White beats Blue in Overtime at 2nd Annual Tri-County All-Star Football Game

The Tri-County All-Star Football game is a competition between the White Team (Napa, Marin and Petaluma’s best players) and the Blue Team (Northern Sonoma County’s best players). The battle covering from three counties took place on December 27 at Piner High School in Santa Rosa. The game benefited kids in foster care by raising money and awareness of the need during the holidays.

The game was tied at the end of the last quarter, and they were going call the game and the coaches would not allow that. They played into overtime and it would be Petaluma’s Greg Thomas the left footed kicker on Team White kicking a 19-yard field goal to defeat Team Blue, 43-40.

Players from representing Petaluma on the White Team are:

• 17 WR Hunter Williams 6’3 210 Petaluma
• 51 CTR Julian Lopez 5’11 230 Casa Grande
• 77 OL Justin Mahrt 6’4 235 Petaluma
• 74 OL Peter Parrick 6’4 285 Casa Grande
• 66 OL Chris Temple 5’8 220 Petaluma
• 73 DL Greg Poteracke 6’3 275 Casa Grande
• 32 DB Greg Thomas 5’8 155 Petaluma
• 33 DB Connor Dennison 5’8 145 Petaluma

Jimmy Cerf, offensive coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul High School-Petaluma, is the head coach for Team White.

Click here to see the five minute highlights video with nail biting action all the way to the end that was produced by Youth Sports Network.

Top Positively #Petaluma Facebook Posts You Made Popular in 2014

NUMBER 10 – Did you see this dinosaur running around downtown ‪#‎Petaluma‬ last night chasing cars down the boulevard?

NUMBER 9 - ABC Channel 7 VIDEO: Rain Is Good News For Petaluma Farmers

NUMBER 8 - ‪Petaluma’s 1st comic convention LumaCon 2015 Sat. 1/17 10am-4pm in Herzogg Sonoma Marin Fair

NUMBER 7 - Need I say More?

NUMBER 6 - NEW: Special Limited Edition Positively Petaluma Shirts - Only $5.00 With $1.00 Going to COTS

Click here to see the top 5 Positively Petaluma Facebook posts.

Things to Do In #Petaluma On New Years Eve

We could not find any one good source of the things going on the eve December 31, 2014 - so we create a list for you.

 The Petaluma Museum hosts its sixth annual New Year’s Eve gala from 7pm to 10pm. Celebrate with a concert by violinist Yun Chu, cellist Shu Yi Pai, pianist Elizabeth Walter and Nancy Severance on viola will perform selected works of Beethoven and Dvorak. Petaluma Creamery and Russian River Vineyards’ fine wines and cheeses will be served complimentary. Guests also have the option to purchase preferred tickets with “elite beverage service.” Prices go up as the event nears. $35–$70. 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. 707.778.4398.

 Get bluesy this New Year’s Eve with Tommy Castro and the Painkillers at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma ($41). This guitar-driven blues band is known for putting on a great show, and there will be a special guest performance with Keith Crossan andNancy Wright. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. Doors at 8pm; shows starts at 9pm. 707.765.2121.

Click here to see six other venues on New Years Eve in Petaluma.

Second Look Sunday: A Positively #Petaluma Weeks In Review

There are lots of great things going on in #Petaluma, you just have to dig for them. Positively Petaluma searches for and collects the positive information about our great city in one place: The Petaluma Magazine. The Second Look will be a reflection of some of the posts from the previous weeks.

1000’s are enjoying their free subscription with thousands of positive articles including these highlights from the last few weeks:

• ABC Channel 7 Video: Rain Is Good News For #Petaluma Farmers
• Thousands Show Up For #Petaluma Lighted Boat Parade
• Bixby & Mike Visit Petaluma Animal Shelter with a Yuba Reception
• EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 10-Year Old Penngrove Boy Saves His Mother’s Life in #Petaluma
• A Classic Bike Loop: Point Reyes Station and the Marin Coast
• Petaluma’s First Comic Convention LumaCon 2015
• Positively Petaluma Introduces Special Limited Edition T-Shirt
• Cinnabar Theater Presents I AM MY OWN WIFE
• 80-Year-Old Heroes Saves Senior Mobile Home Park from Devastating NorCAl Storm
• Photos & Videos of Petaluma Storm
• SolarCraft and Enphase Energy Help Liberty School Cut Energy Costs with Solar Power
• Poppy Tooker of Lousiana Eats! Interviews Petaluma’s Liam Callahan of Bellwether Farms
• Petaluma Joins Sonoma Clean Power
• Petaluma Health Center Stands Out, Earning Federal Awards, $100k Grant
• Petaluma Dairy Adds Christmas Tree Farm
• MTB brand Kitsbow Gets Urban
• VIDEO: KTVU News Casa Grande’s Fish Hatchery Is Largest Student Run in Nation
• VIDEO: Did You Miss This Year’s Butter & Egg Days Parade? No Problem PCA Has Got Your Back
• From Garage To New Studio: Petaluma’s Gretchen Andermahr-Iniguez Grows Her Pilates Business
• VIDEO: Flag To Flag Win For Alissa Geving’s Final Heat and Crash In Main Event
• VIDEO: Kambucha Maker Revive Brands Expanding In Petaluma

Other posts can be found on PositivelyPetaluma.com. Thanks also for “Like”ing us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Thanks for following us and sharing good news with your friends and family.

ABC Channel 7 VIDEO: Rain Is Good News For #Petaluma Farmers

This ABC Channel 7 coverage has great before and after video of Petaluma’s DeBernardi Dairy farm in Two Rock. Reporter Wayne Freedman says DeBernardi is thrilled to death about the rain as all the other ranchers are around the Sonoma and Marin County line. The Sonoma County dairyman in the interview said “Nobody thought we would have this much water, this time of year,” The rain is lifting a big burden for all ranchers around in the area. Neil McIssac from a Clover Stornetta farm adds “We won’t have to haul any water. Tanks are running over. Springs and wells are recharged,” The article however indicates by no measure is the California drought over with, but the 20 inches that have fallen so far this year is a great relief and a good start leading into winter.

