publisher’s note Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it’s a time for family and friends to come together and share an incredible meal, laugh at each other and express our gratitude for each other. Yes, I know, this shouldn’t be reserved for one day a year, but it’s a day I always look forward to. For me Thanksgiving is not always with the same people because my family is spread across the United States and beyond. Some years our celebration is big, with many friends, and other years it’s more intimate with just a few of us. Regardless of the number of attendees or the location, I am always grateful for those who I can spend time with. This year in particular has special meaning for me, and I’m sure for most Napans, after the devastating Napaquake rocked our world. I knew I lived in a fabulous neighborhood, but the love and support that poured out in the streets the early morning hours of August 24 was overwhelming. Our little community within the larger whole came together to check on each other and, though I have no extended family in Napa Valley, I didn’t feel alone. I happened to live in one of the areas hardest hit from the 6.0 shaker and I’m still putting the pieces back together, but I smile when I remember that morning. It’s the little things in life that bring so much pleasure, like sharing a flashlight with my neighbor Judy, neighbor Leslie bringing over coffee, Katrina helping me tackle the kitchen floor which my daughter said smelled like a bad hangover, and Dave helping turn our gas off after the valve became stuck. My neighborhood was not an exception to the rule; the entire Napa Valley rallied together to help each other. I remember hearing Amelia Ceja cried when she learned one of her customers stayed by her tasting room until she arrived because her windows were broken and he didn’t want anyone looting her place. Despite the magnitude of destruction in Downtown Napa, there were no reports of looting or vandalism. What a great city we live in. The new Executive Director of the Napa Chamber, Travis Stanley, was seen out in sweat pants helping where he could. Travis told me he was so impressed how helpful people were after the quake, that “nobody does anything alone here in Napa.” November is also a busy month with two exciting festivals—the Napa Valley Film Festival and Flavor! Napa Valley—as well as the kick-off to Cabernet Season in the Valley. Napa Valley Life Magazine is proud to support all these. NOV E M B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 9 Enjoy!!! Your Publisher, Kari Ruel With Vintner John Shafer at his 90th birthday party With KTVU-2 Sports Director Mark Ibanez and actor Rob Schneider at Hands Across the Valley With Graham Nash and NVL's Monica Martarano-James at Mumm Napa Valley With Schramsberg owner Hugh Davies during its harvest celebration With Kellie Fuller at Nourish Napa during Napa Rocks
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