Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

COMING EVENTS

October 4 - Club Assembly. Rod Scaccalosi will update us on the Center Park project.
October 11 - Jeff Gospe - GSE trip to Burgundy and Champagne districts of France
October 18 - Club Dark for Friendship Feasts

Our PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY brought the meeting to order with the loud and clear ringing of our Rotary Bell.

JIM McCAFFREY led a somewhat flagging rendition of our National Anthem, limited by the octave range of most club members.

MARLENE FREETLY introduced visiting Rotarians.

PAUL LOUNIBOS announced September birthdays: TARA SMITH, JOE TAMBE (104), DAN LIBARLE, ED FULLERTON, MIKE STAUBER, GARY BRODIE and PAUL MASELLI.

MIKE STAUBER then gave the Sunshine report: LOU STEINBERG is on the mend from a bout of dehydration and BABE AMARAL was out for eye surgery and he should have a speedy recovery.

RICK GORMAN reminded everyone that October 13th is a Rebuilding Together, Petaluma volunteer day and please sign up as there are a number of projects that benefit the local community and a yummy BBQ lunch will be served.

CHRIS RANEY was presented with his "Chicken Badge" having completed all prerequisites successfully. He then went on to announce that this Rotary team had procured a grant from our District for the benefit of a COTS home that will help provide emergency housing for up to 90 families throughout the year.

MIKE MADDALENA was also welcomed back in good health to active duty after a leave of absence.

KATHY O'CONNOR reminded everyone that the Holiday Party will be held on November 30th this year. More details to follow.

MIKE BADDELEY reminded the club to please sign up ASAP for the Friendships Feasts so we can move ahead with planning.

PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY called on RICARDO MARZO in recognition of his new "celebrity status" as father of one of our Little League heroes, however photographed without the customary Rotary Pin which warranted a "fine" opportunity. Rising to the moment Richard commented on the dreamlike atmosphere around the series of events culminating at the Little League World Series. He also shared the remarkable recovery of his younger son who just last year had heart surgery. He said he was most thankful to be able to experience the remarkable events with his family being all together throughout and sharing the memorable time with all the other families from Petaluma as well.

Then, for the glory of baseball and realizing the value of good health he enthusiastically gave $150 to the Club!

NANCY COOLEY also recognized and thanked LEE BEAN for his part in making this year's Golf tournament a success.

DAVID SOLO, with the assistance of our visiting District Governor, Michael Juric, recognized 6 club member as Paul Harris Fellows.

First time recognitions went to GAIL CARDOROPOLI and MICHAEL NISTLER.

Second time recognitions went to ONITA PELLEGRINI and WHIT HALL. Third time recognition went to JIM BECKER and FIFTH time recognition went to PAUL LOUNIBOS!

The entire Club gave a rousing standing ovation to all for their notable contributions!

Then Linda Sinkay, our Assistant District Governor, from Sebastopol Sunrise, introduced with a long list of accomplishments, our current District Governor Michael Juric, from the Rotary Club of Windsor. Michael reviewed the main leadership challenges and goals that face our District at this time and likened them to the same challenges that we face as a local club. With his very interactive and lively style of presenting he was able to draw out of our club two main predominant motivations or values held by us all: Fellowship and Service to Youth.

He then went onto outline the elements that make a successful club:
      Good Relationships
      Common Purpose
      A Good Understanding of Rotary
      Continuity of Leadership
      Willingness to Experience Change and Conflict.

His question to ask ourselves: What role will each of us play(in the change)?

In closing, he left us with three quotes:
      "What's going on here and what are you going to care about?"
      "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"
      "I can do some things that you cannot. You can do things that I cannot. Together we can do great things"

And then, with same enthusiasm and clarity as started the meeting, NANCY closed the meeting with the ringing of our bell.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jim McNulty; Photos by Michael Nistler.

COMING EVENTS

September 20 - Club Dark
September 27 - Visit by District Governor Michael Juric
October 4 - Club Assembly. Rod Scaccalosi will update us on the Center Park project.
October 11 - Jeff Gospe - GSE trip to Burgundy and Champagne districts of France
October 18 - Club Dark for Friendship Feasts

The Rotary Club of Petaluma took a break from the weekly meeting at the Sheraton to gather at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club for its annual Golf Tournament. A terrific group of Rotarians and their guests came out under beautiful blue-sky conditions to enjoy an afternoon of golf, camaraderie and friendly competition. Led by Golf Tournament Chair (and Past President) LEE ROY BEAN, a terrific group of volunteers greeted each guest for sign-in and some fun tee prizes.

PAST PRESIDENT TAWNY TESCONI and MARLENE FREETLY handled the registration, while PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS, ONITA PELLEGRINI and PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY and others made sure the putting competition was filling the club's coffers. RICK VAN BEBBER and his buddy, Lex, made sure the golfers were well stocked with all sorts of liquids and Rick's truck could be seen passing the golf carts on the course to get to the next cooler (a non-fineable offense). The PGCC team, led by club pro Doug Booth, served up a great lunch to prepare the golfers for arduous afternoon that laid ahead.

The foursomes were a mix of young and old Rotarians along with some great guests. The group of RICK GORMAN, BRIAN BREEN, DAVID SOLO and LEE REPOSA looked like the team to beat, but that notion was quickly dispelled when SOLO hit his first drive and immediately yelled "fore!" RICK SUSICK and Doc Sisler were golfing AND also available to help in case of emergency (except when it interfered with the golf).

Throughout the afternoon, golfers could be heard cheering for long putts, scoffing at bad tee shots and yelling at their wretched iron play. DAN LIBARLE, DON RAMATICI, GEOFF ELLIS and RICHARD MARZO were the only "Rotary Club members-only" foursomes and they had the round of their lives. With ELLIS consistently driving 250+yards off the tee, LIBARLE'S sure-fire game from 150 yards and RAMATICI'S money-making putts, this team provided more than your standard golf highlights. MARZO was asked to stay in the cart after the 2nd hole.

The round was fun AND efficient. Most charity tournaments leave golfers exhausted after 6 hours of play, but LEE's team kept things moving fairly swiftly — this kept everyone in a great mood for dinner.

Cocktails and the putting competition finals segued into our Club's traditional prime rib dinner. The McGoo's crew did a great job and our volunteers had the hall beautifully decorated.

PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY did a great job of hosting the event and kept the evening running smoothly. All the golfers and the many guests who came for dinner truly had an enjoyable time at this year's tournament. It can be quite difficult to successfully execute the same event every year (and charity golf tournaments can be long and dull), but congratulations to Golf Tournament Committee and all the volunteers who made this a terrific event. The complete list of winners will follow, but the real winners were all those who attended and the monies raised to help our Rotary efforts.

TOP FOURSOME
SECOND PLACE       LIBARLE/RAMATICI/ELLIS/MARZO
THIRD PLACE

WOMEN'S LONGEST DRIVE
WOMEN'S CLOSEST TO THE PIN       DANIELLA LIBARLE
MEN'S LONGEST DRIVE
MEN'S LONGEST DRIVE SENIOR DIVISION
MEN'S CLOSEST TO THE PIN

MOST RIDICULOUS OUTFIT
WORST GOLF SWING       TIE: DAVID SOLO & KIP HERZOG

Click for more photos from the Golf Tournament.

Sign up now for the Friendship Feast!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo; Photos by Michael Nistler.

COMING EVENTS

September 17 - Golf Tournament and Dinner
September 20 - Club Dark
September 27 - Visit by District Governor Michael Juric
October 4 - Club Assembly. Rod Scaccalosi will update us on the Center Park project.
October 11 - Jeff Gospe - GSE trip to Burgundy and Champagne districts of France
October 18 - Club Dark for Friendship Feasts

What a lunchtime view!

Pledge – NANCY COOLEY

Song – JIM McCAFFREY

Rotary Wheel and what it really means was the thought for the day from RICK GORMAN.

Visiting Rotarians – None.

Guests – WHIT HALL - Matthew Harris (McKinley School); RICK GORMAN – Gina Benedetti Petnic and Jane Hamilton from Rebuilding Together Petaluma; WHIT HALL – Shaharazad Hamidi, Principal of Springhill Montessori; MICHAEL CARUANA - Richard Mansfield.

Announcements

Rebuilding Together Work Day – Saturday, October 13

Rick Gorman and Lee Reposa rebuilding together.

Leisure Lake Mobile Home Park – 6 homes – Rotary Club Members needed! Registration is open NOW until October 2nd. Please go to www.rtpetaluma.org to register to volunteer or call 707-765-3944 to be registered over the phone.

October 15 – ONITA PELLEGRINI is hosting a Fireside Chat for all new members and potential members.

Exchange students needing homes – Please contact Karin Ruppert Turner at k_ruppert@mac.com.

September 17, 2012 – Rotary Golf Tournament at Petaluma Golf and Country Club – Last chance to sign up for golf or join in the tournament dinner at Petaluma Golf and Country Club.

September 27, 2012– SCARC Dinner "Marketing Rotary in Sonoma County."
           Cattleman’s Restaurant
           2400 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95404
           Cost: $35.00* (*Price does not include alcoholic beverages)
           RSVP to Paul Lounibos

October 6, 2012 – The annual District 5130 Foundaton Dinner for Redwood Region, 5:30 at Flamingo Hotel, champagne reception, dinner, and dancing. $65 per person. Sign up with PAUL LOUNIBOS.

September 27, 2012 – District Governor Mike Jurich is our speaker at the Sept. 27 meeting. DG Mike meets with the full Board from 11:00 to 12:00 at Sheraton.

Fines

LEROY BEAN was unable to carry the case of golf balls PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY donated.

MIKE CARUANA guessed the box weighed 125 lbs. Out of disrespect to the President’s back, Leroy paid $20.

JAY PALM paid $5 for insisting he get a new Chicken Badge and then finding his original badge at his office.

FRED WULFF and his family took the 6 day rafting trip down the middle fork of the Salmon River in honor of his 50th wedding anniversary and he gave $100 to his fine schedule!

STEVE POWELL was called upon for wearing shorts to the meeting and paid only $25 for having great legs!

TONY WESTERN won the Fund a Need raffle and a nice bottle of Late Harvest wine!

WHIT HALL (Who reminds RICK GORMAN of President Jimmy Carter) introduced our speaker: Jane Escobado, Petaluma City Schools.

Jane led the club members on an interactive team problem solving activity to demonstrate the new focus in education: Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication and Creativity, Members gave their responses as thumbs up or thumbs down. Lots of lively problem solving and thinking outside the box was exhibited by members.

President’s closing remarks:

Dark next Thursday!!! – Golf Tournament on Monday, Sept. 17th!

September 25, 2012 – Monthly Board Meeting at Wells Fargo Bank from 5:30 to 7:00, preceded by Finance Committee Meeting at 5:00.

October 4, 2012 – Our Club Assembly: all members who have an interest in the future of our Club and its continued success should be there!

Sign up now for the Friendship Feast!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Joanne Ferris.

September 17:
Editor: Ricardo Marzo

COMING EVENTS

September 13 - Jane Escobedo, Petaluma School District - "What Is Changing in Petaluma Education?"
September 17 - Golf Tournament and Dinner
September 20 - Club Dark
September 27 - Visit by District Governor Michael Juric
October 4 - Club Assembly. Rod Scaccalosi will update us on the Center Park project.

PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY opened the meeting to a packed house (over 60 people in attendance) at the Sheraton Sonoma County.

We all joined in for the Pledge of Allegiance and then PAST PRESIDENT JIM McCAFFREY led us in song, “My Country Tis of Thee”.

The Thought of the Day was given by PAST PRESIDENT PAUL LOUNIBOS. The customary handshakes and hugs amongst the members ensued.

Our own Editor, BRIAN BREEN introduced the visiting Rotarians.

Not only was the house packed with Rotarians but also many guests attended. The following Rotarians introduced their guests: PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS, PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL BADDELEY, PAST PRESIDENT KIP HERZOG, WHIT HALL, and MICHAEL CARUANA.

PAST PRESIDENT PAUL LOUNIBOS announced the Rotarian Wedding Anniversaries for the month.

We had many announcements. Richy from the Rotaract reminded us of the upcoming car wash and dinner at Lagunitas.

PAST PRESIDENT LEROY BEAN discussed the upcoming Club Golf Tournament. He is still looking for players to sign up for this fun, social event up at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club.

PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL BADDELEY is looking for more members to host the Friendship Feast.

PRESIDENT NANCY took advantage of the large attendance to raise some money through fines.

It started with PAST PRESIDENT DAN LIBARLE describing his experience in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania with his grandson, Danny Marzo, for the Little League World Series*. Congratulations to the 3rd best Little League team in the world. DAN gave $100 and then was fined another $20 for his “off” comments to the Prez.

One of our aging Rotarians misplaced their wallet. It turned out to be the young MICHAEL CARUANA. He attempted to blame PAST PRESIDENT BABE AMARAL, however paid $20 to get it back.

The infamous editor MICHAEL BADDELEY was fined $5 for a typo in the Rota-Teller.

Judi Allewelt fingered the honorees.

We had 3 fellow Rotarians that were awarded the Argus Courier’s Petaluma People’s Choice Award. The Prez took the opportunity to make sure they all paid for their business’ press recognition.

CLARK ROSEN, Best Realtor - $50

RICK MOSSI (Exchange Bank), Best Local Bank - $50

BRIAN BREEN (Jacobson & Breen Wealth Strategies) Best Financial Planner/Investment Adviser - $50 plus another $50 for additional page coverage.

JIM BECKER was fined $10 for his upcoming trip to Asia.

Both STAN LAWSON and RICK SUSICK were put on the spot for their lack of meeting attendance. They were each asked to name the members at their table. After fumbling around, looking at name badges, they were both fined $20 each.

PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS announced that DANNY FISH is raising money for the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Volunteers. Over 20 members immediately stepped up with donations. We have a pretty awesome club!

TARA SMITH won the raffle.

Once again we had our favorite annual speakers join us, the high school football coaches: Casa Grande’s Trent Herzog, St. Vincent’s Gary Galloway, and Petaluma High’s Ricky Krist.

MICHAEL BADDELEY introduced all the coaches and of course opened with a hilarious football joke that got the whole crowd laughing. He then began his interrogation. Some of the topics included the challenges that each team see in their season, star players, and player safety. They discussed their Offensive Line and MICHAEL concluded that both DAVID SOLO and BRIAN BREEN wouldn’t have a chance on Trent’s Casa team. His line has a 6’4” 290 lb player. What is MARCUS putting in that Clover milk?

After having a fun filled meeting, our PRESIDENT NANCY wished everybody a wonderful day and adjourned the meeting.

Sign up now for the Friendship Feast!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Brian Breen.