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Board Walk

‘Profoundly disappointed’ by vacation rental vote

For three years I have listened carefully to the residents in the Valley impacted by vacation rentals, and employers and employees seeking housing. I've sought the advice of responsible individual and professional vacation rental property owners. I’ve spoken with people from all sides of this... Continue

Representing the Springs’ diversity

The Springs. A place. A state of mind. People out on stoops, walking along newly laid sidewalks under streetlights, running along the corridor in the early morning, visitors staying at the Fairmont venturing out to the neighborhood, locals gathering around taco trucks, hot pink and... Continue

To give and to receive; to be thankful and grateful

As 2015 comes to a close, I am mindful of the quote by Henri Frederic Amiel: "Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts." This time of year inspires many of... Continue

New color, new energy at Plaza Center

If you have traveled through Boyes Hot Springs recently, you may have noticed the dramatic changes happening at the Plaza Center building (often referred to as The Church Mouse building). The history of the site is fascinating. The building has been home to a public... Continue

Our hearts are with Lake County

Often, when tragedy strikes, the story begins with “it was a day just like any other day” but the day the Valley Fire raced through Lake County was not like any other day. Saturday, September 12 felt unsettling, reminiscent of earthquake weather. I was moving... Continue

The strength of community engagement

“It's almost impossible for people to change alone. We need to join with others who will push us in our thinking and challenge us to do things we didn't believe ourselves capable of.” Frances Moore Lappe, American author and social change activist, “Diet for a... Continue

Raise your water IQ

Summer in the Sonoma Valley means blond hills, long days and the annual Fourth of July parade. There are few places more appealing than here during these hot months. It is easy to see why droves of people have always descended upon the Valley to... Continue

Vacation rentals: The long and the short of it

In 2011, “Time” declared the sharing economy as one of the “10 Ideas that will change the world,” and titled their article, “Don’t Own. Share.” The sharing economy would engender a sense of community, create “meaningful human connections” and even produce a biological “spike” of... Continue