Positively Petaluma Welcomes Christopher Fisher To Our Contributor Staff

As mentioned previously, we intend to round out our contributors to Positively Petaluma, and we can’t think of another person more fitting than Christopher Fisher.  Fisher is a Petaluma resident since 2003 and currently Outreach Coordinator for Petaluma Community Access.  He has experience writing  about the intersection of agriculture, food and politics for Z Magazine, Civil Eats, Grist and Truthout. He is a member of the Editorial Collective of Nueva Prensa/New Press.

Please welcome Christopher to our Contributor Staff and look for his posts in the near future.

 

Congrats to Petaluma High School grad Anthony Sequeira drafted to MLB Phillies

Anthony Sequeira Oral Roberts BaseballRound 23, #684 overall – Anthony Sequeira, RHP

Sequeira was the 2015 Summit League Player of the Year, hitting .341/.423/.583 for Oral Roberts, but the Phillies have drafted him as a pitcher, because he’s apparently pretty great at that, too. There’s a nice little recap here of Sequeira’s season below written by the Summit League, ORUs Sequeira named Gregg Olson Award Semifinalist:

TULSA, Okla. (oruathletics.com) – Oral Roberts baseball player Anthony Sequeira has been named a semifinalist for the Gregg Olson Award, an honor to be presented to college baseball’s breakout player of the year. The annual award is given to a top amateur baseball player who elevates his game to an elite level throughout the season.

Sequiera Oral Roberts Golden EaglesA native of Petaluma, Calif., Sequeira improved his batting average nearly 90 points from his junior year, when he batted .258. This season, Sequeira turned in a breakout season while being one of the Golden Eagles best hitters with a .341 batting average while leading the team in several offensive categories.

Sequeira was named The Summit League Player of the Year and a First-Team player at the utility position as well as a relief pitcher after leading the conference in home runs, RBI as well as saves.

The Gregg Olson Award is named after Olson, a former Auburn pitching great and two-time All American who had breakout sophomore junior seasons for the Tigers. The award was developed to honor college baseball’s success stories and showcase players like Olson who have raised the level of their game through hard work, strength of mind and determination.

Eligible players will be those who are omitted from major publication’s preseason All American prognostications; however by the end of the season their on the field performance will demonstrate that they are among the top amateur baseball players in the nation.

Ball State sophomore pitcher Scott Baker won the inaugural Greg Olson Award in 2013.

The winner of the 2014 Gregg Olson Award will be named in Omaha, Nebraska during the College World Series which is to be held this season at TD Ameritrade Park from June 15-June 25/26.

Also check out this good news: #Petaluma is Two for Two! Crosstown Grads Both Drafted To Arizona Diamond Backs in MLB Draft

Anthony SequeiraUPDATE: June 11, 2015 Oklahoma News On 6 – ORU’s Sequeira Named Finalist For Olerud Award

UPDATE: June 11, 2015 The Daily Progress: BASEBALL: ORU’s Sequeira, Whatley earn Midwest All-Region honors

#Petaluma is Two for Two! Crosstown Grads Both Drafted To Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB Draft

We would like to congratulate two high school grads for being drafted in Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

15.christy.mugFrancis Christy is a Casa Grande High School grad who is a Junior at Palomar College was drafted in the 7th round of the MLB draft on Tuesday. We recently shared an article on him in our social medial feeds in May,. Palomar’s Christy grows up Comets catcher has matured and figures to be a high pick in the June draft. He previously was named California Community College Player of the Year and National Community College Player of the Year, was drafted in the seventh round by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.  He was the first player taken in round 7 and the first California community college player selected in the draft. He also was the first community college catcher in the nation taken in the draft. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore, who signed a letter of intent with the University of Washington prior to Palomar’s 2015 season, batted .316 with a state-leading 11 home runs, 52 RBIs and 43 runs scored in 45 games as the Comets went 37-8 and finished third in the California State Tournament.

daniel_comstock_49_mbaDaniel Comstock a Petaluma High School grad,  who was Empire District Player of the year in 2012, was picked up in the 18th round of the MLB draft today.  Comstock, also a catcher, hit .317 in 50 games for Menlo Oaks during the 2013-14 season.  He was second on the team in home runs (4) and third in RBI’s (29) and second on the team in on-base percentage (.408) that year which earned him a spot on the All-NAIA West Group Team.  In his 2014-15 year he hit .393, 16 home runners, and 56 RBIs with a .482 On Base Percentage. On June 3, 2015 Comstock was named NAIA All-American.

Two hours ago Comstock tweeted this on his Twitter page.


Also see this late and great news: Congrats to Petaluma High School grad Anthony Sequeira drafted to MLB Phillies

VIDEO: Do You Know What The California Water Conservation Laws Mean To You?

The California drought continues.  In the video below the City of Petaluma Public Works and Utilities Department director Dan St. John and Petaluma Mayor David Glass discuss water conservation.  As many know as a result of the California drought Governor Brown implemented mandatory water cuts and conservation.  What do those laws mean to Petalumans?  This video does a good job of breaking down the new ordinances into something you can understand (what you can and can’t do).  They also talk about what City of Petaluma has done and is now ldoing to meet with  usage restrictions.

This video is about 30 minutes long, but well worth watching to the end.

Please share this with other Petalumans.

Scranton sets Empire discus record at state track meet

(Photo by Crista Jeremiason/ The Press Democrat)

June 6, 2015, 10:07PM: As provided yesterday in the Press Democrat by Kerry Benefield:

CLOVIS — With a monster toss, Allison Scranton left her mark on the Redwood Empire record books Saturday, besting the area discus record by more than four feet.

Then she did it again. This time, she topped her minutes-old record by another 11 inches.

“Once my first one was a (personal record), I was just like, ‘This is the best day ever and it can only go up from here,’ and it did,” she said.

And Scranton did it on high school track’s biggest stage.

The Petaluma High senior took fourth place at the CIF State Track & Field Championship in Clovis, surrounded by stellar competitors.

“The girl behind me who got fifth, got second last year,” Scranton said.

The winning toss was a Herculean 161 feet, 9 inches. Scranton’s best throw on the day was 149 feet, 4 inches.

But she’ll take it. And she’ll take the state medal that goes with it. And she’ll take the honor of being the greatest discus thrower in Empire history.

“It is really cool to be a part of this. There are so many amazing athletes here,” she said.

Scranton, who finished sixth at state last year, almost didn’t make it to the finals. An admittedly abysmal preliminary round Friday earned her a seventh seed coming into Saturday’s finals despite being well below her best effort.

To read more go to the Press Democrat: Scranton sets Empire discus record at state track | The Press Democrat

Here is a short video of her talking about breaking the record and breaking her personal record.

Here is a video of her making it through the finals.

Get Your Restaurant Or Business Noticed at The 2015 Taste of Petaluma

Don’t miss this culinary event of the year

In our recent post, Introducing A New #Petaluma Company: YourBizFootprint.com about a company that helps put businesses on the map, it says “It is also very important to be actively engaged with your community and have that face-to-face interaction with potential customers.”  With that in mind we have the perfect opportunity for you to promote your restaurant or business to an enormous crowd of people who can become a potential customers for you in the future.

Taste Of PetalumaThe 10th Annual Taste of Petaluma is Saturday August 22 from 11:30AM to 4PM. Any restaurant or food vendor can participate at your own location, or be hosted at a shop or gallery. Click here to see the Petaluma Downtown Association’s recent email to members.

Three reasons why it is important for you to sign up now:

  1. There is going to be a lot of people there who like to eat out and want to sample your food.  If you are a restaurant or food vendor is this your audience?
  2. The people will be having a good time.  Can you think of a better time for you to share your brand and promote your business or store? 
  3. People in Petaluma love businesses who support their community – this event benefits the Cinnabar Theater.

Five ways your business can benefit from the Taste of Petaluma:

  1. Listing on event map that each guest receives which includes your name and item(s) being served.
  2. Official Website www.tasteofpetaluma.org with URL link to your website.
  3. Press and Radio – ads, articles and interviews – Positively Petaluma will be there – will you?
  4. Full page event ad with your listing in the Cinnabar Theater program
  5. Bring visibility to potential new customers to your place of business

If you haven’t heard of, or participated before, here are some highlights from last year: Video: 2014 Taste of #Petaluma a Great Success

Adrian Grenier at 2014 Taste of Petaluma
Actor Adrian Grenier’s Photo Posted On His Facebook Page

Also you never know when there may be an unexpected BONUS!  Last year actor Adrian Grenier made an appearance which led to us interviewing him.  This interview was read and shared by thousands on social media Positively #Petaluma Interview With Actor Adrian Grenier. Why is that important? He mentioned the restaurants in Petaluma he likes to eat at.  Our site got tons of clicks on the restaurants’ websites. This is better than advertising. It’s social envy of your restaurant. Maybe your business too can score an unexpected bonus this year.

 

Petaluma is becoming the culinary destination (see our post Video: KRON 4 News #Petaluma a Culinary Destination).  KRON 4 News Petaluma Becoming A Culinary DestinationWhen it comes to food, beer and wine there is no better place to be than Petaluma.  It’s the very reason we started a segment on our website called Petaluma Eats!  This event is a culinary journey around downtown showcasing Petaluma’s finest food, beer and wine.  

Here are important links for you to get involved today and take action now:

Entry Information

2015 Taste of Petaluma Entry Form For Food

2015 Taste of Petaluma Entry Form For Wine or Beer

Print, complete and send the above forms and fee:

  • Mail: Cinnabar Theater, Attn: Taste of Petaluma. 3333 Petaluma Blvd. No., Petaluma, CA 94952
  • Fax to : (707) 763-8929 or email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (707) 763-8920 with a credit card any weekday between 10 AM to 2:30 PM

For more info or to email entry form: Laura Sunday [email protected] (707) 477-9944

Share this with someone you know by clicking on the social media icons below.

Check out the new ‘Petalumans of Yesteryear’ website

2015-06-04_7-47-03Yesteryear is a word that has been used in a variety of ways. The Walking Tour Guides of our Historic Downtown District, who have adopted the personas of some of Petaluma’s prominent citizens from the late 19th or early 20th Century, have created a unique team of historical enthusiasts who are known as the Petalumans of Yesteryear. Through special presentations, Adult School history classes, and cemetery tours, they help preserve knowledge about our town’s past.

Several years ago, a website was created that included, in addition to a historical time line of Petaluma; a write-up about the contributions each of the Petalumans of Yesteryear made as our river town grew and developed over the years was created. Since then, some of the original Petalumans of Yesteryear have died or moved away. New volunteers have stepped up to the plate to replace them and to add new historic  personalities. Over the past few weeks, a new website has been designed and is now available for the public:Petalumans of Yesteryear Website

PETALUMANS OF YESTERYEAR  

http://www.petalumansofyesteryear.org/

Stay tuned as we continue to preserve and to share many of the interesting stories about the people and events that made Petaluma what it is today.  Look for future “Lest We Forget” posts about prominent citizens, past and present, on this site and my blog “Our River Town” on Argus-Courier’s Petaluma360.

Interview with Taps Chef Abe Asay Grand Champion of the 2015 Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff

Don’t miss Chef Abe’s Award Winning Chili Recipe at the end of this interview

This year’s Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff was the best attended in its 18 year history.   There was 1050 attendees, 40 challenger teams, 26 breweries which is the highest participation in every category since inception.   In our post VIDEO/PHOTOS: Winner’s of the Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off we highlighted this years winners.  The Grand Champion this year was Taps under the supervision of their Chef Abe Asay who was awarded a Golden Ticket to enter the 2015 World Food Competition in Florida.  This week we sat with Abe to learn more about him AND he agreed to share his award winning recipe to Positively Petaluma readers.

