Published January 5, 2006

Martin Yan,
star of PBS’s “Yan Can” cooking shows and Certified Master Chef, demonstrates and serves tasty morsels from his newest cookbook, “Martin Yan Quick & Easy,” followed by a conversation between Mr. Yan Can Cook and Director of Culinary Programs Linda Carucci, at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food, and Art in Napa, Friday, 3:15-4:15 p.m. FREE. Stick around for the movie “Rice Rhapsody,” starring Martin Yan, of course, at 8 p.m. 500 First Street, Napa. Call (888) 512-6742 or (707) 259-1600 for info or tickets.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art’s “Wall to Wall” silent auction and cocktail party features donated paintings and objets d’art from North Bay home collections. A fundraising event for the museum, Friday evening, 5-7 p.m. One person’s boring old painting is another person’s treasure and fabulous find! Tickets $20 members, $24 non-members.

“Never Forget: Faces of the Fallen,” an extremely important art show comes to Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, January 14 through February 26. 2,000 paintings, drawings, and portraits commemorating U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. Exhibit created by Sonoma artist and SVMA board member Chester Arnold and art class participants from College of Marin, Sonoma State University and Sonoma Valley High School. Exhibition free thanks to a grant from National Endowment for the Arts. Members preview Thursday, January 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Open Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 551 Broadway, Sonoma. Call (707) 939-7862.

Sonoma Valley Firefighters Cook a Smokin’ Hot Meal at the Sonoma Community Center’s Center of the Universe Café, Saturday. The monthly “café,” is a hotbed of poetry, humor, music, storytelling, song, and other open mic adventures. Ray Sikorski, Features Editor of the Sonoma Sun, serves as emcee for the evening. Beer and wine available. $12 dinner and show, $6 show only. 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma.

Crab Festival Lunch at COPIA, American Center for Wine, Food, and Art on Fridays January 6, 13, 20, 27, and Saturday January 21 in Napa. Director of Culinary Programs Linda Carucci demonstrates how to buy, clean, cook, and pick a fresh crab. Each dish matched with wines. Enjoy crab bisque, Sonoma crab cakes, butter lettuce salad with ruby grapefruit and avocado, Meyer lemon pudding cake. 1-2:30 p.m. $39 general admission, $29 COPIA members. 500 First Street, Napa. Call (888) 512-6742 or (707) 259-1600.

“Carols in the Caves” at Clos Pegase Winery northeast of Calistoga, Saturday and Sunday evenings. David Auerbach plays solos in these unique concerts that turn music and nature into objects of reverence. Clos Pegase is worth the visit just to see Jan and Mitsuko Shrem’s fabulous art collection. 1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga. No food or beverages allowed, except wines sold by winery. For ticket prices call (707) 224-4222 or visit www.cavemusic.net.