The Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary club’s Wednesday morning meeting is off with the ring of the ceremonial bell struck sharply at 7 am by President Jeff Haynes. Rotary member in good standing Harry Bryant led the way with leading us in our morning invocation followed by America’s Pledge of Allegiance.
Carol 
Smith is our spirited Songstress and ain’t ya glad we have her to lead us in singing God Bless America!
Smith is our spirited Songstress and ain’t ya glad we have her to lead us in singing God Bless America!We were honored this morning to have as our guests, one of two Virtual Enterprise teams from Ridgeview High School. These are not just your typical high school boys and girls, most concerned about what’s on the day’s lunch menu, or what is going to be on the days test and who has the correct answers, or even what the latest gossip is on campus. These students excel at combining excellence in the classroom, having a vision of attending college and with participation in a campus club called Virtual Enterprise, to create a successful business model.
Many of us in Breakfast Rotary have been treated to presentations from other local high school’s presentations to our club in the past, but this is the first time a presentation from the Ridgeview team has been made to us. Perhaps because they formally have not had a competitive team in the past. The program is relatively new to students and it is only now that the advisors have honed talent to complete on a state and national level.
The six Ridgeview students, dressed professionally, did their best to present their creation, Nature’s Canvas. The business was born from the ideal the students had to create a 
business which would provide accessibility to the art enthusiast to buy environmentally safe art supplies which they could use in the course of the production of the artist’s creations.
business which would provide accessibility to the art enthusiast to buy environmentally safe art supplies which they could use in the course of the production of the artist’s creations.From the origination of these art useful products, Nature’s Canvas strives to offer at a competitive value the sale of their eco-friendly products. Products include, but are not limited to, paints, watercolors, bamboo pencils and linen canvas.
With any good business, the students shared their well-thought-out Marketing Plan, demographics for promotion, and Financial Highlights. Adding a profit and loss estimate with a projected sales forecast seemed by the business battle tested Breakfast Rotarians to be the right ingredients towards creating a successful business plan.
Perhaps placing this enterprise into the real world is not what the students had in mind, but they do have their mindset towards taking Nature’s Creation to the national competition along with many other Virtual Enterprise teams all over the country to the competition set later this year in New York. We wish them the very best. It seems as if they have a fan club amongst us BBRC’ers, as a collection initiated by Stephanie Baker accumulated about $450 from our membership.
A challenge to all Past Presidents by Kay Pitts was placed upon the table by the former president for the Past President’s Fund to match what the club members
had contributed. WOW! A final capstone towards our support to the Ridgeview team, Dennis Scott who later won the raffle, pledged all his $57 of winnings to the team. Hey, that is expected of the former Kern High School Administrator.
had contributed. WOW! A final capstone towards our support to the Ridgeview team, Dennis Scott who later won the raffle, pledged all his $57 of winnings to the team. Hey, that is expected of the former Kern High School Administrator.There is no question what this club and its members stand for, particularly to Ridgeview High. Best of luck students and look forward to hearing more about your journey towards a national competition. Beacon Clue, is what is the nickname of Ridgeview High School.
Announcements
In the course of competition, I brought a guest, Darryl Dean Santos. Darryl, who is a local insurance company business owner, is a friend of mine from business networking and he wanted to come visit to see what Rotary is all about. Welcome Darryl.
We recognized Breakfast Rotary Birthdays and Anniversaries. Jason Williamson is celebrating a wedding anniversary, Shaun Kelly and Darin Blunt celebrating 28 and 17 years of Rotary membership respectively. Last and certainly not least, The Prez is another year older. That prompted the Birthday Song by one and all.
The Prez tested the memories of members in the room who had read The Beacon to find out what the Beacon Clue was. After numerous failed attempts, The Prez’s coffers were getting full as he moved to spare the membership by revealing the answer. The question and answer 
was who was Breakfast Rotary president when past President Mike O’Doherty became a member? Answer, Carl Leech and John Tate.
was who was Breakfast Rotary president when past President Mike O’Doherty became a member? Answer, Carl Leech and John Tate.April 2nd is KernYES, which is quickly becoming another well-known opportunity for Rotarians to serve high school youth. We are seeking volunteers for this daylong event. See past President Denise Haynes for more detail.
Our tradition of honoring our nation’s heroes will soon be approaching. Thousand Flags’ corporate sponsorships are being sought and now is the time to make requests of your favorite businesses that have pride for the Red, White and Blue. Jointly, we would like to invite corporate sponsors to support our Fall fundraiser, Wine, Place and Show. It is not too early as many businesses are creating their budgets now. So, inserting our causes into their budgets now is most timely.
There were a few notable Happy Spots. Bill Black purchased a new vehicle which he offered $10 per tire. Ah, that seems fair. Mindy Wilmot is a certified published author with the book she authored about…You guessed it, being a librarian.
Greg Desme is happy once again as he met the challenge by participating in a Toastmasters training class which he completely enjoyed. He Graduated!!! And President Jeff traveled to Catalina (I think he had his scuba gear), to perform some harbor clean up duties in the area. No brewskies on that trip right Jeff?
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer