Cabin Fever

Casanova This lush romantic comedy stars Heath Ledger as the legendary 18th-century ladies' man and Sienna Miller as the liberated lady who wins his unlikely devotion. R. Grandma's Boy This farce in the Adam Sandler vein stars Allen Covert as a 35-year-old video-game developer forced to live with his grandmother (Doris Roberts) and her friends (Shirley Jones and Shirley Knight). R. Hostel Follow the horrific journey of two Americans abroad and one wild man from Iceland. They go to a hostel in Bratislava, Slovakia, that's said to overflow with available women - and turns out to be a torture house.

At 5:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, thousands of avid Harford County trout fishermen will gather along the banks of Deer Creek and the Little Gunpowder River for the opening of trout season -- and the first real chance for anglers to combat the cabin fever that has gripped so many of them.During the next three months, more than 17,000 catch-sized rainbow trout will be stocked in county streams and Forest HillPond. Although these fish rarely exceed 12 inches, they're considered real trophies to local anglers who suffered through winter.

Cabin Fever Festival Come out of hibernation for the Cabin Fever Festival this weekend in Frederick. More than 200 professional artists and juried craft exhibitors will display traditional and contemporary works in seven buildings and heated tents at Frederick Fairgrounds. Craft demonstrations, decorating ideas, entertainment and food will also be offered to help chase away the winter blahs. The festival site is on East Patrick Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

400 new cars The lowdown -- Representatives from more than 30 car manufacturers will be on site this weekend at the 2007 Motor Trend International Auto Show at the Baltimore Convention Center. This nonselling environment will give attendees a close look at more than 400 trendy, innovative and environmentally conscious vehicles. If you go -- The Auto Show runs noon-11 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. tomorrow, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $4-$10. The Baltimore Convention Center is at 1 W. Pratt St. For more information, go to motortrend autoshows.

Eric Hayden of Bowie writes: This has felt like the longest winter on record because my cabin fever is raging. I know I must have missed it earlier, but could you please remind me about the new rules regarding catch-and-release striped bass fishing this spring? Outdoors Girl replies: When it comes to cabin fever, join the club. The winter of 2009-2010 is now in the books, at least as far as the equinox is concerned. Let's hope the weather gods can read the calendar. The new catch-and-release rules for the Chesapeake Bay go into effect Monday and continue until April 17, when the spring trophy season starts.

This week, we discovered that renting the makes-you-too-scared-to-go-outdoors "Cabin Fever" is not the best way to get over cabin fever. So instead we spent our time collecting the best stories pop culture threw down. Here's our week in review: MOST WELCOME RETURN: Sade, which sold 500K copies of comeback album Soldier of Love in its first week. Also, we learned that Sade is the name of the band and not just the lead singer, a fact that eluded us for 20 years. BEST THING WE SAW ALL WEEK: Photo essay "How to properly enjoy Ed Hardy wine" on thechive.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gov. Arne Carlson says he intends to order state departments to stop state-financed advertising "during television programs which exploit and glorify violence."The Republican governor's announcement came last week as he and GOP legislators outlined their anti-crime proposal to be introduced in the Minnesota Legislature later this month.Mr. Carlson's package is aimed at strengthening state laws against violent crimes, especially violent sex crimes. Much of what was outlined had been unveiled earlier by either the Governor's Commission on Violent Crimes or Republican legislators.

Russian artIf you love craft work, forget about a pottery wheel -- think lacquer boxes (pictured) instead and head to the Palekh Russian Art Demonstration and Exhibition and broaden your horizons. Explore the world of Palekh art as 17 artists and members of the American-Russian Decorative Arts Exchange demonstrate traditional techniques of egg tempera on papier-mache. View this lacquer miniature art never previously seen outside Russia."The Palekh Russian Artists Demonstration and Exhibition" will be held Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Springfield, Va. Admission is free.

Geography is such that driving north out of Harford County will put you in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania in a matter of a little more than an hour and a half. The change in latitude isn't all that much, but elevation makes a difference, and the effect on the weather is substantial, especially at this time of year. Punxsutawney, Pa., may be a solid five or so hours from Harford County by car, but anyone who has ever spent a winter weekend anywhere in the mountains of the Keystone State can get an idea of how important it becomes to predict when the weather will break.