Bakersfield Observed

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Uricchio's Trattoria will reopen for curbside pickup soon, the county says it is not in the business of shutting down businesses that violate the state lockdown, and KBAK's Rachelle Murcia celebrates the end of her chemo treatment

19. That's according to owner Claire Porter, who said Uricchio's would reopen with a limited menu as it gauges when it might return to tabletop dining both inside and on its open air patio. Porter said she anticipates the industry will be allowed to reopen but only with some restrictions, possibly limiting inside seating and requiring the use of masks and gloves by some employees. Meanwhile some local restaurants - including Mossman's Fish and Chips, Moo Creamery and Spencers - have reopened with restrictions in defiance of the state order.

* ... PHASE TWO: As California moves into the Phase 2 process of reopening, county chief administrative officer Ryan Alsop said the county would not be in the business of shutting down businesses that violate the state order. Alsop said the county is in a position of "re-enforcing" the state mandate, but it would be up to the state to use it regulatory power to cite and punish any business that reopened prematurely. For restaurants and bars, Alsop noted, the state can use its regulatory powers over food and alcohol to mete out punishment if needed.

* ... GIANT HORNETS: Are you ready for the killer hornets? That's right, Asian hornets that grow to two inches in length have been spotted in Washington and farmers worry they could play havoc with the bee population used to pollinate plants. Perhaps not surprisingly, we are told that eating the large hornets is common in some Asian countries.

* ... TEACHER HONORS: Congratulations to Joseph Andreotti, who was named Teacher of the Year for the Lakeside Union School District. The honor puts him in the running to be Kern County teacher of the year. Andreotti teaches eight grade and ansi is the AVID site coordinator for the AVID program.

* ... RACHELLE MURCIA: A big hats off to KBAK evening anchor Rachelle Murcia, who officially completed her round of chemotherapy for cancer. The local anchor posted this to celebrate the day: "FINAL CHEMO DONE! I had 4 Red Devil treatments, 4 Taxol treatment and my last treatment was in the 4th day of the 4th month. The force is strong in this one.
(I wore some special things my loved ones sent to me. What I couldn’t wear, I carried with me and that bag sat right next to me for the 5 hours of my last treatment. Thank you all!)"

* .... OLD SCHOOL FIREFIGHTERS: I spotted this photo on a friend's Facebook page so I cannot tell you the date of this photo, or where it was taken, but it is a beauty. Are those beers they are drinking?

* ... MEMORIES: Don't you just love this picture of old Caliente? Thanks to the Kern County of Old Facebook page for this nugget from our past.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Pressure builds to open up the economy but researchers warn the virus could come back with a vengeance, Kern County appeals to the governor to allow a gradual reopening and banana bread is the dish of choice for the time of quarantine

early could trigger a second wave of infections. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania agree, warning that a premature reopening could lead to another 233,000 deaths from the coronavirus. The Wharton School Budget Model said even a partial reopening could lead to an additional 45,000 lives lost.

* ... KERN COUNTY: Meanwhile a group of Kern County supervisors, assisted by state Sen. Shannon Grove, are appealing to Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow Kern County to come up with its own plan for a gradual reopening. Supervisor Mike Maggard said the idea would be to phase in a reopening plan based on the conditions in Kern County, that are far better than the situation in Los Angeles and other areas. Joining Maggard and Grove are supervisors David Couch and Zach Scrivner. Maggard will be my guest on Monday at 2:30 on KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM/1180 AM.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I'm starting a rumor on the Breitbart chats that Covid-19 turns you gay. That should keep a lot of these idiots at home."

* ... ONE OPINION: Tony Martinez, who retired from the Bakersfield police department and now runs a nonprofit that provides house repairs for the needy, did not mince words when he cautioned that we should all be adhering to social distancing. Said Martinez: "What a slap in the face to our chiefs, the women and men of their departments, our doctors and nurses who every day risk their lives and of their families for individuals like those who protested in front of City Hall. No guts to protest in front of a hospital? Constitutional rights? Yes many men and women fought and gave their lives so you could have and use wisely, not for your political or personal agendas. If you have to venture out at least please use a face cover.. think of your children and families.

* ... BANANA BREAD: So what do you think is the single most researched food item that people have been preparing during the quarantine? If you guessed banana bread, you would be right. According to Google, more people researched how to make banana bread than any other food dish. Have you made yours yet?

* ... MEMORIES: Check out these photos of Highway 99 back when it opened in Kern County. These pictures are courtesy of the Historic Highway 99 Facebook page and show stretches of the 99 just south of Bakersfield.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

The Kern County Fair board, tarnished by scandal, warns the Fair may go out of business, more on those controversial Accelerated Urgent Care doctors and Cafe Smitten to reopen for curbside service next week

continue, and they are asking you to write a check to keep them afloat. But here's the problem: the current Fair board, led by chairwoman Blodgie Rodriguez, has been completely discredited following an audit that found members of the Board had spent lavishly on travel expenses: booze, dinners, tips etc. It's an old story of people on public and quasi-public boards abusing the public's trust, and it's hardly the position you want to find yourself in when you need the public's help to stay alive. After all, it's hard to come to the public with your hat in your hand when you have been publicly dinged for wasteful spending. My two cents: if the Fair is to survive, the current Board, and Olcott, need to resign and we should start fresh with a new group untarnished by past misdeeds. (file photos of Rodriguez and Fair director Mike Olcott)

* ... FOX THEATER: Hats off to the historic Fox Theater for finding a creative way to generate revenue during the shutdown. Manager Matthew Spindler decided to rent out messages on the Fox sign, and the avid Dodgers fan started with this, earning him a front page mention in The Los Angeles Times.

* ... COVID-19: So where do you stand on the statements by the two Accelerated Urgent Care doctors saying that the coronavirus is nothing more than just another flu and that the country should immediately reopen for business? It's certainly a stand that appeals to the millions of people who are out of work, or if you are a small business owner watching your life's worth go down the drain, but their statements have been roundly dismissed as quack science. Virtually every prominent medical professional in Kern County - from Dignity's Dr. Hemmal Kothary to Bakersfield Heart Hospital's Dr. Brij Bhambi to infectious disease specialist Dr. Navin Amin - have denounced all or parts of the statements made by Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Messihi. Even the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine issued a rare rebuke of the doctors, implying that their statements were motivated more by greed and eagerness to open their clinics than a genuine concern for the health of the community. "These reckless and untested musings do not speak for medical societies and are inconsistent with current science and epidemiology regarding COVID-19. As owners of local urgent care clinics, it appears these two individuals are releasing biased, non-peer reviewed data to advance their personal financial interests without regard for the public’s health,” the statement read. Given the economic and emotional stress this pandemic has created across our community, the urge to reopen is understandable, but relying on "false prophets" (as Dr. Bhambi called them) is ill-advised during a worldwide health crisis.

* ... BLOWBACK: But you have to give Drs. Erickson and Messihi credit for being able to parlay their grassroots appeal to a national audience. So far, by my count, they are the darlings of the Fox News channel, having appeared with Shanon Bream, Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham. Other news sources have reserved nothing more than scorn and ridicule for the "two doctors from Bakersfield." Take a look at this cartoon lifted from a national news site. And if you think these two doctors won't face some form of retribution from the more established Kern County medical establishment, my money says you should think again.

* .... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Brian Williams is back in the news and I haven't thought about him since that time he pulled me out of the rubble on 9/11."

* ... CAFE SMITTEN: Here's some good news for you: Cafe Smitten plans to reopen its two restaurants next week for curbside and take-out service. That's the word from Stasie Bitton, who along with husband Shai own both the downtown and Seven Oaks locations. The 18th Street location will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. The Grand Island location will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* ... GRAPEVINE: My friend John Kelley turned me onto this photo by Joe Karibian of Interstate 5 headed south. Enjoy.

* ... MEMORIES: Feast on these pictures of the old Beale clock tower as it was under construction.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

The resistance to the shut order grows louder in Kern County, Noriega's closes its doors for good, business owners say the homeless are running amok downtown and we mark one year since a local priest was suspended because of sexual abuse allegations

page letter to the Kern County Supervisors, demanding they reopen the county or face possible legal action for violating the 1st, 2nd, and 5th amendment as well as the "fundamental right" of freedom of movement. The local movement reflects the national frustration with the stay at home order that has put 26 million Americans out of work and threatened the viability of businesses across the nation. The letter to the Supervisors was signed by 20 local business people and attorneys, among them Cassie Bittle of KC Steakhouse, Clayton Campbell, Mark Carroll ,Isaac L. St. Lawrence, Mark J. Bigger and others.

