions
Do’s and don’ts from the pros.
A guide counting down to when you say, “I do.”
How our diverse community will welcome 2016.
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Up Front 11 12 16 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27
On the Web The Big Picture Money Matters 12 Things You Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know My Pet Named After Finding Fame In Season What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Listening To By the Numbers Happenings Short Takes
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STAFF SHARES
January 2016 / Vol. 10 / Issue 4 Bakersfield Life™ Magazine is published by TBC Media.
Publisher
President/CEO
“Life can change on a dime. Be grateful for what you have today, as there is no guarantee for what tomorrow will be.” Mike Skrocki,
Richard Beene
chief marketing officer
Ginger Moorhouse
Associate Publisher Virginia Cowenhoven
Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer Logan Molen
ON THE COVER
Chief Marketing Officer
Bakersfield couple Courtney (Ghilarducci) and Jack Dendy tie the knot at Pear Valley Winery in Paso Robles.
Advertising Traffic Manager
Photo by Jessica Frey
Lisa Beason, Jose Granados
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Sweet Treats, Love & Pets
Mark Nessia
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To Advertise, contact Mike
Laura Liera
Skrocki at mskrocki@bakersfield.com or 395-7563.
Art Director Graphic Designer Holly Bikakis
Editorial Interns Hannah Thomasson
1
Assistant Managing Editor Mark Nessia fell on the ice during the first intermission of a Bakersfield Condors game in front of 5,561 fans.
2
Bakersfield Life, TBC Media and the California Highway Patrol teamed up for the annual CHiPs for KiDs toy drive. Hundreds of toys were donated.
3
Our very own Laura Liera and Mark Nessia witnessed a child’s life change as he saw color for the first time ever. Story on Page 86.
8
“In 2015, I learned to embrace grief, in a way. Past failures, disappointments and loss are not all bad. They serve to bolster your character and increase your empathy.” Anna Smith, contributing writer “I’ve learned to just enjoy the moment. Time is too precious to be spent worrying about what may never be.” Mark Nessia, assistant managing editor “I learned to be a little braver in ‘following my bliss.’ It’s never too late to start pursuing that dream, passion or calling that burns inside us.” Cheryl Scott, contributing writer
Glenn Hammett
While putting this issue together ...
What lessons did you learn in 2015?
Photography Felix Adamo, Patrick Ang, Henry A. Barrios, Casey Christie, Ashley dePencier, Nick Ellis, Jessica Frey, John Harte, Tanya X. Leonzo, Michael Lopez, Mahea Maui, Mark Nessia, Greg Nichols, Steve Rengers, Carla Rivas, Jan St Pierre, Kyle Terada, Rodney Thornburg
Contributing writers Sally Baker, Ellen Ewing, Zach Ewing, Diana Greenlee, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Nina Ha, Lisa Kimble, Shelby Parker, Julie Plata, Leigh Pozas, Gabriel Ramirez, Katy Raytis, Paul Rivas, Cheryl Scott, Anna C. Smith, Tyler Stevens, Chris Thornburgh
“In 2015, I earned my master’s degree, suffered an ankle injury, watched my oldest enlist in the USMC and celebrated 20 years of marriage. 2015 taught me to embrace the expected and unexpected moments and find strength in them all.” Olivia Garcia, editor
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The magazine is inserted into The Bakersfield Californian on the last Saturday of every month and available with The Californian through its digital subscription. Please call 392-5777.
Send comments or letters to the editor to Olivia Garcia at ogarcia@bakersfield.com. Please include name, city and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and to excerpt them.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
Up Front
E D I TO R ’ S N OT E
PHOTO BY GREG NICHOLS
Ringing in the new year
T
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
The new 2016 Dining Divas: Carla Barrientos, Nima Patel, Trish Reed, Michele Johnson Bryant and Kathryn Mears.
humor, then read up on columnist Katy Raytis’ piece on slumber parties. I am sure many parents will be able to relate. I did, even as a mother of boys. Singles Edition Bakersfield Life is looking for eligible bachelors and bachelorettes between the ages of 21 and 41 who are interested in being featured in our singles edition. The staff will be interviewing potential candidates to be highlighted as one of Bakersfield’s eligible singles in the February edition. To be nominated, send an email to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com with the following information: your name, age, phone number and a short paragraph of why you should be one of Bakersfield Life’s most eligible bachelors or bachelorettes. Also, make sure to send a photo of yourself along with the above information.
and individuals nominated by our readers this past December. This is by far one of our most coveted competitions of the year and every vote counts. So make sure yours is submitted and that you pass it on to friends and family who want to submit their top picks as well. The winners of the Best Of Readers’ Choice Poll Contest will be unveiled in our annual “Best Of” May 2016 edition. Good luck to everyone!
PHOTO BY TANYA X. LEONZO
he new year always brings out the best of us. We are filled with hope, goals, excitement and the energy to take it on. Our magazine team is pretty excited about the new year, too. It gives us an opportunity to explore new stories that reflect our community. We also have something new to offer: We have our new Dining Divas and Food Dudes for 2016. The Dining Divas are Nima Patel, a licensed clinical psychologist at Wasco State Prison; Michele Johnson Bryant, principal at William B. Bimat Elementary School; Kathryn Mears, University of La Verne (Bakersfield campus) academic adviser; Carla Barrientos, a special education teacher; and Trish Reed, an executive assistant at San Joaquin Community Hospital. The Food Dudes will be announced in the February issue. We are excited about having them on board and hope you enjoy their reviews as they venture out in town. This issue is all about celebrations, whether it’s making plans for New Year’s Eve, wedding planning or organizing another special occasion. Be sure to check out the spread featuring the fabulous work of area photographers who shared moments they captured. Or discover New Year’s cultural traditions celebrated by our diverse community. Engaged? Planning for the big day? Writer Diana Greenlee talks to local experts on how to mark your calendar for important dates in preparing for your wedding day. And if you are looking for some
Best Of Voting The time has arrived to cast your votes for Bakersfield Life’s annual Best Of Readers’ Choice Poll Contest. The voting period starts on Jan. 5 and runs through Jan. 24. Vote by going online to bestofkern.com and casting your ballot for the categories, businesses
Olivia Garcia Editor 395-7487 ogarcia@bakersfield.com
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ON THE WEB
Resolutions!
We asked our readers to share their New Year’s resolutions and here is what some of them had to say.
“My resolution is to become a Navy sailor and further my career in graphic design.” — Nestor Rios “My New Year’s resolution is to slow down and enjoy life! It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day grind; instead, I will enjoy the little moments that make life so full of joy.” — MacKenzie Bennett “I plan to focus more on the now and enjoy my time with my children while they are still little. They grow up so fast!” — Angela Watson Leathers “Go on vacation and stress less.” — Lynsie Boles
“I hope that this new year I can get more involved with my community. I've started by signing up with a new charity to feed Bakersfield homeless.” — Miranda Chavez Urbano “I want to spend time with family, save money, travel and be healthy.” — Gloria Guido “To tackle some more home improvement projects and to spend a lot of quality time with family and friends.” — Jaime Kinsey
“Be the best mother I can be to my girls.” — Kim Willman “To become a licensed architect and take care of my family.” — Mark Torres “My New Year’s resolution is to have more dates with my husband, spend more time reading and do more outdoor activities with my boys.” — Stacy Dehart “To buy a house and stop renting.” — Maribel Hernandez “My New Year’s resolution is to get my high school diploma; it’s never too late.” — Brea Gon
“To have more fun and to eat dinner at the table with no electronic devices.” — Jessica A. Alaniz “Be more thankful for what I have and not focus on what I don’t have.” — Debbie Martin
Next time:
Adorable pets Do you think your pet is the cutest? We’d love to see them for our next issue. Send us a photo, along with your pet’s name and anything funny about them to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com by January 8th. Title your e-mail: Adorable pet.
bakersfieldlife.com
11
Up Front
THE BIG PICTURE
Light â&#x20AC;&#x2122;em up Photo by Felix Adamo
With the lights of the scoreboard reflecting off the water behind her, Garces senior Emma Hawkins looks to pass during the D-II semifinal game against Golden West of Visalia.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
bakersfieldlife.com
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Up Front
THE BIG PICTURE
Thumbs-up Photo by Mark Nessia
A father and son watch as the Bakersfield Condors warm up prior to their game against the San Diego Gulls at Rabobank Arena.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
bakersfieldlife.com
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Up Front
M O N E Y M AT T E R S
Your FICO credit score – what you need to know By Chris Thornburgh
Y
ou know your Social Security number, your PIN and your passwords, but do you know the number that will cost – or save – you thousands of dollars? It’s your credit score and many don’t realize its effect on household finances. Your credit score is like a fingerprint following you everywhere. A high credit score will earn you a VIP pass to the best interest rates on credit cards, mortgages and loans. It can also help you land a job, save money on insurance and get approved for that apartment or condo you want to rent. What does the score mean? Your credit score (aka FICO score) is a snapshot in time of how risky you appear to be to lenders. Three credit agencies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – calculate scores based on your credit file. The FICO scores range from 300 to 850 – higher is better. 750-850: Excellent credit 700-749: Good credit 650-699: Fair credit 600-649: Poor credit 300-599: No credit / bad credit Note that these score categories aren’t set in stone since lenders have their own definitions. Let’s look at the following factors that determine your FICO score calculations.
your score the quickest by lowering credit cards balances. People who have the highest credit scores average 7 percent credit utilization. While less is better, owing a little bit can be better than owing nothing at all. Lenders want to see that you timely repay debt. Avoid closing unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your scores. You’ll actually increase the percentage of debt owed compared to available credit. Length of credit history Duration makes up 15 percent of your score. The longer you’ve had an account, the better. A late payment on a two-year-old account hurts your score more than if you’d had the account for two decades. A short history may be all right if you’ve made timely payments and don’t owe much debt. New credit New credit determines 10 percent of your score. Opening several credit accounts in a short timespan can raise red flags with lenders, especially if you have a short credit history. Lenders’ “hard” inquiries can ding your score. Therefore, if you are shopping for a loan, squeeze your applications into a short time period so they count as a single inquiry. Checking your own credit won’t affect numbers if you order reports directly from the credit-reporting agency.
Payment history
Credit mix
Contributing 35 percent to your FICO score, payment history is the most significant factor. Pay your bills on time. Set up automatic payments so you’re never late. Delinquent payments (even a few days late) and collections can have a major negative impact.
Credit mix determines 10 percent of your score. It considers your blend of credit cards, store accounts, installment loans and mortgages. Credit cards tend to count more than installment loans because they’re better predictors of your debt management. How to get your FICO score and more
Amounts owed Outstanding balances in relation to your total available credit contributes 30 percent to your FICO score. Boost
Most banks offer free access to your FICO score through your online bank account. You no longer have to pay a fee, though several websites gladly take your money to provide your score. Furthermore, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. Visit annualcreditreport.com. It’s important to annually review your report. The bottom line Good credit can save you a substantial amount of money over your lifetime. By understanding the factors that influence your credit rating, you are empowered to boost your credit score.
Chris Thornburgh 16
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
Chris Thornburgh is a CPA and partner at Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corp. Contact her at cthornburgh @bacpas.com or 324-4971. The views expressed in this column are her own.
Submit your vote for the 2016 Best Of awards The 2016 Best Of Bakersfield Readers’ Choice Poll nominations are in! Now all you have to do is go online and vote for your favorite businesses, people and organizations in categories like arts and entertainment, auto, food, health and medical, shopping and more. The Best Of awards are given to the best of the best in town and can be found proudly displayed inside restaurants, offices, businesses or law firms, among others. Voting is easy. Just visit bestofkern.com between Jan. 5 and Jan. 24 to cast in your ballot. Winners will be announced in the May issue.
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17
Up Front
1 2 T H I N G S YO U D I D N ’ T K N OW A B O U T . . .
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County
By Shelby Parker
The Boys & Girls Club of Kern County originally started as a boys club in 1966, with the purpose of helping young men get off the streets. The club’s vision is to “provide a worldclass club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through our doors,” offering many programs, including teens, nutrition and keeping occupied after school. Executive Director Zane Smith shares 12 facts about the organization.
1
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County boasts the highest number of locations for a BGC out of 4,000 clubs nationally and has the second-highest daily attendance in the nation.
2 The club started as the Boys Club of Bak-
ersfield with the goal of getting young men off the streets and into sports.
3
There’s been significant growth in the last 20 years: one club site with 40 club members to 62 sites with 6,800 club members.
4 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County has
collaborations with nine school districts throughout Kern to better serve the children in the community by improving their academic success and preserving their safety.
5
The Kevin Harvick Foundation is partnering with the Cal Ripken Foundation to complete a major facelift of the backyard and gymnasium.
6 The club’s performing arts team,
Music Fusion, has won competitions on a national level with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and received an all-expense-paid trip to be the lead performance in Chicago in 2015 and San Francisco in 2014.
7
More than 14,000 nutritious meals are served to children under 18 every month!
8 The club ensures that 150 young adults are
workforce ready and employs 55 teens from low-income families.
9
When school is out, the club is in! It operates winter, Thanksgiving, spring and summer day camps from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
10 The main operating site is on Niles Street sits on land that was purchased for the club by local patron Jack Armstrong.
11
Although children from every walk of life are served, the club has a special outreach program for children residing in homelessness and foster care.
12 Artfest originated as a kids’
art show at the Marketplace and is now our signature fundraiser, featuring artwork that the club kids create and donate for auction. This gives the kids an opportunity to “keep their own program going.” Seneca Corral, 9, for Artfest
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
MY PET
Tyler, Erica and Sable A little dog in a big dog’s body By Shelby Parker
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
S
ome of the best things happen when we aren’t anticipating them. That’s how the Tyler and Erica Garewal got their Siberian husky, Sable. Erica’s sister had moved into an apartment in Huntington and could no longer keep her dog. She told Tyler and Erica that she was thinking of giving him away. They thought they’d try it out for a week, and in the end, decided to adopt him as their own. “We didn’t really have any plans for pets or anything like that,” said Tyler. “Then he came along and changed all of that for us.” The Garewals just bought a house, complete with a nice backyard, and they’d purchased an offwhite couch, meaning it wasn’t exactly designed for kids or pets. However, the couple enjoys having Sable around. At 2 years old, he loves going to the dog park, running and hiking alongside his owners, and swimming wherever water can be found. “Obviously huskies are more energetic, so we kind of have to be,” said Erica of the couple’s outdoor activities now. Sable’s parents say he is quite the character. “He destroys everything we buy him,” said Erica.
Sable goes through toys as soon as they buy them at the pet store but loves his stuffed animals and still has a bear that he ripped the head off of a while back. Tyler recalled the time Sable dug a hole in the bed of the guest bedroom and buried his bone inside. It’s something he can laugh about now. We’ve all heard the expression “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and the Garewals point out that it’s true with dogs, as well. Some people tend to be afraid of Sable because of his size, but don’t let the size fool you. “He’s a little dog in a
big dog’s body,” said Erica. “Once you get to know him, he’s lovable, loyal. … He’s a good dog.” While Sable might be destructive at times, he also knows commands, like sit, lie down and shake. He’s starting to talk more, which is “annoying, but fun,” Erica said. If they aren’t paying attention to him, he’ll make a whining sound and put his paw on their leg until they start petting him. Tyler adds that Sable is practically attached to his hip and follows him all around the house. “He’s needy in a good way to where he makes you feel loved,” said Tyler.
