Bakersfield Life Magazine March 2021

COVID-19 doesn't discriminate

Stories from virus' first year

March 2021

Cardiologist Dr. Peter Nalos and Sharon Dunn

$3.95

Live Fierce

Women share their journeys for Go Red

How-To Guide

Tips to update your home, look and life

Made for more hope

We were all made for more. More love. More hope. More connection. And now more than ever, it’s important for us to stay connected. In times of uncertainty we pull together as a community, and together we can overcome anything.

To learn more about staying healthy, active and connected, visit AdventistHealth.org

SURGERY CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE, BUT REHAB MAKES YOUR LIFE NORMAL AGAIN. Sharon Dunn

Cardiac Rehab Patient

"Having heart surgery was the most intense experience of my life. I was so afraid I would never again be able to do the things I loved. Thank goodness for Cynthia Burt and the Cardiac Rehab team at Bakersfield Heart Hospital, their dedication and compassion made all the difference. I learned so much about heart health, exercise regimens and how to follow a healthy diet. Now I'm back to walking three to four miles a day, five days a week and couldn't be happier.

Thank you all for helping me feel normal again!"

Do you know your risk factors for heart disease?

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

A time for reflection

» SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

Ema Sasic PUBLISHER Cliff Chandler EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christine Peterson SPECIALTY PUBLICATIONS DESIGNER

Julie Mana-ay Perez PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Horvath Ema Sasic InMotionPro Jenvarnerphoto Julie Mana-ay Perez Lisa Wuertz CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anna Marie Frank Jessica Jones Lisa Kimble Lyle W. Norton Julie Plata

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE WE’RE APPROACHING A YEAR OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, SHUTDOWNS AND FATIGUE. It’s definitely

been a rollercoaster of a ride.

When you look back to where we were this time last year, the world has managed to achieve a lot, and that’s a cause for celebration. Last March, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Many thought COVID-19 would go away within a few weeks and life would go back to normal in no time.

We also didn’t know how many lives would end up being affected by it, nor how many lives would be lost.

Fast forward to today, we know how this virus spreads and many of the symptoms people will experience. We’ve got those masks on our face and are adhering to social distancing whenever we can. And, of course, we have vaccines available which offer hope to all of us.

It’s been a long year, and no one can tell you about it better than the five men we have featured in our magazine this month. You might recognize their names and faces, but you might not know that all of them have dealt with COVID-19 at some point in the last year.

Jay Tamsi, president/CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of the Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force, was among some of the first individuals in Kern County to be diagnosed with COVID-19.

At that time, when doctors and scientists were just figuring out how this new virus impacted people, Tamsi felt so isolated and scared, not knowing exactly what would happen to him. But as the months

went on, and more people were falling ill, more information was available. By the time Jim Scott, a KGET anchor, was diagnosed in January, he felt like he knew a lot about COVID-19 and how he could take care of himself. Today, he’s encouraging people who have recovered to donate convalescent plasma.

These five men wanted to share their stories to educate fellow Kern County residents and give them hope for brighter days. We all need a little bit of hope, and I want to thank them for being so candid with us all.

There’s been a lot of growing and learning, and there’s always room for more, but the world has definitely made strides in 12 months. Today, we’re celebrating those victories. Tomorrow, we’re rolling up our sleeves and continuing the fight.

And while we’re looking forward to brighter days, remember to celebrate the women in your lives for Women’s History Month!

Ema Sasic Editor 661-395-7392 esasic@bakersfield.com Follow her on Twitter: @ema_sasic

Get social with us! Follow us on social media to get the inside scoop. www.bakersfield.com/bakersfield-life/

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March 2021

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Partner with us

for your next event. Email Ema Sasic at esasic@bakersfield.com or call 661-395-7392 for more information.

COMING UP IN APRIL...

THE HOME & GARDEN ISSUE

CONTENTS

MARCH 2021 Vol. 15 / Issue No. 7

61 UP FRONT

Editor's Note Meet our Contributors The Big Picture Pet of the Month What We're Streaming

LIFESTYLES Home & Garden Peace of Mind Business Health Feature Love & Life Beauty The Marketplace

EAT & DRINK Salty & Sweet Sip & Swirl What's Cooking Bites

GO & DO Out & About Entertainment Entertainment Arts & Culture

4 10 11 12 13

15 19 20 22 24 25 26

27 30 32 33

53 55 58 60

15 22

25 O N T H E C OV E R Bakersfield Heart Hospital cardiologist Dr. Peter Nalos and his patient Sharon Dunn.

— Julie Mana-ay Perez

GREAT KERN COUNTY

Our Town 61 Study Hall 63 Bakersfield Matters 64 What We're Celebrating 65 History 66 How Bakersfield are you?

67 www.BakersfieldLife.com

7

FEATURES

THIS MONTH

34 Live Fierce

Women share their stories for Go Red.

How-to

guide

48 8

March 2021

How-To Guide

We bring you our How-To Guide, where local experts weigh in on choosing the right dentist, picking the perfect patio covers and more!

Stories from the virus' first year

Five local, prominent men share their experiences with COVID-19 and advice they have for Kern County residents as the fight continues.

41

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.

Julie Plata Julie is a historian and lecturer at CSUB 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.

10

March 2021

The sun sets behind an almond orchard and palm trees looking west on 7th Standard Road.

PHOTO BY ALEX HORVATH

THE BIG PICTURE

Holy sunset!

www.BakersfieldLife.com

11

Partner Content

Pet of the Month

Azul's Information Kennel No.: C058 Animal No.: A116719 Color: Blue and white Breed: Pitbull Sex: Neutered Age: 2-years-old Weight: 56 lbs.

12

March 2021

Lifestyle: Active Temperament: Social Obedience: No training Dog to dog: Friendly Behavior to people: Friendly to men and women

Azul is a 2-year-old neutered, pitbull mix.

He is people-oriented and affectionate. He wants to be a lap dog and get cuddles all day long.

Azul does get playBakersfield Life ful in the yard and Magazine is partnering will need exercise with the Bakersfield and mental stimAnimal Care Center. ulation. He gets For more information, along well with visit bakersfieldcity.us. other dogs and seems to communicate well with other dogs. Azul originally came into the shelter in August 2020. He was adopted in December, but he came back to us a month later as the family really didn’t have the time or means to take care of him. During the time the adoptive family had him, all the neighbors fell in love with him. Azul is a good dog that would excel with structure and basic training. He is eager to please and is a lovebug. He definitely deserves a loving forever home.

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 10-4 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD ANIMAL CARE CENTER

What We're Streaming

What we’re streaming in March “NIGHT STALKER” (NETFLIX): If you’re a true-crime junkie, this documentary series has to be added to your must watchlist. This limited documentary focuses on the efforts to catch serial killer Richard Ramirez in California during the 1980s. Ramirez was convicted of 13 counts of murder, in addition to other charges of attempted murder, sexual assault and burglary, for a total of 43 charges.

The series is taken from the point of view of journalists, detectives and victims related to the cases, and recounts a timeline of events leading to Ramirez’s arrest. The chilling tale of the Night Stalker is graphic, gruesome and leaves an eerie feeling behind that one man could be responsible for such horrendous crimes. Viewers discretion is advised.

“FATE: THE WINX SAGA” (NETFLIX): If you grew up watching Nickelodeon in the early 2000s, you knew the “Winx Club,” a show revolving around fairies, witches and other mythical creatures in a magical universe. Netflix has readapted a live-action version and introduced “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Though the series is not too similar to its cartoon counterpart, it still tells a story of a girl named Bloom trying to figure out who she is, what she is and where she really comes from. Bloom attends a magical boarding school in the Otherworld with other mystical beings. With the help of her new fairy friends, Bloom needs to learn how to control her powers all while figuring out her past.

— Julie Mana-ay Perez, specialty publications designer

”FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS” (HULU): “The New York Times Presents” documentary series' latest episode is on pop singer Britney Spears. The episode explores the singer’s worldwide rise to fame, her public relationships with Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline and how she was constantly sexualized and “slut-shamed” by news outlets.

It also covers the events of 2007, including the infamous umbrella photo, and how it all led to her conservatorship.

Her father, Jamie Spears, has been in charge of her estate for the past 12 years, and recently the singer has asked the court to appoint someone else as her conservator. The ongoing battle has led to the #FreeBritney movement among her fans, and this documentary gives audiences a glimpse into how the pop singer has been fighting for control of the narratives around her throughout her career.

— Ema Sasic, specialty publications editor

www.BakersfieldLife.com

13

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LIFESTYLES

Q&A

Bratcher Home & Design founder Brooke Bratcher discusses ins and outs of interior design Questions answered by Brooke Bratcher

BL: How did Bratcher Home & Design begin?

BB: Bratcher Home & Design, formally known as Brooke Bratcher Design, started in the fall of 2014. I was a new mom to a handsome 3-month-old baby boy when unexpectedly someone reached out asking for design services to pull together their child’s room. I was thrilled to take on the project and get back to designing spaces!

Considering the room was for a young child, the client wanted budget friendly options. So, with that being said, I quickly became known for my ability to achieve “the look for less.” Word

spread and all of a sudden one client turned into multiple clients all wanting the same concept. I was often spotted at Home Goods, Tuesday Morning, Target and Hobby Lobby, wearing my infant in his carrier on my chest, and one, if not two, shopping carts filled to the brim with affordable home decor.

As the years went on, I continued to grow my family and business simultaneously. In 2016, my husband, Kevin, and I welcomed our second child, a baby girl! At the same time, my business was evolving in a new direction, a direction I always anticipated. I officially gained access to designer product lines and began selling furniture, artwork, lighting, rugs, accessories and more! I slowly transitioned out of “the look for less.” After selling quality home furnishings, I began to see financial suc» See more on Brooke Bratcher on PAGE 16.

PHOTOS BY JVARNERPHOTO

www.BakersfieldLife.com

15

Lifestyles

cess. Design time alone was more of a hobby, but mixing design time with retail sales, I personally noticed my hobby shifting into an interior design career.

In 2019, I decided to expand my business. Once working from home, in my car and out of my husband’s extra warehouse, I decided it was time to open a showroom of my own. It would create official office hours, house all my custom design samples and allow clients and customers to shop my designer lines. Naturally, the decision to rebrand came to mind and after working with a local branding company, Bratcher Home & Design was established!

After months and months of planning, stressing and preparing, the showroom officially opened its doors in November 2019 in downtown Bakersfield at 1219 18th St. This accomplishment was a dream come true!

BL: What do you enjoy most about interior decorating?

BB: The most rewarding part of design, for me personally, is the end result. I enjoy the process leading up to install day, but I think witnessing the space come to life and looking back at the before pictures to see the true transformation is so fulfilling for not only myself, but my client as well.

BL: How would you describe your style?

BB: I feel like this is always a hard question to answer. I would technically say I fall under the category known as transitional: the marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design.

Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles.

However, I would also say I pull a slight Bohemian aesthetic by incorporating lots of live plants, accessorizing with woven baskets and trays and mixing textures/prints. With all that said, I truly want the client’s home to reflect their personal aesthetic with just a hint of Bratcher Home. I have the resources to design most any style.

16

March 2021

BL: Which design trends are you most excited about this spring?

BB: Springtime is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the change in weather and truly believe in the concept of “spring cleaning”!

I’m not sure if there is a major spring trend that I can provide you with, but I can definitely educate you on some go-to springtime tips and tricks.

First, think light and bright. Consider putting away any throw pillows that seem to pull darker tones and bring out the ones that pull lighter tones. Swap out your winter scented candles for fresh and airy candles. Bring in spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils and roses. I suggest placing arrangements on your entry table, kitchen island, coffee table, bedside table or bathroom. Be sure to open your blinds every morning and let the natural light shine in your spaces. Open the windows and feel the fresh air and cool breeze. Clean out and organize your food pantry and personal closet — this brings peace and joy (once it’s completed!). Give your house a fresh curb appeal by planting seasonal flowers or planting a new tree that blooms through spring/summer!

BL: Favorite materials and texture?

BB: I love working with performance fabrics. These fabrics are highly sought after by almost all of my clients. Considering most households are filled with kids, pets, red wine, juice boxes and snacks, a “kid proof” fabric is highly desirable when placing an upholstered sofa, chairs, bed, dining chair or barstool order. I also love working wallpapers and wood panelling. Adding texture to a wall will completely transform a space in the most wonderful way!

» See more on Brooke Bratcher on PAGE 18.

We can assist with: • Bathing/Grooming • Personal Assistance • Preparing Meals • Medication Reminders • Shopping • Companionship • Light Housekeeping

www.BakersfieldLife.com

17

Lifestyles BL: What qualities do you look for when choosing furniture and accessories?

BB: I look for quality and craftsmanship, especially in upholstered and casegood products. I look for fabric and wood finish customization options. I look for style variety — some clients want traditional, some want mid-century, some want contemporary and everything in between. Lastly, I look for local artisans to help support small businesses in our community.

BL: What qualities do you most admire in a room?

BB: I love when the scale of everything is on point. Scale might be a personal preference.

