At Russo’s Books 400 is the Goal at CASA X-mas Drive!

C.A.S.A. Is Here for the Children
Please be there for C.A.S.A.

Russo’s Books 3^rd Annual Christmas Book Drive for C.A.S.A.
Needs Your Help to Succeed!

By Thomas G. Robinson, Fake Reporter

Mi casa es tú casa.  Probably one of the easiest translations of a Spanish saying to English.  You see this saying all over, but usually at the entrance to someone’s home, or out on the patio by the bar-b-que pit, near the table.  We know what it means, ‘my house is your house’, but we never really look at the words, or genuinely mean them right?  I mean, I prefer the other well known quote, “Friends and fish both smell after three days!”  Right? 

Tags: abuse, advocates, casa, children, christmas, donate, family, giving, help, russo's books
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Relaxing evening after a hard week. Lots of veggies & plums for Saturday

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Doubt: A Parable – Mathey’s Dark Delight at BCT

MATHEY DIRECTS DOUBT – ‘A MUST SEE!’ At BCT!

By Thomas G. Robinson, randomly writing

Bakersfield Community Theatre’s first main stage production for their 85th Season began last weekend with the play Doubt: A Parable, directed by Roger Mathey. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2005. Writer John Patrick Shanley originally called the play Doubt, and it originally opened off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club in November of 2004. It was a one-act play that ran about 90 minutes. When audiences left the theatre with differing opinions of the events Shanley added a second act. When the play was published in 2004, the title was changed to Doubt: A Parable.*

I found the English North American Dictionary’s definitions of the main words used in the title rather interesting in describing the kind of play you’re in for, read on:

Doubt – (transitive verb) [dowt] to think something unlikely, to feel unconvinced or uncertain about something, or think that something is unlikely. To not trust somebody or something. To suspect that somebody is not sincere or trustworthy, or that something is not true, likely, or genuine.

Parable – (noun) [párrəb’l] Moral or religious story. A short simple story intended to illustrate a moral or religious lesson. Story ascribed to Jesus Christ. A parable that appears in the Bible, as told by Jesus Christ.

With definitions so succinct, so definitive of the characters in the play, it’s only right that you feel like you’re in for something much more than your regular drama. This play holds your attention, keeps you wondering who is right, who’s at fault and what if… just what if the accusations are wrong… What if there is doubt?

I was taken aback when I learned that Mathey had agreed to direct this play. Not that he’s not a great director (which he clearly is), it was just strange to me since I know he just finished wrapping up a huge production in Los Angeles. Roger spent a good portion of the year writing, planning, successfully fundraising and networking for a show called You Make Me Physically Ill (a well received production that was given rave reviews by several Los Angeles theatre magazines).

When I asked him why he was so interested in directing this play, having just come off of a long production in Los Angeles, he responded, “Directing Doubt came up way before You Make Me Physically Ill”, adding, “Sheila (McClure, Director of Shows at BCT) asked me awhile ago and I committed. She showed me a list of the shows that were planned for the next season and out of all of them I wanted Doubt. I wanted to keep it simple in scope.”

And so he did. The set is black box, but on a much larger scale. It is dark and demure. With it you get a little hint of Catholicism with the stained glass and pulpit, and Sister Aloysius’ office is exactly how you would imagine it to be. Cold. Uninviting. Unmerciful. Or is it?

Mathey has directed many plays in his vast career under his production company (Seat of Your Pants Productions), and has won some prestigious awards in Los Angeles, so it is no mistake that he knows how to put a cast together. He has managed to round up some of Bakersfield’s biggest talents for this production – Brian Sivesind, Barbara Gagnon, Ellie Sivesind and Althea Williams; all cast to perfection.

The two most notable are veterans of the local theatrical scene. Brian is the Executive Director at The Empty Space Theatre (a venue he founded in 2003 and just recently returned to the helm), and Barbara has been seen in various productions around town entertaining us for several years, never failing to shine. For this show, Barbara was able to win the role over many talented actresses who auditioned. When watching her in this production, it’s easy to see why.

Sivesind was pre-cast for this show by Mathey months before he set up auditions. This practice is usually frowned upon by actors who feel that it’s not a fair shake, to be left out of the opportunity to be a part of an intensely popular production. It’s an option that, if taken, had better be a call that is a connection from actor to character that an audience will consider a sure thing! It’s a risk not too many directors will take. However, when you watch Doubt, you can see that Sivesind’s portrayal of Father Flynn as a shaken, frustrated and overwhelmed priest on the wrong end of the constant accusations beset upon him by Sister Aloysius, why Mathey wanted him in this role.

“I precast Brian for multiple reasons”, Roger explained, “First, he is a tremendous actor, and as the Executive Director for The Empty Space Theatre, it’s good for BCT in relations. As for the women, there was real talent that read for the role of Sister Aloysius”

Brian has had some great roles over the years in Bakersfield, but who can forget his stirring performance in I Am My Own Wife, a one-man show that he did a few years ago at the Spotlight Theatre that simply blew me, and everyone around me, away. I can remember watching him become this person who, if you know Brian, is completely outside of him; he was engulfed in the character.

The night I saw the play, at the end, the standing ovation and thunderous applause he received was overwhelmingly delivered from a very enthusiastic and appreciative audience, and was so richly deserved. Where does one go from a performance like that?

I asked him why Father Flynn… Why now? “This role means a lot to me. It’s about people’s conclusions to situations when they don’t even have all the information”, Brian continues, “It’s a never-ending cycle, even if it’s not true”.

I noticed that he really looked good on stage, comfortable. He says, “It’s been over a year since I’ve been on stage, it’s time. The last time I performed at BCT was in 2003 in The Grapes of Wrath”.

Roger has no regrets on his casting choices, “I cast Barbara and Ellie because I’ve never worked with them before. I’ve been very lucky! All four actors are very talented. There is no weak link.”

One would doubt that Mathey will attempt to mirror anything done in the film version either. “I never saw it”, he says, “I refused to watch it. I wanted to wait until this play was done with before I see it.

It is my opinion, given the choices of theatrical productions in town, if you decide you want to view a show where it seems like all the planets have lined up to create the ‘just right’ mix of actors in a ‘just right’ script from a ‘just right’ director, there clearly is no doubt that this play would be the ‘just right’ thing to do.

Doubt runs at the Bakersfield Community Theatre for two more weeks. Tonight and Saturday at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:30 PM) and Sunday at 2:00 PM, (doors open at 1:30 PM). Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12.00 for Senior Citizens, Students (with valid school ID) and Military (with an Armed Forces ID). Call 831.8114 for more information or to make reservations.

*** If you’ve read this far, you’re in luck! This weekend only, BCT is presenting BLACK FRIDAY, BLACK SATURDAY AND BLACK SUNDAY! Mention that you heard about their Black (fill in the day) Deal, and you’ll get a Buy One, Get One FREE deal for Adult tickets! That’s two tickets (a $30 value) for $15.00! Students, don’t feel left out. The same mention gets you in for HALF PRICE! That’s right. Mention the Black (Day) at the box-office and your $12.00 ticket becomes $6.00!

Go see Doubt: A Parable – This year’s MUST SEE production!

*Information provided by Wikipedia – Doubt: A Parable

Doubt: A Parable, Poster designed by Mathey, McClure and Rodan

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Theater on the Kern

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Reservations Strongly Suggested as Super Villain!! Opens Tonight at BCT!

By: Thomas G. Robinson

The time is now.  The place, a busy city filled with skyscrapers, a donut shop and giant metal spiders.  The people who slowly appear as the lights get brighter and the audience can now see 

Michael Solko, James Kopp and Ronnie Warren in full costume!

in full view are The Remote (who uses remote control devices to bring forth some sort of revenge or attack, with a “sometimes it works” ratio), Professor Gimp (Remote’s trusty side-kick, who happens to be half robot and not really “gimpy” at all) and Teri the Tarot Card Terrorist (the cold-hearted killer who has a soft touch for The Remote).

A victim appears to be tied to a contraption that will result in painfully ending his life.  Struggle as he will, there appears to be no hope for the hapless sidekick.  What to do, what to do… normally the audience members would be fidgeting in their seats for some kind of hint, thinking there’s no way the wimpy character (played by Matt Christensen) is going to survive this tortuous attack. But just as we are about to believe that we are going to witness the demise of Sidekick,… who should appear in a triumphant feat of bravery?  Yes, in swoops Excelsior (the Super Hero in this story, and the man who stands firm on all his beliefs, which of course are directly the opposite of The Remote!).  And this is just the beginning.

We were first introduced to The Remote, a self proclaimed “Super Villain”, three years ago when actor, writer and director James Kopp brought his original three-act play to The Empty Space Theatre and hit community theatre gold!  Sold Out nights, laughter galore, and explosions were the norm during the show’s initial two week run.  People not only enjoyed the show in its premiere run, they kept coming back, and bringing friends!  It was almost as if Bakersfield was trying to tell James something – and that something was, “I think you’ve found your audience!”

The Remote considers himself a villain so devious that he has no problem blowing up a building filled with clowns.  He brags about drinking Unicorn blood, which apparently has the same effect a bottle of vodka would bring.  He demands attention from his girlfriends, and then berates them continuously when they are there for him.  It goes on and on, the reasons to dislike this bad guy… but, try as you might, you can’t help but root for him when he attempts to wipe the city out by detonating a hydrogen bomb he placed in the building some five years ago!   Will he be able to succeed with his dasterdly plan?

This show has it all – drama, action, comedy, explosions, swearing and laughter in this play.   With almost the same cast as when it was debuted, the show is a must-see for those who  love dark humor and snow cones. The show stars Matt Christensen,  James Kopp, Bryan Maddern, Jennie Maddern, Guinevere PHD, Michael Solko,  Dallas Plater, Thomas G. Robinson and Ronnie Warren as Professor Gimp.

Super Villain!!: The 2^nd Printing opens tomorrow at Bakersfield Community Theatre.  Tickets on sale at BCT Box Office for $10.  The show runs for four performances only!  July 22, 23, 29 and 30.  Doors open at 7:30 and Show starts at 8:00.  BCT is located at 2400 So. Chester Avenue.  Reservations are Strongly Suggested and can be made by calling 661.831.8114.

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Go Green at the Summer Home and Garden Fair

This month’s Third Thursday’s Theme will be “Go Green at the Summer Home and Garden Faire” sponsored by the Bakersfield Association of REALTORS®.
Event scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Central Park along Mill Creek on “R” Street between 21st and 18th Street.

The traditional wheelbarrow race that took place for years on Chester Avenue during the June Street Faire will now be changed with the move to Central Park, to a three-legged race with the REALTORS® competing against the media.
The Bakersfield Association of REALTORS® is proud to support Third Thursdays. They invite you to stop by their booth for information about working with a professional REALTOR®.
The setting at Central Park has been well received by the community and we have made a few changes. The Farmer’s Market that was set up last time at the Bakersfield Community Center will move this month to the park and the Boot Scoot ‘n’ BBQ that was held at the Emporium Western Store’s parking lot has moved to the Community Center at 21st and R Street (next to Central Park).

BBQ’s, Arts & Crafts, children’s area, entertainment and much more will provide something for everyone.

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Sam Lynn Ballpark to Host Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure

Sunday Afternoon Blaze Game Will Features Blue Jersey Auction

Bakersfield, CA – The first half of the Blaze season is almost complete, and the final home game before the All Star Break could very well be the most important game all season. The reason might surprise you. No, it’s not because of playoff implications, and it’s not because of All Star balloting – this game is important because the health of thousands takes center stage on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day, supporting Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure. Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure is an organization set up to promote Prostate Cancer awareness and improve research and treatment, and the Blaze are beyond excited to be a part of the fight. Thus, for one afternoon only, the Bakersfield Blaze will wear special baby-blue jerseys to be auctioned off during and after the game. Proceeds from the auction will go towards prostate cancer awareness, and fans can take home a unique piece of Blaze memorabilia that has

NEVER been seen before!
This cause also lands close to home, as 2011 Blaze Manager Ken Griffey Sr is a survivor of prostate cancer, and one of the faces of Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure. Tickets to this day game start as low as 7 dollars, and the Blaze want to make this first-time event the biggest and best of the season!
The remaining games on the homestand will feature the weekly Blaze entertainment days:
Fireworks on Friday, 2-for-1 ticket specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, discounts for kids on Saturdays and Sundays, and Monday is the fan favorite Dollar-Day. The Bakersfield Blaze is a charter member of the  California League, and the Class-A Advanced Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Blaze currently sits in 2nd place in the California League North, trailing only the San Jose Giants.

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Bakersfield Police Department K-9 Unit Howlin At The Moon Race

The 10th annual Bakersfield Police Department K9 Unit’s ‘Howlin at the Moon fun run is Saturday, August 13, 2011 at the Park at River Walk (Stockdale/Buena Vista).  2k fun run starts at 8:00 pm and the timed 5k and 10k start at 8:30 pm.  Awards in all categories.  First 250 entries guaranteed shirts.  $20 early entry fee if received by 8/10.  $25 day of race.

2010 Howlin At The Moon Race Results

About The Bakersfield Police Department K-9
The Bakersfield Police Department K-9 Unit was established in 1988 with the first teams being placed into service in January 1989. The original team consisted of four German shepherd police dogs which were imported from Europe. The unit has since expanded in size to its current compliment of eight cross-trained patrol dogs and one Labrador retriever which is narcotics detection trained.

During this last seventeen years, the unit has been responsible for thousands of arrests, from burglary to homicide suspects.

K-9 Unit Demonstrations
The Bakersfield Police Department K-9 Unit frequently provides demonstrations to the public. These demonstrations showcase many of the units’ capabilities. These demonstrations, which are usually done for schools and benevolent organizations, can be scheduled by calling
(661) 326-3470.

K-9 & Narcotics Detection

The Bakersfield Police Department police service dogs have been trained and are certified to detect the presence of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.

The ability of the police K-9s to locate concealed narcotics contraband rests with two major qualities which are inherent in the police service dog. The first is the dog’s amazing olfactory (sense of smell) capability. When the remarkable sense is coupled with the dog’s strong play and hunting drives, the dogs are taught to associate the scent of specific narcotics with their “reward” or “toy.” To earn this reward, the dogs are trained to search boxes, rooms, yards, automobiles, and any other locations where there is a likelihood someone may have concealed narcotics contraband. An effort is made to prevent the dog from coming into direct contact with any of these drugs as these drugs are as poisonous to dogs as they are to humans. Suspects sometimes use distraction scents to mask the odor of narcotics contraband in an attempt to foil the detection capabilities of the animals. However, for the most part, these efforts have failed as documented by the hundreds and hundreds of pounds of seized narcotics contraband which were destined for street-level sales.

A General History of K-9 And Law Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies throughout the world have long recognized the value of properly trained police service dogs. These animals, when appropriately utilized, have time and time again proved themselves instrumental in achieving the objectives and missions of the law enforcement agency.

The police K-9, due to its strength, agility, courage, and amazing olfactory capabilities can be utilized to assist law enforcement in various tasks in a more thorough and efficient manner.

Because of these attributes, police service dogs can be utilized to assist in searching for potentially violent criminals, aid in the apprehension of fleeing criminals who may place innocent community members or other police officers at risk of injury. The dogs also offer the department an effective public relations tool to disseminate information about the police department’s mission/functions/crime fighting efforts. In potentially dangerous situations, the police K-9 can often assume the risk by preventing exposure of a police officer to a violent confrontation. And finally, since all the K-9s are trained to detect narcotics contraband, they have located literally hundreds and hundreds of pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.

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CSUB students celebrate sustainability with first-ever Green Week, May 21-26

Public invited to Green Scene Festival, nightly lecture series

May 16, 2011 — As part of the university’s push to become a more environmentally sustainable campus, CSUB students are taking the lead to turn their school colors from blue and gold to green with the first-ever Green Week, May 21-26.

Associated Students Inc., the student governing body, has organized a week’s worth of activities and lectures to demonstrate how CSUB is a major player in the “greening” of Kern County.

“The objective is to raise awareness within our community and promote greater action for sustainability,” said ASI Executive Vice President Ahmad Rafah. “We also want to highlight CSUB as a hub for sustainability in the community. We should be leaders in this movement.”

All events are free and open to the public. The week kicks off with a festival open to the public on Saturday, May 21. Green Scene will feature live music, children’s activities, information booths on living green in Kern County, food, and raffles. A portion of proceeds from sales will be donated to the American Red Cross for Japan relief after March’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Each day during Green Week, ASI has planned an entertainment-related event for each afternoon, followed by a lecture series each evening. Activities include a concert, fashion show, film viewing, and outdoor games. Lectures by CSUB faculty and representatives from community organizations are on topics such as green living, alternative energy, and sustainability policy.

“It is very important that all of our speakers are local authorities on sustainable issues. We wanted to demonstrate that there are plenty of individuals in Kern County that are advocates of sustainability,” Rafah said.

For more information about Green Week, contact Ahmad Rafah at 661-654-3487 or ahmadrafah@hotmail.com. Green Week events are also posted on ASI’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/asi.csub.

Green Week schedule
All events are free and open to the public. Parking is free during the Green Scene festival and in the small lot opposite Lot K during evening lectures. Parking during weekdays is $2.

Saturday, May 21: Kick-off
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Green Scene Festival & Japan Relief Fundraiser, Runner Park
Live music, children’s activities, information booths, food, raffles.
Bands: Tall Dark and 90, Soulajar, Age of Trinity, Aaron Ashe and Aeon Grey

Monday, May 23: Everyday Green Living
11 a.m.–3 p.m. “Ecopalooza” Concert and Campus Declutter, Student Union Patio
Bands: Racella de Olivia, A Long Way From Stable, The Ease
Campus Declutter: Faculty and staff can recycle items from their offices (journals, folders, etc.)
6-8 p.m. Lecture Series, Student Recreation Center
Topics: Living green, human impact on the environment, recycling, diet and exercise

Tuesday, May 24: Alternative Energy & Transportation
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enviro-Fashion Show, Student Union Patio
6-9 p.m. Lecture Series, Student Union Multipurpose Room
Topics: California high-speed rail, solar panel technology, energy efficiency, windmill technology panel

Wednesday, May 25: The Environment
1-3 p.m. Recycle-Olympics, Runner Park
6-8 p.m. Lecture Series, Walter Stiern Library
Topics: Air quality, global climate change, our relationship with nature, plant wildlife

Thursday, May 26: Sustainability & Policy
3:30-6 p.m. Film viewing and Q&A session, “An Inconvenient Truth,” Student Union Lounge
6-8 p.m. Lecture Series, Student Union Multipurpose Room
Topic: Local officials will speak about current and proposed laws related to sustainability.

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Google Goes Independent – Books It to Russo’s!

Independent Bookstore Russo’s Books Selling Google eBooks:
Google Access Allow Indies to Compete in Growing eBook Business

by: Thomas G. Robinson

You know you do it!  Hell, even I do it!  (I really hated to admit that.)

You do it, you save money, it comes directly to your door or device, and then… for some of you, yeah, you… ya feel a little guilty.  Don’t you?  You know, the heartache and financial punch you just gave to the quickly disappearing, ever-so-humble, brick and morter, ‘mom & pop’, locally owned bookstore?  The ones who have been around here much longer than any of the east coast transplanted big box bookstores.  The ‘good guys’ who know Bakersfield in and out, upside down and sideways – because they’re true Bakersfieldians.  Yeah, I’m talking about Russo’s Books at The Marketplace! 

They’ve been around for over twenty years here in Bakersfield. They’ve seen a lot of businesses come and go, and at one time had four stores around town.  But, as the competition grew, and the economy didn’t, they still fight the good fight with the ever-so-popular Marketplace location, and continue to make a difference! 

Cut to the current age of technology, where some people feel that reading can and should be done on a little screen with back-lit words that appear on it like magic!  Yeah, push some buttons, approve a quantity, and bingo-bango, you’ve got yourself a book in your little device that lets you read it, store it, save it and with some systems, even lend it out to someone!  What’s this?  Why this could transform the book industry as we know it!  Guess what folks, it already did.  With the advent of ‘eReaders’, brick and morter bookstores have been folding faster than the laundry at Today Cleaners!  Even your big-box stores have suffered; cutting hours, reducing stock and coming up with their own devices to lure the customers back into their stores… or at least their websites. 

But, the local independent doesn’t have a fancy room full of scientists working on a device that they can unleash to the world.  We’re lucky to have a room full of customers!  The eReaders have made it that much harder for us to stay in business.  At one time, we thought we were going to go the way of the record store when all the mp3 players downloaded them out of business! 

But, enter Google and their eBook business!  Google launched its e-book program on December 6, 2010, and is partnering with the American Booksellers Association so indie bookstores (like Russo’s) can provide an easy way for their customers to discover, read, and buy e-books at competitive prices.

“More and more of our customers are buying ereaders and are looking to purchase ebooks,” said Michael Russo, store owner.  “Google eBooks now allows us to remain the store of choice for our loyal customers who are reading digital, and to serve new customers.”

“This partnership with Google allows independent bookstores that are our members to better compete with corporate retailers on selection, price, and convenience, ” said ABA President Michael Tucker.  “It levels the playing field.”

What all of this means is that you can continue to do your online ordering, save your online bucks, get your book delivered straight to your eReader, and still feel comfortable knowing that your local bookstore is behind your sale if you do it through their website, www.russosbooks.com!  It is so easy to do and there’s no extra cost to you!  Simply create an account (takes all of 45 seconds), then start ordering your books through Russo’s via Google!  As a result, you get the online prices and your local bookstore gets to enjoy a sale! 

The eBooks will download to most eReaders available, including Sony eReader, Nook, Kobe, etc.  But, alas, you Kindle people cannot partake, as Amazon still controls your thoughts, minds, choices and availability!  Muah ah ah ah! 

With Russo’s and Google, you now have the choice of downloading over 5 million different books and 2 million (public domain) books available for FREE!  Check us out at russosbooks.com, and do all your eReader purchases through Russo’s!  You’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll feel better about your sinful reading ways!  (I, on the other hand, will continue to flip through my tree produced, glue and ink stained model… because, that’s how I roll!)

Click this! http://russosbooks.com/gbook/help/about

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