Invocation: Ken Beurmann
Flag Salute: Dave Morton
Greeter: Andy Barkate
Roving Mic: Paul Chavez
Guests: Ashley Voorhes was a guest of Toni Harper
Good News Announcements:
In today’s fun fact about the National Park Service, we learned that Yosemite was recognized in 1890 as the third park in the United States. Interestingly, it was the only park to bid for the Olympics in the winter of 1932 -- however it lost.
In good news announcements, Shawn Kennemer announced Bakersfield ARC will be hosting a golf tournament on October 18, 2021 at Rio Bravo Country Club to benefit their edible school yard in Shafter. Please consider enjoying a day on the course while supporting a great cause! You can register online on the Bakersfield ARC website.
__________________________________
In other good news, Rick Anthony announced that the Back2Bake#21 Golf Tournament will be held on October 15 at Rio Bravo Country Club, to support BC football and celebrate homecoming week. Tourney and social is only $140 per golfer and you can register on Eventbrite.com.
__________________________________
Polio Update:
TWO! That is the number of wild poliovirus cases in the world since the new year. Amazing. This feat couldn’t be possible with you and the support of Rotary members around the world.
__________________________________
Please keep Mary Castaneda in your thoughts as she manages some family related issues. She will continue to respond to emails, however it may be a day or two. Hugs to you Mary from all of us.
__________________________________
Program:
Jorge Barrientos introduced Holly Arnold, Stilian Kirov, Gabriel Adame and Kendra Green from the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. BSO has been serving the Kern County community since 1932. It was originally a community orchestra, however became a nonprofit to more wholly meet its mission of education of the arts in Kern County. BSO has served as a partner with the community, ensuring that we close the educational gap as ALL children in Kern County deserve quality music education. They further support economic development across sectors in Kern County.
BSO has regular season programming to include season concerts, holiday convert, community events and educational programs. As with other organizations, BSO had to pivot during the pandemic. One illustration of this success was the Hybrid Young People’s Concert. Last season, the concert reached over 84,000 students -- an increase of 950%! Rural areas in Kern County were the first to sign up, however as the word spread, students from 37 states, Canada and the United Kingdom participated. Job well done!
It takes a team to run the BSO and the Maestro is the leader -- and BSO has an extraordinary one. Stilian Kirov joined the Bakersfield Symphony in the 2014-2015 season. Originally from Bulgaria, he lived in Paris and eventually the United States as a student at Julliard. After graduating, he lived in Memphis, Seattle, New Jersey, and Sarasota, Florida. He has received a number of distinguished awards throughout his career, and has conducted major orchestras world wide. It is always a pleasure to have Stilian speak at Downtown Rotary, as his passion for music is infectious--in addition to being informative and entertaining.
The 2021-2022 concert season opened on October 9 and will continue November 6, December 3, March 5, April 2 and May 7. Please consider purchasing season tickets to support this phenomenal organization right here at home. Congrats to Molly Bussacca and Mike Willis for winning season tickets!
.jpg){kind=logo}
