NEWS FROM DISTRICT 3 – February 2026 | |
Greetings District 3 friends and neighbors,
February in Napa Valley means mustard season is here—the valley floor glowing gold and a hint of spring in the air. And still, we hope for more rain!
This month’s newsletter includes updates on the Highway 29 roadwork, a video with some tips to make your home and property safer from fire, info about the County’s Be Well Mobile health services, and more. There’s plenty happening across the county, and I’m grateful to share these updates with you. Thank you for staying engaged and connected with District 3 and all of Napa County.
Please reach out to me (anne.cottrell@countyofnapa.org) or District 3 Aide Leah (leah.doyle-stevens@countyofnapa.org) with any County-related questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Anne
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Home Hardening Tips
With cool, wet weather and lots of green across the valley now, it’s easy to forget that wildfire season is only a few months away. Napa County Fire Chief JC Greenberg encourages us to take a few minutes now to watch a short series of videos created by Fire Safe Marin. They show how homes ignite, and also share practical steps to reduce wildfire risk. The videos are available in both English and Spanish, just scroll down through the list.
The video series is available on YouTube here.
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HWY 29 Overnight Work
If you’ve driven Highway 29 between Rutherford and Oakville since mid-January, you’ve experienced the traffic controls in place there. Caltrans is continuing emergency culvert replacement and road stabilization work in that stretch, with one-way traffic control in place at night (6 pm to 6 am), Monday through Saturday, through mid-March. Please use caution, expect delays, and carefully follow posted detours and the directions of flaggers to help keep everyone safe.
Also on Hwy 29 just north of Yountville, you’ll notice that Caltrans is making progress on repairs of sunken pavement and subsequent repaving of the entire width of the roadway. Thanks to residents who spoke up, and thank you to the Caltrans team for tackling this project.
For real-time updates on roadwork, please visit 511.org.
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Napa Valley Museum
The Napa Valley Museum is truly one of our Valley’s gems. It brings local history, art, and culture to life right here in our community. You can wander through exhibits, take part in hands-on programs, and discover stories that make Napa… Napa. There’s always something new to see, whether you’ve lived here for years or are showing off the Valley to visiting friends and family.
And if the Julia Child exhibit at the MAC has been on your list, don’t wait! It’s closing soon. Grab a friend and see it before it’s gone. Check out their full exhibition line-up:
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life
April 18, 2025-March 8, 2026
The MAC
Sophie Alstrom Mitchell: Wildflowers of the Napa Valley
February 15, 2025-February 8, 2026
The NVMY
Naomie Kremer: Seer
March 8, 2026
The MAC
John Donohue: All the Restaurants of Napa Valley
April 18, 2025-March 8, 2026
The MAC
Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic
March 7, 2026-October 25, 2026
The NVMY
The Wyeths: Three Generations | Works from the Bank of America Collection
April 11, 2026-September 13, 2026
The MAC
Learn about the Napa Valley Museum here.
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Napa Valley Bicycle Champion 🚲
Do you know someone who regularly chooses two wheels over four, and encourages others to do the same? Maybe they bike to work, advocate for safer streets, or just make riding look easy and fun.
Now’s your chance to give them a shout-out! The Napa County Bicycle Coalition is looking for this year’s Bike Champions, two local folks who go above and beyond to promote biking as a way to get around. Winners will receive prizes and be recognized across the Bay Area.
Nominations are open through February 28, 2026, and winners will be announced in mid-April--just in time for Bike Month in May. Nominate someone and learn more here.
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Berryessa Community Meeting
I recently joined residents, the Napa Firewise team, and state and federal partners in the northeast Lake Berryessa area to discuss forming a new Fire Safe Council—and I’m pleased to share that the Berryessa Knoxville / Blue Ridge Fire Safe Council is moving forward. It was encouraging to hear residents’ ideas for improving wildfire resilience and to review potential projects together. Thank you to everyone who participated and to Napa Firewise for bringing partners together to support this important community effort.
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Mardi Gras in Yountville!
Yountville recently came alive with color and music during its Mardi Gras Parade and celebration - it brought lively entertainment, great food, and plenty of hometown spirit. Thank you to the organizers for putting together such a joyful event, and to the many community members who came out to celebrate and enjoy the festivities together.
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Black History Month
February is Black History Month in Napa County and across the country, and it is a time to honor the history, achievements, and lasting contributions of Black Americans. This year marks 100 years of national recognition, and as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, it’s a powerful reminder to tell a full and inclusive story of who we are and who has shaped our communities.
That spirit was on full display at a moving Black History Month Celebration in Napa last weekend, featuring beautiful music from the Unity Singers of American Canyon. Thank you to JT Thompson for your leadership, to Crosswalk Community Church for hosting, and to all who made the event possible.
A special thank you to the Napa Valley College students from Umoja and keynote speaker Cameron Lipson Jr.—your words inspired us all.
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Pet Adoption Waiver
Love is in the air at the Napa County Animal Shelter! From February 13th-15th, ALL animals are part of adoption promotion where all fees will be waived. Come find your special furry Valentine and give them a second chance at love.
February 13-15, 2026
942 Hartle Court, Napa
10am-12pm & 1pm-4:45pm Questions? 707-253-4382
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Learn About the Wappo People in St. Helena
As part of St. Helena’s incorporation celebration, the St. Helena Historical Society is hosting a special exhibit about the area’s first people, the Wappo. I stopped by the February in the Library opening reception and enjoyed looking at the photos and items on display. “Our Indigenous People, the Wappo” will be on display all month long. If you have a chance, stop in and take a look. It’s a meaningful way to learn more about the deep roots of our Valley.
February 10-28, 2026
St. Helena Library
1492 Library Lane
10am-6pm
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Backyard Composting Workshops
Join a free composting workshop and learn simple, effective methods to reduce waste and enrich your soil. If you live in Napa County and attend a workshop, you can qualify to purchase a discounted compost bin. Learn more here.
Schedule:
March 28 (10am-12pm) | Skyline Park
April 25 (10am-12pm) | Skyline Park
May 16 (10am-12pm) | NVC Upper Valley Campus
September 19 (12-2pm) | Napa Senior Activity Center
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Do you know a child age 0-5 who would enjoy a free book every month? Dolly Parton may have a solution! Our Board of Supervisors was happy to welcome Napa County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), First 5 Napa County, and Child Start to share some great news on this topic - complete with a cardboard cut-out of Dolly!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a nationwide program that can deliver a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth to age five, in English or Spanish. This program is now available to local families through a partnership at the HHSA South Campus.
Dolly launched the program in honor of her father, who couldn’t read, and it has since grown into a worldwide effort to inspire a love of reading. Since launching in Napa County in June 2025, the program is already helping our youngest residents build early literacy skills, one book at a time. Click here to sign up or learn more.
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HHSA Be Well Mobile
This week, the Board got an update on the first four months of the County’s Be Well Mobile, and it’s already making a difference.
The Be Well Mobile is a health support team on wheels. It travels around Napa County to bring mental health and substance use help directly to people who need it. Instead of expecting someone to find services on their own, the team meets them where they are.
They offer support, connect people to local resources, and help individuals and families get care in a way that feels respectful and welcoming. It’s one more way we’re working to make sure everyone in Napa County can get the help they need. Learn more and see the February location calendar here.
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Napa County Support Member Role
In Napa. County, we are fortunate to have a strong tradition of volunteer firefighters responding to local emergencies and fire events. Our Napa County Fire Department (NCFD) has now developed a new category of volunteer to allow more community members to participate. Support Members can play an important non-emergency response role by helping with station maintenance, community events, and fire prevention education. Support Members do not operate County vehicles or equipment, and they can forego some of the physical testing requirements. Thank you NCFD for finding ways more residents to get involved!
Interested in serving as a Support Member in your local volunter fire station? Apply to become a Napa County Fire Department Volunteer here.
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