Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
May 3 -Jim McNulty - Youth Intervention
May 10 - Nancy Cooley - Club Assembly
May 17 - David Solo - Boys & Girls Club update
May 24 - Whit Hall - Sparta in Babylon
May 31 - Frank Dean - Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS called the meeting to order and led the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
We all joined JIM McCAFFREY in singing “My Country, ‘tis of Thee.”
The Thought for the Day was actually many humorous thoughts quoted by Bartlett scholar STEVE GAVRILOFF.
The warm exchange of hugs and handshakes was all the more intimate, as there were no visiting Rotarians or guests in attendance.
LEROY BEAN encouraged members to spread the word about the approaching deadline (May 11) for submission of applications for grants from the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation. Not many applications have yet been received.
Youth Exchange Chair MIKE STAUBER is looking for a host family for the months of August through October for our inbound exchange student from Finland. To learn more about what it means to be a host, please contact Mike.
PRESIDENT JOANNE announced the last opportunities for rehearsal of the Rotary “flash mob” to be performed immediately before the start of the Butter and Egg Days Parade on Saturday. (Watch it here.) Our Prez gave us plenty of advance notice for an activity requiring no rehearsal: Rotary Day at the Sonoma County Fair on Thursday, August 9. Horses, gambling, and alcohol – or as several members called it – a Rotary trifecta.
After his travel to Boston for continuing education with 3,000 other endodontists, enduring 3 hours of daily lecture followed by partying until midnight, poor OREST BALYTSKY claimed to be in need of vacation. He was instead forced to undergo an extraction --- of $100.
While BILL GROVERMAN appeared to be ignoring the meeting and reading the Argus Courier, he explained that he was admiring a story and photo featuring “First Man” Mike Ferris and his participation in a Rebuilding Together project, for which PRESIDENT JOANNE coughed up a self-imposed $35 fine. But BILL could not escape the $100 consequence of his new truck and a memorable Cal Poly 20-year reunion weekend, of which he has absolutely no memory.
How to one-up a shiny new truck? BANO CUMMINGS was congratulated on the birth of her first grandchild, born in Nicaragua. Her $75 fine was paid in U.S. currency.
PRESIDENT JOANNE extended thanks to ONITA PELLEGRINI for hosting the most recent Fireside Chat orientation for new members.
President-elect NANCY COOLEY was also recognized for her gracious hosting of a dinner for current and incoming board members.
There were a few absences noted from the aforementioned joint board dinner – BRIAN BREEN, LEE REPOSA, and RICK GORMAN. Rick, at least, could blame a serious conflict, attending a Warriors game with his son.
Although the birthday table was completely devoid of celebrants, the club serenaded the scattered few April babies between mouthfuls of cake.
LEE BEAN held the winning raffle ticket, and a blue rock answered the question of what the Beans would be having with dinner.
PRESIDENT JOANNE introduced guest speaker Dave Pokorny, who captivated the room with stories of his 10 years as a stand-up comic. Dave promoted his current project, a series of all-comers storytelling events called “West Side Stories” on the second Wednesday of each month. The next event is on the evening of May 9 at Pelican Art Gallery.
Attend the 5130 District Conference June 14-17 in Fortuna!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen.
April 26 - Dave Pokorny - Comedian
May 3 -Jim McNulty - Youth Intervention
May 10 - Nancy Cooley - Club Assembly
May 17 - David Solo - Boys & Girls Club update
These saddles in the bar were a hint of what was to come.
PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS called the meeting to order on a bright, warm third Thursday in April.
DANNY FISH led us in the pledge of allegiance.
Song master LEE REPOSA led the club in “I’m a Rambler” and one we hadn’t done for a while…:) “God Bless America.”
PRESIDENT JOANNE asked BRIAN BREEN to step up to give the Thought for the Day and he treated us to a whole bunch of Warren Buffett quotes including one that applied very well to Rotary’s good works… “Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
After a bit of time for club greetings, PRESIDENT JOANNE rounded up the members and asked RICK GORMAN to introduce visiting Rotarians. This week we welcomed Alicia Cerruti, CPA from Petaluma Sunrise (who just happens do our club taxes!).
Next, PRESIDENT JOANNE called for Rotarians with guests and KIP HERZOG introduced Frank (a fourth generation dairyman), and JAY PALM introduced his wife, Carleen, and their friend and employee, Mary Ann.
The Sunshine Report was from PAUL LOUNIBOS who asked for a moment of silence in memory of Julie Gray who recently passed away and was the wife of former club president (1985-86) JAKE GRAY.
Club Business included PRESIDENT JOANNE’s reminder of the Butter and Egg Days Parade “Flash or Cash” fundraiser…she tells us there will be at least 30 high school cheerleaders to hide behind, so maybe it’s worth it to get out there and shake a leg rather than write a check!
