Letters: The Northwest Voice

Editor’s note

It’s October! Fall is finally fully upon us, which means that the Northwest’s very own “haunt” is now open for business! Check out the amazing Talladega Frights, then let me know what you think!

My days have been busy! Special shout out to Miss Pate’s & Mr. Kramer’s classes at Almondale Elementary, who invited me to speak about writing. I also spoke to Mrs. Baker’s Bunch at Olive Drive Elementary School, and we talked about the importance of observation as it relates to writing. If your school would like me to visit, just send me an email! I’d be happy to share my love of The Northwest Voice and get kids motivated to become better writers, spellers, and observers!

Also, we are getting a lot of online requests for a free subscription to The Voice, and that’s great! Many of you are checking the box marked “Yes, I’d like to receive the newsletter,” but in order to do that, you’ll need to become a Web site user, too. It’s also free! Just visit: www.northwestvoice.com, and click “Register now.” I will do all the rest.

Some of you might be looking for the highly-anticipated “Senior Citizen” issue that was due to come out this week. We have moved that publication to mid-November. Keep your eye out!

Also in November, the U.S. will select a new President! With that in mind, I am accepting political articles (400 words only) to be included in the next issue. Please submit them via the Web site by Oct. 14 and become a published writer today!

Editor’s note

I love Halloween — all holidays, for that matter, but Halloween is the first occasion I get to pull down the boxes from the garage and transform my house from year-round Fourth of July to something else.

This Halloween season, there is something exciting going on in the Northwest, as you will read in this issue’s cover story.

I walked through this “haunt” (Talladega Frights) in the broad daylight during construction and even that was scary. This is going to be the best haunted experience any native Bakersfieldian has ever experienced in our own back yard.

Would you like to attend for free? I just happen to have tickets for opening night on Oct. 3, and you can win them by logging in to our Web site at www.northwestvoice.com!

Have you been to our Web site yet? By creating a “User ID,” you become part of our online/e-mail family and will receive advance notice of upcoming opportunities to have your photos featured on our cover, advance notice of freebies (like these Talladega Frights tickets!), and I’ll even remind you of deadlines to submit your stories or event announcements for upcoming editions. Join us today! Create your User ID right now and be entered to win tickets to Talladega Frights!!

Also, more fun: The Northwest Voice, with NOR, Terrio-Therapy Fitness and our awesome partners will hold a FREE Health & Fitness Family Fun Day at Liberty Park on Oct. 5! There will be Jazzercise by Kathy Kilby, Adventure Women's Bootcamp, Hawaiian Dancing, and sports skills training by Terrio-Therapy Fitness. Come out and see us!

Editor’s note

What was I thinking? That was my first thought as I saw about 30 people (of around 50 total) removing their running shoes to soak themselves in a cold swimming pool to "lower the body temperature" before the start of our collective training session outside of Total Woman Health & Fitness near Truxtun.

I should have returned to my car the second I had to wear a “bib” with my name on it: It wasn’t for fun — it was in case I became incapacitated and was unable to respond at some point during the training.

If you've been on Truxtun, or will be soon, at around 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, you will see a cavalcade of runners crossing to the park for a 60-minute cardio conditioning or strength training workout, all to prepare for the annual Marine Corps Volkslauf Mud Run in October.

That’s about six weeks and 60 miles (of weekly running) away. If I make it that far.

To keep updated on my progress, you can log on to: www.northwestvoice.com and see my “training” (read: survival) blog. If you’re training, too, I’d love to hear about it! Register as a Northwest Voice Web site user and create your own blog today!

An additional benefit to becoming a Web site user is that you will begin receiving my biweekly e-mail to remind of you of deadlines and upcoming stories and contests.

If you’d like to learn more about the Volkslauf, my “drill instructor,” Leigh Pozas, wrote about it in her fitness article.

Join us! The proceeds from the annual Volkslauf benefit children’s charities, and it’s a great chance to have some good, clean fun ... and get a little dirty, too!

Editor’s note

I know how it feels to get that semi-regular, recognizable, rectangular piece of paper in the mail from Superior Court. First, disbelief, then dread, then we look for an excuse to get out of — yes — jury duty.

I’ve always wanted to serve, but I’ve always had an incredible knack for winning the juror lottery: I would serve my one day but never get called from the jury waiting pool. One year, I sat with a group of folks watching the Red Sox win the World Series. This year, I was all set to watch the Olympics, but something got in the way: my name on a roll sheet.

For over a week, I’ve spent each day listening to testimony and every night working on the issue of The Northwest Voice you now hold in your hands. Sure, it would have been easier to be in the office each day, easier to call jury services and ask for an extension. We’re busy people; we have other things we could do, right?

But during jury selection, the judge, growing tired of hearing excuses, put jury service in perspective. He said, “For over 200 years, men and women have fought and died to ensure Americans the right to a trial by jury.” It is our duty, he reminded us, to uphold the freedoms for which they have sacrificed.

He’s right, and no one else could say it better. Thank goodness for our inalienable rights and for those who work to protect them. Thanks for the reminder, J.B.

Jury duty isn’t so bad after all.

— Dana Martin
Voice Editor

Editor’s note

It’s finally here! The Pet Donation and Adoption Awareness event to benefit local shelters is this Saturday, Aug. 16, at San Lauren Park! I will be there from 8 to 11 a.m., and I hope to see many of our Northwest neighbors. It’s early, so bring your coffee (I keep mentioning coffee in the hopes that people will see this event as a time to socialize, as well as raise funds for our furry friends!).

I have gotten SO much feedback from helpful organizations in town, who participate in this type of thing all the time. This is the first event I’ve commandeered as editor of The Northwest Voice, so admittedly I am in much need of advice and guidance. However, with help from the good people at SPCA, Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters, ALPHA Canine, San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital, Kern Canine Activities, and Maggie over at KCAC, I think this is going to be just the first of an annual event sponsored by The Northwest Voice. Let’s make it a success!

Items to bring? Money, of course! We will be accepting monetary donations, as well as dry food products, blankets, pet beds, pet toys, leashes, paper towels, dog and cat treats, and more. There will also be homemade dog treats for sale.

Join us during the live KGFM 101.5 live remote broadcast, and let’s make this first ever event a success!

Editor’s note

I used to attend stock car racing at Mesa Marin Speedway with my friend, Kelly Connelly, when we were young girls. Kelly and her dad were huge fans and didn’t seem to mind the loud noise (unlike myself, a rookie fan, shocked by the sound of the roaring engines). It didn’t take long to see why Kelly and her dad were such racing enthusiasts, though. Stock car racing is exciting, and if you haven’t yet watched a race because you think it’s “all left turns,” you couldn’t be more wrong!

Fast forward 20 years, and after the demise of the great Dale Earnhart, my stock car racing fever returned. Soon, the five inhabitants of my house became staunchly loyal to different drivers and didn’t miss a race. The next season, we put money with our loyalties and somehow persuaded the rest of the extended family to join us. In no time, we had a pool going during a season that lasted eight months, and Sundays were for family.

Today, NASCAR racing is huge, and as you will read in our cover story , there are three Northwest grads who are making a go at the stock car circuit . One contributor got to meet phenom owner Jack Roush; read another fan’s experience at the Brickyard 400; and learn about the best Christmas gift of all.

So, whether you’re new to the sport or are a longtime fan, please enjoy this issue ... one left (page) turn at a time!

Letter to the Editor: We'll be missing Mary!

Dear Ms. Martin,
The Northwest Voice is an excellent publication. We enjoy every issue and learn a lot about the people, events and places around the Northwest community.

While going through their old artwork, my daughter (Thea — holding the magazine) and her friend (Gail) found your May 21 issue. The feature about principal Mary Westendorf got them really excited. They both go to Discovery Elementary School and speak fondly of their school principal.

We are both sad and happy — sad that Ms. Westendorf has to leave Discovery, but glad that she will be given an even greater task at the district level.

Surely Ms. Westendorf will be missed by the pupils, teachers, staff and parents. But our loss is the district’s gain and we know that she will do great!

—Alvin Tanicala

Editor’s note

I had been looking for a second dog for a while, keeping a close eye on the “Pets of the Week” published in each Northwest Voice. One day, a little Border Collie mix named Ethel caught my eye, and on July 3, I went to the SPCA and found my forever friend.

It’s true what you hear about adopted dogs being grateful; this little girl (2 years old ... I didn’t want a puppy) acts like she realizes she has been rescued. She is a true family pet, and the best news is that she is already house broken and has terrific manners! It wasn’t difficult choosing Ethel (now Jenny), but it was not easy leaving behind all the other dogs and cats.

So, with our shelters and pet over- population in mind, we have created this issue to kick-off a campaign to remind NW neighbors about our pet shelter crisis and to see what we can do to help! On Aug. 16, The Northwest Voice and our helpful partners will hold a donation drive to benefit local shelters. Bring your dogs, get veterinary advice and win vouchers good for spay & neutering.

Let’s see how much money (and items) we can collect to help alleviate our over-burdened shelters and show the rest of the city how the strength of one small section of the community can pull together and make a difference!

Letter to the Editor: Thank you Bakersfield firefighters

On behalf of Butte College I’d like to thank those in your fire department who responded to the Humboldt Fire in Butte County. They not only saved Butte College from serious and devastating destruction, but they protected our communities we all live in. Without their great efforts many more people would not have homes to return to, and much of our campus would not be available for providing education to those in our community. We’re very grateful for all of their help…they’re the greatest!

Sincerely,

Diana Van Der Ploeg
Butte College President
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
(530)895-2937

4th of July Parade

We'd like to thank Shari Martinusen for always planning the annual 4th of July parade through the Gardens neighborhood. We'd also like to thank Fred, our awesome pace car driver. The parade is a fabulous tradition that our children look forward to every year and will always remember.

Editor’s note

As much fun as birthdays are, the getting older part isn’t so hot. Things change (like waistlines). As I look at the publication date of this issue and see my birth date emblazoned across the page, it reminds me that I’m knocking on the door of another decade — a milestone age in anyone’s life, particularly a woman’s. I am embarking on the end of my 30s, and it’s causing me to take stock of my life. What have I done? Have I been a good person? I have one year until the big 4-0, so where do I go from here?

At my new age, I won’t sweat the small stuff, I’ll look at my crow’s feet and call them laugh lines, and if I don’t find time to accomplish my daily chores, I will realize that there’s always tomorrow. I’ll relax more and stress less.

At my new age, I will stop trying to stop time. Instead, I will enjoy every second, enjoy this great new job, and relish seeing my children growing into adulthood. As my wise mom says, “Aging isn’t so bad. It beats the alternative!”

Enjoy this fun-themed issue with a contribution from reader Patty Scott (who did all the research so that you wouldn’t have to!). And don’t forget to make the homemade jam and make memories of your own.

Letter to the editor

I was so surprised when I saw that article (in the May 21 issue of The Northwest Voice) and I can’t thank you enough for your kind words and wonderful writing. I have been so blessed to be at Discovery, with great kids and amazing parents and community. We have been able to do so many great things and we have formed a family doing it. I know that kids are kids, and Discovery kids are no more special than those at other schools, but I have been lucky to know these kids. It is hard to explain the energy and the joy that a person gets from being surrounded by kids every day. I love looking at our graduates and the great things they are doing and thinking of the wonderful futures they have. I always hope that at sometime I have said something to them that will be meaningful and helpful. It is so sad to leave, but I really trust that God has a new plan for me in this different job. Thank you again for the wonderful article.

— Mary Westendorf, outgoing Discovery Elementary principal

Northwest Voice - you've got fans from Germany!!!

Dear Northwest Voice!

If you believe it or not, you are well known all around the world. I am student from Germany studying Mass Communications at Munich. This semester I am taking a class in "Citizens Journalism" and came across your website. I am amazed how well this kind of journalism works in your community. In Germany we hardly have any kinds of these sites. Any idea why it works so well in your community?

Anyways its good to see that citizen are partizipating. Would be great if you could tell me a bit more about what keeps you writers and readers here in the web.

Editor’s note

Well, the school year is winding down now and kids will soon be home for the summer. When my kids were young, I was so excited for summer vacation to arrive because it meant loose schedules, sleeping in and staying up late!

As my children grow up, though, the summers are shorter and seem quicker to arrive. Now I have a graduating senior, an incoming junior, and my youngest will be a freshman in high school. Where did the time go?

What I’d like is to start over, go back to when they were babies and take extra long looks at them when they are sleeping in their cribs. I’d like to play more games, read more stories, and forget about driver’s licenses and prom dates.

But that can’t happen, so instead I’ll cherish this stage as I have the others, watching with pride (and a few tears) as my children grow into adulthood.

But each stage is bittersweet, particularly high school graduation, where we will say so long to childhood friends making their way to college campuses all over the United States.

To the graduating seniors across the Northwest, I wish you a fond farewell and the blessings of the wonderful new life you are about to explore. Congratulations, Class of 2008!

— Dana Martin
Voice Editor
716-8639
dmartin@northwestvoice.com

San Lauren Student Body Officers

I would just like to thank the San Lauren Student Body Officers for doing such a wonderful job this school year! They ran spirit ralleys, collected canned foods for the KGET food drive, worked at the KGET food collection site, went to the Bakersfield College Leadership Conference, ran "Snack Friday", participated in the Great American School Clean Up, and continued to be great role models for the rest of our students. You were all WONDERFUL!!! Thanks for a great year!

— Mrs. Moore