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Robert Cray lays down traditional blues at Jazz + fest

Photo by Ryan Lely/Sonoma Valley Sun LeAnn Rimes wowed the crowd as the opening night headliner. Even a “Smoking Gun” couldn’t fire the crowd up for Robert Cray, at the opening night of Jazz+ last Thursday. Cray and his band of seasoned veterans took the... Continue

Harry Connick, Jr., rocks Jazz+ crowd

Photos by Ryan Lely/Sonoma Valley Sun Harry Connick played true New Orleans-style jazz and blues, bringing the crowd (facing page, right) to their feet for several numbers. Connick’s band included a drummer, a bass player, three trumpets, three trombones and three saxophone players (facing page,... Continue

Rattigan passing is end of an era

The passing of Joseph A. Rattigan of Santa Rosa a couple of weeks ago marked the end of a political and legal era in Sonoma County which opened half a century ago. In the fall of 1957, young attorney Rattigan, a graduate of Stanford Law... Continue

Rimes Time at Sonoma Jazz+

There is phone-tag and then there is phone-tag-as-blood-sport. I was a willing, if not happy, participant in the latter while working with the publicist of Grammy Award-winning chanteuse LeAnn Rimes. After scheduling, rescheduling and otherwise chasing a slim slot for a telephone interview with the... Continue

May blues: the tests from beyond the grave

The entire month of May is purgatory. For some people, the lovely weather and beautiful scenery make the month the showcase of the season. For me, and for many other students like me, the month is quite possibly the worst, for May is the month... Continue

Sonoma’s Nigel Armstrong

submitted photo Sonoma’s Nigel Armstrong.Nigel Armstrong, Sonoma’s own young violin virtuoso, will be the featured artist at a fund-raising benefit dinner, “Musical Chairs,” for the Sonoma Classical Music Society on Monday, June 11, at 5 p.m. Nigel, who is 17 years old and studies at... Continue

Springs athlete, mother of three, wins Sierra ultra marathon

“Badwater” Ben Jones/Special to the Sun Springs resident Suzanna Bon is celebrating her recent victory by training for a 100-mile race in June.A week after her triumphant performance at the Bishop High Sierra race, Suzanna Bon was only too happy to explain what she was... Continue

VOM Vintage Festival announces 2007 poster contest winner

The winning entry, “Vintage Produce Label,” by artist Diane Forney.The theme for the 110th annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is “Celebrating Sonoma’s Heritage,” as exemplified by the festival’s annual poster contest winner Diane Forney’s entry entitled “Vintage Produce Label.” This is the second... Continue

It’s painting cats and dogs!

Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun A masterpiece in the making, above, while Arthur and Pets Lifeline Executive Director Susan Simons admire Arthur’s creation that will be auctioned during the Red & White Ball. Caruso, at left, cleans his paws after painting.Staff report On a beautiful afternoon... Continue

Defining and redefining marriage

Over half of all marriages in this country end in divorce. When people marry before age 25, the divorce rate is 75 percent. We debate whether to allow gay couples to marry, magazines are filled with articles about how to have the perfect wedding, and... Continue