House Majority Whip McCarthy: The dodging and weaving by the Obama administration on the terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi cannot be tolerated and the relatives of the victims demand answers

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

 "This week I worked with my colleagues in the House to provide greater support and resources to our nation’s veterans, while also ensuring that our active-duty service members will receive the backing from Congress they need. The 2015 Military Construction and Veterans’ Affairs Appropriations Bill fulfills the promise we make to all those who have served and who currently serve our country with bravery. This legislation increases funding for the essential programs and benefits our veterans have earned. It works to end the disability claims processing backlog so that our wounded warriors can receive timely, high-quality medical treatment. And it devotes the funds necessary to build and maintain the support systems and infrastructure the men and women of our military require. I am pleased to say that this bill passed the House overwhelmingly on Wednesday.

 "Earlier in the week, the White House was forced to release documents that showed the Administration blatantly misled the American public in the days directly following the terrorist attack on our diplomatic mission in Benghazi. While multiple House committees have been working tirelessly to investigate what happened in Benghazi, the Obama Administration still withheld relevant documents despite multiple Congressional subpoenas. And today, House Republicans redoubled our efforts to get to the bottom of the 2012 terrorist attacks against our nation in Benghazi by calling for the formation of a select committee. We cannot tolerate the Administration’s continued evasion and obstruction. The American people need answers, which is why we are taking the extraordinary step of appointing a special select committee to get to the bottom of this.

 "The American people and, more importantly, the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, simply want answers. Answers to what transpired on that fateful night that left four of our countrymen dead. Answers to what the President and his staff knew in the aftermath of this attack.  We will continue to act to get all the facts that the American people deserve.

Toyota says adios to California and heads to Texas, but is anyone in Sacramento listening? And more on the envisioned new grand park in Bakersfield out near the Kern River

 * … TOYOTA: The decision by Toyota to move its headquarters from Torrance to Texas should be a wakeup call for California lawmakers, who have a well earned anti-business reputation. Toyota

executives cited Texas' business friendly climate and the fact that the state has no personal income tax. Said Allan Zaremberg, head of the California Chamber of Commerce: "… In California, excessive litigation, overregulation, and high taxes are factors for both the employer and the employees in making location decisions."

 * … INJURY: A couple who used to live in Bakersfield were among seven people injured in Santorini, Greece, last weekend during a Resurrection procession. Vikki and Chris Presmyk were part of a crowd in a church yard when a home-made firework exploded next to them. Vikki suffered serious abdominal injuries and underwent surgery. Chris suffered burns on his face and legs. Apparently they are both recovering. Chris, who works for Schlumberger, and Vikki both had strong local ties to our community during their years in Bakersfield. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks to reader Donna Thompson for passing along this information.

* … CANYONS: A small correction is in order regarding the purchase of the 850 acres of uplands and bluffs out at Hart Park designated as a new grand park. I wondered about the increasing use of off road motorcycles in the area, but it appears that kind of use has been prohibited for at least 10 years. Said

hiker and local activist Michelle Beck: "When the Specific Trails Plan for the area was being put together, it was determined by the city and by the property owners that motorized vehicles were not a compatible use. OHV users were in attendance at these meetings, and the majority of them obeyed the rules and have been riding other places instead. Since the issue was settled long ago, there should be no reason for a 'dust up' when the property becomes a habitat preserve. If all goes well and the property is acquired, hopefully everyone will rally around and help with the clean-up of trash and the restoration of the plants and grasses. It has the potential to be another beloved jewel in Bakersfield's crown like the Kern River Parkway and Panorama Vista."

* … MORNING CHUCKLE: This morning chuckle comes compliments from a neighbor downtown. "I was out whacking weeds in the alley and rested a cold longneck on top of one of my green waste containers while I was working about 50 feet away. Two guys in an old Chevy or Ford pickup drive slowly down the alley and stopped next to the green waste container. The passenger rolls down the window and reaches for my beer. I yelled at them. They rolled the window back up and drove slowly past me while I was lecturing them on the fine points of weed whacking beer etiquette. They wouldn’t make eye contact or or roll the window back down. Is nothing sacred any more?"

 * … QUIG'S: The Garces Circle downtown has never smelled better since Quig's BBQ and Catering opened on the corner. At noon, the aroma of fresh barbecue fills the air for blocks.

 * … HIGH ACHIEVER: Hats off to Emily Bloom, a junior at Bakersfield High School who has been accepted to the Viterbi School of Engineering at USC to study petroleum engineering this summer.  She is the daughter of Peter and Karen Bloom. Said her proud mother:  "The Bloom family has suffered tremendous loss and tragedy, but through it all, Emily’s light persistently shines."

 * … GIRLS FUND: The Women's and Girl's Fund has given out another $30,000 in grants in the area of education and training. Among the recipients were Dress for Success Bakersfield at $7,000, Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation at $8,000, and the Kern Adult Literacy Council at $15,000.
The ever gracious Joan Dezember received the 2014 Women Defining Philanthropy Award for 2014. Also recognized with the same award were Isabella and Sophia Busacca, two high achieving youngsters who along with their brother Anthony started the non profit Dreamn Catchers program at Liberty High School. The Women's and Girl's Fund is part of the Kern Community Foundation which was established in 1999. The Foundation now has more than 100 charitable fund with assets of more than $18 million

.

Get ready for the inevitable dustup over off road motorcyclists in the soon to be preserved 'grand park" out by the Kern River, and we lose another member of the Greatest Generation

 * … CANYONS: Some of the best news in years came recently with the decision by the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Trust Group to acquire the "crown jewel"of our area, the nearly 850 acres of bluffs out near Hart Park and the Kern River. Ever since the scheme to develop the property went bust, the rolling hills have been used by joggers, hikers, bicyclists and off-road motorcyclists. It is a beautiful area and certainly worth the investment as a new "grand park" for Bakersfield. But once the land is turned over to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there will no doubt be restrictions on the off-road motorcyclists who are destroying habitat and carving their own trails in the area. Stay tuned for the inevitable dust up.

 * … RIP: We lost another member of the Greatest Generation the other day with the passing of 90-year-old Ed Barnet. My friend Angelo Haddad told me that Ed, who lived in the Northeast near the old Green Frog Market, received a Purple Heart for his D-Day invasion wound, the Bronze Star, the European Theater Combat medal, the Presidential Unit Citation medal, and numerous campaign ribbons including the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944 as a 19 year old from Memphis. May you rest in peace.

 * … OVERHEARD: A local businessman whose wife is Jewish is telling a friend at lunch: "When we moved here we were surprised at how many meetings start off thanking 'our savior Jesus Christ.' It doesn't bother me but that would never have happened back where we used to live."

 * … SPOTTED: On a friend's Facebook wall: "NBA commissioner rules that Donald Sterling cannot bring a white person -- namely, himself -- to any NBA games ."

 * … OLPH: Don't forget the annual Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish spring barbecue is this Thursday, May 1, at the Parish ground on Columbus. A $25 ticket gets you a delicious Harris Ranch steak or Teriyaki chicken grilled by Gary and Adam Icardo. The doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner service from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm.  Call Deborah Leary for tickets (661) 872-1543 or buy them at the door.

* … MEMORIES: Local architect Tom Jannino added to the discussion of the old downtown. In his words: "If memory serves me correctly, and it is getting a little foggier, Tiny's was originally on the  southeast corner of 18th and Chester, across 18th from the building in question. It later moved across 18th when it's former location was demolished for the construction of what was originally 'Bakersfield Savings and Loan', a structure presently housing 'Caesars' and several other tenants. As a child, I had many trips downtown with my mother, often stopping for lunch at Tiny's, the Tea room at Brock's, or the lunch counter at Newberry's or Woolworth's. A personal favorite was a small donut shop located on the east side of Chester Avenue just across the alley from the building that was originally the Californian Theater. Of course, all of this happened before the existence of Valley Plaza, when downtown Bakersfield was the center of shopping and banking."

