Community Interest – August 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “Community Interest” August 2007.

Vine Village
By Kathleen Dreessen

Vine Village is an extraordinary place for people with special needs. Set on a 25-acre ranch in the Carneros District of Napa, Vine Village offers a residential program and an arts day program for developmentally disabled adults. To help raise much-needed funds, Vine Village sells its own label olive oils, vinegars, wine, produce and a cookbook. The major fundraiser of the year is the Vine Village Annual Celebration and Wine Auction. This year’s event will be held on Friday, August 10 at Chardonnay Golf Club.

“The Vine Village Celebration is our major fundraiser for the year and provides critical funding for our programs for people with developmental disabilities,” says Mike Kerson, executive director. “Since 1973 Vine Village, Inc. has provided a world-renowned residential program for people with developmental disabilities as well as the Vine Village Arts day program. We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.”

The non-profit Vine Village ranch is a peaceful spot; birds and butterflies flit from flower to vegetables in the huge organic garden. The quiet is broken by the calls of nesting blue herons high in the eucalyptus trees. The wind rustles the grape leaves in the vineyard.

Cottages that dot the landscape house Vine Village’s 18 residents. Many of the residents work in town, in food and retail settings and sheltered workshops; some prefer to work around the ranch. There is a waiting list for the residential program.

Independence is encouraged and the staff assists when needed.

Each day, the bustling art center sees an average of 20 people, who take VineGo, taxis or are dropped off at the site. Once there, they create paintings, crafts and ceramics under the guidance of professional artists and teachers. The art program, whose participants are sponsored by the North Bay Regional Center, is open those with developmental disabilities on a space-available basis. Prior arrangements are necessary.

Kerson’s adjacent property has horses, burros and a donkey. The Vine Village residents often get to interact with these animals and also care for two llamas, several goats and chickens.

Residents of the program are active participants in the area’s Special Olympics, and have taken home medals in swimming, basketball, gymnastics and bocce ball.

Vine Village relies on contributions and monthly fees. “The truth is that the residential program doesn’t pay for itself,” says Kerson, adding that most of the people living at the Village wouldn’t be able to pay for the actual costs of their housing and care.

The Vine Village Annual Celebration will feature lunch and a golf tournament, dinner with live and silent auction and sale of original artwork created by Vine Village participants. The event is actively seeking sponsors, donations, volunteers and attendees. For information, call (707) 255-4006 or check the web site: www.vinevillage.org

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Finding Napa – July 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “Finding Napa or Napa Finding Me” July 2007.

Finding Napa or Napa Finding Me – Joan Lockhart
By JoAnn Busenbark

How does a North Dakota farm girl end up in Napa, California?

When we start out on life’s journey, we are never sure where we will end up. Our families hope that we will never move to far away. That often happened before transportation was as developed as it is it is today. In the modern world, when you can fly from the west coast to the east coast in four or five hours, families are scattered. World communications via email or telephone make it possible to keep in daily touch with family.

Here’s my story of Joan Lockhart’s journey.

Joan was born and grew up in North Dakota, where she graduated with a degree in speech therapy from University of North Dakota and did graduate work in Visual Impairment Education. She taught at public and private schools in North Dakota. When she met her husband Bob and married in North Dakota, she was happy to be near family and friends. Joan was a teacher of disabled children and was teaching at the North Dakota State School for the Blind.

Bob, being a young man motivated to do well for his family, headed into a business venture that led them to Great Falls, Montana. Great Falls is farm country, cold and snowy in the winter, and not near family. Joan and Bob owned and operated two radio stations in Great Falls and it was there that their two children, Katie and Robb, were born. While Joan focused on raising their children, Bob ran the radio stations.

Katie was born with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy and autism. Joan’s background with children with special needs gave her and Bob the knowledge and understanding they needed to get Katie into a school setting at a young age. In Great Falls, they started Katie in school at the age of 2. Sadly for Joan, the classroom was outside of town in a segregated, all-handicapped setting.

Joan knew that the law said Katie could be integrated into a preschool setting. She fought hard for that to happen. Joan now was on the other side of the table, advocating for the rights of the student. Her tenacity and her concern for her daughter’s development drove her to become more knowledgeable of the Family Support Systems that were emerging all over the United States.

That’s when she began her career as an advocate and manager of a Great Falls program she helped start, PLUK-Parents Let’s Unite for Kids. With the recently passed Early Intervention Federal law, Joan knew the importance of early intervention and training for her daughter, with parental support and education key to understanding the laws that provided help.

When Katie was eight years old, Bob decided to make a career change. He sold the radio stations and dove into financial planning. The family relocated to California to accommodate Bob’s new employer.

As they researched their choices, it was clear that Joan was still a farm girl. You know the saying, you can take the girl off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the girl.

She told Bob if they moved to California, then it had to be northern California-in as rural a setting as possible. When they visited possible communities, they always visited the Special Education Department to find a school system that had an integrated program for disabled children into the mainstream of general education.

After visiting the Napa school system, Joan and Bob decided this was the right place to raise their family and start their new life. As parents and advocates, Joan and Bob were very active in the educational process for their daughter. They were determined Katie would have the best public education available under the Federal and State laws.

As Katie progressed thru her school years, the system became less friendly and the battle stronger. In the middle and high school levels there is much less integration. The system said that severely disabled individuals need intense training and gain more by being in a setting with their peers. Joan adheres to the philosophy that we tend to model the behavior and efforts of those with whom we spend time. In her fight for more inclusion and independence for her daughter, Joan became more involved in advocacy groups. She joined forces on the state and national levels as well as continuing her local activities.

Joan is currently the executive director of ParentsCAN, which stands for Parent-Child Advocacy Network. Its mission is “To empower families of children with disabilities to become successful advocates for their unique needs.”

Currently, son Robb has returned to Napa County to work in the wine industry. Katie is now 26 and lives independently with support services provided by the Department of Developmental Services. Katie, though nonverbal, expresses herself through a picture communication device. She has grown tremendously, and is now a beautiful young woman and a budding watercolor artist. Her art has been shown at a local winery and she has sold a number of paintings through local shops and the Brown Street Gallery.

Did Joan and Bob make the right decision in moving to Napa? Yes they did. Their children, now grown, are their proudest accomplishments. Both are wonderful human beings who have found their place in life and both are currently in the Napa Valley. Thanks to the Lockhart family for coming to Napa and adding character to our community.

For more information about the ParentsCAN organization, contact the agency at 253-2244, or visit their web site at www.parentsCAN.org

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Business Review – July 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine Business Review July 2007.

Abbey Carpets Unlimited
By Julie Gordon

Are you in the market for some new carpet? Do you want to replace your carpeting with hardwood floors? Abbey Carpets Unlimited can help. The full-service flooring store, at 1145 Jordan Lane in Napa, sells and installs carpet and hardwood floors and also laminates, tile and stone, says owner Janice Clifton.

Some people who come into Abbey Carpets are remodeling their home. Others need to replace their carpet because the family dog or a flood has damaged it. The store also attracts people who are selling their homes and want to install new carpet so their homes will sell more easily.

There are several different styles of carpet from which to choose, including textured, Berber and plush, says Clifton, noting that textured is her most popular seller. In terms of fiber, nylon carpet sells the best. “We sell mostly nylon carpet because we believe it in general has the best performance for the most value.”

Wool carpet also is a good option, and the store has an extensive collection of wool carpet as well. “Since nylon prices have increased tremendously in the last few years, wool carpet has become a better value,” Clifton explains. “It’s also the best carpet for customers who want an environmentally-friendly carpet in their home.”

Abbey Carpets gets most of its inventory from Georgia and some from Los Angeles. It takes an average of two weeks from when customers order the carpet until it’s installed. Some in-stock carpets can be installed in less time.

Clifton estimates that about half her business comes from carpet sales and the other half comes from “hard surface” sales. Hardwood and tile make up the biggest portion of the “hard surface” sales. “Hardwood has been a consistently strong product in our market and ceramic tile and natural stone continue to grow,” says Clifton.

Laminate floors also have become more popular over the past few years. “The look and feel of these laminates has greatly improved,” she says. “Many of these laminates have the look of exotic wood including the beveled edge but are more durable than wood for an active family.”

Abbey Carpets shares the purchasing power of more than 700 stores, which enables Clifton to sell her products at reduced prices. The store has 18,000 square feet of space, of which about 10,000 is devoted to showing product. “We have one of the larger stores in the area and are able to show large samples of our carpet and still have a large selection of tile, hardwood and laminate,” says Clifton. “Our tile showroom alone is almost 2,500 square feet.”

The company has 23 employees as well as a group of installers. “I am blessed to have an excellent sales staff and group of installers that try very hard to make the entire experience from choice to installation a pleasant one,” Clifton says. Saleseople don’t work on a commission basis, which provides customers with a relaxing, pressure-free environment.

Clifton, who is on-hand almost daily to give personal assistance to customers, runs the business with her husband Jon. She works on the sales floor, helps with office duties and supports her employees while Jon, who is a technical and mechanical person, keeps all of the computers, printers, vehicles and equipment working.

“It’s a family-owned business and I like that,” says Maureen Paladini, who has been an Abbey Carpets customer for more than 20 years. “I like the idea of the owners being on-site. The staff has been there a long time. They’re extremely knowledgeable about their products. I like the fact that they have upscale products. You don’t have to go outside Napa. Their prices are competitive. The showroom is well set up. You can see all of the goods they have. It’s well displayed. If you’re budget conscious, they can serve that need. I’ve never been unhappy. There’s always someone there who can help you. They’re helpful, but not pushy.”

Two generations of Drew Coburn’s family have worked with Abbey Carpets. “Everyone is polite, professional, well-mannered,” she says. “There’s not a lot of competition (because staff work on a non-commission basis). Everyone has a positive outlook. They know their business. They know their products. Every one of those people is wonderful.”

Joan Pieper turns to Abbey Carpets when she has flooring needs for rental properties she owns in the area as well as her own home. “They live by The Golden Rule, do unto others as you would have done to you,” she says. “They have longevity in their staff. They have excellent installers. They stand behind their products. They are courteous, and above all they are honest. They’re just nice people. I’ve recommended them to everyone I know.”

Clifton points out Abbey Carpets is very involved in the local community. The store donates to nonprofits such as The Boys & Girls Club and Aldea. “The Boys & Girls Club and Aldea are great resources for the youth of our community and we try to give them a great deal of support,” she says. Abbey Carpets also gives area rugs to schools and nonprofits for auctions. “Last year, we gave over 30 rugs to local nonprofits to use in their actions.”

Abbey Carpets actually started out Carpets Remnants Unlimited. Clifton and her dad, John, purchased the business in 1985 from previous owner Pat Sibbett. It worked out perfectly, since Clifton, who has an accounting background, had been the store’s accountant. “My experience as an accountant has been an invaluable help in managing this business,” she says.

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

In Our Own Backyard – July 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “In Our Own Backyard” July 2007.

In Our Own Backyard – Yountville
By Kathleen Dreessen

In Our Own Backyard is a series of articles about destinations around the valley. Napa county residents enjoy fabulous weather, picturesque vista and abundant natural resources-so, when was the last time you got out and became a tourist in your own backyard?

With more than a dozen restaurants, Yountville is a mecca for foodies. It’s a great walking town, so why not stroll down Washington Street? Or better yet, take a bike ride.

We start our day in Yountville at the south end of town at Napa Valley Bike Tours (6488 Washington Street). This place has everything for a biking excursion, including road, road-hybrid, comfort, or full-suspension mountain bikes, tandems and recumbents. Prices start from $30 a day for a road hybrid. They also have children’s bikes and child trailers. The nice folks will set you up with cycling routes, a helmet, lock, handlebar bag, a repair kit and water bottle cage. If there’s a mechanical problem or a flat, they offer free roadside assistance. They’ll even come pick you up if you get too ambitious, although there’s a fee for that.

If you want to splurge for the day, but still feel like you’re getting exercise, we recommend their Ride, Wine and Dine Tour. It’s a self-paced, guided tour, with full van support, to four valley wineries. The ride in between the stops is about four level miles. Midday, you’ll stop for a gourmet lunch. The guides will work with you if you tell them in advance what types of wineries you like to visit. The price is $125 per person, not including tasting fees, but worth it for a unique view of the valley that engages all your senses. (www.napavalleybiketours.com)

If that’s too much exertion for you, how about going on an art gallery tour?

The fine former home to Gottlieb Groezinger’s winery, Vintage 1870, has 16 shops and four art galleries with fine art, photography and sculpture.

Across Washington Street from Vintage 1870 in Beard Plaza are galleries and shops worth a peek. The most unique is RASGalleries. Owner Ronda Schaer started the gallery 17 years ago and it is still the only exclusively American Art Glass gallery in Napa County. The pieces in her shop range from large, seemingly fluid sculptures to dainty glass candies you’d swear you could eat.

Amble north to the Volakis Gallery, at 6730 Washington, which features new and established artists in photography, painting, sculpture, mixed media and installation work, with an emphasis on physical craftsmanship and novelty. The owner Emanuel Dimitri Volakis creates exhibitions of the finest quality masters and contemporary artists within the architectural space of the gallery. The current group show, “Echoes of Surrealism,” runs through July 31.

Housed in the same Old World style building as the gallery is Jessup Cellars Tasting Room and Retail. Their friendly staff will pour from a selection of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Port. Tell them you’re a local and the $10 tasting fee will often be waived, and you’ll definitely receive a 10% discount off your purchase through the Napa Valley Vintners Napa Neighbor Program.

When you’re ready to eat, it’s hard to go wrong. Enjoy the warm ambiance of Hurleys, the country French charm of Bistro Jeanty or the sleek sophistication of Redd. Enjoy the he popular Mexican cuisine of Compadres before their move to Napa in the autumn. These and the other Yountville restaurants offer great food and wine at a range of price points.

The town of Yountville (population 3,264) boasts three parks. At the south end of town, you can practice your bocce game at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The opposite end of town has Yountville Park, which has shaded picnic grounds and a huge play structure.

Across the street from Yountville Park is Pioneer Cemetery, the final resting place of George Yount, the first Anglo settler in the valley and founder of Yountville.

As the day winds down, head west on California Drive toward the Veterans Home and turn right at the top for the Napa Valley Museum. The museum has two permanent exhibits, “Land and People of Napa Valley” and “California Wine: The Science of an Art” and revolving art shows. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Admission is $4.50 for adults, $3.50 students and seniors, $2.50 ages 7-17 and under age 7 is free. Check napavalleymuseum.org for the current art show.

The venerable California Veterans Home has lovely vistas, a museum and chapel. The public is welcome to walk the grounds and most of the vets like talking to visitors.

At the end of your day, stop in and enjoy the beautiful gardens and sparkling wine at Domain Chandon. The etoile lounge is open from 6 p.m. until closing.

There you have it-shopping, food, recreation and fun in Yountville. And it’s all in our own backyard.

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Restaurant Review – July 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine Restaurant Review July 2007

Pizza Azzurro
By “The Elusive Epicurean”

I am about to confess something shocking and terrible. You will probably never think of me in the same way again. I will forever be suspect in your mind. And while you may never be able to come to terms with what I am about to tell you, please remember that I have begun our relationship with honesty and truth. I have never lied to you, but have boldly told you my deepest, darkest culinary secret: I do not like pizza.

Mind you, I don’t hate pizza. Most people I know love it. I’ll eat it if that’s what’s on offer, but the words “sausage and pepperoni” don’t make my heart flutter. As a child, I was notorious for eating only the naked crust after scraping off all the toppings. While I’m no longer so antagonistic towards my pizza, I can’t say that our relationship has taken a dramatic turn. I simply don’t ever crave pizza. I do, however, crave Pizza Azzurro. Painfully often.

Since my need must be sated frequently, it is fortunate that Pizza Azzurro is as kind on my budget as it is on my tongue, so I have yet to suffer any withdrawal pains. (It’s also on my way home from work. Ahhh, the temptation.)

I love everything here, and yes, that includes the pizza. There’s the Verde, with Spinach, Garlic, Chilies and Ricotta ($11.50). The Melanzane is topped with nicely roasted Eggplant, Peppers, Tomato Sauce, Oregano and Parmesan ($11.50). If sausage is an absolute must for you, there’s the Salsiccia, topped with Fennel Sausage, Red Onion, Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella ($12.95).

Deserving a special commendation is the deliciously rich Bianco, with Sweet Onions, Gorgonzola, and Rosemary ($11.50). You won’t need dessert. I suggest splitting it with a friend and pairing it with a salad, such as the Arugula & Endive with Creamy Lemon Dressing, Parmesan and Toasted Pine Nuts ($8.95).

Embrace these made-to-order pizzas with thin crusts and flavorful, fresh toppings. Get yourself a beer or a glass of wine, and dig in. You’ll be happy.

There are plenty of options for the pizza-phobic among you, too. I highly recommend the “Little Ear” Pasta, with Spinach, Garlic and Calabrian Chilies ($10.50). Or choose from the excellent selection of salads. With the heat of summer upon us, nothing sounds better than the salad of Romaine, Albacore Tuna, Marinated Chickpeas, and Cucumbers with Citrus Dressing ($9.95).

My personal lunch favorite is the Caesar Manciata ($10.50), which, in lieu of croutons, is served on top of a thin, just-baked flatbread slathered with olive oil, parmesan and garlic, and which the menu exhorts you to “fold and eat like a sandwich!” Or, like me, you can cheat and use a fork. The Manciata is also available as a Spinach Salad with Roasted Peppers, Mozzarella and Citrus Dressing ($10.50). One day perhaps I’ll be seduced away from the Caesar. Perhaps.

At the bottom of Pizza Azzurro’s menu, in small but bold type, are written three wise words: Eat More Pie. You really should. If, like me, you’re feeling hungry just about now, head on down to Pizza Azzurro. Or, if you just can’t bear to miss your favorite summer reality show, don’t settle for a TV dinner – order take out!

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Community Interest – June 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “Community Interest” June 2007.

Small Pleasures:
“A great bunch of ladies”

Sometimes in life, we forget to admire the small things - a fragrant flower, glossy leaf or soft petal. Those who live in retirement homes or who are hospice clients may appreciate those small pleasures more than the rest of us.

It was that simple, small idea that sparked a splendid group of volunteers.

“In 2000, we started making arrangements from donated flowers that had reached their expiration date and taking them to nursing homes,” say Francoise Bowlby, the unofficial head of Small Pleasures.

The group is comprised of 15 women volunteers. About half of them meet on Tuesday mornings and the other half on Thursdays at Bowlby’s home. Volunteers pick up the donated flowers from two Albertsons supermarkets and Trader Joe’s. They usually arrange flowers from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Within a few minutes, spectacular arrangements take form. Colorful blossoms spill out of baskets and pots. The women’s hands fly as they lop off stems and discard faded blooms. Most of these arrangements are destined for lobbies and public spaces in nursing and rest homes. Some flowers are donated to the Senior Center.
How do they turn out such professional arrangements every week?

“At first, I gave the ladies a class,” says Napa native Carol Eichler, a retired professional florist who was in the business for almost 30 years. “But we’ve been doing it a long time now and the ladies are really good. Some of them are better than me.”

The others murmur their disagreement at her modesty.

Eichler works on a rose arrangement. Pastel roses rise in a dome, surrounded by white Baby’s Breath. The ladies agreed that roses make a big impact, but are usually the first flower to fade.

As each week’s delivery is made, the spent arrangement is retrieved, the wilted flowers tossed and the basket recycled into the next fabulous arrangement.

Volunteer Carol Berghout knows firsthand how the flowers are received.

“My mother is a resident at the Meadows,” says Berghout. “I often drop off the arrangements there and the residents call me the ‘Flower Lady.’ They’ll ask my mother when’s the next time I’m stopping by.”

Napa Nursing Center is another recipient of Small Pleasures’ arrangements.

“The residents love the arrangements and bright colors,” says Keisha Thompson, front office receptionist. “They’re so cheerful, even for family members. I’d like to say thank you to the Small Pleasures volunteers. These flowers brighten the days of our residents, their families and the staff. We really look forward to them.”

Bowlby gives a short history of Small Pleasures.
“The lady who started it came up with the group’s name,” says Bowlby, who has lived in Napa for 30 years. “Margaret Neimann was a nurse at Kaiser who had a double hip replacement. While she was recuperating, she was shopping at Albertsons and saw they were going to discard the expired flowers. She came up with the idea and she and her mother were given two huge shopping carts full of flowers.”

Bowlby says the group has received monetary donations from groups such as the Kiwanis and from some of the retirement homes. Although they’re careful with the baskets and containers, they can always use new ones to replace the ones that wear out. And, more volunteers would also be welcomed.

“You meet so many nice people. If you love flowers or gardening, it’s wonderful. I find arranging the flowers is relaxing and therapeutic.”

Volunteer Sue Eib calls it “laughter therapy” and refers to the group as “a great bunch of ladies.”

The group works whether it’s hot, rainy or cold. On pleasant days, they arrange flowers under an awning in Bowlby’s backyard, watched over by gentle mascot Dee Dee, a shepherd/coyote mix. The only part the volunteers don’t enjoy is the cleanup at the end, otherwise there’s lots of good banter and comradeship.

Eichler encourages anyone to volunteer. “You’d be surprised at what you can do. It’s creative and a lot of the ladies are very good at it. This is a great group of volunteers.”

Happy volunteers plus a simple idea makes Small Pleasures a large pleasure for those in need of a little cheer.

To make donations or to volunteer, contact Francoise Bowlby at (707) 254-7629.

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Community Interest – May 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “Community Interest” May 2007.

Kwang Ro Yoon
By Kathleen Dreessen

The smile on Kwang Ro Yoon’s face stretched from ear to ear. “I’m an American citizen!” he said, as proud as a new father.

Yoon came to the Bay Area from Seoul, Korea with his wife, Sun, and his then two-year-old daughter Diane, in 1981. Yoon had a sister in Fremont (and one in San Diego) and moved there. He got a job as a product inspector for Televideo in San Jose, which was owned by a Korean, and worked there for four years. It was a good living, but he wanted more, and started looking for a business he could own. A Korean language newspaper had a listing for Shelton Cleaners at 1417 Second Street (between School and Franklin). Another Korean was selling the business, and in 1990, Yoon became the new owner. He and his family, which now included a second daughter, Julia, moved to Napa and became the fourth Korean family at that time to live here.

Asked why he came to America in the first place, Yoon was quick to answer. “Better opportunity for my family, and a better education for my daughters.” Yoon had a good job in sales in Korea, his mother (who passed away in 2005) and brother were living there, but he said the future was too uncertain. So, with no English at the time, he moved to this country.

The first six months that Yoon owned Shelton were tough. Many customers left, unwilling to adjust to change, and Yoon wondered if he had made the right move. Sun worked at the cleaners and a graveyard shift at Napa State Hospital to make ends meet. After six months, customers began to return, and business picked up. Yoon has an easygoing manner and is quick with a smile. His work is very good, and customers like doing business with him. His reputation is good, and business is good enough that two years ago he was able to also purchase Park Place Cleaners in American Canyon.

Yoon’s daughters have lived up to their father’s hopes as well. Diane graduated from USC with a psychology degree, and now works there in the Student Research Education Department. Julia graduated from Berkeley with a degree in history, and is a middle-school teacher in Alameda.

Yoon enjoys many things typical Americans enjoy (he is a huge baseball fan, for example) but, as he and his wife discussed, something was missing. That something was citizenship.

Yoon said 9/11 had a lot to do with his decision to pursue citizenship. After that, he and Sun both noticed that people were less comfortable with minorities. His life and family are here, and this is his home. Julia is a born citizen, and the rest of the family decided it was time to begin the process to become citizens as well. Diane became a citizen two years ago, and last October, Yoon and his wife began to study for the citizenship test.

Applicants are asked ten questions, that include everything from demonstrating an understanding of the constitution, knowing who the elected leaders are at the State and Federal level, as well as knowing the national anthem and colors of the flag. A nervous Yoon took the test in January, and answered all ten questions correctly. Sun did just as well, and the two became sworn US citizens on February 5 of this year. It is a date Yoon and his family will honor every year.

For Americans born into citizenship, who don’t know any life other than this, it is easy to take all that this country has to offer for granted. For Kwang and Sun Yoon, who chose to sacrifice the life they had in their old country for the hope of a better one here, every day is a reminder of how good it is. No wonder they are proud to be US citizens.

Shelton – 1417 Second Street, Napa
226-6657

http://www.napavalleymarketplace.com

Community Interest – May 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine “Community Interest” May 2007.

Golf Course Dog – Better than the “Life of Riley,” this is the “Life of Casey”
By Kathleen Dreessen

Casey is a working Border Collie. She rolls into her job by about six in the morning and often stays for 10 or 12 hours. Casey is the official “Goose Chaser Eradicator” for the Vintners Golf Club in Yountville.

“She loves her work and she’s good at it,” says John Krueger, Casey’s handler and the golf course superintendent. “We used to have 250 Canada geese on the course and since we’ve had Casey, we’re down to 60 resident geese.”

Geese are nice looking, but noisy, and they leave unsightly, unsanitary droppings. Using Border Collies at golf courses, parks and other green spaces to encourage geese to vacate has become increasingly popular across the United States. The dogs never touch or harm the geese; they just chase them away. The geese get fed up being harassed and relocate to a less disruptive environment.

According to the Geese Police Academy in North Carolina, where Casey was trained, border collies are superior to other herding or hunting dogs for the removal of Canada geese. Border collies use their wolf-like glance (called “eye”) to mesmerize and unnerve the geese into flight. Geese think the Border Collie is a predator and that it is unsafe for them to remain in the area.
The Border Collie’s intelligence, along with its willingness to please, makes it an excellent working partner.

Krueger has worked with Casey for seven and a half years.

“I take her with me everywhere,” says Krueger, who got the idea for a goose-chasing dog when he saw a television program about one in the Lake Tahoe area. “The course owner at the time, Peter Reynolds, went back to North Carolina to look at dogs at the Geese Police. I wanted a female, which, in my opinion are better dogs. He got a deal on her for $5700, a discount, because they thought she was untrainable.”

Casey and Krueger proved them wrong.

“Her older brother, Dirk, works at the Silverado Country Club and her younger brother, Kirby, works at the Napa Golf Course. If you ask me, Casey is the smartest of them all.”

Casey weighs in at a trim 47 pounds and Krueger calls her a “character.”

“She talks back to me and seems to tell me what she wants. She barks hello to the crew, who think she’s telling them what to do. When she’s thirsty, she turns on the water spigot to fill her water bowl. She rides with me on the ATV (all terrain vehicle) and she’s got close to 1000 miles saddle time. Casey doesn’t bother the swan on the course, sometimes they play a little, with the swan making sounds and Casey barking back at her.”

Casey is not on a lead and Krueger doesn’t have to watch over her all day. If a flock of geese try to escape her watch by landing in the course pond, Casey plunges in after them.

“She knows her job and I don’t have to worry about her. In the spring nesting period, we’re not allowed to disturb the geese on their nests until the hatched goslings are flying. She knows when not to chase them. When I want her, I back up my golf cart. She knows the sound of my cart beeping in reverse and will come from wherever she is on the course.”

Watching Casey work is impressive. When she spots a flock of geese, her head drops and she slinks toward them, giving them the “eye.” Usually that’s all it takes. With much honking and flapping, the birds take to the sky.

If there are golfers between her and the geese, Casey waits patiently and quietly until the golfers have taken their swings and moved on. Then she goes to work.

The Border Collie originated in the Border Country between Scotland and England. It is a very old breed, with references in literature going back to at least 1570. The breed has been known as the Working Collie, Old-Fashioned Collie, Farm Collie, and English Collie. In December of 1994, the AKC (American Kennel Club) voted officially to recognize the Border Collie after decades of its being in the Miscellaneous group.

At eight and a half years of age, Casey still has a lot of working days ahead of her, but her hips have started acting up. Krueger gives her a joint supplement and, except for a tiny hitch in her gait, you’d never guess she wasn’t 100 percent.

“Casey will keep going until she drops,” says Krueger. “I plan to get another Border Collie puppy in about a year. We’ll go puppy shopping and see who Casey picks to work with her.”

Will he train the puppy himself or will he send the dog to the Geese Police Academy?

“Oh, no,” says Krueger confidently. “Casey will train her.”

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Restaurant Review – June 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine Restaurant Review June 2007

The Lobster Shack
By “The Elusive Epicurean”

I have a friend, an otherwise strict vegetarian, who occasionally becomes so overcome with desire for a taste of lobster from her native New England that she’ll sacrifice a week’s grocery budget to have some overnighted to her in a discrete, unmarked box. So if you go to Napa’s new addition, the Lobster Shack, and spot a young lady in overgrown sunglasses, floppy hat and upturned collar, no, it’s not that teen movie queen. It’s just my incognito vegan trying to get her lobster fix.

Having grown up on the crab from this here coast, I’ve never understood this passion for its crustacean cousin. A visit to the Lobster Shack was clearly in order. As shacks go, this one’s not half bad. Brightly painted walls, one decorated with fishing buoys and the others only with the odd New England map or two, say you’re here to eat fish. More emphatically, get your eyes back on your plate, because you’re here to eat.

And eat, you must. When the Captain’s Platter (fried fish, shrimp and clams for $23.75) arrived at a neighboring table, we thought, “Yum!” Then the rest of their order arrived, and our stomachs knew fear. Three words for you: generous portion size. If your mother always made you clean your plate, then you’d best bring a Tums, or fast for a day in advance.

Before you get to fill your belly, though, you must navigate the menu—the very large menu. Everything looks good, so prepare yourself for some hard choices. Oh, and be forewarned: at the Lobster Shack, service is deli style. You order your food and pay up before you’re seated. The downside is no drinking while thinking. (The skinny is the owners might be prevailed upon to switch to table service. Let’s hope they do. Then I can drink more beer.)

After camping in the foyer for a good twenty minutes, we finally calculated which combination of foodstuffs would give us the clearest insight into the Lobster Shack’s culinary world. We started with the Nor’easter Salad, composed of mixed greens, candied pecans, apples, Gorgonzola and balsamic vinaigrette ($8.75 for a full order, $5.75 for half). Then there was the Shack Louie, a refreshing salad topped with lobster, crab, shrimp, sliced hardboiled egg, tomatoes and avocado ($17.75 for a full order, $13.75 for half). A half order is a very generous starter, or a complete meal for the faint of appetite. Next time I’ll order up a full salad, since I already crave it again and have anointed it my new favorite meal circa summer 2007.

Now, on to the main course. We had the Pan Seared Maple Glazed Scallops ($15.75), a dish which, combining two of my loves, scallops and maple, could only be good. After that, we decided to focus on lobster. We went for the Double Play, and chose two rolls: the Maine Lobster Roll and the Naked Lobster Roll ($17.75 for one roll, $32 for two). The result of this taste test was that we both preferred the Maine Lobster Roll, where the lobster is dressed with a light dash of mayo, green onions, salt and pepper. I’m told devotees of the Naked Lobster Roll, with drawn butter and mayo served on the side, would quarrel with me. If you wish to conduct your own taste test, bring a few more friends and order rolls with crab or fried clams, too.

Amazingly, on this visit we avoided all things fried. I have a clear agenda for my next visit: Beer Battered Fish and Chips ($10.75), or perhaps the Beer Battered Salmon and Chips ($12.75). I’ve never done fried salmon.

The final verdict? My dining companion returned the very next day. (I had to fly to Phoenix.)

The Lobster Shack is located in the former home of the old Depot Restaurant at 806 4th Street. The Lobster Shack is open Tue-Fri 11:30–2:30 for lunch and 5:30-8:30 for dinner, and all day from 11:30 AM on Saturday and 12 PM on Sunday. Closed Monday. For more information, call (707) 258-8200.

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History Article – June 2007

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine History Article June 2007.

Following the Trail
By Lauren Coodley

O bees, sweet bees! I said: that nearest field
Is shining white with fragrant immortelles.
Fly swiftly there and drain those honey wells.
—Helen Hunt Jackson, “My Bees”

In a recent article, I described my curiosity about Wash Mannering. Little did I know that when I knocked on a beekeeper’s door on Spencer Street, I would find an old friend of his! Rena Johnson (whose current husband, Swede Johnson, raises bees and sells honey out of their home) knew Wash Mannering because her first husband, Winston Tennant, was Wash’s friend from Napa High School. Rena describes how Marian Mannering ran the grocery store at Seymour and Oak Streets, “It was a two- story house, and they lived on the top floor. Wash worked cutting shirts at Cameron Shirt Company, great big stacks of them, while his wife ran the store. She helped lots of people during the Depression, letting them pay on credit—how they did it, I don’t know.”

Ken Munk, nephew of Wash Mannering, sent a favorite photograph and wrote:

“The photo shows both of them standing out front of ‘the store,’ when I was the stock boy stocking shelves. I always liked to hear Uncle Wash call me to me from behind the butcher counter with a hearty, ‘Hey K Munk’ whenever I would show up. The old-timers who may have worked at Cameron Shirt Factory came to ‘the store’ for homemade sandwiches made by Aunt Marian and her sisters in the kitchen behind the store.”

The Cameron Shirt Company, which opened in 1901, was the first union shop in town, turning out one hundred dozen work shirts a day. WH Cameron, a salesman for Levi Strauss in San Francisco, founded the company and brought a young cutter named Bert Gans to act as superintendent in l90l. Rita Bordwell, former secretary to the Napa Central Labor Council, wrote, “I don’t believe there ever was any superintendent that was as popular as Bert Gans. San Francisco requested his help to affiliate with the Shirtmakers Union. All joined, at the request of Messrs. Cameron and Gans.”

Swede Johnson came to California from Missouri in July l938 to work in the quicksilver mines in Lake County. After the country entered World War II, Basalt Rock Company (which had already built its first barge for the Navy in July l940) built a complete shipyard on its property. Lorraine Kongsgaard, daughter of Basalt owner Al Streblow, told an interviewer, “People used to say, why did you build this shipyard in a hayfield? He’d say, ‘Because it’s home.’”

Basalt hired Swede Johnson as a boiler-maker. “I had never seen a ship, except in pictures,” says Swede.

He eventually became a foreman. “The union made the blue collar people powerful. I don’t think we’d have a pension plan without one.”

Swede was originally married to Lillian Johnson. He and his wife would square dance with Winston and Rena Tenant at the Grange Hall on Hagen Road. After both lost their first spouses, Pastor John Fernandes married Swede and Rena in her son’s walnut orchards on Second Avenue. Rena and Swede celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on May 5.

For forty years Swede has raised bees and made honey and hasn’t needed allergy treatment since the Sixties. Originally, Swede’s hives were at Spencer and E Streets, where he lived for thirty years and kept up to twelve hives. Now he has five hives, which produced 48 quarts of honey last year.

Meanwhile, Rena lived on Hermosa Drive for 5l years, where she had l/3 acre of fruit trees and “canned everything I could get my hands on.” She bought nothing. “I made it all,” she says and her cinnamon rolls were particularly valued.
Rena had a pet squirrel monkey named Shorty. “Salvador School children would come over on field trips to watch him ride on top of our dog’s back.”

Swede and Rena describe with nostalgia a “little town” that ended at Jefferson and Trancas, at the airport. There were no hotels and “I used to go downtown and know everybody,” says Rena wistfully. They describe the disappearance of the dairies, and of the Chinese markets that once operated, one at the present site of Albertson’s on California Street and another at the Learning Faire site on Main Street.

Rena has been a member of a women’s group for 67 years. The group originally met at First Baptist Church during the War, “when we all were pregnant—Marian Mannering already had her twin girls.” The group called itself “The Club.” During the War, the women rolled bandages at the Hospitality House on Main Street; during the Fifties, they met at 8pm, after the kids were in bed, and “our husbands babysat.” Fifty years later, “we still meet twice a month at Sizzler.”

As I commented in my article on Community Projects Inc., for many decades, when hearing that I taught women’s history, people responded with confusion and misunderstanding. Women’s history encompasses not only the story of renowned national figures, but also the untold quiet heroism of the citizens of our own towns. Likewise, the devotion to work and family lived by men like Wash Mannering and Swede Johnson has not been noted by official histories. It is my interest and respect for Wash Mannering, fabric cutter and storekeeper, and for Swede Johnson, boiler-maker and bee-keeper, which make “doing local history” so endlessly fascinating.

Bordwell, Rita. “Napa County Labor Movement was Born of Depression,” Napa Register, March 30, l963.

Coodley, Lauren, “Fancy Fair and Community Projects: Women’s History in our Town,” Napa Valley Marketplace, June 2006. http://nvmarketplace.wordpress.com

Courtney, Kevin. “Napa Steelworkers tell their Stories,” and “Napa Pipe plant loads its final rail car,” Napa Register, September 30, 2005.

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