January 2005

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

January 27, 2005

COMING EVENTS

February 3 - Marty Rubino - Marin Independent Journal
February 10 - Nancy deBartok - Your Key to Senior Living
February 17 - Club dark
February 18 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle

Although the day was yet again gray, our meeting was standing room only. As the last Rotarians squeezed into tables, President Babe called the meeting to order. TED ADKINS was called upon to lead the group in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.

JEANNETTE CLARK provided the thought for the day speaking about leadership. She then thanked PRESIDENT BABE for his leadership and was met with a heartfelt applause. [For another take on this poignant moment, click here.]

NANCY KOENITZER introduced the visiting Rotarians. Rotarians with guests included TOM BRANDAL and PRESIDENT BABE, who had an entire table filled with guests. There were no interact students present.

SUNSHINE REPORT
DAVE AMUNDSEN is currently receiving oxygen treatments for an ailment. We hold Dave in our thoughts and prayers. DICK WEBER continues to improve. If you have a minute, a card to our fellow Rotarians would let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
STEVE HENRIS reported that the crab feed is sold out. A grand total of 575 tickets were sold. If you have tickets and desire reserved seating, please contact Steve Henris or STEVE OLMSTED.

RICK MOSSI and LORETTA CATAROZOLI reported on the raffle ticket sales which are progressing nicely.

        . . . . JEANNETTE CLARK’S team has a safe lead. There are only three weeks remaining to sell tickets. The final day to return money is February 17 and we are dark that day, therefore ticket stubs will need to be delivered to RICK MOSSI at Exchange Bank.

DALE KNIGHT, from the Rohnert Park Cotati Club announced her club’s upcoming Monte Carlo Night, February 25, 2005 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

JOE LINDLAND, of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Club talked about his visit to Phuket, Thailand during the Tsunami disaster. He said what he saw there was life changing. Thanks to Joe and the efforts of our local Rotary clubs, $100,000 will be distributed to the Rotary Club in Thailand. President Babe then pointed out that our club raised $10,000 in two weeks!

BIRTHDAYS
Due to the overwhelming attendance of the meeting there were several members sitting at the birthday table who weren’t celebrating their birthday.

MIKE BADDLEY stepped up to the microphone in an attempt to convince our President that the non-birthday members shouldn’t be fined because there was no place else to sit. In the end, the birthday members and BARRISTER BADDLEY donated $5.00 to the fine can.

RALPH BETTINELLI was called upon to lead a rather painful rendition of “Happy Birthday”. Perhaps we’d have sung better if he carried a cane!

President Babe then turned his attention to the wayfaring stranger, ART LAFRANCHI who admitted he has only been to one meeting since President Babe took the gavel. President Babe asked Art how much he’d like to give to the club and since they couldn’t arrive at a number, Past President DAN LIBARLE was called upon and imposed a fine of $100.

        . . . . Our benevolent leader got more than he bargained for when Past President Dan suggested that President Babe match Art’s fine due to Babe’s recent “Good Will Tour” of Point Reyes. It seems that the presidential vehicle found itself in a ditch and Babe’s First Lady wasn’t at all amused by his late arrival home. ART challenged PRESIDENT BABE and said he would pay $200 for his lack of attendance if the PRESIDENT paid $100 for his ditch detour. It was a done deal.

TED ADKINS was called upon and asked to explain why he was late for the bus trip to the horse races. There was some confusion on Ted’s part because he said he’d go only if they had trouble filling the bus. Ted received a call in the 11th hour and rushed to the bus stop and drove past the bus. Ted graciously gave $20 to the fine can.

PAST PRESIDENT DAN LIBARLE was fined $50.00 for his recent celebration at the new plant. Lace House Linen has been in business in Petaluma for 90 years. Congratulations to the Libarle Family and staff for reaching this milestone.

PRESIDENT BABE called upon JOHN RAMATICI and asked him what kind of airplane does he pilot? It seems that John’s plane recently had a malfunction of the landing gear. Thankfully John was able to manually pump the landing gear into place for a safe landing. He offered up $50.00 for his safe landing.

Past President DAN LIBARLE was the holder of the lucky raffle ticket. He drew the correct rock from the bag and was the winner of $300.00! Being ever the gentlemen, Dan donated $100.00 of his winnings to the Foundation.

JESS AMARAL, member of the first family, then introduced our speaker,

        . . . . Pat Broderick, Dean of Empire School of Law.

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

January 20, 2005

COMING EVENTS

January 27 - Pat Brodrick - Empire Law Schol
February 3 - Marty Rubino - Marin Independent Journal
February 10 - Nancy deBartok - Your Key to Senior Living
February 17 - Club dark
February 18 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle

This meeting was different. It started with BABE frantically searching for his script. “Where is it? JIM MICKELSON must have taken it.” he thought. Finally he found it at the podium and started the meeting — just a few minutes late. The first order of business was — nope, not the opening song — but a $5 fine to JIM MICKELSON for relocating the script.

Then PRESIDENT BABE called on GENE BENEDETTI to lead the opening song. After another rousing God Bless America, LARRY GOTFREDSON gave a most timely Thought for the Day, calling on divine guidance to our President as he starts a second term.

DANIEL MARSH introduced visiting Rotarians from the Petaluma Valley and Petaluma Sunrise clubs.

MIKE BADDELEY introduced a guest, CHRIS ALBERTSON introduced his, councilman Mike O’Brien (quickly fined $5 by our president; something about losing $56 the night before), and then PRESIDENT BABE introduced his guests, his son, Jess, and Pat Brodrick, Dean of Empire Law School (and next week’s speaker).

Sunshine Report: HERB BUNDESEN announced that DICK WEBER is getting better and spending time on the treadmill every day.

RICARDO MARZO invited members to attend an open house this evening at the new Lace House Laundry.

ED FULLERTON announced that tickets were available for the Boys and Girls Club crab feed on Saturday, January 29. Speaking of crab feeds, only 30 tickets remain available for our Crab Feed. See STEVE HENRIS immediately if you want some.

LARRY JONAS reported that almost $9,000 had been raised for tsunami relief. The funds will be transmitted to the Thailand Rotary District shortly.

NIT ANDERSON, who returned from Thailand on Tuesday, presented President Babe with a club banner for our walls and a Thai tie (say that fast three times!) for his neck.

Craft Talk: JAN EMERY took us on a whirlwind tour of her life: born in San Francisco, raised in Fresno, three husbands, three wonderful sons, a pioneering dress boutique, a design degree, and a successful, rewarding business doing residential and commercial interior design. Welcome, Jan!

GENE BENEDETTI was called on the carpet to explain why Clover Stornetta provided empty cream containers for our luncheon. He had no explanation but was good for a $40 fine.

BABE hit STEVE OLMSTED with a $5 fine for thinking that June had 31 days and issuing new membership cards with a June 31, 2005 expiration date.

JIM MICKELSON was proud of his kids’ great showing at the Denver Stock Show. Our President assessed a $50 fine but allowed it to be split among five friends (“if you have any”). Jim quickly acknowledged BABE’s friendship and split the remaining $40 between KIP HERZOG, STEVE OLMSTED, RICK OBERLIN, and JOHN DADO.

Fire Chief CHRIS ALBERTSON announced the results of archeological digs at the site of the new downtown fire station and presented PRESIDENT BABE with memorabilia that could be of great value.

Theresa Galazzo, manager of Citibank’s downtown Santa Rosa office, presented the club with a check for $2,500 to be applied toward our Dictionaries for Third Graders project. Thanks, Citibank!

ONITA PELLEGRINI had the winning raffle ticket but the wrong color rock. She went home with a bottle of wine.

RICK MOSSI pushed raffle ticket sales but paid a $5 fine for admitting to arriving late. TOM BAKER paid twice that for receiving a cell phone call during the program.

Program? Yep, we had a good one. JOHN DADO introduced DOUG GARRISON, Vice President and Executive Dean of the SRJC Petaluma Campus. Doug presented an interesting program explaining the planned expansion program which will more than double student capacity.

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

Next Week:
Set-Up: Robert Mitchell & Bridget Doherty
Fine Can: Steve Powell
Microphone: Michael Caruana
Visitors: Nancy Koenitzer
Editor: Connie Heizer

January 13, 2005

COMING EVENTS

January 20 - Doug Garrison - Building on a Legacy of Excellence
January 27 - Pat Brodrick - Empire Law Schol
February 3 - Marty Rubino - Marin Independent Journal
February 10 - Nancy deBartok - Your Key to Senior Living
February 17 - Club dark
February 18 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle

Today’s meeting took place during one of the coldest days in recent history. Even those members entering the meeting room from the side hall were commenting on how cold it was.

PRESIDENT BABE was very concerned. The portable microphone was not working and it disturbed Pres. Babe to no end. Would this be known as “Black Voiceless Thursday?” President Babe quickly reacted and informed the club of the problem and asked all to speak a little louder due to the microphone problem.

PRESIDENT BABE then called the meeting to order and asked GENE BENEDETTI to come forward and led us in song. Gene came forward singing his favorite song with his cane in hand. He then asked us all to join in that great American song, “ God Bless America.” Those in the front row did sing, but their eyes were on Gene’s cane as it moved highly in the air from side to side.

BARNEY FAUSS gave the thought for the day. Barney reminded us that we all have so much to be thankful for and that we should remember those who have given so much on a daily basis.

The traditional Rotary welcoming ritual then followed.

Joanne Ferris introduced the visiting Rotarians from the Petaluma Valley Club and a club in England.

The following Rotarians introduced their guest: JOANNE FERRIS, TOM BRANDAL, DAN LIBARLE, and KAREN VAN BEBBER with several Interact members.

Sunshine Report: It was reported that DICK WEBER was feeling slightly better. I know we all wish Dick a speedy recovery.

Announcements:b Pat Landrum from the Valley Club informed us of a pilot-mentoring program involving Petaluma High School. It will be known as the Student Transition Program (TSP). If interested please call Pat at 778-4951.

LARRY JONAS reported that our club has raised $7,000 for the Tsunami Relief Fund.

Robert Mitchell needs help in collecting items for our Guatemala Project. Donations have been great. Now we need to pick them up.

Kevin Downey reminded us of the Lend a Hand Fundraiser being held on 1-29-05 at the Luchesi Center.

JEANNETTE CLARK then presented our club with a check for $5,165.94 from the Petaluma Realtors, which will be used for this years Children’s Christmas Party.

RALPH SARTORI that there will be a meeting of the Farmers & Merchants Committee after next weeks club meeting.

PRESIDENT BABE then asked MIKE BADDELEY to come forward and induct a new member into our club. Mike spoke of how this new member will be a great asset to our club especially Pres. Babe. Mike then asked TAWNY TESCONI and STEVE HOOD to come forward. Steve was then officially inducted into our club. Congratulations Steve! Steve is the Chief of Police in Petaluma and we all are waiting to see if President Babe will make his top ten lists when he gives his craft talk.

Speaking of craft talks. New member STAN LAWSON gave his craft talk. Stan is a member of the Dillon Beach Lawson family. He Attended Tomales High School, U.C. Santa Barbara. He has resided in Italy for many years prior to returning to Petaluma. Stan speaks four languages and is welcome to be back in the area.

RICK MOSSI reported that Super Raffle Tickets are out. Only one month left so SELL !! SELL !! SELL !!

Fines: PRESIDENT BABE showed no mercy when it came to this part of the meeting. STEVE HENRIS was quick to offer $$$ once Babe started to remind him about a recent event.

FRED FROST got caught with his socks down for being in an advertisement for a local shoe company. Fred came up with sock $$$ for the club.

CHET SWANSON was fined for having his cell phone go off during the meeting.

HENRY HANSEL was fined for not letting Pres. Babe know that he was a proud new grandpa. Henry’s son and daughter-in law are the proud parents of a new daughter. Henry’s son conveyed the good news to Babe at a local coffee shop.

TAWNY TESCONI was hit for $$$ for being named as President nominee. Babe reminded her that the amount fined was a trimmer amount and that she should be ready to reach a little deeper into her purse.

RON HARRIS was called upon by Pres. Babe to pay a fine for his being a first time grandfather. Before Pres. Babe could ask for the details Ron took over with the biggest smile and proudly informed the club that he had a new granddaughter. All felt Ron’s proudness.

Past President ED FULLERTON had the lucky raffle ticket but left the $$ in the bag and instead took the bottle of wine.