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March 8-14, 2009
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Nominate your beast as “the best� Pg. 2 Kindness continues for woman Pg. 4 Bakersfield Links raises funds Pg. 5 AVID spurs success for students Pg. 7
Winning shots! More Spotlight photos, pg. 6
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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M
MARCH 8-14, 2009
EXTRA!EXTRA!
‘Gold Fever’ hits Cal State Bakersfield’s Doré Theatre
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n March 14 and15, even the theater is child’s play at California State University, Bakersfield when the theater department presents “Gold Fever” at the Doré Arena Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. The play, written by Rita Grauer and John Urquhart, will be directed by Kamala
Kruszka. Designed for young audiences, the performance humorously blends Old West history and legend to make a powerful statement about the conflict between personal greed and compassion for others. Set during the his-
toric California gold rush, “Gold Fever” brings together Ben Holladay, best known as the stagecoach king, and the notorious highwayman Black Bart. After failing to strike it rich, Bart turns to robbing Holladay’s stagecoaches. The ensuing misadventures reveal to both characters that gold fever can make a man mad! Performances are noon, 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, and noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Tickets are $5 and children 12 and under are free. Seating is limited. Call 654-6070 for reservations and information.
805-801-5249
Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487
Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Sandra Molen Writer/Copy Editor smolen@bakersfield.com
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PLEASE HELP SAVE THE IRISH
EDITORIAL
Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com
Bottle up this art show! rt is in the eye of the beholder ... And when the “canvas” is a wine bottle, that art becomes just as varied as the beholders admiring it. “Winescapes 2009: A taste of the Bakersfield Museum of Art” 6 p.m., Thursday, March 12 will be a fabulous night of wine tasting and an auction of artistically transformed wine bottles. Thirty local artists were each given a wine bottle on which to create whatever inspired them. The mediums include paintings, ceramics, mosaics and photographic art — all using the wine FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN bottle as the artistic surface. This is the second year There will also be wine for the event — last year’s tasting, gourmet food and was highly successful. both silent and live aucProceeds benefit the tions. museum’s art education programs. Cost is $40 per person; $75 per couple; $500 premium table 1 In15 Irish People Are Carriers Of The Cystic Fibrosis Gene. for eight. At the door, $50 www.cfireland.ie per person. Details, 323Learn More And Help 7219. Or, www.cff.org visit: www. bmoa.org.
Staff
ART Timothy Heinrichs Designer theinrichs@bakersfield.com TBV contributor, “paticakez” posted a photo of this adorable pug on our Web site. You can do the same and possibly win a $25 gift card to Petco. Enter our “Bless the beasts” contest by sharing a photo and short story about your pet at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com.
‘Bless the beasts’ pet competition
ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632 David Alanis Sales Executive Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive
March 16, so enter today! The winner and runnersTBV Managing Editor up will be featured in a reetings, everyfuture printed edition of one. I wanted to personally write The Bakersfield Voice. Set up a FREE profile, about our latest then post an article & contest, involving you and your attach a photo of your pet pet. Tell us in 200 words or to it at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com. less, why your pet is the Then, once you've posted “Best Beast in Bakersyour pet's nomination for field!” It could be the way he or our "Bless the Beasts" contest, send an e-mail with she cutely chews on your slippers or wakes you early your contact info to: ggaraygordobil@bakersin the morning my licking field.com or tadamo@bakyour face. ersfield.com. You tell us! Your information will And the grand prize is a not be printed. We will only $25 gift card at Petco, so you can show your appreci- use it to reach you if needed and certainly if you are ation to your pet! our WINNER! Deadline is Monday, BY GENE GARAYGORDOBIL
G
Mark Wells Sales Executive
OFFICE Marisol Sorto Office Administrator msorto@bakersfield.com 716-8640
The Bakersfield Voice 1522 18th St. Suite 310 Bakersfield, CA 93301 The Bakersfield Voice is published by Mercado Nuevo, an independent subsidiary of The Bakersfield Californian To learn more or to contribute news and pictures, visit us online at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com
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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M
Share your
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Kindness continues
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Bakersfield Links fundraiser
■ We also include as many community contributions as possible in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice, published Sundays. ■ Still need help getting your contributions onto our Web site? E-mail: Gene Garaygordobil at ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com or Teresa Adamo at: tadamo@bakersfield.com
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Gurlroxy photos rule!
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AVID a hit with students
Community contributor Alex Torres, a.k.a. “gurlroxy,” posted her best shots and shows this “gurl” rules!
A Bakersfield woman tells of another kindness bestowed up her. Tell us about your “kindness” moments, too.
today!
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Top Athlete
Mom and Dad tell us why their daughter, Victoria Ybarra is this week’s top athlete. Enter next!
Think your pet is the best in Bakersfield? Post your story and photos and win a $25 Petco gift card.
voice
“Harlem Nights” theme helps Bakersfield Links raise money for youth and the fight against diabetes.
A Warren Junior High School teacher tells how AVID helped transform students and the campus.
About the cover Alex Torres, a.k.a. “gurlroxy” has our cover shot this week. This soccer and softball playing Ridgeview High student loves taking pictures and says, her mom is her hero because they bake cookies and dance in the car together. More of gurlroxy’s photos are featured in this week’s “Spotlight On” section on page 6.
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MARCH 8-14, 2009
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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M
YOURCELEBRATIONS Happy Birthday, Papa Tom! Happy birthday to our Papa Tom! We are so happy that you moved back to Bakersfield to be near us. We always have a fun time with you because you play with us and are silly! We love you so much and wish you the best birthday ever! Love, Your granddaughters, Cambria & Reagan Beiber
Congratulations, Olivia!
Happy Birthday, Ken Beiber!
On Feb. 12, 2009, Olivia Bryant won the gold medal for the United States in the 12-13 lightweight divido — US Open, sion in sparheld in Las ring at the Vegas. Way to USA Taekwongo, Olivia!
Happy birthday to a wonderful husband and an awesome dad! We love you so much and wish you the best birthday ever! Love, Norma, Cambria & Reagan and Taja & Cris Meadows
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MARCH 8-14, 2009
YOURVOICE
Kindness continues to ‘make my day’ “To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own.”
because of my relapse on this day, I found myself running late to work without the goodies I was — Anne Morrow Lindassigned to bring for our bergh staff meeting. (I knew weeks ahead of time about BY MARINA R. HERNANDEZ bringing the goodies). Community contributor I decided to stop at a or all of you wonFoodMaxx on my way to derful people who work to purchase the goodare following, ies. Who would be grocery “You’ve Made My shopping at 8:30 a.m. anyDay” it has hapway, right? I had a game pened again! plan, I would run in and run I know many of you will out. No problem. Right ... ! relate to Day Maker 3, Wrong, I was sprinting because you have either through the store like a been the giver of the good mad woman! I knew what I deed or the receiver. I am wanted, and retrieved my almost positive that everygoodies in record time. one who has ever shopped I sprinted up to the before has been in this situcashier (in heels), when ation at one time in their life. In the past, it was I who suddenly I came face to face with my worse nightwas the giver of the good deed in this situation. How- mare. You guessed it — only one cashier, three peoever, on this special day, it was I who was the receiver, ple in line and an overflowing grocery cart! and again my faith in the As I walked up, I wit“goodness of people” (espenessed the nice couple with cially my fellow Bakersthe cart — allowing other field residents) has been people holding items (posproven! sibly recovering procrastiDay Maker 3 nators like myself) to go I feel a little guilty about ahead of them. I tried not to look desperate — after all, accepting this good deed! it wasn’t their fault I was You see, I am a recovering running late. procrastinator, and
F
The clock’s hand was ticking away ... tick, tick, tick! The gentleman made eye contact with me a couple of times, but looked away. I expected nothing, he had already did his good deed for the day. Tick, tick, tick! Then he turned around and said the words I longed to hear, “Go ahead Miss, you only have a few items.” I must have done five cartwheels (in my head, of course) as I smiled and responded, “Thank you so much, you’ve made my day!” I hurried to the car, vowing to make more of an effort to not procrastinate, and thinking how wonderful that couple was. Although, on this day, I could have avoided my situation, there was still someone who “made my day!” With that, my mission and my journey continues. If kindness has been recently bestowed on you by others or you paid it forward, post your story and photos at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com. It’s easy to create a free profile and become part of the TBV online community.
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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M
MARCH 8-14, 2009
YOURVOICE
Bakersfield Links fundraiser highlights ‘Harlem Lights’ Community Hospital Foundation; Dr. Anthony J. Thomas; Floyd & Horrigan he Bakersfield Chapter of the - Attorneys at Law, Curtis Floyd; Buck Links Inc. hosted a fundraiser and Hilda Klein; Stevens Transportation, Claire and Rick Stevens; CARE at the Bakersfield Art Museum. The event was in partner- Security, Cliff Hurd. ship with the Bakersfield Links Chapter President, Kathy W. Council of the Juvenile DiaBell extended a warm welcome and betes Research Foundation (JDRF) stated the programming and charitaand “New Spirit” Women’s Group. ble giving of the organization was possible due to the support of sponsors Tickets sold for $45 and proceeds for the Jan. 24 event benefited JDRF, and community donations. Bell, said The Link’s Foundation Building Fund the Bakersfield Chapter of the Links was proud to support this year’s chariand the Bakersfield Chapter of the ty, Juvenile Diabetes Research FounLinks, Inc. youth programming dation. efforts. Attendees were invited to the Event sponsors included: Double exhibit, Harlem Renaissance: Legacy Tree Hotel; 99.3 FM “The Groove”; Law Offices of Jennifer Floyd; Dr. and and Beyond, showcasing AfricanAmerican art of the 1920s and Mrs. Emanuel Dozier; San Joaquin
— Courtesy of The Bakersfield Chapter of the Links
T
1930s.The fabulous evening was an experience — themed attire, live music, dancing, food, and poetry and period vignettes. Guest speaker, Robert E. Holmes opened the evening with a glimpse of Harlem and inspired guests to view historic time in a different light. Holmes, a former president of Sony Pictures Music Publishing Co., is a noted collector of African-American art and lecturer on art from the Harlem Renaissance period. The Bakersfield Chapter of the Links Inc. is one of 270 chapters in the international Links service organization. This local chapter has been servicing the community for more than 30 years.
Kathy W. Bell, Links president; and Linda Oliver, JDRF board member dress the part for the Harlem event.
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MARCH 8-14, 2009
SPOTLIGHT ON: gurlroxy Contributing photographer Alex Torres, a.k.a. “gurlroxy,” generously shared her photos with The Bakersfield Voice via our Photo Gallery option on our Web site: www.bakersfieldvoice.com. You can see her photos and other contributors’ work by clicking “Photos,” then “See User Galleries.” Feel free to share your photos, too. You could have the “Spotlight On” you in a future issue. Create a free TBV profile today!
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This week’s Star Athlete: Victoria Ybarra Nominated by Serafin and Rosalinda Ybarra We are nominating our daughter, Victoria Ybarra, for Star Athlete because she does her best in all the sports she tries. Victoria has been in softball, volleyball, track, swimming and has a yellow belt in karate. Her favorite sport is softball. Victoria is currently an all-star pitcher. She is always smiling and is determined to be the best in all the sports she tries. Victoria, we love you and are very proud of you!
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■ Do you have a son, daughter, grandkid or buddy who is your pick for MVP? Nominate them for Star Athlete of the Week by going to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and posting an article. Nominations should tell us in 50 words or less what makes this kid a star athlete and should include a photo. All nominees will be featured weekly in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice,and each month, one nominee’s name will be drawn to receive a $50 gift card for sporting equipment, compliments of Sports Authority and TBV.
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MARCH 8-14, 2009
YOURVOICE
Paving the way for a college-bound future school. In every classroom and office on campus, you will see a sign or a poster promoting colorking from the lege. beginning with the Since adopting the AVID proidea of what if, gram, Thompson has grown from Thompson Junior High School Princi- having one class of AVID students to four classes to accompal Jon Dean along modate their students. with his staff introduced These students have been Advancement Via Individual exposed to college campuses and Determination or AVID to their museums, and a rigid curricustudents. Thompson has recently earned lum, learning how to study, stay organized and focus on the the high honor of demonstration importance of writing across the school for the college promotion curriculum. program. As a result of hard work on Entering the campus at Thompson Junior High, you will behalf of the Thompson staff, students and administration, see seventh- and eighth-graders walking around, kids on the bas- this school recently received the designation of AVID demonstraketball courts and teachers on tion school, meaning it is everyduty, a typical school. thing an AVID school is meant to Look a little further and you be! cannot help but notice, that From evidence of outstanding unlike many junior highs, there student achievement to strong is something special about this
BY AMY LUTHER
Community Contributor
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Educator of the Month
leadership, and using AVID as a there were 3,500 AVID schools way to improve school wide, it is throughout the United States, very evident that this honor is and of those schools, only 114 well deserved! had met the requirements to be To show the magnitude of this an demonstration school. Nominated by Guadalupe Hernández honor, in the 2007-08 school, These schools are held to very
Mr. Rhodes
I’d like to nominate my twin daughters’ kindergarten teacher Mr. Rhodes who teaches at Discovery Elementary School. At the beginning of the year, I was so skeptical after having learned that they were going to have a male teacher for kindergarten. He has superseded all of my expectations as to what a great kindergarten teacher should be.PROGRAM My MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING girls love Mr. Rhodes. He teaches them lots of cute and silly songs. He builds up their self-esteem. He is just so marvelous with my girls!
Educator of the month Debbie May
high standards, which require teachers, who are a part of the program, to give freely of their time for the betterment of the program and their students. It is easy to see why the program is so important. Students who are a part of AVID feel they gain courage and leadership skills, which will stay with them not only in college, but throughout life. AVID opens doors for students not only in the AVID classroom, but for students all over campus. With four of the five junior high schools in the PanamaBuena Vista Union School District on board with AVID, and the fifth one joining next year, everyone at Thompson have helped pave the way and set the standards for excellence in education. — Amy Luther is a teacher at Warren Junior High.
Bard
My daughter, Jenna, is in Mrs. May’s third-grade class at San Lauren Elementary. She begged me to visit her classroom. I went and I just want to say that my daughter has been blessed with an amazing teacher. Every moment is a teachable moment. She does not waste anyTotime, is firm, submither yourstudents nominee forrespect Educatorher. of theShe Month, go to: www.northwest then break, click on “Post Something!” andwhat contribute but fair. Duringvoice.com her recess I told Mrs. May I a paragraph about why youmorning appreciate and to recognize your that nominee. Be sure thought of the andwould she like humbly told me to include the educator’s name, school, department and picture. The contest is open to Godeducators has gifted her with a area. job she loves doing and has in the Southwest Entries can also be e-mailed to: been doing for 20 years. She gave the entry glory$50 to gift God. dmartin@northwestvoice.com. Each month the all winning certificate, compliments of GW School Supply and The Northwest Voice. Sponsored by
© Brent Malicote
Nominated by Gina Rasmussen
Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Delano, Calif.
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■ If you have a teacher you think is great, nominate them for Educator of the Month by going to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and posting an article. Nominations should tell us in 50 words or less why your teacher is the best and should also include their name, school, department and a picture. All nominees will be featured in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice and each month the winning entry will receive a $50 gift card for school supplies, compliments of GO School Supply and TBV.
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