McCarthy: bill would revoke the EPA's mindless attempt to penalize the Valley because of our unique conditions

 Majority Whip Rep. Kevin  McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill.

 "I have often found in government that the best solution to a problem is the most common-sense approach. That’s why I’ve proposed two bills in Congress that would inject common-sense into some of Washington’s
regulations that are adversely affecting us here at home.

  "Washington’s problem with over regulation means that all of us in Kern County are pitching in to pay a $29 million fine for violating an air standard that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already revoked. EPA replaced this standard, known as the 1-Hour Ozone Standard, in 2005 with the current standard, known as the 8-Hour Ozone Standard. However, a federal court subsequently reinstated the penalties of the 1-hour standard, meaning that we're paying a fine for the old standard while also working to comply with the current standard.
 "And now EPA is trying to move the goal posts by proposing to tighten this standard so much it could end up banning cars, trucks, tractors and new businesses in the Valley. This regulation fails to take into account our unique topography, weather and natural ozone levels, which Valley residents have no control over. My bill repeals the 1-Hour Ozone standard and fine, as well as prevents EPA from implementing any changes to the current 8-hour standard for five years until a Local Advisory Committee can report to Congress on compliance feasibility. It’s just common-sense to have one reasonable air standard to comply with so we can all breathe easier.

 "Public access to Federal lands is another area that needs some common-sense. Decades ago, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service conducted studies on their Wilderness Study Areas and
Inventoried Roadless Areas to determine their suitability for wilderness. The agencies concluded that a combined nearly 43 million acres were not suitable for wilderness. However, Congress never acted
on these recommendations so these lands have been managed under restrictive practices similar to those reserved for wilderness.
 "My bill changes this by releasing these lands for multiple use, meaning more recreational and responsible resource development opportunities. It also reinforces local control and management of these lands. I
believe we need to protect and preserve our natural wonders, but I also believe when lands have been deemed unsuitable for wilderness they shouldn’t be kept under lock and key.

 "This notion of common-sense is even something that is starting to permeate the fiscal culture of Washington. Our Path to Prosperity budget takes a fact-based approach to our fiscal crisis and faces head-on what is driving our out-of-control debt and deficit. In fact, the Path to Prosperity will start to reverse our debt clock while also reforming our vital health and retirement security programs in a way that upholds the integrity of the programs while putting them on a path to sustainability.

 "I will continue to work to keep up the common-sense solutions and welcome any suggestions to that end.

Local TV anchor Gaylen Young dies in Utah car accident

 Gaylen Young, a long-time fixture in the Bakersfield media scene, died in a car accident in Utah. He was 59. Apparently Young was a passenger in an SUV driven by his 16-year-old son when it veered into oncoming traffic and hit another car, throwing Young from the car. Young was an anchor at KGET and more recently wrote a business column for The Californian.

Padre Hotel fights false rumors it is closing and the Cal State baseball team readies to host Kansas State

 * ... ROAD RUNNERS: If you haven't been to Hardt Field to support the Cal State baseball team, now is your chance  to do so. The red hot Road Runners, in only their third year of existence, will play eight games over 11 days at Hardt Field out at the Southwest campus. This includes two games against Kansas State on Monday and  Tuesday followed by UC Irvine. The team is 24-8 going into the Thursday night game and is playing some of the best Division 1 baseball in the country. These kids certainly deserve our support.

 * ... ON THE MOVE: Former Padre Hotel special events director Liz Netherton has joined Freestyle Entertainment, a locally owned company run by brothers Mark and Jared Perry. Liz will be marketing the company to the Central Coast as it expands its operation. She will be living in Shell Beach.

 * ... PADRE: Speaking of the Padre, it is alive and doing well according to owner Brett Miller. But apparently the hotel has been deluged by calls asking if it is going out of business. The reason? It all started after the The Californian ran a story saying it was closing. The story was actually part of a weekly historical feature called "Kern's Past," dated 1961, when then owner Spartacus Miller did announce he was closing the classic landmark property. But of course that was 50 years ago and today, the newly restored Padre is up and running and doing a brisk business.

