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Hello Santa Rosa! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Forest stewardship bill, gold and silver’s hot streak, and a Blancs and Rosé Club + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

New vision for forest stewardship: Santa Rosa Assemblymember Chris Rogers introduced a bill to shift California’s demonstration state forests from logging toward restoration, research, public access, and tribal involvement. Supporters say it modernizes decades-old policies — see what’s in the bill.

Celebrating a civic leader: City of Sonoma will honor 2026 Honorary Alcalde Gary Edwards with a free community reception on Thursday, March 12. The City invites the community to celebrate his service — get all the event details.

Aromatic whites take center stage: Dry Creek Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley has launched a Blancs and Rosé Club, with seasonal shipments of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and winery exclusives for fans of food-friendly wines — get all the club details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Raise a glass for community impact
• Celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees
• Hear all seven youth ensembles perform
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Tapas night, sorted: Whether you’re craving crispy patatas bravas, a paella to share, or a dangerously refreshing gin and tonic, Bravas Bar de Tapas delivers that Spanish-meets-wine-country glow. Bring a friend, claim the backyard patio, and keep the small plates coming…round two is almost guaranteed.

Fix that ride, fast: From mountain and BMX to kids’ rigs and daily commuters, Bike Peddler stocks bikes, apparel, and trail-ready bits like lights, tubes, and gloves, plus friendly wrenching that gets you back to Annadel fast, not stuck watching endless repair videos.

Where to catch a flick: When your brain craves two hours off, Roxy Stadium 14 lines up fresh releases and cushy seats, perfect for spontaneous hangs or a laid-back date. Popcorn, plush chairs, and hometown screens that hit different keep it simple, cozy, and reliably fun.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

👧 Wise Girl Minis @ McKinley School | Wednesday (3/4) at 3:00 PM – Got a 1st or 2nd grade girl navigating recess politics? This weekly McKinley School workshop gives girls friendship tools, big-feelings know-how, and confidence through creative play and movement, led by Mackenzie Rae. Fewer playground meltdowns, more resilient, kind kids, and a little peace for you.

🥋 Self Defense for Kids, Teens and Adults @ Martial Arts USA | Thursday (3/5) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’ve got a cautious kid, a teen with earbuds, or you just want to stop clutching your keys like Wolverine in the parking lot, this self-defense seminar teaches awareness, body language, and simple escapes. No experience, for kids, teens, and adults, confidence, fewer what-ifs.

🏃 City Booters Field Day @ Youth Community Park | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Kid got wiggles to spare? City Booters is hosting a free field day at Youth Community Park so ages 5-10 can try the co-ed, no-scoreboard soccer vibe, and you can quiz the program director. Think dribbling, passing, shooting, and pleasantly tired children.

🔬 North Bay Science Discovery Day 2026 @ Sonoma County Fair & Event Center | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – If you’re looking for a way to tire out the kids and call it educational, this free North Bay science blowout delivers. 100-plus groups bring gadgets, robots, and whoa-moments, all to spark STEM curiosity and connect schools and industry. You get coffee, they get inspired.

🃏 Yu-Gi-Oh! OTS Championship @ OP Comics & Games | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Sharpen your deck, this Official Yu-Gi-Oh! OTS Championship means business. Pay $22.50, nab 5 Burst Protocol packs, an OTS pack, and Top 4 earn a 2026 Worlds qualifier invite. Take first, claim the flex-worthy mat, and settle a duel that isn’t over parking.

🏒 Growlers vs Barracudas @ Snoopy’s Home Ice | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – Skip the tasting room and watch the Santa Rosa Growlers scrap with the Mansfield Barracudas at Snoopy’s Home Ice. It’s fast, loud, and gloriously chilly, the kind of night where you trade Pinot for a foam finger, and heckling for polite clapping.

🚜 Ag Days @ Sonoma County Fair & Event Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 9:00 AM – Ag Days is the field trip where kids learn milk doesn’t come from aisle 12, and Sonoma County ag is more than cute harvest-fair photos. Bring your K–6 class for hands-on exhibits and live demos, plus K–12 contests. Registration’s open, teachers.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Santa Rosa report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 63°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 7%

Mostly sunny. High near 63, with temperatures falling to around 59 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 66. North northwest wind around 6 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 43.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

Perched on a knoll with sweeping vistas, this 2021 single-level 3-bed, 2-bath retreat spans over two fenced, gated acres. Interiors showcase expansive wood floors, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, natural stone, and a Wolf/Sub-Zero kitchen. Doors open to outdoor living with a resort-style pool and spa. Fruit trees, raised beds, and a versatile 4-car garage sit minutes from wine country.

Take a peek inside →