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The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, April 17, 2011
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YOUR SPORTS
Golf fundraiser for CSUB women’s tennis a ‘hole in one’
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ommunity support — Some time ago, CSUB president Dr. Horace Mitchell announced that the golf, tennis and wrestling programs at Cal State were on the chopping block due to budgetary cuts and restraints. Actually, to delve a bit further, Dr. Mitchell put those programs on that block and lopped them off. He did, however, give each of those programs the opportunity to sustain themselves by raising the necessary funding to avoid total elimination. The community has responded in kind and to date the programs are alive and well. Well, as well as well can be, I well suppose. This past Monday, I was very happy to have been a part of the CSUB women’s tennis team’s fundraising golf tournament held at the pristine Seven Oaks Country Club. It was a blast! Head coach Regina Csibi-Kruger and her squad did a fabulous job organizing the event and made all of the players in the field feel very special. Upon entering the grounds, I felt as if I had just arrived at The Masters, as before I had turned the engine off in my vehicle there was one of the girls in a golf cart parked behind me to place my golf bag on the cart. At check-in, you were given a goodies bag and a lunch carton. There were drinks placed strategically at various tee boxes, and all had a good time playing the scrambles format. After golfing, we were
treated to a marvelous appetizers spread in the main ballroom, and prizes were doled out to the various winning foursomes, yours truly not included in the walk to the lectern for a prize! There also was a very nice raffle of perhaps 20 really cool items and also a silent (sh-h-h) auction held with items signed by current profesSports columnist sional tennis players such as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters, to name a few. It was the first time that I had ever been in the presence of Coach Regina, and she was a model of professionalism as she spoke at the awards ceremony and introduced her players. Regina has an ever-present smile, and she was very, very appreciative of all who attended. If you ever get the chance to attend a fundraiser for one of these programs, please do so. Not only is it beneficial to the CSUB programs, but you will get more out of giving, personally, than
MICHAEL ELLIOTT
the programs shall get out of your financial contribution. Community people — While we are on the subject, I would like to touch on the local accomplishments of three individuals I saw at the aforementioned golf tournament. While still warm, I’d like to expound on the selflessness and community spirit that Regina Csibi-Kruger has brought to the city of Bakersfield. Approximately 16 years ago, Regina came to Bako on a tennis scholarship from her home country in Europe to play for Gloria Friedman’s championship CSUB tennis teams. Her four years of play at Cal State were unparalleled. After her playing days were over, Regina decided to make her life here. This is a prime example of a person giving back to a community. Bakersfield, and CSUB specifically, had afforded her the opportunity to come to the States and pursue her dreams of playing collegiate tennis. Regina stayed and eventually wound up coaching at her alma mater and our community is a better place because of her giving back to those who gave to her. Ran into Stockdale Country Club head tennis pro Hank Pfister at the tourney. He assured me that golf was not his racquet! Hank is an icon in our town and played on the professional tennis circuit years ago and represented his hometown in fine fashion. He is another who stayed put
YOUR RELIGION
after his playing days were through and has given so much to the Kern Community Tennis Association (KCTA) and to tennis in general. It was always a treat to see Hank in his 30s and 40s, gobbling up Kern County championship trophies at the Bakersfield Racquet Club against truly remarkable, younger local tennis talents. As Hank always professes, “No worries!” And then there was our own George Culver at Seven Oaks. He of North High, Bakersfield College, the Major Leagues and a big-league no-hitter. As selfless a man as you could ever meet, George organized and emceed the annual Hot Stove Dinner here in town for some 22 years or so in which the proceeds benefitted all sorts of local baseball venues and organizations. He brought in some remarkable Major League players to speak at the dinners, too many to list at this time. George is now retired and is a crack golfer. And don’t for a second believe that he has lost any of his competitive edge. I was talking to George at the event just prior to heading out to our respective tee boxes and as I walked away he said “Hope you come in second!” These three extraordinary people are truly examples of those who never forgot where they came from or what was afforded to them by their community, whether being homegrown or imported. Bakersfield is lucky in that respect as there are so
many others in this city who could be mentioned as well in this vain. They all have hearts of gold and shine like diamonds for the betterment of our community. The Masters — Indeed. Perhaps the world’s most famous golf tournament. You’ve got the history, the past golfing legends who show up, the immaculately groomed landscaping, the lush fairways, the undulating greens, the azaleas, Amen Corner, Butler Cabin and the steeped tradition. The Masters is my favorite PGA tournament to view on the tube for one major reason: Only four minutes out of sixty are dedicated to TV commercials. Dig it! And I love the soothing voice of broadcaster-elite Jim Nance. His diction and presentation make you feel as if you are on the journey with the players themselves as they traverse the track and attempt to evade the subtle nuances and pitfalls which lurk about at every hole. This year’s Masters was as riveting as a tournament can get. The drama on the final nine holes played out as if Shakespeare himself had written the script. The leader board was tightly bunched down the stretch as nobody could pry themselves loose. Alas, South African Charl Schwartzel birdied the final four holes and donned the infamous Green Jacket. Masterful performance. Indeed.
