News: The Northwest Voice

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy 59th Birthday David. From your wife, kids, and grandkids!!

Shirley, Annalisa and Jose, Josh, Tamara, Justine, Kadin, Lizzy and Ryan.

2nd Annual Masters Golf Tournament Package

Entries are now available for the 2^nd Annual Masters Golf Tournament Package and a chance to win a trip to Augusta, GA. Entries are available at all local golf courses and the Bargain Box, 1924 Q Street. Drawing is to be held in February 2009. Proceeds benefit philanthropic programs of the Assistance League of Bakersfield. For information, call 661-861-9221 or 661-323-0838.

Happy One Month Anniversary!!

I married my man last month September 7, 2008. It has been one month already... It is weird how time crawled before the wedding and flies by after. huh. I love you honey!!! Happy One Month Anniversary!!!

CSUB awarded $5.2 million in grants for increasing science enrollment, ecological research project

California State University, Bakersfield has been awarded a total of $5.2 million in grants from the United States Department of Education and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. These grants follow the announcement last week of a $10.4 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The federal $4.9 million grant, to be funded over the next two years, will be used to develop the priorities of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act – Hispanic Serving Institutions – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics grant program.

Julio Blanco, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, will be working closely with Bakersfield College to design a seamless pathway for Hispanic student success in these disciplines. Blanco reports both institutions serve a region that is on the frontlines of the national crisis in Hispanic under-preparedness for and underrepresentation in STEM degree completion. The goal is to gain a 20 percent increase in the number of Hispanic students who enroll and successfully transfer from BC to CSUB to complete STEM degree programs.

The second grant, totaling $300,000 over the next three years, was awarded to biology professor Brandon Pratt from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The grant will support Pratt’s research efforts aimed at understanding post-fire vegetation recovery in southern California and South African shrublands. Pratt’s work will increase understanding of how native vegetation responds to fire, which will be critical for predicting how wildland ecosystems will change in response to altered fire regimes, and how best to manage wildlands disturbed by fire. The focus on southern California and South Africa is particularly important because these areas are classified as “hot spots” of biodiversity and are ranked as global conservation priorities.

The funds from the grant support the hiring of a post-doctoral research scholar who, together with Pratt, will spearhead the research efforts in North America and Africa. In addition, two master’s students will be funded (one at CSUB and one in South Africa at the University of Stellenbosch) and at least six CSUB undergraduate students will be involved in the study.

For additional information about these grants, contact Bob Horton in the office of grants, research and sponsored programs, at (661) 654-2231.

CSUB student group launches Community Service Awareness Week

The Community Service Cooperative, a California State University, Bakersfield student organization, along with the Associated Students, Inc., will be hosting the inaugural Community Service Awareness Week on Monday, Oct. 27.

“Our mission as an organization is to raise awareness among the CSUB student body of the need for community volunteers; to increase participation through coordination of events, and motivation of students and student organizations,” said Mike Butler, student and CSC president.

The Community Service Awareness Week activities are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Runner Park

A student awareness and information day that includes free food and service awareness information.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Café Quad

Over 20 service organizations will be on campus to meet with students and provide information about volunteer opportunities.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m., Student Union multipurpose room

Three showings of the film “American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver” will be presented with free refreshments.

While events are student-oriented, the public is invited to attend. For details, contact Butler at (661) 654-2176.

Campus Life Alumni Reunion

Campus Life is looking for former students, volunteers, board and staff who were involved between 1958 – 2008. Alumni are invited to a Campus Life Alumni Reunion Saturday night at 4:00 p.m., November 15th, at Calvary Bible Church on Manor Drive.

Relive a Saturday Night Rally, a Burger Bash and Super Club; Scream in The Dark and other events from the past 50 years.

Tickets are available at 2131 California Ave. The cost is $10 for adults and teens of alumni are $6. Call 323-9041, or go online at www.yfckern.org <http://www.yfckern.org/> to register.

No Child Left Behind? Is there really such a thing?

I will be the first to admit I’m generally negative by nature. I don’t care for this part of my personality, and I continually try to change it but many times to know avail. I’m sure this article will come across negative to many of you in Bako land. However, this is an article that is one that needed to be written and addressed a long time ago. Actually, it is one that I hope someone in the California government reads and gets a little perturbed by, because I myself as a California educator am very much perturbed.

The problem in education, too many people are afraid to step on toes!! Well, put your steel-toed boots on, because there is getting ready to be some stepping!

Recently, I was talking with a friend, also a teacher, and she informed me that the curriculum specialist along with one of the District board members would be visiting the underpaid teachers and the overcrowded classrooms. They were also updated on the fact that they all needed to be following adopted pacing guides that were determined for each of the grade levels.

Does this raise any red flags in anyone else’s mind? Or am I the only one wondering, what in the world is going on with California education?

Did anyone, especially those in administrative offices, ever think that there just might be a student or two or maybe even the whole class that didn’t get the new concept taught the day before?   Did anyone also ever think that just maybe a lesson my need to be retaught for future foundational understanding?   I might just be going out on a limb here and some may be thinking I might be a little crazy, but I myself sometimes take a few encounters with new material to fully grasp what is being taught to me and I’m a clear California credentialed, highly tested, highly educated individual. And I know it might surprise you all, but back in the day when I was in school, there was no CHILD LEFT BEHIND, and many of us seemed to do OK!!

No Child Left Behind? Or Children that don’t get it the first time left behind? What about those students that get straight Fs and are pushed through to the next grade? Because………No Child Left Behind!! Who really is being left behind?

We are told multiple times at inservices and by administration to do small group pull back and reteach for those that don’t master or understand a skill, but with what time? We are expected to hit so many standards that it leaves us little time for reteach. However, I do work with many teachers that do small group reteach, but do you know when that happens? Before school, during breaks (recesses), lunch time, and after school, might I add without pay. How many of you would be willing to miss your 15 minute break and lunch break to teach a coworker everyday just so they won’t be left behind?

When do we finally say enough is enough and this New Education thing “No Child Left Behind” is not working? I’ve heard the educational pendulum always swings back and forth. Oh, how I’m waiting for the swing of the pendulum where a credentialed highly qualified California educator can actually teach and students can actually build a foundation of learning for future educational endeavors without the state mandating every little aspect of education.

Because sadly it is the children that suffer and many of my students get to me, I teach upper elementary, and I spend the first quarter on what should have been mastered and retained the previous years many times on basic concepts. Of no fault to the early grade teachers, I know you all are doing an amazing job with what the State of California makes you responsible for. But there is so much to cover in so little time.

I have heard these sayings many times while playing sports, “If it’s not broke………don’t fix it.” and “Just get back to the basics.” Hmmmmmm just maybe, that might be an idea for the California State government.

Or maybe not. They’re too busy cutting educational spending, funding illegal alien programs, paying themselves too much while teachers, after the hours they work, make less than minimum wage.

If we initiate the adherence to pacing guides for California teachers so not to leave children behind, then I can absolutely guarantee someone or many are being left behind. Most teachers know their students’ individual strengths and weaknesses and know how to best help their students. Please leave the instructional pacing to the highly educated, dedicated, and qualified teachers that you hired!!

Girl Scout Program Teaches Valuable Business Skills

Get ready to clean out your cupboards and make a gift list! Girl Scouts will be in the community once again with delightful treats to tantalize your taste buds. No, it is not Girl Scout Cookie time; this time of year, Girl Scouts participate in the Fall Product Program. While Thin Mints and other cookie favorites are not available, there are plenty of goodies sure to tickle your fancy.

Peanut Brittle in a decorative Girl Scout tin, as well as, Whole Cashews, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Chocolate Covered Raisins, Fruit Slices, Spicy Cajun Mix, Pecan Caramel Supremes, and Butter Toffee Peanuts may be ordered. All of the products come in Girl Scout themed packaging, feature the same renowned Girl Scout product quality that is in every box of Girl Scout Cookies, and are available to order from October 4 through October 22, 2008.

The Fall Product Program also encourages and celebrates reading by offering a wide variety of magazine subscriptions for your enjoyment. Over 1,000 subscriptions are available with savings up to 85% off newsstand prices. With every subscription order, a percentage of the total earnings go directly to the Girl Scout who sold the subscription. This is a great way to renew current subscriptions or discover a new magazine related to your interests.

The Girl Scout product sales programs are the premier youth entrepreneurial programs in the nation. Girls learn teamwork, communication, marketing, goal setting, accountability, and financial management along with other vital life skills to help shape their future. Before the sale begins, each troopand Girl Scout sets a sales goals and a long-term plan for their earnings.

At the conclusion of the sale, troops and girls use their profits for a variety of events based on age level and interests. In the past troops and girls have used their earnings to visit museums, organize community service projects, and take trips locally, nationally and internationally. A few have even attended Space Camp and other educational opportunities with their earnings. Your participation in the Girl Scout Product Sales Programs inspires the young girls of today to become the confident business executives of tomorrow.

To order your Fall Product Program Merchandise, contact a local Girl Scout, or you may call the Girl Scouts office at (661) 327-1409 or (800) 225-4475 and we will schedule a delivery to you.

About Girl Scouts of Central California South

Girl Scouting offers a safe, supportive environment where, in partnership with caring adults, girls can participate in fun and challenging experiences that empower them to discover, connect and take action. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Central California South serves over 13,000 girls and 3,500 adult volunteers in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare Counties. To volunteer your time, make a donation, or join Girl Scouts of Central California South call in Fresno (559) 291 5078 or 1-(800) 490 8653 in Bakersfield call (661) 327-1409 or (800) 225-4475.

Happy Birthday Dad November 15th

happy birthday dad!!!

i love you!!!!

-whitnie

The Lost Art of Holding Hands

Recently, one of my students was picked up after school by her parents. As I waved a quick goodbye to the trio, something caught my eye like a nugget of gold: the parents were holding hands. Standing there for a moment longer than necessary, I eyed their interlocked fingers and smiled. I honestly can't recall a time that I've seen a set of parents hold hands in my eight years of teaching. In fact, for most of today's busy couples, it's a bit like a deer sighting: if you look long enough, you'll eventually spot one.

Do you remember when holding hands meant something really significant? The touch was enough to spark a chain of phone calls between preteens; suddenly the boy and girl in question were going out. In seventh grade, a boy named Randy was the object of my young affection. I drew his name inside hearts during math class and lost all mental capacity if he wandered near. One day at lunch, without warning, he was holding hands with an eighth grader and I was crushed. That meant everything; their united fingers meant he was taken. It seems as though a lot of today's youth bypassed this innocent stage and instead asked for a shot of the strong stuff.

My own parents were very big hand-holders. As a child, I thought it was gross to see such a public display of affection. Even now, their hands magnetically draw together each time they walk side-by-side and. This habit is something they've had to develop and nature along through the years. As an adult, I recognize that the small touch between them is what solidified their marriage and allowed it to last over three decades.

It's an effortless gesture but the payoff is priceless: it can smooth ruffled feathers or calm stress. In an instant, palms pressed together swings the pendulum from just a couple to a Couple, and somehow stitches them closer.

The absence of of clasping palms can be just as serious. There's an ocean between couples with arms crossed; swim across that water and grab your partner's hand! Intertwine those fingers, give the flesh a squeeze, and flash your honey a smile. Do this over the course of a week or two and see if you reap the benefits this seemingly lost art.

Talladega Frights Night!

The night before the grand opening of the Northwest’s new haunt, Talladega Frights, Northwest Voice editor Dana Martin attended a VIP night and invited a few of our own VIPs. Seated are Dave and Cindy Meek and Debra and Michael Elliott, all contributors and loyal readers of The Northwest Voice. After dinner, they bravely toured the haunt and found it to be fabulous, from the graveyard to the mazes! Mike Wilbur and his staff and actors have created a frightening experience sure to spook people of all ages.

For information on the dates/times Talladega Frights is open, please see: www.TalladegaFrights.com.

50 and fabulous!

Happy birthday to a group that is not made of preschoolers, but of Lil’ Rascals. This group is not known as the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants, but as the Sisterhood of the Red Hats!

The Red Hat Society is a social organization founded in 1998 for women over 50, based on the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph that depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a red hat. The society’s founder, Sue Ellen Cooper, says that the international phenomenon started on a lark when she impulsively bought a red fedora at a thrift shop.

“The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and élan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together,” writes Cooper on the Red Hat Society’s official Web site.

“Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next,” adds Cooper.

As of October 2006 there were 1.5 million registered members in over 40,000 chapters in the United States and 30 other countries, and new chapters are forming every day.

The women of one local chapter, the Lil’ Rascals, enjoy feelings of belonging. There is a genuine love for one another and gratitude for the awesome friendships they have made. They laugh together, cry together, and celebrate all known (and some unknown) holidays. They are a remarkable family. And they do have fun.

On a Saturday afternoon in April, this group of amazing women celebrated four years together and the beginning of friendships that bring joy to each, regardless of their circumstances. It was a time of visiting, playing games, sharing stories, subtle chuckles, and raucous laughter. The group is comprised of women from varied backgrounds, educational experiences, marital statuses and occupations.

They are only one of 44 chapters of Red Hatters in Bakersfield. Each chapter is led by a Queen Mum, also known as its Leader of the Pack. The members within each chapter adopt new names for themselves, and the Lil’ Rascals are no different. They are Dutchess MacKiwi, Marquessa of Mischief, Mary the Boom Boom Rapper, Divine Diva of Disorder, and Empress of Enthusiasm to name a few. The new name is meant to be indicative of each lady’s sense of humor and a hint at her personality.

The groups have activities that fit the lifestyles of their venerable members: cruises, gambling excursions, dress-up dinners, shopping field trips, and a monthly birthday bash — another excuse to join and celebrate members turning a year older.

There are only two requirements to belong to the Red Hat Society: a lady must be 50 or older, and she must enjoy wearing purple and red, which do not match.

Karen Smith is Queen Mum of the Lil’ Rascals chapter, but her subjects call her Madame Sweetie. Karen believes that the lives of her members are filled with all the joys, heartaches, disappointments, tragedy, beauty, and love that anyone has ever experienced. Amongst these Red Hatters, she claims, you could find any story worthy of a Hollywood film.

“All of the Lil’ Rascals are living their lives to the fullest now,” said Smith. “We are all on the downhill side of this thing called life, and we want to make every moment count.”

“We have had four deaths in our chapter in the past two years. When these events took place, these ladies rallied and became a source of strength that Samson would have envied. They are incredible and have enriched each others lives beyond measure,” Smith added.

Some of the members are widows and some become widows, but all of the ladies are a source of support during the trying times prevalent during golden years. Some of the members were raised as single children, no siblings. Now, because of the Red Hat Society, each woman in the chapter has 30 sisters ready to assist and support.

Visit: www.redhatsociety.com to learn more about the The Red Hat Society.

October Events

Oct. 10-12
17th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway, 33559 Famoso Road. Tickets are $55. Details, call 800-884-NHRA.

Oct. 11
• Pumpkins & Pancakes breakfast by Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club. Tickets $20, $10 for kids. To RSVP, call 321-4876.

• Guns & Hoses boxing charity event will be held at The Dome, 2201 V St., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Details, call 472-0624.

• Light The Night to benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society will be held at Cal State Bakersfield at 7 p.m. Details, call 213-4712.

• Inaugural Relay For Life Yard Sale fundraiser will be held at Christ’s Church of the Valley, 13701 Stockdale Highway, starting at 7 a.m. Details, 619-6415.

• Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” performed by the Metropolitan Opera will be screened at Edwards Cinema at 10 a.m. Tickets are $22. Details, call 322-4891.

• Fall vendor/craft fair at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 108 Goodman St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details, call 858-792 .

Oct. 11-12
Ninth annual Bakersfield Cactus and Succulent Show and sale in the East Hills Mall at 10 a.m. on Saturday & 11 a.m. on Sunday. Details, 832-3128.

Oct. 12
• Bakersfield College and FHS combined choir concert will be held at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road, at 4 p.m. Free. Details, call 327-1609.

• Fall Festival at Coconut Joe’s Diner, 124 Columbus St., at 1:30 p.m. Details, call 327-2900.

• Bridal Show offered by the Kern County Bridal Association will be held at the Sheraton Inn, 5101 California Ave., at noon. Cost is $5. Details, call 633-9200 .

Oct. 14
“The Soul of Morocco” presented by Bakersfield Adult School will be shown at the Harvey Auditorium, 1316 G St., at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Free. Details, call 871-0146.

Oct. 17
• “The Edge of Heaven” will show at the Fox Theater, 2001 H St., at 7:30. Tickets are $5. Details, call 325-4815.

• Fall Fiesta & Tequila tasting to benefit the M.A.R.E. facility, 18200 Johnson Road, at 6 p.m. Cost is $50. Details, call 589-1877.

Oct. 18
Ye Witches Brew tea party sponsored by CASA will be held at 11 a.m. Cost is $40.
Extreme Elite Cheer Grand Opening will be held at 5207 Young St. from 1 to 3 p.m. Details, call 663-8500.

National Boss Day

Rhonda: We all want to wish you a great "Boss Day" on Oct. 16th.

Sheila, Shirley, Laurie and Terry

My Passion

My Passion by Chelsea Morris

The alarm on my phone pierces my deep sleep, my best friends groans following underneath a pile of blankets next to me on the fold out bed. So badly do I want to hit the tempting snooze to 4:15 am, but I know we have to get up. Kicking off the mounds of blankets, I push her till she crawls slowly out of bed. It doesn’t help that we had gone to sleep at midnight the night before. We had been up all night socializing with people in the barns. Rubbing my eyes I check the clock and yawn - 4:05 am.

Throwing on my black, oversized windbreaker, fitting pants, ipod, and boots , I stare at myself in the trailer mirror. On the pocket of my windbreaker, I can barely see the writing in the pitch black room. Squinting my eyes I read 2008 Champion Shorthorn Herdsman, Ca. State Fair. I think back to when I won this jacket in Sacramento in August, in front of a hundred people. I smile appears on my face and I clutch it proudly. By then my friend is stumbling down the stairs, so I follow behind, grabbing a Pepsi on my way out. The crisp morning air quickly clears my nose from the stuffy trailer air before, and I take a few deep breaths. We exchange a few muffled words of our plan for the day. Our voices are still hoarse and scruff as we talk. By this time I am fully awake, excited and ready for the busy day ahead.

We arrive to the barns moments later, not a human soul present. We pass the rows of calves, and my face turns to ice as the turbo fans blow down on me. The barns are quiet except for the hum of fans and the shuffling of calves as they wake when we pass them. It smells of hay and sweet grain along with the pine shaving smell. We reach our row and I talk calmly to my heifers. Stroking there heads, I proceed to quickly lay out feed pans and let them eat. Mean while I set out my adhesives and sprays. My shinning clippers are removed from there black case and I examine the sharp blades. How could such a small set of blades turn a rough calf into a gorgeous creature? I observe my hand and see a scar on my palm from clipping a wild calf. Laying them on my diamond plate box, I retrieve my first calf of the morning.

Duffy, my little red Shorthorn heifer. She is a dark burgundy color, with a white stomach and white speckles on her right haunch. Her temperament is so calm, I decide to prepare her first. I pull her from her bed spot, allow her to drink a bucket of water, then the work starts. Pulling my shinny, black ipod out I turn it to shuffle and turn it up as loud as possible. My calf walks slowly into the gleaming metal chute and I tie her head at a comfortable height. I flip the switches on my cattle blower,an it comes alive, roaring loudly. I muffle the loud noises with my music of choice alternative, rock, and country. Focused, I dry all her hair forward, till she looks like a giant fuzz ball. Then, the clippers get turned on, I grasp my cattle comb and comb her hair up, clipping off hair as needed. It turns into a rhythmic motion, Comb, clip, comb, clip. I sculpt and nick and suddenly nothing else is visible except that calf. I hide her flaws and extenuate her good points. Nothing is going on in my mind except what I am trying to accomplish. I am not thinking about homework, about my social life, my boyfriend, or even the other calves getting fit around me. Kneeling down underneath her belly, I grab my adhesive and other comb. Keeping one eye on her back leg, and the other focused on her front legs, just in case she gets spooked. The adhesive is sticky, so I make a spray then comb the hair up. Spray, comb, spray, comb. Revealing my clippers I clip off unwanted hair. Sometimes, other fitters walk by, on their way to the Sullivan’s trailer, and compliment my work. Some give pointers of what I could do different, and I appreciate it, they are helping me become a better fitter. Finishing off my work of art, I spray a gloss sheen on her body. I step back, and I no longer care what happens when I step in the ring. No longer do I care what color ribbon I receive. Just that feeling of accomplishment that I know I made this calf look so good, and that no one helped me do it. If I step out of that ring, with a fourth place, I’ll recite my favorite judge Terry Birks and say “its just one bald, fat guy’s opinion on that day”. That is my passion, my ritual. Fitting calves.