House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: we will never forget 9-11

On this anniversary of the 9-11-01 terrorist attacks, this note from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy:

 "September 11, 2001 is a day that we as a nation will never forget.  We can all remember where we were when we heard news of the attacks. And all of us watched in horror and disbelief as the images played throughout the day on television.  The world dramatically changed from that day on.

"Today, we honor the innocent lives lost in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania and we remember the incredible acts of bravery and selflessness we witnessed as our fellow Americans put their own lives in grave danger to protect and rescue the innocent victims.

"The attack on September 11 was a cowardly attack on the values we stand for as Americans, but our country will always stand for freedom and we will always fight for liberty.  The men and women in our armed forces and intelligence communities have been steadfast in the mission to defeat the terrorists responsible for the attacks and to keep our families safe at home.

 "Let us always remember all those who have been directly or indirectly affected by the events of that fateful day. Maintaining our nation as the beacon of freedom in the world is our duty as we honor the lives lost.

City of Bakersfield gets serious about imposing fines during the drought, and a couple awakes to find a homeless person camping in their backyard

 * ... DROUGHT: Now that the city has put us on notice that it is getting serious about water restrictions by threatening abusers with fines, let's see if anyone is listening. One thing seems to be clear: either folks are still confused about the mandated watering times or people just aren't paying attention. Go anywhere in town and you will see sprinklers running during the day (a no-no) and on the wrong day of the week (another no-no). The city is looking at fines of $50 for the first offend, $150 for the second and anywhere from $250 to $1,000 for a third during the same calendar year.

* ... CRIME: Ever wake up to find a homeless man camping in your backyard? A downtown homeowner did, and here is his story: "As my wife and I started cooking dinner this evening, I went out to the garage to get some things from the fridge out there. I jumped up about 10-feet high when I found a homeless guy in our garage. He was sitting down drinking one of the beers from the fridge. Fortunately, he was so completely inebriated that he passed out after two words and was incapable of being belligerent. BPD came out and arrested him for trespassing. After running a check on him, BPD told me he had been arrested two nights ago on 19th Street for the same sort of trespass! While waiting for BPD to arrive, I noticed the trespasser had eaten an orange from our tree, drank water from our garden hose, laid in our outdoor furniture, threw lemons in our pool, and drank a couple sodas from the fridge. He had been here for quite awhile during the day. After reflecting on similar odd findings my wife and I have encountered in the past few weeks, I am beginning to think he may have been here before!"

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Just got 30 minutes of cardio trying to pick up an ice cube from the kitchen floor."

 * ... TRASH: Is Bakersfield any better or worse than anyplace else when it comes to trash and litter? Bryan Williams had this take: "I am fresh off a trip to San Francisco this past weekend. Yes, the Emerald of the West Coast was just as trashy, if not more so, than here. I travel to the Los Angeles area nearly every weekend to see family, and yep - there is trash all over the 405, and the streets of West Los Angeles, Torrance, and Long Beach. Littering is an inherent (if unfortunate) human trait.  It's everywhere. Bakersfield is no less trashy than some of the other cities in our Golden State that people seem to hold on a cleanliness pedestal, and give a pass.  Could it be we get a bum wrap because our beloved town is not on the coast and instead in a hot, dusty bowl? My hat is off to the city of Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Homeless Center, the Kern County Sheriff, and the inmates from Lerdo, along with Caltrans, that are regularly picking up trash along our roadways. Give Jon Enriquez with Keep Bakersfield Beautiful a call - he'll fill you in on all the good work our public and private entities are doing to keep Bakersfield a clean, lovely, inland city."

 * ... GOOD CAUSE: If you need a reason to attend East Rotary's "An Elegant Evening of Wine" look no further than the scholarships it provides for needy students who want a higher education. Over the last 25 years, this event has helped support the Joe Alexander Memorial Scholarship Foundation which has helped so many students over the years. The Foundation is on track to amass a corpus of $1,000,000 to help students. The event is planned for Saturday, Sept. 26, at the downtown home of Dr. Mark and Sue Ashley.

