Dear BBRC Friends,It sure was great to see so many of your faces on Wednesday morning, especially a few folks that have been missing for a while (like Mountain Mary Breckenridge, Marilee Reagor, Stephanie Baker, Yuki Kobayashi-Takeuchi, and Craig Holland)! Ain’t technology grand! (Except, of course, when it’s not…but that’s a whole different story!) We even had Cheryl Rydia back for a second visit (thanks to Marlene Heise!), and we had visiting Rotarians from “far away lands” again, too.
Over the next couple of months, we’re going to take advantage of our members’ significant knowledge, and some of our programs will be presented by our own BBRC members! You may have heard that Karen Bonanno has been busy-busy answering employers’ questions about COVID-19. Next week she’ll share some of her knowledge with us as our featured speaker! On April 29th, our own Michele McClure will talk about financial relief options for local small businesses that are hurting because of the pandemic. 
Along those lines, we were lucky to have Martha Samora this week share her perspective on the COVID-19 situation. As CEO of Encompass Health, Martha is part of the local healthcare team that meets weekly by telephone to strategize and address the virus’ impact on our residents. Martha did have some encouraging news, saying that projections for the virus’ potential peak impact in California and Kern County are improving, likely as a result of our efforts to physically stay away from each other. (Way to go, Bako!) She said local hospital volumes are at record lows, as facilities prepare for a possible influx of people sick with the virus. Martha recommended we look at a website with data hospitals use - COVID19.healthdata.org
Finally, let’s all come together on Saturday to rally behind The Broken Yolk Cafe, and our own Kathy Berry (manager of The Yolk)! If, like me, you go out to pick up food at restaurants now and then, plan to head over to The Broken Yolk on Buena Vista this Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Think old-style/drive-in/eat-in-your-car/wave-at-your-friends kind of dining. Or, just pick up your food, wave hello, and head home. Check your in-box for an email with details from Sandra Parnell, the information is also copied below in the meeting notes.
We are, indeed, better together my friends. Even when we are physically apart. We will get through this—together.
In Rotary Service & Friendship,
Cheryl