Hey Neighbor,
I just couldn’t wait until next week to launch so welcome to your early look at Among Locals.
I’ve been calling Among Locals a modern field guide for life in Napa. But more than anything, I want it to be useful. Helpful. A read that’s interesting and makes us all feel more connected, grounded, and present in our communities.
With that, this preview issue is a small taste of what’s to come, starting with:
A weekend calendar packed with happenings you won’t see on tourist maps
A little insight into what nature’s doing this week (and how to navigate the energy)
A new shop that’s bound to become your next fave
A dish you gotta try this weekend
Starting next week, you’ll get all that and then some:
Homes worth peeking at — whether you’re house-hunting or house-dreaming
Day trip suggestions for easy escapes
Editorial deep dives into the people, stories, and histories that shape this place
Thoughts, words, and ideas shared directly from you (follow us on Instagram for our weekly polls and prompts — we want to hear from you!)
Let’s kick it off, shall we?
Kristy Ellington
Editor & Publisher, Among Locals
PS: If you like what you see, tell a friend. Forward this email or share this link. The more locals, the better!
All the events worth leaving the house for.
FRIDAY
30 | DJ Rotten Robbie spins while you sip Paradigm at Carneros Resort’s Vinyl & Wine party @ FARM Pavilion. The views? Immaculate. The tunes? Legendary. | Free Admission | 5PM
30 | Speaking of vinyl, Tarot Vin is reading cards at Folklore’s Tarot Pop-Up. Grab a friend, a glass, and get in line for a reading. The vibes will be high. | Free Admission | 6PM
30 | The great thing about karaoke is that you don’t have to be a good singer to be a good performer. Get your song list ready — it’s Karaoke Fridays @ Barnhouse | Free Admission | 8PM
SATURDAY
31 - 01 | No sleep till Festival La Onda! The two-day fest kicks off this weekend @ Napa Valley Expo | Tickets | Starts at 11AM
31 | Need the opposite of the sounds and crowds of a music fest? Grab a spot for the 90-minute In The Flow Guided Mindfulness Experience complete with Qi-Gong and a sound bath @ Studio Be | $55 | 10:30AM
31 | The Napa River is the heartbeat of our city, and the Daylighting & Upwelling dinner @ di Rosa Downtown celebrates it, along with the network of “ghost rivers” that lie dormant beneath us. Five stars for the dinner, drinks, music, and ecological stimulation. | $55 | 6PM
31 | Test your new material (or your old material, no judgement) at DECANT Open Mic night | Free Admission | 6PM
SUNDAY
1 | Pregame Sunday brunch with this 30-minute pop-up Pure Barre Bash with a Splash class celebrating Pride. Work your bod then grab a glass of wine with a friend (or two) @ DECANT | Free | 12PM
1 | Since you’re there, stick around for the Sunset Tarot Pop-Up @ DECANT that pairs a tarot-themed wine flight with card and astrology readings | Free Admission | Book a Reading | 4PM
MONDAY
2 | Get the buzz without the booze. Carneros Resort shows us where the magic happens on their Beekeeping Tour. Get a look at the hives, learn about local bees, and get a taste of the sweet stuff. | $55 | 10:30 / 3PM
TUESDAY
3 | You know what I’m doing Tuesday morning? That’s right — buying up all the fruits, veggies, and delicious food from the Napa Farmer’s Market | Downtown | 8AM
Want us to feature your event in the newsletter? Drop a link in this form!
On June 2, we’ll meet a first quarter moon in Virgo.
First quarter moons bring power and momentum to propel us towards our goals. And this first quarter moon lands in Virgo, which gives us the structure to turn those dreams into plans and plans into practice. Because the truth is, whatever it is you’re creating — art, a business, wellness — it’s a practice, not an outcome.
So consider this your cosmic checkpoint: this is a moment to ground the creative spark set by the recent Gemini new moon (5/26) and mold it into something tangible. Move your intentions into action by creating a plan, build a routine to support it, then get to work with discipline.
Might be a good time to create a Trello account to track your to-dos, get an accountability partner, or just plot your next move on a calendar.
Air Quality Takes a Hit This Weekend
Temps are on their way up this weekend (90s on Friday!), and so is the air quality index. Expected to peak in the Moderate range this Saturday so keep a mask handy.
A Break From Allergy Season
Hallelujah. The trees are releasing what’s left of their sneeze bombs and the pollen index drops to a super low 1 this weekend. I, for one, could not be happier. We made it!
The Old Inti Building Gets a New Life With Amy Day
Inti was a staple in Napa for decades. I used to wander in after school or during Chef’s Market, marveling at the crystal rings, tribal jewelry, and shelves full of magic. It was a real gut punch when I found out it had closed earlier this year.
But what took its place has a distinct energy all its own.
AMY DAY, the new boutique now open at 1139 First Street, brings its own kind of magic. Founded by Napa native Brittany Yargus, AMY DAY is warm, intentional, and beautifully curated with on-trend-yet-timeless clothing, jewelry, housewares, and distinctive gifts for the free-spirited at heart.
It’s like a local Anthro you can actually afford to shop at, or a living Pinterest board where I want to Pin (ahem, buy) everything.
Hot Tip: She’s got the cutest, lightweight denim cropped button-ups that are perfect for summer … and all your midi and maxi skirts.
One to Order: Breakfast Don @ Winston’s Cafe
I love hitting Winston’s on Sunday mornings. Yes, the line is to the door and even though I know I’ll worry the entire time I’ll have to eat standing up, there’s always a table.
Despite the rush, there’s one dish that’s always worth the effort: The Breakfast Don.
House-made spam or tofu, a perfectly poached egg, kimchi, pickled veg, cucumber, scallion, spicy mayo, and a slaw that lowkey reminds me of thousand island (in a good way), all on a base of rice. It’s salty, spicy, pickly, crunchy, and incredibly filling.
Grab a latte while you’re at it. They’re perfection.
Hot Tip: Get it with garlic rice and spam. Trust me, it’s not the canned Spam you’re remembering, and it’s got a bit of a kick. Thank me later.
Thanks for reading Among Locals today. If you like what you see (so far), please share it with your friends and neighbors. The more the merrier.
Until next time,
Kristy Ellington
Publisher & EIC