Los Angeles reports typhus cases linked to rising homelessness, San Francisco has a new app to report feces and urine (from the homeless), TLO wines will open a tasting room in town and Liberty Roche will debut her new album

Friday, October 12, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... SNAPCRAP: Just how bad has homelessness affected San Francisco? Well, it is so bad that an app has been created so people can take pictures of feces on the sidewalk and send the images to the

city to have it cleaned up. It's called Snapcrap, and it allows people to take shots of feces and deliver an alert to the Public Works Department. It uses GPS to track the specific location and also creates a ticket so user can make sure their complain is received and dealt with. Meanwhile, health officials in Los Angeles are warning of a typhus outbreak linked to the homeless encampments that are so prevalent downtown. Typhus outbreaks linked to homeless encampments have been reported in Los Angeles, Pasadena and Long Beach.

 * ... RIP PAT DEMOND: Pat DeMond, who served as the Ward 2 represented on the City Council, has died. Not sure what was the cause of death. Demond served as a councilperson and vice mayor from 1987 to 2000. Said current Ward 2 councilman Andrae Gonzales: "Among her notable contributions to our city and downtown revitalization include approval of the Chester Avenue streetscape, the Cenntenial Garden (now Rabobank) arena, the Holiday Inn Select (now Marriot) hotel, and the Amtrak station."

* ... TLO WINES: Here's a first for Bakersfield: TLO winery, owned by the Zaninovich family, is opening the first tasting room downtown. Andy Zaninovich and his daughter Avery say the tasting room, located on 18th Street across from Sequoia Sandwich Co., should be open by the end of the month.

 * ... WINE DEALS: And speaking of wine, if you head over to Imbibe Wine and Spirits and partake in their "six for $60" offering (six bottles of wine for $60) you will receive two Reidel wine glasses free. Tell them you want "the Richard Beene deal." Imbibe is a sponsor of The Richard Beene Show that runs daily from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Kids today don’t know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "Just installed one of those little dentist's sinks on my wife's side of the bed."

 * ... LIBERTY ROCHE: Liberty Roche, a 16-year-old song writer and singer, will debut her new album at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 25. Roche is a junior at Bakersfield Christian High School and has been singing when she was just 11 years old. She is working with American Idol contestant Amy Adams for the past five years.

 * ... MOVING ON: Bob Meadows is leaving Mission Bank to become business development director for the city of Shafter. Meadows served as vice president/community development officer for the bank but said he could not pass up the "amazing opportunity" in Shafter. His last day will be next week.

 * ... MEMORIES: Who remembers Helms bakery from back in the day? Check out this photo from the Kern County of Old Facebook page, where the caption read: "The Helms Man. Every drawer in the back of the truck was loaded with pies and donuts. A childhood delight in Westchester."

With the Kavanaugh vote behind us, will we ever return to a state of civil dialogue in this country? And it was a weekend full of events including craft beer at Imbibe Wine and Spirits

Monday, October 8, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... KAVANAUGH: I can only speak for myself but I am glad that we have seen the end of the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. No matter where you stand on Kavanaugh, this has been a sad and sordid time for the country. As one friend told me: "I can't speak to my in-laws about it and I am

afraid to even talk about it at work people are so riled up. It's impossible to have a civil dialogue." Opposing Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court doesn't equate to convicting a person without evidence, and neither does supporting his nomination make you a woman hater. It's time to move on. The process and ultimate confirmation vote has boosted the base of both parties, and we will see in November if either party will pay the price at the ballot box.

 * ... MORE KAVANAUGH: A friend on the east coast posted this on her Facebook page: "Let's make Facebook great again. I'm going to refrain from posting or commenting on anything political. It's tearing us apart a a country. I'm going to stick to posts that make people smile or laugh. And, not at the expense of others. Who's with me?"

 * ... WEEKEND: If it's October, you can be sure our weekends are jammed with events. There was the 10th annual Latination Friday night at Metro Galleries, followed by the Greek Food Festival, the Farm to Tableaux event benefitting the Boys and Girls Club, the Valley of Hope Gala for the American Cancer Society, the 20th anniversary of Rabobank arena, the annual Action Sports Marathon at Lake Ming, the Village Flea at the Kern County Museum and Imbibe Wine and Spirit's Craft Bear Festival. And who says there is nothing to do in Bakersfield?

