Short takes around town: Barry Goldner on the mend, Jeff Newman heads to Montecito and rumors of Panera Bread coming to town

Catching up with some local folks around town and those never ending rumors about what's going in at the new RiverWalk Park.

* ... THE RARE MUTED ATTORNEY: Good to hear that Barry Goldner, a partner in the law firm of Klein DeNatale and Goldner et al, is on the road to recovery after some minor surgery. Barry (pictured) had been spotted around town virtually voiceless and in one case carried on a conversation at Starbucks by writing out his questions and answers. Barry - he is married to Teri Goldner, the former federal judge who is now chief counsel for the County of Kern - is a naturally gregarious sort and being a lawyer who bills by the hour, it must have been a difficult time for him. I asked Barry what was up and he responded:

"I had a growth on my vocal cord, which was removed last Wednesday. I was not allowed to speak for five days. So today is my first day of speaking again. Growth was benign (whew!)."

Good to have you back, Barry, and get well.

* ... GOODBYE BAKO, HELLO MONTECITO: Jeff Newman Jr., owner of Today Cleaners, is letting everyone know that he's moving the family to the tony hills of Montecito. In an email to friends and business associates, Jeff said he'll keep the business but run Today and Sparkle Textile Rental Services from the coast. He said the recession produced some irresistible deals in the always pricey Montecito real estate market that he simply couldn't resist. Jeff says sons Ryan and Matthew will start at Montecito Union School on August 31. Wife Adrienne and their kids will live in a condo until escrow closes October 1. Said Jeff:

"This has been a very difficult decision for me personally! I grew up in Bakersfield and have so many wonderful friends here that I definitely want to stay in contact with. Obviously, my company is located here so I will be spending the required amount of time to make sure it continues to run well."

* ... MEANWHILE COMING TO RIVER WALK: Lots of speculation about what's going in over near the new Target at RiverWalk Park off Stockdale Highway. I spoke with Bruce Freeman, president of developer Castle and Cooke, and he tells me there have been no leases signed but he did confirm the rumor that his company is in talks with Panera Bread company. Panera was interested in the "front pad" near Target but the deal is not final. Meanwhile, Target is expected to open around October 11.

Weekend Bako Bits: A drowning at RiverWalk, DUI checkpoints and more on the monster Mendoza

In the middle of a long Memorial Day weekend and while it's hot, it's certainly bearable and there is much for which to be thankful. Plenty happening around town, so let's get to it:

* ... ANOTHER DROWNING: When it heats up, it's a given that the crowds will descend on the new RiverWalk park off Stockdale Highway and - you guessed it - completely disregard the no swimming signs posted around the lakes. So I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that we've had the first drowning of the year, a 16-year-old named Ricardo Lopez. He died today (Saturday) after being pulled from the water Friday. KGET reported the family waited 15 minutes before calling 911, but that won't stop our slip and fall lawyers from filing suit against the city. It's a terrible tragedy, but a little common sense could prevent these things.



* ... COPS OUT IN FORCE: When the cops tell you they're going to be out in full force on a holiday weekend, believe them. I ran into my first DUI checkpoint Friday afternoon (on Ming Avenue near The Marketplace) where KGET reports they nabbed four drunks. Then this morning, I saw a Highway Patrolman posted by the side of Granite Road headed to Woody clocking speeders. And I saw another Bakersfield police officer pull over a green SUV full of teenagers and ticketing them near Cal State Bakersfield. Be safe out there.
* ... MORE ON MENDOZA: If you haven't read today's report in The Californian about Angelo Mendoza, the 4-year-old who was left blind when his drug crazed father literally ate his eye, pick it up. (or go to bakersfield.com to check it out) Reporter Steve Swenson is all over this story and reports exclusively today that the cops were called to the suspect's home about an hour before the actual incident, left and then were called back. I am not implying that BPD did anything wrong, just another tragic chapter in this sad story.
* ... PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: Heard yesterday that Cindy Pollard, the longtime spokesman for PG&E, is moving to Sacramento for a higher job with the utility. Cindy is one of those community activists that made this a better place to live, and she will be missed. Meanwhile I had a nice chat with former CSUB development director Mike Chertok (he retired) who tells me he is now the volunteer development director for the Bakersfield Symphony.