http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/soundoff/14786 Sound off Batch Data Processor | Saturday, Sep 15 2007 9:55 PM Last Updated: Saturday, Sep 15 2007 9:58 PM Reader: I just read your list of nominations for the "Seven Wonders of Kern" and found it unbelievable that Red Rock Canyon was not included. This beautiful area is visited by thousands of county residents to ride off-road vehicles, camp and hike. It is a state park. Where else in the county do you have this diversity and beauty? -- Dixie Chantler Jenner: The label for our list probably should have included the word "man-made." Web editor Davin McHenry tells me we plan a similar survey in which readers can select the top natural wonders of Kern County. Reader: I just wondered if they had changed the definition of the word "casual," used in the headline above the picture of the girl selling coffee -- it just disturbed me very much. I wear "casual" all the time and I always make sure to cover up what you pictured in the paper. Thank you. -- Mary Carpenter Jenner: I'm sure you're referring to our Sept. 8 story on Java Mama's, a new coffee stand whose employees wear bikini tops. Offensiveness is in the eye of the beholder. I didn't have a problem with the photo, although I did think that one photo was enough -- and we didn't need to run two. I'm sorry you found it disturbing. Reader: It sickened me to see the editorial cartoon The Californian chose to run on the anniversary of 9/11. Couldn't grieve the dead. Couldn't respect their families or the families of soldiers serving far away. Couldn't say anything uplifting or uniting. The Californian marked this solemn milestone with a cheap, hack liberal swipe at various political enemies. How typical. For shame. -- Barry Hanson Jenner: You apparently missed the Page One photo and story, the related editorial and column. Here's what Editorial Page Editor Dianne Hardisty has to say: "The editorial cartoon accurately depicted the diverse consequences of the 9/11 attacks and resulting Iraq war. You focus your criticism on those consequences you disagree with, but the cartoon equally slammed those holding other opinions of the war on terrorism and in Iraq. "That you were upset by the cartoon and its message demonstrates that the cartoon achieved the response the cartoonist sought." Reader: I would like to commend The Californian for your coverage on the plight of the Medina family burn victims, initially breaking the tragic story with a lengthy front-page article on Sunday, Aug. 19. Your staff writer, Felix Doligosa Jr., touched our hearts at the Kern County Soccer Park, prompting us to take action in developing a fundraising event, which staff writer Jenny Shearer did a great job covering. As a direct result of your media coverage, our fundraiser and subsequent donations raised more than $11,000 to assist the Medinas in their attempt to rebuild their lives. I would be remiss if I did not thank Tomas Flores for his assistance with coordinating this event with his Bakersfield Soccer League's championship games played at the Soccer Complex and his efforts to obtain many donations from the store owners at Golden State Mall. The combined efforts of the BSL and the KCSP demonstrated that two very different organizations, working together, can achieve a common objective. I would like to also recognize the following companies and organizations for their generosity to this most noble cause: Bakersfield Brigade, AYSO 181, Bakersfield Condors, Casa Moore Stereo, Carlos Rangel Chiropractic, CYSA South, El Portal, Rabobank, H.A. Sala, John Scarrone Farms, Soccer Warehouse, Swift's NAPA Stores, Tenant Improvement Specialties, Torres Farm Labor and Wal-Mart. Lastly, I had the privilege of meeting 10-year-old Victor Medina Jr., who has been released from the burn center, but has to continue many more therapy sessions. He still has many facial wounds, and has his hands and arms wrapped in bandages. Despite all the pain and suffering he has gone through and with more to come, I was amazed at his positive attitude, courage and determination to return to his Chivas soccer team as their goalie. An inspiration to say the least! I do hope that The Californian will do a future story on his progress. Thanks, -- Soli Woods Director of Fundraising Kern County Soccer Park Jenner: Thanks for your note, and kudos to you and all who supported your effort to help this family. We will stay in touch with the Medinas and update readers regarding their progress. Reader: OK, I need an answer! All of us do! Look up the front page of the Sports section on Sept. 11. What do you see? Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers running for a touchdown. Big deal. So what? Who cares? Look again at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and notice the two-paragraph article that announces that BC football is ranked No. 1 in junior college football in the entire country. Why don't the Renegades get the proper attention in The Californian. They should be on the front page all week! Prep football, especially BHS and Centennial, get pages of coverage weekly! BC baseball gets almost daily coverage, which is great! But what is the deal with The Californian and BC football? These little blurbs on BC football are embarrassing to a fabulous school with a profound sports program. Coach Chudy and his staff and team are No. 1 in the nation! Come on guys, get it together! -- Ed Davis Reader: After all the complaining I did last year about the lack of publicity for our BC Renegade basketball team, I have to admit you have been just terrific with the coverage of our Renegade football team. I can't thank you enough ... but wasn't that game Saturday (Sept. 9) a thriller! Sincerely, -- Herb Loken Jenner: BC football is a storied program, and this year's team is off to a terrific start. The item we wrote reporting BC had vaulted from No. 3 to No. 1 in the rankings did run on the Sports cover, although it certainly could've been higher on the page. I'm happy with the coverage we've given the team, and proud of the work of sportswriter Mason Kelley, photographer John Harte, Sports Editor Tony Lacava and all of our staffers who've contributed to covering the team. It's not realistic to expect something in the paper every single day. But if you want a daily dose of BC football, you should check out Mason's blog on our Web site. He often posts to it every day, and sometimes twice daily. Find it at http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/masonkelley Sound off Batch Data Processor | Saturday, Sep 15 2007 9:55 PM Last Updated: Saturday, Sep 15 2007 9:58 PM Reader: I just read your list of nominations for the "Seven Wonders of Kern" and found it unbelievable that Red Rock Canyon was not included. This beautiful area is visited by thousands of county residents to ride off-road vehicles, camp and hike. It is a state park. Where else in the county do you have this diversity and beauty? -- Dixie Chantler Jenner: The label for our list probably should have included the word "man-made." Web editor Davin McHenry tells me we plan a similar survey in which readers can select the top natural wonders of Kern County. Reader: I just wondered if they had changed the definition of the word "casual," used in the headline above the picture of the girl selling coffee -- it just disturbed me very much. I wear "casual" all the time and I always make sure to cover up what you pictured in the paper. Thank you. -- Mary Carpenter Jenner: I'm sure you're referring to our Sept. 8 story on Java Mama's, a new coffee stand whose employees wear bikini tops. Offensiveness is in the eye of the beholder. I didn't have a problem with the photo, although I did think that one photo was enough -- and we didn't need to run two. I'm sorry you found it disturbing. Reader: It sickened me to see the editorial cartoon The Californian chose to run on the anniversary of 9/11. Couldn't grieve the dead. Couldn't respect their families or the families of soldiers serving far away. Couldn't say anything uplifting or uniting. The Californian marked this solemn milestone with a cheap, hack liberal swipe at various political enemies. How typical. For shame. -- Barry Hanson Jenner: You apparently missed the Page One photo and story, the related editorial and column. Here's what Editorial Page Editor Dianne Hardisty has to say: "The editorial cartoon accurately depicted the diverse consequences of the 9/11 attacks and resulting Iraq war. You focus your criticism on those consequences you disagree with, but the cartoon equally slammed those holding other opinions of the war on terrorism and in Iraq. "That you were upset by the cartoon and its message demonstrates that the cartoon achieved the response the cartoonist sought." Reader: I would like to commend The Californian for your coverage on the plight of the Medina family burn victims, initially breaking the tragic story with a lengthy front-page article on Sunday, Aug. 19. Your staff writer, Felix Doligosa Jr., touched our hearts at the Kern County Soccer Park, prompting us to take action in developing a fundraising event, which staff writer Jenny Shearer did a great job covering. As a direct result of your media coverage, our fundraiser and subsequent donations raised more than $11,000 to assist the Medinas in their attempt to rebuild their lives. I would be remiss if I did not thank Tomas Flores for his assistance with coordinating this event with his Bakersfield Soccer League's championship games played at the Soccer Complex and his efforts to obtain many donations from the store owners at Golden State Mall. The combined efforts of the BSL and the KCSP demonstrated that two very different organizations, working together, can achieve a common objective. I would like to also recognize the following companies and organizations for their generosity to this most noble cause: Bakersfield Brigade, AYSO 181, Bakersfield Condors, Casa Moore Stereo, Carlos Rangel Chiropractic, CYSA South, El Portal, Rabobank, H.A. Sala, John Scarrone Farms, Soccer Warehouse, Swift's NAPA Stores, Tenant Improvement Specialties, Torres Farm Labor and Wal-Mart. Lastly, I had the privilege of meeting 10-year-old Victor Medina Jr., who has been released from the burn center, but has to continue many more therapy sessions. He still has many facial wounds, and has his hands and arms wrapped in bandages. Despite all the pain and suffering he has gone through and with more to come, I was amazed at his positive attitude, courage and determination to return to his Chivas soccer team as their goalie. An inspiration to say the least! I do hope that The Californian will do a future story on his progress. Thanks, -- Soli Woods Director of Fundraising Kern County Soccer Park Jenner: Thanks for your note, and kudos to you and all who supported your effort to help this family. We will stay in touch with the Medinas and update readers regarding their progress. Reader: OK, I need an answer! All of us do! Look up the front page of the Sports section on Sept. 11. What do you see? Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers running for a touchdown. Big deal. So what? Who cares? Look again at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and notice the two-paragraph article that announces that BC football is ranked No. 1 in junior college football in the entire country. Why don't the Renegades get the proper attention in The Californian. They should be on the front page all week! Prep football, especially BHS and Centennial, get pages of coverage weekly! BC baseball gets almost daily coverage, which is great! But what is the deal with The Californian and BC football? These little blurbs on BC football are embarrassing to a fabulous school with a profound sports program. Coach Chudy and his staff and team are No. 1 in the nation! Come on guys, get it together! -- Ed Davis Reader: After all the complaining I did last year about the lack of publicity for our BC Renegade basketball team, I have to admit you have been just terrific with the coverage of our Renegade football team. I can't thank you enough ... but wasn't that game Saturday (Sept. 9) a thriller! Sincerely, -- Herb Loken Jenner: BC football is a storied program, and this year's team is off to a terrific start. The item we wrote reporting BC had vaulted from No. 3 to No. 1 in the rankings did run on the Sports cover, although it certainly could've been higher on the page. I'm happy with the coverage we've given the team, and proud of the work of sportswriter Mason Kelley, photographer John Harte, Sports Editor Tony Lacava and all of our staffers who've contributed to covering the team. It's not realistic to expect something in the paper every single day. But if you want a daily dose of BC football, you should check out Mason's blog on our Web site. He often posts to it every day, and sometimes twice daily. Find it at http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/masonkelley en-us