The Buzz

<p>Put on your poker face: If you’re an ace with a deck of cards, you may want to check out a Texas Hold’em and Bunco tournament being hosted by the Petaluma Valley Hospital’s Nex Gen group at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Petaluma Elks Lodge.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The tournament will raise funds for additional medical equipment for Petaluma Valley Hospital. Those interested in playing must register in advance by contacting Dawn Montoya at 778-2809. Tickets are $50, but those interested in watching the tournament or learning to play can purchase a $25 admission ticket.</p><p>—</p><p>A hearty welcome home: After a year in Afghanistan, Petaluma’s own 235th Engineer Company sappers are coming home, and Tim Cahill, manager of Best Western on South McDowell Boulevard, is seeking donations to provide the soliders a hearty welcome-home meal. Interested restaurants are asked to donate a chafing dish of a signature appetizer or house speciality for a dinner scheduled on or around the weekend of Nov. 20 at the Petaluma Elks Lodge. Local shops are also asked to donate items such as gift certificates, coupons, small items or samples to be put in a gift bag to be given to each soldier. “These troops all drill in Petaluma at least once a month and have been gone for a year,” said Cahill. “This is an opportunity for any business in Petaluma to show their support and provide a heartfelt ‘welcome home’ to the troops from their city.” Monetary donations will also be accepted. The 235th Engineer Company sappers are considered to have the most dangerous job. The troop is responsible for route clearance, leading the way for infantry on every route and nearly every mission. They search for improvised explosive devices daily in conditions that challenge the most experienced engineers. Businesses interested in participating in the welcome home should contact Tim or Anna Cahill at 364-3333. To donate money, make checks payable to 235th EN CO and mail them to 1500 Armory Drive, Santa Rosa, 95401.</p><p>——</p><p>Be the match: A pasta feed fund-raiser for Petaluma native Craig Peracca will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Mister McGoo’s, 1375 Petaluma Blvd. North. In June, Peracca, 39, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, a cancer that affects bone marrow and the soft tissue inside most bones. Treatment for this type of cancer is a bone marrow transplant. He is currently being treated at Stanford University Medical Center and is waiting to find a marrow donor. Proceeds from the pasta feed will go to help the family with medical costs. Those interested in being checked to see if they can donate bone marrow should visit www.bethematch.org. Tickets to the pasta feed are $12 general, $6 children 4-10 in advance. Tickets at the door are $15 general, $8 children. The dinner includes spaghetti or pesto, salad and bread. For more information, contact Craig Machado at 974-8080 or e-mail machadobunch@aol.com.</p><p>——</p><p>A lofty goal: Last week The Buzz reported that Ooh La Loft, the ladies clothing boutique, had announced plans to move from 145 Petaluma Blvd. North to 109, the former site of Joe’s A-1 Bakery. Well, it is now a fait accompli. Cristina Wilson, co-owner with sister Michelle, reports that the brains-and-beauty duo are happily settled in and planning on a grand opening set for Oct. 23. “Because of the recession, business has been really good for used clothing. We’ve left our old location which had 1000 square feet. This one has 2000 — plus a loft!” Ooh-la-la! Wilson adds that they also have a line of new clothing coming in. This coupled with I Leoni relocating to larger quarters is a moving experience we’d like to see continue. </p><p>——</p><p>Business of the Year: One Planet owner Noelle Marshall of Petaluma was honored recently as one of the recipients of the Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award by the Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment. The award recognizes women-owned Bay Area businesses that have been successful despite barriers that exist for women in business. One Planet is a handcrafted fair trade gift store located at 5 Fourth St. Visit www.oneplanet fairtrade.com for information.</p><p>——</p><p>Buzz? E-mail it to argus@arguscourier.com. Put “The Buzz” in the subject line.</p>