Greeter: Jorge Barrientos
Invocation: Jeff Gutierrez
Flag Salute: Serene Batisti
Song: “God Bless America” – Bee Barmann with piano by John Calanchino
Roving Mic: Jim Damian
SPOKE EDITOR PROFILE:
Jean-Luc Slagle is the owner of the creative + media agency: Scope Studios. Scope specializes in creating videos and other media that engages audiences for brands, agencies, and in-house marketing teams. When he’s not working, he can be found spending time with his Wife (Haley) and his dog (Toulouse), playing and recording music, or answering a relentless barrage of existential questions from his 2 year old son Rylo.
After some minor technical difficulties, Kristen Watson began the meeting with a special thanks to Mike Willis (The Spoke Editor) and last week's correspondent Jorge Barrientos for their contributions to The Spoke. Many Rotarians like Monsignor Braun, unable to attend live meetings, looks forward to getting his issue each week in his inbox.
GUESTS:
- Luke Rosenleib, son of Jay Rosenleib
- Betty Eaves, wife of Ron Eaves for 43 years
- Erika Harper, Director of Counseling Psychology Program at CSUB and wife of Vernon Harper
- No Guests from Juan Bustamante
- Chad Fussy, friend and workout partner of Ben Laverty
GOOD NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Kristen Watson applauded the efforts of Mayor Karen Goh and Janelle Capra in the 2024 State of the City event held on Wednesday, July 17. (A rotary moment that passed the Bechdel Test, and a chance to reflect on all of the incredible female leaders in our midst)
- Dr. Vernon Harper announced that CSUB was named among Money’s 2024 Best Colleges in America University rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in ranking of more than 700 institutions.
- Amy Travis of First Five Kern announced a $15 Million Dollars of funding ($5M/year over the next 3 years) that it will invest in children's programs in the community.
- Kristen Watson also reminded the group of the upcoming social event after next week's meeting (July 25th) at Imbibe at 5 PM. The first round of drinks is on her! (Or the club?) This is part of a new effort to connect members socially at gatherings like this once every month. [Editor's Note: Plan on taking home a Tommy's pizza (located inside), you'll thank me later]
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President Watson continued the “Where In the World is Rotary” game by showing the outline of a country and allowing members of the audience to guess. Scotland was guessed correctly by “The Smart Table” but also guessed correctly by Don Bynum who sat at my table but didn’t yell it out because he wasn’t starving for attention. (oooooo burn) The club went on to discuss Scotland facts further, including something about golf with the help of Aaron Falk, but nothing about Scotch, unfortunately.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Shannon LeBare will be leading the programs committee as its chair.
- July 25: Lora Brown and Fairfax School District
- August 1: David Coffey and “Bakersfield Built”
- August 15: JP Lake, Kelly Youngstrom, David Higdon, and Kern Venture Group
- August 22: Becca Bland, Derek Abbot, and Tejon Ranch
- August 29: DARK
PROGRAM
Jeramy Brown joined us to talk about The Kitchen—Bakersfield's premier teaching kitchen. The Kitchen focuses on purchasing directly from local farms (within a 50 mile radius) and providing guided cooking classes, private events, teaching opportunities, and unique dining experiences to Kern County.
After a blazing 90-second account of his operation, and a brief, mind-blowing comment that sommelier literally translates to “Wine Slave” in French, Jeramy took questions from the audience. Some notable takeaways included:
- Jeramy is 5th Generation of a Basque family and worked in The Chalet Basque Restaurant from age 14 with his Mother, Aunt, and Grandma.
- He moved to Europe through Sport and a glass of White Wine in France changed his outlook on food and drink and believed great culinary experiences can transport you.
- The Kitchen is currently serving a menu based on variations of Tomatoes, all of which are local and in-season.
- Part of Jeramy’s vision for the Kitchen is not only to provide a great culinary experience for guests but to provide living wages and careers for staff and the farmers who supply the ingredients.
- Rather than keep consistent menu items, The Kitchen’s menu rotates each month based on what is in season.
- Vin Dang (who speaks French fluently) gave a glowing testimonial of the private dining experience that Jeramy and The Kitchen provide for Team Building.
- August will introduce a menu based on grapes.
- “Fine Dining should be the one luxury that everyone should be able to afford.”
- Bee Barmann went on a strange diatribe about Fuerte Avocados from eScOnDIDo.
Jeramy wrapped things up with an optimistic take that Kern County may be due for a resurgence of fine dining restaurants and urged audience members to be patient and kind with new restaurant owners who operate on razor-thin margins—especially in fine dining.
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