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.'"

If it is Christmas week it's time to look back on the year, to give some thanks for all the blessing we have, to call out some great service about town

 * … GIVING THANKS: As we wrap up 2014, there is a lot to be thankful for in this community of

ours. Here's to all those who volunteer their time for others, who give generously to the charity of their choice and who awake every day committed to making this a better place to live. In that spirit, here are some of the people, organizations, businesses and stories that caught my attention this year. Enjoy.

 * … HONOR FLIGHT: Hats off to all the volunteers, sponsors and escorts who have made Kern County's Honor Flight such a success this year. As the ranks of the Greatest Generation shrink, it's terrific to see these veterans given the respect they so richly deserve.

  * … TRENDS: And speaking of veterans, one of promising trends of the year has been the generosity of so many Bakersfield residents in picking up the tabs for veterans at local restaurants. Wear baseball cap identifying yourself as a veteran, and someone is likely to do something nice for you. This is surprisingly common and a touching way for one generation to say thanks to another.

 * … BAD NEWS: One of the biggest disappointments came late in the year when we learned plans for a "great park" in the canyons near Hart Park had fallen through over a dispute on mineral rights. The loss of a 800-acre park on some incredibly beautiful terrain is nothing less than heart breaking. This town needs more amenities like this.

 * … VIDEO: Was there a better video this year than the one showing a tabby cat named Tara saving a young boy from being mauled by a neighbor's dog? The video went viral and Tara the Hero Cat put Bakersfield on the map, this time in a good way.

 * … SERVICE: Few restaurants provide the kind of personal, white-gloved service as Uricchio's Trattoria, thanks to owner Claire Uricchio and her attentive staff. The food is always top notch, but it is the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff that sets this Italian eatery apart. As a friend said, "It's like Cheers in there. You always see someone you know."

 * … LUNCH: If there is a better place for lunch than Luigi's Delicatessan on a spring day, someone needs to take me there. It is the quintessential Bakersfield bistro to meet and greet, and I dare you to find more consistent food anywhere in town. I'll have the spinach salad with a scoop of tuna, please.

 * … GAS STATION: I have a fondness for the two partners who own the Ramco Express gas station downtown off 23rd Street. They offer competitive prices and they always greet you with a smile. And congratulations to co-owner Rami, whose wife just gave birth to twin boys.

 * … BURGERS: I am on a quest to find delicious new burgers in town, and we have plenty. Some of my new favorites include Eureka Burger, The Padre Hotel bar, Narducci's and Juicy Burger. New restaurants? Try Krush in the Northwest, Wiki's Wine Dive and Grill in the Southwest and Wall Street Cafe downtown.

 * … HEALTH CARE: Your health can't be in better hands than with Dr. Raj Patel and his incredible staff over at Preferred Family Care Physicians on Truxtun Avenue across from the lake. Patel and his crew provide the kind of old fashioned family doctor experience that is no longer common these days.

 * … BUTCHER: This one is easy: the Wood-Dale market is a modest little place off Stine Road, but you won't find better meat, chicken and sausage in town. And for Basque food? My favorite is Noriega's, perhaps my favorite since eating experience especially with a large group of friends.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy: At this time of the year, let us never forget those in uniform at home and abroad …

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

 "Merry Christmas! During the rush to get and wrap last-minute gifts and see extended family, let us not forget the true meaning of the Christmas season – the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the blessings of God’s love for all of us.

 "We celebrate Christmas not just for the time to be with our families and spread a little joy in the world, but we also remember that our truest opportunity for happiness and peace comes through Jesus Christ, whose birth we will celebrate in just a few days. He is the reason why this season is so joyful.

  "In our daily lives, we strive to mimic the example that Jesus taught us and the Christmas season marks the start of a new year to renew this commitment to others. As Jesus teaches, we are meant to serve others and let us continue to help those in need in our community.

  "Few emulate this more than the men and women in uniform home and abroad, and the intelligence professionals and diplomats who are spending this Christmas season away from their families in defense of our country and the freedoms we enjoy.  We thank them and their families every day for your sacrifice. They may not be home for Christmas, but their service gives the rest of America the opportunity to celebrate this season in peace and security. We should continue to keep these individuals and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

 "
Judy and I and our entire family wish everyone the merriest Christmas, and a happy New Year.

Instead of caving to the North Korean cyber bullies, let's show The Interview at Rabobank Arena and see if we can fill the house, and New York moves to ban hydraulic fracturing

 * … THE INTERVIEW: The idea that threats from a rogue North Korean state could force Sony Pictures to cancel the release of the Seth Rogan comedy The Interview should concern us all. Who

cares about the quality of the movie - early reviews have not been kind - but Americans hate the idea of caving to any dictator, much less the erratic Kim Jong Un. Here's an idea: screen the movie locally at Rabobank Arena, charge $5 a ticket and give the proceeds to local charities. Trust me, we could pack the house.

 * … FRACKING: The state of New York is on the verge of banning hydraulic fracturing, making Gov. Andrew Cuomo one of the first major politicians to come down on the side of environmentalist on the issue. All this comes as yet another federal study found fracking relatively safe. Still, those opposed to the process continue to argue that the process is dangerous and should be banned or highly regulated.

* … BREAK-INS: Over the course of a recent lunch I learned of: United Parcel Service packages being stolen in Seven Oaks, two smashed windows of cars in Rivera Westchester (in one case someone smoked a cigarette in the car after breaking its window), a home burglary in the Northwest near Riverlakes and a ransacked car in the Northeast near Lowe's. It's that time of year.

 * … GOOD FORM: Edith Lyon called and left a message for me commending two women who rescued an elderly dog out of a busy road recently. The dog, who turned out to be 15 years old, was eventually reunited with its owner despite the fact it had no collar and was not micro chipped. "She was only wearing a bandana and was very sweet," she said. "This should be a lesson that we all need to micro-chip our pets."

 * … SPOTTED: Hats off to the middle aged woman who regularly walks the bluffs off Panorama Drive picking up the discarded fast food wrappers that so many people carelessly leave behind.

 * … OVERHEARD: In a local restaurant a young mother is talking to a friend about Christmas: "She wants an iTouch for Christmas. That's $200! She is 7 years old! What happened to Barbies?"

 * … BAD FORM: My life flashed before my eyes in a split second this week when a late model black sedan came within a few feet of broadsiding my Subaru at the intersection of 19th Street and Chester Avenue. The driver was not speeding but apparently was distracted  (talking on the cell phone? texting?) as he/she blew through the stop light. It's time we all put the cell phones down and pay attention.

 * … BRITISH: Did you know that there was an organization in town called the Sir Edward Elgar Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire? I am told the ladies held their final meeting on December 17. Said Constance Corbell: "The Bakersfield chapter was started in 1965 with approximately 100 members.  At the closing meeting we had eight members left, oldest being 97 and youngest 78. The Daughters of the British Empire, a philanthropic organization, was founded in 1909 for women of British or British Commonwealth birth. Over the years the local chapter has donated funds to the British Retirement Home in Sierra Madre near Los Angeles and also to local charities."