Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
March 1 - Robert DeLeo - CEO, Polly Klaas Foundation
March 8 - Another great program
March 15 - Express Meeting
March 22 - Club Dark
March 23 - Farmers & Merchants Night
March 29 - Larry Myers - Polio Plus
Why are these women smiling? Read below.
It was the last meeting of February and a smiling PRESIDENT JOANNE called the meeting to order, announcing that she had only 16 meetings to go.
Still missing our U.S. flag but holding a miniature version aloft, PRESIDENT JOANNE called on PRESIDENT-ELECT NANCY COOLEY to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Songleader JIM BECKER warmed up on I’m a Rambler, . . . followed by God Bless America.
JOE TAMBE delivered the Thought for the Day, a comical take on dieting. There were no visiting Rotarians today but a number of Rotarians brought guests. ROY MUSICK introduced his wife Linda, RICK GORMAN saluted Jason Gooch as a 4-time visitor, and PRESIDENT JOANNE introduced Stuart Charlton and Dan Barry.
CLARK ROSEN presented an upbeat Sunshine Report on his wife Patti. He says she is doing well and loves — but misses — us Rotarians.
ONITA PELLEGRINI’s announcement that Clark had been named by the Chamber of Commerce and the Argus Courier as Petaluma’s “Citizen of the Year” evoked a standing ovation from the crowd. Congratulations, Clark. It’s great to see that your good works have not gone unnoticed!
JIM BECKER announced that the International Committee would meet on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:15 p.m. at Exchange Bank. Special guests will be Dale Knight of District 5130 and Keith Axel of District 5150.
There was a good crowd at the February birthday table. NIT ANDERSON, JOE TAMBE, WALLY BRAGDON, ROY MUSICK, AL CATTALINI, LEE REPOSA, and LOU STEINBERG each paid a $5 to commemorate their birthday.
PRESIDENT JOANNE announced that Farmers and Merchants Night, a Petaluma tradition since 1930, was coming up on Friday, March 23. She asked that every member attend, bringing a farmer or merchant as a guest. If you don’t know any farmers, BILL GROVERMAN will find you one.
GREG O’BRIEN, co-chair of the Petaluma Art and Equestrian Festival, announced that this year’s event would be held on Sunday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stressing the fund-raising potential of the event, he asked for strong club participation and stressed the importance of obtaining event sponsors. Co-chair MICHAEL CARUANA stressed that the PAEF was a “total Club event” and that there were important tasks for everyone. Even if you must be out of town on July 29, there’s lots of advance work to be done!
SECRETARY GAIL CARDAROPOLI announced that Kevin Eisenberg (from the Rotary Club of Calistoga) had been elected as Rotary District 5130 Governor 2014-15 Nominee.
PRESIDENT JOANNE reminded members of the April 3 wine tasting event at La Dolce Vita Wine Bar. Plan to attend this wine-and-food event which benefits the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund.
JEANNETTE CLARK, honored today as the Club’s first woman President (2000-2001), recalled how the “good old boys became my best friends.” She encouraged everyone to attend the March 16 luncheon in Santa Rosa celebrating 25 years of women in Rotary. She noted that “this celebration is about you guys!” (Note: There’s some confusion about the location of this luncheon, It’s at the Vintners Inn (John Ash & Co.), not at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel.)
LEE REPOSA identified himself as the owner of a found BMW key fob ($5 fine) and then reported on the 2012 Super Raffle. With a goal of selling 1,500 tickets, we actually sold 1,613. Wow!
The winning team, captained by TOM BRANDAL, sold 289 tickets. STEVE GAVRILOF’s team was second with 278 sales, followed by ONITA PELLEGRINI (224) and NANCY COOLEY (223). TOM BAKER was saluted for most tickets sold by an individual: 149. Following Tom were HENRY HANSEL, RALPH BETTINELLI, KIP HERZOG, STEVE GAVRILOF, and NANCY COOLEY. The “Rookie Team Captain of the Year” was STEVE GAVRILOF.
A new twist this year was weekly sales competitions between opposing groups: guy vs. gals, boots vs. suits, and past presidents vs. future presidents. The winners were the ladies, the farmers, and the past presidents. A representative of each group was selected by lot to join the top sellers at a special McNear’s Beers and Billiards Ball. They were JEANNETTE CLARK, GARY BRODIE, and BARNEY FAUSS. (Did you know that GARY BRODIE was a farmer?)
WALLY BRAGDON sold a winning ticket to his wife, Marilyn, and despite his protestations about not receiving a Form 1099, paid a $70 fine.
RICK GORMAN, whose wife, Erica, won the $8,000 grand prize, was in line for a stiffer fine. He volunteered a $100 fine to the Club and another $100 to the RI Foundation.
JOHN DADO, Club President in 1988-89, used his Rotary Minute to recall the induction of the Club’s first women members during his term. The four women were Mary Ostrander, Marge Deering, Janet Cella, and Patty Hillegoss. (Your editor joined the Club earlier that year and was privileged to have been present at the historic luncheon where these four pioneers joined the previously male-only club.)
STEVE GAVRILOF won the raffle and a bottle of bubbly.
LOU STEINBERG introduced Ben Stone, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board who present an interesting overview of economic trends and projections. Thanks, Lou, for arranging this presentation!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
February 23 - Ben Stone - Director, Sonoma County Economic Development Board
March 1 - Robert DeLeo - CEO, Polly Klaas Foundation
March 8 - Another great program
March 15 - Express Meeting
Guests started arriving promptly at 6pm for the Rotary Club of Petaluma’s Annual Crab Feed. The Vets Building was beautifully decorated (under the supervision of Carol Libarle, Tammy Henris and PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS) by student/Interact helpers.
The drinks were flowing as members and guests mingled through the halls, enjoying fellowship and the great music by the Petaluma High School Jazz Band. The band was a welcome addition to the evening and helped set a great tone.
PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS introduced many community members to the ways of Rotary and started the “meeting” by singing “God Bless America”. She thanked all the Rotarians who helped put together this event, which is our Club’s largest fundraiser of the year. There were almost 450 Crab Feed tickets sold and over 1500 Super Raffle Tickets sold!
Kudos to Co-Chair JAMES BURLESON, who did a masterful job coordinating all the moving parts and, most importantly, ensuring lots of terrific crab for the crowd.
The evening’s highlight is always the Super-Raffle. This year’s Co-Chairs were LEE REPOSA, BRIAN BREEN, RICK GORMAN AND DAVID SOLO.
They worked the room very hard for additional, last-minute sales, including some Interact kids who split a ticket and took Third Place!. The top prize went to the Rick Gorman Family – we are all looking forward to next week’s fine can deposit!!!
Thanks to all the Rotarians who helped with set-up, serving, and breakdown.
Ricardo
For More Photos from the Crab Feed, click here.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.
February 16 - Club Dark
Frebruary 17 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 23 - Ben Stone - Director, Sonoma County Economic Development Board
March 1 - Robert DeLeo - CEO, Polly Klaas Foundation
Instead of the river, the members of the Petaluma Rotary Club gathered at Mr. Magoo’s on a clear day for Fun, Food, and Fellowship. President JOANNE led the Pledge of Allegiance while holding a “substitute” flag. She quipped that BABE (AMARAL) is the leading suspect and “he must be a communist”!!!
JIM McNULTY read a thoughtful poem written by a high school junior as our Thought for the Day.
JIM McCAFFREY led the singing of “God Bless America” .An election for District Governor of District 5130 for the 2014-2015 fiscal year was held by secret ballot. ED FULLERTON spoke briefly about the process.
Rotarians with guests were plentiful today as KATHY O’CONNOR introduced Clare Letourneau; BRIAN BREEN brought Jason Gooch for the second time; JIM MCCAFFREY presented his son Chris; and President JOANNE had four guests: Russ Ferreira, Chris and Sharri Ranney, and her spouse, Mike Ferris.
JUDI ALLEWELT reported that Patti Rosen may come home from the hospital Friday. LOU STEINBERG said that he visited Patti and she looked good. Patti will be going through radiation therapy, so good thoughts, prayers, and cards would be welcomed by them.
Raffle chairs BRIAN, RICK, and LEE (Hope Solo’s brother was absent) were thanked by President JOANNE and each one received a (candy) kiss. BRIAN reminded us that all raffle ticket receipts are due by next Wednesday! RICK GORMAN reported the winning team would be treated to an evening of Beers and Billiards at McNear’s!! Only 700 raffle tickets have been turned in out of 1500 issued!!!
Linda Ronstadt may not be there, but 450 other crab lovers will be at our annual Crab Feed on February 17, 2012------6:00 cocktails, 7:00 dinner. RICARDO MARZO appealed for workers to help in the kitchen on Friday afternoon about 2:00, and volunteers who can break down everything starting about 9:00 pm. He also has about 70 unsold tickets for the event.
The monthly SCARC dinner will be held at Cloverdale on February 23rd and is their annual crab feed. Call GAIL CARDAROPOLI if you would like to attend.
MIKE STAUBER dug deep for his wife’s new hybrid car and came up with $50.
PRESIDENT JOANNE then assessed each member not wearing a Rotary lapel pin $5 (suggested by a board member).
