Columns

Redwoods are magnificent trees whose beauty we get to experience in Sonoma County and Healdsburg. These beauties are set in the picnic grove at Riverfront Regional Park. The park includes three miles of trails for walking through redwoods plus boating, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking.

From 1956 Chet Huntley anchored NBC’s nightly news, until in 1970 he retired to help start Big Sky Resort in his home state of Montana. The resort is located in the beautiful Gallatin Gateway area, which is an entry into Yellowstone. In such a remote Montana location, Big Sky got off to a rocky start (pun done).

Feb. 1901: "The window casing did not prove efficient in keeping out the water, so two copper beakers and a glass dish were placed upon the sill to catch the frequent streams. From the ceiling, in about the center of the room, a quantity of water fell. A pan was placed upon a chair to catch the drops, while two pails and a pan upon the floor served the same purpose. ..."

Hans Brinker was a hero. I dreamed of being Hans. I envied Hans’ skating long distances on frozen canals. I thrilled to my mother’s stories of the Bronx River freezing when people could skate from one town to the next. Once, in seventh grade...

"The Tribune of the issues of February 14th and 21st, 1901, will demonstrate what the bright boys and girls of the Healdsburg High School are capable of in this line...." and other news from days gone by.

Underwood is considered the first and best modern typewriter. Headquartered in New York, the machines were manufactured in Hartford, Connecticut. By 1920, Underwood produced over 1,400 typewriters per day.

Last week was the 46th happening of EcoFarm at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. EcoFarm was originally called “To Husband, The Earth.” Its goal is to encourage development of sustainable, regenerative, organic small farms in local communities in contrast to industrial agriculture.  It started with Amigo...

125 Years Ago: The laying of the corner-stone of the Presbyterian Church on Friday afternoon took place with great eclat. The weather was fine and the attendance large. There were representatives from every denomination and the addresses were excellent.

Bob Weir took to the road and toured for 60 years. On Jan. 10, 2026, he passed into the land of the bands he founded: the Grateful Dead, the Dead and Dead & Company. He left a legacy of heartful music going beyond hit songs measured in gold records...

A dramatic sunset closing out 2025 seems appropriate for a year full of world-changing events. That was the year that was, according to Pierre Ratte.