U P C O M I N G P R O G R A M S

March 10

Jay Rosenlieb

March 17

Horace Mitchell

The Convict Lake Rescue

Lesson Learned From Wrestling

February 24

Jim McConnell

March 3

Steve Schilling & Robert Severs

Bakersfield Adult School

Healthcare Reform

February 17, 2011

This Week

Program Chair

Anticipating that the day’s schedule would run a bit long,called the meeting to order somewhat early, at about 12:10 p.m.

Always anxious to enliven his opening ceremonies by departing from tra-dition, he interjected a comment that the date represented Jim Clark’s17th anniversary of joining Bakersfield Rotary. Recovering from thismeandering, he called upon to intercede with aHigher Power on behalf of the club by giving the invocation. Richardhelped to lend stability to the meeting by doing a really solid job of pray-ing. Harry then noted that each week one of the club’snewer members, helped in arranging the participants in the opening cer-emonies, and that Steve himself would lead the day’s flag salute; likeRichard, Steve fulfilled his assignment with what Harry termed “alarm-ing efficiency” (no one but the Prez seemed alarmed). Harry followedthis success by announcing that new musical talent frequently emergedfrom the club’s ranks, and that had recently been discov-ered to meet that description. Chuck stepped to the podium and led theassembly through the without any help fromChristina Aguilera.

President Harry then proceeded to introduce those persons at thehead table: Program Co-Chairman the day’s speaker,

and

Apparently emboldened by his success in acknowledging JimClark’s club anniversary, the Prez moved yet again out of the normalsequence of club meeting agenda items and embarked on the recogni-tion of another very significant milestone: he reported that the day wasalso the fortieth anniversary of member founding of asmall ambulance company. Through Harvey’s subsequent dedication

President

Harry

Richard Chapman

Steve Fuller,

Chuck Michel

Don Clark, Bill

“Tiger” Destefani, General Jim Whitehead, Chuck Michel Joe

Colombo.

Harvey Hall’s

Star Spangled Banner

February 10, 2011 Meeting

Ken Secor, Editor

Continued on page 2.

All Club

Meeting

DoubleTree

The speaker will bean Emmy award-winning

journalist who has held numerousbroadcasting positions around thecountry. For the past decade, shehas been seen on the CBS stationin Seattle as anchor, reporter anddocumentary producer. She hasbeen named a Paul Harris Fellowfive times for her humanitarianwork with Rotary in Africa. Rotary

has invited her todeliver a keynote speech on polioat the 2011 International conven-tion in New Orleans.

Penny

LeGate,

International President Ray

Klinginsmith

to high standards, quality of care, and good management, Hall Ambu-lance has become the preeminent private ambulance service in Califor-nia, and a leader throughout the nation. As Mayor of Bakersfield, Harveyhimself stands as a model of committed community service. Harry con-gratulated Harvey on his business success and his contributions to Bak-ersfield and Kern County, and indicated that cake would be served tocommemorate the occasion. He also remarked on Harvey’s very nattyattire in the Hall Ambulance colors.

The Prez then condescended to return to the regular club agenda.He called upon Acting Sergeant-at-Arms to handle intro-ductions of visiting Rotarians and of guests of the club or of club mem-bers. Dave announced that the visiting Rotarians were:(Bakersfield Twilight club) and (Bakersfield East). Guestswere numerous: in absentia, ex-member was hosting HallAmbulance representativesand (also a Bakersfield Breakfast Rotarian); Don Clarkhad with him and PresidentHarry had invited hadunder his wing; and brought

Once again not recognized by the Prez, but still doing a good job forRotary, were roving microphone wielders and

Harry called on visiting from the Bakersfield Twilightclub, for an announcement about the “Moonlight In Casablanca” charityfund-raiser event being sponsored by the Twilight club on March 11. It willbe held at the Epic Jet Center at Meadows Field, and will be a splashy eve-ning featuring an auction, gaming, and dancing to a live band. To fosterthe Casablanca environment, male attendees are encouraged to wear awhite dinner jacket, and females to dress accordingly. The members ofthe new club are hoping for a lot of support from their fellow Rotarians inthe area. More information can be obtained by calling 661.619.1995.

President Harry took a moment to remind the club members presentof the importance of the Waterman Foundation in supporting the Bakers-field Rotary commitment to community involvement. He noted that therehad been a recent dip in contributions to the Foundation, and asked thatall members consider increased giving.

