February 2017

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

COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT LEE REPOSA presided over a packed Veterans Memorial Hall for the Club’s annual Crab Feed. Over 450 hungry (and thirsty) diners enjoyed live music and lots of camaraderie before our meeting began.

President LEE REPOSA started with the Pledge of Allegiance before acknowledging the Crab feed Committee and the wonderful job done - CHRIS RANNEY (Chair), RICK MOSSI, TONY WESTERN, CHARLIE STUART, JOANNE FERRIS and RENÑE HAYES.

DAN LIBARLE and MARCUS BENEDETTI sang God Bless America.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner before a special presentation of the Miracle League was played and Jennifer Richardson and Phoebe Ellis were introduced. It was a beautiful and moving video and the crowd showed its enthusiasm for the Miracle Field once the fundraising began. There was a terrific energy of giving throughout the room and, once the bidding was concluded, over $70,000 were raised for the Miracle Field. This wildly exceeded expectations and demonstrates the power of people coming together for a worthy cause.

Then came everyone’s favorite part of the evening — the announcement of the Super Raffle winners. Only one person walked away happy with an extra $8,000, but everyone in attendance walked away with a belly full of crab and a smile on their face.

This week’s Editor: Ricardo Marzo; photos courtesy of John O’Hara, Petaluma Argus Courier

COMING EVENTS

President LEE REPOSA kicked off the proceedings with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

KIP HERZOG, ignoring the advice he used to get from school chums to simply lip the words to a song, had no trouble leading us in I’m a Rambler . . . and God Bless America.

DAN LIBARLE gave us two thoughts for the day, cogent observations on success from Winston Churchill and Henry Ford.

Handshakes, hugs, and friendly greetings could have gone on for hours if not gaveled to conclusion.

JAY PALM introduced visiting Rotarians Andrea Christensen from Ross Valley and Matthew Henry from Santa Rosa.

BRIAN BREEN gave an update on Super Raffle ticket sales, totaling about 650 to date, with TOM BAKER leading the way, followed by the strong performances of KIP HERZOG and TOM BRANDAL. With only a week remaining to make our club’s major fundraiser a big success, members were encouraged to step up the arm-twisting, smooth-talking, or other methods of choice to get those tickets sold.

MAUREEN RUDDER reported that Crab Feed ticket sales were approaching 400, with a goal of 450 clearly in sight. There are still a few days to fill those last available seats.

President LEE reminded us that dictionary distribution, already underway, still needs some volunteers. Signing up for a preferred date and time of choice is very easy on signupgenius.com or by contacting GEOFF ELLIS.

Members are invited to volunteer, either individually or together with other club members, to host a Friendship Feast in the spring. Friendship Feasts have been an enjoyable way to raise funds for our Dictionary Program while having an opportunity to get better acquainted with a few fellow Rotarians and their significant others in a small gathering, including food and drink.

GREG O’BRIEN announced a work day organized by the Petaluma Service Alliance (PSA) at Walnut Park on March 11. Recent major improvements at the park were accomplished with the joint efforts of seven Petaluma service clubs, including ours, working together as the PSA. The March 11 tasks will involve light landscaping, pruning, planting, touch-up on the building and monuments, and of course coffee (courtesy of Rotarian Sheila Bride), bagels, and comradery. Volunteers please let GREG know about your availability to help.

MICHAEL CARUANA told of his recent communications with former member Joseph Moore, recalling how generous Joseph had been with his time and energy to make our club’s Art and Equestrian Festival a success. Joseph had been hospitalized with pneumonia and passed away on February 10, very shortly after his friendly chat with MICHAEL. A moment of silence in remembrance of Joseph was observed.

President LEE could hardly ignore an article in the current issue of the Argus Courier headlined A legendary YMCA president, and GREG O’BRIEN was reminded that notoriety comes at a price, which he cheerfully remitted. (To read the article, click here.)

An eagle-eyed member called attention to the absence of a chicken badge on the garb of our president, who agreed that he should pay for the sin of leaving the badge in his briefcase, but not before calling on others in the room who were guilty of the same offense to make the same contribution.

The lucky raffle winner and blue rock-plucker was CLARK ROSEN, who absentmindedly left the hall without his nice bottle of zinfandel, demonstrating that he probably shouldn’t be drinking anyway.

Greg O’Brien left without his wine last week, so there’s always hope.

CHRIS RANNEY introduced the afternoon’s guest speaker, Victoria (Tori) Bratton, already familiar to us as a server with Sally Tomatoes but whose very interesting story was previously known to only a few.

Tori told us of her life as a singer, beginning at a very early age and highlighted by her experiences as a contestant on American Idol. We were treated not only to a behind-the-scenes look at an iconic television show, but also a live performance of two songs.

Among the great benefits of Rotary membership is the possibility that your salad may have been tossed by a major singing talent . . . or that you may be seated at the same table with a legendary YMCA president.

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

This week’s Editor: Clark Rosen

COMING EVENTS

PRESIDENT LEE called the meeting to order.

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by JAY PALM leading us all in singing the club song followed by God Bless America.

CLARK ROSEN gave the thought for the day on the subject of love and romance. He quoted some of the great romantics: Groucho Marx, Henny Youngman, Rodney Dangerfield and George Burns.

BRIAN BREEN announced the Super Raffle tickets are on sale. Every member should sell at least 12 tickets but of course, selling more could earn your team the top honors and a social at The Shuckery! To date, we have sold about 400 tickets so we need to sell another 900 tickets by the Crab Feed on February 24.

GEOFF ELLIS announced that it is Dictionary delivery time over the next few weeks. Geoff had a sign up circulating the room and members were also emailed a link for SignUp Genius. Everyone is encouraged to visit a school and present the third-grade students with their own personal dictionaries.

SHERRY BURWEN talked about handing out dictionaries at St. Vincent Elementary with JOHN DADO. One of the students raised their hand and happily said her grandpa is in Rotary. When asked the name of their grandpa, they replied MIKE AMBROSIO.

GAIL CARDAROPOLI announced the SCARC dinner is Thursday, February 23 at the Rotary Club of Cloverdale Crab Feed. Tickets are $55 per person. Please contact Gail if you plan to attend.

PRESIDENT LEE gave dates for spring Friendship Feast dinners: April 21, 22, 28, 29. Members are invited to partner up with another member and co-host a dinner or party on one of these dates. Please see PRESIDENT LEE or MICHAEL BADDELEY if you are interested.

MAUREEN RUDDER thanked members for bringing in their Crab Feed ticket money. We are a little over 300 tickets sold today. Let’s get out there and rally our friends to sell the Crab Feed out at 500 this year!

CHRIS RANNEY pointed out the flyers on the tables for the special Miracle League Live Auction at the Crab Feed this year. There will be 5 unique items including a puppy from Carleen and JAY PALM. The puppy has yet to be conceived, but if all goes well, the litter will arrive this summer. Members are encouraged to email the auction item list to their guests in advance of the crab feed.

MIKE STAUBER was called upon in recognition for his business celebrating 28 years in Petaluma. This cost him $100.

LARRY JONAS, in an effort to be green and pro-American politically correct, just bought a Chevrolet Volt. Larry loves the car and highly endorses it. When not using electricity, it gets 40 mpg so Larry paid $40.

LARRY also took a road trip to Arizona for the RV show he learned about through MIKE NISTLER. He lightened his wallet by another $25 for this.

BRETT SHINN announced the Petaluma Valley Next Gen Committee was holding a Texas Hold’em Poker Fundraiser on March 4 at Hermann Sons Hall. This would be a great prelude to our clubs future Poker party. BRETT paid $10 for that public service announcement and he happily contributed another $40 in honor of his recent visit to Florida to celebrate his Father’s 80th birthday.

PRESIDENT LEE asked TONY WESTERN if it was true that he is a New England Patriots fan. Tony answered yes although the first half of the Super Bowl was so stressful he had to drown his sorrows and fell asleep. The good news is not only did the Patriots win but Tony won the Super Bowl pool at the party. So of course he remembered to contribute $50 toward his fine schedule.

JIM BECKER appreciates the good we can do with the proceeds from the Super Raffle. Recently the World Service committee voted to contribute $2,500 to support a project that will fund a fish cleaning station in Manta Equador for the local fishermen. LARRY JONAS is thinking about going down to check it out.

ED FULLERTON introduced his lovely wife Carol.

Greg O’Brien receives the virtual bottle of wine he won in the raffle.

JOANNE FERRIS introduced today’s speaker, Leland Faust, author of A Capitalist’s Lament —How Wall Street is Fleecing You and Ruining America.

Next week’s speaker is our own Victoria Bratton talking about her experience as a finalist on American Idol.

Crab Feed & Super Raffle – February 24

 

Photos from last week’s Club Social are available in Ed’s Photo Album.

This week’s Editor: Joanne Ferris