(By Walt Williams). Shooting starts next week, it’s a micro tale of small town politics but what it really represents is a warning for the world of industrial capitalism keeping the little guy down. A haggard Johnny Depp plays mayor Ken Brown, a man so... Continue
News
Local Sonoma Valley News:
The City of Sonoma has resurrected a loan program to provide matching funds of up to $10,000 to business owners for to make building improvements. The Business Improvement Loan Program was recently approved by the City Council, using one-time funding received from the state-imposed dissolution... Continue
After 27 busy years of gigs as Popo the Clown, from county fairs to backyard parties, Penny Byrd knows what kids like. And, more importantly, what parents want. They want a place for a birthday party or kids’ celebration that’s convenient, inexpensive and, well, not... Continue
The Bell Tower atop Sonoma City Hall is getting a structural upgrade. The historic two-story building was seismically strengthened in 1986, but that job did not include the bell tower or bell support frame above the roof, which will now be rehabbed. The job includes... Continue
The suspect in an regional ID theft operation successful enough to get the attention of the Secret Service and Homeland Security is in federal custody, three days after eluding authorities by ramming a police car in the parking lot a San Pablo apartment building. Jasmine... Continue
Four out of five Sonoma County Supervisors agree: the fifth, Efren Carillo, should resign. His colleagues bluntly called for his ouster during Tuesday’s meeting, his first after being acquitted on a charge he admits involved a 3:30 a.m. act of drunken voyeurism. Supervisor Susan Gorin,... Continue
The real estate developer under indictment for defrauding Sonoma Valley Bank was found dead Tuesday in a solo car wreck on Mt. Tamalapais. Bijan Madjlessi, 58, was reported missing from his Mill Valley home on Sunday. His Mercedes was found Tuesday in deep brush 300... Continue
Local historian, researcher and orator Mick Chandler continues his lecture series “America’s 140-year Love Affair -- How Baseball Became the National Pastime” with Tuesday presentations on May 6, 13 and 20. Tickets to the 7 p.m. lectures, each with different material, are $25. Vintage House,... Continue
Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley, including members Alice Strand, Helen Fernandez, Maddy Leader and Tarja Beck, will sell live Maine lobsters at the Sonoma Chamber of Commerce, 651 Broadway, on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The crustaceans will be flown in... Continue
Bill Lynch, Jennifer Hainstock, Bill Brinton and David Good have joined the board of the Sonoma Hospital Foundation, bringing “a wealth of financial, development, strategic planning, communications, and legal experience,” said Selma Blanusa, foundation executive director. Lynch is the retired former editor and publisher of... Continue