Monday Noon, Los Robles Lodge
925 Edwards Ave., Santa Rosa, California

Adventure Travel

Opening Ceremonies

President Brian Herndon struck the bell precisely at 12:30 pm and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Tom Laengle led the Pledge of Allegiance. Anne Abrams gave the Rotary Thought for the day, a message of thankfulness that we are Rotarians striving for peace and positive action in the world.

Robin Marrs introduced nine visiting Rotarians, six from Santa Rosa Downtown, two from Santa Rosa East, and one from Rohnert Park, all of whom were warmly welcomed.

Minutes of Silence

Susan Nowacki announced that Bob Bartley Sr. died over the weekend. Bob was a Charter Member of this club--April 15, 1965--and he was the Club President in 1971. He instituted the "Bartley Bash" at his Guerneville Road property, which he funded from his own pocket so that the proceeds could be used to the benefit of the community.

Bob Marigo announced that Senior Active Pete Hoogland also died over the weekend. Pete was a member of this club almost from its inception--since May 18, 1965--and, ironically, he was sponsored by Bob Bartley. Pete instituted the Holland Youth Exchange program in 1982 which afforded great opportunities for dozens of ours and other club member's children both from Holland and the United States to live in another country, experience their culture and form friendships that will last a lifetime.

(See 2-5-01 issue of bulletin
http://www.sr-rotary-west.org/Bulletins/2000-01/b_02_05_01.htm for more on Pete -Ed)

Both of these fine Rotarians will be greatly missed and long-remembered for their 36 plus years of service to Santa Rosa West Rotary Club and to their communities. The club observed Minutes of Silence in their honor.

Announcements

Santa Rosa East Rotarian Bob Blanchard, who conceived and principally organized the 1st Annual Veteran's Day Celebration luncheon sponsored by Santa Rosa's five Rotary Clubs and four Kiwanis Clubs, reported that 670 people attended the event and that it received much recognition both locally and nationally. He thanked Committee Members Ginny Pitts and Jim Valinoti for their very considerable help at the event, and Roger Olson for transporting the Huey Helicopter to the entrance. Bob also presented a check for $200.00 to President Brian, a return of the full amount of the deposit which the club made to help launch the project.

President Brian Herndon announced that Ray Mattison has resigned as Club Treasurer due to other pressing business and that Marci Pierce has stepped-up to take on this important and time-heavy job. Ray was given warm applause for his work as Treasurer.

Chuck Baker announced that a sign-up sheet was circulating for bell-ringing service for the Salvation Army at Coddingtown on Friday, December 14th, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. He urged that two members sign up for each one-hour shift.

Janet Codding announced that the Membership Committee was meeting at her house at 5:00 pm today.

Jim Hinton announced that the Contribution Request Forms and accompanying instructions were on the table near the entrance. He encouraged members who have a connection with a local non-profit or charity organization to get these papers to them to apply to our club for financial assistance. The deadline date for submitting contribution requests is January 31, 2002. The form and instructions are also on our club's Web site:
http://www.sr-rotary-west.org/contribution_request.html

Arnie Carston reported that about 500 tickets to the Crab Feed have been sold and that only 100 remain. Speak up soon if you have not yet ordered tickets.

Caroline Fox requested that auction contributions, including photographs of them, keep on coming. She also thanked Ken Prouty for a contribution of a bottle of Chateau Margaux and a generous cash donationl, and Anne Abrams for a generous cash contribution. Arnie thanked Jim Valinoti for procuring a beautifully designed and hand-painted magnum of Merlot from The Meeker Vineyard. Jim also managed to talk Molly Meeker out of a mixed case 1998 Zinfandel and Merlot. Amazing what you can get by just asking, ain't it?

Jim Benoit reported that he still had some raffle tickets for distribution. Each member is asked to sell 20 raffle tickets at $5.00 each.

Lori Burmeyer announced that Janet Codding has graciously agreed to host the club Christmas Party. It will be on Thursday, December 20th, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Janet's home, 3362 Miraloma Drive, Santa Rosa. Please RSVP to Lori (527-1580) by December 15th.

Mike Moore announced (at 12:52) that today's guests had not yet been introduced. President Brian acknowledged his omission and asked members to introduce their guests. There were no guests today. (He knew that- Ed) Nice going, Mike. President Brian stuck him with a $10.00 fine for the interruption.

Recognitions

Lori Burmeyer, Paul Stychno, Rick Rybicki, and Ron Street were recognized for something each of them has in common, and though Lori remarked that they were all cute, closed her eyes and stamped her feet 3 times, even she was unable to think of it. As he had been waiting for 8 weeks for these four to all be present at a meeting at the same time, President Brian took particular delight when he could finally inform them that October 13th had been their four-year anniversary date as club members. Each was fined $20.00 for forgetting the date.

Jim Hinton was recognized for the world speed record his son-in-law, Rich Wilson, set last week in sailing from New York City to Melbourne, Australia, eclipsing the 70-day record set by the Clipper Ship, Mandarin in 1856. Rich and his sailing colleague did it in 68 days in Rich's trimaran, Great America II. The voyage is more than 15,000 miles, and Rich's feat will be recognized in the Guiness Book of World Records. Jim was fined $20.00.

Henry Von Der Mehden was recognized because he hadn't been called on in a long time. He reported that his daughter, an enologist, had recently gone to New Zealand for the crush of grapes there. Von was fined $25.00.

Raffle Winners

John Meislahn held the winning raffle ticket for the marble draw and he plucked out the winning marble for a reward of $550.00! Henry Von Der Mehden recouped some of his fine by holding the winning raffle ticket for the bottle of red wine.

Program: Adventure Travel

Our speaker today, introduced by Paula Wrenn, was Tim Warren, who is in the adventure travel business in Santa Rosa. He arranges trips to exotic places, the countries less-traveled, and literally anywhere on the planet if you have the money to do so. Although the trips he arranges are outdoors-oriented and nature-based experiences, he emphasized that they can and do have luxury touches, such as showers and wine with dinner.

Tim recently returned from a great experience in Mongolia, where he gave educational seminars to local travel agents about enhancing their tour businesses. He described Mongolians as very friendly and well-educated people. He gave a slide-show of images from Mongolia, which also extended into images from an isolated beach facility he owns in Baja California on the Sea of Cortez and from a mashing experience he had in Alaska.

President Brian adjourned the meeting promptly at 1:30 pm.

This Bulletin was written by Jim Hinton.
Your Bulletin Editor: Jim Valinoti

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STANDBY BULLETIN WRITERS ARE:
John PALMER & Tom LAENGLE

Changes or comments?

Contact Jim Valinoti at valinoti@sonic.net or (707) 829-2300.

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