Salty & Sweet Ema and Julie visit At C Fresh
Best & Favorites
Results of the 2021 Readers' Choice Poll are in!
"The Disappearing West"
Filmmaker creates a love letter to vanishing western heritage
May 2021 Salty's BBQ & Catering owner Jeff Salters
THE KING OF BARBECUE
8
time winner Salty's BBQ & Catering takes the crown again
OTHER BEST OF WINNERS INCLUDE: Valley Strong Credit Union Adventist Health Bakersfield Castle & Cooke AND MORE!
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Plus, three new inductees in the Best Of Hall Of Fame!
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EDITOR’S
NOTE
Community showed up for its favorite spots
» SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS EDITOR
Ema Sasic PUBLISHER Cliff Chandler EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christine Peterson SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS DESIGNER
Julie Mana-ay Perez PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Ellis Richard Forrester Alex Horvath Ema Sasic Julie Mana-ay Perez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anna Marie Frank Jessica Jones Lisa Kimble Ronda Newport Lyle W. Norton Katrina Singleton Julie Plata Katherine Winters
THE ANNUAL BEST OF READERS’ CHOICE POLL HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST OF THE BEST IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THIS CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME. Last year was full of so many uncertainties. Restaurants and stores closed for several months, not knowing when, or if, they would be able to reopen. School districts went into full distance learning mode, wondering when they could see those smiling faces in the hallways once again. Entertainment events were canceled left and right, making us worry for the future of theaters and venues. But despite all the changes, people continued to show up for their community. When restaurants could only have delivery or take-out services, people made sure to put in their orders to support them the way they knew best. Same thing with local businesses and virtual events. Though there were tough times, there were reasons to smile last year, and Bakersfield residents know how to be there for each other. Which brings me to our Best Of issue. Inside our magazine are the top voted winners and favorites that range from entertainment and food and dining to health and wellness, retail and services categories. We received so many votes this year from the community, and the winners and favorites are a diverse bunch. You have some familiar names and faces in here, and some new businesses that have already made quite an impression in town. Even though some of these places were shuttered last year, the community was there to cheer them on and support them when it came to our poll. I think this year’s honor for winners and favorites will mean so much more than years prior, just knowing what every business in town had to go through. We love celebrating our local businesses, and it’s exciting to be
able to present them with this honor! We also have three new inductees into the Best Of Hall of Fame. These businesses are iconic and some of the places you think of when it comes to Bakersfield. They each told Julie and me about some of the struggles they have endured last year, but they made it out on the other side and are so grateful for the continued support. It was great getting to meet the owners and learn more about their establishments. There are so many reasons to celebrate this year compared to last year, and hopefully our Best Of issue is another one of them. In other news, this will be my last editor’s note as I’m moving on to a new opportunity at The Desert Sun in Palm Springs. I’ve enjoyed my time at The Californian and Bakersfield Life immensely, but I’m looking forward to a new adventure. Even though I won’t be a part of the magazine’s journey anymore, I’ll keep reading from afar, and I know the team will continue to do great work! Thank you for welcoming me and sharing feedback, good or bad, always. Here’s to new adventures!
Ema Sasic Editor 661-395-7392 esasic@bakersfield.com Follow her on Twitter: @ema_sasic
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COMING UP IN JUNE... The Family / Pet Issue
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CONTENTS
MAY 2021 Vol. 15 / Issue No. 9
UP FRONT Editor's Note Meet our Contributors May Events Pet of the Month What We're Streaming
LIFESTYLES Real Estate Peace of Mind Beauty Love & Life DIY Health Business Profile The Marketplace
EAT & DRINK Salty & Sweet Sip & Swirl What's Cooking What We're Loving
GO & DO
Arts & Culture Out & About Entertainment
4 14 16 18 19
23 25 28 29 30 31 32 34
35 38 40 42
28 97
23
89 92 94
GREAT KERN COUNTY Personality Giving Back Our Town Bakersfield Matters History
97 100 102 104 106
35
O N T H E C OV E R
Owner of Salty's BBQ & Catering Jeff Salters. Salty's is also one of three local businesses to be inducted into the Best Of Hall of Fame for the class of 2021.
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May 2021
— Photo by Richard Forrester
844-BEAUTOLOGIE
www.beautologie.com
BREAST AUGMENTATION LIPOSUCTION MOMMY MAKEOVER HAIR TRANSPLANT BOTOX LASER THERAPY FILLERS Best of “Favorite” 2005 Best of Bakersfield 2006 Best of Bakersfield 2007 Best of Bakersfield 2008 Best of Bakersfield 2009 Best of “Favorite” 2010 Best of Bakersfield 2011 Best of Bakersfield 2012 Best of Bakersfield 2013 Best of Bakersfield 2014 Best of “Favorite” 2014 Best of Bakersfield 2015 Best of “Favorite” 2015 Best of Bakersfield 2016 Best of “Favorite” 2017 Best of Bakersfield 2018 Best of “Favorite” 2018 Best of Bakersfield 2019 Best of “Favorite” 2019 Best of Bakersfield 2020 Best of “Favorite” 2020
Dr. Darshan Shah Best plastic surgeon
BAKERSFIELD
FRESNO
Best place to work
STOCKTON
Dr. Milan Shah Best specialty doctor
NEWPORT BEACH
IN APPRECIATION OF OUR 17th STRAIGHT YEAR AS YOUR BEST AND FAVORITE
FEATURES 45 2021 Best Of Results
The votes are in and our readers have spoken! Every year, thousands of people nominate and vote on what they think is the best in Bakersfield.
84 Best Of Hall of Fame
Three more local institutions were inducted into the Best Of Hall of Fame for their longevity, service and commitment to the community. Take a look at this year's champions!
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2021
MEET OUR
CONTRIBUTORS Anna Marie Frank Anna is a brain health expert, a worksite wellness specialist, published author, lecturer, business owner, and, as if that doesn't keep her busy enough, she's also the mother of two thriving children. Follow Anna and find information on how you can become your best self @HappyWholeYou on Instagram and Facebook.
Lisa Kimble Lisa is an Emmy Award-winning former broadcast journalist who began her career in radio. She's done it all — news anchoring, producing, radio and is one of Bakersfield Life's regular contributors. Lisa has served on countless community boards in Bakersfield such as the Junior League of Bakersfield and has been a Kern County grand juror, to name a few.
Lyle W. Norton Lyle is a wine enthusiast and blogger who has written a wine column for 20 years. He incorporates wine into his passion to travel and tries to bring his readers along on the journey. Visit his blog at lifebylyle.com.
GUEST
CONTRIBUTORS Katrina Singleton Katrina Singleton is a student at Cal State Bakersfield studying English. She was a former reporter and News Editor for The Runner at CSUB. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @irlkatrina.
Katherine Winters Katherine Winters is the CFO of White Wolf Wellness Foundation and a massage therapist. This year she celebrates her 20th year as a yoga practitioner. Follow her on Instagram @whitewolfwellness.
Ronda Newport Julie Plata Julie is a historian and lecturer at Cal State Bakersfield and Cerro Coso Community College. She has been a contributor to Bakersfield Life Magazine since 2015 and loves to bring the stories of Bakersfield’s past to life. When she isn’t digging through the archives, she loves spending time with her family and menagerie of pets.
Jessica Jones Jessica is a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, a wife and a homeschooling mom to two teens. She is passionate about her faith, loved ones and our community. Her hobbies include yoga, hiking, fitness, gardening, thrifting and flipping furniture. She loves to write daily in her journal, for her blog, a novel each November for Nanowrimo and now for Bakersfield Life.
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May 2021
Ronda Newport, Realtor at Watson Realty, currently serves as the president of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors.
INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING A STORY TO THE MAGAZINE? We feature all things lifestyle — including business, food, health, beauty, individuals who make our community greater, events and more! Email our staff at bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com
Rick Sorci CKD Shawna Sorci General Contractor #905759
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WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS MONTH
GIVE BIG KERN Give Big Kern mascot Billy the Give Big Goat reminds everyone to “Give B-I-I-I-G!” to Kern’s hard-working nonprofits on givebigkern.org now through May 4. Minimum donation is just $5. Visit givebigkern.org for more information.
MENTO BURU AND BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE RELEASE "RENEGADE SOUNDS" When: May 2, 2021 Bakersfield Latin ska raggae group Mento Buru collaborates with the Bakersfield College Commercial Music program and the Bakersfield College Foundation on a three-song EP featuring new recordings of the school's iconic "Renegade Fight Song." @mentoburu
Full Moon Ride When: May 26, 2021 Where: Beach Park Time: 7 p.m. Bike Bakersfield, Kern Council of Governments and Kern County Public Works along iwth their coalition of active transporation partners, are gearing up for Kern County Bike Month 2021. Check out Bike Bakersfield's Facebook page for more events throughout the month of May.
May Madness: National Jet Boat Association When: May 15 & 16, 2021 Where: Lake Ming Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fee: $10, Kids 12 and under are free The National Jet Boat Association is an organization to promote the sport of drag boat racing. Over the past four decades the club has had an enormous following and dedication for the purpose of advancing the sport on the liquid quarter mile. visitbakersfield.com
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May 2021
Danny & Kait in The Morning want to
Thank You
for supporting our family owned Radio Station Rewind 98.1 and Rewind 93.5 Plus our Husband & Wife Morning Show for
3 years in a row!
MIRAMAR INTERNATIONAL,
Kern County’s largest real estate brokerage, would like to thank you for nominating us for
BEST REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE. SINCE 2009!
“Thank you Bakersfield for trusting Miramar International through the vast challenges of the pandemic. We are excited for the bright days ahead, p g of the community.” as we continue to lead the reopening Dan T. Shanyfelt, Founder & Owner - Miramar International, Inc.
2020
Search ALL HOMES in Kern County
www.MiramarRealtyCA.com
Visit one of our seven locations. (661) 282-8980 | 10800 Stockdale Highway Suite 101 | Bakersfield, CA 93311 @Miramar.International.HQ DRE Lic #01866121
Partner Content
Pet of the Month
Gemma Breed: Pitbull terrier ID # A121092 Color: Blue and white Sex: Female Weight: 63 pounds Age: 1 year old
Lifestyle: Active Temperament: Social Obedience: No training Behavior: Friendly to men, women and other dogs.
BAKERSFIELD ANIMAL CARE CENTER 201 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93307 661-832-PETS (661-832-7387) Hours of Operation: By appointment only Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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May 2021
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD ANIMAL CARE CENTER
What We're Streaming
What We’re Streaming in May
“WRONG TURN (2021)” (YOUTUBE TV): There’s nothing I love more than a good horror film. The “Wrong Turn” franchise is made up of six movies, each movie becoming more predictable than the next, which is one of the reasons why I love watching them. “Wrong Turn” is centered around a group of young college friends traveling to a secluded area to hike for a weekend. The friends decide to stray off of the trail where it leads to deadly traps that then scare and injure them. The group runs into The Foundation, a community of mountain dwellers, and gets themselves into trouble. What made “Wrong Turn” different from the rest is that this was not the average, predictable plot. The climax of the film had me on the edge of my seat and is a remake worth watching. “IRRESISTIBLE” (HBO MAX): “Irresistible” is a political comedy starring Steve Carell and Rose Byrne. The first scene of the movie is set during the 2016 presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, setting a divide between two political campaign managers, Gary Zimmers and Faith Brewster. After losing the election, Gary struggles to find a redemption moment for the Democrats so he lends his services to a former veteran in a small town and convinces him to run for mayor
as a Democrat. Once Faith learns what Gary is doing, she makes it her mission to beat him once again. Throughout the film, the audience gets to see the comedic flare between Carell and Byrne. — Julie Mana-ay Perez, specialty publications designer ”TED LASSO” (APPLE TV PLUS): If you’re looking for a quick comedy to watch these days, I can’t recommend “Ted Lasso” enough. Ted (played by Jason Sudeikis) is a college football coach who is randomly recruited to coach an English Premier League team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience coaching soccer, let alone knowing the rules. This all came to be because Rebecca, the new owner of AFC Richmond following her divorce settlement, wants to ruin the team, as it’s the only thing her ex-husband truly cares about, and her sabotage efforts include picking Ted as the coach, who will surly ruin the team. Initially you think he’s going to fail right away. Ted seems like a ditzy guy at first, but there’s so much more to him — he’s smart, he’s caring and he knows how to fight for his teammates, even if they’re not the nicest to him at first. This show has a lot of heart and soul to it, and you’ll be begging for a second season in no time. — Ema Sasic, specialty publications editor
Thank You Bakersfield For Trusting Us For Over 79 Years
75 2020
327-ROOF (7663)
solar@bswroofing.com
Lic. #828481
www.bswroofing.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Partner Content
LIFESTYLES
Why home life is more important than ever amid COVID-19 By Ronda Newport
» IT IS STILL DIFFICULT TO FATHOM THAT WE HAVE JUST CROSSED THE ONE-YEAR MARK SINCE THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS WAS DECLARED A PANDEMIC. Over the course
of the past year, stay-at-home orders have been mandated throughout California. Most of us would have never expected that in April 2021, many would still be working from home and that our children would still be attending their Zoom classrooms. Yet, with spring in the air and vaccinations on the rise, there is hope! There is chatter about full reopening in our communities and a return to normalcy on the horizon.
