RIP Steve Jobs ... an amazing man and life

Counties brace for an influx of parolees and ex convicts as a state-mandated plan to relieve crowding goes into effect

 * ... PAROLEES: The state mandated plan to release thousands of non violent offenders while transferring even more prisoners to local county jails has law enforcement officials across the state on edge. No one is exactly sure how many parolees and prisoners will end up in Kern County, but it will certainly put a huge new burden on local police and parole officers. In Los Angeles, police are warning that more than 150 officers will be removed from street duty to deal with the influx of prisoners. And they are bluntly predicting there could be 3,000 more serious crimes committed by ex convicts walking the streets. (photo by the San Francisco Sentinel)

 * ...  FRAUD: My primary ATM card was hit with fraudulent charges once again, the fourth time in three months that my credit and ATM cards had to be canceled and reissued. This time, charges popped up at two Walmarts in the Los Angeles area. Amazing to me how many people I meet who have had similar problems. How many of who have encountered something similar?

* ... SPOTTED: Occupants of a 2008 black BMW toss all their trash out the window before leaving the Taco Bell parking lot at Buena Vista Road across from Stockdale High School.

 * ... RILEY'S JOURNEY: Old friend Riley Parker checked in with me on his journey back to good health. He's been cycling since being told by his doctor that he had better get a grip on his health or wind up a diabetic. He recently posted a personal record with a 25-mile ride, but said he could not have done it without the help of Realtor John Garone, whom he met on the bike path. "He said hello and kind of cheered me on. When I got to the turn around at Enos Lane, John was there and we chatted for a few minutes. I am so happy that I made the decision to go this route rather than allow my health to completely crater." Well done, Riley. Keep us posted.

 * ... FUND RAISER: Phil Icardo shot me a note to let me know that 9th annual Elegant Evening of Wine benefiting the Joe Alexander Scholarship Foundation was another huge success. "The new venue, Mark and Sue Ashley's Westchester home, provided a truly elegant atmosphere," he said. "This year's event was the most highly attended in its history with the proceeds assisting the very needed educational and vocational scholarships." Well done.

 * ... MEA CULPA: I erred on Monday in implying (via poor verbage) that Mike Maggard was a Bakersfield City Councilman. He is of course on the Kern County Board of Supervisors serving the 3rd District. Also, the Fourth District supervisor candidate I mentioned is Michael Rouw. I could blame it on too much sun after a week on a Mexican beach but that would be bad form. Mea culpa.

 * ... HOME SWEET HOME: Speaking of my vacation, no matter how much fun you had it's always nice to come home. Some of my favorite things about returning to Bakersfield: enjoying the taste of fall in the air and seeing the elegant and stately old Guild House, checking in with my favorite baristas at the 24th Street Starbucks, taking a leisurely bike ride over Round Mountain, having a Sunday snack at The Padre Hotel and reuniting with my husky house companion, the gray tabby Latte.

McCarthy: California high-speed rail is the next Big Dig; will introduce a bill to cut off federal funding

 House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) weighs in on the California High-Speed Rail project. In his words:

 "Many remember the Big Dig in Boston. The project was bankrolled mostly by federal dollars, finished years behind schedule and billions over budget. Referred to by many as a ‘black hole’ of government waste, it was the most expensive public works project in American history at the time. Even with such an example to learn from, California is still barreling ahead on a high-speed rail (HSR) project that could rival the Big Dig in cost overruns and delays.

 "HSR has proven a drain on government coffers. Every HSR line in the world requires some sort of government subsidy, and a 2008 Amtrak study found that six of Europe’s passenger rail systems require a combined annual subsidy of $42 billion. That’s in addition to the initial investment. Unfortunately, many are turning a blind eye to these facts. The Obama Administration has already obligated around $10.1 billion in federal funds to projects across the country, and is calling for more.

 "The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has touted California’s project as the nation’s first true HSR. But if their plan is the model, we’re in trouble. Aside from ever-changing ridership projections, sub-par business plans and incomprehensive Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), the numbers don’t add up. The Authority puts the cost of building Phase One from Los Angeles to San Francisco at $43 billion, but independent studies say it could be anywhere from $65 to $80 billion, and some report the entire project could top $116 billion.
 "Even taking the rosiest estimates, the money isn’t there. Our nation is $14.3 trillion in debt and running a $1.5 trillion deficit, and our state isn’t doing much better. California has faced deficits in the tens of billions of dollars for years, and there is no end in sight. The $9 billion in bonds voters approved in 2008 for HSR will add a $1 billion annual burden to the state over the next two decades, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. That means $1 billion less for higher education, parks, firefighting and other services. Furthermore, operating costs could top $1.5 billion annually – meaning if the already questionable ridership estimates don’t materialize, California would be on the hook for an annual subsidy.
"This potential ‘train to nowhere’ would have profound impacts on Bakersfield. The Authority’s EIR shows people, homes and churches would be displaced, and the line would run right through Bakersfield High School. I refuse to allow our community to be disrupted when so much uncertainty remains about the viability of the project as a whole.

 "That’s why I will introduce legislation freezing federal funding for this project until more evidence can be gathered to determine its feasibility. Absent reliable numbers and estimates on what HSR will really cost taxpayers, it’s foolish to keep throwing money hoping for a good result.

 "HSR sounds good in theory, but the facts tell a different story. Government should be focusing on smart and responsible uses of taxpayer dollars, not on building new and massive annual obligations into already-strained budgets.

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David Couch to appear on Californian Radio (KERN Radio) on Monday, and Mexico retains its allure

 * ... FOURTH DISTRICT: Longtime city councilman David Couch has joined the race for the 4th District seat on the Kern County Board of Supervisors. Couch is one of the more thoughtful members of the council, and along with retiring member Sue Benham and Supervisor Mike Maggard, he wis part of the more progressive and pragmatic group on the council. He joins businessman and attorney Harley Pinson and David Rouw in the race. Couch will be joining me at 9 a.m. Monday when Californian Radio moves to KERN 1180.

* ... VIVA MEXICO: Just returned from a splendid week on the beach in Mexico. The country is clearly in the grips of a horrific drug war, but its vacation spots remain safe and its legendary customer service is alive and well. Each time I visit our neighbor to the south, I am reminded how much I love the country. 

* ... SPOTTED: Young man with teenage girl in tow approaches customers at the downtown car wash. "Excuse me sir but me and my girlfriend and I are at the Tower Hotel with our baby and I need exactly ten dollars or they will kick us out." Minutes later, the couple is spotted near 24th Street counting a huge wad of greenbacks.

 * ... BOAT SHOW: Wooden boat enthusiast and expert Arnie Johansen and his wife Jan just got back from the international board meeting and boat show in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where he was elected to the board of directors. The boat show featured over 120 wooden boats and the convention attendees were treated to tours of five magnificent turn of the century mansions. One of the oldest and largest was the Griffith Estate which was built in1879 and covered 100 acres. Originally built by R.T. Crane founder of the Crane Plumbing Co. When Johansen is not dabbling in classic wooden boats, he is president and CEO of Holloway Gypsum Mining Co.

 * ... MEMORY LANE: Bob Hall wrote to share his memories of the old Bakersfield. "Places and things to remember: parking in the center of Truxtun Avenue at Chester, the secret Lockheed plant, the Budge Drive Inn, the Golden Crust bakery, Baxter's Wheel Inn Drive-In, Freddie's steak house on the traffic circle... the Mosrite guitar factory, the Powell truck assembly plant on Union Avenue, Wimpy's Liquor Store, Owen's Toy Store."

 * ... GOOD SERVICE: Debbie Banducci nominated Clerou Tire Company for outstanding service. 

"They are prompt, efficient, friendly, and most importantly, they stand by their word. It is good to know that I will be well taken care of when I do business with them!"

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when you realize summer really isn't over until the Kern County Fair shuts down for the year.

McCarthy: time to ease regulations on small businesses so they can expand and grow

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip and a Bakersfield Republican, gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill in his own words:

 "As many of you know, I started my first small business, a deli called “Kevin O’s,” 26 years ago in Bakersfield. I had limited culinary skills, but people liked my sandwiches enough that I hired a few employees, and after a while sold my business and used the money for college. In today’s regulatory environment, I wouldn’t even consider taking the risk to open Kevin O’s.

 That’s one reason I introduced the Access to Capital for Job Creators Act (H.R. 2940). This bill would make it easier for entrepreneurs to access capital by repealing a Depression-era Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation prohibiting ‘general solicitation’ for companies seeking capital from a broader class of investors, including institutional investors. This regulation limits the pool of potential investors to those with whom an entrepreneur has an existing relationship, unless that entrepreneur goes through the cumbersome and costly process of registering with the SEC. By nullifying this rule, my legislation would open another door for small business owners in Bakersfield to attract capital to create jobs and expand.


 "HR 2940 is just one of the many bills my colleagues and I are working on to ease the regulatory environment that is stalling hiring and contributing to our stagnant economy. On Friday, we passed the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation (TRAIN) Act, which would require an analysis of specific EPA rules to determine their impact on the economy , as well as delay other costly rules that could increase electricity prices up to 24 percent annually. Now is not the time to increase costs on families and businesses, and I will continue to fight to ensure the government does not saddle you with unnecessary costs.

"Just as important as promoting private investment is ensuring your taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. That’s why I am concerned with California’s high-speed rail project. There are simply too many unanswered questions, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) recently-released Environmental Impact Report (EIR) only raises more. The EIR shows the rail line would have profound impacts on our community, and I want anyone with concerns and comments to have the opportunity to share them. That’s why I sent a letter to the CHSRA last week requesting a 30-day extension of the public comment period, so people have until November 12 to make their voice heard.

 "This Saturday, I’m participating in the official grand opening of the Bakersfield Vet Center. The men and women who have sacrificed to defend our nation deserve our unending support, and with the opening of this center, they now have greater access to information and resources. I am also gearing up for my annual U.S. Service Academy Forum. This forum is a great opportunity for high school students to learn about opportunities available to them through a military education. The forum will be held at the Kern County Board of Supervisors’ Chambers on Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please contact my office at 327-3611 to RSVP.

Gov. Brown signs into law a Rubio-sponsored bill to speed renewable energy projects, and a reunion at East High

 * ... GREEN LAW: Gov. Jerry Brown signed into a law Thursday that expedites the process fore reviewing and issuing permits for renewable energy projects within the Department of Fish and Game. The sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Michael Rubio, was on hand to witness Brown sign the bill during a brief ceremony in Fresno. He called it "critical" legislation to speed the permitting process. Meanwhile, Rubio is busy raising money for his run in the newly created 21st Congressional District, where Republican Fresno farmer David Valadao - a state Assemblyman - is also running. This should be a spirited race and one worth following. (file photo below of Michael Rubio)

 * ... HAPPY TRAILS: A large group of KBAK 29 employees gathered at the Prairie Fire bar at The Padre Hotel recently to celebrate the retirement of longtime employee Nancy Clarke. She retired after 32 years at KBAK and - as her coworkers told her - hardly looks 32 herself. She kept FCC reports for KBAK and directed and purchased programming for both KBAK and KBFX.

* ... EAST HIGH: East Bakersfield High School is looking for alumni to participate in video interviews about their time at the school. Karen Roney says it's all part of gearing up for the school's 75th anniversary. "If you have memories to share about experiences and/or favorite teachers please call Rick Van Horne at EBHS (661) 871-7221 to schedule an appointment time. Video interviews will be done on Monday, October 3 from 9 am until 3:30 pm in the Administration building.

 * ... SPOTTED: Able bodied, 30-something blonde, dressed to the nines and driving a shiny black BMW, pulls into a handicapped parking space at The Marketplace. When confronted by another woman, the blonde curtly responds "I'll only be a minute" and then flips the woman off. Such class.

 * ... MEMORY LANE: Another walk down memory lane, thanks to Victoria Brewer Sexton. She recalled the retailer Harold Brewer Women's Wear, Inc., located on the corner of F and 28th streets. (One reader had identified it as Harold Brown's) "Rosemary's occupies that building now and has for many years. Harold Brewer was my father and he started his specialty clothing business in 1954 and closed the doors in 1967.... I also have fond memories of the Carnation Company with its ice cream soda shop in front on Union Avenue. The Union Avenue Plunge was a treat for me, and that was a high tower we jumped off. The Terrace Drive-in was a high school memory."

* ... GOOD SERVICE: Reader Joe House added these thoughts about good service around town: "Bright House Networks. When I call I get someone from Bakersfield not India, and if they can`t take care of it over the phone they will send a service tech out quickly even on weekends. Also Memorial Hospital gave my wife the best of care."

Bakersfield Christian gets a new headmaster and Memorial Hospital recognized as a top performer

 * ... BCHS: Big changes over at Bakersfield Christian High School where Stephen Dinger has been named interim president and chief administrator, replacing Daniel Cole. The board expressed its appreciation for Cole's years of service but gave no other details on why he was leaving. For the past few years Dinger has served as superintendent of St. John's Lutheran Church and School. While at St. John's the school was recognized as a Blue Ribbon campus. Bakersfield Christian's roots go back to 1979 when it began as a K-12 school affiliated with a local church. Back in 2002 the school purchased 50 acres at the corner of Stockdale Highway and Allen Road, on which it built an impressive campus.

 * ... 100 CANDLES:  Sending special birthday wishes out to Edna Harp, who will turn 100 this Saturday (September 24.) Edna spent most of her life in Delano and lived independently until about six months ago. Her grand daughter, Jana Furman, said there will be a special lunch at Hungry Hunter. Edna already has received a congratualtory letter from the White House. "You should join us for lunch so you can meet her and watch her waltz! Have you ever been to a birthday party for someone who is 100?"  Jana asked. Happy birthday, Edna.

 * ... MEMORIAL: Kudos to the folks over at Memorial Hospital, which was just recognized as one of the nation's best performing hospitals. There are lots of ratings lists, but I am told this recognition by the Joint Commission is the real deal and in fact is the first time the commission has listed the nation's top performing hospitals. The commission cited 450 hospitals in 45 states with outstanding performance. Chandler Regional Medical Center in Arizona, like Memorial a Catholic Heathcare West Hospital, also made the list.

 * ... MARINE: My spirits were lifted when I received this note from Delano resident Joan Collins. "My nephew (Corporal John Klein) is a Marine stationed in Camp Pendleton and was driving home to Folsom, Ca., on Sept. 3 and had car trouble in Bakersfield. He had his 2-year-old son with him. He stopped at Pep Boys and while there Jose Correa and Hermek (?) Dhaliwal worked on his car and got him back on the road. Our thanks go to Mr. Erick Dyer who paid the bill. John arrived safely at his mom's house to celebrate his birthday."

* ... TRIATHLETE: Richard Meyer is one of those guys who seems to defy the laws of aging. At 59, Meyer is one of our area's most consistent and successful triathletes. According to his training partner Mike Toland, himself a gifted athlete, Meyer competed in the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, Olympic Distance in Burlington, Vermont, and qualified for the 2012 World Age Group Championships on Team USA in New Zealand. "Richard and I have been chasing each other over California’s tri courses for over 20 years and it always a pleasure and a challenge when we participate in the same race. He is exemplary as an athlete and as a person," Toland said. Meyer is president of Meyer Civil Engineering, Inc

 * ... REUNION: There is a reunion luncheon of the American Business Women's Association Pacesetter chapter. The group is trying to find past and current members to attend the event, planned for Saturday, October 29, at the Hilton Garden Inn. If you are interested in attending, email the group at bksfldpacesetters@gmail.com. The group raises money to provide scholarships to women attending either Bakersfield College or Cal State Bakersfield. Call Sandy Paglia at (661) 304-4207 with further questions.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when you move away and "instead of missing people, you miss Smith's Bakery and Pyrenees Bread."

