Greeters:  Cherryl Biggar & Ken Quarnberg showed up on time with smiles and bright faces to hand out drawing tickets.  Some members (yours truly) still broke out their wallets to buy a ticket forgetting that they are FREE!!

The Invocation was given by Sandra Quigley who in case you don’t know is a partner in Dionysus Brewing. (Good place for a BBRC Social Event?) She reminded us that our greatest gift is giving to others.

Adoree Roberson did the Flag Salute & Gina Hayden did a lively rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Ed O’Donnell introduced visiting Rotarians Sonya Christian, Jay Rosenlieb & Mark Bigman all from the Downtown Club. 

 

Welcomed guests included Pat Thompson’s wife Karen, Mary Jo Pasek’s husband Tom, Heather Ward’s husband Paul & Ed O’Donnell’s wife Shirley.
 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARYS:  Melody & Dave Spalinger (29 yrs)

BIRTHDAYS; August 29 Mary Jo Pasek & August 30 Cherryl Biggar

 

HAPPY SPOT: Marlene Heise offered $25 just because she is SO HAPPY.

  Heather Ward just got back from a nine-state, 2,000 mile road trip with 6 month old Wyatt (the best baby in the world) NO FINE.

 (NB from Pres Kay – she brought back an almost-rock replica of the carved rocks in South Dakota for me.) Dennis Scott went to ICELAND!! Pres Kay was so happy with the rocks he brought her that he went FINE FREE.  Leslie VoVilla was happy to pay $25 because her house in Bear Valley was spared by the fire.  YIKES!!  Mary Jo paid $25 to brag about BC doing so well in many areas.  She also paid $20 to have Dave Spalinger give us an update on his wife Melody.  She had a successful surgery for PANCREAS cancer, but then discovered breast cancer.  She has been undergoing treatment and the prognosis is good!!!  It has been a long year for their family and they are ready for it to be over.  AMEN!!! Here’s to another 29 years!!

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  Mike George is looking for items for the kids at the SEAL CENTER.  Marlene announced that they can use office supplies too.  Mike needs 9-12 volunteers for the WOUNDED HERO’S FUND BBQ next Wednesday.  Contact Mike at mikegeorge@agapemtgco.com

 

Kay asked who would like to work on the 6 Club Project of a Rose Parade float December 17^th.  Sign up by September 8^th.  Contact Kay to sign up (kpitts@bak.rr.com) or for more info go to www.rotaryfloat.org  

 

Mark Bigman promoted the CASA FOOTBALL CHALLENGE.  For $50 you get to “play” for a chance to win 2 tix to the RAMS VS CARDINALS game Jan 1, 2017.   Go to www.kerncasa.org for details.

 

Bill Black reminded us of the upcoming CLUB SOCIAL at his home at Pine Mountain Club Sept 17^th.  Hike at 2:00pm followed by drinks at 5:00 & dinner at 6:00.  He said we can Crash as his place if necessary.  Bill says “it’s better than Crashing on the way home!”  INDEED!

 

Tickets have been mailed to all members for our Wine, Place & Show fundraiser at 7 Oaks Country Club.  Which team will win???  

 

Sandra Quigley got her Blue Badge! Sister Judy didn’t sign her roster so she’ll get fined next meeting!

 

Denise Haynes mentioned that the Annual Foundation Pledge forms have gone out. The Rotary Foundation was formed in 1917 with $26.50.  The District Governor has issued a challenge to have all clubs raise at least $26.50 per member by the District Conference Oct 14-16 in Westlake Village. LET’S DO IT!!

 

A revised ASSIGNMENT CALENDAR has been emailed to all members. If you can’t make an assignment please find someone to take your place.   

Mary Jo & Marilee Reagor introduced our newest member Stephanie Baker.  She is a 20-yr Rotary veteran and was President of Bakersfield South TWICE!  Welcome Stephanie!!

 

PROGRAM:  Dr. Sonya Christian President of Bakersfield College is living proof that BIG things come in small packages.  She gave an educational and impassioned talk about the upcoming BC funding Initiative MEASURE J.   BC was founded of 1913 and had 13 students that year. The BC campus on the bluffs was built in 1956 and was designed to accommodate 3000 students.  BC now serves over 27,000 students and is badly in need of a facilities rehab & upgrade. 

 

Some interesting facts about BC:

-80% of BC students are the first generation of their families to attend college.

-In 2014 BC began offering a 4-yr degree in INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

-BC has a very strong Nursing program that has trained a large part of the local nursing force

-Many students find jobs BEFORE they graduate

 

Measure J will be funded with some creative financing via a $25 add to property taxes for 30-yrs.

Kern County monies raised via MEASURE J will stay in Kern County.  

 

Harvey Hall and Bill Thomas are on the Blue Ribbon committee supporting MEASURE J. J is for JOBS

 

For more details go to www.abetterbc.com

 

WE ARE DARK NEXT WEEK!!

 

Our next meeting is Sept 14^th.  The program is Linda Parker ED Kern Wind Energy Assoc.

 

Tom & Mary Jo Pasek BOTH won the two drawings.  (mix up the tickets!!!)

Claudia Stepanovich won the 200 Paul Harris points.