The Renegade Rip Vol. 82 No. 10

The Renegade Rip Bakersfield College

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Vol. 82 ∙ No. 10

BC’s E-Waste provides help with disposal of electronics

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Volkslauf returns to Bakersfield Top left: Participants of the 14th Volkslauf mud run work their way toward the top of the Chu Lai obstacle north of Bakersfield on Oct. 2.

Gregory d. cook The Rip

By James Licea Reporter

Bakersfield College partnered with Neil Agness’ E-Waste Recycling to hold the first electronic waste-recycling event on campus Sept. 24-25. Businesses along with residents were encouraged to drop off any electronics, whether they were broken or not, for no charge. This process is ideal to keep these items out of landfills.

The event was held on the corner of Haley and University at the southwest parking lot. According to Amber Chiang, BC director of marketing and public relations, all e-waste must now be recycled since a California State Law that was passed in 2006.

“Consumer electronics contain low levels of hazardous metals that can contaminate soil and water,” she said.

Chiang also shared that most American households are not disposing of their electronic items properly and that it is “one of the fastest growing segments of our nation’s waste stream.”

Many items that were discarded previously ended up in illegal landfills in various countries. According to Agness, the items that were recycled at BC will be processed at Alianza Recycling in Bakersfield.

The turnout for the event was more than Agness expected; several different companies came to discard their electronic materials. Some companies included Vineland School District, Rain for Rent, CalPortland Mojave and Richland School district. Truckloads of items were brought in at a time. Some companies had been storing their electronic equipment for over 20 years.

Around 23 pallets were filled on Fri-

Bottom right: Bakersfield College freshman Tracey Warren crests the final hill as he makes his way to first place, winning the 5k challenge, Oct. 2.

Nick flores The Rip

By Breanna Gray Reporter

On the morning of Oct. 2, in a dirt field in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, 2,400 competitors prepared for the 14th Volkslauf ultimate challenge mud run.

Bakersfield College freshman Tracey Warren, completing his third Volkslauf, finished first in the 5-kilometer event.

Volkslauf, which raises funds for charity, also had a 10k challenge.

In just over 20 minutes from the starting time, Warren was wrapping up the end of the course as on-lookers watched as he climbed over bars and dived into a muddy trench only to climb out the other side, wrapping both his arms and legs around the rope to pull himself out of the pit.

Exhausted and reaching for ropes to help himself out of the trench,

Warren made it over the last hill and turned in his timing chip that was given to him at registration.

After finishing the three-mile run in 31 minutes and having the mud sprayed off of him from the fire hoses, the BC swimmer and first competitor to cross the finish line said that the challenge was exhausting.

“The hardest part was definitely the mud trench; I couldn’t move in that thing,” said Warren.

The thrill of competition motivates him to keep coming back and participate in the run.

He said, “I love the competition, being able to push through the pain, and trying to do my best. I’m so excited! I didn’t expect this at all. I just came out to run and have fun, but I just caught the runner and then that was it.”

The morning had begun with competitors ranging form high-

Please see E-WASTE, Page 4

energy, Amazon-face-painted team securing their shoes to their legs with duct tape and giving each other tribal names, to the focused and experienced athletes warming up with pre-race stretches. The anticipation continued to grow as the day grew hotter and the start time pushed back further by an hour due to parking congestion.

For 12 years, Volkslauf was held across from Lerdo Penitentiary but was moved to Wings Way across from Meadows Field Airport due to the expansion of Lerdo’s facility and end of Volkslauf’s contract. The Bakersfield Volkslauf is organized by the Marine Core League and was originally started to raise money for Toys for Tots, but now contributes to many different charities.

Retired Marines built the high walls, deep water filled trenches, dusty trails and steep dirt hills Please see VOLKSLAUF, Page 4

Kern County Fair INSIDE:

Nick Flores / The Rip

Special fair features on pages 6 and 7

Jesus Garcia recycles his old and used electronics at BC on Sept. 24.

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

An overview look of the Kern County Fair, highlighting the night’s neon landscape Oct. 3.

Renegades lose to top-ranked Mt. SAC

By Michael Morrow

Video Production Editor

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Renegade Andre Smith attempts to get around Mounties defensive back Steve Gallon in Memorial Stadium on Oct. 2.

After giving up a 58-yard touchdown from Mount San Antonio College’s Nick Lamaison to receiver Richard Parham with 11:30 left in the second quarter, the Bakersfield College Renegades stared at a 21-0 deficit with more than 8,600 in attendance staring at them.

The Renegades brought the game to within eight twice at 21-13 and 2820, but they couldn’t get any closer, eventually losing to the defending state champs and nationally ranked No. 1 Mounties 34-20.

After two early second-quarter scores from Mt. SAC, the state-

ranked No. 2 Renegades drove the ball down the field and got their first points of the game with a 45-yard check down pass from Lyle Negron to running back Julian Dean-Johnson with 10:30 left in the second quarter.

Although Negron connected on that play, he missed on several others, prompting head coach Jeff Chudy and the Renegades to switch things up and bench Negron for backup Byron Campbell.

“We were struggling all over the place, there were a lot of personnel issues. Obviously the quarterback position takes way too much blame and at the end of the day. We’re trying to change momentum,” said Chudy.

“Momentum is a tough thing to get

in this sport, especially when you’re playing a good team.

“When you’re inconsistent it’s hard to develop any kind of continuity, any kind of momentum, and we struggled.”

Negron would go 5-for-15, while Campbell would end up 9-for-20, both with one interception.

BC’s defense forced a fumble – recovered by John Oglesby – and put up three more points on a Josh Gallington 31-yard field goal to close the first-half scoring 21-10 Mounties.

The Renegades opened up the second half with a drive resulting in a 39-yard field goal from Gallington and then a defensive stand ending up with a missed field goal from Mt.

SAC’s Jeremy Brown.

This sequence of plays had BC down 21-13 with possession in Mounties territory and the chance to draw even. The possession started with a 26-yard connection to Brandon Hobdy from Campbell, but ended with two incomplete passes and another BC punt.

The teams would trade touchdown for touchdown, then punt for punt leaving the score at 28-20 Mounties.

In the fourth quarter, with just under 11 minutes to play, Mt. SAC would add a field goal to make the score 31-20.

On the Renegades next possession, they burned their final timeout Please see FOOTBALL, Page 13

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Oktoberfest brings German flavor to city

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

FirstName LastName / The Rip

Christine Chrisholm and Jamie Flowers help sell beer and wine tickets during the second annual Bakersfield Oktoberfest at Stramler Park Oct. 2.

Walk to D’feet ALS a huge success

By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief

The 7th annual ALS Walk took place in Bakersfield on Oct. 2, in an effort to raise money to benefit local patients living with the disease.

Walking groups gathered to raise funds and support their loved ones as well as groups that walked to honor the memory of a loved one that passed away.

ALS, which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famed Yankees baseball player of the 30s that passed away from the disease.

People of all ages took part in the event that started at Riverwalk Park on Stockdale Highway.

Participants trekked along the Bakersfield bike path to the Elephant Bar, then circled back to the park where they were met with lunch provided by Coconut Joe’s restaurant.

According to Stacy Inman, chairperson of the ALS Walk, between 400 to 500 people participated in the walk and mostly consisted of people from the 20 teams that participated.

She also estimated that about 60 percent of the teams walked in remembrance of someone that has passed away.

Inman participated in the walk with her group, Mike’s Miracles, which is named after her husband Mike Inman, who has been living with the disease for 11 years.

Inman briefly discussed what ALS is, who it can affect and about how it affects the body.

“It’s a terminal disease for everyone, so a lot of people don’t know that any person, black, white, brown, yellow, man, woman, anyone, can get this disease.

On the picnic tables located in the middle of Stramler park sat Thomas Meyer, a physics professor at Cal State University Bakersfield and a native German.

Meyer, along with other locals, gathered Oct. 2 to partake in the beer drinking and polka dancing festivities featured at the second annual Bakersfield Oktoberfest.

Meyer, who came out to enjoy the festival with his wife, offered some insight into German culture and the traditions of Oktoberfest.

“The Oktoberfest originally was created in Munich, and it’s actually 200 years old,” said Meyer.

Originating with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in a meadow in Munich on Oct. 12 1810, the wedding and celebration was so well received that it was celebrated again the following year, eventually becoming a tradition.

Sipping on his beer as he talked, Meyer explained his preferences and a little about the beer being offered at the festival.

“Spaten is a beer from Munich

and [is] actually not my favorite,” said Meyer. “I like the pilsner beer more, and they’re better in northern Germany.”

Though a wide range of German beers were featured on tap, Hofbrau’s Orginal Lager, PaulAner’s Salvator DoppelBock, and Spaten’s Oktoberfest brew, Meyer went on to inform that there is a difference in the imports from the ones served in Germany.

“The German beer you get here is not the same one that you would get in Germany,” he said.

“It’s an export, and they make it especially for exporting.”

As Meyer talked, women wearing dirndls carried large 1-liter beer sloshing steins, drawing glances from the men as they walked around the event.

“You see [dirndls and lederhosen] more in Southern Germany than Northern Germany,” said Meyer, “and you see it more in the small cities and the villages than in the big cities.”

Polka music was provided throughout the festival by the Raving Polka Band and Anton Schnitzel and The Merry makers, but according to Meyer, there are not that many Germans who like

Nathan Wilson / The Rip

Patrons wait in line for the beer and wine ticket booth to reinflate during the second Bakersfield Oktoberfest at Stramler Park Oct. 2. that kind of music. Meyer said, “Germans like rock and techno.”

Throughout the day, the smell of cooking weisswurst and rostbratwurst sausages was present in the air. The lines stayed steady throughout the event as people complemented their hearty beer with just as hearty food.

“It’s pretty good,” said Meyer about the food “The sausage was very nice.”Later in the evening, games took place including a

stein endurance-wielding contest hosted by Matt Munoz from Bakotopia Magazine, and a safe beer chugging contest.

All around people could be heard chanting, “Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,” and when asked if that is something actual done in Germany and just not popularized by The Man Show on Comedy Central, Meyer said, “Yes, they say that,” as he said it to his wife with a smile.

BC students from across the world

By Breanna Gray Reporter

Michael wafford / The Rip

Participants in the Walk to D’feet ALS walk down the bike path at Riverwalk Park on Oct. 2.

“It’s a neurological disease, and it essentially shuts down the signals, the electrical signals, from your brain to your muscles.

And so that slowly shuts down anywhere along your spine and slowly paralyzes the person until [he or she] passes away.”

According to Inman, the youngest person in Kern County to get diagnosed was an 18-yearold male who passed away a few years after diagnosis.

The oldest person diagnosed is an 83-year-old, who still living in Bakersfield.

Inman also said that 80 percent of patients diagnosed will pass away within two to five years.

Prior to the event, the walk had raised over $530,000 for services in Kern County, though not all of the money raised goes toward services, 13 percent goes toward administration costs, while the other 87 percent goes toward services for patients, according to Angie Thorpe, the event’s coordinator.

Inman noted that Bakersfield is one of the highest grossing cities in their chapter, which consists of 31 counties from San Francisco to the Orange County borderline and amounts to about 70 percent of the state, according to Thorpe.

“Within our chapter, which is called the Golden West Chapter, I think we’re the second highest grossing walk, only behind Los Angeles County – that’s the only county that raises more than us,” said Inman.

One of the participants in the event was 63-year-old Marvin Fisher, who was diagnosed with ALS three years ago. Assisted by his family, Fisher participated in the walk in a wheelchair because of his condition progressively getting worse.

Fisher shared his difficulties as he discussed how he no longer has the ability to fully manipu-

late his arms and legs.

“I can’t even button a shirt because the manipulation of my fingers is gone. It’s the closest thing to being paralyzed that you can be,” said Fisher.

Fisher felt that his participation with the event and the organization are beneficial to him because of the support he receives and the strength it gives him.

“It brings hope to me, because I know that there are people that care about you. Because most of the time you feel isolated from the rest of the community, because people can’t share your concerns, or your outlook, or your frustrations, or your hope for the future because they don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Fisher before he added, “With the research, and the people’s concerns, it kind of keeps the spark of hope in me.”

The total amount raised at the event was $25,996.55. The total amount raised for the year was $68,979.55.

Walks to defeat are held across the nation in conjunction with the ALS association, a nationwide organixation.

For more information on services, programs and support groups, including the Bakersfield support group, visit www. alsala.org.

