Recent Blog Posts: The Southwest Voice

SINGLE, SEXY, SUCCESSFUL

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:43:19 PST

Cashmere Mafia, Lipstick Jungle, Big Shots, Sex and the City...

All have one thing thing in common - single, sexy, successful people looking to find someone special.

If you are one of Bakersfield;'s single, sexy, successful bachelorettes and bachelors - head on over to:

http://www.marcephnespeeddating.com

OUR NEXT EVENT IS:

FEB 29

RESERVE TODAY!

My first full week of editing...

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:54:21 PST

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.

THE MYTH OF THE FAT BURNING ZONE

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:17:29 PST

Unfortunately, this myth still persists and is evident in many health clubs. Pass by any cardio area and you'll see lines of people working out a a very low intensity for long periods of time. Inevitably, these same people will wonder why they're not losing weight or body fat, even though they're training in the "fat burning zone." Yes, it's true that your body will burn a higher percentage of calories from body fat when exercising at a lower intensity during aerobic activity. But, at a higher intensity, you'll burn more calories. Although a smaller percentage of calories will come from body fat, it's a smaller percentage of a larger number. Which means that you'll actually burn a larger number of calories from body fat! Step up the intensity of your cardio exercise, and you'll find you can shorten the workouts and achieve greater results.

For more Advice Contact
Valley Personal Fitness
661-472-5260
vallperfit@yahoo.com

Hannah Montana!!!

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:29:56 PST

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!

Diving in San Mateo

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:26:50 PST

Prince Andy went to San Mateo for his first birthday celebration to compete in the first of the International Sportsman's Expo events. He jumped a new personal best and cleared that magical 20 foot mark by jumping 20' 5" winning 2 firsts in his waves and finishing 8th in the professional finals. Way to go Andy! next up is the International Sportsmen Expo show in Sacramento this weekend. Below is a copy of the San Mateo Times News Paper. He made the front page of the Local section.

San Mateo County Times

Remember that "Splash Dogs" & "Dock Dogs" use the "OFFICIAL" measurements of from end of the dock to the base of the dogs tail. There was a dog that was supposed to have jumped 30' on TV this last weekend, but they measured him from the dock to the tip of his nose as it entered the water, that's and extra 4'-5' over an official measurement! I wish that group would start using the "Official" measurements for their event so as not to confuse people. It would also further the sport if they would use "Official" measurements!

Start Your Training

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:00:47 PST

Everyone with a dog, start training them to jump into water! "SPLASH DOGS" are coming to Bakersfield's Kern County Fair in September. They have 5+ divisions for everyone dog to take part in, even a division for your kids to take part.. Both you, your kids and your dog will have fun.

http://www.splashdogs.com/

Check them out!

Editor's Note

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:48:25 PST

January is a time for newness. People are using or wearing the new stuff they got for Christmas. Sometimes we make resolutions for a new look for ourselves or our homes.

In that “new” spirit, The Southwest Voice has been given a makeover as well. We are so excited to bring you this improved version of the publication that you have welcomed into your homes. It has grown from a newspaper print product to a magazine-style publication.

It has also changed from being carrier delivered to your home — whether you wanted it or not — to a subscription-based publication.

From here on out, if you would like to receive The Voice, you must complete the subscription form inside and return it to us via U.S. mail for our records.

If you a returning reader, let me say thank you for supporting us and sharing your world with ours.

For those of you in The Oaks neighborhoods, The Voice now holds something special for you as well. We partnered with the Terri Collins team to bring you the Folks in the Oaks newsletter right here in the pages of The Southwest Voice. I hope you enjoy this new addition to the publication.

Feel free to explore our publication and consider this your invitation to submit stories, photos and video by visiting: www.swvoice.com

Teens and parents, we are looking for those great winter formal photos. Visit: www.swvoice.com to submit yours.

Tis the season

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:29:14 PST

May I take this time to wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas

and the happest of

New Years

NEW ADDITION

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:58:43 PST

Hello all:

Haven't been around in awhile, getting all the year end business and Christmas shopping done.

Got a new addition to the family, an 8 week old black Lab named "RUGER". His full AKC name is "Ruger's Ultimate Black Diamond". Took him to the Vet today for his second set of shots and he wighted in at a whopping 16 lb 9 oz. He has no fear, he takes on the bigger, full grown labs that we have already, and backs them down. As soon as he gets his final shots I will start training him for the upcoming Splash Dog season.

