The year ahead
Happy new year! May your 2024 be filled with good health, joy and tranquility.
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — In just over six months, Napa Valley Features has evolved from a mere concept to a burgeoning community hub, boasting nearly 2,700 subscribers and more than 30 contributors. Our mission was clear: to create a hyper-local platform delivering essential news and insights relevant to residents and those intrigued by the region’s economic, cultural and societal dynamics. Our aim was to counter the decline of local journalism, often supplanted by decentralized, AI-driven content and ad-centric models that overlook community needs. Instead, we chose a path less traveled: an ad-free, subscriber-supported model dedicated to presenting a balanced narrative that doesn't shy away from the multifaceted realities of our dynamic community.
However, Napa Valley Features has grown into something greater. Our adopted model isn't just sustainable; it's adaptable, offering rapid reporting and embracing a diverse spectrum of community voices. While maintaining a commitment to professional, insightful storytelling and visual content, we're actively broadening our contributor base. More than a local news source, we've discovered that the Napa Valley often serves as a microcosm for broader state and global trends, making our local issues pertinent on a wider scale, from economic shifts and climate challenges to health concerns and tourism trends.
We've observed another critical trend: The valley is a hotbed of innovation, creativity and experimentation, aspects that are too often overlooked. Highlighting this inventive spirit is not just about sharing news; it's about connecting individuals within and beyond our community, fostering a network of like-minded innovators and thinkers.
On a personal note, I've come to realize that being well-informed is just one facet of citizenship. True engagement means actively contributing to the welfare and betterment of our community, focusing on our local culture, economy and environment. However, no one can truly engage without a comprehensive and honest understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As someone deeply invested in a variety of news sources and literature, I find that Napa Valley Features continually draws me closer to the place I call home. It's more than a retrospective journey; it's a daily exploration of awe-inspiring people, the captivating natural landscape and the intricate interplay between our agricultural roots and the complexities of modern prosperity.
As we look toward 2024, we extend our deepest gratitude to every member of our community. This includes our Founding Members, paid subscribers and our free subscribers who are just as vital in building this platform. Each one of you plays a crucial role in shaping and nurturing the community we've become. If you are a free subscriber and gaining some value from Napa Valley Features, we ask that you consider becoming a paid investor to help ensure our survival. Your engagement, discussions, and support fuel our mission and vision. For existing paid subscriber please consider increasing your investment.
For our paid subscribers, beginning in February, we will offer additional benefits. These include early access to in-depth articles, placing you at the forefront of the latest and most critical insights.
To ensure the sustainability of Napa Valley Features, we are revising our subscription plans in February to better support our work and enhance our services. The monthly base subscription and the cost of becoming a Founding Member, which includes lifetime membership, will increase. These changes are essential to our ongoing commitment to providing in-depth, quality content and serving our community's interests. Additionally, they offer an incentive to secure our current rates before they rise.
As we look to 2024, expect continuity in our core mission, but also anticipate fresh formats, topics and voices. These forthcoming additions are not just enhancements; they're a testament to our commitment to adapt and evolve, ensuring that Napa Valley Features remains a vital resource for everyone. Here’s to a year of deepened connections. Stay tuned for announcements in the coming weeks — the journey ahead promises to be as enriching as the land we cover.
Also, in case you overlooked it in our “Happy Holidays” message, we've compiled a list of stories from our contributors that didn't make it into our "Top-read stories of 2023." This below selection highlights the diversity and richness of our reporting. Should any of these pieces strike a chord with you, or if you feel another subject merits further attention, we encourage you to voice your thoughts in the comments.
Adrienne Boudreaux (Writer): Reluctant gardener’s chore becomes rewarding experience
Jane Callier (Writer): Pollinators need the help of local gardeners
Dana Cronin (Copyeditor): Look at Dana’s copy editing skill, here!
Dan Dawson (Writer): Dan Dawson’s wine suggestions are out of this world
Diane De Filipi (Writer): A summer cabaret in Napa combines wine, dance and magic
Eduardo Dingler (Writer): Similarities and differences between sake and wine
John Dunbar (Writer): Under the tent at Napa Expo’s Town & Country Fair
Aime Dunstan (Writer): Luxury home tours will benefit Calistoga Art Center
Anne Ward Ernst (Writer): Miranda Forni gives new life to the family’s famous produce
Zak Fennie (Writer): Mama Said on playing BottleRock and Uptown: ‘We manifested it’
Genever Fox (Writer): Protect your children, pets by reducing exposure to toxic plants
Paul Franson (Writer): Rosé seminar at Napa Valley Wine Academy
Alan Goldfarb (Writer): Dan Berger: The curmudgeonly dean of American wine writers
Bonnie Graves (Writer): Napa now: Exploring the Los Angeles wine market
Mariam Hansen (Writer): The Dowdells: from Emerald Isle to St. Helena in 1869
Rosemarie Kempton (Writer): Art walk returns to showcase Calistoga
David Layland (Writer): Good reasons to grow a garden for food
Loni Lyttle (Writer): The 2023 growing season: Napa Valley edition
Bob McClenahan (Photographer): Bob McClenahan captures Napa Valley’s story
Nic Meerholz (Photographer): Napa County artists at The de Young Open 2023 (photos)
Many UC Master Gardeners (Writers): Finding stories in a garden
Rob McMillan (Writer): May your next disaster be your greatest success
Jeni Olsen (Writer): Supporting youth mental health: Listening is a superpower
Penny Pawl (Writer): Mulch materials can help your garden grow
Sasha Paulsen (Writer): The grapes and other blessings
Tony Poer (Writer): The winemaking career of Ted Edwards
Kathleen Reynolds (Writer): ‘Tiki Dreams’ in Yountville
Kathleen Scavone (Writer): Hiking Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Dave Stoneberg (Writer): A life in newspapers: ink in my veins
Evy Warshawski (Writer): The Napa Quake Mosaic to be completed in 2024
Cindy Watter (Writer): Napa Valley in bloom
Polly A. Webber (Writer): Napa Valley's pathway to citizenship: a community effort
Glenda Winders (Writer/Copyeditor): Grateful for flawed Thanksgivings
Tim Carl is a Napa Valley-based photojournalist.
As the idiom goes, “A good wine needs no bush.” I would have preferred a statement about a price increase right off the bat such as “We’re doing well. We’re still evolving. As a result, the subscription amount of $X will increase to $Y in February.”
This piece reads like a sales pitch, which is counter to your mission of straightforward news and information.
I've enjoyed the articles and find my subscription of good value. Though no price is mentioned for continued access, unless I overlooked it, I am inclined to continue investing in NVF assuming the increase is commensurate with historic quality,or better, as you predict. 👍
Continued success in the New Year.