Deb's Monthly Review

March 2008

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Special Quotation "Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." --John Barrymore

To parents, teachers, and other guardians of children: The Review is a place where adults or kids should be able to stop by and browse comfortably. But, remember - I have no control over outside links. For happiest results, please surf the Web with your kids!

Important Message Just For Kids: If someone (even someone you love) has touched you in a way that didn't seem right or made you feel bad, you can talk about it with someone. There are really nice people at this number who will listen and let you talk about what you might want to do next to stay safe.

Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and push 1 to talk to someone. Nobody has the right to hurt you and then tell you not to tell. It's important to talk about it. Tell someone!

	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Windham Textile & History Museum Threads, wooden spools and why bullfrogs are huge in Willimantic		Handy Site Of The Month: Wikipedia: List of colors Purple taupe, Army green and Zinnwaldite
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Video: Make a rose from a paper towel Impress someone near you.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Coastal research, monitoring and more

 March 2008 Festivals and Events

Books to help you make more money for travel fun or make the most of the money you already have! Making Your Money Count Buy It, Sell It, Make Money The Naked Truth About Your Money Gold: The Once and Future Money Your Money After the Big 5-0 Show Me the Money Make Your Money Make Money For You

Scroll down for March Festivals and other events for travelers in the U.S.

March 1, 2008 Blossom Days Festival 7th & N Streets, Sanger, California	This area boasts orchards that burst with almond, apple, nectarine and peach blossoms this time of year. Come and celebrate with a bike ride, entertainment, activities for kids, food booths, arts and crafts and the Annual Blossom Trail 10K Run (along with several shorter runs/walks). Further Information: Call 559-875-4575
March 1-2, 2008 Floral City Strawberry Festival Floral Park on US Hwy. 41, Floral City, Florida	Historic home tours, more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, pageants, car shows, activities for kids, festival foods, plenty of strawberries for sale by the flat, plus chocolate-covered strawberries and other treats. Get Details: Call 352-726-2801 or 352-795-3149
March 1-2, 2008 Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire Interstate Fairgrounds, Pensacola, Florida	Medieval foods, games, crafts, plenty of jousting and play swordfighting, drawings for prizes. Period weapons must be peace-tied. There will be medieval-style merchants and entertainers such as fire-breathers. You are invited to come in period costume if you like, but please leave pets safely at home and please refrain from bringing in outside food or beverages. Find Out More: Call 877-429-8462 or 850-470-8420
March 5-9, 2008 Festival of Flowers Providence Hospital campus, Mobile, Alabama	Photo contest, Designer Tablescapes, Floral Design Showcase, Everything But Flowers (landscape and gardening equipment) exhibit, Garden Cafe, amateur horticultural exxhibit, World of Flowers landscaped gardens, activities for kids, artworks, seminars. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Get The Facts: Call 251-639-2050 or 877-777-0529
March 6-9, 2008 Oysterfest Navigation Park, Fulton, Texas	Vendors, entertainment, carnival games and rides, oyster eating contest, oyster shucking contest, arts and crafts. If you don't eat oysters there will still be plenty of other festival foods for you to indulge in. It's the event's 29th year of fun. Questions? Call 361-729-5533
	Help me to help you! If you sign up for the Notify List and you have spam filters, remember to put deb@lightpatch.com on your list of approved email addresses.
March 7-8, 2008 Camden Daffodil Festival various venues, Camden, Arkansas	Plans for this 15th year include historic home tours, daffodil garden tours, Confederate Cemetery Walk, art show & sale, antiques, quilt show, Civil War Reenactors, 5K run/walk, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at the Camden Fairview Middle School, Steak Cook-off, rock climbing competition, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations, coffee & cookies at the United First Methodist Church (and info on the festival will be available there also). The fun runs from 9am-6pm. Some events/tours may require separate ticketing and/or reservations. Further Information: Call 870-836-0023
March 7-9, 2008 Ostrich Festival Tumbleweed Park, Chandler, Arizona	5K run/walk, Ostrich Festival Parade on Sat. at 10am, musical entertainment, Ostrich Alley with feather products and foods, live ostriches and emus on display, activities for kids and more. Additional Details: Call 480-963-4571
March 7-9, 2008 Rattlesnake Roundup Evans County Wildlife Club Facility, Claxton, Georgia	Rattlesnake Run, rattlesnake and wildlife information, pageant, music, food vendors, arts and crafts, activities for kids, festival merchandise, parade at 10am on Sat., turkey calling contest. Learn More: Call 912-739-3820
March 7-9, 2008 Forsythia Festival Courthouse Square, Forsyth, Georgia	Chili cooking contest, pancake breakfast Sat. from 7-10am at the United Methodist Church, 5K run, community and non-profit booths, arts and crafts, classic cars, horseshoe tournament, entertainment, activities for kids, street dance, golf tournament, artist demonstrations. Information: Call 478-994-9239
March 8, 2008 Redbud Festival Buna School on Hwy. 62, Buna, Texas	Pageant, games and rides, parade on Main Street at 10am, entertainment, activities for kids, vendors, arts and crafts booths, festival foods. There is no admission charge. Further Details: Call 409-994-5586
Thanks for using these merchants' products and services Your purchases help make the next issue free to read
March 14-15, 2008 (Note: Corrected dates!) Chatanika Days Chatanika Lodge, Chatanika, Alaska	Revisit the history of the gold mining days with wacky outhouse races, a snowmobile tug-of-war and other snow-centric events. Learn More: Call 907-389-2154
March 8-9, 2008 Irish Fair & Music Festival Fairplex, Pomona, California	For a 6th year you can enjoy storytelling, Irish clan gatherings, Irish sporting competitions and games, sheepherding demonstrations, genealogical information, Irish dog demonstrations, Irish music and dance, an appearance by an Irish elephant and plenty of food (including corned beef sandwiches, corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew). The fun goes from 10am-6pm both days. Tickets: Call 310-537-4240
March 8-9, 2008 Almond Blossom Festival George Lane Park, Quartz Hill, California	Parade at 10am on Saturday, games and rides, pancake breakfast in the community room, arts and crafts, raffle, festival foods. Hours are 9am-5pm for this 59th year. Find Out More: Call 661-722-4811
March 8-9, 2008 Hebron Maple Festival various venues, Hebron, Connecticut	Greyhound adoption info, face painting, silent auction, gymnastics demos, woodworking demos, brownies sale, art activities for kids, drawings for prize baskets, pancake breakfasts, bounce houses, dog sled competition, self-guided tours of the sugar houses, ice cream eating contest, bake sale, blacksmith demonstrations, rescue/search dog demos, maple cotton candy and other maple treats, festival merchandise, arts and crafts, sales of Girl Scouts Cookies, library book sale, quilt appraisals and exhibition, exhibit on climate changes, sight screening, birds of prey exhibit. It's the festival's 18th year. Questions? Call 860-228-93117
March 8-9 & 15-16, 2008 Highland Maple Festival various venues, Monterey (and McDowell), Virginia	More than 50,000 people attended last year, so take a turn through this event and enjoy maple syrup making demonstrations and exhibits, music and other entertainment, pancake breakfasts with tasty maple syrup, sugar camp tours, arts and crafts, dinners, maple doughnuts and other maple treats for sale. There is an admission charge. Learn More: Call 540-468-2550
March 10-16, 2008 Nederland Heritage Festival Boston Avenue at 17th, Nederland, Texas	Characters in the park, zoo dynamics display, pool tournament, motorcyle show, arts and crafts, blood drive, treasure hunt, art and photography shows, carnival, pageants, washer tournament, parade at 10am on Satruday, Cuisine Walk, golf tournament, collectibles. Get The Facts: Call 409-724-2269
March 13-15, 2008 Ocean Arts Festival Banyan Tree Park (and Campbell Park), Lahaina, Hawaii	There is no admission charge to this festival. Enjoy ocean-themed art, Creature Feature touch pool exhibit, whale photo displays, Kids Ocean Art Contest, hula demonstrations, marine biologist presentations and more. Additional Details: Call 808-667-9193
Thanks for using these merchants' products and services Your purchases using these links help make issues free to read
March 13-16, 2008 Catfish Festival Downtown, Washington, Louisiana	Enjoy this 9th year with arts and crafts, Cajun (and other) food booths, pageant, games and rides, activities for kids, catfish cooking contest, Cajun and Zydeco music. Info: Call 337-319-1635
March 14-16, 2008 Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival Downtown streets, Fairhope, Alabama	In its 56th year the festival will feature more than 245 arts and crafts vendors, festival foods, entertainment, model train show (Sat-Sun at the Kindergarten Center in Fairhope at 100 S. Church St.), festival merchandise, art activities for kids. There is no admission charge. Shuttles are available at nearby shopping centers. Learn More: Call 251-621-8222
March 14-16, 2008 Jonquil Festival Washington Historic State Park, Washington, Arkansas	Arts and crafts, festival foods, entertainment and thousands of yellow jonquils in bloom. Outside activities are free but there is a charge to tour buildings in the park. Hours are 9am-5pm. Get The Facts: Call 870-983-2684
March 14-16, 2008 Amite Oyster Festival Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds, Amite, Louisiana	Lions Club Brunch, oyster eating contest, arts and crafts, chili cookoff, parade, music and dancing, carnival, Scavenger Hunt at Spitale's Restaurant (preceeding the festival). Some activities may require separate ticketing and/or reservations. Questions? Call 985-746-7156
March 14-16, 2008 Rabbit Festival Lawrence Toups Jr. Memorial Park, Iowa, Louisiana	Petting zoo, motorcycle rally, arts and crafts, festival foods, pageant, parade on Sat. at 10am, rabbit cooking competition, carnival, Cajun and other music. There is an admission charge for those age 7 and older. Festival hours are 5pm-midnight on Friday, 10am-12am Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday. It's the festival's 23rd. Details: Call 337-582-3044 or 800-456-7952
March 14-16, 2008 Creole Festival City Park on Tarleton St., Jeanerette, Louisiana	Cajun food, rides and games, cabbage ball tournament, music, fais dodo, arts and crafts. Get The Facts: Call 337-276-3615 or 888-9-IBERIA
March 14-16, 2008 St. Patrick's Day Celebration various venues, Shamrock, Texas	The festival celebrates its 62nd year with rodeo events, a pageant, Donegal Beard Growing Contest, classic cars (and other vehicles), banquet, parade, arts and crafts, Irish stew and other festival foods. Learn More: Call 806-256-2501
March 14-16 2008 Irish Spring Festival Community Building, Ireland, West Virginia	This 27th year the festival celebrates all things Irish with a Greenery Stroll (parade), car show, Irish road bowling, snake chase, Irish jig and Irish harp workshops, arts and crafts, games and plenty of festival foods. Info: Call 304-452-8962
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
March 15, 2008 Egg Celebration City Hall, West Covina, California	Entertainment, arts and crafts, egg hunts for kids by age group (bring your own basket!). You can also enjoy photos with the Easter Bunny, craft activities for kids, vendors, food booths and a pancake breakfast from 8-11am. (For Four dollars you get pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice or coffee.) Get Details: Call 626-939-6430
March 15, 2008 Azalea Festival Courthouse Square, Jasper, Texas	From 9am-4pm enjoy games for the kids, arts and crafts, car show, entertainment, food and the Annual Azalea Trail tour of blooms. Hours are 9am-4pm. Find Out More: Call 409-384-2762 or 409-384-4651
March 15-16, 2008 Dandelion Days Downtown, Jackson, California	Held from 8am-5pm, the festival celebrates its 36th year with street entertainers, Bunsen to Beaker Dandelion Days 5K Fun Run, antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts and lots of food. Get The Facts: Call 209-223-1706
March 15-16, 2008 St. Patrick's Day Festival Civic Center, Dublin, California	Sand art, pancake breakfast 7-10am on Sat. at Fire Station No. 16 on Donohue Drive, arts and crafts, music and dance, parade Sat. at 9:30am, roaming entertainers, stories, 5K Fun Run/Walk, Green & White Gala, carnival games and rides. If you get hungry you can partake of such treats as Teriyaki bowls, burritos, lumpia, Irish bangers, mango on a stick, baklava and Shamrock Shakes. Additional Information: Call 925-556-4500
March 15-16, 2008 Valdosta-Lowndes Azalea Festival Drexel Park, Valdosta, Georgia	Century Bike Ride, arts and crafts, azalea displays, Kid Zone, 5K road race/1-mile walk/run, storytelling, festival foods, folk fair. There is no admission charge to this festival, which drew more than 35,000 people last year. Questions? Call 229-333-1861 or 229-259-3500
March 15-16, 2008 Potomac Highlands Maplefest New Creek Elementary School on Route 972, New Creek, West Virginia	Maple syrup making, buckwheat pancakes and sausage breakfast (with maple syrup, of course), music, arts and crafts and more. The fun goes from 9am-4pm. Further Details: Call 304-788-1831
March 15-16, 2008 West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival Main Street, Pickens, West Virginia	Art and photo show, artist demonstrations, puppet show, dances, crafts, festival foods, quilt show and sale, tours of a maple syrup camp, 5K run/1-mile fun run, pancakes and maple syrup available all day, maple syrup products for sale, activities for kids, camera club exhibit, muzzle loading contest, festival merchandise, basket sale, music, antiques, soapmaking demonstrations. Info: Call 304-924-6288
March 16, 2008 Calle Ocho Festival Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida	Between 4th and 27th Avenue the area known as Little Havana celebrates with Latin music and dance, costumed entertainers, activities for kids, food and more. The event is also called Carnaval Miami and is basically a big block party that takes up more like 23 blocks! More: Call 305-644-8888
March 21-22, 2008 Fire Ant Festival Heritage Park, Ashburn, Georgia	Art show, fly-in, pageant, giant fire ant maze Fire Ant 5K Run, lip sync contest, car show, entertainment, carnival (opens Wed. before festival), arts and crafts, Fire Ant Calling Contest, food vendors, strawberry cooking contest, Fire Ant Fling. It's the festival's 13th year of fun. Get Details: Call 229-567-9696
March 27-April 6, 2008 Chasco Fiesta various venues, New Port Richey, Florida	Coronation ball, boat parade on April 5, kayak races, golf tournament, BBQ, 5k & 10K runs, parade on Mar. 29, Lions Club breakfast 8am-noon Mar. 29-30 & Apr. 5-6, blood drive, musical concerts, flea market, Native American arts & crafts, Noche Latina, softball tournament, Children's Village, Dancing Under the Stars, talent search, half-marathon, 25K (plus 50K & 100K) bike tours and a vehicle show. Further Information: Call 727-842-7651 or 877-4CHASCO
March 28-April 6, 2008 International Cherry Blossom Festival Central City Park and other downtown venues, Macon, Georgia	Celebrate this 26th year with Picnic & Pops, Paws for a Cause, lantern tours of Ocmulgee National Monument, festival merchandise, international food fair, Cherry Blossom Gala Ball, more than 100 motorcycles on display, children's parade, pet fashion show, Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, pink pancakes, cherry market, Dixie Disco Dog Championships, more than 200 arts and crafts booths, Balloon Fest & Air Show, lawnmower races, Tigers of Bengal family show, candy sculpting, patriotic concert and fireworks, Gospel music, Motown music, show decorating contest, Apron decorating contest, organ & brass concert, Kaleidoscope of Cultures, lantern lighting ceremony, Pink in the Park, Southern Lunch, Twins Day, fashion show and luncheon, Cherry Blossom 15K and 5K Run, home tours, children's sidewalk chalk art, ice cream eating contest for kids age 12 and younger, Grandparents Day in the Park, free cherries and ice cream at The Third Street Festivities (may be only select days), Mustang and Ford show and more. Learn More: Call 478-751-7429
March 28-29, 2008 Liberty Jubilee On the Square, LIberty, Texas	Antiques, clowns, activities for kids, children's parade, entertainment on 3 stages, Liberty book sale, parade, BBQ Cookoff, arts and crafts, bake sale, old-fashioned crafts demonstrated, fireworks, food. Get The Facts: Call 936-336-3654
March 29, 2008 German Sausage Festival Town Park, Elberta, Alabama	Rides and games for the kids, German foods such as sausages and sauerkraut, arts and crafts vendors, polka and other German music and dancing. The festival runs from 8am-5pm but the sausages often sell out by mid-afternoon! Find Out Details: Call 251-986-5805
March 29-30, 2008 Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, Georgia	It's the 27th year for this one. Enjoy entertainment on 3 stages, festival merchandise, activities for kids, sports tournaments, arts and crafts, food (including cherry pie), non-profit displays and more. Festival hours are 10am-5pm. Further Information: Call 770-929-4270
	If you enjoy this issue, please tell a friend about it!
March 29-30, 2008 Wild Hog Festival City Park, Sabinal, Texas	Now in its 17th year, the festival offers fun such as musical entertainment, BBQ, helicopter rides, arts and crafts, games and rides, wild hog catching, 3-on-3 basketball, quilt raffle, charity auction and lots of festival foods including Creole battered chicken, fajitas, nachos, hotdogs, cinnamon roasted nuts and fruit smoothies. Get The Facts: Call 830-988-2709 (3-9pm CST)
March 29-30 and April 2-6, 2008 Pennsylvania Maple Festival various venues, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania	In its 61st year the festival offers fun such as home arts displays, agricultural displays, arts and crafts, storytelling, quilt show, model railroad display, street rod and classic car show, pageants, pancake breakfasts, maple syrup making and demonstrations, historical drama, Maple Run on Apr. 5, parade on Apr. 5 at 3pm, horse pulling contest, living historical village with demonstrations and displays. Some activities may have separate ticketing and/or may require reservations. Questions? Call 814-634-0213
March 29-April 13, 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival various venues, Washington, D.C.	Charity golf tournament, Japanese opera and theatre, grand ball, parade down Constitution Avenue, cultural fair, Kite Festival, Family Day, soccer, anime presentations, music, cherry tree lantern tours, paddleboat photo excursions, Junior Ranger programs Blossoms by Bike, walking tours, lantern lighting ceremony, Blossom Secrets Stroll, rugby tournament, festival merchandise, origami exhibit, arts and crafts, Cherry Blossom River Teas, sushi and sake tasting, sailing regatta, Cherry Chit-Chat Runs, Freedom Walk, 10-mile run, fireworks. Further Details: Call 202-661-7584
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
Want more next month? Sign up here to be notified when the next Review is uploaded. You'll receive more news and festivals not listed online!
If you sign up, be sure to check your mailbox from time to time... Some Notify notes are bouncing because subscriber mailoxes are full or over quota.
March Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Mar. 1 Rosenberg Railroad Festival, 11am-9pm, Rosenberg, Texas, 281-633-2848 Mar. 6-9 World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup,                    Newman Park & Nolan County Coliseum, Sweetwater, Texas, 325-235-8938 or 325-235-5488 Mar. 7-9 Oregon Chocolate Festival (4th), Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland, Oregon, 541-488-1700 Mar. 8-9 Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival (16th), 10-5 & 10-4, Hwy. 41, Apollo Beach, Florida, 813-645-1366 Mar. 8-9 Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival, Winthrop, Washington, 888-463-6469 Mar. 9 Maple Sugaring Festival, 11-3, Maple Hill Farm, Hollis, New Hampshire, 603-465-7787 Mar. 13-16 Louisiana Catfish Festival, Washington, Louisiana, 337-826-3626 Mar. 14-16 Arts & Crafts Festival (56th), Downtown, Fairhope, Alabama, 251-621-8222 or 251-926-6387 Mar. 14-16 Taste of Solvang, Downtown, Solvang, California, 800-468-6765 Mar. 14-16 Wild Hog Explosion, Mansfield Park, Bandera, Texas, 830-796-4447 Mar. 15 Festival of Live Oaks, 9-5, City Park, New Iberia, Louisiana, 337-369-2337 Mar. 15-16 Fort Bragg Whale Festival, Fort Bragg, California, 707-961-6300 Mar. 15-16 Maple Sugar Festival, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 269-381-1574 Mar. 26-30 Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana, 504-581-1144 Mar. 28-29 South Texas Polka & Sausage Festival, KofC Hall, Hallettsville, Texas, 361-798-2311 Mar. 28-30 Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, Connecticut Expo Center, Hartford, Connecticut, 301-990-1400 Mar. 28-30 German Heritage Festival (8th), downtown, Tomball, Texas, 281-379-6844 Mar. 29 Daffodil Festival, Main Street, Fremont, North Carolina, 919-242-6011 or 919-242-2149 Mar. 29-30 Art in the Pass Festival, War Memorial Park, Pass Christian, Mississippi, 228-452-2360 Mar. 29-30 Maple Harvest Festival,                    10-4, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, Pennsylvania, 814-667-3424 or 814-863-2000 Mar. 29-30 Whitingham Maple Festival (10th),                    Whitingham School on Rt. 100 S., Whitington, Vermont, moehog@msn.com Mar. 30 Wistaria Festival, 9-5, Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, California 626-355-5111 or 626-355-7135
Other March 2008 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may also be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Mar. 1 Arizona State Open chili Championship (30th), 10-6, Ed Hooper Park, Casa Grande, Arizona, 520-792-0005 Mar. 1 Staple! Independent Media Expo, Monarch Event Center, Austin, Texas, info@staple-austin.org Mar. 1-2 Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show (45th), 400 Staton-Christiana Rd., Newark, Delaware, 302-234-4488 Mar. 1-2 Meet Me Arts & Crafts Festival (2nd),                    10-5, Royal Palm Palace, Boca Raton, Florida, 561-999-1997 Mar. 1-2 Woodcarvers Show,                    12:30pm-5pm, Christ United Methodist Church at 700 S. Marshall Rd., Middletown, Ohio, 513-423-0822 Mar. 1-2 Mid-State Gun & Knife Show, Ag Complex, Sparta, Tennessee, 931-738-8675 Mar. 1-2 Buffalo Gun Show, Civic Center, Buffalo, Texas, 903-322-4298 Mar. 1-4 Skinny Tire Festival, Archway Inn, Moab, Utah, 435-259-2598 Mar. 1-9 Home & Garden Show, Convention Center, Buffalo, New York, 716-631-2266 Mar. 2 Winter Antiques Show (5th),                    10-5, John Jay High School at 60 N. Salem Rd. (Rt. 121), Cross River, New York, 914-273-4667 , Mar. 2-9 Philadelphia Flower Show,                    Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th & Arch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-988-8899 Mar. 6-8 Book Bazaar (32nd), LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 225-578-5925 Mar. 6-9 Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show, National Western Complex, Denver, Colorado, 800-457-2434 Mar. 6-9 Everett Boat Show, Comcast Arena, Everett, Washington, 206-634-0911 Mar. 7-8 Washington Antiquarian Book Fair, Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, Arlington, Virginia, 703-807-2000 Mar. 7-9 Storytelling Festival (21st), Mariposa High School & Yosemite National Park, Mariposa, California, 800-903-9936 Mar. 7-9 Megacon, Orange County Convention Center Hall SB, Orlando, Florida info@megaconvention.com Mar. 7-9 Reno Boat Show, Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, 777-852-SHOW Mar. 7-9 Campers World RV Show, Expo Center, York, Pennsylvania Mar. 7-9 Dallas All-Con 2008, North Crowne Plaza Hotel on Midway Rd., Addison, Texas, 817-472-6368 or info@all-con.org Mar. 7-9 Fear Fest (2nd), Westin Park Central, Dallas, Texas, 866-520-3327 Mar. 8 Conch Shell Blowing Contest, 1:30pm, Key West, Florida, 305-294-9501 Mar. 8-9 Antiques & Vintage Collectibles Show, The Centre, Evansville, Indiana, 8121-471-9419 Mar. 8-April 13 Dallas Blooms, 9-5, Arboretum, Dallas, Texas, 214-515-6500 Mar. 9 Chocolate & Coffee Festival,                    10-4, Adirondack Community College Auditorium, Queensbury, New York, 518-743-1348 Mar. 9 Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist, 10:30-noon, Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, Texas, 830-606-1601 Mar. 9-12 Rockhound Roundup 9-5, Fairgrounds, Deming, New Mexico, 505-544-8231 Mar. 11-12 Gem & Mineral Show, 10-5 & 10-4, Armory, Sussex, Wisconsin, 262-246-6684 Mar. 13-14 Community Garage Sale, Magnolia Park, Kirbyville, Texas, 409-423-6500 Mar. 13-16 California Capital Airshow, Airport, Mather, California, 916-875-7077 Mar. 13-16 Friends of Jefferson Public Library Book Sale                    Ponchartrain Center on Williams Blvd., Kenner, Louisiana, 504-455-2665 or 800-884-3247 Mar. 13-16 Chattanooga Antiques Show (34th), Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 423-267-7175 Mar. 14-15 Siouxland Garden Show, Marina Center, Sioux City, Iowa, 712-276-2157 Mar. 14-15 Deep South Con 46, Radisson on S. Main, High Point, North Carolina, info@stellarcon.org Mar. 14-16 OmegaCon, Sheraton Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 205-324-5000 Mar. 14-16 Wizard World, Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, conventions@wizarduniverse.com Mar. 14-16 Sidewalk Art Festival (49th), Central Park, Winter Park, Florida, 407-672-6390 Mar. 14-16 Antiques & Garden Show, Keene Barn, Lexington, Kentucky, 859-253-0362 Mar. 15 Daffodil Day, 10-2, Town Hall, Bell Buckle, Tennessee, 931-389-9653 Mar. 15-16 Thunder in the Valley Air Show, Metropolitan Airport, Columbus, Georgia Mar. 15-16 Calico Arts & Crafts Show, 9-5, Sunbelt Expo (Spence Field), Moultrie, Georgia, 229-985-1968 Mar. 15-16 Home & Garden Show, Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern, North Carolina, 252-637-1551 Mar. 16 Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, 8-noon, Moosup Valley Fire Station, Foster, Rhode Island, 401-641-2660 Mar. 22 Arizona Burn Center Chili Cookoff, 16130 Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr., Peoria, Arizona, 623-388-9748 Mar. 22-23 Bay Area Anarchist Bookfair (13th),                    County Fair Bldg. in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, info@bayareaanarchistbookfair.org Mar. 26-30 Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale (77th), Princeton Day School, Princeton, New Jersey, 609-921-7479 Mar. 27-29 Kona Chocolate Festival (7th),                    Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort & Spa, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 808-324-4606 or 808-640-5500 Mar. 27-30 Aggie Con, Texas A&M U, College Station, Texas, lissa12333@tamu.edu Mar. 29 Public Bake Day, 10-5, Fort Gibson Historic Site, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 918-478-4088 Mar. 29-30 Spring Into Wings, Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 269-349-1185 Mar. 29-30 Steel City Con (Toy Show), Pittsburgh Expo Mart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 814-262-0503
Subscribers to the Notify List receive extra information, including a heads-up on other events. If you'd like to get the extras via email each month, sign up here.
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Feather Choker Necklace

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. A sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

Ever since William Malmskog and I began a dialogue I've been impressed by his willingness to share openly the details of his life. Most of us hide a lot of our lives from others and present only the parts we can polish and make look acceptable. He isn't afraid to talk about how his difficulties, including physical challenges, have guided him to an increased sense of abilities and possibilities.

I have a special place in my heart for people who allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to show us their pain. But this isn't about being a victim. It's about using adversity as a stepping stone to new challenges and then helping the rest of us do the same. When he sends me welcome updates of what he's been doing I know he's going to bring me something I can bite into and use in my own daily challenges. Please take time to visit his web site and explore the man who calls himself the Crazy Viking.

Sunday brunch in unexpected places: Sunsets in Wayzata, Minnesota. Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens in San Diego, California (enjoy a koi pond while you munch) Tower Deli and Diner at 2315 S. University Drive, in Davie, Florida. (hidden in a strip shopping center) New England Culinary Institute (Butler's) in Essex Junction, Vermont.
After the recent news involoving the handling of cattle in slaughterhouses, you might find it interesting to read about Dr. Temple Grandin, who has been influential in the basic design for most of today's slaughterhouses.		How many parks are there in New York? Find out the answer to this question and many more at FaQs on New York City Parks.
Two of the famous tasty products made in Tennessee are Moonpies and Little Debbie Snacks.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated February 28, 2008

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson