What would spring in Petaluma be without the Butter & Egg parade and fun on the water? Come join us for both.

Butter & Egg parade Sat 4/29:

Join us this Saturday, April 29th, in the fabulous Petaluma Butter & Egg parade. Once again “Friends” will be towing a boat-float (this year the Mako) to showcase our commitment to Celebrating and Conserving the Petaluma River. We encourage all of our members to show their support for the river by walking along with us.. Meet us on 4th St. between F & G, slot 79, 11:30 AM. Super heroes is the theme (got cape?). Look for us in the turning basin after the parade.

Children and others are invited to ride on the Mako

Help pimp our float:

We need assistance in preparing Mako and other parade materials. We’re having a work party on Friday afternoon from 2 to 5 PM. Please come and lend a hand at 521 Walnut St. in Petaluma. Call for more information 707 763-7756.

Friends chosen for hybrid Spartina abatement grant:

The California Coastal Conservancy has awarded Friends of the Petaluma River a grant with funding of up to $50,000 over the next two years. We will work with The Invasive Spartina Project on locating and irradiating invasive Spartina hybrid in the Petaluma Watershed. “Friends” helped the ISP survey the watershed for this destructive alien strain in February of 07 and will now help to remove it using approved methods. We will also continue to search for new infestations and help to educate river users on ways to avoid importing seeds that may cause further contamination.

Map of known Spartina hybrid infestations

Fun on the water at the first “Nautical Mass”:

Over a dozen river folks showed up for the first Nautical Mass of the season on Friday April 13th. Braving both superstition and a previous spate of inclement weather, the participants were treated to a beautiful sundown cruise from the Marina to the turning basin. Some stayed for dinner and enjoyed a beautiful moonlight paddle home.

Mark and Sarah from Santa Rosa enjoying the Petaloo	Tiff the tillerwoman adjusts for welcome sun

Chairman of the Board Andrew Packard on the water	First time paddlers Yuri and Gustav

The next Nautical Mass is scheduled for Friday May 18th. Unfortunately I will be out of town attending my daughter’s college graduation. It is hoped that other friends will help to perpetuate the tradition of this 3rd Friday water born peregrination. Look for more details in the next Tidings or check our website.

Annual River Clean up scheduled for Sunday May 6th:

Another rite of spring for the last dozen years has been the annual river cleanup brought to you by the Petaluma River Cleanup Committee http://www.petalumarivercleanup.org/ . The community is encouraged to turn out for this fun and satisfying event. The Committee works hard to organize cleanup materials, and to provide food and fun for all participants. Look for Friends to be there with other groups hosting a river information display.

The 13th annual Petaluma River Cleanup has been scheduled for Sunday, May 6th, 2007. We will be cleaning the river from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Once again, cleanup central will be the Petaluma Marina. Please plan on showing up around 8:30 am. Hope to see you there!

We hope to see you on the water and in the community
Dave Yearsley – Friends of the Petaluma River

Celebrate & Conserve

No Comments »

Hello again Friends; Lot of stuff happening on the Petaloo! Here are some hot updates about cool events

TSCA Petaluma River Row a huge success

For traditional small craft enthusiasts the Petaluma River was the place to be on Sat March 31st as the Traditional Small Craft Association’s Sacramento Chapter held its annual Petaluma River Row under ideal conditions. The skies were sunny, the breezes fair and the temperatures were mild as over 30 enthusiasts show up to participate in one of the small boating season’s premier events.

Ed Foster and Tiffany Renée “looking good”	Lots of action at the launch docks

Traditional small craft at the ready	Sunny and Jim Foster “cruising” the Petaloo

After rowing up to the turning basin for refreshments the fleet rowed or sailed downriver to Papa’s Taverna in Lakeville for a wonderful Greek lunch.

First Nautical Mass of 2007 is Friday, April 20th!

Looking for a chance to get your boat (and perhaps your throat) wet? Join a merry band of paddlers, rowers, and sailors on Friday April 20th for the inaugural “Nautical Mass” of 2007. This regular 3rd Friday event is loosely based on the S.F. Critical Mass model, is a no host outing featuring boats
(rather than bicycles) that gets folks on the water and the weekend off to a fun start. All nature powered small craft are welcome. Each person or group is responsible for their own safety can choose their own itinerary.

Jesse and Elizabeth heading for town	Mass participants arriving downtown

The plan for April 20th is to meet on the water near the Petaluma Marina at 6PM for a cruise up to the turning Basin, stay for dinner (or whatever) and return at dusk. In keeping with spirit of the event; eschew fossil fuels, bring appropriate safety gear (a light?) and show up ready for fun (no row rage). TGIF, so celebrate!
For more information contact Dave Yearsley 707 763-7756 or dmy@sonic.net.

“Step it Up”: Action to protect the climate and the Petaluma wetlands

Join the Sierra Club and “Friends” on Sat. April 14th at Walnut Park in Petaluma for a national day of action to reduce global warming. Don’t let the Petaluma Marsh become “Lake Petaluma”. Join us for an afternoon of information and fun.

Step it Up! - National Day of Climate Action – April 14th, 2007
Send a message to decision-makers:
Step it Up and cut carbon 80% by 2050; Be part of the 2% solution!
Click here for event information

Sierra Club and friends invite you to join Step It Up in downtown Petaluma
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Saturday April 14th
Northeast corner of Walnut Park; Petaluma Blvd. South and D Street
Meet in Walnut Park at 1:00 pm.
Procession through downtown Petaluma (1:30 to 2:30pm)
Arrive back at Walnut Park (2:30) for speakers and rally.

Event Description: Marking Off the Scene of the Climate Crime
Help us mark off “the scene of the climate crime” with yellow caution tape showing the waterline future generations might experience if we don’t start reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions now. Then join our procession and “float” (on the sidewalk) from Walnut Park through downtown Petaluma and back to the park.

• Bring rafts/kayaks and paddles (we’ll have some there to share)
• Wear waders, rubber boots, snorkels, rain gear, swim wear, life vests, floatation devices.
• Dress as ducks or fish or other water lovers – or bring them with you!
• Bring climate action signs (some ideas below) and your fun ideas!

We will hold a rally in the park focused on sending a message to electeds to Step It Up and cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and sharing solutions for reducing our carbon footprint now.

Please join us. We’d also love to have your help. (Help needed painting event banner, creating signs, getting the word out, taking digital photos for Step It Up National Website, and more.)

Contact: Margaret Pennington, 479-6682; Veronica Jacobi, 575-5594; Daniel Solnit, dsolnit@gefreesonoma.org, 823-4480; Ellen Bicheler, 765-9969

Patricia Johanson Art show on line:

See plans for Petaluma’s environmentally friendly Water recycling plant/Wetlands Park and other earth positive art by internationally recognized environmental artist Patricia Johanson online. Pat’s work along with 4 other artists are featured in this show that combines “Art and Survival”.

Butter and Egg Days Parade is Saturday, April 28

Look for “Friends” in Petaluma’s famous Butter & Egg parade again this year. Please consider joining us. Meet inline around 11AM to walk with our “float.
Look for us in the community afterwards handing out literature and selling “river wear”.

If you are not a member yet please consider joining us now. We need your support.

We hope to see you on the water and in the community.

Dave Yearsley – Friends of the Petaluma River

Celebrate & Conserve

No Comments »