County health concerns should be call to action

Recent news that Sonoma County’s overall health ranking has fallen to No. 7 in the state, down two places from last year in a state-wide health survey, should concern us all. More alarming was the Sonoma County Department of Health Services’ January 2018 report noting... Continue

Fire Department Polenta Feed

Thursday, April 19: The Schell-Vista fire department hosts its annual dinner of salad, polenta, slow roasted tender beef, bread, and more. $25 each to support fire protection in Sonoma Valley. 6 p.m. 22950 Broadway, Sonoma. 938-2633. Continue

El Verano rep needed for County panel

There’s an opening for a resident of El Verano on the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission, a local policy-making body that reports to the Board of Supervisors The appointee must reside El Verano West and within the jurisdiction of the SVCAC. The SVCAC meets monthly... Continue

City Council decision: sense and leadership prevail

I was present at the City Council meeting last evening (4/9) and I would publicly like to commend and acknowledge the three strong women of our City Council, Ms. Harrington, Mayor Agrimonte and Ms. Hundley. Common sense and strong leadership have finally prevailed in our... Continue

A fun – and safe – high school Grad Night

An overnight party for teens that lasts until 5 a.m., with games, fortune tellers, a casino, food, magic, massages, henna tattoos, prizes and even something for the parents – their kids’ safety. The annual Sonoma Valley High School Grad Party keeps the teens on campus... Continue

Sonoma’s City Council upholds Schocken Hill appeal

At the end of the second marathon meeting lasting five hours, the Sonoma City Council upheld an appeal of the Planning Commission approval of three large homes on Schocken Hill. In a succession of three 3-2 votes by the council majority Agrimonti, Hundley and Harrington... Continue

What’s next for Cheese Factory building?

The proposal to turn the Sonoma Cheese Factory building into a multi-tenant food and wine marketplace returns to the April 12 agenda of the Sonoma Planning Commission. The expansion plan, which includes the addition of a sub-floor to nearly the double building size to 25,000 square... Continue

Under the Sun: Susan Angell, master gardener

What is a Master Gardener? Well, the mission of the program is to “teach home gardeners sustainable gardening.” Master Gardeners love gardening, have experience, and become certified by the University of California Cooperative Extension. You have to apply to get into the program, which entails... Continue

Editorial: Sonoma’s downtown parking puzzle

The streets surrounding Sonoma Plaza have long functioned like alleyways in a parking lot, but that "parking lot" is now woefully insufficient. Despite this, developers keep bringing forth plans that will make matters worse, driving downtown visitors and business employees ever deeper into the residential... Continue

Teens focus on Senior Projects

Completing a Senior Project is a ritual, and a graduation requirement, for every senior at Sonoma Valley High School. As part of the year-long assignment, students are expected to write a related research paper and present a public presentation about the project. So how’s it... Continue