Working: Mas

Trade show is one-stop shopping

The 15th annual Hispanic Consumer Trade Show is a win-win.

“It gives our members and other vendors the opportunity to access the huge Hispanic population, and it gives our Hispanic residents of Kern County the opportunity to see what products and services are available to them,” said Lou Gomez, the president and CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC).

This year’s event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. onSunday, Aug. 17, at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Admission is free.

Vendors will show a wide variety of products and services — a bottled water company, family attorney, wireless phone companies, mortgage lenders, a flower shop, the Ranch Market, home remodeling contractors and more — available right here in Kern County, where 42.8 percent of the population is Hispanic.

And since the population in Bakersfield and its outlying areas continues to grow, the purchasing power available within the Hispanic community is expected to grow as well. Currently, the annual purchasing power for Hispanics is estimated at $2.6 billion annually, which amounts to more than 30 percent of all local spending, according to the KCHCC.

Organizers are expecting 60 to 70 exhibitors and 3,500 attendees or more. The event will also feature very family-friendly entertainment, including mariachi music and folklorico dancers.

Every year, the event seems to improve, giving the chamber more than enough reasons to continue offering it to the public and to business representatives, Gomez said.

“It’s kind of like one-stop shopping,” he said. “Everyone can do business with each other, members on put their businesses out there and the people are there to see that.”

One of Gomez’s main duties for the chamber is to encourage local businesses to know their purchasers, to know what they like, what makes them comfortable doing business with them.

“I advocate to business owners that, if they haven’t already, they need to change their marketing strategies to appeal to the Hispanic market,” Gomez said. “Every Hispanic consumer wants many of the same products and services that are out there, it’s a very lucrative market — but they want to talk to someone who knows their language, knows their needs.”

Another point Gomez often makes is that Hispanic residents, in general, are of a younger age and have larger families, which can translate to big business.

“They’re in the acquisition mode, they’re buying more furniture, homes, cars, keeping up with the latest fashions and trends,” Gomez said.

That’s why the Hispanic Consumer Trade Show works.

“It’s bringing people in and enhancing the business opportunities for our members,” Gomez said.

Everyone wins.

Hispanic Consumer Trade Show

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 17
• Free admission
• Details, 633-5495

SHE’s happy to help

Things you expect to find in an auto body shop: paint, engines, scratches, dents and scrapes.

Something you might not expect to find? A female owner.

After years of working behind the scenes in the auto body business and talking it over with her husband, Alfredo, Norma Arroyo opened Bakersfield Napa Collision Center, formerly known as Anew Auto Body and Paint, in 2004.

Norma, 34, runs the shop, and Alfredo, 31, a driver with Foster Farms, helps after work. The couple have four children ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 13 years old.

“At first, it was a lot of hard work,” said Norma. “We would work long hours, like from 6 a.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. the next day. Many times our children would sleep on the couch here.”

Norma is not alone. In 2006, Bakersfield had 6,979 women-owned businesses.

Ross Griego, who’s a consultant for the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and teaches a weekly class for Mission Community Services Corporation to show las mujeres how to start their own successful businesses, said he isn’t surprised women — especially Latina women — are becoming business owners.

“As Latinos, we have an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Griego. “The women in my class have an ‘I can do it’ attitude.”

On average, Bakersfield Napa Collision Center, which employs six individuals, takes five to eight new assignments per week. Currently, Norma works about nine hours a day.

“Some days, we will get 13 assignments or more than 40 a week,” said Alfredo. “We’ve noticed a consistency of cars coming in, too.”

The Arroyos know they’re in a business where they’re seeing people shortly after they’ve been in an accident, so they try to make sure the customer feels as comfortable as possible.

“Sometimes, people come in here scared. They’ve been in an accident and don’t know what to do next,” said Norma. “Others don’t have insurance.”

“Sometimes they aren’t familiar with the required paperwork, or their insurance is not communicating with them,” added Alfredo.

Although there have been clients who’ve snubbed her for being a woman, Norma doesn’t hold any grudges. Most of the time her customers don’t give a second thought to being helped by a female, she said.

“There have been times people will ask for the owner or want to speak to a male for an estimate,” said Norma. “Some customers like working with me, while others like working with my husband. I just take it as a personality preference.”

The Arroyos live in Wasco, but their business is in Bakersfield. Their children either stay with a relative, or come to the shop after school. Tutors help them with homework.

They’re even learning the business ropes.

“My son knows how to do an estimate,” Norma said, like a proud mamá. “They like it here because we have a computer. Sometimes they don’t want to go home after we close. They say, ‘Mom, Dad, can we stay here a little longer?’”

For Norma and Alfredo, working together is positive.

“It has helped us as a couple. I mean, they’re times when we really hate each other (when we disagree on something), but we’ve learned to work together,” said Alfredo with a laugh.

Bakersfield Napa Collision Center

• Bakersfield Napa Collision Center
• 327-0802
• 4101 Buck Owens Blvd.
• Bakersfield, CA 93308

Summer intern at MÁS

What up, MÁS readers!

My name is Marcel Guerra, and I am an intern writer at MÁS for the summer.

I just completed two years at Bakersfield College and graduated with an associate degree in communications. I decided to stay in town, though, and go to Cal State Bakersfield, because it has everything I’m looking for and I can live at home for free!

When the opportunity for an internship at MÁS came up, it came as a surprise because I had planned on, basically, just sleeping in all summer and working evenings at my second job in retail. I felt, though, that this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up because it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.

In junior high, I decided to join the school news broadcast because it sounded like something fun, and I always thought it’d be cool to be on camera. But something that started out as just fun, all of a sudden became something I wanted to pursue as a career. In high school, I joined EBTV News, East High’s daily broadcast, which covered school news and functions.

It was great, except that it was a zero period class.

Born to a Venezuelan father and a Brazilian mother, one of the most important things I was taught in life was to always be proud of who I am. I cherish being Latino, and I think that working with MÁS is the perfect way to get experience in the field, bring new story ideas to the table and also a way for me to personally promote our Latino culture throughout Bakersfield.

While here at MÁS, I would like to cover stories of young local Latinos who are excelling in school and work. These stories need to be voiced more because not only is it great to see young local Latinos succeeding, but they can also serve as an inspiration to younger readers who aren’t exactly sure about what they want to do in life.

I feel it is vital for we young Latinos to continue on to college and get further educated because we are the future of not just our local area, but of our entire nation as well.

Summer intern at MÁS

Hola, MÁS readers!

My name is Ebony Villaseñor, and I am interning as a writer at MÁS for the summer.

So you can get to know me better, I thought I would share a little about myself.

I am going into my fourth and final year at California State University, Bakersfield. Although an internship is not required for my degree in communications, I wanted to get some experience in the field I chose as my career.

I decided to intern with MÁS because it targets the Hispanic/Latin American community. Being that I am Mexican American, I felt MÁS would fit perfectly with my culture, zealousness and future career goals.

What set my desire to become a journalist was the movie “Hotel Rwanda.” The film focuses on the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994. I was completely disturbed by the fact that, instead of being focused on the genocide, most Americans were caught up with the O.J. Simpson trial. This movie put a strong desire in me to investigate issues of concern here in the United States and internationally as well.

Some domestic issues I would like to address while I am here at MÁS are: our educational and socioeconomic status; our importance in the upcoming presidential election; and how language barriers affect our children and their education.

Some international issues I would like to write about are: education, human trafficking and poverty in Latin America. I believe journalism is the key to raising awareness throughout our nation, and ultimately lead to change.

If you have any story ideas or anything to add, you can contact me at 716-6837 or e-mail me at: evillasenor@bakersfield.com

Are you deputy material?

If you’re looking to embark on a new career, the Kern County Sheriff’s Department has some arresting information: They’re currently recruiting for deputy sheriff trainees.

“We’re interested in individuals who have the qualities of honesty and integrity, and who have a desire to serve the community. We can work with everything else,” said Sgt. Ed Komin, a spokesman for the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.

Komin said trainees must complete the Basic Peace Officer Academy — 25 weeks of physical and mental conditioning.

“I’d say it’s similar to military basic training, but even more intense academically,” said Komin.

Upon graduation, trainees are promoted to the position of deputy sheriff. From there, the career possibilities are many.

Komin said deputy sheriffs can advance vertically all the way to undersheriff, or horizontally to serve on the SWAT team, as an undercover narcotics agent, or helicopter personnel.

In terms of gender and ethnicity, Komin said that in a perfect world, deputy hirees would reflect the Kern County population, which — according to the U.S. Census Bureau — is about half men and women; 45 percent Hispanic; 43 percent white; 6 percent black.

Salary: $3,213-$3,923 approximate monthly equivalent paid biweekly. Additional 7 1/2 percent pay for night shift.

Progressive Retirement Program: 3 percent for each year of service to be collected at 50 years of age.

Qualifications: High school graduate or GED. Must have driver’s license and be 19 years old by filing date.

Other Requirements: Must pass a rigid medical examination with minimum standards for vision (20/100 uncorrected in each eye correctable to 20/20), hearing (no hearing deficiency), weight must be proportionate to height and character (must have a reputation for being trustworthy and honest).

Essential Functions: Attend and successfully complete the Basic Peace Officer Academy. Complete introduction and indoctrination training which may include assignments to various divisions within the Sheriff’s Office. Fulfill all requirements necessary for appointment to position of Deputy Sheriff 1. May be assigned to shift work, weekends and holidays. Assignments may include pre-employment polygraph examination and psychological evaluation.

Apply online at: www.co.kern.ca.us/person or in person at Kern County Personnel (1115 Truxtun Ave.)

Deadline: Accepting applications through June 20, 2008.

For more information, call Ed Komin 391-7605.

Recruitment Meetings:
• June 2, Wasco: Wasco City Hall, 746 Eighth St. 6-8 p.m.
• June 10, Bakersfield: KCSO Headquarters, 1350 Norris Road, 6-8 p.m.
• June 16, Ridgecrest: C.C.C. Library, 3000 College Heights Blvd. 6-8 p.m.

Double duty

Snip-snap go the shears in a room with two barber chairs for clients needing a snazzy haircut.

Tic-tap goes the calculator in another room with chairs for clients needing a completed tax return.

At the command of both operations is Bacio “Sal” Salazar, owner and operator of Salazar’s Barber Shop on the corner of Beale Avenue and Niles Street, and Salazar’s Tax Service, located just next door.

A humble man with a friendly, lighthearted personality, Salazar is right at home in a T-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes as he cuts hair steadily. Like many old-school barbers, Salazar, 63, routinely talks to his customers while trimming their tresses.

“Being a barber is the best job. I get to be my own boss,” he said. “I get to talk to different people and listen to their problems. Many times you hear people’s confessions or resolutions while you’re cutting their hair.”

Salazar, who’s been a barber since he was in his teens, probably has heard his share of tasty chismes, all of which he says he can’t repeat. Those trusted conversations and his talent with the barber shears, electric shaver and tax know-how have kept this hombre in business times two.

Not only does he like working with hair, but Salazar finds joy working with numbers, too.

Many of his barber clients come in to have their taxes prepared in the room next to the barber shop.

