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February 15-21, 2009
w w w . b a k e r s f i e l d v o i c e . c o m
Down came the rain! How to get in our photo gallery, pg. 3
One woman’s cancer survival story Pg. 4 Dream ride shifts into high gear Pg. 6 Doggone right! We want dogs Pg. 9 Super review from Sports Shorts Pg. 11
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
YOURCELEBRATIONS Happy Birthday, Rich
Happy Birthday, Lilie
Happy Birthday, Rich! Hope you have a happy birthday on Feb. 22! We love you so much! Love, Sandi, Zac, Kelsey, Kendall & Megan
Happy Birthday Lilie! Lilie is turning 7! Love, Mom, Dad & Larke
Staff EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487
Happy Birthday, Katelynn
Happy 10th Birthday! To Jay Lopez, On Feb. 19th, you’re 10! We are so proud of you! Congrats on making the honor roll again, keep up the good work! We love you lots, Mom, Dad, Abrielle, Aiden & Jonah
Happy Birthday, Katelynn Ross Hope you have a great birthday, Kate! Sandi Castillo
Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com
ART Timothy Heinrichs Designer theinrichs@bakersfield.com
ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632
MEETTHE CONTRIBUTOR David Alanis Sales Executive
Allow us to introduce ...
Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive
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n June 2008, Barbara Butler heard the words no woman ever wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.” After shedding the obvious tears, Barbara set about taking care of the problem and getting on with her life — and she did it with determination. Prior to hearing the news that she had cancer, Barbara, who is from Paramount, Calif., just north of Long Beach, had fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a photographer — so it was only natural the first thing she headed for once home from the hospital after having a mastectomy was her camera, trying to hold it. “It hurt so bad I cried,” said the mother of two daughters, grandmother of two and owner of FireCreek Photography. “But I worked everyday moving that arm. Now I’m working with weights to strengthen my hands.” Barbara, a self-taught amateur photographer who learned the art from reading a lot of books, perusing the Community contributor Internet and asking a lot
BARBARA BUTLER
of questions, named her photography company after a road in Washoe Valley near Reno, Nev., where she hopes to retire one day with her husband, John. In the meantime, Barbara continues to enjoy any and everything to do with photography. She has plenty of opportunities to shoot interesting subjects as a member of Kern Photography Association (KPA), a group of shutterbugs who meet once a month and who are always on the look out for exciting subject matter. The club meets every second Wednesday of the month at Carrows Restaurant, 1300 Easton Drive. Their next “Meet and Shoot” will be Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Weedpatch Migrant Camp, made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” For more information about Kern Photography Association go to: kernphotographyassociation.org., To read more about Barbara and how she continues her fight with breast cancer, turn to page 4. — Would you like to become a community contributor? It’s easy to share your voice in The Bakersfield Voice! Just visit our Web site at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com, set up a FREE profile and start posting your articles, photos and blogs as a citizen journalist! Still need help or have a specific question? E-mail Teresa Adamo at: tadamo@bakersfield.com
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
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
Share your
voice today! ■ Submitting your stories for The Bakersfield Voice is simple and FREE! Just go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and create a profile. ■ Choose what you’d like to contribute (an article, letter, picture or community event listing) and post it yourself for our online readership to see. You can even add video to the site!
■ We also include as many community contributions as possible in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice, published Sundays. ■ Still need help getting your contributions onto our Web site?We’re happy to help get you started! E-mail Teresa Adamo at: tadamo@bakersfield.com
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Photo finish survival story
Local photographer shares her experience beating breast cancer.
Fence facts
Our own Handy Fellow offers tips on friendly fence maintenance.
Camaro dream comes true
Local man finally realizes his perfect car, though it took him two years and quite a chunk of change to do so.
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Navy love story
Wife writes story of seeing her Navy husband after his months at sea.
Dog people
Pet columnist Vicky Thrasher discusses why we love our dogs!
Sports Shorts
Michael Elliott runs down his take on the Super Bowl and more .
About the cover Bakersfield Voice contributor LJ2009 posted a series of oh-so-cute photos of Jace playing in the rain. Check out his matching froggy rain gear — perfect time to use it! Go to our photo gallery on our Web site: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and share your photographic art! Your photo could be on our next cover! Photos and stories for the March 1 issue must be posted by Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
YOURVOICE
I’ve got a new attitude BY BARBARA BUTLER Community contributor
chool was out for summer and we had planned a wonderful vacation. A few days in San Francisco, a quick visit to the Russian River and Sebastopol area, ending our vacation by visiting with family in Reno, Nev. I had purchased a new stabilizing lens and a larger memory card for the trip. I had spent hours on the computer, plotting and planning all the places we would visit. I could hear all those great shots just calling my name and boy, let me tell you ... I was ready! It was Memorial Day weekend and we were just a couple of weeks away from the summer trip. I had stayed up late doing a couple of photoshop tutorials and visiting on Flickr (yes, I am a Flickrholic). As I was undressing for bed, I felt it. And I knew. My heart skipped and I swear, heat just flooded my body. And I knew. I couldn’t believe what I was feeling. A lump. No, not just a lump, but a mass. A golf ball sized mass. And I knew. So now your asking yourself: “How did she miss that?” “Didn’t she have mammograms regularly?” And my answers are: “I don’t know.” I just never noticed it before. What I can tell you is, I’m a big girl who had recently lost 30 lbs and this mass was on the side, closer to the underarm. And secondly, I had always had regular yearly mammograms, but I had missed the year before. I really didn’t think much about it because I do not have a family history of breast cancer and I had scheduled a mammogram for the end of June, after our vacation. I gently woke my husband and told him what I had found and that I knew it was cancer. Always the calm and reasonable soul, he hugged me and said we would call the doctor the first thing in the morning. I stayed awake all night planning my strategy against this enemy and preparing what I would say to my two daughters and my closest friends. At 7:15 the next morning I called our medical carrier asking for an appointment with my doctor. I was informed there was a special clinic and they would call me shortly. I was contacted a little later that morning with a mammogram and ultra sound appointment. Once I had the test appointments, I called my daughters and then my closest friends. There was a needle biopsy appointment
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before the week was out and a very long, long weekend as I waited for the diagnosis. I put the time to good use, searching the internet for information and talking with my friend who had dealt with breast cancer a couple of years earlier. I cried, I prayed and I prepared for the worst. This is just who I am .... learn about it, teach yourself everything you need to know. Prepare, look at all the “what ifs,” look at what the worst could be. The results of the needle biopsy took longer coming than I had been told. I tried to stay focused, but honestly that time is just a blur. Once I spoke with the breast clinic coordinator and was told that a doctor would be calling me with the results, I knew what the answer was .... So before the surgery, I cut off my hair, added the pink streak and had my good friend Teresa document it in a fun photo session. I was worried because it was on my right side and I was afraid I might not be able to pick up my camera. I have two neighbors who have also gone through breast cancer and neither one of them could lift their arm up for almost a year. I chose a mastectomy due to the size of the mass, and I was lucky. Really, really lucky. I did not have lymph node involvement which meant I would only need to do four chemos and no radiation. The first thing I did when I came home from the hospital was to go into the office and pick up my camera. It hurt so bad I cried, but I worked every-
HyeStyleShots Teresa Harigain Photography
Barbara Butler
day moving that arm. I am blessed to be able to say I can lift my arm straight up. Now I’m working with weights to strengthen my hands. With the external flash on, it makes my camera twice as heavy and I shake like there is an earthquake
MORE INFORMATION ON CANCER Statistics from the National Cancer Institute: seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/ html/breast.html
going on! I am very happy to say that I am cancer free and I look at life differently. Gone are the days of worrying about what needs to be done around the house or what someone might think if I don’t do it. If a friend calls to go shooting and I can — I DO! If my husband suggests a picnic or a quick day trip, WHAM BAM ... we load up the family, grab my camera and away we go. Life is too short to miss out on good times with my family or even miss out on golden photo opportunities. I will end this by saying, the government’s statistics are 1 out of every 8* women will deal with breast cancer in her lifetime. So fight back ... do your self-examinations, do your yearly mammograms and if there is ever a question, insist on a needle biopsy. Life is really good and I have a new attitude!
