Are 40 percent of the students at Cal State Bakersfield "food insecure," meaning they don't know where their next meal is coming from? And more fireworks on that Ward 2 City Council race

 * ... CSUB: There is an effort under way to raise $175,000 to create an edible garden for students out at Cal State Bakersfield. Why? According to an email that is making the rounds soliciting

support, 40 percent of CSUB students are "food insecure," meaning they "don't know where their next meal is coming from due to lack of financial resources." This is a stunning statistic which, if true, either speaks to the fact that most college students identify themselves as broke, or a very serious problem endemic to Kern County exists on campus. The email is authored by Neda Mossaei, who identifies herself as an MBA student at CSUB and the wife of a local dentist. The solicitation was sent to members of the Kern County Dental Society and it directs folks to this campus website: www.csub.edu/sustainability.

 * ... WARD 2: The battle for the soul of downtown's Ward 2 on the City Council is on, and it could very well turn out to be the most heated local election this year. Last week I passed along the words of Sue Castro, a strong supporter of Councilman Terry Maxwell, who sought to portray challenger Andrae Gonzales as a future "yes man." (Castro used the Spanish 'si' as emphasis, drawing criticism she was playing the race card.) Gonzales, taking the high road, responded with this: "As a city councilman I will say Si, Oui, Ja, Sim, Ye, and Yes in any other language to move our city forward. I will say 'yes' to make our neighborhoods safer and cleaner. I will say 'yes' to supporting downtown revitalization efforts. And I will say 'yes' to finishing the Thomas Roads Improvement Program projects. We've suffered through four long years of nothing but naysaying and obstructionism. We've heard a lot of talk, but have not seen any action. It's time for thoughtful leadership. It's time to say yes for progress."

 * ... MAYOR'S RACE: So who knew running for mayor of Bakersfield would be so popular? Now that Harvey Hall has announced his retirement, 27 people have pulled papers expressing interest in the largely ceremonial job. It's almost as if anyone with more than 100 Facebook friends has decided to run, but the early odds are clearly behind the well connected and well organized Karen Goh and former homebuilder Kyle Carter, who is equally well connected and with the deep pockets to make a serious run.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Without sleep, I just become a very tall 2 year old."

 * ... BETTE: And Bette Midler tweeted this: "Kim Kardashian tweeted a nude selfie today. If Kim wants us to see a part of her we've never seen, she's gonna have to swallow the camera."

 * ... MARLEY'S GHOST: Ready to step out and catch some live music while touring the fabulous new Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame? You can do it Friday evening when Marley's Ghost brings its big sound to the Hall of Fame. Tickets are just $25, doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss these guys.

 * ... TENNIS: Looking for something exciting to do that won't cost you a penny? Then head over to the Bakersfield Racquet Club this Sunday to catch the Bakersfield Open, a pro circuit event that will feature some of the hottest young professionals from across the world. It runs March 12-20 and as I said, is absolutely free. Make a night of it and catch some tennis and then take in dinner at one of our locally owned downtown restaurants.

More on those coyotes attacking and killing stray dogs, Kris Delmhorst to appear at the Bakersfield Museum of Art and a local boy will sing the national anthem at a Dodger game

 * ... ANIMAL ABUSE: The news that coyotes are attacking and killing dogs that have been abandoned off of Breckinridge Road drew this response from John Kiearnan: "What a horrific and

terrifying death these animals had to go through and continue to go through not only on Breckenridge Road but all over our county. I think it's about time we visit mandatory spade and neuter, maybe it would make it a little harder for these ruthless people from gaining access to as many animals. Thanks for keeping this in the minds of your readers."

* ... MUSIC: Yet another interesting emerging singer is coming to Bakersfield this Sunday over at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Passing Though Productions will be hosting Kris Delmhorst, a Brooklyn native whose music has been described as “moody, euphoric, and transcendent" by one music critic. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the live short shortly thereafter. The cost is $25 at the door.

 * ... BELTRAN: And speaking of music, Bakersfield native and Latin jazz percussionist Louie Cruz Beltran will be performing the national anthem at the Dodger's pregame show this Sunday. Beltran has performed in many notable jazz festivals and venues in Southern California.  In addition, he has hosted concerts and art workshops for kids in Los Angeles.

 * ... SPOTTED: On Twitter: "Don’t be upset that you’re single; be happy that someone isn’t ruining your life."

* ... WATER WOES: It was just a matter of time before the drought-imposed water restrictions pitted neighbor versus neighbor. Consider this note from reader Janada Shepard: "I was told one of our neighbors was washing down his gutters. Since I didn't see it myself, I went to his house and asked him if that were true.  He said yes it was. He was upset, I remained calm and asked him please not to do it again. He said he was going to... it was sad. It's time we take a stand to help stop the wasting of water. Don't get angry at the perpetrator, that won't help. But then, probably talking to a person like that won't help either. But it was worth a try."

 * ... THEATER: Holly Lazzerini wrote to recommend the musical comedy "Little Shop of Horrors" playing at the Empty Space theater. "The music, acting, sets, and the 'puppet' were amazing.  It was extremely funny and entertaining, and the intimate setting made it all the more fun. Congratulation to the cast and back stage for all the creative energy that went into this production.

 * ... OLD THEATER: And speaking of theaters, Lynn Finch contributed to the discussion of old theaters in town. In her words: "The theater that you are remembering as the first theater you went to was the CALIFORNIA (no 'n') Theater which was located on Chester Avenue just slightly north of 18th Street and Chester. The Opera Meat Market was between  newly revealed historic bank building on the corner of 18th and Chester and the theater. I wonder if the very high flat façade on the theater building today is concealing the tall ornate CALIFORNIA sign? Wouldn’t that be a fun reveal! In The Bakersfield Californian’s recent Birth of a City special edition the three buildings are pictured on page 31. My father, Erv Eggers, worked at Casper’s Men’s Store across the street from the theater for nearly 30 years."

Nashville songstress heads to Bakersfield for a Sunday concert, more concerns about the drought and a Liberty High graduate punts for the Buffalo Bills

* … CONCERT: Don't forget about a very special concert coming up this Sunday over at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The show features a folk indie band out of Nashville called Nora Jane

Struthers and The Party Line. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. I suspect this may be one of the best shows yet sponsored by a group of friends who formed a group called Passing Through Productions, devoted to bringing live music to out town.

 * … DROUGHT: Diana Nelson is one of a handful of readers who reached out to me about the long drought facing California. "I really don't think people understand how serious it is. My husband and I redid our backyard last winter, replacing all of the thirsty plants and lawn with drought tolerant plants, with the exception of three redwood trees that act as a screen, and a dwarf orange tree. We have not got it perfected yet, but we have gone from watering every day to watering for the most part twice a week during the summer… We are going to work on the front yard this winter. This works for us because we do not have children or grandchildren in the area. Plus we wanted to cut down on the maintenance cost, attract birds, bees, and butterflies, and use less water."

 * … MORE DROUGHT: Patty Orsburn of Tehachapi agrees. "I took my kids to play at North of the River's Polo Community Park and was so sad to see the grass not only well watered but very flooded in many areas! I understand trying to keep the parks somewhat nice, but come on NOR, there are communities running out of water, turn your sprinkler timers down!"

 * … PUNTER: District Attorney Lisa Green is an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills, and last week she flew to Chicago to watch the Bills take on the Chicago Bears. To her surprise, former Liberty High School and UC Davis grad Colton Schmidt had been signed by the Bills as the team's punter just days before. "His family (mom, dad and siblings) lives here. Anyway he had a great game (ESPN punter of  the week). After the game one of my friends who traveled to the game and had seats behind the Bills bench yelled out 'hey Bakersfield'  and Colton came over and talked with my friend for a few minutes. Thought you'd like the story about a Bakersfield kid making it in the pros."

 * … EAST ROTARY: If you treat yourself to one pricey charity event of the year, I'd recommend the upcoming "Elegant Evening of Wine" benefitting the Joe Alexander Scholarship Foundation of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield East. This years event 's planned for Saturday, Oct. 11, at the downtown home of Mark and Sue Ashley. Meir Brown of Cafe Med will be pairing the food and wine as usual, and the Ashley home will provide a beautiful setting. Individual tickets are $175 each and sponsorships are available. Call Vernon Varner for more information at (661) 979-5788.

 * … GOOD FORM: William Goldman is another satisfied customer of Hearing Aids Today and its owner Rick Chesire. "When I moved to Bakersfield,four years ago, I needed a new hearing aid. After calling three places, I knew Rick was the man for me. He goes out of his way for everyone. He's even done emergency repairs for me on weekends."

Younger people are avoiding signing up for the Affordable Care Act, and CSUB gets ready to kick off its men's basketball season

 * … OBAMACARE: Now that the Affordable Care Act is law, it appears its clunky website is only a small part of its many problems. The bigger issue, according to experts, is the reluctance of young people to sign up in the exchanges. Why? Most young people are healthy, broke and just starting out in their

careers, and the idea of paying $200 to $300 a month for a plan they rarely use is asking a lot. The problem: the economics of Obamacare depends on younger people subsidizing older people, and if this doesn't happen, the system will collapse under its own weight. Stay tuned.

 * … CSUB: Keep an eye on the Cal State Bakersfield men's basketball team this year as it competes in the Western Athletic Conference. Coach Rod Barnes is now in his third year and told me his team enters this year healthy and ready to compete for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Runners kick off the season with an away game this Friday against the PAC 12's Washington State, followed by their first home game at the Icardo Center on Monday against UC Merced.

 * … ACHIEVER: Bakersfield High principal David Reese shared with me a story of a local Driller who has gone on to make her hometown proud. She is Dr. Katrina B. Mitchell, a 1996 BHS grad who is now a general surgery resident at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with summa cum laude in history from Bowdoin College. She has now been honored with the Surgical Volunteerism Award for her outreach during residency and her contributions toward improving surgical care and education in Tanzania.

 * … MUSIC: Hats off to a few friends and colleagues of mine who have found a way to bring fresh new music to our town. Four friends - Herb Benham, Rogers Brandon, Harry Starkey and Jeff Pickering - formed a non profit called "Passing Through" to bring new musical acts to town. Over the weekend, upcoming solo artist Patrick Park sang for a crowd of 80 people at the beautifully decorated Metro Galleries. It was an eclectic mix in the audience, everyone from musicians Jim Shaw and Monty Byrom to former congressman Bill Thomas and his wife Sharon to Secure Systems owners Bruce and Molly Bussaca. If you ever get a chance to take in one of these concerts, you should do so. Up next: the band Houston Jones on Sunday, Nov. 17.

 * … FUND RAISER: Don't forget to make reservations for the big fund raiser for Catholic Charities Harvest for Hope set for this Saturday at the old satellite wagering building at the Kern County Fairground. Monsignor Craig Harrison will be there to hold court and the proceeds will go to help the neediest in our community. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $100 each. Call (661) 281-2130 to reserve your tickets.