They’ve been described as bookends or even mirror images of each other — “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Letters From Iwo Jima” — two different perspectives on the same World War II battle.

“Curse of the Golden Flower” — Zhang Yimou’s latest action epic set in ancient China is blessed by an even grander color scheme than he used in “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers.”

Nearly 40 years ago Richard Aldag spent hours in a Queens, N.Y., garage playing in a rock band. Aldag was an ardent fan of the Doors, of Jimi Hendrix — and then at 13, of Johannes Brahms.

Before Woody Allen was a funny man, he was a jazz fan. Growing up in mid-century New York, the young Allen Konigsberg dreamed — not of becoming a famous comedian, writer and filmmaker, but of playing clarinet like his New Orleans heroes George Lewis and Sidney Bechet.

Susan Segal is a successful commercial photographer whose creations have adorned advertisements and book covers worldwide.

The Napa Valley College holds auditions for “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” at 5 p.m., Jan. 22 and 23 in the college theater. Actors age 14 to 70 are encouraged to audition. Those wishing to audition should come prepared to read from the script. Prepared monologues are welcome, but not required. The production will tour to local elementary schools in the spring of 2007, and daytime availability on performance days is required.

A stunning piece of art, an original reproduction of a seventh century mosaic from one of the great art centers of western Europe, has arrived in Napa.

1

Judith Szmidt has a photograph in a silver frame of herself as a child, with her parents and her older sister. It’s only one of many mementos of her rich, full life but, as she points out, that she has it at all is remarkable, considering the separate journeys both she and photo made from Europe to Napa.

I stumbled down the unsteady aisle of the USO bus as it rumbled through the darkness of the snowy New England night, and, clutching my makeup and costume bags, landed in a heap in the back seat.

00

Bill Bishop sums his life in one sentence -- "I'm the luckiest man in the world. For the biggest part of my life I have got to do what I love."

First Trimester 2006-07

Donaldson Way student wins holiday art contest

Education

First Trimester 2006

One of the last things Sandi Borreson did before leaving the post she’s held as hospitality director at Artesa Winery for the last 10 years was — appropriately — to host a party.

Smoking bishop.

The best desserts are those that are simple to make and allow for plenty of variation.

At a recent holiday celebration, I encountered a most delicious cheesecake.

If you’re still in a quandary over what to do for some of your best friends this holiday season, why not follow the lead of chef Richard Reddington?

When Thomas Keller announced plans earlier this year to open a family style restaurant in his home town of Yountville, many of us saw it as an opportunity for the acclaimed wine country chef/restaurateur to reach yet another segment of hungry diners — particularly those who simply can’t afford the freight at his internationally renowned French Laundry.

No matter where you live, resolve in the new year to protect your home and property from nature's fury by adding flood insurance to your homeowner's coverage.

One of the more important new developments for homeowners planning to remodel or renovate is the growing use of in-home "computer assisted design" programs that help visualize what a finished project will look like.

It's the cold season, and mice have been seeking bed and board, which is not good for our plants. You may already have seen evidence of their gnawing at the base of some small tree.

>By KATHLEEN DREESEEN Register Correspondent

Darrel and Marlene (Hassenplug) Howatt of Napa celebrated their 50th anniversary on Nov. 10. After a family dinner at Jonesy's Steak House, they continued their celebration with a cruise of the Hawaiian islands. The couple met Easter weekend in 1956 at the Post 550 Legion Dance in Vallejo and were married on Nov. 10, 1956. They have lived in Napa County for 48 years.

CORRALES RIVERA-TORRES AYALA -- Carlos Ivan Corrales Rivera, 21, Chaucer Lane, American Canyon, to Margarita Torres Ayala, 27, Chaucer Lane, American Canyon.

William "Bill" Howden and Candiss Pridmore, both of Napa, announce their engagement to be married in May 2008 in Napa.

Queen of the Valley

The daughters of Howard and Elsie Goines: Nan Nelson of Crossville, Tenn.; Danna Shirley of Bartlett, Tenn.; and Paula Belden of Napa, wish to announce the celebration of their parents' 65th wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brett of Park City, Utah, are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Kirsten Condas Brett, to Michael Roy Valine, son of Vernon and Diana Valine of Napa.