Sonoma Country Life

Noelle's Big Night - Petaluma Businesswoman and Women's Initiative Grad Award Winner

Three huge cheers for Petaluma's own Noelle Marshall of One Planet Global Handcrafted Fair Trade Store who scooped a major award for women in business from the Bay Area Women's Initiative - Marin County.

Noelle, a graduate of the ultra-educational, motivational and ultimately empowering Women's Initiative Program was recognized at a special red-carpet ceremony at Marin's R.A.B Motors, along with eight other outstanding North Bay Women in Business, including the Book Passage's Elaine Petrocelli, Bernice Baeza of Larkspur's Lark Theater, Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell of Equator Coffees, Kim Juarez of LOLA, Lydia Kindheart of Lydia's Organics and Lydia's Lovin Foods, Mary Loveland of Indigo Healing Arts, Molly Robbins of LicenZing and Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter of Serena and Lily.

The evening's presentation highlighted North Bay women in business at the plethora of successful entrepreneurship within the community alongside fledgling entrepreneurs such as Noelle, who share a common ground of embracing business models that give back through job creation, mentoring, innovation and visionary community outreach.

To shop for the holiday season from Bar Area Womens Initative member businesses, check out the wi orange pages  and help create quality jobs for future Women's Initiative Graduates by boosting the ability for current business owners to continue to inspire and mentor thousands of new members looking to establish new businesses each year. 

Noelle is readying for a busy holiday shopping season, as more and more of the community look to Fair Trade goods as a more meaningful way to gift and to recieve. Stop by to congratulate Noelle and have a browse goods from more than 20 developing countries at 4 Fourth Street in historic downtown Petaluma.

Petaluma High School Theater Group Performs Neil Simon's Comedic Plaza Suite

Tony Award winner for best director of a play, Neil Simon's 1968 Plaza Suite consists of three acts, each involving different characters in Suite 719 of New York City's legendary Plaza Hotel.

Petaluma High School Theater Group takes on this brillant, hilarious comedy for six shows running November  12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21st at 7pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.

Meet not-so-blissfully wedded couple Sam and Karen Nash,as they revisit their honeymoon suite in an all-out attempt to rekindle their marriage in Visitor From Mamaroneck. In Visitor from Hollywood, movie producer Jesse Kiplinger and his old flame, suburban housewife Muriel Tate have the suite to themselves for old times sake while married couple Roy and Norma Hubley deal with all sorts of slapstick shenanigans on their daughter Mimsey's wedding day in Visitor from Forest Hills.

Petaluma High School is located at 201 Fair Street, West Petaluma.

Best Foot Forward for Petaluma's First Diabetes Awareness Walk

Lace up your good walking shoes on November 14th and join Petaluma-based friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, community leaders, health care providers, athletes and nature lovers in Petaluma's first World Diabetes Day Walk to promote healthy living.

The number of people with diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. Regular walking for at least a half an hour a day has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by a whopping 35 to 40% and for those who have already contracted diabetes, frequent activity undoubtedly helps to keep this disease under control.

Petaluma-based Family Nurse Practitioner and visionary Genevieve Foster has worked tirelessly to produce and promote this inaugural event which will take place at the super-cool Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility from 10 am to noon at 3890 Cypress Drive, Petaluma, this November 14th.

Community groups and organizations will be on hand at the entrance to the walk around Ellis Creek to provide information and useful resources on diabetes and the enormous benefits of healthy nutrition and exercise.

Look out for Mayor, Pam Torliatt, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, well-known staff from Kaiser Permanente and the Petaluma Health Center as well as lots of independent doctors, walkers from the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, The Phoenix Theater, Athletic Soles in what will be a terrific cross-section of our caring community.

This leisurely walk amidst the wildlife and natural beuaty of the area and guided tour is free of charge and you don't need to seek sponsorship to participate. A nice and simple way to spread awareness of diabetes and child-friendly, so bring the family. For more info: contact Genevieve Foster, FNP, CDE on 415 302 7414.

 

The Aztec's Are Coming - Special Guest Performers at Valley Vista's Harvest Fair

Wow, wouldn't want to stand too close to these headpieces, but watching the San Vicente Aztec Dance Troupe bring history to full life at the Valley Vista Harvest Fair next Saturday (Halloween morning 9-12) would be a fantastic way to start the holiday!

