Pride, Presence, and Why a DJ Before Noon Is Good Business

Hey Neighbors,

In a time when proudly being exactly who you are can be dangerous, presence matters.

It’s a time to hold each other closer and protect what’s sacred: the people we love, the freedom to exist, and the right to simply be.

To be without judgement, without fear, without the threat of harm. To be present with each other and truly understand our unique lived experiences. Because what else do we have except each other and this moment, right now?

Maybe we forgot that’s the whole point of this ride.

Welcome to Issue 1: Pride and Presence, where we celebrate each other, reclaim spaces, and find moments of peace and joy amongst the chaos. In this issue:

If you like what you see, send it to a friend (or two, or three) — the more the merrier.

Cheers.

All the events worth leaving the house for: June 5 - 11

5 | THURSDAY

6 | FRIDAY

7 | SATURDAY

8 | SUNDAY

10 | TUESDAY

11 | WEDNESDAY

ONGOING

Wednesday’s full moon shows up in Sagittarius, a sign known for boldly seeking meaning, chasing freedom, and refusing to shrink. This one’s all about vision and transformation, sitting at 20° Sagittarius, a degree known as “the turning of water into wine.” As locals know, that kind of magic isn’t instant — it takes time, heat, and devotion.

Full moons reveal what’s been hidden. Sagittarius brings the courage to look it in the eye and say: This is me.

Where have you been holding back? If you’re ready for change, this is your chance to speak your truth, embody the transformation, and devote the time and effort it takes to make it real.

Weekend Nature Notes:

Odds are you’ve driven past the long, narrow lot at 1055 Partrick Rd on your way to Browns Valley Market a hundred times without ever noticing it. Rushing past your car window, it doesn’t seem particularly special — cedar shingles, weathered wood fence, neglected old vines spilling onto the sidewalk.

But appearances can be deceiving. For the first time since it was built in 1962, this property is on the market and it’s got a very interesting feature. I’m calling it The Chapel House for obvious reasons. See for yourself 👇

This is one of two entrances. The other opens into a standard living room, but this one? This one’s different.

According to my inside sources, this section of the property was once a chapel (obvi), existing alongside a seemingly standard-looking home. A few features worth noting:

It reminds me of the time a former colleague turned a rundown chapel in San Francisco into a yoga-studio-slash-coworking space. It was a vibe.

And honestly? This could be, too.

The the pointed arches and pew-like proportions may be giving “organized religion” but the energy of this space could be yours to define.

Think: Meditation room. Yoga studio. Listening salon.

Your to-do list: replace the wood paneling with a bright white coat of paint, accent with natural fibers, and bring in some leafy houseplants and you’ve got yourself a modern sanctuary to rest, relax, and recover.

You don’t have to inherit any kind of meaning that was built into it. You could remake it and make it yours — spiritually, emotionally, and architecturally.

There’s lots more to see in the listing so check it out and let me know: would you buy this place?

Turning old chapels into homes, studios, or creative sanctuaries is having a bit of a moment. And honestly, I get it. There’s something undeniably cool about living in a space that was built to make people feel something.

The Assembly in SF turned a former church into a wellness clubhouse. There’s a converted chapel in Berkeley with vaulted ceilings, lancet windows, and (what seems like) endless places to curl up with a good book. And here in Napa, The Chapel House feels like it could be next.

Gothic Revival architecture is dramatic by nature: pointy windows, tall lines, and moody vibes. It’s not trying to be subtle. But the good news is you don’t have to inherit someone else’s meaning — you get to make it whatever you want.

Light a candle. Paint the walls. Add a plant or five. Just don’t forget the incense.

The interior of the Chapel House is a vibe, but the exterior has a totally different energy. I’m looking at the mature ivy, shade and shadow cast by thick trees, the moss-covered stones.

Nature is naturing. It’s charmingly wild — and that’s a beautiful thing. Given the home’s decidedly mid-century gothic undertones, it got me thinking about another plant that thrives in a low maintenance environment: The ZZ Plant.

The ZZ has hearty, glossy, deep green to nearly-black leaves. It thrives on unpredictable watering schedules (it has root bulbs that store extra water), low light, and minimal care. It’s the slow-burning candle of houseplants and would look fantastic in a gothic revival home.

Hot tip: Riza Plants has a selection of ZZ’s (including the rarer, deep green Raven variety) in stock right now!

Time for a brain break. There’s one word hidden amongst the letters. Here’s your clue:

What everyone deserves, Aretha demanded, and your barista earns when they nail your name on the first try.

Napa can sometimes feel like it’s trying too hard. Deuces Market is the antidote.

