April 2004

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

May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

PRESIDENT ONITA opened the meeting, almost on time.

We were led in a rousing rendition of “I’m a rambler” by STEVE RUSTAD.

RICH POREMBA gave us his thoughts for the day, or should I say, farmer’s thoughts for a day.

GRETA VIGUIE than introduced visiting Rotarian Tom Niddecker. Several Rotarians introduced their respective guests. Sunshine Report indicated that Past President and District Governor Dwayne Blackwill has been in the hospital.

Announcements:

RON WALTERS was visiting the club to announce that a book on the life of Rotarian GENE BENEDETTI has been published and that a book signing would take place at the Museum Library on 4th St. Saturday, May 8th from 2-4pm. The book will cost $20 and Gene will be there to personalize your copy. In June, Don Ramatici and Gene will be the program and talk to us about the history of the fabled Petaluma Leghorn football team.

Reminder: Next week is the ALL DAY BREAKFAST — check your schedules for your job assignments.

The All Club Community Lunch will be May 20th, 11:30 at Herzog Hall at the fairgrounds. $15 if you RSVP at the Chamber office 762-2785 or $20 dollars at the door. Remember this is in lieu of our regular meeting.

June 17-20 is the District Conference. It is being held at the Vineyard Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Santa Rosa. Contact SEC STEVE to register for any of the meals or events.

We then had a craft talk by new member and Fire Chief CHRIS ALBERTSON. Chris grew up in San Diego County, became a fireman 34 years ago, spent 28 years in Santa Barbara, has 3 sons and a daughter, and is happy to be in Petaluma.

Reminder: There will be a Fireside Chat on May 13th at ONITA’s home.

ONITA then fined the Birthday table.

CARRIE PIERSON changed places of employment and is now with Pacific Guarantee Mortgage in Novato. Cost $25.

GENE ANDRERWS, good to see you after 3 months! Gene was fined for his Caribbean trip out of Galveston, Texas. Cost $50.

New member TIM BIRO is going to be an uncle for the first time. Cost $20.

RICK VAN BEBBER was fined for celebrating too hard at his 49th birthday party. Cost $25.

WALLY BRAGDON was fined $20 dollars just for his jacket. For STEVE RUSTAD's cartoon rendering of this event click here.

The Raffle was for $375 and only had 3 rocks in the bag. Songster STEVE RUSTAD had the lucky ticket and pulled the only blue rock left in the bag for a nice bottle of Wine. Next raffle is for $400, a new club record.

Our Speaker was David Ameen, CEO and President of St. Joseph Health System for Greater Sonoma County. They operate both Santa Rosa Memorial and Petaluma Valley Hospitals, employing over 2,700 countywide. St. Joseph is larger than Sutter and Kaiser combined in Sonoma County and provides over $16 million in free services annually.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Lou Steinberg.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: (All Day Breakfast)
Microphone: (All Day Breakfast)
Visitors: (All Day Breakfast)
Editor: Ricardo Marzo

April 29 - David Akeen - St. Joseph's Hospital
May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

President ONITA PELLIGRINI opened the meeting at the appointed hour (or half-hour, as the case may be), followed by a rousing rendition of God Bless America led by TED ADKINS, and the thought for the day (“passion”) delivered by LARRY JONAS.

Visiting Rotarians were then introduced by LINDA ZACHARIN, and the guests of Rotarians were acknowledged, including TAWNY TESCONI’s college student intern and FRED FROST’s missing guest! The customary handshakes and hugs ensued, but not before the Prez announced that she and Fred were looking for some “paddlers”!! Geez, talk about your naughty nauticals!

Next, JIM MICKLESON announced the upcoming annual All Day Breakfast event scheduled for Thursday, May 6, and wanted everyone to sell, sell, sell as many tickets as possible. Call Jim if you need more. LOU STEINBERG then announced that SSU’s annual Bidnight Madness event was scheduled for May 1. Call Lou for details.

DAVE AMUNDSEN then remembered who he was and what he wanted to say, so he made an announcement concerning the recently completed House Painting Project, and gave kudos to his crew, including JAMES GOTELLI, CHRIS ALBERTSON, ALDEN HENNINGS, BANO CUMMINGS and several other willing Rotarians who were recruited by the project’s absentee chairman, LARRY (call me when its done) JONAS! A round of applause to all of them (including Larry) for all their hard work.

Madam President then reminded one and all of the upcoming District 5130 Conference slated for June 17 – 20 at the Vineyard Creek Hotel, Santa Rosa, and would like us all to attend, especially the Friday (June 18) luncheon. If you have never attended a District Conference, you should. Call Onita or Secretary STEVE OLMSTED for sign-up and details.

USCG Captain JACK SMITH was then praised by the Prez for the great seafood luncheon the USCG hosted for us, and he thanked our Club for its encouraging words and the $465.60 donation to the USCG’s students morale fund.

New member SUZANNE IRWIN-WELLS, who hails from Quincy, Illinois, then delivered an informative craft talk to help us to know her a little better. Thanks, SUZANNE.

In the first of its kind fine for our Club, LINDA ZACHARIN paid $50.00 for being in a good mood and having a great day, thanks to a smooth going kitchen remodel, a light morning commute, and the shiny new loaner Cadillac she gets to drive until her car is fixed. Thanks, Linda!

While Linda was certainly happy, LORETTA CATAROZOLLI was positively giddy as she paid a fine of only $12.50 for being out of town with “Steve” . . . and husband Stan at the annual Boomtown Blackjack tournament where Loretta won a carton of candy cigarettes! Thanks, Loretta.

GRETA VIGUIE was then fined $50.00 for her recent cruise and making up a meeting on board with only 3 other Rotarians. Thanks, and welcome back, Greta.

Onita then gave us a ribald report involving compromising photos, foggy memories, toasts-aplenty, lost briefcases, liquid lunches, casino plenary sessions, et al., and no, it wasn’t about the latest Chamber meeting; it all had to do with President-Elect BABE AMARAL and his merry board of revelers at the recent District Assembly in Fortuna, CA. After much finger pointing, but nothing in the way of admissions, JIM MICKLESON was fined $20.00,

TENNY TUCKER was fined $25.00, Babe, the merriest of the merrymakers and master muckraker, was fined $60.00 for his wayward ways,

and Past President ED FULLERTON was fined $40.00 . . . for being the only one of the group to attend the full compliment of sessions! See, its true . . . no good deed goes unpunished! Thanks, guys.

Yours truly then won the raffle and pulled out a blue rock to win a bottle of wine (instead of $375.00 cash!) to the “heartfelt” cheers of all our covetous members!

Finally, April Program Chairman, LOU STEINBERG, introduced Stuart Jones, the V.P. of Development at Sonoma State University, who gave an informative presentation and update on the Green Music Center project started on the SSU campus 8 years ago. A signed book will be donated in his name to the PHS Library, and he received a Rotary memento in appreciation.

With that, the meeting was adjourned! See you next week. Remember, we’re dark the week of May 6.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Ricardo Marzo
Microphone: Lucie Sweda
Visitors: Greta Viguie
Editor: Lou Steinberg

April 16-17 - District Assembly in Eureka
April 22 - Stuart Jones - SSU's Green Music Center
April 29 - David Akeen - St. Joseph's Hospital
May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

Following the scent of barbecued chicken, our members proceeded to Room A (between the bar and the men’s room). Now that everyone is trained to move to the new location, we will be back to our regular meeting room next week. I think we’ll all kind of miss the coziness of that room, except maybe PRESIDENT ONITA. She did mention how loud it got in there because we all like each other too much.

The bell sounded at 12:30 and PRESIDENT ONITA called the meeting to order. GENE BENEDETTI led us in a jolly rendition of “I’m a Rambler” followed by an enthusiastic “God Bless America”.

PAUL LOUNIBOS gave the thought for the day. It was a moving discussion of reputation versus character. PAUL promised to make us copies.

We didn’t have to move far to get in some good hugs and handshakes. Rotarians with guests were up next. STEVE RUSTAD introduced President Barbara Beedon from the Santa Rosa Club. JIM BECKER introduced the love of his life, Gretchen Salvetti and her mother, Dorothy. JOHN RAMATICI introduced his two handsome sons, Natale and Jake. Don Csutoras was up next with the microphone introducing PAUL MASELLI. Wait a minute, PAUL is the Rotarian. Did PAUL’s guest have to pay for his own lunch and PAUL’s, too???? PDG ART AGNEW brought his wife, Evelyn, and DAN MARSH his wife, Linda.

LARRY JONAS is looking for old sunglasses for people in Mexico. Please bring your outdated sunglasses in to LARRY.

President Barbara Beedon from the Santa Rosa Club announced their Island Shrimp Fest to be held May 8th at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds. They are looking for donations for their raffle. Contact David Brown at (707) 545-9622, ext.2-21 to make a donation.

PRESIDENT ONITA called on DAVE AMUNDSEN because he had a very important announcement to make. With a blank stare and a big smile and a plate full of food, DAVE couldn’t remember what he was supposed to announce. Our PREZ was patient and waited and fined DAVE $5 when suddenly the light bulb went off and DAVE remembered something about PEP and an open house. Details to follow.

MIKE MADICK was at the podium next. I t took him a few moments to get started. He had the same blank stare and big smile as DAVE. Were they at the same bar before lunch? MIKE got serious and presented Gretchen Salvetti as a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW. She is the third person in her family to be recognized with this honor. JIM BECKER and her mother, Dorothy helped bestow the honor.

