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Jennifer Huffman articles
Jennifer Huffman is a Napa Valley Register business and features reporter. Jennifer can be reached at jhuffman@napanews.com
November 9th, 2009
Feds close bank with Napa branchVisitors to the Napa branch of Pacific National Bank customers were in for a surprise this week when they saw a new name on bank doors.
November 4th, 2009
VOICES youth center finds new homeVOICES youth center is on the move, as the agency for emancipated foster children packs up to relocate to a new home on Lincoln Avenue in Napa.
October 29th, 2009
Unusual love story lands pair on TV, national news, then on to FijiNot every newlywed couple spends the first weeks of their marriage making an appearance on Bonnie Hunt’s TV talk show and giving interviews to the New York Post and National Enquirer, but Rodney and Diane Day aren’t your average bride and groom.
October 28th, 2009
Judge expected to approve Copia bankruptcy deal in NovemberLess than a year after Copia filed for bankruptcy, the judge and attorneys in the case of Napa’s wine-and-food themed cultural center said the matter is likely to wrap up by next week.
October 27th, 2009
The return of the lost walletThe day started out fun enough.
October 23rd, 2009
Looking for that Extra SparkleAn old wedding dress from Napa’s Community Projects thrift store takes on a whole new life at Halloween. Zombie Bride? Corpse Bride? Bride of Frankenstein? Anything’s possible with a little imagination.
October 18th, 2009
Two Lovers, One AccidentIt took 50 years for Diane Harris and Rodney Day to get their happy ending.
October 17th, 2009
Napa scrapbook store preserves memories“Wish it, Dream it, Do it,” reads black lettering painted on the pink wall inside Napa’s Scrapper’s Depot.
October 16th, 2009
Napa-based Sitka Gear doesn't conceal successSitka Gear wants its customers to look like nothing - to their prey. That’s because Sitka Gear makes hunting gear. The company’s success depends on camouflage.
October 3rd, 2009
Copia officially up for saleCopia is for sale — but without a specific asking price.
September 30th, 2009
Stocking upFrom a $2.99 toy airplane to a $3,000 diamond ring, Napa’s newest department store seems to have something for everyone and every budget. After months of construction, Kohl’s department store hosts its grand opening Wednesday.
September 26th, 2009
Outlook: Economy turning the cornerThe economic turnaround is coming.
September 19th, 2009
Silverado Resort for saleIf you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own golf resort complete with plantation-style mansion, now is your chance. Silverado Resort is for sale.
September 12th, 2009
Local businesses prepare for fluConsider your average doorknob. It’s not something you’d normally think about twice, but at Wine Country Kitchens, every door handle in the building has recently come under suspicion. That’s because handles carry germs, and germs can lead to flu.
September 6th, 2009
Local author behind tween book "Things Are Gonna Get Ugly"Hillary Homzie may be 43, but she can still think like a 13-year-old.
September 5th, 2009
Check This Out ...If it sounds a little like a Vegas casino at the Napa Library these days, don’t get excited. The chiming and beeping noises you hear are coming from the library’s new self-check system, not slot machines.
August 15th, 2009
Copia bankruptcy maybe almost overCould Copia’s bankruptcy case be finalized before the one-year anniversary of the center’s closure? It might be close.
August 7th, 2009
Chef’s collection moves from Copia to SmithsonianJulia Child’s pots and pans have left the building.
August 2nd, 2009
Cruising into the job marketWith typical teenage verve, Rondalyn Skramovsky has big plans for her life.
August 1st, 2009
Thomas Kinkade gallery to open on FirstThe “Painter of Light” will soon shine on downtown Napa. A Thomas Kinkade gallery is set to open on First Street, next to McCaulou’s department store.
July 27th, 2009
Original owner returns to First SqueezeDiners who frequented First Squeeze restaurant before 2006 should recognize a familiar face at the downtown cafe today. No, it’s not the Bob Marley portrait hanging inside. His name is Chino — and he’s the original, and now returning owner of the popular First Street eatery.
July 26th, 2009
Copia plan goes to a voteCopia creditors and bondholders finally are getting their say in the center’s bankruptcy case.
July 17th, 2009
Old Food City site for saleFor many long-time Napans, all you have to say is “Food City,” and their thoughts turn to the corner of Old Sonoma Road and Jefferson Street.
July 9th, 2009
New Vine faces foreclosureInertia Beverage Group, the financial backer of troubled Napa wine shipping and fulfillment company New Vine Logistics, will foreclose on the business and auction off New Vine’s assets on July 14.
