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April 2, 2009 April 15, 2009
GET STARTED IN BAKOTOPIA MAGAZINE! PAGE 4
LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS RETURN
JOE TETRO’S BOHEMIAN AMERICANA
ZOMBIETASTIC RESIDENT EVIL 5
BAKOTOPIA STAFF
EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487 Matt Muñoz Editor/Product Manager mmunoz@bakersfield.com 395-7660 Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor garaygordobil@bakersfield.com Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com
ART Billy Simkins Designer bsimkins@bakersfield.com
ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632 David Alanis Sales Executive Katie Blair Sales Executive Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Angela Espinoza Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive Mark Wells Sales Executive
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E D I TO R ’ S N OT E
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akotopia supports the arts and the artistes responsible for their creation. As we have with previous issues - “Feel My Art I & II,” “Burn The Witch,” and more - Bakotopia loves putting the spotlight on new faces. This week’s cover superwomen - Sabrina Ramirez and Christina Varvel of Divine Fusion are perfect examples of real artistic activism. With knowledge and beauty as just some of their weapons of choice, they’re on a mission to educate and entertain - or as KRS-ONE once stated, “Edutain.” Serious business … Photographer Holly Carlyle captured the moment perfectly in downtown. Once you read their story, you’re sure to be hooked on their conscious vibes. Make plans to join them on April 11 at The Dome. Ladies of Bakersfield - keep kickin’ down
Contribute your own articles/ stories/events. Upload photos
doors! Writer Greg Goodsell is also back with a book review; Larry Demon pays a visit; Los Fabulosos Cadillacs reunite and invite Bakersfield music fans to LA to enjoy their cross-cultural musical mayhem on April 10. It’s a rare show, so wind up your spring break and plan accordingly! Much love to everyone who packed out Fishlips on St. Patty’s Day for the Shamrock Shindig. It was the best party to date! Did you check out that tall girl who jumped onstage to dance? Whoa! We have plenty of pics to oogle at, and you can see them at: www.bakotopia.com/seen. Thanks to all of our kick-ass advertisers who help keep these pages free for you and yours. See you all at Divine Fusion!
Peace,
Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor
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April 2, 2009
Get in where you fit in How to get your stuff in Bakotopia magazine By Matt Munoz Bakotopia Editor
Helpful tips...
Follow these steps and you are in, it’s so easy! The web is buzzing with good stories and blogs about everyday life in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas, and readers want you to share! 1) Get your ideas together: a story, event, photos, band, show, food review ANYTHING FLOATING AROUND YOUR MIND & COMMUNITY IS COOL! 2) Start writing to your heart’s content! 3) 400-500 words will do, but if you’re on a roll, keep writing, or if it’s short and sweet, go ahead and submit it online or via e-mail! 4) Don’t worry about being the best writer out there - we’ll help you with editing. 5) Make sure to include a high-res photo or graphic to accompany your piece. If you don't have one, we'll find one for you!
Get your stuff in before deadlines so we can make adjustments, if necessary! Events posted on www.bakotopia.com get priority placement in the print calendar! Sign-up for your free profile at www.bakotopia.com, to get regular e-blasts about upcoming happenings, news flashes, contests, and more to stay in the loop! 10,000-print readers, over 7,000+ registered web users, 100,000+ monthly web views can’t be wrong! Wanna advertise with Bako? Best rates in town, call: 661-716-8640 If you have any ideas or feedback, or need some help with story development, give me a shout anytime!
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ISSUE 53 (4/30 - 5/13) ISSUE 54 (5/14 - 5/27) ISSUE 55 (5/28 - 6/10) ISSUE 56 (6/11 - 6/24) ISSUE 57 (6/25 - 7/8) matt@bakotopia.com WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM
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April 2, 2009
How Podcasting saved my sanity Listening alternatives are just a few clicks away... even without an iPod!
By Brian Parks Bakotopia.com contributor
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t’s 11:31 p.m., and the alarm in my cell phone starts chiming like an old-fashioned jewelry box. I cancel the alarm and give the dogs their treat before sending them outside. Besides washing my face and packing a lunch, I must do a couple of things at the computer before
heading off to work. Like a lot of people I have an unnatural urge to check my e-mail. More importantly, I have to update the files on my iPod. As the wheel of life turned for me from much more interesting pursuits, necessity required I have a consistent income. In 2004, I began selling newspapers to the fine people of Wasco. This means arriving to the printing plant at around midnight to pick up a load of freshly printed news every single day (or night or technically morning). What follows is 130 miles or so of flying through the dark with occasional stops to offload bundles or leave a paper in a special box for the warden at the Wasco State Prison. It didn’t take long to realize that if “Coast to Coast AM with George Noory” was going to be my only distraction from work, I was going to go insane. Before long, I came to own a number of audio books to help me cope. About a year into this adventure I
read somewhere about people making their own little audio programs and putting them on the net for any one to grab for free. What freedom I discovered! I could listen to music, storytelling, serialized books and talk on subjects as diverse as knitting, skateboards or Mac vs. Windows. Mainstream and public radio stations are also available. Two of my favorites are “This American Life” from WBEZ and “Radio Lab” from WNYC. Remember Adam Curry from MTV’s “Headbangers Ball”? He’s way into conspiracy theories on the “Daily Source Code” and “No Agenda.” I always start the drive from Bakersfield to Wasco with a music show “Audio Gumshoe” or “Dave’s Lounge.” The big Sunday run always starts with jazz guitar - “No Idle Frets.” Once I offload half of the bundles and get to preparing the papers for retail, I listen to “DSC,” “TWIT” or “The Splendid Table.” On Saturday nights, I get started with “Diggnation.” Hosts Kevin and
Alex drink beer and review top stories from the website: Digg.com. As luck would have it, technology and human creativity have saved me from deadly boredom with a stream of infinitely changing entertainment and mental stimulation. Even if you don’t have dead-head miles in your day, you can find a podcast to enhance anything you’re doing. Better than radio, since you can choose it, pause it, take it with you. To get started, just go to the iTunes store and click the podcasting link or go to: www.podcastalley.com and look around. Editor’s Note: Bakotopia also has its own podcast titled “Bakotunes,” with interviews and music - available at iTunes and Podcast Alley too! Don’t have an iPod, don’t worry! You can stream podcasts straight from the Web or download them to your computer for future listening. BAKOTOPIA 5
AGENDA WHAT’S ON IT
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= Highly recommended
APRIL 2 Hoods, and more (rock) Studio 99 3004 Antonino Ave. 8 p.m. / All Ages / $10 717-5991 Recon, For Today and more (alternative) Jerry's Pizza 1817 Chester Ave. 5 p.m. / $10 / All Ages Caliente Nite (Latin music) The Nile Bar (every Thurs.) 1721 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 323-8575
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Girl Night (dance) Element Lounge (every Thurs.) 1919 K St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / FREE Karaoke (Every Thurs. & Sun.) The Belvedere 3090 Brundage Ln. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
APRIL 3 Mento Buru & DJ Mikey! FunkyLatinReggaeHipHop! Fishlips 1517 18th St. 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+ 324-2557
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April 2, 2009
First Friday (street faire) 19th & Eye St. downtown 5 - 9 p.m. / FREE / All Ages Refresh Rhyme Scheme The Basement Gallery 1532 19th St. 8 p.m. / 281-4752 Gerry Bednob (comedy) Brian Ross & more! Randolph's Lounge 7737 Meany Ave. 8 p.m. / $10 / 21+ Dance Night The Nile Bar 1721 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 323-8575 Emmure & more The Dome 2201 V St. 5 p.m. / $16 / 327-0190 Club High w/ DJ Ise Vega (Fri. & Sat.) Element Lounge 1919 K St.
