Promoting health and using a play on words to further its agenda is the Cycling Lab Rats, a group of clinical laboratory scientist at Memorial Hospital who have taken up cycling as a group. At its core is co- founder Jessica Liebenow, who started the group with a friend.

Born in Vietnam and raised as an orphan by an American family in New York, local artist Aliza McCracken started painting at 4 years old and developed into a professional artist at 15. Her art carries themes of love, life and hope, blending her passion for drawing and painting with creative w…

Lake Ming will be illuminated by thousands of lanterns with messages of hope, love and loss on Saturday, Oct. 6. Light the Water Lantern Festival will provide each lantern with a purchase of a ticket. Lanterns will be released onto Lake Ming near dusk.

A mission to change the narrative of Bakersfield is gaining momentum.

Photos by Mark Nessia

My name is Gabriela Vasquez.

She had noticed a lump in her breast, but was busy with life – being a mother, having a career, taking care of the house. Her health had to wait. She couldn’t burden anyone else by sharing her concerns and have them worry about her.

Credit companies are bending over backward to get your business. Several no-annual-fee credit cards offer valuable benefits that are often overlooked. Here are nine common credit card benefits you may already have and can tap into.

With plates of braided tea cookies (koulourakia) that glisten like bagels but crumble like a shortbread cookie, celebration cookies (kourabiedes) that are small domes covered in powdered sugar and chocolate-dipped cookie sandwiches only made during the holidays, local baker Mary Mekhel is th…

Women have made charitable planned gifts in America since the 1600s.

When the examining the factors relating to Elise Ferreira’s development into an elite high school volleyball player, the age-old nature versus nurture debate comes to mind.

You wouldn’t imagine that some of the best mac and cheese in Bakersfield is found inside a gas station market, but it is. Don’t take our word for it, though.

Almost 75 percent of Kern County adults are either overweight or obese. Obesity is a significant risk factor for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Dietary improvements can lead to significant improvement in both obesity and chronic diseases. Added sugars in our diets can l…

1. NEW COACH – Jay Woodcroft takes over behind the bench for the Condors following a 13-year tenure in the NHL with three teams. He won a Stanley Cup in 2008 as part of the Detroit Red Wings coaching staff. He is 13th all-time in NHL penalty minutes!

Ever since Andrew Lewis proposed to Spencer Shoemaker, his girlfriend of seven years, on the beaches of Cayucos on Dec. 9, 2017, much of their time outside of work and school has been dedicated toward planning their wedding at The Gardens at Monji on Oct. 14.

It is hard not to notice the spike in homelessness locally, despite years of declining numbers.

Since 1998, the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s Via Arte Italian Street Painting Festival has become a highly anticipated event each October. This year, Via Arte returns to The Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 21.

A subject line caught my attention during an unsuccessful attempt to clean up my inbox a few weeks ago. It read: “Shut Up & Look Pretty: Why Are Women Playing Dumb to Get Ahead?”

Beauty can be alluring, enticing and, oftentimes, elusive. Yet most of us strive for society’s definition of beauty nevertheless. Who wouldn’t want to be considered attractive, desirable and beautiful?

As a physical therapist, one might think that I see athletes or treat shoulders and knee pains all day. In fact, this was my vision of physical therapy about four years ago before I began practicing.

There is nothing the women of Kern County cannot do.

Compiled by Bakersfield Life

Stylist: Laurie Brucker, style ambassador for the Outlets at Tejon

How do you define the “Bakersfield Woman”?

One of my favorite ways to unwind after a stressful week is a relaxing Friday evening meal at Cafe Smitten. It’s like getting out of town without driving two hours each way and the outdoor seating areas are perfect for cool fall evenings.

What’s bacteria got to do with our health?

It’s closing weekend for “The Marvelous Wonderettes" at Stars and those sweet teens have a deal for you. In addition to a 50 percent discount for students for tonight's performance, other guests can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free ticket deal for the same show.

Leather gauntlets slip into place, a golden lasso hangs from the hip and a very iconic tiara is ready for action. Wonder Woman, a symbol of courage and hope for so many, walks tall with her sword and shield along a busy corridor in San Diego.

Meet this year’s Bachelors with these profiles.

Bakersfield Life wanted to find out who the best lawyers are in our area. So, we sent out a poll to local attorneys, asking them who, in their opinion, is the best in each of 19 different specialty areas. Each attorney must be an active could vote just once and could not vote for themselves.…

Preparing for a 5K run isn’t as difficult as it may seem.

A few weeks ago, members of St. Francis Parish Church listened intently as Monsignor Craig Harrison delivered his homily. But something was different at this Mass. Harrison wasn’t at the pulpit. Instead, he appeared in a video projected onto a large screen above the altar, filmed 6,216 miles…

Location: Walter W. Stiern Library at Cal State Bakersfield

As we all know, it is the start of another school year for many children and students. I know far too well how exciting and stressful this time of year can be.

Did you know there are more deaths due to diabetes in Kern County than anywhere else in California?

With the 416 fire raging about 10 miles north of town, Durango had lost some its allure. The normally idyllic town at the foot of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado was filled with smoke and, due to the fire and resulting closure of wilderness areas, offered few of its usually abun…

What many people don’t realize is that Bakersfield is full of opportunity. It offers a supportive community and an affordable cost of living, which allows me to pursue my passions and dreams that would not have been possible had I chose to stay in Los Angeles. A similar story would be told b…

Get ready for an evening of frivolity and charity at the 24th Annual Bakersfield Village Fest Beer Festival. The “Party of the Year” is turning 24, so raise a glass Sept. 8 at the Kern County Museum to the best food and philanthropy our community has to offer.

The beginning of the school year is demanding, especially for new college students. Campuses are much larger than what they are used to. Academic routines change drastically and performance expectations are higher. During this intense time of transition, the freedoms that come with young adu…

What is the best way to choose the right options for prostate cancer treatment?

By Jennifer Olague

Community philanthropy comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Even though he doesn’t play baseball, the best way to describe what Cameron Roberson brings to the Bakersfield College football team would be to use hardball vernacular.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to every community it serves.

Each year, the School of Business and Public Administration at CSU Bakersfield honors an individual who contributes to the enhancement and promotion of the local business climate, exhibits the highest ethical standards and personal integrity and gives back to the community. Established in 19…

When Benjamin Brundage moved to Havilah in 1865, he had no clue he would preside over California’s first water war.

The art of tailgating is more than just a party of fans and nonfans alike getting together to barbecue before the start of sporting events. It’s a way to bring the community together.

The clock is ticking for couples who are throwing in the marital towel. Alimony, also known as spousal support, will no longer be tax-deductible for those signing divorce or separation agreements after 2018. This change is conceivably costly for the spouse paying alimony since tax savings ca…