Napans vacationing at Tahoe this summer will have a chance to see a Napa guy on stage at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Ben Stowe has been cast as Benvolio in this season’s “Romeo & Juliet” and as Philip, a servant to Petruchio, in “Taming of the Shrew.”

This Sunday, Napans can take advantage of a rare opportunity to roam the grounds of Napa’s famed di Rosa Preserve without making a reservation or paying an admission fee.

An invitation to perform at the Golden State Choral Competition is a good indication that you’re the best of the best.

The Maikai Gents, featuring the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa, are scheduled to perform at Copia Thursday night as part of venue’s Community Spotlight concert series.

 A reception for fiber artist Camille Ahern marks the opening of her new show at St. Supery Vineyards and Winery on Saturday, 5:30-7 p.m.

Vintage High School dance department presented a program filled with whimsy, inspiration and terrific dancing in their end of the year program, “Dance Upon a Dream.”

NEW YORK — The final installment of the Harry Potter series isn’t out until mid-July, but you don’t have to go bookless to the beach; there are plenty of titles out there perfect for relaxing in the sun.

As much in the public eye for acclaimed television and silver screen roles, Harry Connick Jr. brought his stellar brand of musicianship to wine country over the long holiday weekend.

Guitarist/vocalist Bob Wootton and drummer WS Holland are not a tribute act or cover band, but the men who toured and recorded with Johnny Cash for more than 40 years, performing the music that powered nearly every Cash stage show and recording since 1960.

Cameron Busquaert, a seventh-grader at Silverado Middle School, thinks big.

Napa Valley Taize offers music, scripture reading, silence and prayer at the Carmelite House of Prayer in Oakville at 7:30 p.m. today. Info, 942-6282.

Vintage grad granted Fullbright Award

Education

“That banana just ate a grape,” one child told another. It was true. The giant dancing banana had just popped a grape into a fold in its peel.

Cuvée will be “white hot” on Saturday night as the Napa restaurant features a prix fixe Latin-inspired menu, summer cocktails featuring Bacardi Rum, wines by Mi Sueno and Renteria Cellars and sizzling Latin music from Sapo Guapo.

Interest continues to grow in fresh, local produce, driven by farmers markets, chefs who favor top quality seasonal ingredients,  says author Leanne Kitchen, author of “The Produce Bible.”

While Paul Franson was wandering through Tuscany, Pierce Carson and I made quick trip to Italy by heading up Silverado Trail to Signorello Vineyards, where Italian chef Danielo Turco had prepared a seven-course feast to pair with Signorello wines.

More and more people are making their own wine these days, but they aren’t necessarily making it in their garages or basements nor are they doing it alone.

After bouncing in the back of a van for 20 minutes on a questionable dirt road through hills and mountains, I was beginning to wonder when the glamour of Tuscany was going to show itself.

As Trinchero Napa Valley Winery nears completion — its inaugural crush will come from this year’s harvest — Mario Monticelli has come on board as the head winemaker for the Italian family-owned winery. Monticelli is a fourth generation winemaker with strong roots in Italy.

From the time the first glimpses of green appeared in the vineyards during March’s bud break, the vineyards have exploded in growth, bringing them to the second of the seasonal markers — bloom.

The Master Gardeners have treats in store for this year’s Garden Tour June 3, as they open six of their members’ gardens to the public. 

The Master Gardeners need the following in order to diagnose your plant problem:

Master Gardeners are a hard working lot. Just to become a Master Gardener, they’ve taken three months of training, studying botany, plant life, soil conditions and composting. When they graduate, they continue their education as well as teach and answer questions about gardening. Through the growing season, they set up mobile help stations at big box stores, nurseries and at farmers markets to help the rest of us, gardeners whose thumbs are any color but green.

NEW YORK  — When you’re longing to sit down, fiberglass, plywood and polycarbonate don’t sound quite the most welcoming surfaces to sink into.

Good watering is all-important to a good garden, and long, slow watering has many benefits.

James and Terry Baldwin of Benicia are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelly Nicole McChesney, to Joel Steven Morgan, son of Steve and Anita Morgan of Fairfield.

Nicole Rosalie Hartman of Napa and Brian Edward Mack of American Canyon announce their engagement to be married June 16 at 5 p.m. at St. Peters Chapel in Mare Island.

Queen of the Valley

ALBRIGHT-UPTON -- Anthony Scott Albright, 38, St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, to Caroline Perry Upton, 37, Mitzi Drive, Calistoga.

ACOSTA -- Leticia Acosta vs. Sergio Acosta, May 3, 2007