January 2017

Issues are arranged in reverse order. Scroll down to find the issue you want.

COMING EVENTS

Lack of a gavel didn’t stop PRESIDENT LEE from calling the meeting to order. He rapped the bell smartly with a table knife.

BILL GROVERMAN warmed us up with I’m a Rambler, . . . before we launched into God Bless America. CHARLIE STEWART’s Thought for the Day focused on today’s peace theme with quotations from Albert Einstein and Nelson Mandela.

ERIN POST introduced visiting Rotarians from the Rohnert Park-Cotati and Petaluma Valley clubs. There were no guests of Rotarians today.

January birthdays were celebrated in an unusual way. All January celebrants except one were absent; JOANNE FERRIS was here but didn’t sit at the Birthday Table, costing her $10. BRIAN BREEN and TOM BRANDAL didn’t have January birthdays but sat at the Birthday Table. They got cake.

PRESIDENT LEE acknowledged two January anniversaries: CHAD FILLINGER (5 years) and JAMES GOTELLI (10 years).

BRIAN BREEN urged members to sell their twelve Super Raffle tickets (and more!), noting that ELIAS HUSARY had already sold 100 tickets.

MAUREEN RUDDER reminded members to get their Crab Feed tickets and confirm seating arrangements.

Jeff Thomas, from the Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati, announced their February 21 Drink N’ Dine event at the Lagunitas Brewery.

CHRIS RANNEY reminded members of next Thursday’s Club Social at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge,5:30-7:00pm. We’ll be dark at lunch.

Hannah Barnett asked members to visit the Club’s new (under construction) website and edit their profile. You’ll find the link in the previous sentence and on the Member Gateway page of the legacy website (click on the ClubRunner image). To receive your password, click Member Login in the top right corner on the website. Then click on New and existing users - Retrieve your password. This will direct you to the Get Password screen. You will be asked to enter your last name and your email address. Once you click on Get Login Info, you will receive an email to retrieve your credentials. When you edit your profile you’ll be able to review and update your personal information and also specify the log-in name and password that you’ll use in the future.

Sunshine Report: SHERRY SCHEROTTER-BURWEN reported that ROY MUSICK has stopped driving because of poor eyesight but that he’ll be at the Crab Feed. He says Hello to all the members.

KIP HERZOG lost his badge in the food line. (What was that crunchy thing in my salad?) It cost $20 to retrieve it from our President but generous BILL GROVERMAN chipped in $10 to make KIP feel a bit better.

MICHAEL CARUANA’s month-long trip to Saudi Arabia and South Africa cost him a $50 fine. While in South Africa he celebrated his granddaughter’s first birthday.

The raffle kitty was up to $300 and lucky BANO CUMMINGS had the winning ticket and drew the brown rock. After being assessed a$20 fee for arriving late, Bano walked off with $280 and a big smile.

JIM BECKER introduced Doug Johnson from the Santa Rosa Rotary Club and Patricia Shafer, a graduate Rotary Peace Fellow. Together they discussed NewGen Peacebuilders, a youth peace education program designed for high school and university students (14 to 25). It draws on principles of peace education familiar to Rotary Peace Fellows as well as best practices in peace and global education for youth.

Don’t forget — we are dark at lunch next Thursday. Join us for wine later in the day.

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

This week’s Editor: Al Cattalini

COMING EVENTS

It was a rainy but beautiful day in Two Rock at the annual Rotary Coast Guard luncheon.

After socializing at the Consolidated Club, . . .

. . . we all headed off to lunch at Haley Hall. It was a delicious meal provided by the Coast Guard cooks in training.

Bill Groverman assured everyone that there was a flag beyond the partition.

PRESIDENT LEE led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

JIM BECKER gave the thought of the day which included some Petaluma Coast Guard trivia and the Coast Guards Ethos.

We had numerous guests. The following members brought their spouses: BILL GROVERMAN, WHIT HALL, SHERRY BURWEN, AL CATTALINI.

BRIAN BREEN & RICK GORMAN reminded us all to get out there and sell those Super Raffle Tickets.

PRESIDENT ELECT CHRIS RANNEY updated us on our Annual Crab Feed taking place February 24th.

GAIL CARDAROPLI updated everyone on the upcoming SCARC dinner.

AL CATTALINI then introduced the Coast Guard Station’s Captain Paul Flynn. The Captain discussed the history of the base and how the Coast Guard utilizing it. He ensures that everyone coming through the base understand that the Two Rocks stand for Character and Community.

PRESIDENT LEE thanked Captain Flynn for hosting us and giving a great talk. As a token of our appreciation the Captain received our Rotary Chicken Pin.

A big thank you goes out to AL CATTALINI for arranging another wonderful day at the Coast Guard base.

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

This week’s Editor: Brian Breen

COMING EVENTS

It was a cool, dampish day as PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA took his tech assisted cue (beep, beep) calling together the Rotary Club of Petaluma at the Petaluma Golf and Country Club with a rap of his large soup spoon on the recently returned bell. Turning toward the flag, PRESIDENT LEE then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Afterward he took advantage of a rare SHAHARAZAD HAMIDI sighting and called on her to lead the club in song. She was graciously assisted by Victoria, one of the Sally Tomatoes servers who has talent and a lovely voice. Together they led the members in a wonderful rendition of God Bless America.

PRESIDENT LEE called on JUDI ALLEWELT for the Thought for the Day and who claimed she only had a six-minute warning to prepare (more on that later). Confessing that she’s fixated on television these days, she offered up some advice to our President-Elect by way of a quote from Shakespeare…be calm and silent.

Hugs and greetings followed. We had no Visiting Rotarians for the day. Rotarians with Guests included RICK MOSSI who introduced Jenny Belway with KRCB who’s club shopping, and TONY WESTERN who introduced his wife, Nell, and the day’s speaker, Marine Sonet, a Rotary Exchange Student from Belgium. A bit later in the meeting, JOANNE FERRIS also introduced her husband, Mike.

PRESIDENT LEE got into announcements by calling on TAWNY TESCONI who introduced members to ClubRunner; a new online communication and administration tool the club is switching to as a way to manage the club function. TAWNY asked members to take a copy of the login instructions on each table and make the leap into this new technology…it’s easy and fast. Each of us will ‘own’ and be able to edit our information (like if we change phone numbers or spouses), see how much money we owe the club, check our attendance, or create a personal profile (like LinkedIn…not like, SWM looking for…likes long walks on the beach.). As you might imagine, there’s a phone app for that (check it out). Members who would like face-to-face tech support will appreciate that computers will be brought into a future meeting to walk them through the login process. Eventually, the club website, Rota-Teller and all communications with members will be transitioned to ClubRunner, making all those tedious club functions and recordkeeping so much easier for all concerned!

PRESIDENT LEE then called on GEOFF ELLIS to give us an early alert that the Dictionary Project is about to kick into gear with the arrival of the dictionaries we will supply to every 3rd grader in local public and private schools. GEOFF is in the process of developing the schedule with the schools now. As you know, each member is invited to choose a school and participate in the distribution phase (it’s a blast to talk with kids who are excited to get their very own dictionary). GEOFF will post the signup online and bring paper copies to future meetings for those (like his father-in-law) who are tech averse tech or even tech hostile.

JOANNE FERRIS announced the next SCARC dinner signup (Thursday, January 26 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at the Santa Rosa Country Club) hosted by the Santa Rosa Sunrise club; topic=Peace.

BRIAN BREEN and RICK GORMAN were called on to update us on the Super Raffle. Tix are $30 each this year and members are asked to sell at least 12. So far we know that 100-150 have been sold, but we also know we have quite a few sand-baggers in the club! We have 1300-1400 to sell this year and hope to raise $30,000 to benefit the Miracle League project. Get with your team captain if you haven’t already and talk to BRIAN about some great ideas to sell on Facebook. This year’s winning team will be hosted by PRESIDENT LEE to a private party at the Shuckery.

