Being flowing and flexible with our ever-changing plans as to where to have our meetings is recommended during these unprecedented times. With a yearning to meet in person over ZOOM, about 40 membe
rs gathered for our Wednesday morning Breakfast Rotary meeting at President David Spalinger’s Skyline Cabinet Shop located at 800 South Mt. Vernon Avenue. A “masked” Pat Thompson along with Sally Selby greeted us at the side door of the shop where they gleefully offered raffle tickets at a bargain price. In exchange, we received our Rotary badges which have again, been rearranged in the “badge box” making it a little harder to find.
rs gathered for our Wednesday morning Breakfast Rotary meeting at President David Spalinger’s Skyline Cabinet Shop located at 800 South Mt. Vernon Avenue. A “masked” Pat Thompson along with Sally Selby greeted us at the side door of the shop where they gleefully offered raffle tickets at a bargain price. In exchange, we received our Rotary badges which have again, been rearranged in the “badge box” making it a little harder to find.Dennis Scott provided us with our morning Invocation and Past President Denise Haynes got our spirits up by asking us to join her in singing God Bless America.
Visitors included Char Johnson who is Dan Johnson’s better as well as best half, and Wayne Baker owner of 3-D Imaging office copiers/printers. Speaking of Dan, he and Wayne worked together years ago in the business of selling office copiers/printers, setting sales records along the way. President Dave had failed to recognize his guest Wayne, who also is a Foothill High Alum, and rightfully fined himself $10 for the oversight. Dan, who has been a member of Breakfast Rotary since 2005, was spotlighted by The Prez when he held up a, well let’s say, an unrecognizable 10” by 10” ancient picture of Dan when Dan began his career at 3-D Imaging. Ah, Dan was such a cute boy…
The time was set for the appearance of Pistol Pete Leveroni who announced our Featured Speaker. Well, you might have guessed, it was none other than Dan Johnson. Pete told us that Dan’s club sponsor was Mary Jo Pasek, and that since he became a member, the club has 
meant very much to him. In addition to his former role at 3-D, Dan was known as The Margarita Man. Dan actually had a side business providing margarita services at various social events. With Dan’s wife in the audience, Pete shared that both recently passed their California State Real Estate License exams and have joined Frontier Real Estate Services Inc.
meant very much to him. In addition to his former role at 3-D, Dan was known as The Margarita Man. Dan actually had a side business providing margarita services at various social events. With Dan’s wife in the audience, Pete shared that both recently passed their California State Real Estate License exams and have joined Frontier Real Estate Services Inc.But we all know 
Dan as this fun-loving gregarious, inquisitive fellow who “shreds” a mean Les Gibson guitar. For Past President Michael O’Doherty the term "shredding" is applied to a guitarist who commands control of a rapid transition up and down the neck of the guitar using various chords and pentatonic scales with the quickness of Wile E. Coyote. Thank you very much.
Dan as this fun-loving gregarious, inquisitive fellow who “shreds” a mean Les Gibson guitar. For Past President Michael O’Doherty the term "shredding" is applied to a guitarist who commands control of a rapid transition up and down the neck of the guitar using various chords and pentatonic scales with the quickness of Wile E. Coyote. Thank you very much.Given Dan’s love for guitar mastery, he wanted to share with us his very personal journey into what led him to playing music and where it has gotten him. On February 9th, 1964 the Ed Sullivan Show featured a band by the name of The Beatles that changed how we embraced music and also got the attention of little boy Dan. Dancing in his living room to the rhythm of John Lennon’s guitar as they played “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”, Dan just thought he was part of the big show, or was it a Big Shoe. Coupled with Dan’s Uncle Larry who was a guitarist with surfer band The Safaris, Dan was so drawn to music, he listened in when his uncle’s band practiced in their garage. This led to performances where Dan was present and could listen to The Safaris perform before live audiences. Dan tells us, during an upstate New York county fair performance by the band, a 13-year-old Dan was actually invited by the band to play a couple sets on stage. Enamored by the crowds, enthusiasm, pretty girls and music, not necessarily in that order, Dan experienced his first kiss with fame.
Years later Dan found himself in Kern County, specifically Taft. It was somewhere during this time that a band named KISS became instantly popular by their uniquely indistinguishable make-up. Again, Dan’s attention was captured by yet another guitarist, this one being Paul Stanley, the KISS lead man. It would be some years later that Dan would actually come face to face with Mr. Stanley.
Many years later Dan’s bride Char while cruising Facebook noticed an advertisement for something called Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. Thinking Dan may be interested, she shared the ad with him. Dan quickly saw that he could live his wildest dreams by attending the “camp” where he would have an opportunity to learn more guitar from and perform with some of the biggest rock and rollers to have ever picked up a six-string. The rest is history, as Dan has now attended a few of these camps over the years. He has shared the stage with the likes of professional rock stars Tommy Thayer
, Anita Strauss, Phil X, Ritchie Faulkner, Steven Adler, Rudy Sarzo, Rob Halford, his friends Vinny Apice, Gary Hoey, and of course Mr. Paul Stanley himself. Dan told us that along with the enjoyment and thrill of playing guitar with his hard rock heroes he said they all like Char…Duh Dan what-do-ya-think …geez!
, Anita Strauss, Phil X, Ritchie Faulkner, Steven Adler, Rudy Sarzo, Rob Halford, his friends Vinny Apice, Gary Hoey, and of course Mr. Paul Stanley himself. Dan told us that along with the enjoyment and thrill of playing guitar with his hard rock heroes he said they all like Char…Duh Dan what-do-ya-think …geez!How does this Dan bio qualify for a Wednesday morning featured presentation? I’ll tell you why. Because through Dan’s role in Fantasy Camp, he was selected to be featured in a made for movie of the camp over the years of its existence, called Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp the Movie. The award-winning feature movie can be seen on You Tube, Vimeo, On Demand through Apple and Amazon and a number of other streaming television movie platforms. As Dan was sharing with us his personal experiences with the camp, he paused to turn on a “live video” showing live the inventor/promoter/producer of Fantasy Camp David Fishof who came to greet us a good morning. Fishof encouraged us to watch the movie which he said rated 92% Rotten Tomatoes. Would someone explain the Tomatoes thing to me please? Known worldwide as a famed American music producer and sports agent, Fishof created the “camp”. This busy entrepreneur appeared to acknowledge us Breakfast Rotarians and to thank Dan and Char for their participation in the movie. Moreover, Dan and Char were associate producers of the movie…who would have guested! Check out the movie at RockCamp.com. I am not a movie guy, but I sure enjoyed it and I’m sure you will to. Let Dan know you did, as he will get a thrill you shared in the fun of the movie.
Thanks Dan…for preparing the presentation this morning as I know there was a lot that had to be done to bring us your story. But most importantly, thank you for reminding us that Dreams Really Do Come True.
**Announcements Announcements**
Pat T
hompson serves our club as our Membership Director. Pat has filled this role remarkably and we thank you Pat. Today’s meeting will be memorable for Pat as for the rest of us as he called Past President Carol Smith to the front to receive her Blue Badge. Completing all of her requirements, Carol will now join the rest of us as Breakfast Rotarians taking on the tasks and needs that stand before us in the coming year. Welcome Home Carol!
hompson serves our club as our Membership Director. Pat has filled this role remarkably and we thank you Pat. Today’s meeting will be memorable for Pat as for the rest of us as he called Past President Carol Smith to the front to receive her Blue Badge. Completing all of her requirements, Carol will now join the rest of us as Breakfast Rotarians taking on the tasks and needs that stand before us in the coming year. Welcome Home Carol!We recognized Happy Birthday BBRCers, even though they were not in attendance, Will Duerksen and Shaun Kelly. Happy Birthday fellas!
Past President “Queen” Jackie Maxwell is celebrating a wedding anniversary…Wha, Wha, What! The Prez is going to have to hire a new script writer as his notes were apparently out of order. The Queen isn’t married Prez. You gotta know that! It got a big chuckle out of the Queen. The Prez picked up the pieces in time to notice the error and then correctly acknowledged the Queen for her 24 years of unparalleled club service and membership. Beacon Clue for this week is, How many years has Jackie Maxwell been a member of Breakfast Rotary? Whew, glad that was cleared up! Not enough can be said Jackie about how much you mean to our club. We tip our hat to you, as you have given us a proud club history.
Congratulations to Lady Mary Breckenridge on her celebration of a club anniversary. Look forward to enjoying Rotary with you for years to come Mary.
The Beacon, I understand, is now considered a much sought-after publication for those club members seeking financial advice. What’s the advice? Read the darn thing! Weekly! Having done so will prevent you from becoming the Prez’s next victim for not knowing the Beacon Clue. Ask Nick Simmons who choked when The Prez called his name. $10 please Nick. Darin Blunt eve
n came prepared with the copy of The Beacon, but could not locate the answer in the article fast enough for The Prez. Nice try…10 bucks. Then selected by the Prez was Harry Bryant. Harry knew the clue which was Neil Walker is a “sight for sore eyes”.
n came prepared with the copy of The Beacon, but could not locate the answer in the article fast enough for The Prez. Nice try…10 bucks. Then selected by the Prez was Harry Bryant. Harry knew the clue which was Neil Walker is a “sight for sore eyes”.Jackie Maxwell is graciously opening up her warm ranch home and yard allowing us to partake in Super Bowl Sunday with her and Tom. Sounds like fun to me. Bring your favorite snack, dessert, or main dish. Beverages will be on hand. Check in with Michele McClure mmcclure@pacwest.com so she can get a head count! She will also be sending out an email. Love to see all there. Jackie promises plenty of screens to catch your favorite view of the game. Suggested arrival time is 2:30pm Sunday February 7th. See below for directions.
**Happy Spots**
Harry Bryant appearing twice in The Beacon was happy to “just be here”. Harry, we share in your happiness. It is always good to have you with us friend! Harry went on to point out the magnificent entrée, a quiche that was served for our morning breakfast that was prepared by none other than David Lari, and no, not his wife. So, for you budding chefs if David can do it, you can too. Well maybe, I wondered when I ate my breakfast where that quiche came from. I was surprised to hear it was from David! It was off the charts delicious. Thanks David!
Speaking of David, he was happy too. No not about the quiche, but that his daughter will soon be relocating back to Bakersfield from Philadelphia. Hooray!
Ken Quarnberg is thrilled to be attending what is known as The King of Hammers Race, as a spectator of course. I understand it is a massive 4X4 all-terrain vehicle race and vehicle rock crawling event along the Means Dry Lake in Johnson Valley, California. If the weather is cooperative, this should give Ken some good stories he can share with the rest of us when he returns.
Mike O’Doherty is the happy and proud owner of another Lexus. Yes, Mike said it was time for a trade-in. This time he reports that a hybrid vehicle was his choice and what a fine choice indeed that he would part with $20. Nope, not so fast Mike. A Past Presidents sidebar concurs and sides with President Dave who had to put up with a feisty Mike that $20 would not suffice due to Mike’s naughty behavior. Verdict… $20 per tire. That’ll teach him…for about a week.
Share Rotary with a Neighbor,
By: Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer
