Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
February 7 - Dick Matthews - "History of the Mountain Play"
February 14 - Sweethearts Lunch; Masseuse Gina Drohan and Belly Dancer Rebecca Vasile
February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
Rotary went “Nighttime” with a Super Bowl theme (the second in a series of 5:30 – 7:00 PM meetings held whenever a fifth Thursday arises on the calendar). “Nighttime” program chairs, DAVID SOLO and JANE SALDANA-TALLEY, and their ‘special team’ (NANCY COOLEY, MIKE STAUBER, MICHAEL NISTLER, JUDI ALLEWELT, KATHY O’CONNOR, TARA SMITH, and TOM BRANDAL) put on a tailgate party worthy of the 49’ers for this week’s meeting. The room was filled with club members, many of whom brought their ’bosses’ (aka spouses and partners) for an evening of tailgate food (wings, nachos, dip and chips), adult beverages and fun.
PRESIDENT NANCY led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance . . .
. . . (with an assist from DAVID SOLO who ’unfurled’ and then held the club flag...go David!).
Songmaster BARNEY FAUSS led us in a rousing rendition of “I’m a Rambler” (inviting all to sing if they knew the words) and then switched it up a bit with our National Anthem (in honor of the Super Bowl).
Guest introductions took a while because so many members had brought spouses and guests! What fun to see them all there!
A planned award for Steve Ellison was postponed because Steve was under the weather, so we’ll look forward to honoring him soon!
PRESIDENT NANCY greeted ‘meeting-shy’ RALPH BETTINELLI who showed up for the festivities. Maybe we’d see more of him if we had more nighttime meetings!
DAVID SOLO introduced Michael McGlothlin from the Sebastapol Rotary who was at the meeting promoting the “Pinot for Polio” fundraiser for District 5130. He brought a sampling of John Balletto wines for tasting and encouraged members to consider buying a case as a way of ‘easing the pain’ of donating to the Polio Plus campaign (not so painful when you think of the good it will do and the benefits members get...check out the website for more information...). He reminded us that polio still exists in the world (the job is not over) in three countries...Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Last year there were 222 cases worldwide. Since the Polio Plus campaign started, District 5130 has donated over $3 million to eradicate this terrible disease.
Next up (besides eating all that yummy tailgate food and drinking more adult beverages!) was a Super Bowl trivia contest put together and MC’ed by our very own DAVID SOLO. Each table was challenged to get as many right answers as they could; the winning table to split two bottles of wine donated by PRESIDENT NANCY. The questions were TOUGH and the game was FUN; PAUL LOUNIBOS and his table bested us all with 17 out of 25 (or so) correct answers! Talk about teamwork!
Julie Steinberg just KNEW she would win the raffle...and damned if she did! She didn’t take home the $250 prize (only two rocks left for this week’s meeting!), but did get a nice bottle of wine and her picture in the Rota-Teller!
We’ve sold 440 tickets for the Crab Feed...it’s shaping up to be a great party...good band, good food, and good company! Get your tickets before they’re gone!
Go Niners!
There’s lots of photos from tonight’s meeting in Ed’s Photo Album.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
January 31 - Rotary Goes Nighttime - Michael McGlothlin - Pinot for Polio and Bob Padecky - Super Bowl Preview
February 7 - Dick Matthews - "History of the Mountain Play"
February 14 - Sweethearts Lunch; Masseuse Gina Drohan and Belly Dancer Rebecca Vasile
February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
President NANCY COOLEY opened the meeting to a full house at the appointed half-hour, and immediately led us in the Pledge of Alliance (but it was hard to tell whether she was lip synching or not). LOU STEINBERG, no Tony Bennett he, then led us in an enthusiastic rendition of Gypo and God Bless America, followed by the customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst the members.
Visiting Rotarians and guests of Rotarians were then duly introduced, followed by a joint Sunshine Report from JOANNE FERRIS and LOU STEINBERG on DON RAMATICI: according to Joanne, Don is doing well, so well in fact that he’s even ordering take out . . . from Cucina Paridiso, no less! Not to be outdone, Lou claimed that Don is now back out on the coffee circuit – that’s probably news to Don, who I’m happy to say is recovering very well from his recent surgery, but he is not out jogging for coffee quite yet! Hurry back, Don, we miss you!
PAUL LOUNIBOS then led us in an early birthday table serenade, which may have also doubled as our Thought for the Day (“Have a Happy Birthday”, doesn’t get much better than that, right?!)–either way, it cost the birthday babes $5 if they sat at the cake table, and $10 if they didn’t figure it out!
The Prez then called BABE AMARAL to his feet (a laborious effort is ever there was one) to explain why he wasn’t at the annual Coast Guard base meeting last week–according to the Babe, he dutifully showed up at the Sheraton and was surprised nobody was there (there’s no truth to the rumor that he then waited 3 hours at the downstairs bar for us to show up)! The benevolent Prez had mercy on him (probably only because Babe took the fall himself and did not blame his carrier pigeon for failing to get him word of the venue change), so no fine this time.
The Prez then went on to give us a Tree Committee report on the progress and funding for improving the downtown Center Park. She then proceeded to inform us that 1. Our District (5130) is now incorporated (no, Breen and Becker, there wasn’t an IPO); 2. The Club Survey forms (for President-Elect RICK MOSSI’s year) are now on-line; 3. MARLENE FREETLY is graciously storing a bin full of Rotary memorabilia (call Marlene if you are interested in any of it); and, 4. There is a photo contest in the latest Rotarian that may appeal to the more artistic, creative souls among us – call Prez Nancy for details.
DAVID SOLO reminded everyone that our last regular meeting of the month (January 31, 2013) will be an evening meeting at the Sheraton, starting at 5:30 pm – there will be a Pinot tasting, a great guest speaker and a Super Bowl trivia contest.
BRIAN BREEN then delivered a Super Raffle report: ticket sales are brisk, and the women in our Club are outselling the men by a vast margin.
JOANNE FERRIS announced that we will be celebrating the Club’s 90 year anniversary on March 28, 2013–details will follow.
RICK VAN BEBBER had the dubious distinction of being the only member technically fined at the meeting for any specific reason (to wit, $50.00 for his gambling prowess on a cruise to Alaska with his wife), but the rest of us were forced to pay up $1.00 each because we didn’t know the middle names of the current RI president’s unborn great-grandchildren, or the complete text of his inaugural address . . . or maybe it was just his name and RI theme . . . but whatever it was, nobody knew the answer.
Ticket #3631 proved to be a winner for one of our guests (local attorney, Chris Elzi) and good enough for a fine bottle of wine (the $$ pot is now up to $250).
DAVID SOLO then introduced our speakers, Bill White and Vin Smith of Basin Street Properties, who gave us a very informative presentation of their pending Riverfront project. Each of them received a Rotary memento in appreciation of a program well received, and a signed dictionary will be donated in their names to a local elementary school library.
Whereupon the good Prez gave us a final reminder (we meet at 5:30 pm on January 31, 2013, not noon), and then summarily adjourned the meeting. See you next week!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.
January 24 - Basin Street Riverfront Project
January 31 - Rotary Goes Nighttime - Michael McGlothlin - Pinot for Polio and Bob Padecky - Super Bowl Preview
February 7 - Dick Matthews - "History of the Mountain Play"
February 14 - Sweethearts Lunch; Masseuse Gina Drohan and Belly Dancer Rebecca Vasile
February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
It was a cold but beautiful day in Two Rock at the annual Rotary Coast Guard luncheon.
After cocktails, sodas, and socializing at the Consolidated Club, we all headed off to lunch at Haley Hall. It was a delicious Mexican meal provided by the Coast Guard cooks in training.
Acting PRESIDENT and PAST PRESIDENT PAUL LOUNIBOS welcomed everyone and called on AL CATTALINI to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by PAST PRESIDENT LOU STEINBERG leading us in song, Rambler then God Bless America.
BRIAN BREEN reminded us all to get out there and sell those Super Raffle Tickets. We are also wrapping up the Guys vs. Gals mini contest on Wednesday the 23rd. The ladies are in the lead!
DAVID SOLO informed everyone of the Super Bowl theme for “Rotary Goes Nighttime” on Thursday, January 31st.
PAUL then called on STEVE OLMSTED to introduce his guests, his daughter and son-in-law. He also fined him $50 for never coming to meetings anymore. He explained that he wouldn’t pass up the excellent meal at the Coast Guard station.
PAUL then introduced Coast Guard Captain Erin Brogan. The Captain will be retiring in 4 months and discussed all the opportunities and benefits the Coast Guard has to offer and has provided for him and his family over the years.
A big thank you goes out to the Coast Guard for once again providing our Rotary Club with an excellent lunch and day on the base.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Brian Breen.
January 17 - Annual Coast Guard luncheon at Two Rock
January 24 - Basin Street Riverfront Project
January 31 - Rotary Goes Nighttime - Michael McGlothlin - Pinot for Polio and Bob Padecky - Super Bowl Preview
February 7 - Dick Matthews - "History of the Mountain Play"
February 14 - Sweethearts Lunch; Masseuse Gina Drohan and Belly Dancer Rebecca Vasile
February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
We gathered in the Meadowlark Room of the Sheraton Hotel – Close quarters but happy members since the hotel provided free ice cream treats, brownies and cookies!
LOU STEINBERG led us in the Club Song and God Bless America.
LARRY JONAS delivered the thought for the day after paying a $20 fine for originally turning down the President’s request! Larry’s thought: Today, take one moment and allow someone else to go before you...into the elevator, exiting the shopping center, out the door. – PAY IT FORWARD.
MICHAEL CARUANA silenced a phone on the table during Larry’s remarks so he paid a fine as well.
Visiting Rotarians: Ross Andress from Santa Rosa Sunrise and Sierra Walt from Rotary Club of Turlock.
Rotarians with Guests: RICK MOSSI introduced Mark Lancaster of the Petaluma Health Center.
Sunshine Report: DON RAMATICI’s heart surgery earlier in the week went well. Please send your cards and best wishes to him for a full recovery.
Ross Andress spoke to the club about the young high school students injured in a car accident in Mexico. They are members of the Maria Carillo Interact Club and local Rotarians had pitched in to help cover the cost to bring them back to US hospitals. The club passed the hat to help with this effort. PHS Interact pledged $100 as well.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Everyone should have received an online survey that will aid RICK MOSSI as he plans his year at the helm of the club.
Several members at the first table were fined $10 for talking too loudly at this point.
2. Next Wednesday, January 16th, we’ll be loading up items from the Parent Sorenson garage to move to MARLENE FREETLY’s barn. Any club members storing items should converge on Marlene’s home around 3:30 to place them in the barn for storage.
JAMES BURLESON was fined for $10 for talking too loudly at this point.
3. Dictionary distribution begins next week. There is a schedule on the website so please take a look and pitch in where needed. New members are highly encouraged to help with this service project. Contact GEOFF ELLIS if you have any questions.
4. AL CATTALINI reminded everyone that next Thursday we are at the Coast Guard for our annual lunch there. Everyone must have their identification listed as it is on Al’s master list (check with Al if you’re not sure) as well as a valid driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance if you plan to drive on base.
FRED WULFF was recently detained at the base front gate for driving on an expired license. PRESIDENT NANCY conferred with DAN FISH about the levy for such an offense. Although Lt. Fish suggested $1,000 would be the civil penalty, PRES. NANCY only charged Fred $10 towards his fine schedule.
8. JANE SALDAñA-TALLEY represented the absent DAVID SOLO to announce January 31 is Rotary Goes Nighttime. Our lunch meeting will be moved to 5:30 pm that day in the Snowy Egret Room with a Tailgate Buffet and Sports Theme. Our featured speaker will be Bob Padecky of the Press Democrat. Please invite your spouses and significant others as well as friends you think would want to learn more about Rotary. $18 per person. Please email the contact info for all prospective members you bring so David and Jane can follow up with them after the event.
6. Rotary Crab Feed is Friday, Feb. 22 at the Petaluma Vets Bldg. Please email JAMES BURLESON with your ticket reservations to ensure you get a seat. Remember that a reservation made is a ticket for which you must pay. Tickets are $55 each.
5. Super Raffle Team competitions begin today! First round – Guys vs. Gals. Last year the Gals won and the men had to sing "Man I Feel Like a Woman." This contest runs til January 23 so men, either sell those tickets or warm up your Shania Twain voices!
7. The Sheraton Hotel offers a Rotary Special in the bar before all meetings: $3 Beers, $5 Wine. CHRIS RANNEY thought it should run all day!
9. JOANNE FERRIS reminded everyone to save the date of March 28 to celebrate 90 years of Rotary in Petaluma with a big dinner at the Sheraton Hotel featuring Cliff Dochterman, RI Past President. If you follow Facebook, check out our club’s 90 Days of Rotary History that appears every day from Dec. 28 through March 26.
RAFFLE – FRED FROST had the winning ticket and won a bottle of wine!
GARY BRODIE paid a fine of $50 for finally showing up at a meeting.
BARNEY FAUSS paid $10 for falsely stating Gary had lost his name badge.
JANE SALDAñA-TALLEY introduced our program speaker –
Tara Jacobson, Kinesiology, Health and Fitness instructor at SRJC Petaluma Campus. Tara gave a great talk and quizzed the members to see how knowledgeable they were about common health and fitness myths.
NEXT WEEK – Coast Guard Base meeting – Past President PAUL LOUNIBOS will preside!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Joanne Ferris.