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COMING EVENTS

March 7 - Heartbeat International program
March 14 - Mary Stompe - PEP Housing
March 21 - Scott Holder - Mountain Climbing
March 28 - 90 Years of Rotary in Petaluma

Rick Gorman prepres the Super Raffle report.

President NANCY COOLEY, opened the express meeting at the appointed time and immediately led us in the Pledge of Alliance.

Our song master (choir boy?!), LEE REPOSA, then led us in song (Gypo and God Bless America), followed by the customary handshakes, hugs and busses amongst members. There were no visiting Rotarians who joined us for lunch, but several guests of members did, including JOE TAMBE’s guest and JIM BECKER’s guest.

Next, Secretary PAUL LOUNIBOS acknowledged all of the February birthday babes in the Club, all of whom remembered to sit at the birthday table, saving and excepting KATHY O’CONNOR who was somehow left off the birthday roster — a $5 fine to each birthday celebrant, . . .

. . . followed by a $100 fine to PAUL (for the incomplete birthday roster) and a $65 fine to LEE REPOSA for forgetting to order the monthly birthday cake. Shaken, but not stirred, Lee nevertheless delivered a cacophonous rendition of “Happy Birthday” (think fighting cats, squeaky wheels, and wailing infants!) Thanks, guys!

The Prez then announced that our 2015-2016 District Governor Nominee Designate was Erin Dunn (from the Fortuna Rotary Club), and that the Tahoe City Rotary Club is hosting its annual Rotary Club ski challenge event on March 8th at Northstar — see the Prez if you’re interested in sliding down the slopes!

JIM BECKER, after circulating some nice thank you cards from a number of local third graders who received dictionaries from our Dictionary Program last month, introduced Lisa Ferrera, who is rebuilding the Giant Steps Equestrian Center program, and holding a “Who’s Who” fundraiser on May 4 — contact Jim for further details if you’re interested.

WHITNEY HALL then announced that there will be a fundraiser on March 12 at Lagunitas Brewery (see ad below) to raise $$ for 6th grade camp for McKinley Elementary school — contact Whit if you want to quaff a brew or two for a good cause!

JOANNE FERRIS reminded us to calendar March 28th to celebrate our Club’s 90th anniversary (in the downstairs Sheraton Ballroom) — call Joanne for further details.

BILL GROVERMAN concluded the announcements by notifying us that the Club’s annual Farmers/Merchants night event will be held on April 12th at Herzog Hall this year (no, not at KIP’s house, the one at the fairgrounds) — contact Bill for further details.

BRIAN BREEN gave a post Crab Feed Super Raffle report, and acknowledged the sales teams and the individual ticket sales champs. When it was all said and done and the final crab was cracked, over 1600 tickets were sold, and more than $37,000 was netted! Great job by all involved, especially Brian and his committee.

Realizing that tax season is upon us, the Prez then went after our Club members like a rabid revenue agent. First, she fined DON RAMATICI $100 for his good health (and for using the Club PO Box for promotional business purposes).

Next, she fined DAVID SOLO $50.00 for using the Club PO Box to solicit donations from one of our former Club presidents (Ralph Sartori), and for entering into an over 40 bodybuilder event — according to David he’ll be getting in shape over the next “90” days for Lent (psst, David, Lent is 40 days — geez, no wonder the Pope resigned!). Hopefully, there is no truth to the rumor that David will be posing in a Rotary speedo — oil up Dave, and good luck!!

The Prez then dinged MICHAEL CARUANA $100 for attending his son’s wedding . . . in South Africa, . . .

. . . and drilled LOU STEINBERG $55.00 for attending his son’s wedding in Greely, Colorado . . . and a quick trip to Cooperstown, NY.

Proving that her penny pinching practices know no bounds, the Prez also gleefully extorted $200 from DON LIBARLE, who won $400 at the Crab Feed, but was given the run-around instead of the $$ at the event. Being a good sport (usually in checkered pants!), Dan generously donated half his winnings to the Local Foundation!

Speaking of generous, the Prez informed us that the Super Raffle grand prize winner, Terry Lindley, a Senior VP at American Ag Credit (he won a total of $8,200), donated $5,000 of his winnings back to Rotary and the balance ($3,200) to Social Advocacy for Youth. If you happen to run into Terry, make sure you let him know how much we appreciate his generosity and support.

Ticket #594221 proved to be a winner for JUDY ALLEWELT, who won a fine bottle of wine.

The Prez then concluded the meeting by letting the President-Elect RICK MOSSI announce the upcoming District Assembly (April 5-6 in Ukiah) — all Club members who would like to attend are encouraged to do so, especially Rick’s new board members. Call Rick for further details.

Meeting adjourned — see you next week!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Mike Baddeley.

COMING EVENTS

February 28 - Express Meeting
March 7 - Heartbeat International program
March 14 - Mary Stompe - PEP Housing
March 21 - Scott Holder - Mountain Climbing
March 28 - 90 Years of Rotary in Petaluma

PRESIDENT NANCY introduced Petaluma High Student Ellie O’Neill who sang a wonderful rendition of our National Anthem.

Rev. Gary Lombardi stood before the crowd of 500+ to give the blessing.

Music was provided by “Blind Date” band which is comprised of past presidents of the Rotary Club of Novato!

Fantastic service by PHS Wildlife Museum students, PHS Interact and FFA. Boy Scout Troop 8 swept in at 9 pm to manage the event clean up and break down.

Crab Feed co-Chairs JAMES BURLESON and RICARDO MARZO managed a packed house with great efficiency.

CHRIS ALBERTSON was quick on his feet as the chief steward of the evening.

Super Raffle Co-Chairs LEE REPOSA, BRIAN BREEN, RICK GORMAN and DAVID SOLO sold raffle tickets a plenty during the evening. They were strategically next to GAIL CARDAROPOLI who was selling drink tickets!

Everyone feasted on piles of delicious cracked crab, wonderful sourdough rolls and Clover Stornetta butter, fresh salad and hot pasta. While the Clover ice cream was passed around, President Nancy stepped up to the raffle drum with Father Michael Culligan. The priest drew the raffle tickets and the winners were announced with great fanfare!

Here are the lucky winners:

• $8,000 - Terry Lindley
• $1,200 - Ralph Bettinelli
• $1,000 - Tara Jacobsen
• $600 - Don Benson
• $400 - Dan Libarle
• $200 - Terry Lindley (same guy!)

Local News from your Webmaster:The Petaluma Valley Rotary Club has adopted a new banner: we thought you'd like to see it.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Joanne Ferris.

COMING EVENTS

February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 28 - Express Meeting
March 7 - Heartbeat International program

Our Valentine’s Day meeting opened with PRESIDENT NANCY gaveling the bell and then leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

We didn’t follow with singing a patriotic song — the group sing would come a bit later. Instead, KATHY O’CONNOR gave her Thought for the Day, explaining how pink is the color of love and red is the color of passion.

A good number of Rotarians, RICK MOSSI, CLARK ROSEN, LOU STEINBERG, SHERRY BURWEN, ROY MUSICK, KIP HERZOG, TOM BRANDAL, LEE BEAN, FRED WULFF, MARLENE FREETLY, WHIT HALL, TAWNY TESCONI, PRESIDENT NANCY, and AL CATTALINI (if I got them all), brought sweethearts, spouses, friends, or acquaintances. All received a great Rotary welcome.

Now it was time for music. As perennial losers in the Guys vs. Gals Super Raffle contest, the guys stood and tried to sing Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? to the longsuffering ladies in the audience.

LEE BEAN, President of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation, reported that the corpus of our local foundation has grown to $462,000 and that application forms for this year’s grants (due by May 10) are now available on the Club Website.

BRIAN BREEN pushed Super Raffle ticket sales, noting that the “Boots vs. Suits” phase had concluded and that the current competition was Past Presidents vs. Everyone Else. Get those tickets sold (at least ten sales per member is expected) and turned in soon so your sales count toward your team’s totals!

