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03NNoovveemmbbeerr 77,, 22000088MÁS

T E R E S AA D A M O

We put this issue of MÁS togetheron Election Day. By the time youread this, we will (hopefully)

know who is the 44th president of the UnitedStates. What we do already know, is that by allearly accounts, voter turnout here in KernCounty — and across the nation — could berecord-breaking!

As wonderful as it is that so many peoplecame out to the polls and made their voicescount, one has to wonder — why can’t weAmericans do this for each and every elec-tion?

Some other questions to ponder and to fol-low in post-election analysis:

Did the youth vote really make a difference?Did the minority vote tip the scales one way or

another?What about those long lines at the polls — did

they help or hurt either of the presidential candi-

dates? Only time will tell.Hopefully, voters — whether faithful or newly registered

— will remember that the right to vote is not only an honorto appreciate, but it is also an honor to use.

This week’s cover story features Augustine Flores, a KernCounty veteran who helped defend freedom throughout theworld, and in turn, ensuring our freedoms here — includingour ability to cast those ballots! In fact, all veterans deserveour gratitude for keeping this country, and its liberties, safe.

Among the local Veterans Day celebrations is a new event— a veterans dance hosted by the Young Mens Institute, 6 to11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. Francis Church. If youand/or a veteran you love would like to attend the dance,admission is $12. For more information, call 444-8211.

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CONTENTST H I SW E E K

6-8 COVER STORYAs Veterans Day nears, a local vet reflects

on his time in the U.S. Marines — and a

charitable group plans a dance for those

who’ve served.

5 NOTICIASHigh school seniors: Time to apply for CSU

or UC; Kern to participate in massive quake

drill.

9 GENTE-VETERANSReaders honor their veterans.

10 GENTEMore birthdays & anniversaries to cele-

brate!

11-14 CLASSIFIEDSBuy, sell and hire

Cover photo: Augustine & Ruth

Flores on their wedding day,

June 23, 1951. Augustine Flo-

res was a staff sergeant in the

U.S. Marines. Courtesy photo.

Volume 4, Issue 7

NOVEMBER ■ 7 ■ 2008

MÁS Magazine (USPS 000-000) is a weekly publication of Mercado Nuevo LLC with main offices at 1522 18th Street Bakersfield, CA

93301. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rate is pending at Bakersfield, CA 93303. POSTMASTER: Please send address

changes to: Mercado Nuevo Publications PO Box 2344 Bakersfield, CA 93303. MÁS is a weekly magazine focused on Hispanic peo-

ple, style, culture and issues in Kern County. MÁS is a publication of Mercado Nuevo, LLC, a subsidiary of The Bakersfield Californ-

ian. For questions or for more information about MÁS or other publications of Mercado Nuevo, contact us: Mercado Nuevo LLC P.O.

Box 2344 Bakersfield, CA 93303; (661) 716-8640 www.mercadonuevocorp.com or www.masbakersfield.com. The MÁS name and

logo design are trademarks of Mercado Nuevo and cannot be used without permission.

6-8

Olivia Garcia Publisher [email protected] 395-7487

Teresa Adamo Managing Editor [email protected] 716-8646

Sandra Molen Copy Editor [email protected]

Elaine Estrada Staff Writer [email protected] 716-8649

Marcel Guerra Staff Writer [email protected]

Matt Muñoz Staff Writer [email protected]

Ivana Torres Staff Writer [email protected]

Amalia Sanchez Staff Writer [email protected]

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSIRENE CLANCY, NOE GARCIA, LAUREN HELPER, MARIA

MACHUCA, SANDRA MOLEN, DENISE ORNELAS, RAY PRUITT,

DEBORAH RAMIREZ, GABRIEL RAMIREZ, NORMA TAKAHASHI

HOLLY CARLYLE, MICHAEL LOPEZ, ORLANDO GALVAN, DANIELA

GARCIA, JOSEPH GOMEZ, ROGER HORNBACK, TANYA X. LEON-

ZO, GREG MARQUEZ, JACQUELINE PILAR, ROD THORNBURG

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ARTGlenn Hammett Design Editor

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When you live in California, you hearplenty of talk about “The Big One,” asin a major earthquake.

