Downtown Bakersfield Celebrates New Year's Eve!

12-31-06 - New Year's Eve, Downtown Bakersfield!

A PHOTO ODD-I-SEE, IN TWO PARTS!!

PART ONE....

Downtown Bakersfield was the scene of many to be seen on New Year's Eve!

The Nile Bar & Grill, Riley's, Fishlips, Guthrie's Alley Cat, and The Syndicate Lounge were filled to the gills with party people looking to ring in 2007!

Whatever your style, there was a place for you!

Want to just kick it in jeans and a T-shirt, or get all dressed up to find your New Year's kiss? It was all about Riley's, The Cat, and The Syndicate Lounge..

If you planned on dressing in your finest with other Bako fashionistas, The Nile was ready for you...Bakotopia was in the house and gave away gift certificates to local businesses for lucky winners in the after midnight drawing at The Nile! This was The Nile's first year as the new club on the block, and they did not disappoint!!

Local Bakotopia Tekwiz, back after a successful Bakotopia Halloween photo run, didn't complain about taking my camera again, and snapping a ton of new photos for you..

There were so many photos, I had to split it up into two posts!!

Enjoy the pics!
WANT BAKOTOPIA TO HYPE UP YOUR EVENT? E-MAIL US!!

CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW FOR PART TWO OF BAKO'S NEW YEAR'S EVE!

It's all about the local scene at:

Enter 'The Chamber' If You Dare…

Enter 'The Chamber' If You Dare…

(PMS....unbound)

By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor

Every Halloween season, The Chamber's Dave Enloe experiences his share of thrills and spills.

Spills?

“We've had about 100 people pee their pants because they were so scared,” said Enloe of reactions to his annual funhouse, located in the parking lot of Sam Lynn Ballpark, on Chester Avenue and 40th Street in Bakersfield running through October until Halloween night.

("What you talkin' bout? I am the original Donnie Darko bunny, b***h!")

“When the Travel Channel came to film us, the camera guy ran out puking. I just Remember hearing ‘We gotta mop the floor.’ I guess we forgot to think about that.”

This is The Chamber's fourth year scaring the wits — and liquids — out of Bakotopialand's innocent. Named one of the top rated haunted attractions in the nation by the Travel Channel in 2005, Enloe and crew know their scare tactics well.

“It's like a movie,” he said. “People know it’s fake, but once they see it, they get really scared. It's more 3-D, and we get to control the atmosphere with smells and lighting, which affect the senses more.”

Enloe added that although The Chamber itself is the star of the evening, it's the anticipation leading up to the entrance that tends to drive people crazy.

“The fear doesn't start when you go in the door,” he said. “It begins when you drive up in your car, get your tickets, stand in line and we get to mess with you. A lot of people start crying even before they go in!”

("Dinner's ready!")

With a “monster squad” of 70, including 10 make-up artists, The Chamber is divided into three sections and has 35 “mini-chambers” filled with some of the most bizarre and unspeakable acts of horror you will ever see.

“It's roughly 900 feet long, and takes about 15 minutes to walk through, depending on if you walk or run,” laughed Enloe. “Some people run through in a minute.”

With such scary attention to detail and planning all year long, you'd think Enloe must get inspiration from his favorite horror flicks.

("What are they givin' me ma?")

“I don't get inspiration from movies, but I am a fan,” he said. “I like theater.”

Surprisingly, when the enterprising young thrill peddler approached local thespians to participate in his own macabre masterpiece, he was dumbfounded at the reaction he got.

“It was funny that none of the local theatres would have anything to do with me,” said Enloe. “They laughed at me even though I was ready to spend all kinds of money.”

(All for love: The Three Monsketeers)

Opening to huge lines four years ago, The Chamber also happens to be related to another former fright attraction — Campus Life's Scream In The Dark — the original Bakersfield funhouse popular in the ’70s and ’80s.

“I own 'Scream In The Dark' now,” explained Enloe of how he bought the idea from the youth ministry, complete with sets and sound truck. “They gave me all the props. It was just the end of their era.”

Now scaring up its fourth successful year in Bakersfield, Enloe appreciates all the fans and the crowds that show up every weekend.

There is however, one bit of advice he has for those thinking of going in…

“Wear some Depends undergarments. I don't wanna be blamed for any soiled clothing.”

Visit.....