YOUR VOICE
Crossway celebrates Christ’s Share YOUR prom & graduation memories with The Voice victory on Easter Sunday BY CHARITY BROCK Community contributor
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e invite you to join us in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m. The resurrection of Jesus is the emphatic declaration of victory over sin; it is central to our hope, our salvation from sin. We will be honoring the Lord by giving special attention to the Scripture’s description of this event and its
importance for our faith. After the morning worship service we will be having an all church brunch. Please come and join us as we worship the Lord on this special day. Crossway Baptist Church meets at Suburu Elementary School located at 7315 Harris Road. Easter Service — Morning Worship — 9:30 a.m. All Church Brunch — Fellowship — 11 a.m. For more information please contact us at:9002578; or visit our website at: crosswaybaptist.org.
Local church doesn’t want you stuck with empty eggshells BY JOSH HEIMILLER Community contributor
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ear open gifts in Easter basket: 3 minutes. Find hidden eggs: 30 minutes if you’re lucky. Now what? One local church doesn’t want you to get stuck with empty eggshells this Easter. On April 24, Parkside Church, 515 Church Ave., is hosting Easter Eggcitement! The community is invited to participate in Easter Sunday worship, an Easter egg hunt, and a brunch. The church has been hosting this event for many years as a way for children and their parents to connect with one another and with God. According to Children’s Pastor Carol Wilcox, “Not only are the children excited to find Easter eggs, but they are also excited to hear the message of Easter.” Children up to fifth grade will participate in the Easter Egg hunt which begins at 9:35 a.m. There will be giveaways and prizes for everyone in attendance. Brunch will be provided for all ages from 9:35 to 10:35 a.m. Parkside will host two different worship services this Easter. The Classic Worship Service will begin at 8:30 a.m. and feature traditional Christian hymns. The Contemporary Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. will be lead by a full band and feature modern music. Both services will conclude with a message that
Community contributor
D
o you believe in God, but feel that you really don’t know him? Maybe you’re ashamed of your past and you aren’t sure he can love you. Or you don’t think God is fair. Have you given up on church? These topics and more will be discussed at Olive Knolls Church,
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Frontier High School students celebrate in front of their limo before taking off to prom in 2008.
Show your neighbors what you’ve been doing this spring!
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PROVIDED PHOTO
The Easter egg hunt at Parkside Church was a huge hit last year. Parkside Church invites you and your family to join this year’s hunt on Easter Sunday at 9:35 a.m.
is challenging and relevant. According to Senior Pastor Chris Bennett, “There is nothing more relevant to our lives than the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter is an opportunity to reflect on the difference that the resurrection makes in our lives.”
For more information about Parkside Church or Easter Eggcitement visit: www.ConnectGrowReach.org. 8:30 a.m. — Classic worship. 9:35 a.m. — Egg Hunt & Brunch. 10:45 a.m. — Contemporary worship.
This Easter message will challenge you BY DONNA ALSOP
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rom and graduation season is upon us again. Share the special moments you’ll surely capture on film of these momentous occasions with your Bakersfield Voice neighbors. Just go to our Web site: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, create a FREE profile and start sharing your photos today! YOU just might see your smiling face on the pages of the next Bakersfield Voice!
6201 Fruitvale Ave., during this 6week sermon series based on the book, “The Christian Atheist"”by Craig Groeshel beginning Easter weekend. The messages beginning Easter weekend will challenge us to think deeply, honestly and fearfully about how our lives may be contradicting our message.
Regular worship schedule: Saturdays at 6 p.m. Sundays at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Easter weekend schedule: Good Friday Service: 7 p.m. Saturday Easter Service: 6 p.m. Sunday Easter Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Need more information? Call: 399-3303.
pring is HERE! Want to show your neighbors and friends what you’ve been doing during these longer, warmer spring days? Share your photos and stories at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com. YOUR favorite spring activities and photos just might pop up on the pages of The Bakersfield Voice!
Voice contributor and local photographer, Bob Taylor, captured these beauties on the Carrizo Plain, located about 50 miles west of Bakersfield. PHOTO BY BOB TAYLOR
YOUR CELEBRATION
Happy birthday, Kody Saffell
M
ay all your dreams come true!
Would YOU like to wish someone near and dear a very Happy birthday? Share your birthday greetings — and a photo of your best birthday boy or girl — at www.bakersfieldvoice.com today!
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