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June 28, 2002
COMING EVENTS
July 4 - Club dark (Independence Day)
July 11 - A New Rotary Year - President Ed Fullerton's first meeting
July 18 - Polio Eradication by 2005 - John Dado, speaker
July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar
Debunking was fun for all, with the exception of now PAST-PRESIDENT JIM. The evening began with drinks for all, provided by PP JIM until about 15 minutes prior to dinner. It became a no-host bar until everyone began complaining.
The festivities began with a song led by KIP HERZOG, TAWNY TESCONI and BABE AMARAL. Considering none of them could hold a tune on their own, it was a good thing everyone else joined in. JIM McCAFFREY led us in the invocation.
DAN LIBARLE, inconspicuous in his quiet plaid pants, was the Master of Ceremony. (Good thing PP JIM invited his children or BABE said he was going to get a topless announcer to be Master of Ceremonies.) Dan invited BARRISTER BADDELEY to begin the story of JIM MICKELSON. From early childhood to teen years, we saw the real COWBOY JIM. We learned of his courtship to Marcia and all of the fun times they had while dating. Jim has kept his cowboy dreams alive, as he recently went on his first Trailblazers ride.
JIM’s parents were in attendance, as were Marcia’s parents and brother. JIM's best friends were also there to pass on stories about JIM. I must admit the whole group was pretty soft on JIM as Debunkings go.
JIM then introduced new PRESIDENT ED FULLERTON and passed on the President’s Pin. JIM was presented with a Past President’s pin, a nice plaque and a new Driver and Putter. The plaque will be of more use than the golf clubs, from what the editor understands about Jim's golf game. JIM then acknowledged his board with gifts and kind words.
ED introduced his new board, his guests (he almost left out his wife, Carol) and the evening came to an end.
It was a fun evening and the food was great. JIM, thanks for a great year; and ED, we are looking forward to serving with you next year.
GOLF TOURNAMENT -- MONDAY, AUGUST 19
The Golf Tournament Committee for this year is: LEE BEAN (Chairman), DAVE AMUNDSEN, NIT ANDERSON, JOHN DADO, DOUG GARRISON, JERRY GILLESPIE, RICH JOHNSON, RICK OBERLIN, NANCY KOENITZER, RICK MOSSI, ONITA PELLEGRINI, JOHN RAMATICI, TAWNY TESCONI, RALPH PELTON, JOHN SCHARER and RICK VAN BEBBER.
THE NEW CLUB OFFICERS
President - Ed Fullerton
Secretary - Steve Olmsted
Past-President - John Dado
President-Elect - Onita Pellegrini
Board Members - Harvey Freetly, Doug Garrison, Tawny Tesconi, Loretta Catarozoli, Maureen Joyce, Rick Oberlin
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg. .
JULY 11 ASSIGNMENTS
Visitors: Tawny Tesconi
Microphone: John Dado
Fine Can: Onita Pellegrini
Editor: Maureen Joyce
June 20, 2002
COMING EVENTS
June 27 - Club dark (Debunking Friday)
June 28 - Debunking (6:00 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner)
July 4 - Club dark (Independence Day)
July 11 - A New Rotary Year - President Ed Fullerton's first meeting
July 18 - Polio Eradication by 2005 - John Dado, speaker
July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar
On the day before the official beginning of summer, blue skies and sunshine greeted all visitors to NcNear Park for the dedication of the McNear Park Renovation Project. While we waited for the special guests to arrive, GENE GIORGETTI and his crew were preparing a chicken barbecue. The early arrivals walked around the newly renovated playground area, sipping the beverage of their choice and reading the Rotary plaque. Others merely sat on the new park benches enjoying the beauty.
Finally, President JIM MICKELSON opened the meeting in front of an attentive audience and several cameras. HERB BUNDESEN led the group in singing “America the Beautiful” followed by President Jim’s thought for the day (the object of Rotary). Then he passed the microphone to chairperson and master of ceremonies, HENRY HANSEL.
HENRY offered some background information about the founding Rotary in Chicago in 1905 through the years to its present-day size of 1.2 million members in 30,000 clubs in 163 countries. After Homer Wood founded our club in 1923, Rotarian George P. McNear gifted six acres of bare land to the city. The first major project of our club was the building of the tennis court at McNear Park in 1931. In 1975 our club funded the renovation of this same tennis court.
The McNear Park Renovation Project was a joint venture between the City of Petaluma and the Rotary Club of Petaluma which included input from the neighbors in the McNear Park area. They looked at several project ideas with the goal of constructing something that would endure, while developing a master plan for the future use of the Park.
