Loud and proud

Showing big-time school spirit, Sonoma Valley High School is the 2017 winner of the “Battle of the Fans,” a league-wide contest recognizing the most enthusiastic student section. In addition to bragging rights, the school wins $1,000. The student-produced video showcasing the cheer section -- made... Continue

Wet winter garden tips

Standing water and slick conditions inhibit drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Heavy skies press down on us in a study of 50 shades of grey. We pass the time contemplating the size of raindrops and the angle of sheeting downpours. It’s hard to imagine working in... Continue

Pro/Con: Mixed-use development on Sonoma’s First Street East

Sonoma-based Caymus Capital has proposed a mix-use development, with hotel, restaurant and residential units, on a 3.4-acre parcel that runs between the 200 block of First Street East (at bottom) to Second Street East. FOR by Bill Jasper The proposed First Street East project will... Continue

Sonoma adjusts to leaf blower ban

Sonoma’s ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers, Measure V on the November ballot, took effect December 22. The Sun recently asked people around town how they’ve adapted. It was clear people welcome the newfound quiet, and are pleased with the compliance. On the other hand, some... Continue

Fake news in the post-truth era

The proliferation of social media - Facebook, Twitter and the like - has unleashed a torrent of opinion from tens of millions of people daily. Sorting through all the information that comes our way each day is impossible; no sooner have we read one article... Continue

Why Kaiser members should support parcel tax

Kaiser patients in the Sonoma Valley have a very good reason to vote “yes” on Sonoma Valley Hospital’s parcel tax extension that is coming up on the March ballot. I know that from my own experience. I have been a healthy Kaiser member for many... Continue

ArtEscape: Building community through art

Long time Springs’ residents Kate Ortolano and Thema Trystad are passionate that art has the ability to change lives, bring families together, and build community. The two retired art teachers are the driving force behind ArtEscape, the art education nonprofit located at 17474 Highway 12 in... Continue

School board tackles issue of ‘safe haven’ schools

By Anna Pier | Sonoma Valley Sun -- Trustees of Sonoma Valley Unified School District are responding to public pressure as well as a request from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to adopt a ‘safe haven’ policy in our local schools. At a special meeting on... Continue

State, regional lawmakers host Health Care town hall; Livestream available

The State and local leaders convene on Saturday, February 25, for "The Affordable Care Act: Keeping California Healthy" public meeting in Santa Rosa. Senator Ed Hernandez, O.D. (D-West Covina), chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Mike McGuire, chair of the Senate Governance and Finance... Continue

Internment anniversary stirs new fears

A “Day of Remembrance” occurred at Sebastopol’s Enmanji Buddhist Temple on February 18. Around 200 people marked the 75th anniversary of the incarceration of over 120,000 innocent West Coast Americans of Japanese ancestry in internment camps during World War II. “They were accused of a... Continue