January 2008

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

January 31, 2008

COMING EVENTS

February 7 - Dark; meeting replaced by Crab Feed
February 8 - Crab Feed
February 14 - Michael McNeill, Keller Estate Winery
February 21 - Kevin Lunny
February 28 - Greg Sabourin, Petaluma Small Craft Coalition
March 6 - Bill Roop, Archaelogical Resource Service, "Local Relics"
March 13 - Gary Alt, Polar Bears

TED ADKINS started off the festivities with stirring renditions of Rambler and God Bless America.

MIKE BADDELEY strode to the podium to deliver the thought for the day. His reputation for being a little long-winded preceded him and he and was warned that he was NOT today’s program. He relayed a few cynical political quotes the best of which went something like this. “The problem with political jokes is that they usually get elected.”

Orest Balytsky introduces visiting Rotarians.

There were a number of visiting Rotarians in attendance from the other two Petaluma clubs.

Tawny Tesconi inducts our newest member.

PRESIDENT LOU sponsored another new Rotarian, LEE REPOSA, Business Development Officer of Sonoma Bank.

Carrie Pierson and Joanne Ferris still have birthdays!

RICK MOSSI delivered an update on the sales of raffle tickets. Perennial powerhouse HENRY HANSEL is leading the pack at present with a lot of time and a number of sandbaggers lurking in his rearview mirror.

PRESIDENT LOU did not have hard evidence of anyone committing any specific crimes and so asked for volunteers to find themselves. Apparently, no one has been vacationing or buying cars.

BARNEY FAUSS saw a chance to speak and jumped to his feet to tell a joke insulting his appearance that justifiably got him fined.

LARRY JONAS fined himself for an unforgettable offense. (Editor's note: If you remember what it was, please let me know!)

Wally Bragdon gets the wrong check.

Steve Olmsted will make it right.

TED ADKINS got up again to incur his own fine with some discourse on the little blue pill and other like supplements.

A visitor from the Valley club won the raffle but drew out a blue rock and left the cash to be won next week.

Clark Rosen introduces the program.

Our exchange student from Brazil, Pedro Moraes, gave an interesting program on his experiences here in the US and the cultural differences. Unfortunately, one of his favorite things here is our wealth of junk food. Other than that, his maturity and presence was impressive.

With that, the meeting was adjourned.

January 31 - Our Rotary exchange student Pedro Moraes will acquaint us with his homeland in words and pictures.
February 7 - Dark; meeting replaced by Crab Feed
February 8 - Crab Feed
February 14 - Michael McNeill, Keller Estate Winery
February 21 - Kevin Lunny
February 28 - Greg Sabourin, Petaluma Small Craft Coalition
March 6 - Bill Roop, Archaelogical Resource Service, "Local Relics"
March 13 - Gary Alt, Polar Bears

Today’s meeting was held at the United States Coast Guard Training Center located in the Two Rock Valley. Activities started at 11:00a.m. for those who were interested in a beverage at the Consolidated Club. The rain did not deter the faithful Rotarians and guests judging by the size of the crowd. At 11:30, it was time to depart to Haley Hall for lunch. A white van was provided for those who didn’t want to walk in the rain.

RICK VAN BEBBER was at the door to issue tickets for the seafood buffet lunch.

Besides the various seafood items, there was tri-tip for the meat eaters in the crowd. We made our way to the tables with our trays full. Various Coast Guard personal intermingled in the group answering questions while we enjoyed our delicious meal.

PRESIDENT LOU brought the meeting to order at approximately 12:15. He called on former commanding officer AL CATTALINI to lead us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Where’s AL? Had he taken a bathroom break? PRESIDENT LOU took advantage of another C.O. in the audience, FRED WULFF, to lead the charge.

TED ADKINS was up next to give “the thought for the day”. He reminded that we can’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow. All we need to concern ourselves with is what is happening today.

A big “Thank You” with applause was given to the staff and training specialists for having us as guests and preparing the great meal.

There were no hugs and handshakes, but straight to announcements. PRESIDENT LOU reminded everyone to get their crab feed tickets at STEVE HENRIS’ office. RICK MOSSI was available after the meeting with his side kick, WALLY BRAGDON, for those with raffle tickets to turn in and those that needed more tickets. We’re having kind of a slow start on ticket sales. Where are those sand baggers? Time to turn in those tickets!

We were then welcomed by Captain Brian Marvin. After a short talk on the Two Rock Training Facility, the C.O. showed us a short video about the various aspects of training at the facility. The centers main focus is on electronics, food service, information systems and operation specialists. This facility has the only cooking school in the U.S. Coast Guard. There are 4,000 students who graduate from the Training Center each year. The staff did a great job of answering lots of questions from the crowd.

Captain Marvin has been at the Two Rock facility for 4 years. He will be leaving this summer for a new assignment. We sure hope Captain CATTALINI starts working on the new C.O., so we can return next year. Thank you AL for making the arrangements for us to see this amazing facility in our own back yard.

PRESIDENT LOU adjourned the meeting at exactly 1:00p.m. and the white van was waiting at the door to take us back to our cars. It was still raining.

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

January 17, 2008

COMING EVENTS

January 24 - Meeting rescheduled to Friday, January 25
January 25 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (Two Rock) 11:00 a.m.
January 31 - Our Rotary exchange student Pedro Moraes will acquaint us with his homeland in words and pictures.
February 7 - Dark; meeting replaced by Crab Feed
February 8 - Crab Feed

President LOU (hoist a beer) STEINBERG opened the meeting, .. .

. . . STEVE (don’t call me Linda) RUSTAD led us in song and . . .

. . . PAUL (rail or) LOUNIBOS gave the Thought for the Day. The customary greetings amongst members ensued.

JOSEPH (say no) MOORE introduced the visiting Rotarians, followed by the recognition of guests of Rotarians, including the President’s wife, Julie.

KIP (take off her shoes and) HERZOG gave the Sunshine Report: BABE AMARAL (good patient) is back home after having surgery at PVH. Unfortunately, NIT ANDERSEN lost her older sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

RICK (a rolling stone gathers no) MOSSI and WALLY (too humble to be) BRAGDON gave their weekly Crab Feed Raffle Ticket report, with the current tally showing the team headed by TOM (what’s in a) BRANDAL in the lead.

STEVE (how do you tell a rooster from a) HENRIS then reported that 300 Crab Feed tickets Dinner Tickets have been sold , but he would like to sell at least 500. He could also use some help to organize and supervise the kitchen and wait staff at the event – call Steve for tickets or details if you can help.

LARRY (I hope everyone can) JONAS then announced that there will be a live auction at the Crab Feed, so feel free to call Larry if you have anything extremely valuable you would like to donate to a worthy cause.

JOHN (he go, you go, we all go) DADO then reported on our Club’s annual Day at the Races (at Golden Gate Fields). According to John, it was a “nice day and everyone got home ok”! Kudos to John for organizing it every year… not that it’s a labor of love, or anything.

ONITA (the flight of the) PELLEGRINI announced that the Rotaract Club of South Sonoma County is holding its 2008 kick-off meeting on January 24 (Thursday), 6 pm – 8 pm at Rooster Run Golf Club – call Onita for details.

After what can only be described as a filibuster by the Prez, AL (set sail for) CATTALINI then had the privilege and the pleasure of inducting our newest member MICHAEL (no nickname) NISTLER. Welcome aboard, Michael, we’re glad to have you!

DAVE (don’t call me Han) SOLO followed up with his new member craft talk – it’s nice to know you better, Dave!

So moved was the Prez, that he proceeded to fine SHERRY (win, place or ) SCHEROTTER-BURWEN and . . .

. . . PAUL (don’t call me Lucky) LOUNIBOS a sin tax of $25 each – Sherry for attending a Consumer Electronics Show convention in Las Vegas, and Paul for having a big $$$ day at the horse races.

JOANNE (always the) FERRIS won the raffle and had a 25% chance to win the cash…but she had to settle for a nice bottle of wine instead (perhaps to celebrate her winning the cash next week)!

The Prez’ phantom speaker never showed, so (surprise, surprise) we had a Club Assembly of sorts. JUDI ALLEWELT (that ends well) gave us a detailed report on the Mini Teacher Grant program funded by proceeds from our weekly raffle, . . .

. . . and JOHN (data entry) DADO gave the local Rotary Club Foundation report.

AL (shaken, not stirred) CATTALINI then reminded us that we’re dark next Thursday (1/24) because we have our annual Coast Guard base meeting on Friday (1/25), and the base bar we’ll definitely be open by 11am. Make sure you bring your picture ID and an appetite!

January 17 - President Lou has a special surprise
January 24 - Meeting rescheduled to Friday, January 25
January 25 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (Two Rock) 11:00 a.m.
January 31 - Our Rotary exchange student Pedro Moraes will acquaint us with his homeland in words and pictures.
February 7 - Dark; meeting replaced by Crab Feed
February 8 - Crab Feed

Ron Walters leads the opening song.

