Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
November 28 - Dark for Thanksgiving
December 2-3 - Shop for Children's gifts
December 5 - Dark for Holiday Party
December 7 - Wrap Children's gifts
December 7 - Holiday Party
December 12 - Annual Meeting; Frank Chong, SRCC President
December 12 - Distribute Children's gifts
December 19 - Pat Williams, Petaluma Chief of Police
After 19 meetings, starting and ending meetings with an inaccurate clock on the wall above him, PRESIDENT RICK decided to take action. It wasn’t easy, but he succeeded in taking down the clock, resetting it, and getting it back in position.
And, at precisely 12:30 on the clock, he convened “Round 20” and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. BARNEY FAUSS, acting uncharacteristically shy (note absence of photo), led the group in singing I’m a Rambler, . . . and God Bless America.
LARRY JONAS began his Thought for the Day with a disclaimer that his thoughts were his own and then proceeded to give us two thoughts. The first was a quote from John F. Kennedy’s September 25, 1961 address to the UN General Assembly: “ . . . conformity is the jailer of freedom, and the enemy of growth.” Then, recalling the first Thanksgiving and what we’ve done since to impoverish the Indians, he observed that now it’s their turn to do it to us, citing the recently-opened Graton Casino.
The ensuing hugs, handshakes, and greetings seemed to set a new record for length and loudness. RICK managed to finally end the bedlam with a MICHAEL NISTLER whistle and immediately launched into Club business. So quickly in fact that he forgot to acknowledge our visitors. We’ll get to them later — but here are the general announcements.
At Tuesday’s board meeting it was decided to send a $1,000 ShelterBox to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
We are working with the Petaluma Service Alliance to rehabilitate the walkways at Walnut Park and will fund a “Petaluma Rotary Club” bench in the park. Members are again encouraged to purchase commemorative bricks for installation in the park.
The Salvation Army is soliciting Thanksgiving turkeys for needy families. Please deliver them to the Salvation Army facility on McDowell Blvd.
And PAUL LOUNIBOS will be coordinating our staffing of Salvation Army kettles with bellringers this Christmas season. We’ll be engaged in a competition with the other two local Rotary clubs to see who raises the most money for this worthy cause.
Then PRESIDENT RICK remembered his script and called on RICK GORMAN to introduce our visiting Rotarians. There were three, but the only classification your humble editor could remember was “distilled spirits.” Neat!
CLARK ROSEN introduced our sole non-Rotarian guest today, Cate Steane, Executive Director of the Petaluma Educational Foundation.
KATHY O’CONNOR reminded members to RSVP for the December 7 Holiday Party and welcomed members with a conflicting engagement that evening to stop by for a drink on their way.
PRESIDENT RICK thanked an embarassed TARA SMITH for compiling a business directory of club members . . .
. . . but it seemed that NANCY COOLEY questioned the accuracy of her listed website address.
Libby Fitzgerald of the Petaluma Valley club discussed the “Lend a Hand to Education” project which provides mini-grants ($200 or less) to local schoolteachers for worthy projects. With $15,000 already committed for this year, she is looking to raise $7,000 more.
Onita and Rick lending a hand.
November birthdays were celebrated with JUDI ALLEWELT and MICHAEL NISTLER contributing $5 from the Birthday Table and PRESIDENT RICK forking over $10 from the podium.
CLARK ROSEN expressed regrets for not offering Ingrid Alverde, last week’s speaker, KIP HERZOG’s proposed slogan to attract business to Petaluma: “Come smell our dairy air!”
JUDI ALLEWELT reminded members to sign up for shopping for children’s gifts (Monday, December 2 and continuing on Tuesday if needed), wrapping the gifts (Saturday, December 7), and delivering them (Thursday, December 12).
CHRIS ELZI paid a $10 fine for replacement of his Rotary badge. This was a prelude to the triumphant return of champion body-builder DAVID SOLO who paid $40 for the notoriety. David described how he consumed an entire extra-large pepperoni pizza after the competition and then posed a question to the members: “Who else in the Club was a competitive body builder?” Check future Rota-Teller editions for the surprising answer.
TARA SMITH drew the special rock and claimed $75 in today’s raffle. Two subsequent raffles, for special JFK magazines from the Smithsonian Institution donated by PAUL LOUNIBOS were won by TOM BRANDAL and ONITA PELLEGRINI. TARA then bought ONITA’s prize for $75 which was donated to the Club.
PRESIDENT RICK then delivered the famous John F. Kennedy quote from his 1961 Inaugural Address: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Our guest speaker was George Wagner, past president of the Petaluma Sunrise Club. George discussed “Why Join Rotary?” and the “Ignite” program which encourages and rewards Clubs to recruit new members. (Idea from your editor: Let’s recruit members with the “distilled spirits” classification!)
Our very first Ignite team.
After reminding members that we’ll be dark for the next two Thursdays (Thanksgiving, then dark for the Holiday Party) PRESIDENT RICK ended the meeting with a Thanksgiving thought (apparently not from John F. Kennedy): “If you don’t have all the things you want, be grateful for all the things you don’t have that you didn’t want.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini
November 21 - George Wagner, Rotary Club of Petaluma Sunrise
November 28 - Dark for Thanksgiving
December 2-3 - Shop for Children's gifts
December 5 - Dark for Holiday Party
December 7 - Wrap Children's gifts
December 7 - Holiday Party
December 12 - Annual Meeting; Frank Chong, SRCC President
December 12 - Distribute Children's gifts
December 19 - Pat Williams, Petaluma Chief of Police
PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI promptly started “Round 19” at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club and we all joined him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PAST PRESIDENT LOU STEINBERG led us in song, Gypo and God Bless America.
