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Ask a Wine-Know: Why the bloom is not off the rosé

Thank you for e-mails regarding the last issue. It’s nice to know there are wine lovers in Northwest Bakersfield, and people who have questions that will be fun to try to answer in subsequent columns.

Since I wrote about Viognier last time, several people let me know of bottles they had found locally that were much less expensive than those I wrote about. Hooray! Keep hunting for good tastes and browse those aisles. And, drink them soon. When it comes to Viognier, as to most California white wines, sooner is definitely better than later.

Most California white wines are not made to be kept in cellars for lengthy stays.
In this column, the question I will answer is, “I have had some very nice rosé wines. Why do people sneer at them?”

I trust by “people,” you mean wine snobs, dear reader. Well, the first thing that comes to mind is a great quote that my sister passed on to me: “If you don’t like rosés, you don’t go on enough picnics.”

There aren’t many other wines that can add to a beautiful day outdoors, or a luncheon on your patio, like a rosé (pronounced ro-zay). Drinking it is like a soft breeze across your palate.

Most other wines are big mouthfuls that demand your attention. A rosé doesn’t really care what you are munching, it will just add to the pleasure. And to the beauty of the day.

Now, enough of the poetic images, what exactly is a rosé?

First, it can be made from any grape, white or red. In California, we mostly make these wines from red grapes that are crushed. The juice is left on the skins just a short amount of time in order to get exactly the color wanted, from pale pink to rosy pink to subtle salmon. Choose your hue. Call it anything you want. Blush is a great name.

The juice is often not allowed to finish fermenting, so not all the sugars are turned to alcohol, and the finished wine is a little sweet. It’s not as alcoholic as its bigger siblings.
All of these characteristics make it very popular with the general public. White zin, anyone? There is more Sutter Home or Beringer white zin sold than any other single wine in the good old U.S. of A. on most weekends.

I think I heard that the first rosé in California was by Almaden and was a Pink Grenache made in the 1940s. The first wines I thought were really “cool” in my youth were Lancers and Mateus from Europe, and they were pink! And so easy to drink! And in such great bottles!

Do you know about rosé champagne? Definitely not to be sneered at. It is usually made by adding a little pinot noir (a red wine) to the second fermentation of a white wine (chardonnay).

The French make stunning champagnes that are pink and are often more expensive than the regular versions. They have that extra “je ne sais quoi” and are something special.

Your wino friend with the sneer knows that he or she has tasted some really poor blush wines not much tastier than colored water. There are a lot of them around. Trying to capitalize on the marketing value of white zin is what many winemakers, owners and growers do with grapes that show no promise of commanding big bucks. It takes great grapes to make great wine. Buyer beware! Your friend just hasn’t had the pleasure of a good rosé.

However, there are some really good California rosés out there, and you sound like you’ve come across a few of them. These wines usually are quite reasonably priced, so continue the search. Try it with a Sunday ham for dinner — a match made in heaven!

Now for some wine event news:

• The California Wine Experience will be held Oct. 19-21 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Great current California wines, plus many others will be sponsored by the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation. For more information, call 888-575-8934.

• Bakersfield Friends of Wine will meet on Oct. 20 at the Bakersfield Country Club with dinner and wine featuring a new winery from Paso Robles, Calcareous, at 7 p.m. Cost is $72. For more information, call 871-6463 or 871-6830.

• Paso Robles Harvest Wine Festival will be held Oct. 20-22. Dinners, tours, tastings will be offered with 85 wineries participating. For more information, send e-mail to: info@Pasowine.com or call 800-549-9463.

• Bakersfield Wine Society Harvest Festival Saturday will be held on Oct. 28 from 2-5 p.m. All wine lovers welcome. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, send e-mail to: acierley@etcrier.net
Any questions for future columns? I appreciate them and all your thoughts.

E-mail Ann at: acierley@etcrier.net

Gardening 101: Holiday gift plants

Well, like it or not the holidays are quickly approaching. I already feel behind!
As the weather actually begins to feel like fall, we are beginning to see all the festive plants arriving in the nursery. I thought it might be helpful to go over some tips on caring for them.

Some of the traditional holiday gift plants that you receive over the years are very easy to care for, and other more exotic varieties will require some special attention.
I thought I’d focus this article on getting last year’s plants ready for this year’s holiday season.

