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Easing the path from intent to action  


The CanDo Connection                                                                 May 10, 2016
In This Issue
 
REMINDER:
 
Butter yellow lets you easily spot volunteer opportunities and other ways to 
get involved. 
 
 
WORDS  MATTER 


 
 
SEE  WHAT  YOU 
CanDo
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
 
We grow fresh, local produce for the Napa Food Bank. Email Karen or Betty.

Waterways Keepers help maintain our rivers and stream to keep them vibrant and alive.
Email Margret.

Raises funds and awareness for local nonprofits in a year-end giving campaign.  
Email hilary or Nancy.

CanDo is piloting a whole new way to help the Food Bank feed neighbors in need. Email Karin/Amy. 
 
 
CanDoCanGrow 

Ed Fields, a veteran CanDo volunteer and Van Winden's employee, holds our 
CDCG display.

 THANKS TO

They're proudly displaying CanDo CanGrow information at their check-out counter.
 
 When you're shopping there, grab an extra veggie start or two, and plant one for the Food Bank!
 
CanDo CanGrow's Food Bank Garden is part of the 
Napa Community Garden,
SW corner of Trower and Jefferson in North Napa
(Park in the church parking
lot facing Jefferson.)
 
We're there on Wednesday mornings, 8:30-11:00ish. 
Come join us!     
 
     COMPOST  CORNER    
Responses to your questions from Tim Dewey-Mattia,
Napa Recycling and
Waste Services  
 
Q.  What's the loophole allowable thickness for "fancy" plastic bags some high-end stores (and Walmart) are handing out?  
                         --- Joe

A. Napa's ordinance uses the standard definition of a reusable bag: 

"Reusable bag" means either a bag made of cloth or other machine-washable fabric that has handles, or a durable plastic bag with handles that is at least 2.25 mil thick and is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse."

The loophole is that the Napa ordinance allows stores to give out reusable bags at no charge. So stores are giving out "durable plastic bags" that are 2.25 mil thick. 

To close the loophole, the ordinance should be amended to say that stores can't give out free reusable bags at all. This is what San Francisco did to get rid of this loophole (As an aside, I did warn City staff about this loophole but they did not want to prohibit free reusable bags at the time the ordinance was being passed...I think they were trying not to rock any boats). Read more...
    
Have a question for Tim on curbside composting or recycling? Email us.
 
 

 BITS  AND  PIECES

ARE WE OUT OF THE DROUGHT? 
April showers may have brought May flowers, but they haven't done much
for our water tables.
Paul Blank,
Senior Hydrologist for
Napa County's Resource Conservation District, gives us his assessment.

The bottom line?
It's not over 'til it's over.

 
CanDo Quick Tip
 
STROKE WARNING SIGNS

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. 
 
When you can spot
you'll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help
right away.

 
SAVE  THE  DATE
Save the Date
PLANTING
CanDo's FOOD BANK GARDEN
  Wednesday, May 11
9:30-11:30AM
Click here for details.


The Choices We Make

Napa Valley CanDo seeks to inspire and facilitate action by alerting interested Valley residents about opportunities for service. If you participate as a volunteer in an activity that you learned about through Napa Valley CanDo, whether initiated by CanDo or another organization, please take personal responsibility for your involvement. Use common sense. Only you can determine whether an activity is a good fit, that is to say compatible with your interests and abilities. 

  

 New to CanDo?   

 Click here to receive this nifty weekly eBlast. 

 The CanDo Connection is filled with volunteer 
opportunities and events help you connect 
with community. 


24th  ANNUAL
LETTER  CARRIERS'   
FOOD  DRIVE
 
All donations go to the 
Napa Food Bank. 

Simply leave a
few items of wholesome, nonperishable food in a bag at your mailbox
this Saturday. Learn more here

Able to help a bit more? The Food Bank has asked CanDo for volunteers to offload, weigh and sort donated food when it comes to the back loading dock of the Trancas Street Post Office.

DAY/DATE/TIME:  Saturday, May 14 1-9PM

2 hour shifts when it's convenient for you - No need to RSVP.
NOTES: Must wear closed shoes with good traction soles. Kindly park in Kaiser's lot. 
 

FARMERS' MARKET TODAY
 Next CanDo day:  Saturday, June 4  8-12:30PM   
(Come play with us in the CanDo booth.)
 
 
New location: 195 Gasser Drive
(south of the Cinemark Theaters)

CanDo loves the Market and we want to be there once a month, but we can't do it without you!

Whether you've ever "tabled" or not, we'd love to have your help. You'll always be teamed up with a veteran tabler. There's a wondrous sense of community at the Market. Come and b a part of it!

Our next tabling opportunity is Saturday June 4, 
and we need two more friendly volunteers.  

See other dates on the sign-up sheet.  
 

 YOUR  OPPORTUNITY TO  VOTE:   JUNE 7

Vote on-line
May 23 is your last day to register or re-register to vote for the June 7 election. CanDo thanks to Crystle Brumley from the Napa Co. Election Division for her assistance.
  
You may register to vote if you meet the criteria
below. Find out more here. 
 
* You are a United States citizen. 
* You are a resident of California. 
* You are at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date 
   of the next election). 
* You are not in prison or on parole for conviction of a
   felony. 
* You have not been judged by a court to be mentally
   incompetent to register and vote.

You must re-register to vote when you move, change your name, or change your political party affiliation.

FFI:  Visit or call the Election Division - Napa (8AM-5PM, Monday-Friday).
LOCATION:  900 Coombs St, Rm. 256. 707.253.4321.



NAPA  FOOD PROJECT:  UPDATE

Last week CanDo held its first training for 15 pioneering "Neighborhood Coordinators." These are volunteers who are as excited as we are about the potential of the Napa Food Project to transform the way our Food Bank keeps donated, non-perishable food items flowing to those in need.

We're piloting the program with a first pickup in June. Then, in the CanDo tradition, we'll evaluate what we've done, make adjustments as needed, and organize for
the next pickup in August.

This project will require lots (lots!) of community involvement. Whether you'd like to sign on as a Food Donor, a Neighborhood Coordinator, a volunteer on pickup days to greet folks and unload their bounty at the Food Bank, a cash donor to help us invest in supplies to keep the program running smoothly -- your contribution will be welcome.

If you haven't seen the 3 minute video, watch here. If you'd like to sign-up so we can let you know when the next training will be, just give us basic information and we'll be in touch as the project grows.

What we CanDo together is extraordinary.

Spotlight - Stars
THE CanDo SPOTLIGHT
Events and Volunteer Opportunities
from Other Groups Around the Valley
 Tell 'em you heard about it through CanDo!

Note: Posting of events in this "Spotlight" does not constitute an endorsement by Napa Valley CanDo unless expressly stated. We list a variety of opportunities and programs we feel may be of interest to our readers.  
WILD NAPA - BATS
SPONSOR:  Napa County Resource
Conservation District   
Meet native bat species! Bats eat many different night- time insect pests including those that damage crops and backyard gardens. Learn about bats native to Napa County and why they are so important to pest control. Corky will discuss bat house placement and how to keep unwanted visitors out. See real bats and even bring home your own bat house! 
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Wednesday, May 11, 7-8:30PM  
LOCATION:  Napa Main Library - 580 Coombs Street
FFI:  Email, call 707.252.4189x108 or visit their website.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP & SAFETY:
KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE AND HAPPY ONLINE
SPONSOR:  Napa County Office of Education   
Parents are invited to a workshop on May 12 with Adrienne DeWolfe, Educational Technology Specialist and Trainer. DeWolfe will discuss digital citizenship and how parents can help their students ethically navigate the digital world with confidence and competence. About the Presenter:  Adrienne DeWolfe has trained and coached educators and parents on using iPads in the classroom, Google Apps, web 2.0 tools, online learning, digital citizenship and the common core. She has a masters from Harvard University's Technology in Education program, two California teaching credentials and an administrative credential. She is the parent of two digital natives.

TALLER PARA PADRES Invitamos a todos los padres a un taller el 12 de mayo con Adrienne DeWolfe, Especialista y Entrenadora de Tecnología Educativa. DeWolfe hablará sobre ciudadanía digital, y cómo los padres pueden ayudar éticamente a sus estudiantes a navegar el mundo digital con confianza y competencia. Sobre la Ponente: Adrienne DeWolfe es una Especialista de Tecnología Educativa que ha entrenado y formado educadores y padres sobre cómo usar iPads en el salón de clase, Google Apps, herramientas web 2.0, aprendizaje online, ciudadanía digital y los estándares de núcleo común. Tiene un máster del programa de Tecnología en la Educación de Harvard University, dos acreditaciones docentes de California y una acreditación administrativa. Es la madre de dos nativos digitales. 
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Thursday, May 12, 6-8PM  
LOCATION:  2121 Imola Avenue, Napa
COST:  $10 (includes dinner, child care is not provided)
FFI:  Email, call 707.253.6873 or visit their website.
NAPA HUMANE'S PAWSPORT NAPA VALLEY
SPONSOR:  Napa Humane  
Napa Humane invites you to the only dog-friendly, passport-style wine tasting event in Napa Valley. Pawsport Napa Valley, benefiting Napa Humane, will take place May 12-15, 2016. Guests enjoy unforgettable experiences at 17 Napa Valley wineries and tasting rooms, featuring exclusive tastings, food pairings, discounts on bottle purchases, souvenirs for you and your pup, delectable treats for four-legged friends, and more! 
DAY/DATE/TIME:  May 12 through 15,10AM-5PM 
LOCATIONS:  See website for locations.
COST:  $75
FFI:  Email or visit their website.
GROWING ORNAMENTALS AND FLOWERS
SPONSOR:  UC Master Gardners of Napa County  
Join the Napa MGs at one of their favorite nurseries and learn about the care and maintenance of ornamental greens and ornamental flowers. You will learn about micro-climates in your garden, hydrozoning, and how to plant for color almost all year-round in our wonderful Mediterranean climate. And let's not forget about what our pollinators need! Check out the MG's page on Facebook.
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Saturday, May 21, 10AM-noon   
LOCATION:  Mid-City Nursery, American Canyon
COST:  $5
FFI:  Email, call 707.253.4143 or visit their website.
GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE
SPONSOR:  Napa Community Gardens 
Love to garden? No space at home? Come and join us! 
Napa Community Garden, located at the SW corner of Trower and Jefferson, still has some nice sunny 10' x 10' plots available to rent for the 2016 growing season. We provide irrigation, compost, and some tools. For more information, check out the website below.  5/1/16 
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Ongoing
LOCATION:  3875 Jefferson St., Napa
COST:  $50/yr
FFI:  Email, or visit their website.
SIERRA SERVICE BENEFIT CONCERT
BY THE JULIANE BAND 

SPONSOR:  Napa Methodist Church  
Benefit concert by the local Juliane Band, playing 20th century, acoustic American: folk, bluegrass, folk rock, gospel, pop and country with vocal harmonies to raise money to send 12 -20 Napa youth to volunteer at the Sierra Service project on a Native American reservation in Spokane, Washington this summer. Juliane's powerfully emotive voice, John Ruch's versatile artistry on 8 string baritone, 6 string steel guitar, harmony vocals and Ann Gillian's superb musical talents on fiddle, mandolin and harmony vocals, make for a great musical and fun evening.
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Saturday, May 21, 7-9PM
LOCATION:  625 Randolph Street, Napa
COST:  Please bring a canned food item to donate to the Napa Food Bank 
FFI:  Email, call 707.257.7134 or visit their website. 
BAY-FRIENDLY GARDEN TOUR
SPONSORS:  Napa County RCD, City of Napa,
City of American Canyon, County of Napa,
UC Master Gardeners   
Napa's 5th Bay-Friendly Garden Tour features 12 gardens in the Napa and American Canyon that provide inspiration for creating beautiful low-impact landscapes. Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters at each of the 12 gardens on the tour. Greeters work 3 hour shifts, either 10AM-1PM or 1PM-4PM. Volunteers tour gardens for free.
DAY/DATE/TIME:  Sunday, May 22, 10AM-4PM
LOCATION:  12 gardens in Napa and American Canyon Check website below for details.
COST:  $5
FFI:  Email, call 707.252.4189 or visit their website.