May We Recommend: KernLife.com

Farmers markets and fruit stands

The Downtown Street Faire
From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month from April to June 2009, Chester Avenue from 18th to 21st streets, 325-5892.

First Friday
From 5 to 8 p.m. the first Friday of the month, 19th Street between Chester Avenue and G Street, 325-5892. Shopping, dining, art shows, entertainment, wine-tasting, farmer's market.

Kern Farmers Market Association
Year-round Markets
Bakersfield: 8 to 11 a.m., Saturdays, Golden State Mall, 3201 F St.
Ridgecrest: 8 to 11 a.m., Fridays, 1631 N. Triangle Drive.
Summer Markets
Delano: 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, 1508 Garces Highway.
East Bakersfield: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays, 815 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Kern County Public Health: 3 to 6 p.m., Thursdays, 1800 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Lamont: 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays, 8787 Hall Road.
Shafter: 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, James St. & Central Ave.
Rosedale: 3 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays, Valley Feed Store, 12905 Hageman Road.

Tehachapi City Farmers’ Market
4 to 7 p.m., Thursdays,May 29 to Aug. 28, Railroad Park at East Tehachapi Boulevard.

Tesch Farm Stand
Bakersfield: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, year-round, east parking lot of Golden State Mall, 3201 F St.
Delano: 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, May to August, 1508 Garces Highway.
Earlimart: 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, May to August, Washington Avenue and State Street in the park.
Lamont: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesdays, May to August, 8787 Hall Road.

Fruit stands
Minetti’s Anxious Acres: 1220 Park Drive, Bakersfield, 366-5226. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, November through March. Citrus, pistachios, orange blossom honey, specialty products.

California Fruit Depot: 10850 Redbank Road, Bakersfield, 366-6303. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, year-round. Citrus, Medjool dates, almonds, pistachios, flavored nuts, olives, dried fruit, and candy.

Murray Family Farms: General Beale Road at Highway 58, 18 miles east of Bakersfield, 339-0296. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, year-round. Seasonal cherries, blueberries, pluots, blackberries, apples, pomelos, peaches, melons, squash, okra, specialty products. Fruit stand: Interstate 5 at Copus Road, 858-1100. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

FLICS @ The Fox

he United Nations of film returns to Bakersfield's Fox Theater on Friday, with the beginning of the second quarter-century of the FLICS International Cinema Society.

Phil and Edna Neufeld founded FLICS, which acquires and shows many films larger theaters would overlook, including many independent and foreign films.

And the proud founders of the organization, Phil and Edna Neufeld, are excited.

"We've gotten a lot of compliments on the selection of films" for this season, Phil Neufeld said. "Most of the films we have are award winners and the best of their genre."

The new season's lineup of 17 films, one more than in the last several years, includes:

* This year's Oscar winner for best foreign language film, the German Cold War drama "The Lives of Others";

* The Irish film "Once," which received the audience award at both the Sundance and Dublin International film festivals;

* "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles," by master Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, which took the prize for best Asian film at the 2007 Hong Kong Film Awards.

Neufeld said that among them, the seven members of this season's FLICS film selection committee -- including him and his wife -- have seen all the films. He himself has seen about six, most of them on DVD, he said.

But, if a recent art film that was not released commercially in Bakersfield theaters -- which is the kind of film FLICS shows -- can be rented on DVD, why go to the movies to see it?

"Most of the people who choose to come to FLICS want to see the film in a theater with good sound," Neufeld said, "and to share the experience with a lot of people."

FLICS is for seasoned film-loving audiences, he said. And because the subject matter is usually deep and many of the films are in foreign languages with English subtitles, it is rare to see families with children at FLICS screenings.

But there are always PG-rated films in a season's lineup -- the Russian film, "The Italian," about a runaway orphan, for example -- that parents might consider their children are mature enough to enjoy.

As is customary for FLICS, a reception with light finger foods, an anniversary cake, wine and nonalcoholic punch will kick off this season's first screening: the 2006 French film "Avenue Montaigne."

Charging just $5 at the box office or $50 for a season pass that allows entrance to all of this season's screenings, FLICS can boast that it offers not just films but also prices that are usually only found overseas.

