Money Talks - MoneyTalks's Blog - Bakersfield.com http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks The Bakersfield Californian's growth and economy team of reporters and editors strives to bring you the latest news and information on real estate, retail, restaurants, oil, energy, agriculture, aerospace, banking, cars and employment. If it's about money and our growing community, we want you to know it! The Bakersfield Californian's growth and economy team of reporters and editors strives to bring you the latest news and information on real estate, retail, restaurants, oil, energy, agriculture, aerospace, banking, cars and employment. If it's about money and our growing community, we want you to know it! en-us People in Business: A who's who for July 3 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29537 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29537 <p>Do you know what the man to the left accomplished?</p> <p>People in Business is the place to announce promotions, awards and other good work among professional in our community. <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/1385/story/487681.html">Check out this week's list here.</a></p> <p><i>People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/yourwords"> www.bakersfield.com/yourwords.</a></i></p> <p><i>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 <a href="mailto:business@bakersfield.com%22"> business@bakersfield.com.</a> Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.</i></p>


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Caption: Ali Morris
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Ali Morris Windows Vista vs. Windows XP http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29484 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29484 <p>In a bid to nudge reluctant consumers over to Vista, Microsoft Corp. has announced it is taking Windows XP off store shelves.</p> <p>Have you used both operating systems?&nbsp; What do you think of them?</p> <p>Reporter Courtenay Edelhart would like to talk to you if you have strong opinions one way or the other. (661) 395-7372.</p> <p><i>--Courtenay Edelhart</i></p> Foreclosure PSAs http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29431 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29431 <p>Gov. Schwarzenegger's <a href="http://www.yourhome.ca.gov/hope/index.shtml">&quot;90 Days of Hope&quot;</a> campaign has rolled out a series of ads and public service announcements encouraging homeowners to fight to save their homes, according to a Tuesday press release.</p> <p>&ldquo;It wasn't easy, but we worked with our lender and we got to keep our home,&rdquo; a homeowner says in one of the PSAs.</p> <p>A few months back, I went to a local foreclosure prevention workshop and spoke with some homeowners. </p> <p>Several said they were frustrated because they'd tried to negotiate with their lenders and hit dead-ends at every turn.</p> <p>Anyone out there got a success story about saving their home from foreclosure? </p> <p><i>-Vanessa Gregory, staff writer</i></p> Fresh Apple Fries http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29397 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29397 <p>Have you heard? &quot;Fresh Apple Fries&quot; are the newest kid-menu offering from Burger King. </p> <p>The &quot;Fresh Apple Fries&quot; are uncooked apple slices shaped like French fries, and they come with a low-fat caramel sauce for dipping, according to the Associated Press. </p> <p>Why can't apples look like ... apples? </p> <p>I'm very curious to hear what parents think of this. A good way to &quot;disguise&quot; what your kids eat? What about just teaching kids it's good to eat fruit?</p> <p>Check out the picture to the left &mdash; that's the whole meal you can buy if you are so inclined. </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>


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Credit: Business Wire photo


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 Business Wire photo Yet another airline flying away http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29362 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29362 <p>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.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/485341.html">Read all about it here. </a></p> <p>But that's not all &mdash; 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. </p> <p>Will the changes interrupt your travel plans? Do you fly out of Meadows Field? What do you think of the prices?</p>


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Caption: Many people attended an open house at Meadows Field's new William M. Thomas Terminal in this photo from 2006.
Credit: Casey Christie/ The Californian


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Caption: Many people attended an open house at Meadows Field's new William M. Thomas Terminal in this photo from 2006.
Credit: Casey Christie/ The Californian

 Many people attended an open house at Meadows Field's new William M. Thomas Terminal in this photo from 2006. Casey Christie/ The Californian Housing market in a slump? You decide with our home sales map http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29333 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29333 <p>Our latest home sales map is ready for a peek. <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/1386/story/470224.html"> Check it out here.</a></p> <p>The map is updated with homes that sold in Bakersfield May 12 to 18, color-coded by sales price.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Check out what homes are going for with the information from First American Real Estate Solutions compiled by reporter Vanessa Gregory.</p> <p>Highlights for May 12 to 18:</p> <p>&bull; 76 homes are new on the map.</p> <p>&bull; Priciest? One sold for $1 million in the 93312 ZIP code. (It was 4,367 square feet.)</p> <p>&bull; Cheapest? One sold for $66,500 in the 93307 ZIP code. (It was 1,350 square feet.)</p> <p>What do you think of the prices? Is now a good time to buy?</p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>


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Caption: This home at 4317 Keith Way sold on May 8 for $149,000. Located in the 93309 ZIP code, the 1,410-square-foot house has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.
Credit: Troy Harvey/ The Californian


