Student photographer makes his mark — in 2019

A photograph by Sonoma Valley High School student Jack Pier has been selected for the annual Bank of Marin calendar. Students from 11 high schools submitted more than 200 photos for the honor, and Pier's dramatic shot from atop Mt. Tamalpais was the only black-and-white... Continue

Representing the Springs

There will be representation for the Springs, and soon. First District Supervisor Susan Gorin is determined to bring to the Board of Supervisors a proposal to establish a Springs Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), representing Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, Agua Caliente and El Verano... Continue

Survey: housing is #1 concern among SV residents

Housing affordability -- as in, rents and home prices are too damn high -- is the prime concern among Sonoma Valley residents, according to a survey undertaken by Sustainable Sonoma, a nonprofit consortium of community groups. For the project, Sustainable Sonoma conducted a months-long survey... Continue

Two Sonoma area wines make Wine Spectator’s Top 10 list

Only two California labels ranked on the Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of the Year, and both come from the immediate Sonoma area -- one from Carneros, the other a Sonoma Valley designate. Italy, with the top pick, and France dominated the list, released today. But #6, and... Continue

Santa Rosa JC offers ‘free’ college for first-time students

Santa Rosa Junior College will offer first-time college students that sign up to take classes full time may be eligible to receive their first year of tuition at SRJC in 2018-19 essentially “free” In October 2017 the California State legislature passed Assembly Bill 19, known as... Continue

Let it snow, man

Lighting of the Snowmen How will the army of glowing snowmen be arrayed this year? The reveal caps an afternoon of music, kids’ crafts, wine and beer tasting, warm drinks, food, festive decorations and more. Saturday, December 1. Free admission. $10 donation to park. 4... Continue

Eating out side of the box

It's come to this; shopping, food preparation and cooking are so burdensome that corporate America has concluded a smart profit's to be made from a niche target market, namely, those adults who are unwilling to eat frozen dinners or have Grub Hub deliver restaurant take-out... Continue

Sonoma ponies up $500k to save horse farm

[caption id="attachment_92137" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Feeding the Clydesdales; an early submission by Susan Loesch[/caption] The nonprofit trying to save Sonoma's downtown Mission Bell Farms got a fundraising boost Monday night when the City Council voted unanimously to kick in $500,000 for the cause. The Blue Wing... Continue

Gifts of hope from a real-life Santa Claus

By Cat Smith About five years ago, the Clarks were living the life of many in America, more specifically, Sonoma Valley. They had two children, two jobs, and two pets. Then tragedy struck. For the purpose of this story, our family’s name has been changed to... Continue

Hold the butter: crab season gets pinched

Don't get crabby, but your holiday culinary splurge has been postponed. Dungeness crab from northern California did not make the grade, according to state Fish and Game, so crab season will be delayed until at least December 13. The delay was a result of poor crab meat... Continue