Under the Sun: David Storer, city planner

The Sun’s Anna Pier sat down with Sonoma’s new Director of Planning and Community Services, David Storer. I pick up a British accent. Yes, I was born and raised in England, in a small town near Nottingham that dates back to 1000. On this... Continue

Why local democracy?

Like every city in Sonoma County, the City of Sonoma utilizes the City Manager form of government. City managers hold the top administrative position in each city, an organizational model similar to corporations where a Board of Directors (the City Council) employs a CEO (City... Continue

Are toxic herbicides polluting our baylands?

Does any one care that year after year for a few short days in January and February those who are observant may see a cute yellow biplane sweeping over certain hay fields along highway 37 and perhaps other places where hay is grown spraying toxic herbicides... Continue

Rotary Club’s ticket to Ireland — or $10k cash

Beth Fox, chairperson of the “Luck ‘o the Irish” raffle for Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, supplies a bundle of raffle tickets to Kanak Raj of Sonoma’s Crown Cleaners. Raj is annually the top ticket seller for the drawing, which offers a two week trip to... Continue

Impact100 Sonoma celebrates 10 years with record membership, donation numbers

[caption id="attachment_93277" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Mayor Amy Harrington, left, presents a City of Sonoma Proclamation to co-Presidents Gera Vaz, Judith Walsh and Lynne Lancaster.[/caption] The grant-making group Impact100 Sonoma had much to celebrate at its annual meeting -- its 10 year anniversary, a record number of... Continue

SV Ed Foundation names new chief

[caption id="attachment_93282" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Mary Favaro[/caption] Following an extensive search with over 20 applicants, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has named Mary Favaro to serve as executive director, and Angela Ryan, as director of programs and grants. Both are longtime and highly accomplished Sonoma Valley residents, said... Continue

City of Sonoma’s population growth is County’s highest

A recently released report from the Sonoma County Economic Board found that that the City of Sonoma's population is growing at a five-year rate of 4.5%, the highest rate of growth in Sonoma County. The city’s median age in 2017 was 51.2, about 10 years... Continue

What Sonoma is reading now

Reader's Books Bestsellers ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hardcover Fiction 1. There There by Tommy Orange Debut novel, a contemporary chronicle of Native Americans in Oakland, CA, as their daily lives lead up to the inaugural Big Oakland Powwow. 2. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Told in... Continue

New diagnostic center will bring Sonoma Hospital ‘into the 21st century”

[caption id="attachment_93202" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Sonoma Valley Hospital's new Diagnostic Center will bring MRI services, now performed in a trailer, inside to a custom suite.[/caption] The infusion is taking effect and the prognosis is good. Having already raised $15 million through an ongoing capital campaign, Sonoma... Continue

Rethinking charity

The way we think about charity, says Dan Pallotta, is not just outdated, “it’s dead wrong.” An expert on philanthropy and innovation, Pallotta the author of "Uncharitable: How Restraints on Non-Profits Undermine their Potential.” His TED talk on the subject is among the most-commented of... Continue