21 posts
For the past three years, Rabbi Shalom Bochner, 58, has led the B'nai Israel Center for Jewish Life in Petaluma — one of Northern California's oldest Jewish institutions, now celebrating 101 years at its current location
September 02, 2026
Olson, a fourth-generation Sonoma County resident, co-founded Beautify Petaluma in 2025. With help from local sponsors and volunteers, the organization seeks to dress up downtown Petaluma through small projects with big aesthetic impact.
August 26, 2026
Gutierrez opened Caffeine Inc., located at the Petaluma Marina, in June 2024. The coffee shop sells breakfast, lunch, and a bevy of drinks, with outdoor seating offering views of docked boats, Highway 101, the SMART train line, and, occasionally, a Cessna flying overhead.
August 19, 2026
Highland, 58, has led the nonprofit organization for more than 12 years. Its grants and scholarships help support some 12,000 students in all of the public, private, and charter schools in Petaluma.
August 12, 2026
Bleakney-Formby, who launched his "European-style" market in downtown Petaluma in October 2020, talks seasonal produce, slow food, and fall flavors
August 05, 2026
Kevin Akers, 64, a fifth-generation Petaluman, may be retired from a successful career as a graphic artist, but he still wants to produce art that “makes a difference.” His latest project involves handmade Christmas ornaments of iconic Petaluma signs.
July 29, 2026
The 19th annual festival on Saturday, July 25, features 14 bands on three stages and benefits music programs in Petaluma schools. Eveland, 60, who has led the festival since its start in 2008, also teaches band at Petaluma High and Petaluma Junior High – for one more year, he tells us.
July 22, 2026
Maxfield Bala, 32, has been painting murals since he was a teenager at Petaluma High School. The artist returned to his alma mater to create a mural dedicated to a program he studied there, auto and metal shop.
July 15, 2026
The first two things that the owner of Mariapilar Ice Creamery looks at in the morning are her bank balance and the weather. There's nothing better than a hot day for an ice cream maker.
July 08, 2026