Library ‘recalibration’ as year begins
"We’re returning to most of our usual library events for all ages–Homework Help began Jan. 6, the bilingual Intercambio gab sessions restarted Jan. 8 and Read to a Dog is back on Saturdays from 11am to noon," reports Jon Haupt.
Harvest: ‘For me, Christmas lives inside a cake’
My family’s tradition is the bûche de Noël. A Christmas log. It arrives on an antique silver platter, dusted lightly with powdered sugar for snow, as if it has just been lifted from the forest floor.
Snapshot: Taking it to extremes
The guys and gals from Xtreme Xperience came to Sonoma Raceway last Sunday with 14 supercars, including: a Nissan GT-R, a Corvette Z06 and various Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, including this 718 Cayman GT4 RS in the photo above.
Twist in slaying of Healdsburg’s sheriff leads to lynching
One of the girls who was a principal in the gangster assault case in San Francisco just five years ago has written a letter which has been turned over to the state board of prison directors, in which she admits that she falsely testified in a 1920 assault trial that led to lynching of three men...
Flashbacks: November through the years
"The sixtieth anniversary sale of Rosenberg & Bush opened this morning (Nov. 19, 1925) with the stock of Rosenberg & Bush reduced for the benefit of those who are interested in securing bargains of merchandise...
Healdsburg’s median price drop tells half the story
The 18% median price decline doesn’t reflect homes losing value—it reflects a fundamental change in what’s selling. Think of it this way: If luxury car sales collapse while economy car sales boom, the median vehicle price drops even though no individual car became cheaper.
Flashback: Aven Theatre opens in 1950, to become the Raven
The new Aven theatre on North Street is nearing completion. Designed by Gale Santocono of San Francisco, the stucco and concrete block building is 73 by 130 feet, with a seating capacity of 738....
Another check off the basket list
Floating above Santa Rosa, Windsor and Healdsburg’s vineyards in a hot air balloon while sipping champagne and eating croissants makes a morning magical. Even if one is not in the balloon, there is something “uplifting” about hot air balloons. Morning commutes to Santa Rosa down Hwy 101 are boring unless one happens upon a balloon piloting its way up the valley.
Harvest: Behind the mystery of NewTree Ranch
The philosophy here is simple, though the execution is anything but. NewTree Ranch operates on permaculture principles and biodynamic practices, supported by renowned consultant Harold Hoven. Over the past decade, the land has been transformed.
Snapshot: The OG conservationists
Living in a tech-dominated world, it’s hard to imagine a day or year without a cellphone or car, yet that is every day, every year, for the Amish.
Arts & Entertainment
The good, the bad and the Oscars
Now that the nominations have been announced, let’s talk about them and what people should try to see before the big show. And once we get closer (the Oscars are March 15 this year), I’ll write my annual piece on what will win versus what should win.






















