NEW YORK -- Comedian Mitch Hedberg died accidentally in March of "multiple drug toxicity," including cocaine and heroin, Spin magazine reports, citing reports filed by the New Jersey medical examiner's office.

LOS ANGELES -- The title of the book begins on the back cover with the bold red letters: O L I. On the spine is another letter, V. The front cover continues with I E R, under a photo of a brooding, young Laurence Olivier.

HANOI, Vietnam -- Former rock star Gary Glitter paid $4,000 to the families of Vietnamese girls he is accused of sexually abusing in exchange for their cooperation, his lawyer said.

LOS ANGELES -- What's this -- the matriarch of the Partridge family in bed with a 24-year-old stud? It happens in "Grandma's Boy," a boisterous comedy produced by Adam Sandler's company.

Pierce Brosnan stars as a cynical, washed-up, irresistible cad of a hit man in "The Matador."

17

A VOENA CHRISTMAS -- VOENA, Voices of Eve 'N Angels, is the internationally acclaimed, multi-ethnic children's choir that combines inventive a cappella vocal arrangements with percussion, dance and theatrical elements. A joy for the eyes, ears and heart, and one you won't want to miss. Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at Copia. $25 general/$22.50 member. Info, 259-1600.

Christmas services at Mont La Salle Chapel

JERUSALEM -- Israel is offering evangelical Christians a chunk of the Holy Land.

It's 5:30 a.m when the alarm goes off. My roommate slams the snooze and I stumble to the bathroom. I'm impressed by the size, depth and clarity of the bags under my eyes. The bags have bags.

Education

The return

New Year's Eve is the perfect time for trying the new, according to Victor Scargle, the executive chef at Julia's Kitchen at Copia.

Recipe by Executive Chef Victor Scargle

We were at a holiday party at the Park Avenue home of friends who are well-off. Waiters were offering glasses of Champagne, which was delicious. No surprise there, we figured; they can afford the good stuff. On the way out, we complimented the host on the bubbly, and he brightened. "Follow me!" he said, and he led us to a parlor, where he proudly held up a bottle of sparkling wine. It was a wine store's house brand, and although it was French, it was not real Champagne. Our host flashed a smile as broad as a holiday wreath and proclaimed: "Nine ninety-nine!"

Chicken with cashews in won ton cups, known in Thailand as gai phad med ma-muang, are quickly prepared and make very tasty hors d'oeuvres.

After the Register published the list of New Year's activities last week, we heard from several other restaurants, who wanted their activities included. Here they are:

HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- Contrary to popular belief, entertaining can be hassle-free and fun. Whether you're planning a cocktail party or a formal dinner, serve items that can be made in advance so that you can enjoy the event as well.

The drive from the downtown Napa to Healdsburg's Plaza Park is all of 50 miles if you take Route 128, but the differences cannot be measured simply in miles. Skip busy Route 101 and take the route that takes you through Calistoga then Knights and Alexander valleys.

The Napa Valley Vintners filed a brief last Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court in response to Bronco Wine Company's petition to the high court to appeal the California State Supreme Court's August 2005 refusal to consider an appeal of a decision against the wine conglomerate.

Semper Fi! A red

WASHINGTON -- Sales of new homes jumped to an all-time high in October in what could be a final spurt from a housing market that is expected to slow after five record-breaking years.

Since Christmas Eve is a time when everyone likes to hear a story with a happy ending, we thought this would be a good day to write the final chapter in a series of stories the Register ran last year, following the progress of local designer Jean Kezeor as she undertook the project of restoring a rundown 1915 house on Coombs Street.

Homeowners looking for a more efficient way to heat portions of their home may find the answer resting at their feet.

During winter months we receive loads of questions about what causes windows to "sweat" and what to do about the problem. Beyond being a nuisance, this condition can lead to mold, rot and a musty odor throughout a home. Making matters worse, for those in especially cold climates, the sweat freezes and turns to ice.

In the mid-1980s the passion of the back-to-the-earth movement may have been waning amid the Reagan revolution, but that was when Joanie and Paul Kintscher found their country haven in Napa, not only for themselves but for their extended family in a historic property off Coombsville Road.

Parsons-Kircher

Morris-Tubman

St. Helena Hospital

Borges-Salinger

ANGUIANO-AVINA -- Guadalupe Anguiano vs. Raul Avina, Dec. 13, 2005

BEUTECALE-SMITH -- James Carlos Beutecale, 32, Olive Avenue, Atwater, to Jeanne Marie Smith, 34, Tiburon Street, Napa.

Hensley-Daugherty