Q: When do you expect to run out of the odd-sized paper you use for part of the paper on weekends?

- E. Suorez

A: John Wells, The Californian's vice president of advertising, marketing, circulation & operations, took this one:

I assume the reader is referring to the over-sized DRIVE auto section we run each Saturday in The Californian.

This was originally pitched to the auto dealers to use up old 54-inch newsprint when we made the switch to a 46-inch web. The dealers found it so effective that we have ordered more newsprint and continued the program.

At this time there are no plans to discontinue the over-sized DRIVE section.

Q: Why don't the emergency call boxes in the canyon and Kern River Valley work? Each call box is covered in black plastic.

Where the emergency call boxes are located, there is no cell phone reception and in case of an auto accident, etc., the time required to reach cell phone reception areas could mean the difference between life and death.

- Sherian Van Matre

A: The phones have been inoperable for about six months but as of this writing, they should be working again, according to officials at the Kern Council of Governments, which operates the boxes.

KernCOG had to change service carriers to AT&T to ensure coverage in the area and it was in the process of reactivating the call box phones when we called over there with your question Monday.

Q: I'd like to know two things about the swine flu shot. First, here we are at the middle of October and I can't find a doctor, clinic, etc., that has the shot available. Is the county health department hoarding? Second, I notice that there are several drive-thru shot clinics coming up around town but the swine flu shot is not part of the clinic. Why not?

- Barbara Braid

A: Kern County Public Health Department officials said this week the H1N1 vaccine is not yet available in large numbers and they don't know when it will be.

There's a nationwide shortage of the vaccine because producers haven't been able to make adequate amounts.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the federal government initially projected there would be 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine by now but only 13 million have come through.

The AP said there have been other bottlenecks, too, but it's unclear how the delays will affect public health.

There eventually will be enough vaccines for H1N1 and the seasonal flu for everyone who wants them, federal officials say.

Q: Does anyone know what the construction at the Valley Plaza mall is about? Are they expanding it?

- Janett Mendoza

A: A Target has been planned for there (the site of the old Robinsons-May) but it's

on hold indefinitely. The Minneapolis-based retailer says talks with the developer continue.

The mall began demolition of the former department store last year, but construction abruptly halted after contractors filed lawsuits complaining they had not been paid.

Q: I have been to the (Valley Plaza) mall two or three times now, and driven by other times, and noticed that the old Gottschalks building has FULL lighting on day, evening. Is there a reason for this?

If we're all told to conserve as much of everything that we can, why would a space that big, that's empty, need its lighting to be on full blast, when there's no need for it? It's a locked, closed building, to which no one can access, yet it's lit up like the Vegas strip..

- Becky Thomas

A: That space is being remodeled to become a clothing retailer Forever 21 store. It's expected to open in mid-November.

Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield. com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.