Seasonal Wellness: A Blue-Zones Inspired Summer Recipe

Incorporating Blue Zones principles into everyday life starts with simple, seasonal choices like what we put on our plate.

This summer, try a fresh and flavorful Tomato & White Bean Salad, inspired by the longevity-focused diets of the world’s healthiest communities. Made with ripe cherry tomatoes, white beans, and heart-healthy olive oil, this dish is high in fiber, packed with antioxidants, and perfect for warm evenings.

Serve it at a picnic, bring it to a potluck, or enjoy it at home with family. Eating well is a delicious step toward a longer, healthier life and a great way to celebrate the season.

Summer Tomato & White Bean Salad
Inspired by the Blue Zones’ focus on plant-based, nutrient-rich meals, this salad is simple, filling, and celebrates the season’s best flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini or great northern beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cucumber, diced

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, beans, onion, and cucumber. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice. Sprinkle with herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss gently and let sit for 10–15 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

This dish is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and plant-based protein — and perfect for a picnic, potluck, or easy weeknight meal.

Try it out, share with a neighbor, and celebrate wellness the Yountville way.

RSVPs are encouraged: https://tinyurl.com/yvillecommunitycookout 

Are Our Phones Listening to Us? Sorting Fact from Fiction

Are Our Phones Listening to Us? Sorting Fact from Fiction

Have you ever mentioned something out loud, like a pair of shoes or a vacation spot, and then seen an ad for it on your phone shortly after? You're not alone. It's a common experience that leads many people to wonder: Is my phone secretly listening to me?

The Short Answer: Probably Not the Way You Think

It may feel like your smartphone is eavesdropping, but most experts and tech companies say that isn’t the case. Apple, Google, and Facebook all publicly state that they do not use your phone’s microphone to record private conversations for advertising purposes.

That said, your phone is always listening in a limited way. Features like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa are designed to pick up specific “wake words.” When triggered, they record a short snippet of audio to process your request. This does not mean your phone is listening to everything you say or using that information to target ads.

So Why Do the Ads Feel So Accurate?

There is usually a more ordinary explanation: data tracking.

Your phone and the apps on it collect information about your habits, interests, and location. These systems are designed to use that data to make highly targeted predictions. Some possible reasons an ad might feel oddly specific include:

• You walked by a store with location services turned on

• You or someone in your home searched for the item on another device

• You lingered on a related post on social media

• You are connected to the same Wi-Fi network as someone who looked up that topic

Modern advertising algorithms are designed to connect all of these small behaviors into a bigger picture about what you might want to see next.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Privacy

If you're concerned about privacy, there are a few simple steps you can take:

• Review which apps have microphone access in your phone’s settings and remove access for those that do not need it

• Turn off voice assistant features if you do not use them

• Limit ad-tracking in your device’s privacy settings

• Consider using privacy-focused browsers or search engines such as DuckDuckGo or Firefox Focus

Final Thoughts

Your phone is probably not listening to everything you say, but it is definitely paying attention to what you do online. Being aware of how digital tracking works and taking control of your settings can help protect your personal information and give you more control over your digital experience.

Zoning & Design Review Board (ZDRB) Update
At its June 10, 2025 meeting, the Zoning & Design Review Board recommended that the Town Council approve design review for modifications to the existing restaurant formerly known as Compadres/Perry Lang's, located at 6539 Washington Street.

The Board also recommended that the Town Council adopt an ordinance establishing an Entertainment Zone along the Washington Street corridor. This proposed zone would allow for alcohol consumption within the corridor, subject to specific rules and restrictions.

Additionally, the ZDRB recommended adoption of an ordinance to create an administrative process for permitting Temporary Uses.

Staff anticipates that the design review for 6539 Washington Street will be presented to the Town Council at its July 15, 2025 meeting. The proposed ordinances related to the Entertainment Zone and Temporary Uses are scheduled to go before the Town Council on August 5, 2025.

Town Council Update
At its June 17, 2025 meeting, the Town Council approved the Preliminary and Final Master Development Plan, Tentative Parcel Map, Use Permit, State Density Bonus Waivers, Design Review, Tree Removal Permit, and Master Sign Plan for the “Humboldt Mixed Use” Project at 2010 and 2012 Humboldt Street.

The Council also approved a Design Review and Use Permit application for the expansion of an existing non-conforming single-family home located at 6709 Yount Street.

Lastly, the Town Council introduced and waived the first reading of an ordinance amending the Yountville Municipal Code related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) in order to bring local code into alignment with state requirements.

July is Parks and Recreation Month!

Each July, we celebrate park and recreation professionals and how they improve the lives of tens of millions of people, making a lasting impact in communities across the country. Park and recreation programs are essential to community health and well-being and help cultivate lifelong friendships, memories and family bonds that people hold dear decades later.

Together, we’re building and maintaining sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations.

Together, we’re building thriving communities focused on health and well-being.

Together, we’re building high-quality programs and spaces accessible and inclusive for all.

Together, we help people play and connect - through yoga, art classes, picnics and more.

This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together, " reminds us of the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers, who maintain our country’s close-to-home parks.

4th of July Celebration – This Friday!
Friday, July 4 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM | Veterans Memorial Park

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of festive fun as we celebrate Independence Day in the heart of Yountville! Enjoy classic favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, and tacos, plus beer and wine for purchase, and don’t miss the FREE Ben & Jerry’s (while supplies last)!

Dance along to live music by Desperate Men and bring the whole family for an afternoon of good food and great tunes.

Music in the Park – Saturday, July 13
5:00 – 7:00 PM | Veterans Memorial Park

Get ready for a lively summer evening in the park! Join us for Music in the Park featuring the dynamic sounds of People of Earth, an energetic band sure to get you moving.

Grab a bite from the popular Taco Addiction Food Truck and enjoy the music, community vibes, and Napa Valley sunshine.

Bring a blanket, a friend, and your dancing shoes.

Stay up to date with happenings in our Yountville community and beyond!

Eat Green & Waste Less Challenge

Food and waste play a surprisingly large role in climate change and sustainability. The good news is that simple shifts in our habits can make a real difference. Choosing more plant-based meals, for example, benefits both our health and the environment. In fact, replacing just one meat-based meal a week for a family of four can reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as driving 1,500 fewer miles in a gas-powered car.

But it’s not just about what we eat. It’s also about what we waste. Over one-third of all food grown is never eaten. Reducing food waste at home is easy, saves money, and helps ensure more food is available for those in need.

Plastic waste also has long-term impacts. It can take more than 1,000 years to decompose and often harms wildlife and ecosystems. Fortunately, small changes like using reusable containers or shopping in bulk can help keep waste out of landfills and oceans.

This summer, take action to Eat Green and Go Circular. Use resources wisely, reduce waste, and be part of a more sustainable future.

Take part in the Eat Green & Waste Less Challenge on the Napa County Climate Challenge platform which is a free tool for all Napa County residents to explore climate solutions and take meaningful action.

Now through July 15, complete just two actions in the “Eat Green & Waste Less” category to be entered into a raffle for great local prizes, including gift cards to Napa Valley businesses and eco-friendly to-go gear.

Earn bonus raffle entries by attending one or more of the following workshops, hosted by the City of Napa and Napa RCD:

Workshop Schedule & Registration:

• July 7: Food Waste Reduction

• July 9: Container Gardens

• July 10: Kayak Clean Up

• July 11: Eco-Wraps

• July 12: Repair Fair

Questions about how to get started? Email Carly Silverman for help joining the challenge and registering for workshops.

Need Help Paying Your Energy Bill? New Support is Available

PG&E has announced $50 million in additional funding to help eligible customers pay down past-due energy bills and avoid service disconnections. A new program offers a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $1,000 for qualifying low- to moderate-income households.

To receive matching funds, applicants must contribute at least $50 toward their balance each time they apply. The program runs through December 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

For example, a family of four making less than $128,600 per year may qualify — a significant expansion compared to the current $62,400 income cap under the PG&E REACH program.

How to Apply: Visit pge.com or contact PG&E customer service to learn more.

Other PG&E Assistance Programs Include:

• CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy): 20–35% monthly discount on energy bills.

• FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance): 18% discount on electricity.

• ESA (Energy Savings Assistance): Free home energy improvements.

• LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance): One-time payment up to $1,500.

• AMP (Arrearage Management Plan): Monthly bill forgiveness for eligible residential customers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with energy costs, these programs may provide meaningful relief.

Keep up-to-date with all things Yountville by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter. Have ideas or suggestions for improving our community? We want to hear from you! Reach out to us via email by clicking here or stop by Town Hall during business hours.

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