Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
May 2 - Sonoma State University men's basketball coach, Pat Fuscaldo
May 9 - Luncheon BBQ at McKinley School
May 16 - Shy Sayar - Yoga One, Petaluma
May 23 - David Solo - Rotary International Foundation; President-Elect Rick Mossi - Club Assembly
President NANCY COOLEY led us in a spirited Pledge of Allegiance (although apparently her heart is higher than the rest of ours!), . . .
. . . followed by a rousing rendition of "Rambler-Gambler" and "God Bless America", from BARNEY "Say Ahh" FAUSS.
New member KATHIE POWELL then delivered our Thought for the Day.
President-Elect2 MICHAEL CARUANA informed us that we had no visiting Rotarians, but it obviously pleased him to no end that there were a few guests of Rotarians who joined us for lunch, including KIP HERZOG’s guest (Cheryl Golja) and ED FULLERTON’S guest (wife, Carol).
We then celebrated the April birthday babes among us, none of whom seemed too thrilled about their odometers clicking over another year! A Sunshine Report was then given by the Prez (LOU STEINBERG is coming home after a lengthy hospital stay) and RICK VAN BEBBER (his wife Karen is now home and resting comfortably after emergency surgery).
Next, DAVE BARBIERI announced the upcoming (May 23) Petaluma Valley Rotary Million Dollar Classic golf tourney at Rooster Run (call Bill or Paulie Johns at 981-7363 if you are interested), . . .
. . . followed by a medley of announcements from the Prez, . . .
. . . WHITNEY HALL (our regular luncheon meeting on May 9 will be at McKinley School for a tri-tip barbeque), . . .
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Our May 9 meeting at McKinley School features a stupendous tri tip barbeque by chefs Lee Reposa and Jay Palm accompanied by the sweet music of "America the Beautiful" sung by the Fourth Grade Choir of immigrant children and dazzling feats of scientific daring-do presented by kids and Rotary volunteers. A good time will be had by all. Guests welcome. Plan to arrive at 12 noon. McKinley School is located at 110 Ellis Street, just down the block from Jack in the Box. Click for map. This ad brought to you by Whit Hall and Clark Rosen. |
. . . MICHAEL NISTLER (a query or two) . . .
. . . and CAROL FULLERTON (life on the fly with Ed).
The Prez then went on a fine binge the likes of which our Club has never seen:
PDG ED FULLERTON paid a $100 relocation tax for buying a house in Lake Tahoe and then moving back to Petaluma (welcome back, Ed!).
ONITA PELLEGRINI paid a $100 field fee for going to the Giants’ spring training and being so close to the action she actually saw Buster Posey pitch ... a fit (apparently he doesn’t like to play in hail storms, go figure!!).
JOHN DADO paid a $100 vehicle luxury tax because his youngest son (Craig) won a new Maserati by getting a hole-in-one at a golf tournament!
MIKE STAUBER paid a $100 population tax because his youngest daughter recently had a baby (his 3rd grandson!).
BARNEY FAUSS either paid a $100 war bond tax, a cussing tax, or a literacy tax because of a recent trip to Red Bluff to celebrate a WW II veteran family member (his wife’s cousin), which apparently led to Barney’s surprise and shock at sailors swearing, causing him to misspell the word "Boatswain" in his report!
GARY BUFFO, a rare sight indeed, paid a $100 MIA tax and for being nominated President of the National Limousine Association (the first ever from California!).
TONY WESTERN paid a $50 boat tax for undertaking the wood boat challenge to build (with hand tools) and sail a wooden boat in the annual Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival — batten down the hatches and bear away, Tony!
JUDI ALLEWELT paid a $50 stage fright tax for her scheduled appearance in the upcoming (May 4) annual Who’s Who Revue fundraiser event (for Giant Steps).
After the fog of fines cleared, CHRIS RANNEY proceeded to pull his own raffle ticket # (Houdini himself couldn’t have done it any smoother!) to win a fine bottle of wine! Whereupon, the Prez, after reminding us that the speaker for next week’s meeting is the SSU basketball coach, summarily adjourned the meeting!
See you next week!
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Help clean up the Petaluma River on Saturday, May 4! Click for info. |
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.
April 25 - Express meeting
May 2 - Sonoma State University men's basketball coach, Pat Fuscaldo
May 9 - Luncheon BBQ at McKinley School
May 16 - Shy Sayar - Yoga One, Petaluma
“TEN MORE MEETINGS!!!”
With a ring of her bell and a cry recognized by every member who’s ever been a ‘Nearly Past President,’ PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY opened the Rotary Club of Petaluma’s meeting on this third Thursday in April and promptly led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The day was breezy, cool and clear, so it was a good day for a lunch of make-it-yourself tacos at the Sheraton Sonoma County - Petaluma.
Since he would be leaving early, PRESIDENT NANCY called on a resistant but eventually compliant BABE AMARAL who led us in song (after he cleared the frog from his throat!).
PRESIDENT NANCY then called for a moment of silence for those killed and injured in Boston earlier in the week.
SHARI RANNEY gave the Thought for the Day in the words of eight-year-old Martin Richard who was killed in the bombings—“No More Hurting People—PEACE.” SHARI’s reminder to us all is that Rotary makes that little boy’s wish come true every day.
After a bit of time for club greetings, PRESIDENT NANCY brought us back to business. We had one visiting Rotarian, a CPA from Petaluma Sunrise. We had three guests of Rotarians...AL CATTALINI introduced his long-time friend visiting from Venice, Italy, Retired Admiral Bruno Di Fabio; WHIT HALL introduced the wife of the day’s presenter, Diane Dean, a former Rotarian in Yosemite; and TOM BRANDAL introduced Mary Jo Hildebrand with the local Montessori School and a past Rotarian in Portola.
Sunshine reports included best wishes for RICK VAN BEBBER’s wife, Karen, who went in for emergency surgery; LOU STEINBERG who was out and then back in the hospital (California Pacific Medical Center in SF) and is doing fine; and BANO CUMMINGS who had surgery. Take good care, each of you!
PRESIDENT NANCY announced the Rotary District 5130 Conference would be in Santa Rosa from May 31st to June 2 at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek. Awards will be given out Saturday night.
CHRIS ALBERTSON shared copies of the Press Democrat article about Rico, the Petaluma Police dog (a “four-legged police officer”) who was recently injured in a training exercise.
DANNY FISH gave us an update on Rico’s surgery...it went well...and told us it was too early to tell if he would return to service. DANNY stressed that while the community was making donations for Rico’s veterinary care, there was never any question that the Department wouldn’t pay for his medical expenses even though there is no budget for that sort of thing. Donations, if not used for Rico’s care, will be put in a “hope we never use this” fund for other canine police officers.
BILL GROVERMAN announced we had 250 attendees at this year’s Farmers and Merchants night and gave thanks to Rotarians JAY PALM, STEVE GAVRILOFF, and STEVE HENRIS for all their help.
PRESIDENT NANCY’s debunking is in the hands of BABE’s Harem...uh oh! PRESIDENT NANCY asked BABE if he was into cross-dressing these days as the shoes and dress she wore to the Christmas Party (she was gorgeous, btw) are missing from her closet. PRESIDENT NANCY will just have to buy a new outfit (with shoes) for the debunking and can’t wait to see BABE in her missing dress and shoes! BABE warned that whatever she buys will have to go with tequila shots as she walks in the door and probably some bubbly later in the evening. This should be gooooood!
During the fine portion of the meeting...PRESIDENT NANCY picked up some big bucks from a bunch of members. New member, SHAHARAZAD HAMIDI, gave up $50 as her ’first fine’ for a really big picture of her in the Argus Courier and a story about an parent-nominated award she recently received.
RICHARD MANSFIELD peeled off $40 for “nothing big” going on, except maybe the offer on that house in Penngrove that was accepted last week!
TOM GAMBONINI released his grip on $49 for his talented and ’huge’ family that this year resulted in his third cousin being chosen as the Dairy Princess (he claims beauty runs in his family!).
