LUNCH & LEARN
Securing Your Future with Estate Planning,
Estate, and Retirement Living Solutions
DATE & TIME November 19th |
Are you or a loved one exploring the best options for estate planning, downsizing, and senior living? Join us for an informative luncheon at Napa Valley for expert answers from Napa Valley’s trusted professionals! Our expert panel of realtors, trust attorneys, and senior care specialists will guide you through every step—from identifying the perfect senior living community and making the move stress free to managing your real estate.
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(L-R) Mark Lyons, Tiffany Diede, Aimee Greco, Angie Pinckney, Aaron Anderson, Mary Ann Eggan, Kristen Lucia, Therese Huerta, Sebastiano Schiavone, Xochitl Lerma
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Because joints help keep the body in motion, they are prone to damage from osteoarthritis, injury, or poor posture. Advances in joint replacement surgery now make the process even safer, less invasive, and faster to recover from.
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With over 1,200 surgeries annually, our team is one of California's highest-volume centers. Adventist Health St. Helena is recognized by Becker’s Healthcare as one of the “100 hospitals with great orthopedic programs” and ranks in the top 1% nationally for patient experience according to Healthgrades.
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Meet the Team
FIRST RESPONDERS SUPPORT NETWORK
When “Everything is NOT okay”
by Kathleen Reynolds
Police officers, firefighters and healthcare workers witness unimaginable scenes of injury, sickness and death. What happens to these frontline workers when they are overwhelmed by the debilitating impact of critical incident stress?
Help is available through the First Responders Support Network (FRSN), where passionate and dedicated individuals run the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat (WCPR) and the Significant Other and Spouse (SOS) program.
The WCPR, SOS, training, consultations and outreach make up the FRSN.
According to their website (frsn.org):
“Since 2001, WCPR has helped…first responders at their California location (near Angwin) and in satellite locations in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana. The SOS program continues to grow as more and more significant others and spouses reach out for help, education, healing, and support. FRSN training programs continue to expand the peer and clinician base
available to help the first responder community both nationally and internationally.”
FRSN Board of Directors
President, Nathan Schlitz, is a disability retired police officer from the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, where he was a police officer and gang detective for 12 years.
“I first heard about FRSP after an experience in 2009 when my squad was involved in a critical incident in pursuit of an aggravated assault suspect,” says Nathan, who has lived in Napa since 2018. “I was forced to shoot a driver to stop him from running my partner over. What no one knew was that his 15-year-old cousin was in the backseat of his car.
Unfortunately, one of my rounds hit and killed her. It was an instant shift for me into Post Traumatic Stress symptoms. I felt isolation, depression, insomnia—a lot of the stuff that comes with a traumatic injury.”
“I was on administrative leave and started seeing the department psychologist. At the time our department chief was George Gascn, the current Los Angeles District Attorney. He was very supportive in
getting officers mental health support when they needed it and offered to send me through the FRSN West Coast Post Trauma-retreat program. I attended four or five months after the incident. It saved my life.”
Per the website: “Each FRSN retreat is a unique, immersive experience helping first responders process their traumatic incidents. Six first responder clients are supported in healing by up to 25 volunteers over six days, and usually long after the retreat has ended. Peers who have attended as clients come back again and again, to help their fellow first responders and to support their own ongoing recovery.”
“Through intensive debriefing and peer support, first responders at the WCPR work through traumatic experiences, learn to understand their reactions, and develop skills to deal with painful memories and new critical incidents. They leave the retreat more able to cope with difficult emotions and recognize triggers and respond positively.”
Nathan explains further, “The clients, our staff and volunteers stay there for the whole week. It’s a good combination of clinical support with trained, culturally competent clinicians as well as peer support from current and retired first responders who have been through the program themselves and go back to volunteer and help. The clients get a wide variety of modality of treatment.”
The SOS program for significant others and spouses of first responders has the same make up as the retreat.
“We find the family goes through the traumatic stress just like the first responder,” says Nathan. “Often the spouses are left with similar
symptoms, thoughts and experiences as the first responder. Some of the education and the therapy modalities are a little different, but for the most part, we’ve found that having the spouse go through the (SOS) program helps them and can help their relationship too.”
Nathan has an answer to skeptics about the mental trauma first responders experience.
“Although the perception is better today than it was 15 years ago. I think that the public often forgets that police officers or firefighters are human just like everyone else. When we go through these traumatic events, it’s going to affect us. It’s important for us to take care of ourselves and it’s important for us to get the mental health care that we need to do those first responder jobs successfully and in a healthy manner.”
“I’ve heard, “It’s what you get paid to do.” Even if an officer is shot, you might hear, “That’s what they’re there for.” I take exception to those statements. That’s not why police officers and firefighters are there. It shouldn’t be expected of us to get injured or lose our lives. We’re there to help. Often people see first responders on the worst day of their lives and so it’s very important for the public to know that we need help just like everyone else.”
The organization has seen over 2000 clients and has an approximately 97% success rate.
How do they measure success?
“One of the phrases we always use is that it’s not about going back to work, it’s about going back to life,” Nathan says. “A success story for me is when I’m there volunteering and we have a client who’s really
struggling. We help get them through the week and then they come back in a year or two as a volunteer, giving back. It’s such an amazing feeling to know that we’ve made a difference in that life, in their family life. It’s like the butterfly effect. Everyone they touch can get the help that they need. It’s fulfilling to see volunteers coming back and using their experiences to do good. It happens more times than I can count.”
“I judge success by people who are doing the work; they’re getting therapy, they’re continuing to volunteer,” says Nathan. “It doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve returned to work because for some people, going back to work might not be the right answer.”
“The most important thing for people to know is that this program saves lives. To do that at times we need the generosity and understanding of the public. It’s important to know that first responders need our support. They’re all human, they all feel and they’re going to struggle with things just like everyone else. It’s important to know that there’s a place out there that can help, that can offer the mental health support that the people doing those jobs need.”
Nathan closes by quoting a man he calls his “role model,” Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Nazis in World War II, “We should always strive to do the next right thing.”
The FRSN relies heavily on fundraisers and donations. To help with scholarships that help pay to send first responders to the retreat, please see the donations tab on their website.
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WORKSHOP Dementia & The Holidays
The Holidays are filled with family traditions, religious services, and gatherings with friends. But when someone in your family or circle of friends is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, holiday celebrations can be challenging.
Join us to learn about how to create new holiday traditions, learn travel tips, and prioritize self-care over the holidays so that you and those around you can feel included and part of a low-stress celebration.
DATE/TIME Monday, November 11 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
LOCATION
Providence Community Health 414 South Jefferson St, Napa
CONTACT/REGISTRATION
Melissa Gerard 707.815-6258 melissa.gerard@providence.org
HOME FOR THE Holidays
by Craig Smith
Celebrating the holidays is that much more special if you can do it with the family. With the hope in mind that you will spending this season with your loved ones, The Napa Christmas Parade theme is “Home for the Holidays.”
The celebrations begin with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Veterans Park. Wednesday, November 27 at 6 p.m., Mayor Scott Sedgley will lead the community in a countdown to light the tree. Scouts BSA will be on-hand giving out free cookies, provided by Sweetie Pie’s. Hot chocolate will be donated by Downtown Joe’s, as they have since the tree lighting in Veterans Park began. Entertainment will come from local children’s groups, who will dance and sing before the Mayor leads the countdown to light the tree.
The Napa Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 7 at 5 p.m. Three cash awards of $500 each will be given to the Kiwanian parade judges’ choices in three categories: Best Use of Lights, Best Theme-Oriented, and Best Use of Music. Anyone can enter the parade, and it’s free. Whether you choose to build
an elaborate float, simply march along with your group, or just watch, the Napa Christmas Parade is a hometown tradition that has grown over the years.
The parade begins on Second Street at School, heads east on Second to Brown, then north to Third, and finally west back to School Street. Judging takes place on Third Street in front of the courthouse, across from the Second Street garage. All groups are recognized and introduced at the stage.
Old Saint Nick will set up shop in the lobby of the Welcome Center near the corner of First and Randolph Street this year, as soon as he wraps up the Christmas Parade, probably about 6:30 p.m. He’ll bring a staff of Elves who will pass out candy canes, and Welcome Center will have plenty of hot chocolate on hand for everyone. All the little ones have to do is bring their wish list and tell Santa what they want. Santa will do his best to fill all those requests.
The parade Grand Marshal this year is Senator Bill Dodd, who, after twenty-five years of public service to Napa, is taking
a well-deserved retirement. Bill began his public service life as a four-term member of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, where he helped shepherd the flood control project to completion. Following that, he was elected to the Fourth Assembly District. After two terms there, he was elected to the Third District as State Senator, a position from which he will soon term out. At the State level, he’s worked on wildfire safety and issues impacting seniors, plus many more. He is a fifth generation Napan. His wife, Mary, and he have five grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Join Bill and his family as they greet all parade onlookers.
The Kiwanis Club of Napa helps with parade set-up, emcee and judging for awards. And a special shout out goes to the staff and elected officials of the City of Napa. Most of what they do is largely unseen – planning to make sure the event is safe, road closures and overseeing closed intersections during the parade and clean up. Sponsors include the Bank of Marin, City of Napa, Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine and Downtown Napa Association.
The year was 1949. The family car might have been a Chevy Stylemaster with Bel Air hardtop or the Super Deluxe Ford wood-paneled station wagon. If you lived in Napa, your school clothes were probably purchased at JC Penney, Carithers, Montgomery Ward or Alberts. Girls wore cotton dresses with full skirts, Peter Pan collars and puffed sleeves. Sensible, study oxford shoes were the norm; kids and teens wore them with bobby socks.
ALTA HEIGHTS Celebrates
A brand-new Napa school opened that year, Alta Heights Elementary on Montecito Blvd.
“In 1949, I think Alta Heights Elementary was kindergarten through third grade,” says Alta Heights Principal Ted Ward. “We now have 317 students in 16 classrooms. We’ve always been a small, neighborhood school but we’ve grown in the last few years since COVID, which is a good thing in a city where declining enrollment is
The school currently has students ranging from Transitional Kindergarten (required by the State of California for four-yearolds turning five during the school year) to fifth grade.
“As we reflect in the 75th year of the school, we’re proud that the school reflects the diversity of the town, that the diversity of the students are a mix of racial ethnicity and economic income levels in the town of Napa,” says Ted, a Napa native. “The pride that the city of Napa has in showing off our community to tourists and visitors is just like the pride we have here in showing off our school to guests who want to tour or see our programing. We’re proud of the community that we’ve created.”
The school celebrated with a Harvest Festival Open House in October this year to show off their recently completed $2 million rehab.
“All of the facility improvements in city schools in California must come
ELEMENTARY
75 Years!
from local dollars,” says Ted, whose wife and her sisters attended Alta Heights. “Because the State of California Public Education doesn’t provide us with adequate funding, we rely on local funding sources. One of the thoughts was that a lot of the public schools in Napa are 50-75 years old. Since Alta Heights already had new roofing, new heating, air conditioning and pathway improvements about three summers ago, we could make Alta Heights a model school.”
“The thought was if we show how these interior classroom building updates could look and the positive impact it could have on our school community, it will give our community a chance to see what funding would go toward. It’s what we’re trying to do with every school in Napa.”
“As part of the upgrades, every classroom received new carpet and the walls were stripped of old cable and coax wires, holes were patched, cleaned and painted.”
“We have new updated modern classroom furniture. It’s mobile to meet the flexible needs of student learning. For instance, in fourth and fifth grade we have desks that can go up or down whether the
by Kathleen Reynolds
student is standing or sitting while learning. They can write on the desk, which has a gloss finish so they can work through math problems on their desks, rather than have a whiteboard with them.”
“All the classes have cordless document cameras that allow the teachers to move with them throughout the classroom to show student work or how to complete an assignment. The teacher desks are mobile as well, so they can move around the room to meet with students. There’s more engagement and mobility that supports the learning environment.”
Old, outdated clocks were replaced.
“Another upgrade is a digital clock and intercom system that, in addition to looking nice, allows for safety. Where it used to be that the whole school would hear an announcement, now we can call directly to a classroom, we’re more targeted. The digital displays allow for the scroll of a safety message if we’re in a safety situation.”
Ted assures parents that students will learn how to tell time on
an analog clock as part of their math curriculum. The children aren’t always confined to the classroom, either.
“We pride ourselves in our natural surroundings and we have a thriving garden program with student participation. We’re in a beautiful, natural setting that we try to get kids out and learning from regularly.”
With the multiple problems plaguing schools across the country, what are the challenges at Alta Heights?
“One of the biggest challenges is trying to make sure that we have the resources to meet the varied learning needs of all our students,” says Ted. “We have students who receive a lot of at-home academic support and come in with high, well-developed academic skill sets. We also have students who come to school needing more scaffolded support and a specific set of resources. Our staff do a wonderful job providing both challenge and support as they help all our student succeed, however, that differentiation of learning is one of the biggest challenges that our teachers and our staff face.”
Ted laughs when asked about his biggest personal challenge.
“I love my job and don’t think of it as a challenge. I would say the challenge always remains to make sure that our teachers and staff have the time and resources to meet those varied learning needs of our students. It’s trying to provide professional development and support for teachers. We’ve noticed a trend since COVID throughout the country that kids are on their devices at home more than they used to be. They need social skill development and more social, emotional support than before. We ask a lot as a community of our teachers, and we want to make sure that they feel supported and have what they require.”
Ted talks about the controversy of allowing students to have phones in the classroom.
“That’s more a problem with secondary, middle and high school. We don’t have the challenge at the elementary level. At least at Alta Heights, we haven’t had any concerns with phones. It’s something that the State of California and our school district are in conversations now about what policies should be in place to limit phone use during the school day.”
Alta Heights has a generational legacy.
“It’s great that we have grandparents here who were Gators (the school mascot) themselves
years ago and they say, “I went here, my kids went here and now my grandkids.” In Napa there’re a lot of historical ties to the Alta Height community. It’s fun to hear those stories when the grandparents come to school.”
“The connections we have with each other is what we feel is most important. I feel Alta Heights is a school that prides itself on having a strong community that includes students, staff, families and extended family members, those who went to the school in the past and still come to the Harvest Festival in October and the May Fiesta. That part of an inclusive community, that diverse representation of our town, is what we pride ourselves in.”
Between babies and grand-babies we’ve had a lot to be thankful for this holiday season, so we want to show our appreciation for our loyal customers by o ering a 15% discount all this month to any job you order with mention of this ad.
* Expires October 31,
City of Napa Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
The City of Napa, in partnership with Napa Valley COAD, Napa RCD, and Napa Firewise is developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A CWPP helps communities better prepare to receive, respond to, and recover from wildfire.
CWPPs:
Create forums for the public to learn about wildfire prevention
Protect at-risk communities and essential infrastructure
Identify projects for wildfire mitigation
Be a part of the solution.
http://www.cityofnapa.org/CWPP
Plan Comunitario de Protección de Incendios Forestales (CWPP) de la Ciudad de Napa
La ciudad de Napa, con Napa Valley COAD, Napa RCD y Napa Firewise, está desarrollando un CWPP. Un CWPP ayuda a las comunidades a prepararse para recibir, responder y recuperarse en tiempos de incendios.
CWPPs:
Crean foros de aprendizaje sobre prevención de incendios
Protegen comunidades vulnerables y infraestructura esencial
Priorizan proyectos de mitigación de incendio
Sea parte de la solución.
Visite la página web para ver los proximos eventos, grabaciones de reuniones previas y oportunidades para compartir su opinión sobre el plan.
http://www.cityofnapa.org/CWPP
ÚNASE
LIVE MUSIC
UKULELE’s have arrived from Bamboo and Twisted Wood! Accessories and Strings from D’addario, Ernie Ball, Elixir, Taylor, Ken Smith and more. Instruments from Lowden, Galloup, Gallagher, Taylor, Breedlove, Ed Sheeran by Lowden, Napa Guitar Company, with more on the way. RADIO BOBCAT appearing Saturday, November 9. Doors @ 6:30pm. See website for details
FEATURED BRANDS:
29-DECEMBER 22
The streets of Victorian England come to life in Lionel Bart’s classic musical “Oliver!” - based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 16, 2025
Andrew and Melissa, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Through schooling, wars, careers, and life changes, they exchange letters and their romantic attachment endures -- physically apart, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be. “Love Letters” is a unique and imaginative theatre experience.
Little Theatre Company That Could”
November
NOVEMBER 1-3
Women in Jeopardy Divorcées Mary and Jo are suspicious of their friend Liz’s new dentist boyfriend. He’s not just a weirdo; he may be a serial killer. After all, his
tradition, music, dance and food; and where the spirit of El Día de los Muertos is driven by cultural awareness, understanding, and acceptance. A community altar will be open to the public in Dwight
To submit your event request, visit napavalleymarketplace.com/submit-an-event
in songwriting designation from the Americana Music Association. uptowntheatrenapa.com
NOVEMBER 8
Joanne Shaw Taylor
the #1 spot on iTunes, topped multiple Billboard charts, made four entries into the Hot 100, and amassed over 2.5 billion global streams. Kearney, a Multi-Platinum songwriter and producer, has
NOVEMBER 22-24
50th Annual Gifts ‘n Tyme Holiday Faire Shop at 82 booths filled with fine crafts, art, gourmet foods to sample, holiday pieces and more. Get your holiday shopping done early, with a personal touch! Free admission and parking at the Napa Valley Expo. Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. Sunday, 10 am to 4pm.
NOVEMBER 23
Super Diamond
San Francisco’s Super Diamond has become one of the most popular live shows at major nightclubs,
theaters, ballrooms and public events throughout the United States. For three decades, the band has performed sell-out shows at venues such as Irving Plaza in New York, 930 Club in Washington D.C., Bimbo’s in San Francisco, and House of Blues venues. Super Diamond delivers a glittering, smoke-filled show performing Neil Diamond‘s hits with a rock edge and unrestrained enthusiasm. Neil Diamond himself has sung his songs on stage with Super Diamond. Pure entertainment – classic music combined with fun, energy, and passion! uptowntheatrenapa.com
NOVEMBER 27
Napa’s Christmas Tree Lighting It’s just not the holidays without the trimmings – 30 feet of them, to be exact. Grab your fam, grab a friend and head bright this way for hot chocolate, cookies, singing and dancing before the tree lighting. Plus, get some face time with the local mayor as he leads the countdown to the big event. All is merry, all is bright – 6 to 8 pm at Veterans Park in Downtown Napa. donapa.com
NOVEMBER 28
Napa Valley Turkey Chase
Welcome to the Turkey Chase, Napa's only Thanksgiving Day 5K/10K! The Napa Valley Turkey Chase is a fun family event. Race, jog or walk this fast, paved course around the Napa Valley College and the Napa River Trail and work up your Thanksgiving appetite! The start and finish line are located in lot J behind the Napa Valley College track. Start times: Kids 100m Turkey Dash at 7:50 am (free), 10K at 8 am, 5K at 8:15 am. athleticfeat.com
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 22
Oliver
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the sneaky Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Lionel Bart's classic musical "Oliver!" is based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike. luckypennynapa.com
ABOUT THE GIVE!GUIDE
Since 2013, the Give!Guide has raised more than $6 Million for 154 Napa County non profits, which includes $1,224,682 in donations collected in 2023.
CANDOGIVEGUIDE.ORG
ABOUT CANDO
CanDo, which created the Give!Guide and was founded in 2009, has grown into a powerful force for good with 850 volunteers giving their time to a wonderful diversity of community-serving projects.
CanDo also connects community members with local nonprofits to volunteer for special projects, often done-in-a-day efforts. NVCANDO.ORG
12TH ANNUAL CANDO NAPA VALLEY GIVE!GUIDE
Launches November 15th
Provides Easy Way to Support Multiple Napa County Nonprofits with One Transaction
CanDo’s Napa Valley Give!Guide, an online portal that offers the opportunity to donate to as many 67 Napa County nonprofits with just one transaction, is set to launch its 12th season this year, running from November 15 - December 31, 2024. The guide, which may be accessed at CanDoGiveGuide. org, features nonprofits that support the environment, education, wellness, seniors, animals and more. The Give!Guide accepts donations by credit card or check starting at $10. All monies raised stay within Napa County.
“The joy of giving is accessible to anyone through the Give!Guide’s online access to 67 Napa County nonprofits that would benefit with donations of $10 or more. Young adults, families, retirees and working professionals may all easily participate,” says Nancy Fireman, Give!Guide executive director.
All nonprofits (NPOs) participating in the Give!Guide are carefully screened by the guide’s
all-volunteer team and must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in good standing for at least two years before being in the guide. Community Action Napa Valley (CANV), Cope Family Center and Napa Humane, participate annually. While others, like Napa Valley COAD, and Sing Napa Valley are new to the Give!Guide this year.
“Every year, the Give!Guide helps 10,000 Degrees expand our reach in the Napa community so we can support more Napa Valley students from low-income backgrounds to and through college. It’s an honor to be included alongside so many fantastic local nonprofits!” says Katrin Ciaffa, regional director, Napa & Sonoma County, 10,000 Degrees.
Cara Mae Wooledge, executive director of the Napa Farmers Market adds, “Beyond raising funds, the Give!Guide helps us raise awareness that Napa Farmers Market provides food assistance support to our neighbors with low income.
Every year we attract new donors who share our belief that local, fresh, nutritious produce is for everyone.”
No Drugs. No surgery. No endless
Call to schedule your free consultation. Mention this ad for only $77 examination. (Normally $275) *Medicare and Medical Exemptions apply. Deadline ends 11/30
{ BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT }
Tonewood Courage
Tonewood & Courage, a destination music shop and performance space, is open at 1300 First Street, #212 in Downtown Napa (next door to Deuces Market and a few doors west of Kitchen Door). Anyone who plays music will understand the “Tonewood” half of the name: a family of woods such as spruce, maple, cedar and others that enhance the acoustic property of the instruments. As for “Courage”? Creative spirits will appreciate that one.
“Anybody, whether a musician or an artist who decides to give up everything else and pursue their art, knows that doing so takes a lot of courage,” said Brian Courtney, a musician himself and the owner of Tonewood & Courage. Courtney walks the talk – when he was twenty, he announced to his parents that he was going to support himself as a musician. A year later, after finishing college, he packed up his belongings and moved from Chicago to L.A. to pursue his dream. He enjoyed a successful career as a bass player that lasted twenty-five years.
“Ironically, I would have been a guitar player and always wanted to be, but my parents bought my first guitar when
&
by Craig Smith
I was eleven. They meant well, but it was a really bad instrument.” How bad? “When my guitar teacher heard it, he said, ‘You’ll never be able to learn anything on that.’ The only way I could get out of it was to switch to playing bass, which, fortunately, I fell in love with.” Courtney cautions well-intended gift buyers from going it alone when buying a guitar. “You should always talk to people who know guitars before buying one. You can buy a good guitar for under a couple hundred dollars, but do yourself a favor and talk to an expert.”
