Columnists: The Northwest Voice

Let's Laugh - Aboout Personal Telephone Conversations in Public Places

There were probably 20 people in the waiting room when I took a friend to the doctor last week. It was very quiet. Doctor’s office visits can be nerve wracking just waiting for the unknown, whether it’s a test or test results. Besides that, it was hot outside and the air conditioning was a nice respite after walking across the parking lot. The room was understandably subdued. It was 104 outside and 75 inside!

The silence was interrupted by a very loud, “Hello.”

Everyone looked up at the same time at the same person. She didn’t even see us. Her “bug in her ear” rang. She became engrossed in what must have been a very important conversation, otherwise why would she answer it in a room full of people?

Her conversation was easily heard throughout the waiting room. We were a captive audience and it didn’t sound all that important to me – but I guess we all have a different idea of what’s important. Most of us returned to our book or magazine.

“Oh, I’m at the doctor’s office,” she said. “What are you doing?”

Silence

Then, “You’re kidding! I thought you were going to do that yesterday!”

Silence

“Well, as long as you get it put in the fridge in your garage. You know how Bob is about that. If his beer isn’t cold, he turns into a mad man. You know that! He has appeared in our kitchen unannounced and asked Jerry for a cold beer! Do not forget to put his beer in the fridge!” (Much laughing!)

Silence

“OK. Let’s do lunch one day this week. I’ll call you when I get home. We’re neighbors and we never see each other! I will call you for sure! Bye.”

Bug apparently rings again. (The ring is silent but the “hello” isn’t.)

“Hello. Oh, I’m waiting at the doctor’s office. What are you doing?”

Silence

“Oh, really? I have never used cheaptickets.com. I use that one William Shatner advertises. I can’t think of the name right now but I’ll call you when it comes to my mind. When are you guys leaving?”

My friend’s name was called. When we walked past her I said, “It’s Priceline.com. Tell your neighbor.”

She looked clueless and said, “It just came to me. It’s Priceline.com.”

Tales from Paw Print City: What are we willing to do to provide low-cost spay/neuter?

I’m a big supporter of having low-cost spay/neuter services available for pet owners, and I have to say I’m more than a little surprised that a city as large as Bakersfield has so few resources to assist lower-income families with the costs of a procedure that can have such a huge impact on our overall unwanted pet population.

Sure, there are vouchers available through Kern Humane Society, the Bakersfield SPCA and The Cat People, but $40 doesn’t go very far, especially if someone has chosen to take on a large breed dog. Alpha Canine Sanctuary offers vouchers for $100 to spay or neuter pit bulls or pittie mixes — a sum that can actually make a difference for people, but even those vouchers are limited by the funding Alpha Canine has to provide them.

I believe we need a wholesale change in our approach to the problem. First up, people need to get behind the basic understanding that low-cost spay/neuter is only low-cost because the true costs are being shifted from one side to another. The Bakersfield SPCA hosts low cost spay/neuter clinics — after another person or group provides the $5,000 necessary to offset the low-cost prices. It’s that first $5,000 that allows the people attending to pay the “clinic” price of $20 for sterilization services.

If we truly want to see low-cost spay/neuter services in Bakersfield, we as a city need to decide what we are willing to do to make it happen. Personally, I’d love to see every house in town charged an additional $5 on their property taxes, with funds specifically earmarked to build and operate a low-cost facility. And before someone starts crying “unfair to responsible pet owners,” I’m a responsible pet owner, and $5 a year is a small price to pay to reduce the all but out-of-control pet overpopulation issues we have in this area.

Others, I’m sure, will complain that my idea is just another tax. I agree, it is. Sometimes taxes are necessary so that a civilized society can remain, well, civilized. If you have a better, feasible way to reduce the number of unwanted pets in the area, I’m all ears.

It all goes back to my original question: What are we, the citizens of Bakersfield, willing to do to provide low-cost spay/neuter services? Oh, one more thing before I sign off: 18,984. That’s the number of kittens, cats, puppies and dogs that were euthanized by Animal Control between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

— E-mail Vicky at: pawprintcitytimes@sbcglobal.net or visit www.pawprintcitytimes.com.

Bicycles: Let's put those racks to use!

I’d be willing to bet that most adults can remember their first bike the way they remember their first car. A pair of wheels was our first experience with freedom of movement. We were no longer limited to distances defined by our feet. Remember, this was before the current generation of parents who drive their kids to everything. A bike could also mean your first job … a paper route or riding to the store for your mom and getting some pocket change for being so nice. Plus there is the added bonus of riding your bike to school so you can get there early to play football or baseball before school starts.

There are a couple of trends that might bring bike riding back for kids. First is the obvious … gas prices are down right painful. Parents will have to decide if it is worth $5 to take little Sally to practice or if having her ride her bike for $0 is a better option. I actually think it would be nice to see sports practices indicated by a row of bikes rather than a row of SUVs. Second, we really do have an obesity problem with our children in this country. We live in one of the best areas in the world for weather and yet it is rare to see kids out and active.

However, for bikes to make a comeback we are going to have to get over some irrational parental fears and one rational fear. The irrational has to do with child kidnapping. Virtually every T.V. season every prime time program has at least one plot contrivance around kidnapping. The truth is that such an event is exceedingly rare and is usually related to some divorce squabble. But there is a rational fear I want to address.

Bakersfield has some of the worst drivers in the world. I once asked a guy I work with why cars in Bakersfield are manufactured without turn signals. He said it was because they come through L.A. When your kids take to the road make sure they wear helmets and obey traffic rules. A bicycle on the road is a wheeled vehicle and must obey traffic laws. Anytime you are on wheels you have to pay attention to what is around you at all times. Never swerve into a traffic lane unexpectedly or zip across a street without checking to see if it is safe to proceed. When riding to school, travel with a group of bike riders and get to school on time. There are plenty of bike racks … they’ve been sitting empty for years.

Gardening 101: Food for thought

This year at Robby’s Nursery we’ve seen quite an increase in fruit tree and vegetable sales. I guess with a slow economy and people staying home more they want to plant something they can use. Besides, it’s fun and rewarding to go out and pick a tomato or squash for a meal. Homegrown fruits and veggies taste much better than anything you purchase in a store. After all, you can let them vine or tree ripen to perfection and then race the birds for it!

When planning a garden area, pick a place with lots of sun. With the exception of a very few varieties, like blueberries or rhubarb, most garden fruits and veggies want full sun. You can get creative with your layout, everything doesn’t have to go in straight rows. Mix varieties up and pay attention to leaf texture and color like you would in a regular flower bed. Add “yard art” and maybe a bench to sit and enjoy your creation. Bird houses and scarecrows can really help set the stage for an interesting garden. This area is one that can change with each seasonal harvest and can show true holiday appeal.

Mulch the soil well with lots of organic matter before planting. After your garden starts to grow, use an organic fertilizer with trace minerals to fertilize at least once a month. Water fruit and vegetables well when they’re dry, but don’t forget that they hate too much water. Over watering will usually cause flower and/or fruit drop — many times you’ll see lots of leaf growth but no production. Over watering can also cause splitting of fruits and vegetables. You may even want your garden on a separate watering cycle than the rest of the yard.

Remember to place permanent plants, like fruit trees, artichokes and asparagus, in spots where they won’t be disturbed when switching out annual plants. Pots or raised beds are another option for growing food crops. Use a good potting soil that drains well and they will do quite nicely. Pots of herbs are also fun and easy to clip when needed in the kitchen.

Make sure to pick the correct varieties for the season. Like most plants, you need to pay attention to their requirements. Remember, Bakersfield does have “seasons” and your success or failure will depend on the varieties you choose. Our fall will begin mid to late October, so start preparing the beds as your summer harvest winds down. You can definitely start planning that fall garden now, because fall will be here before you know it.

Some cool-season plants are broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, beans, peas and Brussels sprouts. Fruit trees can be planted anytime from containers, and fall is an excellent time to plant all trees. In January, bare root trees will be available, usually arriving at Robby’s mid-month.

Remember, we do have four long growing seasons in Bakersfield, so let’s take advantage of them and grow some tasty treats! It’s fun and oh so yummy!

