Fandango Movie Theatres Offer Cool Movies and Atmosphere at Valley Plaza Mall

One of the coolest things to do in Bakersfield when the weather heats up is to go to the movies. Fandango Theatre at Valley Plaza Mall is located at 2000 Wible Road, Bakersfield.  Offering 16 movie times and tickets daily, they show current blockbuster films all day long. The matinees are between 11:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and are priced at $5.50 for all patrons. At 5:00 p.m. ticket prices change to $7.50 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and children. For more information go to www.fandango.com or call (661) 833-2230.

Fandango Movie Theatres offer cool family entertainment. Photo by: Wanda Winkler

You can grab a bite to eat while watching the movie. Candies, hot dogs, sodas, and of course, buckets of hot buttered popcorn are available in many sizes and prices, depending on your appetite.

Hot dogs, buttered popcorn, and sodas are delicious movie snacks. Photo by: Wanda Winkler

One of my favorite movies playing this weekend is Iron Man Three, 3D. It is the latest film in the trilogy and is full of adventure and famous stars like Robert Downing Jr., and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Iron Man Three in 3D is dynamite. Photo by: Wanda Winkler

Opinions and Comments about the movie were mixed.

“I really liked the first Iron Man the best because it was original and started out fresh,” Cameron Denny, 18, said.

  “For me, Iron Man Three is the best one so far,” Jackie Morgan, 28 said. “I think Robert Downey Jr. is so cute, and I love to see him in action,” Morgan said. 

Other action packed movies playing this week include: “Star Trek into Darkness,” which comes in 3D, and “The Great Gatsby” also available in 3D, “Pain & Gain,” and “Peeples”. Many of the people that work at the theatre also get to watch the movies  that are playing.

Manny Evangelista, 21, loves his job at Fandango. Photo by: Wanda Winkler

 

“I love my job at Fandango’s because we get good benefits, and nice discounts on our tickets. The people are very friendly and I like to greet them and help them with directions,” Evangelista, 21, said. He has only worked at the theatre for six months but he plans to stay there for a while.

You can also stay cool by walking through the air conditioned stores and restaurants next door to Fandango’s at The Valley Plaza Mall. Famous department stores offer excellent window shopping as you walk a mile or two just strolling the enclosed hallways. It is fun and the miles can add up by walking from one end of the mall to the other once or twice a week. There are no “mall walking fees,” so it might be more economical for people looking for inside walking with the added comfort of central air conditioning, to go to the mall. There is also disabled parking and bathrooms for wheelchair assisted persons. For more information go to: www.valleyplazamall.com or call: (661) 832-2436. Valley Plaza is located at 2701 Ming Avenue, Bakersfield.

Walk inside the air conditioned Valley Plaza mall to stay cool. Photo by: Wanda Winkler

For other great malls in your area go to: www.mallseeker.com. This site assists in finding malls and providing a list of stores that are located inside the mall.

Welcome to the Swap Meet: A great place of vast opportunities!

 

The South Union Swap meet in Bakersfield offers a wide variety of new and used products and services as more than 300 vendors come out every weekend to be part of this outdoor market experience. After hearing several stories about how this place manages to offer used and new products at affordable and reasonable prices, and at the same time offer an entertaining experience, I decided to visit it for myself, and see what is really all about.  This is what I found out based on a vendor seller’s perspective.

Information about current admission prices includes the following:

Current Admission Prices (2013)

Hotel California Pays Tribute to The Eagles

Family Fun Begins When You Bring Your Chairs and Refreshments

Hotel California Pays Tribute to The Eagles

Hotel California’s Tribute to the Eagles is Family Entertainment

With the temperatures in the high 80s at 8 p.m., Bakersfield families enjoyed cooling-off with an outdoor concert at the Bright House Networks Amphitheater. Located at 11200 Stockdale Hwy., the amphitheater is unique. It is a gathering place for families to enjoy outdoor picnics while listening to a concert, sitting on the grass or bringing their own chairs. Adults are allowed to bring wine or beer, provided they check in with authorities and get the proper wristband permit. The amphitheater is located within walking distance of fine restaurants like P.F. Chang’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Café Med. For more information on events call (661) 852-7777 or go to: www.bakersfieldamphitheatre.us.

Hotel California plays “Life in the Fast Lane”

The only problem with the concert is that several people thought The Eagles were really going to be playing and not a band named Hotel California. “I’ve never heard of a band named Hotel California,” Hermano Gonzales said as he left the park.  “I thought the Eagles were going to be playing,” Gonzales said. He indicated that the name of the band was not as clear as it could’ve been, although it was advertised as, “Hotel California gives tribute to the Eagles.” Most people stayed and enjoyed their evening regardless of the band’s name. “This is not the Eagles–only a salute,” Brian Carrici ,55, said. “I go to all of the shows in Bakersfield. The first show I ever saw was in 1971-72–The James Gang. In fact, Rare Earth will be playing June 8 here at the Amphitheatre and I intend to go to that concert as well,” Carrici said.

