10 things I learned as a parent

As parents, it is our job to guide our children and teach them important lessons in life. But sometimes it is our kids who are teaching us. Here are some very important lessons I have learned from my children.

1. Girls don’t always dress like girls. My daughter was the very first girl of the family. This resulted in piles of pink clothes with frilly lace being thrust at me from all directions. Me? I was never a girly girl. I preferred to dress my new little girl in neutral colors and overalls. And when she got older, she abhorred pink with a passion. But her grandparents always tried. She’d receive pink shirts and pretty dresses – all of which would end up in the back of her closet or in a pile of clothes to return that would just end up going into the Goodwill bag because I was too lazy to make it to the store. Did I wish she would dress more like a girl? Have I tried to sell the idea that pants can still be worn under dresses to make them somewhat less girly? (more...) Read More »

Sean Payton thanks his lucky stars

It was January 2004, and Sean Payton was going to be the Raiders’ new head coach. Read More »

The biggest spenders

The state Fair Political Practices Commission released a Top 10 list of sorts today, listing the 10 people who donated the most money to state candidates and campaigns over the past 10 years. The... Read More »

Excessive tardies creates need for instant detentions

It’s a minute to class, but a view of the quad doesn’t show it: students are milling around, joking with friends, and dragging their feet with no apparent intention of arriving to class on time. Excessive tardiness is an increasingly problem. On Wed. Feb. 10, however, the school is taking dramatic action in correcting this problem by enacting a much stricter policy. Each student that is late to class, whether by a minute or an hour after the bell, will receive... Read More »

A Warm Petaluma Night

Last Saturday night (Fe. 8th) was a classic. First, the Petaluma Music Festival held its start up party for sponsors, fans and friends, at the Lagunitas Brewing Company. There was live music, beer... Read More »

Analy High honor choir fundraiser is Thursday

Analy High School’s Honor Choir will host another fundraiser Feb. 11 as the group tries to raise funds to send the singers to Carnegie Hall in New York this spring. The honor choir has been... Read More »

Judges sought for Sonoma County Science Fair

The Sonoma County Science Fair, an annual event coordinated by the Sonoma County Office of Education, is seeking volunteers to judge student science projects from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.... Read More »

A warm day at Freezeout Flat

Back in 2005, when a 3,373-acre patch of land near the Sonoma Coast came into public ownership, it was envisioned that it would one day be part of the state parks system. That made sense as... Read More »

Watch this (TV for Tues. 2/9)

Turn off your brain and grab the remote. Read More »

Pliny the Younger has come and gone

An update for those of you who were waiting until the crowds thinned out for a taste of Russian River Brewing Company's once-a-year-beer,  Pliny the Younger: Sorry. It sold out the same day it... Read More »

Petaluma Target Approved by Council

Also needed is dismissal of the Regency lawsuit which should include payment to the city of its legal fees and staff costs incurred defending its legitimate interests. Read More »

What to play this weekend (Feb. 5-7)

The new "Star Trek" MMO is the lone major release, but you can pick up "'Splosion Man" on the cheap on Xbox Live. If you're a PC gamer who hasn't played the first "BioShock" yet, a couple of sites are giving away the original if you preorder the sequel. Read More »

Macworld Expo without Apple

Macworld Conference and Expo 2010 opens this week at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Read More »

Vizquel to wear Aparicio’s No. 11

I have to admit, as an old-school baseball fan, I was ambivalent, to say the least, over the news that the Chicago White Sox are going to un-retire Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparacio’s No. 11 so... Read More »

Cook talks about his music and upcoming record

If you are a David Cook fan (which I am), and you enjoy good interviews (which I do) then go to the following link on PopWatch and view the 3-part video interview with Cook conducted by Michael... Read More »

Bitter call from a cake shop

If we talk a bit about how a Santa Rosa mother was insulted after she phoned a fancy bakery regarding a cake for her daughter’s Quinceanera celebration, maybe the affront will be less likely to... Read More »

Final thoughts on SMART column

Write a column, and people will let you know what they think. This week’s commentary on the mixed messages emanating from the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit board generated two kinds of... Read More »

Ellis passed over for All-Star game again

For the second time since reserves for the Western Conference All-Star team were announced, Warriors guard Monta Ellis has been passed over to join the team as an injury replacement. The first... Read More »

Sacramento Poetry Center: Submit to Tule Review

The Sacramento Poetry Center welcomes submissions for the next Tule Review — now 40-50 pages and perfect bound — with an anticipated publication date in June, 2010. We consider poetry of all... Read More »

Extended report for Feb. 8

NORTH COAST RIVERS CHETCO RIVER, Ore.—The river has been up and down in elevation and flows, and while there are some tough times with a lot of boat traffic and rough seas at the mouth, making... Read More »

Washington DC Snowstorm

The seat of our government is snowed under. Yah, yah, we know you've heard this before. But this time it's not due to spurious legislation, rampaging hordes of lobbyists, or lurid scandals. This time it's really snow. Read More »