Southern Sonoma Country Life

An Incentive to Innovate - Harnassing Student Savvy in the States

Did you hear the State of the Nation Speech last week? President Obama talked of the need for support and encouragement of increased American innovation. 

Hot on the heels of his address, the President has announced the launch of the Startup America initiative, a partnership of 20 organizations dedicated to increasing U.S. competitiveness.

Inventive students and college faculty members could benefit big time from this initiative, as one of these organizations, the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA), has revealed a step-up in its support of U.S. university innovators and entrepreneurs.

The NCIIA, whose key funder and programmatic partner is The Lemelson Foundation, will award nearly one million dollars in grants to 23 universities in 14 states over the next two months.

NCIIA expects to fund and mentor an additional 200 student-led innovation teams in the next five years and anticipates the launch of 75 new technology ventures.

The funding boost builds on NCIIA’s venture accelerator pathway, which has funded and supported over 800 educational programs and student innovation projects at 200 universities, and helped launch over 100 student-originated technology companies.

Universities are the country’s invention engines, generating thousands of innovations each year. But a brick wall inevitably sets in unless a conduit emerges to commercialize these innovations and launching competitive companies.

The NCIIA fills this gap by offering faculty and student entrepreneurs a venture accelerator pathway. Here in the Bay Area, NCIIA-supported companies include:
GoodGuide™.  Back in 2007, NCIIA awarded $44,000 to support a University of California-Berkeley project to develop a mobile technology that enables shoppers to enter the barcode of a product on their cell phone and bring up information on the social and environmental impacts of the product and the company that makes it. GoodGuide now employs over 20 people.

By providing would-be entrepreneurs with resources to develop their products as well as training and support to eventually market them, NCIIA’s focus on student innovation embodies the spirit of Startup America: to help home-grown entrepreneurs build businesses, create jobs, and fuel the economy.

 

 

Stage 2 of Jamie Oliver's School Food Revolution Hits California This Spring

Much more than a television show, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (entering its second year in the (States) takes on Southern California this Spring as it moves across country in its graddroots campaign to shift the nation's thinking on school lunches.

Ironic though it may be that it might well take a Brit, a celebrity chef Brit at that, to change the American mindset of what we consider acceptable fodder to feed our young in school, reality television and its myraid outreach into social media might be just the ticket to target the mainstream mentality on such a fundamental issue. Go Jamie!

To find out more about Jamie's fantastic, Food Revolution Read more here. If you are reading in the Los Angeles area, there are lots of great ways to get involved in the action over the next two or three months. Don't be shy, it's going to take a village.

And if Oliver has a weekend off during production, maybe we'll see him up here in wine country, sourcing some SoCo sustainable food influence for his healthy, wholesome menus. 

Join In Big Plans For Rebuilding Together Petaluma - April 9, 2026

(Photos courtesy of community photo-journalist Frank Simpson)

One of my absolute favorite community programs here in the South County, Rebuilding Together Petaluma has big plans for repairing 13 homes for low-income families and 2 non-profit facilities on Saturday April 9th, 2011.

"We have a wide variety of GREAT projects lined up this year," says Rebuilding Together Petaluma's Executive Director, Jane Hamilton. "Of course we won't be able to do any of this without you and your friends and family.Volunteer this day and help change someone's world for the better."

If you are a first time volunteer with RTP use this link to register. It only takes a minute. If you have registered for this fabulous work day in the past, use this link to update information and to sign up for the April 9th, 2011 event. In both cases, the Rebuilding Together team encourages you to let them know with whom you'd want to work and what type of work you'd prefer.

Once you are registered, RTP will communicate important details about your workday and your role via email.

"Let us put your generosity and skills to work in our community for this day," urges Hamilton. "Thank you from RTP Board and staff but especially from the veterans, low-income, elderly and disabled Petaluma Homeowners who could really use some helping hands."

What:  Rebuilding Together Petaluma Volunteer Workday
When: April 9, 2011, 8:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Various locations all over Petaluma
How:  Register online now.

