Service person of the week: Nicole Watkins

<p>A welcoming smile and the ability to make customers feel right at home is what Pazzo waitress Nicole Watkins is best known for.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Her professional and friendly attitude is what has earned her the title of Service Person of the Week and placed her in the running for the Service Person of the Year award.</p><p>Watkins has been working at Pazzo, on Keller Street, since it opened four years ago.</p><p>“I've known the owner since I was 5 years old,” said Wat-kins. “So, when they decided to open a restaurant, they wanted me to come work for them.”</p><p>A resident of Petaluma for 16 years, Watkins is a 1999 graduate of Casa Grande High School. She's a single mother who is thankful that her job is flexible enough that she can spend time with her son while providing a good home.</p><p>“What I love about my job is interacting with people and making them feel comfortable — contributing to the enjoyment of their evening,” said Watkins. “That's our mission at Pazzo: to make the customers happy.”</p><p>“Nicole is a wonderful server,” said Pazzo customer Tiffani Kensler. “She's very attentive and always takes care of her patrons. She's the reason that I go to Pazzo. She's awesome!”</p><p>She is the third of five nominees who will be named Service Person of the Week through March 25. Then, readers will vote for Service Person of the Year. He or she will be honored in the Argus-Courier and at the 2010 Community Recognition Awards on April 29, co-sponsored by the Argus-Courier and the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce.</p><p>To nominate someone, use the online nomination form at www.petaluma360.com.</p><p>Nominations can cover all aspects of the service industry, but should not include business owners or managers. </p><p>Send written nominations to: Service Person of the Year, Petaluma Argus-Courier, P.O. Box 750308, Petaluma 94975 or drop it by the Argus-Courier office at 719C Southpoint Blvd. Nominations can also be faxed to 776-8482.</p>