BALE gRIST MILL ▲ Volunteers save beloved state park L were two Napa Valley icons, Bothé-Napa Valley State Park and Baleast year the California State Parks announced they would be closingseventy state parks due to budget shortfalls. On the chopping block Grist Mill State Historic Park. Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District partnered with the non-profit Napa Valley State Parks Association (a group of local residents who have supported the two parks for several decades) to keep the parks open. Earlier this year the groups were victorious, and the District signed an agreement with the State Parks to take over operations and maintenance. Numerous volunteers appeared, as did more than $300,000 in donations from community members to begin repairs to several abandoned historic cabins and houses, returning them to productive uses. Both parks operate now without any taxpayer subsidies for day-to-day operations. The Bale Grist Mill, constructed in 1846, is a fully restored water-driven flour mill—one of only two working water-driven mills west of the Mississippi River. It provides a unique window into pioneer life in the Napa Valley. Visitors on weekends can see the mill in operation. Several special events occur throughout the year, including the Pioneer Christmas coming up on December 8. If you want a really special weekend, come stay at the campground at Bothé, take a stroll over to the Pioneer Cemetery and the Bale Grist Mill, and walk under the park’s redwood and Douglas fir forest. Both parks are located just five miles north of St. Helena off Highway 29. photo by ART & CLARITY A Hand Occupied) in Calistoga on July 6. Says Ann, “Thenn Trinca and J Kirk Feiereisen got married in May, and for theirhoneymoon they opened the gallery doors to ECHO (Every Creative gallery is an alternative art space designed for inclusion. Our goal is to give artists a place to share their work, and create an environment of discovery that will transform our town and those who visit.” As lovers of art, it is perfect that they met at an art opening after-party in the center of the valley. It was a blending of two art scenes—with J Kirk’s up valley cohorts and Ann’s connections from down valley. J Kirk, owner of Yo El Rey Roasting in Calistoga, is a poet and coffee roaster. He has sold art in his organic coffee shop for the last four years. The first art that he sold ECHO gALLERY ▲ Calistoga space is new arts clubhouse was to Queen Noor of Jordan. Ann Trinca came to Napa Valley in 2001 from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, to work for the Arts Council Napa Valley. With a Masters in Art Administration, Ann has played an active part in the Napa Valley arts scene. She now works for di Rosa, the world famous and prestigious art preserve located in Carneros. Ann and J Kirk are an intriguing art couple, and ECHO resounds as the intriguing art gallery for 2012. With the support of volunteers and artists who staff ECHO, the 4,000-square-foot gallery is a valuable resource for artists and a draw for art collectors. ECHO is open Thursday through Saturday and by appointment. ECHO also holds classes in figure drawing and other media, and is a venue for music performances. photo by ART & CLARITY ECHO, 1348 Lincoln Avenue. 707-812-2201. 22 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E M A g A z I N E . C O M
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