Petaluma River Tidings: March 20, 2009

Posted on March 21, 2009 by JaimeyWB

Spring has sprung! Now is a time when thoughts turn toward playing in the outdoors. We have some special events coming up that should be of interest. We also have lots of river related news and stories: read on…

River Heritage Center Open House:

April 5, 2009  •  10 AM to 2 PM  •  Steamer Landing Park (end of Copeland St.)

The historic livery stable at Steamer Landing Park will once again be a center of activity when the Petaluma River Heritage Center opens its doors to the public on Sunday, April 5. Join Friends of the Petaluma River from 10am to 2pm as they welcome boaters of the Traditional Small Craft Association during a stop on their annual procession on the river. The Heritage Center will also feature traditional boats, displays describing the diverse history and natural resources of the Petaluma River watershed.

The Traditional Small Craft will arrive by river at Steamer Landing Park around 10 AM. Friends of the Petaluma River will be selling hot dogs, chips, chili, and other refreshments to benefit the River Heritage Center. Entertainment for children will include outdoor activities and storytelling. Everyone is invited to explore Steamer Landing Park with families and friends. Bring a kite to sail in the wind and enjoy open house day at the Petaluma River Heritage Center! Parking is very limited and people are encouraged to walk, bike, row, paddle or take public transit.

For more information about this event, call David Yearsley at 707-763-7756.

Traditinal Small Craft
Traditional Small Craft

Where Do The Children Play?

Film & discussion – Free – Presented by Friends of the Petaluma River

Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 – 8:30 PM Petaluma Library Community Room
100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma

Children need time in nature
Children need time in nature

Children today are more likely to experience a virtual world than a natural world. Exploring, discovering, and learning in nature is vital to the healthy development of children. Recent books, including “Last child in the Woods” by Richard Louv, examine the importance of nature in children’s lives. “Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart.” – Richard Louv.

“Where Do the Children Play?” is a one-hour documentary made for public television that examines how patterns of endless suburban development and sprawl impact children’s mental and physical health.
Unfortunately, children today are more scheduled and less likely to enjoy unstructured outdoor play. Computers, television, and video games keep children entertained with virtual worlds whose wonders have replaced those of the natural world.

“Where Do the Children Play” looks at the outdoor experiences of children in three different settings; rural, suburban and urban; and in their own voices tells how it affects their lives. It will be presented on Tuesday, April 7, at 7:00pm in the Petaluma Library Community Room.

After the presentation, David Yearsley, Director of Friends of the Petaluma River, lead a discussion and talk about plans for making outdoor experiences available at Petaluma’s new River Heritage Center.

Friends endorsed by Park & Rec to lead River Heritage Center efforts:

On March 18th the Petaluma Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) naming Friends of the Petaluma River as the community non-profit that will work with the City to help plan programs, implement site improvements, and renovate the historic Livery Stable at Steamer Landing Park. The MOU will now be reviewed by City staff before going to the City Council for final approval. The approval followed a presentation to the Commission on the proposed project in February. Films of the proceedings are available on the City’s Website.

Dutra / Asphalt plant hearing rescheduled by Board of Supes:

Due in large part to overwhelming community opposition the final hearing on an asphalt plant proposed for the shores of the Petaluma River has again been postponed. The Dutra Company has asked for more time to produce findings that the noise levels and emissions from the plant will not exceed set limits. Their permit hinges on approval of zoning changes to the Sonoma General plan and mitigation of impacts.

(CONTINUED TO MAY 12, 2009)
Resolution continuing the decision on request for 1) a General Plan Amendment; 2) a General Plan Text Amendment; 3) an Area Plan Amendment to the Petaluma Dairy Belt Area Plan; 4) a Zone Change; 5) a Use Permit for an asphalt batch plant, aggregate distribution facility and recycling operation; and 6) a Design Review Permit for a new industrial operation along a scenic corridor and in a scenic design area S on three parcels totaling 38 acres, as modified, for property located at 3355 Petaluma Boulevard South, Petaluma (File No. PLP04-0046)

Click here to follow developments on this proposal and learn about community opposition efforts.

