César Chávez observed, “Once social change has begun, there is no turning back. You can’t take the education away from someone who has learned to read. You can’t continue to humiliate a person who has acquired pride.” Perhaps the greatest challenge for the Latino community... Continue
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Anybody else struck by the symbolic convergence of bats and leaf blowers this October? Men swinging big sticks is nothing new, of course, but I find myself both embarrassed and amused by such displays of male aggression. Throw guns into the symbolic mix and the... Continue
Oh shoot, I’m so frustrated. Guns and violence everywhere. It’s too much... another emotional hairball. So, I try to relax watching TV. When my anxiety goes up, so does the clicker. But then I’m flabbergasted at the number of shows that feature violence, torture, even... Continue
I'm a confessed plant lover, what my late friend Keith Cahoon called a "Hortisexual." This passion does not include sex, but has led to what I've called the infidelity of "Multiple Simultaneous Relationships with Plants." Though I've never cheated on my wife, I've been unfaithful... Continue
In 2014, Latinos became the largest population group in California. With this column, The Sun continues to provide readers a variety of perspectives from members of this ‘new majority.’ Dear Readers of this immigrant’s column, I want to polish up this very label, which seems... Continue
I attended a public viewing of the Pope’s address to Congress at the shared worship space of the First Congregational Church (FCC) of Sonoma and the Shir Shalom synagogue. There were over 50 people gathered at the church, mostly drawn from FCC Earth Care Committee... Continue
Many leaders in the nonprofit sector have noticed that the landscape has changed significantly regarding the results donors and other external constituents expect from them. The days are long gone that the public naively assumes that nonprofits are doing an effective job with real community... Continue
I’m no scientist, but despite predictions of the greatest drought-busting El Nino in memory, it seems we’ve haven’t seen spit here in the Valley. Fortunately, courageous winegrowers – the backbone of our economy -- aren’t intimidated by science, and some plan even more vineyards, wineries... Continue
I may have lost my second home in the forest of Middletown to the Valley Fire -- as of this writing, I don’t know. The roads are closed and we cannot get back there to check. I know that many of my friends from that... Continue
"Name?" The barista behind the counter asked without looking up from his touch-screen. "Blythedale, with a 'y'. Lucius Blythedale," I answered. "Lucius Montgomery Blythedale, to be precise." The barista didn't miss a beat. "One Chicken Artichoke sandwich, smoky barbecue chips, one chocolate cake pop and... Continue