WE'RE FIFTY 5️⃣0️⃣！

Issue 50

Ed. Note:

Readers: This is our 50th issue of the Valley Villager. What began as a fledgling newsletter hatched by friends over drinks, well, continues to be a fledgling newsletter, and we still drink like fish. But there is one thing that’s different: You, our beautiful villagers! Thank you for cheering us on and making all the work worthwhile. If you like what we are doing here, and would like this motley newsletter to continue, we have a request: Please share it with others! (And to our paid subscribers — THANK YOU. You are enabling us to dream bigger. You are entitled to a VV sticker, just send your address to request it.)

And if you have any thoughts on what you’d like to see more or less of, just drop us a line. We are always open to feedback (provided we agree with it).

- Valley Villager Editorial Staff

NEWS (TO US)

All the latest scoops

• Good Pantry. Opening soon!
  Coming soon to the ever-evolving Food City plaza: a community grocer focused on sustainability, connection, and good vibes. Most importantly? Bulk candy.

• Napa Neighbors. VIP perks just for living here

  Turns out 150+ Napa Valley wineries are keen to roll out the red carpet for locals, offering perks, pours, and a little VIP treatment. Make a rez, flash that license, and enjoy the spoils of residency one swirl at a time.

• NapaSport. Closed!
  We meant to publish this last issue — whoops! The Register scoops us again! NapaSport, we will miss you and your basketball-bound menus.

• Mercadito. Opening additional space (next door)
  Everyone’s favorite waterfront caterer / breakfast joint is expanding with a project they are calling “Tannery Social.”

• Franklin Post Office. Plans in motion to convert into hotel, housing
  This is actually very cool: The long dormant, post-apocalyptic post office on Second Street may actually get the update it needs. SoFi, let’s go!

• The Garden. Monday movie nights
  When Heavyweights is on the calendar, you know a millenial is at the helm. We salute you.

• Napa Valley Farm Co-Op. Food Buying Co-op and Farm launching soon
  Volunteer 6 hours a month and your family receives their food at cost. (!!!)

• Salt & Steady. New burgers on the DoorDash circuit
  More like Salt & Speedy, amirite?

• StretchLab. Closed!
  StretchZone has won the battle of the bends! Can you even believe this is a real thing? Whatever happened to inflexibility?

• Priest Ranch. Thursday Night Live

  New weekly series featuring food from The Kitchen and live music on the patio.

• Wyld Oasis. A monthly gathering co-hosted by two sexologists
  A space to explore self-intimacy, sensuality, and pleasure without judgment. We’re intrigued…

• Napa Bookmine & More. Look for Waldo all July long
  Waldo’s loose in Napa again. Grab a passport from Bookmine and let the citywide scavenger hunt begin.

Over the Hill

• Blooms End at Neighboring Fields. Magical pastries in rural Petaluma
  Doesn’t this joint look worth a drive? Why don’t we have bucolic idylls like this? Why are they always in Sonoma County? Where is our Ernie’s Tin Barn, or Canteen Meats? Or do we have places like this? If we do, can you help a brother out?

Rumor Mill

• Wilfred’s Lounge. Mural mystery.
  Someone spotted part of the back mural being taken down. Is it nothing? Is it something? Mural watch is on.
  

COMING IN HOT

Events and happenings

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

Jul 19-20: Napa Sonoma Half Marathon. Sonoma Plaza, sold out!

Jul 20-25: Napa Valley Writers Conference. Various locations, $20+

Jul 23 (weekly): Trivia Night. Folklore, free to attend

Jul 25: Date Night Clay Workshop. Covet Studio, $160 (per couple)

Jul 26: Clay Coaster Workshop. Covet Studio, $55

Jul 26-27: Tour de Vine Trail Passport Weekend. Various locations along the Vine Trail, $85 (for access/tastings)

Jul 27: SoFi Battle of the Bands. Second Street Napa, free

Jul 27: Queer Soup Night. Valley Swim Club, donations please!

Jul 30: Yountville Night Out (Mysterious Celebration). Downtown Yountville, free

Jul 31-Aug 24: Music in the Vineyards (live music). Various locations, prices vary

NEW: Aug 3: Napa Free Folk Festival. Native Sons of the Golden West Hall, free

Advance Notice

Aug 7-10: Napa Country Fair featuring… The Ying Yang Twins?!. Napa Fairgrounds, $14+

Aug 11: Perseid Meteor Shower Stargazing. Alston Park, price tbd

Aug 14: Line Dancing with Rachel. Erosion Tap House, $18

Aug 14: Trivia Night w/ Southern Stoke. Naysayer, free to participate

Sep 13: Putting on the Glitz. Community Projects, free to attend

Oct 18: Napa Soroptomist Annual Lobster Fest. First Presbyterian Church of Napa. $150

Nov 1: Napa Dia de los Muertos. Veterans Park, free to attend