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The official weekly publication of
The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast
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The Beacon 
The Beacon
The official weekly publication of The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast
 
Another Charter Night is upon us. Whether you are reading The Beacon before “our club’s” special ceremony and celebration or after, or if you missed the entire edition of The Beacon, you would be happy to know that special recognition at Charter Night is paid to all those members current, and those that came before us, including our lone Charter Member Dennis Scott, who got this whole Breakfast Rotary machine up and running. Forty-one years, yes, 41 of them! That’s a long time ago, before marriages, before children, before carving out our careers for some in our club, before their parents even knew each other! Can you imagine all the difference this club has made? That is certainly something to be proud of, members, so know that through your contributions, you are all a significant vital part of the Breakfast Rotary machine that will propel our club into unforeseen levels of Service Above Self. I pray to enjoy watching the next 41 years of our club’s impact on our community, but if I am not, I harbor a special honor to have contributed in just some small way to you and others in bringing joy, hope, and achievement as a member of this fine club. Celebrate your membership, and see you at Stockdale Country Club for YOUR club’s Charter Night.
 
Past President Cheryl Scott led America’s Pledge of Allegiance, and the inspirational song “Is it the Truth” was led by Carol Smith. Our own Stephanie Baker spoke of recognizing and expressing thankfulness for our many divine blessings. Thank you, ladies, for placing our hearts, minds, and vocal cords right before President Karen Bonanno took to the podium to announce Peter Leveroni, who would introduce our special program presenter.
 
City of Bakersfield Public Works Director Gregg Strakaluse, hailing from the east coast, has been in his post for over a year. We were pleased to have Gregg take time from his demanding schedule to meet us and discuss his public works oversight. With an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering which led to 15 years as the Director of Streets and Stormwater in Naples, Florida, he found his way to Bakersfield upon the recommendation of a fellow public work director from the County of Kern. Packing his and his family’s bags, the Strakaluse family headed west to Bakersfield for what started as a part-time assignment to conduct a waste material study in landfills.
 
With the last name of Strakaluse, which would be most fitting on the back of an NBA jersey, I’ll ask Gregg’s permission to call him by his first name for the duration of my Beacon write-up. Gregg acquainted us, within the short time he had to present, with the city public works department's vast size and varying services they provide. Maintaining a claim as the largest city department for personnel and equipment management is an enormous undertaking. Gregg knows the mission and what needs to be accomplished to deliver services to the Bakersfield community. With 11 public service departments from Roads and Maintenance to Wastewater Management, Gregg wearing many hats is an understatement. Gregg allowed us to learn a bit about some of those departments. They even are in charge of graffiti removal, potholes, burnt-out streetlights, and illegal dumping! Let’s learn more, shall we?
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Charter Night 2023
Upcoming Speakers
Feb 22, 2023 6:45 AM
Alzheimer's Association
Mar 01, 2023 6:45 AM
Mar 08, 2023 6:45 AM
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
Mar 15, 2023 6:45 AM
Path of a Foster Child
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Harry Bryant
February 15
 
Darin Blunt
February 26
 
Anniversaries
Kay Pitts
Brian Pitts
February 28
 
Upcoming Events
Dictionaries for Fremont Elem. Distribution
Fremont School
Feb 16, 2023
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
 
Group 2 (Bakersfield) All Club Luncheon
Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC)
Mar 02, 2023
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Okihi Preserve Work Day
Okihi Preserve
Mar 04, 2023
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
Rotary District 5240 Week of Service
Apr 16, 2023 – Apr 23, 2023
 
Meeting Duties
February 22, 2023
 
Greeter
Bell, Jeffrey
 
Greeter
Bender, Dale
 
Invocation
Black, Bill
 
Flag Salute
Blunt, Darin
 
Visiting Rotarians
Brooks, Becky
 
March 8, 2023
 
Greeter
Bryant, Harry
 
Greeter
Burke, Thomas
 
Invocation
Cerda, Cameron
 
Flag Salute
Desme, Greg
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Duerksen, Will
 
March 15, 2023
 
Greeter
Guerard, John
 
Greeter
Haynes, Denise
 
Invocation
Harris, Duncan
 
Flag Salute
Haynes, Jeffrey
 
Visiting Rotarians
Heise, Marlene
 
March 22, 2023
 
Greeter
Maxwell, Jackie
 
Greeter
Selby, Sally
 
Invocation
Kelly, Shaun
 
Flag Salute
Lari, David
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Kuntz, Holly
 
March 29, 2023
 
Greeter
Parnell, Sandra
 
Greeter
Niemeyer, Heath
 
Invocation
Montesino, Isabel
 
Flag Salute
Pasek, MJ
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Nelms, Ron
 
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