Bakersfield Observed: Kevin McCarthy

Showing posts with label Kevin McCarthy. Show all posts

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Despite California's war on fossil fuels, petroleum and natural gas production is surging, Mother Nature's post storm beauty and In-N-Out heads east to Tennessee

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.

* ... FOSSIL FUELS: If you live in California, you are subjected to the loud, chaotic drumbeat of a message that views fossil fuels - oil, natural gas - as the enemy. But what happens when the wokeness of official state policy meets reality? That answer is here and it won't please those who are hellbent to destroy the fossil fuel industry. Said the Wall Street Journal: "Thanks to a mix of events, from the Russian

invasion of Ukraine to the U.S. economic recovery, fossil fuels are showing surprising resilience, despite President Biden's push to transition to clean energy and the industry's own history of boom-bust investing and heavy reliance on debt. So here's the truth: U.S. production of natural gas is near an all time high and crude oil production are at 2019 levels and prices have spiked, particularly in California.

* ... RAINSTORMS: The storms and rain that pummeled Kern County produced some wonderful images. Enjoy these shots and thanks to all the contributors like Pam Taylor, Rusty Burchfield, Melissa Dignan,

* .... MACYS: It's a wonder how any retailer in men's or women's clothing stays alive these days, so it should come as no surprise that Macy’s will be closing more stores in 2023, including a big one in Los Angeles. Among the four stores set for closing is the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza outlet, along with stores in Fort Collins, Gaithersburg, Md., and Hawaii. Meanwhile, struggling retailer Bed, Bath and Beyond is flirting with bankruptcy and also announced it is closing more than 140 stores nationwide, including many in California, but the Bakersfield store is not on the list and survives, at least for now.

* ... KMAC: After Kevin McCarthy became Speaker of the House, just about everyone from Bakersfield posted a picture on social media of them with McCarthy. But few reflected the utter joy of accomplishment better than this picture of McCarthy's family posted by the Speaker himself.

* ... DOWNTOWN CRIME: If you have a business downtown and you finally said

"enough!" and moved to Seven Oaks, no one would blame you. Even the most loyal downtown advocates have been pushed to the limit, enduring countless indignities to vandalism, break-ins and run-in with vagrants destroying local property. Local accountant Andrea Rutherford-Hill knows the feeling too well after her downtown offices were vandalized twice, as witnessed by these pictures here. And so it goes.

* ... LIBERTY HIGH: You have to love this collage produced by the Kern High School District to recognize the Liberty Patriots and their first division 1A state championship. Liberty beat Pittsburg in the state championship game 48 to 20.

* ... IN-N-OUT BURGER GOES SOUTH: It looks like In-N-Out Burger is moving east and plans to set up shop in Tennessee. It's the farthest east the company has ever ventured. In-N-Out owner and president Lynsi Snyder – who is also the only granddaughter of founders Harry and Esther Snyder – said the company was eager to expand into Tennessee.

* ... MEMORIES: Check out this old photo of the Fox Theater back in its day, compliments of the Kern County of Old Facebook page. And the last picture - from the Kern County History Fans - shows the then and now corner of Union Avenue.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Kevin McCarthy fights for political survival of his dream to be Speaker, a bomb cyclone of rain and wind ravages California and the abortion pill will soon be available in pharmacies

* ... KEVIN MCCARTHY: The political fate of Kevin McCarthy hangs in the balance as this week's Bakersfield Observed goes to press and it's hard to find anyone who doesn't have a take on his dilemma. Make no mistake: in Bakersfield McCarthy remains hugely popular, and in this fight he has won the

overwhelming and enthusiastic backing of radio and TV hosts who have rallied behind the local BHS driller and former owner of Kevin O's Deli. Others rally behind McCarthy out of the sense that we get no respect here, part of that deep seated insecurity that screams Bakersfield is happy to be out of step with more liberal parts of the state. Interestingly, locally McCarthy's most vocal critics come from the extreme right wing of his own party, the pro-MAGA crowd, the very same people who have been preventing him from being elected speaker of the House- at least so far.

* ... CALIFORNIA WOES: One of the more thoughtful, and experienced, commentators on life in California is Dan Walters, the dean of the Sacramento press corps who now works for the Golden State non-profit Cal-Matters. This week Walters laid out California's greatest challenges: the multi-year drought, public

schools struggling with post Covid issue, our deteriorating electrical grid and a shortage of housing for the homeless. And Walters, whose columns run in The Californian but whose writings can be accessed online, said this: "California used to be the place where people went to make better lives for themselves, but now we've become one of those places that people leave because we make it too difficult for them to prosper. Newsom often disparages states such as Texas as Florida, but they are gaining population while California is losing it."

* ... BOMB CYCLONE: Thanks to a fast moving atmospheric river, California is being lashed by heavy winds and rains that have caused havoc and even death in northern California. Atmospheric rivers are common in California and hugely influential in terms of the drought and the damage they can cause because of too much moisture. So what exactly is an atmospheric river? This answer comes from The New York Times: "These storms get their names from their long, narrow shape and the prodigious amount of water they carry. They form when winds over the Pacific draw a filament of moisture from the warm, moist air over the tropics and channel it toward the west coast. When this ribbon of moisture hits the Sierra Nevada and other mountains, it is forced upward, cooling it and turning its water into immense quantities of rain and snow."

* ... ISABELLA DAM: And how does all this rain affect Lake Isabella, which has been flirting with dangerously low levels? One who had the answer was Steven Mayer, the gifted Bakersfield Californian feature writer and one of the more thoughtful analysts around town, who posted this on Facebook: "Isabella Lake’s water level grew by more than 1,000 acre feet in a 24-hour period. On the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 4, the lake held 55,670 AF (acres feet) of water. Twenty-four hours later, it was measured at 56,697 AF, a difference of 1,027 acre feet. Great progress, but we must keep it in perspective, as 56,697 AF is only about 10 percent of the lake’s capacity, and only 39 percent of the average lake level for this time of year. Still, more is pouring in (much more than is being released downstream), and lots more precipitation is forecast. " (photo courtesy of Mayer's Facebook account)

* ... ABORTION PILLS: Here is an interesting development in the blowback against the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade: It looks like pharmacies will soon be carrying abortion pills thanks to new changes made by the Food and Drug Administration. This is a big change that will likely - by design - give more women access to the abortion pills on demand. Up until now, the pill was only dispensed by a few mail order pharmacies or by certain doctors and clinics. Abortion pills are already used in roughly half of the cases where pregnancies are ended. (In California, the pills will be available without prescription)

* ... TRACO MATTHEWS: It was good to see Traco Matthews being recognized as the local NAACP's "Man of the Year" as part of the celebration of Black History Month. Matthews is among a local group of young, motivated and talented "next generation" leaders that will help define and mold what life in Bakersfield and Kern County will look and feel like in the next in the next several decades. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, at Bakersfield Country Club.

* ... MEMORIES: So who knew we used to have salt baths down near Mill Creek Park? I didn't until I spotted this on the Kern County History Fans collection of remarkable photos on the group's Facebook page.

Thursday, December 8, 2022

McCarthy votes against protecting gay marriage and interracial marriages, more older Americans than ever are living alone and The Botanist eatery opens on 18th Street

* ... RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT: Rep. Kevin McCarthy joined 168 other Republicans in opposing legislation that would protect same-sex and interracial marriages, a curious and questionable vote given the influence and general acceptance of gay men and women in Kern County. Joined by the

more conservative members of his caucus, McCarthy was on the losing end of a vote that would protect same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decades long battle for nationwide recognition of such unions. President Biden is expected to promptly sign the measure, which requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages, a relief for hundreds of thousands of couples who have married since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that legalized those marriages nationwide. The bipartisan legislation, which passed 258-169, would also protect interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Rep. David Valadao, like McCarthy a Republican who won reelection, broke with McCarthy and votes for the Respect for Marriage Act, reflecting the sentiments of his largely Democratic leaning district.

* ... THE SNUB: Speaking of McCarthy, presumedly in line to become the next Speaker of the House, he was publicly snubbed by the family of fallen Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick during a ceremony honoring the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal. Gladys Sicknick, the officer's mother, and her family members chose not to make eye contract with either McCarthy or Sen. Mitch McConnell for allegedly appeasing former President Trump and his right-wing followers.

* ... PRIESTS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE: Time is running out for victims of sexual abuse to file legal actions in accordance with a California law that will expire by the end of this year. On September 14, 2019, the California Child Victims Act was signed into law. The Act reformed the statute of limitation and opened a window for previously time-barred survivors of child sexual abuse to seek accountability and compensation in civil courts for the pain and suffering they’ve carried for decades. The California Child Victims Act window closes on December 31. One of the leading law firms that holds wayward priests accountable, Minneapolis based Jeff Anderson and Associates, represents numerous men who claim to have been abused by priests over the years. This is the same law firm that included former Bakersfield Monsignor Craig Harrison in a list of Diocese of Fresno priests who have been accused of sexual misdeeds. Harrison, whose picture and background is included in the law firm's roundup of accused priests, faces two lawsuits from men who are seeking civil damages against Harrison, who has denied the allegations. Harrison was suspended by the Catholic Church after sexual abuse allegations arose and a church investigation later found the allegations "credible." Harrison responded by suing the church - that lawsuit died when it was tossed out - and he later left the church.

* ... REPARATIONS: So how do you feel about the state of California paying out millions of dollars in reparations to people who descended from slave families? Well, that is exactly what the state is doing via its nine member Reparations Task Force which is exploring inequities in housing, incarceration, running black businesses and health care. In one scenario, the committee threw out a figure of $223,2000 each just to address housing for black residents.

* ... LIVING ALONE: A growing percentage of Americans are living alone as they enter their golden years, continuing a trend that has been accelerating for decades. Consider this: in 1960 just 13 percent of American households had a single occupant but that figure today is around 30 percent. For those our 50 that percentage rises to 36 percent. "Nearly 26 million Americans 50 and older now live alone, up from 15 percent in 2000. Older people have always been more likely than others to live by themselves, and now that age group - baby boomers and Gen Xers- makes up a bigger share of the population than at any time in the nations history," the New York Times said.

*... RIP ROB BAKER: We lost a prince of a man over Thanksgiving when longtime Paramount Farming manager Rob Baker died while cycling with friends through Hart Park. Friends said Baker, 66, collapsed on his bike while heading back into town after a tour of Hart Park with two other riders, who were in town with their families visiting for Thanksgiving. Baker apparently died at the scene. Known for his wit, kindness and devotion to family and to Bakersfield High where his children went to school, Baker was a fixture downtown where he grew up and lived. Self deprecating and known for his rapier like sarcasm and wry smile, Baker was blessed with an endless source of empathy and kindness that he doted on his family, friends and acquaintances. He is survived by his wife Sally Baker and their four children Thomas, Katie, Sarah and Maggie.

* ... COLLEGE DEGREES: Kern County has one of the lowest percentages of colleges graduates in the state. By point of comparison: 35 percent of adults over 25 hold a bachelor’s degree in California; in Kern County, it’s 17 percent.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Per the SCOTUS case today, I ask this only to spur conversation:

Should the government be able to force a Jewish graphic designer to design invitations to a “The Holocaust was a hoax” party? Or force a Muslim designer to design a “Muhammad was a pedophile” poster?"

* ... THE BOTANIST: A new restaurant has opened downtown on east 18th Street, a popular stretch of eateries, restaurants and shops dubbed "Eastchester." Owned by the same couple that runs Cafe Smitten, The Botanist is an old style food and drink place with loads of charm and an inviting menu. The Botanist plans on a Sunday brunch menu soon.

* ... MEMORIES: A couple of wonderful old pictures here, thanks to the Kern County of Old Facebook page. The first is Chester avenue around 1890 and the second is a shot at Dewar's candy shop around 1909.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Early election results have Rep. David Valadao hanging on against Rudy Salas, the county sales tax increase is leading and remembering the old Blackboard Cafe and the day Hells Angels road into town and visited the honky tonk

* ... LOCAL ELECTIONS: It is much too early to call many of our local elections but here are a few conclusions, hopefully not submitted too prematurely:

* Just 13 percent of Kern County's eligible voters cast ballots, another anemic showing in what could be argued was a terribly important election.

* After months of his ads dominating the airways, it looks like Rep. David Valadao has jumped to an

impressive lead over challenger Rudy Salas. No doubt Valadao can thank his colleague, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, for the money that flowed into his campaign as McCarthy sought to collect enough GOP victories to become Speaker of the House. With so many outstanding ballots to count, it's too early to call this race.

* Taft doctor Jasmeet Bains has a significant and possibly insurmountable lead over Supervisor Leticia Perez in the 35th Assembly race. Bains was aided by significant media buys on her behalf in the last month of the campaign.

* If Measure K passes you can thanks a very smart and well executed pro-K campaign by county CAO Ryan Alsop, Sheriff Donny Youngblood and District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer. The trio went on a public road show the past month to push for the tax, which would raise the sales tax in the unincorporated area to pay for vital services

* ... BLACKBOARD CAFE: The Blackboard Cafe, a honky tonk that thrived in the rollicking days of the Bakersfield Sound and was frequented by all the great singers of the day, is long gone but fondly remembered. It originally stood on Chester Avenue just north of the Garces Circle near 34th Street (3601 Chester Avenue), but is now just a memory. Yet now comes word that an original clock that adorned the club has been donated to the Kern County Museum. Thanks to a story in BeLocal, a relatively new city magazine that is a sister publication to Stroll magazine (formerly known as Westchester mag), I learned the clock was donated and will be on display somewhere at the museum. Here's a picture of the clock along with some classic old photos showing Hells Angels at the Blackboard back in the 1960s. (Photos of the Hells Angels by Bill Ray)

* ... SEXUAL PREDATORS: There's little doubt that sexual predators live among us - neighbors, coaches, priests, confidents, relatives, teachers - and many go unpunished because the public simply refuses to believe the allegations, or statues of limitations have expired. And that is precisely the theme of a new book by Jeff Pickering entitled "Better at the Broken Places" that recounts his own assault at the hands of a family doctor when he was a teenager living in Florida. Pickering, who spent years as head of the Kern Community Foundation, penned the book after suppressing his own assault for years and finding out years later that the doctor was still practicing in Florida. The book tells Pickering's painful personal story and how - like many victims - he suppressed the memory for years as his attacker continued to practice without consequence. The book is available on Amazon. As an added note, former Bakersfield Californian chief graphic artist Glenn Hannmett did the cover for Pickering's book.

* ... COMEDY FOR VETERANS: If you are in the mood to help local veterans while enjoying some standup comedy on Veteran's Day, check out a special comedy club benefit set for this Friday. Sponsored by Comrades and Canopies, a group that treats veterans to skydiving in Taft, the show will feature headliner Ellis Rodriguez with Jeremiah Nation, Sam Ridley, Greg "G" Williams and Patrick Rabin. Doors at The Well comedy club open at 6:30 at 7401 White Lane.

* ... MEMORIES: More on the Blackboard, that famous country bar of the Bakersfield Sound era. This post from Kern County History Fans reminds us of the place that was the place for musicians to meet.

* ... DUSTBOWL: And finally, I am sharing these remarkable pictures from the Dust Bowl, all shot in Kern County, that appear courtesy of the Kern County of Old Facebook page. Enjoy.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Flores and Smith appear headed for a runoff in the Third Supervisor District, Rudy Salas aims to oust Congressman David Valadao and is it the end of the Parra name in local politics?

* ... JUNE PRIMARY: The primary is over and now we head to the November general election, where it seems with near certainty that Rep. Kevin McCarthy will be elected the next Speaker of the House. McCarthy held a strong lead on his opponent and heads to a runoff in his 20th Congressional District, but that was predicted and is expected to be easily reelected in the fall. Some thoughts on this weeks primary, which had its surprises:

- One of the most interesting developments was in the race to succeed Mike Maggard in the Third

Supervisor District. As expected, Maggard aide Jeff Flores ran first and he was followed by former CHP officer Brian Smith. Flores and Smith appear headed for a runoff. Running a disappointing and lackluster third, and out of the race, was former homeless shelter executive Louis Gil.

- Assemblyman Rudy Salas was the top vote getter in the 22nd Congressional District now held by Republican David Valadao. Salas and Valadao will head to a runoff but given the Democratic lead in voter registration, Salas could be headed for an upset. Valadao has had to face not only Democrats like Salas but Republicans in his own party who are upset because he voted to impeach then President Trump.

- In the newly drawn 16th State Senate district a relative unknown, David Shepard, was the top vote getter, easily outdistancing incumbent Sen. Melissa Hurtado and spelling the end of the attempted political comeback of former Assemblywoman Nicole Parra. Shephard and Hurtado could meet in the November runoff. The Parra name has long held a coveted position in local politics, but this could spell the end of that local dynasty.

- Supervisor Leticia Perez had little trouble in the 35th Assembly District, easily beating Taft Dr. Jasmeet Bain but the two will still have to square off in November.

- Voters in San Francisco signaled they had enough of uber liberal District Attorney Chesa Boudin by recalling him from office. Boudin, 41, is a new breed of prosecutors who fundamentally do not believe in incarceration. Like other California cities, San Francisco has been overrun with crime, homelessness and drugs.

- Laura Avila easily held back Todd Reeves to become the top vote getter in the assessor/recorder race.

- In the race for county auditor/controller, the candidate who alluded to the possibility of voter fraud, Mark McKenzie, lost badly to Aimee Espinoza. She was leading with 61 percent of the vote, well enough to avoid a November runoff.

* ... HOMELESS CAMPSITES: I read with interest, and some mild surprise, a recent story in The Californian about a plan to build campsites for homeless people who remain wary of checking into one of the city or county homeless navigation centers. At first glance it looks like yet another attempt to appease the homeless, but the effort is a sound one and deserves our support. The idea is simple: create a safe camping area for people who still refuse to access the shelters and their services. The idea came from the Community Action Partnership folks who run the existing M Street shelter. This is a simple but promising experiment because it does one simple thing: it gets homeless off the streets (at least at night) and keeps them from building makeshift camps in public parks or right of ways. It's not the perfect solution, but anything that keeps the homeless out of the parks is a step in the right direction. In New York City for example, more than 50,000 men and women take advantage of city shelters nightly, keeping them off the streets and out of the cardboard communities where others life. In New York, city run shelters house 80-90 percent of all homeless. Granted this will all cost money, but taxpayers should be happy to pay a little to keep these people off the streets and with access to mental health and drug counseling.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Do you believe in conspiracy theories or are you fine not knowing why the shampoo always runs out before the conditioner?"

* ... GAS PRICES: If you don't think $10 a gallon gas is close, think again. A small gas station in Mendocino is charging just under that $10 benchmark, and you can bet more will follow.

* ... MEMORIES: There is a Facebook page devoted to Kern County history - it's called Kern County History Fans - and it regularly posts terrific historic shots of our town. Check out this building - then and now - on Baker Street. What is it they say about they don't make them like they used to?

* ... MORE MEMORIES: And check out this picture of the old Kern County Courthouse that was partially destroyed in the 1952 earthquake. It was later razed completely.