Author’s note: More than 65 years ago, my family moved to Napa and became part of the community. I have all of these stories in my head about growing up in Napa during WW II and the post-war era, and decided to write essays on what it was like as a teenager here during those times. This is the first installment of Napa — As It Was.

For people who aren’t burned out on “Guitar Hero” yet, there’s yet another version available.

With the new school year quickly approaching, local colleges are preparing to make changes in the classroom and in some cases, to the classrooms themselves.

Many people think teachers and public school officials take the summer off. But anyone who has seen the activity at school campuses around Napa knows it’s been a busy summer for the Napa Valley Unified School District.

As the demands of No Child Left Behind Act shake up school districts across the country, schools in the Napa Valley are stressing the importance of a curriculum based on academic accountability.