The speaker at our regular club meeting on November 30, 2022, was the current President of Rotary Club of Bakersfield West, Richard Middlebrook. Richard has been an attorney for decades specializing in DUI defenses. He gave a very entertaining and informative talk to us about our rights as citizens and how inaccurate the science behind alcohol testing and DUI cases can be. He also reminded us that under our great Constitution, we do not have to answer questions from law enforcement just because they ask us questions. He strongly suggested that we stay quite and not say anything. He told us that he has seen so many innocent people get into serious problems because they kept talking to law enforcement thinking that they can't say anything wrong since they are innocent after all. He suggested that we do not agree to take the field-sobriety test since it is up to the officer's subjective interpretation if we pass or fail it. He also suggested that we refuse to do the breathalyzer test since the science behind that test is not flawless. Instead, he suggested that we offer law enforcement officers to give them a sample of our blood that can be tested for blood-alcohol level. Thank you Richard for a very entertaining and informative program.

 

Nov. 15, 2022, Bakersfield, CA — The Rotary Club Bakersfield Twilight over the past several years has sponsored the Mt. Vernon Elementary School in various education projects, and this year they supported the school’s inaugural Career Awareness Day. Organized by the school principal, Mrs. Xochitl Prieto (zoh-chee  pry-eh-toh), and her staff, several Bakersfield Twilight Rotarians gave up their busy Tuesday morning to share their passion for the business occupations they take a part in.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022, was President Donna Bell's first meeting as our President for this Rotary year. Mr. Jim Damian, President of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club, Ms. Karen Bonanno, President of Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club, Mr. Jeff Barnhard, President of Bakersfield North Rotary Club, and Mr. Aaron Markovitz, President of Bakersfield East Rotary Club, were all in attendance to support President Donna Bell during her first meeting. Our own Kat Clowes presented Past-President, Robin Paggi, and President, Donna Bell, with the three District 5240 Awards that our club received last Rotary year, Bronze Medal Club Award, Vocational Service Award, and Youth Service Award.