‘Sustainability’ must be more than a word

Since the Industrial Revolution humans have set in place trends resulting in excessive global warming, alarming species extinction, air and water pollution, and over-consumption of natural resources, the consequences of which threaten not only the integrity of our environment but our very survival. Sustainability --... Continue

Reflections on the Commons

For a species whose prime adaptation is cooperation, the Commons -- lands and resources owned and shared by all -- have always represented the ground on which society as a whole can rely. From our trajectory as hunter-gatherers to pastoralists, agriculturalists and finally to our... Continue

Help decide what’s next for Maxwell Farms Park

For reasons which often defy explanation, certain parcels of land repeatedly become focal points for community action, controversy and negotiation. Subject to land use decisions pertaining to development, preservation, access and ecology, such parcels demand attention, often over an extended period of time. One such... Continue

Reflections on the Commons

Whither SDC?

In a public meeting about the future of the Sonoma Developmental Center, it seemed clear to the hundreds present, including elected state and county officials, that SDC’s closure would be a tragic political failure. Bills have been introduced in the legislature that would close it... Continue

Film in the age of Global Harming

The creativity in this year’s Film Festival is a welcome respite from Hollywood’s adolescent fantasmagorical Doomsday epics, whose stars are computer-generated creatures and other special effects, with only cameo appearances by real persons, particularly real persons with cleavage. Packed with apocalyptic destruction, such films are... Continue

Editorial: A wage we can live with   

The Sonoma County Living Wage Coalition, a group of labor, environmental, political and religious organizations, has asked the County Board of Supervisors to pass a county Living Wage ordinance. Among other things, it would require certain for-profit businesses doing work for the county to pay... Continue

Mobilizing the feminine principle

Our local leadership has clearly tilted towards the feminine, with capable and talented women now at the helm of local political offices in both the County and City of Sonoma. Moreover, a look at our local non-profits reveals a cast of women in leadership, helping... Continue

Goals and good intentions

At the end of 2013, Sonoma City Council took another stab at setting goals for itself. The 2014/2015 goals can be found on the City’s website, and we encourage you to take a look. Whether we agree with the goals or not, Council’s purpose in... Continue

Creating affordable workforce housing

The demise of Sonoma's Redevelopment Agency has effectively ended its creation of significant workforce housing, housing that's affordable to the people who work here in the many service jobs in the hospitality and restaurant businesses -- housekeepers, wait-staff, kitchen workers, janitors and maintenance. Redevelopment agencies... Continue

Editorials