January 2002

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

February 7 - CLUB DARK

February 8 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle; 6:00 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner

February 14 - Alan Milner - Music for Schools

February 21 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (Two Rock)

February 28 - Frances Caballo - Executive Director, Social Advocates for Youth

After sitting briefly at the birthday table, PRESIDENT JIM called our weekly meeting to order. GENE BENEDETTI once again led us in singing our "Other National Anthem," followed by HEIDI KIBBE's thoughtful invocation on forgiveness.

Visiting Rotarians included Chotichi "Nit" Anderson once again. Ralph Hayward and Greg Freitas also joined us from Petaluma Sunrise. ED FULLERTON reported that BOB FOSTER is at home and would like visitors. However, please call first. BOB is in good spirits.

Those members bringing guests included GENE BENEDETTI, KIP HERZOG, ROY MUSICK, MIKE BADDELEY, and BILL GROVERMAN. Although GENE introduced his grandson, Marcus, as his guest, KIP took credit for buying lunch -for Marcus.

DAN LIBARLE reminded everyone that our crab feed next week begins with cocktails at 6:00 followed by dinner at 7:30. DAN asked that all members please observe the seating arrangements.

JOHN DADO reported that our local Rotary Club Foundation received a $3,000 bequest from the Jules Fisher Trust.

When we meet at the Coast Guard Training Center on February 21, the gate guard will compare your photo ID with a list of authorized attendees. All members are already on the list. If you plan to bring a guest that day, you must notify STEVE OLMSTED in advance to have your guest added to the list. Remember, we are not meeting at the Veteran's Memorial that day.

LOU STEINBERG introduced two student guests from the PHS Interact Club, Jamie and Tanya.

PRESIDENT JIM read a letter of resignation from CREED WOOD, who has returned from semi-retirement to active orthopedic practice.

RICK MOSSI, WALLY BRAGDON, and LORETTA CATAROZOLI updated the members on ticket sales for the raffle, We have sold 861 tickets as of today, with TOM BAKER's team leading the race (125 sold).

When your cell phone goes off during the meeting, you can expect President Jim to call upon you, as ERIK GUNHEIM found out. Sportsman ERIK caught 50 crabs and took home 20, which cost him $70 today.

JERRY GILLESPIE reported having a great time on his Colorado trip visiting with friends and hunting, for which he paid $40.

Raffle winner STEVE LAFRANCHI won a bottle of premium wine. Next week (make that February 14th) the cash prize will be $150.

"Visiting" Rotarian ART LAFRANCHI introduced our speaker, Dan Benedetti, former member and now president of Clover-Stornetta Farms. Although Dan was dismayed by the presence of "Brand X" milk on the beverage table, he proceeded with a detailed history of the milk merger between the Clover and Stornetta groups and their subsequent growth since its origin in 1977. Dan cited the company philosophy of giving back to the that originated with his father, resulting in a strong consumer base along with loyalty and support from producers. This is really a story of an excellent business model in our community.

Finally, in closing last weeks meeting PRESIDENT JIM read a letter of resignation from 22 year member Greg Freitas. Greg served as club secretary for many years and district secretary when Duane Blackwill was D.G. He was also very active in club special events and in the RYLA. When I chaired the Fireside Committee, I could not have put the program together without his help. Greg exemplified “Service Above Self.”

The club has received for induction of the following new member. If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 10 days of receipt of this notice:

Proposed Member: Marcus Benedetti -- Membership Type: Active -- Classification: Milk Sales.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Paul Lounibos; Photos by Ed Fullerton.

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Editor: Mike Madick

January 31 - Dan Benedetti - Clover-Stornetta Update

February 7 - CLUB DARK

February 8 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle; 6:00 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner

February 14 - Alan Milner - Music for Schools

GENE BENEDETTI led us in a rousing rendition of God Bless America, followed by an invocation from JIM McCAFFREY. Handshakes and Hugs all around.

New member LINDA ZACHARIN introduced 4 visiting Rotarians, including the Past President of the Bangkok club, Choticha “Nit” Anderson, who has recently moved to Petaluma. She presented PRESIDENT JIM with a club flag.

Rotarian Guests were introduced. Those bringing guests were DAVE AMUNDSEN, President-elect ED FULLERTON, DOUG GARRISON, DAN LIBARLE, GENE BENEDETTI and ROY MUSICK.

Sunshine report given by PRES. JIM indicated that GENE’s wife Evelyn is home from the hospital and resting. ED FULLERTON indicated that BOB FOSTER was back in the hospital, but was expected home soon. The editor’s sources indicate that Bob came home this afternoon. Everyone says he looks great, or at least as great as Bob has ever looked. Contribution for an honorarium in Bob’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society.

STEVE HENRIS indicated that Crab Feed tickets are SOLD OUT, but check with him in case of emergency.

RICK MOSSI and Loretta CATAROZOLI updated the club on the ticket sales for the club raffle. KIP’s team is currently leading with 89, followed in order by RALPH BETINELLI-82, ED FULLERTON 76, HENRY HANSELL-71, TOM BAKER-67, WALLY BRAGDON-64, TAWNY TESCONI-52, JEANNETTE CLARK-44, JOHN SCHARER-35 and ONITA PELLEGRINI-29. Sounds like a lot of sandbagging going on.

The District President-Secretary meeting is on Thursday the 31st at McGoo’s. Contact Secretary STEVE if you are planning on attending.

MIKE BADDELEY was fined for major discrepancies in last weeks Rota-Teller, at a cost of $50. He accused the mistakes on BABE AMARAL, who was not even at the meeting. President-elect ED was fined $10 for a picture at the races. JIM McCAFFREY was fined $100 for not being fined last years for his 50th anniversary and for all the good work he did at St. Vincent’s Church.

GENE BENEDETTI was fined $10 for his daughter assisting Jim. ART AGNEW was fined $1 for each year of his marriage, a total of $62. BUD SKOOG was than fined for his new Granddaughter. A young Haitian girl adopted by his daughter and Son-in-law. At a $1/lb it cost Bud $75.

MAUREEN JOYCE made the mistake of debating with the President about the extension of application time for Rotary License Plates. It cost her $50. You now have until December 31, 2002 to order your plates. Contact Maureen for additional information -- or click the license plate below.

A fine bottle of wine was won by RICH CROCI in the raffle, with the help of President Jim.

Our Speaker was Dr. Robert Agrella, the president of Santa Rosa Junior College. His speech was very informative. Look for a bond issue on the March ballot for $251 million. Measure A will provide for expansion of the Petaluma campus, renovation of the Santa Rosa Campus and location of land for facilities in both the North and West ends of the County. By the way the District is Sonoma County Junior College District. Total enrollment, including part-time students, now exceeds 57,000, with over 6000 enrolled at the Petaluma campus.

The club has received for induction of the following new member. If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 10 days of receipt of this notice:

Proposed Member: Joseph L. Allen -- Classification: Brokerage/Financial Services.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg; Photos by Ed Fullerton.

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Editor: Paul Lounibos

Fine Can: Larry Jonas

Microphone: Heidi Kibbe

Visitors: Nancy Koenitzer

January 24 - Robert Agrella - SRJC President - Planning for the Future at SRJC

January 31 - Dan Benedetti - Clover-Stornetta Update

February 7 - CLUB DARK

February 8 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle; 6:00 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner

February 14 - Alan Milner - Music for Schools

An energetic ED FULLERTON, president-elect and acting president par excellence, opened the meeting at precisely 12:30 p.m. and immediately directed brazen BARNEY FAUSS to belt out a song. Loquacious LARRY GOTFREDSON then delivered an insightful invocation, followed by a moment of silence for the recent passing of JOHN LOUNIBOS, a judicious civic leader and past-president of our Club, who first became a member in 1935.

Hearty handshakes and hugs helped to lift everyone's spirits, whereupon just-engaged JAMES GOTELLI jumped up to the podium to introduce the lone visiting Rotarian (Dave Schmidt) who joined us for lunch. Next, all the guests of Rotarians were acknowledged, including the guests of mellow MAUREEN JOYCE, didactic DAVE AMUNDSEN, ramblin' ROY MUSICK, and gentleman GENE BENEDETTI. There were no student guests to grace our gathering.

A sad Sunshine Report was then broached by BARNEY FAUSS on the deteriorating health of brave BOB FOSTER. All of our thoughts and prayers are with him and Max, and we hope to see Bob back at our meetings soon. Genial GENE BENEDETTI then reported that his wife was doing much better, but was still not home yet. Get well wishes to Evelyn!

The beneficent bankers in our Club, wiley WALLEY BRAGDON, laughing LORETTA CATAROZOLI, and rakish RICK MOSSI, then put on a dog and pony show worthy of the Ringling Bros. to entertain and inform one and all on the status of raffle team ticket sales-so if you haven't yet done so, sell some soon! Jockey JOHN DADO went on to report on the success of our Club's annual trip to Golden Gate Fields for a drizzly day at the races-the 50 or so members who went saw acting-president elect Ed and jaunting JIM MICKELSON get their pictures taken in the winner's circle! Easy Ed then fined jiving John $10.00 for reportedly only "breaking even"! Thanks, John.

An assortment of announcements ensued, including one from luculent LOU STEINBERG concerning generous GENE BENDEDETTI's upcoming induction into the Sonoma State Hall of Fame (call Lou for details if you'd like to attend); a reminder from steady STEVE OLMSTED to pay your Club dues before the end of this month to avoid the imposition of any late fees; and a calendar note that February 21st is the date of our annual U.S. Coast Guard luncheon at the Two Rock facility. Security has been heightened, so all Club members (and their guests) must have their names pre-submitted and must show photo ID's to be admitted on to the Base.

A flurry of fines finally found their "marks", as eager Ed lightened LARRY GOTFREDSON's pocket by $50 for going to his step-daughter's concert, surviving a blizzard in Pennsylvania, celebrating a wedding anniversary in Niagara Falls, and buying a new car (with gas)! Thanks, Larry. Dapper DOUG GARRSION was then dinged $40 for a son who graduated from college last May, summer sojourns to Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Canada, and his youngest son's 12th birthday. Thanks, Doug.

Whistling WHITNEY HALL was then fined $50 for doing good deeds for local kids at the Petaluma Library, with a crafty credit to awesome ANDY KVALHEIM, dedicated DAVE AMUNDSEN, literary LOU STEINBERG and the acting prez' wife, caring Carol Fullerton, each of whom were fined $5! Thanks to one and all. The appreciative acting Prez then finished the fines by surgically extracting $50 from roaming ROY MUSICK for traveling back east to visit family at Chesepeake Bay, and then heading northwest to Oregon for a family reunion. Welcome back and thanks, Roy!

One of our speakers won the raffle, followed by the shortest introduction in Club history by January Program Chairman, reticent RALPH BETTINELLI, who introduced Chris McAuliffe and Mike Bond from the City of Petaluma. They gave us a very professional program on waste water management and the proposed new super sewer plant facility, followed by a lively question and answer session. Each received a paper weight memento in appreciation, and a book was donated in their names to the PHS Library, but not before Club raconteur RALPH SARTORI inquired as to whether or not a radiant RALPH BETINNELLI was, in biosolid speak, a "floater" or a "sinker"? No answers, but plenty of laughs as the acting-prez astutely adjourned the merry meeting. All alliterations aside, I hope to see you next week!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley; Photos by Ed Fullerton.

