At a recent Sonoma City Council meeting, City officials and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce joined together in that most sacred of holiday rituals: Proclaiming the annual Shop Sonoma Campaign. [Not to be confused with the War on Christmas.] This being Sonoma, the Official Proclamation... Continue
Snark Infested Waters
Sustainability is all the rage these days. It’s a major marketing job-creator in all sorts of industries striving to convince customers, regulators and the public that what they do makes lots of green money and, in the process, may even increase the wildlife available for... Continue
Of all our holidays, Halloween is arguably the most fun, least controversial and most widely celebrated by Americans, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, Democrat or Republican, natural or brazilian. Some argue Thanksgiving is more universally treasured, but that’s far from certain. For... Continue
There may be a no more decorative deliberating body than Sonoma’s City Council. Its timeless, agrarian pace and capacity for indecision-making make Congress and the UN appear reckless. In recent years, governments have fallen (in Egypt, twice), the Arab Spring came and went, the Greek debt... Continue
I’m no scientist, but despite predictions of the greatest drought-busting El Nino in memory, it seems we’ve haven’t seen spit here in the Valley. Fortunately, courageous winegrowers – the backbone of our economy -- aren’t intimidated by science, and some plan even more vineyards, wineries... Continue
Residents annoyed by battleship-sized tour buses, stretch limos and converted produce vans hauling gaggles of tourists through the Valley should consider that those traffic-clogging monstrosities perform an important public service. Namely, keeping inebriated, cluelessly-lost tourists from getting behind the wheel and becoming menaces to themselves... Continue
Campaign logos that ignite supporters and help win elections are usually carefully crafted after weeks of ferreting out the hopes and fears of voters through scientific polling conducted by highly-paid campaign operatives whose job it is to polir l'étron (pardon the French, but this is... Continue
If the news of the American who killed, decapitated and skinned Cecil the lion turned your stomach, you know it’s time to ban hunting. Sadly, in his desire to reduce gun violence after each massacre du jour, our President occasionally considers it necessary to say... Continue
As a public service, let’s examine popular fantasies about the utility of guns for self-defense, in case you’ve had just about all the common sense you can stand for one day. Fact: Every martial artist learns that the ultimate weapon is Surprise, with which the... Continue
As a compassionate community, we should make an effort to reassure those among us who believe the recent Supreme Court decision recognizing same-sex marriage will cast the nation into hellfire and damnation, and “destroy marriage as we know it." “What’s next?” they demand tearfully, “Marrying... Continue