Things to Do in Arvin

Most days, Saul Alcaraz can be found toiling over his 2,000-degree glass oven, often surrounded by an enraptured crowd. A surprisingly graceful practice, his glass-blowing is often as artful as a ballet performed in a volcano as he deftly spins, rolls, blows, and cuts his pieces. Having studied the craft since 1988, today Alcaraz splits his time between making effervescently vivid pieces—such as such as custom lamps and iridescent perfume bottles—and teaching teens and adults to do the same. In classes, he trusts his students to work toward shaping their own forms, even helping them introduce color into their creations to make them more attractive bait for trapping rainbows.

The promoters behind Valley Comedy draw from a rib-tickling lineup of local comedians and touring funny folk to host monthly shows at Shamrock's Irish Pub in Bakersfield, Silver Dollar Hofbrau in Fresno, and the venerable Western-themed Old Town Saloon in Clovis. Valley Comedy also works with the community to arrange public and private events, dispatching standup comedians to fundraisers, corporate events, parties, and glum parent-teacher conferences throughout the Central Valley.

After a silent winter and spring, the rock-climbing wall and go-kart track are waiting impatiently for summer to arrive, eager for the influx of laughter and ebullient burst of life that comes with it. The empty cabins and sports fields spread across Camp Cottontail’s 200-acre land share the sentiment, as they’ve been locked in this cycle of yearning for summer since the camp’s construction in 1958. The sprawling camp finally comes alive once flocks of young campers take over, orchestrating a symphony of sounds of kids splashing into the pool, giggling over arts and crafts, and singing around a crackling bonfire as night unfolds around them. Following in the footsteps of generations of campers before them, the kids spend each balmy summer day immersed in well-planned daily programs comprised of high-energy activities.

A past camper whose influence is felt throughout the camp is Lynn Pedroza, who assumed ownership of Cottontail in 2009. Having spent every summer since 1984 as a staff member, Lynn bought the camp with the sole intent of upholding the previous owners’ dedication to granting campers the best summer possible. Her commitment to the camp’s tradition of excellence is reflected in her meticulously selected staff of counselors and instructors, all of whom undergo extensive background checks and are certified in CPR and first aid. The staffers take campers under their wings, teaching them new skills such as how to shoot an arrow or how to save a friendship with a meaningful lanyard bracelet. Optional offsite activities and special trips bolster the camp experience. While daily schedules are determined by each camper, the camp comes together for beloved events including Skit Night, Counselor Dress-Up, and the camp dance.

James Pike started riding waves when he was 8 years old, when his father would drive him out to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz to go boogie boarding. As he grew up, he learned to surf with a local club, buying and repairing his own used surfboard, which was weathered after 40 years of challenging the ocean and being used to write down mermaids’ phone numbers.

As an adult, James founded Pike’s Surf School, where he teaches students of all ages how to balance on boards in surfing and skateboarding classes. Following lessons on technique and etiquette, students can glide through the waves or fly over pavement, and youths can take a combination surfing and skateboard clinic in groups of four. Pictures and video help pinpoint errors in technique, and cross-training improves students' ability to maintain their balance in different situations.

Every Thursday, Comedy Hideaway ushers in a lineup of HBO– and Comedy Central–anointed performers, its stage still echoing with the bygone riffs of such national acts as Zach Galifianakis and Whitney Cummings. The club's founder, Andrey Belikov, often hosts and performs at the evening's revues, spinning impressions of his Ukrainian father and detailing his foibles in American society. Between sets, guests avail themselves of Petrini’s menu of Italian fare, sip laugh-loosening drinks, and stand in line for autographs from nationally touring microphone stands.