“The arts stimulate, educate, and inspire.”

Cultural Planning Town Hall meetings

Ethan Dittrich will be awarded a Music in the Vineyards scholarship during an upcoming concert Friday at the Jarvis Conservatory.

It’s hilarity on the high seas as the Bay Area’s acclaimed Lamplighters Music Theatre performs Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” at the Napa Valley Opera House this weekend.

Say this about the humble onion: It’s low in calories and big on flavor.

On Wednesday evenings, faith and produce mingle at Atlanta’s Congregation Shearith Israel synagogue.

The humble grilled cheese deserves a makeover.

It’s no wonder more people reach for can openers than for canners.

Ready to try canning? Thanks to updated recipes and equipment, it’s easier than you think. And the results are so worth it.

The secret to safe and satisfying canning is following the rules and well-tested recipes. Here are some basic guidelines:

Ronit and Shuli Madmone

Greg Cole, owner and executive chef of Celadon and Cole’s Chop House is in New York this week to host a “Downtown Napa Dinner” at the famous James Beard House.

On the outside Whole Spice is one more unremarkable modern warehouse on a strip mall in Petaluma.

What are some top picks for students looking to set up their first dorm rooms? A sample from major retailers:

When Laurel Mahaffey was preparing for her freshman year at UC Santa Cruz, her family searched Napa stores in vain for the extra-long twin sheets she needed to fit her dorm-room bed.

What most people expect when they move into their first college dorm: one (maybe two) roommates, a basic bedroom setup, and a decent amount of privacy.

The harvest is on. If you haven’t been paying attention, you may have a few large surprises in your vegetable garden.

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.

Nickname: Sweetie, Sweetie Pie

Nickname: Britaroo

Five years ago Dan Dawson realized his dream — he opened a wine shop in downtown Napa.

Much has been said about the potential for exports to the growing consumer wine market in India, but little is known about India’s own domestic wine industry.

It’s no surprise that the 1,200-acre Stagecoach Vineyards are not open to the public as it takes time and a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the vineyards, located at one of the highest points on Soda Canyon Road, in the Atlas Peak Appellation.

The Napa Valley harvest began early Tuesday at Mumm Napa winery at the Rodgers Vineyard, in Yountville.