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The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, August 29, 2010
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YOUR SCHOOLS
Paper or electronic? E-books gaining in popularity
E
-books. I’ve had the Kindle for nearly a year — and the jury is still out for me. I’m waiting for the research. A bit of it is out there with the news that e-books outsold paper books during a three month period at Amazon, which is notable!
I tend to zip through fiction — consuming books and moving on — so the Kindle is just fine for that. I do find the Kindle a bit challenging to navigate at times but like any new technology, I’m getting better all the time. Sometimes I’ll go back to try to remember what the name of the book is and have difficulty getting back to the page I was on — although that shouldn’t happen. I had the Kindle for six months before I
searched for something and realized I could get to the internet at NO CHARGE! Wow! I admit it: I even checked my Facebook account! I can get samples of books, adjust the font size, and I can even listen to some books — although the electronic male or female reader fouls up inflection. I’m sure there are functions I don’t know about — and would benefit from meeting
with other Kindle users. I have purchased and read a half dozen nonfiction books and I did not like reading them electronically because I like to refer back to share information with others. While I can bookmark electronically, it’s just too cumberEducation columnist some. I also find I don’t remember the titles to books or authors when I read them electronically because I don’t get that reinforcement
PEGGY DEWANE-POPE
every time I pick up the book. Most importantly, I can’t share them with friends when I read a good one. For serious reading, USA Today shows I’m not alone because “some of the most techsavvy students aren’t quite ready to endorse the devices for academic use.” An article by Mary Beth Marklein says: “Whereas e-readers have taken off in the leisure-reading market, publishers have been slower to jump into the education market. Reasons vary, but one challenge for publishers is that reading for the purpose of gaining knowledge is a more complex process than reading for pleasure.” It does go on to sing the praises of the ability to search for topics easily in an e-
book text. Many forms of e-books are available including the Kindle, iPad, Nook, and Sony has a product as well. The initial cost of the product is steep — although it’s going down — but new books run about half price, however, they can’t be shared. I purchased a compilation of 11 Newbery Award winning books (outstanding children’s literature) for $0.99 — and there are countless free books including classics in the public domain. I would buy one again — especially as prices drop. Peggy Dewane-Pope is a teacher at Stonecreek Junior High in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District.
YOUR GARDENS
YOUR SPORTS
Succulents take the worry — and water — out of gardening!
Volleyball is a vehicle that opens doors to the future
BY CATHERINE OGAS Community contributor
s the grueling hot summer arrives in Bakersfield — flowers battle the heat just as much as we do, but without the option of cannonballing into the pool. There are plenty of gardens and nurseries to visit in Bakersfield with many beautiful flowers to see — but traditional gardens take a lot of water and care which is something one can’t always afford and doesn’t always have time for. So what must a person do to attain a sustainable and attractive garden? What type of plants can grow in the heat and live without a lot of water? Is it possible to still have an enjoyable garden and still conserve much needed water? Cacti and succulents is the answer. In this economy, where any available money saving resource helps, cacti and succulents can be practical alternatives to traditional flower gardens. Bakersfield is a wonderful host for cacti and succulents. They thrive here. One can’t help but notice just how beautiful cacti can be. Sure, they need water but you can skip a couple of days — or go on vacation and know that when you return, your cacti are still going to be healthy and alive. Those interested in a flowering garden needn’t look far. Cacti and succulents provide beautiful blooms. Some blossoms last only a few hours — and some last for many days. When they eventually stop blooming, the cacti are still green and vibrant. They continue
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A
PHOTO BY CATHERINE OGAS
Cacti and succulents, grown in pots on the patio of the Ogas home, thrive in the heat and require very little water.
to grow shoots in many directions. Just when you think they’re finished blooming for the season, you wake up in the early morning to see that more flowers have blossomed. The cacti flowers that I have witnessed in my own backyard have always taken my breath away — and provide for some great photographs. Cacti are very inexpensive when they are small — and with the slightest bit of work, they grow fast and last quite a long time. Propagating cacti is also very easy. The convenient thing about
cacti is that they can be grown inside, as well as outside. Finding books about cacti and succulents are very easy to find at your local library or book store. Innovative display ideas for the home and garden — and imaginative ideas for designing striking and unusual plant groupings are just some of the things you can learn. Mother Nature always has her way of keeping beauty around us — cacti and succulents is her way to keep beauty in some of the hottest places in the world.
YOUR ECONOMY
Is the local economy on the road to recovery? COURTESY OF CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD ocal consumers are less pessimistic and local businesses are more optimistic about employment and financial conditions, according to the latest issue of Kern Economic Journal. Meanwhile, over the past three months, Kern County’s economy has expanded, and the labor and housing markets have improved. The Kern Economic Journal is a quarterly publication by California State University, Bakersfield, which tracks and analyzes local economic trends. It uses results from telephone surveys of local consumers and business managers as well as statistics from government agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Our research shows Kern County’s economy is rebounding from its recession,” said Abbas Grammy, professor of economics at CSUB and the editor of the journal. “The evidence is consistent: improved consumer confidence, brighter business outlook, modest growth, increased employment, lower unemployment, and rising housing prices and sales.
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FROM WWW.MYBAKERSFIELDSPORTS.COM hen an 11-year-old girl from the Bakersfield’s inner-city shows up for her first Central Valley Starlings Volleyball Club (CVSVC) practice, she typically does not have much in the way of volleyball skills. Most of the girls who join the club have only played the sport outdoors on asphalt playgrounds and have had very little training. But if a young lady possesses some natural athleticism, works hard and sticks with the program until she’s 18, she may be able to walk through a door that otherwise would have been closed to her. “We have high school seniors coming through the program now and all but one of them will be playing volleyball at least at the community college level, and some at larger schools,” said Jim Greer, CVSVC Director, founder of the local organization and coach of the 18U team. “Girls who come to our program are probably five years behind private school girls in terms of volleyball skills, and so they have a difficult time competing at first,” he said. “But once they get rid of the ‘it’s OK to lose’ attitude, and start developing the skills they need, it’s a different story.” Among the volleyball success stories in Bakersfield is Quanshell Scott, who came to CVSVC from the inner-city of Los Angeles, pushed herself hard, earned a fullride scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University and went on to play professionally in Croatia. “Now she’ll come back when she can to see us, and she really serves as an inspiration to the other girls,” Greer said. “In fact, five of my six current volunteer coaches are former Starlings players who want to give something back to a program that made a big difference in their lives.” Another success story is Anisa
“We expect moderate improvements to continue in the second half of the year toward a full recovery next year.” Key findings in the report include: •Results of the CSUB survey indicate that local households became less pessimistic about employment and financial conditions of their families and relatives as the Bakersfield Consumer Sentiment Index gained 12 points to reach 78. •Survey results also show that local businesses became more confident about their employment and financial conditions as the Kern County Business Outlook Index gained four points to reach 110. •Kern County’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.9 percent. It created $15.39 billion in total personal income, $151 million more than the previous quarter. •Kern County’s labor market improved. The rate of unemployment of Kern County dropped from 17.4 to 15.5 percent. Still below the county average, the rate of unemployment averaged 11.3
percent in Bakersfield, 12.7 percent in California City, 9.3 percent in Ridgecrest, and 10.2 percent in Tehachapi. •Kern County’s housing market improved. The median sales price for all residential units appreciated $6,100 (4.7 percent) from $130,500 to $136,600. In Bakersfield, the median housing price appreciated $4,200 (3.1 percent) from $136,800 to $141,000. •Sales of housing units increased from 2,512 to 3,260 in Kern County and from 1,809 to 2,351 in Bakersfield. The county’s foreclosure activity slowed from 2,331 to 2,008. However, of these homeowners receiving default notices, 1,802 (90 percent) lost their homes to foreclosure. The report also contains features on business executives, education and international trade. The entire journal, along with shorter weekly reports, can be found online at: www.csub.edu/kej. For more information, please contact Abbas Grammy, CSUB economics professor, at 654-2466.
COURTESY PHOTO
Cerna, 18, who will play for Bakersfield Community College this fall after four years with the Starlings. “She’s an example of someone who only played volleyball on asphalt, but advanced quickly under Jim’s coaching and leadership, and was playing on the junior varsity as a Highland High School freshman,” said her father, Joe Cerna, who serves as an assistant coach with CVSVC. “Anisa not only earned all-league honors, but also became a National Scholar.” Greer, who is also the varsity volleyball coach at South High School in Bakersfield, said that the organization is dependent on fundraisers. “There are plenty of expensive volleyball clubs in the area, but we only charge the girls for the basics, including tournament entry fees and travel costs,” he said. “And, we try to generate as much of that money as possible from our fundraisers, including car washes and cookie sales.” The CVSVC season runs from January through June. There were five teams in 2010 — two 14U teams, a pair of two 16U teams and one 18U squad — with a total of about 70 girls participating.
Other coaches are Katie Lopes, Fred Kleim, Brandi Randle, Lindsey Thompson and Courtney Parker. Each of the teams plays approximately 50 matches during the course of a season, including against other Southern California Volleyball Association squads in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, in local tournaments, and in the national tournament. The CVSVC 18U team placed fifth among 30 teams in the Gold Division of the Nationals in San Diego in 2010. The victories are nice, but Greer has an additional agenda in mind for the girls who participate in CVSVC. “Volleyball is the vehicle, and it shows these girls that they can get what they want out of life if they have the heart, the attitude and the commitment,” Greer said. “Parents are also crucial to the program and to the development of their daughters. “Without the parents’ help, this couldn’t happen.” For more information about the Central Valley Starlings Volleyball Club visit: www.centralvalleystarlings.shutterfly.com.
Kern County Rugby West Side district keeps athletes busy this fall basic fundamentals of football. PracFROM WWW.MYBAKERSFIELDSPORTS.COM Club welcomes he summer and fall will once tices are held on Tuesdays from 5-6 new players p.m., with games starting at 1 p.m. again be very busy seasons
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he Kern County Rugby Club, 2004 Southern California Div III Champions and ranked #3 nationally, has been around since 1970. Our club has over 37 years of rich tradition in Southern California Rugby. We’ve established ourselves as a tough and aggressive club over the years. We will continue this tradition for the 2010 season in Division II. We welcome all new players! Have questions? Interested in becoming a part of the team? Contact Tim Antongiovanni at: tim@kcrugby.com or visit the website at: http://www.kcrugby.com for more details.
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for the West Side Recreation & Park District in Bakersfield. “We offer a wide variety of sports and other activities regardless of age or skill level,” said Les Clark III, in his fourth year as Recreation Supervisor. “Our sports are recreational in nature, but of course there is a competitive element to them. “The key is participation and enjoying the experience.” Although summer sports camps such as tennis, softball and basketball are just ending, there’s a number of fall programs on the way. Fall programs at the West Side Recreation & Park District include N.F.L. Youth Flag Football, instructional soccer, and Punt, Pass, Kick & Catch. The N.F.L. Youth Flag Football program, for ages 6-10, teaches the
on Saturdays from Sept. 7 through Oct. 16 at “A” Street Park. The fee is $35 per child. Instructional soccer, held at Franklin Field, is also for boys and girls ages 3-5. Practices are held on Mondays, with games played on Saturdays from Sept. 13 to Oct. 9, beginning at 9 a.m. Registration runs through Sept. 2 and includes a $25 per child fee. Designed for boys and girls ages 35, the Punt, Pass, Kick & Catch program runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 20. Teamwork and the basics of the game are taught on Saturday mornings (9, 10 or 11 a.m.) at “A” Street Park. The fee is $25 per child, and registration goes through Oct. 14. Those interested in learning more about the West Side Recreation & Park District may visit: www.wsrpd.com.
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The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, August 29, 2010
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