Celebration has been in the works for five years

Some say that Petaluma attracts citizens who relish community and heritage because the town evolved from its beginnings around a river constantly bringing commerce, cosmopolitans and change to its shores.

Whatever combination of influences built the noted Petaluma community spirit, it lives to this day in the volunteer creators, planners and builders of this year’s celebration of Petaluma’s 150th birthday.

The accomplishments of the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee and the many volunteer subcommittees exemplify what the Petaluma spirit can do.

Thanks to their efforts, all of Petaluma’s citizens and visitors celebrate this city’s birthday throughout 2008 and then continue into the future with treasured memories of the 150th birthday community .

Planning for a 150th celebration began in the summer of 2003 when a sage Petaluma citizen, Bill Hammerman, and about 20 other Petalumans sketched out a timeline for action.

Hammerman and Vern Piccinotti launched the idea for a 150th birthday celebration with a presentation to the Petaluma Visitors Program Advisory Board in March of 2004. With PVP executive director Jessica Vann Gardner and the PVP advisory committee on board, the idea gained momentum and volunteers grew to the 14 volunteer committees now actively engaged in putting on the year-long celebration.

The overarching steering committee varied in size over the years as some volunteers made their contributions and then moved on to other commitments, while others held the working core that advanced the plans from one year to the next.

Volunteer and sponsor contributions to be savored during this year’s festivities include the commemorative book, “Celebrating Petaluma,” and a list of special events that gets longer every day. The most up-to-date information about 150th celebrations is at www.petaluma150.com .

Chairs of various committees who’ve helped guide the community plans to fruition include:

• Business & Marketing Plan: Tom Corbett and Jessica Vann Gardner.

• Steering Committee: Tom Corbett and Jessica Vann Gardner.

• Events and scheduling: Jan Mandrell.

• Logo contest: Linda Postenrieder.

• Logo design: Christopher Stevick.

• Logo engineering for multiple uses: Ann Moreno.

• Commemorative book: Terry Smith and Lorna Johnson.

• Youth and education: Theresa Haire and Vangie Pullins.

• Merchandise: Karla Schikore, Marie McCusker and Erica Burns-Gorman.

• SesquiFest: Anne-Marie Woods and Jan Mandrell.

• Mayor’s Gala: Jody Mattei, Danna Rocca.

• River Festival: Tom Corbett and John FitzGerald.

• Heritage and original timeline: Bill Hammerman and Vern Piccinotti.

• Time Capsule: Susan Villa.

• City Council liaisons: Karen Nau and Teresa Barrett.

• Staff support, promotions and sponsor packages: Jessica Vann Gardner, Marsha Trent, Julie Andersen and staff, all of the Petaluma Visitors Program.

Thanks also to Toni Bodenhamer, Kathy Fries, Pamela Granger, Katie Kerns, Karen Langdon, Sheri Miller, Heather Nelson, Ettamarie Peterson, Andrea Robertson, Bill Rhodes, Esther Schau, Janet Silverberg, Pamela Torliatt and Susan Villa for their lasting contributions to several committees.

Thanks also to the volunteers who’ve contributed anonymously to this celebration of Petaluma’s 150th year.

Thanks finally and foremost to the forces shaping Petaluma’s unique and unquenchable community — past, present and future.