PETALUMA - AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

  Petaluma is gearing up once again for the Annual Salute to American Graffiti, scheduled for May 14 and 15 in historic downtown.

  Ask anybody who grew up in the 50s and 60s, they all know what American Graffiti is about, or think they do.  

  Film critic Roger Ebert summed it up pretty well in his original review of the now classic American movie about

coming-of-age in a small California town.

  Real fans know that although American Graffiti is based on the growing up years filmmaker George Lucas spent in Modesto, California, much of the movie was filmed on the streets of Petaluma in the early 1970s. While the streets of Modesto have changed considerably since Lucas was there and many of the locations that were the basis for the memorable scenes in the film have disappeared; much of Petaluma remains the same as it was when the film was shot here. For those fans that come to Petaluma wanting to see the same town that appeared in the film, there's a map available from the Salute website.

  Each year, some of the cast members of American Graffiti come for the Salute. Actress Candy Clark, who was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of gum-chewing, dumb-like-a-fox Debbie Dunham in the film, dubbed Petaluma "America's Quintessential Hometown," at the first Salute and summed up the essence of what makes Petaluma attractive and memorable to so many people.

  Many things can change, however, the spirit of "America's Quintessential Hometown," remains on the streets of Petaluma - the Annual Salute to American Graffiti is just one expression of it. It's a "cruise" down good ole memory lane minus the feeling of loss. It's fun, family, friends - topped with cool tunes and hot cars.  

  Come on and re-live the early 60s with the folks in "America's Quintessential Hometown," on May 14 and 15 and feel like you never grew up and left home.

  Let the Petaluma Visitor Center tell you how to be there or be square, baby!

PETALUMA'S PARKS - A NATURAL SPRING ADVENTURE

Guest Blogger Martha O'Hayer

Spring is supposed to turn thoughts to love, but frankly, I can't wait to get outdoors for an adventure at this time of year.

If you are also in a spring time adventure frame of mind, Petaluma has two great Sonoma County Regional Parks that are better than any theme park and lots more reasonably priced. So, if it's spring break time in your life, flock on over to Petaluma for the nature experience.

This Saturday, April 10  take a guided walk through the rolling, wild flower-covered hills in Helen Putnam Park. Master Gardeners will lead the way starting at 10 a.m.

Get an earlier start at 9 a.m. on April 10, and Jim Angelo, former Director of the Regional Parks Department  will walk you through Helen Putnam Park and the history of regional parks including acquisition, development and operation.

Break next weekend on April 18 for a walk in Helen Putnam park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with naturalist Wade Belew who is also the president of the California Native Grasslands Association and stewardship coordinator of Cotati Creek Critters. Bring a picnic lunch and dine al fresco too.

If spring night time is the right time for you to howl, a walk on April 28 in full moonlight through the oak woodlands of Helen Putnam Park with Park Commissioner John Mills might be just the ticket.  

Be among the first public visitors to Tolay Regional Park on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Sierra Club's Bill Arenander and staff from the Sonoma Land Trust lead a hike through this new park property that is still being developed for public use. Hikers will be treated to stunning views of the Petaluma River and Tolay Valley, walks to and through lush wildflower fields and perhaps a glimpse of the resident golden eagle, red-tail hawks, meadowlarks and coyote that roam the area. Talk will be of the natural history, geology of the land and the people who have lived on it for the past few thousand years. A special trek to be sure for those curious about what this new, special park has to offer.
 The nature adventure goes on all year in Sonoma County's Regional Parks. Check out Sonoma County Parks for more information. If you think you’ll visit our parks regularly this year, click here for more information on the parks pass.

There are some year 'round nature adventures in some of Petaluma's city parks too. Shollenberger Park is great for bird watching or walking by the Petaluma River and in the ancient marshlands. Check Visit Petaluma for more information.


Tell us about your favorite park…

PLAN FOR A RAINY DAY

Guest Blogger

Martha O'Hayer

Rain does put a damper on outdoor activities, but the locals know there is still fun to be had in Petaluma on a rainy day.

