TM
October 2017
www.bakersfieldlife.com
Battling breast cancer together
Food Dudes hit
Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill
Links for Life’s Wall of Hope
5 tasty + Lunchtime Picks Searching for home improvement trends on
District Blvd.
How To guide
$3.95
Remodel by Hardt Construction Co. See Page 74
Choosing everything from a builder to a veterinarian
The Word is Getting Around
3% OFF
CLOSING COSTS ONLY 2 HOMES LEFT
If you thought you had missed your chance to live in a gated, master planned, Castle & Cooke community in Seven Oaks, you’re in luck; Windermere at Seven Oaks still has two move-in ready homes available. And they all include opportunities for membership in Seven Oaks Country Club plus 3% Off Closing Costs*! Now is the time to discover how much you’ll love living in Windermere. But you’ll have to hurry. Now that the word is out these last few homes will not last long!
2608 Oakley Street 2,742 sq. ft., 4-Bedroom, Den, 3-Bath $476,267 2713 Barrowby Street 2,228 sq. ft., 3-Bedroom, Den, 2-Bath $421,522 *REDUCED*
NEW HOME S BY CAST LE & COOKE BRE# 01254164
661-664-5870 - Allen Rd. and Chamber Blvd -castlecookehomes.com CASTLECOOKEHOMES.COM
* When financed through Castle & Cooke Mortgage. Membership in Seven Oaks Country Club is by invitation only and subject to application approval.
http://www.beautologie.com Beautologie.com
Hearing Health Centers
House Ear Clinic Affiliate
HEARING HEALTH QUIZ
OCTOBER 2017
FEATURES
Are you or is someone you love worried about your hearing? Answer these simple questions. Do you often ask people to speak louder or repeat themselves?
Do you find it difficult to follow the conversation in a restaurant? Do you find talking on the phone difficult?
“How To” Guide From choosing home builders to veterinarians and everything in between.
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Do you have trouble understanding others in a car?
Page 56
Do you often need to turn up the volume on your TV or radio louder than others need it?
HOW DID YOU DO? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, we recommend you get your hearing checked. We provide hearing solutions suited for your individual needs.
Beyond the Box www.houseprovidence.org 1601 19th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301 4
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
Home improvement options with specialized stores. Page 65
PHOTO BY KASEY MEREDITH
CALL 661.281.1099
Battling Breast Cancer Together Paint the Town Pink Events and Links for Life’s Wall of Hope. Page 48
tor.com
realtor.com has accurate real estate in real time. We serve buyers, sellers and renters of properties with the best information and tools anytime, anywhere.
Discover your perfect home! There’s only one place you can trust‌ realtor.com
M
aking the decision to buy a home is a dream come true. But after the initial excitement, there are some realities to face: home viewings, deciphering the jargon, negotiations, the paperwork — the list goes on and on. There’s only one place you can trust with accurate
information in real time, and that’s realtor.com It was designed just for you! Our listings offer thousands of local homes for sale now ‌we don’t list homes that have already been sold. Find a local TORŽ to help you every step of the way.
We’re mobile. We make discovery easier while going mobile with and every device. Mortgage calculator, tips on buying and selling a home and so much more! Invest in your family’s future, www. realtor.com
2300 Bahamas Dr. Find a TORŽ go to realtor.com  � realtor twitter.com/bksfldrealtors
For all the latest tools, resources and real estate news go to www.bakersfieldrealtor.com
OCTOBER 2017
DEPARTMENTS Up Front Get some quick life hacks for organizing your things on Page 12.
Eat & Drink The Food Dudes visit Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill on Page 18. Hope you’re hungry! The photos in the “Lunchtime Picks” section will drive you to go check out some of these local dining establishments.
Lifestyles
40
Meet some members of the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society on Page 30.
Go & Do
PHOTO BY GREG NICHOLS
The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra season opens with a tribute to Bernstein. Read what’s in store for attendees on Page 34.
18 Up Front 11 The Big Picture 12 12 Things ... 14 Arts & Culture 15 Short Takes 16 Happenings Eat & Drink 18 Food Dudes 22 Lunchtime Pick 27 What’s Cooking 6
Lifestyles 28 Money Matters 29 Tech Talk 30 Pastimes 32 What’s Haute Go & Do 34 Entertainment 38 Out & About 40 Trip Planner
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
B Well 42 Feature – Unlocking Mood Disorders Through the Gut-Brain Axis Key 46 Your Body 47 Love and Life People & Community 68 Business Profiles 76 Bakersfield Matters
B Well
29 77 Millennial Voices 78 History 80 Personality 82 All-Star Athlete 84 For A Cause 85 Philanthropy Matters 86 Our Town 88 Prime Finds 90 SNAP! 98 Last Word
Is your mood affected by what you eat? Find out about the connection on Page 42.
People & Community
Find out why more individuals, families and businesses are turning to DAFs to create a lasting legacy in Philanthropy Matters on Page 85. Documentary on the 1965 BC choir set to debut at the Simonsen Performing Arts Center. Read about the journey on Page 86.
• 3 Dimensional Designing • Full service remodels • Cabinetry • Countertops/backsplash • Flooring Project Notes • Granite: White Galaxy • Appliances: KitchenAid Range and Sharp Microdrawer • Diamond Distinctions-Sullivan Maple Square Coconut on perimeter, On Island Cherry Chocolate
I had a complete kitchen remodel by Stockdale Kitchen and Bath. While my goal was to replace the outdated kitchen, I had absolutely no idea where to begin with the design. Stockdale provided a complete design that incorporated details I had not even thought of, like soft close drawers and cabinets, a microwave drawer, and beautiful braided molding and corbels. The Diamond cabinets I chose are a quality product, and come with an excellent guarantee as well. The Stockdale crew that completed the demo and cabinet installation were extremely knowledgeable and did an amazing job. They kept me updated on each phase of the project and answered all of my questions. I am very happy with my beautiful new kitchen. ~ Dorene Ruiz
STAFF SHARES Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine October 2017 / Vol. 12 / Issue 1
What’s one thing you want to learn to do?
Bakersfield Life™ Magazine is published by TBC Media Publisher Ginger Moorhouse Associate Publisher Virginia Cowenhoven
ON THE COVER
President/CEO Michelle Chantry
A repurposed vintage cabinet was used to create a colorful coffee nook off Tim and Michelle Hardt’s remodeled kitchen. The husband-and-wife team operates Hardt Construction Co. The Hardts discuss master bathroom remodeling on page 74.
Editor Jim Lawitz
Coming Next …
Sales and Marketing Director Joey Zachary Assistant Managing Editor Mark Nessia
Men and Auto Issue
Specialty Publications Coordinator Kasey Meredith
To Advertise,
Art Director Glenn Hammett
contact Joey Zachary at jzachary@bakersfield. com or 395-7363.
What’s hot this month on BLife’s Facebook page Are you the next Food Dude or Dining Diva? Bakersfield Life is having a contest to pick four winners for each group. Watch the contestant video on our Facebook page or read about it on page 97. Hummus fans unite! “What’s Cooking” features the recipe for Pita Paradise’s hummus to make at home. Watch the video today! Evelyn “Sophia” Espino, 17, isn’t like most girls. She’s a black belt in tae kwon do. Check out the video for her story.
Graphic Designer Holly Bikakis Photography Felix Adamo, Henry A. Barrios, Holly Bikakis, Casey Christie, Nick Ellis, John Harte, Jonah and Lindsay, Laura Liera, April Massirio, Kasey Meredith, Mark Nessia, Greg Nichols, Autumn Parry, Keaton Punch, Carla Rivas, Nick Smirnoff, Rod Thornburg, Valdophye Photography Contributing writers Kristen Beall Barnes, Asha Chandy, Jason Gutierrez, Nina Ha, Dianne Hardisty, Steve Holloway, Lisa Kimble, Stephen Lynch, Shelby Parker, Julie Plata, Chris Thornburgh, Andrea Vivanco, Liarida Yoakum
Connect with us – www.bakersfieldlfe.com facebook.com/BakersfieldLifeMagazine Instagram/bakersfield_life twitter.com/BakersfieldLife
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
“I would love to learn how to make stained glass. I love the Victorian era in homes and the use of lead glass in these!” – Linda Petree, advertising account executive “I tried slacklining this summer and totally got hooked! I really want to learn how to do it well. It’s a beautiful game of concentration, focus and chasing the equilibrium.” – Nina Ha, contributing writer “I love to sing. I just wish I was good at it.” – Mark Nessia, assistant managing editor “Learn to fly.” – Lisa Kimble, contributing writer “Photography. I would love to know all about camera settings and how to take a great photograph.” – Holly Bikakis, graphic designer “I’d like to learn how to draw.” – Kasey Meredith, specialty publications coordinator “Create music, be it playing an instrument or singing. I’ve always been in awe of people with natural music abilities. I love experiencing live music but, for me, it is strictly a spectator sport.” – Glenn Hammett, art director
We want to hear from you – Send comments or letters to the editor to Mark Nessia at mnessia@bakersfield. com. Please include name, city and phone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and to excerpt them.
Contact us – 1707 Eye St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-395-7500
EDITOR’S NOTE
‘WHERE THERE IS HOPE, THERE IS LIFE’ When adversity strikes, courage, hope and strength can help you through it. Courage to face the unknown with your head held high. Hope that things will get better. Strength to hold on until it does. To truly see what courage and strength looks like, simply gaze into the eyes of a cancer survivor. To see hope incarnate, look at the faces on the Wall of Hope. Since 2006, Bakersfield Life has partnered with Links for Life, a local organization that promotes breast cancer awareness and provides services for women (and men) in Kern County coping with breast cancer, to produce the Wall of Hope. The Wall of Hope features local breast cancer survivors – individuals whose lives are forever changed by their breast cancer journeys – but are stronger because of it. They stared adversity in the face and said, “Not today.” And though the fight was not without its ups and downs, they didn’t have to go through it alone. With famMark Nessia Assistant Editor 395-7383 mnessia@bakersfield.com
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October 2017
ily and friends by their side, they gained additional support and encouragement from survivors who have made the journey before them. Links for Life Executive Director Jennifer Henry had this to say about the Wall of Hope, which enters its 20th year: “The Wall of Hope is such a celebration for the survivors. Each year, they get to celebrate being with their loved ones in a public display. There are so many faces in the wall that I have worked with through the years. They all have a story to tell and knowledge to share. They inspire me with their zest for life. “The Wall of Hope is HOPE to the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient; when a woman is going through breast cancer and she opens up the Bakersfield Life Magazine and sees the pages of survivors and their years of survivorship, they know they are not alone. It also supplies the information of where they can call for support from the survivor sisters. “Not only is it a celebration to the survivors in the Wall, but an encouragement to the women newly diagnosed.” For the women and men on the Wall of Hope, getting diagnosed with breast cancer wasn’t the end of the road, it was a bend – a turn they did not have to make alone.
UP FRONT
Turn to Page 16 to see what’s happening in October.
The Big Picture / 12 Things / Arts & Culture / Short Takes / Happenings
AN EVENING Warm light from the setting sun casts subtle shadows on the Panorama Bluffs. Photo by Henry A. Barrios
www.BakersfieldLife.com
11
Up Front
12 T H I NG S .. .
LIFE HACKS
for instant organization
Compiled by Bakersfield Life
1
Use old toilet paper rolls to organize spare cords. Just roll the cords, stuff them into the roll and label them to see what devices they belong to.
2
Run a tension rod across the cabinet under your sink to hang spray bottles for easy retrieval while freeing up ground space for more storage.
3
An ice cube tray is a great way to keep small items, like earrings, paired together.
4
The bottom portion of cereal boxes make for great divided storage in a desk drawer. Just use a box cutter to trim the dimensions as you see fit.
5
Apple headphones, especially those wireless AirPods, always getting misplaced while you work on your Mac? Just stick them on the corners of the screen. The magnets will keep them in place until you need them again.
6
Hang metal buckets under wooden shelves in the garage to make items easy to find and reach while reducing clutter. Group similar items together and label the buckets to know what’s inside.
7
Hanging shoe organizers aren’t just for shoes. Roll up bulky closet items like sweaters and towels and slide them into the cubby slots for quick, wrinkle-free storage.
8
A bath caddy is a great way to keep office essentials like organized without taking up too much space on a desk.
9
A few hooks and canvas bags on the inside of a closet door instantly increases storage capacity.
10 Keep a hip laundry basket in the
trunk of your car and put grocery bags in it to keep items from moving around during the drive home. When it’s time to unload, just carry the whole basket in – because who has time to make two trips?
11 Constantly forgetting items on your to-do list? Write them on the mirror with dry-erase marker for a quick reminder while you get ready.
12 A wine rack in the bathroom makes a great towel holder. Just roll the towels and place them in the compartments. 12
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October 2017
www.marycrealtor.com
Up Front ART S & C U LT U RE
THIS MONTH’S PICKS
Via Arte
PHOTO BY NICK ELLIS
Bakersfield’s favorite Italian street painting festival is back on Oct. 21 and 22 at The Marketplace. A Bakersfield tradition since 1998, Via Arte is based off of the Italian tradition that “I Madonnari” shared. Via Arte transforms the parking lot into an art gallery full of chalk art displays. The art is created right before your eyes, so you can see the artists’ process. Local painters and artists of all ages will be making the art. Art can either be original or a recreation of a famous work of art. Hosted by the Bakersfield Museum of Art, Via Arte will have live music and food and drinks as well. Winners of Via Arte will be announced on Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. For more information, visit viaartebakersfield. com.
Francisco Holguin kneels by his art work that won Best in Festival at the 2016 Via Arte Sunday afternoon at The Market Place.
Celtic Music Festival
The Angry Brians will be headlining.
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October 2017
The eighth annual Celtic Music Festival will be on Saturday Oct. 28, with plenty of food, beer and kilt-kicking Celtic music. The Celtic Music Festival will kick off at 11 a.m. and the last band will play at 11:30 p.m. There will be lawn games like giant Jenga, cornhole, lawn Twister and lawn washers. Celtic Music Festival favorites The Angry Brians, formerly 1916, will be headlining. The Celtic Music Festival is a 21-and-up event only. Food, merchandise, a photo booth, scotch tasting and beer will be available. Ticket prices are $50 and must be purchased before 7 p.m. on the Friday before, Oct. 27. Ticket price includes: access to the lawn games area and two complimentary beers. For more information, go to: www.kernscot. org/celtic-music-festival.
SHORT TA K ES
PARTY WITH BYP goal is to give millennials the tools, resources and insight to establish their careers and contacts through professional development, social and philanthropic avenues. The BYP Street Party is presented by Kern Federal Credit Union. Gold sponsors include Advance Beverage Company, TBC Media and W. A. Thompson Inc. Bronze sponsors are The Mark Restaurant and Pepsi Beverages Company. Advance tickets are $30 or $35 at the door. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com. For more information about BYP, visit bakersfieldchamber.org.
PHOTO BY APRIL MASSIRIO
Downtown Bakersfield will host the city’s ultimate social gathering for young professionals – the BYP Street Party – on Oct. 13. Now in its third year, the event will shut down the Wall Street Alley, between H and Eye streets, from 6 to 10 p.m. Some of Bakersfield’s hottest bands and DJs will rock the alley. Grab your favorite libation from the craft beer garden to pair with fare from local food truck vendors. This is the largest event of the year for the Bakersfield Young Professionals, a program of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. BYP’s
JOIN THE PARTY
10.13.17
6-10 p.m. Wall Street Alley & The Park at The Mark Live Music • Food Vendors Craft Beer • Cocktails • Games
Presented by
Gold Sponsors Advance Beverage Co. TBC Media W.A. Thompson
Bronze Sponsors The Mark Restaurant Pepsi Beverage Co.
Advance tickets $30 At the door $35
Get tickets at eventbrite.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
15
Up Front HAPPENINGS
October Oct. 3 Uke On, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Art and Spirituality Center at Mercy Hospital. The ukulele is experiencing a worldwide comeback and is a contributor to the healing power of music. $5 donation requested. Oct. 4 Karaoke and Wine Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m. The Links at RiverLakes Ranch. Happy hour will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. if you need some liquid courage. There will be other food specials as well. Free. riverlakesgc.com
Party in the Park celebrates 21 years of supporting the mission and vision of the CSUB Alumni Association by connecting alumni, students, campus partners and comOct. 7 munity members with the university and promoting Second Annual Women’s membership, mentorship and Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grace scholarship opportunities. Baptist Church, corner of This year’s event, which Jewetta Avenue and Rosedale takes place Oct. 20 at CSUB’s Highway. Admission is free. Alumni Park, features a fun Over 30 vendors selling and vibrant atmosphere, comhandmade crafts, beauty plete with a selection of local products and fashion. For fare, wine and craft beer, as more information, call Grace well as live music from Mento Baptist Church at 589-0424. Buru. Tickets can be purOct. 7 and 8 chased at csub.edu. Tehachapi Apple General admisFestival, 10 a.m. Oct. 6-8 sion is $50 to 6 p.m., R.R. presale and Park. AdmisGreek Food $60 at the sion is free. al tiv Fes door. CSUB Artisan , rites favo food ek Gre al ition Trad faculty, apple-reand g ppin live music, sho staff, stu. cing lated gifts, Dan Folk ek Gre rch dents and local apple St. George Greek Orthodox Chu alumni get farmers 401 Truxtun Avenue in for $40. selling apples Fri., 5 to 11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. For more to 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. and other local to 4 p.m. information, foods will be at call 654-3370. the 2017 Tehachapi Apple Festival. New apple-related items this year 16
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
Tehachapi Apple Festival
include: food, a kids zone, carnival games and inflatables for a day of fun for everyone. tehachapiapplefestival.com Oct. 13 Howl-O-Wine, 6:30 to 11 p.m., at a private residence. Costumes are encouraged at the fundraiser benefiting No Kill Kern, which features tastings from central coast wineries and local breweries. All of the proceeds will go toward No Kill Kern’s mission of ending animal euthanasia in Kern County. Tickets are $50. For event location, ticket
PHOTO BY NICK SMIRNOFF
Party in the Park celebrates communityuniversity engagement
Find more community events at bakersfieldlife.com or submit yours via email to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com or via our Facebook page: Bakersfield Life Magazine.
purchases or more information, call 203-8113. Oct. 14 Kern County Pet Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds. Enjoy furry, feathery, family fun at the Kern County Pet Fair. There will be activities for children, pet adoptions, contests, demonstrations, music and food. kcpetfair.com.
Old Time Peddler’s Faire
General admission is $8, kids under 12 get in free. Ace Antique’s presents its 26th annual antique show complete with live jazz music and great food.
Oct. 19, 20 “Cooking with Friends” 2018 calendar signing with artist Claudia True, Ice House Framing and Gallery, 1610 19th St., Oct. 19, 4 to 6 p.m.; Beladagio, 9500 Brimhall Road, Oct. 20, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. New items this year: aprons, pot holders, kitchen magnets, bookmarks. claudiatrue.com. Oct. 20 “Young Frankenstein,” the Mel Brooks Musical, 8 to 11:59 p.m., The Empty Space. Tickets range from $10 to $79. Oct. 20, 21, 22 Old Time Peddler’s Faire, Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1442 S. P St.
Oct. 21 California native plant sale, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CSUB in the former FACT area. Professional growers will also be giving out advice. kern.cnps.org. Free. Oct. 21 Bakersfield Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 9 to 11 a.m. at The Park at River Walk. Free. Oct. 26 Monty Byrom and the Monty Byrom Symphony, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame. Benefits the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County. Admission is $75. bakersfieldmusichalloffame.com. Oct. 26 Business Conference and Expo with Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 3 to 5 p.m., Rabobank Convention
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
Oct. 15 Paul McDermand at Harvey Auditorium, 2:30 to 5 p.m. McDermand is performing Exotic Instruments from the Mainland to the Island.bakersfieldcca.org.
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
Oct. 14 2017 Kern County Cancer Run and Walk, 8 a.m. to noon in Yokuts Park. The 3rd Annual Kern County Cancer Run and Walk will include a 5K as well as a joga-thon for children, a vendor fair and survivor activities. Admission prices range from $10 to $40.
Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Contact Sarah Hinzo for more information at 3274421 or shinzo@bakersfieldchamber.org. Oct. 27 Dueling Pianos at the Padre Hotel, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Every Friday and Saturday night. Oct. 28 Kernville Fall Festival, noon to 11:59 p.m., Riverside Park, Kernville. Free. Oct. 28 Harvest of Handwoven’s Show and Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Exeter Veterans Memorial Building. Demonstrations of spinning, weaving, felting, bead weaving, fiber preparation, color-blending and dyeing of fibers and yarns. Free. hwotv.org. Oct. 28 Halloween Fiesta, 5 to 9 p.m., the Spectrum Amphitheatre. Bakersfield’s official Halloween preparty will feature special guests Velorio, food and drink vendors, a costume contest and a DJ from Hot 94.1. Admission is $15. AXS.com.
Jump to make strides against cancer This October, our community will once again raise awareness for breast cancer in a variety of ways. Rush Air Sports and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of American Cancer Society are partnering for a monthlong campaign aiming to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Rush Air Sports will donate $4 for every paid jumper in October (Monday through Thursday between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.). The donation will go toward a specific Making Strides team. Don’t have a team or don’t know a team? No problem; your jump will go toward the general donation. To participate, print out the Strides/Rush promotional flyer from Rush’s Facebook page, website or contact our local American Cancer Society. Upon check-in, simply provide your flyer to the Rush team member and you’ve donated $4. Not a jumper? Through October, Rush Air Sports will also be selling commemorative pink socks with proceeds benefiting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of American Cancer Society. For more information, visit rushairsports.com.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Eat & Drink
FOOD DUDES
Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill
Compiled by Bakersfield Life Bone-in short rib
Photos by Greg Nichols Wiki’s offers a casual dining experience with great service. For those who enjoy wine, we had the opportunity to visit the wine room and there is a wide selection of quality wine for the connoisseur. Wiki’s has all the ingredients to be a Bakersfield hotspot for years to come. Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill’s casual atmosphere has a rustic feel and appeals to wine enthusiasts or anyone else who enjoys great food and friendly conversation.
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October 2017
APPETIZER Chris Wilson on the ahi nachos: The ahi nachos were a fantastic start to our evening. In place of traditional tortilla chips, we were pleasantly surprised to receive light, crispy, wonton triangle to accompany the perfectly seared layers of ahi tuna. The dish was complemented by a tangy mango salsa, a spicy Sriracha aioli and chilies. sliced sweet Fresno and Thai chilis. This gave the dish great flavor and added an array of color to the nachos. In addition, the ahi nachos were garnished with fresh avocado and a cilantro lime aioli to give it
an extra kick. Overall, they were delicious and a lighter alternative to traditional nachos. Anthony Galagaza on the housemade garlic sourdough: As an appetizer, I had the garlic sourdough bread. It consisted of housemade sourdough, Parmesan, peppers, aioli, garlic butter and marinara sauce for dipping. The bread was served warm and was just the right consistency. It had a crispy outer crust, but was moist and buttery on the inside. It held together and went quite well with the tasty marinara that accompanied the bread. I could have ordered the
Promotional Content
Food Dudes from left: Chris Wilson, Anthony Galagaza, Gary Carruesco and Drake Massey. Ahi nachos
bread alone and been content with that as my meal because it was just that good.
Garlic sourdough
ENTREE Drake Massey on the bone-in short rib with mashed potatoes: For the main dish, I ordered the bone-in short rib with mashed potatoes. I just couldn’t pass something that included kale, bacon, chorizo, asparagus and brown sauce. Are you kidding me? The presentation was awesome. A huge piece of short rib on top of a mound of creamy mashed potatoes and crisp asparagus. The shortrib was tender and juicy. The kale was
Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill 11350 Ming Ave., #260 661-399-4547 www.wikiswinedive.com Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Continued on Page 20
Promotional Content
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Continued from Page 19
Clockwise: Ghetto burger Jicama quinoa tacos Rosemary duck breast
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lightly mixed with bacon, chorizo and a light brown sauce and the flavor was incredible. This dish is definitely “comfort food” so bring a hearty appetite if you select this one off the menu. Gary Carruesco on the ghetto burger: I have eaten a lot of hamburgers in my life, but this was by far the best I’ve ever had! It was cooked and seasoned to perfection and paired with the right combination of toppings, which included thick bacon slices. The thick, natural-cut fries were just a bonus and completed this delicious meal. Anthony Galagaza on the jicama quinoa tacos: For dinner, I ordered the jicama quinoa tacos, a gluten-free vegetarian dish. This meal was refreshing and quite tasty. The tacos were made with quinoa, black beans, avocado, corn relish, champagne vinaigrette, pickled purple cabbage and red onions. This proved to be a quality mixture of ingredients to create a more healthy option to your ordinary taco craving. The shell was
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October 2017
moist, but did not cheaply fall apart in my hands. It was nice to come away full and satisfied from a meal, but yet feel like you made the more healthy choice. But do not confuse healthy with blandness because these tacos were anything but that. Chris Wilson on the rosemary duck breast: Wiki’s rosemary duck breast was superb. Succulent slices of dark meat were elegantly served over a flavorful, creamy cauliflower risotto, which could have its own dish. Complementing the cauliflower risotto was a large portion of sautéed wild mushrooms and a drizzle of fresh cranberry sauce.
DESSERT Gary Carruesco on the blueberry cheesecake: This was not your average store-bought cheesecake. The moist and tender main layer combined perfectly with
the thick crunchy bottom layer and simply melted in your mouth. Topped with large, fresh blueberries and sauce, this is a must have! Chris Wilson on the port brownie: We ordered the port brownie, which was a warm portwine-infused chocolate brownie, served with a large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. As if the combination of the brownie and ice cream was not enough, it was drizzled in a strawberry caramelized sugar reduction, a sweet cream custard and topped with cranberries. Drake Massey on the mango sorbet: For dessert, I selected the mango sorbet with fresh strawberry topping. The sorbet was a little tart as expected, but it was offset by sweet, fresh-cut strawberries. This dish proved to be a cool and refreshing dessert for a hot Bakersfield evening. Promotional Content
Clockwise: Blueberry cheesecake Port brownie Mango sorbet
! u o y Thank Promotional Content
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Eat & Drink
LUNCHTIME PICKS
Rio Acaí Bowls By Holly Bikakis and Kasey Meredith Photos by Holly Bikakis Ah-sigh-EE. What is Acaí and why is everyone into it across the country? My first experience with acaí bowls was on a college campus as one of its food court options. We tried it and thought it was good, but there’s more to this acaí than meets the eye. Here in Bakersfield, owners of Rio Acaí Bowls Justin and Sophia Cummings have been serving it up for about 3 ½ years and they do it well. Dani Munoz, is the regional manager of the two Bakersfield locations. On our visit, you feel healthier just walking in the door. It’s a cozy atmosphere with a natural wood wall as the focal point and to order, you go through the back as if your entering the kitchen to get your freshly prepared meal. They’ve made a space that is comfortable and enjoyable to dine in. The Paleo ($8.50, medium size): On first bite, it’s a different kind of flavor, but once you get into it, the flavors really meld together. The
creaminess with the almond butter and banana slices; the sweet tanginess of the acaí berry, which has a sorbet consistency; and the crunchiness of the chunky coconut shavings makes for a refreshing experience. As I mentioned earlier, there’s more to this acaí than being a tasty treat; its other name is the Brazilian “superfruit.” It’s a berry from the Amazon that packs a lot of nutritional benefits – as in 500 percent more antioxidants than blueberries, omegas, iron, fiber, protein, and vitamins A and C. Even though it tastes sweet, it’s somewhat high in fat and low in sugar. The list of benefits goes on and on from lowering your cholesterol, boosting brain function to possible anti-cancer effects. It tastes good and it’s good for you, so next time you want to load up on ice cream, try this out. The Hawaiian ($9): Rio doesn’t just have acaí bowls. In fact, half of its menu offers a savory companion – poke bowls. Poke is a Hawaiian fish salad. Rio’s poke bowl is essentially a deconstructed sushi roll with sticky rice, raw ahi tuna, sesame seeds, and some nori or seaweed to add a subtle crunch.
Top: The Paleo Bottom: The Hawaiian
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Rio has three different kinds of poke bowls, but they all expand from its Hawaiian bowl. Because there aren’t too many ingredients in this dish, the stars are the scallions and ahi tuna. The two complement each other harmoniously. Rio’s poke bowls are drizzled with a keen helping of ponzu sauce, which is soy sauce jazzed up with some citrus elements, adding more dimension to the poke bowl’s flavor profile. Overall, poke bowls are a quick, satisfying and savory answer to that lunchtime sushi craving. If you’re looking for something a little more involved, Rio also offers a kimchi poke bowl and spicy poke bowl. Rio has two locations in Bakersfield, and if you have a flavor craving and can’t make it there, they deliver to your home or office during the week. Make them a part of your next healthy luncheon, party or special event.
Rio Acaí Bowls
Downtown: 1914 Chester Ave. 661-348-4159 Northwest: 2720 Calloway Dr. (In front of Dewar’s) • 661-829-7411 www.rioacaibowls.com Downtown hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find us on Instagram, Facebook and Yelp. Promotional Content
LUNCHTIME PICKS
SEQUOIA SANDWICH COMPANY
Top: Philly Cheesesteak Bottom: Greek salad
By Glenn Hammett and Mark Nessia Photos by Mark Nessia
Sequoia Sandwich has never been one to rest on its laurels. The popular lunch spot, which, in March, opened Quick Cafe and built a centralized kitchen, recently expanded the primary downtown location and is in the process of increasing its seating capacity by 24. They are also adding pendant lighting and easier-to-read illuminated menu boards. It’s admirable, and telling, that a business that has enjoyed so much success in its 18 years of operation is never satisfied. They are always looking for ways to better serve their customers. Philly Cheesesteak ($8.95): Meat and cheese is a combination that can’t really go wrong, and in the right hands, the results can be absolutely spectacular. The Philly cheesesteak at Sequoia consists of only five ingredients: grilled sirloin, melted baby Swiss cheese, and grilled onions and peppers served on a soft French roll. Its modesty speaks to the quality of the ingredients. The tender sirloin is seasoned with only salt and pepper as it is chopped fresh on the grill. Promotional Content
The sandwich is overflowing with meat, cheese and veggies and served steaming with a side of homemade marinara sauce that – while delicious – is unnecessary. It’s that good. The roll is soft, the meat is tender and juicy, the grilled veggies offer a nice crunch and the cheese acts as the delicious glue that holds everything together. Greek Salad ($6.95): There are times, especially in Bakersfield’s warmer months, when a Greek salad is the perfect choice for a light lunch. Done right, it is a refreshing contrast of flavors and textures that satisfies on many levels. And it’s no surprise that Sequoia Sandwich Company nails it. A generous mixture of cold, crisp romaine and iceberg lettuces tossed with fresh cucumbers and topped with sweet grape tomatoes, tangy Kalamata olives and feta cheese, Sequoia’s Greek salad fills you up without weighing you down. The ingredients are all top quality and it comes with your choice of dressing on the side. I chose the traditional lemon olive oil, which added
a light tang to the affair. If you are looking for something more substantial, you can add grilled chicken for $2.
Sequoia Sandwich Company Three locations in Bakersfield 1231 18th St. 9500 Ming Ave. 9160 Rosedale Highway, Suite #100 www.sequoiasandwich.com
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Eat & Drink
LUNCHTIME PICKS
HAPPY HOUR BAR & TAPAS By Holly Bikakis Photos by Mark Nessia
Top: AwardWinning Chicken Tenders Bottom: Mac and Cheese
You had me at “Happy.” Knowing I was going back to Happy Hour Bar & Tapas for this article was music to my ears. I knew great-tasting food was not far off. Owners Chasity Goodson and Sophia and Justin Cummings are creating a downtown dining evolution. They offer great food at great prices in an atmosphere that encourages sharing your tapas-sized portions to enjoy a little bit of everything with your companions. Since I was there last, some changes have taken place. Mainly a new head chef, Ray Jenkins. His passion for food and creativeness is apparent when talking to him. He grew up in the New Orleans area and was the sous-chef at Steak and Grape and, most recently, The Mark. With his Louisiana background, he’s interested in cooking with seafood, great sauces and fresh, locally grown produce. His goal in cooking is to provide comfort food in an elevated way that hasn’t been seen yet. You’ll notice a few new items like chicken Parmesan and shrimp scampi on the menu. Also new is the
opening of the family style dining side, an area for business luncheons and larger gatherings. Mac and Cheese (option on tapas menu: 1 for $7, 2 for $13, 3 for $18 and 4 for $22): This dish is the epitome of elevated comfort food. You choose what kind of cheese, with decadent options like Gouda, pepper jack, Gruyere, feta and more to toppings like pork belly, caramelized onion, meatballs, crab and more. For our dish, we had Gruyere with bacon and jalapeño. It’s not the mac and cheese you grew up with in the blue box. Every bite is cheesy, creamy goodness with kicks of sweet bacon and spicy jalapeño. With these cool fall days blowing in, nothing is more comforting. Award-Winning Chicken Tenders ($9): Different sauces are offered with this dish. We had the honey mustard option, which I have to say was delicious and paired well with the mac and cheese. The chicken is ten-
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der and tangy and the sweet honey mustard sauce is just thick enough to coat it. There is a cayenne kick to it that keeps you coming back for more. The celery and carrot sticks offered the crunchy texture to make this one savory dish. We are at Happy Hour, why not pair it with a fall-themed cocktail: a Granny Tini inspired by Granny Smith apples and caramel flavors. If you haven’t tried out Happy Hour Bar & Tapas yet, now is the time. Make it a lunchtime rendezvous, make it a date night or make it a fun night out with friends. They offer gift cards now for the foodies in your life.
Happy Hour Bar & Tapas 1418 18th St. 661-859-1664 Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Reserve for parties and events. Find them on Facebook. Promotional Content
LUNCHTIME PICKS
Top: Salty’s Special Bottom: Hot link sandwich
Salty’s BBQ & Catering Story and photos by Mark Nessia
“To be where we’re at today, it’s a blessing.”
It’s hard to argue that Salty’s has become synonymous with barbecue in Bakersfield over the years. Long before owner Jeff Salters and company were “smokin’ and grillin’” with Guy Fieri on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Salty’s BBQ & Catering already developed a strong and loyal following among locals. The menu was simple, but not lacking in quality: tri-tip and chicken grilled over red oak and ribs and pulled pork slow-cooked in a smoker combined with Salty’s signature rub and smoky-sweet barbecue sauce have created a boomerang effect – anyone who dines at Salty’s will come back around. Since opening in Oct. 8, 2012, the menu has seen the addition of only four items: brisket, hot links, spicy mac and cheese, and a s’mores brownie. A second location was also opened on White Lane. Not bad for a guy whose dream was to simply have his own restaurant. “My dream was to have a successful little restaurant and a catering business on the side and be able to take care of me and my wife and my kids,” Salters said.
Salty’s Special ($12.50): It’s no surprise that the sandwich bearing the restaurant’s name is one of its best-sellers. The Salty’s Special is the eatery’s tagline on a bun, bringing the “best of both worlds” – grilled tri-tip and smoked pulled pork – together into one unique and unforgettable sandwich. The Salty’s Special requires two hands and a ton of napkins to devour. Joining this culinary behemoth are yellow peppers, coleslaw and barbecue sauce on a freshly grilled Pyrenees roll. The sweetness from the coleslaw and barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with the saltiness from the tri-tip and pulled pork and the yellow peppers provide a delicate kick at the end to top it all off.
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Hot Link Sandwich ($8.50): Added to the menu approximately two years ago, the hot link is one of the newest items to find its way onto the Salty’s grill. Fired up over red oak and placed inside a fresh Pyrenees sweet roll grilled with butter and garlic, the sandwich is topped off with sautéed onions and bell peppers
seasoned with Salty’s secret rub and drizzled with mustard. This sandwich has some kick but it never overpowers the flavors of the accompanying ingredients. The sautéed vegetables offset some of the heat with a little sweetness. Those who love spice should combine this sandwich with Salty’s spicy mac and cheese, which features a creamy blend of pepper jack cheese and jalapeños for a savory punch with each bite.
Salty’s BBQ & Catering 9425 Rosedale Highway 661-587-8437 6801 White Lane 661-847-9955 For catering, call 661-549-3473. www.saltysbbq.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
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LUNCHTIME PICKS
SLICE OF ITALY
Story and photos by Mark Nessia
Left: Lunch combo Right: Chipotle chicken sandwich
Slice of Italy never fails to impress no matter how many times you visit. The restaurant, which has locations in downtown and northwest Bakersfield, boasts an already impressive roster of appetizers, specialty pizzas, pastas and sandwiches, but the chefs are constantly introducing seasonal specials to keep things fresh, ensuring that there is always something new to try. The emphasis seems to revolve around simplicity, limiting the number of ingredients in each dish to a select few to showcase the quality that constitutes each item. Drawing inspiration from other cuisines to elevate its signature Italian fare, Slice of Italy offers an eclectic, yet rustic menu that brings the flavor of its namesake to Bakersfield. Lunch Combo ($9.99 for two-topping pizza, $11.99 for specialty pizza): Those looking for a satisfying midday meal at a reasonable price need look no further than Slice of Italy’s lunch combo. Featuring your choice of personal pizza, potato wedges and a drink, the meal is a perfect sample of what Slice of Italy has to offer. Slice of Italy’s pizzas should serve as a blueprint for the ideal pie. It starts with the crust. Not too thick, not too thin, not too bready, Slice of Italy’s crust is crisp and golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s
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then slathered with one of their freshly made sauces, covered with cheese and toppings of choice. It’s the right amount of food for the right price. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal that won’t bust your wallet or waistline. Chipotle Chicken Sandwich ($9): Slice of Italy knows chicken. From the chicken fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes (a personal favorite) to the chipotle chicken sandwich, the chicken is some of the juiciest, most tender I’ve ever had. The freshly grilled chicken breast is placed in a lightly toasted 6-inch ciabatta roll and topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a mouthwatering chipotle aioli and comes with a side of wedges. The sandwich is light, yet filling and the spicy-sweet from the chipotle aioli ends each bite on a flavorful note. This may not be what you would typically expect from an Italian restaurant, but that’s what makes Slice of Italy different and worth a visit.
Slice of Italy 10524 Hageman Road • 661-589-1000 2543 F St. • 661-328-9000 Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. www.mysliceofitaly.com
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WHAT’S COOKING
PHOTO BY KASEY MEREDITH
Mama Roomba’s grilled sea bass with jauco sauce
MAMA ROOMBA’S GRILLED SEA BASS WITH JAUCO SAUCE
• Butter • Salt • Pepper
Ingredients • 4 sea bass fillets • 12 prawns • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 1 red bell pepper, sliced • 1 green onion, sliced • 1 yellow onion, sliced • 2 tomatoes, diced • Juice of 1 orange • Olive oil • Dry oregano
Directions Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet on high heat. Add garlic, red bell pepper, green onion, yellow onion and tomatoes. Season with a pinch of salt, pinch of pepper and pinch of dry oregano, stirring or tossing regularly for four minutes. Add prawns and orange juice, then reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally for three minutes
until prawns are cooked. Add tablespoon of butter, stirring or tossing until melted. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on high heat. Season both sides of sea bass with salt and pepper to taste before adding to pan for a quick sear (10 to 15 seconds each side), then put pan in oven for six minutes at 350 degrees. Place prawns and veggies on plate, place sea bass on top and serve.
Watch the video on www.bakersfieldlife.com or www.facebook.com/ BakersfieldLifeMagazine
What’s your favorite local dish? Send us your suggestions for upcoming “What’s Cooking” recipes to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com.
Serves four.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Lifestyles
MONEY MATTERS
DIY: Get out of debt By Chris Thornburgh
Living with a load of debt can be overwhelming to say the least. Its toxic stress can affect relationships, as many failed marriages have discovered. If you’re like the average American, debt is an unintended consequence of too much spending, accumulating in the blink of an eye. Luckily, you can take control and find financial freedom with these steps.
CONFRONT YOUR SITUATION You probably have a general idea how much debt you’re carrying, but you need to lay it out on paper. Review all of your debt, such as credit cards, personal loans, car loans and student loans. To gain a full understanding of your situation, make a list of the balances, interest rates and monthly minimum payments. Yes, this can be quite sobering.
FIND YOUR HIDDEN MONEY If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, the notion of paying down debt can seem daunting or downright impossible. First, write down your monthly income after taxes. Next, subtract your necessary monthly expenses such as mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, groceries, day care, alimony, etc. The amount left over is your hidden money to sock toward your debt. If there is nothing left over, find areas to cut spending or ways to earn extra money. Is overtime an option at your regular job? Consider working a second, part-time job.
COMMIT TO A STRATEGY Now that you have a good idea where you stand, create a plan to reduce your liabilities. There are two main strategies to getting yourself out of debt: the “snowball” method and the “avalanche” approach. The snowball method, made famous by Dave Ramsey, focuses on a debt reduction strategy where you pay off debts in order of smallest to largest, gaining momentum as each balance is eliminated. It acknowledges the emotional factor to money, allowing you to celebrate small victories by crossing debts off sooner rather than later. This strategy is popular because the momentum changes behavior and generally keeps you on track. Here are the steps of the snowball method: 1. List your debts from smallest to largest balance. 2. Make minimum payments on all of your debts, except the smallest. 3. Pay as much as possible on the smallest debt until it is paid off. 4. Repeat until each debt is paid off. With the avalanche approach, prioritize your debt according to highest interest rates first. Pay off the balance
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with the highest rate, while making minimum payments on the rest of your debt. Once the first debt is paid off, apply the payment you were making to the next target debt and so on until you are debt free. While this method saves you interest charges, ask yourself if you are disciplined to stick with it, especially if your highest-interest debt is your largest balance.
CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR If you want to get out of debt, you need to break the habits that got you into trouble in the first place. Resolve not to take on any more debt. Make a conscious effort not to use credit cards to fund your lifestyle. This will help you stay focused on your game plan to pay down your current balances. Once you’ve paid off your liabilities, it’s easy to fall back into old habits. Avoid instant gratification. Instead, take the monthly payment that you’re used to paying and squirrel it away into an emergency savings fund.
THE BOTTOM LINE You can do it – it’s possible to get out of debt. Confront your problem and decide which strategy is best for you. Stick with your plan and become debt-free one step at a time.
Chris Thornburgh
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.
TECH TALK
Wearables you didn’t know you needed By Kasey Meredith
Every day we grow closer to a Jetson’s society, complete with flying cars and our very own Rosie the robot maid. Wearables are technology that enhance our way of life by wearing it. Smart watches and activity trackers are the most iconic wearables, but there are some unique wearables for almost every usage imaginable.
l 1 www.ringly.com Ringly is a wearable that looks like an actual ring, its design sleek and chic. Like the name suggests, Ringly is a ring that alerts you of phone calls and text messages by a subtle blinking light by the stone. You can coordinate which contacts will blink, so that way you’re only alerted when those who really matter are trying to reach you. Ringly also makes bracelets, which are also activity trackers and meditation guides, but because of its design, these features are available through a paired app. You can customize the vibration and light color you want your accessory to alert you.
THE FASHIONABLE
THE WORKOUT l 2 www.nakefit.com A major component to the workout is your footwear. For some workouts, particularly outdoors, barefoot might be tempting but not always the safest option. Nakefit Adhesive footpads are like giant stickers, a Band-Aid that goes on the bottom of your foot to protect you from dirt, grime and hot surfaces. You can walk on the beach or hike with ease now while feeling the dirt beneath your toes – and your Nakefit footpad. Nakefit is a good alternative to when you need
shower shoes or just want that extra layer of protection. Definitely a great gadget for your next beach getaway.
THE SLEEP l 3 www.kokoon.io Sounds are a major component when trying to drift off into REM sleep. Some of us like the quiet lull of white noise machines, others like noisy fans, but sometimes even those tactics don’t work. Kokoon EEG, or electroencephalogram, headphones can probably solve that for you by implementing white noise and noise canceling gradually by using its EEG sensors. It might seem odd wearing headphones to sleep, but these are designed to hug your ear with pillow-like ear cups. The headphones are designed to mold to your head with what Kokoon calls “FlexMould” technology. Kokoon also has an alarm feature so you can drift into being awake come morning time. This seems like the perfect gadget for traveling, blocking out a screaming child on a long flight. Kokoon also has an app pairing so you can see how well you slept by giving you a nightly “sleep score.” THE POOCH
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www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Lifestyles
PASTIMES
Paulette and Frank Drake with their garden of succulents.
A SOCIETY FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULENT LOVERS By Liarida Yoakum Photos by Jonah and Lindsay
“All cactus are succulents, but not all succulents are cactus,” said Frank Drake, former president of the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society. Frank, and his wife, Paulette, have been active members for four years, but the club has been active since 1997. The club meets the second Tuesday 30
Bakersfield Life Magazine
of every month at St. Paul’s Episcopal church at 7 p.m. At almost every meeting, a speaker comes to educate the club on a variety of subjects: plant potting, mixing the soil with a variety of at-home essentials or how to dress them. Dressing means to decorate your cactus or succulent and make it look presentable for a show. “You want them dressed with rock or a bigger rock to accent it, and I have leaf oil
October 2017
to oil my plants to add a gloss to them just to make your plants look good,” Paulette said. “The tools of the trade are tweezers.” The club has participated at the Kern County Fair for many years, and has an upcoming show, the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, on Oct. 7 and 8 that will feature both cactuses and succulents. Many of the members will show either individually or as a representation of the Bakersfield Cactus and
Succulent Society. Frank and Paulette will be showing individually at the fair and will feature 40 cactuses and succulents; at the show, they will be representing the club. Several members have a great amount of plants and take care of them at their home. “If you ask me, we have 4,500 plants … but it’s probably more like less than 100,” Frank said, jokingly. The club’s extensive knowledge about cactuses and succulents would be more than helpful to any new member wishing to join or for anyone willing to raise a cactus or a succulent. The club even has a member that has published a book about different types of cactus. “Our club is to share information about (cactuses) and we want to teach people about cactus and succulents and share our knowledge. They’ll share with you and talk all day,” said Paulette.
Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society For more information, go to www.bakersfieldcactus.org.
San Dimas Pediatrics
Stockdale Pediatrics
500 40th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-327-3784
300 Old River Road, Suite 125 Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-663-3122
7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Se habla español
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Se habla español
We offer the following services: • Well exams
• Sports physicals
• Sick visits
• Same-day appointments
• Immunizations
• After hours on-call
Accepting most PPO, HMO and Medi-Cal insurances.
valleychildrenspediatrics.org www.valleychildrenspediatrics.org www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Lifestyles
WHAT’S HAUTE
JULIA JULIA at the Marketplace has the largest selection of ALEX AND ANI bracelets in Bakersfield; handmade in America from eco-friendly metals, each bangle features a charm that comes with an individual meaning card that explains the significance and story behind it. This month, we’re so excited to highlight the Charity By Design collection from ALEX AND ANI. Charity By Design bangles from ALEX AND ANI are uniquely designed for specific charitable organizations; 20 percent of the purchase price of these bangles are donated to a participating charity. ALEX AND ANI currently works for 50 nonprofit partners with 56 bangles available. Total donations given back from Charity By Design total more than $46 million since the program was started in 2011! ALEX AND ANI works with organizations whose mission aligns with the following values: empowerment, health and wellness, protecting our planet and children. “Charity By Design is one of the best parts about what we do. People form powerful connections with these bangles because they are able to find a charity that resonates with their beliefs or that donates to a cause that has personally affected them,” said owner Vincent Cho. “So, for example, friends and family of a loved one who passed away from
cancer often wear a bangle that donates to a cancer charity in order to honor their memory.” With Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, the Spiral Sun pictured to the right is a perfect way to show your support, as this bangle benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Stop by JULIA to explore ALEX AND ANI bangles that make a difference!
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ALEX AND ANI DESIGNS
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1 “Spiral Sun” (benefits Breast Cancer Research Foundation) – $38 2 “Lighthouse” (benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) – $28 3 “Unicorn” (benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals) – $38 4 “Prints of Love” (benefits ASPCA) – $34 5 “Cupcake” (benefits Race to Erase MS) – $38 6 “Daisy” (benefits UNICEF) – $38 7 “Arrows of Friendship (benefits Best Buddies International) – $38
JULIA (Located next to Chico’s at The Marketplace) 661-412-8068 Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday Find them on Facebook Instagram @JULIABakersfield Promotional Content
WHAT’S HAUTE
Custom Jewelry by Raul Zavala The “and more” in Lucky’s Boutique & More is the introduction of the mega genius of all jewelers, Raul Zavala, who as of the past few months, is housed in the same location as Lucky’s Boutique. He was previously located at 1304 Wible Road called Original Designs. Raul is a fourthgeneration jeweler with an eye and imagination for the unusual and the traditional. He has no limitations in bringing his craft to the very highest level of creativity, regardless of what you might need – a watch repair, setting a diamond, designing a piece of custom jewelry, selecting the perfect engagement ring, a battery for a watch or cleaning your jewelry
while you wait. Raul has over 40 years of experience. He works in all mediums: gold, silver and platinum. He allows the customer to guide him in the developing of the particular piece of jewelry they conceptualize. His end goal is for the customer to be happy and to wear the piece in pride. Remember: Jewelry signifies “special” with all who receive it. Put a happy face on family, friends and all loved ones; look into the purchase of jewelry. With Christmas around the corner, go for the big WOW. Visit Raul for the most exciting gift ever. Hit a home run this holiday season and make a visit to 5009 Stockdale Highway. His wife feels diamonds are a girl’s best friend!
Raul Zavala
SAMPLE PIECES
LUCKY’S BOUTIQUE & MORE 5009 Stockdale Highway 661-633-2278 Facebook@luckysboutique Instagram@luckysboutiquefashion
Promotional Content
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Go & Do
ENTERTAINMENT
BSO season opens with tribute to Bernstein
By Shelby Parker
The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra has entertained audiences with its musical performances since 1933 and the 86th season begins Oct. 7 with “100 Years of Leonard Bernstein” at Rabobank Theater. “Under the expert direction of our music director, Stilian Kirov, the BSO’s 2017-18 season is filled with wonderful classics and world-class soloists,” said Executive Director Kari Heilman. “Join us on Oct. 7 for the start of 34
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our 86th season. You won’t want to miss a single note.” Kirov, who is also the conductor, said “Season-opening concert is always quite unique, but I feel that in this case, there is some extra amount of excitement as we will perform pieces that the orchestra and the audience haven’t had the chance to experience in recent years.” The evening will take people on a journey featuring composition pieces from Bernstein, starting with his “Candide Overture,” which will lead into some of his colorful works, and Ravel’s Piano
Concerto in G major. “The Piano Concerto in G major we selected for this concert is a piece that Bernstein often played and conducted in the same time from the piano, which is quite impressive,” said Kirov. The second half of the show will include two distinct pieces: Jeremiah Symphony and Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.” Guest soloist Kenneth Broberg, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition silver medalist, will also take the stage for Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G
“I always feel that at the season-opening night, the whole symphony family gathers to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter.”
– Stilian Kirov
www.bakersfieldlasik.com
major. “I always feel that at the season-opening night, the whole symphony family gathers to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter,” said Kirov of the concert hall family. “We all create the joy of live performance together. We are family and this is the most beautiful aspect of experiencing live music together.” At the beginning of his tenure, Kirov promised to ensure that everyone feels welcome at their concerts. They work night and day to make the music available to all, as “music is not only entertainment, it is a necessity.” “Art is what makes us human and helps us see the world through better eyes,”
said Kirov. As with all shows at the symphony, those in attendance can anticipate “a fantastic night of celebration with great excitement and inspiration.”
“100 Years Of Leonard Bernstein” Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20-$45. Tickets can be purchased by calling the BSO office at 661-323-7928, BSOnow.org or the Rabobank Theater Box Office.
www.bmtstars.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Go & Do
ENTERTAINMENT
Adventist Health Bakersfield’s GospelFest ‘rocks’ Bakersfield Oct. 1 By Dianne Hardisty
The popular Canadian Christian rock band Hawk Nelson will headline Adventist Health Bakersfield’s GospelFest on Sunday, Oct. 1, in the Spectrum Amphitheatre in The Park at River Walk on Stockdale Highway. The band has won numerous awards, including two Canadian Gospel Music Association awards, multiple GMA Dove Award nominations and a prestigious JUNO nomination by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Hawk Nelson has released seven studio albums, with some climbing to the top of iTunes’ “Christian & Gospel” chart, as well as being listed in the top 100 overall albums. Hawk Nelson will be joined at GospelFest by local groups Grace Upon Grace, RCC Worship Team, Dylan Dunlap and Discovery Worship. Gates to this free concert will open at 2:30 p.m. with performances beginning at 3 p.m. and continuing into the evening. 36
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The free annual event gives the community a chance to hear top-quality Christian music and gives local artists a chance to share their talents and gain exposure for their work.
“GospelFest is a way for us to extend the mission of the hospital to the entire community.”
– Jimmy Phillips
The event also will include food trucks, shopping opportunities and family fun, such as face painting for the kids. The first 1,000 people to enter will receive a pair of neon-colored Adventist Health sunglasses. Adventist Health is organizing and funding GospelFest. Other sponsors include TBC Media. Spectrum Amphitheatre management company AEG is providing logistic support. “The mission of Adventist Health Bakersfield is to live God’s love by
inspiring health, wholeness and hope,” explained Jimmy Phillips, Adventist Health Bakersfield’s executive director of marketing and communications. “As a health care organization, we do this every day inside the walls of our hospital and clinics. But to live up to this high calling in an authentic way, we have to get outside of our facilities and into the community. GospelFest is a way for us to extend the mission of the hospital to the entire community, regardless of their health care needs,” Phillips said, noting that the event’s purpose is to provide a family day that is completely free and faith-driven. “We’ve been doing this for almost a decade and it never fails to inspire me as I see people of various backgrounds and denominations worshipping together. It’s easily one of my favorite days of the year.” Each year, the amphitheater, which can accommodate 5,000 people, fills to capacity with GospelFest fans. Phillips said Adventist Health is expecting a capacity turnout for this year’s event.
www.bacpas.com
Go & Do
OUT & ABOUT
PHOTO BY AUTUMN PARRY
TALLADEGA FRIGHTS: THE SCARIEST PLACE IN BAKERSFIELD THIS OCTOBER
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October 2017
By Kasey Meredith
Talladega Frights is back again this year from Sept. 29 to Oct. 29 and this year it’s the very epitome of the word scary. Co-owner of the Talladega Frights haunt, Amber Wilbur, assures that this year, Talladega Frights will be the scariest yet. “We went really, really scary this year. It’s not for little kids,” Wilbur said. “We’re really bringing it this year.” The haunt’s theme is an insane asylum, which Wilbur said she based off of social media suggestions. “Unfortunately, the history of asylums is that they have a bad reputation,” Wilbur said. “So there’s a lot of material to pull from like electroshock therapy and lobotomies.” Wilbur wants to clarify that the negative stigma that surrounds mental health isn’t going to be perpetuated in the haunt. We’re drawing material from institutions that did terrible things over 50 years ago, Wilbur said. But the best part of doing the insane asylum theme, Wilbur said, is that you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next. Hauntgoers can expect new features like an elevator and interactive elements similar to games found in escape rooms. “We want the customers to be completely absorbed by the 20-minute experience,” Wilbur said. Wilbur and her husband, Mike Wilbur, started their haunted house journey out of their own home in 2009. “One year we had to get police to set up barricades,” Amber said. It was then that they decided it was time to go bigger.
“There’s nothing really like it in Bakersfield,” Amber said. “I think because it’s so hot; it’s still 85 degrees in October, no one’s really thinking about fall.” Nine seasons later, the Wilburs continue to try and make the haunt better than the year before. “My husband is afraid that it will get boring after a while, so we’re always doing something different,” Amber said.
“But the best part of doing the insane asylum theme, is that you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next. Haunt-goers can expect new features like an elevator and interactive elements similar to games found in escape rooms.” – Amber Wilbur Talladega Frights is also a healthy experience for those who participate in it, which happen to be mostly Bakersfield teens. “So many teachers tell us that their students love being a part of it,” Amber said. Talladega Frights will be open Thursdays through Sundays. On Thursdays and Sundays, the haunt will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the haunt will run from 7 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $20. A fast pass to the front of the line is $10 extra. If you want a more family friendly Halloween experience, Amber also runs the Spooky Hollow Farms.
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Showroom inside Artistic Surfaces 120 Union Avenue 588-8481 • BRCKitchenBath.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Go & Do
Scenic landscape of Grand Tetons National Park
TRIP PLANNER
THE GRAND TETONS: America’s most beautiful
American bison
By Kasey Meredith Facing page, clockwise: Snake River Phelps Lake The iconic elk antler arch welcomes visitors to the town square in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Lotus Cafe
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Visiting Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming let me harness a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of this country. You don’t have to be a crunchy-granola nature lover to fall in love with this place. The views in the Tetons are breathtaking and those breaths you take will be the freshest you’ll ever take. Initially named “les trois tetons,” French settlers thought these monolithic mountains resembled a woman’s breast. If the 4,000-meter peak of a Teton doesn’t entice you – the massive Snake River cutting through green valleys that seem to stretch on for miles, peppered
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
with diverse flora and fauna, ought to do it. The park has a variety of lodging experiences, however lodgings book quickly so I’d start planning months in advance. There are plenty of camping grounds in the park if you want the full great outdoors experience. If nature isn’t calling that loudly, I’d suggest staying in the Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch. These no-frills cabins include beds and showers, but none of the 21st century luxuries like Wi-Fi. If that’s not your thing, there are a few mountain resort-esque lodgings, but I would consider the cabin. Hiking is one of the main attractions of the Tetons and the best way to see the wildlife. Full
disclosure: I was a novice hiker prior to this trip, but I chose the 12-mile hike to Inspiration Point as my first hike anyways. By the time you reach the top of Inspiration Point, you’ll get some serious Walden Pond-esque inspiration and a great view of the pristine Jenny Lake bordered with lush ponderosa pines. This view looks like it came out of a movie. Another hike I’d suggest is over by Taggart and Phelps lakes. The Phelps Lake overlook is also a great way to spot some moose as well as a great view. If hiking isn’t your thing,
there’s plenty of amazing fishing and rafting opportunities. Snake River is quite the behemoth and if you go during the right time of the year, it’s a crystal-clear window into a whole other ecosystem. Whitewater rafting was far too much for me, so I went on a float trip down the river with a guide and all. Wyoming might be the mecca of American wildlife. The American bison might be first on your list and trust me, you will see these peaceful beings. Bring binoculars and keep your distance. Spotting the ugly-beautiful, lanky moose, garners bragging rights as they are in decline. I finally found one my last day eating some willow on the aptly named Moose Junction Road. There’s plenty of good eats in the park but the real foodie excursion lies within the mountain town of Jackson Hole, situated in the valley of the Tetons. Save one night to go all out at the Snake River Grill and stop by the Lotus Cafe for an eclectic breakfast. Again, if you don’t like nature, visit the Tetons and try to say that again with a straight face. Seriously. “America the Beautiful” was written about this place. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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B Well
FEATURE
Unlocking mood disorders through the
GUT-BRAIN AXIS KEY The relationship of foods we eat and our behavior
By Kasey Meredith
T
he key to solving mood disorders like depression and anxiety might be locked away in our gut health. “The relationship between our gut and our brain isn’t one-sided,” Dr. Isabel Sumaya, professor of psychology and head of the behavioral neuroscience laboratory at CSUB, said. That symbiosis is known as the gut-brain axis. Specifically, the gut-brain axis refers to the signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and the central
Defining your body. Just what are we talking about anyway?
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nervous system. Amino acids are at the root of this relationship. Amino acids make up neurotransmitters, or chemicals that trigger brain cells to synapse. The amino acid tryptophan makes up the neurotransmitter serotonin. An imbalance in serotonin causes depression. But eating foods rich in tryptophan isn’t a substitute for antidepressants such as Prozac or Zoloft; “foods encourage amino acids, but are not the end all,” Sumaya said. The link between serotonin and tryptophan Continued on Page 44
Amino Acids: Considered to be the building blocks of life, because nine of them can only be processed by the body as food.
October 2017
Neurotransmitters: Made from amino acids, they are chemical messengers that enable signals to the brain.
Gut-brain axis: Refers to the biochemical signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.
Psychobiotics: A term coined by Ted Dinan et. al, how probiotics relate to the gut-brain axis phenomena.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Continued from Page 42
How do you test depression in rats? Sumaya and her colleagues test for depressive-like symptoms, not depression, in rats because you can’t ask a rat how it’s feeling. This is measured by conducting a forced swim test, or FST. Rats are innate swimmers so they placed the rats in a tall cylindrical tube filled with water and measured how long it took for the rats to give up and float. The rats were pulled out of the water before they drowned. Measuring this “giving up” is a form of learned helplessness, a symptom of depression.
is just the tip of the iceberg when talking about the gut-brain axis. In 2015, Sumaya and her colleagues published a study that showed the decrease of depressive-like symptoms in rats when they consumed nothing but a high-fat diet. “I thought that I couldn’t publish this; no one would believe a high-fat diet is actually good,” Sumaya said. “Anytime you hear the word ‘highfat,’ it’s not positive.” Surprisingly, Sumaya found that other researchers around the world were finding similar results. Sumaya first came across the idea because of a study done by Minjeong Kang et. al that tested caloric-intensive diets and anxiety-like symptoms in rats, so the dietary key to our neurotransmitters is still yet unlocked. However, the rats who just ate a high-fat diet and were treated with nothing else performed the best. It turns out cheeseburgers and french fries might not be so bad for you after all, Sumaya said, lightheartedly. However, Sumaya’s study only shows a correlative relationship between a high-fat diet and depressive-like symptoms in rat behavior, not humans. The extent of a high-fat diet affecting
human behavior is still undetermined, Sumaya said, because it’s easier to test rats given all the variables. Sumaya also notes that the gut-brain axis isn’t a blanket explanation. “Brain chemistry is only half of it,” she said. “Depression is caused by many factors.”
In 2015, Sumaya and her colleagues published a study that showed the decrease of depressive-like symptoms in rats when they consumed nothing but a high-fat diet. But the relationship is apparent and for some, the answer is through changing our diet. Maybe it’s not cheeseburgers and french fries but the GAPS diet or gut and psychological/ physiological diet is one instance. “You have to eat well to think well,” Dr. Ron Wedemeyer, Bakersfield chiropractor and advocate for the GAPS diet, said.
www.ccvmg.com
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October 2017
Here are some food items that the GAPS diet removes from your diet: processed foods, improperly prepared grains, meats that have been subjected to antibiotics and hormones, and fruits and vegetables that have been subjected to genetic modification or pesticides. Wedemeyer said that our bodies are subject to “leaky gut” when we’re intaking those prohibited foods. Wedemeyer also said that free radicals pass through the bloodstream and past the semipermeable blood brain barrier causing disruption in our fight-or-flight system. “If the resources aren’t there and you’re basically nutrient deficient,” Wedemeyer said, “your body becomes fatigued, stressed and eventually can lead to depression.” Leaky gut isn’t a widely accepted medical phenomena, but the idea that gut flora health has a symbiotic relationship with our brain isn’t unheard of. A University of Cork study done by John Cryan and Ted Dinan tested rats that had been given the bifidobacterium, an SSRI used to treat anxiety disorder, Lexapro. Both rats were successful in increasing animal perseverance.
Gut flora and good bacteria Your gut flora is the community of microorganisms that live in your digestive tracts. Good bacteria such as, bifidobacterium, help regulate your immune system and this flora.
Wedemeyer compares our gut flora health to the gremlins from the ’80s movie “Gremlins.” “Gut flora becomes what you eat,” Wedemeyer said. “Like the gremlins, if you feed them after dark they become a monster, if you feed your gut bad things it goes haywire.” And Wedemeyer said that the relationship with our gut and our brain function is also affected if our brain function isn’t up to par – our gut health suffers. Another study done by Jane Foster and Karen-Anne McVey Neufeld at McMaster University in Canada said, “Gut
microbiota are an important player in how the body influences the brain” and “influences the risk of disease, including anxiety and mood disorders,” one being depression. Whether it’s a high-fat diet, the GAPS diet or something entirely different, the key to solving the gut-brain axis could potentially unlock new treatments of mood disorders and mental illnesses. “Much of science is found serendipitously,” Sumaya said. “There’s a relationship between the foods we eat and neurotransmitters, but how it impacts behavior – we just don’t know enough yet.”
www.mybakersfieldhealthcare.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
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B Well
YOUR BODY
Considering a vegan diet? By Kasey Meredith
There’s a plethora of diets out there these days: ketogenic, paleo, vegetarian and considerably the most extreme of them all, veganism. Vegans consume no animal byproducts, so primarily that means no meat and no dairy, but it also includes foods like eggs and honey. Veganism is rooted strongly in the animal rights activist community, but when done right can give you added health benefits. Becoming a vegan might seem intimidating, but it can be done. Researchers found that vegans have considerably lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol in a 2009 study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This puts vegans at a lower risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. The same study said that vegans have higher levels of folic acid, fiber, vitamins C and E, potassium and magnesium. On the contrary, a vegan diet needs to be done correctly, otherwise, you will be severely lacking in nutrients such as vitamins B-12 and D, calcium, omega-3, and sometimes zinc and iron. Becoming a vegan cold
turkey can put your body into a bit of a shock; prepare to feel hungry more often. Making the transition gradually, for instance first cutting out meat, will make the transition easier. Naturally occurring vegan substitutes are more accessible at the grocery store than they were 10 years ago. Start by trying out almond milk in your coffee, having coconut yogurt instead of your usual fruit-at-the-bottom, and eating a hearty salad or quinoa burger for lunch. Beans, nuts, seeds and ancient grains are your best friends when it comes to protein. These items can easily be integrated into all three meals of the day. For example, integrating breads with seeds and sprouted wheat into your diet and switching white rice out for quinoa or farro are some easy adjustments. The pitfall to avoid here is turning into what some dub the “junk food vegan trend,” substitute meats like “chicken fingers” for instance. If you need to quell the craving for meat, tempeh and jackfruit might become your best friend. Jackfruit is like a meaty pineapple that makes a great dupe for pulled pork barbecue sliders.
Substitute this for that:
Tempeh is a fermented soy product that is good for mock BLT sandwiches.
Researchers found that vegans have considerably lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol in a 2009 study. If eating foods rich in these nutrients just aren’t enough, supplements are a great source. Flaxseeds for instance are a good vegan substitute for fish oil, which is rich in omega-6, a great fatty acid. Hemp seeds pack a huge punch with its high omega-3 and omega-6 properties and can be sprinkled over salads, soups and even smoothies. At the end of the day, it’s your body. If you’re out to eat and can’t find any vegan substitutes, it’s OK. You make the rules. Being a “flexitarian,” where you steer away from animal products and byproducts, still forces you to get more fruits and vegetables in your daily intake, which ultimately provides an array of nutrients.
Almond milk for whole milk
When baking, use mashed bananas for eggs
Dairy free yogurt for sour cream
Quinoa or farro for white rice
Soy cheese for cheese
Vegetable broth for beef or chicken stock
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October 2017
LOVE AND LIFE
There are so many different color and design modifications you can do to customize this craft to fit your own home and personal style.
CHILDHOOD CRAFTS with a modern twist By Nina Ha
The old handprint keepsake. Many of us have either made one as a kid, received one as a parent or admired one, complete with dried macaroni borders. No matter how you feel about the quintessential childhood craft, you can’t argue its ability to transport you back to the time when those hands were so little. At the local Montessori school, our little girl and her baby brother learned how to press their chubby little hands into pools of colorful paint to make Mother’s Day and Father’s Day keepsakes that never failed to tug at our parental heartstrings. But, over time, some of the glue, markers and embellishments have cracked, faded and disappeared into the distant time capsule of childhood. It was then that I saw a social media post by a Bible study friend, Kristen Kochanski. She wrote, “As they outgrow me, I will be able to reflect on tiny hands that once fit in my palm.” She had managed to capture her family’s handprints in a fun, yet modern way. She traced everyone’s hand in her family, cut them out onto colorful construction paper and placed one on top of the other from largest to smallest. Her creativity awakened the Pinterest part of my brain
that I didn’t realize I had. Apparently, it’s located next to the Instagram cortex, which is just below the Facebook-thalamus part of the cranium. I decided to do a monochromatic variation on Kristen’s idea. One evening, I cut some black foam board squares, squeezed white acrylic paint onto a plate and had my family roll up their sleeves to create custom art for our bare walls. I used silver stickers to commemorate the year and identify the hands. Then, I mounted the prints in frames. The entire process took about 20 minutes. Even after three years, the mementos still hang in our dining room. There are so many different color and design modifications you can do to customize this craft to fit your own home and personal style. Pet paw prints would be fun to do as well. We may not be able to display every work of art our kids bring home, but we can create a pièce de résistance that we can look back on fondly to remember our little ones when they were actually little. Because, even after they’ve left our homes, they’ll still hold our hearts. Nina Ha
Opinions expressed in this column are those of Nina Ha. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Paint the Town Pink
EVENTS
Oct. 2: Trees of Honor ribbon cutting at Union Cemetery 11 a.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the Trees of Honor display at the Historic Union Cemetery. Oct. 3: Lace’n It Up 11 p.m. Yokuts Park. Lace’n It Up for Links for Life will be a kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Bakersfield. Call to register for the walk, 322-5601. Minimum registration of $25 includes lunch and a T-shirt. Oct. 5: “Girls Night Out” 5-7 p.m. Victoria’s in The Marketplace. Call for more information, 665-8300. Oct. 7: Mammo’s & Mani’s Breast Screening 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call CBCC for an appointment 616-1643. Oct. 10: Rusty’s Pizza “Slices of Hope” All day; dine in, takeout or delivery, a portion of all orders will benefit Links for Life. Oct. 12: VIPink Event 5:30 p.m. AIS Cancer Center For more information, call 637-8321. Oct. 18 Lunch & Learn with Dr. Hoehne 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. AIS Cancer Center. Call for more information, 637-8321. Oct. 19: Paint the Town Pink Luncheon & Fashion Show 10 a.m.-2 p.m., lunch is served at noon. This spectacular afternoon includes lunch, fashion show and shopping galore. Reserve early – last year was a sellout, 322-5601. Oct. 24: Breast Screening 5 p.m.-7 p.m. AIS Cancer Center For an appointment, call 637-8321. Oct. 24: Color Me Mine, “It’s All About The Pink” event 6 p.m. For more information, please call 664-7366. Nov. 3: Liberty vs. BHS “Links” Challenge 5 p.m. during the football game at Liberty High School.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
Battling breast cancer
TOGETHER By Jason Gutierrez
S
tatistics show that within the U.S., 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Think about it. Take it in, roll it around and name eight women, regardless of age, whom you know. Visualize their faces, remember the sound of their laughter, the way they brush their hair out of their face. Think about the shape their smiles take and the color of their eyes. Remember why you know them, why you love them and especially why you could not live without them. Now, dig a little deeper. Think about your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, teachers, mentors, sisters and friends because the most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and aging. About 95 percent of all breast cancers in the U.S. occur in women 40 and older. The statistics don’t get better, they get harder to bare. For example, each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. To magnify the problem even more, one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. That’s right, men are affected by breast cancer, too. Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Twenty-five years. It’s a long time if you think about it. A quarter of a century or a drop in the bucket, depending on whom you ask. For Links for Life, it’s a monumental milestone of dedicated care and assistance to Kern County community members. Like most service-based nonprofits in our community, Links for Life sparked from the need of the people. Originally named Business & Charity Golf Links then Link to Life, our modern-day Links for Life was started in 1992 by Carol
October 2017
Barraza and Sharyn Woods to promote breast cancer awareness and provide services for women coping with breast cancer, including a wig boutique. “I found Links for Life to be a safe and caring environment,” says Carrie Johnson a two-year survivor and Links client. “They first fitted me for a wig and beautiful head coverings, then they gave me the best gift of all: great friendship and a sisterhood that has continued to enrich my life.” The outreach-service-based organization had a set focus and a powerful volunteer base to propel its mission. Dedicated to providing a network for women, and eventually men, affected with breast cancer, Links strategically partnered with health care providers and fully emphasized the importance that women in Kern County needed to be aware of their breast health. “Some say cancer is a club that you don’t want to be in but I feel truly lucky to be part of Links,” says one-year survivor, Codie Larsen. “If it wasn’t for Links for Life, I wouldn’t be as proud to be in this cancer club. These women are truly inspirational.” Comprised of staff and volunteer-based helpers, Links for Life is a dynamic force. Through community grants and donations, Links for Life is able to provide a Comprehensive Breast Health Program that funds mammograms, ultrasounds and needle biopsies for those under 40 years of age who are uninsured or underinsured and live in Kern County. The reach of Links for Life expands to the local health care community and has established strong connections with all doctors and clinics in Kern County. We are in this together so proudly wear pink, think pink and help Links for Life service our community for many more years to come.
Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
Chris Abbott
WALL OF HOPE
18-year survivor
Ruth Adams
11-year survivor
Maria del S. Aguilar 2-year survivor
Estrella Anaya
4-year survivor
Elaine Anderson-Dieter
Mary Aslett
Rosie Azevedo
Lisa L. Anderson
Michelle Andrews
Cherri Armer
31-year survivor
1-year survivor
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1-year survivor
Brenda Bailey
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Beverly Baxley
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Cherryl Biggar
Kelly Bishop
Carolyn Bradford
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Jacquelyn Bradley-Sanders 8-year survivor
Nancy Brady
32-year survivor
Charlotte Brandt
11-year survivor
Stana Bright
26-year survivor
Mercedes Camarillo
Darlene Casey
Mayevern Casey
Lois Caswell
17-year survivor
10-year survivor
14-year survivor
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Evonne Brown
Lorraine Bumbaca
Teresa Burns
Julia Calvillo
17-year survivor
13-year survivor
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15-year survivor
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Karen Churchwell
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Juli Coulthurst
Mary Cruse
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Julia Davis
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Joy Dixon
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Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
WALL OF HOPE
Marilyn Dorer
Marjorie Driscoll
Alicia Linda Dunham
Betty Eaves
Hala El-Ansary
Marlene Elbert
Barbara Ellis
Ginger Empey
21-year survivor
4-year survivor
8-year survivor
30-year survivor
6-year survivor
16-year survivor
36-year survivor
22-year survivor
Susan Ewens
Peggy Fleming
Susie Florian
Julie Followwill
Joan Frank
Rebecca Gaede
Debbie Gallington
Donna Gibb
11-year survivor
9-year survivor
6-year survivor
17-year survivor
5-year survivor
2-year survivor
16-year survivor
19-year survivor
Linda Glenn
Lupe Gonzales
Sandra Gonzalez
Suzanne Gonzalez
Carrie Grant
Natalie Grumet
Coleen Gundzik
Jennie Haberlander
Donna Hermann
53-year survivor
4-year survivor
8-year survivor
25-year survivor
1-year survivor
10-year survivor
10-year survivor
Margaret Hadley
Bobbie Hake
Paige Halterman
Brigette Hamblet
Sherry Harrison
Linda Hartt
Kristi Hatak Grohs 9-year survivor
8-year survivor
Dee Holder
Dorothy Hollingsworth
Carrie Johnson
10-year survivor
7-year survivor
14-year survivor
12-year survivor
11-year survivor
22-year survivor
Diana Hernandez
Jeanette Hernandez
Jessica Hernandez
Vivia Hobbs
Valarie Hodges
Dorothy Hoffman
9-year survivor
7-year survivor
3-year survivor
4-year survivor
24-year survivor
11-year survivor
8-year survivor
Lou Hosey
Marguerite Hughey
Helen Huntalas
Dona Hurt
Verna Jackson
Olga Jacobs
Karla Jadwin
10-year survivor
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October 2017
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Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
Linda Jones
WALL OF HOPE
Margaret Jones
Rhonda Jones
Linda Jordan
Debra Kemp
Rebekah Khan
Cheryle Kileen
Germaine Kimm
19-year survivor
1-year survivor
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Debbie Kiser
Berna Koski
Armida Laddaga
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Ginger Lane
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Jessica Latta
Barbara Lawrence
11-year survivor
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Barbara Lechtreck
Kimberly Lee
Marie Lehmann
Connie Lenk
Peggy Limi
Rita Linkswiler
Sandy Loman
Janet Love
8-year survivor
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Esther Lozano
Phyllis Luckey
Mary Luna
Stephanie Lynch
Rebecca Lynn
Letty Maciel
Carrie Maglieri
Judith Malerich
24-year survivor
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Jan Maltone
Gwenetta Marshall
Casey McBride
Pam McCalla
Carolyn McCleod
Ann McCright
Naomi McCutcheon 15-year survivor
Vicki Meadows
4-year survivor
Linda Morales
Bronwyn Mullen
14-year survivor
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28-year survivor
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Liz Menchaca
Sandy Mendez
Ethel Miksits
Carolyn “Scottie� Miller
Alice Mills
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3`-year survivor
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Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
WALL OF HOPE
Jill Mushaney
Mandy Muth
Pat Napier
Lynn NesSmith
Karen Neukom
Susan Newman
Terri Nixon
Edna Norwood
6-year survivor
12-year survivor
6-year survivor
5-year survivor
20-year survivor
4-year survivor
14-year survivor
19-year survivor
Joann Nunn
Amy Padilla Villalobos
Maria Paine
Terry Page
Arlene Parsons
Mary Jo Pasek
JoAnn Payne
Nancy Pelton
18-year survivor
8-year survivor
2-year survivor
9-year survivor
25-year survivor
20-year survivor
23-year survivor
19-year survivor
Dee Pena
Arlinda Perez-Reyes
Priscilla Darling Phillips 8-year survivor
Eldean Phillips
3-year survivor
Nancy Phillips
2-year survivor
Tammi Pierce
4-year survivor
Janet Polte
5-year survivor
Coral Poole-Clark
8-year survivor
Jane Pratt
Cherie Puckett
Melanie Reed
Joan Reedy
Linda Regier
Kay Restad
Lisa Rey
Barbara Reyes
28-year survivor
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3-year survivor
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18-year survivor
Billie Reynolds
Deanna Rhoades
Gerry Richardson
Natalie Robles
Patsy Romero
22-year survivor
Angela Ruffino
10-year survivor
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Pryscylla Russell
Laura Salamanca
19-year survivor
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Kelly Sanders
Vickie Sanford
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3-year survivor
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21-year survivor
October 2017
6-year survivor
17-year survivor
27-year survivor
63-year survivor
14-year survivor
Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
WALL OF HOPE
Chris Sheehan
Suzanne Shelbourne 1-year survivor
7-year survivor
15-year survivor
11-year survivor
34-year survivor
12-year survivor
2-year survivor
Susan Spears
Mary Ann Stieber
Ethel Struble
Kala Stuebbe
Jan Sublett
Kathy Thomas
Fran Thompson
Joyce Tillery
11-year survivor
Shelly Sheldon
Lynne Sill
Connie Simpson
Nancy Skellenger
Rita Smith
Pam Smoot
7-year survivor
6-year survivor
25-year survivor
37-year survivor
11-year survivor
7-year survivor
14-year survivor
26-year survivor
Kathy Torres
Kristen Torres
Susan Trihey
Marisela Trujillo
Alissa Turner
Linda Turner
Georgia Twist
Malise Unruh
15-year survivor
2-year survivor
16-year survivor
3-year survivor
9-year survivor
11-year survivor
20-year survivor
14-year survivor
Annabelle Valderamma
Katie Valentich
Mary Van Blake
Jeanne Van Mullem
Shirley Vance
Gabriela Vazquez
Tricia Velasquez
Maria Viallta
1-year survivor
4-year survivor
9-year survivor
3-year survivor
30-year survivor
1-year survivor
10-year survivor
1-year survivor
Dorothy Vokolek
Laura Volpini
Lora Warfield
Carol Warkentin
Dianna Warner
Deloris Waters
Marilyn Watson
Mary Weaver
44-year survivor
7-year survivor
10-year survivor
6-year survivor
8-year survivor
7-year survivor
11-year survivor
16-year survivor
Jean Wedeking
Catherine Wemhoff
Kelly West
Donna Wheeler
Collece Wilcox
Debbie Williams
Susan Wirth
Janet Yacopetti
25-year survivor
15-year survivor
4-year survivor
21-year survivor
7-year survivor
20-year survivor
4-year survivor
7-year survivor
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Links for Life
SPONSORED BY
WALL OF HOPE
Jeff Hayward
Nick Marantos
Irene Aguirre and Yvonne Escalera Salazar
Renee Johnson and Stephne Bishop
Tammy Shipley and Thelma Reed
Aunt / Niece 10-year survivor / 2-year survivor
Daughter / Mother 4-year survivor / 6-year survivor
Daughter/ Mother 13-year survivor / 32-year survivor
Ede Pacaldo / Priscilla Bacus
Vivian Chianello and Karen Chianello
Henrietta Camarillo and Henrietta Galaviz
Cherie Shoemake and Marilyn Thomas
Cousin / Cousin 16-year survivor / 16-year survivor
Mother / Daughter 13-year survivor / 7-year survivor
Daughter / Mother 5-year survivor / 11-year survivor
Daughter / Mother 23-year survivor / 31-year survivor
Judy Buechler and Laurie Geissel
Jeanine Wanlass and Yevette Peterson
Mercedes Quiogue and Michelle Quiogue
Loretta Nevarez and Pemma Garcia
Mother / Daughter 10-year survivor / 10-year survivor
Mother / Daughter 1-year survivor / 2-year survivor
Daughter / Mother 4-year survivor / 25-year survivor
21-year survivor
4-year survivor
Aunt / Niece 23-year survivor / 4-year survivor
Special thanks to Karla Jadwin, 27-year survivor, for her generous donation of the Wall of Hope photos.
To be included in next year’s Wall of Hope, please call Links for Life at 322-5601.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
SPONSORS Year Round Sponsors
Media Sponsors
October 2017
Ruby Sponsors
HOW
TO
The internet has changed the world we live in. Nearly anything you can think of is accessible with a few simple keystrokes and the click of a mouse. But with information so readily available, we, in turn, can become less knowledgeable. “Google it” has become the go-to response to any question in which the answer is unknown. While the internet – and all the content found within – is a great tool to have at your disposal, there is no substitute for naturally knowing how to do things. Life is full of decisions and every day, we must make choices. This month, we try to help you with some of those selections. From do-it-yourself projects to learning when to call, and how to go about choosing, a professional, these pages are chock-full of useful information to make life just a little bit easier.
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Tim and Michelle Hardt from Hardt Construction.
PHOTO BY JONAH AND LINDSAY
GUIDE
How to choose a builder Americans spend up to $15 billion each year on home improvement projects completed by builders. These professionals can change your existing structure or build your dream home. The builder you choose should be highly skilled and hardworking. Consider these tips to help you find the best builder in your area. Determine the Budget Knowing your budget will help you determine the size of your project. Don’t make the mistake of overspending on a construction project. Get Bids After determining your budget and plan, look for five builders and solicit five bids for the project. The top bid is probably more than you should pay. The lowest bidder might have inaccurately assessed the job or is simply too inexperienced, so be sure to research them carefully.
Interview the Builders Schedule appointments with each builder. Communicate your vision and talk about the bid in detail and request references. Get a Contract Once you have selected the builder, you should receive a contract with the bid in writing. Building contracts outline a time frame for when work will be completed. Be sure you and the builder agree on what will happen if the timeframe is not met. Sometimes, a builder subcontracts other companies for portions of a job. You should know the other companies and what tasks they will be doing. Payment due dates will be listed on the contract. Request a receipt for payment. If there is a project manager assigned for your job, meet with that person at the beginning of the project.
It doesn’t matter whether the car is new or used, at some point, it will need repairs. If you have a good auto repair shop you trust, it will make these nuances that much easier to accomplish. Here are some other things to keep in mind when looking for an auto repair shop: • The Better Business Bureau can inform you about the repair shop’s performance and reliability. • Ask about the shop’s range of services. For example, can your prospective shop handle brake systems, electrical components and warranty repairs? Do they provide a loaner, rental car, or shuttle service while your car is being repaired? • Inquire about their customer
satisfaction policy. • Look for brand names and proper certification. Shop shops may use remade or generic brands which your insurance policy may not cover, so be sure to check. • Are the auto technicians certified by a specific car manufacturer, the National Institute for Automotive Services or Automotive Science Excellence? Is the shop approved by the American Automobile Association? If so, this indicates a customer approval rating of 90 percent or higher and the ability to adequately perform the services advertised. • Don’t pick a shop based on cost; poor repair work will mean higher costs in the long run.
Routine eye exams can catch issues early, making them easier to treat.
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
How to choose an auto repair shop
How to select an eye doctor Eye exams are one of the most crucial things you can do to ensure your health and happiness. Even if you don’t have any noticeable trouble with your eyesight, it is still important to have a routine examination. Getting your eyes checked makes it possible to discover vision issues early, when they are easier to treat. Choosing a right optometrist or ophthalmologist can be a challenge. Consider these aspects when doing your research. Insurance If you have health or vision insurance, check the list of doctors who are covered by your plan. Picking an “in-network” doctor will save you money on your co-pay and out-of-pocket costs.
Finding a mechanic you can trust is a critical factor in choosing an auto repair shop.
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Types of doctors Optometrists can identify and diagnose a variety of eye disorders, including cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease. They also have the ability to write prescriptions to treat these conditions. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who treat eye diseases. Along with treating vision problems, they provide medical and surgical care and even plastic surgery. References Your family doctor or general practitioner may know the good eye doctors in your area. Doctors often refer patients to an eye care specialist that has the most experience treating specific needs. Friends and family can also provide helpful advice. They can tell you who they used for their previous eye exams, provide insight about any issues and tell you who works well with children. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Fit for Life Gym offers team, as well as personal, training opportunities.
People of all shapes and sizes join gyms. These facilities are a fantastic way to lose weight, stay fit and have fun. Joining a gym will help cure the boredom you might feel when working out. These facilities have a variety of equipment, programs, classes and teachers. Paying for membership increases your chances of working out. It is harder to form excuses to skip exercise when you’re paying for it whether you go or not. Each gym has different classes, programs, amenities and services to help members work on their abilities and goals. Personal trainers can be especially helpful if you need instruction or encouragement. A good personal trainer will offer a health assessment before working out with you. He or she will understand your physical limits and then work to expand those boundaries safely, while constantly asking you to do just one more rep or one more minute on the machine. Many gyms have a pool. They might even offer aqua aerobics. This comprehensive workout uses the water’s resistance for extra toning. It is usually very safe for people with joint pain. If you can find a private instructor, you can get an excellent workout involving both cardio and endurance training. 58
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Customer service is job No. 1 at Houston Jewelers.
How to choose a jeweler Choosing the right jeweler is important when it’s time to buy an engagement ring, graduation gift or memento marking a special occasion. Quality jewelers offer reasonable pricing and fantastic customer service. Do not make the mistake of basing your decision on cost alone. Jewelry professionals are skilled artisans who create beautiful pieces with their own hands. They repair, clean and adjust items with ease. But technical expertise isn’t the only aspect to consider. You’ll want to work with someone who sees more than dollar signs behind each customer. People often regard their jewelry as a kind of financial or sentimental investment for family members. A professional understands the emotional bonds sym-
bolized by a piece of jewelry and treats it accordingly. Many jewelers are sensitive to the needs of each customer. A discount store may offer an unbelievable price on a piece of jewelry. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Doing business with a jeweler you know and trust will make a big difference when it is time to make a significant investment in a ring, necklace or watch. He or she will make every effort to get you the best possible price without sacrificing quality. Anyone can sell jewelry. Malls across America are filled with jewelry stores. But a dedicated professional jeweler doesn’t just sell precious metals or gemstones. He or she brings a keen eye for the beautiful and stunning quality of each piece.
PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS
How to choose a gym
PHOTO BY LAURA LIERA
Sarah Ward, an interior designer at Red Door Interiors.
How to choose an interior decorator Before hiring a decorator, think about your personal tastes. Leaf through magazines and clip out designs that appeal to you to get an idea of what is available. You could also look on the internet and print out specific looks you like. It is also a good idea to learn some interior design terminology so you can speak the same language as the designer. Studying the words they use will help you avoid disappointment later. Research the names and contact information of interior decorators. Check with your family and friends as well. In particular, if you know someone whose home you adore, ask who did the work. Ask about how bills are
handled. Usually there are three methods of payment. The first is by-the-hour. The interior designer will ask that you pay for a minimum number of hours. The second payment option is cost-plus. When interior decorators purchase items for your home, they simply add a percentage to the cost. The third choice is a combination of by-the-hour and cost-plus. The ideal professional will have an ability to understand and reflect your style. After all, you are the person who will live in your home. Find someone who is flexible and communicative. If the person doesn’t take criticism well, that is not a person you want to work with. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Seven Oaks Country Club offers 27 challenging holes and is always meticulously maintained.
How to choose a veterinarian
Dr. Lohr of Niles Point Veterinary Hospital definitely has an affinity for pets. 60
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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Most people think of their pets as members of their family. In fact, some people even refer to them as fur children. That’s why finding a veterinarian or veterinary clinic is so important. Routine veterinary care will help your pet to live a longer and happy life. If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to find a professional that will give your pet the best care possible. Ask for Referrals Your family and friends may know a good veterinarian. Listen to their experiences with a critical ear. You need to find someone who is professional, compassionate and timely. Research veterinary and veterinarian clinics on
Y O U ’ R E A LWA Y S W E L C O M E A T
Gables Residential Care Homes
How to choose a golf course provide a beautiful backdrop to put you in the right frame of mind. Sometimes, the most memorable experience comes from playing in extraordinary settings. Anyone who owns or manages a business knows that golf courses are excellent places to hold meetings or executive retreats. Each location is different, catering to a unique clientele and price points. Shop around for a good match. Ask about club and equipment rental. The smartest golfers prefer to try different brands of equipment before buying it. Take advantage of other services that might be offered. Many golf courses offer specials on lessons.
The Meadows • 10702 Four Bears Dr. RCFE No. 157204176
Spruce Gardens • 13303 Nantucket RCFE No. 157206898
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
Golf remains one of America’s most popular sports. Men, women and even children enjoy spending time on a golf course. If you are looking for a great golf course, you have many options. With enough research, you can find a location that will stretch your skills without breaking your budget. The ideal course should be difficult enough to challenge you. Most golf courses display their course layouts online. There is also a difficulty rating so you know what to expect. Look for a layout and rating that is very different from your usual fare. The best courses match the natural surroundings. They will
The Gables • 903 Spirit Lake RCFE No. 155801279
the internet. Make a list of prospective candidates, then check with the Better Business Bureau in your state to see if there have been any complaints against these professionals. Make a Visit After making a list of choices, visit the veterinary office or clinic. Call ahead and request a tour of facilities. The staff should have the time to answer your questions. Observe how the staff interacts with clients and pets. The employees should have an affinity for animals. If you feel uncomfortable during your visit, consider taking your services elsewhere. You should put the same effort into finding a doctor for your animal as you would in finding one for yourself. Finding the perfect vet for you and your furry, scaly or feathered friend will ensure your pet is with you for years to come.
When living at home is no longer the best option for your loved one, visit the private homes of Gables Residential Care.
In these elegant, family homes, you will find: • Comforts of home in a beautiful surrounding • Caring and competent staff on duty 24 hours a day • Only six residents in each home – companionship with others • Personal assistance with activities of daily living – bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, medication supervision, transportation – whatever is needed. • Delicious, home-cooked meals and snacks • Lovely patios and secure walking paths • Alzheimer’s/Hospice Waivers
661.631.2036 www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Stylist Shelbi Eudy performs her magic at Panache Salon.
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
How to choose a salon One bad hair day is one thing – a string of them probably means you need to visit a salon. The right hairstylist can prevent frequent bad hair days, transforming your hair into something stunning. But not all salons have good stylists. Discovering a talented hairstylist does not have to be a matter of luck. It takes patience and research to find the right salon. Asking friends and family for referrals is a great way to find a salon. Get the name of the stylist at the salon. Many times, it is the stylist who will make the salon experience worthwhile. Researching your options on the Internet will help you refine your list but keep in mind that salons that don’t have websites
might be well-kept secrets. Look for salons that match your lifestyle. If convenience is important in your life, make sure the salon is close to your home or office. If you work long hours, your ideal salon will be open during hours you can make appointments. Manicures, pedicures and deep conditioning are just some of the extra services you might find at a salon. If you need to have a pedicure while your hair dye is setting, choose a salon that can multitask. Cost is one of the most important factors in choosing a salon. Be sure the prices are applicable to your hair type and length. Many places offer cheaper prices for short hair, while others with long locks pay a premium.
www.skinrnaesthetics.com
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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
Mary Christenson is one of Bakersfield’s most successful real estate agents, with 35 years of experience.
How to choose a real estate agent When you are buying or selling a home, it is essential to choose the right real estate agent for your needs. Selecting the wrong agent can cost you lots of time and money. Recommendations are one of the best ways to find a qualified real estate agent or realtor. Ask people in your social network for referrals. Sometimes agents are good at helping clients purchase homes, but not as skilled at selling them. Keep that in mind when searching for the right professional. You might also contact local brokers or search the National Association of Realtors directory online. If you are selling your home, your agent should develop an effective marketing plan, explain it to you, and respond to any questions or concerns you have. If you are purchasing a home, the agent should listen to your guidelines and price ranges. Above all, your real estate agent needs to provide updates on progress. Do not work with someone who does not return phone calls or emails. Upon successfully buying or selling your home, keep your real estate agent’s contact information on hand. You may want to refer other people to him or her. You may also need their services again someday.
Monday & Tuesday October 30 & 31, 2017 Get Your Tickets Today! KernCountyMuseum.org (661) 437-3330 3801 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. $5 Adults, $10 Children Children 2 and under are free with ticketed adult.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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box
Beyond the
Home improvement options with specialized stores Compiled by Bakersfield Life Photos by Kasey Meredith
Fandeliers, a ceiling fan-chandelier combo in which the blades are encased in the lighting fixture.
When you start your next home improvement project, remember one thing: It’s all in the details. Bakersfield Life Magazine has gone beyond the big-box stores to bring you the trends in home improvement via a drive down District Boulevard. The professionals who work at these stores can guide you to great new looks that take your space from drab to fab!
See Page 67 for more lighting trends.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Kitchen & Bath Trends Stockdale Kitchen & Bath
Ferguson
4500 Shepard St., B2
6300 District Blvd. • Modern look with clean lines; ornate is out. • Lighting fixtures are like jewelry, they accessorize the room. • Eclectic pairings, mixing metal finishes like burnished, brushed gold with crystals. • Modern freestanding tubs take center stage as bathroom focal points.
• White is coming on strong, in satin finishes.
• Skirted toilets, dual flushing capabilities and no-slam toilet seats. • Wall-mounted bath vanities. • Fewer medicine cabinets, more mirrors. Ferguson offers plumbing, lighting, appliances and fixtures for your kitchen and bath. They can recommend installers for your project.
• Gray is the new black. • The color greige. It’s between gray and beige.
• Man-made quartz countertops that emulate marble look • Crown molding. Chair rails, wainscoting and box molding on walls. • Luxury vinyl floors. Looks like hardwood 66
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October 2017
flooring, but it’s waterproof, no grout lines and great for people with pets. Owner, Rick Sorci, CKD, AKBD is a certified kitchen designer and general contractor with over 20 years of experience.
Tile Trends Bedrosians – Tile & Stone 4301 Ashe Road
• Beveled, antiqued mirror tiles. • Porcelain-looking marble tiles. • Plaid tile for small rooms like laundry, powder or mudrooms. • Arabic patterned tiles.
• Chevron-shaped glass tiles. Store displays will be rotating about every six months for the latest looks and design inspirations. They can recommend tile layers for your project.
Lighting Trends Premier Lighting
• Modern farmhouse style.
4300 Ashe Road, #118
• Finishes: Antique gold can be light or dark in satin or nickel. • Crystal lighting for the holidays. • Clean lines, not a lot of scrollwork. • Vintage lightbulb fixtures. Premier Lighting offers home decor items like accessories, mirrors, lamps and vases. They have professional installations with years of experience for your project.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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People & Community
BUSINESS PROFILES
RIO BRAVO CANCER CENTER Dr. Ricardo Salas, Medical Director of Hematology/Oncology Dr. Ricardo Salas is excited to join Rio Bravo Cancer Center in Bakersfield returning to the San Joaquin Valley where he grew up. Dr. Salas is the Medical Director of Hematology/ Oncology at Rio Bravo Cancer Center. After completing his specialty training in hematology/oncology at Olive-View UCLA/Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Rio Bravo Cancer Center is proud to have Dr. Salas join the team. Dr. Salas was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley to farm-working parents who currently reside in Selma. He was the first in his family to graduate high school and ultimately go on to become a physician. The desire to become a physician was instilled in him early on during his experience working in the fields where he saw firsthand the health disparities farmworkers faced. Since then, he has set out to bridge the gap that exist between medically underserved communities and access to health care. This is the driving force that brought Dr. Salas back to the very roots that propelled his career. Dr. Salas’ interests Rio Bravo Cancer and research Center during his 4500 Morning Drive, #105 academic 661-491-5060 career have www.riobravocancercenter.com focused on identifying barriers to health care access for medically underserved communities, including sun safety practices among farmworkers in the San Joaquin Valley, 68
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which was later published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, December 2005. When asked what led Dr. Salas to become a physician, Dr. Salas stated, “My vocation has always been to serve others, and what better way than to advocate for their health?” Dr. Salas cares for all types of benign and malignant hematologic disorders and also every type of cancer. His training has led him to manage a number of patients with leukemia/ lymphoma/multiple myeloma in the pre- and post-transplant setting. Having the deep Hispanic roots and ability to speak Spanish, Dr. Salas will be a great asset to the Bakersfield community including the Hispanic population in Kern County in need of cancer care. Dr. Salas is honored to care for his patients and is committed to continue to positively impact the lives of his patients and their families. Background: BS: University of California, Berkeley
MPH: San Diego State University, School of Public Health MD: David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles Residency: Internal Medicine – Olive-View UCLA Medical Center Fellowship: Hematology/ Oncology – Olive View-UCLA/Cedars Sinai Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center About Rio Bravo Cancer Center: We have a world-class team of physicians along with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology. From initial diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, we offer comprehensive care so our patients do not need to travel far distances to receive the care they need. Our practice allows for easy access to top quality cancer care services to all patients in the Kern County region. Promotional Content
www.RioBravoCancerCenter.com
People & Community
BUSINESS PROFILES
BREHMER LAW What is Brehmer Law? Brehmer Law is the top law firm in California representing clients accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
best results. The attorneys at Brehmer Law are, in fact, the most trained and most educated. Past clients and colleagues across the country agree.
What does Brehmer Law specialize in? When science intersects with law, Brehmer Law focuses on cases dealing with all types of laboratory analysis in an effort to ensure that convictions don’t result from less than the reliable science of breath and blood alcohol testing. With more specialized training than the users who operate the breath and blood alcohol instruments, the attorneys at Brehmer Law have achieved results uncommon in the practice of scientific legal defense.
CLIENT ENDORSEMENTS:
What separates Brehmer Law from other law firms? The attorneys at Brehmer Law are the most trained in scientific defense, are the most published in forensic science in central California and have the most national speaking engagements in the area of forensic science among all lawyers in the region. Who should contact Brehmer Law? If you or a loved one is accused of driving under the influence or any case involving chemical testing or forensics, Brehmer Law can help. What should clients look for in an attorney? The area of law, like the area of medicine, is broad. Clients must select the besttrained, most educated lawyer who specializes in forensic science cases to obtain the very 70
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“Mr. Brehmer was able to achieve the result I was hoping for without going to trial. I met with many other attorneys before retaining him and not one of them instilled great confidence in me that I would keep my commercial license. I was worried at first about his fee being more than most, but it was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.” – Scott “I went out with my friends and believed I’d done everything right. No more than one drink per hour for about four hours. When I was arrested for DUI, I was devastated. I assume if I was arrested, I must have been guilty. Mr. Brehmer’s office discovered that the test they used was expired and therefore not credible. I never would have known to check or what to do if I did know it was expired. He handled the DMV, so there was no loss of my driving privileges and he appeared many times on my behalf until the case was dropped. He saved me and my family from catastrophe. Just call him. He will honestly assess what he can do.” – Robyn
ATTORNEY ENDORSEMENTS: “Attorney Brehmer is hands down the most experienced, credentialed and qualified DUI attorney in the Central Valley. He is one of those rare October 2017
attorneys that not only cares about his clients, but also uses impeccable legal reasoning and cutting-edge science to achieve justice for his clients. I highly recommend him.” – Christina Oleson, criminal defense attorney “Jeremy Brehmer is one of the best DUI attorneys in the country. He is incredibly intelligent and considered by all who know him in the legal DUI community as an ‘attorney-scientist.’ He regularly teaches other DUI attorneys throughout the country the science of blood alcohol and
drug testing. He also uses his knowledge very effectively in court for his clients. He is certainly someone I go to when I need advice. I definitely endorse Jeremy Brehmer as an excellent DUI attorney-scientist.” – Barton Morris, federal crime attorney
Brehmer Law 1200 Truxtun Ave., Suite 120 661-447-4384 www.brehmerlaw.com
Promotional Content
MR BREHMER IS THE ONLY CENTRAL CALIFORNIA DUI ATTORNEY
to be a three straight year selection to the Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star list (top 2 ½% of lawyers in California) and is recognized as one of Southern California’s “Top Attorneysâ€? as published in Los Angeles Magazine.
He is honored to be designated an “ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist� by the American Chemical Society having obtained the highest student score on the examination among all California lawyers.
PRIOR TO BEING RECOGNIZED as California’s Top Lawyer-Scientist,
Mr. Brehmer received specialized training and further education in standardized Ă?HOG VREULHW\ WHVWLQJ JDV FKURPDWRJUDSK\ VROLG GUXJ GRVH DQDO\VLV '1$ DLUZD\ gas exchange, and is the only Kern County Defense attorney to be trained in drug recognition examinations. He is routinely asked to consult with both private and public attorneys throughout the country on issues of toxicology and pharmacology.
MR. BREHMER IS HONORED TO have presented multiple times to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Chemical Society, state and local public defender associations across the country, state defense bar conferences, law schools, and others associated with the forensic and legal community.
ACS-CHAL FORENSIC LAWYER-SCIENTIST
JEREMY BREHMER FELLOW AAFS In February 2016 Mr. Brehmer was recognized by the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for his substantial contribution to the Academy.
WWW.BREHMERLAW.COM | 447-4DUI www.brehmerlaw.com
0U %UHKPHU ZDV UHFHQWO\ VHOHFWHG WR PRGHUDWH WKH Ă?QDO MXULVSUXGHQFH VHVVLRQ RI WKH American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting in Florida.
CO-AUTHOR OF SIX BOOKS RQ WR[LFRORJ\ UHODWHG VXEMHFWV LQ DGGLWLRQ to other publications and those in process Mr. Brehmer has authored chapters about forensic science in criminal cases, search and seizure, pharmacology, drug detection limits, and discovery in several Aspatore/Thomson Reuters books. He is a contributing author on a blood alcohol analysis for West publishers, the co-author of the feature article for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers publication, the Champion, and is co-editor/author of Medicolegal Aspects of 0DULMXDQD &DOLIRUQLD HGLWLRQ E\ /DZ\HUV DQG -XGJHV 3XEOLVKLQJ
AS A DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE CHAIR for the national DUI Defense /DZ\HUV $VVRFLDWLRQ DQG DV DQ LQVWUXFWRU DW 7ULDO 6NLOOV 8QLYHUVLW\ 0U %UHKPHU LV D Ă?UP believer that a rising tide lifts all boats. It is for this reason that he dedicates much of KLV WLPH WR KHOS WUDLQ RWKHU ODZ\HUV LQ WKH VFLHQWLĂ?F DVSHFW RI FULPLQDO GHIHQVH WR Ă?JKW WKDW RQO\ YDOLG VFLHQFH LV SUHVHQWHG LQ $PHULFDQ MXULVSUXGHQFH 1200 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 120 | BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 (661) 447-4384
People & Community
BUSINESS PROFILES
Greg’s Petroleum Service
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About Greg’s Petroleum Service Greg’s Petroleum Service is a local family owned and operated fuel and oil distributor. Since opening in 1961, our commitment to deliver value through customer service, high-quality products, reliability and safety has set us apart. Greg’s Petroleum Service serves hundreds of local companies in the agriculture, oil field, construction, industrial, fleet, retail and government industries. Our service area includes the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, including the Bakersfield, Fresno and Ventura areas. Services include commercial fuel delivery, lubrication solutions, fleet fueling cards, and both gas station and quicklube franchising opportunities. We pride ourselves on supplying high-quality petroleum products and services while continuing to value customer relationships as highly as we did over 50 years ago.
prefer that location. Our new facility will also allow us to offer Chevron ISOCLEAN Certified Lubricants, making us one of the few to do so in California. ISOCLEAN Lubricants are lab certified to be free from harmful particles, resulting in longer equipment life and less unscheduled downtime.
Moving to Bakersfield You may have seen the construction going on at the corner of Coffee and Downing in Bakersfield. As with any project, there is a lot more than meets the eye to a passerby. In this case, it started in 1961 with a small business opening in Delano that focused only on fuel. Thirty years later, the company has expanded its services significantly and is opening the first new facility of its kind in Bakersfield. Greg’s Petroleum Service’s brand-new custom facility will include an office space, a large unattended CFN Cardlock fueling location, a warehouse and a bulk storage facility. This will improve our ability to efficiently serve the Bakersfield area as a commercial fuel and lubricants supplier. Rest assured, nothing is changing with the existing Delano site for customers that
Meet Ron Mariani Ron Mariani first came to work for his father-in-law, Harold, at Greg’s Petroleum Service as a fuel driver in 1979. Learning the business from the ground up, Ron worked several positions before becoming president and CEO of the company in 1990. He has always had a deep appreciation for doing things the right way and has continued to build the company around pillars that value hard work, integrity, passion and community – something that has been embedded in the company since its beginnings.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
A little history behind our name Harold “Greg” Gregory started his career in petroleum at Ray Pratt’s gas station in Delano. Greg then went to work at Ken Teague’s Standard Oil Distributorship, where he became a partner in 1961 and bought the business in 1963. This company would eventually become Greg’s Petroleum Service. Greg’s superior work ethic and genuine concern for his customers set the foundation for what our company has become today.
Greg’s Petroleum Service 621 High Street, Delano, CA 93215 7905 Downing Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93312 www.gregspetro.com
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BUSINESS PROFILES
HARDT CONSTRUCTION Bathroom Remodeling: Creating a retreat-like feeling
In a “serious update” of their 1940s master bathroom, Tim and Michelle Hardt installed a European shower; heated, woodlike tile floor; “slipper tub;” and repurposed vintage cabinetry to serve as two vanities and a storage tower.
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Michelle Hardt laughs when she talks about remodeling her 1940svintage house in the northeast Bakersfield Country Club area. Michelle oversees design services for Hardt Construction, a family owned company she operates with her husband, Tim. With her company’s remodeling work booming, she said she often has to put aside her home projects to meet customers’ needs. But work on her home now is completed and she used the remodeling of her master bathroom to illustrate the features frequently included in work Hardt Construction does for area customers. “People are staying put and improving their homes and businesses,” she said. “Kitchen remodels are the most requested, with master bathrooms closely following.” The Hardts wanted to “seriously update” their master bathroom, which was small, lacked natural lighting, and had a small shower stall and an old whirlpool tub. Their remodeled master bathroom now features a European shower, which lacks a shower dam. This makes it easy to enter, even by walker and wheelchair. Vintage cabinetry was modified to serve as two vanities and a storage tower. A heated, woodlike tile floor provides ease of maintenance and creates a “spa feeling.” Installation of a “slipper tub” finished off the remodeling. “Most of our clients want an open and airy master bathroom, with natural lighting and a separate tub and shower,” said Tim Hardt. “They want to create a retreatlike feeling.” And although the first contact with Hardt Construction often is by women, men seem equally interested in the details of home remodeling. “Although it may be the wife that gets the ball rolling, the husbands
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
very quickly start putting in their two cents,” said Tim. “For example, they want TVs in the bathroom, speakers in the shower, two shower heads in the shower and two vanity sinks – one for her and one for him. The wife normally wants natural lighting, special makeup lighting around the mirror, a soaking tub that looks out onto a garden, heated floors, plenty of storage and a door separating the bedroom to allow early risers to close off sound and light.” Tim notes the cost of a master bathroom remodeling can be as low as $7,000 to $10,000 for a “face-lift,” and $40,000 to $50,000 for a complete overhaul, with all the bells and whistles. “However, the average we see, which include improvements, such as new showers, tubs, vanities and lighting, range in cost from $22,000 to $30,000,” Tim said. Many of Hardt Construction
clients are people upgrading their old homes because they like their neighborhoods and don’t want to move. But they want to enjoy modern home features. Many also want to be able to live in their homes as they age. “We are seeing grab bars in shower areas, enclosed tubs, European showers, wider doorways and turning circumferences that allow wheelchairs in bathrooms,” Tim said. “Nearly everyone wants ADAheight toilets, which is now called ‘comfort height,’ and higher sinks – 38 to 40 inches – to ease access.”
Hardt Construction 2900 E. Belle Terrace 661-333-7541 www.hardtconstruction.biz
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People & Community
BAKERSFIELD MATTERS
Be your own public art docent Self-guided arts brochure directs people to works of interest downtown
“Wind” sculpture at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools building.
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The words “public art” and “downtown Bakersfield” haven’t always been used in the same sentence. But they should be from now on. Ours is a very creative city. “We are so much more arts-inclined than people give us credit for,” said David Gordon, executive director of the Arts Council of Kern. “In fact, we have so much we had to map it!” Earlier this year, the Bakersfield Convention & Visitor Bureau enlisted the Arts Council’s help in putting together a pamphlet mapping out nearly 100 murals, sculptures, landscape designs, painted utility boxes, tile art, fine art collections and galleries within walking distance downtown. The idea came from visitors who wondered where they could see public art. “We didn’t have anything except a little card that the Art Association gave out listing galleries to tour,” said David Lyman, manager of the Convention & Visitor Bureau. Thanks to a grant from The Bakersfield Californian Foundation, ArtTrek, as it is known, was born and a colorful brochure with a detailed map was produced. The self-guided tour allows much of downtown’s public art to be viewed on foot. “I like the overall message of the quantity and quality of art that we have,” Gordon added. “We came up with a long list. It is amazing to counteract the misconception that we aren’t cultural.” Unveiled in April, the ArtTrek brochure isn’t just for visitors. It also encourages residents to play tourist. “We are trying to educate locals as well because we are all ambassadors,” Lyman added. The tour includes several murals along the north side of Wall Street Alley and the east side of H Street depicting late 1930s and early 1940s nightclubs. Another, titled “Three Guitars,” is a nod to the city’s rich musical history of locally made guitars and a past Beautiful Bakersfield Award recipient. A couple blocks over inside Guthrie’s Alley Cat is a
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
PHOTO COURTESY OF KERN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
By Lisa Kimble
multipaneled mural by the late American caricaturist Al Hirschfeld – one of just six in the world. It features an array of old Hollywood stars in cartoon. Some of the ArtTrek works are playful, others nostalgic, but all the items of interest on the map, including the First Friday Art Walk, serve as a reminder of just how artsy downtown Bakersfield has truly become in the last decade. “This brochure is bigger than I ever imagined because the number of art pieces kept popping up,” Lyman said, adding that there will likely be a second printing. So many pieces that they were limited by space and unable to include the background on each. “Art is an economic driver,” Lyman said. “If we can get people downtown looking at art, the greater the chance they will wander, explore and spend money. That’s what it’s all about.” So whether you are a longtime resident, a first-time visitor or somewhere in between, pick up your free copy of ArtTrek at the Arts Council of Kern, 1330 Truxtun Ave., Suite B; stop by the Bakersfield Convention and Visitor Bureau at 515 Truxtun Ave.; or download a copy at visitbakersfield. com and get trekking.
Lisa Kimble
Opinions expressed in this column are those of Lisa Kimble.
MILLENNIAL VOICES
Upcycling, the process of using existing apparel to make something new.
MAKING WHAT’S OLD NEW AGAIN By Andrea Vivanco
Photos by Keaton Punch
Acquiring skills has always been something I have found to be imperative. Sewing is a trade that offers me catharsis, utility, applicable skills, plus joy, which evidently has me enthralled. I was initially intrigued by the concept of sewing when my mother showed me old garments her mother had made for her. Custom tops and skirts that were undeniably cute and one of a kind. I was in middle school at the time and I constantly found myself in her closet looking for more old clothes that my grandmother had made. Although I was riveted, I felt intimidated by the challenge of creating something ornate and would not begin my real sewing endeavor until a later age. My sister gifted a sewing machine to me a couple of years back and I began making small items to help get the hang
can’t refrain from over purchasing it. Spending hours in the fabric department of craft stores has become a favorite pastime of mine. Peering through several aisles of rich designs and color is half the fun. Something about creating with your own hands is intensely gratifying. Trying on a new article as soon as it is completed even gives me a preferable sense of self-esteem. I think it is in everyone’s best interest to find a creative outlet that offers fulfillment. The knack to create is a challenging one that has brought fruitful opportunities and patience. Regardless of how successful or unsuccessful the outcome of a piece is, new methods are constantly being learned. I am glad to have found a love for sewing at such a young age; the space for development is generous.
of operating it. A popular first item that I still make today are scrunchies. I then began upcycling, which is the process of using existing apparel to make something new. Upcycling seemed appropriate because I was still intimidated by creating something from fabric and ultimately having to discard it because it turned out a disaster. I know that probably sounds irrational, because it is the order in which we learn – trial and error – but at the time, I was content with reusing fabric. Now that I have made multiple, Andrea Vivanco is a 21-year-old successful upcycles, my time has been beginner seamstress interested in exconsumed with creating my panding her horizons in the very own garments. art. She fosters an empowering I love using Pinterest, Reddit approach embedded within and other DIY websites and every stitch and hopes to one forums for ideas, but I have day create a line that will help always used my own measureindividuals acknowledge their ments and patterns in my pieces. own unique, beautiful qualities. I am no longer intimidated by The views expressed in this yards of fabric; truthfully, I Andrea Vivanco column are her own. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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HISTORY
CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO
People & Community
Bakersfield High School was named Kern County Union High School until 1945.
The Blue Blazes’ gridiron glory 1927 Drillers capture state championship By Julie Plata
On Dec. 27, 1927, a perfect 70-degree Southern California winter afternoon, the Drillers of Bakersfield High School took to the gridiron of the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of a crowd of 6,000. The team was prepped to battle for the California state football championship title. Their opponents, the Fullerton High School Indians, had only one advantage over the hometown team that day – crowd size. In every other aspect, 78
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the Drillers were untouchable. Christmas may have ended two days earlier, but the young men were determined to give themselves and their fans one more gift. Championship games were not uncharted territory for the Drillers. Since the start of the California state football championship game in 1919, the team had taken the field seven times out of nine. They amassed an impressive record of 5-1-1, establishing what became known as the “Driller Dynasty.”
The 1927 state championship game brought a sense of urgency to the team. This game was the last chance to clinch one more title and make the town proud. The directors of CIF decided that the 1927 state championship game would be the last. They based the decision on the fact that the season ran too long, championship play was too strenuous and the extended season was detrimental to the health of the players. The team knew the game was do or die. The day before the big game, the team traveled through the snowy peaks of Ridge Route to Los Angeles. The Kern County Athletic Association arranged a special train to take fans to the game the next day. Due to the snowy conditions, the number of passengers was limited, but some 2,000 Bakersfield fans managed their own way through the icy Ridge Route to fill the Coliseum’s stands. For the fans unable to make the
Led by coach Dwight M. “Goldie” Griffith, the Dec. 23, 1927, Californian described the team as “one of the greatest coach Griffith has ever developed.” trip, The Californian made sure they did not miss any of the action. The paper set up a big grid-o-graph over the building’s balcony to broadcast a play-by-play of the game from a leased wire to the Coliseum. The team was unstoppable. Led by coach Dwight M. “Goldie” Griffith, the Dec. 23, 1927, Californian described the team as “one of the greatest coach Griffith has ever developed.” The Drillers were the favored
team going into the match. The season was one of the Blue Blazes’ most successful. They easily routed their opponents and outscored them 349 to 19. The all-star squad of Uhalt, Stockton, Cross, Ware, Weils, Clark, Boehm, Mutz, Tyack, Zaul, Miles, Cerda, Muller, Ferris, Bonham, Custard, Percel, Nolan, Schultz, Payne and Freear were ready for their Fullerton opponents. The game started slow, the score 0-0 at the end of the first quarter, but at the end of the half, the Drillers led 20-0. By the time the clock ticked down to the final second of the game, Bakersfield claimed a final victory 38-0. For 79 years, the Bakersfield Drillers retained their state championship title until CIF reinstated state championship games in 2006. The 1927 football season will forever remain as the year the Blue Blazes ended the season in flame of gridiron glory.
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People & Community
PERSONALITY
Professional organizer helps clients clear the clutter from their lives Story and photos by Mark Nessia
For Claire Dawson, finding order amid chaos puts her at ease. As a child, she often found herself cleaning her friends’ rooms while they all hung out. Upon entering a space, she would instinctively start sorting things out in her head. When Dawson was 14, her mom walked into her messy room and said something that ignited a spark. “Claire, you’re going to have to clean your room the rest of your life, so you better get used to it,” she told her daughter. Not only did Dawson get used to it, she turned it into a moneymaking venture. “I basically walked up to a (family friend) and said, ‘Hey, your house needs cleaning and I need money,’” Dawson said. Her cleaning business gained momentum through word of mouth and Dawson soon discovered that her clients often asked her to organize their belongings – something she has always enjoyed – which also landed her numerous referrals. In the beginning of the year, Dawson decided to step away from cleaning and make organizing her full-time job, starting Clarify Your Space and beginning her career as a professional organizer. 80
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October 2017
Maximizing storage space is one of the keys to organizing one’s home.
“Organizing is a stress reliever for me,” said Dawson, 21. “It’s what I do for fun as well as my work.” Dawson’s clients run the gamut, from retirees to working women to young moms who don’t have time to tend to things at home. She helps them purge unneeded items, develop filing systems to organize papers, maximizing storage space and more. “A lot of people aren’t willing to get rid of things,” Dawson said. “I don’t tout the minimalist lifestyle, because if you have kids or you have family heirlooms, that’s just impossible. But I think there’s always things you can cut down on for sure.” Clients are often told by family and friends to part ways with things they don’t need but, according to Dawson, people are less likely to listen to those they are close to. As an outside source, she is able to provide a neutral perspective. “You’re going to have daily clutter, but just having a place for everything makes it a lot
easier,” she said. “Have a place for everything and a reason for keeping what you keep.”
“Have a place for everything and a reason for keeping what you keep.”
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– Claire Dawson
Dawson is often asked by clients to work on specific portions of their homes, from office spaces to pantries, where she sorts through piles of clutter and determining what stays and what goes. Sometimes the clients will follow her around, talking to her and telling her their life’s stories – one of her favorite parts of the job – all while she is in her element. “I enjoy having a chaotic space and being able to bring order to it,” Dawson said. “Sometimes you can’t do that in your life but with physical objects, you can.”
Watch Claire provide five easy tips and tricks to help organize your home at www.bakersfieldlife.com. Contact Claire at clarifiedspace@gmail.com and follow her on Instagram @clarifyyourspace.
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People & Community
ALL-STAR ATHLETE
Former BC receiver overcomes injuries, earns scholarship to West Texas A&M By Stephen Lynch Photos courtesy of West Texas A&M Athletics
Vince Lombardi once famously said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” Despite being beset by a string of injuries throughout his football career, former Frontier High and Bakersfield College standout Jasmit (Jazz) Thind has never let anything keep him down. Over the course of Thind’s prep and junior college career, he continually displayed an uncommon determination to overcome the physical setbacks that came his way. That perseverance paid off earlier this summer when the 6-foot-1 ½, 200-pound wide receiver was offered a scholarship to play at West Texas A&M, an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Lone Star Conference. “I’m really excited about it,” Thind said. “I’m blessed. I can’t thank God enough. I just want a chance to show what I got.” Last year as a sophomore, Thind had 25 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns for BC. His production was at its highest late in the season as he snagged 16 receptions for 188 yards during the Renegades’ final three games. During BC’s second-to-last home game, he posted career-highs in both receptions (seven) and receiving yards (100). “It was the first time since my sophomore year of high school that I stayed healthy the entire year,” Thind said. “That was a big accomplishment for me.” Though Thind’s BC career end82
Bakersfield Life Magazine
ed on a high note, it didn’t start off very smoothly. He grayshirted his first year with the Renegades due to a nagging hamstring injury. The following season, Thind played in only three games after
October 2017
he twisted his knee and suffered a bone contusion during BC’s season opener against Riverside. Thind’s high school varsity career was also curtailed by injuries. His junior season he saw limited action, recording 17 catches for 249
yards and a touchdown as Frontier won the Southwest Yosemite League championship. Following a strong offseason workout regimen, Thind entered his senior year with high expectations.
football. “You don’t see a lot of Indians playing football, for sure” Thind said. “They play mostly basketball. I don’t know. I just fell in love with football. I like scoring touchdowns and I like the adrenaline rush that football gives me.”
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Thind is a rarity, an Asian-Indian playing college football. However, early in the Titans’ second game of the year against Lompoc, he went down with an inverted ankle sprain. “I got caught up in a tackle and some guy rolled up on my ankle,” Thind said. “That injury lingered for the rest of the season because I never got a chance to heal.” Late in the season, still sore from the ankle injury, Thind had his collarbone broken returning a kickoff against Stockdale. Despite the injuries, Thind performed brilliantly when he wasn’t on the sideline. He led Frontier in receptions (36), receiving yards (489) and receiving touchdowns (five). Thind’s best effort of the season came against league rival Liberty when he had interception return for a touchdown while notching 89 yards receiving including a 42-yard TD catch. Having his senior season abbreviated because of the broken collarbone, Thind went on to graduate from Frontier with a 4.2 grade-point average and then enrolled at BC. “I didn’t want to end my football career on that note,” Thind said. “That’s why I decided to play in junior college.” Now, completely healthy, faster and stronger than ever, Thind is ready for the challenge of playing at West Texas A&M. Thind is a rarity, an Asian-Indian playing college
Jasmit Thind Born: Aug. 16, 1996, in Bakersfield. First-generation American: Parents were part of an arranged marriage in India before immigrating to the United States. Family: Parents Jai (mother) and Pami (father) and brothers Gurmann and Dev. Mother is a nurse. Father is a restaurant owner. Football: First began playing organized football (for the Wasco Tigers) when he was in third grade. Received scholarship offer to West Texas A&M after BC academic adviser Stig Jantz sent Thind’s highlights and transcripts to head coach Hunter Hughes. Academics: Had a 3.9 GPA at BC. Was one of only two football players not required to attend study hall. Kinesiology major. Plans to become a physical therapist. Awards: BC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2016-17. Favorite sport: Basketball, which he played in high school. Hobbies: Playing basketball, hanging out with friends and playing video games.
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People & Community
FOR A CAUSE
COUPLES FOR CASA URGES GUESTS TO CHANNEL THEIR INNER STARLET
By Asha Chandy
Hollywood starlets from Judy Garland to Jennifer Lawrence are known as classic and everlasting icons of the silver screen. In the spirit of Tinseltown, CASA of Kern County is bringing the glitz and glamour of the red carpet to a lavish private estate in the Riverbluff neighborhood Oct. 7. Expect to be swept off your feet (or heels) in a night filled with live and silent auctions, delicious food and drink, entertainment and a DJ playing the hits from past to present. They say money can’t buy happiness, however, it can provide a court-appointed special advocate for a neglected child stuck in the juvenile dependency court system. “Our goal with this fundraiser is to provide 60 more children with a CASA volunteer for at least one year,” said Amy Raddatz, development director for CASA Kern County. “It takes approximately $3,400 per year to provide a child with a CASA.” Overlooking the beautiful Kern River, guests from the Greatest Generation to millennials are invited to live out their own Hollywood dreams at 84
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“Our goal with this fundraiser is to provide 60 more children with a CASA volunteer for at least one year.” – Amy Raddatz the upcoming Couples for CASA “Hollywood Through the Ages” fundraiser and dinner. Despite the name Couples for CASA, groups of friends and even singles are highly encouraged to attend. The philanthropy community is a tightknit one, and who knows, maybe you’ll catch the eye of your own leading lady or leading man. “Hollywood Through the Ages” will bring together local leaders and influencers, as well as delicious food and drinks from local vendors, like Cocktail Concierge, Temblor Brewing and B.R. Cohn Winery, in order to celebrate the past 24 years of CASA of Kern County’s work. This truly is a red-carpet event,
and guests are invited to dress in their most Oscar-worthy gowns and tuxes. Ladies, channel your inner Audrey and don that pair of black silk gloves you know you’ve been hiding in the back of your closet. Gentlemen, go ahead and pair your tux with fresh mustache á la Clark Gable. (Side note: Kim Kardashian does not qualify as a starlet.) This is the first-ever Couples for CASA event to both fundraise for CASA of Kern County and celebrate the leaders helping to make it happen. “Planning this event has been really fun for us,” Raddatz laughed. “We hope (Couples for CASA) is successful and an event we can continue in the future.”
