It seems like a pretty simple request, only when coming from law enforcement it's an order.
Some people call it a threat. To whom, can be a point of debate.
24-yr old German Sarabia of Bakersfield was inside a car at midnight Saturday near Lake Street, when two deputies saw the vehicle roll up outside a house and open fire.
No mistaken identity, no second hand information, the deputies witnessed the shooting.
The pursuit was short, as the cowards bailed out of the vehicle.
Two men were captured without incident, while according to the report, Sarabia ran into a backyard on Lake Street, with a gun in his hand.
He was confronted by nearly a dozen BPD and Sheriff Deputies, with anywhere from one to 12 years on the job. There was also a Sheriff's Sgt. on hand with 22 years experience.
The report indicated multiple commands were given to drop the weapon, which he reportedly ignored and decided to raise the gun in the direction of officers.
Big mistake.
The coroner's autopsy determined that 34 projectiles were recovered from the body of German Sarabia.
Yes, that's not a misprint, 34 bullets.
The 11 officers fired about 100 times.
Do the math, that's about 3 hits per officer who fired about 9 shots each.
No one else was hit or injured.
The family has not spoken, but I'm sure these details will provoke some type of reaction.
So here's mine.
In case you don't know, the BPD and Sheriff's Dept. have a policy when it comes to a gun-toting suspect who threatens public life or an officer's.
He is trained to shoot until the threat is neutralized. There is no winging the suspect in the leg or arm. The torso makes a big target.
If a man is hit, but still holding the gun, he's a threat.
If a man is down, but still holding the gun, he's a threat.
You get the idea.
I don't have a problem with the number of times the officer fired. I wasn't there.
I know this, if I'm standing there, I don't want him firing back at me.
I do, however, have a problem with people that have a blatant disregard for laws and human life.
There's no telling what Sarabia was thinking at the time, but it appears there was no chance he was going to drop the gun.
How many chances do you give a guy holding a weapon? How long do you wait? Why didn't he leave the gun in the car or ditch it when he took off running? Was this a suicide by cop situation?
We'll never know.
I'm glad no one else was injured. The number of shots fired will almost surely raise questions about public safety, especially for people who lived within feet of the deadly confrontation.
Kern County has a reputation around the state when it comes to law enforcement.
I look back on the "We'll Kick Your Ass" controversy and laugh. I never blamed Mack, I thought the whole thing was a joke. Still, when it comes to drawing a line between right and wrong, I came up with a slogan for law enforcement that was meant in the most positive way.
"We shoot first, and ANSWER questions later."
Sure, it's a little strong, but I don't mind.
I feel great sorrow for Sarabia's family or anyone whose loved one is killed at the hands of police.
I also have sympathy for the officer or deputy who will live with the memory of that moment for the rest of their life.
It's something a gun-wielding suspect probably never contemplates until it's too late.
There's no glory, no immortality and no honor in it.
Only questions that never get answered.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Animal Control
The first time I saw it, I froze.
My neighbor's son was trying to scare it away, and it simply stood there checking him out.
An adult male pit bull. I'm not sure if it was the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. But it was a pit bull, with tail wagging and tongue hanging.
I wasn't buying any of it.
I'm not a fan of this breed.
I've reported on too many pit bull attacks and the response by the owner is always the same. "It's the sweetest dog, who's never shown any type of aggression before."
I yelled to my neighbor's boy to walk away and stop waving his arms. My son came out of the house and I told him to turn around and walk back inside.
The dog stood there staring at me and I was looking back at him. I yelled at him to take off using a few bits of profanity. Almost humorous considering the dog has no clue as to what I'm saying, only reacting to voice inflection and rhythm.
But this is no joke, it's a pit bull.
I walked back to my house and picked up a Bakersfield Blaze mini-baseball bat, the only thing I could find at the moment. By the time I came back, he was gone. It was then I heard my son screaming from the house that the dog was in the backyard.
That's where the one-eyed cat my son rescued was hanging out. Nice little snack for the pit bull if he saw it, but he didn't.
I came out swinging, at anything metal or could make a loud noise. The dog paused and then ran away through the pasture. There were no horses out at the time, or they would have ended this threat with one kick.
