Gingko-gate: When it did stink, and when did you smell it?

Fresh off a high of approving a much-needed affordable housing development, the Sonoma City Council pivoted to a more intractable problem: Plaza stench. Specifically, after some 40-50 years, City staff noted that Plaza ginkgo trees produce fruit that litters the area below the trees and... Continue

The devolution of consciousness

A modern, widely-held assumption is that human consciousness has evolved for the better. When we examine the past and find patterns of belief and behavior we call "primitive", we feel self-satisfied and consider ourselves and our present culture as having progressed in comparison. It was... Continue

Total wellness? Don’t forget to get your finances in shape

By Bonnie Lee -- When we think of wellness, we usually think in terms of physical health, mental health, and spiritual well-being. Things material: especially money, are eschewed – thought to be crass and worldly. But don’t be so quick to turn your nose up... Continue

I have a dream, too

Borrowing from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspirational declaration, I have a dream for an effective, supportive, secure, and happy school environment for our community’s children. Despite setbacks of the past, I think it’s possible if we take an honest look at the student population... Continue

The sound of silence

City Council is often criticized for lack of accomplishment, recently exemplified by its struggle with a moratorium on tasting rooms. As far as can be determined, murky Fair Election Practices laws forced Council to delay work on a tasting room moratorium until the legal parameters... Continue

Women and power

What women want is respect. We've wanted it for a long time. And I’ll speak for myself, too -- smart men are supporting our empowerment. They know having an authentic woman at their side is an asset. Still, females are frustrated. Our fury comes from... Continue

Mother Earth’s Hot Flash

"Whew! Is it just me, or is it hot in here?" asked Mother Earth, mostly to herself. She'd been hot before, of course, but this seemed terribly sudden. Mother Earth is no spring chicken, she's middle-aged and she's seen and done an awful lot in four... Continue

Listen to the parents

With all the holiday celebrations behind us, we know that Santa Claus did not bring the Sonoma Valley School District three million dollars to avoid making cuts to ongoing programs. And the Three Kings didn’t either. So this is how we must start this new... Continue

Nonprofits may be the biggest losers under the new tax law

For the past 100 years, U.S. nonprofits have benefitted from the fact that Americans who filed an itemized tax return have been able to take a tax deduction for donations to their favorite charities. However, life changed dramatically for nonprofits on January 1 when the... Continue

An indoor girl

Look, I’ve hiked the Cinque Terra, ridden a donkey up the cliffs of Crete, and waterskied down the Colorado River. I trekked through the Mayan jungle and climbed Tikal. I hiked the pine forest above Rio Caliente, scaled Nevada Falls, and climbed rickety ladders to... Continue

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