Even the most passionate Shakespeare aficionados will admit that among the Bard’s three-dozen-plus comedies, tragedies and history plays, there are some parts that can drag on a bit.

Author, actress, singer and public speaker Julie Caitlin Brown has one message: “Love First.”

The 19th wine country Oscars gala, “Dreaming of Oscar,” will be held Feb. 25 in the grand foyer of Lincoln Theater in Yountville, a spokeswoman for the sponsoring North Bay Unity League announced Tuesday.

When an aspiring young musician of 17 has a chance to get sage advice from one of the great professionals of our day, it often has lasting influence.

San Francisco Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle returns for his fourth annual Napa Valley Arts & Lectures appearance on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Copia.

Students from Napa County will compete in the second competition round of Idol NV at the Napa Valley Opera House Saturday.

BEVERLY HILLS — The musical “Dreamgirls” led Academy Awards contenders Tuesday with eight nominations, but surprisingly was shut out in the best picture category after being considered a potential front-runner.

More than a concert, “In the Mood” takes a look at the life and time of America’s greatest generation with music and dance that combines up-tempo Big Band rhythms with intimate ballads. The String of Pearls Big Band orchestra and cast of 24 singers and dancers bring back the music that moved a nation’s spirit more that 60 years ago,

One of the Bay Area’s favorite entertainers, Val Diamond, returns to the Napa Valley on Monday night to serenade fans gathered at Copia.

LONDON — Coca-Cola Co. has reached an agreement with an unsigned London ska band over the global soft drink giant’s use of the band’s material in TV ads.

Napa Valley College presents “Faculty and Friends” a vocal recital Sunday at 3 p.m. in the NVC Theater

The 14th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival kicks off this weekend with the traditional food, wine and arts gala, Mustard Magic, at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena.

Familiar melodies, virtuoso saxophone playing and a dash of the contemporary highlighted Sunday afternoon’s concert by the Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Asher Raboy.

Celebrating the release of a new compact disc and their first local performance of the decade, California Zephyr will bring its rich, folk-inspired harmonies and songs to Copia next week as part of the Community Spotlight Concert series.

Editor’s note: Colin McCuen, a senior at Napa High School, provided this piece on a visit by Wynton Marsalis to Napa last fall. Through a computer glitch, it got lost on its way to the Register, but it has finally arrived and we wanted to include it today with our coverage of his brother’s visit.

Napan off to D.C. leadership forum

From Register staff

When the Smithsonian opens its exhibit celebrating the American wine industry, among the items on display will be the suitcase and a stack of books that Mike Grgich took with him when he left his native Croatia in the 1950s, setting out to make his mark on wine history.

The economic impact of America’s grape industry, including winegrapes, was more than $162 billion in 2005. More than 23,000 farms, 90 percent of them smaller than 100 acres, in all 50 states grow grapes, on 934,750 acres.

Silver Oak Cellars winemaker Daniel Baron has specially blended a full barrel of 2006 Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon for the auction at the Vintage High School Athletic Boosters Crab Feed on Saturday.

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.

Ever imagine yourself cooking with the big boys — or gals, for that matter?

Real men don’t rely on significant others to cater their Super Bowl parties. With a bit of planning and the right recipes (read as easy), even a kitchen idiot can pull together a Bowl bash that keeps guests munching during the big game.

Gone are the days when the grill was the only spot manly men could express their culinary leanings. A wave of man-friendly foods, gadgets and food-media have made it safe for guys to get in the kitchen. Here are a few recipes to play with while there.

NEW YORK -- You're out of Mom's house, you've left the dorms, you're up off your friends' futons. You're a young, single man with your own home, and it's time to start living that way.

All about olives

Meet Jack Frost

LAS VEGAS -- Congratulations! You're pregnant. Now comes the stressful task of figuring out which baby gear you actually need. It's easy enough to head to the baby store, grab the scanner gun and beep on every item in sight for your registry.

Coping with the cold

Jennifer Carte and Erich Jinks, both of Napa, were married on Sept. 28 at Robinson Family Vineyard. The date was chosen because it is the birthday of the bride's paternal grandfather, who passed away in 2002.

Ruth Mariana Rivera and Brandon Ignatius Glenn, both of Napa, announce their engagement with plans of an outdoor wedding planned for June 30 of this year at Sand Harbor, Nev./Lake Tahoe, Nev. The romantic proposal took place while boating at sunset on Bucks Lake, Quincy, on Aug. 11.

Melissa Fore and Chris Walden, both of Napa, announce their engagement to be married on Aug. 4 at the bride's family home.

Heather John and John L. Fogarty, both of Los Angeles, announce their engagement to be married on June 2 in the Napa Valley.

Jenny Rement King and David Lee Bryant III, both of San Diego, announce their engagement to be married in Napa Valley in the fall.

DOYLE-CAPOOT -- Robert Donald Doyle, 27, Kansas Avenue, Napa, to Amanda Star Capoot, 23, Kansas Avenue, Napa.

BARSKY -- Judy Barsky vs. William Barsky, Jan. 8, 2007

Kaiser Vallejo