 * … MORE MEMORIES: Jack Pasek reached out to remind me that a Sambo's restaurant once occupied the building on Ming Avenue that is now Bob's Big Boy. And Rollie Moore reminded be that the 'Salad Bowl' on Chester and 18th Street (Northeast corner) was his favorite eatery. "They had a 'Door open Toaster' sitting on every table along with a small cereal shaped box listing all the current songs. For a nickel you could select your favorite song and it would signal the big juke box in the corner to play your request as you visited and ate. The food was great!"

Bako Bits: La Cresta family returns from a weekend to find their truck up on blocks, good deeds from a FedEx driver and remembering a time when wool suits cost $7

 * … THEFTS: There is not a neighborhood in town that hasn't been hit with petty thefts and burglaries. Up in La Cresta a couple was out of town for Easter and when they returned they found all four tires of their truck stolen, their late model truck sitting on cinder blocks. Apparently this is going on throughout town, including a few instances in Stockdale Estates. (file photo)

 * … SELFIES: I agree with a recent story regarding some annoying habits that I hope soon fade away: talking on cellphones in restaurants and our narcissistic obsession with taking and publicly sharing "selfies" photos on our smart phones.

 * … GOOD DEED: Carol Camp wrote to give a shootout to a FedEx driver named Vanessa who helped rescue her husband who had fallen from a carport attic ladder. "Vanessa happened to be delivering a package to our home and found him on the ground… she yelled (and) I went running and of course there was blood everywhere. I got a roll of paper towels and the phone, she applied pressure to his head wound while I called 911. She stayed with me until they arrived. He had 10 staples in his head.  I also want you to know she stopped by the next day to see how he was doing. What a great gal.  Thank YOU Vanessa."

* … GOOD FORM: We all have a tendency to overuse the word "hero," but I have to nominate our teachers as being "everyday heroes." Consider this inspiring note from a local kindergarten teacher known as Miss B. "Got me a new sweet bee today right on our way out to lunch. Her mom, pregnant with her seventh child, dropped her off and the young girl with a missing bottom right tooth and sporting nothing but a tank and torn overalls, extended her hands caked with filth and fingernails bedded with dirt, for a buzz-worthy welcome hug. With five weeks left of school, I looked down at her sad eyes and whispered, 'These are going to be the 25 best days of your life.' She smiled and off to lunch we went!"

 * … OLD TIMES: Gary Corbell is a volunteer with the 60-plus club at CSUB and recently discovered a 1935 copy of the Los Angeles Times. Among the advertising: wool suits priced between $6.96 and $17.75, and beach halters for women from 95 cents to $2.75. In The Southland section: "Forty-four more seized by police in San Diego clean-up. Charges against two San Gabriel women accused of annoying neighbors with noise at religious services, dropped in court." And finally actress Jacqueline Logan, stage and screen actress, who had filed for bankruptcy in December was discharged from bankruptcy.  She had listed liabilites of $14,461 and the IRS was seeking to collect $3,765 in income, interest. Said Gary:  "All the above only goes to show… nothing much has changed in America since 1935 EXCEPT for the cost of living.

 * … MEMORIES: Here's a little history lesson on our town for you newcomers. This memory is courtesy of reader Bob Harding: "Hello! Your column Friday referenced a Sambo's on Union and I agree with that reader. There was also a Sambo's at Oak and Palm where La Mina is now. The architecture still looks like those restaurants did. I enjoy your interest in our town's history! I am born and raised here, BHS 1966. I have lots of memories like leaving for UCSB in the fall of 1966 and California Avenue ending at the Chevron station at the north end of Real Road. Nothing but tin cans and jackrabbits from there to Stockdale, long before 'old' Stockdale needed to exist as a distinguishing adjective. It was a big clump of trees by itself out in the distance. New Stine dead ended at Stockdale and went South to Del Webb's Kern City, and the only building at the intersection was Ewing's restaurant on the southeast corner. I could go on! Keep it up!" Thank you Bob.

