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The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, March 28, 2010
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YOURFITNESS
Fitness trainer tells story of courage and survival
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o look at Mary Roberts, one might think that she has always been fit — and strong.
Hard to believe that a near fatal accident is what took her to the road of fitness. Personally, I could think of an easier way, but Mary’s story takes on a tougher path. Mary’s near fatal accident on Dec. 2, 2002 — no fault of her own, mind you — left her in the ICU for nine days. A runaway driver in a stolen vehicle ran a stop sign and caused Mary’s accident. When discharged, she left the hospital in a plastic body cast, and remained in that condition for 10 weeks. When that was removed, she was wheel chair bound for six more weeks. Fitness columnist Her total trauma resulted in: one broken ankle, one dislocated ankle, compression fracture and lacerations, infections, incisional hernias, and most of the time, during her recovery, she was in unbearable pain due to a abdominal mesh the doctors used to hold her stomach together. Since this horrific accident, Mary has had four surgeries and is possibly facing one more.
GINA ROLOW
Mary is a fitness trainer and the hours she endures standing, instructing and helping others achieve their fitness goals takes a greater toll on her body because of the severity of her injuries. I would think a desk job would be the easy answer after something like this — but, after talking with Mary, that job would be out of the question. When asked why she chose such a physically demanding profession, her answer was plain and simple: “I really want to just help others in their path to fitness.” Being a personal trainer myself, I cannot imagine what she has gone through and what she still faces with possibly more surgeries. To top it off, she works out in between her busy schedule, has a split shift and begins her first client at 4:30 a.m.! Mary’s personal track to fitness, rehab, and then back to fitness again, began two years prior to the accident. She wanted to get fit for her 20-year high school reunion. While never overweight, by any means, Mary wanted to get in the best shape possible and with the help of a knowledgeable trainer, she did just that. While getting in shape for her reunion, she didn’t realize that she was gaining the
tools she needed for a more challenging obstacle she never saw coming — survival. Little did she know, the tools she learned during her sessions with her trainer would be the same ones she would use to rehab herself. Her fitness training and knowledge certainly saved her when her insurance ran out and physical therapy was no longer an option. She had no other course of action but to apply it to self rehabilitation. She did — and she succeeded. Within one year of applied knowledge, Mary began to see the light at the end of this physically debilitating struggle. She slowly began regaining strength and mobility. She quickly learned she couldn’t sit around, waiting for her life to come back to her. Mary had to go get it back if she wanted to — first, get her health and strength back and, second, help others achieve their own. Today, Mary is a fitness trainer and is helping people get fit, motivated, and healthy! She’s traveled a road of pain and agony, but when I spoke with Mary, one would never know what she has endured. She is fit, happy and has an attitude of gratitude. Everyone has a story — this is Mary Robert’s unique story of courage and survival. Gina Rolow is a local fitness instructor and is the owner of Body By Gina, Personal and Group Training.
YOURFAITH
Mary Roberts overcame a near fatal automobile accident seven years ago. Today, Mary is a fitness training who teaches others how to become fit and healthy. COURTESY PHOTO
YOURVOICE
‘The Last Supper’ comes to life at Calvary Bible Local author offers cartooning workshop at Russo’s! BY THOMAS G. ROBINSON Community contributor
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THE LAST SUPPER BY LEONARDO DA VINCI.
Calvary Bible Church invites you to experience “The Last Supper” Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and child care for ages 2 and under will be provided. BY LAURIE HALL Community contributor
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he Calvary Bible Church Drama Team will be presenting the drama, “The Last Supper” on Good Friday, April 2, from 7 to 8
p.m. Come experience a “live” representation of Leonardo Da Vinci’s
Easter goodies at annual Easter Egg Hunt COURTESY OF BRIMHALL ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
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amilies are invited to join us on Saturday, April 3, for our annual Easter Egg Hunt at Brimhall Road Assembly of God, 10700 Brimhall Road. There will be free food, activities and 1000s of filled Easter eggs. Activities begin at 11:30 a.m. — the Egg Hunt starts at 12:30 p.m. Invite a neighbor, family or friends from your children’s schools.
painting, “The Last Supper.” Watch each disciple come to life and walk out of the painting. Hear each one describe his inward struggle with the statement that their Lord makes — that one of them, his closest friends, his closest followers, would betray Him. Be moved by the powerful ending as a mother weeps for her Son, the one who came to sacrifice His
life for all. Admission is free and child care for children 2 and under will be provided. Calvary Bible Church is located at 48 Manor Street, just below the bluffs. For more information, call 3275921 or visit the Web site at: www.gocbc.org.
ay Friesen is a nice guy. There are worse things that could be said about a person. (I should know, I’ve had them all hailed at me!) But, to be called a nice guy. Man … that hurts! You know the old saying: “Nice guys finish last.” Or when the girl you’ve been pursuing says: “I like you, you’re nice … but.” Yup, there’s always the big “but.” Well, in this case, this nice guy finishes first! Young Mr. Friesen has been a published author since he was 13 years old. He started his own publishing company (Don’t Eat Any Bugs Publishing) and began marketing his wares to bookstores all over the state of California. I met him when he was 14. He was an old pro by then, and I hosted him and his cast of zany characters for many a book signing. He always delivered. He would show up, pen in hand, and proceed to sign anything you wanted signed.
COURTESY PHOTO
Local cartoonist, Ray Friesen, 22, recently signed up with the publishing company, Top Shelf, to produce a trilogy of graphic novels starring his newest characters “Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken.” Friesen will be offering free cartooning workshops at Russo’s Books in The Marketplace April 3 & May 1. He would even sign things you didn’t want signed! Now Ray has gone big time! He has inked a deal with Top Shelf Productions, a publishing company that specializes in comic-styled publications, for a three book
series based on his penguin character! That’s great news for Ray, and for those of us who have been in his corner from the beginning! You can read more about his dealings with Top Shelf go to: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/cat alog/ray-friesen. Of course, he agreed to visit Russo’s Books in The Marketplace and offer a free cartooning workshop before he went big time, so he has to honor it! (Just kidding! He’s always been willing to work with kids who are interested in learning the art of cartooning!) Ray will be offering a cartoon workshop on April 3 and May 1 from 11 a.m. to noon at Russo’s Books, 9000 Ming Ave. We encourage you to bring your kids to this very family oriented engagement! If they even show a hint of interest in drawing or writing, then this is the venue for your kids! Best of all, it’s free! See ya at Russo’s! We really are Bakersfield’s Book Store!
See what it’s ‘OLLI’ about! CSUB’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers classes for all ages BY JENNIFER PATINO Community contributor
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he Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUB is designed for those in our community who are ages 50 and better, although anyone, of any age, may join. Our youngest member is 24 and our oldest is, well, let’s just say every generation is pretty well represented! Many classes are offered through the OLLI program. There are main campus classes that the OLLI members may take without the hassle of homework or tests. It’s all about learning for the joy of learning! There are short courses like: “Blues Music Appreciation,” “Legacy in Life Stories,” “Tai Chi (8-weeks),” “Learn to Play Bridge,” “How to Salsa Dance (6-weeks),” “Basic Genealogy & Family History Research,” “Wine Primer 101(4-weeks)” and one-day events such as “Floral Arranging and Jewelry Making.” We also go on a one-day bus field trips each quarter! For the spring quarter, the OLLI group will be visiting the Huntington Library in San Marino on April 28. Another exciting event taking place is the OLLI Open House & Health Fair on Saturday, May 15 from
COURTESY PHOTO
Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) enjoyed a recent trip to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where you can come to campus, learn all about OLLI, get a health screening, visit local vendors that cater to the mature community, and perhaps, win a prize! Enjoy a day of fun, education, refreshments & community awareness. This event is FREE! The cost to become an OLLI member is only $25! Class fees range from $5 to $50 — not bad when compared to other programs. To learn more about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program at CSUB, please see our Web site at: www.csub.edu/OLLI or contact our office at 654-2441. Come see what it is “OLLI” about!