PRESIDENT JOANNE announced the Turkish Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team will be here May 19-25…there are five members and PRESIDENT JOANNE is hosting one of this year’s team (all women, by the way…).
TAWNY TESCONI gave us a heads up about the annual Rotary Day at the Sonoma County Fair on Thursday, August 9 ($40 per person for a BBQ buffet lunch from 12:30 TO 2:00 PM. RSVP by July 19 to Sherry Burwen at sscherotter@burwen.us).
LOU STEINBERG reminded the club of the Petaluma High School Interact Club’s Fun Run fundraiser at PHS on Saturday, April 21 and invited interested members to consider volunteering to support this great group of young people.
LEROY BEAN was off to UC Berkeley for some sort of high level meeting, so PRESIDENT JOANNE stood in and reminded the club that the Foundation Grant cycle for this year is underway…grants are due May 11…tell a teacher! Applications can be downloaded from the club website.
PRESIDENT JOANNE announced the District Conference would be held June 15-17 in Fortuna (yes…they already know it’s Father’s Day weekend)…see her for more information.
DAVID SOLO let us know $3,000 has been added to the Rotary Foundation funds thanks to member donations during this year’s Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) campaign…remember, you have until June 1 to have the club match your donation!
RICK GORMAN and RICK MOSSI were given the razz by PRESIDENT JOANNE for presenting “naked” at the recent Community Achievement Awards…naked, that is, because they weren’t sporting their Rotary pins on their snazzy black suits (‘banker mode’) . . .
. . .they each paid $5 after BARRISTER BADDELEY threw them both under the bus when he asked, “how can you defend bankers?”
STAN LAWSON tried to leave an IOU with PRESIDENT JOANNE for his recent trip to Puerto Vallarta and for getting his wife and son hooked on bridge, but she would have none of it and he paid $35 on his fine schedule.
MARLENE FREETLY was throwing money everywhere ($50 to her fine schedule, $20 to Rotary Foundation, and $50 for refusing to hide behind a cheerleader during the flash mob), and it was all about her three wonderful, amazing grandchildren who are smart, involved in Boy/Girl Scouts (two Eagles and one Eagle equivalent), and/or about to graduate from college. It must be all that good Freetly DNA!
DAVE BARBIERI tossed out $25 for his granddaughter’s 2nd place finish at the Cheerleading Nationals…rah, rah!
PRESIDENT JOANNE invited JANE SALDANA-TALLEY to give this week’s Rotary Minute. JANE talked about her experience as a Rota-Teller ‘cub reporter’ and how that helped her get to know and connect with club members. She no longer needs to refer as often to the pictures in the club member roster to know someone’s name, and learned a long time ago that “the guy with the white hair” was not the best way to remember who got fined that week. She reminded us that one of the strengths of Rotary is the connection between people from all walks of life in service to our community and world…take the time to get to know one another…you might be surprised who’s sitting nearby.
Thanks to AL CATTALINI and his ‘lost’ badge (his was on the floor), LEE REPOSA, WALLY BRAGDON, DAVE BARBIERI, ONITA PELLEGRINI, and BABE AMARAL (his was in his truck), got nabbed for $5 each by PRESIDENT JOANNE who apparently will shamelessly collect money any way she can!
The weekly raffle had FRED FROST taking home a nice bottle of wine instead of a cash prize.
DANNY FISH introduced the week’s ‘nervous’ program speaker, his best friend, saddle maker, accomplice, and our very own JAY PALM, who was back for the third time to talk to us about making saddles (previously, he talked about lariats and hats). Jay showed us a brief video segment from PBS called “Palm Crafted.” Jay’s business is one of the last full service saddle shops in California (only two others exist in the whole state). He says they provide “everything a cowboy could want.” He brought in three saddles, one crafted by Walt Goldsmith and Gene Cisco, another by his dad and Gene Cisco, and a third by himself. He described the making of a custom-made saddle from the ‘trees’ to the tooling and amazed all of us once again with his craft and the depth of his commitment to quality workmanship. BABE AMARAL assisted throughout with some great information on hides, and a ‘technical’ question about whether or not a saddle could be made to ‘protect the jewels’ while bronc-riding (someone, not sayin’ who, was overheard to say, “they don’t make them that small…”).
Jay made this exquisitely handcrafted saddle.
All fun aside, this humble, high-heel wearin’, reporter has had the opportunity to hear all three of Jay’s talks (and report on two) and though I don’t ride horses or rope cows or go to the rodeo, I do think the work Jay does is art of the highest order and, ‘so help me Hannah’ (as my Grandma used to say) I’m tempted to buy something from him just to own and appreciate a JAY PALM original. Thanks, Jay, for another wonderful program! I’d come listening to you talk about this stuff anytime!
