Two local athletes shine at the district cyclocross championships and prepare for another First Friday

 * ... FOG SEASON: I am a sun rat who actually enjoys our Bakersfield summers, but fog season also has a special allure for me. This is the time of year when we break out our sweaters, boots, overcoats and scarves. The fog hangs low and at night our community wears a magical glow. Which is why I am looking forward to First Friday this week when all the downtown shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants will be open to usher in a chilly December evening. The arts district will be alive with horse drawn carriages and carolers, so make sure you bundle up and join us downtown to support our local businesses.

 * ... METRO: Bakersfield native son Keith Wicks returns for another exhibit at The Metro Galleries on 19th Street, opening this Friday. Wicks, who is Congressman Kevin McCarthy's cousin, taught at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and now lives in Sonoma. His work is simply stunning. Also being displayed at Metro Galleries are works by former CBS news correspondent Bill Lagattuta, whose art includes abstract portraits and recycled metal. Gallery owner Don Martin is also featuring works by local artists, all priced below $400.  (works below by Wicks and Lagattuta)

* ... CHAMPS: Kudos to a pair of local uber athletes who brought home a couple of district state championships in cyclo cross racing. Sam Ames, the manager of Action Sports off Brimhall Road, won first in the master's division ages 40 to 44 and Chevron employee Gareth Feldstein took top honors in the Category 3 division. The race was held at Verdugo Park in Glendale. The state cyclocross championships are set for January 22 here at Hart Park in Bakersfield.

 * ... SIMON WIBLE: This tidbit comes courtesy of longtime Bakersfield oilman F. Lynn Blystone, who just returned from the meeting of the Alaska Miners Association in Anchorage. He learned that Simon Wible, for whom Wible Road is named, was inducted into the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame in 2003. "In the late 19th century he mined gold and built canals and water systems in California," Blystone said. "He built the Kern Valley Water Company canals, founded the Bank of Bakersfield and was considered one of our leading citizens." Wible later went to Alaska in 1898 at the age of 67 and mined for 13 years before his death in 1911." His mine at Girdwood, about 45 miles from Anchorage, still produces today."

 * ... RABBI CHERYL: Hats off to Rabbi Cheryl Rosenstein who will celebrate her "chai anniversary" at Temple Beth El this Saturday. I am told that "chai" means "life" and is a symbol that captures an important aspect of Judaism. The event starts at the Temple at 4 p.m. with a program at 5:30 p.m.

 * ... WHO KNEW? Did you know that the logo graphic used by Pyrenees French Bakery is actually a copy of a photograph taken by the famous French photographer Elliott Erwitt in 1955?

Another First Friday weekend in Bakersfield and Barry Goldner is recognized as a 'Super Lawyer'

* ... FIRST FRIDAY: It's time for another First Friday celebration downtown. There are a number of events worth checking out, not to mention just stopping by the new Padre Hotel to check out its $18 million facelift. Here's a sample itinerary: You might want to start at the Surface Gallery at 1703 20th Street to view a remarkable collection of photographs of the Padre Hotel through the years taken by Felix Adamo, local Californian photographer. After that head to Dagny's Coffee Company on 18th Street to see paintings by Cindy Stiles, wife of Dave Stiles of the Chain, Cohn and Stiles law firm. And don't forget to drop by Don Martin's Metro Galleries  at 1604 19th Street for "California Contemporary," a show with a number of artists including Art Sherwyn, Keith Wicks, John Brosio, Tina Bluefield, Lily Stockman and Mary-Austin Klein. Then choose from Uricchio's Trattoria, Mexicali, Mama Roomba, the Padre or La Costa Mariscos for a bite to eat downtown, or drive over to Cafe Med on Stockdale Highway. You can't lose either way. The stunning painting below is by Marty -Austin Klein and will be on display at Metro Galleries. The photo below that is of Vikki Cruz of Surface Galleries, showing large protest signs that once hung in the old Padre Hotel.

 

 

 * ... MCCARTHY GIVES THANKS: I was touring the Padre Hotel Monday night when I spotted Rep. Kevin McCarthy and aide Vince Fong setting up for a reception to recognize the congressman's supporters and friends. McCarthy says he does this simply to "say thanks" to the many local folks who have helped in over the years. Among those at the reception were Ray and Lisa Karpe and Tim Terrio of Terrio Therapy-Fitness, Dan Hay of Jim Burke Ford, Rob and Judi McCarthy of Lightspeed Systems (she's also head of the Kern Community Foundation), retired oil executive Gene Voiland, Greg and Mary Bynum., Memorial Hospital President Jon Van Boening, and city council member and Memorial development director Sue Benham.
 
 * ... GOLDNER NAMED SUPER LAWYER: It was nice to hear that Barry Goldner, a principal in the law firm of Klein, DeNatale, Goldner, Cooper, Rosenlieb and Kimball, was named by Southern California Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top attorneys in Southern California. Goldner was specifically recognized for his work in business litigation. He is married to Theresa Goldner, county counsel, and they have one daughter, Rachel, a high achieving junior at Garces Memorial High School.

* ... BRAIN ARMOR:  Local chiropractor Dr. Courtland Keith is recovering after a nasty crash on his mountain bike last Saturday. An accomplished cyclist, Keith was flying down a hill near Keyesville when he hit a rut and was sent airborne, smack into a pine tree. He spent several days at Mercy Hospital with a broken collar bone, three cracked ribs and a collapsed lung. He is lucky on two counts: his wife Heather is an emergency room nurse and he was wearing a helmet. Helmets save lives. Wear them.


 * ... THE BUZZ: It is time to put to rest the rumors that Trader Joe's is moving out of the Southwest for roomier quarters on Rosedale Highway. Kevin Deighan, who works for Trader Joe's in the corporate office and is in charge of real estate, told me flatly there is no truth to the reports. Not only that, but Deighan also said there are no current plans for a second Trader Joe's in Bakersfield.