So much has been going on in Sonoma these past few weeks. First and foremost, the end of the school year. As a mother, my life is governed by the school calendar. The ebbs and flows of the daily ritual with a few holidays and vacations thrown in for good measure. As a working mom, summer looms as both a break – from school lunches and homework help – and a burden, as camps and activities to keep everyone occupied need to be decided upon and scheduled.
Luckily, The Sun has compiled a handy camp guide in this issue to help parents and children decide what sorts of fun the summer will hold. From Spanish camp to performing arts camp, intensive ballet to gardening, there is a camp for almost every talent or desire to learn something new. Please look to our center pages and prepare to be dazzled by the offerings.
Also on the docket recently, senior awards at the high school. A truly dizzying array of honors and scholarships were bestowed on Sonoma Valley High School seniors last week. Topping the list, Sonoma Valley Sun founder, Bill Hammett’s son who was named valedictorian. Our hats are off to Sean Hammett as well as to all the other students who received accolades for academic excellence or athletic prowess. We recognize some of these students on page six and a full list is available on The Sun’s web site at 3hmm.com/thesun.
In other parts of the Valley, we say farewell to another successful Sonoma Jazz+ Festival. This year’s assemblage of performers spanned the generations and truly put the plus in Jazz+. The eclectic mix of musicians brought folk, funk, blues, rock and more to the big white tent and the surrounding Plaza through Wine and Song. We loved it all and are so thankful for what the festival brings to our community — top-notch entertainment and the ability to keep music in our schools through the generous support of Sonoma Jazz in Our Schools.
The Farmers Market is making headlines again this week with the resignation of Board President James Cahoon. In an email sent to fellow board members, Cahoon denounced what he called the community’s unrealizable demands and recommended that board members follow suit and resign from the board in protest. But in speaking with acting president Bill Dardon following Cahoon’s resignation, Dardon assured The Sun that he wants nothing more than to make the market a success and bring about the changes requested by the City Council. Dardon will most likely be voted into the office of president at the Wednesday night Famers Market board meeting, is past our press deadline for this issue but he all but assured me that he was a shoe-in.
Of course, much of the turmoil surrounding the Farmers Market of late has gone unnoticed by many in Sonoma. We tend to exist in our own little bubbles and only notice the issues that are closest to our lives. In each and every issue, The Sun is full of the news of our community. Of course, we encourage you to read the paper but more importantly, to reach out and get involved with something new. Be on a board, find a volunteer opportunity at the new Volunteer Now center, or mentor a child through the Stand by Me Mentoring Alliance. Whatever you choose, we assure you it will enrich your life, and the lives of those around you, immeasurably.
— Jody Purdom