It’s not just a coffee shop or a bottle shop or a market (though it’s all of those things). It’s also a hangout, a clubhouse, and a low-key haven for locals who are over the usual wine flight-and-charcuterie scene.

Here, your barista probably knows your name and your dog’s name. The natural wine is actually hella good. And there’s always a creative in the corner, a cyclist cooling off, or a couple of friends catching up over a coffee. It’s open, airy, and welcoming to all.

Case and point: Here, Pride isn’t just a marketing stunt in June — it’s a year round celebration of joy, music, love, and cold brew on tap. It just so happens that this month it’s the center for pup parades and daytime DJ-fueled dance parties.

And to top it off: their selection of culture-spanning ingredients, sauces, and snacks is unmatched. Where else can you get tinned vegan snow crab mushrooms, peanut butter dates, and Momofuku noodles all in the same place?

If you’re looking for your next favorite cozy, friendly spot, Deuces is it.

📍 Deuces Market: 1300 First Street, Suite 222 | Hours |

Hot tip: I’m not kidding about the snow crab mushrooms. They’re excellent on pasta for a distinct umami flavor.

The traditional 5PM happy hour is losing its sway. Taking its place is something a little more caffeinated, a lot more inclusive, and undeniably fun. Enter: the midday DJ party.

Coffee shops across the country—and increasingly here in Napa—are ditching the dim lights and drink specials in favor of sunny dance floors, pulse-pounding playlists, and espresso (sans martini).

Flexible work schedules, burnout from being "on" 24/7, and a growing sober-curious movement have created the perfect storm for this trend to take off, “[blurring] the line between third place and dance floor,” and offering a fresh, energizing, and far more accessible alternative to the nighttime club scene.

Imagine it: 11:32AM. The espresso machine hisses, a house remix of Robyn's “Dancing On My Own” drops, sunlight pours in through big windows, and a toddler in cowboy boots starts a solo dance circle near the oat milk bar. It’s weird, it’s joyful, and it makes you want to stick around.

Deuces Market has leaned all the way in, hosting daytime DJ sets and drag shows that feel more like spontaneous block parties than traditional brand activations. Napa Valley Coffee Roasters recently jumped on the trend too, teaming up with Bodyrok Napa for a DJ’d post-workout rave complete with smoothies and sweaty vibes.

The kitchen rave is in. And maybe the corner coffee shop is the new dance floor.

And while wine culture will always have its place in Napa, not everyone wants a rosé flight to feel alive. Sometimes you want a house beat and a cortado.

Don’t operate a coffee shop? No prob. Here’s what your business can learn from the midday party:

It’s smart business. It’s good energy. And it might just be your next best idea.

Because if we’ve learned anything lately, it’s this: joy doesn’t have a time slot. And you don’t need a two-drink minimum to feel alive.

A16 is coming in hot with a pizza menu that’s pure wood-fired magic. But A16 isn’t some new kid on the pizza block. They’ve been slinging Neapolitan pies since 2004 and their Oakland location has the awards (and cult following) to prove it.

Think Southern Italy meets California produce with a wood-fired swagger that finally made its way to Napa. Delicious.

It’s easy to speed through summer. Deadlines stack up, group texts pile on, and if you're not careful, the whole thing becomes one long blur of iced coffees and calendar invites.

This week, we’re slowing it waaaaaay down.

Consider this your invitation to step out of your routine and back into your life — the tactile, sensory, IRL kind. In this issue, we’re embracing presence through activities that reconnect us to each other.

First up, a Starter Kit for the kind of picnic that requires no itinerary — just good food, soft ground, and people you actually like. Then, we take a self-guided walking tour through Napa’s architectural past, where every turret and cornice tells a story (and makes your Apple Watch proud).

Together, they’re a reminder that beauty, history, and connection are everywhere…if you’re willing to look up and put your phone down.

Let’s make time for it.

Sometimes, the most memorable meals happen on the ground.

A picnic invites you to be somewhere — fully, completely — without wifi, without urgency, and ideally without shoes. This week's Starter Kit gives you everything you need to romanticize the hell out of your next afternoon off.

Where to Go: Fuller Park

What to Bring:

Homes in the Napa Abajo district are time capsules. This self-guided walking tour is your excuse to wander, stretch your legs, and slip into another era. From turreted Victorians to Gothic arches, it’s a stroll through the past that keeps your eyes off your screen and on some of the details that make this district special.

Starts in: Fuller Park, heading North toward Seminary St.

Distance: 1.6 Miles

Walking Time: 40 Minutes

Below is a downloadable PDF with notes and details about each home and here’s a Google Map of the walking tour for your mobile.

Enjoy the views!

Until next week,

Move slowly, love fully, and bring snacks.