A local attorney rides 224 miles over a 24-hour period just because he could, yet another memory of Merle Haggard and white glove service at the Craft Tap House

 * ... THOMAS MORGAN: Do you ever wonder what drives people to excel, or achieve feats of physical pain and endurance that would make most of us shrink from the challenge? I posed that

question to my friend Thomas Morgan, who just punched his bucket list on a quest to climb on his bike the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest, some 29,000 feet. Morgan, deputy county counsel with a fascinating personal story (years ago as a young deputy sheriff he was shot in the neck at point blank range and left for dead) took his bike to the base of Round Mountain and put in 224 miles over a 24-hour period, climbing 29,137 feet in some nasty and wet conditions. Why? Morgan told me it would be easy to answer "because it is there," but more deeply said he was moved at what it brought out in his friends who rallied to help by bringing food, shoveling mud off the road and riding alongside to help him stay awake. "Why indeed?" he told me. "At first it was the idea that I could, even at an age far beyond most great athletes, do something extraordinary. I wouldn't need any support or fanfare or a pile of money. All I would need is a mountain and a bike and a little free time. However, in the end what was really extraordinary was all of the people that came out to support me... At times it seemed they willed me back up that climb when all I wanted to do was go home and sleep."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "When life throws me a curveball, I try to duck so it hits someone else."

 * ... BILL MURRAY: And there was this quote floating around social media attributed to comedian Bill Murray: "I don't trust people who don't like dogs, but I trust dogs who don't like people."

 * ... FOODIE: After hearing friends rave about its bar food, I finally stopped by the Craft Tap House on Truxtun the other day and settled into one of their custom hamburgers. The bacon burger was outstanding, but more impressive was the white glove service provided by on site manager Robert Reyna.

 * ... MERLE: Reader A.S. McClaren has this memory of Merle Haggard when McClaren was a young deputy sheriff back in 1972: "I was working as a reserve deputy sheriff in 1972 when we got a call to meet the man at the Hart Park offices regarding a possible assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arriving we found a very wet Merle Haggard. He had been across the river at Shell Beach with a female friend when her significant other showed up. According to Merle, he had a very large gun and told Merle he could save his skin if he swam the Kern River, which he did. A few years later I was working in Los Angeles when I heard a new song by Merle Haggard entitled 'I'll Never Swim Kern River Again.' I just about fell out of my truck. I don't know how many know the story behind songs but this is one that only a true song writer could write because he had been there. And I was a witness. Sad to have lost him."

 * ... CALM: The California Living Museum (CALM) is putting on a fancy dinner and musical evening on Saturday, May 7, to expose more folks to the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in the southern San Joaquin Valley. It's called the Beastly Ball and it will feature a gourmet dinner, music, and auction and an opportunity to walk the grounds around the CALM zoo. Tickets are $125 or $900 a table.

Monday Bako bits: Fifty years ago Merle Haggard kept a promise, some random acts of kindness and more on former weather caster Marge Stiles

 * ... MERLE: We have read a lot of tributes to the late Merle Haggard recently, but I couldn't resist sharing this one from reader Pete Parson: "It was spring break of my first year at Cal Poly just over 50 years ago when I went to one of the local honky tonks that didn't check many IDs, especially if

one was over 6 foot tall and was wearing a cowboy hat, boots and a white T shirt. I sat down at the bar next to Merle and asked if he'd heard of the band that had played at the Western dance at Cal Poly a few weeks back. He affirmed that he had and said they had one really good picker. At length I asked if he'd be interested in playing for the next dance a year hence. He said they'd probably need about $200 more than I was authorized since they would have to rent some rooms in San Luis Obispo for the night. I assured him I could swing it and we shook hands. Within the next six months some of his records (many of which had been out for a while) were at the top of the country charts and after an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry he and the band were on network TV.  By the time the date came around a lot of my fellow students were expressing doubt that he would show up but they were there as promised and played from 7 p.m. until past midnight.  The old Crandall Gym floor and bleachers were filled to capacity. It was a blast! The club treasurer expressed his relief and admitted his previous doubt when we didn't even have a written contract.  Merle simply said, 'I gave him my hand on it, that's contract enough for me' and stuffed the $500 check into his pocket."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "You know what I like about people? Their dogs."

 * ... MAILBAG: This handwritten note from Lela and Rodney Nahama showed up at my office, and it speaks for itself: "Kudos, accolades and many thanks to the emergency room staff at Mercy Southwest Hospital. We are grateful for their attention, kindness and knowledge that was given to us on April 2-3, 2016."

 * ... GOOD FORM: And Vicki Utt added this: "My husband and I were having lunch at downtown Mexicali this week, and he was wearing a Vietnam combat veterans cap. Two gentlemen at a nearby table stopped as they were leaving to shake his hand and thank him for his service. This is not an uncommon, but always appreciated gesture since 9-11. But we were taken completely by surprise when we were informed they had paid our lunch tab. We would like to publicly thank them and let them know just how much we appreciate it. Bakersfield is truly filled with good people."

 * ... ST. FRANCIS: Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 28, when the St. Francis Parish will holds its 14th annual barbecue in the church parking lot. The menu features a New York steak, green beans, salad and all for $30, with proceeds going to the 63 parish ministries.

 * ... MEMORIES: Retired social studies teacher Harry Love shared a few memories about former KERO TV weather caster Marge Stiles and others: "I came to Bakersfield in 1967 to teach at Foothill High School. I was born in Los Angeles and went to college there. Of course , TV station personalities were rarely seen. Well I had to go to the KHSD office, then on 24th Street, to the audio-visual department, to get a 16mm film (pre DVD times) to use in class. There was Marge Stiles. She was the head of the department. Her day job. This meant that a TV personality was waiting on me! Maybe that is why I stayed here for the remainder of my teaching career."

House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy recognizes the heroes that live amongst us

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

"True heroes are all around us. Each day hundreds of people impact our communities, touch lives, and generate immense positive change. This week I was fortunate to spend time with several of our heroes and recognize their actions.

 "Last Saturday, I had the honor of presenting the Military Hero award at the Kern County Red Cross Heroes dinner. It was a pleasure to spend time with Julio Torres, this year’s recipient, who served in the Marines for 12 years, and now helps fellow veterans suffering from PTSD regain their independence by pairing them with trained service dogs. Torres’ efforts have played a critical role in alleviating symptoms of PTSD and have helped numerous veterans gain a new lease on life. Torres, and all of those recognized by the Red Cross, have made our community a better place through their selfless acts of courage and humanitarian service.

 "Another highlight of my week was welcoming a piece of the World Trade Center to Bakersfield. The arrival served as a reminder of the strength of our country and how in times of crisis we always come together – not as Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, but as Americans. It was special to see our local police, firefighters, and others drive alongside the steel beam as it made its way through downtown. The six-and-a-half-ton beam traveled nearly 3,000 miles from New York and will be used for a 9/11 memorial between the Bakersfield Fire Department Fire Station and the Police Department substation at 1315 Buena Vista Road.

 "It was an emotional scene as all of us in attendance took a moment to reflect on one of the darkest days in American history. It's hard to believe fifteen years have passed, but I will never forget the response of the men, women and children in our community and in every community across the nation. We were overwhelmed with emotion, but while we mourned, we chose courage and we chose unity over division. And America was at its best.

 "That is why we never forget the fallen and the first responders who rushed into the rubble in search of survivors, including our own first responders from Kern County who flew to Washington to help at the Pentagon. We also must never forget the important role first responders play in our daily lives. Their work takes place every day often with little fanfare.

 "I urge everyone in our community to take a moment and thank our local heroes who without fail, endure danger and challenges every day to keep us safe.

Noting the passing of Merle Haggard and his theme of "rebellion and escape," recognizing the rise of young musicians from North High School and Bakersfield Track Club plans an event this Saturday

 * ... MERLE: The coverage of Merle Haggard's death by my colleagues here at The Californian was without peer, but I am always interested in how others viewed the passings of local legends

. These phrases from The New York Times pretty much tell the story: "a supple baritone suffused with dignity and regret; the pliancy of his singing voice, a deeply expressive instrument that lent itself to a variety of tempos, arrangements and emotions; an architect of the Bakersfield sound, a guitar driven blend of blues, jazz, pop and honky tonk that traced its roots to Bakersfield, Calif."  And finally: "Rebellion and escape, themes steeped more in rock 'n' roll than in country music."

