Community Update

Greetings Sonoma Valley. Some of you may recall that I was formerly the editor of SonomaValleyPatch.com and I also had a Saturday show on KSVY Radio called World Travel: Come & Go Sonoma.





I am no longer living in the valley, however I am writing to thank you for your kindness to me when I lived in your midst this past year. I especially want to thank those of you who sponsored my radio show, welcomed me into your homes, shared dinners together, joined me on hikes or wine tasting and included me in your family’s graduation celebrations.





I have very fond memories of walking among the redwoods at Jack London State Historic Park and standing under star-studded skies at Sugarloaf State Park observatory. Add to those the recollections of early morning mist rising off ponds inhabited by Canada geese, plus fire-orange and electric-blue dragonflies in the summer and red-and-gold grapevines in the autumn—set against a sunset reflected on Mayacamas Mountains—and, well, Sonoma Valley ranks right up there with some of the prettiest landscapes I’ve ever seen.





I feel fortunate to have been in the valley during a season of Transcendence Theatre Company. Anyone who has not checked out this wonderful team of performers in the incredible old winery venue at Jack London State Historic Park must do so.





Christmas on the Mayacamas Mountains will rank as one of my most wonderful holidays ever. Seeing a red-shouldered hawk sitting atop an outdoor Christmas tree in the mist is as much etched on my memory as the hospitality and divine meal. Thank you.





Spending my birthday at Girl and the Fig was sweet. Their arugula salad and lavender crème brule’e are everything they are cracked up to be.





Walking in the century-old limestone caves at Buena Vista Winery was incredible





I loved the Doobie Brothers concert.





Arriving back from a New Zealand trip to see San Francisco Bay full of boats of all sizes, with red-white-and-blue vapor trails above was such a magnificently American welcome home.





I also have special memories of wandering along the black sandy shores of Sonoma County and visiting Lake Sonoma with family and friends.





And then there was the fantastic Sonoma International Film Festival. And the wine. Ah. And the cheese!





Any time we leave a town, we carry parts of it with us. I departed with my kitten, adopted in Sonoma. Michelle traveled well and still brings live gophers and lizards proudly into my home. She is an adult now and has let me know that she is "done" with accepting inferior treats. She can catch her own.





These are my happiest memories of Sonoma Valley, which I will carry with me always.





I am sending you all my best wishes.





Julie