BACL Napa Elderhostel Program

at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley

Elderhostel Host's Manual

INSTRUCTIONS & PARTS OF THE NAPA MANUAL:

1. Print this manual from your web browser.
2. Using the Site Buttons on the main menu (Napa or Burlingame), go to your site and print out the relevant "Here's the Answer" document (this information is what Elderhostelers receive in their Welcome Packet). The link is called "Important Information." Information in this document does not change very often, and should be good for any and all programs at that site.
3. Then you click on the "Area Attractions" link and print document. This information corresponds with the Orientation Packet that they will receive during the program. Information in this document should be good for any and all programs, now and future, at that site.
4. Then click the "History of Napa" button on the "Area Attractions" page, and print document.
5. If you are hosting a 3 Night Program, I will mail you Elderhostel's special handout "Facts About Elderhostel- What is Elderhostel", which we use at 3 Night Programs.
6. The other items that I will mail you are the Week in Review and Biographies for your particular program.
7. IMPORTANT: Whenever I have a change or addition to the web-based manual, I will put the new/changed text in RED, so that you can easily spot any changes compared to a manual you may have from a previous program.

Please call us at (415) 566-3444 if you have any problems.
Thank you for your cooperation in printing out this material.

Preliminary Information

            We are very pleased that you are going to be our Elderhostel Host(s) soon. This is the Host's manual for Sunday/Day 1 set up, registration and orientation, and the remainder of the week. Please go through it and review the procedures. It is important for you to visit the Elderhostel site before the program to acquaint yourself with the hotel and with the surrounding area.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE!

            It is essential to us to work cooperatively with the management and staff of the hotel. If there is a problem that involves the hotel, you can get help from the front desk in the lobby and with the Sales Director, Tara Weber. If the problem is not resolved, please let us know immediately so that we can speak with the hotel management. We and the hotel want to work toward a positive experience for everyone.

            Note: All Elderhostel participants are covered with Emergency Traveler's Insurance provided by Elderhostel. NOTE: This coverage is not intended as a primary source of insurance (only supplemental to patient's own insurance, and does not automatically pay for any medical costs). In case of an accident or emergency, either the participant, their travel companion or you must call AIG Assist at 1-800-626-2427 to find out what help can be provided depending on the nature of the emergency. IMPORTANT! If a participant is admitted to the hospital during the program, you MUST call AIG Assist and have them open a file for the person, in case they need emergency assistance of some kind. Please see the fact sheet about AIG in the Host All-in-One Packet included in the Host's Envelope.

Prior to Session's Beginning

            As is standard, we will mail the box of program materials to the hotel and it will be waiting for you at the lobby desk (box is addressed to Manager on Duty). Box could sometimes be stored in the Sales Dept. Otherwise, if you live in San Francisco, or will be passing through there on your way to Napa, you can arrange with us to pick up the box of materials IF YOU WANT TO. The place and time for pickup is at the BACL office in the Sunset district, 300 Taraval St. (cross street Funston), San Francisco, 94116; office hours are Mon. thru Fri., 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, or by arrangement. We can mail, email, or fax you directions to the BACL office.

General Information Applicable To Every Week

            Morning Announcements -- Go through each day's schedule and make any announcements necessary; it's important to start and end class on time.
            Meals -- Breakfast will be served in the Atrium, but participants may take their trays to eat outside by the Mill Pond. Lunch will either be served in the Atrium (most days), or in a banquet room (if the latter is the case, then to be served lunch, participants must remain in designated banquet area). Dinner will be served in one of the hotel's conference rooms. On the day of the Sonoma bus tour, lunch ends at 12:20 pm, since the group must be on board the bus by 12:30 pm (five-night programs and certain three-night theme programs). Important: It is regrettably not possible to ask the kitchen to prepare boxed lunches "to go" for those who plan to leave the program before lunch on Closing Day. If they want lunch, they may stay on for the scheduled lunch or buy food on their own.

            1. It is important to tell our group at Orientation that participants must come to lunch and dinner on time because these are served meals (not buffet like breakfast), and also that the group must vacate the restaurant by the end of the hour so the restaurant can serve their other patron. We must emphasize this as our relationship with the restaurant depends on our adhering to this requirement. Please let the instructors know about this so they will let the class out on time.

            3. Also, note that people who arrive after meal times have ended cannot be served a meal regardless of the reason. (This may occur on opening day because of plane arrival schedules.) If such a situation should occur, the participant will have to pay for their own meal.
            4. Occasionally, due to last-minute changes in their event schedule, the hotel may need to switch our group to a different room for dinner than indicated on the Week in Review, with little or no advance notice.

            Refreshments in Class -- No refreshments will be served during class or at any other time. However, participants may bring drinks and snacks from the buffet breakfast and from the Manager's Reception (or Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30 pm) to the classroom. Let the group know that they can take fruit, yogurt, etc. from the all-you-can-eat breakfast for snacks later. Perishable food can be kept in their guest room refrigerators. Drinks during the Reception are complimentary. Note: The Hotel has now decided that it is allowable to take drinks from Happy Hour into any of the eating areas for dinner. IMPORTANT!! The hotel often puts out snacks for their OTHER guests/conference attendees, and it is important that you make it clear to our group that they are kindly requested NOT to consume these snacks. This has happened and it upsets the hotel staff.
            Conference Room Cleanliness -- Check each morning before class to make sure class and bathrooms are clean, and that hot and cold water have been changed. If any of this hasn’t been done, inform the hotel. We will let you know the name of the classroom in advance (by phone).
            Classroom Temperature -- If the temperature needs to be adjusted, you can go to the Lobby Desk and ask that a houseman take care of this.

           A/V Equipment -- We own the following A/V equipment: Combination DVD/VCR player & monitor, audio-visual cart, microphone, two carousel slide projectors with long distance remotes, a cd/tape player, a small whiteboard with dry erase markers and eraser. BACL buys flipcharts as well, for some of our teachers to use; please use these and not the hotel's. The hotel is also lending us a portable lectern with microphone clamp. We will let you know what you will need for your week. All should be set up by 1:30 pm on Opening Day (hotel will try to get set up no later than 2 pm). We also have a supply box for our use only, which should contain some basic office-type equipment such as scotch tape, a stapler, pens, scissors, playing cards, videos, info, etc.

             Instructors' Breaks -- In general, each class of 2 ½ hours should have a 10-minute break every 45 minutes. Ask the instructor if you should let him/her know when it's time for a break. However, use your own judgement. If the class does not want a break, don't insist on it.

            Health & Safety Forms - Health forms will be used by paramedics in case of medical emergency. Be sure to file in alphabetically the ones that you receive directly from individuals on Day 1. Our final policy as of Oct. 23, 2006, is that Hosts will now be the sole keepers of the Health forms, NOT the Lobby Desk or Manager on Duty. There will not be a second set of photocopied forms to give to the Lobby Desk.

            Teacher's Checks -- We have enclosed three checks for teachers. Please give each teacher his/her check at the start of their final class. We will write checks to take care of all other aspects of the program (i.e., entertainers' paychecks). Of course, for last-minute changes or additions, David will sometimes simply mail the teacher's or entertainer's check directly to their home (we'll do our best to let you know when this is the case).

            Independent Contractors Agreement -- Occasionally, we may give you independent contractors agreements that new teachers will have to sign. Please send them to us along with the name tags.

            Commuters --As of September 2008, BACL is now accepting commuters at all BACL EH sites. Commuters are required to register through Elderhostel's main office.

If anything is not done to requirement, see Rebeca Kalinin, Conference Svcs. Mgr.

Three Night Programs

            Three Night Programs - Main Differences: The majority of the participants will be first-time Elderhostelers. Our focus will be a little more on what Elderhostel is all about. Therefore, we have included a sheet with information about Elderhostel with your manual. Please plan to familiarize yourself with the information and summarize it in the Orientation. Please show the Elderhostel video "Adventures in Lifelong Learning" (to be found in the Host's plastic box) after Orientation ONLY if there are enough first-time Elderhostelers; it is approx. 12 minutes long. It gives a good overview of Elderhostel. Bus Tour of the Napa Valley: The bus will leave the Embassy Suites at 12:30 pm. We visit Mumm Champagne Winery for a docent-guided tour of Mumm. There will be about an hour and a half total for the winery tour, a visit to the art gallery (wonderful photographs by Ansel Adams and others) and the gift shop. See bus tours section below for itinerary times. After COPIA, the group returns to the Embassy Suites. This itinerary is the same as what the Five Night program does. Closing Program: The usual 'talent show' may not be needed, since the participants are new to Elderhostel. If that doesn't seem workable, here's a few ideas: Informally discuss what the group members have learned and enjoyed about their Elderhostel experience. Also, if you have any participants who have already attended Elderhostel, ask if they would like to tell the group about what Elderhostels they've really enjoyed.

Setting Up at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley

            You should arrive at the hotel by 1:30 p.m. (allow an hour and a half from San Francisco). Check to see if the hotel has set up a registration table in the conference room. The hotel also should have set up a refreshment table with glasses/cups, and a container of ice water in the classroom. If the hotel has not, let the Banquet Dept. know that things aren't set up and that they are needed before 3 p.m. registration. Pick up the red phone in the Fountain Court Foyer or use a house phone, and dial "0" for the operator (then ask for Banquet Dept.). All the A/V equipment (see list) must be set up, too. Give the front desk a copy of the Week in Review and the Roster.

            Post notices such as the week's menus and the local bus companies schedules on an appropriate area of the wall, using tape, near the registration table in the classroom.

Elderhostel Registration (3:00 - 4:30 pm)

            Set up for Elderhostel registration -- Place name tags in alphabetical order on table facing participants. Have orientation envelopes nearby. Use Admissions Roster to check off names as people come in. There is NO money to collect, but in the rare case that someone needs to pay, we'll let you know with a note on the program roster. Elderhostelers who have chose a single room have already paid that extra fee when they enrolled.. People are not allowed to switch from Double to Single Occupancy after arriving at the hotel. Give each person their name tag and an envelope.

            Sometimes people will check in later in the evening. Please take a CLOSE look at the Housing List when you're near the end of the registration process, so that you’ll know whether or not any participants will be arriving at the program LATE, and therefore need to have their guest room held for them until their arrival. Note: The Embassy Suites WILL NOT hold dinner for late arrivals. Check with front desk about anyone who hasn't appeared by dinner. Sometimes people who have decided not to come will call the hotel to cancel but not let us know. If there is no sign that they have canceled, leave their name tags and orientation packages with the front desk. Important: In Napa, Elderhostel participants are automatically checked in on Opening Day, to assure a room for those who may arrive late. If someone hasn't arrived by midnight, the Night Manager is supposed to cancel the participant from the reservation. Therefore, when you go to the Lobby Desk on Opening Day to ask if someone has checked in, the staff will probably tell you that they did. However, this may not be the case and you may need to physically go to the guest room to see if they did. We have now changed procedure so that it is no longer necessary for you to mail the Admissions Roster to the BACL office.

            If any participants show up, whether during or after registration, and the hotel does not seem to have their names on the reservations list, please do everything that you can to get a room for the people, and investigate what happened (i.e., look for their names on the Admissions Roster, on the Housing List, etc.). Sometimes the hotel has misspelled names in their computer records, or otherwise neglected to input everyone's name from the Housing List. Sometimes there is an error on the Admissions Roster, which is information printed directly from Elderhostel Headquarters. Then, call BACL as soon as you can to let us know about any discrepancy.

            Remind each couple or person that we have changed our itinerary (you may direct them to read a sign that should be posted at the registration table) and will be doing Orientation immediately after the registration period, at 4:30 pm, and that social time/introductions of everyone in the group will be held at 7 pm onward in the conference room. We expect that people will drift over to the Manager's Reception to get drinks after dinner, and then drift into the conference room. If you like, you may also announce that formal introductions (led by you, the host), will begin at a certain time (for example, 7:30 pm), so that everyone's had time to get drinks, go to the restroom, etc.

Orientation (4:30 -5:30 p.m.)

Note: Please cover all the material in this section (letters A thru D) in the order given.

            A) Welcoming Participants -- Welcome to Bay Area Classic Learning's Elderhostel Program at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley. You may be wondering, what is Bay Area Classic Learning. It is a non-profit educational corporation that was formed in 1994 by Pat and David Kleinberg. Besides Napa, Bay Area Classic Learning runs a year-round site at the Embassy Suites on the Burlingame waterfront, and in Fall 2005 we began an Elderhostel program in San Rafael in beautiful Marin County. When Elderhostel began 28 years ago, it started in the northeast on college campuses in the summer. Today over 1/4 of a million people attend Elderhostel yearly and 50% of the programs are sponsored by colleges and universities and 50% by other non-profit educational organizations such as Bay Area Classic Learning.

            *Very Important! Emergency Situations and Health Forms -- (As of 10/23/06) Please inform the group that you, the Host(s), will keep the Health forms with you, not the Lobby Desk or Manager on Duty, and that if there is ever any accident or medical emergency, that they should call or find you FIRST, even if it's the middle of the night. Of course, if 911 assistance is required immediately, they should call 911 first, and then the Host(s). This way the Health forms should be available in an emergency, and you can inform hotel management about any emergency situation that arises.

B) Brief History of Napa and Area

            People are always interested in the area they are visiting. Here are some historical highlights of the Napa Valley. The valley's history is traced through events within the region and state.

            * Native Americans: The word "Napa" is probably derived from the Wappa Indian tribe who coexisted in the valley for centuries with populations of panthers, grizzlies, deer, and elk.

            * First farmers settled in the 1830s.
            * Statehood: In 1850, Napa was part of the district of Sonoma. Napa city laid out in 1848 by Nathan Coombs on property received from Nicholas Higuerra, holder of original Spanish land grant.

            * Silver Rush in 1858: Silver discovered in the valley on eastern hills. Large-scale mining operations thrived in the 1860s. The most remarkable was the Silverado Mine on the slope of Mt. St. Helena. This mine was immortalized by Robert Louis Stevenson in his classic work, "The Silverado Squatters."

            * Today, however, Napa Valley stands as the center of the American wine industry, and is known world-wide.

            C) Go Over Materials in Participants’ Orientation Envelopes

            Biographies of Leaders & Teachers -- We've already introduced ourselves. Briefly elaborate on teacher biographies.

            What to Do Around Napa: The communities of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga, and all the vineyards between, comprise the Napa Valley, which is known primarily for its 200 plus wineries that annually produce some of the world's top wines. The valley is 25 miles long and five miles wide.

            * Car/Bus Travelers: Take a trip up highway 29 through the towns of Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga, all charming destinations. St. Helena has some lovely shops along main street and the Robert Lewis Stevenson Museum. Calistoga, located only 30 miles away, is noted for its hot mineral pools and a nearby geyser that erupts 60 feet every 40 minutes. Take the criss-cross roads between Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail for a beautiful look at the valley. Bus: Napa Valley Transit (NVT) travels through the valley. Bus does go to some wineries on Highway 29. Have EH'ers consult the bus schedules on their own. Post the schedules in the classroom. There is also the Historic Downtown Napa Trolley (operated by VINE, another of the area's bus systems). See route map and schedule included in your Host all-in-one packet (sent in the box of materials for the program). The front desk staff at the hotel also keeps a supply of the Trolley schedule/map brochure, so please inform participants they can pick one up there. There is a Trolley stop at the intersection of California & Clay, nearby the hotel. The Trolley stops at COPIA, the Napa Premium Outlets, and various restaurants and shops. There is now a small ticket price to ride the Trolley: Up to age 64, it costs $1.25 a ticket, including a transfer good for 2 hrs. (within Zone 2, which includes COPIA and the Outlet mall). Over 64 yrs. old it costs 60 cents.

            * Winery Visits: We will be taking a tour of two wineries, but there are many others in the valley well worth seeing. We recommend several. Schramsberg: This winery with its Victorian house is located off Highway 29 north of St. Helena, perched atop Diamond Mountain amidst forests of redwood and madrone. Schramsberg was the second winery to appear in the valley, and in recent times, its superb champagne has been served by several American Presidents at the White House. The winery also features the most fascinating caves in the valley. One of the original California bear flags are located in its tasting room. The Hess Collection: Built in 1903 as the Christian Bros. Winery, Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess acquired this historic winery in 1986 and renovated it. The original ivy-covered stone building now houses a fine collection of modern art. Opus One: Opus One is a joint venture between the great Napa Valley winemaker Robert Mondavi and French winemaker Baroness Philippine de Rothschild to produce an ultra-premium Bordeau-style wine in Napa Valley. The winery was completed in 1991. It rises out of the ground like a hill, and inside features beautiful sculpture and oil paintings. Consult the material in your orientation package for details and other good suggestions.

            * Napa Restaurants: Some of the world's great restaurants are located in the valley. We've suggested a few in our literature in your package. Make reservations as soon as possible!

            Petrified Forest, Calistoga: A privately-owned park, the Petrified Forest was formed when a huge volcano erupted around 3 million years ago. The eruptions, and ash fall that followed, lasted for many thousand years. Combined with rain, this colossal geological event buried and preserved a gigantic forest that once stood there. Some trees have a trunk diameter of up to 8 feet. The first proprietor started excavating the large petrified trees in 1871, and the park was founded in 1910. Guided walking tour (1/2 mile) of park features (moderate difficulty). Grounds include a museum devoted to the origin of the fossils and geology of the area, and picnic tables. The gift shop features crystals, petrified wood and books. California Historical Landmark #915. Located at 4100 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga, Ca 94515. Seniors over 60: $5 entry fee. Open daily 9 to 7, winter hours 9 to 5. Visit their website, http://www.petrifiedforest.org/index.html, for more information, or call 707-942-6667. About 45 min. to 1 hr. driving time. By Car: From the hotel, go right on California Blvd., then right on 1st St., and merge onto Hwy. 29 North to Calistoga. Stay straight onto Foothill Blvd./Hwy. 128, and continue to Petrified Forest Rd., where you make a left turn and then continue to park. By Bus: Take Napa Valley's public VINE bus system, Route #10, from downtown Napa to St. Helena, get off at St. Helena City Hall and switch to Route #11 towards Santa Rosa. When you reach Calistoga, there is a stop for the 'Petrified Forest Exhibit.' This route is run only Monday thru Wednesday, and Saturdays; Napa departures (to St. Helena) are at five minutes past the hour, each hour, and St. Helena departures (to Calistoga) are at 8:50 am, 12:45 pm, and 4:15 pm. $2 senior fare one-way. Call the VINE at 1-800-696-6443 or 707-251-2800 for routes and schedules, or visit their website at http://www.nctpa.net/vine.cfm.

            The Sharpsteen Museum and Sam Brannan Cottage (founded 1978), located at 1311 Washington Street at Lincoln, in Calistoga, is named for benefactor Ben Sharpsteen, animator, producer and director for Walt Disney Studios. Dedicated to presenting the story of Napa Valley from its prehistory to post-World War I, this small museum showcases complex dioramas, historical exhibits, and quarterly special exhibits. Special attention is paid to Calistoga's heyday in the 1860s, when it was an elegant hot springs resort developed by California's first millionaire, Sam Brannan. Sam Brannan arrived in Napa Valley in the late 1850s with the dream of making it the 'Saratoga of California.' In 1866 cottages were built and palm trees planted in preparation for the grand opening of the resort. This is the only cottage still standing. The cottage is attached to the museum. Call 707-942-5911 for hours. By Car: From the hotel, go right on California Blvd., then right on 1st St., and merge onto Hwy. 29 North to Calistoga. Turn right on Lincoln, then left on Washington. By Bus: From downtown Napa, take Napa Valley's public VINE bus system, Route #10, to the bus stop at Lincoln & Washington Streets in Calistoga, and walk a short distance to the museum. Senior fare $1, one-way. Call the VINE at 1-800-696-6443 or 707-251-2800 for routes and schedules or visit their website at http://www.nctpa.net/vine.cfm.

            The Calistoga Geyser, at 1299 Tubbs Lane, provides the town's most visible evidence of its hot springs. The 350 degree F geyser erupts 60-100 feet every 45 minutes, and is one of only three geysers in the world designated as "Old Faithful" for its regularity. An interesting finding, first noted by the geyser's first owner, Olga Kolbek, was that eruptions would decrease before significant seismic activity (i.e., earthquakes). See an exhibit on geyser eruptions and earthquake predictions. There are also benches and tables where you can sit and wait to see the show or enjoy a picnic lunch (snack bar available). Alpacas and 'fainting' goats also live on the property. Seniors over 60: $7 entry fee. Open 9 am-6 pm daily, 365 days a year. Call 707-942-6463 for more information. By Car: From the hotel, go right on California Blvd., then right on 1st St., and merge onto Hwy. 29 North to Calistoga. Stay straight onto Foothill Blvd./Hwy. 128, and then turn right on Tubbs Lane. About 45 mins. driving time. By Bus: Napa Valley VINE bus, Route #10 ($1 senior fare, one-way), goes to Calistoga but does not stop near the geyser.

            Napa Valley Museum, see info in "What to See & Do." Senior admission $3.50. By Car: Take Hwy. 29 north to Yountville. Take the first Yountville exit (named California Drive), take a left at the end of the ramp onto California Dr., stay straight, and enter grounds of the Veteran's Home of California. Presidents Circle is at the top of the hill where you'll see the museum on the right. Napa Valley VINE bus goes to the Veteran's Hall which is next to the museum, just a short walk away.

            Silverado Museum, 1490 Library Lane, St. Helena; see info in "What to See & Do." Dedicated to the life and writings of Robert Louis Stevenson. Collection contains over 9,000 items. By Car: Take Hwy. 29 north to St. Helena. Turn East on Adams Street and proceed to Library Lane. Turn left and proceed to the Library which is the big white building on your right. The Museum is on the south side of the Public Library complex. About 25 mins. driving time, or 17.6 miles. By Bus: Take #10 VINE bus route to St. Helena City Hall (tell driver you want to get off on block that's closest to the library). Walk back one block along Main St. to Adams St., turn left on Adams, walk across railroad tracks towards West America Bank. Behind bank is Library Lane; go down that to the public library, where the museum is attached.

            Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, 2555 Main St, St Helena. One of the premier culinary academies in the U.S. Programs are centered in a demonstration theatre and around a series of cooking islands in the 15,000-square-foot teaching/kitchen area, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. There are also 15 acres of vineyards, the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies, the Sutter Home Organic Garden, the Cannard Herb Garden, the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, the DeBaun Theater, the Ken and Grace De Baun Cafe, and the Spice Islands Marketplace (campus store). The CIA offers cooking demonstrations (approximately one hour in length, featuring a recipe and a tasting of the dish demonstrated). Call 967-2320 for more information, demonstration times, or to make your reservation, or book online. Cost per person is $15; reservations recommended (not required), but there are often tickets available the day of the demonstrations. By Car: Take Hwy 29 North 19 miles to St. Helena. The CIA is just one mile north of downtown St. Helena on the left side of the road. About 26 mins. driving time, or 18.5 miles. By Bus: Take the #10 VINE bus to St. Helena. Bus does not stop AT the CIA (it takes up to about a mile if walking). Probably would have to take a taxi the rest of the way.

            Napa Premium Outlets, 629 Factory Stores Drive, Napa. Call 226-9876 for information. Has 50 stores.

            St. Helena Premium Outlets, 3111 N. St. Helena Highway, St. Helena. Call 226-9876 for hours and names of stores (only has 10 stores) (phone # listed in See & Do packet is incorrect). By Car: Take Hwy. 29 north about 19 miles; stores are along highway. By Bus: Take #10 VINE bus to St. Helena. Call Napa Valley VINE bus for routes/schedules, 800-696-6443 or 251-2800. About 27 mins. driving time, or 19.6 miles.

            Evaluation Sheet -- Please fill out and turn in the last night or departure morning. It's important. It allows us to know how to make the program better for you. Please be sure to tell participants to give us feedback on all comedians and closing night entertainers on their evaluation sheets. We suggest that you tell them just before morning class starts on the day a comedian appears, regardless of what time the appearance is. {Hosts now have their own separate Evaluation Sheet (part of the Host All-in-One packet) which we request that you fill out and send to Barry Adler along with the others.}

D) Miscellaneous Info

            How to call in hotel -- Just dial 7 and the person's room number. Tell them your room number and that they should call you if there is any problem. We feel responsible for them and want them to tell us if they aren't feeling well or if they need to leave before the program ends. BE SURE TO GIVE THEM YOUR ROOM NUMBER.

            Bus Tours: The bus has a bathroom on board. People in wheelchairs can come if they can walk up several bus steps. Their wheelchairs can be stored on board.

            1) Tuesday's Bus Tour of the Sonoma Valley -- There will be a free five-hour bus tour of the Sonoma Valley, Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 to 5:30. It includes a visit to Sebastiani Winery for a tour and tasting, and a visit to Sonoma State Park. The City of Sonoma is the birthplace of California. In 1846, American settlers revolted against Mexican rule and declared California a republic. Today, the lovely tree-lined town square is surrounded by shops and restaurants. The Sonoma Mission, off the square, was founded in 1823. General Mariano Vallejo's home is located on a 20-acre estate only a half-mile northwest of the square. Sonoma Valley bus tours happen for all five-night programs, and occasionally for special "Theme" three-night programs.

            2) Thursday's Bus Tour of the Napa Valley -- There will be a free five-hour bus tour of the Napa Valley for both three night and five night programs, Thursday afternoon (or Day 3 of a three night program) from 12:20 to 5:30. The group will visit Mumm's winery for docent tours and champagne/wine tasting. Then, starting September 2004, we will visit COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts in Napa, at 3:30 pm for a docent tour, and then limited free time.

            Meals -- Breakfast will be served buffet-style in the Atrium, but participants may take their trays to eat outside by the Mill Pond. Lunch will either be served in the Atrium (most days), or in a banquet room (if the latter is the case, then to be served lunch, participants must remain in designated banquet area). Dinner will be served in Rings Restaurant or in the Atrium adjacent to the Restaurant. Lunch and dinner are served while seated. Ask people to be on time for meals! Please wait to be seated until everyone has received their food. Monitor the food and let the waitstaff know if a food item is getting low.

            Bussing Dishes for Meals -- Participants will not bus their dishes.

            Menu -- We have worked out a menu that we think will be satisfactory to everyone. It is tasty and nutritious. However, no special requests can be made of the kitchen; we cannot accommodate special diets. If someone needs something special, there is a gift shop/newsstand in the hotel which sells snacks and drinks, or the closest supermarkets are Safeway and Albertson's (see address/phone #'s at end of manual). Remind them they can keep such items in their room fridges.

            Housecleaning -- The rooms will be cleaned daily. The beds will be made (linens changed only upon request), waste-baskets emptied, bathrooms cleaned and suite amenities replenished. If hostelers need fresh towels, they may dial "0" for the hotel operator to make a request.

            Phones -- You will have a speaker-telephone with voice-mail in your room. The Embassy Suites Hotel Operator will transfer calls to your room. If you are not present in your suite, your messages will be picked up by voice mail. If you want to use the telephone in your room, when you check into the hotel the clerk at the desk will ask you for either a $50 cash deposit or your credit card impression. NOTE: You will be given an invoice by the Embassy Suites desk at check-out time for all telephone calls you make from your room (local as well as long distance calls). Local calls within a 12-mile radius go through SBC. These calls cost $1.00 for the first 60 minutes. The hotel does not charge a fee for calls made on your calling card or credit card. Direct dialing on long distance calls is charged at the AT&T rate and has an additional hotel mark-up of 25-50%. You can pay the telephone bill and early arrival or late departure fee at the front desk by cash, traveler's checks, personal check, or major credit card upon departure. Personal checks must be pre-printed with your name & address, and you must provide a telephone number and picture ID. Pay phones are available at the hotel lobby, outside near the front desk and indoors near the meeting facilities.

            Mobile Phones -- Please be sure to remind participants to kindly either turn off their mobile telephones, or set them to Etiquette or Silent Mode (in which the phone will vibrate instead of ringing). Also request that if they want to take the call, to please go outside the classroom to speak. We would like to provide a peaceful classroom setting.

            Pool, Jacuzzis, Fitness -- The heated pools and jacuzzi are open from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm. Access is by using your room key. You may mention that the hotel has a spa offering massages, body treatments, facials, etc. Hostelers must make their own appointments; each room should have a brochure detailing a list of services and prices. Important: These services are not included in the Elderhostel tuition! The hotel will give guests one free pass per person, per day, to use the fitness center which is located 3/4 of a mile away (not owned by Embassy Suites); check at front desk for details and directions.

            Name Tags -- Ask people to wear their name tags every day so we can all get to know each other faster. As of Jan. 2007, we switched to name tags with clips instead of strings.

            Classroom Socializing -- Sometimes people like to socialize in the classroom during the afternoon or night. If the classroom door is locked, tell them that the clerk at the lobby desk will have someone open it for them. Two card tables located in the storage room for participants who want to play games. We provide Scrabble and decks of cards. We'll have a sign-up sheet for bridge.

            Monday's Free Afternoon (5 night programs; sometimes the free afternoon is on another day of the week) -- Most participants will have a car, but for those who don't, it is possible for them to arrange to be picked up after lunch to visit wineries or to go where they wish. They can call: California Wine Tours at 707-253-1300 or 707-939-7225 (for six people or more it costs $49 per person for five hours in a limousine). Hostelers may rent a car from Budget or Enterprise by arranging with the staff at the lobby desk. The rental companies will deliver the car to the hotel.

            Elderhostel passports -- Elderhostel has decided to reinstate their passport program, and is sending out passports directly to participants (BACL will not provide passports to hand out at programs). We will continue distributing our passport stickers.

            Closing -- You can see we've got a great group of participants here and excellent instructors. We know it's going to be a wonderful week. Tell participants that you know that some of them are very tired because they've been traveling all day. Remind them that happy hour is 5:30 - 7:30 pm, and that during or after dinner, they may get drinks and may return to the conference room starting at 7 pm, after which you will begin formal introductions (see 'Introductions' section below). {Play Elderhostel video.} And now, we'll lead you to the dining room.

Social Time & Introductions (7 p.m. onwards)

            Introductions -- {Allow time for people to get drinks; begin when most or all the group has convened in the classroom, or the time you previously set.} The best thing about Elderhostel is that you meet great people. This is the time you get to meet this week's participants. How many first time Elderhostelers do we have here? (Welcome them.) We're going to go across the rows. We'd like each person to stand, face the center of the group and in your loudest voice tell us 1) Where you are from, 2) your present or former occupation, 3) your hobbies, and 4) how many Elderhostels you've attended. (Don't let them start in on children and grandchildren; it takes up too much time.) This would be a good time to ask for a show of hands of people who are attending their first Elderhostel. If there are enough hands raised (at least several people), ask them who would like to view the 12 minute intro to Elderhostel video. If they're interested, go ahead and play it after Orientation, and let others know they aren't required to stay to watch. After Final Introduction -- As you can see, we have a wonderful group, and you'll have a whole week to get to know each other better. Good night, and sleep well!!

{Now announce that people may mingle freely in the conference room or back out in the Atrium.}

The Rest of the Week

            Make announcements each morning, using the Week in Review as your guide. Introduce the instructor at the beginning session of each course. The important points to know are:

            Wine Classes: Hotel will set up tables, water pitchers and glasses (see current A/V list, known as the BEO- Banquet & Event Order- in Host's envelope); hotel will clear away and wash glasses. Before class starts, hosts should please check that the hotel is setting out the right number of wine glasses. Important: As agreed on with the hotel, we ask that all hosts please set up the waxed-paper Dixie cups for all wine classes before the start of class. We would like to avoid delaying class due to late setup. The glass & cup setup should be placed at the top of the table so that hostelers can have room in front of them on the table to write. At the end of your program, please fill out the waxed-paper cup inventory slip, found in your all-in-one host packet, telling us how many cups are left, and send to us with the name tags. Thank you very much- we appreciate your help!
--For Sandra Barros: In a two-session class, set out five Dixie cups per participant on first night, and one dixie cup per person the second night; for a one-session wine-tasting, set out one cup per person. Sandra usually arrives 15-30 minutes before class to pour wine. (3 wine glasses for a one-session; 4 wine glasses each night for two sessions.)
--For Kim Caffrey: In a one- or two-session class, set out one Dixie cup per participant for all meetings. (Caffrey: 3 wine glasses per person for one or two-session course, each night, plus water pitchers for each row.)
--For Karen Lee: In a one or two-session class, set out one Dixie cup per person for all meetings. Karen brings small paper plates for the food-tasting portion of a Wine & Food course. (She needs a water pitcher set up for each row. 4 wine glasses for a one-session; 2 wine glasses each night for a two-session.)

            Monday: Two videos are scheduled for viewing. The first one, "Secrets of the Wine Country" is a fabulous PBS production. The second, "Vino! Wine & Winemaking," is 47 minutes long, detailing the history of winemaking in Northern California and today's winemaking practices. If participants wish to view more, you may show "Wine in Art," a video of a lecture by Joseph Schram, owner of Clos Pegase Winery, to the students at the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park about images of wine in paintings and other art objects. You can show it Monday afternoon or the same night we show "SF in the Movies." Remind people of closing night program sign-ups (if a 3 nite).

BUS TOUR ITINERARIES & INFO
*Note: Lunch will always end at 12:15 pm before the Napa Valley bus tour.
(Lunch ends at 12:30 before the Sonoma Valley tour.)

NOTE: IF BUS IS LATE: Call Marin Charters dispatch office at 415-461-4222. If you can't reach someone there, please call David Hughes in the business office (during normal business hours) at 415-256-8830. If possible, call the BACL office ASAP if the tour is on a weekday, and let us know of any problems. If on a weekend, please call the Kleinbergs (San Francisco tel: 415-584-9225; if no answer, call them in Cloverdale at: 707-894-0774). Should you be more than ten minutes late for any tour destination, PLEASE CALL THEM TO LET THEM KNOW as a courtesy. If you do not have a cell phone, the bus driver should allow you to use his/her cell phone, or he/she can call his/her dispatch office who can then call the tour destination. The numbers for the Sonoma Valley tour are: A) Sonoma State Park, Vallejo Home- 707-938-9559, and the Mission- 707-938-9560; B) Sebastiani Winery- 707-933-3230. The numbers for the Napa Valley tour are: A) Mumm's Winery- 707-967-7731 (tasting room), and Sutter Home Winery- 707-963-3104 (Amber Devno, Visitor Center Supervisor, ext. 4141). Please remember to bring your Host Manual with you on the bus so you have this information at hand if the situation calls for it. Thank you very much!

            Tuesday/Sonoma Valley: Bus Tour Schedule from 12:30-5:15 p.m. --

            12:30 p.m., bus leaves hotel

            1:00 - 2:30 p.m., tour and tasting at Sebastiani Winery

            2:30 p.m., depart for Sonoma State Park

**Upon arrival at Sonoma State Park, group will be split into two (except in cases where the group is small). If there is only one Elderhostel Host, please appoint an Elderhosteler to lead the other group. Have bus drop one group at the Sonoma Mission first; then drive over and drop other group at General Vallejo's House.

            2:45 - 3:15 p.m., docent tour of Sonoma Mission (Group A)

            2:45 - 3:15 p.m., docent tour of General Vallejo's House (Group B)

            3:15 - 3:45 p.m., docent tour of Sonoma Mission (Group B)

            3:15 - 3:45 p.m., docent tour of General Vallejo's House (Group A)

            3:45 - 4:45 p.m., Elderhostelers have free time to walk around Sonoma Town Square. Before getting off bus, tell the group that they must meet back at the bus by 4:40 p.m.

            4:45 p.m., depart Town Square for return to hotel

            5:15 p.m., bus arrives at hotel.

            Thursday/Napa Valley: Bus Tour Schedule from 12:20-4:30 p.m.:

NOTE: THIS ITINERARY CURRENTLY UNDERGOING RENOVATION. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER. THX!

            12:30 p.m., bus starts boarding outside the front of the hotel.

            12:45 p.m., bus leaves hotel

            1:00 p.m., arrive Mumm's Winery, going up Silverado Trail. Before getting off bus, tell the group that they must meet back at the bus at 2:30 p.m.

            1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Docent tour at Mumm's, champagne tasting. On own, go see the art exhibits and/or visit gift shop.

            2:15 p.m., group meets at bus and departs for Sutter Home Winery, St. Helena.

            2:30 p.m., arrive at Sutter Home for a free wine tasting (3 wines or more). A wine expert will talk for about 30 minutes during the tasting, but it is not a 'docent tour.' You'll then have free time to vist the gift shop, or pay extra for reserve wine tastings at the public bar. Please let them know about these options before getting off bus. **Before getting off bus, tell the group that they must meet back at the bus at 4:00 p.m.**

            4:00 p.m., board bus and depart Sutter Home.

            4:30 p.m., bus arrives at hotel.

Important Notes Regarding Bus Tours:

1- Certain programs will have a third bus tour to Calistoga; our office will give you details.

2- We do NOT receive a discount on merchandise at Mumm's.

3- In Napa, we do not collect tips for the bus driver. David Kleinberg is paying a gratuity to the bus company directly (which they should give to the driver), so please don't pass around an envelope. Thanks!

4- If it seems like no one in the group plans to take the Sonoma Mission tour, please be courteous and go to the Mission to let the docent know they won't be needed.

5- If, for a Sonoma State Park tour, we have a smaller-sized group of people (maybe less than 25), we will NOT split the group into two. Instead, the whole group will first visit the Vallejo Home together, then get on the bus and go for the Sonoma Mission tour together. Someone at the office will let you know (or if we haven't, give us a call to remind us!), and we will also tell the bus company about the change in itinerary, as well as Gordon, our contact at Sonoma State Park

6- Mumm's has one wheelchair available on-site, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Closing Program

            For Five-Night programs: If no entertainment is scheduled, follow procedure mentioned above (nearer to beginning of document) in the paragraph following the main heading "Three Night Programs." Closing night entertainers will do a 45-min. performance: 35 mins. of material and up to 10 mins. of question-and-answer with the group afterward (let them know beforehand so they have time to think of questions). Performers are welcome to do a longer set if people seem to be enjoying it.

            Certificates -- We have discontinued the Certificates.

            Last Words -- Remind them again that check out is at noon tomorrow, so everyone should bring their luggage down to their cars or check it at the front desk Friday morning. They can call for a houseman to assist them. Be sure to tell group how glad you are that they all came and that you hope they'll come back again. We'd also love to see them at our other Bay Area BACL sites.

Final Duties

            Returning Health & Safety Forms to BACL Office – Elderhostel (as of October 2006) now requires us to keep all Health forms for six months after a program date. Therefore, at the end of the program, please remove the forms from their original envelope and insert them in the included (postage-paid) new envelope, addressed to the BACL office. Seal envelope and drop in the mail to us.

            Returning Admissions Roster to BACL Office – Due to privacy concerns, we have decided that the Admissions Roster, used to check in participants on Day One, must be returned to our office so that we may properly dispose of it (by document shredder). Therefore, on the final day, please put the Roster in the envelope with the Name Tags and send to us.

            11:30 am -- Fold all maps and put in map envelope, and put along with literature in plastic supply box. Please put name tags and Incident Reports (if any) in the envelope we have provided and put in the mail. Please include your own name tag and we'll save it for you for the next time you host! Note: Please DO NOT roll up name tags in a rubber band; thank you. Please put the evaluations in the other addressed, pre-stamped envelope and mail to Barry Adler. NOTE: If you choose to send your own Evaluation sheet for the program directly to the BACL office, we request that you make a photocopy of it and include one copy along with all the rest of the Evaluations. We'd like Barry Adler to be able to make a complete summary. The return address sticker for the Evaluations has a space where the date of the program should be written in; if it's blank, please fill in the appropriate date. Please recycle any extra printed papers such as orientation materials. Please: As a courtesy to the next EH Hosts, kindly tidy up the EH supply box before leaving the hotel! Also, if you notice any items missing from the supply box or items running low (such as tape, dry erase markers, etc.), please inform our office ASAP so we can order and send replenishments. 11:30-12:30 -- Lunch. Program is officially over. Thanks for doing a great job!!!

People and Numbers
All numbers are in area code (707) except bus company.
Hotel address is 1075 California Blvd., Napa, CA 94559

            Hotel Staff -- Our contact person is Tara Weber, Sales Director, ext. 1100. The person who handles our Housing Lists is Rebeca Kalinin, ext. 1106; she can sometimes handle hotel room issues.

Local Dentist/Doctors

Call 911 for any medical emergency.

            Urgent Care/Hospital -- Queen of the Valley Hospital -- 100 Trancas Ave., Napa, CA 94558; medical problems and 24 hour emergency care. 252-4411. Kaiser Medical Offices -- 3285 Claremont Way, Napa, M-F, 8-7 pm; Sat 8-Noon; 258-2500. Kaiser Hospital, Vallejo -- 975 Sereno Dr., Vallejo, 651-1000.