From April to September, outdoor enthusiasts head to the Kern River for a thrilling and unbelievable experience. In the lower part of the river, adventurers can find the most challenging rapids, ranging from Class II to Class V. But there was once a time when the Kern County Safety Council s…

So many hikes, so few hikers.

The Santa Lucia Highlands region has gained recognition as one of California's premier cool-climate wine regions, and its wines have received critical acclaim. Still, other than wine enthusiasts, few know about it or where it is located. The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is situated in t…

There's nothing wrong with hiking as a way of getting in exercise or observing wild animals and plants. I do that, too, for the most part incidentally. It seems to me there's a better reason to hike.

With a push for a more environmentally friendly world all the more important every day, what better way to celebrate than the Earth Day 661 Festival.

The popular motivational series Reflections for All celebrated its third anniversary with a special fundraiser and auction March 13 at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace. The fundraiser honored the Buck Owens Family for their numerous contributions to Bakersfield.

The Bakersfield College Foundation recognized the 16th Annual Sterling Silver honorees at a celebration March 16 at the Renegade Event Center on BC’s main campus.

Let go of the past that you carry within you and embrace a new mindset. Instead of constantly striving to feel a certain way, let go of the past that dictates your likes and dislikes. You are not your feelings, but rather a soul within a human body, experiencing life. Take a thunderstorm, fo…

I've recently realized what a gift nature is to us. Yet, in the hustle of life, we often ignore it, neglecting to take hold of its many benefits. I am guilty of experiencing it from my car on the way to my next thing. But while the weather is nice, we should soak up time outside.

The 52nd annual Collectors Showcase at Hodel’s Country Dining on March 9 and 10 attracted young and old who enjoy a bit of the past.

The nonprofit Covenant Community Services and Covenant Coffee hosted its third annual Covenant Community Concert Benefit on March 9.

As a complement to the ongoing exhibition “Modern Women | Modern Vision: Photographs from the Bank of America Collection,” the Bakersfield Museum of Art on March 9 presented a panel discussion titled “Through the Lens,” about the power of visual storytelling. Photographers and other creative…

In the fight to eradicate sex trafficking and modern-day slavery, Magdalene Hope held its 7th Annual Tee Off for Hope Golf Tournament on March 18 at Stockdale Country Club.

The 2024 Kern County Go Red for Women Luncheon on March 8 at the Bakersfield College Renegade Event Center celebrated women who have lived with heart issues and those who support them.

Knowledgeable wine lovers have long taken into consideration the region in which a wine is grown when making a decision about whether to buy a wine — or not.

Hikers can spend a lifetime looking for the perfect trail, and the truth is, it doesn't exist. What feels great during one outing can turn into a disappointment under different conditions. Plus, people change, and so do the things we look for in a hike.

As springtime takes hold and the weather warms up, restaurants are preparing their patios and outdoor dining spaces for people to enjoy. There are several options for outdoor dining in Bakersfield, whether you are looking for a quick bite or a nice sit-down restaurant.

With the season of spring at our doorsteps, it’s that time of year to say goodbye to winter and bring out your favorite spring decor. From small decorations to big projects for any budget, here are a few options to invite springtime into your home:

Spring has sprung, so they say, so this issue is focused on venturing outdoors to enjoy what nature has to offer — before it becomes too hot in Bakersfield, of course.

April is the sweet spot, weather-wise, for Bakersfield, before we head into a blistering summer when people who want to celebrate must do so under shade and for short periods of time.

With spring in full bloom, it is that time of year to find the best groceries, grown and raised by your neighbors, at local farmers markets. With a plethora of fruits, vegetables, nuts and meats that can be grown and raised locally, Kern County has some of the best products. Some of these ar…

The 2024 Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference “Making the Impossible Possible” is April 30, and organizers expect about 1,400 people for a full day packed with speeches, workshops, networking and more.

Listen to the 2024 inductees into the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame and you'll quickly hear that in addition to their dedication and drive, their success is rooted in their families.

Life is full of hard truths. Some days you're up for facing them head-on while other days it's easier to stomach them dressed up as fairy tales.

April 3

Whether you love them, hate them or are completely indifferent about them, the British royal family has been all over the news. 

Spring is in bloom and if you are looking for beautiful wildflowers, trees, cactuses and plants, look no further than Kern County.

Pain is an inevitable and purposeful part of life. It's easy to shy away from it, but by doing so, we miss out on the opportunity to turn our pain into our purpose. The uncomfortable builds character.

It is raining again this evening. I'm listening to "Let's Fall in Love" on my Spotify "Relaxing Jazz" playlist. A homemade vanilla candle glows on my coffee table while I write about spring to come.

Christmas is a big day in the Christian calendar, as it represents the birth of the savior. But as holidays of significance to the church go, Easter has Christmas beat by a far sight.

Hoffmann Hospice hosted keynote speaker Derek Jeter, former professional baseball shortstop and businessman, on Feb. 1 at Mechanics Bank Theater for its 27th annual Voices of Inspiration fundraiser.

There are so many diets and trends out there that you can’t click or scroll without encountering a piece of advice or an “expert” offering information on how to eat. That leaves many people in Kern County wondering what is true and what are the keys to a healthy diet.

Dinah Brindley was the kind of person friends would describe as upbeat and healthy. Then, in 2022, her life became extremely stressful, much more than usual. Sometimes the stress would get so bad Brindley wouldn’t want to get out of bed or talk to anyone, which was out of character.

It was a night of celebration Feb. 2 as the Bakersfield branch of the NAACP held its Awards Extravaganza, at Bakersfield Country Club.

Cal State Bakersfield's baseball team scored a home run Feb. 26 with former Dodger Nomar Garciaparra as the guest speaker at the 9th annual Hot Stove Dinner.

The Kern Community Tennis Association Renegade Dinner brought in about $16,000 to the Bakersfield College tennis programs, according to the association's website. 

Life as a mother is one of the most rewarding jobs many Kern County parents undertake, but it can also be one of the most demanding. As many women are at the center of the family, they are often juggling care of their families — sandwiched between children and aging parents — balancing a job…

As a family practice clinician, Dr. Srilakshmi Madhusudhan works with a wide range of patients and enjoys the opportunity to help people across different life stages.

Amy and Ken Durbin’s love story was not a direct path. They dated in college in West Virginia, then went their separate ways. Amy moved to Maryland. Ken headed out to California.

Starting in the 1980s, Robin Mangarin-Scott became a familiar face in the Bakersfield community as a broadcast news anchor at KERO and, later, KGET. She broke barriers as the first Filipina on local news in California. She traveled the world, reporting from China and the Philippines. She eve…

When Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a “Monday Night Football” game in 2023, the people of Kern County held a collective breath as they watched the emergency response on the field. That response included CPR and an automated external defibrillator and Hamlin was saved, but many pe…

Spring in Bakersfield is one of the best times to lace up and head outside for a walk. Regular physical activity has numerous benefits: elevating mood, increasing energy and improving quality of sleep are just a few. Walking can be a great choice for just about anyone as it is a low-cost and…

As the Kern County Health Department staff gathered at a potluck dinner at Lowell Park on a sunny July afternoon in 1954, Dr. William C. Buss, county health officer, presented his assistant with a 20-year certificate and a pin for distinguished service. The well-earned retirement came at the…

Parents, don’t be rotten eggs: If your weekend plans include taking the kids to an Easter egg hunt, reconsider.

Local tennis pro Tracy Burrell knows tennis. The nationally ranked junior and collegiate player has also seen it all, narrowly losing matches to the likes of Chris Everett as a young player. Yet to this day, she continues to be amazed and in awe of the production that is the esteemed Bakersf…

February is American Heart Month, a time when heart health receives a significant focus. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in cardiovascular disease awareness. A recent Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association, revealed that less than half of all responde…

Whether they are the ones holding the gavel or holding their client's hand through possibly some of the toughest times in their lives, women in courtrooms have made significant waves and change, especially here in Kern County.

Who among us has lived their whole life without being touched, or daresay carried away, by the magic of filmmaking.