Page6 The Ren egade Rip I www. th erip.com Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Tower of Power returns to KC Fair

By Martin Chang Along with founding member, Stephen Reporter Kupla, Castillio has written most of the band's original catalog. Since their start Tower of Power played a high energy set they have been touring consistently. at the Kern County Fair Budweiser Pavil­ Of the people interviewed, all mentioned ion stage to an appreciative a love of the genre that audience. TOP plays. Some called it TOP played to a neai·ly full "blues," and others called it audience on Sept. 28. The au­ " funk." Several pointed out dience was responding to the the "groove" of the musi­ beginning of each song by cians as an attraction. yelling and clapping. At the Raul Duarte, an attendee end of some songs the clap­ at the concert, saw their ping lasted as long as nine music as innovative and seconds. The audience had cal led them "musician's a similar response to many musicians." instrumental solos and songs He pa,ticularly liked the they recognized. playing of the horn section For several songs, whole and the drummer. He has sections of the audience been a long time fan and were standing and danc- .....____ .... GREGORY D. COOK /TlIE RlP Larry "LB" Braggs estimated that he has seen Vaquero Renee Reyes brings his brahamn bull out of the chute during the Fiesta Del Charro Rodeo at ing. The audience laughed at them "20 or more times." lead singer of the band Larry the Kern County Fair on Oct. 3. Another attendee, Arlene Braggs' stage banter that included him Taylor, had been vaguely aware of the saying things like "Time to get funky like band, but she did not become a fan until a bow-legged monkey." she saw them at the fair last year. Emilio Castillio, a founding member of She said, "They had a lot of energy. I PRCA Rodeo thrills fair goers TOP, calls the band's music "Urban Soul (jke the venue where you can really see the Music." group, because every seat is a good seat They have been around since 1968. here. I like the rhythm and blues style." By Zak Cowan Reporter

On Oct. 2 the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association put on the Kern County Fair Rodeo. Victor Torres holds on The rodeos had roughly 14 differ­ for a wild ride as his ent competitions, including a female bull goes airborne at barrel race. bull riding, and tie down the Fiesta Del Charro roping. Rodeo presented by the Mickel Jay, 27, has been coming to Flying U Rodeo on Oct. the rodeo for 17 years and has paitici­ 3. pated in the event before. "It's such an adrenaline rush - one of the best you 'II ever have," said Jay. "[The rodeo] is one of the best events GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP [at the fair]; it's always packed with all sorts of stuff." Jay said that his whole fam ily is competing against the clock and the The stadium was filled to capacity, into the rodeo and that he wants to other competitors. "It's probably the and the event that got the most feed­ enter one of the competitions again hai·dest competition in the rodeo, be­ back from the crowd was the bull rid­ sometime soon. sides the [bull] riding," said Nauman. ing. Matt Nauman paiticipated in the tie Roughly 70 men and women pai·­ The fair also held a Latino heritage GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP down roping, where the rider chases ticipated in the rodeo, with most of rodeo on Oct. 3, where a free Corona Oakland soul group Tower of Power gives a free concert at the Kern down a calf and ties its legs together, them coming from Bakersfield. was handed out to every attendee. County Fair on Sept. 29. The group, which formed in 1968. Dominguez Gang Unit cracks down during fair

By James Licea sings to Reporter The Kern County Sheriff's Depa1tment Gang Unit started up in 1989. Since then, they have been working the Kern County fair eve,y yeai·. Their Lucha Libre responsibil ities are to try to prevent gang related incidents. Lieutenant Bart Camps is in charge of the sher­ iff's depaitment at the fair. He stated that Gang fair crowd Unit is effective 365 days a yeai·, not just at the fair. They usually patrol in sheriff's cars, sometimes in unmai·ked vehicles. By Michael Wafford According to Camps, Gang Unit came about Opinions Editor because gangs were beginning to develop in Kern County. They needed special expertise to deal with Hector Dominguez rode into these criminal ailments. GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP the grandstand of the Kern "Officers are specially trained in the recogni­ County Fair on Sept. 26 to tion of gang members and the practices," Camps A member of the Sheriffs Gang Unit dance with horses. said. They focus on gang-related crimes and are patrols the fairgrounds Sept. 26. Dominguez, 35, has been responsible for tai·geting gangs who are causing pe1fo1111ing for 17 years and problems. unnoticed by sheriffs and police officers. tours North Ame1ica pe1fo1m­ The reason they are required as fair personnel, Jennifer Facio, 23, said she attended the fair on ing mai"iachi while riding atop according to Senior Deputy of Gang Unit Lauro Wednesday as well as Friday and saw no violence. horses. Cantu, is because people from all over Kern County Facio said that she didn't notice Gang Unit on