J U LY 2 0 0 9
CONTENTS 7 Giving back Delano superintendent known for great attitude & great leadership.
16 Cover story Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation fundraiser to help keep the musical tradition alive.
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Bring home the warmth of Latin America with our unique selection of beautiful Mexican folk art handmade by the very finest artisans and personally selected for your home and gift giving needs!
11 More Mento! Ska-riffic new CD is on its way for local band favorites, Mento Buru!
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18 Spinning a web!
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“Spider Baby The Musical” gets inspiration from horror movie genre.
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14 End of chapter Eva Patiño retires from teaching Spanish, but continues to inspire.
Gaby Trujillo
STAFF EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia VP/Content ogarcia@bakersfield.com Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com 716-8642 Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Matt Muñoz Staff Writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com Sandra Molen Staff Writer/Copy Editor smolen@bakersfield.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MARIA AHUMADA-GARAYGORDOBIL, NOE GARCIA, JOSEY HERNANDEZ, DENISE ORNELAS, DEBORAH RAMIREZ, GABRIEL RAMIREZ, EDDIE RONQUILLO
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS FELIX ADAMO, MARIA AHUMADA-GARAYGORDOBIL, DANIELA GARCIA, HENRY A. BARRIOS, TANYA X. LEONZO
(661) 703-6288 ON THE COVER: Elia Robles of the Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation. See story on the group’s fundraiser, page 16. PHOTO BY: Tanya X. Leonzo ADVERTISING Jaime de los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632 Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Mark Wells Sales Executive Anthony Menchaca Sales Executive William Guerro Sales Executive
ART
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Glenn Hammett Design Editor ghammett@bakersfield.com
Marisol Sorto Office Administrator msorto@bakersfield.com 716-8640
04 | MÁS August 2009
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Continued from page 7
RESPECT. IT’S JUST PART OF WHAT YOU’LL EARN FOR A LIVING. Working for the U.S. Air Force has its rewards. Respect, for one. Not to mention a good salary, great benefits, a quality lifestyle and the chance to do something important with your life. All in all it adds up to quite a benefits package. To find out more, call 1-800-423-USAF or visit airforce.com.
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08 | MÁS August 2009
CROSS INTO THE BLUE
Sabrina Smith
manage those awkward teen years — feel that way about school. “High school is tough for kids,” Rivera said. “That’s why we create an atmosphere of pride, old-fashioned Delano High School District pride, built on tradition!” And that tradition transcends to teachers and staff, many of whom graduated from Delano High School, just like Rivera did in 1980. “We have a lot of alumni who come back and support us,” she said. “Many come back to work and teach.” She uses that to help put students on a positive pathway to a better life, whether it is college or a vocational school or a job after graduation. “For most students, high school is almost like completing your life in education, you either complete it or you don’t,” she said. “Students can also build a second bridge that they can use to become a professional in another capacity.” Teamwork with her employees is important to her. “We all can disagree, but we have to agree on the education of the students.” Rivera’s story begins in the Mexican town of Irámuco, Guanajuato, where she was born. Her father — a cook in the original U.S. Bracero program in the 1940s — worked there as a butcher. Her mother took care of Rivera and her nine brothers and one sister. When she was 7, the family moved to the tiny community of Richgrove, east of Delano, where she attended school. The town’s high schoolers, as they still do today, travel the seven miles to attend school in Delano. Back in the late 1970s, there was only one campus, Delano High School. “I was a very proud Tiger,” Rivera said of the DHS mascot. “I was also a Top 10 student.” Her plan after high school was to pursue a law career and she was actually accepted into Stanford University. But she didn’t go because it “wasn’t an avenue for me at the time, because it involved moving away from my family.” Instead, she attended Cal State University, Bakersfield, where she earned her bache-
PHOTO BY MARIA AHUMADAGARAYGORDOBIL
Rivera with the new principal of Delano High, Terri Nuckols. lor’s degree and teaching credential. But even that wasn’t planned. She and a friend met up with the teacher trainer at CSUB, because her friend was interested in teaching. Instead, Rivera was recruited. “I told her I was too shy to get up in front of a classroom,” she said. “(Dorothy Tuttle) said you’d be a great teacher.” She enrolled in the (MiniCorps) program, which is geared toward migrant students focusing on the educational field. “I’ve always liked the school setting,” Rivera said. “I was fortunate I had very good teachers, who loved me as a student and treated me with utmost respect. My teachers were the type that took on the life of a student, shaped them and took care of them.” As a college student, her first placement was in the Delano high school district as a tutor and helper. “It’s funny how the circle of life brought me back here.” Her first teaching job was at Bakersfield College, followed by a year of teaching at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Delano, which has since closed. Then came a job at McFarland Middle School that would change her life — for the better. That’s where she met her husband, Bulmaro “Boomer” Rivera.
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their new CD, “Mento Buru: 15 Crucial Traxx,” a greatest hits compendium designed for the band’s legions of fans, some of whom missed out on two previous album releases. “It’s a collection of our best songs so far and defines what Mento Buru is about,” says Munoz. The album includes “Move it, Girl,” and “Streets of Gold,” off the band’s ‘97 Moon SKA Records debut album “No Dancing, Please.” Some songs featured off the band’s 2000 self-titled album are “Double Jeopardy,” and “Shame and Scandal.” What’s not surprising is that fans are begging for it. Saxophonist Paul Perez, who has been with the band for about seven years, says he doesn’t just stay in the band for the money, but for its legendary status and loyal fans. “It’s insane,” Perez says. “Everybody loves the group.”
Mento history: Munoz dives into ‘80s ska invasion
Formed in ‘91, Mento Buru was originally called “Triple R Sounds” (think: roots-rock-reggae). “There were no ska bands before Mento in Bakersfield,” Munoz says. “Here I was still trying to preach the ska word. We knew we would be the only band in town doing it.” In October ‘91, Munoz finally got the courage to take his love of ska into the Bakersfield music scene with Joe Vazquez (trombonist), and mentor Scott Thompsett (saxophone), fellow horn players and friends from the Bakersfield College marching band. “Scott was a brotherly mentor early on, who turned us on to a lot of different types of music,” Munoz says of Thompsett.
The first show as ‘Triple R Sounds’
“We placed an ad in a newspaper called “The Music Note” run by Andy Zepeda from the band 2 Lazy 2 Steal,” Munoz remembered. “We got a call from the Triple R band and a guy came to my work, named Jon Higgins. He said, ‘Why
12 | MÁS August 2009
don’t you come and hang with us? We have a dub reggae band (instrumental).” But Munoz said the guys in Triple R were more interested in partaking of “the herb,” than being a serious band. “We (Munoz and Vazquez) went to sit in with the band. But Triple R were smoking out and things became kind of confusing to say the least.” But Munoz and crew had bigger aspirations than Triple R. “Me, Joe, Scott, and the band’s vocalist Bob Dunn, moved on,” he said. Some other original members included bassist Jason Grooms, Mike Brown on keyboards and percussionist “Ras” Larry Roberts. Dunn died from cancer in the mid‘90s, after which, Munoz took over at lead vocals. Drummer Cesareo Garasa joined the band very early on in ‘91, but soon moved to Idaho to get married. He was replaced by drummer Kyle Burnham. Percussionist Marcos Reyes (now with WAR,) who used to sit in at various gigs, became a full-time member after Roberts left. After the departure of Reyes in ‘98, percussionist Robert Martinez has become a Mento fan favorite with hard-hitting conga and timbale solos, plus his trademark humor. “Playing with these guys makes me happy,” he said, smiling. “Seeing people dance, and the ‘thanks’ we get from fans. We’re like a family, and I’m happy to be able to share the gift that God gave me with everyone.”
Early recordings and packed shows
In ‘92, Munoz and Mento Buru made their first original recordings in a Bakersfield Christian Life Center classroom, now the location of Olive Drive Church. “We made a four-song demo, and you could hear the outside sprinklers on the recordings,” he laughed. The band’s initial performances were in the ‘90s at downtown Bakersfield venues like the underage venue Bam Bams aka Mars, which had a reputation for being a punk and gay
teen hangout. They also performed at Chaos Coffee and Mannequins, another downtown club. Drummer Cesareo Garasa has plenty Mento memories of his own. “The one thing I remember about the early shows was this feeling that people really dug it,” said Garasa. “We’d be playing at Mars in downtown, and as soon as we’d play the first note — we’re talking about a midnight show on a Sunday — literally 10 minutes later, the place was packed out.”
Mento Buru: A staple of the Bako music scene
Eventually the band landed “Mento Buru Thursdays,” regular gigs at John Bryant’s Tavern in southwest Bakersfield during the mid ‘90s and at Suds Tavern, now Azul’s in the Wall Street Alley. “Mento Buru was known as a party band for years,” says saxophonist Paul Perez, who believes the band has matured musically, especially after adding guitarist Pablo Alaniz in ‘06. Alaniz is the grandson of Al Garcia of “Al Garcia and the Rhythm Kings,” a legendary Central Valley band that began playing and recording surf music in the ‘60s. Mento Buru and The Rhythm Kings share a similar history, as both began incorporating Latin flavors into their sound as years progressed. “Joining Mento was an opportunity to perform music genres of which I’d always been a fan,” said Alaniz. “It was also a thrill to be in a group that strived for originality.” Bassist Caleb Moore has been with Mento Buru for 13 years. He says he sought the band out after Mento Buru had been flown to play a show in Ridgecrest, where he lived. “I came over here (Bakersfiel) on a CSUB jazz scholarship. I saw these guys play in Ridgecrest, which isn’t a very big place,” he says. “I knew I was going to be playing with them. Here it is 13 years later, and I can’t get away from them,” Moore laughs. “It’s my therapy.”
Today, Mento Buru continues to perform and inspire people of all ages. “Success for us is about the music,” says Munoz. “Sure, we were on the Moon SKA label. But being signed to a label isn’t everything. We’ve had some of the city’s best talents in this band, too many to mention in one sitting … haha.” Munoz believes future great musicians are hidden among Bakersfield’s talented youth just waiting to be inspired. Mento Buru often gives local music students inspiring talks about their experiences in music coming through the school system. “We’ve been a champion of the local arts since day one and support keeping music in schools,” Munoz says. “It’s done so much for our lives and we’ve helped create a lot of memories together with people who’ve followed us all these years.” Yet inspiration isn’t just about assisting the younger teens and children. Mento Buru has been needed as Bakersfield’s musical compass to help provide direction for bands and musicians of all ages. Munoz aptly describes the ever-changing Bakersfield music scene as a rollercoaster through the decades. And he’s right about one further inspiring thought about a scene of revolving door bands: “One thing that has always remained is the consistency of Mento Buru,” he said.
Mento Buru factoid: The band’s name refers to two types of Jamaican folk music drum rhythms — ‘Mento’ and ‘Buru.’ Together they are the foundations of ska and reggae music.. “15 Crucial Traxx” is available locally at World Records and Going Underground Records in Bakersfield, and all Mento Buru live shows. Their entire music catalog is available at: Amazon.com and iTunes. Visit their Web site for complete schedule: www.myspace.com/mentoburu
EDUCATION
¡Adios, Señora Patiño! After 24 years, beloved Spanish teacher retires
f
PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS
After 24 years, Eva Patiño retired from teaching, but not before leaving a lasting — and inspiring — impression on countless students.
By Gabriel Ramirez Special to MÁS
E
va Patiño knows the meaning of hard work, whether toiling in the fields, taking orders as a waitress, manning the snack bar at a movie theater or teaching English to immigrants in
14 | MÁS August 2009
our community. No matter the task, Patiño gave it her all — not that she always had a choice, though. “I had to work,” said Patiño, now 62. “When my family decided to stay in Arvin, the months they didn’t work in the fields I had to work to pay for food.”
But of all those stints of employment, it was teaching that truly touched Patiño’s heart. She would eventually become a well-loved high school Spanish teacher, passing along her language, her cultura and her love of learning to students over the last 24 years.
Now, however, that beloved chapter in Patiño’s life has come to an end — she retired at the end of the 2008-09 school year. But not before her colleagues, family and even former students could bid her a fond farewell and tell her how much of an impact she made on so many lives.
COVER STORY
Carrying the torch
Youth Mariachi Foundation planning fundraiser for Aug. 16 Photos by Tanya X. Leonzo By Gabriel Ramirez Special to MÁS
F
or many people, mariachi is a job, a form of entertainment, or a reminder of past times. But to many students participating in the Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation, mariachi is also a cultural connection they might not get elsewhere. “I have gained a lot of things from the foundation. I am a lot more in tune with my culture,” said Ariana Quiñonez, a violin player. “Playing mariachi music gave me insight into my culture. I have always been close to my grandparents and playing mariachi music is something they can understand and that can connect me to them.” Eighteen-year-old Quiñonez said that being involved with the mariachi group has given her a better appreciation for where her family came from. However, this cultural connection is feeling the strain of the current failing economy. “We are going through hard times because of the economy,” said Mauro Laris, music director. “Donations have been reduced a lot. It’s a tough economy.” In an attempt to raise funds to help support the nonprofit foundation, a summer concert featuring the Mariachi Juvenil de Aztlán is being held Sunday, Aug. 16 at 5838 Round Up Way. The event will feature a deep-pit barbecue dinner and a night of mariachi music from Elisa Quiñónez
16 | MÁS August 2009
ENTERTAINMENT
Oh, baby! Barista-turned-playwright takes ‘Spider Baby The Musical’ on the road, but it’ll make a hometown stop, too By Teresa Adamo MÁS staff
J
ust how well do you know your barista? Walk into the Barnes & Noble Booksellers on California Avenue, and you’ll smell the java brewing away at the in-house cafe. Ready to happily serve you the latte of your choice is Enrique Acosta — and he can whip up a caffeinated beverage with the best of ‘em. Little do most of his customers know, however, Acosta can also whip up a fullblown musical production — which he’s done with “Spider Baby The Musical,” an adaptation of director/writer Jack Hill’s 1964 dark comedy horror film. As a fan of horror movies, Acosta kept hearing about this “Spider Baby,” and upon reading several letters praising its greatness in a magazine devoted to fans of the genre, he just had to see the film. “I expected it to be cheesy, maybe even very cheesy,” Acosta said. “But I found it to really have a story ... an emotional sense to it — and at the same time, it had a love/romance angle.” What turned out to be actor Lon Chaney Jr.’s last film would turn out to be local composer Acosta’s inspiration to write some “Spider Baby” songs for what he originally envisioned as a concept album. Five years ago, Acosta, 39 — who plays guitar, bass and percussion — began piecing together some words and music in a nod to “Spider Baby,” which depicts the sufferings of the Merrye family. Each family member must contend with the same degenerative mental disorder, which causes a loss of impulse control. What follows are the conflicts that arise when distant relatives want to institutionalize the Merrye children and sell off their land — but the kids won’t have any of that. As his songwriting progressed, Acosta’s wife, Helen, also 39 — a professor of com-
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COURTESY PHOTOS
Top: Original “Spider Baby” writer/director Jack Hill with the cast of the musical version. Right: One of the final scenes in “Spider Baby The Musical.” munications at Bakersfield College for the last 14 years as well as a former community theatre director — told her husband of 17 years that his creation seemed more like a musical score than a concept album. “It just had all the elements of a musical — it already had the story and the songs went with that,” she said. Next, however, Acosta realized that he would need Hill’s blessing (and permission) to officially turn his horror movie into a musical. After a few weeks, Acosta was able to track Hill down and made a phone call to him, asking for the green light. “He just laughed and told me he gets asked for that from people probably once a month — what made me think I would be
any different?” Acosta said. “I told him, ‘Well, I’m not in it to make money — this isn’t about profits, it’s about the art.’” Plus, he told Hill, he had already wrote some songs to prove his creativity and dedication to the possibility of the project. When Hill requested Acosta send him some recordings, well, there weren’t any. Not yet, that is. “So I played the songs for him over the phone,” Acosta said. Apparently pleased by what he heard, Hill said he was OK with Acosta’s “Spider Baby” musical to proceed. And so it did. Acosta began shopping his now authorized, “Spider Baby The Musical” baby to Continued on page 21
Hatcher opened the school in 1993 and immediately thought of Patiño for the Spanish department. “If there is one word to describe the Patiños, it is: passion. Everything they do, they are passionate about,” he said. “Let’s just say that the decision to bring her aboard worked out better than I planned.” Hatcher said that not only did Patiño bring an excellent teaching style to Centennial, but she also brought much-needed cultural awareness to the campus.
Job well done
PHOTO BY HENRY A. BARRIOS
Patiño looks forward to traveling with her husband and updating the family scrapbook. Continued from page 15
person, Patiño said sharing her culture through her Spanish teaching and the feedback she’d get from students kept her alive and energized. In fact, one particular student gave Patiño the ultimate feedback. Dionicio Altamirano was a student in Patiño’s advanced Spanish class at Centennial High School. He clearly remembers how much teaching meant to Patiño. “I saw how much she loved her job and enjoyed her culture. She was my favorite and always will be,” Altamirano said. And why not? Especially considering that same favorite teacher played an integral part in this young man’s future. “She inspired me to become a Spanish teacher,” he said. Altamirano just finished teaching at Liberty High School and will be transferring to South High School in the fall. Patiño said she remembers telling Altamirano that he would make a great Spanish teacher. “He looked at me and smiled. I just knew that he could do it,” she said. “And then one day, he walks into my classroom and says
20 | MÁS August 2009
‘Señora, ... I am a Spanish teacher.’ I wanted to cry.” Patiño was also Altamirano’s MEChA adviser. Patiño served in this role at all three schools she worked at, which allowed her to give students experiences they might never have had. Through the MEChA program, she was able to take students to colleges such as UCLA and CSU Northridge and to places like the Museum of Tolerance. “Education has always been my goal. Another goal was community service,” Patiño said. She pushed her students to help out in the community through sock drives for the homeless as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for the needy and more. Over her years of teaching, Patiño received the California Language Teachers Association Outstanding Teacher Award in 2002 and was nominated for the Jim Burke Ford Teacher Award in 2001. “I knew that if I hired Eva, that if student took her class for four years, they would know Spanish,” said Bill Hatcher, former principal of Centennial High School.
As Patiño’s teaching career ends, it becomes even more evident how much her encouraging words influenced others. That encouragement naturally continued when Patiño-Guadarrama followed in her mother’s footsteps, also becoming a Spanish teacher — and even starting at West High just like mom! She said her mother was always just a phone call away to answer all her questions and guide her through her first year as a Spanish teacher — an invaluable resource for a new educator. Patiño’s former student teacher, Lenis Mora said she also owes a lot to her mentor. “I can honestly tell you I wouldn’t be the teacher I am, if it weren’t for her help,” Mora said. “She has a special place in my heart and I wish her the best.” Ana Cataño, a Spanish teacher at Shafter High School, also counts Patiño as a major positive force in her career. “She is fun loving, caring and so sweet,” Cataño said. “I’m happy she is retiring, but sad we are losing such a great teacher.” Now that Patiño will no longer be waking up early Monday through Friday to teach students how to conjugate verbs, she has plenty of free time on her hands and she’s already making plans. Patiño said she will work on her family scrapbook and sew things that she can sell at her husband’s art shows, such as Dia de los Muertos bags, along with her unique creations of aprons for men and women with a Chicano twist to them. She will also travel to Chicago and Texas to visit family. “Then my husband and I are going to plan an exotic trip somewhere far away,” Patiño said. “I have a lot to do.” Of course, there will be a sense of nostalgia when Patiño looks back at her 24 years of teaching. “I will miss the students — they are the ones that kept me going with their discussions and their concerns,” she said. For all those new teachers just starting their career in education, Patiño offered this advice: “Keep going to workshops, keep learning and become more effective because there is so much out there. Remember that you are in the best profession in the world. It is very rewarding.”
NO E G.
IN THE MIXX
‘Mixx’ it up with
Noe G
W
hat’s up peeps? Well, pretty soon you gonna be seeing Christmas decorations, lol ... for reals. Mira, it’s already August & time is flying ... Last month, back in the day chicks, The MaryJane Girls, performed at the Nile and rocked the house. Recording artist Frankie J came thru Que Pasa to woo the girls, Superstar Dj Sprite killed it at Replay. Who’s next? You never know. Congratulations to Elia & Javier Moreno finally tying the knot. B-day shouts to Lucinda, Ofelia, Jasmine (the brat) and the homegirl Glenda Robles. Noche De Rumba was off the hook, shouts to KCHCOC, Latina Leaders and Cabana Palms for another cool night of salsa lessons and the after party, and a special shout to the homie H.A. Sala for hosting the event. Happy BDay to my nephew Casey Garcia ... Alright, let’s get “In the Mixx” and see what’s up for this month.
Get the lowdown at the 12th annual Lowrider Nationals Don’t miss out on this year’s 12th annual Lowrider Nationals Custom Car Show happening Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P St. Gates open at 11a.m. to 5 p.m. Come out and check out Cali’s coolest lowriders and custom bikes, the hop competition and the hot concert so far featuring
22 | MÁS August 2009
and when you’re out there “BEHAVE,” ... lol
Starring ‘Midnight Star’ at the Nile
By NOE G. | Contributing Columnist
Do you know of a comedy show, play, nightclub or other event that you want to share with MÁS magazine? E-mail it to: noeg@ massvmixx.com or tadamo@ bakersfield.com The New Boyz, Mack 10, Colby O Donis, June Bug Slim, a Banda and more artist to be added. Yours truly, Noe G, will be “In the Mixx” and hosting the event along with the number one radio station, HOT 94.1 fm. Also take advantage of the First Annual Lowrider Nationals Scholarship Award for Kern County high school graduates. Check out the Web site for more info at: www.lowridernationals.com. Tickets are $25 this year and you can hook them up at Metro PCS, Ritmo Latino, The Red Lion Inn. For more, call 323352-8384 or the Web site ...
Get your tickets for old school band, Midnight Star, coming to the Nile Theater, 1721 19th St., Friday night, Aug. 7. Performing hits like “Operator,” Freak-A-Zoid,” and my favorite, “No Parking On The Dance Floor,” this show is gonna be cool. Tickets are $28 @ vallitix.com or call 322-5200. Doors open at 8 p.m., show time is at 9 p.m. , so get there early, have a drink, mingle and get ready to reminisce back to the ‘80s. See you there. Shaaaa, say hi ...
Invading a theater near you ... Old School invades Bakersfield this month as yet another back in the day old skool band is set to perform at the Nile Theater, 1721 19th St. The Dazz Band comes to town Friday, Aug. 28. to take you back to the days, getting down with hits like “Joy Stick,” “Let It Whip,”’ and more, tickets are $25 at vallitix.com or call the homegirl, Josie, at 322-5200. Pretty soon Eminem is gonna be old school, the way these days are flying by, lol ... have fun ! Alright gente, that’s it for this month. Have fun and support your local events. Get your tickets for the Lowrider Nationals Car Show. Be safe, don’t drink and drive and until next month, stay fly, don’t hate and peace out ... Noe G!
Celebrate Women’s Equality Day Aug. 29 Courtesy of League of Women Voters of Kern County Women in Politics will be the topic when the League celebrates Women’s Equality Day Saturday, Aug. 29 with a breakfast at Hodel’s Restaurant, 5917 Knudsen Drive in Bakersfield. Fran Florez, a candidate for the California State Assembly last November, and Dee Whitley, a former member of the Panama Buena Vista School Board will discuss their experiences campaigning for office. What are the challenges in raising campaign funds and support? How does one handle innuendo and attacks from opposing candidates? Both women are members of our local League of Women Voters of Kern County. Aug. 26 of each year is designated in the United States as Women’s Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Cost for breakfast is $15. Reserve your place by calling the League Line, 634-3773. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, is open to any person of voting age.
