|
Good morning, Santa Rosa! In today’s edition: Safest city ranking surprise, a round barn replica, Dave & Buster’s opening, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
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.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
Bay Area expansion continues: Dave & Buster’s will open its first Sonoma County location on Jan. 26 at Santa Rosa Plaza in the former 43,000-square-foot Forever 21 space. It will be the second North Bay site. The venue will feature hundreds of arcade games and immersive sports viewing. Hiring is underway for 170 jobs. See opening and hiring details.
Plants + decor fix: Whether your place needs a leafy roommate, a pot that isn’t from aisle nine, or a candle that smells like you actually fold laundry, urban garden curates houseplants, pots, tabletop, oilcloth, and home decor that make rooms feel pulled together without trying too hard. Instant glow-up, zero fuss.
Swap grapes for apples: The taproom at Golden State Cider pours core classics, single-varietal Harvest Series, and apple brandy cocktails. When your palate needs a break from IPA or Pinot, this relaxed stop lets you go all in on Sonoma’s apple side.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
|
📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
📚 Holiday Book Sale: Dec. 5-7 @ Central Santa Rosa Library | Tuesday (1/6) at 12:00 PM – Clear a spot on the bookshelf and hit the Friends of the Santa Rosa Libraries holiday sale. Thousands of gently used books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and games, all priced for guilt-free browsing. Support the stacks, snag stocking stuffers, and outsmart the algorithm.
💉 20th Annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive Challenge @ Healdsburg Fire Station #1 | Wednesday (1/7) at 1:00 PM – Think you’ve still got that hometown grit? The 20th Annual Bucket Brigade is back at Healdsburg Fire Station No. 1, and they need sleeves rolled, veins cooperative, and bragging rights secured. Donate a pint, outdo the neighbors, then treat yourself on the Plaza afterward.
🎄 PMC Ugly Sweater Holiday Party @ Crooked Goat Brewing | Thursday (1/8) at 7:00 PM – Shake off the holiday hangover and head to Crooked Goat for PMC’s Ugly Sweater bash, last party of season. Parents night out, infants in carriers okay, mobile kiddos stay home. Register now, $15 gets you a couple drinks and light bites before prices climb.
This weekend
🌹 Annual Rose Pruning Workshop #2 @ Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Rain or shine, we’re getting hands-on with Sonoma’s roses at a free pruning workshop. Start with a short seated primer, then head outside with veteran rosarians to put it to work, so bring your shears, your gloves, and your pride.
🚣 Petaluma River Races @ Turning Basin | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Grab your kayak, SUP, or whatever floats, and join races on the Petaluma River. Bring your own or rent from The Floathouse for $35 per craft, no fees, no prizes, all fun, and bragging rights you can’t spend. Renting? Specify which craft you want.
📖 Intro Storytelling Workshop @ Occidental Center for the Arts | Sunday (1/11) at 10:00 AM – Ready to turn your dinner-party anecdotes into a Moth-style story that lands? Occidental Center for the Arts hosts a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn narrative, truth telling, and what storytelling isn’t, then start crafting your 7minutesMax gem. Space is tight, bring lunch, register early.
🥋 Women’s Self Defense Seminar @ Krav Maga Revolution | Sunday (1/11) at 11:00 AM – Trade your cardio class for something actually useful. This women-only seminar teaches practical self defense for beginners, covering situational awareness, voice commands, and escapes from grabs, chokes, hair pulls, and ground attacks, all in a supportive, no-intimidation environment. Confidence included.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Santa Rosa report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 55°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 19%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. East northeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Patchy fog between 7pm and 10pm, then areas of fog and a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
—
Tomorrow – High: 55°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 26%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Later: A chance of rain showers before 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
This house is wild
Santa Rosa charmer with rooftop solar and standout outdoor living. Sunlit interiors show off hardwood floors, a cozy living room with fireplace, and classic details. The kitchen brings farmhouse flair with a deep sink, open shelving, stone countertops, and a cheerful breakfast nook. A white picket fence frames the welcoming front porch.
The expansive backyard is the headline, designed for entertaining with a large pergola, an outdoor bar, and multiple patio seating zones. There is generous space for gardening, play, or future projects, plus mature landscaping and a fenced yard for privacy. Convenient to downtown, parks, shopping, and dining.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
