TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Recent Stories

1. ON THE TOWN: The slots, Steve Martin and fried okra at Eagle Mountain

   BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor

   Saturday, Feb 18 2012 12:00 PM

   As a great man once sang, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, know when to run." I felt as if Kenny Rogers was there with me at Eagle Mountain Casino last Saturday, urging me to cash out at the slot machine at which I had just won nearly $300.

   Of course that imagery may have been inspired by "The Gambler"-themed machine I passed earlier in the evening. Not being a very enthusiastic gambler myself, I took the money and ran ... after a lively evening of music, food and mountain air.

   The adventure started in the afternoon, when my pal Cindy, her aunt Ann and I headed up Highway 190. Knowing there was a sold-out show that night -- I was lucky enough to have tickets for Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers -- we left town just after 4.

   For those who don't take the bus, which leaves Bakersfield daily, it's a long and winding road worthy of The Beatles. Thankfully, I wasn't driving the curvy mountainous route and could enjoy the calm vistas of farmland on the hour-and-a-half drive.

   After parking, the clean mountain air carried the savory scent of prime beef from The River Steakhouse to us, which helped us settle our dinner plans. Or so we thought.

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2. 

   ASHLEY FISCHER: Bingo a numbers game

   When I nervously walked into Westchester Hall on a recent Thursday evening, the room was mostly silent, aside from the occasional shuffling of papers and the steady, rhythmic voice emanating from the woman at the front of the room: B-9, I-20,G-47, N-32.
3. 

   Fundraiser love for furry friends

   They may not be invited to the event, but the dogs and cats of Kern County will be the stars of the show at the third annual Furry Paws & Foggy Nights on Feb. 24.
4. 

   Sassy, brassy makes customers happy

   Mere waitresses have customers. Connie Russell, who's been slinging hash with sass at a succession of Bakersfield restaurants for 25 years, has friends.
5. 

   Keeping the bar warm and friendly

   It was while attempting to mix a strawberry daiquiri as a trainee at RJ's Bar & Grill that Leigh Ann Lucci got the first hint this place was more than just a Rosedale gathering spot.
6. 

   Waitress gives as good as she gets

   Although we're still counting down the nominees for Bakersfield's best server, Claudia Norman has already declared victory.
7. 

   She's in the 'people business'

   As Ashley Bledsoe dashes between tables at the Coco's on Rosedale Highway -- coffee pot in hand, loaded tray on her shoulder -- she presents a vision of such boundless energy, her customers need a nap just watching her.
9. 

   Singing for your supper

   As the Sinatra of Sorella Italian Restaurant, Mark Downing is more than happy to sing for your supper -- after he's steered you toward the nightly special, uncorked the wine and sold you on the dessert you weren't sure you had room for.
10. 

    She's the secret weapon at the DoubleTree

    While most of Bakersfield is still tucked snugly under the covers, Bambi Hall is busily prepping a dish of hearty smiles with extra sugar every morning at The DoubleTree.
11. 

    For her, it's all about family

    Penelope Kehagias hadn't been this rattled at work since the first time, many years ago, that she had to open a wine bottle by herself. But here she was, at Uricchio's Trattoria on a recent Tuesday night, and the usual Penelope magic just wasn't flowing.
12. 

    All are his favorite customers

    Just as Bobby McFerrin told us in the '80s, "Don't worry, be happy." It's just that credo that motivates Carlos Juan Maldonado as a server at Don Perico in northeast Bakersfield.
13. 

    Service with a ready smile

    Ask server Octavio Avila for a cure to the work-week blues and you're bound to get a smile, followed by a shot of traditional south-of-the-border hospitality.
14. 

    A great waitress and a good friend

    It's the constant worry of working mothers everywhere: What's Junior up to when I'm not around? But not for Erica Lucero, who came up with a brilliant solution. She just brings her teens to work with her, and has them bus her tables while they're there.