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TRUE to self A
y Mujer, if we’re not an overachiever, we might as well forget being appointed to the Supreme Court or any other high level position for that matter. I’ve listened to much of the banter about Sonia Sotomayor and heard little said about the fact that Sotomayor has more experience as a lawyer and a judge, coupled with a stellar educational background, than any other nominee and appointee in the history of the U.S. Yet, there’s more talk and fault found in the fact that she “spekz d’ troos” as my Welita would say in broken inglés. Of course, she has a better perspective than those that aren’t Latina on matters related to Latinas. Just like women who’ve given birth, can tell “better” birthing stories than those who’ve only witnessed a birth. And, just like a person who lives in New York City can “better” tell you the ins and outs of NYC than someone who’s never been there. Not minimizing this, but those outraged by and call Sotomayor racist need to pull their chonies out of their big cola and I’m not talking CocaCola either. Being so rigid and uptight must have an affect on your looks because those throwing out the rhetoric (another word for BS) — ay mujer, ‘tan FEO! It just doesn’t pay enough to be that ugly. I’m serious mujer, just look at ‘em. Even the “could be considered” attractive like Elizabeth Hasselbeck on The View have pierced lips and a scowl on their face that makes you wonder if they just have the fart throw-ups (my son’s word for diarrhea) or were born like that.
“Ay Mujer” is written by Deborah Ramirez, a proud Chicana de Bakersfield. So, as the return of school approaches for us Latinas, go forth and overachieve because in this society where prejudice, racism, and bigotry was the norm for hundreds of years, be proud that it only took us Latinas a short period of time to assert ourselves as confident and competent while remaining true to ourselves. That’s one thing that can’t be said about those with their chonies thoroughly wedged because when we transform, we don’t lose our appeal (notice I didn’t say appearance because beauty’s more than skin deep). Wahcha-le ... Oh yah, and one more thing, discrimination is discrimination whether up, down, inside/out, locked in a box or in a hole with a fox (I love Dr. Seuss). Just a pet peeve from a well educated, highly experienced trained observer, if I do confidently and competently say so myself.
The
Network Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
www.kchcc.org
August 2009
New ‘Home Sweet Home’ for
First Mortgage Corporation
SAVE THE DATE AUG. 12 Business Mixer Hosted by Alta One Federal Credit Union 6501 Ming Ave. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 397-2555.
AUG. 30 Hispanic Trade Show Kern County Fairgrounds 1142 South “P” St. Noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 633-5495.
-
SEPT. 9
m PHOTO BY JOE SERRANO
It was all smiles at the re-grand opening for First Mortgage Corporation at 4630 California Ave. Contributed by KCHCC
O
n July 16, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting and re-grand opening for First Mortgage Corporation located at 4630 California Ave. Present were Ronald Briggs, district manager; First Mortgage Corporation and staff joined by Linda Haslow from Senator Roy Ashburn’s office; Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber members and friends. First Mortgage Corporation is an independent residential mortgage banking firm with branch offices located throughout the West. Founded in 1975, FMC is a direct-lending mortgage banker approved as a lender and/or loan servicer by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); the Veterans Administration (VA); the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae); the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie
26 | MÁS August 2009
Mac); the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae); the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA); the Nevada Housing Division; the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS); the California Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS); and many other major secondary market institutions. With more than 350 employees, it has assisted more than 70,000 families with their mortgage needs. FMC enables families to enjoy the American Dream of home ownership …“It’s the only thing we do.” FMC has a long-standing tradition of providing unparalleled customer service and a reputation built on adding value to the home loan process. That’s why FMC should be considered … “YOUR FIRST LENDING RESOURCE.” For more information, contact Michael Valverde 321-3300, or stop by their new Bakersfield location at 4630 California Ave.
Business Mixer Hosted by Azteca America 42/ABC 23 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 For information, call 637-2320.
OCT. 14 Business Mixer Hosted by Wells Fargo Bank (Downtown) 1300 22nd St. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 861-9971.
NOV. 11 Business Mixer Hosted by Double Tree Hotel 3100 Camino Del Rio Court 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 323-0331.
KERN COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
One groooovy mixer at
Code 3 Uniforms!
PHOTOS BY JOE SERRANO
Code 3 Uniforms owner, Ruben Gonzales poses with a marketing assistant at this FAR OUT mixer.
Contributed by KCHCC
O
n July 8, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Code 3 Uniforms hosted “That ‘70s Mixer” at their Uniform Store located on Rosedale Highway. And boy, was it ever a “FAR OUT” mixer! Polyester never looked so good! About 150 members and guests showed up throughout the evening. If you attended, you got to enjoy some of Omar’s delicious appetizers from “Los Hermanos Restaurant.” You also got to experience the sounds of “All Sound Music” that really took you back to the ‘70s as the vinyl spun the “Bee Gees,” “KC and The Sunshine Band,” “Evelyn Champagne King,” and other great ‘70s artists. The embroidery department was open showing off and giving away ‘70s style retro truckers caps with “That ‘70s Mixer” logo embroidered on it. Digital Designs Screen Printing’s staff was on site to “Show Off” their screen printing techniques and graphics. Call Manny at Digital Designs for your screen printing needs, or stop by their shop at 1705 California Ave. Code 3 Uniforms was also celebrating 12 years in business — Owner Ruben Gonzales Jr. opened his Law Enforcement Uniform & Supply store in 1997, when he decided to leave the California Department of Corrections for greener pastures. Code 3 Uniforms has grown since, now with an in-house custom embroidery
28 | MÁS August 2009
The staff of Code 3 Uniforms at 1705 California Ave. give a round of applause! department that does much more than just law enforcement embroidery and boasts 17 embroidery machines. Ruben, Jo Ann, Derek, Sabrina, Sara, Manny, Joey “The Print Master,” Bob, Van, Travis, Yvonne, Steven, and Sandy would like to thank everyone who attended their mixer. They really enjoyed hosting
all the guests. Code 3 Uniforms would like to pay a special “Thank you” to these folks who helped make “That ‘70s Mixer” a success: KCHCC, Digital Designs, Los Hermanos Restaurant, Tables 4 Fun Party Rentals, Polar Express, Census 2010 Staff, and All Sound Music DJ Service!
GENTE GALLERY
Happy Sweet 16,
Keri Villanueva May your 16th birthday be filled with many great memories of friends & family. You are just starting out on the path to great adventures. — Love, Ron, Liz, Marissa Corez & the Bakersfield Raiders Booster Club Family
PHOTO BY DANIELA GARCIA
Happy Retirement! From left: Brian Mendiburu, Valerie Mendiburu, retiring Kern County Superintendent of Schools Larry Reider, and Jack O’Connell, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The cartoon drawing depicts Reider.
Latina Leaders Awards The 11th annual Latina Leaders of Kern County awards dinner, honored: KC Sheriff’s Chief Deputy RoseMary Ramirez Wahl; new Kern County Superintendent of Schools Christine Lizardi Frazier; and Laura Arredondo, coowner of Delano Family Motors and local philanthropist.
PHOTOS BY TANYA X. LEONZO
Dolores Huerta surrounded by attendees of the Latina Leaders Awards.
SONIA SAENZ Agente De Seguros Saenz Insurance Agency
Auto, Home, Life, Business, Workers Compensation 3737 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 140 Bakersfield Ca 93309 Bus: 661-412-4905 • Cell 661-865-9691 Fax 661-412-4906 • Ca Lic # 0F49472 ssaenz@farmersagent.com
30 | MÁS August 2009
Chief Deputy Rosemary Wahl (Honoree) and Wendy Ávila.
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