Bakersfield braces for a cold winter of crime and vandalism, a fed-up Portland finally moves to oust the homeless and celebrating 100,000 spay neuters by the non profit Critters Without Litters

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication.

 * ... WINTER IS COMING: Winter is coming and with it the expected spike in seasonal crime. It's hard to think of petty crime getting any worse here, and for the most part residents - and of course the politicians who are supposed to do something about all this  - have learned to live with an ugly new reality of life in Bakersfield. You'd think there would be more of an urgency to clean the streets, but with a few rare exceptions (supervisor candidate Jeff Flores among them) most local elected officials just choose to ignore it. Cars are broken into nightly in the best of

neighborhoods, catalytic converters disappear in broad daylight, park restrooms have been taken over by drug addicts, empty buildings burn with frightening regularity as the number of mentally ill homeless on the streets seems to grow by the day. A businesswoman comes back from cancer treatment to find her downtown office broken into and a mess. A new business owner, proud of what she has built, finds two windows shattered during the night. A third person, an employee of a business on Stockdale Highway, reports to work one day to fire a fire smoldering in a dumpster. So what can we do? Not much it seems, but if you are a homeowner never leave anything in your car or truck, leave your outside porch lights on, install a security camera, consult with neighbors and when it is time to vote, kick out any public official who minimizes what has come of our community. (random photos around town)

 * ... PORTLAND RESPONDS: Want to know how bad the homeless issue has become? Even in Portland, home to a mindset that has allowed homeless encampments to flourish, city officials appear to have had enough. This week city crews moved into a major homeless encampment at Laurelhurst Park, located in a high income neighborhood, and cleaned the place out. As they cleared the camps bulldozers moved in and built multiple pickleball courts and a skate ramp. (file photo of Laurelhurst Park)

 * ... ENFORCEMENT WORKS: Most people involved in the homeless issue focus on providing permanent housing as the answer, yet that does little or nothing for the business people and residents who are subjected to the general craziness and lawlessness that vagrants bring. But enforcement (keeping vagrants on the move) does work, just like we saw in Portland, Just take a look at the Smart and Final parking lot on F Street, one of the city's longtime gritty venues for the homeless to gather. After a rash of vandalism, the homeless were moved out several weeks ago and - for now at least - the problem is gone. 

* ... CRITTERS WITHOUT LITTERS: Critters Without Litters is the only low cost, spay neuter non profit in Bakersfield devoted to dealing with our pet explosion problem. And now, just a few weeks from the organization's 10th anniversary, it reached a new milestone: Critters has now spayed or neutered 100,000 pets. "It's a mind boggling number," said Vicky Thrasher, executive director. "I still remember our first few weeks when we wondered how we'd ever get up to 20 surgeries a day." Critters routinely provides 70 to 80 spay/neuter surgeries a day for pets and feral or free roaming cats in the community, four days a week. They also offer a walk in vaccine clinic Monday through Thursday where anywhere from 120 to 180 animals arrive each day for vaccines. Critters Without Litters is located off White Lane on Stine Road. For more information go to www.critterswithoutlitters.org. (photos courtesy or Critters Without Litters)

 * ... SODA CRACKERS: One of the hottest local bands around, The Soda Crackers, is returning to the Kern County Museum for a special show on Sunday, Nov. 13. The band features brothers Zane and Cooper Adamo (sons of photographer Felix Adamo and author wife Teresa) and their bandmates to create a Western swing sound closely associated with the Bakersfield Sound. Tickets normally sell out so order them at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../the-soda-crackers-present...(photos by Felix Adamo)

 * .... MEMORIES: It's easy to forget how big Buck Owens was in his prime, particularly among Asian crowds who embraced his Bakersfield Sound. This picture says it all, compliments of the Kern County of Old Facebook page. The caption: "Buck Owens in mid 1970's on tour in Sydney, Australia. His manager on left is Jack McFadden, and on the right is Banjo player Ronnie Jackson. This was a month long tour in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Sold-out shows wherever they appeared."

Does the restoration of Putah Creek provide a model to bring back the Kern River? Plus the Democratic no-shows at debates, prayers for Pastor Roger Spradlin and three women wanted for setting fire to a Party City

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication.

 * ... WATER IN THE KERN: If you are among the many who dream about a regular flow of water in the Kern River through town, you should know about something called the Putah Creek Accord signed on May 23, 2000. In that case Putah Creek, much smaller than the Kern but similar in that it had devolved

into a largely dry creek bed full of trash and debris, became the focus of lawsuits and political action that eventually led to a comprehensive plan to restore the creek while dividing the water between farmers and the public interest served by a free flowing creek. Backed by the Public Trust Doctrine and Fish and Game Code 5937, a coalition involving environmental groups, the city of Davis and UC Davis spent four year negotiating with water agencies before a federal judge basically forced the sides to settle. Today, Putah Creek has been fully restored (a major surprise was the return of salmon), water agencies are happy to have a predicable flow of water every year and the creek has evolved into a major recreational asset. The organization Bring Back the Kern recently held a roundtable on Putah Creek focusing on ways we can get water back into the Kern River. Check out the panel discussion at Bring Back the Kern's Facebook page or at their website.

 * ... SHAME SHAME SHAME: The next time someone on the City Council tries to downplay the sharp spike in crime, remember the three women who visited the Party City store on Rosedale Highway this week and - get ready for it - set the place on fire. That's right, Bakersfield police are looking for the women in these photos - and the white Jeep - after they allegedly set fire to the store, perhaps to cover up for their shoplifting. Getting the feeling crime is out of control?

 * ... DEBATE NO SHOWS: What started with one candidate refusing to show up for a debate has apparently now become a "thing," at least among Democrats. If you recall I was harshly critical of Assemblyman Rudy Salas when he abruptly failed to show up for a scheduled televised debate with Rep. David Valadao on KGET. Now another Democratic candidate, 16th State Senate District's Melissa Hurtado, has joined in, backing out of her own scheduled debate with challenger David Shephard. Let's be clear here: when you put your name forward to represent 'the people" in a race, the very least we can expect of you is to share your views in a public setting, and to answer the criticisms in a debate. The news department over at KGET TV graciously provided the time and manpower to host the debate; the least you can do is to show up.

 * ... ROGER SPRADLIN: The community at Valley Baptist Church has rallied around Pastor Roger Spradlin who is battling an inoperable illness. Spradlin's legions of followers are being kept up to date on his condition via a Facebook account. According to a note from Andrew Spradlin, the pastor's condition is inoperable but a prayer chain is hoping for a miracle.

 * ... RICKY'S TACOS: One of the most famous taco trucks in Los Angeles is coming to Bakersfield. That's right, the widely heralded Ricky's Fish Taco truck, long considered one of the best taco trucks in the LA basin, has announced it is headed to Bakersfield to offer its highly acclaimed Ensenada-style fish and shrimp tacos. The Los Angeles Times said the award-winning taquero "garnered national attention, first popping up in Silver Lake in 2009 with a metal three-drawer filing cabinet that Piña had converted into a makeshift fryer, then with a food truck parked primarily in Los Feliz, and, more recently, in Hollywood, where he plans to sell seafood tacos for the next two weekends before leaving town." The report said the move shocked fans of Ricky's Fish Tacos who called the news devastating. Once here, the company will alert fans as to the truck's whereabouts on Twitter. (photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times)

 * ... RIP DAVID WOOD: There has been yet another fatality involving a car hitting a bicyclist, and this time the cyclist died. Bakersfield Police said David Wood, an employee of The Finish Line bicycle shop on Stockdale Highway, was hit on Allen Road on Oct. 17 and died. There are no reports of anyone being charged or further details.

 * ... LAKE MEAD: Lake Mead is surrendering old treasures and secrets as its water level shrinks to historic levels because of the long drought. Here's a shot of a 1938 Chrysler Imperial that showed up in low water, and under it a picture of an original similar car.

 

* ... MEMORIES: Take a look at this old postcard, from Taft, along with the note on the back side. This comes compliments of the Kern County History Fans page on Facebook.