both "Mai"iachi is Mexico's heart show up to this event. Being such a populai· event, of her visits. She described the fair being more and soul," said Dominguez, GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP rival gang members often encounter each other. pleasant than her previous visits, "Bakersfield has who began singing as a boy. Hector Dominguez serenades fans from the back of his On Sept. 18, Cantu reported stopping eight to JO tamed down since I was in high school." "Dancing horses ai·e a pait of trained Andalusian horse at the fairgrounds Sept. 26. fights. The large amount of people makes breaking Nancy Rivera, 22, had a different account of Mexico's culture." up a fight a difficult task. "You're ultimately sur­ the fair. On Saturday, Sept. 18, she saw two girls Riding in on a strutting An­ cente Fernandez, Dominguez paiticipant to the Kern County rounded by hundreds of people," Cantu said about standing in line arguing after one girl confronted dalusian horse, Dominguez per­ accompanied his uncle several Fair, having performed with his the mindset of officers while breaking up a fight. the other. The girl who incited the ai·gument began fonned for a crowd of around times during his youth, helping dancing horses before and also "You don't know who they are or what their inten­ punching the other girl until she fell to the ground. 600, only dismounting to develop his appreciation and paiticipating in the rodeo. "I tions ai·e." After she fell, the girl continued to beat her while change horses and serenade the love of mariachi. was a rodeo paiticipant a few When an act of violence takes place, Cantu gives she was on the ground. crowd on foot. Dominguez was accompanied yeai·s ago. I still do [rodeos]," an account of the procedure that is followed to try to Rivera said the girl being beaten eventually got Dominguez's performance by Ma1iachi La Voz De Mex ico, said Dominguez. intervene. "The biggest thing we try to do," Cantu up and began running away. The other girl and a opened up for Lucha Libre and a band of eight led by band di­ "I'm a cowboy at heart," said, "is get the main people who ai·e involved out group of her friends began chasing her through La Internacional Sonora Mai·ia­ rector Juan Cortez, who said, said Dominguez, who tours the of the area." This is for the safety of the surround­ crowds of people. "I was trying to look for a cop. chi Show. "We work with Dominguez a United States and Mexico and ing people and the sheriffs. They were by the games standing ai·ound." Rivera The nephew of ranchera and couple of times a year." plans on returning to the Kern While some people who attended the fair report­ explained that, by the time she saw them, it was mai·iachi singer-songwiiter Vin- Dominguez was a returning County Fair. ed seeing no violence, others saw fights that went too late. Page 7 Th e Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Fair exhibit shows off Organization a Bakersfield artist improvises at fair By Kristen Blue Press releases and Facebook are By Chrystal Fortt work, Nancy Ely, her watercolors are Reporter also used to spread the word. Reporter fantastic, Shirley Rowles, I love her The family selection committee work," said Tom. For the past 10 years, Habitat then scans through all the appli­ Tom Bumgarner, who used to take art "Mary Lou Slinkard, she does a lot for Humanity has been build­ cations. classes at Bakersfield College, entered of western, her family are cattle people. ing houses at the Kern County According to Hernandez, 10 pieces in the art section of the fine Her and her husband use to have a ranch Fair. Last year, they completed a monthly payments on the houses arts building at the Kern County Fair and up in Kernville, she's a natural in cows. house in 10 days. This year, they range between $300-$500. They won first prize for a picture of a tiger on She can tell you real quick if an artist will be building children's play­ sell the houses to families for scratch board and also volunteered for the knows the anatomy of the animal or not houses that will be auctioned off the cost of the materials. ''The Bakersfield Art Association. just by the way it's painted," said Tom. for profit. family we select is required to do "I missed a few years, I didn't enter Tom and Barbara enjoyed volunteer­ Max Hernandez, who has been 500 hours of what we call sweat anything. I j ust didn't have the feeling for ing for the art section of the fair. Bar­ the associate director for Habitat equity. Side by side, they help art, and then all of a sudden I got a spurt bara checks in pictures, and Tom helps for Humanity for a year, said, the volunteers build their fut ure and started in again so this year I entered hang them. "This is the first time in 10 years house." 10 items," said Bumgarner. "[Art] for me "We started last Thursday and helped we couldn't get the funding to Volunteers are always wel­ is a hobby, it's just relaxing." to Sunday, that's just to get this room build a house." come and always needed. "We Bumgarner was a little reluctant to ad­ ready," said Tom. "We still wanted to be in­ have an amazing volunteer base mit he won first place, but his wife, Bar­ There was a lot of preparation for the volved in the fair and have the here. Everyone works together bara, was proud of his work. art room before it was open to the pub­ community learn about our orga­ to help better the community at "I've [won first place] before. I enjoy it, lic. "They cover the windows so no one nization and what we do, so we all." it makes it worthwhile," said Tom. sees the judge go around and judge the came up with the idea to build Hernandez believes it's a good There were many artists that entered the RYAN GEORGE / THE RIP art," Tom said. playhouses." learning experience. "Volun­ competition that Tom was a fan of. Carlotta Fondren takes in art exhibits at Besides, every year can be different, The playhouses are being built teers just show up. We have a "I definitely enjoy Patti Doolittle's art- you know, it's about their style." the Kern County Fair on Sept. 24. at the fair and a live auction will supervisor. If you don't have any bring in profit for the program. skills, people will take you under "All profits go to what we're do­ their wing and show you how to ing," he said. "This is a really do them." good program. We just couldn't Economy has changed how pull the funding this year." The Habitat for Humanity operates. auction will occur on Oct. 12 at "Lately because of the housing Tricks Modern Office Environments, industry and market, it's been 830 21st St. more cost effective to purchase a According to Hernandez, the house and fix it up," Hernandez biggest misconception the com­ said. munity has about their organiza­ Habitat for Humanity in the tion is people assume the houses past built houses from scratch. and are given out for free. "Here at ''These days, we've been pur­ Habitat, we help people who chasing houses and fixing them want to help themselves. They up," Hernandez said. Time spent purchase the houses from us," working on houses varies. "It said Hernandez. depends on how long it takes us stunts There's a pre-application to fix it," he said. "The condition process families go through if of the house plays a huge factor. they're in need of a house. To It's a new endeavor we're work­ fill out an application, you can ing on. Sometimes it can be as visit the Habitat for Human­ quick as two months, sometimes ity office or visit their website. much longer."

GREGORY D. COOK / THE RIP Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Cathy Mccaffrey (left, inside) and Lynn Lebeu, put the finishing touches on a playhouse sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bakersfield North during the Kern County Fair on Oct. 3. Hypnotist takes local

PHOTOS BY NATHAN WILSON I THE RIP Left: Rich Lopez sticks a hand plant on the half-pipe during a preformance by the BMX Pros at the Kern County crowd on a mental ride Fair. Right: Gabe Weed shows off some flat-land skills with a demonstration of balance Sept. 25. By Brendalrene Rodriguez breath you take, you are becom­ Reporter ing more relaxed. Deeper and deeper relaxed," Marie said to Master hypnotist Tina Marie her vol unteers. Turbo Force a high-seek thrill for unsure writer hypnotized the crowed at the Those that were not able to be Kern County Fair this year. hypnotized were asked to take a By Brendalrene Rodriguez Individuals gathered around Marie is a professional hypno­ seat in the audience. Reporter with their family and friends to tist from Corpus Christi, Texas Marie put on a comedy show watch me ride this massively huge who began in the hypnotizing using her volunteers, after she I never imagined myself riding thing. business in 2001. successfully hypnotized them. Turbo Force, a ride that was put I begged my friend to ride it with Marie began her hypnotist ca­ "It was pretty fun. I wanted together in less than a week, at the me before I got on, but his answer reer to help those i11 need of con­ to do fun stuff on stage for my Kern County Fair. was still no. fidence. kids," said Louie Robinson of As I waited for my friend to get The man in charge of the ride "I want to help people by giv­ Bakersfield. to the fair and ride it with me, I strapped me in and made sure I ing them a little push and inspi­ Some of the vol unteers did watched nervously as others rode was secure. While he did that, I ration," said Marie. things they would not usually do it on their own. asked, "Is this ride really safe?" "When I was eight years old I on a daily basis. I kept thinking to myself, "Man, He just looked at me and went to Tijuana, Mexico with my "After my sister told me I am so glad I'm not going on that smiled. parents and I saw everyone beg­ what happened, I felt em­ thing by myself." When the ride started going, and ging for money and kids with no barrassed," said Rich­ As my friend walked toward me I began to rise off the ground, I shoes on," she said as she began ard Moren of Bakersfield. looking at the ride, he decided he held on tight to the bars that would to talk about her childhood. He added, "I don't remember did not want to take part in riding hopefully keep me from fall ing to She went into detail, "Grow­ what I did. I wanted to try it it with me, making me more ner­ my death. ing up I was poor. My family out." vous about riding it, especially by As the ride went faster, the but­ was on welfare and food stamps, "I didn't think anyone could myself. terflies went away. The only scary but when I saw those people in hypnotize me. I wanted to see if The only reason I rode Turbo part about the ride was the first flip T.J., I considered myself lucky it was real or fake. I was so re­ Force was because I had to write when I was in the air. and wealthy to know that I had laxed," said Breann Goodman, a this story about it for The Rip. After that, I felt like I started to shoes and clothes on my body." BC student. If it weren't for this story I had enjoy myself. Still I insisted on 20 individuals volunteered in "It felt like there was a lot of to write, I would not even have screaming my lungs out and keep­ hopes to become hypnotized and weight on my arms," said Good­ thought twice about risking my ing my eyes closed until the ride put on a show for the audience. man. "I just wanted to fall. When life on this ride. I paid $15 to ride was over. Marie said that the volunteers I woke up I was super sweaty. I this thing that was probably care­ When I did peek for just a sec­ would be aware of everything still feel relaxed. I can't believe I lessly put together by some ran­ ond, I saw that birds weren't flying that's going on and that each in­ was dancing on stage. I believe dom guys. too far away from me. I thought dividual will feel very relaxed. in it now." I can't believe this ride stands that was kind of cool. Marie was successful in hyp­ Tina Marie will be having an 130 feet high from the ground and This ride was a thrill, and some­ notizing most of the volunteers. adult hypnotist show featuring goes 60 mph. what enjoyable, especially during She played relaxing music, comedian Rivest Dunlap at The I didn't hear screams from the daylight, though I wish I didn't made the individuals take deep CARISSA EDWARDS I THE RIP Fox Theater on Oct. 4 at 7:30 others, so I thought I wasn't going have to ride it alone. breaths, and used a count down p.m. to get butterflies. I was wrong. I recommend that those who are Turbo Force, an attraction that sends adventurous until the individuals were under For more information and tick­ My heart raced as I walked to­ thrill seekers ride Turbo Force next riders spinning at up to 60 mph looms over the Kern hypnosis. ets, cal I The Fox Theater at (661) ward Turbo Force. year at the fa ir, if it is available. County Fairgrounds on Sept. 28. "With every word I say, every 324-1369. OPINIONS Page 8 The Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Staff Editorial The meaning behind The possibilities of networking the vote: inadequate PRO CON By Samantha Garrett By Gregory D. Cook Copy Editor Online Editor Jl 's difficult to look at certain like O'Donnell. Ct 's tl1a1 peo­ politicians without a political ple can be so motivated by one All Jight. sure. It's easy to poke A person I met in a histo1y class bias. obviously. but there are single cause (say an anti-es­ fun of social networking. to break last semester just had the best some that present problems tablishment candidate's stance it down and make it out t.o be a less­ steak dinner he has ever eaten. An­ that clash with our values, and against the current administra­ er creature, but as a whole there's other person, possibly a friend of we collectively span the gulf tion) that they will completely nothing really wrong with it. When my sister, who I have never actu­ across political pai1ies. Such is ignore everything that would used for its intended purpose, ir is ally met, thinks her new hairstyle the case with our editorial staff omerwise stop them in their a meai1s of communication. either is "da bomb!" and one Christine O'Donnell. tracks. It would be like choos­ wid1 old friends, new fliends, or 1 am awai·e of mese facts be­ When candidates like ing everyming based on one absolute strangers. cause I, like an estimated 250 O'Donnell not only receive na­ rather supe1fluous detail, like We've all gotten d1ose occasional million otl1er trivial-infomaini­ tional attention but also manage buying everyming you ever messages from the random creeper, acs, logged onto Facebook this to win a republican primai·y, it owned based on the sole qual­ ai1d we've all had to block an ex­ morning. Social networking has gets a Ii11le woJTisome. It's not ity of it being blue. boyfriend or -girlfriend or two, but reached epidemic proportions, and that this woman is conservative We cannot condone such po­ that shouldn't ruin the entire expe­ is threatening to replace face-to­ -it's that this woman is nuts, litical behavior. rience. face networking. and people are actually agree­ People need to recognize Maybe I'm for the whole social Back in the rnid-80s. some egg­ ing with her. the consequences of electing networking thing because I've got­ head types managed to circumvent Have people become so fed inadequate and unqualified ten in touch with quite a few friends their inability to talk to girls by up with ow· country that poli­ candidates. Voting should not who, over the years. faded from my developing a computer version of ticians like her can gain public be some random decision. It life. the bulletin boai·d. On the boards. support? This is a woman who should be info1med, ai1d the You might be thinking, "Well, they could post messages to their has lied about her educational decision should be based upon if they were really friends, yo u socially challenged peers just like background. has been outspo­ various