Tobacco retail licenses, vacation rentals updates

Today’s column closes the loop on two issues I've been following the past year. Plus, my observations on how the more things change the more they stay the same. Preventing youth access to tobacco products After a year of consideration, the Board of Supervisors adopted a... Continue

Rethinking leadership

Five Sonoma Valley educators recently spent four days at an invitation-only, all-expenses-paid conference near Santa Cruz. Sponsored by the Stuart Foundation and The Society for Organizational Learning, this event provided us the opportunity to think about leadership in new ways. I was joined by Sonoma... Continue

Heading down the Hydrogen Highway

[caption id="attachment_65881" align="alignleft" width="420"] The fuel cell of the Toyota Marai provides all the vehicle's energy and emits zero pollution, just a little water.[/caption] The year was 2005, and it was former Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger, who, with his hydrogen-fueled Hummer, put his name and reputation... Continue

Water chief: District balances costs of system improvements, reasonable rates

By Grant Davis A recent editorial focused on administrative fines assessed to the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (District) by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) for sewer collection system overflows. Because the District was not contacted for its viewpoint,... Continue

Meet me at the Market

From fresh, organic produce to healthy dinners to guilty pleasures – corn dog, anyone? – the menu of the upcoming Tuesday Night Farmers Market read like the ultimate shopping list. The season opens Tuesday, May 3, with 60-plus vendors of certified produce, prepared foods, arts... Continue

Impact100 Sonoma announces finalists for $100k grant

The nonprofit group Impact100 Sonoma will award $276,000 in grants to a variety of Sonoma Valley nonprofit organizations at its Grant Awards Ceremony on May 21. This year, the $100,000 Impact Grant will be awarded to one of the following four nonprofit organizations serving Sonoma... Continue

Wednesday: Eat out to end world hunger

[caption id="attachment_65818" align="aligncenter" width="420"] La Casa Restaurant is one of many Sonoma restaurants donating 20% of their sales to end world hunger on Wednesday (Photo: Cathy Webber)[/caption] World Hunger Awareness Day is Wednesday, April 27, and select Sonoma restaurants will be participating in efforts to... Continue

On “X” vacation rental zone

I empathize with the writer and their frustration at the rude behavior of the vacation renters. Though all the same problems described can and do happen as often with long term renters and even owners. I have serious doubts that the proposed restrictions of trade... Continue

Market fee should apply equally

Why are some events paying more than others? Who decides the cost? If I was to rent the Moose Lodge for a birthday party vs. a fundraiser for a friend, the cost is the same. The same maintenance & cleanup is required regardless of what... Continue

Thoughts about market fee

I thought farmers market had everything to do with farm to table,picking fresh produce vegetables and fruit,flowers harvesting honey and eggs. whatever it is so I don't think they should even be charging to provide the community with "local" produce/products/fun/music/food/art and so much more. -... Continue