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Quantifying the intangible benefits of mentoring

All children need caring adults in their lives. Although positive, sustained relationships with parents represent a critical resource for children, other adults can provide support that is similar. In Sonoma Valley, many times those extra adults come in the form of mentors. Sonoma Valley has... Continue

Valley film festival goes global

When the lights go down at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 in the Sebastiani Theatre, ticket holders for the Sonoma International Film Festival will get to see the premiere of a movie whose title, for now, is “top secret.” The names of the other... Continue

Mowers of choice

Last week, along the steep curves on the approach to the Artesa winery, car after car slowed to a crawl, then to a complete stop – to gawk. Dozens of wooly, white sheep were ambling among the grapevines, heads bowed as they appeared to be... Continue

A Valley Divided

If you live on West Verano Avenue, Lynn Woolsey represents you in Congress. If you live just across Highway 12, on Verano Avenue, Mike Thompson is your representative. Welcome to the wild and wooly world of redistricting. In 2001, the town of Sonoma and about... Continue

Travels with Henri: It’s not all that ruff

[gallery=51] What are we, French? Increasingly, Americans want to take their pets with them everywhere. (When we say “pets,” we mean, of course, dogs. What self-respecting cat likes to hang its head out the car window? Besides, their ears don’t flap in the breeze.) Gaga... Continue

A wealth of natural diversity

You don’t have to venture off the beaten track or get your boots muddy to get a dose of nature in Sonoma. Just plunk yourself down on a bench at the Plaza. “I’d love to change the paradigm a bit about the Plaza,” said Tom... Continue

Eight on Eighth Street East

Once synonymous with sprawling estates featuring almost everything from Tuscan architecture to lavishly landscaped courtyards, northern California wineries have spared no expense to create a memorable tasting experience for visitors. This image is being challenged, as iconoclastic winemakers have eschewed not only the pricey digs,... Continue

Healing happens at home

The Sonoma Valley Hospital Home Care program marks 20 years of existence – and 200 years of service – this year. The current staff of 31 has collectively logged 200 years of work since the program started in 1989, said Barbara Lee, the program’s director.... Continue

Go coastal for Valentine’s Day

In personal ads, one of the oldest clichés is, “I love long walks on the beach.” The benefits of salt sea air, the implication of romance and the idea of holding hands across the sand are implicit. Of course, on Northern California beaches you won’t... Continue