So why open a store? “When my wife and I decided to move to Napa, we wanted to be a deeper part of the community. We love wine and I pursued wine education, but when Napa’s only music store closed, we knew this was it.” Stringed instrumentalists will be able to get everything they need at Tonewood & Courage. “We’ll be Americana guitar focused.” Visitors can expect to find over 100 guitars in inventory, including Martin and Taylor guitars, as well as some higher end brands. ”We’ll also have some fun, one-of-a-kind pieces, such as something from luthier Bryan Galloup. It’s a guitar and chair that
matches Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘The Mission.’ The guitar hangs on the side of the chair and a drawer opens to a decanter. It’s been in a number of museums, but when Galloup heard what we are doing, he said I had to have it.”
Just as important to Courtney is that Tonewood & Courage is a performance spot. Courtney has a degree in recording engineering and said, “The general contractor who built out the store has built a number of recording studios. He really knew what he was doing.” The first artist to perform in the new space was Will Evans out of Rhode Island. “All night, people were telling me that this was the best sounding room in Napa. They also loved the intimacy of being right on the floor with the performer. That’s exactly what I wanted, and my wife told me I had a huge smile on my face all night.” Courtney spent a lot of years playing in Nashville, and going forward will bring in high-end players
who can do master classes, or just play and have fun. He’ll also invite local musicians to perform. “The plan is to do something one night during the week and on Fridays and Saturdays.” The store has a full liquor license and offers San Francisco based Del Popolo pizzas. If this sounds like an emerging plan, it is. “We want to be flexible enough to respond to what the community wants.”
Courtney was a self-proclaimed jazz nerd in high school, playing piano and the upright bass. “Our school had an amazing music program. We actually wore Letterman jackets.” After a few years in L.A., he left for Nashville and became a country musician. “It was kind of funny in our family. I was into jazz but my parents were country music fans. They may have been the only ones in Chicago.” He played constantly, and knew the bass part to hundreds of songs. “I was the guy a band would call when something happened to their bass player. I could walk onstage without rehearsing.” He said his claim to fame was, “Playing with Ken Mellons, and opening for Billy Ray Cyrus.”
Courtney met his wife, Debby, when he was playing at Shoreline. She was in publishing, and helped him migrate to that industry. He originally sold ads for magazines, including Guitar Player, Bass Player and Keyboard Player. He was promoted to publisher, and was the youngest person in their history to perform that roll. He “retired” from that and move into book publishing with Too Far Media, which often took him to England.
He and Debby bought a second home in Napa in 2010, and moved into it in 2022. Their son is a music production major at Belmont College in Nashville, and their daughter is a third -year sociology major at Sussex in Brighton, England. They love Napa, and are here to stay.
Tonewood & Courage will be a magnet for string musicians in Napa, as well as for people who want to enjoy casual, top quality performances. Non-musicians who are interested in what goes on in the world of performance music will have fly-on-the-wall chance to hear stories from people who made a living on stage.
Tonewood & Courage is open seven days a week Whether you are a musician, support a musician or just plain like listening to music, stop in – you won’t be disappointed.
COAT, COSTUME & SHOE DRIVE
Sunday, November 17
10 am–2 pm
Redwood Plaza Shopping Center
3385 Solano Avenue
Donate a costume, gently-used coat (no tears or stains), or shoes and get a free indoor recycling bin or kitchen compost pail.
The City of Napa redistributes costumes at its annual Halloween Costume Exchange. The Salvation Army redistributes coats locally to those in need. USAgain sends recovered shoes to organizations around the world.
Can’t make this event? See how to schedule a Recycle More pick-up of clothing and shoes at naparecycling.com/recycle-more.
Sponsored by:
