www.bakersfieldvoice.com
September 13-19, 2009
F R E E
Softball team uses ‘Intensity’ for win Pg. 2 Bug-tastic new zoo! Pg. 4 Pageant seeks out Bakersfield beauties Pg. 7
Beauty in flight Share your best nature moments for new contest, pg. 3
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EXTRA!EXTRA!
Long live music! BY MARJORIE BELL Community Contributor
M
usica Viva, a cello, violin and harp ensemble from Fresno, will be in concert at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20 at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road, as the first concert in the new season of the Fred and Beverly Dukes Memorial Concert Series. Harpist Laura Porter, cellist Dieter Wulfhorst and violinist Susan Doering serve on the music faculty of Fresno Pacific University. Wulfhorst and Doering have performed widely throughout the U.S. and Europe. Both have also been nominated for Grammy awards for recordings. COURTESY OF MARJORIE BELL The concert is free of charge and open to Violinist Susan Doering and cellist Dieter Wulfhorst will be in concert Sept. 20 with the public. harpist Laura Porter. Details, 327-1609.
Free electronic waste recycling BY USER NAME: NO WASTE
U
rner’s in Bakersfield & Neil Agness E-Waste Recycling have teamed together to provide a FREE Electronic Waste Collection Event for all Kern County residents on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Businesses and residents are invited to bring their unwanted (working or non-
working) electronic items to the parking lot of Urner’s, located at 4110 Wible Road. Items accepted at NO COST include televisions, computer monitors, CPU’s and other computer accessories. Also accepted are all other electronic devices that can be plugged into the wall. We WILL NOT be able to accept large appliances. Any questions, please call Neil at 3699861, or e-mail: nlagness@yahoo.com.
Go country at ‘Evening on the Prairie’ BY KATHLEEN KRESS Community contributor
B
akersfield Breakfast Rotary Club invites the community to its annual fundraiser — “Evening on the Prairie” — at Kern Agricultural Pavilion, 501 South Mt. Vernon Ave., 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Honky-Tonk Truckers will provide entertainment, which includes line-dancing lessons. A Santa Maria-style BBQ supper will be served. Live and silent auction, dancing, games and prizes round out the evening. Cost is $50. For more information, e-mail: dwhite@bacpas.com.
SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
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Have a great story to tell? How about a nice photo of your kids you’d like to share? Or maybe you have a blog that you think is interesting or inspiring. Well, we’d like to get it into The Bakersfield Voice, our citizen journalism newspaper distributed to more than 75,000 households each week. It’s easy to do, just go to our Web site: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, create a FREE profile and begin posting your stories, photos and blogs today. If you are not sure about grammar or punctuation, don’t worry. We’ll help you by editing it before putting it in the newspaper. So, how do you get it into print? Well, the best thing to do is post early and often. The Bakersfield Voice prints on Thursdays and is distributed on Sundays to some Bakersfield households, along with scores of racks at local businesses. The best way to get something into print is to post a couple of weeks before you’d like for it to get into print. And although we can’t guarantee that your stories or photos will get into The Voice, you can increase your odds by getting your postings done by the following deadlines:
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YOURCELEBRATIONS Sun shines on champion Intensity softball team
S T A F F
BY SERENA RODRIGUEZ Community contributor
Congratulations to the 16u Central Cal Intensity (CCI) Fastpitch softball team on their championship finish in the NSA Fun in the Sun Tournament held Aug. 29-30 in Tulare, Calif. CCI 16u will compete in the Fall Classic at Big League Dreams in Chino Hills, Calif. The team will then travel to the Best of the West College Showcase in Palmdale, Calif. Oct. 3-4.
EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING
Olivia Garcia Vice President / Content ogarcia@bakersfield.com
Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 7168632
Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Sandra Molen Contributions Coordinator smolen@bakersfield.com
ART The winning team includes: Katie Clifton, Cheyenne Rodriguez, Victoria Johnson, Gabby Spaillero, Jessica Quinones, Andrea Negrete, Jessica Velasques, Stacia Fitz-Patrick, Tiffany Hoggatt, Gio Serros, Maddie Arambula, Vanessa Morales and Special Assistant Matt Arambula. CCI 16u is managed by Serena Rodriguez. www.eteamz.com/central_cal_intensity
Timothy Heinrichs Designer
OFFICE Marisol Sorto Office Administrator msorto@bakersfield.com 716-8640
The Bakersfield Voice P.O. Box 2344 Bakersfield, CA 93303 The Bakersfield Voice is published by Mercado Nuevo, an independent subsidiary of The Bakersfield Californian.
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SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
YOURCONTEST
Contents
‘Nature’s Beautiful Moments’ contest
4 5 6
D
id you capture an interesting or beautiful shot of nature this summer while on vacation? Maybe you caught nature at its best in your own backyard. Regardless of where you pointed your viewfinder — your favorite rose bush in full bloom, the setting sun casting a pink shadow over a mountain range or maybe you were lucky enough to catch a deer peering around your tent during a recent camping trip — we want to see your BEST nature photos! Enter The Bakersfield Voice’s newest contest, “Nature’s Beautiful Moments,” including a short story (no more than 200 words) about what inspired you to take the shot, where you were and what you find most beautiful about nature. If your entry is selected, you will win SIX tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (a $200 value) — talk about a great venue in which to capture nature! Don’t delay! Create a FREE profile, if you haven’t already, and post your best “Nature’s Beautiful Moments” shot (and short story) today! Go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com. Deadline to enter the contest is Monday, Oct. 5.
Community contributor Angela Espinoza captured this dragonfly perched on her car antenna. Have you caught an amazing moment that focuses on nature? If so, enter our “Nature’s Beautiful Moments” contest. Go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com
PHOTO BY JORDAN FARMER/COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR
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Your photo could be on our next cover! Photos and stories for the Oct. 4 issue must be posted by Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.
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SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
YOURVOICE
Crawl, fly or wriggle your way to Bug Zoo! BY JANET NEEDHAM Community contributor
B
akersfield Bug Zoo is now open at the Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., Suite 140. A visit to this must-see zoo offers visitors an excellent opportunity to view and experience multi-legged creatures in a safe, fun and friendly atmosphere. Get up close and personal with LIVE giant centipede, alien-eyed praying mantises and hairy tarantulas, to name a few. For an educational entertainment experience, be sure to crawl, fly or wriggle your way to the Bug Zoo. Bakersfield’s Bug Zoo offers an interactive experience for visitors, where they can experience the sights, sounds and smells of live creepy crawlies, including giant cockroaches, beetles, walking sticks, praying mantids, centipedes, millipedes, scorpions and tarantulas. Garden spiders may not be your cup of tea, but seeing a goliath tarantula, which can grow to a foot in diameter, might captivate your inner child — or any child! Bakersfield’s Bug Zoo is a microcosmic world of bugs — all busily crawling, buzzing, gnawing, and in general, doing what bugs do. From behind the safe barrier of a glassed enclosure, you can get within inches, if you want. Some insects are harmful to humans by spreading disease, infecting our
Janet Needham opened the Bakersfield Bug Zoo at the Golden State Mall. She is holding a colorful (display, not real) butterfly that will be part of her unique zoo’s ambiance. CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
homes and eating our crops and stored food. However, most insects are harmless and beneficial. Insects play a large role in pollinating many important food crops as well as our flower gardens. They decompose dead plant and animal matter, which helps to recycle nutrients back into the earth. The burrowing and tunneling activity of many insects aerates and mixes the soil. Insects are a food source for wildlife — and even for people — in many coun-
tries. Insect products like honey, wax, silk, shellac and dye are an important economic source in most countries. Some insects are even important in the development of genetic and scientific research. Without insects, the earth as we know it would not survive! Zoo hours are: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 per person for a self -guided tour; children 2 and under admitted free.
For more information, call 323-7100 or visit: www.bakersfieldsbugzoo.com. To learn about tarantulas go to BugZoo’s blog at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com/home/Blog /BugZoo/48263; to learn more about praying mantises go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com/home/Blog/BugZoo/48262. To receive a $1 off admission coupon (good for up to six people) valid until Sept. 30 go to: http://www.bakersfieldsbugzoo.com/M onthlyCoupon.html
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SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
YOURPETS
Pet limits should emphasize quality, not quantity
B
ack when I worked as the office manager of a veterinary hospital in Sacramento, I had the good pleasure of knowing a woman who owned 22 cats. Yes, 22 — and every last one of them were spayed or neutered, up to date on their vaccines, licensed (as it was the law to license cats in Sacramento) and well cared for. We’d see her a couple of times a month, because with 22 cats someone was always either due for shots or one of the “special needs” felines needed a check-up of some sort. She’s one of the first people I think of when discussions come up about limiting the number of pets a person can have. Kern County Animal Control Director Guy Shaw is proposing an ordinance that would, among other things, require people with 10 or more dogs and/or cats to apply for a permit to keep them. The Board of Supervisors expects to receive plenty of feedback from people when the topic comes up for discussion at Pet columnist
VICKY THRASHER
CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO
Two small dogs share a kennel at the SPCA animal shelter in this 2004 photo. The number of pets allowed is up for public comment.
its Sept. 29 meeting, and I’m sure the public will not let them down. Don’t get me wrong. I empathize with Mr. Shaw’s frustration about the pet overpopulation problem we have in Kern County, and the endless cycle of homeless pets that are brought to the shelter every day, more than can possibly find homes even during the best of economic times. I just don’t think an arbitrary number limit is going to help. The problem with using a number is that people immediately seize on the
number as a topic of debate, rather than discuss what it means to be a responsible pet owner. If Jane Citizen has eight cats and four dogs, and all are altered, current on their vaccinations, licensed and aren’t bothering the neighbors, what difference does it make to me how many pets she has? What difference should it make? If, on the other hand, Judy Citizen has two dogs who are unaltered, produce litter after litter of half-breed “designer dogs” and are left to live the bulk of
their lives in a concrete run on the side of the house, with little family interaction or stimulation, should that pass as OK, just because they are within the prescribed limit? It’s a big discussion, worthy of far more consideration than haggling over the appropriate “quantity.” Let’s treat it as such. Have a pet-related question or comment? E-mail Vicky at: Vicky@pawprintcity.com or go to: www.pawprintcitytimes.com
Educator of the month Mrs. Sara Silva Nominated by Alexandra Hensler
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My teacher, Mrs. Sara Silva, is a great spirited and wonderful teacher! She always helped me whenever I have a question and really helps you understand everything by also giving fun examples. One time all of us had a state report to do, so to help us, Mrs. Silva taught us to make a fun poster and gave us time and help to do it in class and in computer lab. Mrs. Silva has a really adorable and sweet daughter, Megan, so she also treats us like we are family, which makes us all feel warm inside. The great part about that is she still says, “It’s OK” and comforts us, but still tells us we need to still do our work. Sometimes she will take us out for P.E. and we can just have fun. I really love Mrs. Silva and she is the best teacher I have ever had!
I would just like to say thank you for being a great teacher Mrs. Silva! Also, thank you for reading! Sponsored by
■ 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 MUST also include their first and last name, school, department/grade and a photo in a jpeg format. Winners will be featured in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice for a month and will receive a $50 gift card for school supplies, compliments of GW School Supply and TBV.
