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)

Girls’ Night Out

Girls Night Out

Women today have a lot more on their plates than ever before. With an abundance of responsibilities such as: work, school, and family, ladies have less time for socializing and even less time for relaxing. A girls’ night is a simple way to kill two birds with one stone. girls’ night out, or ladies’ night, can be described as a social gathering for a small group of girlfriends. The friends spend quality time together to catch up with one another. They engage in activities that are of interest to everyone. You can’t go wrong with the three basics: food, fun, and drinks! Also, despite popular belief, girls’ night out doesn’t have to start after sunset. There are plenty of day-time activities fof ladies to participate in.

Client receives facial treatment at Skinsations Medical Spa

Spa: One of the most common forms of quality girl timewould have to be going to the spa. Bakersfield is home to many options, Skinsation medical spa and EuroTan Spa are two of the more established spas within the city. Both establishments have made regular appearances in Bakersfield Life. A massage is one of the best ways to wind down.  Skinsation goes above and beyond by offering body wraps, body scrubs,  facials, and minimal medical procedures. EuroTan Spa, a subsidery of  Europhoria Spa & Solarium, provides massages along with tanning services, specialty facials, and waxing treatments. Many spas today offer hair and nail treatments to better serve customers. Planning ahead and researching various spas and any accompanying deals make preperation and execution easier, especially with groups of women.

Image provided by richlymiddleclass.com

Shop: There is no need to shop ’til you drop, but a little retail therapy never hurt. Even if it’s just a pair of gold hoop earrings, buying a gift for oneself is sometimes necessary. It can be viewed as a small token of self-appreciation for all of the hard work that only you know you do. Valley Plaza Mall is home to an ecletic mix of shops. However, the area can become very crowded and cause ones’ patience to dwindle. This defeats the purpose of having a girls’ night (or day). A more relaxing place to shop, or window shop, would be the Marketplace. The stores are more “high-end,” but there is more elbow room. Also, everybody seems to move at a slower pace. For the budget-minded, try to plan ladies’ night around sale days or shop from the clearance rack to catch a steal.

Dinner & Drinks: You can indulge in both or just stick to one. The possibilities are endless for where to eat. Different people have different taste buds. Sushi is enjoyed by many. Ichibans off of Gosford offers quality sushi dishes with affordable prices. Chilli’s, Olive Garden, and the Elephant Bar, all located within Bakersfield, give residents a range of restaurants and eateries to choose from. For a more energetic atmosphere, try Hooters, it gives you a reason to leave the kids at home. Hooters, like many eating establishments have bars installed for guest to wait or watch television. For those who find this less than desireable, downtown Bakersfield has an activ street life which makes bar-hopping a breeze. The Padre Hotel gets positive feedback for its ability to create a club-like mood. Que Pasa, though it caters to a different demographic, can be a blast with events like Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday. $2 tacos and half-priced drinks, need I say more?

Hooters waitresses serve up smiles in the form of chicken and beer.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
The Marketplace is a wonderful environment for friends and family, offering eateries, shopping, entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Jill Miller, 42, holds onto her daughter Sabrina, 3 1/2, protectively as she touches the water of the fountain.

 

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Jill Miller, 42, keeps a watchful and loving eye on her daughter Sabrina, 3 1/2, as she plays by the fountain at The Marketplace.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Jill Miller, 42, gazes at the fountain with her 3 1/2-year-old daughter Sabrina.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Bakersfield’s Marketplace offers lovely landscape design by offering roses underneath an old style lamp.

 

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Jessica Sons, 16, and younger sister, Jenny Sons, 11, gaze out into the distance as they eat their frozen yogurt at The Marketplace.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Jessica Sons (middle), enjoys her sixteenth birthday alongside her siblings Jared Sons, 14, and Jenny Sons, 11.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Amanda Caldwell bites into her rainbow sherbet ice cream.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Mary-Kay beauty consultant Dolores Ventura assists Danielle Alcala in matching her color tone for liquid foundation.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Katelyn Prosser applies the finishing details of her eye makeup.

Photo by: Athena Skapinakis
Mary-Kay specialist Dolores Ventura sets up a makeup palette for her guests.

 

When Bakersfield has nice weather, many residents enjoy being outdoors. The Marketplace is a family-friendly atmosphere for eating, shopping and entertainment. For a day with your best girlfriends, hosting a Mary-Kay makeup party may be exactly what you need. There is nothing quite like sharing good company, playing with makeup and making some new purchases to satiate your inner shopaholic.

Downtown Thrifting

Thrift Store: In Your Wildest Dreams
April 24th @ Downtown Bakersfield

Two young customers swap second-hand bags after class.

Elise Cotton peruses through shirts during her lunch break.

Rebecca Iao tries on vintage bracelets

An Antique cash register for sale at In Your Wildest Dreams.

Finding Treasures in Bakersfield is Easier Than You Think

Have you ever wondered where your friend or neighbor got that really amazing piece of furniture or piece of clothing for that super great deal? Look no further other than right in your own town, Bakersfield. Located downtown are several locally owned antique boutiques that offer a huge variety of items that range in all different prices. My dad rents one of the many spaces that are available in Forget Me Not Antiques, located downtown on 19th street. Each booth is run by the store workers, but the booth is kept up by the renter/ owner of the items. Many people like my father, go yard selling every Saturday to find their treasures, and others accumulate theirs through deceased relatives or older relatives that have kept their precious items for years and years.

This picture shows some of the items that are for sale in downtown Bakersfield. (Photo Credit: http://forgetmenotantiqueboutique.weebly.com/)

These stores appeal to all ages whether you are looking for an old vintage piece of clothing or furniture, or hand made baby clothes. The possibilities are endless and there is an item for everyone. The best part about these antique store is that most of the owners of the booths are willing to bargain and negotiate their prices. This helps both you and the vendor settle on a fair price and both people can leave happy. Woolworths is another popular antique store that has been around for decades that even offers an old time burger joint located right inside the building. You can enjoy the 50’s atmosphere while listening to music of that era and watching your server make your burger and fries right in front of you while twirling in their poodle skirt! So on  your next weekend off when you are up for an adventure, take a stroll downtown and visit one of these antique stores, and I guarantee you won’t leave empty handed!