Rotary: Visiting Rotarians: Neil Walker, Bakersfield Breakfast Manuel Osorio, Watsonville (Past President, College Admin)

Guests: Louise Weber, Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel, (Cecil Martin's guest)

Speaker: Brooke Antonioni President/CEO Trans West Topic: Halfway to Vision 2020

Invocation: Beautifully spoken by Neil Walker from BBRC

Announcements:
  • Cecil Martin: Update to Moonlight in Casablanca
  • Sandy Foster for Sarah Baron: Scribes meeting 7/28/2010 at 5:15 pm at the Belle Tower (30 minutes before our regular social)
  • Carol Smith: Board Meeting immediately following the 7/28/2010 Rotary Meeting
  • Larry Mueller: Supper Club either 8/13, 8/27 or 9/10. Or could be 8/13 and 9/10
Birthdays: Jeanette Richardson 7/24/2010 John Vasinda 7/25/2010

Anniversaries: John and Jane Tait - 41 years on 7/26/2010

President Carol presented the board members for approval: Lynne Hall, Secretary Denise Knudsen, Treasurer Andrew Fishkin, Sargent at Arms Jeanne Tunnicliff, Community Service John Vasinda, Vocation Bee Barmann, International Motion put to the club by Anne Fonseca, seconded by Larry Mueller. Passed Unanimously

John Vasinda announced the vocational minute on the 1st and 3rd meeting of the month. You can volunteer or John will schedule. Everyone get a turn. It is a vocation minute or two (not the entire rotary program) Tonight John Tait. John spoke about how he stumbled out of the army in 1968, and went into the 1st National Bank of Nevada in So. Lake Tahoe to cash in bonds for college. The bank manager Jack Woods offered him an opportunity to work for the bank while he finished his college education. Banking is more exciting then he would like it. 2 types of Banks. Investment Banks or Commercial Banks. Investment banks are the security trading ones which caused the economy to tank. Commercial Banks, are the banks that serve the community. Right now demands are off, as business are hunkered down watching the economy. Currently 6700 Commercial Banks. 83 Banks own 78% of the 6700 Commercial Banks. This is a Mega Bank Environment. New Compliance Laws make it harder to do business.

Passed the bowl for our Charter Night Baby Peter Nathaniel Swanson. Final Total $600. This was presented to Jeremy who will deposit it on his son and match the Rotary Amount.

Program: Halfway to 2020 Brooke presented the accomplishment made by our community on Vision 2020. To date we are two-thirds of the way to our 2020 goals. 13,000 participated in the original survey

Vision: Attainable Quality of Life, Open Generous Spirit, Proximity and Mobility, Natural Abundance and Prosperity, Unique, Quirky sophistication, Seven Areas: Economic Development Education and Life Long Learning, Quality of Life, Downtown, Community Planning, Transportation, Image - How we see our self Attainable Quality Lifestyle Newcomers quickly ascertain that the California lifestyle is alive and well in Bakersfield. The city offers affordable housing for first-time buyers or added luxury and amenities for families and retirees, as well as a solid education system ideal for growing families.

From its many elementary, middle and high schools to its higher education opportunities at Bakersfield College and California State University, Bakersfield, it is evident that education is a priority in this evolving city. Bakersfield also boasts a diversified healthcare system including seven hospitals that, along with urgent-care facilities, primary-care and specialty-care physicians, and centers of excellence for cardiac and cancer care and treatment, ensure the health needs of the community are well met. With its warm summers and mild winters, outdoor recreational activities are a year-round advantage. The well-maintained paths of the Kern River Parkway extend nearly 20 miles along the banks of the Kern River offering abundant opportunities for walking, cycling and jogging. Soccer, softball and golf thrive in this area, and a plethora of trails are easily accessible for hikers. Water sports, including kayaking and white-water rafting on the majestic Kern River, are a short drive away. Open Generous Spirit From its very beginning, Bakersfield has been a place that extends hospitality and offers sanctuary.

Colonel Baker, for whom the city was named, freely offered the produce of his fields to feed the livestock and weary travelers passing through the area. His generosity and legacy continue today with abundant agriculture and the warm welcome extended by the community. The ethnic diversity reflected in the community and its leadership means there are no barriers to success for people from all walks of life, and opportunities abound for establishing a business in the area. Proximity and Mobility One of Bakersfield's greatest assets is its location. A short drive in any direction will bring you to myriad areas of interest, such as the giant trees of Sequoia National Park or the panoramic vistas of Yosemite's Half Dome and El Capitan. The city is just a few hours from dozens of California's best beaches, scenic deserts and famed tourist attractions, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hollywood and Disneyland. Centrally situated within the state, Bakersfield is easily accessible to both the 99 Freeway and Interstate 5, which run North and South, making drives to Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco straight shots. In addition, the commute to work or play within the city are made with fewer traffic hassles than other metropolitan California communities, getting you to your destination in less time. With its own airport, Meadows Field, offering direct flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Mexico and Las Vegas, as well as several one-stop flights to hundreds of domestic and international destinations, Bakersfield is a gateway for travel Natural Abundance and Prosperity Stroll down the wide streets of the refurbished downtown area, with its landscaped medians and quiet charm. Take a ride on the tree-lined bike path that winds its way through local, scenic areas of interest. Have a picnic in one of the many well-maintained family-friendly parks in the city. Or shop a local farmers market for some of the freshest produce available anywhere. Bakersfield takes great pride in being a leading energy producing area with oil, wind and natural gas resources - and the largest city in the fourth most productive agriculture county in the nation. From the creation of the baby carrots, to one of the largest bottlers of pomegranate juice, to the development of engineering technology to feed the world's need for energy, Bakersfield businesses and residents prosper from ideas with global appeal. Unique, Quirky Sophistication After wandering through the Bakersfield Museum of Art, experiencing a Basque dinner, taking in a concert or show at Buck Owens Crystal Palace or RaboBank Arena, and finishing it off with a visit to a local brewery you will have no doubt that Bakersfield has its own unique sophistication. A veritable melting pot of culture and excellence, Bakersfield is made up of both residents and leaders whose rich, life-experiences make them a valuable asset to the community they serve. With its own art galleries, theaters and museums, Bakersfield has a wealth of culture available to residents. The Bakersfield Museum of Art showcases traveling collections and permanent pieces; stage performances can be enjoyed at the city's many theaters; and the RaboBank Arena and Convention Center offers a wide variety of entertainment from ice hockey to Division I college basketball to concerts by performers such as Elton John and Cher and shows such as "Disney on Ice," "Les Miserables," and Ringling Brothers Circus. A great place to grow a family or simply grow old together, Bakersfield offers the superior lifestyle you've been looking for. Residents agree that whether you're a Bakersfield native or a transplant to the city, once you get here, you're gonna love it. Bakersfield, Life as it should be