Barbara's Bakery Fulfills 11-Year Commitment to School Gardens with PEF Grants

(pictured above, La Tercera Elementary School presentation - Principal Ken Schwinn with Jennifer Ramstad of Barbara's Bakery and PEF Executive Director Janet Ramatici center and grant writer/3rd grade teacher Roberta O'Neill. Also pictured - before shot of the school's soon-to-be transformed edible garden)

Petaluma-based Barbara's Bakery has fulfilled over a decade-long pledge to multiple schools across the city in this year's funding of a $5,000 Petaluma Educational Foundation 2011 Major Impact Grant for the creation of both an Edible Garden at La Tercera Elementary School.

The entire student body of the 488-strong East side school will benefit from a sustainable teaching garden that will house school-lunch salad bar edibles. An additional grant for $1,500 has been donated by Petaluma Garden Club for the creation of a California Native Plant Garden on the campus.

One pre-existing garden, created on the campus in 1997 has largely gone to weeds due to lack of irrigation and has been in dire need of maintenance and beautification. Plans are to revive this area for edible gardening purposes and to construct new raised beds for the native plant area.

Third Grade teacher Roberta O'Neill said: "The gardens will be used by every teacher to address and fulfill the grade level standards across the curriculum in math, language arts, social studies and science."

Students relocated from Old Adobe School District's Bernard Eldredge School that closed due to budget cuts in 2010 are delighted with the news that they are to have the enjoyment of new learning experiences in gardens at La Tercera. Bernard Eldredge School's Butterfly and California Mission Gardens (in part funded by Barbara's Bakery) had been showcase outdoor teaching areas within the district.

Petaluma Educational Foundation administers the PEF Grant Program to enable teachers and school communities to bring innovative ideas to fruition. Since its inception in 1992, PEF has awarded 1514 grants totaling $1,844,770.

The PEF Grant Program rewards innovation and is supportive of the school’s or District’s overall goals, while being in the best interests of all students affected. The PEF Grant Program is entirely funded by individual donations to its annual “Fund the Future“ campaign. 

Major Impact grants are awarded up to $15,000 with significant emphasis on innovative programs of extraordinary scope, reach or longevity.

(quotes sourced from Grant applications)

Casa Grande High School World Languages Department Benefits from High Tech Computer Projection System Funding from Petaluma Educational Foundation

Moveable carts decked out with LCD projectors, laptops and speakers will boost learning in World Languages classrooms at Petaluma's Casa Grande High School thanks to a $9,947.51 2011 Major Impact Grant from Petaluma Educational Foundation.

Around 640 students in grades nine through 12 are set to benefit from these high-tech additions to their various foreign language learning environments. The school's goal was to have some kind of computer projection system in each of its World Language department classrooms, where previously there was only one fixed system in place in a room dedicated to the teaching of Mandarin-Chinese.

Spearheading the grant application was World Languages Department Co-Chair and French teacher at the school, Christiane Traub.

"In the World Languages Department, altogether we traditionally work with more than half of the school population. This year we have just under 1,000 students in our combined classes. These LCD projectors will have a big impact on the school," said Traub.

The effects of using projectors are considered long-lasting in the utilization of the internet to consistently source fresh and up-to-date material to be shared with students. These systems allow teaching staff to supplement text books that are otherwise not frequently updated, with current information and ideas.

On-line components of text books can be demonstrated and used in class with the aid of a projector, at the same time, saving paper in photocopying of handouts, sharing cultural websites and integrating projects across languages.

"One of the critical aspects on learning a new language is to be exposed to different voices speaking the language," explained Traub. A projector allows teachers to show authentic material from a variety of French/Spanish speaking countries.

Petaluma Educational Foundation administers the PEF Grant Program to enable teachers and school communities to bring innovative ideas to fruition. Since its inception in 1992, PEF has awarded 1514 grants totaling $1,844,770.

The PEF Grant Program rewards innovation and is supportive of the school’s or District’s overall goals, while being in the best interests of all students affected. The PEF Grant Program is entirely funded by individual donations to its annual “Fund the Future“ campaign. 

Major Impact grants are awarded up to $15,000 with significant emphasis on innovative programs of extraordinary scope, reach or longevity.

(quotes sourced from Grant applications)

 

 

 

Change a Life for the Better in 2011 and Beyond

After hearing from Petaluma's phenomenal Mentor Me Program that several new mentors signed up after reading an Argus Courier article I'd written on a mentor and the teenage girl she'd kept on track since elementary school, I do believe that what might only take a nudge in the right direction for someone contemplating mentoring, has the power to change two lives in one.

