The inspirational climb of El Capitan's Dawn Wall, the dynamic growth of the Southwest and Northwest in Bakersfield, and a moving story about a family in need, and those who came to their aid

 * … DAWN WALL: The 19-day ascent of El Capitan up the Dawn Wall certainly captured our 

attention, but I was more impressed with how climber Kevin Jorgeson described it in an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today Show. “Tommy (Caldwell) and I have been thinking a lot about what is it about this climb that is capturing everyone’s attention. I think the opportunity is for everyone to find their own Dawn Wall, if you will. We had our project that we saw through to the end. What’s yours?” (photo courtesy of Time Magazine)

* … GROWTH: Bakersfield is a city of quadrants: most of us identify ourselves as living in the Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast or downtown. For the most part we spend our non working hours shopping, playing and driving in areas close to where we live. I was a Southwest resident for years and for the last five have lived downtown. Which is why I was stunned (that is not an exaggeration) when I spent some time in the Northwest earlier this week, amazed at the growth, the number of new businesses and restaurants and yes, traffic. Likewise, I returned from the coast the other day and entered the intersection of Gosford Road at Panama Lane precisely at rush hour. And once again, the sheer volume of new businesses, housing, schools (and yes, traffic) was amazing. We may feel like a small town, but that's now a nostalgic memory from the past.

* … KINDNESS: This note from reader Jacqui Sickles will be a tad long but it moved me in a powerful way. I will let her speak: "This past Monday afternoon I was coming home from town and turned off at Goodmanville Road and there was a young couple with a flat tire along side the road.  I saw the young mommy with child in her arms trying to get cell reception. I stopped to ask if she was successful and if someone would be a long soon. She and her husband said they had left messages and hoped for the best. The young father had recently changed the tire and had no spare or anything to jack up the car with. I told them I would go get my husband and some tools. It was beginning to get cold outside, but they also had an infant in the car and wanted to stay with the vehicle. We were able to jack up the car and decided instead of waiting to see if anyone would show up to help we made the decision to drive to the tire store and buy a tire. Having nine grandchildren ourselves it was hard to see those babies out in the cold. My Husband said we might be closer to Oildale, but I said let's go to Clerou’s.  We left the family about 3 p.m. We arrived at Clerou’s and Louie came out to meet us. My husband informed him that we were helping some kids out off Alfred Harrell Highway and they were waiting on us with babies too. Louie came out within minutes and said I found a tire for you.  My husband went to pay for the tire and Louie said, no if you are doing a good deed for someone, then I can do it too! Moments later a young man at the tire shop brings out the newly mounted tire and off we went to deliver to the kids. I looked over and my husband had been crying. I'ts amazing how many wonderful people we have right here in our community. Thank you Clerou Tire Company. We will send all our business your way. The young family could hardly believe it either! They were all smiles as they drove away. Not too bad at all."

 * … RETIREMENT: Hats off to Donna Hollingsworth, who is retiring after 23 years with the AltaOne Federal Credit Union. Donna has been active in a number of local organizations, including the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the American Lung Association. She is being replaced by two people, Christopher Lowe and Jessica Davidson at the Ming Avenue and Riverwalk locations.

 * … CAR DEALERS: Geraldine Sproul wrote to add some names to the list of long gone car dealers. "If you really are an old timer you would think ofAdams Motor Co. (Pontiac) on 24th Street, S. A. Camp Motor (Dodge and Plymouth) on G Street, Kitchen-Boyd (Lincoln and Mercury) on Chester, Morris Motor Co. (Studebaker) on 24th, Motor Center (Chevy. Buick and Cadillac( on Chester, Thrasher Motors (DeSoto) on Chester. The Nash dealer was Kitchen and something on H Street."

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: You may be a Bakersfield old-timer if you"picked out your first Schwinn bicycle in the basement at Vincent's."

Are the tax increases designated for public schools going to teacher pensions instead? And lots of news on the local restaurant front as two new eateries get ready to open

 * … PENSIONS: I probably shouldn't be surprised by this, but half of that $6 billion tax increase sold to us by Gov. Jerry Brown to support public schools is instead being diverted to bolster the teacher pension system. That's according to a column inThe Wall Street Journal which quoted a taxpayer advocate as saying that no matter what local politicians tell voters, "when you see tax increases, think pensions." The piece concluded: "Remember that 'temporary' tax hike for California schools? Most is now going to public worker retirements."

* … FOODIE: Lots of things going on on the food front. PizzaRev, a Southern California-based chain of more than 21 make-your-own pizza parlors, opens this week next to Buffalo Wild Wings on Gosford Road. For a flat fee of $8.25, you can enjoy an 11-inch pizza with all the toppings you want. The chain also offers salads, desserts and eventually beer and wine.  A second PizzaRev will open soon at the Park at River Walk. Meanwhile Sprouts Farmers Market, which bills itself a mini Whole Foods, will also open at the Park at River Walk on February 25.

* … TABBY: With a move recently I was forced to change veterinarians, and thanks to some recommendations from friends, I ended up seeing Dr. Eric Boiller at Stierns Veterinary Hospital. When your pet is like family (and aren't they all?) you set some high expectations for their care. Minus a few teeth, my 9-year-old grey tabby came through with flying colors thanks to Boiller and his attentive staff.

 * … SPOTTED: On social media was this chuckle: "The phrase 'don’t take this the wrong way' has a zero percent success rate."

* … RICKOVER: Proud U.S. Navy and submarine veteran Gene Bonas passed this along: "Thought your readers would like to know that a nuclear attack submarine will be named after the father of the nuclear Navy, Admiral Hyman Rickover.  The Virginia class attack submarine will bear the name USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN 795. Previous to SSN 795, the service named a Los Angeles class attack boat, SSN 709, after Rickover  Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus stated Virginia class subs will  provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century because of their enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements."

* … BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield "if you have ever offered someone a Dewar's chew from a bowl on your coffee table."

Former Bakersfield High Driller and Seattle Super Sonic Robert Swift arrested on robbery charges in Seattle, and my pick eatery of the week goes to the newly remodeled Pyrenees Cafe

 * … SWIFT: It's hard to think of things getting worse for former NBA star Robert Swift, but they have. In case you missed it Swift, who graduated from Bakersfield High and went to the NBA straight out of high school, was arrested in Seattle on charges of attempted robbery. In November, was busted on drugs and weapons charges and lost his home to foreclosure. Seattle media reported that Swift, who stands at 7 foot 1 inch, admitted he was a heroin addict. Swift played for the Seattle Super Sonics and the Oklahoma Thunder before his life went into a downward spiral.

 * … PYRENEES: My restaurant of the week goes to the Pyrenees Cafe, which has been smartly remodeled by new owners Julie and Rod Crawford, who also own Narducci's just a block away. The bar has been spruced up without losing its Basque character and the dining room is adorned with some wonderful photos of Bakersfield from the 1890s, including a huge photo of a parade at the intersection of Chester Avenue and 19th Street. The food, classic Basque, is excellent. By the way, I goofed last week in saying that the new eatery Narducci's North Beach downtown was owned by the Crawfords. Different ownership.

 * … SPOTTED:  On Twitter there was this bit of wisdom: "I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person."

* … PHOTO: Gene Thome, owner of Bear Mountain Sports, spotted a yard sale sign on a local telephone pole in the Northeast and posted the picture on social media. The sign read: "Going to Jail Yard Sale… Coke 50 cents." Only in Bakersfield.

 * … GOOD FORM: This note came from a woman who only wanted to be identified as "an impressed senior citizen." She said: "Kudos to Serena Perez for her good deed today. The Highland High School freshman walked her bike through University Park after school today until she found the owner of the parked car with its door wide open and lights on. The owner was with her children at the play structure. I'm sure Serena prevented a theft and a dead battery. Good citizenship at work!"

 * … SERVICE: I experienced some top flight customer service this weekend when a technician named Brian from J. Noble Binns Plumbing took care of a cranky tankless hot water heater. He was  efficient and patient enough to give me a clinic in how these things work.

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: You might be from Bakersfield if you "bought your first car from Wally Tucker Datsun, Bill Wright Toyota or Haberfeld Ford."

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: President Obama should approve the Keystone Pipeline, a job producing critical infrastructure project

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

"This week was the first week of a new Congress, and we hit the ground running. One of the most

important things we did is to honor our founding document by reading the Constitution on the floor of the House.  Members of Congress were sworn in on Tuesday and the House got right to work passing the Hire More Heroes Act, which helps small businesses grow and veterans get jobs by excluding veterans from the employer mandate threshold if they already have health care through TRICARE or the VA.

