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Cathy Walton-Smith: Start watching for first signs of spring

Cathy Walton-SmithView from the LakeGrand Lake, Colorado

As we skate through the second month of the year, I just noticed that February is a perfect square on this years calendar. That would be exactly four weeks Sunday through Saturday, 28 days. I wonder how often that happens? Then, of course, March has the same dates on the same days as February. Im pretty sure its that way every year, except Leap Year.Daylight Saving Time starts in just two weeks (March 8), and the first day of Spring is in four weeks. There is no doubt winter will be with us for many more weeks (April showers bring May blizzards). But, the season for first signs of Spring spottings is about to begin robins and camp robbers will most likely be the first. Report those sightings to me by e-mail to waltonsmith@rkymtnhi.com.No amount of winter weather can ever keep us from having fun in Grand Lake. The February Womens Club meeting will be at the Columbine Club House at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.It is a social meeting, so bring your spouse or a guest.The theme is Wine and Chocolate, with wine and coffee provided. Please bring chocolate to share.If you have questions or need directions, call Muriel Johnson at (970) 627-0874.It is so exciting to see the response to “Audio & Visual Enlightenment” (AVE) weekly events at the Circle H on Hwy 34.This Thursday will be the music of Lynnea Godfriaux, Brad Pregeant and Pat Brower with visual artists Lenny and Gail Brooks of Grand Lake, featuring fine photography, pottery and jewelry. Admission is $5-adults and $2-students. This is fast becoming a venue for artists and entertainers to show each other support.The Grand Arts Council presents Wes Mix and the West End Jazz Band as the Concert in the Pines at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Grand Lake Community House. Tickets are $10 with wine available for purchase. This is New Orleans jazz at its best featuring Wes and four other guys with trombone, trumpet, banjo and tuba. Here are a few sound bites from Wes: I am born, raised, and adopted by New Orleans jazz musicians … When I was turning pro at 14 … Played with all the N.O. greats still living at the time (1960-2006) … Formed Best of New Orleans Talent Agency in 1983 … booking local musicians … Everything from traditional N.O. jazz to R&B, to rock … I play sevent instruments/voice … Major is trumpet … In fact … I play all the instruments I am bringing others to play … Four years as lead trumpet/vocalist with Queen City Jazz Band (1975-1979) … The halcyon years of that band … Im thinking we shouldnt miss this one!The Grand Lake Fire Department is holding a CPR class on Thursday, March 5, from 8 a.m. to noon. If you live in the Fire District, this class is free.If you live outside the District, the cost is $25 perperson. Please e-mail Mindy Everhart to register by Thursday, Feb. 26, at meverhart@grandlakefire.org. Call (970) 627-8428 with any questions.The 2009 Grand Lake Vacation Planner has arrived. The Chamber is distributing batches of 50 planners at a time to chamber members interested in giving them out.The planner will be on the Web site at http://www.grandlakechamber.com.Mountain Family Food Bank is in dire need of the following food items: mac & cheese, soups, Tuna/Hamburger Helper, rice, spaghetti, ramen noodles, and peanut butter. Please drop off your donation at the Grand Lake Art Gallery. Patty Alander, local artist, has donated a beautiful piece of porcelian pottery valued at $120 to be given away at the end of March.To enter, bring two food items to The Grand Lake Art Gallery and fill out the entry form. For more on the food drive, check out this blog http://www.artoutofthinair.blogspot.com. Grand Lake is sponsoring a Colorado Association of Ski Towns challenge, along with 25 other towns in Colorado, to see which town can increase the use of reusable bags the most in a six-month period, beginning in May. Judged on a per capita basis, our chance to win is as good as anyones. Reusable bags are available at cost of $1.30/bag, for all merchants. The bags are black with a white Grand Lake logo imprint. All retailers will keep track of the number of times any of the bags are used (May to October 2009). Retailers will also be selling bags at cost during that period. Our grocery stores and many other retailers have already joined in. To participate contact Lenny Brooks, CASTChallenge co-ordinator at gallery@brooksphotography.com.The Brooks Gallery is looking for artists to form an artisans co-opoerative in Grand Lake featuring unique, local, original, handmade art or crafts. The venue will give artists an affordable place to show and sell their art in a gallery setting and to have the gallery manned by the artists whenever open. There will also be a consignment program.For details e-mail gallery@brooksphotography.com, or call (970) 627-8347.And you thought there was nothing to do!


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