There are those of us, who, however much fun we might have attempting to paint a picture, will still have to admit that the only way we’ll ever have anything we’d actually like to hang on a wall will be to buy it.

If you’ve ever had a yen to take an easel outdoors and paint but don’t know where to begin, Gretchen Kimball has a solution for you.

Wine lovers and art collectors are invited to the unveiling of watercolorist Eric Christensen’s latest painting, which commemorates Grgich Hills Estate’s 30th anniversary.

In what is apparently an effort to relocate most of the gold supply on the planet to Napa in the form of trophies and medals, local choral students are up to all kinds of things.

The whole audience bouncing and swaying to the irresistible rhythm, everybody singing, “Hi-De-Ho!” Who could forget the sounds and imagery of Cab Calloway and his hot jazz orchestra?

Entertainment at Copia in April brings to the stage four concerts that featuring guitar, jazz and the Great American Songbook.

In Mexico the word to describe someone who lives life with zest is “chispa” — Spanish for spark. On Friday evening Oaxacan-American singer Lila Downs brought her chispa to a packed Lincoln Theater at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

Napa Valley Taize offers music, scripture reading, silence and prayer at the Carmelite House of Prayer in Oakville at 7:30 p.m. today. Info, 942-6282.

When a pair of Upvalley teens got the chance to appear in the major motion picture, “Little Children,” it seemed as if they were skating through life.

St. Helena student named to Dean's List

Eleodoro Hernandez is a happy man.

Vintner Mike Grgich and Queen Noor of Jordan will receive the Roots of Peace 2007 Global Citizen awards at a luncheon May 6 aboard the Queen Mary 2, before the ship departs on a six-day “Cruise for Peace,” crossing from New York to Southampton, UK. A reception will feature Grgich Hills Estate wines.

NEW YORK — Composer-turned-writer Steph Waller considers herself something of a wine connoisseur.

More wine regions from around the world signed onto the effort to protect wine place and origin as they signed a joint declaration in Washington, D.C., last week.

With the arrival of spring last week comes the annual culinary treat of fresh asparagus from the California Delta.

The Fork reviews area restaurants, with an emphasis on more affordable establishments. Reader suggestions are welcomed.

NV Chef Peter Halikas teams up with noted chef, nutritionist and author Cheryl Forberg to create a scrumptious menu that won’t break your diet in a special dinner April 18.

CARACAS, Venezuela  — As a child in Puerto Ayacucho, gateway to Venezuela’s remote southern rainforests, Nelson Mendez was fascinated by tales of the isolated Yanomami Indians and their unusual diet.

In the 1950s, kitchens were all about chrome toasters and white appliances. Perhaps this was supposed to lend a "sanitary" feel to the kitchen. The '60s and '70s ushered in those festive avocado and harvest gold appliances. The last decade was all about sophisticated stainless steel and black. What's coloring the kitchen now?

The annual "Cost vs. Value" article published annually by Remodeling Magazine gives consumers a look at the average price -- and the return on investment -- of all the most popular types of remodels.

Ferman Gonzales grew up on San Antonio's south side, part of a large Hispanic community where developers used to be reluctant to invest. Not so anymore.

A nice way to make the onerous chore of weeding more appealing is to call it gardening. At least, it sounds better.

The American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter has been awarded two grants totaling $9,000 from the American Institute of Architects to develop detailed podcast walking tours of significant structures in San Francisco.

Katie Wignall of Fairfield and Fausto Buccianti of Milan, Italy, announce their engagement to be married in Fairfield in the spring.

Charles and Gertrude (Beck) Wood of Napa celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on March 1 in Napa. Around 45 friends and relatives gathered for cake and coffee at their home on MacLean Street.

Lan Jill Watson and Brian Nelson of San Diego announce their engagement to be married Sept. 15 at the La Jolla Shores Hotel in La Jolla.

Janette Lynn Martinez and Barry Craig Macler of Napa announce their engagement to be married on June 10 in Napa.

Mrs. Mildred Fern (Shimp) Christian of Napa celebrated her 97th birthday on Saturday, March 24, at New Life Tabernacle in Napa, where she read from the poem "I Love to Live," the last lines of which are, "I know by then I won't be fast and sometimes will be late, but it would be so pleasant to be around at 98. I have seen so many things and had a wonderful time, so I'm sure that I'll be willing to leave at the age of 99, maybe. Just one more thing I'd like to say, dear Lord, I thank You kindly, but if it's OK with You, I'd love to live past 109."

St. Helena Hospital

CRUZ-FRAZIER ROBBINS -- Marc John Cruz, 38, Green Island Road, American Canyon, to Jeannie Lynne Frazier Robbins, 46, Green Island Road, American Canyon.