Volume XXII
Number 12

Tuesday
August 22, 2006

Coming Programs Every Tuesday Aug 22 Tobias Rose-Stockwell "Human Translation (Village Water System) Aug 29 Ming Luke Youth Symphony Sept. 5 Gary Pitkin Drug Prevention Efforts For Children Sept. 12 Jessie Norris District 5130 Ambassadorial Scholarship Winner Coming Events Oct 14 Foundation Recognition Sheraton Sonoma County Petaluma, CA Birthdays July 16 Lisa Marie Andersen Aug 10 Jim Smith Aug 12 Charlotte Williamson Aug 18 Richard Shurtz Aug 19 Tim Doran Aug 28 Robert Hoffman Aug 28 Norman Mitroff Aug 29 Gary Jaffe Aug 29 Miles Metzger Wedding Anniversaries Aug 13 Robert Herrick (Sandy) Aug 14 David Rice (Charlotte) Aug 19 Douglas Durward (Amy Beth) Aug 23 Alan Fowler (Kathryn) Aug 27 Richard Rogers (Judie) Club Anniversaries Aug 1, 1989 Jeff Epps Aug 9, 2005 Ima Holcomb Aug 28, 2001 Tim Coon

LYDIA WILSON
and
LISA MARIE ANDERSEN
Getting to Know Ya!
By Doug Durward
 

CHUCK MEIBEYER

August 8, 2006. ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Ryan Collins Organ Donor Program will be starting again very soon. ( Jim Haslip)

On September 18, 2006, there will be a golf tournament for the hospital. (Paul Krsek)

In September or October, a croquet match will be scheduled at Meadowood. Interested persons should contact Paul Krsek.

Chuck Meibeyer has agreed to be Chair of the 2007 Winter Ball!

WILLIS BLAKEWELL

FINEMASTER: WILLIS BLAKEWELL

After accepting a joke bell ringer from Jeff Epps, finemaster Willis Blakewell said it would be a "long afternoon" for Mr. Epps. He kept his promise. Jeff Epps and Rob Andrae , by virtue of their being named St. Helena "Citizens of the Year," were both asked to rise and told that they would be the subject of the fine questions. How well did we do?

Phil Toohey mistakenly called Jeff Epps by the name Paul Krsek, which promptly led to a fine. Chuck Meibeyer didn't know their ages, but he later redeemed himself. Bill Word correctly guessed who would handle pressure better between the two (no consensus). Alan Fowler correctly guessed who of the two had a lower golf handicap, while Suzan Rada knew which one had more grandchildren. Ron Sculatti mistakenly thought it was Jeff Epps who enjoys gardening, but Joice Beatty knew who joined Rotary first (Jeff). Servaas Mes knew where Rob went to college and Dale Smith knew how long Rob had been married (28 years). Steve Yost (Steel Mill Products) knew Jeff used to work in Nicaragua, and finally, Rex Stults paid homage to Phil Toohey by just answering "Paul Krsek" as his answer to collect the final fine.

Lydia Wilson and Lisa Marie Andersen ...

In a change to the usual routine, members Lydia Wilson and Lisa Marie Andersen spoke to the club about their lives, their passions and their current endeavors.

Lydia Wilson

LYDIA WILSON

As the owner of the downtown Main Street establishment Marlowe & Company Jewellers, Lydia Wilson says she probably "works too hard, but that there always seems to be something to do!"

Lydia was born in Cupertino to one of the city's founding families. Her father was the mayor (and a Rotarian), and her mother was politically active as well. She grew up largely in Santa Cruz, but also traveled the world to places such as Africa, Russia and Europe; and she developed a strong sense of civic duty, and love and respect for other cultures. She admits she thought at one time that the only valid job for anyone was to work for a non-profit. Since then, she has learned that sharing her natural talent for art through her jewelry design, and teaching people about quality and workmanship, is a way of giving back as well.

A graduate of Cal (fine arts major), she spent some time pursuing toy design before she found her passion in goldsmithing school. She says jewelry is her "soul food" in that she finds inspiration in beauty and well-crafted items.

When thinking about a project she would like to lead for Rotary, she said she would like to take local privileged youths to work for Habitat for Humanity in Oakland or Richmond so that they could gain the advantage of an insight into the lives of people who are less privileged, and to give them a sense of how they can give back as well.

