The California snowpack is rocking this year thanks to a wave of storms in the Sierras, Carl's Jr. hops on the plant-based meat trend, Crabfest nets some big money for St. Francis Parish School and Mexicali does a gang busters business

Monday, February 11, 2019

 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 to live. Send your tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... PLANT BASED MEAT: If you think the move toward plant based diets is a fad, think again. Sales of plant based meat substitutes are growing at 23 percent a year and have now reached $1.5

billion in sales annually. Carl's Jr. recently introduced the Beyond Burger, a fully plant based alternative that uses beet juice to mimic meat juices, and Taco Bell is touting its meatless alternatives. The meat industry is so concerned that cattle ranchers are lobbying lawmakers across the country to define "meat" as coming from true meat sources like cattle.

 * ... MEXICALI: Have you been to the downtown Mexicali since Mexicali West closed? Suffice it to say but the place is packed, drawing customers from the now shuttered Stockdale Highway location. Some of the Mexicali West employees are now working downtown, including the ever popular waiter Jackie.

 * ... SNOWPACK: They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and no where is that truer than these images of the California snowpack this year compared to last. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which is a primary water source for the state, is 123 percent of normal — an astounding number when you consider at this same time last year, it was a mere 26 percent."

 * ... CRABFEST: Monsignor Craig Harrison and the St. Francis Parish wrapped up another successful Crabfest this weekend, raising more than $200,0000 for the elementary school before a packed crowd at the fair grounds. Crabfest is always one of the grand networking events of the year, and I found myself seated with Frank and Rosemary DeMarco of Rosemary's Creamery (and their daughter Rosemary) along with state Sen. Shannon Grove, Mayor Karen Goh and Roy Charles Keenan. So many others I spotted there, including St. Francis Principal Kelli Gruszka, Adam Belter, Fran and Gregg Gunner, Lisa and Craig Edmonston, Holly Arnold, Jim and Beverly Camp, Corey and Duane Keathley, Michael Turnipseed, Assemblyman Vince Fong, Chamber president Nick Ortiz and Hispanic Chamber president Jay Tamsi, City Councilman Andrae Gonzales, Sylvia Mendez and H.A. Sala, Dr. Javier and Laurie Bustamante, Jim Cretol, Jim Scott and Robin Mangarin Scott, Annalise and Trevor Townsend, Lillian and David Brust, Paul Andre, Lauren and Jeremy Helper, Brandon Stallings and Gina and Joey Pearl. Special awards of excellence honors were given to Teresa and Shawn Shambaugh and Mary Johnson. (photo of state Sen. Shannon Grove and Rosemary's Creamery owner Frank DeMarco)

Add caption

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "What if a politician did blackface and ended up getting murdered by a revenge-seeking Liam Neeson?"

 * ... CHANTRY: Michelle Chantry, who resigned as chief executive officer of The Bakersfield Californian, has been appointed chief operating officer of Western Valve in Bakersfield. Western Valve was established in 1991 as a valve repair and machine shop but now features an impressive 50,000 square foot state of the art manufacturing facility on five acres.

 * ... MEMORIES: And lastly, I can't get enough of these old pictures of the old clock tower. Enjoy.

Bill O'Reilly picks Biden and Bloomberg as the Democratic frontrunners for 2020, Guapo's Tacos offers a full line of vegan meals, Mexicali West prepares to close and a cookbook benefits the homeless

Friday, December 14, 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 to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

  * ... BILL O'REILLY: Former Fox commentator Bill O'Reilly doesn't think the Democrats will push to impeach Donald Trump, at least based on what we know now about the investigation into

alleged Russian collusion. That's what he told me when he appeared on The Richard Beene Show (KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM) this week. Looking ahead to the 2020 general election, O'Reilly thinks the Democratic front runners are former VP Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg. He dismissed the others - Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and Kristen Gillebrand - are too far left for even the Democrats to nominate.

 * ... GUAPO'S TACOS: One of the hottest vegan restaurants in town is located off White Lane and Highway 99. Run by Ali Gazali, Guapo's Tacos offers a full selection of steak, chorizo and chicken but also an ever evolving offering of vegan tacos, vegan nachos and vegan chili cheese fries. I tasted them all when Ali appeared on my radio program (KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM) and they were simply outstanding. They are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "My boss said 'Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.' Now I’m sitting in a disciplinary meeting dressed as Batman."

 * ... MEXICALI: The choice has been clear for years: are you loyal to the downtown location of Mexicali, or do you prefer the Mexicali West location on California Avenue? If you are the latter, chances are you have made a pilgrimage to the "second" Mexicali as it prepares to close down at the end of the year. The building has been  sold and the family that runs the restaurants will concentrate on the downtown location. Scores of loyal customers have been visiting the California Avenue location, just to get that last meal (and margarita) in before it closes for good.

  * ... 23ABC COOKBOOK: Hats off to Allison Gargaro and her crew at KERO-TV for pitching in to help the Mission of Kern County. Gargaro, who handles the weather and is studying to become a meteorologist, partnered with different local personalities (Mayor Karen Goh and Rep. Kevin McCarthy among others) to write a cookbook. All of the proceeds from the sale went to the Mission.

 * ... MEMORIES: Check out this photo of our old train depot, courtesy of the Kern County History Facebook page. The caption read: "Southern Pacific Depot, East Bakersfield, California
Postcard Dated: 12 September 1918."

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco and other California cities make the list of the costliest places to live, but here at home we celebrate the humble margarita, Wood-Dale Market and Juicy Burger

 * ... COSTLIEST CITIES: Would it surprise you that California consistently shows up as one of the costliest places to live in America.?Check out this list from Forbes on the 20 costliest places to

live, starting with the most expensive: Kings County, NY; Marin County; Santa Cruz; San Francisco; Maui; San Luis Obispo; Napa; Monterey, Queens County, NY; Sonoma, San Mateo County; Orange County; Honolulu; Alameda County; New York City; Ventura; Santa Barbara; Los Angeles, El Dorado and San Diego.

* ... TRASH AND THE POST OFFICE: Dan Flores had this to say about the condition of our local post offices: "My recent travels to various city post offices paints a picture of 'we don't care.'
The Stockdale post office should be a gem - and maybe it is after you get past the weeds and trash. This is a public building. Why should it look so shabby and poor? The self image is bad.
The post office on Planz and Larson lane is actually worse. After a time, the  general population might start to believe that this is who we are - just a piece of the great Central Valley SuperGhetto."

 * ... INSECT EXPLOSION: Have you ever seen so many moths, flies, ants and bugs this time of year? We can thank the record wet winter.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I heard you like bad boys, so I brought 11 items to a 10 items or less checkout lane."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "Life is short. Summer is shorter. Tan your legs."

 * ... RANDOM FOOD THOUGHTS: The most underrated hamburger in town can be found at Juicy Burger; if there a better margarita than the one sold at Mexicali downtown, somebody needs to tell me about it; and word on the street is that the best butcher shop in town - Wood-Dale Market over on Stine Road - may be looking for a second location.

 * ... WIND WOLVES: The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce nailed it by giving its Chairman's Award during the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards to the Wildlands Conservancy and its spectacular Wind Wolves Preserve. If you haven't visited this 93,000 acre treasure, you need to do so.

 * ... CONSTRUCTION: I would avoid California Avenue between Oak and South H streets this week until city work crews finish repaving that stretch in front of Bakersfield High School. Expect the roadwork to continue for at least another month.

 * ... BAD FORM: Nancy Bryant shared this bit of bad form: "This morning my husband was T-boned by a Dodge pickup while riding his bicycle through the Graces traffic circle. Yes, he was wearing a helmet, neon green cycling shirt, and following the rules of the road. The pickup driver decided to blow through the yield sign after the slightest of hesitation, and plowed into my husband.   My husband said the driver didn't look before he pulled into traffic, and he was unable to stop. He only saw my husband after he bounced off the drivers side of the truck. Luckily, BPD was flagged down, and reports taken.  He just suffered some scrapes, and the bike almost totaled.  I would like to thank the driver of the Dodge truck for stopping.  Now, my question is, what was so important that he had to blow the yield sign?  Clear day, no other traffic, and obviously distracted.  You could have killed or maimed my husband because of your inattention.  I hope next time, you are not distracted, and you pay attention to the rules of the road.  The life you save may be your own."

Elephant Bar shutters its Stockdale Highway location, and Sam Outlaw brings his brand of alternative country to Temblor Brewing Co. this Friday

 * ... RIVERWALK: I was surprised to learn the other day that The Elephant Bar abruptly shut down last week. Along with California Pizza Kitchen, the franchise eatery was one of the first anchor tenants of Castle and Cooke's The Shops at River Walk, but given the competitive nature of the restaurant business, and our fickle nature, it didn't make it. Regional and national franchise restaurants always have a tough time competing against the locally owned eateries, where owners like Claire (Uricchio's Trattoria), Jake (Jin Sushi), Sonny (Mexicali) and Rod and Julie (Pyrennes Cafe) are always there for a personal greeting to make sure your stay is satisfying. No word yet on what will replace The Elephant Bar in that location.

 * ... SAM OUTLAW: One of the hottest young alternative country musicians, Sam Outlaw, will be in town this week for a gig at Temblor Brewing Co. A native of Los Angeles, Outlaw burst onto the scene only a few years ago and is fresh off a successful European tour. His honest lyrics and alt country sound born in Southern California make for a compelling show. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.passingthroughproductions.com or at the door. Showtime is 6 p.m. this Friday.

 * ... SPOTTED: A woman in a white Toyota Highlander is casually flossing her teeth at a red light on Calloway Drive. It's nice to know I am not alone in tending to dental hygiene while behind the wheel.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Turns out a degree in communications doesn't help in a marriage. I guess that's why it's called a bachelor's degree."

* ... GUNFIRE: A regular reader dropped me this note about the opening day of dove season: "While at Kern River Golf Course on the opening day of dove season, as we were listening to all the gunfire around us one of the guys in our foursome wondered out loud if this was what it might be like on a typical golfing day in South Chicago."

 * ... ASSISTANCE LEAGUE: Do me a favor and do two things right now: take a $10 bill and put it in a safe place, and mark Wednesday, Sept. 21, on your calendar. When the day comes, drive down to 20th and R streets and spend that $10 for a trip tip sandwich lunch to benefit the Assistance League, which does so much good in our community. You will be supporting Operation School Bell, which provides school clothing to needy kids.

 * ... FEEDBACK: Some reader feedback from Jay C. Smith: "Don't get me wrong, I enjoy your blog and appreciate you for keeping it up. I did almost choke when you quoted an informant who had seen a second car with a 'F--- Trump"'sticker saying 'welcome to the intolerant and low-class world of progressive America.' Are you/he or she kidding me? At Trump rallies they chant 'Hang the Bitch.' And that's the rallies, not two yahoos driving around. Is that the tolerant and high class behavior 'progressive America' should learn from?"

Elephant Bar shutters its Stockade Highway location, and Sam Outlaw brings his brand of alternative country to Temblor Brewing Co. this Friday

 * ... RIVERWALK: I was surprised to learn the other day that The Elephant Bar abruptly shut down last week. Along with California Pizza Kitchen, the franchise eatery was one of the first anchor tenants of Castle and Cooke's The Shops at River Walk, but given the competitive nature of the restaurant business, and our fickle nature, it didn't make it. Regional and national franchise restaurants always have a tough time competing against the locally owned eateries, where owners like Claire (Uricchio's Trattoria), Jake (Jin Sushi), Sonny (Mexicali) and Rod and Julie (Pyrennes Cafe) are always there for a personal greeting to make sure your stay is satisfying. No word yet on what will replace The Elephant Bar in that location.

 * ... SAM OUTLAW: One of the hottest young alternative country musicians, Sam Outlaw, will be in town this week for a gig at Temblor Brewing Co. A native of Los Angeles, Outlaw burst onto the scene only a few years ago and is fresh off a successful European tour. His honest lyrics and alt country sound born in Southern California make for a compelling show. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.passingthroughproductions.com or at the door. Showtime is 6 p.m. this Friday.

 * ... SPOTTED: A woman in a white Toyota Highlander is casually flossing her teeth at a red light on Calloway Drive. It's nice to know I am not alone in tending to dental hygiene while behind the wheel.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Turns out a degree in communications doesn't help in a marriage. I guess that's why it's called a bachelor's degree."

* ... GUNFIRE: A regular reader dropped me this note about the opening day of dove season: "While at Kern River Golf Course on the opening day of dove season, as we were listening to all the gunfire around us one of the guys in our foursome wondered out loud if this was what it might be like on a typical golfing day in South Chicago."

 * ... ASSISTANCE LEAGUE: Do me a favor and do two things right now: take a $10 bill and put it in a safe place, and mark Wednesday, Sept. 21, on your calendar. When the day comes, drive down to 20th and R streets and spend that $10 for a trip tip sandwich lunch to benefit the Assistance League, which does so much good in our community. You will be supporting Operation School Bell, which provides school clothing to needy kids.

 * ... FEEDBACK: Some reader feedback from Jay C. Smith: "Don't get me wrong, I enjoy your blog and appreciate you for keeping it up. I did almost choke when you quoted an informant who had seen a second car with a 'F--- Trump"'sticker saying 'welcome to the intolerant and low-class world of progressive America.' Are you/he or she kidding me? At Trump rallies they chant 'Hang the Bitch.' And that's the rallies, not two yahoos driving around. Is that the tolerant and high class behavior 'progressive America' should learn from?"

Bako Bits: Ashburn says he will step down from state board if he wins election to county supervisor, and a little history quiz courtesy of Mary Kay Shell

 * ... ASHBURN: Roy Ashburn has had a change of heart about remaining on a state board if he is successful in his race to serve as 1st District county supervisor again. Ashburn told me Tuesday that - if elected - he will step down from the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, an appointed position that earns him $129,000 a year. "I want to clear that up," he told me. "There has been some misunderstanding and I want people to know where I stand."

* ... MEXICALI:  Here's a trivia quiz for all your Bakersfield old timers. Before it became known as Mexicali, the downtown restaurant operated under the name Herb King's. Before it was Herb King's, what was it known as? The answer from former mayor Mary Kay Shell: "It was called the Drink-o-Link Drive In before Herb King took it over. Maybe Drinkolink was all one word. I can't remember!" (staff photo of Mary Kay Shell)

 * ... TRAIN: More reader input on the miniature train that used to ferry passengers at Hart Park. Leslie Torrigiana said it was her grandfather, J.M. Van Cleave, who built the train. "I don't know the year. My mother has told us many a fun family story that can't be repeated in the paper about train passengers. My mother and her siblings were at Hart Park the day the train took its first trip around the track.  There were many spectators as the train pulled away that day. The train took riders across a wooden bridge and through a dark tunnel. My grampa went every weekend to service the train and his family rode for free."

 * ... SPOTTED: A woman walking three small girls to Standard School is spotted wearing pajamas, a robe and slippers. Said Linda Welch: "I think some people carry casual Friday just a little too far."

 * ... CALORIES: Some interesting (and alarming) statistics on how Americans consume calories from The New York Times' Jane E. Brody. Brody noted that Americans are consuming billions of calories unwittingly and often between meals. For example, a Double Gulp 64-ounce cup of soda at a 7-Eleven has a full 800 calories, and some bagels now pack up to 600 calories. At one New York restaurant, a personal size pizza contained 2,100 calories, the amount "the average woman needs in a day." Is it any wonder we are a "full size" nation?

 * ... TAFT COLLEGE:  Sheri Horn Bunk, now executive director of the Taft College Foundation, tipped me off to a grand opening reception this Friday of the school's new Campus Art Gallery.  On display will be the works of two established artists, entitled 'Women Working' which will include watercolors by Nancy Dawson and sculpture by Betty Younger. It's open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. Bunk says there will be music and poetry readings and a "special dramatic surprise."

 * ... WHO KNEW?: Courtesy of the Kern Economic Development Corporation: "The statue of Father Garces on the Garces Circle was commissioned in 1939 by the Works Project Administration of the Great Depression. He was sculpted out of limestone by John Palo Kangas, who also did a sculpture of our beloved Colonel Baker."