Discussions: The Southwest Voice

Native Daughters of the Golden West

Native Daughters of the Golden West ~ El Tejon Parlor #239 Bakersfield invite all Bakersfield residents and visitors to view the President's Project 2007-2008 "A California Poppy Garden" at the historic Garces Circle in downtown Bakersfield".

The planting of the Poppies was a courtesy of El Tejon Parlor and a "first time garden" at The Garces Circle, and President Jenelle Wilcox was privileged to have the honor of doing so.

Working together, NDGW El Tejon and Bakersfield Parks & Recreation we have created a lovely garden and will continue to broacast poppy seeds in the future to help maintain and generate Bakersfields own little 'Poppy Preserve".

Native Daughters of the Golden West was insituted in 1886 in Jackson, California by a young woman named Lilly O. Reichling Dyer. It is a fraternal and patriotic organization for all California born individuals.

NDGW El Tejon Parlor, is a subordinate Parlor of the Grand Parlor of NDGW located in San Francisco, Ca. The first Parlor to Charter in Bakersfield was in the late 1880s, however, the records have long disappeared.

The second Parlor to Charter in Bakersfield was Tejon Parlor in 1902, those records are preserved, but Tejon Parlor also relinquished their Charter about 1911.

Third time is charm so they say, and so the third NDHW Parlor in Bakersfield was El Tejon Parlor #239 Bakersfield chartered in 1926 and has flourished through time until this day.

NDGW El Tejon Parlor #239 and the Native Sons of the Golden West, along with \other Organizations were instrumental in the establishment of the Garces Circle in Bakersfield, a plaque of recognition is mounted to the statue of Father Garces.

El Tejon Parlor is proud to be of service to the City of Bakersfield and the residents of our town, we sincerely hope that the Native Daughters of the Golden West El Tejon Parlor Bakersfield "California Poppy Garden" will be a lovely source of enjoyment for all.

It is an honor and a privilege to belong to Native Daughters of the Golden West. El Tejon Parlor #239 Bakersfield is open to new memberships at this time and welcome all interested individuals.

Airsoft in Kern County

Today, many people are taking up the sport of Airsoft here in Kern County. Airsoft by definition is a sport where players simulate military or law enforcement combat by using realistic looking guns and other combat gear. Airsoft guns are non-lethal replicas of real firearms which use compressed air to propel light weight plastic BBs at speeds between 100 and 650 feet per second.

Airsoft guns come in 3 varieties, spring, electric, and gas. Spring and electric guns both employ the use of a spring, a piston, and a cylinder as their firing mechanic. The spring is compressed, drawing the piston back and filling the cylinder with air. Once the trigger is pulled, the spring is released forcing the piston into the cylinder and the air out of the cylinder into the barrel of the gun where the BB is staged for firing. Gas guns, however, use compressed “green gas”, propane, CO2, or high pressure air. These guns have chambers which store the gas (or CO2 cartridge) and release a small amount into the barrel of the gun when the trigger is pulled. Electric guns us a battery and a motor to compress the spring allowing semi-automatic and fully automatic firing. Gas guns, like electric, are capable of both modes of fire as well. Spring guns must be manually cocked between each shot which prevents them from being capable of fully automatic firing.

Even though the name Airsoft is quite safe-sounding, airsoft guns are capable of causing injury when used improperly. However, with the right safety equipment and an adherence to some basic safety guidelines, the sport is quite safe.

Airsoft guns should always be treated as real fire arms (with the exception of shooting other players wearing appropriate safety gear during a game). They should never be brandished in public places (anyplace the public can see) and should be concealed in some sort of carrying case when transporting them. If you are seen with an airsoft gun in a public place and someone believes it to be real, the police may respond as if you have a real firearm. A note to parents of children using airsoft guns. If your child brings an airsoft gun to school or uses it in any other public place, they can be prosecuted just as if they had a real firearm since airsoft guns can be quite easily mistaken for the real thing.
Never aim or shoot your airsoft gun at an animal or a person who is not wearing the proper protective gear. Minimum protective gear consists of eye wear rated for airsoft or paint ball, and clothing which minimizes exposed skin. It’s recommended that you wear full face protection (eyes, ears, and teeth), leather gloves, and durable clothes like jeans and multiple layers of shirts.
Research all local and federal laws governing the buying, carrying and use of airsoft guns. Contact your local police department for more information.

While airsoft guns can provide a great deal of fun, misuse of these guns can result in unnecessary injury or harm to users and innocent bystanders alike. It can also cause negative repercussions for the sport in general. Having a few rules will not detract from the fun of playing airsoft, rather it helps everybody to get the best out of the sport and it keeps everybody safe.

If you are interedted in learning more about Airsoft, visit the Kern County Airsoft Community online at http://www.kernairsoft.org

Easter Celebration at Bakersfield First Church

The kids at Bakersfield First Church had a great time at church on Easter. The kids had their traditional Sunday School lessons, then they were treated to some skits with live actors and puppets and then we did some crafts and enjoyed an egg hunt with over 900 eggs!

Some other fun children's activities that are now being planned are:

1st Annual Bekka Potter Basketball Camp taught by Coach Kyle Wylie of South High (June 16-20th),

Vacation Bible School - Theme is: "Son World Adventure Park" and is for ages 4 years thru 6th grade (June 23-27th from 6:30-8:45 pm)

If you do not have a church to call home, we would love to have you come and join us! Sunday service time is 9:15 a.m. and Sunday School is at 11:00 a.m. Please call Bakersfield First Church @ 832-2145 for more information.

Let's Laugh - And Trudge up to the Gym

One of my younger friends has been particularly encouraging to me as I sweat it out at the gym. She suggested that I increase my stamina day by day and do a variety of speeds, inclines and minutes on the treadmill. She also said to vary my weight routine so my muscles don’t get used to it and get lazy.

“Surprise, muscles, I’m doing something different today!”

I spend an hour on the treadmill, varying my speed and incline. About the time I think I might die at 5 mph on a 5 incline, I slow down to 2 mph on a 1 incline. Moving on to the weights, I do three sets of 20 reps, starting out heavy and ending a little lighter. After this, my muscles feel a bit like jello and the sweat crawls down my back like something alive, taking up residence between my shirt and my skin.

I weighed this morning and made the thrilling discovery of a ¼ lb.weight loss! My self-described coach repeated the usual mantra of the fit and skinny. “It’s not the weight you lose. It’s the muscle you gain. Muscle weighs more than fat.” She went on to say, “Keep this up for nine months and you are going to see real results.”

“NINE MONTHS!” I yelled at her. “That’s how long it took to percolate my kids and look what that got me! Dirty diapers, vomit on the new carpet, headaches, backaches, colds, flu, trips to emergency and dental bills. I may have to rethink this whole gym thing.”

The variety of determined “gym rats” where I work out is really interesting. Age varies, including the disgustingly skinny teenagers, with no inch to pinch, to the overweight of all ages trying to gain muscle and lose fat! My hat goes off to anyone over 65 who exercises regularly and there are several at my gym. Statistics say that 60% of the people over 60 in Kern County report “doing nothing” all day so this hardy little group of “elders” at the gym deserves a pat on the back. So what if it takes nine months. Wasn’t that little bundle of joy worth it? And you don’t have to take anything home and take care of it after you lose the weight and gain the muscle. Just your gorgeous, strong body! Exercise stays with you a lifetime. Kids move out!

Ask a Wine-know: All about corkage

Today I’m responding to a request to “explain corkage to me.” I’m happy to do so, since we live in California and it is a widespread practice in this state. It does not exist in all states.

Corkage is the term given to the fee many restaurants charge for allowing you to bring in your own bottle of wine to be served with dinner. The charge is for their opening and serving your wine in their glasses that they must provide and clean, of course. Corkage here in town runs from $10 to $25 per bottle. Not all local restaurants charge and not all restaurants allow the practice. Phone ahead to ask and also ask about the fee for this service.

Also, do not bring a wine that is already on the restaurant’s wine list. That is considered bad form. Besides, the waiter can reject serving you a wine they already have made available. That happened to me not too long ago. We went to a famous restaurant in the Napa Valley and I took along one of my few bottles of a great French Bordeaux that was nearly 20 years old. The waiter smiled, handed it back saying “great wine, we have it on our list.” Oops!

I know you’re going to ask — it was French Laundry, their corkage was $50, and my wine was on their wine list for $1,800! Yep, you read that right. Nope, I didn’t pay that for it 16 years ago, I paid $75. Needless to say, we didn't order it that night either. Great wines do increase mightily in value over the years, but only those that age well, and that’s not most of the stuff on our shelves. Buying wine for an investment is the practice of some, but not me.

Back to corkage. Why the practice? Wine lovers generally have larger cellars of great or hard-to-get wines than the typical restaurants can manage to keep on their wine lists. We want to drink these wines with dinner with friends. We can do it at home, but it’s a lot easier to go out. I choose where I’m going to dine based on whether or not I’m allowed to bring in my wine. I want to drink it, share it with friends, and not have to prepare every meal. Winos are usually foodies too. We have very good restaurants in Bakersfield that will give you very good food and provide good wine to accompany their dishes, but they will be pleased to serve your wine — for a corkage. Such a service brings me back to those establishments more often than otherwise and I make sure my wine is not on their list and I also offer a glass to the proprietor or waiter if it is a special wine. If you have a large party, buy a bottle or two from the restaurant as a courtesy.

Why is it called corkage? I don’t know, except for the fact that the cork has to be pulled out before the bottle can be served. You would not bring in an open bottle nor a bottle of Two Buck Chuck. You should be proud to present this bottle to the waiter as both you and he know it’s special. You’re grateful he’s allowing you to bring it in because he doesn’t have to!

It has no other relationship to the cork. Corks are a whole other story that I will have to get into some other time.

So, if you have a bottle of wine that you want to open for friends or a special occasion, and you don’t want to cook, choose where you want to go and call ahead. Ask about corkage, and if you're not familiar with the wine list find out if your bottle is on it before you present it for opening.

A bottle of fine wine will enhance your evening every time.

Coming Events:

March 10 — Enjoy a gourmet wine dinner featuring Bell Winery from the Napa Valley at Café Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway. Also, you can enroll your kids in a cooking class at Café Med during spring break! To make reservations or for more information, call 834-4433.
March 22 — Bakersfield Wine Society at The Petroleum Club, featuring St. Supéry Winery from Napa. For more information, call Mike Stepanovich at 588-0783 or 342-2339.

Questions or comments? E-mail Ann at: acierley@etcrier.net

Back in my day

We have all heard the saying at one time or another, typically from a father or grandfather. Experience has taught us that any story beginning with “back in my day” should be received politely but with skepticism. It’s not really the storyteller’s fault – time simply has a way of affecting hindsight. Sometimes it’s a positive influence — every time my grandfather told stories about his baseball days, he had more home runs and more championships. Sometimes the influence is negative, as a recalled trip to school evolves from two blocks of sunny sidewalk to eight miles of drudgery through 6 feet of snow and uphill both ways. Must have been a climate change thing – I had no idea Bakersfield streets used to be buried under so much snow 10 months of the year.

The thought recently occurred to me that I am now living the days of adulthood that I will someday recount to my son. In a sense, I am living “my days” now. Of course, he is only 2 years old, so I have many years before I can tell the tales.
Maybe it’s because I don’t trust my own hindsight or maybe I’m afraid all of those concussions will affect my ability to recall today’s life with clarity and accuracy. So, perhaps the best solution is to simply write a letter to my son now, all about life in the world he was born into. And so we begin:

Dear Son,

As you read this many years from now, you are probably living in an amazing world. Rather than bore you with hazy memories of my youth through dull and semi-accurate storytelling, I thought I would put it all in a letter for you. This will explain life from “back in my day,” back when you were just a baby.

Back in my day, gasoline cost over $3 per gallon and we were all furious about it. Inexplicably, we paid twice that amount for every gallon of coffee or bottled water, but for some reason we didn’t get upset about that.

Back in my day, personal dietary choices led to epidemic obesity and other health-related problems. Nevertheless, we would often order double cheeseburgers with extra cheese, super-sized French fries, onion rings, a chocolate shake and a Diet Coke. It’s OK though — the Diet Coke had some sort of compound that negated all of the calories and saturated fat from the rest of the meal.

Back in my day, the term “personal responsibility” was an oxymoron. In fact, ironically, the statement “I take full responsibility” was used by politicians, athletes and others as a way of completely avoiding responsibility. Doesn’t make sense? Join the club. You see, it was so much easier to blame society, government, police, teachers, incapable lawyers or even our mothers to avoid placing blame on ourselves.

Back in my day, politics was not about the exchange of ideas or representing the people. No, politics was a practice of catering to special interest groups and using the power of office to re-align districts to protect incumbents’ positions. Most opposing candidates didn’t have any original thoughts or goals, so they merely brought each other down in a flurry of negative ad campaigns. And they wondered why voter turnout was always so low? Amazing.

Back in my day, we had incredible technological advances, including the expansion of the Internet, cellular phones and portable e-mail devices. All of these innovations were designed to help bring people together, yet even as we used them, we continued to build higher walls and thicker doors. Somehow it all made sense at the time.

I hope I don’t give you the impression that I dislike this place, because that just wouldn’t be correct. The world is amazing and beautiful — it just does not always live up to its potential. Like watching a marathon runner stop 100 yards short of the finish, so much is just left undone.

However, even during the darkest times, change was in the air. Little by little, people were beginning to understand that loyalty, kindness and morality were more than trendy catch phrases. Families began to take walks together in the park, neighbors began to mingle again, and citizens began to question their government leaders. National tragedies brought us together and showed us our similarities far outnumber our differences. Violence in the streets began to wane as misguided youth finally realized it wasn’t worth dying for control of a particular street or a particular color of clothing. Maybe the dark days made us appreciate the changes even more. Yes, it took time, but we eventually began to grow out of our adolescence and into the world you see around you decades from now.

I’m sure all of this will be distant history in your world. The one constant in life is change — I know the world will continue to grow through these times and will emerge as a place that will make us all proud.

As I write this, you are laying on the sofa, fighting the flu. Two days ago, your mom and I were in a panic, as you developed a 106-degree fever that sent us into a scary new chapter of parenthood. Today is better though. We want the best for you, and we want you to know how special you are to us.

One other thing. Back in my day, you brought joy to our home, and your mother and I would do anything in our power to make sure you were healthy and happy.
Good to know some things never change.

Editor's note: After a long hiatus, we at The Southwest Voice are thrilled to welcome back longtime contributor Rob Berry.

Does your daughter love Hannah Montana??

Greetings, friends, neighbors, and huge Hannah Montana fans!

As many of you know, I attended the red carpet event at Edwards Cinema: The Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Concert in 3D!!

By red carpet, I mean that the generous management of Edwards allowed early movie attendees to form their lines (sometimes 2 hours early!) inside the theater on the red carpet. I took many cute photos of the girls waiting in line!

Here's notice of our newest photo contest:

Hannah Montana Mania!

This is for girls or boys who are CRAZY about HANNAH! We here at The Voice want to see pictures of Hannah's biggest fans! Show us your Hannah stuff: clothing, dolls, games, pictures, CDs.... anything HANNAH!

Does your daughter love Miley's TV show? Let us see a photo of her standing in front of the TV while "Best of Both Worlds" is on in the background!

Hey... PRIZES are involved!!!! Doesn't your daughter (or don't YOU?) need more Hannah Montana merchandise???

STAY TUNED, stay informed! Check back with Southwest Voice every day to see entries in our Hannah Montana Mania contest! And start getting your pictures!

To see MORE photos I took at the "premier" ... click HERE!

Rock-a-Bye Baby photo contest -- Winner!!

The Rock-a-Bye Baby!! photo contest is now closed!

But thank you to all of our proud parents and grandparents for sending in such adorable photos.

