Page 35 - SCG December 2015.indd

Heather Mahoney wins WORLD Racquetball Championship!
Thanks to the work of Brian Dixon who directs the Petaluma Athletic Club’s Junior Racquetball program, two of our young Petaluman junior racquetball players, Heather Mahoney (10U Girls) and James D’Ambrogia (12U Boys) advanced to the World Championships. They were both in the top 2 at the National Junior Racquetball Championships and invited to play on Team USA to and advance to the 2015 Junior World Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In addition to singles, both Heather and James played doubles.
Heather is now a World Champion after beating Mexico in a tie breaking match today. She is the best 10U girls junior racquetball player in the world!
“Imagine all the people, living life in peace.” —John Lennon
Congratulations to Heather and James for representing Petaluma well as world class racquetball players and big thanks to Brian Dixon and Heather’s coaches for supporting our world champion
hat a pleasure to meet Costa Nasser, the Marketing Manager for the Olive Branch Company. Mr. Nasser showed me his shelves of inexpensive GMO free herbs, grains, olive oil and concentrated
Petaluma’s Terri Strain, owner and instructor ATA Martial Arts makes a contribution to a very popular book BULLYPROOF: Unleash the Hero Inside Your Kid, Volume 2. This book is part of a series that helps raise awareness of the matter of bullying in the United States. Within 24 hours of its release it was ranked #1 in the “Children Studies” category. It also topped the charts on the Kindle “School Age Children” category.
juices from the Holy Land. His family began their business in
Unlike other books that address what you should do when you are bullied it also covers ways to prevent it and prepare kids from its harmful effects. The book is co-authored by leaders around the world including business owners, physicians, and “yes” even Petaluma Martial Arts instructors (ATA Petaluma Martial Arts).
Palestine by making peace lamps. They still make them, selling them in gift sets, which include a jar of olive oil, floating wicks and glass liner. Both the peace dove and larger white ceramic lamp with a handle come hand painted. When Mr. Nasser showed me how this oil lamp worked, I wished I had met him years ago. His families lamp would have saved me $$$ if I had purchased and used their peace lamp, instead of candles for our dining table and winter cheer.
Holiday Events - Petaluma Style
Now that the Olive Branch has opened in Cotati, their family company has sixteen shops worldwide, including a shop in Paris, France. Mr. Nasser sold out all 300 jars of olives on grand opening day. Olive Branch. We tasted Zatar herbs, thyme, sesame seeds and olive oil on fresh bread with black olives. Costa Nasser continues to add value to his family’s products and shops. He mentioned working on a cookbook to help people use the teas, herbs, olive oil and grains he sells. I though I knew something about grains, but I know I’m going back to buy and cook Frekeh and Borgoi. Mr. Nasser said, “You can cook these instead of rice. They have more nutrition and are organically farmed.”
Community members, friends, guests and newcomers to Sonoma County are invited to take part in a spectacularly fun new holiday tradition, this December 5th, 2015.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” themed party takes place at Petaluma’s Historical Library and Museum, in the heart of the city’s downtown heritage district.
Dates, honey and chocolates are available in gift-wrapped packages. Spa scrubs, lotions and olive oil soaps from the Dead Sea all can be made into lovely gift baskets. Go see the Olive Branch for their unique foods and low priced gifts.
Tickets are just $25 per person and profits will benefit the museum’s vital capital campaign to restore and protect this beautiful building.
$25 Tickets available online at: aqus.com/museum or at the Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St. and Aqus Café, 189 H St., Petaluma.
Petaluma Museum Associations Holiday Season Concert Series Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m.
Passanisi Home & Garden reopens after Penngrove fire
Navarro Trio with pianist Marilyn Thompson
We felt glad to find their store open just in time for holiday gift giving. Go find Vince Passanisi and enjoy the lively home and garden gifts at 131 Kentucky St. #B Petaluma, CA. Call 707-766-1771 for store hours.
Comprised of violinist Victor Romasevich, cellist Jll Rachuy Brindel and pianist Marilyn Thompson, Navarro Trio has performed virtually the entire “standard” piano trio repertoire. Navarro Trio will perform: Trio No. 2 in D minor by Anton Arensky; Trio in BbMajor (the “Archduke”) by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m.
“A Renaissance Christmas” performed by the Festival Consort
Joined by singers Carol Menke and Chris Fritsche. Complimentary Wassail punch!
Sonoma County Kids
I met lovely parents from both these organizations at Cotati Kids’ Day in July. Sonoma County Kids (.com) keeps an event calendar of FYI and DIY for parents with young children. Their Web site hosts a list of classes and crafts directory. I found events listed like these: a free car seat fitting session in Petaluma, free Cuentos y Cantos – Bilingual Story and Play Time at Sebastopol Library, a Hands-On Hanukkah – At Fundemonium in Rohnert Park and Cirque de Boheme: A Winter Circus at Cornerstone in Sonoma, with three shows a day from November 27 to December 27th. I’m curious about the last event. According to Sonoma County Kids’ Web site this is “...an old style circus based on the French tradition of the 1920’s, Le Cirque de Bohème plus even a year-round birthday party guide.” Tickets go for $18 to $55.
Jolly Cotati WinterTraditions
Wednesday, December 2nd I hope you will join our Cotati Christmas Tree Lighting. We will sing carols then count down to our town tree lighting. This evening is free, held in La Plaza Park and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. After the tree lighting, we join our firemen and peace officers strolling over to enjoy cookies, hot beverages and live music. Kids line up inside the firehouse to talk to Santa Claus. People keep the spirit of giving by bringing new, unwrapped toy donations for the Rancho Adobe Fire District annual toy drive. See our Gazette community calendar for more winter holiday events.
Email dtfwriter@gmail.com Cotati news, events & community action by the 5th of next month.
The Festival Consort, founded in 1976 by Joanna Bramel Young and Lyn Elder, will be performing its acclaimed concert “Renaissance Glory”. Beloved vocalists Carol Menke, soprano, and Chris Fritzsche, countertenor, join the four accomplished instrumentalists – director David Hogan Smith, Joanna Bramel Young, Alan Paul and Robert Cronin for an afternoon of traditional carols and other works by renaissance composers.
Sunday, December 13 at 3 p.m.
“A Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus Christmas”
Angelic voices will delight with songs of the season! Bring the family, kids free. Music will include selections from the Renaissance to the present. The Chorus is preparing for their concert tour to Germany, Austria and Prague
in June 2016. Come and hear this outstanding choir! Tickets: $20.00 - Reserve online: www.PetalumaMuseum.com
W
12/15 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 35