I actually had a nightmare Wednesday morning which involved Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary President Dave Spalinger dressed up again like Toy Story’s Woody. When I arrived at the morning meeting, I was elated as President Dave demonstrated his own style and identity as he fully assumes command. Dale Bender sounded alive and well coming over a Zoom connection to lead Breakfast Rotarians in our morning Invocation. Equally peppy through Zoom was Stephanie Baker who led the flag salute.
We had no visiting Rotarians or guests, which was unfortunate because our outdoor venue at The Broken Yolk is a very hospitable meeting place. And the food…Ooo la la. Thank you Kathy Berry for all your work in coordinating our meeting with your service staff. They did an amazing job! Keeping us COVID safe, Kathy doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to making sure that all in attendance are practicing social distancing and masking up. Speaking of masking up, there was a little contest staged to allow Breakfast Rotarians to wear the “brightest color mask”. More on that later.
Breakfast Rotary party boys this week feature two favs, Nick Simmons and Andrew Ozanich. This is one birthday you can “Have Your Cake, and Eat it Too!”
Only one Rotary Anniversary celebrated today, and that is none other than 15-year member Greg Desme. How time has flown. Thank you, Greg, for being a loyal Rotarian, as you have made a big difference.
** Featured Program**
President Dave did not waste, or “waist” any time getting to the morning program speaker. I think he was hungry because that’s when presidents eat. Our morning speaker was presented by Pete Leveroni wearing a pretty groovy Hawaiian shirt. Pete, shared with us that our speaker, Norma Dunn is the Deputy Director of Mission Community Services Corporation’s Women’s Business Center a 501 (c)(3) organization. Norma has been actively involved in a number of non-profits benefitting business start-ups and entrepreneurs. Suffice it to say Norma is perfectly suited to her role at the Women’s Business Center.
Norma is no stranger to the podium; I have the impression she is speaking at a podium several times every week. Norma enthusiastically shared the good work her organization provided the community. Focusing on women, veterans, minority, and low-income individuals, the Women’s Business Center provides mentorship and training to qualified individuals with aspirations in working in or managing a business. What I found particularly encouraging about Norma is her dedication to teaching as an adjunct professor at Bakersfield College, and serving as a advisor with the SCORE mentoring program.Norma requested that if we know of people interested in making well informed and calculated choices for their business future, she would like to assist. Norma provided examples of success stories with which she was involved such as the Home Bakery and Boutique located at Oak and Truxtun. I can personally tell you that pre-COVID, the Home Bakery was on course to become a local favorite. Their pastries were the “bomb”. Norma said the owner was a student of hers that turned a dream into reality. Nothing Norma, or anyone else could prepare us for what COVID did to our businesses, but it is my hope that Home Bakery and the management from that local success story soon return.
Norma also mentioned that her office provides business loan services. Working with the Small Business Administration, Norma assists first timers secure business start-ups as well as grants and donations coordinated through the Women’s Business Center. A big part of obtaining funding for business projects is demonstrating the ability to display accountability. Norma’s program requires recipients of financial awards maintain accurate accounting of monies received.
Wow, there is a lot you can learn when you see Leveroni’s speakers at a morning Breakfast Rotary meeting. If you would like more detail about the good work Norma and The Women’s Business Center is doing visit their website at https://www.mcscorp.org/kern There contact information is Monday – Friday 9a to 5p, 201 New Stine Road, (661) 567-0410. Thank you Norma!
**Announcements Announcements**
Good program, fun meeting, great breakfast, then all of the sudden the new Prez throws us a curve ball. Some hit it and some struck out. Prez Dave posed a question to the membership to find out if they read last week’s Beacon. He explained that weekly there will be a clue that members that regularly read the exquisite work of literary expertise called The Beacon should naturally know. He told us that if members know the weekly clue it may spare them of a dreaded fine. Yikes!
With that said, Prez Dave asked his first victim Bree Goodmon if she knew this weeks clue, Bree pondered and wrongly said “The Four Way Test”---WRONG! $10. Then Dale Bender, he stumbled and fumbled then honestly said he was at a loss for the right answer---$10. Then Past President Jackie “Queen” Maxwell took a stab and correctly said the correct answer. The answer, Alison Hickman who is this year’s Wine, Place and Shows fundraising chairperson. That’s a curve ball Jackie hit out of the park!
Speaking of Wine, Place and Show Sandra Parnell took the podium to share the committee’s plans for the 2020 WPS. Instead of the traditional fundraiser held at a single venue for one and all to enjoy, Breakfast Rotary is going to help minimize the spread of COVID by having asking members host “mini” parties at their homes with 8 to 15 participants. Sandra says this will allow us to proceed with the fundraiser, with minimal exposure to the disease. We are seeking approximately 10 volunteer hosts within our club to host “mini” parties. A few members have already pledged to host parties and that is fantastic! We need for several more. If interested in hosting at your home please contact Sandra, or Alison, ASAP. Sandra told us those who are hosting will be happy to know that Luigi’s Restaurant will be providing the food to your home to feed the guests. Man-o-Man that is a lot of potential left overs!
Stay tuned and better yet, be a host or volunteer with a host to lend a hand!
Wine, Place and Show is September 19th!
(This Weeks Clue)
Ju
st when I thought the new Prez was done with tricks, he comes up with another rabbit out of his hat. Prez Dave is going to have one non-past president Breakfast Rotarian lead a meeting each month. Now ain’t that somethin’. You will be pleased to know that the first leader will be Athena Collup. Nice…Hey Athena can we order mimosas during your meeting? Where is Prez Dave skipping off to so soon in his presidency? He said he’ll be in Seattle conducting a wedding, he is a man of many talents!
st when I thought the new Prez was done with tricks, he comes up with another rabbit out of his hat. Prez Dave is going to have one non-past president Breakfast Rotarian lead a meeting each month. Now ain’t that somethin’. You will be pleased to know that the first leader will be Athena Collup. Nice…Hey Athena can we order mimosas during your meeting? Where is Prez Dave skipping off to so soon in his presidency? He said he’ll be in Seattle conducting a wedding, he is a man of many talents!Our Friends of Rotary chair Past President Denise Haynes reports that Past President Ron Nelms is having surgery, as is Jeff Haynes. Keep them in your thoughts. Connie Bensusen’s husband, Al seems to like parades, especially Breakfast Rotary parades. Al was thrilled with the “we are thinking of you” drive-by with BBRC members. It seemed to make him feel so much better. Amen, that’s the Rotary spirit.
**Happy Spots**
I acknowledged the connections we are blessed with in Rotary, as those connections helped me connect with Martha Samora who is “the boss” at Encompass Rehabilitative Hospital. I have a personal injury client who drove from out of town to visit his wife in the hospital. He was refused a visit with his wife because of COVID. Dejected and sad, my client asked if there was anything that could be done. With a little Rotary “magic” we got my client in to see his wife for 15 minutes in an isolated room. I am $5 happy for someone else. Past President Mike O’Doherty was darned happy his US Marine Corp son has been transferred to Camp Lejune in North Carolina. $20 for big Mike! Denise Haynes, who always is pretty happy was especially $20 happy because her son-in-law is recovering from COVID. Past President Cheryl Scott keeps bringing gifts for Prez Dave. This time the gift was from her recent stay in a luxurious hotel in Santa Barbara. It was a small bottle of shampoo. I wonder if Cheryl was trying to be funny only getting a “small” bottle of shampoo for Prez Dave for his lion mane locks…
Oh yes, the mask contest. The Prez declared winner of the brightest mask as Mike O’D. I was sitting next to new member Dr. Bani Singh and I thought she had a pretty bright blue color mask. Next week, we will compete for ugliest mask…huh do you think they got the weeks reversed? Congrats Mike!
Faith Daily for Your Rotary Service,
Frank Wooldridge 7/16/20