Get Smart! (play) BCT Playhouse (also Sat.) 2400 S. Chester Ave. 7 p.m. / $10 & $8 / All Ages The Councilmen's “Boxcar Sermon” video release! Sandrinis 1918 Eye St. 8 p.m. / $5 / 21+ Mike Montano blues band The Bellvedere (also Sat.) 3090 Brundage Ln. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
Lee Rocker (rockabilly) w/ The Iron Outlaws Fishlips 1517 18th St. 8 p.m. / $20 / 21+ 324-2557 Dance Night The Nile Bar 1721 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 323-8575 Catch 22 (classic rock) Lone Oak Lounge 10612 Rosedale Hwy. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 589-0412
APRIL 5 Moosehead band (country) Pyrenees Café 601 Sumner St. 8 p.m. / FREE / 323-0053
APRIL 4
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2009 Scottish Games BC Soccer Field Games: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ceilidh: 6 - 10 p.m. Ticket info: Call 393-6765
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Get Smart! (play) BCT Playhouse 2400 S. Chester Ave. 2 p.m. / $10 & $8 / All Ages Art Hulabaloo w/ Switchblade 77 & more! Studio 99 3004 Antonino Ave. 5 p.m. / $8 / All Ages 304-9741
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APRIL 11
Club '80s (every Weds.) The Nile Bar 1721 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 323 - 8575
Divine Fusion Music & Arts Fest The Dome / 2201 V St. 12 - 9 p.m. / All Ages / FREE
w/ 1100 Springs
APRIL 10
Fishlips 1517 18th St. 8 p.m. / $35 / 21+ 324-2557
Sideshow Band (country) The Bellvedere (also Sat.) 3090 Brundage Ln. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
PONG661 Beer Pong Tourney Fishlips 1517 18th St. 12 p.m. / $10 / 21+ 324-2557
SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY APRIL 14
Junior Brown - LIVE!
www.vallitix.com Post your events at: www.bakotopia.com to be listed in our calendar!
Club Goddess (gay & lesbian) The Nile Bar 1721 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 323-8575
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APRIL 8
Club High w/ DJ Ice Vega (Fri. & Sat.) Element Lounge 1919 K St.
APRIL 7
APRIL 6
Latin Music Night (Every Tues.) Riley's Tavern 1523 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-3268
Alisa's Karaoke Nation (Every Mon.) Riley's Tavern 1523 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-3268
Mac Attack's Karaoke (Every Tues. & Wed.) The Junction 2620 Buck Owens Blvd. 8 p.m. / 21+ / 327-9651
Subterraneans ('80s covers) Fishlips 1517 18th St. 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+ 324-2557 Los Fabulosos Cadillacs! Gibson Amphitheater Los Angeles, CA 8 p.m. / All Ages www.ticketmaster.com
Backup Johnny (indie) Fishlips 1517 18th St. 9 p.m. / $5 / 21+
APRIL 12 HAPPY EASTER! POST YOUR EVENTS AT: WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM
PARTY BAR
“Come Party Like One”
661-589-6749
Eggstravaganza Alibi performing LIVE! KC Museum 3801 Chester Ave. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 342-4708
LLC.
LLC.
