Insider Edition 88 | April 3, 2025 | | | | |
Hello Windsor!
April is upon us, and we are now heading into event season!
Starting with one of our favorites, I encourage you all to come down to the Town Green and witness the excitement of Levi’s GranFondo next weekend!
Whether you're an avid cyclist or you just want to watch the spectacle while enjoying good food and music, this is an event you won't want to miss.
For more information, see the article below or go to www.levisgranfondo.com.
Don’t miss out on the action – come, cheer on the cyclists, enjoy the festivities, and be part of this unforgettable event!
See you there!
In this edition of the Insider:
- Levi's GranFondo Festival Weekend
- SMART Train Updates
- National Library Week
- Summer Recreation Programs
- Free Rec Party in the Park
- Summer Adult Sports
- Repair Fair 4/26
- Fire Season - Urban Water Supply Systems - Section 3
- Know the Law - Jaywalking
- 100th Birthday Celebration
- SCFD Chief Heine Retires
| | LEVI'S GRANFONDO FESTIVAL WEEKEND | | |
Get ready, Windsor — Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19
Our town will be a buzz with excitement for the Levi’s GranFondo Festival Weekend!
This free, family-friendly event offers an action-packed schedule. Enjoy live music featuring Gas Money, talented performers from Windsor High School, and Ears of Maize as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Experience the thrill of watching GranFondo cyclists roll through town on the big screen, creating a real-time celebration of athleticism and community spirit.
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Join in on the fun at the free Family Fondo Bike Ride, an 8-mile loop around town starting at 9:30 am. With food trucks, a beer garden, and a bustling vendor village offering samples and giveaways, there’s something for everyone. Plus, if you’re looking to get more involved, the Levi’s GranFondo team is inviting volunteers to help bring this exciting weekend to life while earning some cool perks.
For the complete schedule, volunteer details, and more festival information, check out levisgranfondo.com/festival. Let’s celebrate together—big fun, great music, and the unbeatable spirit of Windsor!
For a detailed schedule of events, visit www.levisgranfondo.com/schedule. Please note that Windsor roads may be impacted on the day of the race, Saturday April 19, visit www.levisgranfondo.com/roads for detailed information.
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SMART Train Testing Begins
April: Systems Testing Begins
SMART is making progress toward bringing passenger rail service to Windsor!
Beginning Saturday, April 5, SMART will conduct Systems Testing, operating test trains seven days a week between the Sonoma County Airport station and the Windsor station. These trains will run from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
During testing, trains will intermittently sound their horns, as required by federal safety regulations. Additionally, grade crossing warning systems, such as lights, gates, and bells, will be activated to ensure safe operations. Systems Testing evaluates the railway’s warning devices, train control system, and speed enforcement before passenger service begins.
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Please note that during this period, the Sonoma County Airport station will be temporarily closed
on weekends in April.
All other SMART stations
will remain open.
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May: Simulated Service Begins
Starting in early May, SMART will operate Simulated Service to replicate the full passenger service schedule. Although no passengers will be on board, trains will run at full frequency, allowing train engineers to familiarize themselves with the new service area and test operational systems.
Simulated Service will include 44 trips per day, running from 4:00 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays and from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM on weekends.
Until the Town of Windsor finalizes its Quiet Zone designation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), train horns will continue to be used at Shiloh Road, Mitchell Lane, the Windsor roundabout, and the Windsor station access crossing for safety compliance.
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Track Scrubbing and Maintenance
To prepare for passenger service, SMART has begun track scrubbing—a cleaning process that maintains and improves track conditions. This work took place from 4:00 PM to midnight in March and will shift to overnight hours (10:00 PM to 4:00 AM) in April as part of routine maintenance. Residents may notice vehicle lights and hear grinding sounds during these operations.
Quiet Zone Update
The Town of Windsor is actively working with the FRA to establish a Quiet Zone. Once approved and implemented, routine train horn use at designated crossings will be eliminated except in emergency or safety-critical situations.
Until the Quiet Zone is in place, train horns will continue to sound between Shiloh Road and the Windsor station during Systems Testing and Simulated Service. We understand that this may cause temporary noise disruptions and appreciate the community’s patience as we work toward launching a safe and successful service.
For additional information on SMART’s testing schedule and the temporary closure of the Sonoma County Airport station, or to subscribe to SMART’s updates, please visit sonomamarintrain.org/construction-updates.
The grand opening celebration of the station is slated for
Friday, June 13, 2025.
Stay tuned for more details!
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Celebrate National Library Week at the Windsor Library! April 6 – 12.
National Library Week is April 6-12, and the Sonoma County Library invites you to celebrate free public libraries by taking advantage of all the services your library card provides.
“National Library Week is an opportunity to celebrate the irresistible pull of libraries–the audacious and remarkable idea that information and knowledge should be accessible to anyone, anytime, and absolutely free,” Sonoma County Library Director Erika Thibault said.
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This week's theme is “Drawn to the Library,” and evidence of that theme is everywhere in your local libraries. From storytime to tech help and everything in between, libraries help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next. Want to weatherize your home? Come to the library and ask for a DIY Toolkit. Need high-speed internet access for a school project? Come to the library and check out a WiFi hotspot.
This National Library Week, show your support for your free public libraries by visiting us in person or online at sonomalibrary.org. Join the Sonoma County Library for events that inspire and delight, and be sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date on events and more.
| | SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS | | | | |
Registration is now open
for summer recreation programs!
Click this link to check out the Recreation Guide and plan out your summer fun!
Recreation Guide
For more information, please call the Recreation Department at 707-838-12560.
| | FREE REC PARTY IN THE PARK | | | | |
Let’s have some fun!
Join us on Wednesday afternoons from
4:30-6:30PM
for our FREE Rec Parties in the Park!
New activities this year include
Parents vs. Kids Dodgeball,
a water balloon dunk tank,
sports skills challenges,
relay races, and more!
The first Rec Party is on April 9
on the Town Green.
We hope to see you there!
For more information, please call
707-838-1260.
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Summer adult sports are here again!
Registration opened on April 1, and
information can be found in the
Recreation Guide
- Adult Bocce starts on May 20, Tuesdays at 5:30pm
- Men’s Softball starts on May 28, Wednesdays at 6:00pm
- Co-Ed Softball starts on June 16, Mondays at 6:00pm
For more information, visit the
Parks and Recreation Department.
To register your team or be placed on the free agent list call our office at 707-838-1260.
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Do you have an item that needs repair?
Reuse Alliance is hosting a Repair Fair at the Windsor Huerta Gym
on Saturday, April 26, from 1PM to 4PM.
The Repair Fair will have volunteers and specialized repair professionals to repair pre-registered items. Permitted items: small appliances, bicycles, computers, lamps, clothing, or smaller metal items (welding service).
| | FIRE SEASON - URBAN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS | | |
We are continuing our Fire Season – Urban Water Supply System campaign featuring different Sections from the UCLA Luskin Center of Innovation – “Do Urban Water Supply Systems Put Out Wildfires?”. This is especially important to address water resources during fire season.
The UCLA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is broken down into 5 Sections. This edition of The Insider will feature:
Section 3 – All About Fire Hydrant
Next Insider will feature:
Section 4 – Providing Water Supply in Tough Terrain
Section 5 – Improving Water Supply Systems for Wildfire Response
To read the extended version of the document with all the Sections and for more information click on the UCLA Luskin Center of Innovation document.
| | KNOW THE LAW - JAYWALKING | | |
Jaywalking remains unlawful in California. Since 2023, police can no longer cite you for jaywalking unless there is an immediate chance of a collision. This is considered dangerous and an infraction of Vehicle Code 21955, carrying a fine of $196 plus court administrative fees and assessment.
Although safe jaywalking will not result in a ticket, the Windsor Police Department encourages you to cross safely only at crosswalks whenever possible.
Helpful Pedestrian Tips:
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Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.
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Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care when crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
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Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material, or use a flashlight when practical.
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Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.
| | 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION | | | | |
Celebrating Josefa Mendez Ramirez!
March 27, 2025, marked the day Windsor resident Josefa Mendez Ramirez reached 100 years of existence. Mayor Reynoza was on hand to celebrate with Josefa’s family and friends.
“Josefa was raised by her grandparents in a small village in Oaxaca, Mexico, and she learned their lessons well. She quietly taught those who met her, self-sacrifice, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion, all that is love. She held no resentment, impatience, and envy of others, and yet, her joy for life, and her love for God have had no end. That is the mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother we have had, and we give thanks to God”, says Roberto Ramirez.
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Sonoma County Fire Chief Mark Heine Retires After More Than 30 Years of Service!
After more than three decades of dedicated service, Sonoma County Fire District Chief Mark Heine is hanging up his helmet. Heine, who has been a steadfast leader in the region’s fire service, announced his retirement, marking the end of a remarkable career defined by bravery, resilience, and commitment to public safety.
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Heine’s career began over 30 years ago, and throughout his tenure, he played a critical role in modernizing the fire district, expanding emergency response capabilities, and leading crews through some of the county’s most challenging fire seasons. His leadership was especially vital during California’s devastating wildfires, where he worked tirelessly to protect lives and property.
Under Heine’s leadership, the Sonoma County Fire District expanded to better serve residents, incorporating improved technology and resources to enhance emergency response times. His dedication to firefighter training and public safety education has left a lasting impact that will benefit the community for years to come.
As Heine steps into retirement, the Sonoma County Fire District Board of Directors have selected their new Fire Chief, Ron Busch who will lead the department into the future. Meanwhile, the community and his fellow firefighters are celebrating his legacy with heartfelt gratitude.
| | His departure marks the end of an era, but his contributions will not be forgotten. The Town of Windsor wishes him a well-earned retirement and appreciates him for his years of unwavering service. | | |
Come Join Us!
The Town of Windsor is active with events year-round.
The following Town links will provide you with dates and event details to "mark your calendar".
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The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people.
For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com.
Join our team! Go here to apply.
| | Here are some public meetings and workshops we would love for you to participate in. For more information on the agenda, view the meeting, or the recording click on the meeting link. | | As always, if you'd like to get the Insider sent directly to your email inbox, go to our Notify Me page to sign up. Please let us know what you think -- we welcome your feedback. | | Follow us on social media! | | |
Town of Windsor
9291 Old Redwood Highway
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 838-1000
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