Location: 4009 Chester Avenue
Dates: Oct. 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Time: 7 p.m. - ? / All Ages Admitted
Admission: $10
($1 discount coupon available online at www.chamberhaunt.com, and various locations. Coupon valid until 10/21.)

*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 13, 10 - 19 - 07

Slim The Drifter: July 20, 1960 - May 25, 2007

Bakersfield loses local music legend...
Slim The Drifter: July 20, 1960 - May 25, 2007

This morning I recieved an e-mail from Bakersfield's Greg Goodsell, a longtime friend of the Slim's. Scott was an architect of the Bakersfield alternative music scene during the '80s, with a variety of local bands, and solo projects. He will be missed..

(Scott "Slim The Drifter" Sturtevant)

Mon 5/28/2007 3:34 AM:

“Slim the Drifter” – aka W. Scott Sturtevant has died. He was one of the few people I have known longer than my own brother, having been best friends with him since Kindergarten. Scott would found Bakersfield’s very first punk band Teen Suicide, before he branched off into a solo career under the nom de plume of Slim the Drifter. Scott cultivated controversy and a reputation for a hard-living lifestyle. A friend put in a call to his wife in Reno, Nevada, and she confirmed that he had died on Friday. The Slim the Drifter MySpace page lists Friday as his date of death. If you knew or know of people who knew Scott, please pass this on. - Greg Goodsell

BIO from the Slim the Drifter MySpace page:

Scott "Slim The Drifter" Sturtevant July 20, 1960 - May 25, 2007

Scott "Slim the Drifter" Sturtevant passed away Friday night.

He died in Reno after being Care flighted out of Fernley. Scott had been suffering from Cirrhosis of the liver for a long time and was diagnosed with the illness in 2000 at stage three on a scale of four. Stage four was already well underway when we left Bakersfield for the Oregon coast where we married and lived for a couple of months before heading to Fernley Nevada. Scott's liver was shutting down and conditions related to end stage cirrhosis began to slow him down before Christmas. His Condition rapidly deteriorated to a point that his body was becoming a prison. He was ready to let go of this life. He was tired of the pain and frustrated by the limitations of his failing health. Scott lived his life on his own terms, and did exactly what he wanted to do. He wouldn't have changed a moment. His only regret was that the end was coming so soon after having found peace in his life.

He loved our little home and our family, us and the cats ("The Boys"). He never expected to live as long as he did and remarked that if he had known "I might have taken a little better care of myself". We joked that he hadn't planned well. Scott passed away surrounded by his brothers and their wives, a very good friend of our family and me. He was surrounded by love and went peaceful to that goodnight that he had come to long for. He died of cardiac arrest brought on by respiratory failure due to conditions related to cirrhosis. His wish was to be cremated and his ashes scattered on the Suislaw River on the Oregon coast.

It was a place where we had stayed on our extended honeymoon and he loved it so much. His family and I have set the date of August 12 to meet and do as he asked. No memorial service has been set as of yet. Please remember Scott for the truly wonderful man that he was. My heart is broken, but I wouldn't give up a moment of the time we had together. Debbie

Slim's original greeting..
Hello, I'm Slim the Drifter. After long years of playing in four-on-the-floor bands, I started to record on my own in late "91". Low-Fi was all I could afford at the time, so that's what I did. I had a blast. The result was "Callin' Cali" (Gang of Hair 002). I toured as a one man show with my trusty boom box and sang to my own tracks without vocals. I'd put at least one mic on the box and play Mr. Microphone with the other one. I threw confetti, gave away (99 cent store) prizes in raffles from Hell... Jeez, sometimes I felt bad for having so much fun! I played a show once in my hometown of Bakersfield, California with none other than Kinky Friedman, who will hopefully be the next Gov. of Texas. He nicknamed me "The Karaoke Cowboy", A name that I still hear once in awhile. There was a small college radio hit on "Cali" about a cross dressing truck driver, it was called "The Ballad Of Bill". After a restful and restless period, I went back out on the road with a six string and I've been doing that ever since. Though there are a couple of lost efforts in between, I have a new record with my three piece band, Slim the Drifter Trio! We also have a My-Space site and as far as I know, we'll be able to sell you a record through My-Space by Christmas. The music is purely American. We will upload samples and gimmies A.S.A.P. Look for "The Guilty Ten" by Slim the Drifter Trio. We hope you like it. Keep the faith, Slim

R.I.P

Brews In The Village 2007

Brews In The Village 2007
The annual suds-orama returns!

