The Spoke March 16, 2017 (Mar 16, 2017)

Invocation by Jason Cater
Pledge led by Dick Porter
Song by Linda Snoddy on the bagpipes.

Volunteers needed

Bob Snoddy let us know that the Kern County Scottish Society is getting ready for their annual Scottish Games on March 25^th. Volunteers are needed. If you’d like to volunteer, please call 865-8890.

Good News Announcements

Garro Ellis shared that the Waterman Foundation Committee has made its decision on this year’s grant. It will go to the Bakersfield Police Activities League to support their solar project which will save them at least $250k over the next 10 years.
Sheryl Barbich shared that Merle’s Boxcar home is almost ready for prime time! There will be an event on April 4^th at the Museum, all are encouraged to attend. Steve Sanders and Bob LaRude will be pouring beer!
Jim Baldwin shared that BARC and the Boy Scouts are having a fundraising golf tournament on Monday April 10^th at Seven Oaks Country Club.
Tracy reminded us about our one and only Waterman Foundation Fundraiser this year which will be Havana Nights at the lovely home of Shawn and Teresa Shambaugh. All are encouraged to attend and bring friends, sponsorships are still available. The event will be on Thursday April 20^th from 6-10 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Police Activities League Solar Project plus CSUB and BC scholarships.

Our guest speaker was David Harrington who is Jon Sampson’s brother-in-law and by day he is the Chief Operating Officer for the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS).

CNS is a post-acute head trauma rehab facility right here in Bakersfield. They also have locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco and two sites in Texas. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

David shared with us that there are approximately 3.5 million head injuries per year and no two are ever the same. Their approach to rehab is unlike any other and patients come to them from all over the world. They are the top rehab facility in the US.

The most common type of injury is what they call Coupe Contra Coupe, this is when the brain moves back and forth within the skull and causes wide spread damage and can also cause brainstem damage.

They work to retrain the brain / rewire it from the damaged synapses to new ones. Therapies include: physical, occupational, cognitive, speech and behavioral. Care is not only provided in the clinic setting during the day, but independent living skills are taught in the residential rehab program where the clients live.

Guests and Visitors

Club Guests included Bob Snoddy, Jenine Snoddy and Linda Snoddy. Jon Sampson brought his father Gary Sampson, Holly Culhane brought her daughter Dana Brennan who is one of our favorite past members! Sheryl Barbich also had a past member as her guest, Bruce Freeman and Ray Watson’s guest was Rami Mislih. There were no visiting Rotarians.