http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146 The river side of Stockdale Highway near Cal State Bakersfield is getting a major facelift.New buildings will offer an upscale Chinese restaurant, a combined eatery-brewhouse, a medical plaza for cosmetic procedures and day-spa services, and a busy real estate center.The business names are P.F. Chang's China Bistro; BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Casablanca Medical Aesthetics and Crisp,Cole &amp; Associates.Other commercial buildings are also under construction in the area.&nbsp; Are these welcome additions to southwest Bakersfield? Anything else you'd like to see there?&nbsp;Posted by: Jenny Shearer, southwest Bakersfield neighborhoods reporter,&nbsp; jshearer@bakersfield.com&nbsp; The river side of Stockdale Highway near Cal State Bakersfield is getting a major facelift.New buildings will offer an upscale Chinese restaurant, a combined eatery-brewhouse, a medical plaza for cosmetic procedures and day-spa services, and a busy real estate center.The business names are P.F. Chang's China Bistro; BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Casablanca Medical Aesthetics and Crisp,Cole &amp; Associates.Other commercial buildings are also under construction in the area.&nbsp; Are these welcome additions to southwest Bakersfield? Anything else you'd like to see there?&nbsp;Posted by: Jenny Shearer, southwest Bakersfield neighborhoods reporter,&nbsp; jshearer@bakersfield.com&nbsp; en-us Tue, 25 Jul 2006 16:59:20 PDT Poplar trees, and lots of em. Those things grow really fast and end up being BIG trees. I agree with erik. BJs sounds cool. They are a chain brewpub with locations in exotic locations such as Huntington Beach, Cupertino and Bolder,CO. My question is are they going to brew the beer there and fill growlers or are they just going to have the beer shipped in?<br /><br />Interesting that you're already anticipating that the real estate center will be busy. How about an oxygen bar? http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_16896 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_16896 Poplar trees, and lots of em. Those things grow really fast and end up being BIG trees. I agree with erik. BJs sounds cool. They are a chain brewpub with locations in exotic locations such as Huntington Beach, Cupertino and Bolder,CO. My question is are they going to brew the beer there and fill growlers or are they just going to have the beer shipped in?<br /><br />Interesting that you're already anticipating that the real estate center will be busy. How about an oxygen bar? I want to see&nbsp;a wildlife refuge on the river for the animals that are being wiped out from all the growth.&nbsp;&nbsp; When will people learn? http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_16902 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_16902 I want to see&nbsp;a wildlife refuge on the river for the animals that are being wiped out from all the growth.&nbsp;&nbsp; When will people learn? <div>The City's tree policy still leaves a lot to be desired. Half the time, they forget it completely. The other half of the time, they plant 15 gallon trees, but butcher them every year so that they never really grow. Plus, being in isolated little planters in the middle of huge parking lots doesn't make for the best growing conditions. At least the County is slightly better, both in terms of standards, as well as checking building plans to make sure they have it.</div> <div></div> <div>Nice to see some restaurants with name recognition moving in, but I still prefer local spots. It takes Tittl years to review local places (if they stick around for that long, odds are they're pretty good so a review doesn't help out much), but I'm sure he'll be in these new places their opening day...</div> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_17022 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_17022 <div>The City's tree policy still leaves a lot to be desired. Half the time, they forget it completely. The other half of the time, they plant 15 gallon trees, but butcher them every year so that they never really grow. Plus, being in isolated little planters in the middle of huge parking lots doesn't make for the best growing conditions. At least the County is slightly better, both in terms of standards, as well as checking building plans to make sure they have it.</div> <div></div> <div>Nice to see some restaurants with name recognition moving in, but I still prefer local spots. It takes Tittl years to review local places (if they stick around for that long, odds are they're pretty good so a review doesn't help out much), but I'm sure he'll be in these new places their opening day...</div> We need to include a horse drawn carriage trail...Think about it...how awesome. No pollution..no motor noise..soft clip clop of draft horse hooves (and no mess...cause they wear bags for that). Think of the different relaxing types of rides that would be available. The general public could hire a two seater carriage for a romantic ride along the river...the businesses could have business type meetings and/or parties in the bigger carriages/wagons ...etc... This is an environmentally friendly, fuel conscious way to spend our time. Not to mention the health benefits of relaxation for a few minutes in the middle of our stressful days.  It's a great idea for people to exercise in the gyms for their lunch hour...sometimes, it's nice to just relax...breath deeply and listen to the clip clop of horses, as you slowly glide through nature.....Think about it. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_21903 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_21903 We need to include a horse drawn carriage trail...Think about it...how awesome. No pollution..no motor noise..soft clip clop of draft horse hooves (and no mess...cause they wear bags for that). Think of the different relaxing types of rides that would be available. The general public could hire a two seater carriage for a romantic ride along the river...the businesses could have business type meetings and/or parties in the bigger carriages/wagons ...etc... This is an environmentally friendly, fuel conscious way to spend our time. Not to mention the health benefits of relaxation for a few minutes in the middle of our stressful days.  