Bako Bits: Remembering the kindness of Jack Saba, clothier on Baker Street, and welcoming in the fall season of charity barbecues

 * ... SABA: Bakersfield lost one of its finest citizens last week with the death of Jack Saba. This tribute to the Saba family comes from Riley Parker, who remembers them from when he was a rookie foot patrol officer with Bakersfield police. "I first met the Saba family in March of 1969. As a newly hired Bakersfield police officer I needed uniforms… yet I had no money. The Saba’s understood the

struggles of a 21 year old just starting a career and by financing their own credit, they made it possible for all of us to get our proper start in law enforcement. Several times I accompanied Al Saba to the CHP academy in Sacramento, where he made certain that every newly hired officer had each uniform essential, never questioning the creditworthiness of those young officers. Jim and Jack provided the same unselfish level of service to officers in Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino and San Luis Obispo counties. The Saba family demonstrated the epitome of trust and service in the Bakersfield community.During the late spring and summer of 1969 I was assigned to walk the Baker Street foot beat. During that time, the back door of Saba’s was always open. Whether for a drink of water, or a shady respite, we all knew that we were welcome there."

   * .... FALL: Fall is arguably one of the nicest times of year in Kern County, not only because of the changing temperatures and colors of the leaves, but because it signals the arrival of the annual season of fundraising through charity barbecues. There are a number of them - Garces, Cal State, and this year a new BBQ fundraiser joins the pack, and may perhaps be the most important. Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 10, and the first Fall BBQ at St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center, 316 Baker Street. Famed Harris Ranch New York steaks will be served by grill masters Gary Icardo and crew. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at St. Vincent's Thrift store on Baker, or by calling chairwoman Deborah Leary -(661) 872-1543. Valet parking and take out will be available, and this may be the best $25 you spend this fall. Proceeds from this inaugural event will benefit the center which has been helping the most vulnerable in our community since 1954.

 * ... OVERHEARD: A young woman in line at Starbucks is talking to a friend: "There should be two lines. One for those of us who still drink coffee and a second for people who order milkshakes for breakfast."

* ... GOOD FORM: Another example of how far human kindness can go in touching people. Shirley and Ernie Brazel were at the Black Angus Restaurant last week and were watching a young family at a nearby table. As the family was leaving, the father told the Brazels they were headed to the fair and the kids were eager to ride sheep. "As we finished our delicious meal the waitress informed us that the man had paid our dinner check and wished to remain anonymous. As senior citizens we wish to thank him as he reads his morning Californian. What a wonderful kindness. It really made our evening very special and his 'anonymous' name is added to our daily prayers."

 * ... TRASH: It's hard to find a street in town that is littered more than the ramp that connects Panorama Drive with northbound Manor Street. Years of litter have accumulated along both sides of the road, making it one of the more unsightly stretches of road in town.

 * ... RED CROSS: Amy Smith is the new Community Chapter Executive for the American Red Cross in Kern County. Smith previously worked in marketing at San Joaquin Community Hospital. She replaces Holly Arnold, who is now working at Occidental Petroleum in communications. (file photo of Zane and Amy Smith)

Another sign of the times: Kern County high school classrooms open the year equipped with portable toilets in case the schools are placed on lockdown

 * ... SIGN OF THE TIMES: Here is one of those disturbing sign of the times we all live in. Apparently, every classroom in the Kern High School District has been equipped with a portable toilet,

complete with privacy screen and kitty litter, in case the school is placed on lock down and students end up spending hours in a classroom unable to leave. As one high school teacher joked: "I told them I wasn't holding the toilet paper if anyone has to use it!"

* ... KINDNESS: Harriet Russell was touched by the kindness of strangers the other day when she flatted on Coffee Road and pulled into the Trader Joe's parking lot. She ended up at Hoggz surf shop, where two young employees offered her a chair and allowed her to use their phone. "Lewis Towing arrived and had my tire fixed in less than an hour (more great service and another nice young man). Several people in the parking lot told me they were sorry I flatted, and one gentleman asked if I was all right. When I got home the next door neighbor brought over a bag of delicious grapes. There are some very, very nice people in Bakersfield."

* ... MORE KINDNESS: And it doesn't end there. Another reader, Mariann Chavez, was with a co-woker buying backbacks and school supplies at Big Lots! on Wilson Road when a woman in line asked if they were teachers. No, they said, just two women pitching in to help the kids at the Homeless Center. "That most precious and gracious woman handed us $40 and said she would like to help. We were almost speechless, but did manage to thank her several times as she checked out and left the store.
Needless to say we spent that extra money and now our backpacks are a bit fuller thanks to her generosity."

 * ... WREATHS: The Breakfast Rotary Club is gearing up for its annual 'Wreaths Across America' program. The idea: place wreaths at every grave at the Bakersfield National Cemetery. Adoree Robinson told me the program is one of only three in the country. Mark your calendar for December 14.

* ... STOCKDALE: The third annual Stockdale Stampede 5 kilometer walk and run is set for Saturday, Sept. 14. Sponsored by Stockdale High School, the event starts at 8:30 a.m. at Riverwalk Park. You can download a registration form at www.bakersfieldtrackclub.com. The pre race registration fee is $25 and $30 the day of the event. The event raises money for local scholarships.

 * ... MEMORIES:  Michael Mcglasson wrote to join those who remember the old AW drive in, but placed it on Oak and Bank street instead of Chester Lane.

Hundreds march on Rep. Kevin McCarthy's office to press for immigration reform: great political theater but was it effective? And get ready for the fifth annual Latination at The Metro Galleries

 * ... IMMIGRATION: It was some interesting political theater this week when protesters marched on Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office to press for immigration reform. It was a mix of local residents and folks bused in from other communities, and many of them were wearing the red solidarity colors of the United Farm Workers. I can't help but wonder if turning this into a UFW rally might backfire politically in McCarthy's conservative district. If you really want to get McCarthy's attention, it might be more effective to gather some of the big name local growers who support real immigration reform (they view it as an economic necessity) and have them meet quietly with the congressman to press their case.

 * ... LATINATION: One of the most popular art shows in town is coming up on Friday, September 6. It will be the fifth annual "Latination," a celebration of art and culture that always attracts some world class entries. It's the brainchild of Don Martin, the owner of Metro Galleries art center and the creator of the First Friday events. This year there will be a kid's category as well. Downtown will certainly be popping so make your reservations now at one of the many locally owner eateries downtown (Uricchio's Trattoria, Chef's Choice Noodle Bar, The Mark, The Padre Hotel, Muertos etc). Valley Republic Bank is sponsoring this year's Latination. The deadline for entries is August 27.

 * ... PARKWAY TRASH: Well that didn't take long. The Westside Parkway has been opened less than two weeks and already the litter has started to appear. Plastic bags, dozens of paper towels and a broken red plastic chair were among the items I spotted on a recent cruise down the freeway. Said reader Janice Yackovich: "It's disgusting to see this beautiful new freeway littered in such a short amount of time. Do some irresponsible citizens not even care about keeping Bakersfield beautiful?"

 * ... GOOD FORM: Juli Marta is a teacher at Longfellow Elementary School and shared this story that reflects well on our community. She was shopping for school supplies at the Target on Rosedale Highway recently when something unexpected happen. "While the checker was on the phone I was unloading the items from my cart. The checker began to ring up my items while she waited on hold for the customer in front of me. My bill came to $45. The lady in front of me asked if I was a teacher and I told her I was. She proceeded to take out a hundred dollar bill and insisted on paying for my purchases! She said that she was not a teacher but had many educators in her family. I was so flabbergasted I feel like I may not have properly thanked her. It was so nice to have someone acknowledge the importance of teachers!"

 * ... BEALE MARKET: Another memory about the old Beale Park grocery store known as Gus's. Said Stephanie Forsythe: "Gus's was a favorite haunt as a kid. We could take pop bottles in and get candy... Jerry (Kirkland) mentioned driving through the area and seeing the store is now an overgrown field, so I thought I would share what happened to it since I still live on the same street I grew up on. The store was eventually turned into a dwelling, long after Gus and his wife Sally passed away, and sadly a few years ago it went up in flames... the people who had lived there had their PGE turned off, so they illegally hooked up a hose directly to the gas meter and POOF it went up. I could see the flames from my home and went to see what was burning. As I stood and watched the blaze, I watched my childhood memories burn with it. It was a sad night for me, and I remember thinking while I looked at the others watching, that I was probably the only one there that night who knew about Gus and his little store."

 * .... MEMORIES: Retired Kern County Superior Court Judge Jerold Turner asks if anyone remembers the old AW drive-in restaurant on Chester Lane west of Oak Street, situated exactly where Highway 99 now cuts through.