Open spots on county advisory boards

The Napa County Executive office announced open positions on three advisory boards

Anyone interested in consideration for appointment must complete the Napa County Committees and Commissions application form. Applications can be obtained by contacting the County Executive Office at 1195 Third Street, Suite 310 in Napa or at 253-4421. The application form and instructions are also available at www.co.napa.ca.us. Click on “Committees” located in the menu under “Quick Links” on the right side of the page. You may submit your application directly online by clicking “online application for appointment” and following the application instructions.

Tobacco Advisory Board

There are three open positions on the Tobacco Advisory Board. Applicants must be Napa County residents. The term of office commences immediately upon appointment and expires on Jan. 31. The open positions are a community representative, one representing a health care organization and one representing an agency concerned with tobacco related diseases.

The Tobacco Advisory Board helps implement tobacco control efforts and demonstrates public support on tobacco control issues. The mission of the Tobacco Advisory Board is to combat the dangers posed by the widespread use of tobacco products in Napa County, including secondhand smoke exposure, use of tobacco products by minors, and the overall influence of the tobacco industry. The Advisory Board promotes a smoke-free lifestyle, responsibility for children as relates to tobacco usage, the control of access to tobacco products and the availability of cessation services.

The Tobacco Advisory Board meets at  noon on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the First Five Office, 5 Financial Plaza Suite 228 in Napa.

The deadline to apply for this board is 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Programs

There are three openings on the Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Programs. Only Napa County residents are eligible to apply.

The terms of offices commences immediately upon appointment. The open positions are one student member, which may be a shared position expiring Jan. 1, 2009; one interested citizen and one representative of the business community, each expiring on Jan. 1, 2010.

The Advisory Board participates in the planning process for the development and maintenance of the county alcohol and drug programs; reviews and evaluates budgets; advises the program administrator and provides a public forum on policies and goals; encourages public understanding of inappropriate use of alcohol and other drugs; and, reports to the Board of Supervisors regularly.

The Advisory Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Health and Human Services, 2261 Elm St., Napa.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Oct. 26.

Napa County Housing Commission

There are three open positions on the recently created Napa County Housing Commission with terms of office to commence immediately. Two seats are for housing authority tenants, one of these should be age 62 or older for two year terms. One position would represent the Napa Valley Vintners or an authorized agent (a planted vineyard landowner or authorized agent of a planted vineyard landowner subject to the assessment imposed by County Service Area No. 4)  for a four-year term.

The Housing Commission was created to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on matters that come before the Napa County Housing Authority, including:

• The operation and management of farmworker housing centers operated by the Authority;

• Revisions to those portions of the Napa County Code and General Plan relating to farmworker housing;

• Expansion of existing farmworker housing centers or the creation of new centers; and

• Identifying and soliciting sources of additional funding that can be utilized to support the farmworker housing center.

Applications are due at 5 p.m. Oct. 10./Register

Keep a kid warm this winter

Want to help keep Napa’s kids warm this winter by enjoying a night out on the town?

If that’s up your alley, then mark the night of Oct. 12, on your calendar for a night of fun, food and music.

The Harvest Elegance is a fundraiser to generate money for the Coats for Kids program.

The program, started by Napa Police Officer Ray Urbano in 2003, has given out warm winter coats for needy kids in the Napa community. Last year, the organization bundled up more than 700 youngsters from low-income families.

Coats for Kids annual distribution, which will be held on Nov. 10, is getting near and the volunteers need the community’s help.

That’s where Harvest Elegance comes in.

The event is set for Oct. 12, at the Napa Elks Club on Soscol Avenue. Cocktail hour is 6 to 7 p.m., followed with dinner, ranging from prime rib to vegetarian, music and a silent auction. Tickets cost $60 per person and are available by calling 226-1812.

Donations are also needed for the silent auction. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation to Coats for Kids may send their checks to Coats for Kids, 2590 First St., Napa 94558. All donations are tax-deductable./Register

Disaster training offered

Know what to do in the case of a disaster?

If you answered just call the fire department, you are only partly right.

In the event of a major disaster, firefighters and law enforcement are spread very thin, causing some victims to fend for themselves for several days.

But don’t panic.

The Community Emergency Response Team is offering free classes to the public on how to deal with emergency situations such as extinguishing fires, removing a person trapped under debris, how and what utilities to shut off and basic first aid.

The 20-hour course is offered as a non-credit class through Napa Valley College. Mandatory attendance at all classes is required for graduation and continuation in the CERT graduate program.

Days and class times are:

• Disaster operations — Oct. 9, 7-9 p.m.

• Disaster Medical I — Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.

• Firefighting/Search and Rescue — Oct. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Disaster Medical II — Oct. 16, 7-9 p.m.

• Disaster Psychology — Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m.

• Disaster Exercise —Oct. 20,  8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Due to the necessity of the team concept for safety, it is preferred that applicants enroll with a partner but not required. Minimum age is 16. Those under 18 must enroll with a parent or guardian.

The classes will be held in Napa.

To register contact program registrar Sherry Vattuone at the Napa County Executive Office at 253-4580, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or online at svattuon@co.napa.ca.us. Applicants who register will receive a confirmation letter in the mail with attendance details./Register

Recycle agricultural plastic

The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office has scheduled an agricultural plastic container recycling event for Oct. 9,      9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Napa County Corporation Yard, 7292 Silverado Trail, Yountville.

Bring in your triple rinsed and dry plastic fertilizer, pesticide and spreader containers. Remove caps, bungs and loose labels and plastic sleeves.

Check with the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for information on 30- to 55-gallon containers, which must be cut into pieces before recycling.

Info, 253-4357./Register