Worth Mentioning – November 20, 2025
News Worth Mentioning
Olive experiences at Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil is hosting its second-annual Gathering in the Grove: Olive Harvest, which is happening through Nov. 23.
Guests can visit the 33-acre olive grove to learn the art of cultivation, harvesting and oil production, tasting their way through diverse varietals and discovering each one’s flavor profile.
At the Auberge du Soleil Restaurant, a limited-time “Olives Six Ways” tasting menu, with highlights such as an olive crusted seabass, is being served, while at the bar olive-inspired small plates and cocktails include the signature Olive Grove Martini and La Poire Olive. For more visit https://auberge.com/auberge-du-soleil/experiences/olive-harvest/.
Thanksgiving Eve at RO Restaurant Yountville
Kick off the holidays at Chef Thomas Keller’s RO Restaurant & Lounge with a special Thanksgiving Evecelebration on Nov. 27.
An all-day Happy Hour from 4 to 9:30 p.m. will be available at the bar and on the heated garden patio. Highlighting the bar menu are two festive cocktails, the White Negroni with Casa Dragones tequila and Lillet Blanc, and the Holiday Spritz with persimmon-infused Aperol, Dolin Rouge and sparkling wine.
Guests can also enjoy savory specials in the dining room, including a whole smoked Liberty Duck served with Koshihikari duck rice, confit duck leg, maitake mushrooms, crispy leeks, sweet potatoes and citrus jus from Chef de Cuisine Jeffery Hayashi. Reservations through RESY are encouraged.
Yountville’s Gather and Watch: six- week viewing of Ken Burns’ ‘The American Revolution’ continues
Yountville neighbors can attend a free big-screen viewing of Ken Burns’ new documentary series, “The American Revolution,” continuing for an additional five sessions. Each screening is followed by an informal group discussion.
The six-part series explores how America’s founding turned the world upside-down, providing an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the United States of America. More information can be found at https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/about-the-film
Each week attendees will gather at 5 p.m. for a two-hour episode beginning at 5:15 p.m. The 45-minute informal discussion will follow. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages to share. The remaining viewing dates are Wednesdays: Dec. 3, 10 and 17, followed by Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and 30.
Old Mill Holidays at Bale Grist Mill
Join Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park for a festive morning of holiday crafts on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Folk music and carols will fill the air and hot apple cider will simmer on a wood-burning stove. Activities include crafting letters to Santa using quill pens and wax to seal letters; and creating wreaths and garlands to adorn homes. Guests can enjoy making pomander, the sweet-scented clove-studded citrus; icing and decorating gingerbread men; stringing cranberry and popcorn decorations; weaving wheat ornaments and cutting paper snowflakes for the tree.
Admission is $5 per person and free for children ages 2 and under. On-site parking is available, and no advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.napavalleystateparks.org/upcoming-events/. Bale Grist Mill is at 3369 St Helena Hwy., St. Helena.
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade
The 30th annual Calistoga Lighted Tractor parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8 p.m. The dazzling holiday tradition brings thousands of spectators from near and far to admire beautifully decorated tractors, trucks, floats and farm equipment, all aglow with festive lights. Experience the joy of the season as local farmers, businesses and community members showcase their creativity in this uniquely Calistogan celebration.
For more information, visit: https://visitcalistoga.com/lighted-tractor-parade/.
Glow Pickleball Night returns
Calling all pickleballers to get ready to light up the indoor court at the Yountville Community Center on Friday, Dec. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Snacks, drinks, and music will fill the game-filled evening, which is perfect for all skill levels. Neon, glow-in-the-dark apparel and accessories are encouraged. Visit www.yvilleparksandrec.com to register.
2025 Give!Guide campaign
The 13th annual CanDo Give!Guide campaign launched on Nov. 1 and will run through Dec. 31. The community’s end-of-year giving campaign features a record 91 nonprofit organizations, offering donors the broadest range of choices in the program’s history.