Salazar has a degree in business from Cal State Bakersfield. In fact, he was part of the first graduating class in 1972. He said his degree gave him a sense of accomplishment since he was one of the first few Hispanics to graduate from CSUB.

Originally, Salazar offered tax preparations services along with his cousin and another colleague, but later, they separated amicably.

“They left to do their own thing, but we’re still family. My daughter planned to come and work for me, but she got married so that didn’t happen,” he said with a laugh. “I like doing taxes the old-fashioned way — with a pencil and a calculator. I like to do it slow, but efficiently, to make sure I get everything right and get your taxes done correctly.”

Since 1983, clients have been shuffling into the brick building with a wooden sign out front to get their hair cut by Sal, who got his start in the barber business after watching his father Bacio Sr., another barber.

Salazar said practice makes perfect when it comes to cutting hair.

“I learned a lot by cutting hair and trying to do new things,” he said. “My favorite haircut is a regular haircut.”

Although Salazar likes to keep a low-key profile, he is a Vietnam War veteran. He also played an active role in keeping Heritage Park from being absorbed by Kern County’s Juvenile Hall.

“I was a product of the '60s, like the Brown Berets. I was very active for my community and politics,” he said. “I marched those marches. I got tired, so I had to focus on something else.”

After years of activism, Salazar changed gears, but kept his corazón de líder going. He began working with the youth in the community as one of the original supporters of the Police Activities League (PAL). He also participated in the Golden Empire Soccer Club and was on the board of directors and planning for the Kern County Soccer Park as well as the Boys and Girls Club.

Over the years, Salazar has coached his children’s high school sports teams, including soccer, basketball and baseball. He and his wife of 40 years, Lucy, have five children: Bacio III “Cowboy,” 36; Ricardo “Kiki,” 35; Gloria Cotter, 39; Christina Salazar, 25; and Freddy Salazar, 22.

All those years as a coach paid off for his son Kiki, who is now a referee for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

“You can say you want to keep your children out of trouble, but you have to put in the time and effort,” said Salazar. “I put the effort in and raised the kids while coaching them.”

And though this local businessman with the two hats — barber/tax man — puts in double the effort during this busy time of year — tax season — once things slow down, you can find Salazar at the Bakersfield Racquet Club.

“There, I am known as the living legend,” he said, dusting off his shirt. “Playing a game with the guys is a great stress reliever.”

Raising the bar

By Lauren Helper
MÁS staff

It was one of the highlights on his career — bar none.
On Jan. 31, local attorney David Torres was installed as the 2008 president of the Kern County Bar Association at a dinner at Seven Oaks Country Club.
Torres, 46, said he is the first criminal defense attorney to serve as bar president — an elected, one-year term — in more than 20 years.
In the position he will lead hundreds of local lawyers from the private and public sectors.
“David Torres is a lawyer’s lawyer. He is a credit to his profession, to our nation and to our community,” said colleague and fellow criminal defense attorney H.A. Sala, who has known Torres for two decades.
In his installation speech, Torres described the “beauty of the law” as “its flexibility to adjust to the dynamics of social, racial and economic changes through which our country has evolved over the past 230-plus years.”
Torres, the sixth of eight children raised by parents Antonio and Angie in a two-bedroom house in Porterville, Calif., earned his degree in public administration from Fresno State in 1983. He then headed north to Spokane, Washington, where he attended Gonzaga University School of Law on a full scholarship.
He passed the bar exam and opened his own practice in Bakersfield soon after.
Sala said Torres, a father of five, has become one of the premier criminal defense lawyers in Southern California.
“He has represented prominent people in the community and has achieved remarkable results,” said Sala.
In addition to criminal defense work, Torres works in military law, and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army reserve.
Torres also authored the U.S. Army procedure to expedite the citizenship process of reserve soldiers.
Torres, who will preside over the association’s monthly meetings, said the Kern County Bar Association serves the legal interests of the community, including providing Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) courses; offering the Indigent Defense Program (IDP), which represents adults and juveniles when the Public Defender’s office has a conflict or otherwise cannot represent a client; and coordinating Mock Trial.
Still, Torres acknowledged, “While there is much we can be proud of, there is still much to be done,” noting that the legal system today is not meeting the needs of most Americans, particularly the poor, elderly, minorities and veterans, he said.
Torres would also like to implement American Inns of Court, a mentorship program designed to help young lawyers develop trial advocacy skills.
He’d like to see fellow lawyers become more involved in community outreach, as well, particularly to children interested in law.

The business of partnerships

By José A. Guerrero
Special to MÁS

Starting a business with a friend, relative or business acquaintance is exciting.
But the promise of working together and building a successful business often makes it difficult to think about issues like partner disputes, death, divorce and other events that might threaten the viability of a business.
A “Buy/Sell” agreement is a common tool used to deal with these issues. It details how certain events will be handled between partners, such as:

• Permitted transfers of ownership interests
The rule of thumb between partners is that any transfer of their ownership interest in the business is prohibited. But sometimes transfers make sense.
For example, a Buy/Sell agreement allows for succession by children or longtime employees without the need for negotiations later, when bargaining power may be unevenly distributed between the partners.

• Prohibited transfers of ownership interests
There are certain transfers partners may want to prohibit.
A Buy/Sell agreement may prohibit the sale of one partner’s interest to a third party, or alternatively, trigger the right to purchase the interest by the non-selling partner. More importantly, a Buy/Sell agreement can deal with involuntary transfers that might occur because of divorce, death or bankruptcy, for example.
It is important that a qualified attorney counsel you with respect to these provisions as some transfer restrictions may be limited by applicable law.