HENRY acknowledged the efforts of many individuals who were present including STEVE LAFRANCHI and RICK VAN BEBBER. The sculpture at the entrance (or exit) to the new playground, known as the “Millennium Arch” or “Rotary Arch,” represents a portal to the past and the present. The Rotary Wheel (emblem) that is etched in concrete is symbolic of our “Service Above Self” partnership with the City, involving many willing volunteers.
he dedication ceremony concluded with the presentation of a $60,000 “check” by our Rotary Club to the City of Petaluma. The crowd then gathered in the picnic area to enjoy a great chicken barbecue, fellowship, and good times. PDG ART AGNEW was overheard wondering where the twenty-nine trees will be planted in memory of the 29 original members. MIKE MADICK observed that we could plant 29 palm trees, creating the Rotary area designated as “Twenty-nine Palms North.”
This was truly a great day for Rotary and the City of Petaluma!
A special note from the Chairman of the Bulletin Committee. This Rota-Teller marks the last issue with PAUL LOUNIBOS’ byline. After 25 years (!) on the editorial staff, authoring hundreds of Rota-Tellers, Paul has decided to retire from the committee and devote his energies to other Club activities. We’ll miss Paul’s dedication and great writing. Thanks, Paul, for making such a contribution!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Paul Lounibos. .
NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS
Editor: Lou Steinberg
June 13, 2002
COMING EVENTS
June 20 - 11:30 a.m. Barbecue luncheon at McNear Park (Playground Dedication)
June 28 - Debunking (Club dark June 27)
July 4 - Club dark (Independence Day)
July 11 - A New Rotary Year - President Ed Fullerton's first meeting
July 18 - Polio Eradication by 2005 - John Dado, speaker
July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar
Acting President ED FULLERTON opened the meeting asking LUCIE SWEDA to lead the song. She chose “The Star Spangled Banner” and forgetting she was in a room full of bulls (not steers), she began several octaves out of the membership’s capability. Her direction was great and she finished on a high note. LARRY GOTFREDSON was next to respond to the acting president’s wishes and he presented an arithmetic thought for the day in which he prayed that the product of our charitable efforts would be a multiple of such efforts and not just the sum of the efforts. TAWNY TESCONI announced that there were no visiting Rotarians. And there were no student guests either. TED ATKINS was the only Rotarian making the Sunshine Report with a classic shiner inflicted somehow on the golf course.
Announcements:
Our soon to be president began honing his confiscatory skills by taxing BILL LAWRENCE $50 for his and Kathy’s trip to New York. It included three shows and a helicopter ride. Bill says, “Everyone should travel.” RICK VAN BEBBER paid $50 for his famous father’s flower garden. DAVE AMUNDSEN lit up the meeting with his account of how BANO CUMMINGS’ jacket caught fire at a recent Interact Coast Cleanup event - $35.
The following had birthdays in June and were fined appropriately: PAUL RAMATICI, KIP HERZOG, ONITA PELIGRINI, FRED FROST, LARRY JONAS, LARRY GOTFREDSON, CLARK ROSEN, and KAREN VAN BEBBER.
MIKE BADDELEY introduced the speaker, Joslyn Parker, who is a registered nurse. She has received training in the administration of the new wonder drug, Botox, and works with a plastic surgeon. Botox was originally developed in the 70’s by an ophthalmologist to treat various eye ailments by paralyzing various muscles controlling the eyes. He sold the rights to the drug to Allergen who further studied the weakened Botulism toxin and developed a treatment for wrinkles by multiple .1 cc injections to stop the actions of the wrinkle causing muscles. Pricey it is at $400 to $1000 per treatment which lasts about six months. These costs may come down as volume increases. Botox parties are the newest wrinkle (pardon me) where a group of prospective patients meet after hours at the office for mass wrinkle inoculation. Sounds like it could be a possible fund raiser during our next president’s year.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Madick. .
NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS
Editor: Paul Lounibos
June 6, 2002
COMING EVENTS
June 13 - Jocelyn Parker - Botox Injections
June 20 - Barbecue luncheon at McNear Park (Playground Dedication)
June 28 - Debunking (Club dark June 27)
July 4 - Club dark (Independence Day)
July 11 - A New Rotary Year - President Ed Fullerton's first meeting
July 18 - Polio Eradication by 2005 - John Dado, speaker
July 25 - 2001 GSE Team to Japan - Jon Vander Haar
President JIM MICKELSON opened the penultimate regular meeting of his term precisely at 12:30 p.m. and immediately had ever-ready TED ADKINS lead us in song, followed by a contemporary invocation by HERB BUNDESEN, who shared with us some thoughtful musing of comedian/philosopher George Carlin. [For the text of this inspiring message Click here. Who really wrote it? Click here for more information.] The customary handshakes and hugs ensued.
