Issues: Bakersfield Life

Our Latest Issue Of Bakersfield Life

We hope you enjoy the November issue of Bakersfield Life magazine. This month you'll find everything you'll need to know about holiday gifts, party planning and how to watch your calories!

Look for these other great articles inside the
November issue of Bakersfield Life magazine.

*The holiday season is here and Bakersfield Life is ready to help you with your shopping needs. Inside you’ll find 45 of the latest and greatest gifts to give this season!

*With the holiday season in full swing, the last thing you may be thinking of is your taxes. Inside you’ll find some handy tax tips that could save you big.

*Poinsettias are gorgeous, but do you know why? This month, we examine the story behind the iconic plant of the season.

*Are you already counting your calories? With the help of Leigh Pozas, Bakersfield Life will give you some healthy alternatives to caloric holiday treats!

You can find your copy of Bakersfield Life magazine inside the November 17, 2007 issue of The Bakersfield Californian. You can also find issues at many offices and waiting rooms all over town. Additionally, you will find Bakersfield Life at the following locations. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our managing editor Chris Thompson at 661-395-7492 or Editor, Jason Gutierrez at 395-7491.

Read a portion of the
November Cover story below.

Seven-Day Countdown to a
Fabulous Holiday Party!

It’s the season for holiday parties…and throwing your own party is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with good friends, great food, and all the warmth and joy that the holidays bring. But for many of us, planning a party is a little intimidating. After all, the holidays are when you want to make your guests feel special—and helping guests relax with the best that you have to offer is a wonderful gift. But who has time these days? Suddenly you’re having second thoughts about your party…but wait! You can do it—and with just a little advance organization on your part, a few minutes of effort spread over days can make your party come off without a hitch. So take a week to plan, and get your work done early with the Seven Day Party Breakdown.

To read more of this story, pick up a copy of Bakersfield Life magazine at one of the following locations.

Bakersfield Life magazine rack locations

Amtrack Station
601 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 "R" Street

Stars Theater
1931 Chester Avenue

Spotlight Café
1622- 19th Street

Fox Theater
2001 "H" Street

24th Street Café
1415 - 24th Street

Sinaloa's Mexican Restaurant
910 - 20th Street

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
1231 - 18th Street

Get Bus Station
22nd & Chester Avenue

Memorial Hospital
420 - 34th Street

San Joaquin Hospital
2819 "H" Street

Municiple Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue

Bowling Alley
1819 - 30th Street

Dagny's
1600 - 20th Street

Village Grill
2809 "F" Street

Airport Bus
2530 "F" Street

Kern County Board of Trade
2101 Oak Street

Pantry Coffee Shop
2200 Brundage Lane

Young's Market
3030 Brundage Lane

IHOP
1530 Califorina Avenue

Von's
2100 White Lane

Greenfrog Market
258 Bernard Street

Tam O'Shanter Restaurant
2345 Alta Vista Drive

Tam O'Shanter Liquor Store
2401 Alta Vista Drive

Greenfrog Market
3711 Columbus

Cindy's
3807 Auburn Street

Marie Calendar's
2631 Oswell Street

Meadows Field
1401 Skyway Drive

Von's
4500 Coffee Road

Zorba's
2019 North Chester Avenue

Sugar Mills
2515 North Chester Lane

Milt's Coffee Shop
6112 Knudsen Drive

Von's
5360 Olive Drive

Coco's
7985 Rosedale Highway

Brookside Deli
4700 Coffee

House of Bagels
6023 Coffee

Zingo's Café
3201 Buck Owens Blvd.

Borders Booksellers
4980 Stockdale Highway

Total Woman Fitness
5329 Truxtun Avenue

Long's Drug Store
5510 Stockdale Highway

Lorene's Coffee Shop
6401 Ming Avenue

Golden Ox
4851 White Lane

Long's Drug Store
4300 California Avenue

Albertson's
7900 White Lane

CSUB Student Union
9001 Stockdale Highway

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
9500 Ming Avenue

Bagels & Blenders
8200 Stockdale Highway - Suite K1

Mercy Hospital Southwest
4000 Old River Road

Brookside Deli
8803 Camino Media

Russo's Book Store
9000 Ming Avenue

Save-Mart Shopping Center
9600 Hageman (Calloway & Rosedale)

Fastrip
6400 White Lane

Kathy Schilling Art Studio
5630 District Blvd - #120

Matt Riley with the Bakersfield Condors

The Bakersfield Condors celebrate 10 years in Bakersfield.

