Dave is an award-winning custom home builder and remodeler, offering full service from design and finish selections through project completion. Hence his longtime slogan, “Raising the Standard.”
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A letter from the president
Good day everyone,
Our esteemed Waterman Foundation Chair, Mr. Past President Pat Collins, has asked me to remind the Club one more time to please consider making an end-of-year donation to the Waterman Foundation. Please keep in mind that due to COVID we did not get to hold our annual Waterman Fundraiser this year, and therefore we're hoping our membership will consider making an "extra" donation as we closeout 2020.
Remember - the Waterman Foundation is our vehicle to fund annual scholarship and grant monies to local students and non-profit organizations. For your convenience we have partnered with the Kern Community Foundation to make donating to the Waterman Foundation easier than ever. Between now and December 31st you can go to: www.kernfoundation.org/waterman to make a contribution online with ACH or a Credit Card; or you can mail a check to: Waterman, c/o Kern Community Foundation 3300 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, 93301.
Thank you all so much!
Ken Beurmann
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Invocation: Jeff Chandler
Flag Salute: Shawn Kennemer
Guests:
Sue Watson, Business Consultant at Business Initiatives
Julie Irvin, CFO at AC Electric
Jacob Panero, CEO at Varner Brothers
Good News and Announcements:
We have a new Rotarian – Traco Matthews, Chief Program Officer at Community Action Partnership of Kern. Welcome Traco!
Mike McCoy was congratulated for the Californian article about acquiring the Vincent’s sign for the Kern County Museum. But, alas, he was fined for not mentioning Rotary.
It is not too late for your end of year donations to the Waterman Foundation, online at www.kernfoundation.org/waterman.
Bell Ringing this year yielded $6,861.23. That is 90% of last year - not a bad performance given the COVID situation and some of the scheduled locations being unavailable. Jeff Johnson’s team earned almost half of the total at his Wells Fargo location.
Nominations we announced and approved for the 2022/2023 Downtown Rotary Board of Directors
President Elect – Justin Leland, and Directors Lizette Patterson, Sue Benham, Mike McCoy, and Mike Willis. Thank you for your commitment to service!
Ken Keller, Memorial Hospital, was asked for a Covid-19 update:
The COVID positive rates are increasing, exceeding the summer peak. Most alarming is the steep curve;
Vaccinations – all local hospitals have received their initial distribution. Priority will be given first to frontline doctors, nurses, ICU; second to food service, housekeeping; and then to the rest of the medical and support staff. This should be complete by January 1, then on to the rest of the community.
Ken also announced the raising of $139,000 for the Lauren Small Children’s Center.
Just in time for Christmas - Mini Kenny’s Top Five Gifts for Millennials:
- Chill Sack Bean Bag chair so they do not have to grow up;
- Essential Oil Air Diffuser for your essential oils;
- Away Carry-On to charge your devices while traveling;
- Avocaderia cookbook for “natures butter”;
- and Gem Water Reusable Straws to save the earth.
A last minute add-on following today’s program was a slide to go between floors like they are installing at Bitwise, per Amy’s request.
Program:
Amy Thelen, Vice President, Bitwise Industries:
Why they exist – Bitwise started in Fresno to create opportunities for marginalized and underrepresented people with the belief that with training, the San Joaquin Valley had the talent to succeed in a field with a huge upside for employment and a positive impact for the community. Per the Bitwise website, it is a “tech ecosystem, activating human potential to elevate underdog cities around the country.”
Its Geekwise Academy teaches people to code and focuses on building on-ramps for those traditionally left out of the technology industry. They backwards map their programs to meet local job needs. They also train companies, and re-train (re-skill) out of work skilled workers.
Located at 18th and H Streets, Bitwise rents space to entrepreneurs. This can be a private space, or a co-working space. The synergy of this concept is that it brings all the tech connections you need together in one physical space. They will also have a tap room, a casual space open to the public.
And finally, Bitwise has a Custom Software house, where they can create the app or program to satisfy a need that is not currently being addressed.
Altogether, this creates more jobs. The talent is here, just needing the opportunity.
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