Five Things You Need to Know This Week: Dec. 5-11

1. Lets Talk about the Weather! Another beautiful late Fall week for us in Rohnert Park. The weather is expected to be cool and clear all this week. The highs are forecast between 61 and 63 degrees and lows could get down in the 34 degree range all this week. That combined with sunny, clear skies makes for a nice week.

2. Top Stories recap from last week, in case you missed it — , , , Greater Need for Free School Lunches, and are all worthy of a peek if you didn't get a chance to read them last week.

3. This Week's Events:

• Monday night at 7:30 p.m., come out to Sonoma State for a free concert, titled "The Perfect Fifths," at the Green Music Center, room 1028.
• It is time for Four Nights of Festive Fun in Cotati starting Dec. 7. trough the 10th! On Wednesday things kick off at 6 p.m. with carols and the tree lighting followed by snacks and a Santa visit at the fire station. There will be a Holiday Cheer pub crawl on Thursday and a free candlelight concert on Friday. Festivities conclude Saturday with an evening downtown shopping, listening to music and taking carriage rides.
• In need of food this holiday season? On Wednesday, come down to 7165 Burton Ave. between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to pick up a free bag of food from NOAH. Donations can also be made there!
• Super Mega Hot Lava erupts this Thursday and will flow over Sonoma State this weekend. The 3rd Annual Play Festival featuring hand script readings by students in the university's theatre program.
• Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development is hosting its 7th Annual Coat Giveaway this Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 7345 Burton Ave (Mt. Shadows Education Center). The nonprofit will provide new and gently-used coats for local Rohnert Park and Cotati residents who can't afford their own (one coat per person). Additional coat donations are still accepted at the SCAYD office at 7345 Burton Avenue.  

4. Upcoming Events:

• Next week is the Holiday Dual Mixer for the Cotati and Rohnert Park Chambers of Commerce on the Dec. 15 at Massage Envy Spa in Cotati. The event includes drinks, appetizers, pictures with Santa and a massage chair! The event is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

5.  Patch Tip of the Week - Keeping your (real) Christmas tree healthy through the holidays can be tough. A tree can drink a gallon of water in a day! Before setting up your tree make sure to trim 1/2" off the bottom and remove branches at least 6" above the new base. Mount the tree in a holder with at least one gallon of capacity. Then check the water every day or two and keep it wet. Also a cooler tree lives longer so keep it away from a heater vent.

"Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice."

            ~Dave Barry