LOS ANGELES -- Television pilot production in the Los Angeles area for the upcoming season fell more than 23 percent from last year's levels, costing more than 1,000 jobs and draining up to $70 million from the local economy, a new study concludes.

An airline pilot who grew up and learned to fly in Napa, has developed a program he hopes will help would-be-fliers shake their fear of flying.

Readers of her three popular Napa Valley mystery novels know her as Nadia Gordon. The book jacket photos show a stylish young woman with a model's cheekbones in a fanciful feathered scarf.

In Napa County during the last five years, an increasing number of children have been receiving needed dental care, and more families been able to get affordable health insurance. Home visits to new moms have encouraged more breastfeeding, which helps build a child's immunity to diseases. More preschool children have been learning to love books by reading with their parents.

Tim Hanni's mother-in-law is highly educated, is well-to-do, and appears to be the ideal wine consumer. But she doesn't drink wine in restaurants -- only iced tea.

Wine Women & Shoes

HYDE PARK, N.Y -- Pack a basket and take the day to enjoy the warm weather -- picnic season is here. Whether it's an intimate meal for two or a feast for many, it isn't hard to find an easy-to-prepare menu to suit the occasion.

Brian Streeter, Cakebread Cellars

Brian Streeter, Cakebread Cellars

Judging from the crowd overflowing onto the sidewalk at Foothill Cafe last Wednesday, it looks like a whole lot of people are glad one of Napa's favorite restaurants has reopened.

Galette with Onion Confit, Tomato,

Register Staff Writer

Crostini with Romesco Sauce, Piquillo Peppers and Boquerones

Auction Napa Valley 2006 took in $8.4 million from its live auction, barrel auction and expanded online e-auction.

For AP Weekly Features

For AP Weekly Features

We love trimming and shaping our hedges. We have pruned some of our hedges into conventional rectangles, several into the shape of spheres.

As summer approaches, gardeners can expect full days checking their watering systems and providing proper water, pulling those well-watered weeds, deadheading roses, iris, scabiosa and columbine, and putting into action all the planting plans made during our rainy winter and spring.

lanna nakone

During the summer, the Register will once again offer its readers this summer a bi-weekly column from Napa Firewise, Napa County's official wildland fire prevention program. The column will feature tips on vegetation management, landscaping choices, defensible space planning, and things you can do to your home and property to prepare for wildland fire season.