* ... NORIEGA HOTEL: The Noriega Hotel, the grand dame of the Basque eateries that once won a James Beard Award, has closed for good. The startling announcement was made this weekend by the owners who said a combination of factors - a tough business climate even before the pandemic, the hassle of running a business in old town Kern and now the coronavirus - had convinced the owners that now was the time to shutter the place for good. Of all the Basque eateries, and there are some great ones - Pyrenees Cafe and Woolgrowers to name two - the Noriega Hotel was my favorite. Family style seating, the best garlic chicken found on the planet and a priceless atmosphere that we may never see again. Will someone with deep pockets swoop in to save the place? Stay tuned.

* ... FATHER CRAIG: Can you believe it has been over a year since Monsignor Craig Harrison was suspended by the Diocese of Fresno because of allegations he sexually abused young men over the course of more than 30 years? Or is it more remarkable that the anniversary passed without so much of a whisper of recognition? What was yesterday's biggest story hardly deserves a mention today as the community has moved on. So where are we now? The Diocese seems in no rush to pass its final judgment on Harrison, who in the meantime remains in some kind of Dantesque inferno of suspended animation, a priest without portfolio who must be content to spend his days tapping out Instagram posts from his front porch. It's a far cry from when Harrison enjoyed the perks of being one of the most beloved figures in town, but that increasingly seems only a distant memory. In fairness to everyone - Harrison, the St. Francis parishioners, the accusers, the families of the accusers and the community at large - the Diocese needs to make a call: defrock him, retire him or allow Harrison to return. It has gone on long enough.

* ... JORDAN LOVE: Bakersfield has landed another player in the National Football League. Jordan Love, formerly of Liberty High School and later Utah State, was selected in the first round by the Green Bay Packers.

* ... HOMELESS: There are many who believe the coronavirus lockdown has simply emboldened the homeless, pointing to yet another rash of break-in and vandalism downtown. Ask any downtown property owner and they will tell you harrowing stories of lurching from one break-in to another now that the enforcement of homeless encampments has pulled back because of the pandemic. Some random shots of those who live on the streets.

* ... MEMORIES: Of all the pictures of the old clock tower, few top this one which I spotted on the Kern County History Fans Facebook page. I could gaze at this for hours.

* ... SAN ANDRES FAULT: An amazing shot of a section of the San Andreas fault, from about 30,000 ft. over the Carrizo Plains.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Accelerated Urgent Care doctors trigger a storm of controversy over the coronavirus, images of child porn appear on a Bakersfield College Zoom meeting, catching up with KBAK TV personalities and how about getting a speeding ticket for going 165 mph!

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 community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other person or organization.

* ... CORONAVIRUS: Two doctors who own and operate Accelerated Urgent Care (known as one of the places that offers coronavirus testing) have ignited a storm of controversy by calling for the opening of the economy and casting doubt on the motives behind the current policy to control the virus. Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi basically said the virus is simply a another flu and the reaction has been overblown. (Erickson proudly boasted that he does not wear a mask) The response from other doctors was swift. One expert, quoted in The Californian, said the doctors used flawed data and accused them of "advancing factual inaccuracies." On social media, the blowback was hard and immediate. One reader accused the doctors of taking the stand so they can make more money at Accelerated, which is now closed to most all other business while it provides testing. The Kern County Health Department also disagreed and said the county should continue to practice social distancing. So are the Accelerated doctors motived by money or science? You decide. (photo courtesy of The Californian)

* ... ZOOM BOMBING: Imagine being Bakersfield College president Sonya Christian and you are hosting a Zoom meeting with community leaders to talk about the school's response to the coronavirus. And then imagine you are looking at the screen and someone - a hacker - posts a graphic video of child pornography. Well it happened, as it often does on unsecured Zoom meeting accounts, and the meeting was quickly ended. Bakersfield police are investigating. Among those attending were state Sen. Shannon Grove, county CAO Ryan Alsop and Michael Turnipseed of the Kern Taypayer's Association. (stock photo for illustration purposes only)

* ... SPEED: Remember when I reported that speeding along Interstate 5 had skyrocketed since the shelter at home orders? Well, check this out: a CHP officer ticketed someone for going 165 mph - yes that is right - in south Orange County. Be careful out there.

* ... NEWS ANCHOR: It was good to see KBAK TV anchor Rachelle Murcia posting a video on Facebook during one of her visits to the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC) for treatment. Murcia is staying busy and occasionally broadcasting from home during her treatment, which has compromised her immune system and put her at greater risk of the coronavirus. Keep Murcia and her family in your thoughts.

* ... REYNA HARVEY: Now that we are catching up with local television personalities, Reyna Harvey, a high spirited and talented reporter for KBAK TV, has joined KRON TV in San Francisco. Harvey is originally from Oakland so the move north was a homecoming of sorts.

* ... JACKIE PARKS: And finally, you likely remember longtime anchor Jackie Parks who moved to Maryland a few years back along with her anchor personality Todd Karli. It turns out their son, Jack, s returning to the Golden State to attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Sometimes you just can't take the California out of the kid no matter where you end up. Parks and Karli were the most prominent husband-wife couple on TV when they left KBAK a few years ago.

* ... GASOLINE PRICES: Who thought we would see prices like this at your local pump?

* ... TRASH: If you ever drive on Round Mountain Road, a favorite spot for local cyclists, you may have noticed how some people use it as their own personal dumping ground. Check out this photo from Facebook allegedly showing a truck that may have left a load of dump on the side of the road. We are told this has been reported to the Sheriff's Department.

* ... MEMORIES: Don't you just love this picture of the old "Dead Man's curve" on the old Highway 99 before Interstate 5 was built? Thanks to the Kern County History Fans page for this shot.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

The next phase of the pandemic may get uglier as angry Americans demand to reopen society, a CHP officer moves out of his house to protect his infant daughter, and with the interstates clear, speeding is the name of the game

coronavirus may simply be too much to pay. In Michigan, protesters took to the streets at the state Capitol to demand "freedom," and in Florida thousands swarmed to the beaches when they reopened this weekend. A month into the lockdown, and I fear things will only get uglier as this pandemic drags on. Stay tuned, and stay healthy.

* ... LOCAL HERO: Society tends to throw around the word "hero" too often, but I nominate Adam Taylor for showing true sacrifice. A 22-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, Taylor now serves as public information officer for the CHP in Buttonwillow. His wife, Breanne, gave birth to their daughter, Austin, in December, right before the coronavirus hit like a vengeance. To make sure his wife and daughter do not contract the virus, Taylor has moved out of the house - just down the street - and is content with daily visits to his wife and daughter through a front window. Now that's a real hero, to his family and to his community.

* ... SPEEDING: While interviewing Taylor on The Richard Beene Show, he also told me something interesting: the roads are clear and people are speeding more than ever. In fact, he said there had been a 30 percent increase in people pulled over for going 100 mph or more this March over the previous march. It's not the Autobahn, folks.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Which one of your kids cheats at board games? Watch him, he's going places. Also, that's the one that will put you in a home.

* ... BEENE MUG: You know you're famous when someone makes a coffee mug adorned with your name. But who knew I was so beloved by Roy Keenan, one of the adopted sons of Monsignor Craig Harrison? It was The mug, referring to my radio show as "All manure, all the time" was posted on Keenan's Facebook page. As one of Harrison's adopted sons, it's not surprising that Keenan would question my journalistic judgment for reporting on his father's suspension from the church because of allegations of of sexual misconduct. (If a handful of people accused you of sexual abuse, I bet you would prefer people avoid the subject as well) Yet, I wonder if the Fresno County District Attorneys office, which said there was credible reason to believe Harrison's accusers, or the Diocese of Fresno, which suspended Harrison to investigate the claims, were also honored with similar mugs? Thanks for the compliment, Roy, but next time please include my picture.

* ... BOUNTY: And by the way, I want one of these mugs for my collection of news memorabilia. I will pay a bounty of $100 per mug with the money going to the Kern Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Text KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM at 661-842-5376 if you have located one of these gems.

* ... MEMORIES: Not sure what happened to this old hotel that was featured on the Kern County History Fans Facebook page. Does anyone know?