Wayne: Was this the first time you have won in the Chili competition?  

Abe: No, we have won first place in the Restaurant category 2 or 3 years in a row?

Wayne: How long have you been a chef at Taps?  

Abe: I have been here since they started – it will be six years in September.

Wayne: Where you a chef prior to Taps?  

Abe: Yes I was a chef in Orange County at a restaurant called the Cafe Mezzaluna.

Wayne: Is that where you are originally from?  

Abe: No I am a native of Petaluma.

Wayne: Where did you you get your inspiration to become a chef?  

Abe: My parents and grandparents liked to cook – and they always cooked good food.  We grew our own vegetables.  I also was part of the 4H club and learned how animals are raised.

Wayne: When was the first meal you cooked?

Abe: I was about 7-8 years old and it was Thanksgiving Day.  I remember my grandmother and grandfather telling me I better not try cook anything outside our traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  They told him “No fancy stuff”.

CLICK PAGE 2 TO FIND OUT IF REAL CHILI HAS BEANS AND CHEF ASAY’s OPINION

Introducing A New #Petaluma Company: YourBizFootprint.com

SmallSmallSmallLogoIn our fast growing information age it is becoming harder and harder for businesses to keep up and compete on the digital landscape. Many business owners don’t know the first thing to do – – let alone have the time – – to better enable customers to find their store or business on a PC or smart phone.

Map Pin YBFPMore and more consumers are looking for your services using their smartphones.  Most people will google your name or your business name before even meeting with you. If they can find you, they will want to check out your website and get fast and easy directions to your location.  If they can’t find you, it’s possible your competitor who as a strong local listing presence will get the business. As editor of this website, we have noticed a tremendous number of Petaluma businesses that do not have Google directory listings. Consequently, their business doesn’t show up on Google Maps (see photo to the left and you will notice blocks of business that do not show up).  This is why we started YourBizFootprint.com, a new affordable service to help business owners to get their footprint on the MAP.  We will assist your business with listings on the major directories (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc…) and it will probably be well within your budget.

qZYnepb7_400x400In order to dominate your business presence on the internet, you also should have a good social media footprint.   Adding social is important for dominating browser searches helping your company to show up on top.  75% of people select the first hit, 20% select the 2nd hit, and 5% click on the third hit – after that it is very unlikely someone will find your store our company.  We also  have noticed a lot of companies do not have Facebook Pages or even Twitter accounts.   The more your footprint is out there, the more your brand is going to show up and be front of mind for new and existing customers.  However, again, many small business owners don’t have the time or bandwidth to even manage it.  We have created a Social Media machine that businesses can plug into.  If you don’t have the content to share, we can create it and post if for you at very affordable rates.

Google just released a warning to web developers that if your website is not responsive to work well on pads or smart devices your website will be downgraded.  Yourbizfootprint.com can also help you to create clean and simple websites that are fully responsive in design and mobile friendly.  You can test your website for yourself by going to the Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.  These are what the result should look like for your business website.Google Bot Passes YourBizFootprint Website

 

Google Penguins and PandasIt is also very important to be actively engaged with your community and have that face-to-face interaction with potential customers. If planned properly, when you meet people in your store or business hand them your business card and ask them to follow you on Facebook or Twitter to keep up on any specials or promotions that might benefit them.

Oh yeah, and let’s not forget the pesky Google Panda and Penguin who are way out of scope to even get into a discussion here.  Just know that they are out there, and if you don’t pay attention to them they can affect your web presence without you even know it.

Give YourBiz Footprint call today at (707) 773-6002 or to learn more visit their website YourBizFootprint.com.