Thank God for the grapes

Tim Tesconi | Special to The Sun Whenever I hear someone whine that there are too many vineyards in Sonoma County, I find myself snapping back, “Thank God for the grapes.” It’s something I am saying more and more as vineyards come under attack by... Continue

Delicious gifting

Often, a present is opened, consumed or played with, enjoyed briefly and then quickly forgotten. If you hope to give a gift that will remain in your friends and family’s memories for years, give the gift of an experience. A gift certificate for a cooking... Continue

Nonprofit boards have a key role in fundraising

Last week I received a phone call at my office from Simon Blattner, president of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art’s board of directors. He was calling me as a follow-up to the museum’s annual end-of-year financial appeal letter I had previously received. Simon thanked... Continue

A Poet Laureate named Ina

This week I bring to the forefront Ina Coolbrith. Jack London was quite taken with her, stating her to be the noblest woman he had ever met. Her story begins with her birth in 1841, when the small pueblo of Sonoma was in its infancy.... Continue

Round and roundabout

What more can be said of the proposed roundabout at Broadway and Napa Street? For starters, how about “thanks” to the hardworking folks who made the sketches and the PowerPoint, donned Kevlar vests and drew straws to see which of them would present it to... Continue

Being a lefty in 21st century America

Along with a lot of my friends and some of my neighbors, I love politics and I don’t mind getting into long discussions with conservatives or people on the right. Sure we disagree! But so what? It’s been a part of my life for as... Continue

Sonoma Valley’s hidden homeless

For most people, the holidays mean time with family and celebrating traditions in the warmth of home. This is the time when heaters get cranked, fireplaces lit, and lights hung. Children learn the value of giving and delight in the experience of receiving. There is... Continue

The work of our era

Every election year since 2000, the Sonoma County liberal/progressive alliance holds a post-election analysis meeting called (with a nod to Dr. Seuss) “Green Eggs and Ham.” This has been updated to “Green and Blue Eggs and Ham” for the eighth edition of this event, which... Continue

Dear Santa, send money

Money, money, money. It’s on most of our minds, particularly during gifting season. I’m trying to keep my sense of humor about it, but what’s funny about not having enough money? There’s just no “ho- ho- ho” in it – even if there’s a ‘ho’... Continue

Save the Sonoma Developmental Center

What if you knew the lives and future of 430 people in Sonoma were in jeopardy? Continue