Columns

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.

This week is spring break for Thomas and me, so we have several items on our lists to check off. There will be a lunch and shopping trip with Nona, an eye appointment, a trip to the library, and lots of spring cleaning and decluttering … and lots and lots of walking. You see, there’s a competition going on in the district, and I have to represent.

Later this month, on April 16, the 2018 Pulitzer Prizes in journalism, arts and letters will be handed out and we wanted to give you the “scoop” on the announcement of the winners. This newspaper, again, will not be part of the finalists’ list.

Recent news that Sonoma County’s overall health ranking has fallen to No. 7 in the state, down two places from last year in a statewide health survey, should concern us all. More alarming was the Sonoma County Department of Health Services’ January 2018 report noting that our childhood cancer rate is the fourth highest in California and that cancer is the leading cause of death in all age groups.

Earth Day is coming upon us. Do you know what that means? April 22 marks the day we get to focus on the environment, learn more about conservation, be out in nature, and promote a healthy, sustainable environment.

When I started teaching four decades ago, schools held monthly fire drills and occasional earthquake drills, but the focus on safety never outweighed the emphasis on learning.

“Welcome to the revolution.” — Cameron Kasky, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student