Volume XXII
Number 3

Tuesday
Feb. 7, 2006

Coming Programs Every Tuesday Feb 7 President Bill Word "Winter Ball 2006" Feb 14 Dark – Valentine's Day Lunch (John Sales) Feb 21 Joanne Yates "Paws for Healing" Coming Events Feb 25, '06 Winter Ball "Come to Morocco" Sutter Home Warehouse 5:30 p.m. Moroccan Dress or Black Tie April 1, '06 District Assembly College of the Redwoods Fortuna, CA May 19-21, '06 District Conference Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa Kelseyville, CA Birthdays Feb 1 Jake Scheideman Feb 6 Rudy Papale Feb 7 Nick Bermudez Feb 22 Joel Toller Feb 26 Mike Smith Wedding Anniversaries Feb 2 Ed Beard (Janice) Feb 18 Rudy Papale (Catherine) Club Anniversaries Feb 1, 1980 Robert Gregory Feb 1, 1990 Hendrik Smeding Feb 2, 1993 Linda Beard-Delucchi Feb 12, 2002 Dick Osborn Feb 12, 2002 Mike Smith Feb 15, 2005 Bob Graham Feb 17, 2004 Willis Blakewell Feb 22, 2000 Gary Jaffe Feb 26, 2002 Miles Metzger Feb 26, 1991 Bob Trinchero

State of the City
By Gene Armstead
 

January 31, 2006. Today's meeting was graced by the presence of former St. Helena - and current Calistoga - Rotarian Norm Manzer, plus several esteemed guests.

CAROL SOBCZAK

STEVE YOST

POLLY KEEGAN

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Carol Sobczak reminded members of the up-coming Valentine's Day luncheon, which will be held this year on Valentine's Day, for an interesting change. It will be at the CIA, and the Calistoga Rotary Club will join us for the luncheon meeting. Husbands, wives and significant others are all invited to attend, but advance reservations are necessary. Carol passed around a sign-up sheet. If you want to attend and didn't sign-up, either do it on 2/7 or let Carol know really soon.

Steve Yost suggested that as a Fellowship activity, members attend en masse an afternoon baseball game, the date to be determined. It will probably be in late April or in May. Steve asked for a non-binding show of interest. If you are interested and didn't indicate that at the meeting, let Steve know.

Suzan Rada announced that the previously announced ski trip has been postponed and that it probably will happen in March.

Polly Keegan brought a supply of posters for the Winter Ball, for those members who have access to a window or other display place. If you didn't get one but have a place for it, call Polly.

Carol Sobczak announced that she will be sending in the attendance report to International soon, so she would like to have all make-ups turned in to her. If you have attended a meeting for which you want to claim a make-up, let her know really soon. She doesn't necessarily receive attendance lists from various committee meetings that may qualify.

Joel Toller still needs about ten volunteers for the Winter Ball. If you can volunteer, see Joel.

State of the City  ... Continued
 

BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

President Bill announced that the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team from Argentina will be in the Napa Valley in late April. See Bill if you want more information. Bill also announced that the District Assembly will be in Fortuna on April 1. This will be of particular interest to in-coming officers and Board members. President Bill further announced the District Conference will be held at the Konocti Resort. More details will be available soon at www.rotary5130.org.

FINE MASTER / BELL RINGERS:
GARY JAFFE

GARY JAFFE

Gary Jaffe's request for bellringers was responded to by Frank Toller, Alan Fowler, Kathy Patterson, Rob Andreae, Suzan Rada, Tim Coon, Bill Word and Rudy Papale, and all had confessions of much too personal a nature to report here. Fine Master Jaffe then proceeded to assess exorbitant fines for the most trivial of transgressions and lapses in knowledge against Doug Ernst, Joice Beatty, Steve Carbone, Servaas Mes and yours truly . The last of these was particularly cruel and undeserved.

PROGRAM:  THE STATE OF THE CITY – BERT JOHANSSON

BERT JOHANSSON City Manager

The program for the day was our own member and City Manager Bert Johansson, bringing us up-to-date on the state of the City. Bert reported on the flooding that occurred recently, and noted that although the river got to apparently record levels, actual flood damage was slight. Once reason, he said, was that the extraordinarily high river levels were being reported from a gauge near the Zinfandel Bridge, rather than one near the Pope Street Bridge, where they historically have been reported. It seems the State failed to let the City know about the change in automatic reporting stations. He said, though, that if the river had risen another four inches at Vineyard Valley, it would have been a real big problem. It was unusual this year that it was the river on the east side of Vineyard Valley that threatened, not water from the vineyards to the north.

Bert reminded us that St. Helena is the only really full-service city in Napa County. All the other cities contract out services or rely on special districts for some of their services. Bert let it slip that sales tax, property tax and transient occupancy taxes comprise about 42% of total City revenues, and 73% of the General Fund. Overall, the City's budget for expenditures is $24,818,899 this year. Of that, $7,011,709 are from the General Fund; the rest are all from either restricted (e.g. grants) or enterprise (water, sewer) funds.

Bert was followed by Fire Chief Kevin Twohey, who asked for support for a Neighborhood Watch program in St. Helena. He noted that in light of recent crimes reported against individuals in St. Helena, and the fact that residents probably don't know their neighbors like they used to, it would be good for everyone to get to know their neighbors better. He said that he is looking for volunteers to work with him, and that he also needs a couple of hundred dollars for printing expenses to get Neighborhood Watch going.

President Bill rang the bell at 1:30, ending the meeting.

Rotary International Foundation:
Paul Harris Fellow Induction
By Polly Keegan

January 24, 2006. We had a wonderful program today. Elaine John, Kelly Crane and District Foundation Chairman Cameron Reeves were on hand to provide an overview of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, and to induct eight Paul Harris Fellows. The mission of the Rotary Foundation is to support the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs. Our club has a lifetime total of 140 Paul Harris Fellows, and 8 benefactors. Our all time Giving as a club stands at $198,803 (not including bequest pledges).

Kelly Crane presented slides describing the International Foundation Structure, which is divided into two types:

• An Annual Programs Fund that includes such programs as Paul Harris Fellows, the Polio Fund, various scholarships, peace programs, and disaster relief. The goal is to have every Rotarian contribute every year to support the Annual Program Fund. Currently, our club's goal is $125 per member per year. Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to anyone who reaches a cumulative contribution of $1,000 or more. Multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to each additional contribution. Major Donor recognition is given to anyone who contributes cumulatively $10,000 or more to the Annual Fund.
   
• A Permanent Fund that is an endowment, and includes provisions in one's will or other estate plan benefiting the Rotary Foundation's Permanent Fund, or anyone giving an outright donation of at least $1,000 to the Permanent Fund. Permanent Funds are not spent – endowment earnings support the growth of foundation programs. Money that is in the permanent Fund is split in two ways:

o 50% goes to the World Fund

o 50% goes to the District Designated Fund
     (DDF)

By making a gift through your will, a bequest directed to the Rotary Foundation's Permanent Fund, you continue to support Rotary's future. Bequests can be made as a percentage of your estate, as a specific amount, as a residual (all or a percentage of remaining estate after debts, taxes, and other liabilities have been paid, or as a contingent bequest, made only under certain conditions. Gifts to the Permanent Fund of $10,000 or more qualify Rotarians for membership to The Bequest Society. If a bequest totals $25,000 or more, you can establish a named fund within the Permanent Fund.

Elaine John reminded us that there is a distinction between the International Rotary Foundation, and our own local Rotary Foundation, which was established about 12 years ago for the purpose of allocating the local monies that we raise from the Winter Ball and other fundraising projects to focus on local community projects

Paul Harris Fellow Induction  ... Continued
 

Elaine John, joined by Cameron Reeves, past District Governor in 1995-96, presented medals and plaques to this year's new and multiple Paul Harris Fellows:

• Al Albright
• Tony Albright
• Craig Anderson, his 2^nd award
• Andy Bartlett, his 3^rd award established as a memorial to Ted Owens, the father of Andy's wife Roz
• Nick Bermudez
• Father Mac
• Norm Mitroff
• Rex Stults

Denise and Phil Toohey, and Steve Carbone, who could not be present, will also be recognized and receive their awards at a future meeting.
 

GUESTS:

Carol Sobczak's guest was Ellen Eshelby, firm Administrator at Coombs and Dunlap.

Stephanie Johnson's guest was Karen Lucia of Wells Fargo

Al Albright's guest was his wife Marilyn

Tony Albright's guest was Michael Branham of Message Creations
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ROB ANDREAE

Rob Andreae noted that the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce at their annual dinner last Saturday evening honored St. Helena Rotary with a plaque for CIVIC IMPROVEMENT, recognizing the Don Heydlauff Centennial Project organized by Rob and Jeff Epps. He noted also the awards – Certificates of Commendation – from both the State House of Representatives, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

ALSTON HAYNE

RAFFLE:

Alston Hayne won the black marble!!!!

Dick Rogers tried to auction off two Symphony tickets for February 14^th. Jonathan Briano was the winner.
 

BELLRINGERS:

Wendell Laidley happily announced that his wife Inger has successfully completed neck surgery! He pledged $50 .

Carol Sobczak pledged $100 – she passed the State exam to become a Legal Specialist in the area of Estate Planning.

Bert Johansson pledged $10, announcing that Diane Price has been named Napa County Judge, replacing Judge Snowdon.
 

Rotary Membership Moments

Week 32 – February 5 – 11, 2006   As part of your new member orientation process invite them to "shop" for a club committee.  This will give them a great education about what the club does and how it functions.  They will also meet more of their fellow members this way.  Encourage every member to be on at least two committees.  Remember an involved Rotarian stays a Rotarian Week 33 – February 12 – 18, 2006   Now is the time to have a social and invite the Rotary Partners.  Make something special of Valentines Day, be it a lunch, dinner or a social evening.  Rotary Partners and their support of Rotary are vital to our organization.  Show your appreciation for all the sharing they do of their Rotarian and also the time they spend working on Rotary projects. A special Happy Valentines to our Rotary Partners Week 34 – February 19-25, 2006  Have a classification hunt.  List all the classifications of the members that you have in your club today.  Look in the phone book and list those classifications that you don't have.  Form teams and make it a contest to see who can invite those classifications that are lacking to your next club meeting. Diversification of your club will make it a richer club. Go on a Treasure hunt for those new members

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