Recent Blog Posts: Tehachapi News

An Interesting Thread on Bakersfield.com Blog

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:38:30 PDT

I started a thread this morning on the Bakersfield.com Blog. It deals with the Tehachapi News Website & Blog and another local Tehachapi website / blog.

Check it out at....
http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/tehachapijim/14184

Oy, Dios Mio! (A GRANDMA STORY)

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:13:40 PDT

Maria Gonzales Lopez de Guadalupe, of East Los Angeles, went to the local psychic in hopes of contacting her dearly departed grandmother.

The psychic's eyelids fluttered and she began moaning. Eventually, a voice came saying, "granddaughter are you there"?

The granddaughter, wide-eyed responded, "grandmother, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me."

"It's really you, grandma?" The woman repeated.

"Yes, it's really me, granddaughter."

The woman paused, "grandma, I have just one question for you."

"Anything, my child."

"When did you learn to speak English?"

Jim Richards

This First Time Mom Has Got The Kindergarten Blues …..

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:26:03 PDT

Well, I have to admit, I was a bit teary eyed and terrified at the prospect of my little guy going to Kindergarten. What if he gets on the wrong bus, quotes SpongeBob too often, or is otherwise fails to properly represent the average 5 year old. As I drove to work, among the many thoughts that swarmed in my mind were:

God, I hope he:

1) Keeps his fingers out of his nose today,

2) Chooses his words carefully,

3) Really likes school this year, and wants to learn

Then there’s all the back to school meetings. Am I the only one out there that is amazed but what they are expected these kids to know at the end of the year?

Let’s also not forget about the homework, and all the projects and things that will be hopefully be absorbed into his brain over the next year. It’s terrifying as a parent if you haven’t been through this scenario before.

I guess it’s that time of year, when us Moms get the Kindergarten Blues…anybody else feel that way?

I guess my little boy is growing up. Sniffle, sniffle

GOOD NEWS #3

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:04:36 PDT

Here is a picture of 2 of the air conditioned busses that took us around on the tour (it was wretchedly HOT) and ended with a delightful luncheon.

I don't know if this Wind Turbine will be able to be seen from anywhere as we had to take the "back road" to get there (I wasn't the driver). It seems to be in the middle of the desert somewhere although it is placed high up on a hill. However, it is on the property of the Portland Cement plant.

Jim Richards

Tehachapi Farmers Market

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:16:13 PDT

I want to hear honest opinions on the Tehachapi Farmers Market. I am a food vendor (Red House BBQ) at the Market and I would like to know what you think about it and how we can improve it.

It's a car seat......

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:42:46 PDT

Why are infants living in car seats? I see parents placing their baby in a car seat/carrier, carry it out to the car, drive to the park, place the car seat/carrier on the picnic table where the baby sits for an hour. Then back to the car, and to a restaurant were mom and dad eat, leaving the baby in the car seat/carrier. If he starts crying, he is held til he stops fussing, then back to the car seat. Next, back to the car and off the grocery store and the carrier is put in the grocery cart. A bottle of formula is given to the baby while he is still in the car seat, then he is wheeled around the grocery store. Back to the car, and a short drive home, then the baby is taken into the house to sit in the car seat while mom and dad unload and put away the groceries. What is wrong with this picture? Babies are meant to be cuddled and held, not live in car seats. I hardly see babies in the arms of mom and dad anymore, they are almost always in car seats/carriers. Parents who carry their babies in arms interact with their babies more. There are alternatives to car seat/carriers. Carry the baby in a sling or front carrier where the baby still has the warmth and closeness of mom/dad. That way both their hands are free to attend to other children or push the grocery cart. Next time someone you know has a baby, remind them it's a car seat, and to carry their baby as much as possible. It encourages interaction that is so crucial to an infants development.

Steve Fossett Gone Missing Near Area 51!

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:38:36 PDT

Anyone familiar with the 1955 SciFi film “This Island Earth” knows the scene where the small aircraft is captured by a flying saucer. And a whole lot of us are going to be disappointed if the search for Fossett turns out to be something really prosaic rather than him and his plane suddenly vanishing and never heard from again. But my hopes are up since the Citabria is a very strong bird and rated for aerobatics and a locater beacon signal has not been reported. Fossett is (was?) a very experienced pilot so it is going to be interesting to see how the story unfolds. Possibly as strange as space aliens is the stories of planes landing by themselves without damage, so no impact radio signal, after the pilot has been rendered unconscious. But what if Fossett decided to land in Area 51? Hey, he’s a known adventurer. I know I’m probably doomed to disappointment but I’m pinning my hopes on another episode of the Twilight Zone.

GOOD NEWS #2

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:02:38 PDT

Here is another pic I promised to add regarding the Wind Turbine Ceremony of my previous post. This is the bottom section of the tower and there will be two more of the same size added to top each other. They will need to be bolted together by human hands, at both outside and inside positions. Man, talk about a hazardous job! These workers will have to be hoisted and lowered into the inside to make sure the bolts are secured. Once that is done, the blades will be added at the top. I don't know when I've ever seen anything more impressive! I hope these people get a whole bunch of money for doing this 'cause I wouldn't/couldn't do it for ANY amount of money

Jim Richards

Graviola

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:10:21 PDT

This article was emailed to me today and I wanted to share with everyone. I think all of us at some time in our lives know of someone who has or had cancer or maybe we have experienced it personally.

This natural medicine seems like it could be promising and worth a try. I have already ordered a bottle for my Mother who is currently suffering from Pancreatic cancer. I will keep my fingers crossed for her and also for hopes that maybe it could help someone be cured.

HOW ABOUT SOME GOOD NEWS!

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:58:44 PDT

This picture was taken on my recent invitation to the ground breaking ceremony of the new Wind Turbine facility in Mojave. It is being built by a Portland Cement Co. consortium for operation of their plant. At present, they pay So. Calif. Edison, ONE MILLION DOLLARS per month for their power usage. When this becomes operational it will cut their usage by up to 56%. So, not only will it cut their expense but it will also cut down that amount of drain on the power grid. This is only one of three blades. The height is expected to reach 500 feet. That's almost twice as high as the Statue of Liberty. It will be the world's highest and largest Wind Turbine. We, in our little corner of the globe, are the world's leader in this technology. This should send a clear message to Iran, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and other oil producing nations that their days may be numbered!

Jim Richards

Andy in Oregon

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 19:42:46 PDT

Seven month old Prince Andy traveled to Diamond Lake, OR. this past weekend. He took part in the "Northwest Challenge" and came away with a 2nd place in his junior division before moving up to try on the senior division. In the senior division Andy finished 8th over all. He is being jumped in these meets to get him ready for the Splash Dogs World Championships at Cynosports in Scottsdale, AZ in November.

Andy set another personal best jump, as a matter of fact he had 4 jumps longer than his old PR. His jumps were 17'2", 16'2", 16'1" & 15'9".

Next up for Andy is the "Bark in the Park" in Lancaster, CA.
http://www.princeandyflores.com/

How Do You Feel About Public Breastfeeding?

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:20:46 PDT

Earlier this year a woman in Vermont was removed from a plane for not covering up while breastfeeding. In July, a woman in Kentucky left an Applebee's restauraunt because she didn't have a blanket to cover up. These are just two examples of what women are faced with while breastfeeding their babies. Many more women surrender to the appeals of the public and don't speak up for their nursing babies.

I am a breastfeeding mother and am saddened that public breastfeeding is so uncomfortable for women and babies. Our culture is unknowingly pushing more woman to use formula by attacking women for breastfeeding. I know that women aren't just whipping it out and exposing themselves to everyone...(though a very small percentage might) the majority of breastfeeding woman have dignity and self-respect, they are married or have a monogamous partner and do not wish to show anything off. We are simply feeding our babies what we know (and everyone else) to be the best nutrition a baby can get.

As far as covering up, a mother can and should if that is what she prefers. But, if the mother or the baby prefers to nurse uncovered than that is what she should do. The world does not revolve around the offended...babies were born to breastfeed, if someone doesn't agree than maybe they should cover their eyes instead of asking a mother to cover her babies head.

As a result of this incidence at Applebee's in Kentucky there is a nurse in being organized to be held in Bakersfield.

How do you feel about these incidences of mothers being asked to leave or told to feed a particular way and what do you think about the women in Tehachapi attending this nurse in?

Labor Day Facts from the US Census Bureau

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:12:19 PDT

Labor Day 2007: Sept. 3 Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series: Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: <pio@census.gov>.

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward — designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?

152.8 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2007. In the nation’s labor force are 82.1 million men and 70.7 million women. <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf>

Employee Benefits

82%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2005. (Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005, at <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/007419.html>

77%
Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as one of their employment benefits. In addition:

76 percent of workers receive paid holidays.
15 percent have access to employer assistance for child care.
12 percent have access to long-term care insurance.
71 percent have access to medical care, 46 percent to dental care, 29 percent to vision care and 64 percent to outpatient prescription drug coverage.

(Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

Another Day, Another Dollar

$41,386 and $31,858
The 2005 annual median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively. (Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005, at <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/007419.html>)

$1,421
Average weekly wage in New York County, N.Y., for the third quarter of 2006, the highest among the nation’s 325 largest counties. Kent County, R.I., led the nation in growth of average weekly wages the third quarters of 2005 to 2006, with an increase of 18 percent. <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf>

Our Jobs

Americans work in a wide variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation Teachers Farmers and ranchers Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists Chefs and head cooks Taxi drivers and chauffeurs Firefighters Pharmacists Roofers Musicians, singers and related workers Gaming services workers (gambling) Tax preparers Service station attendants

Number of employees
6.8 million
784,000
767,000
313,000
282,000
253,000
245,000
242,000
203,000
106,000
98,000
96,000

(Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

7.6 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these moonlighters, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

When Do They Sleep?
There are about 310,000 moonlighters who work full time at both jobs. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

10.6 million
Number of self-employed workers.
(Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

21.1 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in educational services, and health care and social assistance industries. Among male workers 16 and older, 11.4 million were employed in manufacturing industries. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

28%
Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

4
Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 9 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

10.3 million
Number of independent contractors. Other workers with alternative work arrangements include 2.5 million on-call workers, 1.2 million temporary help agency workers and 813,000 workers provided by contract firms. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

15.4 million
Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state — 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively. South Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 2 percent. (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

79,400
Number of jobs added in Harris County (Houston), Texas, between September 2005 and September 2006, the largest increase in employment among the nation’s 325 largest counties. <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf>

4.8 million
The number of people who work at home. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/010230.html>

Hot Jobs

56%
Projected percentage growth from 2002 to 2014 in the number of home health aides. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is retail salespeople (736,000). (Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2008)

Early, Lonely and Long — the Commute to Work

15.9 million
Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. These early birds represent 12 percent of all workers. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

77%
Percentage of workers who drove alone to work. Another 11 percent car pooled, and 5 percent took public transportation (excluding taxicabs). <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/010230.html>

31.2 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work for residents of New York state. New York residents had the most time-consuming commute in the nation, followed by that of Maryland residents with 30.8 minutes. The national average was 25.1 minutes. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

3 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

53%
Percentage of workers 16 and older living in Virginia who worked in a different county, the highest rate in the nation. (Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

African-American History Month (February)
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
Older Americans Month (May)
Mother's Day (May 13)
Father's Day (June 17)
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans
with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Back to School (August)
Labor Day (Sept. 3)
Grandparents Day (Sept. 9)
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage
Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22)
The Holiday Season (December)

Diet Water?

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:04:26 PDT

What next?

Used car lot?

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:54:53 PDT

I was wondering if anyone else has noticed the used car lot that has formed on Tucker. I first noticed this car lot on Mountain Fest. weekend and at first I thought it was an extended parking area for Que Pasa or City Slickers. I was wrong!

I know that some cars used to sit between Henry's and the bank on Tucker and that never seemed to bug me to much. For some reason this new spot just looks so tacky and is visible to anyone coming in from the freeway!

I just think that all this "improvement" to downtown and the city is pointless if visitors are driving through town and one of the first things they are hit with is a bunch of used cars!