CONGRATULATIONS JANIS C.!

We randomly selected Janis C. as the winner of $100 gift card to a local restaurant for our Summer Newsletter contest!

Everyone gave great answers to the 4 questions and really showed off some Petaluma knowledge! Here’s Janis’ answers:

1. What does Petaluma mean? (Best guesses accepted!)
   Petaluma means “nestled in or by the hills.” Native American Miwok or Pomo name, I think
2. Name 3 movies filmed in Petaluma
   American Graffiti, Inventing the Abbotts, Basic Instinct
3. What is a Petaluma nickname?
   Chick-a-luma
4. What canine-focused competition is held in Petaluma every year?
   Ugly Dog Contest at Sonoma-Marin Fair in June

The Most Common Answers

There were a ton of great answers to all the questions, and a lot of great minds thought alike! The most common answers:

1. What does Petaluma mean? (Best guesses accepted!)
   The theme of “Flat Back” and “Hill Backside” came up in a majority of the answers. Most noted it likely came from a Miwok word or phrase relating to the town’s proximity to Sonoma Mountain.
2. Name 3 movies filmed in Petaluma
   American Graffiti was mentioned 14 times (By everyone!), Peggy Sue Got Married was mentioned 11 times, and Basic Instinct was mentioned 4 times. Other mentions included Flubber, Inventing the Abbotts, Howard the Duck, Lolita, Explorers, Heroes, Shadow of a Doubt, and Tucker: The Man and His Dream!
   
3. What is a Petaluma nickname?
   “Chick-a-luma” was mentioned 6 times, “PTown” 5 times, and “The World/America’s Egg Basket” 3 times. Others included “Chicken Town,” “The Looms,” “Luma,” “Rivertown,” “Poopyloomers,” and a sweet answer of “Home.”
4. What canine-focused competition is held in Petaluma every year?
   Every single person correctly answered the “World’s Ugliest Dog” Contest every summer at the Fairgrounds!