Good morning, Santa Rosa! In today’s edition: Safest city study results, Jason Isbell and Trisha Yearwood announced, a replica round barn rising from the ashes, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

New safety study results: Santa Rosa was named the safest city in California for 2025 and ranked 14th nationally, according to a WalletHub study that assessed 182 U.S. cities across multiple safety factors — see what the study found.

Concerts, comedy, and conversation: Sonoma County stages will shine in 2026, with the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts and Green Music Center booking Jason Isbell, Trisha Yearwood, plus a Napoleon Dynamite screening — see what’s planned for 2026.

Opportunities with local nonprofits: Sonoma County groups are seeking volunteers for roles from office support to animal care. CASA in Santa Rosa and Forgotten Felines need help, with morning shifts ages 16 and up — learn about roles and hours.

A storied landmark returns: Architect and winemaker Ken Moholt-Siebert is nearly done building a replica of Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove Round Barn, lost in the 2017 Tubbs Fire. The project could be finished this year — read the full story.

From hieroglyphs to Cubism: A new exhibition at the Santa Rosa Arts Center explores the power of words, treating letters as shapes, with work by Sherrie Lovler and Ellen Skagerberg — get all the exhibit details.

Major public works push: Santa Rosa has $100 million in road, park, and utility projects underway, with 17 contracts awarded in 2025 and up to 20 bids expected through the first quarter of 2026 — see what’s planned and why.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

❄ Girl Scout Snow Day @ Santa Rosa Girl Scouts Activity Room | Monday (1/12) at 5:00 PM – Thinking about Girl Scouts, or just ready to captain a troop like you do the family group chat? Pop into the Santa Rosa office in Larkfield for a Snow Day info night, learn how to join or start a troop, and yes, cookies are involved.

🍷 Venetian 6-Course Dinner Party @ CIBO Rustico Pizzeria | Tuesday (1/13) at 5:30 PM – Swap the couch for a gondola fantasy and settle in for a six-course Venetian feast with thoughtful wine pairings, live music, and zero TSA. Dress to impress, masks are provided, and the $120 price already includes gratuity, which feels downright civilized.

🍲 Polenta & Stew @ Santa Rosa #28 | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to trade kale for comfort, Gene Perry’s polenta and stew is it. Santa Rosa Parlor #28 is serving hearty, old-school fare for $20, with beer, wine, soda, and water, plus plenty of neighborly chatter.

🕺 Learn Lindy Hop & Swing Dance @ Santa Rosa Druid Hall | Wednesday (1/14) at 7:00 PM – Remember when fun didn’t require a login? Head to Santa Rosa’s Druid Hall for a six-week Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing series, beginner or intermediate, no partner needed. Real music, real people, comfy shoes, and actual laughs, $120 for six, or $25 drop-in.

📖 West Side Stories-First Things First @ West Side Stories | Wednesday (1/14) at 7:30 PM – At West Side Stories, toss your name in an actual hat, riff on the month’s theme for five minutes, and if the texts love you, pocket $50 and a December GrandSlam shot at the Historic Mystic Theater. Quality time, real stories, and competitive oversharing.

🧘 Sound Bath @ Finley Park, Community Center & Aquatic Complex | Thursday (1/15) at 6:30 PM – Trade the news for a sound bath at Finley Center, where Alisse, Cosmic Lee, and James on handpan turn stress into compost. Stretch out on your mat, breathe, and let gongs, bowls, and chimes reset the nervous system. Bring blankets, pillows, and your overworked self.

📚 Holiday Book Sale @ Central Santa Rosa Library | Friday (1/16) at 12:00 PM – Holiday shopping that smells like paper and sanity. Friends of the Santa Rosa Libraries are hosting a sale with thousands of used books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and games, all priced to gift without guilt. Stock the stockings, support the stacks, feel smug shopping local.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📣 Own or manage a local business?

Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.

How it works:

• Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
• We’ll manually verify your business is legit
• Once verified, you’ll be able to share events, news, and special deals with us any time

Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Santa Rosa locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.

We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.

Click here to get started (it’s free) →

📻 Santa Rosa report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 56°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 0%

Areas of frost before 8am. Partly sunny. High near 56, with temperatures falling to around 53 in the afternoon. East northeast wind around 3 mph. Later: Patchy frost after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East northeast wind around 1 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 0%

Areas of frost before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northeast wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North northwest wind around 1 mph.

Most popular house this week

This 4-bed, 3-bath NW Santa Rosa estate offers 2,207 square feet plus a 430-square-foot pool house and game room on 1.05 acres. New floors and staging frame a gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, soft-close cabinetry, a Moen sink, Thor appliances, and a dining area with a matching buffet. The main level includes a guest bedroom and full bath. Upstairs, the primary suite adds a fireplace, walk-in closet, and spa bath with dual vanities and a dual-head tiled shower.

Outside, a sparkling pool, shaded gazebo, lush lawn, and mature trees provide peaceful views. A lofted shed, three-car garage with new doors, and solar panels add ease.

Take a peek inside →