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August 7, 2019
President's Message
Cheryl Scott
member photo
Rotary connects the world, and we saw proof of that at this week’s BBRC meeting!  It was great to see BBRC Honorary Member Yuki in the house, thanks to Dale Bender putting together a special Rotary Connection Moment. 
 
What fun it was, having DG Savi Bhim in town all week!  Not only did she attend all the Bakersfield Rotary Club meetings, we got to visit the site of our joint project (Kern County Veterans Village), plus a whole gaggle of BBRC members attended dinner with Savi at Woolgrowers.  BBRC’s Queen Jackie, aka Asst Gov, spent the week “driving Miss Savi” and supporting all the Bako clubs in the process.  We love you, Jackie!
 
Speaking of fellowship with other clubs, be sure to let Michele McClure know if you’ll be coming on the trip to the Nethercutt Museum on August 24.  We still have a seat on the bus with YOUR name on it!
 
Remember, share Rotary with a friend!
 
Cheryl
If you weren't at the meeting, you missed it!
August 7 Meeting
I have been told that in this issue of the Beacon I will have to tighten it up a bit since we had District Governor Savi Bhim in attendance. So if there is not a lot of my regular light-hearted humor being tossed around in this edition towards our regular Breakfast Rotary “targets”, I apologize in the name of professionalism and accurate journalism. Ahhhh, just kidding Breakfast Rotarians let the good times roll!
 
We love visitors, especially visiting rookie Presidents like Quon Louey from Rotary East. Quon is really a good guy, very friendly and a very capable president too. But when someone Wednesday morning mentioned he was there to get ideas in how to proceed with his own club’s presentation before the District Governor, I just knew that could not be true, would it? At any rate, it was great having Quon in the house!
 
We would like to recognize those celebrating anniversaries and birthdays! Shout out to Dennis Scott and his wonderful wife, Fran who was in attendance. 45 YEARS of Marriage! Blessings to you and your family. Mr. Neil Walker 40 years of marriage, but Pam was nowhere in sight. Most likely she was at home anticipating for a most fabulous gala celebration that Neal is secretly planning.
 
Karen Bonanno, Happy Birthday dedicated sister Rotarian and Craig Holland did you know you have been a member of Rotary for 17 years most of which “we” Breakfast Rotarians have been by your side the great majority of that time. We are actually proud of that Craig!
 
Special recognition goes out to, I can’t believe they called her Snaggle Tooth this morning, Connie Bensusen who qualified for her Blue Badge. Congratulations!
 
Accolades are also in order for Stephanie Baker. Stephanie was recognized as a “hard worker”, that she is, by Past President Ron “Buford” Nelms. PP Ron also reported that Breakfast Rotary was recognized during his tenure as a Gold Standard Club. Yeah, just a little plug for all of us with the District Governor present.
Program with District Governor Savi Bhim
 
 
DG Savi Bhim hails from Simi Sunrise so getting up early to get our engines started bright and early is her cup of tea, or coffee. Make no mistake that she stated that if she were a Bakersfield resident that Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast is where she would belong. Quon could be seen blushing at this point.
 
The DGs message was very clear, and certainly most timely as we see all around our country divisiveness and confusion in our Nation and World. She speaks of One World, One Rotary. Those words could not be any more applicable as they are today, as DG Bhim is challenging us as Rotarians to focus upon the meaning of Rotary and the Why We Do What We Do (WWDWWD). DG Bhim’s vision of Rotary is that by participating in membership we are all partners in a Mission of Peace. With diverse backgrounds and believes we can come together to unify, seeking real world solutions to real world problems.
 
A perfect example DG Bhim made is with our own Thousand Flags Project. She said each of those posted flags represent someone who furthered the principle of Service Above Self in an ultimate effort, and when we look beyond our own superficial differences, we as Rotarians can work towards viable solutions which have no place for partisan ideologies.  Welcome DG Bhim and we hope to see you again soon, like maybe we will see you at Woolgrowers Restaurant Thursday night!
 
 
BBRC Connects
You guys are really getting good with the video thing. Kind of reminds me from a scene from the movie “Top Gun” where the commander is showing the pilots what their mission will be. Well we did not have Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis present, but we had our own video STARS in President Cheryl Scott, Jeff “Iceman” Haynes, Dr. Joe “The Doctor” Nunez, Karen Bonnano and David “Maverick” Spalinger whom told us why they “are” Rotary.
 
Then we were privileged to have our own Dale Bender, a 32-year Rotary member, share with us a tender video, that really sums up how time never stands still and that, when combined with active Rotary participation, will change others’ lives as well as your own. Through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, Dale and his family have opened up a life-long relationship that has endured for over 25 years from a modest visit from a Finnish student by the name of Juha Virtala. Now a grown man, Juha now has his own family and you bet Dale and his family are every bit a part of that family to this day even though they live thousands of miles away. Other great stories Dale shared with Honorary Rotarian Yuki Kobayashi-Takeuchi about how far Rotary Exchange students have come. Not only in distance, but in growth. Hey, what do you say, can we grow a little here!
 
Invite a prospective new member for next week!
Tidbits
Karen Bonanno will soon be seeking corporate sponsorships and auction items for Wine, Place, and Show September 28th at Luigi’s Warehouse. Please stay tuned and mark your calendars!
Saturday, August 24th Nethercutt Museum trip is just around the corner. See  Michele McClure ASAP. You do not want to miss. Transportation and light drinks and snacks will be included. Want fun?, we are fun, sign up today! Only $25 per person.
 
Kathy Andersen is promoting the Back to School Hot Dog Dinner Prep Event. The event will include volunteers from our club joining youth from the Boys and Girls Club packaging dinners for families August 16th at 4pm at the Homewood Sites on Mill Rock near Ming Avenue and the Market Place. Come join the fun. Shouldn’t take too long to get this wrapped up!
 
Mary Jo Pasek                                                                  Minnesota                                          Guilty as Charged
Mindy Wilmot                                                                  Ireland/Jamaica                                Guilty as Charged
David Perkins                                                                   Las Vegas                                           Guilty as Charged
Pat Thompson                                                                  Denver                                                Guilty as Charged
Neil Walker                                                                       Blues a Paloosa?                               Just Plain Guilty
 
Parting Briefs
And the number is 6-5-3-3-9-5 Mindy Wilmot $80 will perfectly pay your bail!
Peace and Blessings in Rotary. Light up a life this week!
 
Frank Wooldridge, Beacon Editor
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Upcoming Programs
Aug 14, 2019
The Magic Barrel
Aug 21, 2019
Pres Cheryl will lead us
Aug 28, 2019
Kern County District Attorney
Sep 04, 2019
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Back to School Food Basket Prep
Homewood Suites
Aug 16, 2019
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Nethercutt Auto Collection
Nethercutt Museum
Aug 24, 2019
8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
 
All Bakersfield Clubs Social
The BLVD
Sep 12, 2019
 
Wine, Place and Show
Luigi's Warehouse
Sep 28, 2019
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
 
Pinot for Polio Fundraiser
Santa Ynez Museum and Carriage House
Oct 11, 2019
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
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