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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: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
April 19 - Jay Palm - Saddles
April 26 - Dave Pokorny - Comedian
May 3 -Jim McNulty - Youth Intervention
May 10 - Nancy Cooley - Club Assembly
PRESIDENT JOANNE rang the meeting to order, looked around the room, and called on AL CATTALINI to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Oops! No flag! Was it stolen again?
Not to worry, she found it hiding in the corner and drafted GREG O’BRIEN as flag holder.
Then it was LOU STEINBERG leading us in I’m a Rambler, . . . and God Bless America.
JUDI ALLEWELT gave the Thought for the Day. Recalling her recent need to compose an obituary, she reflected on the new widow who, when drafting her husband’s death notice, was confronted with a crucial financial decision. Thanks, Judi, for injecting humor into what can be a sad experience.
We had two visiting Rotarians, both of whom you’ll soon read about. Guests were hosted at today’s meeting by JUDI ALLEWELT, MICHAEL CARUANA, RICK GORMAN, and KATHY O’CONNOR.
Sunshine Report. DAN LIBARLE reported that he has new hips on the left and the right and is now looking for a fix “in the middle.”
Flash or Cash. Members who won’t be participating in the flash mob at the April 28 Butter and Egg Day Parade were reminded to pay their $50 contribution to the new Little League field. Twenty-minute rehearsals will be held immediately after the next two meetings (April 19 and 26) with a final rehearsal on parade day from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Vincent High School. Get a head start by watching the practice video.
PAT CONKLIN is offering $5 Butter and Egg Day buttons to help fund the festivities.
Dave Hansen announced the Sonoma County Backroad Challenge bicycle event sponsored by the Petaluma Sunrise Rotary Club on May 19. If you won’t be riding they’ll welcome your help as a volunteer. You’ll enjoy helping a worthy cause and receive a free tee shirt.
The following week, on Thursday, May 24, the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club sponsors an innovative Million Dollar Classic - 9-hole golf event. It starts at 2:00 p.m. so you can get there right after our meeting.
BANO CUMMINGS announced that our PHS Interact Club was conducting a track meet to raise funds for the Polly Klaas Foundation. It’s at the PHS track on April 21 at 10 a.m. Open to all ages, registration (not later than April 18) is just $5. You can register at Athletic Soles or Lion, Tigers and Hairs.
Captain Erin Brogan, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Training Center, accepted a $500 contribution from the Club to support the Children's Reading Room at the base library.
A four-part report on the July 29 Petaluma Art & Equestrian Festival was next. MICHAEL CARUANA reported success at lining up great horse events.
GREG O’BRIEN stressed the need for sponsors, urged members to get involved in sponsoring or finding sponsors, and distributed a slick flyer to facilitate the process.
TOM BRANDAL is organizing staffing of a PAEF tickets and information table at upcoming Wednesday and Saturday Farmers’ Markets. Contact Tom to volunteer — or he’ll be contacting you.
LEE REPOSA announced that planning is well underway for the great food he be serving at the festival. Again, volunteers are welcome.
MIKE BADDELEY was up next to deliver his Rotary Minute. He described joining the Club in 1985, learning a lot from the older members, serving as President, and, most notably, landing (with KIP HERZOG’s help) HENRY HANSEL to serve as President.
PAUL LOUNIBOS won the raffle — and a bottle of wine.
JIM McNULTY introduced our Assistant District Governor, a member of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Club, . . .
Wulff Reinhold who gave an informative presentation on “Using Social Networking to Enhance your Club.” Yes, our Club does have a Facebook page (expertly maintained by our President). You can access it by clicking the blue Facebook logo at the bottom of each week’s Rota-Teller. (Yes, it’s that rectangular blue thing below.)
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
April 12 - Wulff Reinhold - Social Media
April 19 - Jay Palm - Saddles
April 26 - Dave Pokorny - Comedian
PRESIDENT JOANNE calls the meeting to order.
LEN MYGATT leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
LOU STEINBERG leads us in song.
LARRY JONAS reflects on Passover and Easter.
KIP HERZOG says DAN LIBARLE is doing fine after a scare.
DAVID SOLO thanks participants in wine tasting event.
LEE BEAN says local foundation is receiving grant applications.
LARRY JONAS: “What, me worry?”
GREG O'BRIEN says Art & Equestrian Festival seeks sponsors.
STEVE POWELL pays fine for recent escapade.
ANDY KVALHEIM reports adventures in ladies restroom.
LARRY JONAS complains about bum rap; counsel MIKE BADDELEY raps bum.
Christine Walker wins raffle.
Michael Traina discusses the Petaluma Film Alliance.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini (filling in for Ricardo Marzo).