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A NationalTransportationSafety Boardinvestigator takesnotes as heinterviews a mannear the site of anairplane crash in analmond orchardnear Panama Lane.

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FIVE DIE IN PLANE CRASH

Viewpoints

Ihave always told Rick Kreiser he shouldbe a minister. His tranquil and sooth-ing voice can almost be hypnotic. Iwould believe almost anything he

would say.I first met him almost 30 years ago at

Carney’s Office Equipment, where he wasa salesman. He approached me and I was struck by

his calm mannerisms and genuineapproach with people.I don’t remember what we purchased,

but I am sure it was way more than Iintended to buy. Somehow after talking toRick, it was equipment or software I could-n’t live without.He and I have remained friends over the

years. I would see him at social events withhis wife, Kris. My wife, Susie, knew Rickfrom East Bakersfield High School, wherethey both attended.Over the years, Rick and I have stayed in

touch. His love of music turned him into aguitar aficionado. We have had him sit in with my band,

Thee Majestics, where his offbeat timingwould musically take over the stage. So wedidn’t ask him that often to play withus … smile… wink.Little did we know the irony of

life would bond Rick and metogether forever in a very per-sonal and tragic way. Severalyears ago, we both lost ourwives to cancer. His journeywith Kris ended as mine beganwith Susie.So when Rick approached

me several weeks ago about his GuitarMasters Series, Christmas with the Crank-tones, and the Kern County Cancer Fund,it was almost like God had always had aplan for the two of us.Thanks to Rick, the Cranktones will per-

form here in Bakersfield on Dec. 29 at the250-seat Studio A in the newly renovatedBakersfield Music Hall of Fame.The show is part of Rick’s Guitar Master

Series.Through Rick’s generosity, proceeds

from the Christmas with the Cranktoneswill benefit the Kern County Cancer Fund.Full disclosure: I am a board member ofthe KCCF. The group assists local residentswho need financial assistance obtainingscreening, diagnosis and treatment forcancer and associated diseases.All money raised for the KCCF stays in

our community.Rick’s day gig is running Carney’s Tech-

nology Center here in Bakersfield. But headmittedly lives vicariously through hisGuitar Masters Series.As he freely admits, “Since my skill level

at playing guitar is not as great as I wouldlike, I help bring those to our communityfor us to enjoy who are.”

And who are the Cranktones?Because of their busy recording ortouring schedule, they rarely playtogether. But when they do, it’s strictly

for fun. Usually only three times ayear. They have already played twice

at L.A.’s famous Baked Potato.Rick’s soothing and hypnotic

voice convinced them to

come to Bakersfield for their last perform-ance this year.The Cranktones are members of Los

Angeles’ elite first-call studio musicianswho have played on hundreds of records,movie soundtracks and television shows.When not in studio sessions, these in-demand musicians are usually on a worldtour with artists such as Boz Scaggs orGeorge Benson.Here are a few other music legends

members of the Cranktones have eitherplayed, performed or recorded with: RingoStarr, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand,Elton John, Roy Orbison, Smokey Robin-son, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, WillieNelson, Supertramp, Burt Bacharach andmore A-list music legends you would prob-ably recognize.Carl Verheyen, Jim Cox, Craig Copeland,

Tom Child, John Ferraro and Chad Wacker-man form the Cranktones pick-up band.The Cranktones give a new upscale defini-tion to the term “pickup band.” Look uptheir musical credits on the Internet.Amazing.This is sort of a full circle for me and

Rick — the perfect tying of the commit-ment knot of our emotional journey withcancer, to help in a way we know best. Asmost people know, timing is essential inmusic. Rick and I share a common charac-teristic of so-so timing.But in this case, Christmas with the

Cranktones, the Kern County Cancer Fundand the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame atthis time of year is perfect timing.Hope to see you there.Email contributing columnist Steve Flo-

res at floressteve32@yahoo.com. His workappears here every third Monday; the viewsexpressed are his own.

Concert to bring friends and community together

LIVES CUT SHORTWe’ve lost a lot of good people this

year, and their contributions to ourcommunity should not go unnoticed. Inthe past week, we noted the death of SteveStarbuck, the 48-year-old partner in thetax/audit firm of Brown Armstrong, andRay Bishop, the former head of the KernCounty Airports Department who helpedbuild the William M. Thomas Terminal.Bishop was a Vietnam veteran who leftBakersfield to run the airport in JacksonHole, Wyo. He was 69. In October, we saidgoodbye to Steve Ruggenberg, for-mer head of Golden Empire Tran-sit, who left us to pursue his loveof baking and cooking. Also aVietnam veteran, Ruggenbergwas 70. Three good men, nowgone. As my friend Brad Barnessays, “every heartbeat counts.”

LAWYERHere’s a reason to

applaud those chil-dren who go away

to college but return to put down rootsin our community.One of them is NeilGehlawat, who has been named a partnerin the plaintiffs law firm of Chain CohnStiles. Gehlawat is a Stockade High Schoolgraduate who attended UC Berkeley andthe University of Texas School of Law. Nota bad accomplishment for this 27-year-oldwunderkind.

SPOTTED ON TWITTER“They don’t make pizza or beer out

of celery. And that is all you need to knowabout celery.”

HOLIDAYSOne of the great joys of thistime of year are the holiday par-ties that showcase our commu-nity’s signature restaurants.On a rainy weekend like the onewe just experienced, you couldbarely find a seat in the iconicfood joints like Luigi’s Deli-catessen, Noriega Hotel, Uric-

chio’s Trattoria or Pyre-nees Cafe andSaloon. Good to see

these locally owned eateries doing so well.

FOODAnd did you catch the mouth-water-

ing, special Pete Tittl section of foodand restaurants in the Saturday Cali-fornian? I did, and I immediately hurriedover to Coconut Joe’s for their signaturefish and chips. Located off CaliforniaAvenue, Coconut Joe’s has always offeredsome of the most consistent food and serv-ice in town.

SCAMWe have yet another scam to worry

about, and this one could destroy yourcredit and put you at risk in otherways.Here’s how it works: You receive acheck in the mail from ATT for $3,650, partof a larger gift you have “won.” The lettersays the check helps cover a $1,450 tax fee.This happened to reader Carla Rivas, andwhen she checked with her bank, she wastold if she cashed the check the scammerswould have access to her checking accountnumber, routing numbers, Social Securityand other information. “I am so angrybecause I know that some elderly people

will fall for this, and they will be out the$1,450 ‘tax fee,’ and their vital info will bestolen,” she said, “After the check bounces,I have to pay the bank back and now I havesent a Western Union payment and I amout that.” The lesson: If it looks too good tobe true, it normally is.

Email Richard Beene, Californian president and CEO, at rsbeene@yahoo.com.His column appears here on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays; the viewsexpressed are his own. Read more on hisblog at BakersfieldObserved.com.

Little did we know the irony of life wouldbond Rick and me together forever in avery personal and tragic way. Severalyears ago, we both lost our wives tocancer. His journey with Kris ended asmine began with Susie.

Steve Flores

Richard Beene

BAKERSFIELD OBSERVEDA BLOG ABOUT LIFE, MEDIA, POLITICS & PEOPLE

4 The Bakersfield Californian Monday, December 21, 2015

HOW TO ATTENDWhat: Guitar Masters Series, Christ-mas with the Cranktones

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29

Where: Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame— Studio A, 23rd and Q streets

More info: www.guitarmasters.org