Some of the wealthiest Americans made their fortunes in the Bay Area, according to Forbes magazine's annual list of the richest people on the planet, released this month.

Some of the top Bay Area billionaires are listed below. None of those are in Napa Valley, but there are two in Marin County -- filmmaker George Lucas and hotelier David Pritzker.

Also, there are 14 billionaires living in San Francisco, including five members of the Gap store-founding Fisher family.

There is also a Bay Area icon, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who leads the rankings for the region and all of California.

Ellison ranks No. 5 on Forbes' Billionaires list, the same place he held in 2011. He is the third richest person in the United States, the magazine reports. The 68-year-old Woodside resident is worth an estimated $43 billion. Ellison made his fortune as co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation. 

Here are a sampling of the Bay Area billionaires on the Forbes list.

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

A 50-year-old Vallejo woman was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting clothes from Kohl's in Napa after the store's security personnel allegedly saw her fill an empty shopping bag with clothes and leave without paying.

Diana Duran was taken into custody by Napa police at 3:15 p.m. Monday on suspicion of burglary/shoplifting.

Police said the incident began when a security officer for Kohl's allegedly watched Duran enter the store with an empty green Kohl's bag.

The security officer allegedly observed Duran, from the video surveillance camera, select clothing items and place them in a shopping cart.

Duran then went into the fitting room, police said.

Duran then allegedly exited the fitting room with the green bag full of items and an empty shopping cart.

Duran then exited the store via the Main Street doors without paying for the items, police said. The security officer contacted Duran outside the store and took her into custody.

Duran was turned over to a Napa police Officer. Duran was then transported and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections. 

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

If you were working your first job flipping burgers or washing cars in the '60s, you might have been earning $1.60 an hour — the federal minumum wage in 1968. If you worked in California, you would have been getting 5 cents more.

Today, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and Rep. George Miller wants it to be raised to $10.10. 

California's bottom line is $8 an hour, which has stayed steady since January 2008. The state with the lowest minimum wage is Wyoming at $5.15 an hour. Washington State, meanwhile, pays its employees the highest rate in the country — $9.19 an hour.

If you time-traveled back to the 1930s when the first minimum wage was established in America, you'd be earning a quarter an hour.

Do you remember working for minimum wage? What was it? Where did you work? Share your experience below.

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

Editor's note:The Los Lonely Boys concert over at the Uptown Friday has been rescheduled for Aug.14.

The second weekend in March finds Napa Valley ramping up its activities quotient.

If you're around this weekend, there is no shortage of music, food, wine and fun.

Here are some ideas. For many more options, see the Napa Valley Patch Events Calendar.

Friday:

Check out the sounds of Los Lonely Boys at Uptown Theatre, 8 p.m. (Rescheduled to Aug. 14)

Footloose -- the Musical, at Lincoln Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday:

Mustard, Mud and Music Festival, Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, 12 to 5 p.m.

Ana Moura at the Napa Opera House, 8 p.m.

Sunday:
Mere Mortals at Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2 p.m. (also at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday)

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

Two people on Napa County's Most Wanted list have been taken into custody.

William Harold McBride, 50, was wanted for felony possession of controlled substance and drug paraphrenalia, with prior felony conviction enhancement. He was recently taken into custody on Wednesday.

Kody Kristopher Byrd, 20, was wanted in connection with a violation of mandatory supervision and burglary. He too, was arrested on Wednesday.

In addition, a warrant for the arrest of Alfred Lee Hicks, 56, who was wanted in connection with felony probation violation for receiving stolen property, possessing burglary tools, possessing narcotic controlled substance, was recalled.

Tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-450-9543 or texting to 274637 with NVCS at the beginning of the tip.

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

The bid to host the 2016 Super Bowl at San Francisco 49ers' new Santa Clara stadium is regional effort and would benefit the entire Bay Area, several the mayors said Wednesday.