• “Exit” clauses
Depending on the needs of the partners, a Buy/Sell agreement can provide a process by which to withdraw from the partnership, or for the other partners to expel a “problem” partner.
Business owners should be cautious when considering these types of provisions, and they must be drafted very carefully. They can result in a financial burden on the remaining partners if they are required to fund a buy-out. An improperly drafted provision could result in misuse, for example, when a partner finds himself expelled on the eve of profitability.

• Valuation
Perhaps the most important function a Buy/Sell agreement serves is to detail how a partner’s interest will be valued in the event of a buyout.
For example, the agreement may provide that the value will be determined by mutual agreement of the partners, by professional appraisal or pursuant to a detailed valuation formula to be calculated by the business’ accountant, just to name a few.

• Post buy-out promises
If structured correctly, a Buy/Sell agreement may provide the remaining partners certain protections against solicitation of business employees, customers or vendors by the selling partner. Similarly, Buy/Sell agreements may prohibit the selling partner from competing with the business of the remaining partners for a limited period of time and in a limited geographical location.
With the assistance of an experienced attorney, business owners can proactively address many unexpected events and help keep a business stable, even in the most difficult times. Klein Denatale Goldner’s Business Law Group has vast experience in all of these issues and is ready to help you with your business needs.
— José Guerrero is a partner with Klein Denatale Goldner. He specializes in business counseling, transaction and tax, intellectual property and real estate. He is also a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

2008 Kern County Hispanic Chamber Directory

Is one of your business goals in 2008 to effectively connect with the Hispanic community? If so you don't want to miss out on this opportunity!

MAS Magazine has partnered with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to publish the 2008 Chamber Directory within the January 18,2008 edition. This valuable annual resource will be distributed to over 10,500 homes who subscribe to MAS Magazine with an additional 7,000 distributed in racks locations. The Chamber will also receive 5,000 copies for their use through out the year!

This is the perfect opportunity to place your business front and center within the minds of the Hispanic community.

To reserve your advertising space or business profile today contact the MAS Sales Team today at 716-8640.

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Welcoming Hispanic homebuyers

By Luz Peña
MÁS staff

ARVIN — Farmworker Marcelino Madrigal, 45, always dreamed of owning a home.
This year, his dream became reality when he was able to buy his first home by taking advantage of the loan plans available to him.
“It was always something my wife and I wanted to do,” said Madrigal. “I’m so happy four of my five children have a home to call our own now.”
Madrigal was able to purchase his casa with the help of the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan and Kern County Assistance loan. His eldest son, Eduardo, 24, cosigned for him.
FHA loans, which are insured by the federal government, are geared toward loans for first-time homebuyers created in the 1930s to give everyone an opportunity to buy a home.
Kern County’s First-Time Homebuyer program “is intended to increase home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income households in Kern County, and applies to all areas of the County Entitlement Jurisdiction (not properties within city limits). Primary real estate financing (first deed of trust) must be pre-screened by an outside lender for approval prior to requesting an inspection of the property by the County,” according to a county Housing Division brochure.
“This is a no interest no payment required loan as long as you maintain residence in the property for the period of affordability, then your loan becomes a grant. The period of affordability is based on the amount of down payment assistance you receive.
Purchase price for the property must be no more than $280,250,” the brochure states.
The different loan parameters made sense to Madrigal and opened the door to home ownership for him.
Madrigal isn’t alone. Despite the standstill in the real estate market, Hispanic homebuyers continue to purchase homes.
Victor Vazquez, with Miramar Real Estate Group, said six out of 10 of his clients are Hispanic.
Miramar recently joined the Latino-owned realty group Casa Latino, which was founded in 2005. On Dec. 12, they held their grand opening at Miramar.
“The customers we do business with are all Latino,” said Vazquez. “It made perfect sense to join Casa Latino, which works heavily with Latino homebuyers.”
The current real estate market proves that not all loans are created equal. The subprime boom of the last two or three years is now showing its ugly truth — foreclosure.
Hispanics, too, have suffered the wrath of foreclosure.
According to the Center for Responsible Lending, Hispanics made up about 40 percent of mortgages in the subprime loan rage a few years ago.
That said, local lenders and realtors agree that there are mucho opportunities for would-be homebuyers.
“If you go back a few years ago, people weren’t doing any FHA loans. They didn’t know how to do them or they thought they were too much work,” said Arturo Esparza from Mortage Connection. “They relied heavily on the subprime loans, and that’s when people started getting into trouble.”
El problema with the subprime loans is they are high-interest loans. Each year, the buyer’s monthly payment increases substantially, making it difficult for those who don’t have enough funds in their budget to make their payments.
Mary Cruz, owner of Mary Cruz Realty, said the majority of her clients who are Hispanic and bought their house in the past two or three years are doing fine. She also said Latinos continue to seek homeownership despite the sluggish real estate market.
“My business has always been with the first-time homebuyer. They’re doing well. The ones who bought their house for shelter are doing fine,” said Cruz. “The ones who were using their house as a credit card — mortgaging it off to buy fancy things or for cash — got burned. Those who lost their homes will be able to buy one after about three years, but they’ll be wiser and more prepared.”
Cruz said most of her clients are either first-generation or second/third-generation Hispanics. Both have unique buying styles.
“The first generation has a lot of their money saved, but they don’t have the income the second and third generations do,” she said. “The second and third generations have all the credit and income, but don’t have the money. I help them both.”
Betsy Chavez, a realtor with Miramar, said buyers often purchase a home not just for immediate family, but oftentimes for their extended family, as well.
Others who traditionally didn’t work with the Hispanic market have gotten in tune with the Hispanic homebuying boom, too.
Bakersfield Premier Realty has taken steps to reach the Hispanic market as well.
“At Premier, we’ve seen the difference and added more loan specialists and Realtors for our Hispanic clients,” said Judy Vega, a Realtor for Premier.

