Happy Spots: Marilee Reagor traveled recently to Seattle to see a Seahawk game and brought a stuffed Seahawk toy to the Prez.  Samy Abiaoui was happy to have his son Gabriel with him. Bobbie Hake recently returned from a trip to Bozeman, Mt and Yellowstone Park visiting her sister. Bobbie brought back a “bear bell” as a gift to Kay (to ward off any future bears). Marlene Heise was happy to see a Bonnie Raitt concert recently at Vina Robles in Paso Robles. Martha Samora was not very happy her oldest son accepted a job in Houston and took her grandson with him. She was fined $50 for her ad and picture in Bakersfield Life magazine. Mike George was happy to have recently gone scuba diving at Catalina Island and receiving a new certification.

Recognitions: Neil Walker and Dave Spalinger were fined for being to casually dressed at the meeting; both were wearing shorts (Dan Johnson is exempt, always) and fined $20 for Dave (paid by Marlene?) and $10 for Neil (paid for by Gina?) If all their fines were paid by women, this might start a trend. Michele Cooper received her permanent badge. Stephanie, Cherryl, Bobbie and Mary Jo were all fine-free for the day for names on the Links for Life Wall of Hope.

Community service: Mike George and others participated in presenting the SEAL Center with school supplies from the club. They were very ecstatic about them. Heather Ward was presented with her first Paul Harris Fellowship award at the club meeting. Bobbie Hake announced that Golden Valley HS Interact club was going down to Pasadena to help with decorating the parade float on Dec 10th. They need help with transportation.

Program Notes:Kyle Carter was our guest today. Kyle is a candidate for Mayor of Bakersfield. Kyle started building homes when he was 22 years old and has started 20 businesses during his career. Kyle donates a lot of his time in community activities and with civic programs. He feels that a lot more economic development is needed in Bakersfield and should be emphasized. His talk centered on water, education, safe neighborhoods, and veterans. Water: Kyle wants to work on water issues and look at other possible water sources, such as the desalinization of salty water extracted from oil and gas wells. He doesn’t believe that additional water will come from northern Calif. (not willing to let southern Calif have more). Education: Kyle feels Bakersfield College is the key to vocational training and education. He thinks we need more vocational training and wants to promote a four year degree in “automation” for example. Kyle is a supporter of Measure J. Safe neighborhoods: Kyle mentioned that certain crimes have increased in Bakersfield because of legislation like AB 109 passing which released more prisoners into our city sooner than they would have. Kyle wants to work on making our city safer but he did not elaborate on this much. He encouraged us to vote No on Prop 57 which would let even more prisoners out sooner. Veterans’: Kyle is a big supporter of veterans and would like to do more for them. Kyle finished his talk with Q & A from the club. Topics included highway cleanup using novel equipment currently being used in other communities that is much faster and can do the job in a fraction of the time. He mentioned he would like to promote new building in blighted areas of Bakersfield to attract work and businesses there. He would like to see “Old” town Bakersfield and downtown improved.

Recognitions: Neil Walker and Dave Spalinger were fined for being to casually dressed at the meeting; both were wearing shorts (Dan Johnson is exempt, always) and fined $20 for Dave (paid by Marlene?) and $10 for Neil (paid for by Gina?) If all their fines were paid by women, this might start a trend. Michele Cooper received her permanent badge. Stephanie, Cherryl, Bobbie and Mary Jo were all fine-free for the day for names on the Links for Life Wall of Hope. Paul Harris Fellow - Heather Ward received her first Paul Harris Fellow.  Heather is also the first person to receive a Paul Harris as a result of the weekly point drawing!  Heather won the drawing at least twice, received points from another who had won the drawing and had contributed to The Rotary Foundation.  Congratulations Heather!   Next week’s program: Club Assembly Drawing winners: Neil Walker and yours truly; Neil also won the Paul Harris points.