August in Napa: Patch Looks Back at 2011

Videos and Galleries 

The people spoke and the editor doubled down: We have two $100 winners, both longtime Napans with a gift for capturing community.

By Our rolling reporter/editor pedaled her bike to a couple of fun parties and scored a glimpse of Robert Redford contemplating art. We spared him the spotlight, but you can see some local celebs here.

Relive the Glorious Fourth from the reviewing stand with organizer Doris Gentry and radio host Kellie Fuller in Napa TV's newly-released parade video.

By The Napa Town & Country Fair was filled with the usual smells of spun sugar, onion blossoms and corn dogs, plus a new additive: Eddie Money's throngs of cologned fans.

By Ukulele flash mob at Oxbow, guided tour of the stars in Coombsville, barn party with politicos and motorheads: No wonder we live for the weekend.

Your photos and ours, from Saturday's Main Street Reunion car show and Sunday's cycling Tour of Napa Valley

By An estimated 800 people (and one inflatable rat) took part in Saturday’s dueling political rallies, with no violence or arrests.

Police & Fire

By $159 for crossing the street? That's the fine if you're caught and cited for jaywalking.

Arrest information from the Napa Police Department does not indicate a conviction.

Napa Valley Crime Stoppers now includes the city of Napa, where police hope someone recognizes the person in these security-camera photos of the man who held up Flyer’s at knifepoint last May.

By “It is a good feeling to know I cared for someone who was injured or helped save a family’s valuables when their house was on fire,” says the 32-year city veteran.

She's alleging gender-based discrimination, according to the Vacaville Reporter.

Arrest information from the Napa Police Department does not indicate a conviction.

By “I know if Mom (Donna Gross) was here, she would be forgiving you. And that bothers me,” said Anna Bock, the victim's daughter.

Southbound Highway 29 was closed for two hours, slowing rush-hour traffic as police investigated the crash.  

By Driver was thrown some 25 feet from the vehicle, police said.

The pilot and passenger in the plane were uninjured; the driver of a car and two passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to a report from the scene.

Highway 12 is closed in both directions from Kelly Road to Interstate 80 and may not reopen until the evening commute.

The latest fatality on the region's most notorious highway is still under investigation, but some facts are known, authorities say.

The cause of Monday morning’s fatal four-vehicle collision remains under investigation, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"He was driving fine until he abruptly turned into the path of the truck." Napa County Sheriff's Captain Tracy Stuart.

Rubber bracelets and badge-emblazoned coasters help tasting-room staff encourage problem customers to stay out of trouble with the law.

It's the second arrest in less than a week for stealing baby formula.

Government

The proposed new rate structure does away with use-only charges in favor of a base rate that grows with water consumption.

By Opening the floodgates to discussion.

By A city traffic study says east-west traffic on Trancas won't be affected by the Napa Crossing shopping center, now under construction between California Boulevard and California Way.

After hours of public comment and discussion, the board of supervisors was unanimous in confirming the recommendation of county staff to award the franchise to AMR. The supes take their final vote Sept. 20.

The Napa County Board of Supervisors is set to hear a report on options for the downtown jail during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

Activist Napa residents are calling for the public to oppose any plan to expand the county jail downtown.

Randolph Street resident Elizabeth McKinne is one of many Napans concerned about the prospect of expanding the county jail downtown.

An independent hearing officer denies the ambulance franchise protests.

By The city pays home water customers up to $500 to replace their thirsty grass lawns. Businesses can receive a check for up to $2,500.

By The conservative group's national bus tour kicks off in Napa. The local Green Party holds a rally in opposition. And a street festival happens all afternoon.

Business

By There's no word on a tenant for the Marie Callender's restaurant site, abruptly vacated last May. Neighbor John Muir Inn is coping, but lacks a restaurant partner for guests' breakfasts.

Its CEO says the conservation nonprofit would build offices upstairs and lease the ground floor of the city-owned, gutted 1887 landmark – perhaps as soon as next year.

Obituaries

By It was an evening of remembrance, storytelling and celebration at Fuller Park on what would have been Dayton Moore's 19th birthday.

Darrik Benson, 29, grew up in Angwin.

Ralph Ingols, longtime curator of the Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, died in July at 100. Thanks to Leah Hawks for this remembrance.

Schools

What are the early release days? When are the holidays? Which days will there be no school due to teacher furloughs? It's all right here in the NVUSD school year calendar, and our map shows where all the Napa schools are located.

Photos by Israel Valencia.

“Fender benders, yelling matches and arriving at school a half hour before pick up” are all common occurrences, says one Napa mom.

Arts

The co-founder of the Beach Boys - and one of rock's certified genius songwriters and producers - comes to Napa for the first time this week, another step in a remarkable comeback.

The aging Beach Boy brought youth back into style at the Uptown Theater with a lengthy set heavy on the hits yet uplifting to the spirit.

By Ten-year-old Cole Geschwender stars in the video of Bobby Jo Valentine's "Fly," a song about child abuse.

By While Hurricane Irene was threatening the East Coast Friday night, Joan Rivers regaled a capacity crowd with her own storm, full of acerbic wit and X-rated comedy, at the Uptown Theatre.

Real Estate

Single-family houses in Napa for $150,000 or less.

You, too, could host a band for the next Napa Porchfest!

If you've always wanted to chill out poolside in your own back yard, one of these homes may be right for you.

Food

Napa Patch food columnist Jamie Brown Miller was judged top chef at this year's Gilroy Garlic Festival.

By Bacon, butter, cheese and garlic - how long can it last?

By Sweetie Pies is the place to go when you're hankering for a chocolate croissant or a cuppa joe, as this Patch writer most frequently is.

By Afraid that I was getting complacent with my cooking, I've decided to dabble in new ingredients.

By I have now seen what a diverse restaurant community can be - and am jonesing for some Korean barbecue!

Opinion

This isn't the town -- or the world -- we grew up in, and more change is coming. There's never been a better time to share our stories.

  Is unsolicited parenting advice from strangers— or friends —ever helpful?

Who is really responsible for the family pets, the children or the adults?

A new study says most kids' homemade lunches aren't kept cold enough to be safe by school lunchtime. What's a parent to do?

Are you ready for the kids to go back to school? Or do you want to keep them at home for a few more months?

Song lyrics are raunchier than ever. Where do you draw the line when it comes to kids and music?

Volunteers in the News

By 27 young cyclists raising money for cancer research stop in Napa on their ride from Baltimore to San Francisco.