One of the first signs that fall is coming is the arrival of chrysanthemums. This plant comes in garden varieties as well as fancy hybrid varieties. The fancy ones could have variegated flowers or different formed or sized flowers than the traditional garden varieties. Mums (their nickname) can have flower forms with names like football mums (great big puffy Flowers), spoon mums (the flower petal resembles a small spoon), or spider mums (this one has long multiple layers of petals). These are just a few of the fun varieties you can find. The mums in your garden should be budding, so light feedings with a high bloom food will help.

Mums come in a huge range of colors. Just when you think you have seen them all, a new color shows up. The good news is most mums are fairly easy to grow. Remember though, they do get pretty tall. Lots of customers buy mums and plant them as a border. Mums do better to the middle or back of the flower bed or pot. They do fine outside in a sunny location. After frost, cut back spent flowers and prune the plants down to a few inches, this way they will re-bloom in the spring.

Start feeding last year’s Christmas cactus this month. Feed with high bloom food every time you water from mid-October on. You’ll be totally surprised at the number of blooms this cactus will support. After the holiday bloom, let the plant rest a couple of months. Then start weekly feedings again and you’ll have a beautiful spring bloom. If your Christmas cactus begins to lose stems or begins to shrivel, watch for over watering, too much cold or root rot. Remember to water only when dry, protect it from frost and treat with a systemic fungicide once in a while.

Topiaries from last year should have their final trim now. Both ivy and conifer topiaries can suffer from spider mites. If they are looking grey and/or mottled green, this may be why. Treat with Orthonex once a week for three weeks and spray with liquid fertilizer (Grow Vite) weekly until they look good. Make sure you don’t spray the same day, leave about three days between the spraying of these products.

Container Christmas trees used from year to year will greatly benefit from this same routine to get them ready for the holidays. Remember to only use tiny lights on your living plants inside, and don’t forget to water them while they’re indoors.
If you have managed to save a poinsettia from years past and would like it to bloom at Christmas, here’s how.

Start in early October. Place your plant in a totally dark room for 14 hours (a long night). Then each morning, take it out into bright light for 10 hours. This routine will force your poinsettia to bloom by Christmas. Also remember to feed with half-strength fertilizer and always use lukewarm water. These plants are native to Mexico and don’t enjoy our cold winter or cold water on their “feet.”

Cyclamen bulbs are coming out of summer dormancy. Like all bulbs, they will require some bulb booster to get them going. A soil drench of insecticide will help rid the bulbs of any pests that may have taken up residence. Sow bugs and snails also seem to like cyclamen. Cory’s Bug Bait is best to get rid of them. With a little shade and by following these tips the cyclamen will bloom through spring.

By starting now, you can make the best out of gift plants from holidays past. Use these tips on new plants that you add this year.

Remember, most new holiday plants are right out of a green house and will need some adaptation into our world. My best advice is frequent feeding with half-strength dosages and watering with room-temperature water when plant begins feeling dry. Keep most florist-grown plants in bright light indoors until after the danger of frost is over. Even if a plant can eventually take our climate, wait to gradually adapt it to Bakersfield’s climate during a mild season.

Always remember to make sure a plant has drainage. Poke a hole in foil or cellophane pot covers so they don’t hold water around the roots. Remove covers as soon as possible. (Clear plastic saucers can protect tabletops but they must also be emptied often.)

It isn’t to late to have beautiful holiday plants, but it is definitely time to get started. The clock is ticking, and the best time for grooming plants for upcoming holidays can slip away easily, so let’s get with it! You’ll be glad you did.

E-mail Kathy at:
kathyrobinson6174@sbcglobal.net

Safe Halloween tickets on sale

Tickets for the Kern County Museum’s 23rd annual Safe Halloween on Oct. 28 and 29 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. are on sale. They can be purchased at the museum, 3801 Chester Ave., at all Vallitix locations, at selected Wells Fargo Bank branches, or online at: www.vallitix.com

Presented by the Kern County Museum Foundation and sponsored by Kern Family Health Care and Rain for Rent, the event will cost $8 for adults and children ages 3 to 12. Non trick-or-treating infants and toddlers younger than age 3 are admitted free. Parking is also free.

Safe Halloween is Kern County’s premier trick-or-treat experience, playing host to approximately 4,400 children and parents for two nights of fun and frivolity in a family-friendly environment. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult.
During the two-night event, dozens of local service clubs and businesses will provide candy, treats and trinkets to children visiting “treat stations” on the museum grounds. As part of the festivities, there will be a school-like carnival, a costume contest, a cake walk and reasonably-priced food and beverages.