 * ... FOODIE: My recommendation for a refreshing (and super healthy) summer salad is the chilled seaweed salad from Jin Sushi on 19th Street downtown.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "The best way to get a man to do something is to suggest he’s too old for it."

 * ... NORTH HIGH: I was leaving a downtown restaurant the other night when the melodic sounds of jazz caught my ear, a siren's call that enjoined me to follow the source of the music. I ended up at the beautiful outdoor seating area at The Mark restaurant where the 30-piece North High School Jazz Ensemble (led by band director Mike Wawrzynski) was performing before a group of parents, boosters and strangers like me who happened to be in the area. I know little to nothing about jazz, but I am a sucker for the soft wail of horns while watching youngsters embrace a musical education, and these kids were simply amazing. It was all part of Bakersfield Jazz Workshop that performs every Tuesday at The Mark, sometimes featuring acts like the kids from North High and other times impromptu jazz sessions from folks in attendance.

 * ... THE JUICE:  Tony Malon has been following the recent docudrama and coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial and had this comment: "I have watched everything published, TV, magazines, books etc. since the original O.J. trial. Do you know they still continually get the verdict wrong?"

 * ... RIVER RUN: If you are into fitness check this out: This Saturday is the Kern River Trail Run out at Hart Park, starting at 7:30 a.m. The Bakersfield Track Club is putting on the event to raise money for scholarships, and it will feature runs of 5K, 10K and a killer 10-mile run. (Please, no strollers or dogs). The cost is $50 for the 10K and 10-miler and $40 for the 5K.

 * ... MEMORIES: Can you stand one more memory about former KERO TV weathercaster Marge Stiles? This comes from former station employee Vinny Calaustro: "I worked at KERO-TV (then channel 10) as a props-assistant back in the summers of 1969 and 1970. At that time, Marge had her own separate studio which was permanently set-up. She used 'mirrors' to recreate that unique effect of writing backwards while delivering the weather forecast. I remember that the lighting and the angle of the mirrors was very critical. Very cool then and is still very cool. I also worked on the Don Rodewald Show, Meet Mitchell Show, and Uncle Woody Show. I was blessed to have known and worked along side these people."

A German Shepherd loses a leg hunting for bombs in Afghanistan and earns a prestigious British medal, those political signs are popping up around town and it's time for the big Ken Barnes Skeet Tournament out at the Kern County Gun Club

* ... LUCCA: A Marine veteran buddy of mine alerted me to the story of Lucca, a 12-year-old German Shepherd who was awarded the animal version of the British Victoria Cross for service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lucca served with the U.S. Marine Corps and successfully completed more than 400 missions over six years before she lost a leg in the explosion of a roadside bomb. "On

March 23, 2012, Lucca lost her front left leg and suffered burns to her chest, neck and head while searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan," a news release noted. "Ahead of a foot patrol, she found a weapons cache hidden in a haystack in a poppy field and later discovered a 30-pound IED, which was cleared. But a second IED went off when she was looking for additional dangers in their way. No soldiers were injured in the explosion." The dog was evacuated to Camp Pendleton where she recovered and is now living with Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham, who served with her during two tours in Iraq. Now that's a happy ending.

* ... ELECTIONS: You know it's election season when the political signs start popping up around town. So far I have spotted signs for two mayoral candidates - Kyle Carter and Nannette Gonzalez - as well as a few for Supervisor David Couch and judgeship candidate David Wolf. In another month the city will be blanketed with this evidence of visual democracy.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "When I die, I want my grave to offer free Wifi so that people visit more often."

 * ... SNAKES: There is no surer sign that summer is coming than spotting rattlesnakes on the local roads and bike paths. I have spotted two near Hart Park in the past week, sunning themselves on the blacktop.

