You’ve heard the saying, “Boys will be boys,” and I can attest this is true no matter what age they become. My college boys were home this summer, and they still love to “prank” each other and their friends with spicy food or weird candy. With their 16-year-old cousin, they recently did the One Chip Challenge to see who could hold out the longest before drinking milk, after eating one astronomically hot chip.

Over the years, my family has been frequent shoppers at Rocket Fizz at the Marketplace with my boys buying all kinds of concoctions there, including Dog Slobber Soda and Ghost Pepper gummy bears. I’d find Gumby-related swag, and my husband enjoyed the Grateful Dead memorabilia. My daughter also liked going to this store because they have Razzles, the candy that turns into gum. At school, she wanted to have different kinds of chips packed in her lunch so her friends could try them. Her favorite ones were coated in Oyster Sauce. As Bakersfield says goodbye to this unique soda and candy shop, I’m sad to see it close here, but I really am thankful for all the fun, and sometimes disgusting, times we had.

Speaking of special collectibles, Julie Willis writes about a “kind of weird, and ugly” ceramic fish that she loved and displayed in her bathroom. In her Humor at Home article, “Fishy Business at the Sink”, she writes about when she discovered this trinket broken and “glued” back together with toothpaste, and how she tried to uncover the culprit. To find out more about her cunning detective skills, turn to page 22.

August does not just mean back-to-school routines, but August 9 is National Book Lovers Day, and August 26 is National Dog Day. In the article, “Tales and Tails are the Theme for This Month’s Reading,” on page 14, Andrea Ciccocioppo Rose combines both celebratory days into a dog-gone fun reading list for all ages, including titles like Sandra Boynton’s “Doggies” and the classic, “The Pokey Little Puppy,” by Janette Sebring and Gustaf Tenggren.

This month’s Hello, Happy Mama features an artist who is promoting local talent. In the article, “Hello, Happy (Inventive) Mama: Alex Lopez,” on page 12, Callie Collins writes about her authenticity and love of the arts. She is an artist and entrepreneur and the Arts Council of Kern’s Makers Market coordinator. This mother of two boys started making jewelry during the pandemic and can now be seen on Instagram @CowgirlyCreations.

Bakersfield has ample places to find unique food and fun gifts, even when some of your favorites come and go. Alex Lopez encourages families to check out downtown events like First Friday and Second Saturday, where you can support small businesses and find special treasures. If you're looking for a fun snack to pack in your kiddo’s lunch or a fancy trinket to display in your home, you can find it locally. As life gets back into the routine of school, remember to look for the places that encourage adding something to startle your tastebuds!

Happy First Day of School! Have a safe and exciting day!!!