I MISS THE ‘80S
THE STRANGERS AT AMESTOY’S
LOCAL COMEDY GETS POETIC
January 8, 2009 January 21, 2009
FREE
www.bakotopia.com
t o Geer bong? p
More than before. News, Events, Movies, & Contests only at
BAKOTOPIA
E D I TO R ’ S N OT E H
STAFF
EDITORIAL
ere we are peeps - 2009! Your hangover is gone, the New Year’s outfit you spent all your hard-earned money on is a mess, and hopefully not still thrown in the corner of your bedroom! So now what? I’ll tell you what! Get up and be somebody! Like the dudes on this week’s cover - the Hollywood Chihuahuas beer pong team. Yes, there is actually an official sport based on two of Bako’s favorite pastimes - beer & balls. Now hold on, before you think this is some bizarre homo-erotic fetish (we live in sensitive times, hush your mouth), there’s more to this story! Sports in Bakersfield is huge - team rivalries in football, basketball and maybe soccer. On any given Sunday, you will find one of the local pubs packed and louder than your own home. Now, we have beer pong - a drinking game played with pingpong balls and plastic beer cups. Best of all, anyone can play, and you don’t need to use beer. But can you imagine downing a 2-liter bottle of root beer after a match? That’s disgusting, stick to the beer. We also have local comedy, the ‘80s, books, Kathy Griffin and live pix from the crazy Feliz Skavidad show and more. Thanks to our contributors, and our fantabulous advertisers who keep us free for you and yours every issue. Show them some love by spending some duckets, and tell them Bakotopia sent you! Congratulations to our new President Barack Obama on 1/20!
Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487 Matt Muñoz Editor/Product Manager mmunoz@bakersfield.com 395-7660 Natalie Erlendson Managing Editor nerlendson@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 Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive Mark Wells Sales Executive
OFFICE Marisol Sorto Office Administrator msorto@bakersfield.com 716-8640
BAKOTOPIA
Peace,
1522 18th St. Suite 310 Bakersfield, CA 93301
BAKOTOPIA.COM
Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor
Contribute your own articles/ stories/events. Upload photos
.
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
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
About the cover & photos hen I called Kym at BRyder’s, 7701 White Lane, to ask about shooting our latest cover photo there, the first thing she said was, “It’s going to be really loud and packed in here.” She wasn’t lying. Sunday football at BRyder’s gets crazy, with guys and gals sporting their favorite jerseys, yellin’, jumpin’, and beer guts bumpin’ - just the way you like it. “We may have some room by the dart boards,” said Kym. So Holly Carlyle, still fresh from the Feliz Skavidad show at Fishlips the night before, arrived with her camera and shot away. Team Hollywood Chihuahua was already a few pitchers deep by the time we arrived, but still managed to show us their skills without a stumble, and hamming it up. Thanks to BRyder’s and Holly Carlyle for rockin’ the photos as always! www.hollycarlylephotography.com
W
BAKOTOPIA 4
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
Laughter Comedy's Poetic Invite Local comedians offer to help straighten out your Longfellow at The Empty Space on 1/10
By Chase Brockett, Bakotopia.com contributor It appeared out of nowhere and without remorse, I'm talking about the Bakersfield comedy scene, of course. And as the New Year has passed, your throat may be hoarse, But that doesn't mean you can't come to the source. For comedian talent that's split into fourths, I'm talking of Chase Brockett, Joe Alaniz, Brian Ross and Dane Forst. You'll come for the laughter, and stay for the cheer, I should probably mention the $1 beer. And just for the record, the show won't run late, The doors open at 7, the show starts at 8. Now you probably wonder the cost to watch us live, I'm telling you, cheap! It only costs you a 5! So what better way for a night to be spent, Than at the Empty Space Theater on January 10th?
You'll be done with your work and you'll have time to play, Because the 10th of that month is on Saturday. So come one, come all! I don't mean to be rude! But if you don't venture down, Chase will poison your food! And your tires may be slashed by a violent offender,And walking to work is quite tough in the winter. Not to mention the lashing you'll receive from your boss, A result of prank phone calls by one, Brian Ross. And if you think, “It's a cold!” when you finish a sneeze, It's a chance that it's the bird flu, thanks to Joe Alaniz! When all of the panic and chaos ensues, From the bird-flu pandemic (if that's the fate you will choose). You'll scream to the heavens “Oh God, why have you brought This wrath upon us? What did we do?”
CASH FOR VIDEO GAMES Come NOW to play on our Ion Audio Electronic Drum Kit w/ Cymbols
NO MONEY LEFT? It’s time for you to get cash for those video games you don’t play anymore!
We Specialize In:
We fix scratched discs
Video Game System Repair
( DVD, Video Games, CD )
• PSP • PS2 • PS3
• Xbox •:X360
Before
Catch Gamestor Gil on:
After
LOCATED IN THE EAST HILLS MALL Mon- Fri 10-9 • Sat 10-7 • Sun 11-6
Tuesday Mornings Live @ 9AM
Call (661) 871-7900 BAKOTOPIA 5
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
D D IN THE MIDST OF ECONOMIC CRUMBLE & DOWNER MUSIC, WE CAN ALWAYS LOOK BACK FOR LAUGHS By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor & Bakotopians ack in Bakotopia issue 40 (11/30/08), we ran a contest “What do you miss about the ‘80s” for B-52s concert tickets before their appearance at The Fox on Nov. 11. We ended up with so many cool reminders of one of the greatest decades ever - we just had to print them. So, pop open an ice cold, Bartles & Jaymes premium wine cooler and enjoy. The ‘80s ruled, man! “I remember putting the peroxide on my bangs and lots of hairspray to stand my hair high. We went to midnight movies, too. Don’t forget parachute pants and The Who, too!” - kidneyforjohnnyfitzpatrick “Apple’s Macintosh, Live Aid, Cabbage Patch dolls, legwarmers, and Pac Man. I graduated in ‘87, so I ‘spose that makes me old when you think that kids born that year are
B
BAKOTOPIA 6
now old enough to drink legally!” - amydara “There has been no music or style era better than the ‘80s! New wave, death rock, punk, cholas, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Damned, the coolest freaks of all time have been from the ‘80s.” - Noelia “Day-glo, pegged Levi’s, shrink to fit 501s, layered polos, VANS. Spiral perms, spiky on top, long in back. Big hair & hair spray! Devo, Flock of Seagulls, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Madness. However, we all could have lived without Rick Springfield, thank you.” - Smitty67 “I would sit in front of the TV and rock out with my headphones blaring to MTV’s Headbangers Ball! Rollertown on the weekend nights, the White Lane miniature golf course, and ditching South High to go to
Hart Park with my senior friends when I was just a freshman!” - goldnsun “99 drive-in theater watching ‘Friday the 13th,’ ‘Urban Cowboy,’ etc. Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall,’ Journey, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Garbage Pail Kids, Rubik’s Cube, ‘Rainbow Bright,’ ‘Smurfs,’ pull tabs on beer cans, going to the park without having to worry about getting shot, the night rides out at Aces Stables." kathylbd “What I loved the most was the dancing. Everyone danced in the ‘80s. It did not matter if you had rhythm, you could still manage the side to side thing!” - JeriahB “When MTV actually played music videos?I loved all the videos from the '80s. Most of the music was fun, not horribly serious - think ‘Funky Cold Medina,’ ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy,’ Oingo Boingo, and Max Headroom.” - Kindra79 “Cheech and Chong movies and Star Channel. My my walls plastered with pictures from Hit Parader. Strawberry Hill and Schaeffer beer you could buy without an ID at the Shabaa market in east Bakersfield.” - Yellow “Those were the days when girls couldn’t dance with other girls (or you might be thought to be gay).” - hayjulz
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
KATHY GRIFFIN’S
D-LIST DELIGHT No holding back for this controversial comedian By Gabriel Ramirez, Bakotopia.com contributor ou’ve seen her on such shows as “Suddenly Susan” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and more recently on her Emmy Award winning reality show, “My Life on the D-List” on Bravo. On Dec. 9, I had the opportunity to see the ever funny and controversial redhead, Kathy Griffin, in the flesh, at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Griffin’s over-the-top and risqué humor have often gotten her blacklisted from such shows as ABCs “The View” and “The Red Carpet on E!.” Still, the night I saw Griffin, she did what she does best - hold back no punches not only for a laugh, but to wake up her audience to the disgraces that pop culture, Proposition 8 and some vice presidential candidates have been to our country. On her reality show, cameras follow Griffin around as she whores herself out to the media in an attempt to get herself off of the so-called “D-List” where bottom of the barrel celebrities reside. She has gone as far as calling the paparazzi in advance to follow her when she is out on the town; given money to people in East LA as a way to become the new Oprah; and even recorded her comedy show on CD in an effort to win a Grammy, which she is currently nominated for! When it comes to performing live, Griffin offers the same kind of antics on a smaller stage. She reminded us how unprepared Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was to become our next vice president - or at least until she learns that Africa is a continent. Griffin also unabashedly mentioned her Emmy and Grammy nominations and how she wasn’t one of those celebrities who lies through her teeth and says “It is an honor to simply be nominated,” but instead, she is vocal about wanting to take both trophies home.
Y
“Breaking news, breaking news,” she yelled out when she mentioned Nancy Grace’s mock news show, which often kills due to the lack of actual breaking news. Whoever knew Grace could make such a big fuss about moldy pizza left in a car trunk? Well, Griffin certainly did and so do we now! And no appearance by Griffin is complete without some mention of her borderline alcoholic mom. “Tip it,” Griffin said, in reference to her mom’s need to squeeze out all the wine from her infamous box of wine. I have to say that my first live Griffin comedy show proved to be an intoxicating and laughter-filled night. My cheeks were hurting from so much laughing, and never before have I enjoyed a live performance as much as I did this night. Not even that one Paquita la del Barrio concert at the Convention Center could compare, LOL! So if you ever get a chance, go watch Kathy Griffin live on stage. Gay, straight, male or female, Griffin has enough material to touch everyone’s funny bone! On the Web: www.kathygriffin.net
AP
BAKOTOPIA 7
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
SE E N SCENE ON
THE
Feliz Skavidad! Fishlips, Dec. 20, 2008! Photos by Holly Carlyle More at: www.bakotopia.com/seen
BAKOTOPIA 8
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
LIVE!
La Banda Skalavera & Mento Buru Fishlips, Dec. 20, 2008!
BAKOTOPIA 9
LOWDOWN Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
★ ★ ★
BRO OF THE
P
Local team of Vegas for big p Photos by Holly Carlyle The Hollywood Chihuahuas, above from left: Mark Wells, Patrick Wells, Tyler Hurst, and Ryan Young at BRyder’s, hamming it up for the camera!
By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor
B Above: Regulation beer levels are the least of everyone’s worries at a real beer pong tourney.
Beer pong googles: Mark Wells, above, shows how he gets the ladies going during a break at BRyder’s. BAKOTOPIA 10
eer, balls and brotherhood. No, this isn't the catch phrase for a new “Old School meets Dodgeball” movie - although that probably isn't a bad idea. However, we do have Bakersfield's “Hollywood Chihuahuas” beer pong team who brings the best elements of those classic flicks and twists them up for a sport everyone can find a way to enjoy within legal boundaries, of course. Sitting in during a practice pong session at BRyder's, 7701 White Lane, before the annual “World Series of Beer Pong” in Las Vegas this past January 1-5, Chihuahuas members - Mark Wells, 23, and Ryan Young, 23, took a break from their strenuous workout of lift, aim, toss, and sometimes drink, to explain its appeal. “I enjoy the drinking (duh!) and the competitiveness,” said Wells before launching his ping pong ball across the team's official “BPong” playing table and into the formation of cups, some with beer, others with water. “I started playing with my bro Pat, 26, (another member of the four-man team, which also includes Dereck Sprague, 23) in '05. After awhile I started doing some research online, Googling terms like 'beer pong.' I ended
★ ★ ★
LOWDOWN Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ROTHERS
F E
P NG
m of sporting compadres heads to big prize, and maybe a date or two
Editor
otherhood. e catch w “Old odgeball” h that prob-
sfield's pong team of those up for a to enjoy rse. ong sesLane, es of Beer anuary 1-5, Wells, 23, eak from aim, toss, in its
up finding the World Series of Beer Pong tournament, and I was like, ‘Yep!’” And faster than a Saturday night burp, Wells and his brother began the trek to beer pong perfection. Graduates of Bako's Garces High, these guys know the value of training for such a popular and often misunderstood “sport.” Oh yeah, there's also a
