Hero Awards for area’s first responders

[caption id="attachment_86298" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Rep. Mike Thompson presents Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue his Public Safety Hero Award.[/caption] U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) presented his annual Public Safety Hero Award to the teams of first responders that battled the October wildfires. Traditionally,Thompson honors one law enforcement officer... Continue

DACA recipients are Americans

In my view, DACA recipients are Americans. Many were brought here quite young, pre and early grade school age. All their lives they’ve been American, educated and steeped in our American culture. Their functional language is English, many hold degrees, and vast majorities are employed and lead... Continue

The $3 wine challenge

The worst part of the $3 wine challenge 2018 is that I wanted to like these wines. I wanted to find something that cost $3 that tasted like wine and that I could buy and enjoy. Fat chance. Read more. Continue

Californians deserve a tax cut

For millions of Californians, the state has been rendered unaffordable because of foolish and counter-productive policies emanating from Sacramento. A shocking one-third of California renters spend at least half of their take-home pay on rent, and only 40 percent can afford to purchase a median-priced... Continue

Next generation restaurateur is on a roll

Miranda Ives avoided the restaurant business as long as she could. But destiny, as expressed by the simple perfection of an artisan sausage, finally won out. “I grew up as a Plaza restaurant kid,” says the effusive proprietor of Sonoma’s Hare & Hatter Sausage Emporium.... Continue

Chinese New Year — a celebration of heritage

By Pat Carter | Special to The Sun The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, starts this year on Friday, February 16, 2018. It remains the most important holiday for families in China, and is celebrated by more than a billion people... Continue

Acting vs. reacting

My dad told me that it is better to act than to react. Reaction is an action performed in response to a situation or event whereas an action is performed without said event or situation. No, this isn’t more folksy wisdom found while growing up... Continue

Under the Sun: Madolyn Agrimonti, Mayor of Sonoma

You’ve been on the City Council since 2014. Now that you’re Mayor, how do you like it, and how is it different? I love it! I’m having fun. The difference in being Mayor is you can reach out beyond what you usually do as a... Continue

‘Best of Sonoma Valley’ — Readers Poll

Share your picks to help decide this year’s champs! Poll closed. Continue

What will be the new kale?

[caption id="attachment_85944" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Is the humble (but powerfully healthy) rutabaga poised to become the new kale? Like the Secretary of Agriculture becoming president, it’s possible but extremely unlikely.[/caption] Trend-trackers are desperate to anoint some previously-innocuous vegetable as the next fabulous superfood. (P.S., kudos to... Continue