January 2016

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COMING EVENTS

It was a damp and cool day as PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE called together the Rotary Club of Petaluma for a special field trip to the Historic Hotel Petaluma. The original meeting place of our club was the American Hotel (now Putnam Plaza), then Foster’s Candy Shop (the old US Bakery site), and then the Petaluma Women’s Club.  The new Hotel Petaluma was built the same year the Club was chartered, and not long after its grand opening the Club moved to the Hotel’s upstairs dining room.  When that room become too small due to rapid membership growth, the meetings were moved to the downstairs dining room, where the Club remained until the term of JIM McCAFFREY, who moved us in 1979 to the Petaluma Golf and Country Club, where we presently meet.  In 1979 one-third of the Club’s members worked within walking distance of the Hotel (Source: 75^th Anniversary Program, edited for updates).

PRESIDENT GARY welcomed the assembled members and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance (and then waved ‘hi’ to a little girl outside the hotel window). 

He called on old BARNEY FAUSS to lead the club in song, and lead he did with I’m a Rambler followed by God Bless America (that same little girl was seen peeking into the room with her parents to listen as we raised our voices in song…very sweet!).  The acoustics in the Hotel dining room was amazing! 

President gary (who at this point in his reign is half way prepared) gave a couple Thoughts for the Day when the Rotarian appointed for the chore couldn’t show.

Hugs and greetings followed.

We had three visiting Rotarians, Dick Bishop from the Windsor Club, Paula Johns from the Valley Club (who brought her guest, Jorge, Youth Exchange Student from Paraguay who was there to thank Club members for helping achieve his dream of going to a Warriors game on March 7^th), and Julie Lederhaus, Hotel Manager and the day’s program speaker, who is Jorge’s current host family and a member of the Valley Club.  Rotarians with guests included MICHAEL CARUANA who introduced his sister Mary Ann from Michigan and his wife Diane from East Petaluma, FRED FROST who introduced his lovely wife of 50 years, Linda, JOHN DADO who introduced his wife Sharon, SHERRY BURWEN, who introduced John Jernigan (former owner of the hotel), RICH GORMAN, who introduced Royce Van Bebber, BARNEY FAUSS, who introduced his wife Alma (they stayed in the Hotel 50 years ago!), ONITA PELLEGRINI, who introduced her two guests, JOHN ZIMMERMAN, who introduced his wife of 33 years, Ann (who is a symphony fan, not a football fan!), and lastly JIM BECKER, who introduced potential member Maureen.  Whew!

Before PRESIDENT GARY got into announcements, he and KATHY O'CONNER brought us all up to date on MIKE BADDELEY who had a 6-way bypass the Sunday before. 

MIKE was in the hospital resting easy and was hoping to be home the Sunday after.  We’re told he had so many visitors before his surgery that they banned visitors afterward!  A get well card was circulated and everyone in attendance gave a silent shout out for a speedy recovery.  SHERRY BURWEN gave a quick report on ROY MUSIK and his wife Linda who injured her Achilles tendon recently.  They could both appreciate a get well card.

PRESIDENT GARY thanked Barber Cellars for pouring their great wine for our lunch.

PRESIDENT GARY reminded members that the February 4^th meeting was also on the move to Mario and John’s on East E Street from 5:30 – 7:00 pm for a Club mixer…don’t miss it!

PRESIDENT GARY gave a shout out to MARLENE FREETLY and GEOFF ELLIS for their hard work on the Dictionary Project, and then tipped his hat to TAWNEY TESCONI who puts in a phenomenal effort every year handling the logistics for over 36,000 dictionaries…what a team!

RENEE HAYES told member Crab Feed tickets are selling well (we’re up over 200 tickets sold).

BRIAN BREEN encouraged members to sell at least 10 Raffle Tickets apiece, and to urge others to open their hearts and their wallets in support of our biggest fundraiser of the year. 

BILL GROVERMAN shared a poignant story about a client of his who called and had a great conversation with him about Rotary.  His client was so taken with our Club’s work, she bought 4 raffle tickets and BILL then asked PRESIDENT GARY if he would please deliver the tickets to his lovely wife, Heidi (and you had to be there to see how red PRESIDENT GARY’S face was!).

Paula Johns announced an upcoming Petaluma Valley fundraiser at Lagunitas on February 23 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm (tickets $20 in advance and $25 at the door).

Halfway Prepared PRESIDENT GARY thought he lost the bag ‘o rocks, but found them just in time for the day’s raffle won by CHAD FILLENGER, who got himself a nice bottle of wine.

Before CHRIS RANNEY introduced the day’s speakers, he told members about a special prize for the member who found the two intentional typos on the Crab Feed tickets.  MICHAEL CARUANA complained that the contest was unfair to poor spellers.

CHRIS RANNEY first introduced Mike Barber, owner with his wife Lorraine of Barber Cellars, a small local winery operating in Petaluma since 2007.  They opened their tasting room in a corner of the Hotel lobby three months ago and offer tasting of their wines and other items produced within a 10 mile radius of Petaluma.  Stop in to see what they have to offer.  We hear they make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich!

Before CHRIS made his second introduction, he noted that MICHAEL CARUANA and his wife Diane became proud grandparents on January 9^th and are off for their first visit to South Africa very soon.  CHRIS and SHARI RANNEY also have a new grandchild born in Sweden on December 25^th.  Congrats to all!

CHRIS then introduced Julie Lederhaus, Hotel Manager, who shared her background in the hotel industry, how she was chosen for this position and how the Hotel has a long association with Rotary and our Club in particular.  She took us on a very informative tour of the Hotel and shared the vision for creating a fresh historic look that will appeal to all generations.  They hope all of the renovation will be done by this time next year and are opening 30 guest rooms on May 1^st.  It was a terrific tour and an excellent field trip.  Let’s do more!

Remember, next week’s meeting is at Mario and John’s at 5:30.  See you there!

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This week's Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley; photos by Michael Nistler.

COMING EVENTS

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

We all joined THE PREZ in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by what PRESIDENT GARY called, a threesome — PAST PRESIDENT BARNEY FAUSS led us down the song path of our club song, My Country Tis of Thee, and finally America the Beautiful.

DAVE BARBIERI gave us the Thought of the Day which was from his wife and about being a Rotarian.

With that, our usual handshakes and hugs followed.

Jane introduces our visiting Rotarian.

We had one visiting Rotarian from the Valley Club, Pauline. Pauline passed the hat to raise money to send our Youth Exchange boy to a Warriors game.

We had a couple of guests starting with RICK GORMAN introducing Royce Van Bebber. Then PAST PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI introduced his guest, Anne.

RENÉE HAYES reminded everyone that next week’s meeting will be held at the Petaluma Hotel on Washington and Kentucky. It will include a tour of the hotel remodel.

Turns out that Paul is not only a whiz at Blackjack, he excels at Pedro.

Joanne celebrated her 39th birthday by coming to Rotary!

PRESIDENT GARY announced the birthdays and anniversaries. LEE REPOSA led us in singing Happy Birthday to our fellow Rotarians.

The PREZ welcomed our Rule of 85 member and friend to all, Leo Lane.

PRESIDENT GARY also reminded everyone that we will have our social meeting at Mario and John’s February 4th.

RENÉE HAYES reminded everyone to buy their Crab Feed tickets for February 19th. So far we have sold 175.

LEE REPOSA reminded everyone to sell those Super Raffle tickets.

JOHN ZIMMERMAN won a bottle of wine for turning in over 40 tickets last week.

TODD MENDOZA, one of our newest Team Captains awarded his team super star, WHIT HALL with a huge bottle of wine for being the first to sell his quota of 10 tickets.

PRESIDENT GARY handed out some cheese to a few rats who recently joined his dirty little group, the Rat Pack. Great job RICK GORMAN, LEE REPOSA, and AL CATTALINI.

JIM SYMONS was called upon and paid $50 in gratitude for enjoying life before the annual tax season storm approaches him.

JOHN ZIMMERMAN was also $40 grateful for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marin County Farm Board.

And PAST PRESIDENT RICK MOSSI was $50 grateful for the recent birth of his second grandson.

Todd Mendoza wins the raffle.

RENÉE HAYES introduced our speaker, Michael Barrington, the author of The Bishop Wears No Drawers. He shared his exciting yet very scary story of being a Catholic Missionary Priest in Africa. His full story is told in the book and can be found in bookstores and online.

PRESIDENT GARY wished everyone a great day.

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This week's Editor: Brian Breen

COMING EVENTS

TELEMEDICINE (def.): The use of telecommunication and information technologies in order to provide clinical health care at a distance. It helps eliminate distance barriers and can improve access to medical services that would often not be available in distant rural communities. It is also used to save lives in critical care and emergency situations.

PRESIDENT GARY BRODIE led our members in the Pledge . . .

. . . followed by BARNEY FAUSS belting out our Club song and America the Beautiful.

WHITNEY HALL offered the TFTD, It matters not how fast you move; it matters that you still keep moving.

Greg O’Brien introduces visiting Rotarian from Sebstopol.

Visiting Rotarian Mike Cook, Sebastopol Sunrise, accepted a $2,000 check from President GARY in support of a new joint venture involving telemedicine.

ALTHOUGH there were distant precursors to telemedicine, it is essentially a product of twentieth century information technologies and telecommunications. These technologies permit communications between patient and medical staff with both convenience and fidelity, as well as the instant transmission of medical, imaging and health informatics data from one site to another.

Frank Yih and President Gary exchange club flags.

GUESTS were numerous: JOANNE FERRIS hosted Shayla Borr and Anne Gealta; ONITA brought Linda Black for the second time; RENEE HAYES presented Maureen Rudder for the third tine; and RICK GORMAN introduced Royce Van Bebber, son of former members, RICK and KAREN.

EARLY forms of telemedicine achieved with telephone and radio have been supplemented with videotelephony, advanced diagnostic methods supported by distributed client/server applications, and additionally with telemedical devices to support in-home care.

REMINDERS; (1) The SCARS meeting will be hosted on January 28 by the Healdsburg club---contact GAIL if you plan to attend; (2) Our club is taking a field trip on that same date (01/28/2016) to the Hotel Petaluma; please contact RENÉE if you are bringing guests; (3) GARY’s calendar has a Club Social on Thursday, February 4th : at Mario and John’s, 428 EAST D ST., 5:30 pm – 7 pm.

REMINDERS: GEOFF ELLIS reported that the Dictionary distribution will be later than usual. Sign-up sheets will be passed around in two weeks for delivery in mid-February.

RENÉE HAYES again announced that Crab Feed tickets (February 19th) are available and we will have plenty of crab.

LEE REPOSA encouraged members to sell their allotment of Super Raffle tickets: we have only sold about 100 to date.

HOT WHEELS: the following members paid gratefully for the economic stimulus provided by purchasing new vehicles--- BRIAN BREEN $50, . . .

. . . JUDI ALLEWELT $50, . . .

. . . LARRY JONAS $40.

BILL GROVERMAN somehow escaped a fine . . .

. . . although his son bought a Super Raffle ticket from President GARY.

Raffle winner STEVE POWELL chose a nice bottle of wine.

JIM BECKER introduced our speaker, . . .

. . . Rotarian FRANK YIH, formerly a member of the Shanghai Rotary Club and now a member of the Los Altos Rotary Club. Due to his efforts to spread Rotary, China now has 14 Rotary Clubs, 11 Interact Clubs, and 7 Rotoract Clubs. After his presentation, he was gifted an English to Mandarin dictionary by JIM BECKER.

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This week's Editor: Paul Lounibos

COMING EVENTS

President GARY BRODIE dutifully opened our first regular meeting of the 2016 New Year, and immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a rather cacophonous rendition of God Bless America led by Past-President MICHAEL CARUANA. The Prez then delivered the Thought for the Day… after first asking the question of the day: Where is Ricardo Marzo to do the Thought of the Day?! The customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst the members ensued.

Then the Prez then graciously returned Past-President MIKE BADDELEY’s member badge (sans fine), which was apparently found by KATHY O’CONNOR and TARA SMITH (clearly on their way to becoming our Club’s version of Thelma and Louise!). The Prez then proceeded with a couple of announcements: (1) the monthly SCARC meeting will be hosted by the Healdsburg Rotary Club on January 28 (let the Prez or GAIL CARDAROPOLI know if you would like to attend); and (2) all Club members need to have a credit or debit card on file with the Club by March 1, 2106…contact MARLEEN FREETLY in this regard as soon as possible to make sure you are in compliance.

Past-President LEE BEAN then moved to nominate LEE REPOSA as our President-Elect, which motion was duly seconded and approved, followed by a motion from Past-President JOHN DADO to nominate CHRIS RANNEY as our President Nominee, which motion, after being duly seconded, was also approved. Congratulations, Lee and Chris! Next, the guests of Rotarians who joined us for lunch, including the guests of RENÉE HAYES, SHARI RANNEY, MICHAEL CARUANA and RICK GORMAN, were introduced. There were no Visiting Rotarians.

DAVE BARBIERI then raised a Crab Feed question sua sponte from the floor, which dovetailed nicely into a Crab Feed report from RENÉE HAYES: Super Raffle Tickets have been distributed to all the members, and dinner tickets are on the way for our annual Crab Feed event being held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building…call Renee or Chris Ranney for more details and dinner ticket/seating reservations.

Program Director (and President Nominee) CHRIS RANNEY then gave us an update on our speaker schedule for January 2016, along with a reminder that on January 28 our regular lunch meeting will be held at the Petaluma Hotel (12-1:30 as usual)…contact the Prez or GAIL CARDAROPOLI for more details.

SHARI RANNEY (the President Nominee First Lady) then informed us, pursuant to her attendance at a recent Petaluma Valley Rotary Club (which was apparently well attended by our Club members), that the PVRC is holding a Polio Plus fundraiser at the Lagunitas brewery on January 28 (see Shari for further details), . . .

. . . followed by a Crab Feed Super Raffle ticket sale report from BRIAN BREEN (see him if you need more tickets).

The Prez then fined the Ranneys $100 for the birth of their first grandchild (Ivy Ranney), on Christmas Day no less, and then like a hungover Ebenezer Scrooge, . . .

and without a shred of shame or mercy whatsoever, he grabbed another $100 from SHARI for a recent complimentary Argus Courier article and picture extolling her good work for Rotary International!!

Milking the cash cow article for all it was worth, he then pulled $50 out of TONY WESTERN because it was his daughter Michaela (a Casa Grande senior and future journalism major) who wrote the article!! Thanks, Shari and Tony.

Ticket #0417713 was a winner for GREG O’BRIEN, who pulled a blue rock to claim a nice bottle of post-Holiday vino!

MICHAEL CARUANA then introduced our speaker, . . .

. . . Dick Herman, the President and founder of 101 Manufacturing, who gave us a very informative presentation of the current state of manufacturing and how it has been affected by technology He received a Rotary memento (or at least the promise of one) and a hearty round of applause for an interesting program well received!

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This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley