Education

Miss Napa County Scholarship

There will be an information meeting Sunday regarding the Miss Napa County Scholarship Program at 2 p.m. at Healthquest Fitness Center, 3175 California Blvd., Napa. Miss Napa County is for young women between 17 and 24 who are graduates from high school prior to September 2006, have never been married or had a child and are U.S. citizens. The young woman must work, attend school or be a resident of Napa County. Judging for the contest is based on talent, intelligence, poise, personality and appearance. Please bring something to write on and something to write with. The program will be Feb. 25 and will be presented at the Napa Valley Opera House. For more information call Lani Robertson at 226-6996 or e-mail czpanda99@aol.com./Register

College-bound

financial aid

In memory of Quimby Ghilotti, Napa High will host a financial aid workshop for juniors and seniors on Dec. 3, at the Napa Valley Unified School District Building from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. To complete a free application for federal student aid, students should bring a driver's license and social security card, parent's and student's 2004 tax return, bank statements and business records. For more information, call 253-3716./Register

Parent education

and support

The Cope Family Center announces their winter class schedule. To register for any of the following classes, call the center at 252-1123, ext. 102.

Baby Steps -- For parents of newborns through 1-year-olds; explores the topics of feeding, sleeping, development and health. Jan. 4 to March 9. 0-6 months, Wednesdays, 7-12 months, Thursdays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Terrific Toddlers -- For parents of children ages 1 through 3 years helps parents navigate the tricky terrain of toddlerhood. Jan. 4 to March 9. 19-36 months, Wednesday, 12-18 months, Thursday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Positive Discipline -- Learn the basic goals of misbehavior. Thursdays, Feb. 9 to March 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

Spanish Mother's group -- A place to meet and connect with other mothers. Fourth Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ages & Stages -- One on one activity to help parents determine if their child's development is age appropriate. By appointment.

Drop In-Child care -- Children are cared for by a staff childcare provider. Parents must stay on site. Mondays 10 a.m. to noon.

Kid's Turn -- For kids 4 to 14 and their parents who are going through a divorce or separation. Jan 12 through Feb. 16, St. John's Lutheran School, Thursdays 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Cooperative Co-Parenting -- Learn family mediation tactics. TBA.

TRIBE-Guiding Good Choices -- For ages 9-14 years to help improve family management skills and reduce the likelihood of substance abuse and problem behaviors in adolescence. Wednesdays Feb. 8 through March 8, 6 to 8 p.m.

Money Smart -- A financial literacy class designed to start at the basics and build on your knowledge though a five-week series of workshops. TBA./Register

English and

ESL teachers needed

Volunteers are urgently needed to tutor adults in reading and writing, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL). No teaching or foreign language skills required. Free training, flexible scheduling, and full staff support provided. For more information, or to sign up for a 60-minute, no-obligation orientation, please call or visit the Literacy Office at Napa Main Library, 580 Coombs St., 253-4283./Register

Napa Valley

Music Associates

Instrumental and

voice lesson registration

The Napa Valley Music Associates are accepting registration for guitar, violin/viola/cello, flute, clarinet, drum/percussion, voice, piano, musical theater and brass ensemble students age 5 though adult.

Music in the schools program

Highly professional performers are available for presentations for entire schools or special assemblies through the Napa Valley Music Associates' Music in the Schools presentations. Guitarists, opera and musical singers, brass specialists and more.

Brass instrumental workshop

A one-hour workshop for trumpet, trombone, tuba and French horn instrumentalists in fourth-grade through adult will held with a specialist and professional performer. Date and time TBA.

Drum/percussion workshop

A drum and percussion workshop for grades five through adult will be held with a specialist and professional performing percussionists. Date and time TBA

For more information, call 252-8671./Register

Health

Free Vision Loss series

The Earle Baum Center of the Blind Inc. of Santa Rosa is offering a free series of classes on living with vision loss on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Springs of Napa, a Holiday independent residential facility for seniors, at 3460 Villa Lane. Topics this week will include technology: JAWS, Parrott, Jordy. For more information, call the Springs of Napa at 224-7855./Register

HICAP Medicare program

Queen of the Valley will sponsor two presentations in reference to Medicare Part D on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Community Outreach, 3448 Villa Lane, Suite 102, Napa. Representatives from HICAP will be on hand to offer information and answer questions. To reserve a space, call 251-1834./Register

Prostate cancer

support group

Prostate cancer support group meets at Queen of the Valley Hospital on the first Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. until 8:30. Call James Rubins, 252-4411, ext. 3565. Or contact the American Cancer Society at 255-5911, ext. 3./Register