Couples for CASA “Hollywood through the Ages” Oct. 7, 5 to 9 p.m. Held at the Delemater Residence. $100 per person and $150 VIP seating. www.kerncasa.org
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
Donor-advised funds a DIY option for creating a lasting legacy By Kristen Beall Barnes
The Rockefellers. The Waltons. The Gates. The Fords. These are the well-known families that left a legacy through the empires they built. But they also left a lasting legacy through the many causes and organizations that still thrive today due to their decades of philanthropy. Many funded their philan-
thropic endeavors by establishing private family foundations. And while private charities remain a popular option, a growing number of individuals, families and even businesses are turning to a more do-it-yourself option – donor-advised funds – to create a lasting legacy. DAFs are emerging as a more affordable and easierto-establish option for donors who want to give back over
time but don’t want to invest securities, real estate and other illiquid assets are also acceptthe time or money that private ed and often produce favorable foundations require. They are tax consequences. Assets that like charitable savings account. Donors can make conhave been held more than tributions to their fund, receive one year may be donated at an immediate tax deduction their fair-market value, which and make grants to their favormeans no capital gains tax. ite charities over time. What makes a DAF so popular? Perhaps it’s due in DAFs are emerging as large part to the flexibility it a more affordable and offers and the ease with which a donor can establish a fund. easier-to-establish A DAF may be opened today option for donors who and donors can begin making want to give back grants from it tomorrow. To establish a DAF, the donor works over time but don’t with a “parent organization,” want to invest the such as a Kern Community Foundation, that essentially time or money that acts as the administrator of the private foundations fund over its lifetime. We handle the setup, the require. accounting, the vetting of the Keep in mind that the nonprofit organizations to charitable dollars in a DAF which donors wish to recommend their grants and, may be invested and grow if the donor so chooses, the tax-free, increasing the money investment management of available for granting. Additional contributions can be the assets. But administration made over time not just by the isn’t our only role. We often original donor, but by anyone help donors articulate their who chooses to donate to the charitable goals and then fund. Those contributions realize those goals by supporting organizations that may also qualify for a charitaserve that purpose and align to ble income tax deduction. Donors may also solidify their core values. DAFs allow donors to use specialized grant their charitable giving legacy by appointing successors or agreements, recurring grants charitable beneficiaries to and anonymous grants to help manage the DAF and recomreach their charitable giving mend grants after the donor’s goals. Many donors think of lifetime. In short, DAFs offer Kern Community Foundation as their personal philanthropic an easy and low-cost way to create a lasting legacy for you, adviser. your family or your business. There are no startup costs To learn more contact Kern or minimum balances associated with establishing a DAF Community Foundation. at Kern Community FoundaKristen Beall tion, however, an Barnes, Ed.D., is the annual administration fee is charged president and CEO based on a percentat Kern Community age of assets held. Foundation. Contact While cash is the her at Kristen@kernfoundation.org or typical asset donors 616-2601. The views use to establish expressed in this colDAFs, contribuKristen Beall Barnes umn are her own. tions of appreciated www.BakersfieldLife.com
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OUR TOWN
Director Joe Huszti addresses the members of the Bakersfield College 1965 choir and audience at BC for a reunion and performance in 2015.
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PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
People & Community
DOCUMENTARY ON HISTORIC BC CHOIR SET TO DEBUT By Liarida Yoakum
Like a scene out of a movie, a group of college choir students experienced, what would seem to most, a chance of a lifetime. In 1965, the Bakersfield College choir toured through nine countries in six weeks, not only participating in the Llangollen Eisteddfod International Musical Festival, but becoming the first American choir to win it all. Nine of the 48 members of the 1965 BC European Tour choir
Bakersfield Life Magazine
October 2017
turned to the Alumni Association after they reconnected at their 50th reunion in 2015. At this point, it was decided that a foundation form to provide scholarships for choral students in Kern County. It wasn’t long after that the board members received a phone call from an LA film producer. The film producer met with the board from the foundation and “thought the story was very inspiring,” said Marilyn Wilson, president of the 1965 BC European Tour Choir Alumni Association. Wilson told the producer well we
want to make sure that our legacy stays true and right and stayed that way. The producer informed them “that’s what we do in the film industry; we change stories to make it interesting and exciting for people to watch.” The board objected to the film being made, but the producer encouraged them to make a documentary. After the encounter with the film producer, the board members met several times and they came to an agreement: “Yes, let’s do a documentary.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE KING
Fabian Productions was hired to do the documentary, and in 2016, many of the choir members came back together and interviewed for the film. The film shares the incredible story of the 48 choir members’ hard work, tenacity and the willingness to push through to become world champions and led by a young, vivacious director, Joseph Huszti. “The documentary starts from the begin-
ning of the idea, the raising all the money and the hard work; it goes all the way through from beginning to end,” said Wilson. The world premiere of “One Heart, One Voice” will be presented at Bakersfield College in the Simonsen Performing Arts Center indoor theater Sunday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. For information regarding tickets, contact Wilson at 437-7381.
“One Heart, One Voice” Premiere
The 1965 Bakersfield College choir. Joe Huszti with the pope. They were the first choir to sing for Pope Paul VI. Choir Director Joe Huszti and the 1965 BC choir with President Lyndon Johnson after performing in the Rose Garden.
Simonsen Performing Arts Center 1801 Panorama Drive Oct. 8, 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person For more information, contact Marilyn Wilson at 661-437-7381.
40 years
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People & Community
PRIME FINDS
Iconic Kern County scenes Local Bakersfield landmarks captured on canvas or watercolor paper in an ongoing exhibit at The Arts Center, 1607 19th St. To commission your favorite icon, contact the artist, Charlotte White, at 661-330-2676.
Light-up sugar skull! Paint your own light-up seasonal decor items including jack-o'-lanterns, spooky skulls, and even sugar skulls! Color Me Mine at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave., 6647366. www.bakersfield. colormemine.com
Join us for our first monthly market at the new location! Farm Girls Vintage Finds is now in two buildings on an acre lot full of farm-fresh finds, furniture and decor at 3216 State Road, Nov. 16-18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More details at www.farmgirlsvintagefinds.com.
Halloween haunts and spooky spirits, cool breezes and howling hounds Visit our store from Rags to Rescue. You will be surprised what buried treasures await you! Open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/haltragstorescue and visit us at 234 H St.
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Promotional Content
FREE ADMISSION
at:
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Murder at the Deuces 1924 theme benefitting Fairy Godmother Foundation Date: Aug. 18 Held at: The Station
Janelle Capra and Blanca Dudley
Photos by: Carla Rivas
Bobbie Thompson, Kyle Brown, Sarah Webb, Jennifer Webb and Eric Craig
Jada Montemarano, Mike Hart and Brittany Flemming
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Louis and Sharon Borbon
Ami Cherry, Janet Habberfield, Angela Jourdan and Patricia Holcomb
Denise Ferdinand, Colleen Bauer and Cassandra Patrick
David and Lorinda Olson, Jay and Kathy Lockridge
661-635-3050 clinicasierravista.org
The Ultimate Bridal Event Date: Aug. 20 Held at: DoubleTree by Hilton Photos by: Carla Rivas
Camrin and Michelle Meadows, Shannon Hough and Hannah Aurin-Winkler
Megan and Trish Cegielski, Janet and Mackenzie Duerksen
Alexis Clark and Janiece Cooper
Sina Knopf and Kristi Williams
Jonathan Enns and Lauren McPhetridge
Jamie and Leslie Jacques and Courtney Koland
Kathryn, Colleen and Christine Hutcheson, Teresa, Jessica and Amanda Giannelli
Danielle and Nadia Joseph
Dr. Maeve will see you now Meet the faces of valley health care, brought to you by the residency program at Clinica Sierra Vista. CLINICASIERRAVISTA.ORG clinicasierravista.org www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Links for Life Grand Opening Date: Sept. 7 Held at: Links for Life office Photos by: Rod Thornburg
Marilyn Watson and Billie Reynolds
Susie Bell, Stana Bright and Rebecca Griffith
Susan Escalante, Teresa Fahsbender and Marann McBee
Laura Alford and Charlotte Brandt 92
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Jennifer Henry, Stacie Moore and Rob Nunez
Marjorie Driscoll, Coral Poole-Clark and Gerry Richardson
Patsy Romero and Diane Schuetz
Suzanne Grant and Bob Meadows
Joann Nunn and Lavonne Schuetz
Marlene Elbert and Christine Abbott
661-635-3050 clinicasierravista.org
Central Cardiology Open House Date: Aug. 24 Held at: Central Cardiology
Michelle Florence, Jared Salvo and Sarabjit Prewar
Jon Van Boening and Brijesh Bhambi
Ajay Anand, Michelle Oxford, Brijesh Bhambi, Pramil Vaghasia, Radhey Bansal and Sarabjeet Singh
Hal Baer and Joe Minney
Rasham Sandhu, William F. Baker Jr. and Janice Knowlton
Medical Center Photos by: Valdophye Photography
Teresa Macedo, Cameron Chang, William Nyitray, Ajay Patel and Niraj Doctor
Santam Singh, Carrie Gardner, Madan Gulati, Chip Robinson, Christina Garza and Rohit Kaushal
Hemmal Kothary and P. Chandrasekaran
Michael Saldana and Christina Morales www.BakersfieldLife.com
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John Brock Awards Date: Sept. 7 Held at: Seven Oaks Country Club Photos by: Carla Rivas
Alison Johnson, Traco Matthews, Eric Shumate and Crystal Spencer
Shirley Graham, Betsy Brice, Keith Brice, Corrine and Frank Hawkins and Lori Hopkins
Leah Lopeteguy and Patrick Hoffman
Michele McClure, Marlene Heise and Kym Moore
Tom Maxwell, Josiah Castro, Christina and Don Bynum
Oscar Toscano, Vanessa Brice Toscano and Chris and Mike Olague
Estelle and Greg Nurse
2017
19th & N Street, Downtown Bakersfield www.emporiumwesternstore.com
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(661) 325-8476
October 2017
Joe Audelo, Fred Prince, Mimi Audelo and Nyakundi Michieka
661-635-3050 clinicasierravista.org
BMoA Fall Opening Date: Sept. 7 Held at: BMoA Photos by: Carla Rivas
Erwin Ledford and Zachary Smith
Judy Simmons and Ginny Hamisch
Melissa Fortune, Bruce Beretta, Chad DeRose and Gianpaolo Penna
Denise Segrest and Pam Colt
Melissa Poole, Ari Cimental and Rachel Magnus
Erin Tennant and Laura Cattani
Carlos Fierros and Liz Sherwyn
Zane and Amy Smith, Robin and Pat Paggi www.BakersfieldLife.com
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9th Annual Sickle Cell 5K, 10K, Hina Patel Foundation Date: Sept. 16 Held at: The Park at River Walk Photos by: Carla Rivas
Chihiro Hirai-Adachi and Dean Adachi
Sonya Roberts, Dasani Langston, Antwan Jackson Jr., Dasaia Johnson, Stephanie Robinson, Christina Jackson, Latrice Pratt, Earl Web, Aaron Jackson, Lisa Cannon, Dorine Cannon, Tiffany Apple and Brenda Daniels
Deanna Salyards and Laura Grant-Hattix
James and Leah Banks, Jessica GrimesMatthews, Kanae Banks and Daysa Banks
Jen Palmares, Emiko and Delano Capuchino
Neetu Jhaj, Sonali Aggarwal, Anaya Srivastava, Shweta Agarwal, Tanya and Maanya Srivastava
Rhonda Dugan and Richard Walton
Special Services Include: • Colonoscopy • Endoscopy • Video Capsule Endoscopy • ERCP • Cancer Screening Esophageal pH & Motility Study • Treatment fo Liver Diseases • Ambulatory Endoscopy Center 9870 Brimhall Rd. #100 Bakersfield, CA 93312 (661)588-8725 Fax (661)588-8749
20041 Hwy 202, Valley Blvd., Unit 3, Tehachapi, Ca 93561 (661) 822-0377 Fax (661) 588-8749
www.bakersfieldgi.com www.bakersfieldgi.com 96
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Arihya Alexander, Ta’kokeyo Welch, Atalyah Stocker, Katrina Carranco, Maria Quiroz, Cindy Gonzales, Courtney Koland, Kadian Gonzales, Genesis Castillo, Bhavana Patel, Crystal, Benny and Benny Jr. Capodo
Are you the next Dining Diva or Food Dude? For the first time ever, Bakersfield Life is holding a contest to choose the next four Dining Divas and Food Dudes for 2018! We will accept applications until Oct. 7. The Dining Divas and Food Dudes are a group of women and men that try different menu items at different restaurants monthly or bimonthly and then write about it. Anyone can apply, so if you think this is you, apply now to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com. What we're looking for: 1. Applicants must be 21+ 2. Applicants should be willing to trying new cuisines 3. Applicants must not have any dire food allergies 4. Applicants should be comfortable having their photo taken 5. Applicants should be comfortable writing about food 6. Applicants should have a flexible schedule 7. The Dining Divas and Food Dudes is a yearlong commitment, with around six to eight outings during the year. To apply: Send your name, age, a mock food review and why you think you would be the best candidate to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com. Additionally, please let us know if you have any food allergies, scheduling conflicts and what your availability would be like. Please send the applications in the body of the email! Bon appĂŠtit!
Applications accepted until Oct. 7, 2017
BAKERSFIELD’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
People & Community
LAST WORD
Sometimes DIY requires a professional By Steve Holloway
Do-it-yourself projects are fun to do and only require a few tools that are easy to obtain. With YouTube offering a wide variety of tutorial videos, tackling a project on your own can be an appealing and cost-effective route. The key, however, is when to throw in the towel and call in a professional. As the owner of a local painting business, I will share two stories about DIY painting projects that were not successful. The first project involved a rented airless paint sprayer and the second project involved a 16-foot extension ladder. So there I was on a Monday morning at my shop loading up my work truck for my next job. The phone rang and on the other end was a friend who had attempted to paint his living room acoustic ceiling over the weekend. He had rented an airless paint sprayer and purchased 5 gallons of white paint on Friday night. By Sunday afternoon, he was tired, the ceiling looked blotchy and he had overspray all over his house, on his watch and in his hair. “The guy on the TV commercial made it look easy,” he said.
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Tips for a successful paint project: 1. Read the label on the paint can. 2. Never work on a ladder by a door, unless it’s unlocked or disengaged.
The fix took five hours. I painted the ceiling twice. One coat north to south and the second coat east to west. I waited two hours for the paint to dry, removed the plastic from the walls, folded my tarps, wiped down the dust on the furniture, removed the plastic from the floor, vacuumed and left the job successful. I recommend hiring a pro to paint ceilings and then homeowners can paint the walls with a brush and roller. The second story was actually scary. I received a call from a friend who was up on a 16-foot extension ladder in the front of his home painting. He reached a little too far and he fell off the ladder when the ladder slipped. He dislocated his shoulder and was in pain for a month. He asked me to finish the job and I was happy to help. I always recommend that you have a second person with you to hold the ladder if you are that high off of the ground. In closing, always have fun with your project but always plan to stay safe and keep your job site clean. Successful projects are yours in the making.
Steve Holloway
Steve Holloway is the owner of Steve Holloway Painting. The views expressed in this column are his own.
3. Apply Vaseline to your face, around your eyes, nose, and wear a spray hood if you are spraying paint. Even aerosol cans. 4. It’s a good idea to test the surface you’re painting with a sample of the paint you are going to use. Let the sample dry for a few hours, scratch it and if it stays tight you are good to go. If it doesn’t adhere to the surface, sand more, prime with a multipurpose primer and let it dry. 5. If you need to leave masking tape on a surface that you’re protecting for more than one to two days, use a product called FrogTape.
I CAN’T BELIEVE I WAITED SO LONG.
I’m one of those people you hear say, “I’ve never been sick a day in my life.” But when a friend told me about the Heart Health Checkup at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital Women’s Heart Center, I gave it a try. Am I glad I did! I learned a lot about my risk factors for heart disease and how simple changes in my lifestyle could help me avoid a heart attack. Don’t wait like I did, get a Heart Health Checkup at the Bakersfield Heart Hospital Women’s Heart Center today.
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3001 SILLECT AVE, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93308 - 852-6200 - BAKERSFIELDHEARTHOSPITAL.COM
PRICES ARE FALLING! s g n i v a Cool S NOW! g n i n e pp Ha 2017 Civic Sedan CVT LX
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Closed end lease for 2017 Civic Sedan CVT LX (FC2F5HEW) available from September 6, 2017 through October 31, 2017, to well-qualified ell qualified lessees approved by Honda d Financial Finan Fi nancia ciall Services. Serviices Serv ices Not N t all alll lessees lessees willil qualify. les qualify Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. ratings MSRP $20,415.00 $20 415 00 (includes (incluude destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $17,099.77. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $6,084.00. Option to purchase at lease end $11,636.55. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by October 31, 2017. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details.
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Closed end lease for 2017 Accord Sedan CVT LX (CR2F3HEW) available from September 6, 2017 through October 31, 2017, to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $24,130.00 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $18,688.14. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $6,804.00. Option to purchase at lease end $12,547.60. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by October 31, 2017. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details.
Barber Honda
www.barberhonda.com
Trust the Locally Owned Dealer who’s been Serving Kern County for over 60 Years!
1955
4500 Wible Road
at the Entrance to the Bakersfield Auto Mall
1-888-475-8958 Se Habla Español
2017