Category: Featured

VIDEO: #Petaluma’s Gomes Thankful For 2nd MLB World Series Title

(Washington, DC 04/01/2014) Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes, wearing his bold USA flag blazer, walks past President Barack Obama at a ceremony on the South Lawn honoring the 2013 World Series Champs at the White House Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Staff Photo by Matt West.
(Washington, DC 04/01/2014) Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes, wearing his bold USA flag blazer, walks past President Barack Obama at a ceremony on the South Lawn honoring the 2013 World Series Champs at the White House Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Staff Photo by Matt West.

Don’t you just love this guy? He is often waving an American Flag or wearing one.  Not too many MLB players have two World Series rings and probably none from the 707.  In August Gomes had the good fortune when the Altanta Braves traded him to the Kansas City Royals.  But of course Gomes cannot just leave Braves without making history – check out our earlier post Petaluma’s Jonny Gomes pitching one of the greatest innings in history.  Gomes, a position player had the rare opportunity to help save Atlanta’s pitching staff by coming in to pitch against the New York Yankees – he struck out a batter to end the inning.  How many outfielders can do that?

CBS Sports wrote the following about Gomes in his World Series play:

Jonny Gomes Kansas City Royals Celebrates Series Win
Clip From CBS Sports Video Jonny Gomes Celebrates High Five with Hosmer

Gomes: He batted .167 in 12 games for the Royals in a redundant role, with guys such as Paolo Orlando and Jarrod Dyson getting all of the time as backup outfielders. But, Gomes also has what we like to call veteran presence — he also helped the Red Sox win a title in 2013. And after Christian Colon got the go-ahead hit in Game 5, he credited Gomes in multiple postgame interviews with helping him to stay mentally ready for the moment when the Royals might need him. Well, Colon obviously stayed ready, didn’t he?

Gomes also was noted for his speech in the Kansas City parade – see video on : WATCH: Jonny Gomes’ speech highlights Royals World Series parade.

The following video is from the MLB Baseball Website (It can take time for some computers to load the video below):

Petaluma’s Master Sergeant Sheryl Wilhoit Chronicled in Getty Images & Veterans Day Parade Information

Steve Kemmerle Petalumas 2015 Good Egg
Steve Kemmerle Petaluma’s 2015 Good Egg & Veteran’s Day Parade Organizer

On Wednesday November 11th our city will be celebrating and saluting our country’s veterans in our annual Petaluma’s Veterans Day Parade, one of the largest parades north of the Golden Gate.  It will feature vintage war birds and sleek air racers flyovers in our “American Quintessential Hometown”.  In our Petaluma searches this morning we ran into a photo of a young Sgt. Sheryl Wilhoit in a 2004 Getty Image inspecting her unit as shown below (who today is a Master Sergeant after serving for 19 years in the Marine Corp). This class of 1996 Petaluma High School graduate posted the featured image above on her facebook page yesterday. The portrait photo is significant in that it was taken during a ball celebrating the Marine Corp’s 240th birthday. It’s a nice reminder that we not only celebrate and salute our veterans, but also the young active men and women in uniform who serve our country everyday.  When the opportunity presents itself we try to share stories about Petaluman’s in the military like our post and interview with Lt. Jaclyn Trosper entitled Saving and Raising Lives: An Interview with Lt. Jaclyn Cuevas Trosper.

When you hover over the photo below the Getty Image provides the following:
PARRIS ISLAND, SC – JUNE 22: Marine drill instructor Sgt Sheryl Wilhoit of Petaluma, California inspects her female recruits during training at the United States Marine Corps recruit depot June 22, 2004 in Parris Island, South Carolina. Marine Corps boot camp, with its combination of strict discipline and exhaustive physical training, is considered the most rigorous of the armed forces recruit training. Congress is currently considering bills that could increase the size of the Marine Corps and the Army to help meet US military demands in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE OR PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE THE PETALUMA VETERANS DAY PARADE HIGHLIGHTS, ROUTE AND SCHEDULE

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#Petaluma’s Molly Best of Thistle Meats Star Of La Crema Wine Video

The La Crema Tasting Room YouTube channel provides the following as a description of this video:

Molly is a butcher, an artist and a lover of nature. She devotes her life to healthy food options and bringing her community together. A woman full of intrigue with a quirky sense of humor, passion and desire to go against the grain. She makes her life a statement by being true to herself.

