The homeless are rousted out of their camps along the Kern River but then promptly overwhelm the Garces Circle, the old Tam 'O Shanter restaurant in up for sale and the curse of graffiti and vandalism throughout our town

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 company or publication.

 * ... BIKE TRAIL TRASH: It was good to see some movement, however small it was, to destroy some of the homeless camps that have cropped up along the Kern River Parkway bike path. Hundreds of homeless live in the dry riverbed,  primarily between Beach Park and Manor but also west of there all the out to the Park at Riverwalk. The city's homeless task force occasionally moves in to remove the camps - after posting warnings to give the homeless time to move - and invariably the homeless return, often

leaving a bigger mess than they did previously. But the move to enforce no camping ordinances is all we have, and it is good to see it being enforced. These signs went up last week, warning "residents" that they were about to be disrupted. Its a good start but if the past is a pattern, the vagrants will return to their camps within days of being ousted.

 * ... THE TRASH OF OUR TOWN: And in the midst of our homeless crisis our city continues to operate as the personal toilet bowl of so many of those who live among us. The Garces Circle is a prime example of a place that has become a favorite campaign ground for the homeless. There are few other eyesores as visible as under the Garces Circle underpass where literally dozens of vagrants gather. This past weekend reader Steve Loftus passed the circle on his way to the Kern County Museum and he sent this email to Mayor Karen Goh: "This afternoon after attending the opening of the Bakersfield Sound exhibit at the Kern County museum, I had to misfortune of driving south on Chester Avenue to the Garces Circle. The sites of the vagrants and mentally ill and the litter and the destruction is absolutely unbelievable. Recently, the councilman whose district the circle is in was beside himself because there is more grant money coming to the city to clean up this area. Why is grant money needed? Why isn't law enforcement and code enforcement taking action using existing city ordinances and laws? What an absolute disgrace for anyone attending this event coming from out of townand driving to the beautiful museum and seeing this wonderful exhibit but having to drive the Garces Circle which is basically become Bakersfield's skid row with everyone in city government looking at it every single day and taking no action. Why is no action being taken against the people that are vandalizing the park property within the Garces Circle? If I drove my car onto the lawn there's no doubt in my mind the Bakersfield Police would issue me a citation. Today when I drove by there was somebody raking all of the bark out of the bushes at the circle and yet there's no law enforcement contact with that person. Are the lawless vagrants in Bakersfield not subject to existing laws and city ordinances? Why isn't the city enforcing ordinances and state law? This should be done even without the for coming grant." To her credit, Goh responded to Loftus and told him the city was working with Caltrans on some fencing at the circle that could help resolve the issue. (photos by Steve Loftus)

 * ... THE SHAME: Meanwhile, I snapped these pictures during a leisurely stroll downtown on Sunday morning. Just another example of out of control crime, graffiti and vandalism that has beset Ward 2 on the watch Councilman Andre Gonzales.

 * ... OVERHEARD: Everyone has two lives; the second one begins when you realize you only have one.

 * ... A PIECE OF HISTORY: A piece of local history went up for sale last week when the old Tam 'O Shanter restaurant went on the market. A mainstay of the La Cresta area and east Bakersfield back in the day, the Tam 'O Shanter on Alta Vista was once one of Bakersfield's fanciest restaurants and drew a virtual who's who of Bakersfield. Contact Mikaela Cadena of the Bernal Real Estate Team

(c) 661-201-3807

 * ... TOMMY'S PIZZA: The hottest new restaurant in town is Tommy's Pizza, operating out of Imbibe Wine and Spirits and the brain child of Thomas Benham, son of California columnist Herb Benham and his wife, former city councilwoman and Dignity Health executive Sue Benham. A classically trained chef at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Benham is focusing on homemade crust and custom pizza that have no equals about town. With virtually no advertising (he doesn't yet have a business phone number or website) Tommy's Pizza has already won the hearts of local diners in the two short weeks he has been open.

 * ... MEMORIES: Another terrific post from Art Moore at the Kern County History Fans where these "then and now" shot were posted showing Chester Avenue looking south toward the clock tower before it was destroyed after the 1952 earthquake.

Hooch, the beloved mutt who survived being shot and having his tongue cut out, dies after nine years as Marley's Mutts poster child, check out the pros at the Bakersfield Tennis Open and the Soda Crackers bring their distinct sound to Bakersfield

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 company or publication.

 * ... RIP HOOCH: There is plenty to keep us occupied in the news these days - the war in Ukraine, skyrocketing gas prices, inflation among other things - but few topics stir the heart more than the life and times of Hooch, a down on his luck mastiff who led a remarkable life after being rescued by the Marley's Mutts dog rescue team 9 years ago. Hooch became a fixture at spay and neuter centers across Kern County and his sweet disposition and sad story made him the life of any

gathering. Marley's founder Zach Skow had to put Hooch down recently, and the left this note on the Marley's Facebook page: "Hooch is nearing the end of his run here on Earth. I think Doc is going to come over tomorrow morning to help him cross over in front of the fire, on his favorite, drooly bed. 

For those unfamiliar, we rescued Hooch almost 9 years ago after he’d had his tongue ripped from his mouth in a dog fight. His ears had just been cropped, his tail and a few toes were broken—I can’t imagine what his life must have been like. At the time, we had never heard of an animal surviving with no tongue, so we just had to figure it, on challenge at a time. At first, feeding/ hydrating was accomplished through esophageal feeding tube, then a Bailey’s chair, then we figured out how feed by hand. 

He went on to become a completely reformed fighting dog and very successful therapy dog! 

He’s generated millions of smiles and cuddles and will leave this earth better than how he found it! 

After cancer surgery in December, he slowed radically, but after a few changes early in January, he really rallied and showed his true grit! He’s really dig down deep and fought this disease hard, but it had already spread. It’s in his mouth, his bones and probably his organs. 

The kiddos and I are up at dad’s house laying with him by the fire, giving him as much love as we can. It’s going to be a really tough next few days but we’ll get through it, as we always do, like a family. 

Thank you, #MuttMilitia for always being there for him, for us and for people and pets who are struggling."

 * ... CAR RENTALS: Planning a trip? Well good luck with that given the inflationary pressures on just about everything. We all know about the price for gas, and now you have to add in higher fees for vacation rentals and hotels, airlines and rental cars. Since 2019, according to one survey, the price of a rental car in the United States has increased an astonishing 70 percent.

 

* ... TENNIS OPEN: One of the best bargains in town, from year to year, is the arrival of the Bakersfield Tennis Open featuring some of the hottest young professionals in the world over at the Bakersfield Racquet Club. The event runs through this weekend and the best part - it is absolutely free to pull up a chair and taken in some amazing tennis.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "I’ve had Netflix marathons  that have lasted longer than Tom Brady’s retirement."

 * ... THE SODA CRACKERS: One of the hottest local bands around these day is The Soda Crackers, a group of local musicians who are paying tribute to the Bakersfield Sound and the early country-Western swing performed to pedal steel guitars and fiddles. Cooper and Zane Adamo are two brothers who are band mainstays, and for fans they have a busy week ahead. Said father Felix Adamo: "Going to be a busy weekend for the Soda Crackers. First they open for the Appletons at Crusader Brewing Friday night (3/18) in Bakersfield, 7-9pm( each play an hour). Saturday (3/19) they head over to Paso Robles , again with the Appletons, to play at the California Coast Beer Co. 5-9pm( Appletons 5-7, Crackers 7-9,). Then on Sunday the Soda Crackers are back in Bakersfield Sunday (3/20) to play at the Grand Opening of the new Bakersfield Sound exhibit at the Kern County Museum, 1:30-3:30. Hope to see everyone there!"

 * ... PRICES AT THE PUMP: Some random shots of the price of gasoline in California. Pain at the pump.

 * ... MEMORIES: One of the old bakeries in town was Cornish's Bakery located at 1127 19th Street. Thanks to a Facebook reader for contributing this picture of the old business.

States across the country look at slashing taxes to help consumers, but California opts out... gas prices soar to record high levels and Canyon Hills Assembly of God sends relief to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees

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 company or publication.

 * ... LOWER TAXES? Have you noticed there is a movement across the country to reduce taxes due to bloated state revenue coffers and international uncertainty with the war in Ukraine? It's not happening here in California of course, but at least 13 states with surpluses - among them Georgia, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, New York and Connecticut - are looking at tax relief. The notable exception of course is

California where Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democrats are enjoying record surpluses but are refusing to consider any kind of meaningful tax relief. How about reducing the state auto registration fee for a year or two? Or cut the state gas tax, at least temporarily? In Sacramento, Republicans are pushing for a six month pause in the state tax on gasoline - that would reduce the price by 51 cents a gallon - but don't bet on that happening.

 * ... RUSSIAN OIL BAN:  President Joe Biden announced a ban on importing Russian oil and natural gas today but he stopped short of opening the way for California and other producers to pump more to fill in the gap. The United States imports about 637,000 gallons of Russian oil a day, or about 8 percent of our total usage, and the move is bound to raise gas prices even further. Meanwhile local politicians continue to press for more California oil production, but that is not likely to happen. So brace yourself for shock at the gas pump.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Celebrate International Women's Day by interrupting men with your unsolicited opinions and taking credit for their work. If they get upset about it, be sure to tell them that they sound hysterical and should probably smile more."

* ... FINALLY! Has Gov. Gavin Newsom finally awakened to the threat of having so many mentally challenged and other dangerous people on our streets? Perhaps, at least according to his latest proposal to offer more services to homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders even if that means forcing some into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. The proposal by Newsom would require all counties to set up a mental health branch in civil court and provide comprehensive and community-based treatment to those suffering from debilitating psychosis.

 * ... COPS FOR PARKS: Hats off to the Bakersfield City Council for doing the right thing by creating a new unit to provide security in our public parks. The program will cost $2.4 million a year and comes after parks employees have been accosted and random citizens have grown increasingly frustrated with drug addicts, criminals and the homeless taking over local parks. Few people like to see the size of government grow, but it is well past time that the city of Bakersfield put the welfare of its law abiding citizens on par with those who so flagrantly violate the rules.

 * ... FAREWELL PASTOR ROBIN: Pastor Robin Robinson of Canyon Hills Assembly of God is being transferred back to Oklahoma where she has family, ending a remarkable period of influence for the woman who became the public face of CityServe, an organization devoted to helping the needy as well as the homeless. Perhaps due to her good nature, professionalism and honesty, Robinson was the rare public figure who gained the trust and respect of all sides in her work for CityServe. And her departure comes at an interesting time after CityServe announced a new project of affordable housing near its F Street headquarters, a move that has triggered opposition from some residents in the Westchester neighborhood.

 * ... UKRAINE AID: Speaking of Canyon Hills, did you hear lead Pastor Wendell Vinson and others from CityServe were in Poland where they flew with tons of meals for the thousands of Ukrainian refugees? Hats off to Vinson and his CityServe team for responding to a global crisis with people in dire need.

 * ... MEMORIES: From the Kern County History Fans comes this shot of an old market in Taft.

Dr. Brij Bhambi of Bakersfield Heart Hospital: "It's time to end the torture in Ukraine, time to expose Putin as the deranged septuagenarian he is!"

 In this exclusive essay written by Dr. Brij Bhambi, the local cardiologist and head of Central Cardiology expresses his frustration with the actions of Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine. While Bhambi stops short of calling for U.S. military intervention, he is hoping the war of attritions leads to Putin's ouster, or even death. In his own words:

 "Done with Putin

 "The humanity can’t be held hostage to the insane ambitions of an enraged lunatic. A deranged septuagenarian, hiding from Covid-19, in gilded isolation, can’t be allowed to wreak havoc on the life as we know it.

 "Pandering has to stop now. 

 "Massacre of the innocent Ukrainians must end. NOW!

 "False bravado of half measures only welcomes death and cascading apocalypse.

 "Giving this lunatic space does not improve upon on his chances to be rational. 

 "It feeds his fragile ego and inflames destructive instincts. 

 "Take him down in Ukraine. 

 "Take him down in Russia. 

 "Take him down everywhere.

 "Take him down now.

 "Let Russians know they are endangered and devil is in Russia. 

 "Take him down now. 

 "Box him.

 "And shatter him.

 "Don’t coax him. 

 "Or flatter him.

 "Take him down now.

 "Let right be might.

 "And might be right.

 "Liberal or conservative vibes love holds alike all lives.

 "Lets end the torture.

 "Lets fund the future.

 "Take a good look at Xi too.

 "Peas in a pod. 

 "Let them find their god, In their pod.

 "Not half measures, now full jugular. 

  

Rep. Kevin McCarthy distances himself from a Republican congresswoman who spoke at a white nationalist meeting, Bakersfield cops warn cyclists about wild dogs on the Kern River Parkway and are you willing to dig into your own pocket to save the Baker Street rail depot?

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 company or publication.

 * ... KEVIN MCCARTHY: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, seemingly on track to become the next Speaker of the House following the mid term elections, has found himself in a pickle while trying to defend the actions of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene spoke at the white nationalist America First

Political Action Committee this week, forcing McCarthy to distance himself from Greene while saying there was "no place in our party" for white nationalist sentiments. (Greene later disrupted the State of the Union address by trying to interrupt the president's speech with loud outbursts) But Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would not let McCarthy off the hook, saying McCarthy "has been protecting his little KKK Caucus for years with these toothless statements and meetings.... He's now helped them for so long they've escalated their open antisemitism and collaboration with white nationalist groups. He is just as culpable." There appears little doubt that the Republicans will sweep the mid terms and elevate McCarthy to speaker. The wild card is the right wing fringe of his party, embodied by people like Taylor Greene, who don't trust McCarthy and who have proved impossible to control.

