The cookies are coming!

Pass the milk -- Girl Scouts cookie season is here. The original pop-up businesses, the in-person cookie booths will start appearing in Sonoma Valley on February 11. There’s even a Cookie Locator to find when and where. The line-up: Thin Mints, Trefoils, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos,... Continue

Incompetence and delay from State Parks

As a lifelong resident of the Sonoma Valley and a volunteer docent at the Jack London State Historic Park, I am deeply disappointed with the failure of the State Parks Department to complete the CEQA report (triggered by the Retired State Rangers suit) in a... Continue

If water could talk

Mother Nature came crying to me last night. “I’ve had it,” she said, her tears falling loudly on the skylight, “I’m done.” But the creeks, dear one, had heard it all before, And just laughed. Life as we know it is impossible without water. Water... Continue

Let’s get going on Annexation

The latest iteration of the discussion about annexation of the Springs Community by the City of Sonoma is going around again. Please keep in mind that to reach fruition the process would take a long time—at best maybe 10 years. In dating terms, this first... Continue

Dodd endorses Verder-Aliga

Serving Sonoma County in the California state Senate is the greatest honor of my professional life, and before retiring at the end of this year I will be fighting hard this year to build on the progress we've made together. But the work is never... Continue

Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Odetto

“I like to volunteer at Sonoma Community Center because it has a long history of community engagement,” says Linda Odetto. “I have always felt welcome here. There is a place for everyone, and it’s a great place to meet new people from all over Sonoma... Continue

Editorial: Government as a business enterprise

Government is not a business; its purpose is not to make a profit, but to further the aim of creating a good society. What constitutes a good society is a matter of varying opinion, but in America it usually shows as (a), protecting private property... Continue

Sonoma Valley nonprofit news

Pets Lifeline was awarded Nonprofit of the Year from the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce at the State of the Valley event on January 5. Since 1987, the PLL organization has been dedicated to protecting animal lives through sheltering and adoption, humane education and community... Continue

Sun on the Street: Your scariest thing ever

What is the scariest thing you've ever done? Karin, Sonoma Probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done was have children. Raising them in a world where you want them to be socially conscious and contribute to the community is a big responsibility. I have... Continue

Plaza protest; petition drive for SDC; changes at The Haven; and more

When Ken Mattson and his Sonoma Cheese Factory (one of his some 80+ real estate holdings in Sonoma Valley) threw an open house schmoozer for Plaza business neighbors, the protestors outnumbered the guests. The January 30th action was organized by Wake Up Sonoma, a community... Continue