See the Napa Valley Register article…

Supplies for Success program has now expanded, enhanced, and transformed into the Spencer Colton “Gold Star” Grants. In honor of two inspirational teachers — Robert Spencer and Herb Colton, the Napa Valley Education Foundation has created the Spencer Colton “Gold Star” Teacher Grants to support the great work being done day in and day out by Napa Valley Unified School District’s K-12 teachers.

Grants of up to $500 will be awarded each school year to caring, dedicated teachers to provide basic supplies, enrichment materials and activities that enhance their students’ educational experience and help the teachers meet the NVUSD’s instructional “project-based” learning goals.

Thanks to the generous, long-term commitment from Barbara and Ray Brogliatti in honor of Barbara’s recently deceased father Robert Spencer and the Brogliatti’s dear friend, Yountville’s own Herb Colton, NVEF’s current Supplies for Success program will be expanded, enhanced and transformed into the SpencerêColton “Gold Star” Grants” Watch for details as this program rolls out for the 2012-13 school year!

The Napa Valley Education Foundation announces the 29th ANNUAL RALLY FOR EDUCATION!

May 18, 2012 ● 4pm-6pm ● Napa Valley Marriott ● 3425 Solano Ave, Napa

The NVEF along with Napa Sunrise Rotary will be honoring 2011-12 Educators of the Year!

“Art from the Heart” (2011) artwork by Harvest Middle School students of Art Teacher Crystal Clark

The Napa Valley Education Foundation is Proud to Present the Inaugural Education Exchange Napa Valley.

Join the Napa Valley Education Foundation with education industry luminaries for a vibrant conversation regarding the future of education. Experience the newest apps, technology, and health and wellness tips and techniques to insure you, staff and students thrive in the future. This two day conference will improve your vision of the future of education and how to survive and thrive, all set in the beautiful Napa Valley, California.

WiN a GuiTaR! You can win a guitar played once by the legendary Ronnie Montrose on January 27, 2012 at the Uptown Theater! Ronnie signed and donated his custom guitar for a drawing benefiting the NVEF’s Music Connection Tickets $10 each or 6 for $50 Drawing to take place March 6, 2012 – 8:00pm – NVUSD Auditorium Need not be present to win – Winner will be notified by phone or email.

Become a Rock Star… or at least play a guitar made for one! WiN a GuiTaR Rock legend Ronnie Montrose donated a custom guitar to benefit Music in our Schools! Drawing to be held March 6, 2012 8:00pm at the NVUSD Auditorium 2425 Jefferson Street , Napa , California Need not be present to win. The custom guitar donated is jet black and was designed specifically for the Napa Show Tickets for the Drawing $10 each or 6 for $50 click here to request tickets I’ll make a long story short here, seeing as how I tell it every time I play a show with one of these guitars… As you can see by looking at my tour page, I’m playing quite a few shows throughout this year and on into early 2012…Of course, I must include “Bad Motor Scooter” in my set as it’s my signature slide riff I created long ago and still very much enjoy playing. In order to do so I needed a slide guitar for this song… I decided to donate one guitar at each show to the most needy local charity… The Napa Valley Education Foundation’s Music Connection supporting music in Napa schools! This could only have happened with a team of good people behind me and supporting the cause.  A huge thank you to my friend Dwight Deveraux at Tone Pros! Dwight helped provide said instruments, with his signature hardware and bridge system, etc.installed, including adjusting them for my specific tuning, action, you know… an “all – around setup” for yours truly… Go Dwight!That being established, I then called another old friend Dean Markley at Dean Markley Strings (best strings in the world!) and asked if he could get onboard with providing Helix HD strings for these instruments… “Ask and you will receive!” Of course he was into it, he’s a great guy! So there we have it: a Ronnie Montrose autographed guitar for charity at every show - Ronnie Montrose In 1997 the NVEF established the Music Connection program to augment music programs in the schools that were threatened by the diminishing state budget.The NVEF’s Music Connection now supplies musical instruments and opportunities to the children of Napa , serving over 3000 students per school year.  This past year the NVEF once more stepped up in support of the arts and successfully raised necessary funds to sustain the elementary music programs in our schools. The Campaign to Sustain Music has commenced again for 2012-13! Thank you for your support of The Napa Valley Education Foundation! Empowering Educators Empowering Students Supporting the Napa Valley Unified School District for nearly three decades. Rock Music not your style? You can make a donation directly by sending a check to the Napa Valley Education Foundation 2425 Jefferson Street Napa, CA 94558 or by clicking on the link below CLICK HERE TO DONATE! NVEF office phone 707-253-3563 Thank you for your support! The Napa Valley Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 Non-profit organization Tax Identification Number 68-0005743

To purchase tickets, call the Music Connection at 707-259-8565 or email musicconnection@nvusd.k12.ca.us

The Napa Valley Writing Project is empowering young authors and nurturing them to express their creativity as members of a vibrant writing community

The goal of the Napa Valley Writing Project (NVWP) is to empower young authors to nurture and express their creativity as members of a vibrant writing community.

Three hundred 3rd-12th graders were able to complete short novels, scripts, and illustrated stories. Students then participated in a book signing at Copperfield’s Book Store. See link to Napa Valley Register Article.

This year the NVWP will offer middle schools two workshops: Novel Mania and Script Madness. As a project-based learning activity, each workshop will provide a process of inquiry in response to the challenge to complete and publish/sell a short novel, script or illustrated story. These projects will help students learn key academic content and practice the 21st Century Skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

Napa Valley Education Foundation e-Auction to support education initiatives!!

The NVEF is proud to announce our first e-auction to support education initiatives. Please join us as we auction off many beautiful items that have been generously provided to support empowerment of our students and educators through enrichment programs

The e-Auction will be capped off at the Napa Valley Education Foundation 28th Annual Gala with well know auctioneer, Rely Pio Roda.

This exciting event gives you an opportunity to bid on your favorite items prior to the Auction and be the first and possible winning bid. All auction items will be available for bid online, auction will be closed at the conclusion of the Taste for Knowledge Gala on October 22nd, 2011.

Bid on your favorite item today. Winning bids will be posted online.

Decorations by the one & only – Michael Holmes Designs. Don’t miss this elegant, exciting event to support the Napa Valley Education Foundation.

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Thank you to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, guests, and friends
for their most generous support of the
Napa Valley Education Foundation Taste for Knowledge 2011 Gala!

Our 2011 Sponsors

Many thanks to our generous supporters:

4C Communications
Adam & Andrea Hedemark
Andy Starr
Bay Cities Paving
Domaine Carneros
G & J Seiberlich & Co LLP
Judd Finkelstein
Juslyn Vineyards
Karen O’Neil
Napa Valley Life Magazine
The Grapebomb Card
Rely Pio Roda
RGM & Associates
Wells Fargo Bank
ZFA Structural Engineers
Brian Whitmer
Bruce Anderson
Christine Golik
Debbie Crosley
Debbie Alter-Starr
Delta Kappa Gamma Society
Diane Stonework
Dustin Kaiser
Elizabeth Skylar
Frank Hattyar
Ila Hohmann
Jamie Tiner
Jeanne Szmidt
John & Renee Lawson
Karin Hatton
Karina Coglizer
Kerry Gorman
Laura Hulquist
Linda Glass
Linda Zimmer
Margrit Biever Mondavi
Marilyn Ward
Marilyn Reid
Melinda Adams
Micheliegh Cherry
Napa Vintage Storage
Nick Pike
Ray Sercu
Ron Murray
Shawn J. Milburn
Shantelle Downing
Stacie Milat
Stacie Patrick
Teresa Belnas
Todd J. Iseri
Tristan Borges
Vickie Crist
Werner Mosert
Vintage High Art Students

With Gratitude to our Donors:

Aetna Springs Golf Course
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards
Araujo Estate Wines
Arrow & Branch
Artesa Vineyards & Winery
Auberge Du Soleil
Balletine Vineyards
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Bardessono
Bellagio -Vintage Inn
Bennett Lane Winery
Bistro Sabor
Bouchon Restaurant
Bourassa Vineyards
CADE Estate Winery
Cain Vineyard &Winery
Cakebread
Calistoga Ranch
Cannery Row Company
Carpe Diem Wine Bar
Cavas Wine Lodge, Argentina
Cavallo Point
Caymas Vineyards
Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family
Cellar Hohenurt, South Africa
Cindy Pawlcyn
Classic Convertible Wine Tours
Clos Pegas
Cole’s Chop House
Cooks & Books & Corks
Craig & Kathryn Hall
Dalla Valle Vineyards
Dancing Hares
Dean & Deluca
Del Dotto Vineyards
D.R. Stephens
Duckhorn Wine Co.
Eagle Vines Golf Course
Eldorado Kitchen, Sonoma
Encantado, An Auberge Resort
Embassy Suites
Etude Wines
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Farmstead Restaurant
Far Niente, Dolce, Nickel & Nickel
Fantesca Estate & Winery
Flagstone Winery
Frog’s Leap Winery
Fume Bistro
Gerry & Erica Spoor
Gimenez Fiili
Godspeed Vineyards
Gott’s Roadside
Grant Long, Jr
Grapebomb
Grgich Hills
Hagafen Cellars
Heitz Wine Cellars
Herb Lamb Vineyards
Hotel Vitale, San Francisco
Hurley’s Restaurant, Yountville
Jeff Gordon Estate
John & Janet Trefethen
Jones Family Vineyards
Joseph Phelps Vineyard
Judd’s Hill
Juslyn Vineyards
Kara Adamson
Kenwood Inn
Kenzo Estate
Kristine Ashe Vineyards
La Toque
La Valencia
Les Mars Hotel
Lightworks Photography
Linda Glass
Little River Inn & Resort
Liz Davis
Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
Mandarin Hotel, Las Vegas
Mandarin Hotel, San Francisco
Marc Lhormer
Markham Vineyards
Marty Wong
Matt Keenan Winery
Mayacamas Vineyards
Meadowood Napa Valley
Mi Sueno Winery
Monticelli Vineyards
Morton’s Steakhouse
Napa Premium Outlets
Napa River Inn
Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
Napa Valley Wine Library Association of St. Helena
Napa Valley Film Festival
Napa Valley Symphony
Napa Valley Tours & Transportation
Nasa Car Control Clinic
Ned & Laurie Pederson
O’Brien Estate Winery
Opus One
Paradigm Winery
Paul Hobbs
Pahlmeyer Winery
Pavi Wines
Pearl Restaurant
Peter Michael Winery
Pride Mountain
Pure Luxury Transportation
Quixote Winery
REDD
Rancho Valencia
Renaissance The Stanford Court Hotel
Richard & Marilyn Mendelson
Ristorante Allegria
Robert Foley Vineyards
Robert Lawson Consulting
Robert Mondavi Winery
Rombauer Vineyards
RP Diamonds
Rubicon Estate
San Jose Sharks
Saintsbury
Sardine Factory
Schramsberg
See’s Candies
Shafer Vineyard
Silverado Resort & Spa
Sonor Resort , BC – Relais & Chateaux
Snowden Vineyards
St. Regis Hotel, SF
Staglin Family Vineyard
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
Stanford Court-Renaissance Hotel
Steltzner Vineyards
Steven Berger
Synergy Fitness Center
Tesoro
The Carneros Inn
The French Laundry
The Scent Hotel
The Stanford Inn
Tra Vigne Restaurant
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Trinchero Family Estates
Trivium
Truchard Vineyards
Tulocay & Co.
Turnbull Wine Cellars
Tyler Nelson
Tyler Rodde
Uva Trattoria
Vallerga’s Market
Viader Napa Valley
Villa Sanadi
Vineyard 7 & 8
Vintner’s Collection Napa Valley
Werner Mosert
William Hill Estate
ZD Wines

Hosted by Judd’s Hill Winery, BarbersQ Restaurant and the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, the 2nd Annual BBQ Battle held on September 18, 2011 at the beautiful Marriott benefited the Napa Valley Education Foundation’s Music Connection Program. The Music Connection has been supporting students of the Napa Valley with musical instruments and opportunities for over a decade.

Guests attending the Napa Valley BBQ Battle were spoiled with Judd’s Hill wines, Bison Beers, and the fabulous BBQ! People’s Choice judging indicated Pat Burke from Judd’s Hill once more as victor, and in 2nd and 3rd place by a narrow margin the Marriott’s Executive Chef Brian Whitmer and BarbersQ Chef de Cuisine Joey Ray. Celebrity judge and cookbook author James McNair announced his vote, giving all three chefs victory in one of the three categories – beef brisket, pork ribs, and sauce. All in attendance agreed that the students are the real winners as funds will be used to purchase musical instruments!

Watch for details for the 3rd Annual BBQ Battle! The chefs were already calculating their battle strategies for the next year!

Music programs for elementary age children in the Napa Valley Unified School District are important cornerstones to education, child development and improved self-esteem for students.  In order to sustain and move forward with these instrumental programs in our schools, the Napa Valley Education Foundation is conducting a fundraising campaign to raise the necessary funds so that over 1,300 school aged children can continue to participate in music programs developing 21^st century skills they need to function in today’s society.

• The Napa Valley Education Foundation’s program, The Music Connection impacts thousands of students a year and has been an integral piece of our children’s education for more than fourteen years. See the editorial in the Napa Valley Register.
• Studies have shown that students involved in music programs have a higher level of self-esteem, which is the main predictor of resilience to substance abuse and other negative behaviors.  Music programs teach and engage students so they are more successful in learning other subjects and students’ attendance is higher in school.
• The NVUSD is facing many hard choices and budget cuts, because of this the Napa Valley Education Foundation, who is the prime driver of music programs in our schools, is committed to providing music education opportunities for our children.  The Napa community prides itself on being a world-class location; students in such a location deserve a musical education compensatory with that reputation.

You can make a difference in sustaining music for our children!

Please consider supporting the Napa Valley Education Foundation’s efforts to sustain music for our students by donating and/or assisting in the 2012 fundraising campaign.

Contact Robin Hampton, Executive Director, Napa Valley Education Foundation
at 707-253-3563 or email foundation@nvef.org

Donations can be made via Paypal/Credit Card/Debit Card
by clicking on the Donate button

2012 Maestros of Music

Alta Heights Family Faculty Club
Community Projects of Napa
Donald & Mary Evans
E&J Gallo Winery/William Hill Winery
Edward & Camille Penhoet
El Centro Elementary School
Joe Kobylka
Mt. George International School
Napa River Inn
Sierra Health Foundation
Tracey Nauright
Wells Fargo