Nostalgia spoken here

The issue of wine tasting rooms in downtown Sonoma – no limit, but an added level of permitting required – seems to be settled. Except maybe what happens if a Kendall-Jackson or Gallo, the wine world’s equivalent of a formula store, come calling… With no... Continue

Preservation and branding irons

Preservation must come from the heart and is a community-based grass roots effort. Tourists come to Sonoma each year for a variety of events knowing they will witness dozens of incredible old buildings. Many may be interested in the particular histories of each building, but... Continue

Keep pets on regular med schedule

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I was wondering if it is that important to give heartworm prevention to my dog every single month. I try to remember to look at the calendar, but things can get pretty busy around our house, and sometimes we are into the... Continue

Keep your trust out of court

I have two matters in my office right now that are headed to court. What’s worse, both of these cases originate from the same trust. Not because someone is suing the estate, not because they failed to do estate planning, but because the estate planning... Continue

Sonoma wine bars: from cachet to cliché

Fine wine has always benefited from a goodly bit of snob appeal. The French certainly enjoyed being wine snobs and Americans, never to be outdone, have worked hard and long to catch up. Prestigious wine enjoys a particular cachet, equal parts snobbery, expense, rarity and... Continue

Scrumptious spring, or just a sneak preview?

I was gone for three days. When I left it was winter. Heavy slate clouds lay low and wet over the Valley, tree branches hung bare and black, farms sat dormant and silent. The town was blanketed in a leaden mist; a steady, substantial rain... Continue

Baseball tryouts postponed

The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs’ open tryout in Sonoma — originally scheduled for March 1 — has been postponed to Saturday, March 15, due to a heavy forecast of rain expected in the Bay Area. The March 15 tryout begins at 8 a.m.... Continue

Tasting rooms will get closer look

New winery tasting rooms proposed for downtown Sonoma will be subject to acquiring a use permit, the City Council advised Monday, adding a level of approval and public input currently lacking from the process. The Council and Planning Commission met in a rare public study... Continue

Spirit of Seeger

Sam Page, Allegra Broughton and Dave Aguilar share the stage during a ‘Wake for Pete Seeger" jam Sunday at Murphy’s Irish Pub. “We're singing Pete out in style, sailing where he may,” said musician Steve Kahn, who organized the event as a fundraiser for Gustavo... Continue

Thanks, Kiwanis

Editor: Kiwanis of Sonoma Plaza has again generously gifted the Junior Program of Sonoma Valley Tennis Association (SVTA). We are extremely grateful for the continued support of Kiwanis, as their donation, along with those of other local benevolent sponsors, allows SVTA to offer a Free... Continue