Bakersfield Observed: A blog about life, media, politics and people
By Richard Beene
t Senate race
The jockeying for position for the vacant 16th State Senate seat makes for good political theater, but the inevitable musical chairs has become tedious to watch. Both 5th Supervisor Leticia Pere, and Assemblyman Rudy Salas have said they are flattered by all those supporters urging them to run. Yet Perez has been in office just three-plus months and Salas has only been in the Assembly for two months. But ambition seems to have no bounds, and my guess is Perez is ready to cash in the county role and go back on the campaign trail with Dolores Huerta in tow for a chance of serving in Sacramento. And Salas? Who knows, but wouldn't it be nice if politicians just stayed put to serve at least a half, or a third of their elected term?
t Noriega
Is there a better dinner in town than what the folks serve at the Noriega Hotel? It's no wonder that Noriega's won a James Beard Foundation award and has received a recent wave of positive national publicity. It's not a low caloric event, and you have to make reservations, but if you haven't been in a while, it is certainly worth a visit.
t Downtown
Local Republican activist Karen DeWalt is a downtown resident happy to hear that the Smart and Final on F Street will soon be remodeled, but wonder why other local businesses couldn't clean up their acts. "This is the only grocery store for the Westchester area and it would be greatly appreciated if the surrounding businesses would clean up their mess: Golden State Mall, the Dollar Store, the laundromat, Airport Bus. Smart and Final keeps its parking lot clean and presentable and we are fortunate to have them."
t Stars Theatre
It's nice to see local nonprofits trying something other than a golf tournament to raise money. One of the more innovative fundraisers is being put on by the Bakersfield Music Theatre and Stars Music Theatre Restaurant out at the Kern County Gun Club, where they will hold a shoot, lunch and raffle on Saturday, April 20. The cost is $90 per person, and it all starts at 7:30 a.m. Call (661) 325-6100 to register.
t Broadway
Ready for a little Broadway in Bakersfield? The nonprofit Lightwave Education is holding a fundraiser on Friday, March 13, at Stockdale Country Club featuring a couple of accomplished singers (Darnell Abraham and Nadine Risha) who will belt out some classic Broadway tunes. It starts with a reception at 6:30 p.m. with the music kicking off at 7:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $75, regular tickets are $50 and students get in for $25. Tickets are on sale at www.lightwaveeducation.org or you can call 381-7644.
Richard Beene is president and CEO of The Bakersfield Californian. He blogs at www.bakersfieldobserved.com. These are his opinions, not necessarily those of The Californian. Email him at rsbeene@yahoo.com.
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Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by...
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
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...
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.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
A war of words erupted Friday over video footage taken of David Sal Silva’s deadly encounter with law enforcement officers.
Bakersfield College will vacate its 2012 state football championship and forfeit its regular-season wins from the 2011 and 2012 seasons because of California Community College Athletic Association rules violations.