By Joe Boesen, The Bakersfield Californian Aug. 5--There's new school, old school then a mix of something in between. There's saxophonist Javon Jackson and the Javon Jackson Band, pianist Les McCann and then there is Randolph's Lounge on Friday night.

By Lois Henry, The Bakersfield Californian Aug. 5--If you've never visited the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge area, you should. It's incredible country in southwestern Kern County. Its rugged, stark beauty can take your breath away. Unfortunately, it's being run by a unit of the U.S.

By Joe Boesen, The Bakersfield Californian Aug. 5--Thomas G. Robinson sang karaoke to Luther Vandross' "Here and Now" so well, someone in the audience bought him a drink.

By Shellie Branco, The Bakersfield Californian Aug. 4--"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.""Maybe not today.

By Louis Medina, The Bakersfield Californian Jul. 31--The hair on my toes had never looked so good to me: It was a sign of healthy circulation, the young doctor at my HMO told me. He hadn't put on gloves to handle my feet -- which in my emotionally vulnerable state seemed a really kind gesture.