Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
March 5 - Bill Schrader, President, Exchange Bank - Leadership Challenges
March 12 - David Solo - Rotary International Foundation
March 12 - Rotary After Hours Social at the Banyan Tree
March 19 - Dark
March 20 - Farmers and Merchants Night
March 26 - Jim Johnson - "The Great Santa Rosa Earthquake of 1906"
Eight down and four to go! Now two-thirds of the way through his presidential year RALPH SARTORI opened our final February meeting and called on . . .
. . . TAWNY TESCONI to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Standing alongside her was TED ADKINS who . . .
. . . led the group in God Bless America.
MICHAEL CARUANA was next with a Thought for the Day about lessons from adversity. After the customary hugs and handshakes GAIL CARDAROPOLI introduced visiting Rotarians.
Then it was time to celebrate February birthdays. Sitting at the birthday table (and awaiting their cake) were TOM BRANDAL, NIT ANDERSON, TED ADKINS, AL CATTALINI, WHIT HALL and AL KAPLAN. Also celebrating a February birthday, but sitting officiously at the head table, was STEVE OLMSTED.
NIT ANDERSON wasn’t on the official birthday list — and for good reason. Having been born on February 29 she won’t be having a birthday this year. Nevertheless she was clipped for a $5 fine just like all the other celebrants.
PAUL LOUNIBOS read a nice note from BANO CUMMINGS describing what’s been going on in her life. Bano, we’re rooting for you and hope to see you at a meeting soon!
PRESIDENT RALPH noted that food supplies for some seniors and needy families were running dangerously low and pledged that the Club would be doing something it. He asked all members to bring non-perishable food items to next week’s meeting for donation to the COTS Food Box Program. Items suggested by COTS include pastas and sauce, rice, beans, and family-size boxes of cereal.
RALPH also promoted Mentor Me Petaluma’s Mad Hatter Ball fundraiser on Saturday, March 21. Click the link for details about this great event.
JAMES BURLESON reported on the Crab Feed. He thanked his co-chair, RICARDO MARZO, and a long list of volunteers who contributed to the successful event.
Pleased as he was about the Crab Feed, PRESIDENT RALPH had a nagging question, “Why was the President’s table the last to receive crab?” James insisted there was no conspiracy and was corroborated by . . .
. . . CHRIS ALBERTSON who trained and directed the serving crew. Chris maintained that all tables received priority service and that there was no secret plan to starve our President and his guests. We don’t think that Ralph was convinced, however.
Super Raffle guru RICK MOSSI announced that the Club sold 1,484 tickets this year. (If you do the math that computes to a gross income of $44,520.) The top team, to be rewarded by a yet-to-be-announced treat, was headed by KIP HERZOG. Kip’s team sold 298 tickets. Top individual ticket seller was BABE AMARAL with 110 tickets sold. At Babe’s heels, all with more than 50 tickets sold, were TOM BAKER, KIP HERZOG, HENRY HANSEL, AL KAPLAN, and MARY ANN SHOEMAKER.
John O’Grady, son of Petaluma Valley Rotary President Jim O’Grady and a senior at Casa Grande High School, then addressed the Club. He is organizing a bicycle event in Petaluma to raise funds for Polio Plus. John invited Rotarians to participate in the event or to financially sponsor a rider.
A very happy SHERRY BURWEN was up next. She had just learned that she was to again be a grandmother and insisted that she pay a “happy fine” for this news. President Ralph happily agreed.
Then TAWNY TESCONI explained (sort of) how she injured her foot. Her lawyers don’t want her to talk but it appears to this untrained observer that she is doing pretty well.
It was good to see NANCY COOLEY at the meeting. PRESIDENT RALPH was so pleased to see her that, after hearing about her honeymoon and housing situation, he let her choose her own fine. Thanks for the $100 Nancy!
WHIT HALL had the winning raffle ticket, drew the wrong rock, and will be enjoying a bottle of wine.
Today’s program was presented by LARRY JONAS. He recently returned from a trip to Africa where our club has been supporting two Ugandan villages with mosquito netting, latrines, agricultural assistance, and other aid. Larry’s photos showed the improvements we have funded, the grateful recipients of this aid, and interesting views of scenery and animals. We’re glad that Larry escaped the crocodiles and lions and returned safely to share the news of the great work that Rotarians (us!) are doing on the other side of the world.
Be sure to view the Crab Feed photos.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
February 26 - Larry Jonas reports on Petaluma Rotary's humanitarian efforts in Africa
March 5 - Bill Schrader, President, Exchange Bank - Leadership Challenges
March 12 - Another interesting program
The Club’s annual Crab Feed had the Vet’s hall packed Friday night. It was all the crab you could eat, and fun and frivolity for all . . . especially if you were first in line at the bar with past-presidents TED ADKINS and WALLY BRAGDON!
The Crab Feed committee pulled out all the stops and put on event to beat the band…literally! There was plenty of fresh crab, great wine, and a live band to rock the house!!
However, before the actual running of the crabs, the Prez opened the meeting and welcomed one and all to the event.
