Spoke Editor Profile:
Ally Triolo is the Chief Communications Officer for Kern County and a former AM newsie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin (hook ‘em!) with a broadcast journalism degree and landed her first TV gig coincidentally in her grandparents’ hometown. Ally feels their spirit every day, especially at Downtown Rotary meetings, where her grandfather, Walter Condley, served as a member for many years.
Greeter:
Jason Cater
Invocation:
Jeff Gutierrez
Flag Salute:
Michael George
Song:
Bee Barmann led a beautiful rendition of Over the River and Through the Woods!
Roving Mic:
Jordan Kaufman
Good News & Announcements:
Aaron Falk encouraged our club to join the Kern Community Foundation for their inaugural Volunteer Big Kern event, hosted in partnership with Blue Zones Project Bakersfield. Volunteer Big Kern is Kern County's newest one-day volunteer event. For more information, please contact
Teems Tulfo at
fatima@kernfoundation.org.
Steve Sanders reminded us that the 2024 HolidayLights at CALM will kick off Saturday, November 30, and last through January 4, 2025. Purchase your tickets now at
calmholidaylights.org.
Justin Leland gave a fantastic update on Garro Ellis’ recovery. He is starting to walk again – the miracle of answered prayers!!!
Clinton Trimmer shared the 2024 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is officially live! Donate
HERE to help local families in need.
Dave Whelden also reminded our club to sign up for bell ringing as part of the 2024 Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign and donate to the president’s kettle this holiday season. (Jim Damian told me 20 times that he holds the record – so let’s please work to put an end to his incessant bragging!!!)
Bill Lever is looking for volunteers and donations for Wreaths Across America. Their mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who served, and teach the value of freedom to younger generations. You can sponsor a wreath or volunteer at the Bakersfield National Cemetery on Wreaths Across America Day, December 14, 2024, at 9 a.m. Learn more
here.
President’s Note: Don’t forget to sign up for autopay this holiday season! Staying current with your Rotary dues is the gift that keeps on giving all year long. To get started, login to ClubRunner, you know, that account you’ve been avoiding or have likely forgotten your password too! It’s so easy, even Nik Boone can do it!
We also welcomed new member Julie Irvin, Senior Vice President of Operations at AC Electric, to our Rotary family. We’re grateful to have you and your talent in our club!
Program:
I don’t know about you, but this week’s program inspired me to get up extra early and hit the gym!
We were honored to welcome Cal State Bakersfield’s Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Ari Wideman, to the podium. She filled the room with inspiration, energy, and motivation, as she shared how she’s growing the next generation of basketball superstars with leadership and heart.
Wideman is the fourth Head Coach in the history of CSUB’s women's basketball program and took the helm of the squad in spring of 2024.
Wideman brought an unprecedented perspective to the `Runners as she became the first woman to lead the CSUB women's basketball team dating back to the program's inception in 2000. She was also the first Black, female Head Coach in the 50-plus year history of CSUB Athletics.
The 2023-24 season saw Wideman serve as an assistant coach for the University of Toledo women's basketball team. Prior to her year at Toledo, Wideman was the Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at Arkansas State during the 2022-23 season after spending the previous four years in the same role at San José State.
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