Sable loves eggs and almonds (with no salt). He likes almonds more than his dog treats!
bakersfieldlife.com
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Up Front
Simon William Wible was one of Bakersfield’s most prominent citizens in the late 1800s. He did many things in his lifetime, from land and water development to gold mining.
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NAMED AFTER
Wible Road By Lisa Kimble
W
ible Road, the extension of Oak Street south of Stockdale Highway, is named for pioneer and surveyor Simon William Wible, considered one of the most prominent residents of the late 1800s. From mining to land and water development and banking, Wible’s influence was far-reaching. Wible was born in Pennsylvania on March 5, 1832. He had six siblings. The family moved to Mendon, Illinois, a bustling river port near the mighty Mississippi. His boyhood years were filled with strenuous work turning barren land into a productive farm. When he was 20, he joined a wagon train and ventured west to California where the promise of fortune lured many like him. He made two more trips. On his last, in 1858, his oxen-pulled wagon train was attacked by Indians. He fled for his life to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and joined another westward-bound party. Wible mined for gold in Northern California for more than 30 years. He also became interested in civil engineering and surveying and began a career in water management. He developed the Blue Lake Water System in San Francisco in 1868. He came to Kern County in 1874 and bought property north of the Kern where he built the Wible Canal. He homesteaded property three miles west of town near the Wible Station, raising crops and buying livestock. At one time, he was among the most extensive sheepmen in the
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
county. He constructed the Pioneer Canal in 1875, and the following year, the Kern Valley Water Company Canal, the largest in the area at the time. When Henry Miller came to Bakersfield, he sought out Wible’s advice, who went on to supervise construction of the Buena Vista Reservoir. The project, which turned 75,000 acres of once-worthless tules into valuable farmland due to Wible’s great feat of engineering, was an overwhelming success. Wible became superintendent of the men’s vast holdings, and had earned the land and cattle barons’ trust, becoming the only man ever permitted to withdraw from the Miller & Lux account without prior approval. In 1890, Simon Wible was among a group of civic leaders who founded the Bank of Bakersfield. He was its first president and served in that capacity until his death. He had left his mark on a number of industries, but he never tired of mining. In 1898, when many men his age were slowing down, 67-year-old Wible began to mine in Alaska. There he and his longtime foreman installed the one of the first hydraulic elevators, a method copied and used widely. Simon Wible, a short, stocky handsome man with a high-pitched voice, never married. However, he adopted three girls after the accidental death of their parents. He retired from Miller & Lux in 1900, but continued to manage his large Alaskan mine and traveled there every summer to oversee operations. He died a very wealthy man in San Francisco on Sept. 13, 1911, at the age of 79. Providing his own epitaph, he once said: “The lure of gold is still too much for me. There’s something about gold digging. We keep at it until we’re dead.”
F I N D I N G FA M E
Screen Team
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA, ILLUSTRATION BY HOLLY BIKAKIS
YouTube duo proves geeky is cool
By Shelby Parker
A
few years ago, YouTube was just a way to watch funny cat videos or montages of people falling. Now, it has become its own business, and local YouTubers Chad Nikolaus and Angie Griffin know it well. Their YouTube channel, Screen Team, has more than 600,000 subscribers and their videos, which consist of pop culture parodies from movies, music, television, video games and more, have generated millions of views. Their latest video, which features Ninja Turtles engaging in parkour, was filmed at various Bakersfield locations, including in front of Rabobank Arena. “We’re a couple that’s obsessed with all things geeky,” might be their motto, but Griffin said they’ve made an effort to keep their material broad enough for all audiences to enjoy.
“You might not have read all the Spider-Man comics, but if you know of Spider-Man, you could probably watch our video and hopefully still be entertained,” Griffin said. In terms of the time that goes into either a parody or original song, Nikolaus said it depends on the topic. A parody usually starts with a song that can take three days to write. Then they come up with costume ideas. Griffin said she takes the lead in costume making and designs nearly all the costumes used in the videos. “The idea for costumes are all a part of my imagination or I get inspiration from movies and video games,” she said. Once the costumes are ready, the duo begins filming, often playing multiple characters. Filming can take anywhere from one to four days and editing usually only takes one to two days, Nikolaus added. Growing up, the two enjoyed “Star
Wars,” “Power Rangers,” video games and the like, so it seemed fitting for their channel to reflect that. “The stories of overcoming odds and fighting evil is maybe what we liked about it all,” said Nikolaus. “But when you create the videos that other people can relate to and enjoy, then you’re sharing passion with millions of people. The sense of community is what keeps us going.” Nikolaus and Griffin began posting movie reviews on YouTube just for fun in 2008. The real-life couple, who are now engaged, met online in 2005 and made trips to visit each other while living in different states until Nikolaus moved to California in 2009. They both made a decision to not look for regular jobs and focus on creating content for their YouTube channel. “We took a big risk, worked hard and are now happy to call it a full-time job,” said Nikolaus. bakersfieldlife.com
21
Up Front
IN SEASON
Orange you glad it’s winter? Local farmers anticipate bountiful citrus harvest ahead
By Diana Greenlee
A
change in seasons means a change in produce, and one of the best aspects of living in Kern County is the fresh fruits and vegetables available not only in grocery stores but also at the local farms, often just steps away from where they’re grown. In business since 1947, Johnston Farms offers a variety of citrus, such as stem-and-leaf mandarins, navel oranges and grapefruit this time of year. Located at 13031 East Packing House Road, just off of the 58 in Edison, sales manager Derek Vaughn 22
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
says the fruits are ripe, ready and delicious. He said they keep a close eye on their produce to ensure optimum flavor. “We are always testing the sugar levels of our citrus, as well as tasting the fruit,” he said. “With our Satsumas, we wait until there is full color and the taste is up to the high standards that we set for ourselves.” Murray Family Farms cashier Jenny Romero says during the winter they also have citrus, including mandarin oranges, pomelo grapefruits and blood oranges. She said they also offer persimmons, pomegranates and lemons packed and ready in both retail locations at Copus Road and
Interstate 5 and the General Beale Road exit. Folks interested in a handson experience can pick their own fruit at the east side location. Vaughn said their crops are bountiful this year, and having several wells on their property along with canal water, the drought hasn’t hurt them – so far. He said fruit prices in stores may start off higher at the beginning of the season, as retailers clear out the summer navels and imported fruit from South America and Australia, but he anticipates they will level off after the holidays. “Typically the only increase is when there is a freeze or a threat of a big freeze,” he said.
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Up Front
W H AT I ’ M L I S T E N I N G T O
It’s a mix for this local DJ “THE SNACKS’” FAVORITES
By Laura Liera
1 “12 Play” BY R. KELLY
“I don’t care what you’re doing outside of music. What R. Kelly does on stage and what he puts on paper is amazing. I just like R. Kelly as an artist.”
2 “Ribbon In The Sky”
BY STEVIE WONDER
“It’s just a classic song. It’s a love song. You can’t go wrong with a love song.”
3 “His Eye On
The Sparrow” BY LAURYN HILL
“Gotta have a gospel song. It’s one of the first solos I sung in church.”
4 “Hold My Hand”
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
BY JESS GLYNNE
“The only reason I like this new song is because I can annoy the heck out of people with the intro. I go to restaurants and sing to the clerk: “Standing in a crowded room and I can’t see your face.”
5 “Let’s Stay Together” BY AL GREEN
Daron “The Snacks” Harris
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He’s the man behind the mic on the morning show of Bakersfield’s Energy 95.3 and he knows music. As a DJ for nine years, “The Snacks” has been cranking up the latest and
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
hottest music in Bakersfield for 2 1/2 years. We caught up with “The Snacks” and he shared his favorite songs of all time, both old school and new.
“I think it’s just a great song to bring folks back to a full circle.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Lifestyle changes What Kern County adults plan to do in the next 12 months
2014 2015 KERN COUNTY ADULTS
615,626
622,510
Y/Y
Attend adult education classes
27,464
36,194
31.8%
Birth of a child
26,807
16,518
-38.4%
Buy a house, condo or co-op
48,130
30,068
-37.5%
Buy or lease a hybrid/electric vehicle
21,447
7,991
-62.7%
Get married
32,878
23,162
-29.6%
Go back to school (for degree)
83,657
82,977
-0.8%
Look for new job
130,465
130,392
-0.1%
Make last home mortgage payment
9,525
1,754
-81.6%
Move/change address
73,161
71,381
-2.4%
Refinance home mortgage
19,139
19,408
1.4%
Retire or take early retirement
30,912
26,526
-14.2%
Sell a house, condo or co-op
19,065
11,576
-39.3%
Shop for day care service
13,366
9,129
-31.7%
Shop for nursing care/retirement facility
7,151
6,855
-4.1%
Source: Scarborough Research (September 2015 release)
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Up Front
HAPPENINGS
January
Find more community events at bakersfieldlife.com or submit yours via email to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com or via our Facebook page: Bakersfield Life Magazine
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
Jan. 1 Begin with a Bang, music by DJ Angel, Vanny P, Shark Boiz, DJ Major Airborne, 9 p.m., Fandango City, 3510 Wible Road. $10 general admission or $30 VIP. Jan. 5 Bakersfield Master Chorale Rehearsals, 7 p.m., First Assembly of God Church, 4901 California Ave. Free.
The Bridal Event: Weddings 2016 Jan. 31 Hosted by Kern County Bridal Association, with special guest David Tutera. Fashion show, produced by Enchanted Bridal Boutique, showcasing David Tutera’s new line of gowns for 2016. In addition to offering a book signing, David Tutera will talk about weddings and answer some of your questions. Noon at the Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $25-$500 tickets. kerncountybridalassociation.com
Jan. 2 Condors vs. San Jose Barracuda clip with Minions backpack nk ba giveaway, 7 p.m. Rabo e. Av Arena, 1001 Truxtun it vis s, ket tic For rabobankarena.com.
Jan. 7 The Great 48 Jam, featuring bluegrass music from Jan. 7 to 10, at Bakersfield DoubleTree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. For pricing and time, contact Larry Phegley at larry.phegley@ gmail.com. “The Trafficked Life,” feature film, 7 p.m. with Brothers Barton concert at 5:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $20. etix.com. Jan. 8 CSUB vs. Cal Poly, wrestling, 7 p.m., Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $8 adult, $5 youth and seniors. “Natural Sciences,” 7:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $6. flics.org. Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $18-$56. rabobankarena.com.
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January 2016
Jan. 9 Butchers of Bakersfield Warhammer 40K ITC, 8 a.m., CSUB Student Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $40. otto@ottosvideogamesandmore. com. Robot Competition, 7 a.m. Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Gate 26. Free. 304-4378. Relay for Life Kickoff 2016, 10 a.m. Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Gate 40. Free. 808-7592. Jan. 16 3rd Annual Roadrunner Baseball Hot Stove Dinner, with guest speaker Tommy Lasorda, 5:30 p.m. Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Building 1. Ticket information call 654-3473. Jan. 22 Monster X Tour, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Rabobank
Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $10 to $40. rabobankarena.com. Jan. 30 Bakersfield Mini Maker Faire, 10 a.m., CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. bakersfieldminimakerfaire.com Jan. 30 An evening with La Sonora Dinamita & Velorio, 6 p.m. with show at 8 p.m., tacos and enchiladas sold all night. Elements Venue & Banquet Centre, 3401 Chester Ave., Suite H. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $50 VIP. For more information, call Manuel at 301-4681. Jan. 31 Mardi Gras Fund Raiser, hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, noon at the Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Building 3. Free.
S H O R T TA K E S
Annual race benefits at-risk youth
B
akersfield local Connor Mojo has been selected by the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association to receive the Seniors of Significance award. This award goes to individuals who deserve recognition for their reputable efforts in scholarship, leadership, and overall service to their campus and community. Only 49 students were selected for the 2015-2016 academic year. Mojo is an industrial engineering and management major who, during his time at OSU, served as the president of the Institute of Industrial Engineers as well as the vice president of the Blue Key Honor Society. – Bakersfield Life
AK
ER
SFIELD CALIF OR
2014 14 14
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Bakersfield local named OSU Senior of Significance
EB
all of our sponsors and community come together at beautiful Lake Ming to support a great cause,” Angelica Garcia, an event coordinator, said. There will be raffle prizes, Too Fat Sandwiches and massages for all registered runners after the race, as well as race medals up to third place for both the 5K and 10K. DJ Peter Wonderly will be providing the entertainment throughout the day with music and announcements as runners come in. Last year, 800 runners participated to show support. This year P.A.C.K. hopes to see 1,000 runners participate, Garcia said. – Bakersfield Life
TH
O
n Jan. 9, the Probation Auxiliary County of Kern (P.A.C.K.) and the Kern County Probation Department will host the 27th annual 5K/10K Fog Run at Lake Ming. Preregistration cost is $25 until Dec. 31 and $30 after. This is an all-day event with registration opening at 7 a.m. and the race kicking off at 9 a.m. All proceeds will go to support programs that reach at-risk youth in Kern County, as well as the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. It’s a large event that is possible because of the community and sponsor involvement. “I really enjoy seeing
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Eat & Drink
D I N I N G D I VA S
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January 2016
Bakersfield Life Magazine
Ewing’s Restaurant on the Kern Stunning views, flavorful food
APPETIZERS Nima Patel on the chicken tortilla soup: This was delightful. My
cup was full of chicken, avocado and tortilla strips in a dark broth. It was the perfect blend of flavors and was easily among one of the top soups I
have had of this kind. There was no shortage of chicken either, which made a cup of this soup quite filling. Carla Barrientos on the split pea soup: The split pea soup was
bursting with flavor. The hints of bacon really made the soup unique and flavorful. You can never go wrong with adding a little bacon. I am usually not a fan of split pea soup, but this soup was so good I could have easily had a second bowl. Michele Bryant on the barbecue chicken wings: The wings were
coated in their maple bourbon barbecue sauce and they were amazing. I actually suggested to the owner that they bottle it and sell it online! It’s spicy and a little sweet and has a unique flavor, different than I’ve ever had before.
DO
blue cheese and mushroom sauce. It was cut into three medallions, mak-
ST
BUENA VISTA DR L KERN V I L
Kernville
N 2,000 FT
D ER
Bakersfield 495
SIERRA WAY
Carla on the bistro medallions with blue cheese and mushroom sauce: The filet was smothered in
RD
Facing page: Jumbo scallops Bottom left: Ewing’s owner Mark Preston Top: Dining Divas, from left: Carla Barrientos, Nima Patel, Trish Reed, Michele Bryant and Kathryn Mears. Above: Filet mignon
125 Buena Vista Drive
Trish Reed on the baconwrapped boneless pork chops:
These pork chops were topped with garlic cream sauce and every morsel of meat was delicate and delicious.
Ewing’s Restaurant on the Kern
r Rive rn Ke
ENTREES
AN
A SIRET T
have to say partnering bacon and scallops is always a great idea. Adding the citrus and cilantro put a whole new twist on the concept. The scallops were tender, the bacon thick and crispy, and the cilantro was smooth and tangy.
Continued on page 30
RL BU
Kathryn Mears on the scallops with bacon: Being a bacon lover, I
ing it just the right size for such a rich and savory dish. The blue cheese sauce on the filet made the dish one of a kind. The sauce was creamy and had plenty of blue cheese crumbles. Each us was raving about this dish – it was absolutely delectable. This dish was fit for a king, or in our case, a diva.