I asked Petalumans what they do on rainy days and they came up with a few unique ideas that illustrate why the Petaluma experience is like no other.

For example, what about bowling on a rainy day?

Likely It’s been some time since most of us ventured into a

bowling alley. Many cities and towns don't have one and sometimes they are located where you'd never find them in the places that do have one. I was pleasantly surprised by the bowling alley treasure in Petaluma. Boulevard Lanes, located at 1100 Petaluma Boulevard South, is easy to find and has something for everyone. Bowling, Pool tables, pinball, video games, a diner and a great bar. Who could ask for more?

There are early bird specials, daily and weekly specials, party specials and something called Extreme Bowling. Ask any of the very helpful staff about how you can entertain a group. Or give that Extreme Bowling a try. Go bowling, it's not something you can do everywhere.

Here’s something else you can’t do just anywhere -- visit a seed bank. Seriously, how could you go wrong and how many towns in America have one? The Baker Creek Seed Bank opened in June in a vintage 1926 Sonoma County Bank building in Historic Downtown Petaluma.

The Seed Bank houses one of California's largest selections of organic and heirloom seeds – 1,200 varieties in all – as well as traditional gardening products. You just have to enter this mammoth building, housing thousands of packets of tiny seeds to get in the mood for gardening and to appreciate the rain. Browsing the Seed Bank is a heck of a good time, no matter the weather.

According to store manager Paul Wallace, Baker Creek chose to locate to Petaluma because 50% of its California mail-order customers live within a one-hour radius of the Historic Downtown location at E. Washington Street and Petaluma Blvd. North.

The LA Times and The Huffington Post both cite the unique pairing of a former bank with the location of the seed bank. Even Fast Company, the magazine with a focus on the most creative individuals sparking change in the marketplace notes that unlike the bank that stood in its place prior, Baker Creek is thriving.

The Baker Creek Seed Bank is at 199 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, (707) 509-5171. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Saturday.

 Look for the next blog with insider tips on how to spend a unique day in Petaluma, rain or shine! Contact the Petaluma Visitor Center on the web to find out more.

NOT JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT

    I spent last Saturday evening on a hilltop, sipping superior wine, tasting innovative fresh food and sharing a great Sonoma County view with representatives of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
The IGLTA is a membership organization, founded in 1983, to connect businesses in the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) tourism industry. The organization now has, according to their website, a 1,500 plus membership of “gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals.”

    The group of nine IGLTA members spent about three days getting to know Sonoma County at the invitation of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau (SCTB) with the assistance of area businesses and visitor programs. Saturday evening’s event was conceived using a “roundup” theme, signaling to the visitors a time to “roundup” reflections on their Sonoma County experience and share them and to area businesses and visitor programs a chance to corral these guests (in the nicest possible way, of course) and find out what they thought of their tour.

  The Saturday evening “Travel Roundup” took place at Paradise Ridge Winery at sunset. It was a perfect place to gather with these visitors, enjoy fantastic food and wine and get to know each other better. Did I mention that the view at Paradise Ridge Winery is stunning? It gave us all (visitor and resident alike) a perfect perspective on the boundless natural appeal of Sonoma County.
  The group spent half a day or better in Petaluma on Thursday, Feb. 18 and made a stop at the Visitor Center at the end of the day, where the staff here welcomed them and passed out some gift bags donated by the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets. It was fun to say hello, but I was glad for the opportunity on Saturday to talk some more. 

  The tour of Petaluma began earlier in the day in Historic Downtown at Pelican Art Gallery. Gallery owner, Linda Postenrieder blogs about the group itinerary at Art Quest at Petaluma 360, so check it out to see all the places visited in Petaluma.
  Aside from all the great people I met, the best part of Saturday evening was the opportunity to find out what these visitors were taking away from this Sonoma County tour to share with clients, friends, neighbors and contacts.
  Petaluma, I am proud to say, made a profound impression. Everyone I spoke with remarked on the friendly welcoming atmosphere and the relaxed pace here.
  One person told me what a great alternative Petaluma provides to the crowded, sometime frenetic atmosphere in the city.

  This is a great place to come for a “getaway weekend,” he said. Petaluma seems like a good place to take your time, to be able to eat and shop without fighting crowds and to simply relax and let down the guard a little. It presents a perfect opportunity to chat with the local people and experience the art or the outdoors or whatever interests you as if there is all the time in the world, he added.
  I could not have said it any better myself, but then I am paraphrasing. This particular visitor happened to be interested in art and antiques. Some of the others on the tour wanted to know about kayaking on the Petaluma River and or the best cycling routes for scenery. It is all here, without the push, the shove, the hurry up and the wait in line. In Petaluma, there is time to ask questions, to savor, to seek, to relax and most of it is free. What’s not to love!
  Much of this appealing ambience relies on the spirit of the community, so thanks Petaluma people. You can help keep the welcome vibe alive by talking to visitors and by directing them to the Petaluma Visitor Center in the Historic Depot building on the corner of Lakeville and E. Washington streets for all kinds of inside information about where to stay, where to shop, stay, dine and play in Petaluma.

IMAGES OF PETALUMA

Photographers take your best shot or shots of Petaluma and enter the contest for the next stunning image to be used on the cover of the 2010 Official Petaluma Visitor Guide, Visit Petaluma.

The contest deadline is Jan. 31. Titled “Images of Petaluma,” the contest is an opportunity open through the Petaluma Visitor Center that produces the annual Official Visitor Guide, Visit Petaluma. The guide has a national distribution through the Petaluma Visitor Center website at http://www.visitpetaluma.com/ .

Other contest entries may be selected for use on the inside pages of the publication or on the Visitor Center website, www.visitpetaluma.com. Full photo credit and photographer referrals will be given for any images used.

Photographers can submit up to five low-resolution jpeg images, maximum 100 kb each, to dgarber@visitpetaluma.com. Vertical images are preferred for use on the Visitors Guide cover, but all entries are welcome. Winning entrants will be asked to submit high-resolution images following notification.

For more information, please contact the Petaluma Visitor Center at 769-0429 or dgarber@visitpetaluma.com

WHY HAVE A VISITOR CENTER?

It's been something of a struggle, but the Petaluma Visitor Center in the Historic Depot building opened its doors for 2010 on Jan. 4.

Despite some pretty deep cuts most of the original programs to promote and market Petaluma as a visitor destination remain.

It may be difficult to justify continuing the Visitor Center when important public safety and public works jobs get cut.

On the other hand, it is easy to understand how visitors contribute to the local economy every time they shop in a local business, eat in a local restaurant or stay in local lodging. Most people understand that some of that money is generated by contact with the Visitor Center staff, the annual Official Visitor Guide and the official website at http://www.visitpetaluma.com/.

Much of what the Visitor Center does for the local economy is difficult to quantify with numbers. Part of the problem could be that we are in a situation that is a little like the chicken or the egg conundrum. The question is do visitors come to Petaluma because they've been attracted by the visitor guide, the website or other visitor services or do they come to the Visitor Center when they are in Petaluma because this is where they get needed visitor services.

Of course, we keep track of how many of the annual visitor guides are distributed, how many visitors come to the website and how many come through the visitor center doors on any one of the seven days a week that those doors are open.

Those numbers don't tell the whole story though, because there is really no way of knowing how many people come to Petaluma because, for example, a friend gave them a visitor guide or a hotel concierge in San Francisico suggested it for art or antique shopping.

The Visitor Center provides jobs to Petaluma residents and having visitors in Petaluma helps perpetuate jobs at the restaurants, lodging, shopping areas, and attractions they visit.  Petaluma's Visitor Center gave a historic building new life and visibility. It attacts people just by its location. Petaluma's Visitor Center shows that this community appreciates visitors and residents alike. It says this community values its heritage and its image.

Do you know that Petaluma Visitor Center programs help promote local events like Butter & Egg Days, the Sonoma-Marin Fair's World's Ugliest Dog Contest and the annual Salute to American Graffiti nationally and internationally?  The Petaluma Visitor Center produces and distributes boating information for the use of the Petaluma River Turning Basin in Historic Downtown, a valuable service to recreational boaters. The Petaluma Visitor Center produces holiday events that include Santa's Arrival by Boat and the City of Lights Driving Tour.  The Visitor Center provides public and media relations programs and promotions.

There's lots more to the Visitor Center than the "Official Petaluma Visitor Guide," Visit Petaluma and the offical website at http://www.visitpetaluma.com/ and it all works to make Petaluma an attractive destination.

Now seems a good time to thank all the people who've helped keep Petaluma's Visitor Center alive. This is a new year and we are working on producing the "Official 2010 Visitor Guide,"Visit Petaluma that is slated for publication in March. Plans are being made for changes to the website. Exciting ideas for new promotions, events and ways of publicizing Petaluma are afoot.

There are imitation visitor information guides, websites and services, but there is only one Petaluma Visitor Center and it requires community support. You can help by advertising in the "Official Petaluma Visitor Guide," Visit Petaluma, by using and telling others to take advantage of the Official Petaluma Visitor Center website at http://www.visitpetaluma.com/ and be referring customers, clients, family, friends and even people met on the street to the Petaluma Visitor Center at 210 Lakeville St. in the Historic Depot building. We are here to serve this city and doing so keeps us strong, innovative and viable.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR

You might think we've heard it all at the Petaluma Visitor Center. It is true we do get some unusual questions and unique comments about this Northern California town. 

Every time we think we've heard it all, however, somebody comes up with something new or with a comment that calls for a little introspection. That happened this year with regard to the annual City of Lights Driving Tour. 

There's more about this event on the Visitor Center website at http://www.visitpetaluma.com/. The Visitor Center has organized and produced it for more than 10 years, but this year a caller asked how we could possibly endorse such exuberance given the state of the economy, the effects of a driving tour on the planet and the ostentatious waste of energy the decorating contest seems to encourage.

Okay, the caller didn't use exactly those words, but that was the point of the message.

Since I am the Grinch in the office, and maybe a little more objective about all the holiday hoop-de-la, I thought it fell to me to address the caller's valid concerns. It started me thinking.

I have to say thanks to the caller for helping me see the irony of a Grinch like me as one of the people who devotes a lot of time and energy to helping the Visitor Center stage the tableau of holiday events, crowned by the City of Lights Driving Tour, that take place every year in Petaluma.

No matter how jaded I think I am, it never fails to cheer me up to see all the twinkle and shine on the streets of Petaluma. I feel better when I see Petaluma aglow with the traditional beacons of hope and home...twinkling lights.  I guess you could say the City of Lights Driving Tour is my candle in the window.

I take heart when I remember how many people participate in the City of Lights Driving Tour simply for the fun of making others happy. Every year, in good times and bad, the residents and merchants willingly take part in this burst of good cheer.  The decorating contest judges are volunteers. The merchants donate prizes for the residential decorations. I've been told by so many participants that it is a labor of love offered as an expression of the desire to share happiness.

To me, the rewards for everyone, visitors and participants, from City of Lights Driving Tour far outweigh the annual cost. 

I know Petaluma to be a green community - passionate about recycling, conservation, open space preservation, waste reduction and so much more. All year long, there is a concerted effort here to appreciate, preserve and enhance the environment and the planet.  It seems to me  that kind of commitment can afford to be a little extreme during the holidays, especially when the effort is freely shared to make so many people happy. 
Certainly Petaluma isn't the only town that goes all out on holiday decorations and lights. Check out http://lightsofthevalley.com/  and you will see what I mean. Still, the fact that lots of other places do it necessarily make it right. I do not think It is a question of right or wrong.

In my opinion, Petaluma does it best because it is more of a community effort than an individual one.

Maybe now is the time to start thinking about better ways to display the holiday spirit, but for  the here and now, Petaluma is decked out in holiday lights and it is a sight for sore hearts, tired eyes, and saggy spirits. 

So, here's an invitation from the Grinch, put the light back into your life for a few hours. Take a City of Lights Driving Tour in Petaluma and enjoy!