Under the Sun: Jennifer Gray Thompson, gamechanger

As CEO of the Sonoma-based nonprofit After The Fire USA, Thompson, influenced by the 2017 wildfires, is a leader in the emerging field of megafire disasters across the American West. Her path to leadership took several turns: she was a high school dropout, a homeless... Continue

Rooms for sale or rent, and other oddities

Adding to Sonoma Valley’s stock of Affordable Housing is driving the rush to build out the Sonoma Developmental Center land. Up to 1,000 units are mentioned in the county’s plan, with the majority “designed for the Missing Middle” segment of wage earners. Unfortunately that term... Continue

Joe Lemas for School Board

I’m writing today to express my strong endorsement for Joe Lemas for School Board Trustee Area 2. As a parent of a recent SVHS graduate, and also a current 4th grader, I all too well have been witness to the struggles facing the Board in... Continue

To fight climate change, compost it

Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding picks up a free kitchen compost pail and biodegradable pail liners from Jana Wang at Refill Madness, her store in the Sonoma Valley Shopping Center. By Travis Wagner The City of Sonoma has launched its Compost It Sonoma! program, distributing... Continue

Witchie Poo’s familiar haunt

For a witch, 40 years is a blink of a newt’s eye. For Witchie Poo, the Spectacular Halloween Extravaganza, four decades of costumery, stage antics, magic and oodles of tiny goblins and witchlets is quite the accomplishment. The musical review – this year themed... Continue

SDC should be in public hands

The Sonoma Valley Democrats recently voted to urge the county and state to keep the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) property in public hands through a Community Special District or Trust, such as the Glen Ellen Historical Society has proposed to the state Department of General... Continue

Sonoma Valley Hospital names new Chief Medical Officer

Sonoma Valley Hospital has named Dr. Sujatha Sankaran as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Sankaran is board certified in Internal Medicine with a focused practice in Hospital Medicine and has been at UCSF, SVH’s affiliated partner, since 2011. She replaces Sabrina Kidd, MD,... Continue

Preparing for fire emergency in Sonoma’s mobile home parks

By Jonathan Farrell -- With fire season upon us and summer-like weather persisting into autumn, residents of Sonoma Oaks gathered to meet with Somoma Valley Fire District Capt. Ben Gulson. Longtime residents, Ardath MacDonald and Jude Cameron coordinated the October 21 meeting and introduced Capt.... Continue

SDC plan is ludicrous

Supervisor Gorin: I’m still strongly opposed to the revised [Sonoma Developmental Center] Environmental Impact Report produced by the planning commission. It’s far too many homes, too many jobs, it’s an environmental disaster for wildlife and neighboring families. The scariest part is the serious fire danger... Continue

A summit of swimmers at Sea Dragons reunion

The Sonoma Sea Dragons hosted a fun alumni event as 220 former and current Sea Dragons, and Sonoma Valley High School swimmers and water polo players, gathered at the new SVHS aquatics center. Participants ranged from swimmers who had just joined the team this fall... Continue