Photos Melania Mahoney [nggallery id=86] After a hospital stay, Michael, a disabled veteran, found temporary shelter here. It was clean and safe, a sanctuary when he most needed one. Eric, an experienced but homeless carpenter, was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and working through problems with... Continue

[nggallery id=82] When Dave Chavoya was hired in 1973 to work for the City of Sonoma’s parks, his designation was “maintenance man 1.” “One was the lowest (rating),” he recalled earlier this week, adding, with typical modesty, “In fact, I think I was 1-a.” Back... Continue

[nggallery id=80] By loose definition, mom-trepeneurs are budding businesswomen who have embarked on their own careers outside the corporate mainstream. They are contributing to their family’s bottom line while still making time for their families and children, PTO meetings and field trips, after school homework... Continue

[nggallery id=77] Opening week will be hard to top for Top That, a new yogurt shop with a self-service twist at 531 Broadway. The new venture for Lori and Eric Solis got off to a great start on Thursday – “We opened the minute the... Continue

The Sonoma Community Center presents another family-fun-filled Fourth of July celebration and parade, this year saluting “Community Traditions.” The 10 a.m. parade will honor the families of the Valley who first settled the agricultural land, and whose way of life continues to honor Valley tradition.... Continue

[gallery=74] What’s making you smile this summer? From precious to awesome to just plain silly, here are a few of the special moments we invited readers to share. Slices of summer life that will make this season last forever. It’s your turn. Capture one of... Continue

[gallery=72] On Sunday, June 28, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church will premiere a new work of music by composer Allan Robert Petker that was commissioned and inspired by the artwork of renowned Chinese Christian artist He Qi (pronounced Hoo Chee). The 30-minute work calls for choir,... Continue

[caption id="attachment_8248" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Melania Mahoney Setting their stopwatches and ready to go the runners are lead off by CA Highway Patrolman, Kirk Paulson."][/caption] With perfect weather for the event over 1,500 runners took part in the 22nd annual Hit The Road Jack Sunday. The... Continue

[caption id="attachment_8147" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Business Energy showers"][/caption] On Monday June 1, a mandatory 25 percent water reduction program went into effect in Sonoma. This means that every home and business must comply with the rules: irrigating lawns and outdoor plants only on certain days; not... Continue