HTML- Hyper Text Markup Language
URI – Uniform Resource Identification
HTTP- Hypertex Transfer Protocal

As we all know, the web has changed the world over the past 20 years. Personally, it was the potential uses of the WWW that motivated me to create PetalumaNet in 1995, and promote greater use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in our schools. Over time, other volunteer projects like the CyberCity Roundtables and the SSU Cyber Institute were initiated to help all community sectors: government, business, and non-profit NGOs to learn how the WWW could be utilized in order to improve the operational effectiveness and efficiency of these organizations and agencies. The evolution of Telecom Valley in the 1990s is a perfect example of how Petaluma and Sonoma County were impacted by this new technological development.

Many writers and researchers believe that the “best is yet to come.” With over one trillion public pages and two billion Internet users on the web, the WWW has a long way to go before it reaches its full potential as an agent of empowerment world-wide.
Happy 20th Anniversary WWW.

References: http://www.webfoundation.org/vision/history-of-the-web/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/world_Wide_Web
http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

Bill’s Blog #16 (7-29-2006) – The time has come to … “Clean Out the Garage!”
#80 (5-11-2009) – Boxes or Treasure Chests?
#81 (6-4-2010) – All the Things We Collect
#82 (6-12-2010) – One box at a time
#91 (1-17-2012) – Guess what we found in the garage?
#93 (8-23-2013) – Mission Impossible … Revisited

I’m sorry to report that this task and these promises made over the years have not, yet, been fulfilled; but, we are making progress. Of the 32 file drawers stored in the garage, 15 have been emptied. Over the past three weeks our blue disposal bin has been filled with all the papers and newspaper articles I’ve collected. Several of these “treasures” that have been re-discovered have not been discarded, but “saved” for a later review. For instance, a few of my high school newspaper columns titled, “So What?” and my interview with Baltimore Sun Newspaper journalist, H.L. Menchen (1880-1956).. (And the list could go on.) Bottom line; we’re making progress.

One other personal item I would like to highlight is the fact that we are coming up on the 20th anniversary of our moving to Petaluma over the last weekend in May 1993. That story will be the focus of a future blog, later this month. Stay tuned.

The Butter & Egg Days Parade Volunteers – There are too many to list by name on this blog; but, without their help the parade would not be possible. Under the guidance and leadership of the Petaluma Downtown Association staff, over 200 volunteers keep the parade moving smoothly and safely. The various position in which they serve include parade stagers, banner carriers, beer garden staff, rental booths, button sellers, and safety monitors. Of course, the financial support of the parade sponsors is necessary also; particularly in economically difficult times. Our thanks to Marie McCusker and her staff for their supervision

Bill Hammerman (William Howard Pepper), organizer of The Petalumans of Yesteryear moved from Daly City to Petaluma upon retirement from San Francisco State University. When his wife, Connie, initiated the study group for volunteers interested in becoming Petaluma Historic Downtown walking tour docents, he joined and eventually took on the identity of William Howard Pepper, the founder of the first kindergarten for Petaluma children. Due to his interest in public education, Bill organized various projects under the PetalumaNet banner that promoted greater use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in our local schools. During the late 1990s, over a three year period, over 300 volunteers were recruited to organize and sponsor annual Community Computer & Internet Fairs. This effort became known as the Petaluma CyberCity Roundtable whose mission was to promote ICT in all sectors of a community – government, business, health, non-profits, as well as education.

Bill has also participated as volunteer for Sons in Retirement #147, the Petaluma Historical Museum, the Petaluma Historical Society, Petaluma Educational Foundation, the Petaluma School District’s Tech Committee, the City’s Telecommunications & Technology Advisory Committee, the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, the Petaluma Senior Center, the Petaluma Health Care District, the Fire Department’s Master Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and the Petaluma Neighborhood Emergency Response Team initiative.

Mildred King (Addie Atwater), moved back to Petaluma in 1993. As a high school student, living in Petaluma, Millie was always in the Honor Society and helped teachers correct papers. She also played the piano in Sunday School and tended small children so their parents could attend church. During World War II, Millie joined the Methodist Youth Group that set up games and pot luck meals for soldiers from local camps on weekends. After the war, she left Petaluma to attend U.C. Berkeley where she volunteered to help a fellow student, who was partially blind, with her class notes and home work. She also helped students from foreign countries with language problems,

After Millie was married with two small children, she set up a program where mothers earned credit baby sitting so they could get free baby sitting services. In retirement, she returned to Petaluma (1993), and became involved as a docent for the Historical Museum, working as a docent trainer, setting up work hours and giving downtown tours. As one of the Petalumans of Yesteryear, Millie participated in cemetery tours, adult school history classes, and presentations to community groups like Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce’s leadership classes. She is also a member of the Petaluma Woman’s Club and the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Barbara Harden (Ida Belle McNear) has served the Petaluma community as a volunteer since her arrival in 1995, in many ways. For example: As a Garden Club member, she was in charge of programs, tours, and secretary (each for one year). She also served as club president for two years. In addition to being a school child mentor for three years, she took an elderly lady, who was in PEP Housing out for lunch and a drive in the country every week for four years. She is a Petaluma Museum Docent and gives tours of the Petaluma Historic Downtown District monthly from May to October. Barbara has also been serving as a judge of “Youth Art” at the annual Sonoma Marin Fair.

Susan Coolidge (Clara McNear) moved to Petaluma in 1997 and is still active as a walking tour guide of historic downtown Petaluma for the public, school children, chartered tours, as well as other special events sponsored by the Petaluma Historical Museum & Library. She also serves as a volunteer for the Polly Klaas Foundation and the County Library’s book sales, Susan is an accredited judge for the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and has bee the State Flower Shows Awards Chairman since 2011. In addition, she is currently the Co-President of the Santa Rosa Flower Arrangers Guild and has been on the board of the Luther Burbank District of California Garden Clubs, Inc. for over 10 years.

Marshal West (Isaac Wickersham) came to Petaluma in 1995 and is currently serving as a director for the Petaluma Historical Society and Sons in Retirement (SIRS) Chapter #58. (Also past Big Sir, Little Sir, and treasurer.) He conducts walking, bus, and boat tours of historic Petaluma. Is the treasurer for Elim Lutheran Church and Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association. Over the years, Marshall has been a volunteer for the Art & Garden Festival, Sonoma Marin Fair, and the Petaluma Arts Council, plus Petaluma Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee, treasurer for the Petaluma Trolley Corp, Old Adobe Association, Petaluma Museum Association, and the Finance Committee for Cinnabar Theater, as well as Santa Claus for the Sons of Norway Christmas parties.

Stay tuned for additional volunteer contributions, by the Petalumans of Yesteryear to the Petaluma community.
Today

A recent Argus-Courier article (3-21-13) – “Petalumans of Yesteryear named Grand Marshal” stated: There are Petaluma legends living among us. In the year that Butter & Egg Days honor the “legends of Petaluma” it is fitting that a group of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers who have taken on the personas of seven of Petaluma’s most prominent historical legends are honored as the parade Grand Marshal.

Although this article identifies the Petalumans of today who have assumed these historical personas, the purpose of today’s blog is to highlight the fact that these Petalumans not only made significant contributions to the development of Petaluma in its early years; but, they too, served the community as citizen volunteers. For example:

Captain Tom Baylis (arrived in Petaluma 1851) – Chartered member of the Fire Brigade. He was active in local militia units, the Petaluma Guards and the Emmetts Rifles. In 1867, he helped organize the first public library and donated 2000 books, and was elected the first president of the Library Association.

Isaac Wickerham (arrived 1853) – Chartered member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church., as well as a Mason and a board member for local business organizations. He also acted as district Attorney, a position to which his fellow citizens had elected him in 1855. Throughout his years in Petaluma, he took a leading part in whatever was done for the upbuilding of the town and county.

Clara McNear (arrived 1856) – Although Clara died in 1866, at the age of 29, there would be no McNear legacy without her. Three men, her closest kin, are all remembered as having done much for the advancement of Petaluma: George Bailey Williams, her father; John Agustus McNear, her husband and George Plummer McNear, her only surviving son.

Addie Atwater (arrived 1859) – Formed the Ladies’ Improvement Club that resulted in the creation and development of Walnut Park and Perry Park. She was also concerned about the many uncared for arrivals in town, and helped organize the Humane Society, and served as president until her death in 1912. She was also active with other members of the Odd Fellows Lodge in creating a library for the public.

William Howard Pepper (arrived 1858) – Although Mr. Pepper was well know for his nursery and orchard at the intersection of Pepper Road and Pepper Lane, his legacy also includes the founding and construction of Pepper Free Kindergarten (1894) on the southwest corner of Liberty and Washington. This pre-school program still exists, today, at 627 F Street.

Ida Belle McNear (arrived 1869) – First president of the Woman’s Club that sponsored singing and reading groups (1895-1900). She also gave away 200 trees to be planted throughout the city. When the new Oak Hill Cemetery was created in 1900, Ida Belle and the Ladies Improvement Club prevented Hill Plaza Park from being destroyed and becoming a Parking Lot. These ladies carted away trash, planted the grass and the Palm Tress that are still there. Her husband, George, donated land for McNear Park, McNear School, the Petaluma Gulf & Country Club, and the Fire Station at 2nd and D Streets.