* ... KENNY BARNES OPEN: Free this weekend? If want to witness some of the best skeet shooting in the west head out to the Kern County Gun Club to take in the Ken Barnes Open Skeet Championship. Named after our own Ken Barnes, it will run Friday through Sunday and feature All American and former world champions. My favorite: The Sunday "shutoffs" that determine class champions.

 * ... MARGE: We've had some fun recalling former KERO TV weathercaster Marge Stiles, and how she used to write "backwards" on the weather board. Not so fast says reader Terry Gaiser, who told me this: "With regards to Marge Stiles writing backwards... she really didn't. That is what it looked like, but the picture that the camera was taking was reversed through the magic of electronics and TV.

 * ... MORE MARGE: And lastly, agreeing with Terry Gaiser was Diana G. Conner: "Actually she was not writing backwards. The camera only gave the appearance of her writing backwards. She actually was writing forward from behind the clear weather board. If she stood in front of the weather clear weather board and wrote the temperatures we would of seen the numbers backwards. But standing behind it allowed us viewers to see the numbers correctly but made her look as if she was writing in reverse. Maybe someone out there could explain it better than I just did. But it was all the 'trick' of the TV camera!"

Thanks to a Western diet of sugars and empty carbs, the obesity epidemic is going global and a Vietnam veteran is the recipient of a random act of kindness

 * ... OBESTIY: A new study by The Lancet predicts that the obesity epidemic is going global. The study predicts that 18 percent of men and 21 percent of women will be obese by the year 2025. The culprit: A "Western diet (that) is spreading across the world. It's characterized by a high intake of red

meat, refined sugars and saturated fat - but little fiber." I might add to that a lack of serious exercise and a general lethargy among young people and adults in North and South America. Already in the United States alone more than a third of adults are technically obese, and it is only getting worse.

 * ... GET OUT: And speaking of obesity, shame on you if you didn't put your sneakers or hiking boots on and enjoyed our Mediterranean-like weather this weekend. Dozens of bike riders were spotted making the 50-mile round trip to Woody, the parks were full and the Panorama bluffs were alive with activity.

 * ... KINDNESS: Vietnam veteran Mike Huckert wrote with this word of thanks. "I look forward often to reading your column and thought this would be a great way to publicly thank the young lady who bought my lunch and cookies for my grandkids last Thursday at Sequoia in Rosedale. She thanked me for my service as a Vietnam Nam vet and related that her dad was a helicopter pilot and was there the same years I was. Thank you so much for a much appreciated act of kindness and for paying it forward. "

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "The day I see a runner smiling is the day I’ll consider it."

 * ... OVERHEARD: "He's a very emotional guy. He cries when supermarkets open."

 * ... MEMORIES: I wrote earlier about the old days of KERO TV and it triggered this response from Ken Caskey: "Thought I would let you know that my father-in-law and mother-in-law (Carlos and Nena Amado of Carlos Shower Doors) made the weather map that was used on KERO TV by Marge Stiles. My wife thinks it was sandblasted on glass. Marge stood behind it and wrote backwards."

 * ... MORE MARGE: And R.B. Mushaney added this: "Today, I saw the remembrance about our weather lady, Marge Stiles. I know very little about her on a personal level. As a kid in the 1960s, I was mesmerized by her ability to write backward on her clear acrylic board all the while delivering a comprehensive weather report. I clearly remember thinking that writing backward with that speed and accuracy had to be as great a talent as typing 100 words per minute. She made me thoroughly enjoy the evening news! One word, amazing."

A new audit slams the University of California system for favoring foreign and out of state students because they pay higher tuitions, Mayor Harvey Hall shows more class and no, Trader Joe's is not shutting down

* ... UC SYSTEM: A new report sharply criticized the University of California system for favoring foreign and out of state students over California residents simply because they pay more in tuition.

This probably shouldn't come as any surprise, but the audit was the harshest criticism yet for the UC system that has long been under attack for admitting more out of state students as a way to balance its budget. It recommended, among other things, a cap on foreign and out of state students as well as stricter entrance requirements. How many outstanding, high achieving California students do you know who have been forced to out out of state simply because the UC System needs more money?

