February 17, 2022
Club President Rick Gorman called the meeting to order.
Thoughts For The Day, presented by Maggie Radany, were from Olympic Gold Medalists Jesse Owens and Simone Biles along with the old saying: "Even the worst haircut eventually grows out."
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Al Cattalini. The photo was taken by President Rick Gorman, who will hopefully stay with his banking career instead of becoming a portrait photographer.
President Elect Royce van Bebber introduced his guest, David Best.
Super Raffle Chair Brian Breen announced the highest ticket seller so far is our own President Rick Gorman. Other top sellers in the club to date include Shari Ranney, John Zimmerman, Brian Breen and Past President Elias Husary. TO date, 627 tickets have been turned in. Our drawing of the winners for the Super Raffle will be at our March 3 meeting. Last year we sold $1566 tickets! Time to Sell Sell Sell!
Maggie Radany and Past President Chris Ranney announced that many members have yet to buy their crab feed tickets. We want to get to 250 dinners this year. Please contact Maggie with your order ASAP.
Past President Michael Caruana is asking for members to help with Drive Thru Crab Feed Set Up and Staffing on Friday, February 25 from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Past President Joanne Ferris announced we will have girl scout troop members at the bowling alley to sell cookies to the Crab Feed pick up traffic. They will be kept at a safe distance from the Rotary member drinking area!
Raine Howe reminded members that we have reserved the Bowling Alley for members and member guests to enjoy their crab feed dinners together after the Drive Thru wraps up. Space is limited so please check with Raine so she can make sure you are on the guest list.
Shari Ranney announced the Miracle League Wiffle Ball Tournament is back on for Saturday, April 9 at the Miracle League Northbay Field. This is a fundraiser for the Miracle League as well as our three local Rotary clubs. We need to field a club team! There are many jobs to fill that day from check in to working in the Rotary Pavillian so save this date!
There is room for more teams and you can sponsor a non-profit Wiffle Ball team for $400. Please contact Shari for more details.
Matthew Caruana, son of Past President Michael Caruana is a head lecturer at the University of Johannesburg in archeology. He oversees excavations in several areas including Amanzi Springs which is a small community of 60 farmers and their that has been severely impacted by a prolonged drought. Matthew has partnered with Regina, a local community organizer to provide basic food necessities to these families. Michael shared the message from Matthew that members of our club contributed to an effort to purchase 40 days of food to the people pf Amanzi Springs. If anyone is interested in learning more or would like to contribute to this effort, please contact Michael Caruana.
Club Secretary Gail Cardaropoli won the weekly raffle and a bottle of wine!
Suzanne Tucker introduced our program speakers.
Michelle Ellis-Richards and her operations manager Mindy Esqueda from First In Training and Supplies presented valuable information about disaster preparedness and planning. Please check out their website for more details.
Today's Editor: Joanne Ferris
February 10, 2022
President Rick Gorman began the meeting
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Then a sad announcement. Former President Jeanette Clark passed away.
Joe Tambe led us with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Suzanne Tucker offered several amusing Thoughts for the Day: "Never eat more than you can lift." "Always shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll reach the stars."
Chris Ranney gave us an encouraging report on the Crab Feed, and Dan Berry reminded us that we will be dark on St. Patrick's Day but will be having an after hours social at 256 North..
Brian Breen provided an update on the Super Raffle.
Maggie Radany won the weekly raffle.
Then Brett Shinn introduced our guest speaker, Supervisor David Rabbit.
Supervisor Rabbitt gave us a brief summary of his truly astonishing achievements as supervisor ,as well as his motto: First one in the office and first…no, LAST…one out.. (Everyone gets it mixed up sometime, but clearly he really is the first one in the office and the last one out.) Supervisor Rabbitt, whose strengths include the fact that he has had his share of experience in private enterprise, discussed many key issues, including the proposal that the County buy the Sears building in Santa Rosa (which he opposes on the grounds of expense and possibly unrealistic revenue projections) to the Golden Gate Bridge District, local roads, and water resources.
It was clearly one of the best speeches of the year.
Editor Chris Elzi
February 3, 2022
President Rick opened our first meeting of February with a tap on the bell.
Elias Husary led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Taking his cue from Black History Month, Mike Ambrosio delivered two thoughts for the day, meaningful quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Michael Jordan.
President Rick announced that the February SCARC dinner had been canceled on account of the Covid situation.
Chris Ranney reported that arrangements for our February 25 Drive-Thru Crab Feed are on track and welcomed co-chair Michael Caruana back from his trip to South Africa. He noted that delivery is available for folks who can’t pick up their order.
Maggie Radany reported that Crab Feed ticket sales are progressing nicely with over 200 orders so far. She appreciates getting a heads up of planned orders, even if you haven’t firmed up your exact quantity. We’d like to advise the supplier and caterer of the approximate volume about 10 days before the event.
Miss the community spirit of our live Crab Feeds? Want to enjoy your crab with some fellow Rotarians? Raine Howe has arranged for a private dining room and bar at the AMF Bowling Center. Space is limited to 50 people, so contact Raine (cell 707-932-1372 or Raine@PollyKlaas.org) to reserve your seats. Please provide your name and that of your guest if you are bringing someone. Dining begins at 6pm, right after the drive-thru concludes.
Brian Breen announced that Super Raffle ticket sales are going well with Elias Husary having sold 500 tickets and all Rotarians selling at least 15 — in his dreams. (The Club has asked that members sell at least 10.) He asked that completed ticket stubs (with payment) be placed in an envelope with the seller’s name on it and returned to his office (second floor of the downtown Bank of America) or to Rick Gorman at the downtown Exchange Bank. Additional tickets are available at both locations.
Michael Caruana has indeed just returned from visiting his son in South Africa. He says that caffeine is helping him adjust to the time change and that he is trying to remember to drive on the right side of the road.
Tawny Tesconi showed her smiling face after a long absence (said she was in a witness protection program) and happily announced celebrating her 60th birthday. She cheerfully offered to accept a $100 fine, $60 for her birthday, and $40 to plug the spectacular Farm Bureau Crab Feed, Saturday, March 19 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
Manning Walker, one of our guest speakers, won the raffle and walked away with $25 in cash presented by Carolyn Buck.
Suzanne Tucker introduced today’s program presenting the SAFE (Specialized Assistance for Everyone) program.
Elece Hemphill, Executive Director of PPSC which administers the SAFE program gave a brief introduction.
Manning Walker, who directs the program, explained that the goal of the SAFE team is to address crisis response, prevention and intervention for our most vulnerable community members experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse issues and homelessness. This team is made up of civilian first responders, who will respond to and proactively address calls for service that have traditionally (and unnecessarily) burdened law enforcement, emergency medical services and health care providers.
Today's Editor: Al Cattalini