Thanks to their corporate sponsors, there is no admission fee to get into COPIA during January and February. If you still haven’t been, now is the time. And if you have been but it’s been over three months since your last visit, it’s time to go again. There have been some interesting changes at COPIA. Open Wed. through Monday, 10 to 5 PM, at 500 First Street. www.copia.org for more info.

Look your best when you go

Rick Reiger, owner of Headfeathers on Third Street (next to the Uptown), has been cutting hair in downtown Napa for 32 years. To show his appreciation for Napa's support and to welcome new clients, he is offering free haircuts from now through Feb. As if this isn’t enough, he gives great haircuts. Call and ask for Rick at 252-6455.

Flood watches, again?

Last Friday was a little unnerving for businesses and residents along the creek, when it looked like flooding was a possibility. Are you ready for a disaster, should one occur? Folks who know about that kind of stuff say we should all be prepared to get through at least three days without water, electricity and the like.

Judy and Jerry Nunn, owners of Mountain Man Survival at 1414 Third Street (across from Nations Hamburgers) have made it a personal goal to make Napa disaster prepared, and they have just what it takes to make that a reality. At the least, they offer a three-day food and water package that lasts for up to five years and is weather proof. Put one in the garage and another in the car, and don’t think about them again - summer and winter temps won’t affect them at all. And that’s just the start – Jerry actually developed an “emergency aerial rescue panel.” It’s a 10’ x 20’ yellow nylon banner with a red “X” on it, designed to be visible from thousands of feet in the air. It weighs only 3 pounds and folds up to the size of a loaf of French bread. The Nunn’s have all kinds of stuff you may not have even thought of, and hopefully never will. But if you do …

Jerry Nunn has survival in his genes — his great-great-great grandfather was Caleb Greenwood, a fur trapper and trailblazer who completed the opening of the first overland wagon route over Donner Pass. Years later (while he was camping in Napa, by the way) he was called to lead the second rescue group for the Donner Party. He brought his son Britton to help, as he was in his eighties at the time.

Mountain Man Survival has visited numerous schools to offer their products, always giving the school a percentage of the proceeds. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5 PM. Call 255-1847 or visit www.mountianmansurvival.com.

Let’s hope 2008 brings all the rain we need and none of the flooding.

See you downtown!

Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown, and can be reached at 257-0322 or craig@napadowntown.com.