Live from Eighth Street East, it’s Tailwags & Handbags

[caption id="attachment_110501" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Cyndi Frank works the room at the last in-person event, in 2019. Photo by Melania Mahoney.[/caption] The event staffers behind the annual nonprofit galas and fancy fundraisers have become, over a year of Covid restrictions, adept TV producers and directors. Pets Lifeline’s... Continue

Earth Week honors for Valley Bar & Bottle

The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and City of Sonoma announce Valley Bar & Bottle as this year’s Earth Day 2021 Honoree. Lauren Feldman and Stephanie Reagor received a Certificate of Recognition for their stewardship of the environment through sustainable business practices. Their green-wise approach... Continue

Designing a peace garden

Karen Boness | The Sonoma Garden (from The Sun archives) Most of us would agree that there is a lot more upset, misunderstanding, violence, and war in the world than we would like. It seems like every time we tune into the news tragedy and... Continue

Sonoma Rotary Clubs still have $10k in grant money to support small business

The Sonoma Valley Rotary Foundation still has about $10,000 left of the $200,000 in grant money available for small businesses serving the valley that sustained financial and operational impact from the Covid pandemic. “We’ve awarded grants typically between $500 and $1,000 to nearly 200 local... Continue

The great gas tax ripoff continues

“State needs billions to fix highways despite gas tax,” was just one headline in reaction to a report issued by Caltrans last week. The response from California taxpayers was, “you’ve got to be kidding.” California has the highest gas tax in the nation and yet,... Continue

Navigating through the fog: National Victim’s Rights Awareness Week

A few years ago, my brother came to visit me from New Orleans. We took a day trip to San Francisco. We spent our day seeing the sights, shopping with the local merchants, and sampling all of the delicious food. The day was picture-perfect. But... Continue

Earth Day celebration at Sonoma’s Nathanson Creek Park

A young volunteer crew hard at work along Nathanson Creek, at a previous Sonoma Ecology event. Photo: SEC. Sonoma Ecology Center’s “Earthling” Teen Volunteer Group hosts a COVID-safe Earth Day celebration and creek cleanup at Nathanson Creek Preserve on Saturday, April 24, 9 am -noon.... Continue

An Earth Day appeal to address the climate crisis

Earth Day, April 22, should be a call to action for all of us. Never has this planet faced a deadlier threat to our natural and social environments. Commentary by Jane Bender If we deny the climate crisis or put the responsibility off on others,... Continue

Many voices for Single Payer

Advocates of single-payer health care gathered on Sonoma Plaza on Saturday to rally for a law guaranteeing health care in California. The “SpeakOut,” backed by the California Nurses Association, is part of a statewide effort. The local group staged a ‘drive-up’ rally in March. “The... Continue

Reflections on ending police violence

Daunte Wright of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota was a 20-year-old black man and Adam Toledo of Chicago, Illinois was a 13-year-old Latino boy. Daunte, a young man who called his mother moments before he died, and Adam, still a child, were both killed just days apart... Continue