However, when I walk into a room and feel the furniture has been placed strategically and proportionately, I get excited! This usually means the homeowner takes pride in each piece, and it was placed with thoughtful intention.

BL: What are your favorite decorative items when styling a home?

BB: Live plants in beautiful containers, substantial and quality table lamps and oversized coffee table books of interest to the client.

BL: Bold hues or subtle neutral colors?

BB: Subtle neutrals.

BL: What’s the best interior design lesson you’ve learned?

BB: Less is more. Personally, I believe this to be true. It doesn’t mean you have to live without the things you love, but rather making the things you love shine in a brighter way! Sometimes, clients have too much “stuff” and we will need to weed out the necessary from the unnecessary in that specific space. Then, I can proceed to design accordingly, ensuring each item added to the space serves a purpose and brings value.

BL: What advice would you give to others who are redesigning their spaces during any season?

BB: Stay true to the colors, bold or neutral, that speak to you. Splurge on upholstery, lighting and artwork. Hire subcontractors if you are not a DIY person. Avoid impulse purchases, and instead start with a visual and financial plan.

Don’t ask everyone’s opinion, they all have something different to say and you’ll get more confused. Find inspirational photos to help keep you on track with your end vision. Painting walls provides an affordable impact. Purge and donate the things you no longer want or need. And remember to have fun!

More Information

Bratcher Home & Design 661-535-5773 BratcherHome.com Follow her on Instagram @bratcher_home_design To see more photos and designs, head to Bakersfield.com.

18

March 2021

Peace of Mind

Brain, body, energy hack The art of raising your vibration – mind, body, soul

By Anna Marie Frank

»

DO THIS, DO THAT, HACK THIS, HACK THAT AND THEN LET’S SEE IF IT ALL PANS OUT TO LEAVE YOU FEELING HAPPY AND WHOLE. Sometimes the advice and opportunity for personal physical improvement can be overwhelming. Where does one start in order to become happy and whole? The abundance of tips and tricks paired with targeted advertising and balanced with what western doctors suggest can easily lead to sensory overload and disappointment.

How can one work on weight loss when their mindset is jacked? How can one work on eating well when they don’t even know what to eat? How can one exercise when their knees hurt, their relationships suck and they are angry at the world?

There is a key hack that so many gurus are missing. This is the ultimate hack for true happiness and longevity, but it’s not super easy nor is it linear. Which is probably why you haven’t been exposed to it. It’s not a moneymaker or a showstopper gadget. It’s way more than a quickie and not super convenient, like an Amazon order. The first step is easy — stop by to see us at Happy Whole You. Experience how we help you cut through the fog, focus and optimize your routines to achieve your goals. Soak up the knowledge and lean into the tools we teach that help anyone and everyone formulate a personalized success plan.

Happy Whole You is a human upgrade center in downtown Bakersfield. We help you upgrade your biology — mind, body and spirit. We focus on increasing brain function and decreasing body inflammation using high-tech pieces of equipment and old school Eastern medicine modalities. We take a holistic approach to help you raise your level of health and consciousness. But before we see you at the center to learn more, here are some hacks for better sleep.

Hacking your sleep starts with an effective and consistent nighttime routine to help you sleep deeper and longer. First thing, you must go outside, barefoot and watch the sunset. This is super effective in order to reset your circadian rhythm. Spend 10 to 15 minutes outside, work on deep breathing and enjoy the sunset.

Once the sun goes down, skip all electronics. No more phone or television because screens emit blue light which excites the brain. So, go from sunset to chill mode. Even draw yourself a bath or take a nice shower. Adding the water element in the evening is soothing.

Next, be sure your room is cool and dark. Place electrical tape over any flashing lights. The darker and cooler the room the better your sleep will be. Also, don’t keep your phone next to the bed — turn it off and put it in another room.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA MARIE FRANK

Lastly, keep a notepad, pen and book close by. Take some time to read using a reading light (I use a tiny amber-colored light) and shut off the overhead lights. Use the notepad and pen to write down what you are grateful for and if you have any ideas or thoughts come to mind.

Now, you have a sleep hack routine that is a great place to start.

For guidance and ways to improve cellular function, increase physical energy and improve brain function visit Happy Whole You for your specific tailored needs. The art of raising one’s vibration MIND-BODY-SOUL comes from a compound effect of multiple hacks that are formulated to your bio-individuality.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of Anna Marie Frank. www.BakersfieldLife.com

19

Lifestyles

TylerE is the first Black-owned business inside the Valley Plaza Mall to highlight different cultures in Bakersfield.

Kyra Manning, owner of TylerE, wants Black women and stay-athome mothers to know they can achieve any lifetime goal.

TylerE

First Black-owned business at Valley Plaza Mall sets a new tone

By Carissa Diaz

»

Before the store’s development, Manning was a stay-at-home mother of four children while she supported her husband as an entrepreneur himself, who owns Shoe MGK, two Next Up Barbershop locations and Next Up The Store.

What started off as a way to make an Then, COVID-19 hit and things began to get income during the pandemic for Kyra Mantough for the businesses, so Manning decidning became a blessing in disguise. It was ed that she wanted to step in to help in the the motivation Manning was searching for best way she knew — selling clothing. to begin her journey in entrepreneurship and With help from a friend, Manning began orto develop something greater for the commuKyra Manning dering clothing from vendors and started selling nity: the first Black-owned business at Valley them on Instagram. Her friends from the Bay Area, Plaza Mall. where she lived for most of her life, sold out the collection TylerE, named after Manning’s twin daughters, Tyler quickly and allowed her to bring in income for her family. and Erin, who were in the NICU for five months at Kern Med“At that point, I was actually trying to help my husband ical Center, has brought Black culture and the Bakersfield think of different ways that we could still be in business, community together. It’s where local Black-owned designers and businesses have a location to sell their merchandise, and while everything was shut down,” Manning, 33, said. “I’ve always been into fashion. I’m not a big fashion guru, but I do musicians have their chance to be heard. take pride in that. I feel like I dress a little different.”

“It makes me happy to know that I have done something Manning created a business for herself online that led different,” Manning said. “I hope that me opening up this her to make the clothing available at her husband’s business, store can speak volumes to other Black women, to other stayNext Up The Store, also a smoke shop. After consistently at-home moms, to know that they’re unstoppable and know selling merchandise at the location, the couple decided that that anything they aspired to do is attainable.”

A COMMUNITY-BASED SHOP FOCUSING ON CULTURE AND BAKERSFIELD NATIVES HAS FOUND ITS HOME INSIDE THE VALLEY PLAZA MALL.

20

March 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KYRA MANNING

Aunt Mae’s has your With the ongoing pandemic, TylerE has several safety regulations in place so customers can comfortably shop for the latest fashion trends.

Easter Baskets, gourmet tofffee & gi s

in Easter themed packaging!

830 18th Street www.auntmaessweets.com March Hours: Open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NATIONAL DOCTOR’S DAY MARCH 30 it was time Manning had an official store.

Inside TylerE, you’ll find local brands incorporated in their “Culture Corner,” highlighting different cultures with powerful shirts. Manning expressed that it uplifts Black people to represent their culture and allows other cultures to showcase that they stand with Black lives.

“I love having different small businesses that are Black-owned in there,” Manning said. “We have so many different shirts that represent educated and successful Black people. That’s just something that I think people need to see and know and appreciate.”

TylerE also sheds light on local musicians, as artists can submit their music to be played in the store and during live mixes with Bakersfield’s own DJ Ash B every first Saturday of the month.

With several upscale stores and brands in the Valley Plaza Mall, TylerE has established a community-based shop. The store offers affordable and fashionable apparel, shoes and accessories for the whole family from wellknown brands to local ones. TylerE also offers discounts every week and almost daily.

“It just brings life and light to the store knowing that this is for the town. This is for Bakersfield, and everybody involved in this is a Bakersfield native,” Manning said.

TylerE is located in the Valley Plaza Mall by Abercrombie & Fitch. For more updates, visit shoptylere.com or @shoptylere on Instagram.

TODD FARRER, MD Medical Director INGY AYAD, MD Hospice Physician

WARREN WISNOFF, DO Hospice Physician

DAVID SINE, MD Pediatrics

We appreciate our physicians and their compassionate care of our patients.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

21

Lifestyles

Merlyn, left, and Bryson Frank.

Sharing more than genes

Father, son sustain traumatic brain injuries 10 years apart, find the road to recovery

By Ema Sasic

» MOST PEOPLE RESEMBLE THEIR PARENTS ON LOOKS, AND SOMETIMES EVEN HAVE MANY OF THEIR PERSONALITY TRAITS.

Father and son Merlyn, 58, and Bryson, 22, Frank both love motorcycles and racing, which has strengthened their bond. But their similarities go even further: they both suffered traumatic brain injuries in accidents 10 years apart.

Merlyn Frank grew up in Northern California where he played football and baseball in high school. Around the time of his graduation, he was introduced to the world of motorcycles, and his passion was born.

“When I got introduced to motorcycles, it’s like the light went on,” Merlyn Frank said.

He worked in motorcycle shops, even owned one himself, and dabbled a bit in racing. After some time, however,

22

March 2021

realizing motorcycles wouldn’t earn him enough to own a home, he decided to make a career switch and turned to air conditioning services.

In 2008, when he was 45-years-old, things changed in an instant.

Merlyn Frank was working on a roof on June 27, 2008, repairing an air conditioning unit, when suddenly he fell. He doesn’t remember much from that day, he said, but what he thinks happened was tripping over electrical wire that wasn’t secured on the roof. He believes he hit a wooden shed during his fall before finally making it to the ground.

He woke up in a hospital not knowing where he was or what had happened. It was like coming out of a fog, he explained.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBIN CARR

Bryson Frank, middle, with his parents, Merlyn and Jenny.

After he was discharged from the hospital, he began receiving out-patient care at the Centre for Neuro Skills.

He essentially had to learn how to walk, speak, work and function again.

“I didn’t really know what the damage was, and it took me probably two months at CNS by the time the lights kicked on,” Merlyn Frank said.

At first, he didn’t want to do anything he was asked to do. Often he was given “kindergarten work,” such as shapes and puzzles, and he would often get frustrated. But a health professional told him if he wanted to “get better, get back to work and have a normal life,” Merlyn Frank recalled, he would have to go through the therapy.

Cognitive behavior, physical interaction, sight and vision therapy were among the treatments Merlyn Frank received. By February 2009, after around six months of treatment, he felt stronger and started getting back to his old self.

Today, he’s still working and doing many of the things he was doing before his accident.

Unfortunately, that was not the last time someone in the family would have a serious injury.

Bryson Frank fell in love with motorcycles from an early age — as young as 2-years-old when he remembers seeing his father on a bike. His parents bought him a Yamaha PW50 when he was little, and from that moment on his passion has grown.

At the age of 19, however, it changed his life.

Similar to his father, he doesn’t remember much from his accident. What he was told is he was planning on speaking to his counselor at Bakersfield College on May 11, 2017. As he was exiting the Westside Parkway onto Truxtun Avenue, his motorcycle spun out. He fractured two vertebrae, lacerated his lung, injured his right hand and

suffered a traumatic brain injury from the crash.

“I was wearing a helmet that I knew a MotoGP racer would use when he races, so I thought it must be good enough for me,” he said. “For whatever reason, how I hit my helmet against something, it gave me a traumatic brain injury.”

For nearly three weeks Bryson Frank was coming in and out of consciousness, and even had to have an operation to rid him of a blood clot in his chest. After finally regaining consciousness, it was time to start the work toward his recovery.

He spent around three weeks at then-HealthSouth relearning how to walk. Then, from July to October 2017, he received out-patient care at CNS, just like his father. He studied words, underwent educational therapy and utilized a cognition module to improve his cognitive skills.

“It was very rigorous and it made me really get my brain working in all aspects,” Bryson Frank said.

After those three months, he started to feel like his old self again, and today he believes he has regained what he may have lost in cognitive ability. That brain power is serving him more than ever — he’s a junior at the University of California Santa Cruz majoring in computer game design.

As for motorcycles, that love is still there. He took a few years off to rebuild his bike, but he got back on July 11, 2020.

“It was amazing to be back on it,” he said. During the last weekend of September, Bryson Frank and his mother went on a 1,500-mile motorcycle ride throughout Northern California. He has also encouraged Merlyn Frank to continue riding motorcycles and not let the accident keep him from his love.

“As long as I’ve known you, all you’ve done is ride motorcycles. Don’t you dare give up what you love because of what happened to me,” Merlyn Frank recalled his son telling him. “It changed that thought process for me. It was almost like he was demanding that I keep doing what I love to do.”

Both father and son couldn’t believe they would experience similar accidents and recoveries in their lifetimes, but both are thankful they were surrounded by loved ones every step of the way, and that local health experts helped them get back on their feet and back to doing what they love.

19th & N Street, Downtown Bakersfield www.emporiumwesternstore.com

(661) 325-8476

www.BakersfieldLife.com

23

Love & Life

Creative cure

By Jessica Jones

»

IF YOU ARE WISHING AWAY ALL THE COUNTLESS COOKING AND ENDLESS CLEANING, AND FIND THAT YOU FEEL WORN DOWN BY THE MONOTONY OF ROUTINE, YOU MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE CREATIVITY IN YOUR LIFE. You are not alone if you are sick and tired of boredom.

As I adjust to my “new normal,” I find myself craving more than a new show or good book. I don’t mean commitments, work, possessions or shopping trips.

I’m talking about the daily infusion of beauty, simplicity and creativity.

Some of my favorite childhood memories were listening to my dad play his guitar, watching my brother marching in his school band, hearing him practicing his drums and learning to sew alongside my mom. I may not love sewing now, but I do love to create, most likely because I came from a creative home.

The day that I met my husband, he was playing guitar at a church picnic.

Through the years, I have enjoyed seeing his creativity unfold in various forms. I still enjoy watching him create websites and logos for local businesses and our church.

Bakersfield is alive with creativity.

In our extended families alone (they almost all live here), we have entrepreneurs, musicians, housewives, fashionistas, furniture makers and flippers, theater performers, artists, decorators, crafters and those with green thumbs.

They all inspire me.

So, to pass on that inspiration to you, dear readers, and to keep your boredom blues away, I have compiled a list of ideas to help. If you like these ideas and come up with your own, try posting a list wherever you need so it is visible and accessible — like a reminder.

Try making a new recipe once or twice a week. Or modify some of your go-to family favorites. Bake a large batch of cookies and give them to loved ones. Have smores around the fire pit.

Plant a vegetable or herb garden. De-

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March 2021

Jessica Jones' latest furniture flip.

sign a whimsical fairy garden, or create beautiful new flower arrangements. Add potted succulents to your front entryway, or a backyard table. Add oxygen boosting and cleansing plants to your bedrooms.

Make homemade bath salts, bath bombs or soap. Learn how to make jewelry or pottery. Frame your favorite photos and give them to loved ones or put together a photo scrapbook. Create themed gift baskets for birthdays and other special occasions. Put together food and hygiene bags for the homeless.

Make new playlists of fun, upbeat songs and try new activities like hiking, biking, frisbee golf, volleyball, rollerblading, tennis, golf and soccer to

create new energy around your existing workout routine.

Join Nanowrimo, or start a blog, to spur on your creative writing. Join Meetup to find other artists, musicians and creators in Bakersfield. Use YouTube and Pinterest to learn about and incorporate more creative ideas.

If you’ve felt creatively stuck and unmotivated lately, I hope these ideas can nudge you in a more creative direction, as they did me. Creating something doesn’t have to mean spending money.

It just takes vision, imagination and a bit of doing.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of Jessica Jones.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESSICA JONES

Lifestyles Meet the owner, Alexis Kemp

Q&A

My Sister’s Scrub owner Alexis Kemp shares how to achieve glowing skin Questions answered by Alexis Kemp

BL: Why did you begin My Sister’s Scrub?

What was the idea behind it?

AK: I began My Sister’s Scrub because I wanted to begin creating my brand. The idea behind it is based around my personal sisterhood (including my best friend and sisters). I took the time to perfect the name of my business, titling it My Sister’s Scrub with an apostrophe “s,” exemplifying how each product is dedicated to one of them. Each product has initials of the sister whom it belongs to or a sisterly relation name such as sissy, sister, etc.

BL: Are all of your products natural?

AK: Yes, all of my products are natural and homemade.

BL: What’s your favorite scrub right now?

AK: This is a tough one. I would say my favorite scrubs right now are Alexandria’s Brown Sugar Scrub and Cydni’s Honey Scrub. They’re both classics and the first two I came up with.

BL: How do you make your scrubs?

AK: Each scrub is made using ingredients containing salt or sugar with a mixture of oils that work well together for all skin types.

BL: How do you figure out the next big product?

AK: I figure out my next product by doing a lot of research on the oils. I take note of the benefits in hopes to curate a product that can positively impact the customer, or who I call the Scrub Sister.

BL: What’s your process when experimenting with ingredients?

AK: The process is literally an experiment, especially when PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEXIS KEMP

trying to find the perfect amounts of additives for the products. I take each ingredient and measure it out in attempts to get the perfect oil to sugar or salt ratio. My products do not dry the skin, but leave it with a perfect amount of oil post shower/ bath.

BL: Other than scrubs, what else are you making?

AK: Other than body and lip scrubs, I create facial serums, bath salts and beard oil for men.

BL: Anything new you’re creating lately?

AK: My newest product is a honey and milk soap which will be referred to as Cydni’s Honey Soap. I am also working on new scrub formulas for this spring.

BL: What are some of your essential self-care items?

AK: My essential self-care items are all my products, my diffuser, coffee and tea, music and my bathtub.

BL: What’s in store for the future?

AK: In the near future, I aspire to continue to turn my small business into a big business. I wish to create more products that my Scrub Sisters love and use on their skin daily. I aspire to have my own storage/storefront space soon as well. It’s all a process and I am definitely trusting it.

BL: What advice can you give to people who want to achieve glowing skin?

AK: To those who want to achieve glowing skin, snag any one of our scrubs, pair it with our facial serum and drink lots of water! Try to refrain from using products that dry your skin out. Instead use natural oils and ingredients that add a natural glow to the skin (i.e. honey, coconut oil, etc.) www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Promotional Content

Lifestyles

Unique, custom-designed jewelry

by Raul Zavala

Celebrate Agriculture

An original watercolor or oil painting of your favorite farm or ranch scene would be a wonderful addition to your home or office. The oil painting featured in this ad is of Plant 6PP2, a Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water District water tower, surrounded by fields of mandarin oranges on Highway 166. The artist created the iconic painting while painting on location recently.

Order your favorite agricultural scene today. Many iconic Bakersfield and Kern County watercolor and oil paintings are also available.

Contract the artist, Charlotte White, at (661) 330-2676.

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

Sugardaddy's Women's Boutique

Bakersfield Art Association

2020

1607 19th St. 661-869-2320 Please call for our current hours of operation www.bakersfieldartassociation.org Facebook and Instagram Art on display and for sale.

Classes for adults and children.

Paintings, Prints, Digitals, Photography, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Dyed Silks, Crafts/Woodwork/Ceramics Kern County Fair winner: Micki Schulz "Persimmon in the Corner Pocket" Watercolor Artist contact (661) 330-3002

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March 2021

Come in or shop online! www.sugardaddysboutique.com 5512 Stockdale Highway 30-day layaway available 661-325-8300

Tom Clancy with Brighton did it again with a beautiful handbag.

Come in and check this handbag out!

Brighton's Field of Love Large Tote $375 10 inch strap, ziptop closure, four inside pockets, one outside pocket and a key holder.

The bag is a work of art! The butterflies are hand painted on by Catherine Hong.

Show off this beautiful bag.

Brighton's Jasper Soft Tote $395 11 inch strap, magnetic closure, four inside pockets, one outside pocket and a key holder.

EAT & DRINK

Thai House features dishes like pad thai, seafood soup, pumpkin curry, green beans, mango and sticky rice and delicous Thai iced tea.

Feel the heat at Thai House

By Ema Sasic and Julie Mana-ay Perez

WHEN YOU ENTER THAI HOUSE IN SOUTHWEST BAKERSFIELD, YOU IMMEDIATELY GET THE SENSE THAT YOU’RE WALKING INTO SOMEONE’S HOME. It makes sense after all — mothers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins all make up the staff, and family trinkets and dishware are featured in a cabinet. Since 2006, that family feel has been the goal at Thai House.

Co-owner Ning Panjajom said the restaurant opened at a time when there were two other Thai eateries in town.

Wanting to give local residents another place to try authentic Thai cuisine, the family decided to go for it. Now 15 years

later, they’ve made a name for themselves and amassed loyal customers who vote for them in the annual Best Of guide.

It doesn’t matter what you order at Thai House — whether it’s a soup, appetizer or popular entree — you’ll be able to taste the authentic flavors and passion that goes into each dish. Spices blend beautifully together and add a unique kick, but customers can choose their spice level on many dishes. Vegan options are also available. There’s something for everyone at Thai House, and customers are treated like they’re a part of the family each time they come home.

» See more Salty & Sweet on PAGE 28.

PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Salty & Sweet

SOUP AND CURRY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ ON THE SEAFOOD SOUP: Growing up in an Asian household, we had many

Mango and sticky rice

Pumpkin curry

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March 2021

seafood dishes on our table. Tasting this dish reminded me of my grandmother’s cooking. Thai House’s seafood soup had so many flavors and meats from shrimp, imitation crab, shellfish and more. It was really hard not to finish this dish on my own!

EMA SASIC ON THE SEAFOOD SOUP: There’s a little bit of everything in this soup, and the flavors combine so beautifully to give you a rich broth with a kick.

The mix of seafood offerings — shrimp, fish, mussels, imitation crab meat — along with mushrooms and other herbs make for a filling and hearty meal. But make sure you save room for other goodies!

JMP ON THE PUMPKIN CURRY: Whenever I have Thai food, I try to steer far from spicy dishes because I can’t take the heat, but this pumpkin curry dish was different. The spice wasn’t overwhelming and the curry wasn’t too thick, so all of the flavors blended well together. To get the ultimate taste, I poured some pumpkin curry on my white rice.

ES ON THE PUMPKIN CURRY: This pumpkin curry was a little spicy for me at first, but the beautiful aftertaste you’re left with makes up for it entirely. The red curry paste base is cooked with coconut milk, which gives you that subtle sweet taste. Serve this over some white rice and you have a yummy meal perfect for any season.

Green beans

Pad thai

ENTREES ES ON THE GREEN BEANS: I love green beans, and

this dish kept me coming back for seconds and thirds. The green beans are sauteed with bell peppers, carrots and basil leaves in a special spicy Thai sauce that gives them the perfect crunch. Our dish was topped with tender beef.

JMP ON THE GREEN BEANS: Something I like about Thai House is that they take simple ingredients and take them to the next level. This green bean dish was packed with crunchy yet soft green beans, tender beef with other delicious veggies. Pair it with a side of rice and go crazy!

ES ON THE PAD THAI: I tried pad thai at another restaurant, but it didn’t leave me with much of an impression. Thai House’s, however, was astronomically better. The slight peanut taste you get makes this version stand out.

Thai House knows exactly how to nail the subtle flavors.

JMP ON THE PAD THAI: If there’s one thing anyone knows about me, it’s that I love pad thai — so much that I’ve had it at every Thai restaurant in Bakersfield so far. This dish is as good as I remember it when I first had it. This dish is packed with soft noodles, tender shrimp, peanuts, carrots and bean sprouts sided with green limes for a zesty taste.

You can order your pad thai with chicken, shrimp or tofu.

DESSERTS AND BEVERAGES JMP ON THE MANGO WITH SWEET STICKY RICE: This was my first time eating mango with sticky rice

and it did not disappoint. The mango was sweet and soft when I first bit into it, and the sticky rice was topped with coconut milk — the perfect combination of the two. It’s easy to say this was one of my favorite desserts.

ES ON THE MANGO WITH SWEET STICKY RICE:

This was the perfect dessert to finish our great meal. You get a naturally sweet flavor from the mangos that mixes so well with the coconut milk topped over the rice. Julie and I gobbled this up very quickly.

JMP ON THE THAI ICED TEA: Just as much as I like pad thai, you better believe I’m a fan of Thai iced tea. It was sweet, creamy and so refreshing. It’s the perfect beverage for any lunch or dinner occasion.

ES ON THE THAI ICED TEA: Every time I took a sip of this iced tea I fell more in love with the flavor. Not too sweet, not bitter and perfectly creamy. I wish I could have had five more!

Thai iced tea

Ema Sasic

More information Thai House 5143 Ming Ave. 661-397-9667

Have an idea of where Ema and Julie should go next?

Contact Ema at 661-395-7392 or esasic@bakersfield.com

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Sip & Swirl

The Geodesy Wines

Judy Jordan’s Geodesy wines are rooted in gift and gratitude

By Lyle W. Norton

»

AT AGE 25, AFTER GRADUATING FROM STANFORD UNIVERSITY, JUDY JORDAN LAUNCHED J VINEYARDS WITH SOME HELP FROM HER FATHER, TOM, FOUNDER OF JORDAN VINEYARD AND WINERY. Beginning as an early Sonoma County sparkling wine producer, Jordan spent nearly 30 years building the impressive J Vineyards portfolio before selling to the EJ Gallo Company in 2015. Among her many mentors, she regrets that none, during the 1980s, were women.

After the sale, Jordan was in a position to enjoy the fruits of her labor, but chose a pursuit with Judy Jordan, founder of purpose. Rooted in gratitude for all Geodesy and WG Edge. that the wine industry had given her, she formed WG Edge (Women Gaining an Edge) to grow the next generation of women in agriculture through a “village” of teachers, mentors and sponsors. Beginning in 2019, the initial group, including many women of color, are gaining leadership development through a local college and

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March 2021

Sage Ridge Vineyard in the Napa Valley.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEODESY

The inaugural class of WG Edge.

various community mentors.

