With the Kavanaugh vote behind us, will we ever return to a state of civil dialogue in this country? And it was a weekend full of events including craft beer at Imbibe Wine and Spirits

Monday, October 8, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your news tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... KAVANAUGH: I can only speak for myself but I am glad that we have seen the end of the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. No matter where you stand on Kavanaugh, this has been a sad and sordid time for the country. As one friend told me: "I can't speak to my in-laws about it and I am

afraid to even talk about it at work people are so riled up. It's impossible to have a civil dialogue." Opposing Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court doesn't equate to convicting a person without evidence, and neither does supporting his nomination make you a woman hater. It's time to move on. The process and ultimate confirmation vote has boosted the base of both parties, and we will see in November if either party will pay the price at the ballot box.

 * ... MORE KAVANAUGH: A friend on the east coast posted this on her Facebook page: "Let's make Facebook great again. I'm going to refrain from posting or commenting on anything political. It's tearing us apart a a country. I'm going to stick to posts that make people smile or laugh. And, not at the expense of others. Who's with me?"

 * ... WEEKEND: If it's October, you can be sure our weekends are jammed with events. There was the 10th annual Latination Friday night at Metro Galleries, followed by the Greek Food Festival, the Farm to Tableaux event benefitting the Boys and Girls Club, the Valley of Hope Gala for the American Cancer Society, the 20th anniversary of Rabobank arena, the annual Action Sports Marathon at Lake Ming, the Village Flea at the Kern County Museum and Imbibe Wine and Spirit's Craft Bear Festival. And who says there is nothing to do in Bakersfield?

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "If you enjoy roller coasters and near death experiences, falling in love with a redhead might be right for you."

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "Sixty may be the new 40 but 9 p.m. is the new midnight."

 * ... OOPS: A sharp eyed friend, Chris Lowe, caught an error in a campaign mailer for Supervisor Mike Maggard. The flyer touted Maggard's accomplishments and included a picture of a freeway with brown hills. The problem: the freeway is in another county. Said Lowe: "Shouldn’t that be a picture from Kern County if you’re running for election in Kern County? The picture is from Ventura county between Calabasas and Agoura Hills. Whoops!"

 * ... MEMORIES: Check out this old picture looking East on 19th Street, the Bakersfield Opera House is the first building on the right circa 1910.