It's a great idea for people to exercise in the gyms for their lunch hour...sometimes, it's nice to just relax...breath deeply and listen to the clip clop of horses, as you slowly glide through nature.....Think about it. You would have PETA protesting, since it was too &quot;hot&quot; for the horses.&nbsp; Why aren't they protesting France for eating horsemeat? http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_23707 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_23707 You would have PETA protesting, since it was too &quot;hot&quot; for the horses.&nbsp; Why aren't they protesting France for eating horsemeat? How many resturants and shoppign places does Bako need?&nbsp; I'd like to see them put something else up for a change.<br /> If somebody would build a decent water park like all the big cities around us have, just think of the profits it would make during the heat waves!<br /> What's a person in Bako to do if shopping and eating isn't a hobby of theirs?<br /> <br /> Personally, I'd like to see more museums and cultural centers, or even stores that are unique and not part of a corporation tycoon chain.<br /> <br /> And God, how I miss those drive-in movie theatres, but those seem to be going extinct everywhere!<br /> Fresno looks like a bigger version of Bako, yet there's so much more to do there besides eat and shop! http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_24365 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_24365 How many resturants and shoppign places does Bako need?&nbsp; I'd like to see them put something else up for a change.<br /> If somebody would build a decent water park like all the big cities around us have, just think of the profits it would make during the heat waves!<br /> What's a person in Bako to do if shopping and eating isn't a hobby of theirs?<br /> <br /> Personally, I'd like to see more museums and cultural centers, or even stores that are unique and not part of a corporation tycoon chain.<br /> <br /> And God, how I miss those drive-in movie theatres, but those seem to be going extinct everywhere!<br /> Fresno looks like a bigger version of Bako, yet there's so much more to do there besides eat and shop! <h2>I CAN'T WAIT for the new BJ's to get here....<font color="#ff00ff"><font size="7">THEY HAVE THE BEST FOOD AND PIZZA IN THE WORLD!!!!</font>&nbsp; </font></h2> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25285 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25285 <h2>I CAN'T WAIT for the new BJ's to get here....<font color="#ff00ff"><font size="7">THEY HAVE THE BEST FOOD AND PIZZA IN THE WORLD!!!!</font>&nbsp; </font></h2> The horse drawn carriages are a great NEW idea for Bakersfield. There are ways to deal with the heat...and it's not hot 12 months of the year. We need something new and exciting for Bakersfield. Why would PETA have a problem with it? Most of those horses are well taken care of and are bred for that stuff. The horses love pulling carriages. Kind of like a cow dog rounding up cows. They would do it for ever...and love it. They are bred for that..it's in their blood. It is better than standing in a stall all day gettin eat up by flies. Carriages are environmentally friendly, relaxing,fun...etc...Bakersfield needs to think outside the box. We need to add more safe entertaining activites around our lakes and rivers...to give people something to do other than swim in them. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25589 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25589 The horse drawn carriages are a great NEW idea for Bakersfield. There are ways to deal with the heat...and it's not hot 12 months of the year. We need something new and exciting for Bakersfield. Why would PETA have a problem with it? Most of those horses are well taken care of and are bred for that stuff. The horses love pulling carriages. Kind of like a cow dog rounding up cows. They would do it for ever...and love it. They are bred for that..it's in their blood. It is better than standing in a stall all day gettin eat up by flies. Carriages are environmentally friendly, relaxing,fun...etc...Bakersfield needs to think outside the box. We need to add more safe entertaining activites around our lakes and rivers...to give people something to do other than swim in them. <p>PETA = Promote Eating Tasty Animals.&nbsp; Now if that doesn't get the animal activists stirred up nothing will.&nbsp; I think the horse and carriage idea is a great one.&nbsp; But then, I'm in favor of the revitalization of downtown and always have been.&nbsp; I haven't been there but have been told that Boise is another place that turned downtown into a business area in the daytime and a busy nightlife scene in the evenings.&nbsp; Big retail stores will never be a part of downtown again but the boutiques and specialty shops give people a place to go on thier lunch hour.&nbsp; It's actually fairly active during the day now.<br /> <br /> By the way..IF the peta people complain you might ask them where the horses spend their summers now?&nbsp; At the beach?</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25602 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25602 <p>PETA = Promote Eating Tasty Animals.&nbsp; Now if that doesn't get the animal activists stirred up nothing will.&nbsp; I think the horse and carriage idea is a great one.&nbsp; But then, I'm in favor of the revitalization of downtown and always have been.&nbsp; I haven't been there but have been told that Boise is another place that turned downtown into a business area in the daytime and a busy nightlife scene in the evenings.&nbsp; Big retail stores will never be a part of downtown again but the boutiques and specialty shops give people a place to go on thier lunch hour.&nbsp; It's actually fairly active during the day now.<br /> <br /> By the way..IF the peta people complain you might ask them where the horses spend their summers now?&nbsp; At the beach?</p> Check out the San Antonio, Texas River Walk. There's lots of pictures on the Internet. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25604 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_25604 Check out the San Antonio, Texas River Walk. There's lots of pictures on the Internet. How about a <font color="#00ff00">GOOD</font> indoor mall?&nbsp; One with very nice stores, restaurants and services...all NEW!<br /> I'd sooner drive to LA than set foot in the Valley Plaza.&nbsp; Besides being a scary and dangerous place to go with all the shootings etc., it 's really ancient as well.&nbsp; And the East Hills mall is a ghost town with similar vibes.<br /> <br /> Maybe the new area off of Stockdale will bring something, as well as provide a lot of new employment opportunites! http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_33075 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_33075 How about a <font color="#00ff00">GOOD</font> indoor mall?&nbsp; One with very nice stores, restaurants and services...all NEW!<br /> I'd sooner drive to LA than set foot in the Valley Plaza.&nbsp; Besides being a scary and dangerous place to go with all the shootings etc., it 's really ancient as well.&nbsp; And the East Hills mall is a ghost town with similar vibes.<br /> <br /> Maybe the new area off of Stockdale will bring something, as well as provide a lot of new employment opportunites! Ya know...all ideas to better Bako seem spot on.&nbsp; However, until the City gets off their rear and provides us better transportation options (highways, freeways, etc.)&nbsp;all options are for nought.&nbsp; Last thing I want to do is go out on a Friday night after sitting at Calloway and Rosedale for a 1/2 hour trying to get home...&nbsp;&nbsp; Just a thought.<br /> <br /> <font size="4">WAKE UP C.O.B.!!</font> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_34692 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_34692 Ya know...all ideas to better Bako seem spot on.&nbsp; However, until the City gets off their rear and provides us better transportation options (highways, freeways, etc.)&nbsp;all options are for nought.&nbsp; Last thing I want to do is go out on a Friday night after sitting at Calloway and Rosedale for a 1/2 hour trying to get home...&nbsp;&nbsp; Just a thought.<br /> <br /> <font size="4">WAKE UP C.O.B.!!</font> <font color="#339966">&quot;sitting at Calloway and Rosedale for a 1/2 hour trying to get home... &quot;</font><br /> <br /> A perfect example of the real need for eminent domain in some cases!&nbsp; Those tiny old houses and Gas War should be leveled and made into lanes...or an overpass.&nbsp; There are a few other spots where this should happen in town too! http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_36072 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_36072 <font color="#339966">&quot;sitting at Calloway and Rosedale for a 1/2 hour trying to get home... &quot;</font><br /> <br /> A perfect example of the real need for eminent domain in some cases!&nbsp; Those tiny old houses and Gas War should be leveled and made into lanes...or an overpass.&nbsp; There are a few other spots where this should happen in town too! Wow kingpen, where were you 11 months ago when this blog was started? And&nbsp;a water park, in Bakersfield? That is so ghetto.&nbsp;Mr. Tandy wants to build a baseball stadium first. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104588 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104588 Wow kingpen, where were you 11 months ago when this blog was started? And&nbsp;a water park, in Bakersfield? That is so ghetto.&nbsp;Mr. Tandy wants to build a baseball stadium first. <p>No one's mentioned the proposed water park on Rosedale Highway lately. </p> <p>Speaking of.&nbsp; Does anyone know anything about the water park just east of Barstow?&nbsp; Or north..or north east.&nbsp; That huge thing sits in the middle of nowhere and i've never seen it open.</p> <p>(edited)&nbsp; Nevermind..I found the info on it.&nbsp; Interesting read. </p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Dolores">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Dolores</a></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104622 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104622 <p>No one's mentioned the proposed water park on Rosedale Highway lately. </p> <p>Speaking of.&nbsp; Does anyone know anything about the water park just east of Barstow?&nbsp; Or north..or north east.&nbsp; That huge thing sits in the middle of nowhere and i've never seen it open.</p> <p>(edited)&nbsp; Nevermind..I found the info on it.&nbsp; Interesting read. </p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Dolores">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Dolores</a></p> <p>I must be feeling <em>reeeeeeally</em> cynical this A.M., but if it &quot;proposed&quot; and &quot;desirable,&quot; it's already an epitaph.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104624 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104624 <p>I must be feeling <em>reeeeeeally</em> cynical this A.M., but if it &quot;proposed&quot; and &quot;desirable,&quot; it's already an epitaph.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> LOL..good point H.&nbsp; And I don't think you're cynical about it. http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104628 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104628 LOL..good point H.&nbsp; And I don't think you're cynical about it. (Believe me, despite the really down-beat tone of my posts about our planning skills, I really do like it here.) http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104634 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/neighbors/3146/#c_104634 (Believe me, despite the really down-beat tone of my posts about our planning skills, I really do like it here.)