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Lois Henry

Robert Price

  • A journey toward healing fraught with pain, irony

    For 10 years, Franzisca Nzau gazed upon the face of African chaos. Widowed mothers, orphaned children, raped girls, tortured men: a continent paralyzed by catastrophic dysfunction seemed to assemble at her humble doorstep daily. She was not equipped to offer much more in response than meager rations of food, soothing words and barbed-wire sanctuary.

  • Battle for soul of GOP reflects on McCarthy

    Kevin McCarthy represents the reddest county in California, but as his party's chief recruiter of congressional candidates, he grudgingly acknowledges that some places on the Republican map lean a little toward violet.

Herb Benham

Mike Griffith

Pete Tittl

  • PETE TITTL: If you're rarin' for Bavarian, try this

    It's easy to forget about Bit of Germany on the east side because German cuisine doesn't get the kind of universal respect reserved for, say, French and Chinese cuisine. It doesn't have the cool quotient of California cuisine. It's just European and, like Mexican food, possibly unfairly downgraded for not having exquisite sauces.

  • PETE TITTL: Victor Victoria's raises the bar

    I had to take a few deep breaths before I wrote this review, so impressive was my first visit to Victor Victoria's, an elegant new downtown restaurant.

Ralph Bailey

  • Ralph Bailey: Our kids deserve innovative charter schools

    Charter schools are the tsunami of the future and while some believe this new wave could wipe out formal public education, charters will be the new road to a sea of success for disenfranchised children.

  • Ralph Bailey: Afghanistan rules of engagement are all wrong

    I often use the greatest motion picture to help me understand things and when contemplating Afghanistan, I recall "The Godfather" and Michael Corleone's dilemma. Forced to cut a deal with hoodlums who tried to kill his father, Michael opts finally to solve the situation: Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out!

Inga Barks

  • INGA BARKS: "Science" not impressing me

    I'm no scientist, though "science" was on my degree from Cal State Bakersfield. But I can tell you "science" has proven there is and isn't a God, the earth is cooling and warming, embryonic stem cells are worthless and have potential, and I should always...always avoid red dye number two.

  • Inga Barks: Blame legislator, not just PG&E, for higher rates

    Disclaimer: I'm neither an apologist nor fan of PG&E. I too have stories of heartless billing departments and disputed statements. They're on par with every plumber who gave me sticker shock, and every grocery clerk who double-charged me for milk (except for that pesky fact that I can shop elsewhere, which isn't so with utilities. But that's another column).

Heather Ijames

Ric Llewellyn

Camille Gavin

  • CAMILLE GAVIN: Southside serves up musical selection

    Mellow music, the kind that was popular in the big band era of the 1930s and '40s, will make up most of the program when the Southside Chicago Seven presents a free concert on Sunday afternoon at the First Congregational Church.

  • CAMILLE GAVIN: Webb back in director's chair

    After a long hiatus, Hank Webb has jumped back into the local theater scene in a big way. In January, the retired Bakersfield College drama professor did a fine job of portraying a World War I veteran in "Heroes" at Stars. This month he's directing "On Golden Pond," which opens this evening for a two-weekend run at the same theater.

Valerie Schultz

  • VALERIE SCHULTZ: In love, committed and gay: Why can't my daughter get married?

    Delightful news has come our way: the first of our daughters is engaged. At 25, she has found her true love, her soul mate, the person to whom she is ready to promise the rest of her life. Our family is so happy for them: we think they are, as they say in "Sleepless in Seattle," "MFEO" (Made For Each Other). Our daughter is immersed in details: dresses and guest lists, menus and venues. She is an artist, and has already designed a handmade invitation. For a girl who used to read bride magazines for fun, this is a magical time.

  • VALERIE SCHULTZ: 'Who are you' is a deeper question

    Several nights ago, my daughter and her friend were reliving their childhoods by watching an old TV episode of "Goosebumps." Based on the popular books by R.L. Stine, "Goosebumps" premiered in the mid-1990s. When the series first aired, my daughter was not allowed to watch it, due to its propensity to induce predawn nightmares in young children. I have since learned that her older sisters used to let her watch it with them when they were baby-sitting her, because they didn't want to miss a single thrilling story. Parents are often the last to know.

Steve Merlo

  • Steve Merlo: Annual Sportsman's Night banquet draws 700-plus

    More than 700 people attended the 59th annual Sportsman's Night dinner and banquet last Tuesday evening, with lots of prizes, including 25 guns, given away through the various raffles and door prizes. But, on a sour note that marred an otherwise great evening of fun, two 15-foot-tall inflatable advertising displays, shaped like Budweiser beer bottles, mysteriously disappeared and need to be returned, practical joke or not, as soon as possible. The missing items are owned by Advance Beverage Co. and cost over $2,000 each. The bottles can be picked up or returned by Monday, November 23, no questions asked, prior to charges being filed with the Bakersfield Police or Kern County Sheriff's Departments. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of said displays needs to contact Jim Roberts at 661-805-5766.

  • Steve merlo: Annual Sportsman's Night banquet draws 700-plus

    More than 700 people attended the 59th annual Sportsman's Night dinner and banquet last Tuesday evening, with lots of prizes, including 25 guns, given away through the various raffles and door prizes. But, on a sour note that marred an otherwise great evening of fun, two 15-foot-tall inflatable advertising displays, shaped like Budweiser beer bottles, mysteriously disappeared and need to be returned, practical joke or not, as soon as possible. The missing items are owned by Advance Beverage Co. and cost over $2,000 each. The bottles can be picked up or returned by Monday, November 23, no questions asked, prior to charges being filed with the Bakersfield Police or Kern County Sheriff's Departments. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of said displays needs to contact Jim Roberts at 661-805-5766.

Robert Gautney