Another heat wave

We've been roasting here, and it's not even officially summer yet. (I still need to get into the attic and find my summer clothes!)  The extra insulation in the house has been keeping us cool, though, without a/c.  You just have to remember to keep the doors and windows shut when it's hot outside. 


We've almost finished the interior painting.  There's still plenty of other stuff to do, but it appears we're near the point when we can arrange the furniture, organize our storage, and stop bumping into things (displaced bookcases, ladders, paint cans) cluttering up the middle of every room. I'm hopeful for a summer that can be enjoyed -- there's so much to do here when work doesn't get in the way, and it's been too long since I spent an entire afternoon reading for pleasure.


So, bring it on, June!  


The second annual Chautauqua in June series of learning experiences is underway, and the "summer people" are arriving. We've seen them in Wegman's in their bermuda shorts and sunglasses, studying the layout map of the store. While these workshops, classes, and events are, in general, not as costly as the regular Chautauqua season events, it has occurred to me that perhaps there should be a parallel, free or minimal cost series for those who would like to learn how to grow an garden or to make compost, how to cook using fresh ingredients (rather than opening a can and heating the contents), or how to repair a bicycle, but lack the disposable income to partake of these lessons.



Yes, there are some wonderful programs going on in the city. Case in point, the community gardens program offers raised bed garden plots for the season for a small rental fee (6' x 4' for $5 or 12' x 4' for $10). 

That will help a few people anyway.   


Jamestown Renaissance Corp., a partner to the community gardens program, also offers the Block Challenge for homeowners who want to improve the curb appeal of their block by offering matching funds and discounts from local hardware stores and garden centers, as well as design assistance. A neighborhood near us, Royal Avenue, has used this program to not only spruce up appearances, but to foster a sense of community among neighbors. They host an annual street sale that is not to be missed.  This year, the number of applicants for the Block Challenge has doubled. 


The downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, in Foundry Alley next to the Renaissance Center, will be open every Friday from 10 am till 4 pm, bringing farm fresh food to the people who live downtown but don't have cars (a large number of elderly) and everyone else. I've heard complaints from some people about the market being open on a week day and closed by the time they get out of work, and I don't know if this can be addressed.


The Street Jam charity basketball tournament is this weekend. The sponsorship has changed, but this has been a very popular event, bringing in a large number of people from surrounding areas, and the proceeds help provide services for people with disabilities.

Jamestown Community College will be once again hosting the 2012  NJCAA National Golf Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club June 4-8. The 72-hole tournament has qualifiers from over 20 states and 40 colleges.  Tom will be helping out with this one.


The Celoron Rib Fest will be held June 6, 7, 8, and 9 at Lucille Ball Memorial Park. Enjoy the beautiful lake and live music while eating some great barbecue.

Roger Tory Peterson has their annual Birding Fest June 8-9. 

Prendergast Library will be having their 33rd annual Book Sale June 8-9 also.


Merritt Estate Winery in Forestville has the Strawberry Festival June 9-10.


June 15 at 6 pm, an ArtParty at JCC Weeks Gallery marks the opening of Barbara Proud’s exhibition, First Comes Love: Radical Spirits, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Evolution , which we do not want to miss.

 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has their annual Yassou Festival June 15-16, 11 am - 11 pm, all day food and entertainment. Tom and I need to get to this one and see how it compares with the St. Demetrios Greek Festival in Cleveland. (It's a tough act to beat.)


June 15, 16, and 17 is also the weekend of the LakeArts Foundation Film Festival, "Politics Goes to the Movies."

The Jamestown Jammers, our single A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, open their NY/Penn League season on June 18 at 7:05 pm. Their games are always fun for the whole family.


On Saturdays during the summer, the Fenton History Center holds walking tours of the city's historic neighborhoods (members $5, non-members $10).


The 2012 Chautauqua Institution Season runs from June 23 - August 26.



Live music for the whole summer: Popular local band Big Leg Emma is playing a free, all ages show on Saturday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at the Southern Tier Brewing Company.  Riverwalk has free concerts on June 28, July 12 and 26, and August 9 at 7 pm. The 2012 Big City Concert Series on the patio behind Jamestown Arena kicks off on June 22. The Bemus Bay Pops 2012 Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 24. Dunkirk has bands playing every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 at City Pier Park.  


This is in addition to the very vibrant music scene always on display at local clubs.

I really don't want to spend my whole summer doing home improvements.  


I really don't understand the people who complain that this town is lame. 


I guess people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Too busy to update

Spring cleaning and planting have been keeping me very busy. Things that take me out of the house take me away from my computer.  Here are a couple of snapshots in lieu of words.

It's almost planting time

Wow, long time no update.  We just got the construction crew out of our house--which means I'm dusting and mopping and scrubbing, though it might take the rest of the year to get rid of all the drywall dust. And I still can't prime, paint, and start putting things in their proper places until our builder comes back next week to finish up a few details.  I'm getting a little edgy.

Meanwhile, we've been to Boston and back.  We celebrated our awesome little grandson's 4th birthday, and learned all about Super Heroes and Transformers!  The indoctrination sure starts early.

The arrival of grandchild #2 is just a couple months away now, and our petite daughter is looking like she swallowed a basketball.

Tom has sort of un-retired and has started a new part-time position at the college as their Sustainability Project Manager. He rides his bike to work. I don't expect him to be too popular with the faculty and commuter students when he tells them they all drive too much, but so far he's having fun and glad to have a project he can sink his teeth into.

Our Occupy group had its first public appearance at the college's Earthfest--we set up an information table and made some new friends. Then we had our second public appearance--a May Day CommUNITY Celebration in lieu of the "general strike"that most other Occupy groups were having.   We had some of Jamestown's most talented musicians and artists entertaining us throughout the afternoon and evening, vendors from local independent businesses, yummy food by Planet Earth Catering, kids getting their faces painted and dancing around a maypole, hooping and fire hooping, an alternative energy display, the Earth Awareness student group from the college, and lots of great conversations. The weather (unfortunately damp and chilly) kept the attendance down a bit, but we still had a great time. It's amazing what a few creative people can do without spending a whole lot of money. Admission was free, our entertainers volunteered their time and talent, and vendors were not charged a rental fee for their space. It was definitely a success. And we made more new friends. See how this works?

Pictures are at Occupy Jamestown The Blog.