California ranks dead last on a list of business friendly states (no surprise there) and Bakersfield ranks high on another list as a city friendly to financial officers

 * ... TOP STATES: It is no secret that California is a tough place to do business. High taxes, zealous environmental regulations and the high cost of living all tend to push California down the list of states that are friendly to business. But dead last? That's where California ranks in a recent survey of the best states to do business in, based on taxation and regulation, the quality of the workforce and the living environment. The best states, according to Chiefexecutive.net, were Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana and Arizona. New York ranked 49th and our Golden State dead last.

 * ... FINANCE: I happened on yet another list, this one ranking cities across the country that have experienced the most growth in financial sector jobs. Bakersfield, it turns out, turned up No. 3 on the list of medium-sized cities with a strong financial sector. The study noted the hot energy sector as one reason for Bakersfield's lofty position. Only Ann Arbor, MI, and Green Bay, WI, did better than Bakersfield.

* ... OVERHEARD: Asking jury panel members if they had ever been victims of a crime, Kern County Superior Court Judge John Brownlee shared this story of a hapless victim: "I had one person who had two steaks stolen off the grill. While inside the house calling the police to report it, they came back and stole the grill."

 * ... BAD FORM: Denise Russell was following a green Toyota Prius on Oswell Street the other day when "the passenger threw out five paper plates out of the window. I guess they figure they are doing good for the air, but heck with the ground. Unbelievable!"

  * ... PETS: I always try to make room for local fund raisers in this space, but this is one is really something special. Over the past few years several groups have organized to help confront our problem of stray dogs and carts, and one of them is the Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation. This group, which does so much good in our community, is putting on a unique and clever fund raiser this Saturday, June 8, at the downtown Women's Club. Called Applause for Paws, it is a dinner and comedy show to raise money to help strays. In addition, local artists have painted works for the event that will be auctioned. Doors open at 6 p.m. It is $30 to get in or $50 for a couple.

 * ... OLD TIMER: And finally this nugget from regular contributor Bow Porter: "In response to the retired educator whose new neighbor asked if he 'used to be somebody'....Don't I just love it when some young squirt looks at one of my pictures of 40 years ago, and 40 pounds ago, and says 'Did this use to be you?'"

McCarthy: Eight local Kern County students gain acceptance to the U.S. service academies

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield and House Majority Whip, submits his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his own words:

 "This week, I was honored to speak at Washington Middle School's graduation where I addressed students seated in the same seats I sat in over 30 years ago.  The world, however, is very different today than it was back in 1979 – and it will continue to change faster than ever before for this new generation

of leaders.

"Thirty-four years ago, there was no internet or iPhone. We lived in a world with two Germanys and a fear of the Soviet Union.  But while many things have changed a great deal, our values remain constant. Passed on from generation to generation, our values are more than our guiding principles, they are our history. I shared with the graduating students the importance of upholding their values as they enter this important time in their lives, of continuing their education and always trying to learn more. But perhaps most importantly, all of our students must know the importance of their individuality.  It is this individuality which is at the core of the American spirit.

 "While my generation was walking around listening to “walkmans,” today an entire generation listens to music on their touch-screen iPods. And it is because of the vision of an individual named Steve Jobs, who had the passion and desire to make his dreams of using technology to transform our daily lives into reality. Individuality leads a person to think outside the box, go against the odds, and find the inner strength to keep working towards a goal despite struggles and failures along the way. This is how great things are achieved.

 "This week in Bakersfield I was also given the opportunity to meet several of our students who I believe represent this fighting spirit of individuality and perseverance through hardship. I was honored to nominate these individuals to attend our U.S. Service Academies, and I am proud of each of them for their decision to serve our nation. I know that with our future in their hands, America will continue to be great.

·         Bryan Bumgarner - Highland High School (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)

·         Andrew Daughtery - Centennial High School (U.S. Air Force Academy)

·         Daniel Villarreal - Burroughs High School (U.S. Air Force Academy)

·         Cameron Green - Quartz Hill High School/New Mexico Military Institute (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)

·         Clark Cali - Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School (U.S. Military Academy)

·         Aidan Farrell - Paso Robles High School (U.S. Naval Academy)

·         Jibraun Asaad - Quartz Hill High School (U.S. Air Force Academy)

·         Natrelle Demison - Bakersfield High School/U.S. Air Force Preparatory Academy (U.S. Air Force Academy)

 

Is Bakersfield headed for a new real estate bubble? And Texas leads the country with the most cities that are best for jobs

 * ... HOUSING: Is Bakersfield's housing market headed for yet another bubble? That's the warning from Gary Crabtree, a respected appraiser and a thoughtful analyst of our local real estate market. Crabtree shared a story from HousingWire that noted in markets like Bakersfield that have never "fully unwound" from the last bubble, "rapidly increasing price levels are a potential cause forconcern." Added Fitch Ratings: "The supply is also artificially low, as recent regulations have limited the pace of foreclosure sales and the large percentage of underwater borrowers continues to hope for future price increases to be able to sell their homes at a profit?" Sounds like Bakersfield. Stay tuned.

