Petaluma inventors Ralph & Stephen Haney showcase their invention. Glo-Blades are a skating (ice or inline) accessory that creates the effect of skating on light. The company was founded by Ralph Haney over three years ago, after he had his “ah-ha” moment at Snoopy’s Home Ice while skating with his family. He shined his pen LED light down on the ice and noticed how it glowed brilliantly on the dim ice rink.
You may even be able to see these prototype blades live in action locally. According to their website, if you’re in northern California stop by Snoopy’s Home Ice in Santa Rosa (Redwood Empire Ice Arena) and you may just catch a glimpse of Glo-Blades. They have (or will) be featured in Aerial Ice Extreme at Great America in San Jose, CA, and other popular US shows, including the spectacular Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho. Even easier watch the two videos below and check it out.
Use #PetalumaTOP2015 to share your experience today!
The Taste of Petaluma released a new website that has a responsive design and will work on any device. We are so happy because we needed a map that we could use on our cell phones to get around and document all the fun. Their new website is TasteofPetaluma.com.
Click here to access the Maps, Taste List and where and where you can find entertainment today.
If you register on their site, like we did, you can create your own personalized tour for your tasting and music excursion through Petaluma’s historic downtown. Mark the locations and events you want to see and get notified as events begin. How cool is that! Now we won’t have to walk in circles like we have in the past.
Be sure to share your experience today on twitter, facebook, instagram and yelp using hash tag #PetalumaTOP2015.
The Highway Poets were recently recorded live at Lennon Rehearsal Studios in San Francisco with Jam in the Van and published these videos today. Nice work Poets! Vocalist and guitarist Sebastian Nau and band members rocked the van.
THE HIGHWAY POETS – “Roll Away” (Live in San Francisco, CA) #JAMINTHEVAN
THE HIGHWAY POETS – “Godless” (Live in San Francisco, CA) #JAMINTHEVAN
THE HIGHWAY POETS – “Bad Love” (Live in San Francisco, CA) #JAMINTHEVAN
Petaluma, CA – August 18, 2015 – Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner took her viewers on a road trip to Sonoma County as part of her new show, “I Am Cait.” In the episode that aired this past Sunday night on the E! Network, Jenner and several of her transgender friends visited motorcycle racer Shelina Moreda’s Girlz MotoCamp in Petaluma where they learned to ride dirt bikes.
The eight-part TV series, which debuted on July 26, focuses on Jenner’s gender transition and life since she came out as a trans woman this past April.
According to Moreda, Jenner, who is already a streetbike rider, quickly adapted to dirt bikes. “Given Caitlyn’s past as a gold medal Olympian in the decathlon, she’s obviously a well-rounded athlete,” Moreda said. She showed great skills on our bikes. Having Cait and her friends at our MotoCamp was a lot of fun. They are all awesome people, and I hope to have them back again. My instructors and I really enjoyed riding with them.”
Jenner felt that it was important for her and her friends to attend the Girlz MotoCamp so they could “do some things that weren’t ‘typically female’ because girls can do those things, too.”
About her time at Girlz MotoCamp, Jenner’s friend Blossom Brown said, “I loved Girlz MotoCamp. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to strengthen their riding skills. Shelina was so helpful and encouraging, and everyone who works with her at the camp is patient, understanding, and gives off so much positive energy. I got a major boost in self-confidence when I was at the MotoCamp, and it not only helped me overcome the fear I had about riding a dirt bike, it also made me realize that I have the inner strength to a lot more things in life than I ever gave myself credit for.”
Positively Petaluma did a complete interview and previous posts on Shelina Moreda – for more information about her click on the below posts.
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.
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.
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).
Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist for Realtor.com
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
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.
Doug Olson at 2014 Taste of Petaluma, Photo By Argus Courier Petaluma360.com
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 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
The 8th annual Petaluma Music Festival was held on July 31st and August 1stat the Sonoma-Marin Fairgroundsto raise moneyfor 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 9:00p.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 Giantsstarted 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
Petaluma inventors Ralph & Stephen Haney showcase their invention. Glo-Blades are a skating (ice or inline) accessory that creates the effect of skating on light. The company was founded by Ralph Haney over three years ago, after he had his “ah-ha” moment at Snoopy’s Home Ice while skating with his family. He shined his pen LED light down on the ice and noticed how it glowed brilliantly on the dim ice rink.