points, not just a sound wouldn 't have lost touch," but we sticking a Post-it note on the refrig­ all know that time and distance can SAMANTHA GARREIT erator. Social networking was born ken against such normal human bite or two about how we need ~------=------' and good old-fashioned talking to functions as mastUJbation. and to win our country back from ravage a friendship, and the Internet has made such hilarious eJTo­ the government. is tJiat one thing that can span t11a1 gulf wimout a long-distance one another began packing its bags for t11e long rrip out of style. neous gaffs in public as saying We ai-e concerned by phone charge. Sure, social networking can have beneficial uses if you have the that scientists were growing O'Donnell's cmTent political And there arc many friends who I would never get to speak to time Lo wade through the u·ivial details of the tives of your friends and human brains on mice. success, not inspired or excited. if it weren't for places like Facebook. Not only is it a convenient followers to find them. But the occasional story of twins, separated at Regardless of political par­ Most of all. we are concerned forum for what's going on in one's life, but it also allows many birth, and now reunited through MySpace can't possibly make up for ty. no one should be OK witJ1 wid1 dris trend, which fore­ people to live chat where differences in messenger prograins the time we waste jusr sitting waiting for someone to ''like'' our latest that. shadows uniformed voting and would otherwise prevent people from being able to do so. Sure. clever incites about me movie we saw d1e day before. The problem isn't just people ill-suited political officials. Facebook's chat program is t11e jenkiest one on the Internet. but According to Facebook. people spend over 700 billion minutes it gets the job clone, and the emotes ai·e pretty cool. a month logged on to Facebook. That represents the accumulation Not to mention there ·s something a little freeing about it. Sw·e, of over 13 ,000 centmies of focus - nearly as long as mankind has sometimes I feel compelled to write somedung witty, funny, or walked uplight - every month. For that amount of energy we should clever, but most of the time I can use things like Facebook 's sta­ have sometlring more to show for me effon man knowing that Peanut Student addresses opinion tus update to let people know that I'm just having a bad day. is the "cutest puppy ever.'' And checking Facebook in the monring for other's status up­ Social networking is just another example of how our society is dates is like checking the weat11er. You can see that so-and-so is trending toward plugging into the virtual, and withdrawing from the Editor: time. I didn't get to do mat that cranky, that one guy is in a great mood. and what's-her-face is actual. What used to be the simple act conversing is being replaced I picked up a recent issue day. I ended up having to spend in love; when you've endured enough awkward conversations in by a technical interface and yet another small sliver of ow· humanity of The Rip and found a story the entire six hom-s on campus your life as I have. little cues like me ones Facebook provides are falls by the wayside. about how an incident involv­ with absolutely not11ing to do. very handy indeed. So Twiner and sites like it have become die small talk of the party ing a skateboard collision had It was boring and unfair. I had Maybe too many people spend too much time on it. but it gives of life. They hold the trivial facts and opinions we would normally happened a few weeks ago and to go to my night class with people something to do with their time. keep to om-selves but. now submit to om· friends, and in some instanc­ that a ban on skateboards is bandages all over my left leg. Time wasted? No. I don 't think so. I'm pretty sure that. with­ es me world, for judgment. It can be addicting as well. Facebook now in effect. I never found out the name of out Facebook, Twitter a11d MyS pace. most people would find Addiction Disorder is an actual fo1m of Internet Addiction Disorder. I also read that the student the person who did d1at to me something else to do mindlessly. Everyone needs his or her and is being treated in increasing numbers by physiologists across the who was hit was deaf. That stu­ or even found out if d1ey had daily-recommended dose of zoning out. nation. And yes, there is even a Facebook group for it. dent was me. I was just walk­ apologized (I'm deaf, so if t11ey And, if you ask me, wasting time checking in on friends and It's the ultimate example of efficiency. You can get the help you ing ai·ound, and all of a sudden were speaking to me I wouldn't letting dlem know you remembered them with a comment here need while you get your fix. I fell down. I looked over and hear it). or there is one of the more decent ways to do so. Human beings are social ai1.imalc;, designed to interact with one saw a skateboard rolling away Also, I am blind in my right Plain ai1d simple, social networking lets you stay in touch wim ai1other face to face. with no one on it eye. and the board came out of people. catch up with what's going on in meir lives, and see that. We have voices. facial expressions and subtle shifts in body lan­ About 3-5 seconds after r my right side vantage