Highway 37 closed Sat. night at Sears Point

Caltrans will close eastbound Highway 37 late Saturday night (11/4) for road work between Highway 121, at the Sears Point traffic light, and Highway 29 in Vallejo. The closure begins at 11pm Saturday and is scheduled to end at 7am Sunday. Drivers heading east will... Continue

We need a great big wand

When I ask people about the state of this twirling world, some say: “We’re going to hit the wall,” or “It’s horrible, what’s happening with war, politics, the cost of medications and housing, but what can I do about it?” That’s a dangerous thought. We... Continue

Sonoma officials must take responsibility

I was extremely grateful to learn that Toni Thompson resigned her position on the Design Review and Historic Preservation Commission. But her blaming the Sonoma Index-Tribune and stating that there was an “agenda to attack me” was outrageous! The newspaper was doing its job, informing... Continue

Our terrible love of war

Why are we so war-like, or more honestly, why are men so war-like? War-like behavior among wild chimpanzees is a documented fact. Naturalist Jane Goodall observed that when a group of chimpanzees breaks off from a larger troop, the two alpha-male groups get into conflict.... Continue

At 14, Carleen stepped into Mother’s shoes

Chapter 64: 1950 • Sonora, California At fourteen, my sister Carleen stepped into our mother's shoes when Mom was gone. It was expected and she didn’t think much about it, she simply did it. When she went anywhere she took me with her. On her... Continue

Sonoma commissioner can’t preserve job; marshmallow money; and other tidbits

To establish credentials as someone interested in historic preservation, you might want to follow rules to save a 180-year-old edifice – in this case, a majestic oak tree. Not so for Toni Thompson, who recently resigned as a Sonoma Design Review and Historic Preservation Commissioner.... Continue

The clear and present danger

The core value proposition of this column from Day One is to turn liberals into progressives. This mission has felt critical at times. Now is one of those times. We have less time than we expected before the coming series of crises overwhelms our inadequately... Continue

Kenwood Development appeals approval of its own hotel project

In a strange twist, Kenwood Development has appealed the recent approval of its Sonoma hotel -- a project it has fought 12 years to win an OK from the city. The Sonoma Planning Commission approved the master plan for the 62-room luxury property just off... Continue

Why do you live here?

What do you like about living in Sonoma? What would you like to change? These two questions are at the heart of Sonoma’s General Plan 2045 Update, a process that’s just beginning and will take the better part of two years to complete. Now’s the... Continue