Addressing needs of Sonoma Valley seniors

Last month, the Sonoma Valley Fund released its groundbreaking report describing Sonoma Valley's nonprofit sector and the charitable dollars that fuel it, called “Hidden in Plain Sight: Sonoma Valley and the Charitable Sector that Serves Us.” One finding in particular really caught my attention: Despite... Continue

Summer in The Springs

The Springs is on the minds of many as we witness the new iteration of this community that has undergone huge changes in the past two years. The punch list for Phase II of Highway 12 is nearly complete. People are talking, debating, innovating, and... Continue

‘Tis better to have it than not…

Money isn’t my issue this time around, not that it’s always been abundant. I’ve saved it, spent it, lost it, found it, stolen it (I was seven), borrowed, gambled, lent, collected, stashed, donated, and shared it. I’ve frittered it away and hoarded it close. I’ve... Continue

When life throws you a curve

At our human scale it's easy believe in straight lines. High School geometry made things worse; Euclid's imaginary geometric forms served to reinforce our illusion that Point A, Point B and Point C can be connected by a straight lines, like when we point a... Continue

Disfavoring moral complexity

One of the dilemmas of modern times is effectively coming to grips with morality. The word itself is derived from Latin, meaning "proper behavior" but has become loaded with other connotations, religious and social. Our humanitarian, modern sensibilities incline us to disfavor moral entanglements in... Continue

Luxury has its price

Touted as “the ultimate luxury festival experience,” a $3,500 per person ticket to the BottleRock Music Festival in Napa gets you gourmet food and wine tasting with acclaimed chefs and sommeliers, shaded and elevated VIP viewing decks, access to onsite massages and facials, exclusive restroom... Continue

As drought ends, groundwater issues emerge

April showers bring May flowers – and they also bring some good news on the water front. In early April, Governor Brown declared the end to California’s four-year drought. The governor’s announcement wasn’t a surprise to many of us: Sonoma County has received more rainfall... Continue

How to get well sooner

I was scared I might have terminal cancer last year. The doctors and holistic practitioners gave me herbs, X-rays, blood tests and a maze of treatments. My body wasn’t well. I was either plugged up or letting go. (You know what I mean.) I’ll spare... Continue

Sonoma’s examples of real, true and beautiful

Retailing has never been an easy business. Changing tastes, new technologies, capricious landlords and finding loyal employees alone are enough to create conditions of failure. Add in the Internet, and today's retailer faces incredible odds. Here in Sonoma, those of us who've been here for... Continue

On being a good (enough) mother

It’s hard to be a mother. I didn't have kids but I have dogs and it’s been a rough month. It started out okay, but then life has its tough spots and so does love. Trying to be a good enough mother is impossible. And being... Continue

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