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Editor: Lou Steinberg

Fine Can: Fred Frost

Microphone: Steve Henris

Visitors: Linda Zacharin

January 17 - Chris McAuliffe - US Filter - Wastewater

January 24 - Robert Agrella - SRJC President - Planning for the Future at SRJC

What a nice meeting we had today! Back by popular demand, HERB BUNDESEN responded to last week's encore with another round of America The Beautiful. Thank you, PAUL LOUNIBOS for our daily motivation and STEVE GAVRILOFF for a fine job of introducing visiting Rotarians.

Time to send a little sunshine to BOB FOSTER who has been in the hospital with pneumonia and GENE BENEDETTI's wife,, Evelyn, who has also been hospitalized. We send our positive thoughts and prayers. Good to see RAY JOHNSON at the meeting.

The Super Raffle committee consisting of RICK MOSSI who introduced WALLY Sajak BRAGDON and LORETTA Vanna CATAROZOLI who gave a rundown on the 10 teams, the race is on. The top team, KIP HERZOG's Kawk (yes, Kawk) has sold 61 tickets, followed by TOM BAKER's In Possession with 30, and JEANNETTE CLARK's No Name Winners with 17 tickets. Trailing behind and tied were ED FULLERTON's A Few Good Men and JOHN SCHARER with 10 tickets each, WALLY BRAGDON's Big Bucks with 9, HENRY HANSEL's One Chick and a Bunch of Dudes with 6, RALPH BETTINELLI's Buck Shots with 5, ONITA PELLEGRINI with 1, and.not quite out of the gate, TAWNY TESCONI's Nine Men and a Babe, 0.

Another Fireside Chat at ONITA PELLEGRINI's will have been completed tonight, as will the Field Trip to Bay Meadow's racetrack, organized by JOHN DADO on Friday.

Welcome, to out newest member, AL KAPLAN, who was inducted by JOHN DADO and sponsored by LOU STEINBERG.

Mild-mannered President JIM MICKELSON levied reasonable fines today. Hovering at $20, WALLY BRAGDON paid for a trip to Disneyland and MIKE MADDALENA for failing the 4-Way Test when he claimed his sales were up 200%. ED FULLERTON was nabbed for taking up 1 ½ hours of President JIM’s valuable time touring ED’s cutting edge video and electronics cadre which was not to take more than 20 minutes. Those economy fines, however, didn’t last when JAMES GOTELLI volunteered to $1,000,000.00 for a trip to Maui where he just happened to become engaged to “The love of his life”!!!!!!!! He explained, it only took 8 years and a little coaxing from MIKE BADDELEY (for which MIKE paid a fine of $40.00) to make the decision. Congratulations, JAMES!

Now how long have we been watching ED FULLERTON showing up at every meeting and every event with his cameras? And how many pictures and videos have, we really seen? Well, we were in for a treat today when ED and President JIM put together A Walk Down Memory Lane. The program was an excellent presentation of this Rotary year starting with President JIM’s first meeting and highlighting various events and accomplishments, such as the McNear Park Playground (which is very near completion), Golf Tournament, Holiday Parties, and visits from the District Governor and Youth Exchange student and more. President JIM also summarized this year's contributions totaling $9,000 which include: HARVEY FREETLY's dictionary project, $3,110 doubled by matching funds to the World Trade Center 911 disaster fund, donation toward a wheel chair for a needy Dillon Beach resident which was identified by visiting Rotarians, GSE barbeque, High School libraries, Interact clubs and Jr. Interact club donations.

In addition, the Petaluma Rotary has increased membership by 5 and recognized Ron Walters an all honorary Rotary member.

The current Super Raffle fund will be dedicated to Rotary Recognition by contributing to the monument for McNear Park playground, advertising in the newspaper, the giant American Flag and Rotary banner dropped with the skydiver at the Pacific Coast Air Museum show, and a permanent reader sign stating our clubs meeting place and time to be displayed at the Vet's building is currently being negotiated

Impressive, and only 6 months have passed. President JIM continues to receive 6 to 10 requests for donations weekly. You're doing a great job, Rotarians!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Maureen Joyce; Photos by Ed Fullerton.

