Education

Story Time

Farmers Market Story Time takes place Aug. 28 under the Copia Pavilion, First Street, Napa. For children up at age 6. Info, 266-4403 or www.napalit.org.

Homeowner,

renter assistance

The Napa Senior Center at 1500 Jefferson St., Napa, offers free volunteer-run assistance in filing homeowner and renter assistance forms. The program is administered through the Vita Program in cooperation with the Franchise Tax Board. Assistance is available every Friday from 12:30-3 p.m. through Aug. 31. You qualify if your household income for the last year was $42,770 or less; you are 62 or older, blind or disabled; you are a U.S. citizen or a designated/qualified alien; you owned and occupied your home or mobile home on Dec. 31 of last year or paid at least $50 rent each month. Bring proof of age or disability, property tax bill, federal and state tax records and other income records. Info, 255-8182.

Libraries closed

for Labor Day

The Napa Main Library, the American Canyon Library and the Calistoga Library are closed Sept. 3 in observance of Labor Day. The libraries resume regular business hours Sept. 4. Info, 253-4241, 644-1136, 942-4833 or 944-1888.

Napa Valley Music Associates

Fall registration is open to children, teens and adults for Napa Valley Music Associates. Open to beginning to advanced students, individual lessons are offered in piano, voice. violin/viola, cello, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, harp and drums. New programs include String Chamber Music, Brass Ensemble (trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba), Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Recorder Ensembles, and I Can Compose workshops. Info, 252-8671 or info@napavalleymusicassociates.org.

Health

Diabetes Wellness Program

The Diabetes Wellness Program offers Carb Counting/Food Label reading classes Aug. 27, 1-3 p.m.; and Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m. Registration required. Info, 252-4411, ext. 2391.

Man to Man support group

The American Cancer Society’s Man to Man Support Group helps men cope with prostate cancer by providing information, education and support to patients and their caregivers. Sept. 4, 7 p.m., guest speaker Dr. James Knister talks about radiation oncology and answers questions. Info, (800) ACS-2345.

Diabetes Wellness classes

The Diabetes Wellness September education classes include diabetes classes Sept. 4-12 and a pre-diabetes class Sept. 6. Registration required. Info, 252-4411, ext. 2391.

Family Support Group

The Family Support Group invites people with friends or loved ones who are facing mental health issues to join in its next meeting Sept. 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at 1500 Third St., Suite B-1, Napa. This group meets the first Monday of each month. Sponsored by the County of Napa Health & Human Services Agency. Info, 253-4785 or 253-6192.

Women’s seminars

Cardiothoracic surgeon Andreas Sakopoulos, M.D., presents “Peripheral Arterial Disease: What You Need to Know,” and Russ Melgar, fitness specialist and coordinator for St. Helena Hospital’s Center for Health, talks about self-defense tips at The Women’s Center, 1299 Pine St., St. Helena, at 7 p.m. Sept. 11. Pre-registration, 963-1912. Spirit of Women’s “Get What You Need Out of Life” is an educational platform for women in their prime, providing women with an opportunity for renewal — in body, mind and spirit.

Better Breathers Club

The American Lung Association Better Breathers Club meets Sept. 14, 2 p.m., at Queen of the Valley Hospital, third floor, Classroom A, 1000 Trancas St., Napa. Lilian Mann, pulmonary specialist with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at St. Helena Hospital, speaks about the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation and how it can greatly improve quality of life for those with chronic lung disease. Better Breathers Clubs provide support and education to patients with lung disease, and their families. Caregivers welcome. Info, Cherie Shown, program facilitator, at Queen of the Valley Hospital, 252-4411, ext. 3262.

Exertec

In honor of Healthy Aging Month, Exertec opens its doors to all members of the Napa community, Sept. 17-22 for free. Info, 226-1842, www.exertec.com or stop by 1500 First St., Napa.

 

Grief recovery program

This 12-week program helps you grieve and complete your relationship to the unfinished emotional business caused by a death, divorce or any loss. This is an action group with homework — not an occasional drop in support group. The $50 fee includes The Grief Recovery Handbook. Meetings are Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Sept. 18 through Nov. 27, at the Women’s Center, 1299 Pine St., St. Helena. Registration, 963-1912.

Food Addicts

in Recovery

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group meets Monday nights at 7 p.m. at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, 1000 Trancas St., Napa, Main Conference room next to the cafeteria. Info, 226-2775 or www.foodaddicts.org.

Support groups

for caregivers

A support group for caregivers co-sponsored by Adult Day Services of Napa Valley and Queen of the Valley Hospital meets Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., and the first and third Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., at 414 South Jefferson St., Napa. Info, Celine Regalia at 258-9087.

Kidney/Transplant/

Dialysis support group

The Kidney/Transplant/Dialysis Support Group is for patients waiting for a kidney transplant or those who have already received transplants. The group meets the first Thursday of the month at the Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St., Napa, 7-8 p.m. Info, Norma Guisinger at 944-1870.

Suicide support group

Hospice of Napa Valley offers an ongoing monthly drop-in group providing support for the loss of a loved one to suicide. The groups meets the first Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m., at Hospice and Adult Day Services of Napa Valley, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa. Info, 258-9080; ask for the bereavement services manager.

Surgical weight

loss meetings

Napa Valley Surgical Weight Loss informational meetings are 7-9 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Central Villas, 9 Valley West Circle, Napa. Info, 255-8252 or GrapetownCa@aol.

Grief support groups

Hospice and Adult Day Services Of Napa Valley offers several grief support groups for Napa County residents who have experienced the loss of a loved one. These groups provide education about the grief process and an opportunity for participants to express the many difficult feelings that accompany a significant loss. Groups offered include a Tea and Comfort Group for Women, Coffee and Conversation Group for Men, Grief and Loss Group for Men and Women, Grief and Loss Group for Spanish Speakers, Healing the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide Group and an Upvalley Calistoga Grief and Loss Group for Men and Women. Info, 258-9080; ask for the Bereavement Department Manager.

Volunteer/fundraisers

NHS Academic Booster Club

Napa High School Academic Booster Club (NHS ABC) hosts Dine & Donate events throughout the fall semester. Flyers can be downloaded at www.nhs.nvusd.k12.ca.us or picked up at the Napa High front office.

Aug. 28 at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, 645 First St., Napa, ABC gets 20 percent of proceeds when you present a flyer. Sept. 13, ABC gets 15 percent of food sales when you mention Napa High ABC at Fazerrati’s Pizza, 1517 W. Imola Ave., Napa. Sept. 17, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is on campus during Back to School Night, and ABC gets 15 percent of sales. Sept. 27, Rockzilla, 849 Jackson St., 5A, Napa, donates 50 percent of all climbing fees when you bring a flyer.

Come to an Academic Booster Club meeting at the Napa High library. Meetings are on the fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. The business portion is 8-9 p.m.

FOCUS barbecue

Yountville’s FOCUS (Friends Of Our Community United in Service) holds its annual barbecue party Sept. 2, noon to 6 p.m., at Veterans Park in Yountville. FOCUS is Yountville’s long-standing organization whose primary purpose is to provide scholarship funds for Yountville youth. This popular event features barbecue foods, entertainment, a prize drawing, silent auction and socializing. Tickets are $10 for a chicken and tri-tip dinner, and $5 for a hot dog dinner. Available at the barbecue. Info, 944-2396 or 944-9174.

ParentsCAN fundraiser

“Grand Traditions: In Celebration of Grandparents” is an educational and fundraising event focusing on the importance of grandparents in family life. Featuring dinner, auction with local art and wine and renowned grandparenting speaker/author Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, this event is at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville Sept. 8. Proceeds benefit Parent-Child Advocacy Network (ParentsCAN), a Napa County 501(c)(3) supporting families of children with disabilities. Reservations required, $100 per person. Info, 253-7444 or www.parentscan.org.

Blood drive

Sept. 11 is voluntarily observed as a national day of service, charity and compassion to encourage people everywhere to set aside time to help others in need as a way of honoring those who lost their lives on this date in 2001. Save up to three lives by donating a pint of blood at the Volunteer Center of Napa Valley’s annual blood drive from 3-7:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Center parking lot at 1820 Jefferson St., Napa. Info and appointments, 252-6222.

St. Helena Golf Championship

The St. Helena Kiwanis Club and Meadowood Resort co-host the 17th annual St. Helena Golf Championship Sept. 13 at Meadowood Resort. The tournament starts at 1 p.m. and is open only to the first 48 entrants. A $150 entry fee includes golf fees, individual gifts and dinner. During dinner, Mayor Britton presents awards to individual and team winners. Spouses and friends are welcome to attend the 5:30 p.m. dinner and silent auction for $60. Hole-in-one prizes include winner’s choice of an automobile donated by Zumwalt Ford or Epps Chevrolet. The tournament net proceeds benefit St. Helena Police Youth Diversion/Intervention Program. Info and registration, 963-0630.

Cleanup Day

Volunteers are needed for Creek to Bay Cleanup Day: Coastal Cleanup the Napa Way! on Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is part of the 23rd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, a statewide effort to clean trash and debris from California’s coast, bays, creeks, rivers and lakes. In Napa County last year, 537 volunteers collected 11,970 pounds of trash and 3,038 pounds of recyclables — help reach this year’s goal of 700 volunteers. This year’s event takes place at 14 locations in Napa County. For a list of sites, visit www.naparcd.org/cleancreek.htm or contact Shannon Fiala, Creek to Bay Cleanup Day coordinator, at 152-4188, ext. 111; or shannon@naparcd.org.

Golf tournament

St. Helena Hospital’s 18th Annual Harvest Invitation Golf Tournament is Sept. 17 at the Napa Valley Country Club to raise funds to train clinical and imaging staff in new techniques of treating peripheral vascular and cardiac disease. The event begins at 10 a.m. and includes lunch, an awards dinner and live auction. Info and reservations, 963-6488.

New Life Outreach

luau fundraiser

A luau featuring live entertainment, raffles and silent auctions is Sept. 22, 5-10 p.m., at 2055 Redwood Road, Napa, to benefit women who are working towards self-sufficiency. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Info, 592-4085 or 337-6895.

Volunteer of the Year awards

To make a nomination for the Continuing Service Award, Youth Volunteer of the Year Award or Corporate Service Award, contact Katie Rubin at 252-6222 or katier@volunteernapa.org. Nomination forms are due back to the Volunteer Center by Sept. 6. All nominees are honored and recognized at the luncheon Oct. 17 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Hall.

Paws for Healing

For those interested in becoming a Canine Assisted Therapy Team, Paws for Healing is changing its course format to offer a new, two-day training schedule Sept. 15 and 22. Paws for Healing invites current volunteers “in the field” to join in either of these two sessions so that they can share their experiences with new volunteers. Info, 258-3486, info@pawsforhealing.org or www.pawsforhealing.org.

Sand Trap Scramble

Teen Intervention presents the 2007 Annual Sand Trap Scramble Charity Golf Tournament Sept. 30, 1 p.m., at Vintner’s Golf Club. Proceeds benefit local children receiving treatment in residential treatment facilities, supports families of at-risk teens and provides opportunities for educational materials for families with children dealing with at-risk activities. The cost is $125 for individual players or $500 for a foursome. Registration deadline for sponsors and participants is Sept. 20. Info, 255-0490 or www.intervene4ateen.com.

Media specialist needed at Historical Society

The Napa County Historical Society launches a new exhibition, Bitter Fruit: Crime & Punishment in Napa County, opening in late October and running through February. The exhibition highlights crimes and criminals from before the state’s entry in the Union to the present issues our communities face. The Society is in need of a media specialist to assist in the creation of a unique introduction video for the exhibition. The media specialist is needed to produce a two- to three- minute video from a montage of video news clips, music, photographs and images provided by the exhibition developers. Send resume or qualifications to Executive Director Kristie Sheppard, director@napahistory.org. Info, 224-1739 or director@napahistory.org.

Volunteer for Napa Food Bank

Napa Food Bank seeks volunteers to help with the Senior Brown Bag program, a program for senior citizens who need food bags delivered to a site for pick-up. Napa Food Bank also requests donations of fruit and vegetables from gardens or orchards. Info, 253-6128.

Volunteer openings at Napa Kaiser Clinic

The Kaiser Volunteer organization is in need of volunteers in the Napa Kaiser Clinic. They are a source of information regarding the clinic, and they assist members in locating departments or physicians. Three divisions: Main lobby, Allergy and Blood Pressure. Volunteers commit to one four-and-a-half-hour shift per week on a regular basis. Info, Liz Burleigh at 651-2358 or Liz.burleigh@kp.org.

CASA volunteers needed

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are needed to work with children who are dependents of the court as a result of having been abused, neglected or abandoned. Volunteers undergo a thorough background and screening process and complete approximately 40 hours of initial training. Trained CASA volunteers meet and work with dedicated professionals working to help children and families reunify. People with bilingual and/or bicultural skills and experience are particularly needed. Info, 257-2272 or jdiverde@napacasa.org.

Clubs/Meetings

Peace vigil

On Aug. 28, there will a nationwide vigil by those who want American troops out of Iraq. In Napa, concerned citizens meet from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Third Street bridge in downtown Napa. Bring your symbol of peace, such as a sign, song or candle. Local endorsers of this event include Progressive Democrats of America, Napa County Chapter; and Moveon.org.

Young Eagles Rally

Young people ages 8-17 have a chance to take to the skies for a local flight as the Napa-Solano chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts a Young Eagles Rally at the Napa County Airport from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Following the flight, each young person receives a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Required parental/guardian permission forms are available at Napa Valley Hot Tubs, 2746 Jefferson St., Napa; Gelow’s News Service, 807 Soscol Ave., Napa; or at the airport on rally day. Info, 253-7032 or www.eaa.org.

Singles party

Single adults of all ages are invited to meet new friends on Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m., at Rings at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1075 California Blvd., Napa. This event is sponsored by The Society of Single Professionals, a division of American Singles, the world’s largest nonprofit singles organization. Admission is $10 at the door, including a fun mixer game that makes it easy to meet new friends, plus complimentary hors d’oeuvres the first hour. Dressy casual attire is recommended. Info, (415) 507-9962 or www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Widowed Persons Association

Join a chapter with other widows and widowers for support, friendship and activities. Come for breakfast each Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Bakers Square. Info, Abbey at 224-8716.

Singles of North Bay

If you are seeking companionship or new friends, Single Seniors of North Bay offers monthly potlucks and meetings at the Napa Senior Center, and coffee/socializing every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Info, Dee at 226-3642, Barb at 255-8685 or Dick at 253-7242.

Cribbage

Napa Cribbage Club plays Tuesday evenings, 6:15 p.m., at Grant Hall, Veterans Home. Avoid the skunk, capture the lizard and have fun pegging. All ages welcome. Info, Denny at 224-2345.

Mom’s Club

Napa Mom’s Club meets in the Nob Hill parking lot on Trancas Street every Thursday at 10 a.m. for a walk along the river trail. The club offers monthly mom’s night out, parents’ night out and family events, as well as regular play groups. Info, jenny_gass@yahoo.com.

International Order of the Rainbow for Girls

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls meets every first and third Monday at the Napa Masonic Family Center, 4125 Solano Ave., Napa. Info, Diana Lovenguth at 330-0937.

Got twins or multiples?

The Napa Valley Mothers of Twins Club is a support/social club that includes meetings, guest speakers, moms’ nights out and family events. Meets first Thursdays of the month. Info, Molly at 254-8506 or hemsleyhome@sbcglobal.net.

Napa Valley Photographic Society

The Napa Valley Photographic Society meets 7 p.m. at Studio II, 570 Soscol, Napa, on the fourth Monday of each month. Everyone 18 and older is welcome to become a member. Info, Priscilla Miles at 257-4535 or Len Powers at 255-8178.

P-38 Lockheed Lightning interest group

The P-38 Lockheed Lightning interest group in Napa is open to World War II pilots and enthusiasts. The group meets the last Thursday of each month at the Target cafeteria in South Marketplace shopping center at 10 a.m. for coffee. Info, John Futini at 255-4171.

Sons in Retirement

Sons in Retirement is a group of retired men that gathers for monthly lunch buffets, golf tournaments, bowling league and tournaments, fishing trips, travel trips and more. SIR is dedicated to friendship and companionship for retired men. Info, Patrick Timmons, 226-7233.

Other

Cheerleading clinic

Justin-Siena High School’s award-winning cheerleaders host a Youth Cheerleading Clinic on Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at which participants learn a routine to perform at Justin-Siena’s first home football game on Sept. 7. At the clinic, participants receive personal instruction, a rehearsal CD, a spirit T-shirt, games, arts and crafts, snacks and lasting memories. At half-time during the first home varsity football game, all participants are featured performers. For kids 3 and up through junior high. Proceeds support the Justin-Siena Cheerleading Program. Cost is $50 per child, $10 for each additional dinner guest for The Family Tailgate Pasta Party ($5 per additional child ages 10 and under). Game admission not included. Registration, 255-0950, ext. 608.