For more information, call the museum foundation office at 852-5020 or visit: http://www.kcmuseum.org

Courtesy of the Kern County Museum

Horse Sense: Local 4-H leader propels passion for horses

Jeffey Chesser was born in North Hollywood but she moved to Bakersfield when she was 7 years old and attended local schools. When she entered Bakersfield College, her intent was to pursue a dream of becoming a vet. Her education was interrupted when she met and married the love of her life, Virgil Chesser, in 1958. Together they had two children, Christy and Dale. They are also now proud grandparents of Amanda, Kaitlen, Brett and Kassidy.

As a hobby, they began raising quarter horses. Their first stallion was named Luppy Reed. They purchased a band of five mares and began breeding for Jeffey’s passion — Halter horses. Her favorite mare she owns to date is by Sir Cool Skip. Jeffey states that she “will never part with her.”

Sir Cool Skip is definitely one of the biggest halter hyperkalemic periodic paralysis negative mares, I have ever seen. Normally, the hyperkalemic periodic paralysis status of a horse her size is, unfortunately, positive for the genetic defect. Her brood mare potential certainly put some green in my brown eyes.

Jeffey has shown Halter horses since she was 19 years old and still feeds 14 horses to date. Virgil enjoys raising his cutting horses, so a few of them have taken up residency in their barn, too. They own a cow-bred stallion named Buck O Luck O Lena by Docs Wired Leana. He has Doc O Lena on top and Peppy San Badger on the bottom, so his bloodlines are definitely worth considering if you want a well-bred cow horse.

Forty years ago, Jeffey was recruited into 4-H. She, along with the other first young members, formed Greenacres West 4-H. Believe it or not, they still have monthly meetings with Jeffey spearheading their events. That alone says a lot about her dedication as a 4-H leader.

With their children now grown and having long-ago reached the level of 4-H graduates, Jeffey has been involved with the task of guiding her grandchildren to success through the 4-H channels.

I’m proud to say that this year, all local 4-H kids in Jeffey’s group did very well at the Kern County Fair. They all had a great time showing their horses, sheep, pygmy goats and rabbits. To reach these goals they had the help of some very generous business persons and relatives as sponsors. As a member of this 4-H group, I know this year will be one my daughter, Crystal, will not soon forget. It was definitely a highlight in her life.

When asked why she continues to participate after so many years, Jeffey’s reply was, “I love to teach children about raising livestock, and showing horses keeps me young.”

At one time the Chessers owned a flock of 60 breeding ewes. Her lambs have been champions at every major fair in California including Paso Robles, Delmar, and our own Kern County Fair. One year she hauled a ram all the way to Louisville, Ky. and won.

On top of their love for horses, the Chessers are currently feeding 20 breeding ewes, 18 pygmy goats and a multitude of different bird species. Over the years, Jeffey has unselfishly given to all the kids in her 4-H group by making sure they have a quality animal to show, whether the animals are purchased by her or donated by her or any other breeder. Jeffey and her husband, Virgil, have donated countless hours and given their financial assistance to the fair and many kids over the years. They do this to ensure a wonderful experience for children and their parents, and to offer ton of good memories to recall during and after the years of being affiliated with Jeffey’s 4-H group.

If you feel 4-H is something your family might be interested in, you can contact the Chessers through the Kern 4-H Office, 1031 South Mount Vernon Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307-2851 or by calling 868-6200.

E-mail Tim at: jpopplewell@bak.rr.com
Comment on this column at www.northwestvoice.com

New in the Neighborhood

China Bistro opened new location two weeks ago next to smoothie bar Juice It Up! in a new shopping center at Coffee Road and Meany Avenue in Northwest Bakersfield. It’s a stone’s throw from a WinCo Foods grocery store and a Bank of the Sierra.

China Bistro’s first location in Bakersfield opened at The Marketplace in 1997 and has become a favorite among locals, offering quick service and quality food at inexpensive prices.

The restaurant was named favorite Chinese restaurant and favorite for “Best Cheap Eats” from 1999-2004 in The Bakersfield Californian’s Best of Kern County Readers’ Choice Poll. The restaurant won again for best cheap eats last year.

Ken Woo, the manager of the Bakersfield locations, and a co-owner of the family-owned chain that also has 10 Southern California restaurants, said a new location was needed to serve the growing northwest. There are also plans to open a third Bakersfield location near the East Hills Mall next year.

