sonoma county: Fingers of Fog in Sonoma County - 11/03/10 04:05 PM
Sonoma County's Western border is on the Pacific Coast so naturally we get fog once in awhile. It's extremely welcome when we are sweltering in three digit temperatures. Then again it can be confounding when you want it to lift or "burn off" in time for _______________ (fill in the blank).
The fog will keep hot air balloons grounded. It will keep my visitors from landing in San Francisco, just 45 miles South. It can spoil a few events that would have been much better enjoyed in hot weather. But like it or not, if you live on the West Coast … (9 comments)

sonoma county: Your old car may become someone's new home - 10/26/10 11:43 AM
If everything goes as planned, a developer in Sonoma County will be building new residential SFRs using steel framing. The source for the steel? Recycled cars. When you see smashed cars heading down the road on a flatbed trailer, you may be looking at the structural segment of someone's new home.
Steel has long been used in commercial construction, and has become more and more popular with residential developers. With rising lumber prices and the need to conserve timber, builders are realizing the advantage of moving towards steel construction.
There are several advantages to using steel framing, especially in certain areas … (20 comments)

sonoma county: An afternoon with Brad Andersohn - Technology Tools to help our Business - 10/19/10 02:03 PM
About 4 weeks ago I noticed an announcement for a technology class that I didn't pay much attention to until I saw who it was doing the presentation. Brad Andersohn. OK, I thought, I can't miss this!
If you have never met Brad I can tell you he is real, he is funny and he knows his stuff. He is a great presenter and by the time he was done sharing the technology tools he uses my brain felt like a pile of mush.
The icing on the cake was meeting not only Brad but Sonoma County's top bloggers. With … (44 comments)

sonoma county: Hot Air Ballooning in Sonoma County - 10/16/10 03:35 AM
Have you ever been up in a hot air balloon? It's a lot of fun, there isn't anything quite like it. Whenever I'm out and about in Sonoma County in the morning, I will usually see 5 or 6 hot air balloons in the air. I turned onto Occidental road one morning this week and witnessed a perfect landing in this farmers field.
And then there is the romantic side of ballooning. The balloon company will want to know if a certain someone will be receiving a marriage proposal. Weddings are another favorite. Do you know of someone having a special … (16 comments)

sonoma county: Sonoma County Harvest - AKA - The CRUSH RUSH - 10/13/10 09:43 AM
If you don't live in Sonoma County, it's kind of hard to explain what goes on here during our harvest season. By far, our largest crop is wine grapes. When the grapes reach their perfect brix (sugar) level, Sonoma County becomes a 24/7 crush rush. CRUSH is what we call the season. RUSH is what is done to bring the grapes in from the field and into the wineries.
I e-mailed the fine folks at Wine Road, asking when their harvest video would be available and that day is today! To get a better idea of what life is like in … (12 comments)

sonoma county: Sonoma County Cow Sighting in Costco Parking Lot - 10/11/10 02:06 PM
Cow sightings in Sonoma Cownty County are an everyday event, nothing to write home about. But this is the first time I've seen one in the Rohnert Park Costco parking lot! This cow evidently comes with its own name. PT MOOZR. Now if it can just figure out how to get to the nearest CowWash ...
 

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sonoma county: Citigroup ex-CEO Buys $30 Million Estate in Sonoma County - 10/08/10 10:03 AM
Citygroup ex-CEO Sanford "Sandy" Weill payed almost $31 Million for a 362-acre estate in Sonoma County. This is reportedly a record high price for our County, as announced today in the Press Democrat.
Described as a Tuscan-Inspired Villa, the main structure is a 11,605 square foot mansion that comes with it's own fire truck and 7-person crew.
In the meantime, out of 1,970 residential properties for sale in Sonoma County, 605 of those (31%) are either short sales or bank owned.
Something is very wrong with this picture.
 
 
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sonoma county: World Championship Grape Stomp at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair! - 09/28/10 12:00 PM
Get those stomping legs in shape, the 2010 Sonoma County Harvest Fair is right around the corner! October 1st through October 3rd is Sonoma County's three day celebration of the 2010 harvest. As you may have guessed, the harvest of our wine grapes is the main attraction.
Over 150 wineries will be pouring their wines for the general public. Bring the kids, while the adults are sipping wine, the kids have many activities planned for them!
Barnyard scramble Scarecrow building contest Scarecrow un-building contest (no kidding) Cow milking contest (city kids only, no cheating) Wagon rides Llama parade Pumpkin bowling The … (11 comments)

sonoma county: Sonoma County Ranked No. 1 in California for Volunteerism - 09/27/10 12:56 PM
Sonoma County was recently ranked the number one community in California based on the percentage of Citizens who volunteer. A whopping 39% of Sonoma County residents (almost 2 out of every 5) have averaged more than 53 hours of volunteer time each year.
With Sonoma County's current population estimated at 475,000 that means that 185,250 citizens responded to a call to action to better our community. For three years in a row, more than 19 Million hours, worth an estimated $415 million dollars, have been logged ... EACH YEAR.
Every Sunday in our local paper, a full page is dedicated to … (8 comments)

sonoma county: I Can Help You Buy HUD-Owned Homes in Sonoma County, CA - 09/21/10 08:26 AM
Are you trying to buy a home in Sonoma County and keep getting out-bid by cash investors? I'm going to share a little secret with you. When HUD-owned homes are first introduced to the market, HUD will only accept bids from buyers who intend to be an Owner Occupant. That's right, investors are not allowed to bid on HUD-owned homes for the first 10 days the property is on the market.
Did you know you can learn about the newest HUD-owned homes before your competition does? Before a HUD-owned home is data entered into the MLS by the listing broker, the … (9 comments)

sonoma county: Hooooo-Weeeeee! The Sonoma Aroma Is Wafting My Way ... And I Love It! - 09/05/10 09:03 AM
Sonoma County is a rural area where cows are as common a sight as people. During certain times of the year our farmers fertilize their fields with a by-product of our happy California cows. When the wind is blowing just right, there is a distinct aroma that some folks don't care for. I love it.
A couple of years ago, I listed my next door neighbors house during this aromatic "season". I remember getting a call from a showing agent and she said "my buyers really love the house ... but does Cotati ALWAYS smell like that?" Why yes, yes it … (14 comments)

sonoma county: Kayaking In Sonoma County - 07/06/10 12:40 PM
Kayaking in Sonoma County is a great way to spend the day, particularly during the summer months when it is hot. One of my favorite places to kayak is the Russian River. There are several beaches on the river where you can park your car, unload your kayak and paddle in the river all day at no charge!
If you don't own a kayak, you can rent one from several places along the river. Try Johnson's Beach or King's Sport and Tackle in Guerneville (pronounced Gern-Ville), or at Monte Rio Beach next to the Monte Rio bridge. Canoes are also great … (7 comments)

sonoma county: 4th of July Festivities in Sonoma County - Get Ready For The RED, WHITE And BOOM! - 07/03/10 11:46 AM
Get ready for the RED WHITE and BOOM!! The fireworks that are set to explode in Santa Rosa on the 4th of July are produced by Pyro Spectaculars, the same company that has staged fireworks for numerous Superbowl and Olympic extravaganzas. Pyro Spectacular employees travel to Liuyang, China every year - ground zero for fireworks - to bring home the latest in explosives. Could you imagine having the job of staging and blowing up fireworks?

 
Santa Rosa may have the largest fireworks show in Sonoma County, but not necessarily the best. One of my favorites is the fireworks display … (0 comments)

sonoma county: Vineyards Spring To Life In Sonoma County - 05/21/10 12:03 PM
This is an exciting time of year for our local wineries.  The grapevines are in full swing after surviving some very cold days so late in the year. The vines are budding beautifully which brings a level of excitement as we see a new vintage spring to life.
The video below is the latest from Sonoma Wine Road that shows how the wine grape growing season is progressing in Sonoma County.
WARNING, this is Friday afternoon and if it's not quite time to put your feet up and pour yourself a glass of Sonoma County wine, DON'T watch this video!!
 