SHARE YOUR VOICE
To share your cancer survival tale, go to: http://www.bakersfieldvoice.com. It’s easy to set up your FREE profile and start posting stories, photos and blog as a citizen journalCOMMENT ON THE STORY ist. Still need help or have a specific quesIf you would like to comment on Barbara But- tion? E-mail Gene Garaygordobil at: ler’s story online at Bakersfieldvoice.com, ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com please go to: http://www.bakersfieldTeresa Adamo at: voice.com/ home/ViewPost/88504 tadamo@bakersfield.com
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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
FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
HANDYFELLOW
Don’t wait until it’s too late to save your fence his time of year, there are several things that should be looked at to either winterize or just plain protect from “Momma Nature.” 1. Check fence posts by walking the fence line and at every post, rock it back and forth gently to see if it seems loose. If it is loose, it needs replacing or the first real hard winds (and this looks like an “El Ed Coleman Niño”kind of Home Improvement year, which columnist usually means wind in the spring ) of spring will take it down for you. It is not complicated to change a post. Remember that insurance on fences is only for an amount above the
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Check fence posts by walking the fence line and at every post, rock it back and forth gently to see if it seems loose.
deductible and the fence is also pro-rated for age. 2. Check your eaves under the roofs for signs of peeling or cracking paint and for signs of
water under the eaves. Remember, termites love wet wood! If you see any sign that does not look right, it probably isn’t, and you can probe around gently
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(notice I use the word gently a lot) with a small screwdriver and see if the wood is solid or if it is spongy or rotted and falls apart. 3. Remember to insulate any outside pipes with old towels, foam, pipe wrap or gunny sacks to prevent freezing and possibly cracking of the pipe. 4. If we continue to not get much rain out of these “cold” storms, and I mean something like an inch or more per storm (which we have not had in several years now) the moisture in the ground will just dry in the wind or turn into our beloved “Tule fog,” which saps the water out of the ground to make the fog. This will leave your larger plants and trees without much needed moisture for making roots for next hot season. So you should run a long slow drip on the plants and trees (trees for
a couple of days or more) to get the moisture down in the root zone. Do this a few of times during the summer also. Remember that anything under an inch of rain does little to help in this transformed desert that we live in. I had a lady ask me about a smallish Magnolia tree that was drooping and looking very sickly a year ago in the middle of spring. She thought the tree trimmers had killed her tree. I asked how much water the lawn had and it became evident that there was not nearly enough water under that tree. I asked her to let the hose run with a pencil, lead sized stream under the tree for a few days. She said OK, and the very next morning the tree was standing with branches and leaves pointing up and with a shine on it as to say, “Thank you for the drink.”
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
YOURVOICE
She has waves of love for Navy husband BY FELICIA JOHNSON n mid January 2007, my husband Tim, left for overseas for eight months with the U.S. Navy. Needless to say it was definitely a test of love — and oh boy, was there lots of love! We wrote back and forth for those eight months everyday and I sent him as many pictures as I could because he left only four weeks after our second son was born. Many important days passed while he was gone — our anniversary; Valentine’s Day; and more. Well, he was the most sad when it came to Valentine’s Day, especially knowing that he still had such a long way to go until we saw each other again. The days, weeks and months seemed to pass so slowly and it seemed like we were both crying everyday. In September, we started counting the days — he was to pull in at San Diego on the 27th! The day came and I don’t think I have ever felt so nauseous, scared and extremely happy in my whole life. I hadn’t seen my husband, the man I loved in over EIGHT months. So at 4 a.m., the two boys and I packed up our things in the car and we headed for San Diego. All the way there I was crying and laughing and telling the boys that Daddy was finally coming home! We arrived to and overwhelming crowd of people, waiting for loved ones. There was an ocean of signs, booths, music and anxious people. With my boys and double stroller in tow, we waited for an hour — which seemed like eternity! Suddenly, on the loud speaker, a man announced
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Felicia and Tim Johnson
that the ship was just pulling into the harbor. I almost got sick, and my only thought was ‘Could it go any slower?!’ I knew that I would be able to talk to him before he actually got off the ship because his father had met him in Hawaii and joined him for the last week on the Tiger Cruise and he had his cell phone. Surprisingly enough, in just 10 minutes, the ship was almost completely docked. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, all men on deck, in their dress whites. Tears immediately filled my eyes, I was shaking, and thinking, “How in the world am I gonna know
which one is my husband.?” My cell phone rang and as I answered it, I fell to the ground in tears. As my husband, Tim spoke, all I was trying to do was figure out where in the world on that huge ship he was. After we both spotted each other, we never took our eyes off one another. I had missed that man so much and I could not wait to be in his arms! After about another hour passed, it was time for him to get off of the ship and I squeezed myself and my boys through the crowd to the opening. I saw his head and I tried to run, but I was blocked in. All of a sudden, the crowd split so that I could get through and I ran, he ran and I jumped into his arms. He spun me around and that moment of uncontrollable, so happy in love tears, I knew that there was no way I would ever be without this man! Lost in our moment, neither of us realized the “oohs and aahs” coming from the surrounding people. When he walked up to our boys, my greatest fear was broken. Zander, our oldest but only 2 at the time, smiled so big and reached out for his daddy. My heart broke and fell in love all over again to have him hold his sons and the tears streamed down his face. Valentine’s Day in 2008, Tim mentioned he wanted to make up for last year’s Valentine’s that we missed together. He bought me a two-carat diamond ring and took me on the most wonderful vacation, filled with Disneyland dreams, horseback riding, a stay at an amazing hotel in beautiful Laguna Beach and unconditional love!
