Hello River Friends. Lots of excitement this month. First & foremost is the item below.

“The Mayor’s Boat Ride” - Sunday, August 5th - 9:30a-12:30p

We are delighted to have Petaluma Mayor Pamela Torliatt join the small craft community on the water.

This event is an opportunity for people to paddle and row with the Mayor of Petaluma and to learn more about non-motorized boating opportunities and amenities on the River

What: The Mayor’s Boat Ride – a tour of Petaluma’s waterways in non-motorized watercraft with Mayor Pamela Torliatt; hosted by Friends of the Petaluma River and the Petaluma Small Craft Center Coalition (PSC3)

When: Aug. 5th, 2007 - 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Where: Petaluma Marina– 781 Baywood Dr. (near Hwy 101 at Lakeville exit)

Who: All citizens with non-motorized watercraft are encouraged to participate. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, outrigger canoes, sculls, etc. welcomed.

How: Participants will need to provide their own non-motorized watercraft and safety equipment, including approved PFD’s (personal flotation devices)

People ashore are invited to meet the Mayor’s flotilla at 11:00 AM near the foot of B St. in downtown Petaluma for boating displays and refreshments

For more information visit the Friends of the Petaluma River website or the PSC3 website.

Itinerary for Aug 5th, 2007

9:30 -10:00 AM launch and assemble near the Petaluma Marina docks

10:00 - 11:00AM non-motorized boat “flotilla” from the Marina to the Turning Basin. (Pause at Foundry Wharf for Mayor to change craft)

11:00 -11:45 arrive at Turning Basin’s western docks, foot of B & C St. & go ashore for displays and refreshments

11:45 - 12:30 return to Marina (Mayor changes craft at Foundry Wharf)

contact: Friends of the Petaluma River – (707) 763-7756

It is a way to way to bring the recreational boating community together with the Mayor to view existing facilities and draw attention to opportunities for new amenities along the City’s water courses. We hope to fill the turning basin with non-motorized watercraft and have many more folks view our shore side displays. For a list of all the participating clubs and organizations visit the PSC3 website. We sincerely hope you will join us on the water or at the turning basin. This event is co-sponsored by “Friends” and PSC3 (Petaluma Small Craft Center Coalition). Tell your neighbors and bring your friends!

Water Trail and Wetlands articles of interest

Some articles have been printed recently that promise future benefits for the Petaluma River and its aficionados.

The first one is by SF Chronicle outdoors columnist and intrepid kayak adventurer Paul Mc Hugh, published on Thursday July 5th. “Friends” is indebted to Mr. McHugh for boosting the launch of our organization with his wonderful article “Protecting the tree of life” in May of 2006 (available on Friends website/Press). The current article speaks to an exciting project that we have been following and promoting for quite some time.

Next, in the current issue of Bay Nature magazine, is a feature on the North Bay wetlands Its in the form of a special insert titled “Highway to the Flyway”. It includes several excellent images by Petaluma photographer Scott Hess (the artist who gave us our “logo photo”). At Bay Nature’s website you can view portions of the articles or download a low resolution version of the whole segment. Better yet you can support this excellent quarterly publication by buying a copy at news stands or subscribing online.

 

“Friends” Finds a new home:

We are excited to announce that we will have a new headquarters in the community! With wonderful help from the people at the Marina Business Center “Friends” will soon occupy offices overlooking the River at the Petaluma Marina, 755 Baywood Dr. #190.

“Friends” new front door	The view from our offices

We will be holding a big celebration once the phones are in and pictures are on the wall. This is a giant step forward for “Friends”; allowing us to pursue our mission while working with agencies, businesses, and the public in a beautifully appropriate setting. Our doors open onto the access trail that follows the River along the Business Center’s balcony. These quarters also represent the first step toward our dream of creating a permanent River Heritage Center.

DFG Salmonid habitat survey commences:

The Ca. Dept. of Fish and Game, with the assistance of AmeriCorps volunteers has undertaken a survey of habitat on 5 key Petaluma River tributaries in order to document the presence of and improve spawning conditions for Steelhead Trout and Chinook Salmon. Work began last week in Lichau Creek and will continue on to Washington, Lynch, Adobe and San Antonio Creeks. “Friends” is hosting the AmeriCorps volunteers while they are working on-site. Results of their findings will be shared with the community and used as a guideline for future habitat improvements. It was exciting to learn that thus far Steelhead smolt have been found in Lichau Creek.

DFG - Americorps interns Brock and John

The Petaluma River Marathon - September 2, 2007:

This is the first year that the Marathon will be hosted by Friends of the Petaluma River. The Marathon is a boat race open to all human powered craft, and will comprise a 12.5 mile half marathon and a full 25 mile marathon. The course runs down the full length of the River from the rowing docks at Foundry Wharf, to the Hwy 37 bridge, and back.

Double sculls training on the River	Event organizer Patrick Campbell

The Petaluma River Marathon has historically attracted rowers from around California. The events organizers have expanded its scope by inviting rowers, canoeists, and kayakers from across the United States and Europe to participate. They anticipate that over 100 boats from near and far will compete. Friend’s Board member and event organizer Patrick Campbell avows “our River is nationally recognized as one of the most beautiful flatwater racing venues in the United States”. Mark your calendars to watch this exciting spectacle. Click here To learn more about the Marathon or sign up for the event.

We invite you to support “Friends” by sponsoring the Petaluma River Marathon - 2007. As hosts “Friends” will be responsible for providing services for the race and will be the beneficiaries of net proceeds. We are seeking a limited number of key sponsors to help defray the cost of hosting the Marathon. We will also be seeking donations of food, merchandise and services to support this event, feed participants, and award prizes. Key Sponsors will receive recognition on all advertising and displays. Donors will be recognized at the event and on our website. This will be an excellent opportunity for local businesses to showcase their company or product and to support “Friends”!

To learn more about becoming a sponsor for the Petaluma River Marathon or to donate goods and services to contact: Friends of the Petaluma River at (707) 763-7756.

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

Celebrate & Conserve

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