Anna Pier sat down with Vanessa Rognlien (pron."rung-lin,") in the Board Room of the Sonoma Community Center (SCC) to learn about its Executive Director, and discover some of the reasons the Center is flourishing How did you connect with the Community Center? I began as... Continue
Under The Sun: Interviews
Anticipating the celebration of Mother’s Day, Anna Pier sat down to speak with 34-year-old Carmen Farías, who gracefully combines her roles as wife, mother, integral supporter of Quetzalén folkloric dance group, and educator committed to the migrant community. You were dancing at the Cinco de... Continue
Meeting with Anna Pier just after the Friday Soup’s On, 44-year-old David Seyms was full of enthusiasm for the weekly event, and for the many programs under his direction as part of his work as Executive Director of Vintage House. Talk about the Friday Soup’s... Continue
Talk about your Lebanese heritage. I'm third-generation Lebanese. My Lebanese family was from LA and Brooklyn. The families knew each other in Beirut. My maternal grandparents' marriage was essentially "arranged" – not formally, but their parents introduced them, and there was some heavy pushing. My... Continue
The Japanese film “Perfect Days” features renowned actor Kôji Yakusho leading a Zen-like life in the heart of Tokyo, where he works as a public toilet cleaner. Yakusho won Best Actor for the role at the Cannes Film Festival. His character, Hirayama, is shown playing... Continue
Gary Edwards was recently selected by the City Council and past Alcaldes to be the honorary mayor of Sonoma, the 2026 "Alcalde" (Spanish for mayor). Anna Pier talked with the 66-year-old tireless volunteer about how he got to Sonoma, why he cares so deeply about... Continue
The Sonoma Valley Unified Board of Trustees has made two monumental decisions since Trustee David Bell took the gavel in December, the approval of the MacArthur Park Charter School petition, and selection of a new Superintendent for the District. Anna Pier met with the new... Continue
Sonoma Valley Hospital welcomed Dr. Patrick Okolo to the hospital staff in early October as Chief Medical Officer. A nationally recognized physician leader and academic gastroenterologist, he brings extensive experience in clinical excellence, quality improvement, and organizational leadership. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Dr.... Continue
35-year-old Ale (pron."Á-lay") Santoyo has worked at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn most of her adult life. She talks with Anna Pier about her journey of self-discovery through her work, the joy of working at a unionized hotel, and her Mexican heritage. You've worked for... Continue
Under the Sun: Seth Donnelly, Educator and Activist Co-Founder of Taxpayers Against Genocide in Gaza
The story of Sonoma's Seth Donnelly is the story of the making of an activist. Anna Pier sat down with the high school teacher who has spent the last year at the helm of Taxpayers against Genocide in Gaza (TAG). Your background? I grew up... Continue