Columns

There’s a lot of news and circumstances behind Sonoma County’s record-low rate of unemployment, which this week stands at just 2.8 percent. As always, the news is a mix of good and bad.

History project

It’s nice to be back writing my greatly anticipated (I’m sure) golf column for the Windsor Times. I haven’t been playing golf yet but I’m cautiously optimistic that I’ll be hitting more golf balls on the driving range and even playing holes on the Windsor Golf Course soon. For those of you who don’t know my story I’m happy to give you the short version.

We love to hear from readers. If you're interested in submitting a letter to the editor, write ray@sonomawest.com.

Ideas needed for Citrus Fair theme

Slow down, save the deer

If you know my family, you know we love to go to yard sales and flea markets. Some time ago we found an old brass plaque at a sale. It is titled “The Farmers Arms” and it has a poem below. Embossed in the brass is a man and a woman churning butter and working in the fields. It has a coat of arms with many of the symbols I recognize from being a Windsor Grange member and below a banner that says, “In God is our trust.”

A couple of Saturdays ago, we were among the 2,000-plus in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square during the March for Our Lives against gun violence. Lots of signs, held high above the throng, proclaimed the message.

For months I’ve been thinking about community-powered journalism, even more now since Rollie’s announcement last week describing the newspaper’s direct public offer. Grateful for local journalists, I’ve depended upon them as my partners for many decades, weaving story after story about the wine business.

When I brought each one of my babies home from the hospital, I was always amazed by their tiny feet. I don’t why the 10 little toes were so precious looking to me, but they were.