The Prez next turned the podium over to and for theirannual presentation of the Ford Dimension students. Dan took the micro-phone from Harry just about long enough to pass it to Mikie to handle thepresentation as the program’s ongoing and very dedicated manager.Mikie indicated that Jim Burke’s Ford Dimension, with its emphasis onvolunteerism, career development and business ethics, was now in its37th year and has produced more than 350 outstanding alumni, many ofwhom have achieved significant recognition in their diverse fields ofendeavor. She also took a moment to indicate that the Jim Burke Foun-dation supported a second initiative, the Dream Builder personal devel-opment program currently accommodating 22 students through thestrong sponsorship of several major business entities active in the com-munity.

Dave Plivelich

Robin Paggi

Quon Louey

Fred Drew

Linda Hood, Jackie Att, Darrell Stapley

Kevin Burnson

Chris Krauter, Joe Colombo Bob West;

Nona Darling; Jeff Green Donna Carpenter

Larry Reider Christine Frazier.

Ben Hanson Diane

Duquette.

Robin Paggi,

Dan Mikie Hay

Announcements & Recognitions…

Continued from page 1.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

ROTARY OFFICE

- NoonPetroleum Club

- NoonVeterans Hall on Poplar Ave.

- NoonPetroleum Club

- 6:00 p.m.Torres Steakhouse

- NoonStockdale Country Club

- NoonVictoria’s at Heritage Inn

- 6:30 a.m.Shafter Vet’s Hall

- 6:45 a.m.Petroleum Club

- NoonJo’s Restaurant

- 6:00 p.m.Bell Tower Club

- 5:30 p.m.Los Pinos Restaurant

NoonBakersfield Art Museum

- NoonKelcy’s Restaurant

- NoonHistorical Society

- 6:00 p.m.Kern Valley Golf Course

NoonVeteran’s Hall

Bakersfield South

Wasco

Bakersfield North

Inyokern

Bakersfield West

China Lake

Shafter

Bakersfield Breakfast

Taft

Bakersfield Twilight

Frazier Park Rotary

Bakersfield Downtown -

Tehachapi

Delano

Kern River Valley

Bakersfield East -

Phone: (661) 325-0696

Area Meetings

Continued on page 3.

Officers

Board of Directors

R.I. President

District 5240 Governor

Assistant Governor

Group Representative

Rotary Office

Harry Starkey..........................Stephanie Weber ....................Shawn Kelly ............................Ben Taft ..............................

........................Cathy Abernathy....................................Richard Mallard.......................................Dave Plivelich.......................................Jay Rosenlieb

......................Bernie Barmann...........................................Karen King.........................................Dave Morton......................................Steve Sanders

......................................Duane Keathly

...............................Tracy Walker Kiser

Bakersfield Twilight

President

Secretary

Treasurer

Sgt.-at-Arms

1 year

2 years

Past President

President Elect 2010-2011

Kirksvill, Missouri, USA

Solvang

Bakersfield North

Ray Klinginsmith

Deepa Willingham

Cecil Martin

Dan Panero

P.O. Box 1628, 93302

Phone: (661) 325-0696

FAX: (661) 322-2311

staff@bakersfield-rotary.com

www.bakersfield-rotary.com

OfficersMikie then introduced nine of the ten Ford Dimension senior stu-dents, who were:

and She noted that the tenth student,would have also been present if Victoria’s mother had not forgotten to gether excused from classes! Mikie also commented on the students’ futureacademic plans, which were extremely impressive and involved work atsome of the nation’s finest universities.

President Harry also reminded the members present about his previ-ous announcement of a joint meeting of the Bakersfield clubs on Thurs-day, February 17, at the Doubletree Hotel. He encouraged all memberspresent to attend for what is being billed as an outstanding program.Your newsletter editor timidly raised his hand to note that Harry had notas yet provided either the name of the speaker or the subject of (her) pre-sentation. Harry tried to gloss over this obvious lack of information bystarting to expand on your editor’s value to Rotary. Realizing this strata-gem and seeing that nothing further was to be gained, your editorretreated from the discussion lest he might incur the Prez’s ire.

The Prez turned the podium over to to introduce the day’sprogram. Don modestly noted that there was someone else present atthe head table who was better suited than he to handle that assignment,and asked to step forward. The General presentedhis friend Bakersfield native, local farmer, Viet-nam veteran and nationally prominent air racing pilot. Among his manysuccesses in racing are seven first place finishes in the Gold Unlimitedclass at the Reno National Air Races. His racing career has primarilybeen built around Strega (“Witch” in Italian), a highly-modified World WarII P-51 Mustang based at the Team Strega headquarters at Minter Field.

