Bakersfield Life Magazine February 2015

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February 2015

bakersfieldlife.com

THE

All about love Meet our Bakersfield singles Lisa Krch on meeting her Mr. Right

PET ISSUE A rescuer’s own rescue Marley’s Mutts founder Zach Skow Finding fame Tara the cat purrs into the hearts of many $3.95

Pizza and more Tony’s steps it up with new Firehouse Restaurant

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BORN IN THE VALLEY WE ARE VALLEY CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE. At Valley Children’s, we are committed to bringing the absolute best healthcare to every child. We firmly believe that every child deserves world-class care. Our team of dedicated doctors, clinicians, nurses and volunteers is working hard day in and day out, refusing to be outdone, all in the name of getting kids back to being kids.

Call (559) 353-3000 or visit valleychildrens.org

F E A T U R E S February 2015

Bakersfield Life’s Most Eligible Bachelors & Bachelorettes Forget scrolling hundreds of dating profiles, we bring you the best singles in town: educated, hip, available.

Page 68

Dating in the valley Take a gander at Bakersfield’s dating scene to see venues tried, websites used to find that perfect match.

Page 74

Advancing medical care for pets

Labradoodle Phoebe, owned by Mike and Gail Gibson, underwent a series of specialized treatments in response to an autoimmune deficiency and is now happy and healthy.

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PHOTO BY NICK ELLIS

No HMO or PPO? How to provide specialized pet care for your furry friends.

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February 2015

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88 Hometown Hero 90 Why I Live Here 92 All-Star Athlete 94 Talk of the Town 98 Our Town 100 For a Cause 104 Inside Story 106 History 108 Power Couple 110 Real People 112 Prime Finds 114 SNAP! 122 Last Word

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S TA F F S H A R E S Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine February 2015 / Vol. 9 / Issue 5

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VALENTINE’S DAY MEMORY? “Celebrating my sister Sophie's 50th birthday. She is a Valentine's Day baby, and it was double the fun to celebrate her special day with her.” — Olivia Garcia, editor

“Waiting for my dad to bring home Valentine’s Day candy to my sisters and me. Nothing really tops the valentines that a little girl gets from her daddy.”

— Katy Raytis, contributor

“When Joe and I were first dating, he had a 5-foot tall valentine basket and balloons delivered to me at work by a Cupid! It was kinda embarrassing but fun.” — Linda Petree, advertising account executive

“My now fiance took me hiking next to a river in Ecuador that ended at the 60-meter El Pita waterfall. We shimmied our way behind it and screamed, ‘I love you!’” — Katelynn Camp, specialty publications coordinator

“V-Day 2005, I sadly thought I didn't get anything. At the end of the day, I got this text: "Did you like your flowers?" The front desk forgot to tell me about my beautiful bouquet delivered that morning!”

Greenlee, contributor

— Tamarra Harms, real estate account executive

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“Just newly married, my husband was laid off from the oilfields, so we took a paper route. Our Valentine’s came from The Californian; carriers received See’s heart boxes that year.” — Diana

February 2015

Bakersfield Life™ magazine is published by The Bakersfield Californian.

The magazine is inserted into The Bakersfield Californian on the last Saturday of every month. To subscribe, please call 392-5777. To advertise, contact Lisa Whitten at lwhitten@bakersfield.com or 395-7563.

Publisher Ginger Moorhouse Associate Publisher Virginia Cowenhoven President/CEO Richard Beene Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer Logan Molen Senior Vice President Revenue and Marketing John Wells Vice President, Administration and Operations Nancy Chaffin Interactive Sales Manager Gunter Copeland Advertising Sales Manager Lisa Whitten Advertising Traffic Manager Shauna Rockwell Distribution and Marketing Representative Patrick Wells Market Research Lisa Beason, Jose Granados Editor Olivia Garcia Assistant Managing Editor Mark Nessia Specialty Publications Coordinator Katelynn Camp Art Director Glenn Hammett Graphic Designer Allison Escobar Editorial Interns Shelby Parker, Lisa Ybarra Photography Felix Adamo, Sally Baker, Henry A. Barrios, Casey Christie, Brian Coleman, Nick Ellis, Sally Hulsey, Sgt. Frances Johnson, Katie Kirschenmann, Michael Lopez, Mark Nessia, Greg Nichols, Ron Phillips, Sylvia Picazo, Carla Rivas, Matt Slocum, Dennis Van derWerff Contributing writers Sally Baker, Chelsea Brewer, Jennifer Burger, Elizabeth Castillo, Kelly Damian, Rachelle Fabrie, Diana Greenlee, Lisa Kimble, Katie Kirschenmann, Lisa Krch, Stephen Lynch, Jeff Nickell, Melissa PeakerWhitten, Gabriel Ramirez, Katy Raytis, Emily Shapiro, Chris Thornburgh, Miranda Whitworth On the cover Photo by Mark Nessia Zach Skow of Marley's Mutts credits his furry friends with saving his life. Here he is with Blue, Juevos, Maggie and Hooch at Skow's mountaintop home in Bear Valley Springs.

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Bakersfield Life welcomes new intern Shelby Parker to our staff. A Bakersfield native, Parker loves the city’s deep country roots. She graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in 2010, where she was senior class president and involved with the music and theater departments. Her passion for entertainment and the arts led her to pursue communications and journalism at Cal State Bakersfield. Parker has worked as staff writer, features editor and is now a senior columnist on CSUB’s student newspaper, “The Runner.” A highlight for her was interviewing Gavin DeGraw when he came to the Fox Theater in April 2014.

Susan Cortez

joined the TBC Media family’s marketing department in 1997 and then transitioned into sales two years later. She has spent her entire life here in Bakersfield, with only a brief five-year stint in Fresno. Cortez is very close to her family, which easily numbers over a hundred. She said her wedding reception at the old Civic Auditorium hosted over 600 guests and the church was filled as if it were a Christmas midnight mass. She and her husband, Dino, will celebrate 23 years of marriage this year and are proud parents of two children, Gabrielle and Robert.

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A PET’S LOVE

Y

ou can’t go wrong with love and pets, or love at all for that matter.

So in this issue, we decided to combine both and bring you the Pet and Love edition.

For the love part, we highlight local

ees to contribute stories about the love they have for their pets. Here is a sneak peek of one contribution shared by the great photographer Casey Christie: “We adopted our dog Hank from our neighbors after their son moved out of town. We started to take him for walks, and they asked us if we would like to have the Labrador and we agreed.

Hank loves to run in the closed campgrounds around Lake Isabella and run and run. He is very friendly and loves other dogs. He really likes going to dog parks and dog beaches on the coast. He’s a Californian photographer Casey Christie’s pet, mountain dog and Hank, enjoying the great outdoors. has too much fun on the beach, which he singles who are looking for love, one of still is not used to. He’s a great companthem being one of my longtime friends ion on walks and hikes in the hills for and a romantic at heart, Nicole Parra. my wife and I.” Each single we interviewed has lots to See inside for more pet-love stories. offer for the right one. Aside from that, Lisa Krch, veteran broadcast journalist, writes to give us hope on finding true love the second time around.

And we introduce you to our new Food Dudes who love food and are representing the magazine as they make guest appearances in the local restaurant scene. If you see them, be sure to stop and say hi. They are Dr. Richard Collins, Michael Lopez, Adam Alvidrez, Jason Cater and Justin L. Cave, all great individuals who are involved in and care about our community. They visit the family-owned Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant in Shafter, which is owned by the much admired Tony Martinez (Tony’s Pizza is my favorite pizza restaurant in Olivia Garcia and her dogs town). As for the pet portion, we have Ninja (left) and Cadence. lots to share.

Writer Diana Greenlee talks about the growing trend in specialized care, Lisa Kimble provides us with a glimpse of the inspirational Zach Skow and Gabriel Ramirez gets to know the interOlivia Garcia im county animal services director.

We all know that our pets are our Editor family. As proof, we asked our employ395-7487 • ogarcia@bakersfield.com PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVIA GARCIA

Brian Coleman

joined the Bakersfield Life team as a freelance photographer in 2014.

His first experience with photography came at the young age of 7, when he received his first film camera, the Fisher-Price Perfect Shot. From there, he developed his interest and skills in photography by studying film photography in high school and college. By the end of high school, he had entered the world of digital photography.

In his spare time, Coleman enjoys staying active, spending time with friends and visiting with family down in Camarillo.

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

C O N T R I B U TO R S

Up Front

WORD ON THE STREET

Compiled by Mark Nessia

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR PET? “She's always full of energy and gives me compassion that no one else can.”

“His personality – he does things to make us laugh.”

“Their companionship, their antics and personalities.”

— Nicole Elliot

— Mindy Poulton

“He's so outgoing and can make friends with anyone. He encourages me to go out.”

“They all have distinct personalities, which makes them very unique and funny.”

“They're funny creatures and are fun to be with.”

— Louis Hernandez

— Justin Brooks

“He has little man syndrome and he'll attack the big dogs.”

“Unconditional love.”

“That he's a big dog.”

— Isaac Tiede

— Eden August

— Katelyn Mangold

— Joan Schiewe

— Sabrina Yanez

bakersfieldlife.com

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Up Front

THE BIG PICTURE

Photo by Casey Christie

QUIET REFLECTIONS A glassy pool in the Kern River in the Kern River Canyon reflects the surrounding greenery and a few remaining fall colors.

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Up Front

THE BIG PICTURE

Photo by Casey Christie

WELCOME SIGHT Rain water floods the streets in downtown Bakersfield in this early morning shot. Recent storms have brought our annual rainfall total to near-normal levels, but we still have a long way to go to erase the effects of the drought, which is now in its fourth year.

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Up Front

NAMED AFTER

By Lisa Kimble

S

ince 1969 when it first set up shop, Bakersfield’s oldest kennel has been a home-away-from-home to more than 15,000 dogs. In the last 20 years, an estimated 3,600 cats have checked in and out of Sczyr’s Kennel and Cattery as well. Billed by its owner as “The Pet ‘Inn’ Place” for a four-legged family to stay, the boarding and grooming facility on East Brundage Lane was a natural outgrowth of the original owners’ love for dogs.

In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Stewart and Zelda Reynolds were the largest breeders of Hungarian Pulis, a small-medium breed of herding and livestock guarding dogs, west of the Mississippi. Stewart was born in Ohio in 1912, the son of a country doctor. Zelda hailed from Texas.

They lived on the East Brundage property near Weed-

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

SCZYR’S KENNEL AND CATTERY

patch and the Fairfax Grange Hall. They erected the first kennel building in 1969 and began boarding dogs as a business.

Stewart had also been actively working with guide dogs for the blind with local 4-H youth projects.

Reynolds, it seemed, was too simple a name for their kennel. Instead, they combined the first initials of Stewart’s first and middle names with the first letter of Zelda’s name and part of her maiden name, Yeary. Sczyr’s it was.

“Stewart would tell people to look in the phone book for the name they couldn’t pronounce,” his widow and second wife, Frances, recalls with a laugh.

She says it is pronounced Sears, like the department store.

Zelda and Stewart had one child, a son, together. Zelda died in 1980. Frances, who was born in Riverside, but moved to Taft in the eighth grade and has been a Kern County resident ever since, was raising guide dog puppies with her daughter when she met Stewart. They wed in 1981.

Stewart Reynolds died 10 years later at the age of 78. In 1995, Frances added another building and installed a cattery on the 2 1/2acre property. The facility features 20 cat cages and 65 indoor/outdoor dog runs, heated in the winter and cooled with air conditioning, fans and misters in the summer.

But at 86 years old, Frances Reynolds says it is time to leave the work to someone else. She hopes to sell the business and travel.

Pushkin gets groomed by Phylis Castaneda at Sczyr’s Kennel and Cattery. Sczyr’s boards dogs and cats for those who are going out of town.

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HE DAT

E!

M O N E Y M AT T E R S

By Chris Thornburgh

TAX CHANGES IMPACTING YOU

C

ongress gave us a gift, saving most of us money with our 2014 tax returns. Expired tax breaks were retroactively revived in the last days of 2014. Good news, bad news … the tax breaks expired again as of Dec. 31. Let’s look at a few changes coming down the pipeline.

TAX BREAK EXTENDERS REVIVED TEMPORARILY More than 50 expired tax breaks were recently revived with a retroactive one-year extension. Businesses are celebrating the temporary extension of beefy tax deductions and credits, yet individual taxpayers have cause to celebrate, too.

Here are just few extended tax breaks: • Bonus depreciation (additional first-year deduction on qualifying new equipment) • Increased “179” expensing limits for qualified purchases, up to $500,000 • Mortgage insurance deduction • Tax-free distributions from IRAs to charity for individuals 70 1/2 or older • Tuition deduction up to $4,000 • Energy-efficient home-improvements tax credit • Educators’ unreimbursed expense deduction (abovethe-line) • Forgiven-debt income exclusion on principal residence, up to $2 million

HEALTH INSURANCE PENALTY With 2014 tax returns, individuals face penalties for not maintaining minimum essential healthcare coverage. Penalties are 1 percent of your household income or $95 per person, whichever is greater. In 2015, penalties ramp up significantly to the greater of 2 percent of total household income or $325 per person. However, exemptions may be approved upon application.

Certain employers must now offer affordable health insurance that provides minimum value to their full-time employees and their children up to age 26 or face penalties.

For 2015, employers with 100 or more full-time equivalent employees and average annual wages above $250,000, must insure at least 70 percent of their full-time workers (95 percent in 2016). Small businesses with 50 to 99 full-time equivalent employees must insure full-time workers by 2016. Tax credits are available to employers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000.

HEALTH EXPENSE ACCOUNT CHANGES Since 2013, you have been able to rollover up to $500 in unused money from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) into the next plan year. Beginning in 2015, if you carry forward any

FSA money, you will no longer be eligible for a Health Savings Account. There are a few exceptions. Plan ahead and seek the advice of a CPA to determine if exceptions apply.

IRA ROLLOVERS LIMITED Beginning in 2015, the IRS limits nontaxable IRA rollovers to one every 12 months regardless of how many individual retirement accounts you have. In the past, people with multiple IRAs would take advantage of a provision allowing them to withdraw money and put it back within 60 days without the tax hit of an early distribution. Note that trustee-totrustee transfers between IRAs and rollovers from traditional to Roth IRAs are not limited.

401(K) CONTRIBUTION LIMITS RISE For 2014, the contribution limit for 401(k) retirement accounts is $17,500 plus another $5,500 “catch-up” contribution for those 50 or older. For 2015, those limits rise to $18,000, along with a $6,000 catch-up for those 50 and above.

These new contribution levels also apply to 403(b) accounts and most 457 retirement plans.

SEP IRA CONTRIBUTIONS INCREASED Self-employed folks accumulating retirement money in a SEP IRA will see their contribution limits rise from $52,000 in 2014 to $53,000 in 2015, with related compensation limits rising from $260,000 to $265,000. These limits also apply to solo 401(k)s and defined contribution plans.

THE BOTTOM LINE Until Congress addresses newly expired tax breaks, taxpayers will face another year of uncertainty in 2015. A proactive CPA will help you navigate tax laws to bring you the most tax breaks.

Chris Thornburgh

— ChrisThornburgh isa CPA and partneratBrow n Arm strong Accountancy Corp.Contactherat cthornburgh@ bacpas.com or(661)324-4971. bakersfieldlife.com

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Up Front

S H O R T TA K E S

Broadway in Bakersfield brings “Memphis, The Musical” to Rabobank Theater Feb. 15.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BROADWAY IN BAKERSFIELD

BROADWAY IN BAKERSFIELD BRINGS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSIC, LOVE TO RABOBANK WITH MEMPHIS, THE MUSICAL

T

hough first and foremost a country music hub, Bakersfield will embrace the rock ‘n’ roll scene with the stage production of “Memphis, The Musical,” 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at Rabobank Theater. The musical features a Tony-winning original score that tells the story of R&B enthusiast DJ Huey Calhoun and rising black singer Felicia Farrell’s passion for music and their forbidden love affair. Set in the 1950s, an era that made rock ‘n’ roll popular, the show will feature unforgettable songs and musical numbers. Broadway in Bakersfield, with the help of the Bakersfield Californian and KBAK, is sponsoring this much-anticipated showing. Tickets starting at $32 are available at the Rabobank Theater box office, ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

— Bakersfield Life

I

n its 48th year, the World Ag Expo in Tulare is back to show off the latest in farm equipment, communications and technology.

Kern County residents involved in any sort of agribusiness will want to check out the thousands of reliable, tested farming technologies as well as the free seminars tailored to specific agricultural industries. The expo is excited to feature agricultural tours of local wineries, dairies, citrus groves and much more, on location.

Tickets for these tours can be purchased at worldagexpo.com/ag-

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Crews of workers clean up and polish a Case tractor at the World Ag Expo. tours.

A must-see will be the top-10 winning products, as well as the exhibitor showcase in the World Ag Expo Arena, where exhibitors will show the latest agricultural innovations. The expo will be held Feb. 10-

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

WORLD AG EXPO BRINGS EXHIBITORS TO KERN COUNTY

12 at the International Agri-Center, 4500 South Laspina St. $15 general admission. To purchase tickets and plan your visit with the handy “My Show Planner” tool, visit worldagexpo.com.

— Bakersfield Life

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S H O R T TA K E S

FIND LOVE AT THE BAKERSFIELD SPCA

38TH ANNUAL BOAT AND RV SHOW TO FEATURE OUTDOOR GEAR, ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO

S

earching for love? Find your perfect match out of the 2,000 dogs and cats the Bakersfield SPCA adopts out annually.

The nonprofit’s adoption process is quick, easy and affordable.

Interested adopters can visit the shelter between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 3000 Gibson St. Browse the kennels and get acquainted with an animal in the play yard. The shelter requires adopted animals to meet their new owner’s pets before adoption.

The SPCA provides all adoptees with vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, a leukemia test for cats, a leash for dogs and a full vet examination. The total cost is $100 per dog or $60 per cat.

Support the lifesaving services the SPCA offers to the stray cats and dogs of Bakersfield by donating, volunteering, becoming a member or attending fundraising events. The SPCA’s special “Furry Paws and Foggy Nights” fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 27 at the

Max enjoys a belly rub from SPCA trainee Jacob Carrasco.

Petroleum Club of Bakersfield. Dinner will be provided along with live music and silent and live auctions.

Tickets cost $100 per person or $750 for a table of eight. For more information, call 323-8353 or visit bakersfieldspca.org.

— Bakersfield Life

The Dock Dogs West Coast Challenge is the newest attraction at the Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat, RV and Outdoor Living Show.

After giving Frenchie a fresh blanket, Brenda Gade takes an extra minute to pet the small dog.

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PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO

F

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM GUFFEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Up Front

eb. 27 through March 1, Bakersfield outdoorsmen/women/kids will be able to test and try the newest gear in the outdoor sporting world and participate in a host of activities. The 2015 Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat, RV and Outdoor Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds will feature a trout pond where children can participate in the Berkley Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday and Sunday (there will be a fly pool for fly fishermen as well). The show will also feature the second Annual So-Cal National Tractor and Truck Pulls, the Bass Bin fishing contest, field and agility dog demonstrations, the 19th Annual Super Cruise Car Show, Bako Sand Drags and much more. The newest attraction, the Dock Dogs West Coast Challenge, will test dogs’ stamina in a triathlon-type agility event. New boats, RVs, ATVs, motorcycles and UTVs will be available at discounted prices.

-— Bakersfield Life

PHOTO BY RON PHILLIPS

LOCAL ‘MCFARLAND, USA’ STORY GOES HOLLYWOOD

E

Kevin Costner and supporting actors star in “McFarland, USA,” based on the true story of coach Jim White and the 1987 McFarland cross-country team.

veryone loves rooting for a good underdog, especially one that hits closer to home, like the new drama from Disney pictures “McFarland, USA.” The film, starring Kevin Costner, is based on the inspiring true story of the 1987 McFarland cross-country team. It focuses on coach Jim White, who is new to the primarily Latino high school, and arrives in the “economically challenged town” to help guide and train the team. White sees that the guys are gifted with running skills and athleticism. As the team works together, they start to see that they’re onto something bigger than all of them. What starts as a very unlikely group of athletes, turns into an incredible legacy, not only through their accomplishments, but the odds they overcome.

The film’s tagline, “Champions can come from anywhere,” certainly rings true.

“McFarland, USA” is something that the entire family will enjoy. It is set to hit theaters on Feb. 20.

— Bakersfield Life

W

riters of Kern, a branch of the California Writers Club, gave away awards and cash on Dec. 13 from the nonprofit’s annual member-only writing contest.

Louis Medina took first place, and won $200, for his story, “Life, Death, and Modern Day Jalopy,” at the club’s winter dinner. Joan Raymond won second place and $75 for her piece, “Broken.” Donnee Padgett-Harris received third place and $50 for her story, “Battlefield.”

The club also recognized five bloggers who completed a 13-week, 26-post blog challenge: Annis Cassells, Donnee Padgett-Harris, Jasmine D. Lowe, Dan McGuire and Mandy Wallace.

Writers of Kern meets the third Saturday of each month from 9:45 a.m. to noon at the Clarion Hotel, 3540 Rosedale Highway. Admission is $10. Learn more at writersofkern.com.

— Bakersfield Life

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

WRITERS OF KERN REWARDS TALENTED STORYTELLERS Blenda Rodriguez lights up a classroom with his Harlem Globetrotter antics at Valley Oaks Charter School in Bakersfield.

GLOBETROTTERS TO HIT THE COURT IN BAKERSFIELD

T

he world-famous Harlem Globetrotters will be taking on the Washington Generals Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. Fat Rabobank Arena, with quite a few tricks up their sleeves. The Globetrotters’ roster of entertaining giants like Big Easy Lofton, Thunder Law and TNT Maddox will be pounding the court with their ball-handling wizardry and

comedic relief. A half-century since their last victory over the Globetrotters, the Generals have deemed this showdown the “Washington Generals’ Revenge Tour.” The Globetrotters are ready to entertain and hoping for a win as they begin their 89th consecutive year of family-friendly entertainment here in Bakersfield.

-Bakersfield Life bakersfieldlife.com

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S H O R T TA K E S

The 2015 executive officers board of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Front row: Adam Alvidrez. Middle row, left: Jay Tamsi, Blodgie Rodriguez, David Alanis and Olivia Garcia. Back row: Carlos Navarro.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ

Up Front

HISPANIC CHAMBER TURNS 30

T

he Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 30th anniversary at the annual Installation and Business Awards Dinner Sat. Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center.

Themed “Celebrating 30 years of success,” the event will install KCHCC’s 2015 board and honor local professionals and businesses for efforts to improve the business section and community.

The executive board is as follows: realtor Blodgie Rodriguez, chairwoman; Carlos Navarro of Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, chair-elect; David Alanis of America’s Job Center of California, EDD, vice-chair; Adam Alvidrez of Chevron, treasurer; Olivia Garcia of The Bakersfield Californian, secretary; and Denise Ornelas of La Bonita, past-chair. Jay Tamsi is president and CEO. The board of directors is as follows:

Ricardo Villarreal of Wells Fargo Bank; Irma Cervantes of Bright House Networks; Gabriel Godinez of Godinez Law; Les Clark of Independent Oil Producers Association; Dr. Rebecca Rivera of Bakersfield Center for Women’s Health/Glow Laser & Aesthetics; Ed Taylor of Kern Federal Credit Union; Dr. Stuart Tatsuno of Lifetime Chiropractic; Sal Brito of State Farm; Eva Ramirez of Kaiser Permanente; Donna Hollingsworth of AltaOne Federal Credit Union; Nick Ortiz of Western States Petroleum Associates; Ed Rodriguez of Pro’s Wells Testing; Edward J. Herrera of Edward J. Herrera Insurance Agency; Donna Hermann of American Cancer Society.

The honorees to be recognized Feb. 7 are: Les Clark, Businessman of the Year; Dolores Huerta, Businesswoman of the Year; Bright House Networks, Corporation of the Year; AltaOne Federal Credit Union, Large Business of the Year; Gotta Go Bail Bonds, Small Business of the Year; ACE: Advanced Center for Eyecare, NonProfit Organization of the Year; Robin Mangarin-Scott, Community Service Award of the Year; and Eva Ramirez, Chairwoman’s Award.

Tamsi said the Hispanic chamber is among the largest Hispanic business organizations in the region.

But he said its present success would not have been possible without visionaries who formed the chamber 30 years ago.

— Bakersfield Life

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION KEEPING WOMEN’S HEARTS HEALTHY

AHA raises awareness of heart disease in women at the Go Red for Women annual event.

24

Bakersfield Life Magazine

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

H

February 2015

eart disease is not gender specific, but according to the American Heart Association, more women than men die each year from heart disease and stroke. To raise awareness of the disease and its effects on women, as well as empower women to fight back, the AHA will host its 12th annual Kern County Go Red for Women Luncheon starting at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court.

Research indicates that 80 percent of

cardiac events can be prevented, and to aid in prevention, the luncheon will provide educational breakouts with heart experts, healthy cooking and CPR demos, a Macy’s fashion show, and address by heart attack survivor Margaret Patteson. Local sponsors include San Joaquin, Dignity Health’s Mercy and Memorial, and Bakersfield Heart hospitals. For more information and to register, visit http://kerngored.heart.org.

Remember: wear red.

— Bakersfield Life

F I N D I N G FA M E

By Miranda Whitworth

TARA THE HERO CAT Feline’s heroics are an inspiration felt around the globe

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

Jeremy sits with his parents, Roger and Erica Triantafilo, and his cat, Tara.

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

I

t was the YouTube video that gave cat owners something to cheer about and launched one Bakersfield family into the realm of international stardom. Tara the Hero Cat became a household name literally overnight after her owners posted a video to the Internet that showed the fierce feline swooping in to save the day when a neighborhood dog attacked the family’s 4-year-old son.

The footage, caught by security cameras on the front of Roger and Erica Triantafilo’s home, went viral. The video was posted on May 14 and the morning of May 15, the couple found themselves on the “Today” show with brave kitty Tara and their son Jeremy by their side recounting the story.

To date, the Triantafilo’s original YouTube post has received more than 23 million views and the number continues to climb. Following their appearance on the “Today” show, Erica Triantafilo said reporters and television producers lined up to get Tara’s story.

“Just prior to Christmas, we got back from Germany,” she said. “We did a German television show. Apparently, our story is pretty big in Japan. We have been to Japan, Australia and Mexico. Name a country and we have most likely been there or spoken to them about it.”

Here in the United States, Tara’s story is still in demand, and the cat herself is making appearances using her fame for the good of others. The family recently visited New York City for a fundraiser for The Mayor’s Alliance for New York City Animals. The event, held at The Algonquin Hotel, was a birth-

Tara, a stray in 2008, became an instant hero for the Triantafilo family when the cat chased away a dog that was attacking young Jeremy Triantafilo.

day party for the hotel’s cat, Matilda.

Tara still commands the hearts of Bakersfield residents and recently, she served as grand marshal for the Bakersfield Christmas Parade. Tara has also dropped the puck at a Bakersfield Condors game and threw out the first pitch for the Bakersfield Blaze.

While the Triantafilos are still jetting across the globe to tell the story of their superhero cat, Erica Triantafilo insists their day-to-day lives aren’t much different than they used to be.

“I think people think we have quit our jobs and are doing this cat thing full time, and we are celebrities now,” she said.

“Our lives haven’t changed. My husband still works his Monday-through-Friday job.”

While some Internet celebrities have managed to make millions off the fame of their pets, the Triantafilo’s YouTube video does not earn revenue due to the graphic nature of the attack. Tara has not landed any movie rolls or pet food deals like the ones offered to the Internet sensation “Grumpy Cat.” For now, Tara has additional international television appearances slated in the spring, and the Triantafilos have been invited to Palm Springs for a cat show by the Cat Fanciers Association.

Erica Triantafilo said she’s just happy that something good came from such a terrifying experience for her family.

“I hope no one else ever has to deal with the same opportunity for their cats to become superheroes like Tara did,” she said. “But I guess from that horrible day, we’ve been able to make it a fun experience.” bakersfieldlife.com

25

Up Front

MY PET

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

FOR THE LOVE OF PETS

CLAIRE COMPTON, GRAPHIC ARTIST

Staffers share the stories behind their fur babies

My pet in five words: Piglet, cuddly, energetic, hungry, loving.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like...

W

hen it comes to pets, there is no shortage of love around. In fact, we asked our staffers to share the stories behind their love for their pets. Here’s what they had to say.

Hmmm, maybe Cee Lo Green.

My pet Stella often breaks into the pantry eating bags of flour, boxes of crackers, packages of rice cakes, popcorn bags or anything else she can weasel out of the baby-lock protected cabinet doors. When she does this, it's quite obvious because her belly

Stella is rock hard and real round, making her legs look proportionally too small for her body.

CHARMAINE LYONS, INTERACTIVE OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR My pet in five words:

Sweetie is sweet, loving, friendly, playful and loyal.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like… The

Charmaine Lyons and Sweetie.

actress and animal advocate Betty White because she can turn on the charm and wishes a forever home for all homeless pets!

Louis Amestoy and his co-host, Roady.

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

KATELYNN CAMP, SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

LOUIS AMESTOY, DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT The story behind my pet: We adopted Roady through an animal shelter in Riverside in 2010. He’s a Maltese-poodle mix and was found running along the side of a road in Rubidoux. He was badly matted, but in good shape and ended up in foster care. We knew we wanted a small dog, and when we saw him online, we knew he was a good fit.

My pet in five words: Playful, lazy, loving, bold and loyal.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like… Tom Cruise. He's short and wants to be a tough guy.

My pet’s hidden talent: He has an amazing ability to make old ladies and small children happy.

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

The story behind my pet: I pulled Nomad out from under an abandoned house one cold November day in Tehachapi. I had been feeding his abandoned brothers and sisters for about a week, trying to hide the “borrowed” food from my parents. A kind soul stopped me and said she'd take my favorite of the litter, and I went home crying; he was already my dog. My dad and I then spent two hours crawling around in the mud trying to coax the little guy out from under the house. When we finally got him home, he wouldn't look at us and burrowed into a corner. Slowly, he came around and has been our loyal companion for eight

Nomad years. He howls to greet me every time I pull in the driveway.

My pet’s hidden talent:

Herding cattle. A group of cattle from a neighboring farm wandered onto our property, and Nomad took off running, zigzagging around their legs, herding them down the hill. We were all speechless.

DAVID VANDERPOOL, GRAPHIC ARTIST All of our animals have been rescued or adopted.

Natasha (Siberian Husky/Grey Wolf) was adopted the day after our oldest son came home from being deployed in Kosovo for a year. The day before his deployment, he had to put his 15-year-old dog to sleep — which no one told me about until after the fact — so I told him when he got back, he could go adopt one from the SPCA, when he was ready. He came home on a Tuesday, and Wednesday, she was waiting for him and instantly welcomed him with a kiss on the cheek.

A year later, we went to the same SPCA and adopted "Boris," a short, stocky Alaskan malamute with white eyebrows.

Boris is more of a 100-pound lap dog than a work dog. Our youngest son would hold and hug him, and to this day, he expects his nightly hugs.

We also have three turtles.

Two Russian torts and a water turtle. One of our pets is TurtleDude, who can climb out across the boulders and onto the land

LINDA PETREE, ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE The story behind my pet:

Boris and Natasha

Skoske (pronounced sko-she) means “a little bit” (of everything), and she is so named because of her coloring. Plus, it's a whimsical name, and she is definitely that! She was the last surviving kitten in a litter of five feral cats my son found on his acreage. He brought her to me and asked me to “make her well.” That was July 2013 and as you can see, she is very healthy now!

If my pet were a celebrity,

part. The boulders make for an underwater cave when she wants to get away. We later discovered Turtle-Dude was a female, after she laid an egg in the bathtub.

Currently, she is in the house, sleeping under a blanket until the weather warms up. The two land torts are in hibernation.

My pet in five words: Tricolored female Shetland sheep dog.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like... Lassie,

because Lassie and my Sassafras (aka Sassy) look similar.

COURTENAY EDELHART, CALIFORNIAN REPORTER If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like... Evan-

My pet’s hidden talent:

Tiffany is a stealth food thief. You bend down to pick up a dropped napkin, and when you arise your plate is empty and she is nowhere to be found, but you

Ball for her red hair, physical comedy and the way she makes me laugh!

reclusiveness and the sense of humor of Bill Murray.

Turtle-Dude

RYAN MALLEY, INTERACTIVE SUPPORT SUPERVISOR

geline Lilly, the Canadian brunette who was on the TV show “Lost,” because they’re both small and cute and appeared harmless, but actually they were fierce and potentially lethal.

it would be much like… Lucille

KELLY ARDIS, CALIFORNIAN REPORTER

Beast The story behind my pet:

Sassafras

Skoske

Courtenay Edelhart and Tiffany. know it was her. She’s like a food-stealing ghost who strikes without warning and vanishes without a trace.

Beast was born the night before I graduated high school in 2007.

His mom’s owner was my friend, Jill. I chose Beast from his littermates because I just knew he was my cat. He was the biggest of the litter, so Jill called him Beast, a name so fitting I couldn’t change it. I snuck Beast into my parents’ home a couple months later. We were not a cat family, no matter how many times I begged them to change that growing up.

My sisters are allergic to cats, but with them out of the house, I knew my parents couldn’t say no to that face. They didn’t. Beast has been with me through many changes in my life, including numerous trips to and from Oregon while I was in college. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

The story behind my pet: I wish I knew more about Lucy’s origins. About seven years ago, she appeared in my family’s backyard. Being a bunch of softies, we fed her. She was always there and it wasn’t long before we earned her trust enough that she adopted us. We already had one cat, why not another? Maybe I should have named her Beauty to go along with Beast, but I decided on naming her after “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”

by The Beatles. While she enjoys the comfort of the indoors, she also likes to go in the backyard and relive her wild days.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like… Jen-

nifer Lawrence, because she’s beautiful but a little dangerous (see her hidden talent below) and she can take care of herself.

Apparently, Lawrence actually skinned a squirrel in “Winter’s Bone,” and Lucy would have no problem doing the same.

If my pet were a celebrity, it would be much like... A bit of

a hybrid. The tough, cool, brooding exterior of a young Marlon Brando, the suave good looks and gray hair of a George Clooney, and a certain weird

Lucy bakersfieldlife.com

27

Up Front

IN SEASON

By Rachelle Fabrie

7 WAYS TO SURPRISE YOUR SWEETHEART THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

1. Diamond engagement ring: For that truly special someone, why not pop the question this Valentine’s Day? The perfect diamond mounting with a beautiful diamond center stone is what you will need to tell her you want her for the rest of your life. There are many different styles of mountings and several different shapes of diamonds available to make sure her ring is as perfect as she is.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FABRIE JEWELERS

2. Diamond pendants: Diamond pendants are an excellent choice for any relationship on Valentine’s Day. These beautiful pendants come in a wide range of prices and styles.

From the diamond journey pendant, which signifies your love’s journey as it grows stronger, to the diamond circle pendant that will let her know your love has no end, you’re sure to make her smile with a diamond pendant this Valentine’s Day. 3. Diamond bracelets: Diamond bracelets are the perfect The Lovebright Collection is addition to any jewelry collecaffordable, high-fashion tion. Vahan diamond bracelets diamond jewelry that includes are the latest trend among rings, pendants and earrings. celebrities and would be the perfect gift for your someone special.

These bracelets feature a bangle style with diamond or gemstone accents. They can be worn alone and look amazing when they are stacked. Your Valentine’s Day is sure to be a great one with a Vahan bracelet as her gift.

4. Diamond earrings: Diamond earrings are the perfect gift for women of all ages. They are a staple for every jewelry collection and they will never go out of style. Diamond earrings can be worn day to day for a casual look or they can be

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

Fabrie Jewelers features jewelry from Alwand Vahan and other notable designers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FABRIE JEWELERS

W

hen shopping for that special Valentine’s Day gift, you can’t go wrong with a fine piece of jewelry. It’s the perfect gift for anyone in a romantic relationship, and women of all ages love new baubles. Don’t spend weeks trying to decide which jewelry gift is best this Valentine’s Day, we’ve made it simple with this short list of the best jewelry ideas for Valentine’s Day.

the perfect accessory for a fancy night out. From the classic diamond studs to the perfect pair of diamond hoops, you truly can’t go wrong with diamond earrings this Valentine’s Day. 5. Pearls: Pearls are truly timeless. They are just as fashionable today as they were hundreds of years ago. Like diamond earrings, pearls can be both casual and dressy. From the classic strand of white pearls to a beautiful pair of pearl earrings, pearls are a Valentine’s Day gift she will treasure forever.

6. Promise rings: Promise rings are the perfect piece to show your commitment to the one you cherish and make your relationship exclusive. These rings often feature pretty diamond and gemstone embellishments or engraved messages about your commitment. On Valentine’s Day, say, “I love you,” with a beautiful promise ring.

7. Estate jewelry: Estate jewelry is a unique find for the love of your life. These pieces are generally very ornate and may be decorated with unusual and exclusive gems. Antique cocktail rings and pendants make romantic one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day gifts.

— Rachelle Fabrie isw ith Fabrie Jew elers.Form ore inform ation,visitFabrie Jew elersat4560 Coffee Road,Suite A or online atfabriejew elers.com .You can also reach them at5887503.

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A few special nominees will make it into our March kids/education-themed issue.

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29

Up Front

IN SEASON

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

EXPLORE FLOWER MEANINGS FOR VALENTINE GIVING

C

ome mid-February, florist delivery trucks can be seen making the rounds through neighborhoods all across the country. Such trucks are transporting thousands of bouquets, plants and other floral arrangements that serve as gifts on Valentine's Day. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, florists take in around $400 million in revenue on Valentine's Day. Roses may be the most popular flower come Valentine's Day, but many other blooms find their way into the hearts of excited celebrants as well.

Flowers can be used to convey love, friendship, compassion and desire. In Victorian times, flowers were given specific meanings because only a few exotic flowers were readily available, and many of these meanings have withstood the test of time. Giving a type of flower that signifies you just want to be friends may not bode well for a relationship when the recipient was hoping for more. As a result, it pays to understand the subtle meaning of flowers to make gift-giving easier.

At Uniquely Chic Florist and Boutique in Bakersfield, florist Lacey Carter said Valentine’s Day is always a busy time for the romantic at heart."Our top seller for Valentine's Day is red roses,” said Carter. “Other popular flowers during this holiday are tulips, hydrangeas, stargazer lilies and gerbera daisies.”

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

Carter, however, encourages flower givers to think beyond the traditional red rose for this special lovers day. Find a way to suprise your sweetheart.

The Society of American Florists has compiled the following list of flower meanings from various sources. But in spite of these meanings, keep in mind that you can always work with a florist to design a personal arrangement that speaks directly to that special someone this Valentine's Day.

Pansy: loving thoughts Passion flower: passion Rose:

• pink: admiration/appreciation • red: passionate love • red and white: unity • white: purity • yellow: friendship

Apple Blossom: promise Azalea: abundance Begonia: deep thinking Camellia: graciousness Carnation:

• pink: gratitude • red: flashy • striped: refusal • white: remembrance • yellow: cheerful Daffodil: chivalry Daisy: innocence and purity Gardenia: joy Hydrangea: heartfelt emo-

tions Iris: inspiration Jasmine: grace and elegance Lilac: first love Lily: purity and refined beauty Orchid: delicate

beauty

Sunflower: adoration Tulip: declaration of love and per-

fect love — M etro Creative Connection and theflow erexpert.com contributed to this report.

W H AT I ’ M R E A D I N G

COLONEL CLAW’D “The leader of the Condors’ army and the highest-flying mascot in the league”

What I’m currently reading: “Gabby: Con-

fessions of a Hockey Lifer,” by Bruce Boudreau.

Bruce is the dad of (our) current assistant coach Ben Boudreau and is the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. They’re birds, too.

Favorite book: “Z is for Zamboni, A Hockey Alphabet,” by Matt Napier.

Colonel Claw’d

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

B

akersfield Condors’ beloved winged mascot, Colonel Claw’d, is not only a hockey diehard, but an avid reader, and the bird wants to share his love of books with Kern County kids.

The Colonel debuted as the Condors’ mascot on Oct. 23, 1998 at the team’s historic first home game. His “punny” name was chosen by vote on the Condors’ website, honoring Bakersfield’s founding father, Colonel Thomas Baker, and highlights his toughest feature: his claws (which really don’t help when turning the pages of his favorite books).

It wasn’t easy becoming mascot of the local hockey team. The Colonel had to prove his skating was up to snuff, and he must “fly” all over Kern County to support his Condors. Fortunately, the team’s long road trips give the Colonel plenty of time to read up on anything and everything sports related.

