We like to think of ourselves as the antidote to the television / couch potato culture. By creating gathering spaces, events and mixers, we bring people together to create new friendships, meaningful conversations, and positive change in Petaluma.
We are a 501(c)3 California Non Profit Organization, made possible by your participation. Please consider becoming a member if you haven’t done so already. It’s inexpensive and through discounts at area restaurants and businesses (including Aqus Cafe), event discounts and monthly drink coupons, your membership will provide you not only with a positive monetary return on investment, but will also provide you with a social and quality of life return on your investment. Join Us.
Want to know what cool and positive things are going on in Petaluma? We did too! That’s why we created our Community Calendar and our weekly Aqus News email that comes directly to your inbox each Friday.
Meet the Aqus Community Team
We are blessed with a team of amazing people who have donated their talents and time to help make Aqus Community what it is.
John T. Crowley
John became intrigued with social interaction from an early age in his grandfather’s pub in Dublin. “My intention in starting Aqus was to recreate the pub atmosphere with a focus on social dynamics. I like to create opportunities for people to gather,” says John, whose vision for a multi-generational living room began with the founding of Aqus Cafe. As people began to frequent the cafe, a community formed and John founded a separate nonprofit organization to further support and nurture this community…aptly called, Aqus Community. Aqus Community supports the connection of individuals, businesses and nonprofits by bringing together interests, talents and energy—fostering a more trusting, respectful and healthy society. John is chief social instigator, champion connection-maker and a regular fixture in the cafe, the community and around town.
Diane Elise Gentile
Diane comes to Aqus Community after having ‘several lifetimes of experience.’ Having moved extensively throughout her life, she deliberately chose Petaluma to settle—for precisely the community values she shares with her partner and fellow Aqus Community visionary John Crowley. “Petaluma,” she notes, “is so highly desirable because there exists a culture of community in the truest sense. The people I’ve gotten to know here maintain a very high level of social interaction and within this lies a bunch of pretty great values – like the importance of relationships, compassion and tolerance.” In her role at Aqus Community, Diane helps in every aspect of bringing it all together and keeping it bubbling.
Eric Storm and Beth Meredith
Eric and Beth designed Create The Good Life (link: http://www.create-the-good-life.com/index.html ) to support others in doing just that. They work with individuals and organizations to help them align with their purpose and passion, overcome tricky obstacles, and chart a sustainable and compelling path forward. They love working with people in this way and are continually inspired by their clients. Beth moved to Petaluma from San Francisco in 1992, and Eric from Sebastopol in 2002. Often they can be found on the Aqus porch enjoying the sun and the good life there.
Clare Ehling-Letourneau
Clare’s diverse business experience and passion for helping organizations and executives achieve new levels of success has made her a top Bay Area Technical Recruiter and HR Consultant, well-known from Silicon Valley to her home in Petaluma. While Clare works across a variety of industries, technology has long been a particular focus and specialized area of expertise. She has worked for well known companies such as Autodesk, Junipter Networks, Splunk, and Ask.com. Clare holds a BS degree in Communications from Emerson College in Boston and a Master’s in Psychology – Organizational Development from Sonoma State University. Clare moved to Petaluma in 1996. She is an avid organic gardener and in her spare time likes to hike, mountain bike, ice skate and cross country ski.
Stephen Brown
Stephen is a freelance editor with a diverse background in psychology, philosophy, and performing arts who has a long-standing interest in cultivating community. Arriving in Petaluma from San Francisco in 2011, Stephen founded the monthly Chamber Music Night at Aqus Cafe and for the past year has managed social media content for Aqus Community. In his spare time he enjoys playing the cello, getting out into the natural world, and exploring the scenic byways throughout North Bay.
Val Richman
Val has been Executive Director of the Petaluma Arts Center since July, 2014. She has been a Petaluma resident for 27 years. Before joining the Petaluma Arts Center, she served as Executive Director for Mentor Me Petaluma. Richman also was education and marketing director at Cinnabar Theater and has volunteered for many organizations and causes in Petaluma and Sonoma County. She was a founding member of Le Cercle Français de Petaluma. As DJVal, she produces Twist & Shout Funky Dance Jam, Lunch Beat Petaluma, and keeps the dance floors full at events and parties. Richman served on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Wine Country Chapter and is a volunteer with ARTery at Burning Man. She was a longtime Girl Scout Leader, a tutor and PTA President, among many school-related volunteer positions.
Ron Woloshun
Ron Woloshun is a creative director and marketing consultant who has guided the launch of several consumer electronics, high tech, and wine brands, as well as working with national brands including Johnson & Johnson, Listerine, Neutrogena and Splenda. A founding member of Slow Money, Ron is committed to using his professional powers for good, working with local businesses and social causes to build community and help grow Sonoma County’s food shed and local economy. Petalumans since 2007, Ron and his partner Justine are the proud parents of a relentlessly social (and only slightly Frozen-obsessed) preschooler, Zoe.