 * ... HARVEY HALL: Among the reasons I will miss Harvey Hall as mayor is the way he welcomes, embraces and appreciates all voices in our community. Among those voices is the local Sikh community, which is significant and growing, and which will hold its annual parade and celebration later this month. Hall is now appearing on public affairs spots on local television promoting the event, and we can only hope his successor is equally as welcoming to all diverse elements who share this place we call home.

 * ... APRIL FOOLS: What was the Yahoo! news site thinking by allowing someone to post an April Fools story saying Trader Joe's was shutting all of its 500 stores across the country? The story, posted Thursday the day before April 1, went viral on social media before it was exposed for just what it was, a premature bad joke.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I think the only way I’ll ever be motivated to go to the gym is if I’m in prison."

 * ... OVERHEARD: "The only thing worse than smokers are the smokers who dump their ashtrays into a parking lot."

 * ... SHARP SHOOTER: Frontier High school junior Remington DeWitt has done it again, earning yet another accolade in the sport of skeet shooting. DeWitt, daughter of Stuart and Kourtney DeWitt, has been named to the Zone 7 All Area Ladies team that will compete in the regional shoot next month in Phoenix. Not bad for a 16 year old.

 * ... MEMORIES: John Strand from Lake Isabella says you might a Bakersfield old-timer "if you remember Marge Stiles (Styles?).  She was the weather lady at KERO-TV when studios were in the El Tejon Hotel downtown. Even though her monochrome graphics consisted of a grease marker and some Plexiglas, and there were no weather satellites, her forecasts were surprisingly accurate."

California floats a plan to offer retirement plans to workers who don't have access to them, and a trip back South reveals a near litter free environment

 * ... CALIFORNIA: California has always been a trend setter for the nation (and you may disagree if this is a good thing in some cases) but I was encouraged to read about a move to provide essentially a 401 (k) retirement plan for private sector workers who otherwise don't have access to them. It

would work like this: workers would be signed up automatically and have 2 percent to 5 percent of their salaries invested in the plan, unless of course the employee decides otherwise. This sounds like a solid plan to provide all Californian workers a vehicle to save for their retirement.

* ... SOUTHBOUND: I spent a week connecting with old friends in Savannah and attending a wedding of a special friend. The city is stunning, the people are friendly and the food and restaurants in the historic district are without peer. But what impressed me most was the cleanliness of the downtown and its focus on remaining litter free. And the interstates? They were equally clean, thanks in part to the state's use of prison labor to police the roadsides.

 * ... BAD FORM: Kly Horsley encountered this bit of bad form while walking with his dog the other day and encountered two angry boxers. "The dogs were leashed but out of control. If the owner would of lost control my dog would probably be dead. As she was pulling her dogs away she said they don't get walked much. As they walk away she says sorry."

 * ... PRIUS: There was this observation from reader Greg Laskowski: "Observed recently while driving on Coffee Road an individual smoking while driving a Prius. What’s wrong with this picture?"

 * ... SPOTTED: Meanwhile Mike Stricker attended the NCAA Wrestling Tournament in New York recently and spotted a familiar face: former KGET weatherman John Elliott holding court on a New York station and "still crazy as ever."

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Don’t worry about the grass on the other side. It’s not your grass."

 * ... GOOD FORM: And finally, Neil Walker reminded me of the goodness that exists in our community with this post: "Throughout my career, college and military days, I’ve spent considerable time away from my hometown of Bakersfield. I’ve always come home and even coaxed my new bride in 1979 to relocate from her beloved southern California ... couldn’t budge her out of here now! Like many others who have written with similar experiences, I discovered three missing credit cards along with my VA card. I backtracked everywhere I’d been over the prior week (and) no luck. Then I stopped by Costco on Rosedale and inquired with supervisor Tom. He and manager Tim checked the safe room and emerged displaying all four of my missing cards. What a relief not to have to cancel three credit cards and visit the VA for a duplicate card. Again, a wonderful but unidentified Bakersfield resident found my cards and turned them in. Many thanks to Costco and especially to the good citizen ... I hope you’re reading this. "