“Bakersfield is growing up,” said Woo, who lives in town. The existing China Bistro at The Marketplace was briefly closed to remodel the dining and kitchen areas, but has reopened and is expected to remain open.
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Four of the five Centennial High School students were sentenced to juvenile correctional institutions or juvenile hall after videotaping their beating of a fellow student, according to The Bakersfield Californian. Lexi Stafford, Shayna Hughes, Haylee Shull-Hyde and Cody Richardson, all 15, and Maverick Richardson, 16, admitted to charges related to the beating of classmate Kelsey Cox, 14, occurred on Sept. 7.

While the hearing was private, Kern County Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Norris offered the results and discussed the contents of the video.

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On Oct. 27 the American Red Cross-Kern Chapter will hold its first Disaster Preparedness Academy. The academy will be held between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, 801 Truxtun Ave.

The event is targeted to businesses, educational institutions, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations and will introduce the new American Red Cross Business Continuity Planning program. This program will help businesses and organizations cope with disaster and learn how to stay in business after a major catastrophe.
Local community consultants and world renowned experts in disaster preparedness will be on hand to give advice on how to plan for disasters and how to find local resources to assist with the aftermath of a major, area-wide calamity.

The event will close with a panel of local governmental and non profit representatives who will outline the role of community disaster agencies in cases of catastrophic occurrences. Panel members will include Paul Calkins, emergency services coordinator for the California Office of Emergency Services. Local speakers will include members of the Bakersfield Police Department, Bakersfield Fire Department, Kern County Fire Department, Kern County Emergency Medical Services, Kern County Health Department and the American Red Cross.

Northwest Living: To be or not to be friends

I don’t remember all the details of the gossip that sparked the end of my 10-year friendship with a woman I thought I’d always be friends with, but I do remember the pain. So last night, when I picked up the phone to let her know that our mutual, “neutral” friend had lost a relative to cancer, I was hesitant.

At first, I even blocked my phone number. But with the advent of caller ID and subscribers who don’t accept blocked calls, I relented and dialed. Her familiar and cheery, “Hi Rach,” was still intact and so were my memories... the good ones.
I heard her toddler in the background and still couldn’t believe I had missed her wedding and divorce.

Relaying the information about the funeral to her was so natural, I thought we were both going to cry over his demise and our own.

When she lost me and another friend three years ago, I assumed she would naturally apologize and admit that our undoing was her fault. The three of us even had a “talk” about the malicious gossip, but wounds were still too fresh to begin healing. I also foolishly believed that she valued me the way I valued her. As time went on, I was proved wrong.

I perceived she had a careless indifference to the whole matter which helped me and my fellow “wronged” best friend excommunicate her from our lives.

We would see one another at events held by the one friend who had remained neutral during the whole fiasco, but our relationship had been reduced to pleasantries and nervous tension.

When she finally blurted out, “I’ve been a bad friend,” to no one in particular at a baby shower two years into the shared silence, I pretended I didn’t hear her.

Now, here I was with her on the phone acting like we hadn’t been apart for over a thousand days. Too much time had passed to start playing catch-up on top of my initial reason for calling, which was a death.

However, I knew that I couldn’t hang up without letting her know that I really did miss the friendship that we all used to share as a group, but especially the one on one she and I had shared for so long. She agreed, but I could tell we both felt a bit uneasy.

Quickly changing the subject, we gave each other new phone numbers and other pertinent information under the guise of keeping each other apprised of new information on our mutual/neutral friend.

When I hung up, my husband asked me who was on the phone. His response was so “male” in nature, for a minute I wished I could have friendships like men. While I was emotionally reflecting on the conversation, he was matter of fact saying, “That’s great! Now we don’t have to duck when we see her driving down the street or change aisles at the store!”

What a load off for him!

E-mail Rachel at: rlegan@liveradio.com

On a mission to help

At first glance, Ashley Goodall is like most 15 year olds. She has your typical teen-friendly smile and go-getter attitude.

That attitude helps cover the body pain she constantly endures.

Ashley has reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, a progressive disease of the autonomic nervous system. She was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 7.
And while she has found ways to cope, Ashley is determined to help find a cure for this rare but complex disease that affects more people than you think.

“The pain is like having your hand in ice water for hours and hours and hours,” said Ashley, who has spent even months in the hospital.

“It’s really hard. People don’t see it. I don’t express it, but it’s really hard. Sometimes, I can end up in the hospital. Sometimes, I’m so sick I can’t go to school. Sometimes, I can’t get out of bed.”

There are good days, she said. But she has to be cautious of avoiding minor injuries, little sleep or an infection, which can trigger severe inflammation of her extremities.
The inflammation can last days, months or even years.

