San Joaquin Bank's holding company on Monday reported steeper first-quarter losses than originally posted, along with a private stock deal expected to bring $38 million.

Read the story here.

You can read the release yourself, which includes updated figures, by clicking the blue box to the left. (The PDF is 4 pages.)

Two other blogs have been started on this. Reporter James Burger live-blogged our session with Bart Hill and Stephen Annis. The Californian's CEO, Richard Beene, weighed in as well.

-- Gretchen Wenner, staff writer

Kern County’s unemployment rate increased to 14.7 percent in June, up from a revised 14.3 percent in May.

During the same time last year, the unemployment rate was estimated to be 9.3 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department.

California’s unadjusted unemployment rate in June was 11.6 percent, while the national rate was 9.7 percent.

In comparing June 2008 and June 2009, the biggest job losses occurred in construction and the sector composed of trade, transportation and utilities. A total of 2,000 construction jobs were lost, while 1,500 trade, transportation and utilities positions were lost.

No industry increased employment, and only one, mining and logging, remained even. Mining and logging had 10,600 positions in both 2008 and 2009.

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Certainly many workers are lucky enough to work in an air-conditioned environment.

But not everyone's so lucky. Just think ... air-conditioning service workers, pool installers, roofers, oil field workers, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, lifeguards ... and many, many more people.

We're interested in hearing your stories of working in the heat. How do you survive — and protect yourself?

If you don't work outdoors, which job do you think would be the worst?

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Get a glimpse of the state of real estate in Bakersfield by taking a look at what’s sold recently.

Go to Bakersfield.com/business and click to see the current update to our map, plus a year’s worth of sales data.

We publish single-family home sale transactions, as well as foreclosures. The homes are color-coded by price, with information from First American Real Estate Solutions.

This week’s data covers May 25 to 31. Highlights include:

83 homes are newly plotted on the map.

Priciest? One sold for $662,500 in the 93311 ZIP code. It was 3,948 square feet.

Cheapest? One condo sold for $22,500 in the 93306 ZIP code. It was 1,216 square feet.

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Sections of Spartacus Miller's rocket lie near The Padre Hotel. It was brought down off the top of the hotel as construction continues at the hotel and a new era begins for the downtown Bakersfield landmark.

Read more here.

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Curious about the homes you could buy in Bakersfield? See what’s selling on our home sales map.

Click to see the current update to our map, plus a year’s worth of sales data.

We publish single-family home sale transactions, as well as foreclosures. The homes are color-coded by price, with information from First American Real Estate Solutions.

This week’s data covers May 18 to 24. Highlights include:

94 homes are newly plotted on the map.

Priciest? One sold for $630,000 in the 93311 ZIP code. It was 3,768 square feet.

Cheapest? One sold for $33,000 in the 93307 ZIP code. It was 1,168 square feet.

Two Bakersfield women are making a name for themselves with their line of eco-friendly shoes.

Irene Clancy and Janel Garcia launched Greenbees in February.

Greenbees shoes are made using full grain leather, treated using a formaldehyde-free method. The soles of the shoes are made of recycled tire.

“We wanted to bridge the gap between something that is stylish and eco-friendly,” Clancy said.

Greenbees shoes are sold in boutiques in San Francisco and Culver City. Here in town, they can be found at Fashionista, 2001 H St.

According to the company’s Web site, www.shopgreenbees.com, the six styles of boots and sandals range in price from $45 to $298.

— Katie Steiner, staff writer

A new store is providing more shopping options for soon-to-be brides and grooms.

Enchanted Bridal opened about three weeks ago at 600 Coffee Road.

Owner Colleen Bastin said Enchanted Bridal stands out because it offers lots of accessories.

In addition to tiaras, earrings, basket sets and T-shirts, the store has traditional bridal gowns.

“We have everything you would need,” Bastin said.

— Katie Steiner, staff writer

A void that was left when Stockdale Music filed for bankruptcy in March will soon be filled.

Nick Rail Music will open a new store in early August at the Colonial Square Shopping Center, at the corner of Ming Avenue and New Stine Road.

Nick Rail Music, which has six other locations in southern California, specializes in band and orchestral instruments, said general manager Winston Dutton. The store will also provide instrument rentals and repair.

“With Stockdale Music closing, it seemed like a win-win situation,” he said. “We’re bringing something to Bakersfield that is lacking at this point.”

— Katie Steiner, staff writer

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What can you get for your money?

Click to see the current update to our map, plus a year’s worth of sales data. We publish single-family home sale transactions, as well as foreclosures.

The homes are color-coded by price, with information from First American Real Estate Solutions.

This week’s data covers May 11 to 17. Highlights include:

99 homes are newly plotted on the map.

Priciest? One sold for $690,000 in the 93311 ZIP code. It was 4,187 square feet.

Cheapest? One sold for $30,000 in the 93304 ZIP code. It was 918 square feet.

What do think of the prices?

Here's a Franchise Tax Board press release that will be of interest to many!

Sacramento – The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced today that it will stop accepting applications for the new home tax credit at midnight tonight, Thursday, July 2, 2009.
 
New tax law allocated $100 million of tax credits made available to roughly 10,000 qualified buyers who on or after March 1, 2009, purchased a qualified principal residence that had never been occupied. This credit is equal to the lesser of five percent of the purchase price or $10,000. The buyer must reside in the new home for at least two years immediately following the purchase date.
 
To ensure that enough valid applications were received to properly allocate the full $100 million available for this tax credit, FTB accepted 12,000 applications. However, FTB will only issue approved credit certificates until the $100 million is exhausted. The credit is being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
For more information, visit FTB’s Tax Credit for New Home Purchases webpage at www.ftb.ca.gov.