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Group seeks watercraft for tours, ‘floating office’ along Petaluma River Published: Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006 By COREY YOUNG ARGUS-COURIER STAFF The Petaluma River has some generous “Friends.” A fund-raising campaign to meet a $10,000 “challenge grant” ended in success Sept. 18, when Friends of the Petaluma River bested the goal by $390, executive director David Yearsley announced. The group added several thousand dollars in the final days when a “flurry of donations” came in following phone calls, solicitation letters and an e-mail appeal, the group said. The money raised by Friends will match a $10,000 donation made to help the group realize its goal of buying a boat, possibly a paddlewheeler, for giving river tours and as a “floating office.” The grant came from Bob and Cari Koch of Novato, who said they wanted to be part of the new “Friends” effort and encourage others in the community to support the organization’s mission. “David’s knowledge and passion for the river impressed us greatly,” the Kochs said in a statement. “It meant a lot to us when we realized we could make a difference and be part of this grassroots organization. We’re glad we could help get the ball rolling.” Yearsley said more than 70 donations came in from businesses and private individuals to help match the Kochs’ offer. Businesses including Bank of Marin, Bluestone Main, Clover-Stornetta, Exchange Bank, Petaluma Sheraton and Port Sonoma gave large donations, he said. “It was a great outpouring of community support,” Yearsley said. The group’s next step is to find a used boat that can be refurbished as a new home. Yearsley said Friends is exploring the purchase of a two-deck paddlewheel boat that is currently unused. He previously expressed hope that the group could get permission from the city to keep the floating office moored in the downtown Turning Basin, but said another location recently came to mind. “I’m thinking McNear channel could be a much better location, next to Steamer Landing Park and the River Heritage Center in the old livery stable,” Yearsley said. For more information on the group, visit www.friendsofthepetalumariver.org. (Contact Corey Young at cyoung@arguscourier.com) |
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