We returned yesterday a little early because we had a couple of errands to run, one of which took us downtown. The boyfriend has never really experienced downtown. He works such long hours and there's really little reason to head there. I, on the other hand, have gone out exploring on many occasions, usually on Saturdays when he has to work. That's when I usually take the photos that rotate through the top of the blog, and it's actually time to spice them up again the next Saturday he works. Can't wait!
At any rate, I acted as his tour guide yesterday, pointing out the highlights (or lowlights, as the case may be). And I was struck again by what a terrible shame it is that this city has turned it's back on it's downtown. There are a surprising number of beautiful, ornate buildings from the 20's - 40's, but for the most part they are all boarded up and vacant. The people here seem clueless as to what a gem it could be. Their senses seem to be dulled by the overwhelming amount of strip mall stucco box architecture that they don't even realize what they have.
I lived in Pasadena years ago and watched the derelict Old Town area transform into a stunning shopping district. Same with the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, which was a drug addict wasteland when I first moved to the beach and now is one of the biggest tourist draws in town. Even my dinky little hometown, which is almost as provincial as Bako, has turned their once neglected downtown into a thriving arts and entertainment district. So why not here?
They've made some attempts, but it seems as if they're in vain. Last year, the old Padre Hotel re-opened after being vacant for decades. It went through a multimillion dollar refurbishment and opened as a swanky boutique hotel with high class restaurants and a top notch bar. From all accounts, it's the most stylish place in town.
And the word is also that it's barely staying afloat. I keep telling the boyfriend we need to check it out while we still can because most people don't think it's long for this world. It's hard to sell style in a town where civic life revolves around WalMart and Target is considered "fancy, schmancy".
And then there's the Fox Theater. Or rather, "The Majestic Fox Theater", as it's known here. It was re-habbed to be the the cultural jewel of downtown and I have to say, from the outside, it looks like they did a magnificent job. This would be the venue for world class artists and acts to make their big Bakersfield splash. It would be the draw for top tier musicians and pop acts and celebrities of all kind.
We drove by yesterday and on the marquee they listed their big upcoming event...
The Monkees.
The originals. Or most of them. What's left of them. They're all pushing 70.
It's the biggest event until 60 year old Billy Idol swings through town in October.
I don't think they have to worry about where to put the red carpet.
So what to say? I guess they get points for effort, at least where the hotel and theater are concerned. But ultimately it's all for naught if no one cares, and that seems to be the biggest problem here. No one can be bothered to care.