I called Sheriff's dispatch, to tell them a male pit bull with no ID tag was loose in my neighborhood with kids and small animals.
The dispatcher asked me if it was being aggressive or if it attacked anyone. No, on both counts. She told me it was the weekend, and animal control wouldn't be back in until Monday. I asked what I was suppose to do, wait until it attacked someone before you came out. She basically said yes and offered to leave a message for animal control.
Sure, I've got a message for animal control, don't put the general public in a position with having to deal with a potentially dangerous animal.
My wife told me it's not the dogs fault that it's a pit bull, and I told her this isn't personal, it's business.
I can't work around A.C.'s schedule when this kind of animal suddenly shows up. I'm not going to wait until my child is hurt or an animal attacked before someone responds.
True this dog was showing no aggression, but it's a PIT BULL.
Maybe the breed gets a bad rap from the media, who never reports on a pit bull doing anything good. It's also true that any dog has the capacity to bite someone. But people don't die if a Schnauzer flips out.
Famous pit bull owners include Jessica Alba, Michael J. Fox, West Coast Choppers owner Jesse James, Rachel Ray and even Jon Stewart.
I'm happy for them and their pit bulls. Hopefully, they exercise a little responsibility. Beginning with a 5-foot high electric fence around the property and at the very least a dog tag.
Because if this pit bull shows up in the neighborhood again, it will be the last time anyone sees it.
My neighbor's son was trying to scare it away, and it simply stood there checking him out.
An adult male pit bull. I'm not sure if it was the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier. But it was a pit bull, with tail wagging and tongue hanging.
I wasn't buying any of it.
I'm not a fan of this breed.
I've reported on too many pit bull attacks and the response by the owner is always the same. "It's the sweetest dog, who's never shown any type of aggression before."
I yelled to my neighbor's boy to walk away and stop waving his arms. My son came out of the house and I told him to turn around and walk back inside.
The dog stood there staring at me and I was looking back at him. I yelled at him to take off using a few bits of profanity. Almost humorous considering the dog has no clue as to what I'm saying, only reacting to voice inflection and rhythm.
But this is no joke, it's a pit bull.
I walked back to my house and picked up a Bakersfield Blaze mini-baseball bat, the only thing I could find at the moment. By the time I came back, he was gone. It was then I heard my son screaming from the house that the dog was in the backyard.
That's where the one-eyed cat my son rescued was hanging out. Nice little snack for the pit bull if he saw it, but he didn't.
I came out swinging, at anything metal or could make a loud noise. The dog paused and then ran away through the pasture. There were no horses out at the time, or they would have ended this threat with one kick.
I called Sheriff's dispatch, to tell them a male pit bull with no ID tag was loose in my neighborhood with kids and small animals.
The dispatcher asked me if it was being aggressive or if it attacked anyone. No, on both counts. She told me it was the weekend, and animal control wouldn't be back in until Monday. I asked what I was suppose to do, wait until it attacked someone before you came out. She basically said yes and offered to leave a message for animal control.
Sure, I've got a message for animal control, don't put the general public in a position with having to deal with a potentially dangerous animal.
My wife told me it's not the dogs fault that it's a pit bull, and I told her this isn't personal, it's business.
I can't work around A.C.'s schedule when this kind of animal suddenly shows up. I'm not going to wait until my child is hurt or an animal attacked before someone responds.
True this dog was showing no aggression, but it's a PIT BULL.
Maybe the breed gets a bad rap from the media, who never reports on a pit bull doing anything good. It's also true that any dog has the capacity to bite someone. But people don't die if a Schnauzer flips out.
Famous pit bull owners include Jessica Alba, Michael J. Fox, West Coast Choppers owner Jesse James, Rachel Ray and even Jon Stewart.
I'm happy for them and their pit bulls. Hopefully, they exercise a little responsibility. Beginning with a 5-foot high electric fence around the property and at the very least a dog tag.
Because if this pit bull shows up in the neighborhood again, it will be the last time anyone sees it.
43
It wasn't bad.
Almost refreshing that my 43rd birthday came and went with mild hysteria.
My 40th was a bash. Probably not as big as the 50th will be. My 9-yr old Michael will be driving when I hit the half-century mark.
Hard to imagine. My wife Lori and I got married when I hit 30 then waited a few years to start a family, and now like most couples in my generation, will be watching my 1st child graduate college when I'm 55?!
I was starting to drive when my dad touched 40.
I think of my 2-yr old Cody that will graduate college when I'm 62.
Still, it's like watching my own parents with my youngest brother John. A handsome, strapping, intelligent young man of 25, who works for amazon.com in Seattle.
I remember changing his diapers my freshman year in college. It was quite a gap. My brothers and sister were convinced my parents were trying for another girl. Before John, the scoreboard read: Boys=4 Girls=1.
Lori and I are finished with two. Considering the rest of the family includes horses, dogs and cats, we've got our hands full with two. We even seperated them by about seven years. I tell people we wanted to space out the college payments.
I spent this birthday with the boys. No, not with my friends or guys my own age. I do that whenever, including a boys weekend in Las Vegas once a year to play golf and remind ourselves we're not 21.
No, this birthday was with Michael, Cody and Michael's best friend Kevin.
We swam, tossed the ball around, ate at the Outback Steakhouse and came home to collapse. My wife and I celebrated later. It was one of the best birthdays in a while.
There's something about growing older. Your so busy experiencing life in your 20's, you need to catch up professionally in the 30's, so by the time you reach the 40's you have some idea of what you need to do to get through your 50's in time to enjoy your 60's and beyond. All the while, making sure not to miss what's right in front of you during the trip.
Speaking of that, Cody just woke up from his nap.
A reminder that birthday's are just a day on the calender, while life comes at you every second of every day. Especially when a 2-yr old needs a diaper change.
Almost refreshing that my 43rd birthday came and went with mild hysteria.
My 40th was a bash. Probably not as big as the 50th will be. My 9-yr old Michael will be driving when I hit the half-century mark.
Hard to imagine. My wife Lori and I got married when I hit 30 then waited a few years to start a family, and now like most couples in my generation, will be watching my 1st child graduate college when I'm 55?!
I was starting to drive when my dad touched 40.
I think of my 2-yr old Cody that will graduate college when I'm 62.
Still, it's like watching my own parents with my youngest brother John. A handsome, strapping, intelligent young man of 25, who works for amazon.com in Seattle.
I remember changing his diapers my freshman year in college. It was quite a gap. My brothers and sister were convinced my parents were trying for another girl. Before John, the scoreboard read: Boys=4 Girls=1.
Lori and I are finished with two. Considering the rest of the family includes horses, dogs and cats, we've got our hands full with two. We even seperated them by about seven years. I tell people we wanted to space out the college payments.
I spent this birthday with the boys. No, not with my friends or guys my own age. I do that whenever, including a boys weekend in Las Vegas once a year to play golf and remind ourselves we're not 21.
No, this birthday was with Michael, Cody and Michael's best friend Kevin.
We swam, tossed the ball around, ate at the Outback Steakhouse and came home to collapse. My wife and I celebrated later. It was one of the best birthdays in a while.
There's something about growing older. Your so busy experiencing life in your 20's, you need to catch up professionally in the 30's, so by the time you reach the 40's you have some idea of what you need to do to get through your 50's in time to enjoy your 60's and beyond. All the while, making sure not to miss what's right in front of you during the trip.
Speaking of that, Cody just woke up from his nap.
A reminder that birthday's are just a day on the calender, while life comes at you every second of every day. Especially when a 2-yr old needs a diaper change.
Irish Sun Devil
The 2007 College Football Season is upon us and I'm preparing myself once again to cheer for my teams. Yes, teams, plural.
I was born into Notre Dame, but attended Arizona State University.
Let's back up for a moment. My father went to ND and my mother St. Mary's, which was located across the lake. All aunts and uncles from both families went to ND or St. Mary's. The overwhelming majority of my cousins went to ND, all but one.
There are five boys and 1 girl in my family. My sister went to St. Mary's and two brothers to ND. The other three, myself included went to ASU.