This year the Bakersfield Condors celebrate 10 years as part of our community. Also this year, Matt Riley celebrates 10 years as the man on top of the local organization. As president of the Condors, Matt has played an essential part in turning the Condors into the top attended sports franchise in town and one of the most successful in the 25- team league.
    From the standpoint of his front office staff, the goal is not necessarily the one scored in the net. The sport itself can actually take a back seat to the enjoyment of the game from the fans’ point of view. “The number one thing we have to worry about is when that person walks through the door, are they going to have fun? Because nothing else matters. We put ourselves in the customers’ shoes,” Riley says. “And that’s kind of fun because we’re all hockey fans.”
    In preparation for the ’07-’08 hockey season, Riley and his staff have been busy getting ready for 36 home games. Work in the office continues even when the hockey team is taking their annual break. “The summer in hockey is the most important time because that’s the planning and the preparation. We prepare for promotions and the things we think are going to be thrown at us so we’re ready,” he says.
    With the 10-year anniversary season now underway, it seems fitting to celebrate
the milestone and the many Condors legends. “We really want to put a lot of emphasis on our history this year. We’ve got former players that are still in the community and they still want to be involved with the Condors in the community. We want to honor them any way we can. That’s the thing I’m really looking forward to the most this season.”
    Something must be working right, as this summer Riley was honored as the best in the business with the ECHL Executive of the Year award. Riley shares the trophy with the people he works with every day. “The Executive of the Year award is a team award most definitely,” he says. “So a little piece of that paperweight belongs to the people that work here now, but also to a lot of people who did work here and laid the foundation and building blocks to what is Condorstown.”
    As well as being the leader of the Condors front office army, Riley is also a member of the ECHL’s Board of Directors Executive Committee. This responsibility allows him to be involved with decisions that guide the entire league. “If we don’t have any teams to play against, we’re out of existence. It’s competition on the ice,
but off the ice, we’re all trying to better our business, so we better be willing to work together and not against each other,” Riley says.
    The majority owner of the Bakersfield Condors is Jonathon Fleisig, a New York City native primarily occupied as a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Fleisig bought the team 11 years ago and put Riley in charge in 1998. “ I can’t imagine working for a greater guy,” Riley says. “When he handed me the keys, he said, ‘Don’t lose my money, and get involved with the community.’ Everybody wants to win a championship, that’s a no-brainer. Anything I would talk with Jonathon about is not necessarily financial topics. Most of it is community-oriented discussions,” he adds.
    Riley has seen firsthand the generosity of the Bakersfield Condors fans. The giving nature of the fan base combine for some of Riley’s proudest memories over the past ten years. “We’re just the conduits for the great fans we have in Condorstown,” Riley says. “Sure, we did Teddy Bear Toss, but we didn’t make 6,000 people bring stuffed animals to donate to kids that are less fortunate. People did that of their own free will. We just told them about it. We’re indebted to the people that support us and the community.” Year in and year out, Condors players mention that the fans go out of their way to make them feel at home. Riley attributes this to the caring nature of fans and the residents of Bakersfield. “They (the fans) recognize these guys are coming from far away. Not only do we have loud crowds and supportive crowds during the game,” he says, “but after the game fans will actually go above and beyond to help players get settled. When you’re in a new place, that’s pretty important.”

Our latest issue of Bakersfield Life

This month our Dining Divas have ventured to the northwest to bring you an
inside look at Camille’s Sidewalk Café.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we are
presenting the annual Links To Life Wall of Hope and a special Read Couch
feature in order to raise local awareness.

Are you ready to get dirty? We have a couple Volkslauf Mud Run inspired
stories to share with you before the big race in October.

Do you know these personalities? Read about eight local movers and shakers
you should know!