The American RSDHope, a nonprofit organization, estimates that between 1.5 million and 5 million suffer from the disease. Anyone can get RSDS, experts say. However, it affects women many more times than men — as many as 65 to 75 percent.
There are two types: Type I and II.

Type I can follow a simple trauma, such as a fall or sprain, a break or fracture, a sharp force injury, heart problems, infections, surgery, spinal injures/disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, injections and other injuries. Type II, on the other hand, involves a definable major nerve injury. There is no cure, according to the American RSDHope.
Ashley was diagnosed with Type 2 following a spinal tap, and even though, she is now in remission, she has to be very careful not to hurt herself because the disease could come back again.

For the past several years since her diagnosis, Ashley has tried to bring awareness about RSDS — also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS).

Often her classmates don’t understand the pain she goes through, she said.
“I tell my best friends (at school) and they see the pain I’m going through, but they just don’t understand it as well as other people who have it,” Ashley said.

For that reason, she and a friend in Michigan created their own MySpace site for children and teens with RSDS. In that site, Ashley tries to support and share with other children and teens who are going through the same experience.

A few months ago, Ashley, with the help of friends, teachers and her mother, Lorie Goodall, decided to organize the first RSDS fundraising event to benefit research and awareness programs.

The event, called “Rock Out to Knock Out RSD,” is scheduled to take place sometime in March in Bakersfield. She is planning to have rock bands, auctions and entertainment for all ages. She said the response has been great, but they are currently looking for a location to have the event.

“I have a teacher who has already made a donation for $1,000,” Ashley said.
“I want it to turn out really big. I want to raise tons of money, so I can put it into research.”

Another North High student, Jericha White, 15, was also diagnosed with RSDS more than three years ago.

“It really kind of sucks,” she said about the disease. “It ruins your normal life. If you are a person like me, who loves soccer and cross country, you can’t do it anymore.”
White is helping Ashley organize the fundraising event.

Despite competition from other non-profit organization that have the resources and experience in organizing large fundraising events, Ashley feels confident her effort will be very successful.

“I know a lot of people who know a lot of people. It (event) will be well known by December,” she said smiling.

Ashley’s mother said she wants her daughter to be the main organizer and maybe in the future fund her own non-profit organization to help people with RSDS.

“We know there are people out there, it’s just hard to get doctors to recognize it. Even doctors don’t know much about it,” said her mother, who was diagnosed with RSDS a year ago.

If you need more information, would like to volunteer or make a donation, please contact Ashley at 399-0502 or e-mail her at: Skapirate11@yahoo.com

There are four main symptoms/criteria:

1.    Constant chronic burning pain.
2.    Inflammation
3.    Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities
4.    Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance

— Source: American RSDHope

The China Chronicles Part 10: Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall

Across the boulevard from The Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, just the name of which conjures a mixture of fear and mistrust in most Americans.

The square is immense; the largest public square in the world.

In 1989, one million dissidents filled the square with their chants for reform and shouts for freedom. It was a sobering experience to walk on the same brick-paved ground where tanks and soldiers cleared away protesters. On the day when I was there, it was eerily quiet, the only sound came from the piercing wind gusting across the square.

I’ve read many articles on the Internet about the turmoil in China during the 1980s, the resulting demonstration, and its horrific conclusion. The material revealed mixed messages from differing viewpoints. Some say that the events were the result of a military force squelching a peaceful demonstration. Others say that the violence originated when protesters set fire to transports that carried unarmed personnel sent to disperse the crowd.

Our guide, Rocky, remembered the order for people to stay at home. Martial law had been implemented and Rocky’s father was away on a business trip. When his mother spoke to his father on the phone, she told him to stay away until the trouble had passed.

