Out and About in the neighborhood
Is it just me, or do you agree that summers in Yountville are amazing? There’s definitely some heat but there are many hours in the day for outdoor exercise, concerts and evening walks. I think about my friends who live in different parts of the country with extreme weather and thank my lucky stars!
Thursday Night Live has gone live
One of the many outdoor experiences we can enjoy this season is the Priest Ranch summertime live music series. I went to their inaugural concert with my friend Susan Segal. My glass of Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc paired surprisingly well with my smashburger, the signature dish of Executive Chef Dan Solomon. That night, the Sean Carscadden Trio was performing an eclectic mix of New Orleans funk and surfer rock. On the scene were Majel and Conrad Arnold, Rita Simke and Rob Stout, Tracy Tighe and Matt Chan and their pup, Brixy. You can sit inside the tasting room, on the backyard patio or upstairs at The Kitchen. The series continues on Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. through Sept. 4. There is no cover charge, but wine and food are available for purchase. Stop by the tasting room on Washington Street for information on who will be performing and when.
The Coop serves up great food, produce and fun
I’ve stopped by the Coop by Hoopes for coffee and a morning bite, but Lindsay Hoopes and husband Metin recently kicked it up a notch with some weekend entertainment and a celebrity chef pop-up.
One Saturday morning I rode my bike to the Coop to hear our local songstress, Robin McKee-Cant, who is always in good voice. Iren Jenny, Kelly Carter and I were swaying to the music, enjoying the melodies and each other’s company.
The next week the Coop hosted a pop-up for Minnie Bell’s Soul Food. My hubby Jim McDonald and I shared a mushroom po’ boy with homemade chips that was absolutely delicious. We then indulged in Minnie Bell’s banana brûlée, a yummy confection like no other I’ve tasted before. I introduced myself to Chef Minnie, only to learn her name was Fernay McPherson. The name of her restaurant was an homage to her two grandmothers. Mention you’re a Yountville resident at the Coop to get discounts on food, beverages and farm-fresh produce.
Yountville has gone to the dogs
You may have read about Hospitality Hounds, a project launched a few months ago by resident Cindy Kapjian. Her creative idea was to have local dogs and their owners greet residents and visitors, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in our town. Cindy is regularly adding more hounds to the team and has partnered with local businesses to carry Hospitality Hounds trading cards to share with their guests. The project already has close to 500 followers on Instagram. My friend Wendy Fields’ dog Cooper is an active participant. Both Wendy and her pup often meet and greet customers in line at Bouchon Bakery, a fun distraction while waiting to get into the shop. They also point out our many sculptures to visitors along Washington Street. Look for the dogs with their signature blue bandanas and get to know our local hounds.
Yountville Fit throws down a July Challenge
I am a big proponent of fitness as we age. I may not be a great athlete, but strongly believe being active and staying fit adds to our quality of life. If any of you have read my column before, you know I’m a cheerleader for Yountville Fit. We are so lucky to have such a great gym in town run by Donavan Almond, an exceptional fitness professional. Members of the gym recently had an opportunity to register for the July Challenge, a month-long program focused on active, restorative, longevity and nutrition criteria. After two weeks, I can frankly say the July Challenge is a challenge!
The theme is Battle of the Bands. There are three teams competing for points named for different music styles: country, rock and classical. I am on Team Classical coached by Natacha Berton Blanc. She is an awesome fitness instructor and a lovely person. My Yountville team members include Elisa Raulston, Melanie Merriam, Nancy Caldwell, Carolyn Brown and Fiona Wendorf. Whether we win the Challenge or not, we are all winners learning new ways to lead healthy and active lives.
Take a break from the heat in the Locals Lounge
I’m not sure how many of you know there is a new Yountville Locals Lounge in a room at the Yountville Commons, connected to Yountville Fit. You don’t have to be a member of the gym to enjoy the air-conditioned space from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. Enter through the gym or from the south side of the former school yard. The lounge has two large screen TVs and you can also plug in your devices at one of many workstations around the room. It is tastefully furnished, and the walls present an historic pictorial timeline from our town’s inception to the present.
Long-time Yountville residents will especially enjoy a bound volume displayed in the lounge of profiles written by Yountville Sun columnist Lou Jefferson from 1998 – 2006. You can see how some of our locals looked 20 years ago or more. I loved the photos and stories about Steve Zanetell, Karen Zanetell, Susan Wiechers and Curtis Van Carter, to name a few. A fun surprise was the profile of my friend Ronda Schaer, who was Ronda Vosti back then.
Parks and Rec Department rewards us during Parks & Recreation Month
The Town Council presented a proclamation of appreciation to Samantha Holland and her team in honor of Parks & Recreation Month. This month alone, the staff is running Camp Yville for 80 campers, hosted a July 4 event in Veterans Park and is providing programming for more than 125 Golden Ticket holders. Their fall Rec Guide will be ready for distribution in early August. To celebrate a month dedicated to their efforts, they held a popsicle giveaway in the Community Center Plaza for locals! Yes, for us! As we were enjoying our cold refreshments, Navy veteran Israel Henderson stopped by for a popsicle on his motorized scooter. We’d often seen Israel around town in his colorful painter’s garb. He told us to look for his paintings on display at several local businesses.
Personal thanks
Thanks to Marilyn Rapport and Maestro Barry Jekowsky for hosting a delightful dinner party for us and the Jennys. Marilyn prepared the delicious food, and Barry orchestrated an interesting blind tasting of Stag’s Leap cabs to accompany the meal.
Thanks to Mitch Meredith for gifting me and other Pickleballers a half-dozen eggs laid by “Mitch’s Chicks.” He and wife Judy Meredith take loving care of their chickens, and the proof is in the eating.
Thank you for supporting the Yountville Sun. I will be not be contributing another column until September, but Susan Wiechers will be out and about in your neighborhood!
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