O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?
— Percy Bysshe Shelley
This is such a special time of the year where we can put away all of our deep thoughts and revel in the upcoming showers that will bring our spring flowers. Bulbs are planted, pine needles and leaves raked, and I am ready for that special crisp air that smells so fresh from the rain mixed with the blue skies peeking out from the freshly budded trees. I have a feeling that this year will be wonderful, and when we look back, it will be a turn of the tide for all good things.
2019 is here! Remember how in 1999 all the computers were going to crash, and people were planning for a doomsday event? Crazy to think that 20 years have passed, and even crazier if you watch the original Blade Runner movie and realize that it is now the time the movie was set in: at the time it was made (1982), 2019 was 37 years away. If that is not making you feel old, you must not have been going to the movies in 1982. People have oftentimes wondered what the future would hold, and we’re glad that 2019 is not much like the movie. So, while we wait until the ball drops on December 31st to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our 1999 party, we still have much to enjoy this year.
In addition to the new year, our 8th Annual Local’s Choice Awards have also arrived! A collection of our annual reader’s survey to find the best spots in the area. As you may know, we select one winner for each category in Contra Costa, Napa and Solano counties. If your favorite did not win, make sure to vote for them next year!
You may have also noted that the days are getting a bit longer, and a bit warmer, which means that soon the plants and trees will be blooming, and outdoor events will soon be upon us. (For all of you prone to allergies—get ready!) It is never too early to start planning for upcoming events and our calendar is always there to help. The moment we learn about new events in the region, they go up on our calendar so you can plan right away. As we look through them for this issue, the number of events constantly happening all around never ceases to amaze us. We wish we had more pages to list every great event we can find, but we chose carefully. Please make sure to take a look when you are planning your next adventure.
If it is still too cold for you to go outside in comfort, and if you like films and crabs, this is the season for you. While it is the tail end of the crab feed season, there are still plenty of these feasts happening for the next few weeks, and the film festivals are going strong right now as they align with the national film awards season. It is a great time to enjoy both.
We want to leave you wanting for more — so remember that next issue (April/May) will be our home improvement issue and the Total Home & Garden Show in Vacaville will be from April 5th to the 7th, 2019 —so mark your calendars!
Here are a few birthday wishes for the coming months. We would like to start with our oldest brother, Larry: we wish you a very happy birthday! And we offer even more birthday cheer to Stephen, Megan, Jo Ann, Mars, Marco, Tracey, Johnny, Myrna, Judy, Askari, John, Gary, Marc, Socorro, John Troupe, Louise, Betsey, Tim, Erin, Shane, Rafaela, Christina, Patti, Dennis, Elizabeth, Judi, Dalia, Uncle Gabe, Frank, Francis, Raymond, Judi, Dennis, Louise, Reyna, Judy, Liz, Eric, and Juanita.
We hope all of you enjoy our upcoming spring season to the fullest. Cheers!
Deanna Baillie
Robert Briseño & Deanna Troupe
