Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
November 7 - Kevin Downs, Veterans Day
November 14 - Ingrid Alverde, Petaluma Economic Development
November 21 - Another interesting program
November 28 - Dark for Thanksgiving
President RICK MOSSI, dressed in ghoulish black attire (accessorized with a pumpkin necklace, no less!), opened the October 31st (Boo!) meeting at the appointed half hour and immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
LEE REPOSA then arose from the grave to lead us in song (Gypo and God Bless America), followed by a Thought for the Day . . .
. . . from the always devilish TAWNY TESCONI. The customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst the members ensued. LARRY JONAS could not conjure up any visiting Rotarians to introduce, but there were several guests of Rotarians who joined us.
The Prez then haunted us with a medley of announcements to scare up some action and participation: (1) The annual Rotary Foundation Dinner is this Saturday (11/2) in Rohnert Park — it’s the last chance to buy raffle tickets for the event; (2) There are still opportunities to purchase bricks and sponsor benches in Walnut Park — call RICK GOREMAN for details; and (3) Our club will be joining in a Service Club Table on Veterans Day.
Like an apparition floating out of the gloomy mist, KATHY O’CONNOR cheerfully concluded the announcements by reminding us that our annual Holiday Party celebration will be December 7th at the Rooster Run Golf Course, so mark your calendars accordingly.
In a nifty trick–or–treat move, NANCY COOLEY tricked .. . .
. . . the Sonoma State University Athletic Director (Frank Scalerico) into coming to the meeting for a treat from her year as president: a $$ donation to the SSU Athletic Foundation to be used to create a Petaluma based scholarship endowment fund.
PAUL LOUNIBOS then gave us a tale from the crypt on his year as our Club President nearly 30 years ago (1984/1985).
The Halloween month birthday babes were then properly acknowledged by the Prez and serenaded by the members with an eerie rendition of “Happy Birthday” — a $5.00 fine for those siting at the B—day table, and $10 for those who forgot!
The Prez then fined Count RICK VAN BEBBER $50.00 (for an RV trip to Oregon and purchasing a new Cadillac for his wife), . . .
. . . and continued his money goblin’ ways by carving $100 out of TOM BAKER for attending his son’s wedding in Monterey, CA.
TAWNY TESCONI put a spell on the raffle bag and pulled out the brown rock to claim the cash ($25.00), . . .
. . . followed by the introduction of our speaker (Supervisor David Rabbitt) by DAVID SOLO, replete in his warlock—great pumpkin costume.
Supervisor Rabbitt, who was brought to the meeting by the true legends of Sleepy Hollow (KIP AND MARILYN HERZOG), received a Rotary memento, and an autographed book will be donated to a local high school library in his name, for a program well received.
Whereupon, after the customary closing comments from the Prez, the meeting finally creaked to an end.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley
October 31 - David Rabbitt, County of Sonoma Supervisor
November 7 - Kevin Downs, Veterans Day
November 14 - Ingrid Alverde, Petaluma Economic Development
November 21 - Another interesting program
November 28 - Dark for Thanksgiving
It was a cool and foggy October day, when PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI called to order the Rotary Club of Petaluma on this fourth Thursday in October. Miraculously the sun came out just as his gavel rang the bell and he began to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance; no doubt in celebration of meeting #16 for this not-so-new president as he nears completion of his first quarter in the seat.
PRESIDENT RICK invited BARNEY FAUSS to lead us in song (I’m a Rambler and God Bless America).
Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation Board Chair, LEE BEAN, shared a “Thought for the Day” he picked up at the Chinatown Rotary Club that started out making us wonder “if we can...” meet all the virtues he extolled and ended by giving us a big laugh of relief that if we can do all that “you’re probably the family dog!” Thanks, LEE!
After club greetings, PRESIDENT RICK asked JIM BECKER to announce Visiting Rotarians including club member and Past District Governor ED FULLERTON, Peter Chia from the Rotary Club of Bangkok, and Past District Governor (5150) Holly Axtell and her husband Keith Axtell from the Marin Evening club.
Rotarians with Guests included LEE REPOSA and JOHN DADO introducing PRESIDENT RICK’s guest.
PRESIDENT RICK then welcomed Rotary Club of Bangkok member and Past President Peter Chia and asked that he come forward for a flag exchange and photo session. Our club has done projects with Peter and his club in the past, including the distribution of Thai/English dictionaries and water projects. We were honored to have Peter join us!
PRESIDENT RICK announced the SCARC dinner meeting in Sonoma that evening. He also announced that this was “World Polio Day.”
Rick (“Vanna”) Gorman
On behalf of MICHAEL CARUANA and the Petaluma Service Alliance, PRESIDENT RICK also called our attention to an opportunity to order commemorative bricks and bench sponsorships in support of the Walnut Park restoration project. Lastly, he gave us a heads up that the club would be part of a Service Club Table during this year’s Veterans Day festivities and asked for club volunteers with a special call out to members who are veterans.
PRESIDENT RICK gave a shout out to the oft read but seldom recognized Rota-Teller “publisher/photographer”, AL CATTALINI, and his crack team of investigative reporters, MIKE BADDELEY, RICARDO MARZO, CLARK ROSEN, (yours truly) JANE SALDAÑA-TALLEY, BRIAN BREEN, JIM McNULTY, JOANNE FERRIS, and KATIE POWELL. Thanks, PRESIDENT RICK; that felt great!
Next up was something new...PRESIDENT RICK will be asking RCP Past Presidents to spend a few minutes giving us a “craft talk” on their year as president. Up first was Past President JIM McCAFFREY (1979-1980). JIM shared that he joined Rotary in 1958 in Portland, OR and our club in 1966. JIM was club president the second longest time back (Past President DAN LIBARLE taking the prize as the longest). JIM and Mary went to Rome before his tenure as president, making a great long vacation of it (the next president got to go someplace a lot closer to home!) and he noted we were a “different club” back then in many ways. Of course we all know it was a “men’s club” in those years (more like a “boys club” according to JIM!), with a total budget of around $4,500. Projects during his year included the All Day Breakfast (still this reporter’s all-time favorite event!), painting the stands at Petaluma High School and McNear Park, building the first bus transit stands in Petaluma, and hosting a children’s Christmas party at the Vet’s Hall (and giving in to a menu of hotdogs over turkey to please the kids!). He took some heat from old timers in the club for moving the meeting from the Petaluma Hotel to the Petaluma Golf and Country Club (sound familiar?) and member attendance in those years was 96-97%! JIM noted that he has always been devoted to Rotary and the club worked hard to meet its goals. He told us what he got out of Rotary were the dearest friends and most memorable experiences of his life. Thanks, PAST PRESIDENT JIM, for sharing some of the best of our club, and thanks to PRESIDENT RICK for making this possible...can’t wait for your recollections in about 30 years!
During the fine portion of the meeting, PRESIDENT RICK picked up some bucks from a couple of members. JAY PALM passed along $40 for his new store location (in the Winchester Building adjacent to Cattleman’s), (probably) being responsible for the expanding freeway overcrossing (to handle JAY’s increased business!), and for being a horseman, private pilot and SRJC instructor (ask him about his Community Education course!).
JAMES BURLESON paid $100 for being recognized in a recent Argus Community Profile.
The day’s raffle found ever-so-lucky MICHAEL NISTLER with a brown rock and $175 ($100 of which he generously and immediately donated to the club Foundation).
JIM BECKER introduced guest speakers, . . .
. . . Keith and Holly Axtell from the Marin Evening Rotary Club who gave an outstanding presentation on the Microcredit Global Grant Projects they’ve initiated in Bogota, Columbia and now in Ecuador.
Our club has donated to these efforts and it was a great reminder of what a small amount of funds and dedicated Rotarians, combined with the power of Rotary International, can do to change the lives of people all over the world.
PRESIDENT RICK’s closing thought for the day (courtesy of Charles Schultz)...“Sometimes I lie awake at night and ask, where have I gone wrong? Then a voice says to me, this is going to take more than one night.”
Next week join President Rick for speaker and Sonoma County Supervisor, David Rabbitt.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley
October 24 -Keith Axtell, Ecuador
October 31 - David Rabbitt, County of Sonoma Supervisor
November 7 - Kevin Downs, Veterans Day
November 14 - Ingrid Alverde, Petaluma Economic Development
And with a resounding strike of the bell our President, RICK MOSSI opening our meeting and his 15th round — still going strong, Rick!
LEE REPOSA, song master, then led the club by saying and then singing “This club has a song, and it goes like this ‘. . . Ohhh I’m a rambler, I’m a . . .’ and then our favorite standby ‘God Bless America’.”
JIM BECKER was called upon to deliver a short and sweet “Thought for the Day”; and it was.
TONY WESTERN then introduce Visiting Rotarians both hailing from Thailand, JIM BECKER’s friend Dan Wylie, a Rotarian from Bangkok and MIKE STAUBER introduced our Youth Exchange Student nicknamed “Boom” and whose full name is Withawat Poopongpanish. I missed the name of the village but he will return later in the year when his English speaking has improved.
RICK then wanted all of us to know that make up ticket for Rotary meetings or events need to be turned in within a week or two from the time of the event otherwise they will not be counted. Any later and it otherwise becomes a confusing conundrum of continual consternation — or something like that.
JUDI ALLEWELT announced the dates for our annual Holiday Gift Giving Project (Rotary Christmas) and encouraged everyone to sign up for shopping, gift wrapping and delivery days.
Here are the opportunities to get involved:
Please look at your calendar and make a date to support this heartwarming, traditional effort!
WHIT HALL then brought us up to date on the “Quantum Leapers” at McKinley Elementary who met the night before with the Principal at the school. The project was a great first success last year and this year everyone sees the project going to a “higher level”. Oh Boy!
The Project supports McKinley students in learning from hands-on science projects and is a great opportunity for Rotarians to interact directly in educational support for our kids, for the kids to get to know Rotarians (community leaders), to raise the expectations of the kids, and learn some great science.
Currently there are 2 positions to fill for this Fall and Spring — and WHIT promised a greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity was as hand for those who can find the time to be involved.
Then our Club Historian, PAUL LOUNIBOS gave a short presentation about the beginnings of the Polio Plus Project. In the early days in 1980, physicians went to Malawi to voluntarily perform operations to help “crawlers”, those who were afflicted with polio and unable to stand upright or walk. At that time there 25,000 afflicted people in that country alone. From that early effort and its inception in the 1980’s when the world saw about 1,000 new cases PER DAY, Polio Plus has effected a 99% reduction in the rate of Polio infection to fewer than 250 cases reported worldwide in 2012.
This number of cases, according to experts, could rebound to 10 million cases in the next 40 years if we don’t stay the course. To help us, Bill and Melinda Gates have pledged a 2 to 1 match for every dollar that Rotarians contribute in this monumental effort to finally eradicate this debilitating disease.(For Paul’s sources, click here.)
JIM McNULTY then announced (on behalf of ONITA PELLEGRINI) the continuing sale of raffle tickets for Rotary International Foundation Event that will take place on November 2nd. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. Your contribution will be credited to your $100 per Rotarian per Year donation to Rotary International. Get them if you haven’t at next week’s meeting!
Then without further adieu, RICK levied fines from GARY BRODIE for whale riding after sampling too many rounds of Tequila samples and then . . .
. . . BABE AMARAL whose wife is by far more winning than he is (and better looking too) winning to the tune of $53K at River Rock last week, phew!
SHERRY BURWEN then won the weekly raffle and picked the blue rock for a yummy bottle of wine. Next week there will be a shot at $175 now accumulated, if you pick the brown rock.
Then RICK introduced our speakers for the day, arranged by DAVID SOLO, but who could not be present.
Our Guest Speakers were:
Seana L.S. Gause, Senior Programming and Projects at Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA)
Christopher J. Blunk, P.E., Senior Construction Engineer at Caltrans, District 4, North Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties Office
Jeffrey B Kress, P.E., M.ASCE, Senior Bridge Engineer, Marin and Sonoma County, Caltrans District 4
These are the people who know what is happening with all the highway/freeway renovations taking place from northern Marin through Petaluma. Each of them had some fascinating and amazing information about the current projects that are underway and will be underway in the next 3-4 years. Suffice it to say they love their work and are excited about all the positive infrastructure changes that are in the pipeline, least of which the 100% replacement of the 101 Petaluma Bridge, an engineering feat unto itself creating the 2nd longest precast bridge span in the US. (think I got that right.)
All of these fine people offered to be available to us for any follow-up information or inquiries.
RICK then had to bring the meeting to a close with a resounding clang of the bell, otherwise we might still be there.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Jim McNulty
October 17 - Sauna Gause, Sonoma County Transportation Authority
October 24 -Keith Axtell, Ecuador
October 31 - David Rabbitt, County of Sonoma Supervisor
November 7 - Kevin Downs, Veterans Day
PRESIDENT RICK received a round of applause when he opened up our “Round 14” meeting with his gavel and pledge to the flag.
BARNEY FAUSS led us in song, starting with “I’m a Rambler” and followed by “God Bless America”.
Ed Fullerton inspired us all with his Thought of the Day, “We all stand in the shadow of trees planted by others.”
PRESIDENT RICK invited members to attend the Foundation Dinner South at Sally Tomatoes Event Center on November 2nd. Please let Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI know by next week if you will be able to attend.
ONITA PELLEGRINI is selling $20 raffle tickets for the South County Dinner raffle to support the Rotary Foundation and you can purchase them even if you don’t attend the dinner. The amount you contribute will go towards your Paul Harris account. Jeff McNulty offered to sell the tickets in ONITA’s absence. PRESIDENT RICK encouraged us all by letting us know that he has already purchased $100 of tickets!
PRESIDENT RICK encouraged those of us who can, to attend the October 11th Sonoma State men’s soccer homecoming game against Cal State Monterey.
PRESIDENT RICK also announced that Clark Rosen is inviting everyone to La Dolce Vita from 2-5 pm on Saturday for a celebration of Patti Rosen’s life.
We were asked to see GAIL CARDAROPOLI about the SCARC dinner October 24th.
Guests today included ONITA PELLEGRINI’s co-worker and friend, Kathy Brandal, JIM McNULTY’s guest, Erin Brogan, former Commanding Officer at Two Rock; LOU STEINBERG’s guest, Al Kaplan; and BILL GROVERMAN’s daughter, Meghan.
Because PAUL LOUNIBOS was under the weather today, PRESIDENT RICK used his presidential powers to ask members to describe what Vocational Services month means to us as Rotarians. LOU STEINBERG was brave and offered his thoughts about our various professions and high ethical standards. He was followed by Mike Bagley who said, “Thank God our Club isn’t made up of all attorneys who would just be sitting around suing each other.”
WHIT HALL invited all interested people to participate in the kick off meeting for this year’s “Quantum Leap” Science program for low income elementary school children. It will be held at his house on Wednesday, October 16th at 5:15 pm.
BILL GROVERMAN’s daughter, Meghan, announced a fund raiser on Saturday, November 2 for the Hatchery at Casa Grande High school. There will be a silent auction and she is selling tickets for $10 each.
October anniversaries were announced for KARA SMITH, LEE BEAN, MIKE STAUBER, JAMES GOTELLI, OREST BALYTSKY, and LEN MYGATT .
Fines:
“And . . . it’s ‘Tara’ — not ‘Tarra’!”
TARA SMITH explained the difference between Biodynamic Farming and Organic Farming and emphasized that Tara Firma Farms absolutely does Organic Farming, and sometimes but not always Biodynamic Farming (it is not something you can do with animals)!
DAVID BARBIERI offered to pay a fine for the wonderful news about becoming great grandparents for the very first time in March!
DAN FISH paid a fine for advertising in the movie theater and on TV. PRESIDENT RICK thought that might be a bit inappropriate for a civil servant! But DAN explained that it was for the Polly Klass Foundation and offered to pay a $50 fine in the name of Polly Klass.
DON RAMATACI was fined because his grand-daughter, Elizabeth, won a BIG pot of money at blackjack at the Peppermill.
KATHIE POWELL was fined when accused of not playing on the same team as PRESIDENT RICK when her picture was found in an advertisement for “another” bank! KATHIE stated that she was “forced” to be in the photo and participated under duress, but would be happy to pay a fine of $100 for the mishap and assured PRESIDENT RICK that she was still playing on his team!
DAN LIBARLE won the raffle, a nice bottle of wine.
DAVID SOLO introduced our speaker, Steve Page, with Sonoma Raceway.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Kathie Powell
October 10 - Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway
October 17 - Sauna Gause, Sonoma County Transportation Authority
October 24 -Keith Axtell, Ecuador
October 31 - David Rabbitt, County of Sonoma Supervisor
“Round 13” commenced when PRESIDENT RICK gaveled the bell and led the Pledge to the Flag.
After LEE REPOSA led the singing, JIM BECKER gave his Thought for the Day saluting the October sports of baseball and football. His presentation of George Carlin’s parody was excellent. You can read the whole thing here.
There were no visiting Rotarians but many members brought guests. CLARK ROSEN introduced Cate Steane, the new Executive Director of the Petaluma Educational Foundation and Todd Mendoza of Coldwell Banker. JIM McNULTY brought Erin Brogan, most recently the C.O. of the Coast Guard Training Center but now Associate Director of the Family Life Center. JIM BECKER introduced Stephanie Tuft, field representative for Assemblyman Mark Levine; PRESIDENT RICK introduced local veterinarian (and soon-to-be-member) John Zimmerman; and KIP HERZOG introduced his wife Marilyn.
PRESIDENT RICK invited members to attend the Foundation Dinner South on November 2. It’s at Sally Tomatoes Event Center so you know the food’s going to be great. Let Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI know by mid-October if you will be attending.
ONITA PELLEGRINI is offering $20 raffle tickets supporting the Rotary Foundation. It’s a great way to support the Foundation if you can’t make it to the dinner. All purchases credit your Paul Harris account. Onita will have the tickets available for the next several weeks.
PRESIDENT RICK announced that he would be focusing on Rotary during our October meetings. PAUL LOUNIBOS will be presenting a “Rotary Thought” each week.
A special Rotary focus for RICK this week was the Club’s policy on fines. He restated the long-standing policy that each member is expected to pay $100 in fines to the club each Rotary year (July through June). While members are encouraged to also contribute $100 each year to the Rotary Foundation, fines directed toward the Foundation don’t count against the $100 fine requirement. For example, if you are fined $100 at a meeting and offer $50 to the Club and $50 to the Foundation your contributions will be cheerfully accepted. But you’ll still have $50 remaining on your fine schedule.
KATHY O’CONNOR urged members to mark their calendars for our Holiday Party to be held Saturday, December 7 at the Rooster Run Event Center.
ONITA PELLEGRINI returned to beat the drums for members to contribute toward a Paul Harris fellowship and, in particular, for existing PH fellows to earn additional fellowships. Then she recognized KIP HERZOG by announcing his fourth additional fellowship (for a total of 5) and JOHN DADO for his second additional fellowship.
She then went on to remind the members that you don’t need to be a member to be a Paul Harris Fellow. To prove her point she summoned a surprised Marilyn Herzog to come up and receive her first Paul Harris.
Membership co-chairs JIM McNULTY and LOU STEINBERG were next at the podium for the induction of our newest member, JOHN ZIMMERMAN. Welcome aboard, John!
After all the talk about fines, it seems there wasn’t any time left for fining. So be prepared for lots of fining next week!
JIM McCAFFREY won the raffle and a bottle of wine.
We had a second raffle today, again courtesy of TARA SMITH. Winner of a whole chicken and some tasty sausage (“Dynamically raised” according to PRESIDENT RICK) was TOM BAKER. Editorial note: How about some other members stepping up to donate a raffle prize?
JIM BECKER introduced today’s speaker . . .
. . . Mark Levine, our 10th District assemblymember who gave an informative presentation on goings on in Sacramento. Editorial note: We like the well-groomed beard! Gravitas and all that. Just like your humble editor.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini