Columns

It could be said that we will best remember the year of 2018 as “the year after.” After all, this was the year that followed the historic wildfires of 2017 in Sonoma County. And this was the first full year of legal cannabis in California, following the Jan. 1 implementation of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA). This was also the year that followed the undeniable realization here that we are facing a monumental affordable housing shortage. What happens next in 2019 is likely to follow the same course of news, events and public discussions, also mostly about wildfire rebuilding efforts, evolving cannabis laws and our housing and affordable household income struggles. 

This winter, the library is teeming with activity as always. In addition to our regularly scheduled programming, we are also offering a few new fun and creative opportunities for our beloved community.

Looking for a lost pet or a new four-legged friend? See the list of incoming strays and the selection of cats and dogs available for adoption from the Healdsburg Center for Animals.

Let us ring in the new year with goodwill. Thank you to all in the ‘Burg who step up quietly to aid their fellow citizens (and animals) in our community. Please keep sending info to IDlewood 3…” at idlewood3@hbgtrib.com. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all. See you in 2019.

Thank you from the band

Peace Wall nominations

This is a Christmas memory of an older Sebastopol. It took place in a Sebastopol before tourism was encouraged, before there were any hotels, when the Barlow was just one of many apple processing plants in the area. This was before the Rialto, Peace Park, Skateboard Park, a town square or tree lighting. This was when Sebastopol was part of the Redwood Empire, not wine country.

One of the many cool benefits of living with teenagers is the opportunity to self reflect as a person. Meaning, when one of my teens is going through a bump I tend to try to put myself back in their shoes as my rebellious, crazy 16-year-old self. I figure if I can offer up advice that might seem relevant, I will try my hardest. If I can relate, I can lessen their pain and sadness. Always a Mama Bear’s job, I suppose, to bring in light when there is darkness.

Out of concern for continued deficit spending, the Board of Education began a process last year to look deeply at the Windsor Unified School District budget. The way we (along with CA public school district) are funded (often with one-time money that cannot be used for ongoing costs) and the increasing costs to school district (largely due to required pension and healthcare cost increases) has us spending more than we are bringing in. Decisions are being made to keep WUSD solvent while continuing to provide quality programs for our students.

The following snippets of history are compiled by volunteers of the Windsor Museum & Historical Society. The museum is open, free to the public, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. The museum is located in the historic Hembree House at 9225 Foxwood Drive. Learn more about Windsor history at windsorhistory.org.