It was a civil relationship until 1998 and 1999 when the Devils and Irish played a home-and-home series. ND won both games. Until then, I had never thought about cheering for one team over the other. Those two years, I was in maroon and gold, singing the ASU fight song, a diddy perhaps not as well known as the Notre Dame Victory March.
Still, time past and I was back rooting for both teams. I mean what the hell, there was some similarity, in the form of U.S.C. Nothing like getting to jeer the trojans twice in the same season.
That was until I was informed that I couldn't cheer for Notre Dame anymore. Spoken like a true Trojan fan. The Tommy Trojan-esqe graduate told me that since I didn't graduate from ND, I couldn't ride him about the rivalry between ND and SC.
Say what?!
I remember vividly the 1973 Sugar Bowl, beating Alabama 24-23. My father and his pal from 'Bama screaming and yelling in my parents living room. In the end, my father ate his Bear Bryant look-a-like hat.
And yes, I recall the 1974 USC-ND game and the superhuman performace by Anthony Davis in the 2nd half that will go down as the biggest single half collapse, or comeback, in college football history. (My father is convinced A.D. juiced at halftime)
I sat in the stands in South Bend for most of the '76-'78 seasons when we lived in Michigan. My father drove us there almost every home weekend.
My mother's parents had season tickets and connections to get almost every relative within driving distance into the stadium. I watched all the big names before they became big names in person. I lived it, breathed it and was fully immersed in it.
But, I didn't go. I went to Arizona State instead. No regrets, until now.
I can't cheer for the Irish?? That's like saying I can't support our troops because I wasn't in the military. Or that the millions, yes tens of millions of people who cheer for the Irish, buy their gear, watch their network (NBC), and remember the lore that made the program the greatest of all-time, suddenly cannot cheer against the Trojans. Don't hold it against the Trojans, despite Pete's attempts, the all-time record does favor the Irish 42-31-5.
I'll continue yelling for the Irish, while screaming for my Devils. (Notice the reference of "the" Irish and "my" Devils) There is a distinct difference.
Of course, until they play each other again. I heard that's in the works for 2010 or something. Dennis Erickson should have my Devils ready by then.
I was born into Notre Dame, but attended Arizona State University.
Let's back up for a moment. My father went to ND and my mother St. Mary's, which was located across the lake. All aunts and uncles from both families went to ND or St. Mary's. The overwhelming majority of my cousins went to ND, all but one.
There are five boys and 1 girl in my family. My sister went to St. Mary's and two brothers to ND. The other three, myself included went to ASU.
It was a civil relationship until 1998 and 1999 when the Devils and Irish played a home-and-home series. ND won both games. Until then, I had never thought about cheering for one team over the other. Those two years, I was in maroon and gold, singing the ASU fight song, a diddy perhaps not as well known as the Notre Dame Victory March.
Still, time past and I was back rooting for both teams. I mean what the hell, there was some similarity, in the form of U.S.C. Nothing like getting to jeer the trojans twice in the same season.
That was until I was informed that I couldn't cheer for Notre Dame anymore. Spoken like a true Trojan fan. The Tommy Trojan-esqe graduate told me that since I didn't graduate from ND, I couldn't ride him about the rivalry between ND and SC.
Say what?!
I remember vividly the 1973 Sugar Bowl, beating Alabama 24-23. My father and his pal from 'Bama screaming and yelling in my parents living room. In the end, my father ate his Bear Bryant look-a-like hat.
And yes, I recall the 1974 USC-ND game and the superhuman performace by Anthony Davis in the 2nd half that will go down as the biggest single half collapse, or comeback, in college football history. (My father is convinced A.D. juiced at halftime)
I sat in the stands in South Bend for most of the '76-'78 seasons when we lived in Michigan. My father drove us there almost every home weekend.
My mother's parents had season tickets and connections to get almost every relative within driving distance into the stadium. I watched all the big names before they became big names in person. I lived it, breathed it and was fully immersed in it.
But, I didn't go. I went to Arizona State instead. No regrets, until now.
