Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
September 4 - Peter Reno, "What is Type 1 Diabetes?"
September 11 - Kari Millar, "The Silver Tsunami"
September 18 - John Records, Director of COTS
On the last Thursday of August we met in the Vets Building. The day was very warm, but the lunch was an excellent assortment of fruit, salad, veggies, wild rice, chicken breasts, and (of course) those wonderful cookies.
President RALPH SARTORI called the meeting to order. Everyone rose and faced the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ADKINS led us in an enthusiastic rendition of “God Bless America”.
HENRY HANSEL gave the thought for the day. He spoke of his trip to the Olympics and how China had changed in the six years since his last visit. He related the number of Rotarians and clubs worldwide (37,000 and 1.2 million) to the population and number of clubs in China (over 1 billion and 4)…amazing statistics! He closed with a wonderful recitation of the 100-year-old Olympic Creed.
After club greetings, PRESIDENT RALPH acknowledged this was the Birthday Day, and we sang “Happy Birthday” to the honorees.
Visiting Rotarians included Roger Olsen from Healdsburg Rotary who told us about Rotary’s support of the Pacific Coast Air Museum and invited club members to buy raffle tickets for their Polio Plus fundraiser. Guests were introduced by ONITA PELLEGRINI (TAWNY TESCONI’s husband, Michael Wagner) and BABE AMARAL (Ralph Burn).
We were also pleased to have Marlene Freetly as our guest. ANDY KVALHEIM gave a Sunshine Report about his wife, Inge, who he tells us is improving and who we all send our best healing thoughts.
Though the day didn’t feel like fall, JEANNETTE CLARK announced the Friendship Feasts are definitely in the air. The feasts serve as our fundraiser for the Dictionary Project. So far, four parties have been arranged. Parties will be held in October and into November. ‘Two-host’ parties are new this year and JOANNE FERRIS has again graciously agreed to host a ‘kids included’ party.
LARRY JONAS reminded us of an upcoming International Committee meeting (5pm, Tuesday, September 2 at the Chamber of Commerce) where they will be planning a trip to Africa with the Petaluma Valley club.
TOM BRANDAL told us the golf tournament was a hit, . . .
. . . and PRESIDENT RALPH thanked all those who played and most especially those who ‘worked’ and made it possible for others to play.
PRESIDENT RALPH started off the meeting just ‘fine’ by giving back to the club the $20 he won at the golf tourney and then (so as not to be confused with Mussolini) allowed TED ATKINS, PAT SCHAEFER, and NIT ANDERSON to “volunteer” their winnings as well.
ROBERT MITCHELL was assessed that pesky phone fine.
KIP HERZOG was fined yet again and offered to bring PRESIDENT SARTORI a copy of the club roster to study so he might get to know more than eight other club members.
TOM BRANDAL was ‘honored’ for allowing . . .
. . . TAWNY TESCONI to pass along her fine to RALPH BETTINELLI while TOM was acting president (and PRESIDENT RALPH and BABE were trying to keep from being arrested). TAWNY came out of that fray with a healthy bit of ‘honor’ herself.
DAVE AMUNDSEN gave the club $300 out of pride for his granddaughter who was pictured with her prize-winning goat, . . .
. . . while retired Fire Chief CHRIS ALBERTSON gave $100 to the club and another $100 to the Ramatici Foundation as a thank you for the opportunity to announce the Community Emergency Response Training.
OREST BALYTSKY brought back a flag from one of the two “late night” Rotary clubs he visited during a recent trip to his native Ukraine.
The saga of PRESIDENT RALPH’s jacket continued this week. The newest alteration is the addition of a very stylish rodent-like fur collar that someone (from the back of the room) suggested might make a great ‘club mascot’ and BABE observed made PRESIDENT RALPH’s head look ‘smaller’…what can this reporter say??? The saga continues.
PRESIDENT RALPH was the lucky raffle winner this week (#268, honest) and promised he would lead by example if he drew the lucky rock and give his winnings back to the club. Because he didn’t win the cash, he drew a second number and gave away his gift certificate to Cal West Rentals.
JAY PALM introduced the speaker, Dr. Gene Harlan, veterinarian with the Cotati Large Animal Clinic. Dr. Harlan’s presentation gave club members a fascinating look at bovine health issues and concluded with a presentation of his special ‘tip’ of mountain oysters…enough said.
PRESIDENT RALPH closed by announcing next meeting will be led by “celebrity president” BABE AMARAL. Don’t miss it…it should be a good one!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
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NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL
The club has received an application for induction of the following new member:
If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 7 days of receipt of this notice.
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August 21 - Dark due to Golf Tournament
August 28 - Gene Harlyn, D.V.M. - Large and Small Animal Issues
September 4 - Peter Reno, "What is Type 1 Diabetes?"
SPECIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT EDITION
Despite gloomy skies at the start, the annual Golf Tournament was anything but gloomy, as 72 golfers had a great time Monday at Petaluma Golf & Country Club.
Things went smoothly and on schedule thanks to co-chairs TOM BRANDAL . . .
. . . and JOHN DADO and . . .
. . . volunteer organizer ONITA PELLEGRINI.
Top honors went to the first place team of RYAN, KEENEY STARK, & FRADELIZIO. But in a tradition that should be emulated by the International Olympic Committee, there was a tight contest for last place between SOLO, DALTON, MALNATI, & ADKINS and CARUANA, VILLAREAL, PALM, & BRAGDON. In a complicated tie-breaking process involving a quarter, DAVID SOLO’s team walked away with the prize. A special President’s Award was presented to GEORGE VILLAREAL for a drive on #3 that managed to hit the “Steep Stairs” sign.
Other winners included GINA PITTLER and STEVE COHN for longest drive, HEIDI KIBBE and CHRIS CHENEY for closest to the pin, and JIM O’GRADY of the Petaluma Valley Club, who demonstrated the greatest sobriety in the putting contest.
Good sportsmanship was generally the order of the day, not to say that the event was without incident. BABE AMARAL was nearly the victim of an errant ball, which he believes was launched intentionally in his direction. While none of the several witnesses would go on record to identify the perpetrator, some recalled that even presidential types (e.g., Gerald Ford) are capable of beaning innocent bystanders. JAY PALM was able to recover the potentially deadly projectile from the rough and noted it was inscribed with the letters “DFA.”
In what must be considered a back-handed compliment, HEIDI KIBBE said she was impressed to see . . .
. . . MIKE BADDELEY letting his clubs do the talking.
STEVE OLMSTED was less generous in his assessment, suspecting that Mike had invited an “even worse” player as a partner just to make himself look better.
RICK VAN BEBBER did a fine job of making sure that no one went thirsty, and TAWNY TESCONI noticed a brisk business in aluminum can recycling and frequent use of the restrooms.
Immediate Past President LOU STEINBERG, a veteran of many tournaments, managed to arrive in time for the dinner, having returned only a couple of hours earlier from a family visit in Colorado. Lou keeps finding ways to burn all that excess energy.
The crowd swelled to 110 for the dinner following the tournament. Outstanding food flowed from BUTCH SPOLINI’S kitchen, and master roasters PAUL RAMATICI, JOHN BARELLA, and STEVE HENRIS produced a perfect prime rib main course. The secret, says Paul, is much the same as in golf – timing and luck.
President RALPH SARTORI welcomed the diners and led . . .
. . . the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ADKINS chose an appropriate key for “God Bless America” that allowed everyone to find their own octave (there were at least three).
JIM McCAFFREY’s invocation included a plea to “improve our golf” that drew an enthusiastic “amen.”
TED ADKINS called for a moment of silence to recognize perennial supporter JIM MAESTRETTI, who has been struggling with a long recovery from a stroke.
PRESIDENT RALPH thanked the volunteers, the 22 sponsors, and all the participants who made the event a success.
In an evening that went almost without a hitch, raffle tickets had to be redistributed after the first batch of stubs was stolen. A short grace period for the thief expired without return of the tickets, and President Ralph’s threat of a $200 fine now looms over the miscreant, who remains at large.
Raffle prizes donated by Jay Palm Saddle Shop, Cal West Rentals, M. Maselli & Sons, and Brodie’s Tire & Brake were claimed by NIT ANDERSON, PAT SCHAEFER, KIP HERZOG, and CLARK ROSEN.
For lots more photos of the Golf Tournament, click here.
Ace reporter CLARK ROSEN digs up some dirt.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen.
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NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL
The club has received an application for induction of the following new member:
If any member in good standing has an objection to this person, such objection should be made in writing to the club board of directors within 7 days of receipt of this notice.