DAN MARSH was called on next to give his craft talk. DAN is a chiropractor in Petaluma. He has had to endure many attitude adjustment s over the last 20 years. He and his wife have 6 children. As soon as he finished, PRESIDENT ONITA mentioned that her daughter worked for DAN for 3 years and then slapped him with a fine. DAN just returned from southern California where he married off two daughters. Let’s hope he has $40 left.

LOU STEINBERG gave us the news about PDG DUANE BLACKWILL. He is not doing well. Please give him a call.

AL KAPLAN announced that there will be an open bar at the Petaluma Yacht Club for interested Rotarians after the canoe race between the 3 Clubs on Butter and Eggs Day.

ROBERT MITCHELL needs paddlers so we can win the race. That shouldn’t be a problem according to DAN MARSH. The Sunrise Club doesn’t even have any canoes.

JIM MICKELSON reminded us of the All Day Breakfast. Sell those tickets!! A banner will be displayed this year across Petaluma Blvd. Grab a flier to display in your place of business. We need cash for the kids at holiday time.

JERRY GILLESPIE won the raffle and walked away with a fine bottle of wine. That puts next week’s raffle at $350.

DAN LIBARLE introduced our guest speaker, Henry Trione. Henry is a well known Sonoma County philanthropist. He gave us a very interesting and humorous program on truffles. We’re talking mushrooms, not chocolate.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 26th. You won’t want to miss the Debunking of our wonderful PRESIDENT ONITA and the installation of our PRESIDENT ELECT BABE.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Carrie Pierson
Microphone: James Gotelli
Visitors: Linda Zacharin
Editor: Mike Baddeley

April 15 - Henry Trione - History of Sonoma County
April 16-17 - District Assembly in Eureka
April 22 - Stuart Jones - SSU's Green Music Center
April 29 - David Akeen - St. Joseph's Hospital
May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

Where did they hide our meeting? Confused members found it somewhere between the bar and the men’s room (which maybe makes sense) at the Vets Building.

With burgers and hotdogs grilled and served in the garden, Rotarians enjoyed a pleasant spring day.

After GENE BENEDETTI led a stirring God Bless America, PRESIDENT ONITA called on DAVE AMUNDSEN for the Thought for the Day.

Dave lauded the values of the “square” teenager.

LORETTA CATAROZOLI introduced our one visiting Rotarian, George Wagner, President- Elect-Elect of the local Sunrise Club. PRESIDENT ONITA announced that ANDY KVALHEIM’s wife, Inge, was under the weather. We missed seeing you, Andy, and hope that our next sunshine report is a bit more sunny.

LARRY JONAS is looking for adult supervisors to assist the Interact Club in their “Rebuilding Together” home project on Saturday, April 17.

TAWNY TESCONI announced the sale of commemorative bricks which will help fund our Rotary Centennial Project, helping the creation of the McNear Peninsula waterfront park. These bricks, engraved with your name or message, will be installed at the park entrance/McNear Channel overlook. Prices start at $75. For more information and and an order form click here.

Tawny is also looking for help with the Rotary float for the Butter and Eggs Day parade. You can help decorate the float (April 20, 5-7pm), assemble it (April 23, 5-8pm) or parade with it (April 24, noon).

The Service Clubs Canoe Challenge will be an exciting part of Butter and Eggs Day. Contact ROBERT MITCHELL to represent our club and be part of this historic event.

JIM MICKELSON announced that tickets and work assignments were being distributed for the All Day Breakfast (May 6, 7am–7pm). Remember that members are expected to sell (or buy!) the 12 tickets they are issued. And, if you can’t make your assigned work time, please notify Jim’s secretary well in advance! To make the event more family friendly, Jim’s looking to borrow high chairs and booster seats for the day. Call him if you can help. And to make the event more adult friendly, there’ll be a bar this year!

Joe Horak of Cisco Corporation presented the Club a check for $1,000 to help with our Walnut Park project. Thanks, Joe! Thanks, Cisco!

JOE ALLEN donated two pricey baseball tickets (Diamond Box, Giants vs. Dodgers) for the club to auction. Spirited bidding drove the price to $350 with Jim Mickelson winning out.

BABE AMARAL was fined $100 for vacationing on Maui instead of attending Farmers Night.

LEE BEAN was fined $50 for the same offense. KIP HERZOG was also visiting Maui, but returned for Farmers Night, and escaped with a $5 fine. But Lee then proposed that Kip’s fine be increased to $50 and offered to pay it. Accepted!

CONNIE HEIZER went tropical in the other direction and toured the Caribbean with her husband, Dave. After Dave won $750 at a casino, Connie tried her luck and won $1,500. She graciously offered to pay a $75 fine for those memories.

FRED WULFF won the raffle—and a bottle of wine. Next week the winner could take home $325.

JIM MCCAFFREY escaped a fine, but received much applause, when Onita announced that he and Mary had just celebrated their 53rd anniversary.

Wally Bragdon presided over the induction of our two newest members, MIKE WHITE of Orion Partners Ltd. and TIM BIRO of Advanced Telecom Group (ATG). Welcome, guys! You’ve just received your one free plug. The next commercial will cost you!

Program chair JERRY GILLESPIE introduced Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood who gave an interesting talk about his background and current law enforcement issues in Petaluma and Sonoma County.

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

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Steve Gavriloff
Microphone: Dan Reed
Visitors: Connie Heizer
Editor: Loretta Catarozoli

April 8 - Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood
April 15 - Henry Trione - History of Sonoma County
April 16-17 - District Assembly in Eureka
April 22 - Stuart Jones - SSU's Green Music Center
April 29 - David Akeen - St. Joseph's Hospital
May 6 - All Day Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

It was a beautiful day in downtown Petaluma and President Onita was late calling the meeting to order. The food was awful and many Rotarians were late. APRIL FOOLS! Sorry folks, couldn’t resist that one!

STEVE RUSTAD was called to lead us in song. After his version of “Rambler and Gambler” he lead us in “America the Beautiful.” ANDY KVALHEIM was called upon to deliver our thought for the day. He read an excerpt from an essay written by a German World War II refugee which enlightened us about the devastation in Europe during the war. He reminded us that Rotarians serve others and the greater world in which we live to make it a better place for all mankind.

The greetings, hugging, kissing (and a few pinches--wink, wink) began until PRESIDENT ONITA asked us to stop. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it!

The VISITING ROTARIAN was introduced by HARVEY FREETLY , Chuck Hillenbran from Novato.

ROTARIANS WITH GUESTS were many including, Sharon Dado, Chris Albertson, Fire Chief of Petaluma, Laura Runyeon, Teresa (last name not known) , Salvation Army, Margurite Brown from Live Oak Charter School. Student Interact guest was Maya Paymer.

MISSION TO MEXICO
LARRY JONAS was called upon to give a report on our fellow Rotarians who were part of the renovation of a dental clinic in Mulege. Doctor Larry took the time to read his comment card after disembarking Air Fullerton. Our club wishes to extend a huge thanks to JOHN RAMATICI and ED FULLERTON for flying their personal aircraft to Mexico.

JIM BECKER took the podium and reported about his detail’s end of the trip in Guatemala where the Rotary team distributed school supplies, computers, dictionaries and sports equipment. Jim RAVED about the food, which according to him was the best he ever ate, but in between meals he reported of their trip to an orphanage. The group experienced an epiphany when they met 8 month old Anna who is a resident of the orphanage where all the children are HIV positive and have lost their parents to AIDS. Little Anna traveled in the arms of our ambassadors for two hours. From an editor’s view, this report should be a full presentation because words alone could not capture what these Rotarians experienced south of the border.

LOU STEINBERG asked if anyone will be upgrading their computer. If so, RYLA is looking for a computer in working condition which could be recycled and used during the camp. If you have a donation please contact Lou.

ED FULLERTON, announced that the World Peace Scholars, one of which he sponsors, will be holding a ceremony, April 25, 2004 at UC Berkeley and if you are interested in attending, please contact him.

WALLY BRAGDON was called upon and given a check for Cub Scout Pack 8.

Our Interact guest and president of Petaluma High Interact, MAYA PAYMER was called upon and given a $100 donation to the high school club. She graciously accepted.

It was then that PAST PRESIDENT JIM MICKELSON was called to the podium. Sporting a tie and looking like Mr. GQ, he had the honor to welcome two new members to our club, CHRIS ALBERTSON, Petaluma Fire Chief, and LAURA RUNYEON a financial advisor. Jim most eloquently reminded those present as he instructed our newest members of the objective of Rotary:

1) The development of fellowship (acquaintance) as an opportunity for service.
2) High ethical standards in business and profession; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
3) The application of the idea of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life.
4) The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

As the new members were being pinned, Jim reminded us all that it’s not what Rotary can do for you and your business, but what YOU can do for Rotary.

Raffle: LOU STEINBERG held the winning ticket. He pulled a blue rock, folks and you know what that means? He left with a nice bottle of wine and next week’s raffle is $300.00!

John Dado introduced our speaker for the day, Sam Dakin, from Audubon Canyon Ranch.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Connie Heizer.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: George Bunnel
Microphone: Steve Powell
Visitors: Loretta Cataarozoli
Editor: Al Cattalini