This semester there are 46 international students from 25 different countries all over the world attending Bakersfield College through the Study Abroad Program.

They create a diverse group with cultural backgrounds from countries such as India, South Korea, France, Japan, China, Venezuela, Spain, Niger, Slovakia and Morocco.

Students have ranged from recent high school graduates to current doctors who plan on furthering their education in America.

International Student Counselor and Coordinator Shohreh Rahman said, “If we can really encourage and reach one student, we can educate the whole village. That’s the goal of [International Student Services]. We really want to have an educated world so that we can all live in peace and harmony together.”

BC’s international students start the long process of applying by first choosing the school online. According to the BC website, students who wish to attend BC must then obtain and secure an F-1 Visa, have the equivalent of a high school diploma, complete application forms with a $50 non-refundable fee, demonstrate proficient reading, writing and speaking English skills, complete an I-20 form with the name of a supporter who lives in the United States and a bank statement with at least $15,000 for all expenses while living in the US. After being admitted, each student must pay $184 in tu-

ition, $33 in Capital Outlay fees and $26 Enrollment fees per unit they are enrolled in. The student must also be enrolled fulltime.

International students cannot qualify for any financial aid in America and have to find their own means of support; therefore, many have to return home due to losing their financial support systems.

International students not only create diversity and cultural understanding on campus, but the 110 students from the 2008-2009 academic school year brought in $880,000 to BC. According to the annual Open Door Report, that same year, international students contributed $17.6 billion to the United States economy.

Once students arrive to America, they are introduced to Rahman and attend a two-day orientation right before the semester starts.

“I give them the whole picture of what BC is all about. I get them ready so they are not all confused and lost.

You guys know this as your home. For these kids this is their home away from home, so I want them to be totally ready when school starts,” said Rahman.

During this orientation, BC faculty, members from the community and international students from previous years are invited to share experiences and inform them on how to do banking, how to find and rent an apartment and other everyday skills needed to thrive in the community.

Rahman also organizes

events throughout the year to give students and faculty the opportunity to exchange cultural experiences and mingle with one another.

These events include Cup of Culture exchange, workshops, instructor appreciation, and dinner parties.

In past years there has also been an International club, but this year Rahman has seen a lack of involvement from the student body.

She finds that with the current economy students need to spend most of their free time focusing on education and work.

International education programs help students develop long-term competitiveness through the understanding of foreign languages and the global market.

Such skills enable them to seek high-level career paths.

Many leaders from around the world have studied abroad, which enhances society by creating a greater global unity.

“With today’s economy you have to be very competitive with everyone around the world. If you don’t understand cultures, countries, and languages around the world, then you can’t be as competitive in today’s society.

We do not have Study Abroad [for BC students]. I am hoping that we will get the chance to do that. And because we don’t have that, at this time, the only way and chance to learn about cultures of other countries is to bring them to us,” said Rahman.

While international students are being educated on our campus, they are simultaneously educating local students.

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Youth art sold for benefit

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Local station shares hiphop with the community

By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter

Gregory d. Cook / The Rip

Guadalupe Guillen, 9, poses beside his painting “Cow and Hat” during Artfest at the Moorea Banquet Center Sept. 25.

Guillen also had another painting titled “Funky Cow” that auctioned for $2,500.

By Sandra G. Ward Reporter

Inspired by the San Joaquin Community Hospital to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County was an evening of food, fine wine, art and entertainment at the 14th annual Boys and Girls Club Artfest at the Moorea Banquet Centre on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The event began at 6 p.m. and served as an entry into the silent and live auctioning of art created by local young artists active in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bakersfield and the sale of other items donated to raise funds for all the clubs here in Kern County.

Guests enjoyed a strolling dinner catered by Champs BBQ & Catering and wine tasting compli-

ments of the seven different vineyard wineries who participated.

“This was our best year ever,” said coordinator Ricki Foster.

One painting titled “Funky Cow” auctioned off for $2,500. It was an art piece painted by young 9-yearold Guadalupe “Junee” Guillen, an active participant in the program.

Guillen’s art piece and those of other kids enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club were the highlight of the evening’s event.

Michelle Fregoso expressed her pride that night as the mother of one young artist, Lilliana Fregoso, 11, who had her first painting done with the club displayed.

Other artists of the evening included Crystal Ramirez, 14, Robert Fajardo, 11, Anna Bales, 14, and the star of the evening, 17-year-old

Sean Guerra who won previous awards for his art and painted the signature piece for the occasion titled “Blue Bottle Still Life.” Guerra has been with the program for two years, and he appreciates the experience he’s had with the Boys and Girls Club in that time.

Mike Espinoza, program director of the Boys and Girls Club southwest location, was the master of ceremonies and announcer for the evening. Alec Sangster, saxophone soloist and a Bakersfield College music student, provided entertainment at the front door as the guests arrived.

As the evening unfolded, president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County Jason Cohen expressed thanks to all the many sponsors, board of directors and to

all those who came out to attend and support the Artfest at the ticket price of $60 per person.

Another youth in the program, Olivia Charles, sang the national Anthem and received a standing avation for her performance. The Boys and Girls Club youth choir also provided some musical entertainment as well.

Many guests attended the Artfest and among them were Bakersfield City Mayor Harvey Hall, who gave his comment on the event. “Caring for the less fortunate, caring about kids that need help with education – that’s what the Boys and Girls Club does,” said Hall.

“The community of Bakersfield is always tremendously responsive for turning out, and there is a great crowd here tonight,” said Hall.

The Core Live is an online video hip-hop station that airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

The station had been in the works since December of 2009, but it officially began in August of 2010, with a goal to bring a community who loves hip-hop together and to bring hip-hop back to its roots.

The founders are Michael Urioste, Philip Zaragoza, John F.U. Randy and T.J. Espitio.

“The love for hip-hop inspired us to start this station. Our main goal is to bring hip-hop to its roots. We’re just a group of individuals that love hip-hop, and we hope to bring the community together who love hip-hop,” said Urioste.

Their motto is “on the air and everywhere.”

The Core Live has listeners from Japan, Canada, Peru and the East Coast.

As long as people are able to connect to the Internet, they can view and listen anywhere.

The station is also viewable from the Droid cell phone, and next month it will be able to be viewed through the iPhone.

Unlike most radio stations that are edited by the Federal Communication Commission, the Core Live is not restricted, which allows the personalities on the air to be able to express themselves.

“Local radio stations don’t give the DJs the ability to express themselves. We play what our listeners want us to play. Our listeners are able to communicate with our DJ online,” said Urioste.

The Core Live also has a chat room that gives listeners the opportunity to communicate with each other, and the personality on air.

“We don’t play the same song every hour, like most radio stations. It’s what the DJ feels like playing or what is requested through the chat room,” said Urioste.

“We’re like a family,” added Urioste DJs from all over town are able to contribute and share their time with listeners.

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News Briefs

BC hosts mental health awareness conference in Forum

By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief

Clarification: In the Sept. 22 issue of The Renegade Rip on page 5, an article titled “From Teacher to Director” neglected to credit the co-director on the film titled, “Goodbye Victoria.”

The co-director’s name is Mathew Potter.

Author Steve Lopez will be speaking on campus about his book “The Soloist.” those in attendance will also recieve a free copy.

In the Fireside Room, there will be a presentation on Wednesday, Oct 13 at 10 p.m., 2 p.m., and at 7 p.m. in the indoor theater. The books will be available for students who attend the presentation at the library at 9 a.m. on Monday Oct. 20. Students should be prepared to show their BC identification cards.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Bakersfield College and the National Alliance on Mental Illness partnered to bring an awareness conference to the BC campus in an effort to educate students about the realities of mental health issues and how they affect the community and the families involved. The conference was held in the Forum, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 27.

The conference was titled, “The Power of Hope,” and focused on spirituality and how it can strengthen hope for the individuals affected by mental illnesses.

In addition to mental health education, attendees listened to testimonies from members of the community that have been living with, and are overcoming, their mental illnesses.

Russ Sempell, president of the Kern County Affiliate for NAMI, spoke about NAMI and the organization’s desire to

educate students and put a face to transparent ailments that get overlooked by the community.

“This is a forum that allows us to have our members, like youth, family members and veterans that are coming to [BC] to tell their stories and how NAMI is available as a resource for the community, and, it’s always free – nothing in NAMI ever has a charge.”

Sempell further explained how NAMI’s mission of “support, education and advocacy” is engaged in the Bakersfield community and also how they are a nonprofit organization that keeps all of the money raised through fundraisers and donations local and solely for the people of Kern County.

“We’re a local grassroots organization of a state and national organization, and Kern County is the local affiliate.

What we do as an organization, that is all volunteers, is we provide free support and educational classes and conferenc-

es for people that have loved ones that have mental health issues or individuals themselves with mental health issues,” said Sempell.

Though the focus of the message is to promote spirituality, Sempell said that it is not an attempt to promote any religion or religious ideology but rather to see spirituality as an opportunity to strengthen one’s hope.

“We’re not affiliated with any religious organization; most of our members are Christians, but not all. Some are atheist or agnostics and regardless of what people’s religious position is, or not, we don’t care – we’re focusing on the power of hope and the need in every single one of us to never give up hope, regardless of the barriers and challenges they’ve experienced in life, including horrible medical conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder,” Sempell said.

Sempell illustrated his position about educating the community with an exam-

ple of someone with a visible, physical handicap as opposed to someone with a mental affliction and how they may be perceived in the community.

“When someone is a paraplegic, for example, an Iraq war vet who’s lost his legs – an amputee – everybody knows and thinks, ‘Oh man, he needs our support. He’s got a challenge ahead of him.’

But when they’re invisible wounds like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you can’t see them, they look normal and people think, ‘You should be able to do something,’ and people judge.

“So what this conference talks about is how we all have that desire to live the best quality of life we can with support – and religious support is OK too,” Sempell said.

To learn more about NAMI’s causes and their efforts to support families and individuals with mental health illnesses, visit the Kern County Affiliate’s Web site at www.namikerncounty.org.

“Struggle and Survival Photographic Stories about the Power of Human Spirit,” by photojournalist Brendan Bannon.

Photojournalist and artist Brendan Bannon will have a public lecture on his five-year work project in Kenya, covering life in Africa for the “Daily Telegraph.” He will be speaking at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Norman Levan Center for the Humanities at BC. Admission and parking will be free.

Bakersfield College welcomes local employers for Career Day On Oct. 7, employers will share information on their industry and career opportunities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center.

The Kern Adult Literacy Council will be hosting their Read to Succeed Brunch at AERA Energy.

The brunch will showcase some of the council’s most exciting and uplifting success stories.

Please join the brunch to put a stop to illiteracy. The fundraiser will be held at AERA Energy, 10000 Ming Avenue on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m.

The Moliere Comedies will be presented by the Bakersfield College Performing Arts department in October.

Nick Flores / The Rip Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Volkslauf participants struggle through the Tenaru River Crossing on Oct 2.

VOLKSLAUF: More good, clean fun in the sun Continued from Page 1 throughout the course that intimidated some and excited others as they waited for their event.

Michelle Caudill was growing nervous before her first time participating in the run.

She said, “I kind of just got talked into this by a friend. I usually do trail races, but I’m not sure about these obstacles.

While cousins Raul and Mario Gasman said they were excited about all the stunts as they looked up towards the rope wall they soon had to face.

Jamba Juice gave out free drinks to all the runners and also had their own team of runners who represented all four locations in town with employees from each store. Team Jamba was hyped up and ready to “rep[resent] a healthy lifestyle.”

Team member Joshu Ramierez believed that there would be no challenge too tough.

“We are going to have each other’s backs and work together as a team,” he said. “We are going to conquer it all!

With heath!”

At 9:47 a.m., the 5k racers were called to start, and the crowds roared with excitement as the runners took their place.

Before the race started a prayer was said to remind everyone that, for many out there, such a course is not seen as play, but life and death commitments and that we are all just one team of Americans.

After a few patriotic displays, Glen Pruitt, official race starter, began to pump up the crowd. He said that many people believed that they could not rebuild the mud run, and to them he said, “Don’t ever tell a Marine he can’t do

The comedic performances will include three plays titled, “The Flying Doctor,” “The Forced Marriage” and “Two Precious Maidens, Ridiculed.” Performances will be on Oct. 6, 7, 8 and 9, beginning at 8 p.m. additional performances will be held on Oct. 9 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and $3 for students and can be purchased at the BC ticket office.

The 12th Annual Via Arte Italian Street Painting Festival will be coming back to the Marketplace again this year.

The festival will take place Oct. 9-10. Admission is free for the entire festival. Musical and theatrical performances are scheduled for the entire weekend.

Two themed haunted houses will be featured this Halloween at Sam Lynn Ballpark for the public.

C.C. Productions is pleased to announce Bakersfield’s premiere haunted attraction, “The Chamber” and “Alien Invasion.”

Located at the Sam Lynn Ballpark, 4009 Chester Ave. at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8th. There will be two themes, “The Westchester House” and “Toxic Terror.”

something!”

At 10:09 a.m. Pruitt sounded off the 5K event with a bang, which was immediately accompanied by the creation of a large dust cloud and cheering from both spectators and competitors.

The 10K events set off 15 minutes later, starting with individual males. Individual females, all male teams, military and law enforcement teams, all female teams and mixed teams were the sent off in twelve minute intervals.

Not long after Warren, the runners began to make their way out of the course.

Twelve-year-old Julian Irigoyen finished in 37 minutes after losing his shoes. “I lost them in the mud pit,” he said while still catching his breath.

This year was his second year competing and said, “I like it because it’s fun, but it’s really hard to do.”

Taylor, Kory and Joey Clifton have been competing as a family for the past two Volkslaufs. Taylor Clifton was first to finish before her younger sister and father. She prepared for the race by running at her high school and was excited for the competition.

“I feel pumped right now! It was awesome. The hardest part was climbing that wall,” said Clifton.

When asked if there is any competition within the family, she said, “Yes! That would be me and him,” as she looked over to her dad with a smile.

Kevin Kleinhenz won the individual 10k in 45 minutes, and Krisi Heriford won the women’s division in 57 minutes.

Fruit, water and other refreshments waited at the finish line for the exhausted runners.

E-WASTE: Assisting residents

Geeks Vs Zombies The Empty Space Theater will be presenting a new comedy/ horror play featuring the only guys who survive a zombie attack, are the guys who have seen all the movies. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts 8 p.m. Shows are open on Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, and the last show at midnight on the 30th.

Located at 706 Oak st.

Christopher Mount attempts to pull himself over the parralell bars as he races to complete the challenge Oct 2.

Nick Flores / The Rip

E-Waste volunteers at BC help to unload a truck filled with electronic waste from Shafter on Sept. 24.

The spirit of Gandhi unites faiths together

By Ryan George Photographer

In the Fine Arts Auditorium on Oct. 2, the 13th Annual Interfaith Conference was held in dedication to Mahatma Gandhi on what would be his 141st birthday. The topic of the afternoon was titled “The Concept of God in the World.”

With around 200 in attendance, the presentation was

opened with a reading of an introductory poem to set the context of the discussion as Professor John Stark, the master of ceremonies for the event, said. The poem, “The Flame of Freedom,” by Vimala Thakar, was read aloud by an audience member.

A pamphlet given at the beginning of the conference said the poem is a “universal prayer” for all religions.

There were five speakers,

Continued from Page 1 day and 30 on Saturday. They consisted of computers, printers, TVs, fax machines and several other types of e-waste products.

A check was made out to BC already for $360 for the amount of electronics that they were storing.

Agness stated that another check of over $1,000 would be made out to BC after the event, which is a recycling rebate.

“This year alone we’ve probably done a quarter of a million pounds,” Agness said.

They serve the Kern High School District, Panama Buena Vista District, and are planning an upcoming event on Nov. 6 at Taft College. For this event, Neil Agness E-waste Recycling is teaming up with Bob Hampton from West Side Disposal to hold an electronic and bulk waste event. Along with electronics,

people will be able to drop off old couches and mattresses.

Agness hopes to make this an annual event similar to what CSUB has been doing for the past five years. “Kern County is just starting to go green, but we have a long way to go.”

Anyone who missed the event could also take electronic items to BARC Recycling on South Union Avenue or take them to the next event at Taft College.

representing different religions and spoke about what their religions represent as followed: Prof. Vimal Chaitanya from the University of New Mexico, representing Hinduism, Father Perry Kavookjian, Christianity, Bakersfield College math Prof.

Rafael Espericueta, Buddhism, Jan Casteel Fleury, Islam, and Jon Bergstrom, science.

“We have a concept of trinity in Hinduism, [we have one god with three powers,] the power of creation, power of sustaining, and the power of destruction.

The power of destruction is not a bad thing because you need to destroy in order to create [anew]” as Chaitanya stated about Hinduism in relation to Christianity’s Trinity.

Father Kavookjian mentioned the Christian’s beliefs are based that “[Jesus] lived life as a Jew and prayed as a Jew… but Jesus also taught that you can have a personal relationship with [his] God, and that the basis of this relationship is mutual love.”

Espericueta said that Bud-

dhism “has no fundamental separation between the mundane world and spiritual realm. There is no god out there somewhere who is also the very core and essence of our own being.

“The same can also be said with regard to all sentient beings that may appear to be out there because all [beings are] deeply rooted in ones own heart at the level of power we are all deeply connected. It is as if we all have different bodies and minds, but one heart. To a Buddhist, god could be the one that peers out through all eyes and hears through all ears.

“Islam means the submission to the will of God. I am a Muslim, which means one who submits to the will of God… God promises he will listen to the prayers of [everyone] who calls upon Him… Muslims regard Islam as the completed and universal religion that was the original religion revealed many times and places before God created Adam. God knew the prophets Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,

Jacob, Moses, and Jesus. But God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message was revealed through the Prophet Mohammed” said Fleury on the beginning of the Islamic religion.

Bergstrom said during the ending question and answer segment of the conference on a question of “what is the concept of God according to science?” Which he replied, “If I stated a scientific perspective [on God], science would always try to insure that there is no certainty.

“Scientists would always assume there is more information to be gained and rather than in certain that there were [an opportunity] for a variety of views and for more information so I would say the scientific perspective would not rely on faith to believe in God but rather would be to be open to the God of all religions.”

The Interfaith Conference was Co-sponsored by the Gandhi Alliance for Interfaith Harmony and the Behavioral Sciences Department at BC.

Campus

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

After years of trying, students start club

By Samantha Garrett Copy Editor

Bakersfield College has, for at least the first time in several years, an art club. The idea originated from art instructor Emily Maddigan, and it was brought about this semester with the help of fellow instructor Laura Borneman, who is now the club adviser, and part-time instructor Claire Putney.

The main idea behind the club was to give students the means to present their art to the public, either in the Bakersfield area—if they stay after graduation—or in any other area where they might move. If there aren’t enough opportunities available for the students, then, said Borneman, the students should “create more.”

Vice President of the club Matt Macias talked about how that goal was important in guiding

his decision to become involved in the club.

“That’s one of my goals,” said Macias. “I don’t have a place to show my art. I have the class, my parents, some friends, and then it ends up in a shed.”

There have been previous attempts to start a club in recent years, but students had a difficult time making the club official.

Both Borneman and Macias pointed to Chris Ballard as being a key part responsible for the club forming this time around.

He knew the proper channels to go through to have a club officially started, and he attends the required SGA meetings to keep the club official.

“I think that was the problem when they first started,” said Macias. “It didn’t really get off the ground.”

This time they did, and officially doing so is crucial to

getting support from the community, such as participation in fundraisers.

The club is currently planning on having a table at homecoming Oct. 15, where they will sell various arts and crafts to raise funds for the club.

They are also working on a float for homecoming, and they are interested in doing a fundraiser through Rubio’s, where they will receive 20 percent for every purchase attributed to the club.

The club plans to do many things with its potential funds, such as going on painting trips and having guest artists come in.

Borneman stressed how the students are really responsible for the club, and she really only is there as a figurehead.

“They’re really running it.

That’s one of the important things,” she said.

DEEDEE Soto / The Rip

Chris Ballard, art club representative, discusses possible fundraising ideas with Secretary Laura Opperman and Vice President Matt Macias on Sept. 27.

Problems with the BC vending machines

Lessons not a drag NOTE | This article is a column written by our magazine editor, Mateo M. Melero and will contribute a life-based column in every other issue this semester.

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

I never have been a responsible person. I procrastinate on all my homework assignments, all my journalism stories, and if it were up to me to save the world in a daring one-minute countdown till destruction scenario, I’d procrastinate on that.

What it is about me and why I can’t care about something until moments before it all blows up in my face I’ve never been able to figure out. The fact that it is important and crucial registers in my mind, but I honestly can’t give two craps until I absolutely need to. It has always been this way and I have always gotten away with it – until this summer.

I just started on what would become a four monthlong (and still counting) quest to document the lives and habits of the drag queens at the Casablanca nightclub in downtown Bakersfield.

When I first started to attend the shows I was completely blind to the cultural habits and formalities of drag queens. Yes, in essence, they are men in women’s clothes, but nothing in their attitude and personality suggest so. When in character, a queen is a woman and you treat her with all the respect and dignity that a woman deserves.

Candy Moore was the first show director I met. On Friday nights she puts on her shows, which always vary in theme. One night, a Madonna tribute show might be taking place, and, on another, you might find the girls commemorating the lives lost on 9/11. She is completely devoted to her craft and her love for it always shines through.

From the beginning, Candy has been nothing but a blessing to my quest and me. She has helped me with getting into the shows, granting me backstage access, and introducing me to other performers for the benefit of my story.

But, as I was to learn early on, Candy is not one to be disrespected or allow it.

After the first night, Candy informed me that the next time I came I would be granted with full access to the dressing room, allowed to photograph all that happens and talk to whomever I wish. I was hooked up needless to say and all that was required of me was to be there at 11 p.m.—I wasn’t.

When I finally show up that night, god awfully late, I knew I was in trouble. Candy shot me a look when I first came that could boil blood, and I knew that I had some explaining to do. In an effort to diffuse the situation I went to the bartender and ordered Candy’s favorite drink, which she accepted. At that point, I figured I’ve weaseled my way out of a bad situation.

The show ended and I found myself in the dressing room, chatting it up with the performers and acquiring essential material for my story. The time came to leave and I went to pay my respects to Candy and thank her, figuring my lack of professionalism had gone unnoticed—it didn’t.

Candy stands at about 6’2 in heels. There is no hint of masculinity or barbarism in her at all. She radiates with all the glamour, sophistication and divinity of any queen in history. Her character demands respect, and if you were ever to disrespect her without proper cause, then the act would not be ignored or tolerated. Candy is proud and carries herself well. The moment she started to scold me, I tried desperately to spit out some excuse, but knew that being late because I decided to chug some vodka down with my neighbor wasn’t good enough. Her eyes flared and that finger wagged in my face. All I could do was just sit there and take it. She schooled me on the importance of being professional, reliable, credible and all I could think of at the moment was that time in beginning journalism when the professor stressed the importance of those traits to the profession.

When she finished stressing her point, she told me that she was not without sympathy and agreed to give me a second chance, which I was very grateful for.

I left the Casablanca that night feeling low about myself but, as I began to think about it, I was glad that she called me on my bullcrap. It made me value the story more, and made me realize how my art form is valuable to people. Journalism, when done objectively, gives normal, everyday people the chance to explain themselves to a much broader audience. You don’t hear much about drag queens in popular media, or in Bakersfield, and here I was giving people on the fringes of society a chance to be heard. I fell in love with the story at that moment and it’s that which has kept me coming back.

By James Licea Reporter

Gregory d. cook / The Rip

A Bakersfield College student uses one of the vending machines in the Campus Center on Sept. 30.

Scantron Shortage

Vending machines around campus provide students with a quick beverage or snack between classes, but they also cause occasional problems.

Companies responsible for filling the soda and snack machines are Coca Cola Co. and Canteen Vending. Both companies have contracts with BC and handle all of the money in the machines. The Food Service Department is paid commission from vending sales.

Jerry Troxel works for Canteen and fills the vending machines with various types of snacks weekly.

He says, however, that there are certain machines that are used often and need to be filled daily. Soda machines are also refilled once a week.

“Students have problems with the machines all the time,” said Troxel.

Ashley Gober said that she had a problem recently when a machine had too many quarters jammed in the slot; she wasn’t able to purchase an item.

Gober said that “within an hour or two somebody was there fixing it.”

Students expressed that, with snack vending machines, items mostly just get stuck and don’t come out. They also stated that

soda machines give them less problems; besides occasionally being out of service or of a certain soft drink they want.

Morgan Abendroth was shaking the vending machine in Campus Center out of frustration after he put in $1.25 for a snack and it got stuck on the hook.

Along with many other students faced with this issue, Abendroth was not aware what to do if a machine malfunctions in such a manner.

Food service manager Alex Gomez explained that students who have problems with vending machines should come to the Food Service Office located behind the cafeteria near the loading dock, which is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They will receive a coupon for a refund; coupons can be used on machines around campus and do not expire.

Machines require maintenance about every two months and students only come in every one or two weeks with problems, according to Gomez.

Despite some students’ problems with machines, other students have never had any trouble with them.

One student, Audi Espitia, said that the only incident she’s ever experienced with a vending machine is when it gave her two items for the price of one.

By Samantha Garrett Copy Editor

Kern County Fair

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The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Samantha Garret

Tower of Power returns to KC Fair

By Martin Chang

Along with founding member, Stephen Kupla, Castillio has written most of the

band’s original catalog. Since their start Tower of Power played a high energy set they have been touring consistently. at the Kern County Fair Budweiser PavilOf the people interviewed, all mentioned ion stage to an appreciative a love of the genre that audience.

TOP plays. Some called it TOP played to a nearly full “blues,” and others called it audience on Sept. 28. The au“funk.” Several pointed out dience was responding to the the “groove” of the musibeginning of each song by cians as an attraction. yelling and clapping. At the Raul Duarte, an attendee end of some songs the clapat the concert, saw their ping lasted as long as nine music as innovative and seconds. The audience had called them “musician’s a similar response to many musicians.” instrumental solos and songs He particularly liked the they recognized. playing of the horn section For several songs, whole and the drummer. He has sections of the audience been a long time fan and were standing and dancestimated that he has seen ing. The audience laughed at Larry “LB” Braggs them “20 or more times.” lead singer of the band Larry Another attendee, Arlene Braggs’ stage banter that included him Taylor, had been vaguely aware of the saying things like “Time to get funky like band, but she did not become a fan until a bow-legged monkey.” she saw them at the fair last year.

Emilio Castillio, a founding member of She said, “They had a lot of energy. I TOP, calls the band’s music “Urban Soul like the venue where you can really see the Music.” group, because every seat is a good seat They have been around since 1968. here. I like the rhythm and blues style.”

Reporter

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Vaquero Renee Reyes brings his brahamn bull out of the chute during the Fiesta Del Charro Rodeo at the Kern County Fair on Oct. 3.

PRCA Rodeo thrills fair goers

By Zak Cowan Reporter

On Oct. 2 the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association put on the Kern County Fair Rodeo.

The rodeos had roughly 14 different competitions, including a female barrel race, bull riding, and tie down roping.

Mickel Jay, 27, has been coming to the rodeo for 17 years and has participated in the event before.

“It’s such an adrenaline rush – one of the best you’ll ever have,” said Jay. “[The rodeo] is one of the best events [at the fair]; it’s always packed with all sorts of stuff.”

Jay said that his whole family is into the rodeo and that he wants to enter one of the competitions again sometime soon.

Matt Nauman participated in the tie down roping, where the rider chases down a calf and ties its legs together,

Victor Torres holds on for a wild ride as his bull goes airborne at the Fiesta Del Charro Rodeo presented by the Flying U Rodeo on Oct. 3.

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

competing against the clock and the other competitors. “It’s probably the hardest competition in the rodeo, besides the [bull] riding,” said Nauman.

Roughly 70 men and women participated in the rodeo, with most of them coming from Bakersfield.

The stadium was filled to capacity, and the event that got the most feedback from the crowd was the bull riding.

The fair also held a Latino heritage rodeo on Oct. 3, where a free Corona was handed out to every attendee.

Gang Unit cracks down during fair

Dominguez sings to Lucha Libre fair crowd

By James Licea Reporter

By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor

Hector Dominguez rode into the grandstand of the Kern County Fair on Sept. 26 to dance with horses.

Dominguez, 35, has been performing for 17 years and tours North America performing mariachi while riding atop horses.

“Mariachi is Mexico’s heart and soul,” said Dominguez, who began singing as a boy.

“Dancing horses are a part of Mexico’s culture.”

Riding in on a strutting Andalusian horse, Dominguez performed for a crowd of around 600, only dismounting to change horses and serenade the crowd on foot.

Dominguez’s performance opened up for Lucha Libre and La Internacional Sonora Mariachi Show.

The nephew of ranchera and mariachi singer-songwriter Vin-

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Oakland soul group Tower of Power gives a free concert at the Kern County Fair on Sept. 29. The group, which formed in 1968.

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Hector Dominguez serenades fans from the back of his trained Andalusian horse at the fairgrounds Sept. 26. cente Fernandez, Dominguez accompanied his uncle several times during his youth, helping develop his appreciation and love of mariachi.

Dominguez was accompanied

by Mariachi La Voz De Mexico, a band of eight led by band director Juan Cortez, who said, “We work with Dominguez a couple of times a year.”

Dominguez was a returning

participant to the Kern County Fair, having performed with his dancing horses before and also participating in the rodeo. “I was a rodeo participant a few years ago. I still do [rodeos],” said Dominguez.

“I’m a cowboy at heart,” said Dominguez, who tours the United States and Mexico and plans on returning to the Kern County Fair.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit started up in 1989. Since then, they have been working the Kern County fair every year. Their responsibilities are to try to prevent gang related incidents.

Lieutenant Bart Camps is in charge of the sheriff’s department at the fair. He stated that Gang Unit is effective 365 days a year, not just at the fair.

They usually patrol in sheriff’s cars, sometimes in unmarked vehicles.

According to Camps, Gang Unit came about because gangs were beginning to develop in Kern County. They needed special expertise to deal with these criminal ailments.

“Officers are specially trained in the recognition of gang members and the practices,” Camps said. They focus on gang-related crimes and are responsible for targeting gangs who are causing problems.

The reason they are required as fair personnel, according to Senior Deputy of Gang Unit Lauro Cantu, is because people from all over Kern County show up to this event. Being such a popular event, rival gang members often encounter each other.

On Sept. 18, Cantu reported stopping eight to 10 fights. The large amount of people makes breaking up a fight a difficult task. “You’re ultimately surrounded by hundreds of people,” Cantu said about the mindset of officers while breaking up a fight.

“You don’t know who they are or what their intentions are.”

When an act of violence takes place, Cantu gives an account of the procedure that is followed to try to intervene. “The biggest thing we try to do,” Cantu said, “is get the main people who are involved out of the area.” This is for the safety of the surrounding people and the sheriffs.

While some people who attended the fair reported seeing no violence, others saw fights that went

gregory d. cook / The Rip

A member of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit patrols the fairgrounds Sept. 26. unnoticed by sheriffs and police officers.

Jennifer Facio, 23, said she attended the fair on Wednesday as well as Friday and saw no violence.

Facio said that she didn’t notice Gang Unit on both of her visits. She described the fair being more pleasant than her previous visits, “Bakersfield has tamed down since I was in high school.”

Nancy Rivera, 22, had a different account of the fair. On Saturday, Sept. 18, she saw two girls standing in line arguing after one girl confronted the other. The girl who incited the argument began punching the other girl until she fell to the ground.

After she fell, the girl continued to beat her while she was on the ground.

Rivera said the girl being beaten eventually got up and began running away. The other girl and a group of her friends began chasing her through crowds of people. “I was trying to look for a cop.

They were by the games standing around.” Rivera explained that, by the time she saw them, it was too late.

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The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Fair exhibit shows off a Bakersfield artist

By Chrystal Fortt Reporter

Tom Bumgarner, who used to take art classes at Bakersfield College, entered 10 pieces in the art section of the fine arts building at the Kern County Fair and won first prize for a picture of a tiger on scratch board and also volunteered for the Bakersfield Art Association.

“I missed a few years, I didn’t enter anything. I just didn’t have the feeling for art, and then all of a sudden I got a spurt and started in again so this year I entered 10 items,” said Bumgarner. “[Art] for me is a hobby, it’s just relaxing.”

Bumgarner was a little reluctant to admit he won first place, but his wife, Barbara, was proud of his work.

“I’ve [won first place] before. I enjoy it, it makes it worthwhile,” said Tom. There were many artists that entered the competition that Tom was a fan of.

“I definitely enjoy Patti Doolittle’s art-

work, Nancy Ely, her watercolors are fantastic, Shirley Rowles, I love her work,” said Tom. “Mary Lou Slinkard, she does a lot of western, her family are cattle people.

Her and her husband use to have a ranch up in Kernville, she’s a natural in cows.

She can tell you real quick if an artist knows the anatomy of the animal or not just by the way it’s painted,” said Tom. Tom and Barbara enjoyed volunteering for the art section of the fair. Barbara checks in pictures, and Tom helps hang them.

“We started last Thursday and helped to Sunday, that’s just to get this room ready,” said Tom. There was a lot of preparation for the art room before it was open to the public. “They cover the windows so no one sees the judge go around and judge the art,” Tom said.

Besides, every year can be different, you know, it’s about their style.”

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Organization improvises at fair

By Kristen Blue

Press releases and Facebook are also used to spread the word.

The family selection committee For the past 10 years, Habitat then scans through all the applifor Humanity has been build- cations. ing houses at the Kern County According to Hernandez, Fair. Last year, they completed a monthly payments on the houses house in 10 days. This year, they range between $300-$500. They will be building children’s play- sell the houses to families for houses that will be auctioned off the cost of the materials. “The for profit. family we select is required to do Max Hernandez, who has been 500 hours of what we call sweat the associate director for Habitat equity. Side by side, they help for Humanity for a year, said, the volunteers build their future “This is the first time in 10 years house.” we couldn’t get the funding to Volunteers are always welbuild a house.“ come and always needed. “We “We still wanted to be in- have an amazing volunteer base volved in the fair and have the here. Everyone works together community learn about our orga- to help better the community at nization and what we do, so we all.” came up with the idea to build Hernandez believes it’s a good playhouses.” learning experience. “VolunThe playhouses are being built teers just show up. We have a at the fair and a live auction will supervisor. If you don’t have any bring in profit for the program. skills, people will take you under “All profits go to what we’re do- their wing and show you how to ing,” he said. “This is a really do them.” good program. We just couldn’t Economy has changed how pull the funding this year.” The Habitat for Humanity operates. auction will occur on Oct. 12 at “Lately because of the housing Modern Office Environments, industry and market, it’s been 830 21st St. more cost effective to purchase a According to Hernandez, the house and fix it up,” Hernandez biggest misconception the com- said. munity has about their organizaHabitat for Humanity in the tion is people assume the houses past built houses from scratch. are given out for free. “Here at “These days, we’ve been purHabitat, we help people who chasing houses and fixing them want to help themselves. They up,” Hernandez said. Time spent purchase the houses from us,” working on houses varies. “It said Hernandez. depends on how long it takes us There’s a pre-application to fix it,” he said. “The condition process families go through if of the house plays a huge factor. they’re in need of a house. To It’s a new endeavor we’re workfill out an application, you can ing on. Sometimes it can be as visit the Habitat for Human- quick as two months, sometimes ity office or visit their website. much longer.”

Reporter

ryan george / The Rip

Carlotta Fondren takes in art exhibits at the Kern County Fair on Sept. 24.

Tricks and stunts

gregory d. cook / The Rip

Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Cathy McCaffrey (left, inside) and Lynn Lebeu, put the finishing touches on a playhouse sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bakersfield North during the Kern County Fair on Oct. 3.

Photos by nathan wilson / The Rip

Left: Rich Lopez sticks a hand plant on the half-pipe during a preformance by the BMX Pros at the Kern County Fair. Right: Gabe Weed shows off some flat-land skills with a demonstration of balance Sept. 25.

Turbo Force a high-seek thrill for unsure writer

By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter

I never imagined myself riding Turbo Force, a ride that was put together in less than a week, at the Kern County Fair.

As I waited for my friend to get to the fair and ride it with me, I watched nervously as others rode it on their own.

I kept thinking to myself, “Man, I am so glad I’m not going on that thing by myself.”

As my friend walked toward me looking at the ride, he decided he did not want to take part in riding it with me, making me more nervous about riding it, especially by myself.

The only reason I rode Turbo Force was because I had to write this story about it for The Rip. If it weren’t for this story I had to write, I would not even have thought twice about risking my life on this ride. I paid $15 to ride this thing that was probably carelessly put together by some random guys.

I can’t believe this ride stands 130 feet high from the ground and goes 60 mph.

I didn’t hear screams from the others, so I thought I wasn’t going to get butterflies. I was wrong.

My heart raced as I walked toward Turbo Force.

Individuals gathered around with their family and friends to watch me ride this massively huge thing.

I begged my friend to ride it with me before I got on, but his answer was still no.

The man in charge of the ride strapped me in and made sure I was secure. While he did that, I asked, “Is this ride really safe?”

He just looked at me and smiled.

When the ride started going, and I began to rise off the ground, I held on tight to the bars that would hopefully keep me from falling to my death.

As the ride went faster, the butterflies went away. The only scary part about the ride was the first flip when I was in the air.

After that, I felt like I started to enjoy myself. Still I insisted on screaming my lungs out and keeping my eyes closed until the ride was over.

When I did peek for just a second, I saw that birds weren’t flying too far away from me. I thought that was kind of cool.

This ride was a thrill, and somewhat enjoyable, especially during daylight, though I wish I didn’t have to ride it alone.

I recommend that those who are thrill seekers ride Turbo Force next year at the fair, if it is available.

carissa edwards / The Rip

Turbo Force, an attraction that sends adventurous riders spinning at up to 60 mph looms over the Kern County Fairgrounds on Sept. 28.

Hypnotist takes local crowd on a mental ride

By BrendaIrene Rodriguez Reporter

Master hypnotist Tina Marie hypnotized the crowed at the Kern County Fair this year.

Marie is a professional hypnotist from Corpus Christi, Texas who began in the hypnotizing business in 2001.

Marie began her hypnotist career to help those in need of confidence.

“I want to help people by giving them a little push and inspiration,” said Marie.

“When I was eight years old I went to Tijuana, Mexico with my parents and I saw everyone begging for money and kids with no shoes on,” she said as she began to talk about her childhood.

She went into detail, “Growing up I was poor. My family was on welfare and food stamps, but when I saw those people in T.J., I considered myself lucky and wealthy to know that I had shoes and clothes on my body.”

20 individuals volunteered in hopes to become hypnotized and put on a show for the audience.

Marie said that the volunteers would be aware of everything that’s going on and that each individual will feel very relaxed.

Marie was successful in hypnotizing most of the volunteers.

She played relaxing music, made the individuals take deep breaths, and used a count down until the individuals were under hypnosis.

“With every word I say, every

breath you take, you are becoming more relaxed. Deeper and deeper relaxed,” Marie said to her volunteers.

Those that were not able to be hypnotized were asked to take a seat in the audience.

Marie put on a comedy show using her volunteers, after she successfully hypnotized them.

“It was pretty fun. I wanted to do fun stuff on stage for my kids,” said Louie Robinson of Bakersfield.

Some of the volunteers did things they would not usually do on a daily basis.

“After my sister told me what happened, I felt embarrassed,” said Richard Moren of Bakersfield.

He added, “I don’t remember what I did. I wanted to try it out.”

“I didn’t think anyone could hypnotize me. I wanted to see if it was real or fake. I was so relaxed,” said Breann Goodman, a BC student.

“It felt like there was a lot of weight on my arms,” said Goodman. “I just wanted to fall. When I woke up I was super sweaty. I still feel relaxed. I can’t believe I was dancing on stage. I believe in it now.”

Tina Marie will be having an adult hypnotist show featuring comedian Rivest Dunlap at The Fox Theater on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information and tickets, call The Fox Theater at (661) 324-1369.

Opinions

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The possibilities of networking The meaning behind Staff Editorial

the vote: inadequate It’s difficult to look at certain politicians without a political bias, obviously, but there are some that present problems that clash with our values, and we collectively span the gulf across political parties. Such is the case with our editorial staff and one Christine O’Donnell.

When candidates like O’Donnell not only receive national attention but also manage to win a republican primary, it gets a little worrisome. It’s not that this woman is conservative —it’s that this woman is nuts, and people are actually agreeing with her.

Have people become so fed up with our country that politicians like her can gain public support? This is a woman who has lied about her educational background, has been outspoken against such normal human functions as masturbation, and has made such hilarious erroneous gaffs in public as saying that scientists were growing human brains on mice.

Regardless of political party, no one should be OK with that.

The problem isn’t just people

like O’Donnell. It’s that people can be so motivated by one single cause (say an anti-establishment candidate’s stance against the current administration) that they will completely ignore everything that would otherwise stop them in their tracks. It would be like choosing everything based on one rather superfluous detail, like buying everything you ever owned based on the sole quality of it being blue.

We cannot condone such political behavior.

People need to recognize the consequences of electing inadequate and unqualified candidates. Voting should not be some random decision. It should be informed, and the decision should be based upon various points, not just a sound bite or two about how we need to win our country back from the government.

We are concerned by O’Donnell’s current political success, not inspired or excited.

Most of all, we are concerned with this trend, which foreshadows uniformed voting and ill-suited political officials.

Student addresses opinion Editor: I picked up a recent issue of The Rip and found a story about how an incident involving a skateboard collision had happened a few weeks ago and that a ban on skateboards is now in effect.

I also read that the student who was hit was deaf. That student was me. I was just walking around, and all of a sudden I fell down. I looked over and saw a skateboard rolling away with no one on it.

About 3-5 seconds after I fell, a person (who I deduced was the rider) came over and was trying to help me. I was so mad and embarrassed that I refused the help and just collected my belongings and walked away (it happened in an area of campus where there were many people).

As I was walking away, out of the corner of my eye, I saw that same person back up on the board rolling away, acting like nothing had happened. Later, when talking to a friend, I realized what fully had occurred.

I thought that I had just fallen down, but actually what had happened was I landed on my left knee with my left leg bent up under me. The skin on and around my kneecap had been ground off and where the skin was before was now a puddle of blood. I had a few road rash marks and blood there as well.

A few minutes after this incident happened, I had just left a class. I had a break after that class for six hours before my night class started. But since I live on the opposite side of town from BC, I have to take the bus at a certain time in order to get home, rest, then come back on

’G ade Feedback

time. I didn’t get to do that that day. I ended up having to spend the entire six hours on campus with absolutely nothing to do.

It was boring and unfair. I had to go to my night class with bandages all over my left leg.

I never found out the name of the person who did that to me or even found out if they had apologized (I’m deaf, so if they were speaking to me I wouldn’t hear it).

Also, I am blind in my right eye, and the board came out of my right side vantage point, from behind, directly in my blind spot. I had no idea it was coming.

In the Opinion section of the paper, when they were talking about the pros and cons of the ban, the writer of the pro section stated that she did not think it was the fault of the rider that this happened.

This greatly angered me, since it brought up the possibility of me being responsible.

I am deaf with only one good eye. If being that way was my choice, then I would accept it as being my fault. But it wasn’t, so how could it be?

I am writing and sending all of this because I feel like there will be (and probably is, now) a huge amount of speculation and rumoring going on as to what exactly happened and why a ban was put on. I feel like, as the person who basically started all of this, I should tell what happened from my perspective and give the readers the chance to know what really happened instead of guessing and starting rumors.

Chase Toy History

PRO

CON

By Samantha Garrett

By Gregory D. Cook

Copy Editor

Online Editor

All right, sure. It’s easy to poke fun of social networking, to break it down and make it out to be a lesser creature, but as a whole there’s nothing really wrong with it. When used for its intended purpose, it is a means of communication, either with old friends, new friends, or absolute strangers.

We’ve all gotten those occasional messages from the random creeper, and we’ve all had to block an exboyfriend or -girlfriend or two, but that shouldn’t ruin the entire experience.

Maybe I’m for the whole social networking thing because I’ve gotten in touch with quite a few friends who, over the years, faded from my life.

You might be thinking, “Well, if they were really friends, you wouldn’t have lost touch,” but we all know that time and distance can ravage a friendship, and the Internet is that one thing that can span that gulf without a long-distance phone charge.

And there are many friends who I would never get to speak to if it weren’t for places like Facebook. Not only is it a convenient forum for what’s going on in one’s life, but it also allows many people to live chat where differences in messenger programs would otherwise prevent people from being able to do so. Sure, Facebook’s chat program is the jenkiest one on the Internet, but it gets the job done, and the emotes are pretty cool.

Not to mention there’s something a little freeing about it. Sure, sometimes I feel compelled to write something witty, funny, or clever, but most of the time I can use things like Facebook’s status update to let people know that I’m just having a bad day.

And checking Facebook in the morning for other’s status updates is like checking the weather. You can see that so-and-so is cranky, that one guy is in a great mood, and what’s-her-face is in love; when you’ve endured enough awkward conversations in your life as I have, little cues like the ones Facebook provides are very handy indeed.

Maybe too many people spend too much time on it, but it gives people something to do with their time.

Time wasted? No, I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure that, without Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, most people would find something else to do mindlessly. Everyone needs his or her daily-recommended dose of zoning out.

And, if you ask me, wasting time checking in on friends and letting them know you remembered them with a comment here or there is one of the more decent ways to do so.

Plain and simple, social networking lets you stay in touch with people, catch up with what’s going on in their lives, and see that, compared to everyone else you went to high school with, you probably ended up the best looking and most successful one. I really can’t shake a stick at something like that.

A person I met in a history class last semester just had the best steak dinner he has ever eaten. Another person, possibly a friend of my sister, who I have never actually met, thinks her new hairstyle is “da bomb!”

I am aware of these facts because I, like an estimated 250 million other trivial-infomainiacs, logged onto Facebook this morning. Social networking has reached epidemic proportions, and is threatening to replace face-toface networking.

Back in the mid-80s, some egghead types managed to circumvent their inability to talk to girls by developing a computer version of the bulletin board. On the boards, they could post messages to their socially challenged peers just like sticking a Post-it note on the refrigerator. Social networking was born and good old-fashioned talking to one another began packing its bags for the long trip out of style.

Sure, social networking can have beneficial uses if you have the time to wade through the trivial details of the lives of your friends and followers to find them. But the occasional story of twins, separated at birth, and now reunited through MySpace can’t possibly make up for the time we waste just sitting waiting for someone to “like” our latest clever incites about the movie we saw the day before.

According to Facebook, people spend over 700 billion minutes a month logged on to Facebook. That represents the accumulation of over 13,000 centuries of focus – nearly as long as mankind has walked upright – every month. For that amount of energy we should have something more to show for the effort than knowing that Peanut is the “cutest puppy ever.”

Social networking is just another example of how our society is trending toward plugging into the virtual, and withdrawing from the actual. What used to be the simple act conversing is being replaced by a technical interface and yet another small sliver of our humanity falls by the wayside.

So Twitter and sites like it have become the small talk of the party of life. They hold the trivial facts and opinions we would normally keep to ourselves but now submit to our friends, and in some instances the world, for judgment. It can be addicting as well. Facebook Addiction Disorder is an actual form of Internet Addiction Disorder, and is being treated in increasing numbers by physiologists across the nation. And yes, there is even a Facebook group for it.

It’s the ultimate example of efficiency. You can get the help you need while you get your fix.

Human beings are social animals, designed to interact with one another face to face.

We have voices, facial expressions and subtle shifts in body language that are completely lost when we hide behind our computer monitors, and the façade of anonymity we feel when we talk to people that aren’t right there in front of us.

Rap has lost its value as a means of expression

By Michael Morrow

Video Production Editor

“I’m hot and stuff / The sun gives me lots of love / I ain’t steppin’ on snails but I’m poppin’ slugs.”

These lyrics come straight from the “rap” artist the New Boyz and their song “Colorz.”

I used to love rap, back when it was actually about real lyricism.

Now, because of the easy access of music through Internet downloads and increasing ringtone sales – which have led to music executives only extending 360 contracts to artists I am forced to change the radio station every other minute.

The genre of rap has been forever changed.

Now, instead of having the lyricism of rap, the gusto of hip-hop and the style of hipster music, rap fans are forced to hear, “Teach

me how to Dougie,” by Cali Swag District. I have a question.

What the hell is a “Dougie?”

Mixing of genres is not a new thing.

It’s been done before the birth of rap and will continue well into the foreseeable future. Mixing genres has brought us good music like Run DMC and Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way,” and Eminem and Dido, or Eminem and Elton John’s “Stan.”

But most of the time you get an individual artist trying to do multiple genres and it’s usually a fail.

