Community's stars to be honored

Annual awards showcase those who help make Petaluma a better place to live

March 15, 2006

By DANE GOLDEN
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Next Friday, March 24, the Chamber of Commerce and the Argus-Courier will once again honor Petaluma's most shining examples of volunteerism, duty and citizenship. Twelve individuals, groups and businesses will be celebrated at the fourth annual Community Recognition Awards ceremony, which will take place at the Sheraton Sonoma County-Petaluma.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the hotel's grand ballroom, and will feature complimentary food tastes from local restaurants and caterers.

Those to be honored include Citizen of the Year Sheila Bride, owner of Petaluma Coffee and Tea Co.

"She's just a wonderful person," Chamber of Commerce executive director Onita Pellegrini said of Bride. "She's done tremendous amounts of work, besides running a business full-time. She employs a lot of youth and is a mentor to a lot of people."

Ralph Sartori will be recognized for Excellence in Agriculture. Sartori is a former president of the chamber, and is with the Dairy Farmers of America.

Suzanne Gray, Christa McCoy and Margaret Potts will share recognition for the Service to Education award. The three are kindergarten teachers at McNear Elementary School.

Pat Vachini, program manager at Petaluma People Services Center, will be recognized in the Service to Seniors category.

In the Service to Youth award, Dick Sharke will be recognized for his work as founder of the McDowell Drug Task Force, encouraging kids to stay away from drugs, alcohol and gangs.

This year's Small Business of the Year is Top Speed Data Communications. The president of the telecom services broker is Anthy O'Brien, and vice president is Glenn Illian.

The Large Business of the Year is Basin Street Properties. It is being recognized for its redevelopment efforts downtown.

The Volunteer of the Year is Whitney Hall. Hall has served on the Health Care District Board for eight years and the Hospice of Petaluma advisory board for five years.

Firefighter of the Year is Jeff Holden, who has served the Petaluma Fire Department since 1990. He is probably best known for his rescue of a dog and its owner from an abandoned well two years ago.

In July of last year, Police Officer of the Year John Antonio was coaching a passing league team at Petaluma High School, when a jogger collapsed on the school track from a heart attack. Antonio administered CPR with the help of a PHS teacher until the ambulance arrived.

The Service Person of the Year is Bette Jo Reich, a merchant teller at Wells Fargo Bank.

The winner of the Excellence in Health Care award, a new category this year, goes to Petaluma Valley Hospital Employee of the Year Judy DeVasconcellos.

Additionally, Denise Urton, a detective with the Petaluma Police Department, will be honored with the Exchange Club of Sonoma County's Officer of the Year Award 2005.

The awards ceremony will include food samplings and a no-host bar. Tickets are $20. Call 762-2785 for more information.

(Contact Dane Golden at dgolden@arguscourier.com)

PETALUMA COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARDS

When: Friday, March 24, 6 p.m.

Where: Sheraton Sonoma County-Petaluma Hotel, 745 Baywood Drive

Tickets: $20.

Information and Reservations: 762-2785.