Due to customer demand, Jacque’s Barn, in St. Helena, is now open Thursday through Sunday. The store is at 1281 Vidovich Ave.


Thursday through Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

After two years in business, Jacque’s Barn has more than 5,000 square feet that features garden furniture, home decor, furniture, signs, benches, fountains, consignment items and much more. The only items Jacque’s Barn does not carry is clothing.

For more information call 974-1856./Register

Grocer offers food bags for the needy

Raley’s nonprofit organization, Food for Families, offers an easy way for customers to donate to needy families in their communities this holiday season.

Through Dec. 24, shoppers can purchase a bag filled with nutritious groceries, worth about $20, for only $10 at Raley’s and Nob Hill Foods in Napa.

The bags will be donated to the local food banks in the community in which they are purchased and the food will be distributed to families in need.

“During this season of giving, we wanted to make it easier for our customers to help those less fortunate,” said Nancy McGagin, executive director of Food for Families. “Our goal this year is to surpass the more than 1 million pounds of wholesome food we collected last year.”

Last year Raley’s started the holiday bag program in all of its stores in Northern California, Nevada and New Mexico. More than 1.1 million pounds of food, or 66,899 bags, were collected in four weeks.

Customers can also donate year-round by making a cash donation at checkstands in any store. Raley’s absorbs all administrative costs of the program with 100 percent of every donation going directly to help feed the hungry.

All donated food is distributed by local food banks and stays in the community in which it was collected./Register

Learn to write your business plan

We don’t plan to fail, we just fail to plan. Business owners here is your chance: “How to Write a Business Plan” will be offered on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Napa Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees receive a copy of the comprehensive “Your Business Plan,” a workbook that guides business owners through the planning process in an easy to understand, step-by-step “fill in the blanks” process including the financial projections.

The training will be facilitated by Small Business Development Center financial business advisor Ray Kimball.

This workshop is a road map for expanding a business and for loan applications.

For a limited time, complimentary business plan CDs will be provided.

The cost is $50. Pre-registration for the class is recommended. For more information call 253-3210./Register

NewLevel to prepare plan for SFCVB

NewLevel Group was selected to design, facilitate the strategic planning project for the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The SFCVB is embarking on a strategic planning project to position the organization to address the needs of customers, members, and employees for the next three to five years.

NewLevel Group, a management and consulting firm based in Napa, was hired to guide the process.

“NewLevel Group was engaged for this project based on their many years of experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Their experience in strategic planning and organizational development gives them a unique view of the importance of the planning process to the growth of a successful organization,” said Dan Goldes, executive vice president, strategy and development for the SFCVB.

 The SFCVB, founded in 1909, with more than 1,700 members and an annual budget of $13.6 million, the Bureau is one of the largest membership-based tourism promotion agencies in the country and employs a staff of 69.

In 2012, the Bureau booked more than 2 million confirmed group room nights for future years. Average occupancy for the year was at 76 percent at an average room rate of $153 and the city welcomed 15.7 million visitors who spent $7.3 billion in the city.

For more information call Lisa Toller at 255-5555, ext. 103./Register