 * ... INFLATION: Get ready to pay more for just about everything as the crisis in the Ukraine aggravates an inflationary spiral that is raising the cost of everything from doughnuts to hotel rooms. A survey in The New York Times revealed that companies are taking advantage of hot consumer demand by raising prices on just about everything, particularly in restaurants and other retail establishments. Outback Steakhouse is planning to raise prices about 5 percent to cover rising costs and Shake Shack is also planning to raise its prices to offset inflationary pressures.

 * ... SIGN OF THE TIMES: It must be infuriating to work in the energy sector and witness how the U.S. is now importing 600,000 gallons of Russian oil daily just to meet our energy needs. This, of course, stands in sharp contrast to the energy independence that the U.S. . enjoyed under former President Trump. That led to this provocative billboard in Times Square.

 * ... RAIL DEPOT: So what do you think about the effort under way to use tax dollars to save the old Southern Pacific Railroad Depot on Baker Street? Sounds like a good idea, right? Historic preservation, honoring the past, resisting the California urge to demolish historic structures... all good so far. But is this a reasonable project worthy of our time, or is this just the latest shiny object that has caught the attention of Ward 2 Councilman Andrae Gonzales and others who are blinded by the possibility of what the depot could be? On the one side you have preservationists who believe this is a worthy, if expensive, project. And then you have critics who argue that Ward 2 is a mess already, awash in homelessness, downtown businesses are under almost daily assault by vandals and crime, and they point to the Kern River Parkway (much of it in Ward 2) that has become one long winding homeless encampment. If the city can't control the homeless in our parks, the argument goes, what makes us think we can save a depot that - like it or not - is located in a distressed area already challenged by crime and homelessness? One thing is sure: people who use the bike path and see the mess on the parkway are fed up, and are asking why more is not being done to clear the parkway so runners and cyclists can use it without fear of assault. And they ask themselves: why are we focusing on other risky expensive projects when we have failed so miserably to keep the parkway safe? And lastly there is this: depot supporters want you to pony up your own money, via a GoFundMe account, to save the project. Good luck with that.

 * ... DID YOU KNOW? And speaking of the bike path and Kern River Parkway, did you know the problem with crime and stray dogs has become so serious that Bakersfield police officers are now stopping cyclists to actually warn them about the chances of being bitten by a dog? It happened twice in the last month by grateful cyclists who rarely ride the path now without pepper spray and other weapons (yes, some cyclists carry firearms) to protect themselves from both dogs and the tweakers who roam the paths.

 * ... MEMORIES: Enjoy this old advertising piece from Snyder's bicycle shop from back in 1914.

 

 

Plans for affordable housing run into a firestorm of resistance in Westchester, Coachella plans for a mask free concert and California grants parole to a man who stabbed his mother more than 30 times in a horrific local killing

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 company or publication.

 * ... AFFORDABLE HOUSING: There is unrest brewing in Ward 2, which arguably encompasses an area of town hardest hit by the homeless issue. Confrontations between homeowners and vagrants are on the rise and crime in the downtown neighborhoods is out of control. And now, amid all this, CityServe has announced plans to build affordable housing in the parking lot of the old Montgomery Ward building on F Street. Part of the project includes counseling services to help the homeless, turning the CityServe offices into even more of a magnet for the homeless. It's hard to argue against the need for affordable housing,

and NIMBY protests are both predictable and inevitable, but this one has enraged residents of the Westchester area who have traditionally taken the brunt of the homeless crisis. The problem, according to residents Felix Adamo and Chris Lowe who both penned their objections to The Californian, is that there was simply no attempt by Ward 2 Councilman Andrae Gonzales or CityServe to warn the residents the project was being considered. And here is another odd thing: apparently the project was funded under a state program that bypasses local control and renders impotent any local opposition. In other words, once CityServe accepted the money for the project it was a done deal, no matter what the neighbors think. This lack of transparency has triggered grumblings in Ward 2 aimed at Gonzales, who is in favor of the project. Where will all this go? Who knows but there is a growing concern about town that the city has lost control of its streets, that the new city-county homeless bureaucracy is deaf to the concerns of residents, and these kinds of things eventually make their way to the political arena. Stay tuned.