Dave Amundsen gives the invocation.

Judi Allewelt gives the Thought for the Day.

Rick Mossi pushes Super Raffle tickets.

Onita Pellegrini pushes Rotary International tickets.

George Bunnell says that Steve Olmstead has his mailing address wrong.

Lou gives Steve the evil eye.

James Burleson sold Crab Feed tickets at the meeting; get them from Steve Henris before they're all gone!

Bill Groverman wins a bottle of wine.

Erik Gunheim introduces our guest speaker.

Gary Alt gets up close and personal with bears.

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

January 3, 2008

COMING EVENTS

January 10 - Gary Alt, Bears
January 11 - Rotary Day at the Races
January 17 - Pedro Moraes, our Rotary exchange student
January 24 - Meeting rescheduled to Friday, January 25
January 25 - Club meets at Coast Guard Training Center (Two Rock) 11:00 a.m.

The bell sounded at precisely 12:30 and PRESIDENT LOU brought the meeting to order by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. HERB BUNDESEN led us in song with a very serious “God Bless America”.

JUDI ALLEWELT gave the “Thought for the Day”. She reminded us that every day is a gift. She wished us a Happy New Day and a Happy New Year. The crowd agreed and gave her a big applause.

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

PRESIDENT LOU reminded BABE AMARAL and JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY of their anniversaries this month. It just happened to be BABE’s birthday, too. Our PRESIDENT couldn’t wait until the end of the month to fine BABE for his special day, so he got him now for $10.

WALLY BRAGDON reminded us to get out and sell, sell, sell those Super Raffle Tickets. All the team captains stood up. You should all have your tickets.

DAN LIBARLE let us know where to purchase the Crab Feed Tickets which are $45. STEVE HENRIS has the tickets at his office on Petaluma Blvd. South. They go fast, so if you have a big group, you better get in there right away.

TOM BAKER was up next with lots of thanks to all the people who helped him shop, wrap and deliver gifts to make 120 families with 325 children have a better holiday. It takes a great leader to put it all together and PRESIDENT LOU recognized TOM for taking on that role.

PRESIDENT LOU also recognized ED and Carol FULLERTON for realizing that one family was really going through a difficult time and went out and purchased additional items for the family.

PRESIDENT LOU wanted to let us all know that Chuck Hartley from the Valley Club is back in the hospital and not feeling very good. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hartley family.

PRESIDENT LOU reminded us to read the thank-you letters on the tables from some of the very appreciative 3rd graders who received dictionaries from our Club.

The PRESIDENT started his fining with BRIAN BREEN. On December 12th, BRIAN was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. As he drove along Petaluma Blvd. one day, he saw a Tire and Brake establishment. He was very impressed with the sign and named his new son, Brody. Where’s GARY when some easy money could have been made by the PRESIDENT? BRIAN was happy to contribute $100.

Someone tattled on Old St. Nick (TOM BRANDAL). After a couple of martinis with a neighbor on Christmas Eve, TOM found himself in a Santa suit and entertaining the neighborhood kids. His experience as the jolly fellow cost him $50.

Poor BABE was called on again for his good fortune on a recent hunting trip. He was quick to brag about killing a 22 inch buck. (The women wondered what that meant).

RALPH SARTORI quickly took away BABE’s thunder by presenting PRESIDENT LOU with a stack of business cards that were given to him. It seems RALPH followed BABE’s trail the following week. The cards made reference to a Star Motel and Cowgirl Collectables.

BABE came back with the comment about RALPH’s gun being the size of a canon. PRESIDENT LOU assessed a $50 fine to each hunter.

DON RAMATICI was the subject of the next conversation. DON wasn’t quite sure if the Club was meeting on November 29th, so he phoned one of our most respected and knowledgeable members, . . .

            . . . MIKE BADDELEY. MIKE’s wife told him that morning that there was no meeting. I’m sure LISA just wanted her man home for lunch. The PREZ assessed MIKE $25 for leading DON astray and DON $25 for listening to him. To make matters worse, MIKE was the editor that day.

DAVE AMUNDSEN was the lucky winner of the raffle and walked away with a bottle of wine.

CLARK ROSEN introduced our guest speaker, Lynn King.

Lynn is the director of a new program in Petaluma called Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. With the help of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, the program has been developed in Petaluma to encourage youth to be community leaders. Each month the class of high juniors meets for an entire day exploring issues with leaders and experts and practice leadership skills, problem solving techniques and leadership.