So you want to buy a house?
Mary Cruz at Mary Cruz Reality gave some tips on keeping your credit in good standing
• Don’t buy a car before you buy a house.
• Pay your bills on time. Creditors look to see if you’re able to pay your bills.
• If you owe money, whether it’s your bill or one left by a spouse or someone you cosigned for, it’s your bill.
• Don’t cosign for just anyone, because if they’re unable to pay for it you’re responsible.

Tips from Arturo Esparza on searching for a loan officer, realtor and home:
“When we buy a computer or a TV we shop around. Why should it be any different when we are purchasing a home?” he said. “Don’t just settle for the first home you see or person you talk to. Get the right home or lender that’s the perfect fit. The lender should work for you.”

Esparza says be wary of out-of-town lenders and real estate agencies.
“It’s better to use a local lender or real estate agency, because once you sign they’re going back to their offices out of town. If you have a problem, you’re going have to call them long distance or drive out of town to see them.”

Business Spotlight

Full Name of Business: Order of the Dragon

Street Address: 10 separate locations serving all of Bakersfield, plus a location in Shafter

Phone Number: 588-3217

Name of Owner: Master Earl Absher

Date Established: 1991

Years in Operation: 16

What products and/or services do you provide?:
We teach self-defense, safety awareness and stranger dangers. We also carry a wide range of martial arts supplies. We have classes Monday through Friday nights, and also on Saturday mornings.

What are your specialties?:
Our primary specialty and focus is teaching children. Kids 3 years of age and up may attend. Adults are also welcome. Many families (parents and children) take our classes as a family activity.

What is your history/previous experience in this field?:
I have over 35 years experience in several forms of Martial Arts. I currently have a 7th Degree Black Belt and was recently approved for my 8th Degree.

How is your business different from your competitors?:
There are several differences. I believe our differences are why we are Bakersfield’s biggest school of self defense. Just a few differences are listed below:

1. Our emphasis is teaching children. This is who we target.
2. Most of our competitors make students sign contracts. We don’t believe in contracts. This way, if the child doesn’t like being in martial arts, the parents aren’t on the hook to keep on paying off the contract. We have a pay-as-you-go program. If a student can’t make class for any reason, they don’t owe us any money. Plus, our rates are incredibly low. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get top quality training.
3. We personally produce four local martial arts tournaments every year. They are held right here in Bakersfield. Most other schools require their students to go out of town — at a great expense — to attend tournaments. We allow every student of every other style to participate in our local tournaments. Plus, we never charge a spectator fee. This way, a student’s parent doesn’t have to pay to watch their kids compete. Our tournaments are designed to be a friendly, fun family event.

Are you offering any special deals or discounts?:
We always have a variety of special discounts that are even lower than our already low rates.

Is there any additional information you’d like to provide?:
Several of our students have gone on to become world champs. Many have earned their Black Belt. We are big on respect, discipline and self-esteem. Our program builds confidence! Further, we have a very successful Academic Achiever program which helps kids improve their grades.

— The Business Spotlight is a service to the advertisers of MÁS. To learn how you can have your business highlighted here, contact our Advertising Department at 716-8640.

Meet the Latino Sherlock Holmes

He has places to go and people to see, and this 56-year-old Latino version of Sherlock Holmes has already traveled to 19 states and three countries –– France, Spain, and Mexico –– to track down criminals and seek justice.

Joe Serrano, private investigator extraordinaire specializing in criminal defense, has been in the field for 12 years and recently obtained his bail bond license. He investigates crimes involving murder, assault, robbery, and other violent crimes such as domestic violence and sexual crimes.

This crime-fighting chameleon hates wearing suits because his line of work involves changing appearances and dealing with dangerous desperados.

“I can bail a guy out, investigate his case, notarize the documents, and serve the subpoenas,” Serrano said.

The noted private investigator has worked on such high-profile cases as the Yarborough murder and the Bruce Sons case. He has also worked closely with the top criminal defense attorneys in Kern County, like criminal litigator and defense lawyer H.A. Sala.

H.A. Sala has worked with Serrano for over 10 years and has used his skill as an investigator on countless occasions. He considers Joe an asset to the criminal justice system and one of the very few good bilingual investigators in Kern County.

“He is one of the most hardworking, thorough, competent investigators that I have come across,” Sala said. “I can use him on cases stemming from misdemeanors to multiple homicide cases.”

In fact, Sala said that due to Serrano’s efforts on a recent homicide case, a defendant was cleared.

“The last homicide case I worked with him resulted in 11 jurors voting not guilty, and I credit that to Joe’s work, getting out on the street, finding witnesses, and presenting it to the court,” Sala said.

However, Serrano didn’t start out as a private investigator. He has followed a trail of different career paths, including a citrus farm field worker, heavy equipment operator, deputy sheriff, park ranger and truck driver before his current job as a private investigator and bail bond agent.

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Serrano has a culturally rich Hispanic background and wishes to give back to the Latino community through his services.

“I will give them advice, help them out with questions, try to understand their bad situations with immigration, and investigate for them. I hate when Mexicans are taken advantage of,” Serrano said.

Serrano can sympathize firsthand when it comes to immigration since his family migrated from Mexico to Los Banos when he was just 7 years old.

“I’m hired a lot by Hispanics, but not predominately. I have dealt with many races and backgrounds such as Anglos, blacks, and even Sikhs.”

Before becoming a private investigator, Serrano faced personal hardship. In 1994, he was involved in a traumatic motorcycle accident. Just miles from his home, Serrano’s Yamaha 750 motorcycle was broadsided by a van.

