Seats open on City of Sonoma Commissions

The City of Sonoma is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on various City Commissions and Committees. Interested citizens may apply by submitting an application form to the City Clerk. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday January 18, 2017. Interested citizens may apply by submitting... Continue

Make Sonoma Great Again

The recent Farmers Market kerfuffle, not to mention the Presidential election, inclines us to observe the vagaries of social behavior, and the recurrent tendency to look back to the past as the Golden Age of "good ole days," worth replicating and re-establishing. To be sure,... Continue

Bring out the rake – Fines for using gas-powered leaf blowers can reach $500

The City of Sonoma has just released the language of the ordinance banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers City of Sonoma Leaf Blower Guidelines To Landscape Contractors working in the City of Sonoma: Effective 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 22, 2016 The referendum-approved Leaf... Continue

Tri-Tip Trolley owners to open sit-down restaurant in Kenwood

TIPS Tri-Tip, owners of the Tri-Tip Trolley, announced today their plans to open a brick and mortar restaurant -- called Tips Roadside --at the former Vineyard’s Inn location at the corner of Highway 12 and Adobe Canyon Rd. Owners Andrew and Susie Pryfogle signed a... Continue

Hundley on Farmer’s Market: No major changes, no personal conflict of interest

Although there may be some “minor changes” to the Tuesday Night Farmers Market as recommended by a City Council sub-committee now studying the issue, Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley said she expects the 2017 season will move forward under the current management team. In a conversation... Continue

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Dear Editor—I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? -- Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia -- Your little friends... Continue

Sonoma’s Planning Director confirms a flaw in Napa St. hotel EIR

Sonoma's Planning Director David Goodison confirmed today that traffic issues raised by the public have indeed identified a flaw in the "left-turn warrant" analysis performed by the traffic engineer for the proposed 62-room hotel project on Napa Street. In his memorandum, Goodison notes, "it only... Continue

Analyzing the Farmer’s Market controversy

Sonoma is once again in the midst of a farmer’s market controversy, an occurrence that seems to happen every decade or two. Some locals think the market's going swell and that the Valley of the Moon Certified Farmer's Market is operating in accord with the... Continue

Letter: Why was Agrimonti bypassed for Sonoma mayor?

Although I did not attend the most recent council meeting of 12/12/16, where Rachael Hundley was selected as Sonoma's next mayor, it is my understanding that per longstanding procedure, Madolyn Agrimonti, previous mayor, pro-tem, was in line for appointment as mayor. With little or no... Continue

Reader anecdote: The Little Godfather

Sunday night, Pamela and I had dinner at the Plaza Bistro, in Sonoma. We were seated by the front window. On the sidewalk, a young man passed by with a violin under his arms. I pointed him out to Pamela. One doesn’t often see such... Continue