point, compared to everyone else you went to high school with, you guage mat are completely lost when we hide behind our computer foll, a person (who I deduced from behind, directly in my probably ended up tJ1e best looking and most successful one. I monitors. and the fa~ade of anonymity we feel when we talk to peo­ was d1e rider) caine over and blind spot. I had no idea it was really can't shake a stick at something like that. ple that ai·en't right there in front of us. was trying to help me. I was so coming. mad and embaITassed mat I re­ In the Opinion section of the fused the help and just collect­ paper. when they were talking ed my belongings ai1d walked about the pros and cons of me away (it happened in an area of ban. the writer of the pro sec­ campus where there were many tion stated that she did not think Rap has lost its value as a means of expression people). it was me fault of the rider that As [ was walking away. out tins happened. By Michael Morrow me how to Dougie." by Cali Boy Tell 'em ·s of the world. I rm not saying the music is all of the corner of my eye, T saw This greatly angered me, Video Production Editor Swag District. I have a question. want rappers to get back to rap­ bad. that same person back up on the since it brought up the possi­ What the hell is a "Dougie?" ping and making songs about the The placement is way off, but bility of me being responsible. board rolling away, acting like ''I'm hot and stuff I The sun Mixing of genres is not a new lyrical content. it's not all bad. I am deaf with only one good nothing had happened. Later, gives me lots of love I I ain't thing. Between the 1017 Brick Some of it can even be enter­ eye. If being that way was my when talking to a friend, I real­ steppin · on snails but rm pop­ It's been done before the birth Squad members, Gucci Mane. taining at times, but for me music choice. then I would accept it ized what fully had occwTed. pin · slugs." of rap and will continue well Waka Flocka Flame and OJ Da isn't just about entertainment. as being my fault. But it wasn ·1, l thought that I had just fall­ These lyrics come straight into the foreseeable future. Mix­ Juiceman. I haven't heard a de­ Music is a way of life. Music. en down, but actuall y what had so how could it be? from the "rap" artist t11e New ing genres has brought us good cent lyric yet. especiaJ1y rap, hip-hop and hip­ happened was I landed on my I am writing and sending all Boyz and meir song "Colorz." music like Run DMC and Aero­ 'Tm boomin', I'm bunkin', ster music. is a fonn of storytell­ of dris because I feel like tl1ere left knee with my left leg bent I used to love rap, back when it smith's "Walk this Way," and and rm whippin' up da babies:· ing from a cultural perspective. will be (and probably is, now) a up under me. The skin on and was actually about real lylicism. Eminem and Dido, or Eminem is an OJ Da Juiceman all-timer. If you want to come into the around my kneecap had been huge amount of speculation and Now, because of the easy access and Elton John's "Stan:' Waka Flocka Flame ·s song rap game and make entertaining. ground off and where me skin iumoring going on as to what of music through Internet down­ But most of the time you get "Hard in da Paint" has lyrics I funny music. it·s possible, and I was before was now a puddle exactly happened and why a loads and increasing ringtone an individual artist trying to do couldn't even imagine writing have no problem with that. Weird of blood. I had a few road rash ban was put on. I feel like, as sales - which have led to music multiple genres and it's usually down. And Gucci Mane ·s slurred Al Yankovic has done it success­ marks and blood 1he1-e as well. the person who basically start­ executives only extending 360 a fail. Atlanta speech just makes his full y and it hasn't bo1l1ered me A few minutes after tlris in­ ed all of this, I should tell what contracts to artists 1 am forced I could list a million songs, lyrics on ·'Wasted." that much yet. Why? Because it's not clas­ cident happened. I had just left happened from my perspective to change me radio station every but why should I bother when worse. sified as rap. a class. I had a break after that ai1d give me readers the chance other minute. you already know who and what "Magic City Monday I Ball It never once claims ro be rap class for six hours before my to know what really happened The genre of rap has been for­ didn't work out so well. playin' wasted I This one for or degrades my cultw·e's story­ night class started. But since T instead of guessing and staning ever chai1ged. rm just tired of these bad at­ yo' w1cle drinking Thunderbird. telling aspect. live on the opposite side of town nuno rs. Now, instead of having d1e lyr­ tempts of mixing rap with hip­ wasted/ 12-pack wasted/ I need People always say rap is dy­ from BC, I have to take the bus icism of rap. the gusto of hip-hop hop and/or hipster music. Keep more cases I And Gucci's not ing, and I feel the same. I just at a certain rime in order to get Ch ase Toy and the style of hipster music.rap them separate, because, when racist all my drivers Caucasiai1 wish people would realize why History home. rest, then come back on fans are forced to heai·, "Teach put together, we get the Soulja (G ucci)." rap is damn near dead.

'GADE FEEDBACK ''What is your favorite thing to do at the fair?»

Editor's note: 'Gade Feedback is Sylvia Vigil, Chris Vindiola, Josh Guzman, Felissa Torres, Puricar a feature that asks students their Nursing: "Eat:' Film: "Cinnamon History: "Fat Criminal Justice: Boria, Child opinion various topics. rolls'.' Derrill 1-loagie uMack on boys'.' Development: Bun'.' "Hangout with friends'.' Compiled by: Rip Staff

The Renegade Rip Write The Rip Letters should not exceed 300 words, must be EDITORIAL BOARD STAFF accompanied by a signature and the letter writer's identity must be verified. The Rip reserves the right to edit letters, however, Editor in Chief...... 13rian N. Willhite Reporters: Kristen Blue, Martin Chang, Zak Cowan, Winner of tbc 2003 and 2008 writers will be given the opportLmity to revise lengthy or JACC Pacesetter Award Features Editor...... Vincent Perez Priscilla Creger, Chrystal Forlt, Breanna Gray, unacceptable submissions. The Renegade Rip is produced by Bakersfield College Sports Editor...... Julian Moore James Licea, Yvonne Macias, Brenda!rene Ifan organization submits a Jetter as a group, it must be signed by only one person, either the leader of the journalism classes, printed by Bakersfield Envelope & Copy Editor ...... Samantha Garrett Rodriguez, Cristal Rodriguez, Sandra Ward Printing Co. Inc., and circulated on Wednesdays during Photo Editor...... Annie Stockman organization or the Jetter writer. Pen names are not allowed Photographers: Carissa Edwards, Nicholas Flores, and anonymous letters will not be p ublished. the fall and spring semesters. Opinions Editor...... Michael Wafford The newspaper is published under the auspices of the Magazine Editor...... Mateo M. Melero Ryan George, Luis Santoyo, Deedee Soto, Nathan How to reach us Kern Commllllity College District Board of Trustees, but Wilson sole responsibility for its content rests with student editors. Online Editor ...... Gregory D. Cook -Address: Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Ba kersfield, CA 93305 The Rip is a member of the Journalism Association Video Production...... Michael Morrow of Commlmity Colleges and the California Newspaper -Phone: (661) 395-4324 Publishers Association. -Web site: www. Lherip.com Adviser ...... Danny Edwards Page 9 The Renegade Rip I www.therip.com Wednesday, October 6, 2010 Culinary student pursues dream

CULINARY ARTS I Working to never went anywhere with his," learn the very basics, learning one day become a restaurant said Conger. about differenl types of cuisine owner and chef, Conger learns Conger's love for cooking in­ around the world, measurements vital skills in culinary program cludes all aspects of the culinary and the basic stuff about being field; his love for the aitistry is a chef you need to know;' said By Brian N. Willhite just as important as his love for Conger. Editor in Chief the business, too. One of the requirements for "I was very interested in learn­ culinary students is their partici­ Making his dreams of becom­ ing how to make food and learn­ pation in The Renegade Room, ing a professional chef come ing how to make it presentable the student-run restauranl on the true, Bakersfield College student and how the business works," BC campus. Nick Conger is advancing his said Conger. Conger appreciates the educa­ way through the Culinary Arts He also discussed his aspira­ tion and opportunities that he re­ program to earn his degree be­ tions to cam a business degree ceives from his involvement and fore taking the next step toward to help him in his futme goals of enjoys the camai·ade1ie with the professionalism. owning a restaurant. other students as they work to­ A f01mer student at Califor­ Conger explained that there gether to reach common goals. nia State University of Bakers­ are different positions and spe­ Conger said that the best thing field, Conger had no idea what cialties a chef can have and that about the interaction with stu­ career he wanted to pursue, then he is still undecided what ai·ea dents and instiuctors is that "you realized one day that he loved he feels fits him the best. In the really don't get a chance to do cooking and that it may be his meantime, though, he is enjoy­ that in your other classes. You re­ calling. ing leaining about the diverse ally get to know people on a dif­ "I realized that [cooking] is areas of cooking, however, there ferent level than just the gen-ed my passion, and why not go to is one area he feels he would like classes. school for it and make it hap­ to improve on. "It's amazing how everyone pen," said Conger. 'Tm not that great with des­ just really wants to be helpful - Conger was inspired to pur­ serts, but it's something I'd like help pull everything together - sue cooking at BC by his uncle, to work on," said Conger. and that they're not just in there a fo1mer student that had been Conger discussed his theory for themselves. through the culinary aits pro­ classes and how they help pre­ "It's really interesting to see gram. pare him in his goals of one day people do that," he said. ''I saw my uncle go through being a chef. 