Having Fun in Bakersfield - FunInBako's Blog - Bakersfield.com

facebook gone bad... what to do when facebook friends attack

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:27:58 PDT

I found an interesting fact in Time magazine: Having yourself circumcised lowers your risk of contracting AIDS by 60%. I thought that was interesting, so I posted it on my facebook page. I like to share.

Well, this sparked a debate about whether or not we should regularly circumcise baby boys, then lead to the treacherous territory of whether people should breast feed or not. It turns out I have 2 facebook friends on opposite ends of both debates. My friendly, harmless, interesting fact turned into an all-out facebook war, with how we define motherhood was at the center of that war. I really didn't mean to start a fight, but I certainly didn't do anything to stop it, either. But when the dust settled, I sent them a thank you and told them they were the most fabulouslly interesting people I know.

Their argument was fascinating. It made me realize that my friends don't debate anymore. The only debates I see are on the blogs, and ones I've read tend to spiral down into "no, you're stupid; no YOU are" arguments. I'm glad I touched on a sore subject, even if my facebook friends aren't. It was stimulating to think about issues that are important to how we live our lives.

So, my advice: when facebook friends attack, add more fuel to the fire... and enjoy the debate that follows! I'm now looking for an interesting quote about breast-feeding or parenting, although I might just post a quote from the article I recently read that discusses the fact that abortion lowers the crime rate. That should do the trick!

Bounce House Recommendations Please

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:32:18 PDT

Can anyone recommend a place that rents bounce houses and tables? We used Brinca Brinca last year. They have a bounce house, 3 tables, and 24 chairs for $100. We were happy, but we want to shop around this year. We're hoping for good service again, but a little cheaper.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations you have!

riding lesson recommendations please!!

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:45:31 PDT

After my recent Rankin Ranch visit, I have a renewed love of riding horses. Now I want to take riding lessons, but I don't know where to go. Has anyone had a good experience with a local place? Please share the name of the place and number, if you have it.

Thanks!!!

Rankin Ranch Bak-cation

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:00:04 PDT

We had a wonderful time at Rankin Ranch! It's only about an hour drive. We rode horses, improved our archery skills, hiked, lost in both the pool and horseshoe tournaments, enjoyed the massive number of stars visible on a moonless night in our mountains, soaked our tired bones in the hot tub, and met some wonderful families.

If you are looking for a place to get away, it's great. We went for our anniversary, and it was perfect. We stayed 2 nights. It is expensive, but absolutely worth it to me. We both felt so centered, relaxed, and happy. The family that runs the ranch is so friendly and nice. It's just an all-around great experience. That's why the families around us have gone there for 4 to 18 years. It really is worth a try.

But now I'm back to the internet and my cell phone. Time to catch back up with the world.

Rankin Ranch stay-cation

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:29:42 PDT

We leave in the morning for a 3 day trip to Rankin Ranch. I wanted a little mini-vacation before the school year starts, and I didn't want to drive or travel very far. We did a little research, and we're going to Rankin Ranch. We checked it out for 1 day a couple of weeks ago, and had a blast, so we chose it for our end-of-summer stay-cation. We are going to ride horses, feed animals, hike, hot tub, swim, read, and enjoy the company of the other "ranchers," far from cell phones, internet, or even TV. It's a little hard to get so cut off, so I will probably sneak my ipod in my luggage and play games on the sly. I'll let you know how I like it.

health care reform

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:27:17 PDT

My friend found an interesting article the explores the health care points. It's worth a read.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

Here it is below:

OPINION

AUGUST 11, 2009, 7:30 P.M. ET

The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare

Eight things we can do to improve health care without adding to the deficit.

Article

By JOHN MACKEY

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."

—Margaret Thatcher

With a projected $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, several trillions more in deficits projected over the next decade, and with both Medicare and Social Security entitlement spending about to ratchet up several notches over the next 15 years as Baby Boomers become eligible for both, we are rapidly running out of other people's money. These deficits are simply not sustainable. They are either going to result in unprecedented new taxes and inflation, or they will bankrupt us.

While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:

• Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs). The combination of high-deductible health insurance and HSAs is one solution that could solve many of our health-care problems. For example, Whole Foods Market pays 100% of the premiums for all our team members who work 30 hours or more per week (about 89% of all team members) for our high-deductible health-insurance plan. We also provide up to $1,800 per year in additional health-care dollars through deposits into employees' Personal Wellness Accounts to spend as they choose on their own health and wellness.

Money not spent in one year rolls over to the next and grows over time. Our team members therefore spend their own health-care dollars until the annual deductible is covered (about $2,500) and the insurance plan kicks in. This creates incentives to spend the first $2,500 more carefully. Our plan's costs are much lower than typical health insurance, while providing a very high degree of worker satisfaction.

• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair.

• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. We should all have the legal right to purchase health insurance from any insurance company in any state and we should be able use that insurance wherever we live. Health insurance should be portable.

• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover. These mandates have increased the cost of health insurance by billions of dollars. What is insured and what is not insured should be determined by individual customer preferences and not through special-interest lobbying.

• Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. These costs are passed back to us through much higher prices for health care.

• Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost. How many people know the total cost of their last doctor's visit and how that total breaks down? What other goods or services do we buy without knowing how much they will cost us?

• Enact Medicare reform. We need to face up to the actuarial fact that Medicare is heading towards bankruptcy and enact reforms that create greater patient empowerment, choice and responsibility.

• Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren't covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Many promoters of health-care reform believe that people have an intrinsic ethical right to health care—to equal access to doctors, medicines and hospitals. While all of us empathize with those who are sick, how can we say that all people have more of an intrinsic right to health care than they have to food or shelter?

Health care is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges. A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That's because there isn't any. This "right" has never existed in America

Even in countries like Canada and the U.K. , there is no intrinsic right to health care. Rather, citizens in these countries are told by government bureaucrats what health-care treatments they are eligible to receive and when they can receive them. All countries with socialized medicine ration health care by forcing their citizens to wait in lines to receive scarce treatments.

Although Canada has a population smaller than California , 830,000 Canadians are currently waiting to be admitted to a hospital or to get treatment, according to a report last month in Investor's Business Daily. In England , the waiting list is 1.8 million.

At Whole Foods we allow our team members to vote on what benefits they most want the company to fund. Our Canadian and British employees express their benefit preferences very clearly—they want supplemental health-care dollars that they can control and spend themselves without permission from their governments. Why would they want such additional health-care benefit dollars if they already have an "intrinsic right to health care"? The answer is clear—no such right truly exists in either Canada or the U.K. —or in any other country.

Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.

Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.

Recent scientific and medical evidence shows that a diet consisting of foods that are plant-based, nutrient dense and low-fat will help prevent and often reverse most degenerative diseases that kill us and are expensive to treat. We should be able to live largely disease-free lives until we are well into our 90s and even past 100 years of age.

Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.

Mr. Mackey is co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc.

health care issues and the "anger"

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:42:57 PDT

I find it strange that everyone is so angry about this health care "proposal," when we really haven't heard anything to be angry about. We haven't heard anything. They are threatening to do this, telling us they will pass a law, but they have no details. What exactly is the plan they want us to consider? I have heard nothing but rhetoric. I am angry that the "debate" is fact-less. That's the only thing I can possibly be angry about! I would love to form an opinion, but our government needs to give me something specific, some specific, detailed ideas, not some vague outline to get us worked up.

It makes me wonder. What is happening that they feel such a need to distract the public with detail-free nonsense? Or is it that they need more money? What is really happening here? Why are we angry? I am angry that the government gives vague plans, then expects huge amounts of money, and gets it. I don't trust the government to do anything efficiently or well, based on past performance. I want less, not more.

But I seem to be the minority.

green tea has caffeine?? arg!!!

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:41:19 PDT

Oh NO!!!! Today I drank 2 whole tea pots of a green tea/passion tea mix that I assumed was caffeine free. I was wondering why I was so alert and cleaning the house at midnight. It turns out I was wrong. Green tea shouldn't have caffeine!! Arg!! I can't even handle a cup of coffee without issues, but I will give the green tea some credit: I haven't had any heart racing or anxiety, so it's not too high in caffeine, I guess. But I had 2 whole pots, including several glasses tonight!!! I'm never going to sleep again... but the house will be clean.

Do you know how to can tomatoes?

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:24:57 PDT

I have a garden overflowing with tomatoes, bell peppers, egg plants, and zucchini. I am trying to find ways to preserve them. I know there's nothing to do with egg plants, but I would like to use my organic, chemical-free tomatoes well into the winter months, if possible. I want to try canning some tomatoes this year, perhaps even tomato pasta sauces, or even salsas. We didn't can anything at home growing up, and it seems to be a lost art form.

I need help! I have searched online, and the recipes vary wildly, which makes me nervous. Some bake the jars; some tell me to do a "water bath"; some tell me to use canning salt (??); and even others use no special things at all.

Have you ever canned tomatoes or tomato pasta sauces? How did you do it? How long did the results last? How did you store them?

Thanks in advance for your help. This really does seem to be a lost art, or science. I appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise!

opinions please: swedish or deep tissue??

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:13:38 PDT

I usually get my massages at my acupuncturist's office, but I love going to different spas around town, too. I want to know what you think is better: deep tissue or Swedish massage?

Personally, I usually have a deep tissue massage. It isn't really very relaxing, though. In fact, it's almost painful at times, but I am pain-free for at least a few days after the massage.

I already tried a hot stone massage this summer, which was amazing, but I haven't had a plain-old Swedish massage lately, and I've been considering it. What is your opinion? Is a Swedish massage worth the time and money (for the relaxation), or are deep tissue massages a better deal, since they really attack the knots and sore spots?

Swim Lessons/ Teenagers today are awesome!!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:41:21 PDT

Today is the last day of swim lessons for my daughters. The swim lessons are through Bakersfield Parks & Rec. My 3 1/2 year old has done a complete turn-around. Her instructor Kaitlin led her from 35 minutes of terrified screaming (2 days in a row), to a laughing-screaming, happy child in the pool. The transformation is amazing.

I wondered who would take this terrible summer job. Both the girls she started screaming nonstop. I'm a teacher, but I couldn't have tolerated that screaming so close to my ears. Kaitlin was patient, and I can now see why she does swim lessons during the summer. She doesn't get paid very much, but she makes money helping kids love swimming. She explained that she was terrfied of the water when she was young, and a teacher helped her learn to love swimming.

When you think all teenagers are nightmares, take a look around. There are some remarkable young people out there, quietly doing very good things in this world. Kaitlin is one of them. I am lucky enough to teach high school, so I see some thoughtful, amazing teens regularly. Pay attention to those around you, and try to see past the obnoxious behavior. You might be pleasantly surprised.

harry potter...

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:39:10 PDT

What did you think about the new Harry Potter movie?

public option health care opinions

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:22:07 PDT

I have some issues with universal health care. I have used the clinic system in town, Clinica Sierra Vista, but it's a drag. I was pregnant and paid minimal cost for an office visit. I got great care, but you have to take a whole day off work to wait for each and every visit. My mother lived in Holland, where they have universal health care. She was disabled, so she didn't mind waiting all day in the waiting room. I do. I'm sorry, but I do. I know we need to have a system that works for the people who are between poverty (they are already covered) and those that have jobs with benefits. Those are the people who don't qualify for the Clinic system and can't afford the insurance. What can we do for them that won't change the whole way we do this?

I have a friend who is pressing me to contact Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841, (310) 914-7300 about the public option health care plan. I'm not sure I know enough about what the options are right now.

Does anyone out there have an opinion that they can explain?

Family Fun in Bako... out and about this summer

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:14:32 PDT

Hey, Bakersfield can be fun! Are you looking for things to do with your kids this summer? Do you want to save some money on your air conditioning bill? Turn the air off and go out!

Here are a few ideas:

Go to Beale Library. The children section is wonderful, and it's free.
Go to Barnes and Noble, or another local book store. We love the children area at the California location, which has nice seating and a great selection.
Go to a baseball game! There are some special promotions for Blaze game nights. There are several family nights, with discounted 4 packs of tickets, with hot dogs, sodas, and a program included. www.bakersfieldblaze.com
The Speedway is a fun weekend choice to see some drag racing (if you happen not live in a neighborhood with drag racing teens). www.bakersfieldspeedway.com
Go to the Calm Museum. It's a little bit of a drive for most of us, but what a great trip. I save this for mornings, to beat the heat. Kids love seeing and petting the animals. My daughters have a strange fascination with the snakes. There are some beautiful ones there. They have family passes for reasonable prices. You can find discounts for the pass at various places around town, including Your Radio Store. www.calmzoo.org/
Don't forget about our other fantastic museums: Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art. They are both well worth an afternoon of your time, but make sure it's a mild day for the Kern County Museum.
Go to The Wild, 8500 Harris Road. It has 3 bounce houses. You check your kids in, and sit down with a book in a nice, air conditioned room. It's relatively cheap ($7 for a day pass), and appropriate for kids from 2-10 or so. They have nighttime activities for teens, too. We had a birthday party here, and even our 11 year old cousins had a ball!
Use the local parks. Many have pools or the water play areas. You sit around and watch them have fun, or play with them!
Sign up for a class from Parks and Recreations. They have lots of Junior Sports and Dance choices for your little ones, and maybe for you too! www.bakersfieldcity.us/recreation/index.htm and www.norrecreation.org.
Head to Camelot Park, at California and Oak Street. They have video games, foozeball, air hockey, batting cages, miniature golf, and more. It's fun, but a little expensive. You can find something for all of your kids to do, though, and they have some wristband days. The outdoor activities should be saved for the cooler days.
On a particularly hot afternoon, go to a family-friendly restaurant. We love the Garden Spot and Rosemary's. They both make the kids happy, for different reasons.
You can also find a fast food spot with a play area. McDonalds has one of Real Road, Burger King has one on California (indoor), and Carls Jr has one on White Lane. There are lots of others, but those are a good starting point.
Splurge a little and get a hotel for the day. We love the Days Inn on Real Road (we usually find discount rooms for around 35). We get a cool room, a pool, a nearby bowling alley, and lots of eating choices within walking distance.
If your kids are bigger, you can go to the river, but use reason and caution.

I hope this gave you a few ideas of things to do with the kids. Do you have more ideas? Or there some great family spots I missed? Please share!

Next time I will explore some fun places to go within easy driving distance. If you have any ideas for that, let me know!!