PAST PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL gave a Rotarian “thought of the day”.
This was followed by our usual hugs and handshakes.
Our visiting Rotarians were Lily & Greg Freitas from Petaluma Sunrise Club and Carson Cates from Indiana. Guests were then introduced.
PRESIDENT MOSSI went over the announcements. He informed us that November is Rotary Foundation Month, SCARC dinner is the 21st, and MICHAEL NISTLER is looking for an assistant with the AV work.
THE PREZ also reminded everyone of their upcoming November anniversaries.
KATHY O’CONNOR reminded everyone to RSVP for the upcoming Holiday Party on Dec. 7th.
PRESIDENT MOSSI brought up PAST PRESIDENT JOHN DADO to give a history lesson to the club about his year as our club’s president back in 1988-1989. During his term, the first women were brought into our club as members. He did a great job and thanked many current and past Rotarians for their help and assistance during his term.
Gene Giorgetti catered lunch during John’s term and for many years thereafter.
THE PREZ started out his fines by calling on one of our newest members, JIM SYMONS, for winning a wine filled basket given by the Foundation. He was fined $40.
MICHAEL CARUANA was then called upon to explain his recent travels and the increased value in his Malta citizenship, where he was born. Supposedly a Malta citizenship is currently worth $865,000 on the open market, however Michael was kind enough to put it up for bid to any Rotarian willing to pay a discounted price of $500,000. For his kindness, he paid $100.
PRESIDENT MOSSI called upon a group of ladies to explain their gallivanting in Italy together. This included ONITA PELLEGRINI, JUDI ALLEWELT, and GAIL CARDAROPOLI. They claimed that there was no table dancing, pole dancing, or any other shenanigans. They paid a combined $100 for no more questions.
PAST PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY was fined $50 for a long trip to MAUI.
Based on a recent Press photo, it was not shocking that DAVID SOLO steered clear of the meeting. PRESIDENT MOSSI put out a notice to all local attorneys to contact SOLO immediately. Seems that last time someone was caught running around in their undies, it didn’t turn out well.
Congratulation to DAVID for placing 3rd in Master’s Men 35 and Over division of the National Physique Committee’s International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness’ Bodybuilding Championships. Click here for a larger photo and more info.
The raffle winner and proud owner of a new bottle of wine was MARLENE FREETLY.
The second raffle winner and proud owner of JASON GOOCH’S donated private label olive oil was PAT SCHAEFER.
CHRIS RANNEY introduced our speaker, Ingrid Alverde, Petaluma Economic Development Director. She informed us of the new Petaluma marketing campaign. Check out the campaign’s website http://petalumastar.com/.
Our PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI wished everybody a wonderful day and left us with his closing thought: You must get involved to have an impact. No one is impressed with the won-loss record of the referee.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Brian Breen
November 14 - Ingrid Alverde, Petaluma Economic Development
November 21 - George Wagner, Rotary Club of Petaluma Sunrise
November 28 - Dark for Thanksgiving
December 2-3 - Shop for Children's gifts
December 5 - Dark for Holiday Party
December 7 - Wrap Children's gifts
December 7 - Holiday Party
December 12 - Annual Meeting; Frank Chong, SRCC President
December 12 - Distribute Children's gifts
December 19 - Pat Williams, Petaluma Chief of Police
The proceedings were called to order by President RICK MOSSI, who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, dedicated on this occasion to all of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces.
BARNEY FAUSS followed “I’m a Rambler . . .” with another Veterans tribute, choosing “The Star Spangled Banner” for our patriotic song of the day.
LOU STEINBERG delivered more than a single thought for the day, a collection of appropriate Veterans Day quotes. Hugs and handshakes ensued.
STAN LAWSON introduced visiting Rotarians Daniel Powers of Petaluma Sunrise and Jim Furli of Petaluma Valley.
President RICK announced that November is Rotary Foundation month. At the Rotary Foundation Dinner the previous Saturday, our own JIM BECKER made a presentation regarding our international projects. Our club accounted for the purchase of 90 Foundation raffle tickets, raising $1640. STEVE POWELL and JIM SYMONS were both lucky raffle winners.
RICK GORMAN called our attention to order forms for bench sponsorship and commemorative bricks at Walnut Park, which will be improved by the amalgamation of clubs known as the Petaluma Service Alliance.
KATHY O’CONNOR asked us to get ready for a fun and tasty Holiday Party on December 7 at Rooster Run.
We were treated to a special “blast from the past”, a reminiscence by Past President DAN LIBARLE, who has been a member of our club since 1965. DAN recalled his early days in the club and his presidential year of 1974-1975, when he was one of the youngest to serve in that office. DAN can also say that he is one of the youngest members still attending after 48 years.
Our President found a couple of rich targets for fines:
$100 from SHARI and CHRIS RANNEY for a trip to Sweden for the celebration of their son’s marriage.
$50 from KATHY O’CONNOR for the purchase of new Lexus convertible that has been ideal for enjoying our November weather.
The raffle was won by guest Rotarian Jim Furli, who drew a blue rock for nice bottle of wine.
CHRIS RANNEY introduced . . .
. . . guest speaker Kevin Downs, founder of the Ranchin’ Vets Program. Kevin explained how his unique organization matches returning veterans with agricultural jobs that have both economic and therapeutic benefits.
President RICK closed with a final Veterans Day thought, sharing a letter received from a future veteran, a young Marine by the name of Mossi writing about his training at Camp Pendleton.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen