Composer Peter George is returning to his first love after 35 years away from the piano. George has always loved the piano, which he considers to be a "virtual orchestra", but had to set his passion aside while pursuing a successful career as a front-of-house sound engineer.

"It's weird because I've never held a job this long," jokes Margaret Weber when asked how it feels to mark her seventh year as owner operator of the Bear Trap Cafe and Bar. Under Weber's ownership, the Bear Trap will be celebrating its "copper anniversary" from 7-9 p.m. on Friday with musical guest Screen Door Porch.

In the April 1 edition of the Saratoga Sun, I contributed a piece on "Beaching Disease". It was the only time in the six years I have worked here that we have actually put out a paper with an April 1 date. Some people missed the other clues that this was an April Fool's joke. The clues started with the fact that my name was on the byline.

I bumped into C.J. Box the other day as he was passing through town on his way to begin his latest book tour for his 15th Joe Pickett novel titled, "Endangered".
Of course, I had to take the opportunity to ask him a few questions about himself, Joe Pickett and the Valley that helped to inspire both.