 * ... MORE MEMORIES: And lastly, check out this picture of Buck Owens along with other musical greats that appeared on the Kern County of Old Facebook page. The caption read: "1989 in San Francisco this iconic photo was taken at the music awards called the Bammies! Buck Owens performed and these other  famous musicians are all around Buck in the photo. Huey Lewis, Chris Isaak, Neil Young, Joe Saterini and John Foggerty.  Anywhere in the world that Buck Owens appeared he was always introduced from Bakersfield, California. You could say he put the city on the map!"

 

Gunfire breaks out at The Lone Oak Lounge, fire guts a storage unit used by the Bakersfield Homeless Center and Zane Adamo learns that Texans have a special place in their hearts for Bakersfield

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication. 

 * ... THE ADAMO BOYS: Everyone knows that Texans are sick of Californians moving to their state, but they just might welcome you with open arms if you hail from Bakersfield. That's what local boy Zane Adamo learned recently when he was in Austin and found himself chatting with Texas country troubadour Dale Watson. When Watson learned Zane was not only from California but from Bakersfield he told Zane

: "We have enough Californians in Texas, but we don't have enough  Bakersfieldians though." Zane and his brother Cooper are carrying on the long and proud Bakersfield tradition of playing homage to country music, and they are part of a Western swing band called "The Soda Crackers" that is now on tour. The Adamo lads are the sons of retired Californian photographer Felix Adamo and his wife Teresa, an accomplished local author.

 * ... LOST TOYS: Did you hear about the fire that gutted a building storing thousands of toys belonging to the Bakersfield Homeless Center? The Monday afternoon fire engulfed a storage unit the homeless center uses to store its stockpile of toys for the many homeless boys and girls who pass though its doors. BHC CEO Lauren Skidmore said more than 2,000 toys were lost, and the center is looking for donations to help restock the center. Skidmore said toys and gifts for chidren up to 18 years of age are needed. The generosity of this community is well documented, and I think its response to this tragedy will be overwhelming. Sit back and watch how Bakersfield responds to this need.

 * ... ELAINA RUSK: Last week we reported that longtime KERO meteorologist Elaina Rusk was leaving the station to spend more time at home with her children. Well that was then, because Rusk has done an about face and announced she will be joining KGET in a special midday role that will allow her to return to work and spend more time at home. "You will now find me producing and anchoring 17 News at Noon, allowing me to work during my daughters’ school schedules," she wrote on Facebook. "This is the most incredible opportunity! It’s a throwback to my early years as a journalist, and it’s a thrill to be back at the anchor desk... Occasionally I’ll get to do some weather forecasting too!"  (photo by KGET)

 * ... LONE OAK SHOOTING: Bakersfield police are still looking at whoever was responsible for wounding four people when they opened fire at The Lone Oak Inn Lounge on Rosedale Highway last weekend. Videos posted on social media show a chaotic scene of what first appears to be a scuffle of some sorts followed by the familiar "pop, pop, pop" of gunfire. The Lone Oak enjoys a loyal following and is normally a typical local watering hole not used to violence. But this is 2022, crime is rampant, prosecutors have backed off from seeking strong sentences, and this is what we are left with. Be careful out there.

 * ... NETFLIX: Netflix has announced it is raising prices once again, the monthly subscription fee jumping to $15.49. The move comes as the streaming giant is facing competition from new streaming services also offering original content, from Paramount to Hulu to Apple+ to Amazon Prime.

 * ... CALM: There is some good news out at the California Living Museum where they announced plans for a new veterinary clinic to help rehabilitate animals brought in for care. A new 1,700 square foot facility is being built thanks to funding from a $350,000 grant from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Organizers say they need another $300,000 which they hope to raise locally. The facility will include a new surgery site where experts can attend to the more than 600 animals a year that find their way to the facility.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "When I got divorced, the ex wife and I split the house. I got the outside."

 * ... MEMORIES: From the Kern County of Old Facebook page comes this reader submitted photo of Buck Owens, John Brock and others around a Salvation Army giving bell at Christmas. The caption reads: "The BUCK stops here. . .Buck Owens that is! The Bakersfield Country Western singer is a Rotary Club Bell Ringer in 1975 with the Salvation Army. Update: mystery solved from left to right. James Sweeney, Salvation Army Major David Baker, Buck, John Brock, & Gerald Brock."

What is your traditional New Year's meal: black eyed peas and greens? Tamales? Plus a great white shark kills a surfer off Morro Bay and volunteers clean up a mess on the off road trails on the east side of town

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication. 

 * ... NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS: Does your family have a New Year's traditional meal? If you are from the South, as I am, that would mean black eyed peas, collard greens and cornbread (hold the sugar,

please). If you are from Mexico, it may be fresh, homemade tamales. If you are from Spain, you will no doubt enjoy 12 grapes on New Year's Eve to ring in the new year. A quick search found these regional favorites: for the American South it would be black eye peas and greens for Mexico count on tamales, for Spain twelve grapes and for Japan Soba noodles. What is your tradition?

 * ... GUITAR STOLEN:  If you shake your head about how bad crime is these days, consider this: A guitar once owned by Buck Owens has been stolen from the Oildale post office that was renamed after the late country music star. According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, two suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks broke into the post office and stole the red, white and blue guitar that had been displayed in a case. The post office is located on Minner Avenue and a the guitar was donated in 2008 by the Owens family.

 * .. SHARK ATTACK: Did you year about the latest shark attack near Morro Bay? Well officials now think the victim was killed by aa great white shark. The victim's name has not been released but his body was pulled from the water near Morro Bay on Christmas Eve. (photo courtesy of The Los Angeles Times)

 * ... CHICK FIL-A: With the possible exception of the burger joint In-n-Out, Chick fil-A may be the most popular fast food franchise in town. When the company closed its Stockdale Highway location for a remodel a few months ago, the restaurant's legions of fans were bereft, but they stormed back when the place was reopened. And now comes word that a second Chick fil-A will be opening on Rosedale Highway where Pier 1 once did business. No word on exactly when it might open.

 * ... BRAVO! Let's end this year with a shoutout to everyone who contributes to the common good, who chooses not to run with the herd but to be honest and make a difference. That was seen two weeks ago with a group of citizen volunteers descended on the dirt roads off Morning Drive, popular with cyclists and off road motorbike enthusiasts, who spent the day picking up tons of trash. That's right, the group collected just over 14 tons of trash in an area that has long been a favorite dumping spot. Bravo and thanks to award winning local photographer Felix Adamo who caught all this on his camera.

 * ... MEMORIES: This is a photo of a building the old armory, that I never knew existed until I saw it on the Kern County History Fans Facebook page. Feast on this for a second.

Santa Barbara bans straws and establishes punishment harder than many criminal offenses, the heat wave continues and Buck Owens' legacy at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles

Monday July 30, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special place.

 * ... STRAWS: I am sure you have heard about Starbucks banning plastic straws right? And now the city of Santa Barbara has passed an ordinance last that gives restaurant employees six months of jail

time or a $1,000 fine for giving plastic straws to customers. I am not joking here. And all this hysteria because of our fear that the straws could end up in the ocean and strangle a turtle. But let's be serious here. I am as concerned as anyone else over the mountains of plastic in our oceans, but banning the straw and threatening jail time is beyond stupid. And here is the craziest part: the punishment for issuing straws is actually harder than many other "non violent" offenses in California that allow you to apply for early release. Offenses like domestic violence, first degree burglary, rape of a drugged person or a hate crime causing physical injury. And we wonder why people outside California think we are nuts here.

 * ... MADE IN AMERICA: If you are a fan of things Made in America, does this extend to your car? If it does, you will be interested in the list of cars manufactured with the most parts made in the USA. According to Cars.com, those models include the Jeep Cherokee, Honda Odyssey, Honda Ridgeline: Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Ford Explorer, Ford F-150, and the Chevrolet Corvette.

 * ... HEAT WAVE: Remember how mild it was just a few short months ago? And then came July and with it temperatures in the 105 to 108 range, almost daily. But it may be too early to tell if we are on threatening to set new records for the most days at 100 degrees or higher. It turns out the National Weather Service in Hanford says the record for the most days at 100 or higher is 76, and that was sent back in 1917. And, just for giggles, the NWS says the hottest day ever recorded in Bakersfield was 118.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "It’s adorable when men think they should get half the closet."

 * ... MORE TWITTER: "I was mistaken for a hooker once. It was not my best day. I only made $50."

 * ... MID-STATE FAIR: Nobody does big time musical acts better than the California Mid-State Fair over in Paso Robles. Consider the lineup for the fair that just ended: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Pitbull, Demi Lovato, ZZ Top, Dwight Yoakam, Gabriel Iglesias, Florida-Georgia Line and the list goes on. I was there doing a remote for KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM and asked the fair CEO, Michael Bradley, how the fair got so good booking such top notch talent. "You know who brought the music element to the fair in 1969?" he asked me. "It was your own Buck Owens. He started it and we have continued it since then." It was a big year for Buck, as it turns out. 1969 was the first year he co-hosted Hee Haw, a variety show that would go on for 15 seasons. So there you have it.

 * ... MEMORIES: How about this old shot of Chester Avenue around 18th Street in the late 1890s?

The Wounded Warrior Project is in crisis mode after a damning investigation into its lavish spending, Wiki's Wine Dive offers a lunch special and the Bakersfield Arts District Foundation gets off a big night

 * ... VETERANS: One of the largest and most prominent non profits that serves veterans - the Wounded Warrior Project - is in crisis mode after a damning report that calls into question its spending on lavish dinners and parties.
Among the findings of a New York Times investigation: the charity flew 500 employees to Colorado Springs for an "all hands" meeting at the exclusive Broadmoor Hotel, employees routinely buy business class seats and others stay at $500 a night hotel rooms. More troubling: the charity spends 40 percent of the money is raises on overhead, as opposed to other groups like the Semper Fi fund that spends just 8 percent on salaries and overhead. The organization raised some $372 million last year, mostly small donations from people over the age of 65.

* ... BOB ELIAS: I spotted an interesting picture on social media the other day that originally appeared in the Taft Midway Driller. The fading black and white photo showed local celebrities Buck Owens, Don Meridith, Frank Gifford and Gifford's mother, Lola, at a Bob Elias Hall of Fame banquet in 1976. Thanks to Sheri Horn Bunk, director of the Taft College Foundation, for sharing.

 * ... GOOD MESSAGE: And speaking of Sheri Horn Bunk, I can always rely on her to pass on some inspirational wisdom. From her Twitter account: "A person will soon forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "There was a glorious time, before social media, when you would just lose touch with people."

 * ... FOODIE BEST BET: One of the best lunch deals in town is over at Wiki's Wind Dive and Grill in the Sully's shopping center at Seven Oaks. Simply cut out the coupon that has been running in The Californian and get enjoy a "buy one, get one free" lunch. The popular watering hole also features more than ten items at under $10 each.

 * ... ARTS DISTRICT: It was nice to see a good turnout for the new Bakersfield Arts District Foundation kick off reception at Metro Galleries the other night. Among those who appeared to support this new foundation focused on the downtown arts district included former Supervisor Karen Goh, Dignity Health's Robin Mangarin, Assembly candidate Vince Fong, the Art Council of Kern's David Gordon, David Cohn and George Barrientos from Chain Cohn Stiles, Lisa Kimble Edmonston, the Tree Foundation's Melissa Iger, Bakersfield City School District board member Andres Gonzales, Bike Bakersfield's Jason Cater, the Bakersfield Chamber's Nick Ortiz and Hillary Hanes, Kati McKeown from Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office and her husband, Bakersfield High teacher Sean McKeown, Mento Buru's Matt Munoz and Miranda Whitworth from the Kern Federal Credit Union and finally D.R. Horton's Jason Martin and daughters Ellie and Lillie.

* ... GOOD FORM: Congratulations to Deborah Durkan, who recently retired as head of MARE (Mastering Abilities Riding Equines). Durkan spent more than 20 years at this important non-profit, helping it grow and expanding its programs serve a greater number in our community with special needs and disabilities. In a letter to MARE supporters and staff, Durkan thanked everyone "who has blessed my life through MARE ... and 'May the Horse be with you.'"