The Buzz: Love Notes, Anti-Nuke Poster Contest, and more.

News and Notes from around Petaluma.|

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Grand Opening draws pre-dawn fans: Charlie Poore, of Sonoma, was the first in line last Tuesday morning, Feb. 6, as Petaluma’s new Dunkin’ Donuts franchise (in the Deer Creek Village shopping center) officially marked its grand opening at 5:00 a.m. “I wasn’t sure how early to get here,” said Poore, who works at Friedman’s Home Improvement in Sonoma. “I got here about 45 minutes before opening.” Why so early? He’d heard that Dunkin’ Donuts was giving a $250 gift card to whomever was first in line. He was right.

Not only was Poore the first, he was there early enough to lend a hand to staff setting up banners, archways of balloons and other Grand Opening furnishings. By 5:00, he’d been joined by a handful of others. But Poore was the big winner. After being greeted by franchise co-owner Yogi Trivedi, who awarded Poore with his gift card, the Sonoman celebrated in the most logical possible way: by sitting down to eat a donut. “I love Dunkin’ Donuts, but usually I have to go to Las Vegas to get them,” he said. “Until Sonoma gets one of these stores, I guess I’ll be visiting Petaluma more.” With a laugh, he added, “I mean, I have to spend my $250 somewhere.”

Love Notes for Valentine’s Day: Continuing a Petaluma tradition, visitors to downtown’s LanMart building, when entering from Kentucky St., are being greeted by a Valentine’s Day tree, and an invitation to write heart-shaped love notes to hang them on. Those wishing to express their romantic thoughts have already placed a few dozen such love notes. Just another sweet, eccentric example of how Petaluma rolls.

Peace Crane Project announces youth poster contest: The Petaluma-based Peace Crane Project - an organization dedicated to a message of ridding the world of nuclear weapons - is asking Middle School and High School students to create original posters bearing messages of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Cash prizes ranging from $75-$150 for grades 6-8 and $100-$200 for grades 9-12. Artwork must be original, according to the contest rules, and all 2D media are eligible, including painting, sketching, etc. Students from Sonoma County, Napa County, and Marin County are invited to participate, and all entries will be judged by a jury of local artists, who will base their awards on creativity, theme, composition, and technique. The deadline for submissions is June 15. Information can be found at SocoPeaceCrane.org, and questions can be directed to PeaceCraneProject@sonic.net.

Mike’s Bikes officially a sponsor of Back Road Challenge: Sponsored by the Petaluma Sunrise Foundation - a project of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Sunrise - the annual Sonoma County Back Road Challenge will once-again take place, this May 19, with highly scenic routes of varying difficulty and distance. This year, Mike’s Bikes, of Petaluma, will be an official sponsor, adding their years of service to the North Bay cycling community to an event that has become one of Sonoma County’s most popular cycling experiences. For information visit BackroadChallenge.com.

Elks, PSA give the green to light up Walnut Park’s greenery: Last fall, the Petaluma Service Alliance and the Elks Lodge #901 held a series of fundraising events to assist Petaluma’s St. Joseph Health Hospice Services in relocating its annual Light Up a Life event to the much more spacious Walnut Park. The organizations presented Hospice wiht a check for over $6,000. “With the help of these two organizations,” says Meghan Langhals of St. Joseph’s, “we were able to purchase the lights we needed, and get them hung for our 32nd annual Light Up a Life.” The tree lighting and Remembrance Celebration took place Friday, Dec. 1, 2017.

(Got a BUZZ item to suggest? Write to David at david.templeton@arguscourier.com)

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.