John Shafer was honored as the 2007 recipient of the “Making a Difference Award” at Healthy Moms and Babies 3rd Annual Holiday Dreams event Sunday  Dr. Robert Moore, medical director of Clinic Ole and Healthy Moms and Babies, presented the award, and  Congressman Mike Thompson’s wife, Jan Thompson presented a Congressional resolution recognizing Shafer’s leadership in creating Napa’s Community Health Center and promoting collaboration among non-profits to coordinate services in Napa County.

The Making a Difference Award was established in 2005.

“We are thrilled to honor John for his decades-long commitment to the well-being of our community. He continues to dedicate his time and resources to provide quality care for those who can not otherwise afford it. This is an admirable goal and one that John has accomplished through his visionary planning and persistent leadership,” said Cindy Goodale, executive director of Healthy Moms and Babies.

 As a 20-year board member of Clinic Ole, Shafer has helped raise funds and awareness for the health care agency, which today offers low cost services throughout Napa County.  It was Shafer’s vision to create the Napa Vintners Community Health Center on Pear Tree Lane to give nonprofit agencies a home where guaranteed low rents would mean a greater percentage of their budgets are dedicated to providing services. The Napa Valley Vintners Community Health Center opened in 2002 and now houses Clinic Ole, Sister Ann Community Dental Clinic, Healthy Moms and Babies, and Napa Emergency Women’s Services.

Healthy Moms and Babies provides pregnancy care, education and support services to 750 women in Napa County each year. For more information, go to www.healthymomsandba bies.org/ Register

Spanish for the wine industry offered

Two classes  designed for workers and business people who want to communicate effectively in Spanish will be offered starting early next year. Spanish for the Wine Industry I, Tuesdays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Jan. 8 to March 11, is at a beginning/intermediate level, and is tailored to the wine industry. This class is also for anyone interested in the acquiring basic Spanish skills since it includes basic Spanish grammar and a general vocabulary.  

Spanish for the Wine Industry II, intermediate level, takes place  Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m., April 1 to May 13. It is for people who have taken Spanish for the Wine Industry I or have Spanish skills equivalent to two years of recent Spanish. This class is tailored for people working in the Human Resources department, the vineyard and the winery.

For more information and registration please go to www.SpanishforWine.com or call 257-1809. /Register  

Stave hosts party

Stave Wine Lounge will host a holiday party on Dec. 13, and guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly at the door, along with complimentary holiday treats. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.  Stave is at 1140 First St. in downtown Napa. Info, 259-5411./Register  

Riesling Foundation formed

Trefethen Vineyards and Smith-Madrone Winery & Vineyards were among the producers who participated in the formation meeting of the International Riesling Foundation in San Francisco  Nov. 30. An additional meeting involving more producers with be held at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento in January.

The goals of the new group are to promote and support riesling production throughout the world, promote consumer education about riesling, increase communication among vintners and possibly to establish global standards for clarifying how consumers view sugar levels in the wine. /Register  

Submit items for Toast of the Valley to On Wine Editor Sasha Paulsen, spaulsen@napanews.com