Despite the pandemic CSUB posts a record enrollment for the semester, Bakersfield gears up for dove season and the long project to widen 24th Street starts to wind down

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.

 * ... CSUB: Despite the pandemic and millions out of work, Cal State University Bakersfield has set a new record for enrollment. CSUB president Lynnette Zelezny says enrollment for the semester that began this week stands at 11,700, a record high for our local university. All 23 CSU campuses have gone to
online learning, even though Zelezny said a few students remain on campus, some of them living in the on-campus dormitories. Zelezny noted that fully 80 percent of CSUB's students receive some time of financial assistance.

 * ... CSUB FUND RAISING: Meanwhile, someone is doing a a hell of a job with fund raising out at CSUB. Largely through the efforts of University Advancement under vice president Victor Martin, the university has raised $10 million for students, a 34 percent increase from the previous year. 

It’s a record fundraising year for California State University, Bakersfield during the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

CSUB president Lynnette Zelezny put it this way: “In a year of great challenge and sacrifice, CSU Bakersfield’s most loyal supporters demonstrated their belief in our students with generous gifts that will allow the university to expand research opportunities and other innovative programs for the benefit of our region, economy and residents. CSUB owes a special debt of gratitude to Barbara Grimm-Marshall and Kari Grimm Anderson for their visionary investment in the study of agricultural business, which is a game changer for CSUB and the families committed to this honorable way of life that feeds millions around the world." 

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "One morning, the CEO of UPS woke up and was like 'Screw it, trucks don’t need doors.'"

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: This picture pretty much sums up the year.

 * ... 24TH STREET: The long slog to widen and improve 24th Street from Highway 99 through town is coming to an end, and not a day too soon. With most of the road widened and repaved, the city will use most of September to work on landscaping on both the north and south sides of the street. There will be periodic lane closures in each direction. Below are some artist renderings of how the landscaping may look.

 * ... DOVE SEASON: Dove season opens next week, but opening day is celebrated as much in some of our iconic watering holes as it is in an open field. Traditionally the opening of dove season has been a gang buster's business at places like Woolgrower's and Pyrenees Cafe in east Kern and this year - despite the pandemic - the show will go on. Check out this post from Rod and Julie Crawford over at Pyrenees: "Opening Day of Dove Season is next Tuesday September 2 and our patio is open for service with a full Basque Breakfast and cocktails. Please try and come early since we do not take reservations that day, also remember we have limited outdoor seating due to COVID and once you are seated we cannot allow guests to walk around ... we ask that you stay in your seat. Also please have a mask on until you are seated. Thanks for understanding. See you Tuesday it’s going to be a fun day." (photo is from a previous year at Pyrenees)

 * ... MEMORIES: From the archives of the Kern County History Fans' Facebook page comes this little treasure, who around 1988 at Paso Ranch.

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?"

Former Bakersfield High Driller and Seattle Super Sonic Robert Swift arrested on robbery charges in Seattle, and my pick eatery of the week goes to the newly remodeled Pyrenees Cafe

 * … SWIFT: It's hard to think of things getting worse for former NBA star Robert Swift, but they have. In case you missed it Swift, who graduated from Bakersfield High and went to the NBA straight out of high school, was arrested in Seattle on charges of attempted robbery. In November, was busted on drugs and weapons charges and lost his home to foreclosure. Seattle media reported that Swift, who stands at 7 foot 1 inch, admitted he was a heroin addict. Swift played for the Seattle Super Sonics and the Oklahoma Thunder before his life went into a downward spiral.

 * … PYRENEES: My restaurant of the week goes to the Pyrenees Cafe, which has been smartly remodeled by new owners Julie and Rod Crawford, who also own Narducci's just a block away. The bar has been spruced up without losing its Basque character and the dining room is adorned with some wonderful photos of Bakersfield from the 1890s, including a huge photo of a parade at the intersection of Chester Avenue and 19th Street. The food, classic Basque, is excellent. By the way, I goofed last week in saying that the new eatery Narducci's North Beach downtown was owned by the Crawfords. Different ownership.

 * … SPOTTED:  On Twitter there was this bit of wisdom: "I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person."

* … PHOTO: Gene Thome, owner of Bear Mountain Sports, spotted a yard sale sign on a local telephone pole in the Northeast and posted the picture on social media. The sign read: "Going to Jail Yard Sale… Coke 50 cents." Only in Bakersfield.

 * … GOOD FORM: This note came from a woman who only wanted to be identified as "an impressed senior citizen." She said: "Kudos to Serena Perez for her good deed today. The Highland High School freshman walked her bike through University Park after school today until she found the owner of the parked car with its door wide open and lights on. The owner was with her children at the play structure. I'm sure Serena prevented a theft and a dead battery. Good citizenship at work!"

 * … SERVICE: I experienced some top flight customer service this weekend when a technician named Brian from J. Noble Binns Plumbing took care of a cranky tankless hot water heater. He was  efficient and patient enough to give me a clinic in how these things work.

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: You might be from Bakersfield if you "bought your first car from Wally Tucker Datsun, Bill Wright Toyota or Haberfeld Ford."