The late Sonoma Valley Bank offered exceptional customer service, and happily most of those smiling faces are still on the job at Westamerica Bank. That spirit is demeaned somewhat by finger pointing from the defunct bank’s board of directors. The government is a popular target... Continue
Editorials
There’s a much-covered old song that goes, “The best things in life are free, but you can give them to the birds and bees. I want money. I want money. That’s what I want.” Let’s face it, we could all use some more money. But... Continue
This week brings news from near and far. First and probably most forward in people’s minds is the closure of our only truly local bank, Sonoma Valley Bank. A Valley institution since 1988, Sonoma Valley Bank operated three branches throughout our town and all are... Continue
Imagine my horror on Tuesday morning when I discovered my wallet on the roof of my car. Luckily my commute is short so the wallet was still there when I arrived at work. I thought, “Man, where is my head today?” as I walked to... Continue
We usually try to keep on the high road around here, showing due respect for our media elders. Not today. In this issue you were to read about a very special event, a big-time fundraiser for one of the Valley’s most prominent charities. We were... Continue
The BP oil spill has been identified as the world’s worst man-made environmental disaster. The welcome news this week that some measure of success in using a containment cap to seal the leak had been obtained is now being overshadowed by news reports of storms... Continue
Sonoma came together as a community this week to say goodbye to former mayor and fire chief Al Mazza. After his funeral at St. Francis Solano, dozens of fire trucks and emergency response vehicles processed from the church, around the Plaza and to the School-Vista... Continue
Guest Editorial Leaf blowers were the talk of the town from the east to the west of Sonoma County this week, especially around Sebastopol and Sonoma. At the Tuesday Sebastopol City Council meeting a new noise ordinance passed on a 4-1 vote. It restricts all... Continue
It has come to our attention that a Sonoma citizen is on a crusade to ban leaf blowers within the City limits. Lisa Summers is asking for this issue to be made an agenda item at an upcoming City Council meeting and, in a compelling... Continue
Summer began in earnest on Monday with the annual Summer Solstice and what a glorious day it was. Finally, the warm weather and sunny skies that we’ve come to expect from a Sonoma summer. But that’s not to say that we’ve not been enjoying the... Continue