Columns

When my younger sister was 16 she decided that she wanted to go to Juilliard. I remember her announcing it one night at dinner and I’ll never forget the deer in headlights reaction that both of my parents had. Her revelation had them both stammering, unsure of what to say. I guess if one of my teenagers declared their desire to go to Stanford my husband and I would feel the same way; speechless.

Along with acknowledging presidents, Black history, bird feeding, and groundhogs, Feb. is also National Library Lovers month. What’s not to like? Looking for a quiet refuge to contemplate life’s great mysteries, pore over a newspaper or magazine, or research a complicated concept? Drop in, relax and if you need help, ask one of our terrific librarians.

The United States has lost its way, lost its morals, lost its standing in the world, obviously lost a bet in a cosmic game of truth or dare. I dare you to point out a president who has eviscerated the reputation of the U.S. so quickly and so profoundly.

A long view of the pot prohibition: interview with John Hudak, author of Marijuana: A Short History

There is so much we do not know about this COVID-19 pandemic and how it will continue to impact our health, work and community. We don’t know how long our lives in Sonoma County will be interrupted, if we will still have jobs and...

What links the outcomes of recent news stories about schoolteacher pay and strikes, SMART train expansion, mental health services, Kincade Fire recovery, expanded fire protection services, future Highway 101 improvements and happier holidays? Would you believe local shopping dollars?

We are anxious for our next generation to get here and take over what’s left of this world. Some of us older folks are trying to reverse our global climate emergency and we are trying to get our elected leaders and giant corporations to pay attention to us. But we are mostly failing. As members of this older, tiring generation, we pray that the youngest among us may take our places in time to make real differences.

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.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.”

Anyone who has ventured out around town over the past days knows that these are desperate times for many small businesses, the life blood of our community. Dire times demand bold measures and strong leadership from our city council and officials. During past crises, floods and fires, the city has acted decisively. Its leadership during the Kincade Fire avoided a devastating scenario for the community. However, now, with the double threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, the city should immediately start relief efforts and plan for a strong economic recovery. The citizens group Healdsburg 2040 encourages the city to use some its financial bolster of approximately $49.4 million in invested reserves and over $3.3 million in cash reserves for disaster relief.