With a philanthropic spirit and keen business mind, Jordan established Geodesy (G-Odyessy) wines and directs 100 percent of the profits to fund WG Edge. The business of Geodesy began after she and her team acquired iconic vineyards like Sage Ridge in the Napa Valley and Oregon’s Chehalem Mountain and Eola Springs. In part, she chose Oregon in an effort to get out of her comfort zone. She now owns all three vineyards and produces enough fruit to source out to other winemakers.

Jordan has assembled a team that includes, among others, winemaker Megan Baccitich, who worked at Paul Hobbs for more than a decade, and vice president of Winegrowing, Scott Zapotocky, a veteran of both Paul Hobbs and J Vineyards. Together, they strive to set the highest standard with their three wine releases.

Using vines planted in 1972, Baccitich sees age as a factor in the salinity and bright acidity of the 2018 Geodesy Eola Springs Vineyard Chardonnay ($75). She explained that daytime temperatures remain higher in Oregon and the evenings don’t cool like the Russian River Valley. The result, in her words, are “sun-kissed phenolics.”

From vines planted in the late-1960s by Oregon wine legend Dick Erath, the 2018 Geodesy Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain Vineyard ($80) comes from three different clones that are harvested the same day, whole-cluster pressed and co-fermented in open top concrete fermenters. Jordan spoke of a balanced acidity in this vintage with fleshy fruit flavors of cherry and spice throughout.

Despite steep, rugged terrain and an abundance of rattlesnakes, Baccitich referred to the elevated Sage Ridge

Vineyard, located above the Napa Valley, as the most dynamic site she has ever worked with. At J Vineyards, Judy worked with 26 different vineyards and described Sage Ridge as her all-time favorite.

A cabernet sauvignon-dominant blend that pays homage to the site, the 2017 Geodesy Sage Ridge Vineyard Red Wine ($175), is aged 20 months in 100 percent French oak to produce red fruit and floral aromas, soft tannins and complex flavors indicative of a classic wine.

Geodesy provides an opportunity to give back, enjoy special wines and support young women pursuing careers in agriculture.

The views expressed in this column are those of Lyle W. Norton.

Scott Zapotocky and Megan Baccitich inspect the Oregon Vineyard.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Eat & Drink

Hasselback waffle potatoes

By Julie Mana-ay Perez

IF YOU’RE NUTS ABOUT APPETIZER FOODS JUST AS MUCH AS I AM, THESE HASSELBACK WAFFLE POTATOES ARE THE PERFECT DISH TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY.

It can also easily be a side dish to any fancy meal for any occasion. I promise you, these potatoes will change your life — they’re crispy, buttery and garlic galore with a parmesan topping.

INGREDIENTS:

Three large Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced

GARLIC BUTTER INGREDIENTS: Two tablespoons of parsley, chopped 1/3 cup unsalted butter One tablespoon of fresh garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt

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March 2021

Black pepper 1/4 teaspoon of oregano 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. After you peel your potatoes, slice your potatoes into one-and-a-half- or two-inch thick square shapes. With each square potato, make cuts along one direction without slicing the entire potato square completely. Do this both horizontally and vertically. Mix your garlic butter ingredients together and brush the spread on the potatoes. Bake for 20 minutes.

Take the potatoes out of the oven and reapply the garlic butter and bake again for another 20 minutes to achieve extra crunchiness and a golden brown color. Garnish the potatoes with more parsley and parmesan cheese.

PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

Eat & Drink

Luigi's IF YOU’RE EVER IN THE MOOD FOR SOME PASTA — WHO ARE WE KIDDING, WE’RE ALWAYS IN THE MOOD! — Luigi’s has

several options to satisfy those cravings.

Its classic pasta bolognese comes with a hearty pasta sauce that features ground beef, and is topped with some parmesan cheese. According to the menu, the meat sauce is Emelia Lemucchi’s recipe, which has been in the family since 1910, so you know they have perfected every flavor. This pasta comes in small or large and can be ordered for takeout. It’s the perfect addition to any picnic.

Luigi’s 725 East 19th St. 661-322-0926 Luigi's pasta bolognese

Salt Water Poke Build-your-own bowl

THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY POKE PLACES AROUND BAKERSFIELD AND IF THERE ARE, NOT MANY ARE A BUILD-YOUR-OWN BOWL. Salt

Water Poke's options are limitless and their portion sizes are generous. Only order a large if you can eat for two. Choose a protein from crab, tuna, shrimp and salmon, a base from brown and jasmine rice to riced cauliflower and spring mix, then choose your toppings and sauce.

Compacted with so many flavors and textures, this build-your-own-bowl is sensational if you love seafood and poke. My bowl had a base of brown rice, salmon and crab all topped with carrots, edamame, sliced eggs, avocados and corn drizzled with tangy volcano sauce and spicy mayo sauce.

Salt Water Poke 3615 Coffee Road, No. 400 661-368-2338 PHOTOS BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ, EMA SASIC

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Partner Content

Women share their stories for Go Red

By Valerie Koch and Ema Sasic

I

f 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life can change dramatically, seemingly overnight. And for many survivors of heart disease and stroke, they have another point in time they can circle on a calendar where they experienced a life altering change. Fortunately, there is hope and wisdom in lived histories, and it’s important to share stories to pass on the learnings.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement was started 17 years ago to raise awareness among women of their greatest health threat: cardiovascular disease. In those 17 years, Go Red for Women has done big things like funding life-saving women’s research, advancing public health policies, championing gender gap closure in research and STEM careers and building a platform for women to address their greatest health risk. But more work needs to be done. The price of cardiovascular disease is high, taking the lives of one in three women. Regrettably, we are losing ground in awareness particularly in our youngest and most diverse women.

Go Red for Women is working in communities around the world, including Kern County, to continue raising awareness about heart disease and stroke in women. Go Red also empowers all women to take action to lower their risk. Even modest changes to diet and lifestyle can reduce risk by as much as 80 percent. To assess your individual risk, learn your family health history and know your key personal health numbers: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI). Discuss this information with your medical provider.

It’s time to LIVE FIERCE and embrace the power to take charge of your own wellbeing. Be active, enjoy a healthy diet and monitor your blood pressure. These are actions we can all take to live well. Go Red for Women will be here to support you on your journey. It’s critical that we stand together and create change because losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many.

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M aa rr cc hh 22 00 22 11 M

Sonya Adams Congenital heart defects

Sonya Adams was born with a heart defect. The aortic valve in her heart was bicuspid rather than tricuspid, a condition that wasn’t diagnosed until after the birth of her son. It was her obstetrician who first noticed a heart murmur and asked Adams if she knew about the murmur. Adams revealed this was news and was referred to a cardiologist.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of birth defect. It is estimated that over 1.3 million Americans alive today have some form of CHD. In Adams’ case, it wasn’t discovered until that office visit in adulthood.

At the cardiologist’s office, her physician performed an echocardiogram and confirmed her valve was deformed, a diagnosis of aortic stenosis. The initial plan was to keep an eye out for any symptoms and return for annual visits.

Adams returned to her “normal” life but was diligent about living a healthy lifestyle. She worked out, watched what she ate and took steps to ensure she could protect her heart.

In the winter of 2018, Adams began to feel “not her best.” She was exhausted and having some issues breathing while exercising. Adams chalked the symptoms up to the fact that she was a wife and mother who was working fulltime and pursuing a master’s degree. But something wasn’t right, so she decided to make an appointment with her cardiologist six months ahead of schedule.

When she met with the cardiologist, Adams was shocked to learn an aneurysm had begun to develop. The treatment required was surgery to replace her aortic valve.

Previously Adams had thought surgery was years, even decades, away, so this felt overwhelming to the young mother.

Adams began to prepare herself and her family for the upcoming surgery and recovery. She graduated with her master’s degree on May 22, 2019, and was on the operating table shortly thereafter on June 19, 2019.

After the surgery was complete, Adams felt like she had been run over by a truck. She spent seven days in the hospital and several months recovering.

Today, Adams feels great. She has started her new career and is back walking two to three miles a day. During the pandemic, Adams exercised on an elliptical machine at home and did weekly yoga to stay fit. She continues to have extra heart beats and rhythm issues, but manages with medication, a healthy lifestyle and acceptance.

Adams encourages others to learn their family health history. Adams’ grandmother had a stroke, her mother is a stroke survivor and has atrial fibrillation and her grandfather passed away from a heart attack. Knowing your family history and the age when issues were first detected in each of your close relatives is key information for your medical provider. Adams also believes that self-care is an important way to support overall health and wellbeing. Whatever self-care looks like for you, it is critical to make time to take care of yourself.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Erin Briscoe Arrhythmia

Erin Briscoe’s career path has always revolved around storytelling. As a former morning news anchor, Briscoe would provide news, information and stories from around the community. Little did Briscoe know her own heart story would soon become the biggest headline in her life.

Back in 2019, Briscoe was not feeling well. Scheduled to go for a long weekend in Arizona to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding, Briscoe thought about canceling, but decided to go on the trip. While in Arizona, she experienced a medical emergency and found herself in the ER. As part of the routine testing in the emergency room, the hospital performed an electrocardiogram, or EKG. The physician told Briscoe she had a left bundle branch block. The physician explained it meant a delay or blockage of electrical impulses to the left side of the heart, causing irregular heartbeats and could indicate heart disease.A few other tests were performed to ensure Briscoe could safely travel home and the physician noted that this could be a genetic condition. In fact, Erin knew about branch blocks because her sister has the condition, but on the right side. While her sister regularly experienced symptoms, Briscoe was caught off guard because up until that point, she had not noticed any.

Once home, Briscoe followed up with a cardiologist and went through a battery of tests. Luckily, the tests concluded that Briscoe could manage her condition with annual cardiology appointments. Eventually, she may need a pacemaker.This experience has taught Briscoe to focus more on her health and pay attention to what her body is telling her. She encourages other women to do the same. Briscoe set a goal for 2021 to try new things, and for Christmas , her husband gave her a longboard. She’s happily learning to scoot around the neighborhood and live fierce and longboard.

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Sharon Dunn Quadricuspid aortic valve

Sharon Dunn has been a lifelong educator, spending her entire career inside classrooms and teaching young minds. Following her retirement in June 2019 as principal of Loudon Elementary School, Dunn found that there was still a lot to learn about herself and her health.

She has had heart palpitations her entire adult life. Sometimes they would feel light, while other times they felt erratic, similar to “a fish flip flopping out of water.” As the heart palpitations became more frequent and intense the older she got, she decided to go seek cardiologists for help. Dunn was first diagnosed with a severe aortic valve leak, and later a rare aortic valve. When her doctor said rare, he meant it — 1 in 200 in the world since 1862, according to Dunn. She had a quadricuspid aortic valve, meaning she had four cusps, instead of the usual three, in the aortic valve.

Dunn said she’s usually not a crier, but after hearing the diagnosis and that she would have to undergo open-heart surgery, it was overwhelming and shocking. As she was processing it all, she felt warmth around her arms, as if God was telling her she was in good hands, and she knew she had nothing to fear.

She was advised to have surgery within two months, and on Aug. 11, 2020, not even a month after her diagnosis, she was in the operating room.

After she recuperated from the surgery at home, she participated in a 36-week cardiac rehab regimen to help her get stronger. Now Dunn feels lighter and better all around following her surgery. The main takeaway from her experience, and advice she has for all women, is to pay attention to your body, communicate with your doctor and be your own advocate when you feel like there’s something wrong.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Breana and Alivia Karr Congenital heart defects

Breana Karr had just given birth to her daughter, Alivia, when a nurse came into her room to perform a pulse oximetry screening. A pulse oximetry screening is a routine, non-invasive diagnostic test to measure the oxygen level in a newborn and can indicate critical heart defects. The test showed Alivia Karr’s oxygen levels were low and the baby needed to be moved to the neonatal intensive care unit. Confused as to what was happening, Breana Karr handed Alivia Karr over and her entire life changed.

Although everything seemed fine with the pregnancy, Alivia Karr was born with a severe heart defect (CHD) called truncus arteriosus. A person with a truncus arteriosus has one large artery, instead of two separate ones, to carry blood to the lungs and body. In a normal heart, the blood follows this cycle: body-heart-lungs-heart-body. With truncus arteriosus, the blood leaving the heart cannot follow this path because it has only one vessel.

With only one artery, there is no specific path to the lungs for oxygen before returning to the heart to deliver oxygen to the body.

Alivia Karr endured her first open heart surgery at just 4-days-old. A second one followed at 4-weeks-old. Breana Karr prepared to dedicate her life to her medically fragile baby and began extensive research into Alivia Karr’s condition and where she could find the best care. Alivia Karr would need 24-hour supervision to secure her airway, a variety of medications and a ventilator at home. Tragically, the surgeries and medical proce-

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dures proved too much for Alivia Karr’s tiny heart and she passed away at 7-months-old. Breana Karr was never able to bring her daughter home.