Hotel California is a band’s name and they pay tribute to The Eagles.

Other events coming this summer include:

Martina McBride-June 28

Air Supply-June 29

Summerland Tour-June 30

For more details go to www.ticketmaster.com

or like Bright House Amphitheatre on www.facebook.com/Bright-House-Network-Amphitheatre

Buck Owens’ Ghost Is Alive After Seven Years

BUCK OWENS’ MAUSOLEUM

PHOTO BY: WANDA WINKLER

  March 25 was the seven-year anniversary of the death of Buck Owens. So where is the country western music legend? He is buried in The Buck Owens Family mausoleum in Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield. The mausoleum, also named  “Buck’s Place,” is the largest structure in the graveyard except for the Georgian mansion used for the office and mortuary building. He is interred in the mausoleum which also contains his mother and the ashes of his first wife, Bonnie Campbell Owens. Some people go to the graveyard looking for Buck. Others write books about his ghost. “The Ghost of Buck Owens: And Other Tales From the San Joaquin,” by Steve Sorensen was released in 2011.                                                 

  Chris Porfiri, 47, who works at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery said, “there have been a couple of times when folks will stop into the park and ask where they can find Buck Owens’s grave– so we direct them to the mausoleum.” For more details on finding his grave go to http://www.findagrave.com.

  Bakersfield’s most popular entertainer, Owens was born Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr., in Sherman, Texas, to a sharecropping family and moved to Bakersfield when he was 21 years old. He signed a recording contract with Los Angeles music giant Capital Records in 1957, and his career took off from there. He became one of America’s top country western musicians, singers, writers, and entrepreneurs. The Crystal Palace, his legacy museum located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., is a unique masterpiece exhibiting exquisite western charm, history, and hometown hospitality. Owens left a sensational mark on this city, including his last No.1 hit song titled, “The Streets of Bakersfield.” For more information go to http://www.buckowens.com.

  Dave Lyman, 55, from the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau said he’s never been asked about Owens’ grave site. However, “large numbers of tour buses stop here on their way to someplace else, like Fresno, Yosemite, or Sequoia National Park. They are not making a pilgrimage to Bakersfield to see the Crystal Palace specifically or to go to Buck Owens’ grave,” Lyman said.

  “The bus drivers are only allowed to drive so many hours a day, so they stop in Bakersfield because it is the midway point between several locations. Fortunately, the Crystal Palace is conveniently located and because they serve great meals, it’s a favorite location for the bus drivers and the passengers,” Lyman said.

  Buck Owens made his mark in life as a composer, singer, entrepreneur, and publisher, and in death with his majestic burial site. His mausoleum is original and available to the public free of charge at Greenlawn Cemetery. “After all,” Lyman said, “it’s not like you have a Crystal Palace or Buck Owens in every town.”

 

Power Rankings: Bakersfield’s top movie theaters

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re bored and on a budget just like me. So how do you stay in town and have a good time? For starters, you can see a movie.

Want to see a movie right now? Check out movie times, even buy tickets here: http://www.fandango.com/bakersfield_ca_movietimes

When it comes to watching a movie in Bakersfield, there are really only three options. I’ll rank them for you right now.

If you want to see a movie in Bakersfield, go to Edwards. Just look at it, Greek gods could live here. (Photo from bluefier.com)

1. Edwards Cinema (9000 Ming Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93311 Phone: [661] 663-3042): If there’s any place to be when you’re in the mood for a movie, it’s here. For starters, it’s a sight to see on the inside. It’s clean, and there’s an awesome bathroom upstairs if you’re willing to make the 30-second trek. On the outside, it’s just as good. The Edwards Cinema is located in the Marketplace, the biggest social hub in town. It’s in a nice part of town and there’s all kinds of food everywhere, which is always a plus. The only down side to this location is that on Friday nights, the place is crawling with eighth graders.
2. Reading Cinemas (2000 Wible Road, Bakersfield, CA 93304 Phone: [661] 833-2230): This places second on my list just because it’s better than what’s next. I like this one because it’s close to the mall, just in case you want to spend a lot of money when you’re done with your movie. Good luck finding a parking spot in the same time zone, though.
3. Maya Cinemas (1000 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304 [661] 636-0484): This place is nice and spacious on the inside, complete with the best arcade selection on the list. If you’re going to see a movie here, go in an armored car… or a tank. Your movie-watching experience would be untouched as far as your satisfaction is concerned. That is, until you go outside. The Maya isn’t exactly in the best part of town, and is known for the robberies that go on in it’s parking lots.

These are my top three movie theaters here in town. However, there are two more that need mentioning: The Dollar Theater and Regency Theaters at the East Hills Mall. These are great if you’re feeling adventurous and brave or you want to shake off a terrible date.

Here’s the link to buy tickets at Edwards: http://www.fandango.com/edwardsbakersfieldstadium14_aaede/theaterpage

Entertainment in Bakersfield: Three High Quality Choices

Although we may all be under the impression that Bakersfield is just a small city, it is important to keep in mind that its entertainment sources are increasingly expanding throughout the years. When it comes down to narrowing choices for a weekend of entertainment in Bakersfield, the choices may be unlimited! It all depends on what you are looking for!

People enjoying a sunny day at the River Walk Park.
Source: http://www.rjmdesigngroup.com

 River Walk Park: If you are looking for a meditative experience, where you can reflect upon the recent events in your life, or simply reorganize your thoughts, then going to the River Walk Park located by Buena Vista Road and Stockdale Hwy, would be the most suitable choice. River Walk can be described as a recreational park in which you can contemplate wonderful nature features such as native plants, luxurious landscapes, and even lakes.

Padre Hotel Lounge Logo
Source: http://www.eventful.com

 

Padre Hotel Bar/Lounge: If you are really looking forward a place to distract yourself to get away from the ordinary stresses of the everyday life, embarking upon a wilder experience might be just the right choice for you. The nightclubs in Bakersfield may help you achieve this wilder experience in which you can rejoice yourself by socially drinking or dancing the night away in flashy platforms. A great place to embark upon this “wilder” experience is the Padre Hotel located at Bakersfield’s downtown. El Padre Hotel nightclub features all kinds of music every weekend, in a classy and trendy atmosphere at no cost to you.

People lining up to pay for their movie tickets.
Source: http://www.cinematreasures.org

Edwards Theater: But if the nightlife is not suitable to you, another wonderful place where to relax and enjoy of a stress-free environment is the theater! Watching a funny, romantic, or action movie isn’t a bad idea when it comes to trying to entertain ourselves. In fact, it may also serve for a higher purpose: inspiration. Inspiration may come by simply watching a conversation in a movie. Who knows? you might be able to expand your ideas on a story you would like to write in the near future. So what could it be better than killing two birds at once by entertaining and inspiring ourselves simultaneously? A wonderful theater to do so is the Edwards Bakersfield as it features the newest movies all the time, and it even offers discounts for College students on Tuesdays. It is conveniently located on Ming Avenue at the Marketplace.

So now whenever you find yourself debating in what to do for fun on an ordinary weekend, keep in mind these wonderful places! They could definitely offer you an upscale experience from which you can get away from the monotonous stresses of life.

Dance the Night Away…

 

A night out at the club is a great opportunity for young people to socialize and meet new friends.Captions provided by destinationcw.org.

In a quest for finding entertainment in Bakersfield, much effort isn’t involved. Fun can be found in a variety of platforms, in different shapes and forms. As part of a young generation, one of the things I enjoy doing the most is going to nightclubs. There is a variety of nightclubs where to go to if you are looking forward dancing the night away.
One of my favorite places to go to is El Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, which is actually a restaurant during the day. On the weekends, it turns into a place of flashy lights and loud music; music of different genres that vary from hip-hop to even soft Spanish rock. El Que Pasa Mexican Cafe is definitely my first choice when it comes to going out with friends. They actually play both Spanish and English music, where you can party like a rock star!
This club is the ideal place to go if you want to socialize with friends and meet new people of similar as well as of different interests. Its friendly atmosphere makes it the perfect place to dance to the contagious popular hits featured, or simply relax by enjoying of the drink specials served throughout the night. Best part of it is that the cover charge is on them. Yes, that’s what I just said. The entrance is free!
The club is located at 2701 Ming Ave. in Bakersfield’s mall, Valley Plaza. If location is a problem, it would be a great idea to look for more nightclub options around Bakersfield by visiting, http://www.bakersfieldnightout.com/bars/nightclubs
But if you are especially interested in knowing what a night is like at Que Pasa, check out this video,
http://youtu.be/vRSoze94pto

A Place that Entertains…

Picture provided by http://calmzoo.org. Children observe the Black bear.

Bakersfield is definitely a small town when compared to big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is conservative community that is growing at an accelerated rate, and so are its entertaining sources. Some may think that there is nothing to do in Bakersfield, but it is just a matter of looking around, rather than being passive spectators, waiting for something fun to pop out in our daily lives. One of the most fascinating entertaining experiences residents in Bakersfield can enjoy is the California Living Museum (CALM), which is only 20 minutes away from Bakersfield Downtown. Visiting CALM is a unique experience that does not only amuses us with its variety of exhibits of animals such as the Black bear and the two female lions, or the beautiful landscapes of Californian trees, but ultimately it enlightens our knowledge of the native features of Californian lands. How is this wonderful educational experience not taking into consideration when deciding whether there is or not entertainment in Bakersfield? With all the due respect to those that are convinced about the statement, “There is nothing to do in Bakersfield” I must state that their opinion is somewhat oblivious, as it is evident with the existence of CALM. Anyone out there interested in being part of an amazing experience should visit the following website, http://www.calmzoo.org. Maybe this will totally change your opinion that there is nothing to do in Bakersfield. And if you are interested in searching the zoo’s history before actually visiting, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Living_Museum, it will definitely help you have an insight about such unique place.