Leave it to the state of California to define what constitutes a "meal," is public education on the verge of a major overhaul in how it provides education, and Dylan Ryan makes the pages of an equestrian magazine

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.

 * ... FISH 'N CHIPS: The next time you belly up to your local bar, you better be ready to order dinner if you expect to be served that cold brew. That's the word from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office which has issued guidelines saying that drinks can only be served if they are accompanied by a full

dinner. And what is a full dinner? Well, according to the state, here are some items that fall short of being considered dinner: pretzels, nuts, popcorn, chips, appetizers (cheese sticks, fried calamari, chicken wings, egg rolls and cups of soup) and side dishes such as French fries, onion rings and small salads. Here, in all its wisdom, is the state's take on what constitutes a full meal: "... although multiple courses are not required to constitute a meal, in order for the patron to be served a meal there should be a sufficient quantity that would constitute the main course in a multiple-course dinner." Can you say nanny state?

* ... FUTURE OF EDUCATION: Is this pandemic triggering a potential rethinking of the way we look at public education? That's what Russell Johnson thinks as school systems grapple with the best way to provide quality education to children in the midst of Covid-19. Johnson, a former Bakersfield city councilman and planning commissioner who now runs Common Sense Consulting, predicted school systems may eventually evolve to a true hybrid system where students can decide what they want: online distance learning or in class learning, or a combination of the two. The technology is here and this would also appease parents who are fearful of violence or bullying at school or simply feel a more home schooling environment is best for their children. (file photo of Russell Johnson)

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I’m not shy, I’m just really good at figuring out who’s worth talking to."

 * ... DYLAN RYAN: Congratulations to Bakersfield's own Dylan Ryan, an Occidental College senior who has been featured in Sidelines magazine, a publication devoted to horse enthusiasts and equestrian competition. The daughter of Action Sports owner Kerry Ryan, Dylan has ridden competitively since she was a child and now is a regular on the show circuit along with her thoroughbred, Bart. She is one of the few mixed race riders on the circuit, and credits her strong family and good genes (the Ryan family is full of fierce competitors in various sports) with her success. What was her motivation to keep riding? It was simple, she says. Dad Kerry Ryan told her she had to earn straight A's to compete, and that is exactly what she did.

 * ... SLO PROTEST: Did you hear about the Black Lives Matter protest in San Luis Obispo this week? The police allowed it after being assured by the organizer it would be peaceful, but that didn't turn out to be the case. The crowd marched straight to Highway 101 where they blocked traffic, and along the way smashed out the back window of a car that carried a toddler. The protest organizer was arrested. What would you do if you confronted a crowd like this?

 * ... MEMORIES: Just take a look at this picture of the Fox Theater under construction back in the day. Photo complements of the Kern County of Old Facebook page.

Monday's Bakersfield Observed: Check out those migrating Painted Ladies butterflies, a horrific accident in the fog closes the Grapevine and celebrating old California at Wind Wolves Preserve

Monday, March 25, 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.

 * ... PAINTED LADIES: The annual migration of the Painted Ladies butterflies from Mexico north has made it into Kern County, particularly around Taft and in the western part of the county.

Thousands of Painted Ladies were spotted near Elk Hills last week and more are expected as the migration continues. (I saw my first one in my garden at my downtown home on Sunday) Said one website: "Painted Ladies are classic migrators. During the spring, these butterflies can be either invisible, scarce, or incredibly abundant as they migrate northward from Northern Mexico through the western and midwestern United States and to Canada. Painted Lady spring migrations can include millions of individual butterflies when Northern Mexico receives a lot of precipitation during the waning winter months."

 * ... GRAPEVINE ACCIDENT: That was one horrific accident over the Grapevine Saturday that injured four people, including an infant left in critical condition. It happened in heavy fog when up to 50 cars were involved in two separate south-bound accidents, one near Frazier Park and the other near Gorman. The road was closed for hours.

 * ... WIND WOLVES: Wind Wolves Preserve is an incredible slice of California history, 93,000 acres of unspoiled California right off Highway 166 here in our backyard. I spent my Sunday on an eight mile hike and while there were few wild flowers, the natural beauty of the preserve is awesome to embrace. It's good to see so many hikers enjoying this slice of old California.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Not a single one of my multiple personalities like you."

 * ... SOUTH VALLEY SOLUTIONS: Former Bakersfield city councilman Russell Johnson and former oil and gas advocate Jenifer Pitcher have joined forces to open a new government and public affairs firms. Called South Valley Solutions, the firm specializes in helping clients navigate complex bureaucracy to achieve policy objectives. Johnson is not only a former councilman but also a former chief of staff to a county ty supervisor and a district representative for a state senator. Pitcher worked in the oil and gas field and also served as a district representative for a local state senator.

 * ... MEMORIES: Yet another classic scene from our past, courtesy of Kern County of Old Facebook page.