Five women. Six years. In Wendy Wasserstein’s “Uncommon Women and Others,” the women meet in a New York restaurant 1977, six years after they graduated from Mt. Holyoke college for women, one of the traditional “seven sisters” colleges of the East.

LOS ANGELES — An annoyed look from “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell as a contestant expressed sadness over the Virginia Tech shootings was drastically misintrepreted, Cowell and the show said Wednesday.

When Ron McNeil plays Beatles songs with the Fab Four, he focuses on more than nailing the lyrics, harmonies and chords that get more complex during the course of a show.

Broadway comes to Napa Friday when Justin-Siena Theatre presents its “reimagined” production of the Tony Award-winning “Cats.”

A joyous celebration of a beautiful art form, Hawaii’s hula is a style of dance not seen regularly on the mainland.

This may be the Year of the Boar, but in this valley it feels like the year of the cat. Or at least, the month of the cat.

The Napa Valley arts community lost a gifted and vibrant member when Lisa Raboy passed away from cancer Saturday. A memorial celebration of her life is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Napa.

Locally she’s known as the daughter of Margie and Harry Cadelago, but that may not be for long. Angela Cadelago, the guest performer at an upcoming an benefit concert at the Carmelite Monastery in Oakville, is also an up and coming opera star. 

The Bay Area’s acclaimed Lamplighters Music Theatre, in partnership with the Napa Valley Opera House, presents Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s sweeping musical “Carousel” in concert this weekend.

Ireland extended a warm and unusually sunny welcome to 119 Napa High School choir students, along with 27 staff and chaperones, during spring break.

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.

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

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.