- P6's Blog - Tehachapi News

Another Heart Warmer

Truckers Story
If this doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet!

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie.

He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.

The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded 'truck stop germ' the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.

After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nike's, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a breadcrumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag.

If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.

He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine.

Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news.

Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table.

Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.

He grinned. 'OK, Frannie, what was that all about?' he asked.

'We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay.'

'I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?'

Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: 'Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK,' she said. 'But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is.' Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do.

After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

'What's up?' I asked.

'I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off,' she said. 'This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup.'

She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed 'Something For Stevie'.

'Pony Pete asked me what that was all about,' she said, 'so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this.' She handed me another paper napkin that had 'Something For Stevie' scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds. Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: 'truckers.'

That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work

His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back.

Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.

'Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast,' I said. I took him and his mother by their arms 'Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!' I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room.

I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins. 'First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess,' I said. I tried to sound stern.

Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had 'Something for Stevie' printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.

Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother. 'There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. 'Happy Thanksgiving.

Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well.

But you know what's funny?
While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table.

Best worker I ever hired.

Plant a seed and watch it grow.

At this point, you can bury this inspirational message or forward it fulfilling the need!

If you shed a tear, hug yourself, because you are a compassionate person.

Well. Don't just sit there! Send this story on! Keep it going, this is a good one!

Highway 58 Closed

58 is closed between Bakersfield and the edge of the earth (Kramer Junction). Also reports that portions of 14, 395 and the 5 closed.

Snow!!!!!!!

It's sticking in The GH, and there is a two hour school delay.

Tehachapi High Wins Football Championship

The game in Hanford just ended and the news is the Warriors won 21 to 14

First Winter Storm This Weekend

According to the National Weather Service, we are in for much colder and snowy weather for the next several days. Preparing your home and family for winter weather is critical for mountain residents. Consider the possibilities.

Loss of electrical power will render most home heating appliances useless. If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, it is a good idea to have a supply of firewood on hand. No heat during cold weather will cause, at the very least, uncomfortable conditions. For those with young children, elderly or ill family members, cold temps could be dangerous. Before you burn wood, make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean and in good order. Do not burn charcoal or other fuel in a BBQ or other device not intended for use as an interior heating appliance. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up and cause illness or death. Be sure all heating devices in your home are approved for interior use and in good working order.

The incidence of home fires increases during the winter months. Test smoke alarms and be sure there are enough throughout your home. A smoke alarm should be installed in every bedroom, in hallways serving sleeping areas and at the top of stairs. Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm if you have none.

When the roads are slick, don't drive if you don't have to. Keep snow chains, a few blankets, flashlight, charged cell phone and a full tank of gas in your vehicle. Dress appropriately and when your children resist wearing a warm jacket to school, insist on it.

The following websites contain winter safety advice.

http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/blizzard/WinterSafe.html

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/

Missile Launch

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The Missile Defense Agency is
scheduled to conduct a test of the ground-based interceptor system
between noon and 4 p.m. here Friday.

During the evaluation, an interceptor launched from the Ronald W. Reagan
Missile Defense Site here will be tested against a target missile,
launched from Alaska's Kodiak Island.

The main objective of Friday's test will be to exercise the operational
configuration of the interceptor missile.

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EDITOR'S COMMENTS

It is unknown if the noon to 4 p.m. time frame mentioned in the above
media advisory is the actual launch window or a much larger block of
time within which the actual launch window falls.

Since this is a weapon system test, launch status or countdown audio/
video will probably not be available to the public.

If the weather is clear, the launch should be visible for at least a
50 mile radius from the launch site.

Christmas Soldier

A Poem reminding me to be thankful for Christ, Christmas and the people of our U.S. Military. This was sent to me by former Tehachapi residents John and Susie Crowdy.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of the life of another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

FIRE SAFETY

I know you have all heard this before, but you would be amazed at how many people ignore important safety advise. Please use this as a checklist for your home and the safety of your family.

Autumn Fire Safety

With summer behind us and shorter days ahead, one might believe the threat of fire has diminished. The varied fire safety challenges of the approaching seasons present hazards equal to, if not potentially more destructive than the summer months. While many regions of the country are entering the wet season, Southern California is entering what is typically the most destructive period for wild fires. The current dry spell, which has brought very little rain since February, has created critically low moisture content in the vegetative fuels covering our mountains and with the coming months, the threat of strong, dry east winds often referred to as Santa Ana Winds will likely compound the hazard. Along with the rest of Southern California, the fire danger in the Tehachapi Mountains often becomes critical due to the influence of the east winds gaining strength while funneling through the pass. It is, therefore, very important for property owners and residents to maintain clearance of hazardous vegetation and other materials that will burn when exposed to fire. Adequate clearance around dwellings and other structures will provide a “Defensible Space” and will greatly increase the protection level of your property and your family. To learn more about Defensible Space and how local fire agencies and your neighbors are preparing, all residents are invited to attend meetings of the Greater Tehachapi Fire Safe Council. Meetings are held at the Golden Hills CSD on Reeves Street every second Wednesday at 2p.m.

With the cold, wet weather of winter comes the need for warmth and comfort, resulting in the increased potential for fires in our homes. Gas and wood burning appliances require regular maintenance and now is the time to prepare for the chill that will surely come. Have your heating appliances inspected by a qualified person before it is time to use them. Change furnace filters regularly and be sure combustible items are removed from hot surfaces. Wood burning stoves require regular cleaning and inspection to ensure that dangerous combustible deposits are removed from flue pipes and chimneys and that all parts are properly intact. Candles add a significant risk of fire. With the increased use of candles, the incidence of fires started by their improper use has been on the rise. Candles should be used with care or not at all.

QUICK SAFETY CHECKLIST

Test smoke alarms monthly; replace batteries when you change the time on your clocks. Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
Smoke alarms should be placed in every bedroom and in areas directly outside of bedrooms.
Install a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless deadly gas that is produced as a result of combustion. If heating equipment is not properly operating the gas may be fed into living spaces instead of being vented through chimneys.

Have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and know how to use it.
Practice escape routes with children.Be sure all family members know at least two safe ways out of every room in your home and have a safe meeting place familiar to all.
Never leave cooking food unattended.
Use candles safely. Burning candles should be kept two feet away from anything that can burn, never leave candles unattended, pay particular attention to curtains and draperies near candles.
If you have a fireplace in your home make sure the chimney is clean.
If you have a fireplace always place a screen in front of it when in use.
Check electric blankets for damage or frayed cords before placing on the bed.
Take care to keep curtains, tablecloths and bedding away from heaters.
When using your clothes dryer make sure you clean the lint filter after each use.
Use only one appliance per power outlet and switch off when not in use.
Store matches or lighters in a secure place not accessible to young children.
Clean out basements, garages and attics. Remove old paints, thinners and other hazardous waste products that may have accumulated over time. The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection day is November 8, from 9am to noon at the Tehachapi Landfill, 12001 Tehachapi Blvd.
Remove fuel from lawn mowers before storing them for winter.
Reduce the use of extension cords.
Post your address so it is clearly visible from the street at night.

For additional safety tips and advice visit your local Kern County fire station or go to the following web sites.

www.firewise.org

www.firesafecouncil.org

www.nfpa.org

www.redcross.org

www.fema.gov

www.cpsc.gov

Rocket Launch

DELTA II LAUNCH

A Delta II rocket is scheduled for launch this Friday evening from
Vandenberg AFB. The Delta is scheduled to lift-off from Space Launch
Complex 2-West, at 19:28:21 PDT during a launch window that is one
second long.

The Delta will rise vertically for a few seconds before slowly
pitching over and heading south. The booster will later deliver
Italy's COSMO-3 satellite into a near-polar orbit.

After it becomes operational, COSMO-3 will provide high-resolution
radar images of Earth.

Weather permitting, the launch should be visible for at least 200
miles.

Mariposa Fire Radio Traffic

Use the link to listen to radio trafic on the large fire near Mariposa/Yosemite.

http://www.incidentfeed.com/index.php?view=article&catid=1%3Alatest&id=61%3Atelegraph-incident&option=com_content&Itemid=2