Month: March 2015

Second Look Sunday: A Positively Petaluma Weeks In Review

Over the last few weeks many of the stories below were created by us, or scattered over several different media and social media sources.  The Petaluma Magazine was created to collect them all in one place with easy navigation either by a click of a mouse or swipe of your finger on your smart devices.  The Second Look will be a reflection of some of the posts from the previous weeks.

1000’s are enjoying their free subscription with thousands of positive articles including these highlights from the last few weeks:

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Don’t Miss Petaluma’s 2nd Saturday Art Walks March 14 from 5-8PM

From The Petaluma Downtown Association Website:

The Petaluma Downtown Galleries host Art Walks with extended hours and a fantastic spectrum of special events every Second Saturday of the month from 5 – 8 pm.  The Petaluma Downtown galleries represent dozens of master artists and emerging sensations and present an excellent opportunity to find that unique piece of art while taking in the heart of downtown.  Shoppers are sure to find a wonderful variety of art, entertainment and fun.

Here is a list of the participating galleries (Click on Gallery Logo to direct to their website/In red under logo is the focus or theme of their special event/Click on address for Google Maps):

Gallery One Logo

Nature

Featured Artists:  Debbie Harding, Elizabeth Perkins, Peggy Sebera, Joanne Tepper

Artist Reception/Art Walk Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm Exhibit:  March 10 – May 3

209 Western Ave, 707-778-8277.

Griffin Map Design

Ladies Night

A collection of recent works from 14 local female artists.

February 28th – March 28th

Closing Reception March 28th 6-10pm

Open most Saturdays 11-5pm and 2nd Saturdays until 8pm

405 East D Street, Suite D 707-347-9009.

ice_house_logo

Birds

March 14th – April 11th

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 14 5:30 – 8pm

Dick Cole, Sylvia Gonzalez, Diana Majumdar, Robert Poplack, Michele Rosett, Stephanie Sanchez and Joanne Tepper share their interpretations of Birds in various media.

405 East D Street, Suite B, 707-778-2238.

Petaluma Arts Center

Petaluma Arts Center Art Shapes The World

Art Shapes the World: Youth Art Exhibit

March 14th – April 5th

Curated by Kate Blakeslee

Reception March 14, 4 – 8pm

230 Lakeville St, Petaluma, CA 94952 (707) 762-5600

Prince gallery_logo

No Filter

A group photography show curated by Kat Louis March 4th through March 29th

Artist’s Reception Saturday, March 14th from 6 – 9pm

122 American Alley, Unit A (Putnam Plaza), 707-889-0371.

River Front Art Gallery

Showin’ on the River

Juried Photography Show

Opening: Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Reception and 2nd Saturday Artwalk Saturday, March 14th, 2015 from 5 – 9pm

132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma, California (707) 775-4ART (775-4278)

Is Any Publicity Good Publicity for #Petaluma? McDonalds Commercial Revisited

We wish to thank everyone for making the comments they did on our post The #Petaluma McDonalds TV Spot Commercial is Released!  We have had nearly 40,000 views of our post with 17 comments.  We disagree with any of them that are attacks on the Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA).  We agree with many of the comments suggesting we should choose local restaurants who use local ingredients, and I can’t think of a bigger supporter for that than the PDA.  I have never seen a post from the PDA suggesting to eat your next meal at McDonalds (its always a local non-franchised restaurant).  They do a fantastic job for this city and we are absolutely sure that many of the commentators have enjoyed the great many events the PDA puts on each year that helps to bolster our local economy.  Yesterday NBC Bay Area posted an update on the commercial ‘McDonald’s Commercial Featuring Petaluma Sparks Uproar From Residents’.  Does this constitute and uproar?  In it they show our website as shown in the photo above. They also used our photo for the icon/thumbnail for it.  Most important it included what Marie McCusker had to say to respond to the so called “uproar.”

This commercial stirred a healthy discussion and also at the same time gave our city a lot of exposure across the country including our opinions which is very important.  Others across the nation know how Petaluman’s feel about the commercial.

