newsletter

{FirstName} -

Apologies for a late Viewpoint....editor in Greece, reporter overworked and photographer on leave!

Russell opens the meeting.
Forrest leads the flag pledge.

Quote for the Day from Rickie Roark:

"Give me your tired, your poor, ridckie

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
By Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty whom, by the way if she were a real lady, Rickie believes would be a great Rotarian.

Guests:

Al Kaplan, Petaluma Rotary
Carol York, Bank of Marin
John Jackson, Argus Courier
Suzanne Dunlop
Steve Alston, SRJC

jan

Presentations

60 Second Rotary Moments
Jan Mandrell:
"Each choice we make causes a ripple effect in our lives. It is our reaction that determines the outcome. I was a Rotarian the day I was born. I knew that making good choices could have impact on others in a positive way and bring positive changes to the community would create the difference between sorrow for some and happiness for others. I wanted to be part of the latter by being part of a group such as Rotary who were dedicated to others and whose love of life was contagious. I am a Rotarian because I believe: I believe we as a group can make a difference; I believe it is important to help those less fortunate than myself; I believe each person is unique and has something to offer others and there is strength in numbers; I believe it is important to love what you do and work towards a common goal with people you love and respect; I believe in community service above self. That is why I am a proud Rotarian."

Russell F: of the last 30 yrs, vividly remembers start of Polio Plus program in Los Vegas.
Kevin Downey: loves Rotary for the people in Rotary.
Bob Hill: also loves Rotary for the people.
Debra Matteri. loves the people and ability give back to community especially via the Junior Achievement program.

Deni Gross earns her blue badge. Congrats!

Announcements

Get your membership surveys in to Dave Johnson.

Youth Exchange Report: Terry Bryant
Three Petaluma clubs sponsored the exchange student dinner and a San Francisco day for the students- they had a great time. Thanks to Debbie Chapman for hositing the dinner!

Oct 14 Rotary Walks- Steam Landing 8:30am. (Which was a great success), here are photos of the Walk on the 21st.
walks2

Oct 14        Foundation Dinner and Dancing at Sheraton/Raffle Tickets
Oct 21        OKTOBERFEST, 5-10pm. Sell tickets!
Oct 24        Special Board/Trustee Meeting 7:30am Sunrise Living
Oct 26     SCARC Santa Rosa 6pm Cattlemens
Oct 27    First Friday, 2nd Annual Bowling World Championship: PVR vs Interact Challenge in costume.

Sunshine and Showers

John Strong is in Sacramento for Parkinsons surgery, is ahead of schedule, and is doing very well. Send him your prayers.

Connie is scheduled for bypass surgery. Send her your prayers.

Friendly Fines

Kathy Flynn celebrates her birthday.

Russell R. celebrates wife, son, and his grape harvest. Ok....that is not Russell......but it is his lovely wife.

Walt gets gigged for attempting to steal the gavel last week.

Raffle:

$371 pot- Lori draws but alas no luck. Austin gets the $10.

Guest Speaker

Dietrich Stroeh and his book " The Man Who Made It Rain"

Mr. Stroeh is from the board of Marin Water District and his book describes the situation during the California drought years 1977-1978. If you were around then, you may recall water rationing, bricks in toilets, 3 gallon car washes, and devastated dried out lawns.

Mr. Stroeh describes occurences in Marin during the drought, including one Saulcilito wharf restauranteur Sally Stanford who closed the mens room to conserve to meet her $2500 allotment, and a lively political back story of how a request for $10 million dolllars to build the EBMUD water pipeline across the Richmond bridge turned into $350 million federal dollars for emergency drought funding for the western states!

Droughts are a regular occurrence in the California environment. The last big one was at the end of the 1800s and lasted five years resulting in a lot of cattle deaths. Scientists use tree ring records to document historical drought periods the longest of which lasted 30 years! The implications of this is critical since it is estimated that about the year 2025, California's population water needs will exceed the existing water supply especially in todays political climate where less dams are being built due to environmental, fishery, and agricultural limitations. Mr Stroeh emphasized the need for a single master water entity for western states- there is enough water, we just need to move it around properly. With over 6000 water entities now, it's a distribution nightmare. Unless there are changes, water may well be the new oil.

Great meeting, have a great week!