United Way of the Wine Country is distributing funds donated through its Sonoma County Flood Recovery & Wellness Fund to local nonprofit agencies.

Santa Rosa, Calif., April 9, 2019 – United Way of the Wine Country has begun distribution of funds donated to its Sonoma County Flood Recovery and Wellness Fund. This week, funds will be directed to nonprofit agencies who will directly help individuals and families affected by the floods that devastated areas along the lower Russian River in February 2019.

In 2018, Californians overwhelmingly voted, for the second time, to protect farm animals from cruel and inhumane conditions. Numerous pieces of legislation have been passed at both the state and local level to protect companion animals from mistreatment and discrimination. On December 3, 2018, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) took a bold step and introduced AB44.  AB 44 would make it unlawful to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give donate or otherwise distribute a fur product in California.  AB44 follows historic moves by several California cities to ban fur, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Berkeley.

The theme of the the 14th Annual Sustainable Enterprise Conference, Resilience was examined through 5 dimensions: Ecological systems, Economy, Social Equality and Policy. The most practical take away? Our link as individuals and families, where we can start. Simple, by securing our preparedness in crisis,  such as the recent fires and floods, and making our home or business sustainable whether it be by switching to solar power and/or using electric vehicles. Once we secure ourselves we can branch out to reach out to help neighbors, community and beyond. 

On March 20, the City of Sebastopol launched a three-month 'Bus Buddies' program in an effort to help encourage ridership on Sonoma County Transit's Route 24. Overall ridership on the shuttle has already increased over 57% since free fares were announced last summer. The program aims to keep the momentum going, and ridership growing.

Monte Rio has seen natural disaster before but this flood was a Big One. While many escaped unscathed, there were businesses and homes that experienced severe damage. But our community spirit is strong and we come together to help one another in times such as these.

In the first of an ongoing series, the Sonoma County League of Women Voters explains the role of the county's numerous commissions and the process of applying for a vacancy. 

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have approved funding to subsidize fares for all riders on Route 28, the “River Shuttle,” through June 30, 2020. The “Fare-Free” program is designed to make using local transit services easier and to encourage hop-on, hop-off, travel without the need to pay a fare.

It was refreshing to see newspaper items in March concerning Rep. Ilhan Omar and the nationwide dialogue she has started over basic justice issues in the Israeli-Palestine conflict that has gone on for over seven decades. However, the conservation in the national media missed a few crucial points.

The annual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour will take place onMay 4th! Now in its ninth year, the Tour is sponsored by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and focuses on low water-use, sustainable landscaping. Tour participants will learn water-saving strategies and garden tips from homeowners while visiting gorgeous gardens and mingling with fellow gardening enthusiasts. The 2019 tour has over 40 inspirational gardens throughout Sonoma and Marin counties.

Representatives of a new local water agency continued a series of public meetings about a possible fee on well owners within the Santa Rosa Plain to pay for a new state-mandated groundwater regulation program. Next meeting is April 11 in Santa Rosa

Join hundreds of regional leaders at Sonoma State University's Sustainable Enterprise Conference for conversations around how local businesses can implement the Green New Deal in the North Bay.

In conjunction with last year’s Global Climate Action Summit, held in San Francisco, people traveled from all over the world to Sonoma County to learn about how healthy soils and climate smart agriculture can combat climate change. But many farmers and ranchers already knew the secret power of soil, long before its recent spotlighting! They know that soil often holds the key to farming success, and that it can also often be the root of farming challenges.

The term " helicopter parent" never resonated with me, but gosh the "Weinermobile parent" hit home.  Being the fun mom, present, part of, included, teeing my girls up for success, sleeping with, and in the know are hard parental urges to transcend. Gradually I have graduated with them.

The  Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County (AWS) is celebrating its 51st annual Apple Blossom Art Show this April. The show will feature more than 100 original paintings, drawings and fine art photography. With artworks ranging from rural landscapes to experimental abstracts, there's something for everyone. 

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by winter storms and flooding in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

On March 6th, as Chair of Russian River Watershed Protection Committee, I received an email and pictures from one of our supporters and a resident of the Vacation Beach area, expressing her concern about a raw sewage spill near her house (close to the Vacation Beach Pump Station).