Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.
March 6 - Bill Rousseau, Sonoma County Assessor
March 12 - A Night of Social Fun, Petaluma Yacht Club, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
March 13 - Danny Fish, SWAT Team
March 20 - Jim McNulty, Congo Drum
March 27 - Giant Steps - Making of the Who's Who Lip Sync
Two-thirds of the way through his presidential year, PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI called the meeting to order and invited BARNEY FAUSS to lead the singing. The irrepressible BARNEY started with I’m a Rambler (“Does everyone know that’s our Club song?”) and segued into God Bless America.
TAWNY TESCONI was up next with a most-appropriate Thought for the Day.
JUDI ALLEWELT introduced three visiting Rotarians: Sarah Cummings from King City (and the new manager of our Sonoma-Marin Fair), Greg Freitas from Petaluma Sunrise, and Maureen Francis from Petaluma Valley.
A number of Rotarians brought guests: WHIT HALL (wife Sigrid), ROY MUSICK (wife Linda), TAWNY TESCONI (the aforementioned Sarah Cummings), MARLENE FREETLY (son Harvey), and LEE REPOSA (colleague Elias). An unsponsored guest was local architect Gene Dvorak who stopped by to experience a Rotary meeting.
PRESIDENT RICK then distributed many “Thank you for the dictionary” letters from local third-graders and a special thank you from McKinley School Principal Matt Harris for our contribution supporting the sixth-grade outdoor education trip.
Members have a unique opportunity to dine with RI President Ron Burton in Sacramento on March 30. Contact PRESIDENT RICK soon to reserve a place at our Club’s table!
For a short month, February sure has a lot of birthdays! Saluted at the birthday table and beyond were LEE REPOSA, KATHY O’CONNOR, ROY MUSICK, LOU STEINBERG, JIM McNULTY, STEVE OLMSTED, AL CATTALINI, WALLY BRAGDON, BRIAN BREEN, WHIT HALL, and AL KAPLAN.
LEE BEAN, President of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation, announced that applications are now being taken for 2014 grants. Instructions and an application form are available on the Club website.
ONITA PELLEGRINI announced the upcoming Club social at the Petaluma Yacht Club. Bring your spouse, friend, or a prospective member. Should be a fun evening!
SHARI RANNEY received a big thanks for handling the ticket sales and seating for the Crab Feed.
Greg Freitas, the District 5130 Awards Chair, announced a new award for which our Club should be well suited. We determine the classification and criteria, and then prepare the justification. Let’s get it!
PRESIDENT RICK then recognized the “Three Amigos” who coordinated the Super Raffle, RICK GORMAN, LEE REPOSA, and BRIAN BREEN. Brian introduced the team captains, ONITA PELLEGRINI, CHRIS ELZI, TOM BRANDAL, MICHAEL CARUANA, TONY WESTERN, CHRIS RANNEY, GREG O’BRIEN, and CLARK ROSEN, for a round of applause. TONY WESTERN led the winning team with 331 tickets sold.
Top individual ticket sellers were TOM BAKER (180), STEVE GAVRILOFF (175), NANCY COOLEY (98), HENRY HANSEL (87), TOM BRANDAL (51), and JOHN ZIMMERMAN (40). To be invited to a celebratory party on March 12 are all members of the winning team, all team captains, and members who sold 20 or more tickets.
BRIAN reported that 1,625 tickets were sold for a gross of $48,750 and a net of about $36,750. Great job!
Continuing his series of recollections from past Presidents, PRESIDENT RICK introduced a new twist. Today’s speaker was DAVID BARBIERI, past President of two Rotary Clubs, neither of them the Rotary Club of Petaluma. David recounted his experiences as the 1989-90 President of the Westwood-Lake Almanor Club, an old-school establishment club founded in 1934, and as the Charter President in 1991-92 of the Chester Club, a progressive group that admitted women.
Proud papa MIKE BADDELEY gladly paid a $50 fine for the outstanding play of his daughter Cassie, a defensive standout for PHS T-Girls basketball team. And proud godmother JOANNE FERRIS rose to match the fine with another $50.
TOM BRANDAL paid a $50 fine (earmarked for the local foundation) for selling this year’s winning Super Raffle ticket. It seems it was just one of many winning tickets he’s sold over the years. Next year I’m buying my tickets from Tom!
Today’s raffle was won by our visiting architect, Gene Dvorak, who took home a bottle of Chardonnay.