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YOURVOICE
Get smart with art! BY GRACIELA BREHMER Community contributor
D
eveloped by a former elementary art teacher, Art Start (www.KidsArtStart.com) is an exciting way for preschoolers to learn about art, build school skills and have fun. A 50-minute mommy-and-me class, Art Start combines noted artists like Piet Mondrian, Georges Seurat and Jackson Pollock with an assortment engaging projects to stimulate and enhance a young child’s creative experience. Plus, it’s curriculum based, so children learn skills for school! With Art Start, young children love painting, molding and exploring their creativity in activities geared for their age. Parents love that Art Start is curriculum based! Plus, Art Start provides all the supplies for you, so kids can take home a variety of fantastic art creations and leave the mess behind. Art Start is available at four locations this fall with over 24 classes to choose from. Try them all, or pick the ones you want. Classes available at American Kids Southwest (833-3986) beginning Sept. 17; Color Me Mine (664-7366) beginning Sept. 15; The Younger Gallery (324-9000) in October; and the Buena Vista Museum in November. Pre-registration required for classes, so call to reserve your space now! Web site: www.KidsArtStart.com
SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
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YOURVOICE
The 2009 Bakersfield Title Holders: Angelica August (Miss) Rhenana Grimes (Mrs.) Erica George (Teen) COURTESY OF GAYLE TAPE
Bakersfield beauties compete for state title; 2010 pageant applications now available BY GAYLE TAPE Community contributor
T
he Bakersfield Pageant will be sending five local title holders off to the California International Pageant in Downey, Sept. 10-13. They are: Kayla Gonzales (Jr. Miss Bakersfield Intl); Erica George (Teen Miss Bakersfield Intl); Angelica August (Miss Bakersfield Intl); Rhenana Grimes (Mrs. Bakersfield Intl); Ashley Pavletich (Mrs. Kern County Intl) We wish them all good luck and look forward to them bringing home the
state titles! Applications are now available for the 2010 Bakersfield Pageant at: www.thebakersfieldpageant.com. The orientation meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., Westside Church of Christ, 7300 Stockdale Hwy. The age requirements for the 2010 Bakersfield Pageant are: For the 2010 Bakersfield Pageant Teen (Ages 14-17); Miss (ages 18-24); Mrs. (23plus, and married at least six months). Applications and information are also on the pageant’s Web site: the bakersfieldpageant.com. — Gayle Tape is the Bakersfield Pageant Director.
This week’s Star Athlete: T.J. Moffit Nominated by Tina and Jeff Moffit We would like to nominate our son, T.J. Moffit, 15, for “Star Athlete” because he IS a star. T.J. plays catcher for Liberty High School Frosh/Soph team and the Bakersfield Braves Baseball Club. Baseball has been his passion for 7 years. T.J. is also a cross country runner who will run his second year on the varsity at Liberty High this fall. T.J. volunteers his time as a referee for AYSO Soccer, plus regularly catching for coaches during pitching lessons. He enjoys working with young athletes and understands the PHOTO COURTESY OF T.J. MOFFIT need to promote sportsmanship and teach the fundamentals. T.J. is our star because he juggles Besides sports, T.J. is a straight many interests AND does his very “A” student at Liberty High School. best at whatever he chooses to do.
■ 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.
Snowball - 775017
Hi! My name is Snowball and I am a 10-12 month old, male, white, domestic short hair mix. I will be neutered before I can go home. I came to the shelter because my owner was no longer able to spend timewith me and they wanted me to find a new loving home. I am a very sweet and affectionate kitty that LOVES to be with people. Don’t forget tomention my ID number - 775017!
Monty - 777138
Hi! My name is Monty and I am a two month old, male, orange and white domestic short hair Tabby mix. I will be neutered before I can go home. I love to be with people, play with toys and relax in shoeboxes. I would do best in a home with older children. Don’t forget to mention my ID number 774841!
These pets may be adopted quickly! Please visit the KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER at 201 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. to see all of our adoptable pets. For more info call 661-868-7144 or visit our website at www.co.kern.ca.us/acd.
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SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2009
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