Sushi, Spirits & Tricks of the Thrift Trade

Issue 44

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

Editors Note: Apparently, the former C Casa space in Oxbow is not turning into additional “vendor booths.” Whoops! But in our defense, it was in the rumor mill section…

• Michi. New sushi spot.

  Former Hal Yamashita Chef Michiyo Hagio is running a one-woman sushi show out of a former Subway. Talk about upgrading the space.

• Winston’s Wok. New Chinese-American pop-up coming Apr 3.
  Wok this way to Winston’s on Wednesdays. Now say that three times fast.

• De’Canela Bakery. Opening celebration Mar 29.

  Pan y café? We’ll take it all, por favor.

• True Nature. Yoga therapy at the Tannery.

  We’ve tried every other type of therapy. Might as well give this a shot.

• Napa Farmers Market. Tuesday markets return April 1

  More veggies, more vibes, more reasons to pretend we don’t impulse buy pastries every time.

• Compline. Cocktails and spirits coming soon!
  Tariffs be damned. Bring on the booze.

• Villa Corona. Gets a bar?!

  Apparently, they’re just doling out licenses these days. Not that we’re complaining.

• Barnhouse. Weekly events

  Loteria, karaoke, dueling guitars?! Say less.

• Downtown Joe’s. Getting a much-needed facelift (construction).
  Sure, it could probably use a deep clean (or an exorcism), but no amount of construction will wash away the questionable decisions we’ve made there. Some stains—both literal and metaphorical—are just part of the charm.

• Deuces Market. Sunday Socials

  Afternoon DJ sets—because why ease into Sunday when you can go straight from church to the club…

• The Hive. Social impact. Community support. Self care meet-ups
  Perfect. We’ll be headed there right after yoga therapy.

• Rutherford Pizza Downtown. Pizza till 2(ish)AM on the weekend?!
  We know we announced the opening last week, but late-night pizza deserves a second mention.

• Nimbus Arts (St. Helena). RoShamBo Toddler Classes.

  Not new-new, but new to us—and definitely fun for the kiddos. First and third Saturdays of each month.

• Napa Kids. Family-friendly events in Napa
  Speaking of kiddos, this is the spot for finding family-friendly happenings.

• Yountville (various locations). Introduces the Wine & Beer Passport.
  Wine and beer tastings at 15 locations? Challenge accepted.

  
  Over the Hill:

• Jill’s Cookies (Sonoma). Cookie purveyor extraordinaire!

  Maybe you’ve spotted these at pop-ups. If not, fix that immediately. Your stomach will thank you. Your dentist? Probably not.

• Berryessa Blends (Vacaville). Elderberry syrup for the win.
  We’re pro vitamins and antioxidants. We’re also pro things that taste good in cocktails. Who knew wellness could be so delicious?​

• Bay Biz Markets (Vallejo). New market series coming to downtown Vallejo.
  Small business vendors, kids zones, delicious food, drinks, music. Vallejo, you’re looking real good.

  
  

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

Mar 26: Battle of the Crabs. The Q R&B, prices vary

Mar 27: Sake Masterclass. Folklore, prices vary

Mar 28: Ecstatic Dance (DJ set + dance event). Yoga West, $20

Mar 28: Fiat Lux: Joe Shoemaker (live music). di Rosa Downtown, free cover

Mar 28-30: As You Like It (theatre). NVC Performing Arts Center, $10

Mar 29: Sourdough Pizza & Cocktail-Making Class. Starling (Sonoma), $156

Mar 29: Rook’s Night (Vinyl DJ Set). Folkore, free cover

Mar 29, 30: Mustard Celebration Finale - A Festival of Wine Food & Art. CIA at Copia, $55

Mar 30: Women in the Wine Industry Mixer. Barndiva (Healdsburg), $20

Mar 30: Shakey Graves (live music). Uptown Theatre, $60

Mar 31: Monday Bakery Pop-Up. Deuces Market, prices vary (preorder)

Apr 1: Big Chicken 2025 Release. Oxbow Wine & Cheese, $8/half pint

Apr 3: Napa Humane Community Mixer. Materra Cunat Family Vineyards, free (but please RSVP)

Apr 3 - Sep 20: The Valley Beautiful: Music (exhibit). Napa County Historical Society, free

Apr 4-25 (Fridays): The Art Nest: Children’s Watercolor Classes. Juniper Station, $125

Apr 5: Lebanese Luncheon Cooking Class. Yountville Community Center, $120+

Apr 5: Hands Off! Napa Fights Back (rally). Napa Courthouse, free

Apr 6: Blanchard’s Fried Chicken (pop up). Decant Napa, $22

Apr 8: Minimashi Pop-Up (yes, you read that right). Charlie’s (St. Helena), prices vary

Advance Notice:

Apr 12: Earth Day Festival. Oxbow Commons, free to attend

Apr 12: A16 Pop-Up with Shelley Lindgren. Decant Napa, prices vary

Apr 12: Coeur Cabernet Cookoff. Hall Wines, $161

Apr 12: ¡Viva Mariachi! Festival. NVC Performing Arts Center, $25

Apr 13: Cars + Coffee (gathering). Paradise Barbershop, free to attend

Apr 13: Holi Celebration. The Garden, $17

Apr 25: Earth Night Festival. Connolly Ranch, $10+

Apr 26: Mr. Pink Party. Compline, $85

Apr 26: Ramen Pop-Up with Mercadito. Charles Krug (St. Helena), $70

Apr 27: Brunch with Your New Bestie (animal rescue-adoption event). Winston’s Cafe, free to attend

Apr 29-May 8: RISE Climate & Wine Symposium. Charles Krug Winery, $105+

May 3: Ka-In Napa Valley (fundraiser). Justin-Siena, $50+

May 4: May the 4th Beer With You Party. Armistice Brewing, prices vary

May 6: Wine & Hip Hop Presents: Terroir Tapes: Listening Session. Stateline Road Smokehouse, $81

May 8: Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernandez. Uptown Theatre, $57

May 10: Napa Valley Nursery School 75th Anniversary Gala. The Meritage, $175+

May 10: Smash Burger Pop-Up with Patrick Cappiello. Decant Napa, prices vary

May 15: Winston’s Community Unity Project Fundraiser. Padis Jewelry & Tasting Room, $100

May 16-18: Cosmico (music festival). Dawn Ranch (Guerneville), $59+

May 17: NimBASH. Nimbus Arts (St. Helena), prices TBD

May 22: E-40 (live music). Jam Cellars Ballroom, $81

Jun 7: Three Dog Night (live music). Uptown Theatre, $67

Jun 19-21: Cookout at the Vineyard Weekend. Various locations, prices vary

Jun 22: Raise the Roof (live music + fundraiser). CIA at Copia, $125

Jul 5-20: Festival Napa Valley, Various locations, prices vary

Jul 17: Kehlani (live music). The Meritage, $96

LOVE LETTER: Community Projects

A Place of Bargain Dreams and Questionable Life Choices

Few things make me happier than a bargain find. At times, it’s a blessing. Other times, a curse (see: the time I left with a sewing machine thinking I’d casually take up seamstry).

In a world where price tags keep climbing like a Peloton leaderboard, Community Projects (CP) is a magical black hole of deals. A place where online comps are ignored, pricing is seemingly determined by some benevolent thrift store wizard, and the thrill of the hunt is real. Compassion-based pricing? Possibly. Divine intervention? Also possible.

Sure, there’s some junk—name a thrift store that doesn’t have several once-used fondue sets—but there’s also gold. Miele stick vacuum? $10. Prada sneakers? $10. Ottolenghi cookbooks? $2. Breville toaster oven? $10. Dansk paella pan? $12. And a DWR Salt chair for $5? I don’t know who’s in charge of pricing, but I want to shake their hand.

And let’s talk about the kids’ section for a second. Books, puzzles, and cheap clothes that they’ll inevitably outgrow in three months? Yes, please.

Sometimes you find exactly what you’re looking for. Sometimes you find the thing you didn’t know you needed (cherry pitter, anyone?). And sometimes, you walk out with an industrial-sized bag of pipe cleaners and no real explanation.

Which is why I’m there. Weekly.

Tricks of the Thrift Trade:

1. Be kind.
   This should be obvious, but alas—it isn’t. If you go often enough, you’ll start recognizing the same characters and the same volunteers. Treat them with respect. And hey, if you and another person reach for the same vintage Le Creuset at the same time? Maybe let them have it. Maybe.

2. Be discerning.
   One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sometimes, though, it’s still trash. Look at the labels. Google the brands. Pick up that weirdly heavy object and ask, “Do I need this?” (Answer: If it’s under $5, probably.)
   

3. Be patient.
   There’s often a line to get in on Wednesdays. There’s also often a line to check out. Do yourself a favor—don’t go if you’re in a rush. This is a sport, not a sprint.
   

4. Return, repeat.
   The team restocks often, so there’s always something new. And the more often you go, the easier it gets to spot the good stuff—right?
   

5. Strategize.
   High-value items go first, so make a game plan. If you’re hunting cookware, make a beeline for the kitchen section. If you need books for your growing kiddo, head straight there. And if you see something good? Pick it up. You can always put it back later (but if you don’t grab it, someone else will).

6. It’s okay to leave empty-handed.
   No finds? No problem. The thrill of the hunt is its own reward. And honestly, walking out with nothing is almost as good as walking out with something—especially for your storage space.

   Happy hunting!
   

   ---

   About Community Projects

   Founded in 1941, Community Projects, Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization that raises funds through its Thrift Shop to support schools, clubs, and social services across Napa County. Originally formed as the Napa Chapter of British War Relief, the group transitioned from aiding soldiers to investing in its own community—donating over $15 million to local causes. Located at 715 Franklin Street, it remains a cornerstone of Napa’s charitable efforts, proving that great finds can lead to even greater good.