Looking for the most affordable place to retire? Who knew that Medellin, Colombia, would appear on the list, celebrating a new sushi place and getting ready for a huge music festival in town

 * ... RETIREMENT: Thinking about retirement and weary of high California taxes and housing costs? The AARP has a new list of the cheapest and best places to retire, and some of these may

surprise you. Austin, Tx., came in No. 1 but that's not surprise given that Texas is the top destination for folks leaving California. Then comes Tuscon, Az., followed by Medillin, Colombia, a locale best known as the hometown of the notorious (and thankfully dead) Pablo Escobar, formerly head of the Colombian drug cartel. Other cities listed included St. George, Utah, Savannah, Ga., St. Augustine, Fla., Bloomington, Ind., and Huntsville, Ala. (file photo of Medellin, Colombia)

* ... TRASH: This note from a man who recently moved back to Bakersfield pretty much speaks for me: "Bakersfield pride.... or perhaps a lack of it. This is what I see and think of as I drive down various streets, not only in Bakersfield but, in Kern County. I moved back recently after a 25 year absence and am appalled at the amount of litter lining our roads and highways. I can't remember EVER seeing a trashier town. What happened to Bakersfield pride? Did it go the way of the dinosaur? Does anyone still care?"

 * ... HART PARK: And there was no better example of this than at Hart Park after the Labor Day holiday. The park was strewn with trash from picnic revelers, begging the question: is it asking too much to bring a black trash bag and hauling home your garbage?

* ... FOODIE BEST BET: I finally got around to visiting Jin Sushi, the new eatery that opened a few weeks ago on 19th Street downtown. The interior is comfortable and the staff friendly, and the sushi could not have been fresher. The owners told me they are undergoing a "soft opening" while they train the staff and work out the kinks.

 * ....SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Jellyfish have survived here on earth for 650 million years without brains. Great news for stupid people."

 * ... MUSIC FEST: The 99 Music Fest, a celebration of Americana music that will showcase some nationally known acts on two stages, is just one month out and prices will soon be going up. Early-bird pricing (at $40 a ticket) ends next Monday when individual tickets jump to $45. The event is planned for noon to 6 p.m. at the CSUB amphi-theater. Among the acts include Sam Outlaw, whose band just performed on the CBS Saturday Morning show, Ray Wylie Hubbard, James McMurtry, Monty Byron, Truxton Mile, the Sheepdogs and others. Buy your tickets at www.99musicfest.com.

* ... KUDOS: Hats off to Ali Schroeter, a 2012 Bakersfield High graduate who is now a starting libero on the Rutgers University volleyball team. The Big Ten Conference recently recognized Schroeter not only for her skills on the court, but for her civic engagement off the court. She was cited for her work assisting the cleanup operations on Staten Island after Huricane Sandy. Schroeder is is fifth in the Big 10 Conference in digs and has a 3.9 grade point average going into her last semester in college.

California legislature looking at legislation that could have a devastating impact on the oil industry, some really bad form on the bike trail and more on our long drought

 * ... FOSSIL FUELS: Most of us pay little attention to what is happening in Sacramento, but if you live in the oil patch as we do, it is time to take notice. A fierce debate is under way over pending

legislation (SB350) that could have a devastating affect on California's energy sector. And that of course means Kern County, which could potentially lose thousands of jobs if the bill becomes law. The legislation would require a 50 percent reduction in petroleum use by Jan 1., 2030, just 15 short years away. The bill easily passed the Senate but is finding resistance in the House from moderate Democrats who represent the Central Valley. Critics claim, accurately, that the bill fails to say exactly how we are going to get there. Instead, it simply sets a target, a familiar tactic that makes politicians feel good but does little to deal with the details that will affect all of our lives. And others complain that the working poor, those who can hardly afford higher gas prices or the price of an electric car, will suffer the most. This is the work of Sacramento that needs our attention.

 * ... GOOD FORM: Hats off to Varner Brothers who responded to the long drought by removing the grass in front of its offices and replacing it with 1,600 linear feet of concrete sidewalks. Said project manager Brian Stanley: "Although it won’t bring rain and it was expensive, we think hardscapes can help."

