The Sonoma County non-profit Land Paths, founded a dozen years ago to help connect urban residents to the natural world around them, is finding that goal taking them in some unexpected new directions.

Landpaths' mission is "to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County," a broad goal that underlies their many day-to-day activities. The common thread among them, observes Executive Director Craig Anderson, is a shared appreciation for the natural world, and a willingness to listen.

 LandPaths offers both a busy list of hikes and other activities , and a wealth of volunteer opportunities such as creating new hiking trails (below).

They also have a lovely online photo gallery of scenes from Sonoma County's outdoors.

It's name--The Sun Dragon--may not even be the most unusual thing about the newest civic solar installation in Sebastopol.

The Sun Dragon's unusual appearance also offers some technical benefits, which Kyes explains in this audio clip.

 A more detailed account of Fr. Vitale's arrest at Fort Huachuca can be found here .

Father Vitale will speak in Santa Rosa on Sunday, September 7, at 7:00 pm. at the  Christ Church United Methodist, 1717  Yulupa, Santa Rosa. For further information about the event, call 707-575-8902. A $10 donation is suggested, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. To learn more about the "No to Torture, Yes to Peace" campaign, click here .The event is co-sponsored by the Sonoma Couty Network of Spiritual Progressives, the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County , and numerous other local groups involved in peace and social justice issues.

Pace a Bene is a organization dedicated to "fostering a just and  peaceful world through non-violent education, community-building and action."  Their history is published here .