🍎 Apple fair, County Fair, and it's heating up again (94°)

Sonoma County Fair opens Friday and the Gravenstein Apple Fair follows Saturday in Sebastopol. Two fairs, one weekend, and I hope you enjoyed the cooler weather. We have a warming trend pushing through Sunday. Stay cool this weekend, and yes, the funnel cakes and apple fritters are worth it. Gotta live a little, right?

In this week's Signal:

Super El Nino town hall. New data has clearly dropped, I keep seeing this in my feeds. Climate scientist Daniel Swain says Pacific Ocean temperatures are at record highs, setting up a potential winter event unseen in living memory. Emergency officials are telling North Bay residents near flood-prone areas like the Russian River to start storm prep now. KSRO

Missing Person Monday is back. I can't imagine not knowing what happened to a loved one. I hope this program finds peace for some people. SRPD is relaunching the weekly social media initiative that has already helped resolve 14 cold cases over the past two years. The current round highlights cases dating back to 2016; tips go to 707-543-3590. KSRO

Foppoli civil trial continues. It's good to see our justice department in action. I hope the truth is found, and justice preserved, whatever that may be. Testimony resumed this week in the civil case against former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli, with seven women suing for sexual assault. A fifth plaintiff took the stand describing a 2016 incident at his family's winery. KSRO

Bud Snow's 45-foot mural. Gotta celebrate the beauty in life, right? I love our public arts in Sonoma County. Bud Snow's latest work covers a wall at South Park Commons on Bennett Valley Road, overlooking Highway 12. Eight months of community conversations with residents shaped the imagery. Bohemian

Now open: Carrusel — Have any of you been? I've been watching them on socials, and I'm super curious. It's a over-the-top pink bruncheria in Santa Rosa.

Now open: Saucy Mama's Jook Joint — My niece talked us into taking the family here. Worth it for the vibes and southern hospitality alone. Sonoma Magazine says this Guerneville spot is one that people plan vacations around.

For sale: Monte-Bellaria Estate — One can dream, right? I don't have the means, or the knowledge, but in my head, owning and running a farm like this would take me back to simpler times :) Sebastopol's famous lavender farm and estate is on the market.

Sonoma County gas stations pumping out great grub — So many taco trucks have popped up around here. What do you think the reason? The economy and people are both looking to create their own jobs, while others are looking for cheaper eats? That's my theory, either way, I'm loving the options. Sonoma Magazine has a roundup of county gas stations with food worth the pit stop..

The Sonoma County Fair
The County Fair is back on Bennett Valley Road. Runs through Sunday.
Details: Friday–Sunday, 10 am · Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa · Cost: $13–$75

53rd Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair
Fifty-three years of Gravenstein apples in Sebastopol. Ragle Ranch all weekend.
Details: Saturday–Sunday, 10 am · Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Rd., Sebastopol

First Friday Art Walk at SOFA Art Galleries
The SOFA arts district opens its doors for the monthly First Friday walk.
Details: Friday, 5 pm · SOFA Art District, South A Street and Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa

First Fridays at Chimera Arts
The Sebastopol maker space opens up for First Friday.
Details: Friday, 5 pm · Chimera Art Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol

Party on the Plaza & Farmer's Market
Friday evening market and live entertainment at the Rohnert Park Community Center.
Details: Friday, 5:30 pm · Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park

Cloverdale Friday Night Live
Downtown Cloverdale's summer street fair.
Details: Friday, 6 pm · Downtown Cloverdale Plaza, 122 N Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale

Who Will Dance with Pancho Villa?
Extended run at The Raven in Healdsburg, playing all three days this weekend.
Details: Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 pm · The Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North Street, Healdsburg · Cost: $10–$25

Friday Night Comedy
Don Lacy and Terry Dorsey at Barrel Proof.
Details: Friday, 7:30–9:30 pm · Barrel Proof Lounge, Santa Rosa

Much Ado About Nothing
Raven Players perform Shakespeare at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg.
Details: Friday, 7:30 pm · Bacchus Landing, 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg · Cost: $10–$25

Santa Rosa Symphony: Road to Appalachia
Mark and Maggie O'Connor join the Symphony for a night of Appalachian-rooted music at Weill Hall.
Details: Friday, 7:30 pm · Green Music Center, Weill Hall, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park · Cost: $34–$110

Valley Laughs Stand-up Comedy
Comedy night at the Sonoma Community Center, in partnership with Smit Show Comedy.
Details: Friday, 7:30 pm · Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma · Cost: $25

Boss Burlesque Babes Birthday Show
Burlesque at Barrel Proof.
Details: Friday, 9–11 pm · Barrel Proof Lounge, Santa Rosa · 21+ · Cost: $25 - $75

Grandma's Apple Fritter Breakfast
Apple fritters and breakfast at the Sebastopol Masonic Hall, both mornings this weekend.
Details: Saturday–Sunday, 8 am · Sebastopol Masonic Hall, 373 N. Main Street, Sebastopol · Cost: $9–$17

Sugarloaf Ridge Hike: From Fiery Caldera to Hidden Gem
A guided hike through the geology and history of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Details: Saturday, 9 am · Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood · Cost: $5–$11

Ruta a los Secuoyas
A Spanish-language guided walk through the redwoods at Jack London State Historic Park.
Details: Saturday, 9 am · Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen

Dead Ringers: Famous in Name Only Cemetery Tour
Guided tour of the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.
Details: Saturday, 10:30 am · Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, 1600 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa

Free Guided Walks through Armstrong Redwoods
Guided walks both days this weekend through the old-growth redwoods in Guerneville.
Details: Saturday–Sunday, 11 am · Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville

Happy Anniversary, Schulz Museum!
The Schulz Museum celebrates its anniversary on Hardies Lane.
Details: Saturday, 11 am · Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa · Cost: $7–$15

Second Saturday Cartoonist: MariNaomi
Cartoonist MariNaomi at the Schulz Museum for the Second Saturday series.
Details: Saturday, 1 pm · Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa · Cost: $7–$15

Movies at The Green
Outdoor movie night at the Green Music Center. Bring a blanket.
Details: Saturday, 5 pm · Green Music Center, Weill Hall & Lawn, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park

One Hat, Two Hat, Old Hat, New Hat: An Improv Show
Improv comedy at the Arlene Francis Center.
Details: Saturday, 7 pm · Arlene Francis Center, 99 W. Sixth Street, Santa Rosa · Cost: Free–$15

Caesar: Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot)
Free outdoor Shakespeare in the 6th Street Playhouse parking lot. Julius Caesar, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Details: Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm · 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa · Cost: Free

The Australian Pink Floyd Show
The touring tribute act fills the Luther Burbank Center.
Details: Saturday, 8 pm · Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa · Cost: $53.10–$206.50

Perseids Focus Night
The Perseid meteor shower with telescopes and astronomers at the Robert Ferguson Observatory on Sugarloaf Ridge.
Details: Saturday, 8:30 pm · Robert Ferguson Observatory, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood · Cost: $53.56–$64.07

Reverie and Roots at the Windsor Farmers Market
At the Windsor Certified Farmers Market.
Details: Sunday, 9 am · Windsor Certified Farmers Market, 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor · Cost: Free

Boating at the Barn
Free boating on the Petaluma River at the David Yearsley Heritage Center.
Details: Sunday, 10 am · David Yearsley River Heritage Center, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma · Cost: Free

Santa Rosa Downtown Farmers' Market
The weekly market at Courthouse Square.
Details: Sunday, 11 am–2:30 pm · Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa · Cost: Free

A Revolutionary Afternoon: Author's Tea
Author's tea at the Saturday Afternoon Club on Tenth Street.
Details: Sunday, 1:30 pm · The Saturday Afternoon Club, 430 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa · Cost: $75

Vinyl Sunday: Stanley Mouse Appreciation Day
Celebrating psychedelic poster artist Stanley Mouse at Winery Sixteen 600 in Sonoma.
Details: Sunday, 3 pm · Winery Sixteen 600, 589 First Street West, Sonoma · Cost: $42

That's the weekend. Two fairs, a packed music calendar, and Shakespeare in a parking lot. Reply any time. I read everything.

This week's question: What did you do this weekend that I missed?

Can you help me out? Would you forward to a friend?

— Ben, writing from Santa Rosa

Corrections: none this issue. Reply if you spot something and it goes at the top of the next send.