TreeHugging Events This Weekend

Okay, so the nights are still a wee bit chilly, and you're still kind of hibernatory and eating entirely too much of that 'stick to the ribs' food and quaffing that good dark beer that we homebrewers like to make.

Well. That's what's going on in my life at least. So you won't see a Lege rant from me until next week at least. In the meantime, as a public service effort, I call your attention to two local events.

• March 3 - The Alaska Ocean Film Festival is happening at the Blue Loon on Saturday night @ 8 p.m. Last year, the Loon was packed with treehuggers, so the event marks an opportunity to see those friends you haven't seen while hibernating the last few months, meet likeminded individuals in our rednecky little town, and of course, enjoy some short films about the ocean. Admission is $8.
  
• March 4 - The Chena Flats Greenbelt Project is kicking things off with fundraising auction and brunch at Pike's Waterfront Lodge from noon to 3 p.m..Per their press release, because this treehugger had a long week and doesn't feel like coming up with a snappy synopsis:

"The Chena Flats Greenbelt Project is a coalition of local residents, property owners, and non-government organizations seeking to conserve a multi-purpose corridor of open space at the base of Chena Ridge and Chena Pump Road in west Fairbanks. This area, crossed by popular mushing, dog walking, and skiing trails, will be conerved for all to enjoy. Tickets are $25; available for at the door or in advance at Hoitts and Gulliver's. Auction items include a tour for two of the normally off-limits downstairs area of the musuem, a beautiful quilt in fall colors by Judy Regan, movie passes to the Loon, a bird walk by biologist Frank Keim, several hand-knitted hats, massages, some delicious cakes, and much, much more. Bob Henszey will also give a short presentation of the Chena Flats Greenbelt Project. Plus, there will be great brunch food to munch on!"

And on a sidenote, Googling 'treehugger' gets a ridiculous number of hits of people hugging trees. Literally. Ah, the wonder of the Internets, that system of tubes that allows the environmentally-minded to post pictures of themselves hugging trees.

Pictured above: a tree, yet unhugged, in my yard.