Yet, it goes without saying that “normal” will likely never be the same again. One clear example of this is how the concept of home has changed dramatically over the past year. Home has become so much more than home. Homes have become schools, offices, recreational playgrounds, gardens and gyms. As a result, families have been forced in many ways to reevaluate their current homes, their priorities and their lifestyles — mainly where they live, both homes and communities. Months and months under the executive stay-at-home » See more on home life on PAGE 24
UNSPLASH.COM
www.BakersfieldLife.com
23
Partner Content
Lifestyles
Y O U ’ R E A LWA Y S W E L C O M E A T
Gables Residential Care Homes orders, requiring most families to spend nearly all their time at their home, pushed families to evaluate their homes and needs. If you can work remotely and you do not love where you live, it makes perfect sense that you would take inventory of all your options. Sky-high living expenses in big cities in small apartments are no longer easy to justify without city life incentives. Early in the pandemic, those with the financial ability soon started to compete for homes with more square footage, outdoor spaces, home offices and larger kitchens. It is no secret that as young people start families, they’re more likely to move to the suburbs or where they can find more space and affordability. COVID-19 hastened this trend from the beginning. First-time homebuyers entered the market at the highest rates in a decade. Second homes have also remained in high demand. Funds set aside for vacations and travel expenses are being allocated elsewhere. Some employers have already set policies allowing some or all employees to work remotely for good, offering more encouragement for people to seek out larger, more affordable homes. We have seen this trend first-hand in our community because of the affordability Bakersfield still has to offer. There has been a significant migration into our area where people have committed and bought a home in a more affordable location. Offices, hair salons, gyms, schools, restaurants and other businesses slowly take baby steps toward a full reopening. However, the lessons that we have learned this past year from experiencing the ups and downs, rule changes, uncertainty, reopenings and closings have taught us that home is more important than ever through the stability and comfort it provides. Homes with an abundant amount of space to work, go to school, exercise and find leisure remain crucial, as things can change in a blink of an eye.
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May 2021
RCFE No. 157204176
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When living at home is no longer the best option for your loved one, visit the private homes of Gables Residential Care.
In these elegant, family homes, you will find:
Thank you for your continued support!
Northwest Promenade
The Meadows • 10702 Four Bears Dr.
• Comforts of home in a beautiful surrounding • Caring and competent staff on duty 24 hours a day • Only six residents in each home – companionship with others • Personal assistance with activities of daily living – bathing, dressing, grooming, meals, medication supervision, transportation – whatever is needed. • Delicious, home-cooked meals and snacks • Lovely patios and secure walking paths • Alzheimer’s/Hospice Waivers 9160 Rosedale Hwy Suite 500 Bakersfield, Ca 93312 (661) 587-4994 (800) 587-6737
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Peace of Mind
The world of health is in need of a strong foundation By Anna Marie Frank
» OUR NATION’S FOUNDATION OF HEALTH NEEDS A MAJOR OVERHAUL. As this pandemic unfolds and the “nocebo” effect takes its toll on an already-fragile population, it pushes me to spread positive, valuable and effective information centered around the fact that YOU have more control over your biology than you are led to believe. Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay six-feet away, get a doughnut for getting vaccinated — is this the best our country can do? When I evaluate a client’s foundation of health, I look at their stress level, nutritional and water intake, quality of sleep, brain type, pH levels and their bowels. Do they have physical markers on their tongue, nails and in their eyes? Do they have a strong energetic field? There are a million questions I could ask a client, but the most important thing I must do is look and listen. Listen to their words and see what their bodies tell through observation. Do you think any of these things could impact how someone’s body and mind responds to COVID-19? I bring this up because in natural health, we look at an individual’s foundation of health (mind, body, spirit and energy) and we work on reinforcing areas that need more support. If we all worked on building a strong immune system, for example, would this virus be the hot topic it is today? Would our biology be better equipped to deal with this virus and others? I would bet YES! So I ask, why are we not promoting a strong foundation of health in America? Why is a naturopathic approach to supporting one’s health forgein in our country? My name is Anna Marie Frank, a board-certified doctor of naturopathy. I am not a Western doctor. My approach to supporting an individual is holistic. It is an approach that encompasses mind, body and spirit. I submersed myself in wellness more than 20 years ago. Through my own health challenges and personal healing, I was led to do what I do now. My personal healing was not a straight-up physical ailment that I remedied. My healing came from healing my brain and mind. YOU MAY FIND THIS INTERESTING: The brain is the only organ in your body where medication is prescribed even though it has never been examined. We can’t measure a “chemical imbalance” in one’s brain, yet we give mind-altering
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA MARIE FRANK
medications for that “imbalance” that have life-threatening side effects, and again, there is never a clear indicator of what is chemically going on in the brain. I share this with you because this was me. I went to my doctor and within minutes I had three mind-altering drugs prescribed to me. These meds had many side effects, which made me feel worse, and if it were not for a little light inside of me, I may not be here today. This experience led me to question what was expected when it came to my personal health. I was led to believe someone in a white coat had more control over my biology than I did. I was never taught how to build a strong baseline of health (mind, body and spirit), and this was so wrong! I had more control of my personal health and well-being! Our bodies are always speaking to us — are you listening? So here we are in a pandemic and I ask you: What are you doing to improve your foundations of health? How are you taking care of your mind, body and spirit? What is something you need right now to support your well-being? Here are some basics to help build you up: participate in positive conversations; get quality sleep; eat fruits, veggies and herbs daily; move your body; get sunshine; touch your bare feet to the earth (it’s called earthing); keep learning; and live your purpose! The views expressed in this column are those of Anna Marie Frank.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
25
Toro Fusion Grill Meet Philip Chang, co-owner of Toro Fusion Grill, serving Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine for nearly 15 years. The Chang family’s background in the hotel industry helped grow their customer service experience, and after moving to Bakersfield in 2001, they felt that The Marketplace would be a great location to start their new business. Established in 2007 as one of the first Japanese restaurants in Bakersfield, Toro Fusion Grill has been offering the Bakersfield community an extensive menu filled with a variety of sushi, noodles, and rice dishes. Toro Fusion Grill uses black rice in its dishes which naturally detoxifies the body, boosts the eye, skin, and immune system health, and acts as an antioxidant. House favorite menu items include the Popcorn Lobster Roll, Chicken Teriyaki Hot Stone Bowl, and Poke Tuna. To make a reservation or place an order for takeout, call 661-663-7878 or visit www.torofusiongrill.com. Located at 9000 Ming Ave, Suite T4, Bakersfield, CA 93311.
Lifestyles
Tips from an expert
Haircare with Carie McKay-Rose By Julie Mana-ay Perez
From the bottom of our hearts, We would like to thank you for taking the time to vote for us. We appreciate you!
» I THINK MOST OF US FANTASIZE ABOUT HAVING HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL LOOKING HAIR. From our trials and errors with products, some of us can’t seem to get it right. With the right stylist and the right products to look for, you can achieve that look. I asked Carie McKay-Rose, a stylist at Sola Salon Studio, a series of questions of how to take better care of our hair, virgin or color treated, and what products and trends to try.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAIR DURING THE SUMMERTIME:
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If you go swimming, there’s a chance you might damage your hair from the sun or chlorine from the pool, said McKay-Rose. She said before you jump into the pool, wet your hair first. “Hair will absorb fresh water and not much of the chlorine water once you get in. And wash your hair afterwards,” she said.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAIR DURING THE WINTERTIME: When the season changes to colder weather, some of us notice our hair becoming dry. McKay-Rose recommends using certain shampoos, like one of her favorites, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo, to balance your scalp and the oils you’re naturally producing, and it keeps your hair and scalp healthy. She also recommends using eucalyptus oil if you have issues with your scalp.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID USING: McKay-Rose said to avoid products that contain sulfate because they will dry out your hair.
FAVORITE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS: “I’m a Redken girl. As far as my color goes and my products, Redken is a great brand,” she said. Another product McKay-Rose recommends to people is Milbon, an affordable and
quality brand.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE BOUNCY AND VOLUMINOUS HAIR? McKay-Rose recommends using volumizer such as Milbon thickening mist, which will add texture and thicker hair strands. It also depends what part of your hair you want to have volume — on the bottom or top of your head. Round brushes will help with volume at the scalp. “The bigger the brush, the more volume. The smaller the brush, the more curl,” she said. “Guts 10 volume spray foam from Redken is a spray mousse that goes on your scalp. Rub it in, use a round brush after and it should give you the volume on the top.”
HOW TO AVOID DAMAGED ENDS: “Make sure you’re trimming your hair. If you’re hair isn’t growing, it’s probably breaking off,” she said. McKay-Rose advises people to trim their hair every three months, and if your hair is colored, trim every six weeks. “Split ends continue to split. They just don’t stop at the bottom. Don’t pick them off. Take scissors and cut your hair instead of pulling it; your hair naturally has different layers, anyway,” she said.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH A HAIR STYLIST: McKay-Rose said hair experts like herself are able to determine what’s damaging a person’s hair, what products to recommend based on their hair, how to use those hair products, how to style your hair and what we can do to treat our hair so our scalps and ends are healthy. “You can go to the store and buy a product and hate it because it didn’t work right. Sometimes it’s because you didn’t use it properly,” she said.
PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ, COURTESY OF CARIE MCKAY-ROSE
Love & Life
LEFT: Jessica Jones, right, has a picture in the mountains with her mother, brother and family dog Teddy. BOTTOM: Jessica Jones, second from the left, surrounded by her cousins and mother on her wedding day.
Mother By Jessica Jones
» I STOOD OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE FOR WHAT FELT LIKE FOREVER TO PICK UP MY MOM FROM HER FIRST SURGERY AT THE BEGINNING OF HER JOURNEY WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED BREAST CANCER. The day was long, and hospital staff locating a vacant wheelchair was all that stood in the way of me reclaiming my momma. When they finally brought her to me, I realized I had never in all my life been so relieved and happy to see her. We got her settled into the car and began a slow and careful 20 minute ride back to her house, and we talked about the day. We decided it was best to get her home and comfortable while I got her prescriptions filled, so that is what we did. As I approached the pharmacy tech to give her my mom’s info, I began to cry as I told her why I was filling it for her. The ride back to her home was just long enough to have a cry and to reflect before seeing her again. I was reminded of just how blessed I am to have her in my life. She is an amazing mom, very caring and selfless in countless ways. And after years of caring for my brother and me, her husband and grandchildren, it is now time to heal, rest and allow us to care for her. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESSICA JONES
My mom cares for us as only she can, with all that she is. In my childhood, she worked full time while raising us and cared for the home. On weekends, we cleaned and shopped together and went to church almost every Sunday. She was also an assistant coach on my soccer team. She supported me when I sang in the school choir and taught me to drive a stick shift. She had the strength to discipline me and required me to do things I didn’t want to do, like keep my room tidy, a nearly impossible task. She taught me to respect my elders, be kind and strive to be a hard-working and honest person. She also knew when to let me fail. In my later high school years, I bombed some of my classes. After spending my summer retaking those classes, I learned to push myself, earning a 3.85 graduating GPA. There are countless ways my mom has been there for me over the years. No matter what trials she or I have faced, her example is to always trust in God. She has loved and forgiven me, prayed for me and supported me. And so, as we celebrate our moms and rejoice in the privilege of being someone’s mom, I want to give a special shout-out to my mom, Jeannette Foster. I thank you! Although I cannot fully repay your motherly care for me, I’d like to honor you by sharing your unconditional love with others. I’ll propose to be an example of God’s strength. And to always love and support my kids. The opinions expressed in this column are those of Jessica Jones. www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Lifestyles
DIY
Turning clay strawberry pots into outdoor decor Submitted by Andy and Donna Wahrenbrock
» ON A LAZY SPRING DAY OF BACKYARD CHORES A FEW YEARS AGO AT OUR LAS PALMAS NEIGHBORHOOD HOME, AN EMPTY CLAY STRAWBERRY POT WAS IN MY WAY. So I decided to paint it. Then another and another, as you can see. The general idea was for a patio motif that caught one’s eye. Subsequently, I thought a remote light disc I had seen at Costco might make a fun atmosphere for evening entertainment. For those so inclined, the process is easy. I scuff the surface with medium sandpaper and then apply a coat of Kilz primer sealer. I then paint the inside with a couple of coats of quality spray paint. For the outside, either Rust-oleum brush-on paint or spray. A tip for the openings when using spray paint for the exterior is to inflate a party balloon inside the pot to block overspray. The side openings can be covered with masking tape. Although more colorful than traditional paper luminaries, they fade after a couple of years in the Bakersfield climate. A repaint is easy. The downside is we still have to go to the market to get strawberries.
