Kern County begins to open up after the long closure, San Louis Obispo closes "bubble gum alley" and local meteorologist heads to Florida

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 community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other person or organization.

 * ... RESTAURANTS REOPEN: There could not have been better news for the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people who either own or work at one of our restaurants. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, they can now open their doors with certain restrictions. The bars won't be open but you will be able to enjoy table service. The folks over at The 1800, voted best new restaurant of the year by

readers of The Californian, summed it up nicely on Facebook when they wrote this: "Brighter days are ahead y’all! As a family owned and operated restaurant our goal is to be the safest restaurant to re-open, not the first. We love and miss you Bakersfield and will keep you updated on our plans.
#staycoolbakersfield"

 * ... MORE OPENINGS: Some restaurants were ready to open quickly, including Shawna Haddad's Two Goats and a Goose (formerly Muertos in the Wall Street Alley), and Wikis Wine Dive and Grill. Others, like Uricchio's Trattoria, were taking it slowly having just reopened to offer curbside service. Meanwhile, The Outlets of Tejon announced that hoped to be open on May 27, but that date could chance. The food court at the Outlets will remain closed temporarily.

 * ... BUBBLE GUM ALLEY: Now here is a true sign of the times. Apparently concerned about the health aspects of San Luis Obispo's famed "bubble gum" alley, authorities there have decided to close it. For how long, we don't know.

 * ... ADIOS ALLISON: KERO TV meteorologist Allison Gargaro has left the station, joining Fox 35 in Orlando, Florida in a similar position. A graduate of Arizona State University, Gargara joined KERO two years ago and quickly engrained herself in the community.

 * .... REMEMBERING HARVEY: There was a nice tribute to the late Mayor Harvey Hall, posted on the marquee of The Fox Theater downtown. Has it really been two years since he passed?

 * ... MORE MARQUEE ACTION: The use of theater signage during the pandemic has exploded across the United States. Take a look at some of these random shots.

 * ... MEMORIES: Who remembers Freddie's Top of the Hill on Mt. Vernon? Thanks to the Kern County of Old Facebook page for this blast from the past.

Gov. Newsom wants to shrink the state prison system at the same time business people are being threatened for reopening their shops, Uricchio's Trattoria to reopen for curbside service this Tuesday and Pastor Angelo Frazier to appear on The Richard Beene Show

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 community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other person or organization.

 * ... RELEASING PRISONERS: Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to drastically shrink the footprint of California’s prison system, blaming massive budget cuts triggered by the coronavirus. According to his revised budget, Newsom wants to close two state prisons, shutter all three of the state-run juvenile prisons and cut some inmate firefighter programs. And if that is not enough, he is also proposing that prisoners be released early by shortening parole to a maximum of two years, down

from five years. The irony, of course, is all this comes at the same time that state officials are threatening to jail business owners who open during the pandemic. Now think about that: at the same time we are releasing hardened criminals, we are threatening local business people - the lifeblood of our economy - if they reopen their business to make a living. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood is among those who think this is ludicrous, as does District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer. Let all that sink in while you gaze at the picture below of some of the inmates of our state prison system.

 * ... RESTAURANTS: If one thing is for certain, it's that we are all itching to go back out to eat at our favorites haunts. And while we aren't there yet, people are voting with their feet. Outside Luigi's on Friday, takeout customers enjoyed sitting at a long table to catch up, and the same was happening Bootlegger's on Oak Street. This week, Tuesday to be exact, Uricchio's Trattoria opens back up for curbside pickup and it's safe to assume there will be a mad rush to catch up with owner Claire Porter and her crew of regulars.

 * ... OPEN UP: Speaking of the pandemic and the lockdown, Pastor Angelo Frazier of Riverlakes Community Church has been an outspoken proponent of allowing churches to reassemble and for businesses to reopen in Kern County. You might have spotted him at the rallies in front of City Hall, wearing a mask and waving signs urging the reopening of the economy with reasonable accommodations. Frazier will be my guest on The Richard Beene Show this Monday at 2:30 p.m.

 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: "When a disc jockey or a talk show host or a journalist who is being paid to work from his or her home tells people who can’t work, pay bills or pay their rent or mortgage to 'Stay home and be careful because we’re all in this together,' it’s okay to question the premise."

 * ... PUBLIC DEFENDER: An attorney in the Kern County Public Defender's office has triggered a firestorm over a Facebook post suggesting there should be a "memorial" for the "victims" of law enforcement officers. The post read: "If Friday is Peace Officer's Memorial Day then is Sunday their Victim's memorial day?" Bad form? You be the judge.

 * ... EARTHQUAKE: Did you feel that 6.5 earthquake out of Nevada on Friday? It happened around 4 a.m. and while it produced little damage (see the pictures below) it was felt in some parts of Bakersfield.

 * ... JIM BURKE FORD: Well here is another sign of the times. The Jim Burke Ford dealership on Street was vandalized this past week to the tune of some $70,000. Apparently a homeless person took rocks and bricks to the showroom windows as well as damaging multiple new vehicles on the lot.

 * ... MEMORIES: Who remembers the old River Theater, where Oildale teenagers of the 1960s would enjoy a matinee for just 25 cents Thanks to the Kern County of Old Facebook page for this nugget.