We were at this McDonalds location in the last six months.  There we met a retired Petaluma man who had lost his wife and was on a fixed income.  He told me his wife used to do the cooking and he could not afford to eat at other restaurants. This McDonalds location was in walking distance from his house. He seemed to be enjoying his breakfast.  We may not identify McDonalds with Petaluma and it may not be the healthiest choice, but he was as much a Petaluman than anyone we have met.

CLICK PAGE TWO TO SEE THE NBC VIDEO COVERAGE AND THE THE JIM GAFFIGAN’S COMEDY BIT ON McDONALDS.

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Stand Tall For Kids With Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes At Lagunitis March 10

Turn really good beer into money for a good cause

This program directly supports kids from Petaluma.  A mother of a son afflicted with this disease told me this:

“That summer he attended the camp for T1D kids put on by the Diabetes Youth Foundation. It was an amazing experience for him and of GREAT value to kids and their families. In fact, he went with [her friends]’s son who was a regular at this camp.”

Diabetes Youth Families Fundraiser is an event created by the Bisgaard Family and supported by many. The DYF has been an integral part of our lives in living with type 1 diabetes and we want to invite our family and friends to a funfilled night to raise money exclusively for the DYF. Most of the proceeds help fund Bearskin Meadow Camp where kids and families learn and are supported in their diabetes management in a magical way.

Lagunitas Brewery graciously has donated the facility and all beer proceeds will benefit DYF. We also have an exciting youth band WJMTheBand who donate their dynamic music for social causes. And wow these kids are cool.  Check out their video from their website.

They played at the UCSF Light it Up Ceremony in addition to The World Series at AT& T park. Dinner will be provided by the Pasta King. The event will include door prizes, raffle for baskets and silent auction items. Please join us or donate here. Click here for online tickets are $25/$30 at the door (under 5 are free).  There is a note on this site to keep it kid friendly they are only charging $15 for kids 5-12 years old.

Post by Lagunitas TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary.

The #Petaluma McDonalds TV Spot Commercial is Released!

Petaluma McDonalds CommercialOur great Petaluma Downtown Association does a good job of attracting and supporting business in our town.  You may recall the Argus Courier article McDonald’s Brings Hollywood to North McDowell.   This article tells about a commercial McDonalds was filming here that included some Petaluma references.  In that article Marie McCusker said “Petaluma is the hometown they want to portray. The commercial will show our location and a Petaluma sign, so you will know it was filmed here.” Well it has arrived.  Check it out.

We really like how they describe Petaluma as a quaint town nestled in Northern California. Makes me want an Egg White Delight McMuffin.

On March 9 The Petaluma Downtown Association weighs in on the replies to comments on their facebook page:

Petaluma Downtown Association Facebook Reply

 

ALSO SEE THESE RELATED UPDATES:

Is Any Publicity Good Publicity for #Petaluma? McDonalds Commercial Revisited

“My Petaluma” video copies Petaluma McDonalds’ Commercial

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What’s Going On In #Petaluma? Week of March 8

Here are local events through March 14 as communicated from the Petaluma Visitors Center.

  • Boating at the Barn – Sundays, 10am-1pm: Pick a rowboat, canoe, kayak or sailboat. River Heritage Center in Steamer Landing Park.  769-0910
  • East Side Farmers MarketEast-Side Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 10am-1:30pm: Year-round, rain or shine! In the Petaluma Community Center Parking Lot, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. 415-999-5635
  • “The Children’s Hours” – Wednesday, March 11: Pre-film lecture at 6pm; Films at 7pm: Presented by the Petaluma Film Alliance at the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, SRJC Petaluma Campus, 680 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy.
  • Wine + Words McEvoy Ranch“Romeo & Juliet” – Friday & Saturday, March 13 & 14, 7:30pm: Cinnabar Theater’s Young Rep performs. $15 adult/ $10 youth. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North. 763-8920
  • Wine+Words at McEvoy Ranch – Saturday, March 14, Noon: Pre-lunch tastes of library wines, enjoy the music of Mark Clifford with your meal. 778-69-4138
  • A Celebration of our Diverse Heritage – Sat. Mar. 14, noon: Music, dancing, food, poetry readings and more from the various cultural and ethnic groups of Petaluma. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398.

 

Water, water everywhere! An Inside Look at CamelBak in #Petaluma

                        Photo: Terray Sylvester / The Chronicle

 

CamelBak Trudeau Cool Off 24-Ounce Hydration Bottle, Click Photo For More Information
CamelBak Trudeau Cool Off 24-Ounce Hydration Bottle

SF GATE (San Francisco Chronicle) has a segment in their business column each Monday called Office Space which gives readers a glimpse inside a Bay Area company.  This week they featured Petaluma’s Camelbak. The following content was contributed by their staff writer Julie Balise, a San Francisco Chronicle Staff writer.  Also if you missed a previous interview of CamelBak’s CEO on Behind The Brand I have been waiting to post this as well, because we have seen it come up in our searches again this morning. On November 14, 2014 we reported on CamelBak was recognized by GreatLists at one of the healthiest companies to work for in American.  In 2013 Outside Magazine listed them in the 100 Best Places To Work.

As suggested by the headline, CamelBak is obsessed with hydration. So much so that their office is laced with water molecules.  Their environment also includes “clouds” or sound panels to absorb noise from their open office space. The company also made their office green friendly and by doing so it became a certified  Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) building.

CamelBak's Cafeteria, Photo by Terray Sylvester / The Chronicle
CamelBak’s Cafeteria, Photo by Terray Sylvester / The Chronicle

Their hallways are like shopping displays showcasing their their best selling products with meeting rooms and retractable walls to create even more open space when needed.  Their cafeteria has a wall of windows giving it natural light with views of Shollenberger Park.  The cafeteria also offers the employees healthy snacks, and yes, you guessed it, water coolers for them to refill their CamelBak water bottles.

While their products are manufacturer in Mexico, the design and test them in Petaluma. They have an open lab space so the other employees can see how their how their products work.  In the testing area they also have temperature chambers to determine how long water would freeze in their bottles and effects also from heat and pressure.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND VIDEO WITH NAIL BITING RIDE BY PRO MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDER MIKE WEIR

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It’s Time To Rock N Bowl! Benefits Petaluma People Services

The 24th Annual Rock n’ Bowl is March 27th. Still time to get your lane, come dance, sing, get a little silly and support PPSC. Check out the video below from last year.  Also get your team registration and sponsorship forms below and sign up today.

From the Petaluma People Services website:

Petaluma People Services Rock N Bowl Timeline Photo

  • With each roll of the ball you will be making a difference in the life of a hungry homebound senior.
  • With each song you will help a teen make good decisions about the path they are on.
  • With a crash of the pins you will ensure that a hungry family will be fed fresh and healthy vegetables.
  • Sing along, you will be helping a family get the counseling they need to live in peace.
  • Petaluma People Services Rock N Bowl Timeline Photo 2Cheer for a strike you will know that you have helped someone suffering with Alzheimer continue to live with a loved one.
  • A spare gives a teen that has given up on life the opportunity to find a job, continue his education and make peace with his parents.
  • Stomp your feet to the beat and a family can get assistance in finding a safe and secure place to call home.
  • Even a gutter ball will help a lonely senior find someone to talk with.
  • Come bowl with us and add to your list of why YOU want to support PPSC.

It is easy – form a team of 5 bowlers.

  • Entry fee is $625.00 minimum per team of five
  • This is only the minimum; you can collect as much as possible
  • Come up with a great name
  • Start asking for sponsors and raising money to help seniors, families, youth and individuals in Petaluma
  • Show up at 7:30PM at AMF Boulevard Bowl – 1100 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma
  • Strap on your shoes, enjoy bowling alley pizza & nachos and help take care of your community!

Here is the application to hold the lane: 2015 Rock N Bowl Team Registration Form

Here is the form to use to collect donations for your team: 2015 PPSC Rock N Bowl Sponsor Sheet 2015

Here is the video of the 2014 event.

