Smith: No more Officer Evans in Eggtown

Something is about to go amiss from the streets of Petaluma.

For the first time in more than 40 years, there won't be a member of the Evans family wearing a badge and watching out for people.

Sgt. Ralph Evans will retire on Thursday after a distinguished quarter-century with the Petaluma Police Department. His brother, Steve, was a fine officer until he was hurt in a scuffle with a suspect and had to leave the force in 1996.

And Petalumans adored their dad, George, from the time he started as a volunteer with the police department in 1970. George Evans retired after about 25 years and went back to work as a private security officer.

He was in uniform and working when he collapsed and died in 2007 - at 73.

He'd surely be proud of what his son the retiring sergeant did for Petaluma - maybe a little sad that the PPD will no longer have an Evans on duty.

RUN IN WHAT? If you put on your underwear and tennies and take a run tonight or tomorrow, there's no telling what might happen.

But if you can hold off until April 12, you might have a blast with a bunch of other minimally dressed runners and raise some bucks to fight a frightful disease.

Coming to Howarth Park that Saturday is Sonoma County's first Undy 5000. It'll be a 5-kilometer walk/run for the Colon Cancer Alliance.

Participants in the Undy 5000, co-sponsored by Sutter Health, will be encouraged to wear family friendly underwear-inspired costumes.

All registered runners and walkers will receive a pair of printed boxer shorts and invited to take a stroll through a giant, inflated colon.

Ideally, the journey will be educational and we'll all pass right through.

HATTIE'S CHAIR: A lot will go on at Thursday morning's celebration of the full, fruitful life of Hattie Stone.

Pilot and warplane restorer Lynn Hunt will honor Hattie, who was one of our most generous and involved World War II veterans, by flying over in a T-28 trainer.

Two bagpipers will play at the service that's to start at 10 a.m. at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building. There will be military honors and stories about Hattie, who died in December at 95.

The Patriot Guard will be there in force with its motorcycles and flags. MOMS, Mothers of Military Servicemembers, will provide something to eat afterward.

Then there's this: The New Horizons Band will play in tribute to Hattie, who was a beloved member of that lighthearted orchestra of seniors.

Not far from from conductor Lew Sbrana will be chair reserved for her French horn.

Chris Smith is at 521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.