Local Business · Napa County
Napa County's unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in September, down from a revised 4.3% in August and the prior year, tying Santa Clara County for the fourth-lowest rate among California counties. A new California EDD AI-Unemployment Tracker showed North Bay workers in jobs most susceptible to artificial intelligence filed 1,934 claims in August 2026, an 8.6% decline from 2,115 a year earlier. Across all AI-exposure groups, North Bay claims fell from 5,227 to 4,915 over the same period. The EDD cautioned that the figures do not indicate whether AI caused specific layoffs and exclude workers who do not qualify for benefits.
Social Events · St. Helena, CA
The "Eames & Eames" exhibit opens Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture, 607 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29), honoring designers Charles and Ray-Bernice Eames. The show, created with the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity and curated by Llisa Demetrios and Lucia Eames, features furniture, toys, paintings, graphics, and personal belongings. It runs through April 18, 2027, with admission at $25 for adults, $15 for youth ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under. An opening celebration is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, featuring bebop jazz, Charbay cocktails, Fiji water, and light bites; tickets are $50 general and $25 for museum members.
Local Politics · Napa, CA
The sitting president of the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees wrote an endorsement letter supporting reelection of Trustees Kyle Iverson (serving since 2014) and Jeff Dodd (serving since 2018). The letter notes that NVC will enter 2027 with a new Superintendent/President and at least two new trustees joining the seven-member elected board, including two NVUSD educators. The writer expresses concern about professional-background concentration on the board and questions whether both challengers were recruited by the same college constituent group without prior engagement at board meetings. NVC serves career-education students, returning adults, and working community members beyond recent NVUSD graduates.
Social Events · Napa, CA
Dr. Charelle Braden, a 2003 Napa High School graduate who played four years of varsity basketball and helped establish the school's first girls golf team, will be inducted into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its 28th annual class. The ceremony takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Napa Elks Lodge, with cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Braden joins Michael Santora (Class of 2008) and Alex Robben Coakley (Class of 2010) in the 2026 induction class. Braden was a three-time All-Napa County basketball selection, an All-Monticello Empire League pick in both basketball and golf, and Napa High's Female Athlete of the Year as a senior.
Social Events · Napa, CA
Not Loud Concerts will host the Napa $5 Folk Festival on Oct. 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Native Sons of the Golden West building at 927 Coombs St. in downtown Napa. The event features nine bands across three indoor stages spread over two floors, including a grand ballroom for larger groups, a wood-paneled meeting room for acoustic sets, and a dance room offering folk dancing lessons and surprise acts. Admission is $5, and attendees can move freely between stages.
