Will a winter El Nino save California from the long drought? And can we please display some decorum during our high school graduations?

 * ...  EL NINO: There is a long way to go, but there are early signs that California could be in for an extremely rainy period next winter. That's the word from weather forecasters who say a strong El

Nino is forming near the equator. According to a climatologist quoted in The Los Angeles Times,  "it could be ... potentially the beginning of the end of the drought." Of course a lot can happen before that happens - other signs that El Ninos were forming didn't pan out - but we have to keep hope alive.

  * ... HIGH SCHOOL: With high school graduations coming up, is it too much to ask folks to show some decorum during the ceremonies? Retired high school teacher Craig Holland summed it recently with this post on his Facebook page: "I am sooo glad I don't have to sit through another high school graduation. Rude low life people making a disrespectful circus out of what should be a respectful occasion. They don't know the difference between a graduation ceremony and a pro wrestling bout. It is embarrassing for the faculty. That is why I took tickets at STHS (Stockade High) graduation the last half dozen years, and scooted out the door at the mention or the first grad's name. I was embarrassed for the kids and for everyone. I went directly to a watering hole and respectfully raised a glass to 'my kids' and then went home."

 * ... BAD FORM: Here's hoping a string of really bad luck follows the people who stole the right front rim and tire off a local teenager's 2008 Ford Fusion in the Northwest, leaving the car jacked up and its owner with a $600 bill to replace it. Not a good way to start the day.

 * ... GOOD FORM: Yvonne Torres was driving to work recently when she almost ran over a jaywalker at 19th Street and Chester Avenue. The jaywalker was wearing a Halliburton uniform, but Torres then realized he was crossing the street to rescue an elderly woman who was trying to get her wheel chair out of her car. "It made me feel guilty about getting upset. I want to commend this employee for going above and beyond his job. It shows what kind of a people Halliburton has working for  them. When you think people are not watching people are. Thank you Halliburton!"

 * ... OVERHEARD: At Tahoe Joe's a young mother is having a drink at happy hour and is overheard telling a friend about a neighbor: "If I see one more 'selfie' with her children I am going to throw up."

* ... FOODIE: A new lunch and dinner menu has been rolled out at The Mark Restaurant on 19th Street, and it's worth a look. There are now three signature hamburgers on the menu, as well as a Ruben that is outstanding. Meanwhile, if you are a fan of beets, as I am, try the outstanding three-beet salad at Valentien.

* ... SCAM: An old scam is making the rounds again. Listen to this from Rose Harris of Wasco, who received a call from someone claiming to be from the Publisher's Clearinghouse saying she had won $980, but they wanted a $350 'delivery charge.' "They said 'Would you like a TV fanfare or a private deposit?' I said neither and I am not paying you anything... I hung up. The caller ID showed an area code in Kingston, Jamaica."

Three men posing as Drug Enforcement Agency officers show up at a homeowner's door downtown, and a family who planted winter rye worry they will be targeted by neighbors as water hogs

 * … SCAM: From the scam file comes this from Rivera Westchester: three men show up at a house claiming to be from the Drug Enforcement Agency and demanding to come inside (without a

warrant) to "look around" in case there are drugs inside. They had badges but no guns. The homeowner allowed them inside, but asked them to leave after he became suspicious. Only later did the homeowner call the DEA who told him they would never conduct a search without a warrant and identification. Were they casing the house to return later?

 * … ANOTHER: And then there was this scam that Lamar Kerley encountered. "I just received a message from 'Officer Juliana William' telling me there's an investigation of my phone number and that it  is 'under federal investigation.' The caller had a heavy accent and was very difficult to understand, but I believe that's the name he gave. It's disconcerting when they have your full name (the caller used mine), but it was immediately clear that this was all fake. I went ahead and Googled the phone number and found that others are having the same thing happen to them."

 * … OVERHEARD: In the checkout line at Vons at The Marketplace a woman is telling a friend: "Our winter rye is starting to come in and it looks great. But I am paranoid the neighbors will think we're water hogs."

 * … SERVICE: I don't have much of a sweet tooth so it had been a while since I had shopped at Sweet Surrender Bakery, but it doesn't take long to realize why this locally owned boutique is so wildly popular. The service is excellent, the sweets are off the charts and the women's boutique is fun and impressive.

 * … FOODIE: And speaking of a great locally owned company, I stopped by Tony's Pizza this weekend and left wondering if there is a better pie in town.

* … SPCA: Here's a chance to help the good folks over at the SPCA who do so much to help those pets who are alone and abandoned. The SPCA's Pawtiques & Treasure sake will be held at 3000 Gibson Street on November 1-2 (this Saturday and Sunday). The Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to noon.

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: A good one from Ronal Reynier: You may be a Bakersfield old-timer if you remember when "junior colleges were 'free;' and local classes were held in 'Warren Hall' on the BHS campus. The campuses were free to all high school students with a 'C' average. Many instructors let their classes adjourn to Elm Grove or the coffee shop to take non important test. We would leave our books and papers on the outside window ledges (sometimes) and the next day they would still be there. Times have indeed changed. My son and daughter-in-law now teach math in that fine old building. Each time I pass it I not only wonder at its longevity but its history of the thousands of students that
have passed through it's doors. It truly stands as the local icon of education."