Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
October 1 - Major Desiree Soumoy, United States Army
October 8 - Bob Padecky, Santa Rosa Press Democrat sports columnist
October 15 - Karry Witt, Golden Gate Bridge Manager
On a bright (and h35ot) afternoon in the comfortable surroundings of Mister McGoo’s, we began our weekly Club meeting. PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL asked BARNEY FAUSS to lead us in song and we all sang “God Bless America”.
LARRY JONAS gave us a poignant thought for the day in the spirit of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Perhaps it was a result of deep meditation (or just a resolution), but Larry spoke eloquently about how all religions tell us to lead good lives in one form or another. Rotary gives us the opportunities to perform good acts that help shape our lives. So do good acts and everyone will feel better!
DAVE AMUNDSEN was in the house and was received warmly by the Club.
In the latest Sunshine Report TED ADKINS is doing better and rehabbing, and PAST PRESIDENT LOU STEINBERG is doing well and would greatly welcome visitors.
The Birthday Table was well represented and the guests of honor were serenaded by the Club.
Argus Courier publisher John Burns announced the Petaluma Valley Club’s upcoming Octoberfest which will be held on Saturday, October 17. Please go their website for more info.
PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL announced the annual Ag Day at the Fairgrounds, which hosts hundreds of children from the Petaluma schools and highlights our town’s agricultural heritage and the importance of agriculture in our society. On a social (and shopping) note, Bob Wahl from the Petaluma Sunrise Club is the man to contact for deep wine discounts – thank you, Bob.
DAVID SOLO announced the latest Paul Harris Fellow, PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON. This is Ed’s 5th (!) Paul Harris Fellow. Congratulations and thank you.
BARNEY FAUSS was fined by PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL for his low-net score in the Super-Senior Flight at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club.
DAVE BARBIERI inquired about the Friendship Feasts beginning next month. REMEMBER, this is the only fundraiser for the Dictionary Program and your attendance is greatly needed and appreciated.
BRIAN BREEN paid $60 in fines for the start of his new financial planning business – Congrats!
NIT ANDERSON paid in $40 for her picture in the newspaper. Unaware of her own publicity, Nit asked to see a copy so she could admire (and critique) her own photo.
JANE SALDANA-TALLEY won the Raffle.
Our speaker was Petaluma City Manager John Brown and he gave an excellent presentation on the state of affairs at City Hall and what he is doing to meet our budget shortfall. The state of the economy is affecting every citizen and community and Petaluma is no exception. John explained his anticipated funding challenges in the upcoming fiscal year and his plan for making the best of a horrible situation. He has put together an action plan that will be presented before the City Council for approval. There were some great questions from the audience regarding the business development climate (or the lack thereof) and John answered all questions forthrightly and honestly. He should be commended for “getting the message” out to the community and for his hard work navigating his way around City Hall. Thank you, John.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.
September 24 - John Brown, Petaluma City Manager
October 1 - Major Desiree Soumoy, United States Army
October 8 - Bob Padecky, Santa Rosa Press Democrat sports columnist
On the third Thursday in September we met at Mister Magoo’s. The day was a warm almost fall day.
PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL called the meeting to order and led us in the pledge of allegiance.
BARNEY FAUSS led the club in a rousing rendition of “I’m a Rambler” and “God Bless America.”
NIT ANDERSON gave the thought for the day and reminded us all to “truly live today.”
After club greetings, and with no visiting Rotarians or guests, ED FULLERTON gave a sunshine report on TED ADKINS who is recovering at Evergreen Convalescent Hospital. We were glad to have DAVE AMUNDSEN with us at this meeting for a short time.
PRESIDENT TOM made several announcements for events sponsored by area Rotary clubs including a raffle sponsored by Valley of The Moon Rotary Foundation, the September 24th S.C.A.R.C. Dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Petaluma Sunrise, the Sebastopol Rotary Club lobster feed on Saturday, October 3, and the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa bicycle event to support Forget-Me-Not Farms. Flyers were left on the tables for those who were interested.
PRESIDENT TOM announced five Friendship Feast opportunities (October 17, Dinner; October 24, BBQ or Dinner; November 7, Cocktail Party or Dinner). PRESIDENT TOM told members he was looking to book three others…MICHAEL CARUANA generously volunteered at the meeting, so PRESIDENT TOM only needs two more generous hosts.
DAVID SOLO and ONITA PELLEGRINI teamed up once again to present Paul Harris Fellow pins to . . .
. . . DON RAMATICI and MARCUS BENEDETTI — the second for both.
