Sexual harassment is alive and well in Kern County, Wood-Dale Market to carry fresh fish at its new location and Kevin Burton joins a local law firm

 * ... SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Given all the sexual harassment and groping charges on the national level, did you ever think if it is better - or worse - here in Kern County? I posed that question to Katy Raytis, a lawyer who specializes in sexual harassment for Belden/Blaine/Raytis. Her answer might surprise you. It is actually worse here, she told me, because of the chummy nature of our community. "Everyone knows everyone," she said, "and that leads to familiarity and the idea that it
can't happen to me. But it does." The time of year when we should all watch our behavior? The holidays, of course, when we find ourselves at company Christmas parties with our guard down while alcohol is being served.

 * ... ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS: And speaking of surprising, did you know that only 2 percent of high school athletes actually receive some sort of athletic scholarship to attend college? That's the word from Trevor Horn, prep sports writer for The Bakersfield Californian. The number is so small, in fact, that Horn has this advice for parents who are dreaming their children will get a scholarship: "Relax and just enjoy the ride," he said. "Enjoy them participating in sports and let them play multiple sports."

 * ... FISH MARKET: It looks like the new Wood-Dale Market at Grand Island Village will be opening sometime after the first of the year. And here is some good news: Chris Vasquez, son of owner Israel Vasquez, says the old-style meat market will also be carrying fresh fish. Vasquez told me they will start with the most popular types of fish - salmon, sea bass etc - but will let the customers decide what they should carry. Work at the new location, next to the Sol Y Luna restaurant across from Wiki's Wine Dive and Grill, is well under way as they shoot to open after the first of the year.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Congressmen only make $174,000 a year! How can they be expected, on such a meager pittance, to raise a family, buy groceries, send their kids to school, and pay massive sexual harassment settlements? Impossible."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "One day you're 18, eating pizza for every meal, wearing a size 4 and the next you're 30, drinking kale and debating wearing a T-shirt in the pool."

  * ... KEVIN BURTON: Kevin Burton, who has been the face of the marketing for Adventist Health for the past seven years, is leaving his job as head of its foundation to join the law firm of Klein DeNatale Goldner. Burton will be overseeing corporate and business development as well as marketing the firm.

 * ... THE TOWER: It looks like the old downtown church that has housed several restaurants (Bell Tower Club, The Ivy) is about to get a new owner. Robert Alimirzaie, executive chef at Bakersfield Country Club, has purchased the elegant old church and will open it as a restaurant called "The Tower" in February.

Midnight North will appear at Temblor Brewing Co. this Sunday and some random acts of kindness around town

 * ... MIDNIGHT NORTH: What happens when combine an incredibly talented young band with the hottest musical and eating venue in town? You wind up with the San Francisco-based band

Midnight North appearing at Temblor Brewing Co. this Sunday at 6 p.m. If you haven't heard this band, this description about sums them up: "For this band, it’s all about the song. When you come to a Midnight North show, you’ll find Elliott Peck, Grahame Lesh and Alex Jordan sliding into three part harmonies that are as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. You’ll hear bassist Connor O’Sullivan and new drummer Alex Koford making themselves at home in any groove from a stomp to a slow-burn or boogie. Settle in and you might find Midnight North writing a new page in the American songbook." Tickets are $25 at the door. Come enjoy amazing craft beer, great eats and can't miss music.

* ... GEESE: Local attorney Katy Raytis shared an adorable picture of a family of geese (seven little ones led by, presumably, their parents) crossing a busy Mohawk Street and California Avenue while traffic came to a stop during rush hour. It's about the only time traffic slows down around here.

 * ... GOOD FORM: Michele Garrison sent this shoutout to Derek Carr who was in town this past weekend for a good cause. "A sincere thanks to Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders for his heartfelt ministry at the Upper Room on Sunday night and thanks for signing one last football. Thank you, Richard Beene, for giving us Bakersfieldians a personal format that is always interesting to read. " And thank you, Ms. Garrison.

 * ... MORE GOOD FORM: And here's another uplifting nugget to start your day, compliments of reader Doris Thometz: "I was getting gas intending to use the ATM at the pump but it wasn't working," she wrote. "I use a walker and I have trouble getting around so I asked the young lady at the next pump if she would go into the store for me if I gave her $5. She came back and chatted with me while I pumped the gas. When I was done, she handed the $5 back and said she wanted to pay for the gas. There's so much negative in the world today. I just had to share a positive. Thanks, Laura, you made my day!"

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "What if dogs bring the ball back because they think you enjoy throwing it?"

 *  ... ROSE PARADE: Local attorney Barry Rosenfeld has been selected to serve as a director of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee through 2018. Said Rosenfeld: "All of the directors are from the six Southern California districts that sponsor the float. We are all either past club presidents (I served 1992-1993) or past district governors. The these of this year's Tournament of Roses theme is Echoes of Success."