Council minds temper, appoints planning commissioner

‏After a lengthy discussion about naming a new member of the Sonoma Planning Commission, including disagreements over the interview and selection process, the selection of retired fireman Mike Coleman was eventually ratified by a 3-2 vote. Councilmembers Gary Edwards and Rachel Hundley were the dissenting... Continue

Broadway trees get reprieve

The trees on upper Broadway were temporarily spared Monday night as the City Council asked for more information from city staff before making a decision on cutting down the 17 mature oaks between East Napa and Patten Streets. Several property owners had asked for the trees to... Continue

Did Sonoma councilmembers violate disclosure law?

Members of the Sonoma City Council may have violated a state disclosure law when, prior to voting to award a $250,000 contract to the Chamber of Commerce, they apparently failed to announce they were members of that organization. The April 6 decision created the Sonoma... Continue

Worth the Drive: Kickin’ Cancer’s Ash at John Ash & Company

[caption id="attachment_48988" align="aligncenter" width="262"] Half the proceeds from each Cosmo for the Cure goes towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from now until June 20 (Photo: John Ash & Co)[/caption] The landmark Santa Rosa restaurant, John Ash & Co., is on a mission from now... Continue

Help decide what’s next for Maxwell Farms Park

For reasons which often defy explanation, certain parcels of land repeatedly become focal points for community action, controversy and negotiation. Subject to land use decisions pertaining to development, preservation, access and ecology, such parcels demand attention, often over an extended period of time. One such... Continue

It’s time to get grillin’

After last time’s “Refreshing Wine Choices for Warmer Weather” it occurred to me that most of you have already reacted to our non-winter and have uncovered, cleaned and fired up that wonderful extension of your kitchen we enjoy so much out here, the outdoor grill.... Continue

‘Green’ is the new black

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="48068,48069,48070,48071"] A dress made of cookie boxes? A gown sewn of straws and drink wrappers? Couture composed of used tea bags, or magazines, maybe a bathroom rug? It’s time to talk trash for the Sonoma Community Center’s fifth annual Trashion Fashion show,... Continue

Friends of Maxwell Park gather for tour

About 40 community members gathered on Saturday at the first tour conducted by Friends of Maxwell Farm Park, a group formed by historian/professor Larry Davis. The two-hour walking tour began in the parking lot, and traversed all sections of the park. First stop was along... 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

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