Neuropathy Assn.,

Northern California

The Northern California Chapter of the Neuropathy Association is establishing a support group in Napa County. Meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St., Napa, from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call Joan at 224-3212./Register

Women's cancer group

St. Helena Hospital cancer support group St. Helena Hospital's Women's Center sponsors a cancer support group, led by a breast cancer survivor and psychologist, every third Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Women's Center, 1299 Pine St., St. Helena. For information, call 968-9957./Register

Volunteer/fundraisers

Holiday toy drive

Napa Valley Cruisers and Fosters Freeze present holiday toy drive today from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Fosters Freeze, 1195 West Imola, Napa. Bring an unwrapped toy, have lunch and enjoy some of Napa Valley's finest hot rods and classic cars. Local CHP will be on hand to collect the toys./Register

Alternative

Christmas Market

Covenant Presbyterian Church will hold an Alternative Christmas Market today from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help Habitat for Humanity by purchasing nails to make a "Home in a Box" for Gulf Coast Hurricane survivors. Support Aldea's Art Therapy Program with the purchase of children's original art work in the form of calendars and note cards. The Market will be held at 1226 Salvador Ave., east of Jefferson in Covenant's Fellowship Hall adjacent to the Church./Register

Napa High Parent Club

Do your holiday shopping with Discovery Toys and earn 15 percent for Napa High's academic and scholarship programs. Discovery Toys offers educational toys, books, games, and software with lifetime guarantee. View online catalog at www.discoverytoyslink.com/smartsmile. Contact Cindy Tjeerdema at 224-6597 or e-mail smartsmileDT@aol.com to place an order or request a catalog. Order by Nov. 30./Register

St. Apollinaris fundraiser

On Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Mustard Seed Clothing Store and Craig Williamson Men's Clothing are opening their doors to provide an evening of shopping and refreshments in the Downtown Napa Center. Fifteen percent of all proceeds from the evening will be donated back to St. Apollinaris School. Info, 799-0052./Register

Toy drive

Napa Premium Outlets is collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. All toy donations will be distributed to needy youngsters throughout Napa County. The first 25 shoppers to donate a new and unwrapped toy at the Visitor Information Booth will receive a Napa Premium Outlets Shopping Bag filled with additional discounts and savings at participating merchants. Drives will be held Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Register

Discovery Shop

jewelry sale

This Napa Discovery Shop event, is an ideal opportunity to find the perfect bauble at the right price. Donated items for sale include fine jewelry in gold and silver, beautiful vintage 1950s /1960s pins, ornate rhinestone brooches, beautiful cocktail rings, as well as a selection of holiday gowns, purses and accessories. Dec. 9 through 11 at the shop, 1342 Trancas St./Register

Holiday toy drive

This Christmas toy drive to benefit local families and children includes music, raffle and Santa Claus. Bring an unwrapped toy, clean clothing, or canned food item and receive a free raffle ticket at the door. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $10. Dec. 18 at Downtown Joe's from 7 p.m. to midnight. A project by LM2 Productions in Association with Downtown Joe's and the Napa Firefighters Association./Register

Be a Tax Aide volunteer

Help seniors deal with the challenges of preparing their income taxes by becoming a Tax Aide volunteer. Volunteers of all ages and educational backgrounds are welcome. Accounting or tax preparation experience is not required but comfort in working with numbers is important and some familiarity with federal and state income tax returns is helpful. Tax Aide is administered by AARP in cooperation with the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board.

Training will be Jan. 9 through 13. Call 255-8182 for more information./Register

The Discovery Shop

seeks volunteers

The Discovery Shop located at 1342 Trancas St. is a quality resale shop raising funds for the programs of the American Cancer Society. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties and daytime, evening and weekend hours are available. For more information call 224-4398./Register

Church Women United

clothing center

Church Women United provides clothing free of charge to residents of Napa County that are in need. We are entirely nonprofit, financed by community donations of money and clothing, and staffed by volunteers. Please call us if you have a need, would like to get referrals for your organization, to volunteer, or to make a donation. We are located at 2473 Second St., Napa, 224-1341./Register

Boys & Girls Club

car campaign

Boys & Girls Clubs in California are running car campaigns to help support their programs. If you would like to donate your automobile, they can be contacted at 800-246-0493. No restrictions apply./Register

Clubs/Meetings

Napa County

Commission on Aging

The regular meeting of the Napa County Commission on Aging will be held on Monday from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Board of Supervisor's Chambers on the third floor of the Administration Building. The guest speaker will be Kathy Lenning, Program Director for the Volunteer Center's Elder Abuse Project. She will describe the many support services that are available to victims of elder abuse. Meetings are open to the public./Register

The Napa Valley

Art Association

Monthly meeting will be Monday at 1 p.m. at 1520 Behrens Street in Napa. The demonstrating artist will be the talented Beverly Wilson. She is well known for her colorful oils of vineyards and farm workers. The public is invited to attend the meeting. $3 for non-members, payable at the door. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 265-9050./Register

NARFE Health Fair

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Napa County Chapter 0281, will hold a mini health fair during their regular business meeting on Nov. 30, with five major health care providers invited. The Health Fair coincides with OPM's open season on health benefits which permits changing of health plans. All federal workers and retirees are invited to attend. Also on the agenda is final nomination and election of officers for the 2006/2007 term. The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St. For information, call 253-7242./Register

Hospice of Napa Valley

grief support

Hospice of Napa Valley offers grief support groups for community members who have experienced loss. Meetings are free and open to the public. Groups ongoing for adolescents and children, Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in American Canyon, Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. in Calistoga, men's group meets Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m., Napa group meets Mondays 6 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays 4 to 5 p.m. and suicide survivors group meets Tuesdays 4 to 5 p.m. For further information, group locations, or to register, please call 258-9080 or (800)-451-4664./Register

Grief support groups

The Napa Valley Christian Prayer and Care Center in conjunction with Richard Pierce Funeral Service is offering a weekly seminar/support group for people grieving the death of someone close. Every Monday, 1:30 p.m. at the Springs of Napa, 3460 Villa Ln. Every Tuesday, 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2590 First St. For more information, contact Pastor Tom Smith at Richard Pierce Funeral Service and Inspiration Chapel, 226-7444./Register

Prostate Cancer

Support Group

Meets the first Tuesday of the month at Queen of the Valley Hospital from 7 to 8:30 p.m. or more information, call James at 252-4411, ext. 3565. Or American Cancer Society 255-5911x3. /Register

Business Network

International

One business category may join BNI. We meet every Tuesday at 7 a.m. until 8:30 at Riverpoint, 500 Lincoln Ave., Napa. Guests are served breakfast at no charge. Grow your business through over 35 sales associates, with no cost to you as a member. Please Contact Curtis Asby at 291-3202./Register

Vintage Valley

Blue Star Moms

Vintage Valley Blue Star Moms, support and service organization for family and friends of active duty military personnel, are having a membership drive for Napa, Solano and Yolo counties. Anyone who has active duty loved ones in any branch of the armed services is encouraged to attend monthly meetings, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Vacaville Veterans Memorial Building. For information, contact Mrs. Toni Colip, 452-0172 or e-mail colipptdb@aol.com./Register

Napa Success Connection

The new business networking group, Napa Success Connection, is recruiting interested business people in Napa. Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. at the Napa Land Title Company at 951 California Blvd. Please contact Sandy Borges-Herbert with Prudential California Realty at 259-4911 for more information and to reserve your business category./Register

The Saddle Club

The Sunrise Stables Saddle Club meets most Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a few hours of learning about horses and having fun with other "horse-crazy" kids, along with a pizza dinner. $15, for children age 5 up. At the stables, 1098 Lodi Lane, St. Helena. Info, 337-5582./Register

Sons in Retirement (SIR)

Sons in Retirement, Branch 80, is a group of retired men that gathers once a month for a luncheon and good fellowship. The membership consists of retired men from the military, construction, government, utilities and all walks of life. For information, call 224-8976./Register

Napa Musicians Guild

The general guild meeting is on the third Wednesday of every month at Caffe Cicero, 1245 First St., Napa at 7 p.m. All those interested in building Napa's music scene and resources to musicians are welcome to attend./Register

New Horizons

for young adults

New Horizons, a social group for special abled young adults and older, who are in high school or beyond will meet at Pizza Hut on Jefferson the fourth Saturday of each month, from 5 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are welcome to this group for socializing and meeting new friends. For more information, call Marcia at 224-2214./Register

Other

Jarvis Journal

A new episode of the Jarvis Journal featuring Annie, Danny and the Little Friends will air on Thursdays in December at noon and Fridays at 10 p.m./Register

Vintage High School

Class of '80 Reunion

Our reunion is coming soon. For information, contact Sheila Tello VHCR, P.O. Box 3355, Quartz Hill CA 93586, call 661-886-4376 or e-mail Sheila962@earthlink.net./Register

Christmas caroling

All are invited to participate in a joyful sing-along of familiar songs and carols of the Christmas season. Bring bells to ring, tiny bells, cow bells, sleigh bells, etc. A chili and hot dog supper will follow the singing. Free, just sing and ring! Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1226 Salvador Ave., Napa./Register