Reminder: Oct. 11 & 12 — 14th annual fall festival at Robby’s Nursery, 13129 Hageman Road.

Physical Fitness: Get your engine running!

In the last article we talked about flexibility being one of the five components of physical fitness. This article is dedicated to the cardiovascular system, also known as cardio respiratory fitness. The cardio respiratory system includes the heart, lungs and circulatory system, which are most often forgotten and neglected.

If ever there was a focus for our fitness goals, the cardio respiratory system should come first and foremost. Imagine neglecting to maintain your car’s engine and then expecting it to run efficiently. That is exactly what you are doing if you do not train your cardio respiratory system with one of various cardiovascular exercises.

One of the leading killers in America today is heart disease. We can drastically reduce this risk by performing some daily exercise to elevate our heart rates for a specific amount of time. Performing cardio exercise strengthens the heart muscle and improves blood flow efficiently through our circulatory system. Efficiency in our circulatory system improves how we move nutrients throughout our bodies and also improves how we remove the byproducts. Cardio exercise also strengthens our lungs which improves breathing efficiency, allowing us to take deeper breaths.

Another benefit of cardiovascular exercise is increased stamina. As a fitness professional, I hear this complaint everyday: “But I don’t have the energy to exercise!” Over time, a cardiovascular program will increase your overall stamina and actually give you energy.

Cholesterol is another problem that can be helped with cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise helps lower the “bad” (ldl) cholesterol by raising the “good” (hdl) cholesterol.

Another great benefit from cardiovascular exercise is the “toning” effect that you receive. It does help those (dare I say it?) flabby muscles that most of us become ashamed of.

I could actually go on for the next few articles about the benefits of working our cardio respiratory systems. This brings me to one of my favorite sayings again: “Use it or lose it!” That saying couldn’t apply more here. Cardiovascular exercise is not defined as only running. There are too many forms of cardiovascular exercise to list here. Keep in mind that the exercise you choose should elevate your heart and it should be sustained. The time that you sustain is a direct relation to your fitness level. Most importantly, it should be something you enjoy doing. This is most helpful during those times of low motivation.

Remember: Never begin a fitness routine or stretching routine without consulting your physician first.

See the Personal Edge Fitness Web site at: www.perfitness.com.

Let's Laugh: I'm home ... Look at the moon

Having recently returned from a family reunion, I find lots to laugh about. But, there is not as much to laugh about as there is to think about.

My brothers and their families, and me and mine, met at a resort in Minnesota for the first time in many years. We fished, swam, canoed, kayaked, golfed, sunned and broke bread together. Indeed, it was delightful.

In my family, there are two brothers and one sister (that would be me). Between the three of us we have eight living children. My oldest brother lost his youngest child in 2000 to cancer. He was only 35. It was sad and changed the landscape of the family.

Between the eight surviving children there are 18 living grandchildren. My brothers recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversaries. Three sets of parents, now deceased, also celebrated 50 years.. There have been four divorces and some new engagements and marriages. We are a typical American family. We’ve pretty much seen it all.

We consider ourselves totally blessed that we could get together, introduce our children’s children to one another and laugh, play cards, and carry on. In today’s world, we all live so far apart that sometimes our children don’t even meet their cousins. This was indeed a special event. Our children’s children met their second and third cousins.

We celebrated life, we mourned the loss of parents and a child, and we felt compelled to look at one another and indeed count our blessings. We discovered our common interests and we reveled in the accomplishments of our children and grandchildren. We, though unspoken, realized our mortality. We hope to be here five years from now but we realize there are no guarantees.

We laughed but I can’t explain it. It might not be funny to others. We cried, and that again, might not be sad to others. But we do know, from what we read and hear, that we may be a “typical American family.” We laugh together and we cry together. The only thing I can say is I hope, I really hope, that the large majority of American families, no matter what their circumstances, can laugh together and cry together.

My brother’s granddaughter had to leave early. She sent a text message to her grandmother. It said, “I’m home; Look at the moon.” We all looked at the moon and agreed that we are indeed a family who “looks at the same moon.” We believe that families will survive. We believe we all see the same moon.