It was difficult to choose just one! We fought! We cried! We championed our favorite sleeper!

In the end, only one can win.

Thank you to all of our participants We look forward to all of your future entries in upcoming photo contests.

Speaking of upcoming photo contests... we have a new one!

Starting with this issue: Hannah Montana Mania! Check it out!

Southwest Voice newsletter - Feb. 20, 2008

Greetings, Southwest Bakersfield! Would you like to win an iPod Shuffle?

Your new issue of The Southwest Voice should be in your mailbox today. If you find that you aren't receiving it anymore, you may not be a subscriber. The good news is that starting with THIS issue, all new subscribers are eligible to be entered in a drawing to win a FREE iPod Shuffle. All you have to do is:

Get the current copy of The Southwest Voice
Read it from cover to cover (it's really good!)
Cut out the subscription form on the inside cover and mail it to the address shown on the form.
Voila! Your name goes into the drawing for the iPod Shuffle AND you start getting your beloved SWV delivered to your home once again.

Remember! This contest is open only to first-time subscribers who use the subscription form picturing the iPod Shuffle.

Next, for the fun stuff! The Southwest Voice, Feb. 20th edition!

This week's issue is filled with lots of great stories and photographs from our Southwest contributors!

Editor on the move!

It isn’t every day I get to talk to people about my great job or how much I love being the editor of such an incredible community paper. I’m lucky that schools are inviting me to participate in activities that allow me to meet the kids and tell them all about The Southwest Voice.

At San Lauren Elementary, I spoke at Career Day. The students were excited to hear about our contests and about nominating their teachers for “Educator of the Month.” Send in your nominations today on the Web!

Dangerous Boys Club!

“The Dangerous Book for Boys” is a book written by two brothers, Conn and Hal Iggulden. They take a stab at introducing our children to things we forgot to teach them ourselves, such as how to make a coin disappear, how to tie a fancy knot, how to train your dog to sit and roll over, even how to create a treasure map!

Barnes & Noble Booksellers meets with these dangerous boys the first Saturday of the month at 2 p.m. Join them! The next meeting is March 1.

Rob Berry -- He's back!

Beloved Southwest Voice contributor, Rob Berry, returns with a letter to his son to tell him of the good old days... before the days become too old to recall. You shouldn't miss Rob's keen observations.

Rock-a-Bye Baby photo contest!!!

These Southwest residents are on the ball! It isn't too late to enter your sleeping tots in The Voice's "sleeping child" photo contest! Click above to see all the recent entries. The winner will be announced in the March 5 issue!

Don't forget our regular features: education, wine, sports, and a special 2-page section about our visitor from Denmark, Marianne Due!

How to Unsubscribe

To stop receiving this newsletter, please DO NOT respond to this e-mail. Instead, go online to The Southwest Voice sign in, click Edit Settings and Profile, and uncheck the box at the bottom labeled /"Receive Newsletter/."

What is your New Year's resolution?

What is your New Year's resolution? How do you plan on sticking to it?

Who or what will you vote for and why?

The national election cycle is heating up and the California primaries are just around the corner. Who or what will you vote for and why?

What do you think about Target moving to the Valley Plaza?

What do you think about Target moving to the Valley Plaza? What about the other Target store already located close to the mall?

The true meaning of the holiday

The holiday season brings out the commercialism of the time as well. The hustle and bustle of trying to buy that latest gadget can sometimes take priority over other important issues of giving and sharing. What do you do to keep your family in tune with the true meaning of this holiday season?

College decision time

At this time, many high school seniors have sent out applications to universities across the nation, maybe even closer to home.

Where is your student hoping to attend? What does your student want to study?

Any news on acceptance?

Share your college questions and comments here.

What tips or advice do you give your children about strangers and safety?

According to The Bakersfield Californian, on Wednesday, Oct. 17 there was an attempted abduction of an 8-year-old girl who was walking home from school in Southwest Bakersfield.

Read the full story here.

In light of the recent attempted child abduction in the Southwest, what tips or advice do you give your children about strangers and safety?