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "If you enjoy roller coasters and near death experiences, falling in love with a redhead might be right for you."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "Sixty may be the new 40 but 9 p.m. is the new midnight."

 * ... OOPS: A sharp eyed friend, Chris Lowe, caught an error in a campaign mailer for Supervisor Mike Maggard. The flyer touted Maggard's accomplishments and included a picture of a freeway with brown hills. The problem: the freeway is in another county. Said Lowe: "Shouldn’t that be a picture from Kern County if you’re running for election in Kern County? The picture is from Ventura county between Calabasas and Agoura Hills. Whoops!"

 * ... MEMORIES: Check out this old picture looking East on 19th Street, the Bakersfield Opera House is the first building on the right circa 1910.

St. Vincent de Paul holds its annual barbecue fund raiser, a vegetarian and vegan restaurant downtown gets some kudos and local businessmen turn to security shutters to combat crime

Friday, October 5, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... HOMELESS BBQ: One of the older organizations in town dedicated to helping the homeless is the St. Vincent de Paul homeless center off Baker Street, which held its annual barbecue fund raiser this week. Organizer Deborah Leary said more than a thousand New York steaks were served

Thursday evening, along with Casa Munoz beans, a salad and dessert. This facility feeds hundreds of homeless every day as well as provides them showers and a place to pick up mail. St. Vincent closes daily in the afternoon - it is not an overnight facility - and serves an important role in giving a helping hand to our growing homeless population. Among those I spotted were Monsignor Craig Harrison, Teri and Barry Goldner, Fran and Gregg Gunner,  Judge Robert Anspach and his wife Rosemary, their daughter and son-in-law Dr. Tom and Mary Berry, Eleanor Etcheverry, Gordon and Lynn Westhoff, Jim Sakowski and so many more.

 * ... CRIME: How bad is crime locally? Well, it is so bad that the King Door Company is doing a brisk business in security shutters for local businesses. Company owner Roman Ruiz said local businesses are being regularly broken into, and they are taking steps to combat this dangerous new wave of crime. King Door now offers a wide range of metal security shutters and steel reinforced doors. Some of their clients include a new California Highway Patrol facility, school cafeterias, Infiniti of Bakersfield, United Rentals and the Kern Oil Refinery. A sign of the times.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "To anyone that ever gave up on me all I have to say is ... good call."

 * ... MAMMA MIA: I finally stopped by Mamma Mia's, the new Italian restaurant downtown run by a chef who worked at Luigi's for more than 20 years. As expected, the menu features some Luigi's look alikes, as well as some new offerings. The night we were there it was jammed and service was spotty, but the food was excellent. My beef: my salad, the size of a normal dinner salad, cost a pricey $12.99. Yikes.

 * ... HEN'S ROOST: Meanwhile if you are looking for something more healthy, either vegetarian or vegan, try the Hen's Roost behind the downtown Post Office on G Street. Run by Jaclyn Allen and a small but dedicated staff, this new twist on a health food restaurant features some of the best non-meat burgers in town, including the "Impossible Burger" featured here.

 * ... MEMORIES: Check out these photos of 19th Streets back in the day, and today. Something went wrong methinks.

Valley fever cases spike, there's a push to kill the high speed rail project and The Bakersfield Californian endorses the anti-fossil fuel candidate Gavin Newsom for governor. Really.

Monday, October 1, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... VALLEY FEVER: It looks like 2018 could turn out to be a record year for valley fever cases in the Central Valley. That is according to a report by CalMatters, which said we are on track for the

worst year yet. In 2016, there were more than  6,000 cases reported - then a record - but in 2017 that jumped to 8,103. Through August this year, we have had more than 5,000 cases and were are entering the peak season for valley fever infections to emerge. And, experts say valley fever is spreading to areas well outside the Central Valley, with many cases being reported in places like Monterey, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties.

 * ... HIGH SPEED RAIL: Here is one emerging state initiative that I can get behind: there is a push to put an initiative on the 2020 ballot to kill the high-speed rail project. The same people who were behind the initiative to kill the gas tax - that will appear on the November ballot - are pushing the high speed rail effort. The high speed rail project is grossly over budget and honestly, do you really believe it will be completed in our lifetime? I can think of a thousand better ways to spend that money.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "If you enjoy roller coasters and near death experiences, falling in love with a redhead might be right for you."

 * ... OVERHEARD: One friend to another: "I don't know which is worse: the (homeless) people outside the downtown Rite-Aid or those inside it."

 * ... HOMELESS IN LAUREL GLEN: A family in Laurel Glen awoke last week to find a homeless woman living in their back yard by the pool. The woman, middle aged and disoriented, had makeshift bedding and had made herself at home. When asked to leave, she became belligerent. The family had no idea how long she had been there.

 * ... GAVIN NEWSOM? I was stunned to see that my old employer, The Bakersfield Californian, endorsed Gavin Newsom for governor. Not only did the paper endorse Newsom, but it did so enthusiastically. Count me among those who just don't get it. Republican John Cox may lack experience, but Newsom is so clearly out of step with Kern County - think single-payer health care, sanctuary cities, opposition to oil and gas drilling and support for high speed rail - that it seems TBC did the journalistic equivalent of dousing itself with gasoline and lighting the match. Good luck with that.

 * ... MEMORIES: Who remembers the old Padre Drug store? Check out this remarkable old picture.

* ... KAVANAUGH HEARINGS: I am going to take the liberty to reprint here a post from my friend Tim Gallagher, former editor of the Ventura Star. His take on the testimony of both Dr. Christina Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh is thoughtful, and worth a read. Here it is:

  "I have seen a number of posts that deal with two ideas: 1) Dr. Blasey Ford would be called hysterical if she lost her temper and behaved as Judge Kavanaugh did, and 2) Judge Kavanaugh’s anger proves he is not fit to serve on the court.
 Let me offer two thoughts on those two thoughts. And I would welcome your thoughts.
Dr. Blasey Ford would have been labeled as “emotional and hysterical” if she had done what Judge Kavanaugh did. Undoubtedly true. But by whom? Who would have described her this way? Politicians? Conservative talk show hosts? Who cares?
 I saw a person who has been deeply hurt – both by the sexual assault and the relentless media spotlight that we empower. She reverted to the training that so many women have received – keep quiet, stay under control, be a good girl, don’t lose your temper. I felt so sorry for her and her family because they are in a lot of pain. I wish her well and a return to her normal life as soon as that is possible, if it’s possible. I understand that she is a marvelous professor and a brilliant researcher. I believe that.
 “Judge Kavanaugh is a rage-aholic and this proves we can’t trust him on the bench.” The record shows otherwise. All of his disinterested reviews from the ABA and fellow jurists show he is a measured, thoughtful judge who carefully researches the facts and rules on them, not emotion. There are no incidents of rage or anger in his professional life.
I saw a person who has been deeply hurt and was responding according to his training. From an early age, most boys are taught to fight back with all the anger and strength you can muster. Never accept defeat. Defend your family and your honor and do it loud. I felt sorry for him and for his family. They’re all in a lot of pain. If I ever had a case before him, I think it would be adjudicated fairly and according to the law.
 For now, I am going to leave out my comments on the political pandering I saw from both sides yesterday. I don’t know how this vote is going to turn out. I don’t know exactly what happened that summer of 1982. We live in a culture of relativism, unfortunately, and I saw too many posts from friends who merely parsed the portions of the testimony that fit their notions before the hearing.
 I know that there are two people who responded yesterday as we have trained them in modern America and I am going to pray to God to give both of these people and their families some peace. That was one of the worst days in America’s political history."

Good intentions and asking people to "join the fight" against homelessness isn't enough. Frustrations grow over concerns about health and public safety issues.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... HOMELESS: Homelessness in Kern County is growing steadily worse, and as the problem

spreads to neighborhoods that never previously had to deal with it, there is a growing frustration that we simply aren't doing enough.  Short of real solutions, we have the predictable, well meaning but empty platitudes from the Kern County Homeless Collaborative asking for us to "join in the battle" against homelessness without giving us a clue how to help. (Check out Jessica Janssen's recent opinion piece in The Californian).  While Ms. Janssen cautions it will take "time and conversations" to deal with the issue, a real health and human crisis is playing out before us and nobody seems to have a clue to where to start. If you want the average citizen to join the cause, tell us how we can help. And it better be more than just a call to "join the fight."

* ... SINK BATH: Consider this note from Michael Thibodeaux: "I had a homeless encounter this morning that I can't unsee. I ordered a coffee at the Starbucks across from the Outback. Went to use the bathroom, opened the door and there is a buck naked black man washing his privates at the sink!!! WTF? He kinda screamed, I may have also. I closed the door."

 * ... MEANWHILE AT BURGER KING: Responding to Thibodeaux on Facebook, Jason Absey chimed in with this: "I was in Lake Isabella Saturday. Before heading home we stopped at Burger King, I went to was my hands in the bathroom, and there was a homeless guy with his shirt off washing his armpits. WTF is wrong with people."

 * ... NEAR MISS: And finally, a friend of mine who delivers beer and other beverages for a local company told me this: "I was listening to you on the radio (KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM) talking about the homeless in the streets when one walked right in front of my truck. I almost hit him."

* ... HOMELESS CENTER: The folks over at St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center have been dealing with this issue for years, and once again they will hold their annual barbecue to help fund the effort. On  Thursday, Oct. 4 volunteers will fire up the grills for the traditional fall barbecue at St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center at 316 Baker Street. This is one of the biggest and most successful events of the fall in town, and money raised goes to provide meals and services to 400 men, women and children who visit the center daily. The center receives no government funding and relies on this event. The doors open at 5 p.m. and they will start serving at 5:30 p.m. The menu features local businesses - your choice of a NY steak or Teriyaki chicken, Wool Growers salsa and salad, a Pyrenees french roll, Casa Munoz beans and Smith's Bakery cobbler. Drive-thru and take-out, along with complimentary valet parking are also available. You can purchase your $30 ticket at the door.

 * ... DOWNTOWN THEFT: Check out this post from Jerry's Pizza about a grill that was stolen. Seems like this truck should be easy to spot. "So two men in a red Chevy pick up decided to steal our grill this weekend Sunday September 23 at 7 AM. Please keep an eye out for this truck and our grill we were not the only one’s hit this weekend downtown. Will post a video later. There will be a reward for Information leading to our barbecue grill 661-633-1000 or Msg is here.

 * ... MEMORIES: Remember The Plunge on Union Avenue? Enjoy this old clipping from its grand opening, courtesy of the Kern County of Old Facebook page.

 

 

Palo Alto is home to the richest people in California, Dana Culhane Brennan moves back to Bakersfield and Felix Adamo is retiring at The Bakersfield Californian

Monday September 24, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... UBER WEALTHY: Where do the richest people in California live? It probably won't surprise

you when I tell you it is in Palo Alto, home of the coveted 94301 zip code and the birthplace of the Silicon Valley. According to the Los Angeles Times, the state "scooped up just under $1 billion from nearly 9,000 tax returned filed in 94301 in 2016 - more revenue than from any other zip code in California." The newspaper went on to say that residents in that single zip code paid 28 times more in taxes in 2016 than all of those living in Tehama County, 200 miles northeast of Palo Alto.

 * ... MOVING UP: Congratulations to Dana Culhane Brennan who is moving back to Bakersfield after serving on the staff of state Sen. Jean Fuller, who is being termed out of office. Brennan recently started a new job as director of Corporate and Government Affairs at Grimmway Farms.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "No reaction from my eye doctor when I playfully walked into his desk. He’s seen this schtick too many times."

 * ... FELIX ADAMO: Felix Adamo, the award winning photographer at The Bakersfield Californian, is retiring at the end of this month to spend more time on his corporate clients. Adamo is virtually without peer in the news photography business and his pictures have graced the pages of our daily newspaper for four decades. Here's a random sampling of some of his work. Enjoy.

 * ... RECYCLING: Here's a novel idea: why don't we move these pop-up "recycling centers" away from residential areas? They are magnets for the homeless and incompatible with commercial areas that back up to residences. The recycling center at the corner of Columbus and Mount Vernon is a particular eyesore.

 * ... GREEN ACRES: Check out this photo from a 1942 calendar put out by the folks who owned the old Green Acres cafe. It was located and framed by local antique colleague Sarah Kirschner. Does anyone remember this place?

 * ... MEMORIES: Enjoy these pictures of Bakersfield back in the day long before the 1952 earthquake changed the face of the city forever.

Joseph's Italian restaurant falls on hard times, Greg Kerr joins Vance Palm to air CSUB home basketball games and a bit of Bako history from the archives

Friday, September 21, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

* ... JOSEPH'S: The iconic Italian restaurant Josep's has fallen on hard times and may be flirting with going out of business. In an unusual move, the eatery's owner took to Facebook to share his concern. His post: "It is

with a heavy heart I must make this announcement... This summer has been incredibly hard on us and I'm not sure if we're going to be able to make it out. I've cut every aspect of spending, including the lowest number of employees we've had since my nana and father ran the place back in the 80s. My mother and father created and experienced the peak of this restaurant during the 1990s and early 2000s. I've been struggling to bring that back but I lack the finances and charisma they had. On top of that, the city continues to grow daily and competition ceaselessly arises. Simply put, the neccessary finances to keep the business afloat are not coming in. The money that does come in is only enough to cut even. This does not include license renewals, taxes, rent, and other utilities. I continue daily to keep the place alive and going for one more week at a time. But I know there will come a point where it's not going to be possible, especially now that we are in the midst of fair season. The fees of maintaining the business will eventually catch up. To be clear, we are not closed yet, we're still fighting to be open as of now, although the future of Joseph's is looking bleak. This is but a heads up to our loyal guests who frequent the establishment on a weekly basis. I know who you are and I feel it is my responsibility to prepare all of you."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "You know that nice tingly feeling you get when you’re falling for someone? That’s common sense leaving your body."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "Just be yourself. Someone will love you for it then soon enough hate you for it."

 * ... CSUB BASKETBALL: This year's season of CSUB basketball will feature two veteran broadcasters airing the games. The university said all home men's basketball games will be broadcast on WatchESPN for the second-straight season. The Roadrunners are bringing back play-by-play announcer Vance Palm and welcoming local sports anchor Greg Kerr as the color analyst. Palm is entering his 20th year as a local play-by-play announcer. He currently has the longest tenure among announcers in the Bakersfield community and has been with the `Runners for just shy of a decade. Kerr, a constant in Bakersfield sports reporting since in 1987, has agreed to team up with Palm for CSUB's home games this season. Kerr was inducted into the Bob Elias Kern County Hall of Fame in 2016, becoming just the second journalist to join the ranks.

 * ... BRIDGET BARNES: And speaking of CSUB basketball, one of the more interesting people I have met recently is Bridget Barnes, wife of CSUB head coach Rod Barnes. The Mississippi native is a deeply spiritual lay minister whose mother was a Jehovah's Witness but she now identifies herself as a Christian. Check out her website at bridgetbarnesministries.life.

 * ... DIGNITY: Congratulations to Dignity Health which announced a partnership with CSUB athletics to for Mercy and Memorial Hospitals to be the exclusive health care providers for CSUB athletics. Dignity is one of the more savvy marketers in the region and its Hello Humankindness campaign has been a huge hit. In October, it will become one of the primary sponsors of my show, The Richard Beene Show, on KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM.

* ... ADVENTIST HEALTH: Meanwhile things aren't going so well over at Adventist Health, formerly known as San Joaquin Hospital. The hospital laid off a couple dozen of employees this week in what it called a restructuring.

* ... MEMORIES: How about this old picture of the Woody Store in the 1950s. I spotted this on the Kern County of Old Facebook page where the caption read: "Woody was named after Dr. Sparrell Walter Woody, who homesteaded with his wife at the foot of Blue Mountain in 1862. The Woody School District was founded in 1873 and a post office opened in 1889. A local legend states that the outlaw Joaquin Murrieta once had a cave/hideout in the area that he used while on the run."