After more than four years of service to Lincoln Theater Napa Valley, the organization’s executive director, Deb Stallings, will leave her post early next year.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Jane Smiley ( “A Thousand Acres”), and bestselling authors Richard North Patterson ( “Conviction”) and Lolly Winston ( “Good Grief”) will be keynote speakers at the 2009 San Francisco Writers Conference. The conference takes place Feb. 13-15 at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel over President’s Day Weekend. A discounted early rate is available through Dec. 31.

Young singers in Napa County, take note: It’s Idol time again.

What could be more inspiring than a show where someone has actually trained cats?

It’s amazing how our musical tastes grow and change over the years.

Like a radiant spring flower, a brilliant young singer/songwriter blossomed right before the transfixed eyes of a cheerful Napa Valley Opera House audience last Saturday night.

The Napa Valley Opera House has announced a winter season filled with comfy fare, the tried and true favorites of local crowds, all in step with challenging times when people still want to get out and have a good time.

Each year Michelle Mitcavish opens up her studio to artists wishing to sell their wares for the holiday season; this year the response to the three-day sale, held Dec. 4-6, was so great that she’s extending the M. Mitcavish Glass Studio sale through Friday. The sale hours are noon to 6 p.m. M. Mitcavish Glass Studio is at 68 Coombs St., Studio 0#1 in Napa.