Karen Goh's rookie mistakes, celebrating the big tipper around town and unions denounce Scrivner as the 'devil'

* ... JUST EMAIL ME: By all accounts Karen Goh, who went from director of a religious-based non-profit to an appointment to the Kern County Board of Supervisors, appears to be a good choice. I know Goh from the downtown Rotary club and can tell you she is both smart and articulate. But to most of the residents of the Fifth District, she's a virtual stranger. Which is why it's so puzzling that she consistently declines to speak in depth to reporters, choosing instead to communicate via sound bites or email, as in "just email me your questions and I'll send you a statement."  What keeps Goh so busy that she can't share her views with her constituents? Posting pictures to her Facebook profile? Playing Guitar Hero? I doubt it. Going silent is a rookie mistake for a public official, particularly a freshman like Goh whose views are unknown. It only leads to idle speculation, which in this case has her taking orders from local political power broker Mark Abernathy. I have no doubt Goh is qualified for the job, but I couldn't tell you where she stands on a single substantive issue. (She did tell KGET TV that she supports jobs, but gosh, who doesn't?) Eventually Goh will need to prove she is not anybody's puppet and can stand on her own. (photo by Felix Adamo)

 * ... THE DEVIL? The other newcomer to the Board of Supervisors is Zack Scrivner, whose past and positions - unlike Goh's - have been picked apart and dissected like a lab rat. Scrivner led the much-needed pension reform while on the Bakersfield City Council, incurring the wrath of the powerful police and fire unions. And they haven't forgotten him. On the California Professional Firefighters website, 2nd District, Scrivner is likened to "the devil" for daring to rein in pension costs. "The supervisor race that we  lost will have a greater impact then the two city council seats we won," said firefighter Derek Robinson. "The devil now sits on the Board of Supervisors and pension reform is coming, like it or not." Scrivner told me the remark was "unfortunate" and "inflammatory" and added this: "I think it's interesting and perhaps telling that he characterizes the election of Rudy Salas and Russell Johnson to the Council as wins for the unions, but goes on to say that my election trumps those victories. I guess time will tell."

 
 * ... BIG TIP: Remember that generous patron who tipped his server a sweet $5,000 last week at Cafe Med? Well now I learn that after leaving Cafe Med, he went to the Padre Hotel where he tipped a bartender $2,000. That's right. Seven thousand dollars in tips. Merry Christmas.


 * ... THE BUZZ: Everyone is talking about the rain, which has made our bone dry community appear more like Seattle, albeit for a brief few days.  It's been non-stop for days and let's hope it fills the reservoirs and means we'll have water in the river again next summer. One thing is for certain: if you have a leaky roof, you know it by now. 


  * ... DUSTIN'S DINER: Folks over in Haggin Oaks are continuing the long tradition of Dustin's Diner, a hot cocoa and cookie stand that collects money for the homeless through the holidays. This all started years ago on St. Cloud Lane when Dustin Kilpatrick, son of Dave and Danielle Kilpatrick, started the stand with the help of neighborhood kids. It has since grown huge, regularly collecting more than $10,000 a year for the Bakersfield Homeless Center. So if you want to enjoy the Christmas lights and help the homeless, drop by the dinner now located at 2301 Haggin Oaks Boulevard. It runs through December 23.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: From reader Robert E. Holland: You know you're an East Bakersfield old timer if "your mom sent you to the Green Frog Market for an item and reminded you to pick up the new copies of Women's Day and Family Circle at the check stand that were given out at no charge."

Bako Bits: More bad form at Wal-Mart, the exodus from cable and a day hike in the Los Padres National Forest

 * ... LOS PADRES: I had a chance to spend an afternoon hiking in the Los Padres National Forest recently and left wondering why I don't spend every weekend there. Spectacular scenery at 8,800 feet and all within an easy hour of Bakersfield. This is one of those national treasures right at our doorstep that folks in Bakersfield need to appreciate. If you haven't been, I'd recommend it for anyone fit enough to enjoy a good hike. Just take I-5 south, exit at Frazier Park and it's about a 30 minute drive to the parking area.

