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September 8, 2010 updated 04:04 am
  • Sonoma Coast sightings
    A rare large summer show draws hundreds of visitors to Bodega Head to watch whales. See the photos.
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Fountaingrove housing rift

Fountaingrove housing rift

A dispute over creating 31 homesites in a Fountaingrove subdivision reflects the deep rift on the Santa Rosa City Council betweeen environmental protection and economic development. READ MORE

YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEWS

  • Team Lefler wins Rooster Run League http://yourtown.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/petaluma/team-lefler-wins-rooster-run-league/ Rooster Run twilight league ends with Team Lefler taking the crown. Team Lefler wins Rooster Run League
  • Clinic on Preventing Running Injuries Set http://yourtown.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/santa-rosa/clinic-on-preventing-running-injuries-set/ Preventing running injuries will be the subject of a clinic on September 8 at Fleet Feet Sports. Clinic on Preventing Running Injuries Set
  • Beginning Tennis Classes Offered After School http://yourtown.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/santa-rosa/beginning-tennis-classes-offered-after-school/ The United States Tennis Association is offering after school lessons to beginning elementary school children. Beginning Tennis Classes Offered After School
  • Reminder: Healdsburg City Council to receive bridge proposal and discuss post office http://yourtown.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/healdsburg/reminder-healdsburg-city-council-to-receive-bridge-proposal-and-discuss-post-office/ Tonight the Healdsburg City Council is scheduled to receive the recommended proposal from Omni-Means for the Healdsburg Avenue Bridge, more affectionately known as the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge. Bridge refurbishment supports are expecting a large turnout. It is also scheduled to discuss the issue of the post office. Reminder: Healdsburg City Council to receive bridge proposal and discuss post office
  • Recreational Salmon Season Ends http://yourtown.pressdemocrat.com/2010/09/bodega-bay/recreational-salmon-season-ends/ Recreational salmon season ends. Rockfishing remains open until October 31. Recreational Salmon Season Ends

Local Politics: Watch Sonoma County

  • Sky Farm decision frames debate over development http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/09/featured-articles/sky-farm-decision-frames-debate-over-development/ Last week, the Santa Rosa City Council sent a proposed 31-home development above Fountaingrove back to the Planning Commission. The decision reflects the council majority's commitment to minimizing impacts from development. Builders, however, say the council is again siding with a pro-environment agenda at the expense of jobs and tax dollars. Sky Farm decision frames debate over development
  • Cotati police sergeants accept concessions http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/09/cities/cotati-police-sergeants-accept-concessions/ First, Cotati police officers agreed to pay more for their retirement and medical benefits. Now, the city's police sergeants have agreed to do the same. The deal, which creates a two-tier retirement system with lower benefits for new employees, will be voted upon Wednesday by the City Council. Cotati police sergeants accept concessions
  • Budget vs. patriotism at center of flagpole flap in Cotati http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/09/cities/budget-vs-patriotism-at-center-of-flagpole-flap-in-cotati/ The tallest flagpole in Cotati hasn't flown an American flag in two years. City officials say there isn't enough money to fix a broken mechanism used to raise and lower the flag. That makes Greg Karraker mad. He has launched a fundraising campaign - and is questioning the patriotism of Mayor Robert Coleman-Senghor. Budget vs. patriotism at center of flagpole flap in Cotati
  • Sebastopol looks for ways to spruce up downtown http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/09/cities/sebastopol-looks-for-ways-to-spruce-up-downtown/ How can Sebastopol improve its downtown? That is the topic before the City Council today. It has $200,000 to spend on refurbishing the town plaza. What would you like to see? Sebastopol looks for ways to spruce up downtown
  • Democrats mobilize labor for November election http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/09/county/democrats-mobilize-labor-for-november-election/ Pancakes and political pep talks were served up equally Monday at the annual Sonoma County Labor Day breakfast. Rep. Lynn Woolsey and other Democrats called on organized labor to rally voters for the November election. 'If independent voters and Democrats don't go to the polls, it could be a disaster for Democrats," Woolsey said. Democrats mobilize labor for November election

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Petaluma360.com Headlines

  • Old Adobe District seeks applicants for vacant board seat http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100908/community/100909961 Only two candidates have filed to run for three open seats. Old Adobe District seeks applicants for vacant board seat
  • Woman pulled from Lake Sonoma I.D.'d http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100907/community/100909666 Petaluma woman pulled unconscious from Lake Sonoma Monday remains in intensive care. Woman pulled from Lake Sonoma I.D.'d
  • Crews clean up Petaluma River oil spill http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100907/community/100909682 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Avis=SR&Dato=20100907&Kategori=COMMUNITY&Lopenr=100909682&Ref=AR Officials still investigating how oil leaked, how much got into river. Crews clean up Petaluma River oil spill
  • 3 teens arrested for home burglary http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100907/community/100909659 Three 15-year-old boys were arrested for burglary and taken to Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on Tuesday morning after a woman found them fleeing from her backyard on Astoria Circle on Tuesday. 3 teens arrested for home burglary
  • DUI total declines during summer crackdown http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100906/community/100909722 Local law enforcement agencies haven't quite finished their annual summer crackdown on drunken drivers, but this year's arrest total seems likely to be substantially lower than last year's total. DUI total declines during summer crackdown
  • Meeting set for input on East D Street bike route http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100906/community/100909968 Public forum will be held Sept. 29 to discuss tentative plans for bike route and traffic circles. Meeting set for input on East D Street bike route
  • Small fire extinguished inside Petaluma Hotel http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20100905/community/100909742 Flames outside of room doused with water; damage estimated at $5,000. Small fire extinguished inside Petaluma Hotel

Santa Rosa Mom

  • In utero baby games http://www.santarosamom.com/xn/detail/5010986:Topic:3613

    Before your baby is born, they are already becoming aware of the world around them.  They may not be able to see you yet, but they can still hear your voice.  And they can also feel you every time they kick.  While they are still forming, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know them through play and attention. 

     

    Through sound

    By the time they are 20 weeks in utero, your baby can hear what's going on around them.  They can even recognize your voice

    In utero baby games
  • Healthy casserole ideas http://www.santarosamom.com/xn/detail/5010986:Topic:3611

    One of my friends just suffered the loss of her grandmother, a woman that shaped a lot of my friend's life.  Needless to say, she is very sad.  As a way to help her through this, a group of us have organized a meal plan for the week, bringing her a dish every day so that she won't have to cook dinners during this very sad time.

     

    Casseroles are, of course, the easiest dish to make in situations like this.  Unfortunately, many casseroles are extremely high in fat content.  But I

    Healthy casserole ideas
  • Latchkey kids http://www.santarosamom.com/xn/detail/5010986:Topic:3607

     

    While some states hold a law for when your child is allowed to stay home alone, California does not. That means that in this state, it is up to the parents' best judgment to know when their child is capable of the resp

    Latchkey kids
  • Uses for olive oil http://www.santarosamom.com/xn/detail/5010986:Topic:3592 Olive oil is not only great for salads and cooking, it can also be a vital tool for new mothers. Here are a couple of new uses:

    1. Instead of diaper rash cream, use olive oil. Of course, this will only work if the rash is mild. If you whisk it with some warm water and then apply it to the rash, the oil helps to naturally moisturize your babies skin to gently heal the rash. Olive oil also works well against your baby's midl eczema.

    2. Forget the baby oil, and use olive oil instead for cradle ca…
    Uses for olive oil

Education blog - Extra Credit

  • UPDATED: Analy Band makes return appearance at Giants game http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/13006/analy-band-makes-return-appearance-at-giants-game/ http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/files/2010/09/thisone1-300x224.jpg UPDATE: Here are a few more photos from the event._____The Analy High School Tiger Band played the national anthem at the San Francisco Giants game last Wednesday. The performance prior to the Giants' defeat of the Colorado Rockies (it was 2-1) marks the 18th time in 19 years the Tigers have played at a Giants [...] UPDATED: Analy Band makes return appearance at Giants game
  • Teachers: Did you receive a donation from DonorsChoose.org? http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/13023/teachers-did-you-receive-a-donation-from-donorschoose-org/ Did any Sonoma County teachers get a donation fulfilled in the recent windfall from Donorschoose.org? Please shoot me a message at Kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com if you have a story. Teachers: Did you receive a donation from DonorsChoose.org?
  • Van Dyke named new principal at Carrillo http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/12999/van-dyke-named-new-principal-at-carrillo/ Rand Van Dyke has been named the new principal at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa.Van Dyke takes over for Mark Klick who last month took over as assistant superintendent of human resources at the district office. Sue Sion has been in place as the interim principal and will remain on campus for the next few [...] Van Dyke named new principal at Carrillo
  • Change the kindergarten entry age? http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/12995/change-the-kindergarten-entry-age/  Kindergarten before the age of 5?The California Legislature says no.The Legislature this week passed SB1381 (D-Simitian, D-Palo Alto) which would gradually roll back the admission cutoff for kindergarteners from Dec. 2 to Sept. 2. It would also establish a 'transitional kindergarten' for the so-called 'young fives.'There is already ongoing, lively debate over the value of [...] Change the kindergarten entry age?

Good Deeds

  • Send public on its way http://gooddeeds.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/11199/send-public-on-its-way/ The Petaluma Visitor Center, located in the historic depot building, seeks volunteers to greet the public and provide directions and information. Send public on its way
  • A chance to share your skills http://gooddeeds.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/11197/a-chance-to-share-your-skills/ Becoming Independent, which assists 1,300 people living with disabilities, seeks volunteers with experience in bowling, gardening and teaching dance. A chance to share your skills
  • Vineyard fundraiser planned http://gooddeeds.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/11195/vineyard-fundraiser-planned/ The Disability Services & Legal Center needs volunteers for its annual fundraising event, Music in the Vines, from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at deLorimier Winery in Geyserville. Vineyard fundraiser planned
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