A Publication of Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club January 31, 2007, Volume 26

Bakersfield is Flying High -by Guest Editor Mike Stepanovich [Editor’s Note: Past President Neil Walker rashly agreed to take the place of your absentee editor this week, but found himself snowed under and unable to follow through. He talked our good ol’ Rotarian buddy and media person extraordinaire Mike Stepanovich into taking over. Neil did act as guest photographer. Thanks, guys!]

Jack Gotcher, Kern County Airports direc-tor, and Teresa Hitchcock, Kern County Airports marketing Meeting Notes manager, presented an informative program on the Talk about gallows humor: President Larry Mueller growth of Bakersfield's opened the meeting by deadpanning, "It's good to be . here. I'd rather be here than at Cecil's establishment." Bakersfield is the fast- Luckily immediate Past President Cecil Martin of est growing airport in Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary didn't hear that. At the West, Gotcher said, least President Larry didn't refer to Cecil as "Digger," as with a 42 percent Past President Mike O'Dougherty once did. growth rate. With Speaking of almost getting buried, Sam Kemper was growth comes a need on the hot seat for about 5 seconds, but - will miracles for parking, and the never cease? - walked in just in time to lead the airport has planned for invocation. Talk about a close call. His stirring invocation additional parking, up no doubt saved him a healthy fine. Following the flag to 2,000 spaces, salute led by Pete Leveroni, Carol Smith led a stirring compared to the 850 now available. The airport's second rendition of "God Bless America." Greeters David Lari has been lengthened to 7,700 feet, and plans and Shaun Kelly did a fine job, but that wasn't the last are in the works to lengthen the main runway from we heard from Shaun that day. Turns out it was not only 10,600 feet to 12,000 feet. If the growth continues as his 13th anniversary with the club but also his birthday. projected, a third runway could be built in about 20 years. As BBRCers arrived, pianist Wendell Kinney regaled BFL now has flights to Houston, Las Vegas, members with the USC fight song (President Larry just Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Los can't seem to get rid of those Trojans!). After first Angeles, he said, adding that talks are under way with learning of the existence of Dallas, Oregon a couple to offer direct flights to Denver. If weeks ago from Wendell, the place has become a Frontier came to BFL, it would join Continental, Delta, veritable bad penny: it keeps showing up. Gary Fachin America West/USAir and United. ExpressJet has also announced that one of his relatives was moving to - you announced that it will begin offering service to as yet guessed it - Dallas, Oregon. One wag also noticed that unnamed cities. Mexicana Airlines is expected to begin Vince "Gee, you're here two weeks in a row" Fong offering international service to Guadalajara, Mexico, in was in attendance. March. Focus for the future is on air cargo, Gotcher said. Katrina Ricker announced that the Foothill High Talks are ongoing with a Chinese cargo carrier that is Interact Club was having a highway cleanup this already bringing in multiple flights per week to California. Saturday at 9 a.m. President Larry returned to form when he spotted new member Jeff Lemucchi and quipped, "It's good when you induct a new member and Don’t forget Charter Night! he actually shows up." th Not-quite-as-new member Laurie Price thought February 10 at the Bell Tower Club on the corner of L she'd never get her blue badge, but President Larry Street and Truxtun Avenue. RSVP to Susan Eaton. showed his softer side (and not his stomach, either). He Also, February 21st is NOT DARK. We will be meeting asked her to read the names of those members who had at the usual time at the Petroleum Club. --continued on Page 2

Meeting Notes the club is dark next Wednesday because of Charter --continued from Page 1 Night. He also announced the club would be light - not dark - on February 21st. He said February 21st was not signed her roster. When she got to Sam Kemper, a the date the six Rotary Club presidents in Bakersfield collective "Whoaaaaa!" went up from the crowd. Lori had set for the six-club luncheon, but since they hadn't quickly secured Sam's initials, and almost as quickly arranged for the luncheon, BBRC would meet that received her blue badge. Congratulations, Laurie! morning as usual in the Petroleum Club. He also came up with one that Yogi Berra would be proud of. Noticing that Hajir Nuriddin was present, he quickly said, "Lt. Hajir (of the Bakersfield Police) is here this morning. I hear we've only had one murder so far this year. I think that's just great (perhaps not so great for the victim). Let's hear it for the police department." Speaking of Charter Night, Susan Eaton said the annual event is Saturday, February 10th, at the Bell Tower Club - not to be confused with the Hightower Club - at the corner of Truxtun and L downtown. She urged people to RSVP so she could get a headcount. Finemaster Howie Wass fattened the BBRC coffers when he nailed seven - count 'em - seven members at 10-bucks a pop for trips: Gerry Starr (Las Vegas and New York), Sandy Foster (Lake Tahoe), Marlene Heise (Grand Caymen), Marianne Buoni (China), Pete Leveroni (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), Sarah Baron Laurie Price celebrates turning blue with President Larry (Germany), and Lori Malkin (Cabo San Lucas), who is also becoming a grandmother. Howie said he was sort of President Larry was in a good mood, as he added to startled by the landslide business as he had really only his pile of loot with some sort of CD. He announced that known about Marlene.

Look for next week’s mega-issue, celebrating Super Bowl insanity and Charter Night mayhem!

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Bakersfield Breakfast Club Duty Roster

MONTH DATE GREETERS(2) – 6:30 am INVOCATION FLAG SALUTE INTRODUCTIONS 7 DARK FOR CHARTER NIGHT 14 Leech/Martin Merriman Leveroni Malkin February 21 Lemucchi, Jeff/Simmons Price Samora Garcia 28 Nuridden/Paggi Morasci McClintock Maxwell 7 TBA TBA TBA TBA March 14 TBA TBA TBA TBA 21 TBA TBA TBA TBA

Need a Make-up Meeting? BBRC Past Presidents Meeting Day Rotary Club Meeting Place Time 2005-2006 Cecil Martin Bakersfield South Holiday Inn Select Noon 2004-2005 Michael O’Doherty 2003-2004 Neil Walker Monday Inyokern Homestead Restaurant 6:30 am 2002-2003 Harley Pinson Wasco Valley Rose Golf Course Noon 2001-2002 Susan Eaton 1st & 3rd Mondays Bakersfield College Rotaract BC Executive Board Room 6:00 pm 2000-2001 Don Trybul Mike Daniel Bakersfield North Holiday Inn Select Noon Tuesday 1999-2000 Paul Cooper Foothill High Interact Club Foothill High 7:15 am 1998-1999 Mike Daniel Bakersfield West Stockdale Country Club Noon 1997-1998 Ray Geigle 1996-1997 Bonnie Crawford China Lake Heritage Inn Noon 1995-1996 Carl Leech Shafter Minner Air Field Café 6:30 am Wednesday 1994-1995 John Tait Bakersfield Breakfast Petroleum Club 6:45 am 1993-1994 Greg Smith Taft Jo’s Restaurant Noon 1992-1993 John Vasinda 1991-1992 Bill Jones Bakersfield High Interact Bakersfield High School 2:40 pm 1990-1991 Glen Ray Bakersfield Art Museum Noon 1989-1990 Mike Kirkwood Tehachapi Kelcy’s Restaurant Noon Howie Wass 1988-1989 Howie Wass Delano Mary’s Heavenly Bites Noon Thursday 1987-1988 Craig Holland Frazier Mountain Dream Caste Café (Frazier 7:00 am 1986-1987 Anil Mehta Communities Park) 1985-1986 Bob Bryant Kern River Valley Ewings (Kernville) 7:00 pm 1984-1985 Sid Chapin 1983-1984 Gerry Starr Friday Bakersfield East Veteran’s Hall Noon 1982-1983 John McWhorter

For questions or information BBRC Board of Directors BBRC Committee Chairs about Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary, write: President – ...... Larry Mueller Sergeants-At-Arms ...... Howie Wass, Vice President ...... Cecil Martin Ken Quarnberg, Bob P.O. Box 2568 President Elect ...... Ed Knudson Bryant Bakersfield, CA 93303 Fellowship...... Steve Teglia & Michael Secretary...... Carol E. Smith Or visit our Website: Turnipseed Treasurer...... Denise Knudson Rotary Information ...... Harry Bryant www.bbrc.org Club Service...... Bret Cross Web Editor...... Neil Walker Comments or suggestions International Service...Pete Leveroni Programs ...... Jim Bell about the content or the Fund Raising ...... Greg Desme Club Awards ...... Bret Cross format of The Beacon should New Generations...... Katrina Ricker Music ...... Carol Smith Publicity ...... Gina Hayden be addressed to: Membership...... Harry Bryant Family of Rotary ...... Sister Judy Morasci Dr. Dixie L. King, Editor Vocational Service...... Jim Bell Foundation President...... Ed Knudson [email protected] Community Service ....Becky Smith President Elect Nominee .. Jim Bell

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