TOM BRANDAL’S Rotary minute praised our Club’s fellowship, community projects, and fundraisers.
DAN FISH won the $175 cash in the weekly raffle.
GREG O’BRIEN introduced our speaker, Dirk Gibson, who presented an impressive spiel with pictures about his “Vacation Adventures on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River” in the wilderness area of Central Idaho. For more information about Adventure Guides, LLC, his e-mail is dirk@adventure-guides.com or you may visit his web site www.adventure-guides.com.
President JOANNE closed the meeting by welcoming NIT ANDERSON back home from her native country.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Paul Lounibos.
February 9 - Dirk Gibson - Rafting the Salmon River
February 16 - Club Dark
Frebruary 17 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 23 - Ben Stone - Director, Sonoma County Economic Development Board
March 1 - Robert DeLeo - CEO, Polly Klaas Foundation
Our meeting opened at the wonderful Mr. McGoo’s and started off a bit differently. PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS was nowhere to be found; however our soon to be President, NANCY COOLEY, was there to jump in and run the show… and boy was it a show!
After a friendly “Welcome” and the Pledge of Allegiance, PRESIDENT ELECT NANCY called on LEE REPOSA to lead us in song.
This is where everything went wrong! Due to the fact that the Guys lost to the Gals in the last Super Raffle mini contest, the women thought it would be hilarious if the men serenaded them to Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” While your editor was struggling with the lyrics, he looked around in amazement to see some of Petaluma’s most distinguished business men singing loud and proud. Maybe next year we will all try harder to get those tickets in.
After the embarrassment, LEE REPOSA led us in “God Bless America”.
Then RICK MOSSI taught us about Leadership with his Thought of the Day. The customary handshakes and hugs amongst the members ensued.
During the Sunshine Report we learned that Past President CLARK ROSEN’s wife, Patti, recently underwent a major surgery to remove a brain tumor. She is doing well and is recovering in Petaluma Valley Hospital. The family is accepting visitors, cards, and of course, prayers.
Past President LEROY BEAN announced that we finally received enough votes for changing how the Foundation’s money is invested.
JAMES BURLESON gave us an update on our upcoming Crab Feed on February 17th. We have sold around 425 tickets so we still have plenty of tickets available. He reminded us that you can contact him to buy more or pay for your tables.
RICK GORMAN was chosen amongst the Super Raffle crew to speak this week. He gave us an update on the current ticket sales and mini contests. The current contest, Suits vs. Boots, ended today and we will be announcing the winning team at next week’s meeting.
PRESIDENT ELECT NANCY stuck Gorman on the spot by questioning the decision-making of who is a suit or a boot. After Gorman told her she would fall into the suit category, the real Nancy came out in full cowgirl attire, boots and all. Surprised Gorman explained that though she looks great in boots, she is still a suit. Others in the audience also tried to argue their point. Even Chief DAN FISH and others tried to dress like cowboys for the day. The next mini contest starts now and goes until the Crab Feed. This time it’s Current and Past Presidents vs. the rest of the Club.
Wanna buy a hot dictionary?
PRESIDENT ELECT NANCY got started on her fines for the day and she was a natural. She started with JOE TAMBE. Joe was fined $50 for his daughter’s accomplishments as a belly dancer.
The Western Fairs Association honored Past President TAWNY TESCONI with induction into the WFA Hall of Fame. For the honor of being a Hall of Famer she was fined $50.
DON RAMATICI announced that his family has expanded. His granddaughter, Elizabeth McGaughey, Tony’s sister in-law, recently gave birth to a handsome baby boy, Avery McGaughey. He is already placing bets on the Petaluma vs. Casa football game when Avery plays for Petaluma High. For that and a new Great Grandson, he paid $100.
JIM McCAFFREY was called on to explain his new vehicle purchase, a Honda Fit. He admitted that it’s a “half ass” car but he’s not 40 anymore and doesn’t need a big backseat. With those comments he was fined $100.
NANCY then went after TOM BAKER for never calling her back. He explained that he was out of the country in Costa Rica. Maybe a monkey stole his phone. He paid $100.
NANCY was on a mission for money and even tried to sell back confiscated valuables to LEE REPOSA. The problem was they never belonged to Lee but he still paid $25.
GARY BRODIE won the raffle and received a nice bottle of wine.
GREG O’BRIEN introduced our speaker, SMART Board Director, Carol Russell. Carol shared her passion for public rail transit. She also gave an overview of the project and its future.
After having a fun filled meeting, our PRESIDENT ELECT NANCY wished everybody a wonderful day and adjourned the meeting.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Brian Breen.