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Posted by nwv_admin Fri Jan 14, 2005 14:37:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Feeling melodramatic? Residents who bemoan the Northwest's lack of venues for the arts will be pleased to know that husband and wife team Linda Larma and Arnie Carlos received approval from the county last Thursday to build a theater on their one-acre property at 12748 Jomani Drive off of Allen.They will likely break ground in February.

Longtime friends of Candlelight Dinner Theater's David Zent, the couple have named Zent artistic director of the professional theater, which at the moment remains a grass lot.

Zent was a part owner of the Melodrama on Manor Street, a dinner theater that closed its doors nearly a decade ago.

The new theater will be called the Gaslight Melodrama, after the 19th century melodrama "Under the Gaslight" by Augustin Daly. Gaslights will be just one unique feature of the barn-like structure to be built by JTS Construction. It will also be home to a children's theater. Interested parties can sign-up now.

Larma's school moved in the fall of 2003 to the new building. Her two daughters,
Jennifer Prince and Kimberly Carlos, are also a part of the business.

If all goes as planned, construction will begin soon and the theater will open this summer.

"It'll be kind of like the one in Oceano," said Linda Larma, who's excited to bring local theater -- usually associated with downtown -- to the Northwest, where she's done business for years. "This is where the people are," she said.

Ralph's Grocery Co. has announced that it's leaving Bakersfield, closing it's three Bakersfield stores, including the Olive Drive and Hageman Road locations.

Flying J Inc., an Ogden, Utah-based company, signed an agreement to purchase Shell Oil for $130 million. The company plans to update the plant, built in 1932, so it can produce twice as much gasoline and slightly more diesel fuel. The refinery, on both sides of Rosedale Highway, makes 2 percent of the state's gasoline supply and 6 percent of the diesel. The plant employs around 200 people, and Flying J spokespeople says they will be offered a chance to stay.

California Pizza Kitchen is opening on Feb. 1 in Castle & Cooke's new Crossings at River Walk shopping project on Stockdale and Calloway.

Along with the original barbecue chicken pizza, diners will have the option to choose from a number of California-style menu items, like Thai chicken pizza, kung pao spaghetti, Singapore shrimp rolls and Waldorf chicken salad. The new restaurant will also feature an extensive beverage menu with martinis, margaritas and more than 40 specialty drinks, including CPK's original California cosmo.

In addition, a grand opening event to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Bakersfield through a donation of 100 percent of pizza sales will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new 5,900-square-foot California Pizza Kitchen is located at 10150 Stockdale Highway. Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Kern High School District Superintendent Don Carter presented his recommendation for a final boundary change plan to the board of trustees last Thursday night. The boundary changes make room for Frontier High School, now being built at Kratzmeyer and Allen roads, and will go into effect when it opens in August 2006. Board members listened to community comments. Some Norris parents were vocal about their displeasure with the plan. Trustees are expected to vote on a final plan next month.

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