Andy Wahrenbrock turned his empty clay strawberry pots into fun nighttime outdoor decor.
— Andy and Donna Wahrenbrock
New Construction Remodel AC Change Outs Service Repairs and more
Thank you Kern County for your support! 2225 D St. Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Office: 661-447-4334 Cell: 661-474-9110 30
May 2021
PHOTOS COURTESY ANDY AND DONNA WAHRENBROCK
Lifestyles
Yoga for health
White Wolf Wellness reveals the benefits of practicing yoga
BASIC YOGA POSES TO TRY Three-legged dog
Upward-facing dog
By Katherine Winters
» IT HAS BEEN SAID “FROM OUR FIRST BREATH TO OUR LAST THE ONLY THING CONSTANT IS CHANGE.” If that statement holds a thread of truth, then isn’t the ability to adapt an essential part of life? At the White Wolf Wellness Foundation, we use yoga, meditation and breathwork to help us navigate the ever-changing flow of life. As yogis, we try to get better at mastering the art of change by observing it within. Yoga poses allow us to move our bodies in intelligent and safe ways — keeping our joints healthy and capable of their full movement or ranges of motion. The poses also help keep our muscle tissues toned and pliable and less prone to injury and pain. Somedays you wake up and you feel stiffness in one shoulder, somedays the low back is tight. With a regular yoga practice, you learn to adjust your movements to the changes you witness within your body. As one of our head teachers, Stephen Winters, often says, “You have never practiced yoga in a body this old before, so take a minute to get to know it.” We also practice deep rhythmic breathing. Mindful breathwork allows us to have a connection to our
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nervous system. To be able to connect to your nervous system is truly a life changing skill. At some point you will experience a rise in nervous energy, or a sympathetic nervous system response. This “fight or flight” nervous system is responsible for all anxiety and fear-laden reactions. Through simple adaptations of our breathing patterns, you can decrease anxiety, slow down racing thoughts and reduce fear. Being able to stay calm and clear headed through those anxiety-riddled times is essential in adaptability because it allows you to also stay open to possibilities instead of closing down with fear. Yoga and breathwork have also been shown through research to improve health in nearly every system of the body. You have high blood pressure? It can help with that. You have an autoimmune disease? It will help with that. You have asthma? Trouble concentrating? A stiff neck? Injured knee? An active athlete? You only have five minutes to spare? Yes, yes, yes, it can help with those too. Ultimately there is a style of yoga for everyone because the practice of yoga itself is adaptable to fit every body type, age, gender, physical condition and level of flexibility.
Warrior I pose Warrior II pose
Standing forward bend
Lord of the dance pose
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Business Profile
Promotional Content
Today Cleaners
TODAY CLEANERS HAS BEEN LOCAL AND FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 70 YEARS. We believe that our unique combination of customer service options, state-ofthe-art technology and an outstanding focus on people is the secret to our longevity.
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STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY:
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• GreenEarth Cleaning – You invest in your clothes; we invest in the technology to care for them. Our exclusive system is gentle on your clothes and our environment. You can actually see and feel the difference it makes. Whites are whiter, colors are brighter, clothes feel softer and last longer! • Express Bags – Two free garment bags with barcode identification let us know they are yours. Drop them
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FOCUS ON PEOPLE:
• Customers – We value our customers, so we do everything we can to provide them with the highest quality, most convenience and friendliest service possible. • Employees – We help our employees achieve their full potential. We firmly believe happy, knowledgeable, and well-trained employees are better able to serve our customers and ensure the success of our business. • Community – It is our honor to partner with several local organizations to impact the lives of those in need. We look forward to supporting our community for years to come. Our commitment to being the best at what we do — and doing it more efficiently, sustainably and economically — has made Today Cleaners the “Best of Kern” for 28 years in a row. Thank you for trusting Today Cleaners to help you look and feel your best!
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Today Cleaners has been voted “Best Dry Cleaner” in Kern County for 28 years, and we couldn’t have done it without YOU! We are proud to be part of such a great community and would like to thank Kern County for its continued support!
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Promotional Content
A Mother's Day special Central California Vineyard captured in a watercolor painting
Unique, custom-designed jewelry by Raul Zavala
Fine jewelry, diamond settings and custom design. Most repairs done in one day, while you wait! Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds 5009 Stockdale Highway Inside Lucky's Boutique 661-205-9171
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Do you have a vineyard or orchard that you would like to see in a watercolor painting? Now is the time to call for a quote for an original painting by Charlotte White at 661-330-2676. Artists interested in plein air sketching or painting are encouraged to call for their next location.
Bakersfield Art Association 1607 19th St. 661-869-2320 Please call for our current hours of operation www.bakersfieldartassociation.org Facebook and Instagram
Come in or shop online! www.sugardaddysboutique.com 5512 Stockdale Highway 30-day layaway available 661-325-8300
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2020
2021
Art on display and for sale. Classes for adults and children. Paintings, Prints, Digitals, Photography, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Dyed Silks, Crafts/Woodwork/Ceramics
Artist: Rosalio Martinez "LA Coliseum" Oil on Canvas Artist contact: 424-210-0258
EAT & DRINK Meet one of the owners, Vit Klinmalai
At C Fresh gives you plenty of seafood offerings By Ema Sasic and Julie Mana-ay Perez
» THE PACIFIC OCEAN JUST GOT A LITTLE CLOSER TO
US IN BAKERSFIELD THANKS TO THE CITY’S NEWEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, AT C FRESH. Co-owner Vit Klinmalai, who owns several eateries in Los Angeles, decided to venture into the Central Valley and bring a unique flavor with him. At C Fresh features a blend of Thai and Cajun flavors with each dish that will
leave you hungry for more — even if you’re already full! You can sample the ocean through a number of dishes, and seafood is prepared in various ways. The fried ocean plate, for example, gives you crispy fried fish, shrimp, calamari and Cajun fries that make a satisfying crunch with each bite. For those looking for non-fried options, combo sets have even more seafood offerings in a blend of spices. » See more Salty & Sweet on PAGE 36.
PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ
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Salty & Sweet
Iced Thai tea
The big combo
There are also soups, fried rice, noodles, curry and vegetarian options available, making this a spot for everyone. Dig in and don’t be afraid to get your hands messy.
1/2 rack of ribs
DEEP FRIED THINGS
EMA SASIC ON THE FRIED OCEAN: You get a really nice mix of seafood offerings with this plate, and what makes it even better is the deep fried goodness. The fried fish, shrimp and calamari are absolutely delicious and make such a satisfying crunch when you bite into them. The cajun fries are The fried ocean perfectly seasoned with a little kick. JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ ON THE FRIED OCEAN: One of the many things I like about this dish is the variety offered. Crispy and well-seasoned Cajun fries, crunchy calamari, shrimp and fish. It’s a good appetizer.
SOUPS
JMP ON THE SEAFOOD SOUP: This dish is seafood galore! The combination of different meats and the flavor of the broth really bring this dish out. And there’s a nice kick of spice at first bite. ES ON THE SEAFOOD SOUP: Mussels, shrimp, clams, calamari, oh my! This time you get to enjoy the chewiness of each of these creatures with a beautiful Thai/Cajun seasoned flavor.
SURF 'N TURF
ES ON THE 1/2 RACK OF RIBS: If you’re not in the mood for a huge seafood dish, At C Fresh offers a few land animal dishes, such as the ribs. Slather on some of the barbecue sauce they provide and you’ll love every bite as it falls off the bone. The fried rice and salad Grilled salmon
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We are a family-owned business providing exceptional service for 79 years in Kern County. We pride ourselves on quality auto repairs and routine maintenance while offering the top brand name tires all under one roof.
Seafood soup
SEAFOOD COMBOS
JMP ON THE BIG COMBO: If you love seafood, this is it. I’m a big fan of seafood boil, but it’s hard to find places that serve it in Bakersfield. It was such a messy and enjoyable experience eating several different items in this bucket, includes juicy crab legs, soft potatoes, corn, sausage links with a little spice, mussels, crawfish and shrimp. We highly recommend eating this with a group of three or four! ES ON THE BIG COMBO: The eating experience when it comes to this combo is one you don’t find often in restaurants. I’ve never broken crab legs before, so that was a blast as well as delicious, and having all of our food spread out on our table sans plates was fun too!
We thank you Kern County for trusting us with your automotive needs!
DRINKS
that come with this dish are great additions. JMP ON THE GRILLED SALMON: You can’t go wrong with salmon. This plate featured a flavorful and delicious grilled salmon served with a salad and barbecue fried rice on the side. It’s honestly the perfect dinner entree.
JMP ON THE THAI ICED TEA: I’d like to think of myself as a Thai tea connoisseur. At C Fresh’s Thai iced tea was simply refreshing and just the right amount of sweet.
(661) 324-6069 530 E 21st Street
Bakersfield, CA 93305 More Information At C Fresh 920 California Ave., Ste A (661) 479-5400 http://www.atcfresh.com
Open 6 Days a Week!
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Sip & Swirl
Aging adds character to Center of Effort’s fine California chardonnay By Lyle W. Norton
» WITH ROOTS IN THE BURGUNDY
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Carls on
an
ath
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2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay bottle.
N
ter Cen
ist and his associate, Kevin Bargetto, as REGION OF FRANCE, CHARDONthe chief instigator of experimentation. NAY’S POPULARITY HAS MADE IT THE Together, they make a good team and are WORLD’S MOST PLANTED GRAPE. It’s both willing to commit to the detailed the white grape in Champagne and the work required to create a fine wine. wines are in demand because they can The intensity of their efforts is on deliver whatever style you prefer. display with the 2015 Center of Effort Oak-aging and other techniques give Chardonnay ($35) where the same clones the wine a creamy mouthfeel with more from the same block were picked on the baked-fruit flavors. Consumers seeking same day, but aged separately in four drier wines with more citrus and minerdistinct vessels before blending into a ality are drawn to those aged in stainless wine of complexity, depth and length. I steel or neutral oak. There are also those recently sampled 2020 juice from each wines that balance the best of both aging vessel before tasting the current styles. 2015 release. Many believe that chardonnay After 100 percent malo-lactic fermenis made in the winery because of its tation, most of the 2020 vintage is being receptiveness to different winemaking aged sur-lie in French oak, 25 percent methods. Malo-lactic fermentation, new and 75 percent neutral. New 2020 the process of converting malic acid to Tremeaux barrels from France add spice softer lactic acid, sur-lie aging elements and a mouthfeel to extract richness and described by Nathan as selected oak barrel “like a creamsicle.” The aging are all methjuice from the neutral ods used to create barrels delivered a style that is more fruit qualities associated with with minimal California. A oak nuance. The winemaking barrels also serve team recentto oxidate the ly provided wine for a better some inmouthfeel. sight into Using a unique aging growing trend, 10 techniques Ef percent of the 2020 for er that produce a tG vintage is aging in ak m ene chardonnay that is ral Manager/Wine concrete eggs. Unlike better than the sum of stainless steel, concrete its parts. is porous to oxygen and preGeneral manager/ serves a more consistent temperaWinemaker Nathan Carlson of the ture. The maturing flavors from the eggs Center of Effort estate in the Edna were the fruitiest of the four samples with Valley AVA, south of San Luis Obispo, hints of peach, lime zest and tangerine. describes himself as a traditionalAdvancing a softer mouthfeel, the shape
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LYLE W. NORTON
Barrel samples from each vessel with Center of Effort chardonnay.