In an effort to improve literacy here in Bakersfield, the Colonel travels to schools and reads to students. In the summer, he and the team partner with the Kern County Library to put on a reading program. Participants can win tickets to Condors’ games, where they will see the Colonel in his element on the rink.

Here are some top literary picks from the “best skating bird around.”

Books I’ve read more than once:

“The Magic Hockey Stick” by Peter Maloney.

Other materials I like reading: (The) Condors’ Nightly Notes, the team’s program, the back of player trading cards and Sports Illustrated.

The book that’s been inspirational in my life: “They Don’t Play Hockey in

Heaven,” by Ken Baker. Ken played for the Condors and is now on E! News.

Where I enjoy reading: I like reading in the penalty box at games. When I’m not at games, I read to students in classrooms.

During the summer, I like reading on top of the bluffs in the park.

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How do you read with wings? It’s not easy! Typi-

cally I have my buddy Slapshot (also a Condors mascot) turn the pages for me.

What book should the team read? “That’s

Hockey,” by David Bouchard, since it’s about the Montreal Canadiens, the team our head coach J.F. Houle was drafted by.

What book would you gift to a fan?

“Stanley Cup Fever,” a book chronicling the life and times of the greatest trophy in all of sports (history).

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31

Up Front

HAPPENINGS

CAN’T-MISS EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

Find more community events at bakersfieldlife.com or submit yours via email to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com

Thursday 2/5

Thursday 2/26

TRIBAL SEEDS 2015 Winter Chillin’ Tour, with Hirie and

An Evening with Chicago, rock ‘n’ roll legends, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St., $69.50$136.50 at the box office window only. 324-1369.

Shen Yun, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Rabobank Theater & Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $50-$120 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-7453000.

Leilani Wolfgramm, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $20 advance, $23 at the box office window only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Saturday 2/7 A Chocolate Affair Fundraiser, appetizers, all things

chocolate, no-host bar, silent and live auction, 7 p.m., The Bell Tower Club, 1200 Truxtun Ave. $75. Proceeds benefit early childhood literacy programs. 8341820.

Tuesday 2/10 Harlem Globetrotters, 7

p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $21-$88 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000.

Honor Music Festival

Friday 2/27 Saturday 2/14

Sunday 2/15

CSUB PEAK Club Valentine’s 5/10K Run/Walk, 7 to

“Memphis” The Musical, 4 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $32-$52 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000.

8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, CSUB south entrance, $25 registration fee. www.active.com.

Activity program for kids ages 6 to 11 provided by PEAK faculty and students.

Singles Valentine’s Matchup, 7 p.m., The Bull Shed,

2400 Camino Del Rio Court. Purchase a $10 gift certificate to hold your place. 302-6089.

Valentine’s Super Love Jam featuring Midnight Star, Aalon, The Fuzz, and many more, 7:30

p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $28.50- $49.50 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or 800745-3000.

Night of Romance and Music; intimate

Harlem Globetrotters

Thursday 2/12 Bill Cosby, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $49 - $89 at the box office window only. vallitix.com or 324-1369.

Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank

romantic jazz ensemble featuring saxophonist Isaiah Morfin and Bakersfield Symphony musicians, projected vintage films, three-course dinner from Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar and complimentary champagne, 7 p.m., Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St., $250 table for two. i.morfin@aol.com.

Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $29.50$129.50 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000.

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

Sunday 2/22 African-American Read-In, "Celebrating Maya Angelou: A Woman of Substance, on a National Day of Literacy," 2:30

p.m., Bakersfield Senior Center, 530 4th St. Free.

832-9582.

Shen Yun

American Heart Association’s Kern County Go Red For Women Luncheon & Fashion Show featuring survivor speaker Margaret Patteson, 9

a.m. registration, noon lunch and fashion show. DoubleTree by Hilton, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, $150, sponsorships $2,500, tables of 10 $1,500. kerngored.heart.org or 327-1173.

Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat, RV and Outdoor Show

through March 1, featuring Dock Dogs West Coast Challenge, tractor and truck pulls, Bako Sand Drags and Super Cruise Car Show, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., 5 p.m. close on Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P St., $10 adults, $5 kids, Free for kids 5 and under. calshows.com or 1800-725-0793.

Saturday 2/28 Honor Music Festival featuring junior high and middle school band, chorus

and orchestra honor students, 7 p.m., Rabobank Theater & Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Free. 636-4330.

BY THE NUMBERS

A look at pet ownership in Kern County Pet ownership among Kern adults increased in 2014 compared to 2013

+

61% of Kern adults own a pet

2013

+8%

21%

13%

Cat ownership decreased

Dog ownership increased

â&#x201E;Ś

2014

52% +

of Kern adults own a dog

67% of cat owners also own a dog

19%

Dog owners

Cat owners

of Kern adults own a cat

+ 13% of Kern adults own some other type of pet

More likely to be female, affluent, married and have children in the household

More likely to be age 55 or older, affluent, educated, married and either white-collar professionals or retired

24% of dog owners also own a cat

Source: Scarborough Research - Sept. 2014

bakersfieldlife.com

33

Up Front

1 2 R A N D O M T H I N G S YO U D I D N ’ T K N OW A B O U T …

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

RON VIETTI on Vietti, a Bakersfield eastsider, never thought he would end up heading one of the city’s most well-known churches.

Vietti graduated from Foothill High, went to Bakersfield College, and was taking classes at Cal State Bakersfield to become a paralegal, and eventually a lawyer, when his life goal drastically changed.

His small Bible study of only 10 teenagers on Niles Street started growing, and Vietti’s passion for the youth and his non-traditional way of running “church” caught on quickly in Bakersfield.

“It was a Bible study that got out of hand,” Vietti said.

The study turned into what is now Valley Bible Fellowship church, where Vietti has been the head pastor for 40

R

years. VBF has six campuses across California and one in Las Vegas. Combined, the churches have over 10,000 weekly attendees. The church reaches thousands more via its live online streaming and a daily radio broadcast in 440 cities.

The church’s growth may have been quick, but it didn’t come without its share of difficulties.

“We have endured a lot of good times and really bad times. Our passion for teaching people how to walk with God has kept us going,” Vietti said.

Debbie, Vietti’s wife of 45 years, has also kept the pastor sane amidst Valley Bible’s rapid growth. The two met at Foothill High and were married on Debbie’s 18th birthday. The Viettis have two married children and three grandchildren.

I have owned 32 cows and seven horses. I still have many today, and I love the smell of a barnyard. I recently wrote a children’s book called, “Oreo Finds A Friend,” which is the true story of an orphaned calf that lives on a ranch the church owns and my German Shepherd who befriended it.

I cry when touching stories come on television, but I try to hide it.

I have a fear of speaking in public settings.

Go figure.

I love to play with my wife’s hair.

I use girl weights in the gym.

No offense to you girls who use really heavy weights in the gym.

I am only one class away from being a paralegal, and I will never take that class.

My dream is to live in a one-room hut and pastor a church in the Bahamas. I want to let my hair grow long and braid it, if I have any left, and just wear shorts and T-shirts all the time.

If I was ever given a last meal, it would be every item on the Taco Bell menu.

My kids and I appeared on a Family Feud episode. I refuse to watch it. We crashed and burned. It wasn’t pretty.

Every Saturday when I was a boy, we would rope off our front yard, make a boxing ring and invite the neighbors to watch us fight. We were authentic rednecks.

I once rode a rodeo bull, and it is the last time I will ever ride a rodeo bull.

My nickname is Ronaldo Luigi Pasquali Romanio Vietti.

1

2 3 4 5

PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO

6 7

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8 9

10

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Eat & Drink

FOOD DUDES

TONY’S FIREHOUSE RESTAURANT Tony Martinez of Tony’s Pizza introduces 2015 Food Dudes to much more than signature pizza

By Bakersfield Life

Photos by Greg Nichols

N

estled in the small community of Shafter, Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant is a gem that makes a drive from any part of the county worth taking. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tony’s has outstanding food quality, an attentive staff and large portions. It’s no wonder this family owned establishment has several locations across Kern County. The Tony’s Pizza joints on California, Ming and Mount Vernon Avenues, and Coffee Road serve up the same delicious pizza and appetizers, but the Shafter Firehouse Restaurant features a full menu that extends well beyond just pizza.

Tony’s Combo is topped with salami, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, linguica and onions.

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The 2015 Food Dudes. From left: Dr. Richard Collins, Michael Lopez, Jason Cater, Justin L. Cave and Adam Alvidrez.

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a great breadstick, you must try Tony’s pizza sticks. These soft, doughy treats topped with cheese melt in your mouth. With their golden brown crust and delicate texture, these treats are the perfect way to start an evening.

The mushrooms were nice and soft and held together with a lightly fried batter.

They won’t make you feel like you’re cheating on your diet. The nachos are another winner. The beans were cooked with great flavor. It’s a large enough serving for several people to enjoy.

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Jason on the pizza sticks: If you can’t say no to

Mike on the fried mushrooms and nachos:

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alone were worth the drive to Shafter, especially the fried green beans, which were the big surprise of the evening.

It’s not often that fried vegetables get treated right, even in most Japanese restaurants’ tempura style.

They usually drip like a used oil filter. Not these addictive little treats. And the “Cajun mayonnaise,” as Tony’s son called it (or rémoulade, as we call it in New Orleans) was just spicy and smooth enough to complement the crunch of the crust on the al dente green beans.

famous hot wings, one of the restaurant’s staples. I’m a guy who likes big flavors and frankly, I love Buffalo wings, so these were a treat. The hot wing brought some heat and flavor, but not enough to blow you away. The garlic buffalo sauce melts in your mouth and the chicken was fried to perfection. (Mike adds that these are great to munch while watching a game on one of Tony’s big screens.)

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Richard on the fried green beans: The appetizers

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Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant 300 E Lerdo Hwy Shafter, CA 93263 661-746-9244 Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

have ever tasted. No wonder they are known for it! It was executed perfectly, and the chili verde atop was the perfect blend of authenticity and spice. The slow-cooked pork topped with cheese and a unique pizza crust makes this delicious pizza stand out in a league of its own.

ENTREES Richard on the New York steak and shrimp: I

opted for the steak and shrimp dinner with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and cauliflower since Tony

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The chilaquiles and eggs is an authentic Mexican breakfast dish served at Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant.

said they took great care in selecting and cutting their beef. I ordered it medium, but as it is thinly sliced (about an inch, good for nicely charred grilling), I suggest ordering the meat at least medium rare.

Both the steak and the four good-sized grilled shrimp on top were cooked to the right consistency and well seasoned.

Jason on the chicken-fried chicken dinner: The ongoing debate over quanti-

ty versus quality is solved by this delicious meal: Why not have both? With its hearty portions, the chicken-fried chicken will satisfy even the biggest appetites.

The large serving of tender chicken breast is battered in corn flakes and topped with creamy country gravy, making it irresistible. To compliment the mouth-watering poultry is a side of fluffy mashed potatoes (rich, but not overwhelmingly buttery) and a serving of steamed vegetables.

Justin on the salmon steak dinner:

The chicken-fried chicken features a hearty portion of battered chicken breast topped with country gravy, and a side of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.

As if the appetizers weren’t enough, I ordered the salmon with steamed vegetables and rice pilaf as a main entree. My salmon plate had a 5-inch square portion of the fish grilled to perfection. The plate was full of fresh vegetables and the rice pilaf was equally fresh and plentiful.

Adam on the chilaquiles and eggs:

Top to bottom: Twisted bread sticks, Pizza sticks, nachos, fried green beans and fried mushrooms are some of the appetizers available at Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant.

The hot wings contain the perfect mix of heat and flavor.

The Spam and eggs layered over a bed of fried rice is Tony’s take on a homemade classic.

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The fried ice cream features a scoop of ice cream smothered in whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

February 2015

(Adam worked for Tony back in high school and tried to remain as unbiased as possible.) You wouldn’t expect to find an authentic Mexican breakfast dish at a place that prides itself on its phenomenal pizza, but the chilaquiles’ menu item was highlighted in yellow, as if the owner was saying, “You MUST try this.” So I did.

Tony’s went with a red salsa: a coating of herbs, spices and yummy goodness, similar to the consistency of an enchilada sauce. And if you think soft chips don’t sound appealing, they actually make the dish that much more delicious. Typically, the dish comes with refried beans, but Tony gave it his own flair, offering hash browns or country potatoes. I chose the country potatoes harnessed with two thick slices of bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon with every breakfast meal? My over-easy egg yolks filled every crevice of the softened chips. Even if pizza is your comfort zone, you should give the chilaquiles a try. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong.

Mike on the Spam and eggs: Where

do I begin with a classic? I start with it being a classic. The dish comes with three pieces of Spam fried perfectly – nice and crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. The Spam is layered over a bed of fried rice with two eggs over-medium on top. This is a great choice for those who remember the homemade food your grandma cooked. I went back in time with this meal. It’s a great way to start your day or if you’re just in the mood. Also, you get hash browns or country potatoes. This meal is a home run. I am done! Stick a fork in me!

DESSERT Richard on the fried ice cream:

This was a delight. Served in a huge bowl and smothered in whipped cream and drizzled chocolate sauce, the scoop of ice

cream was as big as Mike Lopez’s fist and despite the quick deep-fry, looked just as deadly. Without giving too much of the recipe away, I learned that the crispy crust on the ice cream consisted of a popular breakfast food made famous (appropriately) by Tony the Tiger. What can I say? It was “gre-e-e-e-a-a-a-t!”

SO MUCH MORE We were expecting pizza but Tony’s Firehouse offers so much more. They serve breakfast all day and the menu is filled with hearty choices from chickenfried chicken to Spam and eggs. Tony’s has all the personality and attention you’d expect in a family-owned business with decades of dedicated customers. You can tell they treat the staff right, too, because the staff treats the customers like kings or dukes—or in our case, dudes.

Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant in Shafter serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu that goes beyond the delicious pizza served at the Bakersfield locations.

Get to know your 2015 Food Dudes

Dr. Richard Collins is dean of arts and humanities at CSUB. Born in Oregon, he has lived in England, Wales, Romania, Bulgaria and New Orleans, where the similarity of his name to the famous “underground gourmet” Richard Collin came in handy when making reservations in that city’s restaurants. An ordained Buddhist monk, Collins directs the Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield. His book “No Fear Zen: Discovering Balance in an Unbalanced World” will be published June 2015.

A love for the visually creative and working with people have always been the biggest inspirations for photographer Michael Lopez. From an early age, Lopez had a fondness for capturing the special moments in his life, which led him to pick up a camera in high school. He has since worked in many different areas of the visual arts during his career. Lopez grew up in Bakersfield and is a proud Driller.

Adam Alvidrez is a local community engagement specialist for Chevron. A Shafter native, Alvidrez became an avid foodie while working at Swap O’ Rama in the Menudo Shack and Jobie’s El Chile Verde. Alvidrez serves on several local nonprofit committees, including the Rotary Club of Bakersfield North. He and his wife, Tiffani, are proud parents of four children and a pet boxer. Alvidrez enjoys spending time with family, wine tasting and fine dining with Tiffani.

Jason Cater was born and raised in Bakersfield. After graduating from Bakersfield Christian High School, he went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he graduated with a bachelor’s in city planning. He returned to Bakersfield with the intention of getting involved in building a better Bakersfield.

Cater is currently the executive director of Bike Bakersfield, a board member for the Downtown Business Development Corporation and the chairman of the Bakersfield Young Professionals Urbanist Crew.

Justin L. Cave, a Bakersfield native, graduated from Centennial High School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUB. In 2010, Cave started a nonprofit with two local ophthalmologists. He quickly discovered the need for a comprehensive vision institute, and expanded services to the blind and visually impaired of Kern County. A leader in his field, Cave is the executive director of Advanced Center for Eyecare and Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

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Eat & Drink

FOOD AND WINE

A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AT YOUR DOORSTEP Local pair funnels passion into fit food service

By Chelsea Brewer

Photos by Casey Christie

T

he new year is the perfect time to start living a healthy lifestyle, and new local business owners Sarah Cornejo and Tarin Meadows want to help Bakersfield residents jumpstart their fit life. The pair have created Fit Pantry, a fit and healthy meal-delivery service here in Bakersfield.

“We both have always been driven by helping people. But more importantly, helping them to become healthy,” Cornejo said. “To us, Fit Pantry is not a diet, but a lifestyle that involves eating fit, being healthy and living happy.”

Sarah Cornejo and Tarin Meadows own and operate Fit Pantry for busy people who want to eat healthy food.

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Cornejo, a Bakersfield native, was living in San Diego after earning her bachelor’s at San Diego State and master’s in organizational management and leadership development from the University of the Rockies. It wasn’t long before she was ready for a change. She moved back to Bakersfield for a fresh start.

“I found myself bored with the same day-to-day experience,” Cornejo said. “I longed to be involved in something that I was passionate about.”

Cornejo had always been interested in fitness and health and had begun running in and training for marathons and fitness competitions.

Around the same time, Meadows was moving back to Bakersfield after studying education at Fresno State and was also looking for a way to express her passion for fit and healthy living. Like Cornejo, Meadows had gotten involved in marathons and fitness training.

It was during a fitness competition that the two ladies met and realized they had the same passion for healthy lifestyles. They quickly became friends and decided to go into business together, bringing the freshest and healthiest meals

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they could make to the Bakersfield community. The biggest problem was getting the word out, but they solved that with technology.

“We have created a website with an online ordering system that is user-friendly and convenient for our customers,” said Cornejo.

Fitpantry.com is an easily navigable website and ordering is very quick. The website features pictures of each menu item and offers details on calorie and carbohydrate numbers. Customers choose a healthy meal and the delivery day, and the meal is delivered to their doorstep by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day. There are several different options for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Breakfast BUFF-ritos, to Toned Ahi Tuna. There’s even BUFF Stuffed Bell Peppers.

“Those are my favorite,” Cornejo said. “Which is exactly why we

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A variety of dinners are prepared by Sarah Cornejo and Tarin Meadows of Fit Pantry.

put it on the menu!”

Prices vary between $10 and $15. So for a nominal price, customers get a completely homemade, healthy and delicious meal delivered right to their doorstep before they even get out of bed.

The deliveries are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and everything is cooked in a local commercial kitchen. All meals are delivered in an insulated Fit Pantry tote, complete with ice packs to ensure freshness. The only “cooking” customers have to do is microwave it to their heat preference.

Cornejo and Meadows also offer catering services for parties and events, no matter how big or small. They want everyone to enjoy fresh, fit food all the time. The ladies are currently learning more about vegetarian and vegan meals and will be offering those options in the near future. Cornejo is excited to begin helping her community eat well.

“Fueling your body with fit foods can prevent disease, reduce stress and improve your overall health,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the physical changes to your body when you fuel it with healthy food.”

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Lifestyles

ON THE ROAD

2015 FORD F-150 Ford slims down in the New Year

By Glenn Hammett

Photos by Mark Nessia

S

ay you are an average 180pound guy and woke up one day to discover that you had dropped 22 pounds overnight – 12 percent of your body weight. Imagine how much faster and farther you could run, how much more agile you would be.

That’s the concept behind Ford’s 2015 F-150. By fashioning the body out of aluminum and utilizing hightensile steel in the frame, Ford was able to trim 700 pounds, or roughly 12 percent, off of its flagship pickup. And benefits of the weight reduction program are significant.

• Improved gas mileage: MPG ranges from 19 city/26 highway (22 combined) with the 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 to 15 city/21 highway (17 combined) with the 5.0 liter V-8 four-wheel drive model I tested. That is more than a 20 percent improvement overt last year’s numbers.

• Increased towing and payload capacities: Shedding vehicle weight means it can carry or pull a bigger load. The 2015 F-150 hauls up to

3,300 pounds and tows a maximum of 12,000 pounds.

• Improved acceleration, braking and handling: Less weight means improved power to weight ratio, making it easier to start, stop and turn.

I test-drove the four-wheel drive Lariat SuperCrew cab model with a 5.0 liter V-8. The interior looks and feels more like an upscale sedan than a truck. Heated and cooled 10-way adjustable power leather seats, twinpanel power moonroof, incredibly spacious rear passenger seating and the easy-to-navigate MyFord Touch 8inch touchscreen are but a few of the features that make driving the 2015 F150 a comfortable and gratifying experience.

On the road, the truck felt smooth, yet solid. Engine and road noise was almost non-existent, thanks, I suppose, to its Quiet Steel laminated sound-absorbing firewall, the only major body component that is not aluminum.

