Sonoma Country Life

On 'Yer Bike! Today (Thursday, May 12th, 2011) is Sonoma County Bike to Work Day

Power to the Pedal - hey Sonoma County, today (Thursday, May 12th, 2011) is Bike to Work Day!

When's the last time you cycled to the office? Or school? Take to the streets this month and you might be surprised at how easy it is to ride your bike around town. Of course, commuting to the city might be a bit more involved, but if you work or go to school within a few miles of home, powering the good, old fashioned pedals will do wonders for fitness and morale, save you lots of dosh on pricey gas and most importantly, ease the collective global footprint, even if just for one day.

 

Slinging in the Rain - Spring Sport Spirit in Petaluma Youth Lacrosse

"I like rain, actually."

Bill Rodgers, American Athlete

Rain, wind, rain and yet more rain did not stop play for these plucky Petaluma Rivercat Boys lacrosse players (U 13 A), this past wet and wild Spring sports weekend. And sideline supporters showed their Petaluma-mettle, undercover of an impressive assortments of brollies and wet-weather bleacher-gear.

This saturated 2011 lacrosse season has certainly brought back memories of soaking wet feet and perpetually dripping foreheads from an assortment of youthful sporting escapades on frozen, distant, muddy fields and sludgy moments of glory. A little rain never hurt anyone, after all.

Field conditions led to a last-minute, well-finagled schedule change from Pleasanton Hurricane's underwater field to the plush, rain-proofed all-terrain turf of Petaluma's St.Vincent de Paul High School, on Saturday.

Sunday afternoon's foray to similarly stylish turf-field surrounds at Marin Academy in San Rafael brought new meaning to the word versatility in Spring sporting get-ups, as supporters donned sunshades in between showers, peeling off drenched outer layers to bask in the rays, only to resort to umbrellas again just as the steam started rising from the ground. 

Such extremes in conditions have an interesting effect on a crowd and a team, as ensuing 'huddling' fast becomes the order of the day. Go Rivercats, go, for in a blink, the turf field that's so appealing on a rainy day will undoubtedly heat beneath the feet to 100 degrees before season's end, blistering player's feet if they're not fast enough off the mark.

Thanks due to Heidi Fowers, ace team photographer who captures all the moments on the field and in the bleachers so beautifully.

 

 

 

 

 

Sonoma County Fan-Favorites, The Pulsators to Play Rivercats Lacrosse Fundraiser

(photo - Heidi Fowers)

Lacrosse pre-season is in full swing (of the stick) this February as Petaluma Rivercats Youth Lacrosse games kick start the competitive Club League edge starting next weekend, through early June.   

A member of the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association, Petaluma Youth Lacrosse is a noot-for-profit organization run by volunteers.

In order to raise money for the myriad of field and equipment extras not covered by player's annual fees, fundraising is a big part of each season's schedule.

This year's major fundraising event, appropriately coined:  "Lacrosse - It's All Greek to Me" takes place at Papa's Taverna, 5688 Lakeville Highway, on Friday evening, March 11, 2026 from 6-10pm with special guest entertainers, The Pulsators.

Rooted in the fertile musical soil of the Sonoma County Wine Country the Pulsators are a five piece band playing 'get-up-and-dance' kind of orchestration, with music often defined as a spicy blend of driving blues, New Orleans-funky R&B, rock steady reggae and rock-and-roll.

The popular, five-piece Pulsators is donating its performance to Rivercats for the evening. Voted a Sonoma County fan-favorite four times in reader's choice polls given by The Press Democrat, this is a band you won't want to miss in Papa's intimate setting, down by the Petaluma River. In the Bohemian's music poll the Pulsators won best rock band in 2009.

Papa's Taverna is generously donating a percentage of its bar take for the evening to Petaluma Youth Lacrosse. In addition, there will be a raffle and silent auction. Cover charge for the event is $15 per person before February 28th, $20 per person if reserved between March 1st and 10th or $15 at the door. Reserve Cover Charge Tickets at a Discount Rate Here

Don't forget to designate a driver, or plan ahead if you're going to party and reserve a Petaluma Green Taxi ride to Papa's and back. Dinner and drinks are not included in the cover charge.

As a Rivercat parent times two, I'm officially on my game, having reserved my cover tickets early. You don't have to be a league parent to catch the Pulsators close to home. Promises to be a fun night out at the start of another great season in support of Petaluma Youth Lacrosse.

 

Petaluma's Grant School Track Project in Race to the Finish

(Schematic provided to Grant School by Steven J. LaFranchi and Associates, Inc., Civil Engineers)

Grant Elementary School's Track Proposal Project is in the final push to meet fundraising goal by this February 28th in order for the Petaluma City School District to put the project to bid in March.