Harley Pinson throws his hat into the ring for the Fourth District supervisor race and another successful Bakersfield Triathlon

 * ...HARLEY'S RUN: Longtime community leader and petroleum attorney Harley Pinson has entered the race for the Fourth District seat on the Kern County Board of Supervisors. I've known Harley for years and we are fortunate to attract quality people like him who are willing to serve. He's a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and the McGeorge School of law and a longtime volunteer in many community causes. Harley told me he already has picked up the support of some impressive local folks, including Ray Dezember, former Aera CEO Gene Voiland, former Mayor Mary Kay Shell, insurance consultant John Pryor, Bryan Batey and Taft Mayor Randy Miller. His wife, Cindy, is also a graduate of UC Santa Barbara. They've lived here for more than 30 years and have two grown children. The post opened after the retirement of Supervisor Ray Watson.

 * ... CAL RADIO: I'll be chatting with supervisor candidate Harley Pinson Monday on Californian Radio SmartTalk 1230 at 10 a.m. He'll be laying out his goals and expectations as he joins the race to succeed Supervisor Ray Watson. Later in the hour, I'll talk to local writer Lisa Kimble Edmonston about bad manners and what we can all do about it.

 * ... TRIATHLON: Hats off to Kerry Ryan and the folks over at Action Sports for putting on another successful Bakersfield Triathlon. I headed out to Lake Ming Sunday morning to watch the runners and cyclists come in, and was pleased to see a huge turnout of families and spectators. And of course, it's always nice to see large crowds of peole who take their health and wellness seriously. Ryan said he had about 200 entrants.

 * ... REPORT CARD: Bakersfield received the grade of a D minus in report listing the most, and least, educated cities in America. We ranked 81st on the list, which was assembled by Men's Health magazine. The magazine used graduation rates, school enrollment and education levels for adults over the age of 25 in compiling the list. The most educated city in the country? Madison, Wisconson, followed by Plano, Texas, and Raleigh, N.C. Houston was right behind Bakersfield at No. 82.

 * ... REUNION: Marlene Morales, marketing chief over at the Chain Cohn Stiles law firm, reminded me of the recent reunion of the 1981 Bakersfield College football team that beat Taft College in the Shrine Potato Bowl before 19,000 fans in Memorial Stadium. Teammates flew in from Hawaii, Texas, and Utah,  while most still live here. "These football players have become productive and successful business men that demonstrate great character and integrity. Too name of few alumni that were in attendance that evening... Mike Cody, Kevin Legg, Phil Anderson, Jim Starkey, Willy Reyneveld, Rick Van Horne, Dave Thorpe, Jim Maples, Mike Jelletich, Vyn Goodmon, Wayde Kirschenman, Mike Ramey, Jerry Montgomery, Wyatt Ross, Paul Putnam, Andre Smith, Paul Damron, Dean Manning, Gene Coughlin, Randy Ariey, Mike Ming, Clint Hunt, Curtis Allen, Brian Silvius, Richard Jones, Mike Renzi, Danny Wilson, Phil Turner, Todd Jackson, Mark Bebout, Rob Hallum, Eric Roth, Coach Gerry Collis, Coach Paul Damron, Coach Harvel Pollard, Forgive me if I forgot anyone (It's been 30 years)...Marlene Morales, 1981 Cheerleader. Go-Gades-Go!"

 * ... BAKO TO BALBOA: This note from Pat Toon Harrison popped up in my mailbox: "What a pleasant surprise when I received your article, written by Linda Smith, about my father's music store. I am the 80 year old daughter of Jack Toon. He was in the music business fron 1934 until he sold sometime in the early 1950s.My good friends, Larry and Glenda Verdin, sent the article to me. Our family moved to Balboa (Newport Beach) in 1952, but I have stayed in touch with several Bakersfied High friends from the 1948 class. Bakersfied is truly a town of special people!

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: Harvey Brockmeyer, a retired Bakersfield High agriculture teacher, says you may really be an old timer if you remember the school farm out on old Stine road. The area is now a gated community but Brockmeyer says residents still use the bridge on Stine Road as its entrance. "The slightly undulating farm land farther west was an ideal spot for BHS's agriculture class to use for its unit on survey and leveling. Still further to the west is now West High School; f ew know that this fine school rose out of the ashes of Bakersfield High's old school farm's  trash heap!"