Welcome Spring!

Punxsutawney Phil is being vilified.  Well played, Mother Nature.  Very funny.

I refuse to let a little thing like waking up to 14 degrees on the second day of SPRING get me down.

I'll admit I stayed home last night rather than driving to Randolph for the Cattaraugus-Chautauqua 4 Clean Water meeting, because when you're under a lake effect snow warning, it's hard to know where and when those bands of snow will hit. You can suddenly find yourself driving blind in a whiteout.

The snow warning has now been extended into tomorrow, so even though the sun is shining at the moment, we can likely expect to get dumped on again several times over the next 24 hours. That's just the way these things roll.

I do plan to attend this evening's presentation at the Prendergast Library on Fracking: Impacts on Environmental, Health, and Society. I hope to see a good turnout there, because this information is so important for people in our area to have.  We need knowledge on our side to have even a fighting chance of avoiding the devastation our neighbors "south of the border" in Pennsylvania have seen. People must be aware that there are better ways to meet our energy needs, and create jobs!  The event starts at 7 pm, so please plan to be there.

Today is the last day to see  the "Andy Warhol: Acquisitions and Jamestown Nexus" exhibition at the Weeks Gallery at JCC. Hours are from 11 am - 5 pm, and admission is FREE.

Tomorrow and Saturday, the Ironmen will be back on the ice at the JSB Arena (with only two more scheduled home games after this, next weekend).  Currently in second place in their division, the Ironmen are shooting for a first round bye in the playoffs. Support our local hockey team!

Sylvia, a comedy about a street-smart dog, concludes this weekend at JCC's Scharmann Theatre with performances on Friday and Saturday evening and a Sunday matinee.  Tickets are $10 and dog lovers will not want to miss this.

If you like classical music, the Jamestown Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Prendergast will be hosting a Music Salon with guitar soloist James Piorkowski on Sunday at 7pm. Admission is free, although donations to help cover costs are gratefully accepted.

Daytime events: The GROW Jamestown Garden Fair will be held on Saturday downtown at the Renaissance Center from 10 am- 2 pm and will include vendors, workshops, and prizes. Think Spring! It's coming! Admission is free and downtown parking is free on weekends.  

Meanwhile, at the Audubon Center, it's "Eggstravaganza" (learn about all sorts of eggs, birds to insects) from 11 am - 3 pm.  (also Saturday) Cost is $7 ($5 for members).  You might want to take along your snowshoes or skinny skis and enjoy the nature trails while you're there.

It's also Maple Weekend in New York, and the sap is running!  In Chautauqua County, there are three producers that will be holding "open house" for visitors on Saturday and Sunday: Big Tree Maple in Lakewood, Clear Creek Farm in Mayville, and Fairbanks Maple in Forestville. Click on this link for details and directions.

Get out and do something! get your blood moving! We have options here, people!