Our very own District Governor ED FULLERTON (or was it his stunt double, DON RAMATICI?) led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Song leader, TED ADKINS, then led us in a heartfelt rendition of God Bless America!
The Prez then implored upon everyone to crab up, fill their glasses, and enjoy a good dinner.
Crab connoisseur, DAN LIBARLE (whose other specialty is sautéed frog legs smothered in escargot), was on hand for quality control and sommelier services!!
Committee chairmen RICARDO MARZO and JAMES BURLESON were pleased as punch…or wine or beer or whatever it was they were nipping…with how it all came together so well.
The Committee’s kitchen staff was on strict orders to keep the crab coming until everyone had their fill, and there were plenty of student volunteers shuttling back and forth to make sure nary a bucket went empty!!
The Prez gave a brief Rotary orientation, and then had MIKE BADDELEY conduct the live auction . . .
. . . with a capable assist from bid spotters BABE AMARAL, MARCUS BENEDETTI, JAY PALM and STEVE HENRIS, all of whom whipped the crowd into a bidding frenzy for all the great items donated to the cause: 2 cases of select wines (Michelle Ramatici), an abalone and steak dinner for 10 (LARRY JONAS and ERIK GUNHEIM), a tripe feed for 20 (Prez RALPH and BABE AMARAL), and a dinner for 8 in the cave (Jim and Marcia Mickelson). Thanks to all of our generous donors and bidders, an additional $5800 was raised for the Club!
The Prez then introduced Raffle Chairman RICK MOSSI, and built up the crowd’s sense of anticipation like Wall Street waiting for bailouts, while Rick searched around for an honest Rotarian to fish around for his ticket . . . and the winner of the $8000 cash grand prize was . . .
. . . Jeff and Susan Pottoroff! Congratulations to them, and all the other $$$ winners!! The meeting was then adjourned, but not the party…it went down ‘till the sun came up…or at least until Volpi’s closed, right BRIDGET? See you next week.
For more Crab Feed photos, click here.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.
February 19 - Club dark
February 20 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 26 - Larry Jonas reports on Petaluma Rotary's humanitarian efforts in Africa
March 5 - Bill Schrader, President, Exchange Bank - Leadership Challenges
On the second Thursday in February we met in the Vets Building. The day was overcast with brief periods of sunshine, but the lunch was an excellent assortment of fruit, salad, veggies, rice, chicken breasts, and (of course) those wonderful cookies.
PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI called the meeting to order. AL CATTALINI led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
TED ADKINS led us in another enthusiastic rendition of “I’m a Rambler/I’m a Gambler” followed by “God Bless America.”
LARRY JONAS gave us his thought for the day…to be generous (as were the Rotarians who ushered him into the club 30 years ago) in our ‘acts of kindness’ toward one another and those outside the Rotary family.
After club greetings (our weekly ‘hug-a-thon’), PRESIDENT RALPH noted we had no visiting Rotarians, but JIM BECKER and MICHAEL CARUANA both brought guests. Healing thoughts went out to JOHN DADO’s wife, Sharon, to speed her recovery from ankle surgery and to NIT ANDERSON whose mother-in-law passed away.
LOU STEINBERG shared a conversation he recently had with BANO CUMMINGS…our thoughts and prayers go out to her in her recovery. We look forward to the day she feel ready to join us.
PRESIDENT RALPH reminded us about the upcoming Golf Tourney and SCARC meeting.
RICHARD MARZO reported we’ve sold over 485 tickets to the Crab Feed (we’re shooting for 525…last year’s number). He thanked members for all their great work and told us STEVE OLMSTED would soon be doing the seating charts, and gave a warning to “pay up” or risk sitting in the parking lot.
RICK MOSSI gave an update on the Super Raffle ticket sales (uh oh…BRIDGET DOHERTY’s phone rang just then…more on that later)…KIP’s team was leading…792 sold with a goal of 1,450…we need 1,200 to make our current year commitment.
MICHAEL CARUANA announced the 2nd annual Equestrian Art Festival and told members of a meeting at the Chamber office (Surprise ONITA!!! Michael told us she has the good treats stashed in her ‘second drawer down,” but he won’t tell what!).
RICHARD MARZO gave a shout out for raffle items and live auction items.
PRESIDENT RALPH announced that the winning raffle ticket team would be rewarded with a dinner in Jim Mickelson’s wine cave, an abalone feed, or a tripe feed.
"I know that milk isn't cold when it comes from the cow!"
PRESIDENT RALPH also gave MARCUS BENEDETTI a free commercial by thanking him for the ‘good milk’ from Clover.
"There's salt in my iced tea!"
PRESIDENT RALPH started off the ‘fine’ part of the meeting by calling on RICHARD MARZO, MICHAEL CARUANA, and JAY PALM (who apparently were the tallest guys to arrive late for the last Board meeting) and fining them each $10 for the opportunity to ‘lead by example.’
BRIDGET DOHERTY had her moment to contribute $15 for the ‘incoming’ call from her doctor (complaining all the while about her ‘salty iced tea’ and her suspicions about one BABE AMARAL).
BILL GROVERMAN contributed $20 for missing his dad’s visit to the club.
LARRY JONAS tossed in $20 (or was that 1000 shekels?) for interrupting PRESIDENT RALPH’s fines to tell members about the time BABE AMARAL cleared all of the furniture out of a (former?) friend’s house while he was away. Though LARRY was sure who ‘salted the tea’, PRESIDENT RALPH said we are all ‘innocent until…’ well, you know.
KIP HERZOG showed us just how proud he is of his son, Trent, and confessed the kicking talent probably comes from the Jacobs side!
MIKE BADDELEY also showed his pride for 2nd daughter, Jordy, who stars in athletics and academics at Petaluma High, and was given the opportunity to lay his fine off on a couple of fine light ‘volunteers’. . .
. . . LARRY ‘Indiana’ JONAS and TED ADKINS.
STEVE POWELL won the drawing, a bottle of wine and a Rotary cup.
Since there was no speaker this week, PRESIDENT RALPH used the time as an opportunity to talk about the year’s challenges and accomplishments and get input from club members on everything from the caterer to membership. Thanks PRESIDENT RALPH for the opportunity to speak our minds!
PRESIDENT RALPH closed the meeting by announcing that next week we are dark, but reminded us not to miss the Friday night Crab Feed. See you all there!
Counting the fine revenues.
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Everyone interested in helping with the Crab Feed has several options: |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
February 12 - President Ralph Sartori presents a special program
February 19 - Club dark
February 20 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 26 - Larry Jonas reports on Petaluma Rotary's humanitarian efforts in Africa
March 5 - Bill Schrader, President, Exchange Bank - Leadership Challenges
What's missing from this picture?
PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI opened the meeting, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The thought for the day was delivered by thoughtful JIM BECKER, who invited all members to focus on The Object of Rotary and suggested we initiate “vision planning” to create a clear picture of our club’s direction in years to come.
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OBJECT OF ROTARY
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular, to encourage and foster: [] The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; [] High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; [] The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life; [] The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
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Tuneful TED ADKINS coaxed a familiar melody from all the ramblers and gamblers in the room, followed by a more reverent “God Bless America.”
Recognizing that the reversal of order of the above events was terribly disorienting to those of us who can function only with predictable routine, our president later fined himself $10 for his lapse.
As a sort of Sunshine Report, it was noted with great celebration that JIM McCAFFREY was in the room and fully awake.
Of all the members whose wedding anniversaries were listed for the month, only PAT SCHAEFER was present. The others were presumably devoting their entire attention to their spouses.
Thanks to our deposits in PRESIDENT RALPH’s coffee can by the door, the local Girl Scouts are sending 14 boxes of cookies to men and women in uniform far away.
All members are invited to the SCARC Crab Feed in Cloverdale on February 26. Reservations must be in by the 22nd.
Never-crabby JAMES BURLESON reported that our club’s Crab Feed ticket sales are nearing 500. To grab those last remaining tickets and reserve tables, contact either James or RICARDO MARZO.
Tallyman RICK MOSSi, ably assisted by chart-filler WALLY BRAGDON, showed us the progress of the Super Raffle ticket sales: 555 paid sales to date, with armtwister extraordinaire AL KAPLAN’s 54 leading the way. All were reminded that dollars must be turned in by February 19 to count for team credit.
Team Captain KIP HERZOG asked why his inspirational letter to team member RALPH SARTORI was returned as undeliverable.
A brief investigation resulted in Secretary STEVE OLMSTED having to pay a fine of $10, a stern reminder that addresses on the roster must be updated at least every 10 years.
PRESIDENT RALPH and DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON informed us of the growing generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has upped its original $100 million commitment to Rotary for polio eradication to $355 million, exceeding what was first proposed as a dollar-for-dollar match challenge. Rotary’s contribution will be increased to $200 million.
To correct what may have been a subconscious rebellion against the new world order, DAVE AMUNDSEN was fined $5 for a missing flag array and Rotary International logo at the head table.
Now do you see what's missing?
In an artful display of extortive ability, our president reminded KIP HERZOG of a “suspended” fine earned by repeated comparisons of our leader to Benito Mussolini, a fine that might be avoided only by persuading the lovely Marilyn Herzog to address our club.
PRESIDENT RALPH urged us all to become informers, turning in either our fellow Rotarians or ourselves as deserving of a fine. If no justification is provided, it is feared that some members will be fined simply for the looks on their faces.
The winning raffle ticket belonged to lucky LARRY JONAS, just out of Africa, who grabbed a blue rock for a bottle of wine.
JOHN DADO introduced guest speaker and former Rotarian Stan Lawson of the Community Health Foundation of Greater Petaluma, who in turn introduced Marilyn Segal, executive director, and co-founder Fred Groverman. Stan took us through the history of the Foundation and how it serves youth, seniors, and other sectors of the community to promote healthy living.
For photos of last week's social hour at Two Rock, click here.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen.