Newsworthy Santa Rosa

As the largest city in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa has a lot happening and is often mentioned in the news. We hope you enjoy the following news items.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Award the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau with a Gold Resolution
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors awarded the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) with a Gold Resolution on Tuesday, June 1st, in honor of its recent State of California Destination Leadership Award for "Best Visitor/ Welcome Center Program." The referral program to chamber members created more than $500,000 in direct sales in the last two years. Karin Fish and Jonelle Tanahill from California Tourism were present to honor the staff of the California Welcome Center for their remarkable accomplishment.

Give Us Your Best Shot Santa Rosa! Photo Contest
The City of Santa Rosa is holding their 2nd Annual Give Us Your Best Shot Santa Rosa amateur photo contest through September 1st. Photo categories are: Nature Scene, My Neighborhood, Garden, A Day in the Life, Best of Santa Rosa and an Under 18 Youth Category. All photos must be taken within the City of Santa Rosa. For more information about the contest click here.

Downtown Market is Here
Santa Rosa's Wednesday Night Market will run every Wednesday until September 1st. The market is Sonoma County's largest and most popular Farmer's Market and street faire offering fine foods, fresh produce, entertainment, and handmade arts and crafts. The market runs along Fourth Street from Mendocino Ave to E Street from 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Click here for more information.  

Look Out, It's Lucy
You will be seeing a lot more of Lucy from Peanuts this summer. Thirty Lucy statues have been painted by local artists and will be placed in various locations around Santa Rosa. Two Lucy statues are outside the Santa Rosa Covention and Visitors Bureau. The "I Love Santa Rosa This Much" Lucy is being raffled off with the drawing being held at the beginning of September. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Peanuts on Parade Program Scholarship fund which awards scholarships to local students pursuing an arts education. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. The statue is valued at $5,000. Purchase raffle tickets or pick-up a copy of the map of Lucy statues at the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau in Railroad Square. 

 Thank You for Voting the Santa Rosa Chamber the Best Chamber in the North Bay! 
The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce was again voted the best Chamber of Commerce in the North Bay by the NorthBay Biz magazine's 2010 reader's poll. The Chamber Board and Staff would like to thank our members for voting for us. We are working hard to help our members and appreciate your ongoing support. To read more about the Santa Rosa Chamber click here. For a complete list of all the 2010 winners, click here. 

The New Moody's Forecast for the Wine Sector
Click here to view the forecast for the wine sector which was prepared for the Economic Development Board.

Follow the Leaders
In the May issue of the North Bay Biz, Jonathan Coe, along with presidents from the San Rafael, Napa and Windsor chambers of commerce were interviewed about their roles and visions for the future. Jonathan's goals for the Chamber include creating economic development programs that create and retain jobs for the community as well as to help create or enhance the economic climate by building a community environment that's favorable to business. Click here to read the article. 

Wili's Wine Bar Named in Top 100 Restaurant List
The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine named Wili's Wine Bar as one of the top 100 North Bay restaurants. Click here to see a list of other local restaurants who made the list. Congrats Wili's Wine Bar!

CNN Money Magazine Names Santa Rosa as Top City for 2010 Real Estate Price Gain
According to an article on CNNmoney.com, forecasts show the real estate decline in Santa Rosa is over.  It is estimated prices will gain 6% in 2010, which will be more than any other U.S. city. Read more by clicking here.

Local Getaway Mentioned on Today Show
Today Show segment discussed getaways for boomers on March 11, 2010, which included mention of our very own Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant.  Click here to watch the segment. 

BEA: The Bottom Line - Spring Issue
The BEA (Business Environmental Alliance) is the source for environmental performance information, incentives and financing options for businesses. Click here to learn more about the BEA. In the spring issue of "The Bottom Line" read about the real value of an Energy or Water audit, setting up a commuter options program, new resources for a greener restaurant and more. Click here. 

New Reports Show Sonoma County is Emerging from the Recession
As the largest commercial real estate company in the North Bay, Keegan & Coppin releases vacancy reports each quarter. In the first quarter of 2010 there is a glimmer of hope the economy is turning around in the North Bay. The number of vacancies has started to flatten out and begin to decline. Although this is a sign of economic turnaround, it will still be a couple more quarters before the decline can be considered a trend. Click here to view the report.

A report from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) also details Sonoma County is beginning to emerge from the recession. Click here to read the report.

North Bay Growth and Innovation Forum On April 29th a Success
The North Bay Growth and Innovation Forum attracted startup companies in search of investors. Read more about this event co-sponsored by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Rosa and North Bay Angels by clicking here.

2010 Education and Workforce Report for Sonoma County
Sonoma County education and workforce trends are often superior to those in comparable regions, but there's also room for improvement. Click here for the report on dropout rates, workforce projections, workforce housing affordability, college readiness, SAT scoring and more.