The Bakersfield Voice May 3, 2009 by Mercado Nuevo

www.bakersfieldvoice.com

May 3-9, 2009

F R E E

Another chapter for the SPCA’s book sale Pg. 2 How to honor mom Pg. 3 Light the way for cow plop fundraiser! Pg. 5

Winning moment! See ‘Spring into Action’ contest results, pgs. 6-7

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MAY 3-9, 2009

EXTRA!EXTRA!

Brewing up a great time! Staff

COURTESY OF CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD

t’s time for California State University, Bakersfield’s Party in the Park. Grab a wine glass and beer mug … wait, beer mug? That’s right, in addition to top California wineries, this year, attendees can sample unique micro-brews while raising thousands of dollars for student scholarships. Join the festivities on Friday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m. in CSUB’s Alumni Park. “We are expanding Party in the Park to accommodate all tastes,” said David Perkins, event chair and member of the CSUB Alumni Association board. “The wineries are stellar, and the micro-brews add a new dimension to the event. But most importantly, we’re raising funds to support student scholarships.” Wineries include: Bighorn Cellars, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Clos du Bois, Renwood Winery, Croad Vineyards, Arroyo Robles Winery, Chumeia Vineyards, and Souza Family Vineyard. Micro-brews available include: Lengthwise Brewery, Kern River Brewery and select brands from Advance Beverage. Party in the Park precedes the annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival. Cost for the tasting is $40 in advance or $50 the day of the event, if tickets are available.

EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia Vice President /Content ogarcia@bakersfield.com Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com 716-8642 Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Let the fun begin! Here are just three of last year’s 600 attendees from last year’s Party in the Park event. This year, the event will offer samples of micro-brews, too. Available for pre-purchase only is a weekend package that includes both Party in the Park and the Bakersfield Jazz Festival. The package price for Friday’s events is $70, or enjoy the entire weekend for $90. For tickets or more information, please contact the Alumni Relations office at 654-3211.

Buy a book, save a pet during month of May COURTESY OF THE SPCA

he Bakersfield SPCA book sale is now until May 23 at the old Michael’s store, 3501 Mall View Road, Suite 109, (Near East Hills Mall). This is the Bakersfield SPCA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Your support aids the Bakersfield SPCA in continuing to care for abandoned and unwanted pets until they find new homes. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information: The SPCA book sale helps fund pet rescue work. www.bakersfieldspca.org.

MS society hosts bilingual family day at CALM BY CHRISTINE GRONTKOWSKI Community contributor

he National Multiple Sclerosis Society is hosting a bilingual Family Day at California Living Museum, 10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy. from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 9. Adults can ask questions about multiple sclerosis (MS), while kids will learn about the disease through interactive activities and a special presentation where they can meet the museum’s animals. The English/Spanish program is a great opportunity to learn about MS, while enjoying the company of others who understand what it’s like to live with the disease. The cost is $10 per family CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN (which includes lunch). To register, call 321-9512. Meet the animals at CALM and learn about MS on May 9.

Sandra Molen Writer/Copy Editor smolen@bakersfield.com

ART Timothy Heinrichs Designer theinrichs@bakersfield.com

ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632 David Alanis Sales Executive Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Mark Wells Sales Executive Angela Espinoza Sales Executive Katie Blair Sales Executive Jose Trevino Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive

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. To learn more or to contribute news and pictures, visit us online at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com

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MAY 3-9, 2009

YOURVOICE

4 Post Mother’s Day greetings! 4 6

Hooray for these hoopsters!

Local youth basketball team does Bakersfield proud at a recent tournament in Orange County.

ello everyone: Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away and you probably haven’t gotten her a card yet. So, do the next best thing. Post a short story and photo on The Bakersfield Voice Web site and tell our online community why you think your

mom is so special. And if you do it by Monday, May 3, it could appear in the printed edition of The Bakersfield Voice. It’s easy to do. Just go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, create a FREE profile, and hit the links to post your story, add your photo and everyone can see what a considerate daughter or son you really are!

Donate blood … for mom! BY TRACY HUNTER Community contributor

ouchin Blood Bank presents — “BLING FOR BLOOD” — a Mother’s Day Promotion! Beginning Monday, May 4 through Saturday, May 9, donors may enter a drawing for a chance to win a pair of diamond

elry, yard art, woodworking, home decor, quilts, candles and many more unique items will be for sale. Local food vendors will be participating as well. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All booth fees will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network. We encourage you to join us in supporting this worthy local cause.

Community contributor

osedale Wal-Mart, 8400 Rosedale Hwy., will host its 11th annual Mother’s Day craft show benefiting Children’s Miracle Network on Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10. A wide variety of handmade crafts will be available for your Mother’s Day and graduation shopping needs: Jew-

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This month’s winner isn’t afraid to try a new sport in addition to keeping up straight A’s in school.

