Her husband Scott is a PGA pro working out of LA at El Caballero Coutnry Club. Her son, Ira, is an almost 9 year old kiddo who loves soccer and golfing with his dad. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys being with her boys and dachshund, Opie, and seeing what type of mischief they can get into.
Invocation: Justin Leland
Justin shared with us about medical issues facing our own Garro Ellis. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Flag Salute: Jean-Luc Slagle
Song: Ed Tomlinson
Greeter: Juan Bustamante
Roving Mics: Juan Bustamante
GUESTS:
-
Christian Clegg, Program Speaker
-
Russell Sentes, guest of John Mendiburu
-
Alixa Cintron, guest of Juan Bustamente
-
Michael Tree, guest of Karen King
-
Katie Barton, guest of Doc Ervin
-
Jennifer Jensen, guest of Doug Pierce aka Dong Pierce
-
Julie Irvin, guest of Kristin Watson
-
Madeline Abernathy, guest of Cathy Abernathy
-
Enria Khalil, guest of Scott Andrews
-
Terra Haehn Laverty, guest of Ben Laverty
GOOD NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Presidents’ Gala was a huge success. Thank you to Toni Harper for your hard work to make it a stellar night. 583 raffle tickets were sold totalling up to over $21,000 pledged!
Welcome to the club, Don Bonzai-Bynam!
-
Don, a Bakersfield native, attended Garcia's Memorial High School and earned an economics degree at UC Davis, where he excelled as an All-American in the men's swim team. Over the last two decades, he has dedicated his career to commercial real estate brokerage and management at Bynam Inc., where he now serves as an owner and board member.
-
As the founder and CEO of Temblor Brewing Company, a unique establishment that combines a brewery, restaurant, and entertainment venue, Don is deeply passionate about fostering arts and culture in Bakersfield. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is also a musician who has also been honing his skills in Banzai for the past 20 years.
Our community project is on March 23 from 9-12 at CSUB Edible Garden. Sign up with Jean if you are interested in putting your green thumb to work.
NEXT WEEK - All Rotary Club meeting will take place at CTEC (7301 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311) at 12pm. You won’t want to miss it!

We got a deep dive into the great work happening out of India with Dr. Girish Patel with Playful India. Along with Dr. Allen Patel, significant impact has been made through Rotary International, a network boasting 1.4 million members worldwide. In 2021 alone, Rotary invested $333 million in global service initiatives, demonstrating its extensive reach and influence. As a club, we actively engage in international partnerships to align with Rotary's objectives and enhance community well-being locally and globally. Our club’s collaboration with Dr. Patel and Power India exemplifies this commitment. Our club has invested $175,000, leveraging over $700,000 to achieve an impactful nearly $1 million contribution in India. This partnership not only aligns with the mission of our group but also greatly benefits clubs in India. Rotary grants and support have played a vital role in providing essential resources to communities across India, including dialysis centers, medical buses, solar water heaters, two-tier beds, hand and leg prosthetics, vision-aid glasses, cancer detection buses, and smart boards. These contributions have created valuable opportunities for improvement in various aspects of community well-being.
PROGRAM
Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg joined us to share what inspires hope and excitement in our community from his perspective. In the face of challenges during the pandemic, Clegg offered an optimistic perspective, drawn from personal experiences that showcased the city's resilience and the strength of partnerships forged during tough times.
Looking at Bakersfield's growth, Clegg acknowledged the inevitable challenges that come with transforming from a small rural community to the ninth-largest city in California. He stressed the importance of managing and leveraging these changes, framing them not as obstacles but as opportunities for the community. The emphasis was on a thoughtful approach to growth, preserving the city's unique identity while embracing the inevitable shifts.
Turning to the economic landscape, Clegg highlighted the resilience of Kern County's economy despite external pressures. He pointed out untapped resources in the region, seen as key to significant economic development when strategically aligned. From a financial perspective, the city showcased its preparedness with substantial reserves of almost $60 million, a stark contrast to the $5 million held just four years ago.
Looking ahead, Clegg acknowledged concerns about affordability amid unstoppable growth but proposed embracing it as a driver of Bakersfield's economic future. He attributed the city's appeal to its quality of life and community spirit. Addressing challenges directly, he provided a nuanced perspective on homelessness and public safety, underscoring community support and highlighting lower per capita rates compared to other major cities.
Clegg encouraged us to focus on the strength of Bakersfield's people, calling for a shift towards positivity and collaborative efforts. Ongoing projects between the city and county were showcased as successful examples of aligned efforts to address shared challenges. The excitement lies in the potential for the community to shape its own history, stressing the importance of working together in new ways to discover overlooked value. The collective effort is seen as the key to a positive and empowered future for Bakersfield.