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August 18 - Golf Tournament
August 21 - Dark due to Golf Tournament
August 28 - Gene Harlyn, D.V.M. - Large and Small Animal Issues
September 4 - Another interesting program
PRESIDENT RALPH opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and called on songleader HERB BUNDESEN.
Inspired by the XXIX Olympics, HERB led a stirring Star Spangled Banner. Let’s give HERB a gold medal!
MICHAEL CARUANA was next with an inspirational poem about reincarnation, horse manure, and BABE AMARAL.
After handshakes, hugs, and other greetings GAIL CARDAROPOLI introduced our two visiting Rotarians.
Four Rotarians brought guests: SHERRY BURWEN – her sister-in-law from Florida, BABE AMARAL - Joe Calveraro, our speaker, ONITA PELLEGRINI – Joe Tambe, a West Covina Rotarian who has moved to Petaluma, and BRIDGET DOHERTY – Pat Conklin, manager of the Sonoma Marin Fair.
TOM BRANDAL reminded golfers of Monday’s tournament at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. He urged golfers to arrive on time. Check-in and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. Golfers should be at their assigned tee by 12:25 p.m. for the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. No-host cocktails begin about 5:30 p.m. followed by the 7:00 p.m. prime rib dinner. Please contact ONITA PELLEGRINI immediately if you can volunteer a few hours on Monday or if you want to sample ($35) the prime rib dinner.
TOM also presented PRESIDENT RALPH with a T-shirt from a Wild West saloon he encountered in the Rockies while ostensibly searching for Ralph’s missing jacket. The shirt proclaims, “If John Wayne didn’t drink it, we don’t make it!”
The Petaluma Sunrise Club is sponsoring a special dinner at Gohan, the Japanese restaurant near Kohl’s, to honor the late Steve Tam. Make your reservations between 5-9pm on Tuesday, August 19; 20% of the profits will go to a Sunrise Club charity designated by the Tam family.
DAVID SOLO announced that LEE BEAN had achieved his second Paul Harris award. Congratulations, Lee!
Members were disappointed to learn that ALDEN HENNINGS had resigned from the Club. We'll miss you, ALDEN. Drop by for lunch some time!
PRESIDENT RALPH read a letter from Alisa Lopez, whose prize goat was purchased by the Club at the 4H auction at the Sonoma County Fair. She reported that the goat had a “good attitude” and hoped that it would have a comparable taste. Then RALPH announced that the “beef” sandwiches we had just consumed were actually Alisa’s goat! Good attitude, good taste!
TOM BAKER was then asked to stand. Seems his cell phone rang at last week’s meeting. PRESIDENT RALPH announced that anyone with ringing mobile phones “or blue teeth” would be fined $15. He started with TOM.
JIM BECKER was next. He was in the process of being fined (for a flashing Rotary badge) at the July 10 meeting when PRESIDENT RALPH was hauled off by the Petaluma police. Despite JIM’s protestations that the badge was from the RI convention in Los Angeles he was hit with a $10 fine.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON, somehow finding time to attend his own club, was also implicated in the flashing badge caper. Despite rules against fining the District Governor (Art Agnew, we miss you and your Rules of Procedure!) PRESIDENT RALPH assessed ED a $5 fine.
The Sunrise Club won the Rotary Canoe Challenge at Saturday’s Riverfest. Seems our team of GARY BRODIE, MICHAEL CARUANA, and (allegedly) ERIK GUNHEIM was a no-show. The Sunrise president wrote “Now we know why they have a chicken on their badge” and suggested we should call ourselves the “Sunset Club.” These indignities cost GARY and MICHAEL $10 apiece.
KIP HERZOG then rose to observe that PRESIDENT RALPH was on the front page of today’s Argus Courier and that a fine was in order. RALPH agreed and fined himself $10. Then an exchange occurred about KIP’s recent hole in one on the eighth hole of the Goat Hill (“good altitude”) course. Seems you can’t claim a hole in one if your first drive from the tee was a mulligan. The upshot was that KIP will be fined $10 unless he beats his recent score when competing at Monday’s tournament.
Then KIP tried to make a deal with the President: No more fines until February if he donates two tickets to the upcoming 49er/Green Bay game. Our President polled the members for their thoughts on the proposal. Their conclusion was that KIP could donate the tickets but that there’d be no amnesty from fines. PRESIDENT RALPH auctioned the tickets and LEE BEAN, $100 poorer, will be going to the game.
