Under the Sun: Jen Demarest, chef and restaurateur

Jen Demarest is pastry chef and, with her husband Nick, owner of Harvest Moon Café in Sonoma. Did you always want to be a pastry chef? Definitely since high school. I grew up in a small town in New York state, Clinton Corners, and was... Continue

Under the Sun: Leslie Nicholson

The Sun's Sarah Ford recently sat down with Leslie Nicholson, founder of RISK, a Sonoma support group for parents whose kids face substance abuse, bullying, or other challenges. Tell me about RISK and how it got started. The idea for RISK, which stands for Resources,... Continue

Under The Sun: Mark Newhouser, Sonoma Ecology Center

SUN: You’ve been with the Ecology Center, now as Restoration Project Manager, for a long time. How long is it? NEWHOUSER: I knew you were going to ask me that. I always forget how long. I started as a volunteer at the Garden Park, when... Continue

Under the Sun: Shannon, a neighbor to Wingo

Hello, thanks for stopping, I was looking for M----. We were neighbors before he moved to Wingo. Oh, you mean M---- ? He passed last month. Who else is living there? I was hoping to talk with someone from Wingo. There’s no one left... Continue

Under The Sun Interview: Library Mgr. Lisa Musgrove

Tell me about yourself Lisa. How did you end up here in Sonoma? I relocated here in 2012 after many years in Mt. Shasta, in Siskiyou County up north, where I was the Director of Library services for the county. I live in Boyes and... Continue

Under The Sun: Kathy Pons, president of Valley of the Moon Alliance

What is the Valley of the Moon Alliance, Kathy? VOTMA started in 2002 in response to two large, proposed resorts in the Valley. Only one, the Graywood Ranch, has ended up in development. VOTMA challenged the adequacy of their EIR in court, but the court... Continue

Under The Sun: Jane Zimmerman, marriage and family therapist

As a therapist, Jane, do you consider yourself in the wellness profession? Yes I do. My clients are definitely seeking wellness, emotional and spiritual. There is lot of fear and anxiety right now, and what people bring into my office is very mixed. For many... Continue

Under the Sun Interview: Joanna Kemper

Under the SUN: Joanna Kemper, Conservationist of the Year Tell me about the award you just received, Joanna. I was named "Conservationist of the Year", an award given jointly by Sonoma Rotary Club and the City of Sonoma. I feel very honored; previous recipients include... Continue

Under The Sun: Cab driver “Captain Joel” Sinkay

How long have you been driving for Vern's Taxi I started in '13 after closing my own business, Leonard's Bait Shop at the marina on the Petaluma River. I had a shrimp boat, too; called her "Queen". It was a 1941 U.S. Navy net tender... Continue

Under The Sun: Randi Sherman, author

What inspired you to write “The Lobby”? I don’t know really, I had been writing linear novels, with a clear main character, a beginning, middle and end. I started writing “The Lobby” in the same way, but as I introduced more and more supporting characters,... Continue

Under The Sun: Interviews