Sarah Stierch

I'm a journalist, opinionist, photographer and polymath based in northern California. I am currently seeking freelance opportunities in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties in Northern California. I am currently a contributor on breaking news, arts/culture and food/drink for The Mendocino Voice.

I write about wildfires, food, beverage, travel, history and the local culture of regions in Northern California. I also photograph a lot of these subjects.

I am the former Food & Wine Editor of the Sonoma Valley Sun and beverage and travel writer for Sonoma Magazine. I have contributed to North Bay Woman,the Press-Democrat, the North Bay Bohemian, Huffington Post, Wine Enthusiast, the Sonoma Index-Tribune, and NorthBay Biz.

My wildfire work was called "groundbreaking" by KQED Forum's Michael Krasny in 2017. In my wildfire coverage, I have appeared on KQED Forum, WNYC's The Takeway, the Weather Channel, KPFA, KSVY, KSRO and in the Washington Post, St. Helena Star, SF Gate, San Francisco Chronicle and ABC Weekend Nightly News.

My photography has been published by The Washington Post, Utne Reader, Motorburn, Nature World News, the Christian Post, Buzzfeed, KNPR, KQED, Thrillist, Frommers, Lonely Planet, the Financial Observer, Country Queer, ROAR, WAMU, the National Park Service, California State Parks, the NBA, Joie de Vivre Hotels, PETA, Hilton and more.

You can contact me at sarahstierch at gmail.com and find me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Riverfront Times •

Russell Hitchcock Is Relishing Air Supply's Big, Young Audiences

My 15-year-old daughter says that she has never heard of Air Supply. This is distressing. She is a classic-rock-loving teenager, with many of the same posters on her bedroom walls that I had on mine when I was her age. Yet somehow the music of Air Supply — those massive, swoony love songs that were ubiquitous in the early ‘80s, songs that seemingly came right out of the taps and drifted along on the, well, air supply — have escaped her. How do these screenagers today slow dance at parties withou
WGHN •

Grand Haven Man Charged With Stealing, Selling mPerks Points

(Lansing, MI) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is charging 22-year-old Nicholas Mui of Grand Haven of stealing and selling Meijer customer’s mPerks rewards points. Seven victims have been identified so far and Nessel says hundreds of others may also be at risk. “We’re alleging that Mr. Mui acquired a large data set of user names and passwords on the dark web and put software to the task of attempting to log in.” Attorney General Dana Nessel says Nicholas Mui used a previous data breach
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter •

Saltburn: A visceral, humorous commentary on wealth

“Mom, wake up. A new Oscar contender just dropped.” 2023 has been the year of movies, which seems ironic to say considering the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes that paralyzed Hollywood. But this year still gave us some truly great films: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, The Holdovers, The Killer, Bottoms and so many more. And, just on the cusp of the next year, we are gifted with one of the anticipated movies of the year, Saltburn. Saltburn, the sophomore film of writer and
The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA •

Snow scenes across Mendocino County: February 22 — 24

MENDOCINO Co., 2/24/23 — This most series of storms facing Mendocino County may not be the last, but the winter weather has brought significant snowfall in unusual locations across the county, including in Hopland, Point Arena, and Fort Bragg. We’ve put together some photos from our staff and readers over the last few days, and we’ll be adding to this article with additional submissions, so check back throughout the snow days. We’d love to see your photos as well! You can click through the slid
El Tecolote •

California Has a Lot to Offer Storm Victims

[by Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services; photo via Sarah Stierch/Missvain via Wikimedia Commons] It’s never too late to be prepared. During a calm between storms, officials from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the state departments of Public Health, Social Services and Insurance gathered to discuss efforts to help Californians recover from the “atmospheric rivers” that have deluged the West Coast. The Jan. 17 media briefing, “Staying Alert and Safe Through the Storms: I
KALW •

Contra Costa County ratifies emergency proclamation

The proclamation was originally declared a week ago by County Administrator Monica Nino. The emergency status allows the county to be eligible for future disaster relief funding, should it be authorized by the federal and state government. The proclamation was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State of California Office of Emergency Services so Contra Costa County can be added to the governor's statewide proclamation on Jan. 11. Newsom issued the statewide emergency proclamation Jan. 4, allow
scheerpost.com •

Why California's Climate Change and Housing Crises Hit Women Hardest

An advocate explains how gender equity goes beyond Roe v. Wade. While Californians are well aware that the Golden State is struggling to solve its affordable housing crisis and mitigate the impacts of climate change, most are unlikely to think of these battles as gender equality problems. But that would be a mistake, says Nancy Cohen, the president and founder of the Gender Equity Policy Institute, an organization launched in 2021 to study how policy proposals would affect women and others syst
Quinte News •

Sportsbooks on their way to Belleville’s casino

Sports betting is coming to Shorelines Casino Belleville – once city council amends its agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming. OLG announced earlier this fall sportsbooks would be introduced at select casinos, in compliance with provincial regulations. In order for the city to benefit from revenue that Sportsbook will bring in, an amendment must be made to the existing contribution agreement. The proposed amendment will see the city receive 4% of Sportsbook revenue.
WSKG | Local news and arts, broadcasting NPR radio and PBS TV. •

Upstate New York Poison Center getting more calls about kids consuming marijuana edibles

WRVO – The number of young children getting into marijuana edibles is on the rise in upstate New York, and experts are warning families to keep a lid on any gummies, cookies, or other cannabis-containing food products. In 2019, the Upstate New York Poison Center got 10 calls about children under the age of five getting into marijuana edibles that contain THC. Poison Center Medical Director Dr. Vince Calleo said they’ve gotten over 60 already this year, in the 54 county upstate region. “That’s
Jurist •

Biden administration says refusing to fill abortion medication prescriptions can violate federal civil rights law

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of Civil Rights Wednesday issued a legal guidance warning the country’s 60,000 retail pharmacies that refusing to fill prescriptions for medication that can be used for abortion violates federal civil rights law. The guidance clarifies that under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act: As recipients of federal financial assistance, including Medicare and Medicaid payments, pharmacies are prohibited from discriminating on the basis
Citrus County Chronicle •

From the Inside: The Jamestown Colony

The early 17th century was a time of discovery. The world was now to anyone who wanted to settle, especially in the New World. This is the story of the first permanent settlement known as Jamestown. On May 14, 1607, a group of roughly 100 members of a joint venture called the Virginia Company founded the first permanent English settlement in North America on the banks of the James River. Famine, disease, and conflict with local Native American tribes in the first two years “brought Jamestown to the brink of failure before the arrival of a new set of settlers and supplies in 1610.”
Orlando Weekly •

Orlando's Thornton Park neighborhood set to get festive with a Cinco de Mayo Street Party

Come this year's Cinco de Mayo, the streets of Thornton Park will be ringing with revelry, for a good cause.On Thursday, May 5, Thornton Park will be the site of a Cinco de Mayo Street Party from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. A portion of East Washington Street will be closed off to traffic so the party can well and truly begin.The 808 Orlando, Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, Burton’s Grill and Graffiti Junktion collaborated to present this party, which will feature DJs along with a live mariachi band — and, of cours
Wisconsin Public Radio •

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Slaw

For the Slaw and Shrimp Taco Sauce: • Prepare the sauce and slaw: In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, salt, lime zest, and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Place the cabbage in a mixing bowl and toss with about 1/2 cup of the sauce. Add more sauce if you prefer a creamier slaw, then reserve the rest of the sauce for serving. • Cook the shrimp: In a large nonstick skillet over medium high, heat the rema
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