If anyone would like to see the Splash Dogs in action, contact the Kern County Fair Board and ask them to bring in the Splash Dogs Orginazation. Everyone can bring their dogs to one of their events and let them jump. They have divisions for every dog. It is alot of fun....

Editor's Note

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:53:27 PST

Some of my best memories growing up include times when I did community service. I’ve always had a heart to help people and find ways to brighten their day or make their life a little easier.

One of my fondest memories of community service is when I went to Mexico as a junior in high school to help fix up Colina De Luz, an orphanage near Rosarito Beach with my church. I think in those kinds of situations I often take away more from helping people than the people who are helped — whether it is a simple smile or warm hug of gratitude.

There are many ways you can help out the community, whether it is contributing to the Stockdale Cares program discussed in our cover story through donations, or finding some other avenue with which to put forth your time and energy. I hope you will take a cue from these students and give back.

I am really excited because The Voices have some big changes on the horizon!

If you are familiar with our other publications, you know that they look great in their smaller format with nice glossy pages all in color. Ever since we did that first with Bakotopia and then with MÁS, I have been hoping that we could do the same with The Voices. I would casually drop little hints to my managers and dream about how beautiful an all-color Voice could look.

Imagine if you will, a community scrapbook that reflects the people, events and stories of your neighborhood — that is what I want The Southwest Voice to be.
Well Voice readers, I am finally getting my wish! In January we are upgrading to that format.

In the process we are combing through our regular content and looking at the various sections of the paper to see how they can be improved. We really want to serve the community of Southwest Bakersfield in the best way we can.

So, if you are involved with an organization or group and think there is something missing from these pages let me know about it. Or if you think a particular section should have more content let me know too. We encourage suggestions as we make this transition.

As part of the change to this new format, we will also be switching our method of delivery. As of Jan. 9, 2008 we will deliver The Southwest Voice by mail only to households who have requested a copy by subscribing.

There is no cost to subscribe, and the request can be made quickly by either filling out our online form at: www.swvoice.com/subscribe or by completing the subscription form stuck to the front of this edition.

To ensure you do not miss a single copy of The Southwest Voice, you will need to subscribe by Dec. 5, 2007.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions for us.

Thank you,

Lisa Wuertz
Voice Editor
716-8639
lwuertz@bakersfield.com

Andy at the World Championships

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:45:48 PST

Have posted an article about Andy. Will re-post it later here if needed. Andy won the Worlds Junior Division Championship by over 2 feet! He had a jump of 18' 9" in the finals to win going away. He also set a new Cynosports Junior World Record with a jump of 19' 3" in the semi-finals. So the trip to Scottsdale, AZ was well worth the trip. Will also post new pictures when I get them back.

Passing time

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:04:01 PDT

Hello all, last couple weeks have been hard to get on here. Seems when you get "UP" in age you start visiting the ER more often. This past week I found out what it is like to give birth (I'm a male)! Ladies I now understand, really I do, I spent a couple days at Mercy trying to pass a Kidney Stone. If you've never tried to pass a stone or had a baby you won't understand. Think of trying to pass a small stone of thru your penis? It is very painful. Always heard it was like a woman having a baby, now I believe it.

Looking for another dog to start training, figured why not have twice the fun as I'm now having ;) As soon as I get back from the Words Championships @ Cynosports in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend I will start looking in earnest. Want a big footed, long legged, male lab out of good stock. Found some people in Tehachapi that breed labs. They have a litter due in December that looks promising. Not sure of color yet. but the father is yellow and the mother is chocolate. Don't think a light blonde male will come out of them? Hope so, but a dark lab would be OK. For some reason 90% of the labs jumping are yellow.

Speaking of the World Championships. The word on Andy is out, people are staring to shy away from his Junior Division, they think they would only be jumping for 2nd or 3rd place? But who knows, that's why they have horse races? It will only cost around $500-$750 total to attend this event? That could be a reason? The Junior Division is for dogs that have qualified at 10' 0" to 14' 11". This is the division Andy qualified for, but being he was, and still is, so young, he has continued to grow in his sport. Most of his competitors are mature dogs who have reached, or almost reached their potential? In practice the last couple weeks Andy has been jumping in the 18'-20' range (remember this is from dock to base of his tail). He could well jump further than the dogs in the Senior Division? Next year he will in all likely hood be in competition in the Professional Division? That's for dogs jumping over 20' But who knows, he may just make the Extreme (over 23') Division next year? Sure would like to see that.

Well, that will have to do it for now. Hope to have GREAT news to share next week?

So Cal Fires

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:24:18 PDT

Yesterday, my husband and some friends headed over to the coast to hang out in Carpinteria for the day. On our way there we saw the beginning of two of the many wildfires that are now burning in Southern California. There always seems to be a fire just starting when we head down there.

Then when we headed back we couldn't believe how much worse the fires had gotten. As we drew closer and closer to Ventura, the sky darkened with thick brown smoke. Those little start-up fires had been fed into huge blazes now by the Santa Ana winds and plenty of dry brush.

A huge cloud of brown ash was creeping out over the ocean. When we got on the 126, it just seemed to get darker and darker. We kept joking how it was the end of the world or something. My husband said in all his years growing up in Santa Paula — which faces wild fires practically every year — he never saw so much smoke and ash as we did yesterday. It was like the world turned sepia tones for an hour or so.

I took some photos as we drove with my husband's camera phone of all the smoke and darkened skies.

Of course the one drawing the most attention is in Malibu where all the celebrities and rich people live. We saw the smoke from the Malibu fire, but we also saw three other huge blazes. So you know it would be nice if there was some information about those fires too.

This is where we saw the beginning of the fire on the way there. By the time we returned it had spread over the hill and was putting up tons of smoke. If you ignore the big plumes behind this mountain and pretend they are blue skies, that is how the fire looked on our way to Carp, just a little bit of smoke, but thanks to the wind in a few hours this thing was huge!

This was taken Oct. 22 as the winds were shifting and beginning to blow the smoke over Bakersfield:

Reading to First and Second Graders

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:59:54 PDT

I was invited to read out of my book Grannies' Critters by the Mrs. Doering, the first grade teacher at St. John's Elementary School. They were having a read-a-thon.

I love reading to the little ones and they were so well behaved and attentive. I picked a story about a goat, another one about a baby duck, and the last one I read to them was about a puppy. Kids always like stories about puppies. My great, granddaughter is in the class and of course she sat as close to me as she could get. It is always awesome to read to six and seven year olds, since that is why I write my children's books. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

A little knitting and a little music

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:01:59 PDT

I learned something new today: how to do a picot bind off which makes cute little points across the edge of the bind off. I really like this whole knitting in the round sweater in one piece thing. It is really quick and easy. I also tried the sweater on this morning and the rib gives it a lot of give if necessary or draws it in too. So that means it would fit the person it was originally intended for. So I might give it to her afterall. Just when I was knitting it before it seemed so drawn in and small, like it couldn't fit anyone but a toothpick. Now I know that it could fit most people I think.

It's also very flattering. So maybe I'll keep it for myself. We'll see.

Afterall it has been all over this blog which means that the intended wearer could have already been exposed to it. Which sort of ruins the purpose of a gift. Still I haven't said who it is for, so there could still be some surprise there. Hmmm.... I'll keep ruminating over this one.

But anyway I finished the sweater. Yay!

This was by far my most favorite thing I have knit in my entire time knitting. It was so incredibly easy and fast without being boring and it turned out so deliciously soft and wonderful.

Here are the specs:

Pattern: Snow White by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: GGH Bel Air in #03 Berry
Needles: Size 8 circs and DPNs all bamboo
Started: Oct. 8, 2007
Finished: Oct. 17, 2007

Can you believe I finished this thing in just 9 days? That is unheard of in sweater knitting. That is how fast and easy this project was. And I had to rip a good portion of it out.

In other news, my husband Stephen has a show.

He's playing with our friend Brady this Saturday. Here are the details for those of you that would like to show up:

Fusion
18th & O in Bakersfield
Saturday, Oct. 20
Show starts at 7 p.m.

Featuring:
Justin Anspach
Brady Cabe (formerly of Saveface/Trebec)
Daylight Rising

See you there!

— Originally published on knitting-newspaper.blogspot.com