August 27, 2020

Members are getting comfortable logging onto the Zoom meetings these days.  Lou Steinberg popped on for just a few minutes to announce next week he was bringing on a surprise guest.

Past President Leroy Bean presented the Thought for the Day:

A man went to the Great Lakes Military Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. He took some photos while reflecting on what’s going on in our country today.

Then he wrote this simple poem:

I don’t see any color here,
The headstones look the same;
No black no brown no white skin tone
There’s no one here to blame.

These soldiers fought and died for you;
Their color you can’t see;
Your rights are still protected;
Here’s the place to take a knee.

Brett Shinn announced that Petaluma area ballot measure CC authorized the purchase of Petaluma Valley Hospital by NorCal Health Connect LLS, a non-religious affiliate of St. Joseph Health.  There is an online forum Friday Aug. 28 at 3:30 pm.  To learn more about the proposed sale, ask questions or deliver statements of support for the sale, please Register Here.

Petaluma Sunrise's Carol Englin announced that the yard sale last weekend raised $1,688 for the Prima Vera Project in the Dominican Republic.  In addition, $189 was contributed to feed families there ($14 will feed a family for one week) and $50 was collected to fund school supplies.

President Anne thanked members who participated in today's Rotary blood drive.  Here's a photo of Shari Ranney in the donation station.  Well done Shari!

President Anne reminded members....Dues are Due!  Invoices were mailed in July and emails have been sent to the handful of members who have yet to pay.  She urged members to consider contribute to Polio Plus.  Our club's goal is $5000 for this year.

Raine Howe gave an update on the Polly Klaas Theater project including a shout out to the newest member of the "Director's Circle" of supporters.  Thank you John Zimmerman!

Our lunch effort picked up this week with 30 lunches ordered.  Let's keep this great response going to support our local restaurants.  Next week's lunch will be from Wild Goat Bistro!

We celebrated August birthdays and anniversaries.  

And....... The August Rotarian of the month was announced:

Raine Howe!  Raine was truly surprised and took a moment to share how much fun she is having as a Rotarian.  Congratulations Raine.

Our program speaker was Nancy DeLorenzo, owner of Wild Goat Bistro.

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris

August 20, 2020

Queen ANNE GEALTA zoomed opened our regular lunch meeting at 12:37 p.m.,

and immediately had CHRIS ELZI lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Thought for the Day by MICHAEL NISTLER!  

The Prez then proceeded to introduce our visiting Rotarians (former Club member Lou Steinberg and Richard Pitt of the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club). There were no guest Rotarians, but our newest Honorary Member, MOLLY RADANY, joined us.  The astute Prez then noted the unusual weather we’ve been having (lightening, thunder, hail, etc.) – nothing slips by our weathered Prez, who at least had the good sense not to tell us that everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it! Good thing too, otherwise Mark Twain (or maybe Charles Dudley Warren might have haunted her!!).

The Prez went on to thank ONITA PELLEGRINI, MICHAEL AMBROSIA, and SUZANNE TUCKER for coordinating our Zoom meeting lunches.  

SHARI RANNEY, then informed us that the Petaluma Sunrise Rotary Club was holding a garage sale for its Project Primavera at Jeff and Carole England’s house (145 Webster Street) this weekend (Aug. 21-23).  The Prez then reminded us of the upcoming SCARC meeting on August 27 (via Zoom). Go to our Club website and follow the link if you would like to attend.

Next, the Prez informed us that she was in the process of forming an ad hoc committee to address new fundraising activities during the Covid era. How about a kissing booth?!

RAINE HOWE  then gave us a comprehensive update on the Polly Klass Center Renovation Project, and noted that her committee is looking for 12 generous benefactors who would be willing to pledge $10,000 each – call Raine if you are interested.

Feeling fidgety from failing to fine, Queen Anne levied a $50.00 fine on immediate Past President ELIAS HUSARY for finally finding friends on Facebook (frankly, I can’t remember if it was $1 per newfound friend or $25.00 per?!).

SUZANNE TUCKER, then introduced our speakers from Top Speed Data Communications, namely Anthy O’Brien, Alan Jaffe and Glen Illian, who gave us a very informative presentation about Top Speed and the services it provides in today’s fast paced technological business world.

WHEREUPON, the Prez, with little pomp and circumstance, summarily adjourned the virtual meeting and zoomed off! See you next week… virtually or otherwise!

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley

August 13, 2020

Our illustrious leader, President Anne Gealta, was all smiles and welcomed us to another week of Zoom-dome! She was in the act of casting a spell: "Rotary Club of Petaluma, please listen to another week of Zooma. May your screens enlighten your minds and keep us together with the tie that binds!" Anne then proceeded to mute herself because she was trying to get her daughter to help her share her screen, to no avail!!!

