All clips written by Roger Coryell, owned by their publishers
Two Sonoma County restaurants have earned a spot in the Michelin Guide, a well-deserved recognition for the local food scene. Enclos in Sonoma and Table Culture Provisions in Petaluma aren’t…
Rural Sonoma County residents are tired of unreliable, expensive or nonexistent internet access. Many homes remain disconnected even when infrastructure runs right past them.
Locally owned nurseries sustain Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage. Buying locally grown plants prevents the spread of pests and diseases that harm farms. Support these nurseries specializing in plants suited to…
Gardeners have a lexicon all their own, a mix of the poetic, the archaic, and the delightfully odd. Take vermiculated, for instance — this charming word describes a surface patterned…
Cotati’s first Climate Ready Fair kicks off Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SMART Train Depot, 970 E. Cotati Ave. Organizers hope this free event…
Picture your favorite local café, the neighborhood bookstore you love, or the boutique that gives downtown its charm. Now imagine them thriving, welcoming more customers and growing stronger. That’s exactly…
Sonoma County is rich in farmland, home to thriving farmers’ markets, and known for its vineyards. It’s a place where food is celebrated. Yet, thousands of residents don’t know where…
For many Sonoma County families, a single unexpected expense — an injury, a medical bill, or a missed paycheck — can threaten their housing. The Homeless Prevention Program steps in…
Some winemakers lead with their ego. Some lead with their spreadsheets. Kathleen Inman leads with her gut—and, on at least one occasion, her taco order.
Sonoma County spans over 1,600 square miles, a mosaic of coastal mists, sun-soaked valleys, and steep, rugged hills. Here, microclimates shift from fog-laden mornings to parched afternoons. Winter storms can…
Water is life in Sonoma County. It fuels our vineyards, sustains wildlife, and keeps our communities thriving. But for months, landowners, farmers, and environmentalists have been locked in a legal…
Pruning isn’t punishment. It’s renewal. Roses like pruning. I swear, if you lean in close, you’ll hear them sigh with relief when those tired canes get snipped. I even talk…
When your dog takes off into the hills or woods, panic sets in fast. You want a way to track them before they get too far. GPS collars, Apple AirTags…
For kids in Sonoma County, the sound of possibility starts with a single chord. At Guitars Not Guns, students ages 8 to 18 are learning more than just music—they’re building…
There’s something oddly satisfying about discovering that your favorite critters are associated with downright bizarre words. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping piece of obscure trivia or a weird collective noun you…
The year turns again. Another January arrives, crisp and clean. The hills are damp, the air smells of earth, and for a moment, the world feels quieter. I look at…
January: the month that insists on staring deeply into your soul just after you’ve eaten your weight in holiday cookies and overspent on gifts nobody asked for. It’s a time…
Back in 2017, wildfires took most of Sonoma County by surprise. For many, it was the first time hearing about the “urban-wildland interface,” a term that suddenly became terrifyingly real…
The year turns again. Another January arrives, crisp and clean. The hills are damp, the air smells of earth, and for a moment, the world feels quieter. I look at…
Feel a shake recently? Sonoma County experiences hundreds of tiny earthquakes annually. The legacy of volcanoes has shaped the county’s hills and its fertile soil, leaving behind a geological story…
The tasting room at Bricoleur Vineyards is all at once grand and familiar. The high, rustic ceilings hint at its past life as a horse barn, yet every detail feels…
I was a complete idiot when I was 17. I made a lot of bad decisions. We won’t go into detail, but you know what it’s like.
During the early 1870s in Sonoma County, before vineyards dominated the landscape, a group of local farm boys pursued criminal fortune. Unlike legendary gunslingers, these men were inexperienced—reckless and destined…
In the early 1870s, when Sonoma County was more dust than vineyards, a band of local farm boys decided to chase their fortunes. They weren’t hardened gunslingers or train robbers…
Winter is a season steeped in traditions, imagery, and feelings that span cultures and centuries. While words like “snow” and “cheer” get plenty of airtime this time of year, there’s…
Winter in Sonoma County brings a serene beauty to the garden. As I prune my roses and clear the morning frost from the fountain, I find joy in these quiet…
As a wine columnist in Sonoma County, I often explore vineyards and tasting rooms to uncover the stories behind the bottles. Recently, I visited Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma o…
At Humane Society of Sonoma County (HSSC), every adoption is a lifeline, connecting animals in need with families ready to open their hearts and homes. New board president Lisa Barnes…
Why shop local? As the holidays approach, the lure of online shopping grows stronger. After all, who doesn’t love the idea of buying gifts in their pajamas at 2 a.m.,…
Fewer than half of Sonoma County high school graduates meet A-G requirements for UC, or CSU admission
Sonoma County is known for our rich farmland and incredible local food, but despite all the abundance, many of our neighbors are going hungry. How can it be that in…
For many in the Bay Area, enjoying fresh Dungeness crab in November or December is a cherished tradition. Whether piled high at family gatherings, served with warm sourdough, or starring…
November’s chill introduces some intriguing words into our vocabulary. Here are a few that might surprise you.
Please don’t join the Darwin club by trying to drive through flooded roadways. Bad idea. Don’t do it.
Martinelli Winery in Forestville, a family-owned landmark, is known for its bold Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. As Julianna Martinelli, a board member and part owner, explains, “Our wines aren’t wimpy;…
In the spirit of World Kindness Week, especially after navigating a highly polarizing election that felt reminiscent of the “may you live in interesting times” trope, it’s more important than…
Next week, Sonoma County's plan for managing its cherished coastline faces a pivotal moment. On Thursday, Nov. 14, the California Coastal Commission will decide whether to approve the county's updated…
On Halloween 2024, Sonoma County is wrapped in a scent almost like rain — that perfect Halloween mix of cool, damp air that makes every shadow seem a bit darker.…
Champions and heroes are rare, especially in disadvantaged places like Roseland. While some are paid to work in these areas to help residents, it's even more heroic when volunteers give…
Welcome to the strange, delicious lexicon of fall, where words like crepuscular slink in at twilight, painting the sky with shades of dusky purples and smoky greys. It’s a word…
Sonoma’s Mediterranean staples: olives and grapes thrive in local soil
Imagine Sonoma County without Crane melons, Bernier garlic, or Russian River pinot noir. Local farms shape the landscape, economy, and culture. But their future is uncertain, and what happens next…
West Sonoma County residents have a chance to shape the future of their wastewater systems and potentially lower their bills. A new committee, created in response to costly sewer spills…
Homeowners in areas like Monte Rio, Rio Nido, and Forestville who still rely on old cesspool systems now have more affordable upgrade options. These outdated systems dump untreated waste directly…
This is a tribute to Sonoma County’s everyday heroes — fire reporters and techs from the Watch Duty team. They’ve developed a lifesaving fire-spotting app, working tirelessly to protect us…
In a significant push for environmental conservation, Sonoma County may soon see its wetlands expanded, offering new protections to wildlife and bolstering climate resiliency. Local lawmakers, Reps. Jared Huffman and…
This month’s Nonprofit Nook spotlights Joint4ces, a Sonoma County nonprofit transforming veterans’ lives by connecting them with opportunities in agriculture. Founded by Sunny Welch, with Dante Graham as vice president,
The Pocket Creek Exchange Post in Guerneville — a once-thriving community spot for swapping reusable items — has shut down due to dumping. Local residents blame rising fees at county-owned…
Bears. Fast, agile, hungry, smart bears. Mud. Snow. Hornets. Mountain lions and wild boars. Mildew. Driving a tractor between steep sloping muddy rows in the dark. Mendocino Ridge is not…
Hope Nastri, associate winemaker at Twomey Cellars’ Anderson Valley estate in Philo, shares her journey from math teacher to winemaker, her minimalist winemaking philosophy, and the sustainable practices that define…