Obesity rates skyrocket along with the percentage of young people with diabetes or pre diabetes

* ... DIABETES: The next time you are out and about take a look around; chances are you will see a lot of people who are morbidly obese. And now comes more proof that we are losing the battle for sensible eating and exercise in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes and pre-diabetes among young people have jumped from 9 percent in the year 2000 to a full 23 percent in 2008. If you have Home Box Office (HBO), make sure you tune into the multi part series "Weight of the Nation," a scary look into how obesity leads to premature deaths across all socioeconomic levels.

* ... SMALL WORLD: Chelby Cooke, the Bakersfield Christian High School tennis phenom who is headed to Santa Clara University, will be in good hands once she lands there. According to local Realtor John Mackessy, the university's women's tennis coach is Ben Cabell. "His grandfather, John Mackessy, was a long time member, past president, and respected 'Nooner' of the Bakersfield Racquet Club and probably responsible for Ben's first tennis racquet. His mother is Alison Mackessy Cabell, an East High, Bakersfield College and Stanford alum. Our family is very proud of Ben and he is thrilled to have Chelby on his squad." (Californian photo)

 * ... THE BUZZ: Political observers are wondering just how wounded the Karen Goh campaign is after the latest dustup over her using Monsignor Craig Harrison's endorsement on her campaign literature. The "endorsement" was explained away as a mistake but it triggered a firestorm of controversy that simply can't help Goh's campaign for 5th District Supervisor. Meanwhile, opponents Leticia Perez and Tim Tarver are smartly staying away from the issue. (file photo of Karen Goh)

 * ... OVERHEARD: A middle aged man telling a friend, "Now that the Lakers and Clippers are out of the playoffs, all I can look forward to is USC football in September."


 * ... BAD FORM: Another example of questionable behavior comes compliments of reader Riley Parker. "At about 1:45 today (Monday) I was west bound on Stockdale Highway at Coffee Road, stopped at the signal. In the lane to my left was a large van with the logo of Kern High School District on the door. There were about seven or eight passengers on board. The blond driver, a female old enough to know better, was so busy texting on her pink phone that she almost sat through the signal. She continued texting until she was well past the intersection. This person should be removed from her position of responsibility for a van load of special needs students. It’s nice that they have a four digit number displayed on the rear door."

 * ... SPOTTED: A bicyclist stops on the street behind the Petroleum Club and relieves himself on the sidewalk as cars pass by in the middle of the day. Really?

 * ... DID YOU KNOW? From the New York Times: Did you know that doctors are now telling people to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after a meal? The reason: Acid left from a soft drink or a meal will erode the enamel, and brushing will accelerate that. Always wait at least 30 minutes after a meal to brush.

Kern Citizens for Sustainable Government push for pension reform; hear its founders on Californian Radio KERN 1180

 * ... CAL RADIO: Kern Citizens for a Sustainable Government is a newly formed organization devoted to supporting policies that balance the need for growth with responsible spending. Since forming a few months ago, this group has proved to be a steady voice in holding our local and state officials accountable for their votes and actions. On Monday, I will be chatting with two of the founding members, J.P. Lake and Patrick Wade, on Californian Radio KERN 1180 at 9 a.m. Tune for to hear their priorities and concerns going into this election year. Here is Lake on the group's mission: "Unless all of us get involved in changing our government, politicians will continue to enact poor policy and regulations. Maybe you know the saying: 'Nothing changes, if nothing changes.' For us, change means working to raise public awareness, education and participation in the creation of laws and regulations and the election of public servants."


 * ... SNAIL MAIL: A reader submitted this example of service from our Post Office: "I just received a thank you note that was postmarked Dec. 30! Two and a half months later it arrives across town!"

 * ... SAM THE HIPPO: Clarine Seymour is a local resident who passed along her knowledge of Sam, the hippopotamus who once lived at Larson's Dairy. Turns out Claire published a children's book called "Sam, The Hippo No One Wanted."It tells the story of how Sam came from the Jungle Compound in Thousand Oaks and was virtually homeless until the late John Barber, owner of Barber Pontiac, heard about Sam, purchased him and gave him to the Bakersfield Zoo. He stayed there for a while and eventually was moved to Larson's Dairy where there was a cement pond filled with water. When plans for a bigger zoo never materialized, Sam was sold to an animal trainer and once appeared on a television commercial for Cal Worthington Ford.

 * ... SPOTTED: A posting on Twitter: "Spotted: Little Caesar's car in Taco Bell drive-thru. Must have had enough of pizza pizza."

 * ... WINE TASTING: If it's March you know we're in the middle of the prime season for fund raising. And on Saturday, March 24, one of my favorite events will be held at Motor City Lexus from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's the 4th Annual Wine Tasting with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. More than 20 California wineries are featured along with live music and culinary from many of Bakersfield's finer restaurants. Only 550 tickets will be available and the cost is $40 in advance or $50 at the door, and can be purchased at Imbibe Wines and all Coldwell Banker locations. Thanks to Coldwell's John Mackessy for sharing this.

 * ... TOP GUNS: Some of the top competition shotgun shooters in the country will converge on Kern County later this month for the 31st annual Ken Barnes Open Skeet Championships. The tournament will be held at the Kern County Gun Club March 30-April 1. The event is named after local Realtor Kenny Barnes, one of the all-time great skeet shooters and a member of the Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: Bill Black of Taft says you might be a Bakersfield old timer if "you remember that the Mexicali on 18th Street was Herb Kings before it became the Mexicali... (and)
the Imperial Hotel on 21st Street later became Maison Jaussaud's at their new location on Union Avenue."