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Local Sonoma Valley News:

Statistics on women-owned business

In 2006 (the latest year for which data are available) an SBA review reported that women-owned firms accounted for 6.5 percent of total employment in U.S. firms. Between 1997 and 2002, the numbers of women-owned firms overall increased by 19.8 percent. Small firms with fewer... Continue

Smaller is better for vineyard management business

Becky and Clarence Jenkins are co-owners of Madrone Vineyard Management. Jenkins is a strong advocate for improving worker conditions by making sure they have fair wages, meals and health care. Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley SunOne of ten children, Becky Jenkins was born and raised in West... Continue

The Evolution of an entrepreneur

Linda Richards, owner of the Jack London Lodge, speaks with Jack London Saloon bartender Matt McDermott about local wines. Ryan lely/EL SOL DE SONOMA“I never in a million years imagined that I’d be in business for myself or own a hotel,” said Linda Richards, “I... Continue

Council approves Plaza "holiday displays"

The Sonoma City Council took a major step at its meeting Wednesday night to allow a Christmas creche to be displayed in the Sonoma Plaza during the holidays, a move that represents a dramatic reversal of a policy decision that had divided this community 17... Continue

Scientology mission seeks site on Broadway

The Sonoma City Planning Commission at its meeting last Thursday considered a permit application by Donna Barton to conduct religious ceremonies in a commercial building located at 725 Broadway. Barton has started a Sonoma Mission for the Church of Scientology and expects up to 15... Continue

Dragons whip Vikings for first time since 1999

The Sonoma Dragons were on fire Friday night, as they smoked visiting Montgomery at Arnold Field in an action-packed home game. With two big plays in the first half that gave Sonoma Valley High School a 10-0 lead at halftime, the Dragons employed a very... Continue

Data & Errata

The 15th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction two weeks ago was nearly as deadly as last year’s wine-soaked charity extravaganza. The auction’s theme, the Wild Bunch, owed a direct debt to western auteur Sam Peckinpah’s film of the same name, though reverse transubstantiation finds... Continue

Planning Commission eases pain of doctor shortage

Alleviating some of the difficulties regarding recruitment of primary care physicians to Sonoma Valley, the Sonoma City Planning Commission approved the use permit application of the Prima Medical Group at its meeting Thursday. Based in Marin County, Prima is a physician-owned and -operated group whose... Continue

Woolsey rallies Democrats to end war

In a conference call with anti-war activists, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, criticized the lack of movement on the part of the Democratic leadership in pushing hard enough for an end to the war in Iraq and went so far as to suggest maybe those members... Continue