Joke Of The Day |
I asked a local in Sonoma what the secret to a long, happy life was. He said, "Eat well, stay active, and never tell anyone which winery is actually your favorite — that argument never ends well." |
 Weather service weekly forecast |
| 💬 10 Comments |
The foster-to-adopt program is emerging as a compassionate, flexible path for local families to welcome dogs into their homes while aiding shelter staff with crucial medical care.
This process lets potential adopters offer dogs stability right away, even as the animals continue receiving supervised medical treatment from the shelter.
Families provide love and comfort from the start, building an early bond during the adoption journey.
Especially popular for puppies needing vaccinations and older dogs in treatment, this approach enables families to play a vital role in recovery and socialization.
While the shelter maintains legal ownership during care, foster families manage daily routines and safety at home.
This arrangement lets households experience pet responsibilities before making a permanent commitment.
Strict health guidelines require that unvaccinated pups remain apart from public areas and unfamiliar animals, protecting everyone involved.
Local shelters report a surge in foster-to-adopt applications, reflecting growing community support and awareness. Read More... |
 |
| 💬 8 Comments |
Inside Dead Letter: A Historic Sonoma Space Gets a Live-Fire Makeover
A familiar downtown Sonoma address has entered a new chapter. Dead Letter, one of the city’s newest restaurants, brings live-fire cooking, seasonal ingredients, shared plates, and contemporary art together near Sonoma Plaza.
The restaurant occupies a building with ties to Sonoma’s postal history, which inspired its unusual name. Inside, historic architectural details are paired with a darker, more modern dining room.
Cooking Over Charcoal
At the center of the menu is binchotan charcoal, a Japanese-style fuel known for producing intense, clean heat.
The kitchen uses it to add smoky depth to vegetables, seafood, and meats, while keeping seasonal ingredients the focus.
Rather than following a fixed formula, the menu is designed to evolve with what is available from Northern California farms and producers.
Built for Sharing
Many of the dishes are intended for the table, allowing diners to sample several preparations during one meal.
That shared-plate approach makes Dead Letter well suited for a night out with friends, a date near the Plaza, or anyone curious about a more adventurous side of Sonoma dining.
Food Meets Art
The restaurant also incorporates rotating digital artwork, adding another layer to the experience.
The result is a space that feels part restaurant, part gallery, and distinctly different from Sonoma’s more traditional Wine Country dining rooms.
Dead Letter is an intriguing addition to downtown Sonoma, blending local ingredients, live-fire cooking, history, and contemporary design in one of the city’s most talked-about new openings. Read More... |
Sonoma Friday Morning Farmers' Market |
| ★★★★★ |
|
The Sonoma Friday Morning Farmers' Market is a beloved weekly gathering in the heart of Sonoma Valley, where locals and visitors alike come together to celebrate the region's extraordinary agricultural bounty. Browse stalls brimming with fresh seasonal produce, artisan goods, and locally crafted treats — all set against the charming backdrop of the historic Sonoma Plaza. Whether you're picking up ingredients for a weekend feast or simply soaking in the community atmosphere, this market is a quintessential Sonoma experience not to be missed. |
|
|
| 💬 12 Comments |
Cat adoption at Pets Lifeline brings uplifting tales of hope and togetherness across the community.
From Thursday to Sunday, locals are greeted by playful kittens and gentle adult cats awaiting loving homes.
Applicants are encouraged to complete paperwork in advance, making adoptions warm and seamless for both families and cats.
Special appointments accommodate busy schedules, ensuring every potential adopter has their chance.
New arrivals from neighboring shelters mean fresh faces join the adoption floor often, expanding choices for families.
Adoption fees vary, but every pet goes home microchipped, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and with starter supplies.
Long-term cats benefit from ongoing specials, making waiting worthwhile and adoption affordable.
The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee fosters orphaned kittens, supported by training and supplies from Pets Lifeline.
Every adoption or foster placement makes a life-saving difference and opens doors for more cats in need. Read More... |
Weekly Native Plant Sales at Sonoma Garden Park |
| ★★★★★ |
|
Visit the Sonoma Native Plant Nursery at Sonoma Garden Park, managed by the Sonoma Ecology Center Restoration Team. With more than 80 native species available throughout the year, it is the largest non-wholesale native plant nursery between Santa Rosa and Marin County. The nursery holds weekly public sales every Friday from 12:00–3:00 PM, plus two seasonal Saturday sales each April and October. Visits by appointment are also welcome — simply email the team to arrange a time. Fall and winter are the best seasons to shop, when cool, moist soil helps new plants establish strong root systems before summer heat arrives. |
|
|
Valley Laughs – Comedy Show |
| ★★★★☆ |
|
Get ready to laugh! On Friday, August 7th, the Sonoma Community Center hosts Valley Laughs, a fantastic night of stand-up comedy brought to you in partnership with Smit Show Comedy. The evening features headliner Kiry Shabazz — a Tonight Show alum and StandUp NBC winner — along with featured comic Sean McKenzie and host Cody Smit. The Laugh Lounge opens at 6:30 PM with beverages for sale, and showtime kicks off at 7:30 PM. It's a perfect night out for anyone looking for big laughs in a welcoming community setting. Tickets are $25 per person — grab yours before they're gone! |
|
|
 |
 |
The Sonoma Valley High School Varsity Boys Baseball team is getting a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. The City of Sonoma will honor the Dragons at a City Council meeting on August 5, 2026, as the next recipients of the "Celebrate Sonoma" recognition program. The honor comes after the team claimed their second-ever North Coast Section Division 5 championship — their first since 2008, ending an 18-year wait. Finishing the regular season at 16-12, the Dragons then caught fire in the postseason, winning four straight games including a decisive 5-2 victory over Montgomery High School in the title game. Head Coach Sean Boisson guided the team through a challenging season, with standout player Colin Buckley earning VVAL Most Valuable Player honors. The Dragons also advanced to the CIF NorCal Championships as the No. 8 seed. Celebrate Sonoma honors individuals and groups who contribute to the community, with each honoree receiving a city certificate and a dedicated day in their name. |
| Read More... |
 |
This newsletter sponsored by |
Salumeria Ovello |
| ★★★★★ |
Meet Chef Andrea Marino of Salumeria Ovello
Meet Chef Andrea Marino
Originally from Piemonte, Italy, Chef Andrea Marino built an international culinary career before making Sonoma Valley home.
He worked in 27 restaurants worldwide and later opened his own restaurant in Barbaresco, where he earned a Michelin star for 10 of its 15 years. He has also appeared on Gambero Rosso, Rai TV, and Sky TV and taught cooking classes in Italy, Tokyo, and Rotterdam.
Bringing Northern Italy to Sonoma
At Salumeria Ovello, Chef Andrea focuses on handcrafted salumi, including salami, pancetta, guanciale, coppa, soppressata, and fresh sausage.
The shop also offers focaccia, Italian desserts, grissini, crackers, sandwiches, cheeses, charcuterie boards, and prepared specialties such as porchetta, roast chicken, and ragù.
The former bakery location holds special meaning for Chef Andrea. His father owned a bakery in Italy, where Andrea worked and learned.
Today, Salumeria Ovello brings those family traditions to Sonoma, offering locals and visitors a warm taste of Northern Italy just a short walk from the Plaza. |
|
|
Q/A Questions |
Q: Sonoma is famous for wine, but what other agricultural product has deep roots there? A: Sonoma has a long history of olive cultivation dating back to the Spanish mission era. Today, the region produces award-winning olive oils, and several local ranches operate heritage groves with trees that are well over a century old.
Q: Is Sonoma Valley the same thing as Napa Valley? A: They are distinct valleys separated by the Mayacamas Mountains, though both lie within Sonoma County and Napa County respectively. Sonoma Valley tends to be cooler and more fog-influenced due to its proximity to the Pacific, which encourages different grape varieties and a generally more casual, less commercial atmosphere compared to its better-known neighbor to the east. |
Secret Little Hack |
Experience Sonoma as Harvest Approaches
Late August marks the beginning of an exciting period in Sonoma wine country. Vineyard teams are checking grape maturity, wineries are preparing equipment, and some early varieties may already be coming in.
Visitors who are curious about the new vintage should ask thoughtful questions during their tasting. At smaller wineries, conversations about growing conditions, expected harvest dates, and the winemaking process can add a personal dimension to the experience.
For a closer look behind the scenes, contact wineries in advance and ask whether they offer harvest tours, barrel tastings, or winemaking experiences.
These visits are usually arranged by appointment, especially during harvest, when production teams are working long and unpredictable hours.
A midweek reservation may provide a quieter, more personal visit, but the real insider move is simple: plan ahead, respect the winery’s schedule, and show genuine curiosity about the people and work behind the wine. |