Season lineup

• Sept. 14: “Avenue Montaigne” (France, 2006)

• Sept. 21: “The Lives of Others” (Germany, 2006)

• Oct. 5: “Confetti” (United Kingdom, 2006)

• Oct. 19: “The Host” (South Korea, 2006)

• Nov. 9: “Lady Chatterly” (Belgium/France, 2007)

• Nov. 30: “La Vie en Rose” (France, 2007)

• Dec. 7: “Paprika” (Japan, 2006)

• Jan. 4: “The Namesake” (India, 2006)

• Jan. 18: “The Valet” (France, 2006)

• Feb. 1: “Away from Her” (Canada, 2007)

• Feb. 15: “Once” (Ireland, 2006)

• Feb. 29: “After the Wedding” (Denmark, 2006)

• March 14: “The Italian” (Russia, 2005)

• March 28: “The TV Set” (United States, 2006)

• April 11: “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles” (China, 2005)

• April 25: “The House of Sand (Brazil, 2006)

• May 2: “Days of Glory” (Algeria/France, 2006)

Where: At the Fox Theater, 2001 H St. in downtown Bakersfield.

Admission: $5 at the box office. Free to FLICS subscribers with current season pass.

To purchase a $50 season pass, call 325-4815 or visit www.flics.org.

Dining Divas at Camille's

Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe is a new addition along the expanding Coffee Rd business district. Our Dining Divas took in lunch at Camille’s, taking notes of their entire experience, to bring you a inside sneak peek.

A New Place For Lunch

Lydia - Tucked in the middle of a brand new plaza on Coffee Road is a new entry into the “fast-fresh” food scene – Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe. Although Camille’s was tricky to spot as I zipped past Rosedale toward Hageman, the food and the atmosphere make it well worth some extra sleuthing.

Penny - Camille’s slogan is “Eat, relax, enjoy!” and you can certainly do all of that at this new restaurant. You can dine in the restaurant, relax on the charming outdoor patio, take your order to go and eat at home or have it catered for your events. Any way you choose to enjoy this restaurant you will be delighted.

Ambience

Penny - The interior is decorated in a shade of green that’s the same color as lettuce. It is accented by purple, like the purple onions that come on the sandwiches. The lighting fixtures are Perrier bottles – what a novel concept!

Lydia - Walking in I was immediately struck by the decor. Despite an “order at the counter” layout, the atmosphere is surprisingly warm and inviting. From the exposed brick walls to the polished concrete floor, Camille’s has the classy look of a much higher-end establishment. While there is plenty of table and booth seating inside, Camille’s is true to its name by also offering a cozy cluster of umbrella-topped tables outside on their patio.

Penny - The outdoor cafe is reminiscent of the sidewalk cafes that people enjoy in other parts of the country and worldwide. Camille’s has done a nice job allowing you to relax under the umbrellas and enjoy a nice chat with a friend during the cooler weather. One of my dining companions said that it made her miss DC, and the outdoor cafes they have there.

A Look at the Menu

Lydia - Putting aside my thoughts of a more decadent future visit, I started to look over the menu. The menu at Camille’s is... well... extensive. It can be a bit overwhelming as you look at the display behind the counter. Luckily, printed menus are available as soon as you arrive and are much easier to navigate.

The menu is divided into five main sections: Wraps, Panini, Sandwiches, Salads and Flatbread Pizzas. The choices within each section range from conventional to imaginative. There are the expected turkey and ham-and-swiss offerings for those who like their lunch “stock,” but the more adventurous can try wraps filled with apples and brie, thai inspired salads and a Greek pizza that boasts pesto, black olives and feta cheese. Camille’s also offers a children’s menu that ranges from the safe (think grilled cheese) to the adventurous (a peanut butter-banana-honey wrap).

Lunchtime Decisions

Tracy - My Chicken Caesar Wrap was an herb-garlic tortilla generously filled with grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, romaine lettuce, tomatoes and creamy Caesar dressing along with a side of tri-colored tortilla chips and fresh spicy salsa. My wrap was filling, tasty and delicious. Now was the time to sample each others choices, something we all enjoy doing. Penny’s Italian Roast Beef Panini served on Focaccia bread with roast beef, provolone cheese, tomatoes, red onions and pesto-mayonnaise, served with tri-colored tortilla chips and salsa; this too was tasty and filling. Lydia had decided on the Rustic Italian Flatbread Pizza with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan cheese and roasted bell peppers. This pizza could have served two and gives other establishments a run for tasty pizzas.

Katie – The hands-down star of our lunch date was my choice of the Mexican Daredevil Grilled Hot Wrap. The jalapeno-cheddar tortilla wrapped sandwich arrived to the table perfectly grilled and oozing with pepperjack cheese. Filled with sliced grilled chicken breast, black beans, cheese, red onion, cilantro, spicy bbq sauce and a sophisticated roasted poblano pepper dressing, the wrap is more burrito than sandwich. Despite genre confusion, the “Daredevil” is a phenomenal choice with quite a kick!