The visiting Rotarians who joined us for lunch were then acknowledged by KATHY O'CONNOR BURROUGHS, followed by the introduction of the guests of WALLY BRAGDON and STEVEN GAVRILOFF, respectively. The prez then delivered the Sunshine Report and sadly informed us that LOU STEINBERG's father had recently passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lou and his family.
An announcement on the very thing that Prez Jim fears most (other than hard work, that is!) was then made by KIP HERZOG who gleefully informed one and all that the Prez' Debunking is scheduled for Friday, June 28, 2002 at Petaluma Golf & Country Club. Hosted drinks (on the Prez!) start at 6-00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. In honor of the uncharacteristic formal attire (i.e., sport jacket and tie with a clean, collared shirt) the Prez has exhibited at the podium all year, dress for the Debunking will be formal (but not black tie!). Please RSVP to KIP by 6/15/02, or to BABE AMARAL after that date. Kip didn't elaborate on the entree selections, but word on the street is that everyone wants roast Jim, preferably well done!!
According to the Prez it was hard to hear KIP with all the background chatter emanating from one particular table, so he fined a whole gaggle of our more outspoken female members who had flocked to one table $5 each for their insubordination, and then fined poor KIP $10 for scaring the Prez about the Debunking.
The Prez then returned to his kinder, more tranquil side (we just love it when his meds finally kick-in?!) and proceeded to again thank HENRY HANSEL and the members of his winning Crab Feed raffle ticket team, all of whom were recently feted in fine style at the Kunde Caves as their well deserved reward. When the smoke cleared, and the last wine bottle had rolled off the table, it was the Prez's observation that HENRY's group was even better at drinking than they were at selling!' Either way, kudos to all of 'em, and thanks for a job well done! Apparently all that drinking got the Prez thinking about anniversaries, because he finally got around to announcing the June anniversaries of our members, including HERB and Barbara BUNDESEN’s 54th! Congratulations, one and all!
A slow moving RICK MOSSI, who looked like he just climbed out of a Kunde cave, was then called upon by an alarmed Prez for sitting with all women. The Prez didn’t know whether Rick had changed colognes, or the ladies all needed loans, but he assessed Rick $20 regardless, which the Prez graciously allowed Pick to pass on to someone else--well, quicker than you can say "boomerang," Rick designated the Prez! Clearly, my old PHS classmate didn't get to be President of the Exchange Bank by hanging out in the Kunde Caves all night!!
The bewildered Prez then sought out yours truly for purchasing a new motor home and taking a maiden voyage in it to Canada. He allowed HENRY HANSEL, from whom the aforesaid motor home was purchased, to levy the fine. Ever the gentleman, HENRY, in deference to the mercy and respect accorded to him at his Debunking (note: the mercy and respect rule was summarily abrogated last year and will not be revived until 2003 at the earliest!) assessed an amount ($25) that was almost as easy as purchasing the motor home. . . almost! 'Thanks Henry.
The Prez then turned his attention to his favorite foils, BABE AMARAL and KIP HERZOG, and fined them $25 each for allegedly defacing Rotary property (the nature of which was not disclosed), KIP's weak protestation of innocence notwithstanding! BABE’s take on all of it was the Prez was just upset because he couldn’t find his gavel. Say, I wonder if the Prez knows that Babe and Kip are on the Debunking Committee, and have complete “artistic" control. I can hear the manure trucks rumbling from here! Frankly, it's even money whether we'll still have a Club charter after this Debunking!?
The raffle (a bottle of wine) was won by KATHY O’CONNOR BURROUGHS.
Serving double duty, I then bad to stop writing the Bulletin to introduce our speaker, Rod Moore, Esq., a local barrister who has formed a non-profit group to renovate the McNear Park baseball diamond and facilities. He shared with us their vision and plans to return this "diamond in the rough" to its past splendor and glory. The Prez presented him with a four-way test memento and donated a book to the Library of Rod's alma mater (PHS) in his name for a program well received. You know, in introducing Rod, I ribbed our past City Manager, JOHN SCHARER, on the need for such citizen involvement for necessary capital improvements, but the fact of the matter is that when John was at the helm our little town had two movie theaters, a daily newspaper and a radio station--oh, and you didn't need a four-wheel SUV to navigate the potholes!
Next week we get a preview of things to come as President ED FULLERTON will preside over the meeting while our fearless (irresponsible??) leader attempts to survive his first Trailblazers ride. . . say has anyone ever died from saddle sores before?! Good luck, JIM, and make sure you haul your sorry. . . saddle back here in time for your just due at the Debunking!
Now get along little doggies, and don’t forget to calendar the McNear Park dedication meeting scheduled for high noon, June 20, 2002 at the Park. See you next week.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley. .
NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENTS
Visitors: Tawny Tesconi
Microphone: Jim Becker
Fine Can: Linda Zacharin
Editor: Mike Madick