Week of 5/29/19
by Frank Wooldridge
I understand that we had a number of Breakfast Rotarians out on vacation this Wednesday. So I suppose that means that we are going to have nearly 100% attendance next week. Yes, that will be great see ya there! Let’s pray on that, because Athena Collup is going to, and as a matter of fact she is praying for all of us as she provided the invocation to begin our morning meeting. She is right, “When you have a chance to pray…do it”. This of course was a perfect intro to our Pledge of Allegiance lead by Mike O’Doherty.
Let’s get into the club anniversaries if we may, Mr. Tom Burke 2 years with BBRC, Dan Johnson who sang a smooth version of “Sweet Caroline” is celebrating 14 years, Stephanie Baker with total of 23 years which includes Past President of Bakersfield South Rotary, and the ever present John Girard a whopping 31 years, Oh my Golly John! Congrats everyone, you are so valued by your friends and community.
I believe in marriage, but I do have a creepy feeling when I heard that Dr. Joe Nunez DDS and Jeff Haynes were both married at the same time 29 years ago. I need further clarification on this. Can I ask someone to look into this, I don’t know if these guys even like each other. Was there a pre-nuptial agreement?, Where did they purchase their rings?, Who was invited…I wasn’t? Get back with me on this will ‘ya.
Happy Birthday to our Rotarians Jason Williamson and Bobbi Hake. Oh yeah, one thing here, how come in Rotary they reveal how long you have been in the club, but they do not reveal what birthday you are celebrating. If you want to change this procedure please contact incoming President Cheryl Scott who is away at the Rotary International Conference in Germany. I’ll bet she will take a hard look at this policy. Let’s hear it for transparency!
Well let’s get right into that Thousand Flags. What a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend and celebration. I will tell you this event at Riverwalk Park has become definitely “Bigger than Just Us”. Starting just 6 years ago Thousand Flags has been recognized by local and national community leaders and has even been the recipient of Beautiful Bakersfield Awards. You should be pretty proud of your club’s involvement in honoring those who have sacrificed for all of our freedoms. Lookin’ forward to this club’s Thousand Flags Vision into 2020.
Stand out members of Breakfast Rotary were many from those that provided physical labor to those that coordinated efforts with so many others to make this year’s event to be the most attended by Red, White, and Blue faithful than others in past years. To name a couple of our own, thanks to Kathy Anderson of Broken Yoke Restaurant who donated $600 of her own restaurant’s proceeds to Thousand Flags, and to Athena Collup representing the Bakersfield Board of Realtors as this year’s President in sponsorship of TF. We want to acknowledge these Rotarians along with so many including Past Presidents Denise Haynes and Queen Jackie and all the hard working committee members for their community outreach, planning, and organization of TF. Shout out to Workhorses TF Founder Becky Brooks, Cathy Anderson for workin’ those vendors, Cheryl Scott on media relations, Pres. Ron Nelms “Dots on the Field”, Dave Spalinger scoring 150 last minute flags/poles, Michelle McClure fundraising and sponsors, and Young Marines and BPD Explorers on back up. Personally, I think this line up sounds like rock and roll band members listed on the back of an album. ‘Cause they play beautiful music…
Okay back to Jeff Haynes, has anyone got some answers for me in regards to this joint marriage day thing Haynes is involved in? In the meantime, Past Presidents have convened and have entered the nomination of, yes you guessed it, Jeff Haynes as President for the 2020-2021 Rotary year. Any objections??? Congratulations Jeff! Boy are we gonna Rock in that year…
Past Pres. Denise Haynes is reminding us that President Ron Nelms Demotion is set for June 28th. Mark your calendars and see you there. Payback time President Ron!
Our program speaker was introduced by Mr. “Pistol” Pete Leveroni. Pistol named too many accolades for me to have time to write down about our speaker Bob Meadows who serves as Business Development Manager of the City of Shafter. Let me put it this way. It pays to know as many good folks as possible in Bakersfield business, and Bob just so happens to be one of those guys. The problem is that he has held his new helm in Shafter and is now touting all the good news of his adopted community.
According to Bob, Shafter has it going, from housing development, to new businesses which means jobs coming to the community. To name a few, Bob revealed Gossamer Grove residential development off of 7th Standard Road (next to Bakersfield property line), a Walmart Frozen Distribution Center, Shafter Learning Center, and a Ross Dress for Less Distribution Center. These projects and others Bob speaks of are exciting and will likely open the door to other businesses that benefit Shafter and the surrounding communities. On top of all this Shafter boasts having a fully funded pension for its safety employees. This statistic is significant as many California cities have a Stranglehold (Thanks Ted Nugent) on them because they are not able to fund municipal services due to the requirement to fund state retirement pensions. Shafter is recognized as having the distinction of 2% of California cities with this healthy financial profile.
Bob we want to thank you for your hard work, and informative update on the progress of the City of Shafter. Keep up the good work, as we know that what is good for Shafter is good for Kern County.
I have a late bulletin that has just come in. The Rotary Clubs of Bakersfield reservations for the Dodger and Giant Baseball Game June 20th have been filled. Your tickets will reportedly be forthcoming a week before game day. My sources have reported that the tickets will be delivered by bus, or perhaps e-mail, if you’re lucky. Play Ball!
Speaking of lucky, the one and the only Past President and Charter Member Mr. Jerry Starr certainly can count his “lucky stars” as
he takes home the Opportunity Drawing of $51. Impressive Jerry, we love you man!
Strength through Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
6/6/19
