It’s official - I’m restless, uncomfortable, and impatient. I’ve become snappy,  and anxious with a dash of exhaustion - I am  over winter. Normally it doesn’t bother me, however, the last couple weeks of January with it’s dull dreary days and lack of sunshine I am officially a nutcase! With January over and February on the way it’s time we begin to shake off our hibernation suits and get out of the house or not.

You can start off by attending one of the four open mic nights held in February. I guess the long winter has helped us bottle up some creative angst. Get rid of it here: The Winter of Malcontent Poetry Slam / Open Mic @ Pieper’s Gourmet Catering February 1st @ 7pm - 9pm. Follow it up on the 8th with Open Mic Night @ Papa’s Grill from 7pm - 9pm. Still need more? Go at it two more chances - February 16th & 23rd Open Mic with Heather Lloyd of ilyAIMY @ The Columbus Bar starting at 8pm.

Don’t like share? How about stuffing your face by attending the Progressive Dinner Series, served in three different downtown restaurants on February 10. First Course at Tre Bicchieri – stuffed mushrooms with roasted tomato sauce, Entrée at The Fork – blackened red snapper with root vegetable hash and shagbark beurre blanc, Dessert at Bistro 310 – warm flourless chocolate cake - all for $40/person. Call 812.373.9382 for reservations.

The Taste of Chocolate is a winter staple in the area. Once a year, this February 12th at FairOaks Mall, our great foodie folks around town get together and create wonderful chocolate related treats for a great cause. Satisfy your sweet tooth   and your pocketbook; save a buck a get your tickets early @  Pieper’s Gourmet Catering; Cookies, Baskets & More; FairOaks Mall Customer Service; Sisters on the Square in Hope.

Drink and be merry with the Mardi Gras Grub & Pub Crawl. Visit the local owned bars & restaurants for special drinks and meals. Get some beads and party on - in a safe responsible manner, of course. Dreaming of warm sea scented air and blended drinks? Look for the lighted palm trees downtown on February 27th for participating establishments serving warm weathered deals on food & drink for Caribbean Night.

Get a little culture to counter balance all the television you’ve been watching. Attend the Columbus Philharmonic: Come to the Cabaret on February 6, with special guest Sylvia McNair. Cabert not your style? Then try the first ever Out Side Film Festival, also on February 6. An all day long film festival featuring movies and short films with an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and transsexual) theme.

More into murder and mayhem? Arsenic and Old Lace tells the tale of two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and “just a pinch” of cyanide. Get a taste on February 12th, 13th & 14th @ The Crump.

Kenyetta Dance Company will be in town on February 20 preforming the Roots Suite. The show starts @ 7:00pm at Southside School auditorium. Free will donation on behalf of the African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by AIDS. Sponsored by the Granny Connection and the NAACP.

Staying home is still an option - cause who are we kidding? February is still cold, gray and at times gross. Read a book and earn prizes all month long with the Bartholomew County Library Winter Reading Club. Catch up on your favorite author or find a new one - maybe learn a new skill.

As Indiana residents some of us might be invested in a certain football game coming up. The Indianapolis Colts face off the New Orleans Saints on February 7th in Miami - just in case you didn’t know. Go Blue!

One night of sports isn’t enough? Try 16 days of high flying, speed skating, triple lutz landing, bobsledding, curling excitement with the Winter Olympics. Opening ceremony is February 12th.

February is only 28 days long. If they turn out to be dull, gray, cold days throw on your snuggie, grab your tv remote and wait it out. It shouldn’t be long before a taste of spring.