Snapshot

Happy birthday, America. 250 years old on July 4, 2026. There are many commemorations associated with America’s founding and important dates leading to our Declaration of Independence, including:...

Havana nights, yes! But Cuban cigars are illegal in the US. Have been since 1962. For a while, 2016-2020, there was an exemption for personal use, but that was revoked. With Cuban cigars outlawed, the next best thing is Antonio Cortada hand-rolling your cigar.

The June 5 Healdsburg Forever event at Appellation’s Grange Hall was a terrific success for donors and recipients, enriching the diversity and resilience of our community. As an endowed fund of the Community Foundation Sonoma County, Healdsburg Forever has served Healdsburg and Geyserville for 22 years.

Up close and personal. That’s the view you’ll get Thursday through Sunday at the Pacific Coast Air Museum, adjacent to  the Charles M. Schultz Airport. Sonoma County’s Air History Museum preserves over 25 military aircraft in varying states of unreadiness.

We share a meal selected from a cookbook chosen by the host. The host selects the book, cooks the main course, parceling out assignments for appetizer, two sides, and dessert. It all works out.

Shakespeare got it right, says Pierre Ratte. From her balcony, young Juliet laments her sweetheart’s name is Montague, an enemy. And yet at a tender age, she recognizes, “’Tis but thy name that is my enemy … What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Wouldst Juliet’s wisdom leap into our dangerous political rhetoric.

Approximately 20,000 bee species are recognized globally with 4,000 native to North America. Only about 10 species are true honeybees.

Nigerian Dwarfs often give birth to twins and triplets. The cuties in the photo here, two rams and a doe named “Hope,” were born last week and are seen here less than 12 hours after their birth.

Famous and quirky chess players include: Jose Capablanca (1888-1942), a famous Cuban grandmaster who continuously smoked cigars while playing; Alexander Alakine (1892-1946), who brought and petted his cat named “Chess”; and Bobby Fischer (1943–2008) who had all of his dental fillings removed to escape radio transmissions.

It’s the 77th year of Formula 1 racing. It’s also a year with a new “formula.” What’s a formula? Great question.