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Today's news: Delta Air Lines will be pulling out of Bakersfield, taking away direct flights to Salt Lake City from Meadows Field. The service will end Sept. 1.

Read all about it here.

But that's not all — John Cox found out that prices on other flights out of Bakersfield could go up because overall, there won't be as many seats on planes out of the Thomas Terminal.

Will the changes interrupt your travel plans? Do you fly out of Meadows Field? What do you think of the prices?

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Our latest home sales map is ready for a peek. Check it out here.

The map is updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield May 12 to 18, color-coded by sales price.

We regularly publish single-family home sale transactions that occurred between individuals. Since foreclosures, or bank-owned properties, now account for an increasing number of weekly sales, sales between banks and individuals are now being included.

Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.

Highlights for May 12 to 18:

• 76 homes are new on the map.

• Priciest? One sold for $1 million in the 93312 ZIP code. (It was 4,367 square feet.)

• Cheapest? One sold for $66,500 in the 93307 ZIP code. (It was 1,350 square feet.)

What do you think of the prices? Is now a good time to buy?

— Christine Peterson

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Do you know what the woman to the left accomplished?

Read about her and many other people who are making a difference in business in Kern County.

People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to www.bakersfield.com/yourwords.

You can also mail contributions to The Bakersfield Californian, business editor, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302; faxed to 395-7519; or e-mailed to business@bakersfield.com. Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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I know what you're thinking: Why don't they put a trailer out there and let folks play?

At least that's what guys here in the newsroom said when I asked for golf contacts.

We're talking about the Greg Norman-designed McAllister Ranch course. It has weeds, big ones, growing in the fairways, another odd byproduct of the housing market downturn.

Other guys in the newsroom responded to the trailer suggestion: It's not a trailer kind of a golf course. (I figured there must be some insurance/liabilty issues.)

There are a few archive photos posted for your viewing pleasure (you can see them best if you click on the magnifying glass icon).

Now the golfers out there can figure out what to do with the course....trailers? Weed hazards?

-- Staff writer Gretchen Wenner 

Hello. I'm working to localize a New York Times story about people who moved to the boonies for more space but might now be thinking of returning to an urban setting because fuel prices are so expensive.

How about you, bloggers? Any one live in Tehachapi or another outlying area and  commute to Bakersfield? Ever think of moving closer to work to save on fuel costs?

I'd need to hear from you by 4 p.m. Friday, June 27. You can reach me at 395-7234. Or  post your thoughts to this blog.

Thanks,

Jenny Shearer, staff writer

A few news organizations around the country have reported on a renewed interest in yard sales among people looking to make some quick cash — or to buy some basics without breaking the bank.

The stories tell of people hard-pressed for funds, especially in the wake of high gas prices.

I have friends who love shopping yard sales because they might happen upon a great find, especially antiques or items just old enough to be of interest. They say they discover great deals they wouldn't find elsewhere. (I'm not convinced!)

Have you held a garage sale to raise money? Do you shop at yard sales?

— Christine Peterson

Most of you probably already heard about California's Attorney General suing Countrywide Financial, saying the company used deceptive practices to push homeowners into risky loans.

Why? Because in recent years, lenders like Countrywide stopped holding loans in their own portfolios, seeking instead to resell them on the secondary market. While the old system favored careful underwriting, the new gave an incentive to get folks into riskier loan products, a press release from the Attorney General's office says.

Anyway, if you're interested in how yesterday's lending practices contributed to today's foreclosures, the full lawsuit (attached) is a fascinating read.

-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer

Here's a "raw report" press release from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce:

REMINDER! The deadline for submitting Leadership Bakersfield applications is Friday, June 27 at 5:00 p.m.  Staff will be on-hand until the cut-off time, so please be sure to deliver your completed application to the Chamber at 1725 Eye St.
An application is available online at http://www.bakersfieldchamb...
 
Should you have any questions or if you need additional information or assistance, please e-mail tsterling@bakersfieldchamber.org, go online for program details <http://www.bakersfieldchamb... or call 661-327-4421.

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With gas prices soaring and rising food costs, brides are having to find ways to scale back their dream weddings to meet a budget.

Eva Soto managed to save $4,000 on her wedding by using artificial flowers, making her own veil and crafting her own centerpieces.

"With all the money used for gas and food, people don't have the money for these big weddings you see on TV," she said. "You can still make your dream wedding elegant just through decorating and lighting."

Another bride, Vicki Garcia, said her wedding day was too important to scale back.

What do you think? Would you scale back your big day? Do you have any money-saving tips on ways to cut wedding costs?

Here's the link to the story and video: http://www.bakersfield.com/...

- Maggie Creamer

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Our latest home sales map is ready for a peek. Check it out here.

The map is updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield May 4 to 11, color-coded by sales price.

We regularly publish single-family home sale transactions that occurred between individuals. Since foreclosures, or bank-owned properties, now account for an increasing number of weekly sales, sales between banks and individuals are now being included.

Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.

Highlights for May 4 to 11:

• 76 homes are new on the map.

• Priciest? One sold for $650,000 in the 93312 ZIP code. (It was 4,273 square feet.)

• Cheapest? One sold for $68,000 in the 93305 ZIP code. (It was 867 square feet.)

What do you think of the prices and the current market?

— Christine Peterson

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is holding "Stars and Stripes 2008," a business after hours trade show mixer on Tuesday.

It's from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Select, 801 Truxtun Ave.

About 50 businesses will be there, plus there will be prizes and food.

Admission is $5 at the door without a coupon, but there are "free admission for two" coupons floating around, too.

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Kern County’s unemployment rate has gone up over this time last year, according to data released by the state’s Employment Development Department on Friday.

Kern unemployment rate slipped slightly to 9.5 percent in May, down from a revised 9.7 percent in April but above an estimated 7.6 percent in May of last year. 

This compares with a May unemployment rate of 6.5 percent for California and 5.2 percent for the nation.

Gains in other sectors offset the loss of 7,100 Kern County farm jobs over the past year so that overall local job losses totaled 4,900. Construction jobs continue to be casualties of the ongoing housing slump, with 1,000 fewer positions in Kern County compared with May 2007.

The public sector enjoyed the biggest gains. There were 900 more government jobs here last month compared with the same month last year.

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Valley Plaza Mall will add three new stores in time for back-to-school shopping.

Mrs. Fields, G by GUESS and Select Comfort will join aboujt 130 stores at the mall and should open by late summer. COACH will also open around the same time.

“We are excited to add all these merchants to our retail mix,” General Manager Donna Berlin said in a press release.

Mrs. Fields sells cookies, G by GUESS is a men’s and women’s clothing store, Select Comfort sells mattresses and COACH sells designer handbags.

What do you think of the new places? What do you want to see at the mall?

— Maggie Creamer

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Do you know what the man to the left accomplished?

Read what he did in this week's People in Business column.

People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to www.bakersfield.com/youwords.

You can also mail contributions to The Bakersfield Californian, business editor, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302; faxed to 395-7519; or e-mailed to business@bakersfield.com. Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Hello out there,

I'm working on a story about nightlife locations in Bakersfield. Some of our city's most popular spots are in shopping centers or industrial areas, which I find a bit quirky, being a relative newbie.

Think Lengthwise and RJ's and newer options such as Randolph's Lounge and Rockstarz Party Bar (both off Meany Avenue in the northwest). 

Where are your favorite bars and why do you like them? How does a bar's location register with you when deciding where to go? Do you give it a second thought? Yes or no, I'd like to hear from you.

If you'd like to be interviewed for possible inclusion in my story, please call: 395-7234. I'd need to hear from you by 11 a.m. Friday. Or you can post your comments to this blog, and we might use them to complement the story.

Thanks in advance...and cheers.