Baile del Venado (Dance of the Deer) and Baile de la Lluvia (Dance of the Rain) are just two of the traditional harvest-time dances the fab San Vicente troupe will be performing. This special event is open to the community at large, so don't be shy! Fun and games galore after a healthy pancake breakfast with homemade applesauce and an emphasis on sustainable gardening centers around the school's showplace teaching garden.

Grab a Bite at Aqus Cafe down at Foundry Wharf for Petaluma High

Loyal fans of the regional high school marching band competition that fills the the streets of historic West Petaluma with several hundred young people and the unforgettable sound of music will be sad to learn that the long=running competition has been canned this year due to across-the-board lack of critical funding in high school music programs. 

It's these little things in life that actually amount to the major highlights of local life and it makes one wonder what next will drop off the roster of colorful, community rites. 

Too late to fundraise to resurrect the marching band competition for this year, but its certainly not too late to help out Petaluma High School PTA as it strives to provide the hidden extras in so many exceptional aspects of a more rounded school experience.

call a couple of friends, gather a colleague or two, print off this flyer and take yourself down to Aqus Cafe tomorrow, Thursday, October 22nd, for a nice bit of lunch or early dinner nosh or a quick tea or coffee date. Twenty percent of profits from this handy-dandy neighborhood fundraiser will go directly into the coffers of Petaluma High's hard working PTA.

Partners at Aqus, Lesley and Michael, John and Anne-Laure have three current PHS student son between them and a soft spot for supporting local educational programs, in part due to the volume of student employees who so ably man (and woman) the espresso bar!

West Petaluma Grown Goblin Grog for Valley Vista Harvest Festival

Rolled out the barrel this morning for this year's vintage bottling of West Petaluma-made Goblin Grog, labeled especially for an upcoming Harvest Fair basket for moms and dads, friends and neighbors to splurge a little extra school cash in support of Valley Vista Elementary's outstanding Teaching Garden.

With National focus on a growing movement to press for healthier food for school kids, supporter and First Lady, Michelle Obama received a huge pile of handwritten letters from Petaluma students to let her know that they are indeed, doing their part here in agriculturally-rich Sonoma County to promote the goal of "Eat Local, Stay Healthy".

Valley Vista School's dedicated parent volunteers have steered the model teaching garden to a whole new level of community participation and everyone is welcome at the garden's main event of the year!

The school's fun Harvest Festival actually takes place on Halloween Day, Saturday October 31st, this year - kicking off with a tasty, homemade pancake breakfast with healthy fresh fruit juices and applesauce prior to an abundant opportunity drawing to win one of 12 huge baskets of various themed goodies. 

Mayan dancing, fall crafts, tasty food and an organic gardening demonstration will take place in and around the school's garden at 730 North Webster Street, Petaluma. 

Native plant sales, shrubs and winter starters will be available for purchase and guests are invited to join a discussion on seed collecting and storage with our newest grdening merchant in town, Baker Creek Rare Seeds.

Stop by the Harvest Fair from 9am to noon and you can catch an informative demo by Cricket Landscapes on how to recycle your lawn with sheet mulch.

Look out for worm composting, pumpkin decorating, pot painting and seed art, bean necklaces, holiday masks, a costume contest and face painting by Principal Emily Blecher!

BASH Stimulus Advisors Toast Fundraising Success!

Board Member Chris Wallner will hopefully forgive me for swiping his Petaluma Educational Foundation group e-mail comment on the incredible news that Saturday's BASH raised the roof in topping last year's net raised and exceeding all expectations for this cash-strapped auction season:

"The net revenue record clearly confirms that the PEF BASH leaders have developed their own special brand of magic on how to fund raise in a deep recession.  What's next, BASH stimulus advisers to the White House?!" quipped Chris. Now, that's the spirit!

Photos below are thanks to the terrific album of photographer Peter Leabo.

Net revenues for Saturday’s 2009 PEF gala BASH exceeded goals for raising funds for much-needed classroom grants to Petaluma schools, and remarkably surpassed the success of the 2008 Bash - with a net revenue of $225,000.

