October 29, 2020

President Queen ANNE GEALTA muted our regular Zoom luncheon meeting to order at precisely 12:34 p.m. after asking if we could hear her… (pssst, Queen Anne nobody could respond … they were all muted!!).

After having JOANNE FERRIS lead us in the Pledge, Queen Anne gave us the Thought for the Day in the place instead of MIREILLE BROUSSARD (by the way, ou est Mireille?). 

 Queen Anne then introduced our only visiting Rotarian (former Club member, Lou Steinberg) and our lone guest of a Rotarian (JOANNE FERRIS’ niece, Sheila Borr).

Queen Anne then followed up with a medley of announcements to let us know that:

1. The lunch for the day was a scrumptious beef stew from 256 North.
2. Fund-A-Teen-In-Need has just paid the AP test exam fees for 2 local students and helped another student with other pressing money needs (more AP test exam fees will be paid for students in need next week).
3. 41 Pride of Petaluma tickets have been sold thus far, but we need to sell 60 more by the upcoming drawing date (November 12). 

She also showcased the bountiful prize baskets – they’re a big bang for the buck!  So, sell your tickets and call MIKE AMBROSIO if you need more!

Next, RAINE HOWE gave us an update on the Polly Klass Theater renovation project – they are only $70,000 away from the $600,000 cash in hand goal.  Raine is looking for a few more Director’s Club donors ($10,000 each) – call her for further details.

Queen Anne then cheerfully reported that JOE TAMBE and TOM BAKER were on the mend, and each of them joined our meeting – welcome back, boys!  Queen Anne went on to acknowledge and celebrate the October birthdays and anniversaries amongst our Club Members, and then quite excitedly announced our October Rotarian of the Month: Past-President ONITA PELLEGRINI – congratulations, Onita!

Queen Anne then proudly announced that since the Covid shutdown this past March, our Club’s boxed lunch program has put more than $12,000 into local restaurants during her and ELIAS HUSARY’S reign of Zoom!

, DAN BERRY was called upon to introduce our speaker, Dave Cafiero, of the Petaluma based Kala Brand Music Company, who gave us a very interesting presentation on the history of their signature product, the ukulele!  He received a big zooming round of applause for a program well received!

Queen Anne then finally, at long last, and without much further adieu, wished us all a great weekend and summarily adjourned the meeting!

See you all next week…after the election!!

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley

October 22, 2020

Our fearless leader, Ms. Anne Gealta, started the meeting promptly and welcomed our club to another Zoom meeting in the midst of our mad, mad world! She also welcomed Shela Borr who, once again, visited our meeting (a special thanks to Shela for continuing to visit our meeting!).

Maggie Radany did the honors of leading us in The Pledge of Allegiance.

Joanne Ferris handled the Thought of the Day with Proverb 11:25 - "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Mike Ambrosio gave an update regarding The Pride of Petaluma. He mentioned that "things are moving along slowly, but steady." Tickets continue to be sold and if you need more tickets to sell please contact Mike.

Raine Howe gave an update regarding the Polly Klaas Foundation, "we have raised $530,000 towards construction and we have $70,000 more to raise so we can start construction." Raine mentioned that a reception was held for donors on Thursday, October 15, 2020 and she's hopeful that some promising prospects will help to bridge the donation gap.

Look at the disappointment on Elias' face after our president announced she would not fine anyone during today's meeting!

Former president, Chris Ranney, was signaling to Anne to fine three members, but to no avail!

Dan Berry introduced our guest speaker, Chris Stevick (Chris Stevick Restorations).

Chris Stevick, our guest speaker, discussed saving our trestle and railroad history. Stevick was informed that our 500 foot-long wooden trestle on the Petaluma River was beyond repair and needed to be demolished. However, he did some research and spoke to structural engineers who mentioned that a historic structural analysis should be completed prior to making a decision whether or not the trestle should be demolished or restored. After much research it was determined that the trestle could be saved and that "restoring the trestle is more historic than we originally thought." Work continues to move forward to save the trestle and a grant from the Coastal Conservancy will hopefully save the trestle.

Michael Caruana had the "Question of the Day" for Chris Stevick: "Can we get a grant to move the Bathtub Art to the sewage treatment plant?" 

This week's Editor: Doug Hecker

October 15, 2020

President Anne promptly started the meeting at 12:30 and we took care of club business and formalities.

 Immediate Past President Elias lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance...

and Michael Caruana gave us the Thought for the Day - 

"Let go of the shore you know and be willing to go into the unknown"

Thank you, Michael!

We had a great showing of members this week, as many of us were excited to hear our featured Speaker (and, of course, listen to our Club President!)

Suzanne Tucker introduced our honored guest and Speaker, 

State Senator Mike McGuire (and I stole his BIO).

Senator Mike McGuire was first elected to the Healdsburg School Board when he was 19 years old.  In 2004, he was elected to the Healdsburg City Council and in 2010 was elected to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors where he served for four years. 

In December of 2014, Mike was sworn into the State Senate where he represents the Second Senate District, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon Border.  His district includes Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties. 

Mike is the Chair of the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, and sits on the Budget Committee, Transportation & Housing Committee and on the Energy Committee.

Senator McGuire gave an energetic and informative overview of what's been happening in Sacramento. He was effusive and his rapid-fire delivery allowed him to cover a wide-ranging set of topics, including:

California unemployment was at its peak 13.5% and is now 11%. Sonoma County enjoys a lower rate of 7.7%.

COVID-19 restrictions in Sonoma County will hopefully see some easing within the next four weeks. There are specific areas of concentration that are unique to our county, including agricultural businesses and cultural gatherings, and these need further attention in order to move from "purple to red".

PG&E reform is underway and the Senator, while generally unimpressed with PG&E management, reported good progress for new technologies including sectionalizing the grid for targeted areas, backing up power stations with commercial generators and the addition of transmission line cut-off equipment. 

Even after speaking non-stop for 30 minutes, the Senator still had enough energy to take some questions for our members. Here are a couple of highlights:

Judy Allewelt had a question regarding Prop 19

Brett Shin wanted to know why kids can gather together at a skate park all day without wearing masks, but they can't get in-school instruction.

 Thank you Senator McGuire and your staff for the opportunity to participate directly with California Leadership! 

 In other Club news...

Contact Mike Ambrosio regarding The Pride of Petaluma tickets. This is a great way to support local businesses!!!

This week's Editor: Ricardo Marzo

October 8, 2020

President ANNE GEALTA, at long last, finally opened our regular luncheon meeting at 12:45 or so, and immediately had MICHAEL NISTLER lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

MICHAEL BADDELEY then delivered the Thought for the Day. 

There were no guests or visiting Rotarians who joined us for lunch.

President Anne then proceeded to give us an update on the Pride of Petaluma, a field to fork fundraiser project to benefit the Polly Klaas Center.  Tickets are in the mail and the drawing will be held on November 12 – MICHAEL AMBROSIA and GREG O’BRIEN are the co-chairs.  Please contact them if you want to donate or help.

The Prez also reminded us of the upcoming (this Saturday, October 17 @ 8:00am) Serenity Garden Project – members of the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club and Sunrise Rotary Club will be joining us.  The Prez is looking for 2 more members from our Club to help, so please call the Prez if you can help.  The Prez went on to note that some members may not be getting club e-mails or the weekly bulletins – please visit clubrunner to make sure your contact information is correct and let the Prez know if you haven’t been getting any club e-mails or bulletins.

Next, SHARI RANNEY gave us an update on Shelter Box, and shared an MSN article with us regarding a young woman who climbed all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000’+ mountain peaks and used a Shelter Box as her backpack – she raised $85,000 and became a Shelter Box ambassador!! 

Kudos to her and there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that CHRIS ELZI is seeking sponsorships for his plan to walk up the stairs to his second story office with a Shelter Box briefcase!!

MICHAEL NISTLER then announced that John Schribbs, a project founder of the Petaluma People Services Center garden, will be helping to clean it up – please call Michael if you would like to help as well. 

BANO CUMMINGS announced that she’s looking for ideas/projects for our Rotary Interact students – please call Bano if you have any suggestions or ideas.

Finally feeling fantastically fine, the Prez then fined yours truly $50.00 for the wedding of the first of my three daughters (Jordy) to get married – definitely one of the best days of my life…and the lightest bill of the entire event!

MICHAEL AMROSIA then introduced his good friend, retired New York City firefighter Chris Edwards, who lived through 9/11 and authored a book about his experience (Coming Through the Flames). 

He gave a great first-person account of that fateful day –it was a very real and moving presentation!

Meeting adjourned…see you all next week!

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley

October 1, 2020

Already into the fourth month of her reign, Queen Anne opened the October 1 meeting of the Petaluma Rotary Club with a ringing of the bell, the hoisting of a virtual flag, and the call to Chris Ranney to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 

(When Chris stood to lead the pledge did you notice that his fly was unzipped?  Shari did!)

Past District Governor Ed Fullerton was next with his thought for the day.  He shared quotes about service being joy and about goals.  (Too bad I couldn’t write faster!)

There were no visiting Rotarians.  Shala Borr, niece (?) of Joanne Ferris, was our lone guest in attendance.

Mike Ambrosio discussed the Pride of Petaluma fundraiser being sponsored by our Board.  Look for email details soon on how you can win gift cards to great local restaurants.  Proceeds will help fund the Polly Klaas Performing Arts Center while giving a boost to our struggling local dining spots.

Queen Anne announced that the tri-Club work party to spiffy up the PPSC Serenity Garden will take place Saturday morning, October 17 beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Our five volunteers should bring their heavy gloves.  Watch for an email on this also.

Raine Howe updated us on the funding successes for the Polly Klaas center.  There are still six Director slots available for generous donors.

Queen Anne envisions a non-virtual Rotary meeting in the coming weeks.  It would be outdoors with masks and proper social distancing.  Anyone have an idea of a location where this would be practical, safe, and legal?  Let Anne know if you have an idea.

Queen Anne’s recent trip to Kiawah Island, South Carolina produced some souvenir which she auctioned.  After spirited bidding Tom Baker got the goodies for $150.

Suzanne Tucker produced a travel souvenir to auction as well.  A fancy ruler from the Grand Canyon went to Rick Gorman for $50.

Noting that October is Rotary Foundation Month, Onita Pellegrini reported that the $1,000 from a single Paul Harris provides enough funds to ensure a good life for four children.  Then she recognized members who had added to their Paul Harris with an additional $1,000 increment.  Receiving the first stone on their Paul Harris pin were Queen Anne, Chris Ranney, Charlie Stuart, Elias Husary, Jim Symons, and Maggie Radany.  Earning a second stone for reaching the $3,000 level were Jim Symons (again!) and Gail Cardaropoli.  Wally Bragdon received a fourth stone for hitting $5,000.  And a ruby, instead of a sixth stone, went Michael Nistler for his generosity.

Now’s the time to make contributions toward your next Paul Harris.  This month the Club will match each $100 contribution you make with another $100.  Such a deal!

Charlie Stuart introduced today’s speaker, Dana Brechwald of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

Dana manages BCDC’s Adapting to Rising Tides program.  She explained how rising sea levels produce rising tides in the San Francisco Bay region and how these tides will impact on our way of life.  Her agency works with regional stakeholders to develop innovative climate adaptation and resilience solutions for the Bay shoreline.

This week's Editor: Al Cattalini