Public life goes dark
One month ago, all of Sonoma County’s “public life” was put off limits. No schools, locked parks, barricaded beaches, no dining out or casual shopping trips. Gathering places where conversations and friendships get shared are taboo. Libraries, coffee shops, brewpubs, art galleries and any space smaller than six feet square, are now officially declared uninhabitable.
The Parish Cafe is under new ownership, but the eatery’s recipes and concept won’t change
Correction: The Parish will serve lunch and breakfast, not lunch and dinner.
Farm to Pantry goes fashion forward with Gapelii partnership
Being able to collect nutritious food while wearing a t-shirt that is both comfortable and trendy is a win-win for Farm to Pantry. Gapelii Brand, a Sonoma County Black-owned luxury brand, was co-founded by Andrew Akufo in 2019 and features clothing and accessories. Through his work, he met Kelly Conrad, development director from Farm to Pantry. Conrad reached out to Akufo to collaborate and provide T-shirts for volunteers that could feature Gapelii Brand’s style and promote the organization.
Duct fire at SingleThread temporarily closes restaurant
A small duct fire that broke out on Friday night, Feb. 19, at SingleThread Farm-Restaurant-Inn on North Street has forced the restaurant to close for the time being in order to recoup and clean up from the blaze.
Winter Wineland Event Reaches 30th Year
One of the longest-running winery events in Sonoma County is set to resume this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14-15. It will be the 30th anniversary of Winter Wineland, one of four major weekend tasting events from Wine Road, a Northern Sonoma County destination...
Turkey Trotters Run for Fun, Funds
Thanksgiving Day gets off to an early start in Healdsburg, and Nov. 23, 2023, was no different. Almost 3,000 participants registered for the fundraising Turkey Trot benefit, “plus lots of kids in strollers and dogs,” according to Susanne Esquivel. “The youngest Trotter was two...
Improving access to your library: Library eliminates fines for 80,000 patrons
On July 1, the Sonoma County Library went “fine-free” and eliminated overdue fines for items returned late. In addition, all past fines were waived. In all, more than 80,000 people — 30 percent of all library borrowers — had their overdue fines waived.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery acquires Meola Vineyard
At the end of May, Jordan Vineyard & Winery announced the purchase of Meola Vineyard in Alexander Valley just north of Geyserville. The purchase price was not disclosed, according to a press release from a Jordan spokesperson.
Bear Republic Liquidates As Former Restaurant Remodeled
The news earlier this year that the Bear Republic Brewery, long associated with a popular brewpub and restaurant in downtown Healdsburg, had been sold to Drake’s Brewing Company of San Leandro surprised many fans of their signature brew, Racer 5 IPA. The sale included...
‘Sideways’ Author to Speak, Sip Pinot
Not too many works of art have changed the course of wine appreciation, but Sideways is on the short list.
The 2004 movie, with its scenes extolling the virtues of pinot noir and the dismissive line, “I am not drinking f—g merlot!” changed not only...

















