Kara’s Cupcakes opened in the Oxbow Public Market this week, to the delight of cupcake lovers. The first Kara’s opened in San Francisco in 2006. Owner and executive pastry chef Kara Haspel Lind said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the Oxbow Market. This bakery will allow us to expand our community awareness and continue our close relationships with our vendors while supporting their artisan methods of production.”

A major decorative feature at Kara’s Cupcakes is a map showing where all the ingredients come from  — and they are almost all local. Lovingly creating each batch of cupcakes by hand throughout the day with premiere quality local and organic ingredients, Kara’s cupcakes are politically correct — and just plain good.

Kara’s is also very proud to support local charities in the Bay Area. At the end of the day, all unsold cupcakes are donated to charity. In 2008, Kara’s provided more than 62,000 cupcakes to the hungry and donated another 10,000 to other causes Kara’s supports, including the Make a Wish Foundation.

Lions, tigers and

bears – oh my!

 Jungle Jack Hanna will perform at the Napa Valley Opera House with two shows Saturday,  at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.  Jungle Jack is popular with children of all ages. Ticket holders will receive a $5 discount (per table) for lunch or dinner at the Little Gourmet, a self described “kids restaurant that’s grown-up friendly” around the back of the Opera House. The Little Gourmet is the perfect way to set the stage for a big show like this. Call the Opera House at 226-7372 for ticket information.

Here’s a free scoop …

… Of ice cream, that is. Ben & Jerry’s, on First at Randolph Streets, is hosting the 30th annual “Free Cone Day.” Their way of saying ‘thank you’ to all their loyal customers and will be serving up a free scoop for all, from noon to 8 p.m., April 21. Napa Mayor Jill Techel will cut the ribbon at noon, then the scooping begins. Feel free to leave a tip — all gratuities support the nonprofit and high school groups whose members will be doing the scooping.

We’re No. 1!

Bounty Hunter was recently voted “Best Wine Bar” by the readers of the on-line site of the San Francisco Chronicle. If you are hungry, Bounty Hunter also serves a mean beer can chicken and other great entrees and desserts. The business is at 975 First St., east of Main Street.

Monument to a Legend

Quent Cordair Fine Art, on First Street at Randolph Street, is commissioning a memorial sculpture of the late Robert Mondavi. Margrit Mondavi approved the selection of renowned monument sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter to create the piece. A 10-foot bronze sculpture will celebrate and memorialize the man who, perhaps more than anyone else, elevated the Napa Valley to one of the world’s best-known wine regions, and who mentored many of the great vintners of the Napa Valley. Dwight Murray Plaza on First Street in downtown Napa is being considered as a place for the sculpture. Donations to fund the creation of the memorial will be to open to individuals and companies who wish to honor Robert Mondavi’s memory. Interested donors may contact Linda Cordair at 255-2242.

 See you downtown!

 Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown Association and can be reached at 257-0322 or craig@napadowntown.com.