Category — Uncategorized

I’ve had great time exploring fun free and cheap things to do in Sonoma County (there are so many!) and I’ve really enjoyed SOTC’s readers (you are a great bunch of people!). But  keeping up with all the fun events and great deals here in Sonoma County is practically a full-time job, and I just don’t have the time to devote to it right now. So Sonoma on the Cheap is going into hibernation temporarily, until I have the time to do it justice, or until I have more help. Thank you for being a part of  the Sonoma on the Cheap community.

I hope you all have a wonderful  2012.

The Imaginists’ production of A Christmas Carol runs Nov 25-Dec 17, but they offer two “Pay as you can nights: Thursday Dec 1 and Thursday Dec 8th. Ticket prices are regularly $15 for adults and $12 – Under 25 and Seniors (62+) with valid ID.

The Imaginists Theatre Collective
461 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa
(707) 528-7554
tickets@theimaginists.org

I’ve got a confession: Black Friday terrifies me. I hide from the malls on Black Friday, hiking and munching on leftovers. Luckily for you, Teresa at Miami Florida on the Cheap , is up to the challenge. Here’s her tips for finding the best Black Friday deals:

[Read more →]

If you have a drag queen, would-be pirate, or creative dresser on your Christmas list, you may want to stop by the 6th Street Playhouse’s costume liquidation sale the weekend after Thanksgiving for great prices on gently used costumes. Cash or checks only.

Saturday, Nov. 26  and Sunday Nov. 27, 2011 10 am to 5 pm
6th Street Playhouse
Studio Theatre / Costume Shop
52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa
707-523-4185

The annual Petaluma Veteran’s Day Parade will start Friday at 1 pm (starting and finishing at Petaluma’s Walnut Park). There will also be a flyover with vintage warbirds and a helicopter. From noon until 1 pm Tom Cardoni will play his accordion in the Walnut Park Gazebo.

Walnut Park  and Petaluma’s historic downtown (D and Petaluma Blvd) Petaluma

On weekends, many of the flash-sale sites give you a bit more than the standard 24 hours to grab your deals. Here is a sampling of what’s on our daily deals page this weekend:

• Gobble Green: Pay $129 (a $265 Value) for Seven Days of Vegan or Gluten-Free Meals Delivered to Your House
• Burrito NIght!: $15 for $30 to Spend on Food and Drink at Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Santa Rosa ($30 Value)
• Crocs Shoes: Women’s Julia Flats now only $19.99 (or, us ethe code FRIENDS11 for a 20% discount on any crocs shoes).
• New clothes for the holidays: $10 for $20 to Spend on Clothing at Ooh La Loft in Petaluma
• Out and About: $69 for Two One-Day Napa Valley Film Festival Passes at Napa Valley Film Festival ($150 Value)
• Yacht Cruise on the Bay: Yacht Cruise for Up to Five from Bay Area Excursions (Up to 55% Off). Three Options Available.
• Greetings: Customized Holiday Cards from Picaboo (Up to 67% Off)
• Flowers! $30 for Floral-Delivery Package with Delivery ($59.95 Value)
• And, of course, dozens of other offers on our daily deals page.

Sonoma County was just highlighted in National Geographic Traveler’s Best Trips 2012. No surprise. County residents know we’re living in a little bit of paradise. The article is refreshing—”But if you’ve visited only the county’s wineries, come back to sample the astounding diversity that makes Sonoma one of America’s travel treasures,” it says. So many travel articles on Sonoma County focus only on the outstanding wineries. This article mentions the Russian River, Armstrong Woods, Petaluma’s antiques, and Mom’s Apple Pie among other sights. We’ve listed those things, and about 90 others in 102 Free and Cheap Things to do in Sonoma County.

SOTC is all about frugal fun, and this is wine country, after all. Timothy Martinez Jr.  has written this guest post on how to make cheap wine taste better. To tell the truth, I’ve found some good cheap wines—and even some great cheap wines—that don’t need doctoring at all. When I find one I don’t like, I can usually find a home for it in something I’m cooking (or sangria). I suspect Tim’s article will stir up opinions, or even some other ideas on how to find, serve, enjoy, or save cheap wine. Please share your comments below.  [Read more →]

Know of a great bargain? A fun free event? A hot deal? A fabulous freebie?  How about cheap tickets? Senior discounts? Military discounts? Birthday discounts? Restaurants where kids eat free?  A great happy hour deal? An Open Mic night?  Tell us! We’ll share the best ones with readers of Sonoma on the Cheap. Then watch this space to see if your personal favorite gets posted.

Please try to include, date, time, address, phone and web site, if possible, so we can confirm the details. We’ll credit the source, of course, if you want to include your name.  Send it to us by our e-mail: lisa@sonomaonthecheap.com, or just comment below.  No, there’s no prize. We’re cheap, remember? That’s why you love us!

If you’re creating Halloween party invitations or decorations, or you have a kid who just wants to color, you can pick up a few free Halloween clip-art images from the Dover Publications Free Samples page. The images range from adorable to spooky. There are also sample pages to print or download from some of Dover’s other publications, such as “how-to-draw” books, coloring books, mazes, paper dolls, and ghost stories.

You might also want to take a look at these free pumpkin stencils or this free ebook of Halloween crafts. And of course, check out our list of 2011 Sonoma County Halloween events.

Thanks to Wichita on the Cheap for finding this one!