June 27th, 2009
Copia case moves along, with flash of angerThe judge overseeing the Copia bankruptcy case slammed a creditor in the complicated proceeding Friday, even as the case inched closer to resolution.
June 26th, 2009
Copia case moves along, with flash of angerThe judge overseeing the Copia bankruptcy case slammed a player in the complicated proceeding Friday, even as the case inched closer to resolution.
June 25th, 2009
Swine flu leaves Justin-Siena students quarantined in EcuadorFifteen Justin-Siena High School students among 22 high school students traveling abroad were quarantined in Ecuador this week after one of the group tested positive for swine flu. The person who tested positive for the H1N1 virus is a male Novato High School student.
June 22nd, 2009
Changes on auto rowBeginning in late 2010, Napans looking to buy a new Cadillac or Buick will have to travel out of town.
June 12th, 2009
A new suit in Copia caseA Copia creditor filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against Copia’s bond insurer and two banks involved with Napa’s bankrupt center for food, wine and the arts.
June 10th, 2009
Students are independent, but celebrating as oneWhat had previously been a collection of individual students suddenly became a class Tuesday night at the Napa Valley Alternative Independent Studies high school graduation.
Court, community schools: 'We did it'The graduates wore black, but the mood was anything but somber at the Court and Community Schools high school graduation ceremony on Tuesday.
June 7th, 2009
Hotel users may be key to revival of CopiaNapa hotel guests could hold the future of Copia in their room keys.
June 6th, 2009
Days after shutdown, New Vine Logistics back in actionThe 200 New Vine Logistics clients who unexpectedly lost their wine shipping and fulfillment services a little more than a week ago got good news on Friday.
June 3rd, 2009
New Vine Logistics shuts abruptlyFacing what a company founder called “a state of financial crisis,” Napa-based wine shipping and fulfillment company New Vine Logistics abruptly closed its doors Friday, sending many of its 95 employees home. It’s unclear if they will have jobs to return to.
May 29th, 2009
Scientopia opensPushing a mini grocery cart full of plastic fruit and vegetables, 3-year-old Isabelle Dowd paused, contemplating her next move at Scientopia.
May 24th, 2009
Local merchants on the lookout for shopliftersThey may look like normal shoppers, but they’re not. Some carry large bags. Others travel in packs. A few wear wigs or other disguises. Price is no object for these people. They are shoplifters.
May 20th, 2009
Local novelist vies for win in online contestEvery would-be novelist dreams of getting that phone call. You know, the call that goes something like this: “We want to publish your book.”
May 15th, 2009
Winery rising on Trancas StreetAn 11-acre Napa parcel that was once owned by General Mariano Vallejo — and many years later golf pro Johnny Miller — is now home to Dominari Winery.
May 8th, 2009
Street painting festival gone for '09Sidewalk chalk artists and their fans are out of luck this spring. Napa’s La Strada dell’Arte Italian street painting festival has been postponed for a year.
May 6th, 2009
Cinco de OxbowMark Bontrager and Tony Orantes can thank their children’s teachers for their visit to Cinco de Oxbow.
May 2nd, 2009
CIA, others eye Copia siteThe Culinary Institute of America and a Saratoga-based winery and concert venue have expressed interest in either using or purchasing the Copia property.
April 25th, 2009
Group of locals enters Copia frayA group of Napa Valley residents has joined forces to explore ways to preserve Copia’s building and grounds for local and visitor use.
April 24th, 2009
22 hopeful for Junior Miss titleHigh heels and workout clothes may not seem like they go together, but when you’re competing to become the next Napa Valley Junior Miss, they’re both part of the package.
April 22nd, 2009
Charities, patrons say free Ben & Jerry’s is coolThere’s only one thing better than ice cream on a hot day — free ice cream on a hot day.
April 19th, 2009
Fire department now all a-TwitterThose tweets coming from the fire department aren’t the sound of a new kind of engine siren. They’re coming from Twitter, an online microblogging site.
April 17th, 2009
Chefs Market is Thursday's childThe debate was hot when downtown merchants decided last year to move Chefs Market from Friday to Thursday nights. This year, there is no debate.
April 16th, 2009
DUI patrols set for FridayThe Napa Police Department will be conducting DUI saturation patrols Friday evening.
Truck destroyedThe family of a Napa County search-and-rescue volunteer lost its Dodge 2004 Quad Cab March 29 when the vehicle was stolen and taken to a Carneros road, where it was totaled.
Children's center garden raided, plants stolenThieves don’t even take Easter off.
April 3rd, 2009
Copia case derailedFor a $4,000 investment, a new company has managed to derail Copia’s bankruptcy plan, and may soon take control of the dissolution of the failed Napa center for wine, food and the arts.
April 2nd, 2009
Protesters gather, say 'no' to tax measureThey may not have been throwing tea over the Third Street Bridge, but in downtown Napa Wednesday a group of about 40 locals engaged in the centuries-old tradition of gathering in public to protest tax policy.
March 21st, 2009
Two Napa employers lay off 216 workersNapa County has lost another 216 jobs as tough economic times continue to hurt local businesses.
March 13th, 2009
Getting ready for the big countRelying on a combination of old-fashioned shoe leather and high-tech satellite navigation systems, the 2010 Census is about to kick off in Napa County.
March 11th, 2009
Napa Square will be financial center and moreFive 20-foot palm trees await unfurling within the courtyard of Napa’s newest commercial and retail center. When the palms and surrounding businesses open, Napa Square will become home to financial service tenants, retailers and a restaurant.
March 8th, 2009
Rooms almost ready at boutique hotelSwinging hammers and wielding whining power tools, a small army of workers has descended on a downtown Napa corner.
March 5th, 2009
Layoffs hit DiageoNineteen Diageo employees in California, including Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines President Ray Chadwick, have been given termination notices as part of a global restructuring of the beverage giant.
February 27th, 2009
AAA layoffs touch NapaTwo Napa AAA employees received termination notices Wednesday as part of a restructuring that includes the closing of 18 American Automobile Association offices, including the one in Fairfield.
February 26th, 2009
Cartoonist with local ties finds inspiration in personal adsNot many people can say procrastinating during a job search actually paid off, but Julia Wertz can.
February 25th, 2009
Black Bear Diner takes over Bakers Square siteCurrently undergoing a “Bearification process,” the former Bakers Square — and before that Sambo’s — site on Soscol Avenue will soon become a Black Bear Diner restaurant.
February 24th, 2009
Black Bear Diner takes over Bakers Square siteCurrently undergoing a “Bearification process," a Black Bear Diner restaurant is opening in the former Bakers Square restaurant on Soscol Avenue.
February 20th, 2009
Fosters to cut jobsFoster’s Group, parent company of California wineries including Beringer Vineyards and Stags’ Leap Winery, will lay off approximately 300 employees in both the Americas and its home country of Australia over the next 12 to 18 months.
February 18th, 2009
Heavy rain a welcome sightA wet and wild storm poured over Napa Tuesday morning as many locals headed off to work. About one-half inch of rain soaked the valley’s thirsty landscape and reservoirs.
February 17th, 2009
Video: Rains send Napa creek levels higherNapa's creeks were running higher than normal, but not up to flood stages due to three days of mostly constant rains.
February 12th, 2009
Kohl's coming in OctoberKohl’s department store has begun interior demolition work in the former Mervyns building on Main Street, with plans to open by October 2009.
February 10th, 2009
Kids space to open in NapaA bunch of local preschoolers were up past their bedtime last Thursday night.
February 3rd, 2009
Free breakfast at Denny's draws huge crowdHoping to hit a home run with a free Grand Slam breakfast, Denny’s restaurants across the U.S. served up piles of free pancakes, sausage links, bacon and eggs today.
February 1st, 2009
Most family-friendlyLast year, Doug Haigh was at work when he got a phone call no parent ever wants to receive. His son had been injured in an accident at school and was at the hospital needing surgery.
January 30th, 2009
Mural at Ceja illustrates juicy taleA work of art depicting more than 8,000 years of viticultural history may not seem a likely fit on a 4-by-14 foot canvas, but that didn’t stop artist Maceo Montoya.
January 25th, 2009
Arson case crawling toward trial 3 years laterMore than three years after a Mare Island warehouse fire destroyed as much as $400 million worth of wine, the man suspected of torching the building remains in jail awaiting trial in federal court.
January 21st, 2009
Locals gather to watch Obama inaugurationWanting a sense of community for an historic event, some 100 Napa residents came to Oxbow Wine Merchant Tuesday morning to watch on two flat-screen TVs as Barack Obama took the oath of office.
January 18th, 2009
Local retailers look back on '08 salesOne holiday transaction in particular stands out for Napa retailer Mimi Glavin.
January 11th, 2009
New River Park market put on holdRiver Park shoppers hoping for a new grocery store in the south Napa strip mall may have to wait until 2010.
December 19th, 2008
Once a scout...Cindi Allen may be 46, but she’ll always be a Girl Scout.
December 16th, 2008
Copia looking for ways to pay workersFrom selling a painting to exploring the value of its liquor license, Copia is working to identify assets that it can use to pay wages and benefits to former workers.
December 11th, 2008
Copia closing appears permanentCopia will close for good.
December 10th, 2008
Copia closing appears permanentThe forecast is getting gloomier for Copia.
Napa Christmas Tree Farm to close for good Dec. 24“This is a Christmas Tree farm,” reads the weathered sign hanging at the top of Vicki and Tom Weinert’s barn. “Feel free to breathe deeply.”
November 29th, 2008
JV Wine & Spirits lot for sale for $2.4 millionThe property now home to Napa’s JV Wine & Spirits is for sale for $2.4 million, an asking price reflecting the prime location across from the planned $270 million Ritz-Carlton resort.
November 25th, 2008
Copia closes through Thanksgiving, maybe longerAs visitors and employees remain shut out after Copia’s unexpected closing Friday afternoon, interim chief executive Garry McGuire released a statement Monday about the struggling center.
November 19th, 2008
Farmers Market on the move?The potential sale of Copia’s property downtown may cause Napa’s Farmers Market to move from its longtime home on First Street.
November 15th, 2008
Putting the brakes on gas expensesIf you thought filling up your 15-gallon tank costs a lot, consider the plight of Steve Silva of Napa. His fleet of 22 trucks uses approximately 2,000 gallons of fuel a month.
November 14th, 2008
Copia looks to sell, but stayFaced with staggering debt, Copia is planning to sell off its 12-acre riverfront property on the Oxbow.
November 13th, 2008
Copia looks to sell, but stayFaced with staggering debt, Copia is planning to sell off its 12-acre riverfront property on the Oxbow, possibly by the end of the year, shifting most of its wine and food programs to new facilities in San Francisco.
November 9th, 2008
Diner owner opens second restaurantThe mall around him may be going through a transition, but restaurant owner Ruben Carreon continues to cook up something good in south Napa.
October 31st, 2008
Scaring up sales in spooky times“Wonderful to see you this evening,” said the Haunted Butler in his best Bela Lugosi impression.
Local woman makes business from Halloween artSome people have a couple boxes of Halloween decorations stored in the attic. Ginny Betourne has two closets and a room full of the spooky stuff.
October 30th, 2008
Does IRS owe you money? Find your name hereThe IRS wants to find more than one hundred Napa County residents, but they shouldn’t be alarmed. It’s good news.
October 29th, 2008
Did you find your name on the IRS list? Tell us your storyWere you one of the people the IRS was looking for, trying to give you some of the $95,000 owed to Napa County residents?
Does IRS owe you money? Find your name hereThe IRS is looking for more than 100 Napa County residents, but the people shouldn’t be alarmed, for it is good news.
October 28th, 2008
Napa toy stores in fluxAs the busiest shopping season of the year begins, A Child’s Delight, one of two independent toy stores in Napa, is about to close.
October 18th, 2008
Mervyns out of business, 149 stores to closeUnable to restructure after filing for bankruptcy, Mervyns announced it will cease operations and close its remaining 149 stores, months after announcing the shuttering of the Napa store and two dozen others.
October 17th, 2008
Low tide at BerryessaThe occasional visitor to Lake Berryessa might not notice it. But to regulars, the lake is looking different these days.
October 14th, 2008
Thousands still eligible for stimulus paymentAccording to the IRS, more than 2,700 Napa County seniors and veterans remain eligible to receive a 2008 economic stimulus payment, but have yet to apply.
October 11th, 2008
Economic experts see tough road, even in NapaSpeakers were not afraid to use the “R” word at Friday’s Napa County Economic Outlook conference.
October 6th, 2008
Are grocery prices getting to you?Attention grocery shoppers:
New column: Surrendering to motherhoodStarting today, NapaValleyRegister.com's Jennifer Huffman writes about her experiences juggling family and career in a twice-monthly Surrendering to Motherhood column.
October 5th, 2008
Mixed fortunes for small downtown merchantsDowntown Napa continues to interest entrepreneurs, from small start-ups to four-star names such as celebrity chef Thomas Keller. But the economy isn’t making things easy.
October 3rd, 2008
Lady of America closes - againLady of America members must be feeling a sense of déjà vu. The Soscol Avenue Lady of America gym closed Oct. 1, about a year after the sudden closure of the same gym, then located on Imola Avenue, sent members scrambling.
October 2nd, 2008
Lady of America closes - againLady of America members must be feeling a sense of déjà vu. The Soscol Avenue Lady of America gym closed Oct. 1, about a year after the sudden closure of the same gym, then located on Imola Avenue, sent members scrambling.
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