With the unfinished $1.2 billion Santa Clara Stadium as a backdrop, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said the 49ers' offer to host the Super Bowl is a collaborative effort to get a huge cash infusion for area businesses.

No one gave a clear number however, as to how much revenue the region could expect though other cities may have received an amount somewhere between a quarter and half a billion, according to NBC Bay Area News.

The stadium, which is about 35 percent completed, is a finalist with the Miami Dolphins in South Florida as the site for the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, the winner to be selected on May 21 by NFL team owners.

Lee said that to win its bid with the NFL, the Bay Area needs its governments, transportation agencies, businesses and other regional organizations to show they are working together to make the Super Bowl event a success.

"I've already turned the page on the '9ers building the stadium here," said Lee, referring to the 49ers leaving Candlestick Park in San Francisco, their home since 1971, for the new Santa Clara venue in 2014. "In fact, I'm glad to actually see this is going as well as it is," Lee said.

"We made a commitment to the economy of the whole region."

But at the event besides how the stadium could impact the region economically, no other topic was addressed not even traffic or safety. A Patch reporter tried to get answer to some of these questions but was told that this media event was not about those issues. Even the San Francisco Chronicle noted that the "press event Wednesday that was all about optics and messaging but short on substance."

The Chronicle did note how home games will run off the power stored from the stadiums solar panels.

However, ABC Bay Area news reports that the bid committee will address substantive issues in their report to the NFL owners who will eventually award the bid for Super Bowl L. The report will also include all of the bells and whistles—including all of the technology—that the committee hopes will sway votes their way.

"We have one of the largest, most important economies in the world," Reed said. "Bringing the Super Bowl here will be a regional effort with regional benefits."

The 49ers, who lost the Super Bowl in a tight contest with the Baltimore Ravens last month, will play this coming football season at Candlestick and then move to the Santa Clara stadium next year.

Team officials held a news conference this morning for the media inside the stadium construction site with dignitaries such as Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews, 49ers CEO Jed York and Daniel Lurie, chief of the official committee for the Super Bowl bid.

The stadium will have 68,500 seats, 1.85 million square feet of space, 21,000 parking spaces, two scoreboards covering 13,600 square feet, 30 escalators and 370 concession stands, according to the stadium's website.

Tickets will be as low at $85 for a single reserved upper deck seat to about $375 for a 50-yard-line club seat and season tickets start at $850 each plus $2,000 for a stadium builders license, or SBL, fee.

A key feature will be 165 luxury suites on sale with theater-style stadium seats, a lounge, flat screen televisions and Internet access for $250,000 to $350,000 each that can be resold like property or even willed to relatives, 49er spokesman Bob Lange said.

The suites are within a separate, windowed pavilion on the west side of the stadium and not intermingled with other seat decks, Lange said.

The winner of the bid will be announced on May 21.

Ken Guanga and Bay City News contributed to this reporting.

Follow us on Twitter

Likes us on Facebook

Sign up for our daily newsletter

An American Canyon teenager is being accused of some serious crimes.

The Napa Police Department arrested Brent Carl Whitcomb, 18, of American Canyon, on suspicion of rape of drugged victim, oral copulation (victim intoxicated), sex penetration with a foreign object (victim drugged), furnishing a minor with marijuana and violation of probation.

Police said Whitcomb met a 17-year-old girl at a home on the 200 block of Hartle Court in Napa and gave her marijuana to smoke. The girl became intoxicated and lost consciousness of time, according to police.

During the state of intoxication, police say that Whitcomb and the girl engaged in sexual acts.

On Wednesday, police went to Whitcomb's home on the 200 block of Carolyn Drive in American Canyon and took him into custody.

Click the "Keep me posted" button below this article for automatic updates on this case.

For the latest reports on crime and arrests in Napa, please see our Police & Fire section, available from the News tab above and at napavalley.patch.com/police-fire.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

A Napa man went to jail Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of child endangerment, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.

Police went to a home on the 2600 block of First Street in Napa in response to a report of a disturbance. As the officers arrived at the home, they saw Aaron Patrick Gilmet, 26, of Napa, driving away from the home at a high rate of speed in a cream-colored Cadillac according to police.

"The driver of the vehicle drove erratically by passing numerous vehicles over double yellow lines and driving at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour," a Napa Police Department press release stated.

The officers located the Cadillac, unoccupied, in the 2700 block of Partrick Road. Witnesses told police that Gilmet and his 8-year-old son had exited the vehicle and walked up a nearby hill.

Officers searched the area and found Gilmet, and took him into custody.

Click the "Keep me posted" button below this article for automatic updates on this case.

For the latest reports on crime and arrests in Napa, please see our Police & Fire section, available from the News tab above and at napavalley.patch.com/police-fire.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

By Bay City News Service

The family of a missing Vallejo man who operated a food truck in Napa County believes he has been abducted, Napa County sheriff's Capt. Tracey Stuart said this afternoon.

Ramiro Arechiga's family reported him missing to Vallejo police Tuesday, and police notified the Napa County Sheriff's Office Wednesday, Stuart said.

"The family is convinced he was abducted because he wouldn't just leave," Stuart said.

Arechiga's food truck was found at 770 Skyway Court here his wife last saw him on Monday, Stuart said.

Arechiga spent Monday night at the Travis Lodge in Fairfield, and withdrew money from the Wells Fargo bank in Fairfield around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Stuart said.

It's unknown how he got to Fairfield from where he left his truck on Skyway Court in Napa County near the Napa County Airport, Stuart said.

Stuart said Arechiga's cell phone, keys and money were found in the food truck.

Arechiga, who speaks little English, is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has brown eyes and dark brown hair, Stuart said.

Arechiga operated the taco truck near the Napa County Airport and Coombs Street in Napa, Stuart said.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

Napa County Sheriff's investigators  arrested a 29-year-old man for sexual assault upon an 8-year-old boy.

According to Napa County Sheriff Captain Tracey Stuart, Sheriff’s investigators received information from Child Welfare Services about a reported sexual assault of an 8-year-old boy that had occurred nearly two years ago. 

Investigators interviewed the victim, who is now 10. At about 9 p.m. Wednesday, the investigators contacted, interviewed and arrested the suspect, Jesus Rios, 29, at his home outside St. Helena.

He was booked into Napa County Detention Center on suspicion of multiple sexual assault charges.  Investigators also removed five  firearms -- three rifles and two shotguns -- from the residence for safekeeping.

According to Stuart, the victim disclosed to a family member that his mother’s boyfriend, Jesus Rios, sexually assaulted him nearly two years ago. 

This information was reported to a Child Welfare Service’s social worker on Wednesday. The social worker notified Sheriff’s Investigators. 

 Investigators interviewed the victim who informed them that he was sexually assaulted when he lived with Rios, his mother and infant sibling in Napa.

Rios is suspected of the following charges: sodomy of victim under 14 years of age; aggravated sexual assault; displaying pornographic material/seducing a minor (outside of St. Helena); child endangerment.

Napa Patch is now Napa Valley Patch! Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news | Got something to say? Start a blog and share your views with the valley.

Editor's note: this widget does not work on non-flash enabled smartphones.

Looking for a job? Check out these job listings in and around Napa Valley. To view the job, simply click on the short link embedded in the tweet.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Update 3:31 p.m.: The warrant on Justine Lindsey has been recalled. David Binstock has been taken into custody.

Napa Valley Crime Stoppers, an Upvalley nonprofit that works with the Napa County Sheriff's Office and local media to combat crime in Napa County, is offering no-questions-asked cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to the arrests of fugitives on its wanted list.

This week's fugitives, all last known to live in Napa County, are:

Tips can be made by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-450-9543 or texting to 274637 with NVCS at the beginning of the tip.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our newsletter

When does Daylight Saving Start?

When to move your clocks forward in 2013—and why we do it.

You’ll want to think about going to bed early or sleeping in next weekend: Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. That means you’ll “spring ahead” and move your clocks forward one hour—and, unfortunately, lose that hour of sleep.

The benefit is that we’ll get more sunlight later in the evening and it’s a pleasant sign that spring is just around the corner. (Spring 2013 officially starts on Wed., March 20.)

Many electronic devices, like your cell phone and computer, automatically adjust when Daylight Savings Time begins or ends.

So, why do we do this at 2 a.m., and why shift our clocks at all?

According to Webhibit:

In the United States, 2 a.m. was originally chosen as the changeover time because it was practical and minimized disruption. Most people were at home and this was the time when the fewest trains were running. It is late enough to minimally affect bars and restaurants, and it prevents the day from switching to yesterday, which would be confusing. It is early enough that the entire continental U.S. switches by daybreak, and the changeover occurs before most early shift workers and early churchgoers are affected.

The larger reason for shifting our clocks, however, is energy conservation.

Ben Franklin first suggested shifting the clocks to save on candles, according to Discovery, but no one took him up on his idea at the time.

The first official national time shift wasn’t until 1918. Then the United States stopped the practice, started again during World War II for energy conservation reasons, stopped when the war was over and re-started with the Uniform Time Act in 1966. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 lengthened daylight saving to eight months instead of six months.

Does Daylight Saving actually save energy?

Discovery News reported:

Although a U.S. Department of Transportation study in the 1970s found that daylight saving trimmed electricity usage by about 1 percent, later studies have shown that the savings is offset by air conditioners running in warmer climates.

It may not all be for naught, however. Another study, performed in 2007 by the RAND Corporation found that the increase in daylight in spring led to a roughly 10 percent drop in vehicular crashes.

Check Your Smoke Detectors!

When you change your clocks in the fall and spring because of Daylight Saving Time, it’s also a good time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check to make sure the devices are in working order.

Arizona, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa do not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter

The hour between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. will magically disappear this Sunday as we all move our clocks forward one hour to begin Daylight Saving Time.

In an era of cell phones and computers that know when you've move to a different time zone, let alone arrived at a special date in March, it feels anachronistic to have to manually adjust a clock.

Yet most of us still have at least a few around the house that have to be changed. We wanted to know: who takes care of this thankless chore in your home?

Many of our Patch Facebook followers seem to foist this responsibility onto someone else when possible. Here's what they had to about who changes the clocks at their place:

Foster City Patch:

"The cat." -Larry

Half Moon Bay Patch:

"My husband. He's the official time keeper. :-)" -Julie

"Comcast." -Mike

Mill Valley Patch:

"My iPhone, iPod, iPad and MacBook are responsible for changing the time." - Alex

Napa Valley Patch:

"Me and they are still on the same time they were on last spring! I swear I get lazier every year." -Arlene

"Most clocks nowadays are smart enough to change themselves..!
Is that scary or what!?" -Lynne

San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch:

"What's a clock?" -JD

"How can I spring forward in winter?" -Craig

San Rafael Patch:

"Whoever gets annoyed by a house full of wrong clocks first." -Jay 

A probation check on an American Canyon man landed three people in jail Thursday.

Police went to a home on the 2500 block of Flosden Road at 7:32 p.m., in American Canyon to conduct a probation check. Once the officers arrived, they noticed a vehicle driven by Manuel Alejandro Ramirez, 20, of American Canyon driving away from the residence, police said.

Police initiated a vehicle stop and Ramirez pulled over at Via Bellagio. Police said Ramirez' passengers, Alberto Quesada, 33, of Napa, described as a documented gang member, and Yasmin Celina Rodriguez, 28, of Vallejo, exited the vehicle and ran from police.

Both were captured after a short foot pursuit.

Back at Ramirez' home, police found gang indicia, ammunition and a sawed-off .22 caliber shotgun. Ramirez was also taken into custody. The trio was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections.

Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of violation of probation and prohibited person in possession of ammunition.

Quesada was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest, a gang enhancement, and violation of parole. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of a police officer.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter

Things changed at the airport after 9/11.

Security measures increased, lines lengthened, and for some, frustration became a necessary element of flying.

Point to the Transportation Security Administration. Created by Congress shortly after the tragedy of the Twin Towers, the TSA has been a controversial government agency.

This week, the TSA announced it would allow pocket knives and sports equipment like souvenir baseball bats and golf clubs in passenger carry-on luggage.

TSA chief John Pistole told CNN that the changes "will bring the United States into alignment with international rules, (and) are in keeping with (a) 'risk-based security' approach." According to Pistole, putting less focus on these items will permit airport screeners to focus on looking for bomb components, which present a greater threat to aircraft."

Many in the airline industry pushed back.

"This policy reversal is against the best interest of the security of crew and passengers in the aircraft cabin and we will stop at nothing to fight it," said the Flight Attendants Union Coalition, in a press statement issued Thursday. The FAUC has initiated an online petition to reverse the decision.

The Coalition of Airline Pilot Associations, which represents 22,000 pilots, said it opposes allowing knives of any kind in airliner cabins.

"We believe the (terrorism) threat is still real and the removal of any layer of security will put crewmembers and the flying public unnecessarily in harm's way," Mike Karn, the coalition's president, said in a blog.

Andrew R. Thomas, an author of several books on the airline industry and security, believes passenger safety is compromised in a different way.

"Acts of aberrant, abusive and abnormal passenger behavior known as air rage remain the most persistent threat to aviation security,"he told the Huffington Post.

And according to the Post, the International Air Transport Association recently reported that the incidence of air rage cases was way up, with an estimated 10,000-plus such events annually.

Security expert Rafi Ron told CNN the TSA should focus on risky people rather than risky objects.

"If you have somebody like one of the terrorists (who was involved in the 9/11 attacks) or a terrorist who is still out there, I'm not sure we'd want him to have even a Swiss Army knife," Ron said.

"Risk is not measured by the item, whether it is a knife or gun. It is measured by the person holding it. A bad guy with a Swiss Army knife can still cause a lot of damage to the crew and passengers in the cabin before the aircraft can land."

What do you think? Is the TSA correct in making the decision to allow small knives and other previously-banned items back into carry-on baggage? Is this "risk-based security" approach appropriate? Or will we be less safe after April 25 once we're up in the air? Should we be focusing much more on risky people rather than risky objects?

Tell us in your comments. Then vote in our poll.

It's a good time to buy a home and Napa Valley Patch can help you in the search for your dream home. We went over to AOL Real Estate and dug up the following open houses, both set for Sunday.

This 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home is located on 305 Ashlar Dr and will be hosting an open house on Sunday, 1-4 p.m. The home is 2,984 square feet and was constructed in 1956. The home is priced at $1.3 million.

Listing info: Modern Marvel Perched in the Eastern Hills of Napa! This Eichler inspired home has incredible lines a true Napa retreat. Main floor has great room, Master suite, open kitchen, formal dining & guest wing. Vaulted ceilings, walls of windows frame the stunning setting, moments for the City of Napa. Lower floor has bedroom suite & media room. All on 1.31+- acre site, pool/spa, ipe decking, outdoor dining, Pool house, Views of Napa & the Countryside

The other open house happening on Sunday, 1-3 p.m.,will take place at 936 Augusta. The home features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and was constructed in 1992. The home is priced at $965,000.

Listing info: This single level condominium features an open and spacious floor plan, high ceilings, and lots of natural light. Great country club living at the famous Silverado CC in Napa Valley. The home features crown molding, two patios with great views of the 14th fairway, a 2-car garage and your own golf cart garage. The 2nd bedroom can be used as locked-out separate unit. It is eligible for the resort's rental program and has a transferable membership.

For more homes, visit AOL Real Estate

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter

By Bay City News Service

A Vallejo man was arrested in American Canyon early this morning after allegedly robbing the local WalMart at gunpoint and leading police on a 2-mile chase that ended with a crash into a patrol car, police said.

Police got a call around 4:30 a.m. from security officers at the Walmart at 7011 Main St. reporting that a man stole a TV and said he had a gun when confronted.

The man jumped into a car and drove onto state Highway 29, where officers spotted him a short time later.

When officers attempted to stop the car, the suspect sped away and drove into a mobile home park on American Canyon Road, police said.

The chase ended with the suspect crashing into one of the police patrol cars following him.

Officers quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as 64-year-old Robert Craig of Vallejo. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, evading police and resisting arrest and transported to a local hospital for minor injuries before being taken to jail, police said.

No other injuries were reported.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Signup for our daily newsletter

The state of Massachusetts has a unique way to address the epidemic of overweight kids, and the reaction has been mixed.

In 2009, their Department of Public Health adopted a "BMI initiative"requiring public schools to calculate the BMI of children and teens of certain ages.

The results are sent to parents along with instructions for dealing with their child's weight issue. What's received in the mailbox is sometimes referred to as a 'fat letter.'

Is it something we should do in California, when about one-third of our state children are overweight?

Aimee Reedy is the Division Director of Programs for the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

"We use much more comprehensive strategies to address the issue so it becomes part of the child's life," says Reedy. Referring to the Massachusetts idea: "As a standalone, I would question the behavior result." 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Web site:

"Overweight and obesity have become a serious health problem in Massachusetts. Almost one-third of school-aged children are either overweight or obese. Overweight and obese children are at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Helping children maintain a healthy weight can prevent potential health problems and serious diseases."

Parents back East have complained, saying the letters amount to government interference in parenting and an invasion of privacy.

And in January, Massachusetts State Rep. Jim Lyons filed legislation to stop the 'fat letters.'

In California, the Department of Public Health coordinates the California Obesity Prevention Program, last updated in 2010, a "call to action for stakeholders from all the identified sectors—including schools—to work together to improve the health of all Californians.

There is also the California Department of Education's Team California for Healthy Kids. When asked if the CDE would ever work directly with schools to do what Massachusetts is doing, spokeswoman Tina Jung replied "There's just a lot in this initiative for everyone."

Santa Clara County's Reedy points out that parents receive student BMI scores as part of the fitness testing done every year for 5th, 7th, and 9th-grade California students. She believes the California model creates "solutions to change behavior," which is the best way to combat obesity.

Reedy cites statistics that indicate obesity rates are leveling off. She admits "We do have a long way to go."

It is an immediate concern. According to a brief issued by Santa Clara County, the estimated total annual cost associated with overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity among adults was $2.1 billion in 2006.

What do you think? Should California be as direct with parents as Massachusetts is in addressing adolescent obesity? Are letters like these an invasion of privacy, and something best left to parents and pediatricians, but not government? Or are the healthcare costs of obesity on all of society enough to outweigh privacy concerns, and something government should be addressing? Is the comprehensive approach Santa Clara county uses the best one?

Tell us in your comments. Then vote in our poll.

Patch Local Editor Bryan McGonigle contributed to this report.

There's a new store at Bel Aire Plaza that offers unique home décor, furniture and gifts. On Saturday, Pier 1 Imports held its grand opening celebration, drawing a mix of locals on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Attendees included Napa Vice Mayor Peter Mott and city council memberso Scott Sedgley, Juliana Inman and Alfredo Pedroza. In addition, Pier 1 presented a $2,500 check contribution to Napa Emergency Women's Services.

The new Pier 1 is located at 3900 Bel Aire Plaza.

Check out the photos from the ground opening.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Signup for our daily newsletter