Open 7 days a week 2PM - Close
7737 Meany Ave. Ste. B-5 BAKOTOPIA 7
BA SABRINA RAMIREZ
CHRISTINA VARVEL
By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Ed
rt and activism don’t alwa Scenes of rage, harsh vas of urban decay, voice What about trying a diff ing color, unity, music and scored with a message of hope? Sounds ask me… That’s exactly what’s happening a music/arts festival on April 11 on the outsid at The Dome, 2201 V St., from 12-9 p.m. Ad Brought to you by Golden Means - Sabrina Ramirez and Christina Varvel, the event is expected to bring some much needed heavenly bliss to our city. “Divine Fusion is about the rebuilding of our community,” said Ramirez, 28, of the April 11 event. “Replanting seeds of culture and cultivating them for growth.” Spoken like a true visionary, indeed. But this isn’t your everyday gathering of conscious foot soldiers with dreams of grandeur - this is work. “It’s about picking yourself up, getting it together, and not giving up,” chimed Varvel, 28, of the Golden Means message. “It’s like marriage, man!” she smiled. Like the matrimonial vow for which she speaks - Ramirez knows that planning an event of this magnitude requires mutual commitment. “Christina and I are of the same mindset about this,” said Ramirez of her friend and fellow activist. “It’s not a popularity contest or competition. It’s about raising awareness - specifically for The Bakersfield Boys & Girls Club, and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.” For both women, these two organizations hold a special place in each other’s hearts. Varvel previously worked at the Alliance,
FRIENDS OF THE UNDERGROUND COME TO THE SURFACE
PHOTOS BY H O L LY C A R LY L E
A KO T O P I A . C O M
ditor
DIVINE FUSION
ays make a peaceful pairing. tones, splattered on a caned by an unruly mob. fferent approach - fusd positive vibes underpretty divine if you at the Divine Fusion de court/stage area dmission is free. while Ramirez, a single mother of two boys, treasures the services that Boy & Girls Clubs offer her own family. “After working there a year, you don’t realize how evil people can be to each other,” explained Varvel shaking her head in sadness on her experience. “The Alliance treats people who are used to abuse on a daily basis. It’s really sad. I could only work there for a year. People need help and they offer it, but they need our help too”. As for Ramirez, the love for her sons keeps her inspired to be creative and give back to organizations like the Boys & Girls Club who help keep kids off the streets. “I put my kids first no matter what, and I know what’s important for them,” explained Ramirez. “There’s a need for more cultural outlets in Bakersfield. There are a lot of drugs and gangs around. I don't want that for them.” The two chose the name “Golden Means” as their producCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Saturday, April 11 • The Dome, 2201 V St. 12pm-9pm • FREE / All Ages Sponsorship vendor booths available for $25! Contact: goldmeans@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/divinefusionbakersfield www.myspace.com/mothershipbako www.myspace.com/refreshrhymescheme
“It’s about picking yourself up, getting it together, and not giving up,” – Christina Varvel
E FOR A COMMON GOAL AT THE DOME
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tion team name for its reference to the “divine number,” as they say, derived from Greek philosophy. According to many Greek teachings, especially that of Aristotle, it refers to the attributes of beauty - symmetry, proportion, and harmony. Varvel and Ramirez then took the name and gave it a hip-hop twist. “It’s the combination of many things, and it just feels right,” said Varvel. “It’s all about the love.” So now that we have the poetic side taken care of, what can people expect at the event on April 11? Too many good things to list, but will no doubt include both the serious and lighthearted. “We’re going to have everything from information booths on human trafficking, vegan living, to local theater,” said Ramirez. “We’re also going to have live art demonstrations, food, raffles, music and spoken word. If you’re not familiar with the local poetry set, you don’t know what you've been missing. For the past two years, Varvel has hosted the “Refresh Rhyme Scheme” spoken word night in downtown Bakersfield. It is held the first Friday of every month, currently at The Basement Gallery. She plans on bringing verbs of power to Divine Fusion and invites all poets to participate at The Dome. “As far as I know it’s the only spoken word night being held,” she said. “We have all different kinds of people at the mic. Once we had this 80-year-old lady with an oxygen tank show up, because “she had to see this for herself,” she laughed. Ramirez is also a local pioneer in the world of urban expression. Launching “The Mothership” DJ night in down-
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town Bakersfield in ‘06, Ramirez also goes by the name DJ Sabre when she’s behind the turntables. Held the third Saturday at various locations throughout Bakersfield, it’s a night for indiscriminate groovers only. The success of The Mothership subsequently led Ramirez to start a Latin music off-shoot night called “La Cosita Nostra,” held on the last Saturday of each month. To find out where each club night will be held next, you’ll have to ask around. They tend to move around like intergalactic nomads - hence the space-age name, Mothership. Raised on a steady diet of music by James Brown, De La Soul, Nina Simone, Manu Chao to name a few, she also plans on raising the sky roof outside The Dome. “Being a DJ comes from my parents, they were music heads,” she said. “I love all the aspects of hip-hop - jazz, funk, reggae, dancing, and mixed cultures. People will know right away if they like what they hear right away on our DJ nights. We ask all guests to leave their egos at the door.” One thing Golden Means don’t want you to leave at the door is your money. Not for organizers, but its participants. “Our events are always free,” said Varvel. “But we’ll have art for sale, and vendors of every kind. We’d also like Divine Fusion to be held annually.” And who can forget the music? Some artists scheduled to perform include local and out of town genre-bending groups including Space Monkey Gangstas, Safe Sounds Crew, Concord Rock City, The Rozzes, Nathan Hinojosa, and more. There will also be a special performance by former Bakotopia cover troupe Tribal Underground.
Photo by Holly Carlyle Photography Soul sistahs: Varvel (top,) and Ramirez’ free-spirited nature is always in the mix. “A lot of people have gotten involved because they want to support the cause,” said Ramirez. “It’s time for people to stop looking out for No. 1 and help each other.”
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April 2, 2009
Regresan Los Fabulosos Cadillacs Argentine rock legends are back with new CD and LA show on April 10! By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia.com Editor
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rgentine rockers - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs have restarted their engines. Internationally known for their ‘93 crossover smash “El Matador,” the sextet are currently in the midst of their huge “Satanico Pop Tour,” with a stop at LA’s Gibson Amphitheater on April 10, at 8 p.m. Their newly released 13-track CD, “La Luz Del Ritmo” (The Light of Rhythm,) on Nacional Records is currently burning up the Latin charts. A combination of newly written gems, covers like “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” and re-worked classics, it’s sure to satisfy both Spanish- and Englishspeaking fans alike. “We did an incredible job of putting the whole thing together,” said LFC Saxophonist Sergio Rotman via cell phone from the Belgrano section of Buenos Aires during a brief tour break. “We had to work a lot. In the beginning, the record company wanted us to do an MTV Unplugged kind of thing. We were like “Ohhh that’s boring!” he laughs. We actually recorded 26 tracks.” If you find yourself unfamiliar with LFC’s history among the pantheon of international stadium rockers - you’re about to get schooled, gringo.
Originating in 1985, the highly influential music mashers of Latin rhythms, Jamaican ska/reggae, and American punk decided to take a seven-year break after nearly 20 years of incessant work. Now with 12 studio albums, three live albums, and numerous solo ventures under their collective belts, the band decided it was time to get back - in a big way. Trimmed down for sleek tour physique, the rest of the band includes, Vicentico Capello (vocals), Flavio Cianciarullo (bass), Daniel Lozano (trumpet), Fernando Ricciardi (drums) and Mario Siperman (keyboards). “When we started LFC, we were all very young - I was living with my mom,” explained Rotman who also sports a big salt ‘n’ peppered afro. “Since then, we've done about 1,000 shows. That’s a lot. After that, you pretty much start to fight with anything that moves. We had to take a break. Now it’s really nice to get back together again after seven years”. Noticeably absent is original percussionist, Gerardo “Toto” Rotblat, who died suddenly a week before rehearsals. “Losing Toto was one of the worst things we’ve ever gone through, and that left a hole no one can fill,” described Rotman of the project’s bittersweet nature.
“When we started LFC, we were all very young - I was living with my mom,” Since then, we've done about 1,000 shows. That’s a lot. After that, you pretty much start to fight with anything that moves. – LFC’s Sergio Rotman on life with the Cadillacs.
