12-year old Majors Division Little League Championship were played last night at Rincon Valley Little League Park in Santa Rosa. The teams came into this competition with one loss each hoping to take one more step on the road to Williamsport.
Petaluma Valley wins big! Here are the highlights of courtesy of Youth Sports Network:
UPDATE August 8, 2015: Check out also Petaluma artists prep for Burning Man, By Yovanna Biererich, Argus Courier Staff.
A local artist, Kevin Clark, received a grant from Black Rock City Arts to build Medusa Madness for this year’s Burning Man event. Clark, who is also co-owner of The Shop on Kentucky St., is known for his restaurant design and Rhino Vehicle that rolled down the streets in this year’s Butter & Egg Days Parade. His rhino vehicle will serve as the stage for the Rivertown Revival event on July 18. He assisted with previous year’s Burning Man temples in 2001 and 2002. This huge Medusa head will be located in the front of the “Key Hole” in center camp giving it high status as one of the major displays at this year’s Burning Man event. Medusa’s head will sport a cobra tiara and covered with polished-mirror finished stainless steel.
Medusa Madness will have 25 snake heads whose bodies will be 400 ft. long and require over 800 barrels to construct. Each section has to be welded on to the structure. Last year we covered the Temple of Grace built for the 2014 event by local artist David Best. Best’s project required tons of volunteers to construct. See VIDEO UPDATE: #Petaluma’s David Best Builds 2014 Burning Man Temple In Petaluma and Photos of the Temple of Grace Built By Petaluma Artist David Best And Many Petaluman Volunteers. The difference with this project is it cannot use volunteers because its construction requires skilled labor. When we were on site there were 4 active welders building the structure.
The snake heads will also be covered with mirrored finished stainless steel. The heads will breathe fire requiring over 100 gallons of propane. Their eyes will light up using 200 MRG 16 RGB LED lights. The eyes will blink and roll.
Inside of the structure will serve as an atrium for people to move about inside the structure. The entire structure will be finished in 4 to 5 weeks and will be moved to the Burning Man camp on August 22.
To celebrate Petaluma’s growth in the wine industry, we decided it was time to have a dedicated place (website) focused on it. PetalumaWine.com was created by our team to increase our viticulture footprint in the digital world. We want people to easily find and learn to love the wines produced by our local vintners and winemakers. We want to generate some excitement over the Petaluma Gap region so wine lovers will want to stop in Petaluma as part of their wine country experience.
In addition to the website we will be supporting social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Pinterest, and Flipboard Magazine. Thanks in advance for the follows, “Like”s, and sharing.
In the near future the website will have maps and listings of wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms. We will also feature Petaluma restaurants and chefs who regularly offer Petaluma or Petaluma Gap wines on their wine lists and can recommend pairings with their menus. In the future we will also be adding links to local stores who carry Petaluma wines and any wine clubs.
We hope that you like the logo and think that it well represents our industry incorporating a leghorn rooster with wine glass and egg basket full of bottled wine on a Petaluma Gap backdrop.
Thank you for sharing this new website on your timeline.
Recently we reported on the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma in Breaking News: Quasi Modo winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest! Today Jimmy Kimmel wanted to do something special for Quasi Modo, the winner of this year’s Petaluma’s World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. So he reached out to celebrity stylist Carson Kressley and his team of hair, makeup and fashion experts to give the World’s Ugliest Dog a full celebrity makeover. Only after one day of posting it, as of this morning, it has already been viewed over 75,000 times.
To see the winner of last year, Peanut, get a makeover see our post Video: #Petaluma’s Ugliest Dog Gets Makeover on Jimmy Kimmel Show.
If you like this post, please share it with friends on your timeline using the social media icons below.
This year’s World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest winner is none other than the very ugly, yet adorable, Quasi Modo. Quasi Modo is a 10-year-old pit-Dutch shepherd mix breed, from Loxahatchee Florida who was abandoned at an animal shelter before being taken home by one of the veterinarians. Her odd appearance is primarily due to the fact that she has multiple defects in her spine, causing her back to be too short for the rest of her body. Despite her funny appearance owner, Virginia Sayer, loves her dearly as everyone can see. Last year’s winner Peanut was featured on the Jimmy Kimmel Show getting a much needed makeover in our post Video: #Petaluma’s Ugliest Dog Gets Makeover on Jimmy Kimmel Show that was viewed thousands of times.
In second place is SweePee Rambo, a tiny Chinese Crescent Chihuahua with a Mohawk and doggie depends. For 15 years, SweePee used to go to work with her dad, Jason Rambo on his motorcycle until she got too old for such frequent trips.
The third place winner is first-time contestant Frodo, a Chinese Crested and Hairless Chihuahua mix. She is 12.5-year-old and has been with her family since she was 10 weeks old.
Spirit Award winner is Precious, an eight-year-old Chihuahua who lives in 
Petaluma and visits veterans at the VFW with her mom, Cathy Kennedy, who is a disabled veteran herself. Precious can even tell when Cathy’s blood sugar is low and then alert other family members.
While not all the dogs left with trophies, they are all true winners for they have found people to love and care for them dearly. In spite or because of their strange looks, these dogs are loved by all. You can see it in the faces of the judges Brian Sobel, Camilla Gray Nelson, and Nick Watt, as well as event hosts Bob and Sheri from Mix 104.9—even when they back off a bit from dogs with skin abnormalities and strange textures. Before the event, adoring crowds surrounded the dogs to take photos and give them attention.
CLICK ON PAGE 2 TO SEE THE WINNERS AND THEIR BIO INFORMATION (ALSO VIDEO COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR’S WINNERS)
Sonoma-Marin Fair –Saturday is Farmer’s Day at the Sonoma-Marin Fair WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Featuring animal exhibits, games, carnival rides, (Stay tuned for the results of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest held last night – Already we have searches on our site this morning for the winner of last year in our post Video: #Petaluma’s Ugliest Dog Gets Makeover on Jimmy Kimmel Show), Don’t miss the carnage that is always delivered at the Petaluma Speedway’s Destruction Derby on Sunday (6/28 1:00PM) and other events.
Cinnabar Theater presents the opera “Falstaff” – runs through 28: Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North. For information and show schedules, call 763-8920.
Historic Downtown Walking Tours – Sat. 10:30 am: Donations welcome. Free. Petaluma Historical Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398.
Ribs for Kids Cook-off – Sat., Noon: You be the judge who is the best! $20 gets you in the door and includes your rib tastings. Mario & Johns Tavern, 428 D St. 753-1069
Sea Coast Fortification Presentation – Sat., 2:30 pm: John Martini, History of the Golden Gate’s Fortifications. Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398
Saturday Farmer’s Market in Walnut Park – Sat., 2-5:30 pm: Over 60 booths selling farm-fresh produce and local products. Live entertainment & activities in Walnut Park. 415-999-5635.
Wings of Glory Concert – Sat., 7pm: Hosted by First Presbyterian Church, 939 B St. Free, but $10 suggested donation. For info call 763-9484.
Buffalo Soldiers Presentation – Sun., 2:30 pm: Ranger Frederik Penn to discuss the legend and legacy. Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St. 778-4398.
East-Side Farmers’ Market – Tuesdays, 10am-1:30 pm: Year-round, rain or shine! New Location as of 6/30: Deer Creek Shopping Center (Friedman’s) 429 No. McDowell. 415-999-5635.
Wednesday Evening Farmers Market – Wed., 4:30-8 pm: Two blocks of vendors, music & fun in Theatre District. Second, B & C Streets.
1:00 FAIR OPENS
4:00 Milking Demonstration, Milk Barn
LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
Also everyday at the the fair you will find
This is one of the best video’s we have seen covering the 2015 California Artisan Cheese Festival in Petaluma, California.
Here is the Artisan Cheese Fest Highlight Reel posted on YouTube by Victoria Parr the marketing and branding champion at Petaluma Creamery.
Did you also miss the 150th anniversary celebration for Marin French Cheese this month. We posted and created a video highlighting that event – see our recent post VIDEO: Say Cheese: Marin French Cheese Celebrates 150 Years.
CLICK PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE A VIDEO POSTED JUST A FEW DAYS AGO BY TasteTV COVERING THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS GREAT EVENT
This year Marin French Cheese, also known as the Cheese Factory, is celebrating their 150th year anniversary. As the longest continually operating cheese company in the United States, they have an extensive history with the community and the land.
To commemorate this long history, Marin French Cheese hosted a 150th Anniversary Celebration at the farm on June 14 to thank the community of friends, neighbors, employees, and customers that have supported them throughout the years. With many vendors’ products to sample, music from
The Dixie Giants, and free food from Fabrique Delices, there was a strong sense of community at the event. Families gathered around picnic tables and sat on blankets to eat in the sun, others sat on bales of hay to listen to people’s stories and memories of Marin French Cheese.
Attendees heard the compelling history of the Cheese Factory beginning in 1865 with the original founder, Jefferson Thompson, who began selling breakfast cheeses as a protein replacement for eggs during an egg shortage.
Jefferson Thompson’s great-grandchildren, Marilyn and Bob Thompson spoke about their memories of the Cheese Factory during the storytelling time, hosted by local author and historian Dewey Livingston. Marilyn recalls, “Bob did a lot of work out here—driving tractors and keeping the grounds in order—and I would come and pack cheese in the summers and that was my only job here.”
While the Thompsons no longer own Marin French Cheese, they are still connected to the community surrounding the factory. “People who work here became friends of the family and I’m going fishing with some of them,” said Bob Thompson, “The surrounding community became family as well because they’d show up and buy the cheese … and we’re very much appreciative of that.
In addition to hearing stories from the community, attendees were able to witness a cheese making demonstration, learn about beekeeping, talk with Frances Rivetti, author of Fog Valley Crush
CLICK ON PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE A VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING THE DAY AND LIST OF VENDORS WHO ATTENDED THIS CELEBRATION
In a classroom filled with first graders stood the principal, teachers, and Petaluman Jenny Giacomini, a volunteer with Project Linus. Recently a family, both parents and two young children, had been killed instantly in a needless car accident by a driver who ran a red light. These were the classmates of one of the kids, and the students were trying to come to terms with the fact that their friend was gone, and that a whole family could disappear without warning. Project Linus, a nonprofit group that provides blankets to children suffering from illness or trauma, was on hand to help in its unique way.
The principal addressed the children, asking who had heard of Charlie Brown and his friend Linus. Many hands shot up. “And what does Linus always have with him?” she asked the students, and they all chorused, “A blanket!”
She said, “This lady is here to give a blanket to each of you, because a blanket makes you feel safe and warm and loved.” The kids were so excited – one boy said, “I don’t have a blanket!!” As the blankets were handed out, the teachers looking on got tears in their eyes. Upon leaving the class, a boy was seen tucking his blanket in around his neck and using it as a cape. “Good use for a blanket,” someone noted. The principal said that that boy was autistic, and she didn’t think he would accept a blanket, but he did and he was loving it.
Bringing blankets to kids in need of comfort has been Jenny Giacomini’s focus for the past decade. She is the coordinator of the local chapter of Project Linus, which is a national nonprofit organization. Her chapter has handed out over 10,000 blankets since she started it in 2004.The majority of her blankets are distributed locally, throughout Sonoma County and into Marin, and occasionally farther afield when the need arises. In the event of a nationwide or worldwide catastrophe, PL headquarters will put out a call for blankets, and each chapter sends what it can; thousands of blankets can be gathered in a matter of days.
“I was looking through a woman’s magazine and saw an article on making blankets for Project Linus and thought, ‘I can do that.’ When I went to the PL website, I saw there wasn’t a chapter around here, so I decided to try to start one,” explained Jenny. She went on to say that starting a chapter was completely outside of her comfort zone, but having recently lost her father, she was at a point in her life where she wanted to find something fulfilling and meaningful to do.
Those who contribute blankets to Project Linus are dubbed “blanketeers,” and they donate their time and materials to making blankets. In Jenny’s chapter, members work on their own and drop off finished blankets at various spots around the county. Some members quilt, some knit or crochet, and some make no-sew fleece blankets, which are a popular project for youth groups learning about community service. Members of the local chapter have taken to meeting monthly at Beverly’s in Rohnert Park for blanket show-and-tell and to plan for fundraising events for the chapter, which include an annual holiday craft bazaar selling homemade crafted items and a summer yard sale of craft supplies where members can lighten their stashes and people can feed their creativity.
Project Linus is always happy to answer questions for people who would like to make blankets, and would especially like to hear from people who know of places that might like to receive blankets.
“Our biggest challenge is making contact with people who know where the need is for our blankets,” said Jenny. When Jenny sees an article in the paper about a family suffering from tragedy, she tries to make contact to get blankets to the children affected. The chapter routinely gives blankets to hospitals, health centers, agencies that work with low-income families, and practices that provide support for children. The Petaluma police department also carries blankets that can be given to children with whom the officers come into contact. Such entities, however, tend to see frequent personnel changes, and when Project Linus loses a contact person, it often loses an outlet for blankets.
“I know these people have more important things to do than let us know they need blankets, but it can be disheartening to be unable to make contact to make deliveries,” Jenny explained. She welcomes input from the public about any particular needs for blankets, whether on an ongoing or individual basis.
Jenny also welcomes anyone who has any craft-related items they might want to donate to the yard sale this summer. The proceeds benefit the local chapter only and cover such expenses as postage and laundry soap. Donations of yarn and fabric are always received enthusiastically by the blanketeers as well.
For more information about Project Linus and to get ahold of Jenny, visit http://nbprojectlinus.weebly.com/contactdrop-off.html
