Marching madness

As they work together to find a new producer of Sonoma’s Fourth of July Parade, the City and Sonoma Community Center shouldn’t forget the Tourism Improvement District as a possible funding partner. The entity, funded by a two percent hotel room tax, was created in... Continue

In Development: Media Arts Program gives teens an inside track

(By Jonathan Farrell) -- For Media Arts Instructor Peter Hansen, is film and video program at Sonoma Valley High School is just as valuable as math or science. Not everyone will end up a Spielberg or Tarantino, but all his students will learn tangible skills... Continue

Sonoma’s sewage situation is no April Fools’ joke

Recently brought to our attention is the Annual Compliance Report of the California Water Board issued in 2015, which lists the Sonoma County Valley Sanitation District as #2 in raw sewage spills in the State of California for fiscal year 2013-14. This unwelcome distinction is... Continue

On learned ignorance

Oh, the stories we tell ourselves! Some of them are funny, some not so much, and some of them are, well, are downright dangerous. It's not like this is something new. Human beings have been dubbed "toolmakers" but our real and original talent is making... Continue

Innovation in a time of scarcity

The recession was not good for California public schools. While Sonoma Valley schools were able to avoid the massive layoffs that many large urban districts faced, we nevertheless had to reduce personnel through attrition, cut programs, and generally tighten our institutional belt. Our mantra... Continue

Alejandra Cervantes is ‘Woman of the Year’

Alejandra Cervantes, founder and executive director of Nuestra Voz of Sonoma Valley, has been honored as Sonoma County Woman of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Assemblymember Bill Dodd honored one woman from each of the counties he represents... Continue

Under The Sun: Randi Sherman, author

What inspired you to write “The Lobby”? I don’t know really, I had been writing linear novels, with a clear main character, a beginning, middle and end. I started writing “The Lobby” in the same way, but as I introduced more and more supporting characters,... Continue

School district chief: Innovation in a time of scarcity

By Louann Carlomagno | Superintendent, Sonoma Valley Unified School District -- The recession was not good for California public schools. While Sonoma Valley schools were able to avoid the massive layoffs that many large urban districts faced, we nevertheless had to reduce personnel through attrition, cut... Continue

Cash in on the Earned Income Tax Credit

Dear Bonnie, How does the Earned Income Tax credit work? Is it true that California now has one for low income people as well? Tess, Santa Rosa Dear Tess, The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a method for low income taxpayers to get back... Continue

How our school gardens grow

by Stacey Tuel | Special to The Sun Across the Valley, our children are digging deep into understanding how to nourish themselves. With thriving school gardens in each elementary, middle, and high school, our students learn with their hands (and tastebuds) where their food comes... Continue