Yearlong celebration for Jack London Centennial

The greatest story Jack London ever wrote, it's been said, is the story he lived. “Jack London State Historic Park -- Discover Your Call of the Wild” will honor the 100th anniversary of his London's death with a yearlong calendar of special events. The renowned writer,... Continue

Why be a food farmer?

Many good reasons exist, other than merely earning money, to be a food farmer, though getting paid is an important benefit. Working outside in nature is good for body and soul. Nature is a helpful, abundant teacher. Seeing beautiful things such as redwoods, oaks, and... Continue

Sonoma Family’s Christmas Nearly Ruined By Faulty Meat Thermometer

A Christmas vacation in Phoenix nearly went up in smoke Friday when the traditional tenderloin dinner nearly overcooked on an outdoor grill. The filet tragedy was narrowly averted when Matt "Closer" Clark identified a nagging low-heat problem as in fact a defective meat thermometer. Clark, who took the grill... Continue

Reflections on Cuba by Georgia Kelly of Sonoma

Georgia Kelly, Executive Director of Sonoma's Praxis Peace Institute, and six other local residents, recently returned from a trip to Cuba. Here are her impressions and thoughts. If you have never been to Cuba, you cannot really imagine it. Any American steeped in 55 years... Continue

Winter vomiting disease is on the rise

The California Department of Public Health is advising Californians to wash their hands frequently, due to a marked increase in norovirus outbreaks, or what is generally referred to as Winter vomiting disease. On their website the CDPH says, "Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that... Continue

Preferring Royalty

We praise democracy, but we don't seem to like it very much. Voting rates in America are terrible, and voters seem to prefer established families or Reality TV stars to experienced politicians. Most people agree that our democratic electoral system has been corrupted by money,... Continue

A Splash in the Punchbowl

For reasons shortly explained, it’s looking like the folks hoping to build a community swimming facility on Verano Ave across from Maxwell park have dived into a public relations swamp of their own making. They are Sonoma Splash, a non-profit which in 2014 announced plans... Continue

Sonoma Council votes to demolish Maysonnave Cottage

Following Council Member David Cook's suggestion to "use it or lose it", Sonoma's City Council last night voted to demolish the dilapidated cottage at the rear of the Maysonnave property on 1st Street East. The cost of demolition is estimated by the City Planning Department to... Continue

Get out on Christmas – what is open

[caption id="attachment_61478" align="alignright" width="218"] Get out and see the lights - and grab a drink. (Photo: Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau)[/caption] Christmas is this week! Some folks celebrate, some folks don't...or maybe you just want to escape that annoying relative (you know the one) for a... Continue

The counting of the birds

The very first Christmas Bird Count was held on Christmas Day in 1900. Now, 115 years later, the Bird Count is one of the largest “citizen science” efforts regularly held anywhere in the world. The Sonoma Valley is a diverse region with more than 150... Continue