January 2006

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

January 26, 2006

COMING EVENTS

February 2 - Mike Bierman, Petaluma City Manager - “State of Petaluma"
February 9 - Aerial Gilbert, Outreach Mgr, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
February 16 - DARK
February 17 - Crab Feed/Super Raffle (6:00 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner)
February 23 - Mike Doyle, MRC Emergency Service - Rotary in Community Action

The meeting was called to order by PRESIDENT LEROY BEAN, who led us in a moment of silence for recently departed ex-Rotarian Russ Kynoch and President-elect TAWNY TESCONI’s father, Babe

STEVE RUSTAD let us in song and KEITH SOLTS let us in a thought for the day,

STEVE RUSTAD introduced his guest Ken Gullick and WALLY BRAGDON his guest Dean Abercrombie.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Call JOHN DADO regarding the Day at the Races March 10th. We may be sold out so hurry if you would like to go.

STEVE HENRIS announced there were only 90 seats left for the Crab feed on February 17th

JEANETTE CLARK and RICK MOSSI announced that 185 tickets have been sold and turned in, led by TOM BAKER. SELL SELL SELL SELL SELL!

Birthdays for the month of January included the following Rotarians: BABE AMARAL, GINA PITTLER, MICHAEL WHITE, CARRIE PIERSON, PAUL LOUNIBUS, MARY ANNE SHOEMAKER, STAN LAWSON, DAVID SISLER, JOANNE FERRIS, JIM MICKELSON, AL RICHARDS and our very own PRESIDENT LEROY BEAN, Sounds like a very busy May.

MICHAEL CARUANA is setting up a long range Planning committee.

FINES

SECRETARY STEVE OLMSTED was fined $10 for our last Rota-Teller that failed to mention the names of any Rotarians.

CONNIE HEIZER has developed a new therapeutic program that includes a new car and a trip to Hawaii. She also is recovering from having a storage unit go 3 feet under water; all this cost her a $100 fine.

BILL GROVERMAN got a new (old) truck, a hunting trip to Idaho and celebrated his Son’s 4th birthday in Disneyland: $100.

HARVEY FREETLEY says he hasn’t done much; however his grandson received his Eagle Scout award and then Harvey waxed on eloquently about his very successful children.. That was cause to finish his fine schedule.

TAWNY thanked everyone for their kind thoughts and for attending the funeral for her dad.

The raffle was won by BRIDGET DOHERTY, a nice bottle of wine.

DOUG GARRISON then introduced the speaker, Richard King, a holistic management speaker with the USDA who announced, “I am from the government and I am here to help.”

January 26 - Richard King, Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecologist: Making Holistic Decisions
February 2 - Mike Bierman, Petaluma City Manager - “State of Petaluma"
February 9 - Aerial Gilbert, Outreach Mgr, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
February 16 - DARK
February 17 - Crab Feed/Super Raffle (6:00 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner)
February 23 - Mike Doyle, MRC Emergency Service - Rotary in Community Action

President LEROY BEAN opened the meeting and sadly announced that our Club's favorite "rambler, gambler", and patriot extraordinaire, GENE BENEDETTI, passed away.

JIM McCAFFREY then led us in an extra heartfelt rendition of the Rambler-Gambler song and a highly spirited version of God Bless America in Gene's honor, followed by a moment of silence in memory of Gene and all the extraordinary things he accomplished during his 86 years of life well spent.

Next, LARRY GOTFREDSON gave us our Thought for the Day in the form of a tribute to Gene, who epitomized the Greatest Generation, a generation in which ordinary men made extraordinary sacrifices to do extraordinary things for the good of all! Gene was a true hero and a great American patriarch who will be greatly missed by all of us who knew, loved and respected him. President Lee then asked for another moment of silence for the passing of President-Nominee TAWNY TESCONI's father. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

After some tearful hugs and handshakes, Past-President JEANETTE CLARK introduced our visiting Rotarians, followed by the introduction of the guests' of Rotarians, including ROY MUSICK's (wife Linda) and MARCUS BENEDETTI's (Clover co-workers Judy and Karen). Sir HERBERT BUNDESEN gave the Sunshine Report and informed us that RUSS KYNOCH was gravely ill. Please keep Russ in your thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Burroughs experiences a Rotary moment.

