Natalie C., Kate B., and Arya A.
The Napa Group sponsored a gathering of Sierra Club members on September 25, at Skyline Hall in Skyline Park. The event attracted current members and local dignitaries, including Scott Sedgley, Napa Mayor, and Melissa Lamattina, recently elected to the American Canyon City Council. Also in attendance were County Supervisors Joelle Gallagher and Anne Cottrell. (All photo credits: Joanna Mittman)
Our Executive Committee Secretary, Elayna Trucker, did a fantastic job as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Event planners Nick Cheranich, Chair of the Napa Group, and Scott Thomason, Napa Group’s Treasurer, made sure the event ran smoothly.
Our invited speaker was Brendon Freeman, Executive Officer of Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Napa County, who gave a short background on what LAFCO does and why. Briefly, LAFCO is the governmental agency designated by the California Legislature to manage local governmental boundaries, evaluate municipal services, and protect prime agriculture lands. Brendon walked those attending through some of the recent projects LAFCO has been involved in and its role in each of them.
Additionally, Susan Kenward spoke briefly about the importance of defeating St. Helena's Measure B, a proposal to permit the development of a luxury resort. Both Susan's group and the Sierra Club advocated for a "No on Measure B" vote.
Also attending the function were Sierra Club Napa Group high school student interns, including Paulina Zambrano, Katherine Bit, Liliana Karesh, Arya Adhye, Natalie Carr and Maia Medalle. Many of the students helped the event run smoothly, and also staffed a table representing another youth organization they belong to called Napa Schools for Climate Action. The free event (paid partly with member donations) was catered by the Kitchen Door and included delicious wine donated by Christina Benz and the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation.
and Nick Cheranich (Left), with attendees.
This was the second social event hosted by the Napa Group in 2024, and the Executive Committee is eager to continue these gatherings in 2025. Each event will focus on a unique theme, bringing like-minded members together to enjoy food, beverages, and an evening of connection and camaraderie. In these challenging times, we believe that fostering social capital is as vital as advancing our shared environmental goals.