City offers drop-in help for business owners

Business owners or those interested in starting a new business will now be able to drop in at City Hall to meet with the Economic Development Program Manager Laurie Decker at regular office hours. Decker’s City Hall office hours will be held on the first and third... Continue

Star struck

Lying on a blanket under the stars is one of life’s most simple pleasures. Unfortunately, many of us seem to save that endeavor for the once-a-year Fourth of July fireworks. Luckily, local company Movie Starz specializes in professional outdoor or indoor cinema productions throughout Sonoma,... Continue

For your eyes only

[caption id="attachment_31850" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Rita Barrera and Kaylyn Hyman have opened Rika Optique on Broadway."][/caption] Just opened optical boutique, Rika Optique, stocks an incredible selection of eyewear including higher end lines like Face-a-Face, Ogi, Seraphin, Rudy Projects and more. From sunglasses – both sport and... Continue

Sonoma Valley Music adds group lessons

Starting in early February, Sonoma Valley Music will offer weekly classes, taught by local talent culled from the ranks of Sonoma’s finest musicians. Shop owners Gerard and Mary Serafini have personally selected the teaching staff and designed the new classes to appeal to a wide... Continue

Café Mac set to go viral at new Broadway location

For the past ten years, local Macintosh guru Jim Witous has watched as Apple slowly but surely opened 350 wildly popular retail stores around the globe. Now, he’s ready to get in on that action. During that time, Witous has built a loyal following by... Continue

Sock it to me

Socks for the young, socks for the older amongst us and socks for everyone in between – and I do mean everyone. The Square’s new Sox Appeal truly does have something for every person on your gift-giving list. Owned and run by Sonoma local Jeannette... Continue

Shop local at Fat Pilgrim

The general store has gotten an upscale facelift with Fat Pilgrim, the newest endeavor from local, Craig Miller, owner of Harvest Home and the Sonoma Hotel. But in this case, the word “upscale” doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. Sure there are some pricey items in Miller’s... Continue

Merrill Gardens adds Assisted Living

[caption id="attachment_27056" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Kirsten Stewart, Raquel Sembrana and Tony Montellano oversaw the conversion of 29 apartments at the Oregon Street facility."][/caption] The response to Merrill Gardens at Sonoma’s new assisted living services has been strong, including attracting clients from out of town relocating to... Continue

A tale of two pedicabs

Our early rains won’t dampen the spirits of the new crop of pedicabs that has popped up on the Plaza of late. Two separate companies are available for the foot sore among us, or simply those who prefer to tour in style. To follow are... Continue

Eraldi's is ‘Business of the Year’

Eraldi’s Shoes & Men’s Wear, third-generation business that has been a cornerstone of the Sonoma Plaza shopping district for nearly 90 years, has been named the 2011 Sonoma Valley Business of the Year. The annual Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce award will be presented to... Continue