We're also on Myspace at www.myspace.com/bakersfieldlife

**************************************

If you are looking for a copy, try here:
Inside Racks

Borders Booksellers
4980 Stockdale Highway

IHOP Restaurant
3252 Riverside Drive

CSUB Student Union
9001 Stockdale Highway

Amtrack Station
601 Truxtun Avenue

Meadows Field (2 racks)
1401 Skyway Drive

The Manhattan - upstairs restaurant
1128 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield College - campus center outside cafeteria
1801 Panorama Drive

Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 "R" Street

Stars Theater - main lobby
1931 Chester Avenue

Xander's Grill
1419 - 19th Street

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
9500 Ming Avenue

Total Woman Fitness
5329 Truxtun Avenue

Fox Theater
2001 "H" Street

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
1231 - 18th Street


Outside Locations

Greenfrog Market
258 Bernard Street

Mom's Donut Shop
5330 Olive Drive - Suite B

Cindy's
3807 Auburn Street

Get Bus Station
22nd & Chester Avenue

Memorial Hospital - Main
420 - 34th Street

Von's
4500 Coffee Road

24th Street Café
1415 - 24th Street

Pantry Coffee Shop
2200 Brundage Lane

Molly J's
3150 Panama Lane

Zorba's
2019 North Chester Avenue

Spencer's
10437 Rosedale Highway

Long's Drug Stire
5510 Stockdale Highway

Lorene's Coffee Shop
6401 Ming Avenue

Sugar Mills
2515 Chester Lane

San Joaquin Hospital (Front)
2819 "H" Street

Young's Market
3030 Brundage Lane

IHOP
9220 Rosedale Highway

Milt's Coffee Shop
6112 Knudsen Drive

Municiple Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue

Bagels & Blenders
8200 Stockdale Highway - Suite K1

Von's
5360 Olive Drive

IHOP
1530 Calironia Avenue

Coco's
7985 Rosedale Highway

Zingo's Café
3201 Buck Owens Blvd.

Spencer's
7800 McNair Lane

Golden Ox
4851 White Lane

Carrow's
2673 Mt Vernon Avenue

Carrow's
1300 Easton Drive

J & M Café
10801 Rosedale Highway

Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive

Bowling Alley (Front)
1819 - 30th Street

Kaiser Permente
3700 Mall View Road

Von's
2100 White Lane

Long's Drug Store
4300 California Avenue

Village Grill
2809 "F" Street

Mercy Hospital Southwest
4000 Old River Road

Kern City - Next to Bus Stop
5801 Sundale Avenue

Personality

Often, a name catches your attention
for one reason or another. This
month we would like to introduce you
to eight locals that have not only made
a well-respected name for themselves
in the community, but who are trying
to make life in Bakersfield the best it
can be. Welcome to our first of many
more community features that brings
Bakersfield’s movers and shakers into
your home.

Gary & Eydie Gibson
Redevelopment Masters

    If there’s one thing Eydie Gibson can’t resist, it’s a handsome man in a yellow suit. It was 30 years ago that Gary Gibson met Eydie and their lives have never been the same – all for the better, of course. Eydie recalls waiting for Gary to pick her up outside of the Bank of America building downtown where she worked at the time. Gary’s charm and eye-catching yellow suit brought one word to Eydie’s mind – “interesting.” She was hooked and so was he – after all, with a business card that read, “Here’s a dime, call anytime…” with an actual dime attached, who could resist?
    “When I first met Eydie I just thought, ‘wow,’” he says. “And nothing has changed. I still feel the same way about her now.”
    As any man would have done, Gary got to know her interests and hobbies. Eydie loves tennis and Gary loved to be around her so he asked her to teach him how to play.
    Fast-forward to 2007. The Gibsons have become well recognized and respected names in the real estate business while working for Watson Realty. It was only natural for the couple to find a development project to keep them busy on their downtime. “With no kids at home anymore, we found that we had a lot of free time to play around with,” Eydie says. “I wanted to have a development project to work on and luckily Gary trusts me enough to invest our money. Although this project has become like a whole other job for me, I love it and believe strongly in it.”
    The Gibson’s project is the phenomenal resurrection of the historic Hay Building in downtown. The top level of the building will now showcase downtown’s first modern city lofts. With nine units being constructed, the Gibsons say they hope this project sparks other building owners to do the same thing with their space.
    “I’ve always felt a draw to downtown,” Eydie says. “As I spent more time down here talking to the business owners and hearing their thoughts and visions for the future of downtown, I wanted to help to redevelop the area.”
    The Gibsons say they are fortunate to have found great support from the Downtown Business Association and the Art Council of Kern in promoting business downtown and connecting people and ideas. They have also found a great working relationship with the City and Redevelopment Agency.
    Having a strong understanding of real estate and commercial development, the Gibsons took the idea of creating city lofts and tailored the concept to an existing building in downtown. After enlisting the design and marketing skills of good friend Don Martin, the Gibsons were ready to manifest their vision.
    “We had seen similar projects in other areas of the state and I think we both feel that Bakersfield is ready for this style of living,” Gary says. “More and more people want to live in an area that has dining and shopping close by. We were just pleasantly surprised at how beneficial wordof- mouth advertising worked in generating interest in potential buyers.” The project has been in the works for over a year and is projected to be complete by the end of the year.

Museum Maestros
Bernie and Joan Herman

    When it comes to where we live, so many Bakersfield residents think that the grass is always greener on the other side of the city limits. But take it from Bernie and Joan Herman, the grass really isn’t all that green.
    Finding professions in the field of art and education, the Hermans are a quiet force in the community. Bernie’s sense of humor and mild manner perfectly compliments Joan’s compassionate nature and easyto- talk-to charm. Regardless of how many places the two have lived together or alone, they are both proud to call Bakersfield home.
    “I’ve lived in 22 homes in 15 cities,” says Bernie, CEO of the Bakersfield Museum of Art. His last stop was Bakersfield, where he and his wife Joan raised their two daughters and have lived for the past 21 years.
    “Bakersfield has always been such a great place to live,” says Bernie. “We’ve been able to build a great network of business and personal relationships. Even though we’ve had opportunities to move other places, we’ve always opted to stay here.”
    Bernie and Joan have opted to have the hearts of servants by continuously giving back to the community through their professions and involvement in numerous community organizations. Bernie’s resume of leadership roles runs longer than the Kern River, and includes his professional role as Executive Vice President turned President of the five Mercy Hospitals in Kern County as well as multiple past presidencies in organizations like the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and Bakersfield’s Downtown Rotary Club. Today Bernie is the CEO of the Bakersfield Museum of Art, a cultural gem in our community that is continuing to establish itself as the anchor of the Bakersfield art district.
    He is also a founding member of Vision 2020 and serves on the Klassen Corporation Board of Directors. And Bernie spends many an afternoon at Virginia Elementary helping children learn how to read, one of his favorite ways to give back to the community. “It’s so delightful to see these kids grow and learn as you work with them over time. You can’t help but feel good.”
    Contributing to the development of our youth is a passion that he strongly shares with his wife Joan. Even when she was taking care of their two daughters full time, Joan was active in the lives of other children. She was a consistent volunteer in her daughters’ classes, an active “soccer mom” helping out with soccer team operations and also worked part time in the education system.
    Today Joan is the Lead Counselor at Foothill High School and has spent the past two years as the President of the Kern High School District Counselors’ Association. In the past she donated much of her time to The Bakersfield Californian’s Editorial Board, the Girl Scouts Board of Directors and to the American Association of University Women.
    “We really feel that the community is an extension of our family,” says Bernie. And while the list of what these two do in the community could go on forever, the bottom line is that the Hermans are truly a couple who cares.

Community Neighbors
Bart and Napier Hill

    Bart and Napier Hill have a way of subtly commanding a room together. Well-known throughout the community as kind-hearted supporters of arts, education and nonprofit organizations, the Hills have continued to make a positive impact in the community. A prime example of the community’s appreciation of the Hill’s community activeness was witnessed this past spring at the Kern Literacy Council’s annual “Read for Life” fundraiser, which recognized Bart for his community support. Although Bart and Napier have origins outside of Bakersfield, they say they couldn’t think of any other place they would want to call home.
    “We’re not originally from Bakersfield but I think that newcomers have a deeper appreciation for the city,” Bart says. “Because we have lived in other places, we’re grateful for the way of life here. It’s wonderful to raise a family here.”
    Both Bart and Napier have strong backgrounds in banking. In fact, it’s the banking industry that brought them to Bakersfield in the early ‘80s. Since then the couple has raised two daughters and dedicated their time to several community groups and foundations. Bart is the president and CEO of San Joaquin Bank and Napier is an esteemed interior designer.
    “I was inspired by my involvement with the California Agriculture Leadership Program in the late ’70s to give back to the community around me,” Bart says. “It’s important for all of us to do what we can to help better the community and help it grow.”
    Having served on the boards of organizations such as the Tree Foundation of Kern, Rotary and The Bakersfield Museum of Art, Bart’s positive attitude is enough to inspire generations to come to lend a helping hand. In fact, it inspired his wife to get involved with the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s Blue Ribbon womens’ group.
    “It’s been very rewarding to see the city grow, especially at the Museum of Art,” Napier says. “For a town of this size, you would expect an art museum of a certain caliber and we are getting there. The art education programs for children are fantastic.”
    But their connection to the community doesn’t stop there. The Hills have high hopes for the beautification of the city. Outside the windows of San Joaquin Bank in downtown Bakersfield, Bart is quick to point out the lovely trees that can be seen outside the windows.
    “Those trees out there were planted by the Tree Foundation,” he says proudly. “It’s amazing how a simple tree can change the appearance of our city. Let’s hope the city continues to grow in quality as well as quantity over the years.”
    With the flash of a gorgeous smile and a simple head nod, Napier agrees.
    “Trees add so much visually to the landscape of the city, and help clean up the air as well. That’s something we really need,” she says. “Bakersfield is such a generous town. I truly believe that the people who volunteer and give back are one of the city’s most attractive qualities.”

Gentleman Racing
The Destefani Family

    When the last checkered flag was waved on the track of Mesa Marin in 2005, racecar fans everywhere thought that would be the end of Bakersfield’s racing era. Pieces of the benches, where spectators once sat and watched their favorite local and national racers take the turns of the half-mile track with skill and precision, became crumbled bits of memorabilia. As the snack bar and ticket booths were torn down and the track paved over in preparation for new homes, a void was left in the community, which the Destefani family decided to fill.
    Having roots, both figuratively and literally, here in Bakersfield for over 70 years, the Destefani family, now four generations strong, is no stranger to the community. They’ve been known as strong community supporters, particularly in the agricultural industry, and for having almost magically turned an 80-acre cotton farm to 4,500 acres of cotton, alfalfa, grains, almonds, wine grapes and more. The family has been a part of Bakersfield as long as “most of these streets were fields and the sidewalks were made of wood boards,” as the eldest and wittiest Destefani, Melvin, puts it. It was Melvin’s father who, in 1902, came to Bakersfield from Italy to start new. And it was Melvin, along with his brothers who really helped the family business take off post-depression to become a full-fledged family operated farm that would be taken over by his son, Alan. “Bakersfield is certainly a race town,” says Alan Destefani. “With the closure of Mesa Marin there was a need and we wanted to be able to meet it.”
    Alan understood firsthand how the closure of Mesa Marin affected the community. He also felt like he was in a good position to partner with the Collins family to give something back to the community. The Destefanis approached the Collins family who had owned and operated Mesa Marin for all of its 29 years, to propose the use of their property for a brand new, state-of-the-art NASCAR track. The Collins were approached to open a new track by a number of people in the community, along with a handful of outside developers, but there was something that struck them about the Destefanis. “Not only did the Destefanis have a great piece of property, but they really had their hearts in the right place,” says Larry Collins, who is now the president of “Kern County’s New Home to NASCAR.” “We have the approach that, if we’re going to do something we’re going to do it top notch. And luckily the Destefanis take that very same approach to everything they do.” The other thing that the Collins family found appealing about the Destefanis was how they had run their agriculture operations for generations. “The fact that they had been running a family operation for so long and that our former race track had been a family operation made the partnership a very nice fit.” Come spring 2008, the new NASCAR track itself is going to be a very nice fit for Bakersfield and Kern County. “A study has just been done that puts the track’s economic impact in Kern County at $40 million a year,” says Larry Collins. The new track will bring back the excitement that only the roar of engines, smell of tires burning and the sound of “Gentleman, start your engines,” can bring.

September's Bakersfield Life Magazine

We are proud to introduce the September issue of Bakersfield Life.
Bakersfield Life Magazine Captivates Readers with Community Features and More

(Bakersfield, Calif.)—The Bakersfield Californian’s monthly magazine, Bakersfield Life, turns one this September. Originally, titled Focus On Living, the magazine’s humble beginnings date back to a monthly newsprint tab format. Highlighting special topics such as “Home and Garden,” “Style,” and “Relay For Life,” The Bakersfield Californian transformed Focus on Living into the company’s first glossy magazine. After a two-year stint, the name was changed to Bakersfield Life, in order to garner a closer connection with the community.

Since September 2006, Bakersfield Life has featured celebrity interviews, high-end travel, community-leader profiles and more. The latest community features –“Dining Divas,” “On The Red Couch,” and “Personalities” – have sparked strong community interest and professional participation. Make sure to pick up the anniversary issue out on September 15.

We're also on Myspace at www.myspace.com/bakersfieldlife

**************************************

If you are looking for a copy, try here:
Inside Racks

Borders Booksellers
4980 Stockdale Highway

IHOP Restaurant
3252 Riverside Drive

CSUB Student Union
9001 Stockdale Highway

Amtrack Station
601 Truxtun Avenue

Meadows Field (2 racks)
1401 Skyway Drive

The Manhattan - upstairs restaurant
1128 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield College - campus center outside cafeteria
1801 Panorama Drive

Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 "R" Street

Stars Theater - main lobby
1931 Chester Avenue

Xander's Grill
1419 - 19th Street

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
9500 Ming Avenue

Total Woman Fitness
5329 Truxtun Avenue

Fox Theater
2001 "H" Street

Sequoia Sandwich Shop
1231 - 18th Street


Outside Locations

Greenfrog Market
258 Bernard Street

Mom's Donut Shop
5330 Olive Drive - Suite B

Cindy's
3807 Auburn Street

Get Bus Station
22nd & Chester Avenue

Memorial Hospital - Main
420 - 34th Street

Von's
4500 Coffee Road

24th Street Café
1415 - 24th Street

Pantry Coffee Shop
2200 Brundage Lane

Molly J's
3150 Panama Lane

Zorba's
2019 North Chester Avenue

Spencer's
10437 Rosedale Highway

Long's Drug Stire
5510 Stockdale Highway

Lorene's Coffee Shop
6401 Ming Avenue

Sugar Mills
2515 Chester Lane

San Joaquin Hospital (Front)
2819 "H" Street

Young's Market
3030 Brundage Lane

IHOP
9220 Rosedale Highway

Milt's Coffee Shop
6112 Knudsen Drive

Municiple Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue

Bagels & Blenders
8200 Stockdale Highway - Suite K1

Von's
5360 Olive Drive

IHOP
1530 Calironia Avenue

Coco's
7985 Rosedale Highway

Zingo's Café
3201 Buck Owens Blvd.

Spencer's
7800 McNair Lane

Golden Ox
4851 White Lane

Carrow's
2673 Mt Vernon Avenue

Carrow's
1300 Easton Drive

J & M Café
10801 Rosedale Highway

Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive

Bowling Alley (Front)
1819 - 30th Street

Kaiser Permente
3700 Mall View Road

Von's
2100 White Lane

Long's Drug Stire
4300 California Avenue

Higland Liquor
220 China Grade Loop

Village Grill
2809 "F" Street

Mercy Hospital Southwest
4000 Old River Road

Kern City - Next to Bus Stop
5801 Sundale Avenue