CONCERT: Don’t forget the virtual performance by Veena Akama-Makia at 8 p.m. Friday, available only on the Marilyn Horne Museum YouTube channel. Admission is free, and those attending can enjoy hearing an award-winning vocalist who has studied both in the US and Europe.

She will be accompanied by Evan Ritter, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and an award-winning pianist and composer from Dallas, Texas, who is currently residing in Rochester, NY.

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CHIPOTLE RANCH SNACK MIX: Enjoy a spicy alternative to buttered popcorn.

Ingredients

1 (1 ounce) package (2 tablespoons) ranch salad dressing mix

1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper, or chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

4 quarts popped popcorn

Cooking spray

Directions: Stir together ranch salad dressing mix, chipotle pepper and garlic salt in a small bowl. Lightly spray popcorn with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix over popcorn; toss and serve. Store remaining seasoning mix in an airtight container for future use.

Recipe courtesy of The Popcorn Board.

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LOOKING FORWARD A BIT: Spring garden cleanup may not be on your mind, but here’s a thought of spring on a wintry February day.

When it comes to the garden, it is wise to wait as long as you can to clean out dead stalks and grasses in the garden, as these may be the home of overwintering invertebrates.

Ideally, home gardeners should wait until it is time to mow regularly or the plum trees have stopped blooming, since it is likely that the overwintering bees have already emerged by then to take advantage of the early blossoms.

If possible, it is even better to wait until apple trees are blooming, because mining and bumble bees will be first to emerge and enjoy apple blossoms here in Pennsylvania.