Sunday E-dition: looking back at 2023
By Dave Stoneberg
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Good morning. Let’s wrap up 2023 with thoughts from Calistoga Mayor Don Williams, Napa County’s Jameson Humane (an animal welfare organization) and Calistoga’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
As 2024 begins, Williams says he’s grateful Calistoga looks as beautiful as always in winter. This year he’s hoping for these achievements: revitalization of the fairgrounds, more participation in civic affairs and continued appreciation of Calistoga’s small-town tradition.
Addressing the city’s efforts to acquire the fairgrounds property from Napa County, Williams said, “We are close to an agreement with the county supervisors that will start the fairgrounds back on the road to recovery. In fact, we've been close for months. But details which we can't overlook keep intervening. This is a daily topic for me. I'm hoping January will be a milestone month in the history of this special open space.”
In late 2022, city and county officials negotiated a $15.9 million price for the 70.6-acre parcel, pending ratification by Calistoga voters.
Jameson Humane
Jameson Humane, a domestic animal rescue and sanctuary based in Napa, recently released its highlights from the year just past. They include:
125 animals adopted and placed in new homes, including pigs from Maui, with a network of other sanctuaries
50,000 pounds of pet food distributed throughout the Bay Area
Six free wellness clinics and five spay/neuter clinics in December
Vaccinated/microchipped and provided wellness checks to more than 1,500 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs in Solano, Sonoma and Napa counties
Daily care for 80-plus resident animals that include horses, pigs, cows, sheep, pigeons, dogs, cats and chickens at the sanctuary and in foster homes
Care of 35 cats and dogs for senior citizens in Napa County, veterinary care, pet food and supplies, grooming and dog walks
The nationwide hotline received more than 250 calls and emails per month for animal welfare concerns. Additionally, Jameson Humane provided 76 grants for those who qualified for financial assistance. For more information about Jameson Humane and how you can help, visit here.
Christmas Eve donation
Last Sunday, Carolyn Czapelski, senior warden of Calistoga’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, presented a check for $1,567 to Suzan Shaw, representing the Calistoga Cares Food Pantry. The $1,000 is half of what the church collected on Christmas Eve, and the remaining $567 was from the Episcopal Church Women’s bingo proceeds earned during a game in December.
Shaw was thankful for the funds since the food bank provides food for so many families. In March 2020 it was giving food to 600 people every two weeks.
“We had 500 to 600 people for months and months,” Shaw said, “so we were distributing huge amounts of food.”
A year ago, that number had dropped to 225 people, but lately it has been back up to 300.
“People are not working, gas prices are high, prices for groceries are high and we have more demand now than we thought we’d have,” Shaw said.
The food bank operates on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month and is currently based at the Napa County Fairgrounds, although Shaw said that could change since its lease is up at the end of June. If you’d like to help, show up on Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and help pack food until noon. In the afternoon another crew shows up and hands out the food to those who drive through in cars.
Last week
Did you get a chance to read Richard Seiferheld’s piece recapping his yearlong study on who uses the Sulphur Creek bed? Fascinating. Starting in March 2022 he placed five motion-sensing cameras in the creek bed and recorded movements by coyotes, wolves, raccoons, possums, squirrels, skunks, deer, cats, rats and even humans.
Tim Carl predicted food and wine trends that we might see in 2024, including a significant transformation of comfort food, including classic meatloaf dishes or grilled cheese sandwiches and a continuing move toward no- and low-alcohol wines. He also said consumers will seek out local and artisanal wines and support small and passionate producers.
Sasha Paulsen remembers “Senior Corner” columnist Betty Rhodes, who passed away on Jan. 9 at age 96. U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson honored Rhodes for her continuing work advocating for seniors throughout Napa County and Northern California.
Also last week I recounted a story told by Jeff Smith about the founding of Hourglass Winery and the significant role played by David Stevens, whose memorial service was held on Dec. 30.
Next week we’ll have stories from the Master Gardeners, Sasha Paulsen, Tim Carl, me and others. Please join us in exploring Napa County as we tell the stories that matter to all of us.
Dave Stoneberg is an editor and journalist who has worked for newspapers in both Lake and Napa counties.
Thank you for this. I am glad I subscribed. The article about St. Helena wildlife was inspiring and a reminder of the beautiful area we inhabit. Tim Carl’s stories about the Valley’s economy are fascinating, and I love Sasha Paulsen’s stories. Her last one on Betty Rhodes was excellent. Betty was a jewel and helped so many people. We were lucky she stayed around as long as she did.
thank you for the personal stories of Napa County. And ditto to what Cindy said!!!!