Springs land use issues to pay attention to before it’s too late

There are two issues facing our Highway 12 commercial corridor that could create lasting negative consequences if the community isn’t proactive. Possible tearing down of the historic Big Three building The building has sat empty for 14 months since the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn closed... Continue

Former Grange now Sonoma Springs Community Hall

Any day now the hall on Highway 12 across from Mary’s Pizza, formerly known as the Sonoma Valley Grange Hall, will be adorned with its new “Sonoma Springs Community Hall” sign. The hall is finally open for public use again after more than two years... Continue

Springs future at stake

Congratulations to Boyes Hot Springs historian and artist Michael Acker for his recently released book, “The Springs Resort Towns of Sonoma Valley,” which is part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. It’s thrilling that the publisher recognized the historical significance of our community and... Continue

Will Highway 12 traffic get worse?

The set of heavy rainstorms the last few months have had a bruising impact on our roads in the Springs. If your neighborhood is like mine, many of the potholes road crews filled last year are open again, plus new potholes have emerged. In addition,... Continue

ArtEscape: Building community through art

Long time Springs’ residents Kate Ortolano and Thema Trystad are passionate that art has the ability to change lives, bring families together, and build community. The two retired art teachers are the driving force behind ArtEscape, the art education nonprofit located at 17474 Highway 12 in... Continue

The year ahead: hopes for the Springs

I asked community leaders in the Springs what are your hopes and dreams for the Springs this year? What is the big issue before you? Before I get to their thoughtful answers, I want to share an issue that is at the top of my... Continue

The County Board of Education’s indirect role in Sonoma Valley

I was sworn-in last week to my second term as your representative on the Sonoma County Board of Education. Never in the more than three years that I’ve been writing this column have I mentioned what I do on the board, even though I have... Continue

What does historic mean for the Springs?

Over the last year or so at the many meetings I’ve attended about issues of the Springs, often the subject of our area’s history and the possible historic significance of a property get mentioned. For example, this has occurred in discussions about Paul’s Fields, the... Continue

Sonoma Valley Grange to become new group, change name

Have you noticed the sign that was hanging from the Sonoma Valley Grange Hall is missing? The iconic building with the colorful mural, located across from Mary’s Pizza, will soon boast a yet undecided new name to reflect the fact the community organization operating the... Continue

Back to school in the Springs

Families and teachers in the Springs this week are saying, “Where did the summer go?” as our public school students went back to school this week. Roughly three-fifths of the 4,600 students enrolled in the Sonoma Valley Unified School Districts’ nine schools live in the... Continue