Petaluma Perspective by Houston Porter - March 2018
Carole L. Ellis and Don Gibble present “Talking With”, a play by Jane Martin, directed by Don Gibble. “Talking With features a series of poignant monologues by eclectic characters including a fundamentalist snake handler, a baton-twirler, a retired rodeo cowgirl, and older woman in the twilight of her years talking with us about their experiences.”—Visit Petaluma. Tickets are $20 ($5 with school ID), with performances on Fri, March 2 and Sat, March 3 @7:30pm. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and SRJC Petaluma Student Services.
The always-free Writers Forum presenter Abigail Samoun, March 15, from 6:30 - 8:30pm at Copperfield’s Books in Petaluma for her presentation of The Children’s Publishing Process Revealed. “Abigail Samoun will discuss the various stages involved in getting a book acquired. She will talk us through one book’s journey in the publishing process: Catching an editor’s eye, developing a manuscript, describing the editor’s role in getting the book through the acquisition process, signing the contract, working with the editor on finalizing the manuscript, and sending it to press.” An in-house children’s book editor for over a decade, in 2011, Abigail became an agent, co-founding Red Fox Literary with Karen Grencik. thewritespot.us for more info on the Writers Forum.
The Seed Bank is moving. Although the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company picked the perfect name for their location, which has been in the historic Sonoma National Bank building at the corner of Petaluma Blvd N and Washington St for nearly a decade, the company has decided to go back to their roots…and concentrate more on their seeds than the various farm sundries they have been stocking in their large space. Thankfully, they are not moving far, so you will still be able to park wherever you normally did in order to visit the Seed Bank, and walk to their new location. They estimate that by March, they will be moved in to their new digs at 110 Petaluma Blvd N, which less than a block south of their current location, across the street from the Odd Fellows’ building, which currently houses three Petaluma icons—Vine & Barrel, Ooh La Luxe, and Sake 107.
Speaking of those three shops, Vine & Barrel carries all the best local wines, as well as some surprising imports, like the excellent Porto Meneres LBV 2012. Ooh La Luxe seems to be the fairer sexes’ favorite place to shop for clothes in Petaluma, evidenced by the fact that they regularly win the “Best Boutique” category of the Petaluma People’s Choice Awards. And Chef Ando is serving up some incredible Japanese cuisine at Sake 107, including the best Ramen I have ever had, as well his incredible Omakase Sashimi platter.
“The Petaluma Sunrise Foundation is pleased to announce that Raley’s has become a major sponsor of The Sonoma County Backroad Challenge”, an annual fundraiser biking event. Raley’s will provide all the snacks for the five rest stops during the cycling event. “We are excited about this partnership and thank Raley’s for their support,” says David Adams, PR Chairperson for Petaluma Sunrise Rotary, the parent organization of the Petaluma Sunrise Foundation. I encourage readers to help support the organizations that help support our Petaluma fundraising efforts.
Sonoma County Backroad Challenge biking event offers three epic Wine Country backroad routes of varying difficulty and distance, which should appeal to cyclists of every skill level. “All three routes offer excellent scenery and are supported with mobile support (SAG) vehicles and crews. There are also five fully staffed rest stops along the routes for participants to rest, rehydrate, and get a bite to eat. At the conclusion of the ride, participants get to enjoy a festival featuring live music, excellent barbeque and fantastic beer.” Proceeds help support community groups, as well as the humanitarian projects of both Petaluma Sunrise Rotary and Rotary International. The event is Sat, May 19, 2018. www.backroadchallenge.com
The Petaluma Sunrise Rotary has added satellite night meetings, for those who would like to join this dynamic club, but cannot make the Friday morning meetings. I attended the first satellite meeting, held during happy hour at Charley’s Wine Country Deli, and not only had a great time getting to know these Rotarians, but also learning about the local projects they are involved in. Contact Ted Lin or Kurt Schau throughpetalumasunriserotary.org to attend as a guest. Meetings will be held at various food and watering holes around Petaluma.
You can reach Houston for questions/comments at Houston@avant-larde.com