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS

Editor: Mike Baddeley

Fine Can: Erik Gunheim

Microphone: David Barbieri

Visitors: James Gotelli

January 10 - Jim Mickelson - A Look at his First Six Months as President

January 11 - Rotary Day at the Races (details below)

January 17 - Chris McAuliffe - US Filter - Wastewater

January 24 - Robert Agrella - SRJC President - Planning for the Future at SRJC

The first meeting of the new year began with President JIM MICKELSON calling on HERB “They’ve got the first string in today” BUNDESON to lead the opening song. Little did HERB realize that his America, the Beautiful would inspire further singing later in the meeting. LARRY “That priest would make a good rabbi” JONAS delivered the inspirational thought for the day. He observed that Holiday events reminded him of the importance of serving others

BANO CUMMINGS introduced visiting Rotarians from Santa Rosa, Petaluma Valley and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. “Who knows where Sun Prairie is?” the latter visitor asked. DAVE AMUNDSEN not only knew the answer but seemed to acknowledge eating at the Prairie Diner. Prairie dogs? After the geography quiz and the dining tip our visiting Cheesehead insisted on leading the crowd in a (mostly unaccompanied) rendition of Keep on the Sunny Side of Life.

RALPH PELTON introduced his guest, former Petaluman (and Club President), Ernie Jensen who is visiting from Arkansas. RALPH successfully talked a $20 fine down to $15 by pleading that he’d paid for Ernie’s lunch. DON RAMATICI proudly introduced his grandson, Mike Johnson, on leave from the U.S. Army in Korea. Mike made the visit especially worthwhile by winning the raffle, a bottle of that fine Kunde wine. LOU STEINBERG introduced his guest, Al Kaplan, observing that this should be Al’s last time as a guest.

STEVE HENRIS announced that tickets for the February 8 Crab Feed had sold out. He allowed that DAN LIBARLE might have a few left but it looks like procrastinators will have to wait until next year. STEVE is looking for volunteers to assist with setup and bartending at the event.

JOHN DADO announced that the trip to Golden Gate Fields was sold out. Attendees should assemble at the Adobe Creek Golf Course no later that 10:45 a.m. on Friday, January 11.

RICK MOSSI, WALLY BRAGDON AND LORETTA CATAROZOLI urged members to sell their tickets for the Super Raffle and to promptly turn in proceeds for crediting to their team. When ALDEN HENNINGS asked why his team captain, RALPH BETTINELLI, wasn’t acknowledged, PRESIDENT JIM acknowledged him with a $20 fine (RALPH, not ALDEN!).

When it was revealed that it was BABE AMARAL’s birthday, the crowd broke into song with a spontaneous Happy Birthday to You. But BABE couldn’t sing his way out of a $15 fine for burning (?) PRESIDENT JIM’s raffle tickets.

STEVE LAFRANCHI admitted to traveling to Tahoe and moving to a new, larger office, one with a view of our President’s boat. It cost him $100. That’s the same amount that MARK STOKES gladly paid to celebrate a new car and his firm’s acquisition by Greater Bay Bancorp.

JEANNETTE CLARK, substituting for hard-working STEVE GAVRILOFF, introduced the presentation of a $4,718.30 check from the Petaluma Board of Realtors. This contribution from our local realtors helps fund our Christmas gift program each year. Thanks!

Only two anniversaries in January? And they’re both at the top of the alphabet! ART and Evelyn AGNEW are celebrating their 62nd (“She’s been very lucky but I’ve been luckier!”) and BABE and Emily AMARAL are celebrating their 16th.

After being introduced as “a good Italian girl” by RALPH BETTINELLI, Rotary exchange student Elena Beccegato thanked the Club for its support and narrated a historical and cultural tour of her hometown, Venice, Italy.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.

Next week's editor: Maureen Joyce.