April 2001

deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Special Feature, Quotes, Opinions, Rants, Praises.

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Special Quote "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go." --William Feather

The Artsy Site Of The Month: ShawGuides: Art & Craft Workshops Learn charcoal in Mexico or paint landscapes in Venice, Italy.		Handy Site Of The Month: Innoculate It Personal Edition Anti-virus software that works very well. The site has also a page to explain what a virus is and what it can do.
Web Page Design Site Of The Month: Designer Tips And Tricks From the helpful people at Tucows.		Seasonal Site Of The Month: Earth Day Network It's the little planet we call Home.
Just Fun Site Of The Month: Fat Cat Cafe Fun & Games Try the "Same Game".		Downright Serious Site Of The Month: Juice: The Coming Energy Crisis and the Future of Power Lack of planning on their part has turned into a crisis on our part.
Historical Site Of The Month: Tax History Project. .

Much more than a card shop. Click on the logo to see for yourself!

Think you know it all? Prove it at Frenzi.com. And if you don't know something you can get some answers there.

April Events

For April Travelers

April 1-30, 2001 Blount County Dogwood Arts Festival various venues, Maryville, Tennessee.	Arts and crafts show, softball tournament, Easter bonnet parade, music, food events, plant and bake sales, rummage sale, adult spelling bee, gospel music fest. More information: Call 865-983-2241.
April 5-7, 2001 A Taste of Vail Vail Marriott Mountain Resort, (and other venues), Vail, Colorado.	Basically, food and wine. Many of the dinners require advance reservations. Details: Call 888-311-5665.
April 5-8, 2001 Great Louisiana Bird Fest Northlake Nature Center, Mandeville, Louisiana.	Mostly birding trips and workshops. There are fees and space is limited for most trips. Further information: Call 504-626-1238.
April 6-8, 2001 Boggy Bayou Festival Festival grounds, Filly Avenue off Highway 167, Pine Prairie, Louisiana.	Gospel and cajun music, comedy performances, arts and crafts, carnival, prizes. More: Call 337-599-2031.
April 6-8, 2001 Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, Maryland.	500 artisans present their works in wood, leather, glass, jewelry, photography, clothing and more. Music and foods such as Turkey legs and funnel cakes complete the picture. There will also be gourmet food vendors with items such as sauces, shortbread cookies, apple butter and flavored oils. There is an admission charge. Additional information: Call 800-210-9900.
April 6-8, 2001 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia.	Hot air balloons, canine frisbee, artist market, children's village, music, eco-village, food and drinks. Details: Call 404-329-0501.
April 6-8, 2001 Arts In The Park Highland Park, Meridian, Mississippi.	Arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, children's activities, food court. Visit the Carousel House while you are there. More information: Call 601-693-2787. NOTE: I want to give a personal "plug" to a favorite restaurant in Meridian. If you enjoy plenty of Southern cuisine and then want some really tasty Mediterranean treats, visit Latitudes at 1900 Front Street (across from the Depot). You can call 601-485-0507 to get their current hours. They serve gyros, stuffed baked potatoes, hummus, fresh salads, both simple and rich pasta dishes, and they bake their own wonderful cheesecakes. If you need special dietary adjustments, ask, and they will do their best to accommodate you. The restaurant is bright and airy and has plenty of room for wheelchair diners. Tell Marilyn and Mary-Ellen that Deb and Ron Thompson (of the Battles clan) sent you!
April 6-22, 2001 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival various venues, Mount Vernon, Washington.	Art, quilt show, library book sale, handbell and choral concerts, farm and floral parade, Tulip Pedal Bike Ride, Kiwanis salmon barbecue, symphony performances, Tour de Fleur, basketball tournament, volleyball tournament, large flea market. Further Details: Call 360-428-5959.
April 6-29, 2001 Dogwood Arts Festival Market Square downtown, Knoxville, Tennessee.	Bus tours of dogwood trails (first-come, first-serve), cultural exhibits, theatre and music, arts and crafts, antiques, Camp KIDFEST in Chilhowee Park (April 28-29), Dogwood Grand Prix, night parade, food. Additional information: Call 865-637-4561.
April 7-8, 2001 California Poppy Festival Lancaster City Park on 10th Street, Lancaster, California.	Farmers market, children's carnival, helicopter rides, arts and crafts, poppy information, entertainment. There are parking and admission fees. More: Call 661-723-6077. NOTE: The real show, if there is one, will be going on in the Antelope Valley's State Poppy Reserve, in the area of Highway 138, at 15101 Lancaster Road. Some years the poppies have not put on a great display; other years are spectacular. There are quite a few trails (some have good wheelchair access) and places to picnic. (check with the park rangers before you decide to plop down amidst the poppies. California has poisonous snakes) The park station is only open in the spring, as far as I know. Call 805-724-1180 for more information. There is a small entrance fee.
April 7-8, 2001 Good Old Days Celebration (unsure of venue) Pacific Grove, California.	Parade, arts and crafts, pie eating contest, bubble blowing conest, competition of local police officers and fire fighters, fashion show, music, more. More information: Call 831-373-3304.
April 7-8, 2001 Big Hat Days Old Town, Clovis, California.	Arts and crafts, children's carnival rides, boat and car show, food, entertainment. More Details: Call 559-299-7363.
April 7-8, 2001 Picayune Spring Street Festival Downtown area, Picayune, Mississippi.	Over 250 craft vendors, with entertainment and food. Additional information: Call 601-799-3070.
April 18-22, 2001 Scottsdale Culinary Festival (unsure of venue), Scottsdale, Arizona.	Dinners, chef challenge, music and more. More: Call 480-945-7193.
April 19-21, 2001 Hillbilly Days City Park, Pikeville, Kentucky.	This event benefits the Lexington Shriner Children's Hospital. Parade, music, arts and crafts draw more than 100,000 people each year. This area is the territory of the legendary feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Additional Details: Call 800-844-7453.
April 19-22, 2001 Dogwood-Azalea Festival various venues Charleston, Missouri.	Parade, candlelight tour of trails, fried fish dinner sales, art show, ice cream social, carriage rides, home and garden tours, quilt show, garden club plant sale, Kiwanis Club dog show, music and other entertainment. Some events charge admission. More information: Call 573-683-6509.
April 20-21, 2001 French Quarter Festival Vieux Carre & Woldenberg Riverfront Park, New Orleans, Louisiana.	Parade, 13 stages of music, "world's largest brunch" with over 50 booths of food and beverages. More: Call 800-673-5725 or 504-522-5730.
April 20-22, 2001 World Grits Festival (unsure of venue), St. George, South Carolina.	Square dancing, grits eating contest, softball tournament, music, arts and crafts. Details: Call 843-563-4366.
April 20-22, 2001 Puyallup Spring Fair Puyallup Fairgrounds, 110 9th Avenue SW, Puyallup, Washington.	Science fair, high diving show, children's activities, animal shows, western art show, rides, space and environmental exhibits, food. Parking is free but there is an admission charge. Additional Information: Call 253-841-5045.
April 20-May 20, 2001 Virginia Arts Festival Chrysler Hall (and other venues), Norfolk, Virginia.	Events are in various cities and have different ticket prices. Artists appearing this year include violinist Midori, vocalist Petula Clark, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Garrison Keillor. Ticket Information: Call 757-282-2800 .
April 21-22, 2001 Bloomin Festival St. Bernard Prep School, Cullman, Alabama.	This juried arts festival is held adjacent to the Ave Maria Grotto (replicas of shrines and churches, built in miniature scale). In addition to 150 arts booths, there will be activities for children, a Ford Ranger giveaway, music and food. There is an admission charge. Further Information: Call 800-722-0999.
April 21-22, 2001 "Bunka Sai" Japanese Cultural Festival Torrace Recreation Center, Torrance, California.	Martial arts, music, dance, art and food with a Japanese touch. More: Call 310-618-2947.
April 21-22, 2001 Orange Blossom Festival Historic Downtown, Riverside, California.	Arts and crafts, carnival, fireworks, technological exhibits, children's area, entertainment, parade, Fiesta Grove with Hispanic emphasis and music, Citrus Grove with oranges and other citrus (and tips for growing your own),the Grove of Distinction with celebrity chefs and ice carving. There is no admission fee, but is a fee for parking. Valet parking is available for an additional fee. Further Details: Call 909-715-3400.
April 21-22, 2001 Cherry Blossom Festival Memorial Park, De Anza College, Cupertino, California.	Cupertino celebrates ties with its Sister City in Japan, Toyokawa. There are cultural displays and demonstrations focusing on many art forms such as ikebana, bonsai, shodo, origami, doll-making and Japanese embroidery. There are crafts for sale, Taiko and other music, martial arts demonstrations and plenty of food. More: Call 408-257-7424.
April 21-22, 2001 Scandinavian Festival California Lutheran University, 60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, California.	Historical and cultural presentations, smorgasboard (requires reservations) and other foods, music, dance, art exhibit, display of miniature Norwegian village, Viking encampment, royal court, marketplace. There is an admission charge, but parking is free. Additional Information: Call 805-493-3151.
April 21-22, 2001 Annual Hood River Valley Blossom Festival various venues (more than 40!), Hood River, Oregon.	The best way to enjoy this event is with a map from the Chamber at 405 Portway Avenue. There are dinners, arts and crafts events and more. More Information: Call 800-366-3530.
April 21-May 6, 2001 Kentucky Derby Festival various venues, Louisville, Kentucky.	Some 70 separate events make up this celebration. There are concerts, pasta dinners, the multimedia presentation and fireworks of Thunder Over Louisville (preceded by an air show), fashion shows, Taste of Derby and much more. Some events require advance tickets and have an admission charge. Details: Call 502-584-6383.
April 22, 2001 Avocado Festival Downtown area, Fallbrook, California.	Guacamole Grande bike rides, Avocado 500 race, antique aircraft show, children's pageant, cooking competitions, avocados and other produce sold by pound, avocado pit spitting, avocado croquet, entertainment, crafts sales, food to munch on-site.. Further information: Call 760-728-5845.
April 26-May 7, 2001 Apple Blossom Festival various venues, Wenatchee, Washington.	Square dance, golf tournament, royal court, parade, Kiwanis pancake breakfast, car show, entertainment, food. More: Call 509-662-3616 FAX 509-665-0347.
April 26-28, 2001 New Beginning Festival Downtown area, Coffeyville, Kansas.	Arts and crafts, kites, horseshoe pitching, science fair, talent show, carnival, concessions, more. Additional Details: Call 620-251-2550.
April 26-28, 2001 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow University of New Mexico Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico.	Education, displays, arts and crafts, entertainment. More information: Call 505-836-2110.
April 26-28, 2001 Flywheel Spring Festival Joe Brigance Park, Houston, Mississippi.	Arts and crafts, quilt show, antique engines, entertainment and food. Further Details: Call 662-456-2321.
April 26-29, 2001 Vidalia Onion Festival (unsure of venue), Vidalia, Georgia.	Fireworks, street dance, air show, arts and crafts, entertainment. More: Call 912-538-3157.
April 27-28, 2001 Lynch Street Heritage Festival Lynch Street, Jackson, Mississippi.	Talent show, arts and crafts, music. Further Details: Call 601-352-6993.
April 27-29, 2001 Springfest various venues, Heber Springs, Arkansas.	Pet parade, arts and crafts booths, Jubilee Jazz, Warehouse sale, 200 mile road rally. Additional Information: Call 800-77-3237.
April 27-29, 2001 South Carolina Festival of Roses Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg, South Carolina.	Road race, golf and horseshoe tournaments, beauty pageant, antique car show. Details: Call 803-534-6821.
April 27-29, 2001 Stockton Asparagus Festival Oak Grove Regional Park, Eight Mile Road and I-5, Stockton, California.	Car show, Spear-It Run, petting zoo, entertainment (including Sha-Na-Na), arts and crafts, and foods such as deep fried asparagus, asparagus nachos. There are admission and parking fees. More Information: Call 800-350-1987.
April 27-29, 2001 Strawberry Festival Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 South Thornburg, Santa Maria, California.	Carnival, pie eating contest, berry tasting, music, rodeo. There are admission and parking fees. More: Call 805-925-8824.
April 27-29, 2001 Fisherman's Festival Boothbay Harbor, Harbor, Maine.	Blessing of the fleet, lobster trap hauling competition, library book sale, fish relay race, arts and crafts, pancake breakfast. Further Details: Call 207-633-2353.
April 28-29, 2001 Apple Blossom Festival (unsure of venue), Sebastopol, California.	Arts and crafts, parade, children's activities, entertainment, food and wine. More: Call 707-823-3032.
April 28-29, 2001 Main Street Festival Downtown, Franklin, Tennessee.	Over 200 craftspeople show their wares, and you can enjoy music, a children's carnival and food. Up to 150,000 visitors attend. Further Details: Call 615-791-9924.
April 28-29, 2001 National Cornbread Festival Downtown area, South Pittsburg, Tennessee.	Carnival, street dance, trolley rides, golf, tournament, pancake breakfast. (If you attend this one you might meet our favorite Tennessee artist, Joan Garnand. She plans to be there doing face painting.) More Information: Call 423-837-0022.
April 28-29, 2001 Upland Lemon Festival Ninth Street & Second Avenue, Upland, California.	Arts and crafts, fireworks, scavenger hunt, carnival, beer and wine garden, music, food. Admission is free, but some activities have a fee. More: Call 909-949-4499.
April 28-29, 2001 Daffodil Festival Hubbard Park, Meriden, Connecticut.	Over 60 varieties of daffodils are planted in the hundreds of thousands for this festival. Enjoy arts and crafts, fireworks, parade, music, plenty of food, clowns, an ice carver, 5k road race. Further Information: Call 203-630-4259.
April 29-May 6, 2001 Blossomtime Festival various venues, Benton Harbor, Michigan.	Parade, royal court, fashion show, more. More: Call 616-926-7397.
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information.

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We're pleased to host the work of artisan Joan Garnand on our little patch of light on the web. Joan's creations are finally finding their way out of her Tennessee community and into the hearts of admirers everywhere. Check out Joan's zucchini/squash casserole recipe. This busy lady also began her TV stint this past spring, and is sharing her cake decorating and candy-making skills on a local Chattanooga station. She is spending this spring doing face painting and hand-painted stationery at Tennessee festivals.
This time of year everyone who gardens is choosing planning to cultivate old favorites or add some new varieties to their yard or garden plot. Before you run out and load that nursery wagon, type in the name of a plant and choose your U.S. region from the Ohio State University PlantFacts. I tried several searches and got some precise information from different sources such as universities and coop extensions.
America is a place where we can laugh at our politicians and still respect the office which they hold. Vice President Cheney thus far has not been nearly as entertaining as another Vice President who served with another member of the Bush family in the White House. Look back and enjoy All the Quayle Quotes, More or Less		We are not laughing at our energy bills lately, are we? Now and then a utility company or government agency advertises a rebate on energy efficient appliances. Check out the possibilities and read the news on the EPA's Energy Star Consumers page. (Yes, I do live in California, but mark my words: We are all going to be paying more for energy soon.)
The Museum of Neon Art now has an online gallery.		It's nice to visit people in hospitals or nursing homes, but have you ever thought about taking a pet to visit? The Delta Society's Therapy Animals page has more information on how you can share your pet with lonely or ill people in institutions.
This is a great idea for people who work in wilderness conditions, for week-long hikers/campers, rescue workers, or just people who want a back-up source of power for their cell phone. For about a hundred dollars you can get a charger that you step on. For about sixty dollars you you can get a hand-squeezed version. You can see them at Aladdinpower.

Find great restaurant reviews and more at DINE.com

Registration for Learn.com is quick and free! You can also write your own courses and if your course is chosen to be published for public viewing, you can earn too. Learn to write a better resume. Improve your English grammar skills. Learn to maintain a sewing machine. Get tips on day trading.		Rubber stamp collectors! Did you send for yours yet? Anne-Made Designs has a 258-page catalog. To get yours, you'll need a check for $8.50. (if you are new to stamping, I should tell you it's a common practice to pay for catalogs) This will get you a full catalog and supplements, plus first-timers get a 3-by-5 card of assorted unmounted stamps to enjoy (Anne's choice).
Pink sweater or blue? Now you can afford both!		Send your $8.50 to: Anne-Made Designs Anne Olney PO Box 697-D Erwin TN 37650 You can tell Anne I sent you, but she'll give you prompt, professional service anyway--it's just her style.

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Deb's Monthly Review is copyrighted! Do be a dear and ask before you lift whole portions of the Special Review or something. Remember! Those of us who publish on the web are not saying our work is in the public domain. When in doubt about your use of someone else's writings or graphics, ask! If you want to use graphics or text on a commercial page, contact me first, please, and we'll work something out.

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