Bakersfield Life

 It's All About Wine
 
We are very excited about our new special section for the April 2009 issue of Bakersfield Life. We call it Reserve. It's all about wine.
 From out California vineyards to the best wine lists in Bakersfield, to the great places to enjoy a glass with friends in Bakersfield, this section will bring a look at the local wine scene to the largest local magazine readership in Kern County.
 Advertising oppertunities are availiable and offer the perfect oppertunity to reach a readership that is ready to take a trip to wine country or join a local wine club.
 More than 63% of our readership enjoy wine. don't miss your oppertunity to take part in valleys most prestigous wine publication inside Kern Countys most read and  trusted city magazine.
 Click the PDF link to download a flyer. For more information, call (661) 395-7492.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t grow up in Bakersfield, but it felt like I did. In the 1980’s, growing up in Tehachapi, our family came to Bakersfield for almost everything. Us kids needed school cloths? We came to Bakersfield. Dad needed new carpet for the house? We came to Bakersfield. Everything outside groceries and household items meant a trip down the hill to spend the day loading up the station wagon.

It’s no secret that I ended up in Bakersfield. Many members of Tehachapi High Schools class of 1994 are here in town with me. We have families and careers and go home on occasion to get a taste of the bitter cold winter evenings and the cooler summer days.

Although I didn’t grow up here, I am one of many nearby transplants that call this area home and try to take in all we can to learn and become part of the culture. It is a fascinating city and one that I truly enjoy.

One of my favorite things about Bakersfield is this city’s history. I could ready Jeff Nickell’s columns one after another and still go back for more. When I was writing our upfront feature called “It’s Named After…” I would spend hours at the local history room at the Beale Memorial Library in Truxtun and get lost in subject matter.

Let it not be a surprise that part of the feature for our March issue is of great interest to me. We asked Jeff to come up with a list of 10 events that helped shape Bakersfield. Let me say that I was fascinated by this list. From Thomas Baker to the building of the Isabella Dam, all these things have played a part in making us who we are.

So as you read through this list, take a moment to think about how these things affect your life. How often are you on highway 99? Do you know any Okies? Have you heard the Bakersfield Sound? It’s part of us and always will be.

So even though I love my hometown up the hill, I will always connect with the history of Bakersfield. The stories can go on forever. They are a part of us all and part of how we live our lives. It may not be top of mind everyday, but what happened in our past is part of our now. What happens now will be part of our future.

Managing Editor

Chris Thompson
 

What a six weeks. Yes, it has been more than a month since we have published an issue of Bakersfield Life and for a very good reason. As Kevin mentioned in his Editors Note, we have been working on this change for a few months now. All the hard work is paying off by being able to move our distribution date to the end of the month.

Sounds strange, I know. Why would Bakersfield Life come out at the end of the month? There are a few reasons, and all of them are focused on benefiting our readers.

We know that the previous distribution date of the third Saturday of the month was limiting our ability to be seasonal. We also know that the nations most successful city magazines are not only monthly, but also seasonal in their content. We have made this move to be able to focus on the following month. This is why you are reading our February issue on January 31.

In an effort to continue to lead in the medium of local magazine style publications in Kern County, we are making this move to focus on the topics that you are focused on in your daily lives. You do things in May that you wouldn’t do in September. Our editorial and content moving forward will be reflective of your lifestyle.

So at this time in our world when we are so focused on the here and now, we feel that we can bring you a piece of your here and now on a monthly basis. This is just one more way that we are working to better connect with you and bring you editorial that is relevant to how you live.

So, as Kevin mentioned, thank you for your patience and understanding. You didn’t miss an issue, you just allowed us the extra time needed to make a few improvements to Bakersfield Life that we hope you enjoy.

Your friend at Bakersfield Life,

Chris Thomson
 

 <------- Download PDF
 <------  Download Word.doc
 
This April, Bakersfield Life will present The Best Places to Work in Bakersfield.
To be considered for editorial inclusion, please complete an employer questionnaire and return to Bakersfield Life magazine. If you have any questions, please call Chris Thompson at (661) 395-7492.

Attached are two forms of our employer questionnaire.
• Word Doc. - You can print this document and hand write your information and mail this back to Bakersfield Life at the address below.
• PDF - This is an editable document, but you can not save the edited document. Please fill out the form and either mail or fax it back to Bakersfield Life.

Please send complete questionnaires to:

Bakersfield Life magazine
Best Places to Work
P.O. Box 440
Bakersfield, CA 93302

Or Fax:

(661) 395-7685

Deadline for returned questionnaires is Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

Attention all Wedding day Specialists

Welcome to Vows by Bakersfield Life.

Coming this January, Bakersfield Life will present a full color, full glossy wedding planner to give local brides and grooms all the information they need before the big day.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS –

You are invited to submit your wedding photos to be included in Vows by Bakersfield Life. All photographers placing ads of 1/4 page or larger in Vows are encouraged to submit a maximum of 5 photos to bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com for cover consideration. Some photos not selected for cover may be used for other stories.

What we need:

Photos – 300 dpi

Photo credit – who took the photo

Caption – Who is in the photo.
 
Space is limited.
Reservation deadline for Vows by Bakersfield Life is Wednesday, December 12
Vows will publish at 5 wedding expos and events in 2009 with an additional full county publication on January 31 2009.

For more information about Vows by Bakersfield Life, please call Chris Thompson @ (661) 395-7492.
 

I would venture to bet that you and I are doing the same thing this time of year. We’re making a list of whom we need to buy for, and frantically scouring the ads to find that perfect gift. Mix in taking the kids to the Bakersfield Christmas parade, the Magical Forest, HolidayLights at CALM and picking up a few other Christmas events here and there. Yes, this is a busy time of year for all of us.
 
I always struggle with what to by certain family members. I can ask and ask what they want and the response is normally the same. These few will tell me things like, “Just get me a card,” or “I don’t know … maybe a nice sweater.” Now I know I bought a few sweaters last year and I would like to have an original and great gift for them under the tree on Christmas morning. A card just isn’t going to cut it.
 
I haven’t become an online holiday shopper yet, and with good reason. Although I may look online to find gift ideas, I always to go into a store and make my purchase. I go in expecting to come out with more than I went in for and gather ideas for additional gifts while I’m there. I’m always looking for ideas.
 
The one thing I have learned over the years, is that many local retailers are ordering gifts early in the season. Trust me, the owners of local shops work hard to bring wonderful special items to Bakersfield.
 
This time of year I have this urge to buy local. Yes, it is easier to buy online and if a local merchant has an online point of purchase I may do so. But in this economy, one that will undoubtedly have you checking your shopping list twice, I feel a need to keep my dollars in Bakersfield. Supporting local retailers brings a great pride to a community, one that is measured by the growth of our local business owners that put in countless hours to employ our residents and give back to the community. In a way, I am giving back to my community by shopping local. Many local merchants are very active in the community and give their time and resources to make Bakersfield a better place to live.
 
So as we make our lists this year and determine what we want to buy for whom, lets take a few extra minutes and see if we can keep our purchase this season in Bakersfield. It means so much to our community that we support each other, this year more than ever.
 
In the November issue of Bakersfield Life, you will find great gift ideas from some of our local merchants. As you’re looking for something special, take a few minutes and drop buy some of these locations to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
 
 
Chris Thompson
Specialty Publications Manager
The Bakersfield Californian

Looking for a Holiday Makeover? Bakersfield Life is gearing up for our first holiday makeover and you could be treated to a day of local luxury. Send us your picture and 100 words stating why you’d like a holiday makeover and you could win a luxurious tour to visit some of Bakersfield’s best beauty experts.
From hair and nails to facials and fashion, you could find yourself with a new look this holiday season, not to mention being featured in Bakersfields most read city magazine.
E-mail us at the link below
bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com

The Bakersfield Life Holiday Meal

Do you have a special holiday recipe that you’d like to share? Do you have a secret stuffing that everyone should know about? Bakersfield Life magazine would like to show your holiday treat to all of Kern County. Simply e-mail your recipe to Bakersfieldlife@bakersfield.com.

Five lucky winners will have all the ingredients purchased for their recipe and will cook their masterpiece for everyone to see.

We are looking for your most exciting recipes that all of your family raves about.  We have five categories for your treats.

Best Holiday Turkey

Best Holiday casserole

Best Holiday Salad

Best Holiday Stuffing

Best Holiday Dessert

Submissions are open through Wednesday, October 8. You can also mail your recipe to

Bakersfield Life “Holiday Meal”
P.O. Box 440
Bakersfield, Ca 93302
 

I am a fan of the Olympics, don’t get me wrong, but anyone who knows me well knows that I have a short attention span. I like watching people swim, but not every night. The one thing I enjoy the most about the Olympics is the variety of the events and when I can’t watch a large variety, I get bored.
   
So until the next event comes on TV, I have found myself in re-runs of last season’s shows. I am enjoying the Terminator series and have caught myself watching more CSI that I ever have. Not only C.S.I., but also NCIS, Criminal Minds and other crime shows.
   
It only takes a few of these shows to get the point and figure it out from the beginning. First, someone that you don’t know is killed. Second, the stars of the show are called in. They start interviewing people while the bad guy is right under their nose. All the time, a couple of the stars are kissing in the backroom. Next, they stumble onto one obscure piece of evidence that opens up the insolvable case. They race to the next scene right before the bomb goes off and their “co-worker” is killed to apprehend the bad guy. In the final three minutes of the show, the “lady cops” have their arms around the victim’s family while some song you’d hear at Starbucks plays in the background.

There it is. One hour in a paragraph.

This is where I’m tired of this show. The crime is always murder. No big deal right? Wrong. Before the show starts, I know someone dies and here are my suggestions to mix it up a bit. 

Law and Order - Petty Theft
Brent walks into a 7-11 and runs out with a Snickers. Lets hunt him down.

C.S.I. – Jaywalkers
Don’t get caught crossing outside the lines – this team of “kinda cops” will use their mobile crime lab to find you.

Criminal Minds – Graffiti Artists
We know what’s in your head before you paint that wall.

Ok, so maybe these TV show ideas aren’t going to get me a gig in Hollywood, and they may not be that interesting ... but they are a bit different. I bet these crimes could be solved in about 5 to 10 minutes. Just the kind of show I’d watch. Just the kind of show to fit my attention span.

Chris
 

I don't think I am alone in this, but I like to take my tie off late in the day. Somewhere around 4 p.m. on a busy day, I pull the cloth from around my neck and relax a bit as I focus on the next days chores. Today, now that Bakersfield Life is in your hands, I will finally take my ties home and breath for a few minutes. Good thing too as I struggle in the mornings when I can't find my favorite ties.
I am hoping that you will read our latest issue of Bakersfield Life. We hope that you take the time to vote on the Top 32, and take the time to write us and give us your thoughts on the magazine. We worked hard on this one and are excited to present to you our work.
Trust me when I say that this is a glimpse of things to come. We have a wonderful fall lineup on the way and some exciting new features. Thank you for being part of the largest local magazine readership in Kern County. We truly appreciate your time.
Chris Thompson
Managing Editor
Bakersfield Life magazine
“Bakersfield’s Premier City Magazine”
661-395-7492
cthompson@bakersfield.com