PRESIDENT TOM’s ‘fine’ portion of the meeting was a busy one. RICK VAN BEBBER paid $50 for PRESIDENT TOM’s delivery of his wallet, camera and other items he ‘lost’ at last week’s meeting.
MARCUS BENEDETTI was impressed with PRESIDENT TOM’s ‘operatives’ who got a picture of some of Marcus’s equipment parked in the wrong place…Marcus paid $50 for the “inconvenience to any members.”
TOM BAKER was almost fined for having a wrong address on file, but when the evidence showed his address was correct, he made a $20 ‘donation’ anyway. Four members were fined $5 each for not wearing their badge.
BABE AMARAL and ONITA PELLEGRINI were fined an additional $5 to get their badges back from President Tom.
ED FULLERTON was fined $10 for ‘dirty’ dancing during the Patsy Kline show at Cinnabar (the only kind he says he knows)!
And, finally, Past President BABE AMARAL persuaded PRESIDENT TOM to fine himself $40? $60? $100!!! for “the best picture anyone of had ever seen of him” on a billboard somewhere in town.
PRESIDENT TOM says he doesn’t know how it got there, but he agreed to pay the fine anyway.
AL KAPLAN wanted to know where his flag from the golf tournament went.
GRETA VIGUIE won the raffle and a bottle of wine.
This week’s speakers were our very own DAVID SOLO, who spoke about the Rotary Foundation and told us how our contributions support the Annual Programs Fund, . . .
. . . and MICHAEL CARUANA who, with the help of MICHAEL NESSLER’s multi-media presentation, gave a great overview of the Arts and Equestrian Festival the club sponsored in July. He urged us to consider this a better option for fund raising as no other events like it exist in the area.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldańa-Talley; photos by Michael Nistler.
September 17 - Michael Caruana and David Solo - “Around the world with Rotary – how YOU can make a difference!”
September 24 - John Brown, Petaluma City Manager
October 1 - Major Desiree Soumoy, United States Army
PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL called the meeting to order with an authoritative ringing of the bell and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The ever-resonant HERB BUNDESEN inspired a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
In a slight departure from the usual reverential Thought for the Day, MIKE BADDELEY read a list of famous entertaining insults from the likes of Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, and other notables. Mike did have a message in all this for us: while it’s preferable to be nice, if you’re going to deliver a putdown, make it good and witty.
AL KAPLAN gave a Sunshine Report on TED ADKINS, who has suffered a series of heart attacks that put him in and out of Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is now sporting a pacemaker. Later in the meeting JOHN DADO received a phone call from Ted’s daughter Dana with word that Ted is receiving care at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation on Douglas Street.
PRESIDENT TOM reminded us of an upcoming SCARC dinner hosted by the Sunrise Club on September 24 and the Sebastopol Club’s lobster feed on October 3.
Our own club’s Friendship Feasts will be scheduled soon, and our President is still looking for a few volunteers to host. JAY PALM, who will once again host a feast at his ranch, wanted to make sure his guests knew that black tie and formal evening gowns would not be appropriate for his rustic venue. SHERRY BURWEN announced a “Julia Child” theme for the feast to be hosted at her home.
DAVID SOLO, ably assisted by ONITA PELLEGRINI, recognized three members for attaining the second level of Paul Harris Fellowship:
MARLENE FREETLY, DAN LIBARLE, and TOM BAKER. David’s presentation included a review of the goals of the Rotary International Foundation and how the lives of people around the world are improved by the generous donations of our Paul Harris Fellows.
Of those who thought they might escape the Wrath of Tom, the following were mistaken and had to pay for their various sins:
DAVID SOLO, who managed to save two Washington lakes from overcrowding by fish . . .
SHERRY BURWEN, guilty of having her lovely home featured in the current issue of Petaluma Magazine . . .
JUDY ALLEWELT, whose granddaughter Ashley has persevered despite powerful distractions (e.g., Fleet Week) to complete cosmetology school . . .
and JAY PALM, for allowing an outdated phone number to languish in our Club directory.
The winning raffle ticket belonged to RICK MOSSI, and plucking the brown rock from the bag earned him $75 and the attention of several members who wanted to meet him later for drinks.
WALLY BRAGDON introduced our speaker, Rotarian and Assistant District Governor Pamela Tuft. Pamela gave us the history of the Rotary Summer Camp in honor of Tom Farrell and John G. Strong (formerly known as Cool Kids Camp) at Cloverleaf Ranch, from its beginnings as a project of the Sebastopol Club in 1990 to a District-wide project that now includes support from every Rotary Club in Sonoma and Napa Counties.
This annual camp provides positive experiences and healing opportunities for over 60 children, including many from Petaluma, who have been victims of all kinds of physical and mental abuse. With a little more support the project can be expanded to serve as many as 80 children.
As usual, our guest was asked to sign a book that will be donated by our club to a school library. This week’s book, headed to St. Vincent High School, was an older hardbound copy of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, contributed by STEVE OLMSTEAD, who inherited the book from his uncle and Rotarian DUNCAN HOUX OLMSTED.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen; photos by Michael Nistler.
September 10 - Pamela Tuft - "Cool Kids Camp"
September 17 - Michael Caruana and David Solo - “Around the world with Rotary – how YOU can make a difference!”
September 24 - John Brown, Petaluma City Manager
October 1 - Major Desiree Soumoy, United States Army
It was time for the first meeting in the month of September 2009 for the Rotary Club of Petaluma. Mister McGoo’s provided a wonderful assortment of food. The buffet table included clam chowder, salad, cold cuts for sandwiches with all the trimmings, Cesar salad, mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, gravy, pasta and vegetables and brownies for dessert.
The bell sounded at precisely 12:30 and PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL brought the meeting to order. WALLY BRADGON led us in the Pledge to the Flag.
ANDY KVALHEIM led us in the traditional Rotary theme song,”I’m a Rambler”. He continued with “God Bless America” in a pitch that made the crowd sound like a well-orchestrated choir.
LEE REPOSA gave the “Thought for the Day”.
The usual hugs and handshakes quickly followed. JUDY ALLEWELT introduced the visiting Rotarian. The Rotarians with guests were then introduced. Lots of people came to check out our famous speaker, Jeff Farrar from Industrial Light and Magic.
JIM BECKER let us know that DICK WEBER is doing fine and misses all of us. LARRY JONAS had coffee with DAVE AMUNDSEN. He’s getting better, so give him a call. He would love to hear from you. LARRY made the mistake of mentioning his helmet under the table. He was surprised that BABE AMARAL had not stolen it. More about that later.
It looks like September is a great month to get married. The following Rotarians got hitched.
FRED WULFF to Helen in 1962
ERIK GUNHEIM to Espe in 1984
BILL GROVERMAN to Christina in 1994
RICK VANBEBBER to Karen in 1975
AL RICHARDS to Gillian in 1956
FRED FROST to Linda in 1965
BUTCH SPOLINI to Judy in ?
LARRY JONAS received a Certificate of Appreciation for all the work he does for our Club. Thanks, LARRY. Now back to his helmet. When he returned to his seat, it was gone. M..m..m. I’m not sure who took it or when it got returned.
Please check on line to see if all your information is correct. E-Mail AL if there are changes. Speaking of changes ~ apparently the mailed Rota-Teller states that our meetings are still held at the Vets. It seems that would be SECRETARY STEVE OLMSTED’s responsibility, which cost him $5.00.
Make sure you check out the Sebastopol Rotary Club’s annual Lobster Feed on October 3rd.
Poor SHERRY BURWEN. She keeps losing things. Last week she paid $25 for losing three rotary pins. While taking care of that revelation, she lost her bracelet. It cost another $25 to retrieve it.
PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR ED FULLERTON was happy to announce that he finally received a trophy for golf. It didn’t seem to bother him that it was for last place in the 2009 Cotati-Rohnert Park Tournament. He seemed even happier to donate $20 to the Club.
LEE REPOSA was proud to announce that after having two daughters, his wife was pregnant with a boy. The thrilled father was happy to donate $100 to PRESIDENT TOM’S fine coffer.
LEROY BEAN was called on next and he couldn’t figure out why. He hadn’t lost anything, didn’t receive any trophies and Oralee wasn’t pregnant. PRESIDENT TOM revealed that LEE is quite the fisherman or is West Coast Resorts known for its easy pickins? He got his limit of halibut and salmon every day and had to throw lots back in the ocean. PRESIDENT TOM offered up a fish counter and collected $50 from LEE.
NANCY COOLEY was next to stand. Her badge was found on the floor. How did that happen? She made the mistake of sitting next to BABE. It only cost her $5 for the badge and PRESIDENT TOM threw in her flag sponsorship from the golf tournament.
PRESIDENT TOM remembered the raffle. BARNEY FAUSS walked away with a nice bottle of wine.
WALLY BRAGDON introduced our guest speaker and Petaluma resident, Scott Farrar. Scott was nominated several times for an academy award and won for his special effects in the movie Cocoon. He is the visual effects supervisor at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). He presented us with an amazing demonstration of the incredible work involved in creating the magic we see in the finished product in movies such as Star Trek, Transformers, Ironman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and Men in Black. Those of you that were not in attendance missed a really good one.
Meeting adjourned.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Loretta Catarozoli.