top prize of $50,000 for the winning team at the annual tournament. “We're all former athletes,” smiled Young of his team's competitiveness spirit. “Except for Dereck. He was in the band, but I don't think you had to actually play anything to be in it.” (They both laugh). To make further sense of it all, we suggest a crash course on “Beer Pong 101.” According to BPong.com, the official Web site of the Vegas tournament: CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
and the before ross the g table and me with ed playing member of includes ter awhile I online, .' I ended
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Above: Mark Wells aims for his opponent’s cup from across the Chihuahua’s regulation beer pong table. BAKOTOPIA 11
LOWDOWN Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Beer Pong is simple. In one variation of the game, two teams stand at opposite ends of an 8-foot long table, where ten 16-ounce cups are each filled with roughly two ounces of liquid. The cups are placed in a bowlingpin formation, and each team member takes turns tossing table tennis balls at their opponent's cup formation. If a ball goes into a cup, the cup is removed from the game. The first team to eliminate all of its opponent's cups wins. At the WSOBP, six of the 10 cups in the formation are filled with beer, and four are filled with water.” Also according to organizers, “The WSOBP also happens to be the largest organized beer pong tournament in the nation, originating in Mesquite, Nev., in 2006.” But while there will always be more than one authority on any topic (especially one that involves alcohol), the best way to comprehend the game is to find a team and start playing yourself. No need for too much brain power, just a party attitude. Remember playing “quarters” in college, or at your best friend's house that allowed underage drinking, so you don't do anything “dumb?” It's basically the same thing, only not just for getting trashed. “It's a seasonal thing, too,” said Wells of the best time to hit the table again. Although beer guzzling is a year-round thing, beer pong is best played like a real sport, complete with its own prime time of year. “Summertime is too hot, so we cut back, but once fall and winter hit, we play every weekend.” Similar to football spring training, the Hollywood Chihuahuas will have practiced hard with plans and strategies before Vegas. “About two weeks before the tournament, we'll practice about 4-5 times each week,” explained Wells. Young, nodding his head with a smirk, shares some pre-tourney info about his teammate. “Mark sets up tournaments for
Above: Patrick Wells (left), and Tyler Hurst watch in amazement as balls fly at BRyder’s during a practice match. practice and sets up the rules so he wins,” he laughed as Wells quickly perks up, turning his head to Young. “Not true,” smiled Wells. “We'll break up our team into two teams and use water instead of beer during each match.” When asked about the critics, many who decry the sport as a gateway to alcoholism and extreme college hazing, both Wells and Young disagree. “No one usually gets out of control,” said Wells. “Not at the WSOBP. If you're going to last, you gotta pace yourself. Everyday gameplay is from 11a.m. to 6 p.m., so don't go crazy out of the gate.” Young agrees. “Vets of the sport usually play in Vegas,” he said.
