I’m sure this is no foreign concept to a lot of people, but sometimes a birthday can be the best way to know just how appreciated you are; as long as you spend it the right way.

Last Thursday, I opted to use some personal time to see just how much I could cram into one day in order to make the most of it. And make the most of it I did!

I started off my day by sitting around my apartment doing nothing of consequence save for some casual viewing of TV on DVD; specifically “Twin Peaks,” for those of you who care to know. Just as a quick aside: free time is usually a luxury I rarely afford myself, so allowing myself an opportunity to just lay on my couch for even two hours per week and relax is kind of a big deal to me.

Around lunchtime I decided that my 30th birthday was a great time to check out the new hot spot in Lakewood, Hog Wild BBQ Co. at 140 W. Fairmount Ave., which was in the midst of its soft opening. Aside from the fact that I probably would’ve made my way over there at some point anyway based on the recommendations of my various Facebook friends, I also happen to know the owner, Dean Wells, and he’s a pretty awesome guy.

I swung on by, had the best BBQ chicken, brisket and ribs of my life, and decided, as I walked out to the parking lot, that a lakeside drive was in order.

As a general principle of mine, any time the weather is fine and I’m anywhere in the vicinity of Chautauqua Lake, I will always inevitably find myself at the Vikings Lake Park, adjacent to Midway State Park. I spent much of my childhood at that particular locale and I have many fond memories of staying with my grandparents during the summer months at their trailer site on the grounds. These days I prefer to go when the turnout and activity is low and just reflect while I walk the shoreline, catching glimpses in my mind’s eye of a young Gavin swimming in the shallow waters and talking with his grandpa from the docks.

After a couple more hours of aimless relaxation I made my way to the Robert H. Jackson Center with my mom for the live taping of the 63rd episode of WRFA-LP 107.9 FM’s “Rolling Hills Radio,” featuring Tom Chapin. Although this was the first time I’d ever attended a “Rolling Hills Radio” performance (despite previewing the program on this page for three years!), it wasn’t my first Tom Chapin concert.

I’d previously met Tom in 2010 while working at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, following a concert he gave that summer. This experience was still a neat one to have, however, because I recall listening to some of Tom’s music in my kindergarten class and this time I was able to chat with him briefly and get my photo taken with him. Not to mention that “Rolling Hills Radio” host Ken Hardley gave me a 30th birthday shout out for the whole theater to hear. Thanks for the love, Ken!

The day wrapped up with a night out on the town with some of my dearest friends and fondest acquaintances before I made my way back home one year older.

If you were now to ask me how my birthday went, having had a full week to look back on it, I’d say it was probably the best yet.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Original Jamestown Play ‘Least Resistance’ Continues This Weekend: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and The Winged Ox Players will feature more than 20 local cast members in “Least Resistance,” an original Jamestown play incorporating firsthand accounts of actual community members’ struggles in relation to Chautauqua County’s drug epidemic into a cohesive narrative, in the play’s last round of performances this weekend.

The play was penned by British-born Jamestown resident and playwright Richard Olson-Walter. The play is being presented by the Winged Ox Players group, and a number of roles are being filled by regulars of the group. However, several community members from different walks of life will perform in “Least Resistance.” The cast includes: Kristina Benson, Matt Smith, Melody Lebowitz, Emily Hanson, Marge Fiore, Sean Jones, Clyde Card, Adam Hughes, Luanne Wanamaker, Gavin Card, Willow Fodor, Paige Cummings, John Pickett, Russell Lee, Anne Eklund, Vince DeJoy, LeeAnn Lazarony, Jake Dieffenbach, Josh Dieffenbach, Cathy Smith, Renee Posey and Rycheigh Allan.

Performances will be held at the Willow Bay Theater, 21 E. Third St. in Jamestown, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E. Fourth St., will also remain open until 11 p.m. on performance nights for after-show food and drinks. Olson-Walter and Cobb will hold a question-and-answer session at Labyrinth following Friday’s performance.

There is no cost to attend a performance of “Least Resistance,” but freewill offerings and donations will be accepted in support of Jamestown’s Union Gospel Mission, which closed in October 2015 but is reopening with the help of a partnership between the United Christian Advocacy Network and the Mental Health Association.

For more information, call St. Luke’s at 483-6405 or visit leastresistance.org.

2017 Westfield Book And Paper Show Is Saturday: The 2017 Vintage Book and Paper Show and Sale in Westfield will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. atEason Hall, 23 Elm St., on Saturday. Presented by the Chautauqua County Historical Society and organized by CCHS trustee and show chairman Bob Johnston, the Book and Paper Show will feature more than 20 different dealers who will be on hand selling vintage and rare books, historic maps, old photographs, postcards, posters, sports memorabilia, and much more. There will also be local and regional history items for sale. All are invited to come and take advantage of what can turn into quite the treasure hunt for historical, artistic, and cultural items of interest. Books will once again be a key component of the event, with various dealers selling rare books, hard-to-find classic first editions along with modern first editions, children’s books and various types of history books — including local and regional history. In addition to local books, there will also be local photographs, postcards and other items.

General admission to the event is $5, $3 for students, and children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult. All proceeds being used to benefit the Chautauqua County Historical Society and its programs. Door prizes will be given out to all who pay to attend.

For more information, including directions and general inquiries, visit bookandpapershow.com or contact the historical society at 326-2977. For more information on the historical society, visit mcclurgmuseum.org.

Community Music Project To Present ‘All-American’ Concert Sunday: The Community Music Project will present an “All-American” concert entitled “I’ll Sing On: American Folk Songs and Spirituals” on Sunday at St. James Church beginning at 4 p.m. The Chamber Singers, under the direction of Rebecca Ryan and accompanied by Brian Bogey, will feature works by Harry Burleigh and Alice Parker, a 91-year-old American choral icon, whom a few members of The Chamber Singers had a chance to study with last summer at Chautauqua. Also featured will be guest soloist John Myers, of Erie, on bass. Myers will be featured on the classic spirituals “Ride On King Jesus,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” and “Deep River.”

Presale tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for students, and can be purchased in advance by calling 664-2227 or from any choir member. Children 15 and under will be admitted for free. For more information, visit communitymusicproject.com.

‘Back Room Radio Hour’ To Hold Season Finale Thursday, May 11: Trinity Guitars’ “Back Room Radio Hour” will hold the live taping of its season finale in the from of a songwriters’ circle on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m. The program will feature appearances by Tyler Smilo, Stephen Foster, Amanda Barton, The Probables’ Steve Johnson, Bryan Moore and Dan Vogan, and more will be announced. The program will also feature a visit with representatives of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

There is no cost to attend the taping, but reservations should be made in advance by calling 665-4490. For more information, find “BRRH Season Finale Songwriters’ Circle” on Facebook.

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

Pulse Poetry open mic featuring Ben Brindise: 6 p.m., Infinity Arts, Cafe, 300 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Comedy open mic: 7:30 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

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

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

Friday

Bryan Moore: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Smokin’ 45: 8 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Splitfoot: 8 p.m., Llama Club, Route 474 in Ashville

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

TPT: 7:30 p.m., Washington Middle School, 159 Buffalo St. in Jamestown

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

DJ Fish: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Slow Motion Breakdown with Cold Lazarus: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Brian Chase: 7 p.m., Celoron Moose, 52 Dunham Ave. in Celoron

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

Grand Larseny: 8 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

No Limit: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Only Humen: 9 p.m., Jamestown Moose, 405 E. Fifth St. in Jamestown

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

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

Soul Butchers with Super Tugger: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Open Jam (Matt Logue birthday bash): 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Open Jam: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Tuesday

“Potential Inertia” screening: 6 p.m., Chapel Theater at the Spire, 316 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

“The Lego Batman Movie” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown.