Under The Sun: Marilyn Goode, friend of the earth

I understand your family has been in the Valley a long time. Yes, I am an old timer! You know Burlingame Hall at the Church? I was a friend of Carrie Burlingame, for example, who also created the Women's Club. My parents bought the land... Continue

Under the SUN: Mark Madden

Mark Madden - Drywall Ball-Dude You're in the drywall business, right? Yes. I've been installing and finishing drywall in this area for 40 years, and started my own company Mark Madden Drywall, Incorporated 25 years ago. It's been my whole life, and it's been good.... Continue

Under The Sun: Mike Zakowski, baker

Many know Mike Zakowski, a.k.a. Mike the Baker, from the Friday morning and Tuesday night Farmers Markets. The Sun’s Sarah Ford recently caught up with him to find out about his methods and what makes his loaves so delicious. How did you get into baking... Continue

Under the Sun: Steve Akre, fire chief

Firefighter was maybe the favorite costume this Halloween. You’re a local hero. I’m uncomfortable with that label. The heroes are the crew. Typically on a big fire they would be working 24 hours on, 24 off. We had crews on the line from Sunday evening... Continue

Under The Sun: Three humble heroes

Haley Cutter, Firefighter When did you arrive at the fire? In the early hours of October 14. My strike team from Squaw Valley had been fighting fires in Grass Valley when we got the word to come protect a structure in Sonoma. We arrived in the... Continue

Under the Sun: Andrew Ryan, new school principal

Andrew Ryan, until this summer a vice principal at Sonoma Valley High School, is the new principal at Sassarini Elementary School in Sonoma. The Sun’s Sarah Ford chatted with him recently to ask him about his new role. What are you looking forward to in... Continue

Under the Sun: Matt Metzler, city commissioner

I understand you were a teacher, Matt? Yes. Though I've lived in Sonoma County for 40 years, and the City of Sonoma for twenty-seven years, I taught mostly in the Vallejo school system all that time, in the elementary grades. I retired one year ago,... Continue

Under the Sun: John Curotto, Sonoma’s garbage collector

Tell me your story, John. My family lived in San Francisco, where my father worked for Sunset Scavenger. In 1949, my parents bought a piece of property on Grove Street here in the valley - a shack really, perhaps 20 x 20 feet. We'd come... Continue

Under the Sun: Esmeralda Sánchez Moseley, Flowery School principal

Does the Springs remind you of where you grew up? Absolutely. Woodland was small then. I’ve returned to a small town environment. It gives me a sense of connectedness, I don’t feel isolated. You’re always running into the people you live and work with. We’ve... Continue

Under the Sun: Cynthia Tarr — singer, teacher, music director

What brought you to Sonoma, Cynthia? I lived in Los Angeles in the early 80s. I wanted to be an actor or singer! I worked in clubs for quite a while, but it's actually hard to make a living that way. Things got tougher during... Continue

Under The Sun: Interviews