But don’t let all of the luxurious amenities lead you to believe that the Ford has turned the world’s best-selling pickup into a wimpy wannabe.

Bakersfield Life Art Director Glenn Hammett with the 2015 Ford F-150 at Seven Oaks Country Club.

Underneath that lightweight aluminum body and plush interior is a tough, hard-working truck. The 5.0 liter V-8 puts out 385 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque and the

The 110 volt/400 watt AC outlet can recharge phones and cordless power tools.

The rear seating area in the F-150 is spacious and comfortable.

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February 2015

The tailgate step folds into the gate when not in use.

The knobs on the entertainment and temperature control systems are large and easy to reach.

cargo and towing capacities mentioned above are best in class.

There are also a bunch of smart exterior features designed to make the 2015 F-150 more capable on the job.

These include BoxLink (a flexible, configurable system of hooks, locks, straps and brackets that let you secure practically anything you can load into the bed), stowable loading ramps so you can easily load motorcycles and ATVs, a tailgate you can unlock and lower remotely and features a cleverly concealed step that folds down when the gate is open, and something Ford calls Dynamic Hitch Assist that makes lining up the truck’s hitch ball to a trailer receiver extremely easy.

The 2015 Ford F-150 is an impressive combination of luxury, intelligence and toughness. While it does not look significantly different than the 2014 model, it features a myriad of improvements, and Ford’s bold decision to cut the fat by crafting the body from aluminum rather than steel was a game changer. Sometimes less is more.

It’s all in the details Gas mileage: 3.5 V-6: 18 city/25 hwy; 20 combined 2.7 Ecoboost V-6: 19 city/26 hwy; 22 combined 3.5 Ecoboost V6: 17 city/24 hwy; 20 combined 5.0 V8: 15 city/22 hwy; 18 combined Price tag: Starting price for regular cab: $25,420. Starting price for crew cab: $31,935.

Price as tested: $54,350.

Five best features: Military-grade aluminum (not soda can), EcoBoost motors, 360-degree camera cystem, 12,200 pound towing capability, twin-panel moonroof.

Target customer: Adventuresome families all the way to hard workers who use their trucks as an office.

The 2015 F-150 is perfect for: The most demanding workloads, as well as everyday use, due to its smooth, comfortable, quiet ride.

Three words that define the 2015 F-150: Revolutionary. Intense. Trend-Setter.

What do you like most about the 2015 F150? No matter how much technology, new materials and new looks these newer trucks have, it all still boils down to how the truck drives and feels, and I can say that the new 2015 F-150 is an absolute dream to drive. The

Controls and gauges are all intuitively placed and easy to use. feel of the drive, everything working together, provides a world class feel and a confidence not many vehicles can give you.

Source: Kyle Galaz, Ford product specialist with Jim Burke Ford

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Lifestyles

ON THE ROAD

2015 AUDI A3 SEDAN 2.0 TURBO QUATTRO Audi A3 races to top performance, luxury

Editor Olivia Garcia took a cruise through the downtown Bakersfield arts district in the mesmerizing 2015 Audi A3.

By Olivia Garcia

Photos by Mark Nessia

I

had been quietly admiring a colleague’s Audi crossover from afar, naturally curious over the luxury brand since it was one I had yet to test drive.

As luck would have it, Family Motors Auto Group contacted me soon after to offer me the opportunity to test drive its 2015 Audi A3, and before you know it, I was at the dealership, chatting with Audi sales and leasing consultant Erick Voss, over the details of the sporty luxury ride.

It was only fitting that I got a chance to go over the details with Voss, who happens to own an A3.

“I like it a lot,” he said of his car.

“It’s a fun car to drive, really easy to handle and it has nice power.”

But what’s not to like about a car that has earned a top prize since its launch?

According to Autoweek, the Audi A3 received the World Car of the Year Award.

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February 2015

Wrote Jake Lingeman of Autoweek: “The jurors said, ‘It might borrow styling hints from its bigger brothers, but the A3 still offers classic, chiseled contours and even better interior trim levels. With a superb choice of engines and four body styles, the Audi A3 range packs a hefty premium punch in the small-luxury segment. Audi should be

complimented for making this A3 ride like no other A3. All the old shimmer over rough surfaces has gone, replaced by a silky-smooth ride that approaches limousine quality.’”

The limousine reference likely refers to the A3 being a sedan (Germans, according to online research, use limousine over sedan as their word

The 2015 Audi A3 is designed to keep you informed and in control at all times.

choice).

Meanwhile, the model Voss checked out for me was the 2015 Audi A3 sedan 2.0 turbo Quattro engine that delivers 220 horsepower and comes with a sixspeed S tronic transmission. It was styled in mythos black metallic with chestnut brown interior. The one thing that impressed me was the all-wheel drive system.

Like Voss mentioned, I found that the A3 offered strong handling and traction. It was great at turns.

Other nifty tech features that impressed me: electronic stability control with secondary collision brake assist and the driver assistance package with the parking system plus that includes a rearview camera. Now, I have test driven cars with front and back-up sensors that warn you that the car is approaching something too close for comfort. However, the technology within the A3 took it a step further by displaying a visual of your car and clearly identifing the location of the potential obstacle, whether it’s a ball, bush, another car or person.

The techie lovers will fall head-over -heels in love with the center control, which has features similar to an Apple mouse. In this case, however, you can touch the pad to spell out words, let’s say, for directions somewhere.

The interior of the 2015 Audi A3 offers sleek leather treatment and comfort in style.

Of course, if you are driving, you can also use the voice-activated system, which is pretty smart, like Siri. For example, touch the control and tell the car you are hungry. The voice-activated system will then list nearby restaurants.

Or tell it you are tired. Again, a list of hotels will pop up. Pretty smart car.

“One of the biggest things I hear is the value of the car,” Voss said. “You get everything for the money. Audi doesn’t take any shortcuts.”

There’s also comfort and convenience.

A panorama sunroof with retractable sunshade is a nice bonus,

although people will fall in love with Audi’s exterior xenon-plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and high-intensity headlights.

The dual-zone automatic climate control allows you and your passenger to have different climate temperatures, nice for people such as me and my husband.

The A3, which has been tested on racetracks, is a perfect sporty luxury car that saves on gas mileage while keeping you in style.

Jose Ortega, an Audi sales and leasing consultant, said it best: “It’s super cute, and it goes with everything.”

It’s all in the details Five best features of the 2015 Audi A3: Standard leather seating surfaces; MMI® navigation plus with voice control system & Audi connect®; MMI® touch with handwriting-recognition technology; Audi music interface with iPod® integration; and full LED headlights Price tag and gas mileage: The gas mileage depends on the engine chosen.

There are three engine options: • 1.8T - 23 city/33 hwy • 2.0T - 24 city/33 hwy • 2.0TDI - 31 city/43 hwy The price range of the A3 is $29,000 to $43,000.

The backseat of the luxury, sporty 2015 Audi A3 offers much legroom for adult passengers.

The 2015 Audi A3 is perfect for: Anyone who wants a fun luxury vehicle with the latest technology.

What makes the 2015 Audi A3 stand out from others: The A3 won 2015 World Car of the Year for its premium design, craftsmanship and impressive performance. The A3 is the luxury compact car that likes to go big.

Target customer: That’s one of the things that make the A3 so special: it offers something for everyone.

Three words that define the 2015 Audi A3: Sporty, luxurious and progressive.

What do you like most about the 2015 Audi A3: Uncompromising quality.

Source: Erick Voss, Audi sales and leasing consultant, Family Motors Auto Group.

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PHOTO BY SALLY HULSEY

Lifestyles

PA S T I M E S

SHOWSTOPPERS Local dog breeders raise show ring champions

Finn, a red/white beagle bred by Kay Roberts, stands tall in the middle at the 2015 Kennel Club of Palm Springs AKC Licensed All Breeds Dog Shows, Obedience and Rally Trials.

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

By Diana Greenlee

D

ee Dee, a bearded collie with woolly mammoth-like fur, lunges playfully at a tiny papillon. Although the collie towers over the smaller pooch, they are fast friends, nipping and nuzzling until their competition-minded owners command their attention.

“This is how we want dogs to react to each other in the show ring,” said Kern County Kennel Club (KCKC) President Margie Haarsager, Dee Dee’s owner.

Haarsager, 68, has been a regular around the show circuit since 1973, starting with Saint Bernards, and then moving to bearded collies in 1978. She says show dogs need “tons of socialization” to prepare them for competition.

Show dogs also must keep calm and composed no matter the distraction. Within a few weeks of birth, breeders desensitize puppies to sound using audio of fireworks, thunder and motorcycles, and they expose them to situations they will encounter at shows, like close handling and interacting with strangers.

“We pinch their feet; turn them upside down,” Haarsager said. “The average dog is not going to allow that.”

It takes more than a pretty muzzle for the show ring, and the president says she can tell right away when a dog doesn’t have a suitable temperament. If they’re “soft, timid or easily overwhelmed,” they’re out, she said.

“Or if they get diarrhea,” added KCKC Second Vice President Diane Ashburn, 59, who owns Kelly, the papillon.

Ashburn says she doesn’t breed for pets; she’s looking for her next show dog. Show dog owners are meticulous matchmakers, planning litters five to ten years out. They regularly import semen from champion stock outside of the U.S. to increase the probability of producing quality dogs. It’s a busi-

Diane Ashburn and her dog Kelly, a Papillon.

ness, and the key to producing winning offspring is finding sires with characteristics that offset the dams’ “flaws.” The studs undergo rigorous physical screenings to qualify.

“You have to keep the gene pool healthy,” Ashburn said.

Once the perfect match produces a litter, Ashburn and Haarsager sell their pups but retain co-ownership until the animals are spayed or neutered. This discourages purchasers

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Continued from page 49

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

Margie Haarsager brushes Dee Dee, her bearded collie show dog.

from breeding the dogs indiscriminately and enables the breeders to take the pups back if necessary.

“I don’t want my dogs to be in a shelter or a rescue,” Haarsager said. “It (co-ownership) also keeps them from making designer dogs that kill your breed.”

Crossbreeding purebreds produces “designer dogs,” like labradoodles or puggles. Haarsager says these specialty mutts can’t be registered with the American Kennel Association, and there are better options for pet seekers.

“Why pay $4,000 for a designer dog when you can rescue one?” she asked.

“The shelters are full of good dogs.”

For dogs not cut out for showing, other competitive avenues are available. According to KCKC Recording Secretary Sally Hulsey, who breeds and shows Irish setters, animals shying

away from judges may be suited for more active pursuits like obedience, agility or herding.

“They all get titles,” she said.

Owners should remember that competition dogs, no matter what they do, still require plenty of primping.

Hulsey, 67, said her setters require not only bathing and brushing, but sculpting their silky auburn tresses to specific lengths and angles.

“It can take two hours or more to sculpt the hair,” she said.

Training, styling and coaching dogs for competition is a wearying task, which is why socializing is just as important for the owners as it is for the dogs, said Kay Robert, who breeds and shows beagles. Robert says attending the ongoing regional and national shows is more play than work, and she’s acquired a network of friends.

“Some of the friends in our particular breeds … are our best friends in the whole world,” she said.

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Lifestyles

I N M Y C LO S E T

MY DARLING CLEMENTINE This Yorkieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashionista style, celebrity attitude has even her human friends jealous

Clementineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wardrobe features over 60 outfits, dresses handmade by her mom and, of course, matching bows and blankets.

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February 2015

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Photos by Mark Nessia

M

y Darling Clementine, a 5-year-old Yorkie, is a petite fashionista with a wardrobe of over 60 hand-sewn, custom-altered outfits and matching bows and blankets.

Clementine’s owner, Carrol Alderete, is the small dog’s personal stylist and doting mother. Alderete has made sewing custom dresses for Clementine her No. 1 hobby. She created an original dress pattern from one of Clementine’s fitted pet harnesses and now can’t stop making clothes for her model pet. There are always new fabrics at JoAnn’s that catch her eye.

And Clementine loves the pieces and attention.

The Yorkie can’t leave the house without an outfit and the essential matching bow. From the minute Alderete brought her home in a T-shirt, the Yorkie wouldn’t stand for “going in the nude.” Clementine was quite the seasoned fashion model. She calmly sat as Alderete dressed and undressed her, and then actually posed for the camera. She even flaunted her special occasion pajamas.

Now before you think crazy, keep in mind that Clementine’s clothing is meant to keep her warm. It’s a fact: small dogs get cold, and Alderete swore she would never become “one of those crazy small dog people.” Crazy? No. A bit of a spoiler? Yes. But the spoiling has made for a fashion wardrobe that not only keeps Clementine warm and cozy but makes her the envy of all her friends – human and canine alike.

What are Clementine’s five prized possessions from her closet?

Suede boots, blue purse, pink beaded leash, bumble bee costume, and hat and scarf. All (were) gifts from friends.

Why Clementine loves fashion: Clementine has learned fashion from the beginning. It started out as a way to keep her warm, (but) she has grown to love the attention she gets when people see her. She always brings a smile to everyone’s face.

Clementine’s personal style: Depends on the occasion, season or holiday. Clementine has a full array of Halloween costumes and holiday PJs. Clementine’s style philosophy: (Everything) must match from bow to blanket.

Clementine’s favorite things: blue Pawparazzi bag, beanie, beaded leash and booties.

How long it usually takes for Clementine to get ready:

Ten minutes tops. Clementine’s been doing this for five years; she has it down. She wears what her mom picks out. No arguments.

Morning regimen: 5 a.m. potty, 5:15 a.m. she brushes her teeth, then breakfast, then hair brushing and getting dressed.

By 7 p.m., she is ready for her PJs. Clementine’s favorite designers or brands: Dresses by Mom. She also likes Max’s Closet.

Where Clementine shops: Each day, Clementine shops in her own closet where she finds one-of a-kind outfits made especially for her. She also likes eBay and Babies R Us. Where Clementine gets her style ideas: Her people are always think-

ing creatively about the next new thing.

Where Clementine finds her accessories: Her mom is keeping a

family in China in business with all the custom-made bows she buys for Clementine from their eBay store.

What others have said about Clementine’s attire: Everyone is

amazed at how comfortable she is in her clothes.

Clementine’s biggest fashion faux pas: When playing with

her cousins (dogs), she doesn’t mind when her bow gets pulled out, or (sits) lopsided or the lace on her dress gets torn. She has tons of fun.

Clementine’s fancier get up: red party dress and matching monkey blanket.

One staple every dog should have in her closet: A blanket. Little dogs get cold,

Clementine gets a little hip and modern with her Lucky hoodie and jeans.

and when they get tired, they love to be wrapped up. If the blanket matches Clementine’s outfit, even better.

Favorite perfume: Boots and Barkley Juicy Apricot. bakersfieldlife.com

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Lifestyles

FIT AND FRESH

V DAY THE HEALTHY WAY Develop a healthy love for fitness and animals

Kayaking can be a high- or low-intensity exercise. Even kayaking at 5 mph can burn as much as 400 calories per hour.

By Sally Baker and Katie Kirschenmann

V

alentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is here, and what better time than this month to take on activities that are good for the heart?

From running and kayaking to chicken keeping as backyard farmers, we got some great tips for all you sweethearts.

RUN FOR YOUR HEART On Feb. 14, the CSUB Physical Education and Kinesiology Club will hold its annual 5/10K on the beautiful southwest campus. This fun, low-key event is family friendly and starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine. There are always charming homemade awards(usually heart-shaped) made of a different medium each year.

Snacks will be available after the races and, as always, a wonderfully large raffle will be held, where almost everyone is a winner!

Early registration is until Jan. 31, and cost is $22; late reg54

Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

istration is $25. For more information, visit the website at valentinesrun.com.

KAYAKING IN KERN COUNTY Kayaking can be a rewarding experience on so many levels. While basic skills can be learned quickly, perfecting more advanced skills can continue over many years. It can provide a perfect base for a healthy fitness lifestyle. Adding kayaking to your fitness routine whenever you can adds pleasure, joy and huge benefits. It can be challenging, relaxing, social or simply gives you a chance for peaceful solitude with beautiful scenery and wildlife. As a tool for weight loss, kayaking approximately 5 mph can burn as much as 400 calories per hour. Toning of your back, chest, arms and abdominals will occur without you even noticing!

For me, the major benefit is that of stress relief and relaxation. Allowing a gentle river to carry you along, under blue skies, amid green foliage and trees, a fresh perspective surrounds you. The sounds of the water and the beauty of the

Continued on page 56

PHOTO BY SALLY BAKER PHOTO BY KATIE KIRSCHENMANN

Chicken keeping is a gift that keeps on giving in the form of delicious eggs.

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Continued from page 55 ducks and birds provide sweet relief from the pace of our busy lives. You will emerge refreshed and calm with a hint of a smile on your relaxed face.

PHOTO BY SALLY BAKER

THE JOYS OF RAISING CHICKENS, PART 1

Chicken keeping has been growing in popularity over the years.

Serving Kern County For Over 50 Years

When you ask most people what comes to mind when they think of a family pet, they’d say a dog, cat, or maybe even a goldfish or canary.

Chances are, a chicken is a more familiar vision of dinner than a pet. Yet, there is a growing movement among backyard “farmers” who embrace chicken keeping as an important component of growing food. In recent years, the pet chicken craze has even become a trend among the hipster crowd, just ask Nicole Richie. After all, there are some great advantages to keeping a small number of birds. The rich bounty of fresh bright eggs is cause alone to explore the idea of suburban chickens.

There are several online communities

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February 2015

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devoted to conscientious suburban chicken keeping, such as UrbanChicken.org, BackyardChickens.com and MyPetChicken.com. On these websites, you can find everything from chicken coop blueprints to recipes for making your own chicken feed, even chicken training. It is astonishing just how enthusiastic some people are about their chickens.

The wealth of online information available to the novice chicken devotee can be overwhelming. Having begun our own adventure in raising chickens, we are going to pair down the glut of chicken information by sharing our experiences. Our “ladies,” as we call them, give us joy, tons of laughs and, best of all, rich and tasty eggs.

Raising chickens is fairly easy. Keep their food and water fresh, their coop clean and give them ample space in your yard to “free range.” That being said, anyone interested in pet chickens needs to study up.

As with any pet, it is of the utmost importance to be a responsible owner. The first step in responsibility is consideration of the following: Do you have the time? Do you have the space? Do you live in an area in which you are able to keep chickens? Are you being considerate of your neighbors?

Once you have answered these questions affirmatively, you’re ready to begin exploring coops and chicken breeds. In our second installment of the backyard chicken odyssey, we will delve into the best breeds, coop designs and the biggest chicken pitfall of all: the poop.

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Lifestyles

H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

PARTNERS AT THE GYM, IN LIFE Couples who workout together

Rusty Burchfield spots his wife, Tracy, as she does shoulder presses at Body Xchange Southwest.

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February 2015

By Jennifer Burger

Photos by Mark Nessia

F

or Rusty and Tracy Burchfield, working out is their “date time.”

For Carol and John Gombos, their love of being together means going to the gym as well.

And for Brittany Morrow and Nicholas Gonzalez, being workout partners means keeping each other accountable.

All three of these Bakersfield couples are life and gym partners. It’s a formula that can equal success for many, said trainer Tim Gojich, owner of Fit for Life gym in downtown Bakersfield.

“When you see a husband and wife show up together, you know you’re strengthening a relationship,” he said.

The Gomboses have worked out with each other on and off since they married nearly 35 years ago. In the past, they’ve played tennis and racquetball and walked and ran together. Now they train with Gojich at Fit for Life.

In a recent training session, as the Gomboses alternated reps with free weights, they traded glances and quick smiles.

“It’s fun. We tease each other a little bit,” said John, 58.

“I call him teacher’s pet,” said Carol, 59.

When they joined the gym six years ago, their goal was to lose some weight and get fit. Now they stick with it as a lifestyle, saying they would not be able to accomplish their goals separately.

“It ends up being good for both of us. We can encourage each other,” John said. “Some people like to get away from each other. But we like to be together.”

Couples achieve the most fitness success when they are committed equally, Gojich said. He has seen issues of jealousy arise when one partner visits the gym more frequently than the other or when one partner indulges in unhealthy foods while the other is trying to eat better.

This is exactly why Morrow and Gonzalez, both 27, workout together. After getting to know Gojich through his fitness boot camps about four years ago, the couple joined Fit for Life as a challenge to each other. Over the past year, they have kept a consistent workout schedule and healthy eating regimen. Because they know the work they put in all week, they keep each other from sabotaging themselves by eating out or skipping a workout on the weekends.

