Bakersfield Life Magazine January 2015 by The Bakersfield Californian Specialty Publications

January 2015

Do you need a

life coach? Local boy makes good

Kevin McCarthy’s rise to power $3.95

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Celebrations Issue Here comes the bride Photos of four gorgeous weddings How to host the

perfect party

ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve

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F E A T U R E S January 2015

Celebrations Glam and romance, a look at four fabulous local weddings in photos. Page 52

Picture perfect Twirling in tea cups and bundled up in the snow, couples trek beyond Bakersfield for the perfect engagement photo shoots. Page 60

Making it official Officiants share their tips for helping couples tie the knot. Page 66

Party like a pro A party plannerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to throwing a memorable bash. Page 70

Calling in a coach

Kevin McCarthy How personality, determination, networking savvy and an ability to stay grounded have driven Bakersfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful man to the top. Page 78

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

PHOTO BY HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Life coaches offer clients an alternative to traditional therapy to pump up their lives. Page 74

The key to success is to surround yourself with people who are passionate about life. I’m fortunate to have landed right in the middle of a group of such people.

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Real People Fit and Fresh Health and Wellness

36 Food and Wine 40 On the Road 45 Why I Live Here 46 All-Star Athlete 48 Talk of the Town 84 Business Profiles 88 Pastimes 92 Entertainment 98 Inside Story 100 In My Closet 102 History 104 Power Couple

Trip Planner Prime Finds SNAP! Last Word

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January 2015

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S TA F F S H A R E S Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine January 2015 / Vol. 9 / Issue 4 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 Revenue and Marketing John Wells

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING MEMORY? “When Julio and I renewed our 10year wedding anniversary before Father Rob Wenzinger in 2005. My then young sons walked me down the aisle. Truly one of the happiest moments of my life.” — Olivia Garcia, editor “Right before their wedding dance, a friend sang ‘Could I Have This Dance’ to her husband. It was a very touching moment!” — Linda Petree, advertising account executive “My best friend sang Barney’s ‘I Love You’ for the song for your supper game at my sister’s wedding. Her totally unexpected participation and song choice were unforgettable.” — Allison Escobar, graphic designer “Wearing my mom’s dress. Of four daughters, I was the only one short enough to fit into it. That’s the only time I’ve ever been glad to be short.” — Katy Raytis, contributor “Being a bridesmaid in my older sister’s beautiful backyard wedding and dancing all night on my brotherin-law’s handcrafted dance floor.” — Elizabeth Castillo, contributor

“I decorated a ‘Bride’ shirt for my friend to wear while getting ready. As she excitedly pulled it over her head, it stuck. I had sewn the collar too small.” — Katelynn Camp, specialty publications coordinator

Bakersfield Life Magazine

Interactive Sales Manager Gunter Copeland Advertising Sales Manager Lisa Whitten Advertising Traffic Manager Shauna Rockwell Distribution and Marketing Representative Patrick Wells News Assistant Estella Aguilar Market Research Lisa Beason, Jose Granados

“Everything about my best friend and her wonderful husband’s wedding, from helping the bride pick out the perfect dress, to walking up the aisle with the groom’s 4-year-old brother.” — Rachel Cook, assistant editor “During my wife’s and my first dance, my brother-in-law collapsed the head table where the wedding party was sitting, bringing all the dishes and candles down with it. Funny thing is he set up that table.” — Charlie Walz, medical sales account executive “In June 2008, while a full-time reporter for The Californian, I covered some of the first gay marriages to take place in Kern. No violence. No protests. Just bliss. Unforgettable.” — Louis Medina, contributor

On the cover Photo by Brian and Allison Callaway | Callaway Gable. Based in Los Angeles, Brian and Allison Callaway of Callaway Gable travel the world photographing luxury weddings. Their work has taken them across the world and the United States. Last fall, their talents brought them to Bakersfield to photograph Rohan and Anita Vaidya’s spectacular wedding. See more photos of the nuptials on page 58.

Vice President, Administration and Operations Nancy Chaffin

January 2015

Editor Olivia Garcia Assistant Managing Editor Rachel Cook Specialty Publications Coordinator Katelynn Camp Art Director Glenn Hammett Graphic Designer Allison Escobar Photography Felix Adamo, Sally Baker, Henry A. Barrios, Brian and Allison Callaway | Callaway Gable, Carissa Cady Photography, Holly Carlyle Photography, Casey Christie, Ashley dePencier Photography, John W. Farrand Photography, Jessica Frey, Cecily Jones, Mariel Hannah Photography, John Harte, Michael Lopez, Francis Mayer, Mark Nessia, Greg Nichols, Jan St Pierre, Shelli Renee, Carla Rivas, Michael Segal, Rod Thornburg, Adriana Vega, Jennifer Williams Photography Contributing writers Lotta Alexandersson, Sally Baker, Chelsea Brewer, Elizabeth Castillo, Tim Goijch, Diana Greenlee, Ken Hooper, Lisa Kimble, Katie Kirschenmann, Stephen Lynch, Kevin McCloskey, Melissa Peaker-Whitten, Gabriel Ramirez, Miranda Whitworth, Jeff Pickering, Katy Raytis, Anna Smith, Chris Thornburgh, Laurie Wallace

C O N T R I B U TO R S

E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

Jeffrey R. Pickering is president and CEO of Kern Community Foundation and president of Kern Real Estate Foundation. Pickering holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Florida, a master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of San Diego, and a certificate in management from the Crummer Graduate School of Management at Rollins College. He is currently a student at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. Pickering is an alumnus of the Vincentian Service Corps, where he served for one year as a lay missioner working among homeless men and women in New York City. Pickering serves as treasurer of the League of California Community Foundations. He is married to Stephanie Brooks Pickering, and has three children, Colin, Olivia and Grant.

JANUARY BRINGS CELEBRATIONS, NEW GOALS

Lisa Whitten is the local retail sales manager at The Bakersfield Californian. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business with a concentration in marketing from Cal State Bakersfield. She began working for the Californian as an outside sales representative in 2009 and was promoted into management a couple years later. Lisa enjoys working with all of the members of her team and seeing them succeed. Whitten was born and raised in Bakersfield. She and her husband, Gary, have been married for more than 20 years. She has two stepsons, a daughterin-law and a gorgeous grandson. She refers to her two dogs as her “fur babies.” She frequently plays golf with her girlfriends and husband and loves the social interaction that the game allows. She is passionate about animals and wishes she was independently wealthy so she could rescue and aid in the adoption of the surrendered and abused animals in our community. She’s crossing her fingers and hoping to win the lottery!

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

through the powerful politician’s past, all the way back to his boyhood. Read about Tim and Miriam Vivian, this month’s Power Couple. Both teach at Cal State Bakersfield, while Tim is also priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. I am a fan of Miriam, so it’s nice to finally get to know her other half and what keeps the two grounded. Writer Stephen Lynch fills us in on Bakersfield College Renegade basketball standout, freshman Deandre Dickson, in this month’s All-Star Athlete. Have you heard about life coaches? Read about this new wave of specialists who are helping people meet their goals, whether it’s adjusting to new career changes, self-improvement, time management skills, or coping with stress or relationship issues. And for those who recognize Nick Ortiz’s familiar face, you know how stylish he is, whether he’s representing the Western State Petroleum Association or attending a local community board meeting. I’ve always admired his style and am glad he was able to share his fashion tips with our readers in this month’s In My Closet section. Finally, meet our 2015 Dining Divas. They are Dianne Hoover, Jessica Mathews, Valerie Mendiburu, Amber Chiang, and LaMeka Ross. These lovely Divas represent a wealth of local community and public involvement, and we are excited to have them with us. Read about their trip to Chalet Basque on page 32. PHOTO BY TANYA X. LEONZO

Born and raised in California, Connie Uthenwoldt spent her first nine years in beautiful, cool Ventura before moving to Bakersfield with her family. Uthenwoldt has a diverse background in sales and joined The Bakersfield Californian in 2008 as an advertising account executive in the retail sales department. As a people person, Uthenwoldt enjoys her work and the many friends she has made over the years. A historian at heart and avid reader, she also loves camping and fishing, Sequoia National Park and the beach. She and her husband of 29 years have two children, Jason and Diana.

s we prepare for the new year, we reflect on special moments that have shaped our lives, while looking toward new goals. In this issue of Bakersfield Life magazine, we feature all things celebratory, and weddings are high on our list. Preparing for that special day takes months of planning that often involves more than just the groom and brideto-be. For instance, in this issue you will discover wedding photographers who aren’t just showing up to capture the big day, but they are also involved in the early stages, helping coordinate destination engagement photos. These days, save-the-dates are more than just pretty invitations. These invites can also showcase the work of a photographer who travels to capture a beautiful engagement photo in a new location. Look inside and learn about the creative process behind these beautiful photos. That’s just one piece of the celebration series that we’ve pulled together. Also get to know wedding officiants who are finding that many engaged couples are looking for new ways to tie the knot. Wedding officiants strive to add a personal touch to each ceremony. And be ready to have your breath taken away by lovely wedding photographs captured locally at four diverse weddings. There may be tons of weddings in and out of town each year, but one thing is for sure, each couple successfully makes their moment unique, beautiful and special. And for all lovebirds, married or not, check out the piece by Anna Smith, who even at such an early stage of her marriage to husband Austin is learning the core tenants of a lasting and successful union. Aside from the wonderful celebration-focused features, we bring you other worthy pieces, including a great profile on Rep. Kevin McCarthy. This feature takes readers on a journey

Olivia Garcia Editor 395-7487 • ogarcia@bakersfield.com

Up Front

WORD ON THE STREET

Compiled by Mark Nessia

WHAT’S YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? “To drop 20 pounds.”

“Stop drinking soda.”

— Isaac Comelli

— Sarai Moreno

“To have two WAC basketball championships (men’s and women’s).” — Corey Costelloe

“I don’t make any.”

“Live a healthier lifestyle.”

“To eat better.” — Brandi Duncan

— Matt Turk — Lizet Vazquez

“Stop eating Mexican food.” — Taylor Jordan

“Win more Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championships.”

“I have the same one every year: lose weight and eat healthy.” — Billie Swanson

— Ziggy Siegfried

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Up Front

THE BIG PICTURE

Photo by Casey Christie

RAYS OF LIGHT The sun rays break through the clouds along Highway 178 on the east side of Bakersfield.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

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Up Front

NAMED AFTER

WOMAN’S CLUB OF BAKERSFIELD

The original board of the Woman’s Club in 1896.

pital (now Kern Medical Center), among other buildings. The Colonial Revival’s ornate portico entrance features Ionic columns and white cornices set against the red bricks. Construction cost $55,000. The 1952 earthquake necessitated some minor work to the historical landmark. With a richly decorated interior, the building is an elegant venue where members hosted teas and entertained the Kern Philharmonic Society. The Woman’s Club has embraced philanthropic work through the years, helping to establish the first local library and preserve the Beale Memorial Clock Tower. The organization has awarded more than $325,000 in scholarships and charity donations. These days, members work on projects as varied as sewing quilts of valor for wounded warriors, preparing care packages for local troops and donating food to the Golden Empire Gleaners. The ladies also host the ever popular Festival of Trees event each holiday season. The building, still carefully maintained, is a sought-after venue for special occasions, including wedding receptions and proms.

The historic Woman’s Club building on 18th Street, designed by notable local architect Charles Biggar, was completed in 1921.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO

n 1896, women had full suffrage in only three states, all of them in the West. However, California was not one of them. That year, women of the Golden State lost their first fight for the right to vote. At the same time, a group of 18 women began gathering in parlors of the Southern Hotel in downtown Bakersfield. There were whispers about their activity. It was neither mischievous, as was suggested, nor were they intent on gaining suffrage. Their aim was to enhance the development of women in the arts, literature and science. The Woman’s Club of Bakersfield was incorporated that same year, two years before the city’s reincorporation. At the age of 118, it is Kern County’s oldest cultural organization for women. The group’s grand headquarters at the northeast corner of 18th and D streets downtown is a local landmark and sits on the Bakersfield register of historic places. Yet it was 25 years after the club formed before its members would be able to call the stately building home. In the beginning, meetings were held in the Episcopal Church Guild and the Echo building. Lucretia Stevens was the club’s first president, leading members through its first five years of existence. The club’s first member registry listed more than 100 women. Membership was exclusive to women. Men and husbands were not allowed at closed meetings, only public events. Sibyl Curran Chenoweth, the first woman to register to vote in Bakersfield in 1911, and Mrs. Alfred Harrell were among its notable members. The club’s motto, “From possibility to reality,” was put into action with the purchase of the 18th Street property and the start of construction on the building in 1920. It was completed the following year. Designed by architect Charles Howatt Biggar, who also designed The Bakersfield Californian, Tejon Theater, Harvey Auditorium and Kern General Hos-

PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMAN’S CLUB OF BAKERSFIELD

By Lisa Kimble

M O N E Y M AT T E R S

By Chris Thornburgh

improvement. Scale back and put that extra money towards your savings. It quickly adds up!

SAVING FOR LIFE’S BIG EVENTS

MAKE USE OF BUDGET APPS

If you have difficulty tracking daily expenses or can’t seem to keep track of your savings goals, use apps such as Mint.com to easily manage your budget and cash flow. Entering your expenses and savings deposits in real time certainly increases awareness of your spending habits so you can achieve your savings goal quicker.

eddings, new babies, milestone birthdays, once-in-a-lifetime vacations, new homes — planning for life’s big events is easy if money is no object. But for most of us, that isn’t the case. Take the stress out of saving for your special event with a few of these tips.

SET YOUR GOAL AND DEADLINE Set your savings goal. Whether saving for a wedding or a new home, your event is a great motivator to keep you on track. Factor in your time frame. Your timeline will determine how aggressively you must save each month to meet your deadline.

FIND WAYS TO EARN ADDITIONAL INCOME If you have cut all you can cut, consider opportunities to earn additional cash. Perhaps you are due for a raise or you could find a part-time job. Consider cleaning out the closets and garage. Sell items no longer needed on Craigslist, eBay or the good ol’ garage sale. Just make sure all proceeds go straight to your earmarked savings account.

OPEN A DEDICATED SAVINGS ACCOUNT It can be challenging squirreling money away for a specific purpose. Open a separate savings account for your big event to be certain it is used for its intended purpose. If you have no discipline, set up automatic transfers to be directly deposited into your savings account to avoid temptation.

PAY YOURSELF FIRST Directly deposit a percentage of your paycheck into your savings account every payday so you never see it. Automating the direction of your money takes the thought out of stashing money away, giving you a better chance of adjusting to a lighter budget.

SAVE IN OTHER CREATIVE WAYS There are many more creative strategies to save for your big event. If you are a shopper, try this trick: save money when you spend money. Direct a percentage of every dollar you spend during the week towards your wedding or vacation fund. At the end of the week, calculate the “tax” and pay it into your savings account. Consider this savings strategy: if a routine payment ends, keep making it to yourself. For instance, if you pay off a credit card, keep making that payment, but write the check to yourself and deposit it into your savings account. Make a rule that “found” money, such as tax refunds, monetary gifts, rebates or bonuses, goes into the savings account.

REVIEW YOUR SPENDING HABITS If you don’t have extra money to set aside toward your goal, revisit your spending habits. Look for ways to cut expenses; take a look at your monthly bank statements. If that doesn’t suck the breath out of you, take a closer look at the cash you are spending. No doubt there are areas for

GROW YOUR MONEY Time is your ally when saving towards your goal. Look at your savings options as a source to earn additional money. Money socked away in high-yield savings accounts or invested in stocks and bonds can grow exponentially. Shop interest rates. The best account for you will depend on your timeline.

BOTTOM LINE Set your rules, stick to them, and have fun building your savings account. Your reward is a stress-free, debt-free celebration at the end. Chris Thornburgh is a CPA and partner at Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corp. Contact her at cthornburgh@bacpas.com or (661) 324-4971.

Chris Thornburgh

bakersfieldlife.com

Up Front

S H O R T TA K E S

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: CONQUER THE HILL AT THE RIO BRAVO RUMBLE

The tough competitors get a good start for a 20mile bike race during the annual Rio Bravo Rumble east of Bakersfield. 18

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

only for high-level runners and cyclists. There’s a race category for everyone. “This event targets both the elite-level athlete and the non-athlete who wants a challenge,” Monroe said. The Rumble is a choose-yourown challenge event offering biathlons, solo events, a hilly half marathon, and even kids races. Be prepared; there is steep elevation gain in all categories. Proceeds from the event will benefit Bike Bakersfield, a local nonprofit that promotes bicycling and an active lifestyle in the community. Executive Director Jason Cater said the money the organization receives will be used to advocate for better bike infrastructure, put on community events, and “fund the Bakersfield Bike Kitchen, where volunteers can work on repairing bikes, and after 20 hours of service, earn a bike to fix up and keep.” Register at ggphysicaltherapy.com/ rio-bravo-rumble. To avoid a $10 late fee, register by Jan. 9. Race-day registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and races start at 9 a.m. — Bakersfield Life

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

eady to climb the famed “big hill” at the Rio Bravo Rumble? Though the courses have changed from last year, the first course change in 10 years, the Rumble is still a mountain of a challenge for runners, walkers and cyclists. The Rumble, which will be held Jan. 17 at Rio Race categories Bravo Ranch, and prices: 15701 Highway 178, is a burgeon• Individual biathlon: 10K run, 15-mile mountain ing Bakersfield bike course, $50 tradition that • Team biathlon: 10K run, draws partici15-mile mountain bike pants from all course, $80 • Solo events: 5K over California. run/walk, 10K run, 15“We typically mile mountain bike get people from course, $40 San Diego, Mon• Half marathon: a roughly terey, Los Angeles, 15-mile run on fire roads, $45 Fresno, Visalia, • Kids’ races: two courses Santa Barbara divided by age, free and several other communities within a two-hour drive,” said Brian Monroe, physical therapist at Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy and coordinator of the Rumble. But don’t think the Rumble is

CALIFORNIA ARTISTS’ WORKS GRACE BMOA THIS WINTER

“The Ring,” by Dennis Hare is a 96-by-96-inch oil and assemblage on wood panel.

diverse crop of works by California artists will move visitors at the Bakersfield Museum of Art starting Jan. 22. For the winter exhibitions, the museum will feature “Dennis Hare: Without Restraint,” which is the first “major retrospective” by the California professional athlete turned artist. “Kuzana Ogg: Rev Zero” will feature the dynamic works of Bakersfield painter Kuzana Ogg. “Lead By Line: Drawings By Three California Artists” will spotlight abstract art by Scott Hassell, Pamela Diaz Martinez and Ann Marie Rousseau. The exhibitions will be open through April 19. An opening reception will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 with hors d’oeuvres by Luigi’s, no-host bar and entertainment. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, $5 for students with campus ID and free for museum members. The Bakersfield Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free for members, $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for students. — Bakersfield Life

nn McCright once asked a bride how she chose her wedding vendors. The answer, to McCright’s surprise, was not price, but how the vendors decorated their bridal event booths. What better way to discern how capably a wedding pro will contribute to a bride’s big day? On Jan. 4, brides will have plenty of professionals to choose from at The Ultimate Bridal Event, a bridal show produced and owned by McCright. The extravaganza at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield will feature more than 60 vendors, including photographers, spas, wedding planners, rental companies, musicians, dance instructors, florists, caterers and more. “I’m able to really make sure that we have vendors who are really reliable; they

have good values. They’re wedding specialists,” McCright said. The event runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and includes a fashion show and grooms’ lounge with casino games. Giveaways include a $10,000 wedding and a destination honeymoon. Vendors will be offering prizes too, so McCright advises brides to bring printed labels to easily enter drawings and free up their time to talk to the vendors. “(Brides are) really on a fact-finding mission,” McCright said. Tickets range from $15 to $35, plus fees, in advance. VIP tickets get a bride and a guest into the show early and include a champagne reception. Visit ultimatebridalevent.com for tickets and details. — Bakersfield Life

The fashion show at the Ultimate Bridal Event is a favorite part of the bridal affair for many attendees.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BROADWAY IN BAKERSFIELD

JOIN THE GRAND JURY TO BE A COMMUNITY WATCHDOG ant to make sure our local government is being properly managed and taxpayer money is appropriately spent? Join the Kern County Grand Jury. The grand jury, made up of 19 volunteers, is looking for a diverse group of new members. The group investigates, audits or examines county government agencies. It also issues subpoenas and may conduct criminal hearings. Applicants must be older than 18, a citizen of Kern County for at least one year, not currently holding a public office, and be able to serve a minimum of 20 hours per week. For information or an application, visit co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. — Bakersfield Life

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

BRIDES CAN SCOPE OUT EVERYTHING FOR THEIR DREAM DAY AT THE ULTIMATE BRIDAL EVENT

The Pontipee brothers try to win the hearts of six western women in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

MGM MOVIE CLASSIC, BROADWAY MUSICAL COMING TO BAKERSFIELD STAGE

he second half of Broadway in Bakersfield’s 2014-2015 season kicks off with a western musical based on the 1954 MGM hit “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” The classic film turned stage play tells the story of Milly Pontipee, a young western bride who wants to civilize her six rowdy brother-in-laws enough to marry them off properly. The show will take you

back to 1850s Oregon and feature several of the movie’s song and dance numbers. Come see this beloved musical on stage at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Rabobank Theater. Tickets start at $32 and are available at the Rabobank Theater box office, ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-7453000. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 852-7309. — Bakersfield Life bakersfieldlife.com

Up Front

W H AT I ’ M R E A D I N G

ROGER PEREZ Executive Director of the Kern County Museum

s the executive director of the Kern County Museum, Roger Perez’s favorite part of his job is sharing this hidden gem with the community. “I love hearing from first-time visitors when they realize what a deep and rich history Kern County has,” he said. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Perez graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in communications and rhetoric. He came to Bakersfield in the early ’90s to work for KERO-TV and took the museum job in November 2012. He and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for 18 years and have two children, Dylan, 10, and Calvin, 6. For Perez, reading is a pleasure, as well as a way to connect with his young sons. What I’m currently reading: I’m

currently doubling up, reading “Sand,” by Hugh Howey and re-reading “The Roger Perez Bone Season,” by Samantha Shannon (in preparation for book two). Favorite author: Many have come and gone over the years, but I still haven’t found someone to beat the humor and eccentricity of Douglas Adams. Favorite book: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” Books I’ve read more than once: There are a lot in this category, so I’ll list a few that I’ve read countless times over the years: “Lord of the Flies,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Robopocalypse,” “The Bishop’s Candlesticks,” “The Hunger Games” trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Hobbit,” “Stardust,” and “A Wrinkle in Time.”

Other materials I like reading: I absolutely admit

to being a huge fan of comic books and graphic novels, a pleasure I share with my young sons. Where I enjoy reading: Anyplace I

can find a quiet corner. The book that’s been inspirational in my life: “The

Bishop’s Candlesticks” (in particular a teacher’s presentation of it in high school) made a huge impact on me. That learning experience, centered around a book, showed me that education could be so much more than dry and regurgitated facts … It was after this literary experience that I began to search for the pleasure in reading (and learning in general). It made all of my learning experiences following that class more meaningful. Any other thoughts on reading you wish to share with readers? One of my happiest memories was sharing a

reading experience with my oldest son. We both read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series at the same time. It was like having our own boys book club to share. Some of our best conversations to date came from reading through those books together. I strongly encourage your readers to share literature or arts with their children in this way. They are experiences that neither of you will soon forget! I can’t wait to share the same thing with my younger son.

ON THE WEB Seeking singles HOW’S YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bakersfield Life wants to introduce our readers to the hottest singles in town. If you think you fit the bill, email us at bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com with the subject line “Bakersfield Singles.” Send your name, age, phone number, address and a photo of yourself. Please tell us a little about yourself and why we should feature you. Must be at least 18 years old to enter.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

F I N D I N G FA M E

By Miranda Whitworth

DAVID MITCHELL Producer’s ambitious nature has kept him in front of the pack

“

I fell in with some really good people.

”

TV commercial producer and Kern County native David Mitchell.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID MITCHELL

avid Mitchell has always been one step ahead of the pack. In the fast-paced world of advertising and film, Mitchell’s ambition has led to his success. A native of Shafter and a graduate of Shafter High School, Mitchell is now working and living in Hollywood producing films and commercials for The Ridley Scott Company. His work has graced televisions from Italy to England and has aired during advertising’s biggest night of the year, the Super Bowl. He has worked with the late Tony Scott and now Ridley Scott’s son, Jake Scott. What’s the secret to Mitchell’s success? He says it’s plain old luck. “I think the reason I say I am so lucky is because not many get to produce for someone of that stature at such a young age,” Mitchell said. “I consider [Tony Scott] one of the greats. I fell in with some really good people.” From his early days growing up in Shafter, — David Mitchell on the Mitchell was always in the secret to his success lead. He was set to graduate from Shafter High School in 1985, but instead graduated in 1984, spending what would have been his senior year going to college. He spent one year at Cal State Bakersfield and then transferred to San Diego State to study journalism and marketing. He was able to duplicate his recipe for success, coming out ahead of his fellow classmates yet again. “I (ended up) working for an ad agency in San Diego called Franklin and Associates. I got the job during my senior year of college. So even before I graduated I had landed the job I wanted,” Mitchell said. Mitchell worked for Franklin and Associates for approximately three years before moving his career to Chicago. That’s where his love for film production began to blossom. “I was more in the account management side of advertising and I found myself on sets a lot, doing commercials and a lot of production,” Mitchell said. “I really liked the production side of it, so I left Chicago and moved to [Los Angeles] where I started as a production assistant.” Moving across the country to work exclusively in production was a major professional demotion. The position of production assistant is low on the totem pole, but the other production assistants Mitchell worked with lacked his client experience. “I think my experience with account management and working with account agencies gave me a better understanding of the production side,” he said. “I moved up and became a producer, and about five or six years later I started produc-

ing for Tony Scott.” Tony Scott is best known for directing box office hits like “Top Gun,” “Crimson Tide” and “Enemy of the State,” and producing movies such as “In Her Shoes” and “Man on Fire.” Mitchell worked with Scott on numerous projects, but said the ones that caused the most headaches ultimately were his favorites. “We did a short film for BMW Films called ‘Beat the Devil.’ It starred Gary Oldman, James Brown and Clive Owen. It was six or seven minutes long and it was so hard to produce, but the most painful ones always seem to be the most fulfilling,” Mitchell said. Tony Scott died in 2012 and Mitchell continues to work with the Scott family. One of his latest successes includes a commercial that captured the hearts of football fans in the most prestigious time slot of the year. “I do a lot of work with Jake, Ridley’s son, and a commercial we did was the Budweiser puppy commercial for the Super Bowl,” Mitchell said. “People loved it. You never know the kind of reaction you are going to get from things, but I think that one got us 90 million views online.” Stay tuned for more of Mitchell’s work this Super Bowl season. He has two more commercials coming out during the 2015 Super Bowl, but he was not at liberty to discuss them. bakersfieldlife.com

Up Front

MY PET

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

RYAN RAMMING AND KAYLEE ZEPHYR WIDGET

wise, huntress.

thing, but I’ve noticed that she always does her own thing in whatever room I happen to be in. Often, she just lays around and naps nearby. Also, treats. She will do all sorts of things to trick people into giving her treats.

Favorite memory: When she was still young, she would sleep in my arms. I remember typing an entire college paper with only one hand because she was cradled in my other arm sleeping, and I didn’t want to disturb her. What makes my pet happy: Mostly, she seems happy when she’s in proximity to me. She usually does her own

her tail fidgets when I talk to her. Favorite foods: Anything salmon flavored! Favorite activities: Climbing furniture, lounging on her cat tower, sitting on my lap, playing with small bits of trash, slobbering all over her catnip mouse, hunting me and sleeping.

My pet’s personality in five words: Affectionate, lazy, independent,

Ryan Ramming and Kaylee

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

I know my pet is moody when...

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

yan Ramming makes a living playing soothing sonatas, but his busy life is more like fastpaced electronica. His cat, Kaylee, a 6-year-old tortoiseshell, reminds him to slow down. “My cat doesn’t seem to waste time in worry; she lives entirely in the moment and is content, curious and playful,” Ramming said. Kaylee had Ramming, 29, hooked from the moment she lifted her cobweb-covered head and meowed on his patio doorstep. His apartment did not allow pets, so he decided to adopt the kitten out after giving her a thorough bath and vet visit. “But every day when I’d come home, she’d greet me at the door and start purring loudly. By day three, I had named her and that was that,” Ramming said. Kaylee, ever grateful to her rescuer, accompanies Ramming throughout the house, even if he’s practicing music. When Ramming is away finishing school in Santa Monica, Ramming’s housemates watch Kaylee sulk and eagerly await his return. Together, they make an inseparable human-feline duo. Name: (Kaylee Zephyr Widget) Her first name comes from a character from the show “Firefly.” The second name she earned because she moves quickly and gracefully like the wind (and can be as destructive as a tornado). The third name rounded off the whole set in a way that pleased my ear.

Talents: She is very stealthy and will ambush me and try to take me down by tackling my leg. She’s incredibly fast and agile, and an excellent climber. Of all the cats I’ve ever known, she’s definitely the best ninja. Antics: She complains when her food bowl isn’t completely filled. I’ll top it off in the morning, and she’ll eat a only a few bites. In the afternoon, she starts meowing and brings me over to fill the bowl again, even though it’s still 80 percent full. So she and I will sit there and argue for a bit until she gives up and eats the food she already has.

BY THE NUMBERS

A look at wedding statistics

Kern County

Nationwide

Age of those planning to get married in the next 12 months

Average number of guests:

Average wedding cost:

$29,858

138

(excludes honeymoon)

33%

34%

18-24

25-34

14%

10% 8%

Most popular months to get married:

June and September (15% each)

35-44

45-54

55-64 65+

Education level of those planning to get married in the next 12 months

Popular wedding colors:

Blue / Purple / Pink / Metallics (35%)

(26%)

(25%)

4,261 Some high school or less 12,894 High school graduate 12,428 Some college

Percentage of destination weddings:

Average spent on wedding dress:

24%

$1,281

1,615 College graduate or more Source: Scarborough Research - March 2014

Source: TheKnot.com 2013 Real Weddings Study

bakersfieldlife.com

Up Front

IN SEASON

By Tim Gojich

GET YOUR FITNESS BACK IN 2015

ife happens. We get busy with life’s important duties, family, friends, work, school etc. Somewhere along the path of doing what is important to make our lives work, we lose track of the most important factor in our lives, our health. This year is the year that you should bump exercise up to one of the highest priorities of your weekly, monthly and all-year plan. Think of getting back to the gym as something that you will not cancel, regardless of what circumstances arise. If you get stressed at work or find yourself consumed with family activi-

ties, you do not stop brushing your teeth, taking a shower, paying your bills, etc. So why stop exercising? You see, it all comes down to the way you look at working out. Sticking to a three-day workout plan must be prioritized high on your list. If you do not have a plan, you plan to fail. This cliché has always stuck in my head over the years. As a personal trainer for the last 18 years, I have found that when I have a plan in whatever I am doing, training clients, running my business or even my own workouts, I am successful in my efforts. I have found that winging it always ends in

failure. This is why I suggest you have a clear cut vision of how you want to make fitness work for you in 2015. I see people fall off every year when their fitness goals are vague. Here are three tips in creating your plan. 1. Establish realistic goals – Break

your goals up into large, medium and small markers. Work backwards. The large goal can be reached by starting small. Just making a point to get to the gym three days a week is your small goal. Reach the medium goal by the three month mark. The average person who starts working out in January stops in just one month. After three months, you are in the groove and can now kick up the intensity and work hard for that large goal. 2. Eat the highest quality food that you can afford – Feed your body

well and it will give you the energy needed to exercise at a high intensity. Eat poorly and expect your workouts to be horrible. Eat 80 percent of your food from meals you have prepared from home. Fast food will surely derail any goals that you have planned.

Fit for Life Gym owner and trainer Tim Gojich pushed Brandon Thompson to get in better shape last year. 24

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ

3. Create a network of health -

Those who stay healthy year after year have created a network of friends, coworkers and family members that believe in a healthy lifestyle. These people will keep you on track. The opposite will happen if your network is made up of people who drink alcohol in excess, eat out often and look at exercise as a chore. Try and minimize the time spent with anyone who will entice you to deviate from your goals. I wish you all the luck in the world at making 2015 your best fitness year ever! — Tim Gojich, CPT, is the owner of Fit For Life Gym.

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Up Front

HAPPENINGS

CAN’T-MISS EVENTS IN JANUARY

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

Thursday 1/1

Friday 1/30

Annual Polar Bear Plunge, for ages 7 and up, 11 a.m., McMurtrey Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St. $5 just to plunge; $25 for sweatshirt and plunge. 852-7430.

Travis Tritt, 8 p.m. Friday, Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $48-$68 at the box office window only. Fees may apply at vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Friday 1/9

Saturday 1/31

Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater & Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $18$55 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

The Metropolitan Opera: “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” 9:55

Polar Bear Plunge

Saturday 1/17

Friday 1/23

Fog Run 5K/10K benefiting the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault and Probation Auxiliary County of Kern, registration 7 to 8:30

Brent Morel Gala and Auction benefiting League of Dreams, cocktails at 6 p.m., din-

a.m., run starts at 9 a.m., Lake Ming. $25 registration fee before Dec. 31. $30 regular registration. www.active.com Randy Rogers band, 7:30 p.m., Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $20 plus fee. vallitix.com or 3225200.

Cristela Alonzo

Saturday 1/10 Second annual Roadrunner Baseball Hot Stove Dinner, fea-

Sunday 1/18 “Me and My Girl,” doors open at 12:30 p.m., show starts at 2 p.m., Stars Theatre Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave. $45 to 60 with dinner, $38 without. www.bmtstars.com.

turing Mike Scioscia, 5:30 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $100. 654-3473.

Wednesday 1/21

Sunday 1/11

6:30 p.m., Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. $24, $22 seniors, $18 children. fathomevents.com or 663-3042.

Cristela Alonzo, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $39.50 at the box office window only. Fees may apply at vallitix.com or 322-5200. Harmonies Girls Choir, presented by Bakersfield Community Concert Association, 3 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $40 or $80 for five concerts. 589-2478.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

The Metropolitan Opera: “The Merry Widow Encore,”

Thursday 1/22 So You Think You Can Dance — Live Tour, 8 p.m.,

Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $37-$63 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. January 2015

ner at 7 p.m., JC’s Place, 1901 Chester Ave. $124. Call 616-9122. Monster X Tour, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $10-$40 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

a.m., Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. $24, $22 seniors, $18 children. fathomevents.com or 663-3042. A Riverbed Runs Through It Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 6:30

a.m. start for half marathon walkers, 8 a.m. start for half marathon, 5K and 10K, The Park at River Walk, 11298 Stockdale Highway. Registration $25 - $50. utlrasignup.com.

Sunday 1/25 Alex Depue with Miguel De Hoyos, presented by Bakersfield

Community Concert Association, 3 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $40 or $80 for four concerts. 589-2478.

Monday 1/26 “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” 7:30 p.m.,

Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $32-$52 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

Thursday 1/29 Classic Film Festival: “The Wild Bunch,”

7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Saturday, Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave. $6. 636-0484.

Travis Tritt

PHOTO BY ROD THORNBURG

This January will mark the 26th year of the Fog Run.

Run to benefit at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence

rave the mists for Bakersfield’s 26th annual Fog Run to benefit atrisk youth and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault at 9 a.m. Jan. 10. at Lake Ming. This is the first year the event will be hosted by the Probation Auxiliary County of Kern (PACK), a nonprofit that operates under the umbrella of Kern County Probation. The nonprofit’s work includes a scholarship program for at-risk youth. PACK also sponsors the “I’m Thumbody” program geared toward second graders to build self esteem and combat bullying. “I’m Thumbody is not just a word play. The thumbprint represents the uniqueness of each individual child,” said Anita Ziegeler, who works for the volunteer services department. PACK’s“Take Away Tattoos” program (TAT) has been helping kids make a fresh start since 1998. Volunteer doctors

and nurses remove gangrelated ink and other unwanted tattoos to help youth move on to better things. The run will also help the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, which offers many services for displaced women and children, from providing basic necessities like food and clothing, to counseling and job training. “The emergency shelter always has a lot of needs,” said Cindy Lyday, the agency’s external affairs manager. Pre-register online by Dec. 31 for $25, or for $30 after Jan. 1 at active.com, kernprobation.com/pack or facebook.com/pacountyofkern. All registered racers will receive a souvenir race Tshirt, free food and a chance to win raffle prizes. Contact Ziegeler at 8687428 or Angelica Garcia at 868-4149. — Melissa Peaker-Whitten

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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

JARED ROBERTSON

s a regional manager for In-Shape Health Clubs, it’s Jared Robertson’s job to pump up gym goers and employees alike. “My biggest challenge is making working out fun for everyone, as achieving fitness goals isn’t always easy,” he said. “My greatest reward is to see members achieve their fitness goals, and an employee achieve a career growth.” Robertson, a Bakersfield native, supervises a wide swatch of health clubs as southern regional

I have a small Pomeranian dog named Daisy. Kind of odd for a manly man.

2. My favorite diet cheat meal is a double burger with sweet potato fries from Juicy Burger.

I had two best men in my wedding because both are lifelong friends whom I consider to be my brothers.

My birth name was changed from Jarrod to Jared, because everyone was calling me “Jar-rod.”

When I was 33 years old, I found out I had two additional brothers and one sister. I absolutely adore all of them.

For the past eight years, I have participated in a competitive co-ed softball league with my wife and close friends.

7. I receive more personal fulfillment from helping others reach their career goals versus my own achievements.

8. My favorite sports teams are the New York Yankees and Pittsburg Steelers, and I have never been to the East Coast.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

manager for In-Shape, including Bakersfield, Hanford, Lemoore, Lancaster, Palmdale, Porterville, Ridgecrest, Visalia, Victorville and Cathedral City. He’s married to the love of his life, Brittany Robertson. Their household includes one daughter, Avery Robertson, two dogs and a hamster. “Since I was born in Bakersfield, this city has always had a special place in my heart,” he said. “Over the past three decades, I witnessed and participated in Bakersfield’s growth.”

9. My first vehicle was a bright orange Toyota Tacoma, which was 10 years old and had black graffiti on the entire passenger side. This was a family heirloom.

10.

I exercise a minimum of three to five times per week because I want to be an example of the In-Shape brand. I believe in the philosophy of practicing what you preach.

11. After eating red velvet cake from Sweet Surrender, my taste buds have never been the same. This is the best cake I’ve had in my life!

12. I am an extremely competitive person; I want to win at everything. My favorite quote is, “I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful and too determined to be defeated.”

Up Front

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

By Lisa Kimble

TAILING BAKERSFIELD’S MOST POWERFUL MAN

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Columnist Lisa Kimble took Rep. Kevin McCarthy on a trip down memory lane with a visit to his old elementary school.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA KIMBLE

t had been years since Kevin McCarthy found himself in the principal’s office. His last visit came during his Washington Junior High School days when he lobbed a water balloon at the band instructor. But on a recent Friday afternoon, there he sat in Principal Abraham Rivera’s office at Noble Elementary School, McCarthy’s alma mater, giving Rivera the lay of the land as he remembered it back in the 1970s, probably before Rivera was born. McCarthy is a household name locally, and his life is pretty much an open book. From the art gallery owner to the former D.C. intern, it seems just about everyone has a McCarthy story. I’d worked with McCarthy on numerous occasions over the years while covering his boss, former Rep. William “Bill” Thomas. He was, and remains to this day, accessible. But by the time his own political train was leaving the station, my television news career was grinding to a halt and there was no overlap. So I welcomed the assignment that made its way to me last summer to paint a picture of the prisms of the congressman’s life that most people may not be familiar with. As any feature writer will tell you, capturing someone’s version of their life story can be done anyplace. But where it is done can also add rich texture and layering to their narrative. Summer gave way to fall, and trying to get together with the second most powerful man in the United States House of Representatives required some fancy footwork. The midterm election was a week and a half away, and McCarthy could just as easily have been making the rounds on behalf of fellow GOP candidates. But ask the newly-minted House Majority Leader to meet you at his old stomping ground, and there was no way he would pass on a trip down memory lane. I had already profiled his wife, Judy. This was the other bookend, and for a freelancer, a good get. Principal Rivera couldn’t have been more thrilled about providing a venue for the interview. But first, he had to make sure the school district didn’t have a problem with the idea. After all, McCarthy was up for re-election. The district gave the green light. My plan was to arrive early. No easy feat, if you ask my family. A good half hour before our scheduled appointment, I received a text from McCarthy’s uber-efficient district director, Vince Fong. They were already there. Wonderful. The House Majority leader was sitting around waiting for me to arrive. Not a great way to start, I worried. Fall was in the air. The weekend was a bell-ring away for students. Pulling up to the school on Noble Avenue, it was impossible not to notice the vehicles lining the front of the entrance. But these SUVs weren’t being driven by moms picking up their children. These belonged to straight-faced Capitol police. Wonderful, now I’m holding up a congressman and his security detail. A number of men wearing suits and ear pieces stood

guard outside Rivera’s office. I could only imagine the conversation Rivera would have with his wife that evening about how his day went. Kevin McCarthy surely could never have imagined as he roamed the corridors of Noble as a youngster that one day he’d be back for a visit flanked by security. We all had a good laugh. I was reminded of another afternoon, 20 years ago on a wet and blustery day in Yorba Linda, at the funeral of former President Richard Nixon. Five former presidents, a congressional delegation, foreign diplomats and the world’s media had converged for the public service. “We are connected to history on this day,” Thomas observed. Those eight words have stayed with me. Following our interview, McCarthy and I parted ways after some small talk about our children. He hopped into his waiting SUV and was whisked away. I crossed Noble Avenue, unescorted, and drove home with great material. Who knows where the path of Kevin McCarthy, who has already made history by becoming the first majority leader from California, will take him. But on a Friday in October, there were more connections with history for principal Rivera, who turned over his office and corridors to members of the Capitol Police, for his giddy office staff and for myself. You can read more about Kevin McCarthy, our homegrown export, on page 78. My hope is that you will come to know this Smith’s Bakery maple bar Lisa Kimble and brownie-loving, parade waving local boy-makes-good a little bit better, and that the man the world sees is as authentic as his Dewar’s favorite, George’s Special.

D I N I N G D I VA S

CHALET BASQUE Divas begin with a family-style dining experience that pulls from Basque and Chinese cultures Photos by Greg Nichols

S OAK ST

tepping into Chalet Basque is like stepping into old world Kern County. Everything from the richly colored decor, with images of Bakersfield’s past adorning the walls, to the ornate ceiling tiles paint a picture of just how long this restaurant has been serving Bakersfield diners. One of a handful of Basque restaurants in town, Chalet Basque distinguishes itself with an enjoyable combination of incredible food, luxurious surroundings and an 200 FT lively owner. VERDE ST All one has to do is meet Chalet Basque owner Lisa Liu to know that this is no ordinary Basque restaurant. A transplant from Beijing, 200 Oak St. 99 Lisa has taken the old world charm of her Basque restau58 rant and infused it with the family-style dining tradition BRUNDAGE LN common in both Basque and Chinese cultures. The cultural mix makes for a Chalet Basque can’t-miss dining experience. The new Dining Divas, 200 Oak Street Dianne, LaMeka, Amber, Open 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. everyday Valerie and Jessica, enjoyed 661-327-2915 a family-style feast, from the www.bestbasquefoodbakersfield.com traditional Basque setup to an amazing dessert. We even ended up with an invitation to Liu’s home for a home-cooked Chinese dinner! But back to the Basque.

Chalet Basque

THE SETUP We began with the traditional Basque setup. For those unfamiliar with Basque dining, this is a family-style appetizer typically served with beans, vegetable soup, salsa, bread, french fries, marinated tomatoes, salad and the ultimate bravery barometer – beef tongue. Dianne and LaMeka both tried the tongue, while the rest of us reached for second helpings of the other items. Amber on the soup, beans and salsa: I’ve been going to Basque restaurants for a long time and always remember the setup. I love the brothy taste of the vegetable soup and really enjoy mixing in some beans. I’m a bit of a sissy when it comes to spice, so I didn’t include salsa, but I gladly dipped a piece of 32

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Rack of lamb

bread in the combination to savor the meal. Dianne on the tomatoes: The fresh tomatoes were marinated with a light vinegar dressing that wasn’t overpowering. I enjoyed them on the salad, and the tomatoes brought out the best combination of freshness with the lettuce. The burst of flavors when you bite down on these firm tomatoes fills your mouth with pure delight. Jessica on the salad: The salad came with homemade blue cheese dressing that was so good, and I don’t normally like blue cheese. It wasn’t too tangy and added a perfect amount of flavor to the salad. Dianne on the french fries: Whether it’s French or Spanish Basque, these fries are heavenly. These fries, cooked in soy bean oil, are hard to resist; once you have a few, you won't want to try all the other items on the table. The light brown, fresh potatoes were perfectly fried, and I think I was the one that grabbed the last few from the family-style plate. LaMeka on the pickled cow tongue: I was a little hesitant to try the cow tongue, based on what it is alone, but I am always open to try new things, so why not. It ended up tasting like a very flavorful roast beef.

ENTREES For our entrees, we each picked something off of the standard Chalet Basque menu and specials, then passed the food around to share for a true Basque experience. We gathered with new friends who really felt like people we had known for years. Dianne on the lamb chops: One thing Basque restaurants are known for is their lamb chops, and Chalet Basque has great ones. Served generously on a large platter, each one can be eaten in two or three bites. The light gravy mixed with just a hint of garlic, peppers and onions was melt-in-your-mouth delectable. They are easily shared with others, and I highly

Continued on page 34

Meet the 2015 Dining Divas. From left to right: Dianne Hoover, Jessica Mathews, Valerie Mendiburu, Amber Chiang and LaMeka Ross. bakersfieldlife.com

Filet mignon

The setup at Chalet Basque

Fried chicken

Salmon filet

Continued from page 33 recommend them. LaMeka on the filet mignon: This was my first experience at Chalet Basque and it was a very good one. The owner was very hospitable and the service was excellent. The waiter described all of the specials, and based on the way he described the filet mignon, I had to have it! It was cooked medium and topped with an incredible raspberry brandy sauce. The filet was very tender and cooked to perfection. Jessica on the shrimp scampi: As scampi should, the dish had a nice, warm, garlic butter flavor, and was presented beautifully with a tomato rose. The garlic was not overbearing, but definitely present. The flavors were rich and delightful. Amber on the salmon: I was looking for an entree that supported my weight-loss program. Now, I am never opposed to a steak, but I’d had one the week prior, so fish was my choice. After our server described a salmon filet with a delicate lemon

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

sauce, I was sold! I was served a delicious salmon filet with a light sauce that had just a gentle tang of lemon. I’m a huge lemon fan, particularly with fish, and this was nicely paired. Valerie on the fried chicken: I am a very big fan of Basque food, as is my entire family. Honestly, there is nothing quite like the family-style atmosphere and wonderful cuisine. I was lucky enough to try the fried chicken with garlic butter, a favorite for sure. The fried chicken was cooked perfectly with garlic butter drizzled on top. If you are familiar with Basque food, you know you receive multiple pieces of chicken with both light and dark meat; there is definitely something for everyone.

DESSERT Amber on the Butterfinger pie: When dinner finished, a pair of slices of Butterfinger pie were laid on the table, and we each gladly jumped in. I’ve learned over the last six months of dieting to never deny myself something, lest I binge on it later. So, I indulged in a few bites of the pie. It was sweet and creamy

and cold, and a surprisingly fitting end to the meal. We passed the pies around, each enjoying a bite of the sweet treat and snuck a few bites to our photographer, Greg, too.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE Dianne, LaMeka, Amber, Jessica and Valerie, the 2015 Dining Divas, were honored to have Chalet Basque as our first restaurant of the year. The meal couldn’t have been better, and there was no better way to spend a cool winter night than in the company of great people, a wonderfully hospitable owner (Thank you, Lisa!) and delicious Basque cuisine.

Butterfinger pie

Chalet Basque offers the setup on Oak Street.

Get to know your 2015 Dining Divas

Amber Chiang was born in Bakersfield and attended Cal State Bakersfield. Chiang is now the director of marketing and public relations for Bakersfield College, making her a regular figure on local television. She recently earned her master’s in communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Chiang has been married to husband, Charley, for 20 years and they have two children, Nicklas and Kariya. Chiang loves sports and watches as much LA Kings, NFL and NASCAR as she can.

Dianne Hoover hails from Ohio, where meat and potatoes were her standard fare. Growing up, she stayed healthy by playing sports alongside her four brothers and sister. She was interested in a career in parks and recreation and put herself through college, earning two master’s degrees. Hoover has been Bakersfield’s recreation and parks director for 10 years. She swims, bikes, hikes and walks regularly so that she can enjoy Bakersfield’s many restaurants.

Jessica Mathews is the executive director for the League of Dreams, a local nonprofit adaptive sports league for children with special needs. She also sits on the board of directors for Thumbs Up, Cancer Down and the Developmental Services Support Foundation and is an active Junior League member. She and her husband, Tony, are raising daughter, Whitley, 3, and three four-legged children, DJ, Cinergy and Bell. Matthews enjoys the outdoors, sporting events and wine tasting.

Valerie Mendiburu is the co-founder and vice president of public affairs for Mendiburu Magic Foundation. The foundation responds to the needs of local children and families facing cancer and/or other catastrophic or life-threatening illness. Mendiburu is involved with the foundation’s special projects, community partnerships, public affairs, marketing, client relations, and branding/strategic alliance. Mendiburu’s loves are her husband Brian and their three sons, Braden, 7, Jackson, 4, and Luke, 2.

LaMeka Ross is a human resources advisor for Aera Energy. She is mother to two beautiful children, Jayla, 10, and Jeremiah, 9, who keep her busy and involved in their many activities. Ross also has a passion for working in the community and is involved in the Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and other organizations. Ross loves to travel, shop and experience new things.

bakersfieldlife.com

FOOD AND WINE

WARM WINTER WONDERS Sip up savory soups this season

Chicken noodle soup at J & M's Cafe Bar and Grill.

By Kevin McCloskey

Photos by Felix Adamo

inter is the perfect season for soups. For lunch or dinner, as a precursor to, or the entire meal, soup is satisfying, especially when the temperature outside begins to drop. And while soup from a can will serve in a pinch, nothing beats made-from-scratch broths, chowders and chilis. Here are some must-try soups from favorite local spots.

THE GARDEN SPOT 3320 Truxtun Ave. and 1115 Truxtun Ave.

It's no secret that Bakersfield loves chile verde; we even top our pizzas with it. If you've never had it in soup form though, stop in at the Garden Spot and give it a try. This hearty soup with thick, tasty chunks of pork has only become more popular over time. “Three years ago, a group of regulars asked to be reminded of when we would make the chile verde soup,” said owner Keith Barnes. “Eventually they said, ‘If you have this soup every Wednesday, we'll be in every week.' It wasn't a very hard decision to make.” The soup is so popular that Barnes said the cafe’s location in a county building has sold out of the dish in half an hour at times. “Our customers claim that it's the best in town,” Barnes 36

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Chile verde soup from Garden Spot. said. Perhaps its the homemade goodness that keeps customers coming back. “All of our soups are 100 percent made in our kitchens,” Barnes said. “Our chef, Ben Gomez, has been preparing them from scratch for more than 18 years.”

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Meatball soup from Sequoia Sandwich Company.

SEQUOIA SANDWICH COMPANY 1231 18th St., 9500 Ming Ave. and 9160 Rosedale Highway

For another hearty soup to warm you up at lunchtime, be sure to try the meatball soup at your closest Sequoia Sandwich shop. Similar to albondigas soup at your favorite Mexican eatery, this pleasing item is filled with meatballs, carrots, potatoes, celery and onions cooked in a chicken base. "Developed by our cooks, we asked them to make the meatballs smaller than is traditional for albondigas," said co-owner Gary Blackburn. “All our soups have been made in-house since we introduced them eight years ago, and the meatballs are hand-rolled for each batch of soup that we make.” Though the meatballs are smaller than the Mexican version, Blackburn thinks customers keep coming back because the eatery doesn’t skimp on this soup. “Because Bakersfield is a meat-and-potatoes kind of town, I think this soup is very popular due to the generous amount of meat included in each serving,” he said.

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J & M'S CAFE BAR AND GRILL 10801 Rosedale Highway

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2014

Tommy Moody (Project Supervisor), Harold Workman (Lead Carpenter), Travis Moody (Apprentice), Michelle Sweaney (Office Manager), Mel Fox (Sales/Design), Everett & Patty Gray (Owners)

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Home-style cooking is difficult to pull off in a restaurant setting, but the folks out at J & M's Cafe seem to have no trouble at all. Their chicken noodle soup is just what you need if you're feeling under the weather, homesick or nostalgic for the kind of homemade soup you had as a kid. Thick egg noodles, carrots, onions and celery make up this delicious soup, along with hand-cut chicken chunks. And to say that the soup is chock-full of chicken is a definite understatement. This soup will fill you up. “We make our soups daily with all natural ingredients,” said General Manager Andrew Wilkins. “Our customers say this soup tastes like something their grandmother would make. It's comfort food.” The recipe has a long history at the cafe. “The recipe has been used by the cooks here for more than 15 years, even before the cafe was taken over by new owners, Colins and Angie Rimer,” Wilkins said. The Rimers also own and operate the Village Grill downtown, and recently purchased Prime Cut in the southwest.

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Continued from page 37

CHEF'S CHOICE NOODLE BAR 1534 19th St.

The pho noodle soup (pronounced "fuh") at Chef's Choice Noodle Bar is a rich beef broth stock flavored with onions, spices and rice noodles, and packed with three styles of beef. Minced beef mixed with garlic and pepper and formed into a ball, short ribs braised for six hours in cinnamon, onion, black pepper and soy sauce (which is also used in the stock), and thin-sliced flank steak that is cooked medium rare, make up this flavorful dish. Accompanying the soup is a small plate with bean sprouts, sliced jalapenos, lime wedges, Thai basil and hoisin sauce. Owner Nick Hansa said the accouterments allow diners to customize their soup to their taste buds’ desire. "We have customers that will ask for no onions, extra meatballs, or even ingredients that aren't typically in the dish like broccoli or mushrooms. We can accommodate these requests because our pho is assembled to-order,” Hansa said. This soup is not to be missed.

Pho noodle soup at Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar.

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The Refined Face of a New Generation. INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

Designed to seat up to eight, Navigator offers secondrow options that include two captain’s chairs with or without a center console, or a fold-flat bench.

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ON THE ROAD

2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 2015 Lincoln Navigator delivers fearless performance

Editor Olivia Garcia discovered that the 2015 Lincoln Navigator provides 380 horsepower in a stylish package.

By Olivia Garcia

Photos by Michael Lopez

’m no Matthew McConaughey, but I did get a chance to test drive a 2015 Lincoln Navigator, and there is a lot to be shared. Many of us have all seen or heard of Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln ads, or possibly the spoofs that have followed, generating quite a marketing buzz for the MKC model. Even my 16-year-old quickly made the connection when he saw the Navigator parked outside our home, filling in his brother on the McConaughey connection. My entertainment-hip teen even quipped that the Navigator would make one heck of a transformer. But if I were picked for a commercial for the eight-passenger Lincoln Navigator, I would talk about how this fearless, luxury SUV has raised the bar for safety, class and power. For years, I have been a SUV mom, scooting my boys back and forth to school and sports. I was anxious to get my husband behind the wheel to gauge his thoughts, as he’s always been the de facto vacation trip driver. I have to say, the 2015 Lincoln Navigator 40

Bakersfield Life Magazine

The Navigator’s Eagle Ottawa leather-swaddled seating is baby soft. definitely surprised and charmed its way in my assessment and my better half’s. Now I mentioned safety, and for good reason. The Lincoln Navigator is packed with features such as blind spot monitoring and the reverse sensing system, which uses sensors on the rear bumper and a warning sound to alert you if anything is in your path. I also enjoyed having two 4.2-inch LCD

January 2015

screens facing the driver, one that provides you with intel about the SUV, while the other displays the navigation and directions to where you are headed. That really beats having to look over to the middle console, especially on busy streets or highway crossings. The 8-inch MyLincoln Touch LCD screen is the perfect size to manage temperatures, navigation and entertainment. You can pro-

1,560 pounds. • Use of fine materials for interior comfort: Trevino Premium Dune Leather is standard in the Reserve trim, accented by genuine Ziricote Wood. These materials are typically found in high-end custom yachts and airplanes. Mileage and price tag: The 2015 Lincoln Navigator achieves 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Up to 12 phones can be programmed into the Navigator. Price tag: Starting at $61,480

It’s all in the details Five best features of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator: • Lincoln Drive Control: Allows you to adjust the suspension to three different settings, normal, sport and comfort. When initiating comfort mode, the Navigator eliminates nearly every bump in the road, creating a luxurious ride. • Lincoln Welcome Mat: The Lincoln Navigator welcomes the client to their vehicle by using a spotlight hidden in the side mirror to illuminate a Lincoln “welcome mat” on the ground in front of the door. • Deployable power running boards: This great feature is standard on all Navigators. • Introduction of an EcoBoost Engine: For 2015, the Navigator is available with a 3.5-Liter Twin Turbo V6 (EcoBoost): 380 horsepower and 460 ft.-lbs. of torque. Delivers best-in-class towing (9,000 pounds) and best-in-class payload capacity of

gram up to 12 phones into this classy ride. The night illumination is powerful. A full line of LEDs streak across the rear light bar. “This is cool,” said Marcus Hampton of Jim Burke Ford Lincoln, as he pointed to the sticker, which stated that the vehicle is built

See clearly through the Navigator’s sunroof.

in America. “It’s all U.S.” Classiness is redefined with the Navigator. First, the Eagle Ottawa leather seating feels like butter, while the Wollsdorf leather wrapping the steering wheel makes the handling ultra smooth. But be prepared to be blown away by the interior Prussian burl wood accents, which also come in brown swirl walnut and the coveted, rare ziricote wood (often found in yachts). What really shocked me, though, was discovering that the rear seats are power folding. For a mom like me, who sometimes struggles with lifting and folding the third-row seat, I can’t say how wowed I was by the powerfolding capability with the touch of a button. Plus the cargo mode lowers the seats completely flat. No bumps. Five stars. Hampton said another new look is the split wing grille, which gracefully complements the wraparound tail lamps. “This new model is very sharp looking,” Hampton said. Power is measured in different ways. First, this baby can tow 9,000 pounds. My husband and I took the Navigator to the Outlets at Tejon for holiday shopping and I was spoiled by the keyless remote that, with the touch of a button, automatically opened

The 2015 Lincoln Navigator perfectly fits the client who desires luxury, performance, quality, and a unique design that meets the needs of an active family. What makes the 2015 Lincoln Navigator stand out from others: The signature split wing grille not only makes for a nice refresh, but gives the Navigator an aggressive stance. The standard features that come with the Navigator sets it apart from the rest of the competition: Power deployable running boards, heated and cooled seats, blind spot information system, THXII certified audio system, voice activated navigation, power-folding rear seats and much more. These features are an upgrade for other luxury brands. Three words that define the 2015 Lincoln Navigator: Fearless, refined and capable. Source: Lincoln sales consultants Marcus Hampton and Sam Olson of Jim Burke Lincoln

the rear so I could place my bags inside. Yes, we made a few trips to the Navigator to load our shopping bags in automated style. Hampton also mentioned that the Navigator comes with a code that you can punch in at the door in case you want to leave your purse or keys in the car because you are at an event, or planning to work out. Talk about space, the Navigator delivers 13 inches more in third-row legroom space compared to the nearest competitor. (And we are not even talking about the extended version, the EL). My husband, Julio, was floored by the power. The 2015 Navigator is armed with 380 horsepower, a 70 horsepower boost from the previous V8 version, and 460 lb-ft of torque, which translates into 95 more lb-ft of torque than the previous model, Hampton said. Julio could see that the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 twinturbocharged, direct-injection engine gave it much more muscle, yet it rode seamlessly on the highway. Hampton said that translates into better gas mileage and a lot more power than the previous V8. “The whole thing behind the Navigator is that not only is it elegant, but most important, it is capable,” Hampton said. bakersfieldlife.com

ON THE ROAD

2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71 CREW CAB After a two-year absence, Chevy’s new mid-size truck moves to the head of the class

By Glenn Hammett

Bakersfield Life art director Glenn Hammett loads his mountain bike into the bed of the Chevy Colorado Z71 after a ride.

