Opening Notes

The March 20, 2000 meeting was well-attended despite a sudden and wide-spread bout of Spring fever. Acting President Bill Gittins called the club to (a semblance of) order, though certain members continued piling food on their plates. Paul Stychno led all in the Pledge and Rich Standard offered a Rotary moment, acknowledging the beautiful weather we continue to enjoy. Fred Zmarzly introduced visiting Rotarians.

Acting President Bill admonished certain members for arriving late and scouring the buffet of its last scraps.

Chuck Stark announced the March 25th District 5130 Leadership Training Seminar in Eureka. The annual training seminar offers an opportunity to explore fellowship and leadership opportunities throughout the Redwood Empire.

Janet Codding thanked Caroline Fox and Chuck Baker for volunteering to host our Indian GSE team members. We need two more families to host team members; please contact Janet for more information.

John Withers amused everyone by providing "no comment" on his anniversary party.

Bob Marigo offered an inspiring update on the shoe program, which purchases shoe vouchers for children at seven local schools. The program has raised $9630, enough to provide hundreds of shoe certificates for local students.

Bob Marigo

Joe Perez updated the membership on the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program, noting that Santa Rosa West has an excellent contender for the District 5130 position.

Jeff Ray announced the upcoming 11^th Annual Santa Rosa Sunrise Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at Fountaingrove on May 19, 2000. Jeff also noted that the Windsor Club is planning its third annual golf tournament; contact Jeff for details.

Chuck Stark reminded Jeff that the annual District 5130 golf tournament is planned for May 4.

Bob Zeni introduced Piner High School Students of the Month: Erica Arndt and Brenda Bruner.

Erica Arndt and Brenda Bruner

Erica Arndt is a graduating senior enrolled in Piner’s Humanities Program. In addition to yearbook and peer counseling, she participated in track, cross-country, and soccer, activities she believes made high school "more fun and interesting." Erica will attend U.C. Davis and hopes to be a lawyer (a great choice!).

Brenda Bruner is a graduating senior who plans to attend Northwestern College, a private college in Iowa. A Santa Rosa native, her interests include music, theater, Spanish, and choir. She plans to major in languages (including Spanish) and to work with inner-city children in Latin America or the U.S.

President Bill congratulated Ken Davenport for visiting Montana (and plowing his fields in February) by awarding a chance to donate $100 to the Paul Harris Foundation.

Ken Davenport

Carson Mitchell bought a new yellow Chrysler, a.k.a. Mercedes (actually a Daimler-Chrysler), from John Withers. It cost him an extra 100 bucks.

Lou Giacometti described his one-hour flight over the Alexander Valley in a vintage T-6. Acting President Bill used new math and fined him ten dollars. Lou generously jacked it up two-fold.

And last, but not least, President Elect-Elect Brian Herndon shared highlights of his recent work-related trip to Michigan with stops in London and Paris. The London and Paris junkets were compliments of Brian's wife Sharon who purchased him the vacation as a birthday present. Acting President Bill let him off the hook for creativity.

Though there were only five marbles for an $1100 prize, visiting Rotarian Art LaFranchi of Petaluma grabbed the wrong one. Ken Kushnir won and kept the $20 consolation prize, presumably to offset higher gas prices for his motorhome.

Jim Meyer, Vice President for Development at Sonoma State University, discussed plans for the new Green Music Center at SSU. The center is modeled on (and designed by the same architect as) the Tanglewood music center in Lenox, Massachusetts. The building is financed solely by private funding and will seat up to 1400, with space for an additional 3000 people on a grassy lawn behind the facility. And, in keeping with Wine Country spirit, the grassy area will be designed with a perfect slope for balancing wine glasses without spilling!

Jim Meyer