The world seems to be spinning out of control, lately, like what's going on in Europe, for example. Such happenings may seem distant and even remote from life here in the U.S., but the fear-based movement which propelled the Brexit vote in Britain has its... Continue
Editorials
Few of us who crawl comfortably into bed each night for a restful sleep think about those who have no secure home to call their own, and for whom their car remains their only place of refuge. The uncertainties of life are many, and being... Continue
As a policy our SUN editorials focus on local or even hyper-local issues, but we can't let the terrible events in Orlando, Florida, pass without comment. We are saddened by the death and suffering inflicted on innocent people and their families, and are particularly horrified... Continue
For a supremely social creature such as ourselves, reducing interpersonal friction and arriving at a state of agreeable pleasantry is a worthy goal. In some sense we all know this is true, especially at Thanksgiving dinner, but at other times as well. Temptations to not... Continue
After a season of normal rainfall, both state and local water regulators are poised to cancel the range of use regulations put in place during the past two years. Pointing to reservoirs now almost fully-filled, water agencies here in Northern California - having just raised... Continue
With high school graduation looming, many parents are preparing to send their offspring off to college. Last year, 37 percent of Sonoma Valley High School grads went on to a 4-year college or university and 51 percent to a two-year college. With hard work and... Continue
This past Monday evening, the Sonoma City Council and Sonoma Planning Commission held a joint study session to discuss affordable housing. We applaud the effort the city is now making to come to grips with a difficult problem, but it's been a terribly long time coming.... Continue
This June, voters in the nine Bay area counties will be asked to approve a $12-per-parcel annual tax to support efforts to protect and restore San Francisco Bay. Measure AA, The San Francisco Bay Clean Water, Pollution Prevention and Habitat Restoration Measure, was developed by... Continue
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tip O'Neill, famously said "All politics is local." And when people we elect show up regularly in the aisles of Sonoma Market, it's an indication of just how local. In fact, local politics may well be the best... Continue
“Tourism” appears to just happen. Sonoma has a nice milieu and tourists enjoy it. Yet intentionality can be brought to bear by city and county governments to manage the flavor of our regional tourism. Some kinds of tourism are more benign and sustainable than others.... Continue