July 2015

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

COMING EVENTS

Sub-90º weather greeted club members at the Petaluma Golf & Country Club. President GARY BRODIE opened the meeting and started us off with the Pledge of Allegiance.

BARNEY FAUSS led us in our club song, followed by “America the Beautiful”.

Karen Van Bebber

JAMES GOTELLI addressed us with the sad news that Karen Van Bebber had passed away on July 25. Wife of RICK VAN BEBBER, Karen had also been a Rotarian and a great friend of our club. JAMES asked that we all keep RICK and his family in our thoughts and called for a moment of silence in remembrance of Karen.

The thought for the day, delivered by CLARK ROSEN, was a bit of wisdom from the late Vince Lombardi.

RENEE HAYES introduced visiting Rotarians Cheri Page and Libby Fitzgerald, both from the Petaluma Valley Club. President GARY then asked RENEE to remain at the podium to receive her well-earned chicken badge. Well-earned, but still costing $5.

RICK MOSSI introduced guest Michael Gadoua and was immediately “one-upped” by the other Exchange Bank Rick, RICK GORMAN, who introduced Ron Malnati and son Benjamin Gorman. CHAD FILLINGER’s guest was Mike Ambrosio.

Past President MICHAEL CARUANA was pleased to honor two of our members with special awards:

TOM BAKER was presented a “star” award for his perennial star performance in support of our Super Raffle event, and . . .

AL CATTALINI was recognized for his years of outstanding webmastering of our club site with a “good hands” award.

Our President reminded us that the not-to-be-missed August 13 meeting will feature a visit from District Governor Erin Dunn.

Membership Chair RICK MOSSI gave a helpful membership “infomercial”, suggesting that we are all effectively part of the membership committee and the ongoing effort to identify community members who should be invited to consider Rotary. After reviewing a handout listing survey answers about why Rotarians have joined and why they stay in Rotary, President GARY simplified the message: “Who wouldn’t want to party with us?”

Libby Fitzgerald, visiting from Petaluma Valley, invited us all to enjoy the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival on the afternoon of Saturday, September 12.

A healthy number of members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in the month of July were recognized. One of those celebrants, OREST BALYTSKY, suggested that our President contribute a small fine for balking at an attempt to pronounce “Balytsky”. A contrite GARY BRODIE tendered the fine and committed to practice.

President GARY was happy to accept contributions from a couple of members:

AL KAPLAN, who is now occupying new office space at the north end of town, and . . .

MARLENE FREETLY, whose recent travels included two river cruises in France and an excursion to Monte Carlo.

DAVE BARBIERI rose to question why KATHY O’CONNOR’s name badge was not in its proper place. A quick confession came from CHRIS ELZI along with his explanation that he had picked up KATHY’s badge only in anticipation of her arrival, an explanation that still cost him a few bucks.

The weekly raffle was won by the unpronounceable OREST BALYTSKY. The blue rock redeemed a rather nice bottle of wine.

Program Chair CHRIS RANNEY introduced speaker Molly Best, owner of Thistle Meats, purveyor of ethically raised and locally sourced meats. Ms. Best, also ethically raised and locally sourced, gave a thoroughly engaging account of the origins, successes and challenges of her new business, which opened in 2014.

This week's Editor: Clark Rosen

COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT GARY called the meeting to order and that’s where all the controversy started!

Immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance, from the back of the room, BARNEY FAUSS called to PRESIDENT GARY and noted loudly that it is Rotary custom to open the meeting by sounding the Rotary bell. PRESIDENT GARY calmly invited BARNEY up to the podium to lead the singing and informed him that the bell was sounded. BARNEY gratefully paid $5 for the privilege.

BARNEY remarked that Rotary has a wide variety of vocational classifications for members and he would like to see us recruit and induct a new member from the hearing aid field since he completely missed the bell!

Will Rogers was quoted for the thought for the day by JAY PALM.

Members with Guests: RICK MOSSI introduced Mike Ambrosia for his third visit to the club. PRESIDENT GARY introduced his lovely wife Heidi.

Announcements: PRESIDENT GARY asked everyone to take a moment in honor of the VAN BEBBER family. Karen’s health is very poor. Everyone quietly paused in reflection for Karen, RICK and their family.

GREG O’BRIEN thanked Heidi Brodie for creating the golf tournament flyers that were on the tables for members.

TONY WESTERN is coordinating players and foursomes. He invited everyone to get their reservations in. JOHN DADO was the first member to step up and fill a foursome!

RICK MOSSI and CHAD FILLINGER are organizing sponsors for the tournament. This year we have a new level “Youth Program Sponsor” $500. These sponsors will receive special recognition. Our club youth programs (RYLA, Interact, McKinley School, Dictionaries, Youth Exchange, Children’s Holiday Party) will benefit from this sponsorship level. They will be calling all members who have businesses and welcome outside sponsors as well.

BARNEY asked PRESIDENT GARY if there was a procedure for members to locate lost and stolen items. PRESIDENT GARY asked what was missing. BARNEY replied his Chicken Badge had disappeared from the check-in table. PRESIDENT GARY noted that there were four members at the meeting who failed to pick up their badges when entering. BARNEY named the amount he paid which was also contributed by JOHN ZIMMERMAN, ONITA PELLEGRINI, and GREG O’;BRIEN. STEVE POWELL noted that PRESIDENT GARY’s badge was on the podium instead of his shirt so PRES. GARY contributed $10 as well.

Art Agnew’s “Everything you wanted to know about Rotary…” presented by PAUL LOUNIBOS. A new feature of meetings every other week will be this trivia quiz. This week PAUL asked four questions and the members only got two right. Actually, Heidi Brody, a former member got one of the two correct answers. PAUL noted that perhaps PRESIDENT GARY ought to be fined for not better preparing the members.

PRESIDENT GARY conducted his own quiz of a few tables. He asked JAY PALM and DANNY FISH’ table to give the height of the Empire State Building. They guessed 1,200 ft. The answer was 1,250 feet! The next table was asked to give the height of the Eiffel Tower. Their guess was way off so each member paid $5.

Raffle: JAY PALM won the raffle and a bottle of wine.

Terry Bryant of Petaluma Valley Rotary gave a detailed presentation about polio and where we stand in the effort to wipe it out. Next week, ONITA PELLEGRINI will have everyone’s status for Rotary International Foundation giving.

PRESIDENT GARY made a special point to address DANNY FISH and express our appreciation for our Petaluma Police Department and all they do for our community. In light of the death of a Hayward Police officer that morning, we are especially grateful for our friends in law enforcement.

The meeting closed as PRESIDENT GARY presented the Past President pin to MICHAEL CARUANA who just returned from a trip to Malta.

Golf Tournament, September 21

 

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING CHANGE

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Notice is hereby by given that the Annual Meeting of the Membership of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation will be held during the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Petaluma as noted above on Thursday, August 20, 2015. According to the Foundation Bylaws, the Annual Meeting is to be held on the 2nd Thursday, of the 2nd month following the close of the Foundation’s Fiscal Year, June 30 - July 1. (You will note that the above date is the 3rd Thursday in August, which is necessitated due to a conflict on the 2nd with the District Governor’s visit to the club.)

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This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris

COMING EVENTS

We were welcomed to the Rotary Club of Petaluma weekly meeting at the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club by our new PRESIDENT, GARY BRODIE.

We all joined THE PREZ in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by PAST PRESIDENT BARNEY FAUSS leading us in the club song followed by God Bless America.

A bit out of order we all greeted one another and then SHARI RANNEY shared the Thought of Day around the meaning of marriage. We all forgave the new PRESIDENT for being a bit confused.

JUDI ALLEWELT announced the visiting Rotarians, both from Rohnert Park.

Once again out of order, PRESIDENT GARY skipped the guests and went straight into announcements. GREG O’BRIEN announced the date for our club’s annual golf tournament, September 21st. See GREG to discuss sponsorship and to get your foursome signed up.

Back to our guests, LEE REPOSA introduced his son, Grant. CHAD FILLINGER brought Mike Ambrosa, RICK GORMAN introduced Ron Malnati, and GAIL CARDAROPOLI introduced Shannon from Redwood Credit Union.

GAIL CARDAROPOLI announced the upcoming SCARC meeting on July 30th. See her to sign up.

PRESIDENT GARY gave a special thanks to CHRIS RANNEY, PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL CARUANA, TONY WESTERN, and RICK GORMAN for replacing, upgrading, and fixing the city benches that were dedicated by our past members.

The PREZ also announced something new. Periodically PAST PRESIDENT PAUL LOUNIBOS will present “Art Agnew’s Everything about Rotary but Afraid to Ask”.

Another new thing happening at our club is PRESIDENT GARY has done away with “Fines” and replaced them with the much more politically correct “Gratitude’s”. Just name alone makes members feel so much better about opening their wallets to the PRESIDENT.

Starting with PAST PRESIDENT JOANNE FERRIS handing over $50 for her travels and a picture on Facebook of her and husband Mike kayaking at Hidden Lakes and looking like a happy couple in a Cialis commercial.

Our head editor, AL CATTALINI also dished out $50 for his recent trip to this editor’s home town of beautiful sunny San Diego.

Lastly, RENÉE HAYES gratefully handed over $50 in lieu of disclosing what happened at her daughter’s recent bachelorette party. Her lips are sealed!

Another new thing that PRESIDENT GARY has implemented is the “Rat Pack” group. This group consists of all members who share information about others aka. “rat on” with the PREZ. His first member, ELIAS HUSARY, received a block of cheese for being a rat.

PRESIDENT GARY then called upon KATHY O’CONNOR for missing her badge. GARY had found it and tried to get KATHY to pay but she was one step ahead of him, she had his gavel so they made a fair trade.

Our raffle winner was LEE REPOSA’s son, Grant. He also pulled the brown rock and was awarded $25 which he kindly contributed back to the club. He was more impressed by the winning ticket than the money.

CHRIS RANNEY introduced our speaker, Ana Keller from Keller Estate Winery. She is also the President of the Petaluma Gap Winegrower’s Alliance. She shared with us the background, benefits, and future of the Petaluma Gap AVA.

PRESIDENT GARY wished everyone a great day.

This week's Editor: Brian Breen

COMING EVENTS

NEW ROTARY KING RIDES INTO HISTORY: CLAIMS TO RULE THE ‘RAT’ PACK

Let’s just say it was a day to remember as PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE took the helm of the Rotary Club of Petaluma. First off, it was July and it was raining. The pasta lunch was pretty good, but we had to wait a heck of a long time for The Man to show. First Lady Heidi delivered a huge martini to the dais, and we waited. Everyone finished lunch, and we waited. Even OREST and BANO arrived, and still we waited!

Then…we heard a rumble… and with no warning but those wide open doors, in rides a stranger on a motorcycle blaring “Hotel California,” all leathered (not lathered) up and sporting a really bad hairdo. He was totting a sidearm and claimed he was there to ’fix’ the microphone situation.

“Strong arms” BREEN and REPOSA dragged MICHAEL NISTLER in front of the stranger who apparently has a “zero tolerance policy for mediocrity” and promptly shot the unfortunate (though admittedly guilty) NISTLER, asked his henchmen to “throw out the trash” and announced an “immediate opening in the AV Department.”

And so, dear readers, began the reign of King BRODIE the Ruthless.

PRESIDENT GARY finally took off that bad hair and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

He invited BARNEY FAUSS to lead us in song and BARNEY started off with our traditional I’m a Rambler and finished off with God Bless America. PRESIDENT GARY confused us by next calling for club greetings when we were all set for the Thought for the Day, but we recovered quickly especially given his apparent intolerance for screw ups.

PRESIDENT GARY then called on Rookie of the Year ELIAS HUSARY for our Thought for the Day. ELIAS gave a wonderful reading in celebration of July 4th (birthday of our Nation and yours truly) entitled “I am the Flag.”