You can’t participate and don’t have a team to sponsor but still wish to show your support? No Problem!

Positively Petaluma will be there playing. Simply sponsor us by sending your check made payable to Petaluma People Services Center (or PPSC) with your email address written in the memo section of your check and mail it Positively Petaluma, c/o PPSC, 159 Kentucky St., Suite #2, Petaluma, CA 94952 before March 23, 2015.

You too can contribute to this event to help make it a win-win for the community. PPSC provides these core services:

Senior Services: Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care, Case Management, Nutrition Site-Senior Cafe, Counseling

Homeless Prevention and Fair Housing

Employment Training: Adult and Youth

Counseling: For Individuals, Couples & Families, Drug & Alcohol, Youth Intervention & Prevention

Petaluma Bounty: Creating a sustainable food system with healthy food for everyone, regardless of income level.

Photos of the Temple of Grace Built By Petaluma Artist David Best And Many Petaluman Volunteers

We previously interviewed Petaluman David Best who is the architect, artist and builder of the Temple of Grace for the 2014 Burning Man on July 12, 2014 called #Petaluma’s David Best Builds 2014 Burning Man Temple In Petaluma. In that article we later added a video that we included below that shows the construction in Petaluma.

It was not until recently that we found some qualify photos in our Social Media searches by a photographer named Jeff Perkins. We would like to thank him for agreeing to let us use his photos so we could share them with you. So we would like to thank him for sharing his work.

Because they built the structure in pieces in Petaluma, and then shipped and assembled them at the venue, not many were able to see the finished product unless you attended the event.  So here is a small picture gallery for you.

The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California Photo By Jeff Perkins (1)
The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California, Photo By Jeff Perkins
The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California Photo By Jeff Perkins (2)
The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California, Photo By Jeff Perkins
The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California Photo By Jeff Perkins (3)
The Temple of Grace 2014 Was Build By David Best In Petaluma California, Photo By Jeff Perkins

 

In case you missed it, here is a video we posted before showing the construction project in Petaluma.

UPDATE: #Petaluma’s Minna Stess A Female Skateboarder Changing the Sport for the Better

Minna Stess Petaluma Skateboarder Photo From Minna’s Facebook Page

UPDATE The Argus Courier, Petaluma360.com just released an article on Minna, Young wizard on four wheels, By William Rohrs.

 

Our original article from March 5th.

From and article in the East Bay Express this morning:  In 2013, Minna Stess became the first girl to win the California Amateur Skateboard League (CASL) series in its thirty-plus-year history. She has also won first place in the NorCal competition for street skateboarding, and second place in CASL’s State Championships.

In 2014, Stess made history again at the national King of the Groms contest in Minneapolis by becoming the first girl to win an event (beginner mini ramp), to win an ATV award (all terrain vehicle/best all around), to make the finals in three events (street, mini ramp, bowl), and to make the top five in street skating. And this year, she placed third in the Vans Girls Combi Pool Classic (a World Cup Skateboarding event). She has multiple sponsors — including BrokinBonz Clothing, Lakai Limited Footwear, Theeve Trucks, Silly Girl Skateboards, Sonoma Old School SkateShop, and Girl Is Not A 4 Letter Word, a brand by one of the original pro girl skaters, Cindy Whitehead — plus thousands of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook fans.

Minna Stess is eight years old.

Minna Stess Petaluma Skateboarder Photo From Minna's Facebook Page
Minna Stess Petaluma Skateboarder Photo From Minna’s Facebook Page

And she is one of the many impressive young (and less young) women in the Bay Area who are changing the sport of skateboarding for the better, and inspiring countless others along the way.

Great article Anna Pully! To see the rest of this article go to These Female Skateboarders Are Changing the Sport for the Better | East Bay Express.

 

CLICK PAGE TWO TO SEE SHORT VIDEO OF MINNA MAKING HISTORY AS THE YOUNGEST SKATEBOARDER EVER TO DROP INTO A MEGA RAMP

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