Next Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Started in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about and begin addressing air and water pollution, the event and concept was a hit and began the environmental movement in the United States.

This year NASA is sponsoring a fun social media campaign called #NoPlaceLikeHome. They are inviting everyone to post photos and videos of their favorite places on the planet, identified by that hashtag. Since the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, it might be a good time to enjoy some of YOUR favorite locations and post them. I'm planning to head out and about myself for a badly needed photo day.

Oglebay Institute is hosting "Monticello at the Park: the 2015 Wheeling Gardening Symposium" on Saturday, April 18 and EcoFest at the Schrader Nature and Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 25. Clicking on the event titles will take you to the information pages.

If you need any more reasons to spend some time celebrating the Earth, studies have proven that being outside in nature relieves stress, gives you more energy and, well, makes you FEEL GOOD--Friday or not.

And, finally, here is one of my favorite speeches: an excerpt from Carl Sagan's "The Pale Blue Dot." There really is "no place like home."