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LIVE at Bakersfield Calendar Girls 2007 unveiling!
Topics: Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Bakotopia.com, music, Bakotunes, Mas Magazine, Valdophye, Trejo, Allan, Surrat, Rawlins, Miss Bakersfield, Miss Teen Bakersfield, Mrs Bakersfield, 2007, Gayle Tape, 1974, Miss USA, Calender, Calendar Girls
Posted by matt Thu Dec 21, 2006 23:50:58 PST
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0 responses 8 comments <<Check out the pics and the music!

12-20-06, Capistrano's Restaurant, downtown Bakersfield.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE?

Bakersfield’s latest batch of beauties — including the reigning Miss Bakersfield — gathered downtown Wednesday night, to celebrate the latest edition of Valdophye Photography’s “Bakersfield Girls” Calendar for 2007.

On Dec. 20, an estimated 150 people waited eagerly inside downtown’s Capistrano’s restaurant, which played host to the calendar’s unveiling.

“This town has changed since years ago,” said Valdophye Photography owner, Eliseo Valdovinos, who started the “Bakersfield Girls” project in 1999 as a way to promote his business and show his artistic diversity.

The first edition of the calendar was released in 1999 to mixed reviews, attracting much attention from the local media that, at times, portrayed the calendar as “pornographic.” Valdovinos remembers one TV report in particular, where viewers were asked to “have their children leave the room, so kids don’t see the naked ladies,” he said.

Valdovinos knew that type of reaction was inevitable, but it didn’t deter him from finishing the annual project, which has only missed two years of publication for the 2004 and 2006 editions.
 
“When I told people I was going to try doing a local girls calendar, people told me I was going to kill my career, but I like taking chances,” said Valdovinos. 

Originally using grainy black-and-white photography during its first few years of printing, the Bakersfield Girls calendar now uses full-color, higher-quality photo finishing for a more polished look, similar to photos found in popular men’s magazines like Maxim, and FHM.

So what does it take to be a “Bakersfield Girl” calendar model?

“I find the models by scouting local areas and word-of-mouth,” said Valdovinos, adding, “All of the models live in Bakersfield.”

With all the ballyhoo being made in the media lately regarding the current Miss USA, Tara Conner — who recently raised eyebrows for inappropriate behavior, but has since been given a “second chance,” by Miss USA Organization owner, Donald Trump; and now Miss Nevada USA 2007, who was stripped Thursday of her title because of racy photos of her posted on the Internet — one model in particular chose to keep a low-profile during the Wednesday night unveiling at Capistrano’s.

Confirmed by pageant officials, calendar model Tiffany Allen, 20, was officially crowned Miss Bakersfield 2007 on Dec. 2, after winning in her division. The Bakersfield pageant is actually three pageants in one: Teen, Miss, and Mrs. Bakersfield. Each contestant competes within their respective age group, and are judged and awarded according to their pageant organization’s rules and regulations.

Gayle Tape, executive director of the Miss Bakersfield pageant for the past 14 years, herself a former Miss California 1974, and runner-up in the Miss USA pageant for the same year, is aware of Allen’s photos in the Bakersfield Girls 2007 calendar.

“We ask that our girls be of good moral character,” said Tape about guidelines for those vying to be Miss Bakersfield, “I guess I’ll have to spell it out.”

Like the Miss USA pageant, nude modeling or behavior deemed “inappropriate” according to pageant rules, are grounds for title removal in the Bakersfield pageant.

However, in the case of The Bakersfield Girls calendar, Allen will not receive any repercussions for her calendar modeling, as provocative as it may seem. The calendar pictures are not nudes.

Also, the Bakersfield Girls photo shoot was held prior to the Miss Bakersfield pageant, and according to the Miss Bakersfield organization, Allen broke no rules, but on a state and national level, she may not be so lucky, if she chooses to continue competing.

Tape has not seen the calendar, but stands behind Allen as the city’s winner.

“Tiffany won fairly,” said Tape, “And that’s my stand as a director. You need to be explicit with your rules, and next year, we will be making revisions.”

Allen could not be reached for comment.

Appearing excited and nervous before the unveiling and autograph-signing session for fans, four of the five calendar models huddled closely together to answer questions and greet fans.

Shooting for four days in Rosarito, Mexico, the girls made the most out of making mischief across the border. Knowing the history of the area, they were sure to draw immediate attention. But just how crazy can five beautiful, young girls get in a small Baja town, where the legal drinking age is 18?

Heather Rawlins, 18, and Melody Dare, 20 — two of the calendar’s models — giggle uncontrollably as they describe being pulled over by the local police twice within five minutes of each other, after leaving a promotional appearance in another local bar.

Both times, the girls said they had to pay a fine; the second stop also included an impromptu autograph session for the Mexican police.

 “We had a designated driver, and he accidentally ran two stop signs that no one could see,” Valdovinos said, “It’s not easy to see traffic signs in Mexico. The first time we were pulled over, we had to pay a cop $200, a few minutes down the street, we were pulled over again. The first cop and the second knew what we had paid the first time, so we had to pay the same amount again, and the girls signed autographs.” 

Model Spencer Surrat, 18, laughingly shares the crazy Mexico experience she shared with another one of the girls. But like a wild trip to Vegas, what happens at the border is probably better left at the border.

“We were given free drinks to take off our panties and place them on the bar,” said Surrat of a Mexico tourist party rite at Rosarito’s Macho Taco bar — known for its collection of partygoer lingerie — in exchange for free drinks.

“But we didn’t expose ourselves,” said Surrat, who didn’t give specific names as to who went pantiless at the bar.

Rawlins was joined at the calendar unveiling event by her mother, Sheila Rich, who showed nothing less than full support for her daughter’s pictorial.

“Heather’s my only child, I’m very excited” said Rich with a smile. “She’s gorgeous, and she’s always wanted to do modeling and acting. With this, she’s going to see if this is what she really wants to continue doing.”

Rich also explained that while modeling is a dream of her daughter’s, the teen was originally slated for a trip to the US Navy after high school.

“Heather was going to enlist in the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program (DEP,)” Rich said. “But after the war got too heavy, we were told she would probably head to the frontline, so she decided not to. It’s just too risky.”

Nervously making her way next to the other three girls, calendar model Soraya Trejo, 21 —  who also holds the title as the 2007 calendar’s official cover girl — seems the most unexpectedly shy of the bunch.

Appearing pint-sized next to the other models, Trejo’s irresistible charm is amplified by her smile, complete with braces.

“My younger sister and I wanted to pose for the calendar together,” said Trejo about a planned photo shoot that didn’t work out. “But I ended up posing by myself instead.”

On the cover, Trejo’s innocent beauty is complemented by a set of white angel wings — similar to those worn in Victoria’s Secret lingerie ad campaigns and a noticeable trend in many men’s magazines, where the “good girl angel” / “bad girl angel” idea seems to never lose its appeal.

Valdovinos declined to disclose how much it cost to produce the calendar and who profits from the calendar proceeds; however, interested sponsors can purchase a monthly page, where their business ad will be listed.

Models are often described in the media as temperamental brats vying for the most attention — not according to these Bakersfield beauties.

“We all love each other,” said Surrat, “There were no cat fights.”

As the girls smile, autographing calendars for fans, it’s clear that it’s all about fun, and the enjoyment of one’s youth, not scandal.

Model Rawlins agrees.

“This is all about showing off the beautiful girls of Bakersfield,” she said.

READ MISS BAKERSFIELD'S RESPONSE!
CLICK PICTURE BELOW!


To purchase a copy of the Bakersfield Girls Calender 2007 contact:
Valdophye Photography
1919 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 327-2642
Cost: $15.00
Autographed by the models: $80.00
www.valdophye.com

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Comment From: thenovelist

Makes you wonder where some people draw the line, especially in today's age where pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry. No, this wasn't about porn, but if pretty girls are willing to bend rules and bare all "tastefully", how do we know that some girls won't go the "untasteful" route? Where's the fine line? What really are the goals of girls who want to show off their bodies on a bare-everything-except-for-my-nipples calendar? If you can't trust Miss USA and Miss Bakersfield to uphold integrity, does that mean many girls are just out for instant exposure... and I do mean the pun as well. hahaha... Comment From: JulieJordanScott

I remember Spencer Surrat from her appearance in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at BCT nine years ago, she played the sister of my daughter - I wondered from time to time what happened to her and now I see at least a little bit. (I also saw her Mom in one of the photos). Thanks, Matt - for the story and the photos. Comment From: hardliner4Freedom

Time for Bako's most unapologetically pro-human-sexuality voice to chime in:These girls did absolutely nothing wrong. Hats -- and whatever else -- off to them.

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Regarding this:  "“We ask that our girls be of good moral character,” said Tape about guidelines for those vying to be Miss Bakersfield, “I guess I’ll have to spell it out.”

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Then Tape should have no problem.  Posing nude or nearly nude in a calendar has absolutely no bearing on one's moral character.

 

Comment From: Chase

In response to N.L.: Money and re-affirmation. Secondly, whats the point of the hair over the nips? I guess the "guessing" factor makes it more of a teast I guess, but I'm sure that if women went around sans-tops for a while, it would become nothing big. I compare it to this: When you are watching T.V. and see a commercial for Dominos, you're only really paying attention if you are hungry. In the same way, if women were always topless... Haha. Anyways, I'm still scratching my head over the purpose of pagaents (anyone seen Little Miss Sunshine yet?) but whatev, to each his own until they need someone else to bail them out. Comment From: thenovelist

Yo Chase: I watch commercials for humor and marketing. I like to see what kind of creative ideas go into developing concepts that may help sell products. The funnier the better. I learn from those. I think the only time I'm affected by commercials is when I'm dumb enough not to get a soda and popcorn at the movies. There's always some teaser on the big screen that makes me end up running to buy junk food... Regarding posing/modeling. I don't see a problem with posing. Our culture wants it, and pays big money for it. It's the fact this kid was caught, who now is saying she made a huge mistake. There's an integrity issue there, not with modeling in general. Comment From: BigRay101

Bakersfield never looked so gosh darn good.... I think I am developing a little more hope for our dear city. Amazing what a beautiful women can do to an aspiring fat man. Comment From: krotchdaband

HEY HEY LETS TALK DOOLLL......WANT YOU IN MOVIE..661 623 1617....ASAP. Comment From: Sensations

Funny how a calendar of almost naked women is ok, but a manequin in lingerie in a window!....Call the press!!! Yes in one way its art, but a picture is a picture, and those are not far from a playboy pic, but hey im not complaining :0 Leave em alone lamers...