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Downtown Windsor, California

President Louie Capuano eloquently called the meeting to order.

Pledge:

Jim Benoit lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gary Lucas quoted Ross Perot as our moment of inspiration. Something about quitting on the 5 yard line.

Our Greeter:

Chuck Baker pulled double duty as Ticket Master and, covering for an absent Bill Fisher, introduced our seven visiting Rotarians.

Ticket Sales:

Did I mention that Chuck Baker was the Ticket Master? He did a splendid job.

Guests:

Dale Sipe introduced his very charming and remarkably healthy wife, Teddy. She mentioned to the bulletin writer that she was VERY happy to be here.

This time, Ed Burr introduced his “father” Bob Marigo!

Jim Valinoti introduced his good friend & fellow Viet Nam Vet Mark Wesson.

In addition to being an ER nurse at Petaluma Valley Hospital, Mark is also an active Civil War re-enactor who has traveled to Gettysburg to participate in large battles there....(a program here?)

PDG John Withers introduced two former members, Cal Kimes and Gary Leopold.

Caption the picture! OK, let's have some fun! Here’s an interesting photograph taken by our ace Mike Hammer (hmmm, does that date me?) Bob Harris. Can you come up with a clever caption? If so, I will include this photo again....Oh, and I did I mention that there is something in it for you? Yep! It will be a bottle of award winning wine! So! What’s your pleasure? Red or White? Email me those captions!

Announcements:

President Louie reminded us that we are dark on August 11 because we are all supposed to attend the meeting of Santa Rosa clubs on August 15 at the Flamingo. A sign up sheet was circulated.

Harry Rubins said that Pinot for Polio is next Sunday, August 10 at the Luther Burbank Center. This event is being organized by 17 Rotary Clubs and will include over 25 wineries and 25 food vendors. Should be a good time for a very worthy cause.

There will be 34 golfers and 12 additional dinner guests this Friday at the annual golf tournament according to Jeff Ray.

John Meislahn told us there will be a crab feed meeting next Monday, August 11 at noon at Ed Burr’s office (1235 North Dutton), with lunch provided. Bring your good ideas

Our Exchange Student from France, Sarah Castelean, will be arriving this week to take up residence initially with the Nowacki’s. They will need a two-week substitute family in October to cover a previously planned trip.

There will be a Board meeting August 12 at 11:45 at Josef’s.

Recognition:

One of our guests, Santa Rosa Downtowner Ted Wilmsen, who has some familiarity with the Geysers operation, was queried by our President, who also has some familiarity with same, to explain why there was an earthquake in that region. The explanation was handled in a similar fashion as one might expect from a California politician. We did not get a straight answer but we were to be convinced that it certainly wasn’t their ‘fault’. And, of course, we didn’t get any money out of either of them. Sound familiar?

Then Pres. Louie started to roam with the traveling microphone.

First hit was *Jim Sullivan for noting that his winemaking son was published which cost Jim $20.

Pete Lamonica was fined $10 for catching three king salmon in Alaska.

Phil Talamantes paid $10 for chairing his 50th class reunion at Petaluma High School.

And $10 each from

Marci Pierce for buying a new Volvo; Gil Lucas for being misrepresented in the press for ‘prizes’ which he had to pay for anyway;

Joe Perez for correcting the President on the proper use of a traveling microphone;

Ginny Pitts for going to New Orleans with her mom to see the dollies (hey, I don’t make this stuff up) and for having a birthday on the 22nd.

Robin Marrs (who, by the way, has been leaving for France for wha? 8-10 months now? -Ed) went backpacking, took a side trip to Oregon, and his wife had a birthday last month - so that was worth $20.

Carson Mitchell shed $20 for no particular crime that he could think of at the moment.

And finally, Pat Stohl got his blue badge for $5.

Raffle:

Harry Rubins tried to pick the right marble and couldn’t. PDG John Withers won the bottle of wine.

Program:

Susan Nowacki introduced Windsor Town Manager Paul V. Berlant who has been with Windsor for approximately five years and seems to be enjoying his stay there.

Here are some highlights of his presentation:

Windsor has a 150 year old history. The original downtown was on the east side of the freeway along Old Redwood Highway and 2nd Street. Devastating fires and business migration after World War II contributed to Windsor’s decline.

The city was granted a charter approximately 11 years ago. The Community decided to develop a downtown center on the west side of the freeway. A redevelopment project area was established in 1984. Windsor River Road was improved from ’92 to ‘96.

In 1996, Windsor acquired the old school property as a civic center. They had some financial help from the Open Space District. Two acres of excess property was sold to Orin Theissen for development. The area is in the process of providing mixed-use complexes that include businesses downstairs and living units (condominiums) upstairs. These facilities are located around the ‘Town Green,’ which accommodates a variety of events throughout the year. The city has planned an inter-modal transit station at the intersection of Windsor River Road and River Road. Windsor is trying to attract a major hotel for the area.

There is a wealth of information available at: www.ci.windsor.ca.us

Yours truly in Bulletin Reporting, Bill Dodson		Yours truly in Bulletin Editing, Jim Valinoti (Boy! We must have a pretty smart Club Service Director to assign a guy who is an architect, and visionary City Planning pro to do the bulletin when we have a City Planner as our guest speaker - Ed J)

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Changes or comments?

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

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