Patch Looks Back at June, 2011

Videos and Galleries

By Viewfinder: What’s it like to take part in the monthly downtown art crawl? Patch contributor John K. Ruch, rhythm guitarist with the Mean Time Playboys, reports from inside First Street’s newest gallery.

By A group of young people in their teens and early 20s learned some lessons about cooking—and community—from Napa Women’s Club (Evening Edition) volunteers last week.

By Here's where we celebrate the accomplishments of everyone from Napa who is graduating this spring. Upload your own photos and videos to help make it a community-wide tribute!

By In 1974, Napa's population was 42,000 and the restaurant guide was a single sheet of paper.

By The first Wine Country Tractor Pull was held at the Napa Valley Expo, and Israel Valencia brought the event to life in photos.

By Take a look at the colorful characters of the Toyota/Save Mart 350, held over the weekend at Infineon Raceway.

The celebrated chef-owner of longtime Napa Valley restaurant La Toque is also a motorhead, according to his recent interview with Stark Insider.

Business    

By How will this crazy spring weather affect the vines?

By The main event takes place in rural St. Helena Saturday, but "If you are into food, you can't help but make downtown Napa part of your itinerary," says Craig Smith of the Napa Downtown Association.

By The banned sandwich-board signs continue to make their appearance on city sidewalks.

By Walgreens is first business retailer to commit to Trancas Street project

By From car washes to kayak rentals, local businesses have seen enough of the rain.

 By Staff laid off with no warning Sunday at Callender's locations around the Bay Area.

By The abrupt closing of Marie Callender's leaves loyal customers looking for a new place to eat.

By From the traditional to the creative, chances are good you'll find just the right present for Dad without leaving town.

The Wine Train may soon no longer be the sole railroad in the county if the freight haul from Windsor is approved.

Police & Fire

A advisory message from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office cautions homeowners and Realtors to secure valuables and medications before opening a house to the public.

By What people are saying about a judge's ruling that the Napa red-light-camera program is illegal.

By Amendments to existing contract includes no cameras for red-light turners on Highways 29 and 121.

By Illness forces Napa's long-time judge Scott Snowden to opt for an early retirement: an exclusive interview with the reporter who knew him best.

By Sheriff's Office introduces a no-questions-asked program that pays up to $1,000 cash for anonymous tips that lead to arrests.

By “We already have a program in place much like Crime Stoppers, called Tip411. At this point, it meets our needs. However, we will be re-evaluating it and comparing it to Crime Stoppers." Napa Police Capt. Steve Potter.

By Goods stolen as long as a year ago turn up in search of Morgan Lane house.

More than 30 years after Lou Ellen Burleigh of Walnut Creek went missing, Napa Sheriff's Deputy Michael Bartlett located her remains.

By 26-member board will oversee gang issues, report to the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

Opinion

By Do you get "kidsick" when your children go to camp?

By Introducing our "Local Voices" bloggers, and inviting you to join in.

By Do your kids help out around the house? And do they get paid to do it?

By We asked some notable Napa fathers about their favorite dads-day presents.

Food

By No matter how talented we may be in the kitchen, there are always a few dishes that we just can’t seem to get right.

By "For this food enthusiast and cook, cheese and cream are sources of constant consternation:" laments of a lactose-intolerant gourmet.

By The food is good, the service is fast, the kids love it -- and it's affordable. Does such a place exist?

By Even though you're covered in dirt and bug spray, you can still dine well in the woods.

By , latest eateries to satisfy seafood appetite of diners.

By The Michelin Guide claims this local Thai restaurant is a hit with just the right amount of a "Californian accent." Can't say we disagree!

Real Estate

By Lowering prices, upgrading and adding value to attract buyers in a tough market.

By Mortgage rates fall to seven-month lows, creating opportunities in lower price ranges.

By Open houses, price reductions and a new development goes on the market.

By Though the real estate market has been slow over the past year, some new houses are showing up on the listings.

Volunteers in the News

By The and will benefit from last month’s fund-raising bicycle ride.

By With two dozen events in 10 days, the annual celebration has something for everyone.

Government

By Beginning July 1, the county requires a permit and background check for anyone taking care of an unrelated elderly person, whether in exchange for pay or for room and board.

By The city's weed abatement ordinance is in full force. Non-compliance can mean heavy fines.

By Closing parks will increase obesity rates, hurt local economies and eliminate a critical part of California's history, they say.

By is moving forward with plans for a new transit terminal near the .

By It becomes law on July 1 to have a CO detector in most homes.

Sports

By Hole no. 9 is targeted for improvements.

By , , , and 12-team Wine County Baseball league—including teams from cities in Sonoma and Napa counties—debuts Saturday at Rec Park in Healdsburg.

By Women and children have a friend in Tom Sims, general manager of at .

Arts

By “That’s the way the world goes round, up one day, the next you’re down.”

By Amid the restaurants and the tasting rooms, the art scene in Napa begins to flower.