“We exceeded our 2009 fundraising expectations by 16% and, to our delight, preliminary results show that we raised net revenues of $15,000 more than last year,” said an enthusiastic Janet Ramatici, Executive Director of PEF. “One year ago, the Dow Jones posted well over 11,000, the unemployment rate a little over 6% and Lehman Brothers was still four days away from declaring bankruptcy.  To raise more for our schools this year is an impressive accomplishment, made possible by cutting expenses almost $20,000 and through substantial growth in ‘Fund the Future’ pledges, corporate sponsorships, silent auction revenues, and advertising sales for the BASH brochure.”

The 27-year-old non-profit foundation remains unique in the state of California. Over 1,359 PEF grants totaling more than $1, 465, 274 have been awarded to teachers throughout Petaluma’s 33 schools since 1992. 100% of the Bash’s “Fund the Future” pledges will fund Enrichment and Major Impact Grants for Petaluma area schools.

“Having taken into careful consideration the fact that this year the country has been in the worse recession since the Great Depression, the board and staff of PEF had anticipated up to a 20% drop in income from last year’s event,” said Ramatici, “so our Bash Co-Chairs, Cathy Bachman and Carol Libarle, reigned in expenses and doubled efforts to underwrite Bash costs.”

Corporate sponsors almost doubled from last year with Exchange Bank and Clover Stornetta stepping up as the Event Sponsors, Andrea and John Barella, Basin Street Properties, Guido Enterprises, Lace House Linen and Petaluma Market providing Major Sponsorship and 15 additional Sonoma County-based businesses significantly contributing as ‘Friends of the Bash’.

Donation of the 30,000 square foot space overlooking Shollenberger Park by RNM Properties plus live music, lights, stage and sound provided at no charge by Moonalice set the stage for the auction’s ‘Fund the Future’ challenge, demonstrating just how far the community had come together to support its city’s schools.

“Petaluma’s business community led off the ‘Fund the Future’ program with $5,000 commitments from the Petaluma Chapter of Realtors, Clover Stornetta and TRAXX Bar & Grill,” said Libarle. “The kids have never needed our help more and everyone truly came together to make a difference.” Bash guests demonstrated their commitment to education as one hundred and fifteen additional donors raised their paddle to pledge financial support, totaling $87,000.

Indicative of the current value-for-money climate the BASH Silent Auction alone made over $25,000  - 41% more than projected and $3,000 more than last year.

Not only does the PEF Board of Directors work tirelessly to put on The Bash each year, this year the PEF Board, Emeritus Board and staff stepped into a leadership role by pledging their own $40,000 dedication and support for citywide schools, with a 100% participation in “Funding the Future.”

“What a wonderful showing of support for education from our Petaluma Community,” said Petaluma School District Superintendent Greta Viguie. “We here in the schools are sincerely grateful for everything PEF does to support our students and schools.”

Echoed Diane Zimmerman, Superintendent of Old Adobe Union Schools District, “Thank you to those who have worked for months getting the Bash set up--for a fabulous evening and such an upbeat event! We are so lucky to have PEF.”

To learn more about the foundation’s newly redesigned funding model, to contribute to Fund the Future of our schools or to find out about the PEF grant application process contact PEF at 707 778 4632 or online at www.pefinfo.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEF BASH Crew Burns the Midnight Oil as Auction Draws Near

Wondering why you haven't heard that familiar little jingle of the daily Sonoma Country Life post dropping into your in-box these past few days?

Main reason for the absence of regular blogging bursts from this busy little corner of SoCo is the imminent approach of this Saturday's September 12 PEF Fundrasing Gala BASH and the tireless committee's final polish of an amazing collection of live auction items.

Considering that other non-profit, fundraising events throughout the county have been counting and recounting the coffers with respect to the flagging economy, it has been nothing less than inspirational to see the corporate, business, private and educational community of Petaluma unite for bolstering the BASH with the best ever live auction in support of Funding the Future for educational enrichment programs throughout our city.

At a time when deepening state education cuts continue to ravage the slender resources of our school system, private fundraising is absolutely essential for the provision of materials for the innovative classroom grant programs which would otherwise be impossible for teachers to bring to fruition.

Because I am a part of the team who puts the live auction brochure together at the eleventh hour each year, I'm able to share with you a sneak preview of a hand-picked selection of some of the most exclusive lots.

Take the luxury Sundance-style 200-acre private ranch retreat pictured above by Petaluma-based high-flying commercial photographer Stephanie Rausser.

Now picture yourself and a group of your best friends and family tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world for a five night/six day stay right there in that gorgeous ranch house in Grass Valley. This amazing country property features a private creek, idyllic swimming pond with sandy beach, rowboats and zip-line, hiking trails, outdoor range with fire pit, lighted tennis courts and hot-tub.

Built by custom woodworkers, the ranch house has floor-to-ceiling family library shelving, a roaring, stone fireplace and large refectory table for long and leisurely group dining.

If rustic luxury is not your style, then how about taking it to the other extreme with a high roller's private charter flight to Las Vegas with rooms for four couples at the Bellagio for a jet-setting, rich-and-famous three day/two night non-stop adventure?

There are elite golfing treats and trips galore - which in my own personal experience, never fails to peak the interest of the fellas who otherwise tend to find the act of parting with their hard earned pennies a painful experience. When it comes to golf, all else mysteriously pales by comparison!

For those who like the roller-coasting high-life, how about the prospect of suiting up with a parachute and strapping into a 5-point, winch-controlled seat belt for a thrill to top any amusement ride in the world? Pilot Dan Drohan is set to spool things up for an unforgettable aerobatic flight from Petaluma Airport in his high performance Extra 300L competition aircraft, complete with precision aerobatic maneuvers with up to six times the force of gravity.

If that sound's just a little too adventurous for you, a genteel romp along the Mendocino coastline to the Little River Inn would guarantee a spot of r&r while raising funds for an entire grant program in one of Petaluma's deserving classrooms. 

More to follow tomorrow. Deadlines first!

Rebuilding Petaluma's Daily Bounty!

Hot off the press: The progressive folk of the City of Petaluma, Daily Acts, Petaluma Bounty, and Rebuilding Together Petaluma are teaming up to transform out-dated, unattractive, water intensive turf & landscape around City Hall into a dynamic, water harvesting eco-scape, complete with community gardens, potential water catchment systems (approvals pending), native and edible plants. 

 
The inspirational landscape being planted will provide food, habitat, inspiration and education for a wide variety of community members, two legged and otherwise!. You too can make a difference by helping transform City Hall! 

As a volunteer you will learn the theory and techniques for sheet mulching, water catchment and planting dynamic systems that could very well help in the transformation your own yard into a productive food forest. Oh, and let's not forget to mention that you’ll also be helping the City of Petaluma lead by example in saving massive amounts of water!

Mark your calendar and sort out your gardening gloves for October 24th to coincide with two important events:  The annual Make a Difference Day, where more than 3 million people will be volunteering nationwide to help their communities and the International Day of Climate Action, where a worldwide network of organizations will be taking actions to impact & raise awareness about climate change.

Click here to register as a Volunteer here in Petaluma

Note: There will be no alterations to the ever-popular (and much in-demand) Pee Wee soccer field on the west side of City Hall. 
 

Greening The BASH

Petaluma Educational Foundation’s premier annual fundraising gala event is going for green next week, in staging the high profile non-profits’ most eco-friendly event to date.

Inspired by sweeping views of the many natural wonders of protected Petaluma wetlands, an expansive Shollenberger Landing location is an ideal fit for a sustainable 600 person fundraiser, due to take place next Saturday, September 12th.

As the largest commercial property owner in Southern Sonoma County, RNM Properties’ generous donation of the use of its most commanding, new office suite, situated alongside 500 acres of native wetlands in Petaluma’s Lakeville Business Park called for a more sustainable approach to staging this year’s popular PEF event.

“This light-filled, ‘next generation’ office campus provides PEF with a unique site in which to raise the bar of educational fundraising for innovative, city-wide classroom programs at a critical juncture in state educational cuts,” says Janet Ramatici, Executive Director of Petaluma Educational Foundation. “Expansive glass elevations will allow for abundant natural light for the early evening as guests are able to enjoy glorious views of sunset over Shollenberger Park.”
                   
Greening this year’s PEF Fundraising BASH will be all the more visible due to a first-year corporate sponsorship by new Petaluma Green Taxi Service with 50% of the gala evening profits from the sustainable taxi service going towards funding of the foundation’s annual classroom grants.

Sun Logic has introduced a “Solar for Schools Program” through PEF. Petaluma-based home and business owners who choose to install Sun Logic solar panels to save money and the environment by harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity will generate an estimated $500 rebate per installation to be donated directly to the educational foundation.

“Our plan is to contribute $0.10 per watt of every local solar installation back to the PEF for the next six months,” says Sun Logic Spokesperson, John Knueppel. “This amounts to around $500 per installation. Our ultimate goal is to give $7,500. Solar electricity provides clean energy with real financial benefits. Today our schools and students need as much financial support as we can provide. This is why Sun logic sought out the help of the PEF as a charitable partner. They effectively reach out and give back to schools and students. With Solar for Schools, people who buy solar can be assured that they are bettering their environment and their community.”

Upstairs tenant at the South McDowell Landing BASH location, CamelBak has generously provided 600, custom stamped PEF eco-friendly “Better Bottles” for the foundation to request $10 donations towards funding an athletic/nutrition grant for the next school year.

Specializing in large events throughout the North Bay, Rays Catering provides the BASH with a fresh and elegant, sit-down dinner, using quality linen, silverware, glassware and flatware, recycling the evening’s wine bottles and entirely eliminating any use of paper and plastic table products.

A dessert bar will feature organic desserts donated by Whole Foods Market Petaluma, Baker Girl and Clover Stornetta.

As I posted previously, in keeping with the earth-friendly, greener theme of the 2009 fundraising BASH, Petaluma Chapter of Realtors  stepped up to the plate last week with a $5,000 check to provide partial funding of the continuation of Petaluma Educational Foundation’s first major impact grant program: The Petaluma Wetlands Association Third Grade Science Program.

Additional green grants that will be funded during the “raise a paddle” for Fund-A-Need portion of the PEF live auction at this year’s BASH include a $5,000 pledge by Clover Stornetta for a Sustainable Agricultural Education Fund and a $5,000 pledge by long-term supporter, Barbara’s Bakery, for a new Teaching Garden construction.

Non-profit organization, Friends of the Petaluma River are offering a ‘Mysteries of the Marsh’ river cruise as a live auction feature for 10 guests to learn of the river’s rich, natural resources and wildlife. Friends of the Petaluma River support river access and stewardship with a goal of creating a River Heritage Center to teach maritime, agricultural and outdoor heritage skills.

Tickets for this year’s BASH are priced at $150 per person, inclusive of cocktails, live and silent auctions, dinner with drinks and dancing to the Moonalice brand of Americana rock and blues are close to being a complete sell-out. A few remaining tickets for the 600 person event can be purchased from PEF at 707 778 5063 or online at www.pefinfo.com.

In addition to its Classroom Grant Program, Petaluma Educational Foundation funds over 200 graduating high school student scholarships each Spring, plus cultural enrichment events in art and music. PEF also manages over $3, 500, 000 in endowment and component funds established through gifts, planned giving and corporate commitments to benefit Petaluma schools.

With current state and district cuts to education, it is important to understand the funding process of educational foundation's such as PEF.

Following months of strategic planning in the midst of unprecedented, state-wide educational cuts, non-profit Petaluma Educational Foundation has announced an entirely redesigned funding model for the future provision of its benchmark 27-year-old Grant Program enabling teachers and school communities throughout the Petaluma area to bring innovative educational ideas to fruition.

Over 1, 359 “Invest in Education” PEF grants totaling more than $1, 465, 274 have been awarded to teachers throughout Petaluma’s 33 schools since 1992.  Entirely funded by individual donations to its annual “Invest in Education” campaign, this unique program remains supportive of each school or district’s overall goals, while weighing in the best interests of all students affected by individual grants.

Announcement of a restructured program funding process in which PEF will offer two distinct types of grants with different levels of funding came within weeks of the non-profits’ premier annual fundraising event, next Saturday's 2009 BASH.

The foundation will offer PEF Enrichment Grants of up to $2, 000 for curriculum projects that supplement, support, and enrich the student experience, awarded in early 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year and completed by May of 2011.

A second tier of grants will be offered as PEF Major Impact Grants of up to $15, 000, with significant emphasis on innovative programs of extraordinary scope, reach or longevity, awarded in early 2010 and for immediate implementation completed by May of 2011.

Teachers, groups of teachers, classified personnel and principals in K-12 public, charter and not for profit private schools in the Petaluma area are eligible for the PEF Major Impact Grant Program. In addition, community groups with an established presence within the schools, students and parents may apply with teacher sponsorship and site principal approval.