Five Things to do in March 2015

Be gone February! You were a monster! Bring on March – and hopefully it’s more lamb-like than lion-esque. Here are a few things to check out as Mother Nature hopefully decides to warm things up for spring!

Get your Zumba on – the first time I took a Zumba class, I thought I hated it – turns out I just didn’t like the instructor, because I’ve found plenty of great instructors since then. I was only able to take Cindy and Marisa’s class once when they were at my current gym, but they were awesome – now I’m seriously thinking about attending their Zumbathon on Sunday, March 22^nd at the Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware St. in Tonawanda. It’s for a great cause – Make-A-Wish – and sounds like it’ll be packed! Find out more here.

Maple syrup
credit: Wikimedia
Commons/
Miguel Andrade

Maple Weekends – spring means maple syrup and more, and Western New York is a great place to get it! At the end of March (March 21^st and 22^nd and March 28^th and 29^th, specifically), producers across New York State open their farms for demonstrations, sampling and more. Find out what’s available in the area at www.nysmaple.com.

Frozen on Canalside – ever wonder how people used to survive harsh winters on Lake Erie? Take a walking tour of Canalside – “Frozen In Time” – and find out how they lived on the waterfront. This 45-minute tour begins at 2 p.m. and takes place Saturdays and Sundays, March 1^st, 7^th, 8^th, 14^th and 15^th. Find more to do at Canalside at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

Plantasia 2014
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Spring? Really?? – I think it’s coming this year…at least I hope so, I really want to get into my gardens! Even if there’s snow on the ground, this will get me in the mood – Plantasia: Every Garden Tells a Story, taking place March 19^th through 22^nd at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. The annual landscape and garden show has some new elements this year, including a garden tea party, Painting with a Twist classes and a craft beer night. Find out more about Plantasia at www.plantasiany.com.

Everyone in Buffalo is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day – there are plenty of events going on throughout the Buffalo-Niagara area the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day (including a ScavengerHunt at Canalside), but the two biggest events are the annual parades. On Saturday, March 14^th, the 22^nd annual Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place at noon, leaving from the Valley Community Center at 95 Leddy St. in Buffalo and winding through the streets of the Buffalo River Community, with viewing on South Park Ave., Smith St., Elk St. and more. Find the parade route and information about the “Hooley” following the parade here. On Sunday, March 15^th, the Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade makes its way down Delaware Ave. beginning at 2 p.m. – get the full details here.

Winter break staycation ideas: Eastern Hills Mall, the Botanical Gardens and the Carrousel Factory Museum

Next week is winter break for many area schools, and if you’re staying in the Buffalo area and braving the cold, you can still have some family fun – check out these ideas.

Summer in February at Eastern Hills Mall – Saturday, February 14^th through Sunday, February 22^nd in the Food Court at Eastern Hills Mall, 4545 Transit Rd. in Williamsville. There will be games and activities throughout the week for children 10 and under. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. – find out more at www.shopeasternhills.com.

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens – there’s fun for all ages at the Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo. The Lumagination light show continues Wednesday through Saturday night (Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6 to 10 p.m.), and the Orchid exhibit continues during the day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). On Tuesday, February 17^th, check out the Plants We Eat Picnic (pre-registration required) from noon to 2 p.m., and on Thursday, February 19^th, it’s Kids Day at the Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wegmans Family Garden. Get more information on these and other events at www.buffalogardens.com.

Herschell Carrousel Factory – the Carrousel Factory, located at 180 Thompson St. on North Tonawanda, will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., offering crafts, games and rides on the carrousels. Visit carrouselmuseum.org for more information. 

Winter break staycation ideas: The Buffalo History Museum, Explore & More and Canalside

Buffalo History Museum
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Next week is winter break for many area schools, and if you’re staying in the Buffalo area and braving the cold, you can still have some family fun – check out these ideas.

Buffalo History Museum – on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the History Museum, located at One Museum Ct. in Buffalo, offers Break Out! – Presidents Past, where you’ll learn about Buffalo’s connections to US presidents, go on a scavenger hunt, make a craft and more. Hours are Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday noon to 3 p.m. and Friday 1 to 3 p.m. Friday is also M&T Third Friday, with free admission from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find out more about the Museum at www.buffalohistory.org. 

Explore & More Children’s Museum – the East Aurora museum, located at 300 Gleed Ave.,  is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, stop by from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and make a red, white and blue snack in honor of President’s Day; Tuesday through Friday, celebrate the Lunar New Year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.exploreandmore.org for more information.

Canalside – for winter break, Canalside is open extended hours Monday through Friday, with open ice skating, ice bike rentals and curling daily from noon to 7 p.m. (ice bikes until 10 p.m. on Friday). You can also check out the Artisan Market in the Winter Village on Thursday and Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Find a complete schedule of things to do at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

January 2015 in review

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Stuart Miles

January was quiet for the most part…except for those occasional bursts of snow. I did celebrate a rather quiet mid-week birthday – which is exactly how I like them!

I spent some time looking over my already-growing summer calendar – because it makes winter seem less…long. I’m looking at, as usual, quite a few day trips through some local bus tour companies, including some baseball games (it won’t be the same without Jeter, though!) and some regional exploration and, of course, the crazy auto racing schedule that just keeps growing and growing. I REALLY need it to be spring – at least! – NOW!

The decorating bug took a turn for the better (worse?) when I visited Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s and found some inspiration in terms of wall décor, in the very colors I was thinking about for my foyer and laundry room – like it was meant to be, right? Just another project for the spring/summer/fall.