Volume XX
Number 4

Tuesday
Feb. 24, 2004

BUYERS, DANCERS, GAMBLERS,
AND SPLITTERS
By Steve Yost

All of the above plus many more made up the 400 attendees at our annual winter ball.

CHICAGO , our theme for this year, was a tremendous success as Lisa Marie Andersen and Joel Toller and their energetic committee led the way on Saturday February 21^st to a fun filled, musical, fine dining, and money making for charity evening.

THE ENTRANCE - had three 1920-30 vintage cars parked outside, the entry way featured trombone jazz by Justin Talley, and a greeting by Charlie Chaplain. Partygoers then received their programs at the check in desk and migrated into the beautifully decorated TFE warehouse. Polly Keegan and her helpers had done a marvelous job in preparing the silent auction tables.

THE VOLUNTEERS - Frank Toller guided 49 volunteers thoughoutt the evening—some were spotters, some helped at check in and check out, one was a photographer, etc. Being a volunteer not only helps the event to run smoothly but also gives some people a chance to come who might not be able to otherwise.

FOREPLAY - Guests could mingle with each other, peruse the silent auction tables looking for a bargain, visit one of the bars to get a drink, play blackjack or shoot craps, or listen to the Johnny Smith group play Chicago like music. President Phil gave a short welcome speech. He thanked TFE, and particularly Bob Trinchero, for their support in the event.

THE DINNER - was created for our ball by Knickerbockers' Catering and was served to us at tables of ten. While dining, people could take time out to wander over to the silent auction tables or listen to the background music wafting through the building.

SURPRISE ...  SURPRISE - For the past few years at the end of dinner and before the main event Rotarians performed a Congo line winding amongst the tables, but this year Lisa Marie had a surprise. Local school music teacher Craig Bond had his young choral group sing to the gathering AND THEN a "fund in need" auction took place in which people were encouraged to raise their paddles to give $100—then $200—all the way up to one bidder at $5,000! In this way an astounding $29,000 was raised for Craig and his kids.

THE BUYERS - were out in force as the main event began with Auctioneer Fritz Hatton at the helm. At times quiet and at times frantic the bidding went on as groups of people formed their own little cartels to get the desired prize. The four top money makers were:

BLAKEWELL AND VOWELL
By Father Mac

There was a buzz in the air, and the excitement was palpable on the last gathering of the Club before the Winter Ball. Tim Doran led the pledge, Steve Yost offered an invocation and thus we began our February 16^th.

Phil Toohey Club President

Bill Word and Alston Hayne set to the all important task of inducting two new members into our ever growing Rotary International Fellowship. John Vowell, sponsored by Joel Toller, is in the field of Wealth Management with Merrill Lynch. John confessed to a community ethic of "giving until it feels good" which he shares with his wife, Susan. Our second inductee was Willis Blakewell. Willis was sponsored by Mike Smith and works in the field of winery operations. These are both great guys and our Club is delighted to welcome them aboard. President Toohey promptly fined each of them the traditional fifty bucks which they can pay down in business cards from other members. Congratulations John and Willis!

There were a barrage of announcements, a majority of them pertaining to the Winter Ball. Jake Scheideman gave a brief report on what is happening with the housing project in Nicaragua. His work there continues to inspire us all.

Kathleen Patterson gave voice to the wonderful experience that was had by all who attended the Valentines Day event at the CIA. Thanks to Rose Camp for putting that together.

Dave Brotemarkle

Dave Brotemarkle spoke highly of our Rotary Interact Club and their significant contribution to Project Amigo during their nine day mission to Mexico. Among the students making the trip was none other than Dave's own daughter, Caitland.

Chuck Meibeyer advertised for chef teams for the cooking event on April 25th. This year's event stands to be very successful and Chuck wanted everybody to know about and participate in it.

Alan Fowler wants to update the Rotary Photo Roster, so if you have NOT had your picture taken by Alan, be in touch with him.

Rex Stults mentioned the Savor St. Helena party and said that rather than waiting in a long line to get the 25$ tickets this year, you can simply pick them up ahead of time at the Chamber itself.

Andy Bartlett, tireless on the Rotary Exchange program, announced the upcoming Brazilian Connection. There will be students coming to us from Brazil and one of ours going there. Andy has found two homes for these students and needs only one more. If you have an interest in hosting one of these students, give Andy a call.

Kathleen Patterson announced that in the newest publication of the District Rotary Roster, space will be provided for people to advertise their business cards and for 35$ you can have a space.

The raffle went quickly, Dale Smith won the opportunity to pick the magic marble with little success, so the pot sweetens. We were then on to the program.
 

PAUL KRSEK
2004 STATE OF THE ECONOMY

Paul Krsek

Homeboy Paul Krsek, Banking, Investments and Publishing, treated us all to his annual presentation on investing in today's markets. This year, he gave a brief history of this annual offering, and it was interesting for me to find out that this was part of Paul's professional life before even coming to St. Helena, which he did in 1990. He did these for the Angeles Corporation beginning in 1983 to the clients of that company, and simply went from there to his first Craft Talk to our Club in 1990.

I won't give all the details of Paul's predictions for the economy for 2004, they are well documented in his firm's publication 'Illuminations" a copy of which was handed out to everyone. If you understand what's happening in China, and even know what 'reflation' means, you're on the right track.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Mac+

Coming Programs Every Tuesday Feb 24 Gary Lieberstein State of the County Mar 2 Servaas Mes Somatic Health Mar 9 Roger Robinson Running in Literature Mar 16 Doug Ernst St. Helena Star Mar 23 Andy Bartlett Rotary Interact Mar 30 Rex Stults Leadership Napa Valley Coming Events April 17 District Assembly Eureka June 17 - 20 District Conference Santa Rosa Birthdays Feb 1 Jake Scheideman Feb 6 Rudolph Papale Feb 7 Andy Bartlett Feb 7 Nick Bermudez Feb 7 Bob Lamborn Feb 22 Joel Toller Feb 26 Michael Njo Feb 26 Mike Smith Wedding Anniversaries Feb 2 Ed Beard (Janice) Feb 18 Rudolph Papale (Catherine) Feb 24 Charles Bailey (Frangee) Club Anniversaries Feb 1, 1980 Robert Gregory Feb 1, 1990 Hendrik Smeding Feb 2, 1993 Linda Beard-Delucchi Feb 2, 1993 Gary Delucchi Feb 12, 2002 Dick Osborn Feb 12, 2002 Mike Smith Feb 22, 2000 Gary Jaffe Feb 26, 2002 Miles Metzger Feb 26, 1991 Bob Trinchero Feb 29, 2000 Joel Toller

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE
By Steve Yost

Have you ever asked yourself how to make a torte?

Kathleen Patterson

Well, 50 or so Rotarians learned how to do it when we visited the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) on Friday the 13^th of February, a day ahead of St. Valentines Day. We were led by Kathleen Patterson who made the arrangements with the folks at the CIA and so we arrived around 4 PM where we were treated to wine and goodies before we enjoyed the classroom demonstration on the making of the chocolate torte. Of course, we got some of the finished product to nibble on after the talk was over.

Then we broke into smaller groups and were taken on an extensive tour of the facilities. Most of us were awed by the magnitude and sophistification of the equipment. We are truly lucky to live in a place that has organizations such as the CIA.

Steve Carbone, Tim Doran, John Sales, and Steve Yost and respective spouses/significant others were lucky enough to dine at a table for 8 in a small alcove of the Greystone Dining Room after the event ended.

Thank you, Kathleen!

Steve Carbone Tim Doran John Sales Steve Yost

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