I go for a run most mornings before work. It helps me wake up to feel the wind on my face and the pavement pounding underneath my feet, to feel my muscles loosen as every block goes by.
Recently, the birds have restarted their cheerful chirping and the grass has regained some of its verdant hue. As I run through, the trees grab my gaze — buds forming on their branches, nearly ready to bloom — and the squirrels make me laugh with their endless darting back and forth, bushy tails bristling around with every step.
This world of ours, it’s beautiful. And so often we forget to look around, to stop and smell the metaphorical (or even real!) flowers, to appreciate what’s right before us rather than scrolling through our phones or mentally formulating to-do lists or simply thinking ahead to whatever’s next. Nature helps us be present, keeping us quite literally grounded in the Earth.
It can be easy to take it all for granted. But on occasions like Earth Day, coming up next Wednesday, we stop and think about this planet we’re inhabiting. We show it extra love. I hope that this love continues not just on Earth Day but throughout the year. Our planet deserves it — and so do we.
If you’re feeling this love for the world around you, consider joining the Concord Clean-Up happening on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in collaboration with the Concord High School National Honor Society. Beginning at White Park, participants will have the opportunity to pick up Blue Bags provided by the City before splitting up to different areas. The event is open to everyone interested in helping out! Gloves, grabber tools, hand sanitizer and other supplies (except the Blue Bags) will not be provided, so don’t forget to bring any handy implements that might be of use.
At the same time as the clean-up, Red River Theatres is screening “The Littlest Big Farm” at 10 a.m. on Saturday, if you’re feeling Earth Day vibes but are looking for something a little more lowkey. The documentary follows a couple “through their successes and failures as they work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles. Over the years, the desolate land they purchase begins to thrive and it’s transformed.” For tickets, visit https://redrivertheatres.org
At Pittsfield’s Scenic Theater, “The Supporting Cast” will open on Friday evening, with a 7:30 p.m. performance. There will be a performance at that same time Saturday evening, as well as one at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The next weekend on April 24 and 25, there will be shows at 7:30 p.m., so plenty of opportunities to enjoy the play. Set in the 1980s amid scandalous exposés, wildfires and landslides, the play promises “beachy-beachy vibes of the set, surf and sand, stay for the acerbic wit, slapstick.” Visit www.pittsfieldplayers.org for tickets and more information.
At Gnomie’s Woodland Fountain in Concord, there’s a Sip, Script and Succulents night on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m., and on Saturday, there’s Personalized Vision Boards at 11 a.m., a Decoupage Scallop Shell Trinket Dish + Tea Social at 1 p.m. and a Cherry Blossom Paint Night at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.gnomieswoodlandfountain.com.
There are many other events happening this weekend, and it’s impossible to include them all. Check out our full events listing at www.concordmonitor.com/events.
Have a lovely weekend!