In addition to perfecting your aim, another important team strategy is to distract your opponent when possible. “I love distracting the other teams, making them mad, and watching them blow it,” said Young. For a game like beer pong, you wouldn't think trying to stay focused would be that difficult, or is it? “A lot of the teams are very uptight,” explained Wells. “We do everything to get into the other team’s head. There's one thing to play at home with friends, but there's another to walk into a big hall with 400-plus people. Last year, I even rolled my ankle doing a distraction move!” Young remembers a perfect example of when the pressure managed to
take down one of their former key players, Chris Guerra, during last year's WSOBP. “Chris just choked under pressure,” he said laughing. “This year, we're going to be dancing, trash talking, and doing the weirdest things you can think of to win.” Weird is right. “Last year, players were complaining that we were breaking the rules with our hands and bodies, going over the lines, etc. ..,” said Wells. “So we mimed behind the cups and games lines. Now, that was funny.” So, what's up with their team name: “Hollywood Chihuahuas?” “We couldn't find a name, and the big movie out at the time was “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” laughed Young. Wells shakes his head, adding, “We knew no one would have that name.” Just in case you're wondering if the Hollywood Chihuahuas have girlfriends - all you single ladies are in luck, ahem, they're all available. “We may come back to Bakersfield with a lady after they see us play,”said Young. “Maybe even score some groupies this year!” Wells also wanted to mention that the team does offer private beer pong lessons. Who knows, you could become the Tiger Woods of beer pong with the help of the Hollywood Chihuahuas. “Single women also get a 10 percent discount,” Wells said. *We'll be following up with the Hollywood Chihuahuas in the 1/22 issue of Bakotopia! On the Web: www.bpong.com
★
CAN'T MAKE IT TO VEGAS? TRY THIS OUT! PONG661 Beer Pong Tourney WHERE: Fishlips, 1517 18th St. WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 11 CHECK-IN: 1 p.m. GAMEPLAY: 2 p.m. AGE: 21 & Over / TEAMS: 32
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BAKOTOPIA 12
Cash Prizes INFO: Kyle Ahlf, 858-8689
★
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
Amestoy’s on the hill will rock! EB landmark will play host to a rowdy night of roots, rock and punk on 1/24 By ALL AMERICAN SOUND, Bakotopia.com contributor
THE STRANGERS LIVE! w/Clash City Rockers & The Midnight Howlers -Amestoy’s, 2303 River Blvd. -8pm / 21+ / $10 / 714-271-4959 www.myspace.com/thestrangersnoise
It will be a night to remember at Amestoy’s, 2303 River Blvd., when All American Sound presents - “The Strangers” produced by Johnny “2 Bags” Wickersham, guitarist of the legendry Social Distortion, Clash City Rockers “A Tribute to The Clash” and The Midnight Howlers. The Strangers also features members of Duane Peters and The Hunns, The Pushers, and Broken Bottles. This rowdy band will rock your arse with a set of late ‘70s style punk and dirty rock ‘n’ roll. Heads-up fans of Rancid and Sex Pistols, you will dig this well. Johnny 2 Bags will be playing a 30-minute acoustic set to open the night, but most likely sit in on a few songs with The Strangers. LA’s Clash City Rockers are the best Clash tribute band around, and will be performing all the hits and then some! If you never had a chance to see the real Clash live, this is as good as it gets! Last but not least will be Madera’s - The Midnight Howlers blowing you away with their high-energy psychobilly music. So come have a crazy night with all of us at Amestoy’s on 1/24!
Live Music • Pool Tables • Shuffleboard • Darts Video Games • Great Food • Drinks & More NFL Ticket & ESPN College Game Plan • 14 T.V.s
Sat. - Dec. 27th Mento Buru 9:30pm Sun. - Dec. 28th Bob Wayne Thurs. - Jan. 22nd, 2009 Funkys Jah
Open everyday for lunch & dinner
(661) 397-7304 • 7701 White Lane (One block East of Gosford • Next to The Body Exchange)
www.brydersbar.com www.myspace.com/brydersbar BAKOTOPIA 13
AGENDA WHAT’S ON IT
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
B
= Highly recommended
8 p.m. / Free / 323-0053
Jan. 8 Karaoke Nikki's Smokin' BBQ 1616 30th St. 8 p.m. / 21+ / 343-5602 Karaoke (also Sun.) The Belvedere 3090 Brundage Lane 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
Jan. 9 Miggs LIVE! w/ Backup Johnny Fishlips 1517 18th St. 8 p.m. / 21+ / 324-2557 The Moosehead Band Pyrenee's Café 601 Sumner St.
