April 2006

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

April 27, 2006

COMING EVENTS

May 4 - All-Day Breakfast - 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
May 11 - Stephan Passalacqua - Sonoma County District Attorney
May 18 - Michael Caruana - Arabian horses
May 25 - Veronica Levy - Rotary Youth Exchange, Argentina

President LEROY BEAN started the meeting

           . . . and STEVE RUSTAD led us in song.

DAVE BARIBIERI offered the thought for the day on what we gain by being Rotarians.

JENNIFER WEISS introduced two visiting Rotarians from the Petaluma Valley Club. JIM BECKER, ROY MUSICK, and MARCUS BENEDETTI introduced their guests, and LOU STEINBERG introduced his wife of forty years, JULIE, but there was no fine!

RALPH SARTORI introduced a guest from the Boy Scouts,

           . . . JONATHON, who is working on his Eagle Scout project and asked for Rotarian help. He will be working to refurbish a disaster trailer in collaboration with the Petaluma Fire Department and Petaluma Valley Hospital.

PAUL LOUNIBUS announced that he is walking in The Human Race on behalf of the Hospice of Petaluma.

PRESIDENT LEROY reminded the members of the Butter and Eggs Day Parade on Saturday, April 29, and invited all to help with the Rotary float that morning at AL KAPLAN’s storage yard.

Ed Fullerton announces Argentine GSE Team is visiting Sebastopol tomorrow.

PRESIDENT LEROY explained that ONITA PELLEGRINI will be available in the lobby at the May 11 meeting for those members who want to make payments on their Paul Harris awards. The club will match that amount on your behalf.

GEOFF ELLIS offered his craft talk beginning with the saga of a pretty sorry canoe race. This corn-fed Midwestern boy saw Hank Aaron tie Babe Ruth’s record for homeruns in Philadelphia. After several ventures in the dot.com world, he now works for Lace House Linen and is “currently” married to PHOEBE.

Hungry for cake, Andy Kvalheim joins Henry at the Birthday Table.

HENRY HANSEL and RICK VAN BEBBER were the only April birthday attendees,

           . . . but MARCUS BENEDETTI bragged about a new baby boy and offered $100 in honor.

LORETTA (just got back from Boomtown) CATAROZOLI won the raffle but walked away with only the wine. Next week’s raffle is $325!!

PRESIDENT LEROY introduced the program on the future of the Petaluma Rotary Club

           . . . along with MICHAEL CARUANA.  PRESIDENT LEROY asked MICHAEL to chair a sub-committee to look into the club’s past, present, and future to propose ways in which the club can remain vibrant. PRESIDENT LEROY offered interesting history about our club including information on HOMER WOOD, our club’s first president (1923). He also shared some great old pictures of HENRY HANSEL, DAN LIBARLE, MIKE MADICK, and LARRY JONAS (hair, beards, etc.). The club’s first Farmer’s Night was in 1930; the first Christmas (now Holiday) Party in 1950; and the first All-Day Breakfast in 1955. MICHAEL took it from there and shared the committee goals, all intended to maintain the club’s strong legacy while adapting to the changing interests of the members. The committee’s report is intended to be starting point for further consideration and action by subsequent presidents and their boards. It was moved and seconded to accept the report.

Next week – ALL DAY BREAKFAST

PRESIDENT LEE looked around a sparse room and commented that the smallish crowd must be due to the sunshine outside, a rare treat for local Rotarians.

KEITH SOLTS, apparently inspired by the beauty outside, then led the crowd in America, the Beautiful.

HERB BUNDESEN took this photo.

The Thought for the Day was provided by AL CATTALINI who somehow combined Adolph Hitler, Ted Williams, and Bill Shoemaker into a profound, if confusing, message. Because Al invited the crowd to sit for his epistle, PRESIDENT LEE apparently forgot the traditional hug and handshake time.

Sunshine Report. PRESIDENT LEE and a round of applause welcomed HARVEY FREETLY back after his recent hospital visit. Good to see you, Harvey!

Jumping right to visitors, JOANNE FERRIS introduced two visiting Rotarians while ONITA PELLEGRINI, NANCY KOENITZER, and JUDI ALLEWELT introduced their guests.

STEVE RUSTAD announced that American Graffiti 2006, a car show, 50’s cruise event with dancing, music, food and contests would be held on Saturday, May 20. Proceeds will benefit Petaluma Save-A-Life, a project of Petaluma Sunrise Rotary to provide defibrillators to local facilities.

JEANNETTE CLARK announced the Petaluma Chapter of Realtors 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on May 4 at Rooster Run Golf Club. Proceeds benefit D.A.R.E. and other Petaluma charities. Contact JEANNETTE or CLARK ROSEN for more information.

ED FULLERTON announced that the visiting GSE team from Argentina would be in Sebastopol Friday, April 28 (note corrected date!). Contact Ed for details.

GEOFF ELLIS announced that he, RICARDO MARZO, and a mystery paddler would launch our Club’s entry in the local canoe race at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the River House on the turning basin. Plan to be on hand to cheer our team on to victory!

PAUL LOUNIBOS invited other Rotarians to join (or sponsor) him in The Human Race, a 3K and 10k run and walk, Saturday, May 13 at Howarth and Spring Lake Parks in Santa Rosa. Paul is raising funds for Hospice of Petaluma.

TAWNY TESCONI reminded members of the All-Day Breakfast on May 4 and distributed posters for members to display.

PRESIDENT LEE sought help for assembling the Rotary float for the Butter and Eggs Day parade. Join him Friday night, April 28th. And show up to parade with the float the next day. It’s scheduled to enter the parade at 12:50 p.m. at Fourth and D Streets.

TOM BUCKLEY gave his craft talk, describing growing up in Yakima, Washington and his lifelong career in the hotel business. Starting with Red Lion Inns, and moving around the west, he has been with RIM Hospitality, operator of the Petaluma Sheraton, for the past four years. Welcome to the Club, Tom!

WALLY BRAGDON was a bit perplexed when the Boy Scouts failed to help him across the street. Just kidding! They were supposed to present the charter for our Troop 9 today, but were a no-show. Maybe next week!

NIT ANDERSON proudly discussed her daughter, Natasha, who recently graduated from UC Davis with degrees in Communications and Psychology. Despite her extensive description of the impending costs of graduate school and her recent purchase of property in Thailand, she allowed a fine of $100 for her good news.

JIM McCAFFREY also had good news worth $100. He reported that a granddaughter who was last year’s student body president at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton (and is now attending Fordham) was succeeded this year by her brother. Proud Jim gladly paid the $100.

DAVID BARBIERI, who will be celebrating his 40th anniversary on Sunday happily paid a $40 fine to mark the occasion.

ED FULLERTON had the winning raffle ticket and pulled the blue rock for a bottle of wine. Next week’s raffle will be worth $300.

LOU STEINBERG introduced today’s program featuring Sonoma State University athletics.

We heard athletic director Bill Fusco, basketball coach Pat Fuscaldo, and point guard Kevin Christianson describe their championship season and present an invitation to the May 6 Bidnight Madness.

Commenting that PRESIDENT LEE had called on “the first string today,” songleader HERB BUNDESEN opened the meeting with his classic God Bless America.

Did you know that, in Rotary time, April is Magazine Month? PAUL LOUNIBOS reminded us of that fact in his Thought for the Day, a Paul Harris commentary on the way to peace, published in the May, 1942 Rotarian magazine.

JUDI ALLEWELT introduced our one visiting Rotarian, the President of the Novato Club. CLARK ROSEN, ONITA PELLEGRINI, and ROY MUSICK introduced their guests. You’ll read about MICHAEL WHITE’s guest later.

Sunshine Report. PRESIDENT LEE reported that HARVEY FREETLY had been hospitalized with a virus. The good news is that the fever is gone and Harvey should be home today or tomorrow.

JOANNE FERRIS advised that CONNIE HEIZER had just undergone a pioneering two-day surgery at UCSF to correct a back problem. It appears to have gone well with Connie being just the 19th person to undergo this procedure. Harvey and Connie, we look forward to having you both back with us soon!

RALPH SARTORI told members that they should have received their All Day Breakfast package in the mail. The package consists of 12 tickets and your work assignment. Both are mandatory! Ralph didn’t know the whereabouts of JIM MICKELSON and his promised posters, but you’ll probably hear more about this next week.

PRESIDENT LEE is looking for volunteers to help with the Rotary float in the April 29 Butter and Eggs Day Parade. He needs help assembling the float on Friday evening, April 28 and folks to walk with the float on the 29th.

The Tahoe City Rotary Club is sponsoring the Tahoe Cup Challenge golf tournament at Whitehawk Ranch & Golf Resort on May 18. Contact PRESIDENT LEE for more information — or click the link.

