Eye of Bakersfield - eyeofbakersfield's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Relay for Life -- Bakersfield a leader

Mon, 05 May 2008 08:19:49 PDT

I want to note that out of more than 300 Relay for Life events in California, Bakersfield is #1.

Out of thousands in the nation, Bakersfield is #2 behind a suburb of Atlanta.

There were 1,500 survivors, including my wife and I, who walked a lap Saturday at Cal State Bakersfield.

More than $1.7 million was raised for cancer research.

You can add this to the list of reasons to be proud of Bakersfield.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Lay off the old people, you NFL bruisers

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:26:22 PST

Turns out the huge and powerful National Football League pounced on a group of old people in southwest Bakersfield.

The Greens at Seven Oaks, a gated 404-home, 55-and-older community, was advertising a Super Bowl party, asking for $6.50 to help pay for food and drink.

Well, the NFL has a trademark on "Super Bowl" and it doesn't think kindly of people using that term for commercial gain.

So it informed these Seven Oakers they were violating various mandates. The old folks, no match for the monolithic NFL, caved in immediately.

They are now calling their party a "football viewing gathering."

Betty Moore, a resident of the Greens at Seven Oaks, said, "This is just a bunch of old folks wanting to watch a football game, for crying out loud. And the NFL gets involved. You'd think they'd have bigger fish to fry than with us."

Amen, Betty. Have a great time at your football viewing event.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Scratching and rubbing, good feelings

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:09:30 PST

Don't resist the urge to scratch. It sends a good feeling message to your brain.

And so is rubbing, which can even tone down the soreness of an owie.

I'm so glad people study these things.

I was attracted to the above-linked story because I'm been doing a lot of scratching lately. Turns out cancer cranks out a lot of itches along the way.

But both scratching and rubbing send good signals to the brain. Relieves the itch and relieves some of the pain.

Now you know.

Just go out and get someone to rub you where you hurt. Or you can even rub yourself.

To the tune of rub it in, rub it in.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Female-only buses in Mexico City, but not Bakersfield

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:34:25 PST

I was surprised this morning to read about the female-only buses that have begun in Mexico City because of extensive groping and verbal harassment of women on the regular buses.

The problem had to be so bad that extra buses had to be engaged to protect the women.

The city's subway system has long had women-only cars during rush hour.

Associated Press has reported that women-only buses or subways have been rolling for years in India, Brazil, Japan and other countries.

I asked whether GET buses in Bakersfield have had similar complaints. Marketing Manager Gina Hayden said there have been virtually no problems.

The complaint person at GET reports maybe one or two complaints a year and none in the last six months. "It's not an issue here," Hayden said.

Well, that's good. But it still amazes me that too many men in other places disrespect women in such intolerable ways.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

A $200,000 ride to space, how nice

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:39:16 PST

Out there in our aerospace center of the Mojave Desert, Burt Rutan and his crew is building SpaceShipTwo, a plane that can carry six over-the-top rich people into orbit.

For only $200,000 a trip.

That's a little out of my Travelocity budget, but about 200 prospective passengers from 30 countries have made reservations and put up the cash.

During the ride they can experience weightlessness for about 4 minutes.

From their vantage point 62 miles above the earth, they'll get a view of our emerald planet that they can treasure for a lifetime.

I hope they share pictures.

Because I won't get to go. I'm saving a few thousand dollars to get a fishing boat. It will take me places I don't normally get to go.

We just do what we can with what we have.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

How healthy are your dogs?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:20:59 PST

Over the course of the last five decades, I've had a variety of dogs with virtually no health problems throughout their lives.

As a young boy, I had Skippy (a mutt). I gave my parents Liebshen (Dachshund and the name means dear one), her daughter, Samantha; Gulley, a black lab, Freckles (a cocker spaniel) and Sugar (a cocker mix).

None of them had any health problems. We got them shots and that was it. (Well, Gulley, which was short for Gulliver's Travels and he broke out of our fence 14 times, and broke his leg once, but that was a hit by a car issue). Except for the dachshunds, all were outside dogs.

When I got married a couple years ago, I inherited two dogs — an Australian Shepherd named Brooke and a Bearded Collie named Sebastian.

I refer to Brooke as psycho dog and Sebastian as fat dog. (Oddly enough, they get fed the same amount per day). They are inside dogs.

Our psycho dog shivers with fear at sounds sometimes she's the only one who can hear, and we regularly give her prescription tranquilizers. She has gone crazy, chewing up clothes, knocking over ceramic things, tearing up bedspreads and more.

Our fat dog has the endurance of a 400-pound obese person. He walks six blocks and he's done. He also gets up very slowly and awkwardly.

This is new ground for me. How about your dogs. Are they healthy or does your vet see you as a regular customer?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Mother gives up newborn to Bakersfield fire station

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:15:33 PST

I want to applaud the mother who brought her 3-hour-old newborn to a southwest Bakersfield fire station under the state's Safely Surrendered Baby Law.

It's an obviously painful decision. Parents have two weeks to reclaim the baby.

But it comes after we've written far too many stories about babies dumped in trash cans or fields to die when this option was available.

Bakersfield Fire Battalion Chief Garth Milam said the baby was dropped off at 3:30 a.m. Friday at Fire Station 15, 1415 Buena Vista Road.

The Bakersfield Fire Department gets safely surrendered babies about twice a year, Milam said.

“Most of the time the woman is in such distress that it’s good to get the child to professional care,” he said.

This newborn now has a better chance at a happy and fulfilling life thanks to the courage of this mother to put the baby's needs first.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

A $2,000 puppy stolen in Oildale

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:52:47 PST

I have always obtained my pet dogs from the pound for less than $50 so it is hard for me to wrap my head around a $2,000 puppy.

But that's what Jean Percival was selling an English bulldog nicknamed Runt for when two men stole the dog.

If you look in the classifieds, you can see this breed selling for $3,000 or $4,000. That's more than I used to pay for 750 cc, full-dress motorcycles.

I feel sad for Ms. Percival's loss.

But can someone explain to me why anyone would pay that much for a dog?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

How much of a hassle are fog delays?

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:45:41 PST

Nothing interrupts a morning routine like a fog delay.

My kids used to love them, and it seems that we used to have more of them 7 or more years ago when they were in school.

But my question is -- how do you handle fog delays?

Do you drive your kids to school so you can get to work? Or do you call in late for work?

Or do you leave them alone for a couple hours until the bus comes?

Or do your kids go to Catholic schools where there is no such thing as a fog delay?

Should everyone just tough it out and drive in the fog?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Fog, the thing I like least about Bakersfield

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:36:20 PST

People rag on Bakersfield for all sorts of things, not the least of which is this alleged heat in the summer and the hick town reputation.

But as I was driving to work this morning, I realized what I like least about this town is the fog. As for the heat, that is why God invented swimming pools and rivers.

When we get the tule fog it is more than a pain the drive in, and it chills you to the bone.

So far we haven't had bad fog this year, but I'm sure it's coming.

And school kids love the fog because it gets them out of school. That too is a pain for parents.

But I'm saying if I wanted to dump on Bakersfield, I would dump the fog.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Opening presents early — SHAME on you

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:10:50 PST

On Dec. 2, four days before my wife's birthday, the new printer I bought her as a birthday present was fully operational.

I was shocked it was out of its box. I had planned to do a wonderful job wrapping it.

Meanwhile, my stepdaughter, Lori, has opened her Christmas present, and I-phone she received from her friend, Andrea.

And she has opened and has operated a new computer she received from her mother and me for Christmas.

I would note that Christmas is still Dec. 25, some days off into the future.

I will get two new golf clubs for Christmas, an R-X7 driver and a hybrid 4-iron. While I could have used them in a tournament on Sunday, they were safely in a closet waiting for Christmas.