Soups

Katie - Halfway through our lunchtime chitchat, Camille’s Cafe owner, Antoine Feghali, came to our table to suggest we try the tomato soup. We enthusiastically obliged and were not disappointed. The fresh homemade soup was reminiscent of marinara and packed with spiced tomato flavor. This is a recipe I would like to have.

Desserts

Katie - Our date would not have been complete without dessert. It was difficult to choose from the beautifully arranged case of artfully created pastries and desserts. We finally agreed on the Brownie Cheesecake Bar and the Strawberry Breeze Smoothie. The cheesecake bar was rich thick and creamy. It was like eating a huge slice of cheesecake stuffed into a small brownie, definitely a treated to be shared.

Tracy - The Smoothie was a refreshing blend of strawberries, banana, honey and pineapple juice. I could easily go into Camille’s just for one of their smoothies – it was that great.

Extras

Penny - Catering is another feature that may set Camille’s apart. They have an extensive catering menu that is reasonably priced. The signature trays include wraps, Paninis or traditional sandwiches. They are all served with tortilla chips and salsa. Boxed lunches are also available with either a wrap or a sandwich. Breakfast and brunch trays are a great wake-up call for those morning events. Breakfast wraps or a breakfast muffin are a welcome relief from donuts and bagels!

Lydia - Camille’s opens their doors at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday (10 a.m. on Sunday) with a full breakfast menu that includes “create-your-own” scrambled eggs, breakfast wraps, smoothies and an impressive coffee menu. Add in a laptop and their free Wi-Fi service and you’ve got a perfect place for a morning business meeting. And for those who do their best work at night, Camille’s stays open until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday making it a great late-night-snack-and-research option. I could see Camille’s becoming the next Starbucksesque hang out.

Impressions

Lydia - As I got back in my car to head back to work, I glanced at the Camille’s menu on my front seat and saw aging their slogan, “Eat, Relax, Enjoy.” From their food, to their service to their atmosphere, it’s obvious the folks at Camille’s are striving to ensure that any time of day, you can do just that.

Camille's Sidewalk Cafe

3615 Coffee Road, Suite 100

(661) 213-3400

(661) 213-3312 fax

Store Hours

7 AM - 10 PM Monday - Saturday

10 AM - 7 PM Sunday

Wi-Fi Available
Gift cards accepted
Online ordering availiable

www.camillescafe.com

Stroller Strides

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for new moms that they can do with their babies. It includes Power Walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller. Taught by specially trained instructors, it's a great workout for any level of exerciser. Bakersfield has its own local group.

Click here for more information.

Dining Divas: Crest Bar & Grill

Dining is such a part of Bakersfield life that we felt it wouldn’t be fair to enjoy this monthly topic without some friends. Every issue, our Dining Divas will enjoy lunch at a different restaurant and bring you all the details of their meal. From the appetizers, entreés and desserts to the service, atmosphere and ambience, the Dining Divas are prepared to give you a well-rounded look at the establishments they experience.    Without further ado, let us introduce Bakersfield Life’s Dining Divas.

A New Place For Lunch
Tracy Walker Kiser - The Crest Bar & Grill, at the Bakersfield RV Resort located on Wible Road, has all the makings of being a relaxing destination spot. Not being an RV owner myself, I was not sure of what to expect. However the spacious grounds and numerous trees were welcoming. The park offers a putting green, inviting pool and a fabulous outdoor covered patio.

    Our waiter, James Eaton, clicked with us from the very beginning; he was attentive, quick-witted and knowledgeable about the menu and the resort.

Lydia Rowles - I have to admit, I was kind of sad to see the screens at the old Crest Drive-In come down. So, when my Dining Diva friend told me we’d be having lunch at the new Crest Bar & Grill I was struck with a bit of nostalgia. Perhaps it was guilt-by-movie-theater-association that had me expecting more of a snack-bar experience, but boy was I wrong. The food at the Crest has come a long way from Sno-Caps and Jujubes.

Ambiance
Lydia Rowles - The first thing that struck me when I arrived was the decor of the dining room. It was warm and inviting with rich woods and granite. I easily could have been in a trendy cafe in a major metro area. It’s nice... but not too nice. Nice enough to recommend for an important business lunch yet not so nice that I’d be afraid to bring the kids for dinner.

Penny Rafferty - Running late, as usual, I was shown promptly to our table. I was surprised at how busy the restaurant was at 11:30 a.m. The groups of people eating were very eclectic, from extended families enjoying a meal, to employees from the car dealerships across the street, to friends having lunch.

A Look At The Menu
Lydia Rowles - The menu is surprisingly extensive and creative. For people who like their meals “stock,” they can get their wings, steak and onion rings. Yet, for people like my friend Katie who thinks cheese on a burger means Gorgonzola, they’ve got them covered too. From the Thai Lettuce Wrap appetizer to the Grilled Bananas with Caramel and Pistachios dessert, the menu showed a diversity and inventiveness I wasn’t expecting. It all sounded amazing there in print, but I had to wonder, could chef Dan Phillips deliver?

Appetizers
Katie Kirschenmann - To start, upon James’ recommendation, we decided to share an order of fried calamari; I have to admit I was hesitant. However, my fishy fears were abated when the calamari arrived at the table light, tender and perfectly seasoned. In fact, it was some of the best calamari I’ve eaten in Bakersfield - or Japan for that matter.

Decisions
Tracy Walker Kiser - James was back immediately to take our order and offered some great suggestions. We all agreed to order something different. James informed us all the meat, chicken and seafood are always fresh, never frozen; so my decision was simple – an eight-ounce top sirloin with garlic mashed potatoes preceded by a house salad.

Soups & Salads
Tracy Walker Kiser - My salad and Lydia’s soup arrived in a timely manner with a basket full of fresh warm Pyrenees French bread accompanied by sweet, honey whipped butter. My crisp salad was not like typical house salads with iceberg lettuce and a tomato. Instead, I was served an assortment of greens and crisp vegetables with a creamy, homemade bleu cheese dressing.
Lydia Rowles - Despite the looks of Tracy’s salad, I think I won with the soup. It was cream-based with lots of grilled chicken, corn and peppers. The Crest Bar & Grill makes all their own soups and it shows. I’m usually hesitant to order creamy soups since so often they’re thick and gummy. This soup was actually... well... creamy. It had a great smoothness to it and the real grilled chicken added to the flavor.

Main Dishes
Katie Kirschenmann - Shortly after we polished off the calamari, soups and salad, James expertly served us our spectrum of entrees. Tracy ordered the top sirloin medium rare with garlic mashed potatoes, Lydia ordered the pan-seared blackened salmon, Penny ordered the citrus marinated grilled chicken and I ordered the Gorgonzola burger with grilled onions. In between mouthfuls of conversation and food we all managed to sample each other’s dishes.
    Tracy’s steak was top notch, Penny’s chicken was healthy and flavorful, my burger satisfied my hankering for good old-fashioned American food, but Lydia’s blackened salmon was out-of-this-world delicious! As we were raving, Chef Dan Phillips peeked out from the kitchen long enough for us to thank him and compliment his menu.

Desserts
Lydia Rowles - James then suggested that we try dessert. Wow, was I impressed. The presentation of all the dishes up until this point had been impressive, but the presentation of the desserts was stunning. Warm brownies and cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream melting on top and both plates decorated with a lattice of caramel and a dusting of powdered sugar. I could not resist. I went for the cobbler and it tasted as good as it looked. It was rich and warm and full of cinnamon-y goodness without being too sweet. Both desserts were huge and definitely sized to share.
    I also liked the fact that while most everything on the Crest Bar & Grill’s menu is made on-site, the things they do buy, they try to buy locally. The onion rings are fried in Lengthwise beer batter, the rolls are from Pyrenees, the tortillas from La Bonita. What a great way to not only support the community but also to give RV travelers a real taste of Kern County.

Impressions
Lydia Rowles - I’d have to say the theme of this lunch was, “Who knew?” Who knew you could find high quality food, a warm atmosphere and great service all at an RV resort? The Crest Bar & Grill seems to be succeeding on all levels. I don’t think it’ll take long for the word to get out about this place so I’ll be back before the line starts. Meanwhile, if you need me, I’ll be on my elliptical trying to work off that cobbler!

The Crest Bar & Grill is located across from the Auto Mall
in the former location of the Crest Drive-In.

Best Of Bakersfield 2007 Awards

Check out the May edition of Bakersfield Life magazine online! You will find the award winners of the coveted "Best Of" awards. These awards are voted on by the readers of The Bakersfield Californian and locals from all ages!

Raise a Glass of Great Wine

People who are passionate about wine often remember the glass that moved them from casual drinker to serious connoisseur. For Café Med owner, Meir Brown, it was a Silver Oak cabernet sauvignon.

“It made me sit up and notice,” Brown remembers. “And then I knew that I wanted to learn more about this wine. Wine is like that. A glass that is really good just grabs you—and suddenly, you want to learn more and more.”

Drinking wine is a deeply sensuous experience that involves far more than just the rich, distinctive flavors of the grapes in the glass. Listen for the sound of the air escaping as the wine flows from the bottle; breathe in the aroma of pears or cherries on the nose as the glass is swirled to let the full fragrance blossom. A wine aficionado will admire the intense garnet of a peppery Zinfandel, tilting the glass slightly to see how the color deepens and becomes more concentrated around the edges. And then the taste—slowly filling the mouth, swirling around the tongue…

Hold on a minute! Before we turn a simple glass of wine into some overblown parody of the 2004 hit movie Sideways, remember that what tastes great to you might be very different in the mouth of someone else.

“A great glass of wine comes down to whatever is a great glass of wine for you,” says Jeramy Brown, serious wine lover and owner of Valentien Restaurant. “It can be sweet or dry, big, light, or cold. A $5 rose or a ’72 Bordeaux. The only thing that will influence the way it tastes is what you like. But what do you like?”

For a generation raised on Diet Coke, sometimes the answers aren’t so easy. And to make it even more difficult, the bewildering array of wine terms confronting novice drinkers often borders on the indecipherable. Valentien’s Brown narrows it down with a few pointed questions that get to the heart of what his customers will enjoy.

“When you order dinner, think about what you’ll be eating. Is it sweet or savory? You want your wine to complement it—so are you looking for something that is sweet or dry? White or red? From there, you can start narrowing it down. Room temperature or cold? A few questions can lead to the perfect find for someone who wants to try something new but isn’t sure what they are looking for.”

Trader Joe’s store manager Michael Dillaway agrees that individual taste is the key to a great glass of wine—and, like all true wine lovers, he uses more than just his sense of taste when enjoying a glass. “If it smells good on your nose,” Dillaway points out, “it’s going to taste good on the palate. Taste is strongly associated with what you smell. A bite of apple tastes very much like the bite of a potato until you smell them—and then you can really taste the differences.”
Experts may have different opinions on individual bottles of wine, but they all agree that there are a few universal characteristics of what makes a wine great. For Dillaway, it’s all about what is known as “mouthfeel.”

“Think about how it feels to chew a mouthful of aluminum foil. It’s a bad feeling, isn’t it?” Dillaway laughs. “Now imagine the smoothness of a chocolate truffle. It feels good in your mouth, velvety and delicious. That’s the mouthfeel. You want a wine that has the same velvety smoothness in your mouth.”

With more than seventeen years in the restaurant business, Meir Brown knows what people enjoy—and he’s happy to share both his wines and his expertise with his customers and friends. “With reds, I would start with a good California Shiraz or a Merlot that’s soft,” says Brown, whose unerring palate has helped thousands of Bakersfield wine enthusiasts discover exciting new flavors from around the world. “With whites, I’d go with a Chardonnay, perhaps one with more residual sugar and a lot of butteriness, but at the same time not too sweet.” By choosing a wine with a low percentage of residual sugar, Brown explains that the slight sweetness will help balance the wine’s natural acidity, making it an excellent choice for people who are unsure about what they will enjoy.

Both Meir Brown and Jeramy Brown (who are not related) know that learning about wine is a lifelong pleasure best enjoyed in the company of friends—and they’re always planning new ways for other Bakersfield wine lovers to raise a glass together. Café Med’s tastings are on the last Friday of every month, and with the restaurant’s extensive network of suppliers, they are definitely a hot ticket. Café Med’s Brown notes that his annual Zinfandel tasting, held the day after Thanksgiving, has become an annual tradition with more than 70 different bottles poured by guests.

On a recent Saturday afternoon in Valentien’s outdoor courtyard, more than 80 people gathered for a blind tasting of six very different Pinot Noirs, described by various guests as “smells like cherries,” “caramel with a hint of anise,” and even the more prosaic “that’s damn tasty.” Valentien’s offers a varietal blind tasting every month, and when the scores are tallied Brown often finds that it’s not always the most expensive wines that come away with the highest rankings. “They’re all good wines,” he says, “but sometimes we’re surprised by what people prefer.”
Great wine doesn’t have to be expensive. Dillaway gives the nod to a Black Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon—a terrific value for under $10. Trader Joe’s carries a wide variety of excellent wines, such as a northern-style Rhone that Dillaway describes as “big and jammy,” or California Zinfandels that have a spiciness and complexity that is very popular right now and can be had for around $20 a bottle.
Valentien’s owner, Brown, knows that wine beauty is in the eye (and tastebuds) of the beholder, so to ensure that his customers are absolutely satisfied with what they’re drinking he offers a one-ounce pour so that people can sample the goods before they commit. “You know what you like. You know what tastes good to you. That’s the only thing that matters.”

