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The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, August 7, 2011
■ Choose what you’d like to contribute (an article, letter, picture or community event listing) and post it yourself. ■ Still need help getting your contributions onto our website? E-mail Sandra Molen at smolen@bakersfield.com ■ Circulation: If you would like to receive our weekly publication or cancel delivery, please e-mail: voicedelivery@bakersfield.com or call 392-5777. Be sure to include your request, contact information and address.
www.bakersfieldvoice.com
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MEET THE CONTRIBUTOR
Meet Katherine Ross, a lady who loves literature
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atherine Ross loves a book — which is one of the reasons why you might run into her amid the numerous racks of books at the Beale Memorial Library. Another reason? Ross works there! You may have noticed this lover of literature is also the person who provides our Voice online readers at www.bakersfieldvoice.com with the lists of classes , book talks and other activities the Beale has to offer. Here is what this Beale librarian has to say about herself: “I’ve been a librarian at the Beale Memorial Library for 21 years. I graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson, and California State University, Bakersfield. I’ve always sort of dabbled in writing, for my own amusement, and because writing allows you
time to choose words carefully, as opposed to more open-ended conversations. My creative writing has ranged from poetry to short stories inspired by people I’ve met. Over the past two or three years, being assigned to publicity for library events, I’ve enjoyed the experience of being in print, although our library’s press releases typically represent collaboration between several librarians choosing their own wording for their own events. It’s been very rewarding to be able to pull together each month’s calendar. In addition, I also enjoy teaching some of the computer classes that are offered each month — and I recently helped plan Scrapbooking 101 workshops at Beale, and a free informational law event on Child Custody and Child Sup-
port. In addition to writing, I enjoy reading, sewing, walking, and quiet evenings at home with my husband, Steve. Although I use technology far more at work than anywhere else, I frequently buy computer time at FedEx to keep in touch with my sister and nieces in Louisiana through their Facebook pages.” — Would you like to become a community contributor? It’s easy to share YOUR voice in The Bakersfield Voice! Just visit our Web site at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, set up a FREE profile and start posting your articles, photos and blogs as a citizen journalist! Still need help or have a specific question? Email Sandra Molen at: smolen@bakersfield.com.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Katherine Ross, a librarian at the Beale Memorial Library, enjoys a good book.
BOOK REVIEW
YOUR VOICE
‘The Silver Pigs:’ Not your typical barnyard animal
You can adopt a pet, learn to crochet or start a resume ALL at the Beale Library
BY KATHERINE ROSS Community contributor
an you picture a private investigator living and working in Ancient Rome? Marcus Didius Falco is a Roman, but he’s also a plebian, shabby, working-class stiff just trying to make a living. And author Lindsey Davis has obligingly translated him into modern English “The Silver Pigs” is the first in a series that now numbers 20 books — and it’s an amusing introduction to this ordinary-yetlikeable hero. Falco’s Rome isn’t always heroic, and the reader constantly feels like they’re being given a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the real ancient Rome rather than the grand, history-book stereotype of statues and emperors. Our hero’s toga isn’t sparkling white, but his sense of honor and street smarts make up for it. The book is set in the year 70 AD. Falco encounters a fleeing, frightened girl, which leads to a series of adventures, including her subsequent murder by person or persons unknown. Trying to solve this puzzle, Falco realizes that his most important clue is a silver pig. Not the squealing, barnyard kind — this clue is a valuable bar of silver. The author’s vivid, down-to-earth prose, on the other hand, is right at home in both barnyard and palace, with its wry humor. As an example, in one of her earlier descriptions the
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author notes: “After the hum of the forum and the hurly-burly of the Roman squares, the Falco apartment was blessedly still, though faint noises rose from the street below and occasional birdsong could be heard across the acres of red tiled roofs. I lived right at the top. We arrived, as did all comers, wearily gasping for breath.” Falco follows the trail of silver from Rome’s back alleys to the squalid and deadly silver mines of Britannia (which, centuries later, is called England). Along the way, he meets a senator’s daughter, Helena Justina. They couldn’t possibly have anything in common, but this formidable woman may be more than just a beautiful distraction. As Falco connects the silver to a list of names worth killing for, he reveals a scandal of government-level proportions, as well as getting into a few brawls along the way. In short, Lindsey Davis transports murder and treachery back in time, with some painless historical detail thrown in. You may learn some surprising trivia about ancient laundry practices, and some vivid detail about ancient mining that makes modern mining sound like a pleasant stroll by comparison. This book just might inspire you to dust off that old copy of “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire” ... or not! Katherine Ross is a librarian at the Beale Memorial Library, which provides many great reads to suit all readers.
BY KATHERINE ROSS
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Community contributor
he following are computer classes and events at Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave., being offered in August: (Please note: the following classes require a basic knowledge of computer keyboard and mouse.) Beginning Surfing: Basic Internet — Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – noon. Let experts show you their tricks and tips to finding fun and reliable information on the Internet. Learn how to develop effective search strategies, choose the right search engine, decipher URLs, and much more. Introduction to Microsoft Word 2003 — Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. – noon. Learn basic word skills for creating a document; practice skills such as saving, opening, and printing files; copy, paste, center, format your text and more! Jumpstart your Resume! — Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. – noon. Learn to create an effective resume, using the online database Job & Career Accelerator. Receive tips and recommendations on how to make your resume work for you. Participants should come prepared with all the information they would like to include in their resume, including work and education history.
CALIFORNIAN FILE
A stray Abyssinian mix cat at the Kern County Animal Control shelter.
Other Events at the Beale Memorial Library in August: Thursday, August 11, 5-7 p.m.: Paws & Claws — Kern County Library and Kern County Animal Control invite you to an evening of fun and information about animals! Topics include: Animals available for adoption; Guest speakers to answer pet related questions; Books and information on pets, animals, and responsible pet ownership. Saturday, August 27, 11 a.m.: Barks and Books — Children build reading skills by sharing stories with a Therapy Dog - Arkelian Children’s Room.
Saturday, August 27, 1-3 p.m.: Scrapbooking 101 — Bring in a few photos and your favorite marker for this hands-on scrapbooking workshop! Material for this program was generously donated by Beverly’s. Tejon Room Tuesday, August 30, 5 p.m.: Crochet Program. All are welcome to come in with their latest project, or just a crochet hook and yarn. - Tejon Room. All events are free. No reservations necessary. For more information, call Beale Memorial Library at: 868-0770 or visit the website at: www.kerncountylibrary.org.
YOUR SCHOOLS
YOUR SCHOOLS
Research abounds this summer through REVS-UP program
Harvick goes Head2Head for CSUB scholarships
COURTESY OF CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD cience projects are not just for fourth grade. Professionals who enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can dedicate their whole careers to science projects, thus leading to innovation and economic growth. The question facing educators is how to get students excited about going into those fields? Thanks to a $500,000 gift from Chevron, CSUB is able to help local K-12 schools invigorate students through the STEM Student Center. Much of that gift — $400,000 — is paying for an annual summer science program for both students and teachers that kicked off July 18. In its fifth year, REVS-UP (Research Experience Vitalizing Science – University Program) groups 89 high school students and 25 high school teachers with CSUB faculty and students to work for four weeks on science-related research projects. Projects cover areas of biology, chemistry, computer science, earth system science, geology, math and physics. Some of the research includes antimalarial drug development, digital watermarking to protect images and videos, robotics design and programming, predicting valley fever outbreaks using satellite image tracking of environmental changes, and analyzing sediment cores from local groundwater sources. “These projects will give the participants the
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opportunity to learn how research is done and that they are very capable of participating in it,” said Dr. Andreas Gebauer, REVS-UP director and chair of the chemistry department at CSUB. “High school students and teachers will obtain hands-on experience on modern instrumentation and with modern research techniques, something they would never be able to experience in the K-12 setting.” In the process, high school students earn university credit that hopefully will start them on a career in a STEM field. High school teachers learn valuable research methods and activities they can take back to their classrooms and pass on to their students. Additionally, the program enables CSUB faculty to advance their research, and CSUB students get the opportunity to learn by teaching. "It's absolutely critical for companies like Chevron to have a steady pipeline of young engineers and scientists in all the places we do business so we are always looking for effective ways to stimulate that interest," said Bruce Johnson, Vice President of San Joaquin Valley Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company. Science fairs aren’t just for fourth grade, either. REVS-UP culminates with a poster presentation and demonstration by each group at 2 p.m. Aug. 11 in the Student Union Multipurpose Room.
COURTESY OF CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD akersfield native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick is racing for more than bragging rights in August when he takes on 31 other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in DIRECTV’s second annual Head2Head Knockout competition. Harvick will also be vying for part of $400,000 in winnings that DIRECTV is donating to charities chosen by the participating drivers. Harvick’s charity of choice is the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund, which his foundation established in 2010 to support Kern County student-athletes pursing a degree at California State University, Bakersfield. As a student-athlete himself, Harvick values education and understands the difficulties that families may face in financially providing for their children’s education. The Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship is an on-going, fullride, need-based scholarship that supports Kern County native athletes, enabling them to follow their dreams to obtain an undergraduate degree and participate in athletics at the collegiate level. DIRECTV’s Head2Head Knockout takes place during four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races August 7, 14, 21 and 27. Each driver will go head-to-head against a new competitor each week in a single elimination format until the field is narrowed down to “The Fastest Four” who will race for the championship in Bristol on August 27. Drivers won’t be the only ones competing. Fans can also participate online at www.directv.com/nascar. Those who fill out a perfect bracket can win a chance at $1 million, and the fan who accumulates the most points will win a brand new truck from the manufacturer of the winning driver. Other prizes include a Panasonic 3D Prize Package and tickets to a 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Brackets must be entered by 12:30 p.m., TODAY!
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Bakersfield native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick will race against 31 other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in DIRECTV’s second annual Head2Head Knockout competition, which starts today. About the Kevin Harvick Foundation: Established in 2010 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation is to support programs that positively enrich the lives of children throughout the United States. The foundation works to not only improve the quality of life, but to help underprivileged youth find and realize their dreams by supporting programs such as the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund, KHF Chase Your Dreams Scholarships, Kevin’s Krew and the KHF Christmas For Kids program. To learn more about the Kevin Harvick Foundation, go to www.kevinharvickfoundation.org.