About the series: La Crema presents three stories of exciting, confident women who are paving their way in intriguing corners of industry. They are business owners, entrepreneurs, artists and unique personalities within their community. Our statement maker series tells the story of women who are taking risks, following their own paths, and making a name for themselves in the world.

This video was very well done.  We learned more about Molly and Thistle Meats.  Enjoy.

#Petaluma’s Terri Strain, owner and instructor ATA Martial Arts, Tops Amazon Best Seller with Bullyproof

Strain makes a contribution to a very popular book BULLYPROOF: Unleash the Hero Inside Your Kid, Volume 2. This book is part of a series that helps raise awareness of the matter of bullying in the United States.  Within 24 hours of its release it was ranked #1 in the “Children Studies” category.  It also topped the charts on the Kindle “School Age Children” category.

Unlike other books that address what you should do when you are bullied it also covers ways to prevent it and prepare kids from its harmful effects.  The book is co-authored by leaders around the world including business owners, physicians, and “yes” even Petaluma Martial Arts instructors  (ATA Petaluma Martial Arts).

Here is how you can purchase this top selling book (Click the photo below):

In case you missed Volume 1 – also on best seller list you can also buy it today (Click the photo below):

Día de los Muertos activities in #Petaluma

Photos By Mariana Raschke

The streets of Downtown Petaluma teemed with music, food, people, culture, and art as the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum wrapped up its El Día de los Muertos celebrations on Nov. 1 with a candlelight procession and a giant puppets parade.

People with their faces painted as Mexican dead characters (la Catrina and el Catrin) ambled from Western Avenue to Fourth and B Streets. Altars and offerings, known as “ofrendas,” honoring the dead and art from local Latino artists were also featured in the museum. Throughout October, Petaluma hosted various Día de los Muertos themed activities

Photos By Mariana Raschke

On Oct. 17, as part of the celebrations, Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus offered sugar skull decorating activities and held dance performances from Aztec dancers and the Ballet Folklorico of Petaluma Paquiyollotzin during LumaFest, an open house for children and adults to learn about higher education.

Photos By Mariana Raschke

If you missed the activities this year it is likely that you will be able to see them next year, as Petaluma has hosted Día de los Muertos festivities for nine consecutive years. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures.

CLICK HERE OR PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THIS YEAR’S EVENT

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#Petaluma Educational Pop Up Party!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH, 6-9 P.M. 

Benefiting the Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF)

PEF is hosting their first Pop-Up Party!  Join them on Thursday, November 12 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge in Petaluma’s Theatre District. This casual and fun gathering invites you to Mix & Mingle, Sip & Socialize with the Friends of PEF.

No cover charge, a portion of the night’s sales will benefit the mission of the PEF. Come join the fun!  For more information, please visit their Facebook Event Page.

PEFlogo-chickThe mission of the PEF since its inception in 1982 has been to support all 38 local schools serving over 13,000 students annually. They believe every child has a dream. As a non-profit foundation they create community partnerships to fulfill these dreams. The Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF), which does not receive any government funding, relies totally on the generosity of the community and business partnerships to help support their efforts to enhance the academic experience of all Petaluma’s students. Any amount donated is an investment in our students and the future of our community. Be a part of the legacy.

Photographer Gary Kaplan to show #Petaluma’s Artists and Artisans

Artists and Artisans by Gary KaplanArtists and Artisans is a unique show that celebrates the diverse talent that Petaluma has to offer. Photographer Gary Kaplan visited twenty four artists where he photographed each artists in their work environment. Along with these stunning color photographs will be a piece by each participant that will be for sale. You get to see the face behind the art and where it was created.

Those being shown include fine artists, painters, metalworkers, ceramicists, violin maker, guitar maker, illustrators, tattoo artist, photographer, letter press printer, performance painter, bike maker, map maker, and a vintner.

Click here to see the Artists & Artisans Poster poster showing the subjects of Kaplan’s showing.

This show is schedule at the Petaluma Historic Library and Museum located at 20 4th St., Petaluma for the months of November and December. Opening reception is on Nov. 14th from 5 – 9:00 PM.

Viva Las Vegas: #Petaluma’s Pacific Empire Chorus Wins 3rd at International Competition

“Fun! Flashy! Confident!” is the motto of Petaluma’s very own Pacific Empire Chorus (PEC) and it fits perfectly. The all-women a cappella chorus took its vibrant, playful energy all the way to Las Vegas for the 70th Annual Sweet Adelines International Convention and came back with a 3rd place win from the international midsize competition.

Pacific Empire Chorus originated in Santa Rosa over 50 years ago before migrating down to Petaluma. PEC is a four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style that sings a large variety of music ranging from modern pop to jazz standards. The women of Pacific Empire Chorus come from all over Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties, as well as a few from out of state, in order to be part of a winning show chorus.

Pacific Empire Chorus Region 12 Competition 2015
From Pacific Empire Chorus Website

But the chorus isn’t just about singing and competitions. As Director Patty Pennycook said, “It is about singing but what keeps you coming back is the friendship and the fun you have singing together every week. It’s sort of like a sorority that sings all the time. And we empower women … I can’t imagine being without this organization. It is something that makes everybody feel good to be part of and singing and dancing it’s just so good for your body.”

Pacific Empire Chorus meets Wednesday nights from 7:00-10:00 and is looking for women of all ages who love to sing. If you are interested in joining, you can find them at the First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma, located at 939 B Street.

Upcoming events for Pacific Empire Chorus include Santa’s Arrival Sing Out on November 28, Festival of Trees Tree Lighting on December 4, and their annual Crab Feed on January 30. The crab feed is also a silent auction, which raises money to fund PEC and bring in top coaches to work with the chorus.

Here is a video Pacific Empire Chorus Carollers singing a song for us last year.

Click here to find out more about hiring Pacific Empire Chorus for a performance.

What’s Happening In Petaluma This Week? Oct 2nd thru Oct 9th

ShakespeareCroppedPetaluma Shakespeare Festival: Taming of the Shrew – Fri. & Sat.: Weekend performances on the Foundry Green, 2nd & H Streets.

Brunch Tasting at Keller Estate – Sat. & Sun.: Savor a delicious light brunch, perfectly paired with a flight of five Estate wines.

Butcher_Slide_0Author Meet & Greet – Sat, 7pm: Jim Butcher, author of “The Aeronaut’s Windlass” at Copperfield’s Books, 140 Kentucky St. 762-0563.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour – Sat. 10:30am: Led by costumed docents. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398.

chillybilly_poster2015Chilly Billy Poker Run, Hot Rod Show – Sat., 11:30am-3:30pm: RIP City Riders’ Hot Rod & Motorcycle show, BBQ lunch, live music ,vendors and more.

Saturday Farmer’s Market – Sat., 2-5pm: Over 60 booths selling farm-fresh produce & local products in Walnut Park.  415-999-5635.

Fandango Flyer 2015Fandango at the Petaluma Adobe – Sat., 2:30pm: A fall event of music and dancing celebrate California of the 1840s at General Vallejo’s Rancho. Adobe State Park, 3325 Old Adobe Rd. 762-4871.

“Viva la Vida” Opening Reception – Sat., 6-8pm: Day of the Dead Exhibit. Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398.

Boating at the Barn – Sun., 10am-1pm: Free kayak and row boat rides at the River Heritage Center in Steamer Landing Park. 769-0910.

cruisein1East-Side Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 10am-1:30 pm: Year-round, rain or shine! Deer Creek Shopping Center (Friedman’s) 429 No. McDowell Blvd.  415-999-5635.

Classic Car Cruise-In – Thurs., 6-9pm: Fourth & Sea Fish & Chips parking lot, 4th & C Streets. 762-6424.

 

CLICK HERE OR PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE UPCOMING EVENTS

 

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