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy recognizes outstanding students with the 23rd Congressional District Merit Award

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip, gives us his weekly report. In his words:

 "This week and the coming weeks, I have the distinct privilege of recognizing and honoring our most outstanding high school seniors in our community.

 "Our community has some talented students and I want to take the opportunity to recognize them with the 23rd Congressional District of California 2014 Merit Award for students in Kern, Tulare, and Los Angeles counties. This award was created to recognize outstanding high school students who have demonstrated exemplary school citizenship, volunteerism, community service, involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership skills and have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Earlier this year, high school principals were invited to select one outstanding graduating senior per school to receive the 23rd Congressional District of California 2014 Merit Award.


"This award is not only about outstanding academic achievement; it is also meant to recognize the character and positive values that these students uphold.  I look forward to watching these young leaders continue to succeed in the future.”


Student Recipients



Kern County

Mr. Austin Huckaby - Bakersfield Christian High School

Mr. Patrick Crowley – Bakersfield High School

Miss Sarah Manges – Centennial High School

Mr. Ben Ward– East Bakersfield High School

Miss Breana Garcia – Foothill High School

Miss Erin Glavin – Frontier High School

Mr. Ryan Young – Garces Memorial High School

Miss Sara Baldridge – Highland High School

Mr. Michael Cushine – Independence High School

Mr. Mason Meyers – Kern Valley High School

Miss Morgan Wonderly – Liberty High School

Mr. Jacob Allen – Maricopa High School

Mr. Andrew Francis – North High School

Miss Gurjot Kaur – Ridgeview High School

Miss Pratyusha Gogulapati – Stockdale High School

Mr. Clayton Wikoff – Taft Union High School

Mr. Kyle Mathes Orr – Tehachapi High School

Miss Casey Ross – West High School

Miss Kassidy McLaughlin – Rosamond High School

Mr. Ruben Juan Soto – Mojave High School

Mr. Dane Adams – Desert High School

Mr. Kristoph Livingston – California City High School

Mr. Chad Cracraft – Sherman E. Burroughs High School

Miss Lydia Alverson – Boron High School



Tulare County

Mr. Jose Gonzalez – Granite Hills High School

Miss Kayla Holloway – Harmony Magnet Academy

Mr. David Ivancovich – Monache High School

Mr. Anthony James Moore, Jr. – Porterville High School

Miss Jakoba Duffin – Strathmore High School



Los Angeles County

Miss Amanda Tepe – Lancaster High School

Miss Ariel Andal –Desert Christian High School

Mr. Daren Harrell – Quartz Hill High School





 "Also, I want to recognize the artistic talent of our local high school students, and I am pleased to announce the winners of our 2014 Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to all of the winners and especially to the competition’s overall winner, Frontier High School’s Jacey Cruz, whose winning piece, “San Francisco,” will soon arrive in Washington.  I look forward to Jacey’s visit to our nation’s Capital for the unveiling of her artwork where it will be displayed for visitors to see during their visit to the U.S. Capitol building this year. In addition, all of this year’s winners will hang in my office in Washington for the next year.

Bako Bits: The IRS hands out bonuses to employees who are behind on their own taxes, some really bad form and more memories of old Bakersfield

 * … IRS: Did you hear the Internal Revenue Service handed out $1.1 million in bonuses to more than

1,100 employees who were behind on their own taxes? And they wonder why the public is so cynical these days.

 * … SCAM: Here's the latest scam making the rounds, compliments of my friend Ken Barnes: "My phone rang this morning and I noticed the caller input name was 'Stine Doughnuts.'  Wondering why they would call me I answered, and a mortgage company  representative was on the other end of the line trying to get my business. This is a new low for these companies using legitimate business numbers to get someone to take the call. Have you heard of this practice before now?  I get a lot of calls with out of state area codes that I do not bother to answer because they are usually sales calls. I thought there were laws in place preventing this type of practice. If not, there should be.

* … OVERHEARD: A woman is telling a friend: "My grandmother always told me that if you wanted to know how clean a restaurant was, ask someone in the pest control business."

* …. BAD FORM: Brian Kelly knows bad form when he sees it, and he always drops me a note when he spots a doozy. Brian was getting into his car when a woman pulled into the space in front of him and promptly tossed a banana peel out the windows. "Pulling out I saw her step from the car and slip. Quickly thinking, she grabbed the steering wheel, but continued to slide off the seat and landed with a thud on the door jam. Her grasp on the steering wheel had prevented her from going all the way to the ground. I  pulled forward and asked if she was okay. In a colorful way she said yes. I asked what kind of trashy idiot would leave a banana peel on the ground for someone to slip and fall, and drove forward. I noticed in the rear view she responded in sign language. In hindsight, I wish had driven back around and reminded her to buy bananas."

 * … TRASH: Jon Crawford also wrote to talk about trash, and the people who treat out community like an open trash can. "I belong to a local gym and about once a week I feel compelled to tell the manager that it’s time to clean the men’s dressing room because of all the trash and towels littering the floor. One woman said the women’s dressing room was also littered, so it’s not just a gender issue. A friend said that his gym has the same problem, so it’s not just the members at my gym. I think that the litter issue is a three-fold problem. People who think they’re entitled because they pay taxes or dues to litter; expecting others to clean-up their messes. The littering, at least in my gym, seems to be oriented around the ages of 18 to 35; the younger the member the more likely he is to litter. Lastly, it seems to be related to background culture or heritage; as one group seems to be the greatest offenders."

* … MEMORIES: Some folks asked what the name of the restaurant was that was located in the old bank building at the corner of 18th and Chester.  According to Carl Bryan: "I believe it was called Sixpence and Rye." And yet another reader called to tell me that the old Sambo's restaurant was never located on Chester Avenue but rather on Union Avenue where Casa Munoz now sits.

For the first time ever the University of California system admits more Hispanics than whites, but Asian students continue to lead the field particularly at UC Berkeley and UCLA

 * … COLLEGES: This is the time of year when high school seniors commit to the college of their choice, a white knuckle period for both the students and their parents. And now comes word that for

the first time ever, more Hispanic students were admitted to the University of California system than whites, reflecting our changing demographics. Add to that: the system admitted more out of state students than ever as well, simply because they pay higher tuition fees than in-state students. The facts: Latinos account for almost 29 percent of the California students for this fall's freshman class. That is slightly more than the 26.8 percent of whites, but it trails the number of Asian students at 36.2 percent. Black students represented 4.2 percent of those admitted.

 * … BUSHES: From Jon Crawford comes this thought: "Hawthorn bushes are evergreen, and although they are rather innocuous in looks, they do provide greenery in center dividers on Truxtun. In the spring they are covered with small pink flowers that last less than a month. Last month I noticed the city’s gardeners pruning to remove the flowers while they were in full bloom. One might conclude our city’s bureaucracy likes neat, but not beauty or color."

* … VINCENT: My earlier post about an abandoned cat that showed up on my porch brought this uplifting tale from Superior Court Judge David Lampe: "My wife Sandy (and I) are suckers for animals. A big feral black tomcat showed up on our front lawn about a year ago. We already had three rescued cats (and three dogs). My wife's heart went out to this big tom who was ill and dying on our front lawn. He was torn up on his head and torso after a lot of fights. He must have lost the last one. He wouldn't leave. Long story short: after many vet bills (neutered, antibiotics, eye drops, infected teeth removed) and convalescence in a cage in a spare bedroom, he survived. We call him Vincent, because they cut his ear when they neutered him (because he was feral) and because his other ear was chewed up in fights (my wife is a professional artist). We thought that we would release him once neutered and probably feed him as an outdoor cat. However, he now will not set foot outside. If we open the door, he just stares at us as if to say, 'Hey, I've been there - done that. Never again!' He has become the sweetest cat we have, and gets along with all the other animals. My nickname for him is The Thug because of his size and history. He is like a mob guy enjoying retirement. Sort of like Marlon Brando in the Godfather."

 * … MEMORIES: The old bank building being restored at the corner of 18th and Chester has triggered a lot of memories. Albert Lyons remembers going there when it was Tiny's restaurant. "I remember sitting by the big windows overlooking 18th Street. After that it was a  medieval theme restaurant but I cannot remember the name... King Arthurs? does anyone remember that? I had a friend who worked there."

  * … MORE MEMORIES: And this from reader Henry Webb: "I am grateful and excited to see the old bank building at 18th and Chester be resurrected. It should be a glorious place to see when finished.
I remember in the 1950s there was a Tiny's restaurant at that location. My dad used to take me there for their famous strawberry waffles. Across the street was a Sambo's cafe with a large mural of Sambo and the tiger in a jungle setting. Such a place is shocking to think of today as are the miscegenation laws that were in effect in some states then. I miss Tiny's."

Dorothy Harrison, mother of Monsignor Craig Harrison, dies over Easter weekend, and enjoying the Sequoia National Forest on a picture perfect weekend

 * … DOROTHY: I was saddened to hear that Dorothy Harrison, the mother of Monsignor Craig Harrison, died this weekend. Dorothy had been diagnosed with state 4 pancreatic, liver and lung cancer over a year ago and was not expected to last this long. But she did and and as Monsignor Craig said,

she was an "amazing witness of faith." Services will be at St. Francis Church on Tuesday at 6 p.m. A rosary and funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m.

* … WEEKEND: Could we have asked for better weather to bless us for an Easter weekend? I spent Saturday evening at a Passover Seder in a beautiful La Cresta back yard, surrounded by an eclectic mix of Jews, Christians, seekers, atheists and Deists. It made for a spirited discussion and the ultimate realization that wherever you stand on religion, friendships endure when we appreciate what we have in common and not our different personal views or faith.

 * … HIKE: One of our great gifts here in Bakersfield is that we are just a half hour drive from some of the most beautiful hiking country anywhere in the country. A few of us headed up the Kern River Canyon Sunday and spent a few hours hiking on Cow Flat Road in the Sequoia National Forest. Despite the lack of rain, there were plenty of wildflowers and the views of the canyon and beyond were stunning. All you need are shorts, hiking shoes and the will to get a workout.

* … VINTAGE: The renovation of an old restaurant building downtown continues to be the talk of the town. Located at the northeast corner of 18th Street and Chester Avenue, what was once a home to a taco and enchilada restaurant is being returned to its original glory, a 1910 structure that was built to house the old Security Trust Bank. It is fascinating to watch the old facade stripped off to reveal a beautiful old building that owner Sam Abed promises to restore.

* … GOOD FORM: Mary Christenson is best known as one of Watson's star Realtors, but each year around this time she is known for turning her yard into an Easter extravaganza. For the past four years she has covered her Seven Oaks front lawn with plastic Easter eggs - some 1,500 of them - to the delight of neighborhood children who stop to enjoy the scene. The eggs, along with her array of colorful blooming roses, make for quite a scene.

 * … BAD FORM: A pox on whoever stole the special palm planter next to the door of the Bakersfield Community House near the Bakersfield Museum of Art. This is a worthy organization that operates on a shoestring budget. The palm was planted to welcome folks to the senior center.

 * … MEMORIES: Wilson Call added to those readers who remember Toohey's steak house in La Cresta. As he remembers it: "Toohey was very controversial. If you would ask for steak sauce he would tell you his steaks are the best and you don't need any sauce!"