TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. WELCOME ANNE NEELY
2. AMERICAN FASCISM AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
4. SALLY KOHN - THE OPPOSITE OF HATE
5. GET THE FACTS - BLOG ON VACCINES
6. UPDATE ON NEIGHBORHOOD PODS

JOINING THE WAKE UP SONOMA TEAM - ANNE NEELY
EVENT PLANNER AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Please help me to welcome Anne Neely who is joining us now as a contractor in event planning and volunteer management after a very thorough process of reviewing some really good and qualified applicants for this role with our organization. Anne has had a lot of experience with event management and in working with volunteers. Having Anne on board will be an enormous help to the board in meeting it’s objectives and carrying out our mission. If you are a volunteer, chances are good you will be hearing from her. If you need to reach Anne, you can reach out to her at this email address. You will be hearing more from her soon.
anneneely1@hotmail.com

Message from Anne

I am delighted to be joining Wake UP Sonoma and am excited to collaborate with the activist volunteers to provide opportunities for local engagement. Most of my career has been managing Class A high-rises, shopping centers (most notably the commercial portion of Seattle’s Pike Place Market), and corporate campuses. In these roles, I led teams to provide operations, maintenance, leasing and construction efforts. I also mixed it up and worked for non-profit organizations with the latest role as a capital project manager where I oversaw the new construction of a 100- unit permanent supportive housing building as well as numerous extensive renovations to buildings housing the chronically homeless. My husband, Randy, and I moved to Sonoma from Seattle a couple of years ago with our 17-year-old miniature schnauzer, Scottie. At this time in my life, I want to focus on what I truly enjoy, which is project management and working with volunteers for a common mission. I also find joy in trying out new activities like slab ceramics, using a chain saw and discovering solarpunk genre books.
See you soon at an upcoming Wake UP Sonoma event!

FREE COMMUNITY TALK
WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING FRED GLASS TO SONOMA.
It could not be a more important time to hear this talk.
As we approach May Day Actions -- how is the labor movement fighting fascism?

American Fascism: What It Is & What To Do About It
Wake UP Sonoma’s Community Conversation with Fred Glass
MAY 2, 2026
11:00 - 1:00
Burlingame Hall - Sonoma Valley
252 Spain Street, Sonoma
Snacks provided
How do we understand what happening in the United States today?
• What are its origins?
• What do we call it, and why?
• How do we organize to roll it back?
RSVP LINK: COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH FRED GLASS — Wake UP Sonoma
Check out this video put out by Fred
Tax the Rich: An animated fairy tale

SALLY KOHN FOR A CONVERSATION ON CHANGE, EMPATHY AND A “NO HATE” ATTITUDE IN THESE TIMES.

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH SALLY KOHN
Moderated by Martín Gobbée, of Wake UP Sonoma
Friday, April 24
5:30 PM–7:00 PM

Doors open at 5:00 PM

Sebastiani Theatre - Sonoma Valley

Wake UP Sonoma’s April Community Conversation
TICKET LINK: Fireside Chat with Sally Kohn - No Hate | Press Democrat News Group
Her book The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity is Kohn’s report back from a journey that took her around the world and into the lives of white supremacists, terrorists and Trump supporters.

Sally Kohn is Calling for Connection and Compassion in the Age of Trump - Ms. Magazine
We hope you will join us on April 24th!
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BLOG CORNER

GET THE FACTS
An FAQ about Vaccinations
By Elizabeth Sandel, MD - Inform and Educate Team

Choosing the best care for yourself or your family often raises many questions, especially about vaccinations. While the anti-vaccination movement has a long history rooted in concerns over personal liberty, religious beliefs, and medical risks, we believe that informed consent starts with clear, science-based evidence. In an era where social media can blur the lines between myth and medicine—including debunked claims regarding autism and long-term side effects—this FAQ is designed to help you understand and communicate to others why vaccines are important for our Sonoma community. As our government distorts the science, look to the expert help from major organizations at the end of this blog.
To read the whole story, visit our blog site here:
Get the Facts

Note: The Wake UP Sonoma Inform and Educate team aims to provide timely and accurate information to target the spread of mis information and to support our mission to Inform and Educate. They also provide a range of editorial and opinion type of writings. If you are interested in joining the Blog team, or submitting a blog send an email to: wakeupsonoma@gmail.com

REMINDERS

Neighborhood Pod Point Person Meeting
On the last Monday of each month.
If you want to find out more about Neighborhood Pods, visit our Blog Page - Neighborhood Pods

Next one is April 27 - 5:30 - 6:30
Come see what we are up to - fill out this form to join as a Pod organizer or point person.
NEIGHBORHOOD PILOT POINT PERSON SIGN UP — Wake UP Sonoma
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SIGNS OF HOPE FLASH MOB
ON DISPLAY - WEDNESDAY APRIL 15TH - 12 - 1:00
BOYES HOT SPRINGS POST OFFICE.
If you want to be part of this team, fill out this form
FLASH MOB SIGN UP — Wake UP Sonoma
ALERT! If you borrowed one of the yellow signs of hope signs at the NO KINGS 3, please return it by reaching out to Ed Clay, edclay@edclay.com

Our Vision: To foster a vibrant, just, respectful and welcoming Sonoma Valley community.

OUR MISSION IS TO:
EDUCATE - by providing resources to Sonoma Valley residents to be informed and engaged.
ADVOCATE - for local diversity, equity, inclusion, civic and corporate transparency.
ACTIVATE - by promoting democracy and providing opportunities for local engagement.

We Educate. Advocate. Activate.
on issues related, but not limited to:
- LGBTQIA+ safety and visibility
- Protection of our immigrant population
- Defense against Christian Nationalism
- Transparency in large corporate investment and responsible development
- Active local civic engagement