RICK GORMAN coughed up $70 for leaving Wells Fargo to take a position at Bank of Marin in Novato as their new Community Loan Officer (he gets a raise and PRESIDENT NANCY loses a location for her next three monthly board meetings!).
RICK MOSSI was separated from another $20 (isn’t he finished with his fine schedule?) for the ’good year’ that Exchange Bank is having.
JUDI ALLEWELT made a donation to the cause for her ’lifestyle change’ to an ’empty nester’ and shared how she got there by way of the sweetest game of “Fortunately/Unfortunately” this reporter has ever heard! Congrats and thanks, JUDI!
Finally, AL RICHARDS forked up $50 for his 50 years in Rotary, telling us it was a lot of fun when he ’first came here’ and that now he was ’just happy to be here!’
The day’s raffle found BRIAN BREEN with a blue rock and a nice bottle of wine!
Guest speaker, Frank Dean, Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, was introduced by WHIT HALL who tested us on the history behind the uniforms worn by park rangers. Superintendent Dean and his wife, Diane, were both Rotarians in Yosemite and in the Grand Canyon. He gave a fascinating presentation on the one of the most visited areas in the National Park system, including plans for the future. Well done!
Next meeting is an Express Meeting, so plan to eat fast and go!
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley.
April 18 - Frank Dean - Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
April 25 - Express meeting
May 2 - Frank Scalercio and one of the Sonoma State University coaches
May 9 - Luncheon BBQ at McKinley School
May 16 - Shy Sayar - Yoga One, Petaluma
While Farmers & Merchants Night is the oldest continuing community event in our club, it was a year for a new venue.
Most appropriately, Rotarians brought farmers and merchants to Herzog Hall, in the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds for our annual polenta and beef stew dinner.
Chairman BILL GROVERMAN once again made us all proud to be members of the Rotary Club of Petaluma.
The cornerstone to Farmers & Merchants Night is the home made beef stew and polenta. Our team of chefs led by Ralph Sartori and JAY PALM outdid themselves. Special thanks to Ed Cardoza, Alan Brody and Ed DeCarli!
Guests were greeted by lovely ladies who passed out free raffle tickets. The first stop for most was the hosted bar. Special thanks to STEVE HENRIS for managing everything beverage this night.
Our singing cowboy serenaded all during the social hour prior to dinner.
PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY opened the meeting with plenty of energy and everyone stood together for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ryan Chojnaki, a senior at St. Vincent High School led the National Anthem.
Jim McNulty gave a reflective, warm thought (full) of the day.
Students from St. Vincent Elementary School joined forces with Liberty 4H members to form an army of servers 35 strong.
As the feasting on polenta turned to Clover Stornetta ice cream for dessert, PRESIDENT NANCY called upon long ago practice of fining members. She snagged fines from RALPH BETTINELLI, MARCUS BENEDETTI and STEVE HENRIS.
BABE AMARAL did a great job as straight man for TAWNY TESCONI during the raffle drawing. The dynamic duo drew winning tickets for an impressive array of prizes. Some of the winners included RALPH BETTINELLI, DUANE SARTORI and ANDY KVALHEIM.
After the official closing of the meeting, many stayed on to keep the bar in business and visit with one another.
For lots of photos from Farmers and Merchants Night click here.
PRESIDENT NANCY reminds members that our District Conference in May 31 - June 2 at the Hyatt in Santa Rosa. It should be a fun event. She especially hopes that you can make the dinner on Saturday night, June 1. Click the image below for more info.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Joanne Ferris.
April 11 - Club Dark
April 12 - Farmers & Merchants Night, 6:00 p.m., Herzog Hall
April 18 - Frank Dean - Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
April 25 - Express meeting
It was the first meeting of the 91st year of the Petaluma Rotary Club, but from PRESIDENT NANCY’s perspective it meant just eleven more meetings to go. That might explain the big smile as she opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
LEE REPOSA warmed up the crowd with I’m a Rambler, then led the singing of our traditional favorite, God Bless America. Greetings, hugs, and handshakes were next, followed by Rick Mossi’s announcement that there were no visiting Rotarians.
SECRETARY PAUL LOUNIBOS announced the April anniversaries, JIM and Mary McCAFFREY, DAVID and Linda BARBIERI, and MARK and Lisa STOKES. What, only three?
PAUL continued at the lectern with a Rotary minute. He observed that April is Rotary "Magazine Month" and read an article entitled "Life’s Lesson" which stressed the need to separate self from yourself, to live one’s life without ego. Written by Paul Harris, it was published in the July 1912 Rotarian magazine.
Then our PRESIDENT called for the introduction of guests of Rotarians. CHRIS and SHARI RANNEY each brought a guest, as did LEE REPOSA. RICK GORMAN got the prize with four guests.
PRESIDENT NANCY announced that there were two seats ($40 each) still available at the Club table for the Building Community Breakfast at the SRJC Petaluma Campus on Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 a.m. Contact NANCY if you’d like to attend this great event.
JOANNE FERRIS, who chaired the great 90th Anniversary Dinner last week, was applauded for her accomplishment and thanked the members who assisted her: JUDI ALLEWELT, TOM BAKER, NANCY COOLEY, ED FULLERTON, PAUL LOUNIBOS, RICK MOSSI, MICHAEL NISTLER, ONITA PELLEGRINI, CHRIS RANNEY, PAT SCHAFER, and LOU STEINBERG.
PRESIDENT NANCY invited members to support the "Fellowship for Phil Paskal," a special fundraiser for Petaluma Valley member Phil Paskal. The $20 event is Friday evening, April 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Rooster Run.
BILL GROVERMAN reminded members to sign up for next week’s Farmers and Merchants Night. It’s Friday, April 12 at Herzog Hall, starting at 6:00 p.m.
MICHAEL CARUANA attempted to counter our President’s accusation that he was "a fox in a henhouse" by sittings at an otherwise all-female table. After some protestations, our "fox" paid a $25 fine. Surprisingly, there were no squawks from the seven ladies about being called "hens."
MICHAEL then requested volunteers to clear shrubbery around the Walnut Park gazebo this Saturday morning. Show up at 9:00 a.m. with a shovel for coffee and donuts and about an hour’s work. Then come back at 9:00 a.m. the following Saturday (April 13) to plant new shrubs. The work is in conjuncton with the installation of the new veterans plaque at the park.
A protesting MIKE BADDELEY was assessed a $50 fine for "photo bombing" other members at last week’s gala. Even a plea that they were fellow classmates from PHS didn’t get any mercy from PRESIDENT NANCY.
JIM BECKER distributed a report updating members on our multi-club project providing microcredit loans to low income people in Bogota, Columbia and a similar, upcoming project in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
SUNSHINE REPORT. AL CATTALINI advised that LOU STEINBERG was scheduled to return home from the hospital this afternoon — and that Lou’s wife, Julie, was recovering after foot surgery on Monday.
BABE AMARAL rose to announce that the 90th Anniversary event made him "proud to be a Rotarian" and that he was delighted to see DON RAMATICI ("the town rooster") receive special honors. And he suggested that PRESIDENT NANCY "fine the seven ladies."
Well the seven ladies didn’t get fined, but we seemed to have entered into a new era of sexual awareness at our club. RICK MOSSI rose to note that KATHY O’CONNOR was the sole woman at his table. Somehow, KATHY was fined $20 but gentleman MICHAEL NISTLER graciously stepped up to pay her fine.
Then it was JOE TAMBE getting fined $25 for sitting next to KATHIE POWELL. Methinks this is a bit confusing. Just eleven more meetings!
One of RICK GORMAN’s many guests won the raffle, after which . . .
RICK introduced our guest speaker, . . .
Gary Schlossberg of Wells Capital Management, who presented a modestly optimistic overview of the current economy. Of particular interest was the news that the Petaluma-Santa Rosa metro area is experiencing the second highest economic growth rate in the State. Thanks, Gary, for another excellent presentation.
This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.
