Ken Keller announced that Mechanics Bank Arena will now be Dignity Health arena going forward. This was a huge undertaking and Dignity is excited to support the community bringing additional health programming to the community and local nonprofits. 

Scott Hamilton announced the birth of his first grandchild! Huge congratulations to Scott and your family. 

Mike McCoy announced it is his nine year anniversary to a hot kindergarten teacher. Congrats Mike! Here’s to many more. 

 

Andrea Hansen announced that Defying Gravity, a partnership between League of Dreams and Kern Dance alliance will be taking place to support children and families who are differently abled. Tickets are available now on the website https://kerndance.org/.

 

President Watson wooed us with incredible facts during “Where is in the world is Rotary?”  The answer was Spain. Interestingly, clubs were banned for several decades during the 1900s and now there are only 28 clubs as they make a resurgence. Spain is a constitutional monarchy and the world's 15th largest economy. Spain is the host to the running of the bulls, which has taken place for over 400 years and is the home to La sagrada Familia, a large cathedral whose construction has been ongoing for a century.

 

Today’s program highlighted Molly and Willie Rivera, owners of Campo Bar and Bottle. Molly and Willie both have deep roots in Bakersfield and a shared passion for hospitality. Molly, a Bakersfield native, studied Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly SLO and built her career in the wine industry, gaining experience in France, Sonoma, New York, and Morro Bay before returning home. Her travels and industry knowledge helped shape Campo’'s unique mission and atmosphere over the past three years.

 

Willie was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Bakersfield at age 10. With a natural talent for leadership, he became the youngest member of the Bakersfield City Council at 22. Now working in Corporate Affairs at Berry Petroleum, he remains closely involved with Campo, often lending a hand behind the bar. Together, Molly and Willie bring their expertise, passion, and community-driven spirit to create a welcoming space at Campo.

 

Molly and her husband recognized a gap in Bakersfield's offerings and seized the opportunity to create something unique.  Their solution? A 900-square-foot wine and bites bar, located on G Street between 18th and 19th streets.  Launched in October 2021, their establishment has thrived by consistently offering a dynamic experience.  This includes a rotating wine-by-the-glass menu updated bi-weekly, showcasing selections from smaller, more artisanal global winemakers.  Surprisingly, the opening process proved smoother than anticipated, thanks to the welcoming nature of Bakersfield's city officials, permitting agencies, and the overall supportive business environment.  Their success is evident in their upcoming expansion:  they'll be doubling their space within the next month.  Further enhancing the customer experience, they regularly host special events featuring winemakers, live music, and curated food and wine pairings. 

 

 

Willie highlighted the significant time commitment required to run a small business as its most challenging aspect.  He emphasized that the hours far exceed the posted business hours, demanding a level of dedication that extends well beyond the typical workday.  However, he lightheartedly countered this by saying that if one must be a "slave" to their work, owning a bar is at least a relatively enjoyable form of servitude. He and his wife acknowledge the demanding nature of the work but clearly find personal fulfillment in the business.

 

Thank you to Molly and Willie, who brought a few bottles to taste (which was VERY appreciated by some people)! To stay informed about the events and other news, visit their website and join their email list.