Month: April 2015

Video: ‘Tell Mom I’m OK’ – Spencer Dickinson Found Alive – Mom’s Reaction

VIDEO UPDATE: May 3, 2015, KPIX Channel 5, Native #Petaluma Spencer Dickinson Despite Destruction Stays in Nepal Determined To Help Family.

 
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Original Story:
Spencer Dickinson was unaccounted for after the Nepal Earthquake while hiking towards Mount Everest.  This raw video coverage shows the mother’s relief after learning that her son was found alive.  He was being helicoptered off the mountain and hears “Tell Mom I am OK”.

Here are other reports

Petaluma dad hears from son days after Nepal quake

Petaluma man missing on Everest alive and well

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Appreciation Picnic Party at the ‘Cheese Factory’

Community Stories to be Shared at June Celebration of Marin French Cheese 150th Anniversary

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Founded in 1865, Marin French Cheese Company is celebrating 150 years of artisan cheese making at its original Hicks Valley Ranch location, known to locals as the Cheese Factory. A picnic party to appreciate present and past employees, neighbors and loyal customers will be held Sunday June 14th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, outdoors on the lawn. For this momentous “community conversation,” Marin French is collecting stories reflecting the generations of family traditions, working, playing, romancing and hanging out at the “Cheese Factory.” During the event, Marin historian and author Dewey Livingston will emcee the story-telling on stage, interspersed with music performances by local SSU graduates’ band, the Dixie Giants.

The day’s activities include cheesemaking demonstrations by the award-winning Marin French team and a close-up look at beekeeping by Bonnie Morse of Bonnie Bee Company, with a sampling of honey from the Marin French hives. Producers from the local food shed will have market-style tables to sample and sell: Sparkling mead, beer, cider, breads and baked goods, pickles and preserves, cheeses from the California Artisan Cheese Guild and an offering of small lunch plates, reasonably priced.
Stories are being collected via email, written cards and interviews. For more information contact Lynne Devereux, [email protected]. Here are three ways to submit your story:

Marin French Cheese Company 150th AnniversaryTell YOUR STORY about memories of the Cheese Factory
1. Write your story on a card with your name and phone contact, and mail to:
Stories at Marin French
7500 Red Hill Rd.
Petaluma, CA 94952
2. -or- Email your story to: [email protected]
3. -or- call Lynne for a phone interview: 925-872-6691

Stories can be short or long, recent or cherished memories of long ago. Stories will be on display or told on stage at the 150th Anniversary Appreciation Picnic Party, June 14th.

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About Marin French Cheese Company:
Founded in 1865 Marin French Cheese Company is the longest continuously operating cheese company in America, celebrating 150 years in 2015 with a unique history of handcrafting traditional and original soft-ripening cheeses. Since the days of the Gold Rush, Marin French has practiced time-honored cheesemaking techniques, using only fresh milk from neighboring family dairy farms. It has grown from a small family business to an expanded, state-of-the-art facility, producing cheeses that are sold nationally and regularly earn top honors in international cheese competitions. At its idyllic Hicks Valley Ranch location in Northern California, Marin French hosts visitors from around the world to sample its distinctive cheeses, enjoy a picnic on the lawns and visit its retail shop open to the public year-round. .

Congrats to #Petaluma’s Hawkins, Kearney & Locke chosen NBBJ 2015 Forty Under 40 professionals

Congratulations to the 3 young professionals from Petaluma chosen for North Bay Business Journals top 40 under 40.

From the NBBJ Monday Arpil 27, 2015 By Gary Quackenbush: Meet the 2015 Forty Under 40 professionals – North Bay Business Journal – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties

All of us at the Business Journal want to extend our congratulations to the ninth annual Forty Under 40 recipients. These 40 individuals were selected by the Business Journal editorial staff from more than 120 nominations. They were chosen on the basis of their leadership in companies and organizations as well as their participation in their communities. Over the nine years this award has existed, hundreds of young, exceptional professionals have been recognized. It is our sincere hope that these awards support and encourage excellence. The recipients will be honored at an awards reception April 29. —Brad Bollinger, Business Journal Publisher

Erin Hawkins, 30

Community Outreach Project Manager, Petaluma Healthcare District, Petaluma

Erin HawkinsEnsuring that the health and wellness needs of the diverse communities are understood and addressed in Southern Sonoma County is the role of Erin Hawkins with the Petaluma Health Care District, an organization described as a model for the state.

