Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Amid Whistleblower Warning Sonoma Valley Will Vote By Mail As Is

Be sure to catch Learn to Make Ceviche from Scratch on the Sonoma Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 2nd Patch AM
Wednesday September 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again Sonoma! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Sonoma Valley's 2026 mail-in voting rules stay firmly in place
  • Sonoma's new 9/11 memorial is ready for public reflection
  • How the new Route 40X could change commuting from Sonoma

Also on today's calendar: Learn to Make Ceviche from Scratch and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Clouds yielding to sun, with a high of 77 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Thursday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 72, low: 50.
  • Friday: Pleasant, with a high of 80 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Amid Whistleblower Warning Sonoma Valley Will Vote By Mail As Is (patch.com) — Sonoma Valley voters are being told that existing vote-by-mail procedures will remain in place for the Nov. 3, 2026 election despite a federal whistleblower's warning about a new USPS system. County elections chief Evelyn T. Mendez says Sonoma County will only change course if ordered by the state, and urges residents to use official drop boxes or vote centers, with detailed timelines for guides, ballots, and early voting access.
   

2. Sonoma Valley Fire District to mark 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks with memorial (pressdemocrat.com) — Sonoma Valley Fire District has completed its new 9/11 Memorial at Station 1 on Second Street West, giving locals a permanent place to reflect and honor victims and first responders. A public dedication ceremony is planned for Friday, Sept. 11, fully funded by the Sonoma Volunteer Firefighter's Association, with more event details to come online.
   

3. Transit officials showcase new Sonoma Route 40X bus connection with regional tour (pressdemocrat.com) — Sonoma residents now have a redesigned Route 40X bus linking Sonoma Plaza directly with SMART rail service in Petaluma, with timed transfers for commuters. Officials will showcase the connection on a Sept. 8 tour offering several route options, and locals are encouraged to RSVP online for space on return shuttles and to receive pre-loaded Clipper cards.
   

4. Sonoma Valley Hospital September series addresses aging (sonomanews.com) — Sonoma residents can attend a free three-part Friday lecture series on healthy aging at Vintage House, hosted by Sonoma Valley Hospital throughout September. Local medical experts will cover gut health, stroke response, and fall prevention, with registration open to the entire community and light refreshments provided.
   

5. Sonoma Valley Education Foundation grants boost student learning (sonomanews.com) — Sonoma teachers are getting up to $1,000 each in Classroom Grants this year, helping stock local classrooms with supplies, books, science kits, and arts resources that district budgets can't cover. The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has already approved dozens of grants and raised matching community donations, funding field trips, hands-on learning tools, and performing arts experiences for students across Sonoma Valley schools.
   

📸 Around Sonoma

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Anyone in Boyes missing a pet bunny?
    This one appeared in our garden this morning! We would love to help it find its way home. Thanks! (Nextdoor South Boyes Springs)
  • Good Afternoon Neighbors, My name is Marco's and i offer my services here in Sonoma County.
    I offer my services of monthly/biweekly maintenance, installation and reparation, carpenter work, big/small projects etc, If you're in need of… (Nextdoor Boyes Hot Springs)
  • Accor North America, Inc. posted a job opening for Part Time Housekeeping House Attendant in Sonoma. Apply here.
  • Santa Rosa Junior College posted a job opening for 2026/2027 - Associate Faculty - Agricultural Business and Related Services (Agribusiness) in Sonoma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sonoma here.

Ok Sonoma! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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