'The theory classes Conger said that once he re­ this prograin 11 to 12 years ago are where we learn how to pull ceives his degree and starts and it really interested me. So, I off all the methods - what to looking for a chef's position, he decided I wanted to go through it do, what not to do - and how to would like to stay in California and get my degree and actually make something look good. And but would consider his options to GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP do something with it because he the intro classes are where you make his dream a reality. BC culinary arts student Nick Cogner chops vegetables in the Renegade Room on Oct. 4. War veteran turned student, works to become welder

By Michael Wafford Whiting said his time in the sergeant, went to sniper school, Opinions Editor military not only changed his went to medic school. Worked as view on careers. It also changed a medic for the last five years or Darren Whiting is a veteran, his view on life. four years," said Whiting. "My a father, former business owner "I have a different outlook on time in the military was fabu­ and a student enrolled in Bakers­ things than a lot of people do be­ lous. I loved it. Even when it was field College's industrial mainte­ cause I've really had to - I think the worst it was good.'' nance program. - had to work hard for what I While a military man for most Whiting, 45, enrolled in the have. I have respect for other of his adult life, Whitening has program through employers people, and I have respect for found the time to start a family. A training resources. other people's belongings. That's father of three and on his second Having retired from the U.S. something you don't see a lot," marriage, Whiting said he has J\Jmy after 17 years of service, said Whiting. been married to his wife of 11 Whiting originally wanted to en­ After serving for three years in years, who is cunently attending roll in the welding program, but the early 1980s Whiting moved the University of Phoenix full­ the program was full. around the country working in time as an onlinc student. However, Whiting isn't upset a vaiiety of job fields before Since both ai·e currently fo­ by not getting into his chosen returning to the military in the cused on education, Whiting program. 1990s. said that both he and his wife ai·e "I've always been into con­ Whiting served in Kuwait and unemployed. Whiting is looking struction. I like to build stuff. Iraq after the September 11 at­ forward to returning to the work­ I've done a lot with wood; I want tacks in 2001. "I did three yeai·s ing world. "I got my first job to do more with metal. I'd like to in tank. I did three years in infan­ when I was 12 years. I've always build bikes. I like motorcycles," try. Worked as an armor, worked felt that nothing's free. There's said Whiting. on weapons, worked as a supply no free handouts in life." Whiting is no stranger to con­ struction, having said he has worked in the field several times throughout the years, at one point opening his own construc­ tion business and eventually sell­ ing it. Born in east Los Angeles, GREGORY D. COOK I THE RIP Whiting was the son of a sin­ gle mother who had him when BC industrial maintenance student Darren Whiting works with a lathe Sept. 30. she was 16. "Even though I've made several attempts to escape from Bakersfield I always come back," said Whiting who moved to Bakersfield with his mother at the age of 7. Whiting did not always dream of working in constmction. "I used to want to be a cop for the longest time in my life. And Complete Your Bachelor's Degree in the more I got to knO\v cops the less I liked cops," said Whiting. • Business Administration • Multiple Subject or Single "Being that I've been in the mili­ tary for so long. The military 's • Health Administration Subject Teaching Credential motto is lead by example. You • Liberal Studies • Organizational Management':' do the right thing, you wear your uniform properly you treat peo­ (Teacher Preparation) • Public Administration~' ple properly and you display that (also available in Delano and Taft) '~ also available online behavior to your troops - to the people you are leading around. You lead by example - you be the shining star. Show them how Join us for an Information Session you want to behave. Cops don't Saturday, October 16th, 2010 at 10:00 am do that." Although he no longer desires Sn-GO-TO-ULV I [email protected] to work in law enforcement. www.laverne.edu Whiting said he worked as a cor­ Kern County Campus rectional officer for the Mesa GREGORY D. COOK /THE RIP 1201 24th Street, Suite D-200 Bakersfield, CA 93301 Verde correctional facility before BC industrial maintenance student Darren Whiting works returning to the military in the 90s. with a lathe in the Industrial Technology building Sept. 30.