The Napa Downtown Farmers Market begins its 29th season today in the south parking lot of Copia on First Street.

The market takes place Tuesdays 7:30 a..m to noon and Saturdays  8 a.m. to noon through Oct. 27.

Copia is closed on Tuesdays, but open on Saturdays. Copia’s gardens will be open for shoppers to enjoy on both days.

In addition to fresh produce and crafts, the market sells bakery selections and fresh-brewed coffee, and features weekly live entertainment.

July and August bring back the “Children’s Story Hour,” pioneered in 2003 by Library Commission member Roberta Goodin.

Each week a different storyteller is featured offering up a mix of children’s classics and original compositions. The “Children’s Story Hour” is free and takes place 10-11 a.m.

Copia staff will be on hand, along with other nonprofit groups like Napa’s Humane Society, Napa Valley Support Services, the Napa-Solano Commuter’s group, Napa’s Master Gardeners and the City of Napa Water Department.

Cook for Mom

Pilar Sanchez, chef and owner of Pilar restaurant, will hold her next monthly cooking class Saturday at 807 Main St., Napa. On this menu are recipes for spoiling your mother (always a good thing) Eggs Benedict with homemade English muffins and Hollandaise sauce, and fresh berry trifle. The price is $35, which includes lunch. The class starts at 11:30 a.m.  Info, 252-4474 or visit www.pilarnapa.com.

No need for fans of Compadres to panic

True, Compadres will be leaving its location after a successful run of 19 years.

But owner Rick Enos said “we are planning one more great season (at the current site) ... until some time in November.”

Enos announced last week that Vintage Estates decided not to renew the lease agreement it has had with Compadres for nearly two decades.

“For them, it makes sense to have one food source operator on the property,” he added, referring to Vintage Estates’ recent arrangement to have Real Restaurants operate food venues on the property that includes Vintage 1870, Villagio and the Vintage Inn.

For now, Enos said he and his 50-member staff will operate as they have in the past, serving breakfast daily, 8 a.m. to noon, as well as lunch and dinner, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Compadres is also offering a variety of entertainment this spring, summer and fall.

At present, balladeer Doug Howser is performing, 9 p.m. to midnight on Thursdays, with the Summer on the Lawn program slated to kick off May 6 with Napa’s Johnny Smith and Friends.

“We’ll have music on the lawn every Sunday from 3 or 4 p.m. through mid-October,” Enos added. “We encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and their blankets.”

While a closing date has not been set for the operation, Enos said it will probably be in mid-November.

“Business is strong this year, so we’re looking forward to one more great season,” he concluded.

Enos intends to relocate Compadre’s as soon as he can find a suitable space.

He said he would like to stay in Yountville.