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Pot shots at Taft? Not from Chong

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:03:07 PDT

You don't often think of the Taft desert as a prime destination for spiritual rebirth.

But for Tommy Chong, one half of the legendary comedy duo Cheech & Chong, the solitude of west Kern's sprawling desert offered a chance to "blaze" a new path in life.

Do we have the next Nashville 'it' girl?

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:23:25 PDT

The road to Nashville is paved with the dreams of countless starry-eyed artists, many of whom work years to find fame with little to no success.

Bakersfield country singer Whitney Wattenbarger knows it will be a bumpy ride, but with the backing of a local talent consultant with industry connections and new CD, she's all in.

Party at Bakersfield's own animal house

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:49:47 PDT

A baby lamb, the newest addition to CALM's collection of California wildlife, will make her debut Saturday at the zoo's 30th birthday party.

But don't expect to see a cuddly white animal like the ones in a children's picture book. This particular lamb is a female desert bighorn that entered the world on April 22 and weighed 12 pounds at birth. The yet-to-be-named lamb is gray in color, has a white rump and long slender legs. Soon she'll grow a pair of thick curved horns that give these particular animals their name.

Violinist set for her career finale

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:48:27 PDT

For nearly five decades, Rebecca Brooks has served as the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra's concertmaster and principal violinist. This evening, Brooks gives her last performance with the orchestra and retires with the end of the season.

"It's just time," said the 77-year-old Brooks.

Jerry Seinfeld coming to Rabobank on July 26

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:24:56 PDT

So what's the deal with Jerry Seinfeld coming to Bakersfield? Rabobank Theater just announced the comedian's July 26 show and that tickets go on sale 10 a.m. May 17.

Best known for his eponymous sitcom, Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life.

Jazz Festival: Get a move on to get your groove on

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:21:49 PDT

Nailing down the lineup for the Bakersfield Jazz Festival always presents a series of challenges, but for festival talent booker Paul Perez, it's also meant adapting to newly developed business habits.

"It's like playing a game of checkers," said Perez of the festival -- a highlight of Bakersfield's music scene -- which returns to the CSUB Amphitheater Friday and Saturday. "I have offers on different places on the board, waiting for someone to make a move.

Opa! Bring Mom to Greek festival

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:58:06 PDT

If you fondly remember a childhood of home-cooked meals made with love by Mom, consider this weekend time to return the favor. The hardworking families from St. George Greek Orthodox Church are ready to help you earn some brownie points at the second annual Spring Greek Food Festival on Saturday.

"Bring your mothers!" organizer Danny Andrews said. Along with good food and fun, mothers have the added bonus of free admission, Andrews said. That decision is an effort to encourage attendance to the festival amid Mother's Day and other activities.

Cherry Festival worth a pit stop

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:27:51 PDT

With so much going on this weekend, you really need to cherry-pick your activities. Luckily, Murray Family Farms makes that easy with its second annual Cherry Festival.

"(Cherries are) something that everybody is drawn to," said Abel Varela, produce supervisor at Murray Family Farms. "You say cherry and people say, 'Where are they?' ... Cherries remind them of their childhood."

Country's compelling ladies taking center stage

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:07:23 PDT

Listen in on Nashville and you'll hear them leaning in.

Across the vast, combative realms of pop music, country is the genre where women are delivering today's most compelling tunes. They're the songwriters with the most courage and vim. They're the singers with the widest emotional breadth. They're the risk-takers. The provocateurs. The searchers. The storytellers.

Soap star - and Taft native - Jeanne Cooper dies

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:12:01 PDT

LOS ANGELES -- Jeanne Cooper, the enduring soap opera star who played grande dame Katherine Chancellor for nearly four decades on "The Young and the Restless," has died. She was 84.

Cooper, a native of Taft, died Wednesday morning in her sleep, her son the actor Corbin Bernsen wrote on Facebook. The family confirmed the death to CBS, according to a network spokeswoman. The cause of death was not immediately available.

The juicy details on CSUB Barbecue

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:36:56 PDT

When John Giumarra Jr. organized the first Cal State Athletics Spring Barbecue in 1971, the location was the police pistol range, tickets were $7.50, the wives of committee members made all the pies, and the steaks cost $1.90 each.

"So at that first little barbecue we had, we made about $1,500," said the farmer and avid CSUB supporter. "Not a bad first year. And then, of course, every year this thing has just grown and grown and grown. Now we've gone from 300 people to 3,000."

BSO's season finale

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:42:19 PDT

Pianist Roberto Plano returns to perform with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra in its final concert of the 2012-13 season Saturday.

It's been an ambitious year for the orchestra, with a harmonica concerto, a photo-choreography presentation, world premieres and bicentennial celebrations for Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi, a daring, explosive choral masterwork.

A day for the girls (and moms) we love

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:51:29 PDT

A date with mom for only $1?

As you wish.

Summertime fun awaits all over Kern

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:18:54 PDT

Schoolchildren all over Kern County are counting down to the lazy days of summer. But good news for parents: The lazy part is optional.

Dozens of youth organizations have been busy finalizing a vast array of activities to keep children busy: sports camps, arts workshops, science exploration and much more.

Olive Knolls celebrates school's rise from the ashes

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:15:49 PDT

Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene held an uplifting and emotional service Sunday to celebrate the grand reopening of Olive Knolls Christian School, which was heavily damaged and nearly destroyed by a fire two years ago.