Bill Destefani moved to the microphone and commented that he wasunsure why he had been invited to speak, because in real life he was justa farmer from “downtown Old River.” He then indicated that he had beenflying old fighter planes for quite a while, and had been involved in air rac-ing for about 30 years. His motivation for the latter was the competition,and any success he had achieved was because he “didn't like to lose.”He noted that when one is flying a machine with huge horsepower about50 feet off the ground at about 500 miles an hour, one’s attention needs tobe considerably ahead of the airplane! Bill had brought with him a videoto illustrate the racing environment, but the accom-panying audio refused to play through the availableBakersfield Rotary technology; so he did his best to supply it on an adhoc basis. Bill indicated that the plane in the video had started its life as aNorth American Mustang P-51D in 1945. Its engine is a 1650 cubic inchRolls Royce Merlin that, with the extensive modifications done by Bill’steam, now develops about 4,000 horsepower. It runs on special fuel withan octane number in excess of 169 – and then the team further spikes itup with a touch of liquid manganese to adjust combustion! Additionally,a 50-50 mix of methanol and water is injected into the engine for internalcooling and a tad more horsepower. Other modifications have included

Cory Barker, Lauren Cline, Dwyane Facho, Alex

Gomez, Corey Hobbs, Brandon Louey, Jocelyn McGill, Sarah Moore

Vid Reddy. Victoria Nakagawa,

Don Clark

General Whitehead

Bill “Tiger” Destefani,

Program…

Continued from page 2.

Continued on page 4.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

ROTARY OFFICE

- NoonPetroleum Club

- NoonVeterans Hall on Poplar Ave.

- NoonPetroleum Club

- 6:00 p.m.Torres Steakhouse

- NoonStockdale Country Club

- NoonVictoria’s at Heritage Inn

- 6:30 a.m.Shafter Vet’s Hall

- 6:45 a.m.Petroleum Club

- NoonJo’s Restaurant

- 6:00 p.m.Bell Tower Club

- 5:30 p.m.Los Pinos Restaurant

NoonBakersfield Art Museum

- NoonKelcy’s Restaurant

- NoonHistorical Society

- 6:00 p.m.Kern Valley Golf Course

NoonVeteran’s Hall

Bakersfield South

Wasco

Bakersfield North

Inyokern

Bakersfield West

China Lake

Shafter

Bakersfield Breakfast

Taft

Bakersfield Twilight

Frazier Park Rotary

Bakersfield Downtown -

Tehachapi

Delano

Kern River Valley

Bakersfield East -

Phone: (661) 325-0696

Area Meetingsremoving all the military gear to lightenthe plane by more than half a ton, andshortening the wingspan by about sixfeet. Bill noted that some folks believethat it might be dangerous ridingbehind such a rig, but he thinks it ismuch more dangerous being on TaftHighway with a truck coming the otherway!

With regard to danger, Destefaninoted that “it wasn’t really that bad,”explaining that he had experiencednumerous blown-up engines andteaches a Mayday class in Reno. AMayday is a blown engine, whichrequires the pilot to immediately gainas much altitude as possible and thenmake a dead-stick landing. Other con-cerns are many, such as prop wash

from other planes in a tightly-packed racing field and G-force effects intight turns around pylons. When asked why he races, Bill said it was theresult of a long-time dream. He experienced a life-changing, near-deathbout with spinal meningitis in 1978, and realized that his goal of owning aMustang ought to be achieved sooner than later. For him, riding in thechaotic and stressful environment inside Strega has been a joy, not a dan-ger. He joked that winning at Reno reminded him of farming – when youdo win, it really means that you just don’t lose as much.

With his last Gold Unlimited win at Reno in 2008, Bill retired fromactive racing, and turned Strega over to his talented young protégé,

With Steven at the controls, the plane won at Reno in both2009 and 2010, giving Strega a total of nine national air race victories todate. However, Bill himself remains very much involved with TeamStrega.

Bill’s presentation elicited numerous questions from his Rotary audi-ence, several rather technical in nature.

At 1:10 p.m., President Harry presented Bill Destefani with his per-sonalized speaker’s gift, congratulated the Ford Dimension students fortheir successes and encouraged them to participate in Rotary in thefuture, renewed his thanks to Mayor Hall and the Hall Ambulance repre-sentatives for their contributions to the community, and then adjournedthe meeting.

Ste-

ven Hinton.

Continued from page 3.