We haven't even yet put up the Christmas tree.

I am taking the moral high ground — waiting until the designated day to open my presents.

The women in the family say they have always opened presents early as long as there wasn't a man to stop them. (I was out playing golf when they broke into their presents).

Do any of you open presents early?

If so, are you ASHAMED of yourself?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Thank God, I have kids to explain things to me

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:25:33 PST

I remember when older people used to be wise in the ways of the world.

Well, that's changed.

I'm going to buy my wife a computer printer for her birthday.

There's almost no such thing as just a computer printer. They come in packages of printer, scanner and photo printer, with other options including copier and fax machine.

Price ranges from $60 to $230 or more.

Some come with two cartridges — black and color — and some come with five, including magenta, cyan, yellow and two shades of black.

And you can get inkjet or laser. Plus, a plethora of brands such as HP, Epson, Cannon, Kodak and Lexmark.

That's a lot of stuff for my little brain to process.

So I called my 25-year-old son, a newspaper photographer, who has already fully processed the intricacies of printers.

He explained what to look for, the advantages and disadvantages of different systems, the good brands and the price range appropriate for a quality product that will satisfy all of my wife's needs.

I think computer printers are a microcosm of the various choices facing consumer on any product more complicated than a plate warmer.

We could rely on sales people to explain all this to us, but of course they have something they are trying to sell us.

I prefer my son who has my best interest in mind.

How do you decide these consumer choices?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

P.S. If my son ever needs a new golf driver, I'll be happy to explain the nuances of clubhead, shaft, grips as they relate to swing speed.

How much effort do you put out for family visitors?

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:27:11 PST

My brother and sister from Olympia, Wa. and my wife's ex-husband visited us over the last several days.

That's an interesting mix in and of itself, but the question is how much of an effort do people make to accommodate family?

For my family, I believe in whatever regular food we would serve anyway, plus a night out to dinner and some entertainment activities.

So we had spaghetti, barbecue chicken and a chicken-pasta-brocolli dish for dinners, sandwiches for lunch and cereal, coffee cake or breakfast bars for breakfast.

We went out Friday night to the Crystal Palace for dinner and a fabulous show by Monty Byrom and The Buckaroos. On Saturday we took the train ride from Fillmore to Santa Paula and had lunch at Mupu's in Santa Paula. Yesterday, my brother and I played golf.

And we spent a lot of time talking, watching some football games and other tv programs.
It was a very nice visit — but nothing over the top. We then dropped everyone off this morning for plane rides home — the ex-husband (who has become a really good friend of mine) going all the way to Thailand where he now lives.

Do you do more or less for your family?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Recycle this — city remains backward outpost

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:22:42 PST

Impressive.

The Bakersfield City Council voted 5-0 with an abstention not to apply for a state grant that would have required the city to start a mandatory recycling program.

That could be read as none of the city leaders believe in mandatory recycling. Such would clearly be in line with recent polls that show 8 or 9 out of 10 people don't want it either.

City Councilman Zack Scrivner said it best, "I don't know that we should be mandating until the state has its foot on our back driving a diversion rate."

And some people say we aren't a progressive city.

Should we be proud we followed the will of our citizens, or ashamed that we can't spend $3 or $4 per month to help clean the environment?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

What to look for in a restaurant server

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:24:42 PST

The other night, my sweet wife, Mary, and I went to the El Portal Mexican restaurant on Ming Avenue near Ashe Road.

We love the place because it feels like our own little neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Has a nice home, friendly feel.

We had a new server, a man whose name I should have jotted down, but didn't.

But this guy greeted us with enthusiasm. Loved our selections. Didn't laugh at me when my wife ordered a margarita and I ordered milk. Made sure my milk glass was full. Always came to the table upbeat and friendly.

That kind of service, upon reflection, just made a nice evening with my wife even better.
I even gave him a bigger tip than the 15 percent I usually give.

It also made me think of what I like about servers. Pretty women are a plus for me, but only if they are engaging. And maybe a little sassy.