D
E
wing’s Restaurant on the Kern was worth the drive through the canyon. It was nice to have great food, good company and a spectacular view. You can’t beat the outdoor fireplace on a patio overlooking the mountains and the river. Kernville native and owner Mark Preston put a lot of TLC into this historic place and it’s a must-visit when in Kernville.
Photos by Greg Nichols
BURLA ND OR
Compiled by Bakersfield Life
Detail area
Kern County
Ewing’s Restaurant on the Kern 125 Buena Vista Drive, Kernville 7 to 11 a.m. for breakfast; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch; 4 to 9 p.m. for dinner Open every day 760-376-2411 Find them on Facebook
bakersfieldlife.com
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Clockwise, from top left: View of the Kern River from Ewing’s. Exterior of the landmark restaurant. Fried cheesecake with bananas. Salted caramel vanilla crunch cake. Tri-tip and ribs.
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Continued from page 29 Kathryn on the filet mignon with a whiskey peppercorn sauce:
The filet mignon melted like butter in my mouth. It was full of flavor and was extremely tender. By adding the whiskey peppercorn sauce, it made the entree hearty and delicious without overpowering the meat.
DESSERTS Nima on the fried cheesecake with bananas: Although I’m not a
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
fan of cheesecake, this cheesecake was wrapped in dough and covered in whipped cream with a side of bananas. It was the perfect blend of sweetness and it paired rather well with my cup of coffee. Trish on the salted caramel vanilla crunch cake: The fluffy
vanilla cake filled with crunchy caramel sauce with the extra saltiness of the sea salt made me figuratively feel like I was in heaven. I think dessert time was the only time us girls sat in complete silence.
Carla on the carrot cake: The carrot cake was decadent and easily my favorite dessert. The cake slice was large and easily sharable. I’m a huge fan of carrot cake and this cake did not disappoint. The cake itself was very moist and the cream cheese frosting had just the right amount of sweetness. Michele on the red velvet cake: This cake was too tempting to
resist. It’s four layers of red velvet with cream cheese frosting and is topped with mini chocolate chips. What a fun evening for our first Dining Diva experience! Ewing’s Restaurant on the Kern is a place where you can take the entire family to enjoy both a delicious meal and great views. This is a hidden treasure in Kernville that everyone should go check out!
Meet the new 2016 Dining Divas
Kathryn K. Mears I work at the University of La Verne as an academic adviser and adjunct professor. My husband and I are involved in Bakersfield Robotics where we facilitate the National Robotics Week with members in the community. I have a son, Noah, whom I adore.
Trish Reed I am executive assistant to both Susan Herman, chief nursing officer at San Joaquin Community Hospital, and Mike Lukens, chief financial officer at SJCH. I’m a single mom who enjoys hosting the occasional “real” dinner party, but if someone else wants to do the cooking, that’s perfectly fine, too.
Carla Barrientos I’m a veteran special education teacher for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. I absolutely love food and consider myself a foodie. I enjoy traveling domestically and internationally and tasting native cuisines from those areas. I was born and raised in Bakersfield and am proud to call it home with my wonderful husband, Jorge, and Shih Tzu dog-son, Leon.
Nima Patel I am a licensed clinical psychologist at Wasco State Prison and a native of Kern County. I grew up in Bakersfield but took a 13-year hiatus from the community to pursue my education. I look forward to sharing my dining experiences with all of you.
Michele Bryant I am the principal at William B. Bimat Elementary School in the Norris School District. I've been married to my husband, Bruce, for 21 years and we have two sons: Dylan, 19, and Naythan, 18. I feel very fortunate to have family, friends and a profession that I love, and I'm thrilled that I was asked to be a Dining Diva!
Have a Happy & Blessed New Year! • Homemaker Services • Personal Care • Employees Screened Bonded and Insured • Dementia Care
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2029 21st Street • Bakersfield, CA 93301 bakersfieldlife.com
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Eat & Drink
FOOD AND WINE
A toast to the new year! Unique holiday beverages help start 2016 off with a bang By Ellen Ewing Photos by Mark Nessia
W
ith a particularly powerful El Nino stirring in the Pacific this year, this would be a good winter to do some of your own stirring. Drink stirring, that is. Some of the local coffee shops and restaurants in town are serving up seasonal beverages that might just warm up your El Ninochilled day. At Eureka Burger, the Gingerbread Man Old Fashioned is a classical cocktail with a holiday twist. “It’s sugar, alcohol, spice and spirit,” said Trevor Tyler, the beverage director for Eureka Burger. “For the gingerbread flavor, we grate fresh ginger root into the drink, and there’s also clove, nutmeg, rye whiskey, chocolate bitters and Douglas fir liqueur. We wanted to choose something that was festive. It’s the holiday season, and I’m a big fan of gingerbread.” You can order the drink through Jan. 3 for $12. Valentien Restaurant co-owner Jeramy Brown wanted to use something
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
Valentien Holiday Sparkling Cocktail French cremant dry sparkling wine 5 ounces Valentien housemade-infused blend 1 ounce 1 Gala apple, cut thinly 1/4 cup of fresh cranberries 4 dashes of bitters 1 ounce of fresh ginger, thinly sliced 3 star anise pods 1 cinnamon sticks 3 cloves 1 orange zest 9 ounces of Pineau des Charentes blanc Let infuse for 24 hours. Pour 1 ounce of the infusion into a martini glass and top with champagne. Garnish with orange zest.
new to the restaurant for an experimental holiday drink. “I ordered a porthole infuser from New York to create our Holiday Sparkling Cocktail,” Brown said. “We are launching a new infuser program for 2016.” The festive beverage will debut the program. “It has apple, cranberries, ginger, star anise, cloves and orange zest.” Brown’s restaurant always tries to choose local produce first to support local growers and for the freshest ingredients. “Because of that, our menu changes every week,” Brown said. “I’m already experimenting with the infuser for the New Year’s Eve taster menu, soups (and) palate cleansers. Our goal is always making (the menu) better. The infuser falls in here.” You can warm up with the Holiday Sparkling Cocktail for $12 until midJanuary. If you’re feeling truly chilled to the bone, you can try eggnog-flavored drip coffee at Dagny’s, a popular downtown coffee shop. “It’s already infused with the all-natural flavors and preground,” said Rachel Lawlor, a manager at Dagny’s. “It’s really fresh, and I would recommend adding gingerbread, caramel, vanilla or maybe hazelnut syrup.” Though this uniquely flavored coffee is seasonal, Dagny’s serves other typical “holiday” hot beverages such as the gingerbread mocha, pumpkin latte and the Irish cream year-round. So, bring it on El Nino. Bakersfield beverages are defending us well.
Facing page: Bartender Crystal Martinez prepares a Gingerbread Man Old Fashioned at Eureka Burger on Stockdale Highway. Top: Holiday Sparkling Cocktail from Valentien Bottom: Eggnog drip coffee from Dagny’s Coffee Company
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Lifestyles
T E C H N I C A L LY S P E A K I N G
A celebration of the urge to unplug Recharge and embrace quality time with family and friends in the new year By Anna C. Smith
H
ow much should technology replace human interaction? That’s the question behind a steadily growing movement of individuals committing to intentionality when it comes to technology use. Individuals are closing down social media accounts, taking “technology free” weekends and trips, and seeking solace in freedom from the daily deluge of text messages, phone calls and emails. Some say technology has fooled us into thinking we do not need each other, that there is little value any longer in a
A wonderful health benefit of nature walks is the improvement of one’s mood.
34
connection with animals and the earth. But even so, a strong current of individuals are seeking more balance in their increasingly technologically driven lives. The moment Lauren Skidmore’s now-husband asked if they could move onto her family’s ranch in a rural area outside of Bakersfield, she remembers feeling lucky to have the option to live in such a peaceful place. Skidmore hasn’t always felt this way. In college, she planned to move to Los Angeles after graduating, but she had grown to appreciate the stillness,
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
silence and simplicity of life outside of a city. As director of policy and community affairs for Kern Citizens for Sustainable Government and committed to other community efforts, she admits it can be difficult to balance the need to unplug with the demands of career and community. Even in the country, Skidmore finds technology distracting. To strike a balance, she commits to technology breaks to quiet her mind. She leaves her phone at home during workouts and once a year she takes a vacation in a place without phone reception so there are “no excuses,” she says. Time spent in nature serves as a recharge. She enjoys waking up to an open field and watching the sunset. This “unplug movement” can be seen in books, like Blake Snow’s “Finding Offline Balance In An Online World”; trends like handmade, smallbatch and artisan; and concerns about links between social media use and anxiety or depression. Even luxury day spas prohibit the use of cell phones and smartphone users can find accountability in apps like Moment, which measures phone use and then encourages users to take conscious steps to limit digital interactions. Long before digital devices were invented, the British Luddites, active between 1811 and 1816, called for slowing or stopping the development of new technologies. Today, with digital devices pervading more aspects of our daily lives, this movement is just as relevant as it was during the Industrial Revolution. Skidmore explains that she finds it funny when people become worried if you fail to reply immediately to emails, texts or calls. She says, “We truly have become a society based on instant responses, and I think we need to let go of that burden once in awhile.” Opinions expressed in this column are those of Anna C. Smith.
If you seek to celebrate simpler pleasures and focus on time with family and friends in the new year, below are a few ways to help you unplug:
1. Hark back to your childhood and draw between the lines. (Try “The Mindfulness Coloring Book: Anti-Stress Art Therapy for Busy People.”)
2. Write down personal goals and aspirations with pen and paper.
3. Embrace boredom. Studies show that’s when creative juices flow.
4. Practice yoga, meditation or prayer. 5. Walk among nature and stop to observe living things around you that can’t be seen while in a car. 6. Turn your phone off when you join family or friends for a meal.
7. Spend a weekend tech-free. Tell a friend so they can keep you accountable.
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PA S T I M E S
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Lifestyles
The master of night photography, Steve Rengers.
When the sun sleeps Photographer’s passion for nightscape photography produces spectacular images By Hannah Thomasson
F
ifteen years ago at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, Steve Rengers walked out of his cabin located right outside the park to snap a few photos of the landscape. With his attention on the foreground, it wasn’t until later that he noticed what he had captured. “I saw that I had actually brought out a little bit of the sky and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool,’ so I just
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
started focusing on it from there,” Rengers said. In a moment of casual photography, he had accidentally stumbled upon what would turn into one of his deepest passions: nightscape photography. A lot of his photos revolve around the Milky Way, which leaves him with limited opportunities to photograph since it’s only visible five months out of the year. This meant that Rengers needed to plan ahead to take advan-
tage of the best shooting conditions. “There are environmental factors that need to be lined up: You need the dark of the moon, no clouds, no light pollution, an interesting setting and knowledge of whether or not the Milky Way is visible,” Rengers said. On a clear, moonless and cloudless night, Rengers can be found venturing out into the desert to capture the Milky Way. He calls himself a “nocturnal photographer” as his photos require him to stay
PHOTOS BY STEVE RENGERS
awake till the early morning, trekking and setting up gear, waiting for the stars to align. It’s a lot of effort but according to Rengers, it’s worth it. “There’s something that’s therapeutic about being out in the middle of the desert with a dark sky, and you can just reach up and touch the stars. It’s amazing,” Rengers said. The finished product is a large, panoramic view of the sky. Rengers takes multiple shots with long exposures in order to capture the brightness of the stars. It can
take up to seven shots to complete the Milky Way, which requires Rengers to move the camera and account for the movement of the stars. “You have no idea what you really have until you get back home. There’s this anticipation of what’s on your memory card,” Rengers said. Being his own worst critic, Rengers is always striving to better his craft. He hopes to incorporate subjects into future photographs and have his work showcased in a gallery.
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Lifestyles
I N M Y C LO S E T
Anselmo Moreno Bringing the fedora trend to Bakersfield By Laura Liera
H
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
ats are fun accessories and if you can rock a fedora with men’s sport coats, you’ve pretty much earned the badge of ultimate swag. For Anselmo Moreno, 29, fedoras add a certain touch to his personal style. His fedora collection – 25 in total – come in different colors and patterns. From your conservative navy-blue-andwhite pattern to a red, white and black plaid look, the hats match Moreno’s casual, yet affordable business look. “I’m a cheapskate,” Moreno admits. The founder and principal of Innovative Credit Solutions grew up shopping at Mervyn’s, but since its closure many years ago, he’s now a Kohl’s and Kirkland brand – found at Costco – shopper. The President of the Twilight Rotary Club doesn’t sport a fedora every day but when he’s seen wearing one on Fridays, he’s definitely seen. “You get a lot of compliments when you wear a hat,” Moreno said. “People will notice you at a gas station and compliment you on your style.”
Hat Facts • The fedoras come from San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato, Mexico. • Moreno has had to explain to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that the bags of fedoras are for him and not to sell in the states. • Navy blue, chocolate brown and black are Moreno’s go-to colors. • Moreno’s wife is against the fedoras. • Moreno’s dad wears hats, including fedoras, and that’s where he picked up the style. • When he chooses his outfits, his watch must match his ensemble and fedora. • Moreno is a fan of watches. He currently owns 12 watches.
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Lifestyles
HOME AND GARDEN
Closet tips for the new year Find good uses for clothes you don’t want and remove the clutter
By Diana Greenlee
I
f you’re looking for a way to get your life in order, your closet is a good place to start. California Closets designer Sheri Eckard is an expert, having reworked several thousand closets over the past 16 years. She says people get emotionally attached to the outfits they see hanging in their closets every day – even when they don’t wear them. She advises folks to take a hardline stance on evaluating what they still need in their wardrobes.
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January 2016
“You have to separate what you have worn in the last year from what you have not,” she said. “It’s a yes or no.” Eckard says everyone has items that are special to him or her and you don’t have to give those away. Place them in boxes and put them on a shelf to free up your hanging space. “Take special items you haven’t worn in two or three years and put them away,” she said. “If you don’t miss them, it might be easier to get rid of them. You have to separate yourself from those items.” The designer says nice clothing
and business attire can be donated and refurbished, so she encourages folks to give them a new life by turning them over to an organization such as Dress for Success, which recycles gently used business clothes, distributing them to women who are entering or re-entering the workforce. “California Closets partners with Dress for Success,” she said. “They give women in need a week’s worth of business clothes to get them started in their careers.” Carley Willard, owner of Dust to Dazzle Cleaning Service agrees. With cold weather upon us, she says
©2016 CALIFORNIA CLOSET COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FRANCHISES INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
places such as the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter are great places to contribute items you no longer wear. She said they are occasionally asked to organize closets, but they find that closet cleaning is a very personal pursuit. “We don’t know what’s valuable to people,” she said. “But if you haven’t used it in the last six months, I’d say sell it or throw it away.” Eckard agrees. She says she sees people spend thousands of dollars on
containers, but they can’t find what they’re looking for because the items are stacked up. She said a second rod doubles closet space and allows for more visibility than containers. She also suggests increasing the shelving if possible. It comes down to asking the hard questions. “I’ve gone into closets and found wedding dresses still hanging years after the wedding,” she said. “When you have items hanging, it’s taking your space.”
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Go & Do
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
A day of family fun and entertainment ‘Disney Live!’ brings musical, interactive experience to Rabobank Theater By Hannah Thomasson
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f you’re looking for an event to take the whole family to, then the “Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic” might just be the perfect opportunity for some fun family bonding time. The one-day event comes to Rabobank Right: Mickey, Theater Jan. 8 and features two showtimes at Minnie, Goofy 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. and Donald Jennifer Maninger, the public relations mangather around ager for Feld Entertainment Inc., said: “The show a magic door. is very interactive and it’s musically driven, so it’s definitely geared toward keeping the attenBottom: Mickey tion span of a young child. Though, because of and friends the high production values, it’s very entertaining make magic all for parents and grandparents as well.” around. As the name suggests, this production centers on a magical doorway that connects viewers to the land where our favorite characters reside. Using special effects, lights and music, “Disney Live! Mickey and the audience will be taken Minnie’s Doorway to Magic” to a place Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. where creJan. 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ativity and Tickets start at $18 and are available for possibility purchase at the Rabobank box office via thrive as AXS.com, disneylive.com or by phone more than 25 888-929-7849. Disney characters come to life, including Aladdin, Snow White, Rapunzel, Genie, Cinderella, “Toy Story” characters and many more. The show opens with Tinker Bell making a special appearance to share magical words and movements with Mickey that will be used throughout the show. Mickey then shares these words and the movements with the audience so that they can be a part of creating the magic that they experience, Maninger said. “We incorporate magical illusions into the show to help tell the story,” Maninger said.
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At one point during the show, the Fairy Godmother appears on the stage to transform Cinderella from rags to ball gown right in front of the audience’s very eyes. The show is very interactive with singing, dancing and magic words that encourage viewers to get up out of their seats to participate. “Children don’t have to sit quietly; we want them responding to the interactive questions,” Maninger said. This is a great way to introduce young children to theatrical performances and to begin to peak their interest, Maninger said. With a big, high-color, high-energy finish, all characters come out on stage to sing and dance to a specially written song for this production called, “The Magic is Here.”
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF FELD ENTERTAINMENT
Go & Do
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
A day of wedding sights and sounds
THINKSTOCK.COM
Ultimate Bridal Event brings Hollywood luxury and sophistication to Marriott Convention Center
By Hannah Thomasson
Y
our wedding day is one of the most important and magical days you will ever plan in your life. It’s the day when two individuals decide to love each other forever with every friend and family member present to take part in their special day. On Sunday, Jan. 10, the Ultimate Bridal Event will offer brides and grooms a relaxing atmosphere where they can take time to enjoy planning their wedding. “I keep it very upscale for the modern and sophisticated bride,” Ann McCright, owner and producer of the event, said. “When the brides arrive, we want them to feel special and relaxed.” This year, the theme is Hollywood Gala with a rich and luxurious feel as harpists and violinists play during
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the event. “There will be lots of chandeliers, bling and ambiance,” McCright said. There will be more than 60 vendors present by invitation only, each one carefully chosen to give brides the best selection possible. “I take pleasure in inviting vendors that brides might not know about or think they might not be able to afford, because they usually can,” McCright said. For grooms, there will be a lounge where they can sit and watch a game, check scores and have refreshments. This year, instead of a fashion show, models will be dressed in wedding gowns and they will parade throughout the ballroom and through the hallways. “There will be strolling models throughout the show so brides can see the dresses up close and feel the
material,” McCright said. The event takes place at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for VIP guests and 4 p.m. for general admission. You can register and purchase tickets at the UltimateBridalEvent.com. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $35 for VIP. VIP may also bring a guest, McCright said. Those who register for the event are entered in a drawing to win a grand prize wedding and honeymoon package valued at $10,000.
Ultimate Bridal Event Jan. 10 801 Truxtun Ave. General admission: $15, VIP: $35 www.ultimatebridalevent.com
Go & Do
TRIP PLANNER
Big city, big fun Chicago a must-visit for architecture, food, shopping and sightseeing
THINKSTOCK.COM
If you’re a lover of skyscrapers, architecture and historic buildings, Chicago is a great place to visit. If you’re a foodie with an even more insatiable appetite for good shopping, then Chicago is an even better place to visit! I’ve heard lots of people refer to Chicago as their favorite city; it didn’t take much time in the Windy City for me to understand why it is so beloved.
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Facing page: Downtown skyline of Chicago. Above: The Bean sculpture is located at Millennium Park. Left: Chicago Theatre was built as a motion picture palace in 1921. It was restored in 1986 and now hosts a mix of entertainment.
By Cheryl Scott
W
hen work took me to Chicago recently, my husband, Darren, came along and we added a couple of days for exploring … time well spent! Even though it’s definitely a “big city,” visitors can still fully experience Chicago’s beauty and take in many of its wonders in just two or three days. We stayed near Michigan Avenue (“The Magnificent Mile”), which put us within walking distance of nearly 500 stores and 300 restaurants. Nearby Rush Street is another
fun place for an evening out, with bars and restaurants like long-time local favorite Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse or Lou Malnati’s (for your must-try Chicago-style deep-dish pizza). The hop-on, hop-off bus tour was a perfect way for us to see the city’s high points, letting us decide when to jump off and explore. The weather was dicey the day of our tour, so we stayed in the warm bus until we were enticed out into the wet, chilly weather. Be prepared for the unexpected in terms of weather; you’ll see more than one wind-blown, inside-out umbrella if you Continued to page 48
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Continued from page 47 Center top: The Navy Pier celebrates and showcases the vitality of Chicago and provides for the enjoyment of Chicagoarea residents and visitors year-round. Far right: Riverboat tour Center left: Shedd Aquarium Center right: Adler Planetarium Center bottom: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria offers Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Below: The Magnificent Mile is 13 blocks of stores, restaurants, hotels, entertainment and attractions lined with beautiful planters.
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travel in the late fall or winter! Even if the weather isn’t great, you’ll want to get close to massive Lake Michigan. When we were there, the waves were high and the beach could nearly have passed for oceanfront property. Chicago does love its parks. One of my favorite stops was Millennium Park, home to Cloud Gate, the huge, stainless steel sculpture affectionately known as “The Bean.” It’s a selfie lover’s dream and takes the idea of a fun-house mirror to a whole new dimension. Adults and kids alike flock to it! In addition to large gathering places like Millennium Park, the city is sprinkled with pocket parks that bring life to the streetscape. As a novice in architecture, I did a little “research” into the area’s building history by reading “Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson. The book describes the challenges faced by engineers and architects in the 19th century as they struggled to build structurally sound skyscrapers on the city’s swampy foundation. The marshy land was obviously conquered, and today, Chicago’s skyline is iconic. One of the best vantage points for enjoying the view (especially at night) is the Signature Room restaurant on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. Even the ladies’ room features floor-to-ceiling windows with a city view! A popular way to learn about, and enjoy, the city’s architecture is on a riverboat. Tour guides detail the history of buildings located along the river and it is a great opportunity to take interesting photos from unique angles. (It’s also a great way for a husband to enjoy the city while his wife is in meetings.) As much as we managed to squeeze in during our trip, we still left many stones unturned. The city has 275 museums (sports, natural history, art and more), plus the huge Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. We just couldn’t do it all. That’s OK. Now we have at least 275 reasons to plan our next Chicago vacation.
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Come see the benefits of Bakersfield’s only nonprofit continuing care retirement community. Call 1-866-588-6266 today. ExperienceRW.com Rosewood in Bakersfield, California, is owned and managed by ABHOW, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. ABHOW is a nonsectarian corporation, serving seniors through quality retirement housing since 1949. State of California License #150400536, DHS License #120000165, Certificate of Authority #203.
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F E AT U R E
Bakersfield H E A LT H & F I T N E S S E X P O
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
Something for the entire family
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Community health fairs are important. They provide a gathering place for the community, like a one-stop shop for all things related to health and fitness. – Shauna Rockwell
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Hannah Thomasson
H
ealth is an account that is constantly being drawn from. Every doctor’s appointment, exercise class and healthy meal is a deposit into one of the greatest investments one could ever make. If you’re taking a baby step or a leap into a new health-focused lifestyle, the seventh annual Bakersfield Health & Fitness Expo is the perfect event to help you take that step.
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January 2016
The free health-and-fitness-focused event returns to Rabobank Theater Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shauna Rockwell, specialty events and traffic manager for TBC Media, said, “The overall goal is to educate our community about their health and fitness options and help them lead healthier lives.” There will be more than 60 vendors, some offering free information and samples, others with items available to purchase. Each vendor offers something different while
sharing the common goal of health. Dignity Health will be providing free health screenings for adults. Interactive activities for both adults and kids will include hands only CPR and hot hula demonstrations; a kids’ corner sponsored by the Lauren Small Children’s Medical Center, featuring Dignity’s Kindness Express train; a live show with Ronald McDonald; and more. “Our goal is to stay engaged with our community. It’s an opportunity for us to interact with our patients and their families,” said Sandy Doucette, director of digital marketing for Dignity Health. There will also be a variety of
live demonstrations throughout the day that the public is encouraged to participate in. “Community health fairs are important,” Rockwell said. “They provide a gathering place for the community, like a one-stop shop for all things related to health and fitness.” The hope, Rockwell added, is for a visitor to walk away with information they can apply in their daily lives to continue to live a healthy lifestyle. TBC Media is hosting this event, in conjunction with Dignity Health, GEMCare, Omni Family Health, New Life Weight Loss Solutions and Almost Free Alterations as sponsors.
Bakersfield Health & Fitness Expo Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free
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FIT AND FRESH
Fueling before your workout Tips on foods that’ll keep you going strong Here are a few preworkout snacks to munch on before a moderate to intense workout, whether it’s at a gym or before an 8-mile hill run:
• One hard-boiled egg on half a plain whole-grain bagel.
• Small slice of toasted wholewheat bread, spread lightly with peanut butter, topped with a sliced banana. • Half a cup of oatmeal, half a cup of Greek yogurt with berries and sliced almonds.
• Have 8 fluid ounces of water with each snack. So remember, even though you may be tempted to skip the calories before a workout, don’t. Fuel correctly an hour before any training and you’ll maximize your gains.
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By Sally Baker
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efore you start running on the treadmill or start lifting in the weight room, it’s important to remember that fueling your body with the right food throughout the day will influence your workout. So what should you be eating before a workout? There is no simple answer because it depends on many factors – the individual person, the intensity of the workout, the length of the workout, the time of day and the availability of food. However, one important rule is to choose foods familiar to you – one’s you know your body tolerates well. Stay away from trying something new before a workout or big run. Although eating a heavy meal before your workout is not recommended, not eating at all is also frowned upon. Not eating before a workout may result in low blood sugar, which may make you feel slightly lightheaded or just weak due to fatigue. The goal is to maximize your energy before your potential workout, but do not overdo it. If you’re working out for an hour at the gym, regardless of its intensity, stay away from a big carb meal beforehand. Instead, think quality carbs, lean protein, heart healthy fats and fluids. And remember that energy means calories, so keep it light. For those early birds that are waking up at 5 a.m. and heading out for a 3-mile run or brisk walk, a glass of water should be just fine. Another tip to keep in mind is keeping a bag of al-
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January 2016
monds in a Ziploc bag nearby. If you feel you need a fast shot of protein, a handful of almonds is the easiest way to go. A dozen almonds in your shorts pockets may make the difference in the long run!
W H AT H A P P E N S W H E N …
Y O U ’ R E A LWA Y S W E L C O M E A T
Gables Residential Care Homes
You decide to detox What you need to know to do it right body dumps waste products: sweat, urine, bowel movements and respiration. n the quest to live a When a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, the regular exercise routine are imquestion will undoubtplemented, all four functions edly come up if it hasn’t work efficiently, regularly already: Should I detox? detoxing the body. Dr. Pamela Colby, a li“It’s definitely much more censed doctor of naturopathic of a lifestyle,” she added. medicine, gives Colby highly insight into what recommended the happens during a Whole30, a diet detox and how to that removes all do it safely. grains and “During a processed sugars detox, waste prodfor 30 days, while ucts are elimifocusing on vegnated from inside etables and prothe cell and then tein. are eliminated But if the from the body enWhole30 is too Dr. Pamela Colby tirely,” Colby said. radical for a first There are different ways to attempt, Colby said the first detox the body but Colby sugstep would be to add green, gested using caution and being leafy vegetables into a daily under the care of a physician diet, including beets as they whenever possible. cleanse the liver. “A common misconcepWhile detoxing, there may tion about detox is that you be some discomfort like a mild have to do harsh and intense headache, food cravings and things that push the body reirritability. ally hard, and that’s not the The good news is that these goal of detox,” the doctor said. symptoms are short-lived and According to Colby, the soon give way to the benefits of goal of detoxing is to get the detoxing: sleeping better, body to a healthy state so that having more energy, it can naturally detox on its experiencing better own and on a regular basis. digestion and even She gave four ways that the possible weight loss.
Hannah Thomasson
I
We chatted with Nature’s Food Market and Juice Bar owners Chuck and Wendy Naus on detoxing. Here are a few of the green vegetable juices they recommended people give a try on their quest to detox. • Reboot: made with cucumber, kale, spinach, celery, lemon, lime, green apple and ginger
• Rock-It-Fuel: made with apple, orange, lemon, kale, spinach, parsley, cilantro, ginger and turmeric • Carrot Veggie: made with carrot, spinach, celery, kale and beet
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Plank combination
WO R KO U T M OV ES
Quickie workouts at home By Leigh Pozas
G
et ready to workout this winter in the comfort of your own home! No more excuses with these super-effective exercises created by Leigh Pozas, owner and trainer at Total Woman. Like any other workout, remember to warm up for about five to 10 minutes prior to exercising.
Squat/Lunge Combo Targets larger muscles, legs and glutes (buttocks)
• Stand with feet about hip-width apart with weight
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of body on the heels and sit back as if sitting. • Rise up to standing position. • Step back with one leg, keeping hips tucked slightly under and drop the back leg down, creating a 90degree angle at the knee, with the heel rising on the back leg, trying not to rock forward. • Rise straight up, return to standing position. • Repeat squat, then lunge with opposite leg. • Do 10 reps. Make it harder: Add a dumbbell in each hand or place a bar across the shoulders – avoid compressing the neck.
Pushup Combination Targets entire body, including core, back, chest, arms, buttocks
• Start in plank, with body in a straight line from head to heels. • For tricep pushup combo, place the hands directly under the shoulders (your wrist, elbow and shoulders should be in a straight line).
Apps to get you going
Top: Pushup combination Left: Squat/lunge combo
Nike+ Training Club Free. This Nike fitness app features a collection of visual workouts, hosted by celebrity athletes like Serena Williams. It’s equally effective at home or at the gym. There are even monthlong-structured programs featured.
8fit Free. You’ve got a personal fitness trainer at the palm your hands. Get customized workout plans and healthy daily meals to get fit. 8lift features step-by-step instructions on exercise plans, foods to eat and avoid, and even full meal plans options.
Cody Free. With video-based training from the world’s top coaches, Cody offers everything in one app. From yoga, bodyweight movement, barre, weightlifting and more, there is something for everyone. Plus, there is a community designed to cheer on one another with likes, comments and hashtags.
Bodyweight Training $3.99. Get into the best shape of your life without stepping foot into a gym! Exercise at home using the body you have to build the body you want. There are quick workouts that you can schedule in as little as two minutes or no more than 36 minutes a day.
• Lower body down as far as form can be maintained, rise back up. • Walk hands out 3 to 4 inches on each side, lower body. • Arms should make a 90-degree angle at the bottom of pushup. • Rise back to original position, repeat tricep pushup. • Do 10 reps.