 * ... COLLEGE GRADS: Laura Camp grew up in Bakersfield, graduated from Southern Methodist University and now lives in Washington, D.C., but keeps up with her hometown by following my blog online. She wrote to share the good news that her younger brother, Donald 'Max' Camp III, as well as three of her cousins are all graduating from college this May. "My cousin McKenzie Camp will be graduating from Eastman University in Rochester (NY) and heading to San Francisco and cousin Katie Camp will be graduating from San Diego State University and coming back to Bakersfield. My cousin Jack Pandol Jr. will be graduating from Washington and Lee University (VA) and brother Max from Southern Methodist University (TX) and am excited to have them both join me in D.C. after graduation. All my cousins, siblings and self included attended Bakersfield Christian High School."

 * ... NEW EATERY: A new restaurant has opened downtown in a building in the center of the arts district. It is called Chef's Choice Noodle Bar and is owned by the same family that owns the Thai Orchid off Brimhall Road and Dr. Nick Hansa, a local pulmonologist. I had a chance to dine there last week and it was excellent, pulling on the flavors that the Thai-born Dr. Hansa and his wife know so well. Locals are hoping the best for this effort. In the past 10 years there has been a revolving door of restaurants and bars at 19th and Eye streets, including Downtown Joe's, Capistrano's and the Do Wop Diner.

 * ... STREETCARS: From my mailbox: Lillian Rea wrote to tell me that she was "the last passenger to ride all the way to the car barn at midnight, February 28, 1942, on old number 17. The conductor was Mark Wade, and my husband. He called me and asked me to come and ride into the barn on his last run. And so it was, that I became the last person to ride on the last street car to run in Bakersfield. Making me a true Bakersfildian." Indeed, I think that qualifies you.

 * ...WHO KNEW? Bolthouse Farms sells nearly a billion pounds of carrots a year under a number of different brand names and supermarket labels. Only Grimmway Farms, a few minutes down the road in Bakersfield, sells more, and just barely. Together, the two companies control more than 80% of the carrot market in the United States. 

Time for some old fashioned story telling and celebrating wildflower season in Kern County

 * ... THE PORCH: Every family has that aunt or uncle who can tell a story and  leave you in stitches with laughter. And now there's a new effort in town to bring back the lost art of story telling, and it will kick off this Thursday, April 21, at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. This is all the bran child of the museum's David Gordon, who is looking for folks who want to tell a true story in front of a live audience. "Stories must relate to the theme and must be in story form – no random thoughts or observations. True stories only (honor system) and no stand-up routines, notes or cards. Strictly the spoken word. Stories can be funny, sad, incredible, poignant - whatever direction your story takes. The time limit is 5 minutes. A panel of judges will rate the stories on a scale of 1-10. First place winner receives a prize. Winners of the first series of story throw-downs (to be held over the next year) will go on to a Story-off and compete for even better prizes!" he said. The throw down will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person."

 * ... COFFEE: Had a few readers ask where they could buy Covenant Coffee, roasted by a local organization who uses the profits to help foster children in Kern County. Covenant gets its coffee from Africa, Mexico and other countries but sells it locally. You can order exactly what you want through its website (www.covenantcoffee.org) or visit Covenant's local offices at 1616 29th Street.

 * ... WILDFLOWERS: It's that season again to view our famous wildflowers, and they are out in abundance along the bike path headed west toward Enos Lane. And so is the water. The recharge basin is brimming with wildlife almost the entire way to Enos Lane to Interstate 5, and it's worth a visit. With that said, apparently there was so much rain this year that the high grasses are choking off the wildflowers along the Grapevine, which is always a spectacular sight.

 * ... SPOTTED: Young woman in a new red Ford Mustang, turning west on California Avenue from Oak Street while blissfully texting on her cell phone, nearly running two cars into the oncoming traffic.

 * ... RADIO: There are some amazing things happening in downtown Bakersfield these days: new restaurants, an emerging arts district, a fresh new spirit that brims with confidence. One of the urban pioneers behind this transformation is Don Martin, the owner of the Metro Galleries art boutique on 19th Street. I'll be interviewing Don this Friday at 10 a.m. on "Californian Radio" on SmartTalk1230 about the changes downtown. Can't listen at work? You can download a free application that allows you to listen to the radio on your cell phone. Just Google or search for "Tune In" to download the app.

 * ... ST. FRANCIS: The annual barbeque to support the St. Francis Parish is set for Thursday, April 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is always a good evening to mingle with Monsignor Craig Harrison and dine on some excellent steaks, fettuccine alfredo, green beans and salad. This is an adult only affair and tickets are $25 each. Contact (661) 327-4734 for tickets or stop by the office at 900 H Street to buy tickets. 

 * ... WHO KNEW? Kern County experienced its own gold rush in 1851 when gold was discovered on the Kern River. One of those who sent teams to mine the gold was John C. Fremont, known as "the Pathfinder."

Barry Goldner honored with Bench and Bar award, Monty Byrom and other local notables

 * ... GOLDNER: Kudos to Barry Goldner, the local attorney who will be honored with the  Kern County Bar Association's Bench and Bar Award on Thursday, April 28, at the Petroleum Club. This is a prestigious award in the legal community and recognizes outstanding service to the administration of justice and contributions to the profession. Barry is a principal at Klein DeNatale and Goldner and is married to Teri Goldner, a former judge who now serves as county counsel. Their daughter, Rachel, will graduate from Garces Memorial High School this year and will attend Fordham University in the fall.

 * ... MONTY BYROM: Had a chance to stop by the Buck Owen's Crystal Palace Saturday to take in the music of Monty Byrom, founder of the country rock band Big House. I had not been to the Palace in some time and was reminded of what a pleasant venue it is on any given night. Big name acts regularly appear there, but you can enjoy it just as much with the house band or a local talent like Monty Byrom, who wowed the audience with his rendition of Roy Orbison's song "Crying," a darkly emotional ballad that was No. 1 on the charts way back in 1961.

 * ... LIGHTSPEED: Lightspeed Systems, a locally owned technology company, is expanding its footprint in the downtown area. The company, owned by Rob and Judi McCarthy, has taken possession of the old Youth Authority building at the corner of 19th and F streets. The building is now being spruced up and remodeled, a welcome sight considering its checkered past. A few months ago a fight broke out among some of the youthful offenders hanging around outside, leading to the stabbing of one man.

 * ... ILLINOIS BOUND: Stephanie Green dropped me note to inform me that Josh Gallington, who kicked for Bakersfield Christian High School and Bakersfield College, has won a full scholarship to play football at Northern Illinois University. NIU's first game is at home against Army on September 3. They will also face off against Big Ten power Wisconsin on September 17 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

 * ... TUMBLEWEEDS: Frances Cagle Sinclair wrote to say she "got a huge chuckle of your mention of tumbleweed snowmen. When I was doing my student teaching in Fresno (1959) I imported some Lost Hills tumbleweeds, sprayed them white and put together a snowman for my fourth grade class. It was quite a feat getting those 'weeds' in my little Chevy for the trip."


 * ... HOST FAMILIES: My friend Sue Peninger is once again looking for families to host a French exchange student this summer. The program is called Horizons du Monde in which French students are placed with American families between July 29 and August 18. This is always an interesting program and folks who have done it rave about the experience. If you are interested, call Sue Peninger at (661) 332-7147.

 * ... WHO KNEW? Covenant Coffee is a local Bakersfield company that gives all its profits to support foster youth. Its coffee comes from Tanzania but is packaged right here in town.

