The invisible epidemic of Fetal Alcohol Disorder

By Kathryn Page, Ph.D. | For The Sun Responding to a research request for people raising their alcohol-affected grandchildren, a lovely artist (not named ‘Ann’ except for the purposes of this story) described the twisty, painful path her now-adult granddaughter (also not really ‘Abby’) has... Continue

A collaborative connection for high school parents

Attention new Sonoma Valley High School parents: did you know there is a group for SVHS parents to help them navigate the high school? Founded by parents two years ago, SVHS Parent Connection (Parent Connect for short) strives to provide up-to-date information, share resources and... Continue

7 crops to plant this month

Cool-weather crops,” mainly greens and root vegetables, thrive when planted in mid to late summer. The idea is to get them started early: if you wait until fall to plant your “fall” vegetables, cold weather may nip them before they’re big enough to harvest. More. Continue

Meet the Teachers!

For their first assignment, these teachers -- new to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District -- share a little about their themselves. More new teachers will be profiled in the next issue (and here online) of The Sun. Megan Atkinson I’m teaching at Dunbar... Continue

Sal Chavez leaving school board at end of year

Sal Chavez will not seek another term as a member of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. The youngest ever trustee when first appointed, in 2012, Chavez sat down with the Sun to talk about his experience on, and hopes for, the... Continue

Meet the two candidates for the school board’s El Verano seat

Cathy Coleman and Omar Paz, Jr. both filed their papers to run for trustee from the El Verano attendance area on the Sonoma Valley Unified School Board, according to the county registrar. The winner in the November 6 election will serve a four-year term, The... Continue

Under the Sun: Justin Mori, the new high school principal

Justin Mori took over as principal of Sonoma Valley High School on July 1, replacing departing principal Kathleen Hawing, who has returned to teaching. Mori had been the principal of San Jose Intermediate School with the Novato Unified School District since 2012. The Sun’s Sarah... Continue

Taxpayer’s interests in the fire liability fight

One of the most contentious political battles currently being waged in Sacramento during the final two weeks of the legislative session is over the extent to which investor-owned utilities, such as Pacific Gas & Electric, should be held liable and have to compensate property owners... Continue

Hospital pares down, Sonoma goes unbaked, and more

Having eliminated the Obstetrics Department as a budget saver (the last baby born in Sonoma, other than at home or in an Uber, will be September), Sonoma Valley Hospital now looks to “transition” its home health care service, Healing At Home, to the nonprofit Hospice... Continue

The new 3Rs

Many of us grew up under the banner of the 3Rs, "Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic." Underlying this quaint phrase sat the notion that school was about education, first and foremost. For many teachers and students education remains the highest priority, but increasingly it is being... Continue