This week, there is a lot on our plate, so let's get right to it.

No, my dear friends, this is not done to goad pals who post comments at the end of this column blaming me for everything, including nutty Democrats or knucklehead Republicans.

Let us start by mentioning:

1. The mysterious balloon or other objects shot down by the USAF. We all need more information before deciding who is at fault and who to blame. We spend a zillion on the best military in the world. It is best to let them earn their money. Then we can blame the other side for whatever they can find on some obscure internet post.

2. The 2024 presidential candidates. The two presumptive candidates have the same fatal disease we all carry within our DNA. It is called O.L.D. Former president Donald Trump is 76. President Biden is 80. You do the math. Look at the obits. Most of my high school classmates (Class of ’59) have met the Almighty. The rest of us hope not to fall on the ice in the driveway.

3. The next major national political battle. The veepstakes might become the bloodiest battle of all. Once upon a time, Democrat House Speaker John Nance Garner let FDR talk him into becoming vice president. He called it his worst decision, saying the office was not worth a bucket of warm spit. Not so this season. Father Time may have something to do with the 2024 VP candidate's chance of moving into the Oval Office.

4. The knucklehead congressmen and women on the left and the right kicked off this congressional session by yelling at each other. Boo on both sides.

4. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) got it right. George Santos is a sick puppy.

Now that that chore is done, let us get to the important stuff.

Let's have a round of applause for a pair of local arts projects.

First of all, kudos to the Best Little Movie Theater in Maine. We all have heard conventional wisdom: A good big guy will always beat a good little guy. If you have recently been to Cooks Corner, you might have noticed the giant Regal Movie multiplex threw in the towel and locked its doors. Ditto for the big Nordica theater in Freeport. Not so for the little 210-seat Harbor Theater in the Meadow Mall. Attendance is not up to snuff like it was pre-COVID, but it is looking up.

Local movie buffs, calling themselves the Friends of the Theater, have begged support from the community and somehow been able to keep the doors open, the popcorn warm, and the flicks flickering.

In the latest little movie called “80 for Brady,” the theater scored a field goal and maybe even a touchdown. Ham Meserve, the spiritual godfather of the operation, said this offering appealed to the demographic sweet spot of our community, ladies between 50 and 85.

While Hollywood sends out lots of seriously dark stories (like “Till”) that attracted few customers, movies like “80 for Brady,” “Man called Otto” and the upcoming “Living,” seem to score with the local crowd. So are low-cost (to them) European offerings profiling composers and artists. They are also combing catalogues searching for flicks of local interest.

And, as the threat of COVID seems to be going away, potential customers are willing to join their neighbors and go to the movies once again. Ham admits it is a tough job, as Hollywood big shots demand they rebate between 50 and 67% of every ticket sold. To get around that hurdle, Friends & Co. attracted donations from 20 sustaining sponsors and 500-plus members. This allowed the Best Little Movie Theater in Maine to keep the doors open, the popcorn warm, and the flicks flickering.

When was the last time you went to the movies? Is it time for you to have a night out?

How about another round of applause for Boothbay Region Art Foundation and their latest show: What's Nude in Boothbay Harbor. Paintings, sketches, pots, and photos representing the human figure attracted a near-record crowd at Saturday's opening. Over a hundred-plus art fans came out to enjoy the artistic efforts of their friends and neighbors.

Maybe some just wanted to see if anyone had the courage to show off their birthday suit as Mr. COVID and Old Man Winter blew the doors off our interactive social lives.

So, why not summon up the courage to get up off the couch, go outside, grab a bit of culture/entertainment, and stop at the Art Foundation? Then go to the movies.

It won’t break the bank. You might have a bit of fun, too.

And believe me, we could all use a bit of fun.