Card players gather for Magic: The Gathering

Russo’s Bookstore is known to hold an array of events to attract more business by giving the community a place to bond over a common interest.

This Friday I watched over the guys and girls as they engaged countless hours of mental dexterity.

Click here to see The Gathering!

Can’t beat the heat? Escape it!

One of the best ways to beat the heat in Bakersfield is to escape it. That does not mean you have to plan elaborate three day trip as far away for Kern County as humanely possible. However, a little alone time is always beneficial to one’s psyche.

Bakersfield is surrounded by quaint towns that are home to many historical pieces within its respective community.

Allensworth is a historical town located roughly 30 minutes North of Bakersfield. This town was originally founded by former slaves on Aug 03, 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth.

courtesy of: northstarnews.com

This town is now the location of Colonel Allensworth’s State Historic Park. The park has a visiting center that holds tours. Visitors can also camp out on the grounds. Special events are held throughout the year to raise awareness about one of the first all-black communities.

In celebration of Juneteenth, the earliest form of celebration for freeing the slaves, the Allensworth State Historic Park holds an annual event where participants can ride bikes and engage in other activities including entertainment, guest speakers and free tours.

Their annual rededication event will take place on Oct. 12.

According to the park’s website, this event seeks to “renew our commitment to the park and its symbolic representation of self determination for all African-Americans in the areas of education and economic development.”

The City of Tehachapi, though plagued by obscurity,  can be a place for great entertainment when it’s found. After the City Council teamed up with the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association (TMRA) in 2012, the groups improved and began operating the Tehachapi Event Center Rodeo Grounds.

On July 4th, the rodeo grounds will be hosting their annual Bad Bulls Tour. Guest are encouraged to go out and support a cool day and a show filled with clever clowns, raging bulls and the fearless cowboys who ride them. A Patriotic Fireworks Finale will follow the show to honor those served in the military.

courtesy of: liveuptehachapi.com

Ticket prices for this event are: $15- at the gate. Special discounts are applicable.

 

Guys, MC Hammer is coming.

Do you enjoy casinos? Are you a fan of early ’90s hip-hop?

The years since “U Can’t Touch This” haven’t been particularly kind to MC Hammer, yet he continues to tour. What a trooper.

If your answer to either of those two questions was ‘yes,’ then you’re in for a treat. If you answered ‘no,’ then please feel free to keep reading or browse the rest of our website; there’s some really cool stuff here.  Eagle Mountain Casino will be hosting the king of ’90s one-hit-wonders on Friday, June 14. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the casino in Tulare. Sure, this place isn’t exactly in Bakersfield and requires somewhat of a drive (If you consider an hour and a half ‘a drive.’). The important thing to remember is that this isn’t some no-name lowlife entertainer performing. This is MC Hammer! Who can forget his megahit “U Can’t Touch This” and…

Um…

I’m sure he has more songs. I hope he has more songs.

Tickets start at a price of $25, which isn’t all that bad. After the show, patrons can wander the casino freely, which is great. I’ve been in a casino, but refrained from gambling since I’m not 21 years old yet. Despite my inability to engage in the activities, I was entranced by the many shiny things scattered around the casino, including the flashing lights on the slot machines and the carnival-like atmosphere. One possible downside to the casino aspect of this event is the constant cigarette smell. I’m not a big fan of that particular smell.

X Marks the Spot

Geocaching is modern day treasure hunting. The outdoor recreational activity can provide plenty of fun and entertainment for those who are looking for something new and interesting to partake in.

Firstly, treasure seekers typically use GPS through their mobile devices or a receiver in order to locate geocaches. Caches contain hidden treasures and a log to keep records of geocachers and the date the found the cache. If a treasure is removed, a new treasure of equal or more value must replace it. The goal is to trade items. You take something with you and leave something behind, like leaving your mark.

Caches are generally contained in pill bottles, military ammunition boxes, Tupperware and/or other storage containers. Little trinkets await whoever finds them.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
It’s always fun to find random objects in caches.

The coolest aspect of geocaching is that you’re finding something that someone else—someone you’ve never met but are now connected with—has left behind. You make your mark by entering your name or team name in a log with the date you found the cache.

There are caches everywhere and all over to find. It’s truly fascinating to look through the cache and examine the wondrous objects left behind by others for you to find. Bakersfield has several caches that you can find.

I suggest using this website http://www.geocaching.com/ to get started and learn more. To find others interested in geocaching with you, visit this page.  If you have a Smartphone, you can download the app by Groundspeak Inc. for $9.99 and it has great features and functions to aid your quest. It will show nearby caches, track your progress with interactive maps or compass view and more.

Geocaching can be thrilling and adventurous. It can also challenge you with obscure clues and messages left by others. It’s definitely a fun way to enjoy your day or evening if you’re tight on money and need something to do with friends. Best of luck, treasure seekers!

What to do when Bakersfield turns up the Heat

The Bakersfield heat has been known to drench its residents in sweat and give an overwhelming sense of desperation to escape. With the summer approaching quickly, all you will want to do is douse yourself with these three ways to beat the heat.

1. Just Keep Swimming

Hanging pool side with friends is an excellent way to beat the heat in Bakersfield.

In this town, the struggle is real. As the sun beats down upon you, it’s a true wonder that the sun hasn’t melted you yet. You need SPF 45 just to stay alive. The best way to beat the heat in Bakersfield is to cannonball right into your pool if you have one. If you don’t have a swimming pool to call your own, you may have to find a friend that does or venture out to Buena Vista Lake. It’s a short drive away and the parking fee is cheap if you’d like to take a group of friends out for a good time.

You can check out BV Lake’s facebook page here

2. Scream for Ice Cream

Image by flickr.com
Everyone loves ice cream on a hot day.

There are so many places you can get your ice cream fix around Bakersfield. One of my favorite choices is your neighborhood’s local ice cream man or the ‘La Rosa Man’ who sells those delectable Mexican popsicles. If you’d rather not wait around for either men and don’t have their pop-by schedules memorized you can head down to Dewar’s, Cold Stone’s, Baskin Robbins, RiteAid or a Sno Shack nearest you. Nothing cools you down like icy yumminess.

For a list of various ice cream places in Bakersfield, click here

3. Netflix, the AC and the wardrobe

Image by: Netflix.com
Netflix is a wonderful way to relax, stay out of the heat and bond with others.

Power your air conditioner on, throw on some light and breathable comfies and plop yourself how you see fit on your couch. Netflix’s streaming plan is only $7.99 month (and another $7.99 if you’re interested in the DVD plan as well). The instant streaming can offer a wide variety of movies and tv shows. You can find some real treasures with independent films, foreign films and the plethora of tv shows that Netflix has to offer. It’s all very easy to use, and it’s ideal for those days you don’t feel like wandering outside your house to get fried by the Bakersfield sun.

Click this link to sign up for your own Netflix account.

Fun Moments at Camelot Park

Two friends share why people should go to Camelot Park.

Skateland

Skateland’s manager Natalie Dunn Fries and longtime skater Julie share why you should come to Bakersfield Skateland.

Slacklining in Bakersfield

While out at Riverwalk park I ran into an amazing group of guys doing what is called Slacklining. Zeke said, “Slacklining is a combination of a tightrope walk rope and a trampoline wire.”

Local bowling alley offers fun for all!

Southwest Lanes is a great place to enjoy a round of bowling with friends!

 

https://soundcloud.com/#csubjournalism/local-bowling-alley-offers-fun

Spray Parks Are A Free and Easy Way To Stay Cool in B-Town

(Photo Courtesy of: http://www.turnto23.com)

Spray parks are a recent source of entertainment for the city of Bakersfield.  The biggest and most centrally located is the spray park at Jastro Park. 

Once home of a public swimming pool Jastro Park underwent a remodel to turn some of its space into a public water spray park.  Open from May until October this park offers an inexpensive and fun way to the beat the Bakersfield heat. The park offers fun interactive water hoses, spray tubes and even dumping buckets to keep visitors entertained for hours.

(Photo Courtesy of: BakersfieldSwim.Com)

Jastro Park is just one of many spray parks that Bakersfield has to offer.  Ranging from smaller parks with only a few spray hoses like Beale Water Spray Park. Or Greystone Spray Park that in addition to its regular spray fun features a large duping bucket that unloads every 2 minutes.  Some locations like Jefferson Park offers both a spray park and public swimming pool for just $2 admission.

Of course the ultimate spray park and public swimming pool destination is McMurtrey Aquatic Center located downtown.  For a minimal fee you can have wet summer fun on the centers 2 pools, spray park and water slides.  With recreation areas and picnic tables this location makes a family fun day easy and cheap.

With a total of 8 city spray parks it’s not hard to find a location near you.  Remember to apply plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated as Bakersfield temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in the summer.

For a complete list of Bakersfield spray parks and hours please visit the BakersfieldSwim website.