On Saturday night at the Napa Valley Opera House, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart came to life on a Napa stage in “Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage.”

The District Auditorium stage has been over taken by pirates, mermaids, lost boys, Indians — and a crocodile, a Never Bird and an ostrich — as Napa High drama students prepare to present the tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up, “Peter Pan.”

Four Napa High School Choirs will present their public debut performances of the new school year when they sing at the Mont La Salle Retreat and Conference Center Chapel, 4405 Redwood Road, on Oct. 15.

An eclectic mix of musical performances kicks off the Napa Valley Opera House October calendar with appearances by standards singer Steve Tyrell on Thursday, country/bluegrass great Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder on Saturday and up-and-coming opera singers from the San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows Sunday.

Organizers say the Rock of Ages Christian festival, which last year attracted about 15,000 people, will be even bigger this year when it takes place Saturday at the Napa County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

From Register Staff

Nearly three decades after they first got together in a New Orleans garage, the Radiators are still rocking ecstatic audiences with their soulful brand of party music.

Bu Register Staff

The sermon for Saturday is “The Father Quest” by Stephen Arrington.

A secret place is tucked between the Carneros vineyards and the San Francisco Bay.

 

Education

At the beginning of the second semester of my senior year, many of my classmates were excited about going to college. They talked about it in the library, the cafeteria, and study hall. Some were going to the University of California at Santa Barbara or UCLA. Others got into Fresno State but were waiting to hear from Berkeley. I did not share their enthusiasm. I had to stay home and continue helping my family. Whenever they asked me what college I was planning to attend, I told them Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I did not tell them when because I did not know.

High-profile veteran of the wine country hospitality industry, Laura Cunningham, is slated to leave her post as director of operations of the French Laundry Group at the end of the month.

Jim Concannon has been in the wine industry his entire life. Literally. His family had been producing wine for 50 years when he was born.

To the delight of local carnivores, Copia has adopted “Steaks, Chops and Cabernet” as its theme and wine-and-food-pairing focus this month.

A number of references were made to the globalization of wine during the 15th annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium last week at the Meritage Resort — indeed, that was the theme of the meeting: “Growth and Profit Strategies in a Maturing Global Industry.” But none were as potentially provocative as one by Donny Sebastiani when he said wine appellations around the world are coming out with wines competitive with Napa’s at lower prices.

The annual “Diamonds in the Rough” dinner gala hosted by Diamond Creek Vineyards last weekend raised more than $200,000 for the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale.

Halloween traditions are rooted in ancient times, but Americans have turned the holiday into their own thoroughly modern festival of tricks and treats. It’s third only to New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl for the sheer number of parties, Hallmark reports.

Fallen leaves from my wisteria and sycamore have created piles around my garden. The delightful days of October are growing shorter and cooler, and the nights are already dipping to 40 degrees. But we gardeners can’t relax yet. Many garden chores remain to do before the rains arrive.

I received a letter from someone who is writing a history of her retirement community. Trees growing on the grounds are an aspect of her research.

When it comes to organizing, 75 percent of us would rather do anything else.

Privacy and quiet are becoming rarer and rarer around many homes.

The cavernous fireplace of yore is history. In its place are upscale models that combine modern design with fuel-efficient features, yet retain the crackle and cozy ambiance homeowners love.

Queen of the Valley Hospital

FISH-WING -- Edwin Ellis Fish, 59, Allyn Avenue, St. Helena, to Caroline Sue Wing, 64, Tainter Street, St. Helena

STROBEL -- Strobel, A. vs. Strobel, R.

Ray and Joan (Jurisich) Fitzpatrick of Napa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 26 aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train with a luncheon given by their children, Diane and Don Nelson and Debra and Alex Johnston. In attendance, among other family and friends, were their granddaughters, Kelly Ann and Jennifer Nelson and members of their wedding party, Jeanne Jurisich and Joan Lagios.

Stephanie Uccelli and Daniel Vinatieri married on May 13 at 5 p.m. at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena. The maid of honor was Emily Kirkland and bridesmaids were Traci Ceccotti, Brandi Hann, Tiffany Saddler and Catherine Fischer. The best man was Nick Gilmore and groomsmen were Giovanni Vinatieri, Dan Morales, Zach Yates, Joey Vinatieri and Joseph Ceccotti. The reception was held at the Harvest Inn.

Lauren Rademacher and Randy Vasquez were married Aug. 12 in an evening ceremony at the English Garden in Carmichael. The maid of honor was Lauren's sister, Leah Rademacher and bridesmaids were Jennifer Eddy and Sigrid Stolteman. The best man was Randy's brother, Anthony Vasquez, with groomsmen being Cory Englebrektson and Martin Sandoval. Kathy Riel, a family friend, honored the couple by officiating the ceremony.

Jim and Loretta (Brent) McDonald of Napa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 8 through Sept. 10 with three events, beginning with a dinner hosted by their son, Bob McDonald, on Friday at the Red Hen Cantina for family and extended family. On Saturday, Larry and Susanne McDonald hosted an open house in Jim and Loretta's garden, complete with food, wine and line dancing with many friends and family. Guests enjoyed looking at memorabilia, including their wedding clothes, letter sweaters, yearbooks and many photos of their life together. Their daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Mike Callihan, hosted a re-confirmation of vows, with Dave Burns officiating, followed by a lovely luncheon in the gardens at Copia. Jim and Loretta were especially honored by having Loretta's father, Kermit Brent, from Colorado and great-granddaughter, Avry Goodnaugh from Alaska in attendance along with many relatives and close friends from Colorado, Oregon and Louisiana.

Amy Lonergan of Napa and Tad Samolis of Vacaville announced plans to marry on Oct. 7 at Napa Valley Country Club. The bride's parents are Dan and Stephanie Lonergan of Napa and her grandfather is Keith E. Smith of Napa. Amy graduated from Vintage High School in 1991, and received her associate degree in nursing in 1997 from Pacific Union College. She is a registered nurse at Queen of the Valley Hospital.