Post a Comment On: Bakersfield Observed

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 company or publication.
 * ... FAMILY FEUDS: You might be surprised how many American families are somewhat dysfunctional, with one of the most common issues being family members who no longer speak to each [Image]
other. And according to the Wall Street Journal, this is a lot more common than you imagine. The Journal said about 25 percent of the U.S. population is estranged from one family member, and the average length of this estrangement is four years. Some of the most common conflicts: disputes over money, conflicts over inheritance and getting along with in-laws.
 * ... CARPET CAVE: One of Bakersfield's long-standing businesses, Carpet Cave, went up in flames Thursday morning in a fire that looked to destroy the entire building. The Carpet Cave warehouse on Sumner near Union Avenue caught fire early Thursday, threatening nearby businesses and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damages. No word on the cause of the blaze. Carpet Cave has been in business for more than 40 years in Kern County.
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 * ... RIP DESI THE DOG: It's not often you find obituaries for dogs in your local newspaper, but then Desi the rescue dog was something special. Desi died at the age of 13, and to commemorate a life well lived its owners took out an obit in The Bakersfield Californian. "In May 2009, Desi and hundreds of other dogs were living at a Mojave Desert rescue' nightmare run by two hoarders. Kern County Animal Services brought numerous animal cruelty charges against the hoarders. A jury found them guilty and their sentences included jail time and hefty fines," the obit read. "Desi was so ecstatic to be freed from her hellish surroundings that she tried to drive Liz's truck back to Bakersfield on Highway 58. It was a challenge to keep her on the passenger side of the truck." Desi apparently led a rich life until she was diagnosed with dementia last August and could no longer walk.  "Dr. Cliff Van Kopp, who treated Desi while she lived in Bakersfield, kindly agreed to provide an emergency appointment for us. Desi loved Dr. Van Kopp, Diane, Sarah, Simone and all the Stockdale Vet staff. Assisted by Diane, Dr Van Kopp gently and compassionately facilitated Desi's trip to Rainbow Bridge."
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 * ... SPOTTED ON TWITTER: How old were you before you realized that "racecar" spelled backwards is... "racecar."
 * ... RICHARD BRANSON: Richard Branson, the serial entrepreneur and founder of Virgin airlines, will speak to CSUB students and faculty as part of a program to celebrate the first day of classes back in 1970. Because of the pandemic, Branson will appear on Zoom in a discussion moderated by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. CSUB president Lynnette Zelezny called Branson a "visionary, entrepreneur and philanthropist" who serves as "an example to CSUB's students of excellence and ingenuity."
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 * ... MEMORIES: Check out this post from Art Moore on the Facebook page Kern County of Old: "1916 - The family name of "Weringer" appears on this photo. Members of this family were active in Bakersfield in a variety  of businesses, from breweries to vaudeville houses to general stores,  at least from the mid 19th century. What business this particular crew  was apart of on Dec 13, 1916 we do not know."
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