Columns

Last week the first rebuilt home was completed and occupied following the October 2017 wildfires. A happy ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park neighborhood, the epicenter of the greatest housing losses.

The Memorial Day holiday has become a day with dual and contrasting sets of activities and mindsets. Memorial Day is both a solemn occasion for remembering and honoring our war dead and it is also the “unofficial” beginning of warm weather picnics, outdoor activities and family gatherings.

The recent passing of Barbara Bush and her request to die with dignity has shone some light on the question of death and dying. I am hoping it will help people begin to talk about these issues among themselves and especially with their families.

I feel quite positively that you, reader, know what time it is. If you’re not sure of the day, that’s okay. It’s the time that’s important. Some of you are way ahead of me and I hear you mumble, “It’s time for the SF Giants to win more than half their games.”

What kind of person are you? A glass half empty or a glass half full? As the end of May slowly approaches, so does all the bundle of things to accomplish and complete. This bundle includes looming finals, saying goodbye to friends, leaving the years experiences behind.

By the time you read this there will be less than five full days of school left. If it sounds like I’m afraid it’s because, well, I am. I have a 10-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son who usually get along with each other very well. But in this digital age where kids can lose themselves in a cell phone app, or transport themselves into a video game world it’s far easier for siblings to get along than in year’s past.

Among other local news this week, we’d like to announce that the Windsor Times has new owners — more than two dozen in fact. Our new owners are community members and readers just like you. They are individuals and couples who have invested $1,000 to $20,000 with our Direct Public Offer that is funding Sonoma West Publishers’ new vision for quality community journalism.

The list started a few months ago. He’d casually point to a restaurant and say, “Hmm! Maybe we should go there during summer break.” (The “for chicken strips and French fries” was unspoken, but understood.) Then he’d remember someplace like Epicenter, and add that “we should” to the list, which rapidly took on a life of its own.

This year, as summer begins, after 25 years as principal at Mattie Washburn, I will be retiring. It has been a pleasure and an honor to be a part of the Windsor community for so many years. The support of the families and community members has been amazing. Mattie has been such a special place to work because of the amazing staff and incredible volunteers. I have so many special memories that I will carry with me.

Lavender. If you’ve travelled the Mediterranean or California’s wine country, you’ve likely seen fragrant waves of it everywhere.