When I went to Petaluma in 2002 to explore some of the places I wrote about in my biography of Winona Ryder, and discovering there was no evidence or commemoration of Winona's Petaluma childhood in the town, I teamed up with Petaluma Argus-Courier reporter Chip McAuley to establish plans to honour and commemorate Winona's Petaluma childhood, eclectic film career and irrepressible essence. A proclamation from the City of Petaluma was approved by the Mayor and the idea of a commemorative plaque dedicating the lobby of the the Polly Hannah Klass Performing Arts Center to Winona was the favourite option. Above all others it seemed the most appropriate way to pay tribute to a former Petaluma resident who became a star and played an important emotional role during the kidnapping tragedy of Polly in 1993. Other suggestions included a Winona Ryder Alley (in the Jack Kerouac tradition) and a Winona Ryder Boulevard. Although there were hundreds of letters of support from locales and from some who had known Winona since she was a child, all plans were abandoned when Winona's publicist rejected our proposal to commemorate Winona with the dedication and a one-day film festival. Now, with Winona just two years away from turning 40, there could be no better time to resurrect the original plan to commemorate her talent and extraordinary accomplishments. By creating this online petition that will be presented to the Mayor of Petaluma, Winona and her representatives, once we have enough signatures, I am hoping, with the support of the new Facebook group I have started, and with the help of Winona's fans, Petaluma residents and others, we can make this happen. I have no hidden agenda or desire to gain anything from this, apart from being a mega fan of Winona, and having written her biography in 1998, I just want to see her awarded with a declaration that is as unique as she is. Nigel Goodall nigel@nigelgoodall.co.uk http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.phpid=550079890#/group.phpgid=131027348529&ref=mf This is a non- profit venture. Please DO NOT donate any money.

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