Whole Foods tops “worst prices” grocery store list for 2015

[caption id="attachment_49047" align="alignnone" width="455"] Whole Foods is the most expensive of all chains, but customers love their selection of pre-made food (Facebook)[/caption] Consumer Reports released the results of their latest supermarket survey - what supermarkets have the best and worst prices? They surveyed over 62,000 readers... Continue

Stompers seeking host families for players

[caption id="attachment_48997" align="alignnone" width="442"] From left to right: Matt Marquis, Liz McDonald, Scott Garner, Lindsey McDonald and Matt Hibbert, pose for a photo on the field before a 2014 Stompers home game. Both Lindsey and Liz are eager to be host “moms” again this season.... Continue

Envolve Winery celebrates Sauvignon Blanc release

Envolve Winery celebrated the release of their much anticipated 2013 Sauvignon Blanc at their annual Patio Pounder party at their downtown Sonoma tasting room. Locals and out of towners alike enjoyed the beautiful weather, heated games of Jenga in the courtyard, live music by Dan... Continue

R-Snik™ and Old Grapes

As far as can be determined, there’s no need to panic just yet over reports about a recent lawsuit alleging there is an excessive amount of arsenic in cheap wine. Totally unscientific research (the most flexible kind) reveals the following: • Per Wikipedia, arsenic is... Continue

Commission to Williams-Sonoma: Bring us a better plan

Sonoma's Planning Commission told Williams-Sonoma officials Thursday night that if the retailer wants changes to its permitted use, it must come back with a solid parking mitigation plan. The store, part of the highly successful retail chain, sought approval for changes of use at the... Continue

Fast, not so furious

Jake Mercifca, jumping off the line in a 1982 Camaro, races away from Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Sal Borruso –- legally. The Sonoma Valley High student won the high school division of the Top the Cop drag race Wednesday night at Sonoma Raceway. The program... Continue

VOM Water District sets conservation rules

Limiting irrigation to three days a week and water served only by request in restaurants are among the rules issued by the Valley of the Moon Water District (VOMWD) in an effort to cut overall water use by 20 percent less compared to 2013. VOMWD’s... Continue

Council kerfuffle over Planning Commission appointment

In what was clearly a frustrating process for Sonoma's Mayor David Cook, at its most recent meeting the City Council was unable to agree on the ratification and appointment of Mike Coleman to the Planning Commission. Up to now, the appointment process has been a review... Continue

School District honors

Four “awesome educators” and a local school have received prestigious honors an recognition, said a proud Louann Carlomagno, superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Nominees for the 2015 Classified School Employee of the Year, coordinated by the California Department of Education, include: Cyndi Potter... Continue

Food + Drink Bites for April 9, 2015

The latest food + drink news, events and calls for your participation in and around Sonoma Valley. As the legendary James Marshall Berry says... "If your gig isn't in my column, you didn't tell me about it." Send your news to our Food + Drink... Continue