Since Napa Valley CanDo founded the Give!Guide in 2013, it has raised more than $7.3 million for 154 Napa County nonprofits, which includes $1.14 million in donations collected in 2024.
Participating nonprofit partners work in key community sectors including health, education, environment, animal care, youth, seniors, arts and social services. Donors can browse participating organizations online and make contributions to one or many nonprofits in a single, secure transaction.
The Give!Guide accepts donations by credit card or check starting at $10. All participating nonprofits are carefully screened and all money raised stays in Napa County.
For more information and to access the guide online, visit www.CanDoGiveGuide.org/. For questions, email [email protected].
Napa Valley Bike Tours now owned and led by Magro
Napa Valley Bike Tours, with its flagship location in Yountville, has announced that longtime team member Mackenzie Magro has taken ownership of the company and stepped into the role of CEO. Magro succeeds Brad Dropping, who is retiring after more than 20 years of ownership.
Magro joined Napa Valley Bike Tours as a concierge more than a decade ago, drawn to a business built around two of her passions: fitness and wine. She grew with the business, eventually leading day-to-day operations, guiding strategic growth and strengthening partnerships across the hospitality community.
Napa Valley Bike Tours employs a team of more than 20 tour guides and maintains a fleet of more than 250 bicycles, offering guided and self-guided experiences from three locations: Yountville, Napa and St. Helena. Napa Valley Bike Tours is at 6500 Washington St. in Yountville.
Defensible space cost assistance
Napa Firewise is now offering financial assistance for Napa County residents within the“high” or “very high” fire severity zones to help reduce wildfire risk around their homes through the Defensible Space Cost Share Program.
The program, made possible with a Cal Fire grant, provides reimbursement for qualifying defensible space work completed following a no-cost home evaluation that will be scheduled as part of the application process. The grant will only cover new defensible space work and cannot reimburse for work completed prior to participation.
Those who have not participated in a previous Defensible Space Cost Share Program, or those who participated but did not use the full $3,500 benefits, are eligible to participate.
Income qualified residents may receive up to 100% reimbursement, capped at $3,500. Other eligible residents may qualify for 50% reimbursement, also up to $3,500. Space is limited and applicants will be added to a waitlist once the program is full.
For more information, or to apply, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yj7vz2rs/.
Napa County Baseline Data Report workshops
Napa County will host its second round of in-person and virtual community workshops to share an overview of preliminary findings for the Baseline Data Report update. The in-person workshops have been held, with remaining virtual options set for next week:
Virtual Workshops (registration links below):
- Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register here ›
- Thursday, Nov. 20, noon to 1:30 p.m. Register here ›
The update will offer a research-based snapshot of current conditions across the county, sharing critical insight into Napa County’s land, infrastructure, natural resources and community characteristics. It will serve as the technical backbone of the upcoming General Plan update and Environmental Impact Report, ensuring that long-term policy discussions are rooted in reliable data.
For more information about the Baseline Data Report email [email protected] or visit: https://tinyurl.com/4y5basrk/.
Napa County Historical Society exhibition
Napa County Historical Society’s new exhibition, “The Valley Beautiful: Art,” is running through March 28, 2026, at the Goodman Library in Napa.
“The Valley Beautiful: Art” is the final installation of the three-part exhibition series (following “The Valley Beautiful: Music” and “The Valley Beautiful: Architecture”), which tells the story of Napa Valley’s beauty and how cultural pride and a sense of community have employed architecture, music and art from the earliest historic times to present day.
The series is sponsored in part by Napa County Arts & Culture Committee Grant, Provident Credit Union and Community Projects.
For more information, visit napahistory.org/. The Goodman Library is at 1219 First St., Napa.
Secured property tax bills available
Secured property tax bills for 2025-26 are now available online to view and pay.
To access bills, property owners can enter their assessment parcel number (APN) or property address on the Napa County Property Assessment and Fee Parcel Search web page at https://common2.mptsweb.com/mbc/napa/tax/search/.
Property taxes can be paid online, by mail, in person or by phone. For information and steps to pay using the available methods, visit the Napa County Treasurer-Tax Collector web page at www.countyofnapa.org/1260/How-to-Pay-Your-Property-Taxes/.
The first installment of taxes is due on Nov. 1 and will become delinquent if not paid by Dec. 10. Delinquent payments will incur a 10% penalty. The second installment is due on Feb. 1 and will become delinquent if not paid by April 10. Delinquent payments will incur a 10% penalty plus a $10 fee.
For questions, call the Napa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at 707-253-4327 or email [email protected]. The Napa County Tax Collector’s office is at 1195 Third St., Suite 108, Napa, CA 94559.
Volunteer classroom tutors needed upvalley
UpValley Family Centers is recruiting volunteer tutors to help in classrooms at Calistoga and St. Helena schools.
Volunteers will work one-on-one with students in group settings or classrooms to provide general assistance based on student and teacher needs. Tutoring will take place on campus during school hours at participating schools.
Subject matter includes reading, writing, math and social skills. There is also a need in Calistoga for volunteers willing to lead sports and arts activities during recess and lunch time. Volunteers are asked to commit at least one hour a week throughout the school year.
The nonprofit is also seeking volunteers interested in helping with the following: craft closet organization, event invite and reminder phone calls or yard maintenance.
Those interested in UpValley Family Center volunteer opportunities can fill out a volunteer interest form online at: https://upvalleyfamilycenters.org/volunteer/. For additional questions, email Michael Bozman at: [email protected]/.
Vine Transit expands Route 29-BART service
The Vine Transit has expanded its Route 29 Napa-BART Connector to include Saturday service, offering nine round trips between the Redwood Park & Ride in Napa and the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station.
It is made possible through a partnership between the NVTA, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the county of Napa. It will operate as a pilot program from August 2025 through June 2026. Both Vine and BART use Clipper Cards.
For more information, call 707-251-2800 or visit https://vinetransit.com/vine-transit-expands-route-29-bart-connection-with-saturday-service/.
Napa Humane expands dog training
Napa Humane has expanded its training programs to create additional opportunities for local dog owners to build lasting bonds with their pets.
New programming includes a manners class for children ages 8 and older to take the lead in dog training, with parents assisting. These include:
- a hybrid class for anxious or fearful dogs, beginning virtually at home before transitioning to in-person sessions;
- a progressive three-class series teaching dogs to come when called, even around distractions;
- a three-class series focusing on polite walking, passing distractions and calm neighborhood manners.
The new classes are in addition to Napa Humane’s other popular classes, which include Puppy Preschool, Basic Manners and Canine Charm School.
By using positive reinforcement methods and keeping class sizes small, the program helps dogs develop practical skills and good manners while giving owners the tools to communicate effectively with their companions.
Registration is open at www.napahumane.org/. Space is limited, and classes fill quickly.
The new training location is at 3285 Old California Way in Napa, next to Napa Humane’s spay/neuter clinic.
New Grand Jury complaint process
Nineteen Napa County residents have been empaneled to the Napa County Civil Grand Jury, and an additional five residents were selected as alternates for a term that runs through June 2026.
The grand jury is responsible for investigating and reporting on the operations, accounts, and records of local government officers and agencies. Grand jurors also have the power to investigate citizen complaints about local government.
The grand jury recently made the citizen complaint process easier to use. Previously, complaints were filled out on a printed form and mailed or emailed to the grand jury. The new online form streamlines that process by eliminating the redundancy of printing and sending via the new digital format. The complaint forms are available in English and Spanish. For grand jury reports and more information, visit: www.napa.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury/.
For additional questions, contact the Napa County Superior Court executive office by phone at 707-299-1110 or by email at [email protected].