 * ... JOBS: What are the best cities for jobs in this economy? According to Forbes, the business-friendly state of Texas placed four cities in the top ten: Fort Worth (4), Houston (5), Dallas (6), and Austin (10). Others making the list included San Francisco, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Charlotte and Denver.

 * ... RODEWALD: Our community lost one of its great characters with the passing of longtime TV personality Don Rodewald. One reader, Joe Stormont, shared a memory of Rodewald's afternoon show, also known as Matinee. One feature was called Dialing for Dollars. "Don had a rotating bin with the telephone white pages cut into little strips. Don would spin the bin, then open it up and draw out a piece of the phone book. Count up or down a pre selected number of names from the top or bottom, and call that phone number... If the person who answered knew the 'count and the amount,' they would win the money. The prize amount started at $23 and increased by a few dollars each time he didn't have a winner. Sometimes the jackpot reached over $100."

 * ... OVERHEARD: A prominent local educator, recently retired, is telling a friend about moving into The Greens, the popular 55-plus gated community at Seven Oaks. "We love it," he said. "But the first day we were there a new neighbor came up to me and said, 'Didn't you used to be somebody?' I guess that says it all!"

 * ... AIRPARK: Reader James Irwin dropped me a note to ask about the airport that once existed on the Panorama Bluffs. That landing strip, James, was called La Cresta airfield and was located between Bakersfield College and where Greenlawn Mortuary Cemetery now stands. It was built duringWorld War 11 and planes took off over the Panorama Bluffs. The place has quite a storied history, and it was there when a young Mary K. Shell (a former mayor and supervisor) met her future husband, Joe.

 * ... KCUHS: Bill Deaver of Mojave remembers the two-headed calf that resided in a science room at the old Kern County Union High School. "I remember that two-headed calf," he said. "My grandparents, Henry Mack Sr. and educator Addie Mack, lived on Chester Lane, and we frequently drove by 'KC,' as my mom, former Californian East Kern correspondent Marion Mack, an alumnus, called it! This was in the 1940s and later."

Local baseball standout Jarret Martin to take the mound this week against the Bakersfield Blaze, and embracing the serenity of the Bakersfield National Cemetery

* ... MEMORIAL DAY: Hundreds of people visited the new national cemetery outside of Arvin on this Memorial Day weekend, a beautiful setting that has grown in popularity as more people discover this peaceful final resting place for those who served our nation. If you have not been there, it
is worth spending some time to enjoy the California oaks in the rolling hills. The cemetery is located off Bear Mountain Boulevard.

 * ... MARTIN: Jarret Martin, a Centennial High graduate who was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, is scheduled to be on the mound with the Cucamonga Quakes (a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliated team) against the Bakersfield Blaze this Thursday. His proud mother, local writer Dana Martin, also reminded me that the coaches have learned that Jarret is a scratch golfer and has been hitting the links with former big leaguers Charlie Hough, Matt Herges and Jose Vizcaino. (photo courtesy of Martin's Facebook page)

* ... AMGEN: Do you remember when the Amgen pro cycling race came to town and the city spruced up the area around Bakersfield College? Judy Henderson does, and she wishes it would return. "I miss the Amgen Race... In short time, tumble weeds were removed and ground up, trash and weeds disappeared. Center dividers were planted and wood chips were spread over dirt areas where many spectators would gather. The areas of Manor Drive, Panorama Drive and Alfred Harrell Highway looked like an All America City. Now, tumble weeds abound, weeds grow in the center divider and the streets. Trash litters roadways and weeds grow among the wood chips.  Even the  Panorama rain drain is clogged.  I miss the Amgen Race."

 * ... DRIVERS: Are Bakersfield drivers any more or less angry and impatient than in other communities? One reader, who asked that I withhold her name, has been verbally abused numerous times after picking up her grandsons from school. "I travel north of Gosford Road and I go through the very busy intersection at Ming Avenue," she said. When she finds herself in the right lane at Ming, intending to go straight, drivers behind her invariably get impatient if she doesn't take a right on red. "I am very aware of the glares and impatience of drivers behind me, who apparently think I don't care that they wish to make a right turn. I have even had people honk at me, but I really don't have a choice... I always pull to the as far to my left as I can, because small cars can move past me and make my turn."

 * ... BAD FORM: And speaking of road rage, shame on the driver of a white oil field utility truck who deliberately side swiped - and could have killed - a cyclist on the Granite-Woody Road Saturday. The cyclist was riding on the far right painted line, but apparently that wasn't good enough for the truck driver who came within a few inches of brushing the cyclist and taking him down.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: From reader Linda Welch: You may be a Bakersfield old timer if you remember the two headed calf in the "old science building at Kern County Union High School. It was enclosed in a glass case."

Remembering those who sacrificed on this Memorial Day, marking the passing of Janice Redmond and the time when the crazy commute stops to allow geese to cross the road

 * ... RIP JANICE: Our community lost a great citizen last week with the passing of Janice Marie Redmond. Originally from New York, Janice and her husband Stan moved to Bakersfield in 1972
where they raised their nine children. She was active in local Catholic churches and was a beloved figure among her friends. Keep Stan and his family in your thoughts. She was 74.

 * ... GEESE: Linda Nipper is a human resource specialist who was driving east on Truxtun Extension when traffic ground to a halt at Empire Boulevard. What happened next brought a smile to her face. "Wondering what was holding up our lane, I looked far to the right of the front car in our lane and saw what I thought was a very large bird. Then it became clear ... that a family geese was heading north, crossing Truxtun on a red light.  Yup, two very large grown geese and about five waddling

goslings in tow had stopped all four lanes of traffic, in both directions, during the busy morning commute. I think we all enjoyed our commute a little more and appreciated the unexpected sight of a family of geese,  who appeared not at all flustered by the activity of the cars, as they greeted the day crossing safely to the north side of Truxtun, heading to the river bed I expect."

 * ... ACHIEVER: Former Stockdale High grad Phil McGill has now graduated in the top 5 percent of his law school class at the University of San Diego. He is now studying for the bar and will start at Price Waterhouse in San Francisco in October. Said his father Kerry McGill: "That in itself is commendable in that there are so few law jobs available. If you recall, he went to USD on a full scholarship. Another Bako boy makes good!" So true.

* ... CHIPMAN: Best of luck to the kids over at Chipman Jr. High who are heading to Maryland for the national History Day finals. These high achievers have been trying to raise money to help offset the expenses, but they have a ways to go. Their teacher, Mike Hutson, says any kind of financial support is appreciated. Reach him at (661) 631-5210 if you would like to help. The team includes Sadie Armijo, Stevie McNabb, Dylan Pearson, Jake Beardsley and Miguel Vargas

* ... BASEBALL: Dave Packer wrote to tell me about the new Bakersfield Sound collegiate summer baseball team that will kick off its season in June.  "The games will be held at Bakersfield Christian High School and will provide fun and inexpensive family entertainment with extremely high quality wooden bat baseball played by some of the top collegiate players from throughout the United States .  The team is made up of both local and out of area collegiate players and provides the local players an opportunity to return home during the summer to reconnect with their family and friends, My son, Matt, Stockdale High grad, is one of such players as he is coming home from Miami of Ohio and bringing one of his baseball teammates to live with our family during the summer and experience our great town and California."

 * ... MEMORIAL DAY: And finally this thought submitted by a regular correspondent: "Thanksgiving is the day we pause to give thanks for the things we have. Memorial Day is the day we pause to give thanks to those who fought for the things we have."

McCarthy: Memorial Day is a solemn time to remember those Americans who sacrificed so much for our freedom

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

 "This week, even as the dark skies have cleared above the American heartland, my heart is heavy for Oklahoma.  As photos and videos are shown of the devastation, it is clear that no community can ever mentally prepare for these devastating tragedies when they arrive at your doorstep. Please consider

supporting the Red Cross and the Salvation Army as they provide assistance to those in need, and please continue to keep those affected in our thoughts and prayers.

