Oprah turns the tables on Petaluma sisters

<p>First, let's dispense with the goodies.</p><p>Petaluma sisters Krista Gawronski, 40, and Sandy Fetter, 50, were invited onto “Oprah” last week and, surprise, Friday's show turned out to be the favorite-things giveaway at which one of TV's biggest stars showered all her guests with lavish gifts.</p><p>Krista, who owns a Mr. Pickles sandwich shop, and Sandy, a family law attorney, appeared often on camera as they and the other guests received an Oprah's 25th-anniversary diamond watch, Nikon camera, 52-inch Sony 3-D television, Royal Caribbean cruise and on and on.</p><p>Was it fun to be on “Oprah” and to come home from Chicago with about $25,000 worth of treasure?</p><p>Great fun, the simply radiant sisters said Friday night at a party at Sandy's house, where a jubilant knot of friends watched the show and then a Channel 7 News report on Krista and Sandy's role in it.</p><p>But truly, Krista said, the best part wasn't the fancy stuff.</p><p>Everybody at “Oprah” was invited there to be acknowledged for the work they do for others.</p><p>The Petalumans were there because Krista founded and Sandy is active in the Fabulous Women of Petaluma (www.petalumawomen.com). The women get together regularly, visit, eat, sip a little wine and talk about who in their community is in need and how they might go about helping them.</p><p>Most recently, the women put on a benefit that brought in nearly $9,000 for Danny Cox, the paralyzed Petaluma teen. Since 2006, the women also have met, brainstormed and come up with ways to boost the lives of scores of others in need.</p><p>Krista said the greatest part of being on “Oprah” was not receiving the gifts but spreading the word.</p><p>“I wanted to tell Oprah about our grassroots charity in Petaluma,” she said. “The format for the (Fabulous Women) group is so simple, it can be done anywhere.”</p><p>May the concept prosper.</p><p>ERIC WIGGINS loved to run. So friends of the 19-year-old Windsor High alum, who died Monday in a highway crash, have organized a tribute on the track at the high school on Saturday, Nov. 27.</p><p>The 1- or 2-mile Eric Wiggins Memorial walk-run starts at 9 a.m. It's free, though participants may donate if they wish to the scholarship fund in his name at any Exchange Bank branch.</p><p>AT SPRING LAKE, walkers, runners and cyclists for days detected an awful smell along the shore a bit north of the snackbar. Late last week, one park visitor conducted a little search, then nearly wept at what he found.</p><p>A member of the park's small family of otters lay dead and badly decayed in the water, a plastic jar stuck on its head.</p><p>Litter kills.</p><p>FEELING THE LOVE doesn't happen often for county employees these days, so the thicker-than-usual envelope that came to the office of the Sonoma County Tax Collector really lit the place up.</p><p>Along with a property tax payment, a resident included a note and several photos — nice ones, of railroad tracks, local landscapes.</p><p>“Bought my first camera this past June,” the note read. “Here are a few good old Sonoma County pictures I've enjoyed taking. Wanted to share them with the folks working for our county. Keep up the good work.”</p><p>All over the busy office, appreciative smiles.</p><p>$5 X 15: A support group of women who are in treatment for cancer or are survivors met at a Starbucks in Santa Rosa and enjoyed each other's friendship and encouragement.</p><p>Imagine their surprise when a barista approached and handed each woman a $5 gift card. The employee explained that prior to leaving the coffeehouse, a gentleman who overheard some of the brave ladies' conversation arranged to leave them a treat, just because.</p>