If you, or someone you know has an hour a week to spare, staying power, commitment and the capacity to make a steady, immeasurable impact on a young person's journey through the school years, one of 90 wait-listed kids will thank you for taking the plunge and investigating your potential as a mentor.

 

Second Anniversary Celebrations and a Call to Keep Haiti in Mind at Petaluma's One Planet Fair Trade Store

 One year on from the devastating earthquake in Haiti,conditions have gone from catastrophic to deadly diseased. Yet there is some spark of hope emanating from the island: “Twenty five oil drum artisans are able to provide for their families in a makeshift community outside of Port-au-Prince,” says Southern Sonoma County-based One Planet Fair Trade Store's Noelle Marshall. “We are proud to be able to report brisk sales of oil drum art creations in our Petaluma store. Please continue to support Haiti as its people struggle with new challenges.”

When you shop at One Planet Fair Trade Store you are not only supporting local, independent, woman-owned business, you are helping sustain crucial income for hardworking and hopeful artisans throughout the developing world. Launching her own globally-minded business in a time of dire economic stress both overseas and at home took a bold leap of faith for Marshall, as owner-entrepreneur of One Planet.

Now, on the second anniversary of her thriving downtown Petaluma store, an immensely grateful Marshall speaks out to thank her loyal friends and frequent customers for continued support in surpassing sales expectations.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my dedicated client base here in Petaluma and throughout the North Bay, I couldn’t have built One Planet to such a rich and extensive resource for quality Fair Trade goods without your support,” said Marshall. “It has been wonderful to witness my community becoming increasingly educated into the tremendous impact of Fair Trade across the world.”

One of the most exciting aspects of establishing a Fair Trade Business has been getting to know international vendors, real people, in real places with a simple, straightforward mission to improve lives in their communities. As One Planet Fair Trade Store moves forward, Marshall’s own personal mission is to travel to many parts of the developing world in order to better meet the needs of Fair Trade customers, build strong and lasting relationships with vendors, artisans and their families while improving their standard of living.

One Planet’s Noelle Marshall recently congratulated Beyond Borders organization in person, as the groundbreaking non-profit celebrates 30 years of focus on the division created by the growing economic disparity in our world. “I attended the January edition of the International Gift Fair in San Francisco,” said Marshall. “It was wonderful to meet and talk with representatives from Beyond Borders to hear of the organization’s work in Haiti and elsewhere in the world.”

Join One Planet Fair Trade for the Store’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration An evening of African music, merriment and early Valentine shopping, 5 Fourth Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 - Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 7pm Don’t miss Afro-Beat Drum & Bass/Funk band Danjuma & Onola from Santa Cruz, with special guest Ms Mandjou Kone, rare female African Xylophone player from Mali, West Africa. Nigerian performance/recording artist Danjuma heads the evening’s entertainment with lead vocals, guitar and talking drums.

Don't miss this special evening if you are in the area on February 4th. One Planet parties are known for attracting a friendly, philanthropic, fun loving crowd - a great place to meet new people, listen to fabulous live music, enjoy a glass of wine and shop.

Petaluma Educational Foundation Funding Media and Technology Literacy Skills at Kenilworth Junior High School

Gone are the days when computers were viewed as an extension of the typewriter and computer education was restricted to the development of keyboarding and word processing skills.

"We are now seeing the booming potential of internet-connected computers in classrooms," said Laura Bradley, Eighth Grade English Language Arts teacher at Kenilworth Junior High. Bradley and her department colleagues were the recipients of a substantial $15,000 Petaluma Educational Foundation 2011 Major Impact Grant award.

In fact, the award granted for technology and literacy in the provision of 16 laptops and a portable laptop cart was the maximum amount granted in non-profit PEF's annual Major Impact Awards.

Introducing laptops into the English curriculum at the East Petaluma junior high school campus will increase media and technology literacy skills (along with reading and writing) in internet-available English Language Arts classrooms. Teachers are set to incorporate and integrate new technologies.

"Literacy is perhaps the most vital skill for our students," said Bradley, "but in addition to print literacy, today's students must also be literate in media and technology."

