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Tanglewood Comes to Sonoma County

President (and wanna be King) Louis brought the masses into line with a rap on the Rotary Bell, and reminded us that we are “the best club in the world with the best members in the world.”

Pledge

Ginny Pitts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Rotary Moment:

Gary Lucas administered this year’s shortest Rotary Moment.

Visiting Rotarians

Bob Zeni introduced visiting Rotarians. Bob felt that they must have been having a good program this week at Santa Rosa club since there was only a handful of visitors.

Returning Secretary? Retired Secretary Fred Zmarzly spelled Janet for today’s meeting. Thanks Fred!

Announcements

John Meislahn, Full Service Banker (see below) and Crab Feed Chair, announced that 518 persons contributed to a gross income of some $85,000. President Louis, showing that he really didn’t mean it when he said he wanted to be king, drew his own raffle ticket for the Baja cruise, and in a fit of generosity gave it back, accepting instead a packet of vouchers and discounts, the first of which was from the now defunct Acupulco Restaurant.

President Louis thinks it gave new meaning to the term “full service banker” when, at the end of the Crab Feed evening just locking up the building, John Meislahn was called upon to assist in the birth of a new life in the fairgrounds parking lot. They train you for everything now, eh John? Mother and baby are doing fine! Congratulations to all concerned.

(We were once again graced by the presence of our exchange student from France, Sara Castellain. Sara gave us an update on some of the more recent activities in which she has participated; a week long stay with Jeff and Cheryl Ray (which included expert ski lessons from downhill ace, Jeff) and trips to both Tahoe and Shasta to use those newly honed skills –Ed J)

President Louis announced that 18 persons attended the recent meeting of the Rotaract Club, and 14 are listed as charter members. Amy Free, Acting President, is a former RYLA student and member of Interact. Alicia Todd Kantor, 25, a paralegal at Rivkin Radler law firm, and a law school graduate studying for the bar exam, is Acting Vice-President.

The Sonoma County Association of Rotary Clubs will meet Thursday, January 29 in Healdsburg. Any interested in attending contact President Louis or Secretary Janet for info.

Rotary International President, Jonathan B. Majiyagbe, will speak in San Francisco on February 13. Tickets are $50. Anyone interested in attending contact Chuck Stark who is also arranging for a van.

Craft Talk

Cal Kimes may be a “red badge,” but he is no stranger to Santa Rosa West Rotary, being a former member. Cal’s families have been full-time residents of Sonoma County since the 1840s. Cal grew up on a dairy farm in the Sebastopol area and went to Analy High School. After falling asleep milking a cow, being kicked and ending up in the muck, it was then that he decided to become an accountant! Cal is a partner in Pisenti & Brinker.

Recognition

President Louis once again came down to walk amongst the “little people” and visited his mercies on several.

Marv Hyman was fined $20 just because, but in true Marv form, he upped the ante to $100. Marv is never in for less than a Franklin!

Gary Daniels, whose donations netted $7000 for the Crab Feed, was recognized with thanks from President Louis and the membership. Thanks, Gary!

Bob Harris and Jim Valinoti - the “Hawaii guys” - were visited $20 each, bleeding hearts or not, for vacationing on Maui and missing the Crab Feed. Bob tested his cell phone for salt-water immersion – no, it doesn’t work. He wasn’t fined for that spiffy new Canon EOS Rebel digital camera, however - an egregious oversight!

Bob Marigo was recognized for upstaging President Louis in announcing the generous donation of Gary Daniels. (Bob’s sidekick and frequent traveling buddy, Mike Moore, just buried his head in his hands....all that etiquette coaching went for naught ? Oh, and it doesn’t pay to take away the President’s thunder, $5 Bob! –Ed J)

Mike Moore was visited for $50, the exact number of years he celebrated on Crab Feed day. He can’t be that old – all that hair! Happy Birthday, Mike!

Bill Gittins volunteered for a $10 hit in celebration of the birth of his second grandson this past weekend.

Rich Pratt if fresh back from Northstar in his brand new Audi Quattro. Northstar gives discounts to those superannuated, so he could afford the $20 recognition.

Jim Valinoti was recognized for $5 to help celebrate his recent birthday.

PDG Mike Merrill was fined $15 since his guest makes it to more meetings than he.

Jim Benoit thanked the ladies of Inner Wheel and lots of other people who worked hard on the Crab Feed raffle.

Ginny Pitts squealed on Ken Kushnir, who is driving a new Ford Expedition. No fine, gas guzzler or otherwise, from Pres. Louis, who drives similar wheels. Professional courtesy.

“Von” Von der Mehden contributed 10 bucks in celebration of his 74 birthday on the 27th. Rosie does a great job of keeping him looking young, dontcha think?

Raffles

Visiting Rotarian Barbara De Oddone got the chance to pull the black marble, one of six, to claim the $750 prize, and she did it! Congratulations, Barbara! Check’s in the mail.

Program

The Green Music Center

	Ken Prouty introduced guest speaker, Stewart Young, Vice President of Development at Sonoma State University. Stewart presented a model of the proposed facility and photographs of the Tanglewood auditorium after which the Green Music Center is modeled.

The central auditorium has a seating capacity of 1400 persons, but in summer months the doors can be opened to the grass amphitheater with seating for an additional 3,000 to 10,000 persons.

Funding for the Green Center was initiated by a donation by the Green family of $10 million, followed by donations of over 1200 persons. Stewart stated that it would be announced shortly that the funding goal has been met and the project will be out for bid by the end of the month. April 6 is the date for the bid opening with a goal of starting construction in June 2004 for completion in early Summer 2006.

Your Bulletin Reporter, Chuck Baker		Your Bulletin Editor, Jim Valinoti

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Changes or comments?

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

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