The theater lost a compelling voice when Tony Award-winning, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein died of cancer last year.

In two of the final concerts in their landmark tour, the first family of American folk music appears at the Napa Valley Opera House April 19 and 20.

Napa High School played host Saturday night to the Napa School of Music’s Garage Band 101 concert.

On Friday night at the Lincoln Theater, a remarkable performance played out as Kevin and Cindy Spencer, now entering their 20th professional year of performing magical illusions, took the audience on a journey that will be remembered for a lifetime.

“Cirque de la Symphonie,” an art show and online auction to benefit the Napa Valley Symphony, opened Friday at Jessel Gallery in Napa.

Sonoma Jazz +, now in its third year, will bring crooners Tony Bennett and Harry Connick Jr., rhythm ’n’ blues singers Smokey Robinson and Michael McDonald, crossover country artist Leann Rimes and blues guitarist Robert Cray to the popular Sonoma music festival on Memorial Day weekend.

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the Queen of Folkabilly,” Nanci Griffith’s folk and country roots have taken her from Austin’s Hole-In-The-Wall bar to Carnegie Hall, Grand Ole Opry and London’s Royal Albert Hall; from an 8-year-old girl in Texas learning to play guitar from a television instructor to a woman of the world, visiting and performing in Vietnam, Cambodia and Kosovo in support of the abolition of landmines.

Buoyed by the artistic success and widespread interest in the inaugural event, producers of the international Festival del Sole have revealed plans and attractions for a second music gala in wine country this summer.

Talk about turning back to our lost past, that miracle was accomplished on Saturday night at the Napa Valley Opera House. Who among us could ever forget the incredible sounds and imagery of Cab Calloway and his hot jazz orchestra of the 1930s and ’40s?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist is being asked to pardon the late Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, 38 years after he was convicted of exposing himself during a Miami concert.

Now, we would certainly never condone the use of illegal substances. We are a family friendly news service, after all.

NEW YORK — The (film) geek shall inherit the earth.

Education

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Dupris, a member of the U.S. Army’s Individual Ready Reserve, has completed three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cuvaison hosts a vertical tasting of cabernet sauvignon from the historic Brandlin Vineyard on Mt. Veeder on Saturday.

To celebrate Judd’s Hill Winery’s new facility in Napa, Art, Bunnie, Judd and Holly Finkelstein will host an island party — the Judd’s Hill Musical Bonanza — Saturday.

Many wineries in Napa Valley are owned by families, but few have family members more involved than Judd’s Hill Winery.

ZARE’S ANNIVERSARY — Zare’s Restaurant celebrates its second anniversary with live music and bellydancing, 6 to 10 p.m. today  followed by DJ music until 2 a.m.  5091 Solano Ave., Napa. Info, 257-3318.

Last week, we asked readers to send along their recommendations for local places to eat.  Here’s a sample of the comments we got. If you’d like to share your own local favorite, send your comments to Food Page editor Sasha Paulsen, spaulsen@napanews.com

With its sprawling veranda, warming patio fire and sweeping vista of green Carneros vineyards, the entry to Farm — the newest restaurant to open as part of the upscale Carneros Inn — is as inviting grandma’s kitchen on a family holiday.

Consider this the continuing evolution of coffee from morning wake-up call to political action. Vermont’s Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ latest “special reserve” offering is being produced in conjunction with Jane Goodall.

Let’s face it, when it comes to ground meat, fat adds flavor. But cutting fat doesn’t have to condemn a dish to tastelessness.

DUBLIN, Ireland  — Don’t be fooled by those crumbly pastries masquerading as scones at American coffee shops.

When Neal Gottlieb returned from the Peace Corps, he decided that he would follow the grand tradition of making good while doing good.

The test kitchen at Everyday Food magazine is certainly well-equipped. But as much as possible, the cooks work with the kinds of tools and supplies found in most homes. Here are what they consider the most essential items for making speedy, healthy meals:

The Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County presents “Earth Day Napa Valley — Building Awareness and Inspiring Change” a free event April 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Napa Valley College soccer fields.

Community members and service groups, working with the Napa/Solano Audubon Society, are assembling bird-nesting boxes today at the California Native Plant Society’s Wildflower Show at Skyline Park in Napa. The nesting boxes, made from kits, will be placed in the field in locations provided by the Audubon Society.

From Register Staff

Situated on two acres of zinfandel vines, the home of Pam and Bill Connolly rises from the valley floor like a Tuscan castle, complete with a stonework rear entrance, arched openings and massive chimneys.

Shoar

AGTARAP-BLANZA -- Santos Castelo Agtarap Jr., 25, Lena Drive, American Canyon, to Mary Ann Umipig Blanza, 27, Lena Drive, American Canyon.

Queen of the Valley

Fred and Fay (Swett) Bockhahn of Napa celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on April 14, 2007. Family and friends offered congratulations at an open house at the couple's home. Cake and refreshments were shared while reminiscing old times and fond memories.