Page 37 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2016

I“Go for the best, prepare for the worst...The key to success is optimism.” —Dalai Lama recently had the pleasure of meeting Laura, new owner of the former I Scream Café, now called Companey’s Ice Cream Café. This cheerful café welcomes groups in a redesigned old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Birthday parties, anyone? Superburger, after a fire-forced closure, relocated from
Happy New Year and what a great year it will be for Petaluma! For
a moment I will reflect on some of our recent events. Everyone loves driving around during the holidays to see the Christmas light displays on Petaluma’s City of Lights Driving Tour. Congrats first place individual winner Michael Crutchon, and there was a tie for first place business winners: Sunrise Senior Living and Armor Locksmith. Thousands turned out for the annual Petaluma River Lighted Boat Parade and Hospice Light Up A Life Tree Lighting ceremony.
Penngrove to Cotati. They enjoyed weeks of their jam-packed opening. We loved their roomy new digs and chatting with Megan, an enthusiastic new staff. The Jaded Toad brew-pub and grill recently opened in the Oliver’s Market complex. Speaking of Oliver’s, their new seating area promises a comfortable spot for having snacks or lunch. Renovations should be completed soon.
Local grain industry got a boost in their launch of the North Coast Grain Alliance. Food Movement icon Frances Moore Lappe (a rock star in the history of the food movement) spoke for hundreds that showed up to help return a thriving local grain economy to northern California. It was a mixed crowd of famers, ranchers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers. Also an exciting series about local farmers was introduced by KRCB called North Bay Bountiful. Among other great Sonoma County farms featured, Petaluma’s Tara Firma, Canvas Ranch and Green String farms were featured in videos how they are growing affordable healthy food using sustainable farming techniques.
We love pizza. Do you know that Sal’s New Yorker Pizzeria offers slices? They receive four stars on Yelp for pizza, yummy meatballs, hearty sandwiches, fresh homemade salad dressings and large portions. Missed my December column featuring the Olive Branch Company? Visit for organic olive oil, olives and herbs or choose skin products from the Dead Sea. One of a kind personal service selecting gifts and gift baskets is their specialty.
Dancing DJ + Party Planner, Rick Minervini
Hired as Cotati Chamber of Commerce’s go-to guy, Cotati citizen Rick Minervini displays boundless optimism. Rick, AKA Fiz-Nic Rick, an award winning dancing DJ, gets events thumping and is a real-life happiness engineer. Fiz-Nic Rick led his team of DJ’s and volunteers in July 2015, making Cotati Kids’ Day a hit.
Opinion Poll On Guns – KTVU did a story about a local Petaluma gun shop owner whose business is booming. We polled our followers giving them 4 choices: 1. Happy for gun store owner all citizens should own guns; 2. Happy for gun store owner but sad so many guns sold; 3. Not happy for gun store owner, we need more gun control; and 4. Close gun store and all guns should be banned. Here are the results 1. 58%, 2. 4%, 3. 23%, 4. 15%. There was also a heated exchange in the facebook comments showing that this topic is a very emotional one for many.
January 30th - Chamber Event with a Psychedelic 60’s Theme
Cotati Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards event, honoring Mark Landman as Cotati Citizen of the Year and the Lagunitas Brewing Company for top business community support. Of course, Minervini will make the party an evening of interactive fun.
Petaluma’s World Dessert Champ and TV personality Laurie Figone launches her first cookbook. Scanning the recipe with your smart device launches of a video of the popular local chef walking you through each recipe. You can go to lauriesfood.com to purchase it. Cinnabar Theater student prodigy Jasha Klebe, now a music composer, wrote the score for the film “Winter on Fire”, a film that won The People’s Choice Documentary Award in the Toronto Film Festival. A full interview of Jasha can be found on PositivelyPetaluma. com. With all the hoopla going on with the new Star Wars movie it now only awakened the force, but it also awakened consumer’s in a frenzy over the memorabilia. Steve Sansweet’s Rancho Obi Wan Ranch in Petaluma is worth millions, according to Forbes magazine. You might see Steve and some of his collection in the 2016 LumaCon! Comic convention Saturday January 30th at the Petaluma Fairgrounds.
Thinking forward the Cotati Chamber of Commerce wants to engage both teens and SSU students. What events or projects you would like to do, learn, see, or experience in Cotati 2016? Please email me at dtfwriter@gmail.com before the 5th of the month.
Mayor-Elect, John C. Moore
Our Mayor-elect, John Moore continues his 30 years of community service. Moore received Citizen of the Year in 2005. Volunteerism and leadership make him well suited for his new position on city council. As past chair on the Cotati Rent Appeals Board and past President of Cotati Chamber of Commerce, Moore brings his broad experience. He continues to serve as a delegate to the North Bay Labor Council and District Bargaining Unit Representative of Service Employees International Union Local 1000, District Labor Council 752, serving Sonoma and Marin counties.
Mark your calendars now for these great things happening in the New Year. Petaluma is the start of the Great American Cheese trail and it’s the place to
be on Friday March 18 for the 10th Annual Artisan Cheese Festival. The 35th Annual Butter & Egg Days Parade will be on Saturday April 23rd this year.
I find the actions of our council to adopt video recording and public comment refreshing. Did you know that you may comment online as well as in person? The Cotati City Council has taken on growing pains of adding video and online comment options, which helps keep city government open and transparent. Cotati welcomes citizen involvement on planning committees and meetings.
You can find affordable treasures in Petaluma on Sunday April 24th for the 30th Annual Spring Antique Faire. Enjoy music, beer, wine and great stuff for your garden at the 15th Annual Art & Garden Festival on Sunday July 10. Winning home brewers, Joe Monostori and Jeremiah Konan, were given the opportunity to make their brew on a large scale under the direction of brewmaster Joel Johnson at 101 North Brewing Company. Homebrewers should start preparing for the 2016 2nd Annual Homebrewers Competition event on May 28. The
Change What You Eat by Rhonda Lee on January 15
first annual event was so popular this year it was moved to a larger venue, the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, to accommodate the anticipated growing crowd.
At Songbird Community Center on Friday night, those who suffer with allergies, digestive issues, joint aches, bloating, headaches and sleep issues can learn about a thirty-day diet change. Lee will discuss elimination diets, plus how to be successful when changing to a healthier diet. Donation of $10-$20.
Take your tree to Cotati Fire Station: 1 E. Cotati Ave., open daily from 8am - 4pm. Place whole trees inside collection boxes. Remove lights, tinsel, tree-stands and ornaments. Flocked trees are NOT accepted. For nonprofit collection please call 565-3333 before January 10 to arrange for a pickup from your home. A small donation goes to support a local non-profit. Appointments required.
Email: dtfwriter@gmail.com: Cotati news, events & community action by the 5th of next month.
For more positive things going on in Petaluma, please visit our website PositivelyPetaluma.com.
Christmas tree collection Dec 26th - January 15
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