McCarthy: President's repackaged budget speech was a flop. He needs to get real

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) submits his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

"On Wednesday, President Obama gave a much-anticipated speech to the nation on deficit reduction. In an attempt to provide an alternative to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s widely acclaimed budget, the
President attempted to repackage his first budget as a successful sequel. It flopped. The President once again called to raise taxes on hard-working Americans by trillions of dollars. With tax day approaching, I know many of you are contemplating your tax burden. This year, the average American will work 102 days out of the year just to pay taxes before you start taking money home. Now President Obama wants you to pay more.

  "Washington does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Over the past two years, President Obama and the Democrat majority added more than $3.5 trillion to the national debt. Our national debt now stands at over $14 trillion; the Treasury Department just reported that the U.S. deficit increased 15.7 percent in the first half of this fiscal year; and our critical health and retirement security programs are going broke. This cannot continue. Instead of working with House Republicans to tighten Washington’s belt just like every family and business has been forced to do, the President is asking us to give up more of our hard-earned paycheck.

  "As a former small business owner, I know firsthand that the higher the taxes, the less money there is to hire more employees and invest in our economy. The best way to grow our economy is to let people keep
more of their money. Higher taxes serve only to discourage entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. That is why my colleagues and I this week passed a responsible, fact-based budget, The Path to Prosperity. Our budget, introduced by Chairman Ryan last week, would lower the tax burden to encourage entrepreneurship and create new jobs. In fact, the House Budget Committee projects that the Path to Prosperity would create one million private sector jobs over the next year, increase economic output and average family income, as well as decrease the unemployment rate to 4 percent by 2015.

  "The Path to Prosperity puts the budget on the path to balance and pays off the debt. In fact, our budget cuts $6.2 trillion in government spending and reduces deficits by $4.4 trillion over the next decade
compared to the President’s budget. Getting our nation’s fiscal house in order means less of a threat of new taxes on your family and businesses now and in the future.

  "Also this week, we funded government through the end of the fiscal year, cutting nearly $40 billion this year and $315 billion over the next decade, but that’s just the beginning. With The Path to Prosperity, we’re taking the conversation from billions of dollars in spending cuts to trillions, and tackling the big issues that will
fundamentally move our nation toward a balanced budget.

Michael Turnipseed fights for the Valley in Sacramento while Fisher Communications faces hostile takeover

 * ... TURNIPSEED: Hats off to Michael Turnipseed, the head of KernTax who is leading the fight to bring more equitable utility rates to the San Joaquin Valley. Turnipseed was on SmartTalk1230 with Californian columnist Lois Henry Wednesday, explaining in the clearest terms how Valley residents are being hosed (my words, not his) through a Pacific Gas and Electric rate structure that penalizes ratepayers who live in harsher climates. This is fight worth following and we should all be thankful that a pitbull like Turnipseed is in Sacramento representing our interests.

 * ... KBAK: It looks like Fisher Communications, the parent company of KBAK-TV, is in a nasty fight to fend off a hostile takeover bid from a hedge fund company. Fisher owns some 20 stations in the West, including the Bakersfield franchise. Not sure what this might mean for KBAK if the hedge fund succeeds, but they are not known for progressive management.

 * ... NURSERY: Here's something I bet you didn't know: According to reader Rob Ferree, there is a popular plum tree in town named for Carl Krauter, who ran a local nursery in town for years. Ferree said he and his wife met Krauter in 1977 "and he proudly introduced us to a plum tree called the Krauter Vesuvius which is distinguished by a dark purple leaf and pink blossoms. Apparently Carl Krauter named the variety that can be seen all over town and is quite popular elsewhere as well."

 * ... MEMORIES: Al B. Gonzales was in the first class at Garces Memorial High School and wrote to remember when "East Bako was booming. The five and dimes by the Granada Theater were Ben Franklin and Cornet, J.C. Penney's, Snider's, McMahans, Kirby Shoes, Casa Moore, Saba's and don't forget Mother's Bakery. Our dad worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and had credit at Saba's. I bought a red flowered silk shirt with a mandarin collar. It was the style in the 1950s."

 * ... TAR HEEL: Among our community's unsung exports are our outstanding students who set out across the country attending first rate universities. One of those students is Julianne Toler, who attended Norris School and graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in 2003. She went on to graduate Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in 2009 she received a masters in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. She is still attending UNC in the doctorate program and should complete that in 2013 or 2014. Her father is Larry Toler, a retired battalion chief with the city fire department, and her mother Marilyn is a retired teacher with the Norris School. Proud father Larry told me Julianne will be getting married in July to Dave Schmidt, whom she met at Chapel Hill.

 * ... WILDCAT: Another youngster headed to the dorm life is Adam Karpe, who will be a freshman at the University of Arizona in the fall. Adam's older brother, Robert, will be a sophomore at the University of South Carolina. Both Karpe boys graduated from Garces Memorial High School. Adam's father is Ray Karpe, also a graduate of Garces who went on to earn a degree from CSUB. His mother, Lisa, went to Highland High School, Bakersfield College and Fresno City College.

 * ... WHO KNEW? The Rolling Stones, longtime country music fans, sang about Bakersfield in 1978 in their song “Far Away Eyes” on the album “Some Girls.”
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Gas heads to $5 a gallon and Bakersfield leads the way, and noting the 150th anniversary of the Civil War

 * ... GAS PRICES: The average price for a gallon of gas across our nation is now $3.76 and may hit $5 by the summer. That's what some experts are warning, even as the long recession drags on and areas like the San Joaquin Valley continue to experience unemployment levels north of 16 percent. In one survey, broadcast by ABC this week, Bakersfield had the distinction of having the highest gas prices in the nation. 

 * ... COLLEGE BOUND: High school seniors across town are making their choices for where they will attend college and I'm always happy to put a spotlight on some of these high achieving kids. Over at Garces Memorial High, senior Gina Bell will be attending The George Washington University in Washington D.C. in the fall on an academic scholarship. Gina was accepted at Fordham, Seton Hall, Wheaton and Providence colleges but chose George Washington because of her love for American history and politics. Gina's proud parents are Kevin and Pam Bell: Kevin is a graduate of Highland High and Cal State Bakersfield and Pam is a graduate of Garces Memorial and Fresno State University. Kevin is employed at ATT and Pam is employed at Saint Francis Parish School in Bakersfield.

* ... PROSPECT: Keep your eye on Cruise Adams, a sophomore at Garces Memorial High School who played quarterback and kicker on the JV football team. ESPN recently singled him out as a hot college prospect for the 2013 recruiting class, noting that he had kicked a 50-yard field goal in a kicking camp. 

* ... REMEMBRANCE: This is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, a topic that all Americans should be respectful of and well versed in. Was surprised to learn there is a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy here (Mary Boykin Chesnut chapter 2634) and it is planning a moment of remembrance on Thursday, April 21, at Union Cemetery. The organization was started by the grieving mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of fallen Confederate soldiers who tended to their graves. They soon began tending to the graves of Union soldiers as well in a tribute to all the fallen men and women. Diane Allen is the local president of the UDC chapter and told me the ceremony is planned for 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited.

  * ... SPOTTED: A young man riding his bike down Gosford Road in the bike lane, balancing
while he uses both hands for texting on his cell phone. Incidentally, the Legislature is now considering a bill to make this illegal.

 * ... CALIFORNIAN RADIO: If you get a chance, tune in to SmartTalk1230 (AM-1230) on Friday when I will be interviewing new CSUB Athletic Director Jeff Konya on the challenges facing the school's entry into Division 1 sports. If you have a Google (Android) phone or iPhone, download the free application Tunein and you can listen on your cell phone. Should be an interesting hour starting at 10 a.m. Konya recently hired a new basketball coach and has the daunting task of finding a conference that will accept CSUB.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: Linda L. Welch wrote that you may be a Bakersfield old timer if you worked at the old J.C. Penney building downtown and knew the top floor was a brothel in the early 1900s and the basement was a bomb shelter.



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