Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day, and it's a first for Sonoma: the first City Council election by district. Districts 1, 3, and 5 are on the ballot, and the Sonoma Valley Sun reports that District 1 is the only one with more than one candidate. Not sure which district you're in? The city has a district finder on its website.

Here's how the next two weeks work, according to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters:

• Haven't registered, or need to update your address? The standard deadline was Monday, Oct. 19. You can still register and vote on the same day, in person, from Oct. 20 through Election Day. Your ballot is counted once the county confirms your registration.
• Voting in person. The first vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 24, and are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends included, through Monday, Nov. 2. More open Saturday, Oct. 31. In Sonoma, Faith Lutheran Church of Sonoma Valley, 19355 Arnold Drive, is open daily from Oct. 24, and the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First Street West, opens Oct. 31. On Election Day, all vote centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Returning your ballot by hand. Official ballot drop boxes are open around the clock and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. In Sonoma, the drop box is at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street. It's a drive-up box, so you can drop off your ballot without getting out of your car.
• Returning it by mail. Your ballot has to be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 10. The county advises skipping the mailbox on Nov. 2 and 3, since the Postal Service can't guarantee a same-day postmark. Use a drop box instead.
• Need a ballot mailed to you? The last day to ask is Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The full list of vote centers and drop boxes is at socovotes.com.

County election timeline →
Where to vote or drop off your ballot →
City of Sonoma election information →
Find your council district →
Sonoma Valley Sun: district voting explained →

• Fridays, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers' Market at Arnold Field, 241 First Street West. Every Friday, year-round.
• Saturdays, from 9 a.m. — Harvest Market at Sonoma Garden Park.
• Fridays, from noon — Native Plant Sale at the Sonoma Garden Park nursery. Fall is a good time to plant.
• Tue, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. — “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” presented by the Sonoma International Film Festival, at the Sebastiani Theatre.
• Thu and Fri, Oct. 22–23, 7:30 p.m. — “The Last Spy,” with a live Q&A with Bettina Sichel, at the Sebastiani.
• Sat, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. — The Springs Community Farmers' Market, in the parking lot by the post office.
• Sat, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. — Puppet Art Theater presents “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center. $12.
• Sat, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. — “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Sebastiani is sold out.
• Sat and Sun, Oct. 24–25, 1 p.m. — The final weekend of the Witchie Poo Halloween Extravaganza at the Sebastiani.
• Mon, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. — “Shaun of the Dead,” presented by the Sonoma Film Club, at the Sebastiani.

• Tue, Oct. 27, 5 p.m. — The Sebastiani Theatre shares its renovation and expansion plans for 2026–2027, with wine and appetizers. Registration is on the theatre's website. The theatre notes that this is not a solicitation event.
• Fri, Oct. 30, 5–7 p.m., and Sat, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. — The Haunted Market in Room 110 at the Sonoma Community Center. Free. Vendors are selling horror-themed art, ceramics, jewelry, books, and more; some are there only Friday, some only Saturday. The Center calls it a spooky market for horror fans and advises parental discretion. Costumes are fine, but no masks or weapons.
• Through Nov. 1 — “Home Again, Home Again,” an exhibit by Richard Lang and Judith Selby Lang, in Gallery 212 at the Sonoma Community Center. Free.
• Through Nov. 6 — Día de Muertos ofrendas in the House of Happy Walls Museum at Jack London State Historic Park. The community ofrenda welcomes a small photo, name, or drawing of someone you're remembering, including a beloved pet. No candles or food are allowed. Event info →
• Now showing — “The Real-Life Art History of M. Louise Stanley” at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Exhibit info →

Sebastiani Theatre calendar →
Sonoma Community Center events →
Sonoma Valley events calendar →

• Mondays, 7 p.m. — Open mic at Murphy's Irish Pub. Sign-ups start at 6:30. Murphy's →
• Fridays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. — Jazz at Gehricke Winery, 32 Patton St., no cover. Presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. Jazz Society →
• Fri, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. — Cellist Christian Dupree in recital, in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center. $45. Recital info →
• Sat, Oct. 24, 2:30–9:30 p.m. — American Roots Mini-Fest at Murphy's, with Hattie Craven, Back PorchEstra, and The Wild Premonitions. Folk, bluegrass, Americana, blues, and more.
• Sun, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. — October Kitchen Concert in Room 110 at the Sonoma Community Center. $15.
• Sun, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. — The Kingston Trio at the Sebastiani Theatre. Doors open at 7. Tickets →
• Fri, Oct. 30, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. — Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, at the Sebastiani.
• Sat, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. — Halloween Night with The Illegitimate AC/DC and Electric Funeral, AC/DC and Black Sabbath tribute bands, at the Sebastiani. Doors open at 7.
• Sun, Nov. 1, 3 p.m. — Jazz vocalist Kenny Washington, presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, at the Sebastiani. Doors open at 2. Tickets →

Know of a regular music night we should be listing, like an open mic or a tasting room with live music? Hit reply and tell us.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks go back an hour. Fire officials often use the time change as a reminder to check smoke alarms. Here is what the National Fire Protection Association recommends, as passed along by the Michigan State Fire Marshal:

• Test every smoke alarm once a month using the test button.
• If your alarm runs on a 9-volt battery, replace it twice a year, or right away when the alarm chirps.
• Newer alarms with sealed lithium batteries can last up to 10 years. Replace every smoke alarm every 10 years, or sooner if one doesn't respond properly when tested.
• Put an alarm in every bedroom and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Carbon monoxide alarms need fresh batteries at least once a year, unless they have sealed 10-year batteries.

Smoke alarm guidance →

Black Cod Week ends Sunday, Oct. 25. Restaurants across Sonoma County are serving a black cod dish, and local markets are selling fresh black cod for home cooks. The week is meant to support Sonoma County's fishing community.

In town, 38 Degrees North is on the county's participant list. Last week we pointed you to Layla at MacArthur Place and Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Both were on the list then, so it's worth a quick call to confirm they still have the dish. The county's list has grown to 44 businesses, so check it for more.

Worth knowing: menus, prices, and hours are up to each restaurant.

Want to make a game of it? The Black Cod Trail lets you check in at participating restaurants in the Sonoma County app.

See the participating restaurants →
Follow the Black Cod Trail →

The smallest residents at Pets Lifeline are looking for foster homes. The shelter's Itty Bitty Kitty Committee is a team of kitten fosters who step in when kittens need it most: bottle-feeding the youngest, hosting “slumber parties” for growing kittens, and helping them learn to be confident, cuddly companions. No foster experience is required, and the shelter provides the training, supplies, and medical support.

Prefer to adopt? Cats age 8 and up are $100 each or $150 for a pair, and cats who have been at the shelter more than 60 days get 60% off. Every cat goes home spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and with a carrier to get started.

Adoption visiting hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 19686 Eighth St. East. Looking ahead, the shelter's annual gala, Miracle on 8th Street, is Friday, Dec. 4, at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.

Cat foster application →
Meet the cats →
Miracle on 8th Street →

AMVETS Hap Arnold Post 55 marked its 10th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 19. At its Oct. 14 meeting, the post received four certificates of recognition from the offices of Congressman Mike Thompson, State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Sonoma County Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo. Mayor Ron Wellander also attended, the Sonoma Valley Sun reports.

The post's work includes veteran advocacy, charitable activities, and community outreach. It meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First Street West. Membership is open to active-duty military personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and eligible Reserve and National Guard members.

Read more about Post 55 →

• Highway 37 closures. Caltrans is closing State Route 37 for storm-preparation work. Westbound only: Wed, Oct. 21, and Thu, Oct. 22, from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Both directions between Mare Island and Sears Point: Fri, Oct. 23, at 10 p.m. to Mon, Oct. 26, at 5 a.m. Caltrans lists detours using Highways 29, 12, and 121. Caltrans details →
• City Council meets Wed, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 177 First Street West. The council normally meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Council info →
• Sonoma's first raised crosswalk. The city plans to install one where the Sonoma Bike Path crosses Junipero Serra Drive. The Traffic Safety Committee gets an update on Mon, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. Read more →
• Gundlach Bundschu update. The winery has said it will stay open during its bankruptcy. A legal news site tracking the case reports a meeting of creditors on Oct. 26. Case summary →

Go, Dragons. The Sonoma Valley High girls flag football team went from a 2–19 first season to a 13–4 record and the Vine Valley Athletic League title this fall. The Lady Dragons finish the regular season at home on Thursday, Oct. 22, against American Canyon at Bob Midgley Field.

Read more about the Lady Dragons →

From a Sonoma Kitchen: What's on Your Holiday Table?

Sonoma Food Beat is gathering holiday recipes from our neighbors' kitchens. Is there a dish your family makes every year? We'd love to hear about it.

Email reply@sonomabeat.com with your recipe and your name, plus a photo of the dish if you have one. Recipes are due Friday, Nov. 6.

Submitting a recipe means it may appear in a future community collection with your name, unless you note otherwise.

Sonoma-Made: A Holiday Guide to Local Gifts

This November, Sonoma Beat is putting together a guide to gifts grown, made, and sold right here in Sonoma Valley. If you run a local business or make something here, being included is free. Email reply@sonomabeat.com by Friday, Oct. 30 with your business name, one or two gift ideas with prices, how people can buy, and a photo we have your permission to use. Space is limited, so we may not be able to include everyone.

Not a business owner? Tell us about a local maker you love. We'd like to know who we're missing.

Featured Local Business
A Personal Touch at Styling Sonoma with Shawn Carlington

Looking for a fresh haircut, a color update, or a little time for yourself? Sonoma hairstylist Shawn Carlington offers a range of hair services through Styling Sonoma.

From women's and men's haircuts to highlights, color touch-ups, blowouts, and special-occasion styling, Shawn's appointment menu offers plenty of options. Consultations are also available for anyone who would like to discuss a new look before booking a service.

Connect with Shawn:
Styling Sonoma — Shawn Carlington
Phone: (707) 709-6686
Appointments: shawncarlington.glossgenius.com

Supporting Sonoma's independent professionals helps keep our local business community going strong.

Know something Sonoma should know about? A new business, a neighbor doing good work, an event we missed? Just hit reply. This newsletter is built with the community, not just sent to it.

Got a Sonoma question? Send it in, and we might answer it in a future issue.

Want your business in front of Sonoma locals? Reply to this email and let's talk.

Stay local. Stay connected.
— Michelle, Sonoma Beat