“If it wasn’t for that helmet, I wouldn’t be here,” Serrano said.

Serrano sustained substantial injuries, including a broken hip, dislocated shoulder, cuts, and a severed left arm. It was after that accident that Serrano entered the private investigating field when his supervisor at the Kern County Sheriff’s office made a suggestion to him regarding the job.

Serrano is currently working on nine murder cases, which he notes are his favorite since they are “more exciting.”

His favorite case-to-date was a high-profile one where he investigated the murder of a prostitute and drug dealer who used the nickname “Texas Queen” or “One-legged Ann.” She was shot by a group of interstate truck drivers over drug trafficking and found dead in the Edison area, Serrano said.

“What’s unique about this case is that truckers go by funny names like ‘Peanut’ or ‘Little Lady,’ so I would ask around — not by using their real names, but by their nicknames,” Serrano said.

For the case, he had to travel to Florida and hunt down potential witnesses.

“It was a very interesting case. I had to go through Florida, twice through Jacksonville and Miami. I’d jump in the car and drive six hours to Miami, then talk to his (the witness’) parents. He knew I was there, so he didn’t come home. I eventually found him in a prison,” Serrano said.

Hopping across the nation and solving cases is just another day at the office for Serrano. One “hop” was especially beneficial.

Mexico is the source of many good things for Serrano, especially since it’s the place where he first met his wife, Alma, 47. Serrano is father to Sandra, 35, and Joseph, 32.

Serrano is also using his work in the bail bond business to help curb the effects of legislation in Shafter for local Latinos, he said.

Due to the impact of recently passed Proposition 83 — commonly referred to as Jessica’s Law — on the rural community of Shafter, sexual offenders are a new concern for families and their children. The law states that sexual offenders cannot be within 2,000 feet of where children gather.

Serrano’s state-of-the-art “tracker pal” ankle bracelets combat the issue because they offer a GPS tracking device and alarm system so violators are in direct control of the proper law enforcement agency.

“It allows us to be on top of him all the time, which is especially good for sexual offenders,” Serrano explained.

The “tracker pal” ankle bracelets are tamper proof, waterproof, and unlike other ankle bracelets, allow an offender to communicate directly with the agency through a cell phone device located on the unit.

Becoming a bail bond agent was not on Serrano’s list, but Gotta Go Bail Bonds owner Glen Pierce convinced Serrano to get his license, and he hasn’t regretted it since. Pierce sought out Serrano because of his bilingual skills and his knowledge of the field.

“He’s a good guy, Spanish-speaking, and one of the most honest people I know,” Pierce said.

Probation department needs recruits

High kicks, jabs and karate are not part of their job description, but both George Anderson and Ernie Contreras of the Kern County Probation Department utilize a different kind of karate –– a “verbal judo” –– to make changes in children’s lives.

Anderson and Contreras hold two different positions at the department, Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) and Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), and jobs like theirs are open for recruitment.

The Kern County Probation Department is recruiting 38 new DPOs and eight JCOs for the upcoming year due to an increase in the county budget. The increase of funds was granted by the Kern County Board of Supervisors in late June to continue the goal of safety in the community.

Chief Probation Officer John Roberts approximates that about $10,000,000 was appropriated for 55 added positions, as well as funding for newly constructed kitchen facilities, a dining hall, and laundry facility at Camp Erwin Owen –– a juvenile detention facility near Kernville.

The difference between a JCO and a DPO is the work setting and age range of the offender. JCOs work in correctional facilities such as Crossroads, Juvenile Hall, and Camp Owen –– all dealing with the detention and supervision of juvenile offenders.

DPOs regulate out-of-custody juveniles and adults. They specialize in the processes after detention, and some even before criminal activity, such as prevention, work program, home supervision, institutions, and victim witness.

Brandon Beecher, probation division director for Juvenile Hall, manages approximately 38 JCOs and understands their role in the department to provide a safe environment for the offenders.

According to Beecher, there are currently 158 kids in Juvenile Hall, and JCOs are needed to help stop the cycle of violence.

“A small percent, I would say around eight –– repeatedly come through our doors. They are habitual offenders and we raise them from very young ages. These are the ones who make an impact, and we try to break the cycle of delinquent behavior,” Beecher said.

Anderson relates to this cycle, and remembers getting into the field in his early 20s. Anderson acts as a JCO at Juvenile Hall and has worked for the department for 17 years.

He spoke about his typical day and the benefits of working with children to illustrate his passion for his job.

“The best thing is to see the turn around. I always receive thanks, from them telling me that they are doing well and have a family they want me to meet,” Anderson said.

The turn around that Anderson spoke of relates directly to Contreras’ goals as a DPO. Contreras has been working for the department since 1997 and was previously a JCO. He currently works for the Preventive Services Team unit and works with the Bakersfield City School District.

The duties of the DPO position, according to Contreras, can resemble those of a JCO because some divisions deal with juveniles like his unit. DPOs additionally go more in-depth with report writing and can do home calls, arrests, and investigations.

“I deal mostly with parents or grandparents and truancy citations from the school based on poor behavior and attendance,” Contreras stated.

Contreras and Anderson both agree that that while you can’t change every kid, making a difference in one’s life can be very rewarding.

“When they come up to you and remember you it’s worth more than the dollars,” Contreras said.

Working with these young adults throughout the system, JCOs and DPOs become close with families and spend an abundant amount of time developing relationships with the children.

“You learn their whole life history and they tell you their dreams,” Anderson stated.

Contreras is affectionately called “Mr. C” by children and builds relationships with them by using positive reinforcement.

“My goal is to help as many kids as I can and lead them the right way to open new avenues,” Contreras said.

As a JCO or DPO in the department, both Anderson and Contreras have had to adapt to new roles and become role models for some juveniles.

Susan Lerude, probation division director of juvenile programs, including Contreras’ unit, stated that the diversity of the department is one of its best selling points.

“One attractive thing is the department has so many different options that you don’t have to leave to switch careers,” Lerude said.

Lerude explained that juvenile programs and the collaboration with DPOs can be fast-paced and challenging. With an average of 600 cases a month, the position requires dedication.

This dedication is evident in the actions of Anderson and Contreras in their day-to-day relations with the juveniles. Earlier this month, the early intervention program for probation sponsored a summer day camp with North of the River Recreation Center, and Contreras, as well as other DPOs, took part in the event, which included activities like swimming, archery, and rock wall climbing.

“The kids look up to officers like Ernie. One woman said it even saved her grandson’s life. Those are the moments you live for,” Lerude said.

Anderson adapts to the position as a role model as well by being a dependable adult in their lives.

“When they see you they are happy. I mean, we teach them how to comb their hair, brush their teeth. You would be surprised what I have taught kids to do. The other day I taught a kid how to dig a hole with a shovel. It’s a role you really have to take on,” Anderson said.

Generation gaps add to the strain of discipline in the court system, and some juveniles have no examples to look up to because of family member’s criminal records and influences.

“You have 11-, 12-, 13 year-olds growing up in an environment with no family values. We offer a real structured environment. They know when they will get food and have clean clothes and a bed,” Beecher said.

While providing a safe haven can be an enjoyable benefit to the job, there are always sad moments.

“The saddest part of my job is the kids that don’t want to leave due to abusive relationships, gang violence, and peer pressure –– we are able to stop a lot of that in the institution,” Anderson said.

Developing family bonds and relationships is not uncommon to Anderson.

For Anderson, the Probation Department is a family affair. He is married to a probation officer, Eva, and they have two daughters Viola, 4, and Nayeli, 2. The couple is expecting another child in October.

JCO positions rely on shift work and daily routines, and create flexibility for families with young children such as Anderson’s.

“George can leave the graveyard shift at 10 p.m., get some rest, take care of the kids and drop them off in the morning, then go back to work at noon. His wife then can pick them up at 5,” Beecher explained.

Three eight-hour shifts are available throughout the day, and JCOs are required to work any five out of seven days of the week. The ability to make your own schedule also allows employees to seek further education in the department. However, DPO positions are more regimented –– they often work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The department is really education-oriented. If you’re trying to get a degree that can be a big deal. The shift work helps those who are going to school, and the department works with staff who have school schedules,” Anderson said.

Entry-level JCOs are required to have 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college coursework, whereas DPO’ are required to have a four-year degree, preferably in the behavioral sciences. Both positions make between $16 to $17 an hour to start with possibility of promotion.

Sew inclined

Hope Hernandez has spent her life on pins and needles.

Not in the sense that she’s lived with nervous anticipation about what might happen next; she’s far too practical for that.

Rather, Hernandez has devoted herself to the art of tailoring.

When she was just a girl, Hernandez realized she was “sew inclined,” so to speak.

And from that point on, she’s spent day in and day out taking measurements — on her hands and knees in cramped dressing rooms with pins in her mouth and hands — followed by the rhythmic thudding and whirring of a busy sewing machine.

A hem there, a tuck here, a gather there ...

Hours became days and days became years, stitches in time — yet Hernandez continues, immune to changes in fabric, faces and fashion.

“I love sewing. I can sew day and night. I love the machines, the repetition and the fast pace,” said Hope Hernandez, 59, owner of Hope’s Uniform and Tailoring on 20th and L streets in downtown Bakersfield.

Hernandez wouldn’t be surprised if her epitaph was written in tailor’s chalk.

“I plan to work until I drop dead. I’ll probably go out hugging a sewing machine,” she said, laughing.

This month marks Hope’s eighth year at the 1315 20th St. spot, and her 28th year in business for herself. She and her daughters, Deborah “Debbie” Hernandez and Sara Cebreros (son Tony Jr. is a correctional officer), welcome about 50 customers a day into the small store filled with piles of clothes, spools of thread, measuring tapes, hangers, bodkins and pincushions.

Each of the three women is expected to produce at least $400 of work a day. Prices range from $8 for a hem to $75 to $80 to completely recut a man’s suit.

The women work on Singer and Rex machines, some decades old.

For Hernandez’s daughters, the sewing machines represent, like no other object, the love of their mother and the sacrifices she’s made to support her family.

“I’m so proud of her. She’s come along way,” said Debbie.

Hope began sewing at 16 — the same age she married her husband, Tony Hernandez Sr. — for a lady in Arvin who produced clothes for the Los Angeles-based Teddy label and taught her to work on industrial machines.

It was a perfect, tailor-made profession for Hope, whose tias in Texas all sewed.

After a brief stint tailoring bridal dresses for Beverly’s Bridal — “I didn’t like it. I got lost under the fabric.” — Hernandez turned to her sister, Bee Lostaunau, also a seamstress, who taught her to tailor men’s suits.

Hernandez then worked for Casper’s Men’s Store before being “stolen” by Don Monan of Seiler’s Men’s Store. When Seiler’s closed down, Monan encouraged Hope to start out on her own.

“He said, ‘Kiddo, you’re on your own,’” Hernandez recalled.

Monan even recommended a shoebox-sized storefront at 17th Place downtown.

“He said, ‘You can stay there a year and then move on.’ I was there 21 years,” said Hernandez, laughing.

There was a good clientele from the beginning, and business at 17th Place expanded like a growing waistline.

At first, Hernandez tailored only men’s clothes, but soon women sought her out, discovering that Hernandez could tailor not only their clothes, but their image, altering women’s outfits as they lost or gained weight or when styles changed.

It wasn’t unusual for Hernandez to work 16-hour days.

Daughter Debbie, now 41, started sewing at age 11.

“She walked in and said, ‘Can I help you?’ And she never stopped,” said Hernandez.

Debbie said sewing is a natural high for her.

“My mind goes somewhere else. When I’m finished, I think, ‘Did I do that?” It’s nice to create something,” said Debbie, whose own daughter, Catrina Aguilar, a Bakersfield College student, helps at the store with computer work.

Sara, 30, joined the business after high school, but prefers to work at the front desk.

“I like to interact and form relationships with customers. Some of them come in every other week,” said Sara, who added that out-of-town customers will also bring clothes when they visit relatives or drive through Bakersfield.

Debbie said the atmosphere at work is strictly professional.

“At work she’s ‘Hope.’ After we leave, then it’s ‘Mom’ again.”

Making sure the business was successful did require significant sacrifices, some that required mending later down the road.

“My mom and I never got to raise our own kids. They were always in daycare or with baby sitters,” said Debbie, who remembers one time when she received a call from her children’s private school.

“They said, ‘It’s 4:15, where are you? School was over an hour and a half ago.’ We had gotten so busy at work that we’d completely forgotten to pick them up,” said Debbie, who can see the humor in the incident now.

Nieces and nephews have come and gone, often helping pay their way through school thanks to a job with Hernandez.

She relocated to her current location in 1999, when she was literally bursting at the seams in the old 17th Place store.

“There were racks all the way to the ceiling,” she said. The new location is a spacious 2,000 square feet.

Hernandez has seen styles change over the years.

First, businessmen strictly wore suits, then sports coats and slacks, then back to suits.

Then there was the unfortunate women’s power dressing trend of the ‘80s, when shoulder width and pads grew along with the quest for female identity.

And prom dresses? Hernandez says they’ve only gotten shorter, with hemlines headed far above the knee.

She creates very few clothing items from scratch these days, but usually gets talked into doing at least a few prom dresses and matching ties each season.

Hernandez says she’s kept her customers and gained new ones because it’s not the kind of place where buttons pop or collars wilt after a few wearings.

“I’m picky about my work,” she admits, and said regular customers settle for nothing less than perfection.

“One man said, ‘Hope, I was OK before I started coming to you. You’ve created a monster! Now I have to have everything just so,’” Hernandez said.

Customers at Hope’s range in age from 3 to 90, and requests range from the typical to the downright unusual.

“One time, a man arrived in a limo wearing only a bathrobe. He wanted his suit altered and put a rush on it, so we did it while he waited outside. Then he changed into his suit and off he went. I never knew to where,” Hernandez said.

Her shop’s proximity to the courthouse often finds her fixing accidents like split pants.

“They will run here and sit in the dressing room while we solve the problem,” said Hope.

Hernandez’s most elaborate project was alterations to an expensive, sequined, mother-of-the-bride dress. Her smallest — in terms of coverage, at least — was a set of G-strings for a local male exotic dancer.

“He wanted little bow ties and tuxedos sewn on them,” said Hernandez.

Local attorney John Tello has been taking his suits and slacks to Hope for 20-something years. Her 17th St. alley location was convenient when he was an attorney at Chain-Younger.

“My mom was a tailor, and Hope’s shop reminded me of my mom’s,” said Tello, who said over the years, he has become good friends with the Hernandez family.

“She’s a jewel. She treats everyone so well. Plus, when I need something right away she’ll get it done — and, she makes me tamales at Christmas,” said Tello.

To longtime customer Deborah Leary, Hernandez is nothing less than a “dreamstress.”

“She is an expert seamstress. Nobody does it better,” said Leary, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society’s Bakersfield.

Leary said because she’s very petite, she can’t wear clothes off the rack and brings Hernandez everything from designer suits to bargains from Target.

Leary’s husband, Gary and sons, Anthony and Joey, are also customers.

Leary appreciates Hope’s attention to detail — and honesty.

“She is expressly devoted to you and what looks best on you. She is an objective eye when you need one,” Leary said. “I’m a seasonal shopper, so I came in with my summer clothes, and when they were ready I said, ‘This should hold me over until fall.’ But Hope said, ‘You’re going to come across a sale. I’ll see you before fall.’”

Sure enough, Leary was back a few weeks later with two suits — pink seersucker and white linen — she’d found on consignment.

“Hope said, ‘I knew you’d be back,’” said Leary, laughing.

Leary also knows Hernandez to be a strong woman who supports her family and always comes to work with a smile, even when she’s feeling her worst, like when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2001.

Hernandez’s sister Bee — at that time the owner of Busy Bee Tailoring in Tehachapi — closed her store to come and temporarily take over for Hope’s.

But Hernandez only stayed home one week before returning to work.

“Even my doctor said, ‘You don’t do well at home.’ I was in everybody’s way,” said Hernandez, who’s now cancer-free. Sadly, her sister Bee died about a month ago.

“Hope’s a survivor and a true inspiration,” said Leary.

Hernandez only closes the store for one week a year. She doesn’t so much as pick up a needle at home, though. She had a sewing room at home years ago, but husband Tony couldn’t tolerate the noise.

Hernandez works regular hours during the summer and longer hours in the fall and winter when people wear more clothes, she said.

About a year ago Hernandez, who has always done uniform alterations, began selling actual uniforms for the California Department of Corrections. She plans to expand that element of the business.

Customers, friends and family are confident she’ll do so — without missing a stitch.