Bakersfield Life Magazine June 2020 by The Bakersfield Californian Specialty Publications

June 2020

www.bakersfieldlife.com

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Is s u

Stronger Together

Readers share kind acts throughout the community $3.95

Bakersfield finds hope, solidarity during period of separation

A helping hand

Relief Shoppers assists elderly, vulnerable with grocery needs

Dining with Dre

Local businesses feed front line workers

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 2½% of lawyers in California) and is recognized as one of Southern California’s “Top Attorneys” 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 field sobriety testing; gas chromatography; solid drug dose analysis, DNA, airway 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.

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

CO-AUTHOR OF SIX BOOKS on toxicology related subjects, in addition 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 Marijuana, 2015 California edition by Lawyers and Judges Publishing. AS A DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE CHAIR for the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association and as an instructor at Trial Skills University Mr. Brehmer is a firm believer that a rising tide lifts all boats. It is for this reason that he dedicates much of his time to help train other lawyers in the scientific aspect of criminal defense to fight that only valid science is presented in American jurispruidence. 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. Mr. Brehmer was recently selected to moderate the final jurisprudence session of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting in Florida. 1200 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 120 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 (661) 447-4384

Giving you more

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When your heart is healthy, everything else just seems to fall into place. To help make that happen Bakersfield Heart Hospital is dedicated to bringing you more choices for better healthcare. Learn more about all these healthcare options at BakersfieldHeartHospital.com

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STAFF June 2020

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Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine June 2020 / Vol. 14 / Issue 10 Bakersfield Life™ Magazine is published by The Bakersfield Californian

Stronger Together

Readers share kind acts throughout the community $3.95

Bakersfield finds hope, solidarity during period of separation

A helping hand

Relief Shoppers assists elderly, vulnerable with grocery needs

Dining with Dre

Local businesses feed front line workers

On the Cover

Publisher Cliff Chandler

Mark Nessia

Julie Mana-ay Perez Photography Alex Garzaro, Alex Horvath, Jennifer Johnson, Julie Mana-ay Perez, Mark Nessia, Rod Thornburg Contributing Writers

— Illustration by Julie Mana-ay Perez

Kelly Bearden, Maude Campbell, Anna Marie Frank, Olivia Garcia, Alex Garzaro, Emerald Guthridge, Nina Ha,

Coming up next …

Lisa Kimble, Heather Langanelli, Melissa Peaker-Whitten, Julie Plata,

The Family / Attorney Profiles Issue

Andrea Saavedra

Advertise, contact Cliff

Chandler at cchandler@bakersfield. com or 661-395-7521.

to Bakersfield Life Magazine for your home or office, go to www.tbcoffers. com/deal/blifeintro.

Partner with us

for your next event. Email Mark Nessia at mnessia@bakersfield.com or call 661-395-7383 for more information.

Connect with us – www.bakersfieldlife.com facebook.com/BakersfieldLifeMagazine Instagram/bakersfield_life twitter.com/BakersfieldLife

Bakersfield Life Magazine

What are some of the ways you stay connected with your family and friends during the stay-at-home order?

Editor

Specialty Publications Designer

Through tough times, the Kern County community shows what they can do and will do for each other. The Unity issue is about coming together and supporting each other through a pandemic.

June 2020

“We stay connected — old school — speaking over the phone together. But we have also gone high-tech with family birthdays. We have used Zoom for birthday gatherings. We had six family birthdays in April.” — Anna Marie Frank, contributing writer “This pandemic has helped me to realize the importance of human connection for feeling loved, heard and validated. We call our parents every day, text loved ones and pray for our world.” — Nina Ha, contributing writer “I’m a texter,w so I text family and friends daily.” — Mark Nessia, editor “Zoom has enabled my Bible study and book club groups to continue, albeit virtually. The occasional coffee date in the parking lot while staying in our own cars, as well as FaceTime have been the next best things with family and friends.” — Lisa Kimble, contributing writer “The way that I keep in touch with my family is through FaceTime, phone calls and even occasional texts to just check in!” — Emerald Guthridge, contributing writer

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.

Know that Your Team is

Here for You There is a long road ahead to recover from the effects of COVID-19. During these difficult times, our team is here to support our clients and the welfare of their businesses with an array of accounting, tax, and financial advisory services. Our commitment to providing solutions of the highest caliber and value is now stronger than ever. We are here to assist you in planning for the challenges you face and to help you leverage all available opportunities.

Let us know how we can help by reaching out to your engagement team or visiting us at www.cbiz.com/bakersfield MHM (Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.) is an independent CPA firm that provides audit, review and attest services, and works closely with CBIZ, a business consulting, tax and financial services provider.

FEATURES

46 | Stronger Together

In mid-March, a national emergency was announced. Many businesses temporarily closed their doors, schools turned to virtual learning and residents were ordered to stay at home and practice social distancing. Although the coronavirus pandemic altered life as we know it, people have found ways to come together by supporting each other and creating an impact on the community.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

JUNE 2020

CONTENTS

18 56 22 Up Front

8 Editor’s Note 9 The Big Picture 10 On the Web 12 What We're Streaming

Eat & Drink

16 Dining with Dre 18 Bites 22 What's Cooking 25 Best Thing We Ate This Month

Lifestyles

44 66

28 Pastimes 30 Love & Life 31 The Marketplace

Go & Do

34 Entertainment 35 Out & About 36 Trip Planner 38 Arts & Culture

Healthy Living

42 Let’s Get Physical 44 Peace of Mind

People & Community

56 Bakersfield Matters 58 Our Town 60 Study Hall 62 History 64 Personality 66 Last Word

www.BakersfieldLife.com

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Shafter High School teachers and staff wave and cheer on students coming to pick up their cap and gowns in a spirit of celebration as graduation approaches.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF COMMUNITY It’s been said that adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it — unearthing something lying dormant within us. Will we be among those who push through the struggle or crumble under the pressure? The past several months have been nothing short of challenging, testing our mettle as individuals and as a community. As with all hardship, it brought out some of the worst. Shelves remained empty for weeks at a time as a result of panic buying, leaving many without essential products. But it’s also brought out a lot of the best. Stores limited the quantities shoppers can purchase and adjusted operating hours to prioritize elderly and at-risk customers — volunteers even stepped up to shop for them to limit their exposure. It didn’t take long for Kern County to rally in support of one another, realizing that the situation is bigger than the individual but smaller than the whole — that together, and only together, make it through. Because when people unite, it’s a force to be reckoned with. And when Kern County unites, it’s nearly unstoppable. That’s because we embody the most important part of community — those last five letters — “unity.” Our ability to give is unrivaled and has been on full display on a daily basis. It was easy finding examples of the community coming together and doing what it does best to fill the pages of this issue. The challenge was fitting so much into a limited space — something we were unable to accomplish. It’s a testament to how much is actually taking place. But that’s part of the beauty of giving. Just because you don’t 8

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June 2020

see it, read it or hear about it doesn’t mean it didn’t occur. In a digital age where so many adopt the philosophy of “post it or it didn’t happen,” many are still doing good for the sake of doing good — not for attention or praise but to help their fellow community members. Doing it because they want to help. Doing it because it’s the right thing to do. That’s altruism at its core and our community is ripe with it. Kern County is home to people who choose to be the good rather than wait for good to happen and come to them. Home to doers who see a problem and take it upon themselves to address it. Home to leaders who inspire through action and example, not title or position. Home to people who make you proud to live and work among them. These are people who open their arms and with one collective breath say, “Come, unity.” And that’s why everything will be OK. That’s why we will be OK.

Mark Nessia Editor 661-395-7383 mnessia@bakersfield.com

PHOTO BY ALEX HORVATH

THE 661

T h e B i g P i c t u re

O n t h e We b

W h a t We ' re S t re a m i n g

Due to the ongoing stay-at-home order, events taking place in June have been postponed or canceled. For up-to-date information, go to www.bakersfield.com.

FLOWER POWER

Located near the western part of Antelope Valley is a vast area covered with California poppies. During the springtime, the desert-like desolate hills become bright and colored by a sea of these flowers.

PHOTO BY ALEX HORVATH

www.BakersfieldLife.com

THE 661

On the Web

WE ASKED OUR READERS TO USE THE HASHTAG #BAKERSFIELDCOMESTOGETHER ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS TO SHOW THE KIND MESSAGES AND ACTS SEEN THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. jolieeeb

katherine_winters

katherine_winters I've got lots of flowers, if you are out and you want some sweet peas in your life, come get a bouquet.

jolieeeb Pinwheels poppin' in each student's yard with lil' Ms. B's in tow. Teaching is a work of heart and while our year may have been cut short, I'll love you long after this is over.

abby_ept

abby_ept Who needs a little unicorn in their life?

batch_of_rye_ ellissaabeth

bakersfieldwomen

ellissaabeth During this time, I've felt really compelled to help and spread kindness throughout my community so I started a list of helpful things where anyone can do at least one. In stressful and polarized times, a small act of kindness can go a long way. So I challenge everyone who reads this to just be kind. Love yourself and those around you. Share kind acts like we share scary news stats.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

bakersfieldwomen Over the weekend, we had some members of BWBC join in on @adventisthealth Bakersfield Foundation Tough as Nails Kern Kwarantine 2x4 Ultra Race to benefit families affected by COVID-19. These ladies completed 24 miles in a 48-hour period!! Not only was this a personal feat, but a community one as well! Thank you Adventist for bringing out the best in us even in hard times.

batch_of_rye_ Today we had the privilege to deliver boxes of jerky @dignityhealthbakersfield. Working at a hospital is no easy task and every position plays an important if not crucial role. The doors never close. Someone's always there to check in on a patient. It's a blessed day when patients recover and a hard day when a patient doesn't. There are heroes. Thank you for working tirelessly during this pandemic. A special thank you to an incredible ER Nurse, @mxliz217, our sister.