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John and Carol Gombos do Bulgarian split squats at Fit For Life Gym.

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Brittany Morrow and Nicholas Gonzalez do renegade rows side by side during the “Metabolic Blast” workout at Fit For Life Gym.

Continued from page 59 “Both have to be on the same page,” Gonzalez said. “It doesn’t work when one goes to the gym and wants to eat clean, and the other doesn’t.”

For the Burchfields, physical fitness is a family affair.

Tracy, 35, and Rusty, 37, started hitting the gym three years ago to get rid of some unwanted weight. Rusty lost 131 pounds and Tracy lost 46. Now they’re looking forward to participating in a body building competition this April.

As their children, ages 8 and 5, saw mom and dad having fun getting fit, they wanted in on the action. So the Burchfields enrolled them in gymnastics. Now their daughter, Rylee, is a traveling competitor.

“I really believe that if my wife and I hadn’t changed our lifestyles, our kids at this age wouldn’t have gotten into such athletic sports,” Rusty said. “Now, every night as a family, instead of TV time an hour before bedtime, we pull out our mats and stretch each other out.”

For Tracy and Rusty Burchfield, going to the gym is the perfect date.

“It’s better than a date,” Tracy said. “At a movie, you’re not talking at all. At the gym, you’re interacting with each other.”

They also push each other and motivate each other, something all three couples say is a major benefit to being workout partners.

“If the other one is feeling lazy and not wanting to get out of bed, there’s no one else better than the person you live with and love to get you up and going,” Tracy said.

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

fitness and training

February 2015

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Lifestyles

HOME AND GARDEN

CHOOSING YOUR CANINE COUNTERPART Debunking the myth that certrain breeds are better than others

By Melissa Peaker-Whitten

Photos by Mark Nessia

T

here is a common misconception that certain breeds of dogs are better than others in terms of behavior. But in reality, no matter the breed, every dog is unique, just like the people who adopt them. That’s why it’s important when choosing a companion to find one that’s best suited to your personality and lifestyle.

People are “really better off looking at each dog to see if the dog matches their lifestyle, rather than the breed,” said

Dogs undergo temperament tests in the play yard at obedience school to determine whether they can be around other dogs or not.

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February 2015

Harlan Broat, founder and owner of American School of Dog Obedience.

Broat has been working with dogs since the early 1970s.

“The biggest problem people have with dogs is trying to train a dog they’re not matched to,” said Broat. “You have to consider the dog’s temperament as well as their activity level.”

If you’re an active person, then a dog with high energy would be a good fit for you, but if you’re more of a homebody, you’ll want to choose a dog that doesn’t need as much exercise and is content to stay indoors a lot.

Another common mistake people make is to assume that just because they have a big yard, they should adopt a dog.

“Being confined to an area is not natural for dogs,” said Sherry Davis, owner of CSI 4 K9s. “We do it because of laws and we don’t want them to be lost – we do that for security and think they’ll be content, but dogs are social creatures.

They need interaction. Most dogs are just bored and that’s when they get into trouble.”

Davis has worked with dogs for more than 40 years, including showing and competing with her own dogs.

“Animals are hard-wired for instincts,” said Davis. “The

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Harlan Broat and Kelly of American School of Dog Obedience.

dogs that are workers will be the most destructive if they don’t have a job. Those bred as companions are less destructive unless separated from their people. Toy dogs, (such as) spaniels, Pomeranians and Shih Tzus were bred to sit on laps.”

Davis recommends making a list of about 10 breeds you’re interested in and then doing some research to find out about each one. Also, consider what types of things you like to do as a family and what traits you couldn’t stand in a dog. This will help you make a more educated decision.

“The biggest mistake is people get in a hurry, fall in love with them and rush into it,” said Davis.

As for rescues or mixed breeds, it is more of a gamble, acknowledged Davis, but it’s still possible to manage their behavior and teach them what’s acceptable.

If possible, spend some time with the animal before making your decision and do your best to observe the personality of the dog, suggested Davis Harlan echoes that advice.

“Dogs aren’t like cars. You can’t base a dog’s temperament on its breed. Consider their personality and your personality and whether they mesh. You can’t mold a dog and make it into something you want; you have to look for a dog with the qualities you’re interested in,” he said.

Some training is an integral part of creating a good relationship between any dog and its human.

“Every dog should know some basic commands just to give the owner better communication skills. It’s more about teaching the owner how to effectively communicate than training the dog,” said Davis. “When I do my classes, it’s not the dogs who need guidance – the owners aren’t communicating well. (They need to) learn how to work together as a team.”

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Shen Yun, a theater production filled with a dazzling display of color, sound, fluidity and Chinese dance, comes to Bakersfield’s Rabobank Theater Feb. 26.

BRINGING CHINA TO BAKERSFIELD Shen Yun performance offers rare peek into traditional China

By Emily Shapiro

C

hina is coming to Bakersfield via Shen Yun, a theater production spectacular filled with a dazzling display of color, sound, fluidity and Chinese dance. Marking its Bakersfield debut at the Rabobank Theater on Feb. 26, the extravaganza

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February 2015

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS

Go & Do

will take attendees back in time to a different China, one that the homeland avoids sharing.

Simone Gao, a Chinese transplant from Shan Xi and the show’s spokesperson and former emcee explains that Shen Yun strives to represent traditional Chinese culture, which greatly differs from the current communist customs.

“The core and essence of traditional Chinese culture is lost in China,” said Gao. The now communist country has hidden most traditional Chinese customs from the public, so North American audiences will get a rare, forbidden peek into Chinese culture at Shen Yun. For Gao, Shen Yun opened a doorway into her past, one she hadn’t been able to embrace before.

“After I got involved in Shen Yun, I really began to appreciate Chinese culture. I started to know the beauty and the Confucian wisdom,” said Gao. The show itself is a grand portrayal of Chinese theater, art

principal and blend into the group,” said Wen. Wen developed her traditional dancing technique further through the controversial spiritual discipline of Falun Gong. A meditative-type practice, Falun Gong has helped her refine her skill and embody the Shen Yun beauty she wishes to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 portray on stage.

Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. “It is a type of Tickets starting at $50 available at meditation practice ticketmaster.com, box office or 800-745-3000 that focuses on the shenyunperformingarts.org/bakersfield principles of truth, compassion and tolerance,” said Wen. “It has helped me to elevate and refine myself both artistically and spiritually in order to present beauty on stage.”

According to the Shen Yun media, Falun Gong practitioners are harshly persecuted in China and many Shen Yun performers feel the pressure to stop their practice; however, by continuing to perform, the dancers stand against communist censorship, making this production much more than simple eye candy.

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and music. It features a 30-foot backdrop and a 40-piece Western orchestra infused with Chinese instruments like the pipa, which resembles a small acoustic guitar sans hole.

“It’s built like a Chinese 10-course banquet. There’s something for everyone,” said Gao. In the past, Shen Yun has incorporated “The Monkey King” and “Mulan” into its lineup, and this year, the Tang and Qin dynasties along with Mongolian and Tibetan folklore will be featured. Based in New York City, Shen Yun presents a different program each year, incorporating legends covering 5,000 years of history and 56 ethnic groups. It is comprised of five different tour casts made up of musicians, singers and dancers from different parts of the world that train at the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in New Jersey and San Francisco.

One such dancer was Kelly Wen. Wen, now the show’s North American tour manager and emcee, grew up in Toronto, Canada and was taught classical Chinese dance by a friend of her mother’s. According to Wen, this system of dance contains three sections: form, bearing and technique. As a dancer, she trained with others for eight hours a day, incorporating tumbling into the routines and her favorite part, group dance.

“Unlike ballet, where the show centers on the few principal dancers, in classical Chinese dance, you can at once be a

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I ntroducing t he 2014 -2015 Dream Builders ow in its t welf th year, the Dream Builder student leadership program has gained a reputation for creating significant projec ts and making substantial contributions to our communit y by instilling a sense of “ser vice over self” in high school seniors. When the Ford Dimension alumni and the Jim Burke Education Foundation launched Dream Builders in 20 0 3, their hope was that by sharing the value of civic responsibilit y this program would motivate students to make a difference for others. This vision has become a realit y as we now have a decade of alumni who continue to make volunteerism a par t of their lives.

The Foundation is pleased to announce the Dream Builder class of 20 14 -20 15 who earned their s pot o n our leadership b oard through a rigorous a pplication and inter view process. As par t of the Dream Builders program, students develop leadership, mentoring , and career building skills by par tnering with civic-minded companies and Ford Dimension students to develop and implement a significant communit y ser vice projec t during their senior year.

N Bottom B ottom Photo, Photo, Left Left to to Right: Right: Cristian Magdaleno Independence Leigh Whitson Stockdale Ulysis Baal BHS Anycia Reyes East Conner Marden North Zulema Uribe Golden V Val alley dale Matthew Haley Stockd Bailey Slayton Liberty Douglas Johnston Hiigh gh g land Bridget Boylan Garces Alexis Ayala West Jessica Savarese Independence Christian Alcala South Karlee Cornford Frontier Zac Pyle Liberty Victoria Boyd BHS Anthony Delatorre East Brett Voth Liberty Hannah Contois Centennial Aaron Levins BCHS Elisa Quinonez Mira Monte Yuya F ujita Frontier

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

Through T hrough the tth he support support o off o our ur ccu current urrent partners—Aera partners—Aera ra Energy E En nergy LLLC, LC, B Bank ank o off the tth he Sierra, Sierra, B Bright right H House ousse N Networks, etworks, aand nd D Dignity ignity H Health ealtth M Mercy ercy and and M Memorial emorial Hospitals—these Hospitals—these D Dream ream Builders Builders will w ill cco continue ontinue tth the he lle legacy egacy of of JJim im B Burke urke by by creating ccrreeating exceptional eexxceptio ional projects p ro ojects tta targeting argeting various vvaarious community cco ommun nity n needs. eeds.

During this past summer the students enjoyed ser ving dinner to the needy at St. Francis Church, dishing out root beer floats to the homeless at the St. Vincent DePaul Center, cooking for clients of the Bakersfield Homeless Center, and mentoring young children at the Police Ac tivities League. Currently these achieving seniors are in the process of creating significant communit y projec ts that focus on the elderly, homeless and water conser vation.

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February 2015

Introducing the hottest singles in town who are looking for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Photos by Michael Lopez

Bakersfield singles run the gamut from young, never-married Cal State Bakersfield grads to divorced, seasoned professionals hoping to find love again. With great dating locations, eats and activities, Bakersfield is ready to host couples looking for a lasting relationship, but the rub is where to find that special someone to accompany you. We have brought the choices to you, and yes, takeout is appropriate.

Here are Bakersfield Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes of 2015.

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Occupation: Sexual health educator Age: 33 Height: 5’9” Hails from: Mission Viejo, CA

Ideal mate: Someone as genuine, loyal and loving as I am, with a creative spirit and a caring heart.

Relationship deal breakers: Someone who doesn’t want to help me succeed.

Hidden talent: I recently learned to front and back slide down a hill long boarding.

First famous crush: Agent Mulder from “The X Files.” There’s something about his trench coat and constant talk of aliens that had me hooked.

What kid were you in high school:

atasha Felkins has lived up and down Southern California, finally settling in Bakersfield in 2005.

She’s been a sexual health educator for the last eight years and currently serves on the board of directors for the Bakersfield Pet Food Pantry. In her spare time, Felkins enjoys taking pictures, writing and learning to play new instruments. The entrepreneur in her is always looking for new business avenues and she is looking to connect with someone who compliments her pet-loving, community-minded personality.

Occupation: Producer/Director at KGET-17

Age: 43 Height: 6’4” Hails from: Bakersfield, CA

believe in love at first sight 100 percent, I just don’t recommend it,” laughs Monty Wilson. This television producer is looking for a deeper connection.

Bakersfield native Wilson graduated from West High, then attended Bakersfield College, and later obtained a communications degree from Cal State Bakersfield where he was also an NCAA national champion in track and field. Afterward, he pursued a career in broadcast television where he has spent the last 18 years. He’s a foodie, loving to cook and find great eats.

His future mate will have plenty of tasty restaurants to choose from on date night.

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Style wise, I was a cross between the cartoon character Daria and Punky Brewster.

If you were given the day off: I’d like to spend it working around the house with periodic Netflix and nap breaks.

My heart melts when... I see stray animals on the streets in need of help.

Specialty in the kitchen: I’ve been told I make a mean veggie lasagna.

If I was given $100 to spend on a date, I would: Walk around some

antique stores, and each of us would get $50 to spend on the other person.

Fav local restaurant: I’ve been going to El Sombrero since I was a kid; I love their salsa and enchilada sauce.

Ideal mate: Someone unselfish and (who) enjoys the simple things.

Relationship deal breakers: Double standards.

Something quirky about me: Sometimes when I’m watching TV, I take my right arm and place it up and over my head and grab my left ear. It looks funny but it’s comfortable.

Hidden talent: Wood working.

Your first famous crush: Thelma from the TV show “Good Times.”

If you were given the day off: I would spend part of the day doing something creative like a photo shoot and the other part watching Netflix with my three daughters.

My heart melts when...

I’m around either one of my two beautiful grandmothers.

Guilty pleasure:

Watching home improvement shows.

If I was given $100 to spend on a date, I would: Gas up my car

and drive to the nearest “Joe’s Crab Shack.”

Favorite local restaurant and my order: Flame and Skew-

ers’ chicken shawarma plate.

February 2015

Ideal mate: Someone with an open mind and down-to-earth.

Relationship deal breakers:

A woman without aspirations for herself.

Hidden talent: Musician If you were given the day off: I would go to the beach with

Occupation: Drafting and design Age: 26 Height: 6’0” Hails from: Bakersfield, CA

my son, climb the sand dunes and enjoy a nice clam chowder.

No. 1 on my bucket list: Go to Japan.

My heart melts when... a woman knows about the bands Tool, Alice in Chains or The Roots.

abriel Rosales has a knack for making you feel comfortable around him. Rosales’ smiles and love for laughter make him easy to talk to, and he is ready to meet, talk and have a good laugh with that special someone.

Family is important to the Bakersfield native, especially his 2-year-old son, and he spends most of his free time with them. Music also holds a special place in his heart. You can often find him jamming on his electric guitar.

.

Thoughts on love at first sight: If Lloyd from “Dumb and

Dumber” can (have) it, so can I. You can’t help but spend money on... Video games and

movies for me. Books for my son.

Favorite local restaurant and my order: Rosa’s Italian.

Pizza or spaghetti.

Favorite place to vacation:

The beach, and every year I go to WonderCon Anaheim.

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71

Ideal mate: Intelligent, dependable, brave, a handyman and someone I can look up to.

Relationship deal breakers: Dishonesty, lack of financial skills, self-absorbed and not well-groomed.

Hidden talent: I was classically trained in the piano growing up.

First famous crush: Keanu Reeves.

How can you not love him in “The Matrix?!”

You can’t help but spend money on...

Occupation: Recent MBA graduate Age: 24 Height: 5’11” Hails from: Tehachapi, CA

recent graduate from Cal State Bakersfield’s MBA program, Marcy Frevert is ready to start a new life chapter, which she hopes will include Mr. Right. She also holds a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science and loves hiking and trail running in the great outdoors.

Frevert prefers to collect experiences and adventures rather than things that tie her down, and has already visited numerous countries. She said her family and faith in God are the most important things in her life.

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February 2015

Miss Me jeans and cowgirl boots! They are what every good country girl needs to own.

What kid were you in high school?: In words of Tom Petty and John Mayer, “She’s a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus and America, too.”

If you were given the day off: Assuming the weather is nice, I would spend it outside, whether it’s on a hike in the mountains, a walk on the beach, or going to a concert or amusement park.

My heart melts when... I see a man in uniform! I was an Air Force brat; I can’t help it.

Guilty pleasure: Sleeping in and staying in my PJs all day.

Thoughts on love at first sight: It can happen, but I think it is more “attraction at first sight.” Love is a choice, not an emotion.

Occupation: State employee Age: 26 Height: 6’2” Hails from: Tehachapi, CA

aul N. grew up in Tehachapi, but attended Bakersfield Christian High School, where he began pursuing his Christian faith. Whether it was playing basketball or having “Halo” parties with the baseball team, he says he was growing closer to God. He then earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego (where he hopes to end up). After graduation, his search for a career and love took him around California, but he’s returned to Kern County. When not working, he’s fixing up his new home. “I am waiting and praying for the family God has for me,” he said.

Ideal mate: Somebody who will respect me unconditionally and loves Christ more than she loves me. I believe that we cannot truly love another without the power of Christ enabling it. If we give (our love) to Him, He will bless us in all that we do and empower us to love.

Something quirky about me: “Tangled” is one of my favorite movies!

Hidden talent: Spending money on Amazon!

If you were given the day off: I would spend it napping on the beach with a good book.

My heart melts when... I think about the opportunity to raise children.

No. 1 on my bucket list: “Go to New Zealand and walk the road to Mordor.” (“Office” fans will understand.)

Specialty in the kitchen: Tri-tip roast.

If I was given $100 to spend on a date, I would: Take her to dinner at

The Melting Pot in San Diego, then top it off with a moonlight walk on the beach.

Thoughts on love at first sight:

Depends too much on physical appearance alone; relationships are so much more than that.

Favorite local restaurant and my order: Lengthwise and the “Starved for

Attention Burger.”

Occupation: Executive Vice President at Global Regenesis

Age: 44 Height: 5’6” Hails from: Bakersfield, CA

arra’s senior year at Highland High as ASB president turned into a full-time political career.

She studied economics at Berkeley, received her law degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and served as both an elected official in the California State Legislature and a high-level appointee of the Executive Branch.

She continues interacting with diverse people and organizations, recently becoming executive vice president for Global Regenesis, a London-based environmental company. This busy businesswoman is ready to find someone who makes her laugh.

Ideal mate: Sense of humor, athletic, kindhearted, spiritual, loves animals and thoughtful.

Relationship deal breakers: Smoker (except cigars once in awhile), heavy drinker.

Something quirky about me: I can’t read maps. One time, I was lost, accidentally pulled the hood latch, and Congressman Dooley and I were driving for 10 seconds with the hood up on a two-lane road. (I’m a much better driver now.)

Hidden talent: I crochet.

First famous crush: I fell for John Travolta the first time I watched “Grease.” I must have watched that movie 20 times, dancing around the living room with my mom.

What kid were you in high school: Student government/cheerleader.

If you were given the day off: Morning run, lunch with friends at the Padre, playing football with my three nephews, stopping by the Nature Store to visit with Chuck and have a wheatgrass shot and family dinner with my mom’s prime rib.

My heart melts when... my nephews tell me they love me.

No. 1 on my bucket list: Going to a Super Bowl.

If I was given $100 to spend on a date, I would: go to Sequoia sandwich shop, buy

sandwiches etc., pick up a bottle of Silver Oak wine at Imbibe and have a picnic date. bakersfieldlife.com

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Dating in the Valley 74

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February 2015

A look at the Bakersfield singles landscape

Online dating

By Kelly Damian

ith 20 years in the bar and restaurant business, James McCoy has witnessed many a dating disaster.

McCoy, general manager of RJ’s restaurant, remembers one particular night when a man who had been working up his courage to talk to a particular woman finally approached her. He smiled, leaned forward to speak to her and poured his drink all over her. It was not a conversation starter.

The dating landscape of Bakersfield is as varied as the singles participating in it. Some search for their next date earnestly, filling out lengthy online surveys and sifting through profiles of potentials with the discerning eye of a college admissions officer. Others leave their dating life in the hands of fate. They meet people in line at Starbucks, at church or during a night out on the town — and still alive and well is the time-honored tradition of friends and family setting up their single loved ones.

W

Help or Hinder?

Though the Internet has given singles more options for meeting people, it hasn’t changed dating entirely.

After 9 p.m. on any given Friday or Saturday night, the downtown bars and restaurants are full of single people.

“Dating hasn’t changed much,” said Ken Dandy, the general manager of Sandrini’s. “People will do Tinder (a dating app) and then meet in a neutral place, or they will come with a couple of friends, mix and mingle, and buy drinks for each other.”

After that initial meeting, however, when interest is sparked and phone numbers exchanged, potential dates can be sure of one thing: They will be researched on Facebook. For avid social media users, gone are the days when you could carefully spool out your life story, omitting and adding details as necessary.

