Inside Petaluma: Recent Episodes
Inside Petaluma
Inside Petaluma is your window into local issues and people. Hosted by Cindy Thomas with co-hosts Janice Cader-Thompson and Jason Davies (until 11/15/21), Inside Petaluma features a variety of guests with insights into a range of topics around Petaluma.
Engaging, informative, and entertaining (we hope), Inside Petaluma goes beyond the headlines – providing stimulating commentary and analysis to enhance your understanding of local issues.
Inside Petaluma broadcasts weekly via KPCA 103.3 FM and online at kpca.fm every Friday from 11-noon. For more info, visit http://www.insidepetaluma.com
Friday, 12/2, our guest is Petaluma City Council Elect John Shribbs. John will take office next month representing Petaluma’s District 2. We’ll be asking John to share his vision for Petaluma’s future and we’ll also discuss some of the many issues that are important to the Petaluma community.
Friday, 11/4, our guest is Chris Cort, Political Director for Petalumans for Responsible Planning. We will be discussing the details around the Scott Ranch Project, a 59-acre property located at the intersection of D Street and Windsor Drive in Petaluma.
https://www.petrp.org
Friday, 9/2, our guest is Ri Bussey, Program Coordinator with the Petaluma Equitable Climate Action Coalition (PECAC) which is a Daily Acts program. PECAC is currently in the recruitment phase and looking for members of the community that want to help make transportation in Petaluma more equitable. Ri will talk about the program and explain how to apply for membership. Learn more here: https://dailyacts.org/climate-action/
Friday, 8/19, our guest is Maite Iturri, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for Petaluma City Schools. Maite is going to talk about the various programs in our city’s school system to include “Project Success” which is tailored to tend to substance abuse problems.
Friday, 8/12, our guest is Ebbie K. Nakhjavani of EKN Development. Ebbie will provide a detailed description of the proposed Hotel Weaver in downtown Petaluma at the corner of B Street and Petaluma Blvd South (see project details here: https://cityofpetaluma.org/hotel-weaver/ )
Friday, 7/22, our guest is Ann DuBay, Community & Government Affairs Manager for Sonoma Water. Ann will give us an update on the current situation with Sonoma County's water supplies and also provide us an overview of the various agencies that oversee our water and groundwater.
Friday, 7/15, our guest is Scott Goree, who will talk to us about the 2022 Cotati Accordion Festival (Aug 20 & 21) and the history behind this event which was started in 1991.
Friday, 6/24, our guest is Kim Corbin, who has organized a local event (or frolic, as she's described it) called the Unicorn Blessing Brigade happening this Friday at 6:00PM. While Kim provides us details of the event, she will also enlighten us with details of a project known as iSkip, a worldwide skipping movement, which she started in 1999.
Friday, 6/17, our guests are climate action consultants Veronica Olsen and Ann Edminster. We'll be discussing climate change and user-led design processes which create more balanced connections between business, culture, community, and nature.
Friday, 6/3, our guest is Petaluma City Council Member Brian Barnacle. Brian will come prepared to talk about issues that weigh heavily on the Petaluma community.
Friday, 5/27, our guest is Blake Hooper, candidate for Sonoma County Supervisor District 2 and challenging current Supervisor David Rabbitt.
https://blakehooper.com/
Friday, 5/20, our guest is Ramona Faith, Chief Executive Officer of the Petaluma Health Care District. We will be talking about the activation of Petaluma Blue Zones. Join us to learn more.
Friday, 5/13, our retuning guests are Jim Goerlich RN and associate RNs from Petaluma Valley Hospital to give us an update on working conditions after the acquisition of PVH by Providence St. Joseph Health. We'll have RN's calling-in to the studio live from the picket line scheduled for 5/13 at PVH.
Friday, 5/5, our guest is Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County’s Clerk-Recorder-Assessor and Registrar of Voters. Join us while we discuss the upcoming primary election on June 7th, your options for casting your ballot and how your vote is actually tallied.
Friday, 4/29, our guests are Bruce Hagen and Pete Gang, organizers of Safe Streets Petaluma which is a coalition of local individuals and groups working to make it safer and easier for everyone to get around town.
Friday, 4/22, our guest is Petaluma resident Orest Balytsky DMD. Orest and his wife immigrated to the USA from Ukraine in the early 1990s. They're currently working to gather bulletproof vests and helmets to send to civilian defense forces in Ukraine. Join us as we hear what their family and friends in Ukraine are experiencing during these dark times and how you might help with this effort.
Friday, 4/15, our guest is Carl Tennenbaum, candidate for Sonoma County Sheriff in the upcoming election. Join us to learn more about Carl and his campaign platform.
Friday, 4/8, our guest is Raine Howe, Executive Director of the Polly Klass Foundation. We’ll hear updates about the Foundation and it’s projects, to include the local Polly Class Community Theater.
Friday, 4/1, our guests are Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett and Petaluma City Manager Peggy Flynn. We’ll spend the hour hearing about a number of subjects including the updating process of the General Plan, the fairgrounds, district elections, and much more.
Friday, 3/18, our guest is Dr. Amie Carter, candidate for Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools in the June 2022 primary election. Amie is a former teacher, principal and an assistant superintendent with more than 20 years’ experience in educational organizational change.
Friday, 3/11, our retuning guests are Jim Goerlich RN and associate RNs from Petaluma Valley Hospital to give us an update on working conditions after the acquisition of PVH by Providence St. Joseph Health at the beginning of 2021.
Friday, 3/4, our guests are Lisa Moore and Celia Furch of Recology who will guide us on how to properly dispose of our waste… does it go in the gray can, the blue can or the green can? We’ll find out and we’ll also hear about the recent changes to the disposal guidelines.
Friday, 2/25, our guest is Elece Hempel, Executive Director of Petaluma People Services Center. Join us for an update on what's happening at PPSC and to also hear lively discussions on local affairs.
Friday, 2/18, our guest is Kevin Burke, candidate for the office of Sonoma County Sheriff in the June 7 primary elections.
Friday, 2/11, our guest is Paul Gullixson, Communications Manager for the County of Sonoma. We’ll be discussing the changes to the County's indoor mask mandate that will occur on 2/16 along with other County statistics around COVID-19.
Friday, 2/4, it’s a free for all day with Cindy and Janice. Come join us while we talk all things Petaluma.
Friday, 1/28, our guests are Faith Ross and Joanna Paun. We’ll be discussing current affairs to include racism which is as much a local issue as it is a national issue.
Richard Reynolds, Attorney for Youngstown Senior Mobile Home Park, discusses the plight of residents in the face of rent increases.
A long time Petaluma resident, Blake grew up in South Sonoma County and worked as an assistant to Congressman Jared Huffman. In addition to his position at the State Senate, Blake serves on a number of committees and commissions – including Planning – for the City of Petaluma.
Blake will be challenging incumbent Supervisor David Rabbitt in 2022.
Cindy and Janice review the events of 2021 – the Studio A door will be open and you never know who might come by and jump on the air!
Maureen McGuigan of the Petaluma Mail Depot reads some of the many letters to Santa she’s received over the years.
Youngstown Senior Mobile Home Park residents Mary Ruppenthal and Bert Botta discuss the proposed $286 a month rent increase by the park's new ownership group, Three Pillar Communities. Elece Hempel, Executive Director of Petaluma People Services also joins the discussion.
Ken Savano, Chief of Police, City of Petaluma discusses public safety and crimes statistics in Petaluma.
Pedro Toledo, Chief Administrative Officer of Petaluma Health Center and President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County. Pedro is also a member of California's 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Will Carruthers & Peter Byrne discuss local rail and land use politics.
North Bay Bohemian article: https://bohemian.com/freight-railroaded/
Former Petaluma City Councilmember, David Keller, discusses "Coal Train" controversy with Cindy and Janice.
Councilmember D'Lynda Fischer, Natasha Juliana, & John Crowley discuss "Cool City" climate action initiative – find out more by visiting the "Cool Petaluma" web site
A long time Petaluma resident, Blake grew up in South Sonoma County and worked as an assistant to Congressman Jared Huffman. In addition to his position at the State Senate, Blake serves on a number of committees and commissions – including Planning – for the City of Petaluma.
Blake will be challenging incumbent Supervisor David Rabbitt in 2022.
Blake Hooper's Campaign web site
Elece Hemple and Manning Walker from Petaluma People Services Center and Brian Miller from the City of Petaluma discuss the City's SAFE program (modeled after the Eugene, OR CAHOOTS program).
https://cityofpetaluma.org/safe/
Petaluma resident Amy Leader recently posted to the social network, Nextdoor, that her son, Noah, was wrongfully terminated from his position at Safeway after being denied reasonable accommodations for his disability. Her post drew over 200 comments, many from shoppers who praised Noah for his service at Safeway.
Political consultant Dennis Rosatti and Maddy Hirshfield (North Bay Labor Council) discuss their work to fight the "revenge recall" against Sonoma County District Attorney, Jill Ravitch.
Jacqueline McGowan, replacement candidate for governor in California's special recall election and long-time supporter of cannabis reform, opposes recall but is running as a Democratic "insurance policy" against a Republican takeover.
Dan Hubacker – science teacher and director of the 38 year-old United Angler Program at Casa Grande High School – and students Hudson Nader, Dillon Arellanes, and Kate Carlson – discuss the operations of the on-campus hatchery and the recent transfer of about 2,000 endangered coho salmon from the Warm Springs Hatchery at Lake Sonoma to the high school’s campus.
United Anglers of Case Grande High School web site
Press Democrat article
Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch and political consultant Dennis Rosatti provide insight as to why the recall attempt of our D.A. is taking place in Sonoma County.
No DA Recall web site
Council member Brian Barnacle discusses a range of topics with Co-hosts – from COVID-19, to Climate Action, Transportation Safety, and more.
Investigative reporter Peter Byrne and Theresa Harlan discuss the environmental issues tied to the Point Reyes National Seashore and it's Indigenous history.
Bohemian article: Coast Miwoks Fight for Recognition of Point Reyes Indigenous History
Bohemian article: Death By Design: How the National Park Service experiments on Tule Elk
"Save Point Reyes National Seashore" web site
Co-hosts reunite in the studio to discuss a range of topics in the news – pedestrian and bicycle safety, West Nile Virus, Tiny Homes for the homeless, local politics, and more
Susan Kirks, Conservationist, discusses wildlife corridors and crossings in Petaluma, she's mapped over the past 20 years as well as recent mountain lion visits in Petaluma.
Dennis Pocekay, Petaluma City Council member, discusses drought, pandemic, development, and climate action.
John Crowley and Matt Maguire join forces with Inside Petaluma to discuss all things solar. Do you have questions about making your home solar powered? Come check this discussion out to learn more.
Chelsea Thompson, Environmental Services Analyst and Water Conservation Outreach Coordinator with the City of Petaluma’s Public Works and Utilities Office. Chelsea covered an array of topics on how we can best meet the mandatory 25% reduction of water usage for both residential and business customers in Petaluma. To find out more, visit the City of Petaluma's web page
Renee Ho discusses the issues facing LGBTQI+ students and how they can be better addressed in schools.
"Founder of APT, Renee Ho, is a mother of a young transgender child. She intimately knows the struggles of transgender students and is also a teacher who first-hand knows the importance of early intervention education in schools. Without a strong foundation of a supportive, gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusive school environment it is challenging to move forward as a school community. School staff need to be taught how to create an gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusive school. Even with the most open minded and non-judgmental teachers and staff there is a gap and lack of education to be able to teach transgender and non-binary students. That lack of education can and does contribute to the alarming suicide rates."
Elizabeth Escalante, Special Education Teacher at Petaluma Junior High School. Elizabeth also serves on the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee, and is a CA Assembly District 10 delegate of the CA Democratic Party, just to name a few of her roles.
Born and raised in Petaluma, Sebastian Saint James is a guitarist, singer/songwriter, and producer who is well known for leading several local bands including Hillside Fire, Highway Poets, as well as his solo performances featuring live loop recording. Sebastian discusses his life during the pandemic and his return to live performance in an engaging interview that includes a brief on air acoustic performance as well as a track from his most recent release, "Live and Unsheltered".
Matt Stone, Executive Director, Petaluma River Park, discusses the exciting new public park in development at McNear Peninsula in Petaluma.
Lance Lew discusses growing up in Petaluma as an Asian American, his work as an NBC TV producer of "Asian Pacific America", philanthropy, and the challenges of anti-Asian hate.
Lance Lew
Director, Community Marketing
Producer, Asian Pacific America
NBC Bay Area
Lance Lew joined NBC Bay Area as the Director, Community Marketing in 2002, bringing more than thirty years of experience in the entertainment and advertising industry. Lance is responsible for all community outreach efforts, including development of promotional campaigns and event marketing. He is also the producer of NBC Bay Area’s television show, Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa. The show, the only one of its kind, provides a voice for Bay Area Asian and Pacific Islander community. Weekly topics features: API newsmakers, community topics, events, cultural music & dance.
Lance currently serves on the advisory council for the Asian Pacific Fund, board member of the Farrington Historical Foundation and past member of the CSU Chico foundation board of governors. Lance has received many awards, including the CSU Chico Distinguished Alumni Award representing the College of Education & Communications and Cine Awards for two Asian American documentaries he spearheaded while working for CBS5 in San Francisco. He also received recognition while at NBC Bay Area for his leadership with a multi-year, 165-location food drive for Bay Area Food Banks and the Outstanding Corporate Grant Maker award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals/Silicon Valley.
He co-founded & currently serves as the co-chair of Growing Up Asian in America essay, art & video contest commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage month. This program, the largest educational program celebrating Asian heritage in the country during APA month, has received more than 30,000 entries and distributed over $500,000 in awards in the past twenty-six years. The program amplifies the silent voice for first generation students and serves as a platform for multi-ethnic Asian American students to express their struggles as the model minority. Art is still a skill revered in the Asian communities, but not recognized as a career choice in America.
He also has served as judge for the James Beard Awards for the broadcast category from 2015-2019. In addition, Lance is an accomplished floral designer, home chef & events coordinator often sharing these skills to raise money for charity.
Lance established the Outstanding College of Communications Student Award at CSUC, Chico honoring his late father.
Maxfield Bala discusses his murals that started in Petaluma and are now appearing all over the world.
Sadie Martinez made international news in December of last year for being falsely accused of kidnapping by Katie Sorenson.
Sorenson is now being charged with filing false police reports.
Henry Kaku – Japanese American and Petaluma resident – discusses historic and current challenges of anti-Asian hate, his family's incarceration in the 1940s, his arrival to Petaluma, his black belt Judo status, Origami expertise, and more.
Elece Hempel, Executive Director of Petaluma People Services Center, discusses Petaluma's rental assistance program.
Chris Cort, of Petalumans for Responsible Planning, discusses the environmental concerns over the proposed development at the historic Scott Ranch near Helen Putnam Park by Walnut Creek based developer, Davidon.
Co-hosts are joined by Sandra Larsen, President, Petaluma Federation of Teachers to discuss the challenges or remote learning and ensuring a safe school re-opening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandra also teaches at McNear Elementary School.
Co-hosts discuss a range of subjects and get to know Tyler Silvy, editor of our local newspaper, the Argus Courier.
Co-hosts discuss issues of technology, planning, and public participation in decision making for the City of Petaluma with Joshua Simmons, Technology Advisory and General Plan committee member.
School Board President, Joanna Paun, discusses the latest efforts to safely re-open in school learning during the pandemic, along with various issues including racial injustice in our community.
Jeremy Marshall, Brewmaster at Lagunitas Brewing Company, discusses company history, business practices during the pandemic, sustainability goals, non-alcoholic and cannabis infused beverages, state of the company since the acquisition by Heineken, and more.
Panama Bartholomy, Climate Action Commissioner, City of Petaluma and co-hosts discuss the city's goal of becoming carbon neutral and actions the city and residents can take to help get us there.
Alex Mountjoy, founder of Mountjoy Sparkling, producer of CBD infused beverages in Petaluma.
Co-hosts discuss national and local issues, from extreme weather, to COVID-19, parking, and more
Dylan Chambers discusses his latest music video release, social justice, and Black Lives Matter
The Midnight Transit web site
New council member Dr. Dennis Pocekay and co-hosts discuss Petaluma issues, including climate change mitigation, COVID-19, racial and economic inequality, and more
New council member Brian Barnacle and co-hosts discuss Petaluma issues, policy options, and action items from the first four council meetings of the new year
Faith Ross, Founder of Petaluma Blacks for Community Development/Curator of Petaluma Black History Month Exhibit
Co-hosts discuss Trump impeachment, local issues of race and police, Petaluma's new carbon neutral goal, and COVID-19
Petaluma Nurses discuss working conditions, staffing, and below market-rate compensation at Petaluma Valley Hospital – to find out more about Petaluma Staff Nurse Partnership, please visit the web site http://snponline.net
From the pandemic, to BLM, river dredging, and new progressive council victories, Cindy, Janice, and Jason discuss 2020 and their hopes for 2021.
Jane Hamilton, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Petaluma, discusses how Rebuilding Together Petaluma assists those in need to make necessary house repairs. For more information on how you can help, or if you know someone in need, visit the web site: https://www.rtpetaluma.com
Peter Welker discusses his life and latest work as an accomplished musician, artist, composer, arranger, band leader and 48 year Petaluma resident. For more information on Peter and his latest work, visit the following sites:
http://www.peterwelker.com
Listen to his new album here....
https://www.sidemenmusic.com
Music producer and artist Michael James discusses his life challenges, successes, why he moved to Petaluma, and his upcoming album release – "Shelter in Place". For more information, please visit his web site: http://www.michaeljamesproducer.com
Lynn Moquete, Ryan Giacomini, Kelsey Ferrando from "Una Vida" discuss community building.
Indivisible Petaluma members Sheila Morrissey, Jenny Griffo, and Eric Leland discuss incidents of hate and racism.