Video of the front desk of the Hilton Garden Inn Napa, as the earthquake hit.

[Adsos Letter]

[murielm99]

1. I've been to Napa.

It is a beautiful place.

With the drought, and now the earthquake, I am sorry for their troubles.

[Adsos Letter]

2. I lived in Napa for almost 50 years.

Grew up there, and spent almost my entire working life there. Still live about a half-hour's drive from there.

I think the drought is the biggest long-term concern, as it is for most of California. The problem Napa faces is tied to the fact that, over the last half-century, the economy of the valley has become heavily dependent on a monoculture.

Local industry that supplied work for much of the local labor force (Kaiser Steel, the Tannery, and Mare Island Naval Shipyard) are gone, and the economy now relies heavily on the Wine and associated Service/Tourist industries.

Any major hit to the wineries (such as an extended period of drought) will destroy the local economy.

[Nitram]

3. I've drunk wine from Napa.

[tclambert]

4. I've been to their auto parts store.

[wolfie001]

5. Compelling. nt

[nilram]

6. Makes me rethink my idea that I'd run out of my house if there's a big one.

Even though it's bolted to the foundation, I'm dubious it would stand up.