West Side Stories Petaluma

October 2024- Bradford Rex Bradfords fear of legal pads and mechanical pencils came true when his dad helped him come up with a plan to help move his stuff back to college. Luckily 43 years later him and two of his friends can laugh about how they spend the night in jail trying to drive a U-Haul back to college.

October 2024- Sabrina Campbell Sabrina takes a trip to Fort Worth, Texas where she tries to take her tricycle for a ride through town when she's suddenly gets a front row seat to a tornado. Luckily her raggedy Anne doll stayed strapped down right where she left her; on the back of the tricycle.

October 2024- Beth Kraft Beth left her wallet behind at the gas station bathroom, her campsite has squatters, her car battery died, and as she thought all hope really was lost; she got her wallet back.

October 2024- Patty Torza Patty goes camping with friends, two dogs, a cat, and mary jane; but gets locked out of her camper. Determined to get in without waiting for a locksmith, she practices a cirque de soleil audition to break through the window. All was not lost, especially not the ganja.

October 2024- Dave Pokorny

November 2024- Beth Kraft She’s often chosen function over fashion. From tying her shoes with bunny ears to her method of folding fitted sheets—tucking corners together and rolling it up—she’s always opted for practicality. Then there was her sister’s car, held together with wires and duct tape. Despite its quirks, it started every time and stayed warm—a big deal in Michigan. Even climbing in thro...

November 2024- Carlos Garbiras While preparing a gluten-free feast for his daughter, carefully wrapping everything in wax paper, he was reminded of his childhood in Colombia. Growing up with little money, he was a 'vulture,' often begging friends with more means until they relented. It wasn’t perfect—very different from his daughter’s life now. He often wonders: should he share how hard hi...

November 2024- Karen Hurtzog One Valentine’s Day, her boyfriend (now husband) made her chocolate with Cheerios and eagerly had her try it in front of his family. She had to not only say she liked it but also pretend she loved it. While it was far from perfect, she came to realize that his love language was making things for her. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about love.

November 2024- Deanna Dawson During COVID, feeling alone, she got a beagle named Izzy. Chaos, fun, and stress all rolled into one, he left her frazzled. A waitress at her favorite restaurant reassured her, saying, 'Don’t worry, it gets better.' When she asked, 'When?' the waitress replied, 'In three years.' Not what she wanted to hear, but it was true. Three years later, li...

November 2024- Jay Kahn When his wife Linda asked about being a Respiratory Therapist during COVID, he shared how hard he and his peers worked, yet it often felt like it wasn’t enough. He remembered Emily, a sweet 90-year-old patient who was partly deaf and blind. Her oxygen was dangerously low, but she told him, 'Dying is easy, living is hard.' Later, when he returned to check on her, Emi...

November 2024- Sabrina Campbell A story about her 6-year-old son Kip, now 27. It was a perfect fall day for a carnival, but with Kip being a sweet handful, she was especially nervous about the corn maze. To keep him close, she gave him a pep talk—and a $20 bribe to stick together. But as soon as the muddy maze distracted her, Kip disappeared. Panicked, she raced through the maze, only to find him...

November 2024- Brandi Chalker A cautionary tale of her less-than-perfect wedding and failed marriage. It was a modest backyard affair with a homemade cake, piñatas, and fire dancing—charming but chaotic. Her aunt and uncle skipped it on orders from their cult leader, and other relatives were caught 'hot boxing' their car before pot was legal. As a recovering perfectionist, she now sees tha...

November 2024- Ken Gallegos He and his brother scored tickets to a Dodgers game, and their mom joked they'd get lost because they were such goofs. Sure enough, after the game, they got forced onto the wrong freeway. After circling back toward the stadium, they stopped at a gas station for help and got directions from three 'working' women on the street. They made it home, proving Mom k...

November 2024- Janet Friedman She dated a man with a stunning all-electric Mercedes that turned heads everywhere they went. But when one tire went out, all four had to be replaced, stranding them in Eureka for four days with only basic cable. Boredom led to an Amish stud site—and a surprising curiosity about Amish porn. Who knew?

November 2024- Rick Roberts Rick grew up a perfectionist, softened by his hippie years of free love and exploration. Marriage to Renee brought him joy, but his perfectionism strained their bond, leading to divorce. Reuniting with an old girlfriend reminded him of his restless past, but also that true perfection is rare—except for being with Renee... and John Coltrane.

November 2024- Dave Pokorny

Ben Bourdon

Beth Kraft

Bill Reeding

Bradford Rex

Carlos Garbiras

Chuck Freadhoff

Dave Pokorny

Ken Gallegos

Mary Caruba