Lisa Marie Andersen  (that's with an "en")

LISA MARIE ANDERSEN

When asked to describe herself, she says "Rock Star" with a twinkle in her eye. Having sung in establishments all over the country and even here locally (musicals, fairs, 4th of July at the Veteran's Home, and with a rock band at Ana's Cantina), she has earned such a distinction. Of course, this would be short-selling the woman who has taught dance, spent time as a rafting guide, firefighter, Forest Service worker, museum curator, caterer, designer of restaurant concepts and wine lists, just to name a few.Married since 1999 to husband Scott (owner of Preferred Properties) who "swept her away to Napa Valley" and mother to Olivia, she came into Rotary with a flourish. When she mentioned she would be willing to help out with the Winter Ball in 2002, she was quickly inducted into the club. The next year she worked on the Winter Ball, and in 2004, she was the Co-chair. In 2005, she was the Chair of the Winter Ball. And while she had fun, she seems certain that she is now retired from the project.

Lisa spent her youth as a dancer and gymnast, having danced with the Oakland Ballet, the San Francisco Dance Theater, the Pleasant Hill Ballet and the Richmond Conservatory.  Although she had already ruled out dance as a career, Lisa was dealt a life-changing blow when she broke her back at age 13. As the doctor's advised her to wait as long as possible to have it fixed, it caused her tremendous pain until this year when she had a titanium backbone put in (how rock star!). While the doctors originally told her the injury would stop her from bearing a child, she proved them wrong. In fact, Lisa blushed slightly when recalling her joy at the news of her pregnancy that she announced it with a bellringer at about 2 weeks along.

Having spent 10 years as a National Sales Manager for a local winery, Lisa now is working as a consultant and with Grace Church in their property transitions.

District 5130 Calendar Update

Foundation Information Seminar - Saturday, August 12, 2006 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Attend this short and informative meeting to learn about the ins and outs of the Rotary Foundation. Foundation chairs and Presidents Elect are encouraged to attend but ALL are welcome. Come and bring your questions about OUR Foundation. Location is at the Cotati Police Station with light lunch provided. For more information contact Dale Knight dknight7045@sbcglobal.net.
 

Youth Exchange Raft Trip & Orientation - Friday,
August 25, 2006 (Location: Trinity River) Mandatory Orientation for all 2006-07 Inbound Exchange Students. Club YE Counselors, Host Families, and all available 2005-06 Rebound Exchange Students are highly encouraged to attend. For more complete information and registration forms, please visit the www.youthexchange5130.org website.

Foundation Recognition - Saturday, October 14, 2006 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Location: Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma) Watch for announcements in the near future and plan on attending this RECOGNITION event.

Youth Exchange San Francisco Trip - Friday, October 6-8, 2006 (Location: Petaluma & San Francisco) Mandatory event for all 2006-07 Inbound Youth Exchange Students. For more information, visit the www.youthexchange5130.org website.

Rotaplast Is Bringing Needed Relief
To Severely Disfigured Children

August 1, 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOHN SALES Club President 2006-2007

John Sales: Rotary Foundation Seminar, August 12, 2006, 9am to 2 pm, Cotati Police Station, lunch provided no cost. Come and learn about the Rotary Foundation, Annual Giving Grants, new rules, new paperwork, Group Study Exchange, Peace Fellows, Scholars & Alumni. Who should attend? President, President Elect, Foundation Chair, International Chair, New Members, Anyone & Everyone. Please RSVP to Dale Ann Knight, DGSC @ 707-838-3202 or dknight7045@sbcglobal.net.

John Sales: Lobster Dinner, Friday, September 8^th , 6-9pm, Napa County Fairgrounds Bar-B-Que Area. Priceless? No, just $65.00. All money raised to replace the roof on the Green Church. For information or tickets call 707-942-6724.

Joice Beatty : "Kick Polio out of Africa", Ghana's 2006 National Immunization Day & W. Africa project fair. October 29th through November 8^th.  This journey will be a landmark event in your Rotary career. Filled with accomplishment and high Rotary purpose, it will be one of the few remaining chances you have to give the two drops. 11 days only $3249. Price includes airfare.

Suzan Rada: Health & Fitness,

*Pedometers here with Rotary Logo, tracks steps taken per day---goal is 10,000/day
*Boot Camp starting August 14^th, 6 am, Crane Park, St. Helena. Cost is $300.00.

Phil Toohey: Wednesday, August 9^th, 6-8 pm, Round Table Discussions about "Irresistible Rotary", at Silverado Brewing Company.

PROGRAM:  Rotaplast Is Bringing Needed Relief To Severely Disfigured Children
By Stephanie Johnson

Photo courtesy of www.rotaplast.org

For more information please visit: www.rotaplast.org.

NEXTAID Brings New Energy to AIDS Relief

July 18, 2006

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DOUG ERNST

Doug Ernst updated everyone on the Relay for Life event being held in Calistoga September 16^th and 17^th , and challenged members to fund raise and beat the Calistoga Rotary club's earnings of $30,000 in 2005; our club only raised $2,300 in 2005. 

Joice Beatty announced the Northern California Commission on Aging was meeting in St. Helena at the Fire House. 

Paul Krsek is our "Golf Chair" for 2006 – 2007 and is actively putting together foursomes. 

ROB ANDREAE

JEFF EPPS

Past President, Bill Word, reminded everyone of the upcoming Citizen of the Year event to be hosted at Zinfandel Ranch, August 12, 2006 for the honorees Rob Andreae and Jeff Epps for their efforts in Centennial Park . Cost is $85.00 per person. 

Lisa Marie Andersen announced her being a part of a "debut" band with their first gig at Anna's!!  Anyone out and about at 10:00 pm and wanting to hear a new band … please come.  They need a piano player!

Jim Haslip was recruiting members to assist in the Food Bank's weekly collection from the St. Helena Farmers Market.

BELL RINGERS

PAUL KRSEK

Doug Ernst was very proud to announce the St. Helena Star won SIX state awards … 1^st place for Sports, Lifestyle and Editorial; 2^nd place for Best Website; and Best Newspaper in the State of California! Congratulations Doug!

Paul Krsek had to share a comical anecdote [after Doug's announcement regarding the Star] about an event surrounding the vandalism of one of our local newsstands … apparently the Police still have Paul listed as their contact for the Star [3 years after the fact], and called him to report and inquire as to why Paul hasn't replaced a damaged newsstand. Everyone got a good laugh out of that one!

FINEMASTER

Norm structured his fine master duties around the subject of our Rotary club's new board. There were many fines paid as a result of the members not paying attention the week before!  Some of those fined were, Chris Lynch, Wendell Laidly, Phil Toohey, Norm Alumbaugh, Rob Andreae and David Moreland … Lydia Wilson actually got her answer correct!

NEXTAID Brings New Energy to AIDS Relief
By Ima Holcomb

Tony Albright announced our speaker this week, Richard Gregory.  Richard and his wife DesNeiges are actively involved with a relief organization, NextAid. NextAid is a Los Angeles based organization dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for African children orphaned as a result of AIDS.  NextAid aims to inspire people into tangible actions, taking responsibility and making a difference. They believe it is each generation's responsibility to create a better future for the next. And as such their approach to beating the AIDS epidemic is to "teach the teachers" and begin education at the child level, not the adult level, so the children can learn now and it becomes a part of their mainstream consciousness and daily life practices. For more information please go to www.nextaid.org or contact Richard at 415-425-0798.

DIANE DILLON
Member Profile

DIANE DILLON

Some Rotary members need a "member profile" less than others.  Diane Dillon is one such person – known throughout Napa County for her dedication and contributions to this community, particularly in her role as a member of Rotary (or maybe it as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, it's a toss up).  She is a fifth generation Napa County native with direct familial links to the Bale Grist Mill landmark.

Diane was introduced to the St. Helena Club in the Fall of 1987 by Leon Brauning, the Club President at the time.  Diane has a tendency to receive the "first" designation, including being the first female member of St. Helena Rotary, the first female President of St. Helena Rotary, and more recently, the first female Supervisor to be re-elected in Napa County.  (Author's Note: we could use a "first" female Governor if anyone knows of someone who might be interested.)

Diane is impressed with the way St. Helena Rotary continues to grow, and notes that with its growth, St. Helena Rotary is better equipped to effect change in the community.  Her  fondest Rotary memory (not including many involving Don Heydlauff) reflects back on an era when women were uncommon to Rotary.  It was decided by the District Governor that each President's spouse would create a square for a quilt to represent the District, which would then be put together and be auctioned.  Although a thoroughly modern man, Diane's husband was disinclined to learn how to quilt.  Fortunately, fellow Rotarian Joice Beatty came to the rescue and prepared the square.  When the District Governor came to collect the quilt piece, he expressed dissatisfaction that a group of members would be at another event during his visit.  When the Rotarians heard about the District Governor's dissatisfaction, they left the event and came to the meeting just to express their support for Diane.  "It was a great moment – and I will never forget any of them for it."

Apart from her government position, Ms. Dillon is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning.  Married to the "fabulous and handsome" Bill Moseley, she also has two stepsons, Jake (29) and Nick (28).

MARGO KENNEDY
Appointed to Foundation Board
By Donn Black

MARGO KENNEDY

At its August 8th meeting, the Board of Directors of the St. Helena Rotary Foundation unanimously approved Margo Kennedy's nomination for a seat as a Statutory Director of the Foundation for a term ending June 30, 2007. Among her many qualifications for the position, Margo's extensive, loyal and effective service on Winter Ball Committees was cited. The Foundation Board is now responsible for approving each Winter Ball budget.

President Word and Directors Meibeyer, Sales, Armstead, Smeding, Beatty, Moreland, Patterson, Epps, John and Thomas were on hand to make the appointment official. In other business:

Director Epps reported that the Centennial Park maintenance contract has been entered into with Pacific Landscapes for next year and that the St. Helena School District has committed to be responsible for maintenance after the first year. Several of the plaques on the bridges and benches will be replaced. It has been suggested by longtime Winter Ball supporter, David Abreu, that existing plaques on display at Rotary Centennial Park be replaced by ones of higher quality. He has offerred to do the replacements at his own expense. Details are still being discussed.

The Board's meeting date was changed to the third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 at Native Sons Hall. All Rotarians are welcome to attend.

After a ranging discussion the Board approved the hiring of an administrative assistant to aid in the work of the next Winter Ball Committee at costs not to exceed $20/hour or $5,000 total.

President Word adjourned the meeting at 11:22 am.

Rotary Club of St. Helena
Policy on Fines

1) Members may be assessed fines by the Finemaster at a regular meeting for any offense, real or imagined, serious or trivial.

2) When the total of Regular fines reaches $85.00 during a fiscal year, a member may declare "bleeding heart" status and pass on to some other member in attendance any regular fine assessed by the Fine Master.

3) A member may also volunteer a "Bell Ringer" fine. A Bell Ringer fine will be in an amount specified by the member.

a) Bell Ringer fines may not be passed on by Bleeding Hearts.

b) The member may direct a Bell Ringer fine be credited to his or her Paul Harris Fellowship or such other purpose as he or she may choose.

c) Bell Ringer fines are counted towards the annual minimum of $85 in fines, except fines designated for Paul Harris Fellowships or other designated purposes.

4) At the end of the fiscal year, the Treasurer will bill each member, except Honorary and Senior Active/Excused members, such amount as is necessary to bring the total of Regular fines for the year to $85.00.

5) Members will be fined $20.00 for failing to properly perform their duties when designated as being responsible for:

a) Finemaster duties, 

b) Supervising setup or breakdown of a meeting, or

c) Delivering the invocation at a meeting.

This fine will not be counted towards the $85.00 annual minimum fines total. 

6) The President or other presiding officer at a meeting may fine a member for an infraction of rules or decorum at the meeting. This fine will not be counted towards the $85.00 annual minimum fines total.

The above policy was adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of St. Helena on.

Secretary

Notes from the
Board of Directors
By Doug Durward

UPCOMING PROJECTS

The "Dictionary Project" will soon be back on the front burner, with Jim Haslip taking the lead in our club's effort. For new members, this is an annual undertaking whereby Rotary, in conjunction with the Soroptomist Club, provides, and personally distributes, personalized dictionaries to each of the third grade students in St. Helena Unified School District. The current plan is for the dictionaries to be distributed in December.

Junior Achievement receives ongoing support from our club and its individual members. The focus for the upcoming year will be on RLS students.

The "Ryan Collins Organ Donor Program" will be scheduled for later this year to raise awareness on the issue.

OTHER ISSUES

The Board of Directors is concerned about "early leavers." These are people who, for whatever reason, leave the weekly meeting before it is adjourned. While the Board was cognizant of the fact that there are many legitimate reasons for leaving early, it does cause disruption for the presenter and can be seen as less than respectful. Many different options have been discussed and the issue will come up for further discussion at the next Board meeting on September 12.

It was approved by the Board that a $20.00 fine shall be levied against those members who fail to fulfill the duties ascribed to them by the Sgt. At Arms (set up, invocation, finemaster, etc.) These fines do not count toward the yearly $85.00 in regular fines. Those who find a replacement (who in turn fulfills the duties) will be exempt from the fine.

Although attendance has started strong this year, it is an issue which receives regular attention from the Board. Our club rules state that missing 4 consecutive meetings will be cause for removal from membership (unless excused or made up in a timely fashion). If you need a leave of absence (for up to 3 months), this request must be submitted to the Board and approved.

Membership feedback has been culled carefully by our own Lisa Marie Andersen and she has developed an "Action Plan." This action plan includes changes which have already been made, and those we would like to make in the near future. It will serve as a guidepost for our club direction over the next year.  The Action Plan will likely be the subject of an upcoming club presentation.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

For those who haven't already heard the rumblings, Chuck Meibeyer will be the chair of next year's Winter Ball. Although Chuck had been enjoying his relatively "light" year, he responded when President John Sales noted his difficulty in finding a person for the position. There was applause in reaction to the surprise announcement.

Next Meeting: September 12, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the Carnegie Building (upstairs).