Center of Effort Estate Vineyard.
of the egg keeps the lees (dead yeast) in suspension, minimizing the need for stirring. The small amount of remaining 2020 juice is aging in older acacia wood barrels from France. Carlson and Bargetto would not recommend aging completely in acacia barrels, but feel it adds a savory, maple syrup quality which I immediately picked up on. After 20 months of aging, the juice from each vessel will be blended, bottled and released when it’s time. We can expect the same quality expressed in the current release. Hard work pays off. The 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay delivered both rich texture and a firm acidity. Citrus and baking spice aromas and flavors led to a lengthy finish. It is an impressive value for the price. The views expressed in this column are those of Lyle W. Norton.
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2020
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Eat & Drink
A simple apple, brie cheese sandwich By Julie Mana-ay Perez
» SIMILAR TO OTHERS, I WAS
INSPIRED TO COOK SOMETHING I SAW ON TIKTOK AND DECIDED TO GIVE THIS APPLE AND BRIE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH MY OWN TWIST. Ever since Salty & Sweet made a visit to PorkChop & Bubba’s for the November issue, I couldn’t stop thinking about their gouda burger. It wasn’t even the burger I was dreaming about. It was the brie cheese. This simple sandwich consisted of french sourdough bread, Knott’s Berry Farm seedless blackberry jelly, butter and Primo Taglio’s soft ripened brie cheese. Another tasty alternative might be to add apricot jelly and cottage cheese.
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TRY APRICOT JELLY AND COTTAGE CHEESE AS AN ALTERNATIVE!
INGREDIENTS: • 2 slices of your preferred bread • 2 tablespoons butter • 4 slices brie cheese • 4-5 thin slices of your preferred apples • 1/4 cup Knott’s Berry Farm jam pure seedless blackberry ST
RU C T I O N S
:
Preheat the stove to medium-low heat. While the stove is preheating, coat one side of each slice of bread with butter and place the two pieces of bread butter-side down in the skillet. Layer four slices of brie cheese and four to five thin slices of apples on one slice of bread. On the other slice of bread, spread the blackberry jam evenly. Cover and let the sandwich cook until the bread turns golden brown on both sides and the cheese starts to melt. Cut the sandwich in half and enjoy some brunch at home!
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PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ
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Eat & Drink
What We're Loving Right Now CRUMBL COOKIES By Ema Sasic and Julie Mana-ay Perez
» WITH OPEN ARMS, BAKERSFIELD WELCOMED A NEW BAKERY IN 2020: the delicious Crumbl Cookies located at The Shops at River Walk. As a cookie lover myself, I had to try what some residents of Bakersfield raved about. Their menu rotates each week to provide different specialty flavors for dessert lovers to enjoy and never tire of the flavors. Aside from the delicious cookies, Crumbl Cookies sells ice cream and keeps milk on the side to cleanse our cookie palette. Prices are $4 per cookie, $13 for a Crumbl box of four and $33 for a party box of a dozen. I wanted to try a classic so I ordered the milk chocolate chip cookie and was not disappointed. It was soft, warm and gooey from the chocolate. The red velvet cookie tasted like any other red velvet cake but in cookie form — a moist red velvet base with cream cheese swirled on top. The cookies are HUGE, moist, served warm and tasty with every bite. You’ll definitely want a tall glass of milk as you enjoy these cookies. — Julie Mana-ay Perez The funfetti cookie is definitely fun! It has all the birthday cake flavors you love, but with a sweet cookie base for extra yumminess. The sticky buns cookie, as its name suggests, will get your hands sticky, but full of flavor. The warm buttery vanilla sugar cookie is topped with an amazing butterscotch caramel glaze and pecans. You’ll gobble this up in seconds! CRUMBL COOKIES 10530 Stockdale Highway, Unit Q100 661-241-0903
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May 2021
— Ema Sasic
PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ
Thank You for Your Ongoing Support!
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LABELS
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Best
Voted Best Financial Institution 27 Years in a Row! Grow Your Possibilities with checking, savings and loan options designed for your personal and business banking.
(661) 833-7926 • valleystrong.com Federally Insured by NCUA
The votes are in and the community has spoken! The annual Best Of Readers' Choice Poll showcases the best of the best — from food and shopping to entertainment and services — as decided by those who call Bakersfield home. Even though 2020 saw many changes locally and the pandemic impacted all types of businesses, readers still showed up to honor their favorites around town. The next few pages are your guide to the Best Of Bakersfield.
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t n e m n i a t r e t n E & Arts
Bes t Loc
al Band: Mento B
uru
Best Local Band Mento Buru
Favorites
› Smokin’ Armadillos › Korn
Best Virtual Event “Everything is Going To Be Okay” campaign - Hoffmann Hospice
Favorites
› Holy Smoke BBQ - Garces Memorial High School › Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure - Fox Theater Best College / Higher Learning Source: California State University, Bakerfield.
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Community
2021
Best Locally Owned Business: Dewar's Candy Shop
Best College / Higher Learning Source California State University, Bakersfield
Favorites
› Bakersfield College › Bakersfield Adult School
Best Locally Owned Business Dewar’s Candy Shop
Favorites
› Empire Eye and Laser Center › Luigi’s
Best Made in Bakersfield Product Dewar's Candy Shop - Chews
Favorites
› Pyrenees French Bakery › Lengthwise Brewing Company Best Made in Bakersfield Product: Dewar's Candy Shop — Chews
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2021
Be
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ol cho S lace h to Wo l Hig rk: Garces Memoria
Best Medium-Large Business (more than 20 employees)
Empire Eye and Laser Center
Favorites
› Capital Dental Group › Chain Cohn Stiles
Best Radio/News Personality: Matt & Aaron
Best Place to Work Best Radio/News Personality
Garces Memorial High School
Matt & Aaron
Favorites
› Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics › Bakersfield Christian High School
Favorites
› Danny & Kait in the morning › Ralph Bailey
Best Place to Worship Valley Bible Fellowship
Best Small Business (20 employees or less)
Favorites
Dewar’s Candy Shop
Best Private School
› Rig City Roasting Company › Sno Shack
Garces Memorial High School
Best TV Personality
Favorites
Aaron Perlman
› Valley Baptist Church › St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
› Bakersfield Christian High School › St. Francis Parish School 48
May 2021
Favorites
Favorites
› Jim Scott › Alissa Carlson
THANK YOU!
Randy Schell
Necole Williams
Natalie Panelli
Nicole Hawks
Jimmy Lopez
Manuel Pantoja
Jordan Hanson
Jessica Cruz
Stacy Briscoe
Tracy Azemika
Thank you for trusting us with your Home Financing needs over the past 23 years.
www.themortgagehouse.com Equal Housing Lender. Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act #413-1108. NMLS #309234.
a i n r o f i l Ca Salty’s voted Best Barbecue Restaurant and Best Take-out
Food & Dining Best Asian Cuisine (includes Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese) Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks
Favorites
› Kan Pai › Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar
Best Bakery Smith’s Bakeries
Favorites
› Sweet Surrender › GhilaDolci Bakery
Best Bar La Costa Mariscos
Favorites
› Lengthwise Brewery Company › Luigi’s
Best Barbecue Restaurant Salty’s BBQ & Catering
Favorites
t: S an r u
' a lt y
Best Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Restaurant: Locale Farm to Table
Q & Catering s BB
Best B arb e
c ue
Re st a
› PorkChop & Bubba’s BBQ › Brooklyn’s BBQ
Best Asian Cuisine: Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks
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TONY'S PIZZA
THANK YOU BAKERSFIELD FOR VOTING FOR US!
SOUTHWEST 6417 Ming Ave. (661) 355-5508
NORTHWEST
4750 Coffee Rd., Ste 101 (661) 667-1093
OUTLETS AT TEJON
Best Breakfast: 24th Street Cafe
(661) 858-2425
DELANO
502 Country Line Rd. (661) 720-9214
SHAFTER
304 Lerdo Hwy. (661) 746-9244
10701 CA-178
Bakersfield, CA 93306 (661) 366-0129
Best Basque Restaurant Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
Favorites
› Benji’s French Basque Restaurant › Pyrenees Cafe
Best Breakfast 24th Street Cafe
Favorites
› Pappy’s Coffee Shop › Old River Grill
Best Burger Best Burger: Moo Creamery
Moo Creamery
May 2021
“Where Friends Meet” Since 1910 DAILY SPECIALS AVAILABLE WWW.SHOPLUIGIS.COM
Thank you to all our loyal customers for voting Luigi’s… Lunch Spot
Italian Restaurant
Bar
Locally Owned Business
Favorites
› Happy Jack’s Pie ‘n Burger › Eureka! 52
725 EAST 19TH
Best Coffee Best Frozen Treat: Dewar's Candy Shop
Rig City Roasting Company
Favorites
2021
› Cafe Smitten › Caffeine Supreme
Best Family Restaurant Frugatti’s
Favorites
› Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge › Hodel’s Country Dining
Best Frozen Treat (ice cream, frozen yogurt, shaved ice) Dewar’s Candy Shop
Favorites
› Rosemary’s Family Creamery › Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
Best Basque Restaurant: Wool Growers Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
Taste the difference and insist on Pyrenees! Serving stores, restaurants and delis for over 76 years Open Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm, Sat. 8am-2pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays
www.pyreneesfrenchbakery.com
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Best Family Restaurant: Frugatti's
Thank You Kern County
fforr voting Archer fo Arche h r th the Storefront Storeffront as one of the h ““Best B st F Be Furniture urniiture Sto Stores!” ore ress! s!” s!”
We appreciate your support and are honored to serve this community we call home.
M-F 10AM-5PM | SAT. 10AM-4PM Please visit us @ 3510 Allen Rd., Suite 102. or call 661-809-2687.
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Best Happy Hour La Costa Mariscos
Favorites
› Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse › Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill
Best Italian Restaurant Luigi’s
Favorites
Best Seafood: La Costa Mariscos
› Uricchio’s Trattoria › Sorella Ristorante Italiano
Best Lunch Spot Sequoia Sandwich Company
Favorites
› Luigi’s › Coconut Joe’s
Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Tony’s Pizza
Favorites
Favorites
› Athena’s Greek Cafe › Panini Kabob Grill
› Rusty’s Pizza Parlor › Pizzaville USA
Best Mexican Restaurant
Best Sandwich / Deli
La Costa Mariscos
Sequoia Sandwich Company
› Mexicali Restaurants › Don Pericos Mexican Restaurant
Best New Restaurant Sancho’s Tacos
Favorites
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Best Pizza
Flame and Skewers Mediterranean Restaurant
Favorites
Best New Restaurant: Sancho's Tacos
Best Pizza: Tony's Pizza
› Angry Chickz › Social House Kitchen & Bar
Favorites
› Caesar’s Italian Delicatessen › Jersey Mike’s Subs
Best Seafood La Costa Mariscos
Favorites
› Crab in a Bag › Mossman’s Coffee Shop
MORE FASHION MORE FOOD MORE FUN
Over 50 Stores, Restaurants, Boutiques & Spas Stockdale Hwy. & Calloway Dr.
Best Sushi: JIN Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Best Steakhouse Restaurant KC Steak House
Favorites
› Hungry Hunter Steakhouse › Sorella Ristorante Italiano
Best Sunday Brunch Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
Favorites
› Hodel’s Country Dining › Moo Creamery
Best Sushi JIN Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Favorites
› Kan Pai › Miyoshi Japanese Restaurant
Best Steakhouse Restaurant: KC Steak House
Best Taco
Family owned and operated since 1954!
Birria Bros
Favorites
› Vatos Tacos › Fuegos Tacos
Best Take-out Salty’s BBQ & Catering
Favorites
› Victor’s Mexican Grill › Sequoia Sandwich Company
Best Vegetarian / Vegan-Friendly Restaurant
327-9584
620 East Ninteenth Street www.woolgrowers.net Closed Sunday
Wool Growers Restaurant & COCKTAIL LOUNGE 58
May 2021
Locale Farm to Table
Favorites
› Vida Vegan Co. › Cafe Smitten
Thank You
For Your Support Over The Past 10 Years! We are relocating to the Marketplace opening early May 2021. We look forward to seeing you soon. 2020
Best Sunday Brunch: Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Best Taco: Birria Bros
Follow Our Facebook Page www.BakersfieldLife.com
59
Welln ess th & Heal
Best Hospital: Adventist Health
60
May 2021
Best Chiropractor
2021
Best Doctor/General Practitioner: Dr. William Farr
Christopher Berry, DC — Core Chiropractic + Wellness
Favorites
› Matthew Tatsuno — Tatsuno Chiropractic › Jeffrey D. Haynes — Haynes Chiropractic
Best Dentist Dr. Chris Kiuftis — Brimhall Dental Group
Favorites
› Dr. Stephen Wilson — Capital Dental Group › Dr. Thomas Frank
Best Doctor / General Practitioner Dr. William Farr — Farr Medical Group
Favorites
› Dr. William Gilli - Mesa West Medical › Dr. Raj Patel — Centric Health
For Choosing Us for Best of!
