Up & Away Ballooning is offering Sonoma on the Cheap readers a special discount of 20% off hot air ballooning. Flights include a Gourmet Brunch. I can vouch for these guys: we celebrated an anniversary on one of their flights—very romantic. Just tell them when booking that you are a Sonoma on the Cheap reader and ask for your 20% discount. This might make a really special gift…. [Read more →]

On Saturday, the kids can make and paint a a Veteran’s Day Frame, free, at Home Depot.  [Read more →]

Windsor’s Parks & Rec and Boys & Girls Club  have joined to put on “Friday Night Fevers” for kids in 6th through 8th grade.  There are several choices of activities at the events, including wii tournaments, basketball, dodgeball, and a hang-out area.  The most popular are the “minute to win it” contests set up by staff, modeled after the TV show. $5 includes a pizza dinner.
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I’m not much of a bar hopper, so I’ve asked SOTC readers to come up with some recommendations for the best happy hours in Sonoma County.  The criteria is pretty loose —could be the most fun, quirkiest, or simply what SOTC is all about: a good value. Here is the list (so far) organized by city. Please comment below if you know of others that should be included, if a deal has changed, or if you have a review to add.  [Read more →]

 A Windsor photographer, Alvin Jornada, is participating in the Portraits of Love Project . If your loved one is currently serving overseas, and you would like to have a free 5″ x 7″ portrait of your family sent to them, contact Alvin Jornada.

Alvin Jornada Photography
806 Los Verde Court, Windsor
707-529-0234

Kids (ages 8-17) can see Sonoma County from an airplane for free at  an open house at Sonoma Jet Center at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport on Saturday. Adults can get a helicopter flight for $40. For a free flight, make a reservation, ASAP, by emailing SherYoungEagles@aol.com. There will also be fly-overs, a bounce house, scavenger hunts for kids, introductory flight lessons, etc. Admission free. Hot dog lunch available for $5.

Saturday Oct 15, 10 am to 2 pm
(Kids free flights 8:30 am to 12;30 pm)
6000 Flightline Blvd , Santa Rosa
(707) 565-7243

Looking for something to do in Windsor this weekend? Windsor Oaks Vineyards is hosting a Casual Sunday Sip n Pick. All guests  have the opportunity to pick and taste grapes as well as participate in crush pad activities. Picnics welcome, or call ahead to order a gourmet box lunch (additional cost).  Fee $10 per person refundable with purchase.

Sunday October 9, 2011 10 am to 5 pm
Windsor Oaks Vineyards
10810 Hillview Road, Windsor
707-433-3810

The Charles M Schulz Sonoma County Airport is sponsoring a Green Flight Challenge—teams of competitors will fly electric-powered aircraft and pass tests for quietness and short takeoff ability, to compete for prizes totaling $1.65 million (funded by NASA). One of these 100+ passenger MPG aircraft will win by achieving the best score of speed plus MPG while maintaining a minimum speed of 100 MPH.

The public is invited on Oct 1 from 9 am to 4 pm to view the aircraft and exhibits and talk to the teams. Free.

Access to the site is from Windsor Road on the north side of the airport, using the Shiloh Road exit from Hwy 101.

Home Depot offers free, hands-on Kids Workshops for children ages 5-12. Kids keep their newly constructed project, a kid-sized Home Depot apron, and achievement pin and diploma. The next  project is on October 1st and the kids will make a Fire Rescue Helicopter.

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As always, there is a plethora of haunted happenings in Sonoma County, many free or cheap, some not so much.  Here is a listing of what’s available: [Read more →]