The Fate of the Furious Movie Review

By Arely Mondragon

“Fate of the Furious” is the eighth movie in the popular Fast & Furious franchise, and just came out to theaters on April 13.

As expected, this film has over-the-top action series of events , extravagant cars, massive explosions, and of course street racing. This film began in a street race in Havana, Cuba, and is one of the first films to shoot in Cuba.

“Fate of the Furious” had a major plot twist, following a betrayal from none other than Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). Dom was threatened by a mysterious women to do a series of crimes to scheme for world domination and betray his family.

The rest of the crew’s mission was to save him from the dark side and get back their Dom who has always united his family. This leads to car chases and gun explosions in New York City.

This movie concludes with a surprising ending.

This film is funny, thrilling, and exciting to watch, I personally enjoyed watching it and recommend it if you are a fan of the franchise.

Clean Clean Clean

By David Garcia

No, I didn’t go to Coachella, no I didn’t go to Mexico, and no I didn’t just stay home and do nothing. The words spring break does not exist in our household because all I did was clean, work and the highlight of the week, watch “13 Reasons Why.”

As soon as I got home, my mother told me, “You’re on break? Good, because we have a lot of things to do.” Trust me; she was not kidding; what did she make me do you may ask? Deep clean the backyard, flattened the dirt to put down stepping stones, clean the side yard, the other side yard, the garage, the cars, my room, go to the recycle station which can take over 3 hours if you can believe it, and this does not include my eight hour shifts at work and school work.

A ton of people go to Coachella each year; in 2015 a total of 198,000 people attended both weekends 99,000 per weekends which is one hell of an amount of people.  That is not including the people that snuck in because almost at every event there is always someone that sneaks in.

But they not only went to Coachella, but a ton of teens went to spring break capitals of the world which include exotic places and sometimes even out of the country, some brave enough to go to  Mexico,  specifically Rosarito.

But the fun stories of  being out is not for me, and I am sure not for a lot of people. I’d say that the best thing that happened during spring break was that I binge watched “13 Reasons Why” which happens to be my current favorite show until “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things” comes back on.

Spring break is supposed to be about fun, and my mother thinks I had fun cleaning dirt in each individual 643 stepping stones in our backyard. Yeah, I had blast knowing that no one but my three dogs, sister and parents are going to be the only ones to ever see my masterpiece.

It’s okay; I know I did a wonderful job.

Belly Button Bling Bling

By Nicole Ransick

Ever since I was 16 years old I knew I wanted my belly button to be pierced.

Last year I attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and it was then that I finally decided to pierce it.

One of the best things about getting a piercing is that if you end up not liking it, you can take it out. You cannot do that with a tattoo without a procedure.

Getting your belly button pierced is relatively inexpensive, with most shops charging between $20 and $50. However the cost will also depend on the ring you choose, and most piercers will recommend that the first ring you put in be standard size.

If you want to get your belly button pierced, it is something you really need to think about. The healing process takes about six months. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being it did not hurt at all and 10 being unbearable pain, I would give the pain of getting it pierced a 4. I actually felt like the healing process was a bigger pain.

Caring for your new piercing is essential. Ask your piercer how to care for your new bling, or else it can easily get infected. Personally, I used NeilMed’s saline solution for about two months, day and night. It is also recommended that you stay out of the pool for a few weeks after getting it pierced.

In order for your piercing to heal quicker, my piercer also told me to wear loose fitting clothes. When the piercing is healing it is very sensitive, so do not touch it (also that’s gross because you have bacteria on your hands) and try to use soaps that are non-irritating to the site.

Sometimes when people get piercings, their body rejects it. The best way to ensure that this does not happen is by keeping it sanitized and not irritating it. I also recommend getting it pierced professionally because everything should be sterile. When I got my belly button pierced everything my piercer used was and should be new, clean, and coming straight out of the package untouched.

Overall, I really like my belly button ring, but I do not think it is a piercing for everyone. If you are considering getting a new piercing, take the time to take care of it and be patient because sometimes they take awhile to heal. After all, you do not want an ugly scar in the end, you want some bling bling.

Taft College Little League Clinic

Coach Maiocco talks to the participants.

Richard Ortiz and Tyler Keith lead the stretching.

By Mark O’Connor

Whether you are 6 years old or 60, baseball is a common ground for all ages. The game is a powerful lesson teacher and something that has to be passed down from generation to generation.

On Sunday, April 9, the Taft College baseball team hosted a clinic for the West Side Little League. Little Leaguers, coaches and parents were invited to take advantage of instruction from Taft College players and coaches.

The group circles up to hear coach.

