" Can you imagine that being your credit card bill?? :) "

" Yes, I can. Well, except for the top one or two figures, I can. Had to work hard to get it paid off. "

" I remeber when Copia opened. It was surreal--I wandered around and I felt like I was on drugs or insane or something. "What is the point of this place? Why does it exist?" It was a large ugly building with expensively unimaginative exhibits/installations. I assumed it was like the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids--an expensive monument (mausoleum?) for some rich old person. I was surprised it ever opened. I am not at all surprised it went down in a ball of flames. "

" What a waste of monies. Wonder if they will be asking for their share of the bail out? "

" The Mondavi should be made to pay of those owed money. Strat with the employees and then the small business operators. "

" I too remember when it opened. What an exciting day--such festivities and such promise. For the next seven years the small percentage of us in the community who care about the broad range of activities presented at Copia thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I would liken it to a long running three ring circus for those with taste.

But it was overly ambitious as many ventures often are and it ran its course when they couldn't hit their numbers which were unrealistic.

I would like to thank the donors and volunteers who provided so much pleasure to too few locals and visitors alike.

The malcontents will continue to moan and groan. Ironically, Copia also provided them with their own version of enjoyment which seems to consist of lamentations and resentment. "

" It always amazes me how much people must blame someone for something, if and when it has gone wrong...such in the way that they continue to blame Robert Mondavi for Copia's demise. He may have had a dream, but somewhere it went awhry, it doesn't mean it was his fault. He donated the money and gave his imput for approx. the first two years and that's it. Let the man rest already. "

" They always make sure to put their names at the top of the list, or as close to the top of the list as they can when it concerns getting paid.

So, let me get this straight. Copia owes its employes a little over $200,000, and the CEO and CFO (2 people) make up $65,000 of that total? While the other 40+ count of employees make up the rest? W.O.W. And these are the guys responsible for causing Copias dramatic-all-of-a-sudden demise?

Vendors, if I were you I'd get together and speak the language of class action. Surely you deserve what you're owed more than these two guilty parties. "

" California EDD is owed $0.00 ?

Why is that more of a priority than the non-priority creditors ?

And what are "texes" owed to the government "

" Lets look to the future and figure out what can be done to benefit the community with such a large and ugly building.

I propose turning it into a community center, with a community garden. Make part of the interior into a gym, have a child center, music events, movies, activities, and other opportunities to build a sense of community here in Napa.

This would be for people who were not winos but people who who actually live in Napa. You know, tax payers, the community. Remember them? Imagine, community events and activities which benefited the community and not just the supported the overbloated, snotty, and community stifling wine industry. (We think it's a benefit to have the wine industry here but I believe its a canacer to the community)

So imagine a place for Napans to go and meet one another and build commuity. A place that wasn't snotty and exclusive with no soul. A place working people in a bad economy could go and participate in activites which brought us together and improved Napa to be an even better place than it already is. "

" Who pays for it now ? We do ! It's OURS,so lets get some concerts of all kinds lined up to offset the bill. Afterall,Mondavi persuaded the city to indulge big time in the project. It shouldn't be left on our shoulders,should it ? Another example of exploitation ! "

" bad time to be in the receivables industry. there was a lot of line items on that list. "

" localmama wrote on Jan 17, 2009 4:58 PM:".....somewhere it went awhry...."

Do you honestly think that this just happened...??? The owners and management had no idea, long ahead of time, that they were stiffing vendors...???

You gotta be kidding... This is white collar theft and fraud at its finest... Sadly, it's legal...

Those people knew for a long time they were burning their bridges and causing great harm to the community, and I am amazed that some simply write it off ans an "accident"... This was no accident... They had their hand is everyone's wallet for all they could get for a long long time... ...And they got away with it... They are certainly more evil than a shoplifter at Target... "

" and we didn't see the direction this ship was going when there was a move at the helm here and that was back sometime ago! I think she seen it!!said see ya! "

" Wouldn't it be great if Napa had the sort of Community Center that Sonoma has which brings together all the residents to enjoy shared activities.

Except that because of people like Harald consumed with resentment it ain't never going to happen. Sonomans don't distinguish between those who work in the wine industry and other folks. Not Harald; he hates the wine industry. He is the antithesis of everything that Barack Obama spoke about on his trip down to Washington who bid us to unite in the face of extreme challenges as our forefathers did.

So Harald open your check book and get the other residents who despise the tourists that make our economy work when they used to visit. The winos will continue what they do while you rail against the night. Get a grip, man, and accept the 21st century and try to become more positive instead of a version of Sarah Palin and her pinched view of the world.

We're not going to turn back the clock and let the narrow minded people make Napa boring again. "

" Hey Epicuria, How does the wine industry unite Napans? It really doesn't. It provides jobs, tourism, and is a basis to the local economy. But it does nothing to unite a community.

You might need to explain further what that has to do with the message of our incoming President. But as far as my statement being the antithesis of the Obama message. I disagree. There is a total lack of community activities for locals here in Napa. Lack of community activity only serves to create higher crime rates and other community problems which leads to a lessening in the standard of living which we now enjoy. Without that standard, the tourists will not come. So you do need to have it both ways.

The wine industry has given us a mono culture, deforestation, water shortages, and a polluted river.

Oh yeah, and a big ugly building downtown that will set empty and would be a great place to have a community center. Thanks Mondavi.

And by the way Epicuria, I never said Sonoma. I was thinking of the community center in American Canyon. But if there is one in Sonoma, then that too is a good example. "

" Harald,

Obama's clear message is that instead of belly aching and waiting for other people to fix something go out and do it yourself.

The wine industry won't unite Napans. Napans should be uniting among themselves as those in Sonoma do. Sonoma is a real community. Napa has too many residents angry at the world (="outsiders"). They want to return to some mythical past when life was simpler.

Well, as the old saying goes, the dog barks, but the caravan moves on.

If it weren't for the wine industy, Napa would resemble Fairfield... "

" I like the idea of a community center. Perhaps a great place for continuing education.

The ground of Copia are a great place to walk. "

" Epicuria, you are correct that the message that we are getting from our incoming president is to fix or change things. But that does not mean that we cannot complain or that our voice and opinions about how we could fix our community should be silenced by people who label those voices as complainers. (Thats the administration were getting rid of) T

I have no beef with outsiders as you suggest. My issue is not with the people of Napa, but with the structure of politic and policy that has completely forgotten the residents of Napa in their attempt to lure tourists in. I'm not angry as you suggested. But rather I can acknowledge that is a need to build a greter sense of community in order to improve Napa. That seems consistent with the spirit of the times. "

" harald- I do agree that a community center would be great for the people of Napa. Now, what should we call it? "

" It would be so great to turn Copia into a Community Center. It's centrally located with great parking; we could ride our bikes from Alta Heights. The interior could become a fabulous pool open to the public both days and evenings: The Napa Natatorium (deep pool with diving boards). Wouldn't that be wild to have a pool like in the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" where the floor opens? How cool! Then it could open and close for different events. There could be dances, etc. Julia's Kitchen could be used for incredible cooking classes. There could be a TV show about cooking in Napa with master Napa Valley chefs to be shown throughout the country to generate income: The Food Network of the West. The other rooms could be used for classes and activities on a variety of subjects. The movie theater is fabulous. We used to go to Friday Movie Night. I will definitely miss that, but perhaps it can continue in the Community Center. Something can be going on every minute of the day! There can be a kayak launch site. The gardens can continue as a great teaching and meditation area. Copia has SO much to offer. If reasonable fees for everyday Napans are charged, perhaps supplemented by local large businesses, WE WILL COME! If it just turns into another elitist location, so sad! Copia's vision was clouded from the beginning, but we have such an opportunity now. City leaders, please listen and figure out a way to make it happen. If this were really to become a reality, local Napans will restore our faith in your leadership. Thank you! "

" Get real folks. How is Napa going to come up with $28 million dollars (est.) to purchase the building in this fiscally distressed climate?

Also, in keeping with the President's Inaugural address, take personal responsibility if you want to get something done. This will involve more than writing a response on this forum telling the City to "figure out a way to make it happen."

Since most Napa residents are just content with complaining about how their interests are not being served, nothing will happen on this front.

Instead, some entity with bucks will purchase the property for visitor serving activities, which, after the economic tsunami passes, is where the money is. Napans meanwhile will be shopping at Kohl's. "

" Didn't Napa local George Altamura offer 10 million for it? Maybe we can offer 15 million and call it a day. I'm sure the mayor has some money laying around. "

" Wow. I've been to Sonoma a lot, and I don't think I've EVER seen a truck tearing up the roads to serve the wine industry. Sonoma County, sure. But not the community of Sonoma.

And the notion of Napa being like Fairfield if not for the wine industry is laughable. I lived in Napa before the wine industry was very big, and it was a LOT better then than it is now. It would only resemble Fairfield in that we both are on a major Interstate with a huge AFB.

Oh, wait, we DON'T have an Interstate or an AFB. We just have people who lust for the traffic that the Interstate has. "

" For some reason Epicuria somehow hears President Obamas speech and thinks it means "shut up and put up" Change comes from discussion and debate by citizens with ideas, hope, and the desire for change. I'm glad to hear that others too share in the support of having a community center for the people of Napa. It is very needed and is desired by those of us who live here.

Maybe we need to meet in mass at the City Counsil or the Board of Supervisors and state the idea and show that there is a support for such a proposistion. That is unless Epicuria thinks that Obama wants to discourage us from becoming involved in our local communities. "

" Harald:

You must have missed this paragraph in my comment: "Also, in keeping with the President's Inaugural address, take personal responsibility if you want to get something done. This will involve more than writing a response on this forum telling the City to 'figure out a way to make it happen.'" "

" "Figure out a way to make it happen" involves us all, city leaders and Napa residents. City leaders need to know our dreams so that perhaps someday these dreams will become a reality. Copia may not be possible as a Community Center (but, wouldn't it be wonderful if somehow this could work?), but I truly believe somewhere in Napa is, if we all work together--and take personal responsibility-- for the common dream. This effort is more than one person; it is the entire community. Many residents of Napa are disenchanted because we feel as though our dreams don't matter. This forum gives us a chance to hear from others who have the same dreams and thus building hope and developing a plan of action. "

" Hey people, guess what? Your opportunity to tell the City what you think should be done with the Copia property is now. The City is holding workshops tonight, Saturday and next week - www.cityofnapa.org for more information.

Don't hold your breath for the City to buy it. I suggest you all go back and read the copia articles since 11/21 more closely. "