Hall Ambulance Service

Aimee Williamson

Local Kiwanis International Clubs paid Happy Jack's Pie 'N Burger to deliver over 100 Happy Jack burgers to EMS workers.

I love my district! All of our teachers and staff are doing an amazing job during this difficult time. We sure do miss our kids. I had to post all the pictures because this is one amazing team! The Stockdale Moose Lodge served a spaghetti lunch, drive-thru style, to area first responders.

Adventist Health Bakersfield The helpers at Adventist Health Bakersfield are our heroes, and we are honored they work here. On the front lines or behind the scenes, these are the faces of the heroes who are "Living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope." They provide patient care or a service that supports that care.

GET SOCIAL!

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www.BakersfieldLife.com

THE 661

What We're Streaming

WHAT TO WATCH Movies

Movies

“Pan” (Hulu): Pan is an origin story prequel to the classic “Peter Pan” film. Peter finds himself whisked away from an orphanage to the world of Neverland. Through his journey, he meets James Hook and warrior Tiger Lily. They come together to save Neverland from pirate Blackbeard. Along the way, Peter will discover his true destiny and become the hero known as Peter Pan.

“Coffee & Kareem” (Netflix): An unlikely pair must join forces to stop dirty cops and gang members who are out to get them, but in their attempts they only create more trouble, resulting in many moments of chaos and even more moments of laughter. “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” (Amazon): An edge-ofyour-seat film that will have you second-guessing deep-sea adventures. With one wrong dive, four girls are forever changed as they fight to survive the monsters of the deep.

“Parasite” (Hulu): A story of a poverty-stricken family, the Kims, who plots their way into serving the Parks household, a wealthy family. The premise depicts the divided line between the working class and the wealthy.

“Family Guy” (Hulu): A TV show that pushes boundaries and crosses lines all in the name of comedy. A family that puts the fun in dysfunctional. Laugh along as they fumble through life, one inappropriate joke at a time.

“Dollface” (Hulu): After being dumped by her boyfriend of many years, Jules realizes she doesn’t have any friends to help her through her breakup. She then finds a way to reenter the world of women by rekindling her old female friendships she left behind for her boyfriend. By surrounding herself with strong female friendships, she manifests her insecurities and struggles, making her a new woman.

“Schitt’s Creek” (Netflix): A feel-good comedy that depicts the strength of a family and their unwavering pride. Watch as the Rose family learns to turn tragedy into triumph and create a new life of mishaps and memories.

“Outer Banks” (Netflix): A group of teenagers, known as “Pogues,” embark on a legendary treasure hunt linked to the disappearance of John B’s father, the leader of the group.

— Emerald Guthridge, contributing writer

— Julie Mana-ay Perez, specialty publications designer

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

TV “A Parks and Recreation Special” (Hulu, YouTube): I’ve never been a big movie or TV person. But when “Parks and Recreation” aired a reunion special at the end of April, I didn’t hesitate to tune in. “Parks and Rec” is a gem of a show, full of memorable characters that’s uplifting, cute and charming. The special reunites the cast amid the coronavirus pandemic, stressing the importance of social distancing and wearing masks in an entertaining, informative and relatable way. More importantly, the special helped raise funds for Feeding America, easily surpassing $3 million in about three days. With donations accepted through May 21, it’s safe to assume that number will continue to grow. Now that’s TV worth watching. “Some Good News” (YouTube): Hosted by John Krasinski, aka Jim Halpert from “The Office,” SGN highlights nothing but good news from around the world. Episodes have included virtual proms and graduations; a potluck featuring Martha Stewart, Guy Fieri, David Chang and Stanley Tucci; a Zoom wedding that reunited the cast of “The Office”; and more. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and bring a tear to your eye. — Mark Nessia, editor

THANK YOU FOR MAKING US THE BEST MORTGAGE LENDER IN 2020 ONE OF BAKERSFIELD’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED MORTGAGE BANKERS

Since

1995

©2019 Dignified Home Loans, LLC, DBA The Mortgage House. Equal Housing Lender. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #413-1108. NMLS #309234. www.BakersfieldLife.com

THANK YOU! To all medical personnel, first responders, grocery workers, mail carriers, restaurateurs, teachers, retail workers, truck drivers, nonprofit workers and all community members on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAKERSFIELDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

EAT & DRINK

D i n i n g w i t h D re / B i t e s / W h a t 's C o o k i n g / B e s t T h i n g We At e T h i s M o n t h

OH-OH OREO!

Served cold out of the freezer, this no-bake Oreo cheesecake only requires six ingredients to make. Turn to Page 22 to explore more recipes.

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

www.BakersfieldLife.com

E AT & D R I N K

Dining with Dre

Lonches Marlene employees prepare meals that are distributed to Mercy Hospital Downtown staff.

FEEDING THE FRONT LINES

LOCAL BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS DONATE FOOD AND EQUIPMENT TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS By Andrea Saavedra

The saying “not all heroes wear capes” is something being used frequently these days, as people come together in an effort to support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. The phrase is mostly used to applaud health care workers who have stepped up and are enduring the brunt of the “new normal.” But as shopping for everyday household items and groceries became more difficult amid stay-at-home orders and panic-buying in the beginning stages of the pandemic, it was easy to forget about how local health care workers were doing while some adopted an “every man for himself” mentality. With hospital cafeterias closed, along with local restaurants, due to the pandemic, health care workers were left to a granola bar and energy drink from a vending machine for a meal during or after a long shift. 16

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June 2020

Many local restaurants have stepped up to support local essential health care workers.

Luckily, many local restaurants recognized this and stepped up to help support our local essential health care workers at Dignity Health hospitals citywide. With the help and coordination of Director of Business PHOTOS BY MARK NESSIA, COURTESY OF DIGNITY HEALTH

Local businesses lend a helping hand to health care workers by providing food.

Development and Physician Relations Roya Armon and Manager of Annual More Information Giving K. SamanOver 95 businesses tha Cardenas, local and individuals have health care workers contributed to Dignity were being fed by Health workers. To see local restaurants, past donors in action, go cafes and companies to www.facebook.com/ that donated food FriendsofMercyFounand supplies during dation. breakfast, lunch and dinner shifts. “These restaurants and companies reached on their own; we just coordinated day, time and location,” said Armon. “They just wanted a way to show support and contribute and we were grateful and proud to coordinate that for our staff.” Restaurants, organizations and companies like Wiki’s Wine & Dive Grill, The Wonderful Company, Rotary Club of Bakersfield East and Angry Barnyard BBQ have donated to support this movement. According to Armon and Cardenas: “It takes a village to keep a hospital running. … It’s not just the emergency department or the COVID-related teams that are receiving this food and benefiting. We have clerks, it takes admitting teams, it takes the EDS team that are turning over patient rooms. They have recognized we’re all in this together and everyone needs to be fed and feel appreciated. … (Everyone) has been so grateful.” In a time where things are uncertain, the community has stepped up to support each other and, most importantly, our local residents who are on the front lines, taking the meaning of “comfort food” to a new level. Armon said it best in that “it takes a village.” We are nothing without each other. We always knew that food and community go hand in hand, however these days we as a community are going hand in hand to bring food to our everyday heroes. Andrea Saavedra

Lonches Marlene employees and local volunteers help serve meals to Mercy Hospital Downtown staff.

NINE YEARS AND COUNTING

Thank you Bakersfield for your continued support!

Stay home, stay safe!

We are open for curbside & in-store pick up including (SUNDAY DINNER) offering our full menu plus specials

“Feed 4 for $44” = 3-entrees, fried rice, choice of noodle - menu changed twice a week “Save a Trip Wine Special” - offering wines at below retail prices including Joseph Phelps, Austin Hope, Tlo Draught Beer = $3 for 24 oz, $4 for 32 oz • All other alcohol 20% off Also available through DoorDash, GrubHub & UberEats (limited delivery area)

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FOOD & DRINK

Bites

Dewa r′s Expre ss

Grandpa Jim’s Dewar’s traditional banana split features scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream topped with hot fudge, strawberries, marshmallows and nuts. Grandpa Jim’s ups the ante with twice the ice cream, resulting in the ultimate six-scoop banana split. Whether it’s a reward for a job well done or a much-needed pick-me-up, this Dewar’s delicacy is sure to hit the spot. Share it with 18

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June 2020

friends or tackle it solo — you can’t go wrong. And don’t worry, the banana is in there. You’ll just have to work your way to it. Dewar’s Express 11320 Ming Ave., #300 661-665-1102 PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

FOOD & DRINK

Bites

Toss It

Chicken full creation salad What makes Toss It different from other build-your-own salad bars is that all their dressings are made in-house and they offer a variety of toppings and protein so that every salad made is different from the next. Customers are able to dress up their salads with five different toppings of their choice and a side of any salad dressing. The chicken full creation PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

salad was topped with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cranberries, avocado and wonton strips with a spring mix base and balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the side. Toss It 1917 Eye St. 661-742-1288

www.BakersfieldLife.com

FOOD & DRINK

Bites

a Mes n ica Mex ll Gri

Fully customizable burritos With over 20 ingredients to choose from, Mesa Mexican Grill offers a fully customizable dining experience that keeps things fresh and new. Options consist of burritos, tacos, bowls, nachos, quesadillas, tortas, enchiladas and salads with a choice of six proteins, 13 toppings, five fillings and four sauces. Entrees can be as simple or as complex as diners want. One day, a burrito can contain just Spanish rice, char-grilled beef, cheese, sour cream, 20

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

guacamole and ranchera sauce and the next, it can include a host of veggies like grilled onions, jalapenos, mushrooms and beans. Variety is the spice of life and it's served up daily at Mesa Mexican Grill. Mesa Mexican Grill 5523 Calloway Drive 661-679-3222 PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

FOOD & DRINK

Bites

New age Vint l Gril

Mimi’s French dip From breakfast foods to lunch and dinner items, New Vintage Grill serves up burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Mimi’s French dip is served on a caramelized onion-glazed baguette spread with blue cheese horseradish on its bun, tender shaved New York steak and melted jack cheese packed in between. Dip Mimi’s French dip in a side PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

of au jus sauce, which balances all the flavors of the steak, cheese and bread. New Vintage Grill 9901 Hageman Road, Suite 100 661-829-6814 www.BakersfieldLife.com

What's Cooking

CRIPTIO S E

FOOD & DRINK

Meal prep made simple. The rise-adilla is a healthy and delicious way to start the day and this recipe can be made in bulk in advance and consumed throughout the week. Just prepare, freeze, heat and eat. — Alex Garzaro, contributing writer

RISE-ADILLA INGREDIENTS (MAKES THREE SERVINGS): • 4–6 egg whites • ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained • ¼ cup red onion, minced (optional) • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped • ¾ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese • ½ tablespoon taco seasoning • Sliced jalapenos (optional) • 3 low-carb tortillas

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

DIRECTIONS: Whisk the eggs. Scramble in a skillet coated with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, scrambled eggs, cilantro, shredded cheese, taco seasoning and jalapenos (if using). Let cool completely (if freezing). Place one-third of the mixture in each tortilla and fold over. For best results, place on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1–2 hours. This helps remove any ex-

cess moisture. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, take out the quesadilla and microwave 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted. To reheat in a skillet, first microwave it for one minute to defrost and then warm in a skillet to get the outside nice and crispy. You can also heat it right in a skillet, just start on medium heat so the egg mixture can fully defrost.

PHOTO BY ALEX GARZARO

FOOD & DRINK

What's Cooking

CRIPTIO S E

NO-BAKE OREO CHEESECAKE BARS

Inspired by a conversation I had with a friend whose baking skills are somewhat lacking comes a cheesecake recipe that requires no baking! Requiring only six ingredients and a little bit of time, this dessert is easy, delicious and highly repeatable. Served cold out of the freezer, think of this treat like Oreo cheesecake ice cream on top of an Oreo crust. — Mark Nessia, editor

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

INGREDIENTS (MAKES UP TO NINE SERVINGS): • Oreos, lots and lots of Oreos • 4 tablespoons butter, melted

• 400 grams cream cheese • 400 ml heavy cream • ½ cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS: For the base, start by crushing 24 Oreos into fine crumbs (this can be done with a food processor or by simply putting the Oreos into a freezer bag and beating them into oblivion). Pour the crumbs into a bowl and mix with four tablespoons of melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into a 9-by-9-inch pan lined with parchment paper and gently press to the bottom before putting in the refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes.

For the filling, place the cream cheese into a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Then add heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Add crushed Oreos to the mix and fold into the filling (how many Oreos is completely up to you). Pour the filling onto the base and spread evenly. An optional step is to sprinkle more crushed Oreos on top. Place in the freezer for 3–4 hours or until set, then cut, serve and enjoy! www.BakersfieldLife.com

FOOD & DRINK

What's Cooking

CRIPTIO S E

SHRIMP TACOS

There are many ways to enjoy tacos, but shrimp tacos are one of my favorite dishes to eat because they're light, filling and packed with flavor. The crispy fried shrimp is packed with a zesty and savory taste with a fresh taco shell. These shrimp tacos are easy to make, delicious and ready in 30 minutes. — Julie Mana-ay Perez, specialty publications designer

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

INGREDIENTS (MAKES THREE SERVINGS): • 12 ounces fresh or frozen shrimp • 1 onion, chopped • Mexican cheese • 1 cup cilantro, chopped • Canola oil DIRECTIONS: Start by adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan. Then add the chopped onions, tomatoes and cilantro and saute for the three to five minutes until the onions become translucent. Prepare the shrimp by peeling the skin off and piecing them into threes inside a bowl. Mix the onion powder, squeeze the limes, add old bay seasoning and pepper to the shrimp bowl. Add the shrimp

• • • • • • • •

Olive oil 3 avocados 3 limes Onion powder Corn tortillas Old bay seasoning 1 cup tomatoes, diced Pepper

to the pan and mix everything together. Cook the shrimp for five minutes until it turns orange. To prepare the taco shells, place the tortillas into boiling oil and let it sit flat for 15 seconds. Fold the tortilla in half to create a taco shell shape and occasionally turn over the tortilla to prevent over-frying. Plate the shrimp inside the taco shells and decorate with avocados and Mexican cheese for more flavor. PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

FOOD & DRINK

Best Thing We Ate This Month

SUSHINOLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

SUSHINOLA ESPECIAL

Mexican-style sushi is everything that traditional sushi is not. At Sushinola, their dishes take central ingredients of Mexican food and umami flavors of sushi to make unique fusion cuisine. Their dishes utilize spice, crunch, tang and creamy flavors. The Spanish only menu contains Mexican seafood, boasting dishes like Aguachile, Mar y Tierra, culichi and more. The Sushinola especial consisted of a breaded layer stuffed with cucumber, Philadelphia cream cheese, avocado and beef topped with imitation crab and breaded shrimp, all served with a side of tampico, chili toreado, chipotle mayo, onions and carrots for extra flavor. PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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LIFESTYLES Pastimes /

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CAININES ON PATROL

Bakersfield Police Officer Noe Ramirez works with new police dog Jack at their training facility. Jack is a 13-month-old German shepherd in his second week of training in the BPD K-9 Unit.

PHOTO BY ALEX HORVATH

www.BakersfieldLife.com

LIFESTYLES

Pastimes

An aerial view of the Brown University campus in “Minecraft."

‘MINECRAFT’ CAMPUS PROJECT

ALLOWS FUTURE, CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS TO VISIT BROWN UNIVERSITY DURING PANDEMIC By Mark Nessia

As a senior graduating from Stockdale High School in 2019, Isaac Kim was faced with a tough choice deciding where to go to college. Ultimately, it was Brown University’s Open Curriculum, which lets students develop a personalized course of study, giving them greater freedom and flexibility, that drew him to the East Coast Ivy League campus. This allowed Kim, a freshman studying cognitive science, to take on additional extracurriculars like film, orchestra and the Brown Esports Team, otherwise known as BEST. As a member of BEST, Kim is the lead on a project to create a 1-to-1 scale, three-dimensional model of the Brown University campus on “Minecraft,” a popular sandbox video game with over 100 million active monthly users. Partnering with Geopipe, a company that creates 3D models of cities co-founded by Brown alumnus Thomas Dickerson, Kim and crew had a foundation to build upon. 28

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June 2020

There was no sense of urgency with the project at the time, but when COVID-19 spread across the country and universities began sending students home, priorities changed. “I was thinking it would be really awesome if we can get this project done right now,” Kim said. “We launched on March 23. Since then, we’ve had over 120 people come on and Isaac Kim help rebuild the campus. We’ve taken (Geopipe’s) model and we’ve replaced every single block on that map just trying to recreate campus and help refine it to what it looks like in real life. Our initial focus was to get tours on PHOTOS COURTESY OF ISAAC KIM/BROWN ESPORTS

The “Main Green"

Isaac Kim leads the project to create a 1-to-1 scale, three-dimensional model of the Brown University campus on “Minecraft."

‘Minecraft’ and get official support from the university so we can help replace what students can’t have right now.” Builders were originally designated specific buildings located in one of 17 sections. Eventually, all builders were given open permission to work on whatever they liked. “We have a huge spreadsheet of which buildings are finished, which buildings are in progress and which buildings we haven’t started yet,” Kim said. “People just choose whatever building, put their name by it and whenever they’re done, they just let us know and go on to the next one.” In terms of “core buildings” that tours go through, Kim said over 95% were completed. As for the entire campus, he said it’s difficult to say as Brown University is well-integrated into the city of Providence. Anyone can visit the campus, though a “Mine-

Interior of the “Hope College" (residential dorm) at Brown University.

craft” account is required. “We see lots of people buy ‘Minecraft’ just for the purposes of coming back to campus,” Kim said. “We’ve seen a lot of alumni come back. You can kind of recreate that experience going on Google Maps and going through Street View, but ‘Minecraft’ is so unparalleled in that you’re given a free camera that you can put anywhere on the map and you can virtually walk into your favorite classrooms. You can’t do that More Information with Google Maps. Every Anybody can join the server with “Minebuilding is craft” Java edition by entering mc.brownecreated with sports.org into their “Minecraft” client. tender, loving care.” www.BakersfieldLife.com

LIFESTYLES

Love & Life

UNITED IN LOVE

The Ha family

NOW IS THE TIME TO JUST BE OURSELVES, ACCEPT EACH OTHER WITHOUT JUDGMENT By Nina Ha

“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” — Brene Brown, “The Gifts of Imperfection” Thirty-one days into quarantine, I had a mommy meltdown. We had been living in our new normal of late bedtimes and wake-ups for quite some time already. The kids and I were spending every waking minute together. Homework dragged on and on. The house was a mess. We were all a little stir-crazy. Although the gift of time together was truly a blessing, everything came crashing down one Monday afternoon. I was feeling like no one was listening and nothing was getting done. I was frustrated and got angry with my kids, but I just couldn’t hold it in. I felt terrible afterward. Parenting is hard. Parenting in a pandemic is even harder. Things got much better after we all cried, hugged and talked about what we could do differently in the future. We also asked each other and God for forgiveness. That night, I documented yet another day in our shelterin-place life on social media. I posted about the meltdown along with a photo of our family playing a board game that my son had created a few years ago. The next day, I received an outpouring of love and support from fellow moms and dads alike who could relate to my situation and frustration. They shared their own parenting struggles, lifted me up in my moment of tribulation and 30

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June 2020

offered to walk the metaphorical trenches with me. One friend sent me a private eye-opening message. Over the years, we lost touch with each other and I never understood why until I read her note. She said she had been following our family for years now on various social platforms, but has had to turn away at times because our “perfect family” was difficult to digest. I have never tried to portray an idealized version of myself or my family online, but I also prefer to focus on the positive rather than the negative aspects of life. However, that omission has probably created a disconnect with people whom I love and respect. By not sharing my vulnerabilities, I’m perpetuating an image of myself that I don’t want out there. I struggle every day with trying to be a good wife, mother and follower of Christ. Some days, it’s tough to get out of bed for fear of the same parental frustrations playing out or that I’m not using what God gave me to my full potential. I’m learning that in sharing the trials we go through, we’re choosing to show up and be real. It’s OK to feel inadequate sometimes and not have it all together. Now, more than ever, is the time to just be us and know that it’s enough. I believe that God made us all unique, full of flaws and imperfectly perfect. I hope we can all peel away our facades, accept each other without judgment, be transparent about our struggles, lift each other up and be united in love. Opinions expressed in this column are those of Nina Ha.

Nina Ha

PHOTO COURTESY OF NINA HA

LIFESTYLES

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Creative Crossing artist Kei Deragon draws a chalk mural of artist Frida Kahlo at Beale Park.

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GO & DO

Entertainment

A screenshot of DJ Mike Villa's set as he hosts a virtual dance party via Facebook Live.

DJS THROW VIRTUAL DANCE PARTIES TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, LIFT SPIRITS AMID STAY-AT-HOME ORDER

By Julie Mana-ay Perez

As the stay-at-home order continues, many clubs, weddings, concerts and events everywhere have been canceled or postponed, leaving performers and entertainers left questioning what will happen next for their industry after the coronavirus outbreak. With many DJs unemployed and unable to attend events, that doesn’t stop them from entertaining. Local DJs like Mike Villa and Gabriel Garzaro want to lift people’s spirits by bringing virtual dance parties to their audiences’ in the comfort of their own homes. “Nobody saw this coming and it turned so many lives upside down in the entertainment industry. Everything that I’ve strived for years, just flipped upside down overnight,” said Villa. Garzaro said once events started to cancel, he thought about how he was going to continue his business as a DJ. “I wanted to keep my sanity. I love music and I love being around people. I wanted to put music out there for people to enjoy,” said Garzaro. Villa and Garzaro wanted to be able to provide entertainment and bring joy to people in the community. “It makes them feel like they’re at a party or at a club. This is a way for us to do what we do but do it through Zoom and virtual dance parties,” said Villa. Villa mentions the audience felt skeptical in the beginning but he has seen a positive response when people tune in. View34

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June 2020

ers like Nikki Gorrell express the stay-at-home order has been difficult but they feel grateful for the quality time they're able to spend with her family — one of the ways is tuning in to virtual shows online. “We’ve had a blast tuning in virtually. (They) know how to get the room pumping whether in person or online,” Gorrell said. Viewer Alejandra Murguia said not being able to go to music festivals and events she planned to attend in May disappointed her, but discovered these virtual dance parties as an alternative way to still enjoy her music experience. “These virtual dance parties are a fun way to connect with other people while sitting at home. Since this pandemic began, I didn’t think there was anything else to do, so being able to vibe with others through music gives some normalcy in this,” said Murguia. To attend a virtual dance party, people don’t need an invitation — all that is needed is a computer or cell-phone and dancing shoes to dance the night away. Villa and Garzaro host their virtual dance parties through Zoom, Twitch, Instagram Live and Facebook Live every evening on Friday and Saturday. Viewers can follow both Villa, @DJMikeVilla, and Garzaro, @gabriel_garzaro, on Instagram to see when and where the next virtual show is. “We’re going to get through this together. Us DJs are in this together right now. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel,w and when this is over, we’re going to party like we’ve never partied before,” said Villa.

GO & DO

Out & About

BAKERSFIELD’S FIRST VIRTUAL FARMERS MARKET

HELPS KEEP SMALL BUSINESSES, FARMS AFLOAT DURING COVID-19 By Julie Mana-ay Perez

In the age of COVID-19, large gatherings are not an option, but The Hens Roost, Lulus Local Food and Kaiser Permanente are charting a new path during the stayat-home order by launching Bakersfield’s first virtual farmers market. The Hens Roost owner Jaclyn Allen partnered with Kaiser Permanente to create a virtual experience that allows people to shop for fresh produce, organic foods and more from the comfort of their own homes. “We want to maintain small farmers and producers whose lives depend on farmers markets and being local. It’s great to have someone like Kaiser Permanente helping us be innovative in ways we’re not used to,” said Allen. The virtual farmers market is a way for the community and local farmers to connect as they continue to provide the highest-quality food. Customers can also shop by category and producer online. “We want to keep touching our community and give the same service as people would experience at the farmers market,” said Allen. “We really have great produce, especially at this time of year.” The program also provides delivery for senior citizens and vulnerable people. Customers will be able to choose a member-

ship type on the website and select one of two pickup locations — downtown Bakersfield on Saturdays or Kaiser Permanente on Chester Avenue on Wednesdays. Allen said as the program grows, she would like her and her team to be able to have pickup locations in all areas of Bakersfield. “There’s a core group of us that’s been together and work well together. We’re all helping each other out because we’re stronger together. We’re doing what we can to keep the small farms going and the producers going,” she said. Not only does the program allow the community to shop locally, but Allen said food that’s left over from the market goes to a local nonprofit Applecore Project Inc., an organization that focuses on fighting food insecurity among seniors, families, students and individuals that have fallen on difficult times. Allen said she wants to be able to help small businesses and farms during the coronavirus pandemic More Information but also continue to help the comWednesday: Place order munity get their farmers market fix. Saturday: Pickup day “For us to succeed as a commuwww.thehensroost.com nity, we need to be compassionate www.luluslocalfood.com and patient and realize that everyone is going through something and 661-332-4411 treat all people good,” she said. www.BakersfieldLife.com

GO & DO

Trip Planner

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MINUTES VIRTUAL TRIPS LET TRAVELERS VISIT POPULAR DESTINATIONS FROM HOME By Mark Nessia

Outside the sun shines bright high atop a cloudless sky. The weather may be on the warm side, but there’s no denying that it’s a beautiful day — one of many yet to come. But the beginning of the 2020 travel season comes as many remain under stay-at-home orders, a little stir-crazy after two months in quarantine. While no substitute for the real thing, there are myriad virtual tours available to quell some of that wanderlust. Here are some noteworthy destinations that can be explored on computers and mobile devices. THE “NEW SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD” • Great Wall of China (www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china) Walk along the Great Wall of China, built over an 36

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

1,800-year period and whose combined overlapping layers are estimated to be 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers, without breaking a sweat. • Petra, Jordan (www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behindthe-scenes/streetview/treks/petra/) This guided tour of Petra, which was built by the Nabateans and features impressive architecture and Hellenistic facades carved directly into the canyon walls, features informative narration and stunning visuals. • Colosseum, Rome, Italy (www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJeF7hDB0UA) Experience the sights and sounds of the Colosseum in this walking tour, featuring all four levels of the Roman Empire’s architectural marvel — all in 4K ultra high definition. • Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (www.destination360. com/north-america/mexico/chichen-itza/virtual-tour)

This 360-degree virtual tour of Chichen Itza provides panoramic views of the ancient Maya city whose ruins feature religious temples showcasing Maya innovation in astronomy and science. • Machu Picchu, Cusco Region, Peru (www.youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu?pl=f) The virtual tour of Machu Picchu combines spectacular scenery with entertaining and educational voiceover, bringing the mid-15th-century Incan settlement to life. • Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India (www.google.co.uk/maps/about/ behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/ taj-mahal/) Google Maps Street Trek brings the Taj Mahal’s ivory marble facades straight to your computer or mobile device. • Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (www.youvisit.com/tour/brazil) Reach the iconic Christ the Redeemer without having to scale 200 steps in this 360-degree view guided tour featuring facts about the statue’s origins and construction. MUSEUMS • The Louvre (www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne#tabs) The Louvre’s virtual tours allow visitors to explore

Egyptian antiquities and view the remains of The Louvre’s moat. • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (www. naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/) Explore the Smithsonian’s many exhibits from the comfort of your home. Clicking the camera icon provides close-up views of the displays. • The Vatican Museum (www.museivaticani.va/content/ museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco. html) The Vatican Museum offers seven virtual tours, one of which includes a 360-degree view of the Sistine Chapel.

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GO & DO

Arts & Culture

A screenshot a Kern County Library virtual reading via Facebook Live.The library wants to find ways to keep the community engaged and connected to the library.

