The Bakersfield Voice March 22 by Mercado Nuevo

www.bakersfieldvoice.com

March 22-28, 2009

F R E E

Local actors to hit the community stage Pg. 2 Easter services Pg. 3 Student viewpoints on school budget cuts Pg. 4

Magic carpet ride! ‘Aladdin’ by Bakersfield Ballet, pg. 6

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MARCH 22-28, 2009

EXTRA!EXTRA!

‘My Big Fat Oildale Wedding’ at the Gaslight Melodrama

Staff

COURTESY OF GASLIGHT MELODRAMA

EDITORIAL

hen local florist Sue Ann Otis falls head over heels for good ol’ boy mechanic Billy Ray Cornhauler, it’s going to take the luck of the 08 to keep their families happy. With a colorful cast of characters and several Oildale landmarks, this is a musical comedy the whole family will enjoy. Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, at 7 p.m., $9 children; $18 seniors; $20 general admission. Gaslight Melodrama, 12748 Jomani Drive.

Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487 Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Sandra Molen Writer/Copy Editor smolen@bakersfield.com

ART Dennis Wynne Designer dwynne@bakersfield.com

Walk for MS BY CHRISTINE GRONTKOWSKI

ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632

Community contributor

Fruitvale Jr. High will present ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ BY ALICIA HAMMONS Community contributor

lease join us Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. for Fruitvale Jr. High’s Spring Production of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” featuring Caity Bransby as Irving, Nigel Kapoor as

Ichabod Crane, Chloe Carlson as Miss Katrina VanTassel and other members of the Advanced Drama class as various, colorful town characters. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. FJH is located at 2114 Calloway Dr. Prices are $4 adults; $2 kids under 14 (or FJH students). Hope to see you there!

lease join the movement and join us at the Walk MS 2009 in Bakersfield, 9 a.m., Saturday, March 28, at Yokuts Park. You can make a difference and bring us one step closer to a world free of MS! This event will once again begin at Yokuts Park and follow the Kern River Bike Path (we may just have to rename it the Kern River Walk MS Path!) for a stroll of three miles or one mile — you get to choose. Meet new friends on our party route and then celebrate with old friends at the finish line while we walk, give and volunteer to create a world free of MS. The March 28 Bakersfield Walk MS promises to be bigger and better than ever with more finish line festivities, fantastic foods, a “best dressed” contest, and the excitement that comes with supporting the generous spirit of Bakersfield’s teams, walkers and volunteers. We hope that you can join us! 7 a.m. check-in; 8:30 opening ceremonies; 9 a.m. start. The event is free.

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

The Bakersfield Voice 1522 18th St. Suite 310 Bakersfield, CA 93301 The Bakersfield Voice is published by Mercado Nuevo, an independent subsidiary of The Bakersfield Californian To learn more or to contribute news and pictures, visit us online at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com

W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M

MARCH 22-28, 2009

YOURFAITH

t Olive Knolls Church we will discover the keys to unlock the lock and discover — A Life that Matters, what everybody wants. This sermon series and small group guides were created by Rusty Rhodes, Tell the Story Productions and will begin Easter weekend. Easter services include a Good Friday Service, April 10 at 7 p.m.; SNC (Saturday Night Church), April 11 at

Tell us about it so we can include it in The Bakersfield Voice. It’s easy to do. Go to our Web site: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, create a free profile, post your stories, photos and blogs. We’ll publish a comprehensive list on April 5. 6 p.m. and Easter Sunday services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is located at 6201 Fruitvale Ave. For more information, call 399-3303.

Van Horn School’s parent club to host car and bike show.

Tae Kwon Do qualifier

Bakersfield Ballet Theatre is going all out with ‘Aladdin,” its latest production.

Local Tae Kwon Do students to participate in state contest.

Your celebrations!

A happy birthday wish and a perfect basketball season.

About the cover

Share your voice today! ■ Submitting stories for The Bakersfield Voice is simple and FREE! Just go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and create a profile. ■ We also include as many community contributions as possible in the print edition of

Revvved-up fundraiser!

The Bakersfield Voice, published Sundays. ■ Need help? E-mail: Gene Garaygordobil at ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com or Teresa Adamo at: tadamo@bakersfield.com

The Bakersfield Ballet Theatre will present “Aladdin” at the CSUB Doré Theatre, Friday and Saturday, March 27-29. Photo by Felix Adamo. Pictured on cover, from left, Elise Anchordoquy and Alexandria Lightsey. See more of Felix’s “Aladdin” rehearsal photos on page 6. Your photo could be on our next cover! Photos and stories for the April 5 issue must be posted by Wednesday, March 25 at 5 p.m.