Spring snapshots

We asked you to “Spring into Action” with your photos and stories of Spring Break, see the results.

About the cover Our “Spring into Action” contest winner (see pages 6-7 for runners-up, too) captured a church mission trip where a youth group on Spring Break truly acted in a charitable way. They built three houses for the needy in Tijuana, Mexico.

earrings. Sponsored by Don Hall Jewelers, the earrings are valued at $1,500. Operating hours at 5901 Truxtun Ave. are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Operating Hours at 2600 G St. are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

11th annual Mother’s Day Craft Show at Rosedale Wal-Mart BY CINDY WILKIN

Our April Athlete of the Month

Your photo could be on our next cover! Photos and stories for the May 24 issue must be posted by Wednesday, May 13 at 5 p.m.

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MAY 3-9, 2009

YOURSPORTS

All-Star team takes 3rd BY CJNORMAN Community contributor

he Bakersfield West NJB AllStar Team took third place in the NJB National All-Star Tournament held April 17-19 in Orange County. The team was directed by Head Coach Keith McCants and assistants Josh Thompson and Randy Nielson. Bakersfield West finished with a 4-1 record in the tournament. The team as pictured: (Front row) Alexander Norman, Jonathan Moore, Caleb Thompson, Daniel Galvez, and Tyson Nielson. (Back row) Assistant Coach Randy

The Bakersfield West NJB All-Star team.

Nielson, Keith McCants, Isaac Espericueta, Stephen Campbell, Tanner Compton, Head Coach Keith McCants, Sr., Assistant Coach Josh Thompson.

Athlete of the Month: Nathan Soland The Bakersfield Voice’s star athlete of the month for April is Nathan Soland. Nathan is an active and adventurous 11-year-old who attends Downtown Elementary and is a straight-A student.

Nathan’s name was picked from among the other Star Athlete of the Week nominees for April. He will receive a $50 gift card for sporting equipment, compliments of Sports Authority.

Star Athlete of the Week: Hadley deQuillettes Nominated by Jaime deQuillettes When 11-year-old Hadley deQuillettes is not pitching for the Fresno Bulldogs in the BASA Girls Softball League, she is playing shortstop. Softball is a sport she has been participating in since she was 4. Hadley has gone from wondering where in the heck home plate was to sliding into it all on her own. Hadley is also on the Kern River Volleyball team.Though Hadley has a busy practice and game schedule to contend with, it doesn’t get in the way of her grades. She has maintained her honor roll status during her entire tenure at Centennial Elementary School. Beyond all that, she is an amazing big sister and a great kid! We love her and are extremely proud of our “star!”

■ 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.

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MAY 3-9, 2009

YOURVOICE

Cow Plop for stadium lights! COURTESY OF INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB

ndependence High School Athletic Booster Club presents Cow Plop for the Stadium Lights!, Saturday, May 9. Social hour will be from 5 to 6 p.m., dinner from 6 to

7 p.m. Cow plop, live & silent auctions and dancing will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Presenters will mark a field off with squares, release a cow into the field and wait for the cow to “PLOP.” If he “PLOPS” in your square, you win $1,000! A $50 ticket includes one square for the cow plop, two New

York steak dinners and dancing under the stars. The Cow Plop will be located at 8310 Emmers Way, off Gosford Road, about a mile south of Houghton Road. For more information, contact Randi Hendrix at: rhendrix1@bak.rr.com or at 496-2392.

Finally, cow plops that are a good thing!

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YOURVOICE

Here’s our winning ‘Spring’ entry!

Our ‘Spring Into Action’ contest winner is ...

e wanted to thank our online community members who entered our “Spring Into Action” contest. We had some great entries detailing what folks did during Spring Break. Bakersfield High School student Lewis M. Rogers is our winner of six tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Lewis chronicled

MAY 3-9, 2009

BY LEWIS M. ROGERS Community contributor

I went on my second mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico where my church (Laurelglen Bible) high school youth group and I built three houses for needy locals during spring break. Since we started in one area the first day, and then were unexpectedly moved to a safer area the next, it was amazing we still finished in time. We would have had four days to build, but we only had three. But we still, with God’s help, laid the concrete and built walls the first day, put up the walls and roof the second day, and then stuccoed and tar-papered the house the third day. We hosted a small Bible school for the last three days of the trip for all the Mexican kids in the area. It was a blast, interacting with all the chil-

his church youth group’s travels to Tijuana, Mexico over Spring Break, and how they built houses for the needy! We found it to be a noble effort and a great story and photos about truly “springing into action!” Congratulations to Lewis! Lil’ ocean fanatic gets his fix Please be on the lookout for our BY DONNA FRASER next contest online and in a Community contributor Our family had been looking forward future printed edition of The to ourNominated Spring Break trip toHernández Marina (just by Guadalupe Bakersfield Voice.

dren. There were about 50 kids the first day and around 70 the second, but on the third, we had probably more than 100. I was the official photographer and took about 300 photos. I’m also taking a photography class at BHS, which helped. I really enjoyed doing that and getting to know people better along the way.

Educator of the Month

Mr. Rhodes

north of Monterey) for weeks. My son I’d like toSimon, nominate my daughters’ 9, is antwin ocean fanatic.kindergarten He will go teacher Mr. Rhodes who teaches at Discovery Elementary swimming in the Pacific on the coldest School. At the beginning of the On year, I day was atsoMarina skeptical after day in February. this having learned that they were going to have a male teacher State Beach, he found a 10-foot-long for kindergarten. He has superseded allto of drag my expectations piece of kelp and proceeded it as to what a great teacher should be. My around forkindergarten hours, playing and playing. girls love Mr. discovered Rhodes. He dozens teachesof them of cute and He also tinylots jellysilly songs. builds up theirtoself-esteem. Heofis just so fish,He just big enough fit in the palm marvelous myWhat girls! a wonderful, peaceful thewith hand. place this place was!

Educator of the month Dr. Roberta Zaph Nominated by the parents of Henry Saucedo We would like to nominate a miracle worker of a teacher, Dr. Roberta Zaph, who teaches second grade at Thorner Elementary. She is a truly dedicated teacher and deserves many praises. Our son had attended another school for the majority of the year, where he was in constant trouble. To submit yourturned nominee forour Educator of the Month, singleDr. Zaph has son around go to: www.northwest voice.com then click on structured, “Post Something!” and contribute a handedly with consistent, teaching paragraph about why you appreciate and would like to recognize your nominee. Be sure methods. Our family so thankful forThe Dr. Zaph’s to include the educator’s name, school,is department and picture. contest is open to genuine dedication perseverance. Keep educators in the Southwestand area. Entries can also be e-mailed to: up dmartin@northwestvoice.com. monthdoing, the winning entry $50 gift certificate, the awesome workEach you’re Dr. Zaph! 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 GW School Supply and TBV.

Eggs, kites & bears ... oh my, oh my! BY DEBBY GARZA Community contributor

We started out with an early Easter egg hunt with “Sorority kids.” We gathered at RiverWalk Park, had a picnic, Easter egg hunt and flew our kites. Next was our yearly egg-dying day. Wow, that was a messy but fun night as we dyed and stuffed our 18 flats of eggs with a family favorite, confetti. Then, came the day for our “special trip,” we headed out early in the morning on a family “field trip,” but wait — aren’t we on vacation?! Don’t worry, we had fun, I promise. Except for the one page, single-spaced write-up afterward, just kidding! (Don’t think I didn’t try!). Off we go to the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles followed by dinner at Dave and Busters where the kids ate and played games until they dropped! Our field trip was loads of fun, especially for my son who wanted to bring

his new polar bear friend home. But overall, the best day of vacation was Easter Sunday. We had a blast enjoying the day with the family by laughing, eating, playing an old school game of “volley-baseball” (Go team blue!) and yes, of course, putting our confetti stuffed eggs to use!

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MAY 3-9, 2009

No work, all play BY USER NAME: GURLROXY Family all around and spring in the air. As all the little ones run around snatching up the Easter eggs, parents advising them to only eat one piece of candy, I capture the moment. Spring Break is a time where we get to relax and just forget everything. No work or school, just family and friends. That’s exactly how I spent my Spring Break.

Hands-on history lesson BY REBECCA SAMPSON Community contributor

Our family did something really fun for the Thursday and Friday of Spring Break. We went up to Fort Tejon for the Student Living History Program. The kids were made privates in the army and given an army coat and haversack (packs to carry supplies) to use throughout the the stay. The parents were in charge of stations set up throughout the fort. The stations were: the kitchen (cooking), laundry, candle making, adobe bricks, blacksmith’s shop, carpenter’s shop, and quilting. The kids in their squadrons rotated through each station. They learned what life was like at the fort and even made a candle, metal tool and toolbox to take home. At dinner, everyone ate the

stew that each group helped make. We spent the night in the barracks with candles and a fire to keep the room warm. In the morning, we ate scrambled eggs and bacon cooked over an open fire pit. A few people in our group even helped fire a cannon. Then we packed up and headed home with a greater appreciation of how soldiers lived in 1856.

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