Dealing with Cal State's image problems and another successful Cioppino Night with West Rotary

 * ... MORE CAL STATE: There has been a lot of feedback on Cal State Bakersfield's decision not to provide a senior discount for Roadrunner baseball games. And the fact that I raised the issue at all has led some to believe I am attacking the university. So let's be clear: I am a big fan of CSUB and believe it is an integral part of our community. The "senior discount" issue for Roadrunner baseball is albeit a small one, but indicative, some believe, of an insular view of the world held by certain administrators. Certainly these strained town-gown relationships are not uncommon in college towns across the country, but they can cause substantial damage among potential donors and supporters. This has never been more true than today, when CSUB and other universities are increasingly dependent on the generosity of alumni and local donors to make up for severe state budget cuts. And if perception is reality, CSUB does have an image problem. As retired educator and CSUB alum Craig Holland wrote me: "It is great that someone is finally stating what those of us who have been in town for 30 plus years have known."

 * ... CSUB: Along those lines, reader and CSUB volunteer Adele Davis wrote to point out that ticket prices at CSUB events are determined by each department. The Music Department, for example, has always offered a senior discount while students with ID are allowed in free. "There is a general admission price, a senior/faculty/alumni price (usually the same but not always) as well as a student price which includes any students over 12 from any school. Since we stopped charging CSUB students, our CSUB student attendance was increase greatly," even if they are not attending to complete course requirements.

 * ... CIOPPINO:  West Rotary held its hugely successful "Cioppino Night" Saturday  at Monsignor Leddy Hall at Garces Memorial High School. If you don't attend any other fund raiser, this is one that is well worth the $75 ticket price. Fresh clams, salad, cioppino, wine and dessert and all for a good cause. The profits went to the Pediatric Care Unit at Memorial Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House and the West Rotary Foundation. Among those West Rotarians I spotted were President Jim Darling, president-elect Rikki Foster, past presidents John Wells and Mike Rubiy, Bruce Jay, David Gay, Rick Kreiser, Kevin Burton.

 * ... MOVERS: Ed Taylor, community banking president for Wells Fargo Bank, is leaving town to take another position with Wells in the Washington, D.C. area. Ed has been a friend of the non profits and will be missed. Over at KGET, morning co-anchor Katie Harlan has left the set to join the communications staff at Pacific Gas and Electric. Lastly, Bryan Burrow has left his vice president job at Bank of America to join IES Engineering.

* ... CSUB TENNIS: Here's a cause worth supporting: a golf tournament to raise money to help maintain the women's tennis program at Cal State Bakersfield will be held Monday, April 4, at Seven Oaks Country Club. The cost is $125 a golfer and tee sponsorships are available for $100. There will be auction items from some of the top tennis players in the world, including Rafal Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. Call Regina Kuger at (661) 706-8858.

* ... MUSEUM: Good news from the Bakersfield Museum of Art where three events drew record crowds. Museum marketing director Beth Brookhart Pandol said the Western Day event drew 1,400 folks last summer, Dia de los Muertos packed in 1,600 this fall and the recent Freedom Day attracted 750. "Thanks to the many partnerships, including those with the Bakersfield Californian, KERO, Buckley Radio and Bright House Networks, plus many, many others, we were able to branch out to new audiences to provide them with a cultural experience and entertainment," she said.

 
 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: Jemina Rowe shared this gem from her youth when she worked at the old Wayne's Drive-In located on North Chester by the river. She worked there during her college years, 1940-1944, and remembers when an Army unit leaving Northern California would call in an order. "They wanted 200 hamburgers, 200 cheeseburgers, 400 fries and 400 milkshakes. They said they would pick them up by 5 p.m. as they were going to camp across the street. We would put the order together, freeze the milk shakes and put the burgers in the warmer. Sure enough, between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. three or four Jeeps would arrive to deliver them across the street. I've often wondered if anyone got what they ordered."