It made sense when I heard Congressman McCarthy talk about it at a recent chamber luncheon.  "Lame duck" legislators want to move up California's Primary so they can extend their term limits, specifically two Dems who are desperately pushing their latest efforts on healthcare legislation.

The San Jose Mercury News just published an article putting a  dollar amount on the cost of that election, sure to leave a bi-partisan pinch on California Tax payers' wallets (sphincters?) to the tune of $60 to $90 million dollars.  
see the story here:
www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking _news/16795928.htm

As if that isn't enough to jolt you awake,  here's a snippet about these same two gentlemen from last year's Capitol News weekly:

California's two top legislative Democrats have combined to raise more than $11 million in unlimited donations this year using accounts not governed by the state's contribution limits.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, has led the way, pulling in $8.65 million in the first 10-plus months of 2006, while Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, has raised $2.35 million.
The leaders' ballot-measure accounts have allowed Perata and Núñez to build million-dollar war chests while doling out millions more to push this year's infrastructure bonds. As of this week, Perata and Núñez had approximately $1.75 million and $1.5 million cash-on-hand, respectively, though Perata had spent far more on the bond campaign than Núñez.
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With our own Governator calling California an "ATM machine" for campaign funding sans the requisite baby-kissing and flesh pumping, why on earth would voters be willing to fund this election knowing that the forerunners will most likely be named before any primary even takes place? Why would Californians be willing to foot the election Bill (or Hillary, Obama, John, Joe or Al Franken) after the guest of honor has already left the building for greener ($) pastures?
     
From the Mercury News story:

But they ignore what happened the other times California moved its primary - in 1996, 2000 and 2004. The primary was in March during each election cycle, but so many other states moved up their elections that the presidential nominees were all but chosen by the time Californians cast their votes.

The Bakersfield Californian just reported that County Supervisors have removed rate controls from air ambulance vendors and that  rates will likely double!  Hey Maben,  don't you live up here?  Better be careful  on 202 and Highline, unless you have a private pilot! 
www.bakersfield.com/619/story/102171.html

Does anybody have a good cold-weather recipe to share? What are your favorite "comfort foods?"
Apparrently even accomplished chef's crave their own home-cooked version of macaroni and cheese. See this PBS link about the "meaning of foods."
www.pbs.org/opb/meaningoffood/food_and_life/comfo rt_foods/

Call me crazy, but lately it seems that just about the time my butt should be permanently molded into the couch cushion, I start thinking about all the stuff I have to do on Monday. Does anybody else have these moments of Sunday afternoon self-flaggelation?  

I agree with brunettebeauty that It's nice to have some new retail choices popping up in Tehachapi. Although right now, the strip malls on Tucker are more parking lot friendly than people friendly.

I would really like to see some efforts put into adding some variety to the downtown area. I would love to have a downtown area with bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, music stores and boutiques that would make me want to park my car and walk around - if I wasn't already living within convenient walking distance of the downtown area.  Some good music, food (sans the grittier side of the 1950's and 60's era), art displays on a variety of subjects and items that people can actually relate to and afford to buy and good old people watching would be a great addition.  We have so many talented people living here. I would love to have a place to visit where they all gathered casually to show off their talents and interests (besides right here!) 

Right now, if a visitor gets off the freeway and drives down Tehachapi Boulevard there's just not much to hold their attention - or their $$$ - for very long.
Be honest, right now, how many of  you would you want walk more than a block to see if there's anything more interesting down the road (if you didn't live here)?
My sincere apologies to the old timers who are trying to make a living down there but there's got to be some variety and new blood to make the area a vital and inviting community hub.