Recent Blog Posts: The Southwest Voice

Bakersfield Women's Business Conference

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:17:51 PDT

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. :)

Injuries...

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:11:02 PDT

Many, probably just about all, of us have endured some type of injury. Whether from a sprain or to a broken bone, most of us probably have visited the doctor or emergency room because of hurting our bodies.

For me, it usually is the emergency room, much like the 7 different times I visited the emergency room back in 2006. This is quite because I'm clutzy or just have bad luck, but part of being in the motocross world. Being 19 years old, I've sustained 13 or 14 broken bones, 3 major concussions (2 of which I was knocked out), 3 minor concussions, 1 dislocation, many stitches (no staples), a few hyperextensions, 4 surgeries, and a lot of doctor bills (thanks to good insurance.) Needless to say, it all begin starting at age 4.

But until now, I never had really injured any body parts below the waste. When I say until now, it just so happens that this past weekend, Sunday 04/13 (bad luck 13), riding my motorcycle. I actually wasn't racing, or doing anything stupid as many people would say. I was riding down the street and after turning around it just came out from under me. Well, I landed on the knee that I had been having problems with already previously hyperextending it at work, and then at HipHop dance. Now was a lot worst, as my left knee went out left wards, or in other words, bent in ways that it should never bend.

So, once again, the familiar faces at Urgent Care saw me again. Luckily after X-rays nothing too serious was done, besides a bunch of stretching and pulling of then ligaments, tendons, and all the other good stuff that holds our knees together. But of course, I came out with one of those big knee mobilizers, and some crutches. After a day, I fled from both the mobilizer and crutches.

If anyone has ever had a cast, they know the feeling after getting it off after several of weeks, that the joints just don't move. This happened after a day, and walking or getting around with one bummed knee is difficult. So now my task is trying to get it to move again. Out of all the injuries, even the worst ones, this is frustrating and probably even worst then those. Injurying the knee is one part of the body that needs to lack any injuries. Basically the point of my blog, was to possibly get any hints or pointers on helping the healing process to getting it back to normal. The other little injuries I sustained before weren't to serious, so it didn't take long. Now with minimal movement, and lots of stiffness (and of course being sore) some good pointers may help out!

Proms, Dads...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:04:02 PDT

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

Hey, Dad

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:33:05 PDT

"Hey, Dad" is the name of my new advice column that will tackle the issues and problems parents and kids face each day. You'll find advice that's sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, always to the point and straight from the heart, but from a man's point of view.

After 55 years, I have been around the block more than a few times. I have seen a lot of things, done a lot of things, or at least have some knowledge about a lot of things. I have two grown sons, both graduated college. The oldest one is a professional musician and the youngest one is in graduate school to become an Optometrist. I have been married almost 31 years to the same wonderful woman. I have been a Bakersfield resident off and on since 1967 so I know this town very well. I spent 4 years in the Air Force and graduated from Cal State Long Beach at the age of 32.

Write me here on my blog with questions or problems you're having with your child, parent, spouse or pet rat and I'll give them my full attention. Twice a month, I'll select some choice letters to run in our Northwest and Southwest Voice publications as space allows. Life isn't easy, nobody ever said it would be, but there's no need to go it alone.

Hmmm... What to Say, What to Say... ???

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:35:48 PDT

I guess since I've decided to become a part of this community, I should add something worthwhile.

I will... just not today. Too tired. (sigh)

:-)

April Children's story now posted

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:55:15 PDT

The free Children's short story is now posted on my web site for your viewing.

You can read it on line or download it at www.grannywrites4kids.com

Peg

Hello neighbors

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:39:53 PDT

Hello neighbors!!! Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy April Fools Day!! Hope you didn't get fooled too bad......

Proud mommy...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:40:48 PDT

I am enjoying the time I have spent bonding with my baby boy "Nikolas".. He is going on 3 months now and growing cuter everyday.. I did not have the opportunity to stay home with my other children.. But now, thanks to the new bonding time given to parents, i can spend more time at home with my infant..

Two-Day Music Festival at The Empty Space!

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:19:25 PDT

ROCK FU

Two-Day Music Festival

April 4th and 5th at The Empty Space

All Ages Show!

$5 Admission/Day

$1 Beers

TENTATIVE LINEUPS:

Friday, April 4th: Doors at 7PM, Show starts at 8PM
Handsome Dog
Echo Hawk
Velorio
Codeine Cowboy

...and special guests!

Saturday, April 5th: Doors at 1PM, Show starts at 2PM
Krotch
The Dewskies
The Sunken Eumedies
Nekrocosm
Three Chord Whore
Norfolk
Vecar
Drag the Lake
Get Up Get Down
The Binges

(lineups are subject to change)

This rockin' music festival has been such a hit in the past that The Empty Space has decided to bring it back! We've got great lineups both days, with awesome bands representing a variety of genres. Show some support to your local musicians! Stop by to listen to some great music, check out the new gallery exhibit, and get your fill of $1 beers and delicious snacks. Be sure to check back for updates to the blog, more details coming soon! The Empty Space is located at 706 Oak Street (behind Pizzaville). Call 327-PLAY for more info.

