On March 16, I am launching an initiative called “Sonoma Valley Connect,” an initiative designed to provide information and services to the people of Sonoma Valley in a variety of areas. This bi-monthly informational series of meetings in the Valley will bring government, nonprofit and... Continue
Columnist
According to Buddhists, intention is important, but it is also the actions of thought and deed, which govern the nature of the future; in Buddhist terminology, such action is called Karma. The accumulations of Karma, both personal and collective, turn the so-called "Wheel of Samsara,"... Continue
The Vintage House hosted two great public education programs this last month which both shed light on the state of American democracy. Praxis Peace Institute sponsored a lecture entitled “Economy and Psychology: Real Depressions, Real Solutions” by noted economist Richard Wolff and his wife, psychotherapist... Continue
Illness is one of life's inevitable events; it happens to all of us eventually, unless sudden accidental death erases the possibility. Like most other complex living things, the human body is naturally resilient and capable of self-repair, but only up to a point. Nature, in... Continue
Totally fabricated rumors (the most salacious kind) are circulating that Congress has taken note of the popularity of Hollywood’s annual award shows and, in an attempt to boost its own dismal poll ratings, is planning to launch its own show to kick off the 2016... Continue
By Loretta Carpio Carr I recently engaged in an online discussion about Sonoma’s status as an elitist community. One woman said that in contrast to her former hometown Santa Barbara, which was populated by celebrities, Sonoma was a normal, family-friendly town. I guess it depends... Continue
Maybe it's just a symptom of the times, but I'm seeing an unfortunate trend to make everything, even City Government, all about money. Admittedly, there are those who have long advocated that the road to Utopia is best paved by running government like a business.... Continue
Why is communication so hard? We all have emotional hairballs sometimes. But, if we could just talk to each other, we wouldn’t get so angry all the time. Humans struggle with difficult conversations. Shunning, bolting, prejudice, ribbing, gabbing, gossiping, guff and fly balls abound instead... Continue
There's so much in a name. I've written before about the ways names evolved alongside manners or occupations, resulting in families of Tanners, Archers, Barbers, Fowlers and the like. In what may be one of the most amusing current surnames on everyone's lips is, sorry... Continue
Dear Bonnie, I have made a New Year’s resolution to really buckle down on taking care of my finances. I hate the whole idea, especially when it comes to taxes. Taxes are boring but I need to do something to make sure I get all... Continue