Best bets for the weekend

OK. Remember last Saturday? That ONE DAY of glorious warmth when we all stampeded to beach parks like wildebeests reacting to one of those pesky lion rumors? When the barbecue aroma made the Puget Sound basin smell like one giant Texas steakhouse? So what was that all about? Someone said the Dalai Lama brought the sun. Who knows. But it's been cold again, so we're trotting out the reader photo (look right) of snow on a spring flower, because that's what we're more likely to see this week! Not that we're bitter. OK. Rant finished. Here's what's up:

Savor the irony: Bundle up and head for the Spring Fair in Puyallup. It's a clever way to get more mileage out of those big fairgrounds — they're not just for September — and who knows, maybe a ride on the Extreme Scream will get your blood circulating and you'll actually warm up.

Chilly cherries: It's a bit late for this year's cherry blossoms, but not for a celebration of all things Japanese. The Seattle Center is the place for the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival.

Good earth: Oh, it's Earth Weekend, which is to say that Earth Day (formally April 22, according to the Official U.S. Government Earth Day Web site) (bet you didn't know they had one) falls on a Tuesday, so all the special events are happening this weekend. (Of course, the great American phenomenon of Event Creep has already spawned the term "Earth Month" for all of April — but we digress.) The point is: You can read about volunteer opportunities in today's main story. Or take part in any of a number of Earth Day-oriented activities.

Healthy living: If the wholesome energy overcomes you, get more ideas for channeling your granolahead impulses at Seattle's Healthy Living Expoor at the Fun to Be Fit Fair in Redmond. See our Weekend Calendar for information.

Welcome whales and downward dogs: OK, we give in to the life force flowing throughout this column. (Can't you feel the tingle? Or maybe we just scuffed our feet on the carpet.) Two final ideas: Welcome the Whales Day on Whidbey Island and a Yoga for Gardeners workshop in Marysville. Button up your hemp-fiber cardigan and go.