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.

 

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.

Raindrops mixed with holy water blessed barking dogs, cowering cats, rabbits, birds and assorted feathered and furry friends at Wednesday's blessing of the animals at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

From Register staff

Local cadet

Napans are National Merit Commended students

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.

Kaiser Hospital, Vallejo

BAUTISTA-MENA SOTO -- Alfonso Bautista, 26, Gregory Lane, American Canyon, to Laura Ivonne Mena Soto, 27, Republic Avenue, Napa.

Monica Wilson of Napa and Thomas Knecht Jr. of San Carlos were married July 22 at Embassy Suites Hotel in Napa. Tom's brother and groomsman, Brian Knecht, officiated the ceremony which took place on the hottest day in Napa since 1917. The wedding was Caribbean-themed, where the wedding party had individual theme songs to begin the ceremony, the tables were named after Caribbean Islands and Caribbean cocktails were served. Monica and Tom will spend their honeymoon on St. Maarten.

Meave Fallon and Andy Ward of San Mateo announce their engagement with a wedding planned for Dec. 22, 2006, at Our Lady of Angels and Kohl Mansion in Burlingame.

Sandy Belt and Joseph Perry of Suisun City, were married June 25 at the Paradise Valley Golf Course in Fairfield.

Danielle Renee Swift and Curt Ryan Steiner were married Oct. 8 in Sonoma. Danielle's older sister, Lindsey Swift, was the maid of honor and Curt's younger brother, Stephen Steiner, was the best man.

Kristin Ann Edwards and Christopher Brian Rhondeau exchanged wedding vows in the chapel of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church on the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo., on Sept. 2. The Service of Light in Evening Prayer was led by Reverend Marcus T. Zill, pastor. The groom's nieces, Elizabeth and Olivia Rhondeau and Kantor Dr. Steven Hoffman provided music.

Katherine Dufficy and Kyle Rainey, both of New Jersey, were united at a military wedding on May 13 at 2 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church in Yountville. The maid of honor was Wendy Chopping and bridesmaids were Lauren Rainey, Marci Rainey and Lindsie Porter. The best men were Chris Pace and Eric Johnson. Jorge Figeroa and Matt Thomas were groomsmen and flower girls were Claire English, Laura English, Sydney English, Presley English and Natalie Parker. The reception was held at Vintners Golf Course in Yountville.

AGUILAR -- L. Aguilar vs. F. Aguilar, Sept. 28, 2006