Chapter 4: A clue leads to Sonoma

After powering up his aging laptop and waiting for the signal, Felix checks the classifieds. Nothing. He throws the paper on the table. Whatever is happening in the present seems irrelevant. Poverty is timeless that way, thinks Felix. It could be last year’s paper and... Continue

New hires at high school

Sonoma Valley High School will have two new vice principals when classes begin August 14: Aaron Gildengorin and Paul Tuohy. Gildengorin comes to Sonoma Valley from the Life Learning Academy in San Francisco where he served as assistant principal and social studies teacher. He received... Continue

Mild temps forecast for Fourth festivities

Unlike previous years when the Sonoma's Fourth of July celebration has been as hot as a firecracker, a mild 81-degree is forecast for Tuesday's festivities. The parade around the Plaza begins at 10 a.m., with festival -- food, music, cold beer, wine, games, vendor booths and more... Continue

Ken Brown: support legal medicinal cannabis facility in Sonoma

Hey neighbors! Join with myself, Richard Silver and Earl Blue for it is time for a Legal Medicinal Cannabis Facility in the City of Sonoma. The Council took up this issue in May of 2009 when I was Sonoma’s Mayor. Unfortunately I took the advise... Continue

85-year-old Leo Sturm is now a “Word Warrior” at Sassarini

For 80 years Leo Sturm did not know how to read. But thanks to his tutor, Helena Friedmann, at 85 he can now! The "Word Warriors" of the Summer Reading and Writing Academy at Sassarini School, room 6.3, honored Leo by making him an honorary... Continue

Chuck Young selected as Interim Superintendent of Schools

Chuck Young, Sonoma resident and former UCLA Chancellor, has been selected by the Sonoma Valley Unified School District School Board to serve as Interim Superintendent of the District, effective upon ratification of his contract by the Board on July 10, 2017. He replaces Louann Carlomagno,... Continue

Staples sold to private equity firm

Staples, the office supply chain with a location here in Sonoma, has been sold to the private equity firm Sycamore Partners, owner of several other chain retailers. However, as reported in the NY Times, "Sycamore is acquiring a company that is squarely in decline. Sales... Continue

Favored fare for the Fourth

Favorite 4th of July Activities Cookout/BBQ/Picnic - 34.1% Watch Fireworks - 30.8% Hanging Out on the Water - 13% Going To a Parade - 10.4% Hosting a Party - 6% Going Shopping - 4.1% Other - 1.3% What Consumers Are Buying on The 4th Most... Continue

Sonoma art goes heavy metal

Sonoma’s largest-ever public art installation, a temporary outdoor sculpture included in the Sonoma Valley of Art’s “Albert Paley: Thresholds” exhibition, will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting July 1 on Sonoma Plaza. The work is one of nine large-scale sculptures placed in the downtown area,... Continue

State budget is full of tricks, questions

California voters are pretty good at figuring out what is going in the state capital when it hits them directly. For example, recent polling shows that citizen awareness of the $5.2 billion annual gas and car tax is very high and, incidentally, very negative. But... Continue