‘Caution’ signs posted on Russian River: algae toxins

‘Caution’ signs will be posted at all 10 public beaches along the Russian River after water tests by the Sonoma County Department of Health Services (DHS) indicated the presence of blue-green algae toxins. Though the river remains open for recreational use, the DHS warns that,... Continue

High marks for School District

Editor: It’s important to remember that great work is being done overall in our public schools. In particular, this year has been a strong one for SVUSD, because both governmental and commercial measures indicate our schools are having increasing levels of success. For instance, US News &... Continue

The weighty issue of school backpacks

By Anna Pier for the Sonoma Valley Sun As parents get their children ready for a new school year, the backpack question begins to weigh heavy. The threat to children’s back health has been at the center of a perfect storm created by consumerism, an... Continue

Zinfandel fanatics return to Sonoma County

[caption id="attachment_70264" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Trentadue Winery in Geyserville will play host for hundreds of Zinfandel lovers on August 14 [/caption] ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) will host its third annual Simply Summer Celebration on August 14 in Geyserville. Sixty Zinfandel producers from throughout California will takeover Trentadue... Continue

Our ancestral burden

By Edwin Reyes -- Argentinean Alfonsina Storni in her poem, Peso Ancestral (translated as “ancestral burden”) describes the pressure on Latino males to act like a man, showing no emotions, because that was how they were raised. For Latinos as a population, that ancestral burden... Continue

Safeway’s big plans; Kenwood resort plans revived; Stompers notes and more

The Sonoma Safeway wants to expand its store at West Napa and Fifth Street eastward, growing from about 50,000 sq. ft. to 65,000 sq. ft. The plan, still to undergo lots of official scrutiny, also calls for a nine-pump gas station on the corner, perhaps... Continue

Highlights: California 2015 economic wine report

The 2015 economic impact report of the California wine industry - both state and national impact - has been released by the Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers. Here are some highlights from their recent report. Lots of jobs The California wine industry... Continue

Update: Sonoma Valley groundwater supply

(By Fred Allebach) -- The Sonoma Valley groundwater budget is in the red and one plan for future groundwater sustainability is to recharge Sonoma Valley aquifers with winter Russian River drinking water. The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) has received a grant to drill monitoring wells... Continue

It’s time for real leadership

The City of Sonoma used to lead the rest of the county by example. Its commitment to affordable housing was solid and substantial, it was the first city to enact a living wage, its position on the environment was progressive, and it took pride in... Continue

The ‘Mind-boggling demise’ of Maxwell Park

Maxwell Park Now Open for Camping, Fires, Drinking, and Free Hypodermic Needles. If only I were joking. Where are the park rangers? Where are the police officers? Why isn’t anything being done to correct the demise of this beautiful park? The obvious use by drug... Continue