So now we know that spring is just around the corner, or that there is six more weeks of winter… which is it? I can never remember. I’m just glad that unseemly spectacle of a groundhog attempting to sunbathe in Pennsylvania is over for another year. From my perspective, the whole Punxsutawney Phil thing seems a little old and a little overblown. I think this bloated marmot from the Keystone State needs a little competition.

Actually, he already has plenty of competition from other groundhogs or groundhog-like creatures. There’s Dunkirk Dave, Essex Ed, Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie, General Beauregard Lee, Peewee the Woodchuck, Staten Island Chuck and probably a lot more.

If you’re idling behind a Jetta Volkswagen looking for your shadow (or whatever you do to pass time when stuck in traffic) and suddenly have the urge to stop somewhere and buy french fries, maybe you’re stuck behind Peter Van Buskirk. Peter recently had his diesel Jetta converted to run on recycled vegetable oil, and has struck up a deal with local restaurants and businesses to haul away their used frying oil. So far, he says, he is getting great mileage and the price is right for fuel: zilch. The only thing is, he keeps visualizing fried food on his way to work…

Ed Osterman mentioned this week that Newtown Rotary Club is still looking for two business people between the ages of 25 and 40 to make a four-week team study junket to Venezuela or Lithuania in April. Each year Rotary District 7980 organizes two five-person teams to spend four weeks learning about the people, culture, history, politics, and industries of the country they visit. This year one team will spend a month in Venezuela (April 1 to May 1), and another team will be in Lithuania from April 29 to May 29. Full itineraries are put together by Rotary, and follow-up presentations are required by the team members. Ed has all the information available, and can answer most questions in just a few minutes, if you’re interested. Give him a call at 426-0530.

Everyone is so busy these days, sometimes it seems like I’ve got to go all the way to New Haven to see some of my Newtown friends. If you happened to duck into the Cabaret at Chow as I did last Sunday night, you would have spotted such Newtown notables as Justin Scott, Sydney Eddison, John Klopfenstein, Dave and Emi Lydem, and Sherri Baggett enjoying the music there. The reason the music was so enjoyable was that it was presented by another Newtowner, Amber Edwards, who is a regular and favorite performer at the cabaret along with her musical partner pianist Andy Rubenoff. The two presented a wonderful program of classic songs. If you missed them, you’ll get another chance to see them on Valentine’s Day, when they return to the New Haven venue for a show entitled “Isn’t It Romantic.” If you want to go to either of the two shows that night, you will need a reservation. Call the cabaret at 203-772-3002.

While at the police station this week, I noticed that the detective division has secured its crime investigation van in the new storage area that was recently built on the south side of Town Hall South. Keeping the van in that sheltered area is expected to be a plus, extending the former ambulance’s lifespan.

When I was there, I also spotted Baro, the police department’s German shepherd. Since he is highly trained, he’s one of the few dogs I know that treats a cat with respect. I like him a lot. The handsome black and tan male shepherd has been in police service since last April. Baro put on a few pounds since I last saw him, but it just makes him look more rugged and impressive. Baro’s handler, patrol Officer Andy Stinson, tells me that Baro now tips the scales at about 90 pounds, which is considered a good working weight for him.

While at Edmond Town Hall this week, I noticed that the longstanding elevator construction project seems to be drawing to a close. I have not ridden the new elevator yet, which links the building’s four levels, but I will say that the lobbies at each of the four elevator stops are rather attractive. The elevator structure’s architecture mimics that of 1929, the year in which the town hall opened for business.

Coffee and chocolate cake. That’s how Bee education reporter Susan Coney celebrated her 50th birthday this week… a little early. Susan’s birthday was February 2, but she was going to be out of the office that day so her friend and fellow reporter Nancy Crevier surprised Susan by baking a chocolate cake and bringing it in to the office on Tuesday. There were Hershey Kisses in a candy dish next to the cake, and Nancy ran out for fresh coffee for her friend midmorning.

Nancy also gave Susan a birdhouse that she had painted, as a birthday gift, that had a stonewall, a birch tree, an opossum, a squirrel, and a deer included within the scenic view. When she saw her gift, Susan said she would never hang something so pretty outside. She was going to put it in her kitchen. Near a window, I hope.

Well, it’s time for me to fly, but I’ll be back again next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.