Whats Up in Windsor by Lorene Romero and Gayle Walz - May 2019

SHARP TONGUED CONSULTING

April 28, 2019

As we are turning the corner and May is upon us so comes the

As a business owner and resident, I am very proud to say I live and work in Windsor. Windsor is small enough to have a hometown feel and at the same time we have several events that draw people from all over Sonoma County to our Town Green. With these events that bring people also comes trash.

Windsor will be taking some very aggressive steps during the Summer Concert Series in terms of “keeping the town green”. We are starting a program called Waste Less Windsor. And I am proud to say I am part of the committee that put this all together.

Waste Less Windsor is a group of residents, businesses, and organizations coming together to help the community of Windsor focus on sustainability by delivering zero waste to the landfill through education and voluntarism.

Beginning from the very first concert on Thursday May 30th, our goal, during the 2019 Summer Nights on the Green Concerts Series is to minimize waste where ever and whenever possible. And of course, we need everyone who is attending the concerts to do their part. Here’s how you can help:

Bring Reusables:

• Serviceware

• Cups

• Use the appropriately labeled receptacle

Volunteers will be on hand to help you!

PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT!

Tina Castelli, who is the Thursday night concert and farmers market manager, has worked with the food vendors to have compostable containers (not an easy feat). Another change will be that the beer and wine kiosks will be selling reusable cups for beer and wine and moving away from single use plastic glasses.

There will be 14 concert nights and we will be looking for 2 volunteers to assist at each of the 14 recycling stations. As the saying goes “it takes a village” to get things done. We are looking for volunteers to help staff these stations

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication to the folks who are on the Waste Less Windsor committee: Justin Wilcock Sonoma County Resource Recovery, Terry and Cathy Taylor of Sonoma Political Education and Action Salon (PEAS), me from the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Lauri Scott Shimizu of the Windsor Town Green Merchants Association, Lucille Hynes of the Windsor Lions, Hilary Dunn and Mike Kovanis of the Town of Windsor Parks and Rec Department, and Tina Castelli of the Windsor Certified Farmers Market.

To hear more about the Waste Less Windsor project come to the Thursday, May 16th Windsor Grange 410 meeting to hear Terry Taylor speak.

Becoming greener and making less waste is a huge project but if we are all in this together, we can make it work. Here are a few things you can do to help. Some easy steps include bring your own silver ware and cups and take any and all trash home with you.

Another way to be greener is to take the Windsor Hopper Shuttle to the Thursday concert nights and the Sunday Markets. This free shuttle service is for all of us. It runs Thursday thru Sunday and is at no cost. It is a collaborative project with Town of Windsor and Sonoma County Tourism to reduce the parking stress in town, reducing the carbon foot print, and keeping drivers who have been drinking off the roads.

To learn more about the Windsor Hopper Shuttle please visit:

https://www.townofwindsor.com/1159/Windsor-Shuttle—The-Hopper

Here is a link to find the Thursday night concert line up:

https://www.townofwindsor.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1165

Happy Spring everyone, see you at the concert. If you would like to drop a line please feel free to writelorene@mac.com

Lorene Romero is a highly skilled travel consultant. She founded Sharp Tongued Consulting in 2008 to deliver the benefits only a travel CONSULTANT can offer, over those of a traditional AGENT. In addition to uncovering the best prices and making reservations, her approach is primarily focused on expert research and advice. With her home-based business, she is able to dedicate the quality time necessary to ensure that no client ever wastes a penny on a trip they won't completely love. She is an expert on Alaska, Hawaii and European River Cruises but loves crafting the perfect dream vacation for nearly any destination.

Until recently, Lorene was the Windsor Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. She was a Chamber member for 15 years and being on the Board of Directors for 10. During the COVID-19 pandemic she gave it her all to help support Windsor small businesses to remain open and help over 400 people and 50 Windsor businesses get vaccinated. She works tirelessly being as the Co-Vice President of the People4Parks Committee making magic Charlie Brown Christmas Grove. Lorene understand Windsor like the back of her hand and makes herself available to everyone to feel loved and welcomed. Over the years she was seen at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market “Donate Life” booth talking about the importance of organ donation (speaking as a Living Donor after donating her kidney to a stranger). She can be reached at lorene@mac.com.