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EDITOR’S NOTE
Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine
Bakersfield Life™ magazine is published by The Bakersfield Californian. The magazine is inserted into The Bakersfield Californian on the last Saturday of every month. To subscribe, please call 392-5777. Publisher Ginger Moorhouse President/CEO Richard Beene Senior Vice President Revenue and Marketing John Wells Advertising Director Bryan Fahsbender Editor Olivia Garcia Assistant Editor Stefani Dias Features Associate Hillary Haenes Editorial Assistant Marisol Sorto Art Direction Glenn Hammett Photography Felix Adamo Henry A. Barrios Jaclyn Borowski Holly Carlyle Casey Christie Paris Davis Jessica Frey Jeremy Gonzalez Lois Henry John Harte Alex Horvath Greg Nichols Tanya X. Leonzo Barbara Lomas Christopher O’Brien Jan St. Pierre Martin Ramirez Ashley Reyes Sarah Ringewirtz Carla Rivas Contributing writers Allie Castro Gene Garaygordobil Lois Henry Lisa Kimble Stephen Lynch Rob Meszaros Melissa Peaker-Whitten Gabriel Ramirez Miranda Whitworth Advertising Lupe Carabajal lcarabajal@bakersfield.com 395-7563 Reader Inquiries Bakersfield Life Magazine P.O. Bin 440 Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440 BakersfieldLife@bakersfield.com 395-7492 On the cover Mai Giffard, the assistant pastry chef at the Padre Hotel, is one of our 10 People to Watch. Photo by Jessica Frey
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Bakersfield Life
July 2011
Growing new leaders
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While Bakersfield’s fertile land exports many crops far and wide, the town is also known for growing and grooming future leaders. Each year, Bakersfield Life magazine puts the spotlight on People to Watch. This time, writer Lisa Kimble found a group of amazing and inspiring individuals who are doing lots of neat things to make our community better. They are not movers and shakers or familiar faces — but that’s what we wanted. We wanted to showcase those who are making a difference in their own special ways. I encourage you to read about them, find a way to get to know them or appreciate these great individuals who help define Bakersfield. Speaking of defining Bakersfield, our Community section looks at the great contributions being made by The Bakersfield Californian Foundation. This nonprofit is improving the quality of life in Bakersfield through its support of other local organizations. Foundation director Tracey Cowenhoven shares some of the group’s great work with us. Much kudos for locals who are making going green a priority. Stefanie Bye is a mother of two who has launched an eco-friendly business focusing on green baby products. Just what baby items are environmentally friendly and popular? Find out in our Going Green section. In our Personality section, we try to highlight longtime community members who are making things happen. In this issue, we profile Dee Slade, whose love of arts, diversity and youth leadership drive her community work. If you ever get a chance to meet her, you will be impressed at how motivating she can be. It’s not often that you get to stay in touch with your former English college professor, but that’s how I felt as I read the Real People feature about Marci Lingo, who is now a librarian at Bakersfield College. It almost feels like yesterday that I was sitting in her class, listening to her lec-
Photo by Tanya X. Leonzo
July 2011 / Vol. 5 / Issue 10
tures. She was one of my favorite professors, constantly challenging us to write well and analyze what we’ve read. BC is fortunate to have her now as a librarian, and if you turn to the Real People section, you’ll learn how libraries have always been close to her heart. Also, turn to the Last Word section to read about Jay Tamsi, the newly appointed president/CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As you may recall, Tamsi was one of the individuals the magazine featured in its “People to Watch” list two years ago. Tamsi is involved in many local nonprofits and has big goals for the KCHCC. And if you haven’t been to Juicy Burger, then you must read the Food Dudes’ review on their experience. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Juicy Burger a few times with the family. Not only are the burgers great, but so are the milkshakes! The Food Dudes share their must-order items with us.
Olivia Garcia Editor 395-7487 ogarcia@bakersfield.com