Snapshot: ‘No-rehearsal’ Christmas pageant
“In Hoc Anno Domini” is the title a Vermont Royster 1949 editorial in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ reprints his editorial every year, such is the clarity of its prose and power of its message.
Snapshot: Big Sur’s sunny winter weather
It’s mindblowing that Sonoma County is buried under a marine layer for weeks while the coast from Bodega Bay to Big Sur is sunny. Big Sur is having a spectacular streak of sunshine: no rain, no fog, no wind. Yeah, I know. Big Sur...
Snapshot: Taking it to extremes
The guys and gals from Xtreme Xperience came to Sonoma Raceway last Sunday with 14 supercars, including: a Nissan GT-R, a Corvette Z06 and various Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches, including this 718 Cayman GT4 RS in the photo above.
Snapshot: Talkin’ turkey—mushrooms
Talkin’ turkey here. Nope, not Thanksgiving turkey. Turkey tail mushrooms. It’s mushrooming season in Sonoma County. When the weather turns cold and damp, fog rolls in and rain falls, and mushrooms’ fruiting bodies pop up.
Thanksgiving, open roads and a dog’s life
Border collies, like Gus in the photo with this column, are recognized as a smart breed with exceptional stamina, capable of learning over 500 words and running 30 miles. Border collies appear in the movies Babe and Mad Max: Fury Road, which grossed $254 million and $368 million, respectively.
A symbol of unity, division and shared history
Veterans Day occurs on Nov. 11. It was originally conceived as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. The holiday’s name changed in 1954 to honor all...
Snapshot: Showy Shohei in playoff game
Like many other baseball fans, Pierre Ratte was impressed by Shohei Otani's performance in the final game of the National League championship game.
Snapshot: ’Tis the season for scarecrows
The creative scarecrows that show up in town around Halloween are a tradition that started in 2020 to foster community during the pandemic. This year’s beneficiary is Heartizens, which sponsors art programs for young people.
Another check off the basket list
Floating above Santa Rosa, Windsor and Healdsburg’s vineyards in a hot air balloon while sipping champagne and eating croissants makes a morning magical. Even if one is not in the balloon, there is something “uplifting” about hot air balloons. Morning commutes to Santa Rosa down Hwy 101 are boring unless one happens upon a balloon piloting its way up the valley.
Snapshot: Behind Peter Pan legend
Fairies are a part of folklore in many cultures. Typically, they are spritely, small creatures with magical qualities and a penchant for frivolity and trickery. Peter Pan is not a fairy, though Tinker Bell is...
Arts & Entertainment
The good, the bad and the Oscars
Now that the nominations have been announced, let’s talk about them and what people should try to see before the big show. And once we get closer (the Oscars are March 15 this year), I’ll write my annual piece on what will win versus what should win.
