Earth Day River Cleanup and Rain Gear Required Today

Napa, CA · April 22, 2026

Happy Wednesday — it is Earth Day, and while the clouds are rolling in, there is plenty of reason to celebrate our local landscape. Keep your umbrella handy for that walk to the Oxbow, as the rain is expected to settle in just as the workday begins.

📰 The Lead

Today marks a significant milestone for our local environment as the City of Napa officially recognizes ten new businesses under its revamped Green Business Program. This initiative, timed perfectly for Earth Day, rewards local shops and restaurants for reducing water waste, increasing energy efficiency, and eliminating single-use plastics. It is more than just a sticker in a window; these businesses have collectively diverted significant tonnage from the Devlin Road Transfer Station over the last year. For residents, this means your morning coffee or weekend dinner now comes with a smaller carbon footprint. As we look toward the future of the valley, seeing the downtown core embrace these standards shows a genuine commitment to keeping our corner of the world as pristine as the postcards suggest.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Highway 29 Paving Wraps Near Trancas Expect minor delays near the Trancas Street interchange today as crews finish the final touches on overnight paving. This concludes a month-long project aimed at smoothing the commute for those heading toward St. Helena.

  • Library Secures New Technology Grant The Napa County Library system has secured a state grant to expand its "Library of Things." Residents will soon be able to check out high-end soil testing kits and thermal cameras for home efficiency audits.

  • Oxbow Bakery Celebrates Tenth Anniversary A staple of the Oxbow Public Market is marking a decade in business today. To celebrate, they are offering special pricing on their signature sourdough loaves all day, or until the flour runs out.

🌧️ Today's Outlook

  • High 63°F · Low 50°F — Rain (73% chance of precipitation) It is a classic "bring the trench coat" kind of day. Expect steady showers through the afternoon, making the vineyard views moody and the commute a bit slicker than usual.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Earth Day River Cleanup Oxbow Commons, 1268 McKinstry St 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Join neighbors to pull debris from the riverbanks; gloves and bags are provided for this annual community effort to keep our waterway healthy.

  • St. Helena: Sustainable Sips Workshop Clif Family Winery, 709 Main St 2:00 PM A short drive north for a deep dive into organic farming practices and how they impact the flavor of the glass in your hand.

  • Wednesday Wind-Down Archer Hotel Rooftop, 1230 1st St 5:00 PM Live acoustic music with a view of the darkening skies. The staff usually moves the performance under the heaters if the rain persists.

  • Yountville: Town Council Special Session Town Hall, 6550 Washington St 6:00 PM A public discussion regarding the new pedestrian safety plan for the downtown corridor, which is a quick trip for anyone interested in local infrastructure.

  • Trivia Night Bilco’s Billiards and Darts, 1104 Main St 7:30 PM Test your knowledge of local history and pop culture in a relaxed, no-frills environment. It is a great way to stay dry and competitive.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Napa River Trail The trail is not just a place for a morning jog; it is a living history of the city’s flood control efforts. Following the devastating floods of the late 20th century, the "Living River" design was adopted, prioritizing wetlands over concrete channels. Today, as you walk the paved paths near the Yacht Club, you are seeing a world-class engineering feat that protects our downtown while providing a home for snowy egrets and river otters. It is a reminder that we live in a delicate, beautiful balance.

Napa Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.

More Napa editions → · Subscribe →