Thunderstorms and rain will finish out the week and then sunshine for the weekend.  Unfortunately, it won't be warm, but cold is better than wet, right?

In The Capital listed Deep Creek among the Best Weekend Getaways to Escape DC Drama.  Nice plug, but we really do have cell service.  Geesh!

The DNR has some emergency tips here for water rescue.  Hopefully, we'll never need them, but good to know. 

Mostly sunny today with an expected high of 80. 

The Boardwalk reopens today at noon.  Drink specials all day, $5 hamburgers and $3 hot dogs from 4-8 and live entertainment from 7-9.  Stop by and soak up the sun and the view!

The group that brings us the Gran Fondo Road Race and the SavageMan Triathlon are at it again.  The inaugural Mountain Massacree Road Race will be held on Saturday.  Check out the course and register here.  Online registration ends on Thursday. 

Nemacolin's casino is set to open in July.  Casino visitors (who aren't guests at the resort)  will have to pay a $10 cover charge to gamble.  What!?!?

The Garrett County Board of Realtors and American Red Cross will hold a blood drive today in the gymnasium at Garrett College.  Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Visit www.redcrossblood.org  to schedule an appointment.   Given the recent devastation in Oklahoma, blood is desperately needed. 

The leaves are really starting to fill in and we'll have a warm week with some isolated thunderstorms.  Preliminary forecast for the holiday weekend looks sunny and dry, but not very warm with highs in the mid-60's and low 70's.

Rocky Gap's casino is expected to open on Wednesday. 

Construction  on the water lines on Glendale Road will continue the week of May 20^th through the 24^th. The roadway will be open during the evening hours. The roadway will continue to be closed to thru traffic (no traffic will be allowed to cross Glendale Bridge) during normal working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.  Only public school busses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through the work zone.  A flag person will be on site to direct traffic accessing and exiting businesses and residences located on Glendale Road between Route 219/Garrett Highway and the Glendale Bridge, however delays may be experienced.  All other traffic will be directed to detours. Daily updates will be posted on the Department of Public Utilities web site at www.co.garrett.md.us/public-utilities .  Questions may be directed to the Department at 301-334-6983.

Except for a little fog on Sunday, it seems that the races went off without a hitch this weekend at ASCI.  A recap and results from the event are available here. 

Forgot to mention the dangling-your-feet-off-the-dock water temperature is 61.

9:00 a.m.

A beautiful, sunshiny morning.  We could see some thunderstorms and clouds through the weekend, but we should see some sunshine, too. 

The DNR Ranger boat sank yesterday.  Oops!  (photo courtesy of Lou Battistella)  A story in the Times-News is here. 

Ace's Run opens tonight at 4 p.m. There was a pre-opening party last night that I was unable to attend, but it looks like the place got a nice remodel.  (photo courtesy of Kim Smith)

A 4-mile run/1-mile fun walk will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at Herrington Manor State Park.  Proceeds will benefit Cindy's Fund. 

The War of 1812 - A Living History will be held at the fairgrounds beginning tonight at 5 and tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Wisp's Community Yard Sale begins tomorrow 9 a.m.  Rain or shine. 

Please stop by the USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Team Trials at ASCI.  Races run through the weekend, admission is free and there will be food, music and beer available.  An event schedule is here. 

Rain and thunderstorms arrived in the wee hours of the night.  Around six-tenths of an inch so far.  Still raining this morning, but the bulk of the storms should clear out after noon. 

Temperatures peaked in the 80's yesterday.  Much needed and much appreciated!

The April Market Minute from Long & Foster is now available. 

Warmer this morning than all day yesterday!  Nothing but daytime highs in 60's and low 70's in the 7-day forecast.  Finally!  May see some rain and thunderstorms through it all, but that is OK.

Some of the movie times have changed for tomorrow as Star Trek Into the Darkness will open. 

Crews have been working on the 219 bridge for a few weeks now.  It looks like work is concentrated on the expansion joints, but I'm assuming some electrical work is in there too.  Monday night the bridge was completely dark -- directional lights and overheads.  Last night they got the red lights and overheads on, but greens were dark.  All lights are off during the day.  Just passing that along since today may actually be a good day for a boat ride.  Hopefully, it will be fully functional by this evening. 

Check out this 38.25-inch northern pike caught by Eric Richter in Deep Creek.  Monster!  (photo courtesy of MD DNR Fisheries)

Yesterday was just ridiculous.  Cold, wind and, yes, even snow.  All that topped with a pretty heavy frost this morning.  My perennials seem to have weathered the cold, but I imagine any tender annuals did not. 

Expected high of 57 today and then 76 tomorrow. 

We're getting a huge electronic billboard at the lake.  It is currently being erected on Rt. 219 near the Rt. 42 intersection -- just out of the zoning area.

Mountain State Brewing's Seneca IPA is now available for purchase at McHenry Beverage Shoppe.

The mini-marina controversy is continuing.  A judge is expected to make a decision by June 1. 

Ace's Run will open on Friday and the menu is now available on the website.  Looks yummy and I'm excited to see that Pasta Night will return! 

One more day of cold before things warm up a bit and hopefully there will be no turning back.  Temps dipped below freezing last night and will do the same tonight.  No call for snow anymore, thankfully. 

It snowed yesterday in Grantsville.  Oddly enough, the sun was out and the temps were in the 40's, but one little black cloud was dropping trace amounts of snow. 

Glendale Road will be completely closed from Rt. 219 to Zeddock Miller Road this week.  All day and night.  Access to businesses and residences located on Glendale Road between Zeddock Miller Road and the Glendale Bridge can be made from Zeddock Miller Road, Paradise Heights Road or from the eastern side of Glendale Bridge.

Nice article here in the Baltimore Sun about ASCI and the upcoming races and the Baltimore Business Journal named ASCI one of the top 25 things to do in Maryland this summer (#4). 

Maryland ranks among the worst states to do business according to CEO magazine.

Outbreaks of gypsy moth infestations will lead to more spraying in the county this month.  Acreage that will require treatment has quadrupled since last year. 

Thunderstorms are likely through tomorrow.  Some of the storms could be severe with wind gusts in the 60 to 70 mph range.

The lake level is currently above the high rule band of 2461 at 2461.26. The impending storms will only add to the level, so make sure any items on the shoreline are secure. 

Are you seeing this?  Yes, those are snowflakes forecast for Monday. 

The DCL POA sent out this Eblast yesterday regarding current plans to manage the Canadian geese population at the lake and how you can help.

Tickets are still available for tonight's performance of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. 

The Paddling for Paws stand up paddleboard race event begins tonight. 

A benefit concert for Boston bombing victims will be held tomorrow at Mountain State Brewing.  Entertainment line up includes two-time Nashville recording artist The Steve Smith Band. 

Wisp will host the a bike race on Saturday.  The first race in the Wisp XC Challenge kicks off at noon.

A pretty nice day yesterday.  The sun came out and the rain held off until late afternoon and overnight. 

Dandelions are in bloom (ha!) and our hillsides are starting to get a tint of green to them. 

Looking for a place to take Mom on Sunday?  Jearbryo's will be cooking up some special menu items.  DC's Steakhouse will offer a buffet and moms are 1/2 price and moms are 1/2 price at  Pine Lodge Steakhouse, as well. 

An open letter here from the county in response to the letter from the Board of Education. 

Almost an inch and a half of rain yesterday.  It rained pretty much all day long.  A little reprieve this morning, but more is on the way.

The informational meeting on the FY 2014 budget will now be held in the Garrett College auditorium tonight at 7 p.m. 

The Brood II cicadas should be making an appearance in the east any day now.  This emergence will miss us locally, but check out the Brood V in 2016. Oh boy!

Tonight is the first Guest Bartender Challenge for HART for Animals of the season.  Joe & Jodi Refosco, of Taylor-Made Vacations, and Billy Weissgerber, of Railey Realty will be serving up drinks at JG's Pub from 6-9.  All tips benefit HART.

Here is Wisp's Outdoor Adventure schedule for this week. 

Rain will dominate this week and we're still waiting for the warmth.  Starting to lose patience.

The McDonald's in Oakland is undergoing a dining room and exterior facelift.  The drive-thru will remain open through construction. 

Our Baltimore friends should keep an eye out for a new billboard on I-95 South between exits 53 (I-395) and exit 50 (Caton Ave).  (photo courtesy of Garrett County Chamber of Commerce)

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday.  I had to be out of town.  Back to business today!

A bit cooler over the weekend, but the sun will remain throughout.  Should be a good one!

Governor O'Malley signed a bill repealing the death penalty in Maryland yesterday. 

Wisp 2013/14 season ticket are now on sale at 20% off. 

Eat at Dutch's at Silver Tree tonight from 5-9 and a portion of your check will benefit GLAF.

Bill's Marine Service All-Family Boat Show ends this Sunday.  Be sure to stop by and check out their new inventory.   

The first Old Time Jam session of the season is tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 at New Germany State Park Lakehouse. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity for musicians and spectators of all ages to share and enjoy traditional folk, bluegrass, and other “old-time” Appalachian music.   Return to the park on Saturday at 1 p.m. and help in the effort to pull garlic mustard.  Volunteers 8 and over are invited to participate.  Call 301-895-5453  for information on either event. 

Also, don't forget the Night at the Races benefit Saturday at the Southern Rescue Squad Hall.  

Gorgeous, gorgeous day!  Sunshine and an expected high of 70 today.

The requested county budget for FY 2104 is available here. An open letter from the county Board of Education is here calling the financial future of our local schools "dismal."   The Board will schedule a public informational meeting on Wednesday, May 8 at Garrett College Room 224 in the Continuing Education Building at 7:00 PM to review the budget. 

Stop by the Grand Central  Customer Appreciation Open House this weekend.  Big savings, decorating tips and wine tastings from Deep Creek Gourmet. 

The POA sent out the following regarding debris in the lake from Sandy:  As you are out on the lake early this boating season, we recommend you remain aware of the possibility of encountering partially submerged tree limbs or even trees themselves.  Should you see anything that could be a hazard to safe boating in the lake, exercise appropriate caution then please contact the Lake Management Office immediately at 301-387-4111 to report the sighting and provide a location so that the situation can be made safe for all.  More information is here.

The eagle has landed!  The aviary at the Discovery Center welcomed a new resident golden eagle yesterday.  Stop by to hear his story.  (photo courtesy of the Discovery Center)

A little warmer over the next few days... finally!  Temps will reach almost to 70 with plenty of sunshine. 

The county real estate tax sale is this Friday at 10 a.m. at the courthouse.  A list of properties and sale information are available here. 

Due to construction difficulties encountered, it is anticipated that work on Glendale Road will continue to occur into the week of May 20^th – 24^th.  The roadway will continue to be closed to thru traffic (no traffic will be allowed to cross Glendale Bridge) during normal working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.