My favorite waitresses were at the Tioga Resort at the back door to Yosemite. It has the best home-made berry pie in the universe. So I ordered it.

The waitresses, describing later what they do as guerrilla waitressing, made fun of me, weren't quite sure I was good enough to get their berry pie, but gave in when I told them how lovely they were and how I might consider a bonus tip. They obviously took their cues from me on whether I could take such waitressing.

I like brief, funny exchanges with the server staff. And they have to keep my drink cups or glasses full.

What do you look for in a server?

Here's your sign

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:54:57 PDT

CHP Officer Greg Williams was working the front desk Monday at the California Highway Patrol office on Buck Owens Boulevard.

A woman and her male neighbor walk in. The woman's son was driving without a license and her car was impounded. She wanted it back.

Greg asks her for her driver's license. She looks at him goofy. She doesn't have one, but of course, she had intended to drive her car home.

So Greg asks the neighbor for his license. He looked at him goofy. He doesn't have one either. Greg says, "I just saw you park in front." The man says he was just trying to help out his neighbor.

Greg impounds his car.

Sometimes the cops actually have to go out and find these people, as opposed to having them drive up to their front door.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Note to police: can we get these attempted school abductions sooner?

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:42:33 PDT

As a cops reporter with more than 36 years under my belt, I judge the newsworthiness of crimes by my visceral reaction.

And I had a big reaction to the attempted abduction yesterday afternoon of an 8-year-old Castle Elementary School girl on Edgemont Drive.

(See above link or Raw Reports blog under heading of "Annoying a child" which I believe is a major understatement)

The little girl got away and ran back to the school for safety. Police are looking for the bad guy.

It happened at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday. We found out at 9:44 a.m. today. That's too long.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Don't you just want to slap these art vandals?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:10:53 PDT

Once in a while, things happen in Bakersfield that are really cool.

The sidewalk art at the Marketplace is one of them. My wife and I enjoyed the work on Saturday night.

That was before someone on Monday marred the work with tire marks.

The vandals probably thought it was fun to ruin the hard work of others.

I think the vandals are numbskulls. I think the vandals highlighted their own inadequacies.
I think the vandals should be slapped upside the head.

Like the little children they are.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Water park on Rosedale Highway, any issues come to mind?

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:35:16 PDT

A proposed 15-acre water park on Rosedale Highway near Old Farm Road got an exploratory okay by the North of the River Recreation and Park District board Monday night.

This after near unanimous opposition during the public comment session.

Turns out some people worried about — well, let's see, what is Rosedale Highway best known for (I know, I know) — traffic congestion.

Plus noise (the splish, splash of happy children) and a decrease in property values, people said.

On the other hand, one can overstate just how much extra traffic a facility like this will generate, and what is the difference between it and say, a new restaurant or store?

There are north-south routes to get there too.

And it does get hot in Bakersfield, or so goes the rumor.

So is this really all that bad of an idea?

I'm not trying to make waves here.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Turkey vultures — stinky throw up and leg defaecation — but otherwise graceful

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:06:26 PDT

We just don't pay enough tribute to turkey vultures.

Though they are one of the most common buzzards in America (more than journalists), they don't seem to get the same accolades as eagles and hawks.

I mention this because this weekend is the 13th annual Kern Valley Vulture Festival. Check out this announcement on how to celebrate this proud bird.

Some people don't get excited about turkey vultures because they are, well, ugly. Their heads have all the charm of a decaying turnip.

But let's not stop there. Turkey vultures have a great defense system. Stinky, half-digested barf.

You get a whiff of that stuff and boy do you back off.

The other interesting thing about these soaring birds is the defaecate (go tinkie) all over their legs. This separates them from a lot of other animals that like to aim that gunk away from their own bodies.

But with the vultures, the somewhat wet guano actually slithers down the legs and helps keep them cool. You just don't want to overheat chewing up on road kill.

We do a lot of education here on these blogs. Glad I could help.