But Breana Karr’s story doesn’t end there. She began to experience heart palpitations and immediately made an appointment with a cardiologist. Although they initially thought it could be grief, she wore a 24-hour heart monitor, and a variety of diagnostic tests were performed. It was later discovered that Breana Karr has a Patent Foramen Ovale, or PFO, which is a hole between the two atria of the heart. More than a quarter of the population has a hole in their heart, and for most it causes no adverse health effects. However, some individuals do develop symptoms. Breana Karr’s treatment plan is currently under development, but she has already begun to make heart healthy lifestyle choices to support her heart and those of her family.

Breana Karr wants other women to know that it is critical to maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect the “most important organ in your body.” She shares her story, and Alivia Karr’s story, to support other parents of CHD babies. Breana Karr believes it is essential for the Go Red for Women movement to continue to fund research to explore heart disease and women.

“Knowledge is power” and she wants more babies to make it to their first birthday and more women to be able to access innovative treatments to support their own heart health.

Celie Vanderlei Heart disease and stroke

Celie Vanderlei’s routine visit to her primary care doctor in June 2019 didn’t go as expected. During the appointment, the physician found a heart murmur and referred Vanderlei to a cardiologist. At the cardiologist’s office, she learned that she had aortic valve stenosis, a condition where a valve from the heart to the body does not properly open and close and may also leak blood. The treatment required was a valve replacement.

The cardiologist felt that if they waited a few months, Vanderlei would be a good candidate for a new, non-invasive valve replacement called a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. With a TAVR procedure, a new valve is inserted via a catheter versus through open-heart surgery, reducing patient recovery time.

In January 2020, Vanderlei’s TAVR procedure was performed and she experienced a successful recovery. Unfortunately, Vanderlei also suffers from back issues which began to require frequent visits to the hospital. These visits coincided with the spike of COVID-19 cases in the community adding additional stress because Vanderlei was alone in the hospital and concerned that if she contracted COVID-19, she would pass it to her family.

In December 2020, Vanderlei and her husband celebrated 60 years of marriage. Their children and grandchildren joined in the celebration safely by orchestrating a parade in front of the couple’s house. Vanderlei’s newly repaired heart was full. About a week after the celebration, Vanderlei was on her back patio and lost consciousness.

She woke up in the hospital and was told she had suffered a stroke. Due to the pandemic, she was again alone in the hospital and trying to understand her condition but was having difficulty due to aftereffects of the stroke.

Vanderlei was discharged from the hospital a few days later and began follow up appointments to learn what caused the stroke. She discovered she had atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat and a clot had formed which caused the stroke. But Vanderlei was also lucky. She had an alternative vessel connection in her brain that was activated during the stroke. This alternate connection began supplying her brain with the blood and oxygen it needed, right when it was needed. Not everyone has this alternate route and had that connection not been made, Vanderlei would have been in serious trouble.

Today, Vanderlei gives thanks to God for protecting her, and is also grateful to the medical community and researchers who are developing new treatments like TAVR, because patients like her benefit. Vanderlei shares her story to let other women know they are not alone and a return to better health is possible. She feels blessed to be tending to her garden full of succulents along with having more time to enjoy her wonderful family, which includes nine grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. www.BakersfieldLife.com www.BakersfieldLife.com

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Dr. Laura Ragoonanan Neurologist

Dr. Laura Ragoonanan knew she wanted two things out of a career: she wanted to make an impact and wanted a challenge that would be engaging. The career she found was as a neurologist at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Her favorite part of each workday is seeing a patient get better. She’s inspired every day by those in her care and proud to be a part of their long-term health and recovery.

Dr. Ragoonanan’s journey to become a doctor took her all over the world, studying in Italy, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, Israel and the Caribbean.

She began her studies in the United Kingdom, spent time in New York City as a senior medical student and was a resident at Northwell Hospital. This diverse set of training sites taught Dr. Ragoonanan different perspectives and approaches to patient care. And the Kern County community is benefitting.

Dr. Ragoonanan chose the field of neurology because she finds the human nervous system fascinating. It’s ironic that she deals with the organ most people don’t really “think” about, yet it’s what you use to think. Taking care of your heart and mind is important. She recommends all women work with their medical providers to assess their risk for heart disease and stroke then take steps to reduce risk by managing their key health numbers, eating well and being active. She also wants everyone to learn the warning signs of a stroke which can sometimes be subtle and hard to identify. Dr. Ragoonanan recommends using the acronym F.A.S.T. to help you remember. F.A.S.T. stands for facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 9-1-1. She also encourages everyone to be on the lookout for new headaches and changes in brain function like confusion, memory loss or disorientation as that could be another warning sign.

Cardiovascular disease runs in Dr. Ragoonanan’s family, so she follows her own advice and enjoys eating healthy, well-balanced meals and maintaining an active lifestyle through running, Pilates and gardening. She also enjoys traveling. Among her favorite trips was a five-day backpacking hike through the Peruvian Andes that culminated at Machu Picchu. Dr. Ragoonanan is living fiercely every day as she has learned how to bounce back from challenging days and keeps moving forward with determination, dedication and discipline.

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March 2021

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t o w o H

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Bakersfield is home to a multitude of top businesses, from health care to home trends.

These industry leaders have one common goal: to provide us with the newest in trends, innovation and opportunity.

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How-to

guide

How to choose the right dentist

A

Capital Dental Group 8701 Camino Media Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-861-8000 www.capitaldentalgroup.com

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March 2021

A central component to a healthy smile is to visit the dentist regularly, and the key to regular visits is to find the right dentist for you. In fact, the relationship between dentist and patient plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral hygiene — just as important as brushing and flossing!

Not only will finding the right dentist help you maintain your health, it will save you time and money as well.

A great place to begin your search is to ask family and friends for recommendations. Patients who love their dentist will not hesitate to recommend them to others.

The internet is another great resource, as most dental practices have websites that contain information about the office and staff, services offered, contact information and more. When it comes to navigating through the search results, consider the following: • Is the office near your home or work?

• Does the office have convenient hours?

• What services do they offer?

• What are the reviews like?

• Does the office accept your dental benefits? Do they provide options for patients who do not have benefits?

Once you’ve made a selection, don’t hesitate to reach out. Make a list of questions to ask prior to scheduling an appointment to ensure that it is the right office for you. Evaluate the office during your visit, from staff behavior to the office’s appearance (e.g., is it clean and organized?), and pay particular attention to your interactions with the dentist and their assistants. Did they make you feel comfortable?

Did they answer your questions to your satisfaction? Do you see yourself coming back?

If you have any concerns, bring them up with the staff. The right dentist should be willing to go above and beyond to help you work through any issues you may have.

When in doubt, continue searching. You shouldn’t settle when it comes to your oral health. After all, good oral health is vital to good overall health, helping reduce your risk of general health problems like heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

Capital Dental Group is a full-service dental office that offers everything from general exams and cleanings, orthodontics, and cosmetic and restorative dentistry to dental implants, oral surgery and full-mouth reconstruction through the Center for Implant Dentistry — it’s all done under one roof! The team consists of six general dentists and six dental specialists totaling over 200 years of combined experience.

Capital Dental Group accepts most dental insurance programs and all PPO plans and offers the Capital Dental Group Membership Club for patients without dental benefits. On top of all that, the office is open seven days a week for unparalleled convenience.

Contact us and find out why so many patients turn to Capital Dental Group for “Happy Teeth 7 Days A Week!”

Healthy smiles start here C

apital Dental Group is a full-service

handle everything from general exams and orthodontics to dental implants and full-mouth reconstruction.

Capital Dental Group houses six general dentists and six dental specialists totaling over 200 years of experience, a hygiene department, orthodontics department, specialty whitening department, in-house lab, and more in one convenient location.

We treat the whole family, from kids to adults, seven days a week.

Open 7 days a week Accepting new patients Same-day appointments available for toothaches and dental emergencies Membership plan available for patients without dental insurance Sedation dentistry available for anxious patients

8701 Camino Media, Bakersfield, CA 93311

Call 661•861•8000

www.capitaldentalgroup.com

Promotional Content

How to choose the perfect patio covers Are there any extra costs that can be avoided when starting a patio project?

Everything is priced out during our free in-home estimate, so once the price is confirmed at your appointment, there are no surprise costs. It is helpful to consider what type of electrical work you would like to have done. We can take care of all of your needs at the time of installation so that you won’t need to have an electrician come out later.

Are there permits that need to be considered when building a patio?

Yes. All permitting is taken care of through our services. We can also help to complete any confusing home owners association applications.

What do you want the readers to know about your products?

How beautiful our products are and how much they can complement your home. Once the project is finished, it is maintenance free. We are the only company that offers a full showroom so you can see our patios, as well as the various choices and options you have to complete the design and inspiration for your home. There are also photographs on our website, perecthomeproducts.net, of every service that we provide. You can also easily request a free in-home consultation and estimate for your project on the site.

What are some compliments you have received from customers who have used your services?

The most common compliments we receive are that we show up on time, we communicate well with our customers, and the job is perfect once it is completed. Customer satisfaction is the greatest compliment a business owner can receive. It is what helps us stand apart from everyone else.

What else would like our readers to know about you?

As the weather heats up in Bakersfield, residents are always looking for ways to cool down. Jarret Jamieson, owner of Perfect Home Products, answers questions about patio covers. His services include customizable patio covers, seamless rain gutters, patio drop-down shades and window solar screens.

What are the most frequently asked questions that you get about patio covers?

We started in Kern County and I have owned the business for over 12 years. We take great pride in our work. Our team is experienced and will work to get your project completed on schedule and stay on budget. We have a beautiful showroom and are happy to come out for a free in-home consultation and estimate at your convenience.

What are some of the benefits of having a completed patio?

Our patio covers provide shade and comfort for outdoor spaces. Adding a patio cover also increases the value of your home significantly.

The most common question we are asked is whether Alumawood patios are better than wood patios. Alumawood is aluminum that looks like wood.

The color is a baked-on enamel, so you truly have a lifetime product as opposed to regular wood where you would have to apply fresh paint every three years. My personal preference is Alumawood. It is long lasting and requires no maintenance once it’s completed.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

How long do your projects typically take?

Perfect Patio Covers

From the initial call and request for your free in-home estimate to the completed project, the process can be completed in as little as two weeks.

Typically, the entire patio installation can be completed in one day maybe two.

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March 2021

We have a strong record of customer satisfaction. We offer great quality and excellent service. We also back up all our work with a lifetime warranty.

If there is ever a problem, we will come back and fix it for free — covering labor and materials. This gives customer the peace of mind of knowing that if there is ever a problem, we are happy to take care of it.

7800 Meany Ave., #E 661-800-4866 www.perfecthomeproducts.net

How-to

guide

Promotional Content

How to prepare a garden for spring planting The final weeks of winter, and even the first few weeks of spring, are still chilly in many parts of the world. Despite those last vestiges of winter chills, late winter is a great time to begin preparing gardens for the coming planting season.

Gardens may have to withstand months of harsh weather each winter, and such conditions can take a toll. Gardeners can consider the following tips as they try to restore their gardens and get them ready for spring planting.

Disinfect your tools: It’s common to clean tools in late fall or whenever they’re typically placed in storage for the winter. But cleaning and disinfecting are not necessarily the same thing. If tools were not disinfected at the end of the previous gardening season, disinfect them before doing any work on the garden. Doing so can ensure any lingering bacteria or fungi on tool surfaces are killed prior to the beginning of gardening season.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, plant pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, can be transferred to and infect plants through bits of soil and plant debris left on shovels and pruner blades. Thoroughly disinfecting such tools prior to using them in the spring is a great way to reduce the risk of disease in your garden.

Clear debris from garden beds: Leaves, twigs, sticks and other debris may have gathered in the garden over the winter. Such debris can inhibit the growth of plants and vegetables, so make sure all of it is removed prior to planting.

Weeds might even begin to sprout up in late winter and early spring, so remove them before they go to seed.

Test the soil: Testing the soil prior to planting can help gardeners determine what their gardens will need to thrive in the coming months. Garden centers and home improvement stores sell home testing kits that are effective and easy to use.

Once the results are in, speak with a professional at your local garden center about the best time to amend the soil.

Loosen compacted soil: Soil can become compacted over winter. If compacted soil is not loosened prior to planting, plants will have a hard time getting the water and nutrients they need to thrive. Loosening the soil also provides another opportunity to inspect the garden for any underlying issues, such as fungi or weed growth, that you may have missed when clearing debris or testing the soil.

How-to

guide

Tips to consider 1. Make a plan Factors like space and location must be considered before planting. Many gardeners utilize garden planning applications like GrowVeg to make the process of planning a garden simpler and more organized.

2. Consider aesthetics Gardens can be awe-inspiring, especially when gardeners con-

sider aesthetics prior to planting.

The DIY Network advises gardeners to consider scale before choosing which perennials to plant.

3. Work with a professional Local garden centers can be excellent resources when planning perennial gardens. Factors can be easily overlooked by people without much gardening experience.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

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How-to

guide

How to design your dream custom-built home There are many advantages to designing your own home. Gone are the builder-basic styles, layouts that don’t work for your family and exteriors you can’t tell apart from your neighbors’ homes. To help with your planning, check out these tips.