Part Madness meets Astor Piazolla meets The Clash, many new fans got their introduction to the band’s big U.S. crossover hit, “El Matador” (The Killer), during a short scene in the Jon Cusack film, “Grosse Pointe Blank,” in 1994. The politically driven, drum-beating anthem, immediately took the world by storm upon its release, and helped the band to finally cruise into the minds of American listeners. “When the song came out in ‘93 we were all on holiday out of the country. When we returned, it was this huge thing around the world,” remembered Rotman. I used to play this game with my friends to press scan on the radio to bet if the song
would be playing. It was like that for two years, and became more than a hit song - it was a huge himno (hymn). In the midst of a crossover coup, the band found themselves in the middle of the “Latin music explosion” of the '90s. Rotman went on to discuss their even earlier intro in Los Angeles before the arrival of Ricky Martin and the pop clones that followed. “We picked LA as the starting point during our first visit to the U.S. in 1990. We found ourselves sleeping four people to a room in some cheap hotels on Sunset and La Brea,” he said. “We had success in our own country, but we had no record involvement whatsoever in the states. We’d play these small clubs, and everyone in the place would sing along. It had a very sweet taste, you know what I mean?” Their ‘95 follow-up project to “Matador,” was “Rey Azucar,” (King Sugar,) a punky-ska Latin party disc produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. The album also featured appearances by Debbie Harry of Blondie, reggae legend Big Youth, and Mick Jones of The Clash. “It was a dream-like situation. We were told we could get anyone we CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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want in the studio so we gave them a list and it would happen. It was an amazing experience being in the studio in Atlanta with Mick Jones, and having beer and pizza with him. It was actually more than amazing, it was incredible!” Like the musical influences that helped mold them, LFC continued to record with complete creative control behind the wheel, keeping “the suits” at bay. Not that it mattered anyway they weren’t about to stoop to “Livin’ La Vida Loca” silliness. “We have this kind of personality, and you can see it in the eyes of the band,” laughed Rotman. “We’re pretty hard to deal with, so the label never even tried to suggest anything. They’d just say, “OK, Cadillacs, what do you wanna do first?” ‘97s brilliant, “Fabulosos Calavera", shot the concept of Latin rock into outer space and into hell. The delirious 13-song freak-out made critics jump, often dubbing it “The Sgt. Peppers of roc en Espanol.” The fans ate it up, and helped earn the band the first ever 1998 Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album. Subsequent releases, “La Marcha del Golazo Solitario” (The March of The Lonely Huge Goal), in ‘99, and their farewell ‘01 double-live set “Hola” (Hello) and “Chau,” (Bye),
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helped to secure their legendary status once and for all. “It was a little over the top,” said Rotman. “What you usually get from a commercial band after a hit song comes out, is a duplicate for the charts. Each of our albums were different after “Matador.” Back to their “no-rules” way of doing things again in ‘09, The Cadillacs really never took a break. Both Capello and Cianciarullo, have maintained successful solo careers, as has Rotman with his other band Cienfuegos, and playing guitar with his wife, vocalist Mimi Maura. Ready to resume their ride around the globe, Rotman is confident their return couldn’t have been more perfecto. “It took some time to get the whole family together,” he said. “It was like, “You wanna play with me again? Oh, cool! I won’t do that embarrassing thing I did seven years ago, so don’t worry!” he laughed.
www.fabulosos-cadillacs.com
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs live! - Gibson Amphitheater, LA - Friday, April 10 - 8 p.m. - www.ticketmaster.com
‘Lost’ in Place Bakersfield author Joe Tetro pens steaming memoir By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia contributor
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akersfield author Joe Tetro, perhaps in a bid for immortality has done things worth the writing and has written something worth the reading. “Lost in America: Memoirs of a Maverick” is a whopping, nearly 700page account of a lifetime that has spanned the psychological and social topography of the mid-20th century national experience. Humble beginnings, restless journeys, including a ride through the counterculture one is hard-pressed to come up with something Tetro didn’t experience. The son of prosperous Nebraska ranchers, Tetro had a hard-scrabble childhood marked by many who grew up in rural America. Far away from the eyes and interference of others, Tetro learned discipline at the hands of a demanding and abusive father and a neurotic mother. He would begin his
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journey across the continent, and eventually Europe, his viewpoint colored by a rich palette of humanity. Most telling was the years he spent working in state mental institutions, seeing his fellow man stripped of all dignity, Tetro became acutely aware of the limitations and expectations placed on individuals by a materialistic society driven by consumer greed and surface appearances. Forever questioning authority, this worldview colors and informs the memoir. Most telling is this remembrance from Tetro’s childhood, when out motoring with his father, he saw his first hobo “ambling along the highway with a stick holding his belongings slung across his shoulder, and pointing at the hobo, I happily announced, “That’s what I want to be when I grow up.” Dad slammed on the brakes, the car skidded to a stop, Dad whirled around and hurled such condemnatory words at me that I didn’t hear a word he said. But I never
mentioned hobos to him again. “But the plot of that mini drama could be called the leitmotif of the rest of my life. Dad was a pragmatist and driven by steely, uncompromising ambition and I was destined to become a romanticist and a dreamer.” Tetro’s Bohemian life was sealed
when the author saw the quiet lives of desperation his parents lived on the ranch. *Read the full review at: www.bakotopia.com, search keyword: ‘Tetro’. “Lost in America” is available at most local book stores.