 * ... PARKER CHAMBERLAIN: Its hard to argue that some reform in criminal sentencing were not necessary, but the case of Parker Chamberlain shows just how far off track the whole thing has become. Chamberlain learned this week that he was granted parole after serving only part of his prison sentence. What was he convicted of? Well, Chamberlain was convicted of using a kitchen knife to stab his own mother, Torie Knapp, to death on July 3, 2001. That's right, even someone who kills their own mother in an unspeakably horrific way can be granted parole in today's California, despite opposition from the Kern County District Attorney's office. And so it goes. (Photo off Chamberlain by Alex Horvath of The Californian)

 * ... LEAST EDUCATED: In a new survey of California's counties it turns out that Kern County ranks No. 8 among the "least educated" counties in the state. As it turns out just 16.4 percent of Kern's population 25 years and over has a Bachelor’s degree or higher and 26 percent of adults have less than a high school diploma. Kern's high school graduates account for 27.8 percent of the population and only 5.4 percent have a graduate or a professional degree. The "least educated" California counties: Tulare, Green, Merced and Lassen.

 * ... MASK FREE COACHELLA? Are we finally turning the corner on the coronavirus? Are we nearing the end to the long, two year dance with masks and social distancing? That is what the organizers of the Coachella music festival are banking on as they announced that Coachella 2022 will be mask and vaccine free in April. That's right, no masks will be required and no need for proof of vaccines.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "You ever get road rage standing behind someone in a grocery aisle?"

 * ... TYLER WILLIAMS: Tyler Williams is local Bakersfield boy who has turned his passion for cycling into a full-time career. After racing on the European circuit, Williams is now racing for the L39ION, a UCI Continental Cycling team. This week, while training Williams bumped into retired NBA superstar Reggie Miller and posed for this picture.

 * ... DUTCH BROTHERS: Dutch Brothers Coffee has opened a new location on S. Chester, the fifth location for the coffee brewer in town. Other Dutch Brothers locations include Columbus, California Avenue, Calloway Drive and Panama Lane.

 * ... MEMORIES: A couple old pictures to share, the first coming from the Kern County History Fans Facebook page and the second an historic shot of the Garces Circle back in the day.

Angry steers mix it up with cyclists during a Bakersfield off road cycling event, Kern County video targets disgruntled deputies in other areas and Garfield the sweet chunky tabby at Bolles Nursery passes on ...

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 company or publication.

 * ... RECRUITMENT VIDEO: So did you see the 60-second spot advertising for deputies to come work for the Kern County Sheriff's Office? It's a crafty little video, seemingly targeted at LA County

deputies, touting the values and pro-police agenda known to Bakersfield. Of course, it didn't happen without the catcalls from the defund the police  crowd, who hold both the cops and Kern County in low regard. But both Sheriff Donny Youngblood and county chief administrative officer Ryan Alsop seemed pleased with the video and say they already are receiving inquiring about relocating to Kern. Kern County currently has more than 200 openings in the Sheriff's Office and has long struggled to keep other agencies from poaching our best officers.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "The lack of fires and police cars turned over is why people say there are no actual Rams fans."

 * ... SOLID SLEEP: When was the last time you got a solid seven, eight hours of sleep. Years ago? Ever? It's the bane of all of us, particularly when you get older and find yourself bolting upright in bed at 2 a.m. wondering if you ever will get back to sleep. Well now the New York Times said all this on again, off again sleep may actually be natural, and in fact they say it dates to Medieval times when we all practiced what they call "segmented sleeping." Here is how it works: back in the day before electricity it was common for people to go to bed at dark, then awake at midnight when couples has sex to expand their families, and then back to bed at 4 a.m. It worked like that for years, leading some experts to believe if it is unreasonable to expect a full eight hours of sleep in one setting. 

 * ... ROCK COBBLER: The Rock Cobbler is a painfully difficult, 83-mile race around the foothills of Kern County put on by Sam Ames of Action Sports and a band of volunteers. Top cyclists don't complete it under eight hours and it has virtually every hazard known to man. But this year, there was a new obstacle, an easily agitated steer that charged three cyclists after they came too close. It was horrific footage but we are told all three cyclists are fine and the race, which drew more than 550 riders, was a success. Videos of the steer-cyclist encounter have been featured on Fox News and shared on social media tens of thousands of times.

* ... RIP GARFIELD: If you spend any time at Bolles Nursery Landscape you are familiar with the older, sedentary cats that live peacefully amid the boxwoods and ground covers. Well now the good folks at Bolles tell us that Garfield, an orange tabby, has died and crossed the rainbow bridge. This was posted on the Bolles' Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart we let you know Chonky man Garfield went to kitty heaven.  He was only with us a short time but quickly became part of our family.  We will miss him dearly.  We are so grateful for the time we had with him and all the joy and laughter he brought to all of us including our customers."

* ... MEMORIES: This blast from the past comes to you via Art Moore and the Kern County History Fans Facebook page. Check out Bakersfield back in the day.