Find the right property There are no limits to what you can create with a custom-built home, but the size and quality of your lot do impose restrictions. While you don’t need to have everything decided when you purchase the property, make sure you have a general idea of what you need — your architect can help with this. Also, double check zoning laws, so you don’t wind up not being able to build your dream three-story home on a residential street that only allows bungalows.

Consider your lifestyle What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? What’s important to you? From bigger elements like smart home automation and sustainability to smaller considerations like storage and organization, think of these things when designing the layout and built-in elements. For example, if you hate shoveling, now is the opportunity to make sure you have the shortest driveway possible.

Build for the future Your needs and wants right now are at the top of your mind, but a custom home is a significant investment in time, money and energy. It’s also likely you want this to be your forever home, so it’s a smart idea to build for tomorrow. Think about how your family will evolve and what your future needs will be. Consider building materials that are designed to stand the test of time, like insulated concrete forms (ICFs) from Nudura. This alternative to wood framing is a greener option and offers disaster resilience against high winds and fire. The superior insulation also means more comfortable, uniform indoor temperatures and less money spent on heating and cooling your home.

Avoid the fantasy trap This is your dream home, so it’s OK to indulge on that outdoor fireplace or luxury bathroom tiles that you’ve been envisioning. But to keep your budget in check, focus on the priorities and items that will give you the best value for your dollar. Invest in features that will improve your everyday living and boost your property value, such as energy-efficient construction or a finished basement.

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March 2021

THANK YOU,

BAKERSFIELD To all the community’s medical personnel, grocery workers, mail carriers, restauranteurs, teachers, retail workers, truck drivers, nonprofit workers, first responders and all community members on the frontlines fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAKERSFIELD’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

COVID-19 DOESN’

We are all in this

From left, Michael Bowers, Dr. Jeet Singh, Jay Tamsi, Jim Scott and Dr. Carlos Alvarez.

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March 2021

’T DISCRIMINATE

s fight together

STORIES FROM VIRUS' FIRST YEAR Story by Ema Sasic Photos by InMotionPro

It’s hard to believe it’s officially been a year since COVID-19 affected almost every facet of life. More unbelievable is the number of lives the virus has impacted and taken — more than 27.8 million cases and 489,000 deaths in the United States and more than 100,800 cases and 690 deaths in Kern County. Among the thousands of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, five local, prominent men share their experiences and advice with Bakersfield Life readers.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

49

JAY TAMSI, KERN COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT/CEO

Diagnosed March 2020 To be among the first of anything can be a daunting task. Jay Tamsi’s COVID-19 diagnosis came right when the world was just beginning to learn about the virus and a day after California’s first stay-at-home order, and it was a scary and confusing time for him.

Initially, Tamsi thought he had a routine illness. He was first diagnosed with a severe cold and a sinus infection, which made sense due to the symptoms he had, he said. A week later he returned to the doctor and was diagnosed with COVID-19. The symptoms started out mild, but became more severe, he said.

“My energy was drained. I kept in touch with my doctor, but fortunately I did not have to be hospitalized,” Tamsi said. “I recovered in a few weeks, but I made it a priority to isolate and quarantine for nearly 45 days. I knew little at the time of the virus — how it spreads, how long it stayed with someone — so I wanted to make sure I was completely OK before I went out in the community.”

Tamsi took what he learned from his experience — COVID-19 symptoms, CDC guidelines, testing, the importance of personal protective equipment, etc. — and decided to help others, particularly the Hispanic community which saw rising case numbers. With the help of colleagues H.A. Sala, David A. Torres and 30 others prominent leaders in Kern County, they co-founded the first Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force.

The task force collaborates with the Kern County Public Health Services Department and other organizations and businesses on awareness and outreach of testing and vaccinations while providing referral sources through its mental health hotline.

“While my journey was tough, I worried about those who could not afford to seek medical attention or those who faced a more excruciating journey, including the loss of a loved one.

It is so heartbreaking to think that nearly half a million deaths in the United States are due to COVID-19,” Tamsi said. “I knew outreach and education was key to save lives and slow down numbers especially in the most vulnerable rural areas in Kern County.”

Tamsi encourages Kern County residents to continue following COVID-19 safety guidelines, regularly getting tested, even if they feel asymptomatic, and having heart-to-heart conversations with others about the benefits of vaccination and to get the vaccine once it becomes available.

JEET SINGH, MD, PHYSICIAN/ CARDIOLOGIST

Diagnosed June 2020 As a physician/cardiologist, Dr. Jeet Singh said he understood COVID-19 and its symptoms and spread quite well. He

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March 2021

continued seeing patients last year, including individuals with cardiac problems who are more at-risk for severe illness or developing complications from COVID-19, which also put him at-risk of getting sick.

In June 2020, he contracted the virus.

“Thankfully I was one of the lucky ones who was asymptomatic during exposure,” Singh said.

Singh’s recovery process included quarantining for 14 days. While he did not exhibit symptoms, the period was stressful for him because he was not “able to help out our community.”

After he recovered, he was back to work to help guide patients through their COVID-19 experience and answer their questions.

Singh said his COVID-19 diagnosis made him more aware of the importance of wearing face masks, frequently washing hands and limiting social gatherings. He also encourages the public to schedule an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

MICHAEL BOWERS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR CENTRIC HEALTH

Diagnosed July 2020 Scientists and doctors were constantly learning more about ways to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the summer months, and at times varying reports made it difficult for people to truly understand what precautions to take. Michael Bowers tried to stay home as much as possible, he said, but inevitably caught it when he was around others.

On July 1 and 2, 2020, Bowers felt tightness in his chest, and by July 3 he knew he had COVID-19.

“It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest,” Bowers said.

He also experienced shortness of breath, low oxygen levels, a loss of taste, cold sweats, chills and a fever, along with developing bilateral pneumonia.

He ended up going to Bakersfield Heart Hospital for two days. No visitors were allowed to be with him, which made the process so much harder. During his stay, he felt a wide range of emotions and even wondered if he would get the chance to leave the hospital.

“A part of your mindset is ‘I’m not coming out of here,’” Bowers said. “It was the Fourth of July, so you hear the fireworks, and you wonder if you’ll ever get to experience that again. You wonder if you’ll ever have a life again.”

Once he was allowed to go back home, he had to continue to quarantine from others and relied on supplemental oxygen. He said he felt “helpless” — his muscles were weak, going upstairs or to the bathroom became a chore and he couldn’t be around his family until he tested negative.

Finally, about a month after his diagnosis, he started to feel stronger and not need to use supplemental oxygen. “It felt good to do basic things,” he said, such as drive around, walk outside and take a shower without having to catch your breath, making him realize all the things people take for granted.

His diagnosis, however, did lead to possibly developing asthma and allergies. He also ended up losing around 15 pounds.

Bowers’ experience with COVID-19 took him “from a doubter to a believer really quickly,” he said. He stressed that people should continue to get tested, and those who end up getting sick from COVID-19 should listen to their doctor’s advice and not wait to seek help. He also encourages people to get vaccinated, which he was scheduled to do prior to this article’s publication.

CARLOS ALVAREZ, MD, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF ALVAREZ HEALTHCARE

Diagnosed December 2020 Dr. Carlos Alvarez never took a break from seeing patients in 2020. Many of his patients are farm workers who don’t have access to technology or can’t speak English well, so switching to telemedicine was not an option.

Despite taking as many safety precautions as possible, “when you’re in the middle of fire you get burned,” he said, and he contracted COVID-19 just a few days before the new year.

At first he felt tired, like he was dragging his feet, but later breathing became more difficult and a slew of other symptoms (chills, a cough and a progression of exhaustion) arrived.

“The worst thing was the inability to breathe and the continuous cough that was uncontrollable,” Alvarez said. “When that happened, I knew that if I didn’t have assistance in the next few days, I would be in trouble.”

He spent three days in the intensive care unit and three days at Good Samaritan Hospital. Alvarez was given antibiotics and steroids to help him, but he said that receiving convalescent plasma was a game changer. In the morning, he could barely breathe on his own, but hours after receiving plasma, especially after a second round, he “felt this less heavy load in my body,” and breathing became easier and his cough lessened.

Alvarez’s recovery took about a month, and he lost 21 pounds. Regaining his strength and being able to walk around on his own was a hurdle he had to get through, but now he said he’s “back on track.”

He, too, had to stay in the hospital alone, and that experience helped him understand his patients more and how to

better take care of them, such as being more sensitive to their needs and providing the care they want.

Alvarez recommends getting vaccinated when the opportunity comes. He also encourages those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate convalescent plasma. He said he’s ready to do it soon.

“I need to pay back my debt. Whoever gave me that plasma, they pretty much saved my life,” Alvarez said.

JIM SCOTT, NEWS ANCHOR/ REPORTER/ MANAGING EDITOR OF KGET TV

Diagnosed January 2021 As a journalist, and with daily coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim Scott said he had a pretty good understanding of the virus and its symptoms. But there’s always more to learn, he said, such as how symptoms vary and latent symptoms, affecting heart function and a person’s sense of taste and smell, are manifesting long after recovery.

Scott was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Jan. 1 — quite the way to begin the new year — and said his symptoms were of the “garden variety”: pronounced fatigue, muscle aches and pain and no sense of taste or smell for several days.

“I kept expecting my symptoms to worsen, but they remained fairly stable. I tried to work remotely from home, but simply didn’t have the energy to do that on a sustained basis. I finally submitted to the fact that I just needed to rest, let it run its course and get better,” Scott said. “Fortunately, I had very little respiratory discomfort.”

He was sick for about 12 days and returned to working remotely a little over two weeks after his diagnosis. Scott’s biggest takeaway was seeing firsthand how the virus affects people differently. Since he is in good health and has no underlying or pre-existing conditions, he said “that may have had something to do with my relatively moderate symptoms, and for that I am very grateful.”

His experience also made him very passionate about donating convalescent plasma and encouraging others to do so too, he explained, especially since it’s “one of the very few proven therapeutic treatments for people hospitalized with acute symptoms of the coronavirus.”

“The day I was diagnosed, I joked with my wife and said, ‘Hey, at least now I can donate blood plasma.’ And I did, as soon I had my lab results and Houchin Community Blood Bank gave me the green light,” Scott said. “It was a very pleasant experience. The facility is amazing. The staff is very friendly and professional. The procedure was relatively quick and essentially painless.”

“With some 90,000 people having contracted the virus in Kern County so far, and with the vast majority of them having recovered from this disease, there is no reason for a shortage of COVID-19 blood plasma at Houchin. But that’s the case right now, and it has been that way for weeks. I humbly urge COVID-19 survivors to step up and give Houchin the plasma required to meet the needs of our hospitals and COVID-19 www.BakersfieldLife.com

51

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GO & DO

Bakersfield City Ballet corps member Madeleine Bema rehearses for the February Curbside Ballet performances.

Bakersfield City Ballet returns with outdoor performance series

By Ema Sasic

CREATIVES EVERYWHERE HAVE HAD TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SPREAD THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. The Bakersfield City Ballet is no exception. During a time when the eight-member company would be preparing for its annual performance, large gatherings are still not allowed.

Instead, the dancers decided to go to neighborhoods and businesses as part of their Curbside Ballet outdoor performance series.

The company found success in its first go with the series last fall, said Artistic Director Erica Ueberroth. Every performance

was sold out, and it’s no wonder the second iteration, which ran Feb. 13 through 27, was booked by January.

“At least a handful of people who watched our show cried,” she said of the fall series. “Once it was in front of you, you realized how much you were starved for the live performance.”

Around the time when initial COVID-19 closures were announced, the Bakersfield City Ballet was preparing for its second annual show. Peggy Dolkis with Ballet West was staging the second act of “Swan Lake” in its entirety for the first time in Bakersfield, and Ueberroth said the dancers were beyond excited to premiere it to local audiences. » See more of Curbside Ballet on PAGE 54.

PHOTOS BY LISA WUERTZ

www.BakersfieldLife.com

53

Go & Do

Tears of joy should have been shed by the dancers, but shutdowns caused tears full of sadness and disappointment.

“I know myself and the dancers had put in so many hours, classes and rehearsals, all leading up to the pinnacle of what you’re working on,” Ueberroth said.

But, since their craft has trained them well, they were quick on their feet and transitioned over to online Zoom and Instagram Live classes.

After some time, the company was anxious to get back to performing. That’s when a board member suggested they do “dancegrams,” where community members essentially order a performance.

The eight-member company traded in their pointe shoes for tennis shoes and began rehearsing in the sweltering Bakersfield heat. It ended up being a big hit among the community, Ueberroth explained, so much so that additional performances had to be put on the schedule.

“I noticed in the past few years, performing or watching shows, something amazing will happen on stage and you think the audience will respond and they sometimes wouldn’t. (Audiences are) kind of desensitized” to live performances after having so much available at their fingertips, Ueberroth noted.

But once audiences saw the Curbside Ballet perfor-

mances in their neighborhoods, she said “people were so ready to clap, they would gasp, share their response. The power of the live performing factor is amazing.”

