Coastal Cleanup comes to Petaluma on Sept. 15th:

On Saturday, September 15th, as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day, between 9 a.m. and noon there will be a clean up Lynch Creek and Lucchesi Park and Washington Creek. The cleanup will be followed by music and food at the Petaluma Community Center in Luchessi Park from Noon to 2 PM.

People can register near the Lynch Creek trailhead at Luchessi Park any time after 8:30 a.m. or directly behind the Safeway in Petaluma Plaza shopping center at 9:00 a.m.

Trash from the creeks flows into the river and to the coast. Be part of the solution & join the clean up!

Community Coordinator: Diane Reilly Torres — 765-6696

Site Captains:

• Teresa Barrett — 953-0846
• Larry Torres — 765-6696
• Joe Noriel — 781-1753
• Marja Tarr — 762-8368

East Washington Creek Cleanup: Contact Mark Ferguson — 765-2568

Big fish invade the Petaluma:

Judging by the number of fisher-people lining the banks and plying the Petaloo’ recently there are a lot of Striped Bass in the area. Some large ones were caught in waters of the Petaluma River last month.

Kirk’s 37-incher	Starting them young. . .

Sporting Heritage Seminars planned:

“Friends” is interested in hosting a series of outdoor skills seminars in the coming months and we want to “test the waters” for takers. If you would like to learn more about fishing, hunting, and boating skills please send your contact information and areas of interest to David@FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org

Whole Foods day reaps big rewards:

Whole Foods in Petaluma held a Friends of the Petaluma River Day on Wednesday Aug 29th. Last week we were delighted to receive a check from Whole Foods for $2,728. What a wonderful gift! We want to thank everyone who shopped at Whole Foods on “Friends Day” and we especially want to thank Keri Lackey, the marketing and community relations manager and the employees of Whole Foods Petaluma for making us a recipient.

John Shribbs greets shoppers	David ‘on display’

DFG/Americorps workers finish creek habitat surveys:

For the past several months dedicated and skilled AmeriCorps service members have been studying the creeks of our watershed to determine habitat suitability for Salmon and Steelhead Trout. Friends has been hosting Brock Nedland and John Deibner-Hanson and working with them to learn more about these special resources. Now we hope that the watershed will benefit from their work (see following article).

Americorps Workers	Upper Adobe Creek waterfall

Friends awarded $1,500 “Challenge Grant” for habitat work:

“Friends” has been awarded a $1,500 challenge grant by the Wildlife Forever Foundation to review DFG’s habitat findings from this summer and assemble them into a community presentation. We have an Oct 15th deadline to find a match for this challenge grant and are looking for a donor to help to bring this project to fruition. The project will also help to identify and prioritize restoration projects in the future.

Petaluma River Marathon heats up Labor Day weekend:

Do you remember how hot it was over Labor Day weekend? The nearly 100 participants and supporters of the Petaluma River Marathon sure do. Despite the heat wave a large contingent of rowers and paddlers took to the water for a round trip on the river and competed in the Petaluma Marathon. The event, which started and ended at Foundry Wharf, was followed by a pasta feed and award ceremony. As hosts of this event we want to thank the many wonderful volunteers and the generous businesses and organizations that donated food, and prizes.

Race Organizer Patrick Campbell (r) and friend	2 competitors pull for the finish line

For more photos of the marathon, click here.

Delphinus Tours returns to Petaluma for one weekend in November:

The converted fishing trawler Delphinus, which has recently been beautifully restored, will be once again be offering narrated river tours on Nov 10th and 11th; with 2 trips each day 9-12AM and 1-4PM. As usual, the boat will leave from and return to the Petaluma turning basin, docking near the River House. The cost remains $35/person. Children need to be at least 8 years of age. Call 800-472-9942 * 510-527-9622 or visit www.dolphincharters.com.

Friends to provide water taxi for “Taste of Petaluma” on Sept. 29th.:

Taste the culinary concoctions of Petaluma’s finest chefs during this Saturday afternoon benefit for Cinnabar Theater. Friends of the Petaluma River will be giving rides on the river to all participants and anyone else who wants meet us for a short tour of the Turning Basin. Look for our Mako at the docks between noon and 4 PM. For more information and a colorful video from last year’s event click here.

Don’t miss “The Great Petaluma Marsh” art show:

The Petaluma Jr. College campus is hosting a special exhibit featuring the Petaluma River and Marsh. The show will run until Oct. 13th in the Mahoney Library. The exhibit, sponsored by Friends of the Petaluma Campus, will include works by artists and photographers as well as maps and interpretive panels.

Dana Hooper with some of her paintings	David and Marcia Yearsley with painting by their father, Merritt Yearsley

For more photos of the marathon, click here.

Please renew your membership:

Now that we have new offices and plans to expand our community programs and conservation work we need your contributions to more than ever. Memberships and donations are still our primary means of support. Please renew your membership or join us now at a rate that reflects your appreciation and care for the river. Click on the “Join” link above to renew your membership.

Please renew your membership now.
If you are not a member yet, please consider joining Friends.
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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