BAKOTOPIA MAG wants your Thanksgiving shout-outs!

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Thanksgiving Shout-Outs?!?!
Bakotopia magazine wants to share some good vibes for the holidays!

Now that the holiday season is about to hit us at full throttle, Bakotopia wants to know what you're thankful for this year.

Is it your friends? Family? Job? Our new president? WHAT? YOU TELL US!

We're also interested in funny holiday stories from the past, so don't be shy....speak up!

We'll be taking your shout-outs, stories, and dedications and printing them in the Nov. 27 issue of BAKOTOPIA! Deadline: 11/19.

(CLICK ON THE PICS BELOW AND TELL US WHAT YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR!)

The Iron Outlaws wanna Thank Ye!

We'd like to thank every person that came to our cd release at Fishlips last night as well as Fishlips itself. Shawna, Andrew and Sean: you guys seriously kick ass.

To every person that bought a CD or merch: THANK YOU ! We appreciate the support and plan to have more items soon.

To Karling Abbeygate, we love you. Thank you for braving the fires to make the trek to our town. We hope we treated you well and hope to share the stage with you again soon. To Fattkatt: thank you for closing out the night with true style.

Once again: THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US. we hope to see you on December 13th at Sandrini's. Rock on.

The Iron Outlaws

Talkin' Major Turkey: Bakotopia Newsletter 11-13-08

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Change Is A Comin'!

It's the

Newsletter - Post Election Chill-Out Edition

My fellow Americans - it’s finally over!

What an ending to an election that brought even the most hardened non-political folk off the armchair and into the voting booth.

The nation as well as Kern County had its largest voter turnout in years, and we’re all better Americans for it.

So, let’s all exhale and get back to Bako business, shall we?

In this issue, we feature one thing most can agree on - video games, and some local devotees who allowed us to peak into their realm of mystery.

As you may have noticed, the Bakotopia mag tends to shrink at times. Like many local businesses, the economy has put everyone in a spin, but we’ll always do our best to keep giving you the cool local stories you look forward to. Stories like The Iron Outlaws and their new CD dropping on Nov. 15. It’s on my iTunes and I’ve listened to it tons of times already.

You’ll also read about our local Bakersfield Rollergirls and their fundraising event happening on Nov. 22 to help fellow Fresno rollergirl, Marisol Nuñez. What a remarkable and beautiful woman. Her strength in the face of illness is truly inspiring.

Read on peeps, we’ll see you at the annual Bakotopia “Night B4 Thanksgiving Jam” at Fishlips with Mento Buru and Thee Majestics, on Nov. 26!

Thanks to all of our advertisers who help keep us free for you and yours. Give ‘em some love back and let’s get our economy back on track.

Congrats to our new President - Barack Obama!

(CLICK ON ANY PIC BELOW TO BE RE-DIRECTED AND READ NOW!)

NEW BAKOTOPIA MAGAZINE ISSUE 41 IS HERE!
FULL TILT - LOCAL GAMERS GO AGGRO!
(CLICK ON COVER AND FIND A RACK WITH OUR COOL MAP!)

COVER STORY: "MEET THE GAMERS"
MEET THREE LOCAL HARDCORE GAMING HOMIES & GAMESTOR GARRETT!
COVER AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY CARLYLE!

DERBY GIRLS UNITE TO HELP A SISTER IN NEED ON 11/22!

THE IRON OUTLAWS ARE HAVING A CD RELEASE PARTY AT FISHLIPS!

GAMIN' WITH GIL & GARRETT - HOW TO AVOID THE GAMING BLUES!

LOCAL REACTION TO THE 2008 ELECTION!

CATCHING UP WITH 'HEROES' VILLAINS - SEASON 3!

BAKOTOPIA'S NIGHT B4 THANKSGIVING JAM ON 11/26!

THE HIPPEST AND BEST EVENTS IN BAKERSFIELD!! GET YOURS LISTED FREE!

CHECK OUT OR ONLINE GALLERIES! ADD YOURS TODAY! IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! WE LOVE YOU ALL!
WANNA SEE YOURSELF IN OUR DELIGHTFUL, DELICIOUS MAG?
NEXT DEADLINE FOR ALL STORIES, EVENTS AND PICS: 11/19/08!

GET INVOLVED! POST STORIES! SEND US THE COOL STUFF!

Peace,

Matt Munoz
Editor

Villainous ‘Heroes’ Volume 3

Villainous ‘Heroes’ Volume 3
As darkness rises, questions race through the minds of fans

By Gabriel Ramirez, Bakotopia.com contributor

“Dark forces are gathering,” was uttered by precog Usutu to Hiro as a warning of the approaching global apocalypse in Volume 3 of “Heroes” titled “Villains.”