LOU STEINBERG reminded members of the gala dinner celebrating 90 years of Rotary in Petaluma. It’s March 28 at the Petaluma Sheraton. Lou is asking for members to visit other Rotary Clubs in Sonoma and Marin Counties in the coming weeks to announce the event and distribute literature. You can read all about it (and order your tickets) at www.petalumarotary.com/90

Why are KATHY and TARA smiling? Well, it seems that while everyone else was dining on chicken pot pie a la Sheraton they were enjoying unique cuisine. To see what they were eating, click here. (If a photo doesn’t pop up, either authorize popups from this site, look for a new tab that has just opened, or click here).

Program Chair DANNY FISH introduced . . .

. . . Gina Drohan of Massage Envy who discussed her local massage business.

FRED WULFF won the raffle and took home a bottle of Cleavage Creek wine.

You might recall that JOE TAMBE had arranged for his granddaughter, belly dancer Rebecca Vasile, to perform at our Valentine luncheon. Well, at the last moment she became ill (we sure hope it wasn’t a stomach problem) and had to cancel. Not a problem for our resourceful President! PRESIDENT NANCY got right on the phone and tracked down Nicole Fortuna, a member of the Joweh! dance troupe and an outstanding belly dancer. Nicole amazed and impressed everyone with her dance routines. We’ll never forget the scimitar!

Thanks, Nancy, for finding this talent right here in Petaluma. And thanks, Nicole, for a beautiful performance.

See you at the Crab Feed!

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Al Cattalini.

COMING EVENTS

February 14 - Sweethearts Lunch; Masseuse Gina Drohan and Belly Dancer Rebecca Vasile
February 21 - Club Dark
February 22 - Crab Feed and Super Raffle
February 28 - Express Meeting

PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY welcomed the Club to the fourth floor of the Sheraton for today’s meeting.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America, . . .

. . . PAUL LOUNIBOS announced the February Anniversaries. Our best wishes go to JOANNE FERRIS, PAT SCHAEFFER, and PRESIDENT NANCY COOLEY and their respective spouses! February is “Rotary World Understanding Month” and Paul handed out a photo of a child from Sierra Leone, whose arm had been amputated during a military conflict. He went on to tell the story of the girl’s journey to a better life over the last 10 years and then he handed out a recent photo of the young lady, who graces the cover of this month’s Rotarian magazine. What a great story! Rotarians with guests included JOE TAMBE and LOU STEINBERG.

JAMES BURLESON begged and pleaded the Club to BUY MORE CRABFEED TICKETS! Actually, he did not beg and plead, but this editor is!

Super-Raffle Ticket sales appear promising, but we need you to SELL MORE SUPER-RAFFLE TICKETS! Other announcements included the upcoming Butter and Eggs Day parade needs float volunteers. This is done in conjunction with the other Rotary clubs in Petaluma and your assistance is appreciated.

Whit Hall pushes candy; see ad below.

Dan Libarle recounts Super Bowl experience.

Kip Herzog counts.

The Petaluma High School Interact Students gave a great report on their activities over the past year, including a beach clean-up day, helping set-up at the Carousel Fund, working our Club’s upcoming Crab Feed, and many other efforts. The girls did a great job and they truly understand the spirit of service and Rotary’s mission.

Bano can’t believe it.

RICHARD MANSFIELD gave a terrific craft talk that traced his upbringing from a farm outside Reno, NV to working for Morgan Stanley in the Bay Area. His family roots were very interesting and rich in history. Thank you, Richard.

LEN MYGATT won the raffle AND the money!

Danny Fish introduces our speaker.

Finally, our speaker today was Dick Matthews, who is a President of the Board of the Mountain Play. The Mountain Play is a Bay Area treasure and has been producing an annual production since 1913. Set amongst a spectacular backdrop at the top of Mount Tamalpais, the Mountain Play is a great outdoor adventure that opens the doors for people of all ages to enjoy world-class productions in a beautiful setting. This is an annual event meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. Thank you for a great presentation.

This week's Rota-Teller editor: Ricardo Marzo.