Education

Thompson campus talk open to public

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson, who recently returned from a visit to Iraq, will speak at Napa Valley College Wednesday. He will be speaking from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. in the college library. This event is free and open to the public.

The event is sponsored by ASB and the college library. For more information, call the ASB Office at 253-3061./Register

Parenting classes for adults "Effective Parenting Techniques" teaches positive discipline techniques, ages and stages, communication skills and consequences. Class runs through March 14 on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Redwood Middle School in room C-2.

"Positive Parenting for Parents of Teens" teaches how to foster cooperation, set limits and give choices, while understanding the teenage brain. Class is through March 9 on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at River Middle School in room 5.

"Parenting the Middle School Child" is held now through March 15 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at River Middle School, room 5.

"Algebra Help is Here" is held this Wednesday through March 15 on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the Adult School in room 3. All classes are free. Call 253-3594 to register for classes./Register

Alta Heights parent night

Alta Heights Elementary School will host an informational meeting for parents on Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the school library at 15 Montecito Rd. Topics will include differentiated instruction, technology, language arts, math, visual and performing arts and school events. Alta Heights is looking forward to sharing their rich tradition and extensive alumni list with you. Please call 253-3672 for more information./Register

Peer Court Program

Students are invited to participate as peer attorneys, peer jurors, clerks and bailiffs for real juvenile cases. Peer Court meets at the Criminal Courthouse, 1111 Third St., Napa and Vintage Hall at St. Helena High School. The court session is open to the public and the community is invited to participate or observe. Students should dress appropriately for a courtroom. Peer Court meets at the Criminal Courthouse in Napa, at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday and Apr. 27. Meetings at Vintage Hall at St. Helena High School are at 5:30 p.m. on Mar. 9 and May 3. For more information, contact Isadora Asch at 299-1630./Register

Senior seminar

Napa Valley College Senior Seminar class is held each Friday at the Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson Street in Napa. Admission is free. This Friday at 9 a.m., Barbara Stafford will speak about handspun and handwoven rugs. For information, call 224-3611./Register

Mount George Mardi Gras Join in the festivities for the Mount George Mardi Gras on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Napa Valley Country Club. This will be the Mount George Parent Club's seventh annual wine tasting and auction benefiting Mount George Elementary School. To order tickets, call 253-3766 or 259-1204./Register

Parent Project Workshop Parent Project, a parenting education service developed for children with ADHD and other difficult behaviors begins Saturday. Parent Project is a program that teaches parents how to communicate with their child and teaches them to set limits and engage in active supervision of their child. Workshops in Spanish begin Saturday for 10 consecutive weeks through April 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the ParentsCAN Drop-in Center, 3299 Claremont Way, suite 3. To register, call 253-7444./Register

New Technology High School admission

Representatives from New Technology High School have begun visits to area middle schools as part of their recruiting efforts to fill 100 freshman seats available for the 2006-07 school year. Freshman applicants are required to attend a Freshman Connect Day as part of the application process. The entire application packet must be submitted by Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Please call 259-8557./Register

Kolbe Academy announces Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten programs

Kolbe Academy, a private Catholic school in Napa, will begin offering Kindergarten and Pre-K in fall of 2006. The programs will focus on phonics, reading, introductory math, catechistic instruction, art, music, drama and more. For information, call 256-4306./Register

Napa Valley Language Academy open enrollment Napa Valley Language Academy, Napa's Spanish/English Immersion Charter School, will hold open enrollment through March 10. NVLA enrolls 50 percent native Spanish speaking and 50 percent native English speaking kindergartners each year through a lottery which will be held on March 13. Applications are accepted for kindergarten through fifth grade students who reside in the Napa Valley Unified School District. The enrollment period is now through March 10. Parents interested in enrolling their child should come directly to the school at 2700 Kilburn Ave. between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 253-3678./Register

Local teens develop leadership strategies

This spring, outstanding eighth- and ninth-grade students from across California will take part in a unique leadership development program. Themed "Courageous Leadership," the National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC) helps attendees take an introspective and highly personalized assessment of their leadership skills and abilities. The Congressional Youth Leadership Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. For additional information, visit us at www.cylc.org./Register

Health

The nuts and bolts of feeding kids well

Three workshops will provide busy parents with important tools for feeding their families, provide ways to prevent disordered eating, and help parents talk to their kids about food in a positive way. Session I, for parents of children aged 12 to 15, will be held Wednesday; Session II, for parents of children ages 6 to 11, is March 22; and Session III, focusing on children ages 2 to 5, will be held on April 26. All workshops will be at the UC Cooperative Extension Meeting Room, 1710 Soscol Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. For reservations, call 253-4221./Register

Community Smoking Cessation Project People who smoke and are ready to stop are urged to call the Community Smoking Cessation Project at 261-6771 now to enroll in one of the eight-session smoking cessation classes. The project is offering the cessation classes, beginning every three weeks at three different locations, including Mondays at Queen of the Valley at 6 p.m., Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at Napa Valley Vintners Community Health Center at 6 p.m. Keep the Quit Support Group is available on Thursdays at Napa Kaiser Permanente at 5:30 p.m. Please call to reserve a space./Register

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. in St. Helena. For information, call 968-9957./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 p.m. 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

Diabetes classes and support Queen of the Valley will hold the following classes and support groups in February for those with Diabetes.

The Friday morning diabetes classes begin at 9 a.m., and run through Feb. 24. The 6 p.m. Tuesday evening classes run throughout February. Register for classes at 252-4411, ext. 2391./Register

The Sonoma Diet

Please join the St. Apollinaris parent community for best-selling author, Dr. Connie Guttersen on Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in the St. Apollinaris School Hall. She will discuss her book "The Sonoma Diet and nutrition for children." Learn about power foods, healthy nourishment and more. Plan on both a fun and informative evening. If you have questions, please call Carrie Bacci at 259-5485./Register

Volunteer/fundraisers

Tax help

The Napa Senior Center is offering a free, volunteer-run tax preparation counseling service for middle and low-income taxpayers and seniors 60 and older. Administered through the American Association of Retired Persons in cooperation with the IRS. Bring your current tax forms, income and expense forms and last year's tax returns.

Tuesdays and Fridays through April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St., Napa. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Helena Library, through April 13. For more information, call 255-1800./Register

Free Tax Help

United Way's Earn it! Keep It! Save It! is providing free tax filing assistance to households that earned less than $38,000 in 2005. More than 105 tax sites will be open through early April in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Solano counties. To find a free tax site near you, call (800) 358-8832 or visit www.EarnitKeepitSaveit.org./Register

Give a Gift of Hope

Give a gift of hope and receive a thank you of month-long savings at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 1342 Trancas St., Napa. Throughout February, donate $25 and receive a month long 25 percent American Cancer Society Discovery Shop savings certificate. Your gift of hope donation helps support cancer research, education and patient services. It's all part of the life saving mission of the American Cancer Society./Register

Food and wine volunteers

Copia is a nonprofit discovery center whose mission is to explore and celebrate the cultural significance of wine, food and the arts. We are looking for greeters, garden docents, wine and food assistants and tour guides. You will enjoy meeting chefs, gardeners, wine experts and artists. Preview new exhibitions; get discounts on programs and merchandise, and enjoy a social community. Assist twice a month for four hours. Contact Linda Sue LaRose at 265-5972 or e-mail lslarose@Copia.org./Register

Volunteer for the Napa Valley Museum

The Napa Valley Museum is looking for volunteers to meet and greet visitors as they arrive at the museum. We need people who enjoy interacting with visitors and locals alike. You can work in our Upper Gallery or in our museum store on a set schedule twice a month or on an on-call basis. We are also looking for Trunk Docents to make historical presentations in the local elementary schools. For more information, please call Amanda Mason, Volunteer Coordinator, at 944-0500 ext. 112./Register

Faith & Inspiration Project volunteers needed

The Volunteer Center of Napa Valley is looking for volunteers to help the elderly, disabled and chronically ill. You can assist someone in need by picking up medications or other errands, doing light yardwork, minor home repairs or just being a friendly visitor. To volunteer, call the volunteer center at 252-6222./Register

Clubs/Meetings

Democrats of Napa Valley Club

Attend a cherry pie meeting with supervisors Diane Dillon, District 3, and Brad Wagenknecht, District 1, both of whom are running for re-election. Wednesday at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St., Napa at 7 p.m. In honor of Washington's birthday, cherry pie will be available for attendees./Register

Water Polo sign-ups

Sign-ups for spring water polo and Stingrays Camp, open to all experienced and novice players 8 and up, will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and March 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Napa Valley College pool. Practice for boys and girls will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning on March 28 and continuing through May 18 at the Napa High School Pool. $90 per player.

Experienced water polo players are welcome to join the Napa Valley Water Polo Club for post winter pre-spring water polo for 18, 16, 14 and 12 and up boys and girls. Boys will practice Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Girls' practice will be Thursday 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 to 11 a.m. Session runs through April 15 at the Napa Valley College Pool. $90 per player. Sign ups will be first night of practice.

Registration forms and more information is available at the NVWP Web site, nvwp.net, wagnerpolo@sbcglobal.net or ulianszmidt@hotmail.com./Register

Come talk about land use The Napa County Office of Conservation, Development and Planning invites the community to participate in upcoming public meetings scheduled for this Saturday, March 8 and March 15. These meetings are an important part of the General Plan update process and will focus on land use. The next meeting will be held at Napa Valley College, building 1000A, room 1033, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy. at 1 p.m./Register

Kiwanis Club of American Canyon to hold crab feed

On March 4, the Kiwanis Club of American Canyon will hold a 6th annual crab feed at 100 Benton Way in American Canyon. For information about membership, call 252-6947./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

Bonsai Club The Club meets the third Monday night of the month at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson Street. A theory and discussion group is held at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief general meeting and a program presented by a prominent bonsai master. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 255-8822./Register

Developmentally Disabled Christian Ministries

The Developmentally Disabled Christian Ministries, an interdenominational Christian education program, meets the fourth Monday of each month at the social hall of St. John's Catholic Church, 924 Napa St., Napa, from 5 to 8 p.m. Volunteers from local churches serve dinner and participate in Christian activities and fellowship. The evening includes song and special music as well as Bible messages delivered by local pastors or lay persons. Meetings are open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Call Jean Donahoe at 253-2932./Register

Tea & Comfort

Hospice of Napa Valley is offering Tea & Comfort, an opportunity for women who have experienced the loss of a loved one to get together in a relaxed environment and meet others who have had similar experiences. This informal group will meet each Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hospice of Napa Valley office, 414 S. Jefferson St., Napa. For more information, call 258-9080./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

Book club

The next Book Club at the Napa City-County Library will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Napa Main Library Community Room.

The book pick for February is "Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love," by Dava Sobel. It is the true account of Galileo's scientific discoveries, his struggles with the Catholic Church, and his relationship with his daughter interpreted through letters to her father. All are welcome. To sign up, call 253-4235./Register

Napa Sons of Italy

The Napa Sons of Italy lodge #2043 welcomes you to attend our monthly meetings every fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Napa Activity Center, 1500 Jefferson St., Napa. For more information, call 252-1963 or 226-226-9747./Register

American Needlepoint Guild

The Wine Country Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild meets on the fourth Saturday each month at 10 a.m. at the Napa Senior Center. The February meeting is this Saturday and will be part two of the "Sandbox" project. All stitchers are welcome. For information, call 255-1199./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

Calling all ukulele players

If you enjoy playing ukulele and would like to meet other players, contact Ro Rasens at 257-7758 after 6 p.m./Register

Other

Search on for Marines Marines who have ever served with or been attached to the famous Second Marine Division are now the object of a search by the Second Marine Division Association. The Second Division has a great history of service. Anyone interested in more information or in joining this association should contact Jerry Goforth, P.O. Box 1693, Yucca Valley, CA 92286 or phone 760-365-2473./Register