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia.com Editor

Its 6 o’clock somewhere, so have your liver and beer goggles in check - Brews In The Village is back!

Now in its 14th year, Bakersfield’s most anticipated social fiesta of the year returns once again to awaken the ghosts of the Kern County Museum on Saturday, September 8th, from 6 to 10pm.

“There are more beautiful people in one location than anywhere else in Bakersfield,” said Brews In The Village founder Rick Peace of the annual keg party, which attracts over 4,500 paid attendees, and provides more than enough fun than you can handle. “Be well rested, dress to kill, and don’t have a stolen ticket.”

Stolen ticket, you say? Before we go on, let us explain.

Last month, a few thousand passes to this year’s festival were stolen from a car belonging to a Brews committee member. In order to combat the theft, Brews organizers plan to set up a Bakersfield Police booth by entry gates to take up complaints from patrons who may have purchased a stolen ticket off the street. If that’s you, consider yourself bamboozled, cuz’ you ain’t gettin’ in.

“All tickets officially sold are numbered, so there will be ways to weed the bogus tickets out, plus the old tickets are a completely different color than the newly printed ones we're selling now,” explained Peace.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get back to the topic at hand… BEER!

Originally called Brews On The Roof, because of its location atop the downtown Bank of America parking structure from ‘94 to ‘96, during the Bakersfield DBA’s now defunct Up On The Roof, Down On The Street October festival, Peace and co-founder Ralph Fruguglietti, decided to move it to the warmth of September, and out of downtown to the attractive, wide open space that the Kern County Museum provides.

“It was great when it was downtown and in October, it had its own aura,” said Peace. “You never saw downtown rock the way it did - but it rained on us twice. The museum is an amazing home for Brews, and the weather is always great in September.”

At the first Brews In The Village, only a portion of the museum was used. Now, in order to provide attendees with more of what they came for - food from over 30 popular Bakersfield restaurants, 60+ breweries and over 100 brews, 20+ central coast wines with over 50 wines, 17 local bands, and room for letting your freak flag fly - Peace and crew have created an adult amusement park you have to personally experience to believe.

“What you get is five different stages of simultaneous music with five different themes,” he said. “Once you walk into a new lawn area, you get a brand new feeling and sound.”

Check out the line-up: Fatt Katt & The Von Zippers, Buddy Allen Owens and The Buckaroos, Mento Buru, Thee Majestics, Soulajar, The Beagles, Fat Daddy, Eddie Munoz, and the New Brothers among others, and you have the makings of a very big frat party style fundraiser - all for a worthy cause to support children’s charities.

Oh yes, there is guilt-free party money to be made - and lots of it.

At $55 a ticket, all money raised goes to benefit C.A.R.E. (Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment), a non-profit organization started by Peace and Fruguglietti in ‘99, after the Brews committee parted ways with The American Cancer Society, for whom they raised money for during the festivals early years.

“With the American Cancer Society, I tried to get them to focus on children’s needs,” said Peace. “They said they were, but we didn’t see it happening enough. With the CARE endowment, our money builds and is always available.”

Peace also explained that while other charitable organizations use much of their funds to pay for administrative costs, all of CARE’s money raised is spent on those in need by non-paid volunteers with 60 percent of all money raised going into an Endowment Fund, while the remaining 40 percent is awarded twice a year to local charities that specialize in children’s needs.

“We’d like to inspire others to donate,” he said. “We’re seeing big results with the Brews fundraiser, and all the money is staying in Kern County.”

Some of the charities CARE has benefited include: The Society For Disabled Children’s Camp Blue Jay; CASA of Kern; the Epilepsy Society of Kern County; “Safe Hugs” - child safety seat replacement program; and the Mervyn’s Shopping Spree for underprivileged kids.

With a few weeks left to get your tickets before they sell out, Peace lastly recommends you mark your calendars, get your best party duds dry cleaned, and most importantly - a designated driver ready prior to the festival, since BPD will be out in force, especially as patrons flood into downtown Bakersfield bars afterwards.

“Get your safe ride home ready before you head to the festival - your mom, dad, whoever your can trust, we want people to get home safely.”

Brews In The Village 2007
• Saturday, September 8th
• 6 to 10 p.m.
• Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave.
• Tickets: $55 / 21 and over
• Info: 323-BREW
• www.bakersfieldbrews.com
• Stop by the BAKOTOPIA booth at Brews 2007!

