Call your mom , your son, your cousins, your friends! Because this weekend is a great weekend to come home to Schuylkill County! It's Block of Art -- the weekend when downtown Pottsville is transformed into a huge art gallery.

The weekend begins today with a bang at 6:30 p.m. with the grand opening of Block of Art and a performance by Artists in Motion at the Ramada Inn. Then you can enjoy music by the After Hours Big Band -- and hopefully take a turn around the floor --  from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Saturday is the big day! Buildings throughout the downtown will be displaying art. You can check out this map beforehand if you like. There are also some art projects for kids at the Ramada as well as additional activities for them at the Pottsville Free Public Library. There will also be live performances by dancers, actors and singers at the Ramada and you can watch a few artists "at work" as well as purchase their work. Musicians can also be found at the Majestic Theatre and the Wheel. Stop by between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Sunday is a day to mingle with the artists who created everything you enjoyed on Saturday. Enjoy Brunch with the Artists at the Greystone starting at 11 a.m.cost is $20 and you need a reservation. Call 570-628-4220. Young art lovers can enjoy the end of this year's block of art too with tea at The Maid's Quarters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $16.25 and you need a reservation. Call 484-223-9497.

There's also a great Scavanger Hunt that begins at the Ramada Inn! Don't miss it.

t How was your weekend? Mine was SO tremendous. It's finally feeling like Spring! If you decided to do a little Spring cleaning you might want to start with your medicine cabinet (ironically one of the worst places to store medications because of humidity and temperature changes in the bathroom). But, wherever you store your medication take some time this week to look over all your bottles and containers to determine what is out-of-date or just leftover. This Saturday, April 28 is National Drug Take-Back Day.  There are so many reasons to week through your medications.

1. Outdated medications can lose their potency or become more potent, neither a good thing.
2. When you have old medications hanging around you may be tempted to self-diagnose or use medications prescribed to another family member.
3. With the opioid epidemic you don't want to have anything that a person struggling with a drug problem might be tempted to take.

The Schuylkill County sheriff will be collecting prescription pills between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations:

• Ashland Police Department, 401 S. 18th Street
• Butler Township Police Department, 211 Broad Street, Ashland
• Cass Township Police Department, 1209 Valley Road, Duncott
• Coaldale Police Department, 221-223 Third Street
• St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus, 36 W. Ruddle Street, Coaldale
• Rush Township Police Department, 104 Mahanoy Avenue
• Frackville Police Department, 42 S. Center Street
• Girardville Police Department, 4th & B Streets
• Hegins Police Department, 417 Gap Street, Valley View
• Tamaqua Police Department, 320 Broad Street
• Hometown Auction, 125 Mahanoy Avenue, Route 54, Tamaqua
• Mahanoy City Police department, 239 E. Pine Street
• Minersville Police Department, 15 N. Delaware Street
• Orwigsburg Police Department, 209 N. Warren Street
• Pine Grove Police Department, 1 Snyder Drive
• Port Carbon Police Department, 90 Washington Street
• Schuylkill County Courthouse - security entrance, Pottsville
• Schuylkill Haven Police Department, 220 Parkway
• Shenandoah Police Department, 15 Washington Street
• McAdoo Police Department, 29 N. Hancock Street
• St. Clair Police Department, 24 N. 2nd Street
• Police Department, 40 W. Amidon Street, Suite 1, Summit Hill
• Tremont Police Department, 19 N. Pine Street

Thanks to all the police officers providing this valuable serviced to the community!

The snowflakes on Monday had mean a little down (didn't my husband promise that the LAST snow was the onion snow?). But I just keeping looking forward to weather reports that promise us 70+ days. With those hopeful thoughts let's all look forward to the walks planned for the near future.

Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Meet at state game land parking lot on Gold Mine Road outside Pine Grove off Route 443. This 9.5 mile hike rated difficult led by Robin Tracey will cross the Rausch Gap. Bring a lunch and dogs are welcome if leashed and friendly to other dogs AND humans.

Sunday, April 15 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Meet at conrad Weiser State Forest along Route 61, just north of Port Clinton. This 3-4 mile hike  rated moderate led by Porcupine Pat will travel the Blue Mountain and teach about charcoal history.

Friday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Meet at Crow Trail parking lot in Tuscarora State Park for a diurnal bird walk led by birder David Kruel.  The walk is about 1 mile long and attendees are encouraged to bring their own binoculars. Not pet friendly.  After the walk (7:30 p.m.) the group will be on the lookout for owls and woodcocks. Register by calling Robin Tracey at 570-467-2506.

Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 a.m.
Meet at Locust Lake visitor parking lot for a early morning bird walk led by John Domalakes. There may be some binoculars to borrow but everyone is encouraged to bring their own as well as a field guide. No pets please.

Saturday, April 28 from 1 pm. to 4 p.m.
Meet at parking lot of Frog Hollow, just outside of Friedensburg on Stone Mountain Road. The 2 mile hike rated easy will be led by Mike Centeleghe to explore the spring wildflowers of Frog Hollow.