Bradley and her colleages believe that today's high-tech world demands a more complex kind of literacy, in which media literacy is a logical extension of traditional literacy. Students today are learning to read visual and audiovisual messages as well as text-based ones, recognizing the more basic language adopted by each media form and in turn, evaluating messages for author's intent and meaning, credibility and accuracy.

While it is widely considered that media literacy builds critical thinking, technical and communication skills, it also is respected for addressing different learning styles and perspectives.

The 16 laptops will be wheeled into a wing of classrooms in rotation at Kenilworth Junior High School, enabling teachers to integrate media instruction to small groups of their classes working on media literacy assignments for a portion of each class.

"Media and technology literacy is absolutely essential in middle school instruction," said Bradley. "Not only are our classrooms looking less and less like our students' home lives, but we are doing our students a grave disservice by not teaching them how to be informed, critical users of the media that surrounds them every day."

Petaluma Educational Foundation administers the PEF Grant Program to enable teachers and school communities to bring innovative ideas to fruition.Since its inception, PEF has awarded 1514 grants totaling $1,844,770.The PEF Grant Program rewards innovation and is supportive of the school’s or District’s overall goals, while being in the best interests of all students affected. The PEF Grant Program is entirely funded by individual donations to its annual “Fund the Future“ campaign. 

Major Impact grants are awarded up to $15,000 with significant emphasis on innovative programs of extraordinary scope, reach or longevity.

(quotes sourced from Grant applications)

 

 

 

Will and Kate - Wedding of the Year Update

No takers as yet offering me a sweet International assignment as Royal Wedding correspondent for the nuptials of Wills and Kate at Westminster Abbey, this April. To be honest, it was the happy prospect of red,white and blue bunting, street parties and traditional British goodwill on the streets of London that held more appeal than being packed like sardines in hopes of a glimpse of the glass carriage.

Never mind, it sounds like the threat of a bit of a spanner has been thrown in the works by the country's staunch union groups with suggested rail and air strikes potentially crippling transportation in and out of the country's capital on the week of the big bridal bash. London's Underground drivers are not well pleased with the government's recent public-spending cuts and threats to spoil the fun for hundreds of thousands of wedding watchers is a direct dig.

Might find us glued to the tele stateside in the early hours of the morning of April 29th. Hard to rally an ex-pat party at such an ungodly time of day, though big hats, champagne, cucumber sarnies and tea pots might be just the ticket for a post wedding breakfast.

American Vogue has conceded to squeeze in a nod to British fashion designers in its February issue, inferring quite rightly that Kate pay mind to the good manners and sense of picking a British fashion designer for her bridal frock. After the big day, Anna Wintour recommends that the Princess of Wales would be well advised to select an American designer for her first official state visit this side of the pond.

You don't having to be a raving royalist to appreciate Vanity Fair's visual history of William and Catherine's royal romance , serving up heapings of digestible snippets for the 'Love Actually' crowd. 

 

Dynamic Classrooms at Valley Vista Elementary Move toward Wall Mounted Projectors thanks to PEF 2011 Major Impact Grant

Principal Emily Blecher (pictured in white) and staff at Petaluma's Valley Vista Elementary School received a check from Petaluma Educational Foundation for just over $13,ooo to fund the provision of six high-tech Wall Mounted Projectors to more create dynamic classroom environments.

One hundred and eighty students from first through sixth grade will soon be learning across the curriculum in new and exciting ways.

Early innovator at the West Side school, fifth grade teacher, Scott Granger has been blazing a trail of experimentation with the school's only 3 M Wall Projector and Digital Annotator for the past two years.

"My class refers to the eBeam stylus as the magic pen and few things motivate a shy child more than giving them the opportunity to write with it themselves. It's easy to display illustrations from books we are reading, photos of volcanoes and hurricanes from the internet as well as ultra-close-up things," wrote Granger within Principal Blecher's comprehensive grant proposal. A document camera displays students' own work.

Similarly, fourth grade teacher, Amy Wyre said a Wall Mounted Projector in her classroom would: "Allow the children to be active learners and have the capability to access the internet for footage from the Titanic, a recent eruption from Mount Saint Helena or even the rescue of the Chilean miners. All aid in making learning valid and accessible to my students."

Since its inception, PEF has awarded 1514 grants to schools throughout Petaluma, totaling $1,844,770.

(quotes sourced from Grant applications)