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GOT AN EASTER SERVICE SERMON PLANNED?

Trio from Del Rio School give opinions on state budget cuts.

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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M

MARCH 22-28, 2009

YOURSCHOOLS

Del Rio student writers make views known BY CHANDLER BASCONCILLO, HAYLEE MCDONNELL, AND JAZMINE RAMEY (Fifth-grade students at Del Rio Elementary)

re budget cuts affecting students’ education? We have been affected and concerned by all the budget cuts. We are especially worried about all the teachers losing their jobs. Our school has gotten many new students, but still has overcrowding in classrooms. Students’ education is at stake. With so many students in a class, how are students going to get a proper education? We have interviewed a few students to see their thoughts on this subject. Here are the responses we got in regards to the budget cuts affecting Del Rio Elementary School: Anthony Leonis responded by saying, “It is horrible because we need good teachers to help us get

a good education.” Dakota Kass, a fifth-grader in Mr. King’s class, commented that, “It is terribly upsetting because some students won’t be getting the education they need. Cuts will also hurt students’ chances of getting into a good

Educator of the Month

teachers and materials to teach students with.” We also interviewed a few teachers at Del Rio to see what their thoughts were on the matter. Mrs. Townsend, a first-grade teacher, was asked how she thought all the budget cuts would affect her students. “I think it will affect the students even more than the teachers. There won’t be enough supplies and there will be too many students in one class. They (students) won’t be getting enough attention. We will have to ask for way too much from parents.” Mrs. Dennis, another firstcollege one day.” grade teacher at Del Rio, was Jordyn Ellis, a fifth-grader at also asked her opinion on the Del Rio Elementary School, was budget cuts. “It is very sad and it asked whether anybody was get- will be hard for students to get ting a better education now than the education they need if there they did before all the budget are more students in a classcuts. She responded by saying, room. Schools are losing a lot of Nominated by Guadalupe Hernández “No, because there are less amazing teachers that need to be I’d like to nominate my twin daughters’ kindergarten teacher Mr. Rhodes who teaches at Discovery Elementary School. At the beginning of the year, I was so skeptical after having learned that they were going to have a male teacher for kindergarten. He has superseded all of my expectations as to what a great kindergarten teacher should be. My girls love Mr. Rhodes. He teaches them lots of cute and silly songs. He builds up their self-esteem. He is just so marvelous with my girls!

Mr. Rhodes

working with kids.” We felt that our campus principal, Mr. Carlile, should be included in the topic, so we asked what his thoughts were on budget cuts affecting students’ education. “The budget cuts will affect students’ education, but at what degree, we don’t know yet. Last year, we had to raise the number of kindergartners to 30 per classroom.” Mr. Carlile added, “No matter how bad it gets, I have faith in our teachers and students. Our kids deserve the best.” As it is clear, the students, teachers, and principal are unhappy with the budget cuts. We think our school speaks for all of California when we say we are still working hard on making the best with what we have. Through everything, budget cuts included, the students are paying the highest price — their future.

Educator of the month Much to see at Van Horn Debbie May classic car & bike show Nominated by Gina Rasmussen My daughter, Jenna, is in Mrs. May’s third-grade class at San Lauren Elementary. She begged me to visit her classroom. I went and I just want to say that my daughter has been blessed with an amazing teacher. Every moment is a teachable moment. She does not waste anyTotime, is firm, submither yourstudents nominee forrespect Educatorher. of theShe Month, go to: www.northwest then break, click on “Post Something!” andwhat contribute but fair. Duringvoice.com her recess I told Mrs. May I a paragraph about why youmorning appreciate and to recognize your that nominee. Be sure thought of the andwould she like humbly told me to include the educator’s name, school, department and picture. The contest is open to Godeducators has gifted her with a area. job she loves doing and has in the Southwest Entries can also be e-mailed to: been doing for 20 years. She gave the entry glory$50 to gift God. dmartin@northwestvoice.com. Each month the all winning certificate, compliments of GW School Supply and The Northwest Voice. 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 should also include their name, school, department and a picture. All nominees will be featured in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice and each month the winning entry will receive a $50 gift card for school supplies, compliments of GO School Supply and TBV.