KERN COUNTY LIBRARY GOES DIGITAL

BRANCHES MAY BE CLOSED BUT BOOKS ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER By Mark Nessia

Some may see it as misfortune. The Kern County Library sees it as opportunity. Despite having to temporarily close all of its branches due to the stay-at-home order, the Kern County Library is still able to serve its members by showcasing its wide array of digital services. It’s nothing new for the library, but it is something that’s not commonly associated with a traditional library experience. “As we became physically closed, it’s been a wonderful way to remind people that our website and our plat38

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June 2020

forms are still there and are still accessible,” Kern County Library marketing and promotions associate Jasmin LoBasso said. “Those are not dependent on our physical buildings.” With Overdrive, Hoopla and RB Digital, members have access to tens of thousands of e-books, audiobooks, music, TV shows and more. All they need is their library card. Overdrive mimics a more traditional library model in a virtual space, offering e-books and audiobooks in limited quantities. If a product is checked out, users can request it and receive a notification

“As we became physically closed, it's been a wonderful way to remind people that our website and our platforms are still there and are still accessible." – Jasmin LoBasso, Kern County Library marketing and promotions associate

ank You for Your Votes

when it’s available. Users can also hear audiobook samples, which can be crucial to listeners. “Voices impact audiobooks so much,” LoBasso said. Hoopla and RB Digital offer products instantly with no wait. In addition to e-books and audiobooks, Hoopla also features music, movies and TV shows. RB Digital contains a robust audiobook library spanning over 8,000 titles, making reading more accessible and convenient than ever before. “There’s a large community of people that really love to listen to audiobooks during their commutes or when they’re at home taking care of tasks,” LoBasso said. “Audiobooks are a wonderful way for people to read when they think they don’t have time to read.” Kern County Library members also get free access to The New York Times and Pronunciator, a language-learning program that lets users learn any of 87 languages, complete with live teachers and more. And since all the products are digital, returns are automatic. If readers want to check out an unfinished book again, they will pick up right where they left off. All platforms are accessible on computers and mobile devices. Once users create an account, they’ll be prompted to identify their local library and input their library card. For those who don’t have a card or need a replacement, digital cards are offered ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF KERN COUNTY LIBRARY

through www.kerncountylibrary.org. The Kern County Library will also host its annual summer reading challenge, starting June 1 and running through July. Progress will be tracked through Kern County Library’s Beanstack platform and prizes will be offered digitally. Digital badges can also be earned through the Beanstack app by completing various reading challenges. Virtual programming will also be offered throughout the summer. For up-to-date information, go to www. kerncountylibrary.org or the Kern County Library branch Facebook pages. Through its virtual and digital offerings, the Kern County Library is finding ways to keep the community engaged and entertained, connecting and reconnecting people to the library. “We are seeing not just longtime patrons that have not been interested in exploring those digital access points, but also people that have not touched library services in years either,” LoBasso said. “I think that the ability to access our services, not just from the comfort of your own home but also immediately, especially as people become more busy in their lives, has been a really wonderful way to show people that we can be involved and help you get entertainment and provide learning opportunities without physically going into a branch.”

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Let's Get Physical

TRAIN LONGER AND HARDER

TAKING PRE-WORKOUT SUPPLEMENTS CAN INCREASE ENDURANCE, ENERGY AND FOCUS By Alex Garzaro

Supplements: Knowing when and why to use them can be the key to reaching your goals. So let’s chat about preworkout, L-carnitine and creatine. Preworkout is an endurance, energy and focus enhancer. It is commonly used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to optimize their performance and training longevity. Have you ever just felt tired and depleted during a workout, like you just can’t push through? Well this is when adding a preworkout supplement to your training routine can help. A preworkout supplement is commonly recommended to consume 20–30 minutes prior to training; however, I prefer to consume my preworkout just minutes before I train. The reason being so that I get the optimal effects of the pre-workout right in the middle of my training, rather than at the beginning. Now if you are new to or have never had preworkout, I recommend NOT starting with the recommended serving amount. Instead, start slow and allow yourself to adjust to the supplement by starting with half of the recommended serving size and then adjusting each time according to how your body reacts. Preworkout is great for providing energy to aid in training longer, harder and more focused. But what if your goal is simply to lose weight? You are not an athlete who needs to train for a long period of time; however, you could use a boost in your energy for your workouts. If that is the case, I recommend L-carnitine as a pre-workout. This supplement is not commonly talked about, but it is one that I have added in and out of my supplement routine for years now. It is one of my favorites. When I take L-carnitine as a pre-workout, I always feel so

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

accomplished at the end of my workout. WEB EXCLUSIVE It is a way to get energy and utilize the Go to www.bakersfieldlife.com for transport of longAlex Garzaro's seven-day, 20-minute chain fatty acids into dumbbell workout program. mitochondria to be oxidized for energy production and also participates in removing products of metabolism from cells, i.e., burn fat. There are liquid and capsule forms. I personally prefer the liquid version. Again, start with half the recommended serving size and adjust accordingly. Now that we have options to boost energy, what about boosting muscle mass? Creatine is the supplement most commonly recommended for muscle growth. Why? Because it stimulates ATP in our bodies. ATP is the most basic form of energy in your body’s cells. It plays a fundamental role in metabolism and muscle function, however, our bodies can only produce optimal ATP for about 8–10 seconds of high-intensity training before needing to generate new ATP to match our activity demands. Consuming creatine will help aid in a little longer ATP production before fatigue sets in, allowing you to get in a few more reps and run sprints just a little longer than normal, and in turn, helping to push the muscle to a new fatigue level and increasing in size due to the increase in the ATP levels. Alex Garzaro is a lifestyle strategist, weight loss expert for women and transformational speaker. The views expressed are her own.

Alex Garzaro

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Peace of Mind

BANG-FOR-YOURBUCK FOOD

EATING HERBS HELPS WITH IMMUNITY, CELLULAR FUNCTION By Anna Marie Frank

In these times of challenges and uncertainty, we need to remember that we have great control over our health and well-being. I wanted to take some time to discuss some different herbs that have been shown to have antiviral properties and help with immunity and cellular function. Herbs are what I call a bang-for-your-buck food. We must always remember the food we put in our bodies is information for our cells. “Let food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates. So what foods have the most bang for their buck in terms of antiviral properties? To answer this question, I want to look at herbs. Herbs are so powerful, and have so many healing properties and are so yummy. Many times we forget to add these to our daily dishes. My top three herbs that I use weekly: Basil: You may have heard of basil as it is the main ingredient in pesto. Basil has over 60 varieties. Basil plants thrive in rich soil under full sun and can be ready to use in 60–90 days. I have a basil plant right on my windowsill that I can pick from whenever needed. Basil has been considered one of the healthiest herbs on the planet. It is not only tasty but it also provides a healthy dose of vitamin K to the body, which is essential for blood clotting, healthy bones and cardiovascular function. It also provides iron, calcium, vitamin C, manganese and potassium along with fiber to help the body thrive. The anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties in basil come from flavonoids and its volatile oils, such as estragole, linalool, sabinene and limonene. Cilantro: This herb is either very popular with some or not at all. Are you a person that tastes soap when you try this herb? There have been countless health benefits cited for 44

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

cilantro. Some studies have proven that cilantro has antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that contribute to health benefits, such as keeping bones strong, stimulating digestion, regulating blood sugar and reducing swelling caused by arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies have even shown that cilantro can purify your water. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder cilantro would be a great herb to add to your regimen during this time. Peppermint: This herb is delicious to fuse into your lemon water year-round. There are upward of 20 plant species within the mint family, with the most popular being peppermint and spearmint. Not only does this herb help alleviate allergy symptoms, aid in digestion and relieve nausea and headaches, it also helps clear up congestion and other respiratory disorders. One study even shows the powerful antiviral activity against RSV, an upper respiratory disease that impacts many people. As you can see, these three herbs are jampacked with powerful healing abilities. It is vital at this time that we provide our bodies with herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, lots of water and other nourishing elements that will keep our immune system strong and vibrant. Don’t underestimate the power of your biology — especially when you are providing your body with the armor it needs. For more info on foods that can help your immunity, check out the Happy Whole You podcast on your preferred listening platform. Anna Marie Frank is a brain health and wellness expert, author, lecturer and human-potential coach. The views expressed are her own.

Anna Marie Frank

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA MARIE FRANK

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April 2020

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Ethnic studies used as a portal for peace

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November 2019

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Undergoing a lifestyle change for better health

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Best year ever!

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How to make 2020 a year based on selflove, self-respect and positive thinking

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Dr. Ravi Patel of Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center is helping lead the way to better health and wellness for Bakersfield residents. Patel was voted “Best Specialty Doctor” in the 2019 Best Of Readers’ Choice Poll.

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STRONGER Bakersfield finds hope, unity in uncharted year of distance, pandemic By Olivia Garcia

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

PHOTOS BY ALEX HORVATH, MARK NESSIA, JENNIFER JOHNSON

TOGETHER I

n mid-March, a national emergency was declared. In the weeks that followed, many businesses had to temporarily shut their doors, students were sent home, residents were ordered to shelter in place, and social distancing and facemasks became the new norm. The coronavirus has changed life as we know it, forcing families and businesses to adjust and adapt. But despite the physical distance and uncertainty that lies ahead, people have found ways to come together, resulting in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;heightened level of consideratenessâ&#x20AC;? that can have a lasting impact long after the pandemic ends.

