Darlene and Lance Meltzer moved back to Napa in 1983, when they married, from the Los Angeles area. Darlene is native to Southern California, whereas Lance is the son of a military physician that retired to Napa in 1976. They have a 19-year-old daughter, Chloe, who is a senior at Arizona State University, majoring in English Literature.
Darlene received her degree in psychology and art. She continues her work as an artist/painter and is also a personal trainer at HealthQuest Fitness Center in Napa. She created the logo for Nature’s Way.
Lance and Darlene met in Los Angeles when he was a student in Chiropractic College. They moved to Napa together in 1983 to begin his practice and married at that time. Lance practiced with his brothers, both chiropractors, and his father, an internist, for 23 years before retiring.
Lance and Darlene opened Main Street Martial Arts in 1998 and created Napa’s only transported after school martial arts program. They transport children from most Napa schools to their studio on a daily basis. Martial art has been a passion of Lance’s for almost 30 years.
They purchased the property, formerly known as Silver Lining Preschool, in 2002 from the Aker family. The Aker’s began the preschool in 1984 and the Meltzer’s continued their traditional school philosophy.
After 10 years they wanted to evolve the traditional school into a nature-based Montessori school. Their daughter, Chloe, attended Montessori and they searched for a person that could take the lead in the transition. Their search found Monica MacDonald, a 25 year Montessori teacher with, literally, worldwide experience.
Darlene and Lance’s dream has now become a reality and they welcome your family into their Montessori family.