October 26, 2017 

President Chris welcomed all members and guests to the Rotary Club of Petaluma!

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by our newest member, Brandon Trammell

Lee Reposa opened with the club song:

“Oh, I’m a rambler, I’m a gambler.  I’m a green lumber handler. 
        I’m a gyppo from Pelican Bay. 
        So raise up your glasses on have one on me. 
        I’m a feller you seldom do see.”

Followed by God Bless America

Today’s Thought for the day was read by Joanne Ferris
     “Polio’s pretty special because once you get an eradication,
      you no longer have to spend money on it. 
      It’s just there as a gift for the rest of time”  Bill Gates

Today’s guests included:

Brian Miller and Nolan Lowry, guests of Rick Warner

Eileen Kaplan, guest of Larry Jonas

Greg and Maria Wacker, guests of Renee Hayes

Grace Nisler, our club webmaster and guest of Michael Nisler

Kelly Siebal, guest of Charlie Stuart

Shari Ranney introduced our very special visitors:  Peggy Rogers, wife of DG Bob Rogers, Len Giraldi, Assistant Governor, District Governor Bob Rogers.

President Chris asked Bano Cumming to stand up.  She was completely surprised when he announced she was the winner of the Pedal for Polio Bicycle Raffle!  She won a beautiful new Trek mountain bike!

Bob Rogers announced the District 5130 Fire Relief Fund is comprised of four Rotarians from Napa County, four from Sonoma County, two from Mendocino County and 2 from Lake County.  Our own President Chris Ranney is one of the Sonoma reps.  This fund, working under the guidance of LARCA (Lake County Area Rotary Club Association) Fire Relief fund leadership, will support businesses, school families and organizations affected by the recent firestorm.    More information can be found at www.rotary5130.com.

A few announcements:

Nov. 3 is the rescheduled Blue Buster weekend for Rotary Youth Exchange in our district.  Mike Stauber has all the volunteers from our club lined up for the Friday night dinner for the kids.

Nov 4 is the Foundation Dinner South at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa.  Joanne Ferris promised the program and speaker will be the buzz among Rotary clubs all over the west coast.  A link to register was sent to all earlier in the week.

Kathy O’Conner announced the members holiday party will be right here at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club on Saturday, December 9.  The committee will be meeting right after this meeting to plan details.

Next week our speaker will be Alexandra Morgan, executive director of USCF’s Family House.

Onita Pellegrini announced two awards:  Gail Caradaropoli earned her Paul Harris +1 and Joanne Ferris earned her Paul Harris +2 pins.  District Governor Bob Rogers presented the pins.  He noted that for every $250 contributed to the Paul Harris Award program through The Rotary Foundation, one life is saved in the world.  That means these two awards saved 8 individuals!

President Chris announced the October Rotarian of the Month.  The club gave a resounding round of applause to Larry Jonas.  His contributions to the club are many.  Most recently, Larry spearheaded a very successful fundraiser for Miracle League at Brewsters that netted just over $53,000!

Assistant Governor Len Giraldi introduced DG Bob Rogers.

Bob gave an inspirational talk highlighting the Pedal for Polio project he dreamed would help raise $65,000.   Following the ride, some very clever outreach and fundraising…including the finish line celebration produced by the 5 southern Rotary clubs in the district……Pedal for Polio raised $138,474.49!  Add in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2 to 1 match and Pedal for Polio raised $415,433.47.

Bob showed a Pedal for Polio video created by our own Michael and Grace Nisler that chronicled the adventure from start to finish.

The presentation concluded with a very clever video challenging every one of us to dream.  That’s how all great things start.

As part of the district governor visit rotation, Bob brought a gift basket from the last club he visited.  Our neighbor Petaluma Valley Rotary sent a lovely basket of local goods for which Michael Nisler was the highest bidder at $250.

Maggie Radany won the weekly raffle and a nice bottle of wine from McEvoy Ranch.

President Chris presented Peggy Rogers with a gift from McEvoy Ranch and Bob with a bottle of Balletto Pinot for Polio.  Bob announced he’s saving it for when we have fully eradicated polio from the world.

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris

October 19, 2017 

President CHRIS RANNEY opened our regular Thursday luncheon meeting at

precisely the appointed half-hour (12:30), whereupon he immediately gave us

an update on the Santa Rosa-Sonoma-Napa fires and asked that we all observe

a moment of silence for all of those who have lost so much, including loved ones.

CHARLIE STUART then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance,

followed by a hearty rendition of our Club song (Gypo) and God Bless America led

by JOHN ZIMMERMAN.

Past-President JOHN DADO then delivered a very poignant Thought for the Day,

and our customary greetings, hugs and busses amongst the members and guests

ensued.

Next, the visiting Rotarians and guests of Rotarians were introduced, including

1) a Red Cross representative from Colorado (who gave us a brief report on the

Red Cross disaster recovery efforts which are being done in Sonoma County),

2) the President-Elect MICHAEL NISTLER’s mom (Delia, from Oakmont), and

3) MICHAEL CARUANA’s wife (Diane). 

The Prez, BRETT SHINN and MICHAEL NISTLER then all congregated to

induct and introduce our newest Club Member, BRANDON TRAMMEL

(Life Insurance) – Congratulations, and welcome aboard, Brandon!

The Prez and yours truly then updated everyone on the Fall Friendship Feast, and

confirmed that the October 14 dinner, which was cancelled due to the fires, would

be rescheduled. 

The Prez went on to remind us that there will be a tri-club Rotary Friendship

Exchange on October 23, followed by a tri-club Reception for the District

Governor on October 25 at the Petaluma Yacht Club (5:30 – 7:00 pm)...does

the idea of going to cocktail parties all week make our Prez happy or what?!

Past-President JOANNE FERRIS, who is also our 2017/2018 Rotary International

representative, reminded us that November 4, 2017 is the annual Rotary

nternational Foundation annual meeting/dinner, and confirmed that one of our

members will be honored at the event – call Joanne or SHERI RANNEY if you

want to attend the dinner or buy raffle tickets to support the event.

The Prez then concluded the medley of announcements by noting that

the October 2 fundraiser for the Miracle League project raised an

astounding $53,000, and he gave kudos to Past-President LARRY JONAS

and ELIAS HUSARY (he of the Midas touch) for all their effort and hard

work in making it happen!!  Good job, guys!

JIM BECKER then reported that the Rotary Club of San Francisco had

generously donated $5000 in credit cards towards fire relief to be

distributed to deserving groups/persons in Sonoma County.

The Prez then introduced Elece Hempel from Petaluma People Services Center

to inform us about PPSC’s temporary housing program for people displaced

by the fires. 

She noted that good Samaritan LARRY JONAS is currently

housing a displaced family, and encouraged anyone who could help out to

contact her.  She received $1000 of the SF Rotary Club credit cards to share.

Raffle ticket #142 was a winner for JOHN ZIMMERMAN, and good enough for

a fine bottle of wine when he pulled out a blue rock.

JOANNE FERRIS then introduced our speaker, Kristen Madsen, the Executive

Director of Creative Sonoma, who gave us a very informative, well received

presentation on the value of art, in all its wonderful forms, especially in times

of crisis. 

MICHAEL NISTLER then made a final announcement (is he

chomping at the bit to be President, or what?!) to remind everyone that the

International Project selection will be made next week, so call Michael if you

want to weigh in on it.

Our good Prez then thanked one and all for their fire relief support, and

brought the meeting to a close.

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley

October 5, 2017 

We were welcomed to the Rotary Club of Petaluma’s meeting at the beautiful Petaluma Golf and Country Club by our President Chris Ranney. He quickly called upon Judi Allewelt to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

We were blessed by the presence of Past President Lou Steinberg who led us in song with God Bless America

Past President Tawny Tesconi gave the Thought for the Day. We reflected on the recent tragic event in Vegas and reminded of how thankful we are to have the heroes and first responders. She read a quote by Christopher Reeve. 

After our usual handshakes and hugs, Jim Becker introduced the Visiting Rotarian, Past President Lou Steinberg is visiting from Colorado.

We had numerous guests that were introduced by Tawney, Rick Warner, Charlie Stuart, Michael Nistler, and Past President Tom Brandal. Tom introduced Jeff Mayne, the man around town.

Gail Cardaropoli upgraded Anne Gealta's badge to our famous Chicken Badge. Anne was honored and thanked everyone in the club for being there for her.

Greg O'Brien announced 2 dates to remember. Hospice of Petaluma's "Light Up A Life" is on December 1st at 6pm in Walnut Park.  The Elk's Lodge Pasta Feed for Hospice is November 2nd from 5-8pm 

Elias Husary had a huge success with the Fork to Field Fundraiser. We raised over $15,000 to fund the building of the Miracle League Rotary BBQ Kitchen. Elias thanked his wife Gina for all her help and also all the Rotarians that worked to sell tickets, reach out to the restaurants for gift cards, donate wine, and purchase tickets.  The club also gave a big thanks to Elias for his hard work and all the time he devoted to the raffle!

Rick Gorman was congratulated for selling 17 tickets. President Chris presented him with a nice bottle of wine. 

Mike Stauber updated everyone on the Youth Exchange.

President Chris fined our very own editor for his family's recent home move. I picked the best week to move, Labor Day weekend, 109 degrees. Luckily it was only a short 2.2 miles away.

I paid $50.

As Dave Barbieri came to present me with the fine can, President Chris took the opportunity to ask about his recent trip to Monterrey. Dave also paid $50 for sharing.

Bill Groverman won the raffle and will enjoy a nice bottle of Pinot over the weekend.

Our speaker, Joe Aaron, an Economic Futurist gave a very interesting presentation on the massive trend movement towards electric vehicles and soon to the autonomous vehicle. He shared his view on how this trend will affect the future US and global economy.

This week's Editor: Brian Breen