Former president, Elias Husary, could only muster up his identity on his car screen as he was driving aimlessly through the streets of Petaluma, looking for the Zoom tower so he could get a boosted signal and enough bars for his face to appear! He and Brandon Trammel got into a discussion about who receives more e-mails per day! I was surprised that Anne didn't fine both of them!!!

Mike Ambrosio led the Pledge of Allegiance as Anne held a picture of Old Glory for the club to enjoy.

Tom Baker was up for the thought for the day and decided to have the club join him while singing God Bless America. We definitely were not going to get any nominations for our out of sync rendition, which may have been the worst singing I've ever heard (it brought tears to my eyes).

Lou Steinberg (not pictured - blame it on Covid, or mail-in voting, or the crazy weather with Thunder & Lightning) once again joined as a visiting Rotarian.

Shela was a guest - welcome Shela and we hope you come back for another visit.

Rick Mossi was all smiles as he gave the Petaluma Rotary Club Foundation report. According to Rick, our club performing well financially and we're able to continue to give grants. 

Michael Nistler was nominated and approved to join the board of the Petaluma Rotary Club Foundation - congratulations Michael! I thought you had enough being the president (maybe that explains the surprised look on your face when you were inducted!). Thanks for all that you do for our club!

Chad Fillinger (not pictured) received an award as 'Best of Petaluma' insurance agency (this is an annual award sponsored by the local newspaper, the Argus Courier, and is voted by the Petaluma People's Choice Awards). Congrats Chad - keep up the great service that you provide to our community!

Rick Gorman was smiling (no, really, he was smiling - I swear!) when he announced to our club that his third grandchild was born. Henri was born on 08/08/2020 and weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Rick now has one grandchild from each daughter - congratulations!

Coast Guard Captain Ramassini was our guest speaker. He gave a great speech on the challenges during Covid and the successes the Coast Guard is having (receiving funding to replace Cutters and recruiting remains to be successful).    

This week's Editor: Doug Hecker

August 6, 2020

🎼🎼🎼

“THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS LIKE NO BUSINESS I KNOW....”

🎼🎼🎼

As the 12:30 hour neared, the Zoom Squares began to fill up with Rotarians quickly taking their places for an anticipated program highlighting the Transcendence Theater Company.

And true to show biz form for the day’s program President Anne, every inch the Diva bedecked with tiara and a colorful string of floral design around her neck, called the meeting to order.

Former President Elias was called upon to lead the group in our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag!

Suzanne Tucker took center square to give a pertinent thought of the Day re Black Lives Matter. She paid tribute to the Civil Rights hero, House Rep John Lewis by reading his final published words to keep the movement alive.

Subsequent to that thought Bano Cummings added that though some are trying to say there is....there is no correlation between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter is the movement that John Lewis and Civil Rights supporters have been dedicating their lives to.

Molly Radany added her perspective thoughts to that subject matter as well. 

Visitors to our meeting included President Elect Leonard Fishman from Petaluma Valley and Joanne Ferris’ niece, , Shela. She is being introduced to Rotary as a potential 3rd generation Rotarian. Joanne’s father started the family involvement!

President Anne extended kudos to Onita and Suzanne for giving the lunch program a jump start again! Let’s not forget this is a notable Rotarian support to those businesses that are deeply affected financially.

We were also told that the Polly Klaas Performing Arts Center project is about $20,000 shy of funding. Though Petaluma Sunrise has decided against joining in to bolster the program, we will manage to forge ahead, as we always do.....thank you very much!

It was with a great deal of pride that our vivacious President announced that Jennifer Jones from Canada will become the first ever Rotary International President in 2022-23! And another tri-Club blood drive will take place later this month. Stay tuned!

Shari Ranney acknowledged that the tri-club garage sale set for Aug. 22 is gaining momentum with all the profits going to the special needs of deprived young women in the Dominican Republic.

And when Joanne Ferris took to center square it was time to introduce one of the Stars of the Transcendence Theater Co., Tony Gonzalez all the way from New York City. Tony is a 10 year veteran on Broadway, having appeared in musicals including the long running “Chorus Line” and “Mama Mia”.

One of the most engaging guests to light up our Zooms, Tony Gonzalez shared with us his anxiety to come to Sonoma to join the Transcendence group in 2014. He has played an active role within the organization ever since. Next summer the theater company will be celebrating their 10th anniversary here in the county.  Tony enlightened us on how the theater group is maintaining an active presence in the community during the CoVid crisis. Their online programs received high acclaim earlier this summer. Later this month, August 14-16, and August 21-23, they will be presenting “I Hope You Dance” featuring dances from a number of Broadway musicals! Tony was very gracious to hang out with us through a series of questions. 

Yup, no business like show business to continue to light up our lives!

Your erstwhile editor busy taking copious notes.

This week's Editor: Mike Ambrosio