— Jenny Shearer, staff writer

What's important? Maintaining open space? Having enough water? Plenty of affordable housing?

The Kern Council of Governments is putting on a Kern Regional Blueprint Summit to gather answers to those questions. Leaders there have invited all county supervisors, and councilmembers from throughout the county, according to a Kern COG press release. The public is invited too.

What: Kern Regional Blueprint Summit

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2008

Where: Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court in Bakersfield

Why does it matter? According to Kern COG's press release on the summit, the county's population is projected to grow to 2.1 million people within 50 years.

Yep, that's nearly triple the people we have now!

The IRS believes more than 14,000 Kern County residents, especially retirees and disabled veterans, haven't filed for an economic stimulus payment to which they are entitled, according to an IRS press release issued today.

The IRS plans, later this summer, to send those folks a letter explaining their eligibility and how to file a tax return, according to the IRS press release.

According to the press release:

"The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 generally provided for payments of $600 ($1,200 for married couples filing joint returns or the amount equal to the 2007 net income tax liability, whichever is less, ), plus $300 for each qualifying child. Payments also begin to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $75,000 ($150,000 married couples filing jointly). "
 
"For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child. To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income.  Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement."

"People not otherwise required to file an income tax return should file Form 1040A with basic information to ensure they receive the economic stimulus payment. This information includes name; address; dependents, if any; amount of qualifying income (which must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit information and signatures. Forms 1040A and instructions are available at www.irs.gov."

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Feeling richer?

According to data out today, the personal income of people in the U.S. grew 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2008 over the previous quarter. That's from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The bureau offers a neat little chart about all the states.

It's good to be in North Dakota, where personal income grew by 7.6 percent.

In Arkansas, it dropped 1.9 pecent.

How about California? Our personal income grew by 1 percent, ranking us No. 21 in the country.

Click here for more tables and charts.

— Christine Peterson

Here's a "raw report" press release from the Auto Club's Bakersfield office:

(BAKERSFIELD, June 18, 2008) – The Automobile Club of Southern California’s Bakersfield office, 1500 Commercial Way, will host a winter vacation planning Open House on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The open house will introduce travelers to vacation packages available exclusively through AAA Travel. These unique winter itineraries include:

•    A Canadian polar bear safari
•    A trip to witness the Iditarod Race in Alaska
•    Yellowstone National Park and a Wyoming tour by sleigh or snowmobile
•    A “Norman Rockwell Christmas” tour of the Berkshires
•    A Sundance Film Festival Tour
•    A New York visit to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Each escorted winter tour, operated by AAA SignaTours, includes lodging, some meals and access to the featured attractions. Auto Club members will receive special benefits and discounts on the packages.

For more information, contact the Bakersfield Auto Club office at (661) 327-4661.

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Bakersfield bicycle shop Action Sports was named to a bicycle trade magazine’s annual “Top 100 Retailer” list of specialty bike sellers.

“Bicycle Retailer and Industry News” hired Boulder Sports Research Inc. to survey sales representatives for seven bicycle manufacturers and seven bike accessory manufacturers who know and visit stores on a regular basis. The sales reps were asked to vote for the leading retailers in their territories based on market share, community outreach and store appearance. The top 100 list was culled from about 5,000 specialty bicycle retailers in the United States.

The stores were ranked alphabetically, not by the number of votes, so everyone who made the list was honored equally.

Action Sports, 9500 Brimhall Road, called making the list “a huge compliment.”

The 20-year-old store prides itself on its ongoing training programs for employees and extensive inventory of 13 bicycle brands, said owner Kerry Ryan.

The top 100 list appeared in the magazine’s February issue.

— Courtenay Edelhart

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A chicken wings pick-up and delivery service opened Tuesday inside a Pizza Hut store on Panama Lane in southwest Bakersfield.

The WingStreet location, 3351 Panama Lane, sells chicken wings in a variety of styles, as well as appetizers and side orders. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

There are more than 700 WingStreet stores in the United States, Australia and Canada.

Homeowners can learn about options after falling behind on house payments at a free foreclosure prevention workshop.

It will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 26 at the Kern Schools Federal Credit Union Administration Building, 9500 Ming Ave., just west of the Marketplace.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Kern & Tulare Counties will conduct the workshop.

Staff members will be available to talk with individual homeowners who have questions about their existing mortgages; bring copies of your loan documents.

Sign up at 833-7926 or www.ksfcu.org.

Here's a dispatch from assistant editor John Cox:

A Nebraska company is looking for franchisees to open one or two new home health care locations in or near Kern County.

The county’s first Right at Home office, owned by franchisees David and Terri Mazone, launched in Bakersfield in September. Now the Omaha, Neb.-based company wants to open more offices serving Kern’s growing number of senior citizens.

“What’s really more important to us is finding that right partner,” company founder and President Allen Hager said.

Right at Home provides in-home companionship and care to people age 65 and older. For more information, visit www.rightathome.net, or call 877-697-7537.

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The Sequoia Sandwich Co., a Bakersfield-based chain of delis, is opening a fourth location this month in the Clovis Commons Shopping Center in Fresno County as part of the company’s long-term growth plans in the Central Valley.

The new store, to open June 25, is company-owned.

“We have thought about franchising from time to time and are open to the possibility, but there are no short-term plans to do that,” said co-owner Gary Blackburn. “Our plan is to open maybe two to three more company stores over the next five years.”

Read more here.

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Congressman Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, rang the opening bell at NASDAQ today.

McCarthy is on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees capital markets and financial institutions.

He is on a one-day trip to New York to "make Wall Street more aware of housing and energy costs in California communities, and tour trading facilities," according to a press release from his office.

You can see more pictures here.

McCarthy also talked with Fox Business about housing and gas prices. I couldn't see the video on my computer, but I did find a transcript of his comments.

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Our latest home sales maps are ready for a peek. You'll find our April map here, and also a map for the first part of May.

These maps are updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield April 28 to May 4, color-coded by sales price. Since there is data for April and May, you’ll find the information on two maps.

We regularly publish single-family home sale transactions that occurred between individuals. Since foreclosures, or bank-owned properties, now account for an increasing number of weekly sales, sales between banks and individuals are now being included.

Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.

Highlights for April 28 to May 4:

• 53 homes are new on these maps.

• Priciest? One sold for $625,000 in the 93312 ZIP code. (It was 3,337 square feet.)

• Cheapest? One sold for $75,000 in the 93306 ZIP code. (It was 1,235 square feet.)

What do you think of the prices and the current market?

— Christine Peterson

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Are you putting off a computer purchase because you're using every bit of your money for the basics, like rent/ mortgage, food and gas?

Reporter Courtenay Edelhart has found that to be true after talking to folks at several computer stores. Read her story here.

Some people who want more memory or other bells and whistles are trying to add to their old computers.

How long do you hold onto a computer? Have you tried to repair an old one rather than spending money on a new one?

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Do you know what the woman to the left accomplished?

Read all about her achievements, and those of many others, in this week's People in Business column.

People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to www.bakersfield.com/yourwords.

You can also mail contributions to The Bakersfield Californian, business editor, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302; faxed to 395-7519; or e-mailed to business@bakersfield.com. Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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Yikes!

I was beyond astounded last night when I pumped $44.01 worth of gas into my nice little Saturn. The meter just kept flashing higher numbers. Past $20. Knew that much. Past $30. Figured that much too, of course. But then, suddenly — $35. It didn't stop at $40 either, but continued on to $44.01.

I have never in my life put $44.01 of gas into a car at once. Never.

In fact, as I drove away, I was thinking of the days when I didn't even need a $20 bill to fill an entire tank.

Remember the days about a decade ago when gas, for a brief time during the summer, was 99 cents a gallon here? That same summer, when I spent a week in the Midwest, it was only 89 cents a gallon. 89 cents!!

I really am starting to think about where I drive.

(This photo from the Associated Press is from a Shell gas station in San Mateo on Tuesday.)

— Christine Peterson

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Bakersfield's options for a Saturday night on the town may soon expand.

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal Entertainment Group plans add a digital IMAX theater next year to the Edwards Bakersfield 14 on Ming Avenue near Cal State Bakersfield.

IMAX, in case you haven't been to one, is considered the most complete movie experience going. It gives the viewer a greater sense of immersion with more light and detail on a bigger screen. The sound is better, too.

For years the format was known for science films, but lately blockbusters have been produced with the IMAX system, including Kung Fu Panda and Speed Racer. A Regal marketing manager said the Bakersfield venue will show three-dimensional films as well.

There's an added cost to be paid to get in, though the company hasn't released the amount yet. So our question to you is, how much might you be willing to pay to see an IMAX film once the theater complex opens in about a year or so?

Here's a "raw report" press release from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce:

Graduation ceremonies for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Bakersfield Class of 2008 are set for Friday, June 20 at The Petroleum Club, 5060 California Avenue Ste. 1200. Twenty-eight participants representing a diverse range of businesses will be honored for completing an intensive leadership- and community-awareness development program.

Program graduates are: Ian Anderson, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union; Lynnette Bailey, Kaiser Permanente; Kelly Barber, San Joaquin Community Hospital; Chad Brock, NAI Capital Commercial; Renante Cadiz, Frito-Lay, Inc.; Ed Flickinger, Kern Council of Governments; Michael George, Agape Mortgage; David Gordon, Bakersfield Museum of Art; Patty Gray, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen; Karina Gutierrez, Global CTI Group, Inc.; Joe Hay, Jim Burke Ford; Alice Huang, Aera Energy LLC; Sandra Juarez, Kaiser Permanente; Catherine Kibbey, Bakersfield Police Department; Roy Kintz, University of Phoenix; Kevin Klockenga, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield; Carlton Lennon, Bank of the Sierra; Roy Marchetti, Kern County Superintendent of Schools; Jarrod McNaughton, San Joaquin Community Hospital; Patricia Mitchell, McIntosh & Associates; Kimberley Mudford, Chevron North America Exploration & Production; Joe Mullins, Bakersfield Police Department; Vicki Norman, kern Schools Federal Credit Union; Tim Scanlon, Klein, DeNatale, Goldner et al.; David Szabo, Wells Fargo Bank; Dave Taylor, Hall Ambulance Service, Inc.; Lori Tolleson, Get Moving Kern; and Jeff Watts, Bakersfield Police Department.

Evening festivities begin at 6:00 p.m., featuring keynote speaker Dr. Sandra Serrano, Chancellor, Kern Community College District. Emcee is Jeff Lemucchi, KBAK-TV 29.
Cost is $40 per person. For additional information, call the Chamber, 661-327-4421.

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Members of the United Pentecostal Church of Taft have lost their church to foreclosure, though the pastor hopes they can find a way to buy it back.

The Rev. Leo J. Fisher says the painful experience is one he hopes all pastors take to heart -- though the congregation is filled with good men and women, church leaders need to hire professionals when taking out loans or buying land.

Fisher says he plans to meet at the old site for the forseeable future, though the property now belongs to the lender.

Have others stepped in to offer the group a meeting place if they lose the church for good? Did other churches overextend themselves during the bubble?

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

Here's a "raw report" press release from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce:

REMINDER! The deadline for submitting Leadership Bakersfield applications is Friday, June 27 at 5 p.m. Be sure to deliver your completed application to the Chamber at 1725 Eye Street. An application is available online at www.bakersfieldchamber.org/images/documents/7558_ 31656.PDF
 
Should you have any questions or if you need additional information or assistance, please e-mail tsterling@bakersfieldchamber.org, go online for program details or call 661-327-4421.

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Four national homebuilers settled for a total $4.3 million for alleged no-no's at construction sites around the country. Read the EPA's press release here.

KB Home of Los Angeles along with Pulte, Centex and Richmond American let construction runoff pollute waterways, worked without getting permits and failed to prevent or minimize stormwater runoff, the release says.

No sites mentioned were in California, though Pulte agreed to a "supplemental" project to improve a Northern Cal watershed for $608,000.

Did none of this go on around here? Maybe the Kern Riverbed is too dry to count as a waterway...

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

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Oh, how times have changed.

This ad caught my eye in this morning's paper: "Bakersfield's Refi Guy" has re-invented himself. Now, in a nod to the retro-hot FHA loan, he's calling himself the "FHA Guy".

Probably a good move. But, alas, no catchy rhyme.

In April, we wrote about Russo's struggles in the sputtering housing market.

-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer

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On Saturday, we ran a piece about V Heritage Plaza,  an under-construction shopping center on South Union Avenue that slid into foreclosure.

Newly recorded docs filed with the Kern County Recorder's office show V Heritage developer William Lee also lost his completed shopping center, Little Saigon Plaza at 333 Union Avenue last week. Read the full report here.

The strip mall has tenants, including a bakery, pool hall, two Vietnamese restaurants, a hair salon and market. The new owner, a San Diego lender, says the tenants will likely get to stay put.

A few storefronts are vacant.

A retail broker said Tuesday that the retail foreclosure is an isolated case, and not a sign of a troubled commercial real estate market.

Anyone been to Little Saigon Plaza? What went wrong?

-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer

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Barack Obama and other Democrats are saying it's time for round two of stimulus checks to prop up the economy, according to a Gannett News Service report.

An advisor to John McCain says it's too early to say if that's a good idea, the Gannett report says.

Would a second check for everyone help the country? Families? Is this a good or bad idea?

— Christine Peterson

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An interesting article in Saturday's New York Times talks about developments around California being stalled or denied because of a lack of water supplies.

The story says in Kern County, "at least three developers scrapped plans recently to apply for permits, realizing water was going to be an issue."

No further details were given about the derailed projects, but I called Lorelei Oviatt in the Kern County Planning Department, who was quoted in the story, for more background.

Oviatt said the projects she was referring to were in eastern Kern, where the entire Antelope Valley water basin is being adjudicated (i.e., lawsuits have been filed over water rights). Particularly impacted are Rosamond, in Kern, and Lancaster and Palmdale in Los Angeles counties.

On this side of the mountains, fallout from a 2001 water-supply law referred to in the New York Times story hasn't yet cropped up in the flatlands.

"In the valley, we're fine," Oviatt said.

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

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Our latest home sales map is ready for a peek. See it here.

No need to grab a map to find Conservatory Court and Harmony Drive (homes on those streets recently sold.) We’ve done the work for you.

The map is updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield April 21 to 27, color-coded by sales price.

We regularly publish single-family home sale transactions that occurred between individuals. Since foreclosures, or bank-owned properties, now account for an increasing number of weekly sales, sales between banks and individuals are now being included. Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.

Highlights for April 21 to 27:

• 90 homes are new on this map.

• Priciest? One sold for $1.17 million in the 93311 ZIP code. (It was 6,666 square feet.)

• Cheapest? One sold for $50,000 in the 93307 ZIP code. (It was 624 square feet.)

What do you think of the prices? Time to buy? Time to sell?

— Christine Peterson

Here's an event post from reporter Courtenay Edelhart:

DoubleTree Hotel on Monday will stage a whimsical Bakersfield Hospitality Olympics to raise money for the Bakersfield Rescue Mission, and the public is invited to watch hotel and restaurant workers duke it out.

The event pits local hotels, restaurants and other businesses against each other in hospitality-related competitions, such as bed making, food tray races and toy assembly.

Teams will be timed in each race, with the winning team having the quickest overall time for all events. The Olympics concludes with a team cheerleading competition followed by an awards ceremony and social event. The winning team receives a trophy.

Competing teams include Doubletree Hotel, Marriott Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Sheraton Four Points, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Carrows, Baskin Robbins and Logan’s Roadhouse.

The timed events are 2 to 5 p.m. Monday. Admission to the cheerleading competition and awards ceremony immediately afterward is $5 and includes a reception with appetizers, a cash bar and D.J.

The hotel is at 3100 Camino Del Rio Court.

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We're all hearing the reminders about the new cell phone laws that go into effect July 1.

Come that day, adults can't talk on a cell and drive unless they use a hands-free device. And those under 18 can't chat on a cell phone while driving at all.

Which got us thinking — how are businesses bracing for the new law? Reporter Joe Boesen found some businesses are mandating that their workers not use cell phones at all — even with a hands-free device — while driving on company time.

What's you company's stance? Has your employer completely banned cell phones while driving?

— Christine Peterson

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Do you know what the man to the left did?

Read about his professional accomplishments, and those of several others, in this week's People in Buisness column.

People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to www.bakersfield.com/yourwords.

You can also mail contributions to The Bakersfield Californian, business editor, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302; faxed to 395-7519; or e-mailed to business@bakersfield.com. Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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Five out-of-town developers are now in trouble on housing projects in Wasco.

The latest, Kemp Land Co. (through subsidiary Wasco 37 LP), defaulted Wednesday on a pair of loans for the Climbing Rose Estates tract off Palm on the north side of 46.

I drove around Wasco in December (that's when I took the attached pics) and even then things looked grim on Prosperity Lane, the neighborhood's connection to Palm.

This has got to hurt a city this size, doesn't it? That's a lot of troubled land for 24,288 people (including the prison population)...

This is also the first default of this type in Kern I've noticed from what I'd consider a "local" (sort of) bank.

County Bank, based in Merced, has gotten pretty big, but it's still in the league of lenders such as Bank of the Sierra (Porterville), United Security Bank (Fresno), San Joaquin Bank  (Bako) and other Central Valley-headquartered lenders large enough to put up many millions for a tract of this size.

I wonder if some of these loans are more worrisome now or if bank managers expected this one to sour?

Click on the picture to see all 3 photos.

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

Here's a "raw report" press release from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce:

June 10 Disaster Preparedness & Business Continuity Seminar

Learn about processes that can help continue business functions through operational interruptions when the Chamber’s Business Development Committee presents a luncheon seminar on Disaster Preparedness and Business Continuity on Tuesday, June 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber, 1725 Eye Street. Cost, including a boxed lunch, is $20 per Chamber member and $40 per nonmember. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required.
 
June 12 Networking Breakfast

Linking small and large businesses, the second Networking Breakfast of 2008 is Thursday, June 12, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, 1725 Eye Street. This special session is FREE to members. Seating is limited.
 
Call 661-327-4421, e-mail info@bakersfieldchamber.org.

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Just about everyone I talk with sounds concerned about money. Gas prices. Mortgages. Cutting back on vacations. You name it.

Today reporter Courtenay Edelhart worked on a story about workers whose compensation comes, at least in part, from tipping, commissions and bonuses. Read all about it here.

And photographer Troy Harvey found a restaurant table where four men who dined left a $1 tip.

Are you tipping appropriately? Does your income depend on tips or commission? How's it going for you?

— Christine Peterson

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$4.49 for regular unleaded?

That was enough to make me hold off on filling up at my usual spot, the Chevron across from Barnes & Nobles on California Ave. (Plenty of folks were at the pumps, however).

I drove back by a few minutes later and saw something that made me wish I had a camera.

Three people were pushing a full-size red pickup into the station.

Out of gas under that $4.49 sign....  Exactly.

So what are y'all paying right now? I fill up about weekly and this caught me by surprise.

I also heard on the radio the common crime of my high school era, gas siphoning, has returned. Anyone notice that in Kern?

The story also mentioned AAA and other services are making lots more calls to rescue drivers who have run out of gas. Will anyone fess up?

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

Kern County had 749 properties foreclosed on in May, marking the tenth month the tally has increased, Kern County Recorder’s office statistics show.

Foreclosures are at their highest point since at least January 1995, the earliest date included in the recorder’s office report.

Default notices, which are the first legal filing in the foreclosure process, fell slightly to 1,272 in May from 1,303 the month before, statistics show.

Defaults last month had more than doubled compared with the same month in 2007.

The county recorded 2,921 deeds in May, compared with 4,168 recorded a year earlier, statistics show.

I've posted the county's reports, which include lovely little line graphs.

-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer

Bakersfield's May median home price of $210,000 matches the median back in October 2004, according to a preliminary monthly report by residential appraiser Gary Crabtree.

The figure represents a 24 percent decline from the same month last year — the highest in Bakersfield history, Crabtree writes.

Bakersfield home sales increased in May to 417, compared with 268 in the same month of 2007.

Home prices are still declining, but not as rapidly as in the past, according to Crabtree. And active listings are declining and demand has increased. Distressed listings — bank-owned, corporate-owned and short sale properties — made up 61.8 percent of homes for sale in May.

"We are starting to see some preliminary improvements in conditions, but we are far from the end of the mess," Crabtree writes.

The raw figures, including price per square foot, are in the report. (click on the blue icon)

-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer

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Here's some news from reporter Courtenay Edelhart:

Ever wanted to drive a Beamer? For free?

OK, OK, so you won’t be able to take it home, but as part of the BMW Ultimate Drive, you can take a short joy ride in a BMW and help pay for breast cancer research, all without spending a dime.

From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday a fleet of special BMWs touring the country to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will stop at Bakersfield Mitsubishi, 5400 Gasoline Alley Drive.

For every mile driven today on a special route set aside especially for test drives of all models of the German luxury cars, BMW will donate a dollar to the foundation for cancer research. The cars are painted with a pink ribbon.

To reserve your spot, call 877-4-A-DRIVE.

Reporter Jenny Shearer brings us this news:

Nine Kern companies will be honored at the New California 100 Conference June 17 at the University of California, Davis.

The inaugural event will recognize business success and aims to spark growth and innovation among the state’s 19-county Central Valley. 

These valley-headquartered firms make economic, civic and philanthropic contributions to regional prosperity. Kern’s honorees are:

• Aera Energy LLC

• Berry Petroleum Co.

• Grimmway Farms

• Jaco Oil Co.

• KS Industries

• Marko Zaninovich Inc.

• Paramount Citrus

• Sun World International

• WM Bolthouse Farms Inc.

This spring, Berry announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to Denver. But the company will maintain a Bakersfield office.

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Our latest home sales map is ready for a peek. Check it out here.

No need to grab a map to find Floral Meadow Drive and Pine Borough Court (homes on those streets recently sold.) We’ve done the work for you.

The map is updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield April 14 to 20, color-coded by sales price.

We regularly publish single-family home sale transactions that occurred between individuals. Since foreclosures, or bank-owned properties, now account for an increasing number of weekly sales, sales between banks and individuals are now being included.

Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions that's compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.

Highlights for April 14 to 20:

• 63 homes are new on this map.

• Priciest? One sold for $540,000 in the 93311 ZIP code. (It was 2,894 square feet.)

• Cheapest? One sold for $110,000 in the 93312 ZIP code. (It was 1,399 square feet.)

What do you think of the prices?

— Christine Peterson

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Do you know what the woman to the left accomplished?

Read about her achievements in the business world and those of others in the weekly People in Business column.

People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to bakersfield.com/yourwords.

You can also mail contributions to The Bakersfield Californian, business editor, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302; faxed to 395-7519; or e-mailed to business@bakersfield.com. Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.