Past-President JOHN DADO then reminded us again about our Club's upcoming Day at the (Horse) Races on March 10–call John for details. President Lee then reminded us of the upcoming Annual Club Crab Feed (February 17), and reported that tickets are going fast—call STEVE HENRIS ASAP if you plan to attend.

Past-President JEANETTE CLARK and RICK MOSSI then delivered the weekly Crab Feed Raffle sales report. It's our Club's major fundraiser, so sell, sell, sell!

HARVEY FREETLY then interjected an interesting aside concerning the Santa Rosa Rotary Club's trials and tribulations in Vietnam, and the unfortunate problems they recently encountered with the Communist government in providing much needed goods and services to Vietnamese in need.

Pamela Tuft, a past-president of the Petaluma Valley Club, made an announcement about PVC's next fundraising project,

                            . . . followed by returning member CHRIS BLAKESLEE's craft talk—good job, Chris, and welcome back!

President Lee, obviously desperate for some revenue, then proceeded to fine innocent, unsuspecting members for various and sundry transgressions, real and imagined,

                            . . . including yours truly (no badge-$5),

                            . . . JAMES BURLESON (Texas Longhorn Alum/missing meetings-$100),

                            . . . and RICK SUSICK (Argus Courier Community Profile-$100). Thanks, guys!

Raffle ticket #9769 proved to be a $$ winner, as MARCUS BENEDETTI's guest (Clover HR Director, Karen Vollbrecht) pulled out the brown rock, good for $125 and a big cheer from the crowd!

RICK MOSSI then introduced our speaker,

                            . . . Mitch DeArmon, from the LeadershipWorks in Valley Ford, CA, who gave a very informative, well-received program on successfully raising teenage boys, especially in single parent households. After a lively Q&A session, he received the customary Rotary memento in appreciation, and (fittingly) an autographed book was donated in his name to a local high school library.

President Lee then reported that his Board has concerns regarding the succession of the old to new in our Club, and that MICHAEL CARUNA has been appointed to form and chair a committee to address the issue—call Michael if you are interested in serving on this committee. DOUG GARRISON then concluded the meeting by reminding us that our next speaker will be Richard King.

Meeting adjourned. See you next week.

The bell sounded at precisely 12:30 and PRESIDENT LEE introduced himself and brought the meeting to order.

BARNEY FAUSS led us in a jolly rendition of “I’m a Rambler” followed by an enthusiastic “God Bless America”.

MICHAEL CARUANA gave the invocation. He gave us some words of wisdom from his friend Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The usual hugs and handshakes quickly followed. BILL GROVERMAN introduced the visiting Rotarians. The Rotarians with guests were then introduced.

STEVE HENRIS announced that tickets to the Crab Feed are selling fast. Remember the event is February 17th and you can get tickets at STEVE’S office. A full table consists of 16 or 24.

RICK MOSSI took center stage next and announced the captains of the Super Raffle Ticket Teams. The draft was held last Monday, so your captains should be in contact with you. The PREZ would really like everyone to sell at least 10 tickets. Remember – this is our main fund raising event.

The only anniversary in January was BABE AMARAL. He admitted that he was pretty darn lucky to have a wonderful woman like Emily at his side for 20 years.

BANO CUMMINGS recently had to visit Hawaii to check on her son’s progress on the construction of a new house. Her little trip cost her $50.

JOANNE FERRIS was called on next. She was very humble when asked about her famous son, Jack. Jack was homecoming king and took home numerous football honors. The proud mom bestowed $50 to the club.

The PRESIDENT continued his fining with STEVE HENRIS. He was trying to be a wonderful husband by buying his wife, Tami, a new car and taking her to Hawaii. Her back went out, so the trip did not go as he had planned. He’s also trying to remodel his home in Tahoe. All of this good fortune cost him $100.

BABE AMARAL raised his hand to speak. The PREZ acknowledged him and BABE announced his concern for the safety of others while RALPH BETTINELLI was on the road. He was appalled that RALPH had 4 accidents in one year.