WHIT HALL explained how his walks at Shollenberger Park exposed him to an impressive building and how that lead to today’s speaker.
Ellie Cohen, President and CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science described the impressive efforts of this Petaluma-based organization to address unprecedented challenges to birds, ecosystems and people.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini
February 27 - Ellie Cohen - President, Point Blue Observation Science
March 6 - Bill Rousseau, Sonoma County Assessor
March 12 - A Night of Social Fun, Petaluma Yacht Club, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
March 13 - Danny Fish, SWAT Team
March 20 - Jim McNulty, Congo Drum
March 27 - Giant Steps - Making of the Who's Who Lip Sync
It was Friday, February 21 and time for the umpteenth annual Petaluma Rotary Club Crab Feed and Super Raffle. A large crowd was on hand for the social hour including, of course, your President, RICK MOSSI.
Super Raffle ticket sales continued throughout the evening and BRIAN BREEN and RICK GORMAN were only too happy to take your money.
When dinnertime approached, PRESIDENT RICK succeeded in getting the crowd to sit down so BARNEY FAUSS could bring them to their feet for a spirited Star Spangled Banner.
Father Gary Lombardi, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church, delivered a thoughtful invocation — and then it was time for crab, crab, and more crab.
The room was festively decorated and the 462 guests enjoyed great salad and pasta along with endless crab. But it was a bit of a surprise to see that the ice cream was from the “Wonder Ice Cream Company” of Newark, California. We wonder what Clo was up to that night?
After dinner our District Governor, Helaine Campbell, drew the winning Super Raffle tickets.
PRESIDENT RICK announced the winners:
The event was made possible by the hard work of these volunteers and organizations: JAMES BURLESON and RICHARD MARZO, SHARI RANNEY for ticket sales, and CHRIS ALBERTSON for the organization of the kitchen, Petaluma FFA, Boy Scout Troop 9, and the PHS Interact Club. Thanks to you and everyone who helped!
For lots of photos from the Crab Feed, click here.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini
February 20 - Dark for Crab Feed
February 21 - Crab Feed
February 27 - Ellie Cohen - President of Point Blue Observation Science
March 6 - Bill Rousseau, Sonoma County Assessor
A fine afternoon of fellowship began with the sound of the bell and BARNEY FAUSS led us in song. He also stepped in for PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI, who needed some assistance, and gave the Thought for the Day.
The tables were beautifully decorated for Valentine’s Day with flowers and “kisses”, as well as thank you notes from the Dunham School for the Dictionary Program. They are great reminders of the good work by Rotarians and the great impact this program has in our community. Congrats to GEOFF ELLIS and all the Rotarians who helped deliver the dictionaries. The smile on the children’s faces is worth the effort!
Congratulations to all the February Anniversaries. MICHAEL CARUANA is looking for some sign-ups for the District Assembly on April 5 in Ukiah.
JIM BECKER gave an update on the International Projects Fair, which was recently held in Guatemala.
JAMES BURLESON gave an update on the Crab Feed . . .
. . . and LEE REPOSA gave an update on the Super Raffle.
Recap: Friday 2/21 at the Vets Bldg.
6pm Cocktails
7:30pm Crab dinner
9pm Cleanup!
Past President LARRY JONAS (1995-96) delivered a very humorous and entertaining review of his presidential year, closing with his implication that “It’s been all downhill for the Club since that year!”
The fine can made its weekly appearance and your editor was fined for his service on the Petaluma Planning Commission . . .
. . . and STEVE POWELL, 10 (?) pounds lighter and a Guatemala/Cancun traveler. As usual, the offenses were misdemeanors but the fines were not!
PRESIDENT RICK concocted a special Valentine’s raffle. Five members with winning tickets were offered the choice of drawing the rock for a cash prize — or taking home a bouquet of flowers and a nice bottle of Champagne. We must be a club of romantics as no one took Rick up on his “Is it Love or is it Money?” challenge.
DAVID SOLO introduced our speaker —
, , , our very own ONITA PELLIGRINI — to discuss the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce activities and issues facing our community. ONITA gave a great update and the entire Club was engaged in the issues, including the proposal of a sales tax measure, the Walgreen’s drive-thru window and the gas station moratorium that the Petaluma City Council is considering adopting. It was a pleasure to see the crowd so animated. This is exactly what a good presentation accomplishes — it delivers concrete facts and sparks a thoughtful discussion about the issue. Many voices were heard and a variety of opinions were given, but as true Rotarians that debate remained professional and cordial. Thank you Onita for a great discussion.
DARK THURSDAY. SEE YOU ALL AT THE CRABFEED!!!
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo
February 13 - Onita Pellegrini - CEO, Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
February 20 - Dark for Crab Feed
February 21 - Crab Feed
February 27 - Ellie Cohen - President of Point Blue Observation Science
March 6 - Bill Rousseau, Sonoma County Assessor
With a salute to the welcome sight of rain falling on our golf course view, President RICK MOSSI called us to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
LOU STEINBERG started us off with “I’m a Rambler . . .” followed by “God Bless America”.
JOHN DADO delivered a couple of cogent thoughts for the day, one about employees being the primary assets of a business and another about the value of team members who push their teammates. Warm greetings were then exchanged around the room.
While there were no visiting Rotarians in attendance, some important guests were announced: WHIT HALL introduced Fred Groverman, MICHAEL BADDELEY presented daughter Kathy, and MICHAEL CARUANA invited us to welcome his sister Marianne, visiting from Michigan.
President RICK informed us that JIM McCAFFREY had been hospitalized since Super Bowl Sunday, obviously not because the game was too exciting for him. Wife Mary reports that he is doing well, but thoughts and prayers are encouraged.
ANDY KVALHEIM has celebrated his 88th birthday, excellent news for many club members who worry about being the oldest in the group.
Heart-warming thank-you messages from Petaluma third-graders, who clearly appreciate their new dictionaries, made their way around the room. Well deserved recognition was given to GEOFF ELLIS for once again doing such a great job of directing the distribution effort.
Our president singled out USF alumni JOHN DADO and CHRIS ELZI, who can take pride in their Alma Mater’s 1951 football team and the school’s dramatic stand against racism, chronicled in a recent ESPN documentary.
Our club’s contingent to the District Assembly in Ukiah on April 5 will be led by President-Elect MICHAEL CARUANA. For those who wish to travel only as far as Cloverdale, that club’s annual crab feed will be a SCARC event on February 27. See GAIL CARDAROPOLI for reservations.
SHARI RANNEY reminded us to make ticket purchases and reserve tables for our own February 21 Crab Feed.
BRIAN BREEN gave an update on the sale of Super Raffle Tickets, reporting that STEVE GAVRILOFF has already turned in 126, a heavy gauntlet thrown down for the rest of us.
President RICK offered a rather comprehensive list of our club’s projects over the years, a good way to explain to raffle ticket buyers how important their $30 contribution will be. And of course there’s the $8,000 first prize, which everyone can expect to win.
Past President MIKE BADDELEY gave us an entertaining look back at his memorable presidential year of 1992-93. Kathy Baddeley’s visit to our meeting must be an indication that she can’t bear to miss an opportunity to hear Dad reminisce.
The President had revenue on his mind, and a number of members cheerfully paid fines:
JIM SYMONS, recognized as a no-longer-new member with a chicken badge . . .
LOU STEINBERG, for having way too much fun with family visiting from all over at Thanksgiving, and for turning 70 . . .
KIP HERZOG, who was profiled in the Argus Courier, attended the “real” Super Bowl in Seattle, and is most proud of the coaching accomplishments of son Trent . . .
ONITA PELLEGRINI, celebrating the arrival of a 7th grandchild, this one breaking a 3-3 gender tie in favor of the girls, and also receiving thanks for many years of service on the Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees . . .
GAIL CARDAROPOLI, whose basketball star grandson was pictured in the Press Democrat . . .
AL KAPLAN, who is now licensed to captain vessels we can charter for pleasure cruises (had your flu shots?) . . .
and ED FULLERTON, already many times a grandpa, now boasting a first great-grandchild.
The weekly raffle was won, fittingly, by Super Raffle commandant BRIAN BREEN, who picked a brown rock to claim the cash, which he just can’t decide how to invest.
WHIT HALL introduced guest speaker . . .
. . . Ramona Faith, CEO of the Petaluma Health Care District (and Tomales native). Ramona gave an excellent overview of the past, present, and future of the District.
President RICK closed with a final thought dedicated to our members whose names end with “Esquire”: Lawyers believe a man is innocent until proven broke.
This week’s Rota-Teller editor: Clark Rosen