Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
October 29 - Club dark (Friendship Feast)
November 5 - Dr. Mark Netherda, Sonoma County Deputy Public Health Officer, "H1N1 Flu"
November 12 - An interesting program
Acting President ONITA PELLEGRINI, ably filling in for traveling TOM BRANDAL, called the meeting to order.
WALLY BRAGDON led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Meistersinger HERB BUNDESEN invited all to join in singing “God Bless America.”
JUDI ALLEWELT delivered an inspirational thought with instant results. She related her personal experience as a child witnessing the effects of polio on her own family and made a graceful segue to PRESIDENT TOM’s appeal for increased participation by our club in the Polio Plus campaign. A suggestion that we could make a significant impact by contributing at least $20 each, whether all at once or in easy installments, got a good response as the “hat” was passed.
GRETA VIGUIE and LARRY JONAS gave a two-part Sunshine Report on LOU STEINBERG. Both were impressed on separate visits with LOU at Memorial Hospital by how remarkably he has recovered from such serious setbacks. LARRY said LOU would be coming home Friday morning and is looking forward to seeing us.
Rotarians with October birthdays were spanked with the usual fine and consoled with a nearly in-tune song and some mighty tasty cake.
Renowned friendship authority MIKE BADDELEY announced that all the Friendship Feast dates have been set and guest lists arranged. Anyone not yet notified of date and location is invited to contact MIKE’s office.
JOHN DADO had a positive review of the Feast already completed at the HERZOG manor, where JOHN claimed a sort of “fun” standard was set by nine attendees consuming nine bottles of wine. What JOHN failed to mention was that six of the guests were not drinking.
HERB BUNDESEN — yes, that name rings a bell, and so can yours. The Salvation Army needs us for two-hour shifts to help collect during the holiday season. HERB will be happy to help get you on the schedule.
DON RAMATICI’s grandson Andy, who spoke to us a while ago about his cross-country bicycle ride to benefit ALS research, arrived at his destination in New York City after 67 days on the saddle, and Grandpa was there to greet Andy as he pedaled to a finish on Broadway.
PRESIDENT TOM was unmerciful in absentia, as ONITA levied prescribed fines on the following:
LORETTA CATAROZOLI, whose Wisconsin trip sounded like punishment enough, including a wedding canceled by the bride (Loretta’s niece) . . .
LARRY JONAS, who did not recruit enough of us for that re-positioning cruise to get a “comp’ed” cabin but nevertheless enjoyed himself . . .
RICK SUSICK, a.k.a. Fish Magnet, for catching 10 sturgeon on his Vancouver fishing trip, including one that was over 8 feet long and estimated to be 120 years old (and probably suffering from dementia) . . .
MIKE BADDELEY, whose varsity-football-playing daughter Jordy simply can’t stay out of the news, using skillful barrister logic to make a case that his fine should be levied equally against RICK MOSSI, father of standout Rancho Cotate football player Nick Mossi, and RICK SUSICK for filling the kids’ heads with fish stories . . .
BABE AMARAL, guilty of being married to one fine golfer, as Emily won a $5,000 prize for her second-place finish in the Giacomini Golf Tournament . . .
and JOANNE FERRIS, deservedly proud of St. Vincent High School’s beautiful new athletic field, also beaming with pride as her twin son and daughter turned 21 in May . . . However, in the days leading up to his birthday celebration and finals week of his senior year at Gonzaga University, son Jack, perhaps in a last-ditch effort to avoid maturity, found himself sliding much too fast down the center pole of the campus Red Bull tent. According to the attending physician, if Jack’s pole-sliding days are indeed over, JOANNE still has a good chance of becoming a grandmother someday. If photographer MICHAEL NISTLER could have captured the face of every male Rotarian during JOANNE’s description of this incident, it would make a classic gallery of painful expressions. But like most of us, MICHAEL was doubled over with his knees tightly together.
Fate was smiling on SHERRY BURWEN, winner of the raffle and a bottle of wine.
GARY BRODIE introduced our guest speaker, Lauren Williams. Mr. Williams, a founding director of the Petaluma Trolley project, has been working for years to revive the history of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad by creating a trolley line from the Foundry Wharf to the outlet mall, including a waterfront stretch along a restored Water Street trestle by the turning basin. Funds are being raised, old rail cars are being restored, and with a lot of help from a lot of people, this great idea may become a reality.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen; luncheon photos by Michael Nistler.
October 22 - An interesting program
October 29 - Club dark (Friendship Feast)
November 5 - Dr. Mark Netherda, Sonoma County Deputy Public Health Officer, "H1N1 Flu"
Bill and Melinda Gates want your money! You’ll be hearing more from President Tom in the coming weeks about the Polio Plus Challenge and how you can help your Club meet its goals in District 5130’s Polio Eradication program. Every dollar we contribute is matched by the Gates Foundation. Please be generous when you’re asked to help eliminate polio from the face of the earth! |
As the well-fed crowd finished their chicken piccata PRESIDENT TOM opened the meeting, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and called on songmeister BARNEY FAUSS. After the Pelican Bay lead-in BARNEY led a classic rendition of God Bless America.
JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY presented her Thought for the Day, stirring verse from George Bernard Shaw. In part, “Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
When the ensuing hugs, handshakes, and other assorted greetings subsided, JUDI ALLEWELT introduced our one visiting Rotarian, Dale Ann Knight of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Club and GARY BRODIE introduced his guest, former-member Heidi Kibbe.
SUNSHINE REPORT. AL KAPLAN and ED FULLERTON reported that LOU STEINBERG is doing quite well at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he is recuperating from brain surgery. He’s planning to attend a meeting soon and is determined to greet neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. PRESIDENT TOM noted that some members had failed to respond to their Friendship Feast invitation. Whether or not you are attending, please advise MIKE BADDELEY right away. Full information and a reply form are available on the Club Website. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of fine wine to the host and to send a check ($50 per person) to Mike (not to the host!) .
JAY PALM advised Rotarians attending his Friendship Feast on October 24 that, although the food will be barbecued outside, the dining will take place inside. You can leave your parkas home!
PRESIDENT TOM reported that MARY ANN SHOEMAKER has left Bank of Marin. Her new contact information is available on the Club Roster.
Mark your calendars! The Club will be dark on October 29. And the annual Coast Guard luncheon at Two Rock is planned for January 15, 2010. You'll find these dates and lots more in the online Club Calendar.
Dale Ann Knight reminded members of the District 5130 Foundation Dinner South, Saturday, November 14 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park. A special treat is the featured speaker, Past RI President Cliff Dochterman.
Want to learn more about Twitter and Facebook? Attend the SCARC Dinner October 29 at Sally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park. Contact STEVE OLMSTED right away for a reservation and the Club might pick up your dinner tab.
Petaluma Valley Rotary’s annual Oktoberfest is this Saturday, October 17 at Herzog Hall. It’s a great event to attend and fun one to work at. If you can help them for a few hours contact PRESIDENT TOM.
Another worthy cause is helping the Salvation Army this holiday season. If you can ring a bell you’ve got what it takes to man one of those familiar kettles. Contact HERB BUNDESEN to sign up or for more information.
PRESIDENT TOM thanked DAVE AMUNDSEN, JUDI ALLEWELT, and JOE TAMBE who assisted the Rotary Exchange students during their recent stay at the Boys and Girls Club.
FINES. RALPH SARTORI enjoyed a recent 10-day cruise from Quebec City to New York City. The voyage brought him to Boston on Columbus Day where he observed lots of Portuguese in the Italian Parade. RALPH’s $50 fine was reduced to $40 in recognition of a Canadian fishing fly he presented to our President.
JIM McCAFFREY was up next. He’s wanted to boast of his grandkids’ accomplishments since last year when RALPH was President — but he claimed the former President never gave him the opportunity. PRESIDENT TOM was more than delighted to take Jim’s $50 as we learned of his granddaughter graduating at the top of her class from the University of Florida with a degree in anthropology and his grandson graduating with a political science degree from Boston College and subsequently entering the Navy. Congratulations, Jim and Mary; you’ve got a right to be proud!
MARK STOKES had a similar complaint. He’d gone the whole year with nary a fine, an inquiry, or even an end-of-the-year bill. While MARK didn’t brag about grandkids, he gladly proffered $200 (his fine schedule for this year and last) while insisting that Secretary STEVE OLMSTED and PAST PRESIDENT RALPH get called on the carpet.
STEVE (“the buck stops there”) OLMSTED blamed our Past President while RALPH responded that he ran a kinder, gentler administration that didn’t squeeze members for money, especially in the prevailing economy. Both escaped without a fine. (Looks like the current administration is also kind and gentle!)
Visiting Heidi Kibbe won the raffle and a bottle of wine.
KIP HERZOG introduced our speaker . . .
. . . Kary Witt, who manages the Golden Gate Bridge. The crowd was fascinated by his interesting stories of how a small team of professionals operates and maintains the 73-year old bridge.
Sign up for the Friendship Feast! There's still time to sign up for the Friendship Feast. Choose from 7 events October
17 through November 7. Full details and on line signup are available at the Club Website. |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
October 15 - Karry Witt, Golden Gate Bridge Manager
October 22 - Another interesting program
October 29 - Club dark (Friendship Feast)
Our honorable PRESIDENT BRANDAL opened the meeting at precisely 12:30. The club dutifully recited the pledge before ANDY chose America the Beautiful and led us in song.
JIM BECKER was tasked with the thought for the day and did an end round with some of the most famous not thought out quotes from Yogi Berra.
We had one visiting Rotarian and KIP HERZOG brought his lovely wife, Marilyn, as a guest.
Rotarian LOU STEINBERG has had surgery and is recuperating but was not seeing guests as of the meeting date.
The following announcements were made:
CLARK ROSEN had a very generous $500 donated to the club in his name by a friend.
MIKE BADDELEY updated us on the friendship feasts. Please sign up with him or online. If you cannot make one, go ahead and send an email to Mike letting him know so that they won’t have to follow-up with an unneeded phone call.
AL CATTALINI announced that there are free airplane rides for kids on October 17th and to check for details on the website.
The Valley Club came to announce that their annual Oktoberfest is October 17th. It is a great time complete with the requisite beer garden and the price is $12.
There is a SCARC dinner in Rohnert Park on 10/29. Please let us know if you want to attend that dinner and register.
DAVID SOLO announced the foundation south dinner that will be on November 14th. It is $60.
President Tom cracked his financial whip on:
JAMES GOTELLI to the tune of $100 for his trip to Costa Rica for two weeks.
KIP HERZOG was dinged for $50 for his brand new truck.
WHITNEY HALL was fined $100 for helping to kill a development project down at the Presidio base.
RICK MOSSI won the raffle but drew the wrong colored rock and walked with a bottle of wine. At least I think it wasn’t consumed at the table.
CLARK introduced our guest speaker, . . .
. . . Bob Padecky, sports columnist for the Press Democrat. He was very entertaining and enlightened us on some unique bay area sports personalities and some heart-warming stories from the sports world.
With that, the President adjourned our meeting until next week.
Sign up for the Friendship Feast! It's time to sign up for the Friendship Feast. Choose from 7 events October 17 through November 7. Full details and on line signup are now available at the Club Website. |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Geoff Ellis.
October 8 - Bob Padecky, Santa Rosa Press Democrat sports columnist
October 15 - Karry Witt, Golden Gate Bridge Manager
October 22 - Another interesting program
President TOM BRANDAL opened the meeting, and immediately led us in the Pledge.
BARNEY FAUSS then led us in song (Gypo and God Bless America), followed by the Thought for the Day from MICHAEL CARUANA. The customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members ensued.
Past-President HENRY HANSEL introduced our visiting Rotarians, and JUDI ALLEWELT introduced the Rotary Ambassador Scholarship applicant for our District.
We then had our weekly Sunshine Report: AL KAPLAN gave an update on Past-President LOU STEINBERG, who had surgery this past weekend at Pacific Medical Center. Lou cannot have visitors yet, but all of our thoughts and prayers are with him for a speedy recovery. President TOM reported that Past-President DAVE AMUNDSEN continues to improve, and that Past-President TED ADKINS is still in an assisted care facility.
The Prez then recognized the October anniversaries, most notably Past-President LEROY BEAN who will celebrate his 50th (with Oralee) on October 8.
President TOM went on to announce that 1) our lunch host, McGoos, will be celebrating their 44th anniversary of being in business in Petaluma on October 3; 2) the Sebastopol Rotary lunch is hosting a Lobster Feed on the same date (Oct. 3); and 3) the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club’s Oktoberfest will be held on October 17.
Past-President MIKE BADDELEY then announced that our annual Rotary Friendship Feast event is upon us, the details of which are set forth in the attached sign-up sheet. It’s a great event, so be sure to sign-up as soon as possible…besides you never know when the wily old Prez might start fining us more than the cost of the event (a mere $50 per person).
The Prez then enjoyed a “fine” time extorting hard earned $$$ from a myriad of members, starting with $40 from Past-President JOHN DADO for attending his mother-in-law’s 96th birthday.
Next, he assessed a port fee on the Rotary Booze Cruise crew ($25 each from FRED FROST, Past-President ONITA PELLEGRINI, President-Elect CLARK ROSEN, and cruise trip coordinator, Past-President LARRY “Free Berth” JONAS).
Like an out-of-control revenue agent, the Prez then levied his largest fine of the day ($50!) against your dear editor for the athletic prowess of his daughter Jordy (a 3 sport varsity athlete at PHS who is now a kicker on the football team).
The Prez then concluded his fining frenzy by hitting BRIAN BREEN up for yet another “assessment fee” ($20) for his never-ending house project (say Brian, in the final analysis, who collected more fees from you on that project: the City of Petaluma or Rotary?).
Past-President DON RAMATICI then reported that his grandson, Andy Samuelson (who is on a solo cross country fundraising bicycle ride to benefit ALS in honor of his late uncle, past club member John Ramatici), is in Pittsburgh, PA, and he (Don) will be flying back to New York to meet Andy at the conclusion of his ride. Kudos to Andy for having such focus, commitment and sense of purpose! You can contact Andy to express your sentiments and/or make a donation to ALS at http://www.biketripforals.com/.
Ticket #316804 was the winning ticket for NANCY COOLEY, and good enough for the coveted bottle of wine (the cash prize is so overrated, don’t you think?).
JAMES GOTTELLI then introduced our speaker, Major Desiree Soymoy, who gave a great program on the protocols and emotions involved in notifying families that a loved one has been lost in military service to their Country. The Major received a Rotary memento and a book in her name (to be donated to our local high school library) for a program well received.
After making an appeal for volunteers to help with our upcoming Youth Exchange dinner, and reminding us that our speaker next week is local sports writer Bob Padecky, the Prez adjourned the meeting! See you next week.
Sign up for the Friendship Feast! It's time to sign up for the Friendship Feast. Choose from 6 events October 17 through November 7. Full details and on line signup are now available at the Club Website. |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.