Police dispatcher retirement dinner

When the Napa police dispatch recruits employees, they stay for many years.

Last December, the department said goodbye to five of its longtime employees. Among them they have racked up 141 years of serving the residents of Napa County.

Making their way to retirement are Gail Harrison with 32 years of service; Linda Roth, 37 years; Dave Robertson, 31 years; Beverly Turner, 22 years and Theresa Kramer, 19 years.

To make sure they get a good send off, the department is throwing a retirement bash on April 21, at the Napa Marriott Hotel and Spa.

The celebration will start at 6 p.m., with no-host cocktails, followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and the evening will culminate with dancing, 9-11 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person, which includes gifts for the retirees.

Tickets may be purchased at the Napa Police and Fire departments and at the sheriff's office by April 7.

Info, 257-9550./Register

Openings at

Citizen's Academy

The Napa County Sheriff Citizen's Academy lets the public jump in and learn what goes on in the department.

The next 13-week academy starts April 5.

Participants will have the chance to put themselves at the scene of a mock crime and face the split-second decisions deputies routinely face.

Using simulated weapons and role playing, the students will learn firearm safety and gather crime-scene evidence, including casting footprints, dusting for fingerprints, making diagrams and taking measurements.

A tour of the new sheriff's department is also on the agenda.

This class in not meant to prepare participants for a career in law enforcement.

The class meets once a week for three hours and is taught by county law enforcement.

Participants must be at least 18, live or work in Napa County, pass a criminal records check, be able to handle graphic material and commit to attending the classes for the duration of the academy.

The classes will be held in the sheriff's department on Airport Road in south county.

Application deadline is Friday.

Enrollment material is available by calling Sgt. Pete Berg at 944-9228./Register

Seeking cool kids

with cool hobbies

The Register is seeking information about young people involved in interesting and unusual hobbies.

If you or someone you know is in a garage band, raises cattle, spins records as a deejay, is a paintball expert, spends time geocaching, prepares meals for the less fortunate, reads to seniors or has other interesting pastimes, please contact Community Reporter Natalie Hoffman at 256-2260 or nhoffman-@napanews.com./Register