Photos by Casey Christie

have often wondered why full-size pickups keep growing bigger and more powerful. Have grocery bags and golf clubs really gotten bigger and heavier over the past 15 years? Small trucks, or mid-size, as they are called in the auto industry, have always seemed to be a smarter choice

The new Colorado is a perfect blend of power, economy and comfort in a reasonable-sized package. 42

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January 2015

than full-size models. They cost less, get better gas mileage and meet the cargo-carrying needs of 90 percent of people who own pickups. Apparently, I don’t have a lot of company in the smaller-is-better camp. Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge all discontinued production of their mid-size trucks three or four years ago, leaving Toyota and Nissan as the only options. That’s why I was heartened to see Chevrolet reintroduce the Colorado for 2015, the model it axed in 2012. One of the primary reasons for the demise of the mid-size pickup was that car companies have put most of their design and engineering resources into their more profitable full-size trucks, making them more fuel-efficient and feature-laden without a substantial price penalty, effectively squeezing the smaller trucks out of the market. Chevy has addressed this issue, and then some, with the 2015 Colorado. I found this truck to be the perfect balance of size, capability, comfort and fuel economy. The people at Motor Trend recently gave the Colorado a thumbs-up, also, naming it the 2015 Truck of the Year. “Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement,” Motor Trend editor-in-chief Edward Loh said. “It’s perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many of today’s truck users.” I couldn’t agree more. This truck has a rock-solid feel, yet it is quiet and rides and handles more like a car. Unlike my

The Colorado’s updated body design sets it apart from its competition.

experiences with larger trucks, I never felt like I had to be extra careful about lane changes or search for two open parking spaces so that I had ample space to maneuver it into position. The 3.6-liter V6 engine delivers a robust 302 horsepower while getting 26 mpg on the highway.

EXTERIOR The Colorado’s sleek, modern look sets it apart from the competition, the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier, neither of which have had a significant face-lift in more than 10 years. Two of my favorites features on this truck are the easy lift and lower tailgate and the corner step rear bumper. A builtin damper and torsion bar makes opening and closing the tailgate possible, literally, with one finger. This can come in handy when you are loading or unloading and cannot get both hands free. The corner step rear bumper provides a flat, slipresistant surface for your feet, making it easier to tie down loads and access cargo.

INTERIOR The interior of the Colorado is comfortable and spacious, even for passengers in the rear seats, and the design and materials exude quality. It was also exceptionally quiet with minimal road and engine noise. Driver and front passenger seats are heated and feature power lumbar adjustments. The technology and connectivity features on the Colorado are too numerous to list. Some of the highlights are an 8inch color touch screen to access the radio and navigation system, four USB ports, MyLink, which includes handsfree text messaging, OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hot spot and XM Radio. Chevy’s announcement that they were bringing back the Colorado left many auto industry experts scratching their heads, but with its smart design, admirable fuel economy, best-in-class power, car-like comfort and endless amenities, the Colorado has redefined the mid-size pickup. Let’s hope the other auto manufacturers follow Chevy’s lead.

Most of the Colorado’s tech features are easily controlled from the steering wheel.

It’s all in the details Gas mileage: 19 city/26 highway (2.5L I-4) Price tag: Starts at $20,120 plus destination charges Five best things about the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab: 1. 4G hot spot. You can take the Internet with you. 2. 305 max horsepower (3.6L V-6). 3. Fuel economy. 4. Best-in-class towing. Rated to tow up to 7000 pounds. 5. Best-in-class warranty. • Three years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper. • Five years or 100,000 miles powertrain • Two years or 24,000 miles maintenance plus one year or 12,000 miles additional from Three-Way Chevrolet Three words that best describe the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab: Luxury meets utility. What do you like most about the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab? The can-do attitude offered with the Z71 OffRoad Package.

An 8-inch color touch screen is the centerpiece of the Colorado’s well-designed interior.

Source: Mike Thomas, senior sales manager for Three-Way Chevrolet Cadillac

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January 2015

WHY I LIVE HERE

KATHRYN MEARS Bakersfield-educated woman turned Bakersfield educator can’t say enough about her hometown Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Favorite place in Bakersfield: Hart Park

because it is beautiful all the time. Describe your neighborhood: Oleander: It is charming, laid back and friendly. My neighbors are great. Favorite restaurant in Bakersfield:

Everyone who knows me knows Luigi’s is my

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

akersfield native Kathryn Mears has fond memories of growing up in the soil of the Central Valley. “I just remember how fun it was being kids. We always found things to do, like slide down a hill on cardboard (or) take a walk through the dirt fields,” Mears said. Mears, 45, is the daughter of East High graduates, and she graduated from Garces High in 1987. She then attended Cal State Bakersfield and the University of La Verne, graduating with a doctorate in public administration. She has returned to La Verne as an academic adviser and adjunct faculty member, assisting non-traditional students and teaching classes on organizational leadership, culture and gender. Mears also chaired the successful 2014 Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference. First and foremost, Mears is mom to Noah, her 2-year-old son. She tries to fit in swimming, reading, going to the beach and kickball, but most of her hobbies “have evolved to anything that keeps my son interested,” she said. Mears and her husband, Stephen, love to nerd out on robotics and science, and are quick to share new discoveries with their little budding scientist. Mears has stayed in town through Bakersfield’s changes and is happy raising her own family in this burgeoning city. “I look at that area (where I played) now, and there are tons of houses there, but when you look closely, it still has a little bit of that dirt field,” she said.

Kathryn Mears, academic adviser at the University of La Verne, and her 2-year-old son, Noah.

favorite restaurant. I order my usual mushroom ravioli with an iced tea. What surprises you about Bakersfield?

It has been growing over the past 10 years. New industries and people are coming to appreciate what we have to offer. We are starting to diversify to include the Outlets at Tejon and distributions centers that add to our agriculture and oil production. Despite the growth in industry, we have maintained the hospitality of Bakersfield/Kern County culture. How would you describe Bakersfield?

Bakersfield people will try to feed you, figure out what high school you went to or invite you to a fundraiser. They give to charities and

volunteer time. They know their politicians, even if they disagree, and they support their veterans. We are not a perfect society, but we have qualities that other areas are trying to achieve. What is the best kept secret in Bakersfield? Those that work behind the scenes

at our local museums and educational events in Bakersfield. The robotics workshop through the Levan Institute at Bakersfield College is awesome! Ronald Siemens, the instructor, is brilliant. Koral Hancharick and the troop that keep the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science going, those taking care of the animals and keeping the train going at CALM, and everyone out at the Kern County Museum are all hidden gems. bakersfieldlife.com

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

DEANDRE DICKSON

Deandre Dickson dunks on Bakersfield College’s court.

PHOTO BY FRANCIS MAYER

Sleeping giant wakes to take Renegades to next level on court

By Stephen Lynch

o say that Deandre Dickson came out of nowhere this season to become one of the state’s most dominating junior college basketball players would be a bit of misnomer. But not much of one. The 6-foot-9 Bakersfield College freshman spent the past three years since his graduation from Washington Union High School completely out of organized basketball. Instead, he was quietly honing his hoop skills, playing at a local park in his hometown of Easton, just outside of Fresno. Through the first week of December, he led the entire California Community College Athletic Association in rebounding with 13.9 points per game and ranked seventh in scoring at 21.7 points per game. Dickson was discovered by a friend of Bakersfield College men’s basketball coach Rich Hughes. That chance encounter led Dickson to visit to the BC campus this summer. Soon afterward, he made the decision to resume his formal basketball career as a member of the Renegades. Dickson made his presence felt immediately by scoring 29 points and grabbing 25 rebounds in his BC debut, an 88-85 overtime loss against LA Trade Tech. Two nights later, the talented big man tallied 37 points and 21 rebounds in a 75-70 victory over Victor Valley. That win was the first of four straight for BC, which began the season 5-2 and appears to be a Western State ConferenceSouth title contender, thanks to Dickson’s impact defensively, 46

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January 2015

as well as offensively. “I feel like I’m a defensive player first,” Dickson said. “The offense comes easy just because of my height. I like to play defense first and worry about the offense later. I like to block shots and crash the boards.” Dickson is a rare junior college big man in that he can play offensively both facing the basket or with his back to it. “He’s multi-faceted,” Hughes said. “He can play inside. He can play outside. As a coach, it’s fun and exciting because you can do a lot of things with him.” The still growing 205-pound Dickson averaged 2.4 blocked shots per game through the Renegades first seven contests of the season, ranking him sixth in the state. For those who follow high school basketball in the Central Valley, Dickson’s emergence onto the California junior college basketball scene after a three-year hiatus wasn’t a complete surprise. He was an all-conference player in high school. His senior year, Dickson averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game while leading the Panthers to a section title and a berth in the Division IV state playoffs, where they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Los Angeles-Windward. “I was a different player back then than I am right now though,” Dickson said. “I was strictly a post player, no outside moves. No shot (shooting skills).” Despite putting up solid numbers, Dickson, who missed

PHOTO BY FRANCIS MAYER

Deandre Dickson

Deandre Dickson Facts Has 11 siblings. Learned Spanish and English simultaneously while growing up. Played soccer as a youngster but only basketball in high school. Spent every summer until he was 17 in Mexico. Grew 7 inches during four years of high school. Was 6feet-7-inches, 185 pounds when he graduated. Senior year was chosen for numerous accolades, including MaxPreps All-State Division IV Second Team, Fresno Bee All-Star, North Sequoia League Player of the Year and NSL Defensive Player of the Year. Didn’t begin playing organized basketball until high school. Hopes to be 6-feet-11-inches tall by the time he stops growing. During his free time enjoys socializing and playing video games. Began working out recently to add bulk and strength to his thin body frame. Wears size 16 basketball shoes.

seven games due to a back injury his senior year, wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school. “Back then, I really wasn’t as talented a player as I am now,” Dickson said. “I had to work to be able to play how I can now … When I was at the park, there was a lot of older guys that I would play with and there were no rules so I could do whatever I wanted, work on my shot and the other the parts of my game that I thought were weak.” This year, Dickson, who grew up in a household with his mother and maternal grandparents, is hoping he can lead BC to a state title. “My expectations are really high … I think we’re capable of going and not losing (again),” he said. “I think we’re a really good team.” Even though he’s one of the state’s top players, Dickson remains humble and eager to improve his game. “He’s easy to coach,” Hughes said. “He still needs to get pushed. I think he’s got more that he can give and that’s my job to kind of mix in … Whatever I ask him to do, he does and he has a good basketball mind, which is another reason he’s fun to coach because he picks up things quickly.” Dickson’s ultimate goal is to play in the NBA. “I want to take it as far as I can go,” he said. bakersfieldlife.com

TA L K O F T H E TO W N

A LITTLE HELP TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER

PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY

Brides turn to planning professionals to ease wedding day worries

Matt Hood and Morgan Tanner embrace at their 2013 wedding. Shannon Hough, owner of Shannon Hough Events, said Tanner was a "dream bride" to work with, giving the wedding designer much trust and creative freedom.

By Chelsea Brewer

lace settings, dress fittings, guests lists and more. There are so many details that go into planning a wedding. But the right resources and a little coordination can go a long way toward planning a successful big day, local wedding pros said. In Bakersfield, there are many wedding and event planners who are happy to help brides pull off their dream weddings. From picking the right vendors to adding special touches, they’re armed with tricks and contacts to deliver a wedding to remember.

overwhelm a bride. By hiring a professional planner, the bride relieves herself from having to bother with checking out every venue in town, or tasting cake at every bakery. Wedding planners said that with a professional coordinator, brides can be confident that the planner will know the best places in town to get everything and anything the bride and groom need and want. Hiring a professional also takes the stress off the friends and family. “There are so many details that go into planning a wedding. It takes the joy out of being the mother-of-the-bride or maid-of-honor if they have to focus on that,” said Shannon Hough, event planner and owner of Shannon Hough Events (SHE). “Most people don’t realize how much they

CALLING IN A PROFESSIONAL All the preparation that goes into a wedding can easily 48

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January 2015

Continued on page 50

PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY

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“This is one of my favorite weddings,” wedding designer Shannon Hough said of Hood and Turner’s 2013 wedding at Stockdale Country Club.

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Shannon Hough Events worked with House of Flowers to create an old Hollywood glam aura for Sydnie Hawks and Jarrod Lumpkins' November wedding. bakersfieldlife.com

PHOTO BY MARIEL HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

Colleen Bauer, owner of Fairy Godmother event planning, said wedding coordinators and planners can take stress off the bride.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SEGAL

PHOTO BY JESSICA FREY

Shannon Hough Events added a personal touch to this Stockdale Country Club wedding.

Continued from page 48 need a planner until they choose to have one.” Colleen Bauer, a wedding coordinator and owner of Fairy Godmother wedding and event planning service, likens a wedding coordinator to insurance. “If you need it and you don’t have it, you’re in trouble. But if you have it and something goes wrong, we can get it fixed without the bride worrying about it,” she said. Despite what some penny-pinching brides may think, wedding planners are budget savvy and do everything they can to help a bride stick to what she has set aside. “Brides that are on a budget like to hire planners,” Bauer said. “They can help save in certain areas, not to mention eliminate stress over hiring venues and vendors.”

WEDDING WORKERS Wedding planners, or coordinators, take the pressure off of the bride by taking on most of the heavy lifting. They make phone calls, book venues, and organize all the details that go into the big celebration. “Wedding planners are being used more often now than they used to,” said Ann McCright, Ultimate Bridal Event owner and coordinator. “There are many more excellent planners nowadays. And I feel most brides usually want (a planner) with them from day one.” Most planners will go wherever the bride wants them to go, whether it’s the California coast, Las Vegas or across the country. To start, the planner sits down with the bride or couple and gets a feel for who they are and what they want. “We work very hard to personalize the weddings and receptions. We sit with the bride and give a lot of options and ideas,” Bauer said. Some planners charge a flat rate for their services or a percentage of the bride’s budget, while others provide pack50

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January 2015

Shannon Hough Events designed this November wedding around an old Hollywood glamour feel. age rates. Some brides feel they need full planning from start to finish, but others just want somebody there to coordinate the event on the actual day.

WHAT’S TRENDING To create the perfect wedding, planners stay on top of the latest trends. In Bakersfield, rustic elegance has turned into a big trend in the wedding industry. Things like burlap table runners, mason jar centerpieces, and succulents in bouquets give an elegant twist with a vintage, almost country, feel. Many brides have opted to hold the ceremony and/or the reception in old barns or meadows. The whole look creates a warm and inviting ambiance.

PHOTO BY MARIEL HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

“(Bakersfield is) known for it’s deep rooted farming community and agricultural history… Some of the most amazing venues here in Bakersfield belong to local residents,” Hough said. “There is always something extra special about having your wedding on the stomping grounds you grew up on.” Another trend making a comeback in wedding style is the traditional look. Think gold and glam, dramatic cascading bouquets, lavish centerpieces, luxurious elegance. Themed weddings also remain popular. Brides will go for a Disney theme, or perhaps a renaissance look complete with scabbards for the groomsmen and fairy wings for the flower girls.

ON THE BIG DAY Once the big day arrives, coordinators assure that everything runs smoothly. They oversee the guests’ arrival, keep everyone to the schedule, set up the reception, and most importantly, they make sure the bride has everything she needs. They also deal with any last minute details or disasters, such as the gift table and guest book or a surprise rainstorm. “Wedding planners carry a bag of tricks,” McCright said. “Club soda for any stains, sewing kits and mini scissors for any loose threads or beads. They keep children from crying. You name it, they’ll take care of it!”

Wedding designer Shannon Hough is proud of the creativity her team brought to Sydnie Hawks and Jarrod Lumpkins’ first kiss at their wedding. “It was a complete surprise to everyone, including the bride and groom, when (Shannon Hough Events) arranged for a surprise petal toss at first kiss,” she said.

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CELE

Cesar and Sara Carranza share a kiss at their wedding reception. 52

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BRATIONS Compiled by Bakersfield Life

PHOTO BY JENNIFER WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

ore than any of life’s milestones, weddings are a reflection of the people they join together. Whether it be the bride’s personal style or the groom’s heritage, the couple’s identities, separately and together, are reflected in all the details of the revelry. And though the bride and groom are the center of attention, they’ll spend many hours planning to wow and treat their guests on the big day. For our celebrations issue, we took a look at how four couples pulled off events that embodied the spirit of their relationship and future together. On the mountains of Mammoth and the lawns of country clubs, these ceremonies and parties shine with personality and special touches. Many thanks to the happy couples and their talented photographers for giving us an intimate glimpse into these breathtaking celebrations.

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gorgeous weddings at bakersfieldlife.com bakersfieldlife.com

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shleigh Cox and Jacob Bishop met in second grade at Columbia Elementary School, but they waited until their senior year at Liberty High School to go steady. On Sept. 20, they tied their lives together 11,053 feet above sea level atop Mammoth Mountain. “To be surrounded by all the best people in our lives, in a beautiful place that means so much to us, pledging our love was exactly what I wanted,” Cox said. Planning a destination wedding was no simple feat, especially since Cox works full time as director of creative services for the Bakersfield Condors. “I also knew that being a designer, I wanted to have 54

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January 2015

elements that had my personal stamp on them,” Cox said. She ultimately loved the pairing of her design aesthetic with the rustic, natural feel of their wedding setting. Her favorite details of the wedding included the olive wood rounds used as center pieces and the guest book, hand-lettered wood signs and an ombre aisle runner dyed pink. After the reception, the bride and groom, who is a field engineer for Halliburton, enjoyed a gondola ride down the mountain together. The next day, the newlyweds dressed in their best again for a sunny photo shoot in their favorite Mammoth spots.

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ove interrupted Allie Trobisch’s plans when she met Dr. Jan Trobisch at The Padre Hotel’s rooftop bar. She intended to return to Santa Barbara for school, but after dates with Jan, Allie decided to stay in Bakersfield. In 2013, Jan proposed to her aboard a private yacht on the Bosphorus River in Istanbul. They tied the knot at Stockdale Country Club on Sept. 6 with help from Mint Design, a Bakersfield wedding and event planning company. Allie met the company’s owner, Lotta Alexandersson, at a party and loved her passion for event planning. The selling point for the groom was that

Continued on page 56

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Continued from page 55 Alexandersson speaks German, a priceless skill at a wedding where some of the guests and wedding party members only spoke Deutsch. The couple wed outside under a large tree and had an indoor reception. Guests enjoyed a German-style cocktail

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hour complete with fresh pretzels, mustards and beer. The affair reflected a sense of luxurious elegance, with greenery-filled chandeliers, candles, macaron party favors and a monogrammed dance floor. “The most important aspect was to create a memorable wedding for our guests and us. So, to make it happen, we focused on the details, simplicity and warmth,” Allie said.

For over 23 years, Ladies and Gents Bridal has been helping brides with their dream of finding the perfect gown for their special day.

Now located at 56

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January 2015

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RINGING IN A LIFE TOGETHER P H OTO G R A P H S B Y J E N N I F E R W I L L I A M S P H OTO G R A P H Y

or Cesar Carranza, the attraction to his future wife was instant, even though he hadn’t met her in person yet. Cesar first spotted Sara Carranza in a photo hanging in her sister’s cubicle. “It was a picture of Sara’s graduation. She had posed in a running position, I was instantly attracted to her gorgeous smile and playful spirit,” Cesar said. Sara wasn’t single and when she was, their first go at a relationship fizzled. But through the years, they remembered each other fondly and eventually reconnected and rekindled their romance. On June 22, Sara and Cesar promised to keep that spark alive throughout their lives.

“We were already legally married, so this was our religious ceremony. Sara wanted a church setting that had charm,” Cesar said. “The Bell Tower Club, formerly a church, was the perfect place.” The couple wanted an intimate wedding where the people they loved could kick back and have a good time. Their centerpieces were do-it-yourself and turned out more beautiful than the couple expected. Their exit from the venue, amid a shower of twinkling sparklers, was one of their favorite details of the big day. “The day began very relaxed and stress-free. However, it went by so fast when it all started,” Cesar said.

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A WHIRLWIND WEDDING WEEKEND P H O T O G R A P H S B Y B R I A N A N D A L L I S O N C A L L A W AY | C A L L A W AY G A B L E

ver three days, Anita and Rohan Vaidya’s gorgeous wedding surrounded guests with vibrant colors and heartwarming memories. Rohan described the event as a true “big fat Indian wedding,” stretching from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The festivities started with a cocktail reception called a sangeet at Metro Galleries, continued with a wedding ceremony on the lawn at Rio Bravo Country Club, and culminated with a reception at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, where many of the guests were staying. “The sangeet and reception details, from our signature cocktails to the mehendi (henna) area upstairs at the sangeet, to the tall center pieces and candelabras at the 58

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

reception, were all amazing,” Rohan said. Each event was attended by 240 to 275 people. The couple, who live in San Francisco, met through friends and married in Bakersfield, where Anita grew up. For help planning their wedding weekend, they called on San Diego wedding planner Nahid Farhoud, a professional the couple said “went above and beyond” for them. “We thought it turned out to be absolutely beautiful and we are so thrilled with the way everything came together so seamlessly,” Rohan said. “We got many compliments after the wedding on the details and the way the whole weekend was put together for the guests.”

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bakersfieldlife.com

Picture T perfect Photographers, couples head out of town for adventurous engagement photos By Miranda Whitworth

Minnesota boy Keith Chitwood and Tehachapi native Maribel Martinez choose Kernville for their engagement photos last spring. PHOTO BY HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

he proposal is out of the way, the wedding date is set, and you and your spouse-tobe can’t wait to tell the world the news. The only question is, how do you make the announcement in a way that lives up to the amazing relationship you and your beloved share? Take a hint from countless couples before you, and make your engagement photos an event of their own. Destination engagement photography is a growing trend among brides and grooms, and it’s extremely popular here in the Kern County. If you’re looking for a backdrop that’s fun and different, many photographers are ready and willing to hit the road with you. Shelli Renee, who has been photographing brides and grooms for four years, said taking the time to get out of town makes for great photos and will help your photographer learn about you. “It gives me a chance to get to know my clients, see what they are like together and gives me an idea of what it will be like shooting on their wedding day,” Renee said. “I get to know them and I don’t feel like they are clients. I feel like they are my friends.” Holly Carlyle, a veteran wedding and engagement photographer, agrees that a little trip with the happy couple will give any photographer valuable insight into the pair’s dynamics. “You learn how they react to the camera, what they like about themselves when you are shooting,” she said. “It’s a great gauge.” Traveling for the setting is also a great way to ensure a bride and groom get a unique product. Bakersfield is limited when it comes to outdoor settings for photography. According to Carlyle, if a photographer finds a special spot in town, they have to act fast. “You really only get one chance to shoot somewhere before the pictures get out and people see them. Before you know it, you’ll have a hundred people there shooting,” she said. If you make the decision to head out of town for your engagement photos, there are plenty of options not too far from home. Renee’s favorite city to take couples is San Diego, not because the pictures look specifically like San Diego, but because the pictures can look like they were taken anywhere. “They can look like they are in Italy at Balboa Park and then we can go to a hotel where they look like they are in Fiji,” she said. “That’s two amazing looks in one location, and that’s all in San Diego.” Renee and Carlyle are both no strangers to beach settings. Many Kern County residents vacation on the Central Coast and Pismo Beach is a popular engagement photo destination. Carlyle likes to take her beach lovers a little farther south to a spot

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Maribel Martinez-Chitwood said she and her husband-to-be chose Kernville for their engagement photos for many reasons. “We both love to fish and head up to the Kern River often, we love to hike with our two dogs, camp during the Rubber Ducky festival, and eat at the Kern River Brewery whenever possible,” she said. PHOTO BY HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

bakersfieldlife.com

Bakersfield-raised John and Jayme MacDonald chose Big Bear Lake for their engagement photos in December 2013 because they wanted a photo session in the snow.

“A storm had just come through the night before and the whole town was covered in the most beautiful layer of perfect white snow. It could not have been more picturesque,” Jayme MacDonald said.

PHOTO BY HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Continued from page 60

Jessica Toledo and James Cruz took a spin at Disneyland for their engagement photo shoot.

near Malibu. “There’s a beach there where they do a lot of filming for Hollywood. It has a different kind of look. It’s not just sand; there are rocky features and other things there for the eye,” Carlyle said. “It’s really a beautiful spot that’s not so ordinary.” John Farrand, a former wedding and family photographer, enjoyed photographing Bakersfield couples in the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland. Taking photos on twirling teacups or under fireworks, Farrand said an engagement session in the theme park taps into a feeling of escapism. “I have found that families from here love to have ‘real’ photos taken of them visiting Disneyland. I’ve always felt that since we’re so close to the park, Disneyland really is basically right in our backyard,” Farrand said. Choosing the right photographer and the right destination are the most important parts of any successful engagement shoot. Renee provides hair, makeup and clothing consultations. Her shoots can

PHOTO BY JOHN W. FARRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Continued on page 64

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Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

focus on the glitz and glam with brides using elegant gowns from her own private collection. “You can really stylize a shoot and make it that much more dramatic and exciting. Who doesn’t love getting their hair done and putting on a sequin gown?” Renee said. Carlyle recommends taking precautions when heading out into the great outdoors. “Bring a small bag (with) makeup for touch ups. You also want to bring walking shoes if we are going to hike up a hillside for that perfect shot,” Carlyle said. “I’ll even recommend brides bringing clothes to change into on location. I bring a big reflector with me that a bride can hide behind to change if it’s needed.” From offbeat and natural to flash and glamour, Renee said the most important part of destination engagement photography is the couple themselves. “These are their photos, and they are important. It’s more than just an image. This is art and, like the couple, you want it to be unique and special,” she said.

Jessica Toledo and James Cruz visited the happiest place on Earth for a playful engagement photo shoot. PHOTO BY JOHN W. FARRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

“(Disneyland is) just our special place where we get away,” said Serena Hinojosa, who took her engagement photos at the park. She and her now husband, Daniel, are season pass holders. PHOTO BY JOHN W. FARRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Serena and Daniel Hinojosa worried they’d have to fight the crowds for their Disneyland engagement photo shoot, but Serena said the other park guests were very accommodating and the shoot was perfect. PHOTO BY JOHN W. FARRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

bakersfieldlife.com

Making it official

Officiants help couples tie the knot with love and a few tears

Ken Berckes, a school counselor by day, began officiating weddings after he earned an online certification to marry couples. Here, he officiates the October wedding of Mike and Evie Shamoon of Bakersfield.

By Philip Guiry

or many people in Bakersfield, getting to the church on time is no longer a requirement for saying, “I do.” Many nuptials are performed year round in non-traditional spaces by non-traditional officiants. For many years, unless you found yourself adrift at sea with a ship captain and a marriage license, religious leaders were the main tiers of the knots that bound couples together. Nowadays, some couples around the country are looking for less traditional options. There are many reasons for walking down an aisle outside the chapel. And there are many websites that offer the certification needed to become a wedding officiant, making it easy for anyone to get the job done. One local dot com ceremony conductor is Ken Berckes, who has been presiding over weddings since 2007. A missing minister for his niece’s wedding at the Noriega House prompted a call to Berckes, who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. He explained that while he could be of service to the couple before or after the ceremony, he wasn’t legally able to help them bridge that critical moment. Later

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

that night, he logged onto a website that offered officiant certification and became a certified officiant in about 10 minutes through Universal Life Church. For Rev. Yvonne Brassfield, the stress of planning her own wedding was the starting point for her journey to the administration end of the aisle. Lacking a church in Bakersfield, and wanting a quiet backyard ceremony, Brassfield and her fiance, Kurt, ran through a gamut of ideas, including a trip to the county clerk’s office or Vegas. Luckily, Brassfield worked in the court system and was able to procure a judge for the big day. Shortly afterward, she was ordained as a non-denominational minister through the National Association of Christian Ministers and became a full-time officiant, hoping to help couples avoid the stress of planning their own ceremonies. Brassfield said she has performed hundreds of weddings since she started her business, Weddings on Wings, in 2006. Both Berckes and Brassfield said that meeting the couple is their favorite part of being an officiant at a wedding. They enjoy getting to know the couple and learning their story, helping to navigate the stressful planning stages and being an

PHOTO BY SHELLI RENEE

instrumental part of a couple’s wedding. Maintaining a calm, steady hand that helps guide the nervous newlyweds is a big part of the job. “I try to find ways to calm the couple down, as they are usually tense and nervous,” Berckes said. “I can usually say or do something that brings some levity and relaxes them and engages their friends and family.” Brassfield has been a part of so many weddings that she includes wedding planning tips on her website. She has advice on every detail, from picking the right day to making sure you have a “baby wrangler” on hand, in case the flower girl and ring bearer get into an argument halfway down the aisle, something Brassfield has dealt with. Although it is easy to be legally equipped to hitch a bachelor and a bachelorette, that doesn’t mean that it’s actually easy to perform the hitching. Berckes, who works as a school counselor, said it’s important to “know your audience.” “Try to make the ceremony about the couple, not just rhetoric to fill up time,” he said.

Continued on page 68 bakersfieldlife.com

He also warns that you should keep an eye on the time, but not necessarily the clock. “Watch the couple and audience. There are ways to shorten the ceremony if there seems to be some movement that looks like it’s going too long,” he said. Brassfield warns that officiating weddings is not a get rich quick scheme. “This is a calling; a deep desire within yourself to see two people in love start their life together ... You need to be a professional, in appearance and actions,” she said. “Know what happens before, during and after a wedding service and be able to think on your feet, as no wedding goes off without a hiccup.” Whether a couple decides on a religious figure or an officiant, the aim is the same. Berckes and Brassfield said there is no better moment then when the groom sees his bride for the first time, except for the moment when the nerves and stress vanish in the first kiss. The important part is that both parties say, “I do” and somebody cries. “Someone always ends up crying, and most of the times, it’s the groom, although the minister has been known to get misty-eyed,” Brassfield said.

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January 2015

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Ken Berckes officiated Mike and Evie Shamoon’s wedding on Oct. 18 at Metro Galleries.

PHOTO BY SHELLI RENEE

Continued from page 67

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Event planner offers simple ideas to pull off parties that wow By Lotta Alexandersson

he time to celebrate the new year is officially here! That means lots of parties, planning and last-minute designing. Most people think that if they want to throw a killer party, they need a hefty budget. For me, that is not always the case. As the founder of Mint Design, an event design and planning company, I take pride in utilizing what I have in order to make it work. What’s the secret? Details, details, details. It is always in the details. Your guests will remember the little touches, the ones that made them think, “Oh, this is so them!” These are things like little name tags on the drinks, cutesy labels at the dessert bar and personalized treats for the guests. All are small, simple touches that go a long way and easily work within that budget. Still not sure where to start or feeling a little stressed? Here are some helpful tips to throwing a perfect party: 1. Create an overall feeling of the party rather than a theme. People don’t always

remember the theme of the party, but they always remember the feeling they got when they first walked into your event. So, for

Continued on page 72

Little touches, like these drink tags by Matinae Design Studio, are an easy way to personalize any event. 70

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January 2015

PHOTO BY LAURA DANIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO BY LAURA DANIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER PHOTOGRAPHY

Local event planning firm Mint Design built on a palette of golds, creams, pink and blush tones for Alissa Carlsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s romantic engagement party.

Mint Design, a Bakersfield event planning firm, helped local meteorologist Alissa Carlson put on a festive, cheerful engagement party.

bakersfieldlife.com

starters, choose a color palette and add touches that go along with the feeling of the party. 2. Rather than purchasing budget-busting decor, try out thrift stores and dollar stores. For example, I designed

PHOTO BY MARIEL HANNAH PHOTOGRAPHY

an 80th birthday party with a ton of records found at a local thrift store. The vinyls and covers served as party decor. 3. Personalize. In order to stand out and create an event that will leave your friends buzzing, incorporate personalized touches in any way possible. In our day and age, the go-to website for just that is Etsy. This website allows you to reach out to the “shop owner” and personalize decor. The best part is most of the Etsy party supplies are printable

A Thanksgiving table festively decorated by Mint Design.

PDF templates made especially for you that can be printed in the comfort of your home. 4. Don’t just mimic Pinterest. Pinterest has become so saturated and so many of the projects have been done so many times that rather than being unique, your party will look “Pinteresty.” Instead, browse Pinterest to get your creative juices flowing and if you find something you like, use it as inspiration to create something of your own. 5. Flowers and greenery can add so much to an event.

Using loose greenery and garlands as accents to the focal tables is a great way to save money and utilize it where it will be remembered the most. — Lotta Alexandersson is the owner of Mint Design, an event and wedding planning/design firm in Bakersfield. Visit mintdesignca.com.

PHOTO BY CARISSA CADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Continued from page 70

PHOTO BY CARISSA CADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Lotta Alexandersson

Lotta Alexandersson of Mint Design suggests personalizing events to make an impression on guests.

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

PHOTO BY ASHLEY DEPENCIER PHOTOGRAPHY

Thrift shop finds like records make great decorations. Lotta Alexandersson of Mint Design used them to jazz up a retro-themed 80th birthday bash.

bakersfieldlife.com

Calling a coach Life coaches offer to help clients overcome issues, achieve their dreams

Life coach Kate Romely works with Emmalee Matthews, 9, on a few math problems. Romely has helped Emmalee and her sister navigate academic and social challenges.

By Diana Greenlee

Photos by Henry A. Barrios

wo years ago, 9-year-old Emmalee Matthews was struggling socially and getting failing grades. Her mother, KimberLee Matthews, turned to life coach Katie Romley for help. Now, Emmalee is on the honor roll. “The change in Emmalee’s grades is drastic,” said Matthews, 44. Romley, 33, is part of a new wave of specialists focusing on helping clients achieve goals and self-improvement projects through coaching rather than traditional therapy. A 2012 study by the International Coach Federation estimated there are 15,800 coaches in North America and 47,500 coaches 74

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January 2015

worldwide. Coaches specialize in a variety of areas, such as corporate coaching and personal coaching. Romley, a former school counselor and social worker, made the shift to life coaching two years ago. “I kind of fell into it by accident,” she said. Romley graduated from Santa Clara University and earned her master’s in counseling at Vanderbilt University. She lived in Nashville, Tenn. for five years but returned to Bakersfield in 2010. Her first life coaching clients lived outside of Bakersfield and connected with her through her website or social media. Many of the sessions were conducted by phone, which has unique benefits for clients. “With a phone appointment, you don’t have to do your hair or you could be in your PJs,” Romley said. “You can be

honest about your needs.” Most of Romley’s initial clients were men in their early 30s, making career or life transitions. Romley speculates terminology may have something to do with the gender imbalance. “More men are open to coaching than counseling,” she said. “There’s something in the language that made it more accessible.” Connections between clients and coaches are vital, according to life coach Lorena Cisneros, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Cisneros, 27, has been practicing as a therapist for seven years and coaching for two years. She said life coaching is suited for folks pursuing specific goals. Most of her clients are looking for help with relationships, career

issues, and stress or time management. “(Coaching is) the now mode,” she said. “It’s about what’s happening now as opposed to a lot of the past.” The counselor said traditional psychotherapy is a more involved process, which can produce uncomfortable feelings, and some clients find it difficult. Life coaching is more geared toward meeting specific, immediate goals. Unlike therapists and counselors, life coaches are unregulated and Cisneros cautions individuals to practice due diligence when investing in a coach. She said it’s imperative that folks be given an assessment by whomever they see to be sure they are receiving proper services. The counselor recommends clients consult credentialed clinicians, such as those with doctorates in psychology, licensed marriage and family therapists or licensed certified social workers. “The problem is you don’t even need a certificate to say you’re a life coach,” she said. “Look for someone with a psych background or get a recommendation from Psychology Today networking source; they’re screened.” Life counselor and spiritual guide Tina Antonell, 67, disagrees with Cisneros. She says proper training and the ability to connect with clients, not a psych degree, are the keys to effective life coaching. “Life coaching is not in the psychology realm,” she said. “I have marriage and family counselors and psychologists as clients.” She said she can tell right away if the client is beyond her skill set, and she refers them out. “It is the only ethical thing to do when you know what their challenges are and what your training is,” she said. “From drug and alcohol counseling, I can recognize it.” The Delano native was a program director for Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, and then assistant director at the local branch of the National Council on Alcoholism. She also worked with the local YWCA, which closed its doors in 1997. “My first job in the field working with social services was at the YWCA,” she said. “I started the counseling (program).” She participates in ongoing training, and she’s earned coaching certifications through Robbins-Madanes and Alan Cohen life coaching courses. She’s also earned a master practitioner certification in neuro-linguistics. “I can tell where someone is stuck by their language,” she said. “I can help them to re-language so they aren’t limiting themselves.” Meditation can also play a role in life coaching, according to Antonell. She teaches various techniques and swears by the practice as a means for stress reduction. She said clients grappling with anxiety can use meditation to calm their systems, relax their minds and soothe their hearts. Antonell has worked with teens, adults and couples, and she said the common thread is the desire to fulfill a dream. “It’s what they haven’t done, or what they haven’t become,” she said. “(It is a desire) to be different or accomplish something.” Romley said finding the right coach is important, but she

Continued on page 76 bakersfieldlife.com

Lorena Cisneros

Kate Romely

Continued from page 75 urged potential life coaching clients to check prospective coaches’ credentials. Some professions are a bigger jump to coaching than others, she said. “Transitioning from other professions besides the helping professions (can be difficult), additional training

Tina Antonell

would be helpful,” she said. Although life coaching may be ideal for folks seeking to address goals, financial barriers may preclude their participation. Life coaching is traditionally a cash service, but Romley said folks may have options. “I had a client who was reimbursed through discretionary money from a

flexible spending account,” she said. To Matthews, the mother of the struggling student, Romley was a bargain. Not only has she helped improve Emmalee’s grades, but she also helped middle daughter, McKenna, 7, navigate a bullying issue at school. “Katie always has a way to solve the problem,” Matthews said.

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& Happy Bakersfield America’s

Republican BY LISA KIMBLE

here is a running joke inside the 23rd Congressional District office about how the second most powerful member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, RBakersfield, was rejected for an internship in 1986 with the office he now occupies. McCarthy was tenacious and didn’t take no for an answer. Undeterred, the young college student offered to work for free in then-Congressman Bill Thomas’ office. “I told the staff they didn’t have to pay me. I just wanted to learn,” he recalled. He clipped newspaper stories, and so began the political indoctrination of one of Washington’s fastestrising stars, a public school-educated civil servant with a soft spot for the blue-collar roots of his hometown. McCarthy has risen rapidly compared to his predecessors, who climbed the ladder to leadership over many years and chairmanships. He is a full-fledged Washington power broker in a position of influence and often face to face with the President of the United States. The swift rise to power is a local-boy-makesgood success story that even Hollywood couldn’t script better. The glare of the national spotlight as House majority leader wasn’t what McCarthy envisioned 28 years ago with his congressional internship application. Today, the Republican Party head cheerleader is working to unite the GOP as the new Congress sets an agenda it hopes will include the White House in 2016. He has made it clear that energy, the retooling of federal bureaucracy and immigration are all goals for the remaining two years of Congress’ working relationship with the Obama administration.

Continued on page 80 78

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January 2015

Kevin McCarthy rises to power through his personality, networking savvy and knack for staying grounded

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

Kevin McCarthy has risen from a modest Bakersfield upbringing to occupy one of the most powerful positions in American government. bakersfieldlife.com

Continued from page 78 Skeptics wonder if the young gun isn’t really just gunning for greater prominence, and the political fishbowl he swims in has a way of distancing some, like the man McCarthy replaced, Eric Cantor, from their constituents. But McCarthy stays tethered to real life. His Bakersfield upbringing was nourished by his quiet firefighter father and strong mother. His roots are fortified by his high school sweetheart and their two children, one of whom battles Lyme disease. His personality, bubbly from the beginning, has also played a key role in his success.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY MCCARTHY

Kevin Owen McCarthy, who turns 50 this January, is the youngest of three children in a close-knit family. At 10-pounds, 11ounces, McCarthy was the “happiest of babies,” according to his mother. “He was a good kid, a good eater, always had a good attitude and would wake up happy,” said McCarthy’s mother, Roberta ‘Bert’ McCarthy-Zablin. McCarthy was especially close to his grandmother, Cora Ingram, who raised his mother. He spent hours at her Quincy Street home listening to her tell tales about working the family farm, raising dahlias and chickens. His mother believes Ingram opened his eyes and heart to the needs of the elderly. According to his mother, His father, Owen, an assistant McCarthy was the “happiest city fire chief, was not a man of of babies.” many words but doled out nuggets of wisdom in “McCarthy-isms.” “My father always talked in little sayings. He would say, ‘Any job, big or small, if you surpass expectations, there will always be other opportunities,’” McCarthy said. He and his sister Shelley and brother Mark grew up in the middle class College Heights neighborhood near Washington Junior High and Noble Elementary schools, nestled between Columbus Street and Panorama Drive. Their house on Nelson Street was the epicenter of activity for friends and neighbors who played football in the street and swam in the McCarthy pool, one of the few on the block. Owen was the family barber and cut his boys’ hair. “We never had great wealth, and no money for carpeting, so we would go get carpet scraps,” McCarthy remembered. “But we had friends, food, and on occasion we would dine out at Bob’s Big Boy.” Dad would be gone for 24-hour periods or more working. The task of discipline fell on Bert, whom McCarthy describes 80

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January 2015

McCarthy and his wife Judy were high school sweethearts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY MCCARTHY

A FATHER’S ADVICE

as strict. The man who today has the gift of gab struggled to talk as a child. Diagnosed with tongue thrust, McCarthy worked with a speech therapist until fifth grade. The impediment, however, would be no match for the gregarious personality Kevin inherited from his mother. “He is the same guy now as he was in fourth grade,” said lifelong friend Darin Brown, who has known Kevin for 45 of his 50 years. “(The McCarthy’s house) was the house to go to. Looking back, all my childhood memories are with Kevin,” Brown said. “He generally loves people. But there are probably a thousand people who would say the same.” The days of McCarthy’s youth were a tumultuous time in politics. “We would watch the Watergate hearings with our TV trays, and that was intriguing to me,” McCarthy said.

A WELL-LIKED TEENAGER By his own admission, McCarthy was neither a standout in the classroom or on the gridiron where the ’83 grad was a tight end for the Bakersfield High School Drillers. But he was well-liked, and people gravitated toward him. “He enjoyed coming in to visit (the counselor’s office). Occasionally a teacher would send him out of class because he was doing too much socializing,” former high school counselor Ruscel Reader said. McCarthy’s mother often worried that his girlfriend, Judy Wages, would get away. Lucky for her, the pair wed in 1992, more than a decade after sparks first flew in biology class. On Nov. 7, 1984, 19-year-old McCarthy had a rendezvous with Lady Luck. He bought a lottery ticket on the second day

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY MCCARTHY

of the new California Lottery at a neighborhood grocery. He had been attending classes at Bakersfield College and selling restored cars. He hit the jackpot and won $5,000. McCarthy celebrated his winnings by treating his family to dinner at the Red Lion Inn. McCarthy invested some of his winnings in the stock market, dropped out of college and opened up a delicatessen next door to his cousin’s yogurt shop at Stine and Planz roads. At Kevin O’s Deli, McCarthy did everything from payroll to food prep. But the struggles of small business ownership eventually compelled him to sell the operation. He used the profit from the sale to put himself through college, earning a business degree in 1989 and a master’s in business administration from Cal State Bakersfield in 1994.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY Friends and family say McCarthy inherited his cheerful passion to serve from his conservative parents, who fostered a strong work ethic in their children. The family fed the homeless and supported the Alliance Against Family Violence, the YWCA and the Kern County Museum. Although they believed in community service, the McCarthys weren’t a political family. McCarthy’s parents had always voted Democrat. But when young McCarthy was regis-

McCarthy and his son Connor at Dodger Stadium. tering voters, he converted his kin to the GOP. McCarthy was disenchanted with the picture President Jimmy Carter painted of America. “I watched Jimmy Carter speak to the nation during the energy crisis of the 1970s and tell us that we needed to turn

Continued on page 82

bakersfieldlife.com

ter was next door to Thomas’ office, and the flexibility allowed McCarthy to accompany his father. Owen McCarthy died in 2000.

Kevin McCarthy speaks on Fox News after being named House majority leader.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOX NEWS SUNDAY

A RISING STAR

Continued from page 81 down our heaters and that the best days of America may be behind us,” he said. “I then watched Ronald Reagan talk about the shining city on the hill and while he never said it, I knew he was talking about America. I shared his views and knew I was a Republican.” Regan’s vision of conservative values giving greater freedom and independence invigorated young Republicans like McCarthy. Perhaps the greatest influence on McCarthy, besides his brother and father, has been his one-time boss and former District 23 Representative William “Bill” Thomas. In the late ’90s, Thomas asked McCarthy if he would stay on after a year of volunteering for his office. “I was paid $100 and I loved it,” McCarthy said. The two spent 12 years together, much of it in the car, traveling every square mile of the district. They began to bond over cars and worked on a number of old clunkers together. “We spent a lot of hours taking apart and cleaning an old Porsche,” Thomas said. The relationship grew from admiration and respect. “Bill was much more of a mentor figure and a good teacher in all aspects,” McCarthy added. Thomas, who chaired the Ways and Means Committee, was more focused on programming public policy compared to McCarthy’s meet-and-greet style. The senior politician advised the young man to keep perspective. “The going should always be the goal, not a particular position. You have to do your job so if something comes up, people consider you for that,” Thomas said. In 1997, one of life’s harsh realities came knocking when McCarthy’s father, Owen, was diagnosed with a rare carcinoma. McCarthy was 32. Despite a busy work schedule, McCarthy never missed one of his father’s medical appointments. The treatment cen82

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January 2015

Ever humble, McCarthy has said luck and timing propelled him through politics swiftly. Thomas, however, said it isn’t lucky at all that McCarthy’s political star has risen so rapidly. McCarthy was, and is, a master networker. “(In 1999), Kevin was elected National Chairman of the Young Republicans, that was the turning point and game changer,” Thomas said. “He had been networking with other staff, which was his primary forte, and it allowed him to meet, greet and coordinate.” McCarthy’s foray into government as an elected trustee for the Kern Community College District in 2000 set him on an unparalleled course. Moving on to Sacramento, he made history in the State Assembly when he was elected Republican leader as a freshman in 2003. He was just 38. “That is why Kevin went to the Assembly, there he wasn’t just a staffer,” Thomas said. “His colleagues put him in a position of leadership and all that networking was paying off.” McCarthy may not have been formally tapped as Thomas’ heir apparent, but there had been many conversations about the presumptive passing of the political baton. When Thomas retired in 2006 and McCarthy succeeded him, his established national base preceded him. “He created a structural and personal relationship nationwide with some of those people, and moved up through the structure,” Thomas said. “And he scrupulously maintained all those relationships.” In 2008, McCarthy rose to the rank of chief deputy whip among House Republicans, and then climbed to majority whip in 2011. McCarthy’s election in July as House majority leader was a first for a California representative. He’s also the least tenured representative to ever hold the post. The title of “happy conservative” suits him well. The leader borrowed the moniker from his idol, Reagan, whom he believes embodied such values. At 6-feet-1-inch, McCarthy boasts an infectious smile and movie star, gray-haired good looks. He concedes that the elixir of power and politics could be intoxicating, but his strategy for staying grounded is to focus on home and family. He and Judy have raised their children, Connor, 20, and Meghan, 18, in Bakersfield. “My favorite place to be is right here in Bakersfield, at Luigi’s or Dewar’s, or to be able to fall asleep on my couch at my house,” he said. “We might become a big town, but we are a small town at heart.” Of the adulation, Thomas often reminded McCarthy, “They aren’t clapping for us. It is not us, but the position we are in.” McCarthy is a household name locally and a familiar face around town. He comes home on weekends, attending Valley Baptist Church. Weeknights, the couch of his office in the prestigious D.C. Rayburn House Office building doubles as his bed, and the new normal for the House majority leader involves a bigger security detail than when he was the House whip.

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McCarthy works a shift at Sequoia Sandwich Company on a recent trip to Bakersfield.

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

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“It is strange to have them around, kind of like being in prison,” he said. There are still gee-whiz moments for McCarthy, who admits to sneaking into his office before he was sworn in as majority leader to see his name plate on the door. “I am not sure any of my teachers thought I would make it this far,” McCarthy said laughing. He’s rubbed elbows with the likes of Beyonce, and helped actor Kevin Spacey prepare for the role of House whip on the Netflix series “House of Cards.” “He is a big kid and he has been this way since he was in high school,” wife Judy McCarthy said of her husband. His mother agrees. “Kevin will never grow up. He will always be that star-struck boy,” McCarthy-Zablin said. An avid reader, McCarthy scours the national daily publications while traveling back and forth from Washington and favors books by Jim Collins and Simon Sinek. He is a social media sensation. He claims he has more Instagram followers than any other elected official in Congress, and he counts more than 4,800 people as Facebook friends. His Instagram page is filled not of press conferences or posed shots with politicos, but candids of him snapped with a celebrity or here at home. Early on weekday mornings, McCarthy can be found at the Capitol gym working out with his fellow legislators. “It is a constant battle to keep up with Leader McCarthy, but we’ve had some great conversations and he has been a friend and source of guidance,” said Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, D-Massachusetts. By all accounts, Mr. Bakersfield is keeping it real. “You can judge a man by the fruits in his life. There are no skeletons in his closet. Kevin is the real deal,” childhood friend Brown said. “Whether here or in D.C., when you are with McCarthy, it is like junior high.” Whether McCarthy’s name is preceded some day by “President” or “Governor” is anyone’s guess. “My father taught me to never be fearful of failure. You don’t give up, like going to speech lessons, and (my congressional) internship. It is how you apply yourself,” McCarthy said. “I am very fortunate in that I love what I am doing, but Congress doesn’t define my life. If it all went away tomorrow, it was great.”

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BUSINESS PROFILE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

IT’S YOUR PARTY EVENT RENTS

eannine Johnson is the chief designer and owner of It’s Your Party Event Rents, a full-service rental business based in Bakersfield and serving the Central Valley. Johnson is an authority on helping transform her clients’ dream events into reality while staying within a budget. One visit to her showroom, which houses a full display of linens and fabric collections, instantly explains her passion for what she does so well. Having designed events for friends and family for more than 20 years, Johnson launched her rental company in 2013. In two years, her list of clients is It’s Your Party impressive and Event Rents growing, 3600 Pegasus Drive Suite 16 including the 399-2455 Bakersfield itsyourpartybakersfield.com Women Business Conference, CASA’s Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser, Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern Gala, and PINC Fresno. She is very active in her community as well, sitting on the board for the Bakersfield Police Activities League and playing a major role in Bakersfield Babes in Business. Even with a full plate, she’s wearing the crown of a “Mompreneuer” as a mother of four and grandmother of two. She is also wife and partner to husband, Russ Johnson, owner of Safety Network Inc., a construction rental company with locations in Fresno and Bakersfield. Johnson loves working with her clients, from small intimate events to large corporate parties. She specializes in turning each event into something extraordinary, with her unbelievable collection of colors and fabrics to suit almost any occasion. Her noted grace under pressure is a testament to her quick thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are important elements in successful event production. These skills, along with the success of her business, have grabbed the attention of top event producers in the Central Valley. The philosophy is simple: the client 84

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Jeannine Johnson is the owner of It’s Your Party Event Rents.

relationship is paramount. Johnson believes in listening to her clients and helping them achieve their goals for a successful event. She knows that only through detailed communication can the client’s goals be met. Johnson’s depth of knowledge is invaluable. Event planning can be an intimidating process and there are many tasks that can easily be overlooked. Her experience provides her with a wealth of information to share with the client, which ultimately translates into a smooth, calm and efficient planning process. Her clients love her attention to detail because It’s Your Party Event Rents not only produces events, they also deliv-

er, set up, take down and pick up. Johnson is a natural in the event industry. Her warm and enthusiastic personality, along with her precision and attention to detail, has contributed to her success and client satisfaction. Her vision and passion for perfection have set a high mark for It’s Your Party Event Rents’ commitment to excellence. Not only is that vision and commitment Johnson’s, but it has also been transferred to her excellent staff. Each and every member of the staff of It’s Your Party Event Rents have been trained to perform with that same commitment to excellence found in the heart of its founder.

BUSINESS PROFILE

Patricia Holcomb and Angela Jourdan opened Enchanted Bridal Boutique to deliver an exceptional experience to the brides of Bakersfield.

ENCHANTED BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

fter three years of dreaming about a bridal store that would be unique, sisters Angela Jourdan and Patricia Holcomb made their wishes come true when they opened Enchanted Bridal Boutique in 2014. The Bakersfield sisters strive to provide the highest level of customer service possible to brides. From jewelry to veils, they have everything needed to create the perfect wedding day outfit for that first look.

Enchanted Bridal Boutique 4817 Stockdale Highway enchantedbridalboutique.net 847-9700

What inspired you to open a bridal boutique?

We wanted to offer women of all sizes and shapes the gown of their dreams. What will brides and their loved ones experience when they come to Enchanted Bridal?

A warm, welcoming experience unlike any other store in Bakersfield. We don't want to just sell a dress; we want this experience to be remembered. How do you help brides select the perfect gown for their big day?

By understanding what they are looking for and what price range to start in. If a bride has an idea of a dress, then 86

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January 2015

PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

we show her the gowns similar to that fashion. We also ask about the style of wedding they are having, which plays an important role as well. From sultry to sweet, formal to fun, we carry dresses to suit every style and personality. Your store has the Elsa-inspired dress from the 2015 Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo collection. What makes this dress so special?

For one, it is part of the Disney collection. “Frozen” was such a big hit in the box office. Elsa’s a queen and the gown is the latest in the popular collection. Designers created this flowing dress to reflect the gown in the movie without looking like a costume. For the woman who truly wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day, Enchanted Bridal is the only store in Bakersfield that carries the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collection. What are some of the hottest trends in bridal wear for 2015?

What we are seeing a lot is low back dresses; that style is hot right now. Sleek and sexy, drop waist and mermaid style gowns are also very popular. In addition to wedding dresses, what other services and wares does your store offer?

We carry a great selection of bridesmaid, flower girl and mother-of-the-bride dresses. We also offer prom and formal gowns. Women and girls aren’t the only customers we can help. Our tuxedo rentals are perfect for grooms and their wedding parties. We have a large selection of veils and jewelry, as well as other wedding accessories.

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GRILL MASTERS Barbecue competition offer a tasty outlet for these locals’ competitive streaks

Alan, Justin, Stephany and Jason Hardin and Lola the pug show off the trophies the team has accumulated since it started participating in barbecue competitions in 2011.

By Chelsea Brewer

Photos by Mark Nessia

att Laird started out on a cheap, little grill. His interest grew, and he began researching methods and recipes, searching for the secrets to the perfect barbecue. “I took a huge interest in learning about ribs. If anything, that’s my specialty,” he said. Like many amateurs, Laird’s hobby turned into something more when he entered the world of competitive barbecuing. In this arena, grill masters and smoking experts face off with their tasty creations for prizes and bragging rights. Laird’s wife found out about Bakersfield’s Biggest, Bad88

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

dest BBQ Championship and encouraged her husband to enter. He talked it over with fellow barbecue-fanatic, Jeff Martin. The pals agreed to compete and christened their team Run Little Piggy (RLP). With Laird and Martin as the head cooks and two helpers, RLP BBQ Team entered the Bakersfield competition in May and came in seventh out of 60 teams. “As rookies, you never know,” Martin said. “We’re working with 55 gallon drums I made in my garage, as opposed to thousands of dollars of equipment.” They aren’t the only locals to be bitten by the barbecue bug. Curtis Trigueiro has competed in more than 100 events over the last five years, building his own pit. He’s the pit mas-

Matt Laird, Jeff Martin and Alex Carmichael of Run Little Piggy BBQ at a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser held at Smith & Son Tire on Dec. 13.

ter of his four-person team, Ridge Route Boys BBQ Team. These boys are in the top 100 teams in the nation for brisket. “We’ve won first place in Nevada, Santa Anita, and Reserve Grand Champion in Lake Elsinore,” he said proudly. “We compete all over. I’m naturally competitive.” Alan Hardin started entering barbecue events with his brother-in-law because of a similar competitive streak. “We thought we were hot shots,” he said. “We went to one of the bigger competitions and got our butts handed to us. But we really enjoyed it.” Hardin and his team, Big Al’s Big Time BBQ, have taken sec-

Continued on page 90

Jeff Martin checks St. Louis spareribs cooking in a reverse-flow smoker. bakersfieldlife.com

Continued from page 89 ond place in pork butt, third in chicken, and 12th in brisket. “There’s no team out there competing just to compete. Everyone wants to take first,” he said. The Bakersfield competition is a qualifier for one of the greatest competitions out there, the annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue Open held in Kansas City, Miss., with prizes in the tens of thousands of dollars. It’s often considered the Super Bowl of barbecue competitions. “I would be okay with coming in dead last there,” Laird said of having a chance to attend the event. “But getting to go, the people you meet, the things you can learn would be amazing.” Even with all the competition amongst the teams, these masters are not without their manners. “There are people that will actually help you out,” Hardin said. “They’re not going to give you their secrets or anything, but they will help you to the very end. It’s a kick!” A competitive team will spend anywhere from hundreds to several thousands of dollars to get everything they need for an event. “You can spend around $500 on a griller. Meat alone is $300 to $800,” Laird said. Along with the entry fee, teams also have to pony up for

ingredients for rubs and sauces, cooking tools and supplies, not to mention travel costs. As for the recipes, every cook does it differently. Some make up their own, while others take commercial products and customize them. “There are so many commercial sauces and rubs that are really, really good,” Trigueiro said. “I don’t make my own rubs. We buy commercial rubs and sauces and add to them.” There are different flavor profiles around the country. North Carolina judges prefer a vinegar taste. Memphis and Florida prefer a sweeter taste. Down in Texas, a garlic taste is king. Trigueiro and his team try to cook the same wherever they compete, but he still considers the flavor profile of the region. Laird and his team are always trying out new recipes. “There’s a few things we’re happy with, but it’s always good to have a backup plan,” Laird says. Most of these men credit their parents and grandparents with teaching them the art of barbecue. But their passion and drive is what makes them masters. “My grandkids come first, but my barbecue is next,” Hardin said.

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January 2015

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9530 Hageman Road • 587-6242 Corner of Calloway & Hageman Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00 • Saturday 10:00 - 3:00 Closed Sunday and Monday Visit us on our website: JanesJewelers.com Facebook.com/JanesJewelers Pinterest.com/JanesJewelers

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Cristela Alonzo of ABC’s Latino sitcom, “Cristela,” will be appearing at the Fox Theater on Jan. 11.

STAR OF ABC’S ‘CRISTELA’ BRINGS COMEDY SHOW TO BAKERSFIELD Groundbreaking Latina star looks forward to Fox Theater show By Gabriel Ramirez

f you’re a fan of actress Cristela Alonzo and “Cristela,” her self-titled sitcom on ABC, then mark your calendars for 8 p.m., Jan. 11, when she’ll bring her comedy to The Fox Theater. The 35-year-old comedian, writer and actress has had a whirlwind year with the premiere of “Cristela” on Oct. 10. Alonzo is the writer and creator of a show, which the Texas native says is based on a point in her life when she had to

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

PHOTO COURTESY OF ICON ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

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

move back home and help take care of her sister’s children and mother. “It was the moment right before I started doing standup,” Alonzo said. “Every episode we’ve shot so far is based on something from my life. It’s important to me that the show is based on my truth and by that, I mean my life.” Alonzo, who loves to make people laugh, said that she discovered she wanted to be a comedian when she found out she could make a living out of it. But the road has not been all fun and games. Alonzo said one of the hardest parts of her journey has been the loneliness of working all over the country. “I was on the road for two to three years doing shows at only colleges. I’d rent a car and drive alone for hours and hours on end, sometimes in terrible weather, to make it to the show,” Alonzo said. “The thing that always kept me going was knowing that at the end of the drive, I would get to do a show in front of people, then it put everything in perspective and made it worth it.” Alonzo is the first Latina to create, write and star in her own TV show, which appears at 8:30 p.m. Fridays on ABC. “It feels incredible, and I don’t mean that for myself. I

mean that it makes me really happy because if my show can succeed, than maybe it’ll open doors for more people to get opportunities like these,” she said. “My show features a Latino family that consists of seven Latino actors; that’s so rare. “The show is a family sitcom that kids can watch with their parents. It’s the story of a multi-generational blue-collar Latino family that lives together to make ends meet and centers around Cristela, the first of the family to go to college, who attempts to achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer despite having to drop out of law school numerous times to help out her family.” Alonzo was inspired by the comedy of Carol Burnett, Roseanne Barr, Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Bill Burr, Roberto Gomez Bolaños (Chespirito), Weird Al and her mother. Alonzo just finished shooting an episode that will guest star Barr. “The nicest compliment she gave me was when she said that walking around the set and looking around at everything, she felt like my show had a lot of elements that reminded her of her show,” Alonzo said. Among her celebrity co-stars are former telenovela hunk Carlos Ponce and Gabriel Iglesias, a comedian who has made repeat visits to Bakersfield over the years. “I love working with Gabriel. I’ve known him for over 12

years, and we have a great energy between us. He’s a great friend. The way that we are on screen is the same way we are in real life, except he doesn’t hit on me in real life like his character does,” Alonzo said. Iglesias’ praise for Bakersfield crowds has Alonzo looking forward to performing in Kern. “He speaks so lovingly about Bakersfield audiences though. He’s always felt the love and support from them and hearing that makes me very excited about coming to visit,” she said. Alonzo says her upcoming comedy performance will be as lively as her TV show. “I like talking about a lot of different topics that range from my family to pop culture,” Alonzo said. “I get asked what my live show is like a lot and I hate it because I never know how to answer it. It’s so hard for me. I can understand describing styles of music, but comedy? I don’t know. “I guess I’m sarcastic. I’m a tomboy so I don’t talk about things that are too girly. People seem to dig when I talk about my mom.” Besides her live comedy show and her hit TV show, you can also catch Alonzo in the Angry Birds movie coming out in 2016. Tickets for Alonzo’s show are $39.50 and can be purchased at the Fox Theater’s box office or vallitix.com.

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

Rock your way into the new year at one of the many parties hosted by Bakersfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swankiest venues. The Padre Hotel will ring in 2015 with an Alice in Wonderland-themed shindig.

WELCOME, 2015 Dress up and celebrate the new year all night long at these local restaurants, clubs and dance floors

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

The Padre Hotel’s unique bash is themed “Fall Down the Rabbit Hole A New Year’s Eve Celebration.” Pickup advance tickets for $50, or $60 at the door, which opens at 9 p.m. There will be a hosted champagne toast at midnight, projected ball drop, and Alice in Wonderland-themed rooms with food and drink specials. The Belvedere Room will host an exclusive four-course dinner service for $125 per person that includes one ticket to the New Year’s Eve event (reservations required). 1702 18th St., 427-4900.

CELEBRATE IN ELEGANCE

Party in style and elegance ’til morning at The Nile Nightclub. The celebration lasts from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. with a $10 advance entry fee (call 363-3179) or $15 at the door. Countdown to the new year and then toast your sparkling glass of champagne at midnight. This is a 21-andolder event. 1721 19th St., 323-8575.

WIN BIG, EAT EVEN BETTER

Eagle Mountain Casino has promised a $45,000 New Year’s Eve giveaway. Play with a Summit Club card, and every hour from 5 p.m. to midnight, five players will win $1,000. From midnight to 1 a.m., five guests will win $2,015. The $50 New Year’s Eve steakhouse special will include prime rib and lobster, plus $20 bonus cash with purchase. 681 S Tule Reservation Rd., Porterville, 559-788-6220.

SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Music, dinner, dancing and dessert, Café Med has everything this year. Guests may attend a special early seating for the dinner buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. for $54.95 per person and $17.95 for children under 12 (plus tax and gratuity). Late seating will be open from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for $64.95 (plus tax and gratuity). No children younger than 12 at the later seating. A special dessert bar will be open until 1 a.m., so indulge and dance the night away to live music. Pricing also includes party favors and a champagne toast. 4809 Stockdale Highway, 834-4433.

PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE

DON’T BE LATE FOR THIS IMPORTANT DATE

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

orget traveling this New Year’s Eve and welcome in 2015 close to home. If you are a rowdy nightlifer, a late night gambler, live music fanatic or a stayaway-from-crowds type partier, Bakersfield has plenty of celebrations to choose from.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BUCK OWENS’ CRYSTAL PALACE

Start dancing early at one of Bakersfield’s classic venues, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. The Unofficial Band of the PGA Duck Soup, plus Bakersfield’s own Stampede, will offer live music. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the full package, including a dinner, dessert, champagne and party favors ($100 plus ticket fee). At 8:45 p.m., doors will open for those who just want to dance, toast champagne and receive a party favor ($55 plus ticket fee). 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 328-7560.

The New Year’s Eve party at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace starts at 6 p.m. this year.

SFIELD CALIF OR

2014

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CH O IC E

AN NI

DINNER AND A DANCE

THAI FOOD

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Staying in? For those who plan to embrace their introvert side on New Year’s Eve, check out our guide to staying in for the holiday, including film options and family games, at bakersfieldlife.com.

PARTY HARD, THEN SLEEP IN

There will be dancing and drinks all through the night at The DoubleTree by Hilton’s Club Odyssey. For those who need a place to crash after the midnight toast, the hotel is offering a special Club Odyssey New Year’s Eve package. The package includes two admissions to the club’s New Year’s Eve celebration, one guest room with complimentary champagne, and a New Year’s Day buffet breakfast for two, all for $109 plus tax. Book directly with the hotel. 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 323-7111 ext. 4114.

PRIVATE PARTY OF ...

Celebrate with dinner and live music at the exclusive Petroleum Club of Bakersfield. There are only 200 tickets available and only 50 tickets for non-members, so hurry and reserve your spot. The cost is $100 per person or $180 per couple, and there are no cancellations. A five-course prix fixe dinner will be served from 5 to 9 p.m, with live music by the Royaltys starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by Monty Byrom at 8:30 p.m. Snack all night, then toast champagne at midnight. 5060 California Ave., 324-6561.

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INSIDE STORY

ALL THAT GLITTERS Photos and story by Mark Nessia

ane’s Jewelers is a one-stop jewelry store specializing in personal service. The only master Independent Jewelers Organization jeweler in Bakersfield, Jane’s Jewelers crafts and fixes jewelry in-house, offering a variety of unique, custom pieces. Staff members take their time with each customer and listen to what they have to say to ensure customers walk out with the exact item they want. No job is too big, too small or too unusual. Robby Robins has designed and crafted jewelry using everything from traditional materials, such as diamonds and gemstones, to not-so-traditional materials, like the eardrums of a halibut, which he made into earrings at a customer’s request.

This 2 3/4-carat halo engagement ring set in 14-karat white gold is just one of many custom pieces designed at Jane's Jewelers.

A Seiko watch sits on Robby Robins’ workstation after a battery replacement.

Pat and Kathy Robins provide customers with over-the-top service. 98

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January 2015

Robby Robins repairs a customer’s watch.

More than 20 pairs of pliers hang over one of Robby Robins' workstations. Each pair is used for a specific task.

A Morganite, a pink gemstone found in California, Brazil and Madagascar, sits next to a design by Robby Robins.

bakersfieldlife.com

IN MY CLOSET

NICK ORTIZ Making fashion a priority while promoting an essential Bakersfield commodity

Nick Ortiz, a manager for Western States Petroleum Association, likes to bring a fun twist to his professional and casual wardrobe. 100

Bakersfield Life Magazine

January 2015

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Photos by Mark Nessia

hen you think Bakersfield, you think oil, and when you think oil, think Nick Ortiz. The manager of production regions for the Western States Petroleum Association handles production issues, getting the black gold out of the ground in the Western U.S. and providing a lucrative, local commodity. The fashionable businessman’s passions, like the oil he unearths, run deep in this community. Ortiz wants to end homelessness in Bakersfield and serves on the board of the Bakersfield Homeless Center and Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault and is a voting member of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work and volunteering, Ortiz reads up on politics and religiously listens Nick Ortiz's to the Howard Stern wedding suit. Show. The oil industry is a bit conservative when it comes to fashion, but Ortiz strays from the unimaginative, same-suit lineup, assembling stylishly appropriate outfits that sometimes rival his radio idol’s loud personality. Though a serious businessman, Ortiz has a few colorful, high-fashion surprises in his closet. Five prized possessions in my closet:

• An old shirt of my grandfather’s from Brock’s (a Bakersfield department store owned by John Brock Sr., namesake of Cal State Bakersfield’s John Brock Awards). • The suit I wore to my wedding. • My friend Al Wagner’s (who passed away in 2012) Dodgers cap. • A black cashmere overcoat, though I never get to wear it because it doesn’t get cold enough in Bakersfield. • My entire shoe collection. Style is important because... Style is

A pair of Cole Haan Oxfords. temporary business casual. Most days you’ll find me in Levi’s, a button-down shirt, a blazer and Oxfords. If I’m wearing muted colors, I try to add a pop of color with my socks or a pocket square. I own many suits and the necessary blue blazers, but I usually reserve them for more formal occasions/events. My favorite designers or brands:

• Lacoste • 1901 (A Nordstrom brand) • Stone Rose • Levi’s Jeans • Cole Haan shoes • Hugo Boss Where I shop (locally and out of town): I’m more

of a department store person; I shop at Macy’s, Nordstrom and Saks. I love Amazon Prime. For somebody who’s busy, it’s a great tool when you don’t have time to actually go out and shop. I also can’t wait for Amazon to start using those proposed drones to facilitate faster delivery. Where I get my style ideas/tips:

As a frequent online shopper, I get a lot of catalogs, and I go through them occasionally for tips/trends. I also check out GQ and Esquire from time to time.

Ortiz's grandfather’s shirt from Brock’s.

What others have said about my attire:

While I usually get compliments, I work in a very conservative industry, and sometimes my style can come across as loud. I can draw the occasional sideways glance or snarky comment. It’s OK with me. If I’m comfortable and dressed appropriately, I’m cool. My biggest fashion faux pas: A leather welder’s jacket…don’t ask. One staple every man should have in his

how you present closet: A shoe horn, which I don’t actually own, yourself to the but I am going to purchase one on Amazon world and ... proLongtime friend right now. vides you with confidence. I freAl Wagner’s Favorite cologne: Lacoste Sport Dodgers cap quently speak in public, and I am Fashion advice: Fashion and style are always terrified of it. Looking my best helps to center me always evolving; try not to get stuck in a rut, and makes sure that I feel totally comfortable wherever I am. and don’t be afraid to try something new or replace/retire a My personal style: I think my personal style is cool, contreasured item. Experiment, enhance and enjoy! bakersfieldlife.com

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HISTORY

City debates to celebrate or not to celebrate as war looms

Parade marchers and onlookers celebrated the arrival of a second railroad in Bakersfield in May 1898.

By Ken Hooper

he commencement exercises at Kern County High School were canceled. The men of the entire senior class, all three of them, had answered the call to join the National Guard at the outbreak of the SpanishAmerican War. The pressing question for the people of Bakersfield was whether or not to celebrate the arrival of the much anticipated San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad while the men of Kern County answered the call to arms. The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on the evening of Feb. 15, 1898 strained relations with Spain and the United States declared war on April 25. President

The Kern County Historical Society The programs of the Kern County Historical Society are held monthly between September and May, with the exception of December. Programs feature speakers on subjects related to county history, historical sites and Kern County lore. All programs and field trips are open to members and guests. Visit www.kchistoricalsociety.org Spring programs • Jan. 17: E Clampus Vitus: Historical Plaques in Kern County, by Charles Topping and Jim Bailey.

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• Feb. 21: Historian and Author Marcia Rittenhouse Wynn, by Gilbert Gia. • March 21: Field trip to the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History led by John Stegall. • April 18: Field trip to Historic Union Cemetery’s Civil War soldiers section led by John Codd. • May 16: Mining and archaeology in Keyesville and Loraine, by Amy Girado.

January 2015

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY MUSEUM USED BY PERMISSION

BAKERSFIELD FREED FROM RAILROAD TYRANNY

McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers and hundreds of Kern County men joined Company G of the 6th Regiment of the National Guard. In the shadow of soured relations with Spain, the second railroad to operate in Kern County was being constructed from San Francisco through Stockton and south into Bakersfield, right into what is currently the BNSF rail yard. The San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad was known by informal names including the “People’s Railroad,” and more commonly, the “Valley Road.” The idea for building a second railroad down into the San Joaquin Valley grew from frustration with the monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad held over valley industry and agriculture. The Southern Pacific Railroad, the first railroad into Kern County, arrived in 1874. Bakersfield city residents endured a strained relationship with the Southern Pacific Railroad when the location of the depot was not placed at the intersection of Chester Avenue and the tracks. Instead, the company placed the railroad depot nearly three miles east of Bakersfield and founded the town of Sumner, now in East Bakersfield. After years of speculation and discussion, sugar magnate Claus Spreckels offered $500,000 on Jan. 17, 1895, provided an additional $3,000,000 could be raised to build a second railroad into the San Joaquin Valley. By Jan. 29, 1895 the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad was born. The additional money raised to build the railroad came from small investors all over the state, thus the name the People’s Railroad. On April 22, the day that the purchase of the electric streetlights for downtown was announced, the Daily Californ-

ian newspaper editorial highlighted a new concern: “It has been suggested that the valley railroad celebration be foregone in view of the fact that when May 27th arrives, the day of the proposed jollification, the country may be involved in a war.” The city feared that America would be taking heavy causalities by the date of the celebration. But the Bakersfield men of Company G would end up serving their time in the SpanishAmerican War guarding the borders of California from attack. They even left traveling on the recently constructed Valley Road. By May 27, 1898, the city of Bakersfield was ready to celebrate. The Daily Californian ran the headline, “Kern County Welcomes the Valley Road,” and a report that read, “When Bakersfield awoke this morning it was to find every street in the town gaily decorated with streamers, flags and buntings and every business house tastily arrayed in gala attire.” Delegations from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno and Merced watched a parade with thousands of spectators as local sports team members, Civil War veterans, business people and the Bakersfield fire department workers marched in columns. The Chinese community brought floats and parade dragons down from San Francisco at great expense and effort to the delight of the parade audience. The celebration included free passage on the new Valley Road. A planning committee asked that the railroad “fare be set at

a figure low enough to be attractive and high enough to keep the hoboes from crowding the coaches.” Before the Valley Road was completed, the Southern Pacific Railroad passenger fare from Bakersfield to San Francisco was set at $9.10. With the resulting competition, the Southern Pacific lowered its fare to $6.90 to match the fare offered by the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad. The San Francisco Call headlined their newspaper, “Bakersfield freed from tyranny” on May 28, 1898 in reference to the breaking of the monopoly held by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Call summarized the celebration with a quote from one Bakersfield denizen. “‘It could not have been otherwise,’ said an old citizen. ‘They were of one mind, and that was nothing short of shouting and glorifying with their neighbors at the release from a terrible and grinding tyranny that has been painfully heavy so many weary, long years.’”

“

A planning committee asked that the railroad ‘fare be set at a figure low enough to be attractive and high enough to keep the hoboes from crowding the coaches.’

”

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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

POWER COUPLE

TIM AND MIRIAM VIVIAN Commonalities, differences help couple keep the faith together Compiled by Bakersfield Life

hared interests set a foundation for Tim and Miriam Vivian’s life together, but appreciation for each other’s differences has kept their marriage strong for three decades. Fittingly, the two who met in a Latin class continue to find their calling in higher education. Miriam is in her 25th year as a professor of ancient Mediterranean history at Cal State Bakersfield and Tim is a professor of religious studies at the university, as well as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. They have three children, Meredith, John and David. Though their lives are busy with a host of activities, the Vivians enjoy taking time to work on home projects and relax on their patio when they can.

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January 2015

How did the two of you meet? Tim: We met in a medieval Latin class in graduate

school at UC Santa Barbara. Who will ever again be able to say that! How did you know he/she was the one? Miriam: Who isn’t excited by someone leading a Latin

reading group?! I’m mostly serious about that ... We share an awful lot of interests, from early church history to involvement in the church (we were both paid campus ministry interns in different denominations when we met), to progressive causes. Joining the intellectual and spiritual has given us a common foundation. What’s his/her best quality? Miriam: Tim has a passionate calling to help the

underserved, and he possesses a great affinity for and appreciation of language, which makes him an excellent writer. Tim: Miriam is absolutely dependable, honest and trustworthy. What’s your favorite weekend activity to do together? Tim: We both pretty much have seven-day-a-week

jobs, so the weekends aren’t really different from weekdays. We’re in church together on Sunday, but since I’m clergy, I always have a million things to do. We love to get away, when we can, for a weekend in Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz (where two of our three children are in school), and we take a vacation in Tahoe each summer. What are you most proud of about your wife/husband? Tim: Going only with the most recent: Miriam essen-

tially headed the recently-concluded year-long Grapes of Wrath celebration at CSUB, which took hours and hours of hard work and very impressive organizational skills. Miriam applies these same skills to help with our church’s annual Taste of Grace wine tasting event, from which all profits go to Bethany Services, the umbrella organization for the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Miriam: Tim has been a wonderful dad to our three children and shared fully in raising them. Beyond that, it’s been rewarding to see him develop into his role as a parish priest, and he’s a really, really great teacher, beloved by many students. What’s your secret to a happy marriage? Tim: Along with what we have in common, we have

numerous separate interests so neither of us is overly dependent on the other. Miriam’s an extrovert, while I’m an introvert; she’s a night owl, whereas I’m a morning person; she’s a traveler, (and) I’m not. So, our differences add a continual freshness to our relationship. Miriam: Being kind and respectful; knowing how the other processes things and not trying to change that; making room for differences and functioning independently; and sharing fully in the raising of our kids. bakersfieldlife.com

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REAL PEOPLE

COOKING UP SOMETHING GOOD

Madison Slichter, Travis Patterson, Branden Slichter, Trent Patterson and Randi Martinez are just a few members of the PorkChop & Bubbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BBQ catering team. Branden started the company after wowing foodies at barbecue competitions. 106

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January 2015

PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA

Barbecue champ turns his smoking success into burgeoning business

tions and received a major surprise at one event when Slichter proposed to her at the awards ceremony. randen Slichter turned his pas“We got engaged in front of a thousion for backyard barbecuing sand people,” he said. into a sizzling career. Slichter set up the surprise with the Slichter, 38, began competing event’s promoter. Patterson often joked in barbecue competitions as a that her ring could come out of a Crackhobby. He’s first competition was the er Jack box and she would be happy, so 2010 Bakersfield’s Biggest, Baddest BBQ Slichter used that joke as part of his proChampionship. He competed with his posal. family for fun, but quickly learned that “They called us up on stage for this his barbecue was very popular at comfictitious award,” he said. “As soon as petitions. she saw the Cracker Jack box, she knew “People would come up and ask something was up.” where our restaurant was because they Patterson has two sons, while wanted to eat there,” he said. “We didn’t Slichter has two have a restaurant. daughters. The We were just a barbecue master backyard compejokingly refers to tition team.” his family as the Although Brady bunch. Slichter still Although dreams of owning Slichter keeps a restaurant, he busy working for now shares his PorkChop & barbecue with Bubba’s BBQ, he others through still makes time his catering busifor his family. He ness, PorkChop & grew up in Delano — Branden Slichter Bubba’s BBQ. His and in his free business opened time, he heads in February 2013 and Slichter hopes to back to cook for his grandmother. provide Bakersfield with some missing “She can’t really cook anymore, but cuisine. I learned a lot from her,” he said. “There is decent barbecue in town, Along with his grandmother, but not too many places specializing in Slichter has picked up culinary training traditional, low and slow Southern barin other places. He has an associate becue,” he said. degree in culinary arts from Bakersfield Slichter is a member of the Kansas College. To learn more about operating City Barbecue Society and the California a restaurant, Slichter works full time as BBQ Association. He became interested a pantry chef and line cook for Steak & in barbecue when he lived in Kansas Grape Restaurant. and worked for a railroad company. He While Slichter specializes in barbeenjoyed going to different barbecue cue, he said that PorkChop & Bubba’s restaurants and began to educate himBBQ is not limited to preparing only self in the craft of Southern barbecue. cookout cuisine. The company has all His family has barbecued since the necessary equipment to prepare 2004, and now Slichter creates his own other tasty foods, too. PorkChop & sauces and seasoning. He often develBubba’s BBQ caters events of all sizes ops a new recipe and uses his family, from a backyard gathering of 20 people friends and neighbors as taste testers to a black-tie event of 2,000. Although for his latest creations. the events are stressful, Slichter espe“It takes a whole family to make my cially enjoys catering weddings. Regardoperation work,” he said. “My kids help, less of the event or cuisine, Slichter my fiancee helps and it’s always all loves making people happy. hands on deck.” “I get a sense of satisfaction from Slichter’s fiancee, Courtney Patterpeople enjoying what I’ve done,” he son, is a big supporter of Slichter’s culisaid. “I like to see people eat good food, nary dreams. She attends his competiand it makes my job fun.” By Elizabeth Castillo

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FIT AND FRESH

MAKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS STICK THIS NEW YEAR Follow these steps to make lasting healthy lifestyle changes

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By Sally Baker and Katie Kirschenmann

t’s January, a time of year when we place our overindulgent holiday regret inside of overly ambitious resolutions. The mistake we inevitably make is creating unattainable expectations, which can lead to discouragement and dejection. We all need to keep in mind (despite how in shape or out of shape we are) that we can’t change a year of lifestyle choices in a few months. Lasting change does not happen overnight, nor does it happen easily. When approaching making lifestyle changes in the new year, think long term. Envision life a year from now and create a monthby-month road map to help navigate toward your final destina-

Broccoli raab with white beans and lemon

PHOTO BY SALLY BAKER

Continued on page 110

Broccoli raab This highly nutritious, delicious leafy green is easy to grow in Bakersfield, just a packet of seed is all you need. Planted in early November, it should be ready to harvest through January and February. Pick a large bunch for the following recipe, or swing by Trader Joe’s and pick up a bunch or two. At only eight calories per a 1-cup serving, it provides a healthy amount of pantothenic acid, dietary fiber, protein, and vitamins A, C, E and K. Broccoli raab with white beans and lemon 3 tablespoons olive oil 6 cloves garlic Large bunch broccoli raab (about 1 pound) 1 can cannellini beans, drained 1/4 cup parsley chopped 1/4 cup Parmesan, shaved 1/2 lemon Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add the broccoli raab, season with salt and pepper and toss occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add beans, warm through, simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; squeeze half a fresh lemon over dish. Toss gently. Toss in parsley and shaved Parmesan. Delicious served with roast chicken and a loaf of rustic crusty bread.

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Continued from page 109 tion. Whether your goal is a full marathon or simply keeping a more organized home, the process of moving toward success is the same: one step at a time. Once you’ve laid out your road map, it’s time to start the journey. This is often the hardest part, generating enough momentum to put one foot in front of the other, and sometimes you need a little push. Now is the time to surround yourself with supportive and positive people. We all have those individuals in our lives that, despite their best intentions, can be negative. These folks can wind up being roadblocks. Find a close friend or family member who will be there for you and hold you accountable, and take them on the road to a better you. Relegate the naysayers to the backseat and don’t look back. Once we’re finally on the road, some of us, unavoidably, fall off the wagon. Here’s the trick: don’t beat yourself up, take it easy. We make changes to enhance our lives, so being hard on yourself in order to make improvements doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Pick yourself up, dust off and begin again. Like any road trip, dead ends and wrong turns happen, and that’s okay. As long as you can see the destination ahead, you’ll get there. Here are our five best tips to stick to your goals and reach the destination of an improved you: 1. Set long-term goals with healthy and achievable mile-

stones. 2. Gather positive momentum to begin a healthy journey. 3. Don’t pay attention to negative voices. Surround yourself with healthy and friendly support. 4. Setbacks happen. Embrace your mistakes and learn from them. 5. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Love your flaws, as well as your ability to make positive, healthy and lasting change.

JANUARY EVENTS Fog Run 10K/5K, 9 a.m., Jan. 10

Race day registration from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Lake Ming. Cost is $25 before Dec. 31, $30 after. Special rate for high school cross country runners is $20 with pre-registration only. Just write your high school’s name on the entry form. Contact Inger Summers at 868-4103 with questions. A Riverbed Runs Through It Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Jan. 31

This event will be held at The Park at River Walk. Start for half marathon walkers is 6:30 a.m.; 8 a.m. start for half marathon, 5K and 10K. Register at www.ultrasignup.com. Prices vary for different events, $25 to $45 pre-registration, $30 to $50 on race day. Breakfast burritos and T-shirts are included in registration price.

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

DISH UP RIGHT THIS YEAR How to keep your healthy eating New Year’s resolutions By Laurie Wallace

f you’re like most Americans, you have made a resolution for 2015 that included something about eating healthier and exercising more. And, if you’re like most Americans, you will do well for the first month and then gradually give up by June, only to regress into the familiar poor food choices that you were so determined to change. Ever wonder why this keeps happening year after year? What can you do to make this year different? I am reminded of a poem by Portia Nelson, “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk, Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.” In this poem, a person walks down the sidewalk, falls in a hole, denies any fault, and takes a long time to get out. For the next two days, they repeat the same walk and fall in the same hole. On the third day, their eyes are opened to how they got there and they are able to get out quickly. On the fourth day, they walk around the hole. On the fifth day, they walk a different street. Though you may never have fallen into a hole, you probably make the same unhealthy food choices regularly, and rationalize your lack of motivation and willpower when you fall again. If you really want healthy eating to be a part of your

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long term future, consider these ideas: Identify the holes you keep falling into and start avoiding them.

Unhealthy food habits don’t usually happen randomly. Most bad choices occur around the same time of day and with the same types of food: drive-thru lunch on weekdays; sweets at the midmorning coffee break; Friday night pizza; chocolate and cookies between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; ice cream and popcorn after dinner. Acknowledge that these holes (challenges) exist and stop pretending you will somehow have willpower to finally overcome them. Stop buying unhealthy foods and replace them with something healthier, like salads, sandwiches, homemade soups, fresh fruit, non-fat yogurt or raw veggies. Walk a different street. Don’t make food choices based on emotion.

We all make countless good decisions every day that keep us safe, presentable and productive, even if we don’t feel like it: we shower, wash our clothes, clean our cars, feed the dog, take out the trash. These decisions are logical and necessary for order and sanity in our daily rou-

tines. However, when it comes to making a choice between chicken breast and steamed veggies for dinner over pizza and potato logs, we struggle. Healthy eating is difficult for many because we make food choices based on emotion rather than logic. Eating can evoke feelings of joy and comfort rather than nourishment and health. When emotion battles logic, emotion wins. We pretend that making a bad food choice is OK if we’ve had a bad day, or we’re short on time, don’t feel like cooking, or if everyone else is doing the same. Try not to eat based on how you feel, or what sounds good. Plan healthy meals in advance and don’t deviate from the plan. What exactly is health eating?

We all know the foods we should avoid. But just in case you’re pretending that you just don’t know what to eat, here is a summary: aim for whole unprocessed food (nothing in a box, bag or can) from all of the food groups. Your daily intake should include plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole-grain/high fiber starch, a moderate amount of lean protein, and limited amounts of added sugar and fat. — Laurie Wallace, MS, RD, CDE, is the dietitian/diabetes program manager for Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.

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TRIP PLANNER

GAIN GRATITUDE FOR GOOD EATS Berkeley offers fine dining, wholesome food at eateries, markets By Glenn Hammett

alking through the North Shattuck area of Berkeley, it seems as though every other storefront sells food, in one form or another. Restaurants, bakeries, sidewalk cafes, wine shops, coffee houses and butcher shops dominate the

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PHOTO BY GLENN HAMMETT

landscape. Often referred to as the Gourmet Ghetto, Berkeley is the birthplace of the specialty coffee craze, California pizza and the farm-to-table movement, as well as the jumping off point for chocolate truffles and sourdough baguettes in the U.S. On a recent holiday trip to visit my daughter, my wife and I sampled a few of the amazing eats.

“I Am Fulfilled,” a heaping bowl of mixed greens, carrots, beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, sprouts, nut parmesan and teriyaki almonds, from Cafe Gratitude.

PHOTO BY GLENN HAMMETT

The entrance of the legendary Chez Panisse restaurant on Shattuck Street in Berkeley.

PEET’S COFFEE Before Dutch immigrant Alfred Peet opened Peet’s Coffee in Berkeley in 1966, Americans drank Maxwell House and Folgers. Five years later, Peet shared his knowledge and passion for coffee with three friends who opened the first Starbuck’s in Seattle and the coffee culture was off and running. On the day we visited the original Peet’s location, the line was long and there was not an empty table in the place, not even in the back room, which is a kind of mini museum with photos and artifacts from the origins of the gourmet coffee movement hanging on its brightly lit walls.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAFE GRATITUDE

CHEZ PANISSE Chez Panisse opened in 1971 in a beautiful two-story Arts and Crafts style house on Shattuck Avenue, and instituted the concept that using fresh, organic, locally-grown ingredients is not only more ethical, but also tastes better. Today, Chez Panisse operates a formal dinner restaurant on the ground floor and a more casual café on the top story that serves both lunch and dinner. If you plan to go, make reservations well in advance, as all tables can be full several weeks out. Because we had not made reservations, we opted for lunch at Cafe Gratitude a couple of

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Continued from page 115 blocks away, a vegan restaurant with a spiritual bent. Menu items have names like I Am Grateful, I Am Fulfilled and I Am Sustained. All of the food was delicious and prepared and served with care. My daughter’s selection, the I Am Extraordinary, was the most interesting. Her BLT sandwich featured shaved coconut sauteed in maple syrup in place of bacon. My wife’s order included I Am Divine, a drink made from apple, lemon, beet and ginger juices. It was truly divine. I was grateful she let me sample it and the whole experience left me fulfilled.

Freshly baked muffins, scones and pastries at Hopkins Street Bakery.

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PHOTO BY GLENN HAMMETT

The entrance of Monterey Market feels a bit like a roadside produce stand.

30 varieties of mushrooms and 25 different kinds of potatoes. The market gets much of their produce from local organic farms. Around the corner from Monterey Market are Country Cheese Coffee Market, where a bright and extremely knowledgeable young man was offering samples of rare cheeses to passers-by; Monterey Fish Market, which displayed whole tai snapper and bronzino on ice in the window; and Hopkins Street Bakery, where the aroma of freshly-baked bread and scones makes resistance futile. On the same block is Magnaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poultry, a small, old-fashioned butcher shop that specializes in high-quality organic meats. The food scene in the Bay Area is unlike anything in the country. San Francisco has the highest density of restaurants in proportion to households of any U.S. metro area, and it is not even close. If you are a true foodie and want to experience some of the roots of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food culture, head across the Bay to Berkeley.

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PRIME FINDS

Say ‘I do’ to monogram dinnerware A great wedding gift. Give dinnerware hand painted with love. Color Me Mine at the Marketplace. 9000 Ming Ave. 664-7366. bakersfield.colormemine.com

Handsome hutch Vintage hutch painted white and distressed with added chalkboard in the center. $395. Farm Girls Vintage Finds. 7200 Shafter Road, Bakersfield. 319-5182. farmgirlsvintagefinds.com

Something sweet This holiday season wouldn’t be perfect without the delectable treats of Aunt Mae’s Sweet Tooth. Find them at Luigi’s, Sweet Surrender Bakery, Café Med, Garden District, Brookside Market, San Joaquin Community Hospital gift shop and Sullivan Petroleum stores. 725-5200. auntmaessweettooth.com

Wrap it up Keep your ears and head toasty warm this winter with cozy flannel head wraps from Kamnation Clothing. $12.99. etsy.com/shop/KamnationClothing.

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A purr-fect purse This unique Anuschka purse is hand-cut and crafted from rich top-grain cowhide leather, then hand painted. $197. Sugardaddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. 5512 Stockdale Highway. 325-8300. facebook.com/sugardaddys.

Blooming delights Uniquely Chic can create fabulous floral arrangements for all of your special events. From weddings to baby showers, anniversaries to birthdays, this florist does it all. Uniquely Chic Florist & Boutique. 9500 Brimhall Road #701, 588-7997. uniquelychicflorist.com

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Heart of Gold Gala for Oliviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heart Project Date: Dec. 12 Held at JCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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Date: Nov. 22 Held at CHP 420 Club Photos by Olivia Garcia View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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Armando Mendoza, Alex Sherbon, James Ryen, Simon Cruz Jr., Richard Mo and Ethan Fleitas

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Pie Run Date: Nov. 27 Held at Hart Park Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Odella Johnson and Michelle Shannon

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Ryan Allen and Darlene, Harley and Josh Gilbert Delfina Galindo and Nancy Bacon

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Monica Banducci and Wes Oberg

Jim Francisco and Mike Taylor

Jim Cowles and Julie Francisco

Arika Jackson, Danette Feeney, Nathan Hiatt, Jacob Terrazas, Niquie and Kailey Dahl and Carrie Swidecki

Turkey Trot Date: Nov. 22 Held at Yokuts Park Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Pamela Plyler and Paula Arnold

Maria Jorge and Yanet Iniguez

Rey Rodriguez and John Johnston

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Holiday Lamplight Tour Date: Dec. 5 Held at Kern County Museum Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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Mia Bejarano and Jamie Dunkel

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Ralph Alcocer, Eleazar Abdulla, Crystal Hernandez and Breyona and Raynaldo Gaitan Barbara Kelley and Ruth Clark

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Jesus, Ariel, Nathen and Dulce Rojo 124

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Dan Neff and Sonni Kinsell

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Cal State Bakersfield Dorm Opening Date: Nov. 18 Held at CSUB Photos by Casey Christie View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

Dr. Horace Mitchell, Anne Houtman, Thomas Wallace and Edward Webb

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Date: Nov. 20 Held at Seven Oaks Country Club Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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Tom Xavierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enchanted Forest Gala Date: Dec. 5 Held at Stockdale Country Club Photos by Adriana Vega View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.

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LAST WORD

By Anna Smith

ur romance began on that first date sipping wine and eating feta fries under twinkly lights at the 2006 Greek Food Festival. Since then, my husband, Austin Smith, and I have lived and worked in San Francisco and Los Angeles, but we ultimately ended up back in our hometown: Yes, Bakersfield. This place has its allures — oil, agriculture, Luigi’s, 24th Street Cafe, The Padre, an emerging downtown. All things worth taking notice of, but none with a pull strong enough to lure us back, until now. As a couple of kids very interested in urban planning and sustainable living, one might not pinpoint Bakersfield on a map of ideal places to settle. So, why are we here? The easy answer is family. Another standard answer is work. We moved for the opportunity to develop the first market-rate urban townhome project in downtown Bakersfield. But the decision, which took us both by surprise, honestly, cut even deeper than all of that. Bakersfield is burgeoning. The four short years of our marriage have been nothing if not a series of sharp turns in directions we once thought improbable. I decided not to pursue a career as an attorney after three years of sleepless nights, dense reading, stressful exams, legal internships, and proudly landing and completing a clerkship for a federal judge. We’ve had our fair share of health scares and surprises. And we were both separately led not to settle in the vibrant urban cities to which our identities were once so attached. The glitter unpredictably faded. C’est la vie. Perhaps the upheaval that these few years of marriage have brought about in our lives, not the bad kind, but the good/hard kind that shakes you in your sleep, wakes you up in the middle of the night, and makes you cling to the things you truly value, has changed our way of thinking about what matters. Perhaps we are slightly different people than when we first spoke those vows in that Santa Barbara church. Perhaps the definition of marriage is simply change, constantly shifting together, as life and outlooks are altered. The capacity and willingness to change may just be why studies show that the gap between good and mediocre marriages has increased in recent history. (This conclusion is drawn from recent analysis of 14 studies between 1979 and 2002 concerning marital quality and personal well-being.) In our marriage, we’ve discovered the need to continually realign to avoid the dreaded, stagnant mediocre. This same logic brought us to Bakersfield. We’ve been here six months now. And, yes, it’s been a bit of an adjustment, but what Bakersfield lacks in big city amenities, it makes up for, threefold, in the warmth and hospitality of its people and limitlessness of opportunities. We

EMBRACING CHANGE

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Anna and Austin Smith

PHOTO BY CECILY JONES

Young couple finds marriage, life success is all about changing together

lived in apartments for years without speaking to individuals we shared garages, hallways, and common walls with, those residing just next door. Here, we are constantly surprised as we receive warm welcomes from neighbors up and down our leafy new street. And we are humbled to be involved as new groups develop, like Bakersfield Young Professionals, full of people that continually inspire us. We are excited as innovative ideas materialize: co-working spaces, pop-up supper clubs, parklets, alley parties and more. We are glad to be here, be a part of this emerging city, and help others discover its beauty. Our relationship developed here and then pointed us in this direction to return home. We’re thrilled to be back. Yes, Bakersfield. — Anna Corinne Camp Smith graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School and received a degree in news-editorial journalism from Texas Christian University and a Juris Doctor from UC Hastings College of Law. She serves on the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful board, is co-chair for BYP’s Urbanist Crew, and managed Bob Smith’s city council campaign. She and her husband live in Westchester and celebrate the anniversary of their first date at the ever-expanding Greek Food Festival each fall. Anna Smith

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