Crab ban partially lifted along California coast

The state's health advisory not to eat Dungeness and rock crabs caught along the coast between the Santa Barbara/Ventura County Line and Latitude 35° 40' N (near Piedras Blancas Light Station, in San Luis Obispo County) has been lifted. The warning remains in effect for state waters around... Continue

Weekend Warrior picks: 1/1

Happy New Year! I've been taking a bit of a writer's holiday, but I'm back and delivering your weekly dose of Weekend Warrior picks for this weekend! I'm already getting asked about my "favorites" of 2015 as we enter the new year. Here's a few... Continue

Slots on two city panels open

The City of Sonoma is looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on two commissions: traffic safety, and design review. Interested citizens may apply by submitting an application form to the City Clerk. Application forms are available at City Hall or may be downloaded from the... Continue

The aesthetics of intoxication

Alcohol causes more deaths than those caused by painkillers and heroin, combined. The Center's for Disease Control reports that in 2014, 30,722 people died due to alcohol poisoning and cirrhosis of the liver, as compared with 28,647 deaths due to overdoses from opiates. If drunk... Continue

Coffee with a cop

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office hosts Coffee with a Cop, a chance to meet local deputies and talk about community issues, on Wednesday, January 6. The informal gathering will begin at 9 a.m. at Barking Dog Roasters, 18133 Sonoma Highway, in the Springs. Continue

New Years Resolutions — for pets

(By Dr. Vallard Forsythe) With the closing of 2014 and the new beginnings of 2015 come the hopes and dreams of good health and prosperity in the New Year. I chatted with several friends and colleagues about our clients and our pets, and after many... Continue

Can’t we ever say “No”?

Editor: My wife and I have lived in Sonoma County since the early ‘70’s. Growth in the last 40+ years has been considerably more moderate than it is now! It seems that there is tension everywhere, between County Supervisors & City Council members joined by the... Continue

Editorial: A safe and sober New Year’s Eve

Alcohol deaths in America are at a new high; over 30,000 people died from liver disease or alcohol poisoning in 2014. When you add alcohol-related auto accidents, firearm deaths, and other violence, the toll rises to over 90,000 people. We live in wine country and enjoy the... Continue

A safe and sober New Year’s Eve

Art foundation draws impressive figures

Total donations to Sonoma Valley youth art programs from the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation passed the million-dollar mark with this year’s disbursement of $130,000. Fifteen schools and four nonprofits received donations ranging from $1,050 to $22,000. The foundation was founded in 2002 by local artist... Continue