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What’s a columnist to do when her husband’s papers enter the Bancroft Library? Correct -- put it in my column! The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley has added the personal papers, articles and photographs of Anthony Tusler to its Disability Rights and
Independent Living Movement archive (DRILM). Tusler’s materials recognize his 40-year leadership in the disability rights movement nationwide and in
the San Francisco Bay Area. He captured gritty, on-the-street photo images of disability rights activists who pressed for the signing of Section 504 during their 26-day sit-in of the San Francisco Federal Building in 1977. The occupation led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Tusler’s archives are part of two Bay Area exhibits. His photographs, beggar’s cards and protest buttons are included in the Bancroft Library’s exhibit “Nothing About Us, Without Us: 25th Anniversary of the ADA” at the Doe Library, UC Berkeley through February 12, 2016. A second exhibit is “Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights” at the Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley, through December 18, 2015 (organized by SFSU’s Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability). On Monday, November 2, at 11am: Tusler leads a guided tour of the exhibit. The Ed Roberts Campus is above Ashby BART. The exhibit is online at longmoreinstitute.sfsu.edu/patient-no-more
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum URGENTLY Needs Seismic Retrofit
The Girls Around the Corner
I’m glad I met the Mahoney family at our Penngrove neighborhood’s block party last month. Heather Mahoney is a 6th grader at Corona Creek school. She plays soccer and lives with sister Hadley and parents John and Melodese
in Penngrove. The 11-year old started racquetball lessons at age 6, and is
ranked #1 in the nation and #3 worldwide in her age group. She’s even sponsored by racquet manufacturer Ektelon. The family will travel to the World Championships in Dominican Republic early this month. “It’s cool to make new friends from all over,” she said. She won her #3 ranking at last year’s World Championships in Colombia, where she enjoyed the beautiful beaches “and ate a lot of rice and beans.”
Those are hardly words of welcome, but they have greeted visitors from
a sign in the foyer of Petaluma Historic Library & Museum since 2008. Nevertheless, visitors enter at their own risk to enjoy award-winning exhibits, popular cultural events and beautiful concerts in this historic Carnegie Library - the cultural hub of Petaluma.
Dad John introduced her to the sport, and “my coach Brian Dixon is great
and really works with me” at Petaluma Valley Athletic Club. “I practice year round,” said Heather. “I’m on a traveling soccer team, and in Girl Scouts.” Fourteen-year old sister Hadley Mahoney pursues her own interests, as a volunteer at Rohnert Park Animal Shelter. She likes to read, write fiction and songs and play guitar. She’s an 8th grader at Kenilworth Junior High. “I do geometry and advanced English,” said Hadley. “I want to try out for volleyball and football and learn drums.” She reads action adventure, historical books “and about Greek gods.” This is a family to keep an eye on!
In 2008, an engineering study concluded that our Museum is at severe risk in the next earthquake. This compelled the City to post the warning sign, but the timing could not have been worse. Due to the economic downturn, even minor street repair was sidelined, leaving major seismic retrofits out of the question. However, times have changed. Funds are again available for preservation projects, but we must not delay. The 2014 Napa earthquake was a rude awakening that at-risk buildings, like our beautiful Museum, can fall within seconds.
Penngrove Mural
The City of Petaluma and the Petaluma Museum Association are partnering to obtain grant money dedicated to earthquake damage prevention. However, obtaining these grants will require matching funds to demonstrate public support for the proposed work. The Petaluma Museum Association is leading the drive for these matching funds with a capital campaign which will help show that the people of Petaluma will put their money, as well as their hearts, behind the preservation of our historic landmark.
The mural wall at Penngrove Store is happening. At press time, the primer is done and artist Jason Holtz got to work. We’ll have a scene of the Sonoma hills, dotted with animals. Come and see!
The Woodward Street neighborhood is sporting three new red and white signs: Drive Like Your Kids Live Here. Thank you to the family that acquired the signs. Check out the website or Facebook group by the same name for your own neighborhood efforts.
Petaluma Shout-Outs
Walnut Park Renovation Ribbon-Cutting was held October 16. Congratulations to the 230 supporters who bring us new sidewalks, benches, a seating cap on the Children’s playground wall, fresh paint on both the gazebo and restroom building, a Peace Pole, commemorative bricks and landscaping! Thanks are due to all, and a wave to lead supporters Friedman Home Improvement, Lagunitas Brewing and Shamrock Materials. The project was organized by seven service clubs dubbed Petaluma Service Alliance and project chairperson Maureen Frances. Maureen, may you join Walnut Park’s 19th Century founder, Addie Atwater, in the annals of Petaluma history.
Please help save our beloved museum by contributing whatever you can, volunteering and telling your friends about this important public outreach. Be a part of preserving Petaluma’s History!
Drive Like Your Kids Live Here
The warning is clear: Do Not Delay!
Call Liz Cohee at (707) 778-4398 for more information.
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