BABE AMARAL was up next with a question: What happens if our President’s missing sport coat reappears? The answer: A $10 fine if it also fits BABE, otherwise no fine. So BABE left the room and returned a moment later wearing the missing coat, obviously too small for him, especially in the sleeves.
But the coat was too small for RALPH also, especially in the sleeves. Ace detective RALPH discovered the business card of Carlos the tailor at Louis Thomas men’s apparel on Kentucky Street and had previously confirmed BABE’s complicity in the sleeve shortening caper. Stay tuned for more on this matter. We haven’t heard the last of it!
What was Tom's role in the coat caper?
In deference to our guest speaker we didn’t have a raffle this week. Instead a “Club appreciation gift” was awarded to lucky PAUL LOUNIBOS. The raffle will be back on August 28 with a potential prize of $150.
BABE AMARAL, with jacket, then returned to the podium to introduce today’s speaker.
Joe Calveraro from the Internal Revenue Service gave an interesting presentation on current changes in tax law and enforcement strategies.
See you at the country club on Monday!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
August 14 - Joe Calveraro - The IRS and You
August 18 - Golf Tournament
August 21 - Dark due to Golf Tournament
August 28 - Gene Harlyn, D.V.M. - Large and Small Animal Issues
Fred Wulff and President Ralph set up for the meeting.
"Can you hear me now?"
On this first Thursday in the month of August, the Rotary Club of Petaluma met in the patio area of the Vets building. It was a beautiful sunny day for a picnic.
Ted, Wally, and John soak up the sun."
The salads and sausages were delicious followed by a yummy assortment of cookies.
PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI called the meeting to order. Everyone rose and faced the flag for the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
Saying the Pledge with his hat on cost Steve $10.
BARNY FAUSS led us in song with I’m a Rambler followed by God Bless America.
JIM BECKER gave the thought for the day. He asked KIP HERZOG” What’s the best time to castrate a bull? He answered his own question with “When he’s tied up really, really well”. He went on to ask “What’s a vegetarian? A very bad hunter.”
The usual hugs and handshakes quickly followed. Visiting Rotarians were introduced followed by Rotarians with guests.
Jay Palm introduces visiting Rotarians.
PRESIDENT RALPH announced the anniversaries for the month. Many years have collectively gone by since our Rotarians got hitched.
JOHN DADO announced that the golf tournament is full. Those who would like to help or attend the dinner should let him know.
After a little coaxing by the PREZ, GARY BRODY and MICHAEL CARUANA and an identified 3rd Rotarian agreed to challenge the Valley Rotary Club in a canoe race on the River on Saturday. Stay tuned for the results.
Jeannette wasn't wearing her Rotary pin.
PRESIDENT RALPH asked all the past presidents to stand. HE was feeling kind. Next time, those without their badges will pay a $10 fine.
GARY BRODIE was fined $20 for practicing for the upcoming golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.
DAVID BARBIERI had to pay dearly for a cruise to Alaska. He tried to recluse himself by getting a make-up on the ship. All that eating, fishing and drinking still cost him $50.
Watch out for the Argus Courier. The PREZ reads it every Thursday morning. DON RAMATICI was featured in there twice in ads for the BASH benefiting PEF. DON’S innocent look cost him $20.
PRESIDENT RALPH started to hold up some interesting photos with a caption that read “We launder money better than Lace House Laundry.”
DAN LIBARLE quickly donated $50 for the rest of the pictures.
PRESIDENT RALPH then reminded us of some the good things we’ve done recently.
KIP HERZOG’s was the lucky raffle winner and walked off with cheese, butter and a DFA hat.
It was time for a few stories about old time Rotary. JAY PALM remembered a story his dad told about Red Libarle’s cowboy hat in 1979. He brought it into the saddle shop for probably it’s last cleaning. It wasn’t going to last too much longer. Max Flohr saw the hat in the shop and it soon was at Rotary. Red had to pay $10 to get that hat back.
TED ADKINS attended a board meeting at DON RAMATICI’s office which was downtown. The vodka DON was serving was good but caused TED to slide half way through a stop light. Bob Murphy took him off to jail. His one phone call was to Ernie Jensen and got off on a suspended sentence.
TOM BAKER found himself in almost the same situation. HE sort of slid into Carithers. HE met Raleigh, the judge, at Sam’s Rendezvous to pay for his breakfast and got off with a $50 fine.
The sign of a good president is one who realizes his audience is getting hot in the sun, so the meeting was adjourned early. See you back inside next week.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.