I can't cheer for the Irish?? That's like saying I can't support our troops because I wasn't in the military. Or that the millions, yes tens of millions of people who cheer for the Irish, buy their gear, watch their network (NBC), and remember the lore that made the program the greatest of all-time, suddenly cannot cheer against the Trojans. Don't hold it against the Trojans, despite Pete's attempts, the all-time record does favor the Irish 42-31-5.
I'll continue yelling for the Irish, while screaming for my Devils. (Notice the reference of "the" Irish and "my" Devils) There is a distinct difference.
Of course, until they play each other again. I heard that's in the works for 2010 or something. Dennis Erickson should have my Devils ready by then.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
D.U.I. = Denial Under the Influence
Two Southern California men were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the boating hit-and-run accident that injured 12-year old Dallen McEntire of Bakersfield on Labor Day Weekend of last year.
An arrest warrant obtained by ABC23 includes interviews with the suspects conducted on the day of the accident and several months later.
Both suspects, Roger Guzman of Lake Elsinore and Thomas Kirby of Los Angeles deny any involvement in the accident.
Despite eyewitness accounts that put Guzman's yellow and white ski boat in the area of the accident at the exact time it happened, and one person who claims to have seen their boat, WITH BOTH MEN IN IT, hit Dallen and leave the area, they still deny involvement.
The report claims the men stopped the boat about 80 yards from the accident site and were checking the engine, but somehow never heard about a dozen people screaming at them for help.
Could there have been another boat?
Possible, but unlikely. Actor Joe Pesci argued in the movie "My Cousin Vinny" that 2 similar looking cars were at the Sac of Suds at almost the same time, and that the one driven by his cousin was innocent.
However, according to eyewitnesses, there were no other ski boats in the vicinity, just a wave runner ridden by Dallen's father that was pulling Dallen's kneeboard and a pontoon boat which carried the one person who viewed the accident.
Through all the denials, a piece of evidence emerged that was irrefutable.
Guzman has a 2004 conviction for DUI. No denial here.
He was also on DUI probation, so if he WAS driving the boat, it's a felony.
During an interview at the marina, where he denied his boat was involved, he told the investigating deputy that he had about six beers before noon.
Game, set, match.
It took a year and numerous interviews to finally arrest Guzman and Kirby.
A painfully difficult time for the McEntire family, that won't get any easier any time soon.
Dallen's head injuries were so severe, Doctor's don't think they will know the full extent of the damage until he's in his 20's.
No denying that.
If Guzman had simply stopped the boat after the collision, he could have transported Dallen to the shore and gotten medical aid to him within 10 minutes. According to the arrest warrant, his father, Capt. Jeff McEntire with the Bakersfield City Fire Department, was busy keeping his son alive in the water, until the pontoon boat arrived to transport them to shore. It took almost 40 minutes.
There is no sympathy, no mistaken identity and absolutely no honor in the men's actions, especially if they have kids of their own.
I liken their behavior to that of a gang banger, who fires a gun into a crowd of people, then RUNS.
It's unclear what punishment the men will face, I only hope that justice will NOT be denied.
An arrest warrant obtained by ABC23 includes interviews with the suspects conducted on the day of the accident and several months later.
Both suspects, Roger Guzman of Lake Elsinore and Thomas Kirby of Los Angeles deny any involvement in the accident.
Despite eyewitness accounts that put Guzman's yellow and white ski boat in the area of the accident at the exact time it happened, and one person who claims to have seen their boat, WITH BOTH MEN IN IT, hit Dallen and leave the area, they still deny involvement.
The report claims the men stopped the boat about 80 yards from the accident site and were checking the engine, but somehow never heard about a dozen people screaming at them for help.
Could there have been another boat?
Possible, but unlikely. Actor Joe Pesci argued in the movie "My Cousin Vinny" that 2 similar looking cars were at the Sac of Suds at almost the same time, and that the one driven by his cousin was innocent.
However, according to eyewitnesses, there were no other ski boats in the vicinity, just a wave runner ridden by Dallen's father that was pulling Dallen's kneeboard and a pontoon boat which carried the one person who viewed the accident.
Through all the denials, a piece of evidence emerged that was irrefutable.
Guzman has a 2004 conviction for DUI. No denial here.
He was also on DUI probation, so if he WAS driving the boat, it's a felony.
During an interview at the marina, where he denied his boat was involved, he told the investigating deputy that he had about six beers before noon.
Game, set, match.
It took a year and numerous interviews to finally arrest Guzman and Kirby.
A painfully difficult time for the McEntire family, that won't get any easier any time soon.
Dallen's head injuries were so severe, Doctor's don't think they will know the full extent of the damage until he's in his 20's.
No denying that.
If Guzman had simply stopped the boat after the collision, he could have transported Dallen to the shore and gotten medical aid to him within 10 minutes. According to the arrest warrant, his father, Capt. Jeff McEntire with the Bakersfield City Fire Department, was busy keeping his son alive in the water, until the pontoon boat arrived to transport them to shore. It took almost 40 minutes.
There is no sympathy, no mistaken identity and absolutely no honor in the men's actions, especially if they have kids of their own.
I liken their behavior to that of a gang banger, who fires a gun into a crowd of people, then RUNS.
It's unclear what punishment the men will face, I only hope that justice will NOT be denied.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Roads to Nowhere
After watching several hours of Monday night's joint City-County Task Force, discussing the future of Kern County roadways, one thought keeps racing through my head.
Despair.
Two groups with two different ideas for growth, with the only similarity being the belief that something needs to be done.
I moved here 16 years ago and have become quite adept at navigating Bakersfield traffic jams.
My schedule allows me to bypass the congestion at rush hour, but I've still managed to time my route to hit as many green lights as possible, as long as other commuters either tuck into my draft or get out of the way.
Still, I'm waiting with great eagerness for the Westside Parkway to open.
A multi-lane roadway taking me from Stockdale Highway and Heath Road, all the way into downtown Bakersfield.
It's a dream for me still, just a dream.
After listening to last night's meeting, I may as well keep on sleeping.
There's no doubt that the projects are facing serious financial shortcomings and I've heard several ideas about how to fix them.
None appear to be any final conclusion, so I would say what my father use to say to me.
Just get it done.
Not get 'er done.
Just get it done.
Whether it's a half-cent sales tax or some other creative bit of money management, get it done.
Stop harking back to past planning mistakes, how Highway 58 dead ends into Real Road, no one cares.
If I have to pay for the sins of my forefathers in the roads department, so be it.
Just get it done.
Hopefully, before my 2-year old graduates High School.
Despair.
Two groups with two different ideas for growth, with the only similarity being the belief that something needs to be done.
I moved here 16 years ago and have become quite adept at navigating Bakersfield traffic jams.
My schedule allows me to bypass the congestion at rush hour, but I've still managed to time my route to hit as many green lights as possible, as long as other commuters either tuck into my draft or get out of the way.
Still, I'm waiting with great eagerness for the Westside Parkway to open.
A multi-lane roadway taking me from Stockdale Highway and Heath Road, all the way into downtown Bakersfield.
It's a dream for me still, just a dream.
After listening to last night's meeting, I may as well keep on sleeping.
There's no doubt that the projects are facing serious financial shortcomings and I've heard several ideas about how to fix them.
None appear to be any final conclusion, so I would say what my father use to say to me.
Just get it done.
Not get 'er done.
Just get it done.
Whether it's a half-cent sales tax or some other creative bit of money management, get it done.
Stop harking back to past planning mistakes, how Highway 58 dead ends into Real Road, no one cares.
If I have to pay for the sins of my forefathers in the roads department, so be it.
Just get it done.
Hopefully, before my 2-year old graduates High School.
Monday, August 20, 2007
First Day Misconception
To: Mrs. Carnal
From: Mike Hart
IE: First Misconception
Today was the first day of school for my 9-year old son Michael III.
He's now a 4th grader at Rio Bravo Greeley, which moves him into the big school.
The elementary school is K-3, so today was a big day for him.
Over the weekend, we headed over to the school to check out the teacher assignment list and he noticed he was in Mrs. Carnal's class.
He sighed.
I asked what was wrong, and he said he heard Mrs. Carnal was strict.
He 'heard'?
Was there a reconnaissance mission that I hadn't heard about?
Where was he getting his intell?
I pressed forward and he explained that some of his friends told him that Mrs. Carnal was strict.
I proceeded to inform him, that it was a 'good' thing and strict doesn't necessarily mean stringent.
Quoting an old movie line, "Discipline is not the enemy of enthusiasm."
More than seven hours later, my son is in 'love' with his teacher and his classroom.
The description of what today was like, and everything he has to look forward to this year, was like listening to a novel being read by a speed talker in 30 seconds.
In between gasps of air, as he explained some of the finer points of what life will be like in Mrs. Carnal's class, I managed to squeeze in a few questions.
While he didn't have all the answers today, I expect an update by the end of the week, including a definition of the word 'strict'.
Thanks Mrs. Carnal and good luck.
From: Mike Hart
IE: First Misconception
Today was the first day of school for my 9-year old son Michael III.
He's now a 4th grader at Rio Bravo Greeley, which moves him into the big school.
The elementary school is K-3, so today was a big day for him.
Over the weekend, we headed over to the school to check out the teacher assignment list and he noticed he was in Mrs. Carnal's class.
He sighed.
I asked what was wrong, and he said he heard Mrs. Carnal was strict.
He 'heard'?
Was there a reconnaissance mission that I hadn't heard about?
Where was he getting his intell?
I pressed forward and he explained that some of his friends told him that Mrs. Carnal was strict.
I proceeded to inform him, that it was a 'good' thing and strict doesn't necessarily mean stringent.
Quoting an old movie line, "Discipline is not the enemy of enthusiasm."
More than seven hours later, my son is in 'love' with his teacher and his classroom.
The description of what today was like, and everything he has to look forward to this year, was like listening to a novel being read by a speed talker in 30 seconds.
In between gasps of air, as he explained some of the finer points of what life will be like in Mrs. Carnal's class, I managed to squeeze in a few questions.
While he didn't have all the answers today, I expect an update by the end of the week, including a definition of the word 'strict'.
Thanks Mrs. Carnal and good luck.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Living Large in the Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is home to poor, fat, uneducated and crime riddled people.
Did you know that?
A new study from the good folks at the California Center for Regional Leadership in San Francisco found that the valley ranks last in a state survey of 14 regions when it comes to income, fuel consumption, post-high school degrees, obesity rates, violent crime and property crime.
Anyone surprised?
Oh yea, don't forget bad marks for asthma rates and air pollution.
Alright, I'm through, for now.
First, the poverty shouldn't surprise anyone, so toss that out along with the income.
Post-high school degrees, well the main industry is Ag and Oil, so forget that.
Violent and property crimes is bad no matter where or how often it occurs so, adios amigos.
NOW, as for obesity, fuel, asthma and pollution.
I'm not one to point fingers especially when my own mid-section needs a little work, but this is something we can definitely improve.
We can do without 1 or 2 UltraMegaSuperSize drinks a day, and the combo meal which does nothing but combine stretched fabric tightly across our skin.
Fuel consumption; gives us the money to finally build an adequate system of roadways around the valley.
As for the air, hey, San Francisco, part of the problem is YOU!!
Marine air, ever heard of it, sweeps in through the bay, and straight down the valley, pushing all the nasty air to the base of the grapevine.
It sits there, forever.
Do something about your own pollution control and help us out.
Oh that's right, last time a measure came up to strengthen vehicle emissions for cars in the bay area it was shot down by the voters.
Thanks for the help.
NOW for the good news.
According to the survey, the valley has less traffic congestion (haha), lower housing costs (about 5 years ago) and the median household income is the 3rd fastest growing in the state.
As for that last one, it's only the 3rd fastest based on home sales from lending institutions who gave over-inflated income marks so people could buy homes they couldn't afford and are now defaulting on.
I have a feeling the 3rd fastest thing will disappear by the end of the year.
Do me a favor, next time you want to help us, really *do* something to help us.
Another survey does nothing but waste time, and my blog space.
Did you know that?