YOURVOICE
Mid-life crisis results in dream car, $60,000 investment Yosemite to buy it. In the beginning, my plans were to fix it up as economically as possible and make it a daily driver. A good friend of mine, who helped me restore my Camaro, suggested I find a different rear end because the one the car came with would be easily damaged in no time. I bought one of the most expensive rear ends for my car and this is the point where my economical daily driver became a $60,000 street/strip restoration mod show car. I finished restoring my car 20 months later, and I am now an official “gearContinued on page 7
BY KEITH REYNOLDS Community contributor
ack in 1977, when I was a teenager in high school I grew up with a friend in the Fairfax area. We both got our drivers’ licenses around the same time and we both began to work and save our money for a car. My friend came across one of those sweet deals that never happens to me and ended up with a 1967 Chevy Camaro. I ended up with a Pontiac LeMans, and we spent many weekends going places in my friend’s Camaro, including the Gosford street drags. I always loved that Camaro and wanted one for myself but never could afford one raising a family. On Feb. 20, 2007, I began my mid-life crisis and began looking for a Camaro. I found an old beat up rust-bucket on Craigslist and I drove almost to
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TO LEARN MORE Keith Reynolds wanted a Chevy Camaro ever since he first got his driver’s license. But it wasn’t until February 2007 that he was able to fulfill that teenage wish.
You can read more on Keith Reynolds’ dream car and look at additional photos at: www.home.roadrunner.com/~keiths68camaro/
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
CREATIVECORNER
Dear Valentine ... BY DORENE TOMLINSON Community Contributor
Reynolds’ ‘68 Camaro as it progresses from dream to reality.
Continued from page 6 head.” I have entered my car in two shows so far, and I have won awards in both shows. I love my 1968 Chevy Camaro. I love the car show scene, and I love the compliments I get. My motto in life is: Live life to the fullest, follow your dreams because life is too short.
— Do you remember your first car? Was it your dream ride or did that come later? If you have a dream car tale you’d like to share with our Bakersfield Voice readers, please go to www.bakersfieldvoice.com and post your story and photos. You just might see them in a future issue of TBV.
Dear Valentine, How’s all your cackling hens and fat swine? Did the crops get eaten by kine? How’s Crisco Polly and donkey’s spine? Why whine? Things could be fine if you were mine, Cline; Just call me on the line and pine. I can hitch a ride off the vine, If there’s no fine. Don’t wrap your sign with twine! Dine at Tine’s ... Signed, Nine
Drawings inspired by TBV Community contributor Elizabeth Hunt, a Carriage House resident, drew these renderings of published photos in previous Bakersfield Voice issues.
Are you a creative soul? Do you like to write fictional stories or poems, but don’t know where you can get them published? That’s why we’ve “created” the Creative Corner
in The Bakersfield Voice! Go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com Set up a FREE profile, post your creative piece and you may see it here soon!
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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
FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
THE VOICE CALENDAR Sunday 2/15 Bakersfield Country Music Museum, Young Pioneer Fundraiser Event, featuring Brett Neal and the John B’s, 1 to 5 p.m. Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave. $10; BCMM members Free. 366-6003.
Monday 2/16 Kern County Young Republicans, monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Bill Lee’s, 1203 18th St. Free. kcyr.net. CSUB Roadrunners vs. Seattle University, men’s basketball, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $5-$25. ticketmaster.com or call 322-2525. Presidents’ Skate Day, 1 to 4 p.m., Rollerama West, 7850 Brimhall Road. $6 admission; $3 skate rental. 589-7555.
Tuesday 2/17 Bakersfield Community Concert Association, with Czech Symphony Orchestra, doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m., The theater at Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $50 for three concerts. 589-2478. Culinary Arts Program Gourmet Dinner, by BC’s culinary students, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Bakersfield College, Renegade Room, 1801 Panorama Dr. $10.95; take-out meals available. 395-4441. Open Forum Travel Series, Monty and Marsha Bown, “La Belle France,” 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield High School, Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. Free. 871-0146. Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes, 3 to 5 miles, 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184. 872-2432 or 873-8107.
Wednesday 2/18 Bike Ride, hosted by David Miller, leave Action Sports at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, ride to Enos Lane and back, done at a moderate pace, takes no longer than a hour-and-half, Action Sports, 9500 Brimhall Road, Ste. 400. 8334000. Car Nights, 8:30 p.m., in front of Bakersfield Billiards, 2916 Niles St. 549-6276. Culinary Arts Program Gourmet Lunches, by
BC’s culinary students, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bakersfield College, Renegade Room, 1801 Panorama Dr. $8; take-out meals available. 395-4441. Game Night, with pizza, inflatable obstacle course, games, for children in first through eighth grades, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., College Park, corner of Mt. Vernon Ave. and Church Ave. Free. 319-9640.
Thursday 2/19 Artwork on Display, “Random Responses” by Chris Burch, Mary Carol Baird, Phillip Chan, Darlene Graeser, Michael McAllister, Audra McKay and Gail Werner, now through Feb. 26, Bakersfield College, Wylie and Louise May Jones Gallery, 1801 Panorama Dr. Gallery hours: Mondays through Thursdays 1 to 7 p.m. 395-4616. Bakersfield Jam vs. Austin, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $5-$100. bakersfieldjam.com or 716-4526. Featured Artist, with Beverly Carrick, Charlotte White, Richard Geissel, Pattie Doolittle, Mary Lou Slinkard, Shirley Rowles and Les Robison, art on display until March 1, Bakersfield Art Association, Gallery of Art, East Hills Mall, 3000 Mall View Road. Gallery hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 872-2806. “Heroes,” doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Stars Dinner Theater, 1931 Chester Ave. $50-$54; show only tickets $25. 325-6100. State of the Downtown Breakfast & Installation of Officers, hosted by the Downtown Business Association, with guest speakers Alan Tandy, Bill Rector, John Pfluger, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Ave. $25; $35 nonmembers. 325-5892.
Friday 2/20 A Woman Called Truth, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave. $10-$12. 831-8114. CSUB Roadrunner Baseball vs. St. Louis, 2 p.m., CSUB campus, Hardt Field, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. $5-$25. 654-2583. “Dawn of the Space Age” Planetarium
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Shows, doors open at 7 p.m.; show 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Friday; doors open at 1:30 p.m.; show 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield College, Planetarium, Math and Science Building, room 112, 1801 Panorama Dr. $6; $4 students/seniors. No tickets will be sold at the door. 395-4326. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “The Last Mistress,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 325-4815. “Wash Your Troubles Away,” by the Black Gold Productions, squeaky clean musical to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; dinner available prior to show beginning at 5:30 p.m.; matinee show 2 p.m. Sunday, Norris Road Veterans Hall, 400 W. Norris Road. $20, includes show and dinner; matinee show only $10. 330-0423 or 703-4536. CSUB Roadrunners new baseball playing and training facility dedication ceremony and season opener. Hardt Field, named after local residents Tom and Barbara Hardt, will be dedicated at 1 p.m. The opening of CSUB’s inaugural baseball season will begin at 2 p.m. against St. Louis University. Tickets may be purchased by calling 654-2583.
Saturday 2/21 Bestselling author Catherine Coulter, will talk about her novels as part of the Oildale Centennial Celebration, 2 p.m. Rathun Library, 200 W. China Grade Loop. Free. 393-643. Kern Photography Association February Meet & Shoot, tour of Weedpatch Migrant Camp, 1 p.m., Weedpatch Hwy. and Sunset Blvd. Free. www.kernphotographyassociation.org. Jazz Coffeehouse, presented by Cal State Bakersfield Jazz program, will feature the Modern Jazz Trio. 7:30 p.m., Saturday, MultiPurpose Room inside the Student Union. $10; $6 for students and seniors. 654-2511. Bakersfield Chinese Women’s Club, with banquet, lion dance, folk dances, 6:30 p.m., Panda Palace-Banquet Room, 118 Oak St. $25 per person; no tickets will be sold at the door. 665-2828 or 835-7036. Bakersfield Jam vs. Rio Grande Valley, 8 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $5-
$100. bakersfieldjam.com or 716-4526. Book signing, with author David Whicker of “The Code: R-e-d-m-a-n” noon, Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575. Book signing, with author Sue Ann Jaffarian of “Booby Trap,” 1 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. Condors vs. Victoria Salmon Kings, noon, Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $7 to $25. bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825. CSUB Roadrunner Baseball vs. St. Louis, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., CSUB campus, Hardt Field, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. $5-$25. 654-2583. Electronic E-Waste Recycling Event, bring your unwanted electronic items to the parking lot on the corner of Sundale Ave. and Pebble Beach Drive, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 0 to . 369-9861. Grapevine Winter Jousting Series, Green Mountains Tournament, doors open at 11 a.m., tournament begins at 2 p.m., Tejon Ranch Equestrian Center, indoor arena, 1401 Crane Canyon Road, off I-5 and the Lebec Exit 207, Lebec. $10; $6 for ages 6-14; children 5 and under are free. 245-1212. Hockey-Thon, Bakersfield Condors, Bakersfield Ice Sports Center and Links for Life are helping to fight cancer, Saturday and Sunday, Bakersfield Ice Sports Center, 1325 Q St. #100. Each participant must raise a minimum of $250 in pledges to play. For all ages. 322-2525 or bakersfieldcondors.com. Kern Audubon Society, field trip to Carrizo Plains and Morro Bay, meet at 6 a.m., Denny’s Restaurant, 35175 7th Standard Road. Bring water, snacks, binoculars, walking shoes and sunscreen. kernaudubonsociety.org or 7252767. Kern River Valley Hiking Club, Owl Canyon and Rainbow Basin Loop Hike, 9:30 a.m., north of Barstow. Bakersfield hikers leave 7 a.m. from Park’n Ride, Weedpatch Hwy. Bring lunch and quart of water. Dress appropriately. For directions, visit lakeisabella.net/hiking or 7783453. Kids Discover Music, with The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra featuring Ray Ayala, 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. 6312575. Wine-tasting event, 7 to 10 p.m. every third Saturday, Randolph’s Lounge, 7737 Meany Ave. 615-1490.
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
YOURPETS
Paw Print City: Hoagland had it doggone right physical amenities they need for a good life, but also in taking a good, honest look at your dog’s world through their eyes to discover what means the world to them, separate from what they do for us, and being as creative in addressing their needs as we expect them to be in BY VICKY THRASHER addressing ours. Pet columnist We ask a lot of our canine friends in his has long been a favorite exchange for providing them room and quote of mine because it so sucboard. cinctly demonstrates much We want our dogs to respond to us Vicky Thrasher about our relationship with immediately, suppress their natural dogs. always have to do with us humans — our instincts, be attentive when we want I have yet to meet someone who wants, our needs, our hopes. attention but not want our attention didn’t have clear ideas of what they when we’re busy, walk politely and We have a desire to have our pet be a wanted when deciding to add a dog to the reflection of what we want from the rela- never dig, chew or pee on anything we family. tionship. Sure, we’re aware of the needs don’t want dug, chewed or peed on. Some pet owners are looking for simple They should love our children, family, a dog has in terms of proper food, vetericompanionship, some want a playmate friends and other pets, but not love nary care and shelter, but we provide for their children, or are looking for a scary-looking strangers … and to always those things as part of the payment for show or sport prospect, while others know the difference. The list goes on and getting what we want from our canine want a watch/guard dog. on. companions. Regardless of why, the one thing It seems only fair that we spend some However, it’s my opinion that the everyone has in common is a reason for strongest bond between pets and owners time acknowledging their need for wanting a dog, and the reasons nearly doggy-ness and allow them full opportucomes from not only giving them the
“In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.” — Edward Hoagland
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nity to not only experience it, but to join in ourselves. Whether it’s getting on the floor for a good roll, howling alongside their wails, running through the sprinkler with them or taking them on walks where the only objective is to allow them to snort, sniff or wet whatever object they fancy, spending time on the canine side of life opens up bonding opportunities that you just can’t get any other way. Edward had it dead-on. Owning a dog isn’t just about the skill in getting them to be accessible to us. It’s also about unlocking that part of us that is open and joyful, where our emotions are right there on our face for the world to see and fun lurks around every corner. It’s embracing all that is silly, sappy and guileless, and playing until our sides are heaving and we collapse into a happy, panting pile on the floor. It may not bring world peace, but it will certainly bring a little peace in our world.
