Sun on the Street: What makes great customer service?

"It's very important that everyone feels acknowledged as soon as they walk through the door, greeting each patient with a smile and their name." -- Claudia Valencia, Office Coordinator, Sonoma Valley Hospital Hand and Physical Therapy "I treat my guests as I want to... Continue

Slime in the mailbox, flurry at the school district

Sonoma Mayor Amy Harrington got slimed again, this time in an anonymous mailer sent to all Sonoma mailboxes. It alleges – incomprehensibly, slanderously, and certainly irresponsibly – unethical behavior, and yet is unsigned. The first such salvo was a full-page ad in the Index-Tribune, source... Continue

Renew Sonoma’s Urban Growth Boundary

I am a volunteer with the campaign committee Citizens to Renew City of Sonoma’s Urban Growth Boundary. The committee was recently formed by Sonoma City residents and business owners, and registered with CA FPPC as a 501 (c) (4) organization. In order to protect our... Continue

Venture philanthropy

Building a big business requires venture capital, an infusion of wealth that is used to fund a business while it grows. Unlike loans, venture capital is an investment and its payoff is usually in the form of dividends or shares of stock that can be... Continue

Ducarroz resigns from Sonoma Valley school board

After nearly four terms over 15 years, Nicole Ducarroz has surprisingly announced her resignation from the Sonoma Valley School District Board of Trustees, effective October 1. The decision was a tough one, she said, but creates time for a very cool pursuit -- helping her... Continue

The big dance

In life as on stage, it’s all about how you face the music and dance. Sonoma Valley’s own Transcendence Theatre Company presents “Those Dancin’ Feet,” the third of its 2019 Broadway Under the Stars summer series at Jack London Park, August 9-25. Directed and choreographed... Continue

Proposed resolution of support to disband internment camps for refugees

The proposed resolution below objecting to the operation of internment camps for refugee-seekers will be presented to the Sonoma City Council for its approval in August. Versions of this resolution are being considered by other cities in Sonoma County, and it is hoped, the County of Sonoma.... Continue

Dangers of artificial turf fields at SV schools

The artificial turf fields at Adelle Harrison Middle School and Altimira Middle School (currently under construction) present a serious wildfire danger to our children, neighbors, and community. Should the cork and plastic ignite, the plastic will produce thick toxic smoke presenting a lethal danger to... Continue

Court throws out luxury home builder’s lawsuit vs. Sonoma

[caption id="attachment_86080" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Developer Bill Jasper sued the City for permission to build three huge homes on the Sonoma hillside to the west of Fourth Street East at Brazil Street.[/caption] A lawsuit brought against the City of Sonoma by a spurned developer, who was... Continue

About all those cops along Hwy 12 Friday morning

After a 'Shelter in Place' alert to the area of the 16700 block of Hwy 12 in Agua Caliente, a Santa Rosa man was was found burglarizing a relative’s home Friday morning. Kurt Rodda, 30, was arrested after a 90-minute stand-off in which Sheriff's deputies... Continue