August was the 38th anniversary of the Soviet suppression of Czechslovakian Prime Minister Alexander Dubek's reform movement, "Prague Spring."

Education

Minutes before Emma Sabo's bat mitzvah ceremony was to begin, she busied herself by welcoming guests. She smiled at all who walked into Congregation Beth Sholom in Napa. Hugs and kisses were plentiful.

"Grand Traditions: In Celebration of Grandparents" takes place Saturday -- Grandparents Day -- at the Sutter Home Ranch in St. Helena, and will feature a talk by renowned author and expert on intergenerational relationships, Arthur Kornhaber, M.D. The event will also honor Jack and Donna Morgan of Angwin who have supported family health, education and the arts causes for decades, and who have been heroic grandparents in their own family.

Marie Butler is a familiar face to many music students in Napa, but this fall she steps into a new role as director of the prep choir for Napa's After School Music program.

Napan helps at-risk youth in Washington, D.C.

When Mark Cassayre graduated from Justin-Siena High School in 1989, he knew he enjoyed traveling, meeting people from other countries and communicating with them in their native language. He had no idea what kind of a career he should attempt that would encompass his interest in the world outside of Napa.

The After-School Music Program will hold sign-ups for the fall semester on Thursday, in the Vintage High School Cafeteria between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. The program offers not only the Napa Valley Youth Chorus, but also affordable private, semi-private and group instruction on several different instruments. New and returning students are encouraged to come for information and to sign up for lessons.