Brainerd Jones (arrived 1875) – In 1945, an Argus-Courier editorial stated, “Perhaps no man has left more living memorials of his achievements and of his contributions to this community than this architect who drew the plans and laid down specifications for so many of our homes, our business structures and our schools. He was a small town architect only in the sense that he lived and worked in a small town.” Jones was a member of the Elks and served the Rotary Club’s board as president. He helped oversee the city’s air raid shelters during the first world war and served on the city’s planning commission.

Stay tuned for a future blog that will identify these historic Petalumans of Yesteryear as Petalumans of Today and their volunteer endeavors.

This event honors Petaluma’s Citizen of the Year, the Good Egg for 2013, as well as the Parade Marshal. It is but one example of how non-profit organizations contribute to the sense of community for its citizens. In addition to the parade sponsors, the Petaluma Downtown Association, there are well over 100 non-profit organizations and clubs on a list compiled by the Petaluma Visitors Program. A partial list of some of the larger organizations include:

Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma
Carousel Fund
Christmas Cheer
Committee on the Shelterless (COTS)
Friends of the Petaluma River
Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Hospice of Petaluma
Mentor Me Petaluma
Petaluma Bounty
Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF)
Petaluma People Services Center
Polly Klass Foundation
Rebuilding Together Petaluma
Salvation Army
Friends of the Library

Although these groups may have paid staff to administer their activities, they could not offer their services to the greater Petaluma Community without the time, effort, and energy of their volunteers.

Pedecky’s articles emphasizes the connections that exist in Small Town America and how concerned neighbors can come together and raise money in order to “do something to make sure that a child does not pass into the ether of time, becoming an empty shell of a memory.

* 1st. Computer Tech Fair for Teachers – 1995
* 1st. Technology Newsletter for School Personnel – 1995
* 1st. School Site Training Teachers – 1995
* 1st. Community Internet Fair – 1996
* 1st. Donated computer from H-P – 1996
* 1st. Community Web Site (PEN) – 1996
* 1st. Free ISP Accounts for Schools – 1996
* 1st. Petaluma City Schools Web Site – 1997
* 1st. PEN Seminars at SRJC/Petaluma Campus – 1997
* 1st. After School Tech Academy Visit to Telecom Valley – 1997
* 1st. Computer Workshop for Senior Citizens – 1997
* 1st. Web Site for the Argus-Courier – 1997
* 1st. Public Access Computer Center Opens – 1997
* 1st. Net Day School Wiring Project – 1998
* 1st. CyberCity Roundtable Meeting – 1998
* 1st. Free HTML Workshop for Teens – 1998
* 1st. National GIS Day in Petaluma – 1999
* 1st. Free e-mail Address Sign Up Day – 2000
* 1st. NeighborhoodNet e-Group created – 2000

The Petaluma City Council, upon the recommendation of the Petaluma CyberCity Roundtable in 2005, established the city’s Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Committee. (Its name was shortened later to Technology Advisory Committee.)

How many readers, today, may have participated in any of these “firsts,”
over a decade ago? Please tell us “how” in the comments section, below.

* On January 31st, the Argus-Courier headline – Honoring mentors – reported that “A crowd of about 100 turned out to celebrate Mentor Me Petaluma’s new location and honor the program’s founder and former executive director, Val Richman.” The month of January was National Mentoring Month and the organization used the occasion to recruit additional volunteer mentors.

Mentor Me Petaluma is a school-based, youth mentoring program that matches adult volunteers from the community inb one-on-one mentorships with children and youth in Petaluma.

* “Friends of the River” is another non-profit organization that is dedicated to celebrating and conserving the Petaluma River, its wetlands, and wildlife. The Petaluma River Heritage Center volunteers, lead by David Yearsley, worked to restore a historic livery stable on the McNear Peninsular and convert it into a River Heritage Center and museum. The city owns the building, and the non-profit group raises funds and manages the center.

* Just last week (2-10-2013), the Press Democrat published the story behind “One-man crusade to cure river.” Over the past year, citizen volunteer, Steve Jette, a member of the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, has been removing trash and cleaning out the upper Petaluma River so that kayakers can paddle all the way to the Corona Road bridge. Jette wants to rally residents to walk the local streams and banks of the Petaluma River, and look for waste sites, and report them to: the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality at (510) 622-2300. To reach Steve Jette, call (707) 765-1928.

This list could go on and on; there are many other local community groups that depend upon volunteers to achieve their missions. Please feel free to identify these other Petaluma groups, and add their names in the comment section, below.