Given the near white-out conditions outside, now seems like a good time to let you know that this weekend is "Food Shelf Weekend" at Afton Alps, the ski and tubing area in Afton, Minn. On March 23 and 24, donate 4 non-perishable food items and get a tube or lift ticket for a mere $8. The usual prices begin at at $32 for children 6-12 years old. More details at www.aftonalps.com. The press release announcing the deal said, "snow conditions are great," and that was written before today's dump.