She manages the Community Health Initiative of the Petaluma Area, bringing financial and technical resources to groups and individuals, as well as planning support to the HeartSafe Community Initiative, while also channeling grant and sponsorship funds to organizations and schools.

Greatest professional accomplishment: Successfully managing a community film screening and panel presentation on the importance of high quality early childhood education to help make universal preschool a reality in Sonoma County.

Greatest challenge: “Bringing the community together to identify our greatest health priorities and developing shared strategies to cope with them.”

Next professional goal: “To develop a data dashboard to track the impact of our local health initiative.”

Best advice received: Finish projects ahead of schedule when possible in order to meet career and family needs.

Favorite book: My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin.

CLICK ON PAGE TWO TO CONTINUE READING ABOUT KEARNEY AND LOCKE

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Historical Photo Found In Renovation of Petaluma Hotel

This photo was found by the new owners in the renovation of the Petaluma Hotel and shared by them yesterday.  This photo of an indian (or man dressed in indian garb) and a woman holding a basket of eggs was taking in the atrium of the hotel. We thought you would enjoy it.

Positively Petaluma CategoriesWith the addition of Bill Hammerman to our contributor staff we added a column call “Our Favorite River Town” you will be seeing more posts about Petaluma history.  We wanted to share a little known secret – On our Categories Drop Down tab locate on our sidebar you can see the many categories to choose from.  One tab is History and things like this photo will show up in that category.  Try it yourself.   We have over 200 posts on Positively Petaluma and they are all categorized to help you find information you want to read about on posts future and past.

 

Check out our History category if you are interested in our posts sharing Petaluma History.

Lest We Forget – Bert Kerrigan

Bert KerriganAt last, the sun came out and Saturday’s Butter & Egg Days Parade (April 25) was the 34th year that Petaluma celebrated its historic roots in the chicken and egg industry, which can trace its roots back to 1879, when Lyman Byce invented the first successful incubator for hatching eggs.  As this new industry grew over the years and the demand for chickens and eggs increased, Petaluma became the world leader of this industry and was called “The Egg Basket of the World” in 1917. Much of the credit for this recognition has been awarded Bert Kerrigan, who had been hired by the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce to market and promote Petaluma. On August 13, 1918, Petaluma initiated National Egg Day Petaluma Chicken Pharmacywith a downtown parade led by a queen and royal chicks. In addition to the parade, there was also a Chicken Rodeo and Egg Queen Ball. In 1920, the original Egg Day events ended, but the current parade took its place in 1982, in honor of Our Favorite River Town’s chicken and egg days legacy.

Lest we forget, Bert Kerrigan and all the other Petalumans whose efforts have put Petaluma back on the world map. Ripley’s Believe It or Not column and National Geographic discovered and featured the Chicken Pharmacy located on Main Street. It has also been reported that by 1920, the price of eggs increased and that “for nearly two decades, there was more money on deposit in Petaluma banks, per capita, than any other town on Earth.”

paradeThis positive and strong sense of community continues to this day and has influenced the current generation of Petalumans to never forget their favorite river town’s legacy. Stay tuned as we continue to blog about the city where we have chosen to live, work, play, and retire.

 

What’s Going On In Petaluma? April 25 through May 1

  • Petaluma Antique FairesButter & Egg Days Parade – Click this link to get the (SMARTPHONE FRIENDLY SCHEDULE & MAPs), April 25, 10am-5pm: Petaluma’s best loved event returns for its 34th year and is celebrating our “Fertile Ground”! Watch over 130 units march through Downtown Petaluma, enjoy food and drink, music, arts and crafts and an area just for kids! Come early to watch the Cow Chip tossing contest at 10:00, The Cutest Lil Chick Contest at 10:15, Pre-Parade Entertainment at 11:15 & the kids’ Pre Parade at 11:30. Main Parade steps off at 12pm at Fourth and D St, loops around to Petaluma Blvd North, and ends at Petaluma Blvd South at D St.
  • Spring Antique Faire – Sun., April 26, 8am-4pm: Shop for a variety of affordable treasures from 180 vendors in Historic Downtown Petaluma’s historic charm, including its stern Victorian iron-fronts and grand neo-classical buildings, make it the perfect backdrop for the Petaluma Spring Antique Faire. Spanning Fourth & Kentucky Streets between B and Washington Streets, this day long celebration of all things antique will take place on Sunday, April 26th, 2015 from 8am to 4pm.
  • Spring Choir Concert – Sun., April 26, 6:30pm: Performances by the Bell Choir, the children’s choir, instrumental and vocal soloists. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 939 B St.
  • Performance PosterBoating at the Barn – Sundays, 10am-1pm: Pick a rowboat, canoe, kayak or sailboat. River Heritage Center in Steamer Landing Park. Call 769-0910 for information.
  • East-Side Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 10am-1:30pm: Year-round, rain or shine! Petaluma Community Center Parking Lot, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. 415-999-5635.
  • Screening of “Performance” – Wed., April 29: Petaluma Film Alliance’s Cinema Series. Pre-film lecture 6pm; Film 7pm; Held at the Carole Ellis Auditorium, SRJC Pet. Campus, 680 Sonoma Mtn. Pkwy.
  • Single Malt Scotch Tasting and Food Pairing – Thurs., April 30, 6pm: Professionally guided tour of single malt scotches expertly paired with a menu of small plates created to compliment each spirit. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St.
  • Bistro 100 Winemaker DinnerCapoeira Petaluma’s 6th Annual Azania Batizado SATURDAY, APRIL 25: 10:00-noon: Street Roda, 2 spots downtown. Meet up at Walnut park at 10 am. 4:45PM: Batizado at the Petaluma School of Ballet (open to the public)
  • Winemaker Dinner – April 28 – Bisto 100 Featuring Preston of Dry Creek. A five-course pairing presented by Executive Chef Garrett Adair and Winemaker Matt Norelli. 6:30pm Seating is limited, 100 Second St.

Cell Phone Friendly Schedule with Maps for Butter & Egg Days Parade (Bookmark it)

Your schedule and embedded maps for Petaluma’s Fertile Grounds. Share it with family and friends.

Calistoga chooses #Petaluma animal control service

VIA The Napa Valley Register.

CALISTOGA — The city of Calistoga will enter into a contract for animal control services and shelter care with a Sonoma County animal foundation instead of the Napa County Animal Shelter.

PASFHopeCompeting for the contract were the Petaluma Animal Services Foundation (PASF), backed by the local Wine Country Animal Lovers (WCAL), and the Napa County Animal Shelter supported by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

The council approved the contract on Tuesday, 3-2. Mayor Chris Canning and Vice Mayor Michael Dunsford were the two “no” votes, with Councilmembers Gary Kraus, Jim Barnes and Irais Ortega-Lopez in favor of PASF.

Either organization will provide good animal services, said Calistogan veterinarian Steve Franquelin, but the Napa County Animal Shelter just isn’t at the point of reaching the “no-kill” level of animal rescue most important to him and other board members of Wine Country Animal Lovers, he said.

Click here to read the rest of this article seen in the Napa Valley Register on April 22, 2015, by By Anne Ernst

VIDEO: Petaluma’s Good Egg Ceremony – Congrats to Steve Kemmerle!

Janelle Wang NBC Bay Area Announcing Petalumas Butter & Egg Day ParadeDid you know that our past Good Egg’s choose the next Good Egg each year?  This year’s and past years Good Eggs will be featured in a special section of the Argus Courier today.  So don’t forget to pick up a copy of today’s issue.  Also see their recent article online It’s Time to Celebrate Butter & Egg Days Parade.  Also if you missed it check out our post yesterday VIDEO: Janelle Wang NBC Bay Area Announces #Petaluma’s Butter & Egg Days . In it Janelle Wang of NBC Bay Area did a commercial on our parade calling it the Bay Area’s place to be to celebrate our areas agriculture history.

Dr Fred Groverman Chosen Grand Marshall for 2015 Petaluma Butter & Egg Days Parade
Dr Fred Groverman Chosen Grand Marshall for 2015 Petaluma Butter & Egg Days Parade

We met Steve Kemmerle at this week’s citywide marketing meeting.  Wow what this guy does for our city is amazing.  In the last year he has grown our veteran’s day parade now drawing over 40,000 visitors per year making it one of the largest veteran’s day parades north of golden gate (Even after the city cut future funding of this event — and the Butter & Egg Days Parade – he had to make that up with fundraising).  Some things coming this year is a Korean war vets memorial.  They had the Good Egg ceremony honoring Steve and the Grand Marshal this year Dr. Fred Groverman.  Steve was described as being humble and I should say this was reflected in his short speech – because he said nothing about him and talked only about the Veteran’s Day parade (something he is obviously passionate about).  He talked about passing veterans sometimes looking like he was going to tear up – you can tell the passion in this man’s heart to honor our country’s service men and woman.  We can’t think of another person who deserves this award more.  They called him the “Unsung Hero” and Kaye Chandler captured the ceremony on video so we thought we would share it with you below in case you missed it.

Also I am sure there will be a lot of information about it in the Argus Courier today (paper copy), however here is the first print of their announcements from the Petaluma Post.

Unsung Hero Honored as 2015 Good Egg Steve Kemmerle

Butter & Egg Days Parade Grand Marshal is Dr. Fred Groverman

Here is the Petaluma Good Egg Ceremony that was presented at the Petaluma Library and Museum on Saturday.

 

 

What is Capoeira? Find out More About #Petaluma’s Weekend of Martial Arts

CapibaraWhen we were told about Capoeria we thought they were talking about very large rodents in the Africa [insert sarcasm here].  What we learned was that it is an art of survival in muscle memory using rhythms and movements.  You learn martial arts through music and dance.  How cool is that?

Petaluma Capoeira 6th Annual Azania BatizadoWhy is this important now?  They have a jammed packed weekend of events starting today and throughout the weekend suitable for the entire family. It’s Capoeira Petaluma’s 6th Annual Azania Batizado.  Our translation – a bunch of exciting fun events where you can learn and participate in this mixed art (by the way don’t tell your kids it is also good exercise).  In years past they have entered in our Butter & Eggs Day parade.  You may have seen them doing crazy jumps and twirls down the street (like in the p360 photo above).  Instead of being in the parade this year, they will be sponsoring a series of events many of which are open to the public.  So if you are around the downtown swing by and check it out.

Schedule (from their website): 
THURSDAY, APRIL 23:
Special Vivencia Thursday night workshop with Contra Mestre Pedro Cruz. 7:30 at the Petaluma School of Ballet, 110 Howard Street, Petaluma, CA. $10 if you are coming to the whole Batizado event. $15 if you are going to only this workshop or going partially to the Batizado.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24:
4:00-5:00: Kids workshop at the Petaluma School of Ballet
5-6:30pm: Open roda at Helen Putnam Plaza (open to the public)
7-8:30pm: Adults Workshop at the Petaluma School of Ballet
8:30-10pm: Roda (Petaluma Ballet School)

SATURDAY, APRIL 25:
10:00-noon: Street Roda, 2 spots downtown. Meet up at Walnut park at 10 am. (open to the public)
2:30 & 3:30: Adults Workshop at the Petaluma School of Ballet
3:30: Kids Workshop at the Petaluma School of Ballet
4:45: Batizado at the Petaluma School of Ballet (open to the public)
10:00 pm: Party at Zodiacs

SUNDAY, APRIL 26:
11 am: Brunch (at Zodiacs, wtih a Roda): $TBD
1:30pm BBQ

Capoeira Summer Camp

Also starting on June 8th they will have a Capoeria Summer Camp for kids starting June 8th.  Get more information about the Summer Camp on their website www.capoeirapetaluma.com/