The calendar says August, so we still should have a little time before the traditional kick-off of political season — but election winds already are blowing strong.

The older one gets, the more subjective the age range given to seniors becomes.

Roughly 20 years ago, wines from both Australia and Chile began to appear on U.S. store shelves.

Sept. 8 is the 31 annual Wine and Crafts Faire, the largest one-day event in Napa. Visit 200 arts and crafts vendors and enjoy Napa and Sonoma valley wines, other beverages and food. It’s on First Street, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Info, www.napadowntown.com or 257-0322.

What a surprise for Dr. Jim Borge, when he heard all the commotion in his kitchen recently in his home on Silverado Trail near Monticello Road.

Scientists in France and Italy have discovered what gives a wine its flavors.

Jill Decker

Jonathan’s back-to-school shopping list included all the usual stuff: notebooks, pens and pencils, jeans. And let’s not forget the Speedo.

Dear Len & Rosie, My aunt just died. She lived alone and never had any children. We found a will in her safe deposit box. The will is dated 1978 and named no executor. My aunt left her estate equally among my father, who is dead, her sister, who is in a nursing home, and her late husband’s children. What happens to my father’s share? Does it automatically go to his heirs?

Ken Frank’s upscale La Toque restaurant in Rutherford plans to move into the new Westin Verasa Hotel near Copia when it opens next year.