While the new catastrophe threatens to wipe out all life on Earth it seems like the season two heroes were first in line. But before we touch on the disappearance of a few of my favorite characters, lets talk updates.

We are halfway through “Villains” and things are looking promising. The introduction of ultimate villain, Arthur Petrelli, who possess the power to apparently take away anyone’s ability and make them his own, and the mercurial direction of the show, have turned Volume 3 of Heroes into a suspenseful season.

We pick up where Volume 2 left off - with the shooting of Nathan. In brief, we began with Nathan’s resurrection and him seeing the deceased Linderman, who was really a mental projection induced by villain Maury - who also projected the same vision into speedster Daphne as a way to get her to steal a formula that can give anyone abilities and recruit an army of villains. Most of these villains are escapees from the infamous Level 5, and in an attempt to capture them H.R.G., Claire, and even Sylar have “gone native.”

Oh, I forgot to mention that Sylar finally got what he wanted in Volume 1 - to take a look at Claire’s brain and gain the power to regenerate.

We also were taken into the future where Claire had become a villain, Sylar a hero and father, and while we are not sure what Mohinder has become, we know that it resembles the creature Dr. Smith turned into in “Lost in Space.” This not-so-utopic future is destroyed in one of Hiro’s time traveling trips and, according to rugged and rustic future Peter, the creation of a formula to give anyone abilities is to blame.

We return to the present to find that both Mohinder and Arthur are working on such a formula. While Mohinder's first sample of the formula proved to have unexpected results, Arthur hopes that together they can perfect it. But before he can do that he removed a few people out of this way. He managed to place Angela Petrelli in a comatose state, take away powers from both Adam Monroe and Maya, kill his ally Maury Parkman, and in “Dying of the Light” removed all of Peter’s powers.
Now we are left waiting to see what a dwindling group of heroes can hope to accomplish against an almost god-like villain.

Although we can’t be too certain where this volume of “Heroes” will take us or how it will connect to Volume 4, “Fugitives,” we also cannot be blind to the removal of all but one of the heroes that were introduced in Volume 2. Were the writers trying to undo Volume 2? OK, I admit - I might be a little disappointed!

We have lost all but Elle from Volume 2. We began with the death of Alejandro at the hands of Sylar and Peter leaving Caitlin trapped in a now alternate future. Now in Volume 3 we have the decapitation of alchemist Bob Bishop, the death of Adam Monroe after his abilities were taken away, the departure of my favorite super powered Latina, Maya, after the removal of her abilities. Let’s not forget that Monica Dawson is MIA and, according to sources, will be absent from “Heroes” until further notice.

While Volume 3 has me wanting every day to be Monday. I still don’t lose hope that Maya will regain her dark ability to kill anyone near her and return to the show. Hey, who knows, maybe we might even have a flashback episode with fan-adored Charlie Andrews making a cameo. Not likely!

Watch “Heroes” Mondays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

www.nbc.com/Heroes/

Gaming with Gil - Ep. 12

Gaming with Gil - Ep. 12
Video gaming news from Bakotopialand's resident expert!

By Gamestor Garrett & Gil, Bakotopia.com contributors

“Come and eat! I told you 10 minutes ago to come and eat, what’s wrong with you?!”

Does this quote sound familiar?

Hi, this is Garrett from the Gamestor in the East Hills Mall. I think this is common dialogue in most gamers’ homes.

You see, I was stuck “snipering” my opponents in the final minutes of a Call of Duty 4 match.

My mom is constantly yelling at my brother and me because she doesn’t understand we can’t just quit a match in progress. Good thing my dad is Gamestor Gil - he has a better understanding of us not being able to just come and eat. When she calls us for dinner, he says, “Ok boys last round then come and eat!”

I have to admit, my mom is starting to understand.

This week I have played over 20 hours of Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero: World Tour (Drums), Gears of War 2, and Resistance 2. Crazy! How do I do it? I get paid to play games for my dad. I have to test all new games to get a good perspective on gameplay. I had to buy a Hi-def TV (better for my eyes), and a comfortable leather chair with a high back support (my dad calls me “Mr. Trump” when he walks by room and sees me playing a game). I would say, these two things keep me going for hours.

Now it’s my turn, Gamestor Gil, to add my “two cents.” I personally believe that what keeps most gamers gaming for hours are two things: 1) competition, 2) communication. With Xbox Live and Sony’s PSN, and the Internet (for you PC gamers) gamers all over the world can come together for hours of competition and communication with friends.

Heck, I bet over half of you gamers out there have never met physically. Some buddies you talk to over the Internet, and now they are one of your best friends. Some, unfortunately, have lost loved ones - wives and girlfriends - because they play too many hours of video games.

The phenomenon behind the successful World of Warcraft (WOW), has also contributed to this down fall. According to Blizzard Entertainment (Oct. 28, 2008) said they have over 11 million subscribers. This is equal to the entire state of Ohio, according to 2007 census estimates. Just wait until Nov. 13 when the next expansion called “Wrath of the Lich King” comes out.

WOW has also come under criticism due to concerns about video game addiction. In June 2005, it was reported that a four-month-old South Korean child suffocated due to neglect while her World of Warcraft-addicted parents were reportedly at a nearby café playing WOW (www.eurogamer.net). A wife who divorced her husband because of his addiction said, “He would get home from work at 6 p.m., start playing at 6:30, and he’d play until 3 a.m. Weekends were worse - it was from morning straight through until the middle of the night. It took away all of our time we spent together. I ceased to exist in his life” (videogames.yahoo.com).

Some of us still have to learn to say “when.” So when people call on you to come - save your game or tell your buddies, “Hey, I gotta go.” Trust me, they’ll understand.

What’s coming up:

Week of November 16: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (PS3, X360); Shaun White Snow Boarding( most formats); Left for Dead ( X360, PC); NCAA Basketball ’09; Skate It (Wii, DS); Need for Speed: Under Cover; NPPL Championship Paintball ’09; Disney’s Bolt; Tomb Raider Underworld; Naruto: The Broken Bond; and Xbox360’s “You are in the Movies”

Week Of November 23: Sonic Unleashed (X360); and The King Of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga (Wii)

• Gamestor Gil can also be heard live Tuesday mornings on KRAB 106.1 FM at 9 a.m.

E-mail feedback, questions and comments to: gil@gamestor.com with“Bakotopia” in the subject line.

Gamestor (East Hills Mall) - 661-871-7900

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue, 41, 11-13-08

The Iron Outlaws: Loaded

The Iron Outlaws: Loaded
Local band prepares to release long-awaited debut with a bang at Fishlips, Nov. 15.

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor

The Iron Outlaws country ruckus could easily be labeled “Bakersfield Sound” - but let’s refrain from name-calling for now.

Instead of dropping them into another Americana pigeon hole, take a closer look and listen to what this real rockin’ roots band has to offer.

Preparing for a rowdy night of gun blazin’, punk rockin’ mountain music at 9 p.m. on Nov.15 at Fishlips, 1517 18th St. - these local bandits want to smuggle out their debut CD, “Take It or Leave It.”

“The name of the CD has a double meaning,” said lead vocalist and guitarist, Danny Garone. “Either you like it, or you don’t, but for the fans - we want you to take it,” he laughed.

<CHECK OUT DOCUMENTARY - "THE LAST BAND"!

Forming out of the ashes of Garone’s former band, Moonshine Deathbed, that also featured drummer Cesareo Garasa, Garone knows the difficulties that come with trying to form a band in Bakersfield where the average lifespan is often two gigs.

“Moonshine Deathbed broke up in November of ’06, and I got a call from a friend who needed a band to open up for Bob Wayne & The Outlaw Carnies at Fishlips that following January,” he remembered. “I called Cesareo and ‘AJ’ (Alex Lopez, bassist), who just got a stand-up bass. We learned a few songs so we could do the gig.”

Danny Garone

Local musician Steve Nuckles was a member of the original Outlaws line-up, but subsequently moved on from the band to pursue other musical projects.

As the January show neared, Garone and mates would run into multi-instrumentalist, Geoffrey Dyer, who also happened to play “lap-steel” - a common sight with country bands but rare among the hybrid groups that line country sub-genres. The band and Dyer soon clicked, but that wasn’t the “end o’ the line-up.” Enter violinist Paul Cartwright and banjo player, Peter Shubert - the final missing links. Both musicians subsequently became permanent members of the band, completing Garone’s vision.

After numerous local opening slots and headlining shows of their own throughout the following year and a half - it was time for the studio.

“The more we played, it just all came together,” said Garone of the long jam sessions that would eventually shoot forth the songs that would make the CD’s 11-track listing.”

Directing the conversation back to the title track, Garone went on to explain his personal commitment to the music, and like a true artist - the sacrifices and decisions he’s had to make in the process.

“I wrote that song to the band,” he said. “Do you want to punch a time-clock or leave with the band and go all the way?”

Above: The Iron Outlaws - l to r: Peter Shubert, Geoffrey Dyer, Danny Garone, Cesareo Garasa, Alex 'AJ Lopez', Paul Cartwright. Photo by Julie Marie Cartwright

Fans of Flogging Molly and classic Cash, will find themselves right at home with The Iron Outlaws’ new CD. Tales of rainy days and long highways, songs like “The Weather” and “Die For Love,” follow in the tradition of the masters like David Allen Coe.

Above: Banjo player - Peter Shubert records inside the legendary Buck Owens studio in Oildale, Ca.

But it’s not all tears and beers, the disc is a barnburner. Check out “Left For Dead” with thumping-bass and lead vocals by bassist Lopez. Drummer Garasa provides a solid beat throughout, while Cartwright Shubert, and Dyer add the hillbilly creep, much to the delight of their local fanbase - a mix of tattooed “Betties,” gearheads and Latinobillys.

“We’re kind of a weird band,” smiled Garone.

Recorded during the last days of the legendary Buck Owens Studios in Oildale, under the direction of local sound-dog Nick Forcillo, Buck’s spirit seems to have blessed their efforts. Before the studio closed in April earlier this year, the Outlaws were embroiled in a controversy over “who was the last band” to record in the house that Buck - and KORN (if you wanna get technical) - built.

“We were the last band, but it’s not that big of a deal,” said Garone of the experience, which was also part of a video documentary titled “The Last Band” by NL Belardes and was featured on YouTube and at Bakotopia.com. “It was cool recording in there.”

After their CD release party on Nov. 15, Garone plans on playing as much as possible - especially away from the coziness of Bakersfield, to build their name on both the alt-country and punk circuits.

“We’ve done pretty good around here,” he said. “But it’s time to travel.”
“Take It Or Leave It” can be purchased at all Iron Outlaws shows, and will soon be available in local stores.

On the web: www.bakotopia.com/users/garone

The Iron Outlaws CD Release Party
-w/ guests: Fatt Katt & The Von Zippers and Karling Abbeygate
- Saturday, Nov. 15
- Fishlips, 1517 18th St.
- $5 /9 p.m. / 324-2557

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 41, 11-13-08

Roller Derby Battles Cancer!

Roller Derby Battles Cancer!
Frenemies of the rink unite to help a sister in need on Nov. 22

By Denice Penilla aka Bella Byrd No. 54, Bakotopia.com contributor

Roller derby represents various things to different people.

Roller derby is more than bruising blocks, or fast jammers - it’s about skating with friends. Friends who are as close, if not closer, than sisters. It is for this bond of friendship and unity within the sport that makes the upcoming “Derby Girls Unite” bout on Nov. 22 - featuring the Bakersfield Roller Girls (BRG) and Fresno’s Smog City Roller Grrls (SCRG) - so special.

This “battle for Bakersfield” will be not for bragging rights or glory, but a loving dedication to retired Fresno roller girl Marisol Nuñez aka Sassy Scissor Wings NO. 56. Growing up, Mari skated with a dream that she would one day be a roller girl herself. She an amazing skater and a compassionate friend to many.

Above: Marisol Nunez

Mari now has a rare uterine cancer called Mullerian adenosarcoma. As I write this, she is in recovery from a full hysterectomy. The Nov. 22 bout is to rally round Mari financially and emotionally. Mari’s response to the show has been “amazing and overwhelming.”

I’ve heard people recall childhood memories of watching roller derby bouts, glittered with fights, alongside their grandparents in the 1960s.

The Los Angeles Thunderbirds and The San Francisco Bay City Bombers have been harshly compared to the theatrical antics of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and other such entertainment-based events.

But to a large growing community of contemporary roller derby girls worldwide, it’s more than entertainment - it’s a way of life. The hits are real, the blood is real, the teams are real, and the commitment is real.

Some join the team to prove to themselves that they have what it takes to be a strong roller girl, while others have dreamed they would have the chance to skate and win like the legendary Ann Calvello, crowned “Roller Derby Queen” from the ’40s on.

No matter what position one plays in a roller derby jam, you are part of the game. You are making history with every block, with every hit, with every point!

Through roller derby something greater has come from the game: unity. Jammers, blockers, and pivots alike from many various teams have formed friendships through roller derby. Roller derby has become. dare I say, the new women’s movement, which encourages the unity of women, from every profession, ethnicity, and walk of life.

Dedicated to our girl Mari, Fresno’s “Lola La Chola” said it best about Derby Girls Unite, “From us, to you, with love.”

Derby Girls Unite
- Bakersfield Rollergirls vs. Fresno’s Smog City Roller Grrls
- Saturday, Nov. 22
- Rollerama, 1004 34th St.
- Doors 6 p.m. / bout 7p.m.
- $10 / $5 kids under 12
- www.bakersfieldrollergirls.com

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 41, 11-13-08

COVER STORY: Meet The Gamers!

Meet The Gamers

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor
Photos by Holly Carlyle

Videogames have come a long way since PONG, and the blockhead figures of Intellivision.

Speaking of blockheads, remember the the ET Atari 2600 videogame that almost destroyed the gaming industry, or the even worse Texas Chainsaw Massacre game of ’83? What were they thinking? Thankfully, those days are gone.

With the introduction of the first NES (Nintendo) gaming system, then the SEGA Genesis during the ’80s, things began looking brighter and new avenues for electronic mind stimulation were born for millions of kids and adults all around the world.

I can admit my own videogame addictions - Legend of Zelda and Mike Tyson’s Punchout for Nintendo. Playing for hours and hours, before school and after, with Public Enemy blasting from my stereo. When Sony introduced the PlayStation 1 in ’94, I had already dropped out of the videogame scene, but there were scores of youngsters who didn’t.

You’re about to meet three local diehards - Joe “Wizard” Ferrari; Brandon Welch; and Fernando Salinas - who, like myself, started with Atari as boys, but have since graduated to online gaming as men with net connections that allow for live, single and multiplayer competition. Games like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty are the games du jour, but for sports fans there’s the almighty Madden football series, and of course, Rock Band & Guitar Hero.

Hanging out with the trio inside Gamestor located at East Hills Mall one afternoon, these guys provided me a brief glimpse into the life of a “gamer.”

My, how times have changed …

Joe “Wizard” Ferrari: 26, class A truck driver
Game of choice: World of Warcraft
Main WOW character name: Darkanthias
Energy sources: Mountain Dew & Wheat Thins

Behind his calm demeanor, Joe admits to a life of partial online gaming addiction.

“I started with Double Dragon for NES when I was 5,” said Ferrari. “I’ve owned every gaming system since then.”

Fast forward to adulthood and thousands of games later, Ferrari got hooked on Massive Multi-Player Online (MMO) three years ago with World of Warcraft, a fantasy-themed game with monsters, dungeons, and terminology too difficult to explain.

“A friend of mine had the game, and I played it for the first time in November of ’04,” he said, thinking about the huge chunks of life he’s devoted to the game.

While expressing a deep knowledge of the game itself - describing the “raids” that kick off each game and “bio-breaks,” or restroom visits - Ferrari goes into detail about the camaraderie that develops among players, many of whom are known only by their screename.

At his deepest, Ferrari estimates he would spend five to eight hours a night playing. There are gross, wives’ tales about gaming addicts relieving themselves in empty soda bottles so they don’t have to leave the game, but Ferrari shakes them off.

“It’s really hard to pinpoint what it is,” he said. “But I don’t feel addicted, I can get up and walk away when I want, no big deal.”

And “walk away” is exactly what Ferrari’s fiancee, Julie would like, too.
“She hates it, and my friend’s wife is absolutely disgusted by it,” he said, while shaking chip crumbs from out of his wireless keyboard.

Brandon Welch: 26, personal trainer
Games of choice: Call of Duty, Madden, FIFA, Rock Band
Gamer tag: Watsupfoos
Energy sources: Captain & Coke and protein bars

Sport-fitness buff Brandon Welch is known as a “casual gamer” among his friends and the serious gamer set.

“I might put in about eight hours a week after work,” he said of his own gameplay. “But I have pulled some all-nighters with friends.”

The tallest of the three, Welch looks like the sporting type, and his game preference reflects that as well.

“When I’m with a group of people, I play Madden (football) and Rock Band, but when I’m alone I usually play Call of Duty.”

Like Ferrari, Welch’s online time can get lengthy, especially with 16-person Halo tournaments - where groups of friends are set up in different rooms located in a chosen friend’s home. Not shy about his Madden ’04 high-score, Welch goes into detail about his most painful gaming moment.

“My friend’s sister was really mad one day and she unplugged the system so I couldn’t save my Madden high-score,” he remembered, shaking his head, still in disbelief. “I had a 109-yard kick-off return - that’s hard to do.”

Welch also boasts his share of fiancee woes when it comes to gaming.
“We bicker a little bit about it,” he smiled. “But she likes playing Mario Kart for Nintendo GameCube, but I don’t go easy on her - I like to compete.”

Fernando Salinas: 26, self-employed
Game of choice: Call of Duty 4
Gamer tag: PeePeeDanse
Energy sources: Monster Energy, PBR & pizza

With fingers safely wrapped to prevent blistering, Fernando Salinas is without a doubt, hardcore through and through.

Along with his trusty sidekick puppy “Stitch” by his side, Salinas is only in it to win it online, sleep or no sleep.

“My longest non-stop playing is 11 hours,” he said. “To prepare, I always make sure I’ve eaten, I have my energy drinks, nothing else scheduled, surround sound at full volume, and lights out.”

Known for “number of kills” (116,000) on Call of Duty 4, Salinas tries his best to avoid the pitfalls of gameplay interference by completely dedicating himself to perfecting his skills. On more than one occasion, he tells of threats and hate mail by other online gamers, some from as far away as the U.K. and Australia.

“They usually accuse me of cheating, but instead of giving it back, I’ll send them an e-mail offering tricks and tips,” he said. “I’ve had a few end up as friends. You really just have to practice and put in the hours. If you're a casual gamer, prepare to get beaten.”

Preferring the “first person shooter” games, like COD and the Gears of War series, Salinas will accept any challenge. Starting with an Atari 2600 and Pong at age of “I can’t remember,” he makes no bones about his own personal videogame mastery - and that he usually puts up better numbers after dropping back a few cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon before a game.

“I’ve always been good at videogames,” he smiled.

Parting words from local gaming authority - Gamestor Garrett of Gamestor, East Hills Mall:

Above: Gamestor Garrett Garcia

“The coolest thing about online gaming is the friendships you make, and the teamwork involved. The only problem is that your system might make the room too hot if it’s on all day, but it’s great for the winter.”

*Gamestor Garrett will answer your videogame questions on the KRAB morning show, 106.1 FM every Tuesday at 9am. Call in with your questions!

We hope to include more local gamers in future issues of Bakotopia magazine, so if you’ve got the skills, give us a shout and tell us why YOU should be featured!

Got skills?
Sign-up for the big Super Smash Bros Nintendo Wii tournament at Gamestor!
- Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
- Gamestor, East Hills Mall
- 11 a.m. start time
- $10 per person, no age limit
- All participants may register at Gamestor until
10:30 a.m., the day of the tournament
- Details, call 871-9700

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 41, 11-13-08

Win a Free Christmas Wedding from The Kern County Bridal Association

Click here for more information and to Enter

Kern County Bridal Association is pleased to announce the Annual Christmas Parade Float Wedding Give-Away.

Members of Kern County Bridal Association sponsor the annual free wedding, which will take place atop the Bridal Association's Float on December 4, 2008. The Bride and Groom will be selected from applications provided to the Association to receive a complete Wedding and Cake Reception sponsored by Kern County Bridal Association to include:

Bridal Gown sponsored by Ladies & Gents Bridal Gallery
Groom's Tuxedo sponsored by Mr. Tuxedo
Cake & Punch Reception for 50 guests sponsored by The Links at RiverLakes Ranch
Photographs sponsored by With Love Photography
Wedding Coordinator sponsored by Bella Noche Events
Limousine Service sponsored by Vintage Limousine
Disc Jockey services sponsored by Good Time Entertainment
Invitations sponsored by Be Our Guest Wedding Invitations
Officiant sponsored by Reverend Albert M. Haywood
Bride's Hairstyle sponsored by Hair by Carleen
3-Day 2-Night Getaway Accommodation Vacation provided by Kern County Bridal Association

*More may be offered closer to the event.

Click here for more information and to Enter

"The Association is proud to sponsor this annual community event", says founder Kyle Brown, "This will be our third year, and we can't wait! With the tough economic times, we're finding more and more people who just can't afford a big wedding with family and friends. This gives at least one lucky couple the opportunity to share their wedding with the entire city of Bakersfield. It's a 'Happy Holidays' wish from all of us in the Kern County Bridal Association".

Applications will be accepted beginning November 12th at 9am and ending Wednesday, November 20th at 5pm, and there is no cost to participate. Application forms are available at participating sponsors, online at www.TheBestWeddings.com and at The Wedding Center, 531 H Street in Bakersfield. Winners will be announced November 21st. For more information, contact Kern County Bridal Association offices in The Wedding Center, 661.633.9200.

Click here for more information and to Enter

2007 Winners Tracy and Richard

2006 Winners Alice and Andy

Click here for more information and to Enter

Not Mad At You

To all my friends out there, Don't hate me for being distant or not taking your calls.....I'm just in a bit of a slum....My grandfather passed away on Wed, & I really regret not being more a part of his life...He was one of the most profound persons in my life & I shut him out because of a STUPID dissagreement with my grandmother....I let the fight consume me for years & I let it interfere with Family........I'm goinna kick myself in the Ass everyday for the rest of my life for it & I probably will never forgive myself for it.....

G-pa Ted was one of the Kindest men I knew & he always talked to me as if I were one of his buddies...his old fasion way of handeling family & friends was soft but stern & his heart was as big as a mountain. He would take me along to work on the weekends & TALK with me for hours on end without asking me to do anything for him....He use to take his riding lawnmower & attach a trailer to the back & give us kids a ride around the block (or two) everytime we asked...even if he was tired from working all day..... His kind hearted Nature was his best attraubute & his generosity was as big as Life....I remember one year around Christmas, He asked me to go with him to the store.....We turned onto the main road & noticed a car had lost control & skidded into a revine...The car was upsidedown in about 2 feet of water....My Grandpa stopped the truck, Jumped out, Told me to stay in the truck & RAN to get the lady out who was trapped inside her vehicle......Another HERO pulled up just as Grandpa reached the vehicle & they both pulled the victim out......Grandpa noticed the firetruck pulling up & made his way back to our truck.......the firemen who arrived asked my grandfather to give his name so they could award him for his actions...He said " No thanks, Her smile was reward enough for me" & then we left......

I told you this Memory so that you can Remember & Help me to Remember My grandfather & believe that there is still good, Honest & Modest HEROs in this world I hope that one day I can Be everything that he wanted me to be & everything that he was.....I will miss you Grandpa Ted.....Your strenght, Courage & Love Will live on.............

RIP - Ted Hindman "Hindman the Lineman"

"There's a Right Way, A Wrong Way, & There's MY Way!!!"

First annual "Rock For Tots" event at Fishlips

Ever wish you could do more around christmas time to help your fellow man? Don't really know how to contribute this year? Come down to Fishlips on December 10th!

The Bakersfield Division of the Toysoldiers for Doctor Steel is hosting its first annual "Rock for Tots" event.

We will be hosting a show with the help of Calcaneous, Sunday Snake Oil, and Lucid Chaos. Music starts at 8:00pm and cover charge to get into the show will be an article of clothing or a new unwrapped toy, we will also be accepting cash donations which will be going towards toys and clothing for children. All proceeds with be donated to the Hope Center right here in Bakersfield, and will help parents give their kids a christmas they deserve.

Come down and enjoy great music, a few drinks and meet the local toysoldiers! We will also have the "Propagandamobile" on site, and will be handing out gift bags to the patrons.

For further information please contact Yellowjacket jones at toysoldier.weasle@gmail.com

Bakotopia magazine wants your reactions to the election!

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Hello Bakotopians,

The election is finally coming to an end today November 4th.

We'd like your reactions to the results! Winners & losers!

From November 4th-6th, we will be gathering your comments on Bakotopia.com, for the November 13 issue of Bakotopia magazine!

Please leave your comments to this posting, also located at our homepage, or send me an e-mail at matt@bakotopia.com.

Thanks, and don't forget to Vote TODAY November 4th!

-Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor

Silly Love Songs

Every young rocker dreams of having their own band and hitting the big time.

Ah!, Those wild parties and jerking rhythms of love songs about falling in love with your best friends girl or wife and whatever spirit drives the hormones of the young afflicted with the confusion between what is love and lust.. The youthful sound of irresponsibility and a chaotic uninhibited lifestyle free of any and all responsibility.

But, there is another genre that echoes the slow rhythm of love and responsibility as viewed by the some. The "tear in my beer" country and western sounds has a variation that clearly focuses on forward and past views of different kinds of love. The "cheating heart" of the Hank Williams Sr. sound and other artist have often found another beat of the heart not often sang about in by the faster rhythm sound of the rockers and hip-hop sound. It’s also the love relationship between one parent and a child and their grandparents.

All of us have experienced this love and special admiration at one time as we grow older but, the country and western singers have a unique way of putting a slow rhythm to a summary of the emotion that well up when those thoughts are forced to resurface.

They titillate our emotions and memories with short generic details about an unidentified relationship with someone special from the past. That are identified with summarizing titles that almost sound like a short stories by themselves, songs like: “I’m Going To Love You Forever, Amen”, “It‘s A Love Without End, Amen“, “A Love Without End”, “Christmas Shoes”, “Old Dogs And Children And Watermelon Wine” and possibly one of my favorites “I Love” and of course the list could gone on.

The fact that love isn’t about a physical relationship escapes many of us until we are very old and often find ourselves recreating something we said or didn’t say.

It isn’t about adultery or an affair we try to hide from someone else and it doesn’t always leave you feeling bad about something that just happened. It can be about a little boy or girls first fishing trip with his or her Mom, Dad or Grandparent or the one who loved you and watched you as you grew up. It can be about a Dad and his little girl who balances herself on her Dads shoes as they dance together.

Love can be the feeling of two old people holding hands while they sit in their front porch rockers holding hands and remembering the dreams they had we they were younger. It can be about the silly things boys did to girls in elementary school or about the feeling that overcame you when you suddenly realized you missed the big date with your boy or girl friend on prom night because you were too busy drinking and telling your other friends what you were going to do after graduation.

All I Want for Christmas

Thirty vendors and crafters are needed for the All I want for Christmas event. The Bazaar will be held Nov. 15 from 9 to 6p.m. and Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To reserve a space or receive additional information, call Marsha Bidwell at

661-679-7830 in the evenings or e-mail babyfest2008@yahoo.com. Or go to the web page at

www.baby-fest.com. Items such as wreaths, candles, jewelry and egg ornaments will be sold. Proceeds are used to educate new teen parents.

Talladega Frights VS The Chamber ?

Talladega Frights VS The Chamber
Review: Two severed thumbs up! Talladega Frights takes top prize in Bako haunted attractions.

By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com Contributor

gregoodsell@hotmail.com

When it comes to Bakersfield’s top haunted houses, Talladega Frights and The Chamber, there’s no question that Talladega Frights stands severed head and shoulders above the competition.

Having been involved in semi-professional haunted houses as a teenager, and as a faithful attendee of same for many years, this writer can vouch that Talladega Frights is the best local Halloween fest he’s ever seen.

Those who queue up for Talladega Frights, located at Fruitvale-Norris Park, have a long wait in front of them. This is abated by an impromptu performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” by costumed ghouls in an outdoor graveyard setting. Once inside the attraction, attendees stumble through an impressive sepulchral crypt full of decaying mummies, straight from an Indiana Jones movie set.

READ ABOUT TALLADEGA FRIGHTS BY CLICKING PHOTO BELOW!

The sets and lighting are top flight and could pass muster for anything found at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean. A wide variety of rooms, ranging from the beautiful and bizarre to the downright horrifying, await visitors, and must be left to the hearty souls willing to enter its portals to discover and enjoy.

However, some rooms deserve special praise and merit. This hardened veteran of horror in both film and literature was ready to beat a hasty retreat when he entered the claustrophobia hallway, a billowing tarp that envelops people in what feels like a black intestine. This writer was set to cry, “Mommy, take my hand!” at this point. Especially disconcerting was a paneled room lit by strobe lights, as movie monster favorites Michael Myers and Freddie Krueger lunge from holes in the walls. The people I was with began to express real panic at trying to find an exit.

Especially dreadful was a section featuring wailing maniacs inside a hospital — a nursing home-like setting presided over by a mad doctor with an elongated grin, decorated with X-ray photos and lit with a sickly glow. This part of Talladega Frights crosses uncomfortably into real-life horror, and will malinger in the mind long afterwards.

Hands down among the most popular of the various rooms at Talladega Frights is “The Bridge,” a genuinely discombobulating experience that had me buckling at the ankles. The owner and operators insist that it’s all done with optical effects — but just see it for yourself.

READ ABOUT THE CHAMBER BY CLICKING LOGO BELOW!

In contrast, The Chamber, a longtime Bakersfield haunted house, pales in comparison. This year’s attraction features a traffic theme with signs such as “Don’t Enter" and “Wrong Way” decorating the walls. It’s a witty touch for local commuters, but The Chamber is otherwise sorely lacking in originality this year.

There’s long walks through darkened hallways, with visitors fearing what lies just around the corner, but on the night I visited all the character costumes and makeup seemed to be rushed, uninspired affairs.

The Chamber has previously been featured in several national and international entertainment magazines as being one of the top haunted houses. This year’s edition, located near the Sam Lynn Ballpark, is a definite letdown.

While not wanting to create an unfair sense of competition between the two events, this writer suggests that fear-hungry crowds should go out and support both The Chamber and Talladega Frights. While Frights is by far superior of the two, both are worth your time and money.

A friendly suggestion to the people behind the Chamber would be to regroup and come up with fresher ideas for next year.

VISIT THEM FOR YOURSELF - AND DECIDE WHICH ONE IS THE SCARIEST!
VISIT THEIR WEBSITES BELOW FOR SCHEDULE AND PRICING!

WWW.TALLADEGAFRIGHTS.COM

WWW.CHAMBERHAUNT.COM

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 40, 10-30-08

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