 * ... FIRST FRIDAY: If you're taking in the First Friday activities downtown, make sure you stop by Don Martin's Metro Galleries on 19th Street for the opening of a provocative new show titled "Monsters and Gods." The show features the paintings of Mike Tracy, a former Disney animator whose work has hints of both darkness and whimsy. Some of his stuff reminds me of the dark paintings of Francisco Goya after the Spanish painter had gone deaf and was living in haunted fear of going insane. It's well worth a trip to catch this show.

 * ... KANSAS: Read an interesting piece in The Washington Post about the 1970s rock group Kansas making a comeback with college kids. Turns out the band, known for songs like "Dust in the Wind," is on tour with university symphonies. One of the school symphonies touring with the band is from Oklahoma State, where the daughter of local Dr. John Heidrick goes to school. The picture that ran with the story showed Erin Heidrick, a freshman, with her violin rehearsing in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (read the entire story here) Not bad considering Erin wasn't yet born when her dad was rocking to "Dust in the Wind."

 * ... DIAPERS: More than one reader has told me to "cool it" with my obsession of finding used diapers on our streets and in our parks, but this is one I could not resist. Reader Bryan Kelly was in a local Wal-Mart shopping for an inexpensive pair of Dr. Scholl's walking shoes when this happened: "After locating the size and style, I opened the box to make sure the shoes matched. There were no shoes in the box, only a SOILED Pamper. I assume it was soiled from the odor. I did not peek inside to verify my suspicions. That is the day I learned the shop online."

 * ... LEAVING CABLE: I have two friends who have canceled their cable service, fed up with the tiered pricing that sends bills nearing $200 a month, including internet service. So how do they survive? Both have plugged into the internet, connecting their TVs through new digital services and "boxes" that tap into websites that offer content or movies, like Hulu and Netflix. One friend has a 62-inch flat screen and no cable. Is this the future?

 * ... OVERHEARD: A man and his wife are at the Wal-Mart on Gosford Road Sunday when the power went out. Emergency power kicked it, but apparently the lights were out just long enough for some folks to take advantage of it. "As we waited in line we began to talk with the cashier (who) mentioned that within the first few minutes of the power being out some people attempted to loot items from the store." Good grief.

 * ... GARCES: Don't forget the annual Fall barbeque at Garces Memorial High School, always a popular venue to see old friends and enjoy a good meal. The school expects more than 1,500 people to attend, making it one of the "can't miss" social occasions of the year. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Garces or at the door. Proceeds benefit the schools athletic programs.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM:  From Riley Parker: You know you're a Bakersfield old-time if "you remember seeing Sputnik in the sky north of town."

El Camino restaurant's 'Shame On' Marketing Ploy

 
You have to love the folks over at the El Camino Mexican restaurant on Truxtun Extension. Playing off the overplayed hand of Big Labor's policy of putting "Shame on you" banners in front of businesses that use non-union labor, El Camino chose to use it as a way to promote happy hour. Below, El Camino's sign followed by a real "shame on" banner in front of the Padre Hotel.

Bako bits: Luigi's to celebrate 100 years and another bar opens at the Padre Hotel

 * ... LUIGI'S: I was at Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen the other day and heard from Gino Valpredo that the popular landmark eatery is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Gino said a huge celebration will be held Sunday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Part of 19th Street will be blocked off and the restaurant will be serving some of its most popular dishes. This is one event that promises to be a hit.

 * ... COLLEGE BOUND: Another Stockdale High School student has been accepted to some of our top universities. Akash Jain, son of Anurag and Shelly Jain, has been accepted to Duke University, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley and UCLA among others. He's interested in bio-engineering and reportedly scored an impressive 2250 on his SAT.  

 * ... PRAIRIE FIRE: Stopped by the new Padre Hotel Friday night for the opening of Prairie Fire, the hotel's impressive new second floor outdoor bar and restaurant. It features a long bar, high seating, fire wall and plenty of room to circulate under the stars. My bet is it will be a huge draw for weddings. Jane Haupt was there celebrating her birthday with a group of friends playing bridge, the museum's David Gordon and pal Sue Deininger showed up, and I heard former Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter and his entourage made an appearance later that evening. Even Padre owner Brett Miller was there overseeing things before flying back to San Diego.

