California Shakespeare Theater’s “Triumph of Love,” which opened last weekend, is a triumph indeed, and not just because the plot of this charming fairy tale ends happily.

Before the start of “H.M.S. Pinafore” Saturday night at the Napa Valley Opera House, Lamplighters Artistic Director Barbara Heroux stepped in front of the curtain, welcomed the audience and explained that there was a special tie between the Gilbert and Sullivan chestnut and the Opera House venue. “Pinafore” was first performed in 1878. The Opera House was built in 1879 and the first production staged there was “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

When Chris Sullivan takes center stage at Lincoln Theater in Yountville on Aug. 25 for the first of three performances of Rob Becker’s “Defending the Caveman,” he can be sure of at least one thing: He will be leading his audience into some comfortably uncomfortable territory.

Napa Valley Ballet School hosts a reception for the community to meet and greet its new artistic director, Diana Lasso Lomax, along with other new teachers for the fall session and to learn about the school’s classical ballet program and new classes being offered.

The Dreamweavers production of David Ives’ “All in the Timing,” is something like the Persiad meteor showers that are visible this month: brief but enchanting.

This week patrons of Napa Valley Opera House can listen to the folk music of Dar Williams, get a dance lesson in tango and cha cha or enjoy some good laughs  with the Best Of the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition. Or choose all three.

Tobias Rose-Stockwell is a native St. Helenan dedicated to helping the poor. He’s also founder of Young Humanitarians, a non-profit project committed to bridging the gap between world cultures.

Greg Kihn doesn’t have to tour any more.

Education

Sean P. Cunningham, 19, of Napa, was accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. Cunningham, who graduated in 2005 from Vintage High School, will become a member of the Embry-Riddle 2007 freshman class, pursuing a degree in aviation business administration. Cunningham is the son of Brian and Dawn Cunningham./Register

While fresh tomatoes are available year-round, they're definitely at their best during summer.

On a recent, sparkling Napa Saturday afternoon the Redwood Retirement Home became a culinary battleground with five fine North Bay chefs competing in Holiday Retirement's "Iron Chef 2007" cooking contest, modeled after the popular television series.

Todd Humphries, executive chef, Martini House

Todd Humphries, executive chef, Martini House

Sometimes the best way to make the most of fresh produce is to crank up the heat.

Creating a variety of dishes from one prime ingredient provides a welcome challenge for wine country chef Todd Humphries.

It was an alert reader who notified us that the Foothill Café, closed since January, was back in business -- prompting a swift trip to "the one and only since 1991" cafe that helped put Napa on the food map.

Deadline cooking is all about the ingredients. Select the right high-flavor, low-prep ingredients and great meals practically assemble themselves.

The word “Ubuntu” has its origin in the Bantu language of Southern Africa and closely translates to “humanity towards others.”

I correspond with a group of serious gardeners located mostly on the East Coast. In summertime, these folks get pretty nervous when more than a couple of weeks go by without rain. There is talk of drought and water restrictions.

It’s time to fire harden your house. Building or altering your home to become fire resistant can be compared to building a watertight roof: One little hole in the roof allows water to leak in, and no matter how well the job was done on the rest of the roof, it may still fail and damage can occur.

The Soroptimists of Napa Wine Country held a lobster sale June 16, making possible additional assistance for the women survivors of the devastating disaster long after Hurricane Katrina stopped making headlines.

If you live to 84, you can bet during a life span of nearly a century, you probably have several achievements under your belt.

Julie Weinstock, former president of Cosentino Signature Wineries, has joined Adobe Road Winery in Petaluma as general manager.

American restaurants in major markets across the country are more than likely to feature California wines that cost diners $39 or less, an new industry report released Thursday indicates.

The Del Dotto Winery at the corner of Highway 29 and Zinfandel Lane once again has a stamp of approval from county planners, but neighbors are upset by the project’s failure to comply with its original use permit, and fear the winery will play host to wild parties.

Drivers looking for the new Black Stallion Winery on Silverado Trail don’t have to search for an address — just look for the big black horse standing on its hind legs.