Columns

We join with hundreds of other newspapers of all sizes on this day (Aug. 16, 2018) to denounce President Donald Trump’s dirty war against America’s free press and to declare that we are not the enemy of the people.

It’s mid-August. That means a farewell to summer and the start of a new school year. The lazy days and late nights will once again turn into early mornings and hectic evenings.

It’s another work week here at the newspaper, and then next week we will work some more. For almost all of us, our lives get defined by the kind of work we do. When we have steady jobs our daily habits, travel patterns, alarm clocks, meal times and relaxing moments are all fit in around what we do to get paid.

Rick Cafferata doesn’t just work with the homeless population in northern Sonoma County; he once was part of it. The 59-year-old now spends his days as street outreach worker at Reach for Home, the Healdsburg-based nonprofit that helps locals find stable housing and achieve self-sufficiency. Before he connected with the organization, however, Cafferata spent the better part of 30 years homeless and addicted to drugs.

Next Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hear the Westside Farms proposal for a winery, hospitality facilities and 22 events at 7097 Westside Road, Healdsburg. This is a decision-making hearing where the supervisors can approve, approve with changes, or deny this project plan and inform the applicant as to the changes needed.

The radio comes on at 5:15 a.m. It comes on gently, playing something classical from KDFC. It is Saturday morning and August is here.

100 years ago – August 8, 1918

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. The days of having all the time to do all the things I want, when I want to do them, are coming to an end.

Aug. 5 was an amazing day marked by rebirth and unity among Christians as the NEWSONG Church celebrated its first 10 a.m. Sunday morning celebration at 167 Arata Lane, former home of the Vineyard of Faith (VOF) Lutheran Church. The VOF congregation is now part of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Healdsburg.

Looking for a lost pet or a new four-legged friend? See the list of incoming strays and the slideshow of cats and dogs available for adoption from the Sonoma Humane Society, Healdsburg Center.