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Hey Santa Rosa, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Sales tax hikes on the ballot, the Gravenstein Apple Fair, and free haircuts and backpacks + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Recent sale snapshot: A 1985-built, 2,173-square-foot Santa Rosa home on Foxglove Court sold July 21 for $876,500, or $403 per square foot, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an attached garage -- see nearby home sales.
Tax proposals head to voters: Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park leaders voted to put November sales tax hikes on the ballot to plug deficits and avoid cuts. If approved, local rates would top 10 percent -- see the ballot details.
Celebrate Sonoma's harvest spirit: Sebastopol’s 53rd Gravenstein Apple Fair will return to Ragle Ranch Regional Park August 8–9 with live music, tastings, and local food and drink, featuring Royal Jelly Jive and Miko Marks -- see the full fair lineup.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick nine, zero drama: Whether you’re sneaking in an after-work loop this week or just tuning up the swing, Fairgrounds Golf Course delivers a 9-hole track with two sets of tees that plays like 18, a covered and lighted range, and bona fide beginner-friendly cred as one of only three courses in the North Bay.
Rincon Valley Pizza Night: Ausiello’s Homeslice Restaurant and Bar is your local hangout in Rincon Valley, turning out quality pizza, seasonal cocktails, and that easy neighborhood bar-and-grill vibe. Rally the crew this week for birthdays, team wins, or a casual midweek catch-up where good people, good pizza, good times actually happen.
Thrift with real impact: Heavenly Treasures Gift and Thrift Store has been outfitting Sonoma County since 1999 with low-cost clothing and household gems, all in downtown Santa Rosa. Shop or donate this week, feel good knowing proceeds fuel Incarnation’s local ministries and support The Living Room, and maybe score that just-right jacket your closet has been manifesting.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📋 Santa Rosa @ DICK'S Sporting Goods | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:00 PM – Trade your usual evening scroll for National Night Out with SRPD, set up right in Dick's Sporting Goods parking lot. Meet the officers, let the kids climb on cool gear, and catch up with neighbors you normally only see at Costco, soccer, or stoplights.
📚 Lunch at the Library @ Northwest Santa Rosa Library | Thursday (8/6) at 12:00 PM – Summer at the library means one thing, lunch for the kids at eight Sonoma County branches, no shushing required. It is open to ages 0 to 18, so bring the crew, share a table, and call it quality time that does not involve your stove.
🎸 Backyard Concert @ The Krush Backyard | Thursday (8/6) at 6:00 PM – Head to the backyard for Bill Bowker’s free, all-ages show with Americana favorites David Luning and Max Gomez. Expect La Colonia tacos, Moonlight beer, and cash-only drink tickets, because nostalgia. No pets or coolers, proceeds support Farm to Pantry, high-backs stick to the perimeter.
🧘 Free Community Yoga on The Dock @ The Floathouse Petaluma | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Free community yoga on The Floathouse Petaluma dock, First Fridays and summer Sundays. Your mat deserves waterfront property. Rotating local instructors keep it fresh, local sponsors keep it free, and with only 24 spots, registration is required, so choose a session only if you’re sure.
💇 Haircuts & Backpacks @ Santa Rosa Barber College | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Free haircuts and backpacks for ages 6–17 from Angel Foundation and Santa Rosa Barber College, a tidy reset with sharp fades, fresh supplies, and fewer battles over bedhead. First come for cuts, two kids per family, while supplies last, actual kindness included.
🎸 Dead Ringers @ Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Stroll among the not-so-famous with very famous names on a tour of history, irony, and light identity confusion. It’s free, donations appreciated, and the paths are uneven, so wear shoes that can handle gossip, slopes, and your step count.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Santa Rosa report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 93. West southwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 0 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 84. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. This house is wildThis Lucas Plumb designed estate in Rincon Valley spreads across nearly 6 acres of gardens, orchards, and open space, just minutes from Santa Rosa, Napa Valley, and Oliver’s Market. The custom home pairs artful alcoves, wood-paneled ceilings, and French doors with standout amenities like a pool, hot tub, bocce court, wine room, studio, workshop, and room for horses or a pickleball court.
Take a peek inside → |
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