Thank you, Sonoma
Editor: I want to thank the people, nonprofit organizations and businesses of Sonoma that helped make our five-day conference, “The Economics of Peace,” such a success. For our fifth conference, Praxis Peace Institute collaborated with RSF Social Finance of San Francisco, and we decided that hosting a conference on economics meant it should take place within a local living economy. What better place than Sonoma?
Creating a multi-day conference in a town center turned out to be a great idea. Our meetings took place in the Sebastiani Theatre, the Sonoma Community Center, the Veterans Memorial Hall, the Sonoma Valley Inn and Plaza restaurants and cafes. The walking aspect of the conference and lengthy breaks allowed participants to avoid conference fatigue and enjoy our town too.
We want to thank the merchants on the Plaza who offered discounts to our participants and restaurants that created special meals for our group. Our local co-sponsor, the Sonoma Community Center, was an integral part of the programs we were able to offer and we are grateful for their support. Spirits in Stone is still featuring the sculptures of our artist-in-residence, Osprey Orielle Lake. Many thanks also to locals who offered housing to some of our participants. Local volunteers went beyond what was asked of them and guaranteed a smooth operation from start to finish. We could not have done this without them.
We are most grateful for the community support extended to Praxis Peace Institute, RSF Social Finance and all of our conference participants. A big thank you to the people and town of Sonoma!
Georgia Kelly, Director
Praxis Peace Institute
Sonoma
Fan of Farmers’ Market
Editor: As a retired resident of Sonoma my interests include growing my own vegetables and going to as many Farmers Markets as I can get to. After many years I consider myself not an expert but very knowledgeable on the subject, regularly going to both Sonoma markets, the Marin Center market on Sunday morning, The Ferry Building market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, The San Francisco Civic Center Market and others. I shop for what I cannot grow myself and for several friends and neighbors who are unable to get out.
I have to say without a doubt the Sonoma Tuesday market and the smaller Friday market are by far the best in my experience, and with better prices than most.
The average customer must realize that there is expense to growers to just show up at the market, fuel, down time, etc. For example, there are only so many potatoes going to be sold on a given day, perhaps enough for one vendor to feel it worth their time but not enough for two. If there are too many suppliers of a product, next time no vendors will come.
When you have such a good thing going, why change it?
John Davis
Sonoma