AUDITION NOTICE: Reefer Madness the Musical!

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:42:35 PDT

Auditions for The Empty Space’s June production of Reefer Madness: The Musical are coming up! Please come prepared with a song to sing a cappella. Sides from the script will be provided for cold readings. The production runs June 6 - 28 and rehearsals will begin mid-April. Please email any questions you might have to the director, Jeremiah Heitman, at preacherlad@yahoo.com, or leave a comment on this blog.

Audition Times:

Saturday, April 12th from 3:30PM to 6:30PM, and

Sunday, April 13th from Noon to 3:00 PM

Synopsis:

Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. Both the original 1936 film and the 2005 movie adaptation of the hit musical are available in full on YouTube.com, and you can sample the soundtrack on iTunes and MySpace Music.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Jimmy Harper - A wholesome, innocent, high school teenager who runs into trouble after he is lured into the dangerous world of reefer

Lecturer - a severe authority figure who warns the audience of the perils of Reefer Madness. (Doubles as Goat-Man, Mr. Poppy, Irish Priest, Old Man, Radio Announcer, Ticket-Taker, Policeman, FDR)

Mary Lane - Jimmy's sweetheart, a naïve, virginal teenage girl.

Jack Stone - The handsome and ruthless proprietor of the Reefer Den, a 30's gangster movie-type. (Doubles as Jesus, George Washington)

Mae - An attractive, yet slightly haggard dame in her mid-30s, the hostess of the Reefer Den.

Ralph Wiley - a denizen of the Reefer Den, formally a fraternity man, his college days ended long ago due to his reefer habit. (Doubles as Sally's Baby, Switch-Puller, Uncle Sam)

Sally - a sexy and seductive resident of the Reefer Den, she possesses the libidinous soul of Mae West combined with the rat-a-tat moxie of vintage Barbara Stanwyck. (Doubles as Lady Liberty)

Placard Girl - throughout the play she reinforces the warnings of the Lecturer by holding large signs that clearly state the moral of what we've just seen. (Doubles as Five-and-Dime Kid, Police Officer)

Ensemble - Mixed gender group to represent Reefer Zombies, Kids at the Five-and-Dime, Jungle Orgy dancers, Angels, and patriotic background chorus in the Star-Spangled finale.

Dogs & Cats

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:11:47 PDT

Dear Dogs and Cats, in the family

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food.
The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it, becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn´t help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom.
If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
-- canine or feline attendance is not required. The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat´s butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our
Pets:

1. They live here. You don´t.
2. If you don´t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
furniture. (That´s why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it´s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn´t speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don´t ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car.
6. Don´t hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don´t smoke or drink
8. Don´t have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don´t want to wear your clothes
10. Don´t need a "gazillion" dollars for college.

And finally,
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

The Face of an Angel

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:18:25 PST

Sometimes, children are the most beautiful when they're sleeping peacefully. He is always a beautiful child, but I find myself unable to take my eyes off of him when he looks as he does in this picture.

I'm blogging again!

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:04:02 PST

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

The Brew Crew

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:25:04 PST

What is the Brew Crew?

It is a group of friends who enjoy each others company and love playing the game of softball. The players come from a diverse backgrounds and careers.

Their interests and hobbies are as varied as their nationalities. They come together every Sunday morning and play softball with the exuberance from their youth. They play the game with passion and sportsmanship. Their love for the game is exhibited in there performance.

After each and every game you will find them next to their beloved softball sandlot consuming their team’s beer Miller Lite (not only does it taste great but it is less filling).

During there weekly post game ritual they reminisce about their “Sport Center” plays and topics that range from politics to playboy. Most of all, this team has played together for many years and greatly enjoy and respect each other.

Please enjoy our web site, and visit often.

www.mybrewcrew.com

Help!

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:34:10 PST

Labs Who Need Help

Success Stories

Lab Tributes

>>Labrador Harbor Success stories!

We need your donations. Requests have been made to Labrador Harbor by families and rescue organizations to assist these Labradors.

Last Update February 21, 2008

If your Lab needs our services please complete an application form today.

Update 2/21/08

Prince Andy needs your help!. This dock diving champion needs TPO surgery on both hips. His family simply cannot afford the high cost of these surgeries. His family is arranging yard sales, a car wash, etc. to help raise money, but they will still need help from Labrador Harbor. Andy is a dock diving dog in Bakersfield, and they are asking for help from the dock diving teams, too. The prognosis from the first vet is 95% full recovery.

Prince Andy also has a web site, if you'd like to read more, www.PrinceAndyFlores.com.

Click the MAKE A DONATION button at the bottom of this page to donate directly to Prince Andy today!