River Heritage Center presentation held at Petaluma Museum:

On March 9th Friends of the Petaluma River showed the Petaluma Museum volunteer committee what the future might hold for the historic Livery Stable at Steamer Landing Park.  Using PowerPoint, pictures, and video the history of the Heritage Center project and the story of Friends efforts to provide leadership make it happen. The presentation was well received by the capacity audience.  As a special bonus Friends arranged for the large-scale model of the historic Scow schooner Alma, to be displayed in the Museums colorful river history exhibit for the month of March. Stop in to see it while its there.

Current Petaluma Museum river history exhibit

Museum President Katherine Rinehart greets volunteers
Current Petaluma Museum river history exhibit
 Museum President Katherine Rinehart greets volunteers

Help needed – volunteer opportunities to help the Heritage Center exist in many areas:

  • PR & Outreach help for community presentations & public events.
  • Carpentry and related skills for restoration and renovation of the Livery Stable
  • Administrative, technical, and fundraising assistance.

Please contact David Yearsley via Email or call 763-7756 to volunteer

Contributions are urgently needed for planning; grant writing, and restoration efforts. We are seeking donations in the $100 to $1,000 range to help with immediate expenses. Have your name placed on our wall of gratitude!
Checks to Friends of the Petaluma River marked “River Heritage Center” can be mailed to PO box 4928, Petaluma Ca. 94955. Donations are tax deductible. Call 763-7756 for more information on the Heritage Center Campaign.

Successful work day at Livery Stable:

We had a great team show up to help clean out the Livery Stable  Saturday Mar. 14th. Those who pitched in and got dirty included: Robert Hudson, Paul Mershdorf, Mike Simpson. George Flynn, Bonna Benedetti-Flynn, Don Rich, Sheryl Speck, and Elizabeth Howland (hope I didn’t forget anyone). A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped complete the interior demolition.

Dolphin River tours return to Petaluma:

Dolphin Charters will again offer their popular 3 hr. Petaluma River tours on April 5th, 6th, 11th & 12th. To learn more about them visit Dolphin Charters’ website.

Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)
The Delphinus

Corporate sponsorships still available:

New and renewing corporate sponsors can benefit by seeing their name placed on our website, at our events and on our Boats. There are several levels to choose from. Click here to email us for more information on Corporate Sponsorships.

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Petaluma River Tidings: February 11, 2009

Posted on February 12, 2009 by JaimeyWB

A lot has happened already in the New Year. An unfortunate environmental threat has brought much needed attention to our River’s resources. A new President and Petaluma City Council majority offer the promise of positive change locally and nationally. Friends of the Petaluma River’s main focus in 2009 will be on creating a Petaluma River Heritage Center. While nurturing the River’s well being will always be important to our mission, we believe that engaging people with the River’s cultural heritage and natural resources will help to build a diverse constituency of all ages and backgrounds to Celebrate and Conserve its treasures for years to come.

Dutra / Asphalt plant tentatively approved by Board of Supes:

The good news is that public awareness of the Petaluma River has been raised regionally and hundreds of people have become active in promoting and protecting the River’s natural resources. The bad news is that the Board of Supervisors tentatively approved the Dutra Company’s asphalt plant permit by a 4 to 1 straw vote on Feb 3rd.  Many Shollenberger Park users and River aficionados, including the entire Petaluma City Council, voiced their concerns about the location and “unavoidable impacts” of the proposed facility.  In person and in writing there was an outpouring of sentiments by over 50 speakers and 3000 petition signers. The Supervisors have asked for more air quality information and additional protections before they re-visit the proposal in March.  Friend’s position was stated in a letter to the Planning Commission last August and again at the hearing on Feb 3rd.  We advocated for the EIR’s alternative location option and suggested building a totally enclosed facility on the vacant Pomeroy property upstream.

Community activists Joan Cooper and David Keller, have organized opposition and launched a website that you can visit to get information and/or get involved.

Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)
Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)

The story is being covered by front page articles in the local papers:

“Asphalt Plant OK’d for Now” – February 5, 2009

“Asphalt Plant Critics Threaten to Sue County” – February 6, 2009

There is still time to comment and make your views known. 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

River Heritage Center plans move forward:

Friends of the Petaluma is taking a leadership role for the creation of a Petaluma River Heritage Center in the Livery Stable and on adjacent grounds at Steamer Landing Park. We are currently crafting an agreement with the City’s Parks & Rec. Dept. to restore the stable to run river related programs there. By setting up a series of events we want to engage the public in visiting the site and help us refine the vision for the River Heritage Center. A Steering Committee representing a broad segment of the community has been assembled, to help with this effort. There are many ways you can support this campaign; by attending events, talking to others, and making tax deductible donations to Friends.


River Heritage Display at Petaluma Public Library
River Heritage Display at Petaluma Public Library

Help needed – volunteer opportunities to help the Heritage Center exist in many areas:

  • PR & Outreach help for community presentations & public events.
  • Carpentry and related skills for restoration and renovation of the Livery Stable
  • Administrative, technical, and fundraising assistance.

Please contact David Yearsley via Email or call 763-7756 to volunteer

Upcoming River Heritage Center events:
Feb.  6th -  Ongoing Information display; currently at Petaluma Public Library – 100 Fairgrounds Dr.
Feb. 18th – Presentation to the Petaluma Recreation, Music, & Parks Commission – 7PM – 11 English St.
Mar. 9th   – Presentation to the Petaluma Museum’s volunteer committee – 2PM –  Museum,  20 4th St.
April 5th – Open house & celebration of Traditional Small Craft visit  – 10AM – 2PM – Livery Stable

Friends receives $1000 from Peets:

Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)

We want to thank the wonderful folks at Peets Coffee & Tea in downtown Petaluma for making us the recipient of this years “Holiday Giving” campaign. During the week before Christmas Peets allowed Friends to have an in store display and agreed to match all public donations up to $1000. We are delighted that to report that the contributions to Friends totaled over $1,200! We recently received a check from Peet’s Hq. for $2,263.00.  Our sincere appreciation goes out to all the people who contributed during this campaign and made it an overwhelming success.

Board sets priorities for 2009 at annual retreat:

The Board of Directors met for their annual retreat at Papa’s Taverna on Fri. Jan 9th.  
Their evaluation of the organization included:

  • Strengths – many successful events, good community recognition, expanded fleet for boat tours.
  • Weaknesses – limited capacity, not enough funding
  • Challenges – weakened economy / economic downturn, collaboration with other groups.
  • Opportunities – River Heritage Center leadership, potential income stream from activities.

Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)
Grant Davis, David Hansen, Dave Yearsley, Elizabeth Howland, Patrick Campbell, Andy Rogers

It was decided to capitalize on the organizations strengths and focus our efforts to accomplish our mission of “promoting appreciation of the Petaluma River and protecting the vitality of its natural resources”.  The priorities they set for the coming year include:

  1. The creation of a River Heritage Center would be the primary activity for 2009.
  2. Additional River tours and a possible boat rental operation would help to generate revenue.
  3. Increased collaboration and support of other groups and agencies will expand our capacity

The Board also decided to contract with non-profit consultant Michelle LeBeau to help build our internal capacity, plan the River Heritage Center campaign and research grants. Several Board members made substantial personal contributions to cover part of the cost of her proposal. Contributions are still needed for the grant writing portion of her contract. We are seeking donations in the $100 to $500 range to cover that portion. Please contact David Yearsley via Email or call 763-7756 if you can help.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made online or mailed to Friends at  PO Box 4928 Petaluma 94955.

Dolphin River tours return to Petaluma:

Dolphin Charters will again offer their popular 3 hr. Petaluma River tours on April 5th, 6th, 11th & 12th. To learn more about them visit Dolphin Charters’ website.

Dutra site is to left of Shamrock docks (center)
The Delphinus

Event committee is making plans:

An energetic group of volunteers are planning several exciting fundraising events for the coming months.

Event Committee
Party Planners Elizabeth Mori, Jesse Ryan, Keri Lackey, Elizabeth Howland, Patty French, and Babs Kavanaugh

The first event will be a Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the beautiful 50’ Delphinus donated by the good folks at Dolphin Charters.  Save the evening of Fri. April 10th.  More information coming soon.

Some important River dates for 2009 include:

April 5th – Petaluma River Row
April 10th – Benefit Sunset River Cruise
May 2nd – Petaluma River cleanup
May 30th – Day on the River
Sept. 12th – Petaluma River Fest / Mayor’s Boat Ride

Slough side dumping at Redwood Landfill

Redwood Landfill sits adjacent to the Petaluma Marsh
Petaluma River Row
 Petaluma River Cleanup

Slough side dumping at Redwood Landfill

Redwood Landfill sits adjacent to the Petaluma Marsh
Day on the River
 Mayor’s Boat Ride
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