Bakersfield.com Local News

Don't mess with retirees: plan reps sent packing

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:50:00 PST

Bakersfield officials Tuesday temporarily backed off a controversial proposal to switch insurance providers for retired city workers after an informational meeting Monday night went awry.

"It's on hold," the city's human resources manager, Javier Lozano, told retirees Tuesday.

VALERIE SCHULTZ: Missing dad not as painful as forgetting him

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:43:18 PST

The U.S. Navy has taken good care of my dad, a former sailor, even in death. At his funeral in July, an honor guard of three young sailors came to the cemetery, to present my mother with an American flag. Then one of them played taps as we laid my dad to rest. Three months later, the Navy delivered a grave marker for their old quartermaster signalman, a simple bronze plaque that memorializes my dad's name and rank and pertinent dates. I went to see the marker last week, with my mother and three of my siblings. I think our dad rests peacefully knowing he is forever identified as a sailor.

It is now four months since my dad died, a third of a year of life that he has not experienced with us. A new grandchild has been born, and another granddaughter is engaged. We've had to get used to him not being around to harass us and guide us and cheer for us. You wouldn't think that one person would be missed so much in a family of 27 and counting, but my dad was a larger-than-life character in all of our lives. All of us -- my mother, my siblings, my brothers- and sisters-in-law, my husband, my children, my nieces and nephews -- are still mourning him in our own ways.

Worth Noting in the community: open houses, Christmas Parade, Thanksgiving events and more

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:22:13 PST

The University of Phoenix will host an event to celebrate the expansion of its Bakersfield Learning Center, 4900 California Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m Thursday.

Students, alumni, local business representatives and community members are invited to tour the center.

CT scan reveals mummy displayed at CSUB was a woman

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:07:13 PST

It's a girl!

But this is no baby. She is a 2,400-year-old mummy that had been on display at Cal State Bakersfield and was put through a CT scan Monday at Quest Imaging.

Government roundup: commuting snarls, HR chief, water

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:40:00 PST

Stockdale Highway commuters -- and others around Bakersfield -- can expect more slow going in coming weeks as extensive work continues on busy corridors:

* On Stockdale Highway, the stretch between Wetherly Drive, just west of Highway 99, and California Avenue will be down to a single lane in each direction as reconstruction and median work go forward.

Valley bacon brings cheers and jeers

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:43:48 PST

Two Central Valley Blue Dogs, Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza, may bring home some serious bacon.

The congressmen snagged $500 million they want for a medical school at UC Merced, among other things, before agreeing Saturday to support a House bill that proposes a major federal overhaul of health care.

Extension, expansion of tax credit for homebuyers come as welcome news

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:33:17 PST

Most real estate market watchers in Bakersfield are greeting warmly news that a soon to expire federal tax credit for homebuyers was not only extended but expanded last week.

"I know some people think of it as a subsidy, but I can tell you there were a whole lot of people scrambling to get deals done before that tax credit went away, so it was making a difference," said Nance Fillmore, owner of Fillmore Realty and president of the Bakersfield Association of Realtors.

Fallen service members to be honored

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:26:00 PST

Locals who want their loved ones that died during military service to be honored on Veterans Day can participate in a memorial of sorts that's been set up and will be part of Wednesday's Veterans Day parade.

A casket has been set up in the parking lot of the American Legion Hall, at H and 21st streets in Bakersfield, in which people can place a piece of paper with the name of and note about someone who died serving his or her country, said Risto Rubio, vice president of Mission Family Mortuary.

LOIS HENRY: War never ends for veterans

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:10:00 PST

War never ends.

I don't mean that in the literal sense (though that does seem to be the case these days).

LOIS HENRY: Small town gave huge sacrifice to war

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:40:22 PST

The farming town of Wasco was tiny back in the 1940s, 4,196 people.

But it made a huge contribution to the war effort, losing at least 23 sons in countries across the globe.

WIC shows off foods new to the nutrition program

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:48:23 PST

Single mother Monique Rocha, 23, has a 2-year-old son with a stomach condition.

So it's especially important for his diet to be packed with healthy foods.

Four more dead of swine flu in past week

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:28:00 PST

Kern County's death toll from H1N1 swine flu increased from 10 to 14 during the past week, the Kern County Department of Public Health reported Tuesday.

The first local fatality from seasonal flu was also documented. Doctors say in most years, the seasonal flu doesn't typically take hold until November or December.

HERB BENHAM: A family that gave (and gave) to the country

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:47:00 PST

I met them Thursday at HealthSouth. There may be cheerier places to meet than a rehab hospital, but given the genre, HealthSouth was clean, light and upbeat. When I left, I felt looser, healthier and perhaps even more robust. I was better and I hadn't even been worse.

I was interviewing the Seibly/Bonillo family. The story was for Veterans Day. Ralph Seibly, 91, had broken his hip and was rehabbing there.

Couple works to raise funds for dog park water fountain

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:46:12 PST

Lynn and Marv Larson go to the dog park on Kroll Way almost every day with one to three dogs for their business, Fetch! Pet Care.

"Sometimes we feel like we live there," Marv Larson said.

Worth Noting in business: New Japanese restaurant; new spot for fashion boutique

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:44:15 PST

A new Japanese restaurant has opened in downtown Bakersfield at 1419 19th St.

The brainchild of the operators of Toro Sushi (also in Bakersfield), Enso Japanese Bar offers fusion cuisine blending an array of influences. Dishes range from sushi rolls to steaks and skewer-style appetizers. Enso also offers a selection of domestic and import beers, as well as wines and sake.