Craig Smith

Shackford’s is hosting free cooking demonstrations today, featuring fondue and raclette cooking.

Napa Valley Jewelry will be giving away free watch batteries on Friday, March 1. Visit their new location between Eiko’s and Lush. This is a $15 value at no charge. Limit one per customer, please. napavalleyjewelers.com or 224-0997.

The Napa Valley probably competes with any place in the world for having the most sommeliers per square mile.

If it seemed a little quiet in your neighborhood last Saturday, it’s because everybody else was downtown, taking in the next-to-last night of the annual Napa Lighted Arts Festival.

Workmix Coworking Lounge, at 950 Randolph between First and Second Streets, makes a pretty mean cup of coffee.

Toy B Ville has two stores this month, one at 1343 Main St., across from Shackford’s, and at the new location, 1300 First St. Napa, in the walkway between Kohl’s and Compline. The two stores will merge into one at First Street Napa in January.

Santa made about as grand an entrance as possible at last Saturday’s Napa Christmas parade.

Wait – is Thanksgiving really next week? That means it’s time to usher in the Christmas season, and what better way to do it than by bringing Santa Claus to town.

After more than 20 years in business, the Beaded Nomad, at the corner of First and Coombs, is closing permanently on Nov. 19.

The CIA at Copia hosted several Beer Garden Sundays this month, and all have been well received.

Seven-year-old piano prodigy Jaidynn Tyler, recently seen on Good Morning America, will perform briefly during the Sun., Oct. 14 “Napa Live: Inside and Out” – the last such event of the season.

“If you’ve missed us for a week…you’ve missed us for a lifetime.”

Tomorrow is the third Napa Live event of the year. Held on the second Sunday of the month, July through October, the series provides the opportunity to listen to 30 different bands, some inside businesses, some outside, with others playing in downtown parks.

Mark Herold Wines consolidated their two downtown tasting rooms after completing a full remodel and refresh of their eccentric spot at 710 First St., an address that’s been home for seven years.

Well, maybe it’s not the Christmas season, but this is event season in downtown Napa.

Mark your calendars now for the City Council candidates debate, Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

You both agree that listening to a band sounds great, but he wants to stand at the bar, beer in hand, and listen to a singer/songwriter.

Father’s Day. This one seems to sneak up on everybody.

Mecox, a home furnishings and design store, recently opened at 1214 First St., a couple of doors east of Archer Hotel.

Aug. 25 is the 10th anniversary of Blues, Brews & BBQ and the event is moving back to First Street.

The Downtown Napa Association brings travel writers from around the country to downtown Napa, to give them a taste of what we get to experience every day.

Hog Island Oysters has been a favorite downtown Napa restaurant since they opened in the Oxbow Public Market 10 years ago this November.

Leslie and Sheldon Parker bought the Napa Running Company two years ago. Leslie has always been a gym rat, but ran only sporadically until Maverick, a black Lab, came into the Parker household.

Sisters Kaitlin Swickard and Kirby Swickard Dougherty represent the seventh generation of their family’s business, Five Dot Ranch, located in the Oxbow Public Market.

After decades, part three of the trilogy is about to arrive.

After 24 years, Cheryl Richburg is retiring, and Napa Valley Traditions is closing shop. Traditions’ final day is Feb. 16. Everything, including furniture used for displays, is at least 50 percent off.

In the early 2000s, Kelli Stuart, who owns The Dailey Method at 811 Coombs St., seemed to have it all.

There’s an old joke that people open their own businesses because they are otherwise unemployable.

The idea for Compline, the well-received restaurant and wine bar Ryan Stetins and Matt Stamp, Master Sommelier (MS) opened in September, part of First Street Napa near Clay Street and across from Archer hotel, began over wine and dinner nearly four years ago.

Just a reminder that tonight and tomorrow are the final nights of the digital art displays in downtown Napa. The best way to enjoy the art is to walk from building to building, so you can watch each image as it dissolves and evolves into something else. Think of the lights on the SF Bay Brid…

A park full of people came out the Napa Tree Lighting ceremony last week, enjoying 800 cookies courtesy of Sweetie Pies and gallons of hot chocolate from Downtown Joe’s.

Join your family and friends Wed., Nov. 22, 6 p.m. at Veterans Park for the annual Christmas tree lighting.

The community-wide outpouring of support, for both the first responders and those who lost everything in the fires, was and continues to be amazing.

Scott Lyall, owner of Scott Lyall Clothing for Men at 614 Main St. in the Riverfront Building, wants to do something to support those adversely affected by the fires. The question is, what to do?

The city of Napa and Downtown Napa Association are hosting Coffin Races, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oxbow Commons.

In-the-know ghouls and goblins will take their empty bags and head to downtown Napa Sat., Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and trick or treat to their hearts content.

In just two years, Whirlwind Blow Dry Bar has become a go-to place for people interested in getting their hair and makeup done before a night out.

…Are the headline band at today’s Blues, Brews & BBQ, and admission is free. If that isn’t enough of an incentive, there are seven other bands on two stages, including Napa’s own Second Street Band, which opens the show at noon.

Now a part of Napa’s fabric, the Main Street Reunion Car Show is a highly anticipated event.

Okay, actually Grace Kelly style is back, via a line of handbags now available at Muguette Renee Boutique at 1409 Second St., inspired by the actress-turned princess.