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.

To purchase tickets, click on the Donate button below, 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

2011 Champions of Music

Alta Heights Family Faculty Club
American Canyon High School Alliance
Bonnie Andersen
Brenda Llamas
Brent & Swinder Cooper
Claudia & Bill Hanna
Community Projects of Napa
David Alpert
David Holmes & Cathy DeAngelo-Holmes
Diane Marchut
Don & Mary Evans
Irene Snow PTA
Jason & Kara Scoggins
Jason & Katie Aaron
John & Josephine De Luca
John & Donna Cordeiro
Joyce & Mark Bristow
Julie Forstadt
Kiwanis Club of Napa
Laura Young
Leadership Napa Valley Class 24
Marathon Distributers Inc
Mary Reynolds
McMinn Foundation
Mt. George Elementary School
Napa High Music Boosters
Napa High School Alumni Association
Napa School of Music
Napa Valley Education Foundation
Napa Valley Marriott Resort & Spa
Napa Valley Register
NCOE Superintendents Trust Fund
Northwood Parent Club
Pat Wagenknecht
Patrick & Michelle Sweeney
Rick Turko
Sara & Dan Brooks
Silo’s
Terry Bradford
Thomas & Jane Kensok
Timothy & Ruth Matz
Travis Rogers
Val & Robin Hampton
Vintage High School Music Booster Club
Wells Fargo Bank – Napa
Wesley & Eleanor Meyer
West Park Family Club
William Hill Estate Winery

Supporters of Music

Adam & Andrea Hedemark
Adrian Ruiz-Raya
Alan & Brandi Sypert
Alan & Charlene Steen
Alyce Caudle
Amanda McDonald Mcavoy
Amy Berilla
Andrew & Elizabeth Goff
Andrew Ricetti
Andy & Debbie Alter-Starr
Anne Aldridge
Ashley Halliday
Barbara Monnette
Barry Forsythe
Barry Robinson
Beth Grimstad
Betsy Strauss
Beverly Marshall
Bill & Debbie Walden
Bill & Margaret Tabor
Brad Shurmantine
Brian Marchus
Bruce & Carol Heid
Bruce & Peggy McCall
Carolyn Ferris
Casey Armstrong
Cathy Zeller-Erickson
Charlotte Ford, In Memory
Chaudhary & Associates
Christine Mitchell
Chuck Neidhoefer
Cindi Duncan
Collaborative Partners, LLC – Don Stahl
Corinne Poarch
Cynthia Tjeerdema
D.& M. Spinelli
Dale Craig
Dan Scudero
Dana Page
Daniel Wolter
David DeStefano
David & Dominee Marchus
Dean & Sharon Goff
Dean Castro
Debbie Vayder
Deborah & Richard Mitchell
Denise Horn
Don & Kim Chilton
Donna Bodnar
Donna Gilles
Donna Payne
Dorothy Lind
Dorothy Shelley
Dr. Barbara Pahre
Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin Parmeter
Dr. Laura Ryan
Dr. Mark & Mrs. Pamela Bernstein
Dr. Mark & Mrs Tere Charney
Duncan Hill
Eleanor Kelly
Elena Toscano
Elisabeth Bertolucci
Elizabeth Eggleston
Elizabeth Lee
Ellen Parsley
Erica Pickett
Eva Zavala
Eve-Anne Wilkes
Frank & Jessica Lopez
Frank & Nancy Hattyar
Frank & Patsy Kerr
Frank Silva
Gail Miller
Gary & Kim Markovich
Gary & Susan Woodruff
Gina De Luca
Grace Young
Greg Medici
Harry & Margery Cadelago
Heather Teague
Heikki & Stephanie Jouttijarvi
Helen Harris
Helen Rocco-Hunt
Herb McGrew
Hugh & Aletha Silcox
Ian Hagler
Inara Steinbruner
Isabel Lenahan
Jack Van Meter
Jackie Brown
Jake & April Ruygt
James & Rogene Templin
James Bronk
Jamie & Marie Butler
Jane Breneman
Janet Altman
Jarod Ricetti
Jason Chavez
Jay & Carolyn Goetting
Jeanne Title
Jennifer & Jeremy Gibb
Jenny Pratt
Jerry & Lois Davis
Jessica Cervantes
Jessie Quigley
Joan Bartlett
JoAnne Keller
John & Carol Cooledge
John & Ellen Cisco
John & Jennifer Datlen
John Maher
Jon & MaryAnn Salinger
Jorge & Leslie Ann Richards
Joseph & Anne Aldridge
Joseph Schunk
Karen & Duffy Broker
Kathleen McClure
Kathleen ODowd
Kathy Cunny
Kathy Wade
Keith Nickolaus
Kevin & Dana Cope
Kitlyn Engleman
Kurt Schultz
Kyle Mabry
Laurent & Bridget Sarazin
Lesley Walder
Linda Altamura
Linda Hamill
Linda Kerr
Linda Nichols Carriker
Lori Wagner
Lorrie Moore
Lisa Chaudhary
Lou & Kathy Martin
Lynne Posner
M. Knight-Mendelson
Marc & Sandra DeMatteo
Maren Rocca-Hunt
Mark Homer
Marlow & Eldbjorg Setervang
Mary Herzog
Mary Syracuse-Robinett
Maryanne Christoffersen
Maya Alter-Starr
Matthew Scott Construction
Melinda Adams
Melissa Strongman
Meredith Fredrickson
Michael Blend & JoAnne Miller
Michael Coughlin
Michael Robak
Michelle Rose
Mike & Lauren Riendeau
Mike & Liza Pearson
Monica Meyers
Nancy Crane
Nancy Hemming
Nancy Weiss
Napa City Firefighters Association
Napa Valley Physical Therapy Center
Olivia Anderson
Pam Ramos
Part Two Band
Patricia Giusto
Patricia Rochon
Paul & Marlene Kelejian
Paul Prewitt
Paul Reiser
Paula Avanzino
Pete & Bobbi Lindwall
Phillip & Eulalie Jerome
Rebecca King
Rebecca Pollack
Rev. Stephen & Fran Carpenter
Rhonda Slota
Robert “Rooter Bob” Zarnardi
Robert & Ann Crain
Robert & Sophia Mitchell
Robert Lewis
Rod & Cheryl Anderson
Roy Thompson
Ryan Coder
Sabina Stoltz Thornton
Sally Jensen Dutcher
Sandra Brown
Sara Morris
Seana Wagner
Sherri Fidel
Silverado Middle School
Stacie & David Patrick
Stephanie Hawks
Stephen & Brenda Perry
Stephen & Liz Amendola
Steve & Deb Wallace
Steve & Julie Herdell
Steve Lowery
Susan Mitchell
Susan Plant
Susan Tsujihara
Tammi Collins
Tara Bianchi
Ted & Sue Migdal
Teresa Longoria
Teresita & Darwin Tindan
Terri Lynne & Russ Ricetti
Thomas & Bente Shoar
Thomas Steinharter & Wendy Fitzgerald
Tom & Jodi Hill
Tom Feutz
Tom Silva
Troy Knox
Vanessa Waddy
Vera Morales
Walter & Susan Mickens
William & Gaylon Kastner
William & Stacy Bowers
William B. Crane, Jr,
Yuko Meadows

