Napa Unity League Mixer, Mon, Sep 6, 6-8p

Monday, Labor day, September 6, 2010 is Napa's next Unity League mixer and meeting. A social gathering w/ good people, bites to eat and usually a great local winery pouring something tasty.

With a mission of enhanc[ing] the sense of community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens & their families, friends and allies through: social networking, community service, health & education and social justice, the folks from the Napa Valley Unity League are the main organizers for Napa's Pride, the Academy Awards party/fundraiser and AIDS Walk Napa Valley, among many other events.

Here's the lineup for this month's meeting:

• This month we'll be celebrating Labor Day with a BBQ on the lawn above the pool at Riverpointe
• Folks from Honig Winery will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• We'll find out more about the 19th Annual Napa Valley AIDS Walk which takes place in Yountville on Saturday, October 30
• We still have a few Napa Valley Pride dog tags ($3 each or 2 for $5) and wristbands ($2 each or 3 for $5)
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas

There's a Facebook event page if you'd like to RSVP or peek at who's saying they're going.

Additionally, Josie just sent us out a special reminder about a community service project she and TJ are encouraging our support on:

I just wanted to remind people it is not too late to pick up some school supplies to donate to the Teachers Resource Center (formerly Change for Kids). Teachers have it tough these days and many spend up to $500 a year out of their own pockets so that all of their students can have needed supplies. There are still deals on paper, pens, notebooks and such at Office Depot, Target, Staples and Wal-Mart.

Bring your donation to the mixer and I will deliver it to the TRC. I talked to a teacher friend yesterday who said copy paper is really a strong need for most teachers. She is copying old textbooks to use in creative ways in her classes. Thanks in advance to all who can help.

Josie Jenkins
TJ Danser
Community Service Co-Chairs

Next Unity League mixer/meeting Mon, Aug 2

[Update, Sun, Aug 1, 12p: included more on what's on this month's agenda and an update to the location, see below]

The Napa Valley Unity League's famous monthly mixer and meeting will be Monday, August 2nd at its usual location, Riverpointe Napa.

What's on tap for August?

• Folks from Oakville Ranch Vineyards will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• Enjoy food prepared in the Napa Valley Unity League test kitchens (just kidding - but the food is amazing!)
• We still have a few Napa Valley Pride dog tags ($3 each or 2 for $5) and wristbands ($2 each or 3 for $5)
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.

And some updates:

• The meeting will take place on the outside grass near the pool (south side lawn of the clubhouse building)
• Here more about:
  *Family Services of Napa Valley
  *Access Adventure
  *Marin Pride
  *Napa Guerilla Gay Bar Missions
  

Cost? Just a $5.00 SUGGESTED donation

We meet at Riverpointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - just across from Compadres Rio Grille) in Napa. The mixer starts around 6. A short meeting takes place starting at 7. The facebook event page has RSVP options, but you can just show up.

Napa Unity League monthly mixer Mon, July 5, 2010

It's that time of the month again, the Napa Valley Unity League is hosting their monthly mixer! After you've recovered from all the Pride and 4th of July parties, come and meet a good group of local gays, gals and friends!

We meet at Riverpointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - just across from Compadres Rio Grille) in Napa. The mixer starts around 6:00 p.m. A short meeting takes place starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Napa Valley Unity LeagueThe Napa Valley Unity League is an organization whose mission is to enhance the sense of community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens & their families, friends and allies through: Social Networking, Community Service, Health & Education and Social Justice. We encourage you to join us. We are an inclusive organization!

They gather monthly to mix, mingle, share some good food (and usually have a local winery pouring something delicious) and share important news and announcements concerning the Napa Valley (or North Bay)'s LGBT community. All this for a suggested donation of only $5. The Unity League is also the group behind Napa's AIDS Walk, the Academy Awards Celebration, and Pride Week among many other things.

Join us for a very special 5th of July Napa Valley Unity League Mixer & Meeting. To celebrate Independence Day we'll be meeting on the covered outdoor patio next to the pool on the ground floor of the Clubhouse building at Riverpointe Napa Valley:

• Folks from Artesa Winery in Carneros will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• Enjoy food prepared in the Napa Valley Unity League test kitchens (just kidding - but the food is amazing!)
• We have a few Napa Valley Pride dog tags left for purchase - $3 each or 2 for $5
• Learn about Team Unity League! We'll be walking in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Napa Valley College July 24-25. Find out how you can get involved or support the team financially
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.

If you're the type that likes to RSVP (or peek at others who have RSVP'd), you can do so here, on the event's facebook invite.

Unity League contingent in Napa's 4th of July parade: vid, pics, write-up

Above is the embedded video (click through to the blog if you can't see it) and here is Chris Edwards' write-up about the Unity League contingent in the City of Napa's 2nd Annual 4th of July parade (use the comments section to add your own thoughts):

Great job by TJ Danser in leading this year’s parade contingent in the Napa Sunrise Rotary’s 4th of July Parade!

The parade was led by Fish and gang carrying the Unity League Banner. DJ Rotten Robbie and his partner Eric walked the streets hand in hand alongside Deb and Carol’s Smart Car. They inspired the crowds concerning unity and equality for all.

Michele, Josie, Scott, Wally the dog and I rode in the convertible escorted by David, TJ, our friend on the bike whose name has slipped my mind as well as Lola and Mickey. The highlight was Terri Curd with rainbow feathers accompanied by a huge smile waving from the fully decked-out Cristal Blue Carriage limo supplied by Chris & Bill. With Terri’s daughter and friends in tow, the crowds were inspired with a good cheer and diversity. We had a few new faces and others helping out as well, whose names have now slipped me after a glass of wine.

During the live broadcast of the parade on 99.3 THE VINE, “Kellie in the Morning” suggested we had the most festive and colorful contingent to a huge cheer from the crowd watching.

Thanks to all, especially TJ, for reminding us of the fun and that we need to participate as we are diverse colors, faces and ideas making up the fabric of our Napa Community.

Thanks all until year!
Chris Edwards

P.S. – Don’t forget about the special Napa Valley Unity League Mixer & Meeting on Monday, July 5th! We’ll be meeting outdoors on the patio by the pool at Riverpointe Napa Valley starting at 6:00 p.m.

Queer Napans in 4th of July Parade again, join us Sun, July 4

[Update, July 4, 11:30a: apparently, if you just want to watch the parade today in downtown Napa, it starts at 2p. The earlier times are for those who are serving as parade eye candy.]

This is the 2nd year that Napa's Sunrise Rotary is hosting a big "old fashioned" parade for the 4th of July, and word is that they loved having us so much last year that we're invited again:

The parade takes place in downtown Napa: our staging area for the parade will be at the corner of Church and Third Streets (that’s just west of Alexis Baking Company & Val’s Liquors). If you’d like to help decorate the vehicles, please arrive at the staging area at Noon. If you’d like to walk/march/ride with our contingent, please arrive at the staging area at 1 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is "Happy Birthday America!” Be creative and or just come to have fun – rainbows and/or the good old red, white and blue are appropriate, of course! Invite your family, friends, children and pets to join in the celebration.

If you have a convertible and are interested in driving in the parade please call TJ at (707) 225-1663. We’d love to have 3 to 5 convertibles to decorate and to carry some folks while others walk along in the parade.

Hope to see you in the parade!

Would you like a peek at the Pride contingent in last year's parade? Here ya go:

Pride month Napa Unity League mixer Mon, June 7, 2010

It's that time of the month again, the Napa Valley Unity League is hosting their monthly mixer, and this time it's in honor of LGBTQ Pride! Come and meet a good group of local gays, gals and friend! Here are the juicy details:

Monday, June 7, 6p-8p
Napa Valley Unity League Mixer and Meeting

Join us for the June 2010 Napa Valley Unity League Mixer & Meeting. There is a TON of stuff going on!

