Wed., Dec. 23, 11-4pm and Thurs. Dec. 24, 11-3pm – RAILROAD SQUARE CARRIAGE RIDES
Last 2 days to enjoy free horse & carriage rides in historic Railroad Square. The Carriage Rides leave from the Train Depot starting at 11am today and tomorrow, weather permitting.

 

CRIME ALERT!

The Santa Rosa Police Department has been receiving numerous reports of package thefts from the doorsteps of residences over the past month. Although there have been reports of these thefts all over Santa Rosa, the highest frequencies of occurrence have been in the downtown neighborhoods.

The Santa Rosa Police Department Property Crimes Unit has been working with victims and area residents to identify people responsible for committing these thefts, and help educate the public on ways to deter those committing these thefts, and lessen the possibility of becoming a victim. The Santa Rosa Police Department Property Crimes Unit has reached out to local and government delivery services to work together to report suspicious activities which are often associated with these types of thefts.

The Santa Rosa Police Department would like to remind residents to take extra care this time of year when having mail and packages delivered to their residence. Here are some steps you can take to help keep your packages safe from theft:

• Require a signature on delivery.
• Insure packages.
• Consider shipping a package to a workplace instead of a home.
• Use package tracking services. UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service all have apps that not only allow you to track your packages, but redirect them to your office or another location if you’re not at home. You can also sign up for text alerts which advise you when a package is on its way. Additionally, the UPS app has a new feature which allows you to have your packages delivered to certain businesses near your home. The business then holds onto that package until you can get there to retrieve it. It’s called UPS Access Point and there currently 6 in Santa Rosa. Visit www.usps.com to find the location closest to you.
• Use special instructions to specify where the parcel should be left or to arrange for a post office pickup.
• If home delivery is the only option, ask a friend or neighbor to look out for the package.
• When sending a package, let the recipient know when to expect it so they can try to be home for the delivery.
• Put a vacation stop on mail and packages if you’re traveling for the holidays. It can prevent theft as well as reduce the chance of a home burglary.
• Install surveillance cameras around the home. A camera system once involved high costs and complicated setup. Now, homeowners can get live video feeds to their cell phones on systems that cost a couple of hundred dollars.
• Call the police if you witness anything suspicious, like people following delivery trucks or loitering around a home that has recently had a delivery.
• In the event that you are a victim of package theft, check your credit card company to see if they offer theft protection.
To report suspicious activity call 707 528-5222.

 

Sunday, Dec. 27,1:00 -5:00 PM,  Jack Leissring Studio Opening– A world class art collection close by in the West End neighborhood. This is the final studio opening for the year 2015. There is a special treat in store for visitors: Maria de Los Angeles, who is now teaching at the Pratt Institute in New York, is bringing new drawings and paintings. Location: 622 Davis Street, Santa Rosa

 

 

Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30-8pm – Sonoma County History Museum Speaker Series

Eric Stanley, the curator for Journey to Fountaingrove: From Feudal Japan to California Utopia, will give a talk about the life of Kanaye Nagasawa and the many connections between Japan, Scotland, New York and Santa Rosa.

In 1865 during the Tokugawa shogunate, any attempt to leave Japan was punishable by death. Despite that, on April 17, 1865, a thirteen-year-old boy, boarded a ship along with fourteen other young Japanese students and set sail bound for Europe. The young boy was Kanaye Nagasawa and his departure from Japan was the first step on a remarkable journey that would lead him from the world of the Samurai to the California utopian community at Fountaingrove in Santa Rosa.

Joining elements of Japanese history with some of the essential stories of Sonoma County, Eric Stanley will touch on several important and sometimes under-recognized themes. These include utopian experimentation in California and the important legacy of Nagasawa as not only one of the earliest Japanese immigrants to the US, but an important vintner in the emergence of California’s wine industry (Fountain Grove Winery) and supporter of Japanese immigrants.

For tickets, call the museum at (707) 579-1500.

 

Friday, Dec. 4, 5-8pm – RING THE BELLS Event in the SOFA Art District

Ring in the season in the SofA arts district with First Friday Art Walk. For this special night, many artists will be sharing their studios, giving art appreciators even more opportunities to be astounded by the creativity of the SofA community. You are encouraged to bring a bell and serenade your stroll between studios. Refreshments, music, and merriment. Weather permitting, there will be marshmallow roasting around the campfire in the backyard at 312 South A Street.

 

 

Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:00-5:00 – RAILROAD SQUARE MERCHANT OPEN HOUSE

Join the merchants in Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square for their annual Open House. Stroll through all the shops and enjoy holiday refreshments and enticing gifts for all on your list. Music and carolers will entertain you and free Horse & Carriage rides will transport you back in time. The Carriage Rides leave from the Depot every weekend up to Christmas day Eve, weather permitting, between 11-4 PM.

Bring your friends and family and stay for the Memorial Hospice Tree Lighting Celebration at 5 PM in Depot Park and join in lighting the Depot Park Palm Tree!

 

Sat. & Sun., Dec. 5 & 6, 10am-4pm – Luther Burbank Home Holiday Open House

Rain or Shine! The public is invited to this popular annual community event! Enjoy a 35-year community tradition and begin the season’s celebrations by visiting the historic Home and Gardens of Luther Burbank. Experience a charming reminder of bygone days when you tour the home decked out in old-fashioned holiday finery inside and out.

See the latest exhibit and shop for unique Burbank-related items in the Carriage House Museum & Gift Shop.

FREE PARKING is available at First & “D” Streets, and enjoy FREE RIDES on “Rosie the Trolley” to and from the Handmade Holiday Crafts Fair (formerly the Dickens Holiday Craft Fair) held at the Finley Community Center.

Entry: 12 and older, $2.00. For more info visit : http://www.lutherburbank.org/special-events