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April 2, 2009
Do you have legal questions? Email us at greenelaw@arrival.net
Rodrigo H., Bakersfield, California
Q:
I got pulled over and the police found a joint in my car. They gave me a ticket. What should I do?
T ru s t w ort h y r e p r e s e n tat ion
WE FIGHT FOR YOU!
Family Law & Criminal Law
A:
Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable as an infraction. You can only get a fine and not jail time. You could just take the fine and get it over with. The court or D.A. might also offer you a counseling program, which, if you complete it, would result in the dismissal of the charges. Or you could consult with a Public Defender or private attorney to see if your rights were violated during the stop, which could result in the evidence being suppressed and the case dismissed.
w w w. g r e e n e l aw of f ic e . n e t
(661) 322-8892
900 Truxtun Ave. Suite 310 Bakersfield, CA 93301 BAKOTOPIA 13
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April 2, 2009
Resident Evil 5 Chris Redfield is back, and yes, zombies are everywhere By Juan Torres, Bakotopia.com contributor
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vil has gone “Next Gen”. That’s what happened March 5, with the arrival of Resident Evil 5 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The story takes place in Africa as fans familiar to the game take control of Chris Redfield one of the main characters from the Resident Evil 2. Once arriving in Africa he is greeted by Sheva Alomar who will be his partner in his mission. The two must figure out who is behind a viral outbreak where locals are becoming zombies. The new addition to the game is the ability of co-op gameplay. The player has the option of either playing through the game solo or along with a friend. Playing with two characters is similar to Resident Evil Zero except both characters are equal in abilities and can take equal amounts of damage. In heated combat situations, Alomar’s character helps you battle the hordes of zombies after you. If you are caught in a big zombie attack, she can help set free you, by pressing a designated button. In addition to combat, she can help you stay alive when your life status is reaching its demise. Visually speaking, this game is just amazing to look at. The intro along with the cut scenes, show the realistic graphics. The game uses the over-the-shoulder camera angle carried over from Resident Evil 4. This camera angle proves to be effective because you have a good visual of zombies coming after you. The AI in the zombies has improved with them being able to dodge when you point your gun at them. If you stay in one place too long the zombies will quickly sur-
round you. With these improvements there are also some drawbacks to the game. For starters, with the partner system you have to watch Alomar’s back as she watches yours. If she dies the game is over. When you choose to continue, you are taken to the item management screen. This means that if you need to, you can purchase more health or weapons and bring them with you. This can be seen also as a negative because only between chapter sections is when you are taken to the item management screen unlike Resident Evil 4 where you encounter the “Merchant” during your progression through the game. Another drawback is both Chris and Sheva are limited in the amount of weapons and ammunition that they can carry. You can put weapons and items in the inventory on the item management screen but won’t have access to it until a continue or chapter break. Despite these drawbacks, Resident Evil 5 is full of action and excitement for both the seasoned veteran of the game to new players who wanna see what all the fuss is about. Overall this is an amazing game.
On the web: www.residentevil.com/5
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