As is my Holiday tradition, I spent an evening driving around northern Sonoma County in late December with my friend Linda, drinking hot cocoa, looking at Christmas light displays. This year seemed to be the best year ever with more houses decorated and more elaborate scenes. I could just feel how people wanted to outwardly share happiness and hope with their decorations.

Looking around, here are the positive things that I see: businesses like LIFT planning an expansion, the Cloverdale Nursery “blossoming” as it grows, new branding for the Alexander Valley Film Society, Erin Mavis Clothing being voted “Best of Sonoma County, Reader’s Choice”, the Cloverdale Chamber planning events with unbridled enthusiasm, the new Ambassador program for the Citrus Fair and the many non-profits and volunteers who never give up and keep sharing and giving to our entire community. We are a hopeful, helpful and vibrant community.

I wish all of our readers, advertisers, non-profits, and our contributors a very happy and healthy New Year. Whatever it is you do, do it with love and enthusiasm.

I’ll see you around town!

Dana