Columns

Community members in some of the county’s more fire-threatened areas are getting organized to prepare for future disasters and they’re working with local government and fire officials to become more resilient.

SMART expanding to Windsor? State parks made safer and drinking water made cleaner? Rainwater-capture systems not being added to your property tax? Ballot propositions going into effect five days after all votes are counted? Revenues generated from transportation fees and taxes going only to transportation funding?

I know many things about myself, but two things I am most proud of are my resiliency and my sense of humor.

This week marks the second anniversary of our 2017 wildfires that destroyed 5,600 homes and claimed the lives of 44 people.

The culture in Sonoma County agriculture is how Jessica Felix described the music we were about to hear for the 20th anniversary Healdsburg Jazz Festival. She then introduced Bill Frisell and Julian Lage.

Happy New Year. I love the New Year. I love it because I like new beginnings. There is, for me, great hope and optimism when I start anything new, so the New Year excites me greatly.

A confession – I have not voted in every election since I came of voting age. In my early 20s, I thought – like most of my friends and family – that voting was for establishment types, people who were oblivious to the truth that the system is rigged. (Sound familiar?)

Sadly, last weekend’s eclipse was not visible while hiking, due to cloud cover, but there was a noticeable darkening of sky and forest. While walking this trail a lovely waterfall appeared, brightening the darkening day with a glinting trickle. Walking in a natural setting can...