DEAN ABERCROMBIE gave his craft talk. Born in Lakeport, raised in Ukiah, and graduated from Chico State, Dean admitted to releasing six chickens at the Ukiah-PHS basketball game in 1968. He volunteered a $50 fine for this travesty before describing a lifetime of exciting banking and other corporate assignments. We’re not quite sure how tasks such as salvaging Eureka Federal Savings and Bud’s Ice Cream prepared Dean for his position at Bank of Petaluma. Maybe it was the Ukiah chickens that did it. Anyway, welcome aboard, Dean!

GEORGE BUNNELL pleaded guilty to missing the induction of the two new Rotarians he sponsored and also to missing JAY PALM’s craft talk. He offered up a $100 fine for these infractions.

DEAN ABERCROMBIE returned to the podium with the winning raffle ticket. Alas, he drew a blue rock and earned a bottle of wine. Next week’s raffle will be worth $275.

MICHAEL WHITE introduced today’s program presented by

           . . . his father, Bill White. Bill told a fascinating story of accompanying his wife on a trip to the Languedoc region of France, strolling into a real estate office in Limoux, and buying an 800-year-old home. He described the home’s meticulous restoration into today’s Montfaucon, elegant accommodations for discriminating tourists.

Bill White bikes in France.

STEVE RUSTAD came forward to lead us in the singing of “America The Beautiful”.

JIM BECKER gave “The Thought for The Day.” Helping internationally is in the sprit of Rotary, and we can all be proud of our club’s activity and sponsorship of international projects.

Greetings followed in the usual Petaluma Rotary handshake, hugs, and welcomes to all in attendance.

PRESIDENT LEROY then asked KEITH SOLTS to introduce the Visiting Rotarians. There were visiting Rotarians from the Ukiah, Petaluma Valley, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa Clubs. Our current DISTRICT GOVERNOR CHARLIE KELLY along with four Past District Governors were in attendance.

Rotarians with guests included ED FULLERTON with his wife Carol. MARCUS BENEDETTI with his uncle, Herm Benedetti. ROY MUSICK with his wife, Linda, and friend, John O’Hara.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR CHARLIE KELLY then was introduced by PRESIDENT LEROY. It seems that a new member was about to be inducted into a very special group.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR CHARLIE KELLY then announced that

           . . . our own ED FULLERTON was nominated to be District Governor in two years. At this point a standing ovation was given to Ed.

After things calmed down Ed thanked the members for their support, and told us how proud he was to be selected to serve as District Governor. We all CONGRATULATE you ED!!

George Wagner, President of Petaluma Sunrise, announces Easter Egg Hunt.

Announcements followed: There will be an Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Petaluma Sunrise Rotary this Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at McNear Park.

Geoff Ellis, Ricardo, and ??? will be in the canoe.

We are in need of helpers for the upcoming canoe race. Contact RICHARD MARZO if you can help.

Dan Marsh discusses ballet calendar.

Support the Petaluma City Ballet. It’s a very positive activity for many of our young people. They are asking for sponsors for a Petaluma City Ballet calendar. Contact Kathy Guthormsen at 414-507-6708 or 707-766-8827 (evenings) if you have any questions.

Dates to Remember:

April 29, Butter & Eggs Day Parade

ALL DAY BREAKFAST MAY 4th- Tickets will be going out very soon.

PRESIDENT LEROY then reported on the Community Achievement Night for Youth. It was a Great Night where students are honored for their achievements. Our club sponsors a scholarship for a deserving senior.

PRESIDENT LEROY asked ALL MEMBERS to check their information on the Club Roster. Let STEVE OLMSTED or AL CATTALINI know of any changes that need to be made.

PRESIDENT LEROY then fined LARRY JONAS for making off color comments at last week’s meeting.

ED FULLERTON was fined for being nominated to serve as District Governor.

PRESIDENT LEROY announced that the Petaluma Valley Club had made a donation to our Foundation in memory of ART AGNEW and GENE BENEDETTI.

RICK VAN BEBBER had the right raffle ticket but left the $225.00 for next week’s winner and took home a bottle of wine instead.

LOU STEINBERG then introduced our Guest Speaker,

           . . . Maureen Middlebrook, who is the Community Affairs Officer for The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Maureen gave a very informative talk on the history of The District, how the District is funded, how the District preserves land for the community, and how the District partners with other agencies. Since 1990 over 140 projects have preserved 70,000 acres at a cost of around 2 million dollars.

Don’t forget to mark May 4th on your calendars – ALL DAY BREAKFAST.