The Grant School and Community Track Project in conjunction with the Petaluma City School District, is requesting donations to support building an environmentally friendly, all-weather track around the grass area at Grant School.  The track is scheduled to be installed this summer, to coincide with the school's 50^th Anniversary.

"We have raised $91,000 (67%) of the total estimated project cost of $136,400. $30,394 has been raised through fundraising and events, and $60,606 was awarded through a material grant (recycled-tire surface material) by the California Integrated Waste Management Board," said Teresa Tillman, spokesperson for The Grant School & Community Track Project  A Further $45,000 must be raised or donated by February 28, 2011, in order for the Petaluma City School District to put the project to public bid."

"We are reaching out to our community and local businesses asking for support," said Tillman. "This support can be through material donations, services donations, and/or financial donations.  We have already received generous support from Steven J. LaFranchi and Associates, Inc., Civil Engineers, Land Surveys, Land Planners."

The school plans to recognize its sponsors at the track site permanently with commemorative plaques and bricks and major donors will be featured in promotional materials.  Donation are completely tax-deductible.

For more information on how to help Grant School meet its approaching deadline to make the track project a reality , contact Dr. Judith Martin (Grant School Principal) at (707)778-4742.

 

Human Emotions Rife As Giants Capture The Flag As National Champions

San Francisco Giants capture of the National Championship flag Saturday night made for an exceptional study of the extremities of human emotions

People-watchers swept up in the baseball fever that has engulfed the Bay Area will not be able to resist a front row seat at least in front of the tv for the upcoming World Series play off games beginning this Wednesday (October 27th)pitching the Giants against the Texas Rangers. 

For the first time in the past eight years the Giants have a golden opportunity to end a 55 year drought with a potential World Series win.  Two times Champions, Philadelphia Phillies lost on the teams home field as the Bay Area's optimistic underdogs continue to astonish.

Petaluma High School Boys JV Soccer Scores Big Against Rival Casa Grande

After a 2-1 win over the same team a few weeks back on their home field at Petaluma High School, the 2010 Boys Junior Varsity were on fire in their second from last game of the season, against cross town rivals, Casa Grande High School.

Petaluma revved up the energy of their game (though this promising future varsity team had only lost one match this season - against Sonoma) to beat Casa Grande 7-1 in a fast-paced match at the Casa fields.

This was the first season as Petaluma JV Coach for Christian Yungert, a former Petaluma Valley Vista Elementary and Saint Vincent de Paul High School student, UC Santa Cruz Rugby Player - clearly accomplished in the soccer leadership sphere and a terrific role model for this year's PHS Boys JV Soccer squad:

Cody Darling, David Flores, Eric Gomez, Francisco Guerrero, Tobin Gutermuth, Ryan Ishuzu, Eric Kempers, Jeff Newsome, Sean Parratt, Luc Rivetti, Jacob Wichmann, Henry Taatjes.

Goal scorers for PHS Boys JV in the October 21st (2010) soccer game against Casa Grande were: Guerrero, Gutermuth, Kempers, Parratt, and Wichmann.

 

All Dressed Up and Some Place to Go - A Giant Suspense at the Ballgame

The Bay Area is balmy for a winner. A whole generation of sports fans is banking on the San Francisco Giants being one game away from the World Series. It seems that the whole of Northern California might well be wearing orange this week in an massive show of big love for the Giants. One more win and it'll truly be time to get the party started. Saturday night - Philadelphia. Two great teams. Giants get your game on.

 

Poignant Moment for Baseball Legend as SF Giants Move on in National Championships

Atlanta Brave's retiring Bobby Cox finished fourth in U.S. history for managerial wins after a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants in an emotional advance to the National Baseball League Championships.

Cox embodies all that draws the American public to the altar of sports during a period of intense politcal shenanigans around the country. Political contendors seeking respect and longevity in their chosen path would be wise to take a few tips from the zone of a devoted 29-year career lead of 69-year-old Cox.

Sticks Up for Petaluma Youth Lacrosse Sign Ups - Spring 2011 Season

Lacrosse crazed boys and girls here in Southern Sonoma County can't wait for the 2011 Spring Season to sport their red and black for Petaluma Rivercats. Sign up new and returning players starts this October (2010).

Lacrosse as a sport is not cheap, so look for the Rivercats new, handy payment plan. Teams fill up fast, so early sign up is essential, with try-outs for team placement taking place early on in the new year.

Go Giants - A Lifelong Baseball Lover's Evocative Account from AT&T; Park

Share the excitement of an unprecedented big win for the SF Giants with one of my favorite writers and good friend (and sports nut) Suzanne Maggio-Hucek.