Childbirth prep classes at SV Hospital

Sonoma Valley Hospital will present Childbirth Preparation classes, covering labor and birth, relaxation techniques and pain-relief options, beginning September 11. Classes will be held on four consecutive Mondays though October 2, 6 to 8 p.m. The class will be led by an experienced perinatal nurse... Continue

A decade of good deals

[caption id="attachment_82746" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Anna Bimenyimana, of the Bon Marche thrift store, cherishes her “small town relationships.”[/caption] Val Robichaud | Sonoma Sun -- Ten years ago, Anna Bimenyimana founded the Bon Marche thrift store (‘good deal’ in French) with the idea of helping women in... Continue

Thompson: it’s time to rename military bases named for Confederate figures

[caption id="attachment_13140" align="alignright" width="200"] Congressman Mike Thompson[/caption] Rep. Mike Thompson, whose Fifth District includes the Sonoma Valley, today joined 21 other members of Congress in calling for the renaming of military installations across the country that are named for Confederate figures. The letter to Secretary... Continue

22-year prison sentence for Sonoma attacker

The man convicted of beating and sexually assaulting a Sonoma woman in 2016 has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. Alexander William Parlato, 30 of Novato, had pled “no contest” to charges related to the attack on June 8, 2016. The victim, a 55-year-old... Continue

Road to recovery

Larry Castelli has lived in Sonoma 40 years – plenty of time to recruit ‘Team Castelli’ for the upcoming Tour de Fox bike ride to support Parkinson Research. Riding with him on August 26 will be his three children, his son-in-law, three of his six... Continue

Then & Now: The Riverside Hotel

Built in the 1890s, The Riverside Hotel, perched on the creek in ‘downtown’ Glen Ellen, was a thriving resort until it burned down in the 1920s. The site is now home to the local post office. Continue

Sonoma Valley death notices

Alvin Lawrence Beebe, 91, of Sonoma, passed away July 18, 2017. Anthony Mark Berardinelli, 66, of Sonoma, passed away July 14, 2017. Eliza Modesta Boles, 95, of Sonoma, passed away July 21, 2017. John T. Bouldt, 71, of Sonoma, passed away July 10, 2017. Arlene... Continue

Six reasons why I love my southern magnolia tree

I first met my first southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) in a tree identification class through Oakland’s Merritt College a couple decades ago. From then on, I mostly witnessed them stationed in small street-side squares of dirt struggling to survive. Chlorotic, mis-pruned and heavy-headed, I wasn’t... Continue

‘Wheels to Prosper’ awarded

Sofia Nicosia, recipient of the annual Wheels to Prosper car giveaway, takes the keys to her gleaming reconditioned car from Dino DiGuilio. The owner of Body Best, DiGuilio started the giveaway program as a way to “put good people in good cars so they can... Continue

Tonight: Boogie on the Plaza

Sonoma’s City Party, the 21st annual free musical picnic on Sonoma Plaza, is set for Friday, August 18. The bash is from 5:30 to 10 p.m. “Bring along your picnic blankets, folding camp tables and chairs, picnic supplies, warm clothing, a flashlight, and dancing shoes,... Continue

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