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Jane Sears, 89, waves from her third-floor balcony. Brookdale reported a case of COVID-19 at its facility and the entire facility went into quarantine for 14 days. Sears has handled it like a champ. She's lived through rationing during World War II and the polio epidemic when her children were young, but she said this is worse than either of those.

eparated by a few states, R. Allen Bolar regularly touches base and calls his father, a doctor who lives in a small town in Minnesota that’s at least 2,000 miles from Bolar’s new home in Bakersfield. Yet since the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, which has dramatically altered people’s lives, shifting them into their homes and away from their workplaces, favorite restaurants, and routine gatherings of friends and family, Bolar, a proud dad himself, noticed that he and his father were having more frequent — and longer — conversations. “We’ve been talking every single night for an hour,” said Bolar, who teaches political science at Bakersfield College. “It’s not something he and I had been doing.” Aside from that, Bolar has found himself waving and chatting — from a safe distance, of course — with his neighbors more. He’s even noticed the activity on his Nextdoor app, where people usually spread the word of criminal activity or neighborly disagreements in their neck of the woods, has mostly turned community-oriented and supportive in nature, from “people who are making masks” and giving them to those who need them or to those offering to run errands “for anyone who can’t go to the grocery store because they’re older and they feel vulnerable.” “I would say that’s very nice to see,” Bolar said. “In a

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

sense, it’s bringing people together.” And coming together is something that many locals seek as they follow stay-at-home orders or limit their physical distance around their usual circles of family, friends, work, school and hobbies. Through this unexpected phase, residents are finding new ways to connect and reestablish bonds with those close at heart. Many are embracing new ways to communicate. They have fallen in love with cooking and nature again, experimenting with new dishes or taking walks with their “quaranteams” — groups of people who have chosen to quarantine together during this period. Instacart, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS, as well as Uber Eats and GrubHub, have become the new go-tos for many lately. Such transformation reminds communication expert Talita Pruett of the term “alone together,” coined in 2012 by Sherry Turkle, an MIT professor who specializes in how technology is transforming relationships. “I think the term perfectly describes our interaction with others during the pandemic,” said Pruett, who teaches communications at BC. “I have heard tales of grandparents doing lunch dates with their grandkids across the country (and sometimes just across the street). Other stories of co-work-

PHOTOS BY ALEX HORVATH

ers holding virtual happy hours, families playing Scrabble on Zoom and friends doing Sunday night watch parties on Facebook. Ultimately, all forms of mediated communication aim to simulate face-to-face communication. Though they are the ‘next best thing’ right now, they cannot replace the richness of face-to-face human interaction. Something as simple and meaningful as a hug is impossibly replicated through mediated communication. “On the positive side, being in isolation has given many people the opportunity to connect with family and friends that live far. Personally, in the 13 years I have lived in the U.S., I have never felt closer to my family of origin, who lives in Brazil. I hope that when the pandemic is over, all of us will be more mindful of the importance of human connection and more intentional in our interactions with others.” For now, Bakersfield has discovered new ways to intentionally connect with its community. When local frontline health workers saw a shortage of face masks, volunteers — in partnership with organizations such as Adventist Health Bakersfield Foundation — jumped into action, sewing countless masks for those in need. Adventist Health Bakersfield Foundation also organized a local 48-hour virtual endurance race to benefit families

Vet assistant Halle Mames collects Cookie from owner Robert Barrows at Thurman Veterinary Center on Jomani Drive. The California Department of Public Health has advised practices to limit contact with people, so most veterinary offices are doing a parking lot drop-off for pets.

Member of the Condor Squadron wave after landing. California Aeronautical University conducted a flyover in Bakersfield to show thanks, solidarity and recognition to the many people who have worked tirelessly to support our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The university has coordinated five aircraft to fly in formation over many neighborhoods, shopping centers and major medical facilities in Bakersfield. The formation flight was led by the Condor Squadron, a professional formation flying team made up of four WWII-era T-6 trainers. www.BakersfieldLife.com

The word "hope" is spelled out in lights at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center.

affected by COVID-19. Stockdale Tile covered the food tab and delivered it in droves for workers at Bakersfield Memorial and Adventist Health Bakersfield hospitals. Aera Energy donated $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County to care for children of essential workers, calling out the community to match. Bakersfield attorney and landlord Dennis Beaver waived April’s rent for his tenants. And given that Kern County is the heart of agriculture, locals joined in on the viral “appreciation caravans” by heading to the fields in Lamont where organizers Jose Reyes, Brenda Ruiz and Susie Brock, as well as Rubio’s Coastal Grill, Victor’s Mexican Grill and others, showed up to applaud essential farmworkers, according to local news reports. Front-yard signs with phrases such as “Everything is Going to be Okay” and “Hope Is Not Canceled” have popped up in Bakersfield neighborhoods. These are just a small sampling of how the community has come together in unity in an unfamiliar, at times surreal, time. But where do we go from here? What can we expect over the next year or beyond COVID-19? For one, the need for community partnerships will continue at various levels. For example, local health care facilities have found ways to support nursing students as they work toward completing their educational program and local

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

lawmakers are also looking at ways to benefit the community, said Cindy Collier, nursing professor and acting director of the BC Student Health and Wellness Center. She and others agree that the coronavirus pandemic has reminded locals how frontline public health care workers remain vital in this changing world. At the same time, faced with an unpredictable virus, local and state health officials are adapting and studying ways to improve and strengthen the health care system in the long run. It is a challenge that has faced both the local health care system and nation, said Charles Daramola, a professor and program director of the public health science at Bakersfield College. Aside from that, staying healthy is vital, and Daramola recommended people look at ways to reduce stress since chronic stress can weaken an immune system. He suggested that people should consider connecting with their spiritual roots, trying meditation or finding new ways to reach out to friends and family. For many, Collier said the new normal will be finding new ways to greet each other and practicing good medical hygiene that includes regularly washing hands, having respiratory etiquette, staying home or away from others when sick, and understanding the importance of vaccines. “Viruses have been around forever, but people have sort of taken them for granted not realizing how contagious they

PHOTO BY ROD THORNBURG

Owner of Daisy's Supportive Living Services Daisy Morrison held a drive-thru food donation station front of her H Street business. Food and cash donations were donated to the Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank. Food banks are holding distribution events on a daily basis to help the growing number of families who are struggling to put food on the table. Two such entities, Community Action Partnership of Kern and Golden Empire Gleaners, are feeding hundreds of families each week and experiencing a boom in the number of people coming to them for resources.

Cassie Bittle, owner of KC Steakhouse on F Street, delivers all the parts to a Tomahawk barbecue, including pie, to a customer at her restaurant.

Kuldip Sidhn, Jastej Singh Grewal and Gurinder Sinh Basra from Sikh Riders for America deliver 100 face shields to Maria Espino, Julia Williams and Sarah Kaur from Rosewood Senior Living facility. They delivered those protective devices to key members of the community who can come into contact with the virus firsthand. PHOTOS BY ALEX HORVATH

are to vulnerable populations,” Collier said. Other looming ideas will be how local businesses will fare over time. Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that certain retail businesses will be allowed to reopen with curbside pickup and other restrictions, while other experts expect a long, slow process before businesses are operating at a prepandemic stage. And while the leading oil and agriculture industries are facing economic challenges amid the pandemic, Kern County could see a growth or need in the warehousing and logistics industries, Bolar said. He referred to distribution centers currently in the county, such as Walmart and the new Amazon facility on Merle Haggard Drive. In addition, as the number of delivery requests surge with most families opting to stay indoors, some businesses in those areas may eye centrally located Kern County for future locations. Meanwhile, creativity abounds. Kaitlin Hulsy, who teaches at California State University, Bakersfield, and Bakersfield College, launched a website called Castle in the Storm in mid-March to focus on writing and personal expression in the time of COVID-19, which has seen a rise in contributions, including from many students. As residents figure out the new norm during this temporary period, others suggest creating a consistent daily schedule. “Even if you’re not terribly productive (and it’s fine if you’re not), make sure you have some semblance of a routine. I have managed to keep my pre-COVID-19 sleep schedule,” said Erin Auerbach, a BC journalism professor. “That has been a huge help. I also walk my dog every day and try to eat meals at about the same times. I regularly tend to my small garden and make my bed. Simple tasks give me a sense of normalcy during times that are so far from it.”

www.BakersfieldLife.com

Chef Lino's Grill delivered 50 meals to Mercy Hospital Southwest. Food for the Frontline, a new local effort to feed emergency room staff, while at the same time supporting local restaurants, has begun delivering meals to medical staff.

to what they know best: kindness. “I am heartened by all the caring and kindness that I’ve seen,” said David Koeth, a BC art professor and member of the AIGA design association. “So many people are volunteering to help neighbors and friends in myriad ways. My wife, who is a quilter, started sewing masks and offered them to friends and family all over the country via social media. Her last batch will go to the California Veteran’s Home in Chula Vista. Her late father spent his last few years there and they are in need of masks for the Grimmway Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Dana Brennan, president of Country Sweet Produce Michael Valpredo, President of Country Sweet Produce residents.” Sam Jouda,President of Dignity Health Mercy Hospital Bruce Peters, President and Auerbach can attest to the “heightCEO of Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Ken Keller and Bakersfield Condors Presiened level of considerateness” that dent Matthew Riley announce a partnership for on-site grocery stores at Bakersfield others have raised. medical facilities. The grocery stores would provide relief to their employees and “My neighbors and I text each oththeir families, offering them a safe area to shop for much-needed items. er every so often to make sure everyone is OK,” said Auerbach. “They have Yet, she added: “If you don’t accomplish everything, don’t offered to give me facemasks. I have baked them pumpkin beat yourself up. When inspiration of any kind strikes, whethbread. Even when I’m out shopping, people have mostly gone er it’s to bake, go for a jog, take a virtual yoga class, write or out of their way to be considerate. The other day, I was leaving balance your checkbook — just do it. Dive right in. You’ll feel Target and a $20 bill fell out of my pocket. I didn’t know it until energized after a short period of productive activity.” a driver frantically waived me down to make sure I got it.” And strive for a “balanced diet, get some sunshine and This time will help residents understand what’s most fresh air, and stay positive and optimistic that we will get important to them and how to retain those priorities in a postthrough it and be better on the other side,” said Sandi Taylor, COVID-19 world. BC’s athletic director. “We need to think collectively,” Pruett said. “This is espeIt is unclear how long the uncertainty will take to turn cially challenging for individualistic cultures, such as Americertain. The closest semblance people have looked to has can culture. American citizens are used to having autonomy, been the influenza pandemic of 1918–1919, or the Spanish flu, freedom and are encouraged to put individual goals ahead of although the name itself does not define its origin — Neutral group ones. Now it is the time to reach out for others, to be Spain just happened to report more about it at its outbreak altruistic. It is good for our community and it is good for us during World War I. The flu lasted about 18 months. individually. There is a vast body of research that supports the Bolar says a vaccination is still a distance away. notion that altruistic and pro-social behavior are associated While dealing with unknowns, many residents are turning with greater mental and physical well-being.” 52

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

PHOTOS BY ALEX HORVATH

Armand Guzman and Alexandra Sharp load up on masks to give out to local residents. The McFarland Festival Committee sponsored a mask giveaway at the Parks & Recreation parking lot in McFarland.