* ... GLEANERS ANNIVERSARY: Looks like the Golden Empire Gleaners is getting ready to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Executive director Pam Fiorini says they are looking for clients to share what impact the Gleaners had in their lives as part of the celebration. The Gleaners is also looking to to finish the job of replacing its roof, at a cost of about $80,000. Give Pam a call if you'd like to help, at 661-324-2767,

 * ... MONSTER TRUCKS: Reader Donna Painter wrote in to share her own pet peeve: those huge monster trucks that look like they would run you over in an accident. "One day I looked in my rear view mirror and saw only a big bumper and almost the undercarriage of a pickup truck. If one of those monsters hit me from any direction, they would decapitate anyone in my vehicle. Notice the semi rigs have a drop-down bar that prevents anyone from going underneath them. Why don't they require that for those raised pickup trucks? I think this is a safety issue that someone needs to take up."

 * ... GAUCHO REUNION: A big reunion of UC Santa Barbara alumni is being planned by Elaine McNearney. The event is planned for Saturday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will include food and wine pairings. The cost is $25 per person. Among those on the planning committee are Sharon Mettler, Laura Wolfe, Joan Kerr, Suzanne Bunker Kishimoto, Terry Meyer and Patty Smale. To RSVP call McNearney at 661-703-4353.
 , Lui

* ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you are no longer surprised when you know half the people in the room at lunch at Luigi's."

Prepare for massive Bakersfield gridlock and learning to obey police commands

  

* ... HOUSING SALES: Local appraiser Gary Crabtree brought some perspective to my earlier somewhat downbeat post (read the earlier story here) regarding three straight months of declining home sales. Crabtree is one of Kern County's foremost experts on local housing statistics, and cautioned me "not to make this any worse than it is." He said the Bakersfield market bottomed in April 2009 at $114,000, "then over the peak season increased to a high of $141,250 in November, then entered the off peak season that ended in January at $128,000 (a drop of 9 percent with 5-6 percent being typical)... then started its recovery and as of today has a median price of $141,000 or equal to the price entering the off peak season."
 At the current rate of sales and foreclosures," he said "we should reach REO (real estate owned) liquidation by October 2011. If a second wave of foreclosures does take place, all bets are off."

 * ... JOEY PORTER: I read about Joey Porter's arrest early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence over off Calloway Drive. The incomprehensible part of the story: he also allegedly resisted arrest and may be charged with battery on a California Highway Patrol officer. Here's some free advice: generally speaking, it's always better to obey the officer's commands.

 * ... GRIDLOCK: Get ready for a couple years of gridlock on our local roads. It's all part of the Westside Parkway project that - at the end of the day - will be a wonderful thing for our community. But getting there is going to be a nightmare. The intersection of Coffee Road and Truxtun (already a mess) will be totally redone and there will be major disruptions on Jewetta, Calloway, Brimhall and Allen roads. If you didn't catch Gretchen Wenner's piece in Sunday's Californian, check it out here. Brace yourself.

* ...  KCUHS REUNION: Ken Shelton, one of my early-bird gym pals, pulled me aside the other day to tell me about the upcoming 70th reunion of the 1940 class of Kern County Union High School. It is set for noon, May 1, at the Petroleum Club. Anyone in the class, or even Drillers from another class, should call Ken at 661-663-9187. By the way, Ken served as 1940 Senior Class President and still seems to be presiding.

 * ... MARK EHLY DIES: Mark Ehly, the California Highway Patrol officer hospitalized after complications from a brain aneurysm, died over the weekend at San Joaquin Hospital. Ehly suffered the aneurysm in December and was sent back to the hospital last week. You might recognize him as the public affairs face of the CHP based in Fort Tejon. He was just 50 years old. Please keep his family in your thoughts.

 * ... PADRE BUZZ: Had a chance to catch up the other day with Brett Miller, one of the owners of the new downtown Padre Hotel. He said the Prairie Fire restaurant and outdoor dining area on the second floor will be open early next month and it is already being booked for weddings. At the same time, all the furniture in the ground floor bar will be swapped out for higher tables and chairs that have been on back order. Business is brisk and the hotel is slowly starting to lure business travelers to its rooms.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISMS: You know when you're from Bakersfield when "the stranger you met the other night turns out to be the aunt of the person you are buying a house from." Big city, small-town flavor.