OFFICIAL BREWS AFTERPARTY AT FISHLIPS!
MENTO BURU & DJ MIKEY! CLICK THE PIC BELOW! PLAN YOUR DOWNTOWN RIDE!

CHECK OUT LAST YEAR'S BREWS!!
(CLICK PICTURE BELOW)

Burn The Witch II

Burn The Witch II
Bako's most babe-a-licious art show is back for another scorcha at the Empty Space in October!

(Burnin' babes, from left: Guinevere Park-Hall Dthlefson, Jen Raven, and Kat Brinkley)

By Jen Raven, Bakotopia.com contributor

It doesn’t seem like it’s been a year.

But it has.

It’s been a year now since we four sat around my table together having a drink, playing with the idea of an all-chick art show that would kick some serious ass: Jenn Williams; Nyoka; Amber Saunders; and myself.

We knew what we didn’t want, and we had a notion of what we did. But we had no idea, then, what we were actually about to accomplish together.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 months now, since those six short weeks after we first got the green light. That was all we had, six weeks! But the project was fated to be more amazing than any of us had planned, or even hoped, for.

Eighteen artists. Over 100 works of art. Nearly 200 guests. Thirty-eight sales. That’s what happens when chicks come together with a purpose, baby.

It doesn’t seem like it’s been a year,since Burn the Witch became bigger than all of us.

Another trip around the sun, and now here it is again, September. We’re gearing up for the second incarnation of Burn The Witch in October. This year we’ve got over 30 artists. And, we’re taking it up a notch.

(Nyoka - temptress)

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and once again we chicks are coming together with a purpose. Remember the room of all nudes last year? This year it’s all breasts! We’re on a mission to promote awareness about this very important issue - as well as toss a very awesome party!

It doesn’t feel like it’s been a year … but Burn The Witch II is upon us … so join us on Oct. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Oct. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. or you'll have to wait until next year!

This year’s Burn The Witch will feature performance poetry; live music; awesome food and drinks; amazing artwork; terrific company; and the promotion of a very important cause. Your $5 at the door will benefit The Empty Space Theatre and Gallery, a 100 percent non-profit organization that promotes the Arts in Bakersfield all year long.

The Empty Space is located at 706 Oak Street in Bakersfield - setting theatre free! (661) 327-7529

For Public Notice:
Let it be made Known to the Upright and Law-Abiding Citizens of this Towne that These Most Reprehensible and Fearful Witches will be Burned in the Towne Square on the Thirteenth Day of October, in This the Year of Our Lord, Two-Thousand and Seven, Amen:

Jen Raven, Susan Roussel, Fred, Holly Gomez, Katie Campbell, Nyoka, Alexis Nelson, Amber Saunders, Dawn Fox, Kat Brinkley, Ashley Martinez, Lysa Luna, Ricky Berger, Audrey Polanco, Lisa Small, Kaitlin Hulsy, Anneliese Livesey, Ali Padgett, Audrey Jarvis, Andrea Gonzalez, Cady Queen, Ginn Williams, Julie Jordan-Scott, Theresa Tate, Trish Corrigan, Julia Heatherwick, Helen Acosta, Myryah Zanchi, Christina Martinez, Cheyenne Hernandez, Darla Kendrick, Stephanie Ann Darling, Amber Wilson, and Guinevere Park-Hall Dethlefson.

The Burning will take Place at Three O’Clock of the Evening.

If enough Rope cannot be Procured to Sufficiently Bind These Witches to the Stake, We will have to Toss one Hellacious Party instead.

Pitchforks optional.

LIVE from the 14th annual Festival of Beers!

The Active 20/30 Club of Bakersfield held its annual Festival of Beers at Stramler Park on Saturday, April 29th, 2006!

A warm day filled with music, beer, beer, beer, and more beer was enjoyed by all who attended.

Bakotopia was in the house having fun with attendees!! WOOHOOOO!!

The lovely Bakotopia girls were a hit with the crowd, smiling and posing with fans!

Bakotopia gave away T's, drink koozies, passed out fliers, and laughed until time was up! Just when we were getting "warmed up!"

Adema, Krotch and ZZ Top tribute band, "Fandango" performed in the hot sun to appreciative fans!!

What a way to kick off the HOT, HOT Bakotopia Spring!! Yeah, baby, yeah!!

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE LOTS OF PHOTOS FROM THE FEST!!! WORD!!

ADEMA LIVE AT FESTIVAL OF BEERS HERE!

MORE RANDOM ACTS OF SEVERE PARTYING HERE

BAKOTOPIAN TEKWIZ, GIVES US HIS VIEW HERE

PETA Bikini Soldier Returns To Bako!

Tuesday, June 27th, 2006, 3:30pm.

1400 Union Ave. KFC..

During another scorching day in Bakotopialand, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,) gathered in front of a local KFC restaurant to protest Col. Sander's "evil ways."

Leading the demonstration was PETA Campaign Co-ordinator, Lindsay Rajt. Wearing a yellow two-piece bikini, Rajt was armed with literature and a sign that said "KFC Tortures Chicks."

approaching patrons, Rajt and company calmly explained their cause to Bako's citizens. Fully prepared for the multi-lingual Bako community, Rajt and crew also had literature en Espanol! That's real, yo....

<<<CHECK OUT THE CLASSIC VIDEO!

Four protestors in all braved the heat to get the word out, including Bakersfield resident, Victor Corona, Kelsey Gibb, who came all the way from Idaho, and Londoner Charlie McKenzie, who came equipped with a mini video screen showing PETA infomercials.

I managed to get a copy of the latest PETA DVD with Pamela Anderson on the cover. I doubt I'll be watching it before dinner, but I'm sure I'll give it a watch..

This isn't the first time PETA protests have taken place in Bako. Remember the two lovelies in front of Quizno's on Chester Ave?

(PETA in Bako 4/5/06)
SEE THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE! CLICK ME!

See? I told ya Bakotopia is everywhere!

Check out more pics...

PETA.ORG

NEXT BAKOTOPIA DEADLINE: 11/19 - HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STUFF!

Having trouble reading this e-mail? Click here to read the online version!

HEY EVERYONE!!
A REMINDER ON HOW TO GET YOUR STUFF IN
BAKERSFIELD'S COOLEST SCENE ZINE!
10,000 print readers - 100,000+ monthly webviews can't be wrong!

HERE'S HOW TO BE A BAKONTRIBUTOR..
IT'S EASY! IT'S FREE! IT'S ALL FOR YOU!
1) Get your ideas together: a story, event, photos, band, show, food review - ANYTHING FLOATING AROUND YOUR MIND & COMMUNITY IS COOL!
2) Start writing to your heart's content!
3) 400-500 words will do, but if you're on a roll, keep writing, or if it's short and sweet, go ahead and submit it online or via e-mail!
4) Don't worry about being the best writer out there - we'll help you with editing.
5) Don't forget to include a photo or graphic to accompany your piece. If you don't have one, we'll find one for you!
*Get your stuff in before deadlines so we can make adjustments if necessary!
*EVENTS POSTED ON BAKOTOPIA.COM GET PRIORITY PLACEMENT IN OUR PRINT CALENDAR!
UPCOMING DEADLINES / ISSUE RUN DATES:
11/19------------ISSUE 42(11/27-12/10)
12/3------------ISSUE 43(12/11-12/24)
12/17------------ISSUE 44(12/25-1/7/2009)
12/29------------ISSUE 45(1/8-1/21)
WANNA ADVERTISE WITH BAKO? CALL: 661-716-8640
The web is buzzing with good stories and blogs about everyday life in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas, and readers want you to share!
ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET SOME GOOD LOCAL PROMOTION?
GET INVOLVED! EXPRESS YOURSELF!
Don't be shy! We LOVE hearing your stories!
If you have any ideas or feedback, or need some help with story development, give me a shout anytime!

Email: Matt@bakotopia.com
Peaccccccce...

Bakersfield Celebrates Halloween Pt. 2 of 4

BAKERSFIELD GETS IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT
WITH

PART 2 OF 4!

Friday, October 26th, 2007

Tekwiz returns for another mission to infiltrate another pre-Halloween bash!

-The HowCool.Com Halloween Party at Amestoy's!
-PLUS!
-The Syndicate Lounge & Riley's Tavern have their own Halloween and Pre-Halloween bashes!

Did he make it through in one piece? See for yourself!

**LOTS OF PHOTOS TO LOAD, PLEASE BE PATIENT!

CHECK OUT PART 3!
MORE DOWNTOWN PRE-HALLOWEEN MADNESS!
(CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW!)

STAY TUNED FOR PART 4 OF BAKOTOPIA'S HALLOWEEN PICTURE EXTRAVGANZA 2007!
HALLOWEEN AT THE NILE AND BEYOND!
THE REAL BAKERSFIELD...LIVE & UNCENSORED!

LIVE at 2006 Bakersfield Thunder Run - Part 1

The 2nd annual Bakersfield Thunder Run roared into town during Father's Day weekend, June 16th - 18th, 2006!

Custom bike designers and the fans that love them set-up camp and partied for three days, while bikini clad contestants shook their "assets," and bands broiled in the heat.

What a hot day it was! Man.....

Me and my buddy Rey headed over to the KC Fairgrounds about 4pm on Saturday, ready to dive into the world of custom bikes.

I mentioned in a previous post that I don't know much about the world of Harley's, choppers and Easy Rider Magazine, but was willing to broaden my horizons and see what all the rage was about.

I'll tell you one thing, these guys and gals are serious about their cycles. Looking at all the cool designs and care they put into them was pretty amazing.

I never knew Bakersfield had so many custom bike shops in town! Trying to keep up with all the names had my wheels spinning in the heat.

Bands were split up on three separate stages, with all the tops acts performing on the Budweiser Pavilion mainstage.

Punkabilly creep all-star band Charley Horse, ripped up the Bud stage to a small, but appreciative audience, sizzling in direct sunlight....ugh.

Charley Horse's shirtless lead singer, Sean "Zezo" Wheeler (of the band, Throw Rag,) sang like a mad Jerry Lee Lewis, while lead guitarist Chopper Franklin (The Cramps,) shredded the punk licks across the fretboard.

Bassist Corey Parks (also a member of Nashville P***y, and The Hunns,) shook her sweaty locks as she tore away at her bass strings. At one point, while I was taking her picture, I managed to be in the line of fire of big spit shower. Was it a punk rock moment, or a media shun? Who cares...Any woman of that height and talent can pretty much do whatever she wants....Serious YIKES for Corey Parks. Badassssss!!!

Check out Charley Horse HERE!

After Charley Horse left the stage, I looked around to see where the crowds were headed.....

CLICK ME FOR MORE PHOTOS AND BAKO SHENANIGANS!

HEAR THE MADNESS!!!
Episode 27 LIVE from the Thunder Run!
Click Below!

CONTEST IS OVER! WIN TICKETS TO SEE RBD LIVE! 7/28/06!!!

CONTEST IS OVER!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE CONTESTS ON THE WAY!
CHECK YOUR E-MAIL TO SEE IF YOU WON!

LAST MINUTE CONTEST ALERT!!!!
BAKOTOPIA IS GIVING AWAY TWO PAIRS (2) OF TICKETS TO SEE LATIN-POP SUPERGROUP...RBD!!!

FRIDAY, JULY 28TH, 2006
8PM
RABOBANK ARENA
IN BAKERSFIELD!!

-You must have a Bakotopia profile to enter. If you haven't got one, sign-up! It's EASY!
-Sign In to Bakotopia with your username. Don't forget to fill-in your profile!
-Post a public comment below to this post about why YOU should go to the RBD concert!!
-Your entry will be posted on Bakotopia.
-Make sure your username is public, so we know who you are.

**2 Winners will be drawn at random and contacted via e-mail by 12:00pm on FRIDAY, JULY 28th.

ENTER NOW!!!

**Must be 18 or older to enter & win. Kern County Residents Only! No employees or family of The Bakersfield Californian and it's affililiates may participate.

WIN FREE TICKETS to see Kottonmouth Kings in Bakersfield!

CONTEST IS OVER!
THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE CONTESTS HER EON BAKOTOPIA!
WIN FREE TICKETS
WITH

TO SEE

KOTTONMOUTH KINGS!

LIVE IN BAKERSFIELD!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7PM

at THE DOME

2201 V st.

FOUR PAIRS OF TIX UP FOR GRABS
(8 TICKETS, YO!)

HERE'S HOW TO WIN!

-You must have a Bakotopia profile to enter. If you haven't got one, sign-up! It's EASY!

-Sign In to Bakotopia with your username. Don't forget to fill-in your profile!

-Post a public comment below to this post about why you think marijuana SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be legalized? Your entry will be posted on Bakotopia. Don't be a wuss! Share your views!!

-Make sure your username is public, so we know who you are.

**4 Winners will be drawn at random and contacted via e-mail by 12:00pm on Wednesday, Oct.25th.

**Must be 18 or older to enter & win. Bakersfield & Kern County Residents Only! No employees or family of The Bakersfield Californian and it's affililiates may participate.

**To purchase tickets ($20,) please visit: Bakersfield Wireless in East Hills Mall, Wavelengths Surf Shop, World Records, Mainland, Outer Limits, Street Clothes, and Going Underground, or to purchase online, visit www.timgardeapresents

Don't forget to listen to BAKOTUNES Podcast:

The best contests in Bako happen on BAKOTOPIA.COM!

TIMGARDEAPRESENTS

KOTTONMOUTHKINGS.COM

LIVE PIX! Bakersfield Tattoo Expo 2007!

-Saturday - 10/6/07, Bakersfield Tattoo Expo, Rabobank Convention Center

**Special Thanks to the Chris from Pain is Beauty, and all the organizers of the expo for all of their hospitality. The expo rocked again!!!

<<<CHECK OUT ALL THE PICTURES LIVE FROM DAY ONE OF THE EXPO!

LIVE FROM THE
2007

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL
TATTOO SHOPS!

COVER STORY: How Cool's Groovy Guru

How Cool’s Groovy Guru
Dropping out to create a net empire, Bakersfield’s Jim Stidham focused on the unconventional for success

(HowCool Owner - Jim Stidham)

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor

Bakersfield's Jim Stidham knew he was gambling with his future when he dropped out of college.

As the owner of Bakersfield’s HowCool.com and storefront that bears the same name, the mild-mannered founder of the hugely successful local independent business was a senior at CSUB when he decided to put the books away and seek his fortune online in ’97.

“The original Web site started as a senior project,” said Stidham, 44, sitting at a conference room table inside HowCool.com - The Web Complex, located near Lake Ming in Bakersfield. “I never graduated from college. Once I got involved with the project, I left.”

“The project” was a small online boutique named www.jeannienitro.com, an early version of the punk/goth/alternative clothing and shoe cyberstore, now familiar to Web shoppers worldwide.

(HowCool Owner - Jim Stidham)

Stidham was friends with clothing designer Jeannie Nitro and offered to help run the site, making commission off sales and learning the ways of Internet commerce - still in its infancy and open to free-thinking ideas.

“I started out selling women’s goth-style shoes,” explained Stidham. “I used to head down to the Garment District in Los Angeles, and buy some of the popular shoes - then we'd turn around and sell them online. After awhile, I decided to start my own site based on Jeannie Nitro.”

After leaving Nitro to venture out on his own, Stidham took what he learned and expanded on the original Nitro business model - trendy clothes for the young, hip crowds flocking to computers.

(Owner Jim Stidham, front, and the staff at HowCool.com - The Web Complex.)

“I started out as a footwear company,” he said. “I needed a name and Web address. Since there wasn't much online, there were also a lot of domain names available.”
The dot com boom was in full swing back in ’98, so Stidham put his plan in motion, but needed a name catchy enough to attract Web surfers. Caught up in the moment, he put together a list of possible names - all with word “cool” in the mix for easy search.

“Cool.com was taken, and TooCool.com, SoCool.com, but HowCool.com was available, so I took it right away,” he said.

Live and ready for business, the original HowCool.com Web site launched in July of ’98 without any local fanfare or eye-catching graphics. Afterall, this was the ’90s, and computer geeks everywhere were just beginning to be churned out of college.

“There was only HTML at the time,” explained Stidham of the available graphic code and process being used at the time.

The term “HTML” stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and is one of the standard codes still used today.

“There were no Web design courses at the time,” he said on being self-taught. “I just learned on my own and read some books that were available.”

Using his Bakersfield home as an office, Stidham started as a one-man operation, handling all duties.

“Originally, I did everything myself - ordering, purchasing, postage, all of it..,” he said.
In 1999, and with a small return on his investment coming in, Stidham had the idea of bringing HowCool into the community - still operating online, but expanding as a storefront.

Hiring his first employee, he opened his first HowCool.com - The Shoppe on Eye St. in downtown Bakersfield. The venture was shortlived, business went back to the net, and to his home after the store’s doors closed a year later.

The experience didn't deter Stidham from continuing and setting his sites on a bigger future, but the pressure of small business did have its moments - including bankruptcy.

“I try to keep my long-term goals going,” he said. “We would do what we could with our limited resources. There was a time I really wanted to walk away and quit, but I just couldn't.”

Maxing out credit cards to pay the bills like so many other young enterprisers, Stidham was determined to keep HowCool afloat. With a house full of merchandise, and sales streaming in by the hour, his staff grew to eight.

(Jesus Tape: Rebekka Haas of HowCool.com)

This posed a problem for Stidham, as it was impossible to separate work from home life.

“I hired friends of friends, because it was weird to ask strangers who applied for the job to come to your house,” he laughed.

The solution? Move HowCool headquarters to a small shopping center on the corner of River Boulevard and Panorama Drive to get his privacy back in 2004.

With more brisk receipts, another phase of growth was on the horizon, and it was time for Stidham and crew to move to 6200 Lake Ming Road, site of the current Web complex, in 2005.

“We originally had one building here with a limited number of rooms for storage,” he said. “But we grew and grew, and grew again.”

Taking over a majority of the multi-suite building, the HowCool Web Complex at Lake Ming is a series of rooms - each serving its own purpose: shipping/ receiving, inventory, Web population, Web and graphic design, programming, customer service, order processing, and marketing.

The number of employees soon grew to 35.

“The Wweb is growing so fast, but our business is just great,” he said in a noticeably more upbeat tone. “And our international sales have been awesome.”

With the value of the U.S. dollar wavering constantly, international shoppers have found a new home at HowCool.com.

“For European communities like France, Germany, and the UK - we're a bargain,” said Stidham.

Sharing some high profit numbers, Stidham chose not to publicly give too much information on just how well the business is doing.

But judging by the packed complex - with rooms lined with everything from rock T-shirts, novelty items, sexy lingerie, men’s and women’s clothes and shoes heading in and out to customers, there’s no doubt things are much “cooler” than they were in ’98.

Making another go round at the storefront idea, HowCool.com - The Shoppe re-opened its doors, twice, on Eye Street once again - then to their current location at 1912 Chester Ave.

(HowCool.com - The Shoppe, 1912 Chester Ave.)

Unlike the previous two attempts, the current location has been showing signs of profit, even after Halloween - the company’s biggest time of the year.

“The store is not as profitable as online,” explained Stidham. “But it’s a way to learn, as we use it as a model for growth.”

(Inside HowCool.com - The Shoppe, 1912 Chester Ave.)

Yes, Stidham remains intent on spreading the HowCool name to another market - the mall and possibly even a chain of stores.

“I wanna get a really good feel before I go to a mall,” he said. “I've borrowed a little bit from Hot Topic on how to keep the business going.”

(Inside HowCool.com - The Shoppe, 1912 Chester Ave.)

An important facet to the success of HowCool is in the area of health and employee satisfaction. Not only does the company pay 90 percent of health insurance costs, but offers a wellness program that includes yoga, weight training, Tae Kwon Do - even sports like volleyball, kickball, and bike riding.

(Chuck who? - Jonah of HowCool.com)

“I took a class at CSUB called “Economics of the Pacific Rim,” said Stidham. “I was interested in how Japan and Korean businesses focused on the employee/employer relationship. It’s more group oriented than just being an individual.”

Group fitness sessions are offered daily, but not required by Stidham.

“I encourage it, but upon approval I pretty much allow anything that will serve the best interests of my employees,” he said. “If business is doing well, we should share that around the company.”

And don’t forget the pampered company pets - Bettie and Aiko, often seen wandering the halls in search of doggie treats.

Cavin Lyons, 30, a six-year employee at How Cool, has experienced first hand the ups and downs of running a fiercely independent business from the ground up, and is content exactly where he sits.

So what keeps him clocking in?

“It’s been kind of scary,” said Lyons of the perils of keeping a small business afloat. “But lately it’s been great to see how the company’s grown. It beats any other job I’ve had. People who’ve left always end up coming back.”

With more unconventional ideas for success up his sleeve in the future, Stidham often thinks about what other business people may think of him - taking it all in stride.

“People think I'm crazy,” laughed Stidham. “A lot of people thought Bill Gates was, too.”

1912 Chester Avenue. - downtown Bakersfield
661-322-3444

On the web: www.howcool.com

Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 16, 11 - 28 - 07

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