Pets of the Week
Teddy is a 1½-year-old male Border Collie Pit mix. Teddy is housebroken, Playful and minds commands. He could use some training to enhance his already good habits.
Bakersfield SPCA
Torrie is a 2 year old female Torti. She is playful and inquisitive. Torrie would make a great addition to any home.
If you would like to offer Teddy or Torrie a forever home, please call Bakersfield SPCA at 323-8353 today! DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
Blankets & Towels Pet Grooming Gift Certificates Paper Towels Aluminum Cans for Spay & Neuter Clinic Fund For more info visit www.BakersfieldSPCA.org Ad sponsored by
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Hi! My name is Jake and I am a male, one year old, chocolate Pit Bull mix. I will be neutered before I can go home. I am very sweet and playful and I love people! I would make a great pet for a family with older children. Don’t forget to mention my ID number 750982!
These pets may be adopted quickly! Please visit the KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER at 201 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. to see all of our adoptable pets. For more info call 661-868-7144 or visit our website at www.co.kern.ca.us/acd.
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
YOURVOICE
Kudos for NOR kids’ karate lessons
Good luck to Han’s Taekwondo Academy
I was bemoaning the expense of all the gear, while simultaneously reviewing I finally took Ethan to his first karate the benefits of the class. The sensei was lesson. He seems to really enjoy it and a young woman who did NOT mess I’ll be completely honest with you when I around. She was great. She had that femsay, he will take and master karate. In inine side to her that wanted to be this day and age, it’s a safety issue; plain patient with the kids ... until they took and simple, it’s a safety issue. advantage of her and her karate side The price of the class through North of came out. I started to wager with myself the River Recreation & Park District whether she’d eventually drop kick the (NOR) is very reasonable, although they habitually inattentive ones. She didn’t, get you on the “back end” with paying but the year’s still young. through the nose on a dojo uniform and I started thinking of the financial bursparring gear. I didn’t have a choice with den again when it all suddenly became the uniform but shopped around online very clear. I can sum up the experience for some heavily discounted sparring as follows: Dojo uniform, $40; sparring gear. Still, I ended paying nearly a hungear, $50; monthly tuition, $24; watching dred bucks on everything and he’s only another female be the bad guy to keep gone to his first class. my brat in check — PRICELESS! But like I said earlier, my sons will — For more information on NOR protake and master karate. grams, go to: www.norrecreation.org
Good luck to the Han’s Taekwondo Academy-Progression Team members participating in the 2009 U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nev. There are over 1,400 athletes, 400 coaches, five Beijing Olympians and 10 confirmed National Teams from over 50 different nations registered to compete Feb. 12-15 at the Tropicana Hotel in fabulous Las Vegas, Nev. We are the only school in Bakersfield to compete at this level of competition. Our stu-
BY HEATHER IJAMES Community contributor
Educator of the Month
Mr. Rhodes
Nominated by Guadalupe Hernández
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 Cosmetic & General Dentistry silly songs. He builds up their self-esteem. He is just so Yong Eon Park, DDS marvelous with my girls!
Educator of the month Mrs. Kate Plotner
dents will be represent- highly prestigious, ing Bakersfield, Kern international event. County, and California as well as the US in this Good luck, Team!
Nominated by Drew Spicer Mrs. Plotner is my second-grade teacher at Rosedale North Elementary School. I want to nominate her because she is one of the best teachers in the world. She is always helpful and never forgets anything. One day, Mrs. Plotner submit your nominee for Educator Month, broughtToreal apples to school forofathe fun activity. go to: www.northwest then gave click oneach “Post Something!” and contribute a She cut themvoice.com open and of us a slice to paragraph about why you appreciate and would like to recognize your nominee. Be sure study how they changed. My apple looked so to include the educator’s name, school, department and picture. The contest is open to gross afterinathe week, butarea. it was educators Southwest Entriesfun! can also be e-mailed to:
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■ If you have a teacher you think is great, nominate them for Educator of the Month by going to: www.bakersfield.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 The Bakersfield Voice.