AL CATTALINI reminded members that the next meeting (January 19) will be held at the Coast Guard Training Center in Two Rock. He noted that all attendees for that meeting need to get on the list to be allowed onto the base. If you (or your guest) has ever been out there before, you are already on the list (cool!); just remember to bring photo id, and proof of auto insurance and registration. If not, sign up online by Tuesday, January 17. Social hour begins as 11:00; lunch at 12:00 noon. No money is collected at the door for this program; just a sign-up sheet so TAWNY can track you down later! PRESIDENT ELECT CHRIS RANNEY gave a salute to AL CATTALINI for getting this fun program back on track. Thanks, AL!

MAUREEN RUDDER directed our attention to her Crab Feed table and told us we could buy tickets online or at meetings (not available at the Two Rock meeting, though). If we just buy ONE TICKET that will hold a table until we know how many guests will sit with us. MAUREEN is incredibly organized with a ‘science fair’-like chart so we can recall where we sat last year and decide where we might want to sit this year. Nice!

PRESIDENT LEE launched into the Fine segment of the meeting by assessing JOANNE FERRIS $20 for Facebooking during the meeting…she claimed not, but the fine stuck.

TAWNY TESCONI got charged $10 as a thank you (?) for all of her recent great work for the club (along with MARLENE FREETLY), and somehow she got off on a tangent about all the Mikes in her life and then JUDI ALLEWELT mentioned her two Jacks.

Then MIKE BADDELEY did a very un-lawyer-like thing, offering to be a Mike who gave her something and paid for TAWNY’s fine for her great work on the club’s tax return (will wonders never cease!).

In the latest update on Badge-Gate, we learned new member MAGGIE RADANY is still missing her yet-to-be chicken badge (maybe taken out with the holiday trash), so sponsor CHRIS RANNEY was fined $50 for not having MAGGIE’S back on this.

CHRIS ELZI got double fined $40 for sending an email reminder about Thought for the Day to JUDY McREYNOLDS (the wrong Judy; who came ready to give a Thought) instead of JUDI ALLEWELT (who came unready and had a six-minute warning!); . . .

. . . and lastly, JUDI ALLEWELT paid up $25 for her good news that the grand-daughter she has raised from a baby is having her own baby (heartfelt congratulations Great-grand-Gigi!).

PRESIDENT LEE called out the week’s raffle and the winner was CLARK ROSEN, who got a blue rock and a nice bottle of Cline SF Giants wine!

TONY WESTERN, introduced 18-year-old Marine Sonet, Rotary Exchange Student from a city just outside Brussels, Belgium.

Marine’s Rotary host families have been TONY and NELL WESTERN and JOANNE and MIKE FERRIS. Marine is attending Casa Grande High School while in Petaluma and will attend the University of Brussels in the fall majoring in Communications. She hopes to earn an MA in Journalism so she can pursue a career as an international journalist.

Marine gave a delightful presentation about her country, family, and the complexities of Belgian governance. Great work, Marine!

PRESIDENT LEE reminded everyone that next week’s meeting is at the Coast Guard Training Center and ended the meeting with a short bit of Coast Guard humor. Mark your calendars!

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

This week’s Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley

COMING EVENTS

President LEE REPOSA opened our first meeting of the New Year at the appointed half-hour by allowing Brian Breen’s son Brayden to ring the coveted Club bell, and then (after a slight microphone adjustment by CHARLIE STUART), proceeded to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The adaptive Prez then pulled an unsuspecting JIM SYMONS out of the lunch line to lead us in song (Gypo and God Bless America), . . .

. . . followed by the Thought for the Day by PDG ED FULLERTON. The customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members ensued.

Next, President Nominee MICHAEL NISTLER introduced the Visiting Rotarians, and noted that Matt on the Sally Tomatoes lunch crew was on the mend and has been in remission from his cancer for 5 months now!!

The Prez then introduced the guests of Rotarians, including Jennifer Masterson, Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America Troop 8 who let us know that the good scouts are picking up Christmas trees this month — call her @ (707) 981-7912 if you’re interested.

First Lady Elect, SHARI RANNEY, then announced that our Club is now an official Hero Contributor of ShelterBox as a result of our donation pledge to them of $1,000.00 per year for 3 years!

