“Hear, O Israel.” So came the calls over thousands of years to a unique people. The prophets, according to their history, proclaimed God’s commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might, and you shall... Continue

A lot of folks believe that California is a great place to live, ourselves included. Not that we wouldn’t change a few things, if we were writing the laws. And it seems a lot of folks believe that “there oughta be a law.” That slogan... Continue

Up the ante! They said that they would do it, and indeed they did! Raise a million dollars, that is. The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance set a high standard this year, and with hard work by Charlie Tsegeletos, president of the Alliance, by... Continue

The “hospital question” has been out of the news for a while, much to the relief, we expect, of the elected hospital directors. Partly it’s because the Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition did not recommend a single site – in fact, there was no site... Continue

Shame on you, Jack O’Connell. The California State Superintendent Schools reported last week that Latino and other minority students do not, as a group, attain the same academic achievement levels as white students. We know this – everyone knows this. But O’Connell made news when... Continue

Yep, that’s true. We know that, intellectually. So why does it bother us so much, each time it’s proven true? Some might say that’s the occasion of reaching adulthood, when a young person realizes that “life ain’t fair.” But even as adults, it seems we’re... Continue

When is a farm not a farm? So Congress is at work for us – as the saying goes, “They’re here to help.” We’re speaking of the Farm Bill, which might send a small piece of taxpayer money to a few folks in Sonoma Valley... Continue

Shipstad and Johnston? Frick and Frack? Those names from the way-back came to mind this week as news spread of the “ICEcapades” rally at Julliard Park in Santa Rosa last Saturday. Organizers were protesting the collaboration of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office with the federal... Continue

The dog days of summer In this great democracy of ours, we are all presumably equal. Every citizen is supposed to stop at red lights, pay taxes and show up when called for jury duty. By the same token, we are all supposed to be... Continue