Hey I agree 100%.  And we wonder why so many kids are have alcohol problems in this world today.  We scold them if they do it but it's fine if we brag about it.  Go Figure!!!

Kevin & Gina: These are important perspectives that I'm very glad the two of you shared.

The Sept. 3 issue of The Southwest Voice was not devoted to beer, but to a community event that has made a difference in the lives of children across Kern County. In the past, the money from this event has provided resources for the children of Kern County such as truck loads of high chairs distributed at the Bakersfield Homeless Center to the uniforms, balls, nets, etc. given to the Police Activities League (PAL) for their soccer league.

Knowing that out of the 4,000+ people attending the event, a few would be from our Southwest community (and because it was for a good cause) we thought it fitting to cover the event. And while beer tasting is one of the event's main attractions, there is so much more to it. There's delicious food, fun performances and musical acts and a festive environment for socializing and networking.

I attended the event this weekend and can tell you that ID checks and security were in full effect, making it a safe, secure environment for adults to have a good time. At the end of the night, taxis, limos and designated drivers lined up showing that this crowd knew how to have fun but be responsible.

I appreciate that there is a good cause at the root of the event, but the headline star of the event, beer, is also the root of a lot of other problems.  We all know them, but I'll list them anyway... disease, domestic violence, vehicular fatality.  I also appreciate that there are many responsible alcohol consumers, but the fact remains that we (we, meaning the sw voice) chose to highlight more of the alcohol than the benefits of the event.  That is where I have a problem.  The Southwest Voice is by its own claims a representation of the community.  The beer aspect was overdone.  That's what I'm saying.  The separate issue, pointless to tackle here, is that somebody has decided that promoting alcohol, itself a cause of many other problems, is a way to assist in the aid of different problems.  I don't support that, and as a member of the represented southwest, I don't appreciate being represented that way.