May 2004

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

June 3 - Our International Service Programs, Jim Becker & Larry Jonas
June 10 - Past Presidents Day; Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns
June 17 - President's Choice!
June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel

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

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Marcus benedetti
Microphone: Steve Powell
Visitors: Joe Allen
Editor: Al Cattalini

May 27 - Paul Marangello, Redevelopment Officer, City of Petaluma
June 3 - Our International Service Programs, Jim Becker & Larry Jonas
June 10 - Past Presidents Day; Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns
June 17 - President's Choice!
June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel

The Annual Community Luncheon sponsored by the Petaluma Chamber Of Commerce Agribusiness Committee, and the Sonoma-Marin Fair was the setting for today’s meeting. This annual event provides the opportunity for the various local service clubs to get together once a year and learn about agricultural issues affecting our local agriculture community and to get an update on the local upcoming fair events. This year's fair theme is “Picture Perfect Fair”. The dates of this year’s fair are June 16, thru the 20th.

The agribusiness committee provided the BBQ chicken, and Lombardi’s Catering provided the veggies, salad, beans, and ice cream.

Sonoma County Idol winner, Candice and her sister Tara provided entertainment.

As in the past a raffle was held to see what club president would get to do something real special. Thanks to John Dado, our president Onita was the winner. Onita was escorted out of the room for a special surprise. Much to everyone’s surprise Onita (dressed in a funky chicken suit) was escorted back into the hall by none other than John Dado. Many club presidents were glad that our club won the raffle. Next meeting should prove very interesting as I’m sure Onita will get more than chicken feed from John Dado.

As in the past a raffle was held to see what club president would get to do something real special. Thanks to John Dado, our president Onita was the winner. Onita was escorted out of the room for a special surprise. Much to everyone’s surprise Onita (dressed in a funky chicken suit) was escorted back into the hall by none other than John Dado. Many club presidents were glad that our club won the raffle. Next meeting should prove very interesting as I’m sure Onita will get more than chicken feed from John Dado.

The guest speaker was Mr. Bill Mattos, President of the California Poultry Federation. Mr. Mattos gave an insight into issues facing the poultry industry especially in California. He praised our local company Petaluma Poultry for being a leader in the organic poultry supply with “Rocky.”

REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FAIR

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ralph Sartori.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Robert Mitchell
Microphone: Larry Jonas
Visitors: Rick Mossi
Editor: Connie Heizer

May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Paul Marangello, Redevelopment Officer, City of Petaluma
June 3 - Our International Service Programs, Jim Becker & Larry Jonas
June 10 - Past Presidents Day; Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns
June 17 - President's Choice!
June 18-20 - District 5130 Conference, Santa Rosa
June 24 - Club dark; Debunking Saturday
June 26 - Debunking, Petaluma Hotel

PRESIDENT ONITA opened the meeting by asking HERB BUNDESEN to give the Invocation.

KEITH SOLTS followed, leading us in “America the Beautiful”.

JAMES BURLESON introduced the visiting Rotarians. KEITH SOLTS and ONITA PELLEGRINI introduced their guests.

Sunshine report: Duane Blackwill is home and feeling better. Keep him in your prayers.

Announcements: John Burns from the Valley Club reported on the Salute to Rotary Edition in July. RICHARD MARZO will be the liaison in our club for placing advertising in that edition.

PRESIDENT ONITA reported that the Petaluma Rotary Club Foundation Grant applications are due in by May 31. Get them to JOHN DADO. About $6000 will be distributed this year.

LARRY JONAS thanked JERRY GILLESPIE for his donation of several dozen baseball caps that were distributed in Mexico. Jerry said they were donated by Stinger sports.

JIM MICKELSON reported the All Day Breakfast served about 900 people and will net $7600 when all the money is in and bills paid. DICK WEBER was thanked for his contribution of all the fresh Petaluma eggs.

TAWNY TESCONI announced the sale of the commemorative bricks for the Mc Near Peninsula Restoration Project. See her for an application — or click here.

KEITH SOLTS informed us this week was National Salvation Army Week, and donuts were on the table to raise awareness of the origins of the Salvation Army.

Fines: TED ATKINS paid $100 for his busy low key life, traveling from Angels Camp to Santa Cruz.

ANDY KVALHEIM contributed another $100 for trips to Mazatlan, Guadalajara and the Sierras.

FRED WULFF traveled from Palm Springs to Washington DC and paid a years worth of fines.

TOM BAKER went fishing in Mexico and paid $100.

TAWNY TESCONI has been in school and is now a Qualified Fair Executive. She reminded everyone of the All Club Lunch next Thursday at the Fairgrounds. She paid $50.

ED FULLERTON was recognized as Waiter of the Day at the All Day Breakfast for his outstanding service to a little seven year old who wanted the butter melted on his toast.

LARRY JONAS won the raffle and picked a brown rock for the $400 prize.

RON HARRIS introduced the speaker, . . .

. . . Dr Dan Rich, an ophthalmologist. He spoke about the physiology of the eye and current treatment for various eye disorders.

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

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: (Herzog Hall)
Microphone: (Herzog Hall)
Visitors: (Herzog Hall)
Editor: Ralph Sartori

May 13 - Dr. Walker - Eye Help for Children
May 20 - All Service Club Luncheon at Fairgrounds
May 27 - Gene Benedetti & Don Ramatici - Petaluma Leghorns

The All-Day Breakfast was in full swing as guests gathered for their favorite morning treats throughout the day. PRESIDENT ONITA PELLIGRINI put in a twelve hour shift greeting attendees, busing tables and serving delicious plates of eggs, sausages, pancakes and biscuits (topped off with a ripe strawberry). Every Rotarian (active or not) participated in this great project, which benefits our Children’s Holiday Party. The community always rallies around this event and this year was no different.

JIM MICKELSON, RICK VAN BEBBER, NANCY KOENITZER, GARY BRODIE, RICH JOHNSON, MARCUS BENEDETTI, JAMES GOTELLI, PAUL LOUNIBOS and LARRY GOTFREDSON were among some of the members serving the lunchtime crowd. MIKE BADDELEY lent a helping hand whipping up the eggs and offering observations on life, love and business.

Many members had friends, family and associates attending the event, so work was interspersed with personal time. It gave many of us an opportunity to introduce our families to the members and to show our families what we actually do in Rotary. The All-Day Breakfast allows many in the community, who may not be able to afford the Crab-Feet ticket, to attend a Rotary function and see where we place our proceeds. It is a wonderful showcase for our Club to help Petaluma understand how Rotary functions and the many local projects we support. The addition of the day-long bar was nice too. As of Friday morning, Petaluma Valley Hospital reported no food poisonings.

The dinner hour was well represented by PAST PRESIDENT ED FULLERTON, PRESIDENT-ELECT BABE AMARAL, and workaholic PRESIDENT ONITA PELLIGRINI. Interact members were in full force helping to serve and bus the tables, which were filled with members who brought in their families. GENE BENEDETTI was spotted blowing smoke rings outside the Vets Memorial and DAVE SISLER made a rare appearance.

My 4 year old son wondered why we were eating breakfast food at the dinner hour, I explained that this is a special dinner to raise money to provide gifts to children during the Holidays. He said he likes presents and pancakes and maybe we should do this more often.

Not a bad idea.

Thanks to everyone for their donations and hard work.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.

NEXT WEEK:
Fine Can: Loretta Catarozoli
Microphone: Larry Jonas
Visitors: James Burleson
Editor: Mike Madick