What’s new on the “Petaloo”
Hello Again River Friends;
Happy May Day to everybody! Spring has finally sprung, the rain has abated, and people are coming out of doors. There is also a lot happening on the “Petaloo”; so let’s get to it.
News and Events :
Sunset / Full Moon River Cruise set for Fri. May 12th
Dolphin Charters www.dolphincharters.com has donated an exclusive tour to Friends of the Petaluma River aboard their beautiful boat Dolphinus. This is a unique chance to see the River in a golden light, to learn about it from experts, and to celebrate with other Friends. You will also be supporting our organization and helping it to grow. Sign up today; space is limited. See the attached flyer and Call 763-7756 for reservations.
Annual Petaluma River Cleanup Sun. May 7 th 9AM to 2PM :
The River Cleanup is a great event that promises a feeling of satisfaction, accomplishment, and esprit de corps to all participants. The River Cleanup Committee , of which I am a member, has put in many of hours of planning and preparation to make this one day event a success. Try it, you’ll like it! www.PetalumaRiverCleamup.org.
Please print the attached flyer and post it prominently.
In the News : “Friends” received some nice press in the Argus Courier last week; Under the heading of ” New river group to debut in parade “; the article goes on to say in part:
” A new nonprofit group formed to protect the Petaluma River will make its official debut Saturday with a float in the Butter and Egg Days Parade. The group will work in the community and on the water to provide education, conservation and recreational activities focused on the river. By getting folks out on the water and letting them experience the river’s many faceted wonders, Friends of the Petaluma River hopes to foster understanding, appreciation and protection of this incredible treasure.”
In the Community :
Nature powered river users seek a Center :
A group of active river users met over lunch last week to discuss collaborating on a joint effort to establish a user friendly River Center; a vision that would include amenities for rowers and paddlers; as well as providing space for “Friends” conservation, education, and river heritage components. Greg Sabourin , a “Friends” advisor and founder of the North Bay Rowing Club, Susan Starbird , a competition kayaker and non-profit consultant, Andy Rodgers , a founder of Petaluma River Works and member of the Open Space Dist. advisory committee, and myself felt that we had made a good start and decided to plan a stakeholders breakfast with other nature powered river users in the near future. We feel the time is ripe to find a location for a “River Center” as development of river front property is quickly changing the status many potential sites.
Friends aids UC Berkeley’s scientific research :
On Thursday April 27 th I took 2 scientists out in the Petaluma Marsh to take core samples for U.C, Berkeley studies. Frances Malamud-Roam (in the dark shirt) and her assistant Michelle are working on a long term project to analyze where the sediment that creates the North Bays marshes originates. The researcher bored core samples as deep as 12 feet to help unravel the mysteries of the Petaluma Marsh.
Environmental art and public amenities funding for the Wetlands Park sought :
Following up on public art and amenity plans for the City’s new water treatment plant and interest generated in the February appearance of Patricia Johanson at the Sheraton Sonoma Co./ Petaluma; a group of Art and Parks supporters met with the City’s project manager Margaret Orr on Mon. May 1 st . to discuss the possible funding and scheduling of Ms. Johanson’s designs. Scott Hess and Karen Peterson of the Petaluma Arts Council, John Kinsella, chairman of the Parks and Rec. Commission and I met at the Dauphin Press offices which overlook the site. Implementation schedule requirements and estimated costs were presented by Ms. Orr. Potential funding vehicles and fiscal sponsorship arrangements were discussed. Collaboration with the City, involved businesses and non-profit groups to procure funding for plans to bid and build on is the most pressing priority. The group will work to further clarify the process and the part that each entity will play.
Out and About :
Participation in Earth Day Event’s at Whole Foods : We had our 1st tabling event on April 22 nd at Whole Foods in Petaluma. Members John Shribbs and Elizabeth Howland assisted in delivering information about Friends and signing up a bunch of people interested in learning about our organization helping the River. “Friends” members were wearing and selling our new Friends of the Petaluma River Fleece Vests and passing out beautiful “Friends” Bookmarks featuring our website picture & information. We’d like to thank Caroline Muir of Whole Foods and everyone who stopped by to visit our display; especially 7 year old Sawyer Backman who liked what she saw and made the first cash donation of the day.
Butter and Eggs Parade Sat. April 29th :
Yes, we were there too! It was our first big event and boy was it fun. We received a lot of complements on the beautiful “Betty Ann” our 19′ wooden Sharpie Skiff float while waiting for the parade to start. Her crew consisted of Kyle and Ella Abelli-Amen , Grace Davis , and friend. Grant Davis and Bruce Abelli-Amen marched with us during the parade handing out “Friends” bookmarks and flyers about the May 7 th River Cleanup. It was quite a day and I want to thank everyone who participated in this premier outing.
Conservation News :
Zero Waste Forum a boon for Petaluma Marsh protection :
Over 150 people attended the Zero-waste forum at Marin Counties Civic Center on April 18 th put on by Supervisor Chas. McGlashen and Bruce Baum of No Wetlands Landfill Expansion . Chris Gilkerson , the NWLE Chairman’s comments on threats posed to the Petaluma Marsh and the North Bay environment by the Redwood Landfill in Novato were very well received, garnering the largest applause of the evening. To learn more about this issue visit www.noexpansion.org. Keep tuned to our website for information about the upcoming public hearing on the EIR.
Proposed Asphalt plant impacts life along the river
Speaking of EIRs, keep an eye out for the draft EIR for the new asphalt plant proposed by Dutra for a site along the river directly opposite Shollenberger Park. Better yet ask Sonoma Counties planning Dept. to be put on the list to receive information about this project. Once the Draft EIR is released we will be studying it to make comments.
Membership : We need you!
It takes members to enable our work and strengthen our voice
Friends of the Petaluma River is a grassroots organization that relies on membership to expand its community service and to strengthen its voice while speaking for the vitality of the River. If you have not joined us yet please consider downloading the reply page from our web-site and returning it with your contact information and a contribution to Friends. We will keep you informed about river related activities, issues, and events. Also, consider volunteering time or donating goods and service s to our group.
For more information call 707 763-7756. We would love to have you as a “Friend”!
There is still time to become a “Charter Member” of Friends. This privilege is limited to the first 100 people to join. As a charter member you will receive special mention at our upcoming events. Limited Time Offer! Receive a “Friends” fleece vest
for a donation of $50 or more. Join at the at the “Great Friends” level ($250) and above you will receive a vest plus a personal boat tour to learn some “mysteries of the River”.
Hope to see you on the water and in the community!
Celebrate and Conserve,
Dave Yearsley
Friends of the Petaluma River