 * ... BAD FORM: I was cycling with a group of friends this weekend when two oncoming cyclists careened hot into a sharp turn that led to a small bridge and went down. Our group was on the bridge and our lead rider could not avoid the spill, plowed into one of the riders and did a 360 over her handlebars and landed on her face. Bloodied and skinned up, she was able to ride home thanks to her helmet and overall fitness. The lesson? Cycling is fun but can be dangerous. Ride at your talent level and for goodness sake, slow down in tricky situations. (file photo of a bicycle wreck)

 * ... SPOTTED: John Strand of Lake Isabella shared with a picture of his bumper sticker. It reads: "Stop Global Whining." I could not think of a better message.

* ... DROUGHT: Here's a timely tip about water use from Ryan Olson. "Just a reminder to all those folks who are conserving by watering at night (especially school districts, corporations and properties with common areas): sprinklers need to be checked once a month, at the very least. In areas that have a lot of foot traffic, once a week would be best. I was at our local junior high in the evening last week and watched water pour onto the asphalt and into the drains in several areas with broken or misdirected sprinkler heads. Driving home, I saw several more properties (common grounds which surround neighborhoods) with the same problem. Ten to fifteen minutes of visual inspection by groundskeepers once a week could save hundreds of gallons of water, all over the city.
Kudos to the city of Bakersfield crews, by the way, for doing just that. I watched as they worked their way down Ming Avenue recently, testing, repairing, and adjusting sprinklers on both sides of the street, as well as the median."

 * ... CROSSING GUARD: A reader wrote to heap some praise on a longtime crossing guard who works the corner of White Lane and Akers. "You can tell he takes this job seriously and displays much pride in how he does this job.  His energy level is amazing. It is refreshing and renews faith in our fellow human beings that no matter what your job or profession ... there are people who do give it their best shot every single day."

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy: Labor board ruling expands the definition of an employer and puts local businesses at risk

 House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned decades of settled labor law at the expense of American jobs. A National Labor Relations Board ruling modified the definition of an employer that now could involve local franchises and subcontractors in additional labor disputes.

  "Small businesses are at the heart of the American economy. The spirit and vision of an aspiring entrepreneur or small businessperson is what this country was built on. Every day, people take great risk in starting something of their own. The endeavor can turn out to be a success or it can fail. At either turn, it is the individual left basking in the glory or picking up the pieces. That is what makes America different; what makes our country great. And through different business models which encourage flexibility and entrepreneurship, we have seen neighbors in our communities willing to dream to become the success stories of today and possibly the growing small and large businesses of tomorrow.  They often hold the name of a global brand but operate within the heart of the community, taking on financial risk and personnel decision-making, creating and offering much-needed jobs. In these respects, it is just as if they were starting their own sandwich shop, something I was fortunate to do in the past. So when I see a franchise, I celebrate the jobs they create. This same model goes for companies that provide a service to a larger one. The success of time-tested brands offers opportunity for others to achieve that dream.

  "This decision by the NLRB makes that dream more uncertain. However, what the decision makes crystal clear is that when the Obama Administration's NLRB sees a relationship between businesses, they see a need for more regulation and centralization. In so doing, the NLRB fundamentally ignores the ramifications its decision may have on an important business model that have helped generations of Americans share in the American Dream. The result of this irresponsible decision means less opportunity for local communities. It is unfathomable that as small businesses face rising costs via more Washington rules, and American workers face stagnant wages due to government imposed costs, the Obama Administration wants to stymie the American Dream for entrepreneurs and workers.

 "Also, next week the House will consider a resolution of disapproval of the Iran nuclear deal. This vote will have an immense impact on our national security as well as the security of our friends and partners around the world. For weeks Congress has learned of the numerous giveaways to the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism while supposed verification mechanisms have been exposed as dangerously insufficient. With a clear majority of Congress

Will lifting the sanctions on Iran spell trouble for Kern County's pistachio farmers? Plus more crime news and a hot new restaurant takes hold in town

 * ... NUTS: When analysts talk about lifting sanctions on Iran, they usually focus on what affect that will have on the global energy markets as Iranian oil competes on the world stage. But for Kern County, a lesser-known impact may come when Iranian pistachios flood the world market. Analysts say this could depress prices and its effect will be felt throughout Kern County, one of the nation's largest producers of the coveted nuts.
Said Bloomberg Business news: "Iran has far more clout in the market for cocktail nibbles than it does in crude trading. While it ranks only as the world’s seventh-largest oil producer, the Middle Eastern country vies with the U.S. to be the biggest pistachio grower. As with oil, Iranian sales of pistachios to the U.S. and Europe have been hampered by sanctions. As the talks between Washington and Tehran to resolve the decade-long nuclear dispute... traders are predicting lower prices."

