Happy new, clean, clutter-free year

By Kari Wishingrad Welcome to bright, shiny, and full of new possibilities 2019. For those of you resolved a year ago to get more organized, downsize and clear your clutter -- how did that go for you? Did you accomplish what you set out to... Continue

30 food trends for 2020, at least 11 of which you’re already tired of

[caption id="attachment_99528" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Kelp: again, still not the 'new kale'[/caption] From cauliflower pizza crust and cheese tea to faux meat snacks and monster shakes, 2019 was packed with more than a few weird food trends — some of which might be here to stay,... Continue

Tribute on the mountain

In October of 2017 fire raged on Moon Mountain. The blaze came down toward the Valley floor, and threatened to move south and imperil denser neighborhoods. The area, indeed all the Springs communities, were evacuated; the danger of an unstoppable conflagration was very real. That’s... Continue

Karen Collins is Sonoma’s ‘Honorary Mayor’

The City of Sonoma has selected Karen Collins as Honorary Alcaldessa (“Alcalde” is the Spanish name for Mayor), an annual tradition recognizing oustanding public service. Particularly of note was Ms. Collins’ work in the preservation and protection of the natural environment in and around the City of... Continue

Go Dragons: New football coach for Sonoma Valley High

Sonoma Valley High School today announced Hervy Williams as the new Varsity Head Football Coach. Williams coached the Dragon's Junior Varsity squad since 2015, including a perfect 7-0 campaign in 2017. "My number one goal is that every player becomes a better person as part... Continue

Conversations with my granddaughter

Char Girl -- I had my four-year-old granddaughter on Saturday. We’re making cookies and she begs to take over mixing the butter and flour. “I do it, I do it! Let me, let me!” After cleaning up, as there was now batter everywhere, we put a... Continue

Sewer pipe fixed after two million gallon leak

[caption id="attachment_92870" align="aligncenter" width="420"] A water treatment plant operated by the Sonoma County Sanitation District.[/caption] A faulty valve was the cause of a pipeline breach that poured two million gallons of untreated wastewater into a Sonoma Valley slough, according to the Sonoma County Sanitation District. The... Continue

Sonoma Community Quilt goes on tour

What began with a call to the community to decorate fabric squares has become the art piece titled “The Sonoma Community Quilt,” soon to travel to multiple Valley venues as a traveling exhibition. Individuals, families, non-profits and businesses all participated by artistically expressing themselves on a 12”... Continue

Hospital board’s new lineup

Joshua Rymer and Michael Mainardi, both elected in November, have begun serving four-year terms on the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board of Directors. Rymer, an incumbent, is a four-year board member and the current Board Chair, a position he will continue to hold this... Continue

Representation for the Springs moves closer

[caption id="attachment_56686" align="aligncenter" width="360"] (Art by Michael Acker)[/caption] After many years in the works, a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) for the Springs -- a panel that makes formal recommendations for the area to the County Board of Supervisors -- is nearing its launch. “I'm excited... Continue