11:15 a.m.Wanting a sense of community for a historic event, some 100 Napa residents came to Oxbow Wine Merchant Tuesday morning to watch Barack Obama take the oath of office on two flat screen TVs.

Most drank coffee, while a few broke open bottles of bubbly to toast what they hoped would be a new era for America.

“We didn’t want to watch it at home. We wanted to watch it where there were people,” said Liz Mercer, who had kept her 4-year-old daughter Abbey out of day care to see Obama become president.

This is an event on par with 9/11 for national significance, said her husband, Steve. “We are in an extraordinary place. We’ve elected our first black president,” he said.

The Oxbow crowd sat in rapt silence for most of Obama’s speech, applauding along with the throng on the TV screen for rhetorical flourishes. When Obama stood to sing the national anthem, so did they, many with their hands over their hearts.

  “I’m just shaking with gratitude, excitement and hope for our generation. Now it’s our responsibility to take this forward.” said Beth Braby, a singer who said she was especially moved by the event’s music and poetry.

  “This is one of the most important things that’s happened in my lifetime,” said Juliane Poirier Locke, wiping her eyes. “I cried through both Aretha Franklin singing and Obama’s speech.”

  “I was moved by the depth and power of it,” said husband Tim Locke. “I’m filled with hope. It’s great to be with people and share the moment.”

“You can already feel the change and love and hope. It’s coming,” said Cari Hebb of Napa. “It’s tearful. It’s joyous. I can’t wait for what is to happen.”

“I have faith in everything that was spoken,” said her husband, Brent, after Obama’s speech.

Seventeen students from Chamberlain High School came to Oxbow Public Market to witness history. Sixteen-year-old Josue Vigueroa hoped that the Obama administration would “keep it real.”

“I want him to help the Mexicans be part of the American dream,” said 17-year-old Erika Solano.

  “I’ve never been interested in politics before,” said Sergio Gallegos, 17. “I believe in the changes he wants to make.” 

  “I saw people crying. It surprised me,” said Pedro Alvarez, 17. “I’ve never seen people so excited.”

 “We wanted to be in the world,” instead of in the classroom, Chamberlain teacher Caroline Wilson said. “We wanted the students to see what an incredible experience this is.”

Watching the inauguration at home alone just wouldn’t have been the same, said Amanda Milos, who had brought along her 3-year-old daughter Talia.

Milos had high hopes for America with Obama as president. “It’s got to be better. We can only go up from here,” she said.

“(Obama) acknowledged our mistakes in the past. He acknowledged what we’re ashamed of, then he moves us forward,” said Anissa Pescio.

“It’s truly one of the most overwhelming moments of my life,” said Keiko Niccolini. “I feel I’ve been an alien in my own country for so long. Everything I felt was right and believed was contradicted by the government. Now I have a home again.”