A new study from the good folks at the California Center for Regional Leadership in San Francisco found that the valley ranks last in a state survey of 14 regions when it comes to income, fuel consumption, post-high school degrees, obesity rates, violent crime and property crime.
Anyone surprised?
Oh yea, don't forget bad marks for asthma rates and air pollution.
Alright, I'm through, for now.
First, the poverty shouldn't surprise anyone, so toss that out along with the income.
Post-high school degrees, well the main industry is Ag and Oil, so forget that.
Violent and property crimes is bad no matter where or how often it occurs so, adios amigos.
NOW, as for obesity, fuel, asthma and pollution.
I'm not one to point fingers especially when my own mid-section needs a little work, but this is something we can definitely improve.
We can do without 1 or 2 UltraMegaSuperSize drinks a day, and the combo meal which does nothing but combine stretched fabric tightly across our skin.
Fuel consumption; gives us the money to finally build an adequate system of roadways around the valley.
As for the air, hey, San Francisco, part of the problem is YOU!!
Marine air, ever heard of it, sweeps in through the bay, and straight down the valley, pushing all the nasty air to the base of the grapevine.
It sits there, forever.
Do something about your own pollution control and help us out.
Oh that's right, last time a measure came up to strengthen vehicle emissions for cars in the bay area it was shot down by the voters.
Thanks for the help.
NOW for the good news.
According to the survey, the valley has less traffic congestion (haha), lower housing costs (about 5 years ago) and the median household income is the 3rd fastest growing in the state.
As for that last one, it's only the 3rd fastest based on home sales from lending institutions who gave over-inflated income marks so people could buy homes they couldn't afford and are now defaulting on.
I have a feeling the 3rd fastest thing will disappear by the end of the year.
Do me a favor, next time you want to help us, really *do* something to help us.
Another survey does nothing but waste time, and my blog space.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Marketplace Madness
Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of the perception that people are terrified of teenagers walking in groups (or packs) around public venues?
Don't we, the rest of the community, outnumber the kids?
Or perhaps is it the fear in the back of your mind, that should a group of kids begin to harrass or attack someone in plain view of others, that noone will come to your aid.
When did we as a community retreat into a hole and let teenage kids rule the earth, or at least the Marketplace?
The shooting at Valley Plaza mall a couple holidays ago was shocking, not to mention a very rare occurance.
But did it stop people from going to the mall?
Maybe, but the recent addition of outlets like "Lucky" jeans should have people flocking back to the facility.
The recent BPD crackdown against teens hanging out and causing problems at the Marketplace was great.
Not because I feel safer, but simply from the standpoint that if you don't crack the whip a couple times, you don't send a message.
Several dozen arrests does a lot more than a time out.
For the owners of the Marketplace, you already have security guards so add a few more.
Then, perhaps some brighter lights in the evening hours.
And business owners, feel empowered to say something more often to out-of-control teens.
Unfortunately, the trouble makers who hang out at the Marketplace to smoke, drink, vandalize and stay out past curfew will continue to do so, but some simple behavior modification can at least let them know people are aware and prepared to do something about it.
Don't we, the rest of the community, outnumber the kids?
Or perhaps is it the fear in the back of your mind, that should a group of kids begin to harrass or attack someone in plain view of others, that noone will come to your aid.
When did we as a community retreat into a hole and let teenage kids rule the earth, or at least the Marketplace?
The shooting at Valley Plaza mall a couple holidays ago was shocking, not to mention a very rare occurance.
But did it stop people from going to the mall?
Maybe, but the recent addition of outlets like "Lucky" jeans should have people flocking back to the facility.
The recent BPD crackdown against teens hanging out and causing problems at the Marketplace was great.
Not because I feel safer, but simply from the standpoint that if you don't crack the whip a couple times, you don't send a message.
Several dozen arrests does a lot more than a time out.
For the owners of the Marketplace, you already have security guards so add a few more.
Then, perhaps some brighter lights in the evening hours.
And business owners, feel empowered to say something more often to out-of-control teens.
Unfortunately, the trouble makers who hang out at the Marketplace to smoke, drink, vandalize and stay out past curfew will continue to do so, but some simple behavior modification can at least let them know people are aware and prepared to do something about it.
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