I could list a million songs, but why should I bother when you already know who and what didn’t work out so well.

I’m just tired of these bad attempts of mixing rap with hiphop and/or hipster music. Keep them separate, because, when put together, we get the Soulja

Boy Tell ‘em’s of the world. I want rappers to get back to rapping and making songs about the lyrical content.

Between the 1017 Brick Squad members, Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame and OJ Da Juiceman, I haven’t heard a decent lyric yet.

“I’m boomin’, I’m bunkin’, and I’m whippin‘ up da babies,” is an OJ Da Juiceman all-timer.

Waka Flocka Flame’s song “Hard in da Paint” has lyrics I couldn’t even imagine writing down. And Gucci Mane’s slurred Atlanta speech just makes his lyrics on “Wasted,” that much worse.

“Magic City Monday / Ball playin’ wasted / This one for yo’ uncle drinking Thunderbird, wasted / 12-pack wasted / I need more cases / And Gucci’s not racist all my drivers Caucasian (Gucci).”

I’m not saying the music is all bad.

The placement is way off, but it’s not all bad.

Some of it can even be entertaining at times, but for me music isn’t just about entertainment.

Music is a way of life. Music, especially rap, hip-hop and hipster music, is a form of storytelling from a cultural perspective.

If you want to come into the rap game and make entertaining, funny music, it’s possible, and I have no problem with that. Weird Al Yankovic has done it successfully and it hasn’t bothered me yet. Why? Because it’s not classified as rap.

It never once claims to be rap or degrades my culture’s storytelling aspect.

People always say rap is dying, and I feel the same. I just wish people would realize why rap is damn near dead.

“What is your favorite thing to do at the fair?”

Editor’s note: ’Gade Feedback is a feature that asks students their opinion various topics.

Sylvia Vigil, Nursing: “Eat.”

Chris Vindiola, Film: “Cinnamon rolls.”

Josh Guzman, History: “Fat Derrill Hoagie Bun.”

Felissa Torres, Criminal Justice: “Mack on boys.”

Compiled by: Rip Staff

The Renegade Rip Editorial Board Winner of the 2003 and 2008 JACC Pacesetter Award The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College journalism classes, printed by Bakersfield Envelope & Printing Co. Inc., and circulated on Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters.

The newspaper is published under the auspices of the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees, but sole responsibility for its content rests with student editors.

The Rip is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and the California Newspaper Publishers Association.

Staff

Editor in Chief..........................Brian N. Willhite Reporters: Kristen Blue, Martin Chang, Zak Cowan, Features Editor...............................Vincent Perez Priscilla Creger, Chrystal Fortt, Breanna Gray, Sports Editor.......................................Julian Moore James Licea, Yvonne Macias, BrendaIrene Copy Editor ................................Samantha Garrett Rodriguez, Cristal Rodriguez, Sandra Ward Photo Editor..................................Annie Stockman Photographers: Carissa Edwards, Nicholas Flores, Opinions Editor...........................Michael Wafford Ryan George, Luis Santoyo, Deedee Soto, Nathan Magazine Editor.........................Mateo M. Melero Wilson Online Editor...............................Gregory D. Cook Video Production........................Michael Morrow Adviser.......................................................Danny Edwards

Puricar Boria, Child Development: “Hangout with friends.”

Write The Rip

Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be accompanied by a signature and the letter writer’s identity must be verified.

The Rip reserves the right to edit letters, however, writers will be given the opportunity to revise lengthy or unacceptable submissions.

If an organization submits a letter as a group, it must be signed by only one person, either the leader of the organization or the letter writer. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published.

How to reach us

-Address: Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305 -Phone: (661) 395-4324 -Web site: www.therip.com

Page 9

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Culinary student pursues dream CULINARY ARTS | Working to

one day become a restaurant owner and chef, Conger learns vital skills in culinary program

By Brian N. Willhite Editor in Chief

Making his dreams of becoming a professional chef come true, Bakersfield College student Nick Conger is advancing his way through the Culinary Arts program to earn his degree before taking the next step toward professionalism.

A former student at California State University of Bakersfield, Conger had no idea what career he wanted to pursue, then realized one day that he loved cooking and that it may be his calling.

“I realized that [cooking] is my passion, and why not go to school for it and make it happen,” said Conger.

Conger was inspired to pursue cooking at BC by his uncle, a former student that had been through the culinary arts program.

“I saw my uncle go through this program 11 to 12 years ago and it really interested me. So, I decided I wanted to go through it and get my degree and actually do something with it because he

never went anywhere with his,” said Conger.

Conger’s love for cooking includes all aspects of the culinary field; his love for the artistry is just as important as his love for the business, too.

“I was very interested in learning how to make food and learning how to make it presentable and how the business works,” said Conger.

He also discussed his aspirations to earn a business degree to help him in his future goals of owning a restaurant.

Conger explained that there are different positions and specialties a chef can have and that he is still undecided what area he feels fits him the best. In the meantime, though, he is enjoying learning about the diverse areas of cooking, however, there is one area he feels he would like to improve on.

“I’m not that great with desserts, but it’s something I’d like to work on,” said Conger.

Conger discussed his theory classes and how they help prepare him in his goals of one day being a chef. “The theory classes are where we learn how to pull off all the methods – what to do, what not to do – and how to make something look good. And the intro classes are where you

learn the very basics, learning about different types of cuisine around the world, measurements and the basic stuff about being a chef you need to know,” said Conger.

One of the requirements for culinary students is their participation in The Renegade Room, the student-run restaurant on the BC campus.

Conger appreciates the education and opportunities that he receives from his involvement and enjoys the camaraderie with the other students as they work together to reach common goals.

Conger said that the best thing about the interaction with students and instructors is that “you really don’t get a chance to do that in your other classes. You really get to know people on a different level than just the gen-ed classes.

“It’s amazing how everyone just really wants to be helpful – help pull everything together – and that they’re not just in there for themselves.

“It’s really interesting to see people do that,” he said.

Conger said that once he receives his degree and starts looking for a chef’s position, he would like to stay in California but would consider his options to make his dream a reality.

Gregory d. cook / The Rip

BC culinary arts student Nick Cogner chops vegetables in the Renegade Room on Oct. 4.

War veteran turned student, works to become welder

By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor

Darren Whiting is a veteran, a father, former business owner and a student enrolled in Bakersfield College’s industrial maintenance program.

Whiting, 45, enrolled in the program through employers training resources.

Having retired from the U.S. Army after 17 years of service, Whiting originally wanted to enroll in the welding program, but the program was full.

However, Whiting isn’t upset by not getting into his chosen program.

“I’ve always been into construction. I like to build stuff.

I’ve done a lot with wood; I want to do more with metal. I’d like to build bikes. I like motorcycles,” said Whiting.

Whiting is no stranger to construction, having said he has worked in the field several times throughout the years, at one point opening his own construction business and eventually selling it.

Born in east Los Angeles, Whiting was the son of a single mother who had him when she was 16. “Even though I’ve made several attempts to escape from Bakersfield I always come back,” said Whiting who moved to Bakersfield with his mother at the age of 7.

Whiting did not always dream of working in construction.

“I used to want to be a cop for the longest time in my life. And the more I got to know cops the less I liked cops,” said Whiting.

“Being that I’ve been in the military for so long. The military’s motto is lead by example. You do the right thing, you wear your uniform properly you treat people properly and you display that behavior to your troops – to the people you are leading around.

You lead by example – you be the shining star. Show them how you want to behave. Cops don’t do that.”

Although he no longer desires to work in law enforcement, Whiting said he worked as a correctional officer for the Mesa Verde correctional facility before returning to the military in the 90s.

Whiting said his time in the military not only changed his view on careers. It also changed his view on life.

“I have a different outlook on things than a lot of people do because I’ve really had to – I think – had to work hard for what I have. I have respect for other people, and I have respect for other people’s belongings. That’s something you don’t see a lot,” said Whiting.

After serving for three years in the early 1980s Whiting moved around the country working in a variety of job fields before returning to the military in the 1990s.

Whiting served in Kuwait and Iraq after the September 11 attacks in 2001. “I did three years in tank. I did three years in infantry. Worked as an armor, worked on weapons, worked as a supply

sergeant, went to sniper school, went to medic school. Worked as a medic for the last five years or four years,” said Whiting. “My time in the military was fabulous. I loved it. Even when it was the worst it was good.”

While a military man for most of his adult life, Whitening has found the time to start a family. A father of three and on his second marriage, Whiting said he has been married to his wife of 11 years, who is currently attending the University of Phoenix fulltime as an online student.

Since both are currently focused on education, Whiting said that both he and his wife are unemployed. Whiting is looking forward to returning to the working world. “I got my first job when I was 12 years. I’ve always felt that nothing’s free. There’s no free handouts in life.”

Gregory d. cook / The Rip

BC industrial maintenance student Darren Whiting works with a lathe Sept. 30.

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

BC industrial maintenance student Darren Whiting works with a lathe in the Industrial Technology building Sept. 30.

Reviews

Page 10

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Mixing time limits and zombies makes ‘Rising’ a difficult run-through

By Martin Chang

Some of the best moments are when you see Chuck smile after making a weapon, and the cut Dead Rising 2 offers an en- scenes with his daughter. This thralling gaming experience that care he has for her runs through often times is very fun. Unfortu- the entire game, and it gives the nately the game is also marred game suspense it would not othby many problems that often erwise have. makes the game a more frustratBut the one-dimensional naing, hard to play experience than ture of the rest of the characters it should. wears thin, and the villains overD e a d the-top nature, while a little enideo game Rising 2 tertaining, also wears thin. The f o l l o w s plot against Chuck starts out ineview the story teresting, but soon is revealed in of Chuck a predictable fashion.

Greene The game’s time limit is a who finds driving force of the game play himself in a zombie-infested and gives the game a frantic feelFortune City, a fictionalized ver- ing. All the objectives including sion of Las Vegas; he must get plot objectives have a time limit. his daughter medicine to prevent If you do not complete the plot her from becoming a zombie. objectives in time, your game He also finds himself framed for will end. causing the zombie outbreak.

Because of this, you must skip Chuck Greene is a very strong many side objectives in order to character. He has action movie continue the plot of the game. strength, while his bond with his This is really too bad, since the daughter shows his softer side. characters you meet in these side Reporter

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objectives have a lot of personality.

Dead Rising 2 has a very high difficulty level. Some aspects of this difficulty make this game a truly exhilarating experience.

Between the time limit and the number of zombies (an impressive number), you often make it with little life and time to spare.

This gives the game a teethgrinding, suspenseful quality that is engaging.

The game captures the impossible and desperate nature of a zombie attack really well. This creates a feeling that is unique and special in video games. It is almost enough to overlook the game’s other problems.

Yet there are other moments, such as, but not limited to, the boss encounters, where the difficulty seems to ramp up at random, and you are given no guidance on how to continue.

These parts are not fun and will be frustrating for many.

The game’s weapons designs

are a ton of fun. You can combine weapons like bats and nails to turn them into creative and entertaining weapons. It is clear that the designers of the game had a great time creating the weapons and it comes through in their design.

Yet the combat system, general controls, and the way the weapons are implemented are lacking.

All of the attacks are controlled on one button. You often do the strong attack when you meant to do the weak attack. Picking up weapons and closing doors are also more difficult than it should be. The attack animations are slow and deliberate. While they are fun to watch, they become tiresome, especially when zombies surround you and you meant to do the faster attack.

The slow nature of the attacks means you will often miss your intended target. The whole game has a slow nature that takes a long time to get used to, and it seems at odds with the frantic

Courtesy of ign.com

mood of the game. The game’s long cut scenes and load times also interrupt the flow of the game. The weapons also run out

quickly, and, while this adds suspense, you often find yourself without any useful weapons, and you end up stuck.

Fried chicken plus Chinese equals terrible time Lil Wayne’s ‘I Am Not a Human Being’ is an average experience

By Michael Wafford Opinions Editor

Louisiana Fried Chicken Chinese Food provides a wide selection of dishes for a fast food restaurant. There’s only one problem – none of it is very good.

Joined by several companions were headed to the restaurant, located at 1301 Union ood avenue, eview Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken has two locations in Bakersfield with the other being on Ming.

The menu delivered what the name had advertised. From fried chicken and seafood gumbo to orange chicken and egg rolls, the restaurant’s menu had a good amount of variety, even offering horchata, rice milk most often served in Mexican restaurants.

My meal consisted of fried chicken with a side of fried rice, beef and broccoli and a dinner roll with an Orange Bang as my drink for under $7. There was however an additional $.50 charge added to me as I used a debit card to pay for my meal.

The food was pretty cheap but in this case I got what I paid for.

The chicken was good. The skin was crisp and the meat tender and moist. It was well seasoned with just the right amount of spices and salt.

Everything else was greasy yet somehow incredibly dry at the same time.

The combination of blandness, greasy, dryness and mouth-tiring chewiness made for one of the

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Carissa Edwards / The Rip

Michael Wafford prepares for his meal on Sept. 25. least pleasurable meals I’ve had in recent times.

The fried rice, beef and brocoli and roll were all incredibly bland.

The common factors among these were how they all shimmered from their layers of grease and how much chewing was required making the meal feel

more like chewing bubblegum than eating actual food.

One of my companions ordered orange chicken and chow mein with a cup of horchata to wash it down.

The orange chicken sauce had formed into a gravy of gelatinlike consistency and some of the pieces of chicken were more

skin than meat, making the dish extremely chewy.

The chow mein, while greasy, was described as “OK” and he said, “The horchata’s actually really good. But they got it from a machine.”

The atmosphere was that of a hole in the wall. While the restaurant received an A from the health inspector, the tables felt sticky with some of them having visible food debris.

While dining around 15 other people walked in to buy meals.

They ranged from shirtless men with rough looking tattoos to working mothers who appeared to have just gotten off of work from the nearby FoodMaxx to working women of another kind who were dressed in short-shorts and mini-skirts.

Service was quick but unfriendly.

I couldn’t help but notice that a worker occasionally wiped his forehead before handling food and that no one who worked there ate the food prepared on site during their break.

Overall the experience wasn’t very pleasant.

At the end of the meal the stomachs of my companions and I were upset, and the feeling of disgust after a large, salty, greasy meal had overcome my companions and I. I wouldn’t recommend Lousiana Fried Chicken Chinese Food to anyone. As far as fast food style fried chicken goes, the place is nothing special, the Chinese food was bad and everything else looked unappetizing.

While the prices were low and the scenery interesting, the lack of flavor and feeling of disgust aren’t worth it.

By Vincent Perez Features Editor

Upon first hearing Lil Wayne’s first track off of his eighth album, “I Am Not a Human Being,” one thing comes to mind: Lil Wayne is back.

However, Lil Wayne’s lbum voice is eview h e a r d throughout the album without his signature Vocoder.

Instead, his “raw rap” is heard, according to fellow Cash Money Millionaire member Birdman.

Wayne’s beats return to traditional hip-hop rather than rock like his highly criticized February release “Rebirth” was.

Three tracks featuring actorturned-rapper Drake stand out the most (“Gonorrhea,” “With You” and “Right Above It”).

With appearances by Nicki Minaj, Lil Twist and Jay Sean help accompany Wayne’s flowing lyrics throughout the album.

Yet the album lacks great songs near the end and Lil Wayne’s lyrics seemed rushed.

Possibly due to him currently serving time in prison when he turned himself in earlier this year.

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The album takes a slow turn when “With You” plays with a woman harmonizing with Drake singing.

Wayne’s uber-confident title track, ‘I Am Not a Human Being,” has an unapologetic chorus: “I am the Rhyming Oasis / I got a cup of ya time, I won’t waste it / I got my foot on the line, I’m not racin’/ I thank God that I am not basic / I am not a human being.”

The digital release by Lil Wayne (physical release reportedly will be out Oct. 12) shows off his lyrical skills, but the last three songs on the album seemed rushed and incomplete for such an influential hip-hop artist.

I hope that Lil Wayne’s next album will be better.

Courtesy of MTV

Docudrama ‘Social Network’ follows Facebook’s storied rise to the top

By Carissa Edwards Photographer

As far as docudramas go, “The Social Network” was good.

I went in to the movie not expectovie ing much and came out surprised. Seeeview ing as the story is how Facebook came to be, I did not think that it would be much of a plot. The story of Facebook is interesting, and it could have carried the movie, but I didn’t think it could for two hours.

But it actually did.

The movie was also about the two lawsuits that surrounded Facebook within the first few years of its creation. This means that the movie told

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Courtesy of imdb.com

“What is a calorie?”

Editor’s note: BC Brains is a feature that asks students a question to test their knowledge of all things trivial.

Compiled by: Rip Staff

also only seemed to care about what he was doing and nothing else that was going on around him.

To him, he had the best ideas and no one else’s were better. I, for the life of me, cannot understand why his friend was even his friend.

His friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), puts up with him for no reason except he is his friend. Zuckerberg treats him badly and, it seems, uses him only for his money.

Finally, around the late middle of he movie, Saverin starts to try to get Zuckerberg to pay attention to him.

He does not fully obtain Zuckerberg’s attention until he sues him, which started one of the lawsuits surrounding Facebook.

The movie was good and worth seeing. I would only give a word of caution if you do not like docudramas.

Glyniel Costello, Psychology: “Measure of energy.”

Jessica Cobian, Criminal Justice: “You need 2000 a day.”

Chris Muland, Engineering: “A measure of energy.”

Cynthia Miranda, X-Ray Technician: “Percentage of fat in food.”

Donna East, Child Development: “A measurement of energy you take from food.”

Correct answer: A calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius.

BC B rains

the story of Facebook, and it also told the story of the lawsuits.

The first creation of Facebook happened a few years before the lawsuits, but the movie tells the stories at the same time using flashbacks.

When the movie first did a time jump, it was a bit confusing.

It took me awhile to understand what was going on. Especially since, when the movie did the time jump, it showed both the lawsuits at the same time.

When this happens, you have to listen to the dialogue to understand what just happened.

The main character, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), was a jerk. The reason he appears to be a jerk is that he is very smart and he thinks faster than most people.

At first that is why I thought he acted like a bored child most of the time. He

Sports

Page 11

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Chudy family bonds on more than just sports

By Zak Cowan Reporter

As Jeff Chudy, the head coach of the Bakersfield College football team, is preparing his team for the next opponent, his daughter, Hannah Chudy, will be helping the BC volleyball team compete against College of the Canyons in a Western State Conference South match up.

Hannah enjoyed being brought up around BC athletics through her father.

“It’s exciting [having a head coach as a dad], because I’ve been around this stuff my whole life,” she said. “He’s been coaching here since I was born, so it’s really cool that I get to grow up around [athletics], and experience it.”

Hannah said that the best thing about both of them being at the same college is that she gets to see her dad a lot more often than before.

Some people might think that having a parent in the faculty might put pressure on the student, but Hannah doesn’t agree.

“No, not at all,” she said. “I mean, I guess I could see how people might think that I would have higher standards, that I have to live up to the standards my dad has set and stuff but it’s not. I don’t feel any pressure at all. He’s just really supportive of

[everything I do]. “ Hannah said that her dad has influenced her in a lot of ways, and that she wouldn’t be where she is without him.

“He has had a strong impact on my family, and he’s really hard working in everything he does,” she said. “His side of the family is really athletic, so I guess that is where I got a lot of my athletic ability from.“ Jeff Chudy encouraged Hannah to start at a community college because of its benefits.

“It’s a great place and time in your life to try and figure out what you really want to do,” said Coach Chudy. “She didn’t really know what she wanted to focus in on academically, and it will give her a chance to kind of define who she wants to be and where she wants to go.”

Chudy said that all of his sons have started at BC and thinks it’s a great place for local athletes to start a college education.

Coach Chudy said that Hannah had the freedom to choose what she wanted to do but was probably influenced by the rest of the family.

“She had been involved in [athletics] her whole life. We’re an active family, so it probably just kind of filtered down,” he said. “I’m not the type of guy who is going to force anybody to do anything. She has kind of

Gregory d. cook / The Rip

Above: Jeff Chudy has been the head coach at Bakersfield College since the 2004 season. Here he diagrams a play during a game against Mt. San Antonio College on Oct. 2.

Right: Jeff Chudy’s daughter, Hannah Chudy, sets up for a bump on a return in the BC gym on Oct. 4. been able to pick and choose what she wanted to do, and she has always liked volleyball.”

Chudy said that he hasn’t had a chance to watch one of Hannah’s games, mostly because he is busy with the football season, but that he was able to watch her in club volleyball in the spring.

Even though Chudy is proud of Hannah’s athletic achievements, he holds her education in

higher regards.

“Without a doubt [I’m proud of her],” he said. “I’m excited that she likes school and that she really enjoys her classes and that part is obviously something as a parent you want your kid to do.

“You hope that your kids walk into education and see it of value and they enjoy it, she enjoys it, and I’m glad that she’s involved in extracurricular activities.”

Deedee soto / The Rip

“It’s exciting, because I’ve been around this stuff my whole life. He’s been coaching here since I was born, so it’s really cool that I get to grow up around, and experience it.”

Hannah Chudy, BC freshman volleyball player

BC looks to end long road trip in positive fashion

By Julian Moore Sports Editor

The Bakersfield College volleyball team has played in two tournaments, six matches, and had to deal with the postponement of a game against Cuesta College, all of which have come on the road for over a three-week period.

During the span of eight games, the Renegades have a 3-5 record.

Their most recent game was a loss to the number 10 team in the state, Santa Barbara City College, which came 3-0 by the scores of 25-11, 25-18, 25-19.

Of the extended road trip, head coach Carl Ferreira felt the team gained some experience from the games.

“I felt as a team we played awesome. We’ve had an outstanding learning curve,” he said.

“I think we came out of those two tournaments not even close to being the same team we went in as. We learned a lot about ourselves, and it affects how we prepare, how we change our behavior and even how we approach certain things.”

The Renegades have an upcoming home game on Oct. 8. against the 4-6 College of the Canyons Cougars.

Ferreira was looking

RIP N ation

forward to finally being back at home.

“It’s always fun to play at home, it’s always better to play at home,” he said.

“It tends to be better because it’s your gym, your fans, so it will be exciting when that happens.”

During the extended time away, sophomore transfer student Mary Maiocco suffered a sprained ankle. Ferreira was frustrated to have lost a key player on the team.

“Sports, I hate to say, is kind of the same. Injuries are apart of it,” he said.

“You don’t prepare for them but when it happens you’ve got to focus on what you have, not what you don’t have. Any time you lose a good player it will affect you but that’s the mentality you have to have.”

As she is slated to return by the home game, Ferreira was glad that Maiocco has been teaching the younger players in the mean time.

“Thankfully, the doctors cleared her but she will get limited time, but Mary has really helped some of the other setters prepare in her absence.

“But the team’s got to keep going because the schedule keeps moving.

“So hopefully people are ready when the opportunity presents itself,” he said.

Sept. 4 BC 54, L.A. Pierce 41 Sept. 11 BC 41, Saddleback 24 Sept. 18 BC 63, Antelope Valley 7 Sept. 25 BC 54, Citrus 6 Oct. 2 Mt. SAC 34, BC 20 Oct. 9 Bye Oct. 16 at Allan Hancock Oct. 23 Ventura

Volleyball

Sept. 8 BC 3, Antelope Valley 0 Sept. 17-18 8th place at San Diego Mesa

Tournament Sept. 22 Cuesta (postponed) Sept. 24-25 2-1 record at LA Pierce Tournament Sept. 28 Santa Barbara 3, BC 0 Oct. 1 Bye Oct. 5 at Glendale Oct. 8 Canyons

Soccer

deedee soto / The Rip

Taylor Tafarella returns a volley over the net during practice at the BC gym on Oct. 4.

Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept. 14 Sept. 17 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 5 Oct. 8 Oct. 12

BC 3, Los Medanos 1 BC 0, Evergreen Valley 0 Solano 2, BC 0 Moorpark 2, BC 0 BC 6, West Hills 3 Ventura 3, BC 2 BC 3, Glendale 0 Santa Monica 3, BC 0 LA Mission LA Valley at Citrus

Wrestling Sept. 26 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 23

Bakersfield Duals Santa Ana Tournament Modesto Tournament South Duals Cal-Baptist Open North/South All-Stars

Women’s Golf

deedee soto / The Rip

Bakersfield College labero Mikinzi DeMarco digs for a return in practice on Oct. 4.

Sept. 3-4 1st place finish at Desert

Classic Sept. 13 2nd place finish WSC Santa

Barbara Sept. 20 2nd place finish at Oakmont Sept. 27 WSC Citrus Oct. 3 -4 North South Invitational Oct. 11 WSC Glendale

“Who is going to win the Major League Baseball World Series? And why?”

Editor’s note: Rip Nation is a feature that highlights Bakersfield College’s athletes’ opinions.

Compiled by: Rip Staff

Scorecard Football

Tracy Lewis, volleyball: “The Philadelphia Phillies, because I like their name.”

Marshall Lange, basketball: “New York Yankees, because that’s my favorite baseball team.”

Bill Kalivas, head wrestling coach: “The San Francisco Giants, only because Chicago isn’t in it.”

Lyle Negron, football: “The Philadelphia Phillies, because I want someone to beat the Yankees.”

Aaron Chavez, assistant basketball coach: “The New York Yankees, because the payroll they have helps.”

Sports

Page 12

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Bakersfield College cross country runner Santiago Lazarit works his way up a hill during the Bakersfield Invitational on Oct.1. Lazarit finished thirteenth overall on the meet.

Gregory d. cook / The Rip

Renegade Jason Troust climbs a hill during the Bakersfield Invitational held near Hart Park on Oct.1. The Renegades placed third overall in the meet.

Men and women finish third

By Zak Cowan Reporter

The Bakersfield College men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in their only home invitational on Oct. 1.

The women’s cross country team finished third as a team in the 5k run, with a total score of 52 behind Ventura College and College of the Canyons.

Dennise Mercado, 18, was the first BC runner for the women to come in, and she finished fourth overall with a time of 21:26.

“I think the girls overall worked really hard at practices,” said Mercado. “And I know they give it their all at the meet, so I’m satisfied with the outcome.”

Mercado said that her goal for the day was to run a 20:30, and she was disappointed with her final time.

“I felt like the weather didn’t help at all, but all the runners are feeling the same way, so I had to just deal with it,” she said. “It was good overall considering all the things that were going on and stuff. The course wasn’t tough at all, but just the weather, and there were bugs.”

Blanca Perez, 18, finished sixth overall with a time of 21:56, and was the second woman for BC to cross the finish line.

“I think it was my best race so far this season. I was definitely focused,” said Perez. “[The coaches] are really good at get-

ting us ready for our races.

“I felt like I did negative splits, you know, as I ran the course,” she said. “I just kept getting better and toughing it out more.”

Perez is hoping the women can improve as a team overall going forward.

“I hope our girls can have better races for the rest of the year like we did today, where, you know, we ran together and did better as a team,” said Perez.

Margaret Martinez had higher expectations than her 19th overall finish, but she said that her asthma contributed to her 23:38 time.

“I’ve been having trouble breathing lately,” said Martinez.

“It’s not that it’s a hard course.

I mean it’s an easy course, it’s pretty fast, it’s just [that] I can’t speak for others, but for me it wasn’t the best.”

Pam Kelley, the coach for the BC women’s cross-country team, thought her team performed very well.

“I think we are working toward getting a little bit better,” said Kelley. “We need to move our four, five, and six up a little bit, but I thought in all we did very well today.

She said that she was proud.

“You know the conditions aren’t great,” she said. “It’s hard to compete at home because [the coaches] aren’t with them as much because we’re running the meet, so it’s hard.

Gregory D. cook / The Rip

Runners in the men’s cross country race leave the starting line at the Kern County Soccer Park on Oct. 1. The Renegades finished third overall and will travel to Mount San Antonio College for an invitational on Oct. 15.

“I think the team did really good, but I don’t think we’re quite there yet. We need to work on our regiments a little more and just go out there and run.”

Santiago Lazarit, men’s cross country runner “I thought it was a good [performance]. We had a chance to compete, we didn’t have to leave at five in the morning, and it’s our only home meet of the year so I’m happy about it.”

Kelley is looking forward to the team’s next invitational, which will take place on Oct. 15 at Mt. San Antonio College.

“You got to keep going. You just have to keep running and see where we go from there,” she said.

The men’s cross country team

finished third, with a total score of 82.

Jorge Perez was the first of the men’s team to cross the finish line with a time of 23:21, and he finished sixth overall.

Perez said that he didn’t meet his expectations for the race but that he was well prepared by his coaches in the weeks leading up to the invitational.

Santiago Lazarit, 19, finished 13th overall with a time of 24:26, and was the second BC runner to finish.

“I thought I met my expectations,” said Lazarit. “I’ve been drinking a ton of water the past few days, but today the weather was too hot and humid, but I liked how resilient we were.

“It was tough, the course should be really easy, but it’s a tough course when you factor in the weather.”

Lazarit doesn’t think the team met its full potential at the invitational.

“I think the team did really good, but I don’t think we’re quite there yet. We need to work on our regiments a little more, and just go out there and run,” he said. “The season is almost over, but I’ve got my hopes up.”

Dave Frickel, the men’s cross country coach, thinks that his team did the best they could, but there is more they can do to get better.

“Yeah I think they did their best,” said Frickel. “I think we need to be a little more aggressive in races, and probably be a little more focused in reference to not letting people go ahead, and stay with them.”

Frickel said that he is now starting to see a better image of his top five runners, and he likes where they are in that perspective.

“We’re starting to see a pecking order developing a little bit,” he said. “Some of the places are interchangeable though, and I think it’s good that they don’t have a pecking order in that respect, that way they’re all hungry, and they’ll run a little harder.”

Frickel said that he thinks the men’s team met expectations, and that he thinks the women’s team had their best day of the season as a team.

Soccer team hangs on while gaining an identity

By Vincent Perez Features Editor

The Bakersfield College women’s soccer team lost 3-0 on the road at Santa Monica on Oct. 1.

“They outplayed us in the first half,” said BC coach Scott Dameron.

He added, “We didn’t have a lot of scoring chances.”

“They did better than us in the first half as far as getting forward and turning those into chances, so it was fair that

they were up 1-0 at halftime,” he said.

The Renegades are 1-1 in the Western State Conference and 3-3-1 overall.

Dameron said that BC played better in the second half despite giving up two goals.

“We came out and played well [in the second half], but we gave up a goal right after kickoff and another one shortly after that. We spent most of the second half being the pressuring team – we only faced one or two shots. We were the team that controlled the game, but we gave up goals.”

He added, “The spirit and fighting for the game was there.”

“We didn’t stop competing – we just need to find that finishing touch,” he said.

“We created chances to score – we just didn’t finish them, and they did.”

The BC women won their conference opener 3-0 over Glendale on Sept. 28 with a hat trick by sophomore Brittany Hunt.

“That’s just the way we needed to start out, and a shutout is good. It’s just our second shutout, and that’s got to give

them more confidence,” said Dameron.

With BC and Glendale receiving yellow cards to various players at the end of the game, Dameron explained why and how BC responded.

“This was a pretty physical game – I thought we battled well.”

However, he added, “There are still times in the game where we fail for a little while and we pick it back up, so we’re still trying to find that complete 90-minute effort, but we’re getting closer to it.”

BC lost to Ventura 3-2 on Sept. 24 in

their last non-conference match.

Dameron noted the losses of freshmen Erica Wilcox and Chelsea Cable due to serious concussions earlier in September.

Both players are out indefinitely for the season.

“We’re going with who is healthy,” said Dameron, who saw the challenges the women faced and is pleased with how the players are responding.

“We need to stay patient and not get frustrated if we don’t score,” added Dameron.

Sports

Page 13

The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

FootbaLL: Renegades lose first game of the year

gregory d. cook / The Rip

The Bakersfield College cheer team pumps up the crowd during a game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 2.

Continued from Page 1 to avoid a penalty for delay of game at the 9:50 mark, but they would turn the ball over three plays later on a Campbell interception.

Chudy talked about the miscues the Renegades were having.

“There’s enough inconsistency to go around for everybody, and I’ll be the first guy to take the blame. I’m not going to point fingers at anybody else.

We didn’t get ready to play at the level that we needed to play at, and at the end of the day, that’s on me,” he said.

Mt. SAC would add another field goal on its next possession, while BC couldn’t put up another score. The Mounties would run the clock down and walk away with the win. Mt. SAC improves to 5-0, while BC drops to 4-1 overall.

After the game, Chudy talked about what his team struggled with early and often.

“They converted on third down and a bunch twice a couple times.

The quarterback scrambles and we missed tackles. It’s indicative

of how the game went. I think our effort was outstanding, we just didn’t execute well enough to get it done at the end of the day,” he said. “I have to look in the mirror and say, ‘Why didn’t we do that?’ And we’re going to have to right the ship.

“I think we have a group of kids that are capable of playing at a high level, but we didn’t play at our highest level. We knew going into this game, that we would have to execute at a high level and we just couldn’t get it done.”

Lamaison threw for 398 yards and one touchdown on 22-for-38 passing, and Mt. SAC running back Bryce McBride ran the ball 27 times for 92 yards and one touchdown. “[Lamaison] made good choices. We rushed six and a half guys and they did a good job of protecting him. You have to give them credit. They did a good job of scheming us, and they did a nice job of getting their guys prepared to play. We struggled and their coaches and players got it done when they had to,” said Chudy.

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Mt. San Antonio College defensive back Deshawn Gaisie (20) moves to intercept a pass intended for Brandon Hobby in the third quarter of BC’s game in Memorial Stadium on Oct. 2 Gaisie returned the interception to BC’s 1-yard line.

The Renegades get a bye week before traveling to Hancock on Oct. 16 for their first conference matchup of the season.

“We struggled with everything that we tried to do. Defensively, we have to tackle better and offensively we have to block people. We’re inconsistent with our snaps, and that’s a lot of our issues too. Collectively as a group we have to get better,” said Chudy.

Gregory d. Cook / The Rip

Renegades reciever George Robbins comes down with a third-quarter pass Oct. 2.

Gregory D. Cook / The Rip

Renegades quarterback Byron Campbell attempts to evade Mounties defensive lineman Vaikalafi Lutui in Memorial Stadium on Oct. 2. The Renegades lost the game 34-20.

Page 14

Eyes of the Rip The Renegade Rip www.therip.com

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

By Mateo M. Melero Magazine Editor

Bakersfield’s first-ever Zombie Walk takes over the night to benefit local charities photos by Carissa Edwards, Mateo M. Melero and Annie Stockman / The Rip Blood splatters by denny tang

It was a normal Saturday night on the corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue.

Families chomped down on hamburgers, mothers looked for upgrades in home décor at the Bed, Bath and Beyond, and young professionals sipped on specialty coffee while they surfed the Internet inside Borders.

All was ordinary at the Stockdale Fashion Plaza Shopping Center on the night of Sept. 25 – then the zombies arrived.

Massing in the parking lot outside of In-N-Out Burger, the living dead limped around as flesh fell from their faces and blood dripped from their teeth.

Zombies of all shapes, sizes, colors and stages of decomposition could be seen, including a former carhop that milled about aimlessly in a deteriorated state, a little girl whose ill fate had enlisted her among the ranks of zombies and even a small lap dog drenched in the blood of its victims.

As curious onlookers passed by, they were greeted with groans of hunger by the dead, but unlike the helpless victims seen in the films of George R. Romero, the living were in no risk of being eaten alive. The zombies were not actually the cannibal monsters portrayed in films and video games, just local enthusiasts and performance artists dressed up to participate in Bakersfield’s first-ever Zombie Walk.

Organizer Jennifer Sorkin, a local theater performer and longtime participant in Halloween haunted house attractions, said, “It’s just something that I’ve wanted to do for a really long time.”

Garbed in a wedding dress drenched with fake blood, Sorkin explained the purpose and goal of the event.

“This walk is specifically going to benefit the Alpha Canine Society and the OKRA, Orphan Kitten Rescue and Adoption Agency,” said Sorkin, “and basically what we do is we all come dressed as zombies and we each bring an item to donate, and then we walk as representatives to raise awareness for the event itself.”

Aside from raising contributions to the animal societies, the event was also intended as an alternative form of self-expression within the community.

Heading out from the In-N-Out burger parking lot at 6 p.m., the horde of flesh eating fans consisted of about 150 participants who interacted with the traffic as they shouted out their mimics of zombie groans to cars that whizzed by.

As they wobbled, ran and lurked their way along Stockdale Highway, the zombies made sure to follow the traffic rules and not harass any onlookers of the event.

Sorkin was pleased with the outcome of the undead walk and said, “We got great donations for dogs and cats. We got collars and leashes and food – everything we were asking for on the Facebook page,” said Sorkin.