• Folks from Elizabeth Spencer Winery in Rutherford will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• Enjoy food prepared in the Napa Valley Unity League test kitchens (just kidding - but the food is amazing!)
• PRIDE, PRIDE, PRIDE! Find out about EVERYTHING going on during Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010.
• Buy your Napa Valley Pride dog tags - $3 each or 2 for $5
• Purchase tickets for "Tee Up Your Pride" - a golf outing and/or supper taking place at Vintner's Golf Club in Yountville on Saturday, June 12
• Purchase tickets for "You Can Leave Your Hat On! - a Napa Valley Pride Celebration" with DJ Rotten Robbie. The event takes place on Friday, June 18 at the Made in Napa Valley Culinary Centre.
• Pick up a handy Napa Valley Pride 2010 postcard with a complete schedule of events on the back
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.

Cost? Just a $5.00 SUGGESTED donation


AND HERE’S SOME BIG NEWS! If you purchase your tickets for "You Can Leave Your Hat On! - a Napa Valley Pride Celebration" during the mixer or immediately after the meeting you’ll receive the discount that expired at the end of May. That will save you between 10 and 20 bucks! This will be your LAST CHANCE for discounted tickets.

We meet at Riverpointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - just across from Compadres Rio Grille) in Napa. The mixer starts around 6:00 p.m. A short meeting takes place starting at 7:00 p.m.

You can RSVP or share the invitation to this meeting via Facebook.

Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride coming June 12-20, 2010; 20+ events planned

[Update, May 28: corrected the location of the youth Pride dance to Kenney (not Fuller) Park.]

The folks behind this year's Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride have outdone themselves and scheduled 20+ events for this year's celebrations. There's bound to be something (if not many things) to get everyone involved, so get these all on your own calendars, now!

There's a "fan page" on Facebook if you'd like to follow the news, or as usual, I'll cover developments, here on The Valley's Other Fruit.

Additionally, Saturday, June 5 (10a-2p) there's a carwash fundraiser at Compadres to bring in money to fund all these amazing rainbow events.

Saturday, June 12

• 4p-9p: Tee Up Your Pride at Vintner's Golf Club
  
• 7p-11:30p: Youth Pride Dance at Pelusi Building/Kennedy Park
  

Sunday, June 13

• 9:30a-10:30a: Reconciling Sunday Service, "Creating Sanctuary for All" at First United Methodist Church
  
• 12p-4p: Pride Family Picnic at Fuller Park
  
• 4p-5:30p: "Fish Out of Water" film Screening, God & Gays, Some Perspectives at First United Methodist Church
  
• 4p-9p: Ben & Jerry's Fundraiser
• 6p-9p: Panchas of Yountville invaded by Guerilla Gay Bar
  

Monday, June 14

• 11a - 10p: Mary's Pizza Shack PFLAG Pfundraiser

Tuesday, June 15

• no events yet planned, visit napavalleypride.com for late breaking updates

Wednesday, June 16

• 2p-9p: Gott's Roadside Tray Gourmet Relay for Life Fundraiser

Thursday, June 17

• The Napa Valley Toy Company 10 & 10 Day, fundraiser for PFLAG
• 5p-9p: Chef's Market Pride Night
• 7:30p-9:30p: Downtown Joe's invaded by Napa Guerilla Gay Bar

Friday, June 18

• 6p-midnight: "You Can Leave Your Hat On!" Pride celebration, dance, food at Made In Napa Culinary Centre
  

Saturday, June 19

• 10:30a-2:30p: Pride Hike at Skyline Park
• 7p-10p: Family & "Family" bowling night at Napa Bowl
• 11p-1a: Mamma Mia sing-a-long at Cameo Cinemas

Sunday, June 20

• 10a-1p: Recovery Brunch at Characters, Napa Valley Marriott
  
• 4p-9:30p: Art Show and Poetry Reading, "Showing Our True Colors" at Bloom
  
• 4p-sunset: Ibiza Chill-Out in the Napa Valley at Bardessono
  

Napa Unity League monthly mixer tonight, Mon, May 3, 2010

Today, Monday, May 3, 2010 is the first Monday of the month...which means it is also the night of the Napa Valley Unity League's monthly mixer. Nibbles, wine, good people, and group news/announcements and ways to get involved:

Monday, May 3, 6 to 8 p.m. at
Riverpointe Napa Valley
500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa

We meet on the second floor of the clubhouse building

This month:

• Find out what's going on during Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010 - June 12 through 20 and how you can help
• Learn more about the Napa Emergency Women's Services and their programs for the LGBT community
• Enjoy wines from our friends at Beringer Vineyards and delicious food prepared by a group of our members
• Join the Unity League's team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
• Receive your "orders" for the next mission of the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar
• Catch up with old friends and meet new ones

All we ask is a $ 5.00 suggested donation
to help cover food costs and room rental

See you there!

The Napa Valley Unity League holds their mixers monthly, and is the group behind the Napa AIDS Walk, the Napa Academy Awards fundraiser, Napa Pride and more.

Napa Unity League Monthly Mixer next Mon, Apr 5

I can't believe it, it's already that time of the month! Napa's social/service organization for LGBT's and friends only has their mixer once a month. Make sure and get this in your calendars:

Napa Valley Unity League Mixer and Meeting

We meet at RiverPointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa) on the 2nd Floor of the Clubhouse Building

First, we’ll socialize from 6 to 7 p.m. while enjoying wine from Pine Ridge Winery. At 7 we’ll assemble for a short meeting. After the meeting you're free to hang around to socialize, shoot some pool or just have another glass of wine.

This month there will be an update regarding the Red Carpet Gala that took place on March 7. There will also be an update from the team that volunteered to discuss the Donor Advised Fund. In addition, we'll start getting organized for Napa Valley Pride which takes place during June.

We'll also find out about:

• Pine Ridge Winery – our guest winery for April
• “I Am My Own Wife” – a stage production that will be presented at the Bay Terrace Theater. The actor – David Foushee – a Yountville resident that plays close to 40 different characters in the production will be on hand to talk about play and to perform a scene for those who are interested!
• community service opportunities that are available
• events planned by the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar
• ways you can support the Napa Valley Unity League

How much does it cost? Just a $5 suggested donation. Feel free to bring some goodies to share if you're so inclined.

Hope to see many of you there!

Napa Academy Awards fundraiser, next Sun, Mar 7

I'm hoping you've already heard about this, because I haven't said much since my first post about volunteering (back in January)...Next Sunday is a huge fundraiser for our local HIV/AIDS support services (they help with other chronic illnesses such as cancer as well), the Queen of the Valley's CARE Network. The huge, fun party will be at Mondavi next weekend. There will also be more info at tonight's Napa Unity League monthly mixer:

22nd Annual Napa Valley Red Carpet Extravaganza - An Academy Awards Viewing Party!

The event takes place on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Robert Mondavi Winery (7801 St. Helena Hwy in Oakville, CA). Festivities run from 5 to 11 p.m.

Funds raised at the event benefit HIV/AIDS & Cancer support provided by the CARE Network at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

The evening includes:

• viewing the 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast live via big screens throughout the venue
• food items from over 25 of the Napa Valley's finest restaurants
• great wines from Robert Mondavi Winery at no-host bars
• bidding on fantastic silent auction items and the ability to purchase wonderful balloon raffle prizes
• live comedy and entertainment provided by Bob Sarlatte - nationally-known actor, radio and TV personality, comedian and speaker
• music and dancing with DJ "Doc" Martin Durand

Buy your tickets at www.napavalleyacademyawards.org

Tickets options are:

• PASSPORT - gives you all-inclusive access to wines, food and a guaranteed seat to watch the awards near a big screen as well as access to the dance party. All food and drinks are included (including some special items only available to PASSPORT ticket holders. PASSPORT tickets are $75.00. PASSPORT tickets are available to Robert Mondavi Wine Club members for only $65.00
• GENERAL ADMISSION - these tickets give you access to food sampling, telecast viewing and the dance party. Drinks are not included at the GENERAL ADMISSION ticket level but may be purchased at the event via drink tickets. GENERAL ADMISSION tickets are $25.00 ($22.50 for Robert Mondavi Wine Club members)

This is ALWAYS a great event and raises a lot of money for a VERY WORTHY cause. Be there!

Have any of you gone before? Tell us about your time...are you going this year?

Monthly Napa Unity League Mixer & Meeting this Mon, Mar 1, 6p

It's been almost a month since my last post, and I need to re-find my groove here on the Fruit (comments and interaction from you guys would help!). What better way than with the announcement of an old standby that showed up recently in my inbox:

Napa Valley Unity League’s
March 2010
Mixer and Meeting

RiverPointe Napa Valley
500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa
(Second Floor of the Club House Building)

6 to 8 p.m.

$5 suggested donation
Feel free to bring treats to share if you’d like

This month:

• Herb Lamb Vineyards will be pouring their wines for all you oenophiles in the crowd
• We’ll talk about some community service opportunities as well as how to make sure you’re counted in the 2010 census
• Find out what our friends at the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar are up to
• Meet new friends – reconnect with those you already know
• Find out more about and buy tickets for . . .

Sunday, March 7
Napa Valley Red Carpet Extravaganza
An Academy Awards® Viewing Event

If I go, will I see you there?

Monthly Napa Unity League mixer tonight, Feb 1, 6p

As with almost every other first Monday, tonight's the Napa Unity League's monthly mixer. Show up to meet and greet and, well--mix--with local gays, then hear about upcoming events, fundraisers and other goings on:

Napa Valley Unity League Mixer & Meeting

Monday, February 1, 2010
6 to 8 p.m.

RiverPointe Napa Valley
500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa
2nd Floor of Clubhouse Building

$ 5.00 suggested donation
Feel free to bring goodies to share

This month:

• Taste wines from White Cottage Ranch Winery. Doug Beck will tell us about their wine and their business
• Learn more about the “22nd Annual Napa Valley Red Carpet Extravaganza – An Academy Awards Viewing Party” taking place on Sunday, March 7 at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Proceeds from the event benefit HIV/AIDS and Cancer services provided by the CARE Network at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Find out how you can help!
• Find out about a variety of community service opportunities
• Discover what missions are planned by the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar organization
• Meet new friends and reconnect with old ones

Call for volunteers for Napa Academy Awards fundraiser

The holiday weekend through me off on the timing so part of this information isn't up-to-date, but this info is still better late than never... I heard last year's celebration was a smashing success, tons of fun and it wouldn't have happened without a dedicated crew of volunteers. Here's your chance to get in on making that happen:

The 22nd annual Academy Awards Gala fundraiser for the CARE Network at Queen of the Valley Hospital will return to the To Kalon Cellar at Robert Mondavi Winery on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

For the past few years, this event has been one of the Napa Valley Unity League's prime fundraisers. It is time to kick volunteer efforts into gear.

If you want to volunteer to help, please call volunteer coordinator Liz Alessio (Queen of the Valley liaison) at (707) 251-2007 as soon as possible.

If you want to serve on the core committee and can commit Monday nights AND MORE through March 7, then please attend the first 2010 Oscars fundraiser committee meeting at the home of co-chairs Chris Edwards and Scott Butler, in Napa on Monday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. We’ll get acquainted, chitchat and have a glass of wine for the first half hour. The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. (unless Hell freezes over) and will not run more than 1 hour. get in touch with Scott Butler by calling him at (707) 738-4040.

We are looking for a few committee chairs, so Unity Leaguers, step up to the challenge. It's your Oscars party, but most importantly, it's your fundraiser. If you are coming to meeting, please let Scott know. Again, [for general volunteering, call Liz Alessio, if you're interested in being a committee chair, call Scott Butler to see if there's still openings.]

Thanks,
Co-Chair Pierce Carson

Napa Unity League Mixer, Mon, Jan 4, 6-8p

Yes, it's that time of the month again:

Napa Valley Unity League
Monthly Mixer

Monday, January 4, 2010
6 to 8 p.m.

RiverPointe Napa Valley
500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa
(across from Compadres Rio Grille)

$ 5.00 suggested donation
Feel free to bring snacks to share

• Meet up with friends, both old and new
• Enjoy wine supplied by Napa Guerilla Gay Bar (great leftovers from their holiday party/fundraiser)
• Find out what is going on in the Napa Valley

Annual Napa Unity League Holiday Soiree, Mon, Dec 7

Not to be confused with the other big, gay, Christmas/Holiday party (from Guerilla Gay Bar), the Napa Valley Unity League is also throwing a bash. We now have two, big, gay holiday parties to go to...Looks like I'll have to get another fab outfit together...

The Napa Valley Unity League is an organization whose mission is to enhance the sense of community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens & their families, friends and allies through Social Networking, Community Service, Health & Education and Social Justice. They throw their mixer every first Monday of the year and traditionally are the big sponsors of the Napa Valley AIDS Walk, the Napa Valley Academy Awards Party and Napa Valley Pride events.

Here's the details on this year's Holiday Soiree:

Monday, December 7
The Annual Unity League Holiday Soiree!
It’s a great way to kick-off the holidays!

• Relax, rejoice and reconnect with friends, old and new, during the "Wine & Cosmo Reception" from 6:00 to 6:30 pm
• Enjoy a tasty dinner courtesy of the Napa Valley Unity League
• Show your appreciation to those who support our community during an awards presentation

Get into the giving season with two fantastic opportunities:

1) Help the Unity League support VOICES Napa Valley as they help young people transition from foster care to independent living

GIVE - donate one or more $10 gift cards from Target or Walmart that will be donated to VOICES to give to their youth (please - $10 denominated gift cards only)

RECEIVE - get one entry to win an AMAZING Napa Valley Dining and Entertainment gift package for each $10 gift card you donate

2) Enjoy "Guilt-free Regifting" during a hilarious holiday gift exchange. Just bring a wrapped, unwanted or "not quite right" gift that you have received in the past. You'll get the chance to exchange it for something more fabulous. Who knows? Maybe that Chia Pet, Bedazzler or Snuggie that you received is exactly what someone else had on their wish list! Besides, it's a great way to recycle!

Please RSVP through Evite at http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/BYKORPEGXODQSIASGYVI/NVULHolidayParty09

Napa Unity League November mixer this Monday, Nov 2

Monday, November 2 is the next Napa Valley Unity League Monthly Mixer:

On Monday, November 2nd, we’ll be basking in the glow from a very successful Napa Valley AIDS Walk. In addition, Casey McConnell-Leon from the Silverado Trail Wine Studio, home of the Bighorn Cellars, Expressions Wines and Tetra, will be pouring some of their wines. Also, we’ll hear about a couple of great community service opportunities.

This event takes place at RiverPointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue, Napa – across from Compadres Rio Grille) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. We meet on the 2nd floor of the clubhouse building.

Cost – only a $5.00 suggested donation (or whatever you can afford). Bring some food to share if you’re so inclined. Be there!

Unity League monthly mixer, Mon, October 5

Has another month really almost passed? Yes, and that means it's pretty much October, and time for the next Napa Valley Unity League (whose mission is to enhance the sense of community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens & their families, friends and allies) monthly mixer. At this month's meeting...

• Joey & Jeff from Poem Cellars will be pouring their wines and will spend a few minutes talking about their wines and their business
• We'll be collecting office supplies for "Change for Kids" - an organization that collects classroom supplies for teachers in the Napa Valley Unified School District
• We'll get an update on AIDS Walk Napa Valley 2009
• You can buy tickets for eat/drink/dance/walk! which takes place on Friday, October 16 and benefits AIDS Walk Napa Valley 2009

It all takes place at RiverPointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - 2nd floor of the Club House Building) from 6 to 8 pm

Cost? $5.00 suggested donation. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine, a 6 pack of beer, some soda and/or snacks to share.

All ages are welcome.

Unity League monthly mixer Monday, Sept 7

For those looking to get involved in (or just check out) Napa's organized LGBT community, the next Napa Valley Unity League meeting is coming up on Monday. The Napa Unity League has four focuses: social networking, community service, health/education and social justice. Their monthly mixers (held the first Monday of most months) are an easy way to casually see what's going on (and get a little bite to eat and drink). I'm trying to remember to remind y'all on time this month, so here ya go:

Monday, September 7th from 6 to 8 p
(Yes, they know it's Labor Day)

@ RiverPointe Napa Valley
(500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa, 2nd Floor of Clubhouse Building)

$ 5.00 suggested donation to help cover costs

Feel free to bring a bottle of wine, a six-pack of beer, a bottle of soda and/or some munchies to share

Queen of Valley HIV/AIDS progs slashed by State cuts; date chosen for Napa Valley AIDS Walk 2009

As we mentioned a week ago, California's Governator slashed millions of dollars from the State's budget, affecting many vital programs significantly, including HIV/AIDS funding, affecting thousands of people's lives. We recieved more detail from our friends at the Napa Valley Unity League and a statement from the Queen of the Valley hospital, coordinator of a main, local HIV/AIDS support:

As you know, many fundraisers sponsored by the Napa Valley Unity League support the Community Outreach programs at The Queen of the Valley Medical Center. The recently announced state budget cuts have significantly affected their efforts to serve our community. Here is an update from The Queen:

"At Queen of the Valley Medical Center, the recently announced State budget cuts will have a significant impact on a number of important community health programs including HIV services and others. The revised budget ends all funding for one of three HIV case management programs, which had been allocated approximately $90,000 in the budget originally approved by the California legislature. The Queen is committed to continuing the program, at least through fiscal year 2010, by allocating a significant portion of our community health "reserves." However, we don't really know the long-term impact of these budget actions if State funding is not restored.

The announced cuts will also have a negative impact as a result of reduced funding for the Healthy Families program, which affects about a third of the children who access our Children's Mobile Dental Clinic. We are currently assessing what the full extent of these reductions will be on the hundreds of families for whom our outreach programs serve.

Our long history of providing high quality and caring service is founded on our four core values: Dignity, Service, Excellence and Justice. These four central principles inspire us to reach out to those in need and to help them heal. Queen of the Valley devotes a percentage of its net income to outreach activities and services that help rebuild lives and care for the underserved and disadvantaged.

The Queen is firmly committed to continuing to provide these and other critical services for our community. We will continue to assess the full impact of the recent cuts, and we will work with all potential private and public funding sources to secure the funding if needed to continue to provide our services to the Napa Valley community."

It's more important than ever to directly support worthwhile organizations that provide vital services to our community and to our state. Please keep this in mind when you consider your participation in the 2009 Napa Valley AIDS Walk. Details about this annual event are coming soon!

And a date for the Napa Valley AIDS Walk was just chosen: Saturday, October 31st. Get it on your calendars and start raising money now!

Unity League August monthly mixer Monday, August 3

Here's your monthly reminder to attend the mixer for Napa's all-in-one (social/community service/health/social justice) organization for the LGBT community, the Napa Unity League:

Monday, August 3rd from 6 to 8 pm

@ RiverPointe Napa Valley
(500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa, 2nd Floor of Clubhouse Building)

$ 5.00 suggested donation to help cover costs

Feel free to bring a bottle of wine, a six-pack of beer, a bottle of soda and/or some munchies to share

And that's that. Share your thoughts, opinions, suggestions or gossip in the comments to this post or via the tipline.