BY MELINDA JAMES VHPC President Co-chair

he Parent Club of Wayne Van Horn Elementary School heartily invites you to our fourth annual Van Horn School Classic Car and Bike Show and Craft Fair, on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at school, 5501 Kleinpell Avenue in Bakersfield. Entry into the show for spectators is free, while registration of show cars and bikes is only $35. The event is a parent club fundraiser to provide educational experiences for students which the Panama Buena Vista Union School District is unable to provide. There will be a huge car and motorcycle show, craft fair, student show featuring student’s bicycles, scooters, pedal cars, and much more. Van Horn students will judge the cars and motorcycles to determine the winners in 21 categories. There will be fun for the ladies and children, plus plenty of good food. Also, there will be an art/hobby display

put on by the deaf and hard of hearing students of Kern County. This event promises to keep every member of your family entertained. We sincerely hope that you will come on out and have a good time and support our efforts to meet the educational needs of our kids. For more information (or if you have a vehicle you would like to enter), please email Steve Jensen at vhparent@pbvusd.net or call the school at (661) 324-6538. See you there!

W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M

MARCH 22-28, 2009

YOURCELEBRATIONS Winning season!

Happy Birthday, Sebastian!

Coach Jeff Murphy and his fourth-grade superstars from Endeavour Elementary went undefeated! Congrats!

Happy 7th birthday!

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W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M

MARCH 22-28, 2009

YOURENTERTAINMENT

Elise Anchordoquy, center, plays the role of “Aladdin.”

Scarf dancers, from left: Juliet Escalante, Katie Lewis, and Reagan Lynn.

Ballet Theatre rolling out magic carpet for ‘Aladdin’ them able to perform in her productions. But not only does she teach her students to dance, she he Bakersfield Ballet Theatre, under the direc- also teaches responsibility and tion of Martha Knight, is dedication. However, everything about preparing for their Knight’s ballet company and perupcoming performance of “Aladdin,” which will be at the formances is a shared effort CSUB Doré Theatre, Friday, Sat- between the dancers, their parurday and Sunday, March 27-29. ents and Knight. “Aladdin” is an artistic porDancers performing in trayal of the classic tale per“Aladdin” range from 6 years of formed with outstanding dancage and up. Some of Knight’s ing, all choreographed by dancers have been with her for Knight. This exciting performjust a few months and others have ance has been in preparation for been dancing with her company more than a year. It includes for close to 25 years. extravagant hand-made cosThe Bakersfield Ballet Thetumes and scenery constructed atre is a family-oriented compaspecifically for this show, all ny where even dads of dancers designed by Knight. participate in the show as merKnight has been a ballet chants. instructor and director in BakElise Anchordoquy, 19, plays ersfield for more than 50 years. A the part of Aladdin. While few of her other productions rehearsing every night and even include “Sleeping Beauty,” some weekends, Elise is also “King of Glory” and “The attending Bakersfield College Nightingale.” full time in preparation for her Knight is a perfectionist when transfer to Biola University it comes to her shows and she where she will major in commumakes all of her visions come to nication disorders. life on stage. She trains her Elise says this performance dancers to a proficiency to make has “been fun, but a definite

BY WYNDI BALDEN

Community contributor

PHOTOS BY FELIX ADAMO

April Chung relaxes in between dances for the Bakersfield Ballet Theatre directed by Martha Knight. challenge.” Alexandria Lightsey, 19, plays the princess with whom Aladdin falls in love. She is also a fulltime student at Bakersfield College, preparing to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to major in English, with the possibility of

pursuing a law degree. “Even though rehearsals are tough at times, ballet keeps me going,” Lightsey said. “It is my escape from school and everyday life.” “Aladdin“ will be performed at the CSUB Doré Theatre, 9001

Stockdale Hwy., Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at Stockdale Music, by calling 661-319-4322 or e-mail: wbalden@bak.rr.com.

W W W. B A K E R S F I E L D V O I C E . C O M

MARCH 22-28, 2009

YOURSPORTS

Local martial artists to compete in state Taekwondo qualifier COURTESY OF HAN’S TAEKWONDO ACADEMY

Han’s Taekwondo Academy is sending a team of 35 Bakersfield martial artists to the 2009 California State Qualifier on March 28. The athletes range in age from 6 to 22. The team has been working together six days a week in hopes of quali-

fying for the Junior Olympic Nationals in July. To find out more about how to try-out and join Han’s Taekwondo Academy’s Progression Team, please visit: www.hanstaekwondo.com. All skill levels are accepted.

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■ 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.