An exhibition of Breguet timepieces opens June 25 at the Louvre museum in Paris and will be on view through Sept. 7. On display will be an extraordinary variety of watches by famed Paris horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), considered the father of modern watchmaking, who developed many techniques still used today. His work predated wristwatches, being in the era of pocket watches and clocks. Watches made under his name are still being manufactured in Switzerland.

The display includes items from the Louvre's collection, the Breguet Museum, and from private collections and institutions, alongside portraits, archival documents and patents that span his career. Information: www.louvre.fr.

CALIFORNIA VINEYARDS

SHOWCASE WEEKEND EVERY FALL IN SONOMA WINE COUNTRY

Tickets are on sale now for the three-day Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Sept. 4-6, an annual fundraising event that incorporates dinners, tastings, a wine auction and the once-a-year gathering of 200 wineries and chefs at the Showcase at the MacMurray Ranch vineyard in Healdsburg. Both individual tickets and weekend packages are available (at www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com): winemaker lunches and dinners, $75-$175; Showcase, $150-$195; wine auction, $500; weekend packages for two from $600 to $4,500. Local hotels and inns offer special rates, too. The 30-year-old event has raised more than $8 million for charities.

GETTING BACK INTO U.S.

VIDEO BRIEFING ON CROSSING BORDER

If you'll be crossing a land border between the U.S. and Mexico or Canada anytime soon, check out a helpful Web site and video from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.GetYouHome.gov. New regulations require stricter ID controls at the Mexican and Canadian borders with the U.S. Many newer travel documents such as passports, enhanced driver's licenses and NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards have been embedded with radio frequency identification technology.

TRAVELIN' WOMAN

Advertiser assistant features editor Wanda Adams heads for Venice today and will blog about food and travel once she gets over her jet lag (she doesn't actually arrive until Tuesday). Look for her blogs at www.honoluluadvertiser.com. For pre-travel tips, go to her personal Web site www.waa-itslikethiscat.blogspot.com/.