“I don’t know if it [the Internet] has helped or hindered the dating scene,” said Anna Garcia. She uses Tinder, a free app that allows users to browse photos and send messages to fellow users as more of a source

A quick breakdown of the more popular dating sites that will connect you to singles (and hopefully “the one”) based on interests, hobbies, religion, age and much more.

eHarmony To find: eharmony.com Mobile versions: iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows phone Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube Best for: Finding the most compatible matches based on personality traits.

According to the site: “438 people get married every day as a result of eHarmony’s compatibility matching.”

Cost: $59.95 for one month (with reduced rates for longer terms), according to menshealth.com. eHarmony offers three different memberships, according to SingleRoots.com; however, a free trial is available.

Farmers Only To find: farmersonly.com Mobile versions: IOS and Android Social media: Facebook, Pinterest Best for: Finding that country guy or gal because “city folks just don’t get it.”

According to the site: In the last nine years, membership went from 2,000 to well over 2 million members.

Cost: $21.95 month-to-month, according to a review by highya.com.

OkCupid To find: okcupid.com Mobile versions: iPhone and Android Social media: Facebook and Twitter Best for: Using a math-based matching system to find your compliments.

According to the site: Their goal is to “find someone who claims to fulfill your claimed requirements, exactly.”

Cost: Free.

Match.com To find: match.com Mobile versions: iPhone and Android Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube Best for: Finding the kind of relationship that people are looking for. The website also hosts in 15 different languages.

According to the site: the Chadwick Martin Bailey research firm ranked match.com as a top online dating website in a 2009-10 study.

Cost: Depends on bundle selected, but can start as low as $20.99 per month for 12 months according to lauraruderman.org, an online dating blog.

California Singles To find: california-singles.com Social media: Facebook, Pinterest Best for: Meeting local singles; they even have an office in Bakersfield.

According to the site: They will meet with you personally and assign you a personal matchmaker.

Cost: Undisclosed.

ChristianMingle To find: christianmingle.com Mobile versions: Android Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube Best for: Finding a match who adheres to the Judeo-Christian faith.

According to the site: They believe ChristianMingle is a tool God can and has used to bring people together, but is not the only way to find a Christian single.

Cost: $29.99 for one month according to singleroots.com; however, there are different plans; prices change accordingly.

Plenty of Fish To find: pof.com Mobile versions: iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows 7 phone Social media: Twitter, YouTube Best for: Meeting singles in specified cities.

According to the site: There are over 3 million active daily users.

Cost: Free, but with available paid upgrades.

Continued on page 76 bakersfieldlife.com

75

Continued from page 75 of entertainment than a serious dating tool. As for Match.com, where the user pays a yearly fee and fills out a personal profile, the service has yielded more “messages from creeps” than viable dates said Garcia.

Garcia’s experience was echoed by Allison Stokes.

“With online dating, some decorum is lost,” she said. “I’ve commented on men’s profiles and they have responded with something absolutely obscene.”

The Biggest Small Town McCoy has often found himself giving advice to nervous singles.

“Just be yourself and be polite. If someone can’t handle that, they’re not the right person,” he said.

In his observations of the social scene, he has noticed a phenomenon that many single people mentioned: Bakersfield can sometimes be “cliquey.”

“It is the biggest small town you’ll ever live in,” he said.

He has noticed that when people first meet each other, instead of asking about career or college, they will instead

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February 2015

ask, “What high school did you go to?” The asker is searching for commonalities, but for those who would like to leave their 17-year-old selves in the past, or who didn’t grow up here, it can be aggravating.

Jonathon Motter moved to Bakersfield in 2003 and found it difficult to strike up a conversation.

“This is such a great community,” he said. “But it is closed off. People stay in their groups.” When he lived in San Diego and Milwaukee, he found women to be more approachable.

Here in Bakersfield, he prefers to be set up.

“At work I’ll ask, ‘Who do you know that’s cute and single?’”

The One The ways single people find and court each other have changed in step with our world, but have the singles? For those of us who are dating or have dated in the past, we will always remember the flutter in the stomach, the bolt of adrenaline that comes when two people sit across from each other, each thinking the same thing: “This could be the one.”

bakersfieldlife.com

77

Advancing

medical

for pets Vet clinics expand field to provide specialized care

By Diana Greenlee

L

ast year Mike Gibson, a retired grocery store manager, noticed his labradoodle Phoebe’s gums bleeding, so he thought she had a dental problem. When her condition worsened even after a round of medication, Phoebe, 9, ended up at the Emergency Animal Hospital where she was diagnosed with an autoimmune deficiency.

“Her white blood cells were gone clean through the roof, causing her to bleed from different parts of her body,” said Gibson, 73, visibly shaken by the memory.

After a brief hospital stay and three months of therapeutics, including blood tests, medications and several blood transfusions, Phoebe has recovered.

“She’s our miracle dog,” said Gibson’s wife of 53 years, Gail Gibson, 71.

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According to veterinarian Jon Dickson, aggressive treatments such as the ones used on Phoebe have the potential to influence human care, and vet clinics are frequently a proving ground. A specialist in small animal care, the UC Davis grad has been with Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital since July. He said many animal docs these days are extending their training into specific areas, branding them as experts.

“Any kind of specialist for humans, there’s a veterinary equivalent,” he said.

Dickson, 28, said the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital offers cuttingedge procedures, treating cancer and tumors with radiation and chemotherapy.

Although the goal is remission, they use lower doses so side effects are minimal.

Continued on page 80

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

care

Dr. Jon Dickson performs a physical exam on Sheep, a poodle-bichon mix. bakersfieldlife.com

79

Continued from page 79

PHOTO BY NICK ELLIS

“You can tell humans, ‘We put you through the grinder and you may be rid of cancer,’ ” he said. “But you can’t tell dogs and cats.”

The physician said veterinary orthopedic specialists treat diseases and injuries such as torn cranial cruciate ligaments located in the back legs. The condition presents as limping, and it’s often treated with surgery.

“It’s a big procedure, but a lot of dogs do well with it,” he said. “It’s the most referred-out procedure.”

Veterinary ophthalmologists can remove cataracts or perform corneal graphs to save sight, but Dickson said cost and good sense might preclude those surgeries.

“We’re more likely to remove the eyes,” he said.

“One-eyed dogs are fairly common.”

The mere mention of 3-D conjures up images of filmgoers wearing identical glasses, but today, 3-D printers create models that assist veterinarians in making accurate incisions during canine orthodontic procedures. Dickson said they’ve also been successful in re-growing jawbones.

Mike and Gail Gibson with their dog, Phoebe.

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

“They put a plate in place of the missing jawbone,” he said. “Then they use a bone polymer that stimulates bone growth.”

Specialty pet care may be hard to come by in Bakersfield, as most veterinary specialists are in Los Angeles or coastal communities. Only a few come into town monthly, according to Dickson. Bakersfield residents may have to drive to benefit from groundbreaking discoveries in veterinary science.

“That’s the unfortunate reality of living in Bakersfield,” he said. “We have access to specialists, but it’s two hours away.”

And the treatments aren’t cheap.

Expert care can run into thousands of dollars, but pet insurance is available. Dickson said he’s also heard of owners making claims through their property insurance to reimburse for animal care.

“Under the law, pets are considered property,” he said.

“It’s all based on what the provider does.”

Gibson said he had a health care policy on Phoebe but cancelled when her advancing age made it cost prohibitive.

More than a year after her last treatment, the gentle-natured pooch with brown eyes reclined on Gail’s lap, gazing up with obvious affection. Mike said Phoebe’s medical bills totaled more than $3,500, but he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“We couldn’t afford it, but we couldn’t afford not to,” said Gail. “She’s like one of our kids.”

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81

Business Profile

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THE LAW OFFICE OF SYLVIA LOPEZ

I

t’s June 28, 1987, attorneys Sylvia Lopez and Daniel Rodriguez introduce the world to their son, Marcos David Rodriguez. The following week, Marcos is lying in his playpen next to his mother’s side as she reviews cases in her office. Little do either of them know that they would one day work side by side as attorneys in the Law Office of Sylvia Lopez.

Contact Information

THE ATTORNEYS – A MOTHER AND SON TEAM

Law Office of Sylvia Lopez 315 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-324-5911 www.lopezlaw.net

Fast forward to March 24, 2014, attorneys Sylvia Lopez and Marcos Rodriguez are standing side by side, facing the entrance to the Superior Court of Kern County. They look at each other and take a deep breath.

Inhale, hold… 1… 2 – for the past year and half, they have embarked on a personal injury case of David-versus-Goliath proportions and today is the day they will begin to present their client’s case to the jurors – 3… 4, exhale. Mother and son give each other one last pep talk and enter the courthouse.

It’s now Dec. 17, 2014, their client, who was made a quad-

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

riplegic in a horrific car crash, is being transported from a sub-acute facility to the warmth and comfort of her home.

Sylvia and Marcos have won a $15.7 milOffice Personnel lion jury verdict – an amount that has allowed their client to Sylvia Lopez – Attorney obtain proper medical Marcos Rodriguez – Attorney care and make the necessary home modiLupe Molina – Office Manager & Personal Injury Paralegal fications so that she Jessica Fuentes – Personal may live the rest of her Injury Legal Assistant life surrounded by Ashleigh Perez – Personal family.

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Injury Legal Assistant Chris Molina – Personal Injury Legal Assistant Estella De La Garza – Workers’ Compensation Paralegal Juana Rincon – Workers’ Compensation Legal Assistant Dalia Perez – Social Security Disability Paralegal Julie Flores – Social Security Disability Legal Assistant Marcy Rendon – Calendar Manager & Receptionist Elizabeth Lopez – File Clerk

The Law Office of Sylvia Lopez represents people who have been injured in car accidents, workers who have been injured while on the job and the severely disabled, who are seeking benefits because they are unable to work. We are advocates for what is right and what is fair. If you are in need of our assistance, contact us for a free consultation.

People & Community

B A K E R S F I E L D M AT T E R S

By Lisa Kimble

A FACEBOOK PAGE OF POSITIVITY

O

ften, it is the littlest of things that can affect the slightest of change – one domino or word of encouragement at a time.

Bakersfield’s Chuck Wall did it with his “random acts of kindness.” Dignity Health set out to do the same with its Humankindness campaign.

And now, Bakersfield residents Jacki Etcheveste and Michelle Ming are hoping to do so as well.

“Michelle and I were saying how sick we were of hearing and reading about bad news, violence, horrible things,” Etcheveste recalled.

Her friend agreed.

“Every time we listen to anything, it is about a crisis or hopelessness,” Ming added. “We wondered why we couldn’t hear about how we are trying to uplift each other. We needed to change the conversation.”

That they did. They created a community page on Facebook, Be the Light that Illuminates 2015, encouraging users of the popular social media site to “like” their page and spread the light virtually.

“We needed some positivity and thought it was time to hear about the good stuff,” Etcheveste said.

There are quotes, photographs of flowers and animals, and notes of motivation from the likes of the Dalai Lama.

A few days into the new year, there was this post: “Don’t be a part of the problem. Be a part of the solution. Seems like a reasonable mantra to strive for.”

Etcheveste, a licensed esthetician and owner of Golden Youth Rejuvenation Centre and Pilates, and Ming, a second-grade teacher at Seibert Elementary, hope that the postings and everyday personal Lisa Kimble interactions will have a domino effect, and the page will become a go-to place for daily doses of

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February 2015

pick-me-ups.

The only mandate is that whatever is shared on the page be affirmative and enriching. The women have also made rubber bracelets that they plan to hand out to Etcheveste’s clients and at Seibert Elementary.

“It seems like there is an imbalance between stories about bad things and uplifting events, and we want to tilt the scale a bit,” Etcheveste said.

So far, their numbers are slight, but friends and relatives in faraway countries have joined their effort as the momentum builds. “Light always overcomes darkness; positivity always overcomes negativity; love always overcomes hate; courage always prevails over fear,” they wrote on the page. In doing so, the women say they are waging their war on darkness and challenging others to follow suit.

“It is a humanity thing. We can be the light. It doesn’t have to be all darkness,” Etcheveste said. “This is the flip side of doom and gloom.”

And in the spirit of paying it forward in an encouraging fashion, they are inviting others with a positive outlook on life to share positive thoughts and be a part of the wattage and brightness.

“We hope to get a conversation going,” Ming said.

The women plan to give it a year, and see where the light beam takes them. By year’s end, they say they will evaluate their effort and have bright hopes of taking it into 2016. I’ve visited the page often and “liked” it.

For your daily dose of illumination and positivity, visit facebook.com/pages/Be-the-LightThat-Illuminates2015/1375398856093180?ref=br_tf

FA M I LY V E R D I C T

By Katy Raytis

THE POWER OF OLD FRIENDSHIPS

T

he other day I got a surprising message from an old friend I haven’t seen in years. Perhaps the unexpected nature of his note contributed to its impact, but his words struck me. Heartfelt and heartbreaking. He is very sick.

It took him just a few simple keystrokes to trigger an acute sense of nostalgia. All of a sudden, I was 22, walking up the hill from Henry’s with a cute water polo player, wondering if he would try to hold my hand or kiss me. I was on a road trip to Tahoe stuck on the side of the road because no one knew how to put chains on the car. I was out to dinner listening to him order a plate of sardines while announcing that he could eat anything since he was a direct descendant of the Donner party.

That’s the thing about old friendships. They offer a window in time, where you can look back at the person you used to be. It’s a life Katy Raytis I almost don’t remember I ever even had, like scenes from an old movie, except with all the rough edges softened and smoothed out.

He got me thinking about friendship in general. Family friends. Childhood friends. College friends. That varied array of people who have cycled in and out of my life, whose names and faces I can still recall, and whose memories are now wrapped wistful appreciation and fondness.

In my current stage of life, friendship is born more of common circumstance than common interest. Take work friends, for instance. You eventually become friends with the guy in the office next door because you see him every day.

You meet for lunch. You learn about his kids and his ex. You tease him about his dance moves at the office Christmas party. He is your friend.

Then there are the parents of your kids’ friends. These are the bonds formed over pizza at Chuck E. Cheese’s or in the school pick-up line. Thrown together by the coincidence of having selected the same school or birthed a child in the same year, you forge through milestones of the kindergarten program, the science fair and student body elections. These people are your friends. They have loaned you a camping chair at the soccer park. They have seen you cry when report cards come out. And they have shared your angst and helplessness as you collectively discover that no parent has any actual control.

There are also neighborhood friends. These are the friends who appreciate the value of not having to drive home from a fun night out. Geographic proximity fans the flames of friendship in a special way, particularly when there are lots of beers at the neighborhood barbecue. These friends feed your dog when you are out of town, let you borrow their babysitter, and call for an impromptu potluck because they have nothing in the refrigerator except milk and ketchup.

They are also important when it comes to the carpool.

I do not mean to discount this brand of friendship. My law partners are two of my best friends in the world. I have formed eternal bonds in the school parking lot. And I certainly have no secrets in the neighborhood.

But there is a level of friendship that is unique when it is forged in youthful days of promise and potential. Shared moments growing up together, discovering life and love, finding your way in the world. This bond is powerful and persistent. It weathers absence and distance and welcomes you back 20 years later with a sweet, sentimental and unexpected message. And it carries a kind of comfort that can only come from someone who knows whom you used to be, rather than who you are, like a time machine whisking you back to easier, carefree days.

In the storm of memories that followed from his message, one stands out. We had watched a sad movie and I cried throughout the whole thing. As we got in the car to leave the theater, he told me he was really glad to see me cry since it meant that I might actually be capable of having feelings. I laughed then. Twenty years later, I am laughing again.

Yes, dear friend, I am capable of having feelings, especially old feelings.

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People & Community A RESCUER’S OWN RESCUE Marley’s Mutts founder on a mission to save those that saved him

By Lisa Kimble

I

t is hard to know where the motto for the local dog rescue program Marley’s Mutts, “Rescued dogs, rescuing people,” meets the journey to rebirth of its founder, Zach Skow. But this much is clear: If dog is man’s best friend, it has been Skow’s lifesaver.

At 35, Skow is the picture of health. There is no hint that the good-looking “walking miracle” was at death’s door just seven years ago. He is as candid as he is articulate about what is undoubtedly his Rottweiler-pitbull Marley’s most important rescue – himself.

Born and raised in Hermosa Beach, the twin son of accomplished parents, he bounced around the South Bay, attended college in San Diego and lived in St. Louis. No wonder he considers himself a nomad.

An automobile accident in 2003 left him with multiple injuries and in severe pain. He self-medicated with alcohol. By 2008, living and working in Tempe, Arizona, he had included drugs in his daily cocktail. He said he was leading a full-blown, around-theclock, self-loathing existence destined for injury or incarceration. Skow said he was molested by a family member and never lived up to others’ expectations.

“The only way I knew how to cope with self-esteem loss was to turn to alcohol,” he remembered.

In 2008, he moved to Bear Valley Springs to live with his father. It had become a matter of life or death. He had been slowly medicating himself to death, and was in end-stage liver and kidney failure.

He spent six weeks in the hospital.

“I was the sickest person I had ever seen in my entire life,” he said.

Nobody expected him to live. After seven blood transfusions and being turned down by as many California hospitals with organ programs, he was accepted into CedarsSinai’s Comprehensive Transplant Center program.

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PERSONALITY

The turning point, Skow believes, was when his physician took him off the dozen medications he had become dependent on.

“My body began to rebuild itself, and the dogs and my dad never left my side,” he said.

Thirteen-year-old Marley, along with Tugg, a Lab mix, and Buddy, a cocker spanieldachshund, were his rehab.

“The dogs pulled me out of that black hole,” Skow said.

He began journaling, walking and taking on a new routine.

“I took to wellness and exercise the way I used to take to alcohol,” he remembered.

By 2009, when he was eligible for a transplant, he said he no longer needed it.

Several years before Skow’s metamorphic experience, he began volunteering at the Tehachapi Humane Society. He noticed the difficulty older volunteers had with larger dogs.

“I really enjoyed the instantaneous exchange of love with the animals,” he said.

He also had a great association to namedrop at his upcoming high school reunion. In 2006, Skow helped launch the Society’s Large Dog Foster program. After his ordeal and his health beginning to improve, so, too, did the amount of time he devoted to rescue dogs, especially the larger and dangerous ones.

In the spring of 2009, Skow opened Marley’s Mutts as a business. He applied for nonprofit status and was approved on the second anniversary of his sobriety. He created a website and added one or two dogs at a time, rehabilitating them and finding them adoptive homes.

Self-taught, Skow said he relied heavily on his four-legged inspiration.

“Marley was my pack leader,” he said.

“He established the symbiotic harmony, which is so essential to pack living.”

Several thousand dogs later, Skow also counts on a large foster and volunteer network he calls the Mutt Militia, and guest trains for Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer.”

There is a Marley’s Mutts in San Francisco, people follow the rescued dogs’ stories on social media and Skow presses ahead in his goal to make Kern County a no-kill stray and rescued animal community.

“It is an awful example for our kids,” he said. Unlike Skow’s example of rebirth and rehabilitation.

“There was a time when I was resigned to the fact that I was a throw-away human being,” he said. “I didn’t think I could or would amount to anything. But dogs have a way of calling our bluff.”

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

Zach Skow of Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mutts credits his four-legged friends with saving him.

Skow is seen here with, from top to bottom, Blue, Juevos, Maggie and Hooch. bakersfieldlife.com

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People & Community

H O M E TOW N H E R O

SCOTT AND SKYE MARTIN Lieutenant, Naval Aviator U.S. Navy and First Lieutenant, First Marine Division Public Affairs Officer U.S. Marines Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Why I joined: Scott: Thanks to my family, I was

exposed to aviation at a young age. By the time I was in eighth grade, I had met at least a dozen well-known aerospace pioneers who had done their duty, including Chuck Yeager, John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. Their leg88

Bakersfield Life Magazine

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Skye Martin and her older brother, Navy Lt. Scott Martin, attend the I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Corps Birthday Ball in San Diego on Nov. 10, 2013.

endary careers began in the military and I heard that landing on ships was hard, so I chose the Navy.

Skye: My interest in joining the Armed Forces went hand in hand with my older brother’s acceptance to the USNA. He and I have always been very close, and I have always looked up to him. Throughout his four years there, I became more and more impressed with an institution that was thoroughly invested in developing the leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps.

Favorite place visited as a service member: Scott: On my second deployment, we

stopped in Japan and I got to fly up to Mount Fuji where a very brave hawk almost flew through my windscreen.

February 2015

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKYE MARTIN

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y serving with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Tehachapi natives and siblings Scott and Skye Martin are following in their father’s, grandfather’s and each other’s footsteps. Both received appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy, just four years apart.

Scott was first, graduating from the USNA in 2007 with a degree in aerospace engineering. He completed flight training in Florida before his assignment to a Navy helicopter squadron in San Diego, while Skye began the USNA’s grueling Plebe summer program before her first year at the academy.

Cumulatively, Scott has spent over one year at sea flying operational missions from Navy cruisers, destroyers, frigates and the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson across the Eastern and Western Pacifics, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

His sister, Skye, graduated from USNA in 2011 with a degree in honors oceanography, then received her master’s in environmental science from Johns Hopkins. She joined the Marines, graduating from Marine Corps Basic School in 2012. Skye recently returned from Afghanistan, where she led public affairs operations and trainings for both U.S. and Afghan militaries. Skye has followed her passion for singing while in the military and sang the national anthem at a recent Padres’ game via video from Afghanistan.

After serving in separate countries and continents, Scott and Skye now work close by each other in San Diego, he at Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific and she at Camp Pendleton. When they can, the two visit family in Tehachapi.

Skye: I spent 26 days straight backpacking in Wyoming as part of National Outdoor Leadership School, flew in a T-34, submerged in a submarine, crewed a racing sailboat from Annapolis to Newport, Rhode Island, and back, and a lot more.

Valuable lesson learned while serving: Skye: Be flexible. When we left for

Afghanistan, I honestly didn’t know if I’d be coming home in July or November. On the day we were scheduled to depart for Afghanistan I made the trek onto base with my mom and brother, but as I hoisted my hefty, 70-pound deployer bag out of the car, someone ran up and told me our flight was delayed 22 hours. So, of course, we went to see “Frozen.”

the boat is my next “greatest accomplishment.” Teaching others to employ our airframe tactically is also very rewarding.

Challenges of serving: Scott: Leadership, particularly off the

flight line. Personal challenges, family or financial issues outside of work can sometimes get in the way, so it has frequently been my role to help sailors resolve these issues.

Skye: Life goes on in your absence. My brother was deployed when I graduated from USNA. I missed my dad’s 60th birthday. It’s made me cherish the moments that I do have with my friends and family instead of focusing on those I’m missing.

Favorite memory: Scott: Being there for my sister’s gradua-

tion from Marine Corps Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. I missed her graduation from the Naval Academy in 2011 while on deployment, but was very proud to see her recognized at TBS, and I was honored when

she asked me to conduct her promotion to first lieutenant.

Skye: (Our linguist) grew up in Afghanistan and Pakistan and then moved to the U.S. after waiting 11 years to get his visa. I later found out that once he got that visa, he and his family left for the States within 48 hours. He said: “I love America because if you want to do something, you can do it; if you want to be something, you can be it. America has opportunity.”

PHOTO BY SGT. FRANCES JOHNSON

Greatest accomplishment: Scott: Every safe landing on the back of

Most frightening moment in the service: Scott: There’s nothing quite like helicop-

ter emergencies, particularly over the ocean, at night, without night vision goggles.

Advice for someone thinking about joining the service: Skye: The Marine Corps and the other

branches of military service present several unique opportunities. Unlike other career options, you have very real responsibility from the very beginning. While your work is significant, it’s centered on those you lead and the mission you must accomplish.

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Skye Martin poses with Joey, a former improvised explosive device detection dog, outside the Regional Command (Southwest) Headquarters in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

BAKERSFIELD’S MUSIC DEALER for more than 37 years • Pianos and Keyboards • Band Instruments/ Rentals • Music Lessons • Acoustic/Electric Guitars • Piano Moving/Tuning • Repair Department • Sheet Music 100 Oak Street (corner of Oak/Stockdale) 327-5397 • californiakeyboards.com

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People & Community

WHY I LIVE HERE

JOSIAH LORSUNG Young artist finds love and decides to stay Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Your favorite place in Bakersfield: (It) would have to be Desiree’s parents’ home and Sandrini’s Bar. Your neighborhood: I live near Mercy Hospital downtown. I love being close to the art district and seeing downtown grow into a cultural hub.

Your favorite local restaurant: Kan Pai Sushi.

What surprises you about Bakersfield?

One thing I was very surprised about was how active the downtown development is.

There are some amazing changes coming that I am really excited about, like the plan to renovate the art district and what that means for new businesses.

Favorite memory in Bakersfield: When I first saw Desiree outside Dagny’s coffee shop.

We were both talking to our friends about 90

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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

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akersfield is no New York City art mecca, but the expanding downtown arts district offered young artist Josiah Lorsung something to stay for. Outside Dagny’s Coffee Company at the corner of 19th and Eye streets, Desiree Giffard stole the Minnesota native’s heart, and even though his digital advertising job moved on to Colorado, he’s staying here for her.

Lorsung, a media designer, digital painter and 3-D print artist, wouldn’t settle for the conventional proposal. So the pastor’s kid got a little “unorthodox.” On the anniversary of their first meeting, Lorsung seated Giffard in Sandrini’s Restaurant and Bar, in the exact spot of their first conversation. Lorsung called the lights and suddenly his and Giffard’s families and closest friends formed a flash mob, dancing to Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good.”

“Desiree likes to say I came from the town of ‘Footloose,’ ” said Lorsung. “But I must not have been that bad because she said, ‘Yes!’” The two will stay close to Giffard’s family in Bakersfield, contributing to the local art scene and planning their Bakersfield wedding for fall 2015.

Josiah Lorsung and his fiancee, Desiree Giffard, at Wall St. Cafe.

each other and didn’t know it. It was her Canadian tuxedo that caught my eye.

Bakersfield’s best-kept secret: Sushiko.

It is one of the few sushi restaurants you can go to on a Sunday when most are closed; and it has a sushi roll with bacon on it!

Three words that best describe Bakersfield: Developing, gifted, pungent. I think

this town has so much potential; we are growing so fast and it’s wonderful. I think a lot of our development has to do with our gifted residents. We have a large amount of talented artists, musicians, culinary artists, architects, business professionals and many more. But I think Bakersfield’s real challenge is creating opportunities to keep them here.

February 2015

As far as “pungent” (goes), we have an air problem that needs serious attention.

Vacation spot: Our favorite place to vacation, hands down, is Long Beach where Desiree went to college. The weather is always beautiful, it’s full of cool vintage stores, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and many of her friends still live there.

Favorite community event: The First Friday Art Walk downtown every month. We run into a lot of people we know in the art community, and we like to support local artists/crafters.

Looking forward to in Bakersfield this year: I’m personally most excited for our

wedding coming in the fall of 2015.

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People & Community

A L L- S TA R AT H L E T E

CALIFORNIA CHROME

California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza win the $250,000 California Cup Derby horse race at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California.

By Stephen Lynch

I

n the sport of horse racing, the state of Kentucky is the undisputed king when it comes to producing Triple Crown race winners.

But last spring it was a horse from the Golden State, not the Blue Grass State, that dominated the sport and captured the imagination of the entire country.

California Chrome, foaled at Harris Farms near Coalinga, narrowly missed out on becoming horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

The chestnut-colored colt, owned by Perry Martin of Yuba City and Steve Coburn of Topaz Lake, Nevada, won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes – the first two jewels of the Triple Crown – before finishing in a dead heat for fourth place in the Belmont Stakes. (Steve and his wife Carolyn are formerly of Kern County, having spent years living in Bakersfield and Lamont; their Kern connection has generated a local Chrome fan base).

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BENOIT PHOTO

‘Horse of the Year’ winner has strong fan base in Central Valley, Kern

At the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes, it was discovered that California Chrome was stepped on by another horse at the start of the race causing damage to his right-front heel.

That injury, along with a field full of well-rested horses that skipped the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, including the winner Tonalist and a grueling 1.5-mile distance, proved too much for California Chrome to overcome.

California Chrome, who won the 2014 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year Jan. 17, had won six races in a row going into the Belmont Stakes.

Nicknamed Junior in honor of his sire Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has won nine of his 16 career starts and amassed more than $4.2 million in winnings.

That total will likely increase as California Chrome’s owners plan on continue racing him this year.

California Chrome, whose name originated from his place of breeding and flashy white markings, finished third and sixth in his first two races after the Belmont but returned to the winner’s circle his last time out in the Hollywood Derby on Nov. 29

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California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza.

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One of the most popular horses currently still racing, California Chrome’s fans are known as Chromies.

Much of his fan base hails from the Central Valley.

Last year, the City of Fresno proclaimed Oct. 11, as “California Chrome Day.” That came after both branches of the state legislature passed resolution honoring him for all of his accomplishments.

California Chrome lived at Harris Ranch until he was 2 years old.

It was at that age that the colt began his racing career, taking second place in his first start, a maiden race at Hollywood Park.

Three weeks later California Chrome picked up his first career win in a similar race at the same venue.

But after winning just one of his next four races, California Chrome’s trainer Art Sherman decided to make a jockey switch, selecting Victor Espinoza as the horse’s new rider.

The move was an immediate success as California Chrome, with Espinoza aboard him, won four races in a row, including the prestigious Santa Anita Derby, heading into the Kentucky Derby.

The morning line favorite at odds of 5-2, California Chrome drew post position five but bided his time early in the race before powering to the lead in the final turn to become only the fourth California-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Two weeks later, California Chrome was just as impressive in winning the Preakness Stakes.

However, like 12 other horses over the past 36 years, the Belmont Stakes derailed his Triple Crown bid.

Despite coming up one jewel short of the Triple Crown, in December, California Chrome was selected for the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, established by Penny Chenery, the owner of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. bakersfieldlife.com

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People & Community

TA L K O F T H E T O W N

Interim county animal control director Nick Cullen and George, a Rottweiler puppy.

ANIMALS’ NEW BEST FRIEND Interim county animal control services director looks to priorities

By Gabriel Ramirez

Photos by Mark Nessia

W

ith this issue focused on our lovable furry relatives and friends, Bakersfield Life reached out to Nick Cullen, interim director of Kern County Animal Services, to find out his priority list this season.

Nick Cullen took over as interim director in January, replacing Shyanne Schull who left the county agency chief role for a similar position in Reno, Nevada. He served previously as the Kern County Animal Services Shelter supervisor, so he’s familiar with the agency’s priorities and challenges.

The Kern County Animal Services Department runs three shelters in the county: 3951 Fruitvale Ave. in Bakersfield; 923 Poole St. in Mojave; and 14891 Highway 178 in Lake Isabella.

Each site provides shelter and care for lost/stray animals while staffers work to reunite lost pets with their owners or find new adoptive homes for strays.

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Kern County Animal Services houses dogs and cats that are ready to be adopted.

February 2015

Cullen said the department has incorporated many programs to help reduce pet overpopulation and educate the public about responsible pet ownership. Programs include TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release for cats) and PEET (Public Education & Enforcement Team, which provides door-to-door canvassing in neighborhoods). Other services offer monthly and weekly low-cost vaccinations, licensing and microchipping clinics to assist pet owners.

Cullen said the agency relies on a strong, robust volunteer program that allows the community to get involved and make a difference in the lives of homeless and neglected pets.

“Together, volunteers and staff are working to help pets and people alike. Our goal is to make Kern County Animal Services a community resource for the public and to help educate pet owners on how to become a responsible pet owner, as opposed to just being a dispensary for lost and

unwanted animals,” Cullen said. “I truly believe that this community deserves an organization that not only preaches responsible pet ownership but can provide all of the tools one would need to better themselves as an animal owner. I believe pet owners want easy and efficient access to affordable spay and neuter (programs). They want to see an end to adoptable pets being put down. They want to see an end to animal hoarding in the County of Kern. Thankfully, we as a department share those same concerns, and are committed to working together with pet owners and the public to solve these issues.”

According to Cullen, the department will continue to develop its current programs, while implementing additional programs to move further and further away from the old “pound” mentality.

“The biggest problem by far that we face, as a community,

is the overpopulation of dogs and cats in our communities and our shelters, which is why the department puts a huge emphasis on education and outreach efforts through our staff and volunteers,” Cullen said. These efforts include relying on “our PEET members, animal control officers and the use of innovative ways to reach the public through social media.”

Cullen said the agency will seek proactive methods to address the challenges of finding homes for sheltered pets.

“Our staff focuses on adoptions and live outcomes,” Cullen said. “We focus on treating potential adopters as lifesavers because that is what they are. We will also be looking at ways we can increase the number of lost pets that can be reunited with their owners.”

Cullen said he has always had a love for animals and

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A Trap-Neuter-Release program is being used by Kern County Animal Services to reduce the population of stray cats.

Continued from page 95 could not imagine working in any other field. This is where his passion lies and he feels blessed to be able to lead a great team of people.

“I am proud to be a part of an organization that provides a number of low-cost alternatives for pet owners who want to spay or neuter their animals,” Cullen said.

“Every journey begins with one step, and I do The shelter’s primary believe that this goal is to find homes for department and the lost and stray animals. community that supports us has taken that first step on a path that will eventually culminate with Kern County becoming a model for other communities that face the same challenges.”

Cullen added that the agency is always seeking help. He said the agency is seeking more volunteers who can assist at the shelter or at special events. If people can’t volunteer, he said the agency needs donors to donate items and/or money that can be used for purchasing items that the shelter and 96

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February 2015

Nick Cullen goes over inventory with senior animal care worker Lisa Richardson, evaluating animals for adoption candidates, behavior problems and illnesses.

animals need.

“In addition, (we need people to be) spreading the message about responsible pet ownership,” Cullen said. “The more people talk about it and see it happening, the more people will take notice and make changes in the way they treat their own pets. A pet is a lifetime commitment, and we want people to understand exactly what that means when they bring a new friend into the family.”

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People & Community

Catherine E. Bennett

O U R TOW N

Kathleen O’Neal Gear

Geoffrey B. King

THREE HONORED TO CSUB HALL OF FAME Attorney, author and accountant join exclusive club

By Mark Nessia

E

very year the CSUB Alumni Association inducts a select few to the CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame and every year the decision gets more and more difficult.

With more than 43,000 alumni, the process of narrowing down the nominations by the CSUB Hall of Fame committee is absolutely critical.

“The committee has to dig into the nominations received, follow up with nominators for additional information, learn from the campus as much as they can about the nominee, then vet candidates through a nomination review to determine who meets the highest standards to be awarded the CSUB Hall of Fame awardee designation,” said CSUB Alumni Association President David Loomis.

After an extensive process, only three have been added to the exclusive club.

The CSUB Alumni Association will induct Catherine E. Bennett, Kathleen O’Neal Gear and Geoffrey B. King to the CSUB Alumni Hall of Fame Feb. 28 at the Petroleum Club of Bakersfield.

Bennett (classes of 1980 and 1991) specializes in appellate law and is certified by the State Bar of California Board

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of Legal Specialization. She has five published appellate cases and is a former president of the Kern County Bar Association, serving on the State Bar of California Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services for five years.

She was challenged by Dr. Jeffry Spencer to become a better writer as an undergraduate and discovered a love of the confluence of law and business while working on her MBA, which led her to law school.

“My love of, and skill in, writing led me to become an appellate lawyer,” she said. “Without CSUB at two important turns in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Gear (class of 1977) is the author of 43 novels, including titles among the NY Times, USA Today and international best sellers. Her work has appeared in more than 100 nonfiction publications in the archaeology and history fields.

“The education I received at CSUB was the foundation for every book I have ever written and probably every meaningful thing I have ever accomplished,” Gear said. “I was taught to think critically at CSUB, to imagine infinite possibilities, question everything and weigh issues with a disciplined philosophical and historical eye and I have relied on those teachings throughout my life.”

There are currently 17 million copies of Gear’s books in print.

King (class of 1976) came in with the initial freshman class when the school was still known as Cal State Bakersfield. He has been a shareholder of Barbich, Hooper, King, Dill and Hoffman since 1985 and has 38 years of public accounting experience. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs and has served on the AICPA Peer Review Board as chairman of the CSCPAA Peer Review Committee. His education at CSUB was the foundation for his career.

“We had a great learning environment with relatively small classes,” King said. “With the help of my CSUB education, I was able to develop the skills, tools and entrepreneurial spirit to succeed in my profession over the last 40 years.”

Inductees must have received their degrees five years prior to selection, and are chosen based on professional success and accomplishments, awards and recognitions, involvement with the community and university and more.

For more information about the Hall of Fame or Alumni Association activities, contact CSUB Alumni Relations at 654-3211 or visit csub.edu/alumni.

Pismo Beach

People & Community

FOR A CAUSE

SAVING KERN COUNTY ANIMALS THROUGH SURGERY Critters Without Litters two years on

By Emily Shapiro

Photos by Mark Nessia

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et overpopulation kills. Just ask Larry Keller, who undertook a project of goliath proportions with his wife, Joann.

“As business owners and long-time residents, we had waited for years to see someone, anyone, step up and start doing something to stop all of the killing happening in the shelters,” said Larry Keller, as he recounted

Dr. Steven Jefferson, left, and Josh Lopez inspect a cat to make sure it is healthy enough for surgery.

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how awful the situation truly was. “The newspaper ran photos of dead animals in barrels on the front page and still nothing ever seemed to change. We decided that if no one else was going to do something, it came down to us.”

The Kellers, after a first attempt in 2010 to help pit bulls and pit bull mixes through a sterilization voucher program, started a nonprofit dubbed Critters Without Litters (CWL) in October of 2012 with help from Humane Alliance. The need is great, as CWL’s Executive Director Vicky Thrasher estimated that in 2013 over 16,000 pets were euthanized in shelters, most for lack of a home.

CWL’s mission aims to provide subsidized high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services. The fees, from $40-$80 depending upon the gender and weight of the animal, can be reduced by vouchers from area organizations and rescues.

So far, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit has performed nearly 18,000 surgeries and started a trap-neuter-release program

Critters Without Litters 4300 Stine Road Suite 720 By appointment only 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.

831-6000 www.critterswithoutlitters.org The clinic is in need of the following items: • Paper towels • Baby wipes • Hard-sided crates/kennels – all sizes • 45-gallon trash bags • Simple Green cleaning solution For a complete list of needed items, visit their website.

AUGUST 6-13, 2015 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS $

1,870* Per Person

Experience Includes:

Founder Larry Keller with 7-month-old boxer Lilly and 4year-old maltipoo Suni. Keller acts as a “critter greeter,” greeting pets and their owners as they arrive.

called Community Cats. Feral and stray cats contribute greatly to the overpopulation of animals. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an unaltered female cat and her offspring can have 370,000 kittens in seven years. For Thrasher, who calls herself an “unabashed cat junkie,” a solution to the killing of these animals is the trap-neuter-release (TNR) program.

“It’s a far better option than simply catching and killing cats for no other reason than the fact that they have no permanent address to call home,” said Thrasher. She added that CWL is a partner with the county’s community cats program. They recently reported that over 1,700 cats were fixed and released instead of being captured and euthanized. CWL rents traps and packages for those who want

• 7 nights accommodation in the 5-star Grange City Hotel on a bed & continental breakfast basis • Panoramic tour of London in a vintage open top bus • Cruise on the River Thames • Tour of Oxford, Brampton and Highclere Castle (where Downton Abbey was filmed) • Receive a signed copy of Lady Carnarvon’s autobiography (limited supply) • All entrance fees and taxes included $1870 per person based on two persons sharing a room.

Full day itinerary available on request. Single supplement

Contact: Ron Biglin 3501 Mall View Rd., Ste. 104 • Bakersfield

T: 661.872.3940 E: ronb@kerntravel.com Hotels extensions, theater tickets, other sightseeing excursions available. Please inquire. *Price is per person, land only based on double occupancy and subject to availability, International airfare is not included.

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Dr. Sukhjit Dhaliwal examines a dog to ensure it is good for surgery.

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to help their community cats.

Both Thrasher and Keller estimate that CWL has helped to stop over 72,000 animals from entering shelter space. They based these very conservative estimates on the number of surgeries performed multiplied by four (the number of possible offspring each neutered or spayed pet could have had).

Only two years into the project, CWL has made huge strides in spaying and neutering stray animals in the area. CWL has also helped raise community awareness about spaying and neutering and has worked with local government to solve the problem.

“Two years later, we still feel great about the decision we made to open the clinic,” Larry Keller said. “People are talking about the importance of spaying and neutering more than we’ve seen in years ... It’s progress.”

Their progress is evident by the sheer numbers of those coming in and how fast the clinic is growing. On opening day, CWL performed 11 surgeries. Now, the clinic performs anywhere from 45 to 60 surgeries each day. Its staff of seven has grown to 12 as word has spread about CWL through other animal organizations like the Bakersfield SPCA, the city and county shelters, Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation, Marley’s Mutts and Kern Humane.

Larry Keller explained that to grow and help more pets, CWL needs more storage space. They are in the process of procuring a 20-foot shipping container to put behind the clinic.

In terms of the future, CWL will continue offering their services to the community until Kern becomes a nokill county, one in which over 90 percent of the animals in shelters are rescued or adopted.

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People & Community

I N S I D E STO RY

HIGH-END FASHION FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND

By Shelby Parker

Photos by Mark Nessia

D

ogs might be man’s best friend, but man has certainly learned to return the favor by pampering and spoiling their beloved pooches, something that Biscuit Boutique & Doggy Spa, located at 1617 19th St., specializes in.

Bonnie Tomlinson, owner of the doggy boutique (formerly called High End, Little Dog) bought the store in 2007.

Tomlinson had previously owned an online doggy boutique site, and people constantly asked if she had visited the dog spa shop in town. One day, she decided to pay it a visit and heard that the owner was looking to sell. As fate would have it, Tomlinson’s daughter was a groomer in Tehachapi.

“It was just one of those things where everything fell into place,” Tomlinson said. “It was meant to be.”

The boutique sells designer collars, clothes, bags, shampoos, treats, beds and more. Juicy Couture, Ed Hardy and Jonathan Adler are a few of the designer brands they offer. Some of the more popular items include the “Bag Your Own” treats and of course, this time of year, they sell sweaters and coats, especially for smaller dogs. Tomlinson added that she is also looking to add more home goods to offer passersby a variety of items. They try to offer as much as possible, but if there is something they don’t have, they will work to get it.

As for the doggy spa, it offers full-service grooming for all breeds as well as baths. By appointment, dog owners can even have their pets’ nails done, as long as it is before 2 p.m. The pets certainly make themselves at home, lounging around and making friends with the other dogs.

Longtime customer, Debbie Stevenson sings their praises.

“She’s like part of the (boutique’s) family,” Stevenson said of her dog, Stinker.

“They look forward to seeing her and I think she looks forward to seeing them.”

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Stinker, a shih tzu, is all smiles after her weekly grooming at Biscuit Boutique & Doggy Spa.

The Valentine's Day section at Biscuit Boutique features chew toys, pajamas and sweaters. Boutique manager Tera Henry sets up a section for each major holiday.

Jan Morrison brushes golden doodle Dillan at Biscuit Boutique & Doggy Spa. Morrison has 35 years of grooming experience and has been at Biscuit Boutique for five.

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H I STO RY

CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO

People & Community

In this Feb. 10, 1945 file photo, Vice President Harry S. Truman plays the piano as actress Lauren Bacall lies on top of it during her appearance at the National Press Club canteen in Washington.

PRESIDENTIAL ROMANTICS WHO NEVER GAVE UP ON LOVE A presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love is not only for his country

By Jeff Nickell 106

Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

T

he president of the United States is thought of as the leader of the free world. But each one of them is a human being and thus, love is not lost on them. Throughout the course of U.S. history, the tales of blooming and everlasting presidential love can be seen in love letters and various other mediums. Late presidents Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan, other than their dealing with state, national and world affairs, were head-over-heels in love.

Reagan, first Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governor and much later our president, made several trips to Bakersfield and Kern County.

With shovel in hand, he presided over the groundbreaking of

California State College, Bakersfield, now upgraded to university status. Reagan was well-known for bringing down the Berlin Wall and ending the Cold War; however, he was also a hopeless eloquent romantic. He sent notes to his second wife, Nancy, that showed his adoration and affection for her. Reagan was a prolific writer with a book published with hundreds of letters (only a small selection of the letters he wrote).

He began writing letters to Nancy during their courtship and kept doing so until Alzheimer’s made it impossible for him to continue.

Although their marriage did not occur on Valentine’s Day, he wrote Nancy a note with the following passage: “Feb. 14 may be the date they observe and call Valentine’s Day, but that is for people of ordinary luck. I happen to have a Valentine’s life, which started on March 4, 1952 and will continue as long as I have you.” For their 31st anniversary, he wrote, “I more than love you, I’m not whole without you. You are life itself to me. When you are gone I’m waiting for you to return so I can start to live again.”

Truman was actually smitten with Bess Wallace ever since they attended Sunday school together. He saw her often as his aunt and uncle lived across the street from the Wallace family. Harry Truman spent a decade courting Bess. He wrote her letters, but she did not have the same feelings for much of that time. At one point, after Bess had rejected his courting,

the future president wrote: “I suppose that I am too crazy about you anyway. Every time I see you, I get more so if it is possible. I know I haven’t any right to but there are certain things that can’t be helped, and that is one of them.” Bess finally fell in love with Harry just before the start of World War I. Truman kept her picture in his shirt pocket for the duration of the war. They wrote letters during the war and kept writing after their marriage on June 28, 1919.

After Truman became president, and World War II had ended, he wrote the following passage from the Potsdam Conference where the Soviet Union, United Kingdom and United States were deciding how to rebuild Europe: “It made me homesick when — The late president I talked to you yesterday morning. It Ronald Reagan in love seemed as if you were just around the letter to wife, Nancy corner, if 6,000 miles can be just around the corner. I spent the day after the call trying to think up reasons why I should bust up the Conference and go home.”

Both president and first lady were on the specially made train car Magellan when Truman was stumping for re-election on his famous Whistle Stop Tour as it stopped in Bakersfield on Sept. 23, 1948. They did not want to be apart.

“

I happen to have a Valentine’s life… as long as I have you.

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People & Community

POWER COUPLE

Cynthia and Drake Massey with their German shepherd, Zyra.

DRAKE AND CYNTHIA MASSEY Couple finds love endures amid faith, commitment Compiled by Bakersfield Life

S

ometimes, your longtime friend (or your brother’s best friend) can be your true love.

That’s what Cynthia Massey, a sales support manager for Lightspeed Systems Inc., realized several years ago when she began dating Drake, a patrol commander with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. The Delano pair had been friends since junior high school, but didn’t become close until after he 108

Bakersfield Life Magazine

February 2015

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

truly adored him. So having that solid foundation of friendship, I knew he was the one that I could trust and love forever.

Drake: Keep in mind I had this “puppy love” thing for Cynthia since about junior high, but she would never have anything to do with me. Consequently, I ended up dating one of her friends for a long time. One day, when we were about 18 or 19 years old, we ended up seeing each other at a little gathering in Delano, and I worked up the nerve to talk with her privately. I told her how I felt about her, and I talked her into a kiss. The kiss sealed the deal for me. I knew she was the one. Cynthia was not impressed with my outpouring of feelings, however, and she still wouldn’t have anything to do with me. It took seven more years before she came to her senses and gave me a chance. They say “timing is everything” and that was the case for Cynthia and me. Our life situations during that time period brought us together and we have been together ever since.

had become best friends with her brother, Pete Lopez, who is now a sergeant with the Delano Police Department, and the couple reconnected as adults.

A few months ago, the Masseys celebrated 20 years of marriage, although they both jokingly admit that they miscounted and thought it was 19. They are proud parents of Dalton, a freshman at Centennial High School and Bo, who is in the U.S. Navy and will be stationed in San Diego this year. The pair stays working in their professions, spending time with Dalton and their German shepherd, Zyra, working out together and supporting local law enforcement activities.

We asked the pair to share a little more about their relationship with our readers.

How did you know he/she was the one?

Cynthia: As friends, I respected and

What are you most proud of about your wife/husband?

Cynthia: I am so proud of Drake for

his drive to always improve personally and professionally. I know he does this not only for himself but also for his family. He has worked hard to get his master’s degree, begin teaching and has become very successful at his job with the Sheriff’s Office. He also works hard on maintaining a healthy lifestyle by finding new challenges in his workouts and diet.

Drake: I am most proud of Cynthia’s patience and understanding as she has had to endure over 20 years of living with a husband who has had a very demanding career. A law enforcement officer’s job can be very hard on a family. The odd work schedules, SWAT callouts in the middle of the night, and missed holidays and kids’ birthdays can take a toll on a family. It takes a very special person to put up with all those weird career demands. Cynthia has taken it all in stride and kept our family in smooth running order. I am extremely proud of her for that.

How do you balance work, kids and time together?

Cynthia: We work as a team and

know that it is important for us to attend any school or extra curricular activities

for Dalton. We take turns driving him to his music lessons twice a week. During the workweek, we always have dinner together and throw in a family board game here and there. Weekends are open to whatever Dalton suggests, but now that he is a teenager, we find that he doesn’t always want to hang with us so it gives us more alone time together. When Bo, our oldest son, visits from the East Coast, we make sure to always do something special with him before he goes back.

Drake: Life can be hectic with work and kids. The only way to tackle it is through teamwork. Cynthia and I divide up and share the day-to-day tasks, but I will openly admit she still ends up doing more than me. Overall, I think she would agree we are a great family duo. As far as time together, we just seek out opportunities as time will allow. Sometimes quality time for us is as simple as taking a walk around the block together or holding hands at church. As our youngest son has

gotten older, it is getting a little easier for us to get away for the weekend.

What’s your secret to a happy marriage?

Cynthia: Everyone knows that the

secret to a good marriage is constant communication, respect and trust. Having a few similar interests is also vital to a marriage in order to share them together.

Drake and I are always goofing off and laughing, too. But most importantly, I truly believe that having faith in God has made us a stronger and happier couple as well.

Drake: Faith and compromise. I learned a long time ago to trust in God and compromise with your wife. When all else fails, just say, “Yes, dear.”

What’s your favorite weekend activity to do together?

Cynthia: We strive to stay physically

fit and healthy so going to the gym or running/hiking outdoors together is a

weekend ritual.

Drake: Our favorite weekend activities usually involve something outdoors.

For example, we love hiking and running.

We frequently seek out one-day hikes in places like San Luis Obispo, Catalina Island or Ventura. Our day hikes are a great way to get the family and our German shepherd outside to get some exercise and enjoy quality conversation with one another.

What’s his/her best quality?

Cynthia: Drake is an honest man and

true to his word at work, his relationships and to himself. He is a man of great integrity and leadership, which greatly benefits his sons, not to mention people at work.

Drake: One of Cynthia’s best qualities is her unwavering dedication to our family. Cynthia has a simplistic formula for keeping our family life in order. She guides my boys and me by way of faith, love and focus. It’s as simple as that really.

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People & Community

REAL PEOPLE

UNIQUELY CHIC BLOSSOMS FROM GRANDMOTHER’S LOVE Local florist grows community with unique arrangements

By Elizabeth Castillo

T

Lacey Carter of Uniquely Chic Florist & Boutique.

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February 2015

Photos by Mark Nessia

here’s no greater feeling than a family passing down a labor of love to another, and Lacey Carter, 31, continues the family trade of floristry with the creation of her local flower shop, Uniquely Chic Florist & Boutique. Carter’s grandmother, Emily Milovich, was a florist, and she has fond memories growing up around flowers.

“My grandma would put me in a flower box with a blanket and toys, and I would spend time with her in the shop,” she said.

Milovich wasn’t the only florist in the family. Carter’s aunt was also a florist and began to teach Carter floral design in high school.

Although her floral training began at an early age, Carter didn’t realize her dream job was floristry until grad school. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from California State University, Bakersfield. Carter realized her passion for floral design while working her way through school.

“I decided to open my business in my last year of graduate school,” she said. “I worked at a local flower shop all through college and decided to open a shop instead of pursuing a career path where my education would have led me.”

Carter said that working in the shop helped her learn every aspect of running a floral business. Although she is business savvy, Carter also loves using her creativity to ensure the success of her shop. She truly enjoys designing floral arrangements and creating displays for her shop.

“I absolutely love owning my shop and seeing what it has grown to become,” she said.

Carter’s boutique not only offers floral arrangements, but provides customers with unique gifts and home décor items. She enjoys picking the gifts for her shop and ensures that her products fit the style of Uniquely Chic.

Another aspect Carter loves about being a business owner is spending time with her clients. She said that she enjoys being social and visiting with her clients. She hopes to get to know her clients on a personal level, too, and is at her shop every day building her relationships.

Carter, a self-proclaimed workaholic, also appreciates how often the floral design industry changes. She loves to implement the latest trends of the industry because it allows her creativity to flourish.

“My business is very season- and holiday-driven so it is always changing, which keeps it fun,” she said.

Carter’s shop specializes in floral arrangements for numerous types of events, such as corporate gatherings, anniversaries and birthdays. Although she enjoys creating floral arrangements for all types of celebrations, a certain type of arrangement holds a special place in her heart.

“The product that I like to create the most would have to be bridal bouquets,” she said. “Our shop does a large amount of weddings, and there is something about making fabulous flowers for a wedding that I just love!”

Carter grew up in Bishop, California, helping her aunt and grandmother with their shop and now continues to grow her shop in Bakersfield. She has lived in town for over 13 years and moved to Bakersfield to attend college. She loves how centrally located Bakersfield is and how close it is to Los Angeles and the coast. Although she did not grow up in town,

Lacey Carter puts together boutonnières and corsages for winter formals taking place over the weekend.

she loves living here and said that she is here to stay. Carter said that she is very much involved in the community and enjoys seeing familiar faces around town. While Carter has been a florist for 16 years, she continues to love her shop and career.

“I became a florist because I truly love what I get to do every day,” she said.

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People & Community

PRIME FINDS

Heart prints!

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February 2015

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Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mixer Date: Jan. 14 Held at Petroleum Club of Bakersfield Photos by Sylvia Picazo View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Bill and Monica Jeffries and Jay Tamsi

Alfonso Lopez and Gabriela Fulmer

Jeffrey Thielscher and Weldon Sons

Melanie Farmer, Debi Alvarez, Chelsea Esquibas and Shirley Franco

Fran Trevino and Tere Quintana

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Robert Hargreaves

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Date: Dec. 13 Held at Hodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Dining Photos by Dennis Van derWerff View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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31st Annual Toy Run and Food Drive Date: Dec. 14 Held at Beach Park Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Desiree and Shawna Evans and Sharon Lindsey

Gary and Kelly Cowan

Terry Halle, Jerry Brush and Mary Thompson

Dinah Marquez and Martin Pequeno

Aiden, John and Jillian Frando

Clutch Lage and Boogie Roper 118

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February 2015

Felipe Valdez, Alexis Cano, Felipe Valdez Jr. and Danily and Daniel Cano

Scout and Marcus Fidel

Alan and Cindy Menser

Jason Baird and Paola Becerra

John and Lindsey Barnett and Julie and Scott Wallace

Kite Flying Festival Date: Jan. 10 Held at Windermere Park Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Anaya Pannu and Ravneet Dhillon

Ann and Kiran Patel

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Madi Hacker, Mahima Vyarawala and Elle Weberling

Pinesh and Nikita Patel and Nishant and Janki Shah

Zinal, Dev and Hitesh Patel

Sonali Aggarwal, Kental Buch, Vikram Reddy, Pinder Dhillon, Prity Patel and Komal Desai

Dipa Leva and Dimple Patel bakersfieldlife.com

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CSUB 2nd Annual Roadrunner Baseball Hot Stove Dinner Date: Jan. 10 Held at Kern County Fairgrounds Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Jack and Natalina Davis

April Nuckles and Gina Pettit

Mylz and Mahlik Jones and David Metzgar

Eric Arias and Steve and Marla Roach

Joe and Aubrey Flores Heidi Pfeffer, Ron and Audrey Horlacher and Lauren Gillespie

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Allissa Pederson, Jen King, Zak Brown and Jesse Black

Kern Wheelmen New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Ride

Lori Soriano and Jennifer Cothern

Jennifer Baker and Delphia Gloss

Kim and Abel Rivera

Date: Jan. 1 Held at Beach Park Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Vance Elmore and Juan Ventimiglia

Noah and Frank Ramirez

Mark Chatterton and Jack Skaggs

Diane Ellison, Craig Pauley and Raul Garza Karen Esterno, Alex Spolsdoff, Cheryl Lamberson, Francisco Sanchez, Megan Rury and Thialor Mize

Merick Rury, Steve Zimmerman and Rudy Ortiz Martinez

Mike Gloss and Thomas LeMay bakersfieldlife.com

121

People & Community

LAST WORD

By Lisa Krch

LOVESEEKING

Divorcee takes charge of life, dreams, finds “The One”

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February 2015

Lisa Krch and her fiance, Kelly Olson.

The two will be married this month.

ing thoughts the stranger sparked, just by standing beside me, browsing the wheat bread.

I decided early on as a single lady, my life was not going to be a journey about finding “The One.” This was destined to be a much bigger adventure.

This was about finding myself. An especially painful night comes to mind, when that quest began. It was the first night in my new home, without my children. They were with their father and I was having a full-blown pity party for myself, all alone in an empty, cold house, sitting in the dark, bawling my eyes out over the things I thought I had lost. Suddenly, it hit me. Maybe I hadn’t lost. Maybe this was a tremendous opportunity to give myself and my children the kind of life I’d always hoped for. I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled things on it I wanted to accomplish and explore. I didn’t care if they were scary or seemed unattainable. This was my list. This was my life.

The list contains everything from zip lining, to seeing Peyton Manning play football, to learning to scuba dive.

Winning an Emmy to running my first 5K, to getting published. Touring Greece and visiting Dodger Stadium are on it as well. Random, I know.

The satisfaction that comes from crossing each item off my list is indescribable. I don’t know if I will do every-

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA KRCH

I

am an eternal optimist and a hopeless romantic. I have been divorced almost five years, but I knew I wanted to get married again, even before I started dating.

The experience of my first marriage didn’t change the fact that I had so much life to share with that special someone, once I found him. And I was in no hurry.

I believe in love. I want my boys to grow up in a stable family unit, and ultimately, I deserve to be happy. Really happy. Completely happy.

Dating as a single mother with two young children was an interesting experience, to say the least. We all know Bakersfield is a small town, but trust me, it becomes much smaller when you are thrown into the dating pool in your late 30s. I’ll spare you some of my more awkward “single-person” stories and the numerous “are you kidding me?” moments I encountered.

Looking back, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.

I did meet some really nice people and made some lifelong friends dating in Bakersfield, but I also had the right attitude for it going in. I was never bitter about the whole love thing. Smarter?

Definitely.

The week my divorce was finalized, I noticed a man standing next to me in the bread aisle of the grocery store. It literally dawned on me in that very instance, that I could bump into “The One” anywhere at any time. If I wasn’t open to meeting Lisa Krch new people or having new experiences, I might completely miss an opportunity for a second chance at love. I didn’t speak to the man in the bread aisle that day. But I smile every time I think of the profound, life-alter-

thing on it, but I have already done more than I could have imagined when I wrote it, on that miserable January night, all those years ago.

The list is nothing more than a tearstained piece of scratch paper, but it is still taped to the inside of my closet door. I look at it every day. I only recently realized that it never contained the words “get re-married” or find “The One.” That strikes me as especially funny because as I write this article, I am planning a wedding. My wedding!

How did that happen? The short answer is I ran into a good, honest, caring man with the same values and priorities I have. The bigger picture is that I let myself become a stronger, more positive person on this five-year journey.

I met some amazing people, took risks and had experiences way out of my comfort zone. I encourage you to do the same. Keep living, keep experiencing, keep growing. That’s when and where you will find yourself. That’s when and where you will find “The One.” — Lisa Krch is a busy mom and Emmy award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience, including hosting “Live Well” and “The Real Estate Show” for The Bakersfield Californian. She will be tying the knot this month.

2015 Accord Sedan CVT LX Lease CR2F3FEW CVT AT

199

$

mo

36 month lease, $1999 due at signing Closed end lease for 2015 Accord Sedan CVT LX (CR2F3FEW) available from January 6, 2015 through March 2, 2015, to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $23,725.00 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $20,675.19. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $7,164.00. Option to purchase at lease end $13,997.75. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2015. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details.

2015 Civic LX CVT Lease FB2F5FEW CVT AT

159

$

mo

36 month lease, $2199 due at signing Closed end lease for 2015 Civic Sedan CVT LX (FB2F5FEW) available from January 6, 2015 through March 2, 2015, to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $20,110.00 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $17,355.85. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $5,724.00.

Option to purchase at lease end $12,066.00. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2015. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20¢/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details.

These Great Deals end March 2!

Barber Honda

www.barberhonda.com

4500 Wible Road at the Entrance to the %DNHUVðHOG $XWR 0DOO

1-888-503-8891 Se Habla Español

Barber Honda

59

Years of Serving Kern County