We had one visiting Rotarian announced by GREG O’BRIEN…Daniel Powers from Petaluma Sunrise Rotary (classification Insurance. Rotarians with Guests included PRESIDENT GARY who introduced wife Heidi, and (a bit later in the meeting due to it being PRESIDENT GARY’S first meeting and all and him forgetting that maybe someone else might have a guest) ED FULLERTON who introduced wife Carol, and CHAD FILLINGER who introduced Mike Delarosa.

Getting back to the meeting…THE PREZ then announced that there would be no fines this year (Yay!). Rather members would be invited to express their “Gratitude” by way of emptying their wallets whenever PRESIDENT GARY called on them to do so (Boo!). First up for the year was returning member, TARA SMITH, who in addition to $50 expressed her gratitude for the way she was welcomed back into the club by GAIL CARDAROPOLI and others, for her good friend KATHY O’CONNOR, and then told PRESIDENT GARY he could quit calling her now that she showed up.

There was a bit of a disruption when a new member dressed in white, sporting a bad rug, and an even worse attempt at gender-based humor stepped up and offered PRESIDENT GARY to accept the now vacant position in the AV Department. We suggest checking references…

Announcements included GREG O’BRIEN giving members and sponsors an early heads up about the September 21st Golf Tournament (we’re told Heidi will be helping out again this year). PRESIDENT GARY announced the upcoming SCARC Dinner on July 30th at Balletto Vineyards (let GAIL CARDAROPOLI know if you plan to attend), and RICK MOSSI who recycled last year’s Crab Feed tickets as a reminder of our club’s biggest fundraiser (did he really call our new leader “President Lugnuts”?).

Unphased by the riff raff, PRESIDENT GARY went on to announce the “Rat Program” (aka Rat Pack), as in…you rat on your Rotary colleagues and PRESIDENT GARY collects “gratitude” from the rat-ees. Simple.

PRESIDENT GARY continued on with the opportunities for member gratitude, calling on “the back table” (aka KIP HERZOG, DAN LIBARLE, DON RAMATICI) and asked what they talk about every meeting. DAN (the Laundry Man) spoke for the group and confessed he’s been trying for 40-50 years to find out how KIP keeps getting dairy subsidies and DON gets his insurance subsidies.

CARLI THOMAS guessed the color of Dorothy’s shoes (from the Wizard of Oz), got the answer right and chose not to pass it along to anyone else and for that she paid $10.

CHAD FILLINGER went to DC with the in-laws, his wife and 1.5 kids and was $50 grateful for the experience.

TODD MENDOZA is apparently on the PREZ’S radar, and BILL GROVERMAN is in his sights.

Then BILL GROVERMAN held up a nice pair of sunglasses that had been missing for a long time which he generously auctioned back to PRESIDENT GARY for $50 which high-bidder MARK STOKES matched with $50. Nice!

TARA SMITH interrupted with a comment she overheard about PRESIDENT GARY’S rhinestone shirt.

PRESIDENT GARY was reminded that we had a full Birthday Table, so he led us as we sang “Happy Birthday” to the birthday gang, and promised to come prepared to announce Anniversaries next meeting.

The day’s raffle was won by STAN LAWSON who pulled the brown rock out of a full bag and won himself $25! That guy is lucky!

PRESIDENT GARY announced there would be no program this meeting, but called on PAST PRESIDENT MIKE BADDELEY who regaled the club with ’opening day’ hijinks played on past presidents including , NED DAVIS (1990-91) and the rubber cake, DON RAMATICI (1989-90) and the missing club members, MIKE BADDELEY (1992-93) and the pre-NISTLER microphone issues, HENRY HANSEL (1999-00) and the Chevy gauntlet, and best of all BABE AMARAL (2004-05) and the find-his-wheels-bar-crawl. MIKE made note that PRESIDENT GARY is the first president in the history of the club to “do” to himself and warned that PRESIDENT GARY “is due…just like you can’t give yourself a nickname,” apparently you can’t give yourself a new president hazing. The throw down is on!

PRESIDENT GARY’S parting comments were a reminder of next week’s program…Ana Keller, from Keller Estate Winery who will focus on the current status of getting the Petaluma Gap named as an official wine appellation. Great first meeting PRESIDENT GARY! Looking forward to a fun year!

This week's Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley