In contrast to those collections of bones that largely hang around waiting to spook someone, the skeletons of El Dia de los Muertos — the Mexican Day of the Dead — sing, dance, party, gamble, paint and cook; they chase wayward spouses brandishing frying pans. They are, one might say, a lively lot.

The 10th Native American Art and Wine Auction Saturday features works by multi-media artist Denise Feather, along with a salmon dinner by Michael Fradelizio of Silverado Brewing Co. and a wine tasting by Honig Winery and Mumm Napa Valley.

More than 35 years ago Justin-Siena High School, under the direction of the late Robert C. Morrish, staged “Arsenic and Old Lace” as the school’s first theatrical production. Today, Justin-Siena’s Theater Department Director Matthew Teague Miller says that while the legacy of arts on campus and the tribute to Morrish are part of the reason for staging the play again, “it’s just a really fun and very funny show.”

One man’s quest for “the real” in the realm where rock music meets theater becomes a greatly entertaining journey for an audience in “Passing Strange,” which had its world premiere at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre last week.

Napans can dance with the stars at the Napa Valley Opera House Saturday in a one-of-a kind evening that is guaranteed to get the audience on its feet.

The Napa Valley Symphony presents its first classical concert of their 2006/2007 season featuring Scottish percussion virtuoso Evelyn Glennie on Sunday at 3 p.m., and Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville.

For two decades now, the North Bay Philharmonic, under the baton of Roberto-Juan Gonzalez, has managed to both train Napa Valley College students and satisfy the community’s musical craving.

Meet Cindy Pawlcyn — of Mustards, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Go Fish fame — and get a jump on holiday shopping with an autographed copy of her newest cookbook, “Big Small Plates” Saturday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the newly opened Go Fish Restaurant, 641 Main St., St. Helena. For more information, call 963-0700.

WASHINGTON -- Ellen Burstyn was just as flabbergasted as everyone else when she heard she'd been nominated for an Emmy this year for her blink-and-you-miss-it role in the TV movie "Mrs. Harris."

PLEASANTON -- The fiercely competitive race for the 11th Congressional District seat got a jolt of star power Saturday as actress Jennifer Garner headlined an environmental rally dedicated to ousting Republican Rep. Richard Pombo.

LOS ANGELES -- Leonard Schrader, who wrote the Academy Award-nominated film "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and co-wrote the critically praised "Mishima," has died. He was 62.

Vine Village was the setting this past weekend for princesses, ninja turtles, fairies and ghouls to mingle with llamas, goats and a giant donkey named Max.

Crush in the Napa Valley signals the end of the annual grapegrowing season. When the grapes are harvested from the vines, the cellar crew takes over.

Education

Congregation Beth Sholom of Napa Valley

Jess Jackson bought an 80-acre pear and walnut orchard in Lake County in 1974 as a getaway from his successful law practice in San Francisco.

Robert and Peter Mondavi will receive Lifetime Achievement awards next February at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami. The award, presented by Southern Wine & Spirits of America recognizes the brothers’ combined 120 years of contributions to the wine industry. The festival runs Feb. 22-25.

“It’s one of my favorite dishes in the world,” Amelia Ceja declared as she surveyed the spread at the family winery’s new tasting headquarters in Carneros.

The wait was worth it.

Each Tuesday The Register reviews an area restaurant, with an emphasis on establishments where a couple can dine for $30 or less.  Reader suggestions are welcomed.

For three-and-one-half years, Sicilians Rosario Patti and Santo Sacca made friends and fed hungry diners at their popular downtown Napa eatery, Belle Arti.

For those who ever wondered, when reading the immortal story of Sam-I-Am, just what green eggs and ham taste like, Georgianne Brennan has an answer in the form of a recipe.

Flan from Ceja Vineyards

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Your house might be a McMansion, but furniture makers are eager to offer you a chance to eat, sleep and relax on furnishings inspired by the biggest American mansion of them all, Asheville, N.C.'s Biltmore House.

With the gardening season drawing to a close, you might want to consider "dusting" your garden. Adding sawdust, that is.

After years of dwelling on design issues during the new home building boom, high home fuel prices have Americans looking for some big-ticket ways to save energy.

ST. PETER, Minn. -- One of the last things 97-year-old Gladys Randolph did earlier this month while saying farewell to independent living was take a long, lingering walk around her house in Le Sueur, Minn., where she pinched spent blooms from a few front-entry geraniums. Yet despite her new nursing home surroundings, my mother won't have to give up gardening.

Copia knows how to create a harvest wreath that will have your Thanksgiving guests asking for the name of your designer.

NECOCHEA SOLIS-GARCIA -- Luis Edilberto Necochea Solis, 27, Villa Lane, Napa, to Maria Trinidad Garcia, 30, Villa Lane, Napa.

St. Helena Hospital

Chris and Karen Kvidahl of Napa celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary aboard the Monarch of the Seas cruise ship.

MEDIAN-GUTIERREZ -- Emma Median vs. Luis Gutierrez, Oct. 16, 2006

Residents of San Francisco, Linda Duca and Brandon Dayoan, were married July 29, 2006, in an outdoor wedding at Lake Hopatcong, N.J. The bride spent many summers with her family and grandparents at this beautiful lakeside setting where the ceremony was performed under a gazebo as guests watched the bride and groom exchange personalized vows.

Lori Custer and Robert Barlow, both of Napa, were married Aug. 5, 2006, at a private residence.

DeLuna-Walston

Linda Kernohan of San Diego and Brian McMichael of Irvine announce their engagement with plans to marry June 3, 2007, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Encinitas.