So you want to sell weed for a living…

To assist aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs, Sonoma County Cannabis Program launches in May with an overview of permit, taxation, and compliance issues for the emerging industry. The eight-part workshop “Dirt to Dispensary” is designed to assist cannabis businesses in preparing permit applications for the July 1... Continue

Sassarini names new principal

The new principal at Sassarini Elementary School in the fall will be a graduate of the school who is currently vice principal at Sonoma Valley High School, Andrew Ryan. “Sassarini is where education all began for me,” Ryan said. “Now I get a chance to... Continue

It’s time to start the vegetable garden!

Lydia Constantini | For The Sun -- We’ve had a bit of a slow, wet start, but here we are at the jumping off point for our spring and summer vegetable gardens. Let’s get going! Soil Preparation This is perhaps the single most important exercise in... Continue

The reality of the no-name hotel

Listening to Planning Director David Goodison, whom it’s rumored has been in the Planning Department since the days of Mariano Vallejo, has been compared to verbal water-boarding. City Planning-speak, comprehensible by less than .0001% of people on Earth and all life forms in the universe,... Continue

Under the Sun: Steve Carara, volunteer farmer

Interview by Anna Pier When I arrived at the Sonoma Garden Park on Seventh Street East to talk with Steve, I found him pushing a wheelbarrow full of broccoli starts, followed by his dogs, a black Lab and a Chihuahua. What is your role here... Continue

14 tips for sustainable gardening

With the climate crisis looming, the good news is there are simple steps you can take in your own backyard and garden that can reduce carbon emissions, and even capture carbon, while also nourishing your soil, conserving water, and fostering a healthy eco-system that attracts... Continue

Mike Thompson’s Sonoma Town Hall

Flanked by representatives of local government and services, Representative Mike Thompson (D, 5th District) hit hard on topics of health care, immigration, Trump’s appointees, tax cuts, the budget, and Federal funding for state and county programs at his town hall meeting Thursday. Pictured from left: Sonoma... Continue

Will be marching on April 29

I have been angry, I have marched. Attacks on women, people of color, immigrants; yes I got mad, yes I marched and yes I gave money to ACLU, Planned Parenthood, La Luz. Today I am beyond mad. Every one of these Trump actions made me... Continue

Doctor’s orders: take a hike

If your doctor feels you need some fresh air and a little exercise, the prescription just might be a walk in the park. Side effects may include improved health, contentment and an urge to stop and smell the flowers, in more ways than one. The... Continue

At peace in the garden

My latest writing theme focuses on the language of flowers or plant symbolism. In my first article I designed a little love garden. It was a pink fluffy sketch filled with flowers we associate with romance and love. Last time I explored the world plants... Continue