I have a question for our online readership: Do you watch reality T.V.?  If so, what shows?

If you don't watch reality T.V., what are your favorite shows?

I like "Lost," "The Bachelorette" (not as fond of "The Bachelor"), and "American Idol."  I don't always get to watch them, but I try.

What are YOUR favorite T.V. shows, reality or otherwise?

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I've been in the market recently for a new dog.  Wyatt Earp needs a friend, so I have been combing the issues of The Southwest and The Northwest Voice each week for the entries from both major pet shelters in town (the SPCA and Kern County Animal Shelter).  For the past three issues, the same dog was pictured -- her name was Ethel.  For some reason, Ethel's photo was speaking to me.  When we were making the next issue of Southwest Voice this week and Ethel was still looking for a home, I saw it as a sign that I needed to go see her.

I went to the SPCA on Thursday after work, and there she was.  It was, as it often can be, love at first sight.  Ethel came home with me that night and quickly became part of our family. She's smart, ridiculously loyal to "the one" (that's me) who rescued her, and she's loving to Wyatt.

I noticed, however, that she didn't respond to "Ethel."  In fact, at first I thought she was deaf because she never turned her head at all when I called to her.  We took several names for a spin, and finally someone called her "Jenny" and she responded!  Whatever her pre-shelter name was, it must have ended in a "y" because Jenny now responds quite heartily when called.

When you see the next issue of The Southwest Voice and see a sweet white Boarder Collie mix, she is no longer looking for a home.  :)

How did the all-star game go tonight?  I couldn't make it, but I know Hannah Grisham.

What an odd combination of topics, eh? Well, today was a very busy day at The Voice.

First, I learned (very early this morning) that I had tickets to giveaway for the Junior Achievement Ice Cream "Sunday" social this weekend -- so I had to quickly post the contest on both sites (in my jammies, no less) so that y'all would have enough time to get your email and enter.  I'm sorry to anyone who didn't get the word in time!  I posted the contest as soon as I could.  We had one winner in the Southwest, "raychopra1" who won a 4-pack of tickets for Sunday (a sundae on Sunday).  We had two winners on the other site.

Next, I attended a luncheon hosted by the BPD activities league (PAL), along with others from every other media outlet in town. Here's what I learned and the point I want to get across to our neighbors: At any given time, there has been and can be 75 emergency calls holding at the Bakersfield Police Department. So, when you call about a break-in or a stolen car, or a suspicious person in the neighborhood, and it seems as if you've been on hold for an hour (or it IS an hour), THAT is why!  There are only roughly 250 cops to patrol our city of nearly 350,000, and those 250 police officers are spread out into 5 shifts (allowing for vacations, illnesses, etc., too).  They are getting to our calls as SOON as they can, but each call can require a squad car, and if every squad car goes and takes care of something, then those calls holding have to keep holding until an officer is available.  How awful, huh??? 

Just makes me appreciate the job they are doing all the more.  Thank you, BPD.

Wow... I can't remember a time when 10:00 at night is the first time I logged onto the Voice web site, but today I had a great excuse... I was at the Bakersfield Women's Conference put on by Options Unlimited at the Rabobank Arena, and it was FABULOUS!  I encourage ALL women to attend it next year. There are vendor boothes, selling everything from purses to lipstick (oh, ya!), to life insurance policies, delivering nformation on college, photography (Hey, Inky-Dinky-Do!) and so many other interests to women of all ages and stages in life. There are three sessions of classes from which you can choose to listen to speakers giving presentations on a variety of topics.  At noon, there's always a keynote speaker -- this year it was Soledad O'Brien -- the amazing CNN anchor.  What a treat!

Sooo...if you get a chance next year, try to make it -- you will not regret it.  :)

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to point out that Ridgeview is IN THE HOUSE!  Check out the prom photo just posted HERE... it's GREAT!!

Also, don't forget to get your questions to our new columnist, Dad.  Dad is ready and waiting for our questions or concerns.

Talk soon!

Dana

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Hey all!

I was just sitting here looking at the web site (it's the first thing I do when I wake up), and I was thinking how great our community is.

I have met some incredible people, especially this weekend at Baby Fest (shout out to Tracy!), and I continue to meet great people through your submissions and emails.

Thank you, Southwest Bakersfield, for making my job so fun and for making this paper as great as its potential.  I'm including my favorite roses to share with you.  :)

~Dana

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Whew!  It's finally over!!

My first whole week as the official editor is behind me.  I've been spending a BUNCH of hours at the downtown office just trying to figure out WHAT IN THE HECK AM I DOING??

Some of the highlights of my first official week

I spoke at San Lauren Elementary School at Career Day.  That was a blast.  Thank you to Mrs. Jackson's 6th grade class, who took a wrong turn and ended up in the room where I was speaking.  They know how funny it was!

We at The Southwest Voice have a visitor from Denmark!  She is Marianne Due, a journalist and graduate student, who is studying hyper-local journalism.  She has chosen US to fulfill one of her graduate requirements.  

Marianne is very interested in our model of citizen (or niche) journalism, and as the No. 1 citizen newspaper project in the United States, she is VERY interested in seeing how we do things!  She has been busy all week asking questions and looking at all of your contributions on the Web!  Keep an eye out for a future issue featuring Marianne and her story. She has even agreed to write an article FOR us!  By the way, she speaks very good English and told me that kids in Denmark begin learning English in the 3rd grade!!  Pretty cool!!!

After learing about everything that goes into producing the product you get in the mail (or on the rack, or at  your school), I went out to Edwards Theater and took more pictures of our HANNAH MONTANA FANS!!!  I love getting out and meeting everyone!  The girls are all very excited about the upcoming Hannah Montana MANIA contest!  Keep your eye on a future issue so you know when to start submitting your photos!

Also: now that I'm thinking about it, don't miss out on our new photo contest - share your pictures TODAY of your own sleeping babies!

So much for my first full week!!  On Monday, I start fresh creating the next issue of our own SOUTHWEST VOICE! 

~d.

Hello to all of you I met at Edwards!  All the girls looked so cute wearing their Hannah Montana clothes.  I'll post the pictures on the web, and soon you will see them in an upcoming issue.

I'd love to hear what you thought about the movie! 

Write a few lines and let us know.  Moms & dads... please feel free to write your thoughts, too.  I'd love to know if you enjoyed it or if it was a movie strictly for chidren's enjoyment.

It was so nice chatting with all of you!  Please feel free to drop me an email or a phone call!  I'd love to hear from you again.

Also remember to subscribe to The Southwest Voice (FREE!) so that you can be sure to catch all those pictures I took while you stood in line too see Miss Cyrus!

Remember: Say Mylie!!

Don't forget about the upcoming Hannah Montana Mania contest!

We want to see your STUFF!

More info. to come!