Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
April 2 - A great program
April 9 - David Solo -The Boys and Girls Clubs of Petaluma. " How they
operate, benefits to the community, future plans"
On this last Thursday in the month of March, the Rotary Club of Petaluma met at the usual spot, the Vets building. It was a beautiful sunny day. PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI called the meeting to order.
Everyone rose and faced the flag for the “Pledge of Allegiance”. It was a proud moment with DON RAMATICI and his grandson, Staff Sergeant Steve Johnson and his friend, MIKE BADDELEY leading the group.
BARNEY FAUSS led us in song with “I’m a Rambler” followed by “God Bless America”.
JIM McCAFFREY gave the thought for the day. We are all blessed with our good fortune.
Lots and lots of hugs and handshakes quickly followed. Visiting Rotarians were introduced followed by Rotarians with guests. DON RAMATICI officially introduced his grandson, Staff Sergeant Steve Johnson, who just finished 8 years in the military with 3 tours in Iraq. The crowd gave him a huge applause.
PRESIDENT RALPH asked if anyone had anything for the Sunshine Report. DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON asked that our thoughts go to LARRY MYERS, a polio survivor, and District Polio Chair. He is being treated for a rare blood disease. RICK MOSSI saw JERRY GILLESPIE who is looking much better. LOU STEINBURG is doing fine and in North Carolina.
Tim Miller discusses District Assembly.
Remember the District Assembly is April 3rd and 4th. Check on-line at http://www.rotary5130.org/ to sign up.
RON HARRIS reminded everyone of the All Day Breakfast on May 7th. Everyone received their envelopes of tickets and their work assignments. It’s a great meal for only $8.00 and the proceeds are designated for the Holiday Program for the kids.
ONITA PELLEGRINI was up next to remind us of the District Conference on May 14th, 15th and 16th. It’s in our own backyard at the Sheraton and the farewell party for our very own DISTRICT GOVERNOR, ED FULLERTON. All the sessions are free, so sign up and enjoy. It would be sad to pass up this great opportunity. Check it out at http://www.rotary5130.org/.
Don’t forget to contribute to your Paul Harris. The important thing is the Club will match your contribution. Let’s take advantage of that.
Otis Brown from the Sebastopol Sunrise Club came to let us know about the Guys Can Cook Too event on May 30, 2009. Information is available at http://guyscancook.com/.
Jim Furuli from the Valley Club is organizing the Rotary Float for Butter and Eggs Day. He needs help. Please contact PRESIDENT RALPH if you can be of assistance. The theme this year is Recycle, Reuse, and Remember.
BILL GROVERMAN gave a report on the very successful Farmer’s Night thanks to DON RAMATICI and crew. JAY PALM was at the top of the list along with Mary Ann Shoemaker.
LARRY JONAS commented that everything was so good that he ate and drank too much. LARRY should know by now that any added discussion was going to cost him. PRESIDENT RALPH was going to fine him $10 if he kept talking. The North Bay Dairywomen were given a surprise check for $1,000 from the Club.
PRESIDENT RALPH looked over at the Birthday table and it was empty. Turns out the PREZ was the only birthday boy in attendance. BARNEY led us in song but LARRY just wanted to know who got the cake left at the empty table.
Lost and Found: Tulare dairyman leaves jacket at Farmers Night.
It was time for PRESIDENT RALPH to collect a little cash for the Club. JIM BECKER was easy pickings. There was an article in the Argus Courier about him being dumped by Nancy Pelosi in Washington D.C for Brad Pitt. JIM is the California chairperson of the Grassroots Taskforce for Edward Jones Investments. That was a $50 donation from Jim.
JOANNE FERRIS’ employer, St Vincent High School, is getting a new athletic field. There was a big splash in the Argus Courier about the synthetic turf. The connection to Joanne cost her $40.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON was the lucky raffle winner and walked off with a nice bottle of wine.
Our guest speaker was Jim Johnson , formerly with T.V. 50 and The Press Democrat and a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa.. Jim presented us with an amazing video of the Great Santa Rosa Earthquake that occurred on April 18, 1906.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.
March 26 - Jim Johnson - "The Great Santa Rosa Earthquake of 1906"
April 2 - Another great program
A lively and well-attended Farmers and Merchants Night was noteworthy for both fun and fine dining.
PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI welcomed all and led the throng in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
After calling for a moment of silence for AIG, RON WALTERS conducted a stirring “God Bless America.”
The highlight of the evening was polenta and stew, perfectly prepared and cheerfully served. PRESIDENT RALPH thanked co-chairs BABE AMARAL and BILL GROVERMAN for coordinating all the efforts. Special recognition went to DON RAMATICI and DAN LIBARLE, who could compete well with professional caterers.
An unnamed source in the kitchen thought DON RAMATICI was in rare form this year, resulting in a stew that was considerably better than “not burned.”
Joining Don in the production were Polenta Prince Ed Cardoza, Bobby Mawyer, Freddie Corda, Alan Brody, and Jimmy Moreda (all the way from Lakeport).
Thanks for help in preparation, food service and cleanup went to the outstanding teens from Petaluma and St. Vincent High Schools, Liberty 4-H, and Boy Scout Troop 8.
PRESIDENT RALPH reminded us of Rotary International’s theme for the year: “Make Dreams Real.” In that spirit, he presented a $1,000 award from the club to the North Bay Dairy Princess Scholarship Fund, gratefully accepted by Susan Bianchi and Judy Buttke.
TAWNY TESCONI and PRESIDENT-ELECT TOM BRANDAL introduced . . .
. . . reigning Dairy Princess Taylor Serres. The three distributed raffle prizes donated by the Sonoma Marin Fair, Clover Stornetta, Dairy Farmers of America, Maselli & Sons, Cal West Rentals, Rancho Meats, Brodie’s Tire and Brake, and Jay Palm Saddle Shop.
For more photos of Farmers and Merchants Night click here.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen; photos by Michael Nistler.
March 19 - Dark
March 20 - Farmers and Merchants Night; 6pm cocktails, 7:30pm dinner
March 26 - Jim Johnson - "The Great Santa Rosa Earthquake of 1906"
Can you find the flag to which Ralph is pledging?
PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI took the reins himself and gave The Pledge of Allegiance to kick off the meeting.
ONITA PELLEGRINI led us in God Bless America and PAUL LOUNIBOS advised us to stop eating bran muffins because life is much better in Heaven. AL KAPLAN and ONITA each brought a guest . . .
Michael introduces visiting Rotarians — and displays our slide show.
. . .and we had two visiting Rotarians.
During the Sunshine Report PRESIDENT RALPH SARTORI chastised MIKE BADDELEY and BABE AMARAL for chatting and creating a disturbance. The two Past Presidents were not able to repeat their conversation due to the sensitive nature, but they promised to behave for the remainder of the meeting.
The Club is dark next Thursday, March 19, because Farmers and Merchants Night is Friday, March 20. Please be sure to sign up and support this Club tradition. The stew and polenta dinner will be cooked by DON RAMATICI, DAN LIBARLE and several other helpers. Good times are guaranteed. The All Day Breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 7. Please be ready to work your shift and help make this event a success. The District Conference will be held May 14 -17 – go to the club website for more details.
PRESIDENT ELECT TOM BRANDAL just returned from PETS in San Jose and he is fired up to take over Ralph’s place in July.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON congratulated Tom on a job well done and reminded us that the District Conference will be held in our own backyard this year. The annual district golf tournament is expanding playing opportunities for non-handicapped players and this year’s Chairman is PAST PRESIDENT LEE BEAN. The Tournament will be played at Adobe Creek Golf Club.
The Fine Can made its weekly appearance and your editor was the first to dip into his wallet. It appears that several VIP’s were disrespected by the lack of timely crab delivered to their tables during the Crab Feed. As co-chair of this event, I took full responsibility for the mishap and will ensure that all Rotary VIP’s are treated in a manner consistent with their stature at next year’s event. JAMES BURLESON and I are working on a separate red-carpet entrance and a roped-off eating area to be surrounded by bodyguards to guarantee that our VIP’s do not have to mix with us plebeians. My mistake cost me $50.
MICHAEL CARUANA split a $15 fine with WEBMASTER AL CATTALINI for allegedly texting during a meeting.
Fine Volunteers MICHAEL NISTLER and NIT ANDERSON ratted themselves out and gave to the coffers.
CHRIS ALBERTSON won the raffle and will soon be enjoying his bottle of wine.
DAVID SOLO, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Committee, gave a terrific presentation on how your monies are directed to the World Fund and recycled back to the Club and its programs. He outlined the different ways a member can support both local and international projects and provided us with envelopes (great idea) to make specific contributions. This fostered some terrific discussion among members and everyone congratulated David on a job well done. This really was informative and inclusive. Thank you, David.
See you all next Friday at Farmers and Merchants Night. God Bless.
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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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This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.
March 12 - David Solo - Rotary International Foundation
March 12 - Rotary After Hours Social at the Banyan Tree, 5:00 p.m.
March 19 - Dark
March 20 - Farmers and Merchants Night
March 26 - Jim Johnson - "The Great Santa Rosa Earthquake of 1906"
PRESIDENT RALPH called our first March meeting to order. WHITNEY HALL was called up to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
That was followed by the first duet that I can remember as TED ADKINS and HERB BUNDESEN, arm-in-arm, sang God Bless America.
HENRY HANSEL gave us the Thought for the Day with an excerpt from a commencement address from Steve Jobs of Apple Computer fame. The walk away message was to 'Stay Hungry and Stay Foolish.'
And then I rolled over and proclaimed, "April Fool!"
PRESIDENT RALPH asked for a volunteer to represent our club in the chili cook off and AL KAPLAN came forward.
BRIAN BREEN announced that next Thursday, March 12th is our next social hour.
It will be at NIT ANDERSON's Banyan Tree Restaurant in Golden Eagle Center at 5:00.
BILL GROVERMAN announced the Farmers and Merchants Night dinner on March 20 will consist of stew and polenta. The tickets are only $20.
Unnamed Rotarian observed text messaging during meeting.
JEANETTE CLARK said the COTS food drive will continue through next week.
PRESIDENT RALPH said the board meeting on 3/11 is open to anyone and to please email him if you would like to get on the agenda.
The SCARC meeting in Santa Rosa is March 26th and you have to RSVP by March 22nd.
LOU STEINBERG relayed that the annual Bidnight Madness fundraiser for SSU athletics would be on May 2 and feature live music from WonderBread 5.
The financial dealings got underway with JOE TAMBE getting his inaugural fine of $10.
"I don't have a place to clip my badge."
"My red ribbon was there — but my badge was missing."
BRIAN BREEN was dinged $20 for appearing in the Argus with a glowing review of Petaluma's planning department.
PAT CONKLIN paid $10 for the privilege of presenting BABE with a plaque commemorating his donation to the fair.
TOM BRANDAL fined the President $10 for neglecting to call for the announcement of visiting Rotarians.
STEVE POWELL belatedly introduces the visiting Rotarian.
It then came up that he had also forgotten to call for Rotarians with guests and it cost him another $10. He blamed it on the presence of numerous bankers in the room.
OREST BALYTSKY wins the wine.
Bill Schrader, the President of Exchange Bank, spoke about the implosion of our American economy--the causes, solutions and future prospects.
After some questions, PRESIDENT RALPH adjourned the meeting.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Geoff Ellis.
