Up Front
Facebook contest
Why is your mother the best? With Mother’s Day right around the corner, Bakersfield Life wanted to know why your mom is the best. Readers shared why their moms are No. 1. Congratulations to our lucky winner, Nina Ha, who won a $50 gift certificate to Anamie’s Sweets! “My mom gives me something to strive for. She is the essence of grace and elegance, class and pulchritude. From humble beginnings, she and my dad created a life for us that we couldn’t have imagined. She loves others with all her heart and teaches us to do the same.” — Nina Ha
“My mom had me and my older sister before she graduated high school, but that only made her work harder and get a good job. She was able to give us more than we needed. She is not just a support system anymore. She’s a best friend.” — Nichole Bridgewater “My mom is the best because she raised four children of her own and four foster children. In addition, my mom went back to
school to become a RN, helped my dad run his painting business and worked as a CNA. Even though it took my mom more than two years to finish her associate’s degree at Bakersfield College, she was determined, and her hard work paid off. My siblings and I are proud of all her accomplishments.” — Cheryl Valenzuela Rodriguez “I’m blessed with my mother’s devotion. Never ignore a person that loves, cares and misses you. She loves all four of her children eternally and is nonjudgmental. Her heart is warm and gracious. Can’t say enough about mom, and everyone who knows her will say the same. Love her eternally!” — Diana Chavez-Herrera “My mom is the best because she has put her goals aside to be there for my brothers and I. Now she works two jobs and still is there for us!” — Megan Luecke “My mom is the best! She is always here for me. I had twin daughters two years ago, and it’s been hard but she’s helped me out when I was having a hard time. My mom has also lost 100 pounds over a few years, and I’m so proud of her for that! My mom deserves to win.” — Ashley Camarillo
Russo’s Read
‘The Carpenter and the Caretaker’
Mike Russo
‘The Carpenter and the Caretaker’ is available for $10.95 at Russo’s Books at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.
16
Bakersfield Life
May 2012
by Dale B. Dow
A compelling mystery that propels you from one chapter to the next, “The Carpenter and the Caretaker” is the ideal summer beach read. No, scratch that. With a 60-year-old unsolved mystery and a kind-hearted, redemption-seeking ghost (the caretaker) guiding the protagonist, this is the ideal summer camping read. Local engineer turned author Dale B. Dow delves into the mystery genre with his first novel. The fast-paced, characterdriven story alternates between the Decemeber 1949 disappearance of a wealthy businessman’s only child and a present-day master craftsman (the carpenter) who is called upon to put the pieces together. With twists and turns, the two eras collide with the carpenter not only solving the mystery, but ultimately finding closure on demons from his own past. Fun and quick, Dow has laid the foundation for an ongoing series. He has recently published a sequel and plans for a third novel to be released this month. — Mike Russo, co-owner of Russo’s Books