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
SPORTSSHORTS
Batters up for From Super Bowl to Super Daytona Bakersfield Southwest Baseball! uper Bowl Musings: What if the officials had reviewed the second-to-last play of the game when Arizona’s Kurt Warner had the ball knocked from his hand to force a fumble, and it would have been reversed? That clearly was a reviewable call! If overturned the Cardinals would have maintained possession with about five seconds left. There was a personal-foul penalty against Pittsburgh on the play and the additional fifteen-yard penalty in favor of Arizona would have put the ball on the Steelers’ 29-yard line. That would have given Warner one last shot at hitting one of his truly magnificent triumvirate of receivers (Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin or Steve Breaston) for a game-winning touchdown. The pass would not have had to have been a “Hail Mary” either because of the favorable field position. Indeed, what if. New York had the “Sultan of Swat” in hero Babe Ruth many years ago and
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now it can proudly say that it witnessed the “Sultan of Save” in pilot Chelsey Sullenberger. “Sully’s” heroic effort to land his airliner in the Hudson River was saluted on the field in Tampa prior to kickoff and it was certainly a pregame highlight. Singer Jennifer Hudson poignantly Sports columnist returned to the public eye after tragedy beyond comprehension, and delivered a beautiful, soulful rendition of our national anthem. Godspeed to you, Jennifer! Santonio Holmes picked up the MVP hardware for the Steelers. But Pittsburgh does not win that game without the Houdini-like moves of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Time after time he
MICHAEL ELLIOTT
escaped certain doom and deftly pulled off the impossible in order to keep drives alive. Co-MVP’s perhaps? Final muse: The cards just didn’t fall Arizona’s way! Pour Some Sugar On Me: Sweet 16...and 0 dual record for Frontier High’s varsity wrestling squad. Gearhead Gear-up: Bako native Kevin Harvick ambled through 23 lead changes, eight caution flags and an abundance of wrecked carnage to capture the left-turn circuit’s Budweiser Shootout 500 at Daytona International Speedway in dramatic fashion. Springtime In Winter: Cal-State University Bakersfield begins its inaugural baseball season Feb. 20. Campus field dedication is at 1 p.m. followed by coach Bill Kernan’s team’s initial outing at 2:00 pm. Those of you who have furloughed work days, use one on that Friday for this historic occasion. For CSUB it’s the beginning of a new era. Coach , we’ll be rooting for a low ERA as well!
Registration for the Bakersfield Southwest Baseball (BSWB) league can be found online at: www.bswb.org Tryouts for all youth are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at Stockdale High School. Kids can register on the days of the tryouts. Additionally, the BSWB organization will be selling personalized bricks as a fundraiser to be placed at the brand new Aera Park facility. Team sponsorships are also available for businesses as well as for individuals. Registration will take place at tryouts until all leagues are filled up.
Star Athlete: Jillian Medina *
322-SELL Classified *Three lines, Monday – Wednesday. One item per ad.
Nominated by Han’s Taekwondo Academy Jillian Medina is an 11-year-old Red Belt at Han’s Taekwondo Academy. She is a team leader and a very responsible young lady. She was heavily involved in the Han’s Taekwondo’s Toys for Tots toy drive and she managed to help collect hundreds of toys for the Marines. Jillian is a State, Regional, and National Champion in Taekwondo. She practices six days a week in order to prepare for the upcoming U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nev. She will be the lowest ranking in participation since all participants in her division are Black Belts. She will be performing a courageous feat and we wish her good luck!
■ Do you have a son, daughter, grandkid or buddy who is your pick for MVP? Nominate them for Star Athlete of the Month by going to: www.bakersfield.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 The Bakersfield Voice.
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2009
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3550 NEW STINE AT PLANZ
5620 CALIFORNIA AT STOCKDALE
8040 WHITE LANE AT GOSFORD
ROSEDALE AT CALLOWAY
10504 MAIN STREET
534 BEAR MOUNTAIN BLVD.
(ACROSS FROM FIRESTONE)
(NEXT TO STARBUCKS)
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(BEHIND CHEVRON)
(IN CHIPRES PLAZA)
836-1111
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2515 SOUTH H ST. AT WILSON
6019 EAST NILES
1009 COLUMBUS AT RIVER
700 AIRPORT DR AT OLIVE DR
921 CECIL AT JEFFERSON
701 CENTRAL VALLEY HWY
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