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sonoma county: Weathering the Passage of Time - 04/18/10 12:06 PM
One of the things I love about Sonoma County is the plethora of BARNS!  Sonoma County is very rural and it's two highest producing crops are wine grapes and milk, in that order.  Not long ago, Sonoma County and particularly Petaluma, was known as the Egg Capital of the World.  We have the leftover chicken barns that are literally melting into the ground to prove it.
Having grown up on a dairy farm in Corvallis Oregon, the coolest thing to do during the summer was to play in the barn where it was shaded.  We would play "king of the mountain" … (7 comments)

sonoma county: Sonoma County, A Motorcycle Mecca - 04/17/10 08:27 AM
Sonoma County is considered a Motorcycle Mecca to many enthusiasts.  There are only about six weeks out the year where it isn't comfortable to ride, either due to rain or cold temperatures.  But when the sun comes out, it isn't unusual to hear a group of motorcyclists going down the road, sometimes the destination unknown.
The narrow two lane roads, of which Sonoma County has a lot of, is a playground for the sport bikers who straddle their crotch rockets.  Cruising a bit slower, you'll find a group of Harley riders, or perhaps a group of "wingers" on their Honda Goldwings.  … (2 comments)

sonoma county: 75 Degrees, Surrounded by Green on St. Patricks Day - PRICELESS - 03/17/10 12:42 PM
While reading the local paper this morning, the world section had photos of some folks shoveling show and others floating down their streets in rowboats.  I guess I'm what you would call a fair weather girl ... I like my warm and mild climate.
On St. Patricks day, 2010, the residents of Sonoma County enjoyed 75 degree weather surrounded by emerald green hills, white wispy clouds and blue sky.  To me, it doesn't get much better than this.
 




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sonoma county: Sonoma County Spring Home and Garden - Boat, RV & Sport Show - 03/17/10 12:20 PM
Spring officially starts Saturday, May 20th, just in time for the Sonoma County Spring Home and Garden Show.  This event is held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, and presents an extensive array of exterior and interior goodies for your new or ready home.
If you are thinking of a project for your house, this is a not-to-miss event.  Thinking of getting a new roof?  A garage make-over for your toys?  How about faux finishes for a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets?  Concrete countertops, anyone?
After planning your Spring projects, get ready to drool over the newest of boats … (0 comments)

sonoma county: Wine Road Barrel Tasting in Sonoma County - 03/08/10 03:03 AM
This past weekend was the 32nd annual Wine Road Barrel Tasting event in Sonoma County.  Navigating roads to the wineries was a challenge, there were multitudes of limousines, tour vans and kamakazi bicyclists.  Barrell tasting continues next weekend as well, a newer tradition that started 2 years ago.
130 wineries participated in the barrel tasting event, where you can sample new wines directly from the barrel, meet the winemakers and buy "futures".  Getting more and more popular over the years, Sonoma County was expecting up to 30,000 guests at this event.
If you have never tried barrel tasting, you should seriously consider visiting Sonoma County.  Mark your calendars, … (5 comments)

sonoma county: Yellow, Yellow Everywhere ... Bloom Season Hits Sonoma County - 02/23/10 02:11 AM
We are in full bloom in Sonoma County.  The recent rains have turned our hillsides emerald green, I feel like I could be in Ireland this time of year.  February is one of my favorite months because the daffodils, mustard and acacia take over and plaster their yellow beauty everywhere.  Look out if you see me driving in your vicinity, I'm not paying much attention to the road!

Daffodils on Valparaiso ...

Mustard on Stony Point ...

Acacia on Occidental ...
 
 
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