Napa Valley Education Foundation and the Napa Noon Rotary announced the 2011 Teachers of the Year at the 28th Annual Napa Valley Wine Festival on May 20th, 2011 Yountville Community Center.

All educators were honored and guests enjoyed samplings of food and wine. Local restaurants/food vendors; Bouchon Bakery, Bottega Ristorante, Compadres Rio Grille, Chef Elizabeth Skylar Edible Education NV, Fume Bistro, Pacific Blues, Miss Jenny Cupcakes, Monticello Deli, Small World Cafe, Sweetie Pies and Vallergas will shared some food samples. Local wineries; Cakebread Cellars, Hess Collection Winery, Honig Vineyard and Winery, Napa Valley College, William Hill Winery, Truchard Vineyards, Shafer Vineyards, Saintsbury Winery, Pine Ridge Vineyards and Clos Du Val Winery and Louis M. Martini Winery poured at the event.

Mark your calendar for next year’s event on May 18, 2012 at the beautifully remodeled Napa Valley Marriott Resort and Spa.

Every year students of the Napa Valley Unified School District need a Recorder to participate in General Music Classes offered in 4th Grade. With over 1350 students needing Recorders each year, we are finding that many simply can not afford to purchase one.  Our school budgets are stretched beyond compare and over 48% of the students enrolled in 4th grade are from economically challenged families – we need your help!  You can help make sure each child has the opportunity to participate.

Please go to the link below -

THE MUSIC CONNECTION’S WISH LIST ON AMAZON.COM

Recorders for Kids!

Click away and make wishes come true!  http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2O1NK29R5SAAN

Inaugural Barbeque Battle to Take Place

October 3, 2010

1:00-4:00pm

Hosted by Judd’s Hill Winery and Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa

All Proceeds Benefit

NVEF’s Music Connection Program

The Napa Valley Education Foundation is pleased to announce the inaugural Napa Valley Barbeque Battle taking place on Sunday, October 3^rd from 1:00 to 4:00pm at the Napa Valley Marriott.

Hosted by Judd’s Hill Winery and Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, the barbeque throwdown will benefit the NVEF’s Music Connection Program.  The Music Connection has been supporting students of the Napa Valley Unified School District with musical instruments and opportunities for over a decade.

Guests attending the first ever Napa Barbeque Battle will be spoiled with great wine, food and entertainment. Highlights of the event include: opening reception featuring Judd’s Hill’s delicious current release Sauvignon Blanc and Rose paired with BBQ Oysters from Tomales Bay Oyster Co.; sit-down BBQ meal featuring side-by-side tastings of smoked ribs, brisket and chicken paired with Judd’s Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Petite Syrah.

People’s Choice judging as well as celebrity judging from James McNair, internationally recognized food author-stylist-photographer, to determine who has the best BBQ; live music throughout, featuring Napa Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Year, Alan U’Ren.

The Battle features two highly regarded barbeque enthusiasts: from the Napa Valley Marriott and Characters Bar N’ Cue, Executive Chef Brian Whitmer.  Brian’s competition is daunting; Pat Burke, Hospitality Director at Judd’s Hill Winery, is a recognized award winning barbeque competitor and a member of the famous “Barnyard Roasters” BBQ Team and team captain of “The Vineyard Roasters”, who took 1^st Prize in the Rib category at the 2006 West Coast BBQ Championships. This will definitely be a battle for the ages!

Guest Emcee and musician, Judd Finkelstein of Judd’s Hill Winery, will oversee the competition and offer his unique flair of commentary and insight as the battle builds to a crescendo with single category awards going to best Beef, Chicken, Pork and Sauce.

In addition there will be a Silent Auction and Raffle to benefit the Music Connection with packages featuring hotel stays, spa indulgences, winery tours and tastings and even the famous Characters Bar N’ Cue pool table!

Tickets to The Napa Valley Barbeque Battle are $60 per person and can be purchased by calling 707-253-8600, ext 3317.