Plank Combination Targets core and helps with overall balance
• Begin with the standard plank position, keeping back straight and core tight. • Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. • Turn to one side and raise hips until body is straight from ankles to head. • Hold for 20 seconds. • Turn to standard plank position, then turn to other side and repeat. • Do two or five reps. Make it harder: Lift an arm or leg during the standard plank position.
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Rebounding from injuries How sometimes the fastest way of coming back is the slowest PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
THE FA S T L I F E
DEFYING THE ODDS
“
Where to run this month FOG RUN 5K, 10K Jan. 9 6299 Lake Ming Road ultrasignup.com
RIO BRAVO RUMBLE Jan. 16 Rio Bravo Ranch, 15701 Highway 178 active.com
GEEK STREAK 5K
Trainer Rafael Guijarro helps Haley Perry stretch and loosen up her hips. Stretching helps prevent injury.
Jan. 23 Shafter High School, 526 Mannel Ave., Shafter april_martinez@ke rnhigh.org
Hannah Thomasson
A RIVERBED RUNS THROUGH IT 5K, HALF MARATHON Jan. 30 The Park at River Walk, 11298 Stockdale Highway ultrasignup.com
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come back to exercising after a serious injury. “My No. 1 piece of advice would be to listen to your body,” he said. “If you have a physician or physical therapist, listen to them and stick to the plan.” Between owning a gym and being passionate about fitness, he was eager to get back as soon as possible. Guijarro took his physical therapy seriously, which allowed his therapist to challenge him without compromising his healing. “Go to Do a warmup of every appointment and do 50 percent of what you need what you think to do,” Guijarro you can do and said. At CrossFit see how your Frenzy, Guibody responds. jarro encourages his — Tim Terrio members to warm up, take their time and not push through a painful workout. Tim Terrio, president and founder of Terrio Physical Therapy and Fitness, shares similar advice, encouraging people coming back from an injury to give themselves enough time, taking slow and methodical steps toward healing. “Start back with less weight so you don’t re-injure yourself. … Do a warmup of 50 percent of what you think you can do and see how your body responds,” Terrio said. When coming back from an injury, Terrio said it’s important to exercise the entire body. Take care of the injured area but don’t neglect other areas of the body that aren’t injured and are still safe to exercise. “Do a couple light sets and stop even if you don’t have pain,” Terrio noted. “The inflammation doesn’t happen until after the workout, so you don’t notice it till a day or two later. ... If you’re sore the next day, then you’ve done too much.”
I
f what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, then every athlete who has ever come back from an injury is stronger, smarter and better for it. Rafael Guijarro, a certified trainer and co-owner of CrossFit Frenzy, was performing 24-inch box jumps while competing in the CrossFit games when he heard a loud pop. “I jumped and missed the box completely,” he said. “When I turned around, I noticed there was
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January 2016
something wrong with my foot and I couldn’t walk.” Little did he know he had completely torn his Achilles tendon. He ended up finishing with one leg and winning the event. Guijarro would later require surgery, six months of physical therapy and dedication to heal his injury. What’s uncommon of Guijarro’s injury is it healed in six months, while most recoveries take a year or more. Going through this experience, Guijarro learned what it’s like to
EXPERT CONNECT
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Top: Autumn’s Eve products Right: A selection of Gentlemen’s Select shave soaps by Autumn’s Eve. Facing page: Audrey Mattlin’s Handmade Natural Soaps
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YO U R B O DY
Winter skin 101 Fight the elements, combat dry skin By Laura Liera
Photos by Mark Nessia
B
rr! The shivering cold winter is back! But don’t let the cold beat your skin this season. Diana Wiley, esthetician at Essentiels Spa Et Beaute, said our skin needs a little extra TLC during the winter. She recommends switching to a more oil-based moisturizer rather than a water-based product. “The moment the weather changes and the heat in your car, home or work is turned on, your skin begins to dry out,” Wiley said. For those who already have dry skin, the winters can be even more brutal. Skin can feel tighter and can even begin to crack.
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January 2016
But the good news, according to Wiley, is that it’s easier to take care and treat dry skin rather than oily skin. A big part of keeping glowing skin during the frigid winter temperatures is exfoliating. Exfoliating removes old dead skin cells and speeds up cell renewal that allows for healthy skin glow. To increase moisture in the skin, a good soap that acts like a base is recommended.
Tips to winter-proof your skin
Ken and Audrey Mattlin, owners of Audrey Mattlin’s Handmade Natural Soaps found inside the East Hills Mall, have a plethora of organic soaps for almost every skin type. Their soap business started nearly two years ago after their grandchildren and other family members started experiencing extremely dry skin. “We played around with different mixtures until we found natural products that seemed to work,” Ken said. The soaps are made with three key ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil and organic shea butter. Cheryl Misener, the soap master behind
Autumn’s Eve Handmade Soaps, also advocates for natural products to be used on the skin. “But continue to drink lots of water in the winter,” she said. “Moisturizing from the inside out is essential to nourish your skin.” Misener recommends taking a bath twice a week with bath oils. As the body sits in the warm water, it will absorb the oils. And when you’re out and about this winter, don’t forget to use sunscreen, even if the sun is not shining. Just like in the summer, when you slather on sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping outside, the same rule applies to winterproof your skin.
1. Use a hydrating B-5 skin mask to bring moisture to the skin. 2. When you apply any kind of moisturizer or nighttime repair creams, don’t forget about your neck and upper chest area. 3. Avoid hot showers in the winter. Instead, keep the water tepid and moisturize immediately after you step out of the shower so that your skin cells can absorb the natural oils. 4. Ingredients for a DIY exfoliating scrub can be found in your kitchen cupboard. Use honey, olive oil and brown sugar to create the perfect face scrub. 5. Moisturize twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
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B Well
Nina Ha shares a moment with her maternal grandmother in the late 1990s.
LOV E A N D L I F E
A resolutionless resolution Help yourself by helping others instead By Nina Ha
“I
f I can help someone else and make their lives easier, then I’ve done my job.” Those are words my maternal grandmother told me more than two decades ago that I still think about to this day. As we welcome in a new year, I’m re-examining my approach to self-improvement. After years of making New Year’s resolutions, bucket lists and life goals, I came to the realization that no matter how much I had already done, there was always another obstacle to overcome or milestone to achieve looming just around the corner. It actually stressed me out year after year knowing there was a list somewhere, in my own handwriting,
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“
making promises I couldn’t keep. With every good intention, I vowed I would keep in touch with friends, exercise more, eat out less, read more, work on my hobbies, take more walks, etc. The lists went on and on. And, even as I checked off the items, I was never entirely content. Thinking back on my life, I’ve felt most useful and satisfied when I could help others. It’s when my life is more than just about me that I feel the most gratification. Whether it’s buying a hot
I believe God created us to love each other and help one another in this life.
”
cup of coffee for a stranger, offering a hot dog to a homeless man or working at a soup kitchen, I’ve discovered the most meaningful way to personal progress is through connecting with others. So this year, as a gift to myself and to those around me, I resolve to not make resolutions for myself and my life. I will live each day mindfully. I will slow down and notice people and their needs. I will take time to listen. I will make others a priority. Most importantly, as a way to honor my late grandmother and the legacy she passed on to my mother, my siblings, and me, I will volunteer. Dr. Suzanne Richards at the University of Exeter Medical School found that volunteering lowers depression and increases well-being. I believe God created us to love each other and help one another in this life. So if you’re like me and you’re struggling with what to write down for your New Year’s resolutions, just take my grandma’s advice. Go help someone. You’ll bless them with your time and you’ll help yourself in return. Opinions expressed in this column are those of Nina Ha. Nina Ha
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January 2016
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a wedding photographer’s guide to weddings Tips from The pros
icking the right photographer may be the most important decision a couple can make for their wedding. With so much going on throughout the day, details big and small are quickly relegated to memory where they risk fading away. A photograph is a timeless memento that allows couples to relive the day they said, “I do.” To help make the decisionmaking process easier, Bakersfield Life went to the source – those behind the lens. Continued on page 64
PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
BY MARK NESSIA
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January 2016
PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG
PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
tographer Ashley dePencier. “The more comfortable you feel, the more relaxed you will be and the better your images will turn out.” Ask to see an entire wedding gallery, not just a “highlight reel,” to ensure that the photographer is strong from start to finish and can adapt to any lighting situation. Also ask if the photographer has photographed a venue similar to yours in the past.
PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
ouples will spend more time with the photographer than anyone else during their wedding day, so it’s important to find not only a photographic style they love, but a personality they get along with as well. “It’s important to feel comfortable with and confident in your photographer,” said Bakersfield-based wedding and portrait pho-
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PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER
PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER
PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
For family group photos, a list of names is a must. Work with the photographer and both sets of parents to ensure the list contains everyone you want included, as well as those who cannot be in the same picture. Photos before sunset are also a must. Check the time the sun will set and be aware of daylight saving time. “It’s difficult to get many great photos if your ceremony is at 5 p.m. and the sun sets at 5:30 p.m.,” Frey said. Most importantly, don’t forget to smile.
PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER
A wedding is a day of pure emotion, full of reactions that pass in the blink of an eye. It’s the photographer’s job to freeze them in time so they may be revisited over and over again. “You can’t stage emotion,” said award-winning international photographer Jessica Frey. “Your photographer should be great at anticipating them on your wedding day.”
PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG
Details are the supporting cast of a wedding that helps tell the story, so it’s important that they are captured. To ensure everything runs on schedule, have your details gathered before the photographer arrives, from the wedding dress, both sets of rings, jewelry, shoes and any unique mementos you want incorporated into your photos.
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PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG
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our everyday lives, couples are now asking their guests to unplug during the ceremony. “This is a big one for me as I watch guests paying so much attention to their phones and iPads to get their photo, they miss out on being present for the ceremony,” Frey said. Photography is not limited to the day of the wedding, either. Bridal boudoir and morning-after sessions are also things to consider.
PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
some time alone. “It is such a special and intimate moment that I get to capture of the couple as they see each other for the first time alone and prepare each other for what’s to come,” said Patrick Ang, a Central Coast photographer who has photographed more than 250 weddings. Unplugged ceremonies are also gaining popularity. As technology continues to play a growing role in
PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG
PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER
Wedding trends change from year to year. The most important thing a couple can do on their wedding day is to be true to themselves. For those looking to change things up, a first look is a popular choice among photographers and couples alike. A first look allows the groom to see the bride before the ceremony in a private, intimate setting for photos and gives the couple
PHOTO BY PATRICK ANG
PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY
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Planning your big day! A wedding guide to keep you on track as you plan your perfect wedding
By Diana Greenlee
I
t takes a lot of work to make a wedding look effortless, but it’s a manageable task with proper planning, organization and cooperation. Colleen Bauer, founder and owner of Fairy Godmother, a wedding and event planning company, recommends using a systematic approach focusing on coordination, preparation and timing, along with a touch of magic, to a produce a flawless affair — and the sooner you get started the better. Here are some suggestions leading up to your special day:
One Year Set a wedding date, but be flexible. You may find the venue you’d like to use isn’t available on certain days. You’ll need to consider the size of your event and set time aside to visit locales. Event planners can tell you which locations are best suited for the type of occasion you’re organizing, but you’ll have to do some footwork to check them out in person. Start a wedding file and decide on a budget. Bauer says the average wedding costs 68
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January 2016
between $20,000 and $25,000, but she’s helped clients with as little as $5,000 tie the knot. This is the time when you may want to consider hiring a wedding planner because they can guide you through and partner with you to create a more flawless event. Bauer said some folks learn the value of their service the hard way. Put your wedding announcement in the newspaper, choose your wedding colors and start shopping for a wedding gown.
9 Months Select your bridal party and decide on the bridesmaids’ dresses. It’s advisable to order them together so they will come from the same die lot. You should also select your wedding officiate and caterer. Be sure to ask about deposits and refund policies. You’ll need to decide on either a band or a disc jockey and book a photographer or cinematographer early! Bauer says there aren’t many cinematographers in Bakersfield, and they go fast. “When the wedding is over,
you have photos and cinematography,” she said. “Cinematography is not videography – it tells the story of your day.” Begin compiling a guest list for your event, sign up for a gift registry and plan the engagement party.
6 Months Select a wedding cake and finalize the guest list. This is a good time to order invitations and thank-you cards. Make sure you have your wedding bands picked out and sized. A trip to the jewelry store is a venture best shared with your groom. Begin planning your honeymoon.
3 Months Prepare and send out your wedding invitations about eight
weeks before the ceremony. Be sure addresses and postage are accurate. Your wedding is fast approaching, so those lastminute details that may take some time need to happen now. Select your wedding music, get the alterations finished on your dress and plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon, rehearsal dinner or other get-togethers. Make sure all male participants have been fitted for their formal attire. Confirm your order with the florist and discuss the ceremony with your officiate, including your vows. Bauer says it’s a good idea to have everything done and arranged early, especially the little details. “If the wedding is in June, let’s act like it’s in May,” she said. And be sure to pick up the
guest book!
1 Month Choose wedding accessories, such as your shoes, a tiara or veil, and coordinate with your hairstylist so you know how your hair will look before the big day. Have the final fitting on your gown with your shoes on and visit a makeup artist. Get your legal information updated to reflect your new last name. Don’t forget your driver’s license, Social Security card, vehicle documents, bank accounts, passports and insurance policies. Apply for your marriage license. Design your wedding programs and send out invitations for the rehearsal dinner.
One week Follow up with guests who
didn’t respond to your invitation, do a final guest count to confirm with the caterer and pick up formal wear. Validate the reservations for the rehearsal dinner, then check rental, floral and other vendors, confirming time and totals, number of guests and costs. Get a manicure, pedicure and massage. Traditionally the groom’s bachelor party takes place this week. Bauer advises brides to remind their grooms to be on their best behavior!
Wedding day Be sure to eat that day. You have a thousand things going, but you’re in the homestretch. Get your hair and makeup done and prepare for candid photos to be taken with family. This is your day – enjoy it!
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January 2016
Ringing in the
new year around the world
Locals share their cultural traditions
By Laura Liera
H
appy New Year’s Eve! While many in the Western Hemisphere bring in the new year with a glass of champagne and a midnight kiss from a loved one, others have prepared days in advance for this annual event. We sat down with a few locals who shared their cultural traditions.
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India Different regions in India celebrate New Year’s during various times of the year. For Pankaj Patel, owner of the Downtown Deli Market, his family celebrated New Year’s near the end of October and early November in what is known as Diwali, an ancient Hindu festival whose date changes every year. During the five-day celebration, Hindus decorate their homes inside and out with lights. Patel said they even place lights on housetops, outside doors and windows. “It’s a spiritual festival filled with vibrant colors and lights,” Patel added. “It signifies victory of light over darkness.” All homes are cleaned a little extra during this
Facing page: Typical food served during Diwali, the Hindu new year celebrated in late October and early November.
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PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS
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Right: Dolmas, stuffed grape leaves, are an Armenian staple on New Year’s Eve. Facing page: The Filipino culture believes that money in the wallet and coins on the floor on New Year’s Eve mean fortune in the coming year.
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celebration and on the night of Diwali, Hindus dress up in new clothes and light candles. There is a time for prayer followed by visits to family homes that include music, food and prayer. “It’s a day of eating, family, faith, prosperity and love,” Patel said.