To prepare for what some expertssay is the inevitable, millions of peo-

ple will participate in The Great Southern CaliforniaShake Out — an unprecedented earthquake drill — at10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13.

So far, a total of 51,000 people in Kern County willbe among the estimated 4 million registered ShakeOut participants, according to Patty Galvan, a KernCounty Regional Associate.

This statewide event presents a scenario of a 7.8earthquake — similar to the temblor which occurredin China earlier this year — along the San AndreasFault in Southern California.

Even though the simulation centers on a quakewith an epicenter in Southern California, the drill

remains important for Kern County residentsbecause such a natural disaster is very likely to havea significant impact locally, Galvan said.

Because of this, Kern County schools, businesses,organizations, homes and government offices willtake part in next week’s The Great Southern Califor-nia Shake Out, she said.

All residents are encouraged to learn about theimportance of earthquake preparedness, along with“drop, cover and hold on” techniques.

For more information, visit the following Websites:

www.shakeout.orgwww.dropcoverholdon.orgwww.kcprepared.comTo officially participate in The Great Southern Cal-

ifornia Shake Out, you can register for free at:www.shakeout.org/register

-Amalia Sanchez/MÁS staff

N O T I C I A S

Historic quake drill includes KernBBeeffoorree

1. Identify and fix haz-

ards in your home.

2. Create a disaster

plan.

3. Prepare disaster sup-

ply kits.

4. Identify and fix your

building’s weaknesses.

DDuurriinngg

5. Drop, cover and hold

on.

AAfftteerr

6. Check for injuries

and damage.

7. When safe, continue

to follow your disaster

plan.

By Amalia Sanchez

MÁS staff

During their high school senior year, young people findthemselves occupied with many milestone events likehomecoming, formal, prom, grad nite — and, ofcourse, graduation.

So where does college planning fit into a senior’sbusy schedule?

Getting startedTo even begin college planning — though actual preparations

through class choices, grades, extracurricular activities, etc.must take place well before senior year — the first step to take isto be aware of all deadlines, according to education experts.

“The first thing I would recommend is for students to get anapplication, and skim through it to see what documents are need-ed in order for the student to have them ready,” said Juan Leyva,a counselor at Shafter High School.

Seniors students can already start the California State Univer-sity (CSU) and University of California (UC) application processby inputting information on their online application all thismonth, he said. Applications must be completed and submitted byNov. 30.

“Apply early, don’t overlook any deadlines and keep track ofwhen they are due,” said Leyva, who has seen many students waituntil the last minute and frantically try to gather information.

Students applying for CSU admission must take the ACT orSAT before December, he said.

UC applicants need the ACT — plus the writing, SAT and theSAT 2 tests, which are also required. If the student hasn’t takenthese tests yet, they are allowed to include the dates they plan totake them on an admissions application, according to Leyva.

Before even getting to the college application process, howev-er, students who want to attend a CSU or UC must fulfill or havefulfilled the A-G requirements.

If for some reason a student has not completed these require-ments, don’t give up on college completely, Leyva said.

“There is still hope for students to get into college, even if theyhave not fulfilled all requirements,” he said, explaining that there

are several chances to make up these courses by either going tosummer school or adult school by earning a C or better.

Colleges also often have programs that can help studentsobtain these credits, according to Leyva.

And remember, not all higher education institutions have A-Grequirements — community (or junior) colleges are another wor-thy option where those stipulations are not necessary.

“The basic criteria is to be 18 and older and have a high schooldiploma to attend a community college,” Leyva said.

Money mattersOnce the college application process is navigated, there is still

a looming task to tackle: how to pay for it.Lack of money can be a huge obstacle to higher education as it

was for Liliana Valdez, a sophomore psychology student at CalState University, Bakersfield.

Valdez held a part-time job, but that wasn’t enough to help herpay for her education, so she turned to scholarships. Fortunately,this helped Valdez finance her first year in college.

She encourages other college-bound students to do this as well.“Fill out as many scholarships (as you can) — they can be a

great help,” Valdez said.Students can obtain scholarship information and applications

through their school’s career service technician or counselor.Valdez also suggests that students have letters of recommenda-tion ready to go as most scholarships require them.

Money for college can also be obtained based on the student’sfinancial need and eligibility through the Free Application forFederal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The next FAFSAdeadline is March 2, 2009.

Hang in thereAlthough the process of applying to college — and financing it

once you are admitted — can be stressful, officials continue toadvise young people to stick with it.

“Once you start the whole application process, it is not as over-whelming because you’ll have enough time to ask questions, toget everything done on time,” said Leyva.

His final words of advice:“Don’t procrastinate!”

The earlier, the better Experts: Watch those deadlines whenapplying for colleges & scholarships

honordutyand

With

As local Veterans Day celebrations approach — including a first-time dance event —

a former Marine looks back on his service to the U.S.06 NNoovveemmbbeerr 77,, 22000088 MÁS

Back row, far right:Augustine “Augie” Floresof Bakersfield poses witha few of his fellow U.S.Marines. Courtesy photo.


Many Americans celebrate Veterans Day to honorsoldiers, seamen, airmen and Marines for theircourage, commitment and bravery in wartime.

But Augustine “Augie” Flores has a differenttake on this patriotic holiday.

“The service for me was a great benefit,” said Flores, whospent more than eight years in the U.S. Marines between 1941-1951. “I didn’t just give, I also received.”

Flores, a Bakersfield native who spent three tours overseasfighting in combat, was wounded twice during his tour in Saipan— the largest tropical island among the Marianas archipelago inthe Western Pacific Ocean.

“I recovered,” he said. “I could have come home, but I insistedon staying with my outfit.”

This steadfast Marine’s story of devotion to his country mirrorsthat of many other veterans, who will be honored Nov. 11 as partof the national celebration for Veterans Day.

Flores, 84, is a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.He is among 16 percent of Hispanic veterans living in Kern Coun-ty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007.

Though shrapnel tore through part of his right arm and backduring combat in World War II, Flores’ obligation and Catholicfaith kept him alive, he said.

Flores may have fought in combat, but nothing in life couldhave compared to his decision to join the Marines — the branch ofmilitary service that often refers to its members with nicknamessuch as jarheads, devil dogs, leathernecks, etc.

“I was hungry and I wanted to be independent,” said Flores,the only son of seven children. “I wanted something excitingbecause life was very dull for me. Of course, there wasn’t a wargoing on back then.”

On Sept. 9, 1941, Flores enlisted in the U.S. Marines — a chal-lenge that would be far from dull.

After boot camp, Flores trained in machine gun tactics wherehe learned how to handle and use a machine gun.

“I did things that football players find difficult to do, in thetraining,” he said. “They tell you where to find sympathy thereand it’s not nice.”

All his hard work and training paid off when Flores became themachine gun section leader at Kwajalein, Saipan and Iwo Jima.

Following his return in November 1945, Flores was dis-

B Y E L A I N E E S T R A D A M Á S S T A F F

Staff Sgt. Flores and Ruth Flores on their wedding day, June 23, 1951. They were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Courtesy photo.


charged.Two years later, he re-enlisted for an additional three-year

term. And in February 1950, his term ended.No sooner than Flores’ return to civilian life, the military called

him back to active duty for the Korean War.In October 1951, he was discharged — for his last time — as a

staff sergeant.Prior to his second tour of duty, this leatherneck learned and

taught cosmetology.“Well, my sister had a beauty shop and I thought about cosme-

tology,” Flores said. “I tried to open a beauty shop and one of mysisters was going to manage it. She decided to have her first child,and there went my beauty shop.”

But as talented and Marine-driven as Flores was, he could notresist or fight against the charm of Ruth Lopez, who wouldbecome his wife.

“She came over and fell in love with me right away,” Floressaid. “I could defend myself in combat, but I couldn’t defendmyself from her charm.”

Defenseless against Lopez, the two married on June 23, 1951 atOur Lady of Guadalupe Church on California Avenue.

In their southeast Bakersfield home, Flores and his wife raisedtheir six sons and two daughters — who are all married with chil-dren of their own.

A few years ago, as a gift, Flores’ family gathered a few of hismilitary medals — including one of two purple hearts — andplaced them in a shadow box that one of his sons gave him.

When sharing those mementos, Flores is very proud and appre-ciative to have been awarded for his military service.

“I think he should be proud of his medals and he should havethem displayed for what he went through,” said James Flores,one of Flores’ sons. “I knew my dad was going to be proud to havehis medals in the box.”

Flores and his wife enjoy spending time with each of their 18grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren when they occasional-

ly visit.“I just receive them when they get here,” he said. “I call them

termites.” But being a part of the military and raising a family wasn’t ful-

filling enough for Flores. He knew his motivation was still strong— so he joined the Bakersfield Police Department. He was a BPDofficer for 5 1/2 years.

After leaving the police department, he worked for the KernCounty Probation Department,where he later retired after 28years as a probation officer.

Today, Flores is a devotedeucharistic minister and part ofthe church choir at St. FrancisChurch on H Street.

When he is not singing or lectur-ing, he commits himself to the gar-den in his back yard on a beautifulsunny day.

Flores is also the oldest memberof the Young Mens Institute (YMI) at St. Francis Church, whichhe helped rebuild in 2003 when the chapter was failing.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, Flores will be the master of ceremoniesfor the YMI’s first Veterans Dance from 6 to 11 p.m., at the St.Francis Church Hall.

The idea for the event came from the motto of YMI — which is“God and Country,” said Rudy Gutierrez, the local YMI presidentand YMI Veterans Dance committee chairman.

“I looked around and noticed that there weren’t many VeteransDay celebrations,” he said. “This being the case, I decided on theidea of honoring our veterans of the past and our many new veter-ans of the war in Iraq — I believe we need to be as supportive aspossible to our young veterans.”

■ 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8

■ St. Francis Church Hall, 900 H St.

■ Admission, $12

■ Honor Guard ceremony

■ Music by Los Moonlighterz

■ Door prizes & 50/50 raffle

■ Details: Sal Lomas, 444-8211

■ Web site: www.theymi.org

YMI Veterans Dance

“The service for me was agreat benefit. I didn’t justgive, I also received.”

— Augustine “Augie” Flores

“

Today, Flores and his wife, Ruth enjoy life in their southeast Bakersfieldhome. Mr. Flores will be the master of ceremonies at the first YoungMens Institute Veterans Dance, Saturday, Nov. 8.

Flores took this snapshot of some more Marine buddies.PHOTO BY ELAINE ESTRADA


A shout out to all the men & women soldiers fighting for thisGREAT country, including my son-in-law, Muneer Gonzalves;and nephew, Justin Bosch.

— Michael Bosch

V E T E R A N – G E N T E

J. Daniel Cardenas(Ramirez)

Served two tours in Iraq; one inAfghanistan as part of the anti-glob-al terrorist campaign.

Proud to call you my little broth-er!

— Your Big Sis’

We’re proud!The family of Cruz Rodriguez is

very proud to have a true VietnamVeteran in the family. Cruz touredVietnam from 1967-1968.

We love you!

With honor ...We would like to honor our proud

Vietnam Veteran — Robert V Payan.You’re our hero, Grandpa!Love,The Payan-Alvarez-Arredondo

families

Vietnam VetThis is my dad Charles D. Robinson

at the Vietnam Wall Memorial.Today, my dad is the director of the

only homeless program in Kern Countyfor veterans.

— Ashamad J. Robinson Sr.

A special thanks To Josh A. Vilchis — who has

served in the Marine Corps. Youare a wonderful husband, father,son and our hero.

We love you,Samantha & Gavin

Thanks, veterans!


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Happy 30thBirthday!

To the best big sister in theworld. Thank you for everything!

Love,Martina

G E N T E

Happy 12th Anniversary!You are the best parents in the

world! We love you so much!Chazz, Camryn & Ciolvanni

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