Upvalley road warning

Today promises to be an unusual one in Napa County, especially Upvalley. We encourage residents to be prepared for disruptions, sightings of men in black talking into their shoulders, caravans of black SUVs (instead of the usual white limos) celebrity sightings and other odd occurrences linked to President George W. Bush’s visit.

Nearly 4,000 Upvalley residents and businesses have received phone calls warning of disruptions on local roads between 4 and 8 p.m. today. The warnings focus on Silverado Trail and all the cross roads from Yountville to St. Helena.

Rumors floating around the community have the president coming in via motorcade from Travis Air Force Base, taking a chopper to an Upvalley winery or coming in via airplane to Pacific Union College’s Parrett Field in Angwin — everything and anything short of the Secret Service digging a tunnel under Lake Berryessa.

Some of the uncertainty is probably good for security purposes.

For example, many would swear the trio of choppers containing the president and his entourage in 2006 were headed for Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School in St. Helena until the last second — when they turned east for Angwin.

Some of it is just the rumor mill grinding at full speed as the visit from the leader of the free world nears.

In any case, more than 100 other guests are expected at the president’s public appearance Thursday, as well as others who may join him at a private function.

All indications are that local law enforcement agencies will have their hands full coordinating things.

Napa Valley residents who are out and about this afternoon should prepare to take a detour or wait things out as the parade passes by.

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