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Caption: This home at 4317 Keith Way sold on May 8 for $149,000. Located in the 93309 ZIP code, the 1,410-square-foot house has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.
Credit: Troy Harvey/ The Californian

 House_1_th.JPG This home at 4317 Keith Way sold on May 8 for $149,000. Located in the 93309 ZIP code, the 1,410-square-foot house has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Troy Harvey/ The Californian People in Business: A who's who for June 27 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29204 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29204 <p>Do you know what the woman to the left accomplished?</p> <p><a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/1385/story/483613.html">Read about her and many other people</a> who are making a difference in business in Kern County. </p> <p><i>People in Business is the place to announce professional achievements. Want to be in next week's list? It's best to submit to <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/yourwords"> www.bakersfield.com/yourwords. </a></i></p> <p><i>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 <a href="mailto:business@bakersfield.com"> business@bakersfield.com.</a> Sorry, photos that are submitted cannot be returned. For information, call 395-7345 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.</i></p>


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Caption: Lauren Be
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Lauren Be McAllister Ranch: Golfing with weeds http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29150 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29150 <p>I know what you're thinking: Why don't they put a trailer out there and let folks play?</p> <p>At least that's what guys here in the newsroom said when I asked for golf contacts.</p> <p>We're talking about the Greg Norman-designed <a href="http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/482792.html">McAllister Ranch course</a>. It has weeds, big ones, growing in the fairways, another odd byproduct of the housing market downturn.</p> <p>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.)</p> <p>There are a few archive photos posted for your viewing pleasure (you can see them best if you click on the magnifying glass icon).</p> <p>Now the golfers out there can figure out what to do with the course....trailers? Weed hazards?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>-- Staff writer Gretchen Wenner&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>


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Caption: Darryl Tucker of SunCal shows the 18th hole in March 2007.
Credit: Dan Ocampo, The Californian


Title: 18thHole big.JPG
Caption: Darryl Tucker of SunCal shows the 18th hole in March 2007.
Credit: Dan Ocampo, The Californian


Title: McAllister Ranch-Tucker 2000.JPG
Caption: Back in 2000, Darryl Tucker (then of Jasman Development) talks about McAllister Ranch.
Credit: John Harte, The Californian


Title: McAllister Ranch-Tucker 2000.JPG
Caption: Back in 2000, Darryl Tucker (then of Jasman Development) talks about McAllister Ranch.
Credit: John Harte, The Californian


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Caption: In June 2006, Greg Norman hit the ceremonial first ball at McAllister Ranch, then signed the golf club. The club is supposed to be displayed in the clubhouse, which is not yet finished.
Credit: Felix Adamo, The Californian


Title: Norman Signs .JPG
Caption: In June 2006, Greg Norman hit the ceremonial first ball at McAllister Ranch, then signed the golf club. The club is supposed to be displayed in the clubhouse, which is not yet finished.
Credit: Felix Adamo, The Californian


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Caption: In March, The Californian hired a plane for aerial shots around Bako. Here's one of the McAllister Ranch course with the clubhouse in the rear.
Credit: CoCo Walters, The Californian


Title: Course aerial.JPG
Caption: In March, The Californian hired a plane for aerial shots around Bako. Here's one of the McAllister Ranch course with the clubhouse in the rear.
Credit: CoCo Walters, The Californian

 18thHole big.JPG Darryl Tucker of SunCal shows the 18th hole in March 2007. Dan Ocampo, The Californian McAllister Ranch-Tucker 2000.JPG Back in 2000, Darryl Tucker (then of Jasman Development) talks about McAllister Ranch. John Harte, The Californian Norman Signs .JPG In June 2006, Greg Norman hit the ceremonial first ball at McAllister Ranch, then signed the golf club. The club is supposed to be displayed in the clubhouse, which is not yet finished. Felix Adamo, The Californian Course aerial.JPG In March, The Californian hired a plane for aerial shots around Bako. Here's one of the McAllister Ranch course with the clubhouse in the rear. CoCo Walters, The Californian In search of far-flung commuters http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29143 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29143 <p>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.</p> <p>How about you, bloggers? Any one live in Tehachapi or another outlying area and&nbsp; commute to Bakersfield? Ever think of moving closer to work to save on fuel costs?</p> <p>I'd need to hear from you by 4 p.m. Friday, June 27. You can reach me at 395-7234. Or&nbsp; post your thoughts to this blog.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Jenny Shearer, staff writer</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Yard sale deals http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29072 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/MoneyTalks/29072 <p>A few news organizations around the country have reported on a renewed interest in yard sales among people looking to make some quick cash &mdash; or to buy some basics without breaking the bank. </p> <p>The stories tell of people hard-pressed for funds, especially in the wake of high gas prices. </p> <p>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!)</p> <p>Have you held a garage sale to raise money? Do you shop at yard sales? </p> <p><i>&mdash; Christine Peterson</i></p>