Associated with article in the Press Democrat Struggling with one of the driest years on record by Jamie Hansen on December 2, 2013, it mentions the recorded rainfall was at its lowest in almost 120 years. That year DeBernardi said “We’re gonna have to see what Mother Nature does,” he said. “Usually, she works it all out. This year, I don’t know.” Well we guess he was right, mother nature is working it out so far this year.

Click here to see the video of ABC Channel 7 Anchor Ama Daetz and Wayne Friedman covering this good news story.

Thousands Show Up For #Petaluma's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

The Petaluma turning basin was surrounded by boat-parade fans even hours before the event started on Saturday, December 13, 2015. In anticipation of the lighted boat procession, eager children chanted “Santa, Santa...” with some awesome background music from the Kenilworth Junior High Jazz Band just outside the bustling Petaluma Taps restaurant. Yachts, sailboats, paddle boats and kayaks made their way into the turning basin a little after 6:30 PM giving a beautiful reflection of lights and color from the Petaluma River.

The city decorations and sound of Christmas carolers created a Norman Rockwell like mood and scene in our historic downtown. While climbing the stairs to the Petaluma Mill’s deck you could smell the sweet aroma of a cigar only to enter a back-in-time encounter with Christopher Linnell who was dressed in garments from the times. We couldn’t help but capture his image in B&W to generate a timeless and vintage feel of the evening.

While walking by the Boulevard Cinemas we saw carolers singing to a homeless person. We couldn’t help to do a double take passing by asking ourselves, Who is that? It was so good we had to turn around and find out who they were. The Pacific Empire Chorus singers introduced themselves and sang a song for us.

Wasn’t that great! If you liked that, then you will definitely also like the Petaluma Empire Chorus’s annual crab feed which helps to fund this awesome group on Jan 31, 2015 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South, Petaluma, CA. Click here to purchase you tickets - we understand they are going fast so order your tickets today.

Click here to see a special Positively Petaluma original video which is our gift to you and to the City of Petaluma for the holidays. Wishing you and your family the very best this season.

To get the special limited edition Positively Petaluma T-shirt shown below for only $5.000 click on the photo below.

NEW: Special Limited Edition Positively #Petaluma Shirts – Only $5.00 With $1.00 Going to COTS

You asked for it – you got it! Many of our followers have asked for Positively Petaluma t-shirts. Well, here you go.

These limited-edition Positively Petaluma shirts portray our history with landmarks of our great city. It can be yours for as little as $5.00. A dollar from each sale will be donated to COTS. We would like to thank Scott Dennison owner of Zephyr Pacific Sportswear for sharing our passion to spread good news about our community and making them available to you at his cost.

• Perfect gift for the holidays?
• Stocking stuffer for your favorite Petaluma friend?
• Take it to the gym and do a few reps in one?
• Sport one while drinking a gnarly grog at your favorite bar?
• Wear it to one of your favorite Petaluma parades or events?
• Sleep shirt so you can count chickens and have sweet Petaluma dreams?

Purchase as many as you like. This may be the best way to help spread positive news about Petaluma while giving a little back to our community. Get one soon because there is a limited supply and we are only offering them through January 31, 2015.

How to get one? While you are out running errands, stop by Zephyr Sportswear at 210 F Street in Petaluma (on the Boulevard next to Pinky’s Pizza) and pick them up. Other colors may be available. Their phone number is (707) 769-1000 or cell number is (707) 484-1785.

                                                         Zephyr Pacific Sportswear

Take a selfie or photo of yourself (appropriate for all audiences) wearing this shirt at a Petaluma event or in front of your favorite Petaluma spot and we will post them in our social media feeds. Just email your photo to positivelypetaluma@yahoo.com.

Bixby And Mike Visit #Petaluma Animal Shelter With A Yuba Reception

Who is Bixby and Mike? Mike Minnick is making a journey with his dog Bixby (or as Mike would like to say, Bixby is allowing her human to take him) across the country.

Why are they doing this? Bixby has a websitewww.Wheresbixby.com, and he says:

         “Howdy! My name is Bixby and I’m a 4 year old rescue dog from Texas. Along with my Human “Mike” and our rubber safety chicken “Chicken Charlie”, we have emBARKed on an epic adventure bicycling around the country and raising awareness of the importance of supporting your local animal shelters.”

One of his stops was the Petaluma Animal Shelter. Kaye Chandler created and posted video coverage on Vimeo. In this video Bixby & Mike were greeted by the Yuba Bicycle crew.

Why was the Yuba Bike crew there? Bixby and Mike are traveling across the country on a Yuba bike. How cool is that? The bike they ride is built by a Petaluma company. Maybe Yuba can create a new line of bikes call the Bixby. If you have not heard of Yuba cargo bikes you have to check out their website.

Where did Bixby and Mike stay while in Petaluma? They stayed at the Petaluma KOA. He was advised about the storm. Mike said he doesn’t pedal in the rain he arranged shelter to stay dry during his visit.

Click here to see the video coverage,social media posts and other local articles covering Bixby and Mike’s visit.

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For a short time only, get this special limited-edition Positively Petaluma T-shirt for only $5.00 with $1.00 of each sale going to COTS.

Click here to get details on how to purchase.

10-Year Old Penngrove Boy Saves His Mother's Life in #Petaluma

Captain Dan Farren, Joe Kelly, and Firefighter Paramedic Shay Burke

This story reminded me of one that we recently reported about Lewis from Forestville who save his father’s life called ‘ Saves Lives Sonoma helps 13-Year Old Lewis Save the Life of His Father with CPR.’ Joe is a 10-year old from Penngrove and 5th grader at St. Vincent Elementary School. Joe under a tremendous amount of pressure would help save his mother’s life in a Petaluma parking lot.

A little after 7PM On December 15, 2014 Gabe Kearney, Vice Major, called the Petaluma Council meeting to order. He announced the first agenda item was Petaluma Fire Department to present a Citizen-In-Action Award. Captain Dan Farren and Firefighter/Paramedic Shay Burke approached the podium and started to play the 911 call.

Captain Dan Farren explained how on the evening of September 25th 2014 at Trader Joes in Petaluma Joe noticed something was not right with his mother. We interviewed the family and they told us that Joe assisted his mother to their car – and no matter how much Joe tried to help her nothing was working. She was nearly unconscious when he took her cell phone and called his father Dennis, a San Francisco Firefighter who was on duty at the time. Dennis immediately called Rancho Adobe Fire in Penngrove. The on duty captain called Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority (REDCOM), which is the fire and medical dispatch for entire Sonoma County, and gave them what little information they had.

Click here to find out how Joe worked with REDCOM to get the fire and safety personnel to his location including video of the presentation with recording of the 911 call.

VIDEO: 80-Year-Old Heroes Saves #Petaluma Senior Mobile Home Park From Devastation

CBS San Francisco Bay Area recently covered a story on a group of Petaluma men who are declared heroes after when they won the battle to protect their homes in Thursday’s big storm.

The article goes on to say:

For 24 hours, rescuers saved residents as mobile home parks all over the Bay Area flooded, one after another.

The Leisure Lake Village Mobile Home Park, for seniors 55 and over, in flood-prone Petaluma didn’t need saving. It was hit hard, certainly, but it was not flooded. That’s because a group of men, who ranged from 75 to 80-years-old banded together and saved the trailer park themselves.

The men spent some 48 hours cleaning out clogged storm drains and making sure there was never a chance for rain to accumulate. They worked in shifts, walking the grounds, checking for standing water and from the looks of it, they succeeded.

Click here to see the video that CBS did covering this story.

For compilation photos and videos of Petaluma storm go to this post Photos and Videos of Petaluma Flood.

From Garage to New Studio: Petaluma's Gretchen Andermahr-Iniguez Grows Her Pilates Business

You will learn how this Petaluma mother of three grew her Pilates business from her front living room to a larger Washington street location at 353 E. Washington Street (Near Mary's Pizza Shack). She is inviting you to check out her new studio at the Grand Opening on December 12, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

In our interview with the owner of the new LifeStyle Pilates, Gretchen said “I found Pilates in 2005 and have been hooked ever since.” That was the year she took her first Pilates class. However she was no stranger to health and fitness after working in that business now for over 12 years. She is a certified Personal Trainer through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA), a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), and a fully certified Holistic Health Coach.

This motivated her to start learning more about Pilates. She eventually earned a comprehensive certification from the Body Arts and Science International (BASI). Gretchen further researched safe pre and postnatal exercise, and exercise for people with injuries. While taking a tour of her new studio, one section provides for ballet bars. Gretchen told us “I am certified by Balanced Body Barre to teach Barre classes.”

She started out teaching at various studios in town and told us in our interview, “I decided to run my own business.” She purchased her first reformer and started providing private lessons in the living room of her home. It didn’t take long that she needed more reformers and space and moved to her garage. During the interview she started to get emotional reflecting on where she started and how far she has come.

After two years she moved into a small studio anchored with a family owned gym working her way up to five reformers in the 500 sq. ft. space located at 1310 Casa Grande Road. Word of mouth started to travel and it wouldn’t take long before she outgrew it. Within a few years again she was only limited by space to accommodate her growing clientele. This led her to find and relocate to her new 1400 sq. ft. studio which allows enough floor space for six reformers. She also has also grown to add two Certified Pilates Instructors working in her studio, Dalia Bravo and Julie Thayer. The new location is well centered in town and it took us less than ten minutes to drive door-to-door from the east side of Petaluma to her Washington Street studio.

Walking through the entrance of her new studio gives a warm and zen-like atmosphere with a cozy seating area.


This opens to a fitness room with six Pilates reformers, chairs, weights, power rings, bands, exercise balls, etc.



Toward the rear of the studio is a Barre workout room.



LifeStyle Pilates offers Pilates and Barre Fitness classes (for beginning, intermediate or advanced levels) and Health Coaching 7 days per week. Click here to see a schedule of classes and sign up online, or call (707) 338-0710 to make reservations. You can get more information on their websitewww.lifestylepilatespetaluma.com.

VIDEO: Flag To Flag Win For Alissa Geving's Final Heat and Crash In Main Event

Petaluma has become a popular place for the sport of racing. For some Petalumans it is a family tradition. This year we interviewed Chase Johnson who is a 4th generation race car driver in Johnson Chases For Checkered Flag: An interview with Petaluma’s Chase Johnson. 16 year-old Zack Anderson recently won the San Francisco Regional Super Touring U Championship (see Press Democrat article, Petaluma teen racer fast, calm on track) just last month. Whether you prefer two or four wheels our city is a playground for those who desire to go really fast for fun, as an amateur racer, or even go pro with Motopia motocross park, Petaluma Speedway, and Sonoma Raceway in our territory. For others it can be a major step into the business of racing like TGR – Aston Martin Racing.

When you think of racing you also think that it’s a sport dominated by men. However you may remember our interview with Shelina Moreda Herding cows on motorcycles to pro racing internationally: An interview with Shelina Moreda which led the televised interview by KTVU’s Ken Wayne in their report Petaluma Bay Area Woman Set to Make Racing History.

This week we found a recent video showing another very talented racer, Penngrove’s Alissa Geving and her Chicko-Motorsports #3 Car. Geving is a Petaluma Speedway All Pro Sprint Car Track Champion and became the youngest female driver in the nation to win two winged-sprint titles at the age of 16. At 15 her very first sprint win was right here in Petaluma.

Click here to see both videos of her final heat and main event at the 2014 Adobe Cup at the Petaluma Speedway.

Kombucha Maker Revive Brands Expanding In #Petaluma

Sean Lovett, car enthusiast-environmentalist-brew master and founder of Revive Brands, a maker of the popular kombucha drink in Windsor. What does this have anything to do with Petaluma? This fast growing company that is tripling in size and moving their facility to Petaluma in 2015. Better yet, no new building will be required to accommodate them. They will occupy a 50,000 sq. ft. vacant production bakery in Petaluma.

In a North Bay Business Journal article posted just yesterday by Jeff Quakenbush, Kombucha maker, bakery plan big Petaluma expansion, tells about the 90 jobs that will be bound for our city and expansion of the specialty-food industry.

Lovett is a business owner that feels he can do things in different manner. It is a lot more work to have a more sustainable product, and says that his customers do care about the environment. He has built a two-way packaging system that allows consumers to return their bottles at exchange locations drop off posts so far at AJ’s Fine Food and Whole Foods locations in Arizona and Colorado as well as many locations across northern and southern California. Their website says “Revive Brands a sustainable driven kombucha company that brews, ferments and bottles our deliciously refreshing kombucha in Sonoma County, California. It is our passion to lovingly create drinks that not only make your body feel good but that your mind and soul can feel good about supporting.”

Click here to see the video of Sean and his company.

Second Look Sunday: A Positively Petaluma Weeks In Review

Were you too busy preparing for Thanksgiving and shopping to catch all the cool things going on in Petaluma in that last few weeks?

There are lots of great things going on in #Petaluma, you just have to dig for them.Positively Petaluma searches for and collects the positive information about our great city in one place: The Petaluma Magazine. The Second Look is a reflection of some of the posts from the previous weeks.

1000’s are enjoying their free subscription with thousands of positive articles including these most recent posts from previous weeks:

• VIDEO: Want to See 11 Miles of Petaluma River In A Canoe in Just 4+ Minutes?
• VIDEO: Petaluma Pete: Santa Tug Parody & City Video Tour
• Did You Know #Petaluma Has a Famous Military Comic, Maximilian Uriarte?
• PHOTO: California Creamery Operator’s Association - 1917
• Need We Say More? Bill Kreutzmann Confirms TryptoBand Project
• VIDEOS: Chelsea Carl & Maxfield Bala Creat 0+ (Positive) Festival Videos
• New Boss Takes Helm At Southern Marin Fire District
• On Target on Christmas: Urban Assault Pack from Camelbak
• VIDEO: #Petaluma Community Foundation Releases New Video
• Ten Days of Fun
• Upscale Comfort Food
• Sonoma County Roads That Are Perfect For Cycling
• VIDEO: Surfin’ Santa is Coming To Town With H20 Entrance
• Merchants Ready For Holiday Shoppers
• Merrill Graduates From Marine Corp Boot Camp
• Going Native
• Petaluma Teen Racer Fast, Calm On Track
• Healthiest Companies in North Bay 2014
• Petaluma Farm Heeds Omnivore’s Dilemma for a Personal Approach to Thanksgiving Turkey
• YouTube Adds “Petaluma” Song as Part of Norman Greenbaum Collection

Other posts can be found on PositivelyPetaluma.com. Thanks also for “Like”ing us onFacebook and following us on Twitter.

Thanks in advance for following, recommending and sharing this blog.

Did You Know #Petaluma Has a Famous Military Comic, Maximilian Uriarte?

Photo from Military Times, Courtesy of Maximilian Uriarte

Maximilian Uriarte was recently featured in an article by Saul Elbein in the Men’s Journal “ The Marine Corp’s Graphic Novel Hero”. His creation ‘ Terminal Lance’ has become a (an adult-audience) comic book hero and a Marine Corps institution.

Terminal Lance is a slang term for a Marine who won’t advance beyond the lowest rank of lance corporal. When Max served his two tours in Iraq in the Marine Infantry, he was expecting action and firefights. However he found just the opposite. It was mostly trying to overcome the boredom. So he leveraged this into a satirical comic of US Marine Corp life that he would launch in 2010 while on base in Hawaii.

Click here to learn more about Max and how his comic started and his wildly successful Kickstarter campaign.

Want to see 11 Miles of the Petaluma River in a canoe in just 4+ Minutes?

The Petaluma River is not only a popular water way for sports and fun, it also shaped our city’s history and heritage. This week I found some interesting information about our River I thought was worth sharing. Jaringan Tokek recently blogged on our river in an article called Petaluma River – Petaluma River California on Friday, October 24, 2014 which covers the habitat, ecology and history of our river. Petaluma also has a non-profit organization called the Friends of the Petaluma River whose goal is to celebrate and conserve the Petaluma River, its wetlands, and wildlife. They support education and activities around our river and created several annual events around our river including the Petaluma Watershed Celebration, Petaluma River Clean-Up, Winter Fandango Gala, River Heritage Days, and let’s not forget the popular Rivertown Revival.

We have never canoe’d down the Petaluma River before, and also do not have a patients to watch a video more than 5 minutes of someone else doing it. David Bell posted a video of him canoeing down the Petaluma River over a stretch of 11 miles in time elapse in just 4 minutes. Notice something you want to see? Hit the pause button. This makes for a cool short tour down the Petaluma River.

Click here to see the video and a recently released video produced by the North Bay Rowing Club.

There are lots of great things going on in #Petaluma, you just have to dig for them. Positively Petaluma searches for and collects the positive information about our great city in one place: The Petaluma Magazine. The Second Look will be a reflection of some of the posts from the previous weeks.

1000’s are enjoying their free subscription with thousands of positive articles including these most recent posts from previous weeks:
NCS Cross-Country Team Championship: Casa Grande Takes Title
Best Dive Bar in Petaluma: Ernie’s Tin Bar
2 Senior Ladies Save 87 y.o. Wheelchair Bound Woman from Fire
Petaluma Student Newscast Expanding Thank To Grant
Virtual Tour of Petaluma’s Charms
The Best Video Compilation of the #Petaluma Little League World Series
Bring A Taste Of The South to Thanksgiving: Topsy Kitchen
Marin Sun Farms Moving 35 Jobs to Petaluma
Petaluma Woman Wins Title of World Dessert Champion
Thanksgiving Made Easy with Della Fattoria Custom Orders
‘Super Seven’ Commit Together
SolarWorld Walks the Walk, Enlists American Partner Enphase For Panel Parts
Off The Rails; Sonoma County’s Repurposed Train Cars
City Helps COTS Expand
#Petaluma Veteran’s Day Parade: Schedule, Highlights, History & Video

Other posts can be found on our home page. Thanks also for "Like"ing us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Thanks for following, recommending and sharing this website.

The Best Video Compilation Of #Petaluma Little League World Series

We often run into Petaluma Little League World Series videos. Over the last year we noticed that a great many of the videos covering our hometown team are very bad in quality. We compiled what we think are the best quality videos available on the internet and put them right here in one place. Our Petaluma National team was the first to ever be in a Little League World series according to Little Leagues article Petaluma (Calif.) National Little League Earns First Berth in Little League Baseball World Series as West Region Champions.

Click here to learn more and see our best compilation of videos covering Petaluma Nationals - California West 2012 World Series Little League Team.

2 Elderly Ladies Save 87 y.o. Wheelchair Bound Woman From Fire

Yesterday evening Petaluma360.com YouTube Channel published this video and related article“Fire causes extensive damage to Petaluma home [on Melvin Street] w/video”. 

Photo by Scott Manchester/Argus-Courier Staff

Click here to see the video #Petaluma Fire Department Battalion Chief tells what happened.

In the article one of the victims said, “We all fell to the floor trying to move her, but we did it,” who added that they were surprised at how fast the fire started.

Fortunately the Fire Dept. was just a few blocks away when the fire started and were there almost immediately, and all parties were not hurt. Unfortunately the house has major damage.

Breaking News: #Petaluma #1 Most Caring Small City in America

According to the Movoto Blog written by Natalie Grigson:

Everybody knows that tiny towns are filled with some of the friendliest, most welcoming, and all around caring people in the whole entire world—most of whom wear bow ties, crisp suits, or long bell-shaped skirts, and hand out cookies to children in between their charity work and cancer research. C’mon, we’ve seen the movies.

But what about those places between 50,000 and 60,000 residents? Are they just as caring, you ask? Well at the Movoto Real Estate Blog the same questioning has been plaguing us, so we decided to put an end to our sleepless nights (and yours too), and create a list of the 10 most caring small cities in the U.S.

Here they are, starting with our winner and all around most caring place, Petaluma, California:

1. City of Petaluma, CA
2. City of Marietta, GA
3. Town of Chapel Hill, NC
4. City of Georgetown, TX
5. City of Charleston, WV
6. Village of Hempstead, NY
7. City of Harrisonburg, VA
8. City of Bradenton, FL
9. City of Oak Park, IL
10. City of San Rafael, CA

Click here to learn more about how they determined this and what sources they used. Also there is a gallery of the top 10 as well as a score sheet on how they factored Petaluma to be on top 10.

New York Life Acquires #Petaluma Land - Cader Commerce Center

On October 31, 2014 The Registry reported New York Life Acquires Land for Industrial Development in Petaluma on October 31, 2014 by the publisher in Commercial, Finance, INDUSTRY news. Yesterday North Bay Business Journal reports Petaluma industrial buildings planned By Jeff Quakenbush, Business Journal Staff Reporter.

The Registry indicates that New York Life Real Estate Investors has paid around $6 million to acquire 20 acres of land for development.

Click here for more information including a map where the Cader Commerce Center will be located.

Documentary On #Petaluma COTS Program by N.G. Parker

This documentary film was very well done on Committee On The Shelterless (COTS) in Petaluma.

#Petaluma Jewish Community Celebrates 150 Years Creates New History Documentary Video

Positively Petaluma recently reported on the 150 year history celebration for our city's Jewish Community. This morning Director and Producer Mac Weinstock released a new documentary video that has narration and interviews.

During our famed "Egg Basket of the World" in 30's and 40s thousands of chicken farmers were jewish farming families. More came from Russia after WWI in postwar years. The Petaluma Jewish Community Center was dedicated on 740 Western Ave near the downtown in 1925.

Click here to see the documentary video and a short video of Petaluma history and chicken farming as well as Scott Gerber video the Yiddish Cowboy.

Second Look Sunday: A Positively #Petaluma Weeks In Review

There are lots of great things going on in #Petaluma, you just have to dig for them. Positively Petaluma searches for and collects the positive information about our great city in one place: The Petaluma Magazine. The Second Look will be a reflection of some of the posts from the previous weeks.

1000’s are enjoying their free subscription with thousands of positive articles including these most recent posts from previous weeks:

Petaluma Celebrates the Centennial of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad

Petaluma’s Alex Tanalski California State Chili Champ

Barich works her way up the cross country ranks

Record-breaking season for the Case Grande HS X-country team

$6 million makeover for Petaluma school

POPULAR: Positively Petaluma Interview with Actor Adrian Grenier

Petaluma’s First Firefighter James Mott Not Forgotten

Petaluma Coastguardsman Honored for Bravery

A motorcycle crew with a heart of gold

“Save Lives Sonoma” helps 13-year Old Lewis Save The Life Of His Father with CPR

Award-Winning Pacific Empire Chorus Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Fleet week with the crew of the Sea Scout Ship Compass Rose

Trojans bounce back for happy homecoming

Rich history of river celebrated in Petaluma

Petaluma Racer not yet out of gas

Petaluma’s Labcon bringing new energy to North Bay

Video Petaluma Casa Grande Matt Abramo: A Bright Light In A Dark Room

From Marketing Executive to Petaluma Farmer: Deborah Walton created Canvas Ranch

Dead Pirates Roberts Day with Actor Cary Elwes

Other posts can be found on PositivelyPetaluma.com. Thanks also for “Like”ing us on Facebook and following us onTwitter.

#Petaluma Celebrates the Centennial of Northwestern Pacific Railroad

Trains were a big factor in our local economy and industry. The fact that we have a Northwestern Pacific Railroad Museum and Historical Society is because Petaluma would not be the town that it is today without the rail system.Positively Petaluma did a little digging into the history and wanted to show you some vintage photos of the train history in Petaluma.

Our historical Petaluma Visitor Center and art center is the original train depot and in the past has served as the center of our city’s transportation since 1914. In 1991 it was featured in a made for TV Hitchcock thriller in 1991. Today it will become a depot for the new Sonoma Marin Rail Transit Commission (SMART)train system.

Click here for more history and vintage photos including the McNear family standing at the Petaluma Depot and current photos of our train museum.

Animal Rights Activist Abuse Video found MISLEADING of #Petaluma Duck Farm According to Sherrif's Department

According to a more credible source, the North Bay Business Journal, than the animal rights activist who spent months to choreograph a 2 minute video in attempt to denigrate yet another Petaluma Farmer the Sherrifs Department determines the video is misleading.

This is what was reported in the last day.

PETALUMA — An initial Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department investigation Wednesday seems to have found that claims of animal cruelty at a duck farm west of Petaluma appear to be unfounded, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

The sheriff’s office on Thursday clarified that the operation searched Wednesday was Reichert Duck Farm at 3770 Middle Two Rock Rd. and not Sonoma County Poultry, a Penngrove-based producer of the Liberty Ducks brand sold in local stores. Jim Reichert, who describes himself as a fourth-generation poultry farmer, started Sonoma County Poultry in 1992. John Reichert is general manager of Reichert Duck Farm, which said it was founded in San Francisco in 1901.

A video recorded by a worker at Reichert Duck Farm affiliated with the animal-rights group Mercy for Animals prompted the Sheriff’s Department to send deputies, detectives, two veterinarians and an animal-control officer to the property, according to the Press Democrat. One of the vets told the publication that the practices are in line with industry standards.

#Petaluma's First Firefighter James Mott Not Forgotten

You may have seen some of the posts on James Mott and his memorial today. This led me to do a little more research on him. The first firefighter in Petaluma was 1873 but at that time there were no city employees and only volunteers. James Mott was the first paid Petaluma firefighter for our city starting 1807 and became a part of the YOUNG AMERICA ENGINE COMPANY NO. 3, PETALUMA FIRE DEPARTMENT. He was also the city jailer and ambulance driver well-known for his special bond with his horse Black Bart. He is also the first Petaluma firefighter making the ultimate sacrifice while fighting a fire in the downtown who lost his life in the line of duty in an vehicle explosion on October 20,1912. His life would end a few days later at the age of 57.

Positively Petaluma memorializes his life for his duty to our city but also celebrates that we have not lost the lives of any other firefighters since then. A record we would like to sustain indefinitely.

Click here to read more from the actual San Francisco Call newspaper who covered the accident as well as some other archived articles. We also captured a photo of the California Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento where James Mott’s name is inscribed. You will find that Mott and other volunteers acted heroically to help the injured from this explosion.

Positively #Petaluma Interview With Actor Adrian Grenier

An August 23 Facebook post by Adrian Grenier caused a big stir in Petaluma. His post garnered over 1000 “Likes” and several comments and shares by Petalumans. His status showed him with friends at our annual Taste of Petaluma with comment “Rockin’ #TasteOfPetaluma w/@catatomic @rbcsavage awesome delicious day”. This caused Positively Petaluma to want to find out more and share his experience here.

Adrian Grenier visited our town and attended our annual event while visiting family friends. The following interview was completed while Adrian was in Greece and would not have been possible without the help of Laura Sunday who hosted Adrian during his stay in Petaluma. Adrian is an actor, producer, director and musician most notable playing the lead role of Vincent Chase in the Emmy nominated HBO original series Entourage.

Click here to read the entire interview and learn more about Adrian’s stay in Petaluma including some of his favorite restaurants in town.

#Petaluma Casa Grande Matt Abramo: A Bright Light in A Dark Room

Casa Grande High School picked up their first win of the season last week and the Cougars’ two-star kicker commit was a big part of it. In the 47-0 shellacking of Ukiah, Abramo nailed both of his field goal attempts – with a long of 46-ya

rds – and was 3-of-3 on point after attempts. Abramo punted once for 53 yards and sent six of his eight kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

For the season, Abramo is 7-of-7 on Points After Touchdown (PATs) and 4-of-5 on field goals with a long of 46-yards. Abramo has also hit a 45-yard field goal this season and is averaging 34.2 yards per punt with 11 pinned down inside the 20 on 31 attempts. Abramo has also sent 14-of-19 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Click here to see more on his stats from the previous week and a video of some pretty amazing kicks-offs.

"Save Lives Sonoma" helps 13-Year Old Lewis Save The Life Of His Father with CPR

Photo Kent Porter, Press Democrat, 2014

According to an Press Democrat Article “ Forestville teen saves dad’s life“ and EMS1’s article based on the same Randi Rossman Press story “ Calif. teen’s CPR saves father, impresses responders“, Lewis Griffith, a 13-year old from Forestville, learned how to save his father’s life in a P.E. class at Forestville Academy. This education was part of a countywide effort by a coalition of emergency responders and health agencies called Save Lives Sonoma. They target and teach seventh-graders hands-on CPR. They report that his father slumped unconscious and not breathing on the kitchen floor and Lewis announced to his startled mother he knew what to do. Firefighters arrived on the scene with the teen working on his father on his own.The article provides the following background from #Petaluma’s Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Schach who adds:

“The reason we picked seventh-graders is they’re smart enough to learn it and teach it to the rest of their family and friends and they’re not too cool for it yet,” Schach, who coordinates Petaluma Fire Department’s efforts with Save Lives Sonoma, said about 2,000 people in the south county have been taught, including hundreds of middle-schoolers. Hundreds more area students are slated to get the training in the next several months. “We’re already seeing results,” Schach said, noting five people have been saved by someone stepping up to do the chest compressions in the past two years. “There’s been a drastic increase in the amount of bystanders doing (hands-only) CPR.”

Click here to see an video of another story like this one posted only four months ago.

It's Free & Takes 2 Seconds To Improve #Petaluma. How?

How you ask? Here’s the background as reported yesterday in the SCSL.

Petaluma entrepreneur Anastasia Schuster helps entrepreneurs and small businesses be more successful. By putting them in front of groups to share their passion and expertise, they are able to build their client base.

This is a woman with a dream. Anastasia gives back to her community in addition to her Access Speakers business activities, through an extra-wide range of volunteer activities throughout the year. Now she needs our help.

She has applied for a $150,000 small business grant being offered by Chase bank. “Receiving this would change my life as well as all the people and businesses I serve,” says Anastasia, who must receive 250 votes before Oct 17th to be considered for the grant that would fund software and vital staff hiring in order for her to expand her Petaluma-based business nationwide.

So how can you help Petaluma by a few seconds of your time and one click of the mouse? Click here to vote for her on Chase Bank’s Mission Main Street Grants page.

From Marketing Executive to #Petaluma Farmer: Deborah Walton created Canvas Ranch

When you hear about the Walton’s on a ranch, you can’t help to think about the American Television show ‘The Little House on The Prairie.’ But these Walton’s are not from Spencer’s Mountain or Simi Valley. Deborah is a native to Mill Valley who replanted with husband Tim, an artist, in the Two Rock Valley.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah at Graffiti Restaurant one night while listening to Peter Welker’s Jazz Sextet on the Petaluma Riverfront. Deborah is a former marketing executive for Santa Rosa Junior College and Bodega Land Trust. Besides ranching she still helps a non-profit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa with marketing communications.

One way she creates luck for herself is to read the classified ads (today for her it is craigslist). She found a three line ad with a piece of property on it…and she said “Oh my god, it’s actually affordable and it was right around the corner from where we were currently renting” Tim was in New York at the time and she called him up and said “Hi honey. I bought a farm.”

Click here for more of the story about Deborah and the Canvas Ranch including a KSRO interview of her as well as a video when she served as academic staff on a U.C. Cooperative Extension AGROpreneurship program.

#Petaluma's Laurie Figone gets her shot on the big screen on TNT's "On The Menu"

This self-proclaimed “cook-a-holic” is a native of Novato and currently resides in Petaluma. Joe Wolfcale of the Novato Advance [ Novato native gets her shot on the big screen on TNT’s “On The Menu”Cooking with Laurie] interviews Laurie Figone a 55-year-old mother of two whose first show “ On The Menu” (a cooking show featuring Ty Pennington and chef Emeril Lagasse) will air for the first time Friday, Oct. 17 beginning at 8 p.m. on TNT and will feature the cuisine of California Pizza Kitchen.

Growing up on the Leveroni Brothers Dairy ranch in rural Novato, she studied agriculture at Petaluma High School. She is a proponent of using locally sourced ingredients from Sonoma and Marin County. In the interview she says “There are some delicious things being grown around these parts,” She also goes on to say “My dream is to one day have a sponsor for my show,” Figone said. “Everyone loves Sonoma and Marin, and they all want to know what’s being produced there.”

Click here for more good news stories about Petaluma.

Demand Soars for Organic Milk #Petaluma Dairies Trying to Keep Up

KPIX Channel 5's Don Ford covers story Organic Milk Shortage Hits California Grocery Markets interviews Clover's Jennifer Beretta

There is such a demand for organic milk that dairies are having a hard time keeping up. Organic milk can only come from certified organic cows and there are only so many of them. According to Clover Stornetta’s Jennifer Beretta hopes that each cow can produce about 6 to 7 gallons per day.

It’s not easy to increase the supply also. In order for these cows to be certified organic they have to be raised from calves fed with organic hay which takes years. Other factors are a shortage of farms growing the organic hay and the drought is not helping matters also.

Click here to see the video interview.

INTERVIEW: Petaluma’s Pamela Aares Releases New Book AIM FOR LOVE

Prior to Pamela becoming a romance novelist she had a successful career as an award-winning writer, producer and director of PBS documentaries including the NPR radio series New Voices. She has a Master’s Degree at Harvard University and has helped non-profits that improve the lives of wild animals. This interview is different from others with Pamela because it gives more depth of her local community and the latest information about her new book Aim For Love.

Wayne: You’re originally from Mill Valley, what made you move to Petaluma?

Pamela: My husband wanted to start a big organic garden and wanted flat land and sunshine—not easy to come by in Mill Valley where we had lived for 17 years. Petaluma has wonderful resources for serious gardeners, including the Seed Bank, Cottage Gardens and the many Farm Trails events and tours.

Wayne: I understand you live on a farm and have quite the garden. Tell us about your farming/gardening.

Pamela: We have about an acre in cultivation and eat about 80% of our food from the garden. We have also planted gardens for pollinators (bees and butterflies) and for local and migrating birds. It’s been tons of work, yet living and eating in concert with the land and the seasons has been an amazing experience.

Click here to see the rest of this in depth interview.

Adam Babendir LoveMyLife Interviews #Petaluma's ‘The Random Artist’ George Utrilla

Positively Petaluma is always looking for positive things going on in our town. Today we ran into an interview by Adam Babendir who has a presence on Facebook LoveMyLife.info . It’s his mission to inspire and motivate as many people, on a daily basis, to take action on ALL the things that make them LOVE life! Well I can’t think of anything more positive than that. But what does that have to do with Petaluma? Adam interviewed someone that has been on our radar for some time. George Utrilla The Random Artist. I met George at Zodiacs during the Taste of Petaluma. George was wearing a shirt sporting the 707. I told him he should reproduce and sell them.

Originally from Lima, Peru, George came to the U.S. at the age of 12 and graduated from Terra Linda High School. He eventually moved to Petaluma which he now calls home for his family. He has been passionate about art work for most of his life. It’s his desire to have his own Gallery in Petaluma which he calls his “home base”.

Click here to see the short 4 minute interview and to learn more about Petaluma’s Random Artist.

OMG VIDEO: #Petaluma’s James Kelly – Burning Down The House – Wow!

Arbor Skateboards describes this video as when your heart jumps into your throat, and your nerve endings fire, you realize you’re seeing something memorable.

In this video released today Petaluma’s Longboarder James Kelly cruises downhill at high speeds passing oncoming cars, and yes, filmed wiping out. Ouch! This incredible scateboarder learned his craft on neighborhood hills in Petaluma. This is a commercial for Arbor Skateboards‘ new James Kelly Pro Model Longboard.

His sponsor Arbor provides this about James: Born in Petaluma, CA – James grew up riding with some of downhill’s most influential skaters. For years, he’s been showing that there’s no road that can’t be conquered. He has perfected his abilities to skate anything at speed, while building the discipline required to keep calm when the consequences are high. James is no stranger to the racecourse and podium, yet he’s most at home on the hills surrounding his family cabin in the Western Sierras, where this video was filmed.

Click here to see this amazing video.

VIDEO: P-Town Pond Hoppers Heading To England for Irish Dance Championships

Mayor Glass recently interviewed the P-Town Pond Hoppers as they are representing #Petaluma in an Irish Dance Championships in West Sussex, England this fall.

October 18, 2014 the Keenan Irish Dance School Dancers will be traveling to England to compete in the Great Britain Championships.  Here is the video interview.

Click here to see the video Mayor Glass's interview with Catlin Clarke, Elizabeth Carey, Jacquelin Clarke and Madeline Gamblen.

What The Heck Is An 0+ Festival? Get In The Know Because It’s Comin’ To #Petaluma

O+ Festival is a three day festival where participating artists and musicians receive free medical and wellness care in a pop-up clinic in exchange for their work and performances. Wristband buyers are supporting the delivery of these services and are strengthening the fabric of their community.

O+ Festival Petaluma is where our community comes together as a cooperative on November 7-9, 2014 at the historic downtown Odd Fellows Hall building 111 Petaluma Boulevard North.
It’s success is completely dependent on volunteers, sponsors,
and art-music loving health care professionals

ANOTHER IMPORTANT DATE AND FUN WAY TO PARTICIPATE

Lagunitas Brewing Company will be hosting a fundraiser to support our 0+ Festival. Here are the details:

What? O+ Petaluma 2014 Fundraiser.
When? Monday, September 29th @ 5:30 – 8:30pm.
Where? Petaluma’s Lagunitas TapRoom and Beer Sanctuary.
Playing? Brother Grand and The Highway Poets
Food? Delicious foods from Lydia’s Organics
Cost? $30 and can be purchased here.

Click here to see a video of the first 0+ Positive Festival and how it works.

VIDEO: “The Hole In The Head” by #Petaluma’s Elder Environmentalist Bill Kortum

                      Photo from Sonoma County Library Photograph Collection, Bill Kortum, Petaluma, CA 1955

Bill is a retired veterinarian, former Sonoma County Supervisor and leader of the County’s environmental movement for more than 40 years. He currently serves as a Board of Director for Sonoma County Conservation Action. In the video he tells how different parties including how local scientists and Petaluma Argus Courier played a role in that campaign.

Click here to see the video "The Hole In The Head" and another short video called Elder Environmentalists Speak.

#Petaluma's Bellyfull’s CEO Kelly O’Grady Is Her First Best Customer

The word entrepreneur means a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so. Kelly O’Grady was an entrepreneur way before she cooked up the idea of Bellyfull Dinners. This young self-starter learned the art of feeding many mouths in her youth when her parents would entertain guests. The food however was not her mainstay it was watching her father start new ventures and grow businesses. She credits her father with teaching her business and while growing up Kelly learned how to create a business instead of work for one. She started working at the age of 14 and as a young adult eventually evolved her career into sales. So she not only learned how to get around in the kitchen, but she developed serious business skills.

Bellyfull Dinners was created in October last year and they launched their website in February 2014. Last month Bellyfull delivered their 1000th meal to customers. In this interview you will learn more about this rising star in our community.

Click here to see the entire interview with CEO Kelly O’Grady and their video.

#Petaluma's Rancho Obi-Wan’s 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala September 20, 2014

It’s a party as only Rancho Obi-Wan can throw one, in the midst of the world’s largest collection ofStar Wars memorabilia and hosted by master-collector Steve Sansweet. There will be dinner, drinks and dessert all night, a trading-card bounty hunt and other games, door prizes, a special gala T-shirt and a super swag bag filled with exclusive goodies. Get ready for surprises galore, VIPs to mix and mingle with, Rancho’s incredible live and silent auctions, entertainment, special exhibits…and much, much more.

Click Here is a video that KTVU anchor Ken Wayne did in a recent past, PETALUMA: Largest private Star Wars Collection