News Worth Mentioning – February 26, 2026
Overnight closures, detour on SR-29 near Rutherford
Full overnight closure of State Route 29 (SR-29) by Caltrans for culvert replacement work and road stabilization between Rutherford and Oakville roads began Feb. 25 and will continue through Saturday, Feb. 28, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next morning. Flaggers are present and signs are posted to help the traveling public.
Following the full closures, reverse one-way traffic control of SR-29 will remain in effect through March on Monday through Saturday between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning. The emergency project is expected to be completed in spring, according to Caltrans.
Northbound SR-29 detour toward St. Helena and Calistoga:
- Turn right onto Oakville Cross Road.
- Turn left onto Silverado Trail Road.
- Turn left onto SR-128 to Rutherford to SR-29.
Southbound SR-29 detour toward the city of Napa:
- Turn left onto SR-128 in Rutherford.
- Turn right onto Silverado Road.
- Turn right onto Oakville Cross Road to SR-29.
Construction is weather dependent. Drivers should expect delays and slow-downs in the construction area to help crews stay safe.
For traffic updates, follow www.511.org/ or visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.
Silent cinema at the library
The community is invited to the latest installation of the Yountville Library’s Silent Cinema series, on Friday, Feb. 27, at noon.
Experience the magic of early cinema, accompanied by musical scores and sound effects. On Friday, watch the 1927 film “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans,” directed by F.W. Murnau, a leading figure in German Expressionism.
The film’s plot follows a married farmer (George O’Brien) who falls for a woman vacationing from the city (Margaret Livingston), who attempts to convince him to murder his wife (Janey Gaynor) to be with her.
For more information, visit https://napalibrary.libnet.info/event/15399699/
The library is at 6516 Washington St., Yountville.
A relaxing sound bath at the library with Phoenix Song
The community is invited to the Yountville Library on Friday, March 6, from 5:45 to 7 p.m. to experience a relaxing sound bath with Phoenix Song, a wellness program focused on rest, reflection and stress reduction.
Phoenix Song uses a variety of world instruments to create gentle soundscapes designed to promote relaxation and balance. Instruments may include Native buffalo drum, didgeridoo, esraj, drone flute, hand pan, Koshi chimes, Tibetan bowls and singing. Phoenix performs at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and offers sound experiences around the world.
Registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a towel or yoga mat for comfort.
To register, visit: https://napalibrary.libnet.info/event/15407910/. For more about Phoenix Song, visit phoenixsongmusic.com/
The library is at 6516 Washington St., Yountville.
Historian Rebecca Yerger to discuss ‘Influential Women of Napa Valley’
Enjoy a history happy hour with local historian Rebecca Yergerat the Yountville Community Center on Tuesday, March 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. Enjoy a complementary glass of wine as Yerger discusses some of the women who made a difference in Napa Valley during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The discussion will include a cross section of women from Napa Valley, and a special focus highlighting women who called Yountville home, including Martha Van De Leur. Discover how these women left their mark on the region.
Yerger is a Napa Valley native and professional historian, architectural historian, historic preservation consultant and writer.
There is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is requested. Register online at https://secure.rec1.com/CA/yountville-ca/catalog/.
The Community Center is at6516 Washington St., Yountville.
County needs midterm vote center workers
Napa County is recruiting vote center workers to assist voters during the June and November midterm elections. Vote centers will be located in American Canyon, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.
Vote center workers can earn more than $900 for working approximately 50 to 60 hours during the three weeks leading up to the June 2 primary election. Many workers hired for the June election also return to work a similar schedule ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
To learn more or apply, visit: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/napacounty/jobs/5234894/
For questions, contact the Napa County Election Division by calling 707-253-4321 or emailing [email protected].
Yountville Imagine Grant applications now open
The Yountville Community Foundation has reopened the Imagine Yountville Grant Program for Round 2 of applications, hoping to distribute more funds in 2026.
The application period opened on Feb. 11 and will close on March 12. The deadline for new projects to be completed and use funds remains Dec. 31.
Applicants can submit questions for clarification by email to [email protected] by Feb. 20. All questions and answers will be posted on the website on Feb. 20.
Visit www.toycf.org or 2026-Application-Form—Round-2 for more information.
Learn best practices to grow a fruit and vegetables this spring
Residents interested in growing their own food this season are invited by the Parks and Recreation Department to attend the Spring and Summer Vegetable Gardening Class on Sunday, March 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Yountville Community Center.
Led by the UC Master Gardeners of Napa Valley, this hands-on class will offer practical, seasonal guidance for planting cool-season crops now and preparing for heat-loving vegetables in the months ahead. Topics include soil preparation, fertilizing, irrigation, pest management and planting schedules tailored to the local climate.
The fee to attend is $10. Seeds and plants will be provided, giving participants the opportunity to practice seed sowing and transplanting during the class.
Supporting home gardening is one way Yountville Green encourages sustainability, water-wise practices, and a stronger connection to local food systems right here in our community.
Online registration is required at https://secure.rec1.com/CA/yountville-ca/catalog/
The Yountville Community Center is at 6516 Washington St., Yountville.
Dress to impress for Oscar’s viewing party at the Local’s Lounge
Join Yountville’s Parks and Recreation Department at the Local’s Lounge at the Commons on Sunday, March 15, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. for an Oscars viewing party.
Dress for the occasion and stop by the free event to enjoy great company, watch the red-carpet moments and cheer on the Academy Award winners.
Feel free to bring your own refreshments.
For more information, visit: https://ca-yountville.civicplus.com/619/Oscars-Viewing-Party/.
The Local’s Lounge is at 6554 Yount St., Yountville.
Camp Y-Ville summer program seeks teens councilors in training
Do you know any 13- to 16-year-olds who are looking for something fun to do part-time over the summer? Yountville’s Parks and Recreation Department is seeking applications for its Councilors in Training program for the Camp Y-Ville summer camp.
Councilors in training will learn leadership, professionalism and other skills needed to one day work a summer recreation job for the town of Yountville. Teens will volunteer more than 100 hours and can pick their own schedules and attend pool days and field trips throughout the summer.
The fee to register is $95 for residents and $110 for non-residents. The fee is not required until the applicant is accepted into the program.
Applications are due to [email protected] by Friday, April 10. Interviews will take place the week of April 20. Accepted applicants will attend trainings from May 11 to 14, and May 29.
For more information or to fill out an application, visit https://ca-yountville.civicplus.com/519/Teen-Programs/.
UpStage seeking noir-themed plays
UpStage Napa Valley is calling all playwrights and aspiring playwrights to submit works for its 6th annual PlayFest, to be performed on three weekends beginning Oct. 9 at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Helena.
The local playwright festival focuses on nine 15-minute plays performed by UpStage actors. “Noir “is this year’s theme. UpStage is seeking high-stakes plots and sharp, atmospheric, tension-filled scripts with desperate choices and the moral ambiguity that defines the noir genre.Imagine: cynical P.I.s and dangerous femme fatales, a rainy alleyway, a smoke-filled office or a dimly lit bar. The streetlights are flickering, and everyone has a secret,
Plays must be submitted by April 15. Scripts must be original and written for no more than three actors to be performed with only one set and with a performance length no longer than 15 minutes. Submit one play per playwright to [email protected] with the subject line PlayFest 2026 Submission – (your last name). For more information, visit https://www.upstagenapavalley.org/
Geology and wildflower hike at Oat Hill Mine
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District’s upcoming third Saturday Hike will be a geology and wildflower hike at Oat Hill Mine Trail in Calistoga on Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m.
The hike will combine geology and wildflowers while highlighting Oat Hill Mine Trail. Join Sarah Clark on the steep but spectacular ramble.
To RSVP and to learn more about the series and future hikes across Napa County, visit https://napaoutdoors.org/parks/3rdsaturdayhikes/. For questions, email [email protected]. The trailhead is at 2082 Oat Hill Mine Trail, Calistoga.
¡Viva Mariachi! at Napa Valley College
The ¡Viva Mariachi! Festival at Napa Valley College returns on Saturday, March 21, with two shows: a matinee concert at 2 p.m. and an evening concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.
¡Viva Mariachi! offers an opportunity for the community to learn about the thriving programs across the U.S. that promote student success while enriching the cultural vitality and musical traditions of institutions and their surrounding communities.
The cultural event promotes the rich heritage and traditions of Mexico through mariachi music and music education. The festival hosts youth and student groups representing various levels of the nation’s public education institutions.
This year’s lineup includes Mariachi Las Aguilitas de Davis from Davis Bilingual Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona; LBC Mariachi Cantares de Mi Tierra and Ballet Folklórico from Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Sonoma County; and Mariachi Garibaldi from Southwestern College in Chula Vista.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ayb844y/.
NVC’s Performing Arts Center is at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway, building 100, Napa.
Register for annual Pickleball Classic
Registration is now open for UpValley Family Centers’ third annual Napa Valley Pickleball Classic on May 16 and 17 at Crane Park in St. Helena.
The tournament, hosted in partnership with St. Helena Parks and Recreation, is a celebration of community, connection and collaborative action. The event will include free beginner pickleball clinics, food trucks and opportunities to connect with neighbors.
Players can compete in under 50 and 50+ divisions, with intermediate and advanced levels. This year there is also a new teen bracket for ages 14-17.
Funds raised through sponsorships, donations and Game Changer fundraising pages directly benefit UpValley Family Centers’ programs. Support local families by donating, sponsoring or starting a Game Changer fundraising page at: http://www.nvpc.givesmart.com/.
Register to play at http://www.cityofsthelena.gov/938/Napa-Valley-Pickleball-Classic/. Crane Park is at 360 S. Crane Ave., St. Helena.
