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  Before the Bell
Halftime is over in the "Year of Rick Wilson" Bowl. The first half was marked by exciting plays, nonstop action, and no unsportsmanlike conduct. We now await the second half and expect more thrills, no unnecessary roughness and maybe a few Hail Marys.
 
 
  At the Bell
 
Past President Aleia Coate was brought front and center to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Keller McDonald, noting that we live in a beautiful place, led the group in song with a rendition of America the Beautiful.
 
 
Past President Ron Puccinelli shared these thoughts for the day:
 
From Will Rogers –
“Be thankful that we're not getting all the government we're paying for."
 
From Beth Brooke –
“Success is fine but success is fleeting.  Significance is lasting."
 
And finally –
“When the past calls, let it go to voicemail, believe me, it has nothing new to say."
 
 
  Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
Bud Daveiro introduced four visiting Rotarians, all from the Wednesday morning Sebastopol Sunrise club.
 
 
They were Brian Bauer, Nick Randall, Patrick Laherty, and Michael McGlothliln.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael took the microphone to thank all of the club members who helped the Sunrise Club put on the Christmas Day Community Dinner. Hundreds of Sebastopol residents turned out for the feast.
 
He also announced that the Sunrise Club is putting on a Mardi Gras/Casino Night fundraiser on February 20. Mark your calendars today and plan to be at the Sebastopol Community Center that night for a wild time.
 
Bob Cugini introduced his wife Julie and special assistant Willie.
 
Katy Spyrka introduced our exchange student Bruna. Bruna was given the microphone and asked if anyone is interested in having some entertaining company with a funny accent, she is available.  Let's get Bruna out more and have her to dinner - or take her out for an event.  Let's do this.
 
 
 
Harvey Henningsen introduced Chris Smith - famous scribe for the Appleknocker's competition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
President Rick fined Jack Dunlap $10 for failing to introduce his wife Ruth.
 
 
 
 
  Announcements
 
The Sebastopol Community Center - a terrific resource in our community - is getting a new floor. The old one is really BAD and needs replacing. Head Honcho Jim Pacatte will be directing a crew of volunteers to complete the task the week of January 11-15. If you are inclined to help and learn something about flooring - join the fun. Contact Diana Rich or Jim.
 
Danny and Christina, our extraordinary caterers were summoned from the kitchen and given a standing ovation.  President Rick announced that Danny has been promoted in the company and will not be working with us in the future.  Good Luck, Danny.
 
Teacher of the Year nominations are open and will be accepted until January 29, 2016 when the committee led by Sally Ewald will review the applications and select the winners.  Details and nomination forms are available at Sebastopol-Rotary-Education-Foundation.org.
 
Linda Irving, Superintendent of Sebastopol Schools, came to the microphone to thank the club for its continued support of the Read to Me program.  The tutor program has assisted students and teachers since 1998, providing countless hours of volunteer work.  Many of the students in local schools are considered English learners and can certainly use the extra assistance with something as important as reading.
 
President Rick acknowledged the Adopt a Family project.  This year 27 families with a combined 81 children felt the beneficence of the Sebastopol Rotary club and the Interacters.  Dan Rasmus and Pauline Pellini were singled out for special recognition.  Thanks Dan and Pauline.
 
President Rick and Greg Jacobs invite club members to get involved in Learn to Swim again this year.  To date we have shown 9,760 Sebastopol second graders how to be safe in and around the water. This year's season will be April 18 to May 12.  Help is needed.
 
Edwin and Diana Wilson are putting together a special club meeting on February 5 entitled Queen of Hearts Luncheon.  I am guessing this might have something to do with Valentine's Day [or get-out-of-jail card for Superbowl fans –Ed.]  Look out for an eVite and plan to bring your special person and enjoy the day.  Please RSVP with Edwin and Diana so they can get a count.  Also, send them photos for a montage they are working on - PG-13 only please.
 
Crab Feed Cancelled
It was with great regret that President Rick announced that the CRAB FEED 2016 has been cancelled.  As stated by President Rick- there are times when you can't fight Mother Nature and this is one. 
 
Alternatives were discussed among the Board, the Committee, the Founders and all of the brain trust and the decision was made to cancel.  The Rotary Club of Sebastopol is known for having THE BEST Crab Feed in Northern California so it was decided that we must not jeopardize the brand we have established over the years. Other fund raising methods are being discussed but none has been finalized at this writing. 
 
Rookie Sketch
 
Green Badger Hal Kwalwasser took the podium for his five minute rookie sketch that soon approached Frank Mayhew-like length. Fortunately, we were able to learn quite a bit about HalHal is from New York and took perverse pride in the fact that he went to pre school with Donald Trump
 
Leaving New York for school at Swarthmore- he became a lawyer and found himself in Los Angeles.  Alas, he was not the attorney to the stars, but worked with agriculture interests and found out where Sanger, Reedley and Dinuba were on the map. 
 
By some stroke of luck, his Yale law school classmates named Bill and Hillary made it big and Hal soon found himself in government service serving as General Counsel to the military among other positions.  He has since dabbled in politics as a consultant and writer. 
 
He and his wife Estele recently became West County residents living near the Russian River.  He looks forward to working with everyone in the club. [and sharing his Scotch collection along with fresh Haggis – Ed.]
 
Recognition
 
Tom Lambert recently vacationed at Crystal Cove in Southern California.  This primitive coastal camp has existed for years and the rest of the world has passed it by.  One of the signs was for restrooms and pointed to the Ocean.  That is primitive.  Tom was fined a mere $15.
 
 
 
The Raffle
Lucky Brad Benedetti hit it big last time so the odds went back to seven to one.  Pauline Pellini had her number called but failed to pull the winning ACE.  The odds are slightly better than the Powerball but the payout is somewhat less.
 
Speakers
Jan 15, 2016
 
Jan 22, 2016
 
Jan 29, 2016
 
Feb 05, 2016
 
Feb 12, 2016
 
Feb 19, 2016
 
Feb 26, 2016
 
Mar 04, 2016
 
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Sebastopol Rotary Club 2015-2016 Board Meeting
Rick's house
Jan 12, 2016 5:30 PM
 
Sebastopol Rotary Club 2015-2016 Board Meeting
Rick's house
Feb 09, 2016 5:30 PM
 
Rotary Club of Sebastopol-Crab Feed
Holy Ghost Society Hall
Feb 13, 2016
4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
 
Sebastopol Rotary Club 2015-2016 Board Meeting
Rick's house
Mar 08, 2016 5:30 PM
 
Programs
Senator Mike McGuire - California's Second Senate District
Barbara Beedon introduced Mike McGuire California State Senator for the 2nd District.  Mike is no stranger to public speaking but unlike some politicians, according to Barbara, when people talk, he listens.  He has been a Rotarian in Healdsburg for 10 years.
 
Senator McGuire represents a huge geographic district - from Sonoma to the Oregon Border.  He is the only Democrat to represent a largely rural district with many agricultural interests and finds it necessary and productive to work across the aisle with his Republican colleagues.  He gave a lightening round review of the new State Budget and he was very positive.  Revenues are up, up, up.  Corporate taxes the highest in a generation.  Personal income taxes - up.  Property taxes, you're right, they are up too.
 
Faced with one of the more pleasant tasks in politics, the elected representatives now have to decide what to do with all of the $$$.
 
Education is priority one. California had slipped from number 49 in per pupil spending to number 50 falling behind good old Mississippi.  We are now in a position to break out of the number 50 spot and bring our position to 27.  Progress.  The rainy day fund will also get a sizable chunk of cash to position the State in case of another downturn.  Career training will be boosted for the 70% of California high school students who won't graduate from college.
 
Senator McGuire is realistic about the problems and potential benefits of medical marijuana.  His district includes Humboldt, Lake and Trinity counties which account for literally billions of dollars in marijuana production.  The business is largely unregulated and untaxed.  He wants to do something about this as well as address the environmental degradation occurring due to outlaw marijuana production.  He has authored a bill to address some of the issues.  He would also like to see the cigarette tax go from a national low of 87 cents a pack to something more reasonable, pointing out that Texas is double California and New York is over $4 per pack.
Read more...
Program for January 15, 2015
Program for January 22, 2016
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