After the success of the first series, the company knew another would be coming. The Bakersfield City Ballet performed Ueberroth’s new work, “Splendor and Misery,” this time around. The show was comprised of four movements and reflected the neoclassical ballet genre. The neoclassical genre typically features minimal costumes and sets, which work well for a performance outdoors.

Ueberroth also said a reflection of the world people are living in was another element added in the show.

“I didn’t set out to choreograph a piece about lockdown and quarantine, but it’s there,” she said. “If you’re paying attention, you’ll pick up on the repetitiveness of certain things and how at times (our daily lives were) monotonous.”

Ueberroth hinted there’s a good chance audiences will have more opportunities in the future to order a performance. The Bakersfield City Ballet also has its annual fundraiser coming up which will feature dancers’ talents. Pints en Pointe is currently scheduled for April 24.

Those interested in learning more about the Bakersfield City Ballet or donating to the company can visit https:// www.bakersfieldcityballet.org/

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Bakersfield City Ballet members perform “Four Strings” for their first Curbside Ballet series.

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Bakersfield City Ballet principal member Noor Elkereamy and guest artist David Moreno perform “Four Strings” for the first Curbside Ballet series.

Go & Do

Live a healthy life

By Julie Mana-ay Perez

» ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS FROM HARVARD T.H. CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MAKING

HEALTHY HABITS MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN ONE’S LIFE. With their data, individuals who maintained a healthy diet, drank alcohol moderately and did not smoke lived longer than those who didn’t make changes in their lifestyle.

As humans, we are always reminded by the people we follow on social media to start making changes, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. But there are maintainable tweaks we can all make to start living a healthier lifestyle.

1

Physical activity

It’s all about your diet

If you’re like me, you’ve probably gone through a number of diets — vegetarian, vegan, plantbase, pescatarian and keto, just to name a few. The hardest part of the diet is your mentality. A lot of the reason why people don’t stick to diets is because it’s just a short-term diet. To make that long-term physical impact, alter your diet to a lifestyle. It’s OK to eat a cheeseburger at your favorite eatery once a week, as long as you maintain healthier eating habits daily. Another important tip is turning those unhealthy foods into healthy foods by substituting ingredients with healthier options.

2

Sometimes it’s not ideal to get in some type of exercise in your schedule, but it’s essential to reprogram your lifestyle to an active one. Try to squeeze in at least 30 minutes of physical activity before work or going to bed. Some ideas are going on a walk, pilates, yoga, hula hooping and jump roping to get your body moving.

Self-care

3

Being a better you starts with your inner self.

Though your physical health is vital, your inner wellbeing is just as crucial to live a healthy life. You have to be able to put your mental health first to obtain inner peace. Some ways to do this are to connect with something outside of your work life like arts and crafts, reading, cooking, catching up on your favorite TV shows, biking, hiking, etc. Do anything that disconnects you from the outside world for a temporary moment.

4 Food portioning

Last year, when I had the opportunity to exercise with a professional trainer as a part of the January 2020 edition, the one thing Fit Girl Culture’s Diana Fernandez emphasized was food portioning. She allowed me to eat the foods I still enjoyed, I just needed to prioritize portioning to control what I was eating. Invest in a food scale and target how many calories you should be eating in a day.

Drink lots of water

5

It’s no doubt that water plays a fundamental role in our lives, but with other more enticing beverages out there, we often forget how important it is for our health. According to Harvard Health, the average individual should drink four to six cups, but water in-take must be individualized depending on the person. Read more at https://www.health.harvard.edu/ staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink.

Drinking water in between your meals can help you fill up too and prevents you from overeating.

www.BakersfieldLife.com

55

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Go & Do

Top 5 movies

from the Sundance Film Festival

By Ema Sasic

» THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WENT VIRTUAL THIS YEAR AND FEATURED SEVEN DAYS OF PREMIERES, EVENTS, ARTIST TALKS AND CUTTING-EDGE XR EXHIBITIONS. Bakersfield Life Magazine’s

Ema Sasic got a front row seat to some of the year’s upcoming films and has the ones you should put on your watchlist.

1. “Flee”

Years after the tragedy, filled with grief, sadness, despair and anger, Jay and Gail are ready to face the truth in an attempt to move on.

We don’t see movies on school shootings often, likely because it’s such a horrific event that we don’t need to see it portrayed on the big screen. But what Fran Kranz has done with his screenwriting A still from “Flee” by Jonas Poher and directorial debut handles the Rasmussen, an official selection of subject so delicately and beautifulthe World Cinema Documentary ly. Each of the four leads give it their Competition at the 2021 Sundance all, making this movie so much more Film Festival. impactful.

In this animated documentary, Amin Nawabi, an Afghan refugee, whose identity remains anonymous, agrees to tell a remarkable personal narrative of persecution and escape. For years, he has had to say his family was killed in order to seek asylum in Denmark, but now he’s ready to tell the truth. He recounts the disappearance of his father, moving to Russia where he and his family had to stay hidden for fear of deportation, his sisters being transported to Sweden illegally and finally his own journey to Denmark. Additionally, we see snippets of his life today, constantly flying back and forth from the United States for school and living in Denmark with his partner.

Despite experiencing so much hardship in his life, Amin continues to be hopeful for his future.

The story being told in an animated style gives audiences lively and harrowing visuals to help bring this incredible story to life. “Flee” was selected as the Grand Jury Prize winner in Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary Competition and is one of the most deserving winners from this year’s festival.

3. “Judas and the Black Messiah”

The film is based on true events surrounding the betrayal of Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), chairman of the Lakeith Stanfield, Illinois chapter of the Black foreground, and Panther Party in the late Daniel Kaluuya 1960s, at the hands of in a scene from William O’Neal (LaKeith "Judas and the Stanfield). O’Neal was a Black Messiah." petty criminal, and one day, caught in the act with the possibility of facing several years behind bars if convicted, the FBI gives him the chance to walk free if he agrees to infiltrate the Black Panther Party and take down Hampton.

He agrees and quickly earns Hampton’s trust. But as the years go on, O’Neal begins to weigh whether he’s doing the right thing.

Kaluuya and Stanfield are at their career best in this 2. “Mass” Jason Isaacs and Martha film. Both totally absorb Richard (Reed Birney), Plimpton appear in their character’s perLinda (Ann Dowd), Jay “Mass” by Fran Kranz, sonalities and conflicts, (Jason Isaacs) and Gail an official selection of making their perfor(Martha Plimpton) are the Premieres section at mances powerful. each facing a loss that has the 2021 Sundance Film “Judas and the Black Festival. taken so much from them.

Messiah” is currently Something connects these available to stream on two families, but it takes audiHBO Max. ences some time before they find the answer: Richard and Linda’s son killed Jay and Gail’s son, along with nine others and himself, in a school shooting.

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March 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUNDANCE INSTITUTE, GLEN WILSON, SEACIA PAVAO, RYAN JACKSON-HEALY

4. “The Pink Cloud”

The Portuguese-language film opens on a beautiful clear day. All seems to be well, until a mysterious pink cloud appears. It looks so delicate and gentle as it floats over the city. That is until it comes into contact with a human and kills them almost instantly. Giovana (Renata de Lélis) and Yago (Eduardo Mendonça) are strangers who share a spark after meeting at a party. When the deadly pink cloud mysteriously takes over their city, they are forced to seek shelter with each other. Everyone is advised to keep their windows and doors closed, and going outside is simply not an option anymore.

Iuli Gerbase’s “The Pink Cloud” begins with this message: “This film was written in 2017 and shot in 2019.

Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.”

Without knowing where the world was headed in 2020, Gerbase totally nailed the quarantine emotions we’ve all felt this past year. Giovana and Yago each deal with the “new normal” differently, which makes for a really reflective viewing experience.

5. “CODA”

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing person in her family, which means she’s always around to help them communicate with others.

She’s up at 3 a.m. every morning and heads out on the water to help her father and brother (Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant) with their fishing business. Fishing, however, isn’t really her thing. Her passion is singing. As she falls more in love with singing, Ruby finds it hard to express it to her family (Oscar winner Marlee Matlin plays her mother).

When the family’s fishing business finds itself in rough Ruby (Emilia Jones) waters, Ruby has to assists in the family decide whether to business in Siân stick with them or Heder’s “CODA,” pursue her dreams. an official selection “CODA” is full of of the U.S. dramatic heart and soul. There competition at the are cute, embarrassing 2021 Sundance Film moments, such as her parFestival. ents driving into the school’s parking lot while rap music blasts from the car radio, and touching ones.

While everyone around them gets to listen to Ruby’s beautiful voice, her family is unable to Renata de Lélis truly enjoy her talent. With appears in “The three deaf actors cast in Pink Cloud” by the lead roles, it’s a movie Iuli Gerbase, an that beautifully shows official selection of the struggles deaf peothe World Cinema ple experience as well as Dramatic Compethe triumphs. tition at the 2021 The film swept the Sundance Film festival awards, winFestival. ning best director in the U.S. dramatic section for Sian Heder as well as the U.S. grand jury prize, U.S. dramatic audience award and special jury ensemble cast award.

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Panorama Invitational FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, SCHOOL ART TEACHERS FROM AROUND KERN COUNTY CHOOSE ARTWORK MADE BY THEIR STUDENTS TO BE EXHIBITED IN THE PANORAMA INVITATIONAL AT BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE’S JONES GALLERY.

Highland High School's Joslyn Garza

These young artists see their work in a professional venue and the artwork their peers are making from other schools. Both these opportunities can have a huge impact on the subsequent work they produce as well as a sense of pride in the work they do. Below are some notable pieces submitted from Bakersfield College.

See more submitted pieces on Bakersfield.com or by visiting bcartdepartment.tumblr.com.

Foothill High School's Savannah Rosas

North High School's Debbie Flores Hernandez

Highland High School's Angelica Soto Liberty High School's Karla Rivera Hernandez

Liberty High School's Hannah Uku Taylor

Bakersfield High School's Maia Pankey North High School's Natalie Ridley

South HIgh School's Kennedy Breilein

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March 2021

Independence High School's Robin Barton

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE

GREAT KERN COUNTY

Annie Florendo is the owner of Sweet Tree Farms and Dagny's Coffee Co.

Feeding people, feeding health Sweet Tree Farms owner Annie Florendo wants to promote healthy living

By Julie Mana-ay Perez

» FARMING HAS ALWAYS BEEN ANNIE FLORENDO’S CALLING — FROM OBSERVING HER OWN GRANDPARENTS RAISE A FARM TO EVEN RAISING HER OWN FOR DECADES NOW. Florendo knew

the benefits of eating fresh produce and eventually wanted to spread her knowledge throughout California.

WHERE IT BEGAN

Florendo was born and raised in Dinuba, just north of Bakersfield, growing up in a small farming community. Even though she didn’t strive to be a farmer in her youth, she loved

everything about nature. Her interest in sports would bring her to play softball at Cal State Bakersfield.

Florendo followed the typical timeline — graduate school, land a job and buy a home.

“It wasn’t even two years since I acquired the home... the market flipped and values increased so much. I bought the house for $100,000. Within a year and a half, I was able to sell it for $245,000. I was able to collect $145,000, which was the most that I ever had at that time in my life at once,” she said. “I did all these stupid things a young person would do, and I talked to » See more Our Town on PAGE 62.

PHOTO BY JULIE MANA-AY PEREZ

www.BakersfieldLife.com

61

Great Kern County

Fresh produce at Sweet Tree Farms includes grapes, oranges, apples and more.

my brother on the phone and he gave me advice on what to do with my money.”

Florendo’s brother continued to ask her what she always wanted to do with her life and Florendo knew she wanted a farm, so she took a leap of faith, left her job at the age of 25 and moved back home to Dinuba.

“I was excited because I was passionate about what I wanted to do,” she said.

And that’s where her journey began.

FROM THE GROUND UP

To start a farm, Florendo knew she needed to go back to her roots and learn everything she saw her grandparents do.

Florendo met Art Lang, owner of Honey Crisp Farms, who fed her a lifestyle of growing produce — everything from pruning to thinning crops.

After apprenticing with Lang for two years, the stars aligned for Florendo.

“My sister and her husband bought a 20-acre property and didn’t have an interest in farming, so they leased me the land,” she said.

The first fruits Florendo grew that began Sweet Tree Farms were apricots and peaches. It eventually expanded to plums, cherries and more.

Sweet Tree Farms transports fresh produce up and down Southern California to San Diego. Before the pandemic, Florendo said Sweet Tree Farms attended up to 10 farmers markets a week from Irvine, Claremont, Hillcrest and Bakersfield. She also distributed produce to other local businesses, such as Locale Farm to Table Eatery, which she still does.

“Food is essential. I was fortunate to be one of those businesses that kept going and still get food to people,” she said.

SWEET TREE FARMS AND THE COMMUNITY

Because of Florendo’s upbringing, she’s been picking and consuming fresh fruit her whole childhood.

“Sweet Tree Farms is the core of my being,” she said. “Food is everything to me. It’s misfortunate that some people have that misconnection. Part of what I’ve taken away from farming is to inform people and teach them that healthy food is important.”

