'BVarsity Live' adds new twist to local prep coverage

The Californian recently launched "B Varsity Live," a multi-platform approach to covering the hectic Kern County high school football scene. 

The Friday night show is hosted by Louis Amestoy and produced and directed by our multimedia intern, Christopher McCullah. Sportsriter Zach Ewing is also front and center, delivering expert analysis on the night's games and developments. 

The "BVarsity Live" show streams live via a Ustream player in various sections on BakersfieldCalifornian.com beginning at 11 p.m. Fridays. The plan is to stream for an hour, but this most recent show stretched about 10 minutes beyond that to include discussions and video of non-football sports and to take calls from viewers. 

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Who says print is dead?

Four different drum magazines seen recently at the Bakersfield Barnes & Noble.It's no secret that the print publishing business -- be it newspapers, magazines or books -- is undergoing massive struggles. 

But I never cease to be amazed at the pockets of resilience that surface here and there. 

The photo above would lead you to believe Bakersfield is overrun not only by drummers but drummers who can read (that's a little musicians' joke there--as a recovering drummer, I have the stripes to say it).

Take a step back, though, and you see these kinds of magazines are surrounded by countless others focused on guitarists, recording techniques and DJing. Many are imported from Britain, where the magazine business still seems to have legs. 

When music itself is ever digital, why the wide appeal of analog products? Maybe it's because the magazines include printed music or instructional DVDs (such as how to play Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"). Maybe it's that most of the interviews go on for pages and pages, something mainstream publications frown on to appease short-attention spans or space restrictions.

Whatever the secret, there's something to celebrate. 

P.S. Rhythm is one kick-butt magazine. Worth a read whether you drum or not. 

Pinch-hitting again on Sound Off

I filled in for John Arthur in writing this week's Bakersfield Californian Sound Off reader-feedback column.

Good mix of questions that include:

• Why Sea of Galilee controversy was news.
• Why a huge accomplishment by a local Cal Ripken team didn't make our sports cover.
• Feedback on our "Cul De Sac" comic, which is ending in September, and suggested replacements.
• Why we published a police sketch on the front page.

I have a lot of stuff on my plate in my current job but I really enjoy these opportunities to engage with readers who have good questions about what we do. Sound Off is a great forum to get feedback but also shed a little light on what we do.