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Now what: Your builder is bankrupt One minivan, one mom, five kids The economic 'value' of Mom First-time homebuyer help People in Business: A weekly list of achievements for May 8 Wal-Marts seek OK to sell beer, wine Launch what you cook Check out what homes are selling for! Foreclosure charts! Blue=Bad; more glum housing stats January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 Contact us with your news and information: Team leader: Christine Peterson, cpeterson@bakersfield.com, 395-7418 Assistant team leader: John Cox, jcox@bakersfield.com, 395- 7345 Reporters: Courtenay Edelhart, cedelhart@bakersfield.com, 395-7372 Vanessa Gregory, vgregory@bakersfield.com, 395-7379 Jenny Shearer, jshearer@bakersfield.com, 395-7234 Gretchen Wenner, gwenner@bakersfield.com, 395-7368 
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The Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is under the gun to bring more events here. Read John Cox's full report on the challenges the bureau faces. Sure, it's nice to bring conventions and events and people here to spend money. But what events would you like to see here? What could the bureau work on bringing that would interest you? — Christine Peterson The governor is spending $10.5 million for training for construction workers and others who have been laid off because of the downturn in the housing market. “The housing slump has put many skilled Californians out of work – such as carpenters, steel workers and cement workers," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement. " But we can continue to use their talents to rebuild our schools, fix our levees and build more freeways. By investing in our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and ensuring California remains competitive in a global economy.” So that's the help for construction workers. How are you dealing with the downturn? — Christine Peterson Over the past eight months or so, I've written about a lot of reports that weigh in on the state of Bakersfield's real estate market. Most of them have concluded Bakersfield's market is especially risky. A few weeks ago my colleague, John Cox, suggested we try to figure out what these reports are used for (aside from giving reporters something to write about) and if they have any real life consequences for borrowers. You can read the result here. But long story short, a lot of hopeful homeowners have to jump through more hoops to qualify for a loan. Anybody out there trying to buy? Got a personal story to share about getting qualified for a loan? -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer While it may not appear so as you're driving around Bakersfield, developers and investors are plotting an immense amount of growth. They're poised the day when the housing market turns a major corner. Read reporter Jenny Shearer's full report on what's happening in Bakersfield and in eastern Kern County. And see the maps and graphics posted there too. Kern County’s unemployment rate rose to 9.9 percent in January, up from 9.4 percent in December and 8.8 percent a year before, according to data released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. By comparison, California’s unemployment rate in January was 6.3 percent, while the nationwide rate was 5.4 percent. The $8 minimum wage has profound impacts on business, columnist Marylee Shrider writes this week. She's seeing it in higher prices on menus around town. And the business owners and managers she talked with say it's making them adjust hours down and hold off on hiring. So was the $8 minimum wage a good move? — Christine Peterson A new wind energy project is on the way to an area west of Rosamond. The Kern Couny Planning Commisson voted 3-1 Thursday night to support the PdV Wind Energy Project by Power Partners Southwest LLC, an entity affiliated with enXco. The company wants to put in 100 to 300 wind turbines on nearly 6,000 acres about 15 miles west of Rosamond, according to reporter Jenny Shearer's story. A fellow editor pointed out this column by Glenn Beck, who is on Headline News nightly. Beck considers whether the economy will fall into "The Greater Depression." He talks with Nouriel Roubini, chairman of RGE Monitor and professor of economics at New York University's Stern School of Business, who lays out 12 steps to financial diaster. But you don't have to read all 12, because Beck summarizes in real people language what it could all mean in just five. Beck says it better than I ever could, so go read! — Christine Peterson The Bureau of Land Managment wants you. Well, not you, necessarily; almost anyone will do. As long as you live in California, you're a legitimate nominee to the Central California Resource Advisory Council. Nominations to the council opened today, and the deadline for submissioins is April 14. The best part is, you can even nominate yourself! It may not be quite so easy to land a position on the council, however. The bureau is looking for individuals that fall within three categories. Category one is open to people representing organizations with business interests on public land (ranchers, oil executives, etc.). Category two is for people involved with environmental, archaeological, historical groups and the like. Category three: government representatives and, yes, "the public-at-large" (that's you!). The idea, according to the official call for nominations that went out Thursday, is to fill the council with people who have pertinent training, education and knowledge of the area. It would be nice if the members are committed to consensus-building. But don't let that stop you from throwing your and others' hats in the ring! Download a nomination form here, or call 916-985-4474. Go get 'em! We shared earlier this week that some 7,100 Starbucks shops would be shuttered Tuesday night for barista retraining. Is the coffee any different now? Service? Or are you just as addicted as you always were? — Christine Peterson 9.7 million of you should listen up! That's how many people use tax preparers this season, according to the Franchise Tax Board. So make sure that person is qualified, because ultimately YOU are responsible for what's on your return. You have to be a licensed CPA, public accountant, enrolled agent, attorney or registered with of the California Tax Education Council to charge a fee for doing taxes, according to a press release from the tax board. Here's where to get info on registered tax people: • The California Board of Accountancy licenses CPAs and Public Accountants. • California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Be vigilant! — Christine Peterson
Location:
2693 Mount Vernon Ave.,
Bakersfield, CA
Ross too pricey for you? Then you may be pleased to hear that parent company Ross Stores Inc. is opening a new, more budget-conscious retail concept right here in Bakersfield. Come Saturday morning, a 25,000-square-foot dd's DISCOUNTS debuts at 2693 Mount Vernon Ave. There you'll find clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods — the kind of products for sale at a Ross. But there's a difference in terms of brands and price points, according to an e-mailed statement by Bobbi Chaville, director of investor and media relations at Ross Stores. While Ross stores sell fashions you'd expect to find at a department store or specialty retailer, with an average price of $9 to $10 per item, dd's carries clothes you'd see at a "moderate or discount store" with an average price of $7 to $8. "Value-focused shoppers in Bakersfield will find great bargains every day at dd's Discounts, in a convenient, accessible and easy-to-shop environment," reads a press release issued Thursday morning. It says more than 50 dd's stores have opened nationwide since 2004. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Who’s losing their home to foreclosure in Bakersfield? Teachers, administrators, correctional officers and “normal, typical, picket-fence, college-educated families,” said Kristi Smart. Smart and her partner, Michelle Gamero, run Elite Property Management, a property management company specializing in higher-end, single family homes. And since late summer, the two women have seen a steady stream of post-foreclosure families looking for homes to rent. “They come here really desperate and afraid,” Smart said. Many are worried their ruined credit will make it hard to rent. Others fret over uprooting their kids in a move, she said. Almost all were first-time homebuyers. Often, the foreclosure is the only black mark on an otherwise clean credit report, Smart said. “They’re not people to let their debts go by,” Smart said. “They’re not deadbeats at all.” Many of her clients, Smart said, find the prospect of renting to be a grand relief after trying to scrape up the money needed to meet high monthly loan payments. “It’s allowing them to breath and relax a little, and spend time with their families,” Smart said. -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer Attention east Kern! Actor and economist Ben Stein is keynote speaker for the 36th Annual Business Outlook Conference hosted by the Antelope Valley Board of Trade. It's Friday at the Poppy Pavilon at the AV Fairgrounds. Tickets? $150 each, or $135 for members. Call 942-9581 to sign up. — Christine Peterson
Location:
2900 Calloway Drive,
Bakersfield, CA
A new chain restaurant with a sandwich-focused, deli-style menu will open in northwest Bakersfield in coming weeks, according to the franchisee. Alley Moyers and her daughter, Sara Moyers, plan to open a Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli on March 10 in The Shops at the Promenade shopping center, just north of Rosedale Highway on Calloway Drive. “The food’s fabulous,” Moyers said. “Good portions, real good taste,” Along with sandwiches, the Denver-based Heidi’s menu includes bagels, fresh-baked breads, smoothies and several vegetarian items, she said. Heidi’s will be located at 2900 Calloway Drive, Building B. The deli will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer Free counseling is available to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. It's coming to communities thoughout California with the help of an $8 million grant, according to a news release from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's folks. The money's going to the California Housing Finance Agency and HUD-approved counseling groups along with the Rural Community Assistance Corp. Here's the list of Central Valley places to get help: — Christine Peterson The woman who has patiently talked me through many of the finer points of the home mortgage business, Beth Cheatwood, has started a side gig with her grandkids, selling custom-blended coffee and healthy smoothies at soccer tournaments, festivals and other local events. Cheatwood and her family cruise to various events with their “tiny little bean trailer” in tow, caffeinating parents on the sidelines and — when enough grandkids are on hand — delivering lattes straight to the stands. “One of the reasons we did this was to bring our family back together in a way,” Cheatwood said of the Rollin’ Bean concept, which was hatched a few months after Cheatwood’s 37-year-old daughter, Vicki Cheatwood-Moore, succumbed to cancer. (Californian staff writer Emily Hagedorn wrote several articles about Vicki's struggle last year.) Cheatwood’s four grandchildren, who run from age 9 to 16, do most of the espresso-making and change-counting, which Cheatwood said has been great for teaching an old-fashioned work ethic. Cheatwood’s husband, son and daughter-in-law also pitch in. The custom-built Rollin’ Bean trailer arrived in early February, but the family enterprise is already being booked for softball tournaments and high school football games. “It’s so gratifying,” Cheatwood said. “We turn around when we do something with a school or nonprofit, where we give back to them. We give back to them a percentage of the gross.” And it’s given the family a sense of purpose, a way to feel united as they learn to live without Cheatwood-Moore. “We have seen such an amazing resurgence of positive, strong energy,” Cheatwood said. More information on the business, family bios and details on booking the espresso trailer for an event can be found on the Rollin’ Bean Website. If the Rollin’ Bean is at an event, orders can be placed from the sidelines by dialing 377-BEAN. -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer Did you know that wildflower lovers contribute to Kern's $1 billion-per-year tourism industry? That's according to the Kern County Board of Trade, which launched its annual Wildflower Hotline today. Call 661-322-WILD for info on where to see flowers. Or check out the Board of Trade's tourism Web site. Kern blooms include the California poppy, Indian paintbrush, desert calico, San Joaquin wooly thread, coreopsis, lupine and other varieties, according to a board press release. Want to share what you see so others know where to go? Call 800-500-KERN or e-mail kerninfo@co.kern.ca.us. — Christine Peterson Cal State Bakersfield has a new dean for its School of Business and Public Administration. John Emery, the former dean of the College of Business Administration at University of Texas – Pan American, was appointed to the post, according to a CSUB news release. Emery will take the spot March 1, the university announced today. He has a doctorate degree from the University of Washington, and bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Denver. According to the CSUB press release, Emery would like to expand evening and weekend classes and have more ways to take classes, such as using more online tools and podcasting. — Christine Peterson
Carl Cole, the former Crisp & Cole Real Estate broker now under investigation by the FBI, no longer has a recently acquired job with a coastal real estate company, an office manager confirmed Tuesday afternoon. “He is no longer affiliated with the company,” said Cristina Better, team leader of Keller Williams Realty’s Camarillo branch at about 4:50 p.m. Tuesday. Earlier Tuesday, The Californian reported Keller Williams recently hired Cole, 60, to work as a broker/associate in its Camarillo branch, according to a Feb 3. advertisement placed with the Ventura County Star newspaper. Read the whole story. As many readers know, this story evolved throughout the day. In the morning, we reported Cole had a new job. By the afternoon, we reported he no longer worked at a Ventura County real estate agency. Along the way, the bloggers were in on the act, making and breaking news themselves. One reported going to the Keller Williams office to inquire about Cole. -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer Carl Cole, the former Crisp & Cole Real Estate broker and the subject of an ongoing FBI investigation, has a new job selling real estate on the coast. Keller Williams Realty recently hired Cole, 60, to work in its Camarillo branch as a broker/associate, according to a Feb 3. advertisement placed with the Ventura County Star newspaper. Cole is also listed as a sales associate on the branch’s Web site, which shows he has four homes listed for sale in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. Read the whole story here. I'm working on adding more details for the newsprint tomorrow, but if you've got thoughts on the story, feel free to post away. -Vanessa Gregory, staff writer
Location:
Stockdale Highway and California Avenue,
Bakersfield, CA
In addition to the Chick-fil-A, two more businesses are planned for the northeast corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue. They're a CVS and The Vitamin Shoppe, assistant editor John Cox found out. Here's what assistant editor John Cox dug up today: Bakersfield’s median price for an existing home declined by 5 percent last month to $227,000, which represents an 18 percent drop from January 2007, the California Association of Realtors reported Monday. Are we in trouble? You'll have to for three hours Tuesday night when Starbucks shutters all 7,100 and some U.S. company-owned stores to retrain its baristas. The coffee purveyor is waiting until 5:30 p.m., so those who need their early-morning fix and mid-day boost don't need to fret. Can't wait? Stumbled across this map of Bakersfield locations. You'll know where to go when they open again. — Christine Peterson
I guess everyone has a day. Brush your teeth day. Take your daughter to work day. Spay and Neuter Day. (That one, by the way, is real, and it's on Tuesday.) Turns out there is a National Ag Day, too. This year it's March 11, to coincide with the first day of spring. The Agriculture Council of America is planning events in Washington, D.C., to draw attention to the role ag plays in our economy. Of course, that's huge in Kern County. The Ag Council says fewer than 2 percent of our country's people is directly involved in ag production. I would have guessed a little higher. — Christine Peterson
Beware of a phony asphalt or paving service. That's the warning today from the Contractors State License Board. It warns that a contracting scam is moving through the Central Valley, particularly Fresno, and could be moving to other areas of the state. This is from a state board press release: "One elderly woman was trying to withdraw $15,000 in cash to pay a contractor, when an alert bank employee tipped off authorities. It is believed this organized group has peddled its services to dozens of Fresno area residents and may have more victims. The suspects have used the names of: Boswell, Charlie’s Asphalt, Cal Form Paving or Davis Paving. They may have already moved on from Fresno to other parts of the state or even to neighboring states." Protect yourself, the board urges, by checking a license. If you think you've been a victim of this asphalt scam, call (916) 255-2924. The licensing board issued these "red flags" to avoid: • Door-to-door solicitations — Christine Peterson David Pauling was kicking himself before. Now he's kicking himself harder. The Bakersfield resident learned Monday (when we told him) that Chick-fil-A plans to open a restaurant in Bakersfield later this year. That hurts, he said, because his father offered not long ago to buy him a franchise. And he turned it down. If you haven't tried Chick-fil-A, you haven't tried some of the most popular chicken sandwiches in the South. They're simple— buns, pickles, breast of chicken — but they inspire people to drive across town, or farther, to get some. On Monday, a company spokeswoman confirmed that the Atlanta-based chain expects to open at the northeast corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue in the fourth quarter — January at the latest. Two years ago the company opened its first stand-alone restaurant in the Los Angeles area, she said, and now it's time to expand into the Central Valley. Pauling and his wife, Dana, were more than a little happy with the news. "It's a fantastic product," he said, adding that the nearest Chick-fil-A he has tried in California was in Sacramento. His wife was downright superlative as the two of them left the Popeyes on Chester Avenue. "KFC can just go away. This one (the Popeyes) is good. But Chick-fil-A is the best," she said. Today Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's task force on nontraditonal mortgages launched radio announcments meant to help people struggling with payments learn about ways to keep their homes. It's known as the 90 Days of Hope campaign. You can listen to them in English and Spanish. Here's a summary from the task force's press people: "Real California Family features the Shields Family of Stockton. John and Kelly Shields outline their journey working with a counselor and eventually finding a solution to keep their home. — Christine Peterson Our weekly home sales map is up! No need to grab a map to figure out where streets such as Foxglove Court and Millay Way might be. We've done the work for you. Check out our map updated with Jan. 7 to Jan. 13 sales. It also includes info for the first week of January. All data is from First American Real Estate Solutions. Highlights from this week: • 22 homes sold in Bakersfield. • the highest sales price was $495,000 for a home in the 93311 ZIP code. • the lowest sales price was $95,000 for a home in the 93307 ZIP code. Missed the December map? It's here. — Christine Peterson
Bako police got search warrants to track down suspected mortgage fraud last fall. No, not Crisp & Cole. Agustin Ramirez. He took out more than $4.8 million worth of loans in about 9 months time that have now foreclosed or defaulted. Two Realtors who may or may not be related to Ramirez were also questioned, court documents show. Here's the story link. The warrants and two grant deeds with conflicting information are posted for you to download: http://www.bakersfield.com/...
-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer
Almond growers are paying more than ever before for the bee hives that pollinate their crops. And that could eventually lead to higher prices at the grocery store. This is huge for the local economy, as almonds are a half-million dollar industry just in Kern County. More than 600,000 acres of almond orchards are farmed in the state. Kern County produces the largest amounts of the high-protein nuts, according to the state’s Almond Board. Read reporter Jenny Shearer's full report and take a look at the many pictures to the left. Just why are people who live here fascinated when new chain restaurants open? Is it that we want to feel like we're in the big city? Are we already big city? Are we bored, with nothing else to do? Or do we just love to eat? Assistant editor John Cox spent the last few days (among other work!) sleuthing out what may be behind the motivation of people to wait for hours for a table when Famous Dave's opened, sample appetizers outside while waiting for a seat at Red Lobster or camp out overnight for Krispy Kreme to open. — Christine Peterson If the land dosen't belong to you, then you don't have much say about how it's used. (Unless it's right by your home and is being used for a couple of purposes, such as a feedlot, rendering plant or a county dump.) That's columnist Marylee Shrider's take she shares in this week's column. She knows what it's like when something's moving in. An 80-acre parcel of land near her home will soon become residential development. So she's bothered by some of the community response to the draft environmental impact report on The Canyons project, comments from people who want to use land they don't own. — Christine Peterson The men and women of the Kern County Cattlemen’s Association Inc. will be having a grand time Saturday night as they honor their cattleman and woman of the year. See who won in assistant editor John Cox's full report. The values of more than 40,000 |