Some final advice? Stick with the high-quality stuff, says Meir Brown, and it will never fail to delight. When push comes to pour, he heads straight for the complex aromas and rich flavors produced by Silver Oak or Caymus—those spectacular cabernets that first caught his attention so many years ago. And he’s never been disappointed. “People drink that and they think…Wow. I didn’t know wine could taste like this.”

The Marketplace

The Marketplace is a wonderful place to visit, shop and people watch. There are lots of unique shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a grocery store.

It is a happening place at night for locals,especially teenagers, to enjoy the cooler weather at night. Lots of garden tables that invite you sit outside and enjoy the afternoon or evening. It is centerpieced by a gorgeous fountain that has plenty of comfortable seating that surrounds it. Some wonderful landscaping done here too! Please enjoy!

Rolling around in dough -- literally

Monday, Jul 9 2007

It has a good sound -- any way you slice it: Whether you mean green U.S. crispies or that small, fragrant miracle that comes out of the oven, it's hard to criticize either bread or bread.

Courtney and Kari Harrison specialize in the second kind. It smells good, tastes better and will dress up a table, a counter or a meal like a bouquet of flowers.

Who doesn't like fresh bread? My otherwise sensible cousin has gone on a bewildering health kick -- you can't even call it a diet -- which has him giving up bread.

Giving up bread? Why don't you just give up water? Or breathing?

Prior to opening The Great Harvest Bread Company on Hageman Road (right across from Riverlakes Community Church), the Harrisons, both 38, were just not singing praises to Mondays when they came around, as Mondays inevitably do.

Courtney (not a common boy's name anymore -- and doesn't he know it!) was a district manager for a distributor that sold movies, videos and books to Wal-Mart. The Ridgecrest native slogged through airports, dogged field reps and was responsible for a sales office that did about $640 million dollars a year.

Kari was a dental hygienist and her back was killing her. They both hit the wall about the same time. The Harrisons wanted to do something else and 38 seemed like a good age to do it, although what that something else was remained unclear.

Like most people, other than my cousin who is just being stubborn, they liked bread. Kari had been in a Great Harvest -- it's a franchise -- and liked what she saw. The breads were tasty, the owners laid-back and in addition, Great Harvest was a "freedom franchise," which meant that the Harrisons could change the recipes and design their own store.

Courtney hit the road and visited coffeehouses, bakeries and delis in New York and Boston for a month, soaking up the old-world feel. After lining up the franchise, they found commercial property in the northwest -- which was not easy.

Courtney then spent two weeks in Salem, Ore., working in a Great Harvest bakery and learning the business.

The Harrisons opened Dec. 1. Courtney might have thought he was working hard schlepping Danielle Steel novels to Wal-Mart, but since they started Great Harvest, he went nine months without a day off.

Welcome to the world of small business: You can work as hard as you want -- as long as you work really hard all the time.

"There is no going home," Courtney said. "This is home."

Weight Watchers could learn something. Turns out owning your own business is a good way to lose weight. In nine months, Kari lost 20 pounds and Courtney, 38.

Like losing weight, nothing's fast in the bread business. The baking process takes five hours from start to finish. The Harrisons mill their whole wheat on-site, saying it tastes fresher that way.

Equipment includes nine 140- quart stainless steel bowls, a huge Reed oven with revolving shelves capable of baking more than 400 loaves at once and a gigantic Hobart mixer.

The Harrisons have three bakers and a total of 18 people on the payroll. Because they punch down dough and knead bread all day, you wouldn't want to mess with the bakers because their muscles have muscles.

Courtney can bake up to 200 breads but focuses on about 14 a day. Breads include the popular honey whole wheat (that guy weighs about 2.5 pounds), cheddar garlic and cinnamon swirl.

Great Harvest offers samples to its customers. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel. Combine delicious bread with guilt and you have an automatic sale.

I had a taste of the pesto parmesan swirl and the Monkey bread with cinnamon chips.

I bought a loaf of Monkey bread. It was sweet, satisfying and I think my son ate about three quarters of it. I'm not saying rush, but put down this newspaper and drive over there and buy a loaf of Monkey bread right now.

Besides bread, Great Harvest makes sandwiches and serves Peet's coffee, which is so strong and full-bodied that my sister refers to it as divorce coffee.

The place works. It has a nice feel. People in the northwest evidently love bread, because the store was jammed by the time I left.

Here's the kicker to leaving a corporate or stress-packed job: Kari is pregnant with a girl.

They've waited 10 years for this.

And you know I'm going to say it, because I'm shameless: Finally, the Harrisons have a bun in the oven.

Italian At Its Best

It’s been said that every picture tells a story. And if you go into Uricchio’s Trattoria on 17th Street in downtown Bakersfield, you’ll find dozens of pictures on practically every wall in the place. But these pictures, featuring Nicholas Uricchio with Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra, tell only half of a story. The rest of the tale, where family is a central theme, takes place not in the Hollywood Hills, but in our humble town of Bakersfield – specifically, at the tables of the restaurant itself.
Whether you’re a Bakersfield native or you’ve only been in town for a little over a month, there’s no doubt about it, you’ve heard the name Uricchio’s when someone has been talking about dining out. While the town has come to love the ambience, the food and the quality of the well-known establishment, perhaps many people aren’t familiar with the key players.

Once Upon a time in a land far, far away…well, it all started when Nicholas Uricchio was the Banquet Manager of the Beverly Hills Hilton, spending evenings shaking hands and sharing casual chats with Tinseltown’s finest at the Golden Globes. Little did he know he’d bring the same charm to a small, but quickly growing oil and agricultural community.

From Beverly Hills to Bakersfield
Let’s flip back to where the excitement really began. In 1995 Uricchio moved to Bakersfield to be near his family. Although he was retired at the time, we all know how it’s an easy jump from having a hobby to having a new career when you’re in this stage of life. “Before I moved here I thought Bakersfield was like one of those places where they’d say, ’If you don’t answer this question right you win a trip to Bakersfield,’” quips the clever and charismatic Uricchio. But to his surprise, he found a community that he feels is best described as “warm” and decided to start a whole new chapter of his life. He never imagined he would create an establishment that fills the memories and hearts of so many others.

“I started playing golf three or four times a week and the game was getting progressively worse,” Uricchio says. “So, I decided I better do something.” And if you’ve ever dined on a dish made from one of his mother’s recipes, you’re probably glad he did. That’s right, Uricchio’s isn’t serving your average run-of-the-mill dishes.

The decision to open a restaurant was an easy one for Uricchio. But he couldn’t have done it without the love and support of his adoring family. To this day they play an integral role in the restaurant’s daily success. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Family Labor of Love
Uricchio and his kids picked a place in the heart of downtown. “We had all spent our fair share in big cities where downtown is where everything takes place,” says Clair, one of Uricchio’s daughters and current business associates, “So we thought that downtown Bakersfield would be the best place to open our restaurant.” So they bought what was once an ice cream parlor and deli on the corner of 17th and K Streets, only to be told by locals that it’d never last.
“They told us that we better just open at lunch because no one would ever go to that part of town for dinner,” says Uricchio. “But if I was going to open a restaurant, I was going to do it right.”

Uricchio’s determination fueled his passion for creating a unique and desirable establishment.

“I remember my dad saying that if we opened the restaurant only part time because everyone thought it wouldn’t last that would be like accepting defeat before it even happens,” recalls Clair.

Twelve years later a decision to bring a bit of Beverly Hills quality to Bakersfield dining mixed with a family philosophy on running a business, Uricchio’s Trattoria is one of Bakersfield’s premier Italian restaurants. From the delightful smells of home-made food wafting in the air from the open kitchen to the mouthwatering desserts perfectly chilled in the glass case – Uricchio’s struck gold with an enticing establishment.

And though there is no Rodeo Drive near here, the place still sees its fair share of glitz and glamour come prom season. After all, what lucky lady wouldn’t like to be treated like a queen before embarking on one of the most memorable nights of her life? Better yet, you wouldn’t want to be treated like royalty any time of the year? At Uricchio’s you will.

It’s become tradition, almost a rite of passage for Bakersfield youth to get their first taste of the fine dining experience without their parents present come prom night. And while parents are usually nowhere in sight on this evening, they know that their children will not only be served the best of the best, but that they will be in good hands.

That’s because, unlike many other restaurants, almost everyone who goes into Uricchio’s has probably been greeted with a handshake by Mr. Uricchio himself. And if it’s not Papa Uricchio – as even the employees fondly call him – then it’s probably his daughter Clair or his son-in-law Larry.

“We opened this restaurant with the philosophy that everyone gets treated like family. We’ll only serve top quality and if the restaurant is open then there will be one of us there making sure that our customers’ dining experience is nothing but the best,” says Clair.

Uricchio’s is pure magic. From the people to the food there isn’t a beat missed, a smile unmatched or patronage unappreciated. When you’re at Uricchio’s, you’re home. Arrivederci!

Grocery Shopping in Bakersfield

These are some of my favorite places to go grocery shopping in Bakersfield:

The Ranch Market Hispanic Grocery & Tortilleria

Luigis- Italian Market

Trader Joe's - Stockdale & Coffee

The Gourmet Shoppe- Wine & Cheese

Winco- The best prices in town & open 24 hours

Vons in the Marketplace- Even has a Starbucks inside!

Have you found any unique places to shop that should be added to this list?

Where are Bakersfield's best restaurants?

Enjoy a meal at one of the best spots in town.

Our interactive restaurant map shows Californian restaurant critic Pete Tittl’s favorite restaurant picks so you know where to go the next time hunger strikes.

If you want to know more about a certain restaurant or find out more about local restuarants, visit the Inside Guide on Bakersfield.com

Check out restaurant ratings and reviews from community members and add your own.

How do I help my kids adjust to moving to Bakersfield?

For anyone who has ever had to move, there’s no doubt that the act of moving is one of the most stressful events you’ll ever take part in. Even if the move is happening because of a positive development, such as a job promotion or a marriage, the act of gathering all your earthly possessions and shifting them from one place to another is a trying, difficult thing to do.

For kids, depending on their age, moving can be an extremely traumatic experience. Being kids, they get no say in whether or not they’re going, which can create a sense of helplessness and cause them to be resistant to the entire situation. But with a little advance planning and a few friendly pointers, you can ease their transition to their new town.

Prior to making your announcement about the move, take the time to gather some information about your new city. Kids of different ages will be curious about different things, so try to keep that in mind as you research your new neighborhood.
Tell your children about your upcoming move as soon as it is certain that you will be moving, and you have learned enough about your new community to be able to answer some of their questions.
Frame the move in as positive a light as you can. Children look to their parents for guidance about how to handle big issues, so the way you present the situation to them will make a big difference in how they handle it.
Expect that your kids will have different emotions about moving on different days. Some times they will be excited and ready for the adventure; other days they may be scared or hostile. Let your kids know that they can be honest about their anxiety and that you will work through it together.
Involve your children in as many decisions regarding the move as you can. If you are not close enough to drive to Bakersfield, take some time to find interesting sites about Bakersfield (like this one) and share them with your kids.

Consider some of these resources for more tips and techniques to help your children have a positive moving experience:

Bakersfield’s Just 4 Kids is a great place for younger kids to learn about Bakersfield.

What Kids Who are Moving Should Do is an excellent article about moving written especially for kids.

Making Moving Fun for Kids is an article with tips to assist in making a successful transition from your old home to your new home.

Moving tips: Moving with Kids provides valuable advice for moving with kids of all ages.

Moving Right Along: From the folks who bring you Sesame Street, an article dealing specifically with easing the fears of younger children when it comes to moving.

Smith's Bakeries

Legendary in Bakersfield, all locals will say Smith's Bakery is a must-try bakery! They have these "smiley-face" cookies that are literally famous...it sounds silly, but one bite and you'll be hooked.

All of their baked goods are made from scratch, and they've been baking deliciously for many decades.

Read reviews from Bakersfield Locals

Locations

2006 Best of Kern County Award Winners

2006 Best of Kern County Award Winners

Each January, The Bakersfield Californian asks you, our faithful readers, to choose your favorite places to eat, shop and be entertained. This year, there were well over 100 categories including Best Golf Course, Best Weekend Getaway, Best Place to Hear Live Music and of course Best Reason to Live in Kern County, among so many more. Here are just some of this year’s winners!

Best Antiques
Five & Dime Antique Mall - 1400 19th St.

Best Art Gallery
Bakersfield Museum of Art - 1930 R St.

Best Camera Store
Henley’s - 2000 H St.

Best Children’s Apparel Store
JM’s Just For Children - 930 Wible Rd.

Best Florist
Log Cabin Florists - 800 19th St.

Best Hair Salon
Paragon Salon and Spa - 4865 Truxtun Ave.

Best Home Appliance Store
Urner’s - 4110 Wible Rd.

Best Men’s Apparel Store
Snead’s - 5127 Ming Ave.

Best Music/Record Store
World Records - 8200 Stockdale Hwy.

Best Shoe Store
Guarantee Shoe Store - 2101 Chester Ave.

Best Bakery
Smith’s Bakery - 2808 Union Ave.

Best Basque Restaurant
Wool Growers Restaurant - 620 E 19th St.

Best California Cuisine
Café Med
4809 Stockdale Hwy.

Best Chinese Restaurant
Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks -1203 18th St.

Best Happy Hour
Amigo’s - 8020 District Blvd.

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shop
Dewar’s Candy Shop - 1120 Eye St.

Best Lunch
Sequoia Sandwich Company - 1231 18th St.

Best Italian Restaurant
Uricchio’s Trattoria - 1400 17th St.

Best Mexican Restaurant
Mexicali Restaurant - 631 18th St.

Best Microbrew Selection
Lengthwise Brewing Co. - 6720 Schirra Ct