Sunrise Farms co-owner Arnie Riebli appears on CBS San Francisco telling about what he is doing to protect his chickens from bio contamination. Riebli, a fourth generation Sonoma County rancher and in 2011 received the Petaluma Chamber’s Excellence in Agriculture Award, as a precaution would not allow the KPIX reporter John Ramos on his grounds and instead met him at the Henny Penny. Sunrise Farms take extra precautions not to spread avian flu which could be devastating for the chickens and revenues of the farmer. Riebli says that if you get avian flu in a flock of chickens you would experience a 95% mortality within a 6-day timeline. Sunrise Farms has spent up to $2 million for what Riebli calls “self insurance and self-preservation” to help assure and eliminate cross contamination. The temporary increased cost and as many of 45 million chickens lost to avian flu, it’s no wonder egg prices increased in stores. He says if the outbreak ends the chicken population will recover as chicken farmers tend to over produce and will have no problems recovering over time. In his words “They will all come home to roost” making the increase costs temporary.
Month: August 2015
Petaluma, Are You Ready? Are You Prepared?
National Preparedness Month has been held in September, annually, to encourage Americans to take the proper steps toward preparation for disasters in their homes, their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and recreation areas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sponsors National Preparedness Month and distributes disaster preparedness information to all American communities.
This writer has been involved at the local community level with volunteer emergency and disaster initiatives since 2005. I hope to begin early this year by starting to post blogs one month in advance of September. My purpose is to motivate you, as a reader, to think about the significance of being “Ready and Prepared,” whether or not you have already created a Disaster Supply Kit or an Emergency Go-Bag.
Then, when September starts and various national, state, county, and municipal agencies and organizations begin to post important information about natural disasters via multiple media sources, you’ll be ready to review the content and even learn more about how to be better prepared.
Stay tuned, and check this online site, weekly, for additional blogs.
94954 Listed By Realtor.com is #17 of Hottest ZIP Codes in Nation
Photo above is North McDowell Commons Under Construction to help meet demand
by SCOTT MANCHESTER/ARGUS-COURIER STAFF
As reported by Bloomberg Business on August 13, 2015, out of 32,000 zip codes covering all U.S. locales, Realtor.com says that Petaluma’s 94954 rises higher than the rest in their Top 50 hottest zip codes for housing ranking #17, with Melrose, MA ranking #1 (For period of Jan – June 2015). Making the list are ZIPs that are distinguished by healthy housing dynamics, strong local employment and neighborhood. It factors the time it takes properties to sell and how frequently homes are viewed in each zip code (high demand and fast moving).
The criteria for being chosen to be on their Hottest Zip code includes key trends driving housing this year including healthy local economics, job opportunities and affordability. Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Realtor.com said in the report, “For the first-time home buyers, these communities provide great opportunities to enter the housing market, build a career, and raise a family; older generations are able to build wealth and enjoy a variety of lifestyles.” Here are the top 50
Top 50 Hottest ZIP Codes Midyear 2015 (by rank)* Rank ZIP Code Name Rank ZIP Code Name 1 02176 Melrose, Mass. 26 50010 Ames, Idaho 2 43085 Columbus, Ohio 27 20151 Chantilly, Va. 3 80122 Littleton, Colo. 28 28273 Charlotte, N.C. 4 75023 Plano, Texas 29 97214 Portland, Ore. 5 48375 Novi, Mich. 30 67212 Wichita, Kan. 6 78247 San Antonio, Texas 31 94503 American Canyon, Calif. 7 63126 Saint Louis, Mo. 32 97078 Beaverton, Ore. 8 78729 Austin, Texas 33 62629 Chatham, Ill. 9 58103 Fargo, N.D. 34 48103 Ann Arbor, Mich. 10 92010 Carlsbad, Calif. 35 95687 Vacaville, Calif. 11 94115 San Francisco, Calif. 36 80501 Longmont, Colo. 12 07028 Glen Ridge, N.J. 37 95661 Roseville, Calif. 13 37210 Nashville, Tenn. 38 03110 Bedford, N.H. 14 14625 Rochester, N.Y. 39 68701 Norfolk, Neb. 15 66214 Overland Park, Kan. 40 98112 Seattle, Wash. 16 91354 Valencia, Calif. 41 30269 Peachtree City, Ga. 17 94954 Petaluma, Calif. 42 23233 Henrico, Va. 18 59102 Billings, Mont. 43 06092 West Simsbury, Conn. 19 95008 Campbell, Calif. 44 49534 Grand Rapids, Mich. 20 80603 Brighton, Colo. 45 21042 Ellicott City, Md. 21 02048 Mansfield, Mass. 46 68144 Omaha, Neb. 22 27560 Morrisville, N.C. 47 46804 Fort Wayne, Ind. 23 14221 Buffalo, N.Y. 48 01772 Southborough, Mass. 24 93433 Grover Beach, Calif. 49 93004 Ventura, Calif. 25 40205 Louisville, Ky. 50 32792 Winter Park, Fla.
Petaluma’s Sonoma Coast Spirits is Raising the Bar on Ready To Drink Cocktails
Have you ever tried a ready to drink cocktail and was disappointed that it tasted like a sugar drink or didn’t have enough kick because the alcohol was practically absent? You’re not alone – that’s typical. But not for Petaluma’s Sonoma Coast Spirits. They are breaking through and revolutionizing the twist and pour cocktail.
Petalumans Jill and Doug Olson moved their fledgling pre-mixed cocktails operation into a space behind Petaluma Hills Brewing Company on North McDowell. Founded in 2011, as a 4th generation – family owned Sonoma County Distiller, they are busy producing their award-winning pre-mix cocktails. Wilibees Wines and Spirits, big supporters of locally produced beverages, is first to stock their potent 40-proof spirits including screw-top lemon drop martini. Recently they introduced Mango Tango and Pomegranate-Lime Craft Cocktails. For all you whiskey lovers, their Whiskey Sour will launch this fall.
The philosophy behind their ready to drink cocktail line, is to produce high quality cocktails at 32 proof that are unique and flavorful that cannot be found elsewhere. These cocktails are perfect for those occasions where you are entertaining and don’t have time to mix cocktails but want a perfectly blended drink for your guests.
You can find Sonoma Coast Spirits busy pouring around Petaluma and the Bay Area at various events – We saw their booth this year at the Art & Garden Festival. Also expect to see them at the 2015 Taste of Petaluma. They give priority to support local charities and to give back to the community who has been so gracious in supporting their endeavor. Expect their flavors to be hitting other stores in Petaluma and the North Bay. Their new specialty liqueurs and whiskeys should be being launched in time for the holidays. For more information on upcoming tastings visit www.sonomacoastspirits.com.
Here are retailers where you can find their products:
Petaluma: Wilibee’s; G&G Market; Charlie’s Liquors; Namaste Liquors; and Petaluma Market;
St. Helena: Sunshine Market; St. Helena Wine Shop.
Novato: Harvest Market;
Terra Linda: Scotty’s Market;
San Anselmo: Ludwig’s Fine Wine and Spirits:
Santa Rosa: G&G Market; Oliver’s; Bottle Barn.
Cotati: Oliver’s; Sacramento area: Nugget Markets.
Do Your Back-to-School Shopping Locally at Petaluma Premium Outlets
Petaluma Village Premium Outlets will host its Back-to-School and Fall Preview Sale from July 31 to August 31, featuring special offers and more, to help families get a jump-start on fall shopping. For a complete list of discounts at Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, visit and click on In Store Promotions tab: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/sales.asp?id=24,
Sale highlights include:
- Buy one, get one 50% off storewide at Adidas, July 24-Sept. 3
- 40% off all polos and tees at Tommy Hilfiger, July 30-August 16
- Take an additional 50% off already reduced styles and select style jeans available at $24.99 at Levi’, July 29-August 4
Petaluma Village Premium Outlets is home to exceptional brands with extraordinary savings of 25 to 65 percent every day. For more up-to-date news and events, follow Petaluma Village Premium Outlets online Twitter and Facebook.
Also check out their Food Truck Weekends:
Saturday 11am-7pm & Sunday 11am-5pm
*hours subject to change
Located between Ann Taylor Factory Store and Nine West:
Hot Diggity Dog
Caribbean Spices
Three Twins Ice Cream
VIDEO: 8th Annual #Petaluma Music Festival Brings in a Crowd
The 8th annual Petaluma Music Festival was held on July 31st and August 1st at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds to raise money for the Petaluma public school music programs.
The swing and jive band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy started off the festival Friday night with a special concert, which included the option of VIP tickets for a gourmet dinner and complimentary wine and beer.
On Saturday the festival opened at noon and lasted until 9:00 p.m. with three stages and 15 bands. The headliners for Saturday were the jam rock band ALO, The Wood Brothers whose style comes from roots-music such as blues and folk, and the tribal hip hop/folk band Nahko and Medicine for the People.
Local band The Dixie Giants started off the festival playing high-energy traditional jazz. With the day already heating up, attendees set up chairs and blankets on the grass, milled about sipping on local wines and beers, and danced to the sounds of live music.
CLICK HERE OR PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE THIS YEARS LINEUP AS WELL AS HIGHLIGHT VIDEO