It has been a busy Spring for Friends. The month of April has already included 3 public events and we aren’t done yet. Look for our entry in the big Butter & Eggs day parade on April 25th. The River Heritage Center Campaign is moving forward and an operating agreement is expected be considered by the City Council
in May. We wish a happy Earth Day to all and urge you to continue “celebrating and conserving” year round.
River Heritage Center open house a huge success:
On April 5th 2009 over 200 people were attracted to Steamer Landing Park near downtown Petaluma by the convergence of 2 big events. Friends hosted an open house in the historic Livery Stable which had been recently cleaned out and decorated for the occasion. We also hosted the annual Petaluma River Row and invited the participants to join the festivities at Steamer Landing Park. Over 20 beautiful hand crafted wooden boats arrived at the temporary docks on McNear’s peninsula to join the land based visitors. Everyone enjoyed viewing diverse river heritage displays, munching on chili dogs (provided by Petaluma Poultry), and appreciating the natural setting. Activities included kite flying (hosted by Jungle Vibes), story telling (sponsored by Copperfield’s Books), & soaking up the sunshine. The Argus Courier spread the word with a wonderful article and has an on line photo gallery of the day’s colorful activities. Click here and also here to view pictures from the event.
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Rowers arrived at Heritage Center in handcrafted boats
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So. Sonoma RCD displayed an operating watershed model
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Celebrating “No Child Left Inside Days”:
On April 8th Friends screened the documentary “Where do the Children Play? at the Petaluma Library. An appreciative audience watched the documentary and then discussed the importance of time in nature afterward. Sonoma County Regional Parks director Mary Burns brought copies of their “Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights”.
“With recent concerns about youth detachment from outdoor activities, lack of physical exercise and increased health risks, the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights was adopted as a fundamental list of experiences that every child in California would benefit from experiencing, before entering high school. Numerous studies document that children who do these things are healthier, do better in school, have better social skills and self-image, and lead more fulfilled lives.” Sonoma Co. Regional Parks spring newsletter.
According to the Outdoor Bill of Rights, every child should have the opportunity to:
1. Discover California’s Past 2. Splash in the water 3. Play in a safe place 4. Camp under the stars 5. Explore nature 6. Learn to swim 7. Play on a team 8. Follow a trail 9. Catch a fish 10. Celebrate their heritage
Friends of the Petaluma River’s current focus is on creating safe places for river related outdoor adventures at the River Heritage Center and throughout the watershed, as these photos illustrate.
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River Heritage Center Open House
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Petaluma Fishing Fair
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Day on the River
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Learn more about the Sonoma Regional Parks and their diverse programs.
The current issue of New York Times Magazine also makes a good case for why we should care about nature.
Day on the River is May 30th:
Once again Friends of the Petaluma will join the Petaluma Small Craft Center Coalition (PSC3) in presenting “A Day on the River”. This free event provides a chance for community members of all ages and abilities to learn about and test “drive” a wide variety of non-motorized watercraft. Click here to get more details on the 3rd edition of this exciting event.
Petaluma River Cleanup is May 2nd:
15th Annual Cleanup
Saturday, May 2, 2009 • 8:30am – 12:00pm • Petaluma Marina
Once again the organizers of the Petaluma River Cleanup Committee have been working hard to put on another spring cleanup. Free breakfast, refreshments, all necessary equipment are being provided by the Committee and community sponsors. Due to budget constraints this year’s event will not include lunch.
Show up, sign up & join community members and river aficionados. Become a solution to pollution!
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The Cleanup will include both land based and water borne opportunities
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Click here for additional information and to contact event organizers.
Dolphin Charters Tour Highlights:
On April 10th Friends was again the beneficiary of a fundraising tour donated by Capt. Ronn Patterson and the folks at Dolphin Charters http://www.dolphincharters.com/. On a beautiful full moon evening nearly 40 guests enjoyed a Sunset / Full Moon river cruise and a dinner at Papa’s Taverna while contributing over $1000 to FOTPR. We thank Dolphin Charters for their generous continued support.
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Bob and Cari Koch toast the river
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Lakeville Landing’s Mermaid |
Capt. Dave gets USCG license
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During the dinner Friends founder David Yearsley was formally recognized by Board members as having been awarded a U.S. Coast Guard Captains license. This event celebrated the achievement of a long term goal of David’s and will enable Friends to provide commercial river tours in the near future.
Dutra Asphalt Plant a hot topic; Decision still pending:
On April 16th the Sonoma County Planning Commission heard arguments about the projects excessive sound impacts. They deferred making a decision until their May 21st meeting. The County Board of Supervisors will then be notified of the findings and consider make their own decision sometime in June. Read the full story. Community activists have organized broad based opposition to the proposed location of the plant. Visit their excellent site.
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Conservation leader Bill Kortum, speaking at the Planning Commission
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There is still time to comment to the Board of Supervisors. You can express your ideas about this environmentally sensitive issue by writing letters to:
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
575 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
$ Help Needed:
Friends is in need of assistance to cover ongoing expenses and a grant writer for Heritage Center funding. We are asking for monetary contributions and donations of merchandise or services to use in our programs and fundraising efforts. Click the ‘Make a Donation’ button above to donate to Friends.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer opportunities to help Friends & the River Heritage Center exist in many areas:
- PR & Outreach help (web assistance, graphic art, videographer & community speakers)
- Carpentry and landscaping volunteers for restoration and renovation of the Livery Stable
- Administrative, information technology, and fundraising assistance