Jesse Rosas and John K. from The Mission at Kern County load prepared food to distribute to people for lunch at their facility.

With the help of his mother, Raquel, 3 year-old burn survivor Carlos Sanchez leaves Memorial Hospital after a three-week stay in the burn unit to cheers from his family, burn unit nurses and the Bakersfield Fire Department.

Nutrition Coordinator Chelsea Dow selects supper and breakfast bags for distribution. PHOTOS BY ALEX HORVATH

Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez loads food into a pickup truck during a community mask giveaway. www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Downtown School Principal Noreen Barthelmes waves to passing cars during the Dragon Community Family and Staff Parade on April 23. Downtown School staff lined up around the school to greet students as they drove around the block. Read more on Page 60.

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Bakersfield Matters

Team Jim Burke Ford Lincoln delivers Happy Jack's Pie 'N Burger to Hall Ambulance.

‘DOING THE ORDINARY DURING EXTRAORDINARY TIMES’

LOCALS FIND WAYS TO HELP DURING PANDEMIC By Lisa Kimble

One of the defining qualities of our community is its boundless compassion, filling a need and then some. And so it should be no surprise really that here in Bakersfield, where the national “random acts of kindness” movement was born 27 years ago, locals are living up to our reputation of kindness and generosity, doing the ordinary in extraordinary times. People like BHS and UCLA graduate Ulysis Baal, who formed Relief Shoppers shortly after shelter-in-place orders were given. “Ulysis is passionate about helping others and is an incredibly community-oriented person,” said friend Ali Vaughan, who is helping Baal on the project. “He set up the www.reliefshoppers.com website and solicited a strong army of healthy volunteers and donations.” These 20-somethings take grocery orders from local seniors and deliver them to their doorstep free of charge. The group enlisted the help of City Councilman Andrae Gonzales, who is providing organizational and fiscal support through his nonprofit Stewards. “We have felt fulfilled by the opportunity to make an impact in the community,” she added. Similar to the efforts at St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center, a local group of women, Forever Friends, has been 56

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

planning, preparing and providing meals to The Mission, often upward of 300 at a time. “I absolutely love it,” said founder Kimberly McNeil Kitsch. In early April, Jim Burke Ford Lincoln marketing director George Hay and Assemblyman Vince Fong created Food for the Frontline Kern County, designed to provide meals to health care workers at area hospitals. With the help of the Kern Community Foundation, Food for the Frontline has partnered with restaurants to deliver food to medical first responders. “To date, we have already delivered 980 meals and are on track to deliver over 2,000 meals,” Hay said. Responding to the food insecurity created by the crisis, CityServe teamed up with Community Action Partnership of Kern’s food bank to provide masked and gloved volunteers to sort grocery donations and load them into the cars of people waiting in a drive-thru. Krista Rodriguez is among the 139 volunteers who are helping. “I jumped at the chance. Many hands make light work and I enjoy the physical way I could help others during these hard times,” Rodriguez said. “I knew this was probably a big undertaking considering the negative financial situation this pandemic has created for so many people. I hope my new connection with CityServe can be a new door for me to serve again.” PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA KIMBLE

Chef Lino's delivery to Bakersfield Heart Hospital.

Cassie Bittle with KC Steakhouse making a delivery to Memorial Hospital.

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Jake's Tex Mex delivering to Adventist Health.

Bakersfield High School sophomore Drew Mariani decided to take matters into his own hands and began collecting food from residents of the Westchester neighborhood. Already heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collected 400 pounds of food for the Golden Empire Gleaners. While food has been a recurring theme in the efforts of goodwill that have sprouted up overnight during this crisis, there have been other needs met by locals suddenly homebound with nothing but time on their hands as well. Crafters across the community have answered the call for protective face gear by sewing masks by the thousands. Necessity, long the mother of invention, has inspired locals to find creative solutions for those most vulnerable. And it can be therapeutic as social distancing has made relationally connectiveness difficult. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every crisis has its own opportunities, we just have to look for them,â&#x20AC;? said clinical psychologist Dr. Dean Haddock. Superheroes, come to find out, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all wear capes. They wear masks and gloves and collect canned food from neighbors, deliver meals and groceries, and are simply doing the ordinary in these extraordinary times. Opinions expressed in this column are those of Lisa Kimble.

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Our Town

Ulysis Baal, right, makes a delivery to one of his clients as a part of the Relief Shoppers program.

STORE TO DOOR

RELIEF SHOPPERS ASSISTS ELDERLY, VULNERABLE PATIENTS TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO CORONAVIRUS By Julie Mana-ay Perez

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery shopping isn’t an easy task anymore, especially for senior citizens and people with underlying health issues. Bakersfield local and University of California, Los Angeles, alumnus Ulysis Baal created Relief Shoppers to help those most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Relief Shoppers is a program that connects young, healthy volunteers in the community to shop for seniors to limit their exposure to the virus. Because his mother was a nurse and had her own home care facility, Baal was surrounded by elderly people throughout his childhood. Baal would build relationships 58

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

that taught him about the value of one’s life. “When I first started, I thought I would just be grocery shopping by myself and have a list of people to deliver to,” he said. Baal said Relief Shoppers ended up becoming more valuable to the community than expected. “After I published my program on my Facebook and Instagram, friends and friends of friends hopped on the volunteer wagon and helping the cause,” he said. Baal believes he and his team can take Relief Shoppers to the next level by establishing his program as a nonprofit organization in Bakersfield and continuing the program after the COVID-19 pandemic and the world returns to normalcy. “(Relief Shoppers) was needed way before the panPHOTO COURTESY OF ULYSIS BAAL

“(Relief Shoppers) was needed way before the pandemic. A lot of vulnerable patients can't leave the house or don't have people to care for them so it's hard for people to get groceries. I never thought about this outside the pandemic. It's crazy that people are in that state of living." —Ulysis Baal, Founder of Relief Shoppers demic,” said Baal. “A lot of vulnerable patients can’t leave the house or don’t have people to care for them so it’s hard for people to get groceries. I never thought about this outside the pandemic. It’s crazy that people are in that state of living normally in life.” Clients can request a relief shopper through the website by filling out basic information. Baal said most people get approved and once approved, clients have access to a private page where they can send their grocery list. The program also offers free delivery for its clients. The program was able to grab the attention of Stewards Inc., a local nonprofit organization that works with vulnerable people in Kern County by connecting them to services and resources. Relief Shoppers was able to partner with Stewards as both programs advocate for vulnerable and elderly people. “(Relief Shoppers) is probably one of the most amazing and fulfilling moments of my life. We’re working so hard

for something so important and meaningful and getting the community together to lend a helping hand to those who need it the most,” he said. Baal said people can apply to volunteer on www.reliefshoppers.com and fill out a form. Adhering to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Baal encourages young and healthy people to volunteer while still following the no-contact rule. “One of the greatest things about this is that so many people are coming out to help. We have a beautiful community in Bakersfield. Everyone is trying to help each other out. There’s a big emphasis here in Kern County — what Relief Shoppers community can do www.reliefshoppers.com and will do for others,” ulysisbaal@reliefshoppers.com said Baal.

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Study Hall

Downtown School first-grade teacher Jolie Brouttier waves to passing cars during the a parade held April 23. Downtown School teachers lined up in front of the school as cars containing students drove around the block.