 "We also cannot forget that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. A year ago this month, I watched 101-year-old veteran Louis Kerker lay a wreath at the California pillar of the World War II Memorial, in tribute to those who did not return home, on the very first Kern County Honor Flight over Memorial Day weekend. While three more Honor Flights trips have been made since then and more are being planned, sadly we have lost several of those brave local veterans in our community, including Louis. Seeing these men and women on the floor of the House of Representatives - where President Franklin Roosevelt spoke of the “day that will live in infamy” in 1941 – and watching tourists and onlookers erupt into a thunderous applause for them in the Capitol continues to remind me that Americans will never forget the sacrifices of brave generations past and present that guard our nation’s freedoms.

 "These experiences are both joyful and solemn as these landmarks serve not only as a sign of respect and gratitude to veterans, but also as a sobering reminder of their fellow patriots who did not live to see these monuments erected in their honor. Whether the Revolutionary War or the current War in Afghanistan, today we remember the heroic Americans who, in the face of danger, selflessly came forward, risked, and made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our freedom. These men and women represent the very best of our nation. These men and women are the reason America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy to the world today.

 "On Memorial Day, as we ought to every day, we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our liberty, and honor their memory by showing our gratitude to the veterans who fought alongside them. Thank those who are serving today and take some time to help the families in our communities with loved ones serving in harm’s way. I encourage everyone this Memorial Day to pay respect to our fallen heroes who lay at rest at the Bakersfield National Cemetery and at our local cemeteries throughout our community. These individuals served and sacrificed for our great nation, and they will never be forgotten.

 "I will continue to fight in Congress to ensure that our veterans have access to the care and benefits they deserve in a timely manner. In addition to requesting the Government Accountability Office conduct audits on unacceptable backlogs and wait times at Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) medical facilities in California and across the country, I remain committed to holding VA officials accountable for fixing the culture of dysfunction that is failing our veterans.  That is why I recently authored legislation designed to enact GAO’s recommendations to correct the disability claims backlog problem – no excuses. I will not stop fighting until our veterans see real results from the VA.

 "It is said that one of the reasons Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May is because this time of year, the flowers are in full bloom.  Those flowers signify the continued life and growth of the American spirit, and we must always remember what has allowed that spirit to endure for generations upon generations, protecting the longest surviving Constitution in the world today.  It is the American people.  It is the American serviceman and servicewoman.  Even as the strength of our nation is tested, their unbreakable spirit and fortitude even in the toughest battles remains proof that the guardians of our freedoms and liberties, since the first day of our nation’s founding to today, are the courageous citizen-soldiers that answer the call of their nation. Let us always remember the sacrifices that our countrymen have made to keep us free, strong and united.

Bakersfield ranks No. 3 on a survey of the best smaller cities for college graduates, right behind Ventura and Bridgeport, CT; and noting the 45th anniversary of the loss of 99 sailors on the USS Scorpion nuclear submarine

 * ... BAKO: Bakersfield has long suffered a "brain drain" as some of our best and brightest young people leave for greener pastures, but now comes word that our community is becoming increasingly attractive to young college graduates. According to a recent survey, Bakersfield ranked No. 3 on a list of smaller cities that pay a premium for college graduates. The Ventura-Oxnard area was No. 1 on the

list, followed by Bridgeport, CT., Bakersfield, Poughkeepsie, NY, and Melbourne, FL. The survey, conducted by CreditDonkey, took into account median income, cost of living and a salary premium for having a degree.

 * ... BAD FORM: A pox on the passengers in a small white sedan who deliberately ran down a cyclist on Panorama Drive this week and either threw something at his head or used a club to bash his helmet. The cyclist happened to be Tom Morgan, a former Kern County Sheriff's deputy who was shot point blank in the neck some years ago during an arrest and miraculously survived. He is now a lawyer with the county counsel office and took up cycling for fitness. Morgan escaped serious injury in the latest incident, but only because his helmet saved him from serious head trauma. So this is his reward for putting his life on the line in service of our community? (file photo of Tom Morgan)

* ... ACHIEVER: Good news for Timothy Schmidt, a 1989 graduate of Foothill High School who has been awarded tenure at South East Missouri State. He graduated from Westmont College with a bachelor of arts degree, received a masters from Northern Colorado University and his doctorate from the University of Illinois.  He has been on the music faculty at “SEMO” for the past five years. He is the son of Gerhard and Mary Schmidt of Bakersfield.

 * ... GRADUATE: And kudos go to Elizabeth Key, a graduate of Ridgeview High School who just graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. She graduated with university honors and cum laude. She has now moved to Toledo, Ohio, to work for the Red Cross and plans to eventually earn a PhD in biology.

 * ... FLY IN: The Bakersfield Municipal Airport is holding an open house and a "fly in" on Saturday, June 1, starting at 9 a.m. This looks like a great event for parents and their children and is free to the publice. Aircraft will be on display and there will even be a Porsche and Mopar club cars there.

 * ... MEMORIES: More memories of Wayne's Dairy and the growth of our town. This one comes from reader Bow Porter" "Our family was a Wayne's Dairy customer also. We lived in a Gannon built house on Mt. Vernon when it was a dirt road, and our back door was open to George, our milkman. As Bakersfield moved east, we did too, making about three moves as new houses became available over the years... George's route kept up,  also moving east. My son, Ken Klose, had a Sunday morning newspaper route, and would report new residents, new potential customers to George who rewarded him with a special treat of chocolate milk or donuts... We paid our bill monthly, and I didn't  keep track of what George put in our refrigerator; he just knew what we used and kept us supplied. Life was so simple and trusting and honest."

 * ... NAVY: And finally reader Gene Bonas reminded me that May 22 was the 45th anniversary of  the loss of the nuclear submarine the USS Scorpion. Ninety-nine sailors died in the incident. As Gene said: "Anytime a Navy shipmate is lost, we Navy veterans say: 'Sailors Rest Your Oar! We Will Always Remember!'" (historic photo of USS Scorpion)

Bakersfield College appeals the punishment for its football program, and local folks wonder if someone will have to pay the price for it

 * ... ALARM SYSTEMS: Here is an important tip about home alarm systems in the city of Bakersfield, compliments of reader Gary Crabtree. "Saturday evening we returned from dinner about 6:30 to find our alarm activated and a message from our alarm company on our answering machine that our front door had been breached." he wrote. "We found nothing missing. A call to the alarm company indicated that they
had called the police. At 9:30 p.m. an officer arrived at our front door. He indicated that he just got the call from dispatch. We were told that if we didn’t renew our alarm permit with the city every year for $30 they may or may not respond.  So a warning, if you expect BPD to respond to your alarm system, better cough up $30 a year to the city."

 * ... THE BUZZ: It's good to see Bakersfield College appealing the punishing sanctions against its football program, but folks are wondering if someone will be sacrificed because of the harsh penalties. If BC Athletic Director Ryan Beckwith is fired over all this, it won't be because he has lost the support of the BC Helmet Club. Paul Pavletich, president of the booster club, made it clear on First Look with Scott Cox that the club supports Beckwith and would not agree with his dismissal. Stay tuned as this story unfolds.

* ... ACHIEVER: Another local Bakersfield product has gone on to make quite a name for himself in the healthcare industry. Dr. Jason Dinger has been identified as one of the top 300 most influential people in U.S. health care, according to a recent survey by ModernHealthcare.com. Dinger graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School and went on to Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He is currently CEO of Mission Point Health Partners in Nashville. His father, Steven Dinger, is president of BCHS and his mother Nancy is a social worker at Koinonia Family Services.

 * ... GIVING: Yet another example of the generosity of our local Rotary clubs. The Waterman Foundation of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield (the downtown club) has awarded nearly $40,000 in capital improvement grants to nine local non profits. Among the recipients were the Alliance Against Family Violence, the Bakersfield Music Theater, the Buena Vista Museum, the Boys and Girls Club, CASA, the Golden Empire Gleaners, the Kern County Museum, MARE and San Joaquin Community Hospital.

 * ... HOSPICE: If you are looking for a way to support a good cause and enjoy a nice glass of wine, mark this Thursday, May 23, on your calendar. That's the date of the "Optimal Cares Wine Tasting and Concert" set for the Bakersfield Museum of Art at 5:30 p.m. It is a fund raiser for the Optimal Hospice Foundation. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased by calling Cherie Shoemake at (661) 716-8000.

  * ... MEMORIES: Brian Landis said his 85-year old grandmother, Elizabeth "Bette" Crume, wanted to share this memory about when everyone would leave their back doors open so Wayne's Dairy could deliver fresh milk to your refrigerator while you were either sleeping or away from home. She is, thank you, a faithful reader of The Bakersfield Californian and said she enjoys reading Herb Benham's column but worries for his kids. "She wanted to be sure to let you know that she thinks John Arthur is a smart-ass!" Brian said. I will make sure both Herb and John get the message, Brian.