Although our guide was aware of the deaths of a few hundred students, he was shocked that the western world believes the number of fatalities is much higher. Perhaps the most surprising part of the discussion about Tiananmen Square was that Rocky was able to speak freely about his memories. I felt more uncomfortable about some possible repercussions for him than he did in speaking. He reassured me that he had no reason to be afraid and firmly stated, “I am not worried. I can say what I want.”
No matter what the events were 17 years ago, it appears that Chinese people enjoy more freedoms today than they used to. In fact, in a discussion I had with several guides, they all agreed that the lives of Chinese people have greatly improved in recent years. The ability to start a business, speak freely, have access to the internet and world affairs, and even hear news about their own country has made them feel encouraged about their future. Additionally, recent implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption laws within the government have also done much to satisfy the people.
China does not afford its citizens our type of freedom, but daily life is so much better than it was just a few decades ago that the people are grateful. Westerners who are waiting for the fall of communism in China may have a long wait. In China, the strange blend of communism with a capitalistic financial system appears to be making great strides in offering opportunities to citizens. As long as people are hopeful, it is doubtful that revolution will overturn the current regime.
For those interested in learning more about the events of June 4, 1989 in Tiananmen Square, the Internet offers a plethora of sites. Although some of these have been closed and are no longer accessible (the reasons for which I do not claim to understand), by misspelling the entry (using Tianenman), more links can be revealed.
The next day, we boarded our tour buses early in the morning to go to the Great Wall of China.
Built over a period of 1,800 years, the Great Wall began as a series of smaller walls, with work beginning in 220 B.C. under the rule of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Slave labor constructed these first earthen walls with towers located at regular intervals that served as guard posts. Over the centuries, with each consecutive emperor expanding the length and breadth of the walls, individual walls were eventually connected. The Ming Dynasty (17th century) is responsible for the stone wall tourists now see extending from the Shanghai Pass on the Bohai Gulf to the Gobi Desert. In more recent years, there have been many restoration projects, and at one point farmers were asked to return stones they had taken to build dwellings.
Did I get to the top of the wall? I have a qualified answer. At 3,948 miles in length, the wall has hundreds of peaks as it follows the mountainous terrain. I climbed the stairs to get on the wall and walked along more than a mile of steep stairs and slanted floors. Having gone up more than three-quarters of the way to the highest peak in the surrounding area before experiencing foot pain, I called it “good.” Sometimes enough is enough!
The view was outstanding, but those without warm apparel weren’t able to enjoy the scenery. The cold wind that chilled us in Beijing was nothing compared to the icy blasts that cut through the mountains.
Thankfully, our guide had negotiated for a group rate on some souvenir Cossack hats — a heck of a bargain at only $2! — which, even with only their fake fur lining, offered wonderful head and ear protection against the wind. The travel agent had forewarned us about the weather so most of us had layered our clothing and brought gloves as well. We may have looked a little silly all bundled up, but at least we weren’t freezing.
For those contemplating going on the Great Wall, sturdy footwear and a certain degree of fitness is required. The wall is made of irregular-sized stones which make the stairways difficult to climb. One stair may only be 2 or 3 inches high and the next may be 18 inches. But the stairs, if one takes his or her time, are easier to negotiate than the inclined floors.
Today, modern engineers would simply add more stairs, making flat surfaces on which to walk, but for the most part, the Great Wall is a mixture of steps and inclines. With the walkways sometimes as steep as 40 degrees, handrails at times as low as 24 inches and the stones having rounded tops or missing corners, it is a slow, tedious task of carefully placing one foot in front of the other. I cannot imagine how difficult this would be with snow or ice — probably impossible.
Of course, after having climbed the Great Wall, one needs a great remembrance of the accomplishment. Besides one’s photos, there are certificates verifying the achievement that can be stamped at souvenir shops. After all, if one has braved the elements and survived the excursion, one deserves bragging rites.

E-mail Margie at: custer@ix.netcom.com
— Look for more of “The China Chronicles” in following issues of The Voice.

Editor's Note

I’m usually a positive person and try to see the glass half full. But sometimes, without realizing it, I find myself feeling like the glass is much emptier than full.

I’ll complain about a car accident two years ago that left me with visible scars. I’ll gripe about having to wear contacts or glasses — my least favorite option— all the time. I’ll grumble about my frizzy hair that seems to rebel every morning. Just last week, I was airing worries to a friend that my body was just falling apart. I had a pain in my knee. My back was hurting.

“Remember when we were young and hardly ever needed to go to the doctor?” I complained.

But as I was checking my work e-mail after a nice weekend at the beach, I came across information about three interesting young people who have faced life-threatening diseases and physically-challenging conditions with courage and determination.

They have suffered or are still suffering a lot of pain. But judging from their big smiles, courageous outlook and inspiring stories, they have and continue to live their lives in the best manner possible. One thing that amazes me is that they all have reached out in one way or another to make a difference in their lives of other people.

Learn more by reading this issue of The Northwest Voice.

On page 10, you’ll discover a young man from Australia who was born with no arms and legs. Despite his physical condition, Nick Vujicic travels around the world sharing his amazing story of living ‘Life Without Limbs.’

On page 11, you’ll read about Tatum Holland, a former Liberty High School and 18-year-old breast cancer survivor, who, despite going through treatment and this life-threatening disease, she graduated from high school one year early. She recently traveled to Washington D. C. with a group of local volunteers of the American Cancer Society to advocate for cancer awareness and government funded treatment programs and research.

And, last but not least, our cover story focuses on a 15-year-old girl who, despite suffering from a disease that constantly causes her severe pain, has decided to help find a cure for the disease.

After reading three great stories of courage and determination, I’m sure most of us would start appreciating the little things we sometimes take for granted. I know I did.
I can now see why the glass is half full.

María Machuca
Northwest Voice Editor
716-8639

Educator of the Month — Winner

I would like to nominate Mrs. Jackie Smith, my son’s teacher at Olive Drive Elementary School, for Educator of the Month. Mrs. Smith works extra hard because she teaches a first and second grade combination class.

Not only does Mrs. Smith divide and keep track of work for two grades, she has shown special concern for the students by offering more challenging work tailored to individual abilities. She has been a teacher for many years. Her husband is on disability from the railroad, and I’m sure it would make her so happy to know how much she is appreciated.

School Zone: A view through the mirror

You are driving to work early in the morning. A big yellow bus stops on the side of the road to pick up children. There are flashing red lights. There is a stop sign. What do you think? (I can’t believe I got stuck behind this bus!) What do you do? Do you stop? Do you sneak by quickly?

Just last week, one of our Fruitvale School District busses was stopped in this situation and the bus driver was “red-light crossing” the kids. She looked out around the bus with stop sign in hand just in time to have a car zoom past, seemingly oblivious to all the lights and signs!

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence.

I (Dana) had the pleasure of sitting down with AnnaMarie Harleston and gaining insight into what a school bus driver’s job is like. AnnaMarie has been driving children on busses for over 20 years. She began by driving a YMCA van for before- and after-school day care at age 18. She now drives for the Fruitvale School District during the school year and summer school.

For AnnaMarie, the best part of the job is watching the children grow up through the years, from kindergarten to junior high. She said some change a lot and some stay the same, just older and bigger. In the morning, it is fun to watch the kids as they climb on the bus, sleepy and a little slow. By the time they arrive at school, they seem to be awake and much more talkative. AnnaMarie enjoys looking in her mirror at the children, often laughing at the funny things she sees and hears from the kids.

She seems to have a good rapport with the children. She makes funny voices to get laughs from the younger crowd; she loves to see them smile! The junior highers need to be treated differently, like young adults, to get the best results from them.
She said each day is different. There is always someone doing something different, new situations and few dull moments.

The first priority of bus drivers is safety. Before even taking the bus out on the road, they must check the oil and water levels in the engine, check the brakes, and inspect all lights and safety equipment. They are also responsible for cleaning and washing the busses regularly.

Once on the road, AnnaMarie must use defensive driving. The hardest part of her job is keeping all the children safe at all times. She is amazed at how many people don’t “see” the big yellow bus with flashing red lights!

She teaches the children to look out for cars as they cross with her. She always wants the children to feel safe.

So, if you happen to be near a big yellow bus with flashing red lights –– stop. Give the bus driver and children a chance to get on or off safely.

If you are interested in driving a bus, here are some of the things you will have to do:
• Prior to training — DMV check, fingerprinting, complete background check
• For licensing — 20 hours of classroom training, 20 hours (or more) behind the wheel training
• Yearly training —10 hours in-service work (training, driving regulations, safety, laws, etc.)

E-mail Dana at: rvillacano@bak.rr.com
E-mail Susan at: SuReep@fruitvale.k12.ca.us
Comment on this column at:
www.northwestvoice.com

Letter to the Editor

Dear editor,
This letter is in response to Karen Roberts’ article published in the Sept. 27 issue of The Northwest Voice.

Karen, I think I found him! The young man was in the Rosedale area for a long time; then he was gone. Now he’s back at Independence Elementary School on Old Farm Road. One block south of Rosedale Highway you can get “one of his great smiles and waves!” I will take this paper to him today.

Trice Harvey

Back-to-School Photo Contest

Bailey Roberts on her first day of second grade at Olive Drive Elementary with her teacher, Mrs. Sausedo. Submitted by Karen Roberts.

Ask a Wine-Know: Don’t run away from something you can’t pronounce!

Greetings fellow Bakersfieldians. Fine wine has been a hobby of mine for over 40 years and through this column I am going to try to share what I’ve learned over that time. I intend this column to be a help to all interested readers, whether you are real beginners in the wine world and want to know what to buy tonight and where, or whether you are out to increase your cellars and are planning a trip to one of the wine areas.

Hopefully there will be something for everyone who’s interested in the subject here — so let’s get started!

Your first question is probably, “Who is Ann Cierley?” Here’s a short bio: I was born in Bakersfield many years ago, graduated from BHS and UCLA and am a retired teacher and administrator (high school and college). Wine is one of my hobbies and I have taught a number of wine education/appreciation classes over the last 25 years or so. I buy wine for businesses and friends, do restaurant wine lists, train wait staff, belong to various wine organizations, arrange and guide tours to wine venues and read, listen and talk (especially talk) about wine. Mostly California wine.

Here’s the most recent question about wine posed to me a few weeks ago: “What is Viognier, how the heck do you pronounce it and what do you drink it with?”

Ah! First thing, don’t ever run away from something you can’t pronounce. In this case, you’d be missing out on a delightful taste treat. If you see Viognier in a store, buy it without saying a word, unless the price sticker is not on it. If you see it on a wine list, just point to it and show the waiter, saying, “I’ll try this.” He’ll probably be happy he doesn’t have to pronounce it, too! If he’s a sommelier (wine server in upscale restaurants), he’ll say, “Certainly, the VEE OWN YAY, excellent choice, sir!”

Don’t be put off by the language or the pretensions of some people in the wine world. You’ll miss fine experiences if you do! If you decide you like it and you want more of a given varietal, I trust you will find out more about it yourself. So here ‘tis.

Viognier is a varietal (type of grape) from the Rhône area of France. The most famous wine of the region is named Condrieu. It is a white wine and became popular internationally in the 1990s. I believe I first tasted it in the late 70s or so at Joe Phelps Winery in Napa and I developed a great liking for it when I was touring John Alban’s vineyards in the Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo area) in 1991. Calera (eastern hills of the Salinas Valley) made a wonderful Viognier and you can find a number of wineries growing and selling it in the Paso Robles area where Rhône wines, most notably Syrah, have become so popular today. More on this later.

Viognier is a very different wine from Chardonnay, if that’s the white wine you know best. Viognier has been described as tasting of apricots and peaches. I always think of it as having a slightly sweet note, even caramel-like. It should be drunk young. I made the mistake of keeping some bottles of Calera too long (five years) and they were definitely not the joy they had been in the first year or two. As to when during the meal to serve it, I use it as an aperitif (before dinner or with the hors d’ouvres). Actually I’ve used it as a dessert wine once or twice, too. It would do well with a green salad including fruit and a light fruity dressing. I’ll write more about pairing wine with food in later columns and I’ll devote a lot of time to talking about Paso wines, since the area is our closest fine wine region.

As to price, Viognier is NOT inexpensive, although it has come down from whence it started. I’ve tasted some good ones for around $20 to $25. Try a Chumeia from Paso or a Sobon from the Gold Country (Amador County).

Meeting your needs is my purpose, so I invite your questions. I’ll try to answer one or several questions in each column and I also will try to make you aware of wine events (tastings, dinners, classes, get-togethers, tours, sales, etc.) that are occurring in the area, as well as news items about wines and wineries that I think you might want to know about.

Cheers!

E-mail Ann at: acierley@etcrier.net
— Ann Cierley, a retired school administrator and teacher, is well-known in local wine circles as a wine educator.

New club hopes to curtail campus violence

There’s something exciting (and positive) happening at Bakersfield High School. And, in light of the recent violent incident involving Centennial High School students, it’s also timely.

Dr. Chuck Wall, founder of the Random Acts of Kindness movement, is starting two new programs. One is a Kindness Ambassador program where adults will be visiting elementary and junior high classrooms to teach the values of kindness and to spread random acts of kindness. The second program is a high school club that has been piloted at BHS and will start on the Stockdale High School campus this month.
Programs similar to this are being started all over the nation in an effort to curtail campus violence.

The Random Acts of Kindness Club held its first meeting at BHS recently. The plan is for participants to meet each Wednesday after school to come up with a theme for the week. Students will work each day to integrate some act of kindness into their lives and at the following week’s meeting will discuss the great things that happened as a result.
The first theme is about making an effort to be kind to someone who a participating student doesn’t know. Students are charged with reaching out each day to someone new — a student they haven’t said “hello” to or talked to yet.

Mrs. O’Connor, the club advisor, and my daughter, Allison, have been working with Dr. Wall to coordinate the program. Andrew Ariey, also a BHS sophomore, is a co-founder. These programs are being underwritten by Kern Schools Federal Credit Union and other corporate sponsors.