Drop-ins welcome for free Thanksgiving dinner

The Sonoma Community Center’s Free Thanksgiving Dinner just coming out the oven. Reservations are not required for the annual event, held today. November 24, at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, 126 First St. W. Led by an all-volunteer crew of over 100, the event has been a... Continue

Michele Anna Jordan talks turkey — and not for Thanksgiving

"Why did you write a book about meatballs?" a man asked at last weekend's Extra Virgin Festival at B. R. Cohn Winery, where I was featuring the new edition of “The Good Cook's Book of Oil & Vinegar.” Pausing before I answered, I wondered if... Continue

Rotary members provide ‘reading buddies’ to young students

Two days a week, members of the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley visit Sassarini Elementary School students to help with the Reading Buddy Program. “Sometimes we read to them,” said Jon Parker, local Rotary president. “Sometimes they read to us.” School representatives reached out to... Continue

Enough with leaf blowers already

With all the turmoil and real problems in this country/state/county/city, I am shocked and disappointed that this leaf blower issue is still being dealt with and discussed. Everyone that employs a gardener, please pay him extra to leave that thing in his truck and do... Continue

Altimira is like literally all ‘Dude, Be Nice’

Wrapping up 'Dude, Be Nice' week at Altimira Middle School, principal William Deeths (left) gives a shout-out -- and some Wolf Pack gear -- to outgoing School District Trustee Gary DeSmet. Friday's outdoor rally announced the 'Nice' winners from each class, who had been nominated by... Continue

Sonoma’s council approves homeless parking and GHG reduction plan

In an evening packed with significant agenda items, Sonoma's City Council approved a homeless parking plan administered by homeless shelter SOS/The Haven at the police station parking lot. In addition, the council approved a list of 22 measures intended to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in... Continue

Sonoma Raceway collects 1,600 pounds of food for nonprofits

Sonoma Raceway is at full speed this holiday season, distributing more than 1,600 pounds of non-perishable food to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH) and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank following the raceway's 16th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year’s 1,632 pound donation brings the raceway’s... Continue

Sonoma Valley wineries pour their hearts out

The Heart of Sonoma Valley Association stages its 2016 Holiday Open House, where one pass gets you tastings at 19 different wineries, Friday and Saturday, November 25 & 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. “Nineteen wineries along Sonoma Highway, in Kenwood and Glen... Continue

Community-wide crew readies for annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Led by an all-volunteer crew, the Sonoma Community Center’s Free Thanksgiving Dinner has been a tradition for more than five decades, and once again local businesses, service clubs and volunteers have come together to feed nearly 500 people on November 24. Longtime Sonoma Community Center... Continue

Sonoma names Novato official new city manager

Sonoma has offered its City Manager job to Cathy Capriola, currently the Assistant City Manager of Novato, who emerged from a field of 46 applicants as the replacement for the outgoing Carol Giovanatto. Capriola, who lives in Sonoma, has accepted the post pending official approval... Continue