Bakersfield Observed: A blog about life, media, politics and people
By Richard Beene
College costs
A stunning new study has identified the most expensive colleges in the nation. Ready for some sticker shock? Topping the list is Sarah Lawrence College in New York, which offers an annual tuition of $61,236. That's right, some $250,000 for four years and that doesn't include money for pizza, books, travel home, clothes and other things. Rounding out the top five were New York University at $59,837, Harvey Mudd College at $58,913, Columbia University at $58,742 and Wesleyan University at $58,202.
Maxwell
Terry Maxwell is a well-known restaurateur and longtime local businessman who is running for the Ward 2 City Council seat being vacated by Sue Benham. He has picked up some impressive endorsements, and today, he will be my guest on Californian Radio KERN 1180 AM at 9 a.m. Tune in and hear Terry talk about his vision for our city and his views on the proposed 24th Street widening project.
CALM
A couple updates on what is happening at the California Living Museum (CALM), compliments of Steve Sanders of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Next month will feature a desert bighorn sheep exhibit, a partnership with the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos and CALM's first cooperative breeding program. "Also on Nov. 10, CALM will be the recipient of a Kaboom! Playground in partnership with PG&E. Some 200 volunteers will build a playground in just one day. Last month, over 25 kids helped design their dream playground at CALM and many of their ideas will be incorporated."
Milestones
Stinson's Stationers is celebrating 65 years in business this week. In a time when so many businesses have struggled to remain solvent, it's good to see a locally owned business flourishing by putting customers first.
Overheard
During the Kern Wheelmen Spooktacular bicycle century Saturday, a trim 62-year-old is sharing his fitness regimen with a group of riders. "Every day after I void my bladder in the morning - and I mean every day - I flush and then immediately jump on the bathroom floor and do as many push ups as I can before the water fills the toilet tank. I am aiming for 50 but yesterday I did 46. Sometimes I finish, and I find the cat looking at me like I am insane." Really?
Nickelodeon
A local teenager has been chosen to appear on an upcoming episode of Nickelodeon when kids get a chance to ask President Obama questions. Fernando Perez, a 15-year-old sophomore at Foothill High, will be among the students who will be posing questions on Linda Ellerbee's special, "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates." Fernando is the nephew of Connie Perez, an audit partner at Brown Armstrong who works out of the firm's Pasadena office.
Fundraiser
The Boy Scouts Southern Sierra Council has come up with one of the more innovative ways to raise money. On Saturday, Oct. 27, people will be rappelling down the tallest building in town (Stockdale Tower) to raise money.
That's right, actually rappelling down the side of the building. Each participant has to raise $1,000 for the Boy Scouts, be at least 14 years old and weigh between 110 and 300 pounds. It's called Over the Edge and if you are interested, call (661) 325-9036.
Richard Beene is president and CEO of The Bakersfield Californian. He blogs at bakersfieldobserved.com. These are his opinions, not necessarily those of The Californian. Send him tips at rsbeene@yahoo.com
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A forceful Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood announced at a tense press conference Thursday that David Sal Silva, whose death earlier this month raised questions about use of force by deputies, died as a result of hypertensive heart disease and was not only intoxicated but had methamphetamine...
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
The Kern County Sheriff's Office is out of control. That's one conclusion many people will draw based on the events of the past two weeks and in the context of recent years.
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Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Classes were canceled at Bakersfield High School Monday after three small bottle bomb explosions struck campus, authorities said.
David Sal Silva’s screams seem like they will never stop.
Ridgeview High School star quarterback Kamari Cotton-Moya, 18, was shot in the arm just after midnight Sunday morning when gunfire broke out at a large party in east Bakersfield.