Armenia New Year’s Eve in Armenia is bigger than Christmas! Traditional Armenian food is cooked days in advance because there is so much that has to be done before the clock strikes midnight, said Tsoguik Broutian, a math teacher at North High School. At about 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, all furniture is moved aside to make room for all of the food and drinks. And don’t even think of closing your front door, Broutian said. “Your neighbors, friends and family will come and go throughout the entire night,” she said. Armenians make sure to wear a new outfit from head to toe, to symbolize the likelihood of receiving more garments during the year to follow. When the champagne glasses are clinked at exactly midnight, everyone wishes for peace and health, a tradition that has been happening for years, Tsoguik said.
Africa Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. In Bakersfield, there is an annual celebration at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center where locals can join in on the vibrant and educational event. This year marks their 25th anniversary and will happen Dec. 29 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the community center gymnasium. Bakari Sanyu, event coordinator, said the purpose of Kwanzaa is to provide a vehicle for African-Americans to express their African ancestry and cultural origins. The tradition celebrates seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility,
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
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Top: Roxanne Abilogu sings with the Oblinyanko Drum and Dance Ensemble for people attending the Kwanzaa celebration at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Bakersfield.
cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. On New Year’s Eve, there is what is called a Karamu Ya Imani, a feast that takes place with food, drumming, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performances, libations and educational African readings.
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Philippines If we’re talking about superstitions for the new year, the Philippines is doing it right! Jay-Ar Ignacio, son of the owner of L Philippine Cuisine restaurant, said the Filipino culture does a lot of preNew Year’s Eve tasks to reign in a prosperous new year. “We clean everything in the house,” Ignacio said. That means curtains washed, couches dusted, under-the-bed vacuuming, anything and everything must be spotless before Dec. 31 arrives. A clean home represents prosperity. When it comes to bringing in good fortune, Ignacio said Filipinos scatter coins inside the house, anywhere and everywhere — near the entrance of the home, by the kitchen refrigerator and even in the laundry room. But be sure not to scatter any coins outside because you don’t want your fortune to fade away. And while we’re on the subject of money, Ignacio said it’s vital that a person’s wallet is filled with cash. “Whatever you do that day until midnight is what you will expect to see the following year,” he said. Before the clock strikes midnight, a few family members will bang pots and pans inside the house to scare off bad fortunes and vibes.
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People & Community
B A K E R S F I E L D M AT T E R S
By Lisa Kimble
Oleta the impresario Bringing joy, beauty into the lives of others
T
PHOTO FROM GRANDEUR PRODUCTIONS
A sample of Oleta Collins’ work. Collins is a floral designer and event impresario.
here are some locally whose reputation precedes them, vaulting them into the “first name only” club – Robert (Moseley, the decorator), Don (Martin, the art gallery dealer), Pam (Viera, the custom stationer) to name a few. And then there is Oleta (Collins, floral designer and event impresario), who until a few years ago, was more closely associated with her over-thetop floral arrangements than the highend events she now orchestrates. For Collins, it all started with flowers. But today, she oversees an enterprise of event-related businesses and is sought after for her majestic vision in which her signature style — elegant, stately, grand, yet personal — is scrawled across each event, right down to the slightest detail. “We are the frosting on the cake,” said Collins, ever modest and low key. But those who have worked with her say she takes the cake. “Oleta is simply amazing,” said Delano farmer Gary Anich, whose daughter’s recent wedding extravaganza was coordinated by Collins. Forty-fouryear-old Collins was born in Bakersfield. She was just 12 when she began working in her aunt’s flower shop in Los Angeles. Over the years, she learned set staging and photography design and admittedly
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couldn’t learn enough. She was in charge of education for flower giant Teleflora and collaborated with celebrities and industry heavyweights on their business as well as private events, including adorning Arianna Huffington’s Christmas tree and working with Shaq (yes, THAT Shaq). When she moved back to Bakersfield in 2003, she was the first in town with the coveted American Institute of Floral Designers accreditation. She had also kept her flair for the dramatic, as well as her southland ties. She opened her flagship business, Flourishing Art, inside Noriega House the same year. Gradually, she was asked to oversee local events. “I would go to a rental company and ask for something, and time after time I was told it couldn’t be done or they would say no,” Collins recalled. Wrong thing to say to a woman like Oleta, who was a force to be reckoned with and who didn’t take “no” for an answer. Nothing was too small or offlimits, and the grander the better. “It is all the little things that matter,” she said. “The invitation is the first morsel. It has to have harmony that is carried all the way through the event.” Collins has passed the one-year mark with Grandeur Productions, which along with the floral business and a security company, are managed by Collins Ventures Inc. It was a logical next step as more and more locals and businesses tapped into Collins’ talent and capabilities. “To see the evolution here to more high-end social events has been exciting,” she said. For the Anich wedding, Collins brought in vintage pewter chargers,
cutlery and depression glassware. When her vision became reality, clients like mother of the bride Antonette Anich and guests were in awe. “Oleta is a brilliant artist and has an extraordinary talent for creating the unimaginable beautifully, but at the very same moment, she is very organized and always on task,” Antonette said. “This is my life, my heart, my passion,” Collins said with tears in her eyes. It is heartfelt. Three years ago, her vision took a sharp turn and her life interrupted itself with the diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer. It was aggressive, as was her treatment, which nearly killed her she says. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy. A year later, more cancer was discovered. Along the way, her husband, Kern County Fire Department spokesman Sean Collins, picked up the pace and purposely kept the business headaches from his sick wife. “My husband told everyone on the team that his wife was more important than the business and if the employees couldn’t make the operations work, he’d have to shut the door,” she remembered. “It was a very hard time.” A devout Catholic, she never lost faith as she mustered the will to live. Now her scans are clear, and with the unexpected detour, she sees her purpose clearly. Her brochure promises to make a client’s dreams come true, but it is Collins who is living the dream these days. “Being able to bring joy and beauty into the lives of others, it’s a gift,” Collins said through tears and a smile.
Lisa Kimble
Opinions expressed in this column are those of Lisa Kimble.
FA M I LY V E R D I C T
By Katy Raytis
You can sleep when you’re dead
W
hoever invented slumber parties should be shot… preferably with a water gun, at midnight, while 10 8-year-olds squeal nearby like shrieking dolphins. The dreaded slumber party. It’s one of the worst ideas of all time, rivaling the two other all-time worst ideas: the science fair and the rule that the bride’s family pays for the wedding. Every year, we have an annual slumber party circuit. I didn’t plan birthdays with slumber-party-recovery in mind. This means we end up with a two-week birthday span that includes no less than 21 kids spending the night. Good news: The children generally survive. Bad news: The house, yeah, not so much. Our most recent slumber party involved 13 kids aged 8 to 12. It was like hosting an EF5 tornado. We had crafts, food and prizes. If I was smart, I would have skipped the grocery run and sent them on a scavenger hunt. “OK kids. Team A needs a carton of eggs, a gallon of milk and some boneless chicken breasts. Team B needs a loaf of bread, a bag of cat food and
some Paul Mitchell daily use shampoo.” ing and pain. We were blessed with a I am reminded of a cartoon I once waterlogged little treasure, who looked saw that said: “My daughter wanted a more like a prizefighter than a baby ‘Cinderella’ party, so I let her invite all girl. She was a miracle. her friends over to clean the house.” And then we did it all twice more. We didn’t do a scavenger hunt, nor At the end of the miracle rainbow, did a team of Cinderella-ettes clean the we are rewarded annually with three house. birthdays, two dozen kids overnight Instead, a tornado blew from room and about 14 minutes of actual sleep to room destroying everything in its during each cherished celebration. path. I dodged water balloons, scraped And yet, much like childbirth, there glue off the dining room table, painted is an amnesia that kicks in the morning tiny fingernails with sparkly polish that after a slumber party. The pain, sufferwas immediately smeared on the ing and sleeplessness get eclipsed by couch and waited for the “slumber an overwhelming sense of joy when party highlight,” which occurs at 2 a.m. you look at the face of your little when one kid announces that she miracle. You might have had to wade wants to go home. through balloon bits, popcorn kernels It occurred to me that we may have and wrapping paper to find her in that the birthday celebration backward. I’m tangled bundle of sleeping bags and pretty sure I did all the work during the pillows, but I bet she will give you a birth part. Perhaps the “slumber party” smile that will make you think it was festivities should include some slumworth all the work. ber for the mother? Maybe slumber parties aren’t all But no one sleeps during a bad. But just for good slumber party. It should be called a measure, next year I nonslumber party. To be really am going to slip accurate, it should be called a nonsome Ambien in the slumber extreme home deice cream. makeover party. Opinions expressed Thirteen years ago, we experiin this column are those enced the miracle of childbirth. Katy Raytis of Katy Raytis. There was poking, prodding, push-
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People & Community
PERSONALITY
The mission she chose to accept
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ
Bakersfield Heart Hospital’s new president, CEO fulfills long-held dream
Michelle Oxford
By Diana Greenlee
M
ichelle Oxford is a woman with a mission. The 41-year-old executive was appointed president and CEO for the Bakersfield Heart Hospital last month. Oxford’s been serving as interim CEO and COO since August. She started with the Heart Hospital in 2012, serving as vice president of business development and support services and then VP of business development and operations, respectively. A Bakersfield native and South High grad with a glowing smile and warm demeanor, Oxford is the quintessential local girl who’s made good. Today, she oversees a staff of about 350 employees in what has come to be known as Bakersfield’s
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premier heart hospital. For Oxford, it is the fruition of a long-held dream. “I told myself I wanted to run a hospital,” she said. “It was a lofty goal.” This executive is driven. She graduated from CSUB with honors, earning a degree in psychology and then went to work as an underwriter and career track coordinator for State Farm. Four years later she took a position as a pharmaceutical sales representative for AstraZeneca. Oxford said she’d considered enrolling in law school, but finances thwarted her plans. Instead, she applied with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was admitted to its phase I training program. Then in 2008, she and her husband of 13 years, Scott, a Medtronic
consultant, were expecting their second child, and Oxford had an opportunity to move to Mercy and Memorial hospitals as a physician liaison. And then the letter came. The FBI advised Oxford she passed phase II of the selection process and was offered a conditional appointment as a special agent. She was ecstatic, but with a new baby coming, she said the timing wasn’t right. “Life just changed my story,” she said. “It was my proudest moment but haunts me the most.” The executive went on to pursue an MBA with Western Governors University and joined Bakersfield Heart Hospital in 2012. She spearheaded its Women’s Heart Center, the Center for Wound Healing, the Brain and Spine Center and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center.
Also her brainchild, BHH offers a $25 heart health checkup. She’s confident they save lives every day. “We have wives bringing their husbands in, some who’ve gotten a clean bill of health elsewhere, then they end up needing a quadruple bypass,” she said. “Heart disease is 80 percent preventable; we’re very proud of that program.” Registered nurse Laura Cunanan agrees with Oxford. She said Oxford is a visionary who puts patients’ needs first, and working with her is a delight. “She’s energetic and brings about a spirit of ‘can do,’” she said. “We are lucky to have her as our CEO. With her at the helm, we’re really going to flourish.” Oxford is enthusiastic about patient care; she puts in long hours but says there’s a need for patientfocused health care in Kern County. “I love the people, and I’m passionate about the work,” she said.
“It’s a tough job, but my mom and dad (Leroy and Alicia Cooper) instilled a strong work ethic.” Oxford’s mother disagreed. She said Oxford’s drive was “born in her.” She said her daughter’s a constant source of pride, but they were taken aback when they got the news about her promotion. “Words cannot express,” said Alicia. “We were over the moon. She’s the first one in the family to go to college, and she’s done this all herself. She’s just an amazing, driven person.” When Oxford’s not running the Heart Hospital, she is can be found sprinting on the bike path or track. The executive says she attends fitness classes a couple times a week and has participated in more than a few marathons, including the Los Angles and Sacramento marathons, and “the hardest marathon: Catalina,” she said. “My goal is the Boston
Marathon,” said Oxford. “When life settles down.” The president and CEO is also a soccer mom, and she’s their best cheerleader when her son Evan, 11, and daughter Kendall, 6, hit the field.
“
She’s energetic and brings about a spirit of ‘can do.’ We are lucky to have her as our CEO. With her at the helm, we’re really going to flourish. — Registered nurse Laura Cunanan
”
Oxford has kept the letter she received from the FBI framed, with a special place on a shelf in her office — a symbolic reminder of the mission she chose not to accept in exchange for a greater one. “But I’ve still got my street cred,” she said with a grin.
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FOR A CAUSE
PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS
People & Community
Four-year-old Davie Anna Carmona shares a moment with Catherine Anspach, Kern County community director for Make-AWish Foundation, before beginning a trip to Disneyland with her grandparents Maria and Martin Carmona. Davie has finished treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Wishes come true Make-A-Wish brings joy, strength to children fighting terminal illnesses By Paul Rivas
P
arents are never prepared when their child is diagnosed with a terminal illness. The nonprofit Make-A-Wish foundation stands by these parents to bring hope and laughter to them and their child suffering from lifethreatening medical conditions. The Bakersfield office is an extension of the central California chapter, which is located in Fresno. Catherine Anspach is the Kern County community director who relies heavily on volunteers to help grant wishes to children throughout Kern County.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
“We need people who are passionate about Make-A-Wish and that are interested in donating their time or resources,” Anspach said. For many children, a wish brings joy and strength that helps them carry on during their battle. Referring a child can be done by a medical professional, parents, legal guardians and family members who have detailed knowledge of the child’s current medical condition. “We are not reaching all the sick kids in our county,” said Anspach. “I’ve seen several pictures of kids on Facebook, and I think, ‘How come they’re not being referred?’” All wishes are granted without any regard to gender, race, ethnic
origin, financial status or religious preference. “Sickness and illness, it doesn’t matter who you are. Make-A-Wish is more than just about money, and as soon as someone is referred and approved, then they are on the list,” Anspach said. There are four categories that the wishes generally fall under: I wish to have, I wish to go, I wish to meet and I wish to be. Fourteenyear-old glioma patient, Isaac from Delano had his wish come true and got to meet NBA champion Dwyane Wade. Lydia, an 8-yearold lung disease patient from Bakersfield, got to spend a day at Disneyland.
It isn’t how many awards you win that’s important. It’s why you win them. AT BAKERSFIELD HEART HOSPITAL, winning awards is nothing new; we’ve been doing it since the day we opened our doors. But whether they are for excellence in medical care, patient safety or patient satisfaction, every award we win is really the result of only one thing – always striving to do our best for you. So when it comes to choosing award winning medical care, there’s really only one choice: Bakersfield Heart Hospital.
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People & Community
H O M E TOW N H E R O
Top: Sgt. Joshua Dhanens, interpreter Jawdat, Ken Carlson, Iraqi Police Major Ali and Chris Davis. Bottom: Baqubah, Iraq tour 2003. Facing page: Dhanens as a private at the Fort Huachuca main gate in 1997.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSHUA DHANENS
Sgt. Joshua Dhanens Army sergeant a part of something bigger By Gabriel Ramirez
S
gt. Joshua Michael Dhanens will admit that his reason for joining the Army wasn’t necessarily patriotic but, nevertheless, he now believes service, whether military or civil, is extremely important. The 37-year-old works for the county Veterans Service Department but he recalls his path that led him into military service and how it made him who he is. “While it does not lend itself to being a heartfelt or patriot start, I think my enlistment in the military is more representative of why people enlisted prior to 9/11,” Dhanens said. “I was a high school senior who was not ready to go to college and I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. So, when some recruiters came to my high school to administer the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), I decided to give it a shot.” Shortly after, Dhanens met with the Army, Marine Corps and Navy and after talking with his mom, he decided to enlist in the Army in 1996 after graduating from Clovis West High School in Fresno. “My family was extremely supportive. Both of my grandfathers served in the military, and one of my maternal uncles was currently serving in the U.S. Air Force when I enlisted,” Dhanens said. “My mother’s father was extremely active in both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Porterville, so I grew up surrounded by people who were very supportive of the military. Of course, my family was also worried.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were still fresh in their minds, having ended five years earlier. But with any life-changing decision, there is always excitement tempered with a touch of concern.” Dhanens served for five years in active duty and just under four years in the California Army National Guard. During his time in the service, he served in the Military Police Corps where his duties consisted of law enforcement while performing garrison duty. “The combat mission of an MP is much more diverse. Additionally, being an MP allowed me to be trained and work as a member of both the Fort Huachuca Special
Reaction Team and the personal security detail for the commander of the NATO-led stabilization forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Dhanens said. “The service gave me the direction, discipline and drive I needed to be successful in my educational and professional endeavors. It also gave me the confidence to be willing to try new things and not be held back by fear of failure or the unknown.” Through his travels, he also learned that, while cultural differences will always exist, people, first and foremost, are human beings with families, friends and goals for the future. “Despite our differences, we need to recognize and celebrate the
things we have in common,” Dhanens said. “Despite why anyone decides to put on the uniform, the reason people serve quickly becomes the people to their left and right. When my unit lost a member of our family in Iraq, we made sure we would never forget his sacrifice or his service.” Dhanens said that service is extremely important for today’s youth. “Not only will it give people a chance to experience a wide range of potential career fields, it will also allow them to see themselves as part of something bigger,” Dhanens said. “Our local communities, states and our country provide so much for us that often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. Working with others in either the military or through civil service, allows people to give back to their community, state or country and changes the focus from the individual to society as a whole.”
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People & Community
A L L- S TA R AT H L E T E
Silver-and-black pride
Right: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr drops back to pass. Facing page: Derek Carr pauses for a moment prior to a live ESPN interview following his selection by the Oakland Raiders.
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PHOTO BY KYLE TERADA-USA TODAY SPORTS
Derek Carr continues to make a name for himself in sophomore campaign
By Zach Ewing
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aiders quarterback Derek Carr exited the locker room at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland after a recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was beaten, battered and defeated after a miserable fourth quarter that included three interceptions, but Carr also was ready to accept responsibility. “I was pretty ticked off, got pretty upset,” said Carr, a Bakersfield product who wore a red dress shirt and jeans underneath a
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
black jacket. “It’s tough. It’s really hard to win in this league.” Carr, who threw two touchdown passes to stake Oakland to a lead after three quarters before his disastrous finish, still is learning on the job in his second year as the Raiders starter.
“Oh, absolutely, during wins and hard losses, I’m going to be learning till I’m done in the NFL,” Carr said. “If that ever stops happening, I need to quit, because then I think too much of myself. I will never stop learning.” That’s a potentially scary thought for the rest
of the league. Carr, who graduated early from Bakersfield Christian in December 2008, is already one of the NFL’s brightest young stars – he’s just the fifth quarterback in league history to pass for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
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PHOTO BY NICK ELLIS
pletions (1,086), completion percentage (66.6 percent) and passing touchdowns (113). None of those categories even have a close second.
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“The Raiders are fortunate to have him,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Carr starring for a California team is a plot twist made for Disney. He was born in Fresno, grew up in Bakersfield and then moved to the Houston area in 2002, when the Houston Texans selected his brother David with the first pick in that year’s NFL Draft. Derek became a star, attending Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, but before his senior season, the family decided to move back to the Central Valley. David had attended Stockdale, but at the time, the Mustangs were using a runheavy wing-t offensive scheme. Derek enrolled at nearby Bakersfield Christian and immediately became a star, throwing for 4,067 yards and 46 touchdowns to put his name all over the Central Section’s record book. It was the same story at Fresno State, where Derek won a Mountain West Conference championship as a senior. He has the top three passing seasons in Bulldogs history and holds career school records in passing yards (12,842), com-
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From there, it was on to Oakland. Derek earned the starting quarterback job before his rookie season, and though the Raiders struggled to a 3-13 mark last year, he made a name for himself. This season, the Raiders started 5-7 and are still in longshot contention for a playoff berth. It would be their first since they lost Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. Even if they don’t get to the postseason this year, the future appears bright for both Carr and the organization that has grown to love him.
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People & Community
This is an artist's rendering of a retail center to be built along California Avenue west of Highway 99. The site was formerly ThreeWay Chevrolet Co. property. Blaze Pizza will be joined by Starbucks and a national yogurt franchise. The list of tenants also includes Corner Bakery, The Habit and a Verizon store.
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California dreamin’ New center brings cutting edge, fresh retail concepts to California Avenue By Gabriel Ramirez
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f you drive down California Avenue west of the 99 then you’ve probably been wondering, “What’s going in that shopping center?” The location, once home to a car dealership, now will host a few different businesses and eateries. The 10-acre California Pavilion, located at the corner of California Avenue and Easton Drive, will be home to Corner Bakery, which sells breakfast, salads, sandwiches, pastas and soups similar to Panera Bread; The Habit Burger Grill, which specializes in burgers and sandwiches along with fries, malts and milkshakes; Verizon Wireless; Blaze Pizza, which is an assembly line create your own pizza like PizzaRev and Boss Pizza Company; and a much-needed Starbucks. According to Scott A. Underhill, partner with Newmark Grubb/ASU & Associates, more soft goods retail will follow in a later phase. “Phase I includes the outparcels that have now been constructed fronting California Avenue and one additional building along Easton Drive,” Underhill said. “Phase II will include the larger box tenants.”
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
Underhill said these larger box tenants will include retailers like the ones found in the Northwest Promenade and Gosford Village. Phase II is scheduled to begin construction in the middle of 2016. “We pick who goes in the location based on market conditions and tenants actively seeking locations in Bakersfield. That is what usually decides the direction of a retail project,” said Underhill. “We hope to continue to bring cutting edge, fresh retail concepts to the center and to Bakersfield.” Starbucks and The Habit are already open. Verizon, Blaze Pizza and Corner Bakery will open the first of the new year.
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People & Community
O U R TOW N
A bright, colorful future
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Colorblind third-grader sees color for the first time
Eight-year-old Raymond Jones reacts after putting on a pair of EnChroma glasses that he won in a nationwide contest.
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By Laura Liera
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he experience of seeing in color is not one that people spend much time thinking about. But for local 8-year-old Raymond Jones, color has been a yearning his entire life. “Being colorblind makes me feel like I’m being left out all the time,” Raymond said as he stared somberly at a balloon arrangement in his living room. For those who are red-green colorblind, like Raymond, colors appear brown, gray and washed out.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
But on Nov. 19, it was like someone switched on the color light for Raymond. The EnChroma eyewear that allowed him to see the different shades of green on the trees around his neighborhood was won through a nationwide video contest put on by EnChroma and The Clorox Company. In September, Clorox 2 gifted $10,000 to EnChroma – a company whose mission is to bring color to the colorblind – to distribute as much eyewear to schoolchildren as needed. Janet Miller, Bakersfield local and
EnChroma’s director of internal communications, said only 11 states across the country test for colorblindness in public schools, California being one of them. “EnChroma matched Clorox’s donation because it’s important to offer EnChroma eyewear to as many colorblind children as possible; that’s
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Raymond Jones looks at a San Francisco 49ers shirt held by his mom, Ashley, with his EnChroma glasses.
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Raymond said as he tossed the ball up in the air. “It’s like I entered a rainbow.” Like a detective walking around his front yard, taking in all of the shades of colors, Raymond let his mom know they’d have to go back to Disneyland soon, a place he said he definitely missed out on. As he looked toward his neighbor’s home, he noticed the U.S. flag and immediately said, “Wait, that’s what it really looks like.” According to EnChroma, red-green colorblindness affects one in 12 men and one in 200 women and there are an estimated 300 million people in the world with color vision deficiency. Although EnChroma eye-
medical aesthetics
our initiative,” Miller said. For Raymond, having the ability to see the red, green, orange, purple, yellow, pink and blue balloons all at once left him speechless. As he enthusiastically named the colors that surrounded him – like the orange on his shirt that he always thought was red – his mother, Ashley, videotaped the life-changing moment as tears ran down her face. “It’s overwhelming in a good way,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking because it’s his sight but now he can see what we all see.” Before the glasses arrived, Raymond said he would dream of the day he could see color. Sometimes at school, he’d get sad that he couldn’t see the colors in crayon boxes, although he learned their names. “At school, it feels depressing,” Raymond said. “I wish I wasn’t colorblind.” But little did he know the EnChroma glasses were on their way to his doorstep, hand-delivered by Miller. Once he put the sturdy kids-style glasses on, there was no taking them off. He played catch with a rainbow ball with his 7-yearold sister Abbie and was mesmerized every time the ball spun. “This is life changing,”
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People & Community
Share the road Gina Moore is a driver for both Uber and Lyft in Bakersfield.
Ridesharing gains traction in Bakersfield By Tyler Stevens
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s people prepare for their New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve gatherings and other special events, many of them may be tapping into ridesharing as a safe way to get to their destinations and back home. The ridesharing trend is gaining traction locally, and its popularity has greenlighted an opportunity for a number of Bakersfield locals to make extra income by serving as drivers, using their own vehicles and working for a rideshare company. Unlike the traditional taxi model, where people make a call for a ride, rideshare passengers find transportation by requesting rides via a smartphone app. Individuals use their preferred ridesharing app to pinpoint their current location when they need a ride, and in minutes, a driver picks them up and takes them to their destination. Two of the most common, Uber and Lyft, have a
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January 2016
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some of us; it means more to us,” Moore said. “We’re able to pick people up and drive them home safely.” Ernesto Gomez is also a rideshare driver who balances his workweek by driving a school bus and working for Energy 95.3 as a radio DJ. “You meet new people, hear their stories and their backgrounds,” Gomez said. “You have to be a people person for this type of job.” Cody Bossaert said he relies regularly on ridesharing when making plans with friends. It allows him to relax and know that he will get home safely. “Rideshare has changed the game,” Bossaert said. “You no longer have to worry about having too much fun or how you’re going to get home or who’s driving or how long a taxi will take. With just a few clicks, a safe and reliable car will pick you up in minutes and take you anywhere you need to go.”
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presence in Bakersfield. “I like it because it is cheaper than a taxi with a faster response time,” said Allison Homestead, a 27-year-old executive recruiter for Act-1 in Bakersfield. “I don’t use it by myself, but I’ll go with my boyfriend when we go downtown or out for drinks.” Some local rideshare drivers choose to drive for both Uber and Lyft because it allows them access to more passengers. Drivers are allowed to sign on and sign off when they choose to, offering flexibility for individuals who have other obligations throughout the day. Local rideshare driver Gina Moore works a few days a week in the evening and all weekend providing rides for passengers all around Bakersfield. Moore has a regular fulltime job as well as a family. She is able to sign on and drive for an hour, then sign off to go spend time with her family. “This isn’t just a job for
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People & Community
WHY I LIVE HERE
Where there’s a will, there’s a way Martial arts instructor teaches students to be great in their everyday lives
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By Paul Rivas
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artial arts are about survival and preparing yourself to handle any situation. Shihan Ty McGuire is a Kemp Kwon Do 1996 Las Vegas international tournament champion who uses his spiritual intuition to understand his students and teach them to be great in their everyday lives. “As a teacher you have to know what you’re dealing with. You gotta learn how to read students and push them and give them a break,” McGuire said. He was raised in Akron, Ohio, and was inspired by watching Bruce Lee movies to one day be a master of martial arts. Growing up, he lived by his mom, Dorothy McGuire’s, divine motto: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” After graduating from Fresno State in 1986 with a degree in criminology, he opened his first dojo and taught martial arts until 1993. He arrived in Bakersfield in 1996 and began working at the Delano prison as a SWAT team officer. During that time, he developed a fondness for the city, a feeling that would last even after he moved to Los Angeles in 1999 because of a promotion in the correctional field.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ
Shihan Ty McGuire poses for a portrait inside of his training center, McGuire’s Karate.
“Bakersfield is a great place because the people here are closer to each other. I have lived here less time than in LA, and I’ve made more friends here,” said McGuire. After he retired in 2006, he moved back to Bakersfield and worked as a security officer at places such as the Valley Plaza Mall and Willows Apartment complex. “Bakersfield is better for raising a family. You can maintain more discipline in Bakersfield without all the LA distractions. Bakersfield has grown a lot, and it’s a great city to start a business,” McGuire said.
In March 2015, he opened McGuire’s Karate on 3401 Pacheco Road, where he teaches many forms of self-defense, such as kickboxing, Kemp Kwon Do and anti-bullying classes for children. McGuire’s proudest Bakersfield moment is when he took six students to compete in a karate tournament in Fresno and was successful. “They all took first place,” McGuire said. “I took them with only 30 days of training, and I was gambling with that one because if they would’ve lost, I would’ve lost my students.”
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People & Community
Owner Tom Maxwell, brewmaster Mike Lahti and owner Don Bynum.
Cheers! Local brewery is something to celebrate By Holly Bikakis
Photos by Mark Nessia
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f you haven’t been to Temblor Brewing Company on Buck Owens Boulevard, it’s something special. It has an urban loft feel, yet is cozy and inviting. It’s got the big screen TVs, board games to play, a full-bodied pub menu to choose from for lunch and dinner, and entertainment, from bands to comedians and, yes, even a “Star Wars” trivia night. The best part: They make beer and lots of it.
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I N S I D E STO RY
Owners Don Bynum, Tom Maxwell and Derek Miller have created a place in the streets of Bakersfield that has its own vibe. The names of their beers are music themed in three categories: headliners, side projects and one-hit wonders. We were lucky enough to go behind-the-scenes and see how their beer is made. Our first stop was a one-hit wonder, which was a small batch of a hard apple cider. It smelled like hot pumpkin pie. Next, was the keg cleaning station. “Cleanliness in brewing beer cannot be overstated enough,” said Maxwell. After each keg and vat is used, they are thoroughly cleansed, keeping their handcrafted beers as clean and pure as they can be. Barley is the key ingredient to
making beer. They have more than 30 different types of barley, rye and wheat to choose from. Like any recipe you make at home, it’s all how it’s put together. Once the barley has been milled, it goes through a multistep process from the mash tun, to the boil kettle, to the wort, to the fermeter, through the centrifuge and finally into the brite tank. Each step of this process is carefully managed by brewmaster Mike Lahti, who has more than 12 years of experience. It is obvious when you walk through the beer making area that he takes pride in his work and the place is spotless. To truly appreciate this homegrown brewery, tours will soon be offered on Saturdays. It has all the elements of a great place to hang out and make every day something to celebrate.
Top left: The brewing process starts at 6 a.m. every day at Temblor Brewing Company. Brewmaster Mike Lahti is preparing a batch of hard apple cider. Middle left: Temblor has four fermenters – two 6-gallon and two 12-gallon tanks. Ales on average take 12-15 days to ferment while lagers take up to six weeks. Bottom left: The centrifuge spins the beer at high speeds to filter the impurities out. Bottom right: Kegs are used on tap at the brewery and sent out to local restaurants. Top right: Chalkboard with the day’s beer selections.
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People & Community
POWER COUPLE
Greg and Aimee Williamson
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
A well-balanced relationship
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January 2016
By Ellen Ewing
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or Greg and Aimee Williamson, balancing work and home life is a particular challenge. Greg is the Bakersfield chief of police and Aimee is the principal at North Beardsley Elementary School. With such demanding and influential careers, it takes a concerted effort to make time for each other. “At home, I’m old-fashioned,” Aimee said. “I have the calendar on the side of the refrigerator, and usually on Sunday, we’ll say, ‘Okay, what’s your week this week?’ so I know what nights I need to cook dinner, who’s going to be home at what time. I’m usually coordinating nighttime.” “I have a lot of outside commitments. Aimee has more social responsibilities, but we do different stuff in charitable organizations like the rotary and PAL (Police Activities League),” added her husband. Chief Williamson said he is often busy in the community and at work. He receives many requests for the Bakersfield Police Department to participate in various community events, charities, meetings, coalitions, etc. “That’s why I have a great staff with the assistant chief and the captains,” Greg said. “We try not to juggle; we try to keep that balance. I don’t know if a ball should ever be in the air.” Aimee said she is understanding of their filled schedules and family, work and community commitments. “What I think makes it work,” Aimee said, “is we’re just a good combination where he’s calm and easy-going, and I’m the high-strung one. So I think we’re a really good balance that makes for a good relationship at home and at work.” To help that balance from getting “out of whack,” as Greg puts it, sometimes it’s easier to invite others to contribute their time and effort to charities. Every year, Greg’s rotary club buys Thanksgiving baskets for children living in Oildale.
“I sent an email to three or four police groups, and at 6:30 on Wednesday morning, the day before Thanksgiving, over 100 police employees were there to assist,” Greg said. “Those are the types of things, by being in the position I am and being attentive to all these things, I can gather all these people around and rally the troops.” One of his favorite charities is PAL, but Greg and Aimee volunteer with and contribute to several charities in the community, including the North Bakersfield Rotary and CARE (Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment). “One of the Kiwanis groups in town is doing a shopping spree for some kids at Standard and some kids at Beardsley,” Aimee said. “So Greg will come with me at 6:30 in the morning and go on the school bus with 20 kids from our district – K-6. It’s one of the things I love to do, to see the smile on those kids. They get to pick out whatever they want at Target, and they can pick out one toy. To let them buy things for themselves is great.” Greg and Aimee’s 25th anniversary is in May. They met under unusual circumstances. “At the time, I was in high school and I had someone who was bugging me,” Aimee said. “My friend’s older brother was friends with Greg. And so Greg told him to back off and leave me alone.” “I was her knight in shining armor!” Greg said. A couple of years after that, they began dating. They started donating and volunteering in the community when they had their own children, Beau and Bryn. “Having the kids and being involved in their things and then outside of our marriage, the friends we had locally and then my parents are very supportive,” Greg said. “There are a lot of things to keep us involved in the community, and it basically started with the kids. Beau is 23 and a police officer now, and Bryn is a junior at Fullerton on an athletic scholarship as a pole-vaulter.”
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H I STO RY
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY MUSEUM USED BY PERMISSION
People & Community
Top: All the king’s men try to put Humpty Dumpty together again along Colorado Boulevard on Jan. 1, 1949. Right: First prize, 1890 Rose Parade. Facing page: The “Pages of American History” float, Jan. 2, 1950.
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Coming up roses Fine local displays float along the streets of Pasadena By Julie Plata
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ew Year’s Day is welcomed with resolutions, college bowl games and white sales, but the Tournament of Roses brings together millions worldwide as they tune in to watch colorful floats roll down the streets of Pasadena. The first Rose Parade occurred on Jan. 1, 1890, when members of Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club wanted to showcase Southern California’s mild winters. The parade started as a colorful display of flowers adorning horse-drawn carriages. Over the years, as carriages gave way to motorized floats, people from
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
all over the country traveled to sunny California to escape harsher winters and enjoy the parade in person. Since its inception, the parade has faithfully delighted spectators on New Year’s Day, even through two World Wars. The 60th annual Tournament of Roses in 1949 was particularly special to the residents of Bakersfield and Kern County. In the Nov. 11, 1948, Bakersfield Californian, Harold Witham, president of the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, announced the city and county’s inaugural joint entry into the Rose Parade. Keeping with the parade’s theme of “Childhood Memories,” the float featured a scene from Humpty
Dumpty. As all the king’s men, portrayed by East Bakersfield High School students Carolyn Krausse, Jeannie Fletcher, Carmen Andrade, Virginia Zachery, Mary Jean Wilkinson and Jeannette Waggoner, tried to put Humpty together again, the float was pulled along Colorado Boulevard by a team of black Clydesdales from the Coberly-West Company of Shafter. According to a Nov. 22 Bakersfield Californian article, the Clydesdales
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY MUSEUM USED BY PERMISSION
some 70 floats,” but Miss Zachery’s theme “edged out Huntington Park’s entry for first-place honors.” Two years after entering its first float, Bakersfield and Kern County earned one of the Rose Parade’s highest honors, the Governor’s Trophy, at the 62nd Tournament of Roses in 1951. The float that best depicts life in California is bestowed with this honor and the winning float, “Gold Rush,” described in the Dec. 30, 1950, Californian as “probably the most beautiful ever entered from this area,” featured a blue stream, yellow beach and a rainbow ending in a pot of gold. Four students from East Bakersfield High School – N.T. Wallis, Herbert Hull, Charles Hill and Don McPherson – were selected to ride on the float and portrayed prospectors panning for gold as the float traveled the Pasadena streets. Under the direction of Wesley Moore, the award-winning Driller band proudly led the float as the musicians, according to the Jan. 2, 1951, Californian, “strutted its stuff in a diamond formation and later an effective waltz step.” The following year, “Her First Formal,” featuring Marjorie Trammel, Peggy Hedge and Adrienne Johnson, secured a final division win for Bakersfield and Kern County. The city and county’s participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade ended after the 1952 event, but the joint venture demonstrated the spirit of cooperation and fulfilled the chamber of commerce’s goal of national publicity for the community and local businesses.
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were “descended from breeds traced back to the stables of King Henry VII.” The hard work of float committee Chairman Francis Gage, Dick Leask, Charlotte Dougherty and more than 50 Bakersfield businessmen paid off as the Californian’s Jan. 1, 1949, headline proclaimed, “Bakersfield Rose Float Wins Prize.” Humpty Dumpty triumphed in the category for cities with a population between 20,000 and 50,000. The paper further reported, “Tis rumored, however, he almost cracked beyond repair when the results of the judging were announced.” The Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce once again announced plans to participate in the 1950 Rose Parade. Grammar school, high school and junior college students were invited to submit suggestions for the float keeping with the parade’s overall theme of “Our American Heritage.” The prize for the winning entry, awarded to Virginia Zachery, a Bakersfield College student, included a $25 war bond and two tickets to the Rose Bowl game and parade. As Bakersfield’s “Pages of American History” float moved along the parade route, Jeffrey Page, Pamela Morris and Susie Renz read history books up front while six East Bakersfield High School students – Clarence Clark, Charles Claggett, Gordon Gardiner, Jack Schuetz, Eddie Wright and Clyde Barbeau – portrayed the nation’s founding fathers and the “Spirit of ’76.” According to the Jan. 2, 1950, Bakersfield Californian, “Bakersfield’s entry competed with
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People & Community
REAL PEOPLE
From the farm to the field
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ
Volunteer coach impacts youths’ lives, helps them reach their full potential
Derek Fugitt is a volunteer varsity hitting coach at Independence High School. He has set up a batting cage on his farm.
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By Tyler Stevens
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hen training for high school baseball is in full swing, Derek Fugitt has his hands full. After Fugitt finishes his workday at his family’s farm, he heads out to Independence High School where he volunteers as an assistant hitting coach for the varsity baseball team. The 29-year-old usually arrives at the field around 3 p.m. and meets with the team’s coaches as they develop a game plan for that day’s practice. Fugitt loves baseball and although his worklife is spent on the family farm, he volunteers his hours at the school so he can pass on the love of his sport to student baseball players. A volunteer for four years, it’s important for Fugitt to “be able to mentor the kids with both baseball and their personal lives and seeing them successful both and off the field.” As part of his efforts, Fugitt built a batting cage named The Toolshed,
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
where he gives private lessons and, in between these lessons, welcomes the team to practice their hitting. The Stockdale High School graduate played college baseball at Westmont in Santa Barbara before returning back home to work in the family-run business. Volunteering for the baseball team happened by chance. As he was spraying weeds on one of the family’s farm fields one day, he noticed a few people repairing fences and hanging up nets at Independence’s baseball field. He drove his tractor over there and asked one of the coaches if they needed some help. They said yes and he’s been with the team ever since. Fugitt helps in a variety of duties, including defensive drills and coaching the players on hitting and base running – in many cases, on a oneon-one basis. “In order to unlock the full potential of the team, I develop each player’s natural talent, as opposed to
teaching one specific style to every player,” he said. Seeing students succeed both on and off the field and seeing the happy families is a fulfillment for Fugitt.
“
In order to unlock the full potential of the team, I develop each player’s natural talent, as opposed to teaching one specific style to every player. — Derek Fugitt
”
“Coaching can be a thankless job at times, but the way I receive thanks is through the results of the kids’ performances and the smiles on the parents’ faces,” he said. “I volunteer because I enjoy the game of baseball and it’s an opportunity to make an impact on young people’s lives.”
PRIME FINDS
Paint your New Year's resolution! Color Me Mine wants you to achieve your goals for 2016! Paint your resolution on a mug and use it every day to remind yourself of your progress! Visit the studio New Year's Eve or New Year's Day to get a free mug (with purchase of a $20 item) to paint your resolution for 2016! Color Me Mine at the Marketplace, 664-7366 or bakersfield.colormemine.com.
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The beauty of your home captured on canvas Local painter Charlotte White would make a forever addition to your home or office. Call Charlotte at 300-2676 for your personal consultation.
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Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Appetite for Sight Date: Oct. 19 Held at Seven Oaks Country Club Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Maureen and Joe Wells, Don and Earlene Barnes and Andy and Alice Reis
Michelle Kinder, Nancy Gordon and Courtney and Janice Pearson
Tom and Pat King and Allen and Susan Cavanagh
Hitomi and Robert Mehciz
Peter and Myra Bajwa
Mary Kay Atchison and Brooke Oscarson
Barry and Michelle Zoeller
Lauren Skidmore and Jean Scheiber
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Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation Fall Forum Luncheon Angela Barton and David Wolf
Darrin Stacey and Darrell Stapley
Jed McLaughlin, Marty Williamson and Ron Strand
Cristi Jessee, Dennis Grostrom and Tracy Peoples
Date: Nov. 12 Held at Stockdale Country Club Photos by Rod Thornburg View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Charles Brady, Pete Aranda, Darrell Harris and Bruce Rasmussen
Jon Busby and Donny Youngblood
Tim McLanson, Jim Clark and Larry McCurtain
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Endowing Future Leaders, CSUB Coyote Club Date: Nov. 19 Held at Home of Kevin and Tuesdy Small Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Tricia and Glenn Bland
Vernon and Janis Varner
Kevin Burton, Lisa and Tony Lazzerini Michael Herrera, Lorenzo De La Riva, Jacob Thalin and Steven Wood
Stephen Neal, Coby Wright and Andy Varner
Christy Hornbuckle and Amanda Brock
Tuesdy and Kevin Small
John and Deborah Alexander and Wayne Deats 102
Bakersfield Life Magazine
January 2016
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Cornhole for Charity Event Date: Nov. 21 Held at Temblor Brewing Company Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Craig and Leanne Lindsley
Kristena Wallingford, Jon Dalton and Melissa Comeau
Jon Wood and Joe Montelongo
Susan Moreno, Kim Tran and Ronni Smerke
August Klein, Max Parker and Brent Newby
Carrie, Vicki and Mark Williams
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Lauren Small Pediatrics Wing Grand Opening Date: Dec. 8 Held at Memorial Hospital Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Lindsay and Marc Denison
Kevin and Tuesdy Small
Kim and Jana Rahberger
Josh Sharp and Ken Keller
Jay Tamsi, Robin Mangarin-Scott and Bruce Jay
Stacey Manohara and Dana Lencioni
Antone Chicca, Dr. Philip Cheng, Dr. Jorge Montes, Dr. David Merzel and Dr. Mark Root 104
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Sue Benham, Rogers Brandon, Herb Benham and Esther Brandon
January 2016
Jon Van Boening, Shannon and Rick Grove
Savannah Downs, Breanna, Shelley and Jason Carlin
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Taft College Inaugural Hall of Fame
The inductees, back row: Chuck Howell, Larry Farley, Don Bandy, Don Zumbro, Paul Seifer, Larry Peahl, Amanda Smith and Bonnie Crabb. Front row: Jeff Lempker, Doug Wells, Erin Baldock Neumann, Matthew Baroncelli, Gordon Ruiz and John Miller
Chris and Don Zumbro
Manny and Belia Campos
Joyce Baldock, Nathaniel Neumann, Jonathon Neumann and Erin Baldock Neumann
Cindy Smith, Susan Barber and Leslie Barber
Date: Nov. 7 Held at OT’s Cookhouse, Taft Photos by Mahea Maui View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Justin and Darcy Bogle
Billy and Susie Davies, Linda and Don Zumbro, Maureen and Jim Carter
Larry Farley, Gordon Ruiz and Paul Siefer bakersfieldlife.com
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People & Community
LAST WORD
Reclaiming your life in 2016 PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH GONZALEZ
A fitness journey does not have an end
By Elizabeth Gonzalez
T
he last five years of my life have been filled with tremendous change and accomplishments. I obtained my bachelor’s degree, received my teaching credential and started a new job. Plus I married the love of my life and bought my first home. Yet in late 2014, I noticed that despite having accomplished so much, I was still unhappy. It didn’t take long to realize it was my health, appearance and overall fitness level that prevented me from feeling fulfilled. I was constantly tired, my body ached and I was no longer fitting into my size 15 jeans. At my heaviest, I was teetering on 180 pounds and being only 5 feet 3 inches, I was carrying a lot of excess weight. After years of witnessing friends and family taking medication for health-related issues that were preventable, I realized I was going down the same path. I was angry. So in January, I told myself I would put an end to being unhealthy. That’s when I found Fit for Life. I hadn’t set foot in a gym in years and was hesitant but the trainers
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Elizabeth Gonzalez devotes an hour a day to her fitness, making major strides.
were and still are encouraging. The staff and owner of Fit for Life, Tim Gojich, are experts and share their knowledge on proper workout techniques, nutrition and support. When I first started my workout journey, I was recovering from a knee injury that limited what I thought I could do. But Tim and his team helped me regain strength with alternative exercises and more importantly, I built core strength. To date, I have lost nearly 30 pounds. I will admit it hasn’t been an easy journey. There were days when I had to pull myself away from work, friends and family to get to the gym. Getting a workout done became a MUST in my life, just like my job. On the days I wasn’t able to make it to the gym, I made sure to stay active during the day at work. Throughout this last year with Fit for Life, I have learned that allowing myself one hour a day to focus on my health and fitness has given me a
January 2016
level of satisfaction I never had before. In 2016, I will continue to work on my fitness strength. But between you and I, one of my more specific goals is to do an inverted pushup! As I reflect on this year, one clear message that I learned is that fitness does not have an end. Change happens gradually and self-improvement is what matters at the end of the day. Opinions expressed in this column are those of Elizabeth Gonzalez.
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