Columns

Even now, in early August, the morning air carries a chill more familiar to spring than high summer heat. Tomato vines hesitated. Peaches took their time. Only this week did the real warmth arrive—sunlight pressing into the ground, drawing out ripeness at last. In my family, this is jam season.

Vihar is a great horned owl, one of several ambassador birds at The Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County (BRC), a local resource that’s been around for 50 years and needs help.

From our archives, April 25, 1901: "Beginning with next Sunday the Railroad Company will run an extra train to San Francisco during the summer season. The rate will be one fare for the round trip between any two points on the line. The train will leave Healdsburg at 7:30 a. m. and arrive in San Francisco at 10:40."

We’ve all been dragged off that airplane and kicked from the “friendly skies” just like Dr. David Dao was from his United Airlines Chicago flight, which we all watched a dozen times last week on our TVs and phones. We don’t mean literally the...

All across America teachers are going on or threatening to go on strike and it disgusts me. It disgusts me that this is necessary; next to a parent or a preacher, who has more influence on our children, and our future, than a teacher? Americans...

America is an idea that is made up by many voices. The only way to limit the American ideal of democracy and a more perfect union is to discourage or deny even one of these voices. Seldom in America’s history has there been more topics or reasons to raise our voices, listen intently and engage in purposeful conversations. We find ourselves living in times of a global pandemic, whirling natural disasters, national political turmoil, racial awakening and economic uncertainty. Voices are cascading, clashing, clamoring and crescendoing everywhere.

As the holiday season is upon us and the end to the rather horrible 2020 approaches, I can’t help but reflect on what we have all been through as a community. While I’m sure we agree “good riddance” to 2020 and have hope for a much better 2021, I realize there are a number of lessons we will carry with us for years to come.

Is there a more beautiful time of year here than autumn? Colors are turning, leaves falling, air crisp, sky blue and fall fruits and vegetables abound. It is harvest time, so stunning.