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

City to fund Chamber of Commerce business development effort

The City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce agreed to a landmark arrangement at last night's City Council meeting which transfers activity previously managed by the city to the Chamber. Specifically, the agreement creates a new entity, the Sonoma Business and Economic... Continue

Return of the boarding house

The Sonoma City Council on April 6 will officially hear the first of an ordinance, drafted by the Planning Commission and submitted basically under protest, dealing with Boarding Rooms – a dusty old term now meant to describe a short-term rental in an owner-occupied, single-family... Continue

Easter Weekend: Sonoma Valley Style

As a child in the Midwest, Easter generally meant two things: chocolate and éclairs. Buffets were big business, something most families participated in regardless of religious affiliation. Families of all backgrounds would dress up and make reservations months in advance to visit a fancy hotel or restaurant... Continue

Sonoman wins $1 million in lottery

[caption id="attachment_47872" align="alignleft" width="205"] Rogelio Espinoza's winning ticket[/caption] Sonoman Rogelio Espinoza has a lot more friends today than he did yesterday. Espinoza won $1 million on a scratch off ticket called California Black Exclusive. The amount was the largest able to be won by a player. Espinoza... Continue

Food + Drink Bites for March 26 2015

The latest food and drink news highlights from Sonoma Valley (and a bit beyond). Send your tips (including Easter events) to our Food + Drink editor Sarah Stierch. [caption id="attachment_47821" align="alignnone" width="420"] Brand spankin' new Envolve Winery logo[/caption] Envolve Winery launches "Get Involved" - So... Continue

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. seeks your help at naming beer

Sonoma Springs Brewing Co. is seeking the help of beerlovers at renaming their Kölsch beer. Originally named "Uncle Jack" the brewery has since learned that the name violates a trademark owned by an alcoholic industry giant (after a bit of snooping around we think it might be owned by... Continue

Sun’s volunteer of the year award goes to…

For her volunteer work teaching English at La Luz Center, educator Joyce Moldovan has been honored with The Sun’s second annual Spirit of the Valley Award. The award celebrates the volunteer who has provided extraordinary, unpaid service over a significant period of time to a... Continue

Music for Tim; road repairs; Yamada’s plan; and more

Musician Tim Casey moved here from Nashville about a year ago to make a new life for himself. He picked up gigs in Napa and around Sonoma County, often with the Mark Larson Band. On January 5, he was involved in a horrific head-on crash... Continue

The People’s Pub: Palooza Gastropub

[caption id="attachment_47406" align="alignnone" width="420"] The chill patio at Palooza makes for an excellent, sunny wine country respite[/caption] It’s Saturday afternoon and the patio is packed. It’s sunny, 75 degrees, and “chill” is the only way to describe Palooza. A contingent of retirees from Oakmont hold... Continue