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Flights Of Fancy

With my weekly schedule ebbing and flowing between extremely hectic and sufficiently packed, I’ve found it necessary to make some adjustments in order to incorporate some extra “me time” lately.

Living on my own, I’ve found a lot of freedom in how I choose to spend my time away from the newsroom; and, overall, I’ve enjoyed the boundless opportunities with which I’ve been presented, allowing me to essentially operate in the way I see fit for any situation.

At the risk of making one of the most predictable statements ever in this column, much of my leisure time is spent working on music with my bandmates or thinking about working on music with my bandmates. An anticlimactic proclamation, perhaps, but there’s something beyond satisfying about being able to pursue and participate in my life’s true passion with such regularity and consistency.

There’s also another component to the usage of my leisure time which I’ve recently returned to: running. It’s not what I would call the most enjoyable of hobbies for me, at least not when I’m actually undertaking the act. But I have found that, at least most of the time, the post-exercise feeling I get both physically and mentally is worth the exhaustion that I place upon myself for about 35-40 minutes about five times a week.

I’m certainly not an overly athletic guy. Sports were never my thing, although I’ll still debate anyone who tells me marching band isn’t a sport. However, I have been fairly consistently active in my post-college routine.

There were a couple summers where I became heavily involved with distance cycling. I doubt even you long-time readers of my column will remember my recounting of the 175-mile, 17-hour trip I undertook with two friends in June 2013, in which we traveled from Jamestown to Kent, Ohio. Yeah, that one messed up my sleep cycle for about a month.

I haven’t done much biking since that trip, but I do try to make sure I either run or walk multiple miles a week. Obviously, this isn’t always attainable but I figure that if I’m accomplishing that goal at least four times a week, I’m probably on the right track.

This year I spent about two months during the spring running through Lake View Cemetery almost every day before I decided walking would practically achieve the same ends with less effort, even if it took more time to get me there. So that’s what I did for most of the summer; until about three weeks ago.

I’m easily influenced by the actions of people around me, both good and bad; but especially the former, healthier ones. With one of my friends currently running 10Ks almost daily, and training for a marathon next year, I figured it might be fun to join him on at least the first leg of his treks through the cemetery.

So, for the past three weeks I’ve been running about 3 miles through Lake View at a rate of about 5.5 times per week. All this year I’ve made losing weight and living healthier main priorities in my lifestyle, and running is certainly an effective vehicle for that mindset.

I’ve had to make some schedule adjustments to be able to accommodate that, as I usually can’t wake up early enough on work days prior to my desired shift and the sun is now setting by around 5 p.m.; but it’s been well worth it. I feel as accomplished as anything right after I get done running; almost as if I’ve fulfilled my daily life’s purpose.

Not to mention, I get a lot of music listening in when I embark on these excursions. I know I mentioned this before, but Spotify has been one of the greatest discoveries I’ve ever had. I’m learning about all kinds of artists and songs that I never even knew existed but which have quickly made their way into my regular rotation.

If you ask me, that’s pretty much a match made in heaven. We’ll see what further adjustments I’ll have to make when the snow finally starts flying, but whatever I’ve got going on now is a great combination. I think I’ll stick with it, in some fashion or another.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Christmas Parade, Holiday Celebration Set For Friday: The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is proud to announce that the Winter Games Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, presented by The Resource Center, will feature pre-parade musical entertainment, a traditional tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Sam Teresi and a fireworks display above the Spring Street parking ramp.

The Winter Games Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration will be held Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The parade itself will begin on the Third Street bridge and continue down Third Street toward city hall. Parade lineup will begin at 5 p.m. on West Third Street between Hallock Street and Porter Avenue, in front of Farm Fresh Plaza. This year’s Winter Games theme is an acknowledgment of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The downtown Jamestown holiday parade has been a long standing tradition in the city for decades. Dozens of area businesses, social organizations and nonprofits come downtown the evening of the parade to celebrate the holidays, attend one of many area holiday events and support local business. One area nonprofit in particular, The Resource Center, has gone above and beyond the call of duty each year to support the parade as a presenting sponsor and serve the greater Jamestown community.

For more information on Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, special events or to sign up for the Winter Games Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, visit jamestownrenaissance.org to download the appropriate application or email zach@jamestownrenaissance.org.

Authors Books And Music To Host Bigfoot Friday: Warren, Pa., will hold its annual Christmas Walk and Parade downtown Friday. In conjunction, Authors Books and Music will be featuring a special appearance of the legendary Bigfoot, who will be on-hand in the book shop handing out candy canes and posing for photos. This is a free event, and will happen from 6-8 p.m.

Authors Books and Music is located at 227 Liberty St. For more information, call 814-688-3009 or find the event on Facebook.

Lonestar To Perform At Seneca Allegany Events Center This Weekend: Lonestar, one of the most popular and successful bands in country music over the last 20 years, will perform consecutive concerts at the Seneca Allegany Events Center this weekend — Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 5 p.m. Since their national launch in 1995, the band has sold more than 10 million albums, and produced 10 Number One songs. Known for their strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar’s hit songs include “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” “I’m Already There,” and the crossover smash hit “Amazed.” After 20 years of rave reviews and diehard fans, Lonestar is still playing country their way.

The Seneca Allegany Events Center is located at 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-873-6322 or visit senecaalleganycasino.com/entertainment/events-center/.

JCA To Present WNYCO, ‘Poinsettia Pops’ Concert Wednesday: The Western New York Chamber Orchestra, the professional Ensemble-in-Residence at SUNY Fredonia, will take the stage at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Dec. 6, to deliver its “Poinsettia Pops” concert at 7:30 p.m.

Contained within the concert program will be an evening of popular classics and holiday favorites, ranging from excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet “The Nutcracker” to popular favorites including “The Christmas Song.” Additionally, Christmas carol arrangements created by WNYCO conductor Glen Cortese will be performed by a trio of young vocalists currently studying at the SUNY Fredonia School of Music — two of which performed in last year’s “Poinsettia Pops” concert. The guest vocalists include Lucia Helgren, Michaela Tramuta and Mariami Bekauri.

Tickets to the concert are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $7.50 for college students. Children 18 and under will be admitted for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available through the Reg Lenna box office, and can be purchased in advance by calling 484-7070 or online at reglenna.com.

A pre-concert reception will be held in the lobby, and will feature refreshments and concessions. Live, pre-concert music will be performed by a strings ensemble from the Southwestern Central High School Orchestra from the lobby balcony.

For more information on the WNYCO, visit wnyco.org. For more information on Wednesday’s concert, visit jamestownconcertassociation.org.

Farman Library To Host Christmas Concert Thursday: The Ellington Farman Library will hold a Christmas sing-along concert, “The Princess and the Rose,” from 7-8 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 7. The concert is free and open to the public, and will feature soprano Diana Lenska and local renowned pianist Rosemary MacKown. Lenska and MacKown will each perform several solos and everyone will be invited to sing along to many popular Christmas carols. Light refreshments will also be served.

The Ellington Farman Library is located at 706 Thornton Road. For more information, call 287-2945.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Comedy open mic: 8 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10:30 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Deep Fried and Dipped In Honey: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Lip Sync Battle: 8 p.m., Jamestown Moose Club, 405 E. Fifth St. in Jamestown

DJ Karaoke with DJ Eternalnyght: 8 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Black Widow: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Ion Sky: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

REALife Church: 10 a.m., Crown Street Roasting Company, 16 W. Third St. in Jamestown

The Scroggins: 2 p.m., The Vegas Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Kyle Gustafson: 7 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

“Victoria and Abdul” screening: 8 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Ryan Buzzetto: 8 p.m., Busti Tap House, Busti-Sugar Grove Road in Busti

The Saloonatics: 8 p.m., The Vegas Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Wasted Whiskey: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Open Juke Box: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Whiskey Road: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Screamin’ Lou: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Alex Kates, Paul Shanahan and Steve Strickland: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Wednesday

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

DJ Felony: 10 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

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