🌈 Russian River Pride, Open Studios' last weekend, and a poetry walk

Almost made it to the weekend.

In this week's Signal:

Petaluma's "Spirit of Petaluma Beacon." I'm a fan. Light up the beacon and make this happen, Petaluma. The Rotary Club of Petaluma needs the last $40,000 for a $200,000 lit metal sculpture by artist David Best at the roundabout on the south end of Petaluma Boulevard. $160,000 is already raised, and the six-week drive also funds a peace pole, a selfie spot and upkeep. KSRO

Cloverdale's early El Niño emergency. Oh man. I guess we all need to start prepping for winter and take this seriously. I keep hearing how El Niño is going to be big this year. Cloverdale is the first city in the county to declare a local emergency ahead of this winter's storms, so it can move faster on permits and funding. The target is its water wells, roads and a PG&E substation along the Russian River, after the 2023 storms dropped nearly 24 inches of rain there. KSRO

Airport upgrades, $5 million. I love flying out of Santa Rosa. Feels like such a luxury compared to going to SF or Oakland. County supervisors voted 4-0 for the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport work, as complaints about flight noise grow. $4.6 million of it goes to engineering and design for pavement and infrastructure projects. KSRO

Now open: Grocery Outlet, Petaluma — whatever helps cheaper groceries is great in my book. Opened in late August in part of the former Kmart space at Plaza North on McDowell, next to Boot Barn and Hobby Lobby. The Washington Street store stays open, and nearby Raley's plans to close its east-side supermarket early next year. (KSRO)

Last call for soft serve: Sonoma Magazine's soft-serve taste test — fall is in the air, but Saturday is going to be warm. Now's a great time to go on a drive and get some sweet treats. Most machines in the county run a Straus or Valley Ford Creamery base, and the top pick is Valley Ford Creamery's own Jersey-cow vanilla and chocolate. The list also sends you to Altamont General Store, Valley Swim Club, River Electric, Foster's Freeze for dip cones, Dead Letter, Handline for twists, Bravas, Grossman's and Diavola. (Sonoma Magazine)

Good eats: Khom Loi, Sebastopol — I love their food and interior. I need to go back. According to Sonoma Magazine, I guess I need to try the Panang Pla, salmon in a red panang curry with sticky rice, then soft serve with brûléed (aka crunchy caramelized crust) bananas and boba. 7385 Healdsburg Ave., Suite 101. (Sonoma Magazine)

🎨 Santa Rosa Open Studios
The final weekend of the two-weekend tour. Go support our local artists! They love getting visitors.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
Artist studios across Santa Rosa and Fulton
Free · See more →

🎶 Occidental Jazz Festival
Friday 7 pm, Saturday 1 pm
Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental
Cost: from $35 · See more →

🖼️ Water Bark at Spring Lake
More dates Sept. 26–27 and Oct. 3–4.
Saturday and Sunday, 9 am–4 pm
Spring Lake Park Swimming Lagoon, 393 Violetti Rd., Santa Rosa
Cost: $8 – $12 · See more →

🎪 Latino Heritage Festival, Cloverdale
Friday, 5–10 pm
Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds, 1 Citrus Fair Drive, Cloverdale
See more →

🎬 Movie Night: Grease at Dry Creek Vineyard
Friday, 5–10 pm
Dry Creek Vineyard, 3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg
Cost: $40 · See more →

🎭 Forbidden Kiss LIVE: Spies
There is a lot happening here, fashionista event, burlesque, improv, comedy.
Friday, 7:30–10 pm
The California Theatre, 528 7th Street, Santa Rosa
Cost: $23.11 · See more →

🎤 Frankie Marcos, Friday Night Comedy
Friday, 8–9:30 pm
Barrel Proof Lounge, 501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
Cost: from $17.79 · See more →

🎶 Vieux Farka Touré at the Mystic
Friday, 8 pm
Mystic Theatre & Music Hall, 23 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma
Cost: $43.85 · See more →

🍎 Winemaker Harvest Walk & Tasting
Saturday, 9:45–11:30 am
West Wines, 1000 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
See more →

🥾 Creek Week: Creek to Coast Cleanup Day
Saturday, 10 am–12 pm
Olive Park, 105 Orange Street, Santa Rosa
See more →

🎪 Heirloom Apple Festival, Sebastopol
Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
Sebastopol
See more →

🎪 Russian River Pride: Parade + Festival
This year's theme is "Let It Flow." The parade runs down Main Street, and the festival follows downtown with music, drag, vendors and family activities.
Saturday, parade at 12 pm
Main Street / River Road, Guerneville
See more →

🎶 Lagufest at Lagunitas
Saturday, 12–8 pm
Lagunitas Petaluma Taproom, 1280 N McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
See more →

🎪 Grub in the Hub, Cotati
A food festival, then a movie in the park.
Saturday, 3–9 pm
La Plaza Park, 8110 La Plaza, Cotati
See more →

🖼️ Fancy Farmraiser at Charlie's Acres
A benefit and auction at the farm animal sanctuary.
Saturday, 4–8:30 pm
Charlie's Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary, 3201 Napa Rd, Sonoma
See more →

🎶 Cumbia Dancing at the Sonoma Barracks
With La Luz Center and California State Parks.
Saturday, 5–9 pm
Sonoma Barracks, Sonoma State Historic Park, 20 East Spain St., Sonoma
Free · See more →

🎨 Cloverdale Arts Alliance Reception: Solace
Saturday, 5:30–7:30 pm
Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery, 204 N. Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale
Free · See more →

🎭 An Evening of Magic and Mentalism with Robert Goleman
Saturday, 7:30–9:30 pm
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale
Cost: $25 – $30 · See more →

🔭 Public Star Party at Ferguson Observatory
Telescopes on the mountain after dark.
Saturday, 8–11 pm
Robert Ferguson Observatory, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood
Cost: $18.90 · See more →

🖼️ Creek Week: Guided Nature Walk on Santa Rosa Creek
Sunday, 9–11 am
Flat Rock Park, 4230 Flat Rock Circle, Santa Rosa
Free · See more →

📚 Petaluma Poetry Walk
The 29th year: 24 poets reading across eight walkable downtown venues. Come for one reading or stay for all of them. Word Flights at The Big Easy is at 6 pm.
Sunday, 11 am–7 pm
Downtown Petaluma
Free · See more →

🥾 Slow Reptile Journey at Sugarloaf
Sunday, 11 am–1 pm
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood
Cost: $18 · See more →

🎪 Fieldwork Oktoberfest Celebration
Sunday, 12–5 pm
Fieldwork, 2400 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa
See more →

🎶 Railroad Square Music Festival
Sunday, 12–7:30 pm
Historic Railroad Square, 9 4th Street, Santa Rosa
Free · See more →

🏈 49ers vs. Dolphins with Frank Gore
A watch party with the 49ers great.
Sunday, 1:25 pm
Playbook at Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park
See more →

🎶 Navarro Trio at Green Music Center
Sunday, 2–3:30 pm
Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
Cost: $8 – $20 · See more →

🎶 Valley of the Moon Music Festival
Sunday, 4–6 pm
Sonoma
See more →

🎶 Ravi Coltrane Quartet: Centennial Celebration
Sunday, 7:30–8:45 pm
Raven Performing Arts Theater, 115 North Street, Healdsburg
Cost: $56 · See more →

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