 "Ultimately, we will only be able to fix our broken health care system by repealing and replacing Obamacare. But until then, this bill makes a fix now that will help our heroes who have served our country from a particularly harmful part of this failed law.

 "This week also marked the announcement of my nominations to the United States Service Academies.  I submitted one principal nominee for each academy, as well as a series of alternates. These fine young men and women make our community proud, and I congratulate each of them in their pursuit of becoming future leaders in our Armed Services.

 "We ended the week by passing a bill to restore the 40-hour workweek destroyed by Obamacare, and approving the Keystone pipeline. Today, Nebraska’s Supreme Court ruled that the governor had the authority to approve the pipeline, removing the last legal obstacle stopping Keystone from being built. Now the only thing in the way of Keystone is President Obama.With 42,000 American jobs, strengthened ties with our ally Canada, and increased North American energy independence all on the line, I hope the President will put away his veto pen and finally approve this critical infrastructure project.

 "But some of the biggest news for our community this week came on Tuesday, when Governor Jerry Brown broke ground on California’s already over-priced and under-performing high-speed rail project. As the costs of this project have continued to rise and the promised benefits began to unravel, even some of the project’s most ardent supporters are now opposed to it.  And now, Sacramento is forcing the good people of California to write a blank check for a project that has already failed to meet its promised speed and may never get done.

 "This week I renewed my commitment that no federal money would be spent on this unworkable project. Now, Governor Brown should listen to the people of California, scrap this high-speed rail plan, and protect California taxpayers.

Does being married actually make you happier? And a happy ending when a rescue cat goes missing but turns up in a recliner stored in a warehouse

 * … MARRIAGE: So does being married make you happier? Or is it simply that happier people are more likely to be married? Those were the questions put to the National Bureau of Economic Research, which came to this conclusion: "Being married makes people happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who remain single - particularly during the most stressful periods, like midlife crises." As

reported in The New York Times, the irony is that fewer people are getting married these days, particularly if they are younger. Fully a quarter of today's young adults "will never have married by 2030," the highest ever.

* … HAPPY ENDING: Here's a lost cat story that should put a smile on your face. It was shared with me by Steve Williford, who runs the local ServPro franchise and also serves as president of the downtown Rotary Club. In his words: "Last weekend I received a call from my security company at 4 a.m. informing me that my motion detector was tripped, thus triggering the alarm in the warehouse.  I then hustled down to the shop only to find nothing disturbed. I re-set the alarm at this time and six hours later the alarm was tripped again. The following day, I received a text message from a customer for whom we had just performed a pack-out. (Moved furniture and contents from a residence to our warehouse).  She was missing her cat and had a notion the feline might have stowed away in a recliner during the move-out. This all made perfect sense, given the two 'false alarms' on the prior day. Turns out the cat's name is Buddy and he was a rescue and apparently still very skittish around strangers. The initial search of the shop came up empty, but a liberal offering of cat food did the trick, as the kitty immediately surfaced to scarf down a long-awaited meal. After two days in a cold dark warehouse, I am certain Buddy has a renewed appreciation for the comforts of  home!"

 * … DINERS: Bakersfield was abuzz this week when Food Network celebrity chef Guy Fieri brought this film crew to town to film episodes for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. By last count, he had visited Moo Creamery, Muertos, Pyrenne's Cafe, 24th Street Cafe and KC Steakhouse. Even without Luigi's (which declined the offer) that's a pretty good representation of our local eateries.

* … SPOTTED: On Facebook: "I’m glad I don’t have to hunt for my food. I don’t even know where sandwiches live."

 * … SERVICE: Elinor Grant dropped me a nice note to thank the employees of the See's Candy outlet on California Avenue. Always jammed during the holiday season, Grant said the employees could not have been nicer.

 * … BAKO? Count reader Ronal Reynier among those who detest the nickname "Bako" for our hometown. Said Reynier: "The search should be on for person or organization that gave the great city of Bakersfield the name Bako. They deserve an award for the worst abomination of a cities
name in the country. Is our arch enemy Fresno, Fres? Don't go to San Francisco and say Frisco if you expect service of any kind. I'll admit that I am one of those that calls Los Angeles, L.A. Yes, I also use San Luis for San Luis Obispo… They have to be more correct than Bako."

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield "if you could find out who was engaged to whom just by coming across the Olcott's advertisement in The Californian."

Researchers say getting cancer for many people may just be plain bad luck, Guy Fieri rolls into town looking for good bar food and another random act of kindness gets a nod

 * … CANCER: I am not sure if this is good news or bad, but researchers now say that in most cases, coming down with various types of cancer may just be plain bad luck. In fact, random genetic mistakes may account for "two thirds of the risk of getting many types of cancer, leaving the usual suspects -

heredity and environmental factors - to account for only one third," reported The New York Times. Said one researcher: "For the average cancer patient, I think this is good news. Knowing that over all, a lot of it is just bad luck, I think in a sense it's comforting." Of course, some cancers like lung disease can largely be avoided by our own personal behavior, but other deadly forms of cancer appear to be tied to random luck.

 * … KINDNESS: A reader whose wife underwent a recent liver transplant in Los Angeles reached out to thank his longtime neighbors in the Polo Grounds, Vickie and Mike Taylor, who have been caring for his 4-year-old dachshund while they have been away. (He asked not to be identified since he is out of town so much). "Frannie (the dog) got out of the yard Friday and Vickie called in tears. Bakersfield City Animal Control called and said a nice lady had Frannie at her home and was holding her for Vickie to pick up. Thank you to the unknown Bakersfield good Samaritan and the Taylors for keeping our pet well cared for."

 * … GUY FIERI: It looks like a number of local restaurants will be featured on Guy Fieri's popular Food Network show Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. In addition to Pyrennes Cafe, I have heard the show will also be filming at Mama Roomba downtown, 24th Street Cafe and Salty's BBQ. This doesn't guarantee that all the restaurants will make the cut, but film crews are about town chronicling some of our favorite lunch spots.

 * … NARDUCCI'S: More local restaurant news; the popular lunch spot Narducci's has opened a second location called Narducci's North Beach Cafe on 21st and O streets.

 * … OVERHEARD: At the Garden Spot recently and man is overheard talking about reading the newspaper: "I always check the obituaries. Mainly to make sure I'm not in there."

 * … SPOTTED: From reporter Steve Mayer's Facebook wall: "Someone has invented a smart belt with a buckle that automatically loosens when you've eaten too much. First, this is a sad commentary on our society. Second, where can I get one?"

 * … BUCKEYES: I always hear from reader Sunny Kapoor when his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes post a victory (which is often these days) so it was just a manner of time before his email landed in my in-box. "The Buckeyes were amazing last night," he wrote after OSU upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, "and the victory was very much enjoyed at my household, where I watched the game with my wife, and sons Arie (Chico State) and Nigel (Ohio State). I hope to be able to go watch them play in the National Championship game in Dallas, but if not, I am sure they will make this Buckeye proud. Go Bucks!"

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell questions the wisdom of local communities banning tracking, and Guy Fieri heads to Bakersfield to feature Pyrenne's Cafe on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

* … FRACKING: In the disinformation war on hydraulic fracturing, I was interested to read that President Obama's chief custodian of federal lands thinks that regional bans on fracking are misguided and not supported by science. KernTax passed along a new story by KQED quoting Interior Secretary Sally

Jewell as saying: “There is a lot of misinformation about fracking. I think that localized efforts or statewide efforts in many cases don’t understand the science behind it and I think there needs to be more science.” The story continued: "The recent move by New York to extend a statewide ban does not sit especially well with Jewell, who, as a former petroleum engineer, has hands-on experience with fracking."

 * … DINERS: One of our storied Basque restaurants, the Pyrennes Cafe, will be featured on the popular Food Network program Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. A film crew from the program was there testing lighting over the weekend. The program host, Guy Fieri, has announced that he is opening an outlet of his own restaurant, Johnny Garlics, at The Marketplace this year.

 * … EATERY: And speaking of eateries, =nother new restaurant is opening downtown, this one specializing in sushi. Jin Sushi will be located on the northwest corner of 19th and Eye streets next to The Metro Galleries and across the street from Chef's Choice Noodle bar. No word on the exact opening date.

 * … GOOD FORM: Bobby Blackmon shared this uplifting story that I feel compelled to pass along. In his words: "I am writing to tell you about some great form from a group of coaches, student athletes and parents at Stockdale High School. My wife was diagnosed with (AML) leukemia last year and spent many months in the hospital. She recently relapsed, along with valley fever causing pneumonia which sent her back to USC Norris Cancer center for six weeks. We have two boys attending Stockdale, and a daughter that graduated in 2013. All three run cross country and play soccer. As a show of support and ultimate kindness, coaches, student athletes, and the parents of those young men and women gathered dozens and dozens of gas, food and gift cards and put them in a gift bag and sent them home with my sons for our family! I was speechless when they showed me (I’m never speechless). Please send our thanks and gratitude and LOVE to all the people who helped out with this amazing show of support for our family! We would also like to thank the MOPS moms from Valley Baptist Church for all the meals and amazing show of support over this past 18 months. We want everyone that’s helped to know how much it means to us!"

 * … MEMORIES: Ronal Reynier wrote taht the new AAA Westways magazine featured a story on the state's citrus crop. Said Reynier: "Do you remember the orange stand on 'old' Highway 99  in Greenfield? They not only served orange drinks but also the greatest cheese burgers in the country. Their sauce was so secret that when they closed, they would not say how they made their sauce to anyone.

 * … BAKERSFIELDISM: You may be a Bakersfield old timer if "you got your television tubes tested at the Thrifty's in Hillcrest."

Starting off the new year with some kindness from strangers, a new build-your-own burger joint heads to Bakersfield and some happy news for the owners of Happy Jacks downtown

* … NEW YEAR: I spent a week on the East coast with friends - a good time to refresh and get ready for a new year - but it doesn't take long for this homebody to yearn for familiar surroundings. Traveling these days can be tense, and it's always the small acts of kindness and compassion that we remember.

My thanks to the honest folks at US Airways for finding my cell phone that I mindlessly left on the plane, for my cat sitter who never failed to snap a daily picture of my tabby to remind me she was safe, for my hosts who so graciously shared their home for the holidays, and for all the friends who make coming home so special. Happy New Year!

 * … EATERY: If this new year is anything like 2014, we can expect yet more new restaurants opening around town. The first out of the blocks is a chain called PizzaRev, a build-your-own pizza concept that is popular in the Los Angeles area. The chain is opening two outlets in the Southwest, one in Gosford Village and the other at the Parks at Riverwalk. The group hopes to hire 70 local employees and promises to donate to charitable causes.

 * … BURGER: In my eternal quest to find the best burger in Bakersfield, Jon Crawford wrote to recommend one served by the NV Cafe on F Street. Said Crawford: "We have found that the NV Café, not too far out of your neighborhood, has several good burgers (with grilled onions is my favorite) and at a half pound allows me to take half home for another meal. They have great sweet potato fries – but, I think it is very difficult to ruin sweet potato fries. Unfortunately, they are open only for week-day breakfasts and lunches. Please don’t take my word, as I am a very poor judge of food goodness." I will take up the challenge, Jon, thanks for the recommendation.

 * … HAPPY ENDING: Frances Rosales, who along with her husband own the popular burger and pie eatery called Happy Jacks, recently enjoyed a happy ending when her lost dog of six months showed up. "Someone stole Romero, a pomeranean, out of your yard six months ago," she told me. "We had almost given up hope when we got a call from Visalia that he was found on the freeway. Thanks goodness he was microchipped." Romero, weighing half of what he did earlier, was reunited and is now back to running the household.

 * … FIAT: A keen-eyed friend was watching a Fiat commercial recently when he noticed some familiar locations in the shoot. It turns out Fiat filmed the commercial near the old Bakersfield train depot on Baker Street, but erected a sign saying "Palermo, North Dakota." Look for it.

 * … CRIME: I ran into former county supervisor and Bakersfield mayor Mary K. Shell the other day and she shared some news about the window of her neighbor's truck being smashed. "You just can't be careful enough." she said. Which is a reminder: if you park outside, never leave valuables or garage door openers in your car.

 * … ZINGER: A friend shared with me some of the famous zingers from the legendary Henny Youngman. Among them: "A wife says to her husband, 'You're always pushing me around and talking
behind my back.' He says, 'What do you expect? You're in a wheel chair.'"