THANK YOU Kern County!
For Voting for us
20 Years in a
If you are looking for quality care with a personal touch, we hope you'll give us a call.
Row!
2222 "E" Street, Suite 1 www.BakersfieldLife.com
61
Best Hospital Adventist Health Bakersfield
Favorites
› Dignity Health — Bakersfield Memorial Hospital › Bakersfield Heart Hospital
Best Medical Group Kaiser Permanente
Favorites
Best Orthodontist: Dr. Wes Cardall, Cardall Orthodontics
› Heart Vascular & Leg Center › Farr Medical Group
Best Ophthalmologist / Optometrist Andrew A. Kao, M.D. — Empire Eye & Laser Center
Favorites
› Stephen Ratty — Stephen Ratty Optometrist › Cache M. Crawford, O.D. — Premier Eyecare Optometric Center
Best Orthodontist Dr. Wes Cardall — Cardall Orthodontics
Favorites
› Dr. Donald R. Montano — Montano Elevated Orthodontics › Dr. Michael Thurman — Thurman Orthodontics
Best Pediatrician Dr. Nimisha Amin — Southwest Pediatrics
Favorites
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May 2021
› Dr. Charity Santiago — Southwest Pediatrics › Dr. Javier Bustamante — Bakersfield Pediatrics
TRUST IS
EARNED
Since 1993 Bakersfield residents have trusted Castle & Cooke communities to deliver high quality homes, outstanding amenities and a variety of lifestyle options. As one of the area's most popular residential developers, we hope to continue to earn your trust as our legacy of uncompromising communities grows.
DRE# 01254164
HighgateSevenOaks.com
Best Physical Therapy Group: TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness
Best Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Darshan Shah, Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics
Best Physical Therapy Group TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness
Favorites
› Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy › Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bakersfield
Best Plastic Surgeon Dr. Darshan Shah — Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics
Favorites
› Dr. Vipul Dev — California Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery › Dr. Gordon M. Mitts — Mitts Plastic Surgery
Best Specialty Doctor Dr. Vinod Kumar — Heart Vascular and Leg Center
Favorites
› Dr. Richard Casteen — The Center for Implant Dentistry › Dr. Milan Shah — Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics 64
May 2021
THANK YOU BAKERSFIELD 2020
YEARS 1968 - 2021
Dr. Berry and the whole team at Core Chiropractic + Wellness would like to thank you for your continued support.
Thank You 2020
WWW.CHIROPRACTORBAKERSFIELD.COM
For all your Cooling & Solar needs Call us at (661) 322-2665
661-410-9355
www.BakersfieldLife.com
65
Best Urgent Care Accelerated Urgent Care Best Veterinarian: Dr. Travis Thurman
Favorites
› Priority Urgent Care › Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care
Best Veterinarian Dr. Travis Thurman — Thurman Veterinary Center
Favorites
› Dr. Mark Holland — Southwest Veterinary Hospital › Dr. Kim Bonham — Stockdale Veterinary Hospital
Best Specialty Doctor: Vinod Kumar, Heart Vascular and Leg Center
Thank you Kern County for voting We can assist with: • Bathing/Grooming • Personal Assistance • Preparing Meals • Medication Reminders • Shopping • Companionship • Light Housekeeping
Pappy’s Best Breakfast!
As a local favorite, Pappy’s has been serving Home-Style, American Cooking since 1999. Nested in the old Center Market, Pappy’s serves Generous Portions, Fresh American Classics in a warm atmosphere. For those that dine with us often or if it’s your first time, we welcome your next visit. Open Daily from 5:30 AM - 1:00 PM
66
May 2021
Solar Savings For Your Family Starts Here! Purchase Get Solar + a Home Battery for $99/month
Lease We’ll Pay Your Solar Bill for 12 Months!
We appreciate your SunPowerBySunSolar.com
661.379.7000
Some exclusions may apply. Call for details. 8803 Scobee St
Retail Best Furniture / Mattress Store
Urner’s Z’s Please Sleep Centers ntiqu e Mall
› Archer The Storefront › MOR Furniture for Less
Dim
eA
Best Home Appliance & Electronics Store
ve &
es
B
Kern County
Favorites
Fi tA hs t r ntiq lwo ue De aler: Woo
Best Antique Dealer Woolworths Five & Dime Antique Mall
Urner’s
Favorites
› Bob Johnston’s Appliances › Lowe’s Home Improvement
Best Jewelry Store
Favorites
Knight’s Jewelers
› In Your Wildest Dreams Co. › The She Shed by The Peachy Pig BEST SPA
2020
Favorites
› Rogers Jewelers › Houston Jewelers
Best Carpet / Flooring / Tile 2020
Carpet Outlet Plus, Inc.
Favorites
BEST NURSE
BEST SPA
› Stockdale Ceramic Tile Center › Flooring Liquidators
Best Florist Log Cabin Florist
9450 Ming Ave Bakersfield, CA
661-847-9920 myallurespa.com
68
May 2021
Favorites
› White Oaks Florist › Uniquely Chic Florist & Boutique
Be st
Flo rist: Log Cabin Florist
A healthier you starts here R
esearch shows that oral health is integral to overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. In other words, a healthy mouth helps maintain a healthy body. That’s where we come in.
Open 7 days a week Accepting new patients Membership plan available for patients without dental insurance Services: General exams, cleanings, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, sedation dentistry, emergency dentistry, dental implants, oral surgery, full-mouth reconstruction, sleep apnea FREE consultations for orthodontics and dental implants
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Call 661•861•8000
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Best New Car Dealer, Best Used Car, Best Automotive Service: Motor City Buick GMC
Best Men / Women’s Apparel Sugardaddy’s Women’s Boutique
Favorites
› Emporium Western Store › House of Talula
Best New Business Angry Chickz
Favorites
› Valley Printing and Promotions › Rocket Fizz
Be st
Ne w Bu
ickz siness: Angr y Ch
Aunt Mae’s has your
Mother’s Day candy and Gi s
available at Aunt Mae’s Sweet Tooth.!
Best New Car Dealer Motor City Buick GMC
Favorites
› Jim Burke Ford › Motor City Lexus of Bakersfield
Best Nursery / Garden Store White Forest Nursery
Favorites
› Bolles Nursery Landscape › Robby’s Nursery 70
May 2021
830 18th Street www.auntmaessweets.com March Hours: Open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thank You
for voting The Marketplace The Best Shopping Center
Best Nursery / Garden Store: White Forest Nursery
Best New Home Builder: Castle & Cooke
FPO
Home to over 50 great shops and eateries Located at the corner of Ming Ave. & Haggin Oaks Blvd. TheMarketplaceBakersfield.com www.BakersfieldLife.com
71
Best Pet Store/Pet Service: Fur & Feathers Luxury Pet Resort
Best Pet Store / Pet Service Fur & Feathers Luxury Pet Resort
Favorites
› Chasin’ Tails Pet Grooming › Village Pet Market
Best Shoe Store Guarantee Shoe Center
Favorites
› Boot Barn › Emporium Western Store
Best Shoe Store: Guarantee Shoe Center
72
May 2021
La Costa Family would like to Thank You for your continued support over the last 25 years and especially this past year. Both locations Are Now Open To Serve You.
Mexican Restaurant
Seafood Restaurant
Bar
LAMariscos COSTA
Happy Hour
Sun - Thurs: 11am to 9pm, Friday & Sat: 11am to 10pm
Thank you for trusting us with your family’s health! General Practitioner
Medical group William J. Farr M.D.
Alycia ycia cia i G G. C Campos ampo mposs M M.D
Susan Schneider, PA-C
Welcome to Our Practice!
Kori Kor orii Wi W Williams illiams F illi FN FNP NP
Deborah bora orah h San S Gill FN F FNP-C N
Julie ulie ie Pic P Picki Picking i king g FN F FNP-C NP NPNP
Together we can achieve optimal health and well-being for you and your family. We know the best path toward wellness involves you. We look forward to working together in providing you with expert medical treatment, guidance, and care.
2020
8307 Brimhall Road Suite 1707, Bakersfield, CA 93312 www.farrmedicalgroup.com
Comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable medical treatment for the whole family. www.BakersfieldLife.com
73
Best Shopping Center
The Shops at River Walk › The Marketplace › Northwest Promenade
Best Tire Store Clerou Tire Co. Inc.
Favorites
› Les Schwab Tire Centers › Big Brand Tire & Service
Best Used Car Motor City Buick GMC
Favorites
› Bakersfield Hyundai › Bill Wright Toyota
Services
Favorites
Kern County! u o y Thank WE ARE GARCES!
Founded on Faith, Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Excellence garces.org | 661.327.2578 | 74
May 2021
Best Bank/Financial Institute: Valley Strong Credit Union
Best Shopping Center: The Shops at River Walk
Best Automotive Service Motor City Buick GMC
Favorites
› G&G Auto Repair › A-1 Automotive
Best Bank / Financial Institute Valley Strong Credit Union
Favorites
› Wells Fargo › Safe 1 Credit Union
Best Barber Shop All American Barber Shoppe
Favorites
› The BlackBoard Barber Shop › The Stache Lounge
Best Barber Shop: All American Barber Shoppe
www.BakersfieldLife.com
75
Best CPA / Accounting Firm Brown Armstrong Best CPA/Accounting Firm: Brown Armstronge
Favorites
› Justin D. Regan Accountancy Corp. › Wayne, Long & Co.
Best Delivery Service DoorDash
Favorites
tD
s Da r eliv o ery Service: Do
h
B
es
› Restaurant Runner › Uber Eats
Best Dry Cleaner Today Cleaners
Favorites
› New City Cleaners › Waterfall Cleaners
Best Electrical Company Pavletich Electric & Communications
Favorites
› Rankin Electric › A-C Electric Company
Best Funeral Home Greenlawn Funeral Homes & Cemeteries
Favorites
› Basham Funeral Care › Mission Family Mortuary
76
May 2021
Best I me Ho
v ro mp
em e
ute B es t Bea t E a Hair S alon: Essentiels Sp
Best Hair Salon Essentiels Spa Et Beaute
Favorites
› Blissful Retreat — Intimate Salon & Day Spa › Atomic Kitten Salon
Best Heating / Air
nt
Bu ild in
gC ontr a
ctor: S
tockdale Kitchen
&B
ath
Best IT Services LANPRO Systems, Inc.
Favorites
› Grapevine MSP Technology Services › Applied Technology Group, Inc. SERVING BAKERSFIELD FOR 21 YEARS!
Oasis Air & Solar
Favorites
› Monarch Home Services › AirMax Heating & Air Conditioning
Best Home Improvement Building Contractor Stockdale Kitchen and Bath
Favorites
› DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen › Dave Packer Custom Builders
Best Home Security Company ADT Security Services
Favorites
› Vivint › Tel-Tec Security Systems Inc.
BUYWILDESTDREAMS.COM www.BakersfieldLife.com
77
Best Law Firm
Best Mortgage Company
Young Wooldridge, LLP
The Mortgage House
Best Lawyer: Robert J. Noriega, Young Wooldridge, LLP
Favorites
Favorites
› Chain Cohn Stiles ›Rodriguez & Associates
› Cornerstone Mortgage › Agape Mortgage
Best Lawyer
Best New Home Builder
Robert J. Noriega — Young Wooldridge, LLP
Castle & Cooke
Favorites
› David Cohn — Chain Cohn Stiles › Kyle W. Jones — The Law Office of Kyle W. Jones
Favorites
› John Balfanz Homes › Froehlich Signature Homes
Best Pest Control
Best Local Insurance Agent
Clark Pest Control
Trenea Smart — GEICO Insurance
Favorites
Favorites
› Killian Pest Control › Bakersfield Pest Control
› Elizabeth Lehr —State Farm › Darlene Denison — State Farm
It’s Not Too Late
GET YOUR TAXES COMPLETED AND FILED FOR FREE! ITIN FILERS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR CalEITC!* *Tax filers who made $30,000 or less in 2020 may be eligible to receive the California earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and if they have a child or children under the age of six they may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).
IT’S YOUR
MONEY!
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Picture ID for taxpayer and spouse. Social Security cards or ITIN documentation for every person on the return. All W-2s, 1099 and any other documentation of income (retirement, interest, dividend, etc.) All 1098 forms for educational expenses. 1095A form for health insurance purchased through Covered California. Childcare provider information: name, address, tax ID# or SSN & phone number, and the amount paid. 7. Bank account and routing number for direct deposit. 8. Previous year tax return. (not required, but helpful) 9. Form 13614-C English or Spanish
NEW THIS 2020 TAX YEAR
People with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) may be eligible to receive these state benefits. You may be eligible for the Golden State Stimulus if you qualify to receive the CalEITC.
78
May 2021
Garett Colatruglio
Frank Colatruglio CFA, CFP
Financial Advisor CA Insurance Lic #0I84290
Managing Director-Investments CA Insurance Lic #0A11543
5060 California Avenue, Suite 1100 Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC-Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value
661-326-5748
www.colatrugliowmg.com
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, member SIPC.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
79
Best Photographer
Best Real Estate Agent
Theresa Wooner Photography
Sheeza Gordon — Watson Realty
Favorites
Favorites
› Joseph Estrada Photography › The Photege
Best Plumbing Service The Plumbing Doc
Favorites
› Stan’s Discount Rooter & Plumbing Repair › Payless Plumbing & Rooter Specialist
Best Property Management Company Basham Management
Favorites
› Apex Management Group › Watson Realty Property Management
› Laurie McCarty — The McCarty Group › Jon Busby — Team Busby Real Estate
Best Real Estate Company Miramar International
Favorites
› Watson Realty › Premier Realty
Best Roofing Company BSW Roofing, Solar & Air
Favorites
› All Weather Roofing › Wilson Brothers Roofing
Best Solar Company SunPower by Sun Solar
Favorites
› Jeff Periera Home Energy › Oasis Heating & Solar
Best Spa Proudly serving Bakersfield for the past 50 years!
EuroPhoria Medical & Personal Spa
Favorites
› Allure Aesthetics › Essentiels Spa Et Beaute
We also do catering! www.caesarsitaliandeli.com
80
May 2021
Best Specialty Service (landscaping, housekeeping, event planning, etc.) Raymond’s Trophy & Awards
Favorites
› Minuteman Press › Bossman’s Trash Hauling
Best Real Estate Agent: Sheeza Gordon, Watson Realty
Best Funeral Home: Greenlawn Funeral Homes & Cemeteries www.BakersfieldLife.com
81
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Best Specialty Service: Raymond's Trophy & Awards
Best Tutoring Service Sylvan Learning of Bakersfield
Favorites
› Tutoring Club of Bakersfield › Kern Tutoring
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It’s the families of Bakersfield that inspire us to be our very best. FPO - BEST
VOTED BEST FOR 15 YEARS Thank you Kern families for your support year after year. You’re the reason we strive to be better every day.
A Friend of the Family
Northeast: (661) 324-9701 Southwest: (661) 834-8820 Online: www.GreenlawnM-C.com Greenlawn Southwest FD# 1347, Greenlawn River Blvd FD# 779
82
May 2021
SM
Giving you more
choices, healthier hearts,
happier
and
families
better lives.
When your heart is healthy, everything else just seems to fall into place. To help make that happen Bakersfield Heart Hospital is dedicated to bringing you more choices for better healthcare. Learn more about all these healthcare options at BakersfieldHeartHospital.com
Women's Heart Center Cath Lab
|
Center for Wound Healing
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Spine Program
Full-Service Emergency Department
3001 Sillect Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308 852-6200 | BakersfieldHeartHospital.com
T
hree more local institutions were inducted into the Best Of Hall of Fame for their longevity, service and commitment to the community. The following pages are dedicated to this year's champions! By Ema Sasic and Julie Mana-ay Perez
84
May 2021
Salty's BBQ & Catering owner Jeff Salters photographed with his wife and father.
Salty’s BBQ & Catering A business built on family, friendship and community
S
alty’s BBQ & Catering is an eminent restaurant within the Bakersfield community, though its climb to be one of the city’s favorite eatery spots was not an easy journey. Even before he would build his barbecue empire, Jeff Salters always loved to barbecue for his friends and family during gatherings. He then opened a small catering business on weekends while working in sales in 2010. “I was known as ‘the barbecue guy,’” he said. “And someday I might have a business doing it.” A couple of years later, Salters would drive by an area on Rosedale Highway and think it would be the perfect place for customers to go for his barbecue. “I drove by one day on a Sunday afternoon and saw a for rent sign,” Salters said. “I talked to the business that was leaving and began negotiating.” With the help of his close family and friends, Salters was able to build his first eatery on $40,000 of borrowed money. The day before Salty’s would open for business, 40 to 50 people circled hand-in-hand and prayed for the success of the business. “Our faith is extremely important to us. It’s a central part of who we are and what our business is. I prayed that God would use us, prosper and take care of our family,” he said. And in October 2012, Salters would open the doors to the public. On opening day, Oct. 8, 2012, Salters felt the anticipation of watching his barbecue business come to fruition. Salters, his wife, children and their partners along with a small staff all came together to make the first day successful.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD FORRESTER
Until the next day. “I thought we were going to make a ton of money and the next day was a third of what we made the day before,” he said. But slow days never stopped Salters from nurturing the growth of his eatery. Within the first year of opening, the restaurant boomed. “I remember needing people and literally handing people aprons and putting them to work. Those guys that worked for me in the beginning, we’re friends now,” he said. Friendship and family are qualities Salty’s would be built on the next several years. “I tried to make this a family — that’s what I want people to understand. We’re a family business — owned and operated. People who work for us and with us are reaching the same goal to better ourselves,” he said. “I want to lift them up and make it a place where people stay.” Salters also uses his family recipes to create the menu and wanted to keep things “simple and to minimize mistakes.” Aside from doing what he loves, which is barbecuing, Salters wanted to use his business as a way to bring people together and to “reach out and help others,” he said. “One of the coolest things I could look back at over the last nine years is the amount of money we’ve been able to give and support veterans, law enforcement and other nonprofits like Children’s Miracle Network, League of Dreams and so many other great organizations,” he said. “It’s allowed us as a business to give back to the community — that’s an important part.” www.BakersfieldLife.com
85
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Bucks Owens’ Crystal Palace The go-to spot for dancing, music, good times
B
uck Owens was a man with a unique sound and iconic discography, so it only makes sense that anything with his name on it stands out. When you step inside the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, the grandness of the Bakersfield sound comes alive, and soon you find yourself singing along to a band on stage and dancing with the people around you. What makes the palace stand out, according to Jim Shaw, director of the Buck Owens Private Foundation and a member of Buck Owens’ Buckaroos, is that it’s many things in one. “It’s very unusual in that it’s a performing venue, restaurant, bar and museum all in one room,” he said. “That hasn’t been done before.” That uniqueness has made it the go-to spot for dancing, live music and even brunch on Sundays for years. To know the history of the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, you have to know the man who it’s named after. Owens was a hard worker, explained Shaw, and he expected those around him to work just as hard as he did. Through that, “he brought out the best in everyone,” which likely led to the Buckaroos’ overall success. Shaw said Owens and others traveled around the world playing music for decades, but after a certain point Owens “wanted to play at his own place and sleep in his own bed.” People started brainstorming and the idea for the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace was born.
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May 2021
Construction took roughly two years, and the palace officially opened Oct. 23, 1996. Opening night is a bit of a blur, said Shaw, mainly because there were three to four opening nights. Performers included country stars such as Dwight Yoakam and Marty Stuart, and thousands of people packed the house. “We worked so hard, lots of long days to open,” Shaw said. “It was frazzling, exciting, it was thrilling to see happen.” Over the years, as country music as changed, so too have the performances at the Crystal Palace, as well as the number of shows on any given night and dancing styles on the dance floor. The building and displays, however, have stayed true to the way it was built. The museum portion of the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace includes guitars, clothing and other memorabilia. Though the palace is currently closed due to state COVID-19 guidelines, people can take a virtual tour on its website. Despite changes over its 25-plus years, the Crystal Palace continues to draw in locals and visitors for a variety of reasons. The landmark always has crowds fill the dance floor and come in on Sundays to enjoy its iconic brunch — all for which it has won Best Entertainment/Event Venue and Best Sunday Brunch in Bakersfield Life’s Best Of Guide in years past. “It’s a huge thrill and an honor, that’s what we were hoping for,” Shaw said. “We wanted to be a landmark place where you can hang your hat on in this town.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIM SHAW
From left, Somia Alnagar, Tamara Barnett, Linda Sheffield and Cathy Flores.
Five and Dime Antique Mall & Luncheonette A time traveling wonderland
W
hen you walk inside the Five and Dime Antique Mall inside Woolworth’s on 19th Street, you instantly feel as though you’ve gone back in time. Trinkets, clothing and memorabilia from all decades are on display throughout the shop. And if you feel a little hungry from all the walking and shopping, you can step over to the luncheonette counter and feel even more nostalgia. A trip to the building in any capacity is special, especially since Bakersfield has the last operating Woolworth luncheonette counter in America. “People love this building because the Woolworth’s were basically the same all over the United States, even the world. When they come in here, whether they grew up in Bakersfield or not, they reminisce,” said co-owner Linda Sheffield, who owns the building with her husband, Mark. “The diner, to our knowledge, that is the only original diner operating. The equipment, other than the updates, is original.” The history of F.W. Woolworth & Co., referred to as the retail phenomenon of the 20th century, is a massive one. In the late 1800s, Frank Winfield Woolworth opened a Great Five Cent Store where everything was, you guessed it, 5 cents. It was a great success, according to The Woolworths Museum’s website, and later the same year his younger brother joined as manager of a second store. Ten cent lines were added in 1881, creating the first Five and Ten Cent store chain. Over the next few decades, Woolworth stores popped up all over the world — England, Germany, Mexico, Zimbabwe and Cuba. Grand openings were definitely grand, explained Sheffield, sometimes even drawing the attention of the president. Over time, the low prices and the stores themself changed
PHOTOS BY EMA SASIC, CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO
until they eventually closed their doors. The Bakersfield building, built in 1949, closed in 1993, but the Sheffields bought it in 1994 and decided to make it a Five and Dime Antique Mall. The diner is currently run by brothers Jeremy and Joseph Trammell. About 75 vendors currently sell their antique items at the Five and Dime. Many of them are local, and Sheffield said you can find everything from old dishes and furniture to modern collectibles in all corners. “The benefit of an antique mall is there’s something for everyone. If the china and feminine stuff isn’t your cup of tea, there’s masculine and rusty stuff downstairs,” Sheffield said. “We have a lot of regulars locally and from Los Angeles as well because our prices are better.” The store closed for a few months during the COVID-19 pandemic, but since June 2020 it has been bustling with people ready to shop, eat and time travel in a way. Five and Dime Antique Mall has won the Best Antique Dealer category for years now, which Sheffield said is an honor to be “honestly selected by our loyal customers.” She credits her employees for their customer service — learning people’s names and remembering their faces — and making them feel welcomed. Whether people stop by the antique side of the building or head to the counter, Sheffield is happy to greet people from around the world to her corner of history. And don’t worry, that nostalgic feel isn’t going anywhere. “We’ve been asked why don’t we modernize. We like old stuff,” she said. “When we began to realize what we had, the interest people have — they’ll come and take pictures in front of the door — it’s amazed me over the years.” www.BakersfieldLife.com
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GO & DO
LEFT: Linda Christensen, “Lake 1,” 2017, oil on canvas, 60” x 48”. BOTTOM: Some of the outfits and memorabilia on display for "The Bakersfield Sound: Roll Out the Red Carpet” exhibition at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
BMoA welcomes back visitors with number of exhibitions, activities By Ema Sasic
»
AS SPRING POPS UP IN BAKERSFIELD, SO TOO DO THE NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART. The museum reopened to the public in late March after nearly a year of being closed due to state COVID-19 guidelines. Putting it plainly, Lauren Marty, BMoA marketing and communications manager, said it’s good to be back.
“We are very excited to have visitors join us at BMoA. It’s been a very long year without them,” said Marty. Currently, the museum has three exhibitions on display. The exhibitions opened virtually in February, but visitors can view them in person through the end of August. “Color + Figure: Paintings by Linda Christensen” portrays faceless women, creating both liveliness and anonymity, according to the museum’s website. This is the artist’s first solo museum exhibition. » See more of BMOA on PAGE 90.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART, GAIL SEVERN GALLERY
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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Go & Do “Uncommon Perspective: Paintings by Art Sherwyn” depicts Bakersfield locales in vibrant colors. These paintings will be displayed and viewed by the public for the first time, allowing visitors to witness the most recent evolution of the artist’s practice in real time. Finally, “The Bakersfield Sound: Roll Out the Red Carpet” includes several objects from private lenders, displayed for the very first time to the public. Other objects are from the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace and Kern County Museum. May will also have a number of activities available to people of all ages. The museum will host the return of its community meditation and yoga classes on May 5 and 7, respectively, in its Tejon Sculpture Garden. The classes will be led by Stephen and Katherine Winters of White Wolf Wellness Foundation. To help ensure participants’ safety, class sizes are limited to 40 guests. On First Friday, hours of operation are extended to 8 p.m. and free admission is offered. First Friday and the yoga and meditation series are open to the public and no registration is needed. May Saturday Studio classes for artists age 6 to 16 have also returned, but they’ll be held online until the museum receives guidance for hosting events, explained Marty. On May 7, students produce plaster sculptures along with BMoA art educators. The May 15 course will cover still-life watercolor painting. Young artists can register for Saturday Studio courses online at bmoa.org/saturday-studio. During Second Saturday, the next episode of the BMoA podcast will be released. Each podcast, co-hosted by BMoA Cu-
rator Rachel Magnus, gives access to special insight by artists, curators and historians. “It’s also a perfect day to bring a lunch to enjoy in the sculpture garden,” added Marty. In accordance with state and county agencies, BMoA is not hosting on-site events until it receives guidance from those authorities on how to host events safely. Until then, people can view the Visual Arts Festival Exhibition online at bmoa.org/visual-arts-festival. Due to the pandemic, the Visual Arts Festival Exhibition, the biennial juried small works exhibition, will be held online only. Works displayed in that exhibition will also be available for sale at bmoa.org through July 1. The past year has taught many a great deal about art and that it’s much more than pretty sculptures, photos or paintings on a wall, said Marty, making upcoming activities and future gatherings even more special. “Art is a means of creating community, as we learned when we asked people to join our #bmoachalkyourwalk campaign on social media. People took to their driveways and sidewalks to draw beautiful, encouraging images in the early days of the physically distant,” she said. “Art can be a means of expression, a healing force, a reflection of the interconnectedness between the artist, their materials, and their environment.” “Most importantly, we believe that every individual answers the question ‘Why is art so important?’ for themselves. As Kern County’s only accredited fine art museum, we consider it a privilege to be a place where the community can seek that answer for themselves,” she added.
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Go & Do
How to approach travel during an uncertain summer » VACATION SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE COR-
NER. For the second straight summer, travelers may have to contend with uncertain circumstances as the world continues to confront the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals and families postponed or canceled their summer travel plans in 2020. Restrictions on travel and concerns about safety drove those changes. Though the pandemic is ongoing, the development and distribution of various vaccines has reopened the possibility of travel for millions of people across the globe. It could be safer to travel in the summer of 2021 than it was a year ago, but travelers should still take a cautious approach before heading off for parts unknown in the months ahead. Monitor vaccine distribution: In early March, the three pharmaceutical companies behind the vaccines that had been approved up to that point, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, updated their projections regarding the availability of vaccines. Estimates suggested the three companies would be capable of providing hundreds of millions of vaccines by the end of July. That would seem to suggest that travel should be considerably safer by mid- to late-summer 2021 than it was a year ago. However, those were just projections. Travelers concerned about COVID-19 can monitor how many vaccines have been distributed by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations. Prospective vacationers who hope to travel domestically can even utilize the CDC’s interactive map to determine how many vaccines have been distributed in the areas they hope to visit. Such knowledge can help travelers make the most informed decisions as they ponder whether or not to travel this summer. Learn about restrictions prior to booking any trips: Restrictions at your ultimate destination are another factor to consider before booking a trip. Thankfully, the CDC also makes it easy to learn about such restrictions within the United States. Prospective travelers can visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/ travel-planner/index.html and simply plug in a city, ZIP code or address to learn about potential visitor restrictions in their destinations. Travelers who don’t want to be limited during their vacations can utilize the tool to find places with limited or no restrictions. Read the fine print before signing on the dotted line: In 2020, many people learned the hard way why it’s so important to read the fine print on vacation contracts. Pay particular attention to cancellation policies and
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whether or not they’re flexible. Travelers have every right to be concerned about traveling during a pandemic, but they may have no right to refunds if they signed contracts with inflexible cancellation policies. Travelers who suspect they may travel this summer but aren’t entirely sure about safety should only sign contracts that allow them to cancel trips without paying any penalties. In addition, before booking hotel rooms, ask which amenities will be available to guests. Chances are you will spend more time at the hotel than normal, so access to pools, restaurants and other amenities takes on heightened importance. — Metro Creative Connection
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Go & Do
Scott Deaton rehearses his sonnet.
The Empty Space uses Shakespeare to fill hearts By Katrina Singleton
» LOCAL BAKERSFIELD THEATER THE EMPTY SPACE IS
PUTTING A TWIST ON ITS UPCOMING SHAKESPEAREAN PERFORMANCE “BARD IN YOUR YARD.” This will be its first in-person performance since COVID-19 closures began in March 2020. The Empty Space, however, has been putting on virtual shows and performances throughout the pandemic. Co-directors Claire Rock and Corey Geurtsen are excited to be somewhat back to normal with theater projects, but explain that their creativity did not stop just because the stage was closed. “The great thing about live theater is, as a performer, you can create just about anywhere,” Rock said. Geurtsen took advantage of the pandemic and worked to be innovative with theater. “It has been a creative challenge to bring live content to the community during the past year, but it hasn’t been terrible,” Geurtsen said. Though Rock and Geurtsen have had fun putting together virtual shows throughout the pandemic, the worry of having to permanently close lingered in their minds. “It has definitely been hard work over the past year making sure the bills get paid and our doors stay open, but thankfully The Empty Space has an amazing Board
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of Directors and volunteer base that has really pulled out all the stops to make sure the little theater that could kept on going despite the hardships we’ve encountered along the way,” Rock said. “Once we got our feet underneath us, I think we found a certain groove, but the beginning months of the pandemic were definitely a challenge.” “Bard in Your Yard” is a traveling theater experience. Performers will be reciting Shakespeare’s sonnets right from the comfort of your front yard. “(Audience members) can expect to have an engaging and personal Shakespearean day! Think of it like a handful of singing telegrams coming by in fun costumes to recite beautiful, funny and timeless poetry,” Geursten explained. “The ticket also includes a digital package to keep you entertained between acts. If it were me, I would have a Shakespearean themed BBQ.” Tickets are available now on The Empty Space’s website. Performances will be on April 24, April 25, May 1 and May 2, with two performances each day. “Patrons can opt to purchase tickets for either cast or both! There will also be ‘yards’ available in front of The Empty Space (limit two people per yard) for those who may not have a yard but still want to partake in the fun,” Rock explained.
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GREAT KERN COUNTY
Jason Thorwegen and his dogs.
Van for a Plan
Jason Thorwegen donates vans to homeless people, veterans By Julie Mana-ay Perez
» HOMELESS FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE, JASON THORWE-
GEN UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO STRUGGLE AND TOLD HIMSELF THAT HE WOULD NEVER BE IN THAT SITUATION AGAIN.
With little to give back, he spends his time donating vans to help homeless veterans get off the streets and into their own shelter.
“I help veterans, homeless and disabled people. I went through a lot of trial and error. There’s so many people that suffer out there that can’t receive these services because of their disabilities. They can’t go to a shelter to eat because it makes them uncomfortable. There’s so many people that suffer unnecessarily,” said Thorwegen. Thorwegen decided it was time to stand with these underserved community members and do what he could to help them. “There’s things that need to be done for people who can’t be in facilities, like me, I can’t go to a shelter. A van is something different — it’s private, it has the ability to work and get around,” he said. “I figured, since there’s so many old vans out there and somebody was going to start fixing them, I could donate and build them into homes.” “It’s my own shelter. I have a full-sized bed in here. This is basically an entire house wrapped up in a little package. That’s what I want to bring to people,” he added. Before starting Van with a Plan three years ago, Thorwegen re-
» See more Van with a Plan on PAGE 98. PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ
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Great Kern County
members being in his van, seeing something on the news that drew his attention. It was reported that a veteran and his wife were in the hospital, and their van, which they lived in, was stolen. Thorwegen wanted to do something so he offered a hand to the veteran. “I remember thinking that this is messed up. At the time, I had two vans so I gave one to him and his family, and a few days later, the police were able to find his van,” he said. Since starting Van with a Plan, Thorwegen said he has donated around 10 times, but only a handful of people took his help and went on with their lives, while the rest either damaged their vans or couldn’t sustain living in them. Thorwegen is able to donate vans through donations and with his own money and resources. Though he still struggles financially, Thorwegen continues his mission to alleviate the situation of homeless veterans and other homeless people who want his help. “If these people are willing to get up and do something, I’m willing to help them. I’ve set them up for success, it’s up to them if they want to continue to use the same tools I’ve provided,” he said. He admits that after being homeless for a long time, he’s learned to be resourceful by thrifting, building, not wasting anything and living sustainably. “I learned how to work on vehicles like oil changes and replace radiators. It taught me how to be handy,” he said. “And it taught me not to judge people so much. I’ve been judged my whole life, so I try not to do it but it’s human nature to do so.” After several years of being homeless, Thorwegen was finally able to live in his first home. He now resides in Lake Isabella in a two-bedroom apartment with a beautiful mountain view. “My first home at 40 years old. I should’ve had a home a long time ago, but God had other plans for me, other tribulations and punches I had to take,” he said. Feeling grateful for where he is now, he’s continuing his journey to help homeless veterans and people to have their own place to call home.
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Bakersfield native and actor Brian Hooks founded Left of BANG Entertainment to provide inner-city youth with the opportunity to take part in the filming process by being on set and participating in all that goes into bringing a film to life.
Bakersfield native Brian Hooks bridges gap between entertainment industry, at-risk youth By Ema Sasic
»
SOMETIMES ONE COMMENT IS ALL IT TAKES TO COMPLETELY SHIFT YOUR GOALS IN LIFE. Bakersfield native and actor Brian Hooks once listened to an ex-police chief speak during a Rotary event when he heard the comment “that changed my life.” “He said they were able to predict that a child by age 3 will be headed to jail or prison” depending on the geographic area they live in, the number of gangs they pass on their way to school and whether their parents are or were in jail or prison, explained Hooks. “I was sitting, waiting, wondering what’s the catch, I don’t like where this is going, but he said what he said,” Hooks said. “At 3, this kid who has no idea what life is, doesn’t have ill will, but because of their area, the arc of life is limited to death or
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prison.” But educational programs have proven to change that trajectory, so Hooks, wanting to share his passion for film and television with at-risk youth, founded Left of BANG Entertainment. The company hopes to intercept students before the bang — before a child finds themself with a gun in their hands. Left of BANG Entertainment aims to provide inner-city youth with the opportunity to take part in the filming process by being on set and participating in all that goes into bringing a film to life. They also receive mentorship and support throughout their time in and out of the program. “A lot of these kids are joining gangs, they’re looking for a sense of belonging and family. That’s a natural human instinct, it’s not unique to inner city kids,” Hooks said. “These kids given the chance to choose between shooting a gun or shooting movPHOTOS COURTESY OF LEFT OF BANG ENTERTAINMENT
Great Kern County ies, they’ll choose movies every time.” The Bakersfield native found his calling for entertainment while he was pursuing a mathematics degree at Cal State Northridge. He was always drawn to entertainment, but there weren’t too many acting opportunities available to him locally in the Central Valley — other than some talent shows — so being near Hollywood during his college years inspired him to submit himself to Drama-Logue. A few auditions later, it led to a role in “Phat Beach” in 1996, several other roles as well as making movies of his own. But helping others, especially kids who might think pursuing the entertainment industry is not a possibility, has been “the most exciting, most coolest thing that I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. When Left of BANG Entertainment was starting around two years go, Hooks spoke at schools and youth centers to attract interested students. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools, and a lot halted for the company, but Hooks knew he couldn’t sit around and wait for society to open back up. “The suicide rate among youths was going up. They don’t have until 2021 (to wait) and these gangs haven’t slowed down either. For a lot of these youth, COVID is the least of their worries,” he said. “With that I said, ‘No, we have to push forward,’ and I ended up doing a weekly Zoom call, seeing how they’re doing, what they’re doing, what they’re upset or happy about.” That eventually transitioned into the free virtual film school that he continues to hold. For about six weeks, students learn the basics of filmmaking, producing and more from
veterans in the industry. He also got a bit of help from some famous faces. Actors such as Anthony Anderson, Vivica A. Fox and Craig Robinson, stunt actors and filmmakers have taken part in the virtual film school to encourage youth to pursue the industry. Hooks said students all across the country have joined, as well as many from the Central Valley, and engagement levels are high, especially when stars pop up. “We haven’t seen this level of engagement since remote learning started,” he added. As more begins to open up following less restrictive COVID-19 guidelines, Hooks is looking forward to being back with students. He recently started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds that will be used to fund Left of BANG Entertainment’s hands-on production opportunities and make a movie of their own. The goal is to start pre-production in June, have production last for four weeks in July and have post-production last eight weeks through September. Once the film is completed, it will be entered into film festivals while simultaneously seeking a distributor. For more information, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/leftofbang/left-of-bang-entertainment “Offering a few words and ... an hour out of these kids’ days can fuel them for a lifetime,” Hooks said. To learn more about Left of BANG Entertainment or to participate in the virtual film school, visit https://www.leftofbangentertainment.com/ or email info@leftofbangentertainment. com.
