American Canyon Opens Seven Commission Seats as Cultural Events Begin

Civic participation and artisan traditions are taking center stage from Southern Napa County to the East Bay this month, as American Canyon recruits residents to help guide Highway 29 redevelopment and seawater-rise planning, a Japanese craft studio introduces traditional gold-lacquer ceramic mending in Berkeley, and a historic Main Street district launches its 30th anniversary holiday season.

American Canyon Opens Applications for 7 Seats Across 3 Commissions

According to the Napa Valley Register, the City of American Canyon is accepting applications through 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2026, for 7 open seats across 3 five-member municipal commissions. Commissioners serve four-year terms appointed by the City Council and meet at 6:30 p.m. inside the City Hall council chamber at 4381 Broadway along Highway 29. Applicants must be American Canyon residents, registered voters, and aged 18 and older, with the City Council expected to make appointments in early January.

City Manager Jason Holley noted that serving on a commission allows residents to collaborate directly with staff beyond offering 3 minutes of public comment, building on the city's free nine-week Citizens Academy program. The Planning Commission, which meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., has 3 open seats and is guiding the long-term redevelopment of the Highway 29 corridor in coordination with Caltrans and the Napa Valley Transportation Authority.

The Parks and Community Services Commission has 2 open positions, meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., and oversees park facilities, recreation programming, and safety regulations for e-bikes and e-motos. The Open Space, Active Transportation, and Sustainability Commission also has 2 open seats, meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., and recently reviewed a two-year, grant-funded seawater-rise adaptation plan slated for Bay Area-wide implementation beginning in January 2034.

POJ Studio Brings Traditional Urushi and 24K-Gold Kintsugi to Berkeley

For residents interested in traditional restorative craftsmanship, POJ Studio is offering kintsugi workshops at The Gardener at 1836 Fourth Street in Berkeley through November, with continuing instruction at its permanent San Francisco studio. As reported by East Bay Magazine, the 500-year-old Japanese practice originated during the era of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as an alternative to metal-staple kasugai repairs, combining natural urushi tree sap lacquer with 24K-gold powder to highlight a vessel's mend lines in keeping with wabi-sabi and keshiki aesthetics.

POJ Studio US director Tomoka Hayashi explained that traditional urushi cures in a warm, humid humidor for up to a month. Open to participants aged 13 and older, courses begin with "The Scene," a two-hour introductory class priced at $170 where attendees can bring a chipped or cracked glazed ceramic piece smaller than 10 by 15 inches. Deeper multi-session courses include "The Act" for $450 (3 courses) and "The Ensemble" for $780 (6 courses), which include tools, urushi lacquer, and 24K-gold powder to repair up to 3 additional vessels.

Niles Main Street Association Celebrates 30th Anniversary Season

Further south, the nonprofit Niles Main Street Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a full calendar of community events. According to Tri-City Voice, festivities begin on Friday, November 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m., screening at 7 p.m., tickets $10) with The Big Lebowski at the Essanay Silent Film Museum at 37417 Niles Boulevard, followed by the Niles Altar Walk on Saturday, November 7.

On Friday, November 27, the 25th annual Niles Festival of Lights Parade starts with a 2 p.m. festival, a 6 p.m. tree lighting, and a 6:30 p.m. parade along Niles Boulevard after drawing more than 30,000 attendees last year. The season continues with Small Business Saturday on November 28 and concludes on Thursday, December 10, at 5 p.m. with a 30th-anniversary celebration at the Niles Train Depot.