The Buzz

<p>Putting their best faces forward: They’re ba-a-a-ck! Shortly after our story on Simoni’s Clock Shoppe appeared in Petaluma Magazine, something else appeared on Petaluma Boulevard.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>All the clocks above the store have now been repaired, much to the relief of many neighbors and passersby. Clockmaker Sean Shields explains: “They all have new battery packs that are supposed to last anywhere from five to seven years. The old ones needed to be changed once a year.” Now the New York, Chicago and Denver clocks are ticking happily along with the Petaluma one that remained on the job all the while. So go the hands of time.</p><p>——</p><p>Fast on her feet: First-place women’s finisher in the 5-kilometer run Carousel Fund Run at Shollenberger Park on Sept. 27 was none other than Mayor Pamela Torliatt, who finished the course in just under 27 minutes. Torliatt, 42, finished well ahead of second-place Angeles Dassow, 23, and third-place Kathleen Bunnin, 33, both of Petaluma. Top men’s finishers in the 5k run were Alex Wolf-Root, 21, of Santa Rosa; Mitch Kothe, 20, of Petaluma; and Daryn Cubba, 16, of Petaluma. Larry Schwartz, 34, of Petaluma won the men’s 10k run and Sarah Hallas, 30, also of Petaluma, won the women’s 10k. Holly Wick, organizer and sponsor of the race, said the event raised $2,450 for the children’s charity, and she plans to make it an annual event. Visit www.athleticsoles.com for results of the 5k and 10k races.</p><p>——</p><p>Eastside Flippers closes: The eastside location of Flippers Gourmet Burgers has closed, the latest setback for the restaurant building located in the Parkway Plaza shopping center. Originally Rosen’s Eastside Grill when it opened in 2002, it was sold by Jan Rosen after her sister Michelle’s death to Reno restaurateurs Jeff and Susan Eaton in 2005. They operated it as simply the Eastside Grill until closing it. Sammy Nazzel and Nick Khoury then bought both the original Rosen’s Waterfront Grill in the Golden Eagle Center and the Eastside Grill. In 2007, Nazzel’s brother-in-law, Sam Naser, bought out interest in both bistros from Khoury. Both restaurants then reopened as Flippers Gourmet Burgers. A sign in the window at eastside Flippers refers customers to the westside Flippers.</p><p>——</p><p>An offer she couldn’t refuse: If you’re heading to I Leoni Dining and Culinary Essentials at 133 Kentucky St., it’s no longer there. But not to worry! Owner Nancy Leoni, says, “We moved three Saturdays ago to 120B Kentucky where Bee’s Housewares used to be.” Back in March, landlady Beverly King had asked Leoni to consider moving across the street. “Beverly made an offer we couldn’t refuse. We went from a storefront of about 1,900 square feet to 3,000. It had become crucial because moms with strollers couldn’t maneuver through our crowded aisles and older people were feeling claustrophobic. After six years at our old location, we needed some breathing room ourselves.” Leoni says it’ll be business as usual until their ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 12 and the official grand opening on the 14th. Moving is also in the wind for Ooh La Loft at 145 Petaluma Blvd. North. A sign in the window of the ladies clothing boutique announces that it will be relocating down the street to 109, the former home of Joe’s A-1 Bakery. The Buzz promises to keep you posted.</p><p>——</p><p>Green thumb: The 140-acre Green String Farm on Adobe Road was recently recognized for its “green” thumb with a Sustainable North Bay Award, which was presented by Assemblyman Jared Huffman to farm co-owner Bobby Canard in a ceremony held on Sept. 16. Green String Farm practices sustainable farming. To learn more about its practices, visit www.greenstringfarm.com.</p><p>——</p><p>Family in need: Adonation fund has been set up for the family of Petaluma Community Access programmer Francisco Morales, who is in a coma at Kaiser Terra Linda. Morales suffered a stroke in August, was hospitalized and released, but suffered a second stroke. After undergoing several tests, he was scheduled to return home, but suffered a third, massive stroke. He has been in a coma ever since. For more information on the donation fund, contact Dan at 236-2425 or e-mail dcastellano707@yahoo.com.</p><p>——</p><p>Buzz? E-mail it to argus@arguscourier.com. Put “The Buzz” in the subject line.</p>