By Thomas G. Robinson

When this play was first performed by Ntozake Shange, the author, it was in a women’s bar in California in 1974.  Since then it has gone on to win awards on Broadway, turned into a feature film by noted director Tyler Perry and now, its highest honor (I’m sure!) presented on stage in Bakersfield at Bakersfield Community Theatre, California’s Oldest Continuous Theatre (Est. 1927 and celebrating its 85th season this year) on Friday, February 10th.

The play is directed by Thomas G. Robinson (yours truly) and produced by Tomeka Powell.  It tells the tale of seven Black women who describe their achievements, tragedies, loves and losses in poetry, song and dance (dubbed ‘choreopoems’ by the author).  Although this is not a musical, it has music within the storytelling that lends itself to choreography and song.

Former Bakersfieldian and dance studio owner, LaQuette Milner, provided the choreography for this production, which had her commuting from Los Angeles (her current home) to Bakersfield once or twice a week to create dance moves and grooves for the actresses, some of whom had never been on a stage before.

Just in time for Black History Month, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf will draw you in with the tales of love, hate, rape, death and abusive relationships – all to powerful words and phrases that engulf you and push you to tears. In a stunning portrayal of women dealing with major life-changing issues, ’For Colored Girls‘ introduces theatre goers to new talents and veterans as well.

Notable performances abound, one should take note of the emotion brought forth by Sheila Robinson-Owens as the Lady in Red, Detrice Palmer as The Lady in Brown and the always amazing performance by Bakersfield staple Althea Williams as The Lady in Green (most recently seen in Doubt: A Parable, directed by Roger Mathey at Bakersfield Community Theatre, where she practically stole the show as Mrs. Miller).  You can see incredible performances by BenEece Davis as The Lady in Yellow, Kiah Brown as The Lady in Purple, Venessa Duncan as The Lady in Blue and a stirring performance by Vina Jefferson as The Lady in Orange.

With preview performances around town (which included CSUB’s Black History Month Kick-Off on February 1st), For Colored Girls has already had very good buzz from those who witnessed the opening scene performance featuring the heated vocal performance of the opening title by Detrice Palmer. With Black History Month in full swing this year, and For Colored Girls being the only show offered by local community theatre in honor of the celebration, make time – take time – to attend this stirring, emotional roller coaster of a show!

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf  opens Friday, Feb. 10th and runs through Saturday, Feb. 25th with two Sunday matinees (12, 19 at 2PM) and one Thursday evening performance (23rd at 8PM) dubbed “Performer’s Night” (for those who perform in other plays at other theatres around town and can’t make the typical Fri thru Sun performances due to their own shows).

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for Senior Citizens, Students and Military persons.  Tickets are available at the box-office at 2400 So. Chester Avenue or Russo’s Books at The Marketplace (all major credit cards accepted).  Please call the theatre at 661.831.8114 for information, directions and other program information.

The members of the Kern County Bridal Association would like to show our support for the men and woman who serve our country.  as a small token of our appreciation we will be giving away a complete wedding for up to 70 people.

For More information on the Military Wedding please Visit http://www.MilitaryWedd.com

The website Military Wedd is not connected with An Officer and a Wedding.  The website and its participants are part of the Kern County Bridal Association and has no affiliation with the website  http://www.anofficerandawedding.com or the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/anofficerandawedding or the Wedding being giving away on April 20th 2012.
If you would like more information on the Military Wedding giveaway sponsored by the Kern County Bridal Association please call the Bridal Association at 661-633-9200

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? 

Details: On October 30th, deputies were dispatched to the residence at 2800 Alturas Dr. for a subject that was found unconscious. Medical aid responded and determined the subject, who was later identified as 25 year old Kevin Shively, was deceased. Deputies arrived and secured the scene. Detectives were called to the scene and began an investigation into the death as there were indications it was suspicious. As of this date, detectives have concluded their investigation and have found that there does not appear to be any indication that anyone else was responsible for the death of Kevin Shively. They are waiting for the pathologist to review the toxicology results to determine the exact cause and manner of death.

 Details: On 11/22/11, at approximately 9:35 PM, deputies responded to a carjacking that had just occurred. The victim told deputies he was driving his 2003 Chevy pick-up on Breckenridge Rd. towards his residence, and he was being followed by another vehicle, described as a silver or gray 2 door vehicle. When the victim pulled into his driveway, the second vehicle continued for a short distance, turned around and parked in front of the victim’s residence. Two Hispanic males; the first described as being between 23-24 years old, with a dark complexion and wearing dark clothing and the second described as being between 23-25 years old, wearing all dark clothing, exited the second vehicle and approached the victim as he was exiting his vehicle. The first suspect produced a handgun, put it to the victim’s neck and demanded the victim’s wallet and car keys. The suspects then released the victim taking his wallet and pick-up with them. About 25 minutes later, the victim’s vehicle was located in a grape vineyard on Edison Rd. south of Panama Rd., abandoned. Anyone having information on this incident is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or contact Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040. Anonymous “text” tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411). Just type the key word “KCSO” prior to the message.

a report of a shooting at an apartment complex located at 2815 S. ‘H’ Street.

Upon arrival, officers located Robert Vandergriff (26), of Bakersfield, suffering
from a single gunshot to the back. He told officers that he had been shot just as
he was about to enter through the front door of his apartment. He said he heard
several shots fired and was wounded. Vandergriff was transported to Kern
Medical Center and at this time is in stable condition.

Witnesses described two suspects as:
1) Black male, teens, 5’6, thin build, wearing a black hooded
sweatshirt,
2) Black male, teens, 5’6, thin build, wearing a black hooded
sweatshirt.
The suspects were last seen fleeing west in the 1800 block of Hendricks Lane on
foot.

The investigation is continuing. It is unknown at this time whether or not the
incident is gang related.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111.

 On November 19, 2011 at approximately 1145 p.m., Lamont Substation deputies responded to the 8200 block of Wharton Avenue regarding the report of a shooting victim. When deputies arrived, they located Oscar Balderas suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body and head. Balderas was transported to Kern Medical Center and treated for his injuries. Homicide Detectives responded and conducted an investigation in to the shooting. Crispin Grajeda, 62 years old, was identified as the suspect who shot Balderas during an argument inside the residence. Crispin Grajeda was arrested for Attempted Murder and booked into the Kern County Jail. SR11-28085.

The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating unknown suspects wanted for vehicle burglary and the recovery of stolen medical equipment.
Between 11/18/11 and 11/19/11, unknown suspect(s) burglarized the victim’s vehicle,
which was parked at the Marriott, 801 Truxtun Avenue, and removed medical supplies
and a laptop. Aside from the laptop, investigators believe the other supplies would have
been of no use to the suspects and they may have discarded them or tried to sell them.
Anyone with information regarding the burglary or the whereabouts of the property is
encouraged to call Detective Michael Golleher at 326-3504.
You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy.
Simply enter 274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the
police department and the sender remains completely anonymous.
Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at
https://www.tipsubmit.com.

The primary cause of deaths on our local streets and highways remains drunk driving and the Kern Avoid
DUI Task Force will keep up with its DUI enforcement in Kern County as a result of a recent $253,000 grant
awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the Bakersfield Police Department. The Bakersfield
Police Department will administer the grant for Kern County.

“The Kern Avoid DUI Campaign is named to send the message that if you don’t drink and drive, you will
avoid getting arrested by any of the 18 participating law enforcement agencies in Kern County,” said Chief
Greg Williamson.

The grant activities will specifically target those who drink too much and get behind the wheel. Officers will
be staffing DUI/Driver License Checkpoints, multi-agency DUI Task Force deployments, and local DUI
saturation patrols for each partnering agency. Additionally, funding will target the ‘worst of the worst’
repeat DUI offenders with Warrant/Probation Sweeps and Court Sting Enforcement Operations focusing on
DUI offenders who leave court hearings and drive away on suspended licenses after being ordered not to
drive by a judge.

“The Avoid DUI Task Forces have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths on our
roadways in the last five years in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the Office of Traffic
Safety. “Tragically, DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at over 30 percent of traffic fatalities. This grant
will help combat that, making Bakersfield and Kern County a safer place to live and work.”

DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints are a key component of the grant. These highly visible, highly publicized
events are meant to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. Research shows that crashes involving
alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the
most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding considerable cost
savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

Motorists can expect to see special DUI campaigns during the winter and summer holiday periods as well as
on Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo and during local special events with
identified DUI Problems. Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Kern Avoid DUI Taskforce 2
Agencies participating in the Kern Avoid taskforce include:
Bakersfield Police Department
California Highway Patrol
California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control
California State University Bakersfield Police
Kern County Sheriff’s Department
Kern County Probation Department
Kern High School Police Department
Delano Police Department
Shafter Police Department
Taft Police Department
Arvin Police Department
Tehachapi Police Department
Ridgecrest Police Department
California City Police Department
McFarland Police Department
Stallion Springs Police Department
Bear Valley Police Department
Maricopa Police Department

On October 30, 2011, at approximately 12:25 a.m. Bakersfield Police responded to a report of a robbery that just occurred at Max Muscle, 8000 McNair Lane. Upon arrival, officers contacted the owner of the business who said that two armed suspects had attempted to rob him. He reported that as the suspects fled the business he fired several shots at them.

Investigation revealed that two suspects described as:
1) Black male, 20’s, 5’10, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, armed with a dark colored handgun.
2) Black male, 20’s, 5’7, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, armed with a dark colored handgun, entered the rear open door of the business. Once inside they confronted the male owner of the business and a female companion. Both suspects brandished firearms. The male victim was ordered to the ground at gunpoint. After making demands for money, one of the suspects walked to the rear of the business. The male victim then retrieved a firearm and attempted to fire at the suspects. The suspects then fled the business and are pursued by the male victim. As the suspects fled the male victim fired three shots at the armed suspects. They were not injured and are still at large.

The suspects took currency from the business. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111.