* ... USS MISSOURI: This week marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II when a ceremony was held on the deck of the USS Missouri. Candace Cummings said her father, Edward Joseph Cummings, was a young naval officer aboard the Missouri and witnessed the historic event. "Today, my father is a vibrant 95-year-old veteran who served his country admirably for 30 years. Several days ago (August 28th) we celebrated his birthday at his San Francisco club with family and friends along with many toasts and cheers. I am a resident of Bakersfield and my parents are frequent visitors who thoroughly enjoy my friends and our town!"

 * ... CRIME: More crime news about town: thieves are targeting late model pickup trucks and SUVs and stealing both the front and back seats. One homeowner walked out to his Silverado pickup one morning and found only the front seats gone.

 * ... FOODIE BEST BET: One of the hottest meal tickets in town is offered at The Kitchen, a tiny culinary school/eatery on 20th Street run by Darci Atkinson. The business was set up so folks could get hands on experience in the kitchen, but it has become a favorite haunt for foodies who appreciate the fresh organic offerings, smaller serving sizes, attention to detail and creative offerings. Make sure to refer to its website to check on the hours, www.thekitchenbakersfield.com.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "How can I be expected to make life choices when I still use my fingers to count?"

 * ... DROUGHT: And there was this from reader Greg Laskowski: "I have another conundrum for you. In these times of water austerity measures, I have a neighbor who is watering his lawn with gray water effluent from his washing machine. After applying this measure over the course of several months, his lawn is still brown but it does smell like Snuggle. Oh, and here’s the funny part: one day I come home and I see the garden hose on the lawn and tracked it back to his garage where I see a rush of water running from his garage down the driveway.  I run to his kitchen door to notify him of the impending calamity. He reassures me not to worry. His gray water from the washing machine is being transferred to a 36-gallon plastic drum that has a tap on the bottom feeding the garden hose. The problem is that the washing machine holds 42 gallons of water. Go figure?

 * ... MEA CULPA: And finally, I want to offer this apology to anyone who subscribes to home delivery of The Bakersfield Californian. For the last year, our delivery service has been spotty at times, and in many cases, downright awful. The reasons behind this are not important; what is important is that you know I take responsibility and pledge to you that I am working to resolve this issue immediately. I have heard from all of you who have complained (about missing papers, late delivery, no vacation stops) and I appreciate your concerns, loyalty and frustration. Your feedback is important, and I hope you bear with us. We are dealing with the delivery issues and just this week hired a new senior customer service manager from out of state to come help solve this problem. You deserve better, and we will make that happen.

High taxes, regulation and high housing prices are sending Californians fleeing to Texas, a cautionary tale about the heat and our dogs and some really bad form on social media

  * ... CALIFORNIA: Would it surprise you if I told you that more people are leaving California than coming in? A number of recent studies blame high taxes, over-regulation and high housing costs as the primary reasons that so many folks are leaving, primarily for Texas and to a lesser extent

Florida. This note from a Manhattan Institute study sums it up: "California was once a powerful draw for Americans on the move—a golden land, 'west of the west, in Theodore Roosevelt’s famous phrase, where everything could be better. But that California is no more. Around 1990, after decades of spectacular postwar growth, California began sending more people to other states than it got in return. Since that shift, its population has continued to grow (at a rate near the national average) only because of foreign immigration and a relatively high birthrate. Immigration from other nations, though, is declining, and it is likely that the state’s growth rate may soon fall behind that of the U.S. as a whole. As a magnet of opportunity, the state now pushes out where it once pulled in... Who were the big winners in the migration game when California was losing? The answer is the same for both decades since 1990—the Sun Belt giants Florida and Texas, followed by other fast-growing southern and western states."

 * ... DOGS AND HEAT: The number of stray dogs crossing our busy roads is both disheartening and frightening, and I often wonder how they survive in this heat. If you have a dog, and you live in Bakersfield, here's a tip from a Phoenix veterinarian about the dangers of dogs living in hot climates. "Overweight and older dogs will have more difficulty with the heat. As far as breeds are concerned, it is generally accepted that snub-nosed dogs, like boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus have poor panting mechanisms, and so are more susceptible to being affected by heat. These should be indoor dogs, and should not be kept in the yard during the day. They should spend their days lounging in air conditioned comfort. Dogs with heavy coats can be trimmed for the summer, but not shaved bare or else they'll have a hard time insulating themselves and will be prone to sunburn and other skin irritations."

 * ... DROUGHT: Here's a question from Greg Laskowski that raises an interesting point: "I have this 'environmentally correct' dilemma. As we are suffering through a drought, is it environmentally correct to wash out my recyclable containers before putting them in the blue bin?  Is worse that I use hot water, which comes from a natural gas hot water heater to do so as I am enlarging my carbon footprint?"

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Nothing is more terrifying than making eye contact with the guy running that mall kiosk."

 * ... BAD FORM: Let's face it, there are no rules of etiquette in the use of social media. But when does airing your personal laundry cross the line between sharing moments of your life to extreme narcissism? If you are going through a divorce, for example, is it wise to post pictures of you and your new "friend" cavorting in bathing suits with drinks in hand, especially if you still have kids at home? Everyone wants you to be happy but for goodness sake, let the dust settle, and even then it might be too soon.

 * ... GOOD FORM: This from Albert "Bud" King: "I just want to say a big thank you to the couple that paid for my lunch Saturday at El Sombrero. I asked my server for my tab and he told me a couple had paid for it. Whoever did that thank you very much. May God bless you."

More on our problem with stray dogs and cats, the Fox Theater Foundation gets new leadership and celebrating all those retailers who give our kids a shot at jobs

 * ... SHELTERS: There is not a community anywhere that is not dealing with the problem of stray cats and dogs, but some areas are needier than others. Consider this: a friend who lives in Pasadena

told me there is a long "waiting list" just to volunteer at the local shelter, and she shared that the San Diego shelters are so well funded dogs have individual cages in a beautiful, well funded facility. Locally, meanwhile, we struggle keeping up with the surge of strays so often dumped on our streets. Which reminds me, the annual blanket drive for the Kern County Animal Control is coming up in October. Remember to save your old sheets and blankets for these needy animals. The blanket drive will be held at Petco on Gosford Road on Saturday, Oct. 24.

 * ... THE FOX: Hats off to the Fox Theater Foundation who made the right move by announcing that Bob Bender will manage the historic landmark. Bender is well known for his work and contacts in the recording industry and you can bet he will breathe new life into grand old dame of downtown. Before Bender the daily management was handled by aVenueTek. Rick Davis, past president of the foundation, said he would like to see a concert each week at the theater.

* ... CRIME: Are you ready for this? In one Bakersfield neighborhood thieves stole the pool sweeps from three houses on the same street. Seriously.

 * ... MORE CRIME: And for the second and time in a week, a homeowner downtown has awakened to find someone turned on their outside faucets and flooded the alleys behind their homes. Bad form anytime, but particularly during a drought.

* ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "Just finished leftover fried chicken and a Hostess Cupcake, because breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

 * ... HOMETOWN: Jim Luff, owner of the Limousine Scene, shared this story about our hometown: "While traveling down Rosedale Highway, I watched in my rear-view mirror as a truck began to merge into a car in the next lane. The driver honked and the truck returned to his lane as we stopped at a light. The truck driver rolled his window down to yell out an apology. The driver of the car gave him an 'OK' sign. In Los Angeles, a different finger sign would have been displayed. Just thought I would share another great thing about living in Bako."

* ... RETAIL: And speaking of the right moves, kudos to all the local retailers across town (Action Sports, Sequoia Sandwich Co. and The Padre Hotel come to mind) that provide part-time jobs to so many of our high school kids and young adults. Tracy Walker-Kiser is another business owner who happily provides opportunities for young people, and I have watched a parade of them pass through H. Walker's Clothing over the years. And it's even more heartening to watch them return to the K Street store to reconnect once they have moved on to college or full-time jobs. Andrew Haupt and Gabby Purcel are two of the current employees who join a long time of successful young people at H. Walker's. (photos of Tracy Walker-Kiser, Gabby Purcell and Andrew Haupt.)