One of the ways Florendo wants to spread more awareness of the benefits of healthy food is to help underserved communities in the near future.

“There’s an aspect to health and who gets it. I see that disconnect for those who are demographically underserved, so I want to get this food for people who don’t have access to it,” she said.

Her plan is to start local and expand from there so that other people can understand the importance of what fresh fruit can do for their health.

Another venture Florendo started with Sweet Tree Farms was the “Prop Drop” last summer — a home delivery service to distribute fresh produce straight to people’s doors — when farmers markets were closed due to the pandemic. Florendo wants to expand her idea and provide for the underserved community and deliver fresh produce to their homes.

Not only is Florendo the owner of Sweet Tree Farms but she is also the new owner of Dagny’s Coffee Co. as of 2018.

Florendo said she loves Dagny’s because of the community surrounding the establishment. When the pandemic is over, she hopes to bring in more creative ideas into Dagny’s to give back to the community.

Tomatoes grown at Sweet Tree Farms.

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March 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANNIE FLORENDO

Great Kern County

East Bakersfield High School program aids homeless youth and families

East Bakersfield High School social worker Natasha Martinez started the Blades Closet to help families and students in need.

By Julie Mana-ay Perez

» FOR MANY STUDENTS, SCHOOL REPRESENTS STRUCTURE,

SECURITY AND CARE, BUT WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HIT, IT ALTERED THEIR DAILY LIVES. East Bakersfield High School social worker Natasha Martinez began her career at the school in 2019 and established the Blade Closet shortly after. The Blade Closet is a stockpile full of hygiene products, toiletries and clothing.

Martinez, a former EBHS and McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act student — an act that assures the educational rights and protections of children and youth experiencing homelessness — knew there was a need to give back.

“At East High we have a high population of McKinney-Vento students. There’s a lot of need for hygiene products, clothes and other things. As a social worker, I wanted items on hand,” she said.

Martinez said the program branched out quickly due to low socioeconomic families living in that area.

“We’re 81 percent below the poverty line and we’re a Title I funded school and all of our students qualify for our services," she said. "I don’t think anyone has a real idea of how many kids are homeless. We talk about adults we see on the street but we don’t realize how many kids are out there."

Martinez said a lot of students were initially timid when they’d visit the closet, but once they knew everything was confidential, the Blade Closet turned into a hit. More students began coming forward for help, and the community came to

aid Martinez and the rest of the team.

“It took a life of its own. With the staff and the community, I was blown away by the support," Martinez said. "People said we’ve needed something like this for so long — to help kids and donate. Our Booster Club even got involved."

When the coronavirus pandemic closed schools in March last year, Martinez said it created a lot of issues as far as getting and receiving donations for the closet. Prior to school shutdowns, students were able to walk into the closet and pick what they needed. During the times of COVID-19, Martinez is on campus every Wednesday to either drop off items to students' homes or arrange an appointment for them to pick-up items.

Since the Blade Closet grew in a span of months, Martinez and her team were able to shift from a small closet to a bigger space in the basement of East High to store items.

She also said she’s seen a huge shift in education when working with children. It’s not just about academics anymore; it’s about serving students who are emotionally, mentally and physically neglected.

Martinez encourages struggling students and families to ask for help and find the resources they need.

“We never used to have school social workers and programs that offer services to families and kids. Reach out because these programs are evolving. We’re there to help. People are struggling now more than ever,” she said.

WHAT TO DONATE

HOW TO DONATE

Basic hygiene products: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, bodywash, new undergarments, air mattresses, new or almost new clothing, blankets, etc.

Checks: Make them out to East Bakersfield High School and memo “Blade Closet.” The Blads Closet is a 501©(3).

To donate items, make an appointment and email Natasha_Martinez@kernhigh.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATASHA MARTINEZ

www.BakersfieldLife.com

63

Bakersfield Matters

From left, Ralph Bailey, Corey Gonzales and Scott Cox.

Friendships adrift during pandemic Salvaging shrinking relationships

By Lisa Kimble A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, WE ARE STILL STUCK IN NEUTRAL IT SEEMS. Our social lives and essential interactions with

others are all on pause. People remain laser-focused on their immediate needs, making it difficult to absorb much else, including keeping friendships afloat that have gone adrift during this extraordinary time.

“It’s tough. We are all social beings, wired for attachment and connectivity,” said local clinical psychologist Corey Gonzales. “We have lost a lot with this pandemic.”

Facebook, until 2020, was a cheerful reminder of fun times past with its memory pop-ups. Today, they are a cruel reminder of what we are all missing. Gonzales, a talk radio contributor, recently posted a social media memory photo with fellow radio personalities and friends, Ralph Bailey and Scott Cox, with the caption, “Miss the good times and seeing my boys.”

“No question, the yearlong pandemic has altered just about everything we knew, including our friendships,” he lamented.

It hasn’t helped, Gonzales noted, that so many people have turned to their computers and social media to fill the void.

“We all have a need for social approval, but we need to be careful and not go from utopia to dystopia,” he added.

“Social media doesn’t fulfill our needs. It has us amped up, and too much anxiety impairs our psychological immunity.”

In her book “Friendship,” released last year, science journalist Lydia Denworth writes that friends are the very key to our survival, happiness, emotional and physical wellbeing.

While some studies showed that the bonds of friendship can

64

March 2021

begin to wane in as little as three months if people aren’t able to meet in person, they are more likely to be revived once friends are able to socialize again. Oxford University psychologist Robin Ian MacDonald Dunbar concluded in a recently published review that the impact of the health crisis on shrinking friendships is likely to be “fleeting.”

Gonzales advises taking stock and inventory, reflecting and prioritizing in order to keep the most essential relationships afloat.

“Be present. Don’t take the relationship or interaction for granted,” he said. Conversely, respect that not everyone will have the same risk-tolerance level. Someone’s desire to distance shouldn’t be taken personally.

“Be grateful. These relationships are meaningful and that needs to be expressed,” he added.

Opt for FaceTime and Zoom, rather than relying on texting and phone calls.

“When you see people and their facial expressions, even if it is through video conferencing, it is more satisfying for our attachment needs,” Gonzales said.

“Try to find something good out of the bad,” he added, referencing the 1946 book by Viktor Frankl “Man’s Search for Meaning.” “In any situation of adversity, if we can find the good, growth, optimism, and gratitude, it will give depth to the quality of our interactions.”

While the pandemic has remade some friendships, pruned, shrunk or eliminated others, appreciate the time it has afforded us all to reassess them and their place in our lives.

The views expressed in this column are those of Lisa Kimble.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA KIMBLE

Great Kern County

Notable women who helped shape history » WOMEN CONTINUE TO BLAZE TRAILS IN THE 21ST

CENTURY, INFLUENCING WORLD EVENTS, POLITICS AND BUSINESSES NEAR AND FAR.

In the United States, more women were elected to Congress in 2018 than in any other point in history. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to hold a seat in the House of Representatives, and today there are 144 women serving in Congress, according to the Pew Research Center. And such progress is not exclusive to the United States. The World Economic Forum says 56 of the 146 nations studied have had a female head of government in the past 50 years.

Females have also grown in their high-priority roles in the business sector. In 2017, Fortune magazine reported there were 32 female CEOs leading companies, such as General Motors, PepsiCo and Lockheed Martin.

Throughout history, many women have made notable impacts in their communities and on society. The following are just a handful of women whose accomplishments are worthy of celebration.

Millicent Garrett Fawcett

Millicent Garrett Fawcett

This powerful leader campaigned for women’s suffrage in 1866 at the tender age of 22, leading the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. Her goal was realized 61 years later.

Marie Sklodowska Curie

This Polish-born scientist founded a new science of radioactivity, which would have a sizable impact on the treatment of cancer.

Curie also was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

Ruth Law

Marie Sklodowska Curie

Ruth Law

Valentina Tereshkova

Ada Lovelace

Oprah Winfrey

Kamala Harris

Despite Orville Wright refusing to teach her to fly, Law learned to be a pilot in the early 20th century. At 28, she beat the cross-country flight record with a 590-mile flight from Chicago to Hornell, N.Y., and later inspired Amelia Earhart.

Ada Lovelace

This gifted mathematician is considered to be the first computer programmer in the early days of computers.

Valentina Tereshkova

In June 1963, cosmonaut Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Despite a lack of formal flight training, Tereshkova was selected for the space program due to her skills as an amateur parachutist.

Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey’s rise from poverty to the status of household name and billionaire mogul is a true rags-to-riches story.

Kamala Harris

There are a lot of firsts with Vice President Harris. She was the first female and first Black American to become California’s attorney general. In 2015, when she declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate and later won the election, Harris became just the second Black woman to hold a Senate seat and the first South Asian American to do so. Today, Harris is the first female, first Asian American and first Black vice president in the history of the United States.

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History

In this Feb. 17, 1962, file photo, Bakersfield 20-30 Club members conduct a heart-athon over Radio KGEE and KBAK-TV.

In this Feb. 23, 1957, file photo, Dr. Juliet Thorner and Battalion Chief Robert Lechtreck look over the “Emergency Care Handbook.”

The Kern County Heart Association Tending to the hearts of the community

By Julie Plata AS THIS MONTH’S ISSUE SHINES A LIGHT ON GO RED FOR WOMEN, LET US LOOK BACK ON HOW THE COMMUNITY OF BAKERSFIELD HAS CARED FOR THE HEARTS OF ITS PEOPLE.

From 1953 to 1988, the Kern County Heart Association, an affiliate of the American Heart Association and the California Heart Association, worked hard to give, according to the Feb. 17, 1962, Bakersfield Californian, “every resident of Greater Bakersfield and Kern County a chance to fight the nation’s No. 1 health enemy . . . the heart and blood vessel diseases.”

The Kern County Heart Association held its first meeting on Sept. 9, 1953, at the Bakersfield Inn where the goals of the group were presented. Not looking to gently approach the matter at hand, the Sept. 11, 1953, Bakersfield Californian reported that “heart disease, the greatest killer of them all was vigorously challenged,” at the meeting. The first goal was to support national research efforts at the local level in working to answer why and how to prevent and cure heart disease. Second, provide better education on heart disease to professionals and community members, and lastly, promote community service in the rehabilitation of those afflicted with heart ailments.

Under the direction of the association’s first president and founding member, Dr. Juliet Thorner, a beloved and respected pediatrician who treated the children of Bakersfield for nearly 40 years, the foundation of organization and program planning on which to build for the future was set.

To achieve the association’s goals, interested citizens of Kern County joined in a united front to support this movement. Due to the unfortunate fact that heart disease has touched the lives of many families, a vigorous local heart program was needed.

Over the course of the next three decades, the Kern County

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March 2021

Heart Association worked to achieve its goals of supporting research and promoting community involvement through several programs and events.

The Kern County Heart Association depended solely on voluntary contributions of time and money from the community.

Through campaign drives to build up the Heart Fund, most of the money raised was kept within the community. Of the funds, 65 percent was invested into local programs, 12 ½ percent to the American Heart Association for research and the balance to the California Heart Association to help the people of the state.

The Kern County Heart Association’s annual Heart Fund drive took place throughout the month of February. The largest fundraising campaign known as Heart Sunday and aptly held close to Valentine’s Day, included an army of volunteers who went door to door to leave important heart saving information and collect tax deductible contributions. Additionally, as part of community outreach, every year a Heart Queen or King was named to recognize a girl or boy who had successfully overcome heart disease or undergone open heart surgery. Also, to encourage students to go into medical research, the Kern County Heart Association gave an annual Science Student Recognition award and banquet to honor top science students from the county’s high schools, colleges and university, awarded scholarships and sponsored field trips to the Loma Linda University, Cardiovascular Research Laboratory and research facilities at UCLA. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, but now together with the American Heart Association, the Bakersfield community continues to work toward better heart health.

CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTOS

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How Bakersfield are you?

The March Puzzle

See the answers at bakersfield.com/ bakersfield-life

DOWN 1

California approved giving women the right to vote on Oct. 10, 1911. This woman was the first woman to register to vote in Kern County.

2

Bakersfield is named after this individual.

4

In 1880, this agricultural product began growing in Tehachapi.

5

This pageant queen became Miss Bakersfield in 2020 and is set to compete for Miss California USA this year.

7

This Filipino fast-food chain restaurant opened its doors in Kern County in Delano in December and will soon have a Bakersfield location.

10

Which war saw 7,150 Kern County men enlisting in one day?

12

This Bakersfield resident appeared on the TV show “The Price is Right” this year.

ACROSS 3

This local business owner owns three different food establishments — Vida Vegan, Camino Real Kitchen and Tequila and Bakersfield Pizza Co.

6

The Bakersfield Californian’s publisher Cliff Chandler and executive editor Christine Peterson are from this California city.

8

According to the National Education Association, National Teacher Day was created through the persistence and leadership of this person.

9

Who was Kern County’s first sheriff?

11

Before it was named Oildale, what was this area’s original name?

12

The Southern Pacific Railroad line through the Tehachapi Mountains features this engineering marvel.

13

This is the oldest continually operating community theater in California.

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2020

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