TEACHERS ON PARADE

LOCAL EDUCATORS FIND NEW, INVENTIVE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND STAY CONNECTED By Melissa Peaker-Whitten

As if teachers didn’t already set the bar high, they’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty since schools closed in mid-March. Along with trying to continue to teach in a brave new world, via Zoom and Google Classroom, they are also finding new and inventive ways to encourage their students and stay connected in these unprecedented times. Because teachers are unable to interact directly with students, the creation of teacher parades has been the result. Kimberly Chicca, a second-grade teacher at Standard Elementary School, decided to organize a parade after hearing about a few other schools doing it. “I knew how much I was missing the students and knew there were other staff feeling the same,” said Chicca. “It seemed like a great way to let students know we care about them and are still here for them despite all the craziness and change we are experiencing.” About 30 staff members, and many of their family members, participated in the parade, according to Chicca. Everyone from teachers to instructional aides to office staff were excited to be a part of it. They caravanned 60

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

Downtown School teachers and their families greet students as they drive by during the Dragon parade held April 23.

through the streets of Oildale, past the homes of many of their students. “Families were gathered in their yards or on the corner together. We were even able to see some previous students who are now in high school or older. There was just as much excitement and support from parents as from students. They expressed how much they appreciated us PHOTOS BY MARK NESSIA

parade. Because their students come from all over town, they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just drive through the surrounding neighborhood like other schools have done. Instead they did a reverse parade, inviting parents to drive by with their students for a chance to see teachers, administrators and other staff who are normally a part of their daily routine. There were about 20 staff members who participated, according to Brouttier, who said she had 17 of her 21 students drive by during the hour-long event. Downtown School teachers wave to students as they drive by during the Dragon parade â&#x20AC;&#x153;All the parents were just held April 23. overwhelmed with joy,â&#x20AC;? said Brouttier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their kids had taking the time to drive by and remind the students how a new light in them to get much we care,â&#x20AC;? said Chicca. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The smiles and excitement through the day and the rest of the week.â&#x20AC;? from the kids was amazing. Teachers were calling out to Both schools hope students by name and they lit up when they heard that to do more parades in familiar voice. the future for those More Coverage â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly are a family at Standard and the reactions who may not have been To see the Downtown School we got to the parade showed just how deeply we all care able to participate the parade in action, go to www. for each other. We are all in this together.â&#x20AC;? first time. bakersfieldlife.com. Jolie Brouttier, who teaches first grade at Downtown School, recently participated in her schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version of a

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PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

History

Ryan Rickard and his daughter, Chiara, take a Father's Day ride along the bike path on a sunny afternoon.

EVERY DAD HAS HIS DAY

BAKERSFIELD’S EARLY YEARS OF CELEBRATING DADS By Julie Plata

“A national mother’s day — why not a day for fathers, too?” proclaimed Ross C. Miller, city editor for The Bakersfield Californian, on May 11, 1914. Miller’s idea came on the heels of President Woodrow Wilson’s May 9, 1914, proclamation that officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The day was to serve “as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” And Ross concurred and added: “Ah yes, indeed, let us have a mother’s day and father’s day, too, be they living or dead. It is a beautiful thought and one that should grow until it has found its way into the breast of every man, woman and child in this world.” Although families have always found ways to honor fathers, the first state to celebrate an official father’s day was Washington on June 19, 1910. The idea is attributed to a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, who was one of six children raised by her widowed father. Wanting to honor

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

him, and all fathers for their important role in the family, she successfully petitioned local officials, businesses, churches and the YMCA to establish a Father’s Day to occur each June. During the early years following that first Father’s Day, celebrations were very different than what we are accustomed to today. Without an official day set aside, many of Bakersfield’s local schools created their own way to honor dad. But instead of a designated Father’s Day, the schools hosted a father’s night that usually consisted of a special program and then a dance in the school auditorium. Also, these special events took place on various days throughout the year. For instance, the Oil Center School PTA arranged an elaborate musical and social program to celebrate Father’s Day in March 1917. Fremont School hosted a celebration in May 1922 and Washington School in November of that same year. The celebration of fathers continued to evolve over the next couple of decades. According to the Library of Congress, in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge pushed to make

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Alexis Mitchell sits on her father Daniel Mitchell's shoulders waving at a crowd of people.

Father’s Day a national event as a way to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.” Even with this presidential urging, Bakersfield was still working on figuring out exactly the best way to celebrate dads. Californian columnist Mae Saunders wrote on June 19, 1925: “Father’s Day arrives Sunday, but nothing will arrive for father, judging by the absence of plans for the day. No local observance will be held or at least none has been planned at present.” But that did not appear to be too big of an issue as “that doesn’t mean anything to poor Bakersfield Dads, most of whom don’t know anything about ‘Father’s Day.’” Eventually though, Father’s Day would establish a firm hold in Bakersfield, especially with retailers, as ads faithfully popped up every June urging readers to find the perfect gift for dad. Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson made the holiday official when he proclaimed the third Sunday in June would be Father’s Day and in 1972 President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a federal holiday. So here’s to all of the fathers in Bakersfield and beyond — enjoy your day! www.BakersfieldLife.com

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Personality

VIDEO ART INSTRUCTION

RETIRED TEACHER HELPS RESTORE ART EDUCATION TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGH ONLINE PORTAL

Julie Fleming

By Kelly Bearden

Julie Fleming hung up her classroom chalkboard a decade ago to begin a retirement career as a video-online teacher. Her goal was to restore the elementary school art education she saw disappearing from public schools. But as the coronavirus has closed schools throughout the nation and parents are being required to replace trained teachers, her videos are finding their way into homes. Fleming, who grew up in Idaho, attended classes at the University of Houston and received her bachelor of science degree from California State University, Bakersfield, and taught art in the Panama Buena Vista School District for two decades. Along the way, the mother of two nowadult children painted professionally in Houston before she and her husband, 64

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

Julie Fleming's painting, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baila conmigo" was part of Latination at Metro Galleries in 2016.

Mick, moved to Bakersfield. Working in both oil and acrylics, her art has been shown at the Bakersfield Museum of Art and Metro Galleries. She served five years

on the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board of directors and continues to teach art classes through the Bakersfield Art Association. But it was her ongoing concern about PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE FLEMING

her former students and future ones that prompted her to launch ARTime, her video art instruction business. “I realized that what I was doing in the classroom could have a much broader reach and make art available to schools, where funding for a full- or part-time art teacher was just not an option,” she said, noting that her ARTime videos also are used by home-schooling families. “Art is not something everyone can teach,” she said, explaining how ARTime can be especially useful to families now isolated in their homes by the pandemic. Fleming began filming and test-driving her videos a year before she retired. She then marketed the first box of DVD art lessons to local schools. They quickly became so popular that she produced a second series of lessons. Consultants with the Small Business Development Center at CSU Bakersfield have assisted Fleming with setting up her business and marketing plans. More than 100 volumes have been sold primarily through word-of-mouth recommendations from teachers for use in their classrooms. About 50 volumes have been purchased by Bakersfield schools, another 25 by the Los Angeles Unified School District and the balance by schools in six states. ARTime videos bring classroom-tested art education into a classroom at the teacher’s convenience for a fraction of the cost of a full- or even part-time teacher. The lessons are designed for specific grade levels and teach art concepts and skills based on standards set by the state. Information about ARTime can be obtained online at www.artbymissjulie.com or by emailing Fleming at artbyjulie@bak.rr.com.

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PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Last Word

“The Wall of Hope" encourages people to write positive notes for the Bakersfield community.

BE KIND BAKERSFIELD

BRINGING JOY TO THE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 By Heather Laganelli

I started Locale Farm to Table Eatery in 2015 with high hopes of utilizing the business as a creative platform. When our doors opened, I was eager to share my entrepreneurial spirit and artistic abilities with our little corner of the world. I had dreams of blending my existing business, Chic Designs, with Locale. Chic Designs encompassed all things creative, from event coordinating to marketing and more. I had my hand in interior design, graphic design, floral design, photography, cooking classes and custom cakes. I was living in entrepreneurial utopia. In December, I deemed 2020 “The Year of Kindness.” I had a vision of a kindness movement and set it in slate on my vision board. First on my agenda, give two random people a month a $50 bill with one condition: spend it on something out of the ordinary. The recipients were blown 66

Bakersfield Life Magazine

June 2020

away by the concept. It never failed; they would look around as though it were a prank, then quickly become overwhelmed with joy! In mid-March, I started “The Wall of Hope” in an effort to put a smile on our guests’ faces at Locale. It was incredibly discouraging to hear the normal upbeat foodie talk tainted by uncertainty with COVID-19 nearing our county. We’ve asked guests to jot down something positive that brings a smile to their face on Post-it notes. The wall is growing by the day! When the shelter-in-place order went into effect in San Francisco, I started to think bigger. As a nation, I knew we would be facing tough times ahead. I was concerned. On March 30, #bekindbakersfield was created as a way to challenge our community to share kindness instead of negativity on social media. I painted “KINDNESS CHANGES EVERYTHING” next to a mural I painted a couple weeks prior, then turned to social media to encourage PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEATHER LAGANELLI

Thank you for trus ng us with your Real Estate needs for over 25 years. - Laurie McCarty

“The Wall of Hope" and #bekindbakersfield are ways for the community to see a unified effort during the coronavirus pandemic.

the community to join in. HOW THE KINDNESS CHALLENGE WORKS: 1. Post an act of kindness you committed or a kind deed someone did for you. 2. Add the hashtag #bekindbakersfield. 3. Challenge friends to do the same. Participants are encouraged to take a photo @muralalleybakersfield (an 85-foot rotating art space I created in 2018 located on the south side of Locale between 17th and 18th streets). The artwork changes every few months to keep things interesting and to allow a magnitude of artists to gain exposure. To me, kindness is smiling at strangers, being present and going the extra mile. I’ve noticed since I put this challenge into action I’ve sought out opportunities to perform kind deeds. Simple acts such as treating my staff to a snack or picking up trash in public. I’m constantly reminded that kindness is powerful and it doesn’t have to cost anything. It’s been fun to see so many joining the kindness movement. @aileensaucedorealtor, purchased a gift card, posted the redemption code on Instagram and invited followers to treat themselves to a cup of coffee. Participants purchased food for health care workers, one of our customers donated funds to feed less fortunate families and, in turn, we matched the donation, which allowed us to provide dinner for six families! I’ve been taken aback by how powerful our community is. Think about it for a moment: What does kindness mean to you? Please join me in paying it forward! #bekindbakersfield Opinions expressed in this column are those of Heather Laganelli.

Heather Laganelli

themccartygroup.com 661.665.SOLD (7653) www.BakersfieldLife.com

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