🍎 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 an 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.

Good eats: Sonoma County gas stations — 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
Friday–Sunday, 10 am
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
Cost: $13–$75 · See more →

🎪 53rd Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair
Saturday–Sunday, 10 am
Ragle Ranch Regional Park, Sebastopol
See more →

🎨 First Friday Art Walk at SOFA Art Galleries
Friday, 5 pm
SOFA Art District, South A Street and Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa
See more →

🎨 First Fridays at Chimera Arts maker space
Friday, 5 pm
Chimera Art Space, 6791 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol
See more →

🧺 Evening party on the Plaza & Farmer's Market in Rohnert Park
Friday, 5:30 pm
Rohnert Park Community Center
See more →

🎪 Cloverdale downtown Friday Night Live
Friday, 6 pm
Downtown Cloverdale Plaza, Cloverdale
See more →

🎭 Who Will Dance with Pancho Villa at The Raven?
Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 2 pm
The Raven Performing Arts Theater, Healdsburg
Cost: $10–$25 · See more →

🎤 Friday Night Comedy in Santa Rosa
Don Lacy and Terry Dorsey.
Friday, 7:30–9:30 pm
Barrel Proof Lounge, Santa Rosa
See more →

🎭 Much Ado About Nothing at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg
Raven Players perform Shakespeare.
Friday, 7:30 pm
Bacchus Landing, Healdsburg
Cost: $10–$25 · See more →

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

🎤 Valley Laughs Stand-up Comedy in Sonoma
Friday, 7:30 pm
Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma
Cost: $25 · See more →

🎭 Boss Burlesque Babes Birthday Show
Friday, 9–11 pm
Barrel Proof Lounge, Santa Rosa · 21+
See more →

🍎 Grandma's Apple Fritter Breakfast
Saturday–Sunday, 8 am
Sebastopol Masonic Hall, 373 N. Main Street, Sebastopol
Cost: $9–$17 · See more →

🥾 Sugarloaf Ridge Hike: From Fiery Caldera to Hidden Gem
Saturday, 9 am
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood
Cost: $5–$11 · See more →

🥾 Ruta a los Secuoyas
A Spanish-language guided walk through the redwoods.
Saturday, 9 am
Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
See more →

🥾 Dead Ringers: Famous in Name Only Cemetery Tour
Saturday, 10:30 am
Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, Santa Rosa
See more →

🥾 Free Guided Walks through Armstrong Redwoods
Saturday–Sunday, 11 am
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville
See more →

🖼️ Happy Anniversary, Schulz Museum!
Saturday, 11 am
Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
Cost: $7–$15 · See more →

🖼️ Second Saturday Cartoonist: MariNaomi
Saturday, 1 pm
Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa
Cost: $7–$15 · See more →

🎬 Movies at The Green
Outdoor movie night. Bring a blanket.
Saturday, 5 pm
Green Music Center, Weill Hall & Lawn, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
See more →

🎤 One Hat, Two Hat, Old Hat, New Hat: An Improv Show
Saturday, 7 pm
Arlene Francis Center, 99 W. Sixth Street, Santa Rosa
Cost: Free–$15 · See more →

🎭 Caesar: Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot)
Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 3 pm
6th Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa
Free · See more →

🎶 The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Saturday, 8 pm
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa
Cost: $53.10–$206.50 · See more →

🔭 Perseids Focus Night
Telescopes and astronomers for the Perseid meteor shower.
Saturday, 8:30 pm
Robert Ferguson Observatory, Kenwood
Cost: $53.56–$64.07 · See more →

🧺 Reverie and Roots at the Windsor Farmers Market
Sunday, 9 am
Windsor Certified Farmers Market, Windsor
See more →

🥾 Boating at the Barn on the Petaluma River
Sunday, 10 am
David Yearsley River Heritage Center, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma
Free · See more →

🧺 Santa Rosa Downtown Farmers' Market
Sunday, 11 am–2:30 pm
Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
Free · See more →

📚 A Revolutionary Afternoon: Author's Tea
Sunday, 1:30 pm
The Saturday Afternoon Club, 430 Tenth Street, Santa Rosa
Cost: $75 · See more →

🎨 Vinyl Sunday: Stanley Mouse Appreciation Day
Celebrating psychedelic poster artist Stanley Mouse.
Sunday, 3 pm
Winery Sixteen 600, 589 First Street West, Sonoma
Cost: $42 · See more →

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.