Ask TBC: What's with all the spiders?
| Wednesday, Sep 30 2009 03:32 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Sep 30 2009 03:40 PM
Q: Several area residents who communicate with The Californian on the social networking site Twitter have remarked recently about a perceived increase in spider populations in neighborhoods around Bakersfield. Many say they have never seen so many spiders on their patios and porches, or in their garages and houses.
So we asked some experts: Is this a case of mass arachnophobia or are the eight-legged bugs truly experiencing a mini baby boom?
- Staff writer Steven Mayer
A: David Haviland, an entomologist and farm and home adviser with the UC Cooperative Extension, said he's not buying the theory of a spike in spider populations. Sure, there may be localized increases in arachnids, he said, but there's no evidence of an overall spider infestation in and around Bakersfield.
David Oxley, the owner of Oxley's Pest Control, agreed.
"August and September are going to be the highest months of spider activity," Oxley said. But he hasn't seen an unusual increase in calls from customers complaining about spiders.
Q: I read or heard somewhere that a WinCo market is going to be built in the southwest. When and where is this market going to be opened to the shopping public?
- Gary Hemingway
A: A WinCo has been planned for the corner of Panama Lane and Ashe Road. It was held up by a lawsuit challenging an environmental report; a local court sided with the city, finding the report was valid.
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro said she's not aware of any appeal being filed and there is no injunction stopping the project from going forward. The deadline for an a appeal to be filed is Nov. 10, she said.
WinCo has not been in touch with city planners since the court decision, city Planning Director Jim Eggert said.
If WinCo decides to move forward, Eggert said, its next step would be to prepare building plans for submittal to the building department for plan check. It may take WinCo a few months to put these drawings together and it may still need to put together financing, so it could be a year or so before there's any actual activity on the site, Eggert said.
WinCo officials did not return calls seeking comment this week and last.
Q: Who takes care of the maintenance and watering of the landscape left at the former Three-Way Chevrolet facility on California Avenue? It looks like everything is dying and starting to become an eyesore because of lack of cleanup or maintenance.
-- Bette Addington
Q: I used to enjoy watching the trees in front of the old Three Way Chevrolet on California Avenue change with the seasons. Over the last several months they appear to be dying a slow and macabre death, no doubt from lack of water. Since this is a major street visitors travel to and from our city, and ever mindful of trying to present a positive image, is there no way for some entity to rescue these poor trees -- soon?
-- Maureen Buscher-Dang
A: Local investors Tim and Tina Lewy purchased the property June 30 from Three-Way Chevrolet Co.. They plan to market it for lease to retailers, restaurants, office-users and hospitality-related businesses.
To make the 10-acre frontage property more attractive to potential tenants, Tim Lewy said the property will be cleared "down to bare soil." That will involve tearing out any and all landscaping within about two months.
Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.
