August 2016

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COMING EVENTS

Byron Barney Fauss

1932 – 2016

It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day as PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA called together the Rotary Club of Petaluma at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club. This was a tough one for us all. We’d lost a good Rotary friend this week. A smiling picture of PAST PRESIDENT BARNEY FAUSS, who passed away on August 23 was projected on the screen for all to see and reflect on. As PRESIDENT LEE welcomed the assembled members he noted with a good deal of emotion that this is a sad day and we all agreed that Barney would be sorely missed.

JAMES GOTELLI let everyone know that Alma was doing okay given how sudden it was, and gave details on the visitation and celebration of life (see the PD obituary on the In Memorium page on the club website).

Songleader Gary raises his glass to Barney.

PRESIDENT LEE then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which we sang out full-throated renditions of our former song master’s favorites, I’m a Rambler and God Bless America. One could not sing either without hearing BARNEY’S sweet, sweet voice dropping in between our chorus.

PRESIDENT LEE called on ELIAS HUSARY to give the Thought for the Day. ELIAS read one of his favorite quotes from Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, noting that Michael has a record total of 28 medals (23 gold), which is more medals than 91 countries and more gold medals than 106 countries. A truly amazing athlete!

Hugs and greetings followed. It took a long while to gather us back together, and maybe it’s because we really needed hugs that day. PAUL LOUNIBOS told this reporter that he chaired the Past Presidents’ selection committee that asked BARNEY to serve as club president in 1991/92, and PAUL further shared that it was BARNEY who introduced the weekly practice of hugs, kisses and handshakes at our meetings!

We had no visiting Rotarians. Rotarians with guests included GREG O’BRIEN who introduced Sonny Martin from Adobe Road Winery, a 9-year Rotarian looking for a club, JIM BECKER who introduced Ming from South Korea, and JOANNE FERRIS, who introduced John Jackson, Argus Courier/PD reporter.

PRESIDENT LEE got into announcements by mentioning we would be hearing more from him and PAST PRESIDENT TOM BRANDAL about the Petaluma Community Guild.

GREG O’BRIEN invited members who like to paint and landscape to the Walnut Park cleanup on Saturday, August 27. Recall this was a project initiated by PAST PRESIDENTS RICK MOSSI and MICHAEL CARUANA, in partnership with Petaluma Rotary clubs and community organizations.

SHARI RANNEY noted that the International Committee was meeting afterward and encouraged members to consider attending the Calistoga Rotary fundraiser on Saturday, October 8 (see SHARI for details).

CHAD FILLINGER gave an update on the Golf Tournament coming up on Monday, September 12 (soon!). Thanks to a lot of great effort, we have $10,000 in sponsorships this year and most foursomes filled. He said that there are two (maybe three) foursomes left, so there is still a bit of time to get in the game. Rumor has it that an all-women’s ‘fivesome’ is in the works! Other opportunities to participate include volunteering at the event (still need two to three more to help with registration), and attending the post-tourney prime rib dinner ($45 this year). Wine donations for the raffle of 25 bottles are still being accepted. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed so far.

PRESIDENT LEE then announced the lone August birthday (DANNY FISH), who wasn’t there, so we didn’t sing but we did eat his cake. August anniversaries included, RENÒE HAYES, MARCUS BENEDETTI, GEOFF ELLIS, AL CATALINI, and newest-wed CLARK ROSEN. Congratulations to all!

PRESIDENT LEE called on PAST PREZ RALPH SARTORI who was heckling the CURRENT PREZ for fumbling the ball and failing to use the proper title of Past President when calling on one (definitely a rookie mistake…and isn’t that just about everyone in the club after 90+ years???). PP RALPH took pity on CP LEE and donated $40 to the club’s Foundation Grants program, after which CP LEE matched the donation a poorer, but wiser man.

SHERRY BURWEN had a bunch ’o reasons to throw down her entire $100 fine for the year, including her 20th year as a Rotarian (after 20 years as a Rotary-Ann!), and a long story about moving from a large place to a smaller place.

PRESIDENT LEE called out the week’s raffle and the winner was one of our guests, a high school football player from St. Vincent’s who then drew a blue rock and got himself $25.

PAST PRESIDENT MIKE BADDELEY, member of the Petaluma City School Board, introduced the day’s speakers, football coaches Trent Herzog (Casa Grande High), Rick Krist (Petaluma High), and Gary Galloway (St. Vincent’s High) who gave a bit of information about their background and then introduced players each of them brought to the meeting (that explains why the average age at the meeting was waaaaaay below normal!). Petaluma has been fortunate to have the longevity and continuity these coaches bring to high school football/sports. This is Trent’s 8th year at Casa (longer than that coaching football) and he introduced four of his players. Rick, who also introduced four players from his team, has been at PHS for 28 years and told us he came to our club 33 years ago as a quarterback (not too many Rotary clubs and former players can make that claim!). Gary brought along three seniors and told us he’s been at this for 37 years. Rick got razzed for needing to bring his dad (Ed Krist) with him. Ed’s 82 and still climbs the ladder to film the games; something he’s done since 1990. Trent was hassled as well for needing his dad (KIP KERZOG) in the room; though he did note that dad is his 2nd biggest fan, while mom, Marilyn, is his #1 fan! Each coach commented on a variety of topics including three-sport athletes, concussions/safety and how the game/practice has changed, sportsmanship trends, and fundraising (the other 100% of their jobs!).

This rare photo shows the photo being taken (far left), this Rota-Teller being written (by Jane Saldaña-Talley, far right),
as well as Mike Baddeley and the three coaches, Rick Krist, Gary Galloway, and Trent Herzog

PRESIDENT LEE handed each coach a check from the club and we thanked them for joining us and for all they do for our student athletes! MIKE BADDELEY ended the program with a joke about a coach taking a knee for a funeral procession, and PRESIDENT LEE ended the meeting with a request that we think of BARNEY. Roger that…

PRESIDENT LEE reminded everyone that next week’s meeting is a field trip to Tolay Park. Mark your calendars.

This week’s Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley

COMING EVENTS

President LEE REPOSA opened our regular luncheon meeting at the appointed half hour, and immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a rather cacophonous version of our Club’s theme song (I’m a rambler gambler) by Past-President RICK MOSSI, who definitely called upon his inner-Sinatra and finished up with a solid rendition of God Bless America!

CHAD FILLINGER then delivered the Thought for the Day, and the customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members ensued.

PDG/Past-President ED FULLERTON then introduced Club member NANCY COOLEY as our lone Visiting Rotarian, followed by the introduction of guests of Rotarians who joined us for lunch, including JIM BECKER’s guest (Audrey Haglund from Old Chicago Pizza) and JUDI ALLEWELT’s guest (former member and Past-President Ralph Sartori).

GAIL CARDAROPOLI then reminded us of the upcoming SCARC monthly meeting at Oakmont and our Tolay Field Trip/Lunch Meeting on September 1…let Gail know ASAP if you will be attending either event.

The Prez then called for a Club vote to make a One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) contribution to the Lakeport Rotary Club’s fire relief fund, which was duly approved. The Prez also took a straw vote of the Club to determine the interest in having a Friendship Feast this year, and the ayes carried the day, so we’ll be having it this year. Details to follow.

CHAD FILLINGER then gave us a status report on the annual Club golf tournament scheduled for September 12 at the PG&CC, and requested that everyone participating donate a nice bottle of wine for the raffle he’s doing at the tournament…call Chad or GREG O’BRIEN for further details!

Judy, Judi, Judie (as only Cary Grant could say it) became the Prez’ focus as he called upon JUDI ALLEWELT’s to share with us how much fun in the sun she had on her recent trip to Hawaii with her children and grandchildren (apparently she had at least $50 worth of good times in the Aloha State), and then had JUDY McREYNOLDS tell us all about her day at the races…she was careful not to disclose her winnings, but paid $20 in appreciation of being able to bet the ponies!!

Next, the Prez coerced ELIAS HUSARY into sharing with us his most excellent family vacation to Yosemite (Elias’ first time there), and fined him $50 for the privilege of beholding the wonder of its natural beauty! Undaunted, Elias then noted that the Prez had two shiny new cars sitting in his driveway, which the Prez quickly offered to pay $40 in appreciation of before Elias could get in to the details of just how fancy and luxurious said new cars are!

The obviously relieved Prez then called KATHY O’CONNOR to her feet to donate $50 to share the details about her recent vacation to Rancho Santa Fe with friends…she was mum on the girl talk, but did fess up that she spent a day at the Del Mar race track (too bad she didn’t know that Past-President JOHN DADO’s son Craig is the Executive VP/Chief Marketing Officer of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club or she might have got some hot racing tips…or at least a little VIP treatment!). She brought home a little luck with her though as no sooner had she paid her fine, she produced the winning raffle ticket, which was good for a nice bottle of wine (hopefully, Chad Fillinger was paying attention)!

The Prez then jimmied the meeting wide open by turning over the microphone to a couple of jimdandies, JIM BECKER and JIM SYMONS, who gave us an excellent presentation on their Rotary International Convention experience in South Korea, including a trip to the DMZ (with a quick step over the line into North Korea by Becker, who must have been suffering from a serious case of the jimjams!). Apparently, the JimBros were so pleased to be back without causing a major international incident, that instead of expecting any speaker gifts, they presented a Korean Rotary Club flag and pin to the Prez.

Whereupon his acceptance of same, the Prez thanked both Jims, reminded us that next week is our annual local high school football coaches 2016 season review, and then tapped out the meeting with his trusty 4 iron!!

This week’s Editor: Mike Baddeley

COMING EVENTS

The Rotary Club of Petaluma took to the road for a special meeting venue — the Petaluma Arts Center, where Rotarians and guests filled the classroom space.

President LEE REPOSA called the meeting to order with a putter stroke to the bell (where could that gavel be?) and kicked off the proceedings with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Last week’s songmeister BRETT SHINN appointed DAN LIBARLE for the job, and DAN led an especially spirited God Bless America.

BRIAN BREEN offered two brief and witty thoughts for the day, including Albert Einstein’s musing on the meaning of genius.

JOANNE FERRIS introduced guests, among them Lindsey Strain of Bodega Bay Oyster Company and a nice turnout by Petaluma Arts Center board members.

President LEE acknowledged members with August wedding anniversaries, which ranged from only a year to well over half a century. FRED FROST, one of those with a longer romantic history, was accompanied by wife Linda.

Secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI announced the upcoming Sonoma County Association of Rotary Clubs (SCARC) dinner on August 25 hosted by the Valley of the Moon club at the Wild Oak Saddle Club. Reservations are due by August 22.

JIM BECKER reported that Petaluma Rotary was well represented at last month’s SCARC dinner at Balletto Winery, where JIM was joined by five other members of our club.

President LEE directed all to sign-up sheets for the Miracle League Committee. This new club project will help create Petaluma’s first sports field accommodating special needs kids.

When we tell friends we had a fine time at the Rotary meeting, it sometimes means we were asked to dig deep to pay for our various sins (translation: good fortune). CHRIS RANNEY volunteered a nice contribution to the local Foundation to atone for his extreme enjoyment of a visit from his son, daughter-in law, and granddaughter, who he insists is more adorable than other children.

CHRIS ELZI was happy to offer monetary gratitude for our President’s merciful leniency following CHRIS’s entertaining comportment at the debunking of (Past) President GARY BRODIE.

In response to our President’s notice of BRIAN BREEN’s recent absences and tanned appearance, BRIAN owned up to a fun-filled Maui vacation with the family.

TAWNY TESCONI argued for some consideration, given the nature of her travel experience (for work) and that six days were spent in Yuba City. But since some of the time was spent in a beautiful part of Oregon, tan or no tan, TAWNY was also obliged to contribute something to the club.

DAN LIBARLE had the winning raffle ticket and plucked a blue rock to claim a bottle of wine.

CHRIS RANNEY discussed the idea of occasionally taking our club to where the action is, in this case enjoying a visit to the Petaluma Arts Center instead of having the program brought to our usual meeting place. CHRIS then introduced Val Richman, Executive Director of the Center, who gave us an overview of how her organization brings a wonderful variety of art and art education to share with our community. Val’s remarks were followed by a visit to the gallery’s current exhibit, Journeys through Light and Dark: Dolls as Tellers of Stories.

We hadn’t realized that Whit Hall had such an eye for art until he commented that Michael Nistler (pictured
here with wife Grace) was wearing a shirt that matched the colors of the dog portrait hanging on the wall!

 
Rotarians enjoy Journeys Through Light & Dark: Dolls as Tellers of Stories.

This week’s Editor: Clark Rosen

COMING EVENTS

President LEE REPOSA welcomed all and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

BRETT SHINN was the quick pick for song leader, and he hit the ideal pitch to start God Bless America.

A very apropos election-year thought for the day was delivered by CHRIS RANNEY.

The annual meeting of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation was called to order by Chairman LEROY BEAN. LEROY gave a brief overview of the history of the Foundation and its current status, reporting that the account balance has grown from its original modest investment in 1983 to approximately $500,000 this year. During those 33 years, over $200,000 in grants have been awarded to schools and other deserving recipients, including approximately $27,000 to 70 grantees last year. This year the Foundation is awarding 74 grants totaling approximately $20,000. Specific information about our Foundation grants can be found soon on the club website. The one matter of annual business was the election of 3 new directors to serve with the six continuing directors. A nominated slate of JUDI ALLEWELT, MAUREEN RUDDER, and JOHN ZIMMERMAN was unanimously approved by voice vote.

President LEE enjoyed an especially proud moment, presenting the coveted chicken badge to CHAD FILLINGER, whom our President had sponsored for membership.

CHAD remained up front to join in the presentation of another chicken badge to his sponsored new member MIKE AMBROSIO. Past President GARY BRODIE rose to invoke a club tradition (that must have just occurred to him) requiring badge recipients to celebrate with the notoriously ridiculous chicken dance. Good sports CHAD and MIKE humored the recently debunked GARY with a few wing flaps.

GREG O’BRIEN thanked all who have volunteered so far with sponsorships for the club’s September 12 Golf Tournament. CHAD FILLINGER added thanks and reminder that more sponsorships are needed. GREG and CHAD encouraged all members to reach outside the club to the community for new sponsors, who should be pleased to help us with our worthy causes while getting recognition for their generosity.

Noting the attendance of our youngest guests, Palm brothers Jim and Jake, President LEE suggested that we all think about inviting more young people to our meetings. They may be future Rotarians. And they seem to have better-than-average luck in our raffles.

President LEE re-introduced a fundraising idea that will be brought to life by a special committee: Dining Out for a Year, a high-end raffle with a prize of dinner at one of 12 fine local restaurants each month for a full year. The first important task is identifying restaurants that will participate with their donation.

All of us are challenged by the rapid evolution of our ever-changing language, and so we were amused by President LEE’s list of Computer Age terms that still mean something else to the more senior members of our club. Your editor would have laughed harder if not for the discomfort of having just downloaded a big lunch.

Another youngster wins the raffle.

JIM SYMONS proudly introduced our guest speaker, his daughter Jaime Symons, who has served three years with the U.S. Peace Corps in Namibia working in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), particularly in programs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in that part of the world. Jaime did a wonderful job of explaining the progress being made in education and delivery of medical services despite the enormity of the challenges, a testament to what can be accomplished when people dedicate their energy and talents to helping others.

Our Past President gets legal support.

This week’s Editor: Clark Rosen