CALM dishes out the ice cream

calmbbq062: CALM BBQ
Brothers Steven and Kyle Waide sure enjoyed the fun of making and then eating their own sundaes at CALM’s annual Barbecue and Ice Cream Social.
When the California Living Museum (CALM) hosts a barbecue, as it did on Aug. 26, it is a treat for the whole family. Every year, CALM, located between Hart Park and Lake Ming in northeast Bakersfield, hosts its annual Barbecue and Ice Cream Social. This time, between 6-9 p.m., it offered an outstanding barbecue tri-tip or chicken dinner. Visitors also had the option of choosing a vegetarian lasagna or hamburger meal. All dinners included salad, beans, dinner roll, salsa and the choice of iced tea or lemonade.

Then, it was bring on the ice cream, nuts and chocolate syrup. Dessert became an artistic experience with the more than 350 in attendance digging in to make their own, refreshing, ice cream sundaes.

Talented George Dickey served up live country music. Amid the music and the enticing smells of the barbecue, many of the young visitors and their young-at-heart relatives took advantage of a relaxing, free ride to view CALM's beautiful surroundings aboard the Central California Children's Railroad.

As always, it was another outstanding opportunity to visit with CALM's native wildlife as the evening began to cool. Nonprofit CALM is home to animals native to California that because of injury or abandonment cannot survive in their natural environment. Docents made visitors feel at home, bringing several of the facility's ambassador animals around for up close viewing and a chance to learn more about each species.

The Bakersfield Artists Association had displays of nature and western art on sale. Another big favorite in the Di Giorgio Education Center was CALM's current exhibit, Nature in Focus: photographs by Casey Christie, located just inside the entrance to CALM.

Children had fun taking part in various activities planned just for them and there was the excitement and anticipation of great prizes in an opportunity drawing for everyone. Visitors also discovered more treasures by browsing CALM's Gift Store with its assortment of unique wildlife items and souvenirs.

"CALM's Barbecue and Ice Cream Social was a wonderful success," said CALM Program Supervisor Lana Fain. "We not only had longtime supporters attend the event, but several first-time visitors enjoyed the evening. It was wonderful to see the community come out and support the zoo and botanic garden and to see so many happy faces on those having a great time."

For more information about CALM and a calendar of upcoming events visit the Web site, http://www.calmzoo.org.


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