B
Coco Montoya w/ Stanley Jay Tucker & Calcaneous The Doubletree Hotel 3100 Camino Del Rio 7 p.m. / $20-$25 / 831-3100
Mystic Red Band (also Sat.) Banacek's Lounge 4601 State Road 9 p.m. / 21+ / 387-9224 FLICS presents Mongol Fox Theater 2001 H St. 7:30 p.m. / $5 / 325-4815
January 8, 2009
Beat Surrender '60s & '70s Soul DJs Sandrini's 1918 Eye St. 10 p.m. / 21+ / 322-8900 Conspiracy Theory w/ Ridiculous Crew, My Dirty X The Element Lounge 1927 K St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / $5
Jan. 10 Laughter Comedy & $1 Beers! - B w/ Dane Forst, Chase Brockett, Joe Alaniz & Brian Ross The Empty Space 706 Oak St. 7:30 p.m. / $5 / 327-PLAY
Alisa's Karaoke (also Tues.) Riley's Tavern 1523 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-3268
As The Crow Flies Sandrini's 1918 Eye St. 10 p.m. / 21+ / 322-8900
Karaoke Le Corusse Rouge 4647 White Lane 8 p.m. / 21+ / 343-5602
Norfolk CD Release Party w/ Get Up Get Down, Velorio The Basement 1534 19th St. 8 p.m. / $5 / All Ages / 330-8733
Jan. 13
Jan. 11 PONG 661 Beer Pong Tournament Fishlips 1517 18th St. 1 p.m. / 21+ / 858-8689
'80s DJ Night w/ DJs Dub'n Dubious & Drewgin The Element Lounge 1927 K St. 10 p.m. / 21+
Bakersfield JAM vs Idaho Stampede Rabobank Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave. 6 p.m. / $5 - $20 / 716-4526
Red Eye Junction & John
Jan. 12
Wild West entertainment
Current Karaoke Locations Trout’s Nightclub ~ 7 Days a Week (399-6700) Lone Oak Lounge ~ Tue. & Thur. 8pm-1am Le Corusse Rouge ~ Tue. 8pm-Midnight The Wright Place ~ thur. 8pm-midnight Nikki’s Smokin BBQ ~ Thur. 8pm-12am VI’S COCKTAILS ~ WEDS. 8PM-1AM
661-343-5602 BAKOTOPIA 14
Goodell 2303 River Blvd. 8 p.m. / 21+ / $5 / 714271-4959
The Joey Romley Rumble Fishlips 1517 18th St. 10 p.m. / 21+ / 324-2557
Jan. 14 Dance Gavin Dance w/ special guests Jerry's Pizza 1817 Chester Ave. 6 p.m. / All Ages / 6331000
Jan. 15 Bakersfield JAM vs Albuquerque T-Birds Rabobank Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave. 7 p.m. / $5 - $20 / 716-4526
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
SPOTLIGHT MILLIONAIRES LIVE! w/ Cash Cash, I Set My Friends on Fire, Watchout, There's Ghosts
Jerry's Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave. 6 p.m. / All Ages / $14 / 633-1000
Karaoke (also Sun.) The Belvedere 3090 Brundage Lane 9 p.m. / 21+ / 325-2139
Jan. 16
B
The Filthies w/ 1916 Fishlips 1517 18th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-2557 The Mothership DJ Noche The Element Lounge
Arsonists Get All the Girls & The Irish Front The Dome 2201 V St. 6 p.m. / All Ages / $14 / 322-5200
1927 K St. 10 p.m. / 21+ Running in the Red BCT Playhouse 2400 S. Chester Ave. 8 p.m. / $10 - $12 / 831-3114
Jan. 17
Legends of Jazz at CSUB w/ Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet CSUB Dore Theatre 9001 Stockdale Hwy. 8 p.m. / $16 Gen. / $12 Srs. / Std. $8
B
Gabriel Iglesias LIVE! Fox Theater 2001 H St. 7p.m. / $41.50 & $39.50 / 3225200
Pavlo Rabobank Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave. 7:30 p.m. / $50 / 589-2478 Alisa's Karaoke (also Tues.) Riley's Tavern 1523 19th St. 9 p.m. / 21+ / 324-3268
Jan. 20 CONGRATULATIONS! PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!
Mystic Red Party Band Pyrenee's CafĂŠ 601 Sumner 1 p.m. / Free / 323-0053
Bakersfield JAM vs Reno Bighorns Rabobank Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave. 7 p.m. / $5 - $20 / 716-4526
Jan. 18
Joey Romley's Razzle Dazzle Fishlips 1517 18th St. 10 p.m. / 21+ / 324-2557
Bakersfield JAM vs Idaho Stampede Rabobank Arena 1001 Truxtun Ave. 4 p.m. / $5 - $20 / 716-4526
Jan. 19
Karaoke Le Corusse Rouge 4647 White Lane. 8 p.m. / 21+ / 343-5602
HAPPY B-DAY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR!
BAKOTOPIA 15
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
Gaming with Gil: 2009 video game forecast
S
f
RESIDENT EVIL 5 By Gamestor Gil, Bakotopia.com contributor appy week after New Year’s! I hope everyone had a great New Year’s celebration! Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Prince or is it “the artist formally known as Prince,” wrote the song “1999?” Anyway, what can we expect from the coming year in video games? This will be a “bust out” year for us! Let’s take a look at the first quarter releases of 2009:
H
Conviction Shell Shock 2: Blood Trails
Killzone 2 (PS3 Only)
Rock Band 2 (Wii) Banjo-Tooie (Xbox360)
Feb. 3
Indiana Jones
Jan. 14
Feb. 10
Some big titles to expect will be:
Jan. 2
The Lord Of The Rings: Conquest
Jan. 19 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
Jan. 20 Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP Exclusive)
Jan. 22 Skate 2 Tom Clancy’s Splitter Cell:
In as little as 6 months become experienced and licensed using specialized Microdermabrasion, Galvanic & High Frequency equipment. Secure your future doing the latest professional facials, eye lashes, make-up and skin care. Specializing in the use of Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up and Pevonia Botanica Spa products. We are nationally accredited and offer financial aid to those who qualify. All work done by supervised students.
661.327.9784
BAKOTOPIA 16
2935 F Street • Bakersfield, CA 93301
World in Conflict: Soviet Assault Bionic Commando The Godfather II F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origins NASCAR Kart Racing Street Fighter IV
Feb. 17 Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (XBox360 exclusive)
Feb. 27
March 2 March 3 Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X .
March 13 Resident Evil 5
March 17 Legends of Wrestlemania Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS Only) Gamestor Gil can be heard live Tuesday mornings on the KRAB 106.1 FM Morning Show at 9 a.m.
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
Top books of 2008
Start new year right ... feed your mind with words! By Jason Frost, Bakotopia.com contributor
I
t’s the beginning of the year, so as we launch in ‘09, I wanna give you my best books from ‘08. This is a short list of books that had the biggest impact on me throughout last year.
flipped through that series does beat you over the head with Bible verses and stuff like that. This book is a cross between the Bible, Indiana Jones, and James Bond. 4) “Gladiatrix” by Russell Whitfield CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
S H E L B Y
W I L S O N
H a i r s t y l i s t / C o l o r Sp e c i a l i s t -
Make-up Artist Fo r m a l s Color Correction We av e s & H i g h l i g h t s Con t e m p or a ry St y l e s M e n & Wo m e n S t y l i n g
6 61 . 3 3 3 . 43 0 6 192 0 Eye St . – D o w nto w n B a ke r s field
1) “Troy, Fall of Kings” by David Gemmell This book was my No. 1 without any competition at all. David Gemmell has been writing for a very long time and unfortunately, we lost him in 2006. He passed away while in the middle of writing this book and his wife took over. Man, could you ever imagine how hard that must have been? This whole series centers on the Trojan War, Hektor, Achilles, King Agamemnon and others. David & Stella do take creative liberties with history, but so what? They are storytellers and that is their job! I’m telling you, you will not read anything so touching ... 2) “Pleasure” by Eric Jerome Dickey “Pleasure” is easily Eric’s most erotic and sexual book to date. If you haven’t read anything by him, then you are missing out on one of the great (and I’m not exaggerating) storytellers of our time. In “Pleasure,” Nia is looking for something, a man who can turn her out, make her feel so good in the bedroom that her momma will call for Jesus! In this book you have 200 mph sex with a lot of really good plots. 3) “The Ezekiel Option” by Joel C. Rosenberg One of the reasons I loved this book was because of the last 50 pages or so. I will always love an author who writes to and pass the point of no return. This book, which is No. 3, in the series takes it way out of the box. Yes, Rosenberg is a Christian, and this book is religious. No, he doesn’t beat you over the head with it. It deals with Armageddon, the end times, and it will scare the crap out of you. It’s also OK to read this right after you read a book about erotica. I have not read the “Left Behind” series because it seems (to me) as I BAKOTOPIA 17
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
In case you didn’t know, my favorite genre is historical-fiction. I love books that deal with Rome, Greece, Sparta, and Ancient Egypt. I emailed the publisher and literally begged for this book! Don’t laugh, I have the e-mails to prove it. They sent it to me and I was happier than Rosie O’Donnell in a McDonald’s! The main character, Lysandra, was so incredibly arrogant that it made the story a little tough to read. Once I realized that she wasn’t going to change, I just sat back and enjoyed the story. 5) “Tempest Tales” by Walter Mosley
r’s ea l Y w ia Ne Spec
With all due respect to Mark Twain, Harper Lee, Jane Austen, and Edgar All Poe - Walter Mosley is a literary icon knocking on your door. “Tempest” is an ordinary black man just trying to make it in this world. The opening to this book was awesome: “Tempest had a wife whom he loved and a girlfriend who loved him passionately.” Now that’s the way you open a book! Hey! There are actually 10 top books from Jason! See the complete list at: www.bakotopia.com, search keywords: ‘Books 2008.’
W385
Features: digital camera bluetooth® capable ringtones hands-free speakerphone multi-media & text messaging wireless web available
Only $120 Down No payments for 30 days Then pay just $56 total per/mo.
Boost Mobile Phone Ringtones 2 for $5 with this ad.
Paragon Wireless #1 Boost Mobile Dealer In Bakersfield! 524 Chester Ave. • Bakersfield, CA 93301 (Between 5th & 6th Street) • (661) 324-6200
NOTHING SACRED t a t t o o
• Custom Tattooing • Traditional
• Fine Line • Japanese
12pm - 10pm • 7 days a week
• Old School • New School
s t u d i o s
• Custom Artwork • Clothing Designs
Walk-ins welcome & by appointment
661-679-7904 • 828 Norris Road • Bakersfield, CA 93308 www.myspace.com/nothingsacredstudios BAKOTOPIA 18
BAKOBIT from Bakotopia.com
January 8, 2009
In trouble? Do you need bail fast?
GUITAR LESSONS with Marky Chavez
B A I L
B O N D S
Fast & reliable service. Prompt, Professional, Personalized Service We DON’T give up on bail! Very few people know what to do after receiving a collect call from jail. Gotta Go Bail Bonds can answer all your questions and will walk you through the entire process of posting bail step-by-step.
Joe M. Serrano, Bail Agent (661) 326-8500 Insurance Lic. #1844251
Fianzas de carcel en español 304 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.SerranoInvestigativeServices.com
A. Ace Pierce, Bail Agent (661) 324-2900 Insurance Lic. #1843703
1328 K Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.GottaGoBailBonds.com
When you gotta go, call 324-2900 Se habla español. Serving Kern, Tulare and Kings County.
Want to learn how to play guitar? Take lessons from Marky Chavez founder of platinum selling rock act Adema. Learn from a proven professional. Beginner to intermediate and get advice concerning the entertainment industry.
Lessons starting at: $70 / Hour $50 / Half Hour Also save by prepaying 5 hours for $250 All ages are welcome. Great gift idea. Gift Certificates Available
661-397-7304 www.myspace.com/markychvz
BAKOTOPIA 19
Fri Jan. 9th
Miggs & Backup Johnny
Sat. Jan 10th
Sunday Snake Oil
Sun. Jan 11th
Beer Pong Tournament
Fri. Jan. 16th
The Filthies & 1916
Sat. Jan. 17th
TheChoptops with Fatt Katt & The VonZippers
Fri. Jan. 23rd
B Foundation & Dub Seed’s
Sat. Jan. 24th
TheJust Dave Band
Thur. Jan. 29th Pat Travers Fri. Jan 30th
Missing Persons with The Subterraneans