Dad, how can I get my kid under control?

Dear Dad,
I have a 5-year-old that can be the sweetest thing and turn around and grow horns right before my eyes. He was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Before I had him, I would have called a child like him spoiled rotten in need of a rod. We have tried the rod, time outs, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement — you name it, we’ve tried it. Yet, he continues to be headstrong and overly defiant — generally in social situations.

When we were at a Dodger game once, he proceeded to disagree with what I asked him to do. I asked him once again and he said, “No.” I was getting ready to take him to the bathroom and take care of the situation when the problem got even worse. A man in front of us turned around and asked, “Is that your mother? You need to listen to her.” My son proceeded to yell in the gentleman’s face, “Be quiet!” I took him to the restroom and talked, prayed, and paddled.

Do you have any suggestions or strategies to help us? I love him dearly, but he is going to drive me loony.

Please help,
Almost Loony

Dear Almost Loony,
ODD is a new one for me. Back in my day, a strong father figure would have been in order, but something tells me you need to look deeper. Talk to your son’s pediatrician about this behavior problem. He may have some physical or chemical imbalance issues. I also recommend the following books, “Dare to Discipline” and “Love Must Be Tough,” both by Dr. James Dobson, and “Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours” by Dr. Kevin Leman.

The Internet is great for information. In my search I found the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Web MD to be helpful. Visit: www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children _with_oppositional_defiant_disorder to read what they have to say. Also read: www.webmd.com/mental-health/oppositional-defiant- disorder.

Someone once said this about children: “It is us against them.” Don’t give up and give in to him. Stay focused, and don’t give meaningless warnings. I see parents all the time giving children “until the count of 10” to stop doing something. That just tells the kid he has nine more counts before you may, or may not, make him stop. Be prepared to leave the game, the store, or wherever you are to return home if he misbehaves. Constancy is the key. He needs to know that you will act if his behavior doesn’t change. I wish you the best — you are a caring parent.

— Dad

Sports Shorts

It shall be the grandest of slams once renovations are complete at the Bakersfield College baseball and softball fields sometime in the near future. New backstops and new grandstands shall adorn each complex, with new bullpens and dugouts added to the softball diamond. If you have never treated yourself to a ballgame at this immaculate baseball field in the past, you should calendar a game in for next season and enjoy the gem of a diamond that it will be. Coach Tim Painton and his players treat and care for that sanctuary as if it were a Major League facility. Not enough can be said regarding the efforts longtime Bakersfield baseball man George Culver and his Light Brigade committee have put forth through their yearly Hot Stove Dinner fundraiser that has benefitted the baseball program tremendously. The softball setting is feeling the love also, so try to catch some games this coming season. You’ll be impressed!

“Brady, Brady!” as he walked out of the tunnel onto the field ... oops — wrong Brady! As he walked off of the 18th green, after pulling the cat out of the hat with an astonishing eagle to capture the 29th Bakersfield City Golf Championship, former Cal-State Roadrunner Brady Baguio breathed a sigh of relief as he literally stole the title from former BHS golf phenom Bhavik Patel with the one-stroke victory. Kudos to both for their brilliant play at Sundale Country Club.

Incoming Liberty High School senior Cassidy Bell has announced her intention of playing shortstop for the Nittany Lions at Penn State. Cassidy’s .587 batting average endeared her to numerous Division I softball programs who courted her services. Good luck Cass in the land of Joe Pa!

Kingsburg native and former B.C. Renegade pitcher Jake Woods has been called back up to the Seattle Mariners’ parent club for the third time in three seasons. Hope Jake shows some staying power as third time’s the charm!

Here’s hoping that the Bakersfield Northwest 12-year-old all-star team brings home both the national and world baseball championship titles as they embark on their magical journey, which begins in Aberdeen, Maryland. Show ‘em how the west was won, boys — and “shake a pair!”

Editor’s note: The phone number for Junior Golf Academy at RiverLakes Ranch Golf Course is 661-496-0631.

Ask A Wine-Know: Where should I go on the Central Coast?

I am repeatedly asked, especially at this time of year, for my recommendations of wineries to visit on trips to the Central Coast. I’m always happy to oblige because Bakersfield residents seem to be treated so well in this our big neighboring vineyard! We all seem to enjoy going west to the beach and stopping by the friendly tasting rooms at wineries along and off of highways 46 and 101.

I myself have just returned from one of the most delightful and rewarding tours I’ve ever experienced — including world-wide tours I’ve taken in famous wine areas. Our party was royally treated at 13 wineries over a three-day period and after many well spent hours with gracious and hospitable winemakers, owners, and tasting room personnel, I came away well satisfied and very eager to share my finds with you! What great finds they are — stick with me over the next several columns and I will tell you of important happenings in the wine world that are occurring right here in our own backyard.

First, where did we go? In order of visits: Minassian-Young, Villa Creek, Saxum, Booker Vineyards, Sinor-LaVallee, Lone Madrone, Halter Ranch, Tablas Creek, Linne Calodo, Four Vines, Jack Creek, Denner, and Tensley. All were friendly, enjoyable visits and, most importantly, all were making wine you need to know about if you’re serious about wine.

The last I visited, Tensley, is in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County and is the brainchild of Bakersfield’s own Joey Tensley, West High graduate ... drum roll please! I always wanted a kid in the wine business and Joey sure has made his old principal proud! I’ll loudly toot his horn later.

Sinor-LaVallee in the San Luis Obispo area is the winery of Mike Sinor, famed former winemaker at Domaine Alfred. We visited with him and tasted his wines through the courtesy of a new wineshop, 15degreesC Wine Shop in the new Trader Joe’s retail area just south of Paso Robles off of Highway 101 and Vineyard Drive. Try this place, you’ll like it and the two knowledgeable young ladies who run it.

The other 11 wineries that I mentioned are all in the area west of Highway 101 and the city of Paso Robles, and can all be reached off of Highway 46. Not all are open to the public, but you may be able to make an appointment by phoning ahead. Get yourself one of the very good and useful winery maps that are available at tasting rooms just as soon as you hit the first wineries on 46 after leaving Bakersfield. Phone numbers and winery information are in them.

Now you know which wineries I’m recommending, and where they are located, so let’s get to the why. There are some truly great, world-class wines now coming out of our beloved Central Coast.

Most of them are varietals from the southern Rhone area of France. Most of them are blends of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache — red wines — and white wines such as Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, and an exciting new find for me, Grenache Blanc. You’ll want to try them all at each winery, but I’ll devote more space in coming columns to telling you which I liked best.

And speaking of best, good old Ann is not the only one telling you how great these wines are, especially compared to the Napa and Russian River Big Boy Cabs, Pinots, and Chards, but have you seen the ratings of world famous critics such as Robert Parker? He’s given our Joey Tensley 27 scores over 90 in the last few years! That has to be a record for any Bakersfield wine guy!

Coming Events:
• Thursday, Aug. 21 — Six top scoring Australian wines at a gourmet four course dinner at Valentien’s, 3310 Truxtun Ave., at 6 p.m. Cost is$120 plus tax and tip. For reservations, call 864-0397.
• Friday, Aug. 29 — Wine tasting and appetizers at Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $25. Details, call 834-4433.
• Friday, Aug. 29 — Booker Winery special dinner at Valentien’s. Details, call 864-0397.
• Saturday, Sept. 6 — Bakersfield Wine Society dinner at Petroleum Club, 5060 California Ave. Floor 12, featuring the wines of our own Craig and Nancy Stoller (Sextant and Ten Knots). Details, call Mike Stepanovich at 588-0783.

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

Let's Laugh: Do Kids Ever Grow Up?

I have news for all of you parents out there. Kids never grow up. Sorry to break it this way but I have first-hand experience.

My son, who is over 40, comes home to roost every once in a while. He works all over the world. He doesn’t sit still very often. But when he decides to sit still, he comes home.

The last time he was here he decided rather than doing nothing other than floating in the pool, he would do some things I needed done. He asked for a list. I jumped at the chance.

Clean out the gutters (they haven’t been cleaned out in about eight years):

He got the hose and a ladder and started in. It rains so little here that they don’t get much chance to do what they are supposed to do. Mine were actually filled with dirt. “Hey mom, throw some grass seed up here. You can have one of those roofs they have in Scandinavian countries.”

I didn’t find him too funny and told him to keep hosing. A lot of dirt came flying out. So did some rocks and pieces of bird nest, bird feathers and some odd looking bunches of bad looking stuff!

When he finished there were piles of dirt that washed out of the gutters. Disgusting looking piles of dirt. Guess who had to clean ‘em up?

2. Paint that old metal chairs in the back yard so I can make it a decorative item and put some flowers in it:

He spray-painted it in my garage (thank God he pulled the car out!). The chair looked great. The garage floor looked like bad modern art. “Is this what you wanted, mom?” (Yes, but I didn’t expect the garage floor to be so weird looking! He apparently didn’t notice the huge stack of nearby drop cloths.) Guess who has concrete paint on the list for her next trip to Home Depot? Guess what will be on HIS list the next time he comes home to roost?

Barbeque some steak for dinner Saturday night: (I never barbeque. I usually just put some chicken on the George Foreman. Good old George!)

So he barbequed. Steak. Lots of steak. Eight people were coming for dinner. He made enough steak for the local fire department (which I thought I would need when he lit the coals!). Afterwards, there were splotches of grease on the pool deck, a dirty meat fork on my favorite patio chair and steak sauce on my brand new roses! Guess who cleaned all that up?

So it’s true, no matter how hard you try to help them grow up and be responsible, when they come home to roost for a few days, they turn into your “kids” again. You cannot tell them anything anymore (if you ever could!). They know how to “do stuff.” Their pattern is set. Part of it is your fault! You raised ‘em after all! You just have to “savor the moment” and clean up afterwards!

Five components of physical fitness

Many people talk about getting in shape or getting back into shape. What does that mean? There are five components to physical fitness: flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body fat ratio and cardiovascular. Over the next five issues, we will talk about each of the five components and what is required to become physically fit.

Flexibility refers to range of joint mobility or range of motion (ROM) for which the joint is designed. Mobility is specific to each joint or a series as in the spine. Flexibility also refers to the muscles, tendons and ligament tissue that pertain to particular joints. The importance of retaining as much ROM in our joints cannot be stressed enough.

As we age, we tend to lose ROM due to inactivity. There is a saying in yoga, “Young as your spine is flexible.” As we grow older, most of us tend to move less so we begin to lose ROM. That reminds me of another great saying, “Use it or lose it!”

All structured exercise should have a component of flexibility training involved. It is recommended to never stretch a “cold” muscle. As an example, if you were to take a piece of rubber and try to bend it you would find that it is rigid and difficult to flex. If you take that same piece of rubber and place it in the sun (especially in Bakersfield sun!), it warms and becomes more pliable. The connective tissue around our joints work the same way. Warm your muscles first to prevent injury while stretching. This will allow you to achieve the most you can from the time that you spend stretching.

Three of my favorite stretches
1. Stand in front of your kitchen counter with your legs straight and your knees soft (do not lock your knees). Place your hands on the counter and do your best to keep your back flat as you lean forward. You should feel this stretch down your hamstrings (back of thighs). Lift your tailbone towards the ceiling to increase the stretch.

2. While you are still at the counter, grip onto the sink with your hands. Bend your knees and sit back with your weight into your heels. As you bend your knees, take the stretch from your hamstrings into your upper body. Specifically you begin stretching your upper back under your armpits.

3. Stand in a doorway with your upper arms at shoulder level and your palms/elbows on the door jam. Now lean forward and allow the stretch to open up the front of your shoulders and your chest.

Remember: never begin a fitness routine or stretching routine without consulting your physician first.

— Vernie has 16 years of fitness experience and is certified in many areas. His business, Personal Edge Fitness, is downtown, and a new location is opening soon in the Southwest.

THIS AND THAT: THE FROG EXPLOSION

The Frog Explosion

Its baby frog time again! These tiny little hoppers are all over my yard. Every time I go outside in the evening they are jumping across the lawn, in the flower beds and all over my sidewalk. It's hard not to step on them. They must number in the hundreds this time of year. My little dog was startled at first, but now she tries to play with them, chasing them and barking until they get themselves hidden under some plant. Then off she goes looking for another little green frog. She doesn’t have to look very hard, they seem to be everywhere.

I seldom see them in the daytime, but the minute the sun starts going down they appear as if by magic. It's hard to imagine so many little frogs could hide during the day without my noticing them. They are cute when they are small, and I love having them in my yard. They seem to keep the bug population down

During my days as a Rural Mail Carrier I can remember one area that had maybe twenty houses. Stagecoach, Buckboard, and Carriage were the street names of this small tract. Each house had its own mail box and as I drove down this street every single box on the North side had baby frogs in them. The first box I opened I nearly jumped out of my car when a tiny frog jumped through the window and landed in my lap. Seeing some little boys giggling across the street I realized what was in store for me.

From then on, I would open the boxes and lift out the frogs before I put the mail in the boxes. That ruined all the fun the boys were having, but it made me remember that little boys will be little boys. They saw me jump once, so they had their thrill for the day. I waved to them as I drove away and they waved back knowing they had tricked me once, which was all they could ask for.

I know a lot of these baby croakers get run over, eaten by cats, and simply die in the normal process of trying to grow to adulthood. Its part of life’s cycle, but I certainly hope some of them live to become big croakers, my yard's going to need all the help it can get this year.

Sports Shorts

Time to dole out some end-of-the-year sports awards. The Centennial High girls track team captured the SWYL team championship this past season. The resulting title earned co-coaches Randy Jones and Ryan Renz coach of the year honors — especially sweet for Randy as he eases into retirement.

First-team individual honors went to Frontier’s Taylor Jackson, who tore up the league and area in the 100 and 300 hurdles; Liberty’s Amanda Klinchuch, who pole-vaulted her way onto the team; and Centennial’s Alana Alexander and Ashlee Thomas, who received first-team honors for long jump/triple jump and 800 meters/400 meters, respectively.

Boys track first-team recognition included Frontier’s Matt Darr in the shot put and discus; North High’s Anthony Mitchell, who was the Central Section champion in the 800 meters; and Isiah Purvis from Liberty, who competed in both the 200 and 400 meters.

Opponents found it very difficult to track these elite athletes down!

Now, shifting gears, those of you who affectionately consider yourselves “gearheads” may be saddened to learn that former Northwest resident Casey Mears has lost his ride with Hendrick Racing to Mark Martin. As is wont with the “left-turn” circuit as of late, many drivers are switching teams, and Casey will surely be hooking up with another quality shop in the near future. Sometimes, change is for the best!

As we hit “shuffle” on our column, let’s give due to our prep softball and baseball award winners. University of Florida-bound Ensley Gammel garnered honor as player of the year, Centennial’s ace pitcher completed a 25-3 season with a minuscule 0.44 ERA. Other all-area selections included Liberty’s Cassidy Bell, North’s BreAnna Brown; The Stars’ Brooke Sampson as well as the Golden Hawks’ Brandi Church, Vanessa Medina and Nikki Sawyer, whose uncle Rick pitched in the big leagues for the Yankees and off whom this columnist once took yard at Sam Lynn!

All-area baseball players include Liberty High’s Byron Campbell; Bakersfield Christian’s Taylor Gilliam and the triumvirate of Centennial’s Dustin Robinson, Jarret Martin and Joe Ramirez At: www.CalHiSports.com, Martin was named all-state first team and Robinson and Ramirez were selected to the second team.

BCHS’s Gilliam and Josh Gallington were named first-team in the small schools division.

Former Bakersfield Blaze and No. 1 overall draft pick Josh Hamilton smoked the field in the first round of the MLB Homerun Derby as he blasted — count ‘em — 28 dingers out of the park to set a new record.

Baseball fans who know of Josh’s incredible story dabbed tears from their eyes as the night progressed!

Think Before Reacting to School Rumors

I was talking with one of my Principal’s recently regarding a toy that had been taken from a 1st grader. It was, we think, at one time a key chain. It looks like a really tiny gun. It was not a gun. It was not even a cap gun or a replica gun. It was more like a largish charm bracelet figure. However, the stories that kids carried home were that some kid had brought a “gun” to school. In another instance a mom was late picking her child up and the youngster decided to walk home. He took a wrong turn but eventually found someone to help him phone mom and she went and picked him up (after we searched the campus, dispatched people to drive streets and called the police). We immediately got a call from an unrelated parent within minutes of the happy resolution asking if it is true that a student had been kidnapped.

Everyone must fight rumors at some point in their lives. I don’t think anyone is allowed to get out of middle school or high school without being the focus of a rumor or being accused of saying or spreading something that contributed to a rumor. So I know every adult out there understands the adrenaline surge, anger, fear and lost sleep dealing with rumors. Crime reports in the news have incidents every day where some fool took action against another based upon a rumor. In fact now that I think about it that describes most fights I had to deal with when I was a high school Principal.

I do not have a simple answer to a topic that has been researched and written about in thousands of psychology, human behavior & sociology textbooks. But I will try to make a couple of points mainly for parents raising their children, or grandparents raising their grand children, or aunts raising their nieces and so forth (I must get in my jab periodically about the divorce rate in this country.)

First, do not believe everything your child says happened at school. I must constantly remind new teachers not to believe everything their students say about their family and what happens at home. In both directions adults need to use the “Does this make sense?” filter. When in doubt, call or go in and talk … and I guess now send an e-mail to your child’s teacher. [Note: I’m not talking about stories that require a Child Protective Services referral … those are mandatory and employees are not allowed to investigate.]

Second, act like adults. That means stay out of it. Don’t get involved personally trying to straighten someone else’s child out. That is only going to result in you explaining yourself to law enforcement or explaining to your child that you can’t come to school because the school has a Restraining Order on you. Do talk to school personnel who can often give you a more balanced understanding of what is happening. They have the perspective and experience.

Finally, understand that you are hearing stories filtered through the maturity and understanding of your child. Children often repeat what they have heard as if they actually experienced it … and those are high school kids. In younger ages perception and understanding of events and stories can be even more problematic.

THIS AND THAT: There's Always a Favorite

After owning probably 15 dogs over my many, I’m not telling you how many, years on this planet, my favorite was a blonde cocker spaniel named Buffy. What an adorable, loving dog. She was my daughter Kelly’s dog, but when she left for college, I inherited this cute cocker. She had the kind of facial expressions that you could almost read. You could tell if she was hungry, happy, sleepy, or even ticked at me for bothering her while she was napping.

She loved chasing balls, but would only go so long, then head into the house through her doggie door. I had a favorite recliner where I sat and watched TV in the evenings, and she would literally squeeze in beside me. Then of course at bedtime Buffy would get up on my bed and stay there the entire night. However, on cold nights she would keep scooting closer and closer until I would be hanging off the side.

Buffy never chewed up any shoes or any of my furniture, she never dug under the fence and even if she happened to sneak out the front door, she never strayed out of our yard.

She couldn’t sit up or shake hands, but my grandson, Jordan, taught her how to roll over and play dead, then he would give her a treat. So whenever he came over she would immediately do her trick for him and she knew she would get a doggie treat.

The only problem I ever had with her was the time she got DRUNK. I’d heard that if you set out beer, the slugs and snails would be attracted to it and it would kill them. I had tons of slugs at that time. So I bought some cheap beer and I filled 4 saucers with beer and put two in the front yard and two in the back yard.

Well, I guess you know what happened. Buffy went out and drank every single drop of beer that was in the backyard saucers. I wouldn’t have known it except when she came through the doggie door she had to make three tries to hit the right spot, then she bumped both sides trying to get through the small door. When Buffy finally got into the kitchen, she was staggering and could hardly keep her paws going in the right direction. I couldn’t scold her since I had put the beer outside. Poor little thing finally got to the living room and absolutely collapsed on the carpet. She never even made it to my bed that night. I don’t know if dogs have hangovers, but she did sleep a lot more than normal the next day. After that there was no more beer in the back yard. I must admit it really worked. I drowned around 50 slugs that night in two little saucers of cheap beer which I’d put in the front.