Join the Windsor Town Council, military families, friends, and the community on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 PM in the Huerta Gymnasium to honor eight individuals serving in the United States Armed Forces.

At the start of the program, family members of each honoree will be escorted down the red-carpet by a member of a local veteran’s organization, including American Legion Post 111, Marine Corps League Detachment 686, and Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 78. Windsor Police Chief Mike Raasch will serve as Master of Ceremonies, with remarks by Congressman Jared Huffman, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore and Windsor Mayor Sam Salmon. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Vinyl Revival, a local ensemble under the direction of Heather Cullen. 

The Nov. 6 event will be the eighth military banner ceremony produced by the Windsor Hometown Heroes Military Banner Committee and the Town of Windsor. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit: www.townofwindsor.com/hometownheroes.    

Have You Voted Yet?

Nov. 11: Veterans Day Ceremony

At 11 AM on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, American Legion Post 111 will hold a short ceremony and a 21-gun salute in honor of the annual holiday that honors American veterans of all wars. It will take place on the Town Green. Please join us!

Water Restrictions Still in Place

We’re still in a drought! Despite the onset of colder and wetter weather, the level 2 water shortage restrictions adopted by Town Council are still in effect. Windsor is also still under a State Water Resources Control Board order to reduce diversions from the Russian River by 20 percent compared to the year 2020.

The current water supply level in Lake Sonoma is still critically low, so water conservation efforts are more important than ever. Continuing to save water will help prevent stricter conservation measures in 2023. Please follow all water restrictions, including restricted irrigation schedules, repairing water leaks within 72 hours, reducing excessive water runoff, and more. To learn more about the current drought conditions and the level 2 water restrictions, visit https://www.townofwindsor.com/100/Water-Conservation

Pollinator Garden Vandalized

The Town Green Community Open Garden event on Saturday, Oct. 29, prompted the exciting discovery of Monarch caterpillars inhabiting the newly planted pollinator garden! Unfortunately, soon afterwards, someone had cut and taken away the plants’ branching stems, which held the caterpillars.

This act of vandalism is disheartening. While we’re glad that our local habitat was successful, we're sad that the community can no longer enjoy the caterpillars. It is also important to note that “captive reared” Monarch butterflies in general are less able to navigate and are less healthy compared to wild Monarch butterflies.

The Windsor Garden Club, in collaboration with the Town, planted the community’s pollinator garden in May to create a habitat for Monarch butterflies, which have been classified as endangered. During the last 30 years, their global population has decreased by more than 90 percent. Now, we must wait until next year to see whether Monarch butterflies will come back to our pollinator garden and help increase their population.

Please visit the Town Green Community Garden and enjoy the pollinator garden. But please don't disturb the habitat! For information on how to create your own pollinator garden, go to: https://www.townofwindsor.com/1345/Monarch-Waystations 

Trick or Treat Trail a Success

Toss Me in the Green Bin!

Creek Cleanup to Prepare for Flooding

The Town’s Public Works staff, with the help of a restoration crew from the nonprofit Circuit Rider Community Services, recently removed 140 yards of green waste and 5 yards of trash from our creeks and large storm ditches.

Removing excessive vegetation and trash before the rainy season is an important flood control measure. The partnership between Circuit Rider and the Town has also helped our Windsor community make our riparian corridors safer and provide work experience to our young adults. 

Dec. 1: Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting

Save the Date! The 21^st Annual Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5-8 PM on the Town Green. Join the Town for musical performances by local youth as well as food and gift vendors, children’s holiday activities, and much more!

The celebratory evening concludes with the lighting of the tree by Santa Claus! This event also kicks off the month of lights and cheer at the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove hosted by People4Parks Windsor. For more information, please visit: www.townofwindsor.com/specialevents

Windsor Senior Recreation Center Renovation 

The Windsor Senior Recreation Center (WSRC) will close for renovations beginning Monday, November 14. However, programming will only be disrupted for three weeks because we are temporarily moving WSRC’s operation to the Bluebird Center.

While the Bluebird Center is housing the Windsor Senior Center, it will be known as the Bluebird Windsor Senior Recreation Center (BWSRC). All BWSRC programming will operate as scheduled starting on Friday, Dec. 2. For more information on the WSRC remodel, watch a presentation given to the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission: https://bit.ly/WSRCrenovations

New Outdoor Fitness Equipment in Starr Creek Park

Thanks to Measure M, an 1/8 cent countywide sales tax, the Town has installed seven pieces of outdoor fitness equipment at Starr Creek Park (481 Decanter Circle), and it is now available to the community for use.

The exercise equipment can be accessed from the park or the trail leading from Keiser Park. The equipment is wheelchair and ADA accessible and includes strength training for different muscle groups. In 2016, the Town received a grant to install the fitness equipment but due to budgetary issues, the installation was delayed until October of this year.

Nov. 29: Household Hazardous Waste Event 

Zero Waste Sonoma will host a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event in Windsor on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 3-8 PM. Schedule an appointment here at least 24 hours before the event. The exact location will be emailed with your confirmation.  HHW includes batteries, fertilizer, fluorescent bulbs, weed killers, and antifreeze. For more examples on what constitutes HHW, go to: https://zerowastesonoma.gov/recycle-dispose/residents/common-household-hazardous-waste-hhw?locale=en

Also, did you take part in e-waste and mattress recycling event at Huerta Gym, hosted by Zero Waste Sonoma (ZWS) and Conservation Corps North Bay in October? ZWS reports that staff collected 72 mattresses and 11,942 pounds of e-waste. Great job, Windsor!

Sonoma County Fire District Takes to the Skies

A message from the Sonoma County  Fire District: We are excited to announce the launch of our new helicopter, “Sonoma County 1"! In partnership with REACH Air Medical Services, SCFD Station 11, has opened at the Sonoma County Airport. The new helicopter provides aerial fire reconnaissance, firefighting, search and assist capabilities and critical care medical transport to Sonoma County and the surrounding areas. Sonoma County 1 is equipped with a flexible bucket for aerial water drops for firefighting missions and will have a SCFD Helicopter Fire Specialist on board to provide tactical aerial firefighting command. The Airbus H135 helicopter is operated as part of a public-private partnership agreement that leverages the expertise of both organizations.