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Great Kern County
Diving to transform lives
Disabled veterans empowered through scuba diving, friendships By Julie Mana-ay Perez
»
JOSH CONNOR WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS FIRST TIME SCUBA DIVING IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN. Connor is a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served from 2002 to 2006 and was deployed to Iraq for 16 months. After he returned to Bakersfield, Connor was heavily involved with the veteran community. And then he found Aqua-Nut Divers, an organization dedicated to empowering our local disabled veterans by showing diving excursions through scuba diving and how it can help people therapeutically. “I’ve always wanted to be a scuba diver and I’ve always loved the ocean. There was an opportunity for disabled veterans to do it for free,” he said. “Once you get into that water, it’ll blow your mind.” In that moment, Connor found an outlet to escape the
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world and reality. “When I go underwater, I forget about everything — bills, problems, everything. It’s my own world and experience,” he said. Aqua-Nut Divers board member Martha Millan Schimon said many disabled veterans suffer from PTSD symptoms and she wanted to provide a service to give back to Bakersfield’s veterans. While Schimon was on a scuba diving trip with her husband, Eric, a former Bakersfield Police Department sergeant, years ago, she witnessed a group of veterans scuba diving, learning that the activity was a healthy outlet and support system for their mental and physical disabilities. Schimon and her husband knew they had to bring the PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTHA MILLAN SCHIMON
program to Bakersfield. According to Schimon, elements of scuba diving such as developing assurance in oneself, strengthening communication while underwater and creating friendships with each other provide a therapeutic release for veterans. “When they enter the unknown, they build confidence,” said Schimon.
“When they overcome fear, it’s elated. And it’s rewarding to see it.” Schimon said that being underwater helps these veterans from thinking about their past and negative moments; diving is something that can improve their lives. “You see the relationships they form and strong bonds by the way they interact and the way they want to dive. They build camaraderie. When you’re providing a system of support, that in itself is life-changing,” she said. Tim Coleman, another disabled veteran, received his open water and advanced certification. Coleman is one of many disabled veterans — regularly in pain and finding difficulties with walking. Schimon said she assisted Coleman as he went into the water, inflating his BCD — a buoyancy control device or jacket — and watching him float. “He feels that weightless environment. He’s in the moment and not thinking. Physically, he feels better and it’s helpful for him in so many ways.
[Coleman] continues to dive and want to dive because of it,” said Schimon. Veterans have to go through a series of tests before their first dive into the ocean, which include written exams to educate themselves on functioning underwater, open water dives and an advanced diver certification. They also have the opportunity to take it a step further and become a search and rescue diver, such as Connor, who applied for the Sheriff Office’s search and rescue dive team. Aqua-Nut Divers holds two fundraisers a year to fund their trips, scuba gear, lodging and rentals, making this program free for disabled veterans. One of their fundraisers will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Bakersfield Racquet Club. It’s open to the public, providing a one and a half hour experience for community members who want to try scuba diving. The event is $25 per person and all proceeds go to training disabled veterans to scuba dive. To RSVP, email eric@aqua-nut.com.
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Bakersfield Matters
Filmmaker with local ties documents Basques, films a love letter to vanishing Western heritage By Lisa Kimble
»
WHEN BAKERSFIELD NATIVE BEAUX GEST MINGUS MOVED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO STUDY FILMMAKING NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO, HE LEFT A PIECE OF HIS HEART AND A WEALTH OF INSPIRATION BEHIND, NAMELY THE RICH BASQUE CULTURE THAT ENCHANTED HIM IN HIS YOUTH AND HAS MADE OUR COMMUNITY WORLD RENOWN. Eight years into a project, Mingus and his co-collaborator began as an ode to the Basque heritage, Mingus is making final edits to his documentary, “The Disappearing West,” about the cultural and visual history of Basque-Americans in the Western United States. It is a love letter really to the Basque settlements here and elsewhere in California, Nevada and Idaho, highlighting their distinctive language, customs, festivals, music and cuisine. A graduate of Bakersfield High School, Mingus, 45, attended California Institute of the Arts where he picked up a graduate and post-graduate degree. “In high school, I was into shooting with Super 8. I always carried a camera,” Mingus said. His college thesis, “Dear Bakersfield,” featured iconic Basque locales in Old Town Kern. Mingus says his work has focused on capturing intimate, personal rituals and the emotional resonance of overlooked places. “When Gina saw ‘Dear Bakersfield’ she fell in love with the Basque culture too,” he added of his collaborator and fellow Cal Arts grad Gina Napolitan, a content editor at Cal Tech and adjunct professor in animation at Cal State Long Beach. Theirs has been a match made in filmmaking heaven. “It is rare to find a functional creative partner,” Napolitan laughed. The two began filming the documentary in 2013. When they started, there were only five boarders left at Noriega Hotel. Today the hotel is no more. “So much of old California is disappearing,” added Mingus, a television and film video editor and instructor at the nonprofit Echo Park Film Center. “The idea was to start to document that.” And they took their time, doing so under the radar.
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Bakersfield native Beaux Gest Mingus, left, is making final edits to his documentary, “The Disappearing West,” about the cultural and visual history of Basque-Americans in the Western United States. He is pictured alongside Gina Napolitan and Philippe Duhart.
“It is just the two of us making this and we have day jobs so we are dependent on our days off,” he said. “We are trying to make these portraits of stories of the Basque communities in the Western U.S. — Elko, Nevada, Boise, Idaho, Bakersfield and Chino.” When they learned that the historic Winnemucca Hotel and Bar in Nevada was slated to be dismantled, they made the 14-hour drive to record it for their project. The documentary features the filmmaker making pickled tongue at the Kern County Basque Club, a walk-through of Noriega Hotel before its closing and Arborglyphs — the famed Aspen tree carvings of names and initials into the barks of trees in Mono County by shepherds. The documentary also includes footage of the dismantling of the fabled Noriega Hotel bar. “That was such an important place,” Mingus said. “People didn’t have time to process the loss. This is really the first time to mourn.” Mingus and Napolitan, accomplished filmmakers, opted to produce this on their own. “We didn’t set out to make money, in fact, we lost money, but we are only accountable to ourselves,” Napolitan explained on why they didn’t seek funding for the project. “We wanted to make it at our own pace. The thread we kept coming back to was that we’ve had such a great time making it and the people we have met.” The filmmakers are shooting for a Christmas Day release, a gift of sorts to a community that has captivated them. The local Basque community is eager to view the PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA KIMBLE
finished piece. "The last wave of young Basque men and women came to Bakersfield and the American West in the 1950's and 60's, so they are now in their 70s and 80s," said Cal State Bakersfield professor Steven Gamboa, who teaches courses about the culture that originated in the western end of the Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France. "This film wonderfully captures their unique experiences in a disappearing West, and by doing so, helps the community in Bakersfield and beyond maintain its cultural identity in the present and future."
Options after its release may include streaming, in-person screenings and touring. “The Basque history is such a large story yet gets so little attention. We wanted to make these portraits,” Mingus added. “It very much is a passion piece for us and the only way you could describe it is as a labor of love.” To view selected scenes from “The Disappearing West,” visit beauxmingus.com. This isn’t the first film focusing in part on the local Basque community. A film by Kyle Baker, “The Eighth Province,” was accepted into the Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival.
Gina Napolitan and Beaux Gest Mingus are working on a documentary called “The Disappearing West” about the cultural and visual history of Basque-Americans in the Western United States.
www.BakersfieldLife.com
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History
Log Cabin Florist’s opening day in November 1938.
Log Cabin Florist
A long history of local beauty, quality floral service By Julie Plata
»
IN 1157, POET THOMAS TUSSER WROTE IN “A HUNDRED GOOD POINTS OF HUSBANDRY,” “SWEET APRIL SHOWERS DO SPRING MAY FLOWERS.” In our modern way, we say April showers bring May flowers, and since 1938 Log Cabin Florist has been bringing flowers to the community — and not only in May. Log Cabin Florist has a long and storied history in Bakersfield. While it is not the city’s first florist, it is certainly its longest operating. The original proprietors of the shop were James and Eva Riggins. James Riggins had worked in the floral industry for several years prior to opening Log Cabin Florist. In 1933, with partner Barney Finger, James Riggins opened The Flower Shop, and by 1935, Riggins managed the new floral department at Valley Nursery, then appropriately renamed Valley Nursery and Florist. After 10 years in the business, Riggins formally opened
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Log Cabin Florist on Nov. 26, 1938. Located at 424 Eighteenth St. in the former location of Miller’s Flowers, the Nov. 25 Californian reported that the shop would remain open until 9 p.m. for visitors to come inspect and enjoy the special display of potted plants and cut flowers featured for the grand opening. Opening day specials included Pompom chrysanthemums for 25 cents a bunch and a dozen large chrysanthemums for just $2. In 1946, James and Eva Riggins moved the shop to a new location at 404 West Eighteenth St. Log Cabin Florist An advertisement announcing the opening not only served the of Log Cabin Florist appears in a Novemneeds of the commuber 1938 Bakersfield Californian issue. nity for all occasions, the Riggins made the shop an integral part of Bakersfield’s women’s clubs’ events. Floral arrangement demonstrations were frequently given in which the April 12, 1949, Californian informed readers that Riggins presented a “very outstanding arrangement” of lavender and bronze tulips arranged in a crystal bowl where he “opened each petal so that all flowers were full blown.” During World War II, Eva Riggins held the business together when James Riggins was sent off to war. The little shop thrived and when he returned the couple continued to keep the shop running until 1968 when they sold it to longtime employee Jerry Beckwith and his wife, Terry. Just as James Riggins had, Jerry Beckwith continued the tradition of floral demonstrations for Bakersfield’s various women’s clubs, and in 1972 he was named winner of Florist magazine’s Design of the Month Contest for June, beating entries from as far away as Australia. His winning entry was a tropical arrangement of anthurium and bird of paradise, ti leaves and palm fashioned in a natural bamboo basket. Beckwith told the June 23, 1972, Californian that he found that particular arrangement to be a customer favorite due to the longevity of the flowers used. Now owned by Dawn Baumgarten, Log Cabin Florist, located at 800 19th St., continues the quality and beauty expected of an arrangement set by the Rigginses and Beckwiths. As it has for generations, Log Cabin Florist puts the customer first. Baumgarten has also proudly established her own tradition for the shop as Bakersfield’s Best Florist from 1994 to 2017 and as a recipient of the Good Customer Service award.
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2300 Bahamas Dr. ®
2021 Civic Hatchback Break away from the everyday…
From its daring body lines to its available leather-trimmed interior, the 2021 Civic Hatchback delivers attitude from every angle, inside and out. And with A Turbocharged Joyride – With an engine kicking out up to 180 hp and a fully independent multilink rear suspension, the 2021 Civic Hatchback was designed to be the hottest hatch around.
Get Your Best Deal on a New Honda - Trust the Locally Owned Dealer who’s been Serving Kern County for over 65 Years!
Barber Honda
www.barberhonda.com
4500 Wible Road at the Entrance to the
1955
1-888-503-8891 Se Habla Español
2020
