Bakersfield.com Go & Do

‘One world, one people’: Chinmaya Mission built on Vedanta’s message

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:44:13 PST

Chinmaya Mission Bakersfield was inaugurated on July 9, 2006 by Swami Tejomayananda, Worldwide Head of Chinmaya Mission. The event was graced by political dignitaries and religious leaders of all different faiths.

Since then, the Mission has continued to grow and flourish. Its main activity is Balvihar, where 150 children study about their faith and culture.

When times are tough, Buckcherry singer turns to books, not booze

sbranco@bakersfield.com (SHELLIE BRANCO) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:37:46 PST

Who knew a rock star who wrote a hit song with a slur against women right in its title would enjoy curling up with the works of Henry Miller?

Books helped Josh Todd, lead singer of hard rock band Buckcherry, stay sane in rehab, but it takes a rumble with off-kilter girlfriends to craft lyrics like these: “Break me down/You got a lovely face/We’re going to your place/And now you got to freak me out.” (And that’s about all we can print.)

Local blues musician celebrates legacy of Duke Ellington

scaffidi@bak.rr.com (SUSAN SCAFFIDI) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:39:44 PST

Many musicians and historians think Duke Ellington is America’s most important composer, and one of the most prolific who ever lived. He’s also one of the brightest lights of the Harlem Renaissance, the early 20th century cultural movement currently being celebrated at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

Bakersfield-based blues musician and music historian Nat Dove will showcase Ellington's life and music at the museum Wednesday.

Camille Gavin: Not into the big game? See 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' instead

Gavinarts@aol.com (CAMILLE GAVIN) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:40:33 PST

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” is on stage this weekend at Spotlight Theatre and Hal Friedman, artistic director, is touting the Sunday matinee as an ideal choice for nonfootball fans.

“Not into Super Bowl?” he asks in an e-mail. “This is a cheap alternative.”

Get your tickets now: Your winter/spring social calendar is filling up

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:39:00 PST

Winter doldrums? A comedian, a clairvoyant, a chugging train and Chrissie Hynde should keep you busy in town till spring.

JUST ANNOUNCED

Pete Tittl: Moo Creamery is the next great Bakersfield dining mecca

ptittl@bakersfield.com (PETE TITTL) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:36:27 PST

I’ve read about the “brain drain” problem affecting Bakersfield. Our best and brightest get educated elsewhere and don’t return with their college degrees to help make our community vital and alive.

Moo Creamery is an example of the reverse brain drain. Native Jessica Pounds, a Garces graduate, goes off to UCLA, where she meets Richard Yoshimura. The two graduate and work in the restaurant industry down south, and he goes on to culinary school. She works in restaurants such as Clementine and Border Grill, and he is a pastry chef at Patina and Milk. But the pair, bound by a mutual love of hamburgers and ice cream, decide to move to Bakersfield and open their dream restaurant.

One mother's plea: Cutting arts from public school would cheat our children

scaffidi@bak.rr.com (SUSAN SCAFFIDI) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:51:28 PST

On Tuesday, some 600 Kern County high school students will perform in the annual “It’s a Grand Night for Music”, a celebration of music and these students’ and teachers’ hard work and dedication.

Most of the people in the audience will be the families of the performers. I will be among them, as my daughter is singing in the choir. At some point in the concert, administrators from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office will praise the talent, discipline and excellence displayed by all the students, while reminding us of the value of performing arts education.

Love your teachers? Go check out their art

sbranco@bakersfield.com (SHELLIE BRANCO) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:57:43 PST

Local galleries are honoring Kern’s art teachers, from elementary to high school levels.

The Arts Council of Kern will host most of these openings and is particularly proud of an exhibit featuring the work of Bill Ryan, a former North High School teacher with connections to master California artists Wayne Thiebaud and Mel Ramos.

Share the memories: Oildale marks 100 years with celebrations

jshearer@bakersfield.com (JENNY SHEARER) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:36:56 PST

Hubert Isaacs has called Oildale home since 1919.

The 92-year-old recalls when rent was $10 a month for the first home his family lived in, and dirt roads led to adventure.

Everybody READ along now! Celebration of black culture too BIG to miss

lmedina@bakersfield.com (LOUIS MEDINA) — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:58:37 PST

Years from now, when I reminisce about Bakersfield’s Big Read 2009, I know I’ll also recall our country’s current sociopolitical landscape and the exciting backdrop it gives this cultural and literacy event.

I recently finished the audiobook version of Zora Neale Hurston’s 1937 novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Since the book — an exquisite piece of literature about a black woman’s path of self-discovery in early-20th-century Florida — was chosen for our city’s community read, it has inspired a wide range of local lectures, concerts, and shows dealing with African-American culture.

Pete Tittl: Mama and the tapas — appetizers, entrees make for eclectic meal at this gem

ptittl@bakersfield.com (PETE TITTL) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:30:06 PST

Sometimes a restaurant that dazzles you on its first impression can seem tarnished or overrated on later visits.

This is not the case at all with our recent visits to Mama Roomba, the classy, eclectic downtown Caribbean restaurant that we haven’t featured in this column in three years.