Club secretary GAIL CARDAROPOLI then announced that the January SCARC meeting will be hosted by the Santa Rosa Rotary Club on January 26 at the Fountain Grove Inn — call Gail if you would like to attend.

Finally, Past President CLARK ROSEN made an appeal for additional volunteers for the McKinley School Reading Program — call Clark if you would like to help out and make a real difference in a student’s life.

RENÉE HAYES gave a Crab Feed ticket sales report for the Club’s annual Crab Feed Dinner event (2/24/17) and reminded us that you can reserve seating when you purchase your ticket(s) — call Renée if you need any tickets.

BRIAN BREEN then gave us an update on the Super Raffle ticket sales; according to Brian, 100 tickets have been sold this far and we only have 1300+/- to go…so, sell, sell, sell!

The penurious Prez, apparently hurting for cash after the Holidays, called upon new member MAGGIE RADANY to explain why she wasn’t wearing her badge- apparently, she left it at home, so the Prez fined her sponsor, President Elect CHRIS RANNEY, $50.00 for failing to remind her!

Chris blamed his oversight on the Holidays, and atoned for it by pinning Maggie with her new member Chicken pin! Thanks, Chris!

The Prez then turned his money grubbing gaze upon a member of his own posse, BRIAN BREEN, who explained that he now owns all of his financial services company, which is now known as Breen Wealth Management — Brian gladly donated $100.00, half to the Club and half to the Miracle League project. Congratulations, Brian!

GREG O’BRIEN joyfully paid $50.00 for his family’s special Christmas gift this year- a new grandson born on Christmas Day!! Congratulations, Greg!

#221672 proved to be the winning ticket for new member MAGGIE RADANY, but the Prez proving once again, that yes, Virginia, it is possible to drink too much Holiday egg nog, forgot the raffle bag- fortunately, Past President RICK MOSSI was Ricky-on-the-spot to bail him out, so Maggie could pull out a blue rock for a bottle of wine!

Program Chairman CHRIS RANNEY then introduced our Speaker, . . .

. . . Geof Whitford, from Bloomfield Bees Honey, who gave an interesting presentation on the wonderful world of honey bees, and all the good they do for us! He received a heart round of applause and a Rotary memento in appreciation. Whereupon the conclusion thereof, the Prez wished us all a Happy New Year, and adjourned the meeting!

So, speaking of bees…

Q: Why did the bee get married?
A: Because he found his honey!

Q: What’s a bees favorite novel?
A: The Great Gats-bee!

Q: What do you get if you cross a bee with a door bell?
A: A hum dinger!

Q: Who is the bees favorite singer?
A: Sting!

Q: Who is the bees favorite pop group?
A: The bee gees!

Q: Who is a bee’s favorite classical music composer?
A: Bee-thoven!

Q: What is a bee’s favorite fictional lake?
A; Lake Wobeegon!

Q: What do you call a bee that can’t stop eating?
A: Chub-bee.

Q: What kind of bee is a sore loser?
A: a crybay-bee

Q: Who protects the Queen Bee?
A: Her Hub-bee.

Q: What do you call a bee born in May?
A: A maybe!

Q: What kind of bee can’t be understood?
A: A mumble bee!

Q: What is a bees favorite sport?
A: Rug-Bee.

Q: Why do bees hum?
A: Because they’ve forgotten the words!

Q: What kind of bees hum and drop things?
A: A fumble bee!

Q: What did the confused bee say to the wasp?
A: To bee or not to bee!

Q: Why did the bee go to the barbershop?
A: To get a buzz-cut.

Q: What do you call a Bee who is having a bad hair day?
A: A Frisbee.

Q: What do bees do if they want to use public transport?
A: Wait at a buzz stop!

Q: What do you call a bee who’s had a spell put on him?
A: Bee-witched!

Q: Who are the cleverest bees?
A: Spelling bees!

Q: What bee is good for your health?
A: Vitamin bee!

Q: What do you call a wasp?
A: A wanna-bee!

…and last, but not least, what did the Sushi Chef say to the bee buzzing around his restaurant?

Wassupbee! Now, bee gone!!

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

This week’s Editor: Mike BEEaddeley