A fifth grader gets a lesson in the lack of civility by a BMW-driving mom and the Fox Theater prepares for a big anniversary

* ... BAD FORM: Robert Dobrzanski spent a recent afternoon watching his fifth grade daughter compete in a basketball game at a local Christian school. His daughter's team was beaten badly, but he was impressed with the sportsmanship displayed on the court and by most of the parents of both teams. That is, until he got into his car outside the school and a black BMW sedan pulled up next to them with the windows down. "I noticed the little girl from the opposing team in the car," he said. "I said, 'you are a very good player and congratulations on the win.' The little girl shyly thanked me. The conversation should have ended then but the mom said, 'Yes, it is especially fun when you win' and they drove off. We all know it is fun to win but does a Christian adult have to rub it in to a little 10 year old's face? Parents and adults need to lead by example and this lady needs to grow up. Just because you have a nice car and nice Gucci glasses and purse doesn't mean you can act like a jackass. Plus you have your kids at a Christian school. Baffling."

 * ... FOX TALES: The Fox Theater Foundation is planning a big celebration of downtown's majestic old dame, and it is looking for stories of folks who either worked there or visited over the years. Foundation member Phyllis Adams is looking for "Fox Tales," memories and incidents from the time the Fox opened on Christmas in 1930 and on through the years. If you have something you'd like to contribute, send it to the Fox Theater Foundation, 2001 H Street, 93301. The Foundation is also planning a Friends of the Fox Membership Drive starting this month and ending on June 14.

 * ... GOH: Another fund raiser, this one for 5th District Supervisor candidate Karen Goh, is planned for March 22 at The Metro Galleries downtown. The event is hosted by galleries owner Don Martin and Dr. Nick Hansa, owner of Chef's Choice Noodle Bar. Call (661) 322-2225 with questions.

 * ... SPOTTED: From a writer who identified himself only as Baseball Aficionado: "For consideration in your 'Spotted' section of Bakersfield Observed. Opening Day Ceremonies for Southwest Little League. 10,000 kids and parents eagerly awaiting the start of the season. Picture perfect day, not so picture perfect interruption as an impatient middle aged woman walks onto the field and interrupts the program multiple times as the emcee is speaking with some unfortuante exchange urging someone to move their parked car. Clearly she could have waited or handled this more discretely without having to put a damper on this beautiful morning.  What happened to patience as a virtue?"


 * ... THEFTS: Petty thefts are nothing new, particularly in this economy, but it doesn't take the sting out of it when it happens. A frustrated Ann Olcott wrote to tell me about her 20-year-old grand daughter, Jami, whose car was broken into at West High while teaching a Color Guard class. "Her new laptop and new GPS were stolen along with all her text books," she said. "Her friend, who was with her and also teaches Color Guard, had his new laptop stolen along with his wallet. Jami works for Kern High District and Standard School District teaching Color Guard to help pay her way through college. These are two hard working Bakersfield College kids, who teach high school and junior high Color Guard to pay for their college and living expenses. Insurance will not cover these item because Jami only has liability on her car. This is a huge loss for them. When will this stop?"

 * ... AGING AMERICA: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state with the youngest median age - 29.5 - is Utah. The state with the oldest median age? Maine at 42.7.

Is Bakersfield's housing market starting to rebound? And lamenting the thieves who stole a family puppy

 * ... GOOD NEWS: Ready for some good news for a change? A new report from a California research group says that Bakersfield's housing market is starting to rebound. According to California Business Minute, Bakersfield ranked No. 2 on a list of ten cities whose housing markets are expected to grow by at least 3 percent this year. Orlando was in the top spot with a market expected to grow by 11.7 percent, and Bakersfield was close behind at 11.1 percent. Filling out the top ten were Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Miami, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fla., Cleveland and Honolulu.

* ... BURGLARY: Burglaries across our town - and no neighborhood is immune - are far too commonplace but one the other day left me fuming. Turns out someone broke into a garage and attached play room behind a downtown residence and stole some electronics. But they also took the family's pet, a 3-month-old Labradoodle, a deed low enough to make anyone sick. As another neighbor said, it was a "despicable" deed.

 * ... SOUTHWEST BASEBALL: The Cal State Roadrunner baseball team is holding a development clinic for young players out at Aera Park this weekend. The clinic, which runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, is open to players of all ages and is another example of the college reaching out to the community. And speaking of Southwest Baseball, did you know that the organization donates money to local charities every time it holds a tournament? Some of the groups that will benefit include the Police Activities League, the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation, Bakersfield Rescue Mission and Bakersfield Homeless Shelter and the Boys and Girls Club.

* ... GOOD SERVICE: When you think of good service, the U.S. Postal Service is rarely mentioned. But Lori Newby wrote to remember some excellent customer service she received from the Post Office on Brundage last December. Turns out she had mailed eight cards with insufficient postage, but three Post Office employees worked together to locate them. "Later that afternoon, after I had gone home for the day, my husband called to tell me Juanita from the Brundage Post Office called and had located the cards and held them so he could add the additional postage. When the term 'good service' is used, seldom does the Post Office come to mind. However, I have since learned that the postal workers at this particular branch, on their own time, contribute to the community in various ways, not the least of which is answering those precious letters to Santa. So to John, Bev and Juanita, and all their co-workers, thank you for all you do."

* ... SPOTTED: From reader Rhaya Lemons: "A couple days ago I was driving west on 178 (and) a blue Honda was in front of me, weaving. At first I thought she was a drunk driver until she went across all three lanes to make the Golden State off ramp, almost causing a wreck ... head down and texting the whole time. Could have been way worse. Good thing traffic wasn't too bad."

* ... SPCA: If you want to help the plight of abandoned dogs and cats remember the annual Bakersfield SPCA "Furry Paws and Foggy Nights" fund raiser set for Friday, February 24. It's always a good show with plenty of food, music and live auctions. This one will be held at the Petroleum Club. Call (661) 323-8353 (extension 2) for information on tickets.

Today's Bako Bits: from an obesity summit to Michael Rubio to Lois Henry and Alan Tandy

Coming off another fabulous weekend in B-town, beautiful weather, everyone outdoors, on the bike paths, out and about. But life and politics and fund raising goes on. Here are some tidbits about town:

* A PITBULL NAMED LOIS: You'd think City Manager Alan Tandy would know better by now than to take on Lois Henry. Alan is notoriously prickly and seethes when Californian columnist Lois points her snarky prose his way. But what is going on now is rich beyond words. Word to Alan: don't challenge Lois to do any digging because that's like giving scent to a Tennessee bloodhound. There is nothing she won't find. Check out their latest dueling on her blog found here. Enjoy.
* OBESITY SUMMIT: Not to pick on Bakersfield, but could there be a better place for an "Obesity Summit" than our fair city? Well we're having one, set for April 30, and no it won't be held at Costco or Hometown Buffet. It's sponsored by a host of well meaning public health organizations and will feature Gwen Foster, the "health czar" who challenged the city of Philadelphia to get serious about obesity. It's set for the Marriott Convention Center. Call Public Health at 661-868-0306 for more information.
* AREA PARK: Was great to see the crowds over at the new Aera Park baseball fields in the southwest this weekend. Thanks to a generous donation from Aera Energy and the efforts of folks over at Southwest Baseball, we have a dozen new fields on 40 acres that are absolutely beautiful. Hats off to folks like Duane Keathley (incoming downtown Rotary president and all around good guy) and local attorney Rob Noriega for making this happen.
* RUBIO FOR SENATE: Fifth district Supervisor Michael Rubio is one of the local Democrats' rising stars. He's got all the tools: he's young, extremely bright, extremely ambitious, has the nice looking family and most important, he has the money. Shown here with wife Dora and adorable daughter Iliana, Rubio is running for the 16th State Senate district seat being vacated by Sen. Dean Florez, the Shafter Democrat who is being termed out. Word has it that Rubio has raised almost $400,000 to scare off any competitors and it appears to be working. The only serious competitor for the 2010 race is former Assemblywoman Sara Reyes. Rubio, who also happens to be an accomplished runner and cyclist, is now up on Facebook (check out his website here) and is Twittering like a madman.