Where to go for great popcorn in Sonoma Valley: Free at Sonoma Valley Bank on Fridays.

Mary’s Pizza Shack is offering hugely discounted Sonoma County Fair tickets and carnival ride coupons at all of its Sonoma County restaurants. In case you can’t wean yourself from their pizza, Mary’s will have a “mobile kitchen” across from the climbing wall and in the Showcase Café next to the Racing Grandstand.

Peaceful place to hang out and avoid the crowds: Bartholomew Park Winery’s park and museum, 1000 Vineyard Lane, at the top of Castle Road, Sonoma. (707) 935-9511 or www.bartpark.com.

For locally roasted coffee go to...
Barking Dog Roasters across from Big 3 Cafe in Boyes Hot Springs.  Barking Dog roasts fair trade organic and shade grown coffees, which it also makes available at Adobe Net Cafe and Saddles Restaurant in Mac Arthur Place.

Hot event this weekend:
Salute to the Arts, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Plaza, featuring the best of local restaurant foods, wines, books and authors, visual and performing arts and artists. Gene Burns of KGO Radio (ABC) broadcasts “Dining Around” live Saturday morning. ABC 7 TV newscasters Don Sanchez and Cheryl Jennings on hand. Call 938-1133 for more info.