Sonoma Market ends recycle buy-back

Last week, Sonoma Market said it would step up as the only Sonoma Valley retailer to redeem CRV cans and bottles, but abruptly stopped the buy-back program after being inundated by would-be recyclers. The flow of folks with bags of empties that clogged the service desk and... Continue

Hiking through history in Jack London State Park

(By Tracy Salcedo | For The Sun) -- Think about Glen Ellen, and iconic writer Jack London comes to mind. The adventurer is an anchor in this north valley town, lending his name to a bar, a lodge, a road, and, of course, Jack London State... Continue

Fresh start for Morton’s Warm Springs

Wearing the uniform of sunscreen and sandals, Laurie Hobbs and Sean Wadsworth, the faces of an ownership group that bought Morton’s Warm Springs late last year, are in their first summer season of running the 19-acre facility in the hills above Kenwood. The property was... Continue

Three incumbents announce for SV Health Care District board

Three incumbent members of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board have filed to stand for re-election in the election scheduled for November. Jane Hirsch, current Board Chair (center), Bill Boerum, Secretary, and Sharon Nevins, Treasurer, will seek new four-year terms. The two other Board... Continue

Recapturing the soul and spirit of a community

Sonoma is experiencing a crisis of losing it's very soul. I administrate a local Facebook group with over 4,600 members where we share memories of the Sonoma we all grew up in, a Sonoma that spans multiple generations. There is something else that is shared:... Continue

Letter: ‘My son was bullied’

My son was also bullied at Sonoma Valley High. He suffers from depression and low self esteem and the bullies were quick to move in on him as an easy target. He has not become suicidal but instead offers a cold sarcastic front for the... Continue

Compliments Sun’s Food Action Plan article

I am writing to commend the Sun and Fred Allebach for the recent article “Update: County’s Food Action Plan is failing to address inequality.” Mr. Allenbach highlights the very real challenges that groups like the Food System Alliance have in moving the needle on food... Continue

Sonoma Valley Grange Hall to re-open soon

By Gina Cuclis Hopes are high among Sonoma Valley Grange members that their long task of upgrading and refurbishing the Grange Hall on Highway 12 will soon be finished. President Seth Dolinsky said he believes the hall will re-open for community use and rentals sometime... Continue

What is a Sonoman; City’s latest investment in tourism; and the view from Scranton

You know you’re from Sonoma when… There’s a Facebook page by that name, a place longtime locals share photos, memories and that general back-in-the-day feeling. As for being a true Sonoman, Gary Richmond offered this definition: “When you carry the Bear Flag in the Vintage... Continue

Is Sonoma’s Affordable Housing a house of cards?

Reading the report on the City of Sonoma's affordable housing program, one might easily conclude that everything that can or should be done to provide enough affordable housing has been done, and that plans in place will solve the problem into the future. We, however,... Continue