速
November 2014
bakersfieldlife.com
THE
AUTO ISSUE
ALL-STAR SPORTS MOMS
Guide to
HOT 2015 MODELS
tell their stories
2015 GMC Yukon Denali from Motor City Buick GMC
$3.95
Maintenance tips from
LOCAL PROS
OUTSIDE THE BOX Film festival back for second run
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F E A T U R E S November 2014
Hit the road From big trucks to sleek coupes, take a look at 52 of the hottest new cars on the market from local dealerships.
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Good sports Local mothers of professional athletes share the ups and downs of watching their children score big.
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Mind your maintenance light Local mechanics offer advice for keeping you car in tip-top shape.
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D E P A R T M E N T S November 2014
Up Front Bakersfield Matters
PHOTO BY GREG NICHOLS
Darlyn Baker, RN - Owner
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ASSISTED CARE Personal Assistance Hospital Sitting Companionship Light Housekeeping Bathing Shopping Preparing Meals ...and much more!
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HOME HEALTH RNs/LVNs Physical Therapists Home Health Aides Wound/Ostomy Care
Dining Divas Food and Wine Foodie On the Road Hometown Hero Why I Live Here All-Star Athlete Faces of Philanthropy Talk of the Town
Our Town For a Cause Business Profiles Pastimes Home and Garden Entertainment Inside Story In My Closet
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The only RN & family owned provider in Kern County since 1994.
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History Power Couple Real People Personality Fit and Fresh Health and Wellness Trip Planner Prime Finds SNAP!
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Last Word
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November 2014
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LOPEZ
RNs, LVNs, CNAs
Bakersfield, meet the all-new
2015
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Take the test drive of your life! New 2.3L EcoBoost
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S TA F F S H A R E S
“WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?” “I drove a manual Chevy S-10 pickup with no door panels and a broken window. During Tehachapi winters, I blasted the heater but refused the ski mask my dad continually offered.” —
“A 1991 Subaru Legacy with hibiscus-printed seat covers and a dashboard hula man. It was passed down through my siblings, who added their own touches and subwoofers.” —
Katelynn Camp, specialty publications coordinator
Rachel Cook, assistant editor
“An ’89 Honda, and the hatchback wouldn’t stay up, I used a broom handle to prop it up. I worked all summer to buy her. She wasn’t pretty, but she was mine.” — Becky Lewis, major retail accounts executive
“My first set of wheels was a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, white with red interior. Most of my paycheck went in her gas tank, but she was fun to drive!” — Chris Thornburgh,
“I drove my parents’ 1998 Honda Civic for the longest time, but got my first real car, a 2013 Scion tC, a couple of years ago. It’s lots of fun!” — Allison Escobar, graphic designer
“Dodge Colt. Brand New, red with white vinyl interior.” — John Wells,
contributor
senior vice president revenue and marketing
Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine November 2014 / Vol. 9 / Issue 2 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 President/CEO Richard Beene Senior Vice President Revenue and Marketing John Wells Vice President, Administration and Operations Nancy Chaffin Interactive Sales Manager Gunter Copeland Advertising Sales Manager Lisa Whitten Advertising Traffic Manager Shauna Rockwell Distribution and Marketing Representative Patrick Wells Editor Olivia Garcia Assistant Managing Editor Rachel Cook Specialty Publications Coordinator Katelynn Camp
“My first car was a 1978 Chevy Nova. Although now considered a classic, it was NOT cool in 1988. But the freedom it offered me at 17 endeared me to it quickly.” — Melissa Peaker-
Art Director Glenn Hammett Graphic Designer Allison Escobar
“For high school graduation, I got ’61 Dodge Dart, push button drive, with no air! Baby blue with a slanted 6 engine, that baby could fly!” — Connie
Whitten, contributor
“A lemon disguised as an Audi! Totally unreliable, but when she worked, she was a lot of fun to drive around Southern California while in college.” — Lisa Kimble, contribu-
Uthenwoldt, advertising account executive
tor
estate account executive
“Mine was a 1960s purple primed VW Baja Bug. My cousins Eddie and Vet liked to call it a grape on wheels, but I was so proud of it.” — Olivia Garcia,
“My first car was a red 1968 Mustang that I picked up my freshman year at Cal State Bakersfield. If that car had air conditioning, I’d like to think I would still be driving it today.” —
editor
Kevin McCloskey, contributor
Bakersfield Life Magazine
Felix Adamo, Tony Avelar, Sally Baker, Henry A. Barrios, Peter W. Beckman, Casey Christie, Brian Coleman, Gregory D. Cook, Amy Edmonson, John Harte, Richard Isaac, J Andrew Photography, Katie Kirschenmann, Michael Lopez, Mike Moessner, Mark Nessia, Greg Nichols, Carla Rivas, Jan St Pierre, Rod Thornburg, Adriana Vega Contributing writers
“My first car was a 1994 Z28 Camaro with dark grey interior and stock bright teal paint, which I didn’t get to drive until after I graduated due to the motor being rebuilt.” — Tamarra Harms, real
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Photography
November 2014
Teresa Adamo, Sally Baker, Steven Blakesley, Chelsea Brewer, Sylvia Cariker, Kelly Damian, Diana Greenlee, Ken Hooper, Lisa Kimble, Katie Kirschenmann, Marissa Lay, Stephen Lynch, Kevin McCloskey, Rob Mezaros, Mark Nessia, Melissa Peaker-Whitten, Jeff Pickering, Gabriel Ramirez, Katy Raytis, Allison Stokes, Chris Thornburgh, Kristin Weber On the cover Photograph by Michael Lopez. Gabriel and Mary Johnson and their children, Gabriel, 15, Cole, 14, and Mya, 6, head out in the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali.
• 3 Dimensional Designing • Full Service Remodels • Cabinetry • Countertops / Backsplash • Flooring – Tile / Hardwood
Project Notes · Comfortable Contemporary · Simple clean lines · Great center island · Glass tile on range wall to ceiling · Special order apron front sink
“My work is my passion.”
We moved to Bakersfield in 2009 and are raising our three children here however we didn’t expect to live in Bakersfield for too long but when it became evident we were staying put for a while we had to decide to either find a new home or do a major remodel. Eventually we opted for the remodel because we love our neighborhood and didn’t want to relocate our son to a new school. As soon as the timing was right we started the process of looking for the right company that would be perfect for us, and one that would ultimately create what we envisioned. After interviewing a few contractor’s we felt the best person for the job was the owner of Stockdale Kitchen & Bath, Rick Sorci. After Rick did the full measurements of the kitchen he created a three-dimensional design, which allowed us to get an accurate view of how the space would appear. When you see the plans in 3D it is easy to tell where changes can or need to be made and how the area will be used with your lifestyle.
We knew ahead of time what style of cabinets we wanted, so once the kitchen design was finalized we started the process of shopping for granite, tiles and appliances. Rick made our shopping trips to the various shops easy and fun and he was very accommodating with our schedules to do so. And because the job wouldn’t start until all our materials were in he made sure everything was ordered and would be delivered in a timely manner so that the start of the job could begin sooner. Stockdale Kitchen & Bath created our space exactly how we wanted and we are thrilled with how our kitchen turned out. We’d like to say thanks to Rick and his team for their professionalism and trustworthiness and a special thanks to Tina for keeping everyone organized and up-todate on the process. We look forward to working with everyone again when we remodel our bathrooms. ~ Rob & Erin Bordenave
- Rick Sorci
“Our space created exactly how we wanted”
EDITOR’S NOTE
HERE IN MY CAR…
MEET OUR NEW DESIGNER Allison Escobar is a Bay Area native who moved to Bakersfield in 2003. She recently joined the Bakersfield Life team as a graphic designer. A lover of the arts since her childhood, Escobar began her career in graphic design and web development as a student assistant for Cal State Bakersfield. After graduating, she held the position of senior web developer for Saba Agency, then joined ARRC Technol12
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latest and greatest from a multitude of local dealers. This issue is for the curious at heart, the car lovers, the shoppers and those who like to stay on top of the latest trends. Also, it’s sport season, so we thought we would catch up with local moms who have nurtured their kids’ love of sports that has led them on to college and the professional sporting world. How did they manage it all from the moment they were little ones out on the field to now, as parents remain loyal supporters and the No. 1 fans of their children? Thanks to writer Sylvia Cariker, we find out. And what kind of November issue would we be if we didn’t focus on Thanksgiving? Veteran journalist Teresa Adamo, who now works for San Joaquin Community Hospital, shares a few Thanksgiving tips and memories with us. Take this time to spend it with those who mean the most to you. Often times, we let our busy lives get the best of us. But it’s important we spend quality time with our loved ones on this special day, and of course, enjoy a great meal and be thankful for what we have in life. And here’s a sneak peek into a future story: I met recently with Tony Martinez, the great man behind Tony’s Pizza. Talk about a fascinating life, he’s been a county firefighter and federal one, too, which has taken him across the country to help communities. Yet, he’s also been able to run a successful local business with the help of his family. Find out more in a future issue. PHOTO BY TANYA X. LEONZO
O
ften, when I run into friends or readers in town, one of the first things they ask me is about the cars I get to test drive. Yes, it’s definitely a perk of this gig. Assistant Editor Rachel Cook regularly takes cars on test drives as well, and this time around, our awesome Art Director Glenn Hammett took a car for a spin, too. The interest in cars, however, goes to show how much we love them. Classic ones. Fast ones. Smart ones. Green ones. Fancy ones. 2015 ones. Our first ones. Our growing up ones. Our family ones. The list goes on. If you think about it, we spend a great amount of time in our cars, whether it’s heading to family sporting events or a special dinner or getting to work and school on time. Gary Numan’s classic hit song “Cars” is now ringing in my ears. But when I think of the cover of this edition, I reflect on my SUV. My husband Julio and I stepped into the SUV world after the birth of our first two boys several years ago and have stuck with them as we have grown into a family of six (four sons total). The SUV has faithfully taken me, my husband, and our boys to their many football and track games over the years beginning from the moment they were 7 and 9. The SUV has put up with our car seats and cargo for our family summer trips down to Southern California. It has allowed me to pick up many friends of my boys over the years as they planned sleepovers or headed to parties. We still have our SUV and are excited that one of its compatriots is getting 15 minutes of fame on the cover of this issue. Thanks to the Johnson family who graciously offered to pose for the photo shoot. And thanks to our art director’s good friend who offered his new home as the location of the photo shoot. Many details go into planning a cover, and photographer Michael Lopez performed a knockout job executing it. If you like to talk cars, then you have stopped in the right place. This is our car issue and inside, we featured tons of the
Olivia Garcia Editor 395-7487 • ogarcia@bakersfield.com
ogy and CharTec as their first inhouse graphic designer. She is passionate about both the creative and technical aspects of the field and continuously strives to excel in all areas. Some of Escobar’s favorite pastimes include eating, going to the beach, feeding her music addiction, and spending time with loved ones. Her favorite fun fact about herself is that she eats pizza backwards.
Clarification “A Place at the Table” is a Magnolia Pictures film directed by Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush. The director was incorrect in a story that appeared in the October issue.
UP FRONT
WORD ON THE STREET Compiled by Mark Nessia
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING MEMORY? Watching football all day with my family. — Roger Parsons
Going to Dallas to visit family for some home-cooked meals. — Nick Minor
Thanksgiving in Arkansas and my grandma’s pumpkin pie. — Dee Gilmore
Getting together with my family and eating great food. — Elisha McKinney
The first pumpkin pie I tried to make. I read the instructions wrong and it melted in the oven. — Marnie Clark
We had a family golf tournament for a cousin who was diagnosed with diabetes. Everybody got together – over 35 people. — Ben Boudreau
Five years ago we cooked a garbage can turkey. It was a 10-pound turkey in a 10pound garbage can with 10 pounds of charcoal. It was my first time trying it and it was really good. — J.F. Houle My dad and I used to play “Turkey Bowl” games at my church. One time we played from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., went straight home and ate a bunch of turkey. — Jay Hamann Pumpkin pie is the best thing about Thanksgiving. — Ashleigh Bishop
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UP FRONT
THE BIG PICTURE Photo by Felix Adamo
THE BRUSHOFF A Ridgeview defender grabbed a handful of Bakersfield High School running back Marcus Bruce’s jersey as the Drillers busted up the middle during their Oct. 3 game against the Wolf Pack. The Drillers beat Ridgeview 28-20.
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UP FRONT
THE BIG PICTURE Photo by Casey Christie
A FINAL SALUTE Bakersfield Police officers march after the funeral service of former Bakersfield Police Chief Eric Matlock at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Current Chief Greg Williamson is the second officer in line. Matlock, the Bakersfield Police Department’s first black police chief, died Sept. 25 at age 65 from cancer.
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UP FRONT
NAMED AFTER
K
FAMOSO RACEWAY
Blue skies and white clouds hovered above the Auto Club Famoso Raceway during the 2010 March Meet. 18
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Beautiful weather helped bring a massive crowd to Auto Club Famoso Raceway for the 2009 March Meet.
The Smokers ran the meet until 1965 when they disbanded and sold their name to an Eastern promoter who, in 1969, moved the championships to Long Island, New York. The local event became officially known as the March Meet. Racers from around the country descended on Famoso and the March Meet became the raceway’s signature event. The Meet and raceway changed hands over the years. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) operated the track before its first world champion, Jack Williams, took over operations in 1995. At the height of its glory, famed racers like Don “The Snake” Prudhomme hit the track and names like the Mears brothers got their start there. Father-son team John and Blake Bowser took over operations in 2006. John, who moved to Bakersfield from New Jersey in 1952, worked at the track in the 1950s while he was in high school. His brother Bobby married Williams’ sister Arlene. Blake Bowser was weaned at the raceway. When Jack Williams died in 2006, he willed the lease of the raceway to the Bowsers. The NHRA, which holds the master lease, approved it. The March Meet is the oldest established independent drag race in the world, racing’s top nostalgia event, and the first stop on the Hot Rod Heritage Series.
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
ern County has earned its rightful place on the global maps of agriculture, oil and country music. Thanks to a quarter-mile racetrack near McFarland, Kern is also revered in drag racing circles, notably for its famed March Meet at the historic Famoso Raceway, a hallowed ground for auto racing. Located on Famoso Road between highways 99 and 65 along Poso Creek, the unincorporated community of Famoso was originally called Spottiswood. The Southern Pacific Railroad changed the name to Pozo when it reached the site in the 1870s. But Pozo conflicted with a community by the same name along a stagecoach route in San Luis Obispo County. So in 1895, the moniker was changed again to Famoso, Spanish for “famous” or “celebrated.” A more fitting name could not have been chosen. Originally built in World War II as an auxiliary training base for the nearby Army Air Corps training base at Shafter’s Minter Field, the Army abandoned the field after the war. In 1951, a group of drag racing pioneers known as the Smokers club secured a permanent arrangement with the Kern County Director of Airports to lease the site. They modified the spot to accommodate drag racing. Before then, some racing had been held at Gardner Field southeast of Taft, but Famoso was a game changer. In 1959, Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, regarded as the father of drag racing, was setting records on the East Coast. Local racers, skeptical of Garlits’ times and speeds, invited the famed race car driver to Bakersfield to compete. He accepted the challenge in March of that year. The first March Meet, often dubbed the “Woodstock of drag racing,” was launched, and the first United States Fuel and Gas Championships was born.
PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
By Lisa Kimble
MONEY MATTERS
YOUR BUSINESS AUTO IS LOADED WITH TAX WRITE-OFFS
most lease agreements, then leasing is probably for you. If you log a lot of miles and sporting the latest-model isn’t a priority, then ownership might be your best option.
hether you run a business or you are an employee, you are likely entitled to generous tax deductions if you rack up business miles on your set of wheels. It pays to know how to write off the costs of your vehicle. Consider these points:
Are there tax breaks for SUVS? Yes. The amount of depreciation you can normally take for an auto is low. However, there are generous tax breaks for SUVs with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 6,000 pounds. Business owners who purchase a qualifying SUV can depreciate a large part of the vehicle’s cost by taking the “Section 179” deduction. This deduction allows an immediate write-off of the cost of qualifying equipment, including SUVs.
How can I deduct the cost of my car used for business? You can deduct costs using one of two methods: the standard mileage method is easiest, but the actual expense method may harvest larger deductions. With the standard mileage method, you claim a flat amount for each business mile you drive. Multiply business miles driven during the year by the standard mileage rate (56 cents per mile for 2014). To use the actual expenses method, tally all vehicle expenses, including fuel, oil, tires, repairs and maintenance, registration and fees, insurance, loan interest, lease payments, and depreciation. To calculate the deductible amount, multiply your total actual costs by the percentage of business use (business miles divided by total miles for the year). Expense reimbursements must be included when calculating net deductible expenses. Some restrictions apply if switching between methods. For additional information, see IRS Publication 463 “Travel, Entertainment, Gifts, and Car Expenses.”
Do I have to keep a mileage log? The IRS is strict about deducting vehicle expenses, so it’s crucial to keep a detailed log of your business miles and total miles driven. If you’re ever audited, one of the first things they ask for is your mileage log. Without it, all of your well-deserved auto deductions are tossed out. Tracking mileage is easy. Record the odometer reading on the day you start using a vehicle for business and on the last day of the year. Keep a daily log of business miles, such as meeting a client or vendor. Miles to the bank, post office, supply store, or to your accountant count. Considered personal, commuting mileage does not count. Mileage logs vary in form, including hand-written notebooks or calendars. Spreadsheets or smart phone apps that monitor your mileage via GPS are a growing trend. While you have the option of using electronic logs, the IRS prefers hand-written logs but will accept either. Whatever you use, make sure it is complete, accurate, and made contemporaneously.
Should I lease or own for tax purposes? When it comes to taxes, you are better off leasing in most cases. Depreciation is considerably limited, preventing business owners from using a tax loophole to deduct luxury autos. Restrictions are fewer when it comes to lease payments, so leasing generally provides a larger tax deduction. Keep in mind, the decision to buy or lease a car isn’t just about taxes. Consider your needs and preferences. If you prefer driving newer cars and you don’t drive more than the typical 15,000 miles a year that’s allowed in
The bottom line Before deciding on the best way to account for your business vehicle expenses, talk to a tax professional to maximize your deductions - not just this year, but for years to come. Chris Thornburgh is a CPA and partner at Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corp. Contact her at cthornburgh@bacpas.com or (661) 324-4971. Thornburgh
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UP FRONT
SUPPORT LOCAL NONPROFITS AT KRIS KRINGLE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
T
ime to take out the tinsel, White Forest Nursery is hosting Kris Kringle’s Christmas Tree Festival Nov. 29 to Dec. 14 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The nursery will host holiday activities as it sells its 5- to 8-foot Douglas and noble fir Christmas trees. Donations for tree loading will benefit the California Veterans Assistance Foundation. “As we explored helping a couple churches, my eyes were opened to the needs we have in our own community,” said Rita White of White Forest Nursery. “I began thinking, ‘How can I, with what I do, contribute?’” White also partnered with several nonprofits and churches to raise money for building funds, summer camps, feeding the hungry, and service projects. To support these causes, purchase a Christmas tree voucher on White Forest Nursery’s Facebook page or at whiteforestnursery.com.
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Hilary Maiberger as Belle and Darick Pead as Beast.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAM THEATRICALS
Eric White loads a recently bought Christmas tree from White Forest Nursery.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE FOREST NURSERY
SHORT TAKES
BROADWAY IN BAKERSFIELD IS BACK WITH “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”
T
he enduring Broadway hit “Beauty and the Beast” returns to Bakersfield in November for the 2014-2015 Broadway in Bakersfield Series. NETworks Presentations and Jam Theatricals will present this award-winning musical at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rabobank Theater. Based on Disney’s 1991 animated feature film, the show features songs from the Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken
and the late Howard Ashman. Tickets start at $35 and are available at the Rabobank Theater box office, ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3009. Since its Broadway premiere 20 years ago, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has been seen by more than 35 million people in 22 countries. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this enchanting tale right here in Bakersfield.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Finally caught up with the latest Bakersfield Life magazine and have to compliment you on the smooth, professional product in every aspect, content diversity of subjects, art, page design, the whole package. The story and photo of the BHS Drillers state championship a century ago — terrific. Also especially liked
the piece on Rosi Reed (whom I’ve known for a long time) and Sonya Christian. Hope it all helps to keep The Californian healthy (My fervent wish is for the ink to flow forever). Best always to you and your compadres at The Cal. — Larry Press Ventura
LAW FIRM CELEBRATES 75 YEARS
Y
oung Wooldridge, LLP is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In 1939, an injured client brought an insurance adjuster, Joseph Wooldridge, and attorney John Young together. The two hit it off immediately. When the case settled, Young and Wooldridge became partners, and their friendship became the foundation for one of Kern County’s oldest and most prominent legal institutions today. Seventy-five years later, the firm now practices in a variety of fields, including water and special districts, business law, employment and labor, estate and tax planning, bankruptcy and personal injury. Since the beginning, the firm has added a personal touch to its client services, which has made a world of difference. Its family approach and client dedication has been among the contributing factors to the firm’s growth. Young Wooldridge’s experienced attorneys understand client needs and fight for the things that matter. The firm was founded on the three primary values of hard work, honesty and dedication. These principles have guided the work of Young Wooldridge since 1939.
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COUNTY LIBRARY EARNS GRANT TO FOCUS ON VETERAN EXPERIENCE
T
he Kern County Library has received a $15,000 grant from Cal Humanities to participate in CA Reads: Our Veterans, Our Communities, veterans-themed conversations this fall. This month, the library will join area veteran organizations, support groups, and clubs to create programs, events, and discussions around the issues veterans face returning to their communities from fields of combat, past and present for Kern County: Our Veterans, Our Communities. The book “What It Is Like to Go to War,” by Vietnam veteran Karl Marlantes will be the jumping off point for discussing the many issues soldiers and veterans face. In Kern, veterans’ issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, physical and psychological rehabilitation, homelessness, employment and more will be explored through this program. To get involved, contact project coordinator Kristie Coons at 3259584 or via email at kristie.coons@kerncountylibrary.org.
Our dependable caregivers are experienced, drug-alcohol screened, background checked, bonded and insured. 24 -Hour Service Call today for your FREE In-Home consultation!
(661) 631-2036 2029 21st Street • Bakersfield, CA 93301
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UP FRONT SHORT TAKES
ON THE WEB
First cars Thank you for sharing your stories of your first cars with us last month. A big thank you to the Bakersfield Speedway, Kern County Raceway Park and Auto Club Famoso Raceway for sending these three lucky winners off to the races.
BAKERSFIELD MUSICIAN JAY SMITH HITS MANY NOTES IN NEW ALBUM
“I
’m known for playing too many notes,” laughed keyboardist Jay Smith. Due to his blisteringlyfast style, fans voted to title his upcoming sophomore album,
PHOTO BY ROBERT BEJIL
Lawrence Talley “My first car was a 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe two door sedan, purchased (with help from my father) in 1955 at the age of 15.”
Adrian Medina “My first car is a 1973 Datsun 240Z. The year was 1974, and I was still driving the family car right out of college... Over the years, my Z was relegated to the curb where it collected dust and spider webs for a long time while I drove my truck and our new 1985 IROC Camaro. After getting it on the road again in early 1992 and fresh paint and interior in 2001, it is driving along as strong and beautiful as ever, and it still looks the same as it did in 1979.” Michele Estrada “My first car, which I still have, is a 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Luxury Sport. The car was given to me by my father 13 years ago when I was 15. I compete in local car shows, and I am a member of Latin World Car Club.”
Holiday art call-out Holiday artwork that is distinctly Bakersfield is on our wish list this year. Bakersfield Life and Metro Galleries are partnering once again for our annual holiday art contest. Send your submissions to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com by Nov. 7 with "Holiday Art" in the subject line. Artwork can be a painting, drawing or photograph. Please email a JPEG or TIFF file of your artwork, along with your name, contact information and a short statement describing why your artwork reminds you of the holidays in Bakersfield. Your work could be featured on our cover or inside the December issue. 22
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November 2014
Jay Smith plays keyboard/synth.
“Too Many Notes.” The album by the Jay Smith Group fuses several genres, including jazz, R&B, and heavy rock. And, yes, James Russell is playing two saxes at once. Other contributing musicians include Patrick Contreras, Jay Jay Hicks, Cesareo Garasa, and Fernando Montoya. A release party for “Too Many Notes” will be held at Sandrini’s Restaurant and Bar at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Enjoy live music and buy CDs or Tshirt if the music strikes you right. Smith’s album will be available through many vendors including iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon. Smith also performs in the Bakersfield band Mento Buru, hosts a radio show on 90.7 KFSR Fresno, and teaches at Nick Rail Music.
GET POPPING AT JUNIOR LEAGUE’S ANNUAL UNCORKED! EVENT
T
he Junior League of Bakersfield will host its annual Bakersfield Uncorked! beer, wine, and food tasting event at the Kern County Fairgrounds from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 22. A silent and live auction will feature unique items and trips, and Cellar Key ticket purchasers will be entered in an exclusive drawing. Wines from the Central and Napa Valleys, Central Coast and other California locations will be served alongside dishes by local restaurants including Luigi’s and Café Med. Junior League is dedicated to promoting volunteerism and improving the lives of women and children in the community. All proceeds from the
Uncorked! event will go towards accomplishing this mission. Tickets are $75 per person and available online at juniorleagueofbakersfield.org. Tables, including a 5 p.m. entry and other bonuses, can be purchased for $1,200, and business partnership tables cost $2,500.
GIVE BACK BY SUPPORTING THE MISSION THIS SEASON
ORECK ORBITER
S
Volunteers at The Mission at Kern County serve holiday meal.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMIE DURHAM
®
upport The Mission at Kern County’s annual Thanksgiving meal by ferrying a frozen turkey to its annual Turkey Toss between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at Sonic Drive-In, 8875 Rosedale Highway. The first 100 to donate turkeys will receive a gift from radio stations Spirit 88.9 and 100.1. There will also be a toy turkey toss for more prizes. As the holidays approach, there are many ways to help The Mission, which provides shelter, meals, education and clothing to people in need. The Mission is also seeking donations for the reconstruction of its Education Chapel. The chapel houses community events and will be used as a chapel for Mission res-
idents attending the one-year Christian Discipleship Program. The Mission’s Christmas Eve meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24. Frozen meat donations, such as ham, turkey, beef, or chicken, can be dropped off at The Mission. To volunteer to serve at The Mission’s meals, or to help with the renovation of the Education Chapel, call 325-0863.
JOIN A KERN COUNTY HOLIDAY TRADITION, DECORATE FOR A CAUSE
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or nearly 20 years, the American Lung Association in California has given businesses and individuals the opportunity to purchase beautiful holiday poinsettias through the Lung Association’s Holiday Poinsettias Campaign. These poinsettias are used as office or home decorations, or gifts to family, friends and coworkers. Proceeds from the campaign help the Lung Association grow its award-winning programs that promote lung health and prevent lung disease, including asthma, lung cancer, and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The campaign runs through Nov. 21, and plants are delivered Dec. 3 through 5. For more information about the campaign or on how to get involved, contact Jessica Stahler at 282-3298 or visit lung.org/california.
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bakersfieldlife.com
23
UP FRONT
FINDING FAME
GREGORY PORTER More than 20 years have passed since that first singing
Singing with an understanding
job.
By Kelly Damian
I
t’s not often that a high school newspaper scoops The New York Times. But in 1989, the Highland High Fling did just that when it named Gregory Porter “most likely to succeed in music” more than two decades before a Times review predicted Porter would soon be singing to full houses. Porter’s journey from singing at high school pep rallies to headlining sold-out jazz festivals has been a slow and steady one, more of a long and winding hike rather than the G-force packed rocket rides of the latest YouTube sensations.
“I sang well at 20, but I was probably waiting for someone to ‘make’ me,” Porter said. “I had some living to do.” Experiencing life’s ups and downs, dealing with heartbreak, and saying goodbye to his mother, who died of breast cancer in the early 1990s, “created some depth of character, understanding and empathy.” “It influenced my writing and overall approach to music,” Porter said. Singing in a style that he describes as “open hearted,” Porter’s songs are about topics that hold deep meaning to him — past loves, his mother, racism, mutual respect and the vulnerability of children. Porter started his career in earnest in the theater. In the late ’90s he performed on Broadway in “It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues,” and in 2004 he wrote and performed the lead role in a musical production titled, “Nat King Cole and Me.” In 2010, Porter’s debut album, “Water,” was nominated for a Grammy for best vocal jazz album and his second album, “Be Good,” released in 2012, earned another Grammy nod for best traditional R&B performance. His singing has captured the attention of the general public and jazz enthusiasts alike. He has performed on both “The —Gregory Porter Tonight Show” and with Wynton Marsalis at The Lincoln Center. In a 2012 review, Daniel Spicer of the BBC described Porter’s voice as a “marvel,” adding that “Porter’s lyrics too seem to come from a place of great emotional strength.” In July of this year, while singing at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Stevie Wonder joined Porter onstage and called him “a real incredible talent in his voice, spirit, and soul.” Porter sang his song “Free,” while Wonder accompanied him on harmonica. It was a surreal moment, admitted Porter, who grew up dancing to Wonder’s music. Growing up in Bakersfield deeply influenced Porter’s musical style. He was brought up in the church and absorbed “the energy, emotion, intensity of that Southern transplant musical sound.” Remembering Bakersfield, Porter recalls the smell of jasmine in an alley, cooling off in the Kern River, and the wide expanse of the grasslands and hills. But life as a young black man was often “intense” and racial insults and intimidation were a regular part of his life. Now, he uses those early experiences with prejudice to fuel his writing and singing.
“
I sang well at 20, but I was probably waiting for someone to ‘make’ me. I had some living to do.
Gregory Porter performs with Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for BT River of Music festival in London.
PHOTO BY RICHARD ISAAC/ZUMA
”
After graduating from Highland High School in 1989, Porter attended San Diego State University where he played football and majored in city planning. A shoulder injury took him out of football for good, and though Porter was upset that he could no longer play, less time on the field meant more time for music. He began going to jazz clubs in the evening, attending workshops and performing on campus. Fresh out of college, he booked his first professional gig, earning about $75 to sing at a wedding for four hours. 24
Bakersfield Life Magazine
November 2014
Gregory Porter was part of the cast of a Highland High School production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in the 1980s.
PHOTO BY RICHARD ISAAC/ZUMA
him in the front seat, unperturbed by the urine dripping from his soiled clothes. For two weeks, the man stayed at the Porter family home on Christmas Tree Lane, sitting at the family’s table for dinner. This January, when his third album “Liquid Spirit” won the Grammy for best jazz album, Porter accepted the award with a smile and a demeanor that suggested an air of disbelief. Porter thanked, among others, his mother. “(She) told me at 5-years-old, ‘Baby, when you sing, sing with an understanding,’ and that helped me to internalize this music and bring human stories to melody,” Porter said.
PHOTO
“When I sing about righteousness and fairness, it comes from a place of desire to be looked at fairly,” he said. And when he sings about compassion, he is singing about his mother, Ruth Porter, who didn’t just lecture her children about love and compassion, but illustrated it in her actions. Porter recalled a particular moment from his childhood. The family had recently purchased a “newish” Cadillac and young Gregory was riding in the backseat, looking out the window, sunglasses on, feeling very much the king of the world when his mother came upon a man passed out on the sidewalk. She stopped the car, picked up the stranger and put
WHAT I’M READING
Marketing director for Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield
H
assan Halevy is a man of many interests. As the director of marketing at Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield, he leads Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield’s marketing communications, product marketing and partner marketing initiatives. Before his tenure with MercedesBenz, Halevy held executive roles and performed in senior technology, operations and strategy roles at some of the Internet’s most influential companies. Halevy donates his spare time to the two things he is passionate about: dogs and soccer. Halevy is often involved with various pet rescue groups and is committed to making a difference with young athletes by helping develop and implement environments that provide opportunities to succeed in the sport. Currently, Halevy is the executive director of LA Galaxy Bakersfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commuHassan Halevy nications from San Diego State University. What I’m currently reading: I often have several books going at the same time, so I can choose which topic I am in the mood for at any particular time. Right now I have: • “Alex Ferguson: Autobiography” Xxxxx xMy x xxxxxx • “Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials that Shape Our Man-Made World,” by Mark Miodownik • “Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer,” by
Favorite authors: Grisham, Tolkien, Crichton, Palahniuk, Orwell and Hemingway. Favorite books: It’s really is hard to identify just one as a favorite, but if you forced my hand, it would probably be “Fight Club,” by Chuck Palahniuk. Some of the first books that I remember reading that really captivated me were “The Firm,” by John Grisham and “Rising Sun,” by Michael Crichton. Those books launched my interest into the legal/crime thriller genre. Growing up, I had my imagination shaped with books like “Le Morte D’Arthur,” “Treasure Island” and all of Tolkien’s classics, “The Silmarillion,” “The Hobbit” and The Lord of the Rings series. During my college years, I enjoyed the writings of Charles Bukowski, William S. Burroughs and Anthony Burgess. Now, I almost always reach for anything non-fiction. Books I’ve read more than once: “A Clockwork Orange,” by Anthony Burgess; “The Lord of the Rings,” by J.R.R. Tolkien; and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” by C.S. Lewis. PHOTO BY XXXXXX XXXXXX
HASSAN HALEVY
David Winner.
Other materials I like reading: I love reading anything about sports, the history and the strategies involved in playing, developing and running them from both sides. Being a detailed data kind of guy, I really enjoy sifting through the stats and identifying trends and trying to come to objective conclusions.
bakersfieldlife.com
25
UP FRONT
MY PET
JACQUELYN AND JEREMY JANS AND JAXSON AND JOSEPHINE Local couple find love, fun with Bengal cats By Bakersfield Life fter Jacquelyn and Jeremy Jans’ cat of 17 years passed away, the couple decided it was time to add a new furry member to the family. “We had friends that owned domesticated bobcats that were really cool so we started researching different breeds and fell in love with everything we read about Bengal (cats),” said Jacquelyn, a marketing and corporate image consultant and adjunct professor at Cal State Bakersfield and Fresno Pacific University. “I love ‘tiger print’ and have it in much of my home décor. In addition, we found a breeder here in Bakersfield and were able to meet and talk with them and look at the many Bengals they had for sale,” said Jacquelyn, also a Bakersfield West Rotary Club member. In the end, Jacquelyn and Jeremy, a real estate appraiser, would fall in love with not one, but two Bengal cats. Names: (Jaxson’s) name is a play on “Jacque’s son.” (Josephine’s) name is because she is sassy (with a very raspy voice) and fiercely independent like the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Plus, they both had to be a “J” name to go with Jacque and Jeremy Jans. Favorite memory: There are many. Here is one for each: When we received Jaxson from the breeder (and in all the books we read about Bengals), they compared the breed a lot to dogs. They like water, they can be put on a leash and taken for a walk, etc. So one day, my husband and I thought we would put a leash on Jaxson and take him to the pet store. Well we did, and he did not like it. Jaxson ended up refusing to stand, and he just laid down in the middle of the pet store, and we had to drag him around the store by his leash (until we eventually picked him up). Josie is a rescue, who had a very difficult 26
Bakersfield Life Magazine
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
A
Jeremy and Jacquelyn Jans with their Bengal cats Josephine and Jaxson. first six months to her life, which included not being fed, so she is very curious and likes people food. One day, I was eating a ham sandwich (something she apparently discovered she likes), and after she smelled my sandwich, she grabbed the ham out of the sandwich and walked down the hallway with it to sit and enjoy all to herself. What makes our pets happy: For Jaxson, it’s playtime and his wheel. For Josephine, it’s food. We know our pets are moody when…
A photographer comes to the house to take their photo. (Editor’s note: Jaxson and Josephine were not thrilled to be photographed for this feature.) Favorite foods: Dry food, boiled chicken
November 2014
and tuna in the can (with gravy). Talents: Jaxson can open closed doors; Josie can open closed cupboards and drawers. What our pets mean to us: Everything! They bring pure joy to our hearts! Antics: Jaxson is an obsessive bather (to the point of chewing off some of his fur with excessive cleaning). Our pets’ personalities in five words:
Jaxson loves people, curious, and just wants to play. Josephine is shy, sweet, and loyal. Favorite activities: For Jaxson, it’s playing with bags and boxes and paper, running on his wheel, and sleeping on the legs of his mama. For Josephine, it is watching the world go by from afar, chasing shadows, and sleeping under the blanket next to her mama.
BY THE NUMBERS
Hybrid vehicles bought 2012-2014
Car-buying habits in Kern County January - August 2014
783 610
542
Types of vehicles bought
Top 10 brands and models bought
Other Cars
6% Utility
24%
47%
22% Trucks
Toyota Camry Chevrolet 1500 Ford F150 GMC 1500 Honda Accord Toyota Corolla Honda Civic Toyota Tacoma Kia Optima Ram 1500
825
2012 2013 2014
806 765 707 624
Electric vehicles bought 2012-2014
520
44
507 445
28
389 384
10
Numbers have been rounded Source: Dominion, Cross-Sales Report The Bakersfield Californian Market Research
2012 2013 2014
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27
UP FRONT
IN SEASON
wish you a celebration filled with grace and blessings:
By Teresa Adamo
A
newspaper comes out every day. The articles and photos are put together on a daily basis by reporters, photographers and editors, who, yes, work on holidays. So what does that have to do with a delicious Thanksgiving meal? For our family, everything. Because my husband, Felix Adamo, is a photographer at The Californian, he’s worked his share of night shifts, weekends and holidays, almost always volunteering for the Thanksgiving Day shift. This has resulted in our own — albeit different — Turkey Day tradition, involving an assortment of special Thanksgiving dishes all timed to be ready after a full day’s worth of news events. While most other larger, extended families are gathering for Round Two, perhaps a third pass at Thanksgiving leftovers or even seconds on dessert, a quartet of Adamos are just sitting down to a bountiful table. Over the years, we’ve taken in a few “strays” here and there — other “newsies” who may not have family nearby. As a mom, I’m more than happy to set another place at the table because that’s what I would want someone to do if our boys couldn’t come home for the holidays. In our home on Thanksgiving Day, there are two special Teresa Adamo recipes that simply must be part of our special meal. “Maple Baked Apples” is a mouth-watering formula I discovered in a long-ago issue of “Real Simple” magazine. The other is “Nana’s Special Mac & Cheese,” which I’ve yet to sample anywhere else, so I have to wonder if she was the dish’s original creator. Whether your gathering is large or small, served early on Thanksgiving afternoon or late into the evening, I 28
Bakersfield Life Magazine
November 2014
Maple Baked Apples Ingredients 4 large apples (Braeburns, Gala and Rome Beauty apples work well for baking) ¾ cup of maple syrup ½ cup walnut pieces 1/3 cup golden raisins 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1 tablespoons squares 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
Heat oven to 400 F. Using a paring knife, remove apple core and cut about a ½inch slice from the bottom of each apple, so they sit flat in an 8-by-8 inch glass baking dish. Drizzle with maple syrup, then divide walnuts and raisins into the apple cavities until filled (any extra filling can be sprinkled into the dish). Dot apples with butter pats, then add tablespoon of brown sugar on top. Bake until tender, approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon any liquid in dish over the apples. Serve warm with dinner; or, for dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For the recipe for Nana’s Special Mac & Cheese, visit bakersfieldlife.com.
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BRINGS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND TIME-TESTED RECIPES
Thinking twice before you smile? SHORT TAKE
Did you know that nearly half of the adults living in the United States have missing teeth?
‘SHOOT FOR A CHANCE’ TO HELP LOCAL OFFICERS, CHILDREN
T
he second annual Shoot for a Chance, a charity team shooting competition, returns Nov. 22 at the CHP 420 Club, 3910 Alfred Harrell Highway. The fast-paced, recreational shooting competition will challenge teams in several competitive pistol and shotgun courses to win top awards. Registration for a four-person team is $200. Lunch is included. Proceeds benefit the Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation, which supports local law enforcement, and the Mendiburu Magic Foundation, which helps local families with children facing life-threatening diseases. For information on attire and proper equipment, contact Randall Meyer at 340-4618 or protectingpeeps@gmail.com.
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bakersfieldlife.com
29
UP FRONT
Find more community events at bakersfieldlife.com or submit yours via email to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com
HAPPENINGS: Can’t-miss events in November speaker Richard-Abraham Rugnao, discussion at 6 p.m.; networking at 7 p.m., The Bell Tower Club, 1200 Truxtun Ave. Free. 327-4421 or info@bakersfieldyoungprofessionals.com.
Saturday 11/1 Fifth annual Get Fit Kern County 5K/2K Fun Run, registration 7:30 a.m., run 9 a.m., health expo and kid zone 9 a.m. to noon, Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building, 8800 Ming Ave. $30 5K; free 2K costume run. Active.com. Donation to benefit Community Action of Kern Food Bank. Girls Day Out featuring Taste of Home Cooking School, shopping expo, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., cooking school, 3 to 5 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $25, $50 VIP. Rabobank Theater Box Office, ticketmaster.com, 800745-3000.
Sunday 11/2 Josh Turner: Roughstock & Rambler Tour, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $45.50$70.50 at the box office window only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Tuesday 11/4 “Quattro,” presented by Bakersfield Community Concert Association, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $80 for seven concerts. 589-2478.
Wednesday 11/5 Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $34-$181 at the box office window only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Thursday 11/6 Disney on Ice: “Worlds of Fantasy,” 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Friday 11/14 “The Great Gleaners” fundraiser, 1920s Gatsby style, dinner, silent and live auction, commemorative photos, 6 p.m., Stockdale Country Club, 7001 Stockdale Highway. $75, $150 per couple. Come in costume or come as you are. 324-2767.
Saturday 11/15 Quattro Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $18-$50 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
1001 Truxtun Ave. $20 to $45, ticketmaster.com, Rabobank Box Office, or call the BSO Office 3237928.
Saturday 11/8
Tuesday 11/11
Second annual Autism on the Run 5K, 9 a.m., CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $25 in advance, $30 day of event. First 100 registered runners get a Tshirt. 397-4777. Bakersfield Bacon & Craft Beer Festival, 30 bacon vendors, 20 craft beer brewers, noon to 5 p.m., Stramler Park, 3805 Chester Ave. $50 in advance, $60 day of event, $100 VIP by Nov. 7. baconandcraftbeerfest.com. Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Alejandro Gutierrez and guest cellist Carter Brey, 7:30 p.m. Rabobank Theater,
Veterans Day at CALM, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. $9; $7 seniors; all veterans with ID are free. 8722256.
BC Football vs. Ventura, 4 p.m., Bakersfield College, Memorial Stadium, 1801 Panorama Dr. $5, $3 ages 3 to 12. vallitix.com or 3225200, or at the door with fee. Los Tigres Del Norte, 8 p.m. Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $50 to $155 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Wednesday 11/12 Chris Cagle, 7:30 p.m., Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $46.50-$54.50 plus fees. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Thursday 11/13 Bakersfield Young Professionals presents “Reboot” your life and career passions with guest
Bob & Tom
Monday 11/17 Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast,” 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $32.50-$62.50 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Friday 11/21 The Bob & Tom Comedy Show, 8 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $36.50-$42 at the box office window only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Saturday 11/22 PBR: Blue Def Velocity Tour, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $15-$75 plus fees. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 30
Bakersfield Life Magazine
November 2014
PBR Blue Def Velocity Tour
Friday 11/28
Sunday 11/23 Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, popular classics of the Dust Bowl Era: “The Plow that Broke the Plains” and “Billy the Kid,” 4 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. At the door: $10; $5 seniors, students with ID. 301-3390.
12th annual HolidayLights at CALM, see over two million dazzling lights, 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily, except Christmas, until Jan. 3, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. $12; $10 seniors and children ages 13-17; $6 ages 3-12. Receive $2 off all tickets on Dec. 1-4 and 8-11. Tickets at vallitix.com, 322-5200, 872-2256 or at the gate at CALM. Annual Feast for the Beast, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. Admission for one adult with the donation of one of these items: two large bags frozen blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries; two large bags frozen mixed vegetables; five pounds apples; two pound jar peanut butter, jam or honey; five pounds frozen chicken thighs or breasts; three pounds pecans, walnuts, or almonds (without salt or flavoring). 872-2256.
Saturday 11/29 Condors’ Teddy Bear Toss, Condors vs. Grizzlies, 7 p.m. Toss teddy bears or stuffed animals when Condors score their first goal of the game; stuffed animals will be donated to United Way of Kern County and distributed to dozens of charities throughout Kern. Tickets start at $12, ticketmaster.com, Rabobank Arena box office or 1-800-745-3000.
Josh Turner
bakersfieldlife.com
31
UP FRONT
MY MOBILE LIFE
MICHAEL HOPPER Compiled by Bakersfield Life
M
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
ichael Hopper, aka Hop, makes no apologies for his nerdy ways. And why should he? How else could he co-host the “Nerd World Report with Hop & Herc” on NewsTalk 1180 AM? Pontificating on Marvel movies and video gaming aren’t his only talents. Hopper wears many hats as the assistant program director for KGEO SmartTalk 1230 AM and co-host of “First Look with Scott Cox.” Born in Vallejo and raised in Maryland, Hopper, 50, returned to California in 1989. This sports fan’s favorite teams - the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Raiders - reflect his dual coastal loyalties. He describes himself as a “huge film buff” with a particular love for science fiction, horror and fantasy flicks. He’s also an avid reader, favoring Stephen King, Mary Roach, Kurt Vonnegut, John Steinbeck, and Hunter S. Thompson. In Hopper’s phone, you’ll find apps that keep him in the know and entertained no matter what he’s working on.
Michael Hopper Shazam – A must-have app. I have musical inter-
ests that are all over the board, and this app is priceless in identifying music anywhere you are.
Zedge – I always get bored with the
Twitter – Who isn’t tweeting? I love read-
sounds and look of my Android. This free app keeps updating, and I keep downloading.
ing tweets, but now and then I get on a roll myself. I follow a lot of comedians. A lot!
TBC Mobile – No better source for local Bakersfield news. Plus, I work in the building. USA Today – This is one of the better newspaper apps, in my opinion. Constantly updated and a
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great read first thing in the morning, I keep this one going all the time on my iPad.
Bakersfield Life Magazine
November 2014
Entertainment Weekly – I also subscribe to the magazine. EW’s reviews on television and movies are well known, but their book reviews are outstanding as well.
NFL Mobile – The best
way to keep up with scores, news, injury reports and my fantasy football stats. A clean and easy app to navigate, I’m on it constantly.
Infection – My favorite game on the iPad. Create a disease, design how it’s transmitted, pick a country, and set it loose on the world. Mayhem at your fingertips. Great fun and a tad scary.
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B A K E R S F I E L D M AT T E R S By Lisa Kimble
MAKING WISHES INTO REALITY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
F
“
or hundreds of neglected, abandoned or abused children in Kern County at the doorstep of foster care, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus may rarely make a visit. But since the late 1980s, the Kern County Department of Human Services has orchestrated a sort of make-awish mission with Santa involving hundreds of community members and business partners. The formula is as easy as eggnog: Foster youth wish for gifts, and locals grant that something special, making youngsters’ dreams come true. John and Sidney Kelley have been granting wishes through the annual Holiday Cottage since the beginning, 27 years ago. “I thought it would be a nice thing to do for Christmas,” Sidney Kelley said. “There was a need, and it was fun to pick out a present.” Over the years, the Kelleys have purchased a bicycle, boom box, Walkman, dolls and Game Boys. Some of the toys are now obsolete. “Every year on Christmas morning, we wonder if they liked what we got them and is it what they wanted,” Sidney said. Every year, children placed in county foster care receive a letter to complete with their two holiday gift requests. There are nearly 2,000 foster youth in Kern County, and many do not complete and return the form. The letters that do come back are put on display at the cottage inside an East Hills Mall storefront. They are hung from a tree like an ornament, with a description of the item, the child's age, and first name only. The agency suggests that wishes be kept within a budget of $50, and it expects to fill some 1,000 requests with a total estimated value of more than $85,000 this holiday season. That's a lot of Barbies, Razor scooters and electronics. “It is a unique, very special and personal way for those who give,” said Dena Murphy, the department's new director. “Through the years, we have come to know many of the families that come in to select wishes with their own children, instilling in them the value of charity in a way children can relate to.” Some families, like the Kelleys, at times have partnered with others to grant the more expensive wishes that exceed the recommended limit. The gestures are equally meaningful
For some of these kids who have not had much of a Christmas to remember, it is a big deal.
”
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
November 2014
to the foster parents, many of whom are tryHoliday Cottage ing to make ends meet. Grand opening will be held “For some of these at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the kids who have not had East Hills Mall, 3000 Mall much of a Christmas to View Road, Suite 1045. remember, it is a big The cottage will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through deal,” said Kathryn Dec. 14. Aragon, a foster parent to two girls, 10 and 12, since June who has also been involved with the Holiday Cottage experience before. “Sometimes it is the best Christmas they ever had,” Aragon said. In contrast to toy drives, the cottage fills a
specific wish and it is personal for the giver. “There are many ways to give during the holiday season, but with the Holiday Cottage, each gift purchased makes the difference in the life of a child who is living away from family during the most family-centered time of the year,” Murphy said. On the eve of the season of giving, as we transition from handing out candy to the spirit of giving and counting blessings, aren't we all hoping to make a difference? Like the Kelleys, I plan to ask myself the same question come Christmas day after a stop by the Holiday Cottage in December. I hope Lisa Kimble you will too.
D I N I N G D I VA S
OLD RIVER GRILL Divas delight in down-home goodness at Old River Grill
The 2014 Dining Divas enjoy one more meal together at Old River Grill. In front, Amanda Reade, Norma Diaz and Aryana Torrence-Mosley; in back, Nina Ha and Tanya Hutson. 36
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Chunky Munky French toast.
Harvest salad.
By Bakersfield Life
Photos by Greg Nichols
A
t every concert, there are three essential elements at play: the artists, the music, and the audience. A well-prepared meal can be much like a good concert: skilled artisans in the kitchen, expertly crafted masterpieces, and culinary aficionados ready with appreciative applause. This past year, five women with personalities as distinct as their palates had the good fortune of putting into prose all the inviting tastes they experienced as the reigning Dining Divas. The festive foodies feasted at eight fine restaurants that served up a grand concerto of dishes, which made their taste buds sing. For their final adventure, Amanda, Aryana, Nina, Norma, and Tanya paid a visit to Old River Grill, a place that personifies Kern County. Everything at Old River Grill is local, including the ingredients, the staff, and the decorations. A Buck Owens’ LP graces their walls as well as hunting, fishing and camping paraphernalia. You can’t help but feel some Bakersfield pride when you’re sitting in one of their vinyl green and beige booths. Owner Roger Coughenour (pronounced Cokean-hour) runs his restaurant with a business model built on customer satisfaction. And, the satisfied customers keep going back for their made-from-scratch menu items, homemade salad dressing, and chocolate cake perfected 35 times over. Old River Grill is down home cooking at its best.
APPETIZERS Norma on the harvest salad: This salad is a no-brainer if you’re searching for a healthy lunch option. It’s definitely something light that won’t put you in a food coma. The salad starts with fresh greens, which are then topped with red onions, dried cranberries, gorgonzola cheese, and caramelized walnuts, which gives it that sweet touch. Ours was served with fresh sliced strawberries on top for a presentation that would make anyone say, “Yummy!” without feeling guilty. The real deal is adding chicken or roasted turkey breast for a complete protein punch to get you through the rest your day. It’s proof there is life after lunch. For the dressing, you
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have several choices including raspberry vinaigrette, lime cilantro, and my favorite, lemon vinaigrette. You really can’t go wrong with this one. It will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. Tanya on the jumbo cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing: When you visit a restaurant at that time between
breakfast and lunch, it is sometimes difficult to decide which meal to have. I say, pick both. Ordering a cinnamon roll as an appetizer is an outstanding, if not completely healthy, way to blend the two meals. When our delightful server, Emily, brought out a large roll of doughy goodness, my eyes lit up. After I took my first bite of this delectable confection, I couldn’t wait to have another bite … and another. This cinnamon roll is definitely big enough for more than one person, although I think I ate more than my fair share. You can taste that it is homemade because the dough was pillowy-soft and not too sweet; it had just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon and was topped with a delicious cream cheese icing. What a way to start off my meal!
ENTRÉES Amanda on the French dip with house au jus:
Coughenour’s daughter, who just happened to be our server, recommended the French dip sandwich for those wanting a “simple taste.” So, I ordered the French dip with a side of their pasta salad. The meat was thinly sliced and sandwiched inside two pieces of fresh, soft French bread. The sandwich came with the best au jus for dipping. My first bite was a
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Continued from page 37 mouthful of seasoned beef and salty dipping jus. I think it was one of the best au jus I have ever had. The accompanying pasta salad incorporated mixed vegetables and fusilli pasta. It was dressed in a light vinaigrette. I also tried some of their homemade dressings and mixed in their tangy blue cheese into the pasta salad; delicious, it was. Aryana on the Killer Kern Burger:
This burger is amazing, especially if you love all things bacon as I do. The Mighty Killer Kern Burger is a 50/50 patty, which is comprised of freshly house ground bacon infused into freshly ground beef chuck. It’s grilled to order and topped with bacon, pepper jack cheese, fried jalapeno peppers, and a chipotle mayo sauce, which makes this burger one for the record books. Nina on the eggs Benedict: Old River Grill’s eggs Benedict is a breakfast classic worth trying. You get two perfectly poached round globes of leaky, creamy eggs atop thin slices of ham on open-faced English muffins. Adding to the river of fun was the slightly tart hollandaise sauce, which saturated most of my plate. Their crispy hash browns, made with freshly shredded potatoes and sautéed with only salt and pepper, are comfort food that’s quite satisfying. But when you’re dining at Old River Grill (or the O.R.G. as no one else calls it but me), make sure you order their moist, flavorful, and spicy house ground sausage patties; they’re pure bliss when dunked in a small pool of maple syrup. The sweet and salty pairing makes for a
melodious taste you’ll crave long after the meal is over. Norma on the Chunky Munky French toast: The name caught my
attention immediately; all of a sudden, I wanted breakfast for lunch. My choice was exceptional. This French toast was deep fried, but ever so lightly. Next up were sliced bananas and chopped walnuts sautéed in butter, cream, brown sugar and cinnamon which made for a rich sauce that engulfed the toast triangles. The sauce totally caught me off guard with the first bite. I really expected it to be extremely sweet, but it was not. It was magical! I could polish off the entire serving, but I didn’t because I always “get” to share. It was mild and enjoyably sweet. I think the cinnamon did the trick: adding flavor and toning down any sweet factors that the other sauces may have had. At one point, I did add a splash of syrup to sweeten it based on my personal preference. I only hope this entices you to jump on your bike or run over to Old River Grill to experience some awesome Chunky Monkey. Tanya on the 50/50 burger: If the cover of the menu states, “Home of the 50/50 Burger,” you pretty much have to try it. And, what a burger it is! The mixture of half fresh ground beef and half fresh ground bacon lends the meat a flavor that I have not experienced before; it was moist and it didn’t have an overly bacon flavor. I wish I could describe it, but all I can come up with is delicious. You just have to trust me on this one! Referring back to my breakfast/lunch dilemma, I decided to com-
Homemade chocolate cake. bine the two and ordered the burger topped with a fried egg in addition to the usual fixings (onion, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles). Little did I know that I would have to unhinge my jaw to eat this monster! Because the burger is so good, it’s easy to overlook the accompanying crinkle-cut fries, but don’t do it. Save some room for these perfectly crisp, diner-like morsels.
DESSERT Amanda on the homemade chocolate cake:
When I think of dessert, I usually go for the simple and traditional. I was lucky as Old River Grill offered a chocolate Texas sheet cake. The cake was moist and yummy, but it was the frosting that impressed me. It was dense and light at the same time; the chocolate flavor not to rich, but just right. I would definitely suggest ordering this delightful dessert after having one of their delicious entrées.
DIVAS’ DECLARATION Old River Grill has a humble charm you can’t resist and diner delights served with genuine hospitality. The eatery is open during breakfast and lunch hours with catering options to boot. If you’re in a hurry, they offer a weekday lunch hour guarantee that your food will be served within 15 minutes or it’s free. Old River Grill is the kind of place where you used to eat. There are no pretensions here, only honest, hard-working people who take
50/50 burger. 38
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pride in the quality of their food and service to the community. On weekends, they offer free ice-cold bottled water for athletes on the go. Like the philanthropic community it serves, Old River Grill is a local business with heart that’s as homegrown as they come.
DIVAS’ DEPARTURE
Old River Grill is a locally owned restaurant that serves up breakfast and lunch near Cal State Bakersfield.
Each of the restaurants we toured this year has left a special imprint on our hearts. We’re immensely thankful for the myriad of talented people at Bakersfield Life magazine who coordinated, photographed, videotaped, and helped us in so many ways. Thanks to you, the reader, for allowing us to write about what we enjoy: food! To the new group of ladies whom we’ll be passing over our forks, we send love and blessings to you on your new journey. In the course of this year, we’ve learned that food is sometimes more than just a meal. It’s the people we meet, the memories we make, and the experiences we cherish. When it all works together, it’s like a well-orchestrated concert — a symphony of flavors that dances seamlessly in our mouths and touches our very souls.
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FOOD AND WINE
Apples are just one of the many fruits in season and can be made into jam, butter or sauce.
HOMEMADE JAMS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Try locally made sweet and savory preserves to top off your seasonal dishes By Katelynn Camp
H
omemade jams are a holiday staple. Jars of jam make great gifts for the office, a favorite teacher, or the host of the Thanksgiving meal. Apples, cranberries, pears, pomegranate, citrus, and rhubarb are all in season during November and December, and they provide great bases for holiday jam fla40
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vors like the popular strawberry rhubarb or classic cranberry apple. “Everyone knows its fall when apples show up. The most coveted flavor from all year is our apple butter,” said Marah Jackson, owner and founder of Window Sill Pie Co. Window Sill combines local apples, pears, and persimmons with fresh herbs and spices to make its long list of fall and winter flavors like pear thyme jam, pear cider jelly, and spiced persimmon jam. For Thanksgiving, Window Sill creates a seasonal cranberry relish. “It goes great with your Thanksgiving dinner, and even better on your turkey sandwiches,” Jackson said. The jams can be poured over turkey or ham as a sweet holiday glaze, or used as a dessert filling to satisfy a visiting family member’s sweet tooth. Savory jams pair well with cheeses and artisan breads for
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Jams can make great appetizers. Pepper Delight peach mango jam goes well with cream cheese and fresh baguette slices. bakersfieldlife.com
PHOTO BY MIKE MOESSNER PHOTO BY J. ANDREW PHOTOGRAPHY
Jams aren’t just for sweets. These meatballs get a sweet touch with Pepper Delight’s hatch green pepper jam as a glaze.
PHOTO BY J. ANDREW PHOTOGRAPHY
THINKSTOCK.COM
A sampling of Moessner Farms’ unique jams.
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Jams from Pepper Delight make a great gift or addition to a holiday meal.
PHOTO COURTESY OF J. ANDREW PHOTOGRAPHY
Continued from page 40 holiday appetizers. “Our apple jalapeno jam can be poured over cream cheese to make a holiday hors d’oeuvre,” said Mike Moessner, co-owner of Moessner Family Farms in Tehachapi. One of Moessner’s most popular holiday flavors is, surprisingly, raspberry. Moessner freezes his fresh summer raspberry jam to bring out during the holidays because “people love the balance between sweet and sour,” he said. It is just as fresh when opened in winter because jams last up to two years without breaking the seal. To make your own homemade jam, try out a basic recipe from your favorite cookbook or online. Moessner advised jam makers to use lemon juice in the recipe to thicken up the jam, and Terri Sprotti of Pepper Delight jams in Bakersfield recommends checking to make sure you have quality fruit. Find fresh fruit for your own holiday jam creations, or buy jams from Window Sill, Moessner, or Pepper Delight at the following farmers markets: • Haggin Oaks Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, 8800 Ming Ave., for Window Sill Pie Co. jams. • Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Golden State Highway and F Street, for Pepper Delight and Moessner Family Farms.
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November 2014
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FOODIE
CHEF JOHN MCFEE Longtime chef shares his cooking smarts with Bakersfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Renegades
Chef John McFee cuts into a perfectly prepared stuffed pork loin. 44
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November 2014
Compiled by Bakersfield Life
Photos by Mark Nessia
A
s a chef instructor, John McFee is shaping Bakersfield’s next generation of culinary wizards. McFee, who grew up in Simi Valley, sharpened his cooking skills at The Culinary Institute of America in New York. He worked as a catering chef in Washington, D.C. and moved to Bakersfield 12 years ago. The Bell Tower Club’s executive chef for more than a decade, McFee now works exclusively at Bakersfield College, teaching students the secrets of cooking. “Besides on hand training for students, we teach theory, sanitation and safety, food cost, portioning and its importance,” he said. Chef McFee’s favorite part of his job is “motivating students.” But the gig isn’t without obstacles. “Realizing the students are starting from the ground up” is the biggest challenge, the 50-year-old seasoned chef said. When he’s not in the kitchen or the classroom, this busy chef
and father of three takes a moment in the garden and cares for his parents.
COOKING ADVICE I developed an interest in cooking when: I took a trip to
Paris for one month. How often I entertain for family and friends: Hardly, a chef is always working, even when home. Everything goes better with: Imagination. You can create many different foods using imagination. My go-to ingredient: Garlic and thyme. I buy this in bulk: Olive oil. Seasonal ingredients. Fall is a lot of fun to create with. Roasts, dried fruits and nuts. Must-have kitchen tool: Sharp knife.
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Chef John McFee shows Bakersfield College culinary students how to tie a stuffed pork loin. bakersfieldlife.com
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Continued from page 45 Spice cabinet necessities: Salt and pepper. If I could spend a day with a famous chef, it would be:
Chef Joël Robuchon.
GLOBE-TROTTING Best food memory: My French friends as a child had incredible Sunday brunch. I distinctly remember kidneys with brandy cream. Most expensive meal: Maison Blanche in Washington, D.C.
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS Cooking equipment: Gas stove. Favorite local restaurant and my order: Right now, Chef’s
Cranberry and apple stuffed pork loin 4 ounces butter 1 pound pearl onions 3 stalks celery, diced small 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground sage 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 Granny Smith apples, diced 8 ounces dried cranberries 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1 pound large-diced corn bread
Choice Noodle Bar’s drunken duck. But I get stuck on different foods until I tire of it, then move on. Always in the fridge: Greek yogurt, garlic and fresh vegetables. Comfort food: Roasted chicken with lemon and herbs. Splurge at the grocery store: Truffles if I would allow myself the expense. The single tastiest thing I’ve eaten this month: My classes have cooked many tasty dishes this month. Have to say they did a good job.
Cook onions, celery, garlic and spices 8 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat. Add apples, cranberries, sugar, vinegar and cook 10 minutes until almost dry. Add cornbread and fold together gently. Cool thoroughly. Split pork loin almost through, leaving one inch intact. Open and pound with meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan to flatten. Season with salt and pepper and spread the stuffing onto pork. Roll and tie with butcher’s twine. Bake in oven at 350 F for 35 to 45 minutes. Insert thermometer in the center of the roast and cook until internal temperature reaches 145. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
White bean puree 1 pound white beans, soaked overnight and cooked until soft 1/2 cup olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano 1/4 teaspoon rosemary, minced Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Sweat onions and garlic 8 minutes until transparent. Add herbs and cook 5 more minutes. Add beans, herb mixture and cheese to processor and process. Add parsley and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.
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Salt and pepper are sprinkled on a pork loin before the stuffing is added.
ON THE ROAD
2015 GMC CANYON SLE Motor City’s midsize truck pulls top-of-the-line quality
Bakersfield Life editor Olivia Garcia drives the 2015 GMC Canyon SLE. The stylish and feature-loaded truck is great for taking her son Mateo to all his activities.
By Olivia Garcia
Photos by Mark Nessia
W
hen it comes to trucks, I often think about what a friend once told me: You know you’re from Bakersfield if you own a truck. Yes, we Bakersfield folks hold certain things close to our heart: our faith, military, family, sports, and country music for example. A good number of us — myself and a long list of my relatives included — also love our trucks. This town can be classified as truck country, but that’s because a truck can handle the many expectations we face daily in our lives: Carrying high-end, heavy work equipment; transporting portable chairs, pop-up tents, and sporting goods for the kid’s latest game; moving your outdoor gear for a fun getaway; or making it easier for us to pay a visit to the local recycling or green waste center. The list goes on. Dealerships like Motor City Buick GMC of Bakersfield understand the role trucks play for many locals. So it’s no surprise that the 2015 GMC Canyon 48
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The 2015 GMC Canyon SLE doesn't sacrifice style in any corner of its spacious cab. stands a solid chance of establishing a nice following in town. As The New York Times recently reported, the new, redesigned smaller or midsized pickup (in comparison to its bigger brother, the GMC Sierra) is part of the trend to serve motorists who want a truck that fits their lifestyle and demands just right. Whether you live in an urban or rural community, and we
have a bit of both here, sometimes larger is not the primary choice. I had the opportunity to test drive a 2015 GMC Canyon SLE. The quicksilver-colored with jet-black interior pickup proved to be quite comfy and roomy. I drove around with ease with my 15year-old, 7-1/2-year-old and 5-year-old sons in tow, along with their school and sports gear.
The 2015 GMC Canyon's 3.6-liter V6 engine roars with 305 horsepower.
It’s all in the details Five best features about the 2015 GMC Canyon: • Aluminum interior trim • CornerStep bumper (for easy bed access) • EZ-lift and lower tailgate • 8-inch color-touch radio with Intellilink • OnStar 4G LTE Hot spot City and highway mileage: 18 city, 26 highway (EPA estimated)
stand out from others: The GMC Canyon offers state-of-the-art safety and Driver Alert technologies that are first in its class. These proven, innovative technologies help provide peace of mind for the unexpected and keep you safe! Target customer: Anyone looking for a midsize truck that goes the distance! This truck has big capabilities using the latest in technology and safety features and keeps you comfortable but in control. Three words that define the 2015 GMC Canyon: Powerful. Efficient. AllNew!
Price tag: Starting at $22,650 The 2015 GMC Canyon is perfect for: Getting the job done with capable engine power, great fuel economy and keeping the driver in a quiet, comfortable cab but in control. What makes the 2015 GMC Canyon
My family owns a larger truck, and I seldom drive it because it comes with a long bed and it’s hard to move around or back up. But I was thrilled with the Canyon. I could drive it for days. Drivers have three body options: “An extended cab model with a 6-foot 2-inch bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot 2inch bed, and a crew cab with a 6-foot 2-inch bed. With the tailgate down, the longer bed allows 8-foot-long items to
be hauled within the vehicle,” according to a GM press release. Of course, it did come with some cool features: Bose audio system, 8inch diagonal LCD center touch screen, rear vision camera system, and the available “OnStar with 4G LTE that features a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot capable of connecting up to seven devices – including a video game console or tablet – in or around the vehicle,” according to a GMC news release. (On
The 2015 GMC Canyon SLE sports a Bose audio system, 8-inch diagonal LCD center touch screen, rear vision camera system, and other features you'd expect to find in a luxury car.
What do you like the most about the 2015 GMC Canyon: The integrated CornerStep in the rear bumper for easy access to the bed and the EZ-Lift tailgate.
— Source: Lezley Pumphrey, Marketing Manager, Motor City Buick GMC
a side note, GMC is the NFL’s official vehicle and will take spotlight in EA SPORTS Madden NFL 15). But, yes, this is a truck also a hot spot. According to Forbes contributor Karl Brauer, who’s also an automotive analyst and Kelley Blue Book editor, the GMC Canyon incorporates premium features, something that seems to have been overlooked in midsized trucks. He added that the GM brand has set a new benchmark for its midsized truck models. Brauer took the GMC Canyon for a test drive and left impressed “in the areas of performance, design, build quality, refinement and innovative features.” Other nifty takeaways: EZ-Lift and lower-locking tailgate, spray-in bed liner, movable tie-down hooks, Stabilitrak electronic stability control system, six air bags, an efficient, well-performed 3.6-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower and safety incentives, such as forward collision alert and lane departure warning systems. bakersfieldlife.com
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ON THE ROAD
2015 HYUNDAI GENESIS SS Genesis sets the standard for affordable luxury
Bakersfield Life assistant editor Rachel Cook and her boyfriend Philip Guiry enjoy a night on the town with the 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS.
By Rachel Cook
Photos by Michael Lopez
L
ike most people who love to shop, I love a good deal. But not just any good deal will do. While it’s great to score a dress on clearance or a pair of shoes for a couple bucks, every true shopper knows that the bargain isn’t worth it if the seam on the dress is crooked or the shoes are a half a size too small. The best deals are the ones that no one would guess came so cheaply, the scores on classics that will last for many years to come. Which is why when it comes to bargains and cars, for all of us who love a good deal but don’t want to sacrifice on quality, there’s no better deal than 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS. The Genesis has everything buyers want from a premium luxury vehicle at a realistic price for regular folks. One of my co-workers mistook it for a car nearly twice its price. Starting at just around $38,000, the aptly-named Genesis is a steal. Introduced in 2009, the 2015 model has been praised for its same low price tag and impressive new features. Ed Hellwig, executive editor for Edmunds.com, summed up the Genesis’ assent well. “This time around, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis looks like an expensive luxury car, both inside and out. More importantly it feels like a more refined sedan behind the wheel,”
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From the unique logo to countless high-tech features, every detail of the 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS is sophisticated.
The 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS keeps passengers comfortable with rear window shades. Hellwig wrote in a review. Blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, HID headlights, panoramic sunroof, heated and cooling front seats, touch screen display, this car has it all. The Heads-Up display not only reflects your speed on the windshield for the drive, but it also shows the speed limit of the road you’re traveling. This car’s comfort is also unbeatable. Besides adjustable lumbar support, the driver’s seat extends for added leg support. The Genesis can also remember the mirror, driver seat, steering wheel and Heads-Up Display settings for two drivers (a spectacular feature if your significant other is a foot taller than you like mine). An automatic screen keeps the sun out of the back seat, while manual shades on the rear passenger seats help
keep your friend cool on hot valley days. On the road, the car performs just as powerfully and elegantly as you’d expected a top-of-the-line sedan to drive. It also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2014 Top Safety Pick+ award, the group’s highest accolade. The Genesis was one of just three large luxury cars to nab the honor last year. The admiration that the staff at Bakersfield Hyundai have for this car was clear when I picked it up as they fired off its perks and declared it a “five star car.” “I recommend it to all customers. I would buy it for myself,” said Jose Galvan, sales consultant for Bakersfield Hyundai. The list of neat features goes on, but two of the favorites at our house were the hands free smart trunk and “the bat symbol,” as we dubbed it. To tap into the smart trunk, you don’t even have to pull your keys out of your pocket to load your groceries or latest shopping scores. Just stand in front of the trunk for a few seconds with the keys on your person and, voila, it opens all by itself. For the bat signal, puddle lights in the sideview mirrors beam a nice pool of light (complete with the Genesis’ winged logo) at your feet when you unlock the car. If the combination of incredible bargain and bat symbol aren’t enough to pique your interest, then go try it on and see if it fits. From one bargain hunter to another, I assure you, this deal is too good to pass up.
The 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS is every bit as luxurious as cars twice its price.
Starting at under $40,000, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS is a bargain hunter's dream come true.
It’s all in the details Mileage: 18 city, 29 highway Price tag: Starting at $38,000 Five best features: Panoramic sunroof, navigation system with 8-inch display, lane departure warning, ultra-premium leather seating surfaces, and America’s best warranty (10 year/100,000 miles). Three words that define the 2015 Genesis SS: Innovative, luxurious, intelligent. What I like most about the 2015 Hyundai Genesis SS: The warranty, its world-class technology, and its premium, luxurious standard features.
An 8-inch display keeps your route, radio and any information you need front and center.
— Source: Angel Morfin, general sales manager, Bakersfield Hyundai.
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PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
HOMETOWN HERO
STEVE GUICHARD Captain, Air Force Compiled by Bakersfield Life
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teve Guichard’s flying education in the Air Force took off into a long career in aviation. The 66-year-old East Bakersfield High School graduate looks back on his service “as a series of fortunate events.” “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of opportunities,” said Guichard, who has four children. “I’m sure that a similar tale could be told of many during this generation. Those of us that happened to have had luck and timing overshadow skill and cunning. Just as many were not so lucky during that time period.” Guichard joined the Air Force in 1970 at the age of 21. He would use the skills he learned in the Air Force later in life when he was completing American Airlines’ rigorous training. After leaving the military in 1975, Guichard returned to Bakersfield and started a career in aviation. He went on to fly charter flights and, later, commercial airplanes, eventually to ferrying passengers across the globe to Europe, the Caribbean and Central and South America. After he retired, Guichard devoted time to his love of cars. He’s on the team for
Air Force veteran and retired pilot Steve Guichard now spends his days serving a variety of printing needs at Imagine That Graphix.
Smokey’s Darkside, a nitro-methane burning funny car. He and his wife Glenda own Imagine That Graphix. “Imagine That Graphix supports three employee families, and (we) do what we can to promote the success of local businesses,” Guichard said. “As of now, there is no such thing as ‘retirement.’”
Steve Guichard during pilot training in 1971.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE GUICHARD
Why I joined: After two years at Bakersfield College I traveled nonstop up the valley to Fresno State, graduating with a degree in biology, and in possession of a low selective service draft number … Since the military would inevitably call, I was open to checking out all options.
There were three of us that went in that Wednesday to take the Air Force Officer Quotient Test. Two of us passed that test. The following Saturday, seven candidates that had passed the AFOQT were bused up to take the flight physical at Castle Air Force Base ... I was the only one of the seven that passed the exam… The following week, I got my “greetings” notice from the Army. The timing was perfect, and the Air Force recruiting office took care of my draft notification. Of 50 applicants in southern California, I then got one of two openings into an immediate pilot/navigator
slot in the Air Force. Where I was deployed: Once I became operational, I defended South Carolina at Shaw Air Force Base, and then Florida at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, flying Forward Air Control aircraft — O-2A’s (Cessna 337), and OV-10 Broncos in the 1st Special Operations Wing. Our wing was not combat activated during the time I was there, but there was plenty of activity being temporarily attached to Army units — 101st and 82nd Airborne. Continuing education in counterinsurgency and other specialized training was in addition to maintaining full combat qualifications.
Things started to wind down in the military as the action in Southeast Asia came to a close. I had ongoing orders to F-4 training and overseas deployment, but those opportunities carried additional duty obligations. There was a reduction in force in the military, and just about anyone that had a wish to terminate active duty was allowed to be released. I got out with the rank of captain with five years active military service. What I learned: All in all, the agenda and discipline training of the military was invaluable to me throughout the rest of my life. Even though the military has changed drastically, I believe that some sort of military or
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ON THE ROAD
2015 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED With first-rate design and spacious interior, Hyundai packs a lot into small package
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra Limited gets high marks for style, fuel economy, interior space and technology from Bakersfield Life’s art director Glenn Hammett.
By Glenn Hammett
Photos by Michael Lopez
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hile I would not consider myself a car buff, I am a visual designer who believes good design enhances all aspects of our lives. I get excited when I see anything new, different and visually compelling, be it a chair, a toaster or a car. Lately, the cars that have been turning my head are often Hyundais. Since 2006, when Hyundai hired chief designer Thomas Burkle away from BMW, Hyundai has been producing some of the most striking cars on the road. The company’s name for their design approach is “Fluidic Sculpture,” which appropriately describes the curvaceous lines of the 2015 Elantra. Though I have been an admirer of their exterior design, I had never actually been inside of a Hyundai until I picked up the Elantra for a test drive. The solid feel of the opening and closing of the door immediately dispelled any notion that it was nothing more than a pretty face. The interior of the Elantra is incredibly spacious for a car of its size. As a matter of 54
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The premium sound system, which includes SiriusXM Satellite Radio, performed flawlessly. habit, the first order of business when I get into a car, especially a small car, is to move the driver’s seat all the way back in order to accommodate my somewhat longer than normal legs. The Elantra’s seat still had a few inches to go when I got into a comfortable driving position and there was still ample
November 2014
space in the rear seating area for an adult to sit comfortably. The sensual lines of the exterior are echoed in the design of the interior with the door panels, dash and center console integrated by a continuous, sweeping curve. The trunk is also much roomier than
The heated rear seats, standard on the Limited model, are a surprising feature on a car at this price point. expected, 14.8 cubic feet to be exact, which is comparable to that of many midsize sedans. The technology in the Elantra includes Blutooth phone and audio connectivity, satellite radio, navigation system, 7-inch touch screen display, rear view camera, keyless ignition and Blue Link telematics, Hyundai’s answer to OnStar, only with more features, such as traffic alerts, text message display and geo-fencing (parents can be notified when a teen driver exceeds preset speed, geographic and curfew limits). Other nice driver and passenger comforts include dual climate control, heated front and rear leather seats and a sunroof. Continuing the theme of getting more than you bargained for, the Elantra doesn’t feel like a compact sedan on the road. It is exceptionally quiet for a compact, with minimal road and wind noise, and offers three steering options: Sport, for city driving; Comfort, for higher speed highway driving; and Normal, for driving in mixed conditions. I spent most of my time in the Normal setting and found the handling to be quick and responsive with a solid feel through turns. The 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, 145-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission in the Limited model gets a combined 31 miles per gallon (28 city, 38 highway) and provides more than enough power and acceleration for normal city driving. With only a slight sacrifice in fuel economy (28 combined mile per gallon), the Sport model comes with more powerful 2.0 liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The 2015 Hyundai Elantra is perfect for the person who puts a high value on style and the latest tech features, yet doesn’t want to break the bank buying or driving it. Kelly Blue Book expert reviewer Keith Buglewicz says, “Both quality ratings and resale value are as good as the leading compact cars…its fuel economy, interior space, features and warranty make it a tough act to follow.” I couldn’t agree more.
The Sport and Limited models feature projector headlights with LED trim.
It’s all in the details Mileage: 28 city, 38 highway Price tag: Starting at $21,700 Five best features: • Fuel efficiency • Bluetooth wireless • Seven-inch navigation screen with backup camera • Premium audio system • American’s best warranty (10 year, 100,000 mile)
Three words that define the 2015 Elantra Limited: Efficient, advanced, fun. What do you like most about the 2015 Elantra Limited: It’s large interior room, upgraded features, and the fact that it is ranked highest in initial quality among compact cars by J.D. Power and Associates. — Source: Angel Morfin – General Sales Manager
The controls are easy to locate and operate, including those for the power sunroof. bakersfieldlife.com
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WHY I LIVE HERE
CAROLYN WEBER Advertising entrepreneur enjoys Bakersfield’s diversity, great eats
Compiled by Bakersfield Life
What is your favorite restaurant in Bakersfield?
There are some very good restaurants here. I wouldn’t have said so when I first moved here, but have since changed my mind 100 percent. Here, I don’t feel like dining is all about “seeing and being seen” the way it is in other towns, including Columbus, Ohio. Mama Tosca’s is fantastic. So is Zaika Indian Cuisine. And who doesn’t like to go to Mexicali downtown! What is one of your favorite memories in Bakersfield?
Surprising my figure-skating daughter,
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
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arolyn Weber doesn’t shy away from new challenges and her pioneering spirit may be why she’s at home in Bakersfield. An Ohio native who grew up watching “Hee Haw,” Weber earned a degree in public relations and marketing from Ohio State and also studied graphic design. In 2004, at age 44, she earned a second bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Weber moved to California in 2008 to work for Finance and Thrift bank and found her way to Bakersfield in 2012. She recently left her job with the bank to form Valteam, a advertising agency and design firm. A mother of two, Weber runs, skis and hikes. Her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her hobbies. She likes to sew and design her own clothes and constantly finds inspiration in her surroundings. “Wherever I am, I am undoubtedly taking visual notes (yes, photos, too). I see design in everyday surroundings like nature and architecture,” Weber said. “Seems I always am taking photos so I can use the inspiration for whatever project I may have in mind.” Though she’s traveled the world and U.S., Weber is constantly impressed by the many cultures of Bakersfield. “This rich and deep diversity we have here continues to surprise and amaze me,” she said.
Carolyn Weber wears a monochromatic design dress with matching sweater that she designed and sewed herself using Italian wool bouclé fabric.
Zoë, at the ice rink with the waltz jump I secretly learned while she was away at school. What is the best-kept secret in Bakersfield?
Now that the whole Bakersfield vibe is catching on, at least in the East and Midwest, I guess we can no longer call “Bakersfield and all it has to offer” a best-kept secret anymore. So I’ll go with The Blue Elephant Thai Restaurant. Ask the owner about the all-seafood dish. I think it is the most expensive on the menu, but worth it. Just be sure to arrive hungry. What is your favorite place in Bakersfield?
I’m not one for favorites. But I do like to run on the biking trails near the River Walk
area. I especially like the Tuesday night public skating at the San Joaquin Community Hospital Ice Center of Bakersfield – just five bucks for ice time and skates! What is your neighborhood like?
I live on the West side and like the convenience with great shopping nearby. What three words best describe Bakersfield?
Great economic climate. Where do you like to vacation?
As a former Ohioan, I can tell you that it is great to live in California and not have to schedule a vacation from work and purchase a plane ticket just to get to places like Tahoe, San Francisco, Yosemite, Mammoth, Los Angeles, San Diego, Cambria, Monterey… bakersfieldlife.com
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A L L-S TA R AT H L E T E
ANDRE HEIDARI Stockdale grad’s steady mind, leg shine at USC By Stephen Lynch
PHOTO BY CHARLES BAUS
Andre Heidari kicks the gamewinning field goal against Stanford in the 2013 season.
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Andre Heidari is carried by teammates after kicking the winning field goal against Stanford this season. USC won 13-10.
PHOTO BY TONY AVELAR/AP
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ake or miss. Hero or goat. There’s no middle ground when it comes to the job of a place kicker on a football team. It’s a pressure-packed position that takes an unshakable inner confidence as much as strong accurate leg to succeed. Time and again, throughout his career at USC, former Stockdale High standout Andre Heidari has demonstrated a mastery of both components to be a great kicker. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior is one of the top players in the country at his position, having connected on 75 percent (6 of 8) of his field goal attempts through the Trojans’ first five games this season. A four-year starter, Heidari made 40 of 55 field goal tries his first three years at USC. But it isn’t overall accuracy that sets Heidari apart from other college kickers. It’s his ability to come through in clinch situations. Each of the last two seasons, he has lifted the Trojans to wins over PAC-12 rival Stanford with dramatic game-winning
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Andre Heidari Facts Born July 12, 1993 in Searcy, Arkansas. Adopted as a newborn by his parents Mohammad and Connie Heidari. Helped Stockdale High School win a section championship in soccer his junior year. Won numerous accolades at Andre Heidari Stockdale playing football, including Under Armour All-American, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 and Cal-Hi Sports All-State third team. First Team PCA-12 and a Lou Groza Award finalist in 2011. Enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach, playing video games, and throwing a football and kicking a soccer ball around. Is an avid golfer with a handicap that ranges from 10 to 18. Once kicked a 70-yard field goal while messing around with friends, can be viewed on YouTube.
FAVORITE RE
field goals. In 2013, in front of 93,607 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum and a national television audience, Heidari nailed a 47-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to give USC a 20-17 win over the Cardinal. This past September, Heidari sank Stanford again making a lategame 53-yard field goal, one of the longest in USC history, which gave the Trojans a 13-10 road victory. “Coming out on the field, I knew (USC coach Steve Sarkisian) had trust in me, and I’m glad he gave me the opportunity to go out there and knock one down,” Heidari said of his most recent game-winner against Stanford. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s what kickers live for. I’m glad it happened two years in a row.” Despite often having the fortunes of his team riding on his back, Heidari is immune to the pressure whenever he lines up for a field goal attempt. “I’m not really nervous for any kicks,” Heidari said. “You just have to trust in your technique, and you have to trust yourself because you’ve been doing it your whole life.” Heidari, who grew up playing soccer, didn’t start his foray into football until junior high at the urging of his friends. Heidari caught the notice of a USC coach who was attending a Stockdale practice to check out another member of the Mustangs. “Back at Stockdale, I used to kick, and we had arena football uprights over on one side of the field and I was kicking there,” Heidari said. “I was really dialed-in for field goals and I was doing kickoffs… About two weeks later, I went to the USC kicking camp, and I won the field goal and kickoff (competitions). And they offered me a scholarship at the camp.” Heidari believes it’s his mental toughness that sets him apart from most other kickers. “That’s is one of my strongest points in my career that’s really helped me, not worrying about what happened (in the past),” Heidari said. “If something bad happened, getting over it. It’s next-play mentality.” Heidari hopes that his success at USC will be a springboard to a career in the NFL. “Ever since I started kicking and I started watching the NFL, that became my dream, my goal in life,” he said. “You’re getting paid (a lot of money) just for kicking a field goal. It’s probably one of the best jobs in the country.”
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PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
FAC E S O F P H I L A N T H R O PY
Don and Earlene Barnes at the Bakersfield Museum of Art where Don has been a longtime supporter.
DON BARNES EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY By Jeff Pickering
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sk Don Barnes about his life, and he will tell stories filled with the details and wonder of a 10-year-old boy’s dream. A hardscrabble, Depression-era childhood. Four years of service in World War II as a sonarman in the Navy’s Pacific fleet chasing submarines, sweeping mines
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and braving typhoons to deliver the mail. A roughneck in Kern County’s oil fields. A farmer. A successful businessman. A Kevin Harvick racing fan. The bosun of the Seven Oaks Greens Golf and Yacht Club. “Thanks to four years in the Navy, I’m the only one who owns or knows how to blow a bosun’s pipe,” Don laughed. Ask Don Barnes about his generosity and his charitable giving, however, and he will readily demure. “I don’t care for (being) anonymous, but...,” he mused. “But, he really doesn’t like blowing his own horn,” exclaimed his wife, Earlene. “So we’re going to do it for him.” Don Barnes came to know the Kern Community Foundation with help from his financial advisor, David Nicholas. “My first wife, Audrey, inherited the proceeds from the
sale of her family’s auto dealership, and we kept the land it was sitting on in Santa Barbara,” Don recalled. The cash and the future development and lease of the real estate provided the couple with significant financial benefit. “We were children of the Depression,” Don said. “We paid off everything, determined what we needed to live on and then decided to give the other half away.” As a result, the couple established the Donald E. and Audrey W. Barnes Charitable Fund at the Kern Community Foundation. Audrey passed away in May 2007 after 50 years of marriage to Don. Her husband continued to use the fund to make grants to causes that were important to them, such as Bakersfield Christian High School and the Bakersfield Museum of Art. “The Lord put me in this position. He’s given me the wherewithal to live a little longer, and I think I can give something back,” Don said. Don’s practice of living life to the fullest and giving back to others is why he was named this year’s recipient of Kern Community Foundation’s Spirit of Philanthropy Award. On Nov. 19, in conjunction with National Philanthropy Day and the 100th anniversary of community foundations in
America, Don will be recognized with this award for his lifetime of giving to benefit the charitable causes most important to him. The award also honors Don as a member of Kern Community Foundation’s Legacy Society. Today, Don is mostly interested in giving to local charitable causes that he knows well. Together, Don and Earlene, a friend from church whom he married in 2011, make regular grants from the Donald and Earlene Barnes Charitable Fund to organizations where they can witness a specific impact. Asked how he felt about all this recognition, and Don took a moment to reflect. “A man recently told me that he’d seen my name on the wall around town, at various charities, and that he was, I quote, ‘really pleased to know someone like me,’” Don said, wiping away tears. “That makes me feel like I have done something good.” Indeed, Don Barnes, and his giving spirit are worthy of our community’s salute. — Jeff Pickering is president and CEO of Kern Community Foundation and of its subsidiary Kern Real Estate Foundation. To learn more about the foundation, visit kernfoundation.org or call 616-2617.
OPENING SUMMER OF 2015! In the Seven Oaks Business Park
Hoffmann Hospice
View the Virtual Tour and follow our building progress on our
HOSPICE HOME PROJECT Page at
hoffmannhospice.org 661.410.1010
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TA L K O F T H E TO W N
SEVEN OAKS SPREADS OUT A preview of the highly anticipated Belcourt addition to Bakersfield’s most luxurious community
An artist's rending of the Center Club at Belcourt, the proposed clubhouse and recreation center for Belcourt residents.
Compiled by Bakersfield Life
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ou don’t have to be in Bakersfield long to know what “Seven Oaks” means. Regarded as one of the finest residential developments in Bakersfield, the community is preparing for a growth spurt with developer Woodbridge Pacific Group at the helm. The developer plans to add hundreds of homes to the community and a host of amenities, including a yoga studio, for residents. Bakersfield Life caught up with Jeff Eittreim, senior project manager for Mission Viejo-based Woodbridge Pacific Group (WPG), for an inside look as what the project has in store. Stay tuned for more news this fall and winter, as Eittreim said the developer expects to announce what builders are in for the project by the end of the year. Where will Belcourt be located and how big will the development be?
Belcourt is in Seven Oaks in Southwest Bakersfield. It encompasses 175 acres, including 25 acres for amenities, pedestrian systems and open space. Belcourt lies south of Grand Island Village and Seven Oaks Business Park, which is being developed by Bolthouse Properties and home to prominent employers. Bolthouse is also developing a 10-acre retail/commercial center on Belcourt’s northeast boundary. Please tell us a little about how this development came to be and Woodbridge Pacific Group’s role?
Bolthouse Properties is the linchpin of our involvement. 62
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WPG founders Todd Cunningham and Carl Neuss purchased the land from Bolthouse in 2013, appreciating core advantages they saw when they met with Tony Leggio, Steve De Branch and others at Bolthouse. The Bolthouse commitment to quality is outstanding, and one we share. WPG is committed to distinctive homes in premier locations, and this property clearly fit our definition of premier location, so interest was immediate. This opportunity also held great appeal to Carl and Todd because of their roots in Bakersfield and the Central Valley. For them, Belcourt is a homecoming. What amenities and kinds of housing will Belcourt feature? How many residences will the project include?
Belcourt is planned for detached, single-family homes and luxury apartment homes. Floor plans of the detached homes will offer from about 1,700- to 4,000-square-feet of living space. Homes will be designed for families and active adults. Belcourt is planned for approximately 793 homes in distinctive neighborhoods. • The 8-acre public park is planned to include a tot lot, tennis courts, turf amphitheater and soccer-field sized commons. Seven Oaks Trail is part of a system that will link all neighborhoods and community amenities. • A private community center for homeowners is planned with a swimming pool, splash park, spa, barbecue areas, fitness center, yoga studio, crafts studio, kitchen and more. • WPG has additionally reserved a site for a house of worship within Belcourt. • Landscaping will feature canopy trees, seating areas and
RENDERING COURTESY OF HANNOUCHE ARCHITECTS
Jeff Eittreim, right, senior project manager for Belcourt developer Woodbridge Pacific Group, reviews the Belcourt master plan with Carl Neuss, assistant project manager.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG IGER
Belcourt at Seven Oaks
public art and will utilize advanced, water-conserving techniques and plantings. What is the timeline for this project?
• First construction planned for spring 2015. • Belcourt Information Gallery planned for late summer 2015. • First model home grand openings planned for late summer 2015. • Build-out anticipated for 2019 for the first village. What new style of living will Belcourt bring to Bakersfield?
Belcourt will be a “live/work/play” community. Highlights include:
• Arrival features two lakes, the park and recreation center and Belcourt Bell Tower. • The principal traffic circle is a traffic calming measure, strengthened by cul-de-sac site neighborhood planning. Many cul-de-sacs feed the central paseo, the community’s spine. • Residents will thus be able to easily traverse their community without driving or crossing major streets. • Heritage architectural styles will promote established ambience and will relate with the existing neighborhoods by Castle and Cooke. Where can people find out more information about Belcourt as the project progresses?
We share information with local media. At woodbridgepacific.com, click “Neighborhoods” to find the landing page for Belcourt at Seven Oaks and register on the interest list for automatic updates. As the website develops, you’ll be able to reach us on Facebook, too. What else would you like to tell the community about this project?
Belcourt builds on the foundation of quality established for Seven Oaks by Castle and Cooke, and WPG is excited about sustaining this legacy. We’re excited about the fact that Belcourt is being shaped by the preferences of local residents who participated in our focus group research. Their input has helped us refine our vision for Belcourt, and the end result will be the community they want most. bakersfieldlife.com
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OUR TOWN
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
Organizers hope to build on the success of the first Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival last year. 64
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY BOARD OF TRADE
Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival ready to roll for second year
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD FILM FESTIVAL
“Criminal Minds” star Joe Mantegna and Joey Travolta on the red carpet during last year’s inaugural event. Travolta's Inclusion Films partners with The Fox Theater Foundation to produce the event.
BAKERSFIELD’S MUSIC DEALER for more than 37 years • Pianos and Keyboards • Band Instruments/ Rentals • Music Lessons • Acoustic/Electric Guitars • Piano Moving/Tuning • Repair Department • Sheet Music
By Rob Meszaros 100 Oak Street (corner of Oak/Stockdale)
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or filmmakers, it's a competition. For movie buffs, it’s all about being captivated by engaging storylines for a few hours of affordable popcorn-munching, soda-sipping relaxation. Enter the Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival. Back for its second installment, the festival hits the big screen at The Fox Theater Nov. 7-9, featuring 50 independent movie screenings in four unique genres. “There are thousands of film festivals across the globe of varying sizes and most of them have the same basic formula,” said Rick Davis, retired Kern County film commissioner. “Passionate filmmakers plus film lovers in one location equals the perfect opportunity to promote and enjoy an art form that so many people can appreciate.” While Bakersfield’s offering embraces the traditional film festival makeup, it also has a differentiating quality. It is one of only two festivals in the U.S. to feature films made by or about people with special needs as one of its signature genres. The Fox Theater Foundation partners with Inclusion Films — a practical film workshop for students with special needs — to produce the festival. Operated by veteran educator, actor, and director Joey Travolta, Inclusion Films trains students with autism and other developmental disabilities in the art of filmmaking — from writing and set design to acting and editing. “It gives them a forum to have a voice,” Travolta said. “Many of our students won’t go on to jobs in the film industry. That doesn’t matter. What matters is they have a sense of purpose and confidence that will help them in any job they land.” The festival also highlights spiritual films, films about veterans and mainstream independent films. A call for film submissions was put out last spring and the response was overwhelming. In all, more than 100 films were submitted for consideration, up from 60 submissions last year. Selected films span the globe from movies made right here in Kern County and across the U.S., to several offerings from Canada, Spain, India, Aus-
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327-5397 • californiakeyboards.com
November 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Join the Tree Foundation of Kern as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary!
“Trees in Art” Fundraiser
Metro Gallery - 1604 19th St. California's finest wines, hors d'oeuvres catered by BC Culinary Arts Program, silent auction, local artists. Donation: $60 person/$110 couple Proceeds benefit The Tree Foundation of Kern Email Melissa Iger treeinfo@urbanforest.org 323-TREE (8733) tickets/info. bakersfieldlife.com
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Actress and filmmaker Michelle Romano was one of the Hollywood movers and shakers who attended the film festival last fall.
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tralia, France and the U.K. “We were thrilled with the response we received from filmmakers in only our second year,” Davis said. “Our selection committee watched every film we received, (some) several times, to ensure that the very best programing would make it to the big screen for the public to enjoy.” The 50 films that made the final cut will be screened at The Fox over the festival weekend and will also be scored by a panel of national industry judges who will name their selections for the best of the best during the event’s awards ceremony to conclude the festival. Cash prizes will be presented to category and sub-category winners. In addition to cash prizes, one filmmaker will be presented with the “Jett Travolta Vision Award” for general excellence in the disabilities film category. Jett, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, had autism and had a fatal seizure at his family’s holiday home in 2009.
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Andy Barkate, MS, President of California Retirement Plans, is a 30 year veteran of the financial services industry. His new book, Retiring In America – It’s All About Income, is a fresh look at the challenges we face in retirement today. We’re offering a free copy to all those serious about retiring – and doing it right!
Call 661.631.4355 to receive your complimentary copy today! -Limited Quantities Available-
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY BOARD OF TRADE
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Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival Tickets are $10 per day, or $20 for all three days with in-and-out privileges. Purchase at The Fox Theater Box Office or vallitix.com (ticketing fees apply). Tickets to the VIP reception are $50 and include access to all three days of film screenings. Purchase through the Fox Theater Foundation, 661636-0918.
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Festival weekend kicks-off at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 with a VIP reception and red carpet walk, followed by the Friday night program, which runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Universal Studios, Mike Davis, will speak about “The Power of Movie Magic – Making the Emotional Connection,” followed by a screening of “Billy Mize and the Bakersfield Sound,” which chronicles how Billy Mize's contributions to country western music helped shape the industry. The evening concludes with “Unstoppables,” a Spanish documentary about a disabled cyclist preparing for the Para Olympics. Saturday’s film screening block runs from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s screening block runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For a complete schedule and film synopsis, visit bakersfieldfilmfest.com. “We learned a lot in our first go at things last fall,” Davis said. “I feel we built a great foundation in year one and will continue to grow as more people begin to understand what a film festival is all about.”
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Fifty films will be screened at The Fox Theater during the Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KERN COUNTY BOARD OF TRADE
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FOR A CAUSE
A SWINGING GOOD TIME FOR FAMILIES IN NEED Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern offers tools for success for families By Melissa Peaker-Whitten
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itterbug back in time and spend an evening in the Roaring ’20s, while supporting a great cause, at the Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern’s third annual fundraiser. On Nov. 7, the second floor of The Padre Hotel will be transformed, with each room featuring a different theme from the 1920s. Because the foundation is a nonprofit extension of the Kern Housing Authority, all the funds raised by the
Marcol De La Rosa, service coordinator of the Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern’s after-school program, helps Jacob Garcia, 5, cutout a pumpkin mask. 68
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foundation go directly toward programs that benefit the organization’s participants. With more than 1,800 housing units throughout Kern County, the Housing Authority provides 3,000 Section 8 vouchers to help local families find affordable housing. The foundation provides programs and resources to help families develop the skills they need for success. “We try to empower our families to learn and have the tools to be self-sufficient,” said Norma Rojas-Mora, the foundation’s director. “We reward them for achieving goals toward self-sufficiency, and we provide a support system. As we help families become stabilized and earn more income, they can move out of the housing and allow other families to move in.” “Our ultimate goal is to help people become responsible homeowners,” Rojas-Mora said. “Once they come into our education and training programs, they realize that is something [that is] feasible for them.” Francisca Rocha is just one of the foundation’s many success stories. Although she has met with many obstacles, including her husband’s disability and her own health issues, the foundation’s programs helped Rocha set and complete goals. She recently finished their Family Self-Sufficiency pro-
While others work on various projects during an after-school program of the Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern, Crystal De La Cruz, a Mira Monte High School junior, uses the program’s computers to do her homework.
gram, which helped her complete school and get a job as a licensed pharmacy technician. “They motivate you to go forward, remind you of how excited you were when you started and the things you were trying to achieve,” Rocha said. “It’s simple to a lot of people, [but] it felt like everything I tried to do, something always hindered that. [The program] encourages you to move forward with your dreams and goals.” Now that she’s completed the program, Rocha said, “I’ve never felt this good about anything. To have gone forward with my goals and everything feels good.” Proceeds from the upcoming event will go toward the program that helped Rocha and other offerings of the Housing and Opportunity Foundation. Guests will travel through the pleasures of the ’20s at the “Dreaming Beyond The Stars” fundraiser. Enter via the black carpet and enjoy a champagne welcome, then head up to the Gramophone Area on the patio, where there will be a DJ spinning 1920s music, black and white 1920s era movies, and a cigar roller for those wanting to enjoy a stogie. The Charleston Room will feature a live jazz band and offer dance lessons, while the Speak Easy Room will offer martini tasting. Or you can step into the Prohibition Room for a little gambling, then place your bid on several great items in the Silent Auction Room. Hors d’oeuvres will be available throughout the evening. Tickets are $100, visit kernopportunityfoundation.org for more information.
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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis throws during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners in April in Arlington, Texas.
ALL-STAR MOMS Mothers of professional athletes share the triumphs, trials off the field
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PHOTO COURTESY OF LM OTERO
By Sylvia Cariker
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hink back to all those games you attended to watch your little athlete play, all the chairs and ice chests you carried in from the parking lot, hoping it would lead to your kid playing for a top college or perhaps professionally. Yours would be the athlete smiling into the television cameras and mouthing “Hi, Mom!” Here are three local moms who’ve experienced that heart-about-to-burst-with-pride moment.
Colby Lewis follows through with a pitch during his Bakersfield College days.
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
Arla Lewis played softball for 20 years and was her son’s baseball coach from the time he was 4. “I was the only woman coach, and we had the winningest team and so the men decided it wasn’t a good deal and I needed to step down,” she said. Arla said Colby showed promise even at that young age. “I put him in center field because he was the kid that could literally throw the ball all the way in to home base,” Arla recalled. Otherwise, mom said Colby was a typical 4-year-old player “with his mitt on his head picking dandelions.” As her son grew, so did his passion for baseball, to the point where he slept with his bat and glove. “When he got to North High, he Colby Lewis and his told me, ‘I’m gonna make my living mother, Arla Lewis. strapping on these cleats,’ then we knew he was serious,” Arla said. An instant baseball star in high school, he was also recruited by the football coach “because Colby had this great arm and (they) thought he’d make a good quarterback.” “I was the only mom who said, ‘No. He’s got talent in baseball and he’s not gonna get hurt in football and ruin everything,’” Arla said. She fought for a rotation that had Colby pitching every
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
AP PHOTO
Making a living in these cleats
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Continued from page 71 fifth day. Despite the precautions, Colby tore a ligament in his elbow and required surgery. Luckily, Arla was referred to a top surgeon who performed a ‘Tommy John” surgery on her son. “If Dr. (Frank) Jobe hadn’t done that surgery, Colby wouldn’t have been considered for the draft by any team and all 30 teams were interested in him,” she said. Scouts had been eyeing Colby since high school and especially during his time at Bakersfield College. “If they liked what they saw, they made an appointment to visit your home to talk. They weren’t just looking for talent, they were evaluating work ethic, ‘Is this a kid that gets angered easily?’ They looked at school work, ‘Does this kid get into trouble?’” Arla said. Colby was selected by the Texas Rangers as the 38th overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, a proud moment for his mother. But since then, she’s had many more. “His very first start up in Oakland, that was amazing. But after 15 years (in professional baseball), he makes me proud all of the time because of the way he handles himself. He’s a great man, a great husband, and he’s a great father,” Arla said.
Megan was a star at Centennial High and at UCLA but wasn’t introduced to softball immediately as kid. “There was no BASA (Bakersfield Amateur Softball Association) and so she played small ball with her younger brother in the Northwest Babe Ruth League,” said Megan’s mother, Tracy Langenfeld. “Megan was 8 or 9 when BASA started and we told her, ‘If you want to play ball, we’re going to put you out with the girls because that’s where you belong.’” She played travel ball from middle through high school, including joining two Southland teams and was a starter all four years at UCLA, all while keeping dad Steven as her home coach. “That was the advantage to having her so close by. She would come home every Wednesday and many times Steven would drive down to throw or hit with her or take her to one of her pitching coaches,” Tracy said. At UCLA, Megan amassed an astounding number of school awards. She was named
UCLA's Megan Langenfeld holds the championship trophy after UCLA defeated Arizona 15-9 in game two of a best-of-three championship series in the NCAA Women's College World Series Finals in 2010. MVP of the Women’s College World Series in 2010, was a finalist for Women’s College Athlete of the year and a finalist for best female athlete at the ESPY awards, an event she attended with her brother. “I have a picture of Mike Piazza and the kids,” Tracy said. “The reason they both wore No. 31 was because Mike wore that number. He was their hero growing up.” Megan played for Team U.S.A. and professionally in Japan, a move her mom says was a great experience but ultimately not a good fit.
PHOTO BY SUE OGROCKI
A league of her own
“There’s the language barrier, obviously,” Tracy said. “And Megan is a meat-and-potatoes kind of girl. Fish is not her favorite, so the diet was a challenge. And it’s a long way from home.” Home is important to Megan and Tracy credits legendary UCLA softball coach Sue Enquist for that. “Sue told us she had girls on the team who came from smaller towns and they were almost too embarrassed to say so. She told them to be proud of where you’re from and
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PHOTO BY JOHN HARTE
to tell us. Would I be disappointed? You bet. I love watching you play, but I want to be your mom first, not your agent.’” Tracy said. “So parents need to let their kid direct it. They’ll tell you when they’ve had enough, but they’ll also tell you when they need more.”
A big heart for big goals
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PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
Megan listened,” Tracy said. It’s a challenging time for U.S. Olympic softball as the sport was cut from the 2012 and 2016 games. Tracy said the cut is why Megan stopped playing. “She felt she’d done everything she could do and without the Olympics, she had no place to go (with softball). She told me, ‘I don’t want to play just for the sake of playing, I want to be more productive than that.’ I knew that eventually she wanted to coach and so it’s time for her next adventure,” Tracy said. Megan recently received her master’s degree in sports management from the University of Arkansas while Tracy Langenfeld, working as a gradmother of UCLA softball star Megan Lagenfeld. uate assistant for softball coach Mike Larrabee. This summer, she announced that she’d taken a position as a coaching assistant at Stanford. “I guess now it’s, ‘Go Cardinal,’” Tracy said. Tracy’s advice for the parents of athletes is true for all parents. “If at anytime Megan wanted to quit, I would have said, ‘Fine. If you don’t want to travel anymore, if this isn’t fun or too much work and you’ve had enough, then you need
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
Megan Langenfeld shows her star pitching skills during her Golden Hawks high school days.
Maureen Buckey remembers the day her son Jeff became interested in football. “He was in fifth grade, didn’t make the football team and he was absolutely devastated,” Maureen said. “He was a big kid even then and we couldn’t believe he didn’t make the team.” By eighth grade, Jeff was playing flag football and told his mother, “I’m gonna play professional football.” Maureen reminded him he’d have to work hard because not that many players get to the NFL. “I remember his first high school game at Garces. I told my husband, ‘I didn’t know if Jeff could do this because he’s too nice.’ Well, he went out there, and he was like an animal,” Maureen recalled. “We asked each other, ‘Is that really Jeff?’” At Bakersfield High School, Jeff was considered a top lineman, was a good discus thrower and carried a 4.0 GPA. “We had coaches coming from every direction. We had to take out a second phone line because the phone was ringing off the hook,” Maureen said. Jeff narrowed his
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Jeff Buckey's mother proudly displays this publication from her son’s Stanford days.
It isn’t how many awards you win that’s important. It’s why you win them. At Bakersfield Heart Hospital, winning awards is nothing new; we’ve been doing it since the day we opened our doors. But whether they are for excellence in medical care, patient safety or patient satisfaction, every award we win is really the result of only one thing – always striving to do our best for you. So when it comes to choosing award winning medical care, there’s really only one choice: Bakersfield Heart Hospital.
2 014 CA R E C H E X Q UA L I T Y AWA R D S MEDICAL EXCELLENCE Overall Hospital Care #1 in Market Overall Surgical Care #1 in Market Interventional Coronary Care #1 in Market PATIENT SAFETY Overall Hospital Care Overall Medical Care Overall Surgical Care Cardiac Care Heart Attack Treatment Interventional Coronary Care
#1 in Market #1 in Market #1 in Market #1 in Market #1 in Market #1 in Market
PATIENT SATISFACTION Overall Hospital Care Overall Medical Care Overall Surgical Care
#1 in Market #1 in Market #1 in Market
Top 10% in Nation
Top 100 in Nation
Top 10% in Nation Top 10% in Nation Top 10% in Nation Top 10% in Nation
T H E H O S P I TA L I S PA R T I A L LY O W N E D BY PH YS I C I A N S
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Jeff Buckey played three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. 76
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COURTESY OF MAUREEN BUCKEY
choices down to UCLA, Notre Dame and Stanford. “Lou Holtz (Notre Dame) called on a Monday asking to come by on a Tuesday since he was driving to Palm Springs for the Bob Hope Classic. He was an hour late because his golf clubs and luggage had been stolen at the airport and he stayed at our house until 11 p.m. that night, then drove on to Palm Springs,” Maureen said. “And for as little as he was, he ate a ton of food!” Jeff was honored in Washington, D.C. as the 1991-1992 Dial Corporation High School Student Athlete of the Year. Before the Buckey family left for the event, they received a call from the president of Stanford asking Jeff to delay choosing a school. Stanford was hiring a new coach, Bill Walsh, and that news hadn’t been released to the media yet. “And here I was standing in my kitchen with news people next to me! So when we get back from D.C., Walsh is waiting for us at our house,” Maureen said, adding that Walsh was a “lovely man.” Ultimately Stanford was the choice and a good one. “Jeff always wanted to be an orthopedic doctor and felt that if he’d gotten hurt his first game or whenever, he knew he’d have a good education. He never looked back, never regretted it one bit,” Maureen said.
COURTESY OF MAUREEN BUCKEY
Jeff Buckey finished his football career with the San Francisco 49ers.
PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
Maureen’s one regret is that Jeff didn’t play in the Senior Bowl. “Jeff declined because he had four finals and one professor who wouldn’t let him make up the final and because it was so important for him to get the good grades, he didn’t play that game,” Maureen said. “Had he played, he probably would have been drafted higher but he had his priorities.” Jeff was drafted by Miami in the seventh round in 1996 and finished his career with San Francisco in 1999. “I think that had a lot to do with Bill Walsh because at that time, he was a consultant for (the 49ers),” Maureen said. Jeff retired from football in 2000, and now works for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He and wife Alissa are raising four boys, ages 4 to 11, in Bakersfield. Maureen says her proudest moment didn’t come watching her son play football. It came during that family trip to Washington, D.C. to watch Jeff receive his national award. “It was just incredible. He got up in front of 2,500 people and spoke in front of Dick Cheney, Katie Couric, Dan Patrick, and the Redskins football team Maureen Buckey, mother of was there,” Maureen said. former professional football “He thanked my husband player Jeff Buckey. and I and said he could never have accomplished what he did without us. It was very emotional.” The lesson from these moms is simple: Give your young athlete room to grow, give your love and support. That gets you a front-row seat to watch your kid’s dream come true. bakersfieldlife.com
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shop talk Car care tips for managing your maintenance and repairs By Kevin McCloskey
John Axt inspects the fluid levels of a ’68 Camaro that he has been restoring for nearly three years. Fluid levels tend to go low when vehicles sit around for long periods of time.
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For most of us, dealing with an unexpected auto repair is never a fun experience, and they are always unexpected. Tires don’t go flat on a lazy Saturday as you’re passing your favorite local tire store. They go flat when you are on the freeway with only five minutes left to pick up your child from day care. Cars don’t overheat as you are pulling into the dealership to test drive that new model you’ve got your eye on; it happens when you’re third-deep at the drive-thru window trying to make it back to work before 1 o’clock. Regular maintenance by a good mechanic is the best way to avoid these disastrous situations. A good mechanic will spot that nail you ran over while he is rotating your tires. A good mechanic will see that worn radiator hose while she is
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changing your oil. The only trick lies with finding that good mechanic. This is one area in life where I’ve felt privileged; my father has been a good auto mechanic for over 50 years. He’s retired now, but he’s still my first call for anything involving the car, and he’s my gold-standard in judging all other mechanics. We are fortunate to have some good mechanics in our fair town, and I spoke to two of them for their tips and advice on how to avoid those costly repairs, and what to do when they are unavoidable. A maintenance mentality Maintenance prevents repairs. Period. We all know this,
but are usually reminded of it through hindsight, and then it’s too late. John Axt, owner and operator of John Axt’s Auto Service on Golden State Avenue, said that there are some simple things every car owner can do to save themselves money and aggravation from unexpected repairs. “Checking the tire pressure and looking for splits in the tread, or uneven wear is simple to do, and that, along with having the tires rotated every eight to ten thousand miles can double the life of your tires,” Axe said. A simple way to fulfill this advice is to get a little tire gauge and check the pressure while you are gassing up instead of checking for texts on your phone. “Oil changes every three to five thousand miles, depend-
ing on the vehicle, (are) very important for the life of the engine,” Axt said. “And that, along with filter and fluid checks, can save you a lot of money in the long run.” This ounce of prevention will save your 4,000-pound pride and joy. Navigating your repairs While Axt handles mostly maintenance jobs and some repairs (tires, brakes and starters/alternators), “when we see evidence of big repairs needed, we’ll call some reputable shops to get an idea what the repair will cost and recommend
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John Axt, right, and Tony Nieto have worked together for almost 20 years.
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John Axt, right, and Tony Nieto check for leaks under a 2008 Chevy Silverado in a pit. Pits are safe, time-saving alternatives to lifts.
Continued from page 79 a reliable one,” he said. This is another key indicator of the service you can expect from a good mechanic. Everything man-made has a usable life cycle, so some repairs and replacements are inevitable, but the best thing you can do for your car and your wallet is to not put it off. Poor maintenance over time leads to repairs, and small repairs quickly become big ones. “Delaying a brake job, for example, can easily cost four times as much as regular brake maintenance,” said Steven Hendrix, owner of White Lane Automotive. When you are faced with a large repair, Hendrix has some good advice about finding a reputable shop and technician. “Be sure that they are A.S.E. certified (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence), and in good standing with the Bureau of Automotive Repair and the Better Business Bureau. Ask family and friends for recommendations and look for a shop that has been in business for many years,” he said. After you find the right shop for the job and the car has been inspected, Hendrix recommends asking what part of the estimate must be done and what is maintenance. “That way some of the expense can possibly be spread out over time. And many repair shops today have financing available if you’re facing a large repair that you are financially unprepared for,” he said.
John Axt changes the oil on a 2008 Chevy Silverado. His shop services foreign and domestic cars.
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akersfield Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Car Guide is back, and this popular issue treats you to more than 50 of the hottest, latest cars around. From energy smart autos to perfect crossovers, luxury rides to durable SUVs and trucks, we have it all for you. Discover how automakers are bringing cutting-edge technology to drivers. bakersfieldlife.com
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NISSAN ALTIMA
NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $22,300
MPG 27 city, 38 highway
The redesigned 2015 Altima pulls off incredibly low gas mileage with its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and some powerful acceleration with its 270-horsepower, V6 engine. Premium packages include plush leather seats and NissanConnect with Mobile Apps, which pairs with smartphones to connect buyers to in-car internet. The 2014 Altima was an Edmunds.com Top-Rated Vehicle, and the 2015 could earn the title again with impressive safety features like blind-spot warning, moving-object detection, and an Active Drive-Assist display with navigation, caller ID and more. Available in 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL and 3.5 SL.
NISSAN FRONTIER DESERT RUNNER
NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $27,135
MPG 16 city, 22 highway
Small but powerful, the Desert Runner roars with a 261horsepower V6 power plant that gives an impressive 6,500 pounds of towing capacity and 1,524-pound payload. The comfortable cab features Bluetooth hands-free phone system with controls on the steering wheel and a folding front-passenger seat that can double as a workstation desk. Tailor it to your preferences with the eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. Five-speed automatic transmission balances power and fuel efficiency. This truck is made of impact-resistant materials to hold up under hard work. All models come with four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Brake force Distribution.
NISSAN LEAF
NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $21,510
MPG 126 city, 101 highway
Quiet, smooth and surprisingly fast, the 100-percent electric Nissan Leaf is efficient but fun. With zero tailpipe emissions, the Leaf delivers power, superior handling and high-end technology. The Leaf’s remarkably quiet ride can be credited to the 80kW AC synchronous electric motor. Inside, the Leaf has Bluetooth and USB connectivity, heated, folding rear seats crafted from recycled materials and heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus seating for five. A quick charge pack is available. This electric car is turning critics’ heads as well. Kelley Blue Book named the Leaf one of the 10 Best Green Cars of 2014. Available in S, SV and Sl.
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NISSAN VERSA NOTE SR
NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $18, 235
MPG 31 city, 40 highway
The stylish, economical Versa Note SR offers drivers more in every way — more miles, more technology, more comfort. The 109-horsepower 1.6-liter engine and Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission deliver quick acceleration and outstanding fuel efficiency, and the Vehicle Dynamic Control system gives the Versa Note an extra edge in handling. The roomy interior has been given a sportier look for 2015 with a Z-inspired steering wheel and charcoal seats with orange accents. The redesigned black and chrome center dash is home to the available Around View Monitor, featuring 360-degree camera coverage, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and Nissan Navigation System.
CADILLAC ESCALADE
THREE-WAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC
MSRP Starting at $71,695
MPG 15 city, 21 highway
The 2015 Escalade reminds drivers of the finest Cadillac has to offer. The Platinum model features interior touches like a rear seat Blu-ray entertainment system, center console cooler and driver’s seat that massages stress away. The 6.2-liter V8 engine and smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission deliver a bestin-class 420 horsepower, while still achieving impressive fuel efficiency. Escalade’s premium safety features include a vibrating safety alert seat, advanced anti-theft system, and advanced forward lighting. Plug into Cadillac User Experience to connect with your contacts, music and more. This year J.D. Power and Associates ranked Cadillac highest in customer satisfaction with dealer service among luxury brands. Available in Luxury, Premium and Platinum.
CHEVROLET CORVETTE
THREE-WAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC
MSRP Starting at $54,000
MPG 17 city, 29 highway
The 2015 Corvette links the racetrack with the common road. With a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under its carbon fiber hood, the Z06 model delivers a mind-blowing 650 horsepower. Drive the seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching and launch control or take advantage of the available eight-speed paddle shift automatic transmission with automatic modes. Other great features include Performance Data Recorder and 15.5 front and 15.3 rear carbon ceramic rotors. For techies on the go, the Corvette offers a 4G LTE connection to connect up to seven devices to the Internet, Remote Link and MyLink system. Available in Coupe, Convertible and Z06.
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2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE
2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500
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CHEVROLET 2500/3500 HEAVY DUTY
THREE-WAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC
MSRP $32,165
MPG Not rated
The Silverado 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks take strong to the next level with either a 6-liter V8 or an available 6.6liter Duramax diesel power plant and Allison Transmission that can provide for a gross vehicle weight of up to 27,500 pounds. Heavy Duty trucks offer flexibility you can build on with a strong suspension that allows for a full range of upfit options such as welding, flatbed, dump and crane bodies. Whatever the trade, there is a truck configuration to suit your business, including plumbers, electricians, general contractors and the oil and farming industries. Let Chevrolet’s Heavy Duty trucks make your business work better for you.
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
THREE-WAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC
MSRP Starting at $25,575
MPG 16 city, 23 highway
Stronger, smarter and more capable than ever, the Silverado returns to defend its 2014 title as North American Truck of the Year. Silverado’s 6.2-liter EcoTec3 engine can tow a classleading 12,000 pounds. Chevy also boasts the most fuel efficient V8 pickup engine in the all new 5.3-liter, 355-horsepower engine. Earning NHTSA’s 5-star safety rating, Silverado comes with front and rear parking assist, safety alert seat vibration, and lane departure warning. Its heated and cooled front bucket seats, available Bose audio, and 4G LTE connection with Chevy’s MyLink system ensure a sumptuous riding, driving and towing experience. Available in 1WT, 2WT, LT, LTZ and High Country.
TOYOTA CAMRY
BILL WRIGHT TOYOTA
MSRP $22,970
MPG 25 city, 35 highway
J.D. Power and Associates’ most dependable midsize car is reinventing itself with a sexy new body style and hybrid lineup. All four Camry models are six-speeds, while the XSE and XLE boast a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine with 268 horsepower. Inside, the Camry offers wireless cell phone charging and JBL Audio with Entune. An upgraded sport suspension allows for more controlled handling and Camry continues to offer stellar safety features with blind spot monitors, lane departure alerts, a backup camera, and more. And the Camry’s bold design is anything but boring. Available in LE, SE, XLE, and XSE, and Hybrids LE, SE and XLE.
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TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
BILL WRIGHT TOYOTA
MSRP $34,363
MPG 20 city, 25 highway
The Highlander has room for everyone and a dog, or even two dogs; and now, buyers can replace the second row with captain’s chairs for even more space. With NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Rating and an Insurance Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Pick award, this SUV will keep the family safe. An available 3.5-liter V6 engine makes the Highlander a powerful market competitor, and unique features push it to the top. Navigation and Entune audio keep techies happy, and an available panoramic moonroof takes backseat drivers’ attention off the road and to the sky. Available in LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited and Platinum.
TOYOTA RAV4
BILL WRIGHT TOYOTA
MSRP $24,790
MPG 24 city, 31 highway
According to IHS Automotive, 90 percent of RAV4s sold in the last 10 years are still on the road. Toyota is sure to keep that percentage impressively high in the coming decade by adding more cargo space and legroom to its 2015 edition. All models offer a front-wheel or all-wheel drive 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and Toyota’s Star Safety System — a suite of six advanced safety features, including Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brake System, Brake Assist, Smart Stop Technology, and more. With push button start and smart key entry features, the RAV4 is a true 21st century crossover. Available in LE, XLE and Limited.
TOYOTA TACOMA
BILL WRIGHT TOYOTA
MSRP $24,780
MPG 21 city, 24 highway
The 2015 Tacoma is rugged, sporty, and tough. The Tacoma’s 4.0-liter V6 engine allows you to climb and play in the outdoors, and with its 6,500-pound towing capacity, you can bring all the toys along. Make a statement with available solid chrome accessories; or, if you are all business, choose the utility model. Venture off the beaten path with Tacoma’s off-road packages that include a perfected four-wheel drive option. Known as the best-selling compact pickup of America, the Tacoma also offers JBL audio, navigation and 110-volt power outlet. Available in SR, SR5, Limited, TRD and TRD Pro Series.
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INFINITI Q50 3.7 MSRP Starting at $40,000
INFINITI OF BAKERSFIELD
MPG 20 city, 30 highway
Distinctive design with cutting-edge technology and engaging performance set the Infiniti Q50 apart from the competition. The 3.7-liter V6 engine delivers 328 horsepower for an inspiring driving experience, and the Direct Adaptive Steering technology earned a grand award in Popular Science’s “Best of What’s New” issue. The Infiniti InTuition system allows customization for up to four drivers. The InTouch connectivity features dual touch screen. The Q50 earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and was one of Edmunds.com’s top-rated vehicles this year. Available in Base RWD or AWD, 3.7 Premium RWD or AWD, Q50 RWD or AWD or Hybrid.
INFINITI OF BAKERSFIELD 5 2 0 0 G a s o l i n e A l l e y D r i v e • 6 6 1 - 6 17-2 0 2 0 w w w . i n f i n i t i o f b a ke r s f i e l d . c o m bakersfieldlife.com
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INFINITI QX60 3.5
INFINITI OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $42,100
MPG 20 city, 26 highway
With its graceful exterior styling and plush, inviting interior, the Infiniti QX60 luxury SUV was named one of Edmunds.com’s 2014 Top Rated Vehicles. The QX60 boasts a V6 and available intelligent all-wheel drive system, along with the seamless shifting of a Continuously Variable Transmission. The exceptional roominess of the QX60’s interior is highlighted with split folding seats and room for up to seven passengers. Safety technologies such as Around View Monitor, backup collision intervention and blind spot warning have your back. And this Infinity isn’t short on conveniences with remote engine start and dual headrest DVD monitors. Available in QX60 3.5, QX60 3.5 AWD and QX60 Hybrid.
FIAT 500 ABARTH
FIAT OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $31,295
MPG 24 city, 32 highway
The high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth’s 160-horsepower MultiAir Turbo engine and five-speed heavy-duty manual transmission propels this built-to-thrill Italian sportster faster than yesterday. Also available in Cabrio model, the 500 Abarth’s track-style performance suspension and handling package features a Torque Transfer Control system. The system automatically distributes engine torque between this Fiat’s front wheels, which maximizes traction. Inside, race-inspired performance sport seats feature firm side bolsters, and this Fiat sports an LCD instrumental cluster. The available BeatsAudio system with eight-channel 368watt amplifier delivers thrilling sound to match the Abarth’s stylish high performance.
FIAT 500 POP
FIAT OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $18,595
MPG 31 city, 41 highway
Don’t let the small size fool you, the Fiat 500L Pop is big on style, big on features and big on safety, with four and fivestar safety ratings. A Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free music keep you connected and in the know when you’re on the go. Choose from a rainbow of colors to personalize your Pop. This compact car also has you covered in the safety category with seven airbags and an Antilock Brake System. The Electronic Vehicle Information Center tells you everything you need to know about the state of your Fiat. Cute, sporty, stylish, let the Fiat 500 Pop be your partner on the road. Available in Pop, Sport and Lounge models.
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FIAT 500L
FIAT OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $23,995
MPG 24 city, 33 highway
Possibilities abound with the Fiat 500L. With four models to choose from — Pop, Easy, Trekking and Lounge — the stylish, four-door 500L offers more room to move, more room to evolve. Powered by an expertly-engineered, 160-horsepower 1.4-liter engine, the Fiat 500L offers maximum efficiency and swift acceleration, while a six-speed manual transmission puts you in control. Automatic transmission also available. The 500L boasts more room than you would think, with spacious headroom and legroom and Tilt, Tumble and Slide rear seats. The 6.5-inch touch screen puts control of the UConnect system, Sirius XM radio and available new Beats Audio system at your finger tips.
FIAT 500e
FIAT OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $32,650
MPG 122 city, 108 highway
Green goes wild with the all-electric Fiat 500e. With the same aesthetically-flattering lines of the Fiat 500 series, TomTom navigation system, Bluetooth and USB connectivity and Fiat Access app, the 500e is the perfect balance of style and function. The zero-tailpipe-emissions car delivers 111 horsepower. The Regenerating Braking system also returns otherwise wasted energy to the battery. Seven airbags surround the driver and passengers in safety and Fiat’s Electronic Stability Control system works to maintain directional stability when the road throws you a curve or two. Also available in 500e Sport, this Fiat boasts Sirius XM radio and rear park assist.
HONDA ODYSSEY
BARBER HONDA
MSRP Starting at $29,805
MPG 19 city, 28 highway
The spacious Honda Odyssey was crowned Autobytel’s 2014 Minivan of the Year and named 2014 Best Minivan for Families by U.S. News and World Report. With innovative features like the available HondaVAC built-in vacuum and center dashmounted cool box, it’s no wonder the Odyssey earned the accolades. The Odyssey’s multiple seating configurations provide functional versatility. The One-Motion 60/40 split third row Magic Seat stows flat, and the second row features a stowable middle seat. Safety is key and the Odyssey has families covered there as well with backup camera and Forward Collision Warning. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite.
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HONDA CR-V MSRP Starting at $23,950
BARBER HONDA
MPG 23 city, 31 highway
The rugged, fun Honda CR-V is ready for wherever your journey takes you. The new 185-horsepower i-VTEC engine with Earth Dreams Technology delivers power and fuel efficency. A power tailgate and folding second row seats mean plenty of room for cargo. Pandora streaming radio and Bluetooth and USB connectivity keep you entertained on the road. A rearview camera ensures you’ll always know what’s behind you. The CR-V was awarded US News and World Report’s “Best Compact SUV for the Money” Award, and is one of Kelley Blue Book’s Top 10 Best Resale Value winners. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, 2WD and AWD.
HONDA ACCORD MSRP Starting at $22,895
BARBER HONDA
MPG 27 city, 36 highway
Winner of 2014 Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Award, and winner of Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars Award for a record 28th time, the stylish Honda Accord sports an array of features to attract new and return buyers alike. Honda LaneWatch features a camera that provides a view nearly four times greater than a standard sideview mirror. The Accord also features smart entry and Earth Dreams Technology, Honda’s innovation to deliver “fun-to-drive performance and fuel efficiency.” The sporty Accord features push-button start, LED daytime running lights touch screen and lane departure warnings. Available in LX, Sport, Ex, ExL, Touring, Hybrid and Plug-in.
HONDA CIVIC MSRP Starting at $19,280
BARBER HONDA
MPG 30 city, 39 highway
The efficient, fun Honda Civic is ready to take you anywhere in comfort. The 143-horsepower engine delivers, while Honda’s Eco Assist system helps you maximize fuel efficiency and Continuously Variable Transmission enables the engine to work at the most efficient rpm level in all conditions. A 7-inch touch screen display houses audio controls and HondaLink Next Generation, which keeps you in touch with the latest news, social media and Internet radio through your connected smartphone. Winner of Edmunds.com’s 2014 Most Popular Vehicle Award, the Honda Civic continues to provide an outstanding experience. Available in LX, EX, EX-L, SE Hybrid, Natural Gas, HF and Si.
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THE ACCORD SEDAN
Start something special. When does a car become more than just a car? That question has inspired us from the beginning, and for over three decades, the Accord has been our answer. Now in its ninth generation, our signature vehicle continues to evolve with drivers and all of their humanity in mind. And the relationship between an Accord and its owner continues to be something very special. See the new 2015 Honda Accord today at Barber Honda. 195
5 - 2014
Serving Kern County over
4500 Wible Road
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www.barberhonda.com
Years
1-888-503-8891 Se Habla Español
the
Real World is Waiting
2015 Acura ILX The ILX features classic sport sedan proportions - an elongated hood with a short rear deck. An upward-sweeping character line stretches from the front fender to the muscular haunch. 17” aluminum alloy wheels are standard on all models and complete the sporting look.
Barber Acura
www.barberacura.com
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4625 Wible Ro ad Bakersfield Auto Mall • 398-4260 Se Habla Español
HONDA FIT MSRP Starting at $16,315
BARBER HONDA
MPG 33 city, 41 highway
The refreshing Honda Fit blends function and style into one fitting package. The 130-horsepower i-VTEC engine with Earth Dreams Technology and six-speed manual transmission give the Fit plenty of pop without sacrificing efficiency. The Fit’s second row Magic Seat folds completely flat creating 52 feet of cargo space. A 7-inch pinchable, swipeable touch screen serves as the command center for the Fit’s audio controls, multi-angle rearview camera and Bluetooth controls, as well as the available HondaLink Next Generation connectivity technology. Awarded the 2014 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, the Honda Fit also comes with a 3-year/6,000mile roadside service plan. Available in LX, EX and EX-L.
ACURA MDX MSRP Starting at $43,460
BARBER ACURA
MPG 20 city, 28 highway
With sport seats, leather-trimmed interior and available AcuraLink The Next Generation navigation system with real-time traffic and Concierge service, the Acura MDX, the best selling luxury SUV of all time, is sophistication refined. Also available in Superhandling All-Wheel Drive model, the MDX’s 3.5-liter V6 power plant delivers 290 horsepower. This exhilarating crossover’s tech-savvy Variable Cylinder Management system gives class-leading fuel efficiency. This luxury vehicle seats seven with electronic third-row seat access and automatic tri-zone climate controls. Its ACE body structure construction earned the MDX a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also available in Tech and Advanced models.
ACURA TLX MSRP Starting at $31,890
BARBER ACURA
MPG 24 city, 35 highway
The race-inspired Acura TLX wows with athletic lines and Precision All-Wheel Steer. The TLX is available with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission or a 3.5-liter V6 with nine-speed auto electronic gear selector. Both models come equipped with Acura’s Integrated Dynamics System, which allows the driver to select from four driving modes ranging from efficiency-maximizing Economy setting, to Sport+ for high-rpm adrenaline. Jewel-eye LED headlights, noise dampening technology, touch screen climate controls and Siri integration round out this thrilling sedan. Available in TLX, TLX Tech 2.4, TLX 3.5, TLX 3.5 Tech and TLX SH-AWD.
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JEEP WRANGLER
BAKERSFIELD CHRYSLER JEEP
MSRP $22,595 - $49,210
MPG 16 city, 21 highway
The Wrangler defines off-road driving in the U.S. and is the “Best 4x4 of the Decade,” according to Four Wheeler Magazine. The Wrangler’s popularity has spurred a host of limited editions such as the Willy’s, Wheeler, Altitude, and Rubicon Hard Rock. For 2015, Wrangler got a technological overhaul and now offers a standard eight-speaker premium sound system. True music lovers can upgrade to the newly designed nine-speaker Alpine system with subwoofer, let down the Wrangler’s convertible top, and pump up the bass. The Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon models still pound American dirt and earned Wrangler a best-in-class in off-road capability.
JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK
BAKERSFIELD CHRYSLER JEEP
MSRP $22,995 - $42,078
MPG 22 city, 31 highway
Kelley Blue Book has named the rugged, yet refined 2015 Cherokee one of its Top 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000. Buyers can choose between Cherokee’s four models, Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, and two engine types, 2.4-liter I-4 or 3.2-liter V6. All models boast a nine-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive option. With the Adaptive Cruise Control that keeps the Cherokee a safe distance from other vehicles ahead on the road, Forward Collision Warning System, Blind Spot Monitoring, and 10 standard airbags, it’s no wonder the Cherokee is also one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Picks.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
BAKERSFIELD CHRYSLER JEEP
MSRP $29,595 - $74,865
MPG 22 city, 30 highway
The most popular pick on Edmunds.com and a Consumers Digest Best Buy, the luxurious Grand Cherokee lives up to its grand name by being the most awarded SUV of all time. The Grand Cherokee gives buyers plenty of options with five models, Laredo, Limited, Overland, Summit and SRT, and powerful engines, 3.6-liter V6; 5.7-liter Hemi V8; 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel; and 6.4-liter Hemi V8. The new features of this powerful and versatile SUV include an optional Blu-ray entertainment center, Adaptive Cruise Control with a stop-go feature, and various noise-cancelling additions. This attractive SUV gives you all the power you want without compromising on comfort.
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CHRYSLER 300
BAKERSFIELD CHRYSLER JEEP
MSRP $30,995 - $62,330
MPG 19 city, 31 highway
The Chrysler 300 returns more powerful than ever with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine option. Buyers can also opt for the smaller 5.7-liter Hemi V8 or 3.6-liter V6 in the seven different models available — 300, 300S, 300C, Uptown, John Varvatos Luxury, John Varvatos Limited and SRT. A luxurious leather interior comes standard and an impressive 8.4-inch touch screen display taps into navigation and satellite radio. Other impressive features include heated and cooled cup holders and passive entry. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick and Consumers Digest Best Buy, the Chrysler 300 allows you to cruise town in safe, economic, eye-catching style.
LEXUS RC
MOTOR CITY
MSRP TBA
MPG 16 city, 25 highway for F Sport model
The sleek, but muscular RC offers aggressive styling and superb handling in fresh, beautiful package. An adaptive suspension and torque-vectoring rear differential smooth out RC’s stops, turns, shifts, and starts. Inside the RC, drivers are surrounded by an inspired interior and dash. Drivers can use a Remote Touch Interface for audio and navigation and stay safe with an updated Blind Spot Monitor system. Engine options range from a 217-horsepower hybrid to a 467horsepower naturally aspirated V8. This powerful car sports Lexus’ most aggressive Spindle Grill to date and 19-inch wheels. Available in RC, RC Hybrid, and RC F Sport models.
LEXUS NX
MOTOR CITY
MSRP TBA
MPG 35 city, 31 highway for hybrid model
Not quite an SUV, not quite a sedan, the NX falls in a unique territory between the two. The hype surrounding the NX centers on its 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine, the first gasoline turbo engine offered by Lexus. The U.S. market also gets the NX hybrid model available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Drivers craving that sleek racing look will love the F Sport model with its flashy hour-glass spindle grille and dual-toned sports seats. Outstanding NX features include a remote start, wireless charging tray, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. Available in NX, NX Hybrid and NX F Sport.
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GMC CANYON
MOTOR CITY
MSRP $22,650
MPG 18 city, 26 highway
The muscular 2015 Canyon redefines the midsize truck category with first-in-class features like a 1,450-pound payload, best-in-class fuel economy, and an estimated 302 horsepower from the available 3.6-liter, V6 engine. The Canyon features a corner-step rear bumper and an available EZ Lift and Lower tailgate to make loading and unloading more convenient. The Canyonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exceptionally quiet and comfortable cabin includes a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity. Customers get a premium vehicle in terms of styling, features and technology with all the inherent capabilities and maneuverability of a midsize pickup. Available in Canyon SLE and STE models.
FORD FOCUS
MOTOR CITY
MSRP Starting at $16,810
MPG 26 city, 36 highway
Ford Focus, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-selling nameplate now three years in a row, adopts the new face of Ford for 2015 with bold exterior and interior redesigns and more advanced technologies that enhance driver comfort, convenience and safety. The new award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will raise the competitive bar for fuel efficiency, while the new SE model comes with a standard rearview camera and available driver-assist technologies including a lane-keeping system and Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert. Available engines: 2.0-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder, 160 horsepower at 6,500 rpm; 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder, 123 horsepower at 1,400-4,500 rpm.
FORD FUSION ENERGI TITANIUM
JIM BURKE FORD
MSRP Starting at $36,500
MPG 95 city, 81 highway
Fusion Energi benefits from 20 years of software/hardware research, incorporating many of the nearly 500 patents Ford holds for its hybrid technology. Combining a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and electric motor with a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 gas engine, the Fusion can be charged using a standard 120-volt or 240-volt home-charging station. With a full tank of gas and full charge, the EPA-estimated range is 550 miles (electric and gas). In all-electric mode, the 7.6 kilowatt per hour lithium-ion battery provides enough power to operate up to 85 miles per hour and travel an EPA-estimated range of 19 miles.
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FORD EDGE
JIM BURKE FORD
MSRP Starting at $28,100
MPG 19 city, 27 highway
The all-new Ford Edge demonstrates what happens when a proven leader gets even better. The original crossover utility vehicle is loaded with more technology, higher levels of craftsmanship and improved dynamics. Edge is the first Ford to come standard with an EcoBoost engine. For smoother riding, adaptive steering technology changes the ratio between the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions at the steering wheel and how much the front wheels turn. The system makes parking at lower speeds easier and highway driving more precise. Acoustic windshield glass is standard for every model, delivering an unsurpassed level of quiet. Available engines: 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder; 3.5-liter TiVCT V-6; 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.
FORD F-150
JIM BURKE FORD
MSRP Starting at $25,025
MPG 17 city, 23 highway
The all-new Ford F-150 redefines full-size trucks as the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever. Tougher: All-new high-strength steel frame, military grade aluminum-alloy body, more than 10 million miles of testing and Baja 1000-proven 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. Smarter: 10 new class-exclusive features, including 360degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and sideview mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release and lock. More capable: Up to 700 pounds less weight plus four engine choices for an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency.
SUBARU LEGACY
SANGERA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
MSRP Starting at $21,695
MPG 26 city, 36 highway
The 2015 Legacy is safe, smart, and reliable. The combination of Subaruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advanced Boxer engine and Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission give the Legacy impressive performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The revised steering and suspension systems result in both improved handling and a more quiet, composed ride. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Vehicle Dynamics Control systems constantly monitor wheel speeds and steering angle. Starlink brings your smartphone and entertainment all to your dashboard. The Legacy is a 2014 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, and Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety ratings for all models from 2010 through 2014. Available in Legacy 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited.
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SUBARU OUTBACK
SANGERA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
MSRP Starting at $24,895
MPG 25 city, 33 highway
Voted the most fuel-efficient crossover in America, the comfortable, versatile Subaru Outback can take you where you want to go. The Outbackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2.5-liter, 175-horsepower Boxer engine partners with Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring to provide sharper, more stable handling. The Outback features 143.6 cubic feet of interior space and versatile cargo-carrying options fit for any trip. Subaruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Starlink Infotainment System brings voice control, and smartphone resources to a 7-inch touch screen in the dash, and 12 Harman Kardon speakers bring your music along for the adventure. Available in Outback 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited.
MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS
SANGERA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
MSRP Starting at $40,400
MPG 24 city, 31 highway
Sleeker than ever and even more elegant, the Mercedes-Benz C Class has been completely redesigned for 2015. A new 241-horsepower turbo-4 in the C300 boosts power and torque by 20 percent, and the new 329 horsepower biturbo V6 in the C400 outruns many V8s. Both offer higher miles per gallon and lower emissions. An intuitive new touch pad and slim screen deliver numerous entertainment, navigation and vehicle options. Enjoy dualzone climate control, keyless start, in-car Wi-Fi hot spot, and Eco start/stop systems. This C Class is more substantial in size, safety and space. Available in C300 4MATIC Sedan and C400 4MATIC Sedan.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA CLASS
SANGERA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
MSRP Starting at $33,300
MPG 24 city, 32 highway
The all-new GLA delivers full SUV capability with industry leading innovations in a nimble package. A 208-horsepower, turbo inline-4 propels the GLA250 from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds, making other SUVs jealous. The larger 355-horsepower engine on the GLA45 model cuts that time down to 4.8 seconds. The GLA features fivepassenger seating with 10-way airbag protection, front fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, power liftgate and 43.6 cubic feet of trunk space. A freestanding color screen and intuitive central controller put Bluetooth audio streaming, navigation and music easily within your reach. Available in GLA250 4MATIC and GLA45 4MATIC AMG-SUV.
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DODGE RAM 1500 MSRP $25,980
HADDAD DODGE
MPG 17 city, 25 highway
The Ram, America’s well-known workhorse, introduces the 2015 1500 as both a work and sport vehicle. The 1500 is the smallest in the Ram lineup but possesses a powerful engine. The R/T model’s standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8 takes the 1500 to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds, and the smaller 3.6-liter V6 tows up to 9,200 pounds. Choose from three cab sizes, regular, quad, and crew, and two bed sizes, 5-foot-7-inch or 6-foot-4-inch. Available in Big Horn, Lone Star, Outdoorsman, Sport, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Laramie Limited. The 1500 comes with an optional Wi-Fi link for those who want internet access wherever they travel.
DODGE DART MSRP $16,495
HADDAD DODGE
MPG 25 city, 36 highway
The Dart may be small, but it packs plenty of tech advances, engine power, and sharp design features. Normally only in larger cars, an available 8.4-inch touchscreen sits comfortably in the Dart’s dash. The voice command feature keeps driver’s eyes on the road when calling or choosing radio stations. A reconfigurable 7-inch digital gauge cluster tracks fuel economy and includes available backup sensors, navigation, and Blind Spot Monitoring. A six-speed, four-cylinder drivetrain comes standard in the Dart’s five models — SE, SXT, Aero, GT and Limited — and can be paired with the 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter MultiAir engine. An outstanding design feature is Dart’s available racetrack taillamp with 152 individually-placed LED lights.
DODGE CHARGER MSRP $26,995
HADDAD DODGE
MPG 18 city, 27 highway
The 2015 Charger sports a sleek, all-new body design featuring a crosshair grille and three-piece low profile spoiler. The Charger delivers incredible power with its award-winning 300 horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that also provides best-in-class highway mpg. An even more powerful 5.7liter Hemi V8 adds to the Charger’s muscle with 370 horsepower and 395 pounds-per-foot of torque. The Charger pairs power with technological innovation, offering an 8.4-inch Uconnect Touchscreen in the R/T Road & Track model. The SE and SXT models include an advanced allwheel drive system for controlled driving in any weather.
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HADDAD DODGE 3000 Harris Road â&#x20AC;˘ Bakersfield Auto Mall
www.haddaddodge.net 108
Bakersfield Life Magazine
661-398-0264
November 2014
Se Habla Espanol
DODGE CHALLENGER MSRP $26,995
HADDAD DODGE
MPG 19 city, 30 highway
The Challenger SRT Hellcat will take you a quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds. It is the world’s fastest muscle car, ever. The Supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine paired with the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic tranny pushes 707 horsepower and 650 pounds-per-foot of torque and will take you up to 199 miles per hour. The Challenger’s other models do not disappoint with the R/T winning the title “Lowest Priced V8 Coupe in America,” and the Scat Pack sporting an all-new high performance tuned chassis. The mighty Challenger is best-in-class for interior and cargo volume and has class-exclusive five-passenger seating. Also available in SRT 392, SXT, SXT PLUS, R/T Plus and R/T Scat Pack.
KIA SOUL MSRP Starting at $16,015
HADDAD KIA
MPG 24 city, 30 highway
Kia innovators had a fun time designing the Soul, naming its models Base, + (plus) and ! (exclaim). With your ! (exclaim) model, order up The Whole Shebang Package. The trendy Soul offers upgrades that will thrill music lovers, including an eight-speaker Infinity² sound system and pulsating multi-colored front speakers. The UVO eServices Infotainment System beats out other car technology with an 8-inch screen and long list of services with no subscription fees. Under the Base’s hood is a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with 130-horsepower. The + (plus) and ! (exclaim) bump it up with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 164 horsepower drivetrain.
KIA SORENTO MSRP $28,635
HADDAD KIA
MPG 20 city, 27 highway
Manufactured in West Point, Georgia, this American-built Kia was named one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Picks and received NHTSA’s 5-Star Crash Safety Rating. Electronic Stability Control keeps the Sorento on course during emergency maneuvers, and Hill Start Assist Control stops the vehicle from rolling back on a hill. The Sorento seats seven passengers with an optional third row, and a spacious compartment beneath the floor makes up for lost space. The basic LX model comes standard with a 2.4-liter fourcylinder engine in two-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the EX, SX, or Limited editions feature the 3.0-liter V6.
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KIA FORTE
HADDAD KIA
MSRP $18,630
MPG 26 city, 39 highway
The Forte displays shocking power in three distinct designs, the two-door Forte Koup, the hatchback Forte5, and the fourdoor Forte. The Forte5 and the Koup SX models will glue you to your seat with their 1.6-liter turbo-charged Gasoline Direct Injection engine. The four-door Forte LX and EX models include satellite radio and Keyless Entry with the optional UVO Infotainment System. The Forte5 hatchback stands out with a “fifth door” that allows easy access to a roomy cargo area. The sporty Forte Koup comes standard with SiriusXM radio and has a sporttuned suspension with available six-speed Sportmatic transmission.
KIA RIO
HADDAD KIA
MSRP Starting at $17,255
MPG 27 city, 37 highway
Available in hatchback or sedan styles, the 2015 Rio sports a sleek design bursting with technology. Remote keyless entry, push-button start, rear-camera display, on-board navigation, and an UVO Infotainment System are just some of the options available for this modern marvel. The three models, EX, LX, and SX, include a 1.6-liter, I-4 engine. The LX improves fuel efficiency with Idle Stop and Go technology that shuts the engine off when it senses the Rio is stopped and automatically starts it when the brake pedal is released. For stylish travel, check out the SX model’s full leather interior.
BMW X4 xDRIVE28i
BMW OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $44,700
MPG 20 city, 28 highway
The X4 xDrive28i redefines versatility. With its sleek lines, aggressive handling and style, the X4 has unmistakable presence. Powered by a powerful 2-liter TwinPower Turbo, 240-horsepower engine and eight-speed Steptronic transmission, BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system distributes power to each wheel as needed to grip tough roads. Eco Pro Mode with auto start-stop technology maximizes fuel efficiency by shutting down the engine when idling. The X4’s sporty interior features iDrive 4.2 Navigation System with touchpad, full color Head-Up Display, and 40-20-40 split folding rear seats. Versatility has never looked so good. Available in xDrive 28i and xDrive 35i.
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MSRP STARTING AT $36,500
POWER WINDOWS • BLUE TOOTH • POWER LOCKS • AM/FM CD • SIRIUS RADIO
Prices plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge (California residents only). Vehicles subject to prior sale. Offer expires on date of publication. All warranties are limited. On approval of credit through KMFC. See dealer for complete details.
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BMW 228i
BMW OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $32,100
MPG 23 city, 36 highway
The 228i Coupe’s aggressive styling is sure to make the newest addition to the BMW 2-Series stand out from rivals. The 240-horsepower, 2-liter TwinPower Turbo engine delivers pure driving euphoria with an eight-speed sport transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, while the available xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system enhances agility and cornering precision. The 228i’s interior surrounds the driver and passengers in technological luxury with 10-way power front seats, iDrive navigation system with 8.8-inch touch screen, surround sound system and available moonroof. Take the wheel of this winner of both the 2014 Red Dot and iF Design awards. Available in 228i Coupe, 228i xDrive coupe, M235i coupe and M235i xDrive coupe models.
BMW 428i GRAN COUPE
BMW OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $40,300
MPG 23 city 34 highway
With its sporty stance and elegantly contoured profile, the 428i Gran Coupe is truly unforgettable. The 4 Series Gran Coupe seamlessly blends style with functionality offering a spacious interior design with 17 cubic feet of trunk space and a 20-40-20 split rear fold-down seats. The exclusive Active Driving Assistant include lane departure and frontal-collision warnings as well as pedestrian warnings, and BMW’s available Head-Up Display projects key information onto the windshield to minimize distraction. The 428i is also available with BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive technology. Available in 428i Gran Coupe, 428i xDrive Gran Coupe, 435i Gran Coupe and 435i xDrive Gran Coupe models.
BMW i3
BMW OF BAKERSFIELD
MSRP Starting at $41,350
MPG 70-110 miles per full charge
Fueled by innovation and designed from the ground up with sustainability in mind, BMW’s visionary all-electric i Series is the “holistic approach to the mobility of tomorrow.” The i3’s frame is made from recyclable carbon fiber, and was named the 2014 World Green Car of the Year. With the i3, eco-friendly doesn’t mean any compromise in performance. The 170-horsepower motor can propel the i3 from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds, and an available range extender increases the i3’s range to up to 180 miles between charges. The i3’s spacious interior includes BMW’s iDrive 4.2 Navigation System with real-time traffic information, city-collision mitigation, HD radio and BMW Apps.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PHOTO COURTESY OF WALTER MORTENSEN INSURANCE
BUSINESS PROFILE
The Walter Mortensen Insurance/INSURICA team: Mark Pryor, Aaron Uribe, Clint Phillips, Jaime Ritchie, Larry Feil, Jim Lundy, Brenda Thomas, Jason Findley and Josh Wall.
WALTER MORTENSEN INSURANCE
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or 95 years, Walter Mortensen Insurance/INSURICA has been protecting the businesses and families of Bakersfield and Kern County. Among the 25 largest insurance agencies in the United States, WMI/INSURICA has the resources necessary to handle the unique needs of clients throughout a variety of industry groups. Walter Mortensen At the Insurance/INSURICA center of 8500 Stockdale Highway, Suite 200 those resources is 834-6222 their current insurica.com team of account executives, the insurance professionals who provide WMI/INSURICA clients with an in-depth understanding of their risk and how best to manage it. Meet the WMI/INSURICA Team: Mark Pryor Mark joined WMI in 2012. Having recently participated in Leadership Bakersfield, Mark has strong ties to the community including his involvement with such organizations as Bakersfield Youth Symphony and the Armenian Church Camp Committee. Mark mixes his insurance knowledge with his 114
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community involvement to protect the main street businesses of Bakersfield. Aaron Uribe Aaron is a graduate of Bakersfield High School and Cal State Bakersfield, where he earned his degree in public administration. He is focused on business sectors that are vital to Kern County industries including energy, agriculture, transportation and healthcare. He joined WMI in 2010. Clint Phillips, CIC Clint earned his bachelor’s from Biola University in 1997 and began his career at WMI in 2001. His strengths are in workers’ compensation, general liability and professional liability especially as they apply to the construction, energy and mining industries. Jaime Ritchie Jaime began her insurance career in 2004 and joined WMI in 2010. She has developed an emphasis in the energy, hospitality, temporary staffing, agriculture and commercial real estate industries. As part of her continued commitment to education, Jaime is currently working to obtain the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. Larry Feil A veteran of the insurance industry, Larry joined WMI in 1997. His areas of focus include the agriculture, farm equipment dealers and manufacturers, construction, energy and transportation industries. Larry also specializes in employee benefits programs, loss control and workers’ compensation.
November 2014
Jim Lundy, CIC Jim began his insurance career in 1984 and joined WMI in 1990. As one of the first CICs, Jim has demonstrated his expertise as an insurance professional. Jim specializes in agriculture and its related industries. Brenda Thomas, CIC Brenda’s insurance career began in 1979. She joined WMI in 1987 where she focuses on property and casualty and medical benefits programs for the construction, energy, and manufacturing industries. Brenda has maintained a special program for oil field consultants since 2005. Jason Findley, CRM, CIC Jason began his insurance career in 2000, joining WMI in 2002. A member of Construction Financial Management Association, American Energy Service Contractors and American Society of Safety Engineers, he focuses on the construction and energy services industries. Jason frequently assists clients with various alternative risk financing techniques, such as captives and large deductible programs. Josh Wall Josh is a BHS graduate who began his career at WMI in 2008 after obtaining his finance degree from San Diego State University. He is active in various community nonprofits, including the Kern County Builders’ Exchange. Josh’s industry focus includes nonprofit organizations, construction, agriculture and energy.
BUSINESS PROFILE
The staff of Wayne Long & Company.
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stablished in 1984, Wayne Long & Company began operation as a sole proprietorship and has grown into a full-service firm. We are one of the leading local providers of accounting and tax services in Bakersfield. Why choose us? • Client retention – We have cultivated long-term relationships with our clients. Most have been with our firm for 20plus years or more. • Client advocacy - Through conWayne Long & Company tinual analysis of your accounting 1502 Mill Rock Way, Suite 200 and business practices, we seek effi664-0909 ciencies and recommend money welcpa.com saving strategies for your future. • Audit success – We offer unparalleled audit representation and work diligently to be your strongest ally.
OUR STORY Beyond our firm values of responsiveness, professional116
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PHOTO BY VALDOPHYE PHOTOGRAPHY
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
ism and quality work, Wayne Long & Co. distinguishes its name and reputation through continual problem solving and analytical applications. We are comprised of a highly specialized group of certified public accountants, support and clerical staff. Our CPAs offer more than 340 combined years of experience. Through virtually non-existent turnover, we build strong and lasting relationships and provide continued representation to every client. Our greatest service to you is our ability to read between the lines. We continually analyze your operating results and financial positions to seek efficiencies and recommend money saving strategies for your future. Our involvement in professional affiliations, as well as community events, demonstrates our commitment to offer leadership and education. We maintain a constant awareness of developments that affect our profession as well as the services we provide by pursuing continued education and participation in professional and civic organizations. The firm participates in a quality peer review process administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as a guarantee to our continued quality and improvement. Our firm has successfully complied with the quality control standards administered by the AICPA Peer Review Division.
PA S T I M E S
OFFERINGS OF LOVE FROM THE LIVING Hispanic community remembers loved ones passed during Dia de los Muertos By Gabriel Ramirez
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Several friends combined to make one altar honoring individual family members and friends at the Altares de Familia de Bakersfield Museum. 118
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PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO
nce the costumes have been put away, the jack-o'-lantern flames turned off and most of the candy eaten, many Hispanics around the world prepare to honor those who have passed with an equally flamboyant celebration known as Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. For Ricardo Leyva Mejia and Juventina Leyva, Dia de los Muertos, or Todos Santos (All Saints) as it is also known, is a day for them to remember their son Steve Martin Leyva Mora and their nephew Humberto Leyva Guzman, who both died around this time of year. “We have always observed Dia de los Muertos, but since the passing of my brother Steve, it’s given us a chance to focus more on the holiday,” said Ricardo and Juventina’s son Cuauhtemoc Oliver Leyva. “Every year we fill the altars with my brother’s favorite things, which
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART
The Altares de Familia art and festival at the Bakersfield Museum of Art features many cultural activities, including those for children.
allows us to remember him as he was in life (and) his personality by putting a picture of his favorite movie, his favorite fast food and his favorite beer.” The family includes everything from Jolly Ranchers candy to traditional items like sugar skulls, pan de muertos and candles in the altars. “This day is a time for us to remember our loved ones who have passed on to a better life,” Ricardo Leyva Mejia said. Leyva Mejia said many people also make pilgrimages back to their hometowns to celebrate their ancestors and deceased family. During Dia de los Muertos, many families build small special altars in their homes or at cemeteries to honor their passed ones. “This day is known as the day when God gives the deceased permission to visit their family and because of that reason we build these altars for Todos Santos,” Leyva Mejia said. “Altars are typically made with arches of tree branches that are adorned with flowers. The altars are then decorated by the whole family, including the children.” These altars are usually filled with foods, including special breads, fruit, drinks, tortillas, water, a variety of candy and anything else that would give joy to the deceased. “Dia de los Muertos is a day to remember our loved ones that have passed and a time of nostalgia when we get to remember them as a family and take joy in being together,” Juventina said. This year, the holiday begins on Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 2. The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) in partnership with the Bakersfield Museum of Art, Bright House Networks and Kern Federal Credit Union is celebrating the holiday with their sixth annual Altares de Familia – Dia de los Muertos event at the Bakersfield Art Museum grounds and Mill Creek Park area from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 2. Altares de Familia stands for “family altars.” “We will have food, vendors, blessing of the altars, Aztec dancers, mariachis, exhibitions, kids’ activities and live music by
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Mento Buru to end the night,â&#x20AC;? said Jay Tamsi, president and CEO of the KCHCC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The event is important to provide and sustain cultural awareness in our community.â&#x20AC;? Tamsi said he enjoys seeing people from all ethnicities gather together to celebrate those who have passed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important we keep the tradition alive in Bakersfield as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done in other cities and countries,â&#x20AC;? Tamsi said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cultural and educational aspects of the event are most important to me.â&#x20AC;? Tickets are $3 per person, children age 6 and younger get in free. To reserve a spot for an altar or sugar skull class, please call BMOA at 323-7219 or visit bmoa.org. To inquire about food, vendor, entertainment line-up, and other information, contact KCHCC at 6335495 or visit kchcc.org.
An altar made for Steve Martin Leyva Mora in Bakersfield.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF RICARDO ROMULO LEYVA MEJIA
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HOME AND GARDEN
SPLENDID SUCCULENTS
Succulents prove to be the perfect low-maintenance plant By Marissa Lay
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resh and full of color, plants bring life into the home. But with that life comes responsibility. If you are someone who struggles to keep plants alive, don’t count yourself out just yet. Succulents may be the just plant for you. These are a special kind of plant. Succulents have developed water-storing tissues that allow them to adapt in harsh situations and survive without daily watering. While cacti are the most recognizable succulents, not all succulents are cacti. Ranging in color, shape, and size, anyone can find the perfect succulent to fit into his or her life.
PICKING A POT According to the Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose, succulents grow successfully in pots of clay or plastic. What matters most is drainage. “Regardless of the material the pot is made of, it must allow good drainage,” states the Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose’s website, csssj.org. A succulent cannot grow successfully in a pot without drainage holes.
SUCCULENT SOILS While succulent soil can be found in stores, many gardeners like to create their own soil mixes. Like the pots that house them, succulents’ soil should be able to drain well. According to the Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose, the best way to achieve this result is to add horticultural grade sand and grit to the compost component of the soil. Start with a good commercial potting mix for the compost component. You can sift it through a screen to remove undesirables,
A plethora of plants were on display at the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society’s annual show and sale. 122
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A Mammillaria bombycina, a winning entry from Sidney Kelley.
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Shoppers enjoy the plants on display at the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society’s annual show and sale.
such as woods and twigs. Do not use peat-based compost; it brings unwanted pests that can attack your plant. The sand component should be horticultural grade, coarse and sharp. Non-horticultural grade sand can often contain harmful ingredients. Most agree horticultural pumice is the best element for the grit component of your soil. Other options include pearlite, porous gravel and lava fines.
HSC is proud to announce the opening of our High Pressure Iron Testing and Recertification Facility for our Bakersfield Branch. HSC has industry certified technicians to serve all of your equipment needs to ensure that your equipment is safe and free of washout and corrosion. INSPECTIONS INCLUDE 1. VISUAL INSPECTION - Looking for wash out and corrosion that’s identifiable to the naked eye. 2. ULTRA SONIC THICKNESS TEST - A gauging process used to identify thickness of metal. 3. MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION - An inspection using magnetic particles to identify cracks and discontinuities in metal.
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY While growing, succulents need to be watered at least once a week. Allow the water to soak the soil and drain out of the pots drainage holes. When the weather cools, and the plants enter a rest period, they do not require as much water and you can increase the time between each watering. Some succulents are winter growers and others are summer growers. “You must know your plant,” said Sidney Kelley, a member of the
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4. HYDROSTATIC TESTING-Pressure test using air and water. Plug valves - ball valves - swivel joints - pup joints fittings - vessels - temporary piping -manifolds - flanges welds - down hole tools -pumps
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Continued from page 123 Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society. “In the heat of a Bakersfield summer, many plants take a rest until the heat lowers. During this time, most need less water. The same holds true for the cold winter temperatures. Less water even for the winter growers.”
LIGHT IT UP Most succulents thrive in bright lights, but not all can tolerate direct and intense lights. Too much light can leave your plant with an off-colored, bleached look. Moving your plant into different lighting needs to be a slow transition. Too drastic of a change can scorch your plant, scarring it for life. Pay attention to the signs your plant is giving you. If it isn’t receiving enough light, the succulent will appear to be reaching for the light and grow out of its normal proportions. To learn more about different succulents and get advice on protecting, growing and maintaining succulents, check out the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2216 17th St., at 6:30 p.m. Visit their Facebook page or website at bakersfieldcactus.org.
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A Mammillaria candida by Stephen Cooley.
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The overall winner at the Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Society's annual show and sale from Richard Amaya was an Orbea variegata, also known as a carrion flower or star flower.
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This Echinocactus grusonii resembles a Nerf ball with toothpicks sticking out of it. bakersfieldlife.com
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
GATHER THE GIRLS Girls Day Out featuring Taste of Home event dishes up another helping of shopping, cooking lessons just in time for the holidays By Melissa Peaker-Whitten
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ather your girlfriends for a day of shopping, then channel your inner chef at The Bakersfield Californian’s sixth annual Taste of Home Cooking School. This year’s festive event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1. The Girl’s Day Out event sponsored by Bakersfield Heart Hospital includes a shopping expo featuring approximately 60 local vendors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the Taste of Home Cooking School sponsored by Smart and Final from 3 to 6 p.m. Girls Day Out will showcase local merchants and boutiques specializing in fashion, beauty and home accessories, all under one roof. Get a head start on your holiday shopping or simply spoil yourself. After a funfilled afternoon of shopping, grab a drink and a snack, and rest your feet while watching the live cooking show. Taste of Home is America’s leading cooking school program. Their demonstrations feature recipes using ingredients easily found at your local grocery store and are submitted by home cooks from across the country. This year’s event will be taught by Culinary Specialist Jamie Dunn. “From experienced home chefs to beginners learning their way around the kitchen, the Taste of Home Cooking School offers something for everyone — putting a fresh spin on old favorites and adding new recipes to your seasonal repertoire,” Dunn said. “Gingerbread cheesecake is one of the recipes that will be demonstrated at the show. With its rich and creamy texture and mouthwatering flavors, this twist on gingerbread is the perfect fall choice to make for your family and friends.” Attendees will receive a gift bag including the Taste of Home magazines, which includes recipes featured during the program, along with many more, as well as coupons and other goodies from participating national food companies. 126
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Each ticket holder will also receive an entry for dozens of prizes, including a pair of Uggs and the event’s grand prize giveaway — a seven-night trip to Hawaii including round-trip airfare for two and lodging at the Sheraton Hotel in Honolulu. This is the first year the event is being held on a Saturday instead of a week night, according to Mira Patel, marketing contractor for The Californian. The change of date will open more time for shopping before the cooking school begins. “It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with the girls,” Patel said. VIP tickets provide access to the Urner’s VIP lounge, as well as early entrance to the shopping expo at 10 a.m., a hardcover cookbook, a shopping tote, preferred seating in the orchestra section for the cooking school, food sampling and drink tickets. VIPs also have a chance to win exclusive prizes during a
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
PHOTO COURTESY OF TASTE OF HOME MAGAZINE
Apple-brined chicken thighs
The Rabobank Convention Center becomes a flurry of activity during Taste of Home Cooking School.
champagne reception at 1 p.m. General admission includes entrance to the event at 11 a.m., shopping expo entry, and open seating for the cooking school. Buy your tickets three easy ways: in-person at the Rabobank Theater Box Office, online at ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone by calling 800-745-3000. Visit taste.bakersfield.com for details, such as ticket prices, and a list of vendors.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GASLIGHT MELODRAMA THEATRE & MUSIC HALL
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
The cast of “Witches of Westchester” is ready to entertain in this comedic new musical melodrama.
Plays to make you laugh, cry and revel in the holiday spirit By Gabriel Ramirez
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f you are tired of watching reality show reruns or waiting for the next big blockbuster, you have plenty of options to choose from courtesy of Bakersfield’s many live theater productions. You don’t have to leave town to watch good live theater. This season of shows promises everything from tearjerking dramas to laugh-out loud comedies and sing-along musicals for you and your family’s enjoyment.
COMMUNITY THEATRE Bakersfield’s community theatre scene continues to thrive with shows for all audiences. You can enjoy Christmasthemed shows at a few theatres, listen to a story in song with “Hair” and even have a great dinner as you watch live shows 128
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A good witch (played by Emily Candia, left) and her friends try to thwart a villainous Fresno native (Charlie Gamble) from turning Bakersfield into “Fresno South” in Gaslight Melodrama’s “Witches of Westchester.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GASLIGHT MELODRAMA THEATRE & MUSIC HALL
SONG AND CAMP
at Stars Theatre. Bob Kempf, artistic director at The Empty Space, said that this season at The Empty Space audience members can expect an eclectic selection of exciting classic and contemporary plays, including popular and award-winning musicals, dramas, and comedies. "The Empty Space provides affordable quality entertainment in an intimate atmosphere. Seeing a show at The Empty Space is a unique experience for theatre-goers unaccustomed to having the performers so near,” Kempf said. “The immediacy of the performance makes for a vicariously exciting evening of entertainment." The Empty Space “Hair,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 7-29; 2 p.m. Nov 16 and 8 p.m. Nov. 20. “A Very Empty Christmas,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 521; 2 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. 706 Oak St. Tickets are donations. Visit www.esonline.org or call 327-PLAY(7529). Stars Theatre “Moon Over Buffalo,” 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 7-22; 12:30 p.m. Nov. 9 and 16. “Winter Wonderettes,” 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 5-20; 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14. 1931 Chester Ave. Ticket prices vary depending on meal selection. Visit www.bmtstars.com or call 325-6100. The Gas Light Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall “The Witches of Westchester,” 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. matinee Sundays through Nov. 15. $23 adults; $21 seniors 60 and older; $12 students with ID and children age 12 and younger. “Gaslight Holiday Extravaganza: A Christmas for Santa Claus” 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; 1 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 28-Dec. 23. $25 general admission; $23 seniors and children. 12478 Jomani Drive. Visit www.themelodrama.com or call 587-3377.
COLLEGE PRODUCTIONS Cal State Bakersfield’s theatre department will continue to amaze and entertain audiences with everything from a tale of struggle during the Dust Bowl to a French farce. “This year we have a wide variety of styles of theater, from oral history to surrealistic drama to theater for young audiences to farce,” said Mandy Rees, CSUB Music and Theatre Department chair. “There is truly something for everyone. From ‘Dust Thou Art’ and ‘The Water Play,’ look at social issues relevant to this community: migration and the drought. ‘Lorca in a Green Dress’ is a fascinating and lyrical imagining of the death of the great Spanish poet, Garcia Lorca.” “From Dust Thou Art” 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Nov. 2, CSUB Doré Theatre $10 general admission, $8 seniors age 60 and older/CSUB faculty and staff, $5 students with ID. Visit csub.edu/theatre/productions/season for more shows and details.
THE HIGH SCHOOL STAGE Local high school theater groups also have lots of family enter-
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PHOTO BY PETER W. BECKMAN
Local theaters have plenty of merry shows planned for the fall and winter. Last year Stars Theatre presented "A Gleeful Rosie Holiday” and this year they’re serving up “Winter Wonderettes” for the holidays.
Continued from page 129 tainment planned for this upcoming season. “This year's theater season is family friendly and traditional, with a dash of wild improv,” said Carla Stanley, visual and performing arts chair and theater arts teacher at Shafter High School. West High School theater/film and technical theatre teacher, Genia Owens, said that this season at West High will bring lots of different laughs with dark comedy, slapstick and high physical comedy. “Students are the future of our industry and they have worked very hard to master their craft at such a young age,” Owens said. “The cultural experience (of theater) is unlike any other type of entertainment and should be experienced by people of all ages.” Cindy Pope, visual and performing arts chair for Stockdale High School, invites the public to come experience the fabulous season they will have planned. Pope selects shows she loves and that will involve many students. “We will be presenting our Improv Show in November. The theme this year is ‘On the Sea,’” Pope said. “In March, we will be presenting ‘The Addams Family Musical.’ Our musical incorporates all our Fine Arts Department. Our choir teacher is our vocal coach, our band director conducts the orchestra and the art department is helping with the painting and the makeup for the show.”
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High school productions Arvin High School “The Crucible,” Jan. 15,16,17 and 24. “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee,” April 16, 17, 18, 24 and 25. Visit arvin.kernhigh.org. Bakersfield High School “Play On!” 7 p.m., Nov. 6, 7, 14 and 15. “The Holly Jolly Christmas Follies,” December. Visit bakersfield.kernhigh.org. Foothill High School “He's Over You,” Valentine's Day weekend. “Sister Act,” May. “Zorro de Bako,” May. Visit foothill.kernhigh.org. Frontier High School “Catch Me If You Can,” March 19-21. Visit frontier.kernhigh.org.
Independence High School “Twelve Angry Jurors,” Nov. 13-15 “Annie,” April 17, 18, 24 and 25. Visit independence.kernhigh.org. Shafter High School “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 7 p.m. Dec. 11-13. “The Outsiders” 7 p.m. March 5-7. Visit shafter.kernhigh.org. Stockdale High School “Mirror, Mirror – On the Sea” 7 p.m. Nov. 19 and 22; 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 22. “The Addams Family,” 7 p.m. March 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13; 2 p.m. March 14. Visit stockdale.kernhigh.org. West High School “Nuts in May,” March. Visit west.kernhigh.org.
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INSIDE STORY
IN THE PIT Story and photos by Mark Nessia
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ong before drivers get the green light and step on the gas, pit crews are hard at work ensuring their cars perform at the highest level. With two to three crew members tending to each vehicle, Bakersfield Speedway’s pits are where some races are won and lost. A good driver can’t win if the car isn’t set right – something car owner Bill Henderson and driver Kyle Heckman know all too well. Henderson and his team are coming off recent International Motor Contest Association Modified track titles. The crew has been working together for four years, ensuring the cars are in top condition before and after each race. Modifications and adjustments have to be made depending on track conditions, something that can mean the difference between finishing first and finishing last. “Races are won in the shop,” Heckman said. “Preparation is a huge part of racing.”
Kyle Heckman and his pit crew relax in the supply trailer before the opening races at Bakersfield Speedway.
Driver Kyle Heckman, left, and Erick Stromgren get the No. 11x car ready for its race. IMCA Modified track champion Kyle Heckman prepares for his race Oct. 11 at Bakersfield Speedway.
Erick Stromgren tightens the nuts on the wheels of the No. 11x car owned by Bill Henderson and driven by Kyle Heckman. 132
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Kyle Heckman inspects his vehicle to see if any adjustments need to be made prior to his race.
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Steve Heckman, father of driver Kyle, cleans the tires of the No. 11x car to ensure better traction on the track.
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IN MY CLOSET
DAVID TORRES Bakersfield attorney counts military attire among prized possessions
Attorney David Torresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; closet is as well put together and as sharp as he is. 134
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By Bakersfield Life
M
any may know David Torres through his reputation as a Bakersfield attorney. But style does not fall far behind in his notable characteristics. The husband and father of five not only carefully pours over documents and prepares for his courtroom hearings, but he is also attentive in selecting the perfect professional attire. We asked him to share his meticulous sense of style with readers. Five prized possessions in my closet: Since I retired from the military last year, I would have to say my U.S. Army dress blue, formal mess dress, and class A (green) uniforms. I am very proud of my service to our country and from time to time, as a retired lieutenant colonel, I am authorized to wear the uniform for special military occasions. With the exception of a comfortable pair of jeans, I can’t really place my finger on anything else as I don’t have a particular suit which I favor. Style is important because: It expresses individuality in a profession that requires formality. It becomes monotonous and tedious wearing dark suits and white shirts on a daily basis. Style gives one an outlet to mix it up a bit and to add a little flair to one’s wardrobe.
My personal style: It consists of traditional elements but with a contemporary cut. I often pair traditional patterned suits with brighter colors or mix patterns like stripes and paisley to freshen up an otherwise “traditional” suit. The type and colors of shoes are important as well. What people say about my fashion: Some people say my clothing is flashy; others say too flashy. But I do receive many positive comments about my suit of the day. I have four daughters who are into fashion and dress well so they appreciate having a father who dresses in what they perceive as within the boundaries of contemporary fashion. Style tips: I get a lot of my style tips from my wife, Angie, my oldest daughter, Alekxia, and my legal assistant, Erika Martinez. They are always quick to tell me when a pocket square does not match or certain patterns are incompatible. In addition, they are always relentlessly pushing me out of my comfort zone to try new suit cuts or styles. Favorite designers/brands: The type of shoes I prefer are Allen Edmonds and Johnston & Murphy because they are not only comfortable but also made in America. My favorite suit “designer” is Jack Aswani. He is my tailor and the tailor to several other attorneys in town. Jack visits Bakersfield from Hong Kong at least three times a year to custom fit and tailor my suits and shirts. Also, my wife and daughters purchase ties for me from time to time.
David Torres’ Army uniforms are his most valued wardrobe possessions.
Fashion advice: Invest in staple pieces, such as grey, black, and navy blue suits. Always have a clean, crisp white shirt. Start with the basics and build from there. Staple every man should have: Shoe polish and shoe brush. From my observations, many men (and women) neglect their shoes. As my Marine Corps drill instructor used to say, “Your shoes should not look like they were shined with a melted Hershey bar.”
David Torres' closet houses more than 20 pairs of shoes from designers like Stacy Adams, Allen Edmonds, and Johnston & Murphy.
Fashion in the courtroom: Style is all about perception, and perception is everything in our profession. It translates to confidence. That confidence is communicated to your colleagues, potential jurors and clients. Fashion in the courtroom is a positive so long as your style remains professional and within the limits of good taste. bakersfieldlife.com
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HISTORY
Otto Kamprath, Dr. Parker S. Wilbur (behind the wheel) and his wife enjoy a ride in a Tourist circa 1908.
SCORCHING IN KERN COUNTY Early automobiles blazed into the San Joaquin Valley By Ken Hooper
T
he automobile had scarcely been created in 1907 before automobile drivers were “scorching” through Bakersfield at top speed. Drivers had no fear of breaking speeding laws because no local ordinance against speeding had been written, nor had speed limit signs been created and posted. No fear of a speeding ticket existed. Scorching wasn’t just a reflection of the temperatures in the southern San Joaquin Valley; it was a term used to describe people driving their automobiles at high speed on the wagon roads of Kern County. In 1906, 30,000 automobiles were made in the United States and sold at a substantial sum of $1,700 to $2,000 per vehicle. Adjusted for inflation, that’s equivalent to $50,000 in today’s economy. In the early years, the price of automobiles precluded anyone but the very wealthy from owning a car. By 1906, the price of cars continued to drop as more factories 136
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opened and new models arrived on the market. The year 1907 would open with declarations that California now led all other states in car ownership per capita with one car for every 173 residents. Kern County, with its warm weather and open spaces, was a perfect fit for open cockpit automobiles. A Bakersfield Californian advertisement for the Bakersfield Garage in August 1907 read, “We have also a very complete line of automobile gloves and glasses for either the men or the ladies. We have the very latest in men’s auto caps and hats just arrived from New York.” The horse and automobile culture sometime clashed with expected results. The Bakersfield Californian reported on Feb. 2, 1907 of a runaway horse hitched to a riderless buggy racing through the heart of downtown Bakersfield on 19th Street at 7:30 p.m. The horse and buggy were found behind the home of Jim Preston on the corner of 18th and C streets. Preston drove the horse and buggy into town intending to place it in a stable, but just as he arrived downtown and stopped to explain his discovery to a friend, the chug chug of an automobile could be heard. The Californian reported, “The two men reached the street in time to see rig and horse rapidly disappearing in the direction of Kern City.” By Oct. 1, 1907, W.E. Drury of the Bakersfield Auto Supply Company had secured the agency for the Duro automobile company of Los Angeles while on a trip to the Southland. On the same trip, W.E. Drury returned with a new royal blue Tourist touring car for William S. Tevis. The Tourist automobile was one of the most popular cars sold in Bakersfield
Continued on page 138
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An automobile, horses and a trolley share 19th Street in this 1905 photograph taken from Chester Avenue looking west.
Continued from page 136 before the demise of the company in 1912. Racing automobiles between cities for speed records became a point of pride for automobile companies. Races to Pismo Beach and back to Bakersfield warranted a note in The Bakersfield Californian and the Bakersfield Morning Echo newspapers. Races between Maxwells, Autocars, REOs, Mitchells, and Tourists on 3- and 4-mile courses were used as
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promotional advertising in the San Joaquin Valley as potential customers were invited to view the trophies at local garages. Before the onset of car dealerships, local automotive garages such as the Bakersfield Garage at 1725 19th St., the Erb Garage on the corner of 19th and G streets, and the Central Garage at 20th Street and Chester Avenue acted as agencies for car manufacturing companies from around the United States. The Central Garage, managed by B.B. Sharp, sold the automobile known as an REO. An advertisement for the garage in December 1907 in The Californian read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The officially timed run made by Mr. Harry Hansue from Los Angeles to Bakersfield in 7 hours and 18 minutes, in a REO stock car, was made not so much to demonstrate the well-known speed of the REO machine, but to show what the car will do on the worst of roads and under most adverse conditions.â&#x20AC;? From 1898 to 1907, the number of automobile builders in the United States grew from four to 234, of whom 218 made gasoline engine models, 19 produced electric cars, and 14 produced steam powered cars. By the end of the decade, the automobile was moving from a recreational activity and fad of the upper class to a means of reliable and convenient transportation. However, it would be several more years before Fords and Chevrolets would be priced within reach of the middle class.
POWER COUPLE
JULIE AND JOEL HANEY Musical couple finds harmony together Compiled by Bakersfield Life
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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
I
tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to avoid cliches about making sweet music when talking about Julie and Joel Haney. Not only are the Haneys each talented musicians, but they are also sweet in the best sense of the word. Married for 15 years, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve built their relationship on respect and reverence for each other and their shared love of music. Julie plays many parts a concertmaster of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, a studio instructor of violin at Cal State Bakersfield, a private violin teacher and chamber musician. Joel also keeps busy as an associate professor of music at CSUB teaching music history and literature, coaching students in chamber music ensembles, and helping coordinate the Music Program. The Haneys have two children, Isaac, 9, and Faith, 7.
How did the two of you meet? Joel: We played in the orchestra together at St. Olaf College, a small Lutheran liberal arts school in southern Minnesota with a huge music program. I was very impressed that Julie was already concertmaster of the top orchestra as a sophomore. We also had music history classes together and competed for the top grades. But we didn’t date until Julie’s last year of college (she was a year ahead of me), and then we kept it up long-distance for five years before finally getting married and landing back in the same state. How did you know he/she was the one? Julie: Joel was the first guy around whom I never felt stupid or inadequate; I could ask him anything, and he’d always answer me with dignity. He also made me laugh really hard; he can be a great storyteller. What’s his/her best quality? Joel: Julie’s best quality is her quiet strength. She never calls attention to herself, even though she’s so capable. She’s a model of humility and patience. Julie: He has many great qualities, but this time I'll choose the way he engages people in conversation from a position of inherent respect. I think he approaches his students, colleagues, strangers, friends, kids, and wife with the same sense of dignity. What’s your favorite weekend activity to do together? Joel: We often don’t get much time together on the weekends due to our work schedules and the household chores that get pushed off until then. When we do find together time, either on weekends or on a weeknight, we enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes stories aloud to each other, alternating the pages. They’re so well written, and it’s fun to fake the British accents! What are you most proud of about your wife/husband? Julie: I’m most proud that Joel found his calling teaching music history. He is both passionate about his work and seems to be a gifted professor, his students love him! Initially, Joel’s career path was not exactly straight, and we’ve been together through some transitions, so it makes his success all the sweeter. He also makes priorities to be a wonderful father and to maintain a spiritual life, which are not easy things to balance with his work life. Joel: I’m most proud of Julie’s musical fearlessness. She has a remarkable ability to let go on her instrument and just allow the music to happen. And when she does this, watch out! What’s your secret to a happy marriage? Julie: Practice, practice, practice! I don’t think we own the secret, but right now it’s extremely rewarding to be able to share a passion for music from two different perspectives (academic and performance). We learn a lot from each other. Joel: Communication. We were told the importance of this when we got married, and it has proven true. I would include here the ability to philosophize together about life and spiritual matters — taking the time to talk about what matters most and to grow together in our understanding. Also, simple kindness. When our son was on the way, my dad told us, “Be gentle to each other,” and that is a lesson that we both have tried to follow.
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REAL PEOPLE
Kristen Torres is living her dream as the band director at Golden Valley High School.
MARCHING TO HER OWN BEAT Homegrown music whiz picks up the baton at Golden Valley High School By Chelsea Brewer
S
o many of us can go back to our high school days and fondly remember the legacy of the band nerds. Even I can remember being a part of the color guard team, twirling and tossing my flag behind the band. To this day, I can still remember every beat to my school’s drum march. For Kristen Torres that drum march determined the
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course of her life. An avid music lover, Torres was born and raised in Bakersfield. She started playing the flute when she was in elementary school. In her senior year of high school, her band director, Regina Montano of East Bakersfield High School, encouraged her to audition for drum major. “That ultimately helped me realize that I wanted to become a band director,” Torres said. Torres continued to play the flute and drums and picked up several other instruments over the years. While she attended Cal State Bakersfield, Montano continued to support and mentor her former student and encouraged her to pursue musical education. When a band director position opened up at Golden Valley High School this year, Torres immediately applied, and has since begun her first year as a teacher. “Kristen has started her career here at Golden Valley with a bang,” said Golden Valley Theatre Arts Director Sheila McClure. “She’s a delight to work with, and her students have fully embraced her as their new director. Her energy and passion are infectious!”
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Golden Valley High School band director Kristen Torres works with her students during a morning class.
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How can you not be energetic when you get to teach something as cool as a history of rock and roll class? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have the best job in the world,â&#x20AC;? Torres said. Along with teaching the rock and roll class, Torres runs the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instrumental music program. Her happy workload includes the Golden Valley High School Marching Band Brigade, and both intermediate and beginning band. Principal Paul Helman is also pleased with the energy that Torres has brought to the campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kristen has a spunk and spark that has lit up the Golden Valley music program,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her dedication, commitment, and passion for music education serve as a positive example for our students.â&#x20AC;? Torres was raised in a loving and supportive family that still lives in Bakersfield and exposed to music at a young age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always loved music. It has always been a part of my life,â&#x20AC;? she said. (Torresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother was a flautist back in her high school days.) Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder that her drive and passion for music are shining through her talents as a teacher. So what kind of music does a 25-yearold band director listen to? Everything, of
â&#x20AC;&#x153;
course! From classical to rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll, Torres finds happiness in any rhythm she hears. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a favorite artist or band; there are too many awesome musicians out there to choose just one,â&#x20AC;? Torres said. Still, she lists jazz as her favorite type of music to play, something you might not expect to hear from such a young musician. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kristen is amazing,â&#x20AC;? said Aaron Wherry, Fine Arts Department chair at Golden Valley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has a great work ethic and is great with our students. She makes our award-winning department even stronger.â&#x20AC;? Clearly, the band students at Golden Valley are lucky to have this new teacher guiding them along the musical path, teaching them precisely how to march to their own drum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The greatest reward from teaching music is getting to work with the students. My kids work extremely hard, and they have so much potential. It is a joy to come to work every day and see their progress,â&#x20AC;? Torres said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m biased, but I feel like I have the best kids in the world! They are the reason why my dream of becoming a band director is now a reality.â&#x20AC;?
The greatest reward from teaching music is getting to work with the students. It is a joy to come to work every day and see their progress
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John Pitre, pictured here with a 1940 Chevy Deluxe Convertible, is a king of cars. Before his days as general manager of Motor City, Pitre did mechanic work to help pay for college.
KING OF THE ROAD Motor City chief embraces the turns in the road as they come By Diana Greenlee
O
n a crisp Saturday morning, John Pitre, Motor City’s chief operating officer, is seated in his comfortable corner office scanning through a playlist on his iPhone. “I’m pretty much stuck in the ’70s,” the 55-yearold says, looking up from the phone, songs by Pavarotti, Carol King and Bob Dylan displayed on the screen. “I have 27 different stations on Pandora,” he says. “Pandora is in almost every new car now; there’s a plug in for the station.” With a sense of humor and a winning smile, Pitre seems to embrace change. Father of two grown daughters, Jacqueline, 27, Jillian, 23, and a son, Graham, 22, Pitre also has 3year-old daughter Addison with his wife of five years, Cindy, 40, an accountant with Bolthouse Farms. The seasoned dad takes an active role in his little girl’s life. “Addison just started soccer; it’s a ‘daddy and me’ class, so I’m out there on the field,” he said chuckling. “But I
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PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
PHOTO BY MARK NESSIA
PERSONALITY
coached AYSO for years.” In addition to soccer, Pitre follows college sports, but doesn’t pay much heed to the pros. “The college players have a lot more heart in the game,” he said. “They have something to prove, not just a check to collect.” Pitre’s resume reflects that same work ethic and drive. Although the executive was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California, he’s lived in Bakersfield for more than 25 years. A second-generation U.S. citizen, his grandparents are Italian immigrants. He attended UCLA, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in Italian, a skill he knew he’d need to converse with family members. “I wanted to be able to speak to my relatives in Italy,” he said. “My grandmother gave me a trip to Italy as a [college] graduation present. I stayed for almost a year.” Pitre’s family had an impact on his career path, too. His father, an electrical engineer, shared a love for autos, and his grandfather was a mechanic, a position the executive also held at one point. “I’ve turned wrenches,” Pitre said. “That’s what I did to get through college.” Toyota’s corporate office in the Southland recruited the Bruin right out of school; he stayed with them four years as a field sales executive before joining the Penske Motor Group in 1988, moving to the retail side of the business as the general
parts, including paint and body. It took him a decade, but he did the restoration himself. Discussing the project, Pitreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tone shifts between pride in the vehicle and endearment for his old friend. Motor City owner Richard Stricklen, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Literally, it was just a center, and general manager John rust bucket,â&#x20AC;? he said. Pitre, right, receive the Dealer of the Year award in 2011. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve bought other cars for my grown kids, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only car I personally own. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great old car.â&#x20AC;? The manager has an appreciation for the classics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both in music and in cars. But he isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid of the new. He said technological advances are making a big impact on the auto industry, and the best is yet to come. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hybrid technology and self-driving cars; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s [cars with] parking assist,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will all live to see phenomenal technology in the next 20 years.â&#x20AC;? Motor City has plans to expand their offerings, and the executive is preparing for growth throughout the company. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heading into a busy time, but at least heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got James Taylor along for the ride.
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manager. Pitre took over as the GM at the Bakersfield Penske dealership in 1990. Penske sold to Motor City Sales and Service in 1996. Today, Motor City houses three retail franchises: Lexus, GMC and Buick. The dealership covers 24 acres and accommodates 1,500 vehicles, with roughly 200 customer cars on any given day in service and the body shop. The dealership also maintains a separate rental car agency, U-Save Auto Rental, on the premises. Motor City employs 340 workers. Pitre knows Bakersfield residents are mighty particular when it comes to their vehicles. This is a truck town. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a high demand for pre-owned vehicles, especially trucks,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last June, the Sierra truck was the No. 1 selling new vehicle in Kern County. This is the only place in the country thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever happened.â&#x20AC;? Pitre drives cars in the used and reconditioned car inventory to maintain quality control and he drives the brand new ones to stay abreast of emerging technology. But his heart belongs to just one: a 1960 MG Midget. The carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous owner was Pitreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend Carey Griffith, a local salesman. Griffith died of cancer in 1994, leaving the project to him. Pitre said Griffithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife told him her husband knew his buddy would restore the old car to its former glory. Granted, Pitre has extensive automotive experience, having worked in every department in the dealership except
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FIT AND FRESH
FIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS Test out a healthy meal or fun run to keep trim just in time for Thanksgiving
By Sally Baker and Katie Kirschenmann
RUN 2 SING 5/10K, 8:30 A.M. NOV. 15 This event at Yokuts Park benefits Bakersfield High School’s amazing choir program. As they run the race route, runners will enjoy being serenaded by BHS choirs. $35 for 5K run/walk, $40 for 10K. Includes longsleeve shirt, snacks, water and raffle tickets. Contact Annette Russ, 204-7289. Register at ultrasignup.com.
FOOTHILLS MOUNTAIN BIKE/CYCLOCROSS FALL SERIES, 5:45 P.M. NOV. 12 No pre-registration necessary, just come along to the pistol range at Hart Park and sign up on race day. $20 per rider. All levels welcome. See race flier at sambarn.com for more info about scoring, categories, and post race grub, or email Sam Ames at sam@amesviolins.com.
PIE RUN, 6 A.M. NOV. 27
Fall colors make the Pie Run a great way to start off the Thanksgiving holiday. 146
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THINKSTOCK.COM PHOTO BY ROD THORNBURG
Our favorite Bakersfield tradition! Just follow the long line of headlights into Hart Park, and you will easily find the long picnic tables filling up with pies, muffins, cookies and drinks. As you stumble your way in the darkness, carrying your pie, an informal warmly dressed noisy crowd gathers. After a few words of welcome, someone will shout “Go,” and the festive group will swarm towards the pistol range and up the hill. The sun is just beginning to peak up beyond Breckenridge Mountain by the time the runners emerge on top of the flat lands above Hart Park. Choose your own distance, pace and route for this non-competitive, free event. Don’t worry, there will still be treats awaiting even after a nine miler. Return to the park for friendly conversation with new and old friends before heading home to put the turkey in the oven and take a warm shower. There’s no better way to start Thanksgiving. Don’t forget your pie!
PHOTOS BY SALLY BAKER
Chest fly on stability ball targets the chest and the triceps.
EXERCISE OF THE MONTH: CHEST FLY ON STABILITY BALL This is a moderately difficult strength training exercise targeting the chest and the triceps. Start by sitting on a stability ball while holding the weights. Walk your feet out until the ball supports your upper back, neck, shoulders and head. Feet are hip width apart, glutes activated, abdominals strong. Ideally, try to maintain a straight line from the knees to the shoulders to
stabilize as you perform the exercise. Bring the weights together over your chest, keep a slight bend at the elbow (palms facing each other), then extend arms open wide to each side. Inhale as you lower, exhale as you bring them together. Start with two sets of 10, gradually increasing reps until you can comfortably perform three sets of 15 before increasing the weight. Start by doing this exercise two times per week, increasing up to three or four times. Your chest strength should improve nicely, helping you
Herbed quinoa-stuffed acorn squash
PHOTO BY KATIE KIRSCHENMANN
Olive oil Salt and pepper
A Healthy Holiday It seems every year we say we are not going to overindulge at Thanksgiving. Yet we almost always fall prey to our weaker Turkey Day-selves and eat too much. One way to combat turkey belly is to surround yourself and your family with healthy options. In a quest to replace my grandmother’s very fattening and very buttery stuffed bell pepper recipe, I discovered the beauty of slow roasting veggies. By swapping out quinoa for rice and being careful not to be heavy handed with the salt and oil, this side dish is a Thanksgiving treat that is packed with healthy flavor.
Herb quinoa-stuffed acorn squash Ingredients 4 acorn squash, halved, seeds removed 4 cups brussel sprouts, quartered 4-5 cloves minced garlic ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, stems removed, chopped ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 large red bell pepper, diced 4 cups cooked tricolor quinoa
Roast Shallot “Vinaigrette” ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup olive oil 7-8 medium shallots, sliced 1 hefty drizzle of honey 2 sprigs thyme Salt and pepper to taste (Makes enough for two recipes of stuffed squash) Begin by prepping all of the ingredients. Once you’ve assembled everything the recipe can be complete in about 45 minutes. Prepare the tricolor quinoa according to the directions on the package (this can be made in advance). Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly brush the acorn squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Be restrained with the salt. Place squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and slide it into the oven for about 30 minutes or until fork tender. Next, toss the brussel sprouts, diced bell pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and light drizzle of olive oil onto a baking sheet. Make sure everything is evenly coated and in one layer. Place it in the same oven as the squash for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the sprouts have a nice color but are still crisp tender. In a small baking dish combine the shallots, balsamic, oil, honey, salt and pepper. Take care that the shallots are in one even layer. Slide it into the same oven for about 15 minutes until the shallots are deeply caramelized and the balsamic has reduced to a rich syrupy sauce. Periodically, check the oven to make sure nothing is overcooking or caramelizing too quickly. When everything is done roasting, you’re ready to assemble. Place the squash, cut side up, on a large serving dish. Then in a large mixing bowl, combine the quinoa and sprouts. Once the shallots are finished roasting, carefully spoon about a ¼ of the recipe into the mix (a little goes a long way). Combine well. Taste for seasoning and add a little more vinaigrette for flavor. Finally, spoon even portions of the quinoa mixture into the cavity of each squash and serve.
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H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S
Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program offers productions for older children, such as lessons in cyber bulling.
ACTING OUT FOR HEALTH Educational theater helps local students thrive By Kristin Weber
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magine that you just started junior high school (yes, those awkward adolescent years), and you are trying to find your voice and discover who you are. Those aren’t always the easiest times in a young person’s life. Often times, some young students find themselves experiencing some level of bullying, whether it occurs online, via gossip and rumors, or physical bullying. According to the 2014 Kern County Network for Children Report Card, Kern County youth are bullied or harassed predominately at school. Bullying is at its highest in Kern County middle schools, where its prevalence is 43 percent in seventh grade. Although reports of bullying decline among older students, it is still relatively high at 34 percent in ninth grade and 29 percent in 11th grade. Data indicates that there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among children under 14 years of age.
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Schools including Mann Elementary School have tapped Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program for performances of “Jay and E and the ZigZag Sea,” which promotes literacy in kindergarten through second grade.
Kaiser Permanenteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Educational Theatre Program teaches children and teens lessons through performances by actor-educators.
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Continued from page 148 In response to this and other social health issues facing children and schools, Kaiser Permanente created the Educational Theatre Program (ETP). ETP is health education delivered through interactive, live theatre performances. Professional actors who are also trained health educators provide important health education information to children, parents and education professionals from elementary school through high school. Performances cover topics such as healthy eating, literacy promotion, conflict management, bullying awareness and STD prevention. For more than 25 years, Kaiser Permanente has brought health educa— Dayna Martin Gardner, tion to students and families in Kern principal for Horace Mann County through its Educational TheElementary School ater Program. Since 1986, when the program began in Southern California, ETP has served a total of 218,784 Kern County residents at 337 locations with 570 performances and workshops. Schools such as Horace Mann Elementary School in the Bakersfield City School District have taken advantage of the
“
The program really encouraged our children to read. The sets are beautiful, and the children were so engaged.
”
performance “Jay and E and the ZigZag Sea,” which promotes literacy in kindergarten through second grade. This production tells the story of Jay, who fears reading. Actor-educators perform the show, which strongly supports the common core standards for English language arts. “The program really encouraged our children to read. The sets are beautiful, and the children were so engaged,” said Dayna Martin Gardner, principal for Horace Mann Elementary School. During the 2012-2013 school year, only 36 percent of Kern County third graders score proficient or above in English/language arts, compared to 45 percent of third grade students in the rest of the state. ETP utilizes educational performances such as Jay and E, to help make learning fun, while supporting the school’s core mission to provide quality education to their students. Knowing that access to printed materials is critical to increased reading achievement, each student receives a book following the performance. The goal of Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theater Program is to inspire children, adults and teens to make better decisions about their health. The program is provided free to schools in Kern County. For more information, contact Kristin Weber at 334-2033 or Kristin.N.Weber@kp.org. Kristin Weber is a senior community benefit specialist for Kaiser Permanente.
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HOW TO DO YOSEMITE IN A DAY (ALMOST) Fall is the perfect time to visit this national park
Come rain or sunshine, Yosemite’s breathtaking views don’t disappoint.
By Rachel Cook
T
ravel websites warn that just one day isn’t enough to take in all of Yosemite National Park’s wonders and that proved to be true for me and my brother. But even with just a day and a half, we enjoyed, and conquered, many of the park’s main attractions at a pace that wasn’t too grueling. For our September foray, my brother Braden and I headed north on a Friday afternoon. We bunked in Bass Lake, thanks to the great generosity of our mom and step dad gifting us two nights at their timeshare. I’d still like to try camping in the area, but sites within the park book far in advance, so book early if you want to sleep under the stars inside Yosemite. Early Saturday morning, we drove into the park and headed straight for Glacier Point. TripAdvisor users rank this sweeping view Yosemite’s top attraction. The twisting drive takes 45 minutes to an hour one way, but wasn’t anything that my 2002 Honda Accord couldn't handle with ease. The breathtaking view point overlooks many of the park’s wonders, including Half Dome, the Yosemite Valley and mountain peaks. After Glacier Point, we booked it to Tunnel View. This famous viewpoint on the valley floor looks out on a blanket of
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Braden Cook takes a seat in Fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, which was once a major attraction in the park. A tunnel was cut into the tree in 1881 and the tree fell in 1969.
The Bachelor and Three Graces stand together in Mariposa Grove.
green trees, El Capitan’s striking face and (currently) the trace of Bridalveil Fall. I knew that the waterfalls would be low due to the season and the drought, so it wasn’t a surprise to see their famous thunder reduced to a garden hose trickle. We took a quick look at El Capitan and then headed further into the valley floor for a day hike, stopping for lunch in Curry Village (a collection of accommodations and a few eateries) before venturing into the woods. By about 1 o'clock on day one, we struck out for our main attraction, the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal and Nevada falls, a roughly 2,000 foot climb in elevation over a 21/2 mile stretch. The hike starts off gradually along the Merced River. The going got rough as we neared the first waterfall (more like a watertrickle). The trail turned into stairs cut into the stone, more than 600 hundred of them. Reaching the top, I felt pretty proud of my less-than-athletic self. We paused to take in the view and watch ducks swim in the waters pooled at the top of Vernal Fall, then soldiered on. The trail started slow again and then gave way to “steep, rocky switchbacks,” as the park’s website warned. As the stone steps picked up, my 6-foot-4, strapping brother bounding ahead with the ease of a very long-legged mountain goat. I took my time, pausing for breath and to re-examine the choices that had lead me to this moment. I was further
In the fall, Yosemite’s falls are subdued. Vernal Fall, pictured here, sprays hikers in other seasons.
shamed by hippie hikers strolling down the path wearing flip flops at nearly 6,000-feet elevation. But at the top, the view was worth every step. Granite domes, forest and rushing water surrounded us. It was a gorgeous reminder of why challenging hikes are always so worth it, no matter how much your hamstrings cry for mercy. We headed out on the John Muir Trail, a less steep, but
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Continued from page 153 longer path. Along with a less treacherous incline, the trail offered new views of Nevada Fall and Liberty Cap. Rain pattered steadly on us for the last mile but after a summer in Bakersfield, I didn’t mind the soggy walk. The whole hike was roughly 7.5 miles and took us about four hours. The next morning, we headed back one more time so Braden could see the attraction he was most excited for, Mariposa Grove. According to the park’s website, restoration work in the grove will start mid-next year and the entire grove isn’t slated to reopen until November 2016. So if you’ve been hankering to see these giant sequoias, now would be a good time to pop by this lovely area right by the park’s southern entrance. We hiked another four miles or so through the grove, pausing to admire the largest and most unique trees with names like Grizzly Giant and Clothespin. Overall, I found fall to be the perfect time of year to visit Yosemite (unless your heart is set on seeing the waterfalls in full swing). Even a quick weekend trip is well worth the drive. The cool weather is a welcome change and the hiking is a rewarding undertaking, even if you have some trouble walking for the next few days.
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Hikers must brave hundreds of steps to get to the top of Vernal Fall.
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PRIME FINDS
Handprint turkey platter Melt Grandma's heart with this hand- and finger-painted 22-inch platter. Color Me Mine at the Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave., 6647366. bakersfield.colormemine.com
Fabulous fall flowers Gorgeous centerpieces and festive flowers for Thanksgiving, perfect for a hostess gift or for you. Uniquely Chic Florist & Boutique, 9500 Brimhall Road Suite 701, 588-7997. uniquelychicflorist.com.
Vintage wagons Coca-Cola wagons. $45 each. Farm Girls Vintage Finds, 7200 Shafter Road, Bakersfield. 661-319-5182. farmgirlsvintagefinds.com.
Fashionable boots Start off the fall with the perfect footwear with these Corky's Cherokee Boots, full back elastic gore harness. $89. Sugardaddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 5512 Stockdale Highway, 325-8300. facebook.com/sugardaddys.
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Stay connected Live, streaming video programming on Bakersfield.com
Retro dresses for girls Check out this collection of retro vintage inspired girl’s dresses, perfect for the holiday season. facebook.com/KamnationClothing, etsy.com/shop/KamnationClothing.
First Look with Scott Cox: Weekdays from 7 to 10 am. features interviews, as well as comments and analysis from The Californian’s award-winning journalists.
The Real Estate Show: Presented by Watson Realty ERA features real estate news and market information from Kern County on Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m.
Power Hour: From the Auto Club Famoso Raceway to the new Kern County Raceway Park, catch it live, every Tuesday at 11 a.m. on bakersfield.com
Strictly Business: Cindy Pollard, President/CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, as she talks with local businesses on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m.
Live Well: Lisa Krch explores Wellness, Health, Fitness and Living Wednesdays 10 to 11 am
Open Up: With Don Clark and Tina Miller Thursdays 10 to 11 am
Roadrunner Rundown: Cory Costelloe, Cal State’s Director of Broadcasting and New Media discuss Cal State Athletic Programs from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays.
B Varsity with Zach Ewing: Features previews, interviews and highlights that give you an inside look at the local high school sports scene.
The Giving Key A special way to reach out to those in need. $45. Wire + Pearl, 1911 17 St., 871-8001.
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Elegant Evening of Wine Date: Oct. 11 Held at Home of Dr. Mark and Sue Ashley Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Dan Eckert and Laurel and Steve Sheffield
Phan and Annie Huynh Kay and Mic Hall and Linda and Michael Smith
Yvonne Howard and Miguel Berger
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Dagmar Alexandersson and Sylvia Lopez
Felicia and Rachel Ponce and Sarah Hilman
Jenny Mullhofer, Brie Pair, Stacy Shapiro and Emily Warn
Danielle Evers and Jerilyn Bostock
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Date: Sept. 27 Held at Seven Oaks Country Club Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Jason, Shannon and Sean Matthews
Cheryl and Ron Hilzer
Walk Like MADD Date: Sept. 20 Held at The Park at River Walk Photos by Brian Coleman View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Connie Rodriguez, and Servando Almeraz
Yolanda Cuadros and Barbara Santos
Mckenzie Davis, Braya Selnick, Briley Peoples, Teri Webb, Celeste Selnick, Alicia Allen, Marni Reed, Hollie Alvarez and Teresa Brossard
Cheryl Lutge-Stephens, Claton and Britney Embree and Alex Santana Jacklyn and Juan Garcia and Johana and Diana Gutierrez
Rhonnda Powell and Ben and Chad Boyles
Gloria Jarimillo and Zelicious Perez 160
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Doug Perkins and Connie Perkins-Jones
Molly Clark and Kim Lohman
Mike, Justin and Linda Brownen
Loren and Joe Martin and Leah Hamstreet and Brian BlasĂŠ
Harvest of Hope
Barbara Evans and Melanie Ehteshami
Tyler and Elizabeth Hedden
Date: Oct. 4 Held at Kern County Fairgrounds Photos by Greg Nichols View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Sheryl and Greg Gallion
Tom and Diana Mestmaker
Javier Reyes Jr., Bishop Armando Ochoa and Monica Franetovich
Greg and Vicki Bielli and Laurie and Dr. Javier Bustamante
Mike and Tory Lee and Aubrey Davis Anne and Brian Busacca and Dr. Shawn and Teresa Shambaugh
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Boys and Girls Club Artfest Date: Sept. 20 Held at Bakersfield Marriott Hotel Photos by Carla Rivas View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Angel Dominguez and Veronica DeLeon
Cindy Pollard and Michele Newell
Jonathan Allen, Jason Gutierrez, Anne Draucker and Ken Casparis
Eva Maree Gutierrez and Priscilla Vasquez
Julia Bae and Ben Shimogaki Dugan Turnur, Dorthy Crowley, Denise Turnur and Zane Smith
Alex and Mackenzie Burdic 162
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Greg Bynum, Linda Pounds, Linda Sullenger and Drew Pounds
St Vincent De Paul Fall BBQ Date: Oct. 9 Held at St. Vincent de Paul Society Center Photos by Adriana Vega View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Amy Loken and Arturo Marquez
Susan, Tony and Melissa Richardson
Gary Leary, Deborah Leary and Gary Icardo
Deborah Leary and Joanna Border
Megan Nagel and Grace Cornijo
Monsignor Mike Braun and Peter Lewis
Valerie Olson and Evalee Simmons
Gabriel Rosus, Devon Flores, George Gonzales and Andy Luna
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Lisa Poole, Rita Loken, Marty Somers, Clare Barksdale, Deanna Pavletich and Georgia Twist
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Mendiburu Magic Foundation’s 9th Annual Pyrenees Fiesta Date: Oct. 4 Held at Bakersfield City Firefighter’s Hall Photos by Olivia Garcia View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Lyle and Connie Martin
Jaime and Lupe Quinonez
Brian and Valerie Mendiburu
Amanda and Rob Meszaros
Diego Garcia, Ester Sparks, Brea Lidgett, and Mateo Garcia
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P u r c h a s e Me t h o d s 1. Rabobank Theater Box Office 2. Ticketmaster.com 3. Charge-By-Phone at 800-745-3000
Bakersfield Symphony Date: Oct. 4 Held at Rabobank Arena Theater Photos by Amy Edmonson View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Anna and Luis Navarro
Eric and Nicole Broffitt
Barry Loeffler, Sharon Gleason, Christian Michael, Leslie Michael and Jodi Loeffler
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Kalei Massey and Seth Carlson
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Riverlakes Community Center Tues, Thur 9:00am Sat, 8:30am
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CASA of Kern County Wine, Women & Shoes
Diane Moreno and Linda McFarland
Kelsi Hall and Shanell Grimes
Jacque Bopp and Maria Caywood
Date: Oct. 4 Held at Home of Jay and Divisha Patel Photos by Jan St Pierre View these photos and more at bakersfieldlife.com.
Colleen McGauley and Pritesh Patel
Emily De Leon, Holly Arnold and Jennifer Cleveland
Jeannine Johnson and Arleana Waller
Angelica Garcia, Lilyanna Luna and Luna Lu
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LAST WORD
By Steven Blakesley
The race flagger was busy on the opening night of the Kern County Raceway Park in this qualifying race heat.
facility. Not only do Bakersfield and Kern County have a place in the national motorsports landscape due to large racing events and well-prepared facilities, but our drivers have also made a name for themselves. Of course, Daytona 500 winner and favorite for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kevin Harvick made his name at Mesa Marin Raceway. It is awesome to see the youth of the sport take center stage, when drivers 16, 15, and even 14 years old challenge the veterans on a Saturday night under the lights. It gives race fans an opportunity to say they “remember when” they saw Ethan Dotson, Tyler Bannister, or Buddy Shepherd take their place in the motorsports lore. Times change and racetracks across the country are constantly under siege from a variety of environmental, economical, and political threats. But one thing is certain, Kern County has cemented its place as one of the most important communities for racing and with the leadership of Blake Bowser, Scott Schweizter, and Charlie Beard that tradition should extend well into each of our and our kids’ golden years. Steven Blakesley is the director of marketing and announcer at Kern County Raceway Park.
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PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
A TRADITION OF MOTORSPORTS
PHOTO BY CASEY CHRISTIE
H
orsepower-crazed enthusiasts have flocked to Bakersfield like moths to a light since the early stages of organized motorsports, and that tradition continues to grow today. I was drawn to Bakersfield, like many before me, for one sole purpose: to work in the motorsports industry. The tradition of motorsports in Kern County has been cemented by nationally recognized events such as the March Meet, drawing California motorheads and snowbirds alike each March to Famoso’s blistering quarter-mile. The Budweiser Oval Nationals at Bakersfield Speedway, now in its 29th edition, have also become a pilgrimage for many every October. As a NASCAR fan, I grew up hearing the tales of the October Classic and the NASCAR Southwest Tour exploits at “ol’ Marion’s place,” Mesa Marin Raceway. It has been a privilege to join the great motorsports heritage and racing fraternity in Bakersfield as the director of marketing and announcer at Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP). As the replacement for Mesa Marin, KCRP gives Kern County the complete package of motorsports with a drag strip, dirt track, road course (Buttonwillow Raceway), and half-mile NASCAR oval. There is no other community, other than say Indianapolis and Charlotte, which can boast such an array of top-shelf racetracks. My first race working in Bakersfield was the grand opening of KCRP and the emotion and excitement was overSteven whelming. The long anticipation and Blakesley the relief to have a completed speedway for Kern County were evident with the standing-room-only crowd and passionate racing. I had never experienced something like that in the state of California certainly, and knew I had taken on a significant task to develop this important