Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette Janaury 2019

Petaluma Floathouse
The Petaluma Small Craft Center installed the pilings for our Turning Basin floathouse this past summer and are now looking for a bit more help funding the rest of the project. There are many “naming” and recognition opportunities available to those interested in helping bring this great project to fruition. Contrary to the perception conveyed by all the recent articles about dredging, which is much needed to help keep the river economy afloat, the river is still usable for human powered traffic. And, the more we use it, through projects like the Floathouse, the more pressure it puts on civic leaders to finally dredge the river. Visit petalumasmallcraftcenter.org or visit their Facebook page for more info.
Winter Naturalist Program Seeks YOU!
The magical Fairfield Osborn Preserve is a gem, just up Sonoma Mountain on Lichau Road. If you love the beauty of nature and want more outside time, take the winter naturalist training. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Sonoma Mountain with university staff and experts. This 4-day training is held Sundays Jan. 13 through Feb. 3 at the Preserve. You’ll gain new insights and skills to enrich yourself and to share with others. As a trained naturalist, you will be welcomed into a community of volunteers who enjoy exclusive events, hikes, and overnight field trips with regional experts. Training is $40. You’ll commit to leading at least five tours for school children (grades 3-5). To learn more, go to web.sonoma.edu/cei/ OR contact Naturalist Training Coordinator Julie Wittmann at julie.wittmann@sonoma.edu at the SSU Center for Environmental Inquiry.
2019 Petaluma Area Crab Feeds
Although three Petaluma area crab feeds already occurred in December, the heart of the Petaluma area crab feed season starts up in January and continues through until March, ending with a bang at Heidrun Meadery’s incredible feed, run by Chef Matt Elias and Laine Ayre of the Bodega food truck.
Rancho Adobe Firefighters Association Crab Feed
And although there has been much debate on the Petaluma Foodies page on Facebook about which areas should and should not be included as “Petaluma”, for the purposes of my writing (and the Facebook page), the boundaries are as follows. I include everything from within the boundaries of Sonoma Mountain in the east, Penngrove to the north, the coast to the west, with a southern border that starts at the county line in Petaluma, but includes some of West Marin as you move towards the coast. The coastal inclusion of my Petaluma food writing ranges from Bodega Bay to north, down to Point Reyes Station/ Olema to the south, and the small enclaves on the Point Reyes peninsula, like Inverness. I grew up in Penngrove/Petaluma and call us greedy, but we always thought of places like Nicasio, Marshall, and Dillon Beach as an extended part of West Petaluma.
The Annual Crab Feed is set for January 27th at 6pm. Tickets are $60.00 for all you can eat Crab, Salad and French Bread, with drinks and entertainment. Support the Rancho Adobe Firefighters Association.
Also, don’t be afraid to bring your own tools (bibs, crackers, butter warmers, etc.) and if a feed includes free drinks (many do), it is usually okay to BYOB, if you prefer. But please, be discreet.
that! The studio has a bright, clean and friendly atmosphere. Four trainers are on available to listen to your goals and suggest workouts. The high-intensity, slow strength training approach is used at Main Street to avoid fast and jerky movements which can contribute to injuries. The approach makes this strength training safer than many traditional methods. Abe and I got so excited about the possibilities for our community, we invite you to a short gathering to
The times listed are simply when the doors open; dinner usually starts anywhere from a half to an hour later, so don’t feel like you need to be there right away. And these are all-you-can-eat affairs, so don’t worry about them running out if you don’t get there early. For the full descriptions and ticket buying options, see either the Petaluma Argus-Courier’s December 17, 2018 print edition or visit petaluma360.com, or do a Google or Facebook search.
learn more about Main Street Fitness and, my volunteer passion, the Village Network which serves Petaluma and Penngrove residents.
Fri, Jan 4 @ 6 p.m.—Native Sons of the Golden West @Hermann Sons Hall. $50 ($55 @door.)
Sat, Jan 12 @6 p.m.—Senhor Santo Cristo Society’s Portuguese Crab Feed @ Petaluma Holy Ghost/Portuguese Hall. $50 ($25 for kids.)
Sat, Jan 19 @5 p.m.—Petaluma 7-11 Lions Club @Petaluma Veterans Hall. $50.
Sat, Jan 26 @5:30—Duhnam School @Hermann Sons Hall. $55. dunhamsd.org.
Sat, Jan 26 @6:30—Sonoma Marin Italian Club @Petaluma Holy Ghost/ Portuguese Hall. $45 (kids 12 & under are free.)
Sat, Jan 26 @6 p.m.—Rancho Adobe Firefighters’ Association @ Penngrove Community Clubhouse. $60.
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Sunday, January 27 from 2:30 – 3:30 pm, join us for Aging with Strength, Aging Better Together, at the studio in Penngrove Station, 11790 Main Street, Suite D, downtown PGrove.
Where: 385 Woodward Ave. (@ Oak St.) - at Penngrove Community Clubhouse. Tickets sell out, so don’t wait, available at Penngrove Fire Station, 11000 Main Street, Penngrove, 795-6011.
Penngrove Social Firemen Crab Feed
More details will follow in February’s column, but the Penngrove Social Firemen’s annual Crab Feed is set for February 16. Mark your calendar now.
Get Fit in the New Year
Here are a few things to keep in mind when attending a crab feed. First, they are usually the primary fundraisers for area non-profits, are run by volunteers, and often sell out. Therefore, buy your tickets early, even if you aren’t sure you can make it, and then give your tickets away if you can’t. Also, contribute to the raffles and auctions, and buy into a few drinks, desserts, or whatever extra they have. It all goes towards good causes, so be generous. And because they are run by volunteers, be patient. You may not get restaurant quality service (although you’ll often get much better), but just enjoy the experience of this local tradition and of getting to know the new people seated around you, knowing that your contributions are going directly to local non-profits who in turn help locals in need.
The New Year is a good time to get on the right path with your fitness regime. I met with Abe Kleinfeld, the co-owner of Main Street Fitness in Downtown PGrove. We talked
about advantages of working on strength and balance, especially as we add more years to our dance card! Abe described the science of, say, going downstairs with the laundry basket. We know where the next step is, but as we age, we lose the sensory experience of where that step is. But there’s good news! You can regain the skill and train to revive and keep it. Gardening is another activity we want to keep fit for ourselves. Abe has a client with shoulder and knee pain, and after 6 weeks of training, every ache and pain disappeared. I want some of
New Board Members Elected
Congratulations to new Board members of Penngrove Social Firemen, who were elected at the December meeting: Joe Pedrani, Kim Hanson, Dan Colville and Arnie Franklin. They join Board members
Scott Finley, Julie Hanson, Stan Pronzini, Nick Bursio and Bob Moretti. Congratulation also to three outstanding volunteers who received annual awards. Silver Spoon - Bob Palm, thank you for all time spent in the kitchen.
GOLD KEY ~ Burr Wilson, thank you for all the time you put in set up the sound system and assisting with set up.
President’s Award—Paul Gilcrest, thank you for EVERYTHING you do.