All that was asked of them to bring to the free clinic was their bat, glove, uniform, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

There was an exciting turnout of more than 100 kids, parents, and coaches. The little league kids entered Cougar Field with smiles on their faces and amazement in their eyes when they saw the Taft College players tower over them. Eager to learn and have a good time the little leaguers quickly began to interact with the college athletes.

The participants broke up into several different stations where Taft College ball players looked over and gave instructions on the drills. There were bunting, base running, hitting, infield and outfield drills. Each drill took 10 to 15 minutes and then each group rotated around.

“I like that we get to interact with the players and talk to all the older guys,” said Ryker Scherer, an 11-year-old ball player.
Taft College sophomore Chase Nistor said “,Events like this help the team get involved with the community. It is always good to give back to the kids and help their love for the game grow.”

Cougar coaching staff and players said that being able to hold events like this will help the Cougars get exposure within the community.

Participants said that they were grateful that the coaches and athletes took time out of their day to give back to the kids.

Brendan Halstrom gets eye level with future Hall or Famer

Spring Fling Week

John Irwin and Adrian Diaz enjoy the bounce house.

By Fred Mitchell

The week before Spring Break is usually such a dud. Everyone is on edge waiting for break to be here so that they can hit the beach or get started on some deep cleaning.

But for the students at Taft College, there was an alternative and more exciting way to get through the week before Spring break.

Diaz and Irwin sumo-suited it up.

The school put on a Spring Fling week available for all students with  activities jam packed into four days for students to enjoy. Some of the activities included sumo-suit wrestling, bounce houses, and musical chairs.

Every day of the week there was a list of new activities for students to enjoy.

Bakersfield Country and Craft Festival

By Alberto Muro

Country music and great beverages came to Downtown Bakersfield.

The 3rd annual Bakersfield Country and Craft Festival was held at Mill Creek Park in downtown Bakersfield. Bakersfield’s very own Lengthwise organized the event as part of their multiple charity craft festivals in which all of the proceeds go to local children’s charities throughout Kern County.

On a warm Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people began lining up around Mill Creek Park dressed from head to toe in their best country themed clothes such as boots, hats, and overalls. The crowd grew ecstatic as the line of people began moving through the gates as they were greeted by friendly security. Patrons were also given souvenir Country and Craft Festival cups for sampling beverages.

Life-sized Jenga games and Cornhole boards gave attendees the opportunity to make new friends. While under pressure, attendees showed off their multitasking skills by playing Jenga while having a beverage in the other hand.

As impressive as it may seem, the arrogance in other players saw the immediate downfall of the wood pieces. The other participants that played on the Cornhole boards put their accuracy to the test as they launched sacks onto a smooth wooden surface with hopes of landing in the hole.

Local breweries from Kern County were also at Country and Craft Festival and also provided refreshments for attendees. Dionysus, one of Bakersfield’s newest breweries, served one of their popular beverages called “Sour Funk,” and anyone who tasted it left with a smile on their face. Dionysus employees went above and beyond to provide patrons with quality beverages and were very welcoming with their friendly attitudes.

Although local restaurants provided food for patrons, local brewery and host of the event Lengthwise stole the show once again with their infamous and delicious roasted pig. Lengthwise has provided the sensational pork attraction at all their charity craft events which attracts a flock of cameras and hungry mouths. Lengthwise also provided beverages and food to keep hungry onlookers occupied as they waited for the roasted pig to be ready.

The craft festivals in Bakersfield provide relief to charities throughout Kern County and also help bring a community together by turning strangers into friends.

“Patel’s Threading and Henna Art” Review

By Nicole Ransick

Eyebrow threading is a form of hair removal made popular in south Asia. The hair is removed from its follicle using a special kind of Indian thread.

This knowledge was bestowed on me after walking into Patel’s Threading and Henna Art, located on Ming Avenue in Bakersfield.

When you walk into Patel’s, the walls are brightly colored and show pictures that both demonstrate and explain how eyebrows are threaded.

The cost of getting your eyebrows threaded at Patel’s is $10. I have tried a few eyebrow threading places, and compared to the other locations, the employees at this business were really nice.

Although eyebrow threading is painful, I believe it is worth the cost. In comparison to waxing, threading makes my eyebrows look more symmetric and sharp looking. I would recommend Patel’s to other people in regards to eyebrow threading, they did an amazing job and were friendly. I cannot comment on their Henna Art, as I have yet to try it, but it is another service offered by the business.

Crystal Galindo–“Art of Self Portrait”

By Alex-Zandria Corbin

Crystal Galindo and  Nelly Ponce

Crystal Galindo visited Taft College at the request of Tina Mendoza to display and enlighten students. She was born and raised in Tulare County. She then graduated high school and attended community college for eight years. During community college she became a teaching assistant. She then transferred onto Sonoma State University.

She looks up to the singer Selena Quintanilla as a major icon. Selena was one of the few people who she related to who was famous. Selena represented Crystal artistically. She talked a lot about representation and how important it is to have this exposure. She says, “When you don’t see yourself uplifted, in the media, in magazines, in movies, on Instagram, anywhere, you don’t see people who look like you getting praised, it makes you feel invisible.”

Crystal Galindo’s Artwork

She says that she found her voice through art.  She started using social media as a platform for her artwork. She started taking selfies to build her own self-confidence and her own representation. She went to a university where she was the only one representing herself. Yet, she strived and struggled through the challenges. Overall, her message through her artwork was empowering. She is a humble and strong-willed  person. Crystal is the embodiment for her culture and encourages others to embrace who they are as an individual.

Got Teeth?

By Denae Ayala and David Garcia

Do you hate making expensive trips to the dentist?

Well the next time you’re on campus and you see a group of people in blue scrubs, do not run! They are here for you and your teeth.

The Taft College Dental Hygiene Clinic offers FREE treatment available to students, faculty, and staff of TC.

If you are not a student or faculty member don’t worry, for just $20 you can receive treatment on your teeth. The treatments that are offered are oral cancer screenings, patient education, complete cleaning, fluoride treatment, X-rays, sealants, impressions, and a new toothbrush. A standard teeth cleaning and X-rays at your local dentist office start at an average of $100.

By coming into the TC Dental Hygiene Clinic you are not only saving money, but you are also helping out the students participating in the program.

Twenty students are accepted per class and only second year students are allowed to work on patients’ teeth. About 35-85 people apply to the program per year. To get into the program you have to be selected by the selection committee. 10 are selected by GPA and recommendations.

Depending on a patients needs, appointments can be up to 4 hours long.

Student Michelle Lawhe is working on her second semester in the program. She said the program is very awarding,

“It’s heavy on your body, but it’s worth it,” she said. This semester she is seeing two patients a week.

When asked what was the most stressful thing to deal with it was not teeth, “the most stressful thing is finding the right patient.”

It is the students responsibility to go out and find patients.

If you want  treatment you can call 661-763-7706 to make an appointment.

Sleep while You Wait

By Denae Ayala and David Garcia

To cool for school? Play some pool.

During my two-hour breaks in between classes I like to catch some shut eye every once in while.

And honestly, the seats in the Library are comfy but I don’t want to wake up with my neck and back aching because I tried to fit my whole body on a small seat.

Miguel Zuniga taking in some zzz

The Student Union Center changes the sleeping and relaxing game for Taft students with an Associated Student Body sticker on their ID’s.

The Center is located near the Taft Gym, right next to the men’s and women’s restrooms. In the spacey portable room there are many things that you can do to pass the time, of course, you can go in there and do some homework, but you can also go in there and just relax.

For example, there are two pool tables, a Foosball table, a ping pong table, two bean bags, two couches, a large television, an Xbox 360, video games and so many different kinds of movies to just pass the time.

Honestly who doesn’t like to play pool, we already all play it on our phones and claim to be the best and handing out Ls, so test your real skill on one of the two tables in the Center.

The Center is primarily run by a lot of the Taft athletes, mainly the soccer women. The school funds the ASB program which then funds the Center and all the nice things inside of it.

So please if you decide to go in there, respect the equipment that is provided for our entertainment.

Julie Hernandez was working at the Student Union Center the day we went in to take pictures of the place. She was kind enough to talk to us and let us know why she likes it in there so much.

She says that it’s a great place for students to just go in there and relax and of course do some homework.

The WiFi is pretty good in there so you know who doesn’t like some good WiFi so you know that Netflix isn’t about to buffer for about 30 seconds which really feels like 30 minutes. Or we are all just impatient human beings but hey, good WiFi is always appreciated.

The Student Union center is strictly for one, Taft Students, and students with the USB sticker in the back of their ID’s.

I know most of your are going to say I am not in ASB, (sad face) BUT if you rent books from the Taft bookstore, those 30 or so bucks you spent on that little blue sticker in the back, yeah that is all you need to get in.  (happy face)

For the most part The Student Union Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Thursday and Fridays from 8 a.m – 2 p.m. So if you are ever feeling kind of tired or just trying to relax and play some pool, head over to the student union center and have some fun, or sleep on the bean bags. Enjoy.