RALPH’s rebuttal came with the story of a PT Cruiser. Apparently RALPH had a loaner car while his vehicle was being fixed. While the PT Cruiser was parked at his home someone messed with all the settings. RALPH, not being familiar with all the contraptions on a new car, almost got into another accident when trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Now who could have messed with that car? RALPH ended up paying $20 for the accident.

TENNY TUCKER purchased a new 40 foot motor home from HENRY HANSEL. Thank goodness there was at least a half a tank of gas in the vehicle. Sorry HENRY – no one will ever let you forget KIP HERZOG’s story of how Marilyn ran out of gas on her way home after buying a car from one of your dealerships. TENNY also flew to Palm Springs in a private jet. All this fun cost him $100.

CAROL FULLERTON had the lucky winning raffle ticket. She walked away with a nice bottle of wine.

RICARDO MARZO introduced our guest speaker, Janet Ramatici. Janet is the executive director of the Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF). Janet showed us a video of the history of the organization and told us about the wonderful things they do for the teachers, programs and students in the Petaluma area.

January 12 - Janet Ramatici: Petaluma Educational Foundation
January 19 - Mitch D’Armon: Leadership Works
January 26 - Richard King, Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecologist: Making Holistic Decisions

PRESIDENT LEE called the first meeting of 2006 to a prompt order. He called upon KEITH SOLTS who led our voices in singing “America”.

RICHARD MARZO delivered our thoughts for the day quoting greats such as Benjamin Franklin and Jay Leno. The laughter, handshakes and hugs then followed until we were called to order again.

SUNSHINE REPORT
GENE BENEDETTI remains in Memorial Hospital in the same condition—no worse, thanks be to God.

Barney Fauss offers a witty comment.

ROTARIANS WITH GUESTS included Dr. DANIEL MARSH, his daughter Danika, MICHAEL CARUANA, his wife Dianne and JOANNE FERRIS, her daughter Lauren.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOHN DADO announced that the Rotary Day at the Races will be March 10 which is a new date. Please contact John ASAP if you plan on attending. Bus transportation to Golden Gate Fields, admission and lunch costs $55.00.

RICK MOSSI spoke about the upcoming super raffle which will be held at the annual crab feed, February 17, 2006. Tickets will be available on Monday.

STEVE HENRIS reported that tickets to the crab feed, February 17, 2006, are available by calling him. Tickets are $40.00 each and include, crab, salad, pasta and bread. As in years past we are expecting a sell out and should you want to purchase a table, they are currently available.

Steve Olmsted is fined for neglecting January anniversaries.

LARRY JONAS reported on behalf of the International Committee and once again asked for gifts for the Thailand school children. The envoy will leave next week for Thailand with $7,200 in grant monies to upgrade three water systems.

LOU STEINBERG reminded us of the January 17, 2006 dedication of the new Kenilworth Junior High School. All of the club has been invited. The ceremony will commence at 3:30pm and will include tours and food. Please try to attend.

FINES
Salvation Army Bell Ringers CHIEF CHRIS ALBERTSON and CHIEF STEVE HOOD were called upon. Chris and Steve reported on their recent bell ringing contest during the past Christmas Season. The winner was Chris, however Steve reported it wasn’t fair because Chris had two ladder trucks and a Dalmatian helping his team. Together this team raised over $2,000.00 for the needy in our community. Way to go chiefs, who each donated $50.00 to the fine can as well.

TED ADKINS was asked about his granddaughter’s recent picture in the Petaluma Magazine. It seems Granddaughter Dana danced in “Beach Blanket Babylon” in front of Prince Charles! The proud grandpa gave $25.00 to the fine can.

KAREN and RICK VanBEBBER shared the news of a new granddaughter. They proudly gave $100.00 to the fine can.

The winning raffle ticket was in the possession of STEVE POWELL who took home a nice bottle of Kunde wine.

Jeannette Clark introduces the program.

Geof Lambert discusses the New Internet.